Monday, February 16, 2009, Episode #5502

Steffy asks Rick how they can get married.

In Rick's office, Steffy is stunned as Rick proposes marriage. Steffy asks if they can really do that. Rick suggests that they elope, so Steffy pictures places like Vegas or Hawaii. Steffy then asks what would happen after the wedding. Rick says they'll do whatever makes them happy, although they might not be able to live in L.A. at first. Steffy suggests Paris, where Rick still has some contacts, although he points out that they might not want to work in the fashion industry. Steffy also suggests London, since she has a lot of school friends there. Rick thinks that sounds romantic and perfect; Steffy agrees that it sounds perfect. Rick asks if that's a yes, but Steffy asks how she can marry him with her parents against them. Rick tells her to just marry him, but Steffy says that they can't think just about themselves. Rick says that's what people in love do. Steffy asks if this really is love, or is this proposal really just the ultimate act of revenge against her dad? Rick is taken aback by her thinking that this is all some kind of con. Steffy says that she doesn't question his feelings, but she questions what drives him to feel that way. Rick tells her to stop letting everyone feed her all this crap that makes her question her feelings, but Steffy can't help it because she wonders if it's true. She reminds him how he proposed to her mother only months ago, and then he blamed her father when her mother turned him down. Now he's proposing to her, and it doesn't feel safe. She doesn't want to be a vehicle of revenge and prefers to end things now if his feelings aren't real.

Rick tells Steffy he loves her and kisses her.

Rick insists that his feelings are real. He admits that when their relationship started, he thought she was naive enough to use to get back at her dad, and he's disgusted by that he let himself become back then. But now he can assure her that he's never felt this way about anyone in his life. Since she brought up his engagement to Taylor, he says that his head was in a fog, and he was so busy trying to be the hero. But his heart has never pounded as fast as it does when he's with Steffy, and if that's not love, what is? He kisses her to prove his point, but Steffy doesn't think it matters if she believes him or not. Rick won't accept that and reminds her how he gave away his family's designs and lost his family's trust all for her. Steffy states that the problem is that he thinks before he acts. She wants to be with him, she can't do that if it means waking up each day wondering what crazy thing he'll do next in the name of love. Rick says she's absolutely right and vows to make her see him differently. He may have done everything wrong before, but he won't do that anymore. He promises to be the man she wants him to be and to prove that he can be that man. Rick then kisses Steffy again, tells her that he loves her and leaves.

Ridge tries to reassure Brooke.

Brooke sits with Ridge in his office, reflecting on how difficult it was to cut Rick loose. Ridge thanks her again for getting Rick out of the company. Brooke concedes that it had to be done, but she feels like she turned her back on her own son. Ridge hopes this will be the kick in the pants that Rick needs to grow up and get his life together. Brooke fears that Rick will never look at her the same ever again, but Ridge thinks Rick will appreciate in time that she cared enough about him to bust him on his reckless behavior. In the meantime, the two of them can focus on their family, and he even thinks there will eventually be a place for Rick in that family once Rick grows up. But for now, he wants Rick to stay away from him and especially from Steffy! Holding his wife, Ridge asks if she's feeling better. Brooke sighs that she feels a bit better, but Ridge doesn't think she sounds very convincing. Brooke thinks she just needs time, but Ridge suggests that she get caught up fast, since she's way past due on her quota for kissing her husband. Brooke sighs that they can't have that and eagerly gets to work on that. After they kiss, Ridge asks if she's feeling better now. "How could I not?" she asks, and they make out on the couch.

Eric has a talk with his youngest son.

Rick goes to see Eric to apologize for how things ended. Eric suggests they not think of this as an ending; while he admits that it's not impossible to live his dream of having all his kids working with him now, he thinks things will probably change in the future and urges Rick to get the help he needs. Rick says he will. He's too proud to ask for pity, so he intends to walk out of here with his head held high, and he doesn't intend to look to either of his parents ever again to solve his problems for him. He vows to promise that he can talk care of himself. Eric is glad to hear that. Rick says he never wanted to disappoint Eric. But he did disappoint him, Eric states, and that hurt. But even so, he never stopped loving him and never will. Eric puts his arms around Rick and hugs him. Rick then tells Eric that he may not hear from him for a while; Rick intends to use that time to reflect on what he has to do to make up for his mistakes and earn back Eric's respect. Eric tells him that he already has his respect.

Brooke asks Rick to understand what she did.

Rick turns to leave, telling Eric that he'll come back after hours to pack the rest of his things. As he turns around, he sees Brooke and Ridge standing there. Rick starts to leave, but Brooke asks him to wait. She knows Rick is angry with her, but she wants him to think about why she had to fire him. She thinks the time and distance will do them good and assures him that she'll always be there for him. And she likes to think that Forrester Creations allows second chances, so there might still be a place for him here if he's earned it. Rick admits that he deserves his fate, because he's been so horrible to her and Ridge will all his lying and manipulating. He thinks she raised him better than that, so now he has to work hard to earn back the respect of the people he loves. Brooke hugs him and tells him she loves him. After Rick leaves, Ridge wonders if Rick is up to something, but Eric and Brooke both think that the young man who just walked out was a completely different person. Brooke thinks Ridge was right when he said earlier that Rick just needed a good kick in the pants to become the man they all know he can be. Eric tells Brooke that it might take time, but he really thinks there's hope for their son.