Changes Part 41

 

"This can never happen again Ridge, never." Taylor said as she pulled up her panties. "I don’t

understand you. How can you put me in this situation? You married Morgan. You and I had

our goodbye and it was beautiful. Now you’ve turned that memory into something ugly and

cheap." She pulled a large tee shirt over her head.

"Making love to you could never be ugly or cheap Taylor."

"We didn’t make love, we had sex. Love is something between two people who respect each

other."

"I respect you."

"Well I don’t respect you anymore Ridge. I want you to get dressed and I want you to leave."

She told him. "And Ridge, I don’t want you to ever come back here again. What you did to me

was wrong."

"What you did to me was worse Doc."

"What did I do to you?"

"You told me that the baby you’re carrying is Bryan’s."

"It is!"

"No Doc, you and I both know that that child is mine."

 

"That was a wonderful way to spend the day." Brooke commented as she and Michael

headed home.

"Fighting?"

"No, making up." She reached over and kissed him.

"Yeah but let’s not waste any more energy fighting. We have enough going against us right

now."

"You had to bring that up and spoil my mood."

"Well I have to contend with Ehlers. We both have to deal with the Forresters and most

important I have to find some way to convince your daughter that I’m not King Rat."

"Oh she’ll come around. Once she sees how happy we are. There’s really no reason for her to

feel this way. I think she’s just worried that I’ll neglect her."

"That’s stupid. Why would she think that?"

"I’ve been selfish about my love life in the past and it’s upset her. She was devastated when

Ridge left us. I let her down."

"You didn’t let her down, he did."

"We both did."

"Don’t worry Brooke. I think I can charm her."

"I bet you can."

"Do you still want me to drop you at Taylor’s?"

"Oh God! See what you did again. You made me forget Taylor. Yes, take me there and I’ll

have Bryan bring me home."

"I can come back for you."

"Are you going home or are you going to the office?"

"Home. No point going in this late. I cancelled my appointments anyway."

"Are you going to your place to get some clothes?"

"That might be a good idea. I’ll drop you at Taylor’s and head over there and then home."

"I love you."

"Where did that come from?"

"I just wanted to say it. It feels so good talking about home and knowing it’s all about you and

me."

"I never thought I’d feel that way." He confessed.

"But you do, don’t you?"

"I wish you’d get over this insecurity you have Brooke. I’m not Ridge. I’m not gonna leave you.

When I said I do I meant forever."

"Give me some time to get used to this Michael. Every relationship I ever had I had to fight so

hard to hold on to. It’s strange for me to not have to do that anymore."

He took her hand. "You’re a lotta work lady but I love you."

"You’re wrong Ridge. Whoever gave you that idea is wrong too. This is Bryan’s baby."

"You and I were together Doc. Please don’t do this. This baby is a part of our love."

She grabbed his clothes from the floor and threw them at him. "Get dressed Ridge and leave! I

don’t want you here when Bryan gets home."

"There are ways to prove it Doc." He said as he dropped the clothes back to the floor.

"Oh yes I forgot! You’re familiar with these situations! Well there is no need for tests or

anything. This baby was conceived in love! The love I feel for Bryan!"

"Are you saying you don’t love me? That’s a lie Taylor."

"Get out!" She screamed. "Oh God!" She said as she clutched her stomach and doubled over.

"Oh my God! Taylor!" Ridge cried as he pulled her into his arms. "What’s wrong? What’s

happening?"

"Help me Ridge! I think I’m losing the baby!"

 

"That’s Ridge’s car Michael. I can’t go in now. He must be confronting her."

"About what?"

"Oh with all that was going on I never told you. Taylor is pregnant."

"You mean Ridge has two women pregnant with his child at the same time? Ha! And I thought

I was good."

"It’s not funny Michael. Taylor is involved with Bryan. You met him."

"So he’s the father?"

"I don’t know. I don’t even know if Taylor knows."

"Ah the plot thickens. So you don’t want to go in?"

"I think they need some time alone."

Suddenly they heard loud shouting.

"What’s going on?" Michael asked.

"Something is wrong!" Brooke said as she jumped out of the car and ran for the door.

 

Brooke found the door unlocked so she let herself in. "Taylor!" She shouted.

"Logan! In here!" Ridge called from the bathroom. She ran to the door and saw a naked Ridge

holding a sobbing Taylor.

"What happened?" She asked in confusion.

"It’s the baby Logan! We have to help her."

"Did you call an ambulance?"

"Not yet."

"Ridge! Get dressed and call. I’ll stay with Taylor."

"I can’t leave her!"

"You have to! You can’t let people come in with you naked!" He looked down.

"I didn’t even realize."

"I’m alright." Taylor said. "It passed."

"What passed?" Brooke asked.

"A cramp, a very bad cramp. I’m so scared. I don’t want to lose this baby."

 

Michael was standing outside by the car when Bryan pulled up. He parked and went up to

Michael.

"Hey Mike. What’s up?"

"I was dropping Brooke off and she heard shouting so she ran in. I didn’t know what the hell to

do so I’ve been standing here like an idiot."

"Well come on in. We need to find out what the shouting was about." Bryan looked at the

other car that was parked there. "Whose car is that?"

"Brooke says it’s Ridge’s."

"That can only mean trouble." Bryan answered. "We better get in there." They headed for the

door.

"Ridge! Would you please put your clothes on!" Brooke shouted.

"Did I hear that correctly?" Michael asked Bryan.

"Damn right you did!" He said as they both ran to the bathroom.

"What the hell is going on here?" Bryan shouted as he saw the scene in front of him. A

soaking wet, naked Ridge staring down at Brooke who was holding a shaking and sobbing

Taylor in her arms.

Michael quickly followed him in.

"Whoa!" He said. "Looks like I’m in the wrong place."

"It’s Taylor." Brooke said. "She’s having problems. She’s having cramps. Michael can you

help her?"

"Okay everyone back off." Michael said as he sat on the floor next to Brooke and Taylor.

"Ridge it might be a good idea if you covered that thing up huh?" He looked at Brooke. "Honey

go to the trunk and get my bag okay. Bryan get me some cool water for her to sip and Ridge

I’m serious if you aren’t going to do something with it store it away."

Brooke ran out to the car and Bryan went to the kitchen and poured a glass of cool, spring

water. Ridge was just standing there like a deer caught in the headlights.

"I’m alright Michael." Taylor told him.

"No you aren’t honey. Your pulse is racing and you’re white as a ghost. Tell me what

happened."

"I felt this terrible pain and I got dizzy and I think I might have passed out."

"Can I examine you? Is that alright?"

"Yes." She told him.

He stood up and picked her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her

gently on the bed. Ridge followed him into the room. Bryan came in with the water.

"Put that over here Bryan and you two out! I’m going to examine her."

"You’re a surgeon." Ridge said.

"Yes Ridge, that means I went to medical school. I know I’m not an OBGYN but I’m the best

you have right now. Out of here both of you." The turned to Taylor. "Honey, I’m going to take

your panties off. Do you want me to wait till Brooke gets back?"

"No, I know you’re a professional." She was trembling so hard he was having a hard time with

it. He pulled them down and off. "Good. No blood there." He said as he looked at the panties.

Brooke came into the room with his bag.

"Thanks sweetie." He said. "You want to hold her hand she’s very upset."

Outside the room Ridge was finally getting dressed. Bryan was pacing back and forth in front

of the closed door.

"Before this evening is over I want to know exactly what the hell you were doing here like that

Ridge." Bryan told him.

"It isn’t important right now." Ridge answered as he pulled his pants up and zipped them.

"Yeah you got that right. Taylor is the only thing that matters, Taylor and my baby."

"Yeah, Taylor and my baby you mean." Ridge shot back.

They both stared at each other angrily. Several moments later Brooke and Michael came out

of the bedroom.

"She’s alright. There’s no bleeding but her pulse is way too fast. I can’t give her anything so I

called for an ambulance. Bryan, can you call her doctor and ask him to meet us at

Morningside. Ridge, you are in no condition to drive. Brooke can take you in my car."

"What about the kids?" Brooke asked.

"When I came in I asked Katherine to take them out. I’ll write her a note." Ridge answered.

"What about me?" Bryan asked.

"You’re coming in the ambulance with us."

Bryan picked up the phone and made the call to Dr. Wilson. Luckily he was in the office and

agreed to get in touch with Dr. Santana and meet them there.

The sound of a siren coming down the street made them all turn towards the door.

 

"Where did Ridge go?" Morgan asked Megan.

"He didn’t say. It’s not my job to check up on him Morgan?"

"Don’t you get snotty with me. I want to know where my husband went!"

"I really don’t know Morgan. Why don’t you ask Eric or Stephanie?"

"I think I will." She stormed off and into Eric’s office.

"What can I do for you Morgan?"

"I can’t find Ridge."

"I haven’t seen him in over a hour Morgan. He must be around here somewhere."

"Eric, why is he making it so difficult? All I want to do is be a good wife to him."

"It’s hard for him. He was very much in love with Taylor. Give him some time Morgan. He did

the right thing by you, I don’t know how much more you can ask of him."

"I want a real marriage Eric."

"Well that’s between the two of you. Wait till the baby comes. He’ll come around then, he’s a

good father and he will be to this baby too."

"Eric, can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"He won’t consummate our marriage."

"I think he already did that dear."

"But not since we said our vows. He refuses to even touch me. I don’t know how much more I

can take Eric. He throws himself all over Brooke and he moons over Taylor, but I’m his wife."

"Do you want me to talk to him? I really don’t know what good it will do but I’ll try if you want."

"I just want to make him love me."

"No one can force love Morgan, it has to be earned."

"I’ve tried to earn it Eric, I really have."

Sara and Bridget had gone back to Brooke’s house and were sitting out by the pool in their

tiniest bikinis.

"I can’t believe what you did Bridget. You are going to be in so much trouble when your

mother finds out."

"Yeah, but he’ll be gone by then so it will be worth it."

"You know Bridge, you’re gonna get him in a lot of trouble. That doctor sure hates him."

"Yeah well so do I. Wait till they come home. When he looks at you you’ll be skeeved out. He

looks at you like he can see underneath your clothes. All my mother wants to do is jump his

bones. It’s really gross."

"Sex isn’t gross Bridge. It’s nice."

"Well I’d never do it with someone like him."

"Do what with who?" Rick asked as he walked over. "Hi Sara."

"I’d never sleep with a slimeball like that Michael."

"Mom seems to really like him Budge. Why not give him a chance?"

"He’s not Ridge and he’s not Dad."

"Mom is never going to be with Ridge or Dad again. You gotta let her have some fun Budge."

"I told her Connor was okay. Not this guy. You saw the way he looked at me Rick. It was

sick."

"You looked way too old in that suit. Just like you do now." He looked at Sara. "You too

squirt!"

"It didn’t mean he had to stare at me."

"You wanted him to Budge."

"I did not!" She shouted at him.

"Then next time cover up." He looked at Sara again and smiled. "Maybe you should too."

"Why Rick?" Sara flirted. "Don’t you like the way I look?"

"You look like trouble Sara." He laughed and walked away.

"Do you like Rick?" Bridget asked her friend.

"I’d do him." She answered.

They both giggled.

"Ridge I know it wasn’t any of my business but what was going on?" Brooke asked as they

drove to the hospital.

"I went over to see her. She was in the shower. She thought I was Bryan and she invited me

to join her, so I did."

"She must have been so mad when she saw it was you."

"Not for long."

"You didn’t?"

"We did."

Brooke smiled and reached for his hand. "See, I told you."

"She was mad though, after."

"But she loves you Ridge. I knew she does. I wonder how Bryan is taking this?"

""I’d be mad if I were him but right now all I can do is think of Taylor and the baby."

"Michael was really concerned about her Ridge."

"I know. Whatever I have against the guy I’m sure glad he was there."

"He’s a good man Ridge."

"I may have to change my opinion of him after today. Though he was a little crude."

"Ridge you were standing there naked!"

"I couldn’t think Logan. I was so scared."

"Well I got a show I haven’t seen in a while." She smiled at him.

"Bring back any memories?" He joked.

"You really do like yourself Ridge."

"Somebody has to."

"Oh Ridge." She squeezed his hand. "What did she say about the baby?"

"She said it’s his."

"I don’t know how she can know that."

"I think she wants it to be his, because of Morgan."

"She’s probably very confused now. Believe me it isn’t much fun not knowing who the father of

your child is."

"It’s not fun being in my position either Logan."

"At least you’ve been through it before."

"I still wish Bridget was mine Logan. I miss her."

"She still loves you very much Ridge. She’s growing up so fast. You should try to spend a

little time with her. She’d really like it."

"So would I. Maybe when this crisis passes I’ll try to do something with her."

"She’s taking my marriage rather badly Ridge. Maybe she’d listen to you."

"She already came to me about it Brooke. I didn’t handle it too well."

"Don’t worry about Bridget right now honey. I can take care of her. You need to concentrate

on Taylor."

"They just have to be okay. Brooke I love her so much and I already love this baby."

"You have to prepare yourself Ridge. Taylor is in bad shape. The baby is in danger."

"Why Logan why? Why is it so hard for her every time?"

"I wish I knew honey." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "We’re all praying for them.

It’s in God’s hands now."

 

Michael and Bryan were at either side of Taylor as she was wheeled into the hospital. Dr.

Wilson greeted them at the door.

"Thanks Dr. Copeland I can handle it from here."

"Her pulse is racing but there’s been no bleeding." Michael told him.

"You examined her?" He asked in a shocked voice.

"Oh course I did." He answered indignantly.

"Did he touch you improperly?" He asked Taylor.

"What?" She asked. "Oh course not. Michael took very good care of me."

"I’d prefer that you stay away from my patients in the future Dr. Copeland." Dr. Wilson told

him.

"That is uncalled for. Mrs. Forrester is a friend of his and I asked for his help. If you insist on

making these kind of remarks Dr. Wilson you will find yourself facing a lawsuit." Bryan told

him.

"And you are?"

"Bryan Jackson, Mrs. Forrester’s fiancée and if this persists, Dr. Copeland’s attorney."

"Thank you Bryan. " Michael said as he pushed his hair from his face. "I’m getting sick and

tired of these allegations that Dr. Ehlers has been spreading around and believe me I won’t

stand still for them." He turned to Dr. Wilson. "Just take her in and take care of her and don’t

worry about who I touch or don’t touch."

"Stay cool Mike. I’ll handle this for you." Bryan told him. Michael walked away and went up to

the desk to talk to the nurse on duty.

"Can Bryan come in with me?" Taylor asked.

"Not now Taylor. Dr. Santana is on her way in. Your friend can wait out here." The orderlies

rolled her into an examining room and Dr. Wilson followed. Bryan walked over to Michael.

"What the hell was that all about?"

"Oh man, it’s a long story. I can’t thank you enough for what you said."

"Actually I’m not the best person to represent you, I am mostly involved with corporate law,

but I couldn’t just stand there and listen to that sh*t after what you did for Taylor."

"I may need to find myself a good lawyer Bryan. The one I used to use retired a year ago.

Man!" He said as he punched the desk. "I never thought I’d have to deal with this crap again.

God Damn that Ehlers!"

"Calm down Mike. I’ll set you up. You got a great suit for defamation of character. Maybe

Connor will take it on."

"Not a good idea Bryan. I married his woman."

"Yeah." He chuckled. "I forgot that. Any idea when Brooke plans to tell him? I’d hate for him to

hear it through the grapevine."

"I was going to take her over to see him after Taylor but well."

"Yeah." Bryan sighed. "Tell me Mike. Does it look bad?"

"It’s not my field, but from what Brooke told me it’s not too good. She had terrible problems

with her other two pregnancies. Bryan she is going to have to stay off her feet from now on. At

least that’s my opinion. Maybe Dr. Santana can tell you different. She’s good, real good."

"And Dr. Wilson?"

"He has a good reputation but after that I wouldn’t recommend him."

"Who’s this Ehlers?"

"He was Brooke’s primary when she was shot. He and I go way back. I knocked up his

daughter and he’s hated me ever since."

"I can understand that."

"I was going to marry her. He made her have an abortion. He told me he’d never let "The

Devil’s Spawn" live in his home."

"I guess he doesn’t like you much."

"He’s prevented me twice from getting department head. He knows I’m the best and I deserve

it. Now that’s not enough for him. He wants me out of the hospital entirely and he wants my

license. Thank God he has no grounds cause he is determined."

"I’ll set you up with a great lawyer Mike. By the time we’re finished with him you’ll own his

butt."

"Thanks Bryan." They shook hands. He looked out the window and saw Brooke and Ridge

approaching. "Here comes Ridge and my wife. What the hell are you gonna do about him?"

"I’ll deal with him later. He won’t get away with it. He knows how vulnerable she is to him."

"Join the club." Michael said. "He was after Brooke all morning. Gotta hand it to him, he’s got

balls."

"Not when I finish with him."

Brooke ran up to Michael and hugged him. "How is she?"

"Dr. Wilson is in with her right now honey."

"Why aren’t you with them?"

"He didn’t want me there. Don’t worry, she’s in good hands." He put his arm around her

shoulder and pulled her to him. "Hey Ridge." He said as Ridge joined them. "I was just telling

Brooke that Dr. Wilson is in with her right now."

"How was she on the ride over?"

"Stable. I think she’ll be alright."

"And the baby?"

"I can’t really say Ridge. I’m sorry, I just don’t know."

"They’ll both be fine Ridge, they just have to be." Brooke said.

Ridge looked at Bryan but strangely it was not with anger but with sadness and concern.

"We’ll both be there for her Ridge." Bryan told him. "Right now she needs our support and

nothing more."

"You’re right Jackson. I agree with you on this one."

Brooke and Michael looked at each other wondering how long this truce could last.

"It’s wonderful Maria. Mr. Chambers has put on ten pounds this week. And his color it is

much better no?" Consuelo asked.

"What does Pedro credit for the sudden improvement?"

"He has regained his will. He speaks of his wife and going home to her."

"His friend is coming to see him within the next two weeks. If Pedro let’s her she will bring

him home. She and Pedro will contact his American doctor."

"Does he know that he is alive?"

"No, he asked not to be appraised. He felt it would do him harm if it was know he cooperated

with us. Mr. Chambers was the first patient he has sent to us but he was not the last."

"Then he is a good man."

"Yes he is Consuelo, and a brave one too."

"Is Mr. Chambers wife coming too? It would make him so happy."

"Pedro is acting strangely about that. I have asked him but he hesitates to tell me."

"But Maria, with all you have done for us?"

"Pedro has his reasons. He is a good doctor and I will respect his wishes for privacy."

Changes Part 42

 

Brooke and Michael were sitting together talking while Bryan and Ridge were both pacing in front of the door where Taylor had been led when Dr. Wilson emerged.

"Folks, can we gather together. I don’t want to waste time going over this twice." They all walked over to him.

"Taylor is alright at this point."

"And the baby?" Ridge interrupted.

"The baby is still with us. But it’s going to be touch and go for awhile. Dr. Santana is in with her right now. She will be taking over as her physician as of today. I will be available for consultation."

"Why Dr. Wilson?" Ridge asked.

"When I was Taylor’s doctor with the twins Ridge it was because of the T. B. that she had contracted. Her problem now is a high-risk pregnancy. That is Dr. Santana’s specialty. We both feel that at this time she is the better choice for Taylor’s care."

"Will she have to stay in the hospital?" Brooke asked.

"That will be up to Dr. Santana. As I said, she’s in with her now. She will be able to better answer your questions when she comes out."

"When will that be?" Ridge asked.

"She should be out shortly." He turned to Michael. "May I speak to you Dr. Copeland?"

"Of course doctor." Michael answered. He gave Brooke’s hand a squeeze and the two men stepped away from them.

 

"Dr. Copeland, I wish to apologize for my behavior before. I realize that it was unprofessional and uncalled for."

"I’d really like to know what the hell I ever did to you for you to come out with that."

"You must know that there have been rumors going around about you for sometime now."

"Rumors? What exactly are you getting at?"

"Dr. Copeland, it’s no secret around here that you have quite a thing with the ladies. Now that should have no bearing on your abilities but when you bring them into this facility it is another thing."

"What does my social life have to do with any of this?"

"It’s happened more than once that you’ve been caught literally with your pants down doctor."

"If that’s true it’s only because of dirty minded old men prying where they don’t belong."

"You don’t belong in a patients bed Dr. Copeland. If you insist on romancing your patients have the decency to wait until they are discharged."

"And whose bed is it I supposedly was caught in?"

"I won’t even pretend that the issue interested me enough to know those details. Dr. Copeland you are an accomplished surgeon, and a fine one too. Don’t throw your career away over something you can get without a problem on the outside. I’m just warning you. There are people here who would love to see your license revoked and your entire career grabbed from your hands. Mrs. Forrester made it plain to me that nothing improper happened between you and I believe her. Make sure you use the same common sense with your other patients that you did with her. Good day doctor." He said. He turned and walked away.

Michael rejoined the others but it was clear to them that something was greatly upsetting him.

"Did he tell you something else about Taylor? Is something wrong that he doesn’t want us to know?" Ridge asked.

"It had nothing to do with Taylor." Michael said sadly.

"Is this about what happened before Mike?" Bryan asked.

"Yeah, it’s getting worse by the minute Bryan."

"Michael?" Brooke asked. Her face troubled.

"Don’t worry about it honey." He gave her a kiss. "Everything is gonna be okay. I’ll take care of it."

"As soon as Dr. Santana finishes with us and I see Taylor I’ll make some calls." Bryan volunteered.

"Yeah." Michael sighed. He pulled Brooke into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I sure love you honey. If it wasn’t for you I’d be going crazy right now." She looked up to him with concern. "It’s alright Brooke, everything will get straightened out eventually." He sighed again and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Can I be of any help?" Ridge asked.

"You know what buddy?" Michael said. "You may be at that. Not right now though. Okay?"

 

Dr. Santana had finished examining Taylor. She pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.

"Well Taylor, here we are again."

"Is my baby alright?"

"It’s hard to say. Right now everything seems normal. But Taylor it’s exactly what we were facing with Thomas. You are under way too much stress. I don’t know how to put this diplomatically so I’m just going to come out with this. I’m very upset by what Dr. Wilson told me."

"What did he tell you?"

"I understand that you and Ridge are divorced."

"Yes, we are."

"And now you have a new fiancée? A man named Bryan?"

"That’s true."

"And Taylor, both these men are claiming to be the father of your child."

"It’s Bryan’s child Dr. Santana."

"Are you positive Taylor? Have the dates checked out?"

"I know it in my heart."

"The heart is a valuable organ Taylor, it keeps our bodies going, it pumps our blood but it doesn’t determine paternity. I’m not trying to doubt you but you must understand the stress of this situation is dangerous, extremely dangerous."

"Am I going to lose the baby?"

"It’s very possible Taylor."

"Oh God!" She started to sob.

"Shhh, calm down Taylor. Please dear. You must do your best to remain calm, for your baby’s sake."

"I’ll try, I really will."

"Taylor you say that you know that Bryan is the father. What makes you so sure?"

"The timing is right, and I just feel in inside."

"Then I have a suggestion to make to you."

"Yes doctor?"

"I suggest that rather than submit yourself to the pain of the fighting and arguing that this situation will bring, that you make a serious decision."

"What decision is that?"

"If Ridge isn’t your child’s father and he is going to cause you aggravation, then I suggest you limit any time spent with him. Concentrate on your future and your baby’s father. I know Ridge is the father to your other children and meetings with him can’t be avoided but make them short and make sure that you have someone else’s support while he is around. What I’m saying Taylor is you should not be spending any time alone with him. It can only cause harm to you and your baby."

"I don’t want to hurt him."

"I don’t want you to hurt him either, but you have to put yourself first. Now do you and the baby’s father plan on being married?"

"Yes. We are going to fly to Santa Domingo and be married there."

"No! Absolutely not! Taylor, that is out of the question. You will not be boarding a plane or a train or any other means of public transportation and you will not be leaving Los Angeles. You cannot risk that now. Why can’t you be married here?"

"It’s a legal problem. I suppose we can wait until the baby is born."

"I recommend it completely Taylor. Now another thing, I remember from when you were pregnant with Thomas that there was one other cause of great stress for you."

"Not telling Ridge?" She asked.

"No, I meant Brooke Logan. Taylor, I don’t know if you are aware but she is out there in the waiting room with Ridge. Now if she was the cause of the end of your marriage she must be kept away. If you like I will talk to both Brooke and Ridge and make them understand."

"No Dr. Santana. Brooke has nothing to do with any of this. We’re friends now. She is here to support me."

"And she causes you no stress?"

Taylor smiled. "Brooke is bathed in stress, but no, she isn’t a factor in mine anymore. In fact she is probably one of the most calming things in my life right now."

"Good, then you need her around. You need anything that calms you."

"Dr. Santana, do you really think it’s necessary for me to avoid contact with Ridge? Right now I’m very mad at him but he still means so much to me."

"Don’t you hear what you just said Taylor? You are so mad at Ridge. That is dangerous for you and your baby right now."

"Yes, I suppose it is. Maybe I should talk to him and make him understand."

"I’ll talk to him first Taylor. He needs to know how very serious this is."

"Alright Dr. Santana."

"Taylor I’m not saying this to hurt you or Ridge. I just want you to put the baby and your health first."

"I will, I promise." She said. "Dr. Santana? Can I go home?"

"Yes Taylor. I plan to release you as long as you agree to lots of rest and no aggravation."

"I promise. Will you send Bryan in so I can go home?"

"Is that what you want Taylor?"

"Bryan is my future doctor. He’s what I want now."

 

Dr. Santana walked out and approached the group. "Taylor is doing very well right now. Her pulse rate is normal and she’s much calmer. I must warn you that we are not over this by any means. Both she and the baby are still in danger. I can’t stress this enough." She turned to Bryan. "Are you Bryan?"

"Yes, I am."

"Bryan, Taylor can go home now. I want you to be very careful with her and make sure that she follows all of my orders. You can go in to her now."

"Thank you doctor." He started in and Ridge started to follow.

"Ridge! I need to speak to you." Dr. Santana said stopping him.

"Can’t it wait?"

"No Ridge, it can’t. Please come to my office for a moment." She took his arm and led him away.

"I wonder what she’s telling him." Michael said to Brooke.

"Maybe it’s worse than she said. God I hope not Michael."

"How are we all going to get back? My car barely fits four people and it’s the only one we have."

"You take Bryan and Taylor. Ridge and I can follow in a cab. Make sure Taylor sits in the front where she has more room."

"I don’t want to be away from you again." He complained.

"It’s just for the ride. We have the rest of the night for ourselves." She kissed him. "I am determined to make you lose that frown."

"You’re the only one who can do that." He sighed.

"Michael what’s wrong? Why are you so down?"

"Things all seem to be catching up with me Brooke. It’s all falling apart. I don’t know how it started and I don’t know how to stop it."

"We can talk about it at home when we’re alone."

"Honey I don’t want to talk about it anymore tonight. I just want to be home with you in my arms."

"We can do that too." She smiled at him.

"That’s insane Dr. Santana." Ridge growled. "Taylor needs me. This is our child and we need to be together."

"Ridge you will have to respect her wishes. Whether this is your child or Bryan’s isn’t what’s important right now. Taylor’s health and the health of that child have to come first. You are getting her aggravated Ridge. I know you love her but she can’t be worried about you and your emotions. You must try to understand this."

"Does she agree with this?"

"Yes she does. She wants you to be there for the children but you must give her her space. Right now she feels comfortable and secure with Bryan. That will keep her calm and safe."

"This is so damn hard!"

"I know it is Ridge but in the long run you’ll see that it’s the only way."

"Can I be with her at all?"

"Only for limited visits and not alone Ridge."

"I can’t do this!"

"You have to do this!"

"Hi baby." Bryan said as he saw Taylor sitting on the bed. "How do you feel?"

"Worn out, like I was hit by a truck. But better." She smiled a weak smile. "Do I get a kiss?"

"You get as many as you want." He said as he sat down next to her. He held her lightly and gave her a soft, tender kiss.

"You call that a kiss?" She joked.

"Not so good huh? How about this?" He asked. He pulled her tight into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately.

"It’ll do." She laughed.

"You really had me worried."

"I was worried too Bryan. I don’t want to lose our baby."

"We won’t let that happen." He held her but found himself wincing at her expressing it as their baby. "Taylor I have to ask you."

"I know Bryan, I just know."

"Is there a possibility?"

"Yes, but it isn’t. You just have to believe that."

"It doesn’t matter Taylor."

"What?" She pulled back.

"Taylor I said that loved you and I meant it. What happened between you and Ridge before us is something I have to deal with. If this is his child I won’t keep him from it but I will love it just the same because I love you. Just as I will love Thomas and Stephanie and Phoebe. Although I sure wish you hadn’t named her Stephanie." He chuckled.

"Do you really mean that?"

"Taylor I love you. I want you safe and happy and healthy. If this isn’t my child then the next one will be. Baby I can’t say I don’t want it to be mine but I can live with it if it isn’t. As long as I have you I can live with anything."

 

 

Ridge was sulking as he walked back to join Michael and Brooke. "Is he still in there?" He asked.

"Yes." Brooke answered. "What did Dr. Santana say? Is Taylor alright?"

"She will be as long as I stay away from her."

"She said that?" Brooke asked, her eyes widening.

"Yeah honey she said that. I’m practically to blame for everything."

"She couldn’t really mean that Ridge." Michael added.

"I think she did Mike." He turned to Brooke. "I’m going to see if I can get a ride back to Taylor’s so I can get my car out of there before she gets home. Wanna come with me?" He asked almost begging.

"Sure Ridge. Michael can take Taylor and Bryan back. Okay honey?" She asked Michael.

"Sure Brooke." He gave her a kiss. "Take good care of my girl Ridge."

"Only the best for Brooke." He said as he grabbed her hand and led her away.

 

"Thanks Eric. You’ve been so kind." Morgan gushed.

"I want what’s best for my grandchild Morgan. Don’t worry, I’ll speak to Ridge. He made this commitment and he has to live up to it."

"You’re the best." She grinned and kissed him on the cheek. "I think I’ll go home and get changed for dinner. Ridge is taking me out."

"You have fun dear." Eric smiled at her.

Ridge laid his head back on the seat in the cab and sighed. "Logan she hates me. She wants me to stay away from her. How did I let this get to this point?"

Brooke pulled him over to her and hugged him.

"Ridge she’s upset and scared. She’s worried about her baby. That has to come first. I was wrong to push you at her like that. I never dreamed you would do what you did."

"I didn’t plan it Logan, it just happened. One minute I was walking in just so I could talk to her and the next thing I was in the shower making love to her. No, she says it was only sex not love."

"We both know that isn’t true. But what you did was wrong Ridge."

"I couldn’t help myself."

"You should have tried. Ridge you can’t act out every fantasy you have like this."

"Why not? It could have changed everything."

"You’d still be married to Morgan. Can you see you can’t just let your emotions get you like that? You need to learn more self control."

"Like you?"

"Are you referring to Michael?"

"You moved awfully fast Logan."

"But I’m happy."

"Things didn’t look too happy tonight."

"Something is bothering him Ridge. I don’t know what it is. He talked to Bryan about it though."

"Wonderful! Another Bryan fan. I suppose next you’ll be singing his praises."

"I like him Ridge, I won’t lie to you."

"And me?"

"Don’t ask stupid questions."

"Do you like me Logan?"

"I love you Ridge."

"But do you like me?"

"Sometimes I don’t but usually I do. I always love you."

"Me too Logan." He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.

"Don’t be so morose Ridge. Things will work out for you."

"Sometimes I wonder if anything will ever be good again." He laid his head on her shoulder. "You are so good for me Logan. I hope you realize that."

"It goes both ways Ridge." She answered. "As long as you don’t rag on Michael too much." She teased.

"I promise. I won’t bug you about him. As long as he treats you right."

 

Taylor and Bryan slowly walked out of the room and joined Michael. "Where’s Brooke and Ridge?" Taylor asked.

"There isn’t room in my car for all of us. They took a cab. Are you ready to leave?"

"Ready, willing and able." Taylor answered.

"How are you feeling Taylor?" Michael asked her.

"A lot better. I can’t thank you enough Michael."

"I didn’t do anything Taylor. I’m just glad you’re alright."

"You did a lot Michael." Bryan told him. "You calmed her down and did all the right things, I’m in your debt."

"Good" Michael said with a deep sigh. "Because I think I’ll be calling you on it."

"I don’t understand." Taylor stated.

"It’s not important. Let’s just say I may be needing a lawyer and Bryan is gonna set me up."

"I hope it’s not serious." Taylor said.

"Nothing for you to worry about Taylor." He smiled at her. "You two wait here, I’ll pull the car up."

 

Brooke was standing by Ridge’s car while he paid the cab driver. She was deep in thought when he touched her on the shoulder. She jumped in shock.

"Wow are you wound up Logan."

"Aren’t we all?"

"Not as much as you. Talk to me Logan. What’s wrong?"

"I’m worried about Taylor and I’m worried about Michael and on top of all that I’m having surgery tomorrow."

"Surgery? So soon?"

"Michael didn’t want to put it off. He doesn’t like the way I’m healing."

"Your face looks great Brooke."

"It’s where the bullet went in."

"Can I see?"

"Sure." She said as she lowered the top of her shirt exposing the scar. "What do you think?"

"It’s not pretty. But Logan, Mike is the best. That’s why I called him in the first place. What about where the glass cut you?"

"That’s a bit lower. You don’t get to see that one." She laughed.

"I’ve seen your breasts Brooke."

"Not this time Ridge."

"When is the surgery?"

"Six in the morning."

"Well it’s getting late. You should be home resting up."

"I have to wait for Michael. I can’t exactly walk home."

"I’ll drive you home. We’ll tell Katherine to let him know I took you home."

"I really would like to try and relax a bit."

"Then it’s settled. Besides, I’d like to say hi to the kids."

"Bridget will like that."

"Get in the car. I’ll go tell Katherine."

Ridge when into the house and let Katherine know what was going on. He spent a few minutes with his kids and then got into the car where Brooke was waiting. He started the car and pulled out onto the road.

"Was she there?" She asked.

"Yeah, she said she’d let Mike know I took you home. Sorry I took so long. I wanted to see the kids."

"We can go back Ridge. You should spend more time with them."

"Dr. Santana said it isn’t good for Taylor."

"Well she doesn’t know everything!"

"I think she’s right about this Logan. I need to give Taylor a few days to get better. Then I’ll see where we’re at." He pulled out his cell phone. "I’m gonna check my messages, okay?"

"Sure."

He punched in his code and listened to the messages. He seeming to be growing more agitated by the moment.

"You won’t believe this Logan. Dad left me a message practically ordering me to go home and screw Morgan. Apparently she went crying to him that I wasn’t fulfilling my husbandly duties."

"You’re kidding!"

"What gets me is he bought it. It’s bad enough he talked me into this marriage. This is going way too far."

"Don’t let it get to you. It’s your decision, though I hope you don’t give in."

"Wanna take her place?" He joked. "You and I were always good together."

"Not on your life. Michael is all I can handle." She smiled thinking of her husband.

"I don’t want to be with her Logan. I can’t go home tonight. I can’t deal with her tonight."

"Then go back to your house Ridge. Stay there."

"I don’t want to hide either."

"Then stay and have dinner with us and then you can go home and face her later."

"Don’t you think Mike will mind?"

"No. Why should he?"

"Thanks Brooke. That sounds like something I need."

"Then it’s settled. Give me your phone and I’ll call Bridget and Rick and ask them to put out another steak. We’re barbecuing tonight." He handed her the phone.

"Your number is Memory 3 Logan."

"You still have me programmed?" She smiled.

"Yeah Brooke I still do."

She hit the number and listened to it ring.

"Hello." Said Bridget.

"Hi honey it’s mom."

"Hi Mom. Where are you?"

"I’m on the way home. Do me a favor honey and take out another salmon steak."

"Who’s coming? Him?" She said with distaste.

"He lives here now Bridget! I don’t want to start this all over again!"

"Well you already have four out." She grumbled.

"I need five."

"Are you bringing someone else? Like a divorce lawyer?"

"Bridget knock it off. Ridge is coming."

"Ridge? Can I talk to him?"

"He’s driving. We’ll be there in a little while and you can talk to him then okay?"

"Okay." They hung up.

"I don’t know what I’m going to do with her." Brooke complained. "She really hates Michael and I don’t have any idea why."

"I’ll talk to her again Logan. Maybe she’ll tell me more. She told me she doesn’t like him but she didn’t really give me any good reason."

"I have to find a way to make some peace in my house Ridge. Rick accepts Michael and Bridget has to learn to too."

"Maybe Taylor can talk to her."

"She won’t listen to anyone. You’re my best hope."

"I’ll do what I can Logan." He gave her a squeeze. "I’d do anything for you Logan."

 

Changes Part 43

 

An exhausted Michael walked into the house. He had stopped at his place and packed a couple of bags and he was looking forward to a quiet evening alone with Brooke. He didn’t notice Ridge’s car parked outside.

"Honey?" He called as he walked inside. "Brooke? Anybody here?"

He walked through the house but couldn’t find anyone. He listened and heard voices by the pool. He stepped out the back door and saw Ridge and Bridget splashing and playing in the pool. Rick was working at the grill.

"Hi there." He said.

"Hey Mike!" Ridge shouted. "Grab a suit and come on in!"

"Where’s my wife?" He asked.

Rick pointed to a lounge chair where she lay there sound asleep. She was wearing a tiny white bikini. He walked over to her and planted a kiss on her mouth. Awakening she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Hey sleepyhead." He said.

"Michael." She said as she brought her lips back to his. He climbed on the lounge and lay down on top of her. He took her into his arms and continued his greeting. She wound her legs around him.

"Gross." Bridget said to Ridge. "I wish he would just go away."

"Come on Bridget, she loves him."

"Well I hate him. Look at him. He’s practically undressing her."

"It’s their honeymoon."

"I don’t want him here Ridge."

"That’s not your call Bridget."

She continued to stare at them getting madder by the minute.

"He’s gonna do it right out here in front of us!"

"No he isn’t Bridget." Ridge laughed. "Wait a minute, I’ll be right back." He told her. He climbed out of the pool and walked over to them. He tapped Michael on the shoulder.

"Can you two slow it down a bit? Bridget is getting really annoyed."

"She’s gonna have to get used to it Ridge." Michael told him.

"Then go inside huh? She’s really upset."

Brooke pulled herself up into a sitting position. "Let’s go for a swim." She suggested to Michael.

"Okay, I’ll go in and change."

"Use the pool house."

"My bags are inside. I’ll be right back." He got up and went inside. Brooke stood up and walked over to the pool. She put her toe in the water to test the temperature. She didn’t see Ridge as he walked up behind her. He looked at Bridget who nodded at him. He grinned at her and quickly pushed Brooke into the pool.

"No fair!" She shouted as she pulled her head out of the water. "You two ganged up on me!" She swam over to Bridget and playfully dunked her.

"Mom?" Bridget looked at her mother pleadingly.

"Yes honey?" Brooke said softly.

"Did you tell him to leave?"

"No Bridget. He’s my husband and I love him. He’s here to stay, that is until we find a new place."

"A new place? Mom you wouldn’t!" Bridget cried.

"Honey we need a place that’s not Michael’s or mine. We need a home for our family."

"He’ll never be family." Bridget said as she swam away.

Ridge walked over to Rick at the grill. "So what do you think about Michael?"

"I don’t know. He’s okay I guess."

"Your sister doesn’t seem to like him much."

"She just a kid Ridge."

"I hope you guys cut your mom some slack. I want her to be happy."

"You should have thought about that when you left her." He said turning away.

"Come on Rick, that’s not an issue anymore. Your Mom and I are closer than ever."

"It’s not the same and you know it. Do you really think she would have married him if you were still around?"

"If I was still around she’d still be married to me Rick."

"My point exactly."

"Rick, you like Taylor."

"You aren’t with her anymore Ridge. Try and keep your wives straight huh?"

"Cruel Rick, very cruel. But that’s another reason your Mom’s friendship means so much to me."

"Don’t you dare hurt her again Ridge."

"I never meant to hurt her Rick."

"Whatever." He started to walk away.

"Come on Rick, we’re friends aren’t we?"

"Mom still misses you."

"Not now Rick. We really are friends now and she’s really happy with Mike."

"Ridge you screwed up big time with Mom and now you did the same thing with Taylor. I don’t want you to come running back to Mom only to hurt her again."

"Is that what you think I’m doing?"

"Yeah, that’s exactly what I think you’re doing."

"Well I’m not Rick. I promise you. Logan means the world to me. I won’t mess with her again okay." He ruffled his hair.

"Okay Ridge. I’ll hold you to your word."

 

Michael walked back out to the yard and spotted Brooke in the pool. He walked to the diving board and did a perfect dive and swam over to her.

"I thought we were gonna be alone tonight."

"I’m sorry Michael, Ridge was really depressed and I thought we could cheer him up."

"I thought you wanted to cheer me up?"

"Oh I will." She told him. She put her arms around him and kissed him.

"I wish your family wasn’t around Brooke. This reminds me of the time in my pool." He pulled her close and she felt him hard against her stomach.

"Let’s go inside." She told him.

"Now?"

"Unless you want an audience."

"God I want you so much." He said as his mouth took hers.

"The bedroom." She whispered.

"Nope." He said as he pushed her to the corner of the pool. "Can’t wait that long."

"I’m not going to do it in front of Ridge and my kids!" She squealed as he reached his hand inside her bikini bottom.

He looked around. "Okay follow me." He swam to the steps with Brooke right behind him. "Walk close in front of me. I don’t want to embarrass Bridget." He told her.

"Where are we going?" She giggled.

"The pool house."

They got out of the pool and laughing ran into the pool house and shut the door. Michael quickly dropped his suit and pulled her into his arms.

"Oh I like this." She purred at him. She reached down to stroke him. He quickly pulled her bottoms off. He guided her to a lounge and gently pushed her down.

"You’ll like this even better." He said as in one quick thrust he slid into her.

Outside on the deck Bridget cringed as she heard her mother moan and scream in pleasure.

"I hate him!" She shouted as she ran towards the house. Ride quickly followed her and pulled her back.

"Bridget I understand. I know how you feel."

"It should be you Ridge." She cried. "I hate him so much."

"Sweetheart why do you hate him? Did he do something to you? Did he say something?"

"I just hate him."

"Because he isn’t me? Or Dad?"

"It should be you Ridge."

"But it’s not Bridget. It’s Mike and your mother apparently loves him."

"How can she do that in front of us? How can she do that in front of you?"

"I don’t think she’s even aware that there is anyone in the world but Michael right about now."

"Don’t you love her anymore?"

"Bridget I will always love your mother but this isn’t our time anymore. It’s her time with Michael and my time with Taylor."

"But you left Taylor. I thought you’d come home Ridge!"

"My home is with Taylor honey and somehow I’m going to find my way back there."

"Just leave me alone then Ridge!" She cried as she ran into the house.

Brooke felt her body shudder and she held Michael tightly as her release came. Afterward he started to move off her but she refused to let him go.

"Not yet." She told him. "I can’t yet." She kissed him.

"Let’s get rid of this." He said as he unhooked her top. He lifted himself up slightly to gaze at her. "Much better." He groaned. He moved his mouth to her breast and lightly bit her nipple. "Honey we really need to be alone. This is our honeymoon for God’s sake. Why did you have to invite him?"

"Don’t worry about Ridge." She said as she slowly started moving her body under him. "Please I need you again before we go back there."

Without separating their bodies he pulled her up until she was almost sitting on his lap. "Ready for round two?" he asked.

Morgan had switched her dress four times before settling on a sexy, backless, black shift that didn’t show her pregnancy. She looked in the mirror admiring her reflection.

"Oh Ridge, tonight is going to be the night. We’ll have a romantic dinner and we’ll make love and then you’ll truly be mine." She looked at the clock. "It’s getting late Ridge! When are you coming home?"

Brooke and Michael sheepishly walked out of the pool house and walked over to Ridge.

"Sorry." Brooke said with a laugh.

"It couldn’t be helped." Michael added.

"Don’t worry, I entertained myself. I had a little talk with Bridget and then Rick and I had a swim." Ridge told them.

"Good." Brooke said. "I’m going to get a bottle of wine. Anything special guys?"

"You chose Logan." Ridge said.

Brooke walked into the house leaving Ridge and Michael alone.

"Sorry if I’m intruding." Ridge told him.

"Well I did want to be alone but don’t worry about it. You had a tough day too."

"Tell me about it."

"Actually I was hoping you’d tell me about it." Michael laughed. "What was with the birthday suit?"

"That’s none of your business."

"Okay, I’ll ask Brooke. Apparently you tell her everything."

"I was with Taylor and she had those cramps and I was too worried to do anything."

"Man Ridge, you talk about me. You have two women pregnant at the same time and you’re still alive? I don’t know how you do it."

"Morgan was a mistake."

"Oh yeah, you were tricked." He laughed. "The great Ridge Forrester tricked into a woman’s bed. I never thought I’d see the day."

"It’s a lot more complicated then that."

"It must be. But seriously Ridge. If you love Taylor so much why the f*ck did you marry the other chick?"

"My father convinced me that it was the right thing." At this Michael broke out laughing.

"Your Father? Come on Ridge, grow some balls."

"It’s very complicated Mike."

"Okay." Michael said seriously. "I don’t want to step on your toes man. I’m just trying to lighten this up a bit."

"Look Mike, let’s just change the subject."

"Okay. Here’s a serious one. You’ve known Bridget all her life. What the hell am I doing wrong Ridge? I only met her for a few minutes and she already decided she hates me."

"You come on too strong."

"How so? I barely said a word to her."

"With Brooke. She doesn’t like to see you two all over each other."

"Ridge, I’m in love with Brooke. I can’t keep my hands off her. I can’t keep my mind off her. Am I supposed to act like it’s different? You tell me, I never had to deal with kids before."

"She doesn’t want to see Brooke with anyone but me or Dad."

"Well she’s gonna have to learn to deal with this. Brooke married me."

"Give her time."

"I plan to but all she does is look at me like I’m the devil or something."

"I tried to talk to her but she’s very stubborn."

"There has to be something I can do to impress her."

Brooke walked out with a bottle of wine and three glasses.

"Talking about me?" She asked.

"Actually we were talking about Bridget." Michael admitted. "Where did she go?"

"She’s inside watching television. She promised to come out when dinner is ready." Brooke told him. "Hey Rick!" Brooke shouted. "You can start the salmon. I have everything else ready."

Bryan sat down next to Taylor on the couch and put his arms around her.

"How’s my girl?" He asked.

"I’m okay Bryan. I really do feel better."
"So what did Dr. Santana tell you?"

"She said I need to avoid stress and get lots of rest."

He kissed her neck. "Did she mention anything about sex?"

"I asked her and she said it’s okay."
"Thank God." He said as he pulled her closer. "I sure would have had a hard time sleeping next to you every night without being able to love you."

"I have to talk to you about before Bryan."

"I don’t want you getting upset baby."

"I think you’re going to be the one who gets upset Bryan."

"You had sex with him didn’t you?"

"Would it make a difference if I said I thought he was you?"

"I think by now you can tell the difference Taylor."

"I was in the shower and I heard your car pull up, at least I thought it was your car. Then I heard your footsteps in the house."

"How did he get in? Did you give him a key?"

"No!" She said somewhat hurt. "Macy had been over earlier and she must have left it unlocked. Anyway I called out to you and asked you to join me in the shower. I had my eyes closed and I felt your hands all over me and I just relaxed and felt myself getting into it. When I opened my eyes I saw it was Ridge."

"Why didn’t you tell him to leave?" He asked her. Taylor started crying but Bryan just looked at her. "Don’t you think I deserve an answer?"

"I can’t explain it Bryan. I knew it was him but I just couldn’t stop. I know I don’t deserve you, not after that. All I can ask is that you forgive me."

"You made love with him Taylor." He shook his head.

"I know." She answered as the tears ran down her cheeks. "There is no excuse."

"Are you still in love with him?" He asked her.

"That was great Logan." Ridge said as he pushed his plate away.

"Well thank Rick. He did the cooking."

"Wonderful Rick." Ridge told him. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Mom’s a great cook Ridge. She taught me."

Brooke reached for the bottle of wine but Michael grabbed it from her. "Not tonight honey. You only get the one glass. You have surgery tomorrow and I want to give you something to help you sleep tonight."

"Party pooper!" She complained with a grin. "Then you and Ridge finish it." The sound of a cell phone ringing made the all turn.

"I think it’s mine." Michael said as he picked up his phone. "Hello. Yes. When? How bad? Yeah, that’s pretty bad. Okay I’ll be right there." He disconnected. "Sorry guys. I have an emergency. I have to run to the hospital."

"It’s alright honey." Brooke said. "Should I wait up?"

"No way. You need sleep." He reached into his pocket. "It’s a good thing I got dressed before." He said looking at Brooke and Ridge who were still in their swimsuits. He handed Brooke a small pill. "Take this honey. It will help you relax. Ridge, please don’t keep her up much longer tomorrow is going to be a rough day for her." Brooke swallowed the pill and gave Michael a kiss. He waved goodbye as he walked away.

"I’m going in to watch a movie." Bridget said. "Wanna come Rick?"

"Sure." He answered and they went into the house leaving Brooke and Ridge.

"Alone at last." Ridge joked. "Are you scared about tomorrow?"

"A little."

"Come on let’s sit down on the lounge and talk for awhile before I leave."

They walked over to the lounge and sat down together. Ridge put his arm around her shoulder and she closed her eyes.

"Are you and Michael getting along better?" She asked.

"I promised I’d try Logan."

"Okay." She sighed and reached up to touch his hair.

"Relax Logan and let that pill kick in. Then I’ll leave."

 

Taylor looked at Bryan with very sad eyes. "I love you Bryan. I love you and I want to marry you."

"That’s not an answer baby."

"I guess I’ll always love him."

"I was hoping you wouldn’t say that."

"It has no bearing on what I feel for you."

"But it does. I can’t share you. I can’t always be wondering if he’s found another way to get you into bed. Taylor when I walked in and heard Brooke tell him to get dressed and I saw him standing there nude I wanted to die. And I wanted to kill him."

"I promise it will never happen again. I was weak. He got to me."

"That doesn’t say much for our love."

"It had nothing to do with my love for you Bryan. That hasn’t changed."

"What is with him? Do either of you see what he’s doing to you?"

"Who?"

"You and Brooke. She looks at him like he’s a god and you can’t say no to him. What is it about him? He seems like a nice enough guy but I can’t fathom your reactions to him."

"Brooke loved him for a long time too Bryan."

"I can tell how much she loves Mike Copeland, it’s written all over her face, but the minute Ridge walks in the two of you turn into these people I don’t know."

"What can I say to you to make it better?" She said through her tears.

"Just tell me that you love me Taylor. Tell me that it’s really me that you want."

"I do and it is." She said. She pulled his head to hers and kissed him deeply. "Take me to bed Bryan. Make me forget today ever happened."

He stood up and took her hand in his and they walked into the bedroom.

"You bastard!" Morgan screamed. "How could you forget your promise!" She picked up a vase and threw it against the wall with such force that the glass flew all over the room. "Where are you? Who are you f*cking now? It’s supposed to be me Ridge! Me!"

 

Ridge looked over at Brooke and saw that she was sound asleep. Not wanting to disturb her he got up off the lounge. He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the house. Bridget smiled to herself as she saw him head up the stairs. He entered the bedroom that they had once shared and was hit with a wave of nostalgia. With Brooke still firmly in his arms he pulled down the blankets. He gently lowered her onto the bed. She stirred but didn’t awaken. Not wanting her to catch cold he gently removed her damp swimsuit. Mesmerized he sat on the bed next to her and gazed at her body. He felt himself stiffen in his swimsuit. Unable to stop himself his hand moved to her breast. He softly cupped it and kneaded her nipple with his thumb. He watched how it hardened from his touch. His eyes moved to her mound and he felt his hand follow. Electricity shot through his body when he touched her and felt her wetness. He felt his fingers start to explore her. She moaned in her sleep as he let his fingers enter her. Ashamed he quickly pulled back.

"What the hell am I doing?" He whispered. "I’m sorry Logan." He said as he pulled the covers up over her. She never awoke. He kissed her softly on the lips and walked out of the room and down the stairs. He went outside and grabbed the pile of his clothes and walked back into the house without changing. Bridget grinned when she saw the front of his suit.

"I’m leaving." He said as he held his shirt in front of him to hide his erection from her.

He got into the car and put the air conditioning at full blast.

"What the hell was I thinking? How could I do that to both of them in the same day? What the hell is wrong with me?" He slammed his fist on the dashboard. "I have to get out of this marriage."

Michael ran into the emergency room and up to the desk.
"Amanda Patterson? Where is she?"

"Bed 10 Dr. Copeland." The nurse told him.

"How is she?"

"Stable. I don’t know why you rushed down here like this."

He walked over to the bed where Mandy lay. She had bandages over her face.

"My implant burst." She said to him.

"Don’t worry Mandy. I can fix that. Can I look at your face?"

"Oh Michael I’m so upset. The damn tire blew out and look what I’ve done to myself. They were gonna call some hack in here and I told them no one but you."

He removed the bandage and examined her face. "It’s not that bad Mandy. Why did you insist I come here tonight? There’s nothing I can do for you right now."

"Yes there is." She said as she grabbed at his crotch.

"Amanda!" He pulled her hand away. "What the hell has gotten into you?"

"You never called me."

"Let me look at your chest." He said ignoring her. He lowered her gown and was shocked to see two perfect breasts. "Your implant didn’t burst Amanda."

"Kiss it and make it feel better Mikey." She purred at him. She held his hand to her breast. He pulled it away is if it had stung him.

"Look Mandy, we had our fun and it’s over. I can’t believe you pulled me in here over nothing."

"I missed you." She grabbed at him again. "Come on, pull the curtain closed and we can have a party."

"Not this time." He said. "I’m going home. I’ll check in on you tomorrow. We can evaluate if any surgery is needed."

"Michael! I want you!" She groaned.

"Sorry honey. I don’t want you." He said as he walked away from her. He walked over to the desk. "Don’t ever call me in like this if it isn’t am emergency." He told the duty nurse.

"I’m sorry Dr. Copeland, we couldn’t control her. Dr. Ehlers suggested that you come down right away."

"Dr. Ehlers?"

"He examined her. They were talking for quite a while."

"I don’t like the sound of this." He shook his head. "I’m outta here."

Ridge walked into the dark guest cottage and threw the pile of clothes on the couch. He went up to the bar and poured himself a shot and gulped it down quickly. He poured another and gulped that too. With a deep sigh he entered the bedroom. Soft candlelight reflected the tears on Morgan’s face.

"Where were you?" She asked quietly. She looked at him and saw the swimsuit. "You went swimming? We were supposed to go to dinner. I waited for you."

"I’m sorry Morgan, I forgot."

"Where were you?"

"I had dinner with Brooke and the kids."

"Brooke!" She spat.

"Did you eat?" He asked.

"No. I kept hoping you’d come home."

"I’m here now. I’ll get dressed and take you somewhere."

"I don’t want to go now." She walked over to him. "I’m not going to wait any longer Ridge. Tonight’s the night." She let her dress fall to the floor. She stood in front of him naked and trembling.

"I can’t fight you anymore Morgan. You win." He sat down on the bed.

"You mean it? You really mean it?" She asked excitedly.

"I’m no prize Morgan." He stood up and took his bathing suit off.

"Oh my God Ridge! You really want me!" She squealed at the sight of his erection.

"Let’s just do it." He lay down on the bed. She got down next to him and started to kiss him all over his body.

Think of Taylor, think of Brooke. He told himself. Morgan pulled his arms around her.

"This is going to be so wonderful Ridge." He pushed her onto her back and put his hand between her legs. This is not Morgan. He told himself. You’re back at Brooke’s. She wants you. You’re in the shower with Taylor. She loves you. Thoughts exploded through his brain as he entered her.

"Oh Ridge! Oh Ridge!" She cried as they pounded into each other. Taylor and Brooke’s faces flashed before his eyes. He found himself nearer and nearer his climax. Forgive me Taylor. He thought.

"Yes Ridge! Yes!" Morgan screamed.

"Oh God Brooke!" He shouted as he came.

Michael tiptoed into the bedroom and watched his wife sleeping. He walked over to her and tenderly kissed her. He was surprised when her arms reached around his neck.

"Hi." She whispered.

"Hi yourself. Go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you."

"Where did you go?" She murmured.

"I told you, I went to the hospital."

"No, I mean after."

"After?"

"After you came in to make love to me."

"Honey, I just got home."

"Oh. I must have been dreaming, it felt so real."

"Maybe that pill was too strong."

"Kiss me." She asked. He leaned over and kissed her. She tried to pull him into the bed.

"Not tonight honey. You need to rest for tomorrow." He kissed her again. "I don’t know why but I’m starved. I’m gonna go down and get something to eat. I’ll be right back."

"Okay." She said with a yawn as she once more fell asleep.

Michael walked downstairs and into the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of water and an apple and started for the stairs again. The light from the television caught his eye and he walked over to where Bridget was sitting.

"Hi Bridget. Anything good on?"

"You missed a great show." She grinned.

"Oh yeah? What was that?"

"My Mother and Ridge f*cking." She said as she turned her attention back to the television.

Morgan waited until Ridge was asleep before she got up and went into the other room. She picked up the phone and hit in a series of numbers.

"Hi it’s me. I need another gun. No that one is too hot right now. I’ll meet you at the same place tomorrow at noon." She hung up the phone. "This time you die Brooke."

Changes Part 44

 

Taylor woke up alone in her bed. She and Bryan had made love the previous night but the tension was still there. She knew she had to find a way to get Ridge out of her heart if she wanted this relationship with Bryan to work. She took a deep breath and smelled coffee brewing. She smiled to herself knowing he hadn’t left yet. She stretched and yawned. Just as she was ready to get up Bryan walked in with a tray. He was wearing a white terry cloth robe.

"Hey beautiful, where do you think you’re going?"

"I was just about to go get some coffee."

"I have coffee, cereal, fruit and toast. I fed the kids, can you believe that? Katherine changed them though."

"I guess I’ll have to keep you." She smiled.

"How did you sleep?"

"Restless. I’m so upset about yesterday. How can I ever explain how sorry I am?"

"Let’s put it past us and go on from here."

"Can you do that?" She asked. He handed her a cup of coffee.

"I don’t have a choice. I love you and I want to spend my life with you. You made a mistake. I either get past it or we end it. I won’t end it Taylor."

"I love you Bryan."

He put the tray on the night table and sat down next to her. "I love you too baby. I just wish we could get married."

"I’ll never be unfaithful to you again Bryan. Married or not. I was wrong and I promise I won’t do it again. I want us to be married too but Dr. Santana won’t let me leave the country." She took a sip of her coffee. "You make very good coffee. I remember the first time you made me coffee. You didn’t let me finish it."

"What makes you think I’m going to let you finish it this time?" He grinned.

"Bryan Jackson these are brand new rugs! Don’t you dare spill this all over them!"

"Then you better hand me that cup quickly." He said as he took the robe off revealing he had nothing on underneath. Taylor felt her breath catch as it did every time she looked at him this way. "Don’t tell me you don’t like what you see." He said to her.

"I love what I see." She said as she handed him her cup. "But personally, I never buy anything unless I get to handle the merchandize."

"Well you’ll be pleased to hear I have no look but don’t touch rules." He put the cup on the tray and got back on the bed. "So tell me what would you like to touch?"

"Everything." She said in her sexiest voice.

"Sounds good to me. He leaned back on the bed with his arms crossed behind his head. "I’m all yours."

 

Consuelo walked into Grant’s room but found it empty. Panicking she ran out to find Pedro. As she went into his office she bumped full force into Grant.

"Oh Mr. Chambers! I didn’t know where you were."

"We were talking." Pedro told her. "I found Mr. Chambers taking a walk and I convinced him to come in and rest for awhile."

"I’m feeling much better today Consuelo." Grant told her. "I was trying to talk Pedro into changing my diet to some real food for a change."

"He told me he asked you the other day Consuelo."

"Yes. I was sure he wasn’t ready yet."

"I am now. I just shared Pedro’s lunch with him." Grant laughed.

"You did? What did you eat?"

"Damned if I know but it was good."

"Tonight you will get Grant anything he wants. We will see how well he does with a more normal diet. He had no problem with the lunch so far." Pedro told her.

"It will make me very happy." She smiled. "You are well on your way to going home Mr. Chambers."

"That can’t be soon enough. I appreciate the hospitality but I really want to be home."

Taylor pulled herself up and got out of the bed. She walked over to her dresser and picked up a container of scented massage oils. "Flip over mister. I’m starting with your back." She demanded.

"A massage?" He asked.

"I guarantee you’ll love it." He rolled over so he was on his stomach.

"You want me to cover up?" He teased.

"Do and I’ll leave." She told him. She situated herself on the back of his legs and poured a small amount of the oil on his back and started rubbing. "How does that feel?" She asked.

"Like I died and went to heaven."

"Good." She said as she continued. She very slowly worked her way down his back until her hands started to knead his buttocks. "Ummm." She said. "I love a nice firm butt." Little by little her hands made their way around him teasing but not touching the place where he truly desired her touch.

"Baby you’re killing me." He groaned.

"You don’t like it?" She asked as she let her finger graze him slightly. He instantly became as hard as a rock.

"Sweet, sweet torture." He moaned.

"Roll over." She told him. He quickly complied. "Now that’s nice to see. I have your full attention." She teased.

"If you don’t do something about it soon I can’t be held responsible." He groaned.

She poured oil on his chest and devoted herself to every inch of it. She reached her head down as licked his nipples. "Oh I like this." She purred. "Would you like it a little lower."

"Oh God." He moaned.

"I take that as a yes." She laughed as she took him into her hands and gently stroked him. He had just about reached the point where he couldn’t take it any more when she moved her head to his belly button and started licking and kissing her way down.

"Taylor please." He begged. He started to get up and she pushed him back down.

"If you get up I’ll leave." She said in a sing song voice.

"I’m going to explode." He moaned.

"Not yet." She said as her tongue traced the length of him. "Talk about a wonderful breakfast." She moaned. He could no longer take it so he rolled over and got on top of her.

"Are you ready for me?" He asked.

"You have to ask?" She said as she reached for him with her hand and guided him inside her.

 

 

"Hi sweetie. How do you feel?" Michael asked Brooke as he walked into the O. R. where she was waiting."

"Nervous." She told him.

"Don’t be." He turned to Denise. "Where’s Kelly? I thought she was joining us today."

"This is Barbara Randall Dr. Copeland." Denise said introducing the other nurse. "Denise is busy today so Barbara will be joining us."

"Hi Barbara. I’m Mike Copeland." He said with a smile. He turned back to Brooke.

"Okay honey, I’ve given you something to calm you down and I’ve also given you a local for the pain. I’m not going to put you out. Remember? That’s what we agreed upon."

"Uh huh." She smiled at him. "Hi Denise." She said to the nurse.

"Hello Brooke." Denise smiled back at her.

"Okay I’m going to see if the local has started working yet Brooke." He lowered her gown and gently touched her breast. "Did you feel that?" He asked her.

"I’m not sure." She giggled.

"Brooke, this is serious. I need to know. I don’t want to start on you until you’re ready. I don’t want to hurt you. How about this?" He touched her again and her nipple hardened. Denise and Barbara looked at each other.

"Umm, that feels good." Brooke said with a laugh.

"Denise, hand me another dose. She’s still not numb. She needs another injection." He turned to Brooke. "This is going to sting a bit." He injected her.

"Ouch!" She grabbed his hand. "You hurt me!"

"Sorry honey." He said. They waited a few minutes and he brought his hand to her breast again. "Do you feel that?"

"Nope!" She said with a mischievous smile.

"How about this?" He asked as he brought his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly.

"That’s it Dr. Copeland!" Denise shouted. "I’m afraid I’m going to have to report you. Dr. Ehlers warned me that something like this might happen." Barbara ran out of the room.

"Wait!" Michael called out. "Brooke! Tell her your name!"

"I know her name Dr. Copeland, it’s Brooke Logan or is it Brooke Davis now?" Denise asked Brooke.

"No." Brooke grinned as she reached for Michael’s hand. "It’s Brooke Copeland."

"What?" Denise asked in shock.

"Sorry Dee." Michael laughed. "We were testing you and you both failed. I never thought Ehlers would have you gunning after me too. Brooke and I were married last week." He waved his wedding band in her face.

"I don’t understand." Denise said fully confused.

"You know ‘Here comes the bride’ and all that" Brooke giggled. The drugs definitely were effecting her.

"But then why would you accuse Dr. Copeland of raping you?" Denise asked.

"Raping me?" Brooke replied. "If anything I rape him!" She giggled as she reached for his leg.

"Brooke! Not now!" Michael said sharply. "Denise when we finish in here you and I are gonna have a little talk."

 

 

Contented and happy Bryan and Taylor walked into the kitchen and poured fresh coffee.

"Want me to make you something to eat?" Bryan asked her.

"Don’t you need to get to work?" She asked.

"Connor is going to pick me up today. We have a meeting. No sense in taking two cars."

"What time?"

"About eleven." He answered. "Why? You wanna go back in and fool around some more?"

"I’d love to." She smiled. "Is he picking you up at eleven or is the meeting at eleven?"

"The meeting." He looked at the clock. "Damn! He could get here any minute. He wants to go over the files first."

"You better get dressed." She said.

"What about breakfast?"

"You jump in the shower and I’ll make some eggs."

"Sounds good." He kissed her and went back into the bedroom. Humming she went to the refrigerator and took out the ingredients for an omelet. As she started to mix it up the doorbell rang. She put down the bowl and went to the door.

"Hi Connor." She greeted him. "Come on in. Bryan is in the shower. I’m making omelets, would you like to join us?"

"Sounds wonderful. I just grabbed a cup of coffee and ran out."

"Well come with me into the kitchen and grab another cup. We can talk while I cook."

They walked into the kitchen. Connor grabbed a cup and filled it with steaming coffee.

"Decaf I hope."

"Yeah." She moaned. "I really don’t like it much but I have to think of the baby."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. Did Bryan tell you about yesterday."

"A bit. You have to be careful Taylor."

"I know. I guess Dr. Santana is right. Ridge does aggravate me."

"He aggravates me too."

"How are you Connor?" She asked.

"Actually I miss Brooke a lot. I still am hopeful that once she gets the doctor out of her system we can get things going again."

"You better talk to her."

"Oh I intend to. I called her this morning but there was no answer."

"She’s in the hospital Connor."

"Oh my God! What’s wrong?"

"Calm down. She’s fine. It’s the follow up surgery. She’ll be home tonight or tomorrow at the latest."

He put down his cup. "Taylor, do me a favor. Tell Bryan he’ll have to meet me there. I have to go see Brooke." He headed for the door.

"Connor wait!" She called.

"Yes?" He asked impatiently.

"Nothing." She said. "Go on. You have to do this for yourself anyway."

"There’s something you aren’t telling me Taylor." He said.

"Talk to Brooke Connor. This is between the two of you, okay. I’ll give Bryan your message." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Come back and talk to me if you need to okay? Remember we love you."

"I’m getting a bad feeling about this." He told her.

Michael was sitting on the side of Brooke’s bed. The surgery was finished and had gone well. She had been brought into a room to recover. She had dozed off and he was holding her hand watching her.

He was thinking about what had happened the night before with Ridge and thinking about what had just happened in the O.R. He looked again at his sleeping wife and smiled. How I love this woman He thought. To think that I barely knew her and now I can’t imagine my life without her. He leaned over and kissed her. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"I fell asleep?" She asked.

"Yeah, I gave you enough to almost knock you out. You needed the rest. Do you feel any pain?" He asked.

"No. I don’t think so."

"Is it still numb?" He placed his hand lightly on her breast. "Do you feel this?"

"I’d rather it was your lips." She said with a smile.

"That’s my girl." He grinned. "Shove over." He told her. She moved to the side and he lay now next to her. "I need you in my arms right now."

"Michael what’s wrong?" She asked.

"Honey it feels like my whole world is falling apart. Why on Earth would Denise say what she did?"

"Michael it’s insane. I never said that."

"I know honey. But someone told her that you said I raped you. That is so sick. God! I need this like a hole in the head. I told you about that girl. If this gets out, no matter how stupid it is, it could ruin me."

"I’m your wife. When people know that they’ll know it’s a lie."

"What if they think I married you to shut you up?"

"Do you think I’d marry someone who raped me?"

"I have a certain reputation Brooke. They may say I romanced you into changing your mind about it."

"Well I’ll tell them they’re wrong."

"I hope it never comes to that." He looked at her with sad eyes. "You do believe that I love you don’t you?"

"Michael!" She said. "How could you ever doubt that? You mean everything to me."

He leaned over her and kissed her deeply and thoroughly. She held him tightly and wrapped her arms around him. Their kiss intensified and before either of them realized what they were doing she had unzipped his pants and he had pulled her gown off her.

"We can’t here. Not with everything that’s happening." He said as he tried to slow down their passion.

"Please Michael, please don’t stop." She begged.

"I don’t think I could if I tried." He moaned as he pulled himself over her and began to kiss her passionately.

"Hi." Connor said to the nurse at the desk. "I’m looking for Brooke Logan’s room."

She looked at her chart. "Yes. It’s right down the hall. Number 315."

"Thanks." He said as he walked towards the closed door.

 

"Did I hear Connor?" Bryan asked as he walked into the kitchen. He was dressed in an expensive well cut suit.

"Yes. He was here but he left."

"He left? Where did he go?"

"To see Brooke. I let it slip that she was in the hospital."

"Maybe it’s better if he sees her there. At least they can have some privacy and it’s neutral territory."

"I told him to come back here if he needed to. Bryan, he told me he was going to see if they could work things out. He’ll be devastated."

"I hope not. He’s such a great guy. But I have to tell you Taylor. I like Mike Copeland. And he sure is devoted to Brooke."

"Do you think so? I hope so. She hasn’t had an easy time with men. She took it very hard when Ridge and I got married."

"Well if you ask me the two of them are a perfect match."

"I just want her to be happy. Part of me still thinks she’ll never get over Ridge."

"She probably says the same about you. This is exactly what I was saying before. What is it about him?"

 

"We have to stop." Michael said. "I can’t take the risk right now." He rolled off her and pulled at his zipper. "We have the rest of our lives Brooke."

"I’m your wife. We aren’t doing anything wrong." She complained.

"I know honey." He said as he reached down to the floor to retrieve her gown. "But things are very strange around here."

Suddenly the door opened and Connor walked in carrying a bouquet of flowers.

"Hi Brooke I heard." He stopped in mid sentence as Brooke quickly pulled the blanket over her.

"Connor!" She said.

"I guess I’m not needed here." He turned to leave and Michael jumped from the bed and grabbed his arm.

"Wait Connor. You and Brooke have to talk."

"I think I saw all I needed Dr. Copeland. Now if you’ll excuse me."

"Connor please! I really need to talk to you." Brooke told him.

"Look, I’ll leave you two alone okay?" Michael said. He walked over to Brooke and handed her the gown. He gave her a quick kiss. "Good luck. Be kind." He walked out of the room.

"Well I guess it isn’t over yet." Connor said sadly.

"No Connor, far from it." She pulled the gown back on.

"I’m sorry I disturbed you. I really should go."

"Please sit down and talk to me."

"What is there to say Brooke? I had hoped you had come to your senses, obviously you haven’t."

"Connor you know how much I care about you."

"Please Brooke. I really can’t handle that speech today." He walked up to she bed and sat on the side. "You know we had something really special Brooke."

"I know we did. I never wanted to hurt you. I never thought I’d fall in love with someone else."

"Is that what you call it? Love?"

"I do love him Connor. I love him so much it hurts." She took his hand.

"I really wanted a future with you Brooke."

"My future is with Michael now."

"Do you really think so? Do you really think someone like he will stick around? I just can’t see it happening Brooke. He’s just like Ridge. He’s going to hurt you, I just know it."

"Connor I have to tell you something."

"What? He’s the best lover you ever had? He’s exciting and romantic?"

"He’s my husband." She said quietly.

"What?"

"Michael and I were married. He’s my husband."

"For God’s sake Brooke! You don’t even know this man!"

"He’s the man that I love and I want to spend the rest of my life with. I’m sorry Connor. I know this is a shock."

"Married? Brooke not that long ago we were going to be married."

"Please try to understand. It was right. It was meant to be."

"Now I understand what Taylor was worried about. She knows doesn’t she?"

"Yes. Taylor and Bryan both knew. I asked them to let me tell you myself."

"I can’t believe you did this Brooke. You tossed everything we had aside and just married him."

"Connor I really love him and he loves me."

He shook his head. "I never expected this. I kept thinking you’d come crying to me that you’d made a mistake."

"It’s not a mistake Connor. Please try and be happy for me."

"Where have I heard that line before?" He asked sarcastically.

"This is different than Ridge. This is real. It’s me and only me. There are no Taylor’s or Caroline’s with Michael. I’m not fighting ghosts of former lovers."

"But Michael is."

"No! I’m totally devoted to him."

"Brooke when I asked you to marry me and you accepted I was so happy. But even as happy as I was I knew that for the rest of our lives together I’d still be sharing your heart with Ridge. Does Michael have any idea about the history between you two?"

"He knows everything. He and Ridge have known each other for years. But you’re wrong Connor. Ridge is my past. What we had is over."

"Brooke I’m not happy about this but I care too much about you to wish you unhappiness. I think it’s a mistake. I hope for your sake it’s not."

"Can we still be friends?"

"I am your friend Brooke but please don’t ask me to be part of your life right now. It’s too hard."

"I understand."

"Be happy." He told her. He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. "I’m gonna miss you." He told her before he walked out.

 

Morgan sat on the bed in the fleabag motel filing her nails. She looked at her watch for the tenth time. Twelve fifteen! Where are you Tyrone? She wondered. "That f*cking b*itch!" She shouted. "I finally get Taylor out of the way and he screams her name! You are so dead Brooke!" She was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Tyrone?" She asked.

"Yeah mama! It’s me."

She opened the door and before her stood a devastatingly handsome black man in his early twenties.

"What took you so long?" She asked.

"Business." He said as he walked in and shut the door. "It’s been awhile. I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again."

"Things didn’t quite work out the first time."

"Or the second?" He asked.

"I got rid of the first gun. I didn’t need it. Things changed when I got the second."

"And now you need another? You are a busy lady."

"It’s none of your concern. Do you have it?"

He took off his jacket. "I have it. What’s the matter? You rushing me out this time? You sure weren’t in a rush the first time we met."

"That was a mistake."

"Ah! No more mixing business with pleasure?" He asked. "Or have you decided you don’t like old Tyrone anymore?"

"Just give me the gun."

"The money first."

She handed him an envelope. "You don’t have to count it, it’s all there."

"I think I’ll just count it." He opened the envelope and took out the stack of bills and slowly counted them. "Okay it looks like everything is here. You sure you don’t have some time for a little black magic?"

"I told you Tyrone, that was a mistake. I’m married now."

"Married? Well pretty lady" He put his face up to hers. "That doesn’t change a thing." He kissed her full on the mouth. She pulled back and slapped him.

"I told you never again!"

"B*tch you go somewhere else for your favors next time." The grabbed the envelope and slammed the door as he left.

 

"Are you sure you’re up to this honey? You just had surgery." Michael asked as they pulled up to Taylor’s house. He had been very quiet on the ride over. Although things were great with Brooke he felt his anger at Ridge growing and growing. He knew that he was going to have a full force blow out with him and he was almost looking forward to it. It was time to put Ridge in his place once and for all. But now was time to be with Brooke and love and support her.

"I feel great and I really need to talk to Taylor. We haven’t had a chance to talk at all since I found out she was pregnant."

"I don’t want either one of you to be getting aggravated."

"We won’t. I promise."

"Okay we’ll stay for awhile but then I want you home and resting." They got out of the car and walked to the door and rang the bell.

"Brooke!" Taylor said. "You’re the last person I expected to see today. Michael I’m surprised at you bringing her over here."

"She wouldn’t let up Taylor. She missed her buddy."

"Well come on in." They all went into the house and sat down.

"Can I get anyone anything?" Taylor asked.

"No. I just wanted to see you and make sure you were alright." Brooke said as she gave her friend a hug.

"I’m fine Brooke, really. I think I might have needed that scare. I plan on being very careful from now on."

"You better." Brooke smiled.

"So tell me what happened?" Taylor asked her face showing concern.

"It was a simple procedure. I’m really fine."

"Well I meant with Connor."

"Oh. You knew he was coming? It was difficult Taylor."

"Were you there Michael?" Taylor asked.

"I left to give them some privacy. I can understand how he’d feel having the woman he loves with another man. Believe me." His face took on a grim look. That look turned to a deep scowl as he again thought about how Ridge had taken advantage of his wife.

"Why the hostility?" Taylor asked.

"It’s not at Connor." Michael answered. "It’s something I’m going to have to deal with very soon."

Brooke and Taylor looked at each other both confused. The doorbell rang again.

"Wow! I’m popular today. Excuse me." Taylor said as she got up to answer the door.

"Michael?" Brooke looked at him questioningly.

"Later." He told her.

"Hi Doc." Ridge said as Taylor opened the door.

"Ridge you shouldn’t be here."

"I needed to see you, and the kids. Can I come in?"

"I doubt you’d take no for an answer." She said as she escorted him inside. As he walked into the room Michael took one look at him and stood up. A cold look crossed his face as he calmly walked over to Ridge. He suddenly made a fist and punched Ridge square in the eye knocking him to the floor.

"And don’t you dare have the nerve to pretend you don’t know what that was for!" Michael shouted. Ridge looked up at him with a pained expression.

"Logan?" He asked.

"You keep your f*cking hands off my wife or so help me God I’ll kill you!" He grabbed Brooke’s hand and pulled her out the door.

"Ridge?" Taylor asked.

"Don’t ask Doc." Ridge answered sheepishly. "Please don’t ask."

Changes Part 45

 

Michael seethed all the way home. Despite Brooke’s constant questioning he didn’t say a word. He drove far too fast and when they finally reached home he jumped out of the car and slammed the door leaving Brooke behind. He stormed upstairs to the bedroom with Brooke quickly at his feet.

"What is it Michael? What happened with Ridge? Tell me!" She demanded.

He looked at her and slammed his fist into the wall breaking the plasterboard. "F*ck!" He shouted as he pulled back his hand and stared at his bleeding knuckles. Brooke ran into the bathroom and soaked a washcloth and came out and wrapped it around his hand.

"Look what you did to yourself! Won’t you please talk to me?"

"It was him!" He shouted.

"What was him?" She asked. "Michael, you’re scaring me. What are you talking about?"

"The bastard! I should have beat him to a pulp!"

"Michael please." She begged.

He sat down on the bed and buried his face in his hands. She sat down next to him and put her arm around him but he pushed her away. "Don’t do this Michael." She begged him. "Please honey, talk to me."

"Last night." He said through clenched teeth. "You asked me why I left."

"You went to the hospital." She said.

"You asked me why I made love to you and left! I didn’t make love to you!"

"I was dreaming." She said.

"The f*ck you were! That bastard!" He shouted.

"Michael! What are you talking about?"

"It was him! He f*cking made love to you! Not me! Ridge!"

Brooke turned pale and her mouth fell wide open.

 

"My God Ridge" Taylor said. "What was that all about?" She asked as she placed an icepack on his swollen eye. "What did you do?"

"Doc please. I don’t want to talk about this. I’m not proud of it. I can’t believe Logan told him."

"What did you do to her? Tell me Ridge!" She was getting very upset.

"Calm down Doc. I can’t let you get upset like this."

"I want to know what happened and I want to know now." She demanded.

"Mike gave Logan a pill to calm her down and help her sleep. He got called to the hospital so I stayed with her for awhile."

"What were you doing there in the first place?"
"Brooke invited me for dinner."

"Alright, go on."
"She fell asleep so I carried her up to bed. We had been swimming and she was in a wet suit."

"Ridge no!"

"I couldn’t let her lie there like that."

"You could have asked Bridget to help!"
"I didn’t think. I took her suit off her and I sort of touched her."

Taylor looked at him with an icy stare. "What do you mean you sort of touched her?"

"You rejected me Doc. I was hurt. I was lonely."
"So you put your hands all over an unconscious woman? Your ex wife? Someone you call a friend?"

"I stopped Doc. As soon as I realized what I was doing I stopped."

"You pig!" She said as she slapped him. "How dare you come into my home, trying to create something with me and do that to her! I want you to leave and never come back! Do you hear me! Never!" She screamed at him.

"Doc it was innocent. I just touched her. I don’t know why he got so upset."

"Then you’re a bigger fool than I thought. Go home to Morgan Ridge and leave me and Brooke alone."

"Doc please don’t turn me away! I love you."

"Do you want me to lose this baby?" She asked. "Get out of here Ridge!"

"Ridge! Taylor! What’s going on?" Stephanie asked as she walked in.

"This is between Ridge and me Stephanie. This isn’t the time for you to be here." Taylor told her.

"Honey you look so upset. And what did you mean by lose this baby? My God Taylor! Are you pregnant?"

"No!" Taylor said

"Yes!" Ridge said at the same time.

"Well which is it?" Stephanie demanded.

"This isn’t your concern." Taylor told her. "Take your son and go home Stephanie."

"Doc no! This isn’t done. We have to talk about this."

"I don’t want to talk to you Ridge now go!"

"Doc please."

"Ridge I mean it! Oh God" She grabbed her abdomen. "Oh God no! No!" She screamed.

"Mother give me the phone!" Ridge shouted.

Stephanie picked up the phone from the counter and gave it to him. She then kneeled down next to Taylor.

"What’s going on honey? What’s wrong?"

"My baby." She said through her tears. "My baby." She repeated.

"Mother give me Taylor’s phone book! I have to call Dr. Santana!" Ridge shouted. Stephanie got up and grabbed the phone book and handed it to Ridge she then went back to Taylor and held her.

"It’s alright honey. Everything is going to be alright. Can you stand up? I want to get you onto the couch."

"I I I’ll try." She said. Stephanie helped Taylor up to her feet. Taylor looked down at the floor and screamed as she saw the drops of bright red blood.

 

"I did it!" Bridget squealed to Sara over the phone. "I really did it! They’re in there fighting and Mom and Ridge really did go to bed with each other last night. Oh Sara everything is working out just the way I planned."
"Bridget." Sara said. "My mom told me that the doctor got into trouble again today. I don’t know what happened, she wouldn’t tell me."

"He’ll be out of here tonight. I know it and then Ridge will come home and everything will be the way it’s supposed to be."

"Oh Thorne I can’t believe we are having so much fun again." Macy gushed. "It’s like we got a new chance. I’m glad Jonathan suggested that we didn’t divorce. I really think our marriage has a chance."

"I agree Mace. I just had to let my anger go over Brooke. It wasn’t that she wanted Ridge. It was that it truly wasn’t right for us. I know part of me will always love her but look at what we almost lost."

"I can’t believe I let you take me Parasailing. It was wonderful. I felt so free, so alive." She kissed him. "I love you Thorne Forrester."

"I love you Macy Forrester and I promise that I’ll never let the police touch you. Never."

"The police? Do you really think they still think I did it?"

"Honey they think we did it together. I know you had nothing to do with it but Lt. Burke? That’s another story,"

"God I wish this would go away. I hate Brooke but I’d never hurt her."

"I know that Mace. I told them it was me but they just don’t believe me."

"Why Thorne? Why did you say you did it?"

"Because I did do it Macy. I hate myself for it and I regret it. I’d do anything if I could take it back but so help me God I did do it."

 

Brooke started shaking uncontrollably. Tears were flowing from her eyes and her teeth were chattering. Michael, being as mad as he was at first didn’t notice but when he looked over and saw her he sat next to her on the bed and pulled her into his arms.

"Honey, Brooke, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know it was happening."

"Why would he do this? How could I let him? Michael please I’d never. Oh God no." She sobbed in his arms. "I let things go too far. I should have known. I’ve been playing these dangerous games with him. Why was I so stupid? Why?"

Michael pulled back and looked her straight into the eyes. "Now you listen to me. I gave you something very strong. It was meant to knock you out. Ridge knew that. He knew it. You did nothing wrong. It wasn’t your fault. Do you hear me? I don’t blame you. My God Brooke he used you. He took advantage of the fact you were out of it. Do you understand this? That’s what happened."

"Why? Why would he do that?"

"Because he always wants what’s not his. It’s always been the same with him. He couldn’t stand to see us so happy."

"Have I ruined that? Are you going to leave me?"

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a passion that couldn’t be denied. "I will never leave you. You are my life, my soul. I love you beyond reason Brooke. You and I, we’re a team now. We will fight this together. We’ll fight anyone and anything that tries to come between us."

"Oh Michael. I’m so sorry. He must have thought I wanted him. I must have given him reason to think that."

"Honey you two have been playing with fire all along. I’ve seen it and so has Taylor. But it doesn’t make it your fault."

"But I didn’t say no."

"You thought it was me. Why would you say no to me?"

"Oh Michael I love you. Please don’t hate me." She cried in his arms.

"I am going to try and calm down and then I’m going to let him know in no uncertain terms that he is never to touch you again. You may have to work with him but I won’t ever let him hurt you again."

"Oh God Michael! What if I’m pregnant?"

"Brooke, calm down. You’re on the pill. It’s not going to happen."

"Oh no. No please no."

"Brooke! Calm down. You aren’t pregnant."

 

 

Taylor was sobbing in Stephanie’s arms when Ridge came over to them. He reached for Taylor but she swatted her arm at him.

"Don’t touch me!" She screamed. "This is all your fault! If Bryan and I lose our baby I’ll never forgive you Ridge! Never!"

"Bryan?" Stephanie asked softly.

"Mother not now!" Ridge admonished. "Doc, the ambulance is on the way. Dr. Santana will meet us at the hospital."

"No!" She yelled. "I don’t want you there."

"I’ll go with you honey." Stephanie said softly as she shot her son a look.

"I need Bryan." Taylor sobbed.

"Call him Ridge." Stephanie ordered.

"I don’t know his number."

"He works with Connor Davis. Call him there."

"Doc please. Please talk to me." Ridge begged.

"You killed my baby." She sobbed.

"No honey, the baby will be alright." Stephanie said in a soothing voice. "Ridge call him now!" She turned to Taylor. "This is Bryan’s baby?" She asked quietly.

"Oh Stephanie, my baby. My poor baby." She reached for her belly again. "Please baby, stay with mommy. Mommy loves you and so does daddy." She turned to Ridge. "Please Ridge I need Bryan!"
"I’m trying Doc."

"It’s programmed Ridge. His office is the first number."

"Okay." He said as he pushed the number.

"Davis and Jackson, how can I help you?" Came a pleasant voice.

"I need to speak to Bryan Jackson. This is an emergency."
"Mr. Jackson is with a client. I’d be happy to take a message."

"I said that this is an emergency. Put him on now!"

"I’m sorry sir but he can’t be disturbed,"

"Give me Connor then."

"He’s also with a client."

"Look get either one of them. Tell them it’s Ridge and it’s urgent. Please."

"Hold please."

"This is sick! I can’t get either of them." He complained to Stephanie and Taylor.

"Ridge? It’s Connor. What’s wrong?"

"Connor, it’s Taylor. She’s had another attack. We’re taking her to the hospital. She wants Bryan."

"Okay Ridge. Stay calm. We’ll meet you there." He said. He quickly hung up.

"Is he coming?" Taylor asked.

"Connor is taking him to the hospital, he’ll meet us there. Doc, I’m so sorry." He walked over and took her hand. This time she clenched it tightly.

"Ridge I don’t want to lose our baby." She cried.

"Our baby Doc?"

"Oh Ridge! I don’t know whose baby it is but I can’t lose it! I can’t."

He sat next to her and put his arms around her. "I won’t let you. I swear I won’t let you." They heard the sound of sirens. "Mother! Open the door and let them in."

 

Michael had calmed Brooke down and convinced her to take a nap. Though she refused another pill he held her in his arms until she fell asleep. He laid her gently on the bed and covered her up and walked downstairs where Rick and Bridget were playing a video game.

"I’ll play the winner." He said.

"No thanks." Bridget answered.

"Budge!" Rick said to her. "Don’t worry Mike, I’m killing her. Let’s see if you can beat me."

"I used to be pretty good at these things."

"Oh?" Said Bridget. "I didn’t think they had computers in the fifties."

"I’m not nearly that old Bridget."

"Could have fooled me. You sure look like a dirty old man to me."

"Bridget! Why do you hate me so? What did I ever do to you?"

"Why don’t you just go back where you belong."

"I belong here. I’m in love with your mother."

"Well she loves Ridge, not you."

"Budge stop it." Rick told her. "Don’t listen to her Mike. She’s just jealous that she doesn’t have mom to herself anymore."

"Is that it Bridget? Am I taking too much of your mothers time? Just tell me. This whole family thing is new to me. I’ll try to give you two more space if you need it."

"I don’t like you and I don’t want you here." She told him. "I’ve gotten rid of men in the past and I’ll get rid of you. Why not make it easy on yourself and just leave now. I heard you two fighting. She’ll be sick of you soon. Just go home."

"This is my home Bridget and I’m not going anywhere." He sat down. "Your mom is resting right now. Would you like me to get a pizza or something?"

"What? You don’t cook?" Bridget said rudely.

"As a matter of fact I do. Don’t tell me you’d eat something that I made though Bridget."

"At least it would keep you out of my face for awhile."

"Okay deal. I’ll cook and stay out of your face if you promise to eat it."

"He’ll probably poison us Rick."

"Sorry, I left my hemlock at home. What do you like Bridget?"

"I like living here with Mom and Ridge."

"Well that ain’t gonna happen. What do you like to eat?"

"Whatever takes a long time."

"She’s not easy is she Rick?" He laughed.

"I don’t envy you Mike." Rick laughed.

"Okay let’s see what the old guy can whip up." Michael said with a smile. "But remember Bridget. We have a deal." He laughed as he walked out and into the kitchen.

"You sure are mean to him Budge."

"Mom and Ridge went to bed together last night Rick." She grinned at him.

"No way!"

"Way! I saw them. It won’t be long big brother, it won’t be long at all."

Brooke woke up and looked around for Michael. She sat up and winced at the pain in her chest. She got out of bed and grabbed her brush and ran it through her hair. Why did I let that happen? She asked herself. She sighed deeply and picked up her phone book. She picked up the phone and hit a lot of numbers into the phone.

"Hello, this is Brooke Logan calling from Los Angeles. May I please speak to Dr. Garcia? Yes, thank you."

She strummed her fingers while she waited.

"Hello, Miss Logan, this is Dr. Garcia. I am so happy that you called."

"Grant, Mr. Chambers, how is he?"

"He has made tremendous strides is the last few weeks. He is eating and walking. He is exercising."

"Oh Dr. Garcia how wonderful! Will he be well enough to go home soon?"

"If you can come this week I will let you see for yourself. His cancer is gone Miss Logan."

"In remission?"

"No Miss Logan, gone. There is not a trace. He does however have a new problem."

"Oh dear. What is it?"

"His memory. He has long term memory but it appears he has lost the last few years before he came to our clinic."

"Will he get them back?"

"I doubt it. His trauma was great. I fear that those memories are gone forever."

"What does he remember?"

"Well this is most disturbing Miss Logan. It appears he believes to be married."

"Well he is married. Of course the legality after all this may be in question. After all he was legally pronounced dead."

"You misunderstand me Miss Logan. He believes himself to be married to you."

"To me?"

"He talks of nothing but you. It is his love for you that I attribute his successful recovery."

"Oh dear."

"Were you ever married to him?"

"A long time ago doctor. Since then I have remarried."

"Well I implore you not to break this to him right away. He needs time to deal with all the adjustments."

"He has lost a lot."

"Can I bring him home? If so I will contact Dr. Hughes. He’ll want to examine him."

"Dr. Hughes is a good man Miss Logan. I have the highest respect for him. If not for his efforts, and yours, Mr. Chambers would be dead."

"Yes, but can I bring him home? Is it time?"

"Yes Miss Logan, it is time."

"I just had surgery today. I’ll need a couple of days before I can travel. Will he need anything special for traveling?"

"He is still weak. But he improves daily."

"I’ll take a private jet. Should I bring a doctor or a nurse?"

"We don’t want to involve Dr. Hughes for obvious reasons. Perhaps a trusted friend."

"Yes, I know just the person. Alright Doctor. I’ll call you in a day or two and finalize our plans. It will be wonderful to see Grant again. The last time I saw him." She stopped.

"When you were here last year he was recovering but not well. You will be amazed at the man you see. But again I must advise you to use caution. A great shock could prove to be dangerous."

"I’ll be careful Dr. Garcia and thank you. I promise to continue to support your efforts. You bring so much good to the world. I’ll speak to you again very soon." She hung up the phone. This is going to be very difficult. Grant thinks we’re still married. How will I explain Michael? How will I explain Grant to Michael?

 

"Where is she?" a panicked Bryan asked Ridge as he ran into the emergency room.

"She’s in with Dr. Santana. She was bleeding Bryan." He said through his tears.

"What happened? She was so calm and happy when I left her. What did you say to her Ridge? What?"

"Something happened with Brooke."

"Brooke? What happened to her? Is she alright?"

"Not to her, with her. It doesn’t matter right now."

"If it had any effect on Taylor and my child it matters Ridge."

"We argued about Brooke."

"Why the hell do you continue to mess with those women’s minds Ridge? When will you realize they are both out of your life? Leave them alone!"

"This is none of your business Jackson."

"Anything involving Taylor is my business."

"Just leave it alone. It’s not going to change anything. Taylor may still lose my baby."

"Why couldn’t you just listen to the doctor? Why couldn’t you just stay away."

"Those are my children. I have a right to see them."

"You were told not to see Taylor unless she had support. Look what you’ve done to her!" He looked at Ridge’s face. "Who did that?"

"Huh?"

"Your eye?"

"Mike Copeland."

"Oh great Ridge, just great. It’s not enough you mess with my woman but you mess with his too?"

"She’s not your woman Jackson. She’s mine."

"You have a wife Forrester. Why don’t you go home to her?"

"Don’t start on me Jackson, I mean it."

"Boys!" Stephanie said as she stood between them. "Stop it! Both of you!"

"What’s going on here?" Dr. Santana shouted as she walked out. "This is a hospital!"

"Dr. Santana! Taylor, the baby?" Ridge asked.

"I’m sorry Ridge. It doesn’t look very good for the baby. I think we’re going to lose him."

 Changes Part 46

 

Brooke walked downstairs and into the living room where Bridget and Rick were still engrossed in their games.

"Hi kids."

"Hi mom." Bridget said. "How do you feel?"

"A little sore but good. Where’s Michael?"

"Trying to cook." Bridget answered.

"Well something smells great. Have you been getting along?"

"As long as he stays out of my face." Bridget answered.

"How about you Rick?" She asked. "Have you and Michael been getting along?"

"He’s okay mom."

"Good." She said as she walked out and headed for the kitchen. She walked up behind Michael and gave him a kiss on the neck.

"Hey. I thought I put you to bed." He told her.

"I was lonely. This smells wonderful. What are you making?"

"Veal Picatta. I hope you like it."

"Yummy." She said as she kissed his neck again.

"Don’t mess with the cook." He teased.

"I see Bridget is still giving you a hard time."

"We’ll get there. We made a deal. She’d eat what I cooked if I left her alone."

"Wonderful deal." She said sarcastically "I’m going to have to sit down with her and set things straight. We have enough stress without Bridget adding to it."

"Give her time Brooke. It’s an adjustment for all of us."

He turned around and kissed her.

"You are so wonderful." She told him.

"Let’s see if you still think so after tasting my cooking."

"I love you." She said as tears came to her eyes.

"Wait a sec." He said. He turned off all the burners on the stove and then lifted her up into his arms. "The food can wait for awhile. This is supposed to be our honeymoon."

"What do you have in mind?" She asked.

"You’ll just have to wait and see." He told her as he carried her up the stairs and into the bedroom.

 

"Please Dr. Santana, you can’t mean this." Bryan implored her. "Please you have to save the baby."

"It’s out of my hands Bryan. I’ve done all I can do. All we can do now is wait. And pray."

"Can we see her?" Ridge asked.

"No. Not now. I’m going back in. I just wanted to let you know where we stand."

Connor and Stephanie looked at each other.

"What happened Stephanie?" He asked her.

"Ridge and Taylor had an argument. Apparently it was about Brooke. Even when she’s not here that woman causes nothing but harm to this family."

"I don’t know what Brooke could have done to either of them. She’s in her own world with her new husband."

"Michael Copeland!" She spat. "Don’t get me started on that man. If I had my way he’d have been thrown in jail without a chance for parole!"

"I see you feel the same about both of them."

"Compared to Michael Copeland Brooke is an angel. I have no use for that man."
"Perhaps at a better time you can tell me your reasons."

"Perhaps." She replied.

 

"My baby. Please Dr. Santana, you have to save my baby."

"Try to relax Taylor, we have to get you calm."

"Am I still bleeding?"

"No, the bleeding has stopped."

"The baby? Is it still in me?"

"Yes Taylor, so far he’s a fighter."

"He? Is it a boy?"

"It’s too soon to tell dear. It was just a figure of speech. Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was having a nice visit from Brooke and Michael. Bryan and I had just had a wonderful morning. Everything was perfect." She said through her tears.

"And then?"

"Ridge came over."

"Were you alone then?"

"Brooke and Michael were still there. But Ridge and Michael got into a fight and Michael punched Ridge and dragged Brooke out. It was so upsetting Dr. Santana."

"Then let’s not talk about it now."

"It’s alright. You need to know how it happened."

"What did Ridge do to upset you?"

"I found out he did a very cruel thing to Brooke. I told him to leave but he wouldn’t."

"Taylor, you can’t let him upset you like this."

"I guess it’s because I still love him. I try not to but it doesn’t work. Oh God another cramp!" Taylor yelled as she grabbed her belly again. "Please Dr. Santana, do something. Save my baby. I don’t care about me, please save my baby."

 

 

"Brooke, you need to relax. You are so tense." Michael complained. He pulled himself up on his elbows.

"I’m sorry Michael. This whole thing with Ridge has me so down. I know I’m disappointing you."

"Never." He told her. "I just wanted us to make love and forget that whole thing."

"I guess I just can’t get in the mood."

He burst out laughing. "That was never a problem for us." He kissed her on the nose. "Don’t worry about it honey. We can keep trying."

"I do love you." She laughed.

"Wanna go down and help me finish dinner?"

"We can try again."

"The day I have to force myself on you." He laughed.

"Maybe after we relax a bit. There is something else I have to talk to you about."

"Okay, shoot."

"Not yet. I have to think about it."

"Ah, a woman of mystery."

"Not really. It’s a problem that I need your help with but first I need to think it all out."

"Honey we can talk about anything. I swear I never want to have secrets from you."

"It’s not a secret. I’m just not sure how to start and what to do about it."

"Okay then I’ll tell you something about me first. How about that?"

"You don’t have to. I trust you."

"Then ask me a question. Anything."

Brooke laughed. "I don’t need to ask you questions."

"Okay, let me think a deep dark secret that I haven’t told you. Let’s see."

"Silly" She punched him.

"I’ve had sex with far too many women in my life."

"You already told me that."

"I don’t even have the slightest idea how many."

"That endears you to me." She laughed.

"I’ve always been careful."

"That’s a good thing."
"And now I’m stuck with this one woman who can’t seem to get excited for me." He joked.

"You!" She punched him again.

"She just lays there and says okay just do it." He was laughing so hard the tears were coming out.

"Yeah and she’s a dried up old hag too." Brooke added.

"Yeah, this dried up lady who doesn’t react to me." He joked.

"Poor, poor Michael."

"Well at least she has a hot daughter." He said with a grin.

"Ah but she hates you." She laughed.

"Just my luck." He joked. "Seriously she is very pretty. The first time I saw her I was impressed. I don’t think she liked it though. I have this habit of looking at women trying to figure out what I’d change about them. Occupational hazard."

"What would you change about me?"

"Nothing. And nothing on your daughter either, she has wonderful bone structure. I’d love to paint her."

"Don’t you dare!"

"With her clothes on Brooke. I don’t only paint nudes."

"Maybe you should tell her. I bet she’d like that."

"Nah! She already thinks I’m a dirty old man."

"No she doesn’t."

"Oh yes she does. She even said something to that effect to me. I only see her as a pretty young woman. The daughter of the woman I love. I’m not into kids Brooke. In fact I’m not into anyone but you anymore."

"I like that." She smiled at him. "Michael, I’ll talk to her. I really want you two to be friends."

"I’d much rather we find something to do besides talking." He bent over and kissed her breast. Brooke still had a distracted look on her face. "Still not doing it for you huh?"

"Michael I’m so sorry. I just have so much on my mind."

"Talk to me Brooke. Please."

"Later, I promise. I just need to figure out how to handle this."

"Maybe I can help."
"I know you can help. Just give me some more to time to think."

"You have me very curious Brooke."

 

Dr. Santana walked out to where Ridge and Bryan and the rest were waiting.

"Doctor?" Ridge asked.

"We got lucky. The crisis has passed and the baby is still with us. Gentlemen I must reiterate this. She cannot deal with this kind of stress. If there is another problem I can guarantee that the baby will not survive."

"Can I take her home?" Bryan asked.

"Not tonight. I want to keep her here overnight to make sure she’s alright. If everything goes well I’ll release her in the morning."

"Can we see her." Ridge asked.

"Absolutely not Ridge. I will not let her get agitated again."

"Perhaps I could see her." Stephanie suggested.

"Mrs. Forrester, I’m afraid that even you might upset her."

"She needs to know we are here for her." Stephanie told her.
"She does know that and she appreciates it."

"What about Connor. Maybe he could just see her so we all could feel better." Bryan suggested.

"I don’t know." Dr. Santana hesitated. "She does trust you though. Alright, but just for a few minutes. Come with me Connor." She said as she led him into Taylor’s room.

"Connor." A pale and tired looking Taylor called to him.

"Hi honey. How are you?"

"I’m scared Connor."

He sat down next to her and took her hand.

"Everyone wanted to see you but Dr. Santana only agreed to let me. I guess I’m the ambassador."

"She saved my baby. I still have my baby."

"Honey you can’t let yourself get upset like this. I know it’s very hard but you can’t do it."

"Connor I’m so confused about everything. I don’t know why I let Ridge upset me so much. Bryan and I had had such a wonderful morning."

"Don’t even think about it honey."

"I really believed that he loved me. No matter what we had gone through I really thought he loved me."

"He does love you."

"He did a terrible thing to Brooke."

"Ridge?"

"Yes. He took advantage of her. She was drugged and he touched her. It makes me sick Connor."

"What the hell is wrong with that man?"

"I think somehow it’s my fault."

"That’s crazy Taylor. The man is despicable."

"He’s so unhappy."

"He caused his own unhappiness Taylor. It’s his own fault he lost you. And Brooke too for that matter. Don’t waste your sympathy on him, he doesn’t deserve it. Bryan is a good man and he loves you."

"I love him too Connor. It’s just that."

"I know, I know. I’ve been hearing the same thing from Brooke for years. Personally I don’t know what either of you see in him."

"Someone has to help Brooke Connor."
"Brooke?"

"She needs to be able to deal with what happened to her."

"I doubt she’s complaining."

"Connor you know that’s not true. What Ridge did was wrong. It was hurtful."

"Taylor you need to concentrate on you and your baby. Brooke and Ridge will have to take care of themselves."

"You’re right. I know that, but I do worry about her. She’s far too impulsive."

"You’re telling me." He laughed.

"I’m sorry she hurt you. I know she cares deeply for you."

"I should be used to it by now."

"No. Someone like you should never have to get used to being hurt. When I come home I’m going to help find you the perfect woman."

"I’m talking to her right now." He smiled at her.

"You’re very sweet Connor. I know that someone will make you very happy some day."

"I haven’t quit looking." He said with a smile.

"Do me a favor Connor."

"Anything."

"Tell Bryan that I love him and miss him."

"You bet. Now get some rest." He kissed her on the cheek. "Bye Taylor." He said and he walked out.

"How is she Connor?" Stephanie asked the minute he returned.

"Her spirits are good. She’s very worried. She’s strong though."

"Is she in any pain?" Ridge asked.

"Not now. She’s tired though."

"I wish I could have seen her." Bryan added.

"She misses you." He turned to Ridge. "You too."

"She said that?" Ridge asked.

"We didn’t talk long. I didn’t want to wear her out. Ridge, can I talk to you alone for a moment?"

"I’ve already heard it all."

"Not from me you haven’t. Come on." He gestured to the side of the room. He and Ridge walked away from the others.

"Taylor is worried about Brooke."

"So am I. She must hate me."

"Worse than that Ridge. What if she thinks she’s in love with you again."

"I doubt that. After Mike talks to her I doubt she’ll ever want to speak to me again."

"You have to fix this. Taylor can’t deal with this."

"She doesn’t have to."

"But she will. She’ll obsess over this and you know it. You have to straighten things out with Brooke or you could harm Taylor."

"I can’t face Brooke."

"Man, you are a coward. You screw with her life and then you can’t deal with the ramifications. You don’t deserve that love those two have for you Ridge. Not one bit."

"Maybe I don’t." He said looking down at the floor.

 

The next day Morgan walked into Eric’s office and sat down on a big soft chair.

"Hi there Morgan!" Eric said cheerfully.

"Hi Eric."

"How are you today dear?"

"Pretty good. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk to me the other day. It’s really nice to have a friend."

"Anytime you need an ear my office is open to you. So tell me how did it go?"

"Well" She smiled. "Better than I hoped."

"I think you told me enough." He laughed heartily.

"Eric, why is it so difficult? Taylor has moved on. He chose to marry me, God knows I didn’t force him. I really hoped by now we’d be growing closer."

"Well it sounds like you had a start." He smiled warmly at her.

"I wish Ridge was more like you Eric."

"What a nice thing to say." He beamed.

"No, I really mean it. In fact I wish I had known you before I knew Ridge. You’re such a wonderful man. I hope Stephanie keeps you happy."

Eric scoffed at the mention of her name.

"Uh oh. Did I hit a nerve?" Morgan asked.

"Stephanie and I haven’t been seeing eye to eye these days."

"Oh, that’s terrible. A man like you should be happy. I know if you were my man I’d go out of my way to make you happy." She smiled.

Eric beamed at her. "Well any man would be lucky to have you for his wife. I envy Ridge."

"You are so sweet." She said. She got up and put her arms around him and gave him a kiss. Eric was surprised to feel the response in his body. He quickly stepped away from her.

"I’m sorry." Morgan told him. "Was I out of place?" She asked sweetly.

"No, not at all." He said recovering. "I just wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea." He pointed to the open door.

"Oh." Morgan said with a laugh. "Let them talk. I’d be proud if anyone thought someone as wonderful as you had an interest in me."

"So tell me." He said changing the subject out of embarrassment. "How are your designs coming along? Anything ready for the show?"

"As a matter of fact I not only have sketches but even two dresses have already been cut. I’ve been very productive. Is it true that Brooke gave you back control?"

"In her absence. Things have been much better between us lately. Perhaps when she returns we can try to make it permanent. Though I have to give her credit. She has done a wonderful job with this company."

"I really don’t know. Brooke seems very self centered to me Eric. When she hired me I got the impression it was to harm you and Ridge."

"It might have been at the time, but we’ve made strides to improve our relationship."

"That’s good. I’d hate to see anything happen to a company that someone like you created."

"Again I’m flattered."

"You shouldn’t be. It was your brains and sweat that built this company. Brooke has a good head for business but she should stay out of the creative processes."

" I heartily agree." He smiled.

"Eric? Would you like to see my designs?"

"I’d love to Morgan."

"Great! I’ll be right back!" She said with a grin as she walked out.

Eric smiled as he straighten his tie and thought about the woman who he was suddenly finding so captivating.

 

 

Brooke opened her eyes and stared at her sleeping husband. How did I get so lucky? She thought. I never believed I’d ever be so in love again. I hope I didn’t disappoint him last night. I have to make it up to him. She smiled and reached out to touch his hair. "I love you so much." She said aloud.

"Ummm, me too." He said waking up.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you."

"I was dreaming about you and then you touched me. So nice." He said in a sleep voice.

"I’m sorry about last night."

"S’okay." He said. "Give me a kiss." She leaned over and kissed him. "Good morning." He said.

"Did you sleep okay?" She asked.

"Too much sleep, not enough loving." He grinned. "Think we can change that today?"

"Don’t you have to work?"

"If you can take time off so can I."

"What about your patients?"

"Nothing really pressing right now. I do have to check on Amanda Patterson, though I dread that. I think I may try to turn her over to someone else."

"Who’s she?"

"Someone I was involved with once. She won’t leave me alone."

"Did you tell her you were married?"

"She never gave me the chance."

"I’m not sure I like the sound of that."

"I turned her down. She got mad. I think she…I don’t know."

"What Michael?"

"I’m just being paranoid. I can handle Keith Ehlers."
"Why can’t he just leave you alone? You aren’t involved with his daughter anymore. It doesn’t make sense."

"The man carries a huge grudge Brooke. I don’t know. I try to stay out of his way. You know I almost didn’t take your case because he was your primary, but Ridge begged me."

"I’m glad he did." She kissed him.

"This whole situation is getting out of hand. I need to know who it was that started this nonsense about me raping you. That is really damaging."

"Do you think it was Dr. Ehlers?"

"I don’t think he’d stoop that low Brooke. But I have to tell you, it’s eating me up inside."

"Oh honey." She kissed him. "I wish I could help."

"I’ll get to the bottom of this. I have to." He started to get out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"Why? Are you in the mood?" He smiled at her.

"I think that can be arranged."

"I’m gonna go brush my teeth and stuff. I’ll be right back." He smiled as he entered the bathroom.

Brooke smiled and reached for the phone. She wanted to apologize to Taylor for their running out like they had. She wondered what Ridge had said. She punched in Taylor’s number.

"Hello."

"Hi Bryan, it’s Brooke. Is Taylor around?"

"Brooke, Taylor is in the hospital."

"What? What happened? Oh my God, is it the baby?"

"She had another attack. She’s doing better but it looked really bad for awhile."

"What happened Bryan? What caused this?" Brooke asked in a panic. "Was it because of Michael and Ridge?"

"Yeah Brooke, it was. After you left she and Ridge got into it. She was very upset."

"Oh my God Bryan! It’s all my fault."

"Your fault? No Brooke. Taylor was upset at Ridge, not at you."

"Did she tell you what happened?" She asked.

"Yes and I’m so sorry Brooke. Ridge is an ass. I don’t know what else to say. Michael had every right to do what he did. I’ll tell you this much, Ridge is very embarrassed about it."

"Well he should be. I trusted him. I loved him."

"Connor told him off too."

"Oh God! Connor knows? Does everyone know? This is so embarrassing Bryan."

"When Taylor was feeling better Dr. Santana only allowed her one visitor. She wouldn’t let me or Ridge in so I asked Connor to go. Taylor was worried about you so she told him."

"Taylor shouldn’t be thinking about anything but herself and her baby."

"She loves you Brooke."

"I love her too. Oh Bryan she and the baby have to be alright."

"I’m bringing her home today. I don’t know what to do to keep Ridge away. Dr. Santana doesn’t want him anywhere near her."

"He’d never come here."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Maybe until she’s feeling a little better she could come and stay with us."

"Brooke, you’re on your honeymoon."

"Friends come first. Think about it Bryan, Ridge will never show his face here. She can rest and get better. You can both stay here if you want."

"I don’t know Brooke."

"It could work Bryan. Bridget can help take care of the kids and besides, I’m being a little selfish here too."

"How so?"

"I need Taylor’s help with something. If she’s here it will make it so much easier."

"This doesn’t have anything to do with Ridge does it?"

"No!" Brooke said emphatically. "It’s her professional help I need. I can’t go into it right now but believe me when I tell you I really need her."

"Well let me talk this over with Taylor, if she agrees then we’ll do it. Just make sure it’s okay with Michael."

"I’m sure he won’t have a problem. Thanks Bryan. Call me when you decide." She said and they hung up.

"I won’t have a problem with what?" Michael asked as he walked back into the room.

 

Changes Part 47

 

"Well?" Michael asked Brooke again. "What is it I won’t mind?"

"Now don’t get mad." She told him.

"This isn’t starting well. What would I be mad about?"

"I invited Taylor and Bryan to stay with us."

"You what?" He asked her. "This is a joke, right?"
"No honey. Taylor needs rest. She needs peace and quirt."

"She can get that at home. Why would she want to come here? Come on Brooke, we need time alone. It’s bad enough that your kids are around all the time. I never get a single moment alone with you."

"Taylor had another attack. She’s in the hospital."

"So now are we supposed to nurse her back to health? Come on Brooke you aren’t being fair to us."

"I’m really sorry you feel that way. Taylor is very important to me and I want to be there for her."

"What about being there for us? Christ Brooke don’t we have enough of an audience already? Rick, Bridget and your stupid ex popping in all the time. When is it our turn?" He walked to the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and put them on.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" He said in a very annoyed voice. "I’m getting dressed. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of Brooke’s boarding house." He pulled a shirt off a hanger and carrying it over his shoulder walked out of the bedroom.

"Michael!" Brooke shouted. "Please come back!"

 

Taylor was sitting on the bed as Bryan packed a suitcase. She was pale and tired looking but feeling better.

"Are you sure that Brooke wants us? I can really take care of myself Bryan."

"You can’t be here alone and take the chance of Ridge upsetting you."

"I’m not going to hide from Ridge. Besides, he has a right to see the children. I can’t keep him away."

"But if you’re at Brooke’s someone will always be around. He won’t upset you."

"You’re just saying that because you know he’s going to avoid Brooke."

"Maybe." He grinned. "I could use a vacation from Ridge myself."

"What does she want my help with? Did she say?"

"Not a clue. In fact she was downright cryptic. I guess she only wants to talk to you."

"Well I hope Michael doesn’t mind. They are newlyweds. I’m sure he doesn’t exactly want a house full of company."

"Let’s give it a few days. If you start feeling better than we can come home. Besides, Katherine did ask for some time off. This way we kill two birds with one stone."

"Okay, okay. I won’t fight you. But if I think it’s getting in the way for them then we’ll leave."

"Deal." He said with a kiss.

"I have to pack for the kids."

"Katherine did that before she left. I had a driver come pick their stuff up already. All we need is your stuff and us and the kids and we’re set."

 

Macy walked into Spectra with a wide grin on her face. She was happier than she had been in so long. She walked up to Darla’s desk.

"Hey Darla! How’s it going?"

"Macy!" Darla squealed. "I’m so glad to see you! It’s been ages."

"Not that long." Macy said as she hugged her. "Is my mother around?"

"Sal’s in her office. She and Clarke are plotting away about the showing. Are you here to work?"

"I really wanted to talk to her. I’m so happy I could burst."

"Tell me! Tell me!" Darla begged.

"Thorne and I, we’re together again. We decided to give our marriage another try!"

"Oh Macy!" Darla hugged her again. "That’s so great. Oh no! Sal won’t be so happy though."

"Mom will be happy if I’m happy. And Darla, I’m so happy. It’s as if Brooke never existed. It’s like Thorne and I were never ever apart."

"You better be careful Macy. It’s not that I don’t trust Thorne. I just don’t trust Brooke."

"I don’t trust her either but she doesn’t seem interested in Thorne at all anymore."

"That’s so cool Macy! I haven’t seen you this happy since Gr" Darla suddenly stopped.

"You can say it Darla, I haven’t been this happy since Grant. I know, it’s true. You know I still miss him so much. I went to his grave yesterday. I wanted to tell him about Thorne and me. Do you think he’d be happy?"

"He loved you so much Macy. He wanted you happy. You know that. In the, in the, oh God Macy this is so sad."

"I know." Macy said wiping a tear from her eye.

"In the end." Darla continued. "Grant wanted you and Thorne to be together, because he wanted you to be happy."

"I loved him so much. We were going to be together forever. But I can’t think about that Darla. I have to concentrate on Thorne, and on our future."

"Did I hear my baby?" Sally bellowed as she walked over to Darla and Macy.

"Mom!" Macy said with a hug.

"Honey I’ve missed you. You’ve been avoiding us lately."

"Not really Mom. I’ve been going through some changes. Changes I want to tell you all about."

"Well let’s go into my office." She took Macy by the arm. "Get back to work Darla. We’re busy, busy, busy!"

Sally and Macy went into Sally’s office.

"Let me look at you." Sally said. "Honey you look wonderful. SO much better than the last time we talked. So tell me, what brought about this glow?"

"Glow? Am I glowing?"

"You certainly are. Tell me! Is it a new man?"

"Not a new man."

"No Macy! Not Thorne Forrester. You can’t be talking about Thorne Forrester again?"

"It’s different this time Mom. We both want it this time. I know it’s going to work. We truly love each other again."

"And what about Brooke Logan? Where does she fit in?"

"It’s all over between Thorne and Brooke. He promised me."

"You can’t rely on a promise from a Forrester Macy. We both know that way too well."

"No Mom, it’s different this time. We really are happy."

"Oh Macy, Macy, Macy. Why Thorne again? He’s only caused you heartache. Time and time again. Oh how I wish that Grant was still alive. Thing would be so different, so different for all of us."

"I miss Grant too Mom. There isn’t a day that I don’t think of him."

"He was your one true love Macy. He was the man who would stick by you no matter what. He loved you like no other."

"But he’s gone Mom, he’s gone and I have to live my life. I want to be happy. Grant would want me to be happy."

"Not with Thorne."

"Yes, with Thorne. He wanted us to get back together. You know he did."

"He didn’t want you to be alone. If he knew what kind of man Thorne would turn into he would never have wanted that. He must be rolling in his grave with this talk."

"Mom, I need you to be happy for me."

"Happy? How can I be happy with you involved with a Forrester again?"

"Will you at least try?" Macy asked.

"Honey, how I wish that you and Grant were still together. That man loved you so much."

"And I him. Mom, I think I loved him more than I even knew. I still miss him so much. Even after all this time."

"He was a good man, far too good for the likes of Brooke Logan Forrester. What he ever saw in her I’ll never know."

"That was a huge mistake. Brooke used him, just like she used Thorne. And Eric too. She used them both when all she ever wanted was Ridge."

"And look at the harm she’s caused to poor Taylor’s life."

"You won’t believe this Mom. Taylor and Brooke are friends now."

"Don’t be ridiculous Macy. Taylor Forrester has far too much sense to take Brooke Logan as a friend."

"I thought so too Mom, but it’s true. I went to visit Taylor and she told me point blank. She was insulted when I said something against Brooke."

"That’s very disturbing Macy."

"I know, it was to me too. I know she’s out to get her hands on Ridge again. I just hope Taylor wises up in time."

 

Brooke grabbed her robe and put it on and headed downstairs. She found Bridget in the kitchen eating breakfast.

"Hi honey. Did you see Michael?" She asked her daughter.

"He left." Bridget answered without looking up from her cereal.

"Left? When? Where did he go?"

"Who cares. Maybe back under the rock he crawled out from." She answered. "Can I go to the mall today?"

"Bridget why are you so rotten to him? He’s my husband and I love him."

"Well he sure didn’t look too happy when he left. He just grabbed his sneakers and keys and took off."

"Oh, that’s right. He had to see a patient." Brooke lied. "I wish you would try and get along with him."

"Why? He’ll be gone soon. So can I go?"

"Taylor and the kids are coming to stay with us for awhile. I may need your help."

"That’s not fair mom!" Bridget complained. "Why should I get stuck? And why do we have to have all these people here? Why can’t it just be you and me and Rick?"

"Honey it’s only temporary. Taylor needs my help and I need hers. I don’t want it to be a burden to you. You can go to the mall. But you have to get someone else to take you. I’m going to be very busy."

"I hope Michael never comes back."

"He’s coming back. He only went to work Bridget."

"Doesn’t he have his own house?"

"This is his house now. Until we move."

"I told you! I don’t want to move. It’s not fair. You make all these decisions that concern me and you don’t even care how I feel about it!"

"I do care Bridget. In fact I want you to help us pick out a new house. That’s very important to me."

"There’s nothing wrong with this house. This is the house Ridge built for us."

"And that’s exactly why we can’t stay here. Michael and I need a place that doesn’t have a lot of old memories. We need our own start honey."

"Please Mom, please make him leave. I don’t like him."

"Bridget I don’t understand you. What is it you don’t like about him? He’s always been nice to you."

"I don’t want to move and I don’t want him here!" Bridget shouted as she ran out of the kitchen. A distraught Brooke sat down and put her head in her hands. "Oh Michael, where did you go?" She asked aloud.

 

Ridge walked into Eric’s office and put a design down in front of him.

"Well? What do you think?" He asked.

Eric scrutinized the design and then looked up at Ridge. "Is this one of your?"

"Yes. What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?"

"To be perfectly honest Ridge, it’s not one of your best. When did you do this one?"

"This morning." He looked at it himself. "You’re right, it’s no good. I just can’t seem to concentrate."

"It’s no wonder. Your mother told me about Taylor."

"Then you know."

"What can I say son, I’m sorry."

"The baby is alright. At least so far. It was touch and go for awhile."

"When did you find out she was pregnant?"

"Just recently. She didn’t want me to know. Dad I have to do something about this."

"What do you mean?"

"I have to get out of this sham of a marriage and get back to Taylor, where I belong."

"You can’t do that to Morgan."

"The hell I can’t! She’s the one who tricked me with this whole thing. Do you think for one minute that I would have married her if I knew that Taylor was pregnant? I never loved her. It’s Taylor. It’s always been Taylor."

"You made a commitment to Morgan."

"I made one to Taylor a long time before that. I never would have left her, never. I’ve been trying all day to contact Jonathan but he isn’t around."

"I think he’s in Europe on vacation. Ridge you can’t do this to Morgan. What about her child?"

"Her child will have my name. I will support her and help her. I’ll try to be a part of that child’s life but I need Taylor. I want Taylor."

"You’re going to break her heart."

"And what about mine? My heart broke the moment I left my wife and I intend to remedy that."

"Your mother told me that there is a good chance that the baby is not yours."

"B*llsh*t! It’s mine. I know it’s mine."

"Even if it is Ridge. What makes you so sure this is what Taylor wants. Isn’t she living with that lawyer?"

"Don’t you worry about that. I know I can win her back. She loves me, I know she does."

"Let’s not argue about this Ridge. You’ll do what you want to do anyway. Besides we have work to do and we need to concentrate." He looked at Ridge’s sketch again. "You know with a couple of changes here and there this might be quite good." He picked up a pencil and showed Ridge what he meant.

 

Brooke had taken a shower and gotten dressed into a pair of very short shorts and a midriff top. She still had no word from Michael. She was very upset that they had fought and was even more distressed that she hadn’t been able to talk to him about Grant yet. Taylor and Bryan had called and they would be over after they had lunch and did a little shopping. She was beginning to think she had made a terrible mistake when Michael waked in.

"Hi." He said.

"Hi." She answered.

"Sorry I walked out like that. I got mad and I didn’t want to fight with you so I went to the gym and had a workout."

"Why didn’t you call me?"

"Please Brooke. Don’t make this more than it was." He came over to her and kissed her. "It was just me blowing off some steam. Okay?"

"I’m sorry. I should have asked you not told you."

"This is your house."

"No! It’s our house. You have every right to be mad. If you want I’ll call Taylor and ask her not to come."

"No honey. I know she needs you right now. I was just disappointed. Is she here yet?"

"Not yet. They went to lunch and were going shopping."

"What about Rick and Bridget?"

"Bridget is at the mall. Rick is at Forrester. He works there part time."

"You mean we’re alone?"

"Yes." She smiled.

"We better make the best of it while we can." He grinned at her. "Are you still in the mood?"

"Michael," She said. "There’s something I have to talk to you about. Something that’s very important."

"More important than us?"

"It has to do with us. And our home. And our living arrangements."

"Please don’t tell me you invited someone else to stay here."

"Can we just sit down and talk a minute? This is very important."

"Okay honey. Where do you want to talk? Want to go upstairs?"

"You really have a one track mind don’t you." She teased.

"It’s been over two days." He complained. "Ever since Ridge."

"After we talk okay? If I don’t say this now I won’t have time before Taylor gets here."

"But if we don’t make love now we won’t have time before Taylor gets here either."

"We don’t have to entertain her. I just want her to be somewhere safe. Please Michael." She begged.

"Okay. Let’s sit down in the living room and talk." They walked into the living room and sat on the couch. Michael put his arm around her and she leaned her head back on his shoulder.

"Remember that night" She began. "The night when we went to that seaside bar."

"Ummm. The night we found our billboard." He grinned. "I’ll never forget that night."

"We talked a lot that night."

"We did a lot besides talking." He said as he kissed her neck. His hand strayed to her breast.

"You aren’t making this easy for me."

"Things are getting very hard for me too." He took her hand and placed it right where he was talking about.

"Michael." She moaned. "This is important."

"So is this Brooke." He said as he captured her mouth with his. All thoughts of Grant were forgotten as Brooke felt her body respond to his touches.

"Yes Michael, yes. This is important." She said as she let him lay her down on the couch. "Oh God Michael." She moaned as she felt his hand reach between her legs.

"Let’s make love Brooke, please we can talk later." He whispered into her ear. "It’s been too long and I really need you."

"I need you too." She whispered. He reached the zipper on her shorts and pulled it down giving his hand more room to explore.

"You are so hot. You want me Brooke." He told her.

"Yes." Was all she could manage as she felt the waves ripping through her.

"You like this?" He asked.

"I need all of you." She managed. "Now Michael, now." She demanded as she kicked her shorts down her legs. He reached down and gently pulled them off her. He then slowly lowered her panties and removed them.

"You’re mine now." He said to her.

"I’ve been yours since the moment I met you." She told him.

"Ummm. I’ve been wanting this for days now." He told her as his head disappeared between her legs.

 

"That’s perfect Dad." Ridge said looking at the changes Eric had made. "It feels like old times again. This is real teamwork."

"It is isn’t it." Eric beamed.

"Something seems different about you." Ridge told him. "What’s going on?"

"I don’t know Ridge. I feel young and vital again."

"Is this because Brooke gave you control again?"

"Maybe a little bit, but no it’s something else." He smiled.

"Dad? It’s not another woman is it? You and Mother seem so happy."

"Do we?" He asked. "I don’t know anymore Ridge. I’m getting tired of her vindictiveness. She’s made me become that way and I don’t like it. I don’t like her attitude about Morgan and I especially don’t like her attitude about Brooke."

"I have to agree with you on that. But Brooke and mother have never seen eye to eye."

"Your mother had her reasons for hating Brooke, none of them are valid any longer. It’s time for her to try and give up this hate."

"It would be nice to see."
"I like the way you and I seem to relate to Brooke lately. It’s good and honest and I find myself enjoying her company again. How about you Ridge?"

"I love her Dad. I won’t deny it. Brooke will always mean the world to me, but I’m afraid I may have ruined it with her."

"What did you do Ridge? Did you have a fight with her? Please don’t tell me this was about Michael Copeland."

"Not exactly. You know how I feel about that. I don’t want her married to him."

"That’s her choice, not yours. Maybe he will make her happy. It’s no reason for you to destroy a friendship that you’ve had for years with her."

"Dad I was with her the other night and things went too far."

"What!" He asked angrily.

"I don’t know how it happened but things just went too far and now she hates me."

"Ridge! How could you do that? Not only have you put yourself in an impossible situation but think of the company."

"I have to find a way to make things right with her. I need her to forgive me, and I need Taylor to forgive me."

"Taylor knows?" He was furious.

"That’s how I got the black eye."

"Taylor hit you?"

"No." Ridge laughed. "Mike hit me. But it was at Taylor’s house."

"I’m not sure I want to hear about this Ridge."

"I wish it hadn’t happened myself. But somehow I have to explain myself to Logan and get her to understand how sorry I am. The last thing I want to do is ruin the friendship we’ve made."

"Then Ridge. Don’t put it off much longer. For yourself and for this company."

Michael and Brooke were wrapped in each other’s arms under an afghan dozing when the doorbell awakened them.

"Oh no!" Brooke said. "That must be Taylor and Bryan."

"And the rugrats." Michael added. "I guess we’ve had our last moment of privacy for awhile." He told her with a passionate kiss.

"But it was worth it, wasn’t it?" She asked, looking deeply into his eyes.

"You’ll get no complaints out of me." He smiled at her as he stood up and pulled his pants back on. He handed her her shorts and panties. She quickly put them on and then reached for her shirt.

"Wait." He said. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her once more allowing his mouth to dip to and linger on her breasts. He slowly pulled away. "Okay honey. I guess that’s just going to have to hold me for now."

She pulled her shirt over her head and brushing her hair back with her hands went to answer the door.

"Oh my." Taylor said seeing Brooke’s disheveled appearance. "We’re interrupting."

"No." Brooke answered with a grin. "We were just napping. Come on in." Taylor and Bryan entered. Each one carried a twin and Thomas walked in behind them.

"Hello Thomas." Brooke smiled at the little boy, getting on her knees to be on his level. "Do I get a kiss?" She asked.

Thomas put his arms around her neck and planted a sweet little kiss on her lips.

"I could just eat him up." Brooke said to Taylor.

"Don’t get any ideas." Michael told her. "I want at least a month or two of just the two of us. We can look into our own little rugrats later."

"Believe me Michael, I totally agree with you." Brooke laughed. "Welcome everyone. I’m so glad you’re here."

 

"I have some good news for you Grant." Pedro told him. "I spoke to Brooke and she will be here very soon to see you."

"You spoke to her? Was she shocked? Was she frightened? What did she say? When is she coming?"

"Slow down Grant. I’ll try to answer your questions. Brooke was aware that you are alive. She is the one who brought you to us. She has been here several times over the years to see you but you weren’t aware. She is very happy that you are doing well."

"She knew? It was her? Oh Dr. Garcia when is she coming?"

"Soon Grant. She had some minor surgery and is not yet able to travel but she will be here soon?"

"Surgery? Is she alright?"

"She’s fine. She’s very excited at the prospect of bringing you home."

"I have to talk to her. I need to call her."

"No Grant. Give her time to recover. She will come very soon. I promise you that. Your time with us is drawing to a close. We will miss you greatly."

"I can’t thank you enough doctor." He said with a smile. "Brooke! My beautiful Brooke is coming to get me.

Changes Part 48

 

Michael walked into the house and found Brooke alone in the living room. He smiled at her and came over and gave her a kiss.

"Is it possible?" He asked.

"Is what possible?"

"Are we finally alone? It’s been four days and this is the first time I’ve been in this house alone with you."

"Bryan went back to work today and Taylor took the kids to visit Jack. I’m not sure where Bridget and Rick are."

"So we are alone! Hallelujah! I never thought the day would come. We have to take advantage of this." He grinned.

"Michael, I need to talk to you."

"Who’s moving in now?" He moaned.

"No, this is really serious. I need a huge favor."

"I can do favors. What do you have in mind?"

"I need you to take me to Mexico."

"You wanna go fishing? Great! When do you want to go?"

"No." She answered. "This isn’t a fun trip. We need to go there today. I have something very important to do there."

"Is this business?"

"Not Forrester business, personal business. Remember at the Board meeting I mentioned I had to go out of the country?"

"Yeah."
"Well this is it. Can you fly me there?"

"When?"
"Now. Today. As soon as possible."

"What’s this all about?"

"We can talk on the way down. Will you take me?"

"Oh course. I just wish you’d trust me enough to tell me what’s going on."

"I’ll tell you everything while we fly down. It’s a long story and it’s going to shock you."

"How long do you need to be there?"

"We need to go there and do one thing and then come right back home."

"Okay. Did you tell Taylor?"

"I wanted to but there wasn’t time. I’ll leave her a note. But we may get home before her anyway."

"Sounds like a real quick trip."

"It will be, but a very important one. Let me go upstairs and change and then we can leave."

"What would you have done if I said no?"

"I’d have taken the Forrester jet, but I knew you wouldn’t say no."

"You know me so well." He smiled at her. "You get changed and I’ll call the airport and make sure the plane is fueled up."

 

Stephanie walked into Eric’s office. She went up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"Because I love you and I’ve been neglecting you and I’ve missed you." She answered.

"Nonsense, you haven’t been neglecting me. We’ve all been under the gun lately."

"Well I think we need to appreciate each other more." She smiled at him. "How is the show coming along?"

"Pretty well although Ridge has been preoccupied lately."

"Oh course he has. Taylor is pregnant. He realized what a huge mistake he made with Morgan. It’s a wonder he can work at all."

"Don’t blame this on Morgan Stephanie."

"Who else is to blame Eric? She infiltrated her way into his life and destroyed his marriage. She is to blame."

"It’s not that easy for her though."

"He never should have married that tramp. Now look at the mess he’s in. And Jonathan is not around. I just don’t know what to do anymore."

"It’s not for you to do Stephanie. It’s Ridge’s problem and he has to handle it. I just hope that he doesn’t hurt Morgan too much."

"Enough about her. I want to talk about us." Stephanie told him.

"Us? What about us?"

"Eric I feel we’re drifting apart."

"Why would you say that?"

"We rarely have a moment together anymore. I thought with Rick gone we would have more time but it seems we have less."

"I don’t want you to feel that way but we are very busy."

"Too busy for a nice quiet romantic lunch?"

Eric smiled at her. "I think we can take the time for that. When do you want to go?"

"Today. I’ve booked the private dining room for us."

"Alright. Let me see if I can find Ridge and let him know."

"I’ve already told him. This will be good for us Eric."

"Yes. I think it will." He took his wife in his arms and gave her a romantic kiss.

"Well!" She said after she had recovered. "I should have done this weeks ago."

"You are certainly right about that. I do love you Stephanie." He said as he kissed her once more.

"Eric" She laughed. "Where in the world is all this coming from? Not that I’m complaining."

"I have an idea!"

"What?"

"Let’s take the rest of the day off and just spend it together. We can go to that nice little inn that we love so much. Book a room and just see what happens." He smiled at her.

"But the showing?"

"It will still be here when we get back. What do you say?"

"I say I’ll go home and pack us a suitcase and be back in an hour."

"Make it a half an hour." He kissed her again. She smiled and walked out.

A few minutes later Morgan walked into Eric’s office. She was wearing a sexy, low-cut, scarlet gown that was slit to the thigh.

"My God Morgan!" Eric stammered. "That’s fabulous!"

"Do you like?" She asked. "It’s one of my new ones. I just had to show it to you." She twirled around.

"You look radiant! Has Ridge seen it?"

"I haven’t seen Ridge since this morning. It’s you I wanted to show it to Eric."

"It’s perfect. I’m so proud of you Morgan."

"Thanks Eric. I hope you can use it in the show."

"Use it? It will be one of the central pieces. You’ve outdone yourself."

"I was going to come in earlier but I saw Stephanie come in. I didn’t want to cause any more trouble for you."

"I think Stephanie would have agreed with me. This is a wonderful dress. And you look stunning in it."

"I don’t look too pregnant?"

"Not at all. My God Morgan you’ve somehow managed to hold on to your wonderful shape."

"Wait." She said with a laugh. "Look now." She held the dress tightly to her body and her advanced pregnancy was quite obvious.

"I never would have known, not that you being pregnant doesn’t look beautiful too."

She let the dress fall back into place. "You are such a sweet man Eric." She said with a smile.

"Wow Morgan!" Ridge said as he walked in. "That dress is great!"

"You like it? I’m so happy. I was just showing it to your father."

"It’s really good Morgan." Ridge told her. "In fact I was just looking at your other designs and I like most of them too."

"Most of them? Were there some you didn’t like?"

"Well one or two were not quite typical Forrester."

"We have to change with the times Ridge." She told him.

"Not that fast though." He answered her.

"Well let me go and change. I’ll see you later Ridge?" She asked.

"Sure. We can have dinner if you want."

"Will you show up this time?"

"Morgan, I said I was sorry."

"Okay you two, no time for fighting." Eric broke in. "Besides I have to get ready to leave."

"Leave?" Ridge asked. "Where are you going? Oh yes, lunch with Mother."

"And the rest of the day too. Your mother and I are going to spend the day together."

"But Dad! The show."
"You can handle things for a few hours Ridge. Your mother and I need this."

"I’ll leave you two alone." Morgan said. "Come by my office later Ridge Okay?"

"Sure Morgan." He answered her as she left. He walked over and closed the door.

"Dad, you can’t leave now. I have to leave myself."

"Why Ridge?"

"I need to fix things with Logan and Taylor."

"You haven’t done that yet? It’s been almost a week."

"Every time I call Logan she hangs up on me. And Taylor doesn’t answer at all. In fact no one answers at her house and I’m getting worried."

"Maybe they went to Bryan Jackson’s house."

"I thought of that. I even called his office but he won’t take my calls. I even called Connor Davis and he just called me some name and told me to stay out of all of their lives."

"Ridge, whatever you do don’t aggravate Taylor. Your mother and I are very worried about her."

"Well so am I. Look Dad, I really need to fix things with both of them. If I can’t get Logan to talk to me I know Taylor never will. She sticks to her like glue these days."

"Well they are friends now. And Ridge what happened with you and Brooke was wrong. You hurt her and that in turn hurt Taylor."

"I know that Dad and I don’t want to hurt either of them."

"Then you need to straighten things out with Brooke before it’s too late."

 

 

"Okay Brooke." Michael told her. "We’ve been flying for miles now and you have to start talking. What’s going on?"

"Alright. I started to tell you the other day but you didn’t let me continue."

"I’m listening now."

"Okay. Remember when we were at that sea-side bar?"

"Yeah, we talked a lot that night. I think that was the night I really knew I was in love with you."

"I knew I loved you too but you have to let me finish."

"Sorry."
"Anyway, you were asking me about my past."

"This has to do with your past?"

"In a way. We were talking about the men in my life."

"Don’t tell me we’re going to Mexico to see one of your ex lovers? I really have enough to deal with having Ridge around."

"Michael please! You aren’t making this any easier."

"Brooke I’m sorry but I really can’t deal with another one of your men right now."

"You don’t have to. It’s different, it really is."

"Okay then tell me what it’s all about."

"I told you about the man that I married for the wrong reasons."

"The one who died."

"Yes, Grant."

"This has something to do with him? I guess I can deal with a dead ex lover."

"Well that’s just it. He’s not dead."

 

"I talked to my mother again today." Macy said to Thorne. He rolled over and kissed her.

"Is she starting to get used to the idea of us together again?"

"She keeps trying to convince me that I’m not over Grant and that I’m projecting something into our relationship that isn’t real."

"Did you tell her she was wrong?"

"Well in a way she may be right."
"What?" He asked incredulously.

"Not the part about me not loving you but maybe she’s right about Grant. I never truly let myself deal with that. You and I got close so fast after he died."

"You still miss him."

"Not to take away anything that we have. I love you Thorne and I am happy that we were able to work things out. She thought that maybe I should see a counselor."

"That might be a good idea. I want us to do everything the right way Mace. No ghosts of Brooke or Grant. Just you and me."

"Me too Thorne. That’s what I want too. I know I buried Grant but I never truly said goodbye. And now it’s difficult for me. I hate to drag those memories back."

"But if you don’t it could hurt what we are building."

"Will you support me on this?"

"I will, one hundred percent Macy."

 

"Brooke?" Michael looked at her. "What do you mean he’s not dead?"

"Grant was very sick. He has stage three cancer."

"That’s serious. Are you telling me he survived?"

"He was practically moments from death. I paid his doctor a huge amount of money to get him to a clinic in Mexico. He doctors there had this experimental treatment that they thought could cure him."

"And it did?"
"He’s been there since October of 1998. And yes, he’s been cured."

"So you want to visit him?"

"Not exactly. I want to bring him home."

"Is he well enough to travel?"

"The doctor assured me that his cancer is gone. He’s still very weak but he is well. He can come home."

"You did all this for him? Why?"

"He was a friend to me when I had no one else. He was a wonderful man. He deserved a chance and I got it for him."

"But didn’t you say he was married to someone else? What about his wife?"
"She doesn’t know."

"She doesn’t know what? That he can come home?"

"She doesn’t know he’s alive. We substituted a body of a homeless man. She thinks she buried Grant."

"My God Brooke! How could you do that to her?"

"Dr. Hughes didn’t expect Grant to live. I didn’t want to give her false hope. And then it took so long for him to show any signs of improvement. It was never the right time to tell her."

"So what are you planning on doing? Pop him into her house and say Hi Honey I’m home?"

"I’m not bringing him there. Not yet."

"Are you taking him to the hospital? I thought he was well."

"Michael, I’m bringing him home."

"Home? Not our home? Please Brooke! Not our home!"

 

 

Morgan had changed back into her own clothes and she went into Ridge’s office.

"Hi honey!" She smiled at him.

"Hello Morgan. What’s up?"

"I just wanted to be with you." She said as she closed the door. "I missed you."

"Morgan!" He said sternly.

"And I want you." She said as she walked up to him and kissed him passionately. Ridge started to push her off but was surprised when he felt his body respond to her.

"Morgan, we can’t" He protested.

"I’m your wife Ridge. Please." She begged as she reached down and unzipped his fly. She took him into her hand and he immediately responded to her touch. He pulled her to him and roughly captured her lips. He reached between her legs and felt her bareness.

"No underwear Morgan?" He chuckled.

"I hoped." She whispered.

"The couch, now." He demanded.

They quickly walked over and he pulled his pants off. Morgan pulled her dress over her head and stood nude in front of him. He looked at her pregnant body and instead of feeling repelled he felt awe.

"You’re beautiful." He told her surprising even himself.

"Oh Ridge." She said through her tears. He gently laid her down on the couch and covered her body with his.

"I don’t want to hurt you, or our baby." He whispered.

"You won’t." She told him as she reached for him again. He took her mouth at the same time their bodies came together. For the first time he felt something other than contempt for her. Their lovemaking was slow and sexual and very satisfying for both of them. Morgan screamed in pleasure as he moved in and out of her. Ridge almost felt complete but at the final moment it was Taylor’s face he saw in front of him.

 

"You have to listen to me Michael. I have no choice in this."

"No choice? There are always choices Brooke. You can’t do this to us. Our marriage is too new to withstand this. I can’t live like this."

"Please Michael, try to understand."

"I do understand. This man is a dear friend, you care about him. But this is taking it way too far. You have to find other living arrangements for him."

"Michael wait!"

"What?"

"There have been some complications."

"Then he belongs in a hospital. You can visit him everyday, I don’t care. He just can’t live with us."

"He’s lost part of his memory."

"Of for God’s sake Brooke! What are you trying to tell me?"

"He thinks we’re still married."

Michael looked straight ahead and didn’t say anything. His face went from the white look of shock to beet red of anger. Finally he turned to Brooke. "And when do you plan on telling him the truth?"

"The doctor thinks the shock will harm him." She answered sheepishly.

"The shock will harm him." He repeated.

"So where do I fit in?"

"I don’t know."

"You don’t know? You don’t know? I’m your f*cking husband Brooke! Don’t give me you don’t know!"

"I can’t just blurt it out."

"So do you plan on sharing our bed with him?"

"No Michael!"

"Then tell me, what do you plan? Have you thought of this at all or are you just playing it by ear?"

"We can let him know that we’re involved."

"Involved? That’s a quaint way to describe a marriage. No wonder Ridge thought it was alright to f*ck you!" He shouted at her.

"Michael please. I need your help. He’s in a fragile state. Please we can’t hurt him."

"But it’s alright to hurt me."

"I love you."

"Right now I find that very hard to believe."

"Michael!"

"Look Brooke. You got me this far. I don’t know this guy, I don’t want to know this guy! Right now I don’t know if I want to know you anymore!"

"Oh God." She cried.

"I’ll help you with this. We’ll get him home. Don’t ask me what will happen next because I really don’t know. I just don’t know."

"Michael." She reached for his hand but he pulled his hand away from her.

"So what am I supposed to be to you? A friend? A lover?"

"You’re my husband."

"I mean to your ex husband Brooke. How will you introduce us? What will you tell him when we walk into the bedroom together?"

"We can’t do that."

"We can’t do what?"

"We can’t share a room until he understands."

"You won’t let me in our bedroom? And I thought Bridget was my only problem."

"It’s only temporary."

"So is our marriage!" He shouted.

"Michael! Please don’t say that."

"What do you want from me? One minute we were having a honeymoon, the next thing I’m living in Grand Central Station and now you bring home some guy who thinks he’s your husband! No Brooke! I can’t live with that. I’ll help you get this guy, I’ll bring him to your house."

"Our house Michael, our house."

"No Brooke, your house. As soon as you get him settled in I’m leaving."

"Leaving?"

"I’m going home Brooke. This whole thing was one big f*cking mistake!"

"I love you Michael."

"No you don’t Brooke. If you did you would never do this to us."

 

 

"Just breathe that wonderful air Stephanie." Eric said. "This was a perfect idea. Not only will it give us some time together but it will help my creative juices get going."

"Oh those aren’t quite the juices I plan on working on." She teased.

"Why Stephanie Forrester! Are you propositioning me?"

"You bet I am." She said. "You and I are going to have a wonderful time and forget about everything but each other."

"I know I can do that but can you?" He asked.

"You’ll have to try me." She answered.

 

"Ridge, that was amazing." Morgan said as she gazed into his eyes.

"It was nice." He agreed. "But we have to get back to work." He told her as he got up and retrieved his clothes.

"For the first time I think we really can make this marriage work."

"Don’t go getting ideas Morgan. We had fun but that’s all it was."

"You don’t even love me a little?"

"You don’t want me to lie to you Morgan." He said as he zipped his pants back up.

"You were kind and gentle Ridge."

"I don’t hate you Morgan. But I’m not in love with you."

"You wanted me Ridge. You can’t deny that."

"You’re right. I did want you, but that doesn’t make it love Morgan. Love has to be earned. Love comes with trust. I don’t trust you and I never will."

"Can you love our baby?"

"I don’t know." He answered honestly.

"Will you try?"

"I promise you. I will try. And no matter what I will not abandon this child. No matter what happens between us I will take care of my obligations."

"I love you Ridge."

"I wish you didn’t."

"But I do."

"Try not to Morgan, please try not to." He looked sadly at her as the phone rang. "Excuse me a minute Morgan." He said to her. He picked up the phone. "Ridge Forrester."

"Hello Ridge, it’s Jonathan. I understand you’ve been trying to reach me."

Changes Part 49

 

Michael taxied the plane into a slot at the Mexico City Airport. He shut down the engines and politely helped Brooke off of the plane. He took her hand and silently led her to a taxi stand.

"You’ll have to do this yourself. I can’t come with you. I can’t take part in this farce you’re playing Brooke."

"But I need you Michael."

"You should have brought someone else Brooke. I just can’t deal with this right now."

"I’m sorry Michael. Please tell me you understand. Please find a way to forgive me. I’d die if I lost you."

"You should have been honest with me from the start. You shouldn’t have been playing games with me."

"I wasn’t playing games. I was scared, scared that you would react just this way."

"Brooke I love you. That hasn’t changed. But I’m so damn disappointed in you. You seem to be taking our entire relationship for granted. I’m not an easy man to live with Brooke. You knew that when you married me. It’s never been easy for me to settle down but that was what I wanted with you. Now you seem to want to throw it all away. It makes me very sad."

"Please don’t leave me Michael. I’ll do anything to make it work. I don’t even want to think of life without you. I know I was wrong. Please can’t we fix it together?"

"Is it really me you want? Or is it just someone to help you with this situation?"

"It’s you. I love you. Michael please."

"Come here." He said as he opened his arms for her. She rushed into them and he held her tightly. "I’m sorry too. But Brooke, I don’t know how much more I can take. I really don’t."

"Will you come with me to get Grant?"

"What are you going to tell him? Who do you plan on telling him I am?"

"I want to tell him the truth, I really do and I will. But not right away. The doctor told me I shouldn’t."

"Then what will you say? Who am I supposed to be?"

"My friend?" She suggested.

"Oh Brooke. He knows it’s been years. Do you really think he’ll expect you to be waiting for him? Don’t you think the right thing would be to tell him the truth? Besides, he has a wife out there who needs to know the truth."

"His wife is the woman who might have shot me Michael. Right now I don’t have much sympathy for her."

"His wife is Thorne’s wife? But how can that be? If she’s married to Grant then she and Thorne." He stopped. "This is getting way too complicated for me."

"For me too Michael. That’s my only regret, that this whole thing has complicated our lives. I’ll never regret saving him."

"I don’t want you to regret that honey." He hugged her to him. "Don’t worry. You know I’m a reactionary. I’ll get over it. We can try to work it out. But Brooke I will not sleep without you."

"Would you mind if we sneak to each other at night? Just for a while?"

"I don’t like sneaking Brooke. You’re my wife and we share a life, we share a bed."

"Just for a while. I promise. I couldn’t stand not to be with you."

"Let’s see how it goes alright?"

"But you will come home with me won’t you?"

"I can’t promise that." He told her. "I need you too much but I can’t live in limbo like this."

"I’m so sorry Michael. I never thought this would happen. I never thought he’d think I was still his wife."

"We have to remedy that Brooke. It can’t go on for long. I’ll give it a couple of days and then we have to sit down with him and tell him the truth."

"I know we do." She kissed him softly. "Michael you are my life. You mean everything to me. I’ll do anything to make this easier. But please think of Grant too. He’s been so sick for so long. Once you meet him I think you’ll understand."

"Let’s go get a cab okay." He reached with his finger under her eye and wiped a tear away. "I’m not going anywhere honey."

"I love you." She said as she looked into his piercing blue eyes. "I really love you."

 

Ridge looked at Morgan who had put her dress back on. "Morgan, this is personal. Can you give me some privacy?" He asked her.

"Sure Ridge. I’ll see you later." She gave him a kiss, wiped the lipstick off his mouth and left his office.

"I’m back Jonathan. Thanks for holding."

"What seems to be the problem Ridge? My secretary said you were pretty insistent."

"Where are you Jonathan? In your office?"

"I’m in Paris Ridge. My wife and I are on vacation. I called into the office to check on things and Melinda told me that you had called several times."

"Jonathan this isn’t working."

"What isn’t working Ridge?"

"This marriage. I want out. I have to get out."

"Ridge that’s impossible. Do you know how much work it took to make this marriage happen?"

"Taylor’s pregnant Jonathan. I need to be with her."

"Taylor’s pregnant? My God Ridge, how did you manage that?"

"The usual way."

"Do you mean to tell me that two different women are carrying your child?"

"I suppose I do. Jonathan I love Taylor. This is my child. This is my family. I need it back. You have to help me."

"Does Morgan know?"

"I don’t think so. Why?"

"It’s better if she doesn’t find out Ridge. Look I’ll be back in a week. I’ll get someone on this and when I get back you and I can see where we stand."

"This has to happen Jonathan. I want to remarry Taylor immediately."

"This is very complicated Ridge. I can’t make any promises."

"You have to make this happen Jonathan. I won’t take no for an answer."

"Let me see what I can do Ridge. I’ll talk to you next week. Give my best to your mother and father."

"Will do Jonathan." He said and he hung up the phone. "Logan." He said aloud. "I have to talk to Logan." Ridge punched in her number. The phone rang several times.

"Hello." Bridget said.

"Hi Bridget, it’s Ridge. Is mom there?"

"She left us a note. She and Michael went somewhere. They’ll be back late tonight."

"Is Taylor there kiddo?"

"She went to see her father."

"How are you doing honey?"

"I wish you were here Ridge. When are you moving back in?"

"I’m not Bridget, you know that."

"Even after the other night?"

"What are you talking about? What did your mother tell you?"

"She didn’t say anything but I saw you Ridge. I know you and mom went to bed together."

"Bridget! Who did you tell?"

"Michael."

"Bridget why did you do that?"

"So he’d leave. I knew that you want to come home. I know you love mom."

"I do love your mother Bridget but just not that way anymore. What you did caused some damage. Honey your mother and I did not sleep together and now she won’t talk to me."

 

 

As they got closer to the clinic Michael found himself panicking. How can this be? He thought. This is the same place. This is where it happened. My God Brooke is going to find out. I was going to take this secret to my grave. I can’t go in there, I just can’t. He looked at all the landmarks and they were uncomfortably familiar to him. "Brooke? What is this place?" He asked her.

"It’s a private clinic. It’s run by a doctor Pedro Garcia. He has a small staff and a very strict administrator named Maria Lopez. It was she that Dr. Hughes put me in touch with."
Maria Lopez. It is she. Michael thought. "Brooke, maybe it would be easier for Grant if I waited in the cab. We don’t want to shock him."

"Nonsense Michael. We can tell him you are a good friend and let him get to know you better. That way it will be so much easier to tell him the truth."

"I don’t think this is a very good idea. I really think I should wait. You can tell him I’m your pilot."

"My pilot? No, he has to understand that it’s something special with us. I don’t want him to think I just sleep with my pilot."

"But maybe you were right. Maybe we shouldn’t shock him so fast. Maybe I was just being selfish."

"I was the one being selfish Michael. He needs to know that you are the man I love. We can leave out the husband part at first, but I can’t deny our love."

"No. The more I think about it the more I think you were right. We need to protect him."

"Michael you are so wonderful." She kissed him. "You are so understanding. I love you so much."

"Then it’s okay if I wait in the cab?"

"The doctor said I should bring someone to help me."

"Honey I don’t want to shock him right away. If he sees us together he might know."

"Something tells me there’s another reason you don’t want to go in there Michael. Is there?"

 

Taylor opened the door with both babies in her arms and Thomas by her side. She was having a difficult time navigating her way inside. She looked for Brooke or Michael but didn’t see anyone. "Hello!" She called out. "Can someone help me?"

Bridget bounded down the stairs. "I’ll help Taylor." She said as she took Stephanie out of her arms. "Is there anything else?" She asked.

"Let’s get them settled inside and then we can get the stuff out of the car." Taylor suggested. "Is anyone else home?"

"No. Mom and the jerk went out somewhere. Rick is out with this girl he met last night and um, Bryan called and said he’d be stuck at the office late tonight and you should call him there."

"I’ve been keeping him away from the office way too long these days."

"He’s nice Taylor. I think you should marry him."

"Oh you do do you? Well I plan on doing exactly that." She smiled at her. "But somehow I don’t think you are thinking of my happiness."

"Sure I am." She said as she placed Stephanie in the playpen. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

"Because I know that you want your mother to go back to Ridge."

"She will." Bridget said confidently.

"I wouldn’t count on it honey. Your mother loves Michael very much. Besides she and Ridge don’t feel that way about each other anymore."

"I think they do. If you saw them the other night you’d agree with me."

"I see your mother every day Bridget and I can see how much she loves her husband."

"It’s not the same. Once Ridge tells her that he wants her back she’ll dump him."

"Ridge is married Bridget."

"Morgan doesn’t count. He doesn’t even like her. I know he loves you but he loves mom too. When you marry Bryan then he’ll want my mom back."

"You’re probably right about that. But Brooke isn’t about to leave Michael. She loves him Bridget. Do you want to talk about him? Can you tell me why you don’t like him?"

"He’s a liar. You can tell that about him. All he does is make things up to suit the moment. I guess he’s good in bed and that’s why mom likes him but she’ll get over it."

"Bridget." Taylor started. "Why do you think he’s a liar?"

"Can’t you tell Taylor? He’s just so slimy. I just don’t like him."

"I think you should try to like him because I think he’s going to be here to stay."

"Nope. Not after Ridge comes back."

"Honey Ridge is not coming back. And even if he did your mother wouldn’t take him back."

"Because of you? Get real Taylor. She may care about you but Ridge will always come first."

"Bridget are you trying to upset me? Because you seem to be doing a pretty good job at it." Taylor told her.

"I just want you to understand Taylor, to be prepared. Mom and Ridge are going to be together again and you can’t stop them." Bridget said as she headed outside.

"Brooke you sure do have your hands full." Taylor said as she walked out to her car to get the rest of her things. "Bridget wait!" Taylor shouted as Bridget started walking away from the house.

"I’ll talk to you later Taylor." She shouted back. Shaking her head Taylor opened the car door and bent down to retrieve her things suddenly someone reached over her head and grabbed the diaper bag. She turned around and found herself in Ridge’s arms.

"Hi Doc."

"Ridge! What are you doing here?" She asked as she freed herself.

"Actually I was looking for Logan, we need to talk. But I’ve been looking for you too."

"What do you want?"

"I want to apologize, to both of you."

"Brooke isn’t home."

"Then can we talk?"

"We have nothing to talk about Ridge."

"I love you Doc."

"Save it for someone who cares." She said as she walked past him and into the house. She tried to close him out but he stuck his foot in the door just as she was slamming it shut. He followed her inside. "What are you doing Ridge? Trying to cause me to have another attack?"

"You know that’s not true Doc."

"Please just leave. I can’t handle these surprise visits Ridge."

"We need to talk. I promise I won’t upset you."

"As if that was possible." She said as she rolled her eyes at him. "Thomas!" She called to their son. "Daddy’s here!" Thomas ran into the room and straight into Ridge’s arms.

"Hello slugger!" Ridge said as he picked him up and gave him a hug and kiss. "Tell Mommy how much your Daddy misses her Thomas."

"Mommy" Thomas repeated. "Daddy misses you."

"Don’t use our child as a weapon." She said sharply.

"Tell Mommy that Daddy is sorry." Ridge continued.

"Mommy, Daddy is sorry." Thomas parroted.

"Ridge I mean it!" Taylor told him.

"Sorry Doc." He said. He put Thomas down and walked over to her. "Please Doc, we need to talk."

"You are a sorry excuse for a man and I have nothing to say to you." She told him.

"Is this because of what I did to Logan?" He asked.

"What do you think?"

"I need to talk to her. I need to make her understand how sorry I am."

"I don’t think she wants to hear it Ridge. You made things very uncomfortable between her and Michael."

"But we can’t let that come between us. I promise you Doc, I’ll make it right with her but I need you to forgive me."

"Why? What difference will that make? We live separate lives now Ridge. You’re married to Morgan and I’m engaged to Bryan."

"I don’t see a ring."

"There doesn’t have to be a ring Ridge. We acknowledged our commitment to each other. That’s all we need."

"I’m going to end my marriage to Morgan."

"How convenient."

"It never should have happened."

"That’s your problem."

"I never should have slept with her."

"You got that right."

"I love you Doc, not Morgan, you."

"It’s too late."

"It’s never too late. We can fix this. We have a family."

"You weren’t thinking of our family when you screwed Morgan."

"I am now. Taylor we have three beautiful children and another on the way."

"That’s Bryan’s baby."

"I refuse to believe that Doc."

"You can believe whatever floats your boat Ridge."

"It’s mine Taylor. We both know that."

"Even if it is you have no rights to it or me, what we had is over."

"It will never be over, not as long as we are alive. And it is my baby."

"We won’t know that for awhile."

"I want a test Doc."

"You want a test? Where the hell do you get off asking for a test?"

"We need to know the truth. I did some research Doc. There is a test we can do right now. We can prove once and for all that it’s our baby."

"And what will that change?"

"I want us married again." He said as he pulled her towards him. They looked each other directly in the eyes. "I want to be your husband again."

 

"Brooke I just don’t think I should go in there okay. I’ll wait out here for you."

"Alright Michael." She agreed. "Who would think a doctor would be squeamish about a clinic like this? I’ll go in myself."

"Thanks." He said.

Brooke walked inside the clinic and up to a reception desk.

"Do you speak English?" She asked slowly.

"Si. A little." The young woman answered.

"I’m here to see Dr. Garcia. I’m Brooke Logan."

"Si! Brooke Logan, doctor has been expecting you. I get him. You wait." She said with a smile as she walked away. Brooke looked around at the place she had visited several times in the past years. It was finally over and Grant was coming home, well at last.

"Miss Logan." Dr. Garcia greeted her. "Did you have a good flight?"

"Um, it was alright." She said thinking of the consequences it had caused. "Does Grant know I’m coming?"

"Yes her does and he is very happy."

"Dr. Garcia, have you told him that I’m married?"

"It wasn’t the appropriate thing to do Miss Logan. I feel that is something you will have to deal with yourself."

"I was afraid you’d say that. Alright doctor, will you take me to him?"

"Of course. Follow me." He said as he led her down the corridor to a closed door. "He’s in there."

Brooke took a deep breath. "It’s finally happening. It’s really happening."

"Are you nervous?" The doctor asked.

"Very. For more reasons then you could possibly know. Okay let’s do it." She said. Dr. Garcia opened the door. Grant was sitting on the bed looking at a magazine. He looked up and a smile crossed his face when behind Dr. Garcia he saw Brooke.

"Brooke." He said softly.

"Hello Grant." She said, not moving towards him.

"Brooke" He repeated.

"How are you?" She asked.

"Brooke." He said once more. He got up from the bed and walked over to her. He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. "Brooke." He said again.

"It’s me." She said. He slowly brought his face to hers and kissed her softly on the lips.

"I can’t believe it. You’re finally here." He said.

"We’re going home Grant. Are you ready for that?" She asked him.

"Yes," He said not taking his eyes off of her. "I’m ready."

"Grant has very few things." Dr. Garcia interrupted. "We’ve packed a small bag for him. What time is your flight home?" He asked Brooke.

"I took a private plane. We can leave immediately." She turned to Grant. "Is that alright with you?"

"I’m in a daze Brooke. I can’t believe I’m really seeing you."

"It’s me Grant. Let’s get going. It’s getting late and there’s a lot of things we have to talk about. Can you walk far?" She asked him. "The taxi is waiting right outside."

"I’d walk one hundred miles to be with you again Brooke." He answered.

"It’s only a few feet." She assured him. "My um, pilot’s waiting for us in the cab."

"The pilot came here with you?"

"Yes." She said. "He’s actually more than just a pilot. He’s someone who’s very close to me."

"Ridge flies a plane?" Grant asked.

"It isn’t Ridge. His name is Michael. I think you’ll like him."

"If he’s a friend of yours I’m sure I will."

"Shall we go my friend?" Dr. Garcia asked Grant.

"I’m ready doctor." He told him.

Maria walked into the room obviously very agitated. "Dr. Garcia what is Dr. Cope" Maria stopped as she saw Brooke. "Miss Logan, have you come to take Grant home?"
"Yes." Brooke answered with a smile. "We were just getting ready to leave."

"We will miss you Grant. Our prayers go out to you for a continued recovery." Maria told him.

"Thank you Maria." Grant answered. "I think I have all I need now that I have my Brooke back."

"Dr. Garcia." Maria started again. "I was just wondering if you knew why Dr. Copeland is in the parking lot."

"You know Michael?" Brooke asked.

"Who’s Michael?" Grant asked.

"He’s my hus, um, he’s my friend, the pilot." Brooke answered.

"Another example of his vast ego." Maria snorted. "So he flies a plane now. Does the man ever do anything in the way of practicing his profession? Is he the one who brought you here Miss Logan?"

"Yes. How do you know Michael?" She asked.

"Perhaps at another time Miss. Logan." Maria suggested.

"I don’t understand." Brooke said, obviously puzzled.

"Dr. Copeland has used our facility Brooke." Dr. Garcia explained. "He came to us when he was in need of help. He has been very generous in helping me with my endeavors. Maria is not much of a how you say fan of his. I find him to be a charming man."

"Yes." Brooke said. "I do too."

"Your pilot is a doctor?" Grant asked.

"My pilot is a friend Grant. He’s a doctor who is also a pilot."

"Well this is getting way too confusing for me." Grant said. "What do you say we just go home Brooke?"

"That’s a wonderful idea Grant. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Michael."

Changes Part 50

 

Grant and Brooke slowly walked out of the clinic and towards the waiting taxi. "I can’t believe I’m finally going home." Grant told her. "I can’t believe I’m walking outside with you and no doctors."

"Oh there will be doctors Grant." Brooke warned him. "I fully intend to have Dr. Hughes check you out as soon as we get home."

"But no more hospitals."

"No more hospitals." She smiled at him. Michael stepped out of the cab and walked up to them. Grant looked at this unfamiliar man.

"Hello Grant." Michael said. "I’m Michael Copeland" He held his hand out to him. Grant shook it.

"I’m grateful for your help. Brooke tells me you flew her here."

"That’s right." Michael answered. He looked at Brooke who looked back at him with a helpless expression.

"So how do you know my wife?" Grant asked him.

"Your wife." Michael repeated. "Well what did Brooke tell you?"

"That you were good friends. I’m sorry if I’m supposed to know you. It appears that I’ve forgotten a few things that happened to me."

"Not to worry Grant." Michael assured him. "We’ve never met."

"So how do you know Brooke?" Grant asked again.

"Did Brooke tell you that I’m a surgeon?"

"She mentioned that you were a doctor."

"I was Brooke’s surgeon. She had a bit of an accident."

"Brooke?" Grant worriedly turned to her.

"I’m fine now Grant. Perhaps we should get back to the plane?" She added.

"Why don’t you sit in the front Grant?" Michael suggested. "I think it may be more comfortable for you."

"I appreciate that but I think I’d like to sit next to my wife." Grant replied.

"Yeah me too." Michael said under his breath. "Fine Grant, I’ll get in the front." Michael told him. The threesome climbed into the cab and started for the airport.

 

Taylor looked away from Ridge and stared at the floor.

"What’s wrong Doc?" He asked her.

"How can you keep doing this to me? How? All the decisions have been made, we’ve said our good-byes and now it’s over. I can’t keep going through this Ridge, I just can’t."

"I was wrong. We never should have split. If I knew you were pregnant we never would have."

"How many times do I have to tell you? This is Bryan’s baby, not yours."

"You don’t love him."

"I do."

"Not the way you love me."

"Every love is different. I love him deeply Ridge."

"I need you to take that test."

"And what would it prove?"

"That I’m right."

"It won’t change anything. I’ll still marry Bryan. These children are ours and I’m marrying him. One more won’t change that."

"I need to know Doc."

"Ridge you have bigger problems than whether this is your child or not."

"I know. I have to somehow explain to Morgan that it’s over."

"You act like you care. Has something changed?" She asked.

"I guess it has. I don’t hate her anymore. I see her differently. She’s not a bad person, just misguided. But I don’t love her and I never have. It’s you Taylor."

"Ridge if I could go back in time and fix things I would, but I can’t do that. It’s time we both realized that our time has passed. I’ll always love what we had but it’s over."

"You love him that much?"

"It’s not that. It’s everything. I’ve changed and you have too."

"How have I changed?"

"I barely recognize you any more. You do things that are mean and hurtful."

"What did I do to hurt you?"

"You play with my head Ridge. And not just me! Look at Morgan. I bet that woman thinks you two are a real couple now. That isn’t right. If you don’t love her even a little you shouldn’t let her think you do. And last Ridge! Do you have any idea what you are doing to Bridget?"

"Bridget?" He asked.

"That child is under the impression that you are going to marry her mother. And where did she get this idea? When you stripped her mother of her clothes and tried to make love to her while she was passed out on drugs! Do you have any idea of the harm you’ve caused? And the pain? Not just to Bridget but to Brooke and to Michael and to me!"

"It hurt you Doc?"

"Of course it hurt me! It hurt me that a man I loved so much could do that to another woman that had also loved him, it hurt me that you allowed the child you once thought of a daughter to watch you take advantage of her mother and it hurt me that you cared so little of our history that you would think it was fine to jump into bed with Brooke because you weren’t getting any!"

"That’s not what happened!"

"Grow up Ridge! You can’t have Brooke and you can’t have me! You have Morgan now. That’s your life now."

"I won’t accept that."

"You have to."

"I love you Doc."

"I don’t love you anymore." She said as she turned away from him. He grabbed her arm and spun her into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her. She once more fought him but again felt herself respond to him. Just as she was about to abandon herself to him she felt her inner strength and pushed him away. "No! This is not going to happen!"

"You lied to me Doc."

"I didn’t lie."

"You do love me, I know you do."

"Alright! That’s it! I want you to leave. You want this test? You got it! You make whatever arrangements you need, Bryan and I will be there. Just know this Ridge! No matter what the outcome Bryan and I are getting married!"

"Please don’t get upset. I didn’t come here to upset you."

Taylor looked at him. "Ridge, yes. I lied."

"You lied?"

"Yes!" She shouted. "Yes! I do love you! Yes! Is that want you want to hear? Yes! It’s true! Now get the hell out of here!"

"You love me Taylor." He grinned. "I knew it!" He pulled her to him and kissed her again.

"Leave Ridge!" She demanded.

"Okay, okay I’m going." He said with a smile. "I knew it Doc! I knew it!" He said as he walked to the door.

"Out!" She shouted.

"I love you Doc!" He shouted back as he left.

 

 

Michael paid the cabbie and helped Grant and Brooke out of the cab. "The plane is not too far away Grant. Can you walk or would you like me to get you a chair?" Michael asked him.

"I think I can make it. It may be rough." Grant admitted.

"You can lean on me if you need to." Michael volunteered. "Honey you can get his bag." He said to Brooke. Grant looked at her hearing the endearment. She shrugged to him and he smiled. They began the slow walk to the plane. Halfway there Michael pretended he had something in his shoe and stopped to give Grant a rest. After a few moments they continued on and finally reached the plane. "I’m going to go in and file a flight plan." He told Brooke. "You two wait here okay?" He looked at her and she looked back at him with intense longing. He walked away from them to the hanger.

"He seems like a nice guy." Grant said. "But I didn’t like the way he looks at you."

"Grant, you’ve been gone a long time." Brooke told him. "Things aren’t exactly the same as when you left."

"Well I’m back now and I’m reclaiming my wife." He told her. "You are all I’ve thought about since I woke up. Day and night nothing but you."

"Oh Grant." She said. "I’ve thought of you often too. I always hoped but never let myself believe that you would come back to us."

"Well I’m back now and back to stay." He took her face with his hands. "This beautiful face. It’s all that’s kept me alive." He pulled her to him and kissed her. Brooke felt tears running down her cheeks.

"Don’t cry Brooke, I’m alright now." He said softly.

Michael walked over and caught her eye. She looked at him sadly. His heart was breaking for both of them but he was also feeling intense jealousy.

"Okay guys. We’re ready to roll." He said interrupting them.

"Sorry man." Grant grinned at him. "Just making up for lost time."

"Whatever." Michael said with a groan. "Follow me." He said as he walked ahead of them to the plane. He pulled down the footstool. "Grant? Can I help you up?" He asked.

"I’d appreciate it." He admitted. Michael helped Grant up and he took a seat behind the pilot’s chair.

"Honey?" Michael said to Brooke. He took her hand and helped her in. She immediately took the seat next to Michael.

"Hey!" Grant said. "I want you back here with me."

"What am I? A f*cking chauffeur?" Michael muttered. "Go ahead." He moaned to Brooke. She reluctantly moved to the seat next to Grant.

"Seatbelts on! Both of you!" Michael demanded.

"Can we share one?" Grant teased. "I want to be close to my wife."

Michael turned around and gave Brooke a sharp look.

"It’s a short ride Grant. I think we can handle it." She said.

"Oh this is just beautiful." Michael muttered. "Brooke?" He said to her.

"Later, okay?" She answered.

"F*ck this!" Michael said as he started up the engine.

"Your friend seems mad about something." Grant whispered to Brooke. "Are you sure he’s safe to fly this thing?"

"I’d trust him with my life." She answered loud enough for Michael to hear her.

"Come here and sit closer to me." Grant said as he pulled her over.

"I’m serious about this!" Michael shouted. "If you don’t keep your seats I don’t take off. No one f*cks around while I’m flying."

"I’d appreciate it if you’d watch your language around my wife." Grant told him.

"That’s it!" Michael said as he turned around to Brooke. "I’m trying sweetheart but this is going way beyond my control."

"Grant." Brooke told him. "Just let Michael fly in silence alright?"

"I don’t intend to spend a lot of time talking anyway." He said as he kissed her. Michael made a fist and punched the dashboard hard.

"Sh*t!" He exclaimed.

"What’s wrong?"

"I opened the cut on my knuckle again. Hand me that cloth." He said pointing to a piece of material on the seat.

"It’s dirty." She said.

"Just give it to me. I want to get home okay?"

"Give it to him honey." Grant told her. "Frankly I can’t wait till this guy gets home and leaves us alone."

Brooke saw Michael make another fist. "Michael don’t!" She warned him.

"Your friend is a maniac." Grant whispered to her.

"Just be quiet and try not to upset him." She answered.

Grant again reached to her and kissed her. "What’s wrong Brooke? You don’t seem to like this."

"I can’t do this in front of him." She whispered to him.

"Hey Mike!" Grant shouted to him. "Would you mind not looking back here so Brooke and I can get reacquainted?"

"Knock yourselves out." Michael said as he went into take off. The rest of the trip was very much the same. Grant constantly kissing Brooke, Brooke being embarrassed and Michael fuming.

 

Later they finally reached Los Angeles. Again Michael helped Grant from the plane. Then he helped Brooke. He looked her deeply in the eyes as she stepped off. He mouthed the words ‘I love you’ to her. She softly nodded back to him.

"How’s your hand?" She asked.

"It’s alright." Michael answered.

"May I look at it?"

"Which one of us is the doctor?" He smiled at her.

"Doctor’s don’t always take good care of themselves." Brooke said as she grabbed his hand and unraveled the rag he had wrapped around it. "We have to clean this."

"When we get home." He told her. He turned to Grant. "My car isn’t very far. Can you make it?"

"Yeah, it shouldn’t be a problem."

"Are you tired Grant?" Brooke asked with concern.

"A little, but more excited." The threesome walked to Michael’s car.

"Brooke honey, you get in the back. Grant needs more legroom." Michael commanded.

"I can fit in back." Grant told him.

"I’m not playing chauffeur again." Michael answered. "Besides this way we can talk."

Brooke got into the back and Grant sat in the passenger seat next to Michael.

"So tell me Grant, are you anxious to see all your friends?" Michael asked him as he pulled the car out of the airport.

"As long as I have Brooke that’s enough."

"You must miss other people though."

"It will be nice seeing them."

"Anyone in particular?" Michael probed.

"I haven’t really given it much thought."

"Brooke?" Michael turned to her. "Does anyone else know that Grant is coming home?"

"I already told you no." She answered.

"I thought so." Michael turned back to Grant. "Did you know Brooke long?"

"Awhile. She and Ridge were together when I met her but she married me."

"Yes," Michael said sarcastically. "Everyone should have that privilege."

"I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak that way about my wife."

"Likewise." Michael muttered. "So Grant? Do you know Ridge well?"

"We were friends until I married Brooke and she put me in charge at Forrester."

"Oh? You’re in charge at Forrester?"

"Well not anymore I guess."

"So then you know Taylor?"

"Yes, quite well. She’s a good friend."

"Brooke?" Michael said sharply.

"Oh my God!" Brooke panicked.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it." Michael assured her.

"Handle what?" Grant asked.

"Taylor is staying with Brooke right now."

"Why? What about Ridge?"

"Ridge is too busy f*cking my wife to bother with Taylor." Michael told him.

"Oh? You’re married?" Grant smiled.

"I thought I was."

"I know Ridge can really mess things up." Grant commiserated. "But why is Taylor at our house honey?" Grant asked Brooke.

"Brooke and Taylor are good friends." Michael told him.

"Wow! I’ve missed a lot."

"More then you can imagine." Michael said.

"Taylor is pregnant Grant." Michael told him. "She’s having a rough time of it. I’m going to have to talk to her before you come inside. I don’t want it to be a shock to her."

"Are you her doctor?"

"No, just a friend."

"And you’re coming over too?"

"It’s where I live Grant."

"You live there too?"

"It’s a regular boardinghouse Grant. You’ll love it." He answered.

"I don’t understand."

"Well finally something we both can agree on."

"Michael I forgot about Taylor." Brooke said from the back.

"You’re forgetting quite a few things lately." He answered.

"Does your wife live there too Michael?" Grant asked.

"I don’t know if I still have a wife Grant."

"You do!" Brooke quickly answered.

"She’s a hopeless romantic." Grant told him. "Maybe she can help you get your marriage back on track."

"I’m counting on it." Michael told him.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Grant took in the familiar landscapes. A smile crossed his face when they pulled into Brooke’s driveway.

"You two wait in the car. I’m going to go in and talk to Taylor." Michael commanded. "Don’t move, don’t get out, stay exactly where you are! I don’t want her to see you."

He got out of the car and looked back at Brooke. Once more there was intense longing on his face. Brooke felt the tears welling up in her eyes. "I’ll be back for you after I talk to her. You should have handled this Brooke."

"I know." She said sheepishly.

Michael walked into the house where Taylor was sitting on the couch talking on the phone.

"Hi Michael." She said.

"Taylor can you cut that short? We need to talk." He told her.

"Is something wrong? Is it Brooke?"

"Just say your good-byes okay?"

Taylor went back to the phone. "Bryan Michael is home and something’s wrong. I’ll call you back. Oh, yes, okay baby. I love you too." She hung up the phone and stood up. "What is it?"

"Sit down Taylor."

"Oh my God! Something terrible has happened."

"No, not at all, in fact it’s just the opposite." He sat down next to her and took her hand. "I know you and I aren’t that close but you have to trust me right now."

"I do trust you. Michael what is it?"

"Brooke and I aren’t here alone. We’ve brought someone home with us."

"Not Ridge!"

"No, not Ridge. Taylor I’m not sure how to say this. It’s going to be a very big shock for you."

"Michael you are scaring me." Suddenly the door opened and Grant walked in.

"I told you to wait in the f*cking car!" Michael shouted.

"G, g,g,rant?" Taylor stammered.

"Get Brooke!" He shouted at Grant as he took Taylor into his arms. "It’s okay honey, it’s okay."

"Th, th, that was Grant." Taylor said.

"I know honey, I know. It was Grant. Grant is alive, Grant never died. Brooke has a lot of explaining to do. Are you alright?" He asked.

"Michael. I don’t understand." She said as the tears fell from her eyes.

Michael held her tightly. He kissed the top of her head and softly touched her face. "Brooke brought Grant to a clinic years ago. He’s been having treatments all this time. She just found out he was healthy enough to come home. I could kill her for not telling you."

Brooke and Grant came into the house. "I tried to stop him but I was in the back." She said to Michael.

"Look at what you’ve done to her!" He shouted at Brooke.

"Taylor?" Brooke ran to her friend. "I’m so sorry Taylor." She sat on her other side.

"Grant?" Taylor asked. "Is that really you?"

"In the flesh." He smiled at her. She jumped from Michael’s arms and ran to Grant and flung herself into his arms.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Michael said softly to Brooke. "Did you want her to lose the baby?"

"I wasn’t thinking. All I can think about is us." She told him. He put his arm around her and they watched Taylor and Grant embrace.

"I take it they have a history too." Michael said.

"Yes. They were college sweethearts."

"Is there anyone you know who hasn’t been involved with one of your old lovers?"

"Honey." She said to him.

"Nevermind." He snuck a quick kiss. Brooke touched his face and gazed into his eyes. "We have to tell him. I think he can handle it."

"Not tonight. It’s too soon." She whispered.

"I want to sleep with my wife tonight."

"Please give it a day or two. Please Michael."

"Do you think he’s going to want to wait a day or two to get you into bed? I’m not going to let that happen!"

"It’s not going to happen. It’s you I love Michael, you." She leaned over and kissed him once more.

Grant and Taylor broke their embrace and they both looked at Brooke and Michael.

"This is unbelievable." Taylor said. "You have to tell me the whole story. I need to know everything."

"I will." Brooke told her. "Tonight after Grant goes to bed we can talk."

"Grant isn’t going to bed without his wife." Grant told her.

"Oh yes he is." Brooke insisted. "Dr. Garcia told me you are not ready for any excitement. You my friend are sleeping in a guestroom."

"Your wife?" Taylor asked.

"Yes." Michael broke in. "Brooke, his wife."

"Oh my." Taylor said. She looked at Michael questioningly.

"We’re going to need your help with this one." He told her.

"I can see that. No wonder you wanted me here Brooke." She said to her friend. She turned to Grant. "Brooke is right. You need rest and quiet and time to adjust to all the changes. You’ve been gone a long time Grant."

"I suppose I have." He looked at Brooke. "One night. And then we share our bed and our life again."

Suddenly the door opened and Bridget and Sara walked in.

"Hi Mom! Hello jerk." She said to Brooke and Michael. She suddenly set her eyes on Grant and let out a horrible scream.

"Bridget?" Sara asked.

"Honey!" Brooke said as she ran to her daughter.

"He’s dead! He’s dead! There’s a dead man in my house!" Bridget screamed. "Run Sara! Run!"

"Bridget!" Michael called as he grabbed her. "Wait honey. It’s alright. It’s alright." He pulled the sobbing girl into his arms and shot Brooke a dirty look.

"Michael, he’s dead." Bridget sobbed as she clung to him like a lifeline.

"Come on. You and Sara and I are going to go out by the pool and have a little talk." He looked angrily at his wife and led the hysterical girl and her friend outside.

"Who is that guy and why does he think he has the right to control things around here?" Grant asked.

Brooke looked at Taylor for help but she just wrung her hands together.

Eric reached over to the woman beside him in the bed and kissed her tenderly. "I love you Stephanie. I’m so sorry I haven’t shown it lately."

"I love you too Eric. But it wasn’t your fault. I need to spend more energy on you and less on worrying about what Brooke and Morgan are doing to our lives."

"Darling," He said. "Neither one of them matters at all as long as we have each other. It’s time we let the children take care of their own problems. They aren’t children anymore."

"You’re right Eric. But somehow it’s hard to stop trying to help them."

"We can help them but let’s not obsess over them alright?" He asked her, punctuating it with a kiss.

"Again Eric?" She asked.

"I could do this all night." He told her as he felt her hand reach down to touch him.

Macy and Kimberly were having dinner together and talking. They were at Macy’s old beach house, which Kimberly was now staying in. Macy had moved back in with Thorne next door.

"I still don’t think you should trust him Macy." Kimberly told her. "After what he and Brooke did to you."

"Brooke is not a part of his life anymore Kimberly. Thorne is being loving and wonderful to me. It feels like old times."

"Sometimes old times should stay a memory Macy. I wish you had someone who was nicer than Thorne. Sally was telling me about Grant. Now that sounds like a great guy."

"Grant was wonderful Kimberly. He was truly the love of my life. When he died I wanted to die too. In fact that’s how Daddy came back into my life. I tried to drown myself and he saved me."

"Do you still think about Grant?"

"Every day."

"If he hadn’t have died do you think you’d still be together?"

"I know we would. We’d have a big house and a family and lots of dogs and cats."

"Sounds like a fairytale." Kimberly said with a sigh. "I hope I find someone like that someday."

"You will Kimberly. Someday he’ll just be there and you’ll know that this is the love you were always meant to have."

"Was it that way with Grant and you?"

"Oh yes. I was hurt because Thorne had left me."

"For Brooke."

"No, for Taylor."

"Taylor? Thorne and Taylor?"

"Nothing ever came of it. He thought he was in love with her and he divorced me."

"How cruel."

"It was, but then Grant came along. He took away all my pain and replaced it with the most wonderful love I ever felt."

"Sally said Grant was married to Brooke."

"He was. That bitch used him in a scheme to try and steal Ridge from Taylor. But it didn’t work so she tossed him away like a piece of trash."

"I hate her."

"So do I. She was so cruel to Grant and he really loved her."

"Not like he loved you though."

"No, I don’t think so. Grant and I had something so special. Oh Kimberly, I’d give anything to have him back."

"But now you’re with Thorne. I just can’t see how you can accept that after you’ve known true love."

"But I do love Thorne. It just isn’t the same love I had for Grant. But it’s still a good love Kimberly."

"Do you dream about Grant?" Kimberly asked.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Well the other night when you stayed here I thought I heard you call his name."

"Yeah, I do dream about him. You know Kimberly, this may sound strange but right now I have this weird feeling about him, it’s almost like he’s still here with me."

"What do you mean?"

"I can’t explain it. Somehow it’s like I feel his presence."

"Weird."

"Yeah. I told you. Maybe I should go visit his grave again."

"I’ll go with you." Kimberly volunteered.

"Okay. We can go tomorrow."

"Was that Bridget?" Grant asked.

"Yes and she must be very upset. Especially if she’s talking to Michael." Brooke answered.

"She doesn’t like him?"

"No she doesn’t."

"Then why do you let him stay here? She is your daughter."

"Brooke." Taylor interrupted. "Why don’t you go out there and help Michael with her. I’ll stay here with Grant."

"Good idea." She said. She started to walk away but Grant pulled her back and kissed her.

"Hurry back." He said. She smiled and walked outside.

"Oh Taylor it is so good to be back." He grinned.

"Talk about shock." She smiled at him. "I had absolutely no idea. How did this happen? Grant, I went to your funeral."

"It wasn’t me. Brooke told me that my doctor got a homeless man’s body and they buried him."

"My God!" Taylor said.

"I know. I find it very eerie myself. In fact I plan on going to see this grave tomorrow. Maybe it will help me understand everything that’s been going on."

"Would you like me to go with you? It might help."

"I would love that Taylor. Brooke too if she will."

"We can talk to her. We have to set this thing straight. There are a lot of people out there who will be very surprised to see you."

"I suppose there will."

"What about Macy?" Taylor asked.

"Macy? Who’s Macy?"

NEXT