Friday, June 19, 2009, Episode #5589

Taylor tries to get Ridge to relax.

While Taylor gets more wine, Ridge empties her bottle of anti-anxiety pills and washes the pills down with some water. Taylor returns with the wine and sees how tense he is. She suggests that he find a way to distract himself from thoughts of Rick. Ridge says he's trying and thanks her for helping with that. Taylor says she's there for whatever he needs. As they resume their dinner, Taylor advises that worrying about Rick won't solve his problems; she suggests that he focus on something positive, like how smart, self-confident and skeptical Steffy is. Pointing out that Steffy isn't one to be taken in, she asks Ridge how that resonates with him. With the additional pills mixing with the wine, Ridge's vision blurs and he sees and hears Taylor through a haze. He tells Taylor that he likes the way the word "resonate" sounds and compliments her on how she always seems to make sense. Taylor smiles and says that she's not always clinical, since she has her crazier side. Ridge assures they he's not looking at her clinically at all right now, since he sees her as a sensitive, compassionate, very beautiful woman. "You're almost glowing," he raves, lamenting that he doesn't feel like he has much to glow about in his own life lately. He tells Taylor it feels good being around her. Through the haze, he hears Taylor tell him that the feeling is mutual, especially when they have conversations like this.

Brooke argues with Stephanie about Ridge.

Brooke insists that she respects Ridge and Taylor's tragic loss as a mother, but Stephanie doesn't believe that given Brooke's reluctance to admit that Taylor is best suited to help Ridge. Brooke argues that Taylor's motives are suspect, especially since Ridge is vulnerable now. Stephanie thinks it's obvious that Ridge is happier when he's with Taylor because Taylor gives Ridge something that Brooke can't - or won't. "You want him with Taylor. You always have," Brooke counters. Stephanie says she wants Ridge to have stability, and Taylor can give him that. Brooke notes that Ridge doesn't want Taylor that way. Stephanie accuses Brooke of being insecure, pointing to that insecurity as the reason that Brooke can't help Ridge. "And of course, Taylor can," Brooke retorts. "You are the problem, she's the solution," Stephanie replies, suggesting that Ridge is on the verge of an emotional collapse. She urges Brooke to give him some space.

Stephanie urges Brooke to give Ridge some space.

While Brooke steps away, Stephanie calls Taylor for an update. Taylor reports that things are going well with Ridge, who left the room and is finally starting to relax. She confides that she's amazed at some things Ridge said. She feels like he's reconnecting with her. Taylor asks how things are going with Brooke. Stephanie recounts how she intercepted Brooke just as she was leaving to see Ridge. The two women agree that it will be bad for Ridge if Brooke comes over to the guest house. Promising to keep Brooke occupied, Stephanie advises Taylor to spend the night with Ridge and to turn off his cell phone. Brooke returns just as Stephanie hangs up and realizes that La Forrester was talking with Taylor. Furious at Stephanie's interference, Brooke tries to call Ridge but gets his voice mail. She doesn't leave a message, but she insists that she will see Ridge tonight. Stephanie doesn't think it will do any good unless Brooke has changed her stance on Rick. Brooke asserts that Stephanie's plan to reunite Ridge and Taylor will fail, since Ridge doesn't want to be with Taylor. Stephanie thinks Ridge has made it clear that he doesn't want to be with Brooke either and urges Brooke to give him some time alone. She asks Brooke again if she's prepared to take Ridge's side against Rick. Brooke insists her son is a good person who really loves Steffy, and she thinks Ridge will understand that in time. Then give him one night to sleep in peace, Stephanie proposes, since one night won't change anything. Brooke reluctantly agrees to stay home.

Still dazed, Ridge gets close to Taylor.

Back at the guest house, Taylor turns Ridge's cell phone off and puts it back on the counter just as Ridge returns to the room and declares that it's a great night. Taylor agrees. Still dazed, Ridge tells Taylor that she looks terrific, accounting that to the peace she brings him when they're together. Taylor thinks that comes naturally, since they're simpatico with each other and are so much alike. She feels like everything they've shared, whether joyous or tragic, has bonded them, and now they're reconnecting on a brand new level. She asks Ridge if he wants to ignore that. No, he states, suggesting that it's time to go to the bedroom. Taylor takes his hand and leads the way. In the bedroom, Ridge strokes Taylor's face as she tells him that she's waited for this night for so long. Ridge recalls how being with her at Big Bear, in the cool night air, made him realize that there was hope. Taylor takes him out to the terrace, where they look up at the stars. Pointing out the North Star, Taylor says that she thinks of it as Phoebe's star, since it reminds her every time she misses Phoebe that their daughter has a bigger job to do now. Talking about Phoebe, she recalls the difficult childbirth when the twins were born. Ridge recalls how she almost died, but she insists she wasn't going to leave her children or their father.