Changes Part 31


"Were you looking for me?" Megan asked Brooke as she peeked into her office.
"Come in Megan." Brooke replied.
"What’s up?"
"Megan I’m really letting myself get spooked again. I just don’t know how much more I can take."
"I’m sorry I left my desk without telling you Brooke."
"You don’t have to tell me everywhere you go, you know that Megan."
"I should have been more sensitive of your feelings Brooke. I was just down with Ridge and the new temps helping with the inventory."
"We really miss Thorne here don’t we." Brooke said with a sigh. "He shouldn’t be staying away just because of me."
"Eric and Ridge both told him it would be best."
"Well it isn’t, at least not for Forrester. I think I’m going to have to do something about this. Megan, I don’t want to go alone will you come with me?"
"To see Thorne?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure you’re ready for that Brooke?"
"I have to be. Why don’t you give Brandy a call and see if she’ll fill in for you for awhile."
"Eric has her working on the Paris show."
"Well you are the Administrator to the CEO and that is more important. Call her and have her fill in, we won’t be gone all day. Eric can have her back when we return. I really need to deal with this."
"You’re the boss." Megan said with a smile. "I’ll get right on it. When do you want to leave?"
"I have to make one phone call and then we can go."
Megan left the office and Brooke picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Hi it’s me." She said.
"Brooke?" Taylor asked.
"Yes, how are you holding up?"
"Better than I thought I would. How did you know I was here?"
"Connor told me. Is Bryan with you?"
Taylor looked at the man sleeping beside her. "Yes." She said with a smile.
"Good, I was hoping you wouldn’t be alone. Taylor, I have to tell you about something I did today. I have to tell you before you hear it somewhere else and get the wrong idea."
"Megan already told me Brooke."
"Are you mad?"
"No. But I don’t see what the point was."
"I can’t stand the thought of her touching him Taylor, I’m sorry I know that this is really your problem but it hurts me too."
"You care a lot about Ridge, I know that, but he made his choice Brooke. He has to find a way to make a life with her."
"There has to be someway to bring her down Taylor."
"I can’t fight that fight anymore. I made peace with this. Ridge and I both did."
"Alright Taylor. I’ll stay out of it if that’s what you want."
"It is. So tell me, how was it talking to Connor?"
"He asked me to dinner."
"That’s great Brooke, you are going aren’t you?"
"Yeah. I really hope we can mend things. I really do care about him."
"Brooke, I really think you should stop seeing Michael." Brooke felt a strange warmth at the mention of Michael’s name.
"You too?" She asked a bit annoyed.
"Why? Does someone else feel that way? I mean besides Connor."
"Ridge. He doesn’t trust Michael for some reason."
"Think about it Brooke. Is he really worth losing Connor over?"
Brooke thought about their morning in the garden and the talk at the bar. She was once more flooded with a warm, wonderful feeling. "Yes." She said with a smile. "There is something about him that really gets under my skin Taylor. If Connor can’t deal with me seeing other guys then I guess we should stop seeing each other."
"How would you feel if you saw Connor with another woman?"
"Rotten." How would I feel about Michael with another woman Brooke wondered? She suddenly felt cold and sad.
"Well?" Taylor asked.
"I know, I know."
"Where are you two going tonight?"
"I don’t know, why?"
"I thought it might make things a little easier on you if Bryan and I joined you."
"That’s a great idea! Connor is going to meet me at Forrester. Why don’t you two come down here too."
"No." Taylor quickly answered.
"I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking."
"Why don’t you two come here to the beach house? We can have a cook out."
"Perfect! I’m sure Connor will agree. But I don’t want to stick you with all the work."
"It’s not a problem. Bryan and I will go do some shopping. When you get here you and I can do the salad and the vegetables and the guys can do the steaks."
"Okay great! I’ll pick up the wine."
"This will be good for all of us. We’ll see you later Brooke." Taylor said. They hung up and Brooke grabbed her purse and went out to Megan’s desk.
"Ready?"
"Brandy will be covering for me as long as you need her. She’ll be down here in a few minutes."
"We don’t have to wait. Let’s go."
The two women walked out.

"Oh Thorne, I can’t believe we did that." Macy said as she kissed his back.
"Felt like old times didn’t it?" He smiled.
"I promised myself we wouldn’t go there again Thorne, but I’m glad we did."
"Jonathan advised me to stop the divorce until things settle down. I wanted to ask you how you’d feel about that. Right now I wish we never started it in the first place."
"Do you really mean that Thorne?" She asked. She sat up and pulled the sheet around her.
"Macy, I won’t deny my feelings for Brooke, they are real but nothing is ever going to happen there, not after what I did to her."
"I can’t play a secondary character in your life Thorne. You have to come to grips with your feelings for Brooke."
"I need you in my life Mace."
"I am in your life Thorne, but I won’t let you hurt me again."
"We could try taking it slowly."
"Thorne I’m not sure if I’m ready to go down that road again with you."
"I understand." He said reluctantly.
"I’m on your side Thorne." She said. She reached over and ran her hand through his hair. "Whatever happens with us I’m on your side."
"I’m lucky to have you." He pulled her into his arms and held her. "I’m scared Mace. I’m so scared. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in jail."
"We can’t let that happen Thorne." She suddenly sat up and listened to the sound of a car driving up. "Someone’s here."
"I hope it’s not Lt. Burke again." Thorne told her. "I’m really not up to facing him again."
"I’ll go to the door and send whoever it is away."
"You’d do that for me?" He asked.
"You bet!" She said as the doorbell rang. She climbed out of the bed and grabbed Thorne’s robe and put it on. "I’ll be right back." She said as she left the bedroom. Macy ran her fingers through her hair and ran to the door. "I’m coming!" She shouted. A look of shock registered on her face as she opened the door. "Brooke? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Brooke replied.
"I think you’d better leave Brooke." Macy told her as she attempted to close the door.
"I just got here." She said as she pushed her way past Macy inside Thorne’s house leaving an embarrassed Megan behind. "I’m here to see Thorne. Where is he?"
"This isn’t a good idea Brooke." Macy replied.
"Oh course it is, come in Megan."
"Brooke, I think we’re interrupting." Megan answered. Brooke then noticed Macy’s attire. "Oh. Oh, I’m sorry Macy, I didn’t realize."
"I don’t think you two should be together Brooke, not after everything that happened." Macy continued. "Maybe you could go home and call him sometime."
"Macy this can’t wait. This isn’t about me and Thorne, it’s about Forrester."
"Forrester isn’t really his number one priority these days." Macy replied.
"Just tell him I’m here Macy." Brooke demanded. "Or should I just go in and tell him myself?" She stared at Macy.
"That won’t be necessary Brooke." Thorne answered as he entered the room. He was wearing a pair of worn jeans and nothing else.
"Thorne." Brooke said.
"Macy, Megan why don’t you two leave us alone for a moment." He asked.
"Brooke?" Megan questioned.
"It’s alright Megan." She answered, her eyes never leaving Thorne.
"I think I’ll stay." Macy said as she sat down.
"Mace." Thorne admonished without further words.
"Alright." Macy said giving in. "Megan and I will be right outside."
"Thanks Mace." Thorne told her. Megan and Macy warily walked outside. Brooke walked up to Thorne and gently took his hand.
"Hello Thorne." She whispered.
"Brooke, oh God Brooke." He said as tears began to softly fall from his eyes. She reached up and touched his cheek, wiping a tear with her finger. "Your face, your beautiful face, my God what have I done to you?" He cried. He looked down at the floor in shame.
"Do I look that bad Thorne?" She asked.
"No Brooke." He said once more meeting her eyes. "I just, I just."
"Shhhh." She said as she took him into her arms. "It wasn’t you Thorne, we both know that." She whispered as her tears began to fall too.
They stood there in each other’s arms crying until Brooke stepped back. "Why Thorne? Why did you tell the police you did it?"
"Brooke, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
"You didn’t Thorne." She said as she took both his hands in hers. "Please Thorne, please tell me who did this to me. I’m so frightened all the time. Please." She begged him.
"Brooke, you don’t need to be scared anymore. It will never happen again."
"You don’t know that Thorne. She’s watching me. I can feel her. She’s always there. I’ll be scared until the person who shot me is caught."
"It was me Brooke, I shot you."
"No." She sobbed. "Please Thorne, you’re the only one who can help me."
"Brooke, you have to listen to me." He let go of her hands and gently put his hands on either side of her face. "I shot you. No one but me. I shot you and I left you to die."
"I don’t believe you." She said but she pulled away from him at the same time.
"I think you really do Brooke. I swear I will never hurt you again."
"Why?" She sobbed. "What did I do to you to make you hate me that much?"
"You did nothing Brooke, I was crazy with the hurt. I went out and tried to drink myself into oblivion but I kept seeing your face, yours and Ridges. You were taunting me. You were telling me that I could never measure up, that he would always be the one who had your heart. I hated you both. I wanted you both to pay."
"I don’t love Ridge anymore, not like that."
"But you never loved me the way you loved him Brooke. If you did then we would still be together."
"I never compared you two."
"Maybe not consciously, but Brooke he was always there. He was in the bed with us every time we were together."
"No Thorne, that’s not true."
"You know it is Brooke. I wanted you to pay but it looks like it’s my turn to pay now."
"But Thorne I remembered. I saw the person, it wasn’t you."
"Yes it was Brooke. You didn’t want to believe it was me because you care about me, but it was me Brooke. I’m so sorry honey. I really do love you."
"No, I refuse to believe this." She turned away from him but he pulled her back around to face him again.
"You have to believe it. Think Brooke, think hard. Try and remember the night."
"No!" She shouted.
"Brooke, you’re safe, I swear you’re safe. I’ll never hurt you again."
"Please Thorne, please tell me you’re lying," She sobbed. "Please."
"Remember that night. I saw you with Connor. I said those horrible things to you."
"I hurt you. You said things, that doesn’t make you a killer Thorne."
"When I saw you in the office that night. I wanted to die too. I didn’t want my life to go on without you."
"Where did you get the gun? You don’t have a gun."
"I don’t remember Brooke, I thought it was my mothers but I was wrong."
"You really wanted me dead?" She whispered.
"If I couldn’t have you I didn’t want anyone else to."
Brooke reached out and slapped him across the face.
"I deserved that." He admitted.
"I loved you Thorne." She cried.
"Just not enough." He answered. "Not like you love my brother."
"Why do you keep bringing up Ridge? I haven’t been with Ridge for so long Thorne."
"But you’re still in love with him Brooke. That’s why you encouraged Taylor to leave him that’s why you always let him come crying to you. Deep down you want him back."
"That’s your mother talking Thorne, not me."
"Why do you keep denying it Brooke? Is it because you can’t make up your mind? One minute you’re in love with Ridge and the next you’re in love with Connor?"
"Because it’s not true. Maybe I didn’t love you enough, but that doesn’t mean I’m still in love with Ridge, I’m not Thorne! I’m not in love with Ridge and I’m not in love with Connor, I’m in love with Michael!" She shouted and gasped at what she had said. "Oh my God." She whispered. "What did I just say?"
"You said you were in love with Michael. Who the hell is Michael?" He asked.
"I have to leave Thorne." She said in a panic. "I really have to leave." She ran out the door and grabbed Megan’s arm. "I have to leave Megan."
"Okay Brooke, are you alright?"
"I don’t know." She said. "I have to think about this, I have to think about all of this."
She opened the door and started the engine. Megan quickly got into the passenger side and Brooke took off. The tears were running down her cheeks and she was laughing at the same time.
"What is it Brooke?" Megan asked.
"Megan, I don’t know. I just realized something and I don’t know what to do about it. It all makes sense though. I kept telling myself that I had never felt that way before. I thought it was the sex. I just don’t know."
"Brooke, you’re scaring me. What happened in there?"
"I’m in love Megan. I think for the first time in my life I’m really in love."
"With Thorne?"
"No. He has to be the first one to know Megan, I can’t tell you or anyone else before he knows. Oh my God, what if he doesn’t feel the same? I can’t say anything, I can’t. I have to be sure."
"Brooke I don’t understand any of this."
"I don’t either." She said as she pictured Michael’s face. "I just know I have to do something about this."
"What happened with Thorne? Is he coming back to Forrester?"
"I never got that far Megan."
"What did you talk about?"
"He keeps insisting that he shot me." Brooke said. "But I don’t believe him Megan. I think he’s protecting Macy."
"You think Macy shot you?"
"Yes, but I can’t worry about that right now."
"Brooke you have been obsessing over this and now you act like you don’t care."
"You’re right Megan. I have to clear my head for now. It’s just that suddenly everything is different. Everything." Brooke started to smile as she pulled the car off the highway in a direction opposite from Forrester."
"Brooke, where are we going?"
"I have to see someone Megan."
"Who?"
"Taylor, I have to talk to Taylor. I have to talk to her right now."
"What about work?"
"This is more important." She said as she pulled onto the road leading to the beach house. When she pulled up to the house there was a BMW parked there but not Taylor’s car. "Damn, she’s not here. That must be Bryan’s car. I thought he had a Mercedes. You wait here okay?" She said as she went up to the house and rang the bell. She waited a few minutes and no one came. "Damn, they must have gone together in Taylor’s car." She walked back to her car and got in. "Taylor’s not there. I’ll talk to her later. Let’s get back to Forrester."

"Dr. Copeland, your next patient is here, oh I’m sorry." His nurse blushed seeing had once again she had interrupted her boss with a woman. Michael and the woman in his arms turned to her but didn’t loosen their embrace. "Pam, do me a favor and shut the door. I’ll be ready for the next patient in five minutes okay."
"Yes Doctor." She said as she walked out of the room.
"Now where were we?" Michael grinned at the woman in his arms.
"Right about here." She answered as her mouth covered his.

Ridge was standing at the entrance to Forrester waiting when Brooke and Megan returned.
"Logan, we have to talk." He took her arm and guided her inside and into his office.
"What’s wrong Ridge?" She asked.
"What the hell are you doing?" He fumed at her.
"What are you talking about?"
"My brother called me."
"Thorne?"
"He’s the only brother I have Logan."
"Why did he call you?"
"He said you went down there. What’s the matter with you Brooke? You know he’s unbalanced. What were you thinking?"
"I had Megan with me."
"You think Megan would have been able to protect you?"
"Thorne is harmless Ridge."
"You know that isn’t true Brooke. He might not have shot you but he did shoot me. Why did you have to go and upset him?"
"What did he say?"
"Oh he was babbling on about you and me and how he’s in love with you and you are acting crazy."
"I didn’t go there to upset him, I went to try and make peace. We need him back at Forrester."
"We don’t need him that bad Logan." He pulled her into his arms. "You could have been hurt, or worse."
"Ridge." She hugged him tightly. "I love that you care so much about me but you have to calm down. He’s not a threat to me, he really isn’t."
"Brooke listen to me." He released her and looked her straight in the eyes. "His love is an obsession right now. He was shouting at me about losing your love. He was drinking again and you know what happened last time."
"It wasn’t him!"
"But he was there! Brooke you have to use your head. I know you love him, we all do but the man is a loose cannon. You should have never gone down there without me, or at least Dad. You don’t know what can happen when he drinks."
"Ridge he hadn’t been drinking when I was there. He was completely sober."
"Well he’s drunk now. And somehow he found out about Michael too. He started shouting about him. I tried to explain that he’s only your doctor but that just made him even madder. Did you mention Mike’s name? I don’t know how he would have found out."
"Yes, I said something about him." She said with a blush.
"Logan you didn’t. You didn’t say anything about you and him did you?"
"Sort of, it just slipped out Ridge." She said with a blush.
"What am I going to do with you?" He pulled her into his arms and held her again. "How am I going to protect you?" He asked as he gave her a soft kiss on the head.
"Get your filthy hands off my husband!" Morgan screamed. Brooke jumped and Ridge stood there with his mouth wide open. "You disgusting slut!" Morgan yelled as she pushed Brooke away from him.
"That’s it!" Brooke shouted. "I don’t care who she’s married to! Ridge, get her out of here and I don’t want her ever to enter this building again. If she as much as tries I will have a warrant for her arrest! Am I making myself clear?" She asked.
"You can’t do that! You don’t have the power!" Morgan screamed.
"Watch me!" Brooke grabbed her by the hair.
"You just crossed me one time too many bitch!" Morgan shouted as she grabbed a letter opener from Ridge’s desk and started swinging it at Brooke. This drew Ridge out of his stupor and he grabbed Morgan from behind and pulled her away from Brooke.
"Get her out of here before I call the police Ridge!" Brooke shouted.
"We’re going Logan." He answered as he pulled Morgan out of the office and down the hallway.
Brooke collected herself and walked out of Ridge’s office heading to her own. A round of applause from Megan and Brandy greeted her.
"Way to go Brooke!" Megan cheered.

Taylor and Bryan were laughing as they walked back into the beach house with their parcels.
"That was so funny!" Taylor said to Bryan. "I can’t believe you actually swallowed that."
"What did you want me to do, spit it out?" He grinned. "It was disgusting. I can’t believe they were giving samples of that stuff." He said as they started putting away the groceries.
"You weren’t supposed to eat it. It was for dogs!" Taylor laughed. "Did you see that woman’s face when you put it in your mouth?" She laughed. " I can’t believe you ate it and actually swallowed it."
"I was trying to be polite. I saw the sample and figured it was for us. How was I to know?"
"Ugh! I could smell it. You really didn’t know what it was?"
"I never saw free samples that wasn’t for people before. I think I’ve been away from the loonies in California too long." He howled.
"So what did it taste like?" She teased.
"Not as good as Ken’l Ration."
"You’re a nut." She said with a kiss. "Yeuch! Please go brush your teeth and use some mouthwash! Come on Fido!" She said with a push towards the bathroom.
"I’m really gonna get you for that!" He said as he pulled her into the bedroom and tackled her onto the bed.
"Please Bryan! I can taste it." She laughed as he kissed her deeply.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" He teased as he took her mouth again.
"I may get used to this yet." She said with a laugh.
"What? You never had sex with a wild animal before?" He asked.
"No sex for you until you do something with that breath!" She said as she pushed his mouth away.
"The things we do for love." He answered as he got up and went into the bathroom. "You better not move from that bed woman!" He shouted out to her with a voice muffled by toothpaste.
"I’m not going anywhere." She answered. She pushed herself up into a more comfortable position where her head was resting on the pillows. "I think you did that on purpose. I think you wanted to make me laugh." She shouted to him.
"I hope you aren’t laughing now." He said as he walked into the room stark naked and joined her on the bed.
"No, I don’t see anything funny anymore." She said as she opened her arms to him.
"I love you so much Taylor." He told her as he started to kiss her again.
"I love you Bryan." She answered.
"Wanna mess around?" He asked.
"You bet I do."
"Good." He said as he started unbuttoning her blouse. "Don’t you ever wear anything easy?"
"This is the same blouse I had on before."
"Damn woman! You make things so hard."
"I can see that." She smiled at him as she reached down to stroke him.
"I meant difficult." He moaned.
"Let’s see what I can do to make it better." She said as she lowered herself down on the bed. "Ummm, let Taylor have her sample now." She purred as her mouth found its mark. He moaned again in ecstasy as she brought him to completion. Afterwards he lay there grinning at her from ear to ear.
"Woman, what am I going to do with you?" He asked as he pulled her into his arms.
"You can start with a repeat of this morning." She suggested.
"Baby you can have anything you want from me. You already have my heart."
"We’re here!" Shouted Brooke from outside.
"What time is it?" Bryan asked.
Taylor looked at the clock. "It’s quarter to seven. Get dressed! I’ll go let them in."
"We aren’t finished." Bryan complained.
"Not by a long shot." She grinned. "We have all night, in fact we have the rest of our lives."
"I’m gonna hold you to that!" He told her.
"I hope so." She said as she got up to let Brooke and Connor in.

Changes Part 32

"Welcome!" Taylor greeted Brooke and Connor. "I’m so glad you could come."
"We wouldn’t have missed it for the world." Connor replied. "Where’s Bryan?"
"Oh he’s inside getting changed. You know how men are." Taylor teased.
"Who else is here?" Connor asked.
"Just the four of us. Why?"
"I don’t see Bryan’s car and I don’t recognize the Beemer."
"Oh that." Taylor said. "Someone hit his car in the parking lot last night. He wasn’t in it but it took some damage. This one’s a rental."
"He has a Mercedes right?" Brooke asked.
"Yes." Taylor said with a smile as she remembered their first night together.
"We got a couple of bottles of red." Connor said. "Brooke told me we were having steaks."
"Yeah, and they’re beauties too. Come on in you guys and see what we’ve done with the place."
They walked inside and Brooke and Connor looked around.
"Taylor, it looks like a totally different place." Brooke said. "It’s wonderful."
"Bryan and I wanted to make it our own."
"Well it looks great. Shall we head to the kitchen?"
"Sure let’s go. Connor, make yourself at home Bryan will be out shortly."
"Bryan is out right now." Bryan grinned as he joined them. He was fresh from the shower and his hair still hung wet on his face. "Brooke, Connor glad you could make it."
"Glad to be here buddy. Sorry to hear about your car."
"Hey it’s just wheels. What do you say we start the fire."
"I’m with you." Connor answered as the men went outside.
"You look happy Brooke. I think this is really good for you."
"I have to talk to you Taylor, about a lot of things."
"I thought we were going to try and have fun tonight. I don’t want to talk about Ridge or Morgan."
"Just one thing about her. I kicked her out of Forrester for good today, I told her I would call the police if she tried to come back."
"Okay, fine. Now let’s talk about something else. In the kitchen, we have work to do." Taylor led her into the kitchen. "Okay Brooke what else is so important that you can’t wait, I can see it in your eyes."
"I went to see Thorne today."
"Brooke! That’s dangerous."
"Yeah, yeah. Ridge said the same thing, but Taylor we really need him back at Forrester. You’d be amazed at all the things he does that no one else knows anything about."
"Well how did it go?"
"Not so well. He’s still upset and he still keeps saying that he did it."
"Well maybe he did Brooke."
"No! I know in my soul that he didn’t. I think it was Macy."
"I don’t know, I can’t see her going to those extremes."
"But you can see Thorne doing it?"
"Thorne loved you a lot Brooke, love can make people do and say strange things."
"Tell me about it." Brooke said as she shook her head.
"Has love made you and Connor do something I should know about?"
"Taylor I realized something today. I didn’t know it until I said it out loud. In fact I had no idea I was going to say it."
"Say what?"
"Well Thorne was trying to tell me that I was still in love with Ridge."
"Oh no Brooke please don’t tell me that you think you are."
"No, not at all. I realized right then and there that I really love Ridge very much and I loved Thorne too but not the way I feel right now."
"About Connor! Oh Brooke that’s wonderful!" Taylor hugged her. "I am so happy. Did you tell him?"
"No Taylor."
"Why not? I’m sure he feels the same."
"I hope not because I realized that I’m in love, probably for the first time in my life, I am totally, head over heels in love…with Michael."
"Michael? Brooke you don’t even know him."
"I know that every time I think of him my heart starts to race. That every moment I’m not in his bed, I yearn to be. I know that every time I close my eyes it’s his face I see not Ridge, not Thorne and not Connor. It’s Michael Taylor! I am in love with him."
"I don’t know what to say. What about Connor? I thought you loved him."
"I do love him, but not the same. Taylor this is so different. I don’t know what to do. I want to see him right now."
"You can’t do that to Connor."
"I won’t, but after I go home I plan on heading to Michael’s. I have to know if he feels the same way."
"Brooke you are setting yourself up to get hurt."
"Maybe I am but Taylor I love him."
Taylor opened the refrigerator and started taking out the ingredients for the salad.
"Okay, you love him. But Brooke, don’t go running to him with this. Give it some time, make sure it’s real." She handed her two tomatoes. "Here, cut these up." She said as she started tearing the lettuce. "Even though Bryan and I know each other so well we aren’t moving that fast."
"That’s different Taylor. You and Ridge were in love. You need to take the time."
"Why is it so different. I do love Bryan and someday I’ll marry him. Bur not until we are both sure it’s what we want. What if you go running to Michael and declare your everlasting love and he says ‘Yeah so?’ What then Brooke? You would have lost the chance for it to really become love."
"But it was like being struck by lightning. I just know Taylor, I don’t know why but I do." She picked up a cucumber and started to slice it. "You’re right though. You really are. I can’t just go over and declare it like an idiot. I have to make him realize it too."
"Right." Taylor smiled and picked up an onion and started to peel it. She turned up her nose in disgust. She once more started to peel it when she suddenly dropped it to the counter, put her hand to her mouth and ran to the sick and started to throw up.
"What’s wrong Taylor? Are you alright?" Brooke asked as she came up behind her and felt her forehead. "You’re all clammy. Are you coming down with something?"
"I don’t know Brooke. I’ve always loved onions but lately they seem to make me ill. Will you finish slicing it? I’ll work on something else okay?"
"Sure." She said as she picked up the onion and started to cut it up. "Are you sure you’re okay?"
"I’m fine. Ever since the whole thing with Ridge I’ve been kinda queasy."
"Well sit down, have a glass of water and try to relax. The last couple of days have been really hard on you." Brooke said as she helped Taylor to a chair and then went back and rinsed the sick. She got a glass and poured Taylor a glass of cool water and handed it to her.
"Thanks Brooke," She said after she took a sip. "I’m fine now. I must be hungry." She started to get up.
"Sit down Taylor, give yourself a few minutes okay?"
"Okay."
Brooke grabbed a couple of radishes and handed them to Taylor. "Here, cut these up." Taylor picked up her knife and proceeded to cut them. "You know Brooke, I think you’re the one making me nervous. This declaration of yours came right out of left field. I was sure you were going to tell me that you and Connor were getting back on track."
Brooke took a slice of cucumber and took a bite. "This is good." She told her. "You know you don’t have to worry about me Taylor. I can handle myself."
"What about Connor Brooke? Where does he fit in with your new discovery?"
"Taylor! Please don’t trivialize this. I really mean it. Michael is just so, so I don’t know wonderful?"
"That wasn’t an answer."
"Alright. Connor? What am I going to do about Connor? I don’t want to lead him on. But if things don’t work out with Michael." She let her sentence drop.
"You’re acting like a high school kid Brooke. Holding onto the first guy in case you can’t get the one you really want. You can’t treat him that way. Brooke you were ready to marry him! How did things change so fast?"
"Don’t get mad."
"Why would I get mad?"
"It had nothing to do with Michael really. It was Ridge."
"Brooke!"
"When Ridge and I were together the other night and things went a little too far it got me to thinking. Connor didn’t make me feel the same way Ridge did."
"Brooke!"
"No! I don’t mean it quite that way. What I mean is that it never feels so, I don’t know comfortable maybe. Ridge has always made me feel like I belong."
"He has that effect on women Brooke, look what he did to Morgan?"
"But Taylor when we realized that we really cared about each other way too much to do anything to ruin it he suggested calling Connor for me. You know how hard that was for him? He never wanted us together."
"Okay so Prince Charming tells Cinderella to go back to the pumpkin patch." Taylor said sarcastically.
"He wanted to call Connor, but it was Michael I wanted to be with, and you know why? Because Michael made me feel the way Ridge used to make me feel and Taylor I want to feel that way again."
"You want to feel like a Ping-Pong ball again? That’s how it was with Ridge."
"You’re just saying that because you’re mad."
"Maybe. Brooke just think about Connor, the man loves you."
"I do love Connor. That’s what makes this so hard."
"What’s hard honey?" Connor asked as he walked in.
"Being away from you!" Brooke said as she went over to him and gave him a hug and kiss. Connor didn’t see Taylor roll her eyes.
"I didn’t like being away from you either Brooke." He said as he looked deeply into her eyes. "But we can remedy that." He took her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Brooke found herself responding and holding him tighter. When they separated he saw tears in her eyes.
"I don’t ever want to hurt you." Brooke said.
"Then don’t." He told her as he once more claimed her mouth.
"Take it out of the kitchen guys!" Taylor joked.
Brooke pulled herself out of the embrace. "We still have work to do in here." She told Connor.
"We can continue this later honey." He smiled at Brooke. "We’re ready to put the steaks on if you want." He said to Taylor.
"Great." She opened the refrigerator and took out the steaks. "Let me trim them and then you can cook." She brought them to the cutting board and started to trim the fat. She suddenly felt dizzy and grabbed onto the counter for support.
"Taylor?" Brooke said in alarm. "Are you okay?"
"I’m fine." Taylor said. "I just stood up too fast. Would you please trim them. I need to sit down."
"Sure." Brooke said as she took over. "I think you should see a doctor Taylor. I really think this week took a toll on you."
"I’ll be fine." Taylor said. She picked up the glass of water and took a large gulp.
"Did this happen before?" Connor asked.
"I felt a little sick before Connor, please don’t say anything to Bryan, I don’t want to worry him."
"One condition." Connor said.
"What?" Taylor asked.
"Tomorrow you let Brooke take you in for a check up."
"Alright, that might be a good idea. Maybe I am coming down with something and I don’t want to get the children sick."
"Well then you let Katherine and the kids stay at my house until the doctor gives you a clean bill of health."
"But Connor I really miss them!"
"You don’t want to give them anything do you?"
"Alright! Tomorrow I’ll see a doctor and then I’ll get my kids."
"Deal!" Said Connor.
"Okay the steaks are ready." Brooke said as she handed the platter to Connor. "I’ll husk the corn and then we’ll be ready."
"I’ll put the dinner rolls in the oven." Taylor added.

Ridge and Eric were in Eric’s office talking and trying to find answers to the problems they were facing.
"We have to get to the bottom of this Dad." Ridge told his father. "Thorne can’t keep drinking and making threats and acting this way. We have to get him help."
"That’s why we’re here Ridge." Eric answered.
"Nothing makes much sense with him Dad. Brooke said he had been in bed with Macy when they got there."
"I wish they could fine someway to make it work Ridge. Macy is very good for him."
"It wasn’t meant to be this time Dad. Macy never got over Grant and Thorne wasn’t over Brooke. They were using each other for all the wrong reasons."
"Grant, I had forgotten about him. Yes he and Macy were very happy weren’t they? Somehow I always think of her with Thorne."
"He always wants what he can’t have Dad. That’s why he wanted Macy when she was with Grant. That’s why he wanted Caroline, Taylor and Brooke too."
"You shouldn’t be so critical son, the same can be said about you. I remember a time not so long ago when you couldn’t decide where you love belonged."
"It’s not the same. Brooke and I will always have something special. It wasn’t easy, it could have been her Dad. I know she would have made me happy too. I just couldn’t turn my back on my family."
"I’m not criticizing your choice Ridge, I’m just stating that there are similarities."
"There are now. Neither one of us is happy anymore."
"You can give Morgan a chance son, she loves you very much and you did make a baby with her."
"Only through her trickery. I would never have touched her. Dad she never meant anything to me. I was young the first time we were together. I didn’t love her. We just had fun together. I never knew what love was until I met Caroline."
"She was a wonderful woman son."
"She must be rolling over in her grave with the mess I made of my life. She loved me so much all she wanted was for me to be happy."
"That’s true Ridge."
"I know she loved Brooke and wanted us together but I think she would be happy with the life I made with Taylor and our family."
"She was a good woman Ridge. I’m sure she would support the choices you made."
"Not this one. She would never approve of me leaving my wife and children for Morgan, never."
"You can’t think about that now Ridge. This is your child too. Learn from my mistakes. I never was there for Rick and Bridget and they suffered for it. I know you did your best to provide stability for them but it was my job and I let them down."
"They’ve both grown to be great people Dad."
"Thanks to Brooke. No matter how else I feel about her and her choices she is a good mother."
"Yes she is, and so is Taylor. Now I’m losing another family that meant to world to me."
"You haven’t lost your children Ridge. You need to let them know it too. You need to stay a part of their life."
"If Taylor let’s me. If she and Bryan let me."
"Bryan? That isn’t serious is it?"
"She loves him Dad. I think she’ll marry him. Then he’ll try to be a father to my kids."
"Well you can’t let him son. If he does become her husband then he will play a part in their lives but you will always be their father, remember that."
"I’ll try Dad."

Michael opened the door to his home and escorted his date in. She was a tall, blonde with enormous breasts that practically fell out of her too small dress.
"It’s fabulous Michael." She told him.
"I like it." He admitted. "What can I get you to drink?" He asked.
"Stoli on the rocks sweetie." She said as she lowered herself onto his plush comfortable couch. "Do you bring all your patients here?" She asked.
"Only the successes." He answered with a smile.
"Well I’d call these a success." She said holding her large breasts. "You do wonderful work."
"I like to sit back and admire my work at the end of the day." He grinned as he handed her her drink. He sat next to her and lowered the spaghetti straps of her dress baring her breasts. "Yes, a thing of beauty." He said as he used his tongue to stimulate her nipple. She moaned as he moved to the other one.
"I’ve heard a lot of talk about you Dr. Copeland. I hear you make it a habit of bedding your patients."
"Is that so?" He asked as his hands strayed to her bare leg. "Is that a problem for you?"
"Only if I don’t make the grade."
"Oh you make the grade alright."
"Why don’t I just dispense with this and we can have some fun." She said as she reached back to unzip her dress.
"Need help with that?" He asked in a sexy voice.
"Not at all." She said as she stood and let the dress fall to the floor. She stood in front of him wearing nothing but a tiny metallic hot pink thong. "You like?" She asked.
"I like." He said pulling her to him. His hands were all over her as his mouth frantically found hers.
"Slow down, where’s the fire?" She purred. "I think we need to lose some of your clothes sweetie."
He slipped off his jacket and her hands immediately went to the buttons on his shirt. He pulled her to him and started kissing her hard and fast. "Whoa tiger! We have all night." She told him as her hand strayed to the snap on his tight jeans. "Let’s see if I can find anything interesting in there." She teased as she pulled the zipper down and tugged his pants to his knees. He once more frantically took her mouth.
"No more kisses sugar, I need some adult entertainment." She told him as her fingers reached into his shorts. "What’s wrong baby? You’re not ready for me." She said in a disappointed tone of voice. "I guess I have my work cut out for me tonight. Too much tension at the office Mikey?" She asked as she stroked him softly and moved her hand faster up and down. "This isn’t funny!" She complained as she let go of him. "What the hell’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing Amanda, I had a tough day. I need to relax and get into the mood." He said as he placed her hand back where it was. To his dismay nothing was happening. As sexy as she was he was not getting aroused. "Use your mouth Mandy." He said as he pushed her head down. She took him in one quick move but he felt nothing. Clear your head Mike he told himself. Suddenly he looked at the blonde head and pictured Brooke. He immediately felt himself respond.
"Ummmm" Amanda groaned in pleasure as her mouth suddenly found it hard to hold her captive. She pulled her mouth off him and pulled herself onto his lap. He pushed her down on the couch and took her in one quick thrust. "Oh yes!" She cried. He pounded into her with fierce intensity harder and harder until he felt his release! "Oh God Brooke, my sweet Brooke!" He cried as he came.
The room suddenly became silent. Amanda pulled herself up and looked at Michael. "Who the f*ck is Brooke?" She demanded.

Brooke got up to help Taylor clear the table but Bryan stopped her. "You two hang here for awhile. I’ll help my baby." He said as he grabbed Brooke and Connor’s plates and followed Taylor into the kitchen.
"Alone at last!" Connor said with a grin. Brooke smiled back at him.
"Would you like to go somewhere else, just the two of us?" He asked.
"It’s getting late Connor and Bridget is alone."
"She’s a big girl now Brooke. Don’t we deserve some time together?"
"What did you have in mind?" She asked.
"We could take a drive and find a nice place to go have a drink. Then maybe we could go back to my place."
"You know I’d love that Connor but it really is late."
"It’s him isn’t it?" He asked.
"Who?"
"The doctor. You’re meeting him tonight aren’t you?"
"No Connor, I wouldn’t do that. I’m just really tired. And I’m worried about Taylor."
"I think Bryan can take care of Taylor tonight. Come on Brooke, we need to be alone together."
"Alright." She agreed somewhat reluctantly. "But let’s skip the ride and the drink and just go back to your place okay?"
"I like your way of thinking." He grinned. He got up and pulled her out of her seat and took her into his arms. "I’ve missed you Brooke." He gently lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. "I’ve really missed you."
"I have to help with the dishes." She said squirming away.
"Bryan and Taylor can take care of it tonight Brooke." He pulled her back and ran his hand down her back. "Relax Honey. I know it feels kind of strange but I think we can get past all that, don’t you?"
"Connor, you’re too good for me. I don’t deserve you, I really don’t."
"What are you trying to say Brooke?" He said as he released her.
"I can’t commit to you Connor. It’s too soon and I just can’t do it."
"Brooke, we came so close."
"It was too fast Connor, I hadn’t even gotten over Ridge yet."
"You mean Thorne don’t you?"
"See how confused you have me? Yes, I mean Thorne. And now there’s Michael too."
"You’re still seeing him?"
"Yes. I told you I wasn’t ready for this."
"No, I was the one who told you Brooke."
"I’m sorry Connor." She looked pleadingly into his eyes.
"Don’t you dare give me the can we be friends speech." He shouted.
"I wasn’t going to."
"I thought you wanted this too Brooke."
"I do, I did, I don’t know anymore." She said as she started to cry. He put his arms around her and gently held her.
"Is there any chance for us Brooke? Any at all?"
"I don’t know Connor." She wept. "I’m so confused. I don’t know why I’m doing the things I’m doing anymore. I throw myself at you, I throw myself at Ridge. I’m acting like a fool."
"Why Brooke? Why are you feeling this way? I want to help you."
"Please don’t leave me alone tonight Connor. I’m so scared." She sobbed. He pulled her close and kissed her cheek.
"What are you so scared of honey?"
"She’s going to come back Connor, she’s going to come back and she’s going to kill me."
"No one is going to kill you Brooke, we won’t let them." He tried to sooth her but she found herself trembling in his arms.
"Come home with me tonight Connor, please stay with me tonight."
"Oh course I will." He said softly. "Oh course I will."


"I’m glad they left." Bryan whispered to Taylor as he held her from behind. "I really wanted to get back to where we were before."
"I hope everything is alright with them."
"Why wouldn’t it be? They seem pretty happy. I know Connor is mad about her."
"Well Brooke has other ideas Bryan. She’s really fallen for that doctor of hers and I don’t trust him. I don’t know what it is about him. Maybe the way he was looking at me when I met him."
"How can you blame him? His eyes were feasting on the most beautiful woman in the world." He said as he kissed her neck and started nibbling. "Why don’t we run the dishwasher tomorrow and just go to bed huh?"
"You’d like that wouldn’t you." She turned around and brought her lips to his. "I think I would too."
"Good!" He said as he picked her up and carried her laughing into the bedroom.

"Didn’t you leave any lights on Brooke?" Connor asked when they opened the door to her dark home.
"Yes, and I have others on a timer. Maybe we lost power."
He reached in and turned the switch on the light next to the door and nothing happened.
"Well maybe you did. That one isn’t coming on."
"I’m scared." She whispered.
"Maybe we shouldn’t go in." He suggested. "We can go back to my place and come back in the morning."
"No!" Brooke suddenly said in an alarmed voice. "Bridget! Oh my God! Bridget!" She shouted as she ran inside forgetting her fear for herself. "Bridget!" She screamed again as she ran up the stairs to her room with Connor close behind. Brooke got to Bridget’s room and pulled the door wide open. "Honey! Are you in here?" Connor reached for the switch and the room was bathed in light. A look of shock came over Brooke’s face when she saw her daughter lying topless in the arms of a boy she had never seen before.
"Mom!" Bridget screamed as she pulled her arms trying to cover herself.
"What is going on here? Who are you?" Brooke shouted at the frightened teenagers.
"I’m sorry ma’am." The boy said in a squeaky voice. "I’m Paul, you know me. I cut your grass."
"You don’t look like you’re cutting grass now son." Connor said as he held Brooke back.
"Mom! How could you do this?" Bridget cried.
"How could I do this?" Brooke grabbed Bridget’s blouse from the floor and threw it at her. "ut this on right now!"
"We weren’t doing anything Mom! We were just making out." Bridget cried.
"Paul, I want you to go home! Right now!" Brooke shouted. The embarrassed teen stumbled off the bed and made a mad dash out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Connor burst out laughing.
"This isn’t funny!" Brooke cried. "It’s not one bit funny. And you young lady! Who on earth told you to act this way?"
"At least I don’t cheat on MY boyfriend by screwing someone else in a car right in my own driveway!" She shouted.
"That’s enough out of you! I’ll deal with you in the morning. You put on your nightgown and go to bed! Now!" She shouted. She grabbed Connor’s hand and pulled him out of the room and slammed the door.
"Oh my God! I can’t believe this."
"Brooke," Connor laughed. "You are dealing with a couple of kids with raging hormones. Calm down. She’s fine."
"She’s not fine. What kind of an example am I setting for her? She’s right, I’ve been acting like a damn slut!"
"Oh Brooke, come on." Connor said with a laugh. "Calm down, you knew this was going to happen one of these days."
"Yes, but I wasn’t ready for it to happen so soon." He took her into his arms and held her.
"Let’s go downstairs and lock up and we can see if we can catch up to Bridget and Paul."
"That isn’t funny!" Brooke complained but she found herself laughing in spite of herself. They walked downstairs, found a lamp that was working and turned it on. The locked the door and Brooke looked at her message light on the phone. It read that she had two messages. She hit the button to play them.
"Hi Logan, it’s me." Came Ridges Voice. "Dad and I just want to warn you not to try and talk to Thorne again tonight. He’s really drunk again and I don’t want you to get involved. Okay? Please don’t do it Logan. Okay Bye now! Love ya."
"He thinks I’m an idiot." Brooke told Connor.
"He’s just concerned." He answered. She hit the button for the next message.
"Hello beautiful." Came Michael’s voice. "I can’t seem to get you out of my mind. You wouldn’t believe what I did tonight on account of you. I want to see you. My body is aching for you. Call me. 555-6798. I’ll be waiting."
"Was that him?" Connor asked.
"Yes." She said looking down at the floor.
"Are you going to call him?"
"No," She said touching his cheek with her fingertips. "Not tonight."
"Good." He said as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Brooke sighed as she closed her eyes and imagined Michael’s face.

Changes Part 33

Ridge pulled his car into the driveway at the Forrester home but instead of going inside he walked over to the guest cottage. With a feeling of nostalgia he wandered to the flower garden that Caroline had planted so long ago. He got to him knees and started pulling some weeds that had found there way into the flowerbed.

"Oh Caroline, how I could use your help right now." He said as he picked a fragrant bloom and held it under his nose. "You and I, we were so happy. I never believed I could ever be that happy again. But my darling I was blessed. Not just one more time but twice. I had the love of Brooke, someone you cared so much about. We could have been together forever, we should have been but the fates didn’t allow it and then when I thought I’d never find happiness again I found my Taylor. Oh Caroline you would be so proud of me. Taylor and I have three wonderful children. They are the love of my life. And Taylor, God how I love that woman. And somehow Brooke and I were able to connect again and I think I’ve become the friend that she deserves. My life was so perfect my darling Caroline, so perfect. How did I let myself get tricked into doing such a terrible thing. I was never unfaithful to you or to Brooke and never before to Taylor, but I made a horrible mistake and I threw everything away. Now I’m trapped, trapped in a marriage to a woman that I despise. What should I do? How can I get my life back. Oh please, please help me." He buried his face in his hands and softly cried.

"Ridge?" Rick called to his oldest half brother. "Is that you?"

"Yeah Rick, it’s me." He said as he wiped the tears and stood up. "Sorry to trespass. I just felt the need to be close to Caroline and this was the place she made for me."

"You aren’t trespassing Ridge. You wanna come in?"

"Sounds like a plan." Ridge said as he pat him on the back. They walked inside and Rick went to the refrigerator and took out two long neck beers and handed one to Ridge.

"Here you go bro." Rick said to him.

"Thanks Rick." He said as he took a long gulp. "You keep up the place well. Caroline would be happy to have you here."

"You think about her a lot Ridge?" Rick asked.

"Not as much as I should. Right now I just needed to feel her guidance."

"Well you’re welcome here anytime you want." Rick said. "In fact why don’t you just move back here?"

"Oh I don’t think you’d enjoy having Morgan in your home Rick."

"I didn’t mean that exactly Ridge. Since Amber and little Eric left I really don’t feel like I belong here anymore. I told Mom the other day that I wanted to move into the dorms at school and start living like a kid again. Do you think that’s stupid after everything I’ve been through?" He asked.

"I think it’s one of the smartest things you ever said Rick. You should get back to being a kid. Adulthood comes way too fast. You should be having fun right now."

"I think so too. That’s why I’m going back home until school starts again. It will be hard living under Mom’s roof and having to follow orders again but I think I might like it too."

"You aren’t just doing this for me are you Rick?"

"No way! It really feels like the right thing to do."

"Then you have a deal Rick. You let me know when you’re ready to go and I’ll come back here. I may be stuck with Morgan but at least I’d have my family close by."

"That’s what I thought. If you’d lend me a hand I’d be ready to go home tomorrow."
"I don’t want to push you out Rick."

"You need a place and I really would like to be with Mom and Budge."

"Thanks Rick." Ridge said putting down the bottle of beer. "I better get back to Morgan at the hotel. I’ll come over tomorrow and help you settle in back home. Your mother will be happy Rick."

"Yeah, I think so too."

Connor rolled off of Brooke and leaned on her elbow and smiled at her. "Brooke, what’s wrong?" He asked her seeing the tears on her cheeks.

"Nothing Connor, it’s just that you are such a wonderful person. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you."

"You don’t look like a very happy woman Brooke. Did I do something that displeased you?"

"No." She sniffled. "I’m just very emotional Connor."

"What do you think Brooke? Do you think we can make this work?"

"Please, let’s not talk about that right now. Let’s just enjoy being together."

"You make it sound so final Brooke."

"Connor, I’m not such a wonderful person you know. What Bridget said before, it was true."

"About you cheating on me?"

"Yes."
"I know." He sat up and pulled her into his arms. "Honey, I rushed you into an engagement you weren’t ready for. I rushed everything and it wasn’t fair to you."
"It’s not fair to you that I’m sleeping with Michael."

"Then don’t. I won’t push you to marry me. You can see him but don’t let it get physical. That way you can see if there’s anything else between you. Frankly I don’t think there is. I think you fell into the whole thing because you were afraid of commitment."

"I can’t do this anymore Connor." She said as she pulled herself out of his arms and got out of the bed. She grabbed her robe and put it on and sat down next to him.

"Okay, then we can do the same. We can completely slow it down and then you can get a better idea of everything."

"I’m in love with him." She said.

"What?" He asked as he felt the blood drain from his face.

"I tried not to be, but I am."

"I see."

"I just realized it today Connor."
"Does he feel the same?"

"I don’t know. I hope so."

"Where does this leave us?"

"No where I’m afraid."

"Alright." He said calmly as he got up from the bed and started dressing.

"Please forgive me." She whispered.

"I hope you’re happy Brooke." He said as he pulled his jeans on. "I’m sorry I complicated your life."

"Connor please." She touched his arm.

"Please what Brooke?"
"Please don’t hate me."

"Hate you? How can I hate you?" He said as he pulled his shirt over his head. "Don’t you see the irony in this? I’m in love with you Brooke. I was willing to sit back while you screwed this guy and got him out of your system. I was willing to put up with anything. I never expected this."

"I’m so sorry Connor."

"I’m sure you are." He pulled his right sneaker on. "Good old Connor. He’s always good for a laugh or two. He’ll keep you busy until Ridge comes back, and now it’s Michael. Tell me Brooke, is sucker written across my face?"

"I love you Connor. I do, but."

"I know it’s not the same. I remember that song with Ridge. The chorus was a little different but it ended the same way." He pulled his left sneaker on. "Hey when this one doesn’t work out give me a call. I’m sure my heart will be mended by then."

"Connor."

"I love you Brooke, I love you with every inch of my existence. Someday you’ll realize that. I just hope it isn’t too late." He got up and walked up to her. "I won’t be around forever Brooke." He pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep yet tender kiss. "Take care princess." He said and he walked down the stairs and out of the house.

 

"Please honey come back! Please come back!" the man shouted. Pedro and Consuelo ran in hearing his shouts.

"He’s asleep. He’s talking in his sleep." Consuelo said. She took a cool cloth and wiped his head. He stirred in his sleep and suddenly awoke.

"She’s gone!" He said.

"You were only dreaming. You’re safe here."

"It was so real. I could smell her perfume."

"It’s alright. You must rest."
"That’s all I do. How can I get better if I just lie in this bed?" He asked. "Why isn’t my wife here? Why am I alone? I know she was here, I know it."

"Your wife?" She asked.

"Brooke! Brooke where are you?" he shouted.

Ridge walked into the hotel room and found Morgan painting her toenails.

"Morgan." He said.

"Hi Ridge!" She jumped up and threw her arms around him. "Where were you? I missed you."

"I was talking to my father and then to Rick." He answered. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and gently pulled her arms off him.

"Did you eat? I thought we could get room service."

"We can go out if you’d like."

"What ever you want."

"I really just want to go to sleep Morgan."

"You should eat something first."

"Okay, you call for something. I’ll have whatever you want, I really don’t care."

"Okay but watch out. I have been getting some strange cravings."

"Like what?" He asked.

"Well for lunch I had squid."

"That’s not that strange."

"With chocolate syrup."

"That’s strange." He said with a hearty laugh. "Maybe I should order."

"How about burgers?"

"Regular burgers or maybe goatburgers with strawberry sauce?" He joked.

"Yuck! Even I wouldn’t come up with that one."

"Burgers are fine Morgan." He said as he sat on the bed and kicked off his shoes.

"I’m sorry about today."

"You should be apologizing to Brooke, not to me."

"I will if she lets me."

"I think you better stay away from her and from Forrester."

"What will I do all day? It’s so boring here."

"Well you won’t have to worry about that after tonight."

"You found us a place?" She squealed in delight.

"We’re moving into the guest cottage."

"The guest cottage?"

"At my folks home."

"No Ridge! We can’t! Your mother!"

"My mother won’t bother you Morgan. It’s a nice place. You’ll like it."

"I’m afraid of her."

"Morgan she won’t hurt you." He saw she was trembling in fear. "Come here." He said. She pushed herself across the bed to him and he took her in his arms and held her. "You’re trembling. Morgan she won’t hurt you, I promise."

She looked at him with such fear he took pity on her and found himself softly kissing her. "It’s okay Morgan."

"Ridge. She’ll kill our baby."

"She won’t touch our baby Morgan. Not after all I’ve given up for him."

"Him? Do you want a boy?"

"I don’t care Morgan, as long as he’s healthy."

"He will be! I promise! I’ll do everything right to make him safe and happy." She snuggled closer to him. She looked up to him with sad doe eyes and again he felt himself pitying her. "I love you Ridge." She whispered.

"Let’s get that food okay Morgan." He said as he reached for the phone.

"Tonight Ridge, please consummate our marriage tonight."

"I can’t Morgan. That’s asking too much of me."

"Am I repulsive to you?" She asked with trembling lips.

"No Morgan, you’re a lovely woman, but I love my wife."

"I am your wife Ridge."

"I guess you are."

"Please just tonight. I’ll never ask you again."

"I can’t, it’s too soon, my feeling are too raw."

"Alright." She said as she put her head on his shoulder. "You will sleep in the bed with me at least right Ridge?" She begged.

"I’ll sleep in the bed with you." He agreed. He handed her the phone. "Make the call, I’m getting hungry after all."

She smiled at him and he smiled back at her.

 

Brooke opened the door to her daughter’s room and looked in at her sleeping face. She’s growing up to fast Brooke thought as the tears rolled down her cheek. She just stood watched her little girl, who was no longer a little girl.

"Mom?" Bridget said as she stirred.

"I’m sorry baby. Go back to sleep."

"What’s the matter mom?"

"Everything is fine honey."

Bridget sat up. "Come here mom." She said. Brooke walked over and sat on the bed next to her daughter. "You were crying. I’m sorry mom. I shouldn’t have said that. Is Connor mad at you?"

"It’s okay baby. It wasn’t your fault." She softly brushed her daughter’s hair with her fingers.

"Did he break up with you?"

"Yeah honey we broke up."

"I’m sorry Mom."
"It’s okay baby. Hey scoot over and let your mom lie down with you okay?"

"Sure." Bridget pulled the covers open and Brooke got in next to her daughter and hugged her.

"You know how much I love you don’t you?" Brooke asked.

"I love you too mom. I’m sorry about Paul."

"Honey you’re still to young to be doing those things. Please don’t look at me for an example. I’ve pretty much screwed up my love life."

"Mom?"

"Yeah baby?"

"I thought you really loved Connor."

"So did I. Something happened and it changed everything."
"Was it that guy in the car?"

"Yeah it was. He’s very special to me."

"Does he love you?"
"I hope so."

"Do you love him?"

"Yes, I do love him baby."

"I hope he doesn’t hurt you Mom, like Ridge and Thorne did."

"Me too baby, me too." Brooke lay her head on the pillow and pulled her daughter next to her. "You mind if I sleep in here with you tonight?"

"Okay mom." A sleepy Bridget replied.

 

Taylor was having a very hard time sleeping. She was tossing and turning and couldn’t seem to get comfortable. She didn’t want to disturb Bryan so she got out of bed and went into the living room and turned on a soft light. She picked up a light novel and decided to give it a try but it was no use. She was starting to get worried. It wasn’t normal for her to get sick. She had a very bad feeling about what the doctor would find but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She got up and went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk. She reached for the box of chocolate chip cookies and sat down and ate a couple. To her great pleasure she felt fine and had no nausea. It must be my missing Ridge so much she thought. I’m making myself physically sick over him and I can’t so this. She washed her glass and turned off the light and went back into the bedroom. She smiled at Bryan. Even in his sleep me made her feel warm and happy. As soon as it’s legal I’m going to marry him. She vowed. I can’t spend the rest of my life mourning my marriage to Ridge, he’s moved on and so will I. She pulled the covers back and snuggled next to Bryan.

"Hey baby." He whispered.

"I didn’t mean to wake you."

"Ready for round two?" He said with a grin.

"Don’t you ever get tired?" She asked.

"Tired of you? Impossible." He pulled her to him and kissed her softly. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

"Enough to say yes." She answered.

"Yes?" He asked. "Yes to what?"

"Yes Bryan, I really want to marry you. I wish we didn’t have to wait but as soon as we can I want to be your wife, if you still want me."

"Let me show you how much I want you." He said as he rolled onto her. He pulled himself up and gently pulled her nightgown over her head. His mouth found hers and her fingers reached down and entwined themselves around him. She let go with one hand and guided his hand between her legs. He groaned his pleasure at her readiness. She lifted her hips and he slid into her and they made, long, luxurious love for hours and hours.

Brooke was confused when she woke up until she remembered she was in Bridget’s bed. She thought about the night before and was saddened. She slipped out of the bed and then out of the room and went downstairs and put on a pot of coffee. She was about to go and get the morning newspaper when the doorbell rang. She pulled her robe tighter and brushed her hair from her face with her fingers and walked to the door. When she opened it a huge bouquet of flowers and dozens for brightly colored balloons greeted her. She pushed the balloons aside and immediately saw Michael’s grin.

"Michael!" She shouted with glee as she jumped into his arms. He almost lost his balance but managed to hold onto Brooke and the flowers. The balloons quickly went airborne.

"Now look and see what you made me do." Michael teased. They both started laughing as the balloons floated farther and farther away. "I waited all night for your call."

"I didn’t want to look desperate."

"Desperate?"

"I wanted so much to be with you." She said as she brought her mouth to his and kissed him deeply.

"Wait a sec." He lowered her down, put the flowers on the ground and picked her up again. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Their mouths quickly found each other again. "What about your daughter?" He asked.

"Asleep." She murmured never letting her mouth leave his.

"Can we bring this inside?" He asked, freeing his mouth for that moment only.

"Oh God." Brooke said embarrassed to realize they were on her doorstep. "Put me down."
"Not on your life." He said as he carried her inside and laid her on the couch keeping his grip on her.

"Are you going to? Right here?" She gasped.

"What do you think?"

"I think you better hurry up and lose those pants." She whispered as she pulled her robe and nightgown to her waist to accommodate him.

"Mom? Who’s at the door?" Bridget yelled from upstairs.

Brooke quickly pulled down her gown and pushed Michael off her. He fell to the floor and they looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"It’s my friend honey." Brooke yelled back. "Michael!" She whispered. "Zip your fly!" He looked down and chuckled. He stood up and adjusted himself and zipped his pants just as Bridget made her way downstairs.

"Hello." She said apprehensively.

"Hi." Michael said with his patented charming smile. "I’m Mike Copeland, you must be Bridget."

"Yeah I am. You’re the guy in the car aren’t you?"

"The guy in the car?"

"Yes he is honey. He’s a good friend of mine."

"Yeah I could tell." She said as she walked up to them. "Next time you should wait till you get to a hotel or something." She said to him.

"Bridget!" Brooke said her face flushing.

"I’m very fond of your mother Bridget." Michael told her.

"Yeah, I can see that." Bridget said as she stared at the bulge in his pants. "I’m gonna have some breakfast. Anyone want anything?" She asked.

‘No thanks honey." Brooke choked out as Bridget left the room. "Oh my God I am so embarrassed."

"Thank goodness she didn’t wait a few minutes longer." Michael laughed. "I have to do something about this. You have this effect on me every time I see you."

"Good." Brooke grinned. "Cause you do the same to me."

"I cancelled my appointments for today. I want to spend the day with you."

"I have to go into the office Michael, we have the spring showing coming up."

"Spring? Summer isn’t even over yet are you late or early?"

"We’re just about on time. In fact we are running out of time. The fashion industry isn’t on the same timeframe as the rest of the world."

"Call in sick."

"I can’t."
"Tell them your doctor insisted. Because I do." He sat down next to her and kissed her passionately.

"Oh Michael." She said. "You don’t know how much I want to."

"I’m not giving you a choice Brooke."

"We have to talk Michael, I have to know where things stand between us."
"I don’t want anything between us." He whispered as his hand reached under her gown and stroked her to the point where she started to lose control.

"Michael! Bridget is in the next room."

"Then you better not scream when you come." He said as he took her mouth and his fingers did their magic.

Bridget stood at the doorway watching them. She turned away in disgust when her mother bit down on her hand to hold the screams in. I don’t like that guy. She said to herself. I don’t like him one bit. She went back into the kitchen and sat down. She picked up the phone and punched in a number.

"Hi Ridge, it’s me Bridget. Can I come talk to you today about something. No. It’s about this guy my Mom’s seeing. I don’t like him Ridge, I don’t like him at all."

In the next room Brooke shuddered in Michael’s arms. "Oh God Michael, oh God."

"Yeah I know, and wait till the real thing. You aren’t going to turn me down now are you?"

"No. I need to be with you."

"Good, cause after we go up to your room and finish what we started I have a special day planned of us."

"Special? What are we going to do?"

"I’m going to teach you how to fly a plane."

"What?"

"I have a small plane. We are going for a ride and I’m gonna teach you to fly it."

"Oh Michael, I can’t do that."

"Sure you can. Brooke, I’ve never let anyone fly my plane before. In fact I’ve never taken anyone that I loved in it before."

"Loved?"

"Did I say that?"

"Yes." She quivered.

"Then it must be true." He kissed her again.

"You love me?"

"Would that be so bad?"

"No, because I love you." She kissed him wildly all over the face.

"It’s a good thing we weren’t in the air now."

"Are we moving too fast?" She asked him.

"Yeah we are but I can’t seem to stop myself, how about you?"

"I don’t want to ever stop."

"Good." He lifted her into his arms and started towards the stairs.

"Bridget." She said.

"She’s just gonna have to get used to having me around now isn’t she."

Bridget walked back into the living room and saw they were gone. "Maybe he left." She said aloud, then she heard the sound of moans coming from upstairs. "Gross." She said as the front door opened.

"What’s gross Budge?" Rick asked as he walked in carrying a suitcase and the flowers. "Someone left these outside."

"Loverboy must have."

"Who’s Loverboy? Connor?" He asked as he put the flowers on the table.

"You’re way behind in Mom’s sex life Rick. She’s already broken up with Connor."

"She did?" He questioned. "Then who is Loverboy?"

"Him!" She said pointing upstairs. "Just listen to them."

They stood there quietly listening to the moans and screams coming from Brooke’s bedroom.

"Do you believe that Rick? She didn’t even wait till I left."

"Who is he?"

"The guy in the car."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh they were all over each other the other night right in the driveway. And he had his hand so far up her nightgown before I thought it was gonna pop right out of her mouth! I think he said his name is Mike something or other."

"Michael Copeland?"

"Yeah! That’s it. Do you know him?"

"He’s her plastic surgeon, the one Ridge hired for her."

"Well he’s not doing surgery now."

"Yeah I guess not."

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I’m moving back in till school starts, then I’m moving into the dorm."

"Good!" She said as she hugged him. "You can help me get rid of him."

"Why Budge?"

"I don’t like him. There’s something about him I don’t like at all. I’m gonna talk to Ridge about him today. Maybe he can help us."

"I think Ridge has enough problems of his own right now."

"Well you’ll help won’t you?"
"Do you really hate this guy Budge?"

"I really do. I like Connor Rick, why can’t she just marry him like she said she would?"

"I don’t know Budge. Maybe we should give him a chance."

"Trust me on this Rick. He’s slimy. I don’t like him."

"Okay I’ll do what I can." He agreed.

Changes Part 34

"Where are you Brooke?" Taylor said after she had let the phone ring ten times. "I guess you must have gone to Forrester for awhile." She hit in the numbers for Brooke’s office.

"Brooke Logan’s office." Responded Megan.

"Hi Megan, its Taylor. May I speak to Brooke please."

"Brooke called in sick Taylor. She said she wasn’t feeling well."

"Really? I tried her at home but no one answered."

"Maybe she turned the ringer off."

"Yeah maybe. Thanks Megan." She hung up. "Or maybe she and Connor patched things up after all." She punched in Connor’s number.

"Hello."

"Connor? It’s Taylor, may I speak to Brooke?"

"She’s not here Taylor. We broke up last night. I think it’s for real this time."

"Oh Connor."

"That damn doctor."

"I’m so sorry Connor. I tried to reason with her."

"The weird thing is I really think she does love me. She just doesn’t seem to want to."
"Then you think she’s with him?"

"Who knows."

"She was going to go to see Dr. Wilson with me. I guess I’ll go alone."

"What about Bryan?"

"He’s in court today."

"Well you can’t go alone. Are you at home?"

"Yeah."

"What time is your appointment?"

"The nurse said to just come in and they’d fit me in. I think they are afraid it might be, oh God I’m so scared Connor."

"What are they afraid of Taylor?"

"They think the T. B. might be showing up again."

"Stay where you are. I’ll be right there. I’m going with you."

"You don’t have to do that Connor, I know how busy you are."

"I’m never too busy for you. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes."

"Thanks Connor, I really didn’t want to face this alone."

"That plane is yours?" Brooke asked as she stared at the sleek little aircraft.

"It’s a Cessna T-206 Turbo. It’s the first plane I’ve even owned. I’ve been flying for almost fifteen years. I picked this one up at an air show last year. It ran me a little over 350 G but it’s worth it. I had my mechanic look it over and he said it was a steal."
"You sail, you paint, you fly what don’t you do?"

"I try to do everything I ever wanted to do Brooke. I told you that I didn’t have a very happy childhood. I guess I’ve been trying to make up for it ever since. Now I have to warn you, I’m very serious when I get up in the air. That means no fooling around young lady." He put his arm around her and gave her a huge grin.

"Where are we flying to?"

"I thought I’d take you up for a ride down the coast. Do you have your passport with you?"

"Do I need it?"

"I thought we might head to Mexico. Did you ever go fishing for Marlin or sailfish?"

"You really are a surprise a minute Michael. I can’t stay away that long though."

"Two nights! We could stay for two nights! Swim and fish all day and make love all night long, come on what do you say?"

"I say not this time." She giggled. "Give me a few days to make arrangements and the answer is yes but I can’t just leave Bridget, not after last night."

"Okay, fair enough. We’ll go next weekend how about that?"

"Deal." She said with a kiss.

"So for today I have another idea."

"I’m all ears."

"How about a little gambling? We could play some blackjack, some roulette?"

"Vegas?"

"Yeah, how about it?"

"That sounds like fun. Can we get back tonight? Do you fly at night?"

"I am fully certified to fly day or night with or without instruments. But let me warn you. I plan to talk you into sharing one of those big old sexy suites tonight."

"How about my big old unsexy bed?"

"It’ll do in a pinch." He kissed her. "Wait here and I’ll go in and set a flight plan."

"I didn’t think small planes had to do that."

"They don’t but I like to be careful." She gave her another kiss and walked inside the hanger. Brooke took the time to walk around the plane and inspect it.

"She’s a beauty isn’t she?" A tall, pretty brunette woman wearing a very short denim skirt and a midi blouse said to her.

"Yes it is. Do you know Michael?" Brooke asked.

"You might say so. I’m Adrienne Copeland, Michael’s ex. And you?"

"Brooke Logan."

"Oh, the woman from Forrester. I’ve read about you. So you and Mike are a thing now?"

"I’d like to think so."

"Did he do your face?" She asked looking at Brooke’s bandages.

"I was in an accident. He’s fixing me up."

"Oh." Adrienne laughed. "Another patient. If I could grow ten more legs and ten more arms I still couldn’t count the number of patients he brought into our bed. I hope you aren’t taking him to seriously."

"That’s really none of your business."

"Honey, I wrote the book on him. I suppose he told you that this is his plane."

"It is, isn’t it?"

"Not anymore. I won it in the divorce. I just never got around to changing the name on the title. So I guess in a way it’s his."

"Why are you here?" Brooke asked.

"Mike always takes me flying on Thursdays, it is Thursday isn’t it?"

"You still see each other?"

"See each other? I suppose you could say that. I don’t want to live with him anymore but no one

can go down on you like Mike huh Brooke?"

"What are you doing here Adrienne?" Michael asked as he walked over to the plane.

"I was gettin’ to know your new lady friend here."

"Don’t believe a word she tells you Brooke, she’s a confirmed liar."

"Now don’t you go spreading rumors about me Mike, I may have to reciprocate." She turned to Brooke. "It was sure nice to meet you sugar. See ya around sweetie." She kissed Michael on the cheek and walked away.

"Maybe this isn’t such a good idea." Brooke said.

"You aren’t going to let her get to you are you? What did she tell you Brooke?"

"She implied that you two aren’t really over yet."

"Oh we are over, we are so over it isn’t funny Brooke."

"She said that this is her plane."

"She wishes it was her plane. She tried to take it from me and I bought it after we were divorced."

"She said you take her flying every week."

"I gave her two lessons. She begged me. What could I do?"

"She implied that you were still sleeping with her."

"No Brooke, not once since we split up, I swear that to you. Not her, never her again.

"She said that you sleep with a lot of your patients."

"I do, that is I did."

"Oh and I changed all that I suppose?"

"If you could have seen me last night you wouldn’t be asking me that."

"I don’t think I want to know what you’re talking about."

"Brooke," He took both her hands. "Last night I tried to take another lady to bed."

"Tried?" She said sarcastically.

"Yes, tried." He laughed. "Brooke, I couldn’t get it up until I thought of you. I had to fanaticize your face to have sex. That has never happened to me before. Believe me I was embarrassed."

"Is that supposed to be a complement?"

"You and I don’t have a commitment Brooke." He reminded her.

"Well maybe I want one." She shouted.

"Well maybe I don’t!"

"Then I think you should take me home, right now!" She demanded. She started to walk away and he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.

"Maybe I want one too Brooke." He whispered, as he looked her into the eyes. "Maybe I’m just a little, no, maybe I’m a whole lot scared."

"Why would you be scared?"

"Because I don’t think I’ve ever been in love, and I think I may be falling in love and I’m not sure if I like that."

"Why don’t you like it?" She shouted.

"Because I don’t like to feel I need anyone!" He shouted back.

"You need me?" She yelled.

"I need you." He said softly as he pulled her close. "You have to give me time to get used to this Brooke. I’m not the kind of man who ever could settle down to one woman."

"I won’t share you."

"I won’t share you either."

"I love you Michael." She said sincerely.

"God help me I love you too." His mouth crushed hers and he kissed her with more passion then she had ever known. "Don’t give up on us Brooke. I’m no prince but I swear I’ll treat you right."

 

Ridge escorted Morgan inside the guest cottage. She looked around and picked things up and looked at them and turned to Ridge and smiled.

"What do you think?" He asked.

"It’s great! I love it. Can we move in today?"

"Rick has most of his things out. As long as you don’t mind him coming back from time to time to get the rest it’s ours."

"But Ridge, there’s only one bedroom. I thought you wanted separate bedrooms."

"I’m having a second bed delivered Morgan. We can share a room, not a bed. Is that fair?"

"I can live with that."

"Okay, then I’m going to head to work. You can do whatever you want with the place okay?"

"Can I buy things?"

"Here." He said as he took out his wallet and handed her his American Express Platinum Card. "Get whatever you need. I told you you’d live in the style you wanted. I’ll see you tonight." He walked out.

"Oh Ridge, we are going to have a wonderful life together. I know I can make you change your mind. If only I could get back to Forrester, then we could have more time together. Why couldn’t you just die Brooke!" She screamed. "Maybe I should just go finish what I started." She opened her purse and took out a shiny gun. "I don’t know why that crazy Thorne made it so easy for me. No one even suspects me, and once I finish you off Brooke they’ll just blame Thorne again." She rubbed the gun against her face like a lover’s embrace. "You should have never tried to get in my way Brooke."

Taylor walked out of the examining room to where Connor was waiting.

"How did it go?" He asked, his voice full of concern.

"I don’t know. Dr. Wilson is running some tests right now. He said if I waited he might have some preliminary results. I’m so scared Connor."

He put his arm around her and held her close. "It’s going to be alright Taylor. I just know it."

They sat and waited for close to an hour when the nurse came out to get Taylor.

"The doctor will see you again Mrs. Forrester."

"Connor, please come in with me." She grabbed his hand. "I can’t do this alone."

They walked into the office and Taylor was greeted by Dr. Wilson and Dr. Santana.

"Dr. Santana? What are you doing here?" Taylor asked.

"Dr. Wilson asked me to come in. He was concerned about you. We both heard about your divorce. Maybe your friend would like to wait outside." Dr. Santana suggested.

"No." Taylor grasped Connor’s hand. "I’d like him to stay. What is it Doctor? What’s wrong with me?"

"Well under the circumstances I don’t know if this is appropriate but well, congratulations Taylor. You’re pregnant."

Taylor found herself getting dizzy luckily Connor grabbed her before she hit the floor as she fainted. "Get some water!" He shouted.

Later Taylor and Connor sat in silence in her beach house. Taylor hadn’t said a word since leaving the doctor’s office and Connor wouldn’t leave her in the state she was in. He had suggested calling Bryan, Brooke, her father and even Ridge but she motioned no to each suggestion. He went into the kitchen and poured her a cup of steaming tea. He handed it to her and she took a sip.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Do you want to talk about this?" He asked.

"I can’t."

"I know it was a shock Taylor but Bryan is going to be very happy. He really loves you."
"You can’t say anything to Bryan or to anyone else Connor."

"Why not Taylor? This doesn’t have to be a bad thing."

"I can’t have this child Connor. I can’t have it."

"Think about it honey. You’re confused now. You know how you love your children."

"I can’t have this baby." She repeated.

"Are you thinking about an abortion?"

"I don’t have a choice. I can’t have this baby." She said again.

"Is it Bryan, are you not sure about the two of you."

"You can’t say a word to Bryan Connor, I have to have your word on that. You can’t tell anyone."

"You have my word Taylor, but you can’t keep something like this a secret forever. People are bound to find out."

"I need to think this out, I need to figure this out. How could I be so stupid? Why did I stop taking the pill? Why didn’t I use my diaphragm?"

"Let’s go over to my house and get your kids Taylor. I think it would be good for you to see them."

"Oh yes Connor." She started to cry. "I need my children."

"Now I know you said you don’t want Bryan to know anything but he’s going to be home soon and he is going to ask questions Taylor. You’re going to have to come up with some answers."

"Yes, I need to think of what to say. Will you help me?"

"I’ll try." He promised.

"Sorry I took so long to find time for you Bridget." Ridge said and he closed the door to his office. "It’s been a madhouse with the showing what with Thorne out and your mother not feeling well. What can I do for you honey?"

"Ridge, I know you care about us."
"Of course I do."

"Ridge, I don’t like this guy my mom is seeing."

"You don’t like Connor? I thought you guys were alright with that."

"She broke up with Connor last night."

"Oh don’t tell me!"

"You don’t like him either, do you Ridge?"

"Are we talking about Michael Copeland?"

"He’s gross Ridge. He and mom were having sex in the car right in front of the house and this morning he had his hand way up her nightgown while I was standing right there."

"He what?"

"He did! He really did. Ridge he is so gross. I don’t know why she likes him. And then if that wasn’t bad enough they went right up to her bedroom and were moaning and groaning with the door wide open. She’s acting like such a slut. I hate him!" She started to cry.

"Oh Bridget honey." He put his arms around her. "Your mother is going through a rough time right now."

"Because Thorne shot her?" She asked.

"Yeah, that’s part of it. Then there’s Connor. I knew it wasn’t right but I didn’t want to get her mad at me. And then she’s so concerned about me and about Taylor. She’s not thinking straight anymore."

"But why did she have to start up with him?"

"Mike’s not a bad guy honey, he’s just not the right guy for your mom."

"There’s only one right guy for her Ridge." She looked at him hopefully. "I know you and Taylor aren’t together anymore. You don’t love that Morgan. Why don’t you divorce her and come home?"

"It’s not my home anymore Budge."

"But you love Mom! I know you do."

"Yes I love her, but not the same way anymore honey."

"You could learn to, I know you could."

"It’s not what either of us want. Honey I wouldn’t have divorced Taylor if it wasn’t for Morgan and the baby."

"Why didn’t you and mom have a baby instead?" She cried.

"I’d give anything if it was your mom instead of Morgan." He said with a hug. "But it isn’t and that’s the way life is. I’ll do anything in the world to help you and Rick and your Mom, you know that."

"Can you tell him to leave her alone?"

"It’s not my right. I will talk to him though. I’ll make sure he understands I won’t stand for him using her like he does with the other women."

"He has other women?"

"Yeah, he has a few. I’m sure he acres about your mother though. She’s a special lady."

"All he wants her for is sex! That’s all any of you ever wanted her for!" She started to cry again.

"Don’t you dare say that to me Bridget. I love your mother. I always have and I always will. I want you to treat her with respect."

"How can I respect her when she doesn’t respect herself?"

"Oh Bridget your mother is having a very hard time right now. You have to cut her some slack."

"Maybe I would if she was ever home."

"She works very hard."

"She’s not working now."

"That’s because she doesn’t feel well today."

"No, it’s because she and Loverboy went off on a wild adventure."

"Bridget, it’s not my place to judge what your mother does."

"Won’t you help us?"

"I already told you I’d talk to him. There really isn’t much more I can do."

"If you won’t come back will you at least get Connor to come back?"

"Connor doesn’t like me very much Budge. I doubt if he’d listen to anything I had to tell him."

"Alright, but will you talk to mom too? She respects you. Maybe you could make her understand what she’s doing."

"I’ll talk to her too okay?"

"Okay."

"Did Rick come home today?" He asked.

"Yeah and mom barely noticed. She was too busy tried to figure out what underwear to put on."

Ridge stared to laugh.

"I’m serious. I went into her room to tell her and she was just stating at her panties. She’s so pathetic Ridge."

"You go home and I’ll talk to them both okay?"

"Okay, thanks Ridge." She gave him a hug.

 

"Has he been sleeping long Consuelo?" Pedro asked.

"It took a few minutes after we gave him the shot. He needs to remain calm. His pulse was racing and he was flushed."

"That is not entirely a bad thing. It proves he is getting well. When he first got here he was moments from death."

"I don’t understand why they refuse your drugs in America. We are making such progress."

"Their standards are very high, and their testing takes years. People like our friend here don’t have that much time. Someday the medical world will recognize the things we have done here and more people will not needlessly die. If only we can continue to get the funding we so dearly need."

"A fine speech Pedro. But it falls on deaf ears in America." Maria said as she entered the room.

"Have none of the pledges arrived?"

"We were lucky Pedro. Dr. Copeland from Los Angeles has sent us one million dollars. It will help but it is not nearly enough."

"It has to be enough for now."

"No we will have to find some way to get more funding. Perhaps when our patient goes home and his family sees how well he is they will help us."

"Yes and perhaps Dr. Copeland can convince some of his fellow doctors to support our efforts."

"If we had not helped him out of his jam I doubt he would have a penny for us at all."

"Yes, I had forgotten how he came to you begging for help. His incompetence almost cost that woman her life. If not for you he would be in prison today instead of a well respected surgeon."

"I won’t deny we need his money, I just pray he never needs our services again."

Changes Part 35

 

Bridget was sitting at the kitchen table dragging her spoon around her cereal bowl when Rick walked in.

"Morning Budge. What’s the matter?" He asked seeing the look on her face.

"She didn’t come home last night."

"Maybe she just left early for work." He said as he poured a cup of steaming coffee.

"No, her bed hasn’t been slept in. The things that were on it last night are still there. She must have stayed at his house again." She said with distaste.

"Budge if Mom really likes him maybe we should give him a chance."

"No way Rick! I told you he’s slimy. I don’t like him. I don’t want her to see him anymore and if she ever comes home I’m gonna tell her."

"Whatever."

"I’m serious about this Rick. I’m so sick of her parading different men in and out of the house. I thought she was settling down with Connor."

"Mom doesn’t parade guys around Budge, in fact until lately she’s barely gone out at all."
"Well I don’t agree with that." She put down her spoon and walked to the window and looked out. "She should be home where she belongs."

"Budge we aren’t kids anymore. Don’t you think Mom deserves to have some fun?"

"Not with him." She said as she slumped back into her chair.

Taylor rolled over to look at the man sleeping beside her. He had gotten in very late and hadn’t pressed her about the strange mood she was in. They had sat together while he read legal briefs and she nervously twiddles her thumbs and played with her hair. When he told her he was really tired and suggested that they go to sleep she hadn’t complained.

What can I say to him? She thought. What if the baby isn’t his? What if it’s Ridge’s? How can I tell either of them? She had laid awake most of the night trying to find answers. She knew an abortion was out of the question, it might be all right in certain situations but not this one. She knew she deeply loved both of these men and could never destroy a child conceived by either of them. Was it fair to bring a child into the world this way? No, but she already was bonding with it. She touched her still flat belly and smiled. "No matter what happens I will love you my precious." She whispered.

Brooke awoke with an intense feeling of pleasure. She moaned aloud as she felt Michael’s fingers gently probing her. She arched her back to bring herself closer to him and his fingers moved to her most sensitive place. She moaned again as from behind he slid inside her never removing his fingers. Slowly their bodies fell into a rhythm as his finger continued making circles and bringing her closer and closer to the edge. She screamed as her release came moments before his. Spent they lay together silently with him still deep inside her. Brooke smiled as she felt him growing larger. She slipped away and pushed him gently onto his back. She climbed on top of him and lowered herself onto him and again arching her back began her own rhythm. Michael reached for her breasts and held them as they swayed together in an act as old as time. Building to a crescendo they climaxed together and Brooke fell onto his chest bathed in sweat. Their mouths met and their tongues searched each other as once more his hand reached down to touch his treasure.

"Again?" She panted still out of breath from their earlier gymnastics.

"I can never have enough." He said as he flipped her over and entered her again. She pulled her legs tightly around his waist and they once more fell into a compatible rhythm. This time Michael finished before Brooke. Not wanted to disappoint her he lowered himself down and gently spread her legs. His tongue quickly brought her to the intense please she desired. He then once more slid inside her and found himself once again climaxing.

They lay exhausted in each other’s arms. He gently kissed her.

"I don’t know how much more I can take." She said as she touched his face and looked at him with adoration.

"Oh I have so much more in store for you." He said kissing her ears. "After all, this is our honeymoon. I love you Mrs. Copeland." He said as his mouth once more claimed his bride.

"I have strict orders from Ms. Logan not to let you into the building Miss Dewitt." She security guard told Morgan.

"I’m not here on business, I’m here to see my husband and my name is Mrs. Forrester you moron!" She complained.

"I don’t care if your name is Hillary Clinton. If Ms. Logan says you stay out then you stay out. You want me to call your husband and have him come down here?"
"Do you have any idea who my husband is you fool?"

"Yeah, he’s Ridge Forrester, now do you want me to call him or not?"

"Yes. Call him." She demanded as she stood there impatiently tapping her foot. The guard returned.

"He’ll be right down Miss Dewitt, I mean Mrs. Forrester. Have a seat." He motioned to a small uncomfortable looking chair.

"I’ll stand." She answered. A few minutes later Ridge arrived.

"What is it Morgan?"

"I wanted us to have lunch together."

"I’m busy Morgan, I don’t have time to go to lunch."

"That’s why I brought it for us." She pointed to the picnic basket on the ground. "But this man" She gestured to the guard "Won’t let me in."

"It’s Ms. Logans orders sir." He told Ridge.

"Well I think we can overlook it just this once." Ridge answered. "I’ll vouch for my wife."

"I’m sorry Mr. Forrester." He said as he stood in front of the entrance. "Ms. Logan was dead serious."

"She’ll be plain old dead soon." Morgan mumbled.

"What?" Ridge asked.

"Nothing." She answered. "I’m sure Ms. Logan won’t mind me coming in as long as I’m with Ridge." She said with a smile.

"I don’t want to get fired ma’am."

"You won’t, I promise." Ridge answered and gave him a pleading look.

"Okay, just this once. But if Ms. Logan says anything I’m gonna tell her you insisted." He said to Ridge.

"No problem, I’ll tell her myself."

He put his arm around Morgan and escorted her inside. Once they were out of hearing range he turned to her.

"Don’t you ever put me in a position like that again!" He yelled. "The only reason you’re in at all is to save my own face. I told you to stay away this morning."

"I missed you."

"Morgan, when are you going to get this. I am not in love with you, I am not your friend, I am here for one reason only and that is my child. I have given you a home. I’ve even consented to share a bedroom. Do not ask anything more of me Morgan."

"I’m sorry Ridge." She said as her lower lip trembled. "I just wanted us to try and be a little happy together, that’s all."

"Well Brooke isn’t in today so you can come to my office. You can eat your lunch and then I want you to leave."

"What about you? Don’t you want lunch?"

"I just told you I don’t have time for lunch."

"Please, just for ten minutes."

"Stop pushing Morgan." He warned her. "Come on let’s go." He said as they approached his office and went in.

"Brooke’s not in again Eric?" Stephanie asked.

"Leave it alone Stephanie, she’s been through a lot. She should be staying home and resting."

"Believe me," She said. "I’m not complaining. If she never came back you couldn’t make me any happier."

"She’s good for this company Stephanie. It’s hard for me to admit this but she has made a lot of contributions, and good ones at that."

"As long as she stays away from my sons. You heard she broke it off with Connor didn’t you?"

"Don’t try to read anything into that Stephanie. I’m sure they just needed more time. They were moving very fast."

"Not fast enough if you ask me. I know she still has her eye on Ridge. I should never have asked her to get involved like I did."

"No, you shouldn’t have, but not for the reasons you think. Ridge has to try to find a way to make this work with Morgan."

"Morgan." Stephanie said as she rolled her eyes. "She’s even worse than Brooke. At least Brooke did us the favor of throwing her out of Forrester."

"I don’t think that’s such a good idea and I plan to speak to Brooke about it. Ridge needs all the time he can spend with Morgan and that means working together too."

"It will never make him love her Eric. His heart belongs to Taylor."

"Well Ridge told me he thinks that Taylor is planning on marrying her lawyer friend."

"I can’t believe he came back. He told me he’d stay away."

"What good would that do now? Ridge and Morgan are married. It would only cause more heartache for Taylor and we certainly don’t want that."

"I love that girl Eric. I want her and Ridge to be together. I am so mad that you filled Ridge with this nonsense about obligations."

"A baby is an obligation. I turned my back on Rick and Bridget when they needed me most. I won’t stand by and watch Ridge do the same to his child."

"What about Thomas and the twins? If Taylor and Bryan marry where will that leave Ridge?"

"I told him he has to make the time for them too. He will always be their father and Taylor wants him to play an important part in their lives."

"It’s not the same Eric. Now he’s stuck with that bitch and her child."

"He’ll be your grandchild too Stephanie. Have you no feelings about that?"

"I suppose I will come to love him. After all I love Rick and Bridget and look at how I feel about their mother."

"You have to make peace with Morgan."

"As long as she stays far away from me she won’t be a problem."

"Then you don’t know."

"What don’t I know?" She asked.

"Ridge and Morgan moved into the guest cottage today."

"What about Rick?"

"He went home to live with Brooke and Bridget. He’s moving into the dorms in a few weeks."

"That’s good Eric. It’s time for him to become a boy again."

"I agree with you about that. How do you feel about Ridge and Morgan being there?"

"I’m glad Ridge is home."

"You have to welcome Morgan too Stephanie."

"Only if she is with Ridge."

Michael carried Brooke out of the bathroom and deposited her on the bed. They had carried their lovemaking into the shower. He had then washed her hair and soaped her body and then he had wrapped her in a plush absorbent towel.

"Any regrets?" He asked.

"Not a one." She smiled. "Though I am a bit apprehensive about telling the kids. Bridget wasn’t very happy finding us in bed yesterday."

"She’ll get over it. Once she sees how happy I make her mother. I do make you happy don’t I?"

"Very." She said with a kiss.

They had arrived in Vegas the day before and had checked in and gone straight to the casino. They had racked up quite a bit of winnings but soon it all dribbled back into the pot. Brooke had decided she was hungry so they had gone and had a luxurious meal and then went to walk it off. They had walked and held hands and kissed for what felt like hours when Michael suddenly pulled Brooke into a small wedding chapel. Brooke had laughed thinking this was a fine joke but his kisses had convinced her that he was very serious. They had slipped into the chapel’s restroom and made love and afterwards Michael had gotten on his knee and begged her to make it real. At first Brooke was frightened and he let her lead him out without a service being performed. They had walked some more when Michael led Brooke into a jewelry shop and picked up a diamond eternity band and once more asked for her hand. She looked to the clerk and instructed him to show her his finest gold band for Michael and at that moment knew she had made up her mind. After they made their purchases they walked hand in hand back to the chapel and with the justice’s wife as their witness promised their love to one another. After that they had found a small, dark park and had made love in a flowerbed that resembled the one in Michael’s garden.

Brooke got up and walked to the dresser and picked up their marriage certificate. "I can’t believe we were so spontaneous." She giggled.

"You are happy aren’t you?" He asked.

"I love you." She said as she walked back over to him and kissed him.

"Good. Because I love you Brooke."

"We have so many decisions. When will we tell everyone? Where will we live? How many children do you want?" Brooke asked.

"I want to shout it from the rooftop but I guess we have to be a bit more careful in telling everyone. We can live where ever you want Brooke, your place, my place, a new place all our own."

"I think I’d like that."

"Then we’ll do it. In the meantime I’ll move in to your place so your kids don’t feel put out."

"You are so wonderful." She said with a kiss.

"And I think four."

"Four?" She asked.

"You wanted to know how many kids I want. I think four is a nice number."

"Does that include the two I already have?"

"I’ll leave that up to you." He kissed her again. "I’ll win them over Brooke. How can I not. They’ll see I’m not such a bad guy."

"Oh I hope you stay a little bit bad." She giggled.

"Oh I’ll be as bad as you want." He said as her pulled the towel off her. "Starting right now." He said as he lowered his mouth to her breasts and gently nibbled on her nipples. He let his hand stray once more between her legs and quickly found the spot he was now so familiar with.

"Oh God Michael." She screamed. "Please, please." She begged not knowing if she wanted him to stop the intimate torture or never stop.

"I love you Brooke Copeland." He said as his tongue made its way down her body and replaced his hand. Brooke arched herself so his tongue was deeper.

"Harder." She begged. "Faster." She cried as the colors burst in her head.

"You had a restless night last night baby." Bryan said to Taylor as he stepped out of the shower. She handed him a towel, which he wrapped around his waist. "Is something bothering you?"

"Too much coffee." She lied.

"I have to go to San Francisco today. I have to attend a conference. Would you care to join me? You could do some shopping and then we can have a great seafood supper and maybe rent a car and take a long drive back."

"I can’t leave the kids again Bryan."

"We can bring them and Katherine too. It would do us good to get away."

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too baby. So what do you say? It’ll be fun and it will give the kids time to get to know me better."

"I don’t know Bryan."

"Baby, I’m not trying to take Ridge’s place in their lives, I’m just trying to establish my own. I want you to feel safe leaving them alone with me."
"I do."

"But they wouldn’t be happy. We can be a family Taylor. You know me, I love kids. I told you that’s one of the reasons my marriage broke up."

"Because you wanted children. " She replied.

"I still do. I promise to love your kids and someday I hope we can have some of our own."
Taylor felt the tears roll down her cheeks at this.

"Did I say something wrong?" He asked.

"No." She replied. "You’re saying all the right things."

"Then what’s wrong baby?" He asked in concern.

"Nothing really Bryan. Do you think we could do this another time? I’m really not up for a trip today."

"I don’t like leaving you when you’re so emotional Taylor."

"I’ll be fine. You go to your conference. I’ll be alright really."

"I can’t get you to change your mind?"

"Not this time. I really have a few things to do and you won’t be gone long."

"I’ll be home tonight. You’ll probably be asleep by the time I get home though."

"Wake me up then."

"I love you Taylor, I only want you to be happy."

"I know you do." She said as she walked to the window and looked out.

"Are you waiting for someone?" He asked.

"No, just checking out the day."

"Honey I can tell that something’s on your mind. Won’t you talk to me?"

"Please don’t push this Bryan. There’s something I have to work out on my own."

"But you’re so upset."

"Not with you baby." She walked over to him and put her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I’m nervous." Brooke shouted to Michael above the engine noise as they prepared to land.

"Your kids will be fine." He smiled at her. "Give me a few minutes with them and I’ll win them over for sure."

"Maybe Rick, but I don’t know about Bridget. She is getting so critical of me Michael."

"She’s a teenager. Remember how you felt about things when you were her age."

"That’s my point exactly. Maybe we shouldn’t tell them right away."

"I’m not keeping this a secret Brooke." He insisted.

"I know." She said as she looked at the beautiful band of diamonds on her finger. "I’m so happy Michael."

"Me too." He agreed. "Can you believe we did this? I can’t. I had no intentions of this when we left but when I saw that chapel somehow I knew it was right."

"You know the kids aren’t the only ones who won’t be so happy for us."

"You mean Connor?"

"Yeah Connor and Ridge."

"Don’t you worry about Ridge. I can handle him."

"Are you ever going to tell me why he doesn’t like you?"

"He likes me. He just is too protective of you. But that’s my job now." He took her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed it. "I think you should call Connor tonight though, it wouldn’t be right if he heard it from someone else."

"I don’t look forward to that Michael. Just two nights ago we were trying to make a new start. We even tried to make love but I couldn’t do it. I pushed him away."

"Well the only one you’re making love to from now on is me Mrs. Copeland."

"I like that." She smiled.

"What?" He asked.

"Mrs. Copeland." She answered.

"Are you going to use my name?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Honey, it’s up to you. You established yourself as a business woman as Logan and I don’t want to take that away from you, but socially it would be nice."

"First thing tomorrow I’m going to order a new nameplate for my office."

"You don’t have to do this."

"I want to do this. I want to be Brooke Copeland in every aspect of my life." She leaned over and kissed him. Her hand strayed to his thigh.

"Honey, careful. We don’t want to crash." He warned her.

"I guess I can wait. Do you need to go home and get some clothes?"

"Honey for the next few days we aren’t going to be needing any clothes."

"I have to get back to work and so do you. We didn’t make any plans."

"I have a couple of changes of clothes at my office. I can make due with this tonight. I want to go face the kids and start our life."

"I love you." She told him.

"You better because I plan on sticking around for like, the rest of my life." He grinned at her.

 

Taylor had just laid in bed most of the day after Bryan had left. She had so many things to decide. She already knew there was no way on earth she could ever get rid of this baby. But what would she do about Ridge and Bryan? They both had the right to know but she didn’t want to use the baby to get Ridge back, in fact she didn’t even know if that was what she wanted. She and Bryan had been so happy for the last few days. She had even told him that she wanted to marry him. But could she do that now? What is Ridge was her baby’s father? Could she deny him his child? She knew she couldn’t wait until the child was born. Her pregnancy would be obvious by then. Would Ridge even suspect his chances or would he assume it was Bryan’s. And Bryan, he had no idea she had been with Ridge. He loved her so much. "Maybe I should go away until after the baby is born." She wondered aloud. I need to talk about this but to who? She wondered. Connor had been so kind but it wasn’t fair to throw her problems at him. "Brooke" She wondered. Could she trust her with this? Brooke professed to like Bryan but her allegiances ran to Ridge. "She would encourage me to tell Ridge." Taylor spoke. "Is there anyway possible we could get it back? Oh Ridge I still love you so much." She walked to the door and stepped outside. She took a deep breath of the salty air. "I have to tell them both. They both need to know they may be becoming a father." She whispered to herself.

 

"I’m home." Brooke announced as she and Michael entered the house. "Rick! Bridget! Is anyone home?"

"I hear music coming from upstairs." Michael said.

"Yeah, someone’s home."

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"No, but let’s go." She turned to him and gave him a kiss. "I love you." She told him.

"Go get ‘em tiger." She said as he took her hand and they started up the stairs.

"Good." Brooke said. "It’s Rick."

"We have to face your daughter too." He reminded her.

"Yes but Rick will be easier."

She went to his door and knocked on it.

"Hi Mom!" Rick said with a smile as he opened the door. He looked inquisitively at Michael.

"Hi Honey." She said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Is your sister home?"

"She’s out by the pool."

"Is she alone?"

"Sara was here but I think she went home." He looked at Michael. "Hello, I’m Rick Forrester." He held his hand to Michael.

"Hi Rick," Michael said shaking his hand. "I’m Mike Copeland. It’s good to finally meet you."

"Honey will you go get Bridget and ask her to come in. I need to talk to the two of you."

Rick looked at Michael.

"Yes, he’s staying." Brooke answered his unspoken question.

"We can talk in the living room okay?" Brooke said.

"Sure Mom. I’ll go get Budge." He said as he went down the stairs.

"He’s a nice looking kid."

"I think I’ll keep him." Brooke answered with a smile. "I guess it’s now or never." She took his hand and they walked back downstairs.

 Changes Part 36

 

"Budge, Mom is home and she wants to see us." Rick told his sister who was sitting at the poolside sipping a soda. She was wearing a tiny, bright yellow and pink flowered bikini.

"Big deal, I’ll be in when I’m ready. She sure didn’t care about us last night. Let her wait now."
"Budge come on, I think it’s important. She looks nervous."

"She should. It would serve her right if I never come in."

"Yeah Budge, sit out here all night in your bikini."

"What does she want? It better be to tell us she dumped Loverboy."

"I don’t think so Bridget."

"Well then I’ll get there when I get there." She stood up and held her nose and jumped into the pool soaking her brother.

"Nice going brat! You better get out of the pool and get in the house!" He said as he grabbed her towel and tried drying his clothes.

"Okay Rick." Give me a hand." She said as she reached up her hand to him for him to pull her out.

"You really don’t think I’m gonna fall for that one do you?" He laughed.

"Jerk!" She said as she splashed him.

He dropped the towel on the chair and started to walk away when she called to him.

"Okay! Wait Rick I’m coming." She pulled herself out of the pool and retrieved her towel. She wrapped in around her waist and shook her hair spraying water all around her. The siblings walked into the house and entered the living room where Brooke and Michael were sitting on the couch waiting.

"You didn’t tell me he was here." Bridget complained as she started to turn around.

"Bridget honey. Please this is important." Brooke implored her.

"What?" She put her hands on her waist to indicate her impatience.

"Honey, I have something to tell both of you."

"Does he have to be here?" Bridget said, emphasizing the he.

"As a matter of fact he does." She got up and walked up to her children. "I love you both so much." She said with a smile as she tried to put her arms around them. While Rick returned her hug Bridget struggled out of her reach.

"Come on and sit down guys." Brooke tried again.

"I’m all wet Mom, I’ll just stand." She tossed the towel aside and Michael opened his eyes widely and gave her the once over. She shot him a dirty look. Brooke was so concerned with what she was going to say that she missed the entire wordless exchange.

"I’ll make an exception this time Bridget, please take a seat." She said somewhat sternly. She returned to her seat next to Michael and smiled at him.

Rick sat down on the arm of a chair and Bridget plopped into the seat next to him. He grabbed the towel from the floor and threw it over Bridget’s shoulder covering her up a bit.

"Okay, I’m listening." Bridget murmured.

"I guess you realized I wasn’t home last night." Brooke started.

"Oh really. I hadn’t noticed." Bridget answered nonchalantly.

"We both know you weren’t here." Rick told her. "What’s up Mom? Where were you?"
"Well you’ve both met Michael."

"Yes, Dr. Copeland and I met at the hospital actually." Rick told her.

"Oh this is so hard." Brooke said wringing her hands. The light caught on the diamonds on her hand and made a bright sparkle that caught Bridget’s attention.

"Oh Mom no!" She jumped up. "You didn’t go and get engaged to another guy did you?" She turned to look at Michael who was trying to hold back a laugh. "Don’t worry mister. Mom’s engagements are shorter than her marriages and you know how short they are."

"Bridget!" Brooke said sternly. "Sit down and listen to me."

"Look Mom. You don’t like me and Paul messing around and I don’t like you and Loverboy messing around. Let’s make a deal okay?"

"I don’t make deals with my teenaged daughter."

"This isn’t going very well." Michael said to Brooke.

"No it isn’t." She agreed.

"I think you better just come out with it honey." He suggested.

"Come out with it honey." Bridget imitated him.

"This is really hard." Brooke said to Michael ignoring Bridget. He took her hand and brought it to his mouth and kissed it.

"You are so gross. " She said to Michael and then turned to her mother. "Can’t he leave so we can talk?" Bridget asked.

"Sorry Bridget, I’m not going anywhere." Michael replied.

"I was talking to my mother." She said shooting him another look, which this time Brooke noticed.

"Bridget, Rick. Yesterday Michael and I went for a ride on his plane."

"You fly a plane?" Rick asked truly interested.

"Yeah." Michael answered.

"Cool." Rick replied.
"I’ll give you a lesson sometime if you like Rick." Michael volunteered.

"Cool." Rick answered.

"Cool." Bridget parroted him.

"Knock it off Budge!" Rick told her.

"Anyway!" Brooke continued. "We went to Las Vegas." Brooke reached for Michael’s hand and held it tightly.

"Did you lose all the money you got from Dad in the divorce?" Bridget asked.

"Cut it out Budge! Mom’s trying to tell us something." Rick cut in.

"Honey I’m just going to come out with it." She took a deep breath, looked at Michael and then turned to her children. "Michael and I got married last night."

"What?" Bridget shouted in despair. "Mom, you wouldn’t do that to me, you wouldn’t."

"Wow." Rick said shaking his head. "Mom, you guys hardly know each other."

"Oh they know each other Rick." Bridget spat. "They know how to screw each other! I hate you!" She shouted at Michael. "I hate you too Mom!" She jumped from the chair and ran up the stairs to her room and slammed the door.

"That went well." Michael said.

"Rick?" Brooke looked to her son.

"If it’s what you want mom." He shrugged his shoulders.

"I love him." She told Rick as she tightened her hold on Michael’s hand.

"Want me to go talk to Budge?" Rick asked.

"No honey, let her get it out of her system. We can all get past this."

"I don’t know mom. Budge has been telling me all day how she doesn’t like him."

"Well he’s my husband now and she’s just going to have to try harder."

"And this is only round one." Michael said with a laugh.

"Regrets?" Brooke returned his earlier question to her.

"Not on your life." He said as he kissed her.

"I’m gonna go up to my room." Rick said as he stood up. He turned to Michael. "Just make her happy okay?"

"I’ll do my best." Michael answered.

Rick went upstairs and left them alone.

"Not quite the reception you expected?" Michael asked. "I think you better call Connor."

"Not tonight. Tonight I want to be about us."

"Brooke we have plenty of time for just us. I have a feeling Bridget isn’t going to be wasting any time spreading the news around."

"What time is it?" She asked. Michael looked at his watch.

"It’s earlier than I thought. It’s only seven."

"Good, then Megan may be still at the office." She grabbed the phone and hit the programmed number for her office.

"Brooke Logan’s office." Megan answered.

"Hi! It’s me."

"Brooke, I hope you’re feeling better."

"Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine Megan. I need you to do me a huge favor. I want to call a board meeting for tomorrow morning, first thing."

"Okay, I’ll let Eric, Ridge and Stephanie know."

"I want the whole board there."

"You want Thorne?"

"Yes. Would you ask Eric or Ridge to make sure he’s there please?"

"Sure Brooke. Did something come up?"

Brooke looked at Michael and smiled. "You could say that. I want you at the meeting too and see if you can get in touch with Giovanni too."

"Okay Brooke. Do you want me to get coffee and anything?"

"Sure, knock yourself out." She said with a laugh.

"Is this good news?"

"The best."

"I think I know." Megan said.

"Oh I doubt it. I’ll see you tomorrow Megan." She said and she hung up.

"A board meeting?" Michael asked.

"Have you ever been to one before?"

"You want me there?"

"You bet I do. This family is going to accept my choices in life whether they like it or not."

"What do you have up your sleeve?"

"Nothing really. I just want everyone to meet you."

"I already know Ridge and Eric. I’m not sure if this is a good idea Brooke."

"Maybe I just want to show you off then." She smiled at him and kissed him.

"Well if you aren’t going to call Connor tonight how about we turn in."

"Tired?" She smiled.

"Not a bit." He grinned as he pulled her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs laughing all the way.

Once upstairs he deposited her on the bed. "Honey, I’m going to go downstairs and check my messages okay? I’ll be right back."

"You can call from here."

"I need privacy Brooke, you know Doctor patient privilege and all."

"Hurry back. I’ll be waiting." Michael walked down the stairs and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and listened to his messages. With each message he listened to he appeared more and more angry. Frowning he hit in a number.

"Frank, it’s Mike. I got your message, or should I say messages. I appreciate the heads up but you don’t have to worry about it. I have it all covered. No way Ehlers and his old ladies are going to be able to touch me. Nothing is gonna happen about Brooke Logan either, at least not as far as the board is concerned." He smiled thinking of his bride waiting upstairs. " I kind of figured out what was going on with your first call. Believe me, no one is going to take away what I worked so hard for. If they think they can they are really underestimating me. I have it all under control now."

He hung up the phone and headed back up to the bedroom.

 

Taylor had just finished putting the children to bed with the doorbell rang. She ran to get it hoping it wouldn’t disturb them. She swung the door open and came face to face with Ridge.

"Hi Doc." He said.

"Ridge." She smiled at him.

"Is it too late for me to stop by? I was hoping to see the kids."

"I just put them down but come on in. I’m sure they’d want to see you." They walked inside and she closed the door.

"How are you Doc?" He asked.

"I’ve been better." She answered honestly. "Can I get you something?"

"Nah, I just missed my family Doc." He looked around. "You really changed things in here."

"I didn’t want to be reminded of Morgan." She told him.

"Where’s Bryan?"

"San Francisco. He’ll be back later."

"You look beautiful."
"No I don’t Ridge. I’m a mess."

"Never to me Doc."

"Why does this feel so uncomfortable?" She asked him.

"I’m sorry."

"It’s not your fault."

"Taylor." He took her hand. "I really miss you, I miss us."

"Please Ridge, let’s not go there again."

"Are you telling me you don’t miss me at all?"

"I can’t go through this every time I see you Ridge."

"I still feel like we belong together Doc. I can’t just forget it."

"Maybe we should make different arrangements for you to see the kids then."

"Taylor!"

"I’m serious Ridge. I can’t keep opening my heart up to you like this. It’s not helping either one of us."

He softly ran his hand across the side of her face. "I can’t stop thinking about what you said the last time we were together."

"What was that?"

"That you tried to stop me from marrying Morgan."

"But I was too late and now it’s too late to change anything."

"Taylor it doesn’t have to be too late. I’d do anything to get us back."

"You still have a child with Morgan."

"We can get past that Doc, I know we can."

"Ridge I can’t even think about this now."

"Come on Doc, you know you want this as much as I do."

"Ridge I have no idea what I want anymore. The one thing I do know is I can’t have you pressuring me like this."

"But don’t you see I have too. If we let this go too far you and Bryan may end up married."

"Yes, just like you and Morgan."

"You know it would be different Doc."

"Yes, it would be very different Ridge. I love Bryan."
"More than you love me?"

"He’s never hurt me Ridge."

"I’d take it all back if I could."

"Don’t you see you can’t! Nothing can change what happened! Not you, not me not the baby!"

"I know you’re concerned about Morgan’s baby."

"Morgan’s baby? I think you have a part in it too." She started to cry. "Forgive me Ridge, I don’t mean to be cruel."

"You aren’t being cruel Doc, just realistic. But we can think of some other way to work this out. I don’t belong with Morgan any more than you belong with Bryan. Morgan and her child mean nothing to me! Nothing!"

"How can you say that! It’s an innocent baby. You helped her conceive that baby!"

"Only because she tricked me Doc. You know that! Why should I have feeling for that child? I never asked for that child!"

"So only a child you asked for is important?"
"Yes! I’m sorry but that’s how I feel. There is no excuse in this day and age with all the methods of birth control around for anyone to ever have a child that isn’t planned, isn’t wanted. God! If only Morgan would understand that."

"Then I’m sorry too Ridge, I’m sorry for you. You may be able to hurt Morgan but I refuse to hurt Bryan."

"Forget Bryan and Morgan Doc. They only ones that matter are you and me."

"Bryan is a good man Ridge."

"Then why do you insist on hurting him? You know that eventually we’ll end up back together Doc. I won’t let it be any other way."

"When I married you it was forever. I didn’t do anything to change that Ridge, you did. If I marry Bryan it will be forever and nothing you or anyone else says or does will change it."

"It will always be us Doc. You can try and fool yourself but you’ll never love anyone the same."

"I’m starting to understand Brooke a lot better."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You’ve been feeding her these same lines for years Ridge! No wonder she can’t move on with anyone! But Ridge, I’m stronger than she is and I won’t let you do it to me. You’ve just helped me make up my mind!"
"Don’t you dare say it Doc!"

"Bryan has been patient long enough. If you can fly to Santa Domingo then so can we! I need stability in my life Ridge. I will always love you, but you’ve just shown me that my future is with Bryan."

"How Taylor? How did I convince you of that? What did I say?"

"You can treat this whole thing with Morgan as a mere inconvenience! It’s a child Ridge! Your child! Bryan will never push me or our children aside to suit his whims."

"They’re our children Taylor! Not Bryan’s."

"Thomas, Phoebe and Stephanie are. Not the child I’m carrying now Ridge. That child is Bryan’s."

Ridge turned as white as a ghost and grabbed his head in pain. He looked at her, as he never had before, with total disgust and hate.

"You’re having his child?" He asked in an icy voice.

"Yes. So now you see that what we had is over forever." She whispered.

"Tell the kids I’ll see them another time. I can’t look at you anymore." He turned towards the door and started out. He then turned back to her. "How could you do this to us Taylor?" He shook his head and slammed the door as he walked out.

Taylor slowly backed to the wall and slid down to the floor in tears. "Now it’s really over Ridge. Now I’ve made my choice. You made it for me."

Michael walked into the bedroom and smiled in approval at Brooke who was lying on the bed in a tiny pastel blue teddy. He pulled his shirt over his head and carefully folded it and put in on the dresser.

"Umm. I don’t even have to train you." Brooke teased.

"I hate a mess." He told her. He unzipped his jean and pulled them and his shorts off in one motion. He folded them quickly and put them next to his shirt. Brooke grinned to see he was already ready for her.

"Did I do that?" She asked as her eyes moved from his down to his harden member.

He turned around and looked around the room as if searching for someone. "I guess you must have. I don’t see anyone else in here." He walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. Her hand immediately searched him out but he held her back.

"I have to say something first."

"Can’t it wait?"

"No, it can’t." He said in a serious voice. "Brooke," He began. "In the next few days you’re going to be hearing some things about me, things that aren’t very nice. I want you to know right now that there is only one reason that I married you and that is that I love you."

"Michael, what’s wrong?"

"I don’t want to go into it now, I just want you to know my feeling for you are real, they’re very real."

"You’re talking about the Forrester’s aren’t you? I don’t care what they say. I love you Michael, I’ve loved you since the first minute I saw you and the first time you touched me."

"Love me now Brooke." He said as he pulled the sheet back and pulled her into his arms.

In the next room Bridget was talking to her friend Sara on the phone. "Listen to this." She said as she held the phone to the wall. She brought it back to her ear. "Did you hear that, grunting and groaning like a couple of pigs! I hate him Sara. I have to figure out a way to get rid of him. Your mom is a nurse at the hospital where my mom was isn’t she? Good then maybe she can give me some ammunition."

Bryan walked into the house fully expecting Taylor to be asleep. Instead he found her sitting on the sofa, bathed in soft candlelight waiting for him.

"I’m glad I caught the early plane." He said as he gave her a kiss. "How’s my girl?"

"She’s very glad her man is home." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him back for a long, lingering kiss.

"Now that’s what I call a homecoming. I should go out of town more often."

"Oh no you shouldn’t!" She said after she kissed him again.

"I wish you had come baby. We could have had a lot of fun."

"We can have a lot of fun right here."

"We sure can." She smiled at him.

"I’m gonna open some wine." He said as he got up and pulled a bottle of red from the rack. He quickly removed the cork with the corkscrew and carried the bottle and two glasses back to the coffee table. He poured himself a glass but Taylor put her hand over the rim of her glass when he started to pour for her.

"Bad choice?" He asked. "I can get a white if you’d rather."

"I’m not going to be drinking wine for awhile Bryan." She smiled at him and her eyes lowered to her abdomen.

"Taylor?" He looked questioningly at her.

"Yes." She nodded at him. "It’s true. We’re having a baby. It must have happened that night in the car."

"We weren’t expecting anything to happen that night." He said nervously. "We didn’t use protection that night."

"How do you feel about this?"

"I’m speechless." He looked at her somewhat glassy eyed. "Baby you have made me the happiest man alive."

"I didn’t do it alone." She said as she took his hand.

"We did this. We did this wonderful thing." He pulled her to him and kissed her. "Baby we have to get married. We can’t wait now."

"I was thinking the same thing. I really didn’t want it to be like Ridge and Morgan though."

"No, me either. We can do it there from the legal aspect and then we can have a real church wedding here at home. Would you like that?"

"I’d love that." She said as she threw her arms around him. "I love you!"

"I love you too baby. And I love our baby." He said as he gently touched her belly. "We really did it didn’t we. Oh my God Taylor! A baby!" He pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

 

Changes Part 37

 

"Do you have any idea what’s going on Dad?" Ridge asked his father as they walked into the conference room at Forrester.

"Your guess is as good as mine son. All I know is Megan called me to let me know Brooke had called a board meeting and that she wants Thorne here too."

"Did he get here yet?" He asked impatiently. "I really don’t have time for this bull! You’d think Logan would realize we’re under the wire here. Man, when the hell is this meeting going to start anyway?"

"Calm down Ridge, your getting annoyed isn’t going to make it start any faster."

"Where the hell is Thorne? Are you sure he isn’t here yet?"

"I don’t think so, unless he’s with your mother. I left the house before she got up today."

"Good morning." Giovanni said as he walked in.

"We’re having a board meeting Giovanni. Can we get back to you later?" Eric asked him.

"I’m here for the meeting too. Megan called to say Brooke requested my appearance."

"This is odd." Ridge commented. He suddenly snapped the pencil that he had been fidgeting with.

"Is something wrong son?" Eric asked. "You don’t seem to be yourself today."

"I’d rather not get into it."

"Nothing happened with Morgan?"

"Morgan is the cause of everything Dad and I’d rather not think of her right now either."

Megan walked in following by the caterers. She showed them where to put the coffeepots and the danish.

"Brooke called a few minutes ago. She’ll be here soon. Are Mrs. Forrester and Thorne here yet?"

"I don’t think so Megan, perhaps you can give Stephanie a call."

"Right away Mr. Forrester. Please help yourselves to the refreshments." She said as she exited the room.

 

"I need to make one stop before Forrester Michael, if you don’t mind." Brooke said as he pulled onto the highway.

"Your wish is my command!" He joked. "Where to?"

"I need to see Taylor. I have to tell her first and I have to apologize about forgetting her doctor’s appointment."
"When was that?"

"Yesterday. I think I was a little busy." She smiled at him.

"I’d like to be keeping you busy again today." He grinned as his fingers teased her thigh. "We could have put all of this off and taken a little time for ourselves." He let his hand go under her skirt and slowly make it’s way up. Brooke gasped as she felt his finger reach underneath her panties. He started making little circles that were driving her wild. She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat to give him more room.

"After today we can take all the time we want." She panted.

"How so?" He asked as she felt his finger slide into her.

"You’ll see." She groaned as she pulled her legs closer together not allowing him to remove his hand.

"Feel good?" He asked.

"Oh God!" She cried.

"Almost there?" He asked as his fingers started to move faster. He felt her body tightening.

"Ohhh, ohhh." She cried as she felt herself going over the edge. "Please, don’t stop." She begged him.

"I sure wish we could stop for awhile." He said mischievously.

"Pull the damn car over Michael!" She begged.

"Hey look!" He said with a smile. "There’s our billboard."

Michael pulled behind the billboard and they took the time that they both needed so desperately. Fifteen minutes later he pulled back onto the highway and a satisfied Brooke directed him to Taylor’s beach house. When they pulled into the driveway both Taylor’s and Bryan’s cars were parked outside.

"You want me to wait here?" Michael asked.

"No, I want you with me. Taylor and I can find a private place to talk but I don’t want you sitting out here in the car."

They got out of the car and walked to the door. Brooke rang the bell. A few moments later Bryan answered.

"Brooke! Hi! What are you doing here so early?"

"I needed to talk to Taylor. Is she up?"

"She’s in the kitchen, come on in."

"You look happy today." Brooke commented.

"I am." He answered. He then looked at Michael.

"I don’t know if you’ve met," Brooke asked. "Bryan Jackson this is Michael Copeland."

The men shook hands and followed Brooke into the kitchen.

"Brooke!" Taylor exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

"I’m so sorry Taylor. I can’t believe I forgot about your appointment."

"It’s okay Brooke. I made it there alright."

"Is everything okay?" Brooke asked.

"Yeah, it’s fine." Taylor said absently. "Hello Dr. Copeland. I didn’t realize you were here."

"It’s Michael please, or just Mike."

"Taylor can we talk for a minute?" Brooke asked.

"Sure. Sit down, have some coffee." She gestured to the coffeepot.

"Bryan, Michael will you excuse us?" Brooke asked.

"Come on Mike, I’ll give you the tour." Bryan said as the men exited.

"Okay what’s going on Brooke?" Taylor asked once they were alone. "It really isn’t like you to forget something as important as my appointment. Did you and Michael go for another sail?"

"Actually he took me flying."

"Flying?"

"He’s a pilot, he has his own plane."

"So the two of you just took off for two days? What about Bridget?"

"You aren’t the only one I forgot about."

"Oh Brooke!" Taylor moaned expressing her disappointment.

"I know, I know, believe me Bridget will never let me live this one down. But Rick moved back in so she wasn’t alone. I think deep down I knew that they’d be okay."

"So where did you go?"

"We went to Vegas."

"Vegas? I didn’t think you were much of a gambler."

"Taylor if I don’t stop this nonsense and tell you right now I’m going to burst!"

"Tell me what?" She asked apprehensively.

"Michael and I got married in Vegas."

"You what? Brooke I don’t believe you! You barely know this man."

"Taylor I told you that I love him."

"But marriage? Brooke you are moving way too fast. Oh my God! What about Connor?"

"We broke up the night before Michael and I left."

"I know you broke up, Connor told me. He was pretty upset but he still held out hope for you. Brooke are you sure this is what you really want?"

"Taylor I am so happy!"

"Have you told Connor yet?"

"Only Rick and Bridget so far. I wanted you to know right away so we stopped here before Forrester."

"Michael is going to Forrester?"

"I want to introduce him to the family. I have a couple of announcements to make."

"What kind of announcements?"

"I’ll tell you when I get back! I just had to tell you first. We are late for the meeting. Please be happy for me!" Brooke hugged her.

"Oh Brooke if you’re happy then I think it’s wonderful, but I’m really worried about you. You’ve been acting way too impulsively lately."

"This is for real Taylor. I know I’m in love. I know that every moment away from Michael is like torture. I know that I want to grow old with him."

"Okay Brooke, but come back later, alone. Okay? I really want to talk about this some more."

"I promise. I’ll have Michael drop me back here after the meeting. Wish me luck."

"I think you’re gonna need it." Taylor said as they got up and joined the men in the living room.

"Ready hon?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, let’s go. Bye Bryan! See you later Taylor." They waved and walked out.

"Did you tell her?" Bryan asked.

"Not yet. She had a little news of her own. You better sit down."

"What?" He asked.

"Well you better prepare some tender loving care for Connor. Brooke and Michael got married two days ago."

"Oh my God! Does Connor know?"

"Not yet. I don’t want you to tell him. That one is up to Brooke. She’s the one who ran off and did this. She has to be the one to explain it to him."

"You sure made my job tough today. I can’t say anything about the baby and now I can’t say anything about Brooke."

"I don’t want people to know about the baby just yet honey. It’s too soon. I’m still at that dangerous stage. I need to get past my first trimester."

"You can’t possibly think I can keep it to myself that long?"

"Well we can be selective about who we tell."

"Are you going to tell Brooke?"

"I have to. She’s sure to pick up that something is wrong and then Ridge will probably tell her anyway."

"Ridge? Ridge knows? When did you find time to tell him? Baby, please don’t tell me that he knew before I did." Bryan looked injured as he looked at her.

 

"Hello everyone." Brooke said as she entered the boardroom. She looked sharp in a navy suit with a short shirt and a cream v necked blouse. Her hair was slightly ruffled from her morning romp with Michael.

"Can we get this over with Logan, we have a lot of work to do." Ridge complained.

"Yes Brooke," Stephanie added. "You certainly picked an inopportune time for a board meeting."

"Hi Thorne." Brooke said with a smile ignoring Ridge and Stephanie’s comments. "It’s good to see you back here. Thank you for agreeing to come."

"You didn’t give me much choice Brooke."

"The choice was always yours Thorne." She looked around the room. "Thank you for joining us Giovanni. I felt with all your contributions to this company you should be here too today. I want to take this time to personally thank you for your loyalty and for your wonderful photographs."

"Grazie." He responded to her complement.

"Can you please get to the point Brooke." Stephanie complained.

"Well I called you all together for several reasons. The first is for all of us to implore Thorne to return to Forrester full time where he belongs."

"I’ll second that." Eric agreed.

"I’m not sure he’s ready for that." Stephanie said. "He’s been through a very trying time with more to come."

"And we’ll all help him with that." Brooke told her. "We all know, at least everyone in this room can agree that Thorne is not the person responsible for my shooting. No matter what he says to the contrary." She looked him in the eye. "Someone who I have shared so much love and affection with for so many years would never do that to me." Thorne started to object but Brooke cut him off. "No Thorne, this is not the place for this. It’s obvious to me that you are hiding something but I don’t believe you have any ill feelings towards me."

"You know I don’t Brooke, you know I love you." He told her.

"Okay can we end this lovefest and get back to work?" Ridge angrily added.

"Someone obviously got up on the wrong side of bed today." Brooke giggled.

"Brooke is there anything else? We really are busy." Eric said diplomatically.

"Actually there’s quite a bit more. As you all know I’ve missed a bit of time in the office lately. I have to commend you all on the wonderful way you’ve carried on in my absence. Ridge, you have picked up practically all the slack Thorne and I both left behind and I am greatly in debt to you."

"Thanks Logan."

"Eric, you have proven to me who really does run this ship."

"Brooke I"

"It’s alright Eric. I do understand. I know it hasn’t been easy on any of you since I took over the reins here. But I think I have done a more than adequate job. Can anyone truly disagree?" She looked around the room. "Stephanie? What about you? I know you personally don’t like me but have I been able to prove myself to you as a businesswoman?"

"You’ve done alright Brooke."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." She giggled.

"What’s your point Brooke?" Eric asked.

"Well I’m back now. I’m feeling great and we have a great show ahead of us and I think this will be our finest year."

"Can we get back to work now Logan?" Ridge muttered.

"Megan, will you please bring my guest in." Brooke said to her assistant.

"Guest? We don’t have time for social hour Brooke." Ridge complained.

"Well you’re gonna make time for this one." Brooke answered sharply as Megan walked in escorting Michael.

"Copeland? What the hell are you doing here?" Ridge demanded.

"Brooke what is the meaning of this?" Eric angrily added.

Brooke looked around the room taking in the expressions.

Thorne had no idea who Michael was and he was just staring looking a bit confused. Giovanni was grinning because being the romantic he was he could feel the sexual tension coursing through the room. Megan looked enamored of the handsome man that her friend had brought into the room. But the oddest expression came from Stephanie who had turned pale and was visibly perspiring.

"Eric, Ridge, I know that you know Michael. I don’t believe the rest of you have met him before. Let me have the pleasure of introducing him to you. When I was lying wounded and damaged in my hospital bed Ridge was kind enough to hire the finest plastic surgeon in all of California and possibly the United States to help me. Little did he know at the time what a change he would bring to my life. I know some of you were aware that I had a brief engagement to Connor Davis. Connor is a wonderful person and a dear friend of mine but the romance was doomed from the start."

"Brooke we really don’t have time to discuss your love life." Eric interrupted.

"The day I met Dr. Michael Copeland," Brooke continued ignoring the interruption. "Changed my life forever."

"We’re glad he helped you Logan. Thanks Mike, you have our gratitude for your hand in Brooke’s recovery. Now can we get back to work?" Ridge broke in.

"Ridge!" Brooke said sternly. "That’s enough!" She cleared her thoughts and continued. "I now have the pleasure, and believe me pleasure is the operative word," She looked at Michael and giggled. "To introduce you all to Dr. Michael Copeland, my husband."

 

"Bryan he was here to see the kids and we got into an argument. He made some kind of comment about you not being their father and it just slipped out. I know you should have been the first one to know and I’m sorry."

"Does anyone else know?"

"Connor."

"Why does Connor know?" He was beginning to get annoyed.

"Because he brought me to the doctor. You were away and Brooke never showed up. I called Connor thinking Brooke might be there and when he realized I had to go alone he brought me. You know how scared I was."

"Why were you scared baby?" He asked. Her sad expression had melted his anger away.

"I was afraid it was the T. B. acting up again. I never gave pregnancy a thought." Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Oh honey, I’m not mad. In fact I’m glad you had someone to take you and I’m glad my friend came through for you." He put his arms around her. "I love you and I love our baby. I’m so happy and so proud. I don’t care who knows in fact I wish the whole world could know, but I understand how you feel and we’ll keep it to our chosen few for now." He kissed her softly.

"I’m sorry about Ridge." She told him.

"You have nothing to be sorry about baby. I know how he can push your buttons. It’s best that he knows anyway, now we won’t have any problems with him. He’ll accept us as a real couple. How did he take it?"

"He was devastated." She said remembering his reaction and the hateful way he looked at her.

"I don’t blame him, I’d feel the same way if it was his child you were carrying."

"It’s not!" She answered quickly.

‘Oh course it isn’t." He reassured her. "I was just making a point. I know he had hoped to get your marriage back, I’m just glad you stuck to your guns and fought for us. You’ll never regret it baby, never."

 

"Let’s go Logan." Ridge said as he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room leaving everyone else is shock. He pulled her roughly down the hall, into his office and slammed the door. He pushed her to the wall and with his hands holding her in place began his tirade.

"What the hell are you doing Logan?" He shouted at her. "Did you not hear a single word I said to you? How could you be so stupid! God Damn it Brooke this man is trouble!"

"Take your hands off me Ridge!"

"No! Not until you listen to me! I have tried over and over to warn you. Did you think I was just blowing off steam?"

"Where do you get off telling me how to lead my life?" She said angrily.

"I’m concerned Brooke, I’m your friend! I’m looking out for your interest while you go off into some fantasyland with Mike!"

"You aren’t acting like a concerned friend Ridge!" She growled at him. "You’re acting like a jealous lover!"

He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Get out of this Logan, get out of it now while you still can."

"I don’t want to get out of it Ridge! I love him!"

"No!" He shouted.

"Ridge please." She struggled to free herself from his arms but he tightened his grip on her.

"Logan stop it! This is wrong, this is so wrong." He laid his head on her shoulder.

She stopped her struggling. "What’s so wrong Ridge? Why is it you never want me to be happy? Don’t I deserve happiness Ridge?"

"He’ll never make you happy Logan."

"This isn’t about me and Michael at all is it Ridge? What is it about? You and me? You and Taylor? Tell me."

The tension in the room was so thick it could be cut with a knife as Ridge moved closer and closer to Brooke.

 

Michael chuckled at the reaction the news of his marriage was getting from the room.

"Eric," He said. "Is this how your normal board meetings go?"

"Not likely Michael." He answered. "This has come as somewhat a shock to us."

"Somewhat?" Michael said with a throaty laugh. "The way Ridge led her out of here that’s one of the years biggest understatements."

"Um, I’m very happy to meet you Dr. Copeland." Megan said as she offered her hand. "I’m Megan Connolly, Brooke’s assistant."

"Hi Megan, Brooke speaks highly of you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

Giovanni walked over and gave him a hearty handshake. "I’m Giovanni Lorenzano, photographer."

"Nice to meet you Giovanni." Michael looked at the photos on the wall. "Excellent work."

"Grazie." He replied.

"I’m a bit of an artist myself though I work in oils and watercolors."

"I would be honored to see your work Dr. Copeland." Giovanni replied with a smile.

"It’s Mike, and come over anytime. I think you’d appreciate the subjects." He said with a wink.

Michael walked over to Thorne. "Thorne, I don’t believe we’ve ever met."

Thorne gave him an icy stare.

"Ah, I see you share your brother’s opinion of me. A shame." He turned to Stephanie. "How are you Stephanie?"

"How dare you show your face here?" She spat at him.

"It was over five years ago Stephanie, still so much anger?" He laughed. "My what a dysfunctional family I’ve married into." He looked to the door. "Now I wonder how much longer Ridge plans to occupy my wife. What do you think Stephanie?" He asked her giving her his most charming smile.

Dr. Ehlers walked into the doctors’ lounge and surveyed the room. His eyes settled on Dr. Frank Calabrese who was engaged in a conversation with a pretty female medical student. He walked over to him and stood in front of him until he had his attention.

"What can I do for you Keith?" Frank asked.

"Is Copeland in yet?"

"I haven’t seen him all week. I’m not even sure if he has anyone here right now. Did you try his office?"

"I know he’s you pal Frank, I’m sure you know where I can find him."

"If I see him I’ll tell him you were looking for him." He said as he turned back to the woman.

"You don’t want to align yourself with him Frank. Believe me it will be a terrible mistake on your part." Dr. Ehlers said as he stormed out.

"What was that all about?" The student asked Frank.

"Looks like Mike got himself into some real trouble this time."

Brooke pulled her mouth from Ridge’s but he pulled her back and tried to reclaim her lips.

"No Ridge" She said. "What the hell am I doing? What are we doing?"

 

Changes Part 38

 

"What is this Ridge, another Venice? Why? Why do you keep doing this to me? You know you can push my buttons! You know that a part of me will always be yours and yours alone but can’t you see I’m happy? Or is that it! You don’t want me to be happy without you? Why do you insist on destroying what we’ve made together?"

"Logan, I’m sorry."

"You’re sorry? Sorry for what? Sorry I didn’t jump on the desk and throw my clothes off for you?" Tears were freely falling down her checks. "Try harder Ridge! You know you’ll eventually wear me down! Oh and then when you do it’ll be ‘sorry Logan but Taylor is my future’! You have no respect for me Ridge! None!"

"That’s not true! I love you Logan and you know that!" He protested.
"That is not how you show someone that you love them! Damn it Ridge I came here today to be open with everyone. I know you have problems with Michael, whatever the hell they are, but he’s my husband and I love him! Do you get that? I love him!"

"You don’t love him Logan, you don’t even know him."

"How dare you tell me how I love and who I don’t love! But then again it’s typical of you isn’t it? You told me I didn’t love Eric, you told me I didn’t love James, you told me I didn’t love Grant, you told me I didn’t love Thorne, you told me I didn’t love Connor and now you’re telling me I don’t love Michael! The only one you never told me I didn’t love was you!"

"I know you loved me Brooke."

"Well you aren’t the only one I’ve ever loved Ridge. Maybe I loved you more or longer than the others but it doesn’t give you the right to cheapen my love for Michael!"

"You’ve told me quite a few times that I didn’t love Taylor too Brooke!"

"Not anymore. I know you love her, I accepted that love and I moved on. Why won’t you let me?"

"Not with Michael."

"So what is it you want me to do then Ridge? Divorce him and wait around on the odd chance that when you dump Morgan you come back to me instead of Taylor?"

"Taylor and I are through."

"For now."

"Forever."

"Oh, so now you want me back?"

"Maybe I do!"

"Maybe it’s too late Ridge! Maybe I would never put myself or Taylor through that!"
"I can’t lose you too Logan! I just can’t!"

"You haven’t lost me Ridge. I will always love you. I will always need you in my life. It’s just different now. You only want me because you can’t have me and because you can’t have Taylor either, but you can! She loves you Ridge! Fight for her! I think Bryan is wonderful but I want you to be happy too and I really believe that that means Taylor."

"Taylor is pregnant with Bryan’s child."

"What?" Brooke asked. She was stunned and she was so shocked she didn’t know what else to say.

"She told me last night. She and Bryan as having a baby and she’s happy about it. They want to get married and she wants me to stay out of her life."

"That’s why she was sick at dinner." Brooke said quietly.

"Now do you understand?"

"I understand even better than you do Ridge." She said as she put her arms around him and held him. "You’re reacting to this, that’s all. I’m sorry Ridge, I’m very sorry."

She looked at his sad face and softly ran her fingers through his hair. "Oh God Ridge how I wish I could take away your pain."

"You can Logan." He told her as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Brooke found herself responding to him but gathered her strength and gently pushed him away. "Not this way Ridge. It would be so easy." She said. "I could just close my eyes and forget about Michael and Taylor and just relish being in your arms again. And you know what Ridge? I wouldn’t regret it. Not today, maybe not even tomorrow, but then it would all become so real, what we did, why we did it and all the people we hurt by doing it. And the two people we’d hurt the most are each other because this isn’t what we really want. Do I still desire you? With every ounce of my soul. Do I still love you? Till I breath my last breath. But am I willing to throw my whole future away for one more time in your arms, in your bed. Not anymore Ridge. If you had asked me this a few weeks ago I think I would have run away to the ends of the earth for this chance but I can’t do that anymore."

She reached up and softly touched his cheek.

"It’s going to happen for us again Logan. You know it and I know it." He told her

"No Ridge." She said sadly. "It’s not."

 

"Is this meeting over or what?" Thorne asked his father.

"I can’t imagine Brooke would have called us all together just for that do you?"

"I don’t know Dad. Would she really do that just to throw that into my face?"

"Thorne, I don’t think that was her intention at all. I think she wanted you to know though."

"Well it hurt." Thorne answered. "I don’t know what went down with you and Ridge and this guy but it hurt me that she could just run off and do this. Connor Davis was different, they had a history together but I think she did this for spite."

"Brooke did not marry me for spite Thorne." Michael said as he walked over to them. "She married me because she loves me and I love her. Whatever animosity you feel for me please don’t throw it on Brooke because she doesn’t deserve it."

"How can she love you? She just met you." Thorne practically spit at him.

"Does love have to take a long time? Not for me. I think I fell in love with her the first time I saw her laying so helplessly in that bed."

"That’s pity."

"No Thorne, it’s not. I never felt pity for her. Why should I? I knew that she was going to recover, I knew nothing could ruin that beautiful face. Maybe it was lust but never pity."

"You took advantage of her condition. You played on her emotions when she was weak and confused."

"My Brooke is never weak or confused."

"What do you think she and my brother are doing right now? Huh?"

"I imagine Ridge is trying to seduce her and she’s trying to diplomatically stop him."

"And that doesn’t bother you?"

"I’ve known Ridge a long time. We have a lot in common. I’d be doing the same thing in his place."

"What makes you so sure she’ll say no?"

"She loves me."

"She loves him, she always has."

"Maybe, but I’m the one she married."
"She married him a couple of times too."

"Ah, but he let her get away. That my friend is something I’ll never do."

"They’re probably at it right now."

"You know what Thorne? Maybe they are. But then again I don’t think so."

"And it wouldn’t bother you if they were? That’s sick!"

"If she needs to get him out of her system a few kisses and gropes aren’t going to bother me. After all she chose to marry me didn’t she."

"Thorne, don’t aggravate yourself over this." Eric interrupted.

"He’s treating her like a piece of meat!"

"No I’m not Thorne. I’m treating her like a grown up woman who’s made a choice and is very happy with it. She’s not going to jeopardize our marriage for a jump in the sack with your brother, and that’s all he has to offer her."

"I think you’re underestimating the power he has over her."

"I think you’re underestimating the way she feels about me."

"Here they come!" Megan announced. A few moments later Brooke and Ridge walked back into the room. Brooke immediately walked over to Michael and planted a huge kiss on his lips. A dejected Ridge slumped back into his seat.

"I have a few more things to say and then we can all get back to work, okay?" Brooke asked.

Dr. Santana was deeply engrossed in reading a chart when Dr. Wilson came up behind her.

"I don’t like this." She said. "Have you scheduled a follow-up appointment yet?"

"At this early stage she isn’t due back for two weeks."

"Well that’s too long. I’d like to see her again tomorrow. I don’t like what I’m seeing."

"What is it?" He asked.

"I’d rather not speculate. I need to run a few more tests."

"I checked her thoroughly for any signs of the T. B. returning and I found none."

"That was a very rough pregnancy. Are you aware that she almost lost her first child too?"
"I was told."

"At that time I advised her not to become pregnant again. I was very surprised when she became pregnant with the twins, even more so when I found out they were planned. I take it this child is not."

"From her reaction I’d have to concur."

"This baby is at great risk Dr. Wilson, not only the baby but Taylor herself. If I didn’t know her as well as I do I would recommend she terminate."

"She would never do that. You can’t imagine the risks she brought to herself over her girls."

"She may not have a choice this time. Her very life may be at stake."

"It was then too Dr. Santana."

"We have to speak to her about this, in fact I think we should speak to Ridge too."

"But they aren’t together anymore."

"We have to convince her that she can take no risks this time. None at all."

 

"How do you feel today?" Consuelo asked the man. "You seem to be calmer than you were the last few days."

"Of course I am with all the drugs you people give me!"

"You need the drugs to get well."

"I need to be able to think? My mind gets so cloudy. I need to remember how I got here and why I got here."

"You were brought here by a friend. Someone who cares deeply for you. Someone who cares nothing about the cost, who only wants you well."

"I have money. I don’t need someone’s charity."
"You were on the brink of death when you arrived. If it had been even one hour later you wouldn’t be talking to me right now."
"Then tell me! Who is paying for this? Who wants me well."

"The person prefers to remain anonymous for now. I must defer to those wishes."

"Does my wife know I’m here?"

"I don’t know of a wife. I no very little of you. In fact I don’t even know your name. Your friend only confided in Dr. Garcia."

"Dr. Garcia?" He asked.

"The man you know as Pedro. He is the man who saved your life."

"So he knows who brought me here? Then I want to see him. I want to know why he is keeping this a mystery from me. I want to know why Brooke isn’t here."

"Brooke?"

"My wife."

"Perhaps she doesn’t know you are here."

"Then where does she think I am?"

"I will tell you this. Everyone, everyone but your benefactor thinks you are dead."

"Why would they think that? It doesn’t make sense. I’m alive. If they think I’m dead then why wouldn’t they bury me?"

"They think that they did."

"What the hell does that mean?" He asked angrily.

"Your doctor was sympathetic to your benefactor. He knew that in America there was no hope to save you. He risked his own career to help you."

"How? What did he do?"

"He pronounced you as dead. Then he helped your friend sneak you out of the country to this clinic."

"And no one was looking for my body?"

"A body was provided. I man your size and coloring. Your friend had the doctor convince your family to close the coffin. No one suspected a thing. You were dying sir. No one expected differently."

"Whose body did they use? Was someone killed for me?"

"Oh no, no. That would never be done. I believe in your country they call it a John Doe."

"So some poor man is lying in a grave with my name on it?"

"Yes, I’m afraid that’s true."

"And Brooke thinks I’m dead?"

"It is what I assume."

"Well then I have to get word to her. She has to know I’m still alive."

"It is not time for that yet. You are still very weak."

"I’m not dying any more though? Am I?"

"No." She smiled. "You are no longer dying."

"What is your name?" He asked her.

"I am Consuelo. Consuelo Lopez. I am the assistant to the doctor. A medical student."

"Hello Consuelo." He said to her. "My name is Grant, Grant Chambers."

"Okay everyone. I’m really sorry for the interruption before." Brooke began. "I know we are in the middle of a serious crunch right now. And I know that normally I would never ask this of any of you but I have a huge favor that I need all your help with."

"What is it Brooke?" Eric asked.

"Well, I know I haven’t been available very much lately and I’ve thrown a lot of work on all your plates but I’m going to ask you to take a little more."

"What do you have in mind Brooke? Not a new line I hope." Eric pondered.

"No, nothing that dramatic." She said with a laugh. "What I really need to do, um what I really need to, um." She suddenly stopped and had a very confused look on her face. She looked at Ridge, got up, and grabbed his hand. "I’m sorry, you all have to excuse us for a moment." She said as she dragged him out of the room and back into his office slamming the door behind them.

"This is getting to be a habit." Michael said with a laugh. He got up and poured himself a cup of coffee. "Can I get anyone anything? Who knows how long they’ll be this time."

"Hi Bridget, it’s good to see you again." Sara’s mother greeted the girls.

"Hi Mrs. Fulton. How are you?"

"I’m good honey. But a little confused. Sara told me that you wanted to speak to me about something."

"That’s true, if you don’t mind."

"Of course not honey. What’s on your mind?"

"I hope you aren’t going to think I’m weird or something."
"Why would I think that?"
"You work at Morningside Hospital don’t you?"

"That’s right."

"Well I need to ask you something."

"Go on."

"You know my Mom was there, when she got shot."

"Yes honey, how is she doing?"

"Much better now, thank you."

"That’s good. Dr. Ehlers is a wonderful doctor. I’m sure she got the very best care."

"From him." Bridget answered with a shudder.

"What is it honey? Did someone treat her badly?"

"Oh Mrs. Fulton it was horrible!" Bridget cried. She jumped up and walked over to the window and stared out and started sobbing.

"Sit down and talk to me honey." She turned to her daughter. "Sara sweetheart, get Bridget some tissues and a glass of water." She turned back to Bridget. "Come on honey, tell me what’s wrong."

"Okay." Bridget said. "It’s this doctor, this horrible doctor."

"Who is this doctor Bridget?"

"His name is Michael Copeland and I think he raped my mother!"

"Logan? What is it? Did you change your mind?" Ridge asked.

Brooke took his hand and looked him deeply in the eyes. "Do you really want me Ridge? Is that what would really make you happy?"

"You know how I feel about you."

"You didn’t answer my question. Let me put it a different way. If you could have Taylor back would you still want me?"

"That’s an unfair question Logan."

"No it isn’t. Answer me Ridge!"

"Logan!"

"Just as I thought!" She smiled at him. "I know you love me Ridge. And I think you still find me desirable too."

"Of course I do."

"But I was in that meeting and all I could think of was you Ridge."

"What are you telling me?" He asked.

"Sit down." She said as she pushed him down onto the couch.

"Here Logan? With all those people down the hall?"

Brooke burst out laughing. "Get over yourself Ridge." She sat down next to him and gave him a sweet kiss. "You have to know how much I’m loving this."

"Loving what?"

"I am going to make you a very happy man Ridge Forrester." She said as she ran her finger down his cheek.

"Logan? You are confusing me."

"Ridge." She smiled at him. "Remember when Taylor left you?"

"How could I forget."

"Remember when she was staying with me?"

"Yes. What is your point Logan?"

"Remember when she needed more clothes?"

"No. Why would I know that?"

"Remember she went home to get them?" She prompted him. "Come on Ridge think about what I’m telling you!"

"So she went home to get clothes. So what?"

"Remember what happened when she went home to get clothes?" She asked with a huge grin. He just looked at her very confused.

"I don’t get it Logan. What’s your point?"

"Damn it you’re dense! Remember when you came into the house while she was packing?"

"Yeah."

"Damn it Ridge!" She laughed. "Remember what the two of you did?"

"What we did?" He looked at her and suddenly the light came on in his eyes. "You mean!"

"Yes Ridge! I mean why can’t this be your baby? Taylor told me that the two of you, well it was more than once."

He grabbed her and kissed her full on the lips and then pulled her into his arms in a big bear hug.

"Logan! I love you! I can’t believe I didn’t think of this! Why didn’t she tell me?"

"I don’t know Ridge. I think you have to ask her that."

"I can’t believe this! That is my baby! I know it!"

"Well Ridge, it could be Bryan’s too."

"No! She wasn’t with him yet."

"Well she was Ridge. In fact if you remember correctly she went to Hong Kong with him."

"You’re right." He said. His smile disappeared and he looked like a deflated balloon

"But Ridge it may be yours! Come on don’t look so damaged! This can be the chance you’ve been waiting for."

"But Brooke, nothing is changed. I’m still married to Morgan."

"Yeah, I forgot about her." Brooke admitted. "But you still have to talk to Taylor."

"But why would she say it was his? Maybe it is. Maybe the timing makes it his."

"Well what did you say when she told you she was pregnant?"

"I wasn’t happy. She told me it was his. She never even hinted it could be mine."

"Maybe because of Morgan. Were you fighting about Morgan?"

Ridge’s eyes went wide. "Oh God Logan! I said some horrible things to her!"

"What?"

"I told her that no one should ever bring an unplanned child into the world and that women who did were irresponsible."

"Ridge!"

"No wonder she said what she did. How could she ever say it was mine after that?"

"Sometimes you are such an idiot!"

He reached and touched her face. "I really love you Logan. You are one of the best things that ever happened to me and I’d rather die than lose you."

"I already told you Ridge! You’re never going to lose me."

"Look what we almost did."

"I would never have done it for the wrong reasons life that Ridge. It would have cost me something way too precious."

"Michael." He stated bluntly.

"No." She said. "You." They put their arms around each other and hugged. Brooke rested her head on his shoulder. "Now do you think you’re up to being civil to my husband?"

"Yeah Brooke, I think I owe you that." He kissed her tenderly, took her hand and they walked back into the boardroom.

 

"Finally!" Stephanie complained as they took their seats. "Would you care to tell us what that was all about?"

"Actually." Brooke said as she turned to her. "No."

She stood up again. "I’m sorry for the interruption, it couldn’t be helped. Now where was I?"

"I don’t have the slightest idea." Eric answered shaking his head.

"Oh yes. All the work. Well I’m not sure if you realize it but my husband has to do one more surgery on me." She looked around the room. "It’s not a dangerous surgery but it is surgery none the less. So for the next two weeks I will be working from home. I’ll try to do anything I can to help but I know I have to be realistic. I won’t really be much help to anyone. So Eric, Ridge I am asking you if you would take over the control of the show. I want you both to make all the decisions. I’d appreciate you keeping me appraised of them but you will both have total control. Is this doable?"

Ridge stood up. "Logan, we really need you."

"Don’t be ridiculous Ridge." Stephanie sniffed. "This company got by of years without her help and we can certainly get by without her now. In fact it will be an improvement."

"That will be enough Stephanie." Eric shot up from his chair. "Yes, it was a difficult transition when Brooke took control but she has proved herself to be a valuable member of this team and her efforts will be missed." He turned to Brooke. "Honey, you take all the time you need to recuperate. Your health is the most important thing. Ridge and I will have everything under control and we will keep you apprised every step of the way."

"Well not too closely." She said with a grin. "I also plan to use my time off as a honeymoon." She reached for Michael’s hand. He looked at her and grinned. "We really need to spend some quality time together."

"Are you going to go away?" Ridge asked with concern.

"No. I don’t want to leave Bridget alone right now. But I’m having an extra lock put on my bedroom." She joked.

"Is that it Brooke?" Stephanie impatiently asked.

"No, there’s one more thing." She looked around the room. "As soon as I fully recover from my surgery I will be going out of the country for a few days."

Everyone, including Michael turned and stared at her in confusion.

"This is for a very personal and very important reason, one that will impact all your lives upon my return. That’s all I have to say for now." She walked over to Ridge and pulled him aside.

"Again?" Thorne sighed.

"Ridge, be careful with what you do and say okay? You can make it work, I know you can."

"I will Logan."

"I love you." She whispered. "Good luck." She took Michael’s hand and they walked out.

"Alright Ridge!" Stephanie demanded. "What’s going on?"

Michael and Brooke got into his car. He put the key into the ignition and turned it. Before he put the car in drive he turned to Brooke. "Okay! What the hell is going on with you and Forrester?"

 

Changes Part 39

 

"Michael, don’t get annoyed. Ridge and I had some important things to talk about."

"I’d like you to share them with me Brooke." He said indignantly as he put the car into drive and pulled onto the road. He was fuming at the thought of Ridge with his wife.

"It had nothing to do with you and me honey."

"Then why the secrets Brooke. I defended you to that family and I defended my love for you. I think the least you can do is be honest with me. Is he more important to you then an honest relationship?"

"Please don’t be so mad. Ridge just heard some bad news about Taylor and Bryan and he was upset."

"He was trying to get into your pants wasn’t he."

"No."

"Don’t lie to me Brooke!" He said sternly. "I know that man and I know his ways."

"Alright, he was sort of trying."

"There’s no such thing as sort of trying, either he was trying or he wasn’t."

"Michael you have to understand our history."

"I know all about your history Brooke."

"Why are we fighting? I love you, I don’t want to fight with you."

"Don’t change the subject." He shouted the accelerator started climbing.

"What do you want to know?"

"Did you let him touch you? Did he kiss you? Did he try to f*ck you?" Michael was getting angrier by the moment.

"No Michael. I comforted him. I kissed him a couple of times, but not with passion, with love. He is someone I love deeply and that is something you will have to accept." She felt tears fall down her face. "I can’t believe you’re treating me like this."

He pulled the car over to the side of the rode and shut off the engine.

"I’m sorry honey. You’re right." He pulled her into his arms. "I’m just so damn jealous. I can’t think straight when I think of you with someone else. I know I should trust you and I do. I just don’t trust him. Forgive me?"

"Don’t be jealous. It’s you I love! It’s you I married." She kissed him softly and he instantly deepened the kiss. She sighed and felt the tension leave her body as she was caught up in his love. "Of course I forgive you, there’s nothing to forgive."

"Yes there is Brooke, I had no right to treat you that way. You’re a lady and you’re my wife. Don’t you dare let me get away with that again." He kissed her eyes and her cheeks where there had been tears. His tongue licked the salty taste and made it’s way to her mouth. They came together with a passion and a longing that had become very familiar to both of them. Brooke released her seat belt and pulled herself closer to him as her hand reached for his belt.

"Honey," He said with a chuckle. "We’re on the middle of a crowded highway. I think we better wait till we get home."

"Michael I love you so much. Please let’s not ever fight again." She cried as she held him tighter.

"Sounds like a plan." He smiled. "You know what our problem is?"

"I can’t take my hands off you?" She suggested.

"That, my dear wife is not a problem." He kissed her. "Our problem is we really need to get to know each other better. We need to share our pasts and our problems and our secrets." He said kissing her between each item.

"And our hopes and our dreams and our pains." She added kissing him at the same pace.

"We need to talk about both our histories with the Forresters. That way we can better understand each other. How does that sound?"

"It sound fine but right now the Forresters are the last thing on my mind."

"Well what is the first thing on your mind?" He asked as he started to kiss her neck.

"I want to f*ck you!" she whispered in a sexy voice.

"Anything else?" He asked.

"I want you to make me beg again, like you did the first time."

"Honey, you’ll never have to beg me for anything." He started the car and quickly pulled back onto the highway. He pushed down on the accelerator and brought the car up to 70 mph.

"Aren’t you going a little fast?" She asked.

"You see that?" He asked pointing to a building in the distance.

"I think so. What is it?"

"It’s a cheap motel and you and I are gonna stop there, get a room and f*ck each other’s brains out! What do you think about that?"

"Can you bring this baby up to 100?" She asked.

Mrs. Fulton’s face was alarmed. "Bridget, did you say Dr. Copeland?"

"Yes ma’am. He’s a horrible man."

"Bridget are you sure? This is a very serious allegation you’re making."

"Mrs. Fulton she was in the hospital in her bed all medicated and not even really conscious and I walked in and he was zipping his pants and she had no gown on."

"Bridget honey. Did you talk to your mother about this?"

"All she does is cry when I mention his name. She won’t say a thing. I’m so worried about her."

"Maybe she’s blocked it out."

"What if she gets pregnant or gets AIDS or something? He’s such a terrible man Mrs. Fulton, can’t you help me make him go away?"

"Honey do you think you can repeat this to Dr. Ehlers?"

"He’s that nice older doctor that helped my Mom isn’t he?" She sobbed.

"Yes honey. He doesn’t like Dr. Copeland very much either. He had an idea that something like this might have happened to your mother. I think he can help you."

"Do you trust him?" Bridget asked.

"Very much honey. Do you think your mother will talk to him?"

"No!" Bridget quickly answered. "She’ll get so mad that I told you but I just want to help her. I think he keeps bothering her. The other night she was outside talking to him and she started to scream and he covered her mouth. I think he was trying to take her panties off. I turned on the light and he got into his car and took off but my Mom just cried and cried."

"Okay honey, I’m going to go down and call Dr. Ehlers. He’s on the board at the hospital and he’s the man who can put a stop to him. I hate to say this Bridget but I’ve been hearing rumors about Dr. Copeland for awhile now."

"Wh, wh, why didn’t you do anything?" Bridget stuttered.

"Because he’s such a good surgeon that I wanted to believe it wasn’t true. You and Sara wait here and I’ll be right back." She said as she hurried downstairs.

After her mother was out of hearing range Sara turned to her friend.

"Bridget! What are you doing?" Sara asked.

"I’m gonna get that slimeball out of my house!"

"But Bridget, your mom married him. He didn’t really rape her did he?"

"I told you I don’t like him. And when Ridge finds out he’ll have a cow and he’ll come running back to help us and then he and my mom will fall in love again and she’ll dump that idiot and marry Ridge and everything will be fine again. And if you say anything Sara Fulton I’ll tell your mother that you and Andy Gleason did it in his Firebird!"

"Please don’t tell her! She’ll ground me for a year."

"Will you tell her?"

"My lips are sealed." She answered and the two girls started to giggle.

 

"Hello honey." Stephanie said as she kissed Taylor. "I’ve missed you."

"Stephanie, you are looking well. Are you feeling better?"

"I’m fine honey. I told you the doctor said it wasn’t serious. But how are you holding out."

"I’m alright Stephanie, really."

"You must have been heartbroken when my son married that bitch. I know I was. But honey as soon as the baby is born he’s going to leave her and you two can be together again."

"Hello Mrs. Forrester," Bryan said as he walked in. "You look wonderful. I’m so glad you’re doing better than the last time I saw you."

"Hello Bryan, I’m surprised to see you here."

"I’m going to have some tea. Will you join me Stephanie? Bryan?" Taylor asked.

"That would be lovely dear." Stephanie answered.

"I have to get to the office baby so I’ll take a raincheck." He gave her a peck on the cheek and Taylor headed into the kitchen.

"Why are you back Bryan?" Stephanie asked.

"There was no point in my staying away any longer Stephanie. Ridge married Morgan. I did as you asked. I left town to give them the chance. When I found out about the marriage and Taylor was so devastated I came home. It’s what I had to do."

"But you promised me a month."

"I told you I’d try. I did that. What would the point of me staying away have been? It was over Stephanie and Taylor needed me."

"I want them together Bryan and I always get what I want."

"I’m afraid that isn’t going to happen this time. Your son is married and very soon Taylor and I will be too."

"I won’t accept that. My son doesn’t want to be with that woman. He loves his wife."

"Taylor isn’t his wife anymore."

"But she will be."

"I don’t want to fight you on this Stephanie. I have no grudge against you. I know you want what’s best for Taylor, you just have to understand that that’s me now. Talk to her."

"Oh I plan to. I don’t have anything against you either Bryan. You seem like a very nice man. I don’t want to see you get hurt and believe me you will. My son and Taylor have loved each other for a long time. Brooke Logan couldn’t stop that and neither will you. You go and find yourself a nice girl and marry her. You leave Taylor alone."

"I’m not going to get you upset again Mrs. Forrester. You talk to Taylor, she’ll make you understand. I have to leave now. You take care." He said. He picked up his briefcase and walked out.

Taylor came in carrying a tray with two cups of tea and some cookies. She put it down on the coffee table and sat down.

"I hope you two weren’t arguing." She said.

"Not at all Taylor. He’s a nice man. A little misguided but nice enough."

"Misguided?"

"He’s under the impression that you are planning on marrying him. I think I set him straight."

"Stephanie I am going to marry him. I accepted his proposal the other night."

"Oh pooh! You know that you and Ridge will be back together before that ever happens."

"No Stephanie. Ridge made his decision and I made mine." She reached for her cup and suddenly doubled over in pain. "Oh God!" She said clutching her abdomen.

"What’s wrong Taylor?" Stephanie asked jumping up.

Taylor felt the pain subside. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and touched her belly softly.

"No, no, it’s alright. I’m fine now." Taylor said sitting back on the couch. "I had a cramp."

"Good!" Stephanie said with a smile. "And you make sure you keep getting them if you know what I mean. You can’t take any chances now."

"What are you talking about?" Taylor asked with a look of annoyance.

"It would be a tragedy if you and Bryan were to get in the family way."

"Stephanie! That’s none of your business. If Bryan and I want a family then we’ll have one."

"No Taylor that won’t do, it won’t do at all. You and Ridge already have a wonderful family and as soon as I take care of this Morgan mess you’ll have it back."

"Stephanie, Ridge and I are over now. His place is with Morgan, she’s having his child. Mine is with Bryan now."

"You’re settling Taylor and you know it."

"Stephanie I really do love Bryan. I loved him before I ever knew Ridge."

"Then why weren’t you two married? Because it wasn’t right Taylor. Nothing was right for you until you met my son."

"We weren’t married because our lives moved in different directions at the time. I married Blake and he moved away. You have to know this Stephanie. For years I searched for Bryan. I wanted him back in my life. It wasn’t until I gave up that hope that I let Ridge in."

"But don’t you see honey, you did let Ridge in and that’s because you realized he was the right one for you."

"Yes, he was. Stephanie I’m not saying I don’t love Ridge or that I regret anything we had together but it’s over now."

"Are you going to let Brooke win?"

"Brooke? I think you mean Morgan."

"No Taylor, I mean Brooke. She called a board meeting today and she"

"I know all about it Stephanie." Taylor broke in. "I know about her and Michael. I think it’s way too fast but she really sees happy."

"If you could have seen the way she was looking at Ridge you wouldn’t think so."

"Brooke wants me to reconcile with Ridge. She’s almost as bad as you about it."

"That wasn’t the kind of looks she was giving him honey. And the two of them spent more time locked in his office then they did at the meeting. And," She continued her tirade. "When they came back into the meeting it was obvious to all of us that they hadn’t been talking. Ridge didn’t realize it but his lips were stained with her lipstick and you could see that she had been kissed. Is this what you want? Brooke knows that Ridge and Morgan will never stay together and she’s already making her move."

"Making her move by marring another man Stephanie?"

"Yes, just like Grant."

"I wish you all would leave me alone about Brooke. I know you don’t like her but she’s my friend and I trust her."

"You have poor judgement as far as friends go Taylor. Brooke has never gotten over Ridge and she never will. She is using your friendship to bring them closer together and it’s working. He trusts her again. He even desires her again and I won’t stand for that!"

"Ridge has a problem controlling his desires Stephanie. That’s why we aren’t together any more."

"He used bad judgement with Morgan, yes I agree, but that is no reason to throw away your future."

"I can’t talk about this anymore Stephanie." Taylor complained. "Every time I see you it’s the same old song. Please Stephanie, I want you to stay a part of my life but I will not listen to you or anyone else put down my friends and that includes Brooke. Let me tell you this about her. In some misguided way she thinks that if she can distract Ridge from Morgan he’ll come back to me. I know that you are the one who gave her this idea. It’s stupid and it is going to hurt her. Eventually she is going to go too far and it will destroy her friendship with Ridge and her marriage. I don’t want that to happen. She and Ridge are walking a tightrope Stephanie and you are the one who put them on it!"

"Did she tell you that?"

"Even if she hadn’t I would have known. Please Stephanie, I need you to respect my wishes. I made all the attempts to salvage my marriage to Ridge and they failed. I’ve dealt with that and I’ve moved on. Neither you nor Brooke is going to change that. Bryan and I will be married and we will have a family and we will be happy! End of story!"

 

 

Ridge and Eric were going over some changes on a design when Thorne walked in.

"Hey Thorne, I thought you left." Ridge said to him.

"I was talking to Megan. Brooke really floored me today." He shook his head.

"I knew she was seeing him but I never expected this one. She totally blew me away too." Ridge answered.

"What were you two talking about when you left the meeting?"

"That’s between Logan and me Thorne."

"Can’t let her go huh Ridge? If it wasn’t for you she and I would be married right now."

"She never would have married you Thorne, it wasn’t real. You both knew that."

"Why? Cause I never could compete with big brother?" Thorne lunged at him. Eric quickly grabbed his younger son to stop the skirmish.

"Still need dad to fight your fights Ridge?"

"You arrogant little." Ridge started at Thorne put this time Eric held him back.

"That’s enough boys!" Eric shouted. He turned to Ridge. "Well Ridge? What was going on

in there? I want to know too!"

"It’s none of either of your business."

"She’s married now Ridge and so are you. I want you to stop giving that woman false hope. When will you ever learn how vulnerable to you she is?"

"I think he’s pretty vulnerable to her too dad." Thorne shouted. "He screwed up with Taylor big time so now he runs to Brooke like a little lost puppy!"

"Both of you stop it right now! Ridge what was going on in there?"

"I was trying to understand why she did it. You know how I feel about Mike Copeland. Yeah, he’s a friend but I never want anyone I care about involved with him."

"Why’s that Ridge? Jealous?" Thorne spit at him.

"Because Mike will never settle down to one woman. He screws just about every woman who comes into his office. He’s gonna hurt her and I don’t want that to happen!"

"Sounds familiar Ridge. Sounds sort of like you!"

"No Thorne. When I devote myself to a woman she’s the only one!"

"Yeah? Tell that to Taylor, or should I say Morgan now?"

"Morgan tricked me!"

"How stupid are you Ridge? She tricked you into her bed? You really thought Taylor wanted you to have a baby with Morgan? You are a bigger fool than I thought!"

"Maybe I am but I never shot someone that I loved!"

"You bastard!" Thorne jumped at him and this time Eric couldn’t get between them. Thorne pushed Ridge to the ground and pummeled him with quick punches. Ridge finally managed to push him off and gain his footing.

"Don’t you ever try that again Thorne! Never!" Ridge growled. "I’ll let you get away with that one because you are a sick bastard but never again! You hear me? Never!"

"Thorne go home!" Eric demanded.

"Brooke asked me to stay so I’m staying!"

"Brooke wouldn’t want you here if she saw the way you’re acting. You need a shrink Thorne! You better go get some help!"

"Maybe I will. Maybe I’ll go find Taylor. You certainly don’t want her anymore. Maybe I can keep her happy."

Ridge tackled Thorne to the ground and punched him hard in the face. "You keep your God damn hands off of Taylor or I’ll kill you!"

 

 

Michael rolled off Brooke and smiled at her. "Now I feel better."

"Ummm, me too." She purred. "I can’t believe we did this. My house is only a few miles away."

"I know I couldn’t wait that long."

"Me either." She said pulling him back to her. "God I hope it’s always this way."

"Well sooner or later we both have to spend some time making money."

"You!" She gave him a soft punch. "I mean the love I feel for you. You amaze me Michael, I’m just overwhelmed with how much I love you."

"Hey, a good f*ck will do it every time." He joked.

"Please tell me it’s more than that."

"It’s light years more than that." He said as his finger traced a pattern across her chest. "I feel so complete with you. I’ve never felt this way with anyone before. I’m so scared something is gonna come along and take it away from me."

"Nothing will ever take me from you." Brooke whispered. "Were there really that many women before me?"

"Too many." He said as his finger dipped to her belly button. "Way too many. But that’s over now."

"Did you really have affairs with your patients?"

"Only the pretty ones, and that sure pissed off the ugly ones." He joked.

"Michael!" He moved his finger lower and began stroking her but Brooke grabbed his hand and moved it softly away wanting to continue their conversation.

"Yeah, I pretty much screwed anything in a dress Brooke. It’s gotten me in a bit of trouble too."

"Husbands?"

"Yeah, and the law too."

"The law? Tell me." She asked with deep concern.

"There was this woman. I gave her implants. I also did some other minor stuff for her. Well she told me she was twenty-three, but she wasn’t. I was really hot for her Brooke and she and I did it in her hospital room. Unfortunately we had an audience. She got scared and she said I raped her."

"Oh my God. What happened?"

"I spent a few nights in jail. I got a good attorney and was ready to fight it but her father decided he didn’t want to put her through a trial so she changed her story and the charges were dropped. But they still follow me wherever I go. I lost a lot of credibility over it and a lot of friends too. That’s part of the reason Ridge and his father don’t like me anymore. They think I knew she was a kid."

"How old was she?"

"Seventeen."

"And you?"

"Old enough to know better."

"And even after that you didn’t change your ways?"

"I was married to Adrienne at the time. She left me and took most of what I had. I had no choice but to give it to her. If I let it get ugly then it would start all over again. Anyway I felt that I was a victim so it only made me worse. I went after just about any woman then. I didn’t care if they were young or old, pretty or ugly. I needed to know that I was the same." A look of shock came over her face. "I know it’s pretty ugly. But you wanted to know."

"I do. I’m sorry, I’ll try not to judge."

"Well I got really careless then. It stopped being just patients. I moved onto nurses. I was old love ‘em and leave ‘em Mike. Some of them only wanted the same thing so it was cool. But then I made one more big mistake."

"Not another rape charge?" She asked her eyes widening.

"Not exactly. I started up with Dr. Ehlers daughter and she got pregnant."

"Oh my God! My Dr. Ehlers?"

"The one and only. Well she wanted me to marry her and I agreed to do it. I didn’t love her but I wasn’t going to abandon her and the kid. But he knew what I was like so he convinced her to have an abortion. So she goes and has it and I’m doing cartwheels because I dodged another bullet. But he’s been after my hide ever since. He continually pops into my patients rooms trying to catch me in their beds."

"Well I would think you would have stopped that by then."

"Yeah," He laughed. "You’d think I would have. Not Teflon Mike. By now I thought I was invincible. So I guess I got even worse. I didn’t even try to hide it. I flaunted it. So Ehlers wants me booted out of the hospital and he’s after my license. All he needs is one more allegation and I think he may win. The latest rumor, and this will make you laugh, I hope anyway, is that he’s planning on calling you to join up against me because of my trying to take you to my clinic. Oh and Kelly saw me kiss you that time while I was examining you."

Brooke sat up in the bed. A look of horror mixed with sadness covered her face. "Is that why you married me?"

 

 

"Dr. Ehlers," Mrs. Fulton said. "Thank you so much for coming here so quickly. This poor girl is so fragile I didn’t want to make it any harder on her."

"Hello Bridget." He said to her in a kind voice. "I understand that you have something to tell me about Dr. Copeland."

"Yes I do Dr. Ehlers, and I sure hope you can help me poor mother." She said as she began to repeat her story to him.

 

 

"So Grant, I understand from Consuelo that you are asking many questions." Pedro said softly.

"I want to know who is responsible for bringing me here. I need to know that. You see I don’t even remember how I got sick or what happened at that time. I also want to know why my wife wasn’t made aware of the fact that I’m alive. Don’t you understand? If she thinks I’m dead she may have moved on. I know that there is someone she would have turned to and I don’t even want to think about that."

"Your benefactor didn’t want to give your wife false hope."

"But I’m better now."

"Yes you are."

"Then please, I implore you, let me call Brooke."

"Brooke?" Pedro asked in an alarmed tone.

"Yes, my wife. She needs to know I’m alright."

"Brooke is your wife?"

"Yes. Please doctor. I must contact her."

"Perhaps it would be better if I did. I could explain to her how it happened and I could minimize the shock."

"I suppose you’re right. I mean if she thinks that I’m dead she might think that it’s a sick joke or something. Doctor I need to know something else. How long have I been here?"

"It’s been almost two years Grant."

"Two years! Two years? How can that be?"

"You were in a coma for most of the time. Our medicines were treating your cancer but other parts of your body had shut down. It is a miracle that you are alive now. A miracle."

"Brooke may be remarried by now."

"That is possible."

"What will the legalities be with that? When I go home will I still be her husband?"

"I’m a doctor, not a lawyer. But I think we should cross that road when we come to it."

"Bridge."

"Excuse me?"

"The expression is cross that bridge when we come to it."

"I’m sorry, English is my second language."

"When can I go home?"

"Your benefactor called me yesterday. You will have a visit in another week or so and then a decision will be made."

"You mean I’ll meet him. I’ll find out who has done this for me. I can ask him about Brooke."

"I believe all your questions will be answered at that time Grant."

 

Changes Part 40

 

Michael was pained to see the hurt and distrust in his wife’s face. He reached for her but she pulled herself away from him.

"Brooke, how can you ask that of me?"

"How can I not? Michael please tell me you didn’t marry me just to save your career, please."

"Honey no! Never!"

Once more he reached for her.

"Please no." She cried. "Don’t touch me."

"Brooke?" He begged.

"I can’t, I just can’t." She said as fresh tears rolled down her eyes.

Ridge and Eric had tried to concentrate on their work after the disruption from Thorne but they were both too on edge. Both men turned at the sound of the soft knock on the open door followed by Megan entering.

"I’m sorry to disturb you Mr. Forrester but Security is on the phone. Ridge, Morgan is here again."

"Damn it Megan what does she want now?"

"I don’t know but he said that Brooke told him you were in charge so it’s up to you if you want her to come up."

"Okay Megan, tell him I said it’s okay. If I don’t she’ll never leave and we’ll never get any work done."

"Okay Ridge." She said. She walked out of the office back to her desk.

Eric turned to Ridge. "Son, you are going to have to do something about this. Either get Brooke to accept her or keep her away."

"You were the one who wanted me to marry her." Ridge told him. "I’ll talk to Logan. She was mad because of what she did to Taylor and me. Maybe her new marriage has softened her stance."

"How do you feel about that Ridge? Having Mike practically a part of this family?"

"It’s hard Dad. Mike and I were close friends once but I can’t forgive him for what he did to that girl."

"He claims it was never rape Ridge."

"Maybe not but it was still wrong, she was just a kid."

"Are you sure that this doesn’t have anything to do with Vanessa?"

"Vanessa and I have been over for years. I’m way past that."

"But the pain of his betrayal still hurts you."

"Not just his, Vanessa was just as guilty."

"You’ve both moved so far from those times Ridge."
"Yeah but stealing a woman I wanted to marry was wrong Dad."

"I remember you going after some of his girls too Ridge."

"True, very true. But it really isn’t that. It’s really that kid Dad. I can’t get past that."

"He claims he thought she was older."

"Maybe he didn’t look hard enough."

"He certainly used poor judgement son. I hope he’s being more careful these days."

"I’ll be damned if I let him hurt Logan Dad."

"We both will make sure he doesn’t."

 

"Well Bridget, that’s quite a story." Dr. Ehlers said.

"You don’t believe me? It’s not a story! It’s the truth!"

"I didn’t mean to imply that dear. But we will need your mother to collaborate it."

"But she won’t. She’s so afraid of him." Bridget said in a panic.

"Perhaps I can ease her fears. It’s time that we put a stop to this once and for all."

"Isn’t there some other way?" Bridget begged. "I mean she’s so upset and so embarrassed Dr. Ehlers. I bet she’d even say it never happened. I read that a lot of rape victims do that."

"Isn’t Bridget’s testimony enough to at least start things doctor?" Mrs. Fulton asked.

"Yes, perhaps it is. What with Denise and Kelly’s testimony."

"Are you sure that they will cooperate? Kelly has always been so loyal to Dr. Copeland and Denise seems fond of him too."

"They both care about their patients welfare first. And I doubt that either of them would deny their feelings for this sweet child." He put his arm protectively around Bridget. "Yes, I think we can begin the process to get him out of this hospital and perhaps in jail where he belongs."

Sara looked at Bridget who just shrugged at her.

"Honey listen to me." Michael implored Brooke. "Yes, the marriage works to my advantage with Dr. Ehlers. But Brooke, I didn’t have to marry you to get you on my side now did I? Did I ever do anything to you that would make you bring charges against me? Honey, all I ever did was show you love and affection."

"I don’t know."

"Yes you do Brooke. Did I hold a gun to your head? No! When you said no did I willingly walk out of that chapel? Yes! And tell me, who dragged who back in?"

"I dragged you." She admitted.

"Willingly." He smiled at her. "Honey I am so much in love with you that I can’t stand it. I just shared some of my deepest and darkest secrets with you."

"Maybe you did it so I wouldn’t be shocked when Dr. Ehlers came to me with them."

"Maybe. But I did tell you. Doesn’t that count for anything?"

"I’m so confused Michael."
"Okay then ask me anything. Anything at all. I have no secrets from you."

"Why do Eric and Ridge hate you?"

"I told you that."

"I think that there’s more."

"Okay there is more. Before Ridge met you or even Caroline for that matter he was in love with a girl named Vanessa. I was a struggling intern and he was Mr. Rich Boy. Well I got it into my head that all would be well in the world if I had Vanessa. She was this sweet little virgin all hung up on Ridge. Well I laid out my best charm act and it worked. Pretty soon she was looking my way instead. Ridge wanted her real bad. He was not used to being turned down you know."

"Yeah, Ridge never has to work hard to get a woman." She agreed.

"Well I made sure that he saw us the night she, how shall I put this, became a woman."
"You didn’t."

"Oh yeah I did. We were down at the beach and I taught her the finest things in lovemaking while Ridge looked on. He hated me for that for a long time. So did Eric. He really wanted Ridge to marry her. Well maybe Stephanie did more so."
"Did you love her?"

"No. It was just a game that I wanted to win."

"Well I can understand Ridge feeling the way he does but Eric? There must be more."

"Eric has his own reasons to hate me."

"Alright Taylor," Stephanie conceded. "I won’t push you about Ridge, only because I know you will eventually come around."
"And you’ll stop trying to poison my mind about Brooke?"

"Please!" Stephanie said with a laugh. "One thing at a time."
Taylor found herself laughing along with her former mother in law.

"I guess that is asking a lot from you."

Taylor suddenly felt nauseous and jumped up from the couch and ran into the bathroom. Stephanie could hear her violently throwing up. A few moments later Taylor returned looking pale and weak.

"What’s wrong Taylor?" Stephanie asked with concern.

"I think I may have a little flu. Thomas and Phoebe both had it but I thought Stephanie and I had gotten away with it. I guess I was wrong. I sure hope Stephanie doesn’t come down with it now." She lied.

"You look terrible honey, can I do anything for you?"

"You can stop getting me stressed out Stephanie. That isn’t helping. My stomach is churning enough already."

"I’m sorry honey. Maybe I should go so you can get some rest."

"Don’t you want to see the kids?"

"Next time. I think you need your rest more. Anyway I have a strange feeling that my son may be headed over here soon and I think he’s all the company you need."
"I hope not Stephanie."

"Hi Ridge!" Morgan said as she walked into Eric’s office. "Hello Eric."

"Hello Morgan." Eric replied. "Ridge, I’m going down to receiving to see about the shipment from

Paris. Feel free to use my office." He said as he exited.

"What are you doing here Morgan?" Ridge asked.

"You promised we could have dinner together."

Ridge looked at his watch. "It’s only three o’clock Morgan."
"I couldn’t wait. I have some wonderful news Ridge."

"What?" He asked impatiently.

"I felt the baby kick!" She smiled at him.

"That’s nice Morgan."

"Ridge! It’s more than nice! It’s a miracle!"

"Babies kick all the time Morgan."

"But this was the first time out baby kicked. Oh my God Ridge! He’s kicking again!" She grabbed his hand and placed it on her abdomen. "Did you feel that?"

"No." He said. "Wait! Yeah! I felt it." He smiled at her. "Looks like we have a little punter in there."

"Oh Ridge, isn’t this exciting?"

"It’s good Morgan." He dropped his hand from her. "I’m glad the baby is doing well."

"Ridge, the baby and I are going to make you so happy. I promise. We both love you so much."

She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him. Once again he gently pulled her off.

"Morgan come on. I’ve been up front with you about this marriage."

"I know Ridge but I plan on changing your mind."

"Please Morgan. Give it a rest. I’m really not in the mood to deal with this today."

She reached to his mouth to wipe her lipstick away but noticed another woman’s lipstick on his shoulder.

"What’s this?" She angrily demanded.

"What’s what?"

"You have lipstick on your shirt and it isn’t mine!"
"Oh, it must be Brooke’s."

"Brooke!" She shouted. "Why would you have Brooke’s lipstick on you Ridge? Why?"

"Because I kissed her." He said calmly.

"That’s not part of the bargain Ridge!"

"Brooke got married Morgan. I was congratulating her."

"Married?" She asked, instantly calming. "Who did she marry? Thorne?"

"Her plastic surgeon." He said glumly.

"Hum, I might have done her a favor." She mumbled.

"What? I didn’t hear you."

"I said that’s something. Maybe Thorne did her a favor."

"I don’t want to talk about Brooke’s choices in husbands."
"Well what do you want to talk about?"

"Look Morgan, things are crazy here. I really don’t have time for this. With all the crap of Brooke’s I’m trying to handle I can barely finish my designs."

"Why not let me help?" She suggested. "I’m a good designer Ridge!"

He considered this for a moment. "Well Brooke did leave us in charge. Okay Morgan you get one more chance. Go down to your office and see what you can come up with. But do it quickly, time is running out."

"Thanks Ridge!" She kissed him and ran out happier than in a long time.

"Maybe this is what I needed to keep her off my back." Ridge said aloud.

"What are you doing?" Consuelo shouted as she entered Grant’s room. He was on the floor attempting to do push-ups.

"I’m trying to regain my muscles Consuelo. I feel as weak as a kitten."

"You aren’t ready for that Mr. Chambers. The staff has been giving you vigorous workouts while you lay in the bed."

"That isn’t nearly enough. I need to be strong and healthy. I may have to fight to get my wife back. You don’t understand how important this is to me." He said with a grunt as he pulled his body up once more from the floor. "Look at me! I can do this!" He said excitedly.

"Please don’t do this. You could hurt yourself."

"Does this place have a gym?"

"A gym? No, it is a hospital clinic. Not a health club."

Grant grinned at her. "Now don’t you get testy with me." He pulled himself up to his feet. "That really feels good Consuelo. I feel alive again."

"You look tired."

"I am tired. But I’m hungry too. Do you think you can smuggle me some real food? I’m sick of all the mashed up sh*t you guys give me."

"What is it you’d like?" She smiled.

"A thick steak and a baked potato."

"You wouldn’t be able to keep something like that down yet."

"Try me." He grinned. "Just the thought of being back with Brooke has given me such strength Consuelo. Please see if you can get it for me."

"Maybe some broiled chicken and some rice."

"Come on! I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy."

"I don’t know if the doctor would allow it."

"Well tell him if he doesn’t that I’ll start a riot."

"I’ll see what I can do." She said with a smile. "Please rest now. You must take your time regaining your strength."

"Time is something I don’t have right now." He said as he got down on the floor and started counting off sit-ups.

After Stephanie left Taylor started to pace. She was very concerned about the cramping she had felt. She had determined that there was no blood but she still was frightened. Something just didn’t feel right to her. She was about to pick up the phone and call Dr. Wilson when the doorbell rang. She looked longingly at the phone but instead got up and opened the door.

"Macy!" She said. "What a surprise. Come in please." She stood aside and Macy entered.

"Hi Taylor, I’m not bothering you am I?" She asked.

"Not at all." They walked to the couch and sat down. "What brings you here Macy? I don’t think that this is a social call."

"Well not exactly, although I did want to tell you how sorry I was when I heard about you and Ridge."

"Thank you."

"After all you had to put up with from Brooke I really felt you two deserved some happiness. That bitch has ruined too many relationships in this family."

"Brooke had nothing to do with this Macy. In fact she is my greatest supporter."

"You’re too trusting Taylor. But anyway I’m really here because I’m concerned about Thorne."

"We all are Macy."

"Taylor I don’t know what to think anymore. He acts so strangely around me. He’s loving and protective and yet he’s distant."

"I don’t know quite how to put this Macy."

"Go on."

"I don’t think he’s really gotten over Brooke. I know he loves you but he’s dealing with so much from her rejection of him not to mention the shooting."

"Taylor I don’t know what to think about that. He swears that he did it yet the police say he didn’t."

"What do YOU know about the shooting Macy?"

"Are you asking me if I did it?"

"Yes, I guess I am."

"No Taylor, I was mad enough to have. And I hate her enough to have but I’m not a violent person."

"You threatened her. She told me that."

"Yes I did. But Taylor I would never shoot her."

"I want to believe you Macy, I really do but it seems that all the signs point to you."

"I know that and I’m terrified. Lt. Burke has someone following me. I know he thinks I did it."

"Well Macy, who else would Thorne lie for? Only you or Brooke and she didn’t shoot herself."

"He’d lie for Stephanie. No one hates Brooke more than Stephanie does. Brooke has destroyed every happy marriage in her family."

"Stephanie would never do that, and you’re wrong Macy. Brooke was never involved with Eric until he and Stephanie were apart. And as for Ridge, Brooke and I took turns ruining each others relationships and that’s something I’m not proud of either."

"That’s crazy Taylor. Brooke threw herself at Ridge all the time."

"And I denied the fact that he loved her. But Macy we are all past that now. Brooke is my friend and she’s
happy with the choice she’s made. The issue is not what Brooke did to Stephanie or me or even you. The issue is who shot her and I know it wasn’t Stephanie."

"You think it was me."

"You had the motive Macy. You were drinking. And now look, you and Thorne are closer than ever. What do you think people will think?"

"I don’t care what they think. Thorne and I are getting closer, in fact I think I may be falling in love with him again."

"Macy that isn’t healthy. You can’t start a new relationship with him while he’s in this state."

"It may be too late for that."

"Macy, I want to believe you and I want both you and Thorne to be happy but I’m not the right person for either of you to talk to about this. I don’t think you realize how close Brooke and I have become."

"You and Brooke? How can you ever trust her after everything she’s done to you?"

"Macy like I said before, I did a few things to her too. We’ve both moved past that and I think of her as the sister I never had. I love her."

"Taylor I’m disappointed in you. You used to have such good judgement."

"No Macy, I didn’t, but I do now."

"I’m sorry you feel that way. Brooke is an evil person. She was a terrible wife to Eric, Ridge and especially to Grant. I can never forgive her for that. And what she did to my relationship with Thorne has made her my enemy for life."

"Macy you have to diffuse this anger. I’d like to help you. I can refer you to a colleague of mine, someone you can talk to."

"I thought I was talking to a friend. I guess I was wrong. I’m sorry I bothered you. I’ll show myself out."

Macy got up and left. Taylor just stared after her, feeling frightened for the people she cared so much about.

"Michael, why is everything so complicated?"

"It isn’t honey. It’s simple. I love you, you love me, we got married, we’re both happy that’s it!"

"I can’t fight anymore. I can’t let other people make my opinions for me. I believe you Michael." Brooke said as she gazed into his eyes. "Please don’t make me wish I didn’t."

"Never." He told her as he took her in his arms and held her tightly. "Never, never, never, never." His lips softly kissed hers. "I love you and I will fight anyone who claims otherwise."

"Forgive me for doubting you." She cried.

"Forgive me for giving you reason to."

"Make love to me Michael." She said as she looked at him with love and desire.

"I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me again." He said as he tenderly touched her breast.

"No more secrets." She whispered.

"Not a one." He said as he reached down to touch her womanhood. "God Brooke, you are so wet for me."

"Please Michael, I need to feel you inside me." She reached for him. "Oh God." She moaned as his fingers entered her. She pushed her self up to allow him deeper. "Please, I need you." She moaned.

"The things I have to do for you." He joked.

"You want me too." She panted. "This tells me so." She said as she stroked him and felt him growing even harder. He removed his hand and lifted his body over hers and quickly entered her. "Is this what you want?" He asked as he found his rhythm.

"Oh yeah!" She moaned as she wrapped herself tightly around him, all thoughts of the argument gone.

 

Taylor was enjoying the warm water beating down on her when she heard the sound of Bryan’s car pull up.

"Oh goody!" She said to herself. She listened for the sound of him coming through the front door.

"I’m in here!" She called to him. She heard the sound of his footsteps getting closer. "Why don’t you come in and join me." She said. She smiled to herself at the sound of his pants hitting the bathroom floor. "Hurry up, you don’t want the water to get cold." She closed her eyes and rinsed the shampoo from her hair as he got in behind her. She sighed contentedly as his hands reached around to caress her breasts. Just as her nipples hardened she felt one of his hands dip below and make its way between her legs. She opened her stance slightly to give him more room. She moaned in pleasure as his finger found the tiny nub and danced across it in increasingly harder strokes.

"Oh yes." She moaned. "This better not be Mrs. Bates." She said with a throaty laugh.

"It’s not Doc." Came the voice from behind her.

 

 

Brooke smiled at her husband. "That was all so stupid. I don’t know why I let myself think these things."

"Maybe it’s because so many men have let you down in your life."

"You’re probably right." She sighed. "Do I have victim written across my chest?" She asked.

Michael reached for his glasses on the nightstand. He put them on and thoroughly examined her breasts. "Nope, I don’t see it, but if it’s there you came to the right guy. I can get rid of it for you." He smiled at her but then with a serious expression looked down at her breasts again. When he touched her the feeling Brooke got was not one of passion.

"What’s wrong?" She asked.

"I’m looking at this scar. I don’t like the way it’s healing up. I don’t want to put this off any longer." He reached for the phone.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I’m booking an O.R. for tomorrow. I want this taken care of right away." He listened to the voice at the other end and punched in some numbers.

"What are you doing?" She asked again.

"I’m booking the O.R., this system is all automated. All I need to do is key in my ID and when I want it and the let me know what’s available. Hold it a sec." He listened again and punched in some more numbers. He listened. Spoke his name aloud and hung up. "All taken care of. You and I have a date tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" She shuddered.

"Yup! Six AM. I’ll have you all fixed up and out of there by the afternoon."

"I thought you wanted to do it in your office."

"I’m not taking any chances with the woman I love." He kissed her on the nose. "I got Denise and Kelly both lined up to assist me. You like them right?"

"You did all that just then?"

"Ah, the wonders of modern technology."

"Are you going to knock me out?"

"Nah. I’ll give you something to calm you and a local so you won’t feel anything. It’s really not serious. If it was anyone but you I would have let it wait but you deserve the very best care in the world."

"I guess being a doctors wife has its advantages." She said.

"Want me to show you some more advantages?" He asked.

"No." She said. "I want to show you how lucky you are to have married a CEO."

"Believe me, I already know that." He told her.

"Well prepare yourself to get blown away!" She said as she slid down the bed. Her fingers gently held his member and brought him back to his prior state.

"I think I like this." He said.

"I’ve barely started." She said as she took him into her mouth.

"Ridge!" Taylor screamed. "What are you doing here?" She grabbed the shower curtain and wrapped it around her.

"You invited me." He said with a grin.

"I invited Bryan!" She told him.

Ridge looked around. "I don’t see him anywhere."

"How did you get in?" She asked.

"The door wasn’t locked."

"Macy must have left it open. Get out of here Ridge!"

"I thought you were enjoying that."

"I thought you were Bryan."

"Come on Doc, by now you must know the feel of my body, my hands." He gently removed her hands from the shower curtain and it fell back in place.

They faced one another in all their naked glory. Taylor felt herself shivering and her legs tightening.

"Don’t fight it Doc." He told her. "We both want this."

"No Ridge." She said as her eyes went to his erection.

"Yes Doc." He said as he took her into his arms and her lips desperately searched out his. She screamed his name in passion as he lifted her up and lowered her onto him. And under the flowing water they made long, tender love.

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