Chapter 11

Connor had been sitting at Brooke’s bedside holding her hand and he had been overcome with emotions on seeing her. He was elated that the doctors felt she was improving but seeing her beautiful face covered with so much bandaging had upset him, not for himself, but for her. Brooke would be devastated when realized the extent of her injuries. He vowed to himself that he would be there for her each step of the way. He realized that in time she would carry few scars from that night, at least not physical ones, but the emotional ones would take more time to heal. She was a fighter, she always had been and that was a plus. The newfound support from Ridge could only help, although he did harbor second thoughts. And Taylor, that woman had shown herself to be as magnificent as he always believed her to be. She and Brooke had bonded in a way that defied imagination. She was loyal to her new friend and that loyalty could be some of the best medicine Brooke could receive. Looking at Brooke his mind was rushing with things he wanted to tell her, love he needed to profess to her and promises he wanted to make to her. His head was swimming with love as he looked at her. How he wanted her, even seeing her this way didn’t change it. How blessed he felt that she had come back into his life again. He intended fully to keep her there. He got up from the chair and gently lowered the bars on the side of her bed that were to protect her from falling. He sat next to her. All he wanted was to be close to her. He took her hand again and gently kissed her lips.
"I love you Brooke," he said to her. He felt so at peace that he didn’t realize it when after about a half an hour sleep overcame him.

"We brought back some coffee and sodas for anyone who wants them" said Ridge as he and Rick returned to the waiting room.
"Thanks son," said Eric. "I’d love a coffee."
"Sure Dad." He said as he handed one to him. "I’m surprised to see you still here."
"I want to be here for Rick and Bridget."
"It’s okay Dad," answered Rick. "I know you don’t like Mom. Maybe it would be better if you weren’t here."
"Don’t say that Rick!" Bridget said as she jumped up and hugged her father. "Maybe they don’t get along like they used to but he still cares about her."
"Budge, if you want him to stay then he can stay, I just don’t want him to rag on Mom."
"I didn’t come here to rag on your mother Rick. I am very upset about this."
"Come on everyone, cool down." Ridge broke in. "Dad will be on his best behavior. Won’t you Dad?"
"Oh course I will." He said as he held his daughter tighter.
"Now, where is that magazine?" Ridge asked. "I really want to see the article."
Rick looked stricken as Taylor handed it to Ridge.
"Here it is."
"Thanks Doc. Hey, where’s Bryan?"
"He went home."
"Too bad, I really wanted to thank him for his support. He seems like a really nice guy." Ridge said, "In fact, I think I may try to see if I can get him and Brooke together after this mess is over."
"I don’t think Connor would like that very much." Taylor answered.
"Or Thorne" Said Rick. "Hey Taylor, can I talk to you for a minute, alone?"
"Sure honey."
They walked to the back of the room.
"Why did you give him that magazine. Didn’t you see the picture?" Rick asked her with concern. "I made sure he didn’t see it before."
"And I thank you for that. I tore the page out. He would have asked too many questions if we had tried to keep it from him."
"Well I’m sure he will see it eventually. What are you going to do Taylor?"
"I wish I had the answer to that Rick, it’s very complicated."
"I gotta tell you I was really shocked to see that. After all you did, I mean went through to get together, I mean, I thought you loved him."
"I do honey, but it’s more complicated than just love."
"You know how much Mom loved him. If you didn’t want to stay with him why did you marry him again."
"Rick! I fully intended to stay with him! I loved him, I love him! He is my husband, the father of my children and the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The problems we are having are very personal and they have nothing to do with your mother."
"Well maybe that’s not true, maybe, just maybe he and Mom are still in love!"
"Rick, honey, your mother and I aren’t competing anymore. She has moved on with her life. I do realize that what they had was very real. I understand that Ridge will always love her very much and I have no problem with that. I don’t think that either one of them have the same feelings for each other any more. But even if they did that is not the issue here at all."
"Taylor, I think I know you pretty well. I like you and respect you a lot. It just seems that any time you and Ridge have problems my mother is in the middle, and she always ends up getting hurt."
"I admire you for sticking up for her this way. Believe me, the problems I am having do not have anything to do with the old triangle we were in. I love your mother, I really do. I do not want to see her hurt and if Ridge was causing her any pain I would take issue with that."
"Then why are you cheating on him?"
"Rick, I really don’t want to discuss this with you."
"I protected you Taylor! I didn’t let him see that picture! I could have made sure he did, but I didn’t."
"Oh Rick, please. I don’t want to talk to anyone about this."
"I think you owe me some kind of explanation Taylor. I put you above Ridge, and she’s my brother."
"Rick please. This isn’t about you or your mother. It’s about Ridge, Bryan and me!"
"I’m sorry. You’re right. I just hate to see all the Forresters gang up on her."
"Well so do I! And I won’t ever let that happen again. I will just say this. Ridge did something to me that was very wrong and very hurtful, it had nothing to do with your mother. I am trying to work through this. In fact, your mother is helping me. I appreciate what you did for me and someday I will explain it all to you. I know you aren’t a kid anymore. You’ve gone through some pretty heavy things yourself. I love you honey."
"Me too." He told her. They gave each other a hug. "I’m sorry."
"It’s okay, I do understand."

"Connor?" Brooke said. She had woken up and found herself cocooned in his arms.
"Brooke!" He woke immediately. "Honey, how are you?"
"Where am I?" she asked. "What happened to me? Why am I here in bed?"
"Do you remember anything?"
"I was working and the lights went out. The next thing I remember is Ridge kissing me."
"He kissed you?"
"Yes, and I woke up, just like sleeping beauty." She started to giggle. " Where is he?"
"He’s in the waiting room with the rest of the family. Why? Do you want to see him?"
"Why did he leave so quickly?"
"Honey, that was last night. You have been asleep for hours."
"Oh. Connor?"
"Yes Brooke."
"Why does everything hurt so much?"
"Honey, someone shot you."
"Shot me? Why would someone shoot me?"
"We don’t know that."
"But I hurt all over, did they shoot me more than once?"
"There was only one bullet, but you tried to get help and you fell through the glass table. You cut yourself."
"I shouldn’t have done that. I am a very stupid girl," She said weakly and again laughed. "I’m very confused. Am I on drugs?"
"Yes honey, you are on a lot of painkillers."
"Oh, I like them. I feel very funny."
"Well they are helping you."
"Connor, why are you here?"
"What do you mean? I’m here to be with you. To make sure you’re alright."
"Oh, Okie dokey!" She said and she giggled. "I am soooooo stoned."
"It’s for the pain honey."
"Why do you keep calling me that?"
"What? Honey?"
"Yes."
"What should I call you?"
"Um, you can call me" She hesitated, "You can call me……a taxi!" She giggled again.
"Brooke, honey. You do know where you are."
"Of course I do! I’m in my bedroom. And I want to put on my red teddy!"
"Sweetheart, you are in the hospital."
"Okie dokey! If you insist, but I still think you’re wrong!"
"Brooke, Rick and Bridget are here. Would you like me to bring them in?"
"Who?"
"Your children Brooke, Rick and Bridget." He answered with a panicked voice.
"Don’t be silly Connor, I don’t have any children!"

"Thorne, I’ll get that." Said Macy as the doorbell rang. She opened the door and was greeted by a familiar looking man in a suit.
"Is Thorne Forrester here?" He asked.
"Who should I say is called?" She asked.
"I’m Lieutenant Burke, LAPD."
"Oh, please come in. I’ll get him."
"Macy Alexander Forrester?" He asked her.
"Yes, that’s right." She answered as she escorted him inside. "I’ll be right back." She said as she went to the porch to get Thorne.
"Thorne, it’s Lt. Burke from the police."
"Oh God! What should I do?"
"You have to talk to him."
"I know, I know," he said as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I just wish I could remember what happened." They walked into the living room where Lt. Burke was waiting, sitting on the couch.
"Hello Lieutenant." Thorne said.
‘Well Thorne, I haven’t seen you in a long time. Let’s see the last time was when your brother was shot wasn’t it?"
"I suppose so."
"Kind of a coincidence wouldn’t you say. I mean us talking again and there being another shooting and all."
"A shooting?" Thorne gulped and paled. "Who has been shot."
"Some one near and dear to you again."
"Who?"
"Brooke Logan."
"Oh God, oh God no! I didn’t mean it, I swear I didn’t mean it!"
"Thorne, stop you don’t have to say anything!" Macy shouted.
"What didn’t you mean Thorne" Burke persisted.
"Please, please tell me she’s alright!"
"I don’t know that Thorne, from what I hear she lost a lot of blood and is in intensive care."
"Oh God! Brooke! I am so sorry Brooke!" He cried. "It was me, I’m so sorry, it was me! I did it! I shot her!"
"You have the right to remain silent"
"No Thorne, No!" Macy screamed.

"Megan, where is everyone?" Morgan sweetly asked her. She had been walking the corridors looking for Ridge and not finding him had returned to Megan’s desk.
"Where do you think they are? They’re at the hospital!"
"I’m sure Stephanie isn’t, or Eric for that matter. In fact I don’t even know why Ridge would be there."
"For your information Eric, Ridge and Taylor are all there. I don’t know where Mrs. Forrester is." Megan answered. "But let me warn you, when they get back they will se the letter."
"I told you, Brooke and I talked it out. She wants me to stay. She will be very mad at you for giving me such a hard time."
"I’ll risk it. Besides, I will leave it up to Mr. Forrester and Ridge to decide if they believe you or not."
"I don’t work for the, they have no say in this. It will have to wait for Brooke’s return, that is if she returns."
"I can’t believe you are acting like this. It just proves my point. You would never talk this way about her if you had fixed things."
"Like I said, I hope she makes it. But if she doesn’t, then I guess we will never know."
"I can’t wait till she gets back! She will throw you out so fast!" Morgan just laughed and walked away.

"This doesn’t make sense." Ridge said to Taylor, who had returned to sit next to him.
"What doesn’t make sense?" she asked.
"This article. It makes some snide little reference to a photo on page three but there is no page three."
"Wh, what does it say?"
"Something about the famous Forrester loyalty being put to the test. I don’t get it. I can’t imagine what it is referring to."
"I’m sure it isn’t important."
"No but it looks like it is some kind of cheap shot at us. I’d really like to see what it is all about. I think I’ll go down to the gift shop and see if they have another copy."
"No!"
"Why not Doc?"
"Well, we still have to see how Brooke is. Don’t you want to wait till Connor gets out?"
"I’ll only be a minute."
"I’ll go Ridge." Rick volunteered.
"Don’t you want to wait for Connor?" Ridge asked.
"I’m thirsty. I want to get another soda anyway." Rick said as he got up and left.
"Doc, I’m worried about him. He is drinking a lot of soda lately. Do you think he may have diabetes?"
"I’m sure it’s just his nerves, kids get thirsty when they get nervous." Taylor told him.
"Really? I never heard that one?" Ridge stated. "But I guess you’re the Doc Doc!"
"Is anything wrong?" Eric asked as he joined them.
"Not really Dad, I just was wondering about the picture in this magazine."
Eric’s face turned red and he glared at Taylor.
"What picture son?"
"That’s just it, I don’t know. The article alluded to a picture on page three, but there is no page three. Rick went to get me another copy."
"I saw the article in my copy at home son, it must have been a misprint. There are no photos on page three."
"Ah, the mystery deepens. Maybe I should give someone at Spencer Publications a call. I think I may still have a little clout there."
"I don’t know why you want to bother." Eric stated. His cell phone rang. "Wait a minute Ridge, Hello." He said into the phone.
"Eric, oh God Eric. Macy just called. It’s terrible."
"What is it Stephanie?"
"It’s Thorne."
"What did he do now?"
"He’s been arrested."
"Arrested? Arrested for what?"
"For shooting Brooke?"
"Call Jonathan Stephanie, call him immediately. I’m on my way home."
"Eric, that isn’t all."
"What more could there possibly be?"
"He confessed!"
"Alright Stephanie. I will be right there," he told her. "Just call Jonathan."
"Eric, I want to go to the police station. Thorne needs us."
"Thorne needs Jonathan. Call him, call him now and I’ll meet you at the police station." He said as he hung up.
Ridge and Taylor looked at Eric with much concern.
"Dad, what’s wrong?" Ridge asked.
"It’s your brother son. He’s been arrested. He’s been arrested for shooting Brooke."
"This must be a mistake Eric." Taylor said. "He loves her. He would never hurt her."
"It seems that he confessed."
"The bastard!" shouted Ridge. "That cowardly bastard! I’ll kill him!"
"I will have no more talk of killing!" Eric sternly told his son. "I’m leaving. I have to get to the police station to straighten this out."
"Let him rot!" Ridge growled.
"Ridge, it must me a mistake." Taylor said, trying to calm him. "Thorne wouldn’t hurt anyone. He could never shoot anyone."
"You’re wrong there Doc. He shot me!"
"What?" she asked.
"Ancient history Taylor," Eric stated. "He was drunk, it was a very complicated matter. It’s over and done now."
"Well I guess Dirty Harry got himself another gun and is handing out his own form of justice again." Ridge spat. "It was one thing with me and what happened with Caroline, this is different. Brooke hasn’t done anything to him. He is a loose cannon. I hope he rots in jail!"
"What is going on?" Bridget asked. She and Beth had heard the commotion from the other side of the room and came over.
"They made an arrest. They got the shooter!" Ridge said.
"Thank God!" Said Beth as she hugged her granddaughter. "Do we know him?"
"Oh we know him alright." Said Ridge.
"Beth, Bridget, it is all some kind of mistake. They don’t have the shooter, they arrested Thorne."
"Thorne?" questioned Bridget.
"It’s okay honey. I’ll straighten this out. Your brother would never hurt your mother." Eric explained. "It’s all some kind of tragic mistake."
"I hate him! I hate you all!" Bridget screamed. "I knew he would hurt her. The whole thing was sick! But he’s the sickest of you all!" She shouted at Eric, Ridge and Taylor.
"Bridget!" Eric shouted. "You’re upset, that’s all. I will get to the bottom of this. Beth, calm her down." He said and he stormed off.
"Why don’t you all just stay out of her life!" Bridget cried. "Dad treats her like dirt and you Ridge, you betrayed her! And Taylor, I thought I could trust you. Grandma, please make them all leave." She cried in Beth’s arms. Beth walked her back to the other side of the room to comfort her.
"Ridge do you think he really did it?" Taylor asked him.
"You bet I do. He always wanted what I had. He wanted Caroline, he wanted you and he wanted Brooke. He just can’t stand the fact that he could never have any of you."
"He had Brooke Ridge. You and I ruined that, you and Eric and I. My God Ridge, are we the cause of this?"
"No way Doc. You know things changed. She admitted to you that you were right. She is our friend. Thorne is the sick one. He can’t let go." He took her in his arms. "Doc, the plan was wrong. We hurt them both but Brooke did realize that we had her best interest."
"We were thinking of your mother."
"And Brooke." He stated. " I didn’t want it to come to something like this. But you know she was happy without him."
"Yes, she and Connor seem very happy. But what we did must have pushed Thorne."
"Too this? No way! Do not blame this on us."
"We have to tell her. She’ll be devastated."
"We can’t tell her yet. She needs to get her strength back. She can’t handle the shock of this. She trusted him." He kissed her. "Doc, I love you so much. Thank God we got it back together. Thank God we’re okay again."
Taylor stared into space and bit her lip. We have nothing together Ridge she thought. Our problems are just beginning.

Changes Part 12

'Fooled you!' Brooke giggled to Connor.
'Honey, you almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you had lost your memory.'
'I know who my kids are silly! Ouch! I really hurt Connor.'
'I know you do, but I think that you have enough pain killers for now.'
'Nooooooo, I want more,' she smiled at him. 'Aren't you going to make love to me?' She said as she touched his face.
'Sweetheart, I would like nothing more, but you are in the hospital and you are still recovering.'
'I really want you to make love to me Connor.' She said as she lowered her hand down his body. Connor quickly grabbed her hand and held it tightly.
'Brooke, the minute you are out of here that is the first thing I intend to do.'
'Good!' she said. 'If I really am in the hospital then why are you in bed with me?'
'That's the same question I was going to ask you!' the nurse said sternly as she entered the room. She was an attractive but formidable looking woman in her mid forties. Connor immediately jumped down off the bed.
'Uh oh,' giggled Brooke, 'I think we're in trouble.'
'You bet your but you are.' The nurse said. 'Miss Logan I am extremely happy that you are feeling better but you are definitely not well enough for that!'
'I'm sorry Nurse,' Connor explained, 'I just wanted to hold her and I fell asleep.'
'Well I think that it is time for you to go.'
'Not until he makes love to me!' Brooke insisted.
'The nurse is right honey. You need your rest.'
Brooke made a face and stuck out her tongue at first Connor and then the nurse.
'She's really out of it.' Connor told the nurse.
'She was complaining about the pain. I think the doctor went a bit overboard with his orders. I want to wean her off a little.'
'When are you going to let us do it?' Brooke asked. 'I really want him, isn't he a hunk?'
The nurse looked Connor up and down. 'He sure is honey. When you get better you are gonna be one lucky girl.'
'I know!' Said Brooke. 'And he loves me too.'
'You bet I do.' Connor answered.
'You know what?' Brooke said to the nurse. 'I've been playing hard to get! Isn't that funny. I really can't wait to get him naked!' Connor blushed.
'Ummm.' The nurse said to Brooke. 'You got good taste Miss Logan.'
'And you know what else?'
'What else?' the nurse played along.
'I'm going to marry him.'
'You are? Well good for you.' Connor's face first registered shock and then he beamed.
'Yup! As soon as he makes love to me I will march him right down the old isle! I let him get away once but not again. I don't look stupid do I?'
'No you don't. Now I think your handsome studly boyfriend should get his but out of here so I can check you out.'
'Connor?' Brooke asked. 'Don't you want to see me naked?'
'More than just about anything in the world.' He answered her.
'Not tonight studly.' The nurse told him. 'Now give your lady a kiss good night and get out of here. And don't you worry. I think she's going to be just fine.'
'Thank you.' Connor said as he complied. 'Good night Brooke. I love you.'
'I love you too Connor.' She said. 'I really do!'

Connor walked back into the waiting room with the largest grin on his face. He saw Taylor and walked up to her, picked her up and kissed her.
'Connor?' She said.
'She loves me!' He said as he kissed her again. 'She loves me and she wants to marry me!'
'Oh Connor! That's wonderful!' Taylor beamed. 'Is she doing better?'
'She's really high on the painkillers but she's doing great!'
'Oh, that explains it.' Said Ridge. 'You can't take her seriously Davis. She's zonked out of her head. I don't think she even realizes what she is saying.'
'Ridge!' Taylor said to him. 'What's wrong with you? We finally get good news and you take an attitude. I'm sorry Connor, I am very happy for the both of you. I know she loves you.'
'Yeah and yesterday she loved Thorne.' Ridge added.
'You're just jealous Forrester. And why, I don't know. You had your chance with Brooke and you blew it! In fact you had your chance with Taylor and it looks like you blew that too!'
'I'm jealous?' Ridge asked. 'Are you out of your mind. You just can't accept the fact that she loves me.'
'Who Ridge, Brooke or Taylor? No wonder you can't hold on to your wife. You'll never be happy unless you have some on the side. Well get this straight! Brooke is over you and she has been for a long time!'
'You wish!'
'See what you're married to Taylor? I try to be nice to him but he has no respect for you or for Brooke.' He looked at Ridge and then back at Taylor. 'I'm glad you're done with him.'
'She's not done with me at all Davis. We barely have started.' He grabbed Taylor and tried to kiss her. She pushed him away quickly.
'What am I a piece of meat that you two are fighting over? Ridge, I never said that we were back together I and want you to stop telling people that we are!'
'Doc! I'm sorry, come on, you know we need each other.'
'What I need is a good nights sleep. Since Brooke is doing better I am going home to get one.'
'Yeah, we need to snuggle up and sleep Doc, or not sleep.' He said with a wink.
'No Ridge, I am not going home with you! I am going back to Brooke's. That's where I live now. Your attitude just now reminded me of why I left you in the first place.' She walked over to the Logan family.
'Beth, Steven, I am so happy that things are turning out so well. Are you coming back to the house tonight?'
'Not tonight Taylor,' Beth answered. 'Katie and Steven and I are going to stay with Donna.'
'Storm, what about you?' Taylor asked. 'Would you like to come back to Brooke's?'
'If you don't mind.' He answered.
'Of course not. Rick and Bridget do you want to go back with me?'
'I'm going to try and see Mom again for a bit and then I'll bring Budge back.'
'Are you going back to Stephanie's tonight Rick?'
'Yeah, but I'll see you all tomorrow.'
'Okay then. Goodnight everybody.' She said as she started to walk out. Suddenly Ridge grabbed her arm.
'Doc, please come home with me.'
'Not today Ridge. Now please let go of me.' She pulled herself out of his grip and walked out.

Taylor got into her car and burst into tears. 'What am I doing?' she said aloud. She opened her purse and took out her cell phone and hit in some numbers.
'Bryan, it's me Taylor. Can I come over? I really need to be with you.'

'Jonathan you have to talk some sense into him.' Eric pleaded. 'There is no way he would have done this.'
'Eric, I have tried talking to him. He says that he did it and deserves whatever they do to him. His is distraught.'
'That woman has brought nothing but pain and heartache to this family!' Stephanie spat. 'I wish the bitch had died!'
'No you don't Stephanie,' Jonathan told her, 'Then Thorne would be facing a capital offense.'
'I hate that woman. She is a scheming, lying tramp! She should be the one in jail!'
'For what Stephanie?' Eric said dryly. 'It couldn't have been her at your car. You have to drop that and let the police find who really did it. There is a dangerous person out there, and your insisting that it was Brooke is not helping anyone find her.'
'What is this all about?' Jonathan asked.
'Someone tampered with Stephanie's car. She thought she saw Brooke, but she was mistaken.'
'No I wasn't! It was her!' Stephanie insisted.
'Her car went out of control,' Eric continued ignoring Stephanie's outburst. 'She crashed into a tree. Thank God she wasn't badly hurt. But you see she told the police that it was Brooke.'
'It was Brooke Jonathan.' Stephanie again insisted.
'It couldn't have been Stephanie, Lieutenant Burke explained that to us. Brooke had been with Taylor and then she was on the phone with Connor Davis. There wouldn't have been time for her to have done it.'
'But she would be out of our lives Eric, can't you see that!' Stephanie pleaded.
'Well she may be out of your lives anyway Stephanie.' Jonathan said.
'No Jonathan,' Eric interjected. 'She is improving, thank God. I may want her out of my life but I certainly don't want her dead.'
'Maybe you don't' Stephanie said.
'That's not what I meant Eric.' Jonathan explained. 'I was talking about our conversation the other night. Don't you still want me to go through with it?'
'Go through with what?' Stephanie asked.
'Not now.' Eric exclaimed. 'We'll talk about that at another time.' He said to Jonathan.
'I want to know what you are talking about Eric. If you have found a way to get her out of our lives I want to know it now!'
'Jonathan and I were discussing selling our shares of Forrester.'
'What? Are you crazy? You would let that bitch win? Absolutely not!' Stephanie shouted.
'I thought we could start over again. Just you, me, Thorne and Ridge. We are the ones with the talent. It would take time but we could get it all back and it would be ours again.'
'Over my dead body!' Stephanie said with vengeance. 'She will not take the company that we built with our own sweat and tears.'
'Don't you see Stephanie, she already has. It's not my company anymore. I am tired of the fights, I am tired of worrying about her involvement with my family. Now is the time to get out. Now, while we are still young enough to do it. Think about it, that's all I'm asking, just think about it.'


'Oh Bryan' Taylor said as she threw her arms around him and kissed him. 'I'm sorry about what happened. You know I wanted you there, I just didn't want to have to deal with everything.'
'It's okay baby.' He said as he scooped her in his arms and carried her into his apartment. He gently laid her down on the large, soft sofa. 'I want you so badly.' He told her. Their kisses intensified. 'I am so addicted to you.'
'Bryan make me forget everything.' She begged him. 'Everything but you and me.' He happily complied.
Later they lay together sipping cool wine and exchanging kisses.
'I almost forgot how good you made me feel.' Taylor admitted. 'It is so easy to fall back into my life with Ridge, but I don't want that.'
'You want me.' Bryan frankly stated. He kissed her deeply and when he came up for air he continued. 'The funny thing is that I can understand how it can happen. I found myself liking Ridge in an odd way. He is extremely egotistical but he is likeable. He has a good heart too. But wait, I don't want to push you back to him.'
'He is a good person, but I have to keep reminding myself what he did to us. How casually he accepted Morgan's excuses. How it was he who threw our love away. But no more about Ridge!' She said as she pulled him to her lips again. 'More, I want more.' She climbed on top of him and started kissing her way down his body.
'God Taylor, you are so good, so good.'
'But I can be real bad too!' She said as she lowered her mouth and showed him exactly how bad she could be.

'I got here about a half hour ago Ridge, she wasn't here then and she isn't here now.' Storm told him. 'If you want to come in and wait be my guest, but I have no idea when she's coming back.'
'She told me she was coming back here to sleep. Our kids are here for God's sake. Where the hell can she be?' he asked as he entered Brooke's home.
'Sit down, I'll get you the phone, you can make some calls.' Storm suggested.
'I already tried that. When I got home I called here and Katherine said she wasn't here, I've tried everywhere else I can think of, even Connor Davis, but no one has seen her.'
'Maybe she went for a drive to clear her head. I heard that you two had an argument. Maybe she needed to think.' Storm rationalized.
'Maybe. I guess I can wait here awhile and see her when she gets back.' He walked over to the bar. 'I'm going to pour myself a drink, can I get you anything?'
'A scotch on the rocks will do the trick.' Storm responded.
Ridge poured the drinks and handed Storm his. He sat on the couch and noticed a copy of 'Eye on Fashion' on the coffee table. 'Ah,' He said. 'Maybe now I can solve the mystery.' He casually picked it up and opened it to page three.
'What the Hell? Give me the phone now Storm!' He demanded. 'And Brooke's phone book too.' Storm handed both to Ridge who threw down the magazine and quickly opened the phone book to the D's and dialed a number.
'Okay Davis! Where does he live?' Ridge demanded.
'Where does who live Ridge? I'm not in the mood for twenty questions.'
'Bryan Jackson as if you don't know what I am talking about. There you were today throwing all sorts of accusations at me when the whole time you knew! She's there isn't she? Tell me where he lives!'
'Look Ridge I don't know what'
'Just shut up and tell me Davis!' Ridge interrupted. 'I saw the picture! I know she's with him.'
'Calm down Ridge, you don't know anything of the sort. You know how newspapers and magazines doctor photos.'
'Then why was everyone trying to keep it away from me? Tell me that!'
'Ridge, if she's with him then that's where she wants to be. I really can't talk to you about this, I'm her lawyer.'
'If you think I intend to let her divorce me then you are crazier than your friend. Now tell me where he lives damn it!'
'Ridge I can't do that. Do yourself a favor, calm down and don't jump to any conclusions. If she loves you like you say she does then give her a chance to explain. No, wait that isn't something you Forresters do is it. You see things and just act irrationally on them. Like you did with Grant and Thorne did with you.'
'I am not irrational. I know what I saw.'
'You of all people should realize that what you see isn't always true. Think about Venice.'
'Does the whole damn world know about Venice?' Ridge complained.
'Pretty much. Now calm down. Where are you?'
'At Brooke's.'
'Well either wait there for Taylor or go home and see her tomorrow. I will not give you Bryan's address and that's final. Now goodnight.' Connor said and he hung up the phone.
'Looks like fate is finally getting even with you.' Storm commented as he looked at the picture Ridge had thrown down. 'Have a nice evening, I'm going to bed.'

'God you are an incredible woman.' Bryan panted to Taylor.
'You liked that didn't you?' She purred at him. 'There's plenty more where that came from.'
'Lord have mercy!' He replied as she climbed back on him.

'What are you doing here at Forrester?' Morgan asked Clarke who was standing at the door to her office.
'I was hoping to find you. Working late I see.'
'What do you want Clarke?'
'I've been hearing a lot or rumors about the Forresters, care to fill me in?'
'Which ones? You already know about the baby.'
'Yeah, but what about Taylor and Ridge splitting up?'
'What?' she said with obvious shock.
'Ah, you haven't heard that yet? I think you might have a little to do with it.'
'That's wonderful!' she exclaimed. 'Now he can marry me!'
'Hold on princess. I'm not sure how true the rumors are. But I did see a picture of Taylor in a liplock with another guy.'
'Taylor? You must be kidding. If that's true then the whole thing was just a waste.'
'What whole thing was a waste?'
'Oh, nothing. Just that I made sure she found out about Ridge and me.'
'Well I don't know if she found out, but if she did it sure doesn't look like she's wasting any time replacing him.'
'Then she doesn't deserve him. I would never cheat on him. Oh I can't wait! It's really going to happen.'
'Come on Morgan. Don't count your chickens and all that.'
'He loves me. I know he does. Now with Taylor out of the way he'll come to me. Now I don't even have to worry about Brooke anymore.'
'By the way, how is your boss?'
'I don't know, maybe she's dead.'
'You're pretty casual about that.'
'Well it may happen, I heard it was really bad. Poor Brooke, she should never have gotten involved.'
'Involved in what? Do you know who did it?'
'No, of course I don't know who did it, I meant she shouldn't have gotten herself involved in the whole Forrester thing.'
'It's a little late for that. She did marry a couple of them and get engaged to another of them.'
'I really don't care about that as long as I have Ridge. And now I will.' She picked up her pad and started sketching.
'Clarke, how long will it take for the divorce?'
'You don't even know if there's going to be one.'
'There will, how long?'
'I'm really not sure. It could be messy they do have kids. Why?'
'Well I'm designing my wedding gown and I want to know how big I have to make it.' She patted the stomach. 'My baby is going to have his daddy.'


'It's getting late Bryan, I really should leave.' Taylor said.
'Don't go baby, spend the night.'
'You don't have the strength.' She teased. 'Besides, I need to get home to the babies.'
'Your nanny is with them, one night won't hurt.' He gave her butterfly kisses all over her face.
'You can sure be persuasive.'
'Then you'll stay?'
'I'll stay. One condition.'
'Anything.'
'We have to christen your pool table!'
'Let's go wild woman!' He said as he lifted her and carried her into the den.

'Eric, Stephanie go home.' Jonathan instructed. 'The judge won't be back until tomorrow morning. They won't set bail before then.'
'We can't leave him here.' Stephanie cried.
'We have no choice. I'll make the arrangements in the morning. You two go home and get some rest, you'll need it.'
'Jonathan,' Eric said. 'Do you think he'll get bail?'
'No promises, but I'll do my best.'
'Let's go Eric. But first let's stop and see how Macy is doing.'
'Good idea. She was pretty distraught.' Eric answered. He shook Jonathan's hand. 'Thanks again my friend.'
'Don't worry too much. I'm giving this my all.'

 

Chapter 13

The next morning Ridge woke up and found himself asleep on Brooke’s sofa. He got up and stretched and started searching the house for Taylor.
"She must not have wanted to wake me." He surmised. "Taylor! Where are you?" He shouted. "Taylor, I need to talk to you!"
"Mr. Forrester! Please keep it down. You’re children are sleeping." Katherine said as she tightened her robe.
"Katherine, where is Taylor?"
"She must be in her bedroom Mr. Forrester. The second door on the left."
"Thanks Katherine." He said. He walked to the door and opened it. "Taylor we need to….Taylor? Katherine, she’s not here?"
"Maybe she went downstairs for breakfast Mr. Forrester." She suggested.
"I just came from downstairs. She isn’t there." He grabbed his head. "God, she didn’t come home at all!"

Connor had bypassed the desk when he entered the hospital opting to go right to Brooke’s room. When he entered the sight of a stripped bed and no beeping machines greeted him.
"Oh my God! Brooke!" he cried as he ran to the nurses’ station. "Brooke! What happened?"
"Calm down sir," Said a young nurse. "Ms. Logan was moved to a regular room about an hour ago."
"Oh thank God, I thought she had…" He stopped before he could voice his greatest fear.
"She’s doing well sir. Let me check the chart. Yes, she was moved to room 518. That’s on the fifth floor. Just get on the elevator and make a right."
"Thank you nurse." He said as he turned around to get on the elevator.

Bryan woke Taylor with a deep kiss.
"Did you sleep well baby?" He asked.
"Sleep? I don’t think we did much of that?" She answered him. "But somehow I’m not tired, I’m refreshed."
"You are beautiful. I still can’t believe I have you back again."
She pushed herself into a sitting position. "Coffee! I need coffee!"
"I’ll go get you some." He said as her started to slip out of the bed.
"Not so fast mister!" she said as she pulled him back into her arms. "I think there is one thing I need even more than coffee."
"I don’t know if I have the strength!" he told her.
"I think you can manage it."
"Let me just try." He said as he positioned himself over her. "Yeah, I think I may be able to accommodate you."
"Oh God yes!" She cried as he began to make love to her.

"Hello beautiful!" Connor said to Brooke as he entered her new room. She was awake and looking at the television.
"Connor!" She said in an excited voice. "Let me turn this off." She said as she shut off the television. "I’m so glad you’re here." She smiled at him.
"You look so much better honey, are you feeling better?" He asked her cautiously.
"They all say I am but I think I am feeling the pain more. They cut down on my drugs."
"You were really out of it last night honey."
"I was? I don’t remember anything about last night. What did I say?"
Connor looked disappointedly at her. "You don’t remember anything?" He thought about her declaration of love.
"No particulars. I remember seeing you but I can’t remember a thing we said to each other. The nurse said I was very funny. Was I?"
"You were cute."
"Cute? How was I cute?"
"It’s not important, you were confused about where you were. You were trying to tease me."
"I’m sorry Connor, I didn’t mean it."
"You didn’t do or say anything to be sorry about." He came up to her and gave her a kiss. "I am so happy to see you so alert and looking so wonderful."
"I don’t look wonderful, I have bandages all over and they won’t give me a mirror. Why won’t they give me a mirror Connor? Do I look like a freak?"
"No honey, but you were badly hurt. You have some cuts on your face. They don’t want to scare you or get you upset."
"Now I am getting scared. Please Connor, I want to see my face!"
"Honey, you have a lot of bandages. There isn’t much you can see right now."
"Please Connor. I don’t mean to be vain but I’m scared. Please! It would give me peace of mind."
"Okay Brooke, okay. When the nurse comes in I’ll ask her for a mirror, but I don’t want you getting upset. The wounds will heal and you are still beautiful."
Brooke felt the bandages on her face. "I don’t feel like I look very beautiful."
"Believe me you are. And Brooke, if you aren’t happy with anything I will get the worlds best surgeon."
"Oh God! Plastic surgery! I look that bad." She started crying.
"Brooke, honey please don’t worry." He put his arms around her and kissed her.
"You must think I am the most vain thing in the world." She sobbed. "It’s just that I feel so stupid, why did I have to try and get up. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have broken all that glass. Connor I want to look pretty, I don’t want to be a freak."
"Okay that’s it. I’m going to get you a mirror right this minute. You are blowing everything I say way out of proportion. I’ll be right back." He walked out of the room and returned moments later with a mirror.
"Okay now look!" He held it up in front of her face. "See, it’s not that bad."
"I look like a monster! Or a Mummy!" She cried.
"No Brooke! Look more carefully. You look fine."
She looked again. She moved her head from side to side. "I look pretty messed up."
"But the cuts will heal. You’ll be good as new in no time." He smiled at her. "Not that I would even care. I love you for who you are not what you look like. That is just a fringe benefit."
"Oh Connor you are so sweet." She said to him. "Come and sit next to me." She motioned to the side of the bed.
"I got in a bit of trouble for doing that last night."
"Are you afraid of the big bad nurse?" She teased.
"I’m afraid of causing you any pain." He answered as he pulled a chair right against her bed and sat on it. He took her hand and held it tenderly. "I think this is okay for now."
"Do they know who shot me yet?"
"I don’t think so. They didn’t at the time I left last night."
"I’m really scared. I don’t know who would do that. Or why."
"Me either honey. I mean I don’t exactly trust the Forresters."
"None of them would do this, not even Stephanie. Do you think it could have been a robbery."
"The police said that nothing was missing."
"How would they know? They’d be thinking money or jewels or electronics. Someone could have taken our designs."
"I’m sure Ridge and Eric are looking into that. Oh by the way I have some interesting news."
"What?" she asked.
"Ridge found out about Taylor and Bryan."
"Oh no! Poor Taylor. How did he find out? Who told him?"
"Nobody told him. He saw a photo of them together in a magazine."
"Well she can say that he is your partner and he is helping her with legal stuff. That is if she still wants to protect him from the truth."
"Apparently the photo was very reveling. I haven’t seen it."
"Connor I have to talk to her, make sure she’s okay."
"Oh she okay alright. She spent the night with Bryan."
"How do you know?" She asked with raised eyebrows.
"Ridge called me last night to find out where Bryan lives."
"You didn’t tell him!"
"No I didn’t tell him. But I passed by his place on the way here this morning and Taylor’s car was parked outside."
"Good for her! I mean if Bryan is what makes her happy I’m all for it." She sighed. "But Ridge will really be hurting."
"Don’t you worry about him. After all he’s put you through why do you even care?"
"Ridge and I have a deep connection Connor, I can’t explain it but no matter how mad I get at him a part of me will always care. It’s just harder now that Taylor and I are friends and he’s hurt her too."
"Well I think she is much more deserving of your concern than Ridge."
"Yeah, but she feels the same way I do. She can’t seem to cut him loose. It was different with Eric and even with Thorne. Ridge gets under your skin in such a way."
"I guess it was the same for me as it was with Eric and Thorne?" He said in a hurt tone.
"No Connor, but it was always Ridge then. I couldn’t see beyond him. I couldn’t see you. I’m just glad you came back and are giving me another chance."
"Are you really Brooke? Can I be enough for you this time?"
"Connor, that’s not fair. I’m trying to explain how it was."
"I’m serious Brooke. Am I enough this time? Enough to make you forget the name Forrester?"

"Okay Bryan, I really mean it this time." Taylor laughed as she messed his hair and climbed out of the bed and started combing her hair. "I really need coffee."
Bryan looked at her lovely naked body. "If you don’t put something on right now I can’t be held responsible for my actions." He said as he threw her his shirt that he had thrown over the chair the night before.
She slowly put it on and teasingly took her time with each button.
"That’s it I need some more!" He said as he tackled her back onto the bed. They both burst out laughing.
"I won’t be able to stand!" She pleaded.
"Who said anything about standing." He sexily said as he unbuttoned the shirt. "God how I love you Taylor."
She laughed a deep throaty laugh. "If you love me so much you’ll get me some coffee!"
"Once more and then I promise! I’ll make you a feast!"
"Baby feast on this!" She purred as she opened the shirt and exposed her breasts to him.
"Yum Yum!" He said as he complied to the sound of her laughter which soon turned to moans of pleasure.


"You people are still here?" Morgan rudely said to the policeman at the entrance to Forrester.
"We’re still here to secure the scene. You can go in."
"You don’t need to see my ID?"
"No we arrested the perp last night. We just have to make sure none of the evidence is compromised."
"You made an arrest?" She asked in a shocked voice? "Who did you arrest?"
"I guess you don’t watch the news or read the papers huh lady? Thorne Forrester was arrested last night."
"Thorne?" She said. "Thorne, well what do you know?" She laughed as she walked past the policeman. "Now you have a nice day!" She sweetly told him.

"The arraignment will be at noon today." Jonathan told Eric.
"Where are you Jonathan? At the courthouse?"
"No, I’m in my office wrapping up a few things. We got a good judge Eric. I think he’ll set bail."
"He’d better. My son is innocent."
"Eric I spoke to Thorne again this morning. He’s sticking to his story. He says he did it. He claims he was drunk and got mad and before he realized what he was doing he shot her."
"Well then we have to make him change his mind. He’ll go to prison for that and that can’t happen, Stephanie couldn’t take it."
"I think we should be more concerned about if Thorne can take it. I want to plead temporary insanity. Maybe get him in a place for therapy, get the judge to be lenient on him. I’m trying to find a way to avoid any major jail time."
"That woman has caused nothing but misery for this family!"
"I think you have to give some of the blame to Thorne this time. You all warned him about her. By the way I phoned the hospital and she’s been upgraded to fair. She’s in a regular room now."
"Maybe I can get her to testify on Thorne’s behalf. If she has any feeling for him now is the time for her to show them."
"Let me talk to her Eric. You get too emotional with her. You could ruin our chances."
"I don’t hate her Jonathan, I just wish that she had left well enough alone after our divorce. Why did she have to go after Ridge and Thorne?"
"Eric that isn’t the issue here. We have to have her on our side. We have to appeal to her loyalty."
"Loyalty? That is one quality Brooke has never had!"
"I think you’re wrong there Eric, and I hope I can convince her. Just please stay out of it and let me do my job."

"Connor of course you are enough. I understand why you feel this way but you have to have faith in me. I will always care about Ridge but it’s you now."
"Do you love me?" He flatly asked her.
"Why are you pressuring me?" She replied.
"I guess I have my answer." He told her.
"No, you don’t have an answer. Connor I wanted it to be romantic. I wanted to look pretty. I wanted everything to be perfect. Not me lying all cut up in a hospital bed. Yes!" She said loudly. "Yes I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! But how can you love me when I look like this." She started to cry.
"Honey I love you so much. I love you no matter what. Please I didn’t want to make you cry. I just needed to know."
She looked into his eyes. "I knew from the moment that I saw you again that I loved you. I probably always have, I just didn’t know it. If it takes the rest of my life to prove it to you I will." She burst into tears. "Please don’t leave me again. I love you so much Connor."
"Oh Honey I love you too." He said as he took her into his arms. "Forgive me for doubting you. I just needed to hear it from you lips. I’m sorry sweetheart, I should have let you say it in your own time." He kissed her and held her tightly to him.
"Connor." She gazed up into his eyes with love. "I was wrong. This IS perfect. You are perfect."
"Brooke I know this is fast, and I understand if it is too fast for you, but I just know it’s right. I have to ask you." He gently lowered her back into a sitting position. He got off the bed and lowered himself to one knee. He took her hand in his.
"I love you Brooke Logan, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes! Oh yes!" she said through her tears. "I will marry you Connor. I love you so much."

Bryan had tiptoed quietly out of the bedroom to prepare breakfast. He smiled at his sleeping beauty as he returned to the room. I just never stop wanting her he thought as he felt his desire building again. He placed the tray on the bed and woke her with a tender kiss.
"I have your coffee," He said as he waved the steaming cup under her nose.
"That smells wonderful." She said as she stretched and sat up. "What else did you bring me?"
"Aren’t I enough?" He teased. "Here" he said as he handed her the shirt again, not taking his eyes off her body. "Please put this on. I don’t think we’ll ever get out of this bed if you don’t."
She slowly started working the buttons again.
"You’re killing me." He said with a smile. "Look at what else I brought you. Croissants, Orange juice, fruit."
Taylor picked up a banana and placed it gently in her hand. "Ummm, this looks good."
"You little devil. Have an orange instead." He said as he threw one softly at her.
"I don’t ever want to get out of your bed." She confessed. "I am so happy, and so contented."
He handed her a cup of coffee. "Me either. I could happily die in your arms."
"Just in my arms?" She said with a suggestive look.
"Drink your coffee!" He laughed.
"In all seriousness, I really have to get home. I need to change and go back to the hospital. I want to see how Brooke is doing today."
"Well in that case I have good news for you."
"You do?"
"Yes I do. I called the hospital to check and they told me she had been upgraded and moved to a regular room."
"That’s wonderful!"
"Yes it is. And in lieu of that I figured we had a little more time to um, rest."
"Haven’t you gotten enough rest?" She asked playfully.
"I could never get enough."
"Me either. How can I feel so much desire after last night?"
"And this morning." He added. He picked up a croissant and took a bite. "These are great, want one?"
"Thank you." She said as he handed her one. She took a delicate bite. ‘They are good." She looked at the grin on his face. "What?" She laughed.
"Watch this!" He said as in one swoop he cleared the tray from his bed onto the floor.
"Bryan! Look at the mess!" She protested through chuckles.
"Why do you think I have a maid service?" He said as he ripped the buttons from his shirt that Taylor was wearing and took her mouth in a deep kiss. "It’s time for dessert!"

 

Chapter 14

"A ring! I have to get you a ring!" Announced Connor. "I don’t know where my head was. I just proposed to the most wonderful woman in the world and I don’t even have a ring!"
"A ring isn’t what’s important to me. Your love is all I really need."
"No way! You will have the most beautiful ring! Besides I want everyone to know that you are taken."
She smiled at him. "I’ll tell them. They will see it in my eyes."
He looked into her eyes. "The only thing I see in your eyes right now is a major lack of sleep. Did you sleep at all last night?"
"Not too much, but hey, don’t you see love there too?"
"Yes, but the lids keep closing down on it?" He joked.
"I’m too scared to sleep. I keep thinking he’ll come back to get me."
"I won’t let him. And neither will Bryan or Taylor or your family or even thought I hate to admit it Ridge."
"Or Thorne either I hope." She said with a sigh. "I hurt him badly Connor and he’s not going to be very happy with our news. I want him as a friend. We’ve been close for so long I don’t want to lose that."
"Thorne’s a good guy. He’ll come around."
"I hope so. I need all the friends I can get these days."
"You’ll have him as a friend, maybe not right away but soon. Now I want you to try and take a nap while I go out on my errand."
"Connor you don’t have to do it now!" She protested. "I can certainly wait till I get home."
"And give you a chance to change your mind? I want a ring on that pretty finger today."
"I love you Connor." She told him. "And I love that I can tell you that. There are no obstacles in our way. It’s so different from anything I ever had before."
"And we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet." He teased.
"Now that I don’t want to wait for. Can I get a preview?"
He kissed her gently.
"Connor, I won’t break." She complained.
"I certainly hope not. I doubt that I can get a replacement." He joked and kissed her deeply and passionately.
"Wow!" She said. "Now that’s what I call a kiss. I can hardly wait for the second act."
"Are you two at it again?" The nurse from the night before asked as she entered the room.
"She is feeling better today." Connor replied.
"I can see that. Okay Studly, scoot! I gotta change her bandages."
"He can stay." Brooke protested.
"Oh no he can’t and those are not just my rules." She said with a smile. She turned to Connor "Go get some coffee or something. We should be through in fifteen twenty minutes."
"I have an errand to run anyway." He kissed Brooke. "See you in bit honey!" He looked at the nurse. "I really love this woman!" He told her with a smile.
"Yes, I can see that you do!"

Taylor and Bryan had made it outside to her car but they were still having a hard time leaving each other. They had been kissing good bye for about fifteen minutes when Taylor came up for air.
"I really have to go. I need to see the babies and change and get to the hospital." She kissed him again. "But I don’t want to leave either." She told him.
"Then don’t. Let’s go back inside."
"No way!" She laughed. "It took us this long to get this far."
"But think of the fun we could have trying again." He began working on the zipper on the back of her dress.
"Bryan!" She said feigning shock. "We are outside."
"I don’t want to let go of you. God what you do to me woman!"
She kissed him again very deeply and then freed herself from his arms.
"I will be back. This is not the end, it’s just the beginning." She promised him. "But I need to see my children."
"Bring them back here." He suggested. "Then you never have to leave again."
"Bryan, I can’t."
"Think about it, we could be together all the time."
"Don’t you have to go into the office?" She teased.
"I’ll work here, naked, with you on my lap."
"You’d get lots of work done that way." She laughed. He took her back into his arms and kissed her again.
"Okay, you win, go do your thing. But hurry up and get back cause I’m really hurting for you again."
"I’ll be back after I take care of things. I promise I will." She kissed him quickly and jumped into her car. She shut the door and opened the window. "One more kiss." She said as she put her head out of the window. He kissed her again very slowly. When they broke for air again Taylor closed the window, started the car and drove off with a wave and a smile.
"I love you!" He shouted to her.

"Hey Logan! Look at you!" Ridge said as her entered her room and saw her sitting up reading a book.
"Ridge!" She said warmly. "Hi!" She put down her book.
"You look great! I can’t believe this. My God we almost lost you and look at you now!" He came to her side and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"I don’t know how to thank you." She said. "They told me you found me."
"If it wasn’t me it would have been Taylor or Davis. We were all worried about you, I just got there first."
"Don’t try to be humble. You’re my hero!" She said with a hug and a kiss.
"I see they took off some of your bandages. You look really good."
"For a mummy." She complained.
"If you are a mummy then I wanna be a daddy!" He joked. He suddenly got serious. He sat down next to her on the bed and took her hand.
"I have something to tell you Brooke, something very important."
"I know, Connor told me. But Ridge you have to give her a chance to explain. Maybe you can work things out. I know she still loves you."
"This isn’t about me and Taylor."
"Oh, I’m sorry I just thought."
"I know, we can talk about that later if you want but this is really important. I don’t want to upset you but you need to know this."
"What is it Ridge, you’re scaring me."
"I can’t think of any way to tell you except to just blurt it out. Brooke, Thorne confessed to shooting you."
"Thorne!" She said in shock. "Oh, no Ridge, not Thorne." She started to cry. "Oh God, what did I do to him."
"You didn’t do anything to him Logan. He did it to you. You did nothing wrong."
"Why would he do this to me? Does he hate me so much that he wants me dead."
"No, I think he loves you too much. At least he thinks he does."
"Have you seen him? Is he all right? They don’t have him in jail do they?" She said in a panicked voice.
"Typical Logan, always worried about the other guy. No I haven’t seen him but Mom and Dad have. I think he’s sobered up. Yes, he was very drunk and yes, he is in jail."
"But Ridge!"
"That’s where he belongs, he tried to kill you!"
"He didn’t mean it, he couldn’t have."
"Brooke, I don’t know the answers, but my little brother is in need of help."
"Maybe Taylor can talk to him."
"No, she’s too close to the situation. I’m going to ask her to recommend someone."
"Oh Ridge, you and Taylor were right about everything. I should never have gotten involved with someone else from your family. It all has turned out so horribly."
He took her in his arms and soothed her.
"No Logan, we were wrong, we were wrong to interfere. If we had stayed out of it the whole thing might have just played out and no one would have been hurt."
"You wanted what was best."
"I wasn’t thinking of you," He said as he stroked her hair. "I was thinking of my mother and myself."
"Yourself?" She said through her tears.
"You were right, I was jealous. I know that Taylor and I were happy but I didn’t want to see you with anyone else. There was a part of me that wanted you to love only me. I know was being selfish and I hope you can forgive me. I will always love you Brooke."
"I love you too Ridge." She said and she held him closer. "Can we be friends again, I mean real friends?"
"We always were and we always will be." He kissed her softly on the lips.
"Ridge, what can I do to help him?" She asked.
"You are much too kind Logan. He doesn’t deserve you support but I’m sure Jonathan will want to talk to you about it. I’ll tell him you said it was alright to come see you?"
"Yes, I don’t want to see Thorne in jail. I hurt him so badly." She cried softly on his shoulder. "I really wanted it to work with him, I did, but there was so much against us."
"I think Thorne need some time to straighten himself out Brooke. I don’t know if it’s safe though. I don’t want him to hurt you again. I think he needs to get some intense therapy, after that if you want to be with him I will support you."
"Thanks Ridge but it’s too late for that." A smile came over her face. "Can I tell you a little secret?"
"Sure." He answered with a smile.
"Connor asked me to marry him."
Ridge raised his eyebrows. "I hope you said no."
"I said yes. Ridge, he makes me so happy."
"I don’t know what to say."
"Say you’re happy for me."
"I want you to be happy Logan, but Davis?"
"I love him."
"Are you sure?"
"I’m sure. Please be happy for me."
"I’ll try Logan. That’s all I can promise for now."
"Please try hard Ridge. It’s really important to me."
"I want you happy, I just don’t like him. I don’t think he’s right for you."
"There you go again." She said.
"Okay, you’re right. I don’t like it but you have my support. Okay?"
"Okay." She answered. And suddenly looked up as a man entered the room. He was tall and handsome, with sandy brown hair and behind his fashionable wire rimmed glasses were the bluest eyes Brooke had ever seen.
"Hello Ms. Logan, Mr. Forrester, I’m Doctor Copeland." He walked over and shook Brooke’s hand.
"Doctor, thanks for coming so quickly." Ridge said. "Brooke, Dr. Copeland is one of the most respected plastic surgeons in California. I called him yesterday and asked him if he would examine you."
Brooke lowered her face in embarrassment. "I do look awful don’t I?"
"No Logan, I just wanted you to have all the choices you need." Ridge explained.
"Mr. Forrester is right Ms. Logan, I just want to check you out, see how you’re healing and see if you might need my services."
"Alright Dr. Copeland, check away, but please call me Brooke."
"Okay Brooke, I’m Michael." He said with a warm smile. "Mr. Forrester, if you don’t mind I’d like to examine Brooke now."
"No problem." Ridge answered. "Brooke, I’m going to try and find Taylor, but I’ll be back later okay?"
"Okay, and thanks Ridge, thanks for everything." He kissed her on the forehead and left.
"Okay Brooke, I’m going to take these bandages off your face. Is that okay?"
"You’re the doctor."
"Tell me if I hurt you at all. I’ll try to be as gentle as possible." He smiled at her. "Don’t look so nervous. I’m sure I won’t find anything too serious."

"Hi honey," Stephanie said to Thorne who had just picked up the phone at the jail. "How are you. Are you okay?" As she looked at him through the glass tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hello Mother, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry."
"Honey, it isn’t your fault. It’s all Brooke’s fault. She pushed you." Stephanie told him.
"That’s not true. The only pushing she did was pushing me away. You all got to her. She dumped me."
"I told you she would! She only used you to try to get to Ridge. Thank God he can see through her."
"Mother, would you listen to yourself! I’m in jail! I shot the woman that I love and all you care about is Ridge!"
"You don’t love her! You only lust after her. She is a slut! A tramp and she has used every man in this family."
"Stop it! I don’t want to hear this."
"Thorne you are seeing her for what she really is! Now you can move on."
"Move on? Move on?" He shouted at her. "How the hell can I move on. I shot her and I will be spending years in jail making up for it!"
"No you won’t!" She said defiantly. "Jonathan will figure something out. She pushed you to this."
"Mother, I love her. She didn’t deserve this at all. I was crazy with jealousy when I saw her with Connor Davis. I wanted her back so bad. I got so mad, I don’t even know why I did it. The whole night is a blur."
"Let him have her! Let him keep her out of our lives. Thorne, don’t you see it’s for the best? She will never do anything but hurt you."
"It doesn’t matter anyway. Nothing matters. I deserve to rot in here forever for what I did. How is she Mom? Is she going to be alright?"
"I’m sure she’s faking as much as possible. Milking it for all she’s got. She has all these people buzzing all around her. Your brother is even letting himself get drawn into it, but that I will put an end to."
"I need to know how she is."
"Frankly Thorne I don’t care. Well I care because of how it can effect you. But if it was any other way I’d be glad to be rid of her."
"That’s it! I won’t listen to this bull anymore! Guard! I want to go back to my cell." He shouted and threw down the phone.

"That wasn’t so bad now was it?" Dr. Copeland asked Brooke.
"I think I’ll wait till you tell me what you think before I comment." She answered.
"Well, I don’t like the look of a couple of the gashes. I’d like to do something about them."
"My face?" She asked him. She appeared panicked.
"Two on your face and one on your chest."
"You think I need plastic surgery?"
"I would highly recommended it." He told her. "It is not anything very major, but I would hate to see you face scarred. What do you think?"
"Do I have to decide now?"
"The longer we put it off the harder it will be to get the results I want."
"I still hurt so much."
"I know, but isn’t it better to get it all over with at once."
"I guess so. Will it take more than one operation."
"I think I can do it in two, maybe three procedures. I promise you will be as beautiful as you were the day this happened."
He held her chin up. "Not that you aren’t beautiful now. I’m not talking about changes, only fixing what was damaged."
"Yeah, damaged goods, that’s me alright."
"I think you aren’t being fair to yourself. You’ve been through an awful lot. Look how far you’ve come already. I just don’t want you to heal the wrong way. I promise, you won’t be disappointed."
"I’m scared."
"Okay, think of it this way. Think of the pain that you suffered when it happened. That isn’t going to happen this time. I will control your pain and you won’t even feel anything happening. In fact if you want anything special, any changes we can do that at the same time."
"Changes? Do you think I need changes?"
"Not at all, some women like to change things. If I was you I wouldn’t change a thing." He looked at her face closely. "No, not a damn thing. I would like to see a recent picture if you have one."
"Not on me." She said.
"Perhaps Mr. Forrester can bring me one. Would he have any?"
"Probably, if he hasn’t burned them or anything."
"Why would anyone burn a picture of you?"
"It’s a long story. I think I can get you some photos though."
"Good, I want to talk to your MD and make sure he approves but I’d like to schedule the surgery for the day after tomorrow."
"Okay. Okay that’s fine."
"Don’t be scared Brooke, I promise you will be one hundred percent happy. Now I just want to make some notes on my chart and I will be out of your way." He told her with a smile. He went to the windowsill and leaned on it to write his notes. Brooke took this time check out his cute but. She was smiling to herself about it when Taylor entered her room.
"Brooke! Wow you look fantastic!" She came and hugged her friend. "You look beautiful!"
"That was what I was just trying to tell her." Said Michael as her turned around. Noting his doctors jacket Taylor looked at Brooke questioningly.
"Am I intruding? Should I come back later Doctor?" She asked.
"No, Brooke and I are done for today." He said to Taylor and then he turned to Brooke. "Your friend is right. You are lovely. I’m just going to make you even more so. Ladies, have a nice day!" He told them as he walked out.
"Who is he?" Taylor asked. "He’s gorgeous!"
"He’s my plastic surgeon," Brooke answered glumly. "Ridge found him." She added.
"What’s wrong Brooke?"
"What isn’t?" She replied. "I have to have plastic surgery, three operations! And Ridge told me about Thorne."
"What about Thorne?" Taylor asked.
"You don’t know? It seems that he was the one who shot me."
"Oh no, Brooke I’m so sorry." Taylor hugged her again. "No wonder you are devastated. I can’t believe it."
"Me either. I know I hurt him Taylor, I guess I didn’t realize how badly I hurt him. That’s all I seem to do! Hurt people!"
"Oh sweetie that isn’t true." She told her friend.
"Taylor can you find someone to help Thorne, I don’t want him to be hurting like this."
"Oh course I will. But I am more concerned about you. You can’t blame yourself. And more importantly you can’t listen to anyone who tries to blame you."
"You mean Stephanie."
"Yes, she will blame you. But it isn’t your fault. You are the victim. You understand that don’t you?"
"I try to convince myself but it’s so hard." She started to cry. "I can’t seem to stop crying."
"Well that’s normal. Look at everything you’ve been through. I’m amazed you are as strong as you are."
"I do have some good news." Brooked sniffled.
"Well tell me!" Taylor said to her friend. "I would love to hear something happy."
"Connor asked me to marry him."
"Oh Brooke! Oh I am so happy for you!" She once more hugged her. "You love him don’t you?"
"Because it’s so soon after Thorne?" Brooke asked.
"Well it was pretty quick, but I can’t judge. Look at me and Bryan."
"I love him. He makes me smile. I feel loved and clean with him."
"Clean?"
"Everyone made me feel so dirty for loving Thorne. This just feels so clean. Do you know what I mean?"
"I think I do. I just don’t want you to confuse that feeling for love."
"I’m not, I do love him."
"Good. Then I am very happy for you."
"Ridge wasn’t."
"He was here?"
"Yeah and he was looking for you. Taylor, he saw the picture."
"Eye on Fashion?" Taylor gasped.
"Yes. Connor told me. He said that Ridge came to my place last night looking for you; he saw my copy of the magazine. He tried to find where Bryan lived but Connor wouldn’t tell him. Ridge was upset when I saw him today but he never got into it. Dr. Copeland came in so Ridge left to find you."
"I guess I’ll have to face him. I knew it was coming but I didn’t think it would be so soon."
"What are you going to do? Are you going to try and work it out with him?"
"No. I made my decision. I can’t be with him anymore. Even if Bryan wasn’t involved." She smiled as she thought about him.
"But he is."
"Yeah he is. I love him Brooke. I really love him. I don’t think I ever got over him. The minute I saw him all the feelings just came flooding back."
"Were you with him last night?"
"Was I ever!" she chuckled. "My God is he, oh Brooke he is so. I just." She hesitated. "I can’t get enough of him. All have to do is think of him and I want him again. Brooke we were up almost all night making love. It was amazing. You’d think I would be tired but all I can think of is getting back to him."
"Now Taylor, that sounds like the lust you guys accused me of having with Thorne." Brooke said honestly.
"Oh it is. I lust him tremendously, but I love him too."
"And Ridge?"
Taylor’s eyes filled with tears. "I love him. He is a wonderful man, a wonderful father and a tremendous lover himself. I just can’t compete for his love anymore. He never once has loved only me."
"He never loved only me either. But he isn’t easy to get over."
"I never will get over him. But it’s time to end it. Bryan and I want to be together and we will."

"He won’t talk to me Eric. That bitch has him mesmerized." Stephanie complained to Eric. "Our whole family is falling apart and it’s all Brooke’s fault." They were waiting at the courthouse for Jonathan to arrive.
"Stephanie, listen to me. You have to handle Thorne carefully. Jonathan thinks that he might have had some kind of a breakdown. He isn’t responsible for his words or his actions. Jonathan thinks we have a good case for temporary insanity."
"The insanity started the day Brooke Logan and her mother came into our home. And Eric what about Ridge and Taylor. No one can find her. Ridge is frantic. Why would she have taken up with that man?"
"I don’t know. Ridge won’t say anything about that, only that he loves her and wants her back."
"What do you mean Ridge won’t say anything about the man. He knows? Eric, who told him? I bet it was Brooke! He went to the hospital to see her and she threw it in his face! I’ll kill her."
"No more talk of violence. Brooke didn’t tell him. He saw the picture."
"Then she must have shown it to him."
"No, he saw another copy of the magazine. He is beside himself. He loves her so much."
"How can we help our boys Eric? What can I do?"
"Right now there is nothing we can do, nothing but wait. Hopefully Jonathan can get Thorne out."
"And Ridge? What about him?"
"We need to talk to Taylor. We need to find out what started this whole chain of events."
"Brooke did."
"Stephanie, I don’t think we can blame Brooke this time. I think Taylor can provide the answers."

 

Chapter 15

"Dr. Copeland, I have Dr. Ehlers on line two." The nurse at the desk told him.
"Thanks Kelly." He said as he pushed back his hair and picked up the phone. "Keith, hi thanks for getting back to me. I just saw Brooke Logan and I’d like to operate the day after tomorrow."
"So soon Michael, is that necessary?"
"Look Keith, she is magnificent. She is a beautiful woman. I don’t want to take too much time. I want to keep this from being as invasive if possible. No reason to let wounds heal only to open them up again.'
"Taking a personal touch on this one Michael? You better watch out, you know what happened last time."
"Hey, I admit I wouldn’t mind getting to know her but this is strictly professional."
"For now."
"Hey, you never know. So what do you think? Is she healthy enough?"
"Look, I just moved her out of ICU last night. She seems pretty stable but I want to look at her again before I give you the go ahead."
"Okay, when do you plan on going in to see her."
"I have rounds this afternoon. I’m in the office now."
"Okay then, call me after you see her. In the meantime I am going to book the OR just in case. I want to do right by her. And thanks Keith." He handed the phone back to Kelly.
"Say Kelly, Ms. Logan, she’s single right?"
"I think so."
"Good. I like that in a woman." He pulled out his cell phone and hit a number.
"Hello, this is Michael Copeland. I’d like to order two dozen red roses. That’s right two dozen. Deliver them to a Miss Brooke Logan at Morningside Hospital Room 518. Bill it to my account. The card? Sign it ‘With love Michael’. Thanks."
"With love?" Kelly said to him with raised eyebrows.
"Hey you gotta start somewhere. You never know she may be the next Mrs. Copeland."
"I hope she has better luck than the first one."
"Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, you have to stop listening to gossip. Adrienne and I split on best of terms, she got my money and I got my freedom. See ya!" He said as he walked away whistling a tune.

"Okay folks, ready to go in." Jonathan said to Eric and Stephanie.
"Jonathan, I tried to talk to him at the jail but he was totally unreasonable." Stephanie told him.
"You didn’t try to bad mouth Brooke did you?"
"It is all her fault!"
"Stephanie I told you to let me handle this. He thinks he loves her, he will side against you even if it hurts himself. I don’t want you to even think the name Brooke Logan around him. We are going to need her cooperation, do you understand me."
"Jonathan, how was he with you?" Eric asked.
"He doesn’t remember the details. He knows he was angry with Brooke and wanted to hurt her. Frankly I’m worried about him. I have a suicide watch on him."
"Suicide? Over that slut!"
"Stephanie I warned you. Eric if you can’t control her I want you to take her home. She can only hurt him in this frame of mind."
"Jonathan, you don’t think he’d really." Eric stopped unable to complete the sentence.
"Yes, Eric, I do. He told me his life was meaningless without her. The only bright side so far is that she is recovering quite rapidly."
"That’s a bright side?" Stephanie scoffed.
"Of course it is Stephanie," said Eric. "No matter what she’s done to this family we certainly didn’t want her dead."
"Speak for yourself." She said calmly.
"Jonathan," Said Eric ignoring Stephanie. "Have you gotten in touch with Ridge? Has he talked to her?"
"Actually he called me. He spoke to her himself and she’s distraught over this, luckily for us she wants to help Thorne. If you two can stay out of it I think we may be able to count on her. Ridge is very unsure about Thorne’s mental status though."
"Well what about psychiatric help? Have you found Taylor? We really need her to talk to him."
"No we do not need that at all. Even Ridge feels she’s too close to the whole situation." Jonathan explained. "I want her to make a referral."
"Why on earth would she be too close to the situation?" Stephanie asked. "She’s his sister in law, she is part of the family but she and Thorne are not involved."
"Look Stephanie, Ridge feels with the estrangement between them and her newfound closeness to Brooke it might not work in Thorne’s advantage and I have to agree with him. Besides that Taylor and Thorne were involved once and a jury might not take well to her counseling him."
"Estrangement? Jonathan what do you mean by estrangement. Where did you get an idea like that?" Stephanie demanded.
"From Ridge, I understand you are both aware that Taylor has filed for divorce."
"That’s a big misunderstanding Jonathan. They’ll work it out."
"Well that’s not the issue here but Ridge is right. It’s best to keep Taylor out of this."
"This is ludicrous." Stephanie said with a cowl. "Again we have Brooke Logan to thank."
"Are Brooke and Ridge involved again Stephanie?" Jonathan asked.
"She’d like them to be, but no, Ridge is totally devoted to his wife. There is no other woman for him. Brooke somehow got Taylor involved with this man."
"Stephanie please. This is not the time or place for this!" Eric firmly told her.
"Alright then, Taylor can recommend a colleague. But she is part of this family and she will be here to support us."
"Mom, Dad, Jonathan!" Shouted Ridge as he ran over to them. "Good, I made it on time. I wanted to talk to you all."
"What is it Ridge, we were just about to go in." Jonathan said.
"I just want to let you know that I will do anything in my power."
"Oh course you will honey." Stephanie interrupted.
"Anything in my power," Ridge continued. "To keep Thorne in custody."
"What!" Eric shouted.
"Oh my God." Stephanie cried. "What are you saying?"
"I will not let him hurt her again. He is out of control and he has to be stopped. We need him transferred to a psychiatric hospital but we can’t let him out on the street where he can do this again."
"Where are your loyalties Ridge!" Eric demanded.
"Oh God Eric, Oh God I think I’m going to faint." Stephanie said as she grabbed her husband.
"Look what you are doing to your mother!" Eric held her. "It’s okay darling it’s okay."
"I’m sorry mother but I am right. He is out of control. I won’t let him hurt her again."
Stephanie straightened herself up and shook her finger in Ridge’s face. "That bitch has gotten to you again hasn’t she? Hasn’t she!" She screamed.
"Alright Eric, get her out of here. I will handle this myself." Jonathan instructed.
"I’m going in too Jonathan. Someone has to speak for Brooke." Ridge told him.
"Ridge I implore you, don’t do this." Stephanie begged.
"Eric! Get her home now!" Jonathan demanded. "Ridge, let’s go." He grabbed Ridge’s arm and pulled him into the courthouse.

"Can I get you anything Brooke. Do you need a nightgown, anything from home?" Taylor asked.
"They have me in this dumb hospital gown so they can keep changing the bandages. I’d like to put something nicer on. I sure would like to look prettier for Connor. I hate that he has to keep looking at this." Brooke gestured at her face and body.
"You don’t look that bad Brooke."
"Everyone keeps telling me that but I think they’re trying to be nice." Brooke answered with a sigh. "At least I can’t see it, I think I look like a monster. No wonder that doctor wants to do plastic surgery on me."
"Don’t obsess over it Brooke. I’m sure he just wants to make sure you don’t scar. You’ll be fine." Taylor advised her. "Now how about food? Is there anything you’d like to eat or drink? Maybe I can get you a treat or something."
"No I’m really fine. I don’t have much of an appetite."
"How about some ice cream?"
"I don’t know."
"Chocolate? Strawberry? Rocky Road?" Taylor tried to tempt her.
"Maybe later." Brooke replied. "I keep thinking about Thorne."
"I know. I really can’t believe that he would do that."
"Ridge said he was drunk. I don’t think he was when I saw him at Café Russe that night, but he was mad."
"I wonder if he’ll get bail? How do you feel about that Brooke? Are you afraid of him?"
"No Taylor, I really think it was a mistake. Maybe he wanted to yell at me and things got carried away. I can’t believe he would hurt me."
"But he did Brooke."
"I know. I still don’t want him to go to jail."
"I don’t think that will be your choice."
"Ridge thinks he should be locked up."
"He’s trying to protect you." Taylor answered. She was beginning to get annoyed. "Ridge this, Ridge that, you and Ridge are sure getting chummy again aren’t you?"
"Please don’t be mad at me. Going through this changed everything. I don’t want anymore enemies. I don’t want to be hated anymore. Ridge and I reached an agreement that’s all. We want to be friends again."
"I don’t want to make things hard for you Brooke but things may get ugly between me and Ridge. Are you sure you want to be in the middle of all that."
"I don’t want to be in the middle of anything. I just wish that you could work it out with Ridge so that you didn’t hate each other."
"I don’t hate him Brooke. I want to be on good terms with him too. I just can’t be his wife anymore. Every time that I think maybe we can fix it I see Morgan’s face."
"You still love him Taylor, you love him a lot."
"I already told you I still love him Brooke."
"You have to think about this Taylor, is it totally ruined? Isn’t there anyway you can fix things? Do you really want to end it? Do you want to let Morgan win?"
"It’s not just Morgan. First it was you, now it’s Morgan and after her it would be someone else. I won’t share him. I want a man who can give all his love to me. Someone where I always come first."
"Taylor, Ridge does put you first."
"It’s always an uphill battle Brooke. I’m tired of fighting."
"So you’re giving up."
"I’m giving up and moving on. Bryan is not a consolation prize. He is a wonderful man. I truly love him."
"I’m sorry I keep harping on this Taylor. I just don’t want you to wake up and realize that you made a mistake."
"I’ll never think of our marriage as a mistake. Only if I stay in it when it’s really over. Brooke it was hard enough sharing his love with your children and they weren’t even his. And I came to love you kids too. I don’t want to be there when Morgan has his baby. I don’t want to know her child. Call me selfish if you want but that’s how it is. And Brooke when I’m with Bryan I don’t even think of Ridge, well not much anyway."
"I’m glad I fired her. She’s a horrible person. She’s caused you so much pain. I wish I never met her."
"She was just the last straw Brooke."
"I’m still glad she’s gone."

"Thanks for all your support Ridge." Thorne sarcastically told Ridge outside the courthouse. Although Ridge had argued against it Jonathan had convinced the judge to grant Thorne bail.
"I think you need help little brother. And I don’t want to see you anywhere near Brooke."
"I won’t touch her Ridge."
"You make sure of that."
"Come on boys, the press is going to get wind of this and swarm down on us. We have to get Thorne out of here." Jonathan explained.
"I have my own car. You bring Thorne home." Ridge said to Jonathan. "I mean it Thorne, stay away from her!" Ridge warned him as he walked away.
"He’s right Thorne. We don’t want to scare her or anger her. We will need any support that she’ll give us." They walked to Jonathan’s car and got in.
"I don’t deserve her support."
"No you don’t but well take it just the same."
"Jonathan, I don’t know why I did it. I love her. I wish I could take it all back, God I wish."
"Look Thorne, you can’t take it back" Jonathan interrupted. "We have to move on and plan from this point. Like I told you before she is doing well and that’s a good thing."
"It’s a great thing. My God if I had killed her."
"You didn’t Thorne. Now where can I take you? Do you want to go home? To Macy’s or maybe your parents?"
"Just take me home Jonathan."
"You know your divorce from Macy isn’t final yet. It might be a good move if you put it on hold for now."
"So I can hurt her more too? No way Jonathan. I love Macy but we aren’t in love. I refuse to lead her on again."
"You certainly don’t think there is a future for you and Brooke?"
"After what I did? No, but if there is anyway I can explain to her. Jonathan I love her. Damn them! We would have been married if they hadn’t interfered." He punched the dashboard. "I don’t know how but someday I will win her back."

"Hey Logan I told you I’d be back…Taylor!" Ridge said as he entered Brooke’s room and spotted his wife. "I’ve been looking all over for you!"
"Hello Ridge." Taylor replied. "I guess you found me."
"Taylor can we go somewhere and talk?"
"There’s nothing to talk about Ridge."
"Yes there is Doc. Please don’t you owe me that much?"
"I know you saw the picture." She stated flatly.
"Yes I did. Do you care to explain?"
"Well it was kind of like when you and Morgan did the horizontal Ridge."
A look of tremendous hurt came over his face.
"I drove you to it Doc, it’s my fault and I take all the blame. We both made mistakes but we can get past them."
"I can’t get past your child Ridge. And Bryan wasn’t a mistake." Her last comment felt like a knife going through him.
"Taylor please! Think of our family."
"I am thinking of our family Ridge. Our children can’t grow up in a home filled with deceit and resentment."
"They won’t. I promise I will have nothing to do with Morgan again."
"What about your child Ridge? Can you seriously say you would turn your back on your son or daughter?"
"If I have to I will."
"Then you aren’t half the man I thought you were. Ridge, do us both a favor and sign the papers."
"Are you in love with him? Is that what this is about?"
"Taylor, Ridge don’t you think you should discuss this in private?" Brooke interjected.
"It’s okay Brooke. You know everything that’s going on." Taylor answered.
"But Taylor it’s personal. Don’t you want to talk about this alone?"
"Brooke’s right Taylor. Can we have dinner in the private dining room at the club? Just you and me? We can talk it all out."
"Ridge there is nothing left to discuss. I’m sorry but I mean it. Please just sign the papers."
"Alright Taylor, if you agree to have dinner with me at the club tonight after we talk if you still want me to I will sign the papers."
"Why do you insist on dragging this out? Haven’t we both been through enough?"
"Please Doc, it’s not a lot to ask."
"Alright! You win. But I want you to keep your promise Ridge. I want the papers signed tonight."
"Just give me a chance to change you mind Doc. That’s all I’m asking you. Try and be open to it."
"Okay Ridge, I guess we owe that much to our marriage."
"Good, I’ll go and make the arraignments." He started out and abruptly turned around and went to Brooke’s side. "Logan I need to tell you something before I leave. Thorne made bail."
"Oh." She said in a scared voice. "Do you think he’ll want to hurt me again?"
"I made him promise to leave you completely alone. I really think he needs help." He turned to Taylor. "Doc you can recommend someone right?"
"Sure I already told Brooke I would. Do you want me to set something up?"
"Maybe you could call Jonathan and make the arrangements."
"Okay." He kissed Brooke lightly on the forehead and then kissed Taylor deeply on the lips. "I love you Doc, above all remember that. If we try we can face anything. As long as we face it together." He kissed her once more and left.
They sat in silence for awhile and suddenly Taylor spoke. "Why does he do this to me? I was sure I had it all figured out and then wham!"
Brooke took her friends hand. "Hear him out Taylor. I think you need to do that. You don’t want to always wonder what if."
"What if what?" Asked Bryan as he and Connor walked in the room.
"Bryan!" Taylor jumped up and put her arms around him and kissed him hard, full and long.
"Missed me baby?" He asked when they finally parted.
"You bet?" She answered drawing him in for another kiss.
"Does this go on all the time?" Connor joked.
"I hope you’re getting ideas Connor." Brooke said with a smile.
"I have one for my baby too." He said as her sat on the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms. "I love you Brooke." He kissed her but not nearly passionately as Bryan and Taylor kissed.
"Hey! You can do better than that!" Brooke complained.
"You, my lady love are suffering some major wounds. If I held you that tightly I could hurt you. But let’s try one more time." He kissed her soundly. They parted and Brooke and Connor looked over at Taylor and Bryan who were still locked together.
"They don’t come up for air." Connor joked.
"No they don’t." Brooke said with a soft sigh.
"You look disappointed. Don’t you like Bryan?" He asked quietly so only she could hear.
"I do but let’s talk about this later okay?"
"I bet this has something to do with your ex doesn’t it?"
"Later!" She warned. "Anyway I found out something upsetting today."
He looked at her and saw she was very serious. "What is it honey?"
"It was Thorne, Thorne was the one who shot me."
"Thorne? God damn those Forresters!" His shout caught the attention of Taylor and Bryan who separated.
"Connor, it’s my fault!" Brooke said as she grabbed his hand.
"Are you crazy? How the hell is it your fault? Don’t you worry he will never see the light of day again, I’ll make sure of that!"
"No!" Brooke responded. "No Connor, I don’t want that. It is my fault. I hurt him terribly. All he wanted to do was love me."
"Forrester men have a strange way of showing you their love." He growled. "Sorry Brooke but you lose on this one. I will not have that lunatic terrorizing my wife!"
"Connor please. He needs help not jail." Brooke plead to him. "His mother, she’s the one who caused this whole chain of events."
"Brooke’s right Connor. Thorne needs help. Locking him up won’t solve anything." Taylor said trying to convince him.
"I think both of you need help! The man tried to kill you Brooke! He didn’t start a fight or slash your tires or trash your office, he tried to kill you!"
"I don’t think he knew what he was doing." Taylor interjected.
"Look Taylor, I respect you and I care very much about you but Brooke is my life! I will not let that madman or his crazy parents get anywhere near Brooke and that is final!" He turned to Bryan. "We have to get to work on this and make sure that the prosecutor has everything he needs to put him away and keep him away! Let’s go!"
"Connor!" Brooke cried, "don’t you even care what I want?"
"You aren’t thinking straight Brooke. He man is dangerous."
"I think you should calm down." Taylor told him. "Listen to her Connor, Thorne is not a violent man."
"Taylor how can you say that? This is not the first time he shot someone. Remember he shot Ridge."
"He was drunk." Brooke protested.
"Oh I get it, it’s okay to kill people when you’re drunk. Hey someone should have told me that after the Lakers lost that last game. I could have really taken my aggression out on someone. God knows I was drunk that night." He laughed at Bryan. "You too buddy, why didn’t you try and kill someone?"
"Actually I’m a Knicks fan myself." He joked.
"And Brooke, remember that night when you had too much champagne? Why didn’t you kill Eric? That would have been all right and Taylor you know you should have done something about Brooke back in the days of you and her fighting over Ridge! Hey one bullet would have solved your problems. Bang! Hey Ridgie no more choices left!"
"This isn’t funny Connor." Brooke admonished.
"No, it’s not. But neither is letting Thorne get away with this."
"He needs therapy not jail." Taylor sternly said. "Now sit down and visit with Brooke and forget about Thorne!"



"What the hell are you doing Morgan?" Ridge said as he entered his office and spied Morgan going through his desk. He ran over and pulled her hands out of the drawers.
"Ridge! You startled me! I was looking for that design I left you. I wanted to see if you had any changes?"
"Then you wait until I get here!" He roughly pushed her away.
‘Hey!" She said as she grabbed the desk to catch her balance. "You could have hurt the baby!"
"Shut up about the baby! You crazy bitch! You ruined my life with that baby!"
"You didn’t seem to mind very much when we made him." She said as she rubbed her arms where he had grabbed her. "That hurt Ridge!"
"Morgan! Get the hell out of my office! And get the hell out of my life! You and your baby have no part in my life!"
"It’s your baby Ridge! How can you say that!"
"I never wanted a baby with you Morgan! You tricked me."
"Don’t be such as ass Ridge! You wanted me as much as I wanted you." She pulled him close to her. "You still do!" She shouted as she kissed him. Ridge pulled her closer and deepened the kiss and then suddenly forcefully pulled away from her.
"No!" He shouted. "I don’t want you Morgan! I want my wife and only my wife!'
"Well she doesn’t want you Ridge. She wants that guy in the magazine. She hates you and she wants to divorce you!"
"Get out of here Morgan!" he screamed at her. "I never want to see your face again!"
"You want me Ridge. You can try and deny it all you want to but you want me." She told him. "And I will have you." She walked out of the office. He grabbed for the first thing he could find which ended up being a stapler. He threw it across the room barely missing Stephanie as she was walking in.
"Ridge what is going on in here?" She demanded.
"Nothing that concerns you Mother."
"Everything that happens in my family concerns me!"
"Well maybe if it didn’t we wouldn’t have so many problems!"
"Don’t you talk to me like that. You’ve been around Brooke Logan haven’t you? I can always smell her stench on you."
"That’s enough Mother! This has nothing to do with Brooke."
"Ridge I don’t like what is happening to us. How can you turn against your family for her!"
"I don’t want anything to do with Morgan Mother!"
"Morgan? Who is talking about Morgan? I meant Brooke!"
"Mother I am friends with Brooke. She is not a problem to you or me or anyone else in this family. My problem is getting my wife back home where she belongs and that has nothing to do with Brooke or with you for that matter."
"Then tell me why she left!" Stephanie demanded. "Why would a woman who loves you as much as Taylor obviously love you leave you? I don’t understand it! I don’t understand it at all! Why Ridge? Why?"
"You want to know why mother? Do you really want to know why?" He screamed at her.
"Of course I do honey." She said trying to calm him. "I love you and I love Taylor. I only want you to be happy."
"I’m sorry, I just can’t talk about this. I have to go." He said as he stormed past her.

"I’m sorry Brooke. I didn’t mean to upset you like that." Connor said as he gave her a kiss. "I only want you to be safe."
"As long as I have you I will be safe." She told him as she gazed at him adoringly. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You’ve changed everything for me. I think that’s why I don’t want to push this thing anymore. Let Thorne be. He’s already hurting. I don’t think he would ever hurt me again."
"We will just have to agree to disagree on that one honey." He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small box. "I think I have something here for you."
"Oh Connor." Brooke gushed as he placed a perfect four-carat diamond on her finger. "It’s beautiful!"
"You’re beautiful!" He answered her. "This cements it. You are mine and no one else’s forever and ever."
"I love you so much Connor." She said as tears of happiness flowed down her checks. Taylor and Bryan smiled at each other over their friend’s happiness.
"It will be us next." Bryan promised.   Chapter 14 "A ring! I have to get you a ring!" Announced Connor. "I don’t know where my head was. I just proposed to the most wonderful woman in the world and I don’t even have a ring!"
"A ring isn’t what’s important to me. Your love is all I really need."
"No way! You will have the most beautiful ring! Besides I want everyone to know that you are taken."
She smiled at him. "I’ll tell them. They will see it in my eyes."
He looked into her eyes. "The only thing I see in your eyes right now is a major lack of sleep. Did you sleep at all last night?"
"Not too much, but hey, don’t you see love there too?"
"Yes, but the lids keep closing down on it?" He joked.
"I’m too scared to sleep. I keep thinking he’ll come back to get me."
"I won’t let him. And neither will Bryan or Taylor or your family or even thought I hate to admit it Ridge."
"Or Thorne either I hope." She said with a sigh. "I hurt him badly Connor and he’s not going to be very happy with our news. I want him as a friend. We’ve been close for so long I don’t want to lose that."
"Thorne’s a good guy. He’ll come around."
"I hope so. I need all the friends I can get these days."
"You’ll have him as a friend, maybe not right away but soon. Now I want you to try and take a nap while I go out on my errand."
"Connor you don’t have to do it now!" She protested. "I can certainly wait till I get home."
"And give you a chance to change your mind? I want a ring on that pretty finger today."
"I love you Connor." She told him. "And I love that I can tell you that. There are no obstacles in our way. It’s so different from anything I ever had before."
"And we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet." He teased.
"Now that I don’t want to wait for. Can I get a preview?"
He kissed her gently.
"Connor, I won’t break." She complained.
"I certainly hope not. I doubt that I can get a replacement." He joked and kissed her deeply and passionately.
"Wow!" She said. "Now that’s what I call a kiss. I can hardly wait for the second act."
"Are you two at it again?" The nurse from the night before asked as she entered the room.
"She is feeling better today." Connor replied.
"I can see that. Okay Studly, scoot! I gotta change her bandages."
"He can stay." Brooke protested.
"Oh no he can’t and those are not just my rules." She said with a smile. She turned to Connor "Go get some coffee or something. We should be through in fifteen twenty minutes."
"I have an errand to run anyway." He kissed Brooke. "See you in bit honey!" He looked at the nurse. "I really love this woman!" He told her with a smile.
"Yes, I can see that you do!"

Taylor and Bryan had made it outside to her car but they were still having a hard time leaving each other. They had been kissing good bye for about fifteen minutes when Taylor came up for air.
"I really have to go. I need to see the babies and change and get to the hospital." She kissed him again. "But I don’t want to leave either." She told him.
"Then don’t. Let’s go back inside."
"No way!" She laughed. "It took us this long to get this far."
"But think of the fun we could have trying again." He began working on the zipper on the back of her dress.
"Bryan!" She said feigning shock. "We are outside."
"I don’t want to let go of you. God what you do to me woman!"
She kissed him again very deeply and then freed herself from his arms.
"I will be back. This is not the end, it’s just the beginning." She promised him. "But I need to see my children."
"Bring them back here." He suggested. "Then you never have to leave again."
"Bryan, I can’t."
"Think about it, we could be together all the time."
"Don’t you have to go into the office?" She teased.
"I’ll work here, naked, with you on my lap."
"You’d get lots of work done that way." She laughed. He took her back into his arms and kissed her again.
"Okay, you win, go do your thing. But hurry up and get back cause I’m really hurting for you again."
"I’ll be back after I take care of things. I promise I will." She kissed him quickly and jumped into her car. She shut the door and opened the window. "One more kiss." She said as she put her head out of the window. He kissed her again very slowly. When they broke for air again Taylor closed the window, started the car and drove off with a wave and a smile.
"I love you!" He shouted to her.

"Hey Logan! Look at you!" Ridge said as her entered her room and saw her sitting up reading a book.
"Ridge!" She said warmly. "Hi!" She put down her book.
"You look great! I can’t believe this. My God we almost lost you and look at you now!" He came to her side and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"I don’t know how to thank you." She said. "They told me you found me."
"If it wasn’t me it would have been Taylor or Davis. We were all worried about you, I just got there first."
"Don’t try to be humble. You’re my hero!" She said with a hug and a kiss.
"I see they took off some of your bandages. You look really good."
"For a mummy." She complained.
"If you are a mummy then I wanna be a daddy!" He joked. He suddenly got serious. He sat down next to her on the bed and took her hand.
"I have something to tell you Brooke, something very important."
"I know, Connor told me. But Ridge you have to give her a chance to explain. Maybe you can work things out. I know she still loves you."
"This isn’t about me and Taylor."
"Oh, I’m sorry I just thought."
"I know, we can talk about that later if you want but this is really important. I don’t want to upset you but you need to know this."
"What is it Ridge, you’re scaring me."
"I can’t think of any way to tell you except to just blurt it out. Brooke, Thorne confessed to shooting you."
"Thorne!" She said in shock. "Oh, no Ridge, not Thorne." She started to cry. "Oh God, what did I do to him."
"You didn’t do anything to him Logan. He did it to you. You did nothing wrong."
"Why would he do this to me? Does he hate me so much that he wants me dead."
"No, I think he loves you too much. At least he thinks he does."
"Have you seen him? Is he all right? They don’t have him in jail do they?" She said in a panicked voice.
"Typical Logan, always worried about the other guy. No I haven’t seen him but Mom and Dad have. I think he’s sobered up. Yes, he was very drunk and yes, he is in jail."
"But Ridge!"
"That’s where he belongs, he tried to kill you!"
"He didn’t mean it, he couldn’t have."
"Brooke, I don’t know the answers, but my little brother is in need of help."
"Maybe Taylor can talk to him."
"No, she’s too close to the situation. I’m going to ask her to recommend someone."
"Oh Ridge, you and Taylor were right about everything. I should never have gotten involved with someone else from your family. It all has turned out so horribly."
He took her in his arms and soothed her.
"No Logan, we were wrong, we were wrong to interfere. If we had stayed out of it the whole thing might have just played out and no one would have been hurt."
"You wanted what was best."
"I wasn’t thinking of you," He said as he stroked her hair. "I was thinking of my mother and myself."
"Yourself?" She said through her tears.
"You were right, I was jealous. I know that Taylor and I were happy but I didn’t want to see you with anyone else. There was a part of me that wanted you to love only me. I know was being selfish and I hope you can forgive me. I will always love you Brooke."
"I love you too Ridge." She said and she held him closer. "Can we be friends again, I mean real friends?"
"We always were and we always will be." He kissed her softly on the lips.
"Ridge, what can I do to help him?" She asked.
"You are much too kind Logan. He doesn’t deserve you support but I’m sure Jonathan will want to talk to you about it. I’ll tell him you said it was alright to come see you?"
"Yes, I don’t want to see Thorne in jail. I hurt him so badly." She cried softly on his shoulder. "I really wanted it to work with him, I did, but there was so much against us."
"I think Thorne need some time to straighten himself out Brooke. I don’t know if it’s safe though. I don’t want him to hurt you again. I think he needs to get some intense therapy, after that if you want to be with him I will support you."
"Thanks Ridge but it’s too late for that." A smile came over her face. "Can I tell you a little secret?"
"Sure." He answered with a smile.
"Connor asked me to marry him."
Ridge raised his eyebrows. "I hope you said no."
"I said yes. Ridge, he makes me so happy."
"I don’t know what to say."
"Say you’re happy for me."
"I want you to be happy Logan, but Davis?"
"I love him."
"Are you sure?"
"I’m sure. Please be happy for me."
"I’ll try Logan. That’s all I can promise for now."
"Please try hard Ridge. It’s really important to me."
"I want you happy, I just don’t like him. I don’t think he’s right for you."
"There you go again." She said.
"Okay, you’re right. I don’t like it but you have my support. Okay?"
"Okay." She answered. And suddenly looked up as a man entered the room. He was tall and handsome, with sandy brown hair and behind his fashionable wire rimmed glasses were the bluest eyes Brooke had ever seen.
"Hello Ms. Logan, Mr. Forrester, I’m Doctor Copeland." He walked over and shook Brooke’s hand.
"Doctor, thanks for coming so quickly." Ridge said. "Brooke, Dr. Copeland is one of the most respected plastic surgeons in California. I called him yesterday and asked him if he would examine you."
Brooke lowered her face in embarrassment. "I do look awful don’t I?"
"No Logan, I just wanted you to have all the choices you need." Ridge explained.
"Mr. Forrester is right Ms. Logan, I just want to check you out, see how you’re healing and see if you might need my services."
"Alright Dr. Copeland, check away, but please call me Brooke."
"Okay Brooke, I’m Michael." He said with a warm smile. "Mr. Forrester, if you don’t mind I’d like to examine Brooke now."
"No problem." Ridge answered. "Brooke, I’m going to try and find Taylor, but I’ll be back later okay?"
"Okay, and thanks Ridge, thanks for everything." He kissed her on the forehead and left.
"Okay Brooke, I’m going to take these bandages off your face. Is that okay?"
"You’re the doctor."
"Tell me if I hurt you at all. I’ll try to be as gentle as possible." He smiled at her. "Don’t look so nervous. I’m sure I won’t find anything too serious."

"Hi honey," Stephanie said to Thorne who had just picked up the phone at the jail. "How are you. Are you okay?" As she looked at him through the glass tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hello Mother, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry."
"Honey, it isn’t your fault. It’s all Brooke’s fault. She pushed you." Stephanie told him.
"That’s not true. The only pushing she did was pushing me away. You all got to her. She dumped me."
"I told you she would! She only used you to try to get to Ridge. Thank God he can see through her."
"Mother, would you listen to yourself! I’m in jail! I shot the woman that I love and all you care about is Ridge!"
"You don’t love her! You only lust after her. She is a slut! A tramp and she has used every man in this family."
"Stop it! I don’t want to hear this."
"Thorne you are seeing her for what she really is! Now you can move on."
"Move on? Move on?" He shouted at her. "How the hell can I move on. I shot her and I will be spending years in jail making up for it!"
"No you won’t!" She said defiantly. "Jonathan will figure something out. She pushed you to this."
"Mother, I love her. She didn’t deserve this at all. I was crazy with jealousy when I saw her with Connor Davis. I wanted her back so bad. I got so mad, I don’t even know why I did it. The whole night is a blur."
"Let him have her! Let him keep her out of our lives. Thorne, don’t you see it’s for the best? She will never do anything but hurt you."
"It doesn’t matter anyway. Nothing matters. I deserve to rot in here forever for what I did. How is she Mom? Is she going to be alright?"
"I’m sure she’s faking as much as possible. Milking it for all she’s got. She has all these people buzzing all around her. Your brother is even letting himself get drawn into it, but that I will put an end to."
"I need to know how she is."
"Frankly Thorne I don’t care. Well I care because of how it can effect you. But if it was any other way I’d be glad to be rid of her."
"That’s it! I won’t listen to this bull anymore! Guard! I want to go back to my cell." He shouted and threw down the phone.

"That wasn’t so bad now was it?" Dr. Copeland asked Brooke.
"I think I’ll wait till you tell me what you think before I comment." She answered.
"Well, I don’t like the look of a couple of the gashes. I’d like to do something about them."
"My face?" She asked him. She appeared panicked.
"Two on your face and one on your chest."
"You think I need plastic surgery?"
"I would highly recommended it." He told her. "It is not anything very major, but I would hate to see you face scarred. What do you think?"
"Do I have to decide now?"
"The longer we put it off the harder it will be to get the results I want."
"I still hurt so much."
"I know, but isn’t it better to get it all over with at once."
"I guess so. Will it take more than one operation."
"I think I can do it in two, maybe three procedures. I promise you will be as beautiful as you were the day this happened."
He held her chin up. "Not that you aren’t beautiful now. I’m not talking about changes, only fixing what was damaged."
"Yeah, damaged goods, that’s me alright."
"I think you aren’t being fair to yourself. You’ve been through an awful lot. Look how far you’ve come already. I just don’t want you to heal the wrong way. I promise, you won’t be disappointed."
"I’m scared."
"Okay, think of it this way. Think of the pain that you suffered when it happened. That isn’t going to happen this time. I will control your pain and you won’t even feel anything happening. In fact if you want anything special, any changes we can do that at the same time."
"Changes? Do you think I need changes?"
"Not at all, some women like to change things. If I was you I wouldn’t change a thing." He looked at her face closely. "No, not a damn thing. I would like to see a recent picture if you have one."
"Not on me." She said.
"Perhaps Mr. Forrester can bring me one. Would he have any?"
"Probably, if he hasn’t burned them or anything."
"Why would anyone burn a picture of you?"
"It’s a long story. I think I can get you some photos though."
"Good, I want to talk to your MD and make sure he approves but I’d like to schedule the surgery for the day after tomorrow."
"Okay. Okay that’s fine."
"Don’t be scared Brooke, I promise you will be one hundred percent happy. Now I just want to make some notes on my chart and I will be out of your way." He told her with a smile. He went to the windowsill and leaned on it to write his notes. Brooke took this time check out his cute but. She was smiling to herself about it when Taylor entered her room.
"Brooke! Wow you look fantastic!" She came and hugged her friend. "You look beautiful!"
"That was what I was just trying to tell her." Said Michael as her turned around. Noting his doctors jacket Taylor looked at Brooke questioningly.
"Am I intruding? Should I come back later Doctor?" She asked.
"No, Brooke and I are done for today." He said to Taylor and then he turned to Brooke. "Your friend is right. You are lovely. I’m just going to make you even more so. Ladies, have a nice day!" He told them as he walked out.
"Who is he?" Taylor asked. "He’s gorgeous!"
"He’s my plastic surgeon," Brooke answered glumly. "Ridge found him." She added.
"What’s wrong Brooke?"
"What isn’t?" She replied. "I have to have plastic surgery, three operations! And Ridge told me about Thorne."
"What about Thorne?" Taylor asked.
"You don’t know? It seems that he was the one who shot me."
"Oh no, Brooke I’m so sorry." Taylor hugged her again. "No wonder you are devastated. I can’t believe it."
"Me either. I know I hurt him Taylor, I guess I didn’t realize how badly I hurt him. That’s all I seem to do! Hurt people!"
"Oh sweetie that isn’t true." She told her friend.
"Taylor can you find someone to help Thorne, I don’t want him to be hurting like this."
"Oh course I will. But I am more concerned about you. You can’t blame yourself. And more importantly you can’t listen to anyone who tries to blame you."
"You mean Stephanie."
"Yes, she will blame you. But it isn’t your fault. You are the victim. You understand that don’t you?"
"I try to convince myself but it’s so hard." She started to cry. "I can’t seem to stop crying."
"Well that’s normal. Look at everything you’ve been through. I’m amazed you are as strong as you are."
"I do have some good news." Brooked sniffled.
"Well tell me!" Taylor said to her friend. "I would love to hear something happy."
"Connor asked me to marry him."
"Oh Brooke! Oh I am so happy for you!" She once more hugged her. "You love him don’t you?"
"Because it’s so soon after Thorne?" Brooke asked.
"Well it was pretty quick, but I can’t judge. Look at me and Bryan."
"I love him. He makes me smile. I feel loved and clean with him."
"Clean?"
"Everyone made me feel so dirty for loving Thorne. This just feels so clean. Do you know what I mean?"
"I think I do. I just don’t want you to confuse that feeling for love."
"I’m not, I do love him."
"Good. Then I am very happy for you."
"Ridge wasn’t."
"He was here?"
"Yeah and he was looking for you. Taylor, he saw the picture."
"Eye on Fashion?" Taylor gasped.
"Yes. Connor told me. He said that Ridge came to my place last night looking for you; he saw my copy of the magazine. He tried to find where Bryan lived but Connor wouldn’t tell him. Ridge was upset when I saw him today but he never got into it. Dr. Copeland came in so Ridge left to find you."
"I guess I’ll have to face him. I knew it was coming but I didn’t think it would be so soon."
"What are you going to do? Are you going to try and work it out with him?"
"No. I made my decision. I can’t be with him anymore. Even if Bryan wasn’t involved." She smiled as she thought about him.
"But he is."
"Yeah he is. I love him Brooke. I really love him. I don’t think I ever got over him. The minute I saw him all the feelings just came flooding back."
"Were you with him last night?"
"Was I ever!" she chuckled. "My God is he, oh Brooke he is so. I just." She hesitated. "I can’t get enough of him. All have to do is think of him and I want him again. Brooke we were up almost all night making love. It was amazing. You’d think I would be tired but all I can think of is getting back to him."
"Now Taylor, that sounds like the lust you guys accused me of having with Thorne." Brooke said honestly.
"Oh it is. I lust him tremendously, but I love him too."
"And Ridge?"
Taylor’s eyes filled with tears. "I love him. He is a wonderful man, a wonderful father and a tremendous lover himself. I just can’t compete for his love anymore. He never once has loved only me."
"He never loved only me either. But he isn’t easy to get over."
"I never will get over him. But it’s time to end it. Bryan and I want to be together and we will."

"He won’t talk to me Eric. That bitch has him mesmerized." Stephanie complained to Eric. "Our whole family is falling apart and it’s all Brooke’s fault." They were waiting at the courthouse for Jonathan to arrive.
"Stephanie, listen to me. You have to handle Thorne carefully. Jonathan thinks that he might have had some kind of a breakdown. He isn’t responsible for his words or his actions. Jonathan thinks we have a good case for temporary insanity."
"The insanity started the day Brooke Logan and her mother came into our home. And Eric what about Ridge and Taylor. No one can find her. Ridge is frantic. Why would she have taken up with that man?"
"I don’t know. Ridge won’t say anything about that, only that he loves her and wants her back."
"What do you mean Ridge won’t say anything about the man. He knows? Eric, who told him? I bet it was Brooke! He went to the hospital to see her and she threw it in his face! I’ll kill her."
"No more talk of violence. Brooke didn’t tell him. He saw the picture."
"Then she must have shown it to him."
"No, he saw another copy of the magazine. He is beside himself. He loves her so much."
"How can we help our boys Eric? What can I do?"
"Right now there is nothing we can do, nothing but wait. Hopefully Jonathan can get Thorne out."
"And Ridge? What about him?"
"We need to talk to Taylor. We need to find out what started this whole chain of events."
"Brooke did."
"Stephanie, I don’t think we can blame Brooke this time. I think Taylor can provide the answers." Chapter 16 "It’s perfect Andre." Ridge told the manager at the club. "Everything is perfect."
"What time is Mrs. Forrester arriving?"
"I’m not sure. It should be soon. Has the dress arrived?"
"It has sir. I have informed the staff to bring it to her upon her arrival."
"Great Andre." Ridge looked around. "The champagne is chilled, the shrimp are on ice, the table and the lights are perfect."
"Will there be anything more sir?"
"No. I think I’ll just wait for Taylor."
"Very well sir" Andre said as he left.
Nothing had been left to the imagination. They had hung hundred’s of tiny white lights creating a star like impression. The finest crystal was on the table and there we candles lit everywhere. There were roses in every shade of white and purple on every table and in every vase. Ridge had changed into a new tuxedo and he had sent for one of his new designs for Taylor to change into. He placed a large black velvet box on the table.
"I’ll romance her like there is no tomorrow." Ridge said aloud. "Or else there may not be a tomorrow. Come on Taylor, come through for me."

"Finally alone." Connor said to Brooke. Bryan and Taylor had said their good-byes and left moments before.
"If you consider you, me and the entire hospital staff and patients alone." Brooke teased.
"We are alone in this room. That will have to do for now." He kissed her. "You do like the ring?"
"I love it." She said as she admired it again. "And I love you. I can’t wait to tell the world about us."
"How do you think the kids will react?"
"They’ve always liked you Connor."
"But I’m not a Forrester."
"I think that will be a plus."
"I hope so honey. I don’t want there to be any problems."
"I don’t think there will be." She said as she again gazed at her ring.
"Hello Miss Logan" Kelly the nurse said as she entered the room carrying a large vase filled with red roses."
"Are those for me?" Brooke asked.
"They sure are. Would you like them on the table over there?" Kelly asked pointing to a small table.
"That will be fine. Thank you."
"You’re welcome." Kelly said as she placed them down. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No, I’m fine thanks."
"Well make sure you buzz me if you need me." She said as she left.
"Connor! They’re beautiful! Thank you so much!" Brooke said with a bright smile before she saw the frown on his face. "What’s wrong? Are they the wrong ones?"
"I wouldn’t know." He answered. "I didn’t send them."
"I wonder who did? Maybe my family. Can you get me the card?"
He pulled the card form the flowers. "Do you want me to read it to you?"
"Sure, I have no secrets from you silly."
"Let’s see," He said as he opened the envelope. "With love, Michael. Who is Michael?"
"Michael? I don’t know any Michael. Are you sure they are for me?"
"The envelope is addressed to you."
"Maybe the florist put the wrong card in it."
"Probably. I’ll call the florist and see if they can shed some light." He picked up the card and the phone and punched in the number that was printed on the card. "Hello I’m hoping you can help me. You delivered red roses to Miss Brooke Logan at Morningside hospital but it seems that the wrong card was attached. I wonder if you can tell me who sent them. Sure. Okay. She’s checking." He told Brooke. "Okay, yes I see, thank you."
He hung up and turned back to Brooke. "They are from a Dr. Michael Copeland. Do you know him?"
"No. I have no idea…wait! Yes, he’s the surgeon that Ridge brought in to see me."
"And he’s sending you roses?"
"Maybe that’s how he tries to make his patients feel at ease?"
"And he signs them with love?" Connor was getting angry at this point.
"I don’t know Connor. I just met the man."
"It doesn’t make sense Brooke."
"Don’t get mad at me about it Connor. I didn’t ask him to send me flowers."

Kelly had returned to the nurse’s station and was talking to another nurse on duty.
"Looks like Dr. Romeo is going to strike out this time." Kelly told her.
"Why do you say that?"
"Did you get a load of the rock she’s wearing?"
"No. She didn’t have one on this morning."
"Well she does now and it’s the size of a small island."
"I don’t think that will stop Michael."
"Oh its Michael is it?" Kelly teased.
"Only to you. A girl can dream."
"Save you dreams for someone worth it girl. He’s a hottie but he’s a playboy too."
"He can play with me boy!"
"You know who I like?" Kelly asked.
"Who?"
"That other guy that was here with her pretty brunette friend."
"You mean the one who looks like Mel Gibson only cuter?"
"That’s the one." Kelly remarked.
"He’s a hottie too but he and her friend seem really close."
"That’s strange. I thought they were business partners or something cause she was here with her husband earlier. Now he’s not bad on the eyes either."
""Her husband? You mean she’s married to Ridge Forrester?"
"Yeah, that’s who he was." Kelly confirmed.
"Well she’s got one hot husband but she sure likes kissing that other guy."

Taylor walked into the main entrance of the club and was greeted by the hostess.
"Good evening Mrs. Forrester."
"Hello Diane." She answered. "Is my husband here yet?"
"Yes he is, but please come this way first. He left something for you."
"What was that?" Taylor asked.
"Right this way." Diane said as she led her into her office. There was a garment bag hanging on the closet door. "He left that for you." She said as she left Taylor and closed the door. Taylor walked up to the bag and read the note that was in Ridge’s handwriting.
"Doc, please put this on." She said. She opened the zipper to reveal a stunning lavender gown complete with shoes and a small evening bag. "Oh Ridge I wish you hadn’t done this." She said, but she removed the dress from the hanger and proceeded to do as instructed.

"You are a goddess." Ridge said as Taylor entered the private dining room. The dress fit her like a glove and she was stunning.
"You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble Ridge." She said biting her lower lip.
"Nothing I ever do for you is trouble Doc." He retrieved the velvet box and brought it to her. "This is the rest of your outfit." He told her as he opened the box revealing a glittering necklace made of diamonds and tanzanite.
"Ridge, no." She protested.
"Taylor, yes." He answered as he took the necklace out and fit it around her neck. "Perfect."
"Oh Ridge." She said as her eyes welled with tears.
"Dance with me Taylor." He said as he took her into his arms and proceeded to waltz her across the dance floor."

"So what happened next pussycat?" Clarke asked Morgan.
"I kissed him, and Clarke he responded. I don’t think he wanted to but he did."
"So where is he now?"
"I don’t know. He got mad and pushed me away and then he walked out. But Clarke, he is thawing. He wants me I know he does. Once Taylor divorces him he will be mine. I’ll do anything I have to do to make that happen."
"I wouldn’t be so sure that she’s gonna divorce him. They’ve gone through an awful lot and they’re still together."
"They haven’t gone through me before."
"They do have three children Morgan. I don’t want to see you disappointed."
"I was thinking Clarke." She said ignoring him. "Maybe you can design my wedding gown."
"Oh that would go over good with the Forresters." He told her. "You really are confident that there will be a wedding aren’t you."
"You can go to the bank on it. I haven’t played my trump card yet and I’m already winning."

"Champagne?" Ridge asked Taylor as he escorted her to her seat.
"No thank you Ridge."
"Come on Doc, celebrate." He said as he poured her a glass.
"We aren’t here to celebrate Ridge, we’re here to talk."
"We can talk later, now I just want to ravish you." He said as he kissed her neck.
"Stop it" She said pushing him off. "I knew this was a mistake."
"Come on Taylor. Give me a break, I’m fighting for my life here."
She opened her purse and took out a document and a pen and handed it to him.
"I need you to sign this Ridge."
"Taylor, you promised."
"I promised to listen. I haven’t heard anything to change my mind. I’m sorry Ridge but all the dresses and jewels and candles and champagne in the world are not going to make me change my mind."
"Taylor no, you can’t mean this. Think about it."
"I’ve done nothing but think about it Ridge. I’ve antagonized over it. I’ve thought of you, I’ve thought of the children, I’ve even thought of your family, but Ridge I have to think of myself. As much as I love you. It’s over. It’s done Ridge. I don’t want this anymore."
"Taylor!"
"No! My mind id made up. You can make it hard if you want but you won’t change my mind. Please, if you care at all for what we had, then please sign this." She said through her tears as she pushed the papers to him.
"I can’t, Doc I can’t."
"Ridge, no matter what you say Morgan will always be between us. I trusted her and I trusted you. Look what that brought me."
"I’ll fix it, somehow I will fix it. I need you Doc. My life is meaningless without you."
"Ridge this isn’t fair. Think about what you are asking of me. You want me to stand by while your girlfriend has your child. I can’t do that Ridge, I can’t. How can you even ask that of me."
"I am not asking you to forget it, I just want us to go on from here."
"Go on? Go on to where Ridge? Joint custody? PTA meetings with you, me and Morgan?"
"No Taylor go on to just us! Just you and me and our kids."
"Ridge it isn’t just us anymore. Why can’t you see that? Do you realize how hard it was for me to live with your involvement with Brooke’s kids? They weren’t even your and they came between us."
"Nothing will come between us again Doc!"
"Morgan already has. I can’t do this Ridge. I need this to be over. I need to find a way to be happy again. I can’t do that with you anymore."
"Don’t say that! We are happy!"
"We were happy, not anymore. Do I look happy to you?"
"Is it Bryan?"
"How can you have the nerve to ask that? Do you think there ever would have been a Bryan if you had been there for me?"
"He’s making it easier for you to do this Doc."
"Maybe he is! So what? Why shouldn’t it get easier for me? My life with you has never been easy! All those years I fought with Brooke over you! All those years I had to share your love with her."
"Taylor that’s not true."
"Don’t you dare say that! If Brooke didn’t mean anything to you then how could you have done the things you did to me!"
"She meant something, but Taylor once it was us it was only us."
"Don’t! Don’t even lie to me. Brooke isn’t the problem, in fact these days she’s your biggest supporter. She keeps trying to get me to give in to you, but I can’t!"
"Okay Taylor, I admit that I was in love with Brooke, but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with her now and it doesn’t mean I love Morgan."
"This isn’t about Brooke, I was just making a point Ridge. My point is that you couldn’t be true to either Brooke or me. You loved both of us and you weren’t true to either of us, not in your heart. And this time it’s even worse because you followed through. You slept with Morgan. You claim you don’t love Morgan but you made a baby with her! That can’t be undone! This is something that will be there forever. I can’t do this anymore." She said as she pushed the papers to him. "Sign this Ridge."
"No! I can’t do that!"
"You have to." She cried. "Ridge please let’s have some dignity."
He grabbed the pen and scrawled his name across the paper.
"Is that what you want? Is that what you really want?"
"Yes." She said sobbing. "Yes, it is what I want. Thank you Ridge." She picked up the papers, her purse and ran out of the dining room sobbing.
"NO!!!!" He shouted. "Oh my God how could this have happened." He cried as he fell to his knees wracked in sobs.


"Ridge arranged a surgeon for you?"
"Yes, he’s supposed to be the best. He wants to operate the day after tomorrow."
"What about a second opinion?"
"The look on your face when you look at me is all the second opinion I need."
"Honey, no I don’t look at you that way."
"You look sad Connor. I want my face to make you smile. Like it did before."
"It does make me smile Brooke."
"Don’t you want me to have the surgery? Do you want me to be scarred? Oh I get it then no one else will look at me." She teased.
"No honey, if you want it then I’m behind you. I just don’t like the idea of some hot shot surgeon that sends you roses.'
"He was just trying to be nice."
"I suppose so. When do I meet him?"
"I’m not sure. I can ask him to talk to you when he comes in again."
"And Forrester arranged this huh?"
"Yes." She laughed. "Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Ridge?"
"He was always what stood between us Brooke."
"Well he isn’t between us anymore."
"Then what was that all about earlier when I asked you why you don’t like Taylor with Bryan?"
"I do like her with Bryan, its’ just that Ridge loves her so. I hate to see him hurting."
"After all that bastard has put you through you are worried about him?"
"We came to a new understanding Connor. Ridge and I want to be friends again."
"Even if it costs you Taylor’s friendship."
"It won’t. She would never make me choose. And she cares about him too. I’m not so sure that those two aren’t going to make it. I think Ridge will be able to win her over."


"Open the door Morgan!" Ridge shouted. "I know you’re in there! Open the damn door!"
"Ridge! You’re drunk!" Morgan said as she opened the door wearing a silk kimono.
"You did it! You got what you wanted! She left me! It’s over!" He pushed his way in and plopped down on the couch.
"That isn’t what I wanted Ridge, I just wanted a baby." She said as she sat next to him.
"You ruined everything, you ruined my whole life. I’ve lost everything that matters to me. My wife, my children and when they find out I’ll lose my family and friends. For what!" He screamed. "For this!" He shoved her down and climbed to top of her. "You want some more? Want to make sure it sticks? Need something more of me?" He tore open her robe. "Let’s go Morgan! Let’s make it worth it! One time in the sack with you sure isn’t worth one moment with Taylor! You wanted me then you are going to pay the price." He shouted covered her mouth and took her in a rough, loveless kiss. "Now Morgan! Now!" He shouted as he lowered himself onto her.

"Lieutenant Burke, I didn’t expect to see you here this late." The detective said as he walked into Lt. Burke’s office.
"I’m just looking at some files. What’s up Pete?"
"Well you were right. The footprints matched up to the remains of the sneakers we found at Mr. Forresters."
"The one’s he tried to burn right?"
"Well he claimed he had no knowledge of it and then his lawyer stepped in and stopped all questions."
"That’s what’s bothering me. Why would he try and burn them? Why would he do that if the footprints were only in the doorway and no where near where Ms. Logan was?"
"You think he’s protecting someone?"
"I’m not sure of that. But I am sure of one thing. He didn’t shoot her. There was no residue on his fingers and the footprints point nowhere. Oh he was there all right but I really don’t think he’s the shooter."
"Who do you think he’s protecting?"
"I can think of several people."
"People who don’t like Brooke Logan very much."
"And people her cares for very much. I want you to very discreetly question three people for me."
"Let me guess, Macy Forrester is one of them."
"Bingo! Any other guesses?"
"Eric and Stephanie Forrester."
"Give the man a gold star."
"Oh I have one of those, I have my eye on your job Lieutenant."
"This case can bring promotions for all of us."
"Lieutenant, I have one other name you might like to look into."
"Who is that Pete?"
"The name is Morgan Dewitt. My men said she was acting very strangely the day after the shooting."
"Well I don’t know who she is or what her connection is to Thorne Forrester or Brooke Logan, but if you think it’s important then add her to the list."


"Taylor? What’s wrong?" Storm said as she walked into Brooke’s house in tears.
"Nothing Storm." She said wiping the tears. "I have something in my eye."
"Taylor, I know you better than that. You can talk to me."
"I really don’t want to talk about it at all."
"Okay, but if you want to you know I’m a good listener."
"Thanks Storm. Right now I just want to see my kids and go to bed."
"Can I get you some tea first?"
She blew her nose and said, "Thanks Storm, that would be really nice."
He went into the kitchen as the phone rang.
"Storm, can you get that I don’t want to talk to Ridge. Storm? Damn, he doesn’t hear me." She picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Hi baby!" Bryan’s friendly voice said. "Where were you? My bed is getting so cold."
"Hi Bryan." She said very flatly.
"What’s the matter? What did Ridge do?"
"Nothing Bryan, I’m just very tired."
"Well get over here and I’ll give you a massage and a warm bath and."
"Not tonight Bryan." She cut in. "I need to be alone tonight."
"Baby, what’s wrong? You are worrying me."
"I’m alright Bryan, I just want to go to bed. Alone. I’ll call you tomorrow." She said and hung up the phone."
"Who was that?" Storm asked as he returned with the tea.
"A friend. Hey Storm, do me a favor. If anyone else calls me tell him or her I went to bed. I had a rough night tonight. Oh, except if it’s Brooke. If she needs me I’ll talk to her."
"Brooke is doing fine. Connor is with her so she won’t need you tonight. You go to bed and I’ll keep everyone away from you."
"Thanks Storm, you’re an angel."
"Sleep well Taylor, everything will look better in the morning."
"I wish you were right Storm." She said with a sob. "I don’t think anything will ever be right again."

"Hi Brooke, did Studly go home?" the nurse asked her.
Brooke laughed. "Yeah, he left a few minutes ago."
"How do you feel tonight?"
"Not bad, but I am a little scared." She answered. "I need a lot of surgery on my face."
"Dr. Copeland is very good. You really shouldn’t worry. Trust me, I know the staff, I’ve been here a long time and I won’t steer you wrong."
"You know," Brooke said. "I don’t know even your name."
"I’m Denise, Denise Jacobs."
"Well you know I’m Brooke Logan. My fiancée, you know Studly, is Connor Davis."
"Connor Davis, that’s a nice name. He sure is a fine looking man too."
"He’s a wonderful man. I love him a lot."
"I can tell. You hang on to him. Don’t be looking at other pretty faces if you know what I mean." She answered. "Now can I get something to help you sleep?"
"No, I’m so tired of being groggy. I like knowing what’s going on."
"I don’t blame you for that but I don’t want you in pain either."
"I promise if I start to hurt too much I’ll ask for something."
"Something for what?" Dr. Michael Copeland asked as he walked in. "And how is my favorite patient?"
"Something for pain. But I’m really feeling better tonight."
"Good, I’m glad to here that Brooke. I have good news. Dr. Ehlers gave me the okay for your surgery so it’s a go for the day after tomorrow."
"That’s good, I guess." Brooke replied.
"Denise, tell her that I’m the best there is."
"And modest too." Brooke added with a smile.
"I already told her not to worry at all Doctor." She turned to Brooke. "See ya later sweetie."
She smiled at walked out.
"Dr, Copeland." Brooke started.
"Michael." He told her.
"Thank you for the flowers, it was extravagant and unnecessary."
"It was my way of thanking you Brooke."
"Thanking me? For what?"
"For the privilege of working on your fabulous face."
Brooke blushed. "Dr. Copeland I’m sure you have many patients who are much prettier than me."
"Michael." He reminded her. "And no, none as lovely as you. You are like a breath of fresh air. Besides, it’s my way of letting you know I’d like to get to know you better."
"But you don’t even know me at all." She replied.
"That we must remedy." He smiled warmly. "And I never take no for an answer."
"I think you will have seen enough of me after three surgeries."
"Brooke, you have a face that a man could never have enough of." He lifted her face lightly with has fingertips. "Lovely, just lovely. You are going to be so happy when I am done. You will never know that you ever had a scratch at all. Your future is looking brighter every moment. Now you get some rest and I’ll stop by to see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight Doctor, I mean Michael."
"Goodnight Brooke."

Ridge rolled off of Morgan.
"I’m sorry Morgan, I am so sorry. God what have I done?"
"It’s okay Ridge, I love you, it’s okay." She said through tears.
"You should have me thrown in jail. I raped you!"
"No you didn’t Ridge. I wanted you so badly. You would have stopped if I asked you."
"I don’t know, I really don’t know. Oh Taylor, what am I doing? How could you leave me?" He said aloud. Morgan put her arms around him.
"It’s alright Ridge, everything will be alright."
"Morgan, I lost her, I lost her. I can’t live without her. I need her so much."
"You’ll never lose me Ridge." She whispered to him. "I love you and I always will."
"Oh God Taylor, Taylor I’m so sorry." He cried.
"Shhhhh, baby it’s okay. Morgan is here." She cradled him in her arms as he cried.

 

Chapter 17

Ridge opened his eyes and was instantly confused. He was on the couch in Taylor’s old beach house and he was alone. Why am I at the beach house? He wondered. Oh God, Morgan he remembered. Suddenly it all came back to him, the disastrous dinner with Taylor, his coming here, they way he was with Morgan. Where is she now? He wondered. He got up and walked into the kitchen where he was greeted with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. "Morgan?" he called out.
"I’m in here Ridge." She called from the bedroom. "I’ll be right out. I made coffee. It’s decaf, hope you don’t mind."
"That’s fine, thanks." He replied as her poured himself a cup. "Do you have any aspirin? I have a killer headache."
"I’ll be right there with some."
"Morgan, I’m sorry about last night. It was wrong of me to treat you that way."
"It’s okay Ridge." She said as she entered the kitchen. She was wearing a pair of short cutoff’s and a bikini top. Her hair was wrapped in a towel. She handed him a bottle of aspirin. "Nothing happened that I didn’t want to happen."
"I didn’t want it to happen Morgan." He said as he took three tablets and washed them down with coffee. "I don’t want to hurt you but I love Taylor and I don’t want to be with anyone but her."
"Ridge, Taylor told you she wanted out of your marriage last night, you were upset and you came to me. I helped you feel better. I understand how you feel about her, I’m just glad I was there for you. I love you Ridge, I always have. We can have a good life together Ridge, just give me a chance."
"Morgan I can’t deal with that right now. It all is too soon. I don’t want a life with anyone but Taylor."
"I know that but there is a baby to think about."
"And what about my three other kids Morgan? Should I just forget about them?"
"No you shouldn’t forget about them but life will go on Ridge with or without Taylor." She poured a cup on coffee and took a sip with a grimace. "I hope you know what I am giving up for you baby." She said as she patted her tummy. "I hate decaf."
"It’s better for the kid." Ridge replied. "Besides, it’s pretty good Morgan."
"Thanks" she said with a smile.
"Look Morgan, we have to talk about all of this but not right now. I have some things I have to do." He said as he finished the coffee and put the cup in the sink.
"Will I see you at work?" Morgan asked.
"I guess."
"Ridge, it will get better." She told him.
"That’s what they say."
Morgan walked up to him and hugged him. "Remember, I would do anything for you Ridge, anything."
"Thanks Morgan. I’ll see you later." He kissed her on the cheek and walked out.
"You don’t know what lengths I would go to to keep us together Ridge." She said aloud. "You have no idea how far I will go."

"Good morning Brooke." Stephanie said as she walked into Brooke’s room.
"Stephanie? What are you doing here?"
"Aren’t you happy to see me?" Stephanie asked as she handed Brooke a small bouquet of flowers. "These are for you."
"Thank you Stephanie, why are you here?"
"I wanted to see how you were doing. I see you are much improved."
"Yes, I’m feeling better."
"Good. Then we can talk."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I want you out of our lives Brooke, it didn’t happened this time but it may happen next time."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Let’s call it a warning."
"I never did anything to you Stephanie."
"Ha! You stole my husband, my company and you seduced my sons. I want all that to stop. I don’t want you to have anything to do with any of us ever again."
"Look Stephanie, I am not romantically involved with any of your family. I am engaged to Connor." She waved her ring at her. "I don’t want any trouble from you. I just want to live my life."
"Then sell us back the company and stay away from us."
"No Stephanie! I will not do that! I earned my shares in Forrester and I do a damn good job of running the company."
"You’ve been lucky so far. And without the support of Ridge and Eric you would have fallen flat on your face."
"You know that isn’t true. Why are you doing this. You won Stephanie, I ended it with Thorne. What more do you want?"
"Because of you my son is facing a life in prison! You selfish bitch!"
"I don’t want him to go to jail Stephanie! I want to help him."
"You can help him by getting out of our lives. Look at what you’ve done to Ridge and Taylor."
"I haven’t done anything to them."
"Your constant clinging to Ridge has pushed her to that, that, man!"
"Taylor is with Bryan because she wants to be. I had nothing to do with it. I told her to stay with Ridge. I know he loves her. I didn’t interfere with them!"
"Every bad thing that ever happened to this family is because of you!"
"I want you to leave Stephanie."
"I’m not going anywhere. Not until you tell me that you are going to do as I say."
"Never! Do you hear me Stephanie? Never! I was even thinking of selling the company back to you but now I will never do it!"
"You almost died Brooke, next time you won’t be so lucky!"
"Get out of here!" She screamed.
"What the hell is going on?" Ridge said as he walked in. "Mother! What the hell are you doing here?"
"Get her out of here Ridge, please make her leave."
"Not till she promises me!" Stephanie shouted.
"Ridge, she threatened to kill me."
"You bitch! Run to him with your lies!"
"Stop it! Both of you!" Ridge shouted.
"Mark my words Brooke, you won’t be so luck next time!" Stephanie spit at her.
"See! See Ridge, she’s doing it again." Brooke cried.
"Mother stop it! No one is going to hurt Brooke."
"She is the reason your brother is in jail!"
"Thorne is in jail for what HE did to Brooke! And he’s on bail anyway."
"She made him do it, she pushed and pushed until he had no choice."
"Stephanie! I didn’t do anything to him." Brooke pleaded.
"Mother, I want you to go home."
"You wait Brooke, the police will be here to arrest you soon!"
"Arrest me? What are you talking about Stephanie?"
"You tried to kill me you slut!" Stephanie screamed as she tried to throw herself at Brooke. Ridge immediately pulled her back.
"Mother stop it! Leave her alone! Brooke did nothing of the kind! You know it as well as I do!"
"What is she talking about Ridge? Why is she saying this?" Brooke said as she started to cry.
"Mother claims that you messed with her car. We told her that there is no way that it could have been you. Didn’t we mother?" He turned to Stephanie.
"I know what I saw."
"Why would I try to kill you Stephanie? All I ever wanted was for you to like me, to accept me."
"Mother was confused Brooke. She had an accident and she is confused. The police don’t believe her."
"The police? You called the police on me?" She said to Stephanie. "Why am I surprised? You’ll always hate me."
"You got that right!" Stephanie snarled at her.
"Are you alright? Were you hurt?" Brooke asked.
"Don’t you pretend that you care Brooke. Ridge can see through your act."
"That’s it mother. I am taking you home." He started to lead her out of the room. "Brooke, I’ll be back later, I need to talk to you."
"Please get her out of here Ridge." Brooke begged.
"Let me go Ridge! I will leave." Stephanie struggled from his grasp and returned to Brooke’s bedside. She pointed her finger at Brooke’s face. "This isn’t over Brooke!" She warned.
"Let’s go mother!" Ridge said as her pulled her out of the room.


"Hi Taylor." Bridget said as she walked into the kitchen. Taylor had the girls in highchairs and was feeding them. Thomas was on the floor playing with a toy truck.
"Hi Bridget. Say hello girls!" She spooned a mouthful into Phoebe’s mouth and then one into Stephanie’s.
"Are you going to see mom today?" Bridget asked.
"I plan to. What time are you going?"
"Rick and I are going to go over now. He’s picking me up."
"Okay, then I’ll go this afternoon. Do you know how long your grandparents are staying?"
"They go back tomorrow night. Grandma says she’ll come back next week but since Mom is okay they need to take care of some things."
"Storm is leaving today. He went over early this morning to see your mom. I think Donna is staying with Katie for the rest of the week at least."
"Yeah she is. I guess everyone feel better now that mom is doing well. I’m still worried about the surgery."
"Don’t be honey. Your mom is in good hands. Ridge found her a great doctor. Ridge." She sighed.
"Did you guys have a fight?" Bridget asked.
"Oh honey I guess you were bound to find out sooner or later. Ridge and I are getting a divorce."
"Oh no! Why Taylor? Did my mother do something?"
"Of course not honey. Your mother is very supportive of both of us. She wanted us to work it out. It’s very complicated." She sighed. "I’m pretty sad today."
"You still love him Taylor, I know you do."
"I love him very much Bridget, but sometimes love isn’t enough."
"What about your kids? Did you think about them?"
"Would you have been happy growing up in a home with people who fought all the time?"
"At least I would have had a mother and a father who lived together."
"Do you really feel that way?" Taylor asked her. "Would you have been happy if Eric and Brooke stayed together for you guys?"
"I wish that they at least tried."
"Your mother wasn’t happy honey."
"So it was okay that we weren’t happy then?"
"I don’t know. Maybe I am making a mistake."
"Why aren’t you happy Taylor? What did he do?"
"Honey, if I tell you can it be our secret? No one knows about it except your mother and I’m not ready to tell people."
"I won’t tell anyone else."
"You know Morgan don’t you?"
"Yeah! She has cool clothes."
"Well Ridge and she." Taylor hesitated.
"He’s having an affair with her?" Bridget guessed.
"She’s pregnant."
"Oh my God! Taylor I’m sorry. How could he do that?"
"Does that make a difference for you? Would you still have wanted your mom and dad to stay together if your dad had a baby with another woman?"
Bridget thought about it. "If they loved each other enough I think they could have both loved the baby too."
"It’s not that easy honey. Imagine your dad with another baby and his mother while your mother just stood by and watched."
"I guess. But are you sure that Ridge is the father?"
"Yes, I’m sure. He admits it. He said it was a mistake but it’s too hard for me."
"All I can say is think of the kids. I still wish that I had a mom and a dad that were together."
A horn sounded from outside. "That’s Rick! I’ll see you later Taylor!" Bridget said and she left.
"She gave your mommy something to think about." Taylor said to her kids.
"I don’t want to talk about it Ridge." Stephanie told her son as they entered her home. "Brooke is a lying homewrecker and she is at fault for everything."
"Will you listen to yourself mother? You are so bitter that you aren’t even thinking straight."
"I know what I saw and it was Brooke."
"Mother I think you had better give up on that. We want to catch the one who really did it."
"Brooke is the one who really did it!"
"Enough! Let’s change the subject."
"I called your house this morning. No one answered. Where were you?"
"I wasn’t home."
"And Taylor? Are you saying she still hasn’t come home?"
"Taylor isn’t coming home mother. She asked me for a divorce."
"I know that honey. I was with you when those papers came. Certainly you have been able to work this out by now."
"No mother, I signed the papers last night."
"You did what?" Stephanie shouted. "How could you do that? Why would you do that? You have to stop this Ridge, you have to make it work. Nothing can be important enough for you and Taylor to split up your family! Nothing!"
"She want’s out mother. I’ve tried everything I can to get her to change her mind but she won’t."
"This is Brooke’s doing!" Stephanie growled. "I’ll kill that bitch!"
"Brooke has nothing to do with it. In fact SHE tried to talk Taylor into staying."
"To make herself look good, she wants you Ridge, you know that!"
"Brooke doesn’t want me. Taylor doesn’t want me."
"I will talk to Taylor myself. I will get through to her. You must find a way to keep your family together."
"Leave her alone mother. She’s hurting. I don’t want you to bother her."
"Bother her? How would I bother her? I love her like a daughter! She will listen to me." She looked into Ridge’s eyes. "Now I want you to tell me exactly why she left you. You say it wasn’t Brooke, well if it wasn’t Brooke then what was it? I want you to tell me right now!"


"I don’t know what happened last night Connor, all I know is she didn’t want to see me. She wanted to be alone. I can only hope that she and Ridge finally made the split." Bryan said to his friend.
"You know how hard that’s going to be on her Bryan. No matter what her feelings are for you she’s been in love with Ridge Forrester for years. She and I cried on each other’s shoulders over Ridge and Brooke many times."
"She told me that it was over."
"I don’t think it will ever be really over for them. I thought it was over for him and Brooke but she still has deep feelings for him. It’s going to be worse for Taylor."
"Did she love him more than Brooke did?" Bryan asked.
"No, I think they both loved him in different ways but Taylor and Ridge have a family. That makes a difference."
"I will be there for the kids too Connor. I really love that woman. I know everyone thinks it’s just a cheap affair or something but I really love her. I loved her years ago and I love her now. I want to marry her, I want children with her, I want to be everything for her. Yes, we are very sexually attracted to each other but it is more than that, much more."
" I believe you. Just give her some time. Don’t pressure her. She left him and that’s the first step. But remember that she is still very attached to him. Take it from someone who’s been there and is still somewhat there."
"You really love Brooke don’t you?" Bryan asked.
"More than you can imagine. I can hardly believe that we made it back to each other. I had given up all hope of that. God she makes me happy." He looked at his watch. "I really want to get to the hospital to see her. I want to talk to her surgeon. She’s very scared. I want to make sure he knows that and is gentle with her. After everything she’s been through she needs a doctor who is kind and understanding. I know he’s good, I got someone to check into that for me. I just want to make sure he is compassionate too."
"You pay for his skills Connor, not compassion."
"Skills are the most important thing but her mindset is up there too. I want Brooke to be more than just a face to him."
"Doctor Copeland, I’m glad you’re here. I tried to get Dr. Ehlers but his service can’t get in touch with him." Kelly said to Michael as he walked to the nurse’s station.
"What’s wrong Kelly?"
"Someone came in and upset Miss Logan, she’s crying and she keeps saying she doesn’t want any surgery, that she just wants to go home."
"Okay Kelly, thanks, I’ll go see her." He walked determinedly into Brooke’s room.
"Just leave, I won’t change my mind. I just want to go home." Brooke sobbed.
"What happened Brooke?"
"It isn’t safe here. She’s coming back and no one will be here to help me."
"Brooke!" He sat on the bed next to her. "Listen to me, no one is going to get you. I won’t let them."
"There is nothing you can do. She hates me, she blames everything on me and she is going to hurt me. I tried so hard to be her friend." She sobbed.
"Oh Brooke, honey." He took her into his arms. "It’s okay, I promise no one will hurt you."
"I know you mean well but you don’t understand."
"Brooke, tell me, who is it you are afraid of?"
"Stephanie, Stephanie Forrester. She was here today. If Ridge hadn’t come in I don’t know what she would have done."
"Why is she after you? Why are you so sure she wants to hurt you?"
Brooke struggled out of his arms and sat up. "You wouldn’t understand. I don’t think anyone understands."
"Look Brooke" He said as he took her hand in his. "I read about what happened to you, and about the Forresters. I don’t blame you for being frightened but you are safe here. And Brooke, I really need to fix your face for you. Look at how well you are doing. You will be going home soon but don’t you want this done first?"
"Not if she knows where I am." She started sobbing again.
"Come here." He pulled her into his arms again. He started stroking her hair and she seemed to relax. "I have an idea. I have a small, private, fully functional clinic on my property. I usually use it for same day office surgery but if Dr. Ehlers will agree I can move you there. No one can get in unless I let them."
"You would have a room for me?"
"Not in the clinic but I have several guest rooms in my house which is connected to the clinic. I will ask if one of the nurses from here will come with us and she can care for you around the clock."
"Why would you do all this for me?" She asked. He wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Because I like you and I’m worried about you and I want to help you."
"Do you think Denise or Kelly would come?" She asked.
"I’m sure they will." He smiled brightly at her. "What do you say? Shall we do this?"
"Alright. Yes please let’s do it right away."
"Great! I’ll go make all the arrangements. You just stop worrying." He touched her on the nose. "You are so cute when you smile." She smiled at him. "See! I told you!"


"You don’t have to stay here Ridge. I won’t go back there." Stephanie told her son. "You made your point."
"Mother you have me very worried. I know you don’t like Brooke, I even accept that, but accusing her of this? Mother you know she didn’t do it."
"Ridge we have to get her out of this family for good!"
"So you accuse her of something that someone else did? Mother there is a lunatic out there who may try to hurt you again! Think about that! We need the police to catch the person who really did this."
"Don’t be absurd Ridge! You know perfectly well that no one else did this!"
"Mother, Brooke didn’t do it! You know that!"
"Yes, Brooke didn’t do it. There! Are you satisfied?" She threw up her arms.
"Only if you really believe it. Mother, we need to find the real person." He was panicked at her lack of concern.
"There is no real person Ridge." She clucked at him.
"What do you mean?" He questioned her.
"I did it! I did it myself! I wanted the police to lock her away so I took some tools from the desk and I opened the hood of the car and I just pulled and cut and hoped I got the desired effect!"
"You what? Mother you could have killed yourself!"
"It would have been worth it to get her out of this family."
"Mother, you could have died. And you did it just to blame Brooke?"
"Don’t look so surprised. If only your brother hadn’t interfered then the police would have believed me and she would be in jail right now. At least he could have finished the job!"
"That’s sick! Mother that is so sick!"
"Not half as sick as the men in this family have become over that tramp!"
"Where is Dad? We need to get you help mother? We need to get you some serious help."
"I think he’s over at Rick’s."
"You wait right here. I’m going to get him." Ridge instructed.
"Alright honey. I’ll wait right here." She smiled.
"I mean it mom." Ridge said and he left the house. Stephanie immediately grabbed her purse and her keys. She walked to the window and when Ridge was out of sight she walked out, got into her car and drove off. Hearing the motor start Ridge ran back to the main house but he was too late to stop her.
"Mother! Where are you going?" He shouted. "Oh my God! Brooke!" He said as he ran back inside to get his own keys.

"Connor, this is Stephanie Forrester." She said into her cell phone from her car. "I need your help. Ridge has been in a terrible accident and I need to find Taylor. Yes, yes he’s at the hospital. No I want to tell her in person. Brooke’s house? Alright, thank you Connor." She said and she hung up. "Fool!" She said aloud.   Chapter 18 'Michael are you out of your mind?' Keith Ehlers asked his colleague. 'Brooke Logan was just recently released from the ICU. I will not allow you to take her out of this hospital.'
'But Keith, she feels she's in danger.'
'And you think it's your job to come to the rescue? Can you imagine the lawsuits we could be facing if anything goes wrong? No Michael, I absolutely forbid it. Get her a guard if you're concerned for her safety but I will not see this turned into an opportunity for you to improve your sex life!'
'That is not what this is!' Michael protested.
'Oh isn't it? I have been hearing rumors that you have your eye on this woman since you took her case. If you feel the need to pursue this then wait until I release her. My God Michael, she is still on painkillers. She is in no position to make a decision like this. I'm just glad that I got your message before you took this into your own hands and did something crazy.'
'I would never have taken her out of here without your okay Keith. I have no bad intentions. I just want to help her.'
'This is not the way to do that. I am going to see her and tell her that your little plan has been called off.'
'She said she'll leave. She'll sign herself out.'
'Then call her family for God's sake. Let them talk some sense into her. She is in no condition to go anywhere and you know it.'
'Keith listen to me.' Michael pleaded.
'No, this is final.' Dr. Ehlers said as he stormed off.

'Brooke! Are you alright?' a panicked Ridge asked as he entered her room.
'Why? What now?' She asked, her eyes widening.
'Mother and I got into it and she started saying all this crazy stuff. I was just worried that she would come and hassle you again.'
'Did she threaten to kill me?'
'No, of course not. Brooke she's gone a little over the edge. She thinks that Taylor and I split up over you. You know how she gets about that.'
'Dr. Copeland is going to take me to his house to recover.' She stated.
'What? Brooke that's insane! Why would he do that?'
'I told him that Stephanie is going to try and kill me.'
'Oh honey, she's not going to hurt you. She only wants to scare you. Don't worry, I'll take care of her.'
'What kind of crazy stuff was she saying Ridge?'
'Not now Brooke. It's not important. The only thing that matters is that you are safe and that you get the care you need.'
'I want to go home! I want to get out of here!'
'Logan, she isn't going to touch you. I promise. You know her bark is worse than her bite. Now why would you think that the doctor would take you out of here?'
'He has a clinic and he said I would be safe there.'
'You will be safe here. Don't worry about that. I'll make sure that mother doesn't come back.'
He sat down next to her and took her into his arms. 'Come on Brooke, be strong for me.'
'Ridge she scares me so much. She hates me so much.'
'I know, I know, but she won't bother you again. I promise you that. Now come on and stop crying, I'm here for you.'
'Oh Ridge I'm so confused. Maybe I am overreacting to this whole thing. I just don't know anything anymore. It seems the only ones I can trust are you and Taylor and Connor.'
'Brooke, you can trust your family and your friends. We all care so much about you.'
'First Thorne tries to kill me and then your mother makes threats.'
'Oh Logan, I am so sorry about all of this. But mother won't hurt you and Thorne won't either. He's a wreck about all of this. Now let's just tell that doctor that you are staying right here. Okay?'
'Okay.' She said as she hugged him tightly.
'Ridge?' Connor said as he walked in. 'You're alright? What happened?'
'What are you talking about?' Ridge asked him as he released Brooke and turned to face Connor.
'Your mother called me, she told me you were hurt in a car accident. I wanted to let Brooke know before she heard it from anyone else. I guess it wasn't as bad as she thought.'
'I wasn't in an accident Connor. Why would she call you? Why would she tell you that?'
'She didn't want to tell me, she wanted to tell Taylor. She didn't know where to find her.'
'What is she up to now?' Ridge exclaimed. 'Did you tell her where Taylor is? Is she still at your house Brooke?'
'Yes, I told her she was at Brooke's.'
'Maybe she's trying to get Taylor to come back to you for sympathy?' Brooke suggested.
'I don't know, I better get over there.'
'I don't think that's a good idea Ridge. That's her space there.' Connor told him.
'She's still my wife Davis. I have a right to be with her. Brooke will you be okay?' Ridge asked.
'Now that Connor's here I will.' She said with a smile. 'Go to her Ridge, go before Stephanie poisons her mind about me too.'
Ridge gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and left.
'Come here Connor.' Brooke held her arms out to him. 'I really need you right now.'
He hugged her and kissed her deeply. 'I love you Brooke.'
'I love you too Connor.' She answered him.
'Are you going to tell me what's going on here?' He asked when they parted.
'I'm not sure. It seems that Stephanie is on the warpath again. She threatened me Connor. She is acting crazy.'
'She had me convinced Brooke. I really thought Ridge was hurt. In fact I saw your kids downstairs and they said they couldn't come up because the doctor was with you and I thought that he might be telling you about Ridge. I ran right up so I would be here to support you.'
'No, the doctor was just giving me some alternatives. But Ridge convinced me to stay here.'
'Okay Brooke, tell me what this is all about.'

'Stephanie! What are you doing here?' Taylor asked. 'Come in, come in.' She opened the door and let her in. 'How did you know I was staying here? Did Ridge tell you?'
'Ridge knows?' Stephanie was astounded. 'No, I played a trick on Connor. I knew he would know where you were so I told him Ridge had been in an accident. I'm sorry Taylor but I really needed to see you.'
'Stephanie, I'm not hiding from you.' Taylor hugged her. 'In fact I've really missed you. We all have.'
'Are the children here too?' Stephanie questioned.
'Of course, you don't think I'd just leave them.'
'You did when you went to Hong Kong.' She dryly commented.
'Oh, I see what this is about.' Taylor said. 'Stephanie, I don't want to fight with you but if you came over here to get me to change your mind then you might as well leave.'
'Taylor, honey, you and Ridge are a family. Please don't let Brooke come between you again.'
'Brooke? Did someone tell you that Brooke is involved?'
'Isn't she always?'
'Well not this time. Brooke and I are friends now Stephanie.'
'She is cunning isn't she. How can you trust her Taylor, how? And why did you let her push that man on you?'
'Stephanie this is really between me and Ridge. I don't think we should be talking about it. Do you want to see the kids?'
'I want you to come home Taylor! That's what I want. Don't you realize that is all I ever wanted, for you and Ridge to be happy?'
'It's not that simple Stephanie.'
'It can be. Taylor, you love him. He's a man, Brooke is a seductive woman. Forgive him. He loves you, I know he realizes it was a big mistake to get involved with Brooke again. Look what it did to his brother, surely you won't let it get to your marriage too.' Stephanie pleaded. 'Taylor I have tried so hard to get that woman out of our lives. You can't trust her. Trust Ridge, trust me. Come home.'
'I can't do that.'
'Brooke is just a plaything to him, she doesn't mean anything to him.'
'He loves Brooke.'
'No he doesn't. He may think he does but he doesn't.'
'He loves her and so do I. She is a friend Stephanie, a really good friend.' She faced her mother in law. 'Stephanie, I love Ridge but I can't live this kind of life anymore. It isn't Brooke this time. Besides if it was I could handle Brooke, I just can't handle his infidelity anymore.'
'Taylor don't let her win!'
'She already has.' Taylor said in a defeated voice.
'She's ruined all our lives.'
'No, it wasn't Brooke Stephanie. I think you need to talk to your son.'
'Taylor, I love you, you are like a daughter to me. I thought we could talk about anything.'
'Not this, you have to ask Ridge. If you want to talk to me after you talk to him then okay, but you need to ask him.'
'Then tell me why you are involved with that Bryan character. At least tell me that.'
'This isn't about Bryan. Bryan would have never happened if it weren't for Ridge. Bryan is a man that I have known for a long time. He came into my life when I really needed someone. But Stephanie, it would never have happened if Ridge hadn't done what he had done.'
'What did he do?'
'You need to ask him. You need to find out from him.'
'Taylor please!' Stephanie begged.
'Talk to your son Stephanie. Talk to Ridge.'


Brooke had explained everything to Connor and he had agreed with Ridge. They had called Dr. Ehlers and Dr. Copeland told them that she had changed her mind. She had calmed down knowing she had Connor and Ridge's support. Brooke had then asked Connor to get her children to come up and see her. Brooke was waiting for them when Michael walked in.
'I'm glad you're feeling better Brooke.'
'Thanks for all you were willing to do for me. I think that it is best if I stay here.'
'I want to do whatever makes you comfortable. Dr. Ehlers and I even talked about getting you a guard. Would you like that?'
'I think I overreacted. I'm just so emotional lately.'
'Well of course you are. Look at all you have been through.' He smiled at her. 'I'm sorry if my suggestion caused you any problems with your friends or family.'
'No, you were very kind. I really appreciate everything you've done for me. Are you this nice to all your patients?' She asked.
'No.' He answered honestly. 'I find myself liking you very much, more than most of my patients. I think we may have a lot in common.'
'You don't even know me.' She laughed. 'What do you think we have in common?'
'Well, I wasn't born with money, like you I had to make it myself. I worked very hard to get where I am today.'
'A lot of people don't think I earned what I have.'
'Well I don't believe that for a moment. I read about your invention and how it changed the fashion industry.'
'You really have read up on me haven't you?'
'You intrigue me. A smart, beautiful women like you. A self-made woman who goes after what she wants.'
'Beautiful?' She gestured at her face.
'Yes, beautiful. Before, later and even now. Do you think I would judge you by a few scars on your face?'
'It is your profession.' She laughed.
'I guess you're right.' He laughed back. 'But I see you as so much more.'
'Are you married Doctor?' She asked.
'Michael,' he reminded her. 'No. I was but it didn't work out. See more that we have in common.'
Brooke looked at her ring. 'This one will work out. Connor is that man I should have been with from the start.'
'Ah, but you hadn't met me yet.' He said with a grin. 'I guess I'm too late.'
'Yes, I think you are.' She looked at her ring again and smiled. 'Connor and I will be together forever. He is the best thing that ever happened to me.'
'You never know.' He smiled at her. 'You must always keep your options open.'

'Taylor! Let me in!' Ridge shouted at Brooke's door.
'Hello Ridge.' She said as she opened the door. 'Your mother is here.'
'I'm sorry Doc. Is she bothering you?'
'She's asking a lot of questions Ridge, questions I think you should answer.'
'Good! We're all together.' Stephanie said when she saw her son. 'Now let's get down to business.'
'The only business we need to get down to is you explaining to me what you were talking about before mother.' Ridge demanded. 'And why you sneaked out on me.'
'What do you mean?' Stephanie sweetly asked.
'You know what I mean mother. What you said about you and the car.'
'I don't want to talk about that anymore. It's over and done with.'
'Mother! You told me that you sabotaged your own car to blame Brooke! You could have been killed! It is not over and done with.'
'What?' Taylor gasped.
'It's not that serious Ridge. I knew what I was doing. I made sure that I hit the tree at the proper angle. I wanted it to look more serious than it was. I knew I wouldn't be hurt badly. But it doesn't matter anymore. Taylor has tried to convince me that Brooke isn't involved. If that's true then I will drop the whole thing. IS it true?'
'Stephanie what did you do?' Taylor asked.
'What a mother has to do to rid her family of a problem. Now if Brooke isn't the problem, and Taylor claims she isn't, what is?' She demanded of Ridge.
'This is between me and Taylor mother.'
'No Ridge, it involves the whole family.'
'What did you tell her Doc?'
'Nothing. I felt it was up to you.'
'Mother, let's go home and talk about this.' Ridge tried to guide her out.
'No Ridge! I want to hear it from both of you, and I want to hear it now.'
Ridge sat down on the couch and covered his face with his hands.
'It can't be so serious that you can't work this out. You and Taylor love each other, you have a family, think of your babies.'
'Ha!' Taylor interjected. 'She's not going to give up. Tell her Ridge, or do you want me to?'
'It was all a big mistake mother.' Ridge started. 'I never would have let it happen but she tricked me.'
'Who tricked you?' Stephanie asked.
'Morgan.' Ridge said flatly.
Thorne was pacing back and forth in the living room at the home he and Macy had shared. He had been doing it for about a half an hour and it was driving Macy crazy. She handed Thorne a tall glass of iced tea. 'Here Thorne. I think you'll like this.'
'Thanks Mace.' He took a large gulp. 'It's great.'
'Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?'
'I really don't have much of an appetite Macy.'
'Well you need to keep up your strength.' She stood up and walked to the window and looked out. There was a large crowd of people with still and TV cameras and microphones. 'They're still out there. Don't they ever get tired of hounding us?' She said
'We're big news Macy. A Forrester tries to kill his ex lover. They eat it up.'
'Have you remembered anything else from that night?' She asked him.
'Nothing. I just remember going there and being so mad and then looking at her, just lying on the floor covered with blood not moving at all. Macy how could I do that to her? How?'
'You were really drunk Thorne.'
'That isn't an excuse.'
'No, it isn't but it's the best we have right now. What does Jonathan say?'
'He wants to plead innocent by reason of temporary insanity. I just don't think I can do that. If I hurt her I deserve whatever they want to do to me.'
'Ridge said she's okay Thorne.'
'No thanks to me.'
'At least you can be grateful that she's going to be alright.'
'Why are you being so nice to me? After all I did to you you have every right to hate me. Why do you still care?'
'I'll always care about you Thorne. What we have doesn't just disappear like that.' She snapped her fingers.
'You are amazing.' He said. He got on his knees and started looking under the couch. He came up and walked to a chair and repeated the same motion. 'I don't know where I could have put them.'
'Put what?' Macy asked.
'My sneakers. I haven't seen them since,' He thought. 'Since that night. Have you seen them anywhere?'
'Uh, no. I haven't. Don't you have a couple of other pairs?'
'Yeah but it's really bothering me. It's bad enough I lost my mind about the night, now I can't even find a stinking pair of sneakers.'
'Don't worry about them, I'm sure they'll show up.' She said. She walked over to the window again. 'I wish they would leave.'
'Don't count on it.' He said as he joined her. At that moment a car pulled up in the driveway. 'Who's that? How did they get through?' He asked as he watched two men get out of the car. 'It's Lieutenant Burke and some other cop. What does he want now? Macy let them in will you?'
She walked to the door and opened it. 'Hurry up please. I don't want them to start snapping pictures again.' Macy said to the two policemen.
'That's the price you pay for your notoriety.' The detective told her as they entered the house.
'Lt. Burke.' Thorne said. 'What are you doing here? Should I call my lawyer?'
'This is informal Thorne. I just want to run a couple of things by you. If you choose not to answer, well you decide.'
'Maybe I should call him.' Thorne said as he picked up the phone.
'Maybe you should just tell us why you are taking the rap something you didn't do.' Lt. Burke said.
'What?' Said Thorne as he let the phone fall back onto the receiver. 'What are you talking about?'
'Thorne, who are you covering up for?' Lt. Burke asked him point blank.
'We know that you didn't shoot her Thorne. Make this easier on yourself.' The detective said.
'Thorne we don't want you to be convicted for a crime you didn't commit but we need your help. We know you were there, we know how you tried to get rid of the evidence. Come clean with us. If you cooperate we can try and get them to cut you a deal.'
'Evidence? What evidence?' Thorne asked. 'Maybe I should call Jonathan.'
'Wait Thorne.' Macy said and she turned to the detective. 'What evidence are you talking about?'
'You had a little barbecue over here the other night.'
'Huh?' Thorne said.
'Oh God!' Macy turned very pale. The two policemen looked at each other.
'Mrs. Forrester, do you have a comment you'd like to make at this time?' Lt. Burke asked.
'Macy?' Thorne looked at her. 'What are they talking about Macy?'
'He didn't do it, I did. I saw the blood on the sneakers and I wanted to get rid of them.'
'Macy! Why?' Thorne asked.
'I wanted to protect you.' She turned back to the policemen. 'He didn't know I did it. He wasn't trying to get rid of evidence.'
'Mrs. Forrester, are you aware that you almost destroyed evidence that could prove his innocence?' Lt. Burke said to her. He turned to Thorne. 'Come on Thorne, we'll find out eventually, we always do. Help us out and help yourself out at the same time. Who are you trying to protect?'


'What does Morgan have to do with any of this?' Stephanie asked as she looked from Ridge to Taylor and back again.
'It's a long story mother.' Ridge mumbled.
'I have time.' Stephanie sternly told him.
'Let's go home and talk about this. I don't want you upsetting Taylor and the kids.'
'It's very obvious that Taylor knows everything already Ridge. I don't know why you keep trying to put this off. I want to know and I want to know now!'
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
'Ignore that!' Stephanie demanded when she saw Taylor start to answer it.
'I can't Stephanie, this isn't my house. It could be important.' She opened the door. 'Bryan!' She said.
'Hi baby!' He said as he took her into his arms and gave her a very intense kiss that she found herself fully returning. 'Boy did I need that!' He put his arm around her and walked into the room. 'Uh oh.' He said when the angry faces of Ridge and Stephanie faced him.
'Bryan, you know Ridge. This is his mother, Stephanie Forrester,' She gestured to Stephanie. 'Stephanie, Bryan Jackson.'
'You don't belong here.' Stephanie calmly told him. 'I think you should get into your car and go back to where you came from.'
'I'm afraid I can't do that Mrs. Forrester. You see I've put Taylor in an awkward situation and I fully intend to support her.'
'You can take your hands off of my wife Jackson.' Ridge angrily told him. 'Or else I'll just have to do it for you.'
'No problem man!' Bryan said with a smile as he let go of her and showed them by gesturing with his empty arms. He then turned and gave Taylor a big smile and a wink.
'I think we should finish this conversation at another time.' Taylor said to Ridge and Stephanie.
'I really think Mr. Jackson should leave.' Stephanie insisted. 'This is a family discussion and you are not welcome here.'
'Stephanie, Bryan is my friend and whether he is welcome or not is my choice.' Taylor told her. 'Bryan,' She said to him. 'Please stay.'
'Gladly' he answered with a broad grin.
'Taylor we can't discuss this with him here.' Ridge complained.
'Then I guess you and your mother can go and discuss it yourselves. After all Ridge I think that this is something you should tell you mother in private, under controlled circumstances.' She said sternly.
'Doc?' Ridge questioned.
'Take her home and tell her. Call me later.'
'Come on Mother. Taylor is right, we'll talk about this at home.'
'I don't like this Ridge.' Stephanie told him. 'I don't want to leave with him here.'
'If Taylor wants him here there's nothing we can do about it.' He turned to Taylor. 'I'll talk to you later.'
He escorted Stephanie out the door.
'Wow! That was intense. Sorry if I interrupted something.' Bryan said to Taylor after they left.
'It's okay, I'm glad you came. This is his doing anyway. Let him explain it to her.'
'Explain what?'
'About him and Morgan. Stephanie doesn't know.' She walked up to him and went into his arms. 'I'm really glad you came.' She said with a kiss. 'I'm sorry about last night, I just needed some time to myself.'
'No need for explanations Taylor. I won't push you to do anything you don't want.' He kissed her again. 'Is there anything you do want?' He asked slyly.
'I want you.' She said as she started opening the buttons on his shirt. 'And I want you now.' She brought her lips to his again in a deep romantic kiss. 'I want all of you.'
'Baby you have me.' He said as he lifted her and carried her to the couch. He gently put her down and covered her body with his. 'You have me anytime you want.'

 

Chapter 19

'I love you Taylor, God how I love you' Bryan told her as they lay together on the couch. They had made love for the second time and Bryan was gently running his fingers up and down her body.
'I love you too but we'd better get up and get dressed.' She asked him as she tried to cover herself.
'No! Don't spoil my fun. Let's just spend the rest of the day naked together.' He teased.
'Do you want Bridget to walk in on this?'
'I guess that wouldn't be such a great idea.' He conceded. 'Let's pack up your kids and go to my place and we can do it there.'
'Bryan we can't.'
'Why not?' He asked. 'Don't you like it when I do this?' He asked as he ran his fingers down her back. 'And this?' He asked as he kissed her on the neck. 'And this?' He asked as he brought his fingers around and touched her very intimately.
'Oh God yes!' She screamed in passion.
'Do you want me to stop?' He whispered to her.
'No, no please no don't stop, never stop.' She begged.
'Only for this.' He said as his mouth replaced his fingers.


'Are you going to tell me what the problem is with Morgan?' Stephanie asked her son. 'You've been moping around her for over an hour. I've tried to be patient but I want to know what is going on.'
'How do you expect me to act Mother? Taylor and I are getting divorced? The only woman I ever want to be with again doesn't want me anymore. She made that plain when she let him in.' Ridge said sadly as he hung his head in shame. Neither he nor Stephanie noticed Eric watching and listening from the doorway.
'Ridge you are not getting divorced. You will work it out. There is nothing you can't fix.'
'I can't fix this mother. Even if I could it's too late. You saw the way she looked at him, the way she let him kiss her.'
'It's nothing more important than that infatuation you had with Brooke. Let her get it out of her system. She'll come running back. She loves you.'
'I know she loves me but I betrayed her.'
'No more than she betrayed you.'
'Much more. Mother I want you to try to stay calm. This is going to upset you and I don't want you to harm yourself.'
'Just tell me.' She demanded.
'It's Morgan, she's pregnant.'
'What does that have to do with your or….no Ridge. Tell me you didn't do this. How could you be so stupid?' She screamed at him. 'Why Ridge, why?'
'It was a mistake, a stupid mistake.'
'Oh it was stupid alright. No wonder she turned to him. Well how far along is she? Maybe we can still fix this.'
'We will not fix it!' He roared at her. 'How cruel can you be? You already did that to this girl once. I don't want this but I will not be a party to that. This is my child mother!'
'Alright, alright we'll figure something out.' She told him. 'I know! You and Taylor can adopt the child. We will pay Morgan generously and she can leave town.'
'Taylor doesn't want anything to do with me or the child. Besides, Morgan will never give up another baby.'
'Why did you do it Ridge? Why? You had everything. This is all Brooke's fault. She hired her to tear you and Taylor apart.'
'Brooke didn't even know that I knew Morgan. Morgan is the one to blame she tricked me. She made me believe that Taylor wanted me to do it.'
'Taylor would never want you to have sex with another woman. Why on Earth would you think she would?'
'It's complicated mother. We were all drawn up into it. Morgan played me like a piano.'
'She won't get away with this!'
'She already has.'
'Is this true son?' Eric asked as he entered the room. 'Is what I just heard the truth?'
'Yes, it is Dad.' Ridge answered sheepishly.
'And Taylor is asking you for a divorce?' Eric asked.
'I already signed the papers. The whole thing is already in motion.'
'Then I guess you have no choice.' Eric announced. 'You will marry her Ridge and provide a name for your child.'
Ridge and Stephanie were shocked into silence as Eric continued. 'We will contact Jonathan and see how we can speed this up. I want her to be your wife before the child is born.'
'I'm not going to do that Dad.' Ridge told his father.
'Oh yes you are. You will not bring shame to this family by abandoning your child and that is final.'


'Okay sweetheart, hold your neck up a little higher.' Michael told Brooke. 'Good, that's it. Looking really good. How does it feel? Does it hurt?'
'Not much.' She replied. 'Ouch!'
'Sorry honey. Look right at me. That's right. Neck up. That's it. Okay! I think we're done. Wanna see?' He asked as he put down the scissors and the old bandaging.
'I guess.' She reluctantly replied.
'I think you're going to be happy.' Michael said as he handed her a mirror.
'Wow! It's not as bad as I thought it would be.' Brooke smiled as she looked at her reflection. 'I was really scared of what I was going to look like but I don't really look that bad.'
'It only makes my job that much easier. Why don't you go look in the bathroom,' He suggested. The light is better there.'
'Alright.' She said as she slowly got up from the bed.
'Do you need help?'
'No thanks. Denise and Kelly have had me up a lot since yesterday. I get stiff when I first get up but I feel pretty good after I'm up for a while. I even took a walk around the floor. I was up for a couple of hours already today. It feels wonderful to be out of bed. I just can't wait to go home.' She said as she walked into the bathroom.
'I think we can release you after the first surgery. We can do the next either in my office or here as an outpatient if you prefer.'
'It really looks okay doesn't it? I hope Connor is happy with the way I look.' Brooke said when she returned. 'I don't look like a freak.'
'You are beautiful Brooke. And when I'm done no one will ever know that you were ever cut at all.'
'Connor!' Brooke's eyes lit up seeing him enter the room. 'I'm so glad you're back.' She looked behind him and saw he was alone. 'Where are the kids?'
'I asked them to come back later. I told them I wanted a little private time with their mom.' He said as he raised his eyebrows upon seeing a man in the room.
'Oh, Connor this is Doctor Michael Copeland, Michael this is Connor Davis, my fiancée.'
'Pleased to meet you Doctor, I've heard a lot about you.' Connor extended his hand, which Michael took in a firm handshake.
'Ah so you are the lucky man.' Michael smiled. 'Brooke just goes on and on about you. I almost expected you to have a large 'S' on your chest.'
'He does, you just can't see it.' Said Brooke as she opened her arms to Connor. He immediately held her tightly and gave her a proprietary kiss.
'Thanks Lois' Connor kidded.
'Well let me leave you two lovebirds alone.' Michael grinned. 'Brooke, I'll be back this evening with Dr. Ehlers to do some pre-op testing. Nice to meet you Connor.'
'Thanks for taking such good case of my lady Doctor.'
'My pleasure.' Michael smiled at Brooke. 'Don't you worry, our lady is in good hands.' He said as he walked out.
'Our lady?' Connor grinned. 'Does the doctor have a thing for his patient?'
'I wouldn't know. I only have eyes for you.' She said as she pulled him to her.
'You look wonderful Brooke.' He said with a kiss. 'He took off quite a few of your bandages. Do you feel alright?'
'Connor can you go out and see if Nurse Denise or Kelly is out there? I need to see them.'
'Are you trying to get rid of me?' He joked.
'Just hurry okay?' She said with a look of pain on her face.
'Brooke? Are you alright?'
'Just get the nurse please.' She begged. He immediately ran from them room to the nurse's station.


'You're back again?' Megan asked Morgan as she passed her in the hallway at Forrester.
'I told you I work here. Brooke and I worked it out. Anyway Ridge and I are coming to an understanding. You'll see that he wants me around here too.'
'Morgan, I don't like you. You are causing a lot of pain for all the Forresters and I care about them. I've got my eye on you. You better watch your step.'
'Listen here little miss secretary.' Morgan put her face right up to Megan's. 'When I become Mrs. Forrester, and believe me it is going to happen, you will be out on your slimy little butt faster than you can say unemployment line so don't mess with me!'
'You don't scare me.'
'Well you should be scared. You don't realize how scared you should be.'
'I can't wait for Brooke to get back and find you still here. I won't believe that she wants you here until I hear it from her. You are one nasty person. I know it, Brooke knows it and the Forresters know it. I just hope I'm around when Brooke and Taylor throw your sorry self out of here for good!'
'Oh go type a letter!' Morgan said as she walked into her office and slammed the door.

'I'm sorry Dad but I can't do that.' Ridge told him.
'Of course not honey.' Stephanie chimed in.
'Oh yes you will.' Eric sternly told them. 'We are Forresters and Forresters own up to their mistakes. Forrester do not turn their back on their children!'
'I won't turn my back on the kid Dad. But I can't marry her.'
'That child is a Forrester and he or she will have our name. There will be no ifs, and or buts about it Ridge.'
'Eric you're being unreasonable. He's in love with Taylor. Don't punish him for Brooke and Morgan's crimes.'
'Stephanie stop blaming everything on Brooke!' He sternly told her. 'I am sick to death of you badmouthing her.' He turned to Ridge. 'This is the way it has to be. Taylor has already started divorce procedures. Ridge, think of the child. Can you imagine the life Rick and Bridget would have had if I had turned my back on them?'
'You didn't marry Brooke because of the children, you loved her. I don't love Morgan.'
'I will not back down on this Ridge. Whether or not you love Morgan is inconsequential. You made love to her and she's having your child and that child will be a Forrester in every way there is.'
'Dad you have no right to tell me what to do.' Ridge protested.
'No I don't, but I certainly expect you to do the right thing. I want her to be your wife before that child is born.'
'Eric our son will not marry that woman. He will find a way to get his wife back and that is that!' Stephanie demanded.
'Do you think you can get Taylor to change her mind son?' Eric asked.
Ridge scratched his head. 'No Dad, I don't think so. She doesn't want to be with me anymore. I can't blame her either.'
'We'll talk to her Ridge.' Stephanie suggested.
'No Stephanie.' Eric interjected. 'If he feels that way then it's probably true. If he and Taylor still had a chance that would be one thing, but if they don't then he has to do right by Morgan and their child.'
'I have to think about this.' Ridge reluctantly said.
'Think hard son. There is an innocent child at stake.' Eric reminded him.

Connor paced back and forth in front of the closed door to Brooke's room. What's going on in there? He thought. Why did she need to see that nurse?
Inside the room Brooke was brushing her hair. 'Do I look okay Denise?'
'You look fine Brooke, but are you sure?'
'I'm positive.' Brooke smiled. 'I've waited far too long.'
'You just be careful. I'm not just worried about my job, I'm worried about you too.'
'You'll make sure no one comes in right?' Brooke asked her.
'You bet I will. I'd be fired for sure if anyone walked in on you.' She chuckled. 'Now remember I want you to take it easy. You haven't been on your feet very long.'
'Oh I have no intentions of being on my feet.' Brooke assured her with a smile as she turned off the light and admired the soft candlelight. 'Thanks for turning off those smoke detectors.'
'Yeah a fire violation. I'm sure to be canned if anyone finds out.' Denise said as she reached into her cart and removed a wine cooler and two champagne glasses. 'This is non alcoholic Brooke. You are on too much medication for the real stuff.'
'Thanks Denise. I don't think Connor will even notice.' She said as she turned to face Denise. 'Well?' She said as she spun around showing off the flimsy peach negligee.
'He won't notice anything but you honey. You want me to send him in?'
'Wait!' Brooke said as she applied a small amount of mascara to her lashes. 'That's better.'
'You look lovely honey. Let me get Studly for you.'
'God, I feel like a virgin.' Brooke told her. 'Connor and I haven't been together in years. I'm so nervous.'
'It looks good on you.' She smiled at Brooke. 'Good luck honey.' She said as they slapped five and giggled. 'Go get him Brooke!'
Denise walked out and closed the door quickly behind her.
'Nurse! What's wrong? Is she alright?' Connor said in a very concerned voice.
'I think she needs a lot or rest and quiet.'
'Can I go in and see her? Are you sending for the doctor?'
'You go in there, but make sure to be careful with her.'
'Oh God. Brooke!' He opened the door and was confused by the lack of light. Denise quickly closed the door behind him.
'Brooke?' He asked as his eyes adjusted to the candlelight. He looked at the bed but she wasn't there. Then he noticed the wine bucket and glasses. 'Brooke?' He softly asked again.
'Yes Connor.' She said as she glided out of the bathroom.
'Oh my God Brooke!' He shuddered at the sight of her in the negligee.
'I need you Connor.' She said softly as she let the gown fall to the floor. 'I need you to make love to me right now.'
He slowly walked up to her and gazed lovingly at her nude body.
'I won't break.' She told him.
'God Brooke.' He couldn't find the words as he saw her smile.
'Please Connor, please make love to me.' She reached down to feel his desire. 'I love you so much.'
'I don't want to hurt you.'
'You won't baby.' She said as she unzipped his jeans. 'Way too many clothes.' She said to him. 'We just have to get rid of them.' She said as she opened his shirt. 'I really can't wait much longer. You'll have to help me.' She said as she put her hands around his neck and drew him to her body of a kiss. This brought him out of his shock and he helped her remove the rest of his clothing.
'Brooke, I don't want to hurt you.' He said again.
'You won't,' she said as she gently pushed him onto the bed and got on top of him. 'We've waited far to long for this.' She said as she kissed him. 'Please Connor, I need to feel you inside me right now.'


'I'm sure Storm won't mind that you have his shirt.' Taylor told Bryan as he buttoned up the ill-fitting shirt. 'I'm sorry I ripped yours.'
'Baby never be sorry for the passion we have.' He kissed her on the nose. 'I just wish Brooke's brother was a little broader.'
'Wait a minute!' Taylor said as she looked through the pile for freshly laundered clothes. 'He has a sweatshirt. I bet that will fit better. Come here.' She unbuttoned the shirt and took it off him and handed him the plain gray sweatshirt. Bryan pulled it over his head and it was a much better fit.
'I thought he was leaving today.' Bryan said.
'He is I guess he isn't done packing yet. We'll send it back to him.' She folded the other shirt and put it back on the pile. 'I have to make something for the kids to eat. What about you?'
'I really should get to the office for a while.'
'Afraid of my cooking?' She teased.
'I'm sure you're good at everything.' He said with a sly smile. 'Seriously, if I don't get into the office today I will be really backlogged. What if I go in for a while and come back and take you and the kids for dinner.'
'My kids aren't really restaurant ready yet.'
'I'm not talking Café Russe. How about Wendy's or Mickey D's?'
'Junk food? Why not.'
'Great! Then after that I'll try to convince you all to come back to my place to spend the night.'
'Is your house baby proofed?'
'Huh?'
'I didn't think so. We'll come back here.' She told him. 'Bryan may need some legal help from you.'
'Sorry baby but I'm way too close to the situation to get involved with the divorce.'
'Ouch!' She said. 'I wasn't talking about that. The thing is that Ridge's mistress is staying at my beach house. At the time I thought she was my friend and I invited her to stay there.'
'Does she have a lease?'
'No, it was just a friendly loan. Anyway I want her out. I want to move back there.'
'That shouldn't be too tough but what about the memories?'
'I want to get rid of everything inside and start new. You and I can build our own memories.'
'I sure do love you woman!' He said with a kiss.
'I love you too Bryan. Just please be patient with me. This is harder than I imagined it ever could be.'
'I'll do everything in my power to make it easier. I know how you feel about him Taylor, I do. But when it gets you down think about us. We have something really special.'
'I know we do.'
'You are going to make an honest man of me aren't you?' He teased.
'It's really too soon to talk about marriage Bryan.'
'No it isn't. I don't expect you to just jump into marriage right away, I just want you to tell me that when you are ready that you will marry me.'
'Bryan, the moment I am ready I promise I will marry you. I love you. I just need time.'
'That's good enough for me baby. I told you I would wait forever for you this time.'
'I promise I won't make you wait that long.' She kissed him tenderly.

'Oh Connor, that was so good.' Brooke said as she lay in his arms bathed in sweat.
'I can't believe you set that all up.' He said as he leaned over and kissed her. 'Everything was perfect.' He took a sip on the wine. 'Even this. Now I was worried about alcohol until I saw the label.'
'I wanted everything to be romantic. Denise did everything for me. She bought the wine and the candles and even the nightgown.'
'Nightgown? There was a nightgown?' He teased her as her ran his fingers across her breast.
'Did you like it?'
'What little I saw of it.'
'You wouldn't have wanted me to keep it on would you?'
'And spoil this view?' He said as he bent down and kissed her.
'Again?' She asked.
'I'm not sure if you should.'
'I should.' She said to him. He rolled onto her and kissed her.
'Owww.' She said.
'I'm hurting you. I'm sorry.' He jumped off of her.
'No it's just you are a little heavy and it hurts where I was cut. It was okay before.' She got on top of him. 'You don't mind it this way again do you?'
'Does it look like I mind?' He answered with a kiss.

Taylor was reading a journal when the doorbell rang. Who can that be? She wondered. She put down the journal and went to the door. She peeked to see who was there and saw Ridge standing there. What now? She thought as she opened the door.
'Hello Ridge. Come on in.' She stepped aside so he could enter. 'Did you tell her?'
'Yes, I told her.' He answered.
'How did it go?'
'How did you think it would go? She is no happier about it than I am. She's sick about the whole thing.'
'She had to be told Ridge. I don't want her blaming me.'
'She didn't blame you.'
'What about Bryan?'
'Let's not talk about Bryan.'
'Does she blame him?'
'She blames Brooke.'
'Brooke? Why on earth does she blame Brooke?'
'For hiring her.'
'Oh for God's sake Ridge. I hope you stood up like a man and took the blame.'
'Doc I don't know what I did. All I can think of is us, you, me and our kids. Please Doc please find a way to fix our family.'
'It's too late for that Ridge.'
'Because of Bryan?'
'Partly. No not really. I can never trust you again Ridge. You went too far this time. You destroyed everything we had together. We can never get it back again.'
'We could start over.'
'I don't think so.' She shook her head. 'I'm sorry Ridge, I'm really sorry. I never wanted a life without you but now I don't want a life with you.' She started to cry.
'Oh Doc.' He said as he took her into his arms and held her. 'Please give it one more try.'
'Stop it!' She said as she pulled away. 'Don't you do this to me.'
'You still love me, I know you do.' He said.
'This isn't about love Ridge. It's about a wife who could never trust her husband again.'
'I promise I'll'
'No!' She broke in. 'You made your bed Ridge.'
'You want me with her?' He asked incredulously.
'Maybe it's where you belong now.'
'I belong with you.'
'No you don't, you gave that right away the night you slept with Morgan. I think you'd better leave now.'
'I will always love you Doc, only you.' He begged her with his eyes.
'Please go.' She opened the door and he reluctantly walked out. Taylor slowly closed the door and fell to her knees in tears.
'Oh Ridge, how will I ever go on without you?'   Chapter 20 "Wake up Bryan." Taylor gently nudged him. "I have no get the kids fed and dressed so I can get to the hospital."
"Oh yeah, Brooke’s surgery was this morning. What time is it?" He asked with a yawn.
""It’s a little after eight. The surgery was scheduled for six thirty so she may be out by now. I want to be there when she wakes up."
"I’m sure Connor is already there and probably her kids too. You don’t want to overwhelm her." He sat up at stretched. "Come here." He said as he pulled her into his arms. "I need a good morning kiss."
"That’s all we have time for this morning." Taylor told him.
"We’ll see." He said as he covered her mouth with his. "Yuck! Morning breath!" He teased.
"Look who’s talking?" She said with a laugh as she settled back in his arms. "Maybe we do have a little time."
"You seem to be in a better mood this morning baby. I hope I didn’t do anything wrong last night."
"It wasn’t you. I had a confrontation with Stephanie and then Ridge came over and we went over it again. I’m just so sick of this whole situation."
"I know you’re hurting baby. I know how must he meant to you. What I want you to do is try and concentrate on the future, our future. I promise that I will make you happy for the rest of your life."
"It’s just so hard Bryan. As much as I love you, and I really do." She said with a quick kiss. "I just can’t seem to get him out of my head, or my heart."
"You certainly don’t expect to this soon do you? You two have been together for a long time. You’ve been through a lot together. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want you to go back to him, but I really like the guy. I think if our situations had been different Ridge and I would have been friends."
"That’s a nice thing to say."
"I mean it. But Taylor, I want you with me, don’t ever forget that. We have something that is so special."
"We do don’t we?"
"It’s so much more than just sex. I love you with all my heart. I don’t even want to try to imagine my life without you. You have changed me so much in such a short time."
"How so?"
"I was unfocused. I was wild."
"You still are wild." She teased.
"A good wild. Wild with my baby, not wild about everything. You’ve given me stability. You are my home. You make everything in life so much better. The sun shines brighter, the birds sing prettier."
"Oh come on!" She laughed.
"Well you know what I mean. I just love you so much."
"I love you too Bryan. Just please be patient with me."
"I already promised you that." He leaned over her and kissed again. "Yeah, I think I’m getting used to that breath of your."
She lightly punched him.
"Oh, getting rough with me huh? I like rough women." He said as he captured her mouth again. "Even if they do taste like crap."
"Hey!" she punched him again.
"Yeah baby, I like that. Wanna play rough?" He teased.
"You like this?" She said as she sat on his chest and gave him more little punches.
"Oh yeah! I love it. Wanna wrestle?" He asked as he flipped her onto her back and got on top of her. "Give up?"
"Never" She said as she pulled him to her and kissed him deeply and passionately. "Now what were you saying about my breath?"
"Bad! Real bad!" He teased. "I’m going to have to punish you for that."
"Oh yeah?" She kissed him again. "Still bad?"
"Worse."
"Oh yeah? How much worse?" She kissed him again and pulled her legs up around his waist.
"Horrible! Rotten! Disgusting!" He laughed as he positioned himself above her. "I think I just have to teach you a lesson. Make you pay!" He said as he took her with a quick thrust.
"Oh yeah, please punish me more!" She cried out.

"Everything went perfectly." Michael told Connor, Rick and Bridget who had been waiting outside the operating room. "She’s in recovery. She should be back in her room in about half an hour."
"Will she be in pain?" Bridget asked.
"No worse than she already was. She’s a trooper." Michael told her. "In fact I have to tell you that it went so well that I want to release her tomorrow."
"So soon?" Connor asked with concern.
"She’s fine, really. I will need to do one more follow-up surgery but Brooke can decided herself if she wants to come back here or go to my office. I really think you all will be pleased with the way she looks in a week or so."
"She’ll look good that fast?" Rick asked.
"She looks good now, but yes by then all the swelling will be gone and she will start looking more like herself. Her skin is amazing. She’s been healing so well on her own that I barely had to touch her. You’ll see that she has even fewer bandages then before I started." Michael explained to them.
"That’s wonderful. She’ll se so happy. She really can’t wait to get home." Connor commented.
"Hmmm, I wonder why?" Michael said to him. "From what I hear she has all the comforts of home right here." He winked at Connor who uncharacteristically blushed.
"What do you mean?" Bridget innocently asked.
"You better ask your mother, or her fiancée" Michael replied. "I’ll have Kelly come and get you as soon as she’s back in her room." He told them and he walked away.
"What was he talking about?" Bridget asked Connor.
"I, um, spent the night." He replied. "Denise helped me sneak me out before the doctor got in but someone must have told him."
"Oh! I get it!" She giggled. "Good for you guys!" She gave him a hug.
"Thanks Bridget. I’m glad you approve."
"Oh I do. I’m so glad you guys are getting married. Mom really deserves to be happy." Bridget answered.
"Amen to that." Rick chimed in. "Hey Dad!" He said when he saw Eric approaching them. He was carrying a huge bouquet of multi colored wild flowers.
"How’s your Mother?" He asked.
"She’s doing really great." Bridget told him.
"Good." He turned to Connor. "Hello Connor, I understand congratulations are warranted." He extended his hand. "I wish you both much happiness."
"Thank you Eric. We both are very happy about it."
"Is Ridge here?" Eric asked.
"No, he hasn’t been here yet." Connor answered. "Did he say he was coming?"
"No, I just assumed he would be here. Maybe he didn’t want to run into Taylor."
"She isn’t here yet either. She and Bry," Connor stopped. "She said she would be here when Brooke got out of surgery. She must have been held up."
"I know about her and your friend Connor. Not that I approve but it is her business."
"I doubt your wife feels that way." Connor answered.
"No, Stephanie still holds out hope for Ridge and Taylor. I don’t think Ridge does anymore."
"Well if it helps, Brooke thinks they still have a chance." Connor told him. "I never thought I’d say this but Ridge has been very good for Brooke lately. He really has become a good friend to her and I appreciate that."
"I hope we have put all that Venice stuff to rest." Eric agreed. "We were wrong to interfere, even if our intentions were good. I only wanted to help Stephanie, I never wanted to see Brooke or Thorne hurt. I just wish that things had turned out differently for Thorne."
"I don’t even like to hear his name after what he did to Brooke." Connor told him.
"I don’t blame you for that but he is my son and I love him."
"I just don’t understand how he could have done it Eric. He claims that he loves her."
"He’s pretty confused about the whole thing himself. I just hope Brooke can forgive him enough to help him."
"She already has, although I don’t agree with her. She wants to testify on his behalf. She doesn’t want him to go to jail. She’s an amazing woman Eric."
"Yes she is. I had truly forgotten that before all of this. I’m glad she’s still here with us. I treated her very badly, I want to try to find a way to make it up to her."
"I think your being here is a good start Eric." Connor said as he put his arm around his s shoulder. "We’re all a family now and we have to stick together. I’ll try to be more understanding about the Thorne thing."
"Thank you Connor." Eric said as he put his arms around Bridget and Rick.

"Hi Morgan, can we talk?" Ridge asked as he stood outside her office.
"Sure" She smiled at him. "Come on in."
The walked in and sat down on her couch. He left the door wide open.
"I don’t know if you heard but I signed the papers, Taylor refuses to change her mind. It’s for real. My marriage is over."
"I never meant for that to happen."
"What did you think would happen Morgan?"
"I guess I didn’t really think at all. I just wanted a baby so badly."
"There were other ways to go about that Morgan."
"I wanted your baby." She corrected herself.
"So you pretended to be our friend?"
"I am your friend, you and Taylor both mean the world to me."
"Can it Morgan! You won. You got what you wanted. Taylor and I are finished." He pushed his hair back and rubbed his forehead.
"Do you have a headache again?" She asked.
"I imagine I will have this one for the rest of my life." He looked at her belly. "You’re starting to show. I think you should stop wearing such revealing clothes."
"Alright. I can do that. What else?"
"What else what?"
"What else can I do that will make you happy."
"You don’t want to hear my answer to that."
"Come on Ridge, its not that bad is it?"
"I lost my wife and my family and a woman I barely know anymore is carrying my child, I think that’s pretty bad."
"I can make you happy if you just give me a chance."
"Only Taylor can make me happy. Maybe Brooke could have too, but you? Never."
"Why are you being so cruel?"
"This isn’t cruel, it’s honest."
"I love you Ridge." She whispered.
"I don’t love you Morgan. I don’t even like you but you somehow managed to get your way. If I’m the prize, then you won. Though I don’t think you are going to be as happy as you think you will be."
"What did I win Ridge? I don’t even have your friendship."
"No, but you will have my name. Jonathan is exploring where Taylor and I can go to get a quick divorce. Some foreign country or island or something will do it. When that’s taken care of you and I will get married."
"Oh Ridge!" She threw her arms around him but he just stood stiffly.
"This isn’t what I want. I am only doing it for the child. You and I, we will continue as we are now. I have no intentions of living a sham of a marriage."
"You don’t want to live with us?"
"No, but I will. We will move into a new place, without memories of Taylor. We will each have our own bedrooms. There will be no more children from this union. I will be a good father to the child and I will treat you well. You will have everything you need and you will live in the style befitting a Forrester wife but we will not share a bed or a life."
"Maybe you’ll change your mind."
"I’ll never change my mind! Never! Think about it Morgan, can you live with this arrangement?"
"When will you be divorced?"
"I don’t know. Jonathan is pretty busy with Thorne right now. I’m sure he will have some answers for us by the end of the week."
"I love you Ridge." She hugged him.
"Get over it!" He told her as he freed himself from her arms. "Is this what you want Morgan? A life with a man who doesn’t care about you? A loveless marriage? Think about it carefully."
"I don’t have to think about it. Yes, yes I will marry you."
"This isn’t a proposal, it’s an business arrangement."
"Well I’ll think of it the way I want to."
"Don’t get any fantasies going Morgan. I don’t love you and I never will. Now I have to go. I’ll see you later." He walked out of the office and hung his head in shame when he saw the tears in Megan’s eyes.
"I had no choice." He told her. "God help me I made a deal with the devil."
"Oh Ridge, I’m so sorry." She told him as he got onto the elevator. Seeing the tears in his eyes only brought more to hers. "You bitch how could you do this to them." She said aloud.

"I am so glad to see all of you. But you kids must be exhausted. Why don’t you go home and see your friends. You must be so tired of hanging out in a hospital with your mother." Brooke was beaming with love at the people who surrounded her. She was sitting up in the bed with Connor at her side and the children were standing next to their father. "And Eric thank you so much for the flowers, they’re beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you are." He answered and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Connor is a lucky man."
"No, I’m a lucky woman." She answered. "But what brought about this change?" She asked him.
"I’m sorry it took a tragedy for me to realize how much you mean to me Brooke. I hope you can forgive me."
"Yes, I can forgive you Eric. I’m so happy I could probably even forgive Stephanie." She grinned as she took Connor’s hand. "This man has made me forget everything in my life that made me unhappy."
"Then I am truly grateful to him." Eric told her. "I don’t want to disturb you. I just wanted to see for myself that you were okay."
"Thank you for coming Eric." She smiled sweetly at him. "Kids, why don’t you go on home too, really I hate to have you waste your whole day with me."
"She’s just trying to get rid of us." Rick said to Bridget.
"Let’s make her sweat." She whispered to him then said to Brooke. "No Mom, I have nothing else to do. I think I’ll just sit with you for the rest of the day."
"You don’t have to do that honey. Don’t you want to go home and see your friends?" Brooke looked to Connor as if to say ‘I’m trying’.
"No Mom, I want to be with you. How about you Rick?"
"Yeah, me too. We need to spend more quality time together." He said but could not contain the laugh.
"You guys!" Brooke said. "I love you so much! Come here and give me a hug." They both came to her and hugged her.
"Since you’re in such good hands Budge and I are gonna leave." Rick said.
"Yeah, I’m sure you can think of something to do." Bridget said as she stared at Brooke’s negligee, which was hanging over a chair.
"They won’t need that Budge." Rick said with a laugh.
"Hey! I’m your mother!" Brooke laughed. "Now scoot!"
"See you later Mom." Rick said as he and his sister left with Eric.
"Alone at last." Brooke said to Connor. "Why don’t you see if you can lock that door."
"Brooke! You just had surgery."
"Only on my face." She said as she let her hospital gown drop to expose her breasts. "See! The rest of me is just fine."
"It certainly is!" Said Michael as he entered.
"Dr. Copeland!" Brooke exclaimed as she pulled the gown back over her breasts.
"You don’t have to do that on my account." He teased.
"What?" Connor exclaimed. "That is out of line!"
"You’re right Connor, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you."
"Maybe we should look into a different doctor."
"No Connor! He was just making a joke." Brooke told him. "I’m sure he’s really sorry."
"I am." Michael admitted. "I didn’t mean to disturb you but I need to check on my patient. Connor do you mind waiting outside?"
"I’m not sure that’s a good idea."
"Don’t your trust your fiancée?"
"I trust HER completely. It’s you I have doubts about."
"It’s okay Connor." Brooke said.
Michael walked Connor to the door.
"I’ve got my eye on you." Connor warned.
"Hey man, it’s only a diamond she’s wearing. The red light doesn’t come on till you put the band of gold on her finger." He answered and closed the door. "Well Brooke, let’s take a look at you."
He sat on the bed next to her and examined her face. "You are amazing. You healed so well prior to the surgery that I won’t need to touch your face again. You truly are a lovely woman. Now if you don’t mind would you lower your gown again."
Brooke blushed and held the gown tighter.
"Brooke, I’m your doctor and I do need to examine the cuts on your breasts."
"Alright." She said quietly as she lowered the gown and looked away.
"That’s good." He said as he softly touched her breast. "It’s also healing very well. I think that my assessment is correct, one more minor surgery and you’ll be better than ever." He moved her gown lower and touched her other breast and Brooke flinched. "Tender?"
"Uh, yes." She whispered. She looked down in embarrassment to see her nipples had hardened. "Can I put his back up?"
"Not yet." He said as he touched her again. "See this cut?" He asked her as he held her breast in his hand,
"Yyyes" She said with a shudder.
"Don’t be nervous Brooke. Here." He took her hand and placed it where his was. "Feel the way the skin is rough there?"
"Uh huh."
"That’s where my last surgery will be. You won’t feel that at all after I’m done." He looked into her eyes. "Why do I make you so nervous?"
"I don’t know." She said.
"Don’t you trust me?"
"Yes, I do, it’s just well the way you touch me. I didn’t expect to react this way." Neither of them could manage to take their eyes off each other at this point.
"Brooke it’s normal for your body to react that way to a touch. Don’t be embarrassed. I’m your doctor and I’ve done this many times. Would you rather if I called a nurse in the next time I examine you?"
"No. I’m sorry. I’m acting like a teenager. You’re right, you are my doctor and I trust you."
"Good." He smiled at her. "Okay you can cover up again. Unless you don’t want to." He gave her a sexy wink. Brooke immediately flushed and felt a strange warm sensation. Embarrassed she looked away from him.
"Thanks but I think I will." She said as she quickly put her gown back on. She then returned her eyes to his.
"One more question."
"Yes?" She asked nervously.
Would you mind if I ravish you? He thought. "Have you given any consideration as to where you’d like to have the next surgery?"
God you’re sexy she thought. "Um, I guess in your office. I’d really like to stay out of the hospital."
"I don’t blame you." I wonder what it would be like to have you in my bed he thought.
"Then that’s what I want." She told him. I wonder what kind of a lover you are? She thought.
"Brooke." He said interrupting her thoughts. "I wonder if, no nevermind." I want to kiss you. He thought.
"What?" I want you to kiss me. She thought.
"I’ll see you later." He bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She immediately put her hand to her cheek where his lips had been. Her face felt like it was on fire.
"Michael?" She said.
"Yes?" He looked longingly at her. Just say the word. He thought.
She put her hands on each side of his face and brought his lips down to hers and gently kissed him. Quickly she dropped her hands and looked away.
"I don’t know why I did that." She said to him.
"It’s okay. I’m glad you did. I wanted to do the same."
"I’m engaged."
"You’re not dead though. You feel the same attraction that I do."
"Maybe I SHOULD get another doctor."
"No, we won’t act on these feeling again, not if you don’t want to."
"I don’t want to." She said as her lips started to tremble.
"Then we won’t."
"Okay, we won’t."
"Right."
"Right."
"Brooke?"
"Yes?" She said with anticipation, knowing that something was going to happen. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. Only this time it was long, hard and deep.
"I had to know." He told her.
"We can’t do that any more." She somehow managed to reply.
"Okay." He agreed.
"Okay." She said as she tried to compose herself. "Can you ask Connor to come back?"
"Sure." He sounded disappointed.
"Michael, you won’t say anything to him."
"Of course not." He answered with a smile. "I’ll see you later beautiful." He grinned at her and walked out.
Wow! She thought. Why on Earth did I let that happen? It must be the drugs. But then why do I feel such a tingle down there?
"Is everything okay?" Connor asked as he returned.
"Yes, why?" She asked.
"You look really flushed." He came and sat next to her. "Maybe too much excitement for one day."
"What?" She said nervously thinking of the kisses she had shared with Michael.
"All the visitors. Wow you are wound up. I didn’t notice before."
"No. I’m fine. I guess I’m a little tired."
Connor put his hand on her shoulder and started working the hospital gown down again. His mouth was all over hers as he slid his other hand down between her legs. "Now where were we? Wow you really are ready aren’t you?"
She blushed brightly. "You do that to me." Michael did that to me. She thought. No! She told herself. It’s Connor, not Michael. "Is the door locked?"
"Yes. And Kelly is keeping watch this time."
"Then please Connor let’s not wait any longer." She reached for him. "It’s YOU that I want."
"It better be."
God! I didn’t think I said that! She thought. "Only you Connor, forever and ever."
She closed her eyes as they made love but for some reason she kept seeing Michael’s face.


"I came by earlier but the door was locked and the nurse wouldn’t let me in." Taylor told Brooke hours later. "So I just went home and I came back now."
"I was with Connor. Kelly, she’s the nurse, was giving us some private time."
"Well good for you! You must be feeling better." Taylor smiled at her. "Brooke, what’s wrong?" She asked as she saw the tears falling from her friend’s eyes.
"Oh Taylor I don’t know what’s wrong with me? Maybe Stephanie is right about me. Maybe I am a slut."
"What?" Taylor said with a laugh. "What are you talking about?"
"I kissed Michael, I kissed him more than once and I liked it. I really liked it." She started to cry. "How could I do that to Connor?"
"Michael? Who is Michael?"
"Dr. Copeland, my surgeon. Oh Taylor if I wasn’t in this hospital bed I think it might have gone even further."
"Oh Brooke no, I’m sure it wouldn’t have" She told her with authority. "You may be attracted to him but you wouldn’t have acted on it and I’m positive he wouldn’t have."
"I don’t know what happened to me. One minute we were talking and then I looked into his eyes and found myself kissing him."
"Brooke, don’t beat yourself up over this. It isn’t serious. You must know that a lot of people develop those kinds of feelings for their doctors. It’s perfectly normal. I’ve been in the same situation a few times, but from the doctor’s end. It’s usually just a harmless flirtation, nothing to worry about."
"But he kissed me back, in fact he kissed me first."
"Well that’s a little different. In fact it’s unethical."
"No! I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to do a lot more than kiss me."
"Brooke you are in a very confused state right now. You know you love Connor but this doctor who is helping you out starts to come on to you, you think of him as kind of godlike. You think that anything he does must be right so you tell yourself that it’s okay. Look, nothing serious happened. You don’t have to ever see him again. We can find a different surgeon."
"No!" Brooke almost shouted. "I want him!"
"See, it’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you. Let me ask you this. Do you love Connor?"
"Yes."
"Do you still want to marry him?"
"Yes, of course I do!"
"Are you maybe a little scared of the commitment?"
"I don’t think so."
"Maybe a bit. I don’t mean to be cruel but he is the first Non-Forrester that you’ve been really involved with in years. Except for Grant and that was a disaster. Maybe that scares you a bit and maybe you think somewhere inside that you want to play the field a bit."
"Maybe. But I don’t really want to. I want to be married to Connor."
"You want to BE married to him or you want to marry him?"
"Is there a difference?"
"Sure, one way it’s like you just want to be in a marriage again. The other is that Connor is that man you want to marry."
"I want to marry Connor. I want to do everything with him. I love him."
"Okay then you just forget about what happened with Michael and concentrate on Connor. But Brooke, don’t rush the wedding. Give yourself a little time to make sure it’s what you really want. And don’t think so badly about yourself. You are only experiencing normal human emotions."
"Thanks Taylor." Brooke hugged her friend. "It’s so nice to have someone to talk to who really cares about me."
"Do you want me to speak to Michael, as a professional?"
"No. Let’s just try to forget it ever happened. I swear it will never happen again. I love Connor and I never want to do anything that could hurt him."
"Okay then we’ll forget about it. After next week you’ll never have to see Michael again."
"Yeah." Answered Brooke but somehow that just made her feel sad.  

 

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