Chapter 18  - The Journey Home


Ridge walked over to the sleeping woman and gently caressed her hair. She moaned softly and opened her eyes.
“Sorry.” She apologized. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“You were tired.” He sat down next to her. “Did you have a nice nap?”
“Everything feels so strange.” She admitted. “I don’t even understand myself anymore Ridge. Why am I not more excited about going home?”
“You’re scared.” He answered. “You don’t know what you’ll have waiting for you, but I promise you Logan, it will be wonderful. This kids will be so happy to see you and you and I, we’re going to have the most wonderful life together, the life we’ve always wanted.”
“I am anxious to see my kids.” She sat up and rubbed her eyes. “But I still feel such a sense of loss. I know you must think I’m horrible.”
“Your whole life revolved around that island Brooke, it’s normal to feel strange about leaving it. But I promise you that once you get home you’ll know that you’re exactly where you belong.”
“I hope so.” She said with a sigh. She looked around the plane and noticed the phone. “I think I’d like to call Rick and Bridget and break the news to them.”
“You could.” He answered with a sly smile. “Or we can blow them all away when I waltz you into the room.”
“Oh Ridge, that’s cruel.” She protested.
“Think about it Logan, just picture their faces. It’s going to be a night no one will ever forget.”
“But to not even call them?” She asked.
“If you do then I promise you somehow the press is going to find out and the reunion will be spoiled. If you do it my way, no one will know and you’ll have time with them before you have to start answering questions.”
“I need to call Connor too.” Brooke’s mind was going a mile a minute. “I’m sure it’s not all that easy to come back to life.”
“I’ve already got Jonathan on it.”
“Connor is my lawyer Ridge, I want him.”
“Okay, we’ll get him, but Jonathan will get things started. Let’s not argue about this okay?”
“You told Jonathan I’m alive?” She asked.
“I had to make sure that everything would be easy for you. It’s going to be fine Brooke.” He leaned in and kissed her. “We’re almost home, almost ready to start our new life. I’ve been thinking about the wedding.”
“Wedding?” She asked as if in a daze.
“Our wedding.” He smiled. “I don’t want to wait. But I know we have to wait until you’re officially ‘alive’ and all.” He laughed. “But I think a week, maybe two should do it. Now what do you say we have a quiet, family wedding? I thought maybe at my parent’s house? Then you and I can have a private honeymoon where we can just concentrate on each other.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“No? No to what?” Ridge frowned.
“No to all of it.”


“Thanks again.” Nick shouted and waved at the pilot. He stood next to Carla as the plane took off again. “Now what?” He asked.
“We get a plane back to New York.” She told him.
“And if this ID doesn’t work I’m stuck here in Florida clearing up red tape for months maybe.” Nick looked down at the papers in his hand. “Airport security is really tight these days. I think we’d better go the train route hmmm?”
“I’d like to be home tonight but yes, I think you may be right.” Carla agreed. “We’ll be home tomorrow, I guess that’s not that bad considering. I’m going to call Dan Callahan and let him know that I’m back. Should I tell him about you?”
“Why not?” Nick answered. “It’s not like my return is going to make a splashy headline like Brooke’s is.”
“It may once everyone knows about the two of you Nick. You’ll be one of those new, insta-celebrities. Your own fifteen minutes.” She took his hand and squeezed it. “I know it’s going to be hard Nick but I’ll be right here by your side.”
“I never thought about that.” Nick admitted.
“Your whole life would have been a fishbowl.” She reminded him.
“Is that your attempt to make me feel better?”
“I’m trying.”
“Carla, I lost the woman I love and a child we created, believe me, life in a fishbowl by their side sounds pretty good right now.”
She put her arm around his waist and hugged him. “You will get past this.”
“But who will I be? I was liking the guy I had turned into with Brooke, I’m not sure I can go back to being who I was before and I don’t know where to go next.”
“You don’t have to do all that now Nick. All you have to do is get yourself home, okay?”
“I guess.” He sighed. “One day at a time, just like the alcoholics huh?”
“Once you’re home and things are normal you’ll feel better.”
“Normal? Yeah right.”
“You’d be surprised how good it feel to be in familiar surroundings.” She promised.
“Will it even feel that way anymore?” He wondered.
“Everything is just the way it was.”
“You didn’t get rid of things? Put my things away?” He asked.
“Well, there was that ugly black suit of yours.” She teased.
“Did you sell my clothes?” he asked in mock shock.
“No.” She giggled. “No Nick, everything is right like you left it.”
“It is?” He asked with a frown. “You mean my dirty socks are still in the corner?”
“Collecting mold.” She grinned.
“Oh good, I can grow my own little family.”
“Ewwwh, gross.” She laughed. “Okay, let’s go find us a way home shall we?”
“I’m right behind you.”


“What is this all about Eric? It’s late, too late for such nonsense.” Stephanie complained. “I just don’t understand it? Why a meeting and why everyone?”
“It’s important, believe me you’ll be glad that I’ve done this.” Eric couldn’t seem to stop smiling. He wanted to tell his wife but he had promised Ridge that he wouldn’t and then he had backed up that promise with one to Jonathan.”
“Why are you so happy?” She frowned. Suddenly she smiled back at him. “I’ve got it! I’ve got it! You found something on Deacon! You’re getting him out of here! Oh Eric, thank you!” She hugged him. “So is Jonathan going to tell us all what’s going on? You don’t want Bridget here do you? Oh I hope she’ll understand, we’ll get through to her though won’t we?”
“Just wait Stephanie, you’ll understand everything soon.” He looked at his watch. “Very soon.” He repeated and smiled.


“I don’t know why we have to sneak like this and I don’t like that woman having to wait behind like that, it’s dangerous.” Brooke complained as Ridge led her to the waiting limo.
“She’s safe Brooke, the jet is refueling and on it’s way back to get her and we have to do this to keep the press away. I just wanted you to be able to have a private reunion. Once it gets out you’re going to be deluged. You’ll thank me.” He laughed.
“I guess you’re right, but are you sure she’s okay?” Brooke frowned.
He helped her in and then shut the door. “Okay, we’re ready.” He told the driver. Then he turned back to Brooke. “I’ll call Perry okay? I want to tell him we got back safely anyway.” He took her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed it. “I love you Logan but I need to know what you meant before.”
“When?” She asked.
“When you said no to everything. You’re not going to back out on me are you?”
“It’s all happening too quickly.” She leaned back against the seat. “I’m not ready Ridge, I can’t marry you for the wrong reasons. I can’t marry you because I’m trying to forget him. It’s wrong, wrong for you, wrong for me, wrong for Nick.”
“Love is never wrong Logan. I love you, I’ve loved you forever and I know you love me too.”
“I do love you, I’m not denying that Ridge.” She held onto his hand. “But I just don’t think I’m ready to get married. I need to be with my kids, I need to get my life in order. I know you want this and I know you want it now but I just can’t promise you that. Can you understand at all?”
“I’m not rushing you Brooke.” He said softly. “I’m just so damn happy to have you back. You can’t even imagine how scared I was that I’d never see you again. If you need time you have it, we don’t have to get married right away.”
“You say that now.” She gave him a smile.
“I mean it, we can have a long engagement.” He promised.
“How long?” She asked.
“Hmmmm. A week?” Ridge teased.
“Ridge.” Brooke moaned.
“I’ll give you all the time you need, as long as we’re together and you keep that ring on your finger where it belongs.”
“You’re not making this easy Ridge.”
“I’m making it very simple Brooke, you and me, that’s what it’s always been about.” He pulled her to him and kissed her. “And I know you’re going to realize that soon, maybe before the night is over.”




“Here we go.” Carla handed Nick his train ticket. “It’s a little slower than I thought, we won’t be home for about 26 or 27 hours, but I got us a nice sleeper so we can get some rest.”
They had taken a cab from the small airstrip to the Amtrak station where they had checked the schedules and found a train leaving for New York that night. Nick was concerned about his ID but it wasn’t questioned so it seemed they would soon be on their way.
“How long do we have?” Nick asked.
“About an hour. I found a shop that has some toiletries and snacks. I thought we could get some things there. I wish we had a change of clothes though.”
“Maybe they have tee shirts, at least we could do that.” Nick yawned. “Is there someplace we can get something hot to eat?”
“We can eat on the train, but we can get soft drinks and chips or something to hold us over.” She rubbed his arm. “Chin up, it won’t be long.”
“I wonder where she is? Probably still on that jet. I bet Ridge has champagne and caviar for her.”
“Probably.” Carla agreed. “Doesn’t that make you think though?”
“What?” He asked.
“That you’re really from a different world Nick. She’s probably not only comfortable with that, but she was expecting it.”
“You’re projecting.” Nick argued. “Brooke isn’t like that. She does like the finer things in life but she didn’t come from money and she doesn’t need luxury to make her happy.”
“I don’t know.” Carla disagreed. “I’m not making this an insult, I’m just trying to show you that you and Brooke had a lot less in common than you realize. It was different on the island but now she is in her element. I just wonder if you could have ever been comfortable there.”
“I’d have liked to have had a chance to find out.” Nick said sadly.
“Come on Nick, we need to get you out of the doldrums and back into life. The what if game doesn’t work and you know it. You need to go home and regroup and then if you still feel this way then you need to go to Brooke and tell her. She’s not going to find you attractive if you’re sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. That’s not the Nick she fell for is it?”
Nick’s eyes widened as he looked at her. “Why are you being so supportive?”
“Because I meant what I said on the island. I do love you and I want you to be happy. Now let’s go shopping.” She grabbed his hand.


“Jonathan.” Stephanie smiled as the lawyer came into the room. “This is getting better and better. I knew it, I just knew it.”
“Knew what Stephanie?” He asked. He walked to Eric and offered his hand and a smile. “Hello Eric. It’s a wonderful evening isn’t it?”
“Just about the best.” Eric agreed.
“And about to get much better.” Jonathan looked around the room. “Everyone is here.”
“Not quite, Taylor isn’t here yet.” Eric told them.
“Taylor? Taylor is coming?” Jonathan frowned.
“She’s family.” Eric answered. “And I think she’ll be very happy about this too.”
“I’m not so sure.” Jonathan looked perturbed but he kept his silence.
“This is about Deacon isn’t it?” Stephanie whispered to Jonathan, not wanting her stepdaughter and her husband to hear her.
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” Jonathan answered. He looked at his wristwatch. “Any moment now, any moment.”
“Look who I found.” Megan smiled as she led Taylor into the room.
“Hello honey.” Stephanie walked up to Taylor and gave her a hug.
“What’s going on?” Taylor asked. “I was a little surprised when Eric called and insisted I be here and even more so when he asked me to bring the children.”
“The children?” Stephanie raised her eyebrows and looked at Eric.
“I just miss them, I haven’t seen them in ages.” He looked behind Taylor. “You didn’t bring them?”
“I’m sorry but Phoebe has a cold and Steffie was acting up and I just felt that it was best to leave them home with Katherine. So tell me, what is this about? Am I really needed here?”
“I think it’s about finding a way to get Deacon out of our company.” Stephanie whispered. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
“And what does that have to do with me?” Taylor wondered.
“You’re part of the family and the company Taylor.” Stephanie put her arm around her. “You’ve been here for all the bad, it’s time you were here for the good too.”


“Are you nervous?” Ridge asked as he helped Brooke out of the car.
“A little.” She smoothed the skirt of the dress that Ridge had given her on the plane. “I feel so strange. I’m not used to this.” She indicated the dress. “Or cars or people or anything anymore. I don’t know how to act around anyone. But I can’t wait to hold my kids. Ridge I really can’t wait.”
“It’s nice to see that smile again, I just wish that I was the one who put it on your face.”
“You did.” She told him.
“Because I brought you to your kids. I want that smile for me Logan.”
“Oh Ridge.” She gave him a hug. “I am glad to have you too.”
“But right now.”
“I need to see them and I’m ready. Take me there please.”
“You got it.” He took her hand. “Let’s go make everyone very happy.”


“Hmmmm. So who gets to be on top?” Nick asked as the walked into the compartment of the train and found the two bunks.
“Always your specialty.” Carla teased.
“Are you hungry?” He asked.
“Starved. Want to hit the dining car?”
“I’m not sure if I’m more tired or more hungry. Who’d have ever thought I’d find a bunk bed so enticing?”
“You’ve slept in worse places.” She reminded him but instantly regretted it.
Nick smiled as his thoughts returned him to the island and the tiny bunk he and Brooke had shared. “Our days were hard. We worked hard to keep going. It was a constant struggle for food and to try and find a way to survive, but the nights, God the nights.” He smiled and sighed. “I wanted to die in those arms.”
“Well you’re alive so forget it.” She said without hiding her anger.
“You know what I mean.”
“Am I supposed to be sorry that we found you? Nick you’re home, you have your life back. You need to stop acting like we ruined your life instead of saving it.”


“Now you just wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.” Ridge told Brooke.
“I don’t know why we can’t just go in together.” Brooke complained.
“Let me prepare them. It’s going to be perfect Brooke, trust me.”
“Just don’t make me wait too long.” She begged.
“I won’t.” He smiled and kissed her. “I love you.”


“Do you know why we had to be here?” Deacon asked Rick.
“Not a clue, just that Dad said it was important.” Rick answered.
“We had plans.” Bridget complained. “And Rick, I think that we need to start letting them know that if there’s going to be a board meeting that we’re the ones who call them.”
“Well Budge, it’s okay if Dad does too.” Rick gave her a smile. “But I understand how you feel.”
“So do you have any idea what this is about?” Deacon asked again.


“He’s antsy.” Stephanie laughed. “He can feel it, he can feel it ending.” She grabbed Eric’s arm. “I don’t know how you did this or what you did but thank you. For the first time in a long time you’ve given me something to smile about.”
“More than you could imagine Stephanie.” Eric put his arm around her and grinned as he saw the door open.


“Hello there.” Ridge announced as he walked in. “Now this is what I call a hearty welcome.”
“Rrrridge?” Stephanie gasped, her nails digging into Eric’s arm.
“Oh my God.” Taylor dropped her water glass. Luckily it was plastic and it just rolled away.
“How? How?” Tears ran down Stephanie’s face as she found her legs. She ran to Ridge, pulling him into her arms, holding him tightly and kissing his cheek. “You’ve come back to me.”
“I’ve missed you too Mother.” He hugged her back. “I’ve missed you all. I’m sorry that I put you all through so much worry and pain. There was engine trouble and we lost our radio and we were unable to contact anyone for a long time. But we were all fine and we’re back and well, I’m so glad to be back and I have so much to share with you all.”
“Ridge.” Bridget came up and joined the hug. Rick stood behind them grinning.
“I missed you too Princess.” He let go of Stephanie and pulled Bridget into a bear hug. “And I have something very special for you.”
“I don’t need it.” She said though her tears. “As long as you’re back I don’t need anything more.”
“Oh, I think you might like this.” He smiled and pulled Rick to him. “And you too Rick.”
“Ridge, damn you’re a sight for sore eyes.” Thorne gave him a tight hug.
“So are you little brother, so are you.” Ridge told him.



“Ridge.” Deacon muttered to Amber.
“This doesn’t change anything.” She assured him. “Rick and Bridget still have control. In fact it may be even better. Ridge is the head designer and having him back will help profits.”
“He’s a pain in the ass and he’s trouble.” Deacon mumbled. “We have to be careful Amber or he will try and find a way to wrestle control back.”
“Bring it on.” She said defiantly. “Because we have the law on our side.”
“Don’t get over confidant.” He told her. “You have no clue what these people will stoop to to get what they want.”


“Son, oh son.” Eric gave Ridge a hug.
“I bet it was hard keeping it to yourself, but I do appreciate it Dad.” Ridge smiled and looked around.
“Why Ridge?” Stephanie asked. “Why didn’t you want us to know?”
“It wasn’t you.” He explained. “I just wanted it to be quiet. I wanted a peaceful homecoming. We can deal with the press tomorrow, tonight was about family, all of us.”
“Ridge.” Taylor smiled and walked up to him. She tentatively took his hand. “Now I understand why Eric wanted the children here. I’m sorry, if I had realized.” She blushed.
“It’s okay.” He smiled at her. “You had no way of knowing. We can stop and see them on the way home tonight. How are they? I’ve missed them.”
“They’ve missed you too, we all have.” She confessed. “Ridge I need to tell you that.” She started but Ridge wasn’t listening.
“I have something very important to share with all of you.” Ridge announced.
“You’re home. Nothing else matters.” Stephanie gave Eric a hug. “Our son is alive Eric, alive.”
“I know, I know.” He kissed her cheek.
“I could punch you.” She laughed but hugged him tighter. “But I’m too happy.” She looked at Jonathan. “And you! You knew too didn’t you?”
“I did.” He said. “Ridge?”
“Yes.” Ridge smiled. “Excuse me a moment.” He walked to the door.
“Where are you going?” Stephanie couldn’t bear to let him leave her sight.
“I’ll be right back Mother. I promise.”


“You’re still moping.” Carla told Nick. She sipped her coffee and looked at her uneaten sandwich. “Nick this is crazy.”
“I’m trying.” He picked up a french fry and stared at it. “It’s amazing how much you can appreciate something so simple.” He took a bite and smiled. “God that is good.”
“You never even liked them.” She laughed.
“I did, but I was too health conscious. I think I know now that life is for enjoying. For living.”
“So the hell with chlorestoral?” She laughed.
“No, but anything is okay in moderation.”
“Why are we talking about food?” She asked.
“Beats having you lecture me about Brooke.”
“You need to get your life under control Nick and then if you still think that you and Brooke belong together, then maybe you need to do something about it.”
“What?” He looked up at her. “Do you really think I have a chance? She loves him, you saw that.”
“I don’t know her Nick, but I know you and I can see that you’re not even close to okay with this. But until we get everything straightened out you’re not going to be able to move on, with or without Brooke and moping doesn’t help. So let’s try and be more proactive. Now who is your lawyer?”
“I don’t have one.” He told her. “I never needed one on a personal level and we have the legal department at work. What do I need a lawyer for?” he asked.
“You’re dead.” She explained.
“Um, I don’t think so.” He gestured up and down his body. “I think I’m pretty solid here.”
“You were legally declared dead Nick, now we have to undo that.”
“Fine. So I go and say I’m alive.” He frowned.
“It’s not that simple Nick, I think you know that.”
“Oh great, so what? I have to prove I’m alive? What do I do? How am I supposed to do this?”
“That’s why you need a lawyer, that’s why we couldn’t fly home. Nick this is complicated. Think about it. Everything in your life is tied to who you are and there IS NO NICK PARKER.”
“Meaning?” He asked.
“Your bank account, your credit cards, drivers license, even your social security number. Gone Nick.”
“Gone?” He frowned. “Wait. Are you telling me I have no money and no way of getting any? How am I supposed to live?”
“You have a home.” She told him.
“In my name?” He asked.
“Well no, it’s just in my name now, but that’s not a problem. We’re partners, we’ll work it out.”
“And how do I pay my part of the rent? And what about my job?” He asked.
“I don’t know. We have to wait and see.” She looked away nervously.
“What aren’t you telling me? What did Dan say?”
“He’s happy that you’re alive Nick.”
“What did he say?” Nick repeated.
“Your job has been filled and he’s happy with the replacement. I’m sorry Nick.”
“So now I have no bank account, no credit cards, no license, no apartment and no job. You’re right. There is no Nick. How am I supposed to even think about getting back to Brooke if there is no me?”
“It will take time but once we get a lawyer working on it we’ll get it straightened out. I’ve already tried to set some things into motion. We will do it.” She took his hand. “It’s not the end of the world, it’s an inconvenience but we’ll get by.”
“I’ll have to get a job. Damn it. I can’t believe that he’s just going to throw me out like I was never there.”
“The world didn’t stop while we were gone.” She said softly. “Maybe he can find someplace else to fit you in.”
“Are you out of a job too?” He asked.
“No. I still have my job Nick, but I wasn’t gone as long as you and I wasn’t declared dead.” He looked at her and frowned. “Don’t be jealous Nick, you’ll be fine, you’re smart and you can do better.”
“So how do I get a job? Dead men can’t actually work can they?” He pushed his plate away. “This just gets better and better.”



“What does he have up now?” Stephanie asked Eric with a smile. “Oh Eric, I’m so happy, so very happy.”
“I don’t know what he has up. He called me and told me he was on the way home. He asked me to arrange this and so I did. I sent the plane for him.”
“He seems in good spirits.” Stephanie sighed. “And he seemed happy to see Taylor, didn’t he?”
“He did.” Eric agreed. “But don’t read too much into that. I’m sure he’s happy to see all of us.”
“They still love each other. I think this will be a wake up call for them.” She looked towards the door. “Maybe he has a minister. Maybe he wants to remarry her right here and now.”
“Now you’re being silly.” Eric laughed.
“Can’t blame a mother for dreaming. I just would love to see that family repaired. Oh my God.” Her eyes widened in shock and all eyes followed hers to the door. Stephanie blinked, not believing what she was seeing. “It can’t be. It can’t.”
“Oh but it is Mother.” Ridge answered as he and Brooke came into the room. “Look who I found.”


“Are you going to Los Angeles? I could go in your place Sire.” Mustafa told Omar.
“I’m making arrangements. I’m getting a staff and making financial arrangements but I must go to her eventually. I need to know what she is up to.”
“What have you found out from your detective?” Mustafa wondered.
“She’s trying to become a model, just as I suspected.” Omar smiled. “She thinks I would not approve.”
“And would you?” Mustafa asked.
“I could have wished better but she is a beautiful young woman and she would make a good model. I just would like her to do it here or perhaps in Paris.”
“You don’t want her there, you don’t want her to have a chance of running into her do you?”
“Tatiana has no knowledge of Leila and Leila none of Tatiana and I intend to keep it that way.”
“Is this to punish her?” Mustafa immediately regretted his question. “I’m sorry Sire, that was out of line.” He bowed down.
“You know my deepest and darkest secrets Mustafa.” Omar admitted. “And yes, there is a part of me that wants to punish her, but Tatiana is the one of importance to me. She is my daughter Mustafa and I will not lose her, not to Leila and not to anyone.”
“Who else do you fear?” Mustafa was wary to ask, but he was curious too.
“There was a man at a night club. I am waiting for more information of who he is and what he wants.”
“She is no longer a child Sire, you know there will be men, lovers, maybe a husband.”
“I suppose so, but I will make sure he is worthy of her.”
“Who is handling your business dealings there? May I be of service?”
“I’ve contacted Daniel Callahan from my New York financial house. I’ve asked for him to assign someone he trusts to me. That person will be important to me and will also watch over any transactions that my daughter makes.”
“Very good Sire. Perhaps I can work with him.”
“Yes, maybe you can come with me. I will let her have her freedom Mustafa, as long as I am the one controlling it.”


Bridget had been arguing with Rick, not paying attention to anyone else in the room but the immediate silence made her turn. Her eyes filled with tears and her jaw dropped open. She felt the floor was ready to swoop her up as she fought to keep her balance. “Mom?” She asked as she started to shake.
“Bridget. Rick.” Brooke called out. She let go of Ridge’s hand and ran to her children, grabbing them both and pulling them into a tight embrace. “Oh my babies, my babies.”
“Brooke? Brooke?” Eric looked at his beaming son. “Ridge?”
“Surprise.” Ridge laughed. “I told you I had something special for you all.”
“This is impossible, it’s impossible.” Stephanie couldn’t believe her eyes. “She’s dead, you saw the plane, there was no way she could survive. I don’t understand.”
“Oh it’s me Stephanie.” Brooke confirmed as she held onto her children. “I’m back.”
“Mom how?” Rick asked. “What happened?”
“Just let me enjoy you a little longer before I go into long explanations.” Brooke said with a genuine laugh. “A single day hasn’t passed that I haven’t longed for this moment.” She kissed Rick and then Bridget. “I’m so sorry that I put you both through so much pain. I love you both so much, so very much.”
Eric walked over to them and leaned in and kissed Brooke. “My God, my God Brooke.”
“Eric.” She smiled and let go of her kids and embraced him. “I’m so glad to be home.”
Rick pulled Bridget to him and hugged her, they were both sobbing, but they were tears of joy.
“Brooke, my God it’s really you.” Thorne came and embraced her, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for any pain I ever caused you.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you too Thorne, but that’s all in the past now.” Brooke looked over at Ridge and smiled. “Thank you, thank you so much.” She said as tears ran down her own cheeks.


Nick leaned over the top bunk until his head was in the lower one. “You awake?” he asked Carla.
“Yeah.” She said. “Be careful, you’re going to fall.”
Nick moved back onto his bed then jumped off and sat down on Carla’s bunk next to her. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a bear. I know you’re trying to make things easy for me.”
“And I know how hard it is for you Nick.” She sat up and rubbed his arm. “Nothing has turned out the way either of us expected it to did it?”
“No.” He sighed. “I know I disappointed you. I’m sorry, really.”
“I was angry at first Nick.” Carla admitted. “And I’m still sad. But you can’t control your heart, no matter how much you want to, it’s impossible.”
“What did you imagine happening? I mean when you set out to find me, what was your fantasy?”
“I never thought I would find you.” She told him. “But Ridge was so certain that I got drawn into his enthusiasm. For awhile I started to believe but then it just seemed impossible. I don’t know exactly what I hoped. I guess I thought you’d be so happy to see me that you’d become like the hero in a romance movie. But that was silly wasn’t it? We were never that to each other.”
“Instead you get some snarly, surly guy who doesn’t even notice you. Again, I’m sorry.”
“You really love her don’t you?”
“With all my heart and soul.” He admitted.
“Then you need to tell her Nick and you need to fight for her.” She put her arm around his shoulders. “I don’t want to have lost us for nothing. When we get home we’ll find you a lawyer and we’ll get things straightened out, but you need to call her and tell her how you feel.”
“She knows how I feel, but she wants him.”
“That’s not what I witnessed.”
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“You’re not stupid Nick. But sometimes you’re such an idiot. The two of you were playing so many games with each other that neither of you could see straight. I’m not sure about Ridge. I know he loves her so badly that I think he was blind to what he was seeing, but I wasn’t. She’s having your baby and that counts for something but it’s so much more.”
“She’s wearing his ring.” Nick said with a pout.
“Get over it.” She admonished him. “If you want her you have to prove it to her. You kept pushing her to him with indecision. You want her but you’re scared to just grab your happiness. And don’t tell me that it was for me Nick, I know it wasn’t. Are you that afraid to take a chance? Is she worth it to you?”
“I never should have let her go, not without telling her how I feel.” Nick said sadly.
“Well then do something about it. You need to let her know, even if you can’t be with her yet you need to tell her that you will be.”
“Ask her to wait for me?” Nick wondered.
“You share a child. That’s not asking too much, not if you love each other as much as you both seem to. I saw her cling to you when you said goodbye Nick. If you had asked her to come with you she would have.”
“We deserve a chance to try.” Nick sat up straight. “But how can I ask her to wait when I don’t even know what is going to happen?”
“You don’t have to call her tomorrow.” Carla sighed. “But after you see a lawyer and get an idea of what you’re going to have to do, then you call her.”
“I still don’t know why you’re being so good to me.”
“Because I love you Nick, because I love you.” She hugged him tightly.


Brooke had shared hugs and greetings with everyone and Ridge had told his story of finding Brooke, an abridged version, but all the important facts were covered. Stephanie seemed lost. She had been so thrilled to have Ridge back, but the shock of Brooke’s return had thrown her. She just sat and listened and attempted to make sense of everything. Brooke was sticking to her children like glue, unable to let them go, not that they wanted to let go of her either. She sat between them on a couch, constantly touching them as if to make sure they were real.
“Can you talk about it?” Bridget asked. “How horrible was it? How did you survive? Were you scared to be alone?”
“What did you eat? Where did you sleep? Were there storms?” Rick added his own list of concerns.
“When the plane went down and I woke up in the water there was only one thing keeping me going, and that was you.” She squeezed both their hands. “I kept seeing your faces and I couldn’t let go. I was so cold and so tired but I knew if I let go you’d never know what happened to me and I just couldn’t let that happen so I swam and I kicked and I pushed and somehow I made it to the island.”
“You must have been so scared.” Rick put his arm around her.
“I was, but I was thirsty and I was hungry and I was determined too.” She smiled.
“And lonely.” Bridget leaned over and kissed her. “You must have been so lonely until Ridge got there.”
Brooke looked up at her daughter and smiled. “I wasn’t alone Bridget.”
“You weren’t?” Bridget squinted at her.
“There was a man who survived too. Nick. Nick survived.”
“The banker?” Rick asked. “The one who’s girlfriend went with Ridge to find you?”
“Yes.” Brooke answered. “I found Nick on the beach. He had managed to swim to the island too, but he took in too much water and he was very sick.”
“You must have been terrified.” Bridget gave her mother a hug. “Did you know what to do?”
“Of course she did Budge, she took care of us all our lives.” Rick smiled at Brooke. “So you helped him recover?”
“Yes.” Brooke thought back and blushed as she remembered their reaction to his waking up. The first time they had made love. “I gave him water and I bathed him. I got his fever to break.”
“And then you had someone to take care of you. I’m glad.” Bridget smiled sweetly.
“Well not exactly.” Brooke laughed. “Nick is a city boy and not very good at the outdoor stuff. My being an old girl scout helped. But we learned together. We learned to fish and find other food and we hiked and found water and shelter. It was hard work but we made a good team.”
Ridge walked over and sat on the arm of the couch. “Is your mother amazing you with her tales of survival?”
“She certainly is amazing.” Rick smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “So where is this Nick now?”
“He lives in New York, he went home with his fiancée.” Ridge answered for Brooke.
“Too bad, I’d have liked to have met him.” Rick told them.
“You may get that chance.” Brooke told her son. “I’d like you to. Nick is an amazing man himself.”
“What do you say we move this party home?” Ridge suggested.
“Home?” Brooke asked. “Where home?”
“Your home.” He laughed. “We can get some food and you can tell everyone your stories.”
“Don’t you want to go home and see your kids Ridge?” Bridget asked.
“I do, and I will, but I’m not ready to let this lady out of my sight yet.” He smiled at Brooke. “Did you tell them yet?”
“Tell us what?” Rick looked up at Ridge.
“This.” Ridge grabbed Brooke’s hand and held it out for all to see. The diamond sparkled under the fluorescent lights. “Brooke agreed to be my wife. We’re getting married.”


Nick woke up disoriented. He felt confined and confused. He reached for Brooke but he was alone. He almost lost his balance before he remembered where he was. “The train, the top bunk.” He said aloud. He jumped down and grabbed his jeans and pulled them on.
“What’s wrong?” Carla woke up and asked him.
“I’m going for a walk, I’m feeling claustrophobic. Go back to sleep.”
“It’ll get better.” She reached for his hand.
“Yeah, I guess so.” He sighed. “I guess I’ll feel better when we get home.” He grabbed his shirt and sniffed it before pulling it over his head. “I think I’m going to go have a beer. Can I bring you anything back?”
“Thanks but I’m fine. Just don’t stay too long.” She told him.
“I won’t.” He started to go and then he turned to her. “I feel like such a loser.”
“Why?” She asked.
“Can I have some money?” He asked.
“Purse.” She pointed to her purse on the table. “Take half of what’s in the wallet. We’ll work this out at home Nick. Your money is still there, we just have to find someone who can get you access to it again.”
“I didn’t have a will.” He told her. “What were they doing with it?”
“Your cousins, your aunt, but nothing was done yet. Don’t worry so much Nick.”
“Thanks.” He took a couple of bills from her wallet. “It is emasculating you know.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that Nick, you’re still the manliest man I’ve ever met.” She smiled at him.
“You’re a nut.” He laughed. “I won’t be long.”


“Married?” Taylor walked up to Ridge. “Married?”
“I, we, well, yes.” He admitted. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have just blurted it out like that but I’m excited.”
“Are you sure that you’re ready for this? After all you’ve just been through?” Taylor looked Brooke in the eye.
“I, um, yes Taylor. I’m ready. I’ve always loved Ridge.”
“Yes, I know that, but that isn’t what I asked you.” Taylor looked at Ridge. She couldn’t hide her hurt or her anger. “Well, I guess I know where your priorities are. I’m glad you’re safe. Come see the children when you can find the time.” She walked to the table where she had placed her purse and picked it up.
“Honey, Taylor don’t go.” Stephanie ran over to her.
“I don’t belong here, I don’t belong anymore. I’ll be back tomorrow to clean out my office.” She turned to Eric. “Thank you for the opportunity but it just doesn’t work anymore.”
“Taylor please, you’re family.” Eric touched her arm.
“Come visit the children any time you want Eric, I mean that.” She started to leave but turned to Brooke. “Welcome back Brooke, enjoy your life.” And then she marched out.
“Ridge I’m sorry.” Brooke looked from the door to Ridge. “Maybe we should talk about this.” She looked down at the ring.
“Taylor and I were over a long time ago Logan. But I should have considered her feelings.” He turned to the rest of the family. “I’m sorry my announcement put a damper on this party but let’s try and get past it shall we? Today is a wonderful day. We have our Brooke back and our life together is just about to begin. I’m ready to really get this party started. Shall we move it home?” He asked Brooke.


“What can I get you?” The bartender asked Nick.
“Beer.” He said. “Any kind as long as it’s cold.”
“I’ve had those days myself.” He laughed and pulled out a can and opened it. “Glass?”
“Nah.” Nick took the can and brought it to his mouth taking a long gulp.
“Didn’t think so.” He laughed again. He looked at the sad expression on the man’s face. “She must have been special.”
“The best.” Nick sighed.
The bartender walked away to help another customer and Nick quickly finished his beer. He motioned to the bartender for another. He returned and gave him a second can.
“Business or pleasure?” He asked Nick.
“Going home.” Nick answered.
“I figured, but Florida, was it business or pleasure?”
“Just a stop over.” Nick answered and turned his attention back to his beer.
Three more beers later the bartender started filling bowls with chips and nuts. Nick looked over at them and sighed deeply.
“Thinking about her?” The bartender asked.
“Yeah.” Nick admitted. “I’ll never see her again.”
“One of those vacation romances hmmm?”
“You could say that.” Nick sighed again.
“Time heals all and all that shit.” The bartender told him.
“Not this time.” Nick pulled over a bowl of peanuts and took a handful. “God these are good.” He said after eating a mouthful.
The bartender gave him a strange look.
“You can’t imagine how good things are when you haven’t had them for a long time.”
“Where you been buddy? Siberia? Jail?” He asked Nick.
“Would you believe Paradise?” Nick asked him.
“Paradise without peanuts though.” He laughed. “I guess you’re talking about your lady.”
“Hmmm, yeah.” Nick got up and picked up a pile of newspapers and magazines.
“Most of those are old, I’ve been meaning to throw them out and replace them.” The bartender told him.
“Not old to me.” Nick told him. He looked at the headlines. “Looks like nothing really changed.”
“Seriously, have you been away?” He asked Nick.
“Yeah, I’ve been away.” Nick picked up a magazine and started to thumb through it. “But I guess I didn’t really miss much of anything. The gossip looks the same, the movies look like the normal ones.”
“How long have you been gone?” He asked.
“Too long, not long enough. Honestly? I don’t exactly know. I guess someone will tell me. I didn’t even ask.” He put down the Time magazine and turned a People over. His eyes almost bugged out when he saw her, she was on the cover of something called ‘Eye on Fashion’ and the headline read ‘Tribute Line’. She was beautiful and she seemed to be looking right into his eyes.
“She was a pretty one.” The bartender told him. “My wife is into all that fashion shit, this lady ran one of the big LA companies but she was killed in a plane crash.”
“No.” Nick shook his head.
“Yeah.” The bartender took the magazine. “Yeah, that was her. Brooke Logan.”
“I mean no, she’s not dead.” Nick told him.
“Oh yeah, she is, you must be thinking about someone else buddy.” He told Nick. “That lady went down in a small plane months ago.”
“Yes she did, but we didn’t die.” Nick smiled. “Unless I really did just spend the last few months in heaven.”


“It almost feels like I’m a stranger here.” Brooke told Ridge as she looked through the clothes in her closet. “I didn’t expect my things to still be here either. They thought I was dead.”
“But they saw how I felt too Logan and I think part of them wouldn’t give up.”
“I’m a little surprised Amber didn’t move into my bedroom.” She said with a laugh. “She didn’t seem too pleased to see me.”
“I’m sure she was stunned.” Ridge put his arm around her. “And maybe disappointed in an odd way. She was used to being the lady of your house.”
“Why didn’t Deacon come back with Bridget?” She asked.
“He claims he had something to do at the office.” Ridge frowned.
“Deacon at Forrester. Why Ridge? Why would Eric do that?”
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about business.” Ridge admitted.
“Well Eric’s going to have to have a pretty good reason for this one.” She frowned. “I’m going to have to sit down with him tomorrow.”
“Logan you just got home.” Ridge sighed in exasperation.
“And it appears to be that I barely made it in time.”
“You need to rest and relax and get back to normal.”
“And what is more normal than getting back to work and my company?” She asked him.
“You need to be checked out.”
“Excuse me?” She put her hands on her hips. “Are you afraid I have malaria or something?”
“Logan you’ve spent months on a deserted island! You don’t know what you’ve come in contact with. You need to just let a doctor check you over.”
“I’m fine. I’ve never felt better in my life!”
“Um, you also have your little ‘problem’ to check out.” He said with an embarrassed look.
“Problem? You can’t be talking about my baby Ridge.” She defiantly asked him. “Are you?”
“Bad choice of words.” He sheepishly admitted. “I’m sorry.”
“You should be.” She sat on the bed. “And that is why I think that this whole marriage thing is just too soon.”
“I’m working on it Brooke, it’s not that easy for me. And it is even harder when you refer to him as an amazing man to your kids.”
“He IS an amazing man!” Brooke protested.
“Not to me he isn’t.”
“This isn’t going to work Ridge, not with this attitude. This is Nick’s baby!”
“It will be ours Brooke, Nick said he’s let me adopt him.”
“Nick may have said that, but I didn’t agree.” Brooke informed him.
“Logan!” Ridge drew out the name into several syllables.
“Nick is going to have a role in his child’s life and if you can’t handle that Ridge, tell me now because I don’t want to waste your time.”




“How many of those beers did you have before you got here?” The bartender asked Nick.
“None. I’m not that drunk, though I admit I came here fully intending to get there. I know I sound crazy, but I imagine tomorrow you’ll remember this conversation and laugh at how you doubted me. I’m not dead okay?” He took the magazine back and opened it to the article. “Well how do you like that, Andy Warhol was right. It’s not a good likeness but uh, I think you’ll recognize the man in the picture.” He held out the article to the man.
“That’s you!” He said. “Holy shit, that’s you!”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you.” Nick picked up his beer and took a gulp. “We’re not dead.”
“You were in that plane crash? And you lived? Why didn’t I hear about that?”
“We just got home. No one knows yet.” He looked down at the picture again. “I love her you know. I love her so much it hurts.”
“What happened to you?” He asked Nick.
“We made a baby.” Nick smiled. “A beautiful little baby. And he!” Nick pointed at Ridge’s picture. “He’s going to raise it. My kid, he’s getting my kid.” He looked at his beer. “Can I have another?”
“Why is he getting your kid? You don’t make sense.” He reached into the cooler and got another beer. He opened it for Nick and pushed Nick’s hand away when he tried to give him money. “This one’s on me.”
“Why is he getting my kid?” Nick asked with a frown. “Hell if I know. He shouldn’t get my kid. He shouldn’t get my girl either. I love her. I love her.”
“So where is she? Is she back in the compartment?” He asked Nick.
“She went home with him.” Nick pointed at Ridge again, this time with a lot of contempt in his voice. “She’s wearing his ring. She’s going to marry him. I can’t let her can I?”
“I don’t think so.” He told him. “So what are you going to do about it?”
“I have to stop her. That’s what I have to do. I have to stop her. But first I need another beer.” Nick pushed his hair back from his eyes and gulped down the rest of his can, pushed it away and waited for a new one. The bartender quickly gave him a new one. “Thanks.” Nick saluted him with a large gulp and a belch. “Do you think she’ll come back to me? Do I have a chance?” Nick asked. “I really need her.”


Ridge was sitting with Eric and Stephanie, looking over at Brooke and Bridget every few seconds.
“She’s not going to disappear Ridge.” Eric assured him with a smile. “You did it son, you found her and I can’t tell you how proud I am of you.”
“You don’t have to marry her though Ridge. I know you got very emotional but you need to think this through.” Stephanie patted his hand. “But it was a wonderful thing you did.”
“I love her Mother, and I am going to marry her.” Ridge looked over again. “She’s happy isn’t she?”
“Very.” Eric smiled. “And so are Rick and Bridget. Ridge you had faith when we all gave up. If it wasn’t for you.”
“Someone would have found them, but I’m glad it was me and now.”
“Them?” Eric asked. “Tell me about this man.”
“He’s a jerk.” Ridge frowned.
“What did he do son? Was he cruel to Brooke?”
“I don’t want to talk about it, not yet.” Ridge frowned and looked at Brooke again. “It’ll be okay because she’s home now, she’s home with me and we’re going to be together.”


“So tell us more. Tell us about what happened to you and about this Nick guy.” Bridget asked her mother.
“Yeah Mom.” Rick agreed. “If you’re up to it that is.”
“What if we strike a deal?” Brooke’s eyes widened in mischief.
“What kind of deal?” Rick squinted back.
“I tell you about what I’ve been up to and you tell me about what’s been going on here at Forrester.”
“Mom!” Bridget gasped. “I hope you’re not even thinking about business.”
“Of course I am.” Brooke answered. “I’ve been gone but I’m back now and I’m taking my company back too. So I need you both to help me catch up. Will you?”
“I guess, I mean sure.” Rick hugged her. “But I do wish you’d take it easy. You’re looking sort of tired.”
“I am, but nothing sleep can’t cure.” She looked at Bridget. “And you Bridget? Will you tell me too?”
“Okay.” She took her mother’s hand.
“So what do you want to know?” Brooke asked.
“What did you do for food and water? Where did you live? What happened when that guy woke up?” Rick asked.
Brooke blushed again as she relived the memory for the second time that day.
“Mom?” Bridget noticed her mother’s embarrassment. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing honey, just the whole thing. Um, we had coconuts and sea grapes at first. I had a few bottles of water and I found a bag of miniature candy bars, but I knew we needed more.”
“How did you get the coconuts?” Rick asked. “Did you have to climb a palm tree?”
“They fell, but they were hard to open. I remembered that Tom Hanks movie and I tried some tricks from it.” She grinned. “They must have done good research because it worked. So we had that. And I found a small stream so we had water. But we needed more.”
“What did you use for shelter?” Rick asked.
“And what happened with the man? Was he sick for long?” Bridget added.
“So many questions.” Brooke laughed. “We have a lifetime to talk about this too.”
“Come on Mom, we need to know more.” Rick pressed. “Please.”
“Nick had a fever for hours but finally I got it to break. He was weak but he was okay. I got him water and some candy and he started to feel better.” She said, leaving out the rest of the story.
“Were there storms? Where did you live?” Bridget moved closer to Brooke and put her arm around her.
Brooke leaned back and smiled. “There’s so much to tell, I don’t even know where to start.”
“I think you should let your mother rest. She can tell you all about it in a day or two.” Ridge walked over and stood in front of them. “Right now I think I’d like to get her into a nice bathtub and then to bed.”
“Ridge, I just got home, I haven’t seen my kids in months, I love them, I miss them and we have a lot to catch up on. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, because I am so very grateful to you, but I would really appreciate some time alone with them. I’m too wired and happy to go to bed, I could just stay up and talk to them all night. I don’t want to leave their sides. Please try and understand.”
“I do, but I’m worried about you Logan.”
“I’ll be here in the morning when you come back.” She smiled. “And I promise we’ll spend time together then.”
“Come back?” He frowned.
“For tonight, please Ridge, I just want to be with my kids.”
“You want me to leave?” He asked.
“Just for tonight. Can’t you stay with your parents?” She looked at him with pleading eyes.
“Logan are you sure?” He moaned.
“You’re not going to deny me one little night with my kids are you?” She smiled sweetly. “Besides, you need to see your own children.” She reminded him.
“You’re right, I do, but I’ll be over first thing in the morning.” He told her.
“Call first.” She told him. “But thanks Ridge.”
“This has to be the last time Logan, I don’t want to spend any more nights without you.”


Brooke got up and thanked everyone for the warm welcome and promised that she would rest and be back to work soon. Then she shared a goodnight kiss with Ridge. She thanked him again and they planned to meet again the next day. After they left Amber had excused herself and left Brooke alone with Bridget and Rick.
“Are you going to call Deacon?” Brooke asked Bridget.
“I will.” Bridget smiled. “I think he knew I wanted to spend more time with you. It was sweet of him to leave us alone like this wasn’t it?”
“Hmmm.” Brooke looked at Rick and then at Bridget. “I don’t think sweet is a word I’d ever use to describe Deacon Sharpe.”
“He’s okay Mom, he really does love Budge.” Rick tried to assure her. “And he’s got some really good ideas for Forrester too.”
“I bet he does.” Brooke said with a sly smile.
“You’ll have to get to know him again Mom.” Bridget hugged her. “We can all be so happy together now. And you and Ridge, I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m just glad to be back.” Brooke answered.
“Tell us more Mom.” Rick pressed. “Tell us more about what happened to you.”
Brooke looked around, assuring herself that they were alone. “It’s very complicated.”
“Complicated? Sounds pretty scary but basic too.” Rick shrugged. “You survived a plane crash and ended up stranded on a deserted island. I guess the complications were staying alive, but you sure seem like you did a great job of it.”
“She lost too much weight.” Bridget added. “Were you hungry all the time?”
“We really did find a lot of food, but our diet was different, we didn’t have anything fattening and we did a lot of strenuous exercise, so I guess we both lost weight. But gained muscles too.” She giggled and flexed for them.
“Hmmm. What kind of strenuous exercise?” Bridget teased but when Brooke turned scarlet Bridget gasped. “You and that guy? You slept with him?”


“Can’t make it back up there.” Nick looked at the upper bunk, and in his drunkenness it seemed to be fifty feet away. “Shove over.” He gave Carla a push and sat next to her on the lower bunk.
“Hey!” She frowned and faced him. “What are you doing? Oh my God you smell like a brewery.”
“Had a few beers.” He said with a hiccup. “I’m famous.” He laughed. “I’m a celebrity.”
“What are you talking about?” Carla sat up.
“This.” Nick pulled out the magazine. Carla reached for it but he pulled it away. “No! Don’t touch her, I need to keep her with me.” He pulled the magazine against his chest. “In my arms, she belongs in my arms.”
“I won’t hurt it, let me see it.” She gently took it from him and saw Brooke’s photo on the cover. She looked more beautiful than Carla remembered. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Brooke and then opened the magazine. There were more photos of Brooke, one more beautiful than the next but she had to smile when she saw Nick’s picture there. It wasn’t a good one, one from his employee file at the bank, most likely from his ID badge, but his smile got to her. “Look at you.” She told him.
“Fif, fifteem, I mean fifteen minutes.” He struggled with the words. “Over before they started.”
“Did you show this to anyone?” She asked.
“Ted.” He smiled.
“Who’s Ted?”
“The bartender.” He answered with a burp. “Damn.”
“I hope he doesn’t make a fuss, it could make our return more complicated.”
“Ah, he won’t. He’s from the city too. I like him.”
“I think you need to try and get some sleep Nick.” She crawled over him and out of the bunk.
“Where you going?” He looked up at her with a frown.
“Up there, you’ll never make it.”
“We can both sleep here.” He answered. “It’s safe, it’s not Saturday. Is it?”
His comment hurt her, but then she knew it was the truth. They really never had much of a sex life, it always was routine, never impromptu or spontaneous. Their sex was always a planned, Saturday night rendezvous, over almost as soon as it started. No wonder he found Brooke Logan and her sensuality so appealing. “No, it’s not Saturday. But I think it’s for the best anyway.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight Nick, I love you.”


“There’s a lot I have to explain to you.” Brooke answered. “But this isn’t an apology, just an answer.”
“I guess being scared and alone and not knowing if you’d ever be rescued it would be a human reaction.” Rick scratched his chin. “I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing, clung to anyone rather than being alone.”
“He wasn’t just anyone Rick.” Brooke answered.
“But he was a stranger.” Bridget groaned softly.
“Everyone is a stranger before you know them.” Brooke smiled.
“But you wish you didn’t now right? I mean Ridge doesn’t know does he?” Bridget looked hopefully at her mother.
“When I left on this trip I was in a very bad place in my life. My marriage to Thorne was over and my attempt to get Ridge back had horribly failed. I felt so lost. I had nowhere to turn.”
“But it wasn’t a failure. Ridge loves you.” Bridget took Brooke’s hand.
“But that wasn’t true at the time. He wanted his marriage to Taylor and he made it certain to me that we had no future. Your father was wonderful to me. He offered me a chance to get away and it was just what I needed. But then that all fell apart too. The boutiques weren’t what we had hoped, the hotels were horrible and the flights, well, you know about those.” She smiled. “I had one more island to visit and the flight was overbooked and late and I was hot and tired. When I found out about a chance on a private plane I took it. I probably should have thought twice or three times, but I didn’t.”
“We don’t blame you for that. I would have been frustrated too Mom.” Rick gave her hand a squeeze.
“When I got on the plane I was more than disappointed. It was tiny and dirty but at least it was going to move. Then I saw him.” She smiled. “He was handsome and a little dangerous looking. He was as hot and tired as I was and I annoyed the hell out of him.”
“You annoyed him?” Rick laughed. “I can’t imagine any man being annoyed by Brooke Logan.”
“Odd huh?” Brooke laughed softly and it brought such joy to their faces that both Rick and Bridget laughed with her. “Anyway.” Brooke continued. “I kept trying to talk to him and all he wanted to do was sleep or read. He wasn’t very happy to have me next to him. He was sarcastic and snobbish but he was really cute too. When the fire started he tried to take action but it was too late, it all happened too quickly. I watched him go to the pilot and the next thing I knew we were going down. I didn’t see him again until I found him unconscious on the beach.”
“So you became friends after you helped him?” Bridget was trying to understand how this had turned into one of her mother’s impetuous relationships. She was so worried that Ridge would find out and it would ruin her mother’s chances again.
“We fought like cats and dogs.” Brooke confessed. “I wouldn’t say we hated each other, that wouldn’t be true, but we really did not get along at all.”
“Well obviously that changed.” Bridget flung her hair back and laughed.
“Yes.” Brooke admitted. “Slowly the attraction was growing again and while we were still fighting, there was more, what we had was deep and real, it wasn’t just sex, it wasn’t. Anyway, at one point Nick felt we had to move to a better shelter.”
“Where were you staying at that point?” Rick asked.
“I had set up a sort of tent like thing with towels and trees on the beach that I landed on. It wasn’t too bad, it was close to the stream and in my mind, since this was where I ended up after the crash this was where they’d find me.”
“Makes sense.” Rick agreed.
“But Nick felt that we should explore. He was certain there would be more food or water or maybe even civilization if we went searching for it. I fought him, I was stubborn so he started to take off without me. Now that really made me mad, especially since he took my spear.”
“Your what?” Rick laughed.
“My spear.” Brooke giggled. “I know it sounds silly now, but believe me, it was deadly serious. I had made a spear from a small penknife and I used it for fishing. Now Nick was taking off to parts unknown with my spear. I was ready to kill him.”
“That was wrong of him Mom.” Bridget frowned. “He was leaving you without anything to defend yourself with or a way to get food. Bad enough you’d have to try fishing for yourself.”
“Myself?” She laughed. “You’re wrong there Bridget. I was the better fisherman. Nick tried, but he just didn’t do it like I did. Anyway, I think that he was only taking it to make sure I had to come too. So I followed him and made him madder and madder. I tried everything to get to him. I took off my shirt again because I knew that he’d really fume over that.”
“Huh?” Rick looked at Bridget and frowned.
“Oh.” Brooke laughed again. “I guess it’s hard to understand but life there was so different and we didn’t have many clothes and it was always so hot and well, I just sort of wore a sarong.”
“What do you mean?” Bridget’s eyes were wide and questioning.
“Around my waist.” Brooke explained. “That was it, just that sarong around my waist. I think it made him a little um, uncomfortable and I liked that. But when we started to get along I put on a shirt to make him feel better. So when I wanted to make him mad, I took it off again.”
“Mom!” Bridget was stunned.
“You really would have to be there honey.” Brooke sighed. “Anyway, we traveled on and we found a new beach and Nick was right, it was better. We saw that the fish were jumping like crazy and that was a good sign. Nick went in wading and told me to stay back. I wasn’t sure why and a little angry that he was giving orders so stubborn Brooke followed him.”
“Good for you Mom.” Bridget hugged her. “He shouldn’t have been giving orders.”
“He was watching out for me. He didn’t want to tell me what he had feared, but that became apparent. It was a body, a girl from the plane.”
“Oh Mom.” Rick squeezed her hand again. “That must have been horrible.”
“It was. It was a horrible thing to see. I was so upset but Nick was wonderful. He buried her and then he made sure I was okay, he held me and kept me calm. He was so kind, so loving. I felt safe and I felt so loved. We were so drawn to each other.”
“And that’s when it happened?” Bridget asked.
“Bridget, it’s not important when it happened, it happened, we both wanted it, we both needed it. I know it’s upsetting you but I am not going to apologize for it, so just let me continue if you want to hear more.” She looked at them, waiting for an answer.
“Please go on Mom.” Rick told her while Bridget nodded her agreement.
“We did a little exploring, we fought more. Nick was anxious to go one way and I wanted to go another way. I was hot and tired and Nick was getting angry when I wanted to rest.”
“And you think this guy is nice? And we’ll like him?” Bridget frowned.
While Brooke could understand Bridget’s need to protect her, she was getting tired of having to explain herself and Nick. “You need to look at the big picture Bridget. We were both scared and both trying to do everything on our own and we’re both stubborn. But he is a wonderful man and under that gruff exterior he tried to put on, he is the kindest, most caring man I’ve ever known.”
“I guess I’ll have to believe you.” Bridget told her. “So what happened? Did you find anything? Please not another body.”
“I was the lucky one. Nick took off ahead of me, he was mad and trying to prove a point, but I went my own way and guess what? I found a waterfall and an old World War II shelter. There were fruit trees too. We made that our home. It was safe and comfortable.”
“He left you alone?” Bridget frowned again.
“It was a small island Bridget, Nick went one way and I went another. You’re starting to sound like Ridge.” She laughed softly. “Nick wasn’t leaving me, he was just trying to prove he was right.”
“So he came back?” Rick asked. “I hope he didn’t stay away long.”
“We were never away from each other long.” Brooke reminisced. “I guess that’s what makes this so difficult.”
“This?” Rick asked.
“Nick being in New York, me here, so far away.”
“Well, you’re friends now, so you can call and maybe visit too.” Rick suggested.
“We will.” Brooke told him. “There’s a lot we have to deal with, a lot to work out. But I’m sure you’re tired of hearing all about my story. Why don’t you catch me up on what I missed while I was gone? How are the two of you? What’s going on at Forrester? Anything? Everything? I feel like I’ve been gone for years.”
“I’m not tired of it at all.” Bridget protested. “There’s so much you haven’t told us. I’m really curious at how you and this Nick turned from competitors to well, lovers.”
“It’s a fine line.” Brooke smiled. “And while I’m sure you’re thinking it was all horrible, it wasn’t. Nick and I have so many wonderful memories too. We had fun and we grew to love and respect each other so much.”
“Love?” Rick asked.
“Yes.” Brooke smiled. “I love him very much.”


“I don’t understand, Eric I just don’t understand.” Stephanie paced back and forth.
“You don’t expect me to be upset about this do you?” Eric asked his wife. “Brooke is alive and I am thrilled, thrilled beyond belief.”
“But how?” She asked.
“It was a miracle and Ridge knew all along, he never gave up faith. We should have listened to him, we should have helped him. Maybe then we could have brought her home sooner. I’m just so thankful she’s home now and that she is safe and sound and happy.”
“Happy. Of course she’s happy, she’s done it Eric, she’s managed to steal Taylor’s husband.”
“Ridge and Taylor were already divorced.” He reminded her. “And Stephanie, you know Ridge has always loved Brooke. I’m glad that they’re getting married, I’m glad that they got this chance, they both deserved it.”
“And the children? Do they deserve this?”
“Ridge will always be their father and always love them. He’s there right now isn’t he?”
“Only because Brooke made him leave.” Stephanie frowned. “And is that the way to start a marriage? I don’t trust her, she’s up to something and I’m going to find out what too.”
“The only thing she is up to is wanting to spend some time alone with her children. She and Ridge were together on the island, all she asked for is one night and it was not much to ask. She and Ridge have the rest of their lives and Ridge SHOULD be with his children tonight too.”
“He should be with Taylor.” Stephanie frowned. “He should be with the woman he truly loves.”


“I’ve missed them so much.” Ridge sat down next to Taylor on the couch. “They’ve grown, in a short time they’ve grown so much.”
“You’ve hurt them, they deserve more from you.” Taylor got up and walked to the mantle, looking at a photo of the children.
“You’re right.” Ridge admitted. “And I will do my best to make up for it.”
“From Brooke’s?” She turned and frowned.
“Brooke knows that I love my children. She doesn’t want that to stop, she even reminded me that I needed to come see them tonight.”
“You needed reminding?” She was furious.
“No, no.” Ridge argued. “I just meant that she was supportive. I don’t want to fight with you Taylor. I thought we were past that.”
“Why Ridge? Why are you marrying that woman?”
“I love her.” Ridge said softly. “You knew I did when I left.”
“Did I?” She asked. “If I’m not mistaken we were still fighting for our marriage when you took off to sail the Caribbean for her.”
“You wanted this divorce too.” He reminded her.
“Maybe I was wrong Ridge, maybe our family deserves more.”
“We can’t raise our kids in a home where their father is in love with another woman and resents their mother for keeping him from her!”
“Oh poor put upon Ridge, nasty old Taylor, ruining his life. Imagine the horror of having to be with her.”
“I didn’t mean it that way, it came out all wrong.”
“Our entire life has come out all wrong.” She walked back and sat down. She turned to face him. “I just think you’re rushing this, you’re rushing her. She’s been through a life altering situation Ridge and you want her to just lay down and play wifey to you. From a professional standpoint I have to say that I have reservations that this will ever work and from a personal one, Brooke needs time to readjust and so do you.”
“I’ll take that under consideration.” He got up. “I’d better leave.”
“Going back? To her?”
“Actually no, I’m going to stay at Mother’s. Brooke wanted private time with her kids.”
“And you?” She asked. “Don’t you want the same?” She looked up the stairs.


“We shouldn’t pressure Mom so much.” Bridget told her brother. “In fact, she looks so tired, I’d like to open her bed and let her get some sleep.”
“No. No please. I can always sleep, I want to talk to you two and hold you.” Brooke grabbed Bridget’s arm.
“I’ll bunk in with you.” Bridget smiled. “And Rick can stay and talk to us till we start getting too sleepy. Deal?”
“Deal.” Brooke smiled.
“Then let’s go up and put our nighties on and Rick can make us some hot cocoa.”
“Works for me.” Rick smiled and kissed his mother on the cheek. “But I do want to know what you meant when you said you loved him.”


“Amazing.” Tatiana put down her drink and looked at Deacon. “He really did it. He was right all along. Truly amazing.”
“A lucky break.” Deacon muttered.
“Surely you’re not unhappy that she is alive.” She questioned him.
“Hard question. Personally I have nothing against her. She a nice woman, hot and sexy too, but as far as my life, damn it this screws all my plans.”
“Do you think she will ask you to leave Forrester?”
“Ah.” Deacon’s eyes widened. “And then my value to you is gone huh? So who will you latch onto next?”
“Don’t be so childish.” She admonished. “I’m concerned for you, I’ve already gotten myself where I need to be.”
“Then why do you even care about me?” he asked.
“I like you.” She answered. “So seriously, what do you think will happen?”
“Nothing immediately, but with her back, well Bridget no longer has majority. Unless we can convince Brooke that she’d be happier at home with Ridge.”
“From what I know of her that isn’t likely.” She twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “I imagine that this is not happy news for Taylor either.”
“Taylor?” Deacon frowned. She was the least of his concerns.
“Her rival is back, and wearing the ring of her husband.”
“Former husband.” Deacon reminded her.
“But one she still loved no?”
“Yeah, I guess so. What’s your point?”
“None, none at all.” She smiled. Payback was starting already and with this round, she didn’t even have anything to do with it. “Life can be sweet.” She told Deacon. “Very sweet.”


“Where is she?” Rick asked.
“In the bathroom.” Bridget looked at the tray he had carried up. He had brought a pot of steaming cocoa and a plate of indulgent looking cookies. “She’ll love that.”
“I think so too.” He grinned. “Budge I can hardly believe this. Is it real?”
“Oh it’s real.” She smiled. But both their smiled faded at the sound of the bloodcurdling scream coming from the bathroom.


“Thorne, we didn’t expect you.” Eric greeted his younger son with a hug. “Come in, come in.”
“I’m still in shock.” He laughed. “Thrilled to death. Is Ridge here?”
“He went to see the children.” Stephanie told him. “I’m hoping he comes to his sense while he’s over there. He has a wonderful family that needs him and while we’re all grateful that he found Brooke and brought her back, he needs to think carefully about the future.”
“I agree.” Thorne told her. He walked to the bar and poured himself a drink. “Mom? Dad? Can I get you anything?”
“You agree?” Stephanie looked at Eric with a smile.
“Yeah.” Thorne turned to them. “But to be honest, I have my own selfish reasons for that.”
“You still love her.” Eric stated rather than asking.
“Letting her go was a huge mistake. I was jealous and angry but I should have listened to her when she came and begged me to forgive her. I just hope it’s not too late.”
Stephanie looked at Thorne with a painful expression. It was like she was being asked to make an impossible choice. “Honey, you and Brooke?” She asked.
“Hey Mother, at least your favorite son would be free for Taylor.” He took a sip of his drink. “Anyway, I’m going to try and get through to her before it’s too late. I think her taking his ring was a knee jerk reaction okay, and I have to believe she’d be better off with me.”
“So now what Stephanie?” Eric smiled. “It looks like one way or another one of our sons is going to be married to Brooke, if she has them.”
“She was more tolerable with Thorne.” Stephanie muttered.
“Is that a complement?” Thorne chuckled.
“I suppose it is. I don’t want her in our lives, but you brought out something in her that I could touch, you brought a nicer side to her. She’s horrible with Ridge and she is going to ruin his life. I just hope she doesn’t ruin yours.”
“So you’re backing me?” He asked.
“I’d rather neither of you was with her, but I suppose if I had to chose.” Stephanie sighed.
“You’d prefer to sacrifice me.” Thorne gulped down the drink and poured more.
“I’m afraid you’re right son.” Eric told him. “But it’s the most you’ll ever get from your mother on this matter.”
“And you Dad?” Thorne asked.
“I want you all happy. I’m afraid that Brooke’s heart will always point her to Ridge. I don’t want to see her break yours. And son, she said yes to him.”
“But she didn’t hear from me yet when she did.” He insisted. “I think I can change her mind. I think I can bring back some really happy memories for her.”
“I wish you luck, but I won’t chose sides.” Eric told him.
“That’s all I can ask of you.”


“Mom! Mom! Let me in!” Bridget pounded on the door. “Rick break it, break it down if she won’t open!” She begged her brother.
“Mom, open the door. Come on Mom.” Rick said in as calm a voice as he could manage. Bridget held onto his sleeve as he knocked again.
“Do something.” She told him.
“Mom, open the door.” He ordered.
They both let out a sigh of relief as the door slowly cracked open.
“I’m losing him.” Brooke sobbed. “I’m losing him.”
Bridget looked at her mother in confusion. “Losing who Mom?”
“Blood, there’s blood. I’m bleeding.” Brooke looked down at the floor at her stained panties.
“It’s okay Mom, you’re fine, it’s just your period.” Bridget told her. She turned to Rick. “I can handle this.” She said softly. “She’s tired and confused.” Bridget helped Brooke to the toilet seat, she put down the lid and gently lowered her mother until she was sitting. “You’re fine Mom.”
“You don’t understand. I need to go to the doctor, I’m losing him Bridget, I can’t lose him.”
“Mom?” Bridget looked into the frightened woman’s face.
“I’m pregnant and I think I’m losing my baby.” Brooke cried softly. “Please, get me to a doctor, please Bridget, get me to a doctor.”


“I don’t want to confuse them, or you.” Ridge told Taylor.
“Do I look that desperate?” She asked.
“I know you had hopes.” He gave her a sad look.
“I thought maybe we could make it work. I didn’t think that was such a foreign idea. I was putting our children first but believe me Ridge, I want no part of a loveless marriage. It’s not good enough for them or for me. So you don’t have to worry, stay, for them, at least you can have breakfast with them in the morning.”
“Taylor I never wanted to hurt you.”
“You didn’t.” She sighed. “Oh do whatever you have to do.” She threw her arms up in despair.
“I probably have to leave before they even get up.” He hemmed and hawed.
“Fine Ridge, just remember they ARE your children.”
“Please don’t be angry with me for loving her.” He said softly.
“She seems different, changed somewhat.” Taylor frowned. “She’s been through a lot hasn’t she?”
“She really has. It might help her to talk to you.”
“Oh right Ridge, I’m sure that would be really helpful.” She answered sarcastically.
“Well I guess you’re right, but maybe she could talk to someone.”
“James is back in town.” She told him. “But I suppose you’d be jealous.”
“I have no reason to ever be jealous of him.” Ridge smiled.
“Hmmm.” Taylor smiled. “You never know Ridge, he’s a wonderful man and both Brooke and I have been quite taken by his charms.”
“He could never have what was mine Taylor.” Ridge smiled confidently. “Not in a million years.”
They both turned at the sound of the phone.
“Excuse me.” Taylor said. She reached for it on the third ring. “Hello? Yes. Yes he is. What? Of course.” She turned to Ridge. “Ridge, it’s Rick, he says it’s important.”
“Thanks.” He said as he took the phone. “Yeah Rick. What? What? When? Where? Okay, okay, I’ll be right there. Yes, yes she is. Look we can talk about this later, I’ll see you in a little while.” He disconnected the phone and turned, pale faced towards Taylor. “I have to go, I have to go.”
“What’s wrong?” She asked with genuine concern.
“It’s Brooke, she’s in the hospital.”
“What? What’s wrong?” Taylor grabbed his arm.
“I don’t know, I’ll keep in touch. Tell the kids I love them and that I’m sorry.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Take care of her Ridge.” Taylor said as he walked out the door.


“Why didn’t she tell us? Why didn’t you tell us?” Bridget demanded of Ridge when he found them outside Brooke’s room at the hospital.
“How is she?” He asked.
“I don’t know. They made us leave.” Bridget was shaking and pale. “We can’t lose her again Ridge.”
“You won’t.” He promised.
“She can’t be that far along Ridge, she’s so thin. Is it yours?” She asked.
“No.” He said sadly. “Don’t pressure her about it though. It’s not easy on her.”
“I can’t believe this. She says he’s such a wonderful man and yet he leaves her for another woman after she gets pregnant with his kid? What a jerk.” Rick fumed.
“It’s not as simple as that.” Ridge tried to defend Brooke and the situation. “She wanted to be with me.”
“She may be losing it.” Bridget told Ridge.
“Maybe it’s for the best.” He sighed. “It would make things easier for everyone involved.”
“You still love her don’t you?” Bridget looked up at Ridge with fear in her eyes. “You still love her even though she’s having this jerk’s baby don’t you?”
“Yes Bridget, I still love her and I’ll love her baby too.” He assured her.
“She’s lucky.” Bridget let Ridge take her into his arms and hold her. The door opened and a doctor and nurse came out. The doctor said something to the nurse and walked on. She turned to the threesome.
“You can go in now. She’s going to be fine.”
“What happened? The baby?” Ridge asked.
“I’ll let her explain.” She gave him a sad look and walked away.
Ridge, Bridget and Rick walked into the room. Brooke was sitting on the bed crying into a tissue. There were used tissues scattered all over the bed.
“Mom?” Bridget went to her and put her arms around her. “Are you okay? The baby?” She asked.
Brooke looked up at Ridge, her eyes were red from tears.
“You lost him?” Ridge asked.
“No.” Brooke said sadly. She let go of Bridget and brought a fresh tissue to her nose and blew it.
“Then what happened Mom?” Rick asked.
She reached for Ridge’s hand. He sat next to her. “What happened Logan?”
“There is no baby.” She said softly.
“Oh Mom, I’m sorry.” Bridget said sadly. “I’m so sorry you lost it.”
“No.” She repeated. “There never was a baby.”
Ridge frowned and looked at her. “I don’t understand.”
“I never was pregnant.” She sighed. “They told me that it was because of a lack of nutrition, I was missing vitamins and things. I missed my period. I missed a few of them. I thought I was pregnant, I felt pregnant, but I wasn’t.” She looked up at Ridge. “How can I love a baby that never was? How can I miss a baby that never existed? Why can’t I stop crying for a loss of something that I never had to begin with?”
“Oh Brooke.” He put his arms around her. “You’re going to be just fine Brooke, just fine.”
“No I won’t.” She sobbed. “I loved him.” She rubbed at her belly. “I wanted him so badly Ridge.”
“Oh Mom.” Bridget sat down and took her hand. “And the bleeding?”
“You were right.” Brooke looked up at her. “I guess after eating again my body, my body adjusted.”
“Can you go home?” Rick asked.
“There’s nothing wrong with me.” She answered. “Nothing but a empty place here.” She patted her stomach. “And here.” She clutched at her heart.
“Maybe it’s for the best Logan. Now we can start our life together, just us. He doesn’t have to play a part anymore. It’s over now Logan, you’re free from it all now. You can finally put that all to rest.”
Brooke looked up at him as if she had been slapped. “For the best? For the best Ridge? I loved this baby! Loved him!”
“There was no baby!” He said sharply.
“To me there was. And I loved him and I wanted him and now he’s gone. Gone.”
“But don’t you see, it makes it better for us. We don’t have to worry about him coming and trying to push his way into our lives.”
“Nick.” Brooke said softly. “I have to tell Nick.” She started to cry. “Oh Nick, our baby.” She sobbed softly.
“Mom, the jerk just left you and went home, he didn’t even care about this baby. I’m sorry you feel so badly about this baby but you don’t need to worry about him. He’s probably relieved about it.”
“He and Carla can get on with their lives too Logan.” Ridge told her.
“Nick loved our baby!” She screamed at them. “He loved our baby and he loved me! And I loved him too! Damn it you all are acting like this is wonderful. I wanted this baby! I wanted Nick’s baby and now I have nothing, nothing.”
“You have me Logan, you have me and you have your kids and one day we’ll have a baby of our own, we will Logan, we will.”
“I want this baby, I want Nick’s baby.” She sobbed and turned away from them. “I have to tell him, I have to tell him now. Get me my purse, I need my purse.” She looked around frantically.
“Logan, he may not even be home yet. We can call him tomorrow.” Ridge said softly.
“We? No, not we Ridge, I will call him. Not you! Me!”
“Alright, I was just trying to help.” He told her.
“You’re glad! You’re glad about this.” She grabbed another tissue.
“I’m not glad, but it may be the best thing and Logan, it’s not like you lost a baby, there never should have been a baby and there never was a baby. This is what was meant to be. We will have our own baby and that baby will be loved and cherished.”
“This one was loved Ridge! This one was cherished! Nick and I both loved and cherished him! We did!”
“But there was no baby.” Ridge said softly.
“Leave it alone Ridge, just let her grieve.” Rick pulled him away. “Just give her time and it will be okay.”
“You can call him tomorrow Mom. You need to go home and get some rest.” Bridget told her.
“Okay.” Brooke said sadly. She got up from the bed and let Bridget put her arm around her. “I’m ready to go home.”


Nick groaned and stretched as he stepped off the train. “It smells the same.” He told Carla with sniff like he had stepped into something unpleasant.
“Be nice.” She laughed.
“It’s hard with a hangover.”
“And am I supposed to feel sorry for you?” She asked with a frown.
“Point me to the nearest bar. I think I’ll start over.” He told her.
“That won’t change anything Nick.”
“It dulls the pain.” He looked around. “I can’t believe I’m home.”
“Not quite.” She linked arms with him. “Soon we’ll be back in the apartment and then things will seem better.”
“Then it all starts. How am I ever supposed to do this?” He asked her.
“It will take time, but we’ll get it done.” She promised him.
“I think I’d rather get drunk.”
“That won’t get her back.” She answered.
“She wants him.” Nick said with a pout.
“If you want to take that attitude, he’ll get her. Now stop acting like a spoiled brat and let’s work on getting your life back in order shall we? Beginning by getting home and into some clean clothes.”
“Okay, you win this round.” He told her. “But let’s stop somewhere so I can get something cold to drink and some aspirin okay?”
“Okay.” She agreed.


Brooke’s eyes were still bloodshot from crying herself to sleep when she woke up. She smelled coffee brewing and smiled. “My kids.” She said softly to herself.
“Mom.” Bridget came into the bedroom carrying a glass of juice and a newspaper. “Rick is making coffee. What would you like to eat?”
“What time is it?” She asked.
“Late, but you didn’t fall asleep until way past three.” Bridget reminded her.
“What time is it now?” Brooke looked at the clock. “One o’clock? You should have gotten me up.”
“You needed your rest.” Bridget sat down on the bed. “Are you feeling any better?”
“I’m sorry I upset you all.” Brooke told her.
“It’s okay Mom, you had a right.”
“I was so sure Bridget, so sure and so happy.”
“To have his baby?” She asked.
“I love him Bridget, I know you don’t believe me but I do. I wanted to be with him but it just didn’t seem like it was meant to be. Now I guess I’ll never see him again.” She tried to smile as tears filled her eyes.
“If you want to see him Mom, then you do it, don’t let anyone stop you.”
“I need to call him.” Brooke reached for her purse. “One? That would make it eleven in New York, he’ll be up if he’s home.”
“Are you going to call now?” Bridget asked.
“I can’t put it off, he has a right to know. Now he can marry Carla without any more guilt.” The tears started to flow down her cheeks.
“You really do love him.” Bridget was shocked.
“I’d give anything to be with him right now, anything.”
“Oh Mom.” Bridget hugged her. “I love you Mom.”
“I love you too honey.” Brooke smiled through her tears. She pulled the note with Nick’s numbers out of her purse. “Moment of truth.” She reached for the phone.
“I’ll give you some privacy.” Bridget told her.


“Better?” Carla asked Nick. They were sitting at the counter of a pizza parlor drinking cold Cokes and eating hot slices of thin crusted pizza.
“Rather this was a beer.” He lifted his Coke can.
“Well, I’m glad you’re trying.” She took a bite.
“I am.” He sighed. “What do you think she’s doing now? You think she married him already?”
“No.” She answered honestly. “Dead women can’t get married.”
“True.” He laughed. “Thank God for death huh? But I bet she’s alive before I am.”
“Oh yeah.” Carla laughed. “With her money she can hire a team of attorneys.”
“How long do you think it will take me? Really? Be honest.”
“I don’t know, but we’ll do the best we can Nick, I promise. Now eat up, I want to get home.”


“How did it go?” Bridget came back with coffee for Brooke.
“No answer, he’s not back yet or he’s out.”
“Did you leave a message?” Bridget crinkled her nose.
“How am I supposed to do that? I can’t just leave a message, ‘Hi Nick, guess what? You’re not a Daddy anymore’.” Brooke sighed.
“You could ask him to call you.”
“I’ll try again.” Brooke reached for the phone.
“Want me to go?” Bridget asked her.
“No honey, stay for moral support.” She punched in the number that she had already memorized.
Bridget watched her as she waited.
“No answer yet.”
“Leave a message Mom.”
Brooke waved her off but took a deep breath. “Nick, it’s Brooke. I need to talk to you. I’ll call back. I hope you had a safe flight. I, I miss you. I, well, I’ll talk to you soon I hope. Bye.” She hung up the phone and looked at Bridget. “I’ll call later. Let’s have some breakfast or lunch or whatever.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Bridget laughed.


“Good to be home?” Carla asked as they entered the apartment.
“Strange to be home.” Nick told her. “It looks the same, but it feels so odd to me.”
“You want to shower first?” She asked.
“Ladies first.” He smiled. “Let me just look around okay?”
“Someone called.” She told him.
“SomeONE? Probably a million calls.” Nick laughed.
“I shut the phone off before I left, but I asked Dan to have someone turn it on when I called him from the train station.”
“Oh.” Nick sighed.
“It’s probably Dan, I asked for some names.”
“Names?”
“Lawyers.” She explained. She went and hit the button on the machine.
Nick felt his heart jump at the sound of her voice. “Brooke.” He whispered. “She called me Carla, she called me.”


“Ridge, hi.” Rick opened the door for him. “Mom is in the kitchen with Budge.”
“How is she today?” Ridge asked.
“Better than last night I think.”
“Well enough for a plane ride?” Ridge asked him.
“A plane? Why? Where are you going?”
“I got the preliminary papers from Jonathan. It’s not enough for her legal holdings, but it is enough to declare her alive. There is no baby, Nick is history, nothing holding us back now Rick. I’m taking her to Vegas Rick, in a few hours she’s going to be Mrs. Ridge Forrester.”

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