Previously
in Paradise:
Nick has agreed to take a job in
Sorry that it's been so long in coming. Please enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter 20
“You did this?” Brooke’s eyes widened in shock as she faced Ridge. “You did
this to me?”
“I did this for us. Just think about it
Brooke got out of the back of the limo, slamming the door shut. Ridge quickly
followed her. His smile faded when he saw the anger on her face. “Of all the
insensitive things. I can’t believe you would do that to me!”
“Huh?” Ridge reached for her but she slapped at his hands. “Come on
“You have no clue do you?” She was astonished that it never even occurred to
him what he was doing.
“I know you said you weren’t ready, but
“I was in a plane crash Ridge.” She shook her head. “People died. I almost
died. I clung to a piece of luggage, I swam for hours! It was not a trip to
“
“You never think.” She pushed him away again.
“
“I don’t think I want to go anywhere with you.” She sobbed softly, but she let
him comfort her as he took her into his arms and stroked her hair and kissed
her softly.
“I never meant to scare you, never.” He was so sincere that Brooke was starting
to feel badly for him. She looked into his eyes.
“Okay.” She whispered. “I believe you.” She dried her tears and seemed to find
her own inner strength. “But you weren’t thinking Ridge.”
“You’re right, I wasn’t. I should have done it differently but I just wanted to
be here, alone, with you.”
“Well you got your wish, for what that’s worth.” She angrily told him. “You
knew I would never have agreed.”
“Want to go to the room?” He asked. “I have a beautiful suite for us. We can
rest for a little while and then we can.”
“I’d just like to get back on the plane and finish my trip.” Brooke interrupted
him.
“Your trip?” He asked in confusion.
“I have business in
“It wasn’t his fault.” Ridge continued to stroke her hair. “As for
“How? Did you change my meetings? It’s very important that this gets taken care
of right away. I need to go now Ridge, whatever you want for us we can talk
about when I get home.”
“I sent Thorne.” He said sheepishly.
“Thorne was in on this too?” Brooke gasped.
“I told him you weren’t up to it and that I was going to take you to Big Bear
for a few days. He had no idea about my plan.”
“You had it all figured out didn’t you?” She said angrily.
“I thought so, I guess I was wrong. No, no I wasn’t. This is where we belong.
We need to be alone together. Marry me Logan, marry me today.”
“I have business to take care of.” She pulled herself free from his arms and
looked at the limousine. “Are you going to take me back to the airport or do I
need to get a cab?”
“I sent the jet home.
“But I’m ready to marry you?” She looked at him angrily. “You don’t know me
anymore Ridge, maybe you never knew
“Don’t say that.” He reached for her hand but again, she recoiled from him.
“Brooke I did this for us. You’re everything to me. I know I let you down
before but never again. It’s finally our time. Please just come into that chapel
with me and let me make you my wife. I swear you’ll never regret it.”
Nick walked through the office, checking out everything as he walked by. It was
more opulent than he had ever expected. But none of that was as important to
him as the fact that he was there, there in
She put down her briefcase and looked around. “I think it’s awesome. Thank you
so much for giving me this chance.”
“Thanks for taking it. I need all the help I can get. I’m way out of practice,
but not out of my league mind you.” He walked to the wet bar. “Sweet. They
spared no expense. Prince Omar must be even more important than I imagined.”
“Not him, you Nick. They really think a lot of you, when you told me about this
job I had no idea you were in charge of the entire West Coast office. You
should be so proud of yourself.”
“I was kind of floored myself. I really thought Don just wanted me to work with
the Prince, but opening an entire operation is pretty impressive. But I know
I’m the right man for the job.” He opened a box of small office supplies and
sorted through it.
“Do you think we should get to work now?” Cindy asked him.
“I think we should go back check out our apartments, get settled, have
something to eat and tomorrow start work.” He inspected a tape dispenser and
then a stapler.
“I really love mine.” Cindy smiled. “I really didn’t expect something so nice.”
“And the rent for the first six months is on the company. Nice write off for
them but a perk for us too. The furnishings are really nice.” He stopped and
seemed lost in thought.
“Are you going to see her today?” Cindy asked.
“You know, I’m so close, I swear I can even smell her, but I’m scared. I
dropped the ball Cindy. I lost all sense of who I was on that island once Ridge
and Carla arrived. I treated Carla abominably but the thing is, I wasn’t any
better to Brooke.”
“That can’t be true.” She defended him.
“I’ve never been a man to back away from anything and yet I did. I was
indecisive. I gave out all kinds of crazy signals. Carla was hurt, Brooke was
confused, and I let Ridge just move right in on the woman that I really and
truly loved. Now I have to wonder if it’s too late. All the bravado I had in
“Glad you noticed.” She smiled.
“If you were Brooke would you want me to come to you? Would I stand a chance?
She’s loved this guy for years, almost all her life but we, we connected. Damn
it I love her so much. Am I fooling myself thinking I have a chance at all?”
“Nick, from everything you’ve told me this wasn’t a one way relationship. Yes,
she may have history with this man but what you two shared can’t be just
dismissed either. What you had really can’t be compared to anything. It was
strange and it was scary but it was real too. You love her. You’d be insane to
just walk away. You need to go to her. You have to take a chance. You may not
win but if you don’t try you really won’t. She needs to know that it’s her that
you love and not Carla.”
“Should I go to her home or to her office? I am so out of tune with the whole
relationship thing. Here I am starting a huge branch of a big company and I’m
fine, but I shrink at the idea of winning back the woman I love.”
“Do whatever was quicker.” She answered. “Nick, if she loves you half as much
as I imagine she does it doesn’t matter where, just that you come to her. That
will really impress her.”
“What if she married him?” Nick frowned.
“Do you really think she would? Nick if what you had meant that little to her
then maybe she isn’t what you think she is. Personally I think you’re just
looking for trouble. That’s not like you.”
“You’re right, it’s not.” He agreed. “I’m going over there. I’m going to her
house, I’m going to tell her I’m here, I love her and I’m not going to crawl
off and die because of Ridge Forrester.”
“Good for you.” Cindy grinned.
“Tomorrow.” He added with a sigh.
“Nick.” She walked up to him and touched his arm. “Don’t put it off. You know
you don’t want to.”
“Am I crazy? Am I deluding myself? Was it just a crazy island fling? Do you
think she’s better off without me? Do I even have a right to disrupt her
reality? I was so sure but now that it’s here within my grasp, I just don’t
know anymore.”
“You’re afraid of rejection, but Nick, you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
“You’re right. Okay, let’s go get settled in, I’ll find something to wear that
will blow her away, and I’ll go get her.”
Brooke let Ridge lead her into the chapel. She squinted as the darkness
replaced the brightness of the outside. The moment her eyes adjusted they
widened and her mouth fell open. There were so many flowers she felt like she
was in a botanical garden. The soft white and pink candles gave the room a
romantic glow. “You planned all this?” She gripped his hand tightly as she saw
the beautiful white dress hanging from the coat rack. It rested on a familiar
Forrester Creations hanger. “You designed that for me?” Her world was rocked
again when the soft chamber music was replaced by the familiar strains of
‘Unforgettable’. “Ridge!” She couldn’t help smiling. “What have you done? How
did you do all this?”
“You’d be amazed what an inspired man can do
Brooke touched the material. “It’s beautiful.” She gasped. “I’m stunned.”
“This is our time Logan, all we have to do is take that walk.” He grinned at
her and squeezed her hand.
“Miss Logan?” A tall, exotic brunette woman walked over to them. She took the
gown from the rack. “Follow me please.”
“Ridge?” Brooke looked at him questioningly.
“Just go
Deacon frowned as he read the memo a second time. “I don’t get it, I just don’t
get it.” He put down the memo and pulled out his planner, using his finger to
guide him he skimmed down until he found what he was looking for. “This doesn’t
make any sense at all.” He picked up the phone and pushed the intercom button.
“Megan, it’s Deacon, you got a minute?”
“Sorry, I get you first.” Bridget laughed as she walked into his office and
pulled the phone from his hand. “He’ll get back to you Megan.” She said, then
she hung up the phone. “I’ve missed you.” She giggled into his ear. “You didn’t
wake me when you left.”
“Sorry Bridget. This job is important to me and I can’t afford to be late.”
“You’re married to the boss’s daughter.” She reminded him.
“All the more reason I need to prove myself.” He put his hands on her waist.
“You’re mother was really fair to me Bridget. I don’t want to let her down.”
“Don’t let me down and you won’t let her down.” She climbed on his lap. “Let’s
make love.” She giggled and started pulling on his shirt buttons.
“Bridget I’m really busy.” He pushed her hands from his shirt.
“Hey!” She frowned and sat straighter. “What’s going on? You weren’t like this
before. You couldn’t get enough of me, we rarely had time to lock the door
before you were in my panties.”
“You and Ricky boy were in control then Bridget. Things have changed. Now be a
good girl and go on home. We can pick this up later.”
“I’m going to have to talk to Mom about cutting you some slack.” She pouted.
“No.” He answered quickly.
“Deacon, please, let’s just make love. Come on, you promised me we would keep
doing it till we made a baby.” Her eyes sparkled as she smiled at him. Deacon
sighed and gently lifted her from his lap.
“I’m not sure the timing is right after all.” He saw her face fall. “You’re not
already are you?”
“No.” She whispered. “But I want to be.”
“Everything changed Bridget. We need to rethink it all.” He looked at his
watch. “I have a meeting in twenty minutes anyway.”
“Deacon things may not be different after all. Mom is not going to be very
interested in Forrester for long and I just know I can talk her into giving you
a bigger role.”
“Why wouldn’t she be interested?” He wondered. “When I talked to her she was
ready to take over just about everything.”
“Not after today.” Bridget giggled.
“Especially after today.” Deacon answered. “She’s hiring those new models, in
fact I’m waiting to hear from her, she was going to fax me some of the photos.”
He looked at his watch again.
“You can forget about that.” Bridget grinned and giggled.
“Damn it I had that feeling.” Deacon growled. “She acted like she really was
going to give me a chance but when I heard that Thorne was going to
“Don’t blame Mom.” Bridget laughed. “She didn’t know anything about it, but
today is going to be the happiest day of her life.”
“What are you rambling about?” Deacon was starting to find his young wife
annoying again.
“Ridge hijacked her away from her
“Okay, thanks. Yeah, tell her Nick called. Okay. Yes, thank you.” He hung up
and scratched his head. “Of all the lousy luck.” He walked back into the outer
office where Cindy was arranging her desk. “She’s away on business.” He sat
down on a spare chair. “I come all the way from
“For how long?” Cindy asked. “I’m sure it’s not forever.”
“The woman didn’t say or didn’t know or didn’t want to tell me. I’ll look
stupid if I call back.” He picked up the Rolodex and moved it from hand to
hand. “I guess I could call her house, maybe one of her kids would tell
“It can’t hurt to try.” She answered.
“I think I’ll do that from home, they’re probably at work or school. This way
we can both get settled, unpack a bit, shower and change then I’ll pick you up
for dinner.”
“If you’d rather be alone.” She looked up at him.
“I’d rather have a nice dinner with you.” He admitted.
“Okay.” She smiled at him. “Then let’s go and you promise me you’ll make that
call.”
“I will.” He promised.
“Do you have any idea what’s going on around here?” Eric was frowning as he
entered Stephanie’s office.
“What do you mean?” She looked up from the folder of photos that she was going
through.
“Thorne went to
“It tells me that everyone is hustling to get this showing to work. I’m glad
Thorne went, Brooke isn’t in the swim yet, she needed help, I’m glad Thorne was
able to get through to her. This was his baby Eric, he knows what we need.”
“I won’t deny that, but with him gone and Brooke gone and Ridge no where to be
found it seems everything is falling on my shoulders.”
“And what capable ones they are.” She smiled and got up and kissed him. She
gently massaged his shoulders.
“I left a message at Brooke’s hotel but she hasn’t called me back. Do you know
if Thorne is staying there too?” He asked his wife. She looked at him with a
sly smile.
“I hope so.” She said coyly.
“You do?” Eric was confused but suddenly the light went on. “You’re still ready
to sacrifice him to save Ridge aren’t you?”
“She was much easier to get along with when she was with Thorne. If she has to
be in this family better it’s with someone who brings out the best in her.”
Stephanie dared him to object. “Besides, you know Thorne is still in love with
her.”
“So is Ridge. I think you’re setting yourself up for a big disappointment
Stephanie. But I will support either relationship if it comes to be. Just
remember, we have to be there for the brother who ends up alone.”
“He’ll be the lucky one.” Stephanie muttered. “But.” She turned to Eric. “I’ll
be there for him.”
Nick closed the second suitcase and then shoved it into the closet. He had done
a lot of unpacking and the place was starting to look like a home. He still had
boxes of books and CD’s as well as two more suitcases of clothes, though ill
fitting at this point. He walked to one of the boxes and opened it. It hit him
like a thunderbolt. The photo he had cut from the magazine of Brooke was
sitting right on top. “I miss you Princess.” He said with a sad smile. “I
wonder if you miss me. Damn Nick, you gotta get a
life if you’re going to start talking to photographs.” He shook his head but
placed the photo on the dresser. “You need a frame.” He told it and then
laughed at himself. “You’re just not used to living alone Nick.”
The sun was setting, giving the room a warm, orange colored glow. He walked to
the window and looked out. “I could learn to like it here. If, oh God if.” He
stopped himself. “I’ll like it no matter what. I have a career and I have a
child, if Brooke is happy I won’t stand in her way no matter how much I love
her.” He knew he had to try and stop thinking about her, he’d never get through
the next few days waiting for her return if he didn’t. He also needed to give
his job his full concentration, something he never had any trouble doing in the
past. He walked to the closet and started looking through the small assortment
of clothes that fit him. He pulled out a pair of khaki pants and was looking
for a shirt when the phone rang. “Hmmm.” He walked over to the phone and picked
it up. “Hello.”
“Hi Nick, how’s the
“Carla.” A smile crossed his face and he sat down on the bed. “It’s great to hear
from you.”
“So how do you like it? How’s the apartment? The office? Everything?”
“The apartment is great, everything I could ever ask for and more. The office
is like a palace. Everything is brand new and top of the line. I can’t wait to
get started, though I admit I’m a bit nervous. Cindy has already made it feel
occupied, she’s great.”
“Yes she is.” Carla agreed. “Have you started looking into staff? I’ve checked
into some prospects for you and I faxed them to your office, you should check
them out in the morning. I think this one man, Ethan Scott looks really good.
He’s got a degree from
“Thanks.” Nick answered. “It’s pretty hectic and I really do appreciate your
help.”
“I wish I could fly out there and help but I have to head to
“You said you’d try and I can’t get mad at you for being indispensable to Dan.”
He chuckled. “But I think I’m more disappointed because I miss you.”
“You can’t miss me this soon.” She laughed. Then she turned serious. “Have you
seen her yet?”
“She’s out of town, I guess it won’t be for a few days.” He said in a tone that
denoted his disappointment and sadness.
“You’ve waited this long, you can wait a few more days. Besides, it will give
you more time to devote to getting the office going.”
“I have a lot to do, that’s true, but it’s hard to stop thinking about her now
that I’m here.”
“Will you be able to stay if it doesn’t work out?” She asked him. “Because
Nick, this job is good for you and if you can’t deal with being out there,
well.”
“I won’t blow it Carla. I’m a pro, you know that. I won’t be happy, I admit
that, but I know that life goes on and I do have a lot to be thankful for.
Being out here will give me a chance to know my son, even if I’m not with his
mother. It could be worse. I’ll survive, I promise you.”
“Good.” She sighed softly with relief. “I’m worried about you Nick, you’re in
unfamiliar turf, starting something brand new and you’re counting so heavily on
this working. I just don’t want to see your whole world fall apart.”
“She could say yes you know.” He said with a touch of annoyance.
“I know she could, maybe she will, I just want you to be prepared and to hold
on and stay strong. I love you Nick and I only want you happy.”
“I spoke to Deacon today.” Amber said after she swallowed a bite of her
sandwich.
“Yeah? And?” Rick asked. He was not too interested in Deacon Sharpe, he didn’t
really approve of him as a husband for his sister and he disliked Amber’s
continued interest in a man who had tried to tear them apart.
“He said Thorne went to
“That’s crazy, she wouldn’t have brought him, not with the plans she had.” Rick
frowned. “Deacon has to be wrong.”
“I don’t think so. He’s not in his office.”
“He has a lot to do, just because he isn’t in his office doesn’t mean he went
to
“Your parents are dinosaurs Rick, they both need to change or the business and
the world will pass them by. This.” She held up another sketch. “This is what
the youth wants and today’s youth is who is buying clothes.”
“Just try and tone it down a little, that’s all I’m asking.” Rick told her.
“Look, I gotta go see Ridge. We have some unfinished
business.”
“You really don’t approve of him for you mother do you baby?” Amber asked him.
“He always hurts her. He will again. And he’s pushing her, he’s trying to pressure
her into things she isn’t ready for. She really has feelings for this Nick guy
and until she works them out or gets them out of her system she can’t marry
Ridge or anyone else.”
“What if it was your Dad?” Amber suggested and took another bite of her
sandwich.
“As much as I’d love them back together it’s not going to happen, they’ve both
moved on.”
“Your dad still loves her, I can tell.”
“Mom loves him, as a friend, she’s already way too torn over Ridge and this
Nick to even suggest she start something with Dad again.”
“So what is it Ridge is pushing?” She asked him.
“Marriage, he keeps insisting she has to jump and marry him. She’s not ready
and he knows that!”
“Isn’t that up to your mother to tell him?” Amber wondered.
“She’s fragile. She’s been through so much and she’s so grateful to him that
I’m afraid she might marry him for all the wrong reasons.”
“She’s wanted to for years Rick. Are you sure this isn’t just about the rivalry
that you and Ridge have?”
Rick frowned but then thought deeply. “Maybe a little.” He confessed. “But she
isn’t ready and I’m really scared she might give in just to not rock the boat.”
“Then talk to him, but don’t make him an enemy Rick, not if your mother might
end up marrying him.” She wisely advised him.
Two days later Rick made his way to his father’s office. He knocked and walked
in. “Dad, what’s going on?” He asked.
Eric looked up from his designs. “What do you mean?” He asked.
“Mom, Thorne, Ridge? No one is around, no one answers messages and no one is telling
me anything. Someone has to know and I think you do. What’s going on Dad? Tell
“Sit down son.” Eric said softly.
“Shit.” Rick muttered. “It’s bad isn’t it?”
“To you maybe, but not to your mother I’m sure.” He said with a compassionate
smile. “Ridge took your mother to
“That’s wrong Dad!” Rick slammed down his fist. “That’s so damn wrong of him!
He knew she was confused! He knew she wasn’t ready but he kept on pressuring
her! God I hate him!”
“Now son, your mother is certainly capable of making her own decisions. You
know how long she has loved Ridge. Be happy for her, for them.”
“He’s an ass.” Rick growled.
“I hope you try harder to show your mother some support when they get home. She
loves you so much. He’s her husband now. This should be a happy time for her,
please don’t spoil it.”
“He didn’t even give her a wedding like he always did for
“We’ll give them a party Rick, a huge celebration like she’s never seen
before.” Eric promised. “We’re a family son and we will all be happy for them.”
“Have you spoken to Mom?” Rick asked him.
“No, but I talked to Ridge. They’re both happy, they just wanted a couple of
days alone, to celebrate their love. They may even be back today, I’m not sure.
I’m hoping they call from the plane.”
“Does anyone else know?” Rick asked.
“Stephanie and Bridget, no one else.” Eric answered.
“So no one planned on telling me?”
“I was going to son.” Eric assured him. “I also must break the news to
“Oh like she cared about Mom when she stole Ridge from her?” Rick said with
bitterness.
“Don’t be angry with
“She never got to tell him. That bastard didn’t even let her do what he knew
she wanted to do.” Rick muttered.
“What do you mean? Tell who what?” Eric asked.
“Never mind. If it doesn’t matter to her I guess it shouldn’t matter to me
either.” He shrugged and got up. He started to the door, turned around and
shook his head. “He’ll hurt her Dad, you know he will.”
“Not this time Rick, this time I think they are finally both on the same page.”
He could smell the fragrant flowers and hear the sound of the gulls crying their
sad song. He felt so serene he didn’t even want to open his eyes but then he
smelled the tangy citrus smell of the orange and his stomach started to growl.
He opened his eyes and he was once more in paradise. She smiled at him, her
long blonde hair flowing over her bare, tan breasts, her nipples were hard and
alluring, the skimpy sarong gently blowing from her waist.
“You’re finally awake sleepyhead.” She giggled. “You have no idea how hungry I
am. I’ve been waiting so long.”
“You should have eaten without me.” He answered sleepily.
“That would have been impossible.” She purred sexily. “Because the only thing
that I’m hungry for is you.”
“Get over here.” He demanded. She smiled and slowly walked towards him.
“I see you want me as much as I want you.” Her eyes zeroed in on his rock hard
erection. Nick looked down at the source of his pain and discomfort. He needed
to be inside her, buried in her warm, wet folds.
“I need you.” He moaned.
“So nice.” Her hand found him and circled his thick shaft, stroking up and down
his length. “So many things I can do with you. Where do I start?” She teased.
“Anywhere, anywhere, just now Princess, if not then I’m going to explode.” He
groaned.
“Explode inside me.” She climbed onto his lap and slowly started to lower
herself down.
“Brooke! Brooke!” He shouted as he could no longer hold back. “Shit!” His eyes
opened wide and he was alone, alone in a strange bed in a strange state,
holding himself as his own juices flowed over his hand. “Shit.” He repeated.
“This ends today! Today!”
“Something more is going on.” Deacon complained to the beautiful brunette. “But
I’m just the idiot son-in-law so they tell me nothing.”
“Does your pretty little wife know anything?” Tatiana ran her fingernail from
his knee to his upper thigh.
“Who knows? Yeah. No. Maybe.” He sighed. “I don’t know why I even care.”
“But you do?” Tatiana asked him.
“I like her. She can be a queen bitch but I like her. I have a respect for the
woman. It’s weird. I think she can’t decide if she likes me or hates
“You intrigue her.” She answered.
“Yeah, maybe. She intrigues me that’s for sure. I have to wonder how a hot,
confident woman like that would get involved with someone like Ridge Forrester.
I also wonder how an emotionally retarded kid like Bridget can be hers.”
“My Deacon, how kindly you speak of your wife.”
“She was an end to a means, I like the kid, I do, but it was never about a love
or passion with us. I’m not sure how long I can play along, I guess it depends
on what I can get out of it all. But seriously, how did a woman like Brooke
raise someone like Bridget? It just floors me when I see the sensuous woman
walking around and I realize I’m married to her daughter. Something doesn’t
fit.”
“I’ve read some of the family history. It’s odd to say the least. It all
borders on incest. It’s no wonder your child bride is like she is.” She threw
back her long brown hair. “I wonder why you stay.”
“So do I.” Deacon admitted. “Maybe because she’s actually giving me a chance.
No one else ever did you know. I don’t want to hurt her, even if I know I don’t
belong with her.”
“Poor, poor Deacon.” Tatiana laughed. “You’re a player and you’re not fooling
me for a minute.”
“Takes one to know one.” He grabbed her hand from his leg. “You’ve been playing
ME since you met me. I don’t know what you think you’ll get out of it.”
“A partner in crime perhaps.” She laughed. She looked down at his lap. “Are you
always hard or is it only me who does that to you?”
“Bitch.” He dropped her hand and stood up, arranging his pants to try and hide
the telltale signs.
“You want to f*ck me so bad.” She laughed. “How do you even know if I’m any
good?”
“Are you?” He asked.
“Perhaps.” She smiled. “Maybe we should just get it out of the way so we can
get back to a more professional relationship. I want things of you and I think
you want them of me. More than just sex I think.”
“Actually.” He sat down again. “It was all about sex. At least in the
beginning.”
“And it changed?” She asked.
“I want to know what your game is. I want to see what you do and who you do it
to. I know there is someone here that you have a major grudge against and I
want to sit back and enjoy the show.”
“And if it is Brooke or Bridget?” She raised her eyebrow in challenge.
“Then I’ll take you down.” He said with a look that was so serious that it
stunned the woman. “Don’t doubt that for one minute.”
“Wow.” Cindy stood up as Nick walked into the office. She had never seen him
look this good. He wore a new suit that was so perfectly cut that she knew it
was custom made for him. It was a deep charcoal with a light thread of a bluish
gray. His shirt matched the blue perfectly as did his tie. Cindy was not just
impressed but found him more attractive than ever. There was nothing like a man
in a good suit. “Are you meeting the prince today?” She asked.
“I’m going to Forrester today. I’ve waited way too long. She’s not going to
avoid me. I’m going to see her and tell her how I feel.” He walked over to her
desk. “I’m going crazy Cindy, I really am.”
“What if she’s still away?” She asked him.
“Then I’m going to insist on a number where I can reach her. I can’t go through
another night like the last one. I need to know where I stand. I need to show
her where I stand. Frankly I think she’s back and she’s putting off talking to
me again. She’s scared, everything between us scares her and it’s easier for
her to pretend that status quo is just fine if she ignores it. I’m not going to
let her do that anymore. I love the woman and I want a life with her, with her and
our son and damn it I am not going to go quietly.”
“No, I haven’t heard from her.” Megan spoke into the phone. “I’m not sure. No,
I can’t do that. I will give you her message. Yes, the showing is still on as
planned. Yes. No, he’s not here either. I don’t know. I’m sorry but I can’t
give you any more information.” She hung up the phone in frustration and looked
up to find Stephanie. “These calls are getting worse. Everyone wants to talk to
Brooke and the rumor mill is going wild. Mostly about her and Ridge.”
“Try and get rid of them as best you can.” Stephanie instructed her.
“She isn’t in
“She’s fine. She’ll be back soon Megan.”
“So is this a big secret?” Deacon asked as he joined them. “The company’s CEO
is no where to be found and no one is talking? Come on Queenie,
spill. Where is she? I think my wife would like to know.”
“Mind your own business Deacon.” Stephanie said with a deep frown.
“This is my business. I work for her and in case you’ve forgotten, she’s my
mother-in-law.”
“There you are!” Bridget laughed as she joined the group at Megan’s desk. She
put her arms around Deacon and to his embarrassment, kissed him full on the
mouth. “I was looking for you.”
“I was working Bridget.” He told her. “And now I am trying to find out where
your mother is.”
“Don’t you worry about her Deacon.” Stephanie reminded him. Then she turned
back to Megan. “Don’t let them get to you. It will all be over soon.”
“Thanks.” Megan sighed as she watched the older woman walk away. She turned
back to Bridget and Deacon. “Everyone wants to talk to Brooke. It’s hard when I
have no answers.”
“Tell me about it.” Deacon agreed. “I don’t know what’s with the old biddy but
I intend to find out.”
“Deacon forget it. It’s okay.” Bridget stroked his arm. “Would you like to have
some lunch with me?”
“I’m swamped Bridge, how about I try to get off a little early and we go to
dinner?”
“We could eat in your office. Please Deacon.” She begged.
“Look, let me finish something I’m in the middle of and maybe we can grab a
sandwich in an hour or so okay?”
“Alright.” She hugged him. “I’ll let you go this time.”
“Megan, if Brooke calls please tell her I need to talk to her.” Deacon looked
hopefully at her.
“You and me both.” She laughed. “But yes, I will tell her, I promise.”
“See you later.” Deacon gave Bridget a quick kiss on the cheek and walked off.
“Mom is fine. Don’t worry.” Bridget told Megan.
“And so is he.” Megan said with an appreciative glance at the handsome man approaching
her desk.
“Who is that?” Bridget asked her.
“I haven’t a clue but if he says the word, I’m his.” Megan giggled.
Both women watched him as he walked up to them.
“Hi, can I help you?” Megan asked him with a smile. “Do you have an appointment
with someone here?”
“Well, maybe a long standing one. I’m looking for Brooke Logan.”
“Reporter.” Bridget whispered to Megan.
“Friend.” Nick corrected Bridget. “You’re Bridget aren’t you?”
“Do I know you?” She gave him an odd look.
“Nick Parker.” He held out his hand to her. She tentatively took it. “I’m
really anxious to talk to your mother.”
“Megan, I’m going to take Mr. Parker to my Mom’s office.” Bridget turned to
Nick. “Come on.”
“You’re the man from the island.” Megan looked at Nick.
“One and the same. Is Brooke in?”
“Come on with me.” Bridget told him. He squinted but followed the girl into the
large, impressive office.
“So this is where she does her magic huh?”
“Mr. Parker.” Bridget started.
“It’s Nick.” He answered with a smile. “Is something wrong? I know she’s been
avoiding me but I really do need to speak to her.”
“And I’m sure she’ll be happy to talk to you when she gets back.” Bridget
walked to Brooke’s desk and picked up a photo of Brooke and Ridge. “You met
Ridge.” She showed him the photo.
“I’ve had the err, pleasure.” He laughed softly. “I’m sure he won’t be too
happy to hear that I’m here but.”
“Mom is with Ridge.” She stopped him.
“I’m sure she can spare me a minute or two.” He was starting to get annoyed but
also starting to lose some of his confidence. “I won’t upset her, it’s just
that we do have things to discuss.”
“They aren’t here.” Bridget explained.
“The business trip.” He remembered. “He went with her?”
“Look Nick, I know you care about my Mom.”
“I care very much.” He answered.
“But there are things that you just don’t understand.”
“I know about her history with Forrester.” He said in a gruff tone.
“It’s more than that.”
“She’s wearing his ring, yeah, yeah, I know that too. Are you trying to warn me
off? I hope not because I am a man on a mission and I’m not just walking away.
We have our own ties Bridget. I don’t know how much your mother has told you.”
“Ridge took Mom to Vegas.” She looked him straight in the eye. “They got
married Nick. She’s his wife now.”
“What?” The word was almost a whisper. He had been prepared for just about
anything, but not for this. “Married?”
“It’s what she wanted. If you know her at all you know it’s true.”
“They’re married?” He asked again. “She didn’t even talk to me first?”
“Shouldn’t that tell you something Nick?” Bridget asked him.
“Yeah. Yeah, it sure does.” He shook his head.
“I didn’t tell you to hurt you. I just thought you should know. I don’t think
you’d want the shock of seeing her walk in with Ridge like that.”
“She married him. She knows I was trying to talk to her forever and she just
married him.”
“She loves him. It was always Ridge.”
“But we, the baby, I just, I.” He stammered.
“There is no baby, not anymore.” She said softly.
Nick felt like he was sucker punched. “What do you mean not anymore? What do
you mean there is no baby? No, no she wouldn’t do that, not after all we did to
protect him. She loved him, she wanted him.”
“She loves Ridge more. I’m sorry.” Bridget made no attempt to correct his
misunderstanding. It was better this way. Brooke was with Ridge now, where she
belonged. This man needed to move on and make his own life. It would be better
if her mother never had to see him again. She felt a tinge of guilt but pushed
it aside. “I’m sorry, I know this hurts but you had to know. You’ll find your
own happiness, I’m sure you will, but it was never really with my mother.”
“I gotta go, I really gotta
go.” He turned to leave and bumped into a table. He stumbled out of the office
like a blind man. His worst fear had been realized. He had lost her, but he had
also lost his child. He had lost everything, it was gone, it was gone forever
and she hadn’t even given him a second thought.
Bridget watched him leave. “It’s better this way. She would have hurt you if
you heard it all from her. You can get past this and find your own life now. I
wish you luck, I really do.” But he was already gone and didn’t hear her words.
“Are you alright?” Megan asked him. The man seemed to be in shock. “Mr.
Parker?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He answered. But he was as far from fine as could be.
“Can I give Brooke a message?” She asked as he started down the hallway.
“Tell her to have a nice life.” He muttered. “Tell her, tell her, oh the hell
with it.”
“I told you I wasn’t going to change my mind.” Brooke told Ridge as they
started to get out of the limousine. “Now I’ve missed all the meetings and I
feel like I’m losing control of everything.”
“I hoped you would change your mind. I counted on it Logan.”
“You really don’t know me anymore Ridge.” She took his hand and squeezed it.
“But it was all beautiful. Everything you did for me was perfect.”
“We could just go away.” He pressed. “They don’t expect us back so soon.”
“I’ve spent too much time away already.” She answered. “I have so much to do,
so many phone calls to make.”
“I don’t want you to overdo it.” He chastised her.
“I’m a grown woman Ridge. Stop treating me like a child.” She smiled at him.
“Now I have a lot of work to do and so do you.”
“
“No.” She laughed.
“We need a honeymoon Logan.”
“A what?” She laughed again. “Oh Ridge.” She linked her arm with his. “Let’s
get inside, I’m sure everyone is wondering where we were and what was going
on.”
“Before I do that, I have somewhere I need to go, so you go on in without me
Logan and I won’t be long.” Ridge opened the car door.
“Sure, feed me to the sharks.” Brooke teased.
“Just go to your office and ignore everyone.” Ridge advised her. “I won’t be
long.”
“What happened Bridget? The guy who just left was NOT the same man who walked
into that office.” Megan spoke of Nick. “What did you tell him?”
“The truth.” Bridget answered.
“What truth?” Megan was confused.
“Oh you’ll find out soon enough anyway.” Bridget decided. “Mom never made it to
New York.”
“What?” Megan gasped, her mind already thinking the worst.
“Ridge hijacked her.” Bridget said quickly.
“You really scared me.” Megan sighed. “So she’s off with Ridge? I know this
trip was really important to her. What happened?”
“He took her to
“That must have been so hard on him.” Megan looked to where Nick had just been.
“I’m sure it was, but he needed to know that it was over and that Mom was were
she not only belonged but where she wanted to be.”
Nick walked in a daze. He barely noticed anything as he stepped out of the
building. He had prepared himself for rejection, but never anything like this.
“She aborted our baby. How? How could she do that?” He asked as he turned to
look back at the building. “For him? For him? He promised he would love him and
then this.” He looked out at the parking lot, trying to remember where he had
parked. He had come here with such high hopes and now his entire world had been
shattered. He shot an evil look at the limousine parked nearby. Fancy cars,
expensive gowns, rich people, he wanted nothing more to do with that world now,
he wanted to forget he ever had ties to it.
Brooke was about to step out of the car when she dropped her purse. She leaned
over and retrieved all the contents as they rolled across the car floor. If she
had been able to look up she would have seen the devastated man leaving the
building but fate had once more intervened. Nick walked off unnoticed as Brooke
continued her search for her rolling lipstick.
As hard as she tried
“Did you need anything?” The bartender asked as he came back to her.
“Sorry, I was talking out loud. Silly of me.” She looked down at her nearly
empty wineglass. “I guess you can give me another.” She tried her best to smile
but it just wouldn’t come.
“Merlot?” He asked.
“Yes.” She answered.
“Anything else? Maybe I could show you a menu?” He suggested.
“I’ve eaten here so many times that I know it all by heart.”
“I’ll get your wine.” He told her and then walked to the other end of the bar
to wait on two newly arrived customers.
“Here you go.” The bartender gave her a smile and put down the fresh glass of
wine. He reached for her empty glass but
“Beer.” He said gruffly.
“Draft? Bottle?” He smiled at his customer.
“I don’t care, just get me something now.” He pulled out a wallet and pulled
out several large bills. “And don’t let the glass go empty.”
“Looks like you’re in about as good a mood as I am.”
“Not if it was the last piece of clothing on earth.” He muttered.
“Sorry, not one of my top choices at the moment either, it’s just that your
suit is very nice.” She told him. She looked at him again, appreciating the
view despite her unhappiness. He looked oddly familiar to her. “Have we met?”
She asked him. “You see, I’m not exactly at the top of my game today and you
look like I might know you and I certainly don’t want to offend you or anyone
else.”
He took a gulp of the beer that the bartender had just placed in front of him
and turned to her. “None taken and I hope that you don’t take any either. You
seem like a nice person and I’m sure you’re just trying to be friendly but I
didn’t come here to make friends or to engage in chitchat. I came here to get
disgustingly drunk and to just wallow all by myself. So maybe if we meet again
sometime but for now I just want to be left alone.” He then picked up his beer
and walked to the far end of the bar, sat down and proceeded to empty the mug.
“I don’t have time to chat with you Stephanie, I have a ton of things on my
list to do and even more people to get in touch with. I’ll talk to you later
but for now I really need to concentrate on business.” She then turned to
Megan. “Will you please come with me into my office, I need your help.”
Megan looked from Brooke to Stephanie.
“Go ahead, humor her.” Stephanie told the young woman. “I’ll go find my son.”
“I don’t want you to give your mother a hard time Rick.” Eric warned his
youngest son. “This is what she wanted, she’s happy and I don’t want you to
spoil it for her.”
“I’ll try, but don’t ask me to act like I think this is a good thing. It’s not
Dad, he’s going to hurt her, probably sooner than later. But I promise you one
thing. When he does I’ll be there for her and I won’t be giving her the old ‘I
told you so’ lines.” Rick walked to the window and looked out. “I can’t believe
Ridge just took off on her like that.”
“We don’t have any idea where he went. For all we know it was to set up another
surprise for your mother. He loves her Rick, he loves her so very much.”
“He has a hell of a way of showing it.” Rick grumbled. “You know what I really
don’t get is Bridget.”
“Why?” Eric queried.
“She’s so for this. She’s so excited. She saw how lost and scared Mom was when
she got home, she saw how she seemed to shrink away from Ridge and his
professions of love and yet she’s acting like a lonely old maid who eats up
anything even remotely romantic. I don’t think she understands anything about
it at all.”
“Your sister sees what I see, a couple who have always tried so hard to be
together and have finally made it. I intend to make this the biggest
celebration this family has ever seen.”
“So Thorne hasn’t sent anything?” Brooke looked perturbed as she questioned her
assistant. “I knew this wasn’t going to work out and it’s going to throw us
even further behind which is something we really can’t afford.”
“I’m sure he’ll bring everything back with him. Thorne’s done a wonderful job
with everything while you were gone Brooke. Trust him, please trust him.” Megan
pleaded with her.
“I do, I guess I’m just disappointed. I really had looked forward to taking
this on myself. I wanted to really throw myself back into things, but then
Ridge. Well, that’s Ridge isn’t it.” She smiled and giggled. “I tried so hard
to be mad at him Megan and I was, I really was, but Ridge just has a way about
him and I’ve never really been able to stay mad at him no matter what he does.”
“Was it as romantic as everyone is saying?” Megan asked her friend.
“Sometimes I think if you look up the word romantic in the dictionary you’d
find a picture of Ridge.” Brooke smiled. “Megan he thought of everything. Any woman
would have been totally blown away by it all. The gown, I don’t know if you saw
it or not but it was the most beautiful thing he’s ever created. He had the
little chapel filled with all of my favorite flowers and candles and then the
music.” Her eyes filled with tears. “He had Unforgettable start to play the
moment I walked in. It was everything I had ever hoped for. How could I have
stayed mad when he did all that?” She asked.
“I’m sure you couldn’t.” Megan smiled. “Ridge is amazing when he sets his mind
to something.”
“He seems to have something else up his sleeve right now too. He wouldn’t come
in with me, he took off on some secret mission.” She laughed. “But he is just
going to have to wait, I have a lot to do and little time to do it.”
“I’m sure the others would take over Brooke, after all this is something you’ve
waited so long for.”
“Take over?” Brooke gasped. “No way. I told you Megan, when I came back I came
back with full intention of showing the world that Brooke Logan might have been
gone, but she is back now and the world just better watch out.”
“Just don’t overdo it Brooke, you deserve to sit back and just be happy.” Megan
tried to remind her.
“Later.” Brooke answered. “Now I want you to pull all the files that I had
intended to look at in
“Okay boss.” Megan smiled. “But I want all the rest of the details later. Well,
not the intimate ones, but the others okay?”
“Scoot!” Brooke giggled and walked her to the door. Once Megan left Brooke
pulled out her planner and stared down at a number. “I wanted to do this in
person but now I can’t. I can’t put it off any longer either.” She punched in
the numbers and listened to the phone ring. “Yes, hello. I’m trying to reach Nick
Parker, is he in? What? He what? Where did he? Oh, oh I see. No, no, I’ll try
something else.” She put down the phone and started at the receiver. “He
doesn’t work there anymore.” She sighed and looked up another number. She would
try him at home. She punched in that number and waited for the answer. The
woman’s cool, professional voice came on. “You have reached Carla Darvers, I’m not available right now but leave me a message
and I’ll get back to you.” Brooke hesitated but then hung up. “Just Carla?” She
asked aloud. “Maybe they didn’t change the message yet.” But she was concerned.
She redialed the first number she had called. “Hello, yes, I’d like to speak to
Carla Darvers please. Yes, thank you.” She sighed
with relief and waited.
“Ms. Darvers office.” A woman answered.
“Yes, I’d like to speak to Carla please, this is a, errr,
friend of hers.” Brooke improvised.
“I’m sorry but Ms. Darvers is away right now. If
you’d like to leave a message I’ll pass it on to her if she calls in.”
“No, no, never mind.” Brooke said softly. “Thanks anyway.” She hung up.
“They’re both gone. Maybe they’re honeymooning.” She sighed again and put down
the phone. “Oh Nick, please be happy.” She whispered. “Please be happy.”
Nick finished his second beer and started to reach for the third when he pushed
it away. “No, no she is not going to get away without facing me. She’s going to
explain how she could do this, how she could do this.” He pulled the cell phone
from his pocket and tentatively fingered the auto dial number that he had
entered weeks earlier. “I need to hear it from her, I need to hear how she
could do this to our child.” He pushed the number and took a deep breath.
“Brooke Logan.” The familiar, friendly voice answered. “Hello? Hello? Is anyone
there?”
“
“Nick?” She gasped.
“Give the kid the prize, she remembered.” He said with a bitter laugh.
“Oh Nick. I just tried to call you. They said you didn’t work there any more
and I was worried. Is everything alright?”
“Just dandy.” He said sarcastically. “Not as ‘alright’ as it is for you, but
I’ll live. More than I can say for. No, not this way. Are you going to stay
where you are for a while?”
“Where I am?” She asked. “You mean my house?”
“I don’t give a crap where you end up living Brooke, are you going to stay at
the office for a while?” He was growing impatient.
“Uh, yes, I, I have a lot of work to do.”
“Well can you spare me ten minutes of your precious time?”
“Nick what had gotten into you? Talk to me.”
“Not like this.” He told her. “I’ll be right there.”
“You’ll what?” She gasped. “Nick?”
“I’m in Los Angeles, I’m on my way over. Don’t leave Brooke, you owe me that
much. Don’t leave until you hear what I have to say to you.”
“You’re here?” She gasped again.
“Don’t leave Brooke.”
“I, I won’t.” She promised. “Oh Nick, I won’t.” A smile crossed her face. “I
can’t wait to see you, there’s so much I have to tell you. But Nick, there is
something really important that I have to tell you. I’m so glad you called.”
But he had already hung up the phone.
“Good afternoon, Callahan Financial Services.” Cindy answered the phone.
“Cindy, it’s Carla, how are you?”
“I’m doing great, how are you? Are you coming out to see us soon?”
“I’d like to but with Dan branching out on this new venture he has me going to
Chicago. I may be heading up something there if it all checks out so I think
you and Nick are going to have to do without me, though I would like to come
out to visit at least.”
“I’m sure Nick would like that.” Cindy told her. “He’s not here right now, he
went to, uh, I think he had an appointment.” She covered. She didn’t want to
hurt Carla by bringing up Brooke.
“It’s okay Cindy, I told him to go see her myself.” Carla answered. “Anyway, I
wanted to know if you got all the files I sent, I really like several of the
candidates, at least on paper.”
“Mr. Scott and Ms. Foster are coming in tomorrow I believe.” Cindy told her.
“And Nick hired an administrative assistant, she’s starting next Monday.”
“Good.” Carla replied. “Cindy, be a friend please, if things don’t work out
please try and keep him busy so he doesn’t dwell too much.”
“I’m hoping it does work out, but I promise, I’ll be there for him. You’re
really worried aren’t you?”
“I spent a lot of time with Ridge while we were looking for them. He loves
Brooke very much. I can’t see him giving up and I think that their history will
win out in the end. This isn’t about sour grapes, in a way I think Nick may be
right about us, but I don’t think he is right about Brooke. I don’t want to see
her hurt him.”
“Neither do I.” Cindy agreed.
“Keep me informed will you?” Carla asked the woman. “I know Nick will be
reluctant to tell me if things don’t go his way. I want to be there for him no
matter what, so promise me you’ll call me.”
“I will.” Cindy promised.
“Good. Now you also let me know how those interviews go and if you want me to
look over any other resumes, I’m more than happy to do it.”
“Thanks Carla.”
“And Cindy, you have some fun too, there are some really nice looking men out
there, don’t spend all your time working okay?”
“Okay.” Cindy said with a laugh.
“In fact, you never know who might strike your fancy, so keep an open mind.”
“I could suggest the same for you.”
“You could, and I don’t have any intentions of being lonely in Chicago.” Carla
assured her. “You take care Cindy and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“I came as soon as I heard.” James took the stool next to Taylor and quickly
eyed her empty glass. “Are you alright?”
“I’ve only had three glasses, three more than I probably should have had but
still.” She sighed and pushed the glass away. “Thanks for coming. Who told you
I was here?”
James guiltily looked towards the Maitre d'.
“Pierre, I should have known.” Taylor smiled. “I’m alright James, really I am.”
“Have you eaten?” He asked her.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Come on, I am, join me, have something small.” He gave her a wink.
“You win.” She let him help her up. “I suppose you want all the lurid details.”
“Only if you’re willing.” He laughed.
“Probably better if I did, after all, I count on you so heavily.” She took his
arm and let him lead her to a table. He held out her chair and she sat. “Always
the gentleman.”
“I do my best.” James admitted. He picked up the menu and glanced at it.
“Taylor, I know this is hard but you need to remember you’ve already done this,
you’d gotten past it. You were growing stronger by the day.”
“And I will again.” She assured him. “But seeing him again just made the old
feelings return.” She reached into her purse. “I read this again today. I don’t
know why I keep it, maybe to remind me that I never really had him anyway.”
“What is that?” He asked.
“A letter he wrote to her. At first I thought he wrote it when he left her to
be with me and our son, but when you read on you’ll see that he wrote it
recently, when she made her attempts to destroy our marriage. It seems she was
a lot more successful than either of us knew.”
James frowned. “May I?” He held out his hand.
“As the saying goes, read it and weep.” She handed him the letter.
Brooke nervously walked around her office. She straightened her skirt and
checked her makeup for the fifth time. She ran her fingers through her hair and
took a deep breath. This was going to be the hardest thing she had ever done in
her life, but she knew it had to be done. She looked towards her closed office
door. He’d be here soon. She took her seat behind her desk again, not sure how
she should greet him. “It’s Nick Brooke, stop acting like you’re meeting a
stranger.” She chided herself, yet in a way it would be like that. She and Nick
had no experience with each other out in the real world. It would be trying and
she was very nervous. Not just with that but with the news she had to give him.
She wrung her hands together and sighed again. “Deep breath Brooke, deep
breath.”
“You’re back.” Megan was very surprised to see Nick.
“She’s expecting me.” He answered tersely. “May I go in?”
“Um, let me buzz her okay?” She looked at him.
“She knows I’m coming.” He stressed with his hand on the door. “Please make
sure we aren’t disturbed.” He started to turn the knob. “By ANYONE.” He
stressed leaving Megan no doubt of who he was referring to.
She was turned away from the door and she was so beautiful his voice caught in
his throat. He silently reminded himself to remain strong. He needed to show
her how disappointed he was in her, how badly she had let him down.
“Hello Brooke.” He said in a hoarse voice.
“Nick.” She gasped and turned to face him. Her face turned bright red in an
unexpected blush. Her eyes took him in, all of him. He was more handsome than
she had ever expected. “You, you look wonderful.”
“Uh huh.” He closed the door and walked closer to her.
“I, I didn’t expect to see you here. I mean in California.”
“You wouldn’t answer my calls, you really left me little choice.” He looked
around the office, his eyes stopped at the bed. He looked back to Brooke. “Very
convenient.”
“It’s a long story. I’m surprised I never told you.” She said with a blush.
“It’s not important.” He pulled a chair over towards her desk and sat down.
“Um, can I get you anything?” She asked him.
“You don’t have to play hostess with me Brooke.”
She walked to the desk and sat down facing him. “I’m sorry I avoided your
calls. I know it was wrong of me but I was so nervous. I knew there were things
I had to tell you and I just couldn’t seem to gather the courage to do it.”
“Well I’m here now.” He told her. “So say what it is you have to say why don’t
you?”
His cool attitude disturbed her. “Nick, I’m really sorry that I let it go so
long before talking to you. I was trying to.”
“Look Brooke.” He stopped her. “I don’t need excuses, I don’t need a song and
dance, just some honesty okay?”
She looked at him with confusion. “Nick, I know I haven’t been there, but I
haven’t lied to you.”
“Sins of omission.” He said bluntly. “Maybe I should make this easier on you.
You probably don’t deserve it but I’ll do something you didn’t do, I’ll honor
and respect our past.”
“What do you mean?” Brooke was hurt and very confused. Could he have found out
the truth?
“I met your daughter. She enlightened me.” He explained. “So let’s just say I
know the facts, just not the reasons. You owe me those Brooke. Whether you give
a shit about me or not, you owe me.”
“I can see how this hurt you, but Taylor, you’ve had this a long time, I can
tell, why are you still letting it effect you this way?” James asked, playing
the professional that he was.
“I don’t know, I honestly don’t. I was trying to accept things and then Eric
called me and told me they were married. I lost it James. I screamed to
Katherine and told her to take care of the children and I came here. I think I
must have told Stephanie too, I know I called her crying but I don’t remember
what I said. I did tell her I was coming here didn’t I?”
“You told Katherine, I called Stephanie looking for you, she told me what
happened, I called back and Katherine told me where to find you and here I am.”
“You’re a wonderful friend.” She smiled. “Do I look horrible?” She asked.
“Now why would you ask that?”
“I scared a man away at the bar.” She said with a laugh. “He was having a bad
day himself and when I tried to start a conversation he took off. Made me feel
pretty bad. He wasn’t hard on the eyes either.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t you Taylor.” James said with a laugh.
“I actually felt badly for him, it made me forget my own problems for a minute.
He looked like he had lost his best friend. I hope things work out for him,
whoever he is.”
“You know, not to change the subject, but there was a reason I wanted to see
you and it had nothing at all to do with Ridge or Brooke.”
“Oh really?” She looked up. “Tell me, I could use the distraction.”
“This.” He pulled a piece of newspaper from his suit jacket inside pocket. “Your
almost ex is coming to town.” He handed it to her.
“Omar.” She looked at the article and then at James. “I hope he isn’t coming
here to try to get to me again.”
“It says it’s about some financial business, but I thought you should be
warned. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he didn’t look you up.”
“I suppose it would be interesting to see him, but I just don’t know if I am in
the right state of mind for any of that right now.”
“I’ll see what else I can find out about this.” James told her. He handed her
back the letter. “I suggest you get rid of this Taylor, it will only cause you
more pain.”
“You’re right, and when you’re right, you’re right.” She smiled. “No need to
keep torturing myself.” She crumbled the letter up and threw it in an empty
wine bucket at the next table. “Thank you James, you’re always so good for me.”
“Let’s order something to eat shall we?” He gave her a grin.
“I’d love to.” She smiled back and motioned to the waiter.
He came over quickly. “Are you ready to order?” He asked.
“I’d like a Cobb Salad and an iced tea.” She replied.
“Pot Roast with red cabbage and a large diet cola.” James told him.
“Very good.” He wrote down the orders and turned to go. “I’ll get this out of
your way.” He said, picking up the wine bucket and walking away.
“Nick, that’s so unfair. I know it was cruel of me to not return your calls but
how could you ever think I don’t care about you?”
“Actions speak louder than words, and your actions are unconscionable.” He gave
her a look that scared her. It was almost like he hated her. Brooke’s eyes
filled with unshed tears.
“Bridget told you.” She stated rather than asked.
“She sure did, not that it was her place. I think it was yours.”
“I was scared Nick, I was so hurt and scared, I just couldn’t do it to you. I
knew you’d be in pain and I couldn’t bear causing you that over the phone.”
“YOU OWED ME!” He shouted. “You damn well owed me! Damn it Brooke, how could
you do it? Did you hate me that much? Did you hate me so much that you had to
kill my son? DID YOU?” He screamed at her.
“Kill him? Nick no, no. What did she tell you? You must have misunderstood her.
Nick no, I loved him, I would never do that. I love you. I could never do that
to a part of you, never.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Then. What. Happened. To. Him?” He spoke each word separately, bitterly, as if
it were it’s own sentence. Hatred dripped from each syllable.
“There, there never was a him Nick.” She sobbed softly.
“Her then, or are you calling him an it?” He cruelly shouted.
“No!” She screamed back. “I wasn’t pregnant Nick! I was never pregnant! I was
sick! Undernourished! I wasn’t pregnant damn it! Don’t you dare call me a baby
killer! I didn’t kill our baby! I didn’t.” She fell back into her chair,
sobbing hard and strong. “I wanted that baby so badly. I loved him, he never
existed and I still loved him. I mourned for him Nick, I mourned so badly that
they all thought I was insane. Don’t you dare say I could ever kill my child,
ever!”
Nick was stunned. He was momentarily frozen. Everything he had thought about
her and said to her was wrong. She was still the woman he loved. He had cruelly
hurt her and all he wanted to do was retract every word he had uttered, every
though that had gone though his brain. “Oh God Princess.” He found his feet and
quickly made his way to her side of the desk. He took her into his arms and
gently held her. “I’m sorry, I am so sorry. Forgive me, oh Brooke, please
forgive me. I just thought, she said, what she said. Oh God Brooke.”
“You really thought I could do that?” Her voice cracked and it was barely a
whisper.
“Your daughter told me there wasn’t a baby and I just.”
“Assumed I had an abortion?” Her voice cracked. “After all we had been through
you thought I could do that? You know how much I love my children. I loved this
child too. Oh Nick, it took so much out of me when I heard the news. I couldn’t
accept it. I didn’t want to believe it. Ridge got so angry at me. He seemed so
relieved that I wasn’t pregnant and all I could do was cry. But I know, I know
it was wrong of me not to tell you right away, but I was scared.”
“And I’ve just shown you how right you were to be scared.” He said with shame.
“But this never had to happen, not if you had come to me right away.”
“I wanted to.” She said softly. “But every time I picked up the phone I
couldn’t find the words. I couldn’t just call you and tell you this.”
“Were you ever going to?” He asked.
“I decided that I had to tell you, in person.” She reached for a tissue and
blew her nose. She looked up into Nick’s eyes and took his hand. “I made plans
to come to New York. I set up some appointments to see some models, but my real
reason was to see you. I had no idea that things would turn out the way they
did. But Nick, why did you jump to the conclusion that you did? Why didn’t you
even ask? Did you really think you didn’t know me?”
“Your daughters words Brooke, they were, well, damning.”
“What exactly did she say?” Brooke let go of him and looked up at him.
“She said that there wasn’t a baby, not anymore. That’s what did it Brooke, the
not anymore. All I could think was that you didn’t want it and now it wasn’t
anymore.”
“Why would she say that? Why would she let you think that?” Brooke looked
confused for a moment. “Ridge. It had to be about Ridge. I talked so much about
you Nick, I thought she was starting to understand how I felt about you, but
she wanted me to be with Ridge so badly I guess she felt she had to chase you
away. I’m sorry, I will talk to her. It was very wrong and very cruel of her to
do that.”
“Why would she have to chase me away Brooke?” He asked. “I may love you, but I
respect you too. You made your choice and I would never try to break up your
marriage, though I really think it would have been the right thing for you to
tell me about that too.”
“My marriage?” She asked. “She told you about Vegas too? I didn’t realize that
she knew about all that. But he must have told her too.”
“Well apparently she did know and she decided to make sure I was gone before
you returned. But she overplayed her hand. I couldn’t just walk away thinking
you had done that.”
“No.” She agreed with a shiver. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“I’m glad I know the truth. I never wanted to feel that way about you Brooke,
I’m sorry I did, I’m sorry I didn’t have enough faith in you. Now I’ll go, you
have what you want and I wish you all the happiness in the world.” He gently
pulled her into his arms. “I’ll never forget you.”
“Don’t you want to know about Vegas?” She asked him.
“What’s that you have?” The bartender asked the young waitress. She was holding
an old looking piece of paper.
“It’s a love letter. I don’t know how it ended up in here but I know it has to
be important to her. Ridge Forrester wrote this to Brooke Logan.” She smiled.
“I’ve always felt that they were two star crossed lovers and this just proves
how right I was.” She smoothed the paper and gently folded it.
“What are you going to do with it?” He asked.
“I’m going to mail it to her, at Forrester. I’m sure she’s wondering what she
did with it. I know I would be.”
“She’s here all the time, so is he. Why not just give it to them?” He wondered.
“Because it’s very personal and I’d hate to have either one of them feeling
like I intruded on their love. It’s better this way, they can keep it as
private as it was meant to be.” She pulled out the envelope that she had
already addressed and placed the letter inside it. “I’m going to walk it down
to the mailbox. I’ll be right back.”
“I don’t want details Brooke. Like the ad says, what happens in Vegas stays in
Vegas. I really don’t need to know. Just know that I am sorry I hurt you, sorry
I doubted you and that I wish you all the happiness that you deserve.” He
turned to leave.
“Wait! I want to explain. Please.” She grabbed his hand.
“Just don’t expect me to be happy okay?” He said with a sad smile.
“I’d like you to be.” She told him. “But I’ll leave that up to you.”
Nick let go of her and walked back to the chair and sat down. “Go ahead, I
guess I can handle just about anything. I’m stronger than I thought I was, and
stupider too.” He chuckled.
“I got on the plane, I was heading to New York. I was excited about seeing you,
but scared to have to tell you. The flight was bad, the attendant told me we
had to make an emergency landing.”
“Oh God, you must have been terrified. Thank God Forrester was there and you
weren’t alone.”
“Oh but I was.” She answered. “Ridge wasn’t with me.”
“But?” He looked questioningly at her.
“I was going on this trip alone. Ridge gave me his blessing, he said he thought
it was a good idea. I was glad that I had gotten away without any arguing.
Anyway, we had a bumpy ride but we finally made the landing. The pilot told me
we needed repairs and that they would take at least over night. He told me that
he had radioed Forrester and that they had gotten us rooms. He said that they
had a limo to pick me up. So I got out and got in and the limo started down the
strip.”
“Taking you to Ridge?” Nick guessed.
“The driver WAS Ridge.” Brooke confirmed. “Well to make a long story short I was
furious at him. I yelled and screamed. I told him that he had scared me, made
me think I was crashing again and that he was cruel and heartless. He was
stunned Nick, he never really thought about what that would have done to me.
But he was apologetic and sincere so I forgave him. Then he asked me to go into
the chapel. He told me he wanted to marry me, that it was finally our time,
that we had everything we wanted. I was stunned and confused and still very
shook up from the plane. So I went in with him.”
“I can see all this. I don’t know him well, but it’s really something he would
do.”
“Typical Ridge.” Brooke smiled. “So inside the chapel was a beautiful wedding
gown that he had designed for me. He told me all about how he had made it. He
had all my favorite flowers and the music playing.”
“Unforgettable?” Nick asked, knowing the answer already.
“Yes.” She sighed.
“He knows how to do it, I’ll give him that. But I guess he knows you as well as
he always claimed. I can’t say I’m happy, but I do want you happy. Are you?” He
asked her.
“After what you and I just went through I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as
happy Nick.”
“I’m sorry.” He apologized again. “I’ll go now. You and Ridge deserve to have
some calm right now.”
“Apparently Ridge made a few calls while I changed into the gown.” Brooke went
on. “He called his mother and my daughter. He must have told them everything he
had done and had planned. I didn’t learn this until afterwards though. He did
tell me he made the calls, but again, I didn’t realize how much Bridget knew
until just now. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since I returned. At the
time he just told me that he had assured everyone that I was with him and that
I was safe.”
“It’s a shame he didn’t invite them. From all our talks I think you wanted that
fairytale wedding which should have included your children and loved ones.”
“What he planned was beautiful Nick, I couldn’t have asked for more. The
flowers, the music, the beautiful dress, the hotel suite, the chapel,
everything was perfect. He really threw me. I hadn’t expected any of it and it
was all just so beautiful that I got swept away in it. I don’t even know why I
put on the gown, but I did.”
“And then it all fell into place.” He took her hands in his. “Brooke I’m sorry,
but this really hurts. I’m glad you’re happy, but I really can’t listen to any
more. Forgive me for everything please. I never should have doubted you, I
never should have caused you pain. I shouldn’t have reacted without asking you
first but I did and I am sorry and I pray you forgive me. And maybe someday if
we meet again we can be friendly. Just don’t ask me to try and be your friend
right now because I can’t. I just can’t.”
“Nick.” She started.
“No Princess, just let me have my memories okay?” He brought her hands to his
lips and kissed them. “So before I leave let’s see the rocks.” He looked down
at her bare fingers and then looked up at her. “Getting sized?” He asked.
“When I came out in the gown I suddenly knew.” She told him. “It all became so
clear to me.”
“Brooke please.” He begged her. “Please don’t torture me like this. Don’t you
realize how desperately in love with you I am?”
“He called the justice or minister or whatever he was over.” Brooke just
ignored Nick’s pleas. “He asked him if we could just do the standard vows since
we hadn’t written our own. Then he said that he had gotten us plain bands, that
we could replace them with something special afterwards.”
“That explains it.” Nick sighed. “Enough okay? I really don’t need to hear your
vows.”
“I took his hand and told him that I loved him, that I had always loved him and
that I would always love him.”
“Damn it Brooke! Stop! Stop!” He stood up. “Maybe I was right! Maybe you don’t
give a shit about me!”
“But that I couldn’t marry one man when I was still in love with another man.”
She said loudly. “So I took off the engagement ring and I put it in his hand.”
“Wwwhat?” Nick felt like he was going to lose his
footing again.
“He was hurt. He thought that he could change my mind. He begged me to stay a
few days and think about it. I didn’t want to, but after all he had done I
decided that I could do it. We went to the hotel suite and we talked. And I
thought hard and deeply about it Nick. And in the end I knew I couldn’t marry
him, not when my feelings for you were so strong and so real. I love you Nick.
I couldn’t marry him. Not when I love you so much.” New tears fell from her
eyes. “I don’t know what could ever happen. We really don’t know each other,
not in the real world. All we had was based on circumstances. We learned to
fight and survive together, we learned to love hard and strong, but we don’t
know what the real Nick and Brooke are all about. We’ve never seen each other
in a normal situation. We’ve never dealt with our friends or families or jobs,
our wishes and hopes and dreams, our personal ambitions. I know about you but I
don’t know you and you know about me but don’t know me, not the way a couple
who meet under more normal situations. I made love to you before I even knew
your name for God’s sake.” She laughed nervously. “I don’t regret that Nick,
but I resent that we didn’t meet differently. I know every inch of your body,
but I don’t know what makes up that wonderful mind and heart of yours. But I
want the chance to get to know. I know this is not easy for you. I know you
deserve a woman who can love you and only you and I can’t do that either. Ridge
still has a part of my heart and I don’t know what the future will bring to any
of us. I love him and if I had never met you I would have married him. But I
did meet you and I do love you so I couldn’t marry him, not even if you turned
me away, because my feelings for you are far too strong to throw you from my
heart and marry him. So I guess I’m asking you if you’re interested in trying.
If you have a place in your heart for me, but just me Nick, there is no baby,
there is no island. There is nothing keeping us together but ourselves. We have
to do it in the real world, we have to do it long distance, but if anything
that we had on the island is real, we owe it to ourselves to try. I can fly to
New York, you can fly here to California. We can meet on neutral ground, we can
try anything if you want this as much as I do. Do you?” She looked up at him.
He was silent as he stared at her. “Say something, please say something.”
“Don’t you know that I’m your Magellan Princess? I’d travel to the end of the
earth for you Brooke.” He walked back to her, took her into his arms and kissed
her deeply and passionately. “I want our chance too Brooke. I’m here now, I’m
here in LA and I’m not going anywhere. Just try and get rid of me.”
“Maybe we can find our own little paradise right here.” She said as she relaxed
in his arms.
“I’m already there Princess, I’m already there.”