Thursday, February 19, 2009, Episode #5505

Beth is surprised to learn that she's the only wedding guest.

While Nick gets ready for the wedding, he flashes back on happy times he spent with Bridget. Katie arrives with her mother, who is going to watch Jack for them. Nick is glad to see Beth, since they need a witness. Beth asks what's going on, so Nick and Katie tell her that they moved the wedding date up so they can get married today. Beth's surprised by the change of plans, but she's still pleased for her daughter. She asks when the other guests will arrive. Katie and Nick inform her that she's the only guest, since they didn't want anyone who might object to the nuptials to attend. Nick tells Katie not to worry about his mother. Katie insists that she's not worried since she has faith in their commitment to each other and to Jack.

Jackie urges Bridget to help her stop Nick's wedding.

At Jackie M, Jackie urges Bridget to help her stop Nick's wedding. Bridget insists that she doesn't want to get involved, but Jackie tells her to just admit that she loves Nick and wants to help him raise Jack. It's not too late, Jackie asserts, predicting that Katie will eventually betray Nick just as she did Bridget. Bridget points out that Nick wasn't innocent in what happened with Katie. Jackie reminds her that men don't always think with their heads and insists that Nick was truly sorry for what he did. She's sure Bridget would have been able to forgive Nick had Katie not bamboozled him, and she thinks Bridget is the perfect person to open Nick's eyes. Bridget refuses to go down that road again, since Nick hurt her so deeply. Jackie won't let her son ruin his life and plans to stop the wedding, with or without Bridget's help. Bridget doesn't think Jackie can stop it, but Jackie thinks she can because Katie pushed her way into Bridget's life and her home with Nick. "I don't care if I've got to yank her out of there by her stupid ponytail. She's not going to have him!" Jackie vows. She looks at Bridget and asks if she's coming with her.

Nick asks Katie if this is what she wants.

At the Marone mansion, Katie comes downstairs in a white wedding gown. Nick tells her how beautiful she looks and gives her a bouquet of flowers that he picked from the garden. Katie thinks everything is perfect. Nick asks if she's sure this is what she wants, since most women want their first wedding to be special with all the trimmings. Katie tells him that she just wants to be his wife and be there for him and Jack. "I can't wait to marry you," she beams. They hug, but Nick looks concerned.

Katie thanks her mom for her support.

Beth comes down after putting Jack down and compliments Katie on how lovely she looks. While they wait for the minister, Beth tells her daughter that she got the feeling that Jackie isn't thrilled by this wedding. She wants Katie to know she has her full support. Katie thanks her. She knows that's hard for Beth to do, since Bridget is family, too. Beth advises Katie to just embrace how happy Nick has made her as they embark on this journey and not look back. Nick returns and praises his beautiful bride. Beth agrees that Katie looks stunning. They all wonder what's keeping the minister. Right on cue, the doorbell rings; Nick goes to answer it and finds the minister there with Jackie and Bridget (who has removed her Madame X disguise). Katie asks what's going on. Jackie orders Katie to do the right thing, but Katie doesn't know what Jackie means and asks why Bridget is there. Jackie says that Bridget is there to support her, but Bridget says that's not exactly true. The minister says he's there to marry Dominick Marone and Katie Logan, but Jackie objects. Nick advises his mother to stop before she does something stupid, but Jackie retorts that she was about to tell him the same thing. "You're not going to marry that woman. I won't allow it," she proclaims.

An upset Brooke tells Ridge about Rick's enlistment.

At Forrester, Ridge invites Brooke to join him in the steam room to unwind, but she's too upset about Rick joining the Army. Ridge is shocked to hear that her privileged son, "the whiny kid who's never taken orders from anyone," has enlisted. Brooke tells him that she's worried sick about it, but Ridge thinks that's just how Rick wants her to feel. He thinks Rick's enlisting is just a ploy to get everyone to feel sorry for him. Brooke disagrees, but Ridge thinks Rick knows that the Army won't take him once they learn of his recent paralysis and the fact that he only has one kidney. Brooke refuses to believe that her son is deceiving her again, but Ridge feels that Rick is again playing the sympathy game. Brooke asks why he always thinks the worst of her son. Ridge suggests that Rick is trying to tug on her and Eric's heartstrings and make himself look like a hero to Steffy, but Brooke thinks it took a lot of nerve for Rick to step up to serve his country. She admits that she'll miss her son, but she's proud of him. Ridge counters that he won't miss Rick, who fortunately will be too far away to cause any more damage. Brooke scolds her husband for delighting at the idea of her son being sent to a war zone, since she needs a little support from Ridge right now. Ridge apologizes for being insensitive; he knows she's worried, but he wonders if a little military discipline might be just what Rick needs. Brooke asks if he thinks Rick will really go through with this. Ridge hopes it's true, but just to be safe, he's going to check on Steffy in case this Army thing is just another of Rick's stunts.

Marcus stops by to see Steffy.

Marcus stops by the shipping office to see Steffy and asks if she and Rick "did it." "No!" Steffy adamantly replies. Relieved, Marcus warns her to keep away from Rick. Steffy tells him that Rick had something important to tell her. Marcus predicts that Rick's "important news" is that he can't live without Steffy, but Steffy informs him that Rick joined the Army.

Rick wonders if he's cut out for Army life.

Rick reports for duty at the recruitment office and tells the recruitment officer that he brought his own clothes, since he works in the fashion industry. The officer tells him to forget that, since they'll give him whatever clothes he needs. When he tells Rick to get ready to catch a commercial flight to South Carolina where he'll start boot camp, Rick shows how privileged he is by suggesting that he upgrade to business class using his frequent flyer miles. Not looking very amused, the recruitment officer sends Rick for his physical. While he waits for the doctor, Rick spots some new recruits being handed guns and wonders he can handle going to war and being shot at. When the doctor is ready, Rick comes in for the physical and prepares to go over his medical records. When the doctor reviews Rick's chart and learns of his recent paralysis, he goes to call Rick's doctor. When he returns, the army doctor states that Rick's doctor confirmed that there were no broken bones or severe internal injuries. Still, given Rick's recent temporary paralysis and his overall medical history, he can't in good conscience sign off on Rick's enlistment. Rick says that it's not what he wanted to hear, but he understands. The doctor tells Rick that he can try again at some point down the line. Rick thanks the doctor and leaves, looking a bit relieved as he exits the exam room.

Steffy tells Rick they still can't be together.

Rick stops by Forrester to see Steffy, who tells him that he looks like he's ready to go. Rick quips that he'd be more ready had she made love to him last night. Steffy laughs at his persistence and tells him that she's going to miss him, so he tells her that the Army rejected him because of his recent paralysis. Steffy confides that she might be acting selfish, but she's glad he's not going. Rick is glad to hear her say that, but she points out that it doesn't change anything and they still can't be together. She asks him to leave, but Rick says that he can't stand being apart from her, and he thinks she feels the same way. Steffy tells him to stop, but Rick says that he can't. He knows that they can survive together, even if he has to build a mud hut for them in the middle of nowhere. Steffy laughs and says that he's crazy, but he qualifies that he's crazy about her. Steffy again tells him to stop, so he assures her that this isn't about revenge. It's about them being together, since he knows that's what she wants. Steffy concedes that she wants that, but she knows she can't have it. He asks if she's saying that because her dad won't like it. She tells him that Ridge won't allow it. Rick tells her to just tell Ridge that she wants to be with him, but Steffy knows that will hurt her father, and she refuses to hurt him that way. Even if it means giving up on the life she wants? Rick asks. "Make peace with my father. That's the only way this will ever work," Steffy urges, Rick refuses to believe that and vows to make her his, with out without her father's blessing.