CHAPTER 15
“Mmmmmmmm what smells so good?” Brooke yawned, stretched and
opened her eyes. She squinted and looked at the clock and then turned to Nick
who was up, dressed and in his wheelchair next to the bed. “Nick it’s only six
in the morning! What are you doing up?”
“I had to promise
“Tanks Nick.” She pulled the tray over and squealed
with delight. “Mommy look! Da
pancake look like a boat!” She looked more carefully and let out a loud
screech. “Look! Look! A fishie! A fishie!” She pointed at the other pancake. “It looks
like a fishie!”
“It certainly does.” Brooke sat up straight and looked down at the tray. “How did you manage that Nick?”
“Improvised.” He grinned. “You had some cookie cutters and I used them
after the pancake cooked, I know that it’s sort of cheating but I thought the
squirt would like them.”
“I don’t remember having ANY cookie cutters let alone nautical ones.” Brooke
laughed. “I’m a bakery kind of gal myself. Are you sure you didn’t buy it?”
“Marta, she buy dem for me.”
Hope said with a mouth full of gooey pancake and syrup. “Ith good Nick.”
“Glad you like it.” He ruffled her curly locks. “Can I get you something
before I leave?” Nick asked Brooke. “I have more batter. Want some?”
“Hmmm, you’ve been holding out on me, I didn’t know you were such a cook.”
Brooke smiled at him.
“Sure you did.” He reminded her. “I cooked for you on our first date. But I’m
not really a great one, I just get by and these did burn a little.” He looked
at the almost perfect pancakes. “I’ll try harder if you want me to make you
some.”
“They do smell good.” Brooke giggled. “But Nick, I don’t want you to go to a
lot of work.”
“Making pancakes for my girls doesn’t even make a tiny dent in paying back all
you’ve done for me Brooke.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I made coffee,
want me to bring you some before I start your pancakes?”
“I think I’ll pass on breakfast, I’m not really ready yet and you have your
appointment, but I’ll let you make them for me this weekend. I can’t pass up a sexy
chef.” She looked at him as he maneuvered easily. “You’re really getting good
at all this.” She was amazed at how easily he was adapting to the chair and the
new house.
“And that’s not a good thing, if it becomes too easy I may lose the incentive
to get working to get out of this thing.” He punched the arm of the wheelchair.
“I can give you some incentive.” She said sexily as her eyes lowered to his
crotch.
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem anymore.” He laughed. “Last night
was one of the hardest ones that I’ve ever had, pardon the pun.”
“Oh Nick, I’m sorry, once Hope settled down and after everything I was so
content I just slept like a baby.”
“It’s okay, at least I know I’m in working order.” He
chuckled. “You think we can get Auntie Donna to sit tonight? I’d like to take
you out and do a little celebrating and then when we get home.” He grinned and
winked.
“We can skip the out part and just stay in and celebrate.” Brooke told him.
“I’d really like to get out a bit if you don’t mind. Nothing fancy though okay?
I’m really not into that Café Russe scene.”
“Anything you want, any place you want and I’m there.” Brooke’s eyes lit up
with love. “Did last night really happen?” She asked.
“Oh yeah.” He promised in a deep, sexy voice. “You’re
mine Brooke, now and forever.”
“Me too?” Hope looked up at Nick with scared but excited eyes.
“You too darlin’, you’re already a part of me forever
and ever.”
“And ever.” Hope added. She pushed the tray away, stood up on the bed and
walked over to the side where Nick was sitting in his chair. She threw her tiny
arms around his neck, cuddled onto his lap and gave him a kiss. “I love you
Nick.”
“I love you too baby.” He answered with a huge grin and unfamiliar tears in his
eye.
“Will you be my Daddy?” Hope asked. She looked from Nick to Brooke. “I weally want a Daddy.” Brooke gave Nick a nervous smile.
“Nick will be your step Daddy sweetheart. Remember you have a Daddy. Daddy
Deacon.” Brooke felt a little ill trying to remind her daughter of her absentee
father.
“But I’ll be your Daddy too Hope, if you want me to be.” Nick took Brooke’s
hand and squeezed it.
Hope looked like she was concentrating very hard. Her brow was lined and she
was squinting much like her mother. She finally looked up at Brooke and smiled.
“I member him, he fun! He tickle
me and laugh and laugh.”
“That’s right baby.” Brooke said with a frown. She didn’t want Deacon around,
but if he was sober and he behaved she knew it was only right to let Hope get a
chance to know her father again, that is as long as she was around.
“Can I see my Daddy?” Hope asked Brooke. “I want him to come here.”
“Yes Hope.” Brooke looked over at Nick. She was scared but she knew that this
was best for Hope. She had a right to know who her father was. “He’s back and
he’ll come here to see you very soon. Would you like that?” Brooke asked her.
“Oh yeth. I want to play with him.” She answered
Brooke.
“Deacon wants to see you too Hope. But he won’t be living here, just visiting
us.”
“And Nick be my Daddy too?” Hope looked at him with
wide-eyed innocence.
“Think you’d like that pumpkin?” Nick asked.
“Yeth
please.” Hope gave him another kiss, let him go, ran to her mother and
gave her a hug. “We get married now?”
“Not yet Hope.” Brooke laughed. “But soon.”
“Okay
girls, as much as I love being here with you, I have places to go and things to
do and Hank is outside waiting for me. So kisses?” He held out his arms and
both Brooke moved to the edge of the bed where Hope sat on Nick’s lap. They
each gave him a hug and a kiss. Nick smiled and kissed them both. “Thanks
girls, now that is how I like to start my day. But.”
He lifted Hope and handed her to Brooke. “I’ve got to get going. “
“Call me after you see Dr. Watts.” Brooke instructed him.
“I will.” He winked and gave her another kiss. “I love you.” He started to
wheel out of the bedroom. He turned back and blew them more kisses. “Love you.”
He repeated.
“And I love you too.” Brooke smiled at him, so very happy.
“She said so too, but I.” He shook his head and
laughed. “I guess I should start listening to you guys.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you all along.” She gave him a hard tap on his
knee. Nick looked up at her, confirming her test. “Nick, these papers say what
I’ve been telling you all along. There is no permanent damage, everything is in
working order, it’s just not all come back yet, but it will. We need time and
patience but before long you will be walking. That pain you had was just like
you suspected, your body is waking up again, and it’s a little painful, but
it’s a wonderful thing. So, come on sailor, we got a lot of work to do today.”
“Three phone calls and I’m all yours.” He pulled his cell out.
“Nick, you need to stop pushing me off.”
“I’m not, I promised Brooke a status report and I have to call my boss to tell
him I won’t be in. I also have to ask a favor of someone. I am not pushing this
off. I’m going to be working harder than you have ever seen anyone hurt. You just
gave me the news that I needed for that. But I need to make these calls too.”
He pushed a button on the phone. “Ten minutes tops.”
“I’ll be at the bars.”
Nick watched her leave as the phone rang.
“Nick?” Brooke’s voice came on.
“The one and only.” Nick said with a smile in his
voice. “Has he come yet?” He got right to the point.
“Ridge?” Brooke asked, suddenly remembering her
promise to meet with him. “No, I just got in a little while ago and got Hope
settled into they Daycare. Marta won’t be back until tomorrow. Donna is going
to leave early and take Hope home so she won’t be stuck there too long.”
“Hope likes it there.” Nick assured her. “So he didn’t call or anything?” He
was back to Ridge again.
“Not yet. Stop worrying Nick, I’ll be fine.”
“He upsets you.” He said point blank.
“I won’t let him. I won’t let anything upset me.” She couldn’t stop smiling.
“Well, you make sure you don’t.” He tried to be stern but his voice overflowed
with love.
“So how did it go? What did Dr. Watts say?” Now it was Brooke’s turn to be
blunt.
Nick didn’t want to let Brooke get too excited too soon, so he played the news
down a bit.
“She said I’m progressing better than she had hoped, she said that she thinks
that it’s very possible that I will recover full use of my legs, but she won’t
make promises. She warned be about overdoing and not listening to Tracy.”
“As have I.” Brooke reminded him.
“Uh huh.” He chuckled. “But I know me better than
anyone does and I know what I can take and I need to make my own pace.”
“I don’t want you hurting yourself Nick, I plan on having you around for at
least the next fifty years.”
“Is that all?” He asked with a laugh.
“Just a starting point.” She giggled.
“Then that’s all the more incentive for me to push.” He argued.
“I know I can’t change your mind, and I’m not sure I want to, but just be
careful, last night was scary.”
“You’re right and I promise, I will. Okay?”
“Okay.” She agreed. “So are you ready to tell me where you’re taking me
tonight?”
“Not till I figure it out.” Nick laughed. “I’ll call you later okay?”
“Donna’s fine with sitting so we have all the time we need.”
“Good. Now I better go before Eva Braun comes looking for me.”
“Nick! Be nice.” Brooke gasped and laughed.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Nick laughed back. “I’ll see you
tonight.”
“See you later gator.” Brooke responded with a giggle.
“Bye beautiful.” He grinned to himself as he disconnected the phone and punched
in another number.
Brooke felt the presence of someone and looked up at her door. She frowned as
Stephanie walked in.
“Nothing like waiting for an invitation.” Brooke said sarcastically.
“I take it that was your sailor.” Stephanie walked to the coffeepot and poured
herself a mug. “Poor man, he seems so level headed in all other things.”
“No need to concern yourself with me or with Nick.” Brooke said with an annoyed
looking squint.
“Oh believe me, concern for you is the last thing you’ll ever see. Nick, on the
other hand, but no, he is the son of that woman and I really don’t care for her
either.”
“You never run out of people to hate do you Stephanie?”
“Not with you around.” Stephanie sat down in front of Brooke.
“What do you want?” Brooke sighed impatiently.
“You think this is going to work don’t you?”
“What?” Brooke moaned in frustration. “Must you always talk in riddles?”
“He won’t be jealous. He doesn’t want you.”
“Oh for God’s sake Stephanie, give it a rest. I don’t want HIM back! It’s
over!”
“Keep saying it Brooke, maybe you’ll actually believe it someday.”
“You’re a broken record.” Brooke shook her head. “I don’t care what you think
or what you believe. Ridge and I are over and I am fine with that. I’m happy
with it! But just know this Stephanie, if I wanted him back he’d be mine.”
“Over my dead body.” Stephanie seethed.
“Wow Stephanie, you may actually make me rethink my position with promises like
that.” Brooke gave her a sugary sweet smile.
“Who ees she?” Pilar’s angry voice woke Ridge from his short and not very
refreshing sleep. “She ees asleeping on the sofa.”
“What? Huh? What are you doing in here Pilar?”
He sat up in his bed.
“Who ees she? Why ees she here?” She kept up
with her query, not answering Ridge’s own question.
“She’s still here?” He sighed. “Pilar, go to your room,
this doesn’t concern you.”
“You are going to put her to Neek aren’t you? You are
not happy with how I make change and I am trying Reedge.
I am working very hard.”
“She has nothing to do with Payne, now go before Thomas or the girls see you in
here.” He couldn’t believe her nerve and he also couldn’t believe Macy was
still here. He had argued with her the night before and told her to leave,
leaving her alone in his living room. She had some nerve to stay uninvited. He
waited until Pilar left then he got up and threw on a
pair of sweats and a tee shirt. To his dismay the first thing he was greeted
with was an angry Pilar seething at an equally angry
Macy.
“I’m carrying your baby Ridge! How dare you bring another woman into your home
and expect me to just sit back and take it!” Macy hissed at him.
“Pregnant? Weeth Reedge?” Pilar’s anger dissipated as a smile crossed her face. This
woman was not for Nick. But what about Brooke? She
wondered. She frowned again and looked at Ridge.
“Can you please leave us Pilar.” It took all that was in him to stay calm. More than just
about anything he wanted both these women out of his life.
“But.” She looked at his face and sighed. “Alright Reedge, alright.” She glared once
more at Macy and left the room.
“Who is she?” Macy challenged him.
“It’s really not your business Macy.”
“I’m carrying your baby! That makes it my business!”
“What we did was a mistake.” Ridges looked down and then back up at Macy. “This
baby is a mistake. I’d like you to terminate the pregnancy Macy, it’s best for
everyone.”
“It’s not best for me or for your child!” She shot back.
“I don’t love you, you don’t love me. This baby isn’t wanted. It won’t have a
happy life and think about Thorne. Our mistake will kill him and it shouldn’t
Macy. I don’t want to do this to him and I’m sure you don’t either.”
“I want this baby.” She said slowly, through gritted teeth. “Do you have any
idea how long I’ve been trying to conceive? Do you?”
“But not with ME Macy.” Ridge insisted. “I’m not going to marry you. I don’t
love you. I won’t be a part of your life. I won’t be a part of this child’s
life.”
“Why are you doing this? If I were Brooke or Taylor.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You aren’t!” He shouted. “I loved them Macy. I loved
“You just
come in when you can Dominick, your recovery is the
first priority.” Massimo assured him.
“I will stop in later, there’s one email I’m waiting for and I do want to show
you something I got yesterday, but like I said, I’m at a crossroads and I think
I need to just work my ass off here for a while.”
“Don’t overdo it son.” Massimo warned.
“You sound like Brooke.” Nick laughed.
“Maybe she has more sense than I give her credit for.” Massimo chuckled.
“Thanks for everything Massimo. I am indebted to you.”
“Not at all, I am the one in your debt, believe me Dominick, I am and when you
ever need anything of me, just ask.”
“I may take you up on that.” Nick smiled. “I’ll see you later boss.”
“You take your time, your welfare comes first.”
Nick disconnected the call, made another quick one where he left a message and
then he pulled his duffel onto his lap. “Okay
Stephanie picked up the framed photo of Thorne and Macy and shook her head. She
still had to remedy that problem. “How could you be so stupid.”
She clucked at the image of the bride. “And you Ridge, when will you come out
of your grief and start acting sanely again?” She sighed and picked up the
frame containing the photo of her favorite son and his dead, sainted wife. “Oh
“Stephanie?” Megan stood at the open door office.
“What is it?” Stephanie wasn’t happy to be interrupted in her thoughts.
“Ridge called. He has something important he has to do and Catherine has a
dentist appointment. He’s going to drop the girls off here. I know you have
that meeting with the buyer from Milan so I wondered if there was something you
wanted me to do with them until you’re done.”
“Oh dear. I hate to let them think I don’t care.” Stephanie scratched her head.
“I’ll go down to the daycare center and see if they’d mind them playing down
there until I’m done.”
“I can do that.” Megan told her.
“No, I want to go myself. I know they’re older than most of the children there
but they do so love helping with the babies, I want to make sure that they are
given the chance to do that.” She got up from her desk. “If Franco gets here
before I get back please get him coffee and tell him I won’t be long.”
“Hey Mace.” Darla smiled and waved as Macy came into
the office at Spectra. “How are you feeling?”
“Grrrrrrr.” Macy growled. “Nothing is working
the way that I want it to.”
“Sorry to hear that. Can I help?” Darla asked.
“I need time to think, can you get me some coffee and a donut.”
“Decaf.” Darla said with a wink. “Coming right up.”
“Yes Megan?” Brooke picked up her phone and answered at the sound of her intercom.
“Brooke, Deacon Sharpe is here. I don’t know how he got through security but he
won’t leave, he says he has to see you and.”
“It’s okay Megan, send him in.” Brooke stood up and
smoothed down the skirt of her dress and took a deep breath to collect herself. “I wish you were here too Nick.” She whispered
softly. “I can do this. I can.” She watched the door open and her former lover
enter. She looked him up and down. He looked clean and he looked sober. His
eyes were clear and bright and he had a smile on his face that was so
contagious that she had to smile back.
“It wasn’t all bad was it Brooke?” Deacon asked as he closed the door.
“No, but it was wrong.” She sat down in her chair. “Help yourself to some
coffee if you’d like.” She motioned the pot.
“I’m trying to stay away from caffeine.” Deacon explained. “It’s just another
useless addiction, besides, it makes me want to
smoke.” He chuckled nervously.
“You shouldn’t try to give up too many things at the same time,
it makes them all harder to stop.” Brooke watched as he opened a bottle of
water and took a swig. “You look well Deacon, seems rehab may have been good
for you.”
“I’m hoping so, but it’s one day at a time like they
say.” Deacon sat in front of Brooke. He picked up a framed photo of Hope. “She
was my inspiration.” He smiled. “God Brooke, we may have done some hurtful
things but we sure got a jewel out of it.”
“Yes, yes we did Deacon.” Brooke agreed. “Hope is a wonderful little girl.”
“I’ve missed her.” Deacon put down the bottle and looked Brooke in the eyes.
“Brooke please, please let me be her Dad again.”
“You were never her Dad Deacon.” Brooke said with brutal honesty.
“I wanted to be.” Deacon’s voice was soft, without a bit of his usual anger.
Brooke was impressed. The old Deacon would have already shot back at her.
“You know the last time Deacon, you started to play a part in her life and Hope
was really getting to depend on you, then you were gone. I can’t put her
through that again, I won’t let you or anyone hurt her like that. Are you sure
it’s not better if you wait until she’s a bit older and understands better?”
Brooke suggested.
“I’ve waited far too long to step up to the plate. It’s
way past time Brooke. Please give me a chance, give Hope a chance.”
“What makes you think that you’ll stay sober this time Deacon?” Brooke asked
him.
“Because this time I really want it Brooke. I wish I
could promise you, but I can’t. All I can do is promise that I’ll try with
everything in me. Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?” He asked.
“You’ve had a second, third and maybe even fourth Deacon, why shouldn’t I just
cut my losses?” She wondered.
“Remember when you were first pregnant Brooke?” Deacon smiled. “God Brooke, I
loved that little girl already. I couldn’t stop touching your belly. I was so excited, all I wanted was for us to be a family.”
“Surely you’re not expecting that!” Brooke gasped.
“I haven’t lost my grip on reality.” Deacon laughed. “But Brooke, we are a
family, we’ll always be connected. I’ve changed, I swear I have and all I am
asking is that you give me a chance to get to know our daughter again. It’ll be
all on your terms Brooke, I promise you that. I won’t ever push before you’re
ready.”
“You always push.” She had to smile. “But you do seem sincere.”
“I am, I swear I am. Why don’t you just invite me over and we can spend an hour
or so, just the three of us. I’m not asking to be alone with her, not until
you’re 100% sure of me.”
“You want to come to my home?” Brooke asked.
“Hope would feel more comfortable there.” Deacon pointed out. “Then when you
see I’m for real maybe we can set up something regular and then in time.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself Deacon, this isn’t easy for me. And it won’t be
easy for Bridget either.”
“Is she back?” Deacon asked.
“Nnno, but I mean.” Brooke was flustered. “I don’t
have to defend myself to you Deacon. And surely you know the pain that you and
I both caused my daughter.”
“I also know the pain she caused you Brooke. I know how it hurt to lose Ridge.”
He said in a soft, gentle tone.
“You didn’t have a problem doing that to me yourself Deacon. One of the most
painful moments in my life was when you marched into Ridge’s home and announced
our affair. Ridge and I were just getting it all back and you ruined that.”
“He was never good enough for you Brooke.”
“That isn’t the issue. What you did was wrong and painful and nasty. You did it
to hurt me!”
“And your denying me hurt me too Brooke. We went through so much together and
then suddenly I was dirt to you. I loved you so much and deny it all you want,
you loved me too!”
Brooke’s face went scarlet and she turned away from him. Finally she turned
back to face him. “What we did together was so wrong Deacon. I did love you,
but it wasn’t a good love. I wanted to forget it, I wanted to make things right
again.”
“I know I didn’t make it easy for you and I am sorry.” Deacon said with a tone
that Brooke could only see as sincere. “I know you had your chance with Ridge
again and I hated that. I hated him for everything he ever did to you. And most
of all I hated him because he had the one thing I wanted more than life itself,
you and Hope. But it was wrong for me to try and ruin it. I just wish that
things were better for you and Bridget. I was sick when I heard about her and
Ridge. I know that was my fault too.”
“Our affair effected Bridget far more than either of
us realized. She was hurting deeply and when I thought she was over it, well I
guess she wasn’t.”
“I’m sorry that what I did drove a gap between you two.”
“It wasn’t only you.” Brooke softly admitted. “I don’t want to rehash our past.
I just want to deal with what we have at hand. This isn’t about you or Bridget
or even me, it’s about Hope.”
“We did have something good Brooke.” Deacon touched her hand.
“Deacon, please tell me you’re not looking for me to, for us.”
“No.” He stopped her. “I know you and Nick are involved. I like him Brooke, he
seems honest and strong and really good for you.”
“He is all that and more.” She smiled. “And Hope loves him.”
“That’s great.” Deacon smiled broadly. “She can’t have too much love.”
“Okay, you win.” Brooke said suddenly, almost as if she was afraid she’d change
her mind. She intended to keep her word, he’d get one
more chance. “Tomorrow you can come over. Come for dinner,
that way it won’t be too much pressure on Hope.”
“Will Nick be there too?” Deacon asked.
“Nick lives with us.” Brooke explained.
“Okay, good, good. Uh, what time?”
“Come about six, that way you’ll have some time with Hope before we eat.”
“I’ll be there. Thank you Brooke, thank you so much.” Deacon was excited as he
stood up to leave.
“Wait.” Brooke stopped him.
“What? What Brooke? Anything, just tell me what you need me to do.”
“You don’t know where I live.” Brooke had to giggle at his anxiety.
“I haven’t been gone THAT long.” Deacon smiled.
“I’ve moved.” Brooke wrote down an address and a phone number and handed it to
Deacon. “If you give this to any of the Forresters
I’ll never forgive you Deacon.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “You won’t be sorry
Brooke.”
“I hope not Deacon, I’m putting my daughter on the
line for you. Don’t let me down.”
“Our daughter.” He reminded her. “And I won’t let you down Brooke.”
“Mrs. Forrester, what brings you down here?” The young teacher at the day care
asked as Stephanie Forrester herself walked in. They hadn’t seen her since the
times when Ridge Forrester worked there and his children were small.
“Hello Wendy.” Stephanie smiled. She looked around at the center, which had
grown since the last time she had made an appearance. “You have quite a lot of
children don’t you?”
“We certainly do, but with the improvements that Ms. Logan made we’re doing
very well with them.”
“Hrmmph.” Stephanie walked to the window and looked
out. Several children were playing out there and being supervised by two adult
women. “Are there any infants?” She asked.
“Two.” Wendy smiled. “Over here.” She walked Stephanie to the two cribs.
“Andrew Holcolm.” She pointed out the little boy.
“And this is Sarah Randall.” She smiled at the little sleeping girl. “There are
two others that come in some times.”
“My granddaughters are coming in to visit and I have a meeting. I’m sure they’d
love to help out with the babies. Will that be a problem?” It wasn’t a question
but a challenge.
“No, of course not.” Wendy replied.
“Stephnanny!” Hope called
out and ran to the older woman.
“Hello Hope.” Stephanie smiled at Brooke Logan’s little girl. As much as she
hated the mother and the father she couldn’t seem to feel the same hatred
towards her child. “How are you today?”
“We play nerfball and we paint flowers and we read
stories and I play wiff my boat!” Hope said
excitedly.
“My, that sounds like a busy day Hope.” Stephanie smiled.
“We’re getting married!” Hope announced.
“Who?” Stephanie looked around for an appropriately
aged little boy that Hope was pretending to marry. “Jimmy?” She asked the
child. “Robbie?” She suggested.
“Nooooooooooooo.” Hope
giggled. “Nick is going to marry us.” Hope said proudly. “He paposed to us last night and Mommy and I boff said yes!”
“Nick and your mother?” Stephanie smiled. “Well I’ll
be. Brooke Logan, you sly thing you.” She clucked.
“See my picture?” Hope squealed, already on a new subject she pushed the stick
figure drawing towards Stephanie.
“That’s very nice Hope.” Stephanie’s wheels were already spinning. If Brooke
truly had moved on then all she had to do was get rid of Macy, but she wasn’t
sure.
“Look! Look!” Hope pressed, holding the picture in the air. Stephanie saw the
yellow haired woman and the little girl.
“Is that you and Mommy?” She asked Hope.
“And Nick!” She pointed to the stick figure man who
was sitting down.
“And who is that?” Stephanie asked about the figure of the other man standing
by the door. Of course Brooke wasn’t letting go, she was even influencing her
child to draw Ridge.
“That’s Daddy.” Hope said proudly. “Mommy says he be
back soon.”
“Hrmmph.”
Stephanie muttered. So Brooke was telling Hope that Ridge was her father and
that he was coming back to them. Typical Brooke, she was always trying to pawn
off her children on Ridge. Not this time! No, this wedding to Nick wasn’t going
to happen if Brooke had her way. It was merely an attempt to make Ridge
jealous. The whore would never saddle herself to a cripple, not with her sex
drive. “Okay Wendy, Megan will bring the girls down when they get here.” She
turned to Hope. “Thank you for showing me your picture Hope, you have fun
playing.”
“Tank you Stephnanny.” Hope giggled. “Bye bye alligator!” She added remembering something her mother
had said to Nick and then giggled just like her mother too. Stephanie shook her
head in disgust and walked out.
Nick wiped
the sweat off his face with a towel and threw it to the side. He reached into
his duffel and pulled out a bottle of water, which he opened and downed in
about ten seconds.
“How about a break?”
“Nope, no time for that, let’s go.” Nick wheeled back to the bars.
“You can’t do it all in one day Nick, and I need a break anyway. Go rest a few
minutes, I’m going to go to the ladies room and then have something to drink
and make a phone call.”
“I’ll go to the pool then.” Nick wheeled himself towards his physical
therapist.
“It’s all or nothing with you isn’t it?”
“I woke up yesterday
“But Nick, it’s going to take time and work, it’s not going to happen today, no
matter how much you want it to.”
“Go take your break, I’m going to do some laps.” He
insisted.
“Nick, if there is no one there I don’t want you to go into the pool.”
“Stop being a mother Tracy, I can take care of myself.”
“Why don’t you give Brooke a call instead Nick, just relax.”
“I’ll give you five minutes.” Nick finally gave in. “But if you’re not back I’m
going to the pool.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Nicky darling.” Jackie came through the door.
“Mom? What are you doing down here?” Nick frowned at
her.
“Oh you wipe that silly look from your face.” Jackie laughed. “I was just
heading over to Fenmore’s and I thought I’d stop here
first and see if there was anything I could do for you. I didn’t come to
interfere with your work. But you look like you’re working very hard.”
“I am.” Nick answered. “And I really don’t have time to chat in the middle of
my therapy.”
“And this.” She held up her own cell phone. “Tells me differently.”
“Ahh, the
call.” Nick remembered that he had tried to get in touch with his mother
earlier.
“Yes the call.” She answered him. “I tried Brooke too, I thought perhaps she
knew what you wanted but she was busy with someone in her office. Are things
going okay for the two of you darling? I know how difficult it can seem but she
does love you, I know that.”
“I do too Mom.” He pulled out another bottle of water, opened it and took a
long swig.
“So what is it darling? What did you want?” Jackie asked.
“I just wanted to say hi, to check in.” Nick lied. For some reason he didn’t
want to involve her in his quest any longer. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust
her, he did. But she was just so excitable, he felt
that he needed to do this on his own after all. As much as he loved his mother
she had a way of taking over, and this task was far too personal and far too
important to let anyone else do it. She could enjoy the aftermath with
everyone. “We haven’t seen you in a while.” He added.
“I’m sorry about that darling.” Jackie told him. “I know I’ve been in my own
little world and I should be paying you more attention. Perhaps I’ll come over
tonight and cook for the two of you. I have some marvelous new recipes that I’d
love to try out and I even think Hope would like them. Yes, this is a wonderful
idea, I’ll come by early and I’ll.” Her son making a loud whistle and forming
his hands in the ‘time out’ symbol interrupted her.
“Hold it! Mom, Brooke and I have plans, we’re going out tonight so we will have
to make it another day, but I do appreciate the offer and I’d love to take you
up on it.”
“Going out? Are you sure you’re up to that darling?”
“We’re not running a marathon.” He said sarcastically. “Mom, you know I need to
feel ‘normal’.” He said the last word dramatically. “This is important to us.”
“Would you like me to come and sit with Hope?” She volunteered.
“Thanks, but we have that covered.”
“Donna?” Jackie asked.
“Yeah.” He answered her.
“So what are your plans? A nice romantic dinner?”
“Not exactly.” Nick informed her. “I want to be with people. I want to
just feel like I used to.”
“Will Brooke like that?” Jackie wondered.
“She said she would. I know she will. Besides, I have a little surprise too.”
“Tell me darling!” Her eyes lit up.
“Sorry Mom.” Nick chuckled. “But this one is just for Brooke.”
“Ahhh, that kind of surprise. Nicky?”
Her eyes widened. “Does this mean?”
“Not exactly the kind of thing a guy feels comfortable talking to his mother
about.” Nick stopped her.
“I don’t suppose it is easy to talk about sex with your mother, but darling I
know how hard this is for you and if you need someone to talk to.”
“I’m fine, I don’t need to talk to anyone Mom.” He
wanted the conversation over. It was making him uncomfortable and that was a
feeling he hated to have with his mother. They were very close and he liked it
that way.
“It’s times like this that I feel so inadequate. I left you without a father.
You should have a man you can talk about these things to. My marriage was a
disaster but you hurt even more.” Her eyes glistened with tears.
“Oh Mom.” Nick brought her into his arms and held her.
“I’m a big boy now, I don’t need a father to talk to
about sex. Besides, you gave me a wonderful life. You were always there for me
and still are. I can talk to you about things and believe me, if this was a
problem, I would. But the last thing I’d want would be to see you stuck with an
abuser. I’m glad the bastard died. I just wish you had found someone to make
you happy. But then maybe you have?” He cocked his eyebrow questioningly.
“Massimo?” Jackie smiled. “He’s a lovely man and I do
so enjoy his company.”
“I sense a but.” Nick let her go and held onto her
hand.
“There’s someone else too Nicky, but I’m afraid that if I talk about it I’ll
jinx it.”
“You’re not superstitious.” He reminded her.
“Perhaps this time I am.” She said softly. “But you probably already know.
Brooke knows.”
“She hasn’t said anything to me.” Nick scratched his head. “Wait, Eric, she
said something about Eric not being so unhappy anymore. Is that it?”
“We’ve had a date, two in a way.” She told him.
“So no Massimo?” He asked.
“I like them both Nicky, they are both so different but both so very nice.”
“Just don’t leave either of them hanging Mom, that wouldn’t be right.”
“It’s far from that point darling, but I promise I will use discretion. I won’t
let anyone get hurt. But enough about me. What was it
you wanted Nicky? I don’t believe it was just to say hello.”
“Nothing, it doesn’t matter.”
“Nicky?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow. I’m going to do this myself. It’s time I
started taking control back of my life. And starting right now Mother, I am
taking over.”
“You look busy.” Brooke grinned as she entered Eric’s office. He was hard at
work with a sketch. “May I peek?”
“Yes you may.” He smiled back and pulled his chair back.
Brooke looked at the rough design. It was a sleek, sexy looking black gown.
“What’s on the shoulder?” She asked.
“I’m thinking about silver. A pin, diamonds, sparkly, shiny.”
He answered.
“It’s nice.” She told him. “I love the hemline too.”
“You look tired.” He looked up at her. “Are things alright Brooke?”
“Things are wonderful.” She assured him. “I just had a trying morning, that’s
all.”
“Can I help?” He asked her.
“Stephanie came in and gave me hell, as usual.” She laughed, then
turned serious. “And then I saw Deacon.”
“Why?” He almost shouted.
“He’s Hope’s father.” She answered.
“Some father.” He scoffed.
“Well, he wants a chance to make it up to us.”
“You owe him nothing Brooke.”
“I owe it to Hope. But don’t worry Eric. I won’t be letting him do anything
alone with her until I’m 500% sure of him.”
“He’s out of rehab?” Eric frowned.
“Yes, and I have to admit, he looks good and seems very serious about it. And
he’s strong too Eric. He did impress
“Well you call me when he wants to see her, I’ll be there by your side.”
Brooke gave him a tight hug. “Eric, that is so sweet of you. You’re always so
good to me, but really, it’s okay. Nick will be there too.”
“Brooke, don’t get me wrong, I like Nick, but.”
“He’s a lot stronger than you think Eric. Don’t let the wheelchair fool you.”
“I worry about you Brooke. Are you sure that this isn’t a rebound thing and a
guilt thing?”
“If anyone else said that I’d probably slap them, but I know you really do
care.” She held both his hands. “I love him Eric, I
love him so much that I can’t even believe it myself. It may have been rebound
at first, but what we have is so real and so strong. As for guilt, I have
nothing to be guilty about.”
“Leaving a man in a wheelchair?” Eric suggested.
“I’m not leaving him and he’s far more than a man in a wheelchair. You need to
get to know him better. You’d really be impressed.”
“I am impressed. Any man who can win your heart has my admiration.” He said
with a touch of jealousy.
“I hear that you may be winning a heart yourself.” Brooke gave him a wink.
“It’s new, it’s fun. But I do enjoy her company.” Eric
admitted.
“You’ve both been through some rough times, so just take it slowly and enjoy
each other.” Brooke instructed him.
“Now who’s acting like the protective friend?” Eric asked her.
“I’ll always be protective of you Eric.” She picked up another sketch and
looked at it. “I think we’re in for a very successful showing.”
“I certainly hope so, though I do wish Ridge would come back.” He looked up at
her. “Sorry. I know you’re probably happy that he isn’t here.”
“Forrester could use him. But I can’t Eric, what we had is all over. I just
wish he’d accept that. But he will soon, he’ll have no choice.”
“Are things getting THAT serious with you and Nick?” Eric asked. He was
stunned. He never expected Brooke to move this far past Ridge. He wasn’t sure
he trusted that she really had.
“Just between us?” Brooke asked him.
“You know you have my word Brooke. So he really IS living with you?”
“Nick asked me to marry him last night.” Brooke smiled.
“Oh Brooke.” Eric’s reaction wasn’t one of joy. “I
think it’s far too soon. You and Ridge just went through everything with
Bridget.”
“I said yes Eric. I know it’s right, I know it’s what
I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with Nick. Please be happy for us.”
“As long as you’re happy.” He sadly sighed.
“We’re all happy. Nick and I are gloriously in love and Hope adores him and
Nick, Nick would lasso the moon for Hope. But Eric, please not a word to anyone
yet. If Stephanie finds out she’ll say something to Ridge and I really want to
handle him myself.”
“Unlike most of my clients, you’re wearing me out today Nick. I don’t know what
has gotten into you but you need to kick it down a notch. You’re pushing too
hard.”
“No such thing as pushing too hard.” He told her.
“She’s right Nick.” Martin, one of
“I’m going to make it happen. I’m not going to quit until it does.” Nick let go
of the bars and flopped into his chair.
“Lunch, we need a lunch break and you need to have some downtime.”
“Later, I’m on a roll.” Nick started to pull himself up again but turned at the
deep voiced man who had just entered the gym.
“Dominic, I came as soon as I got the message. What is it? What do you need
from me?” Massimo was out of breath, it was obvious that he had run from his
car and the concern in his voice was clear.
“Massimo?” Nick lowered himself again and wheeled over
to him. “What are you doing here?”
“Your message, it said you needed me.” Massimo kneeled down in front of him.
“What is it? Are you in pain? Do you need me to find another doctor? Another rehabilitation center?”
“Huh?” Nick frowned in confusion then suddenly smiled when he
remembered. “They gave you a half-assed message. I said I needed a favor. But
it wasn’t an emergency, I’m really sorry that they misunderstood, I thought I
had explained that I just wanted you to call me when you had a chance.”
“No harm, no harm at all my boy. I’ve been concerned
about you and I had wanted to come down and see how it’s going.” He looked
around and then at Nick. “You look a bit peaked.”
“As well he should.”
“I need to make it happen!” Nick shot back.
“Of course you do, but there has to be a pace Nick, we were setting one but
you’re really pushing too hard.”
Nick turned to Massimo. “I keep telling her that there is no such thing as
pushing too hard.”
“Perhaps she’s right.” Massimo looked at
“I packed a PBJ.” Nick argued.
“Protein, you need protein to keep up your strength. Right
doctor?” Massimo asked
“I’m a licensed therapist, not a doctor, but protein is good to keep his
strength up. Though I enjoy PBJ myself.” She smiled at
Nick. “Why don’t you have lunch with Mr. Marone and
then I promise we will get back to work. I need a break myself Nick. Go take a
shower, get dressed, have some food and I promise I’ll give you not only a
great workout but a massage too!”
“Okay, okay you win.” Nick laughed.
“Good, then I’ll leave you gentlemen and we’ll meet back in two hours, I need
the break Nick.”
“Two hours, not a minute more.” He told her.
“Now who’s the slave driver?” She chuckled. “Nice seeing you
again Mr. Marone.”
“Good to see you too
“Actually since you’re here, maybe you can help me.” Nick looked hopefully at
Massimo.
“Anything, just ask me.” Massimo said with concern.
“You’re a man of means.” Nick started.
“You need money? A raise?”
“No, no, no.” Nick laughed harder. “I need help. I am out of my
element.”
“What can I do?” Massimo asked.
“I need a jeweler, a good one, but one I can afford too.” Nick explained.
“Ahh, a present for Brooke?”
“More than a present.” Nick couldn’t hold back the grin. “She agreed to
be my wife last night, now I want to put a ring on that finger of hers. Can you
help me?”
“You’ve come to the right place.” Massimo confidently announced. “You shower
and dress and I’ll have my jeweler awaiting us with a selection sure to meet
with your approval, I’ll also arrange a reservation for lunch.”
“Massimo, I just need a burger or something and as for the ring, remember I
have a budget.”
“Leave it in my hands my boy, I’ll take care of everything.”
“How was your, oh I guess I shouldn’t ask.” Donna watched her exhausted sister
come into the house. Brooke deposited her briefcase on the couch and then
plopped down next to it.
“It was an exhausting day, but eventful. And I am NOT going to let anything
ruin tonight.” She looked around. “Is Nick home yet?”
“Nope.” Donna smiled. “He can’t be at rehab this late. You think he went into
the office?”
“Maybe.” Brooke crinkled her nose as she thought about
it. “He’s feeling guilty for missing time there, but I’m sure Massimo
understands and is supportive.”
“So how did it go? Did you see Ridge? Or don’t you want to talk about it?”
Donna questioned.
“He never called.” Brooke shrugged. “I guess he’s still angry but tough. I
didn’t ask for him to pull all the crap he’s pulled anyway. If he wants to talk
so badly he’s going to have to come to Forrester. I don’t know who he wants to
avoid more, me or his father.”
“Which one?” Donna laughed. “I know, I know, you mean
Eric.”
“Ridge let him down, he should have been open and
honest with Eric.” Brooke crossed her legs and took off one of her stylish
pumps. She kicked the other one off too.
“Open and honest about lusting for his sister? Ewwwh.”
Donna cringed.
“I’m trying to forget that Donna. If I don’t lose that image
how will Bridget and I ever fix things?”
“I have to wonder if Bridget even cares Brooke. It’s not like she’s
called or written or anything.”
“I’m the mother, it’s up to me.” Brooke said sadly. “But enough. I’m not going
to think about this tonight, tonight I’m going to just think about Nick.”
“Good for you.” Donna smiled.
“Hi Mommy!” Hope ran into the room and hugged Brooke.
“Hi baby, did you and Aunt Donna have fun?”
“Yeth.
We had cookies!” Hope grinned.
Donna looked over at Hope. “So what do you think you’d like for dinner Curlytop?”
“Phoebe and Steffie played with da
babies today.” Hope announced.
“Phoebe and Steffie?” Brooke
squinted and looked from her daughter to her sister and back again. “Were they
at Forrester honey?”
“Dey come to Daycare.” Hope
answered and turned to Donna. “Ice cream!”
“That’s for dessert.” Donna laughed. “How about hamburgers?”
“Ice cream!” Hope shouted.
“Not for dinner.” Brooke quickly broke in. She knew her sister and Donna was
about to cave to the little girl’s request. “There are chicken fingers in the
freezer. Marta made them herself and froze them. Hope likes them. And make sure
you make a vegetable too.” She instructed.
“Ick.” Hope pouted.
“You like vegetables Hope.” Brooke reminded her. “How about
carrots?”
“Okay Mommy.” Hope easily agreed.
“Honey, was Ridge there too? With the girls?” Brooke
asked her.
“Stephnanny.” Hope reached
for a cookie from her backpack.
“Oh.” Brooke shrugged again. “I guess she was sitting them, Ridge must have
been busy.”
“Yeah, stalking you.” Donna muttered.
“Stop.” Brooke giggled. She stretched and yawned and
stood up. “I’m going to shower and change so I’m ready when Nick gets home.”
“Where are you going?” Donna asked.
“Somewhere casual, I’m not sure, but Nick just wants to let loose a bit. Maybe Mannequins?”
“Sounds good.” Donna answered. “Come on Hope, let’s go make some dinner
while Mommy gets dressed.”
“I am sooooooooo against this Nick.”
“I told you, the minute it happened I was done. I’m never going back Tracy.”
“You’re not ready.” She said sternly.
“I’ve always been ready.”
“Nick, I know better, you know that I do.”
“I know me.” He argued.
“You’ve pushed all day, you’ve made some great progress but you’re not there
yet Nick, you’re not.”
“Am I going to get that speech again?” He laughed.
“What speech?” She angrily shot back.
“You know the one, the ‘I can’t be your therapist if you do this’ speech.” He
gave her a wink, which under normal situations would have made her smile, but
this time annoyed the hell out of her.
“I should! I really should! But I’m too damn invested in you!”
“Ahhh, you care.” Nick teased.
“Okay! I do!” She shouted. “Nick please, just give it
another week or so. You need that.”
“I’m not going to give it one more minute
“How can I help you if you won’t help yourself?” She sighed.
“Call Matt and come out with us tonight. I’ll show you how I’m doing.”
“And if I’m right?” She asked.
“You’re not right.”
“But if I am?” She pressed.
“Then we go back to your way. Deal?”
“I’ll call Matt.” She sighed. “But I am really not happy about this.”
“You’re just scared you’re gonna be missing me soon.”
He grinned at her. “I’m right about this
“I wonder what Brooke’s going to say.”
“Brooke’s going to be very happy.”
“And worried.”
“No, just happy Tracy. I’m not a man who takes
careless chances. I know what I can do and I CAN do this. Just trust me. I know
I have a long way to go, but this is a step I’m ready to take. Don’t try and
hold me back.”
“I’d never do that Nick.” She answered honestly. “We’ll do it your way. I hope
you prove me wrong. Now go get showered and dressed.” She started to walk away
but turned back. “Where shall I tell Matt to meet us?” She asked.
“Chucks, the bar by the Marlin.” Nick answered her.
“That’s your idea of a romantic place to take Brooke?”
“It’s not the place, it’s the people Tracy. Wherever we are, if we’re together,
it’s romantic. And think about it
“Okay Captain, it’s your show.”
“What do
you mean she left?” Ridge growled at Megan, his twin daughters looked up,
wondering why their father was so angry. “She promised to talk to me today!”
“It’s almost seven o’clock Ridge, did you expect her to stay here all night?”
“You are!” He shot back.
“Because Eric asked me to stay and do something for him.
He and I are the only ones left in the building besides Security and the poor
Day Care worker you kept waiting. Go home, come back tomorrow.”
“I didn’t keep anyone waiting, I picked the girls up
from my Mother’s house. Why are you being so difficult?”
“You don’t work here anymore Ridge, you shouldn’t even
be in here when Brooke’s not around. I’m not trying to give you a hard time, I’m just doing my job.” Megan protested.
“Where does she live Megan! I want you to tell me and I want you to tell me
NOW!”
“I’m not telling you anything Ridge. You come back tomorrow or if you can’t do
that call her. I gave Brooke my word and I’m keeping it. Now please, I’m very
busy and I really don’t want to be here all night.”
“You’re wrong in doing this Megan. Brooke loves me, she needs me. If you helped
me you’d be helping her!”
“Even if that were true, I am not breaking my word to Brooke. I know you do
love her Ridge but I’m not going to get in the middle of this. You and Brooke
need to work it out yourselves.”
“Thanks! Thanks for nothing!” He growled angrily. He turned to his daughters.
“Let’s go girls, we’ll do this another way.” He took
one of each of their hands and turned back to Megan. “I will find her!”
The men in the bar all turned as she walked in. Her kind of beauty, class and
style wasn’t the usual fare that they got at Chuck’s, though tonight seemed to
be an exception to that rule. But this one, this one was special. Her fashionable
black embroidered peasant skirt wasn’t out of place, but it was just a cut
above those usually worn here. Her sexy white camisole hugged her curves
showing off a body men would die to possess, but this woman was already taken
and she was here on a mission. She smiled back at the envious men, but her eyes
spent little time on any of them as she sought out the object of her affection.
Brooke Logan hadn’t been disappointed at all when Nick had called and asked her
to meet him at Chucks. In fact she had been happy. This was a place where Nick
felt comfortable and felt like himself and to her, it was a good sign that he
wanted to spend time there again. It had been so long. She smiled as she walked
into the dimly lit, smoky bar and waved happily at Nick as he waved her over.
Her grin grew when she saw Tracy and Matt sitting at a table with Nick. He was
really trying to come out of his funk. She took long, purposeful strides until
she reached the table. She walked up to Nick’s bar chair, put her arms around his
neck and gave him a deep, soulful kiss. “Hiya
handsome.” She said as she wiped her lipstick off the corner of his
mouth. “Hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long.” She turned to Tracy and
Matt. “Hello Tracy, Matt, it’s so nice to see you here too.”
“Nick invited us to join you, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? I think it’s wonderful.” She pulled out a chair
and sat next to Nick.
“You haven’t kept me waiting at all.” Nick took her hand and held it tightly.
“Did your day get better?”
“Let’s not talk about my day.” Brooke smiled and gave him another quick kiss.
“I’d rather hear about yours.”
“Did you see Ridge?” Nick insisted.
“He never showed up.” Brooke shrugged. “I guess he didn’t like my conditions. I
was really hoping we could come to an understanding. I don’t want to be his
enemy. We have too much history for that.”
“As long as you’re with me he’s likely to be that
Brooke.”
“Then I guess he’ll be my enemy forever because that is how long I intend to be
with you.” She squeezed his hand. “Aside from that Deacon came to my office.”
“And how did THAT go?” Nick asked with concern.
“Better than I imagined. He does look like he’s living a clean life. I set down
some rules and he agreed to them. He was extremely receptive to my conditions. I told him to come for dinner tomorrow.”
“Good girl.” Nick seemed to relax at the news. “Anything
else?”
“Nothing much worth mentioning.” Brooke answered. “So
are you going to buy me a beer or what?”
“You want beer?” Nick questioned.
“When in
“Your friend Chuck looks busy.” Matt announced after they had all waited a few
minutes trying to get his attention. “I’ll go over to the bar and get another
round.”
“Sounds good.” Nick agreed. “Did you eat anything?” He asked Brooke.
“Nope.” She answered. “Aren’t you buying me one of
your famous greasy burgers?”
“How about a pizza?” Nick suggested.
“Yum.” Brooke agreed with a grin. “Sounds perfect,
make sure it’s hot and cheesy.”
“Matt?
“Sounds like a plan.”
“And no pineapple. I like REAL pizza.” Matt shot back.
“How about just regular plain cheese pizza?” Brooke suggested.
“Mushrooms.” Nick added his opinion.
“Onions and peppers.” Matt added.
“No anchovies!” Both Brooke and Tracy said at the same time, causing them both
to burst out in laughter.
“Okay, cheese, mushrooms, onions and peppers. Anything else?”
Matt asked.
“Sausage.” Nick added, looking at Brooke and Tracy for
approval.
“Okay.”
“I like sausage.” Brooke acquiesced.
“I better go before you all change your minds again.” Matt chuckled and headed
to the bar.
“He’s very
nice.” Brooke said with a smile. “And very handsome too.”
“I think I’ll keep him around.”
“Okay guys, excuse me a moment, I need to make a trip to the little girls
room.” Brooke got up.
“Are you going with her?” Nick asked
“Now don’t you be going MCP on me Nick.”
“Silly man.” Brooke gave him a kiss and walked off.
“She didn’t even notice.”
“She will.” Nick smiled. “She will, even if I have to show her.” He added with
a laugh.
Brooke was running a comb through her hair when her cell phone went off. She
pulled it out of her purse, expecting it to be Donna, Hope or maybe even
Jackie. She frowned when she saw the name on the display……. Ridge.
“And I thought I dodged a bullet.” She said with a sigh. She clicked it open
and answered. “Hello Ridge. I thought you’d come in to
my office today.”
“I was just there, you weren’t.” He said angrily.
“A little late to expect to find me there isn’t it?” She asked.
“You’ve always put in late hours.” He argued.
“Maybe I did when my life was empty, but it’s not anymore Ridge.” She didn’t
regret her answer but she wasn’t happy that it seemed to hurt him. She could
hear that in his silence. “Ridge?” She asked.
“I’m still here.” He answered.
“I’ve been honest with you Ridge. That’s more than you can say to
“Why are we doing this
“I’m not playing any games Ridge. I’m happy. I’m with Nick and I’m happy.”
“You belong with me. You belong to me Logan!”
“I don’t belong TO anyone Ridge.” She said in a hiss. She softly counted to ten
and then changed her tone. “I’ll always love our memories Ridge, but that’s all
that is left, it’s all that we will ever have again.”
“
“I’m not your
“Friends? We can never be friends!”
“Maybe not.” She said with a sad resignation. “I don’t
want to be your enemy.”
“You need more Lo, Brooke.” He corrected himself. “A gimp in
a wheelchair? That’s no life for a woman like you!”
“Stop it!” Brooke shouted. “Don’t you dare call Nick names or make assumptions
that you have no right to make! I’m going to end this call before it gets any
worse. Don’t call me again Ridge, not until you’re ready to accept and respect
Nick. Goodbye!” She ended the call and threw the phone in her purse. It
immediately started ringing again, but she ignored it and walked back out to
Nick and their friends.
“What’s wrong?” Nick instinctively knew that this wasn’t the same Brooke that
had left a few minutes ago, no matter how hard she tried to cover it with
smiles.
“It’s nothing.” She took her seat again.
“It’s not nothing, I can tell. Talk to me Brooke.” He
urged.
“Later, let’s not ruin tonight. I want to have fun, I want you to have fun.”
“Just tell me what upset you and we can deal with it later.” Nick wasn’t
letting go and Brooke loved him even more for that. She took his hand and gave
it a tight squeeze.
“Ridge called my cell. He said some things that upset me, but none of it
matters, none of it is important, I know what’s true
and I.” Her words were cut off as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard
on the lips. “Oh my.” She whispered when the kiss
ended.
“That’s all you need to know Brooke.” He smiled at her.
“You’re right.” She smiled back. “Where’s
“Helping Matt bring the stuff over.” He motioned to
the two returning.
“Oh my look, it’s Sue.” Brooke pointed to the woman walking behind Tracy and
Matt.
“Sue?” Nick asked. “Oh yeah, the realtor. She knows
Paul?” He asked Brooke when he saw that Sue was arm in arm with a bar buddy of
his.
“Who’s Paul?” Brooke asked with a squint.
“The guy holding her hand.” He pointed.
“Sue! Come on over!” Brooke called out. “That must be her boyfriend.” Brooke
told Nick. “You know him?”
“He hangs here. We play pool, shoot darts.” He answered.
“Hey Nicky boy!” Paul grinned and came over to shake
his hand. “Good to see you back! Chuck and Corky told me all about your
accident. Good to see you’re doing okay.”
“Hi Sue.” Brooke smiled at her friend. “Small world isn’t it?”
“It sure is. I had no idea that Paul and Nick knew each other.” Sue answered.
Matt put down the beers and
“I’ll go get a couple more pitchers of beer and ask Chuck to get us another
pie.” Matt looked at Paul and Sue. “That okay with you two?”
“We don’t want to intrude.” Sue answered for them.
“You’re not. This is fun.” Brooke smiled and felt the tension from the phone
call fading away. “Matt,
“Nice to meet you Matt,
“Nice to meet you Paul, I’ve heard good things about you.” Brooke shook his
hand.
“So you’re the one who got this guy to settle down huh?” Paul teased Brooke and
Nick.
“She doesn’t have a gun to my back.” Nick assured him. “Pull over a couple of
chairs.”
“Before we sit, how about a game?” Paul motioned to the pool table. “Matt? You
play? You can play winner.”
“Paul I don’t think that Nick can.” Brooke started and gasped as he pulled
himself up and pulled over the walker.
“You WILL have the advantage, but I still think I can beat your sorry ass Elandor.” Nick laughed.
“Nnnnick? Your
chair?” Brooke gasped.
“Not too observant today beautiful.” He gave her a
brilliant smile.
“It’s gone?” She asked. “I mean I know you sit in regular chairs, I just
assumed that it was. Oh my God Nick!” She jumped up from her chair, knocking it
to the floor and threw her arms around him. “You’re walking!”
“Not completely on my own yet, but the wheelchair is history. I am NEVER going
back to it.” He said those words directly to
“Oh Nick, oh Nick.” Brooke was sobbing as she clung to him.
“See Trace, I’m even strong enough to hold her up.” Nick chuckled.
Brooke let go, afraid she would make it too difficult. “This is one of the
happiest days of my life. Right next to the day you opened your eyes up again.”
“And it’s not even close to over yet.” Nick said with a wink and a promise. “So
you wanna watch your man beat the pants off this guy
at pool?” He asked Brooke.
“I can’t think of anything I’d like better?”
“No overdoing Nick, you’re still shaky.”
“No
“Prepare to lose Payne.” Paul told him, but he was so thrilled for his friend
he didn’t care if he won or lost. Nick already was a winner.
Brooke looked carefully at Nick, finally seeing the braces on his legs. “Do
they hurt?” She asked. “They look tight.”
“They have to be.”
“It’s only temporary my love.” Nick promised. “But a
necessary evil. Like she said, they help my legs stay strong but with
more rehab they’ll go and then the walker.”
“Just take
it slowly and carefully.”
“Like I have a choice.” Nick laughed and turned to
Brooke. “I won’t be winning any races, but I will get there.”
Brooke looked fearfully at
“Hello! I’m right here!” Nick reminded them. “Watch,
and you won’t be scared. This is a good thing.”
“I know it is Nick.” Brooke said softly. She held her breath as he took slow,
steady steps towards the pool table. Her heart was in her throat but she was
also so happy. He was walking under his own power, not too well but he was
walking. Her eyes welled with tears.
“Don’t cry.” Nick instructed as he stole a glance.
“It’s pride Nick, I am so proud of you.”
“If you think THIS is good, wait till you see me later.” He gave her a huge
grin.
“What do
you mean you can’t track her from a cell phone? Of course you can!” Ridge
growled. “All I want is an address. Come on man, you know you can come through
for me.” He listened to the other end of the conversation, his face getting
angrier by the moment. “This is unacceptable. Look, I am paying you good money
and you’ve done nothing! I want to know where she is,
I want to know her address! I want it now! Look, I KNOW that following her
would be easier but I don’t want you to scare her, I
don’t want anyone stalking her! Just get me the damn address and I can fix
this! I can’t do this on the phone or in her office! We need to be alone, in a
place she feels safe, preferably with a bed. Then we can do what we do best.”
He smiled to himself, thinking about a passionate night with the woman he
loved. “What? Her car? It’s a Jag, but the last time I
saw it Amber Moore was driving it. Well of course she has a car, but I don’t
know. Wait, that would have to be in the computer for
Forrester security. Yes, yes, I know I can. If I get the
model and license number? You think so? Good. But I want it tonight!
Yeah, yeah, I know the department of motor vehicles won’t be open. Okay, I’ll
get the information tonight and you get me the address tomorrow. Don’t let me
down, I’m serious. I’m on my way to Forrester, I’ll
call you as soon as I have it. No, I won’t get caught, but it’s still my
family. I can be there, I have rights. Yeah, yeah, don’t you worry about that,
I’ll get it. Besides, no one is there now anyway.” He hung up the phone without
a goodbye. He was frustrated but he felt that he really did have a chance this
time.
“Hey Dad.” Thomas came into Ridge’s bedroom.
“Hello son.” Ridge forced a smile.
“Wanna play Xbox? I got that new game today when
Catherine took us out to the store, it really looks awesome. Wanna play? Or we could play WoW!
It will be fun Dad!”
“I wish I could Thomas, but I’m going to have to go out. We can play tomorrow.
Okay son?”
Thomas’s lower lip started to tremble but then his sadness changed to anger.
“It’s about HER isn’t it?”
“Who Thomas? This has nothing to do with Pilar, I
promise you.”
“Not her. Brooke.” He said the name with disgust. “She ruins everything! Everything!” Thomas threw down the box and ran out of the
room.
The crowd
around him was more than just Brooke and their friends. Everyone there knew
Nick and wanted to watch, to root him on. Chuck’s had never seemed so quiet as Nick lined up the cue stick and pulled it back.
Slowly, ever so slowly he released it, but his balance was off and his body was
shaking. A mass gasp seemed to emerge as the stick missed the shiny white ball
and scratched the green felt, making a screeching sound as the material tore.
Brooke froze as she watched Nick’s face. She couldn’t bear watching him feel
like he had failed. Her nails dug into her hands, as the silence seemed to grow
stronger. Nick’s shoulders started to shake and Brooke ached to hold him, to
tell him it was going to be alright. But then to her shock and to everyone
else’s came the sound of Nick’s hearty laugh. “Oh well, I guess I can’t do that
yet. Chuck, I owe you for the repairs on the felt.” He turned to Matt. “Take
over Matt, we can’t let this guy off this easily.” He
handed Matt his cue.
“Are you sure? Maybe you’re just rusty.” Matt didn’t want to discourage the
man.
“Nah, I’m just not ready, but I will be. Go ahead Matt, I’ll root you on.”
“Nick, I’m sorry.” Brooke said softly.
“It’s my first day,
“You sure are.” She walked closer and gave him a hug. “I love you Nick Payne.”
“I love YOU Brooke Logan.” He captured her lips in a soft and gentle kiss.
“Let’s go eat some pizza, I think I’ve worked up an appetite.”
“I’m sorry this didn’t work out for you.” She said as they slowly made their
way back to the table.
“Everything did work out.” He corrected her. “Okay, I’m not quite ready to take
on the world in a game of pool, but I will soon.”
“I know you will.” She assured him. “Why didn’t you tell me you had made so
much progress?”
“I wasn’t sure I had. I pushed like hell, especially today. I just couldn’t do it
anymore. I couldn’t live in that chair and I made a decision.”
“You’re an amazing man.” She said with genuine awe and affection. “Can I help?”
She asked as they got up to the table.
“You can pull my chair out a bit.
“Can you make it alright?” She wondered.
“Yup.” He lowered himself down and pushed the walker
out of the way. “Ahhhhhhhh.”
He let out a contented sigh. “You can’t know how much I needed this.” He
gestured around the room.
“I think I do.” She took his hand and held it tightly. “I can’t wait to tell
Hope. And Jackie!”
“Me too.” He agreed. He grabbed a piece of pizza and took a bite then
washed it down with a gulp of beer. “Did I look too stupid up there?”
“You looked wonderful.” She promised him. They both turned to the sound of
laughter and cheering as Paul and Matt continued their game.
“I asked a friend for a favor today.” Nick told Brooke.
“You did? Who? What?”
“Massimo.” He answered and took another bite. “Good pizza.”
“What did you need Massimo to do?” She was curious.
“You know Brooke, I’m not a worldly kinda guy. I’m not like Forrester.”
“Thank God.” She giggled.
“I’m serious.” He continued. “But I want to meld our worlds together. You try
so hard to do things with me. You come to places like this with me, you drink beer instead of champagne. You ride on my
rusty old boat when you’re used to your Jaguar. You are totally out of your
element and yet you are happy.”
“In the first place I’m not out of my element. We came from the same places
Nick, wealth isn’t something I grew up with. And I like beer and I love you and
I love your boat and I love everything we do together so stop thinking it’s a
sacrifice. It’s not Nick.”
“I’m just appreciating you.” He told her. “I didn’t mean you didn’t understand or
were uncomfortable. It came out wrong. It’s just that you’ve become used to
different things and yet you gladly push them away to make me happy.”
“So what are you saying? You’ve been asking Massimo’s advice about things like
champagne and fancy cars? Nick I don’t need any of that. I’m happy just being
with you. And I haven’t given up anything. If I want champagne I’ll have it and
I know you’ll have it with me.”
“This is coming out all wrong.” He shook his head. “I just needed his help
because I don’t know the right stores or the right things. And he helped me.”
“What kind of stores?” She asked.
“He took me to the place he always goes and he had the guy explain all about
the cuts and the colors and the sizes and all. Do you have any idea all that
goes into buying jewelry?” He asked her. “Damn, I could circumnavigate the
world a lot easier.”
“Oh Nick.” She smiled. “Were you buying me a present?”
He avoided the question and went on with his tale. “Everything that he showed
me was nice, but nothing was you Brooke. Nothing was as bright and brilliant as
you, nothing had your fire.”
“You don’t need to buy me things.” She protested.
“I needed to buy this.” He reached into his pocket and took out a small velvet
box. “A woman came into the store while the jeweler and Massimo were arguing
over which shape was best or something like that. I think she saw how lost I
looked, and I was sitting there all pathetic looking in my chair. So she came
up to me and asked me what I was buying. I told her that the most wonderful
woman in the world had agreed to marry me and that I needed to give her a ring
that would be worthy of her but that all those diamonds just looked cold to me,
they didn’t scream out love Brooke.”
“Anything you give me will scream out our love.” She said tenderly.
“She showed me her ring. It was pretty. It was a diamond and two blue
sapphires. It was really nice, but it wasn’t you either. Then I saw it and she
told me that the stones represented love and I knew, I
knew it was what I wanted. Oh God Brooke, I hope you like it.” He struggled to
his feet. Brooke watched as he unhooked the braces and let them fall. “You may
have to help me up, but I am determined to do this the right way.” He laughed
and slowly lowered himself down until he was kneeling. He let out a groan and
then a laugh. “I sound like an old man.”
“Oh Nick.” She whispered. She felt like they were the only two people in the
world as he opened the box and took out the ring. It was a beautiful oval diamond, on either side was a clear, sparkly ruby. Brooke
was shaking as he slipped it onto her finger. The fit was perfect.
“Brooke. I
love you. I love you so much. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I
thank God that whatever it is, that I did it. I know you said yes last night,
but I have to ask you once more. Brooke Logan, will you marry
me?”
“Yes! Oh God yes Nick!” She got down on her own knees and put her arms
around him. They kissed, long and hard, only stopping when they finally noticed
the applause around them. Sue, Paul, Matt,
“Just in case he was right and he really doesn’t know anything about champagne,
I do.” Chuck told Brooke as he popped the cork on a magnum of Dom Perignon. “And I got another one of these cooling.
“Or that
she says yes.” Nick added. He moaned as he pulled himself up with the walker,
but he did it on his own. He sat back in his chair and gave Brooke a smile. “Not too bad huh?”
“Perfect.” She assured him. She looked down at the ring on her finger.
“And so is this. Nick, I love it. I love you.”
Nick accepted the two flutes that Corky gave him and he handed one to Brooke. “To us, and to Hope and to our future. May we always be as happy
as we are right now.”
“We will be.” Brooke clinked her glass against his.
“And to tonight.” Nick whispered softly. “Because if
you think I’m done, my surprises for you have just begun.”
“Coming, coming.” Jackie ran towards the insistent knock on the door. “I’m
coming.” She flung the door open and smiled at Massimo as he stood there with a
bouquet of two dozen long stem red roses. “Oh Massimo, how
lovely. Are they for me?”
“And who else would they be for?” He asked. “May I come in?”
“Of course.” She moved aside to let him in.
“I hope you’re not busy.” Massimo walked to the couch and sat down.
“No, not really. I was just going over some reports
for Fenmore.” She had paperwork spilled all over the
coffee table. “Let me put these in water.” She went to the kitchen. Massimo
looked at the papers and then lost interest, got up and followed her into the
kitchen. “Have you eaten?” Jackie asked him. “I was going to make an omelet. I could make two.”
“If you haven’t eaten then please, let me take you out.” He took one
rose from the vase and rearranged it. “I can get us a table at Café Russe.”
“That would be lovely, but I don’t mind cooking. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of
my prowess in the kitchen. I remember I used to cook for you.”
“I remember too. “ He assured her. “I’d just like to
treat you to a nice meal cooked for you if you don’t mind. I do like your
omelets. Perhaps you could make one.” He stopped. “For our
breakfast.”
“Oh my.” She flushed and swooned. “Oh my.”
“So it’s still him. I know you’re not married to him.” The man said
aloud as he watched them through his binoculars. “But he’s there again. He
didn’t have you then, and he won’t have you now.” He put down the glasses, took
a bite of his sandwich and a gulp from his thermos. “You and that little
bastard of yours are going to pay Jackie, for all you did to me you will pay!”
Brooke couldn’t stop smiling as she watched Nick and his friends in the corner
playing darts. Pool may have been unsuccessful but Nick had already gotten two
bulls eyes and he was hooting and hollering with his buddies as he puffed on
his cigar and drank his beer. “He got another one.” She told Sue and Tracy.
“He’s having no trouble at all with this.” Sue agreed. “Too bad I can’t say the
same for Paul.” She laughed.
“I have to admit Brooke, I was very nervous about letting Nick give up the
chair, in fact I have one in my car and I made Hank bring one back to your
house, but he seems to be doing as well as he told me he would.”
“He looks a little tired, but he’s so happy. He’s in his element here.” Brooke
decided.
“Honey it’s not Chuck’s that’s making Nick happy, it’s you.”
“When he put that ring on your finger, my God, it was like a scene from a
romance novel.” Sue agreed. “Can I see it again?”
“I can’t stop looking at it either. It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Brooke held out
her hand to the women. She sighed as she admired the ring along with them. “But
I’d feel the same way if he put a cigar band on my finger.”
“I can’t blame you.” Sue let go of Brooke’s hand. “I’d feel the same way if
Paul did that for me. But he’s just not that romantic. You’re a lucky woman.”
“Don’t I know it.” Brooke smiled. “You know, I’ve wasted years of my life
trying to hang onto a man who I loved but who could never commit to me, a man
who only seems to really want me if he’s lost me and I’ve moved on. I was in
denial for so long I didn’t know any other way to feel.”
“So what happened?”
“Nick. Nick happened.” Brooke said with a laugh and then her face turned
serious. “When my wedding to Ridge fell apart I was in a really bad place and
the first person who was there for me and tried to make me see that the world
hadn’t ended was Nick. I barely knew him, he was just a friend, maybe even more
of an acquaintance, but he was there and he was kind and supportive and he did
the impossible.”
“What was that?” Sue queried.
“He made me laugh. He made me laugh when I didn’t think I could even smile.”
Brooke smiled fondly at the memory. “He wanted more than I did, but he never
pushed. He took it slowly, gaining my trust and my friendship and at the same
time being so supportive of my daughter and me. Then one day it hit
“What?”
“I wasn’t thinking about Ridge anymore, I was thinking about Nick.”
“Can’t blame you for that.” Sue grinned.
“Oh Sue, I fought it. I didn’t think I was ready, I
didn’t want anyone else to be my default guy. I couldn’t convince myself that I
could love anyone other than Ridge. So I went away. I packed up Hope, called my
sister and we went away to a spa. I wanted to clear my mind and make some
decisions. I didn’t know if I was going to fight for Ridge or give him up. But
even there, all I talked about was Nick. I left because I needed to get answers
about Ridge, but the only man that I thought about or dreamed about was Nick. I
had been avoiding him but finally I called him and I asked him to come to see
me, and well, the rest is history.”
“So how did you meet her? What made you decide to finally take the plunge?”
Corky asked Nick.
“He wanted to be pussy whipped, just like me.” Matt joked.
“I guess that ends the days of sea huh Captain.” Paul teased him.
“The only thing I can’t live without is Brooke and Hope.” Nick answered. “Going
to sea will always be a part of me, but long journeys have just lost their
appeal. I found my home guys and I can’t even imagine spending a single second
without her.”
“I know the feeling.” Matt agreed. “When
“Hmmmm.” Paul looked at the two men.
“Like you don’t feel that way about Sue.” Nick
laughed. “I saw how you look at her and how you jump to get her anything before
she even asks for it. You my friend are going to be popping his
own questions soon I’m sure.”
“Not yet, we’re not ready for that.” Paul protested. “I love her but I just
don’t know about the whole marriage thing. You already live with Brooke, why
get married?”
“Because I just can’t get close enough. I need to be hers and for her to be
mine in every single way. I can’t wait until the day we pledge ourselves to
each other forever. Oh hell, we’ve already done that but I want to make it
legal and final and forever.”
“And the sex? Is it just wonderful?” Sue asked and
then blushed. “I’m sorry, I forgot, I guess you don’t, he can’t, oh I’m sorry.”
“We have a wonderful sex life.” Brooke giggled. “One that started out like
nothing I ever knew before and is just going to get better and better.”
“I just thought.” Sue apologized.
“People with physical impediments are not necessarily unable to have sex lives
Sue.”
“I didn’t realize that and I didn’t mean to offend.”
“No offense taken.” Brooke said, much to her relief. “I wasn’t so sure about
that myself.”
“So Brooke, when Nick was hurt, that must have been horrible for you.” Sue
changed the subject back.
“Nick and I had just spent our first night together at Ojai.” Brooke started.
“There were problems on a tanker and Nick had to leave to check it out. I
decided that I no longer needed to stay at the spa, being with Nick answered
all my questions, so Donna, Hope and I went home. That night we were watching
the news and the report came on. I went straight to Marone
and was on the plane to
“Hey there.” Nick smiled at her as she came up to him.
“Let me finish this game and then we can take off if you’d like.”
“You seem to be doing quite well.” Brooke said appreciatively.
“He’s beating the shit out of me.” Paul complained.
“He already did Chuck in and I won’t even try.” Matt told her.
“Well he ain’t gonna beat
me, I’ve always been better than him at this and I’m keeping it that way.”
Corky announced.
“Is that so?” Brooke asked with a laugh.
“In his dreams.” Nick said through teeth clamped onto
his stogie. “Just watch me get another bulls eye. Hell
Corky, we can play all night long and you’ll never beat
“Then let’s go for it buddy.” Corky challenged. “You’re only a coupla points ahead, blow this one and it’s my game Payne.”
“Ah, but I am NOT gonna blow it.” Nick said
confidently. “Maybe next game, maybe next year, maybe never.” He laughed.
Brooke gave Corky a wink and then walked close to Nick as he steadied his hand.
“Put your money up
Just as he was letting go of the dart Brooke got close to his ear and whispered
mischievously. “Just so you know honey, I’m not wearing any underwear.”
The cigar fell from his mouth and for the first time since he had been a child, his dart completely missed the dartboard. Nick turned
to Brooke with wide, shocked eyes as she nodded at him. She giggled as she
started to walk away but Nick grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “What are
you doing to me woman?”
“Anything you want.” She purred. “And then a little more for dessert.”
“Okay guys, game’s over.” Nick handed Corky the pile of bills that sat on the
side of the bar. “And if ANY of you get the crazy idea in your heads that I
lost, well you are wildly mistaken, cause I just won
something better than all your money could ever buy.” He grinned at Brooke,
looked her body up and down questioningly. “Really?”
He asked.
“Since the moment I left my house.” She confirmed.
“Holy shit. Let’s get the hell outta
here!”
“Who is it? Who’s out there?” Eric called out. He was the last on in the
building. The lights had been turned off except for his office and the hallway
was dark, very dark. He had gotten involved in a sketch and he hadn’t been able
to put it down. But now he knew he should be alone and he wasn’t he heard
footsteps coming towards him. “Who is it? Answer me!”
“Dessert?” Massimo asked Jackie. “I remember you’ve
always loved Crème Brule.”
“Oh I do, I do, but dinner was so lovely and I’m so full.”
“Coffee then. Perhaps and an after dinner drink?”
“After all that champagne, are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Just trying to show you a wonderful evening.”
“And you have Massimo, you have.”
“I’m afraid that I don’t want this evening to end Jacqueline.” He took her hand
and kissed it.
“Neither do I.” She admitted. “But we don’t need food
or drink for that. We can go back to the beach house or go for a walk?” She
suggested.
“I’d like that.” Massimo smiled.
“Then shall we skip the coffee here? I can make us some at home and I do have a
nice bottle of brandy.”
Massimo motioned to the waiter. “Check please.”
“Hi Thorne.” Rick grinned and opened the door to let in his half-brother. “Come on
in.”
“Thanks Rick.” Thorne entered and closed the door behind him. “Is your mother
home?” He asked.
“Oh wow, you don’t know do you?”
“Know what?” Thorne was perplexed.
“Mom moved. Amber and I are living here now, Donna too,,
but Mom moved out.”
“Did she reconcile with Ridge?” He asked him. “I know that Ridge has been
trying so hard. I hope they’ve made it.”
“Wow Thorne, how out of the loop are you? Mom is with Nick Payne now, she has been since before his accident.”
“Are you serious? Ridge told me that there was nothing between them, just in
Nick’s mind. So Brooke is really serious about this guy?”
“Very serious.” Rick nodded. “She loves him Thorne and it’s a good love. I’ve
never seen my Mom so happy and so calm.”
“I’m stunned, I didn’t think it was serious at all. I
hope that it’s real Rick, I don’t want to see another guy fall into this same
old trap.”
“My mother wasn’t trying to trap you or anyone Thorne.” Rick was quick to
Brooke’s defense.
“Oh I know, I just meant that a lot of hearts have been broken because of
Brooke’s love for my brother okay? I don’t want to see this happen again. It
hurts Brooke too and I really do want her happy.”
“I think she really is Thorne.”
“So where is she living? Not on his boat I hope.”
“No, they have a new place, but I’m sorry Thorne, Mom asked me not to give the
address out to anyone.”
“Why? Rick you know Brooke and I are friends, I wouldn’t hurt her for anything
in the world, you can trust me.”
“She doesn’t want Ridge bothering her Thorne, and I know how pesky he can be.”
“I won’t tell him, but I respect her wishes and I won’t push you. Just tell her
that I came by to see her and that, oh never mind, I’ll talk to her at work
tomorrow.” He laughed.
“You can call her on her cell Thorne, I’m sure she’d be glad to here from you.”
Rick felt badly. He knew Thorne wouldn’t hurt Brooke, but he had to keep his
word to her.
“Actually I just wanted to talk. Things aren’t going well with Macy. I keep
trying and trying but she won’t talk to me. I wondered if she thought she could
convince her that there wasn’t anything between us anymore, but maybe if she’s
really moved on from Ridge Macy will see that I’m right.”
“You must really love her Thorne.”
“I do, and I regret hurting her so much. It’s not that I didn’t love
your mother, I did, but I should have been smart enough to see what was right
there in front of me and I shouldn’t have thrown away a woman that really loved
me and needed me too.”
“I hope you can work it out then.” Rick answered. “But it might be too late.”
“I hope not, because losing her just made me see how much I really do love her
and probably always have. I’m going to fight to get her back. I am.”
“Next time I drive, turn left.” Nick instructed Brooke.
“Did
“I have enough strength to work the pedals I’m sure.” Nick told her. “But maybe
I should wait, it’s one thing to take a chance with
myself, I wouldn’t want to put anyone else in danger to soothe my ego. Two
blocks down and then a left.”
“Where are you taking me?” Brooke asked in frustration.
“Hopefully to the moon and back.” He laughed. “I had a good time tonight. I
hope you did too.”
“Hmmmm, let’s see.” Brooke answered. “The pizza was
very good and it was nice to have a couple of girlfriends to talk to. So yeah,
I guess I had fun.” She reached over and gave him a soft punch on the arm.
“Ouch!” He feigned pain.
“I just had the most wonderful news about the man that I love and not only
that, he proposed to me again and gave me the most beautiful ring I’ve ever
seen and you ask me if I had a good time?” She leaned over and gave him a quick
kiss. “I can’t even begin to imagine a better time.”
“Here, here, turn right and go one more block.” He instructed her. “And I sure
hope you don’t have to use your imagination tonight.”
“You have me intrigued.” She giggled.
“Pull in here.” He pointed to a parking garage.
“Why are we going here?” She looked up at the luxury condominiums. “Who are we
visiting?”
“Park in that spot, PH1.” He pointed.
“We’re going to the penthouse?” She asked. “Who lives here?”
“No one right now, but Massimo Marone owns it, and he
is letting us use it tonight.”
“He is? Why?” Brooke asked.
“Because he likes us and because I told him we needed to be all alone tonight
and that I was going to book a hotel room. He said that no one was using this
and we were welcome to it. How could I pass it up?”
“Hmmm, how could you?” She giggled. “But Hope.”
“All taken care of. I went there earlier and explained to her that you
and I were going to spend the night away. She was okay as long as she had her
Auntie Donna, who, by the way, packed for us. I had her send the bag over here.”
“Sneaky, very sneaky.”
“Of course you mean that in a good way right?”
“Of course.” Brooke giggled. She pulled into the spot and stopped the car. She
got out and walked to the passenger side. She got Nick’s walker out and put in
next to the door. “Do you need help?” She asked.
“I don’t think so, but don’t go too far.”
Brooke watched as he slowly and carefully got out of the car. He put one foot
and then the other on the ground and grabbed onto the walker with both hands.
“You okay?” She asked when he stood for a moment without moving.
“Just getting my balance.” He assured her. “Okay, the
elevator is over there.” He pulled a key out of his pocket and handed it to
her. “It opens the elevator and the penthouse. You hold onto it, I need both
hands for this.”
“You got it.” She grinned and waited for him to start moving. She walked slowly
at his side.
“Sorry this takes so long.” Nick apologized.
“I don’t mind.” She answered.
“But you know, slow can be good too, and I promise you tonight I’m going to be
nice and slow and make sure that I touch and taste and worship every single
inch of your beautiful body.”
“Slow is wonderful.” Brooke answered in a very sexy voice.
They got into the elevator and Brooke pushed the penthouse button. She moved
close to Nick and started to giggle. “I feel like a schoolgirl on her first
date with the high school quarterback.”
“Just a sexy CEO with her gruff but equally sexy sea captain.”
“Very sexy.” She purred, kissing his neck. “I want you so badly Nick.”
“I want YOU.” He assured her.
“You have me. Forever and always.” The elevator
stopped and the door opened to a luxurious lobby. “Wow, this is very
impressive.” Brooke stepped off and waited for Nick. He got off the elevator
and gave a whistle. “It sure is, and we’re not even inside yet.”
“I want you inside.” She said in a seductive whisper.
“Oh me too beautiful, me too.” Nick was so turned on
by both her purr and the double entendre.
“You said slow Nick, but I want fast, I NEED fast, I need you so bad, I need
you right now.” She opened the door to the penthouse and stood aside as Nick
entered. Then she pushed the door closed. “I can’t wait any longer. I swear I
can’t.”
“Where’s the bedroom?” He asked as his eyes searched the penthouse.
“There’s a couch.” Brooke told him. “Nick?” She sounded like she was almost in
pain.
“Honey I’d love to comply, but I don’t know if it’s big enough for me to feel
secure. Come on, it has to be down that way.”
“Follow me, I’ll check and open the bed.” Brooke almost took off running.
“Take your clothes off, I’m right behind you.” Nick promised.
“Oh that shouldn’t be too difficult Nick, after all, I
have so little to take off.” Brooke pulled the camisole over her head and
turned to him, her nipples hard and oh so enticing. “See something you like?”
Brooke teased and ran towards the closed door. “Come on sailor, show me what
you got.” She opened the door and walked through. Nick pushed himself to go
faster but stopped with a howl and a grin as her skirt came flying through the
doorway, landing on his head. “I’m waiting!” She called out.
“What would you have done if I were still in the chair?” He called out to her.
“Same thing I’m doing now, but I’d have helped you onto the bed if I had to.”
She shouted back. “And Nick, this bed is so soft and I am soooooooooooo
ready.”
She burst into giggles as he came through the room. He stopped and stood in
awe, watching her, as she lay nude, waiting for him on the bed.
“Why are you still awake honey?” Donna came in and sat
on Hope’s bed.
“Nick was apposed to read me a story.” Hope pouted.
“I read you two stories already Hope. And I explained to you that Mommy and
Nick just wanted to have some grown up fun tonight. He’ll read to you tomorrow
night. But since you’re still awake, if you want I’ll read you another story.”
Donna ruffled her curls, sniffed them and gave her a kiss. “You know I just
can’t resist you sweetie.”
“Are dey coming home soon?” Hope persisted.
“They’ll be home tomorrow.” Donna answered.
“I’m scared.” Hope put her thumb into her mouth.
“Now why are you scared honey? You know I’m here and you’re safe.”
“Will you sleep wif me?” Hope looked up at her with
big, innocent eyes.
“Oh why not.” Donna gave in. “Scoot over and I’ll get
in and read to you.”
“I love you Auntie Donna.” Hope hugged her and gave her a kiss. “Will you live
with us when we get married?”
“No honey, but I promise, I’ll visit you a lot okay?”
“Okay.” She smiled, sighed and cuddled into her aunt’s arms.
Nick had managed to get to the bed, and to quickly remove his own clothes, he
had struggled a bit but lifted himself onto the bed under his own power.
“I hope you’re not too worn out Captain, because I am feeling very sexy and
very naughty.” Brooke cooed and wrapped one of her legs over his. She reached
down and stroked him and took him into her hand.
“Mmmmmmm, so hard and powerful.” He grew harder as he throbbed in
her hand. “Oh God Nick, I don’t want to wait another second.”
“We have the whole night.” He agreed. “Right now I need you like I’ve never
needed anything before in my life.”
“As I need you.” She pulled him on top of her. “Now
Nick, I don’t need anything else, just you, right now.”
He slid hand between her legs. “You’re so hot, so wet, so
ready for me.” Nick moaned.
“I don’t need anything more, I am ready. Now Nick, now.” She begged him. She
gasped as he pulled himself up and then lowered himself right into her. “Yes, oh God yes.” She moaned.
“Move with me, I need your help.” He told her.
“Oh yes, yes.” She moaned and found his rhythm. They were finally joined again
as two and it was right and it was powerful and it was perfect.
“Stephanie, hello.” Macy smiled as she opened the door. She knew that the woman
would come around, this was after all, her grandchild.
“Are we alone? Is your mother at home?” Stephanie asked.
“She’s out to the movies with Darla.” Macy answered. “Come on in.” She led the
older woman inside. “Can I make you some coffee or a cold drink?”
“This isn’t a social call.” Stephanie looked at her with steely eyes.
“You’re still angry.” Macy sighed. “Stephanie, I didn’t plan this. I’d never do
anything to hurt you or anyone in your family.”
“Are you still pregnant?” Stephanie asked bluntly.
“Of course I am.” Macy said with a nervous laugh.
“Then you are. You’re hurting my family.” Stephanie sat down on the couch. “I
thought you loved this family Macy, I thought you cared about us. I’m so
disappointed in you.”
“What is it you expect me to do Stephanie? I’m pregnant, it wasn’t planned but
I am.” She lied again. It was getting easier and easier.
“I wasn’t saying you planned it honey, I understand how it happened, you were
vulnerable, Ridge was vulnerable and you were both at the wrong place at the
wrong time, but you can’t complicate a bad situation by making it worse! You can’t
bring a baby into the world like this.” She tried a different tactic, one of
sympathy.
“I’ve wanted a baby for so long.” Macy said in a sad voice.
“But not this baby Macy, not this one.”
“But I can’t do that. How could you expect me to do
that?”
“Because this is the wrong baby, with the wrong man. But
Macy, now you know that you CAN have a baby. You and Thorne can try
again. Macy, please help me save what’s left of my family, please.” She grabbed
her hand and looked her into the eyes. Macy was frightened by the icy stare and
she needed more time, time to make sure that the baby was grown enough and safe
enough. She closed her eyes and forced tears and then looked up at the older
woman.
“Okay.” Macy said in a very sad, resigned whisper. “You’re too strong for me.
I’ll do it.”
“Thank you Macy.” Stephanie gave her a hug, but her eyes had no love or
compassion, only a sneer of victory. “Would you like me to call a doctor for
you?”
“I, I can do that. I just want to go.” Macy answered her. “Cccan
you, can you tell Ridge that I’m sorry and that it’s over, and that I won’t
bother him again?”
“Of course I can.” Stephanie let go of her and got up. “I must be getting
home.” She sighed. “Call me if you need
“Thank you.” Macy got up and walked her to the door. “I’m sorry, I never meant
for this to happen.” She apologized again.
“It’s alright Macy, it’s over now.” She smiled and walked out. Macy closed the
door and smiled to herself.
“In a pig’s eye it’s over.” She whispered to herself. “In a
pig’s eye.” She rubbed her belly and smiled.
Brooke and Nick lay in the bed facing each other,
hands clutched together, both with smiles that just wouldn’t stop.
“That was
um, not too bad huh?” Nick let go of one of her hands and stroked her face.
“Passable.” Brooke giggled.
“Maybe worth another shot hmmm?” Nick asked with a
laugh.
“Oh I supposed I could go for another try.” Brooke faked an uninterested yawn
and then broke up laughing. “Oh Nick, it was wonderful.”
“Too fast, and I’m sorry. It had been so long so my staying power was, well, ummm, not really up to par but I promise next time.”
“Shhhhhhhh.”
Brooke put her finger on his lips. “It was perfect and it will only get more
perfect.”
“I promised slow and sexy. I was going to worship every inch of your body.”
Nick protested.
“Neither one of us could do that this time Nick. I needed you right then. It
happened just as it should have. We have forever you know.”
“That we do.” He pulled her close to him and kissed her. “Care to start now or
do you want to talk?”
“It was monumental wasn’t it?” She cuddled into his arms and sighed. “Can I
just believe it Nick? Can I just relax and enjoy everything and know that our
future is safe and happy and secure?”
“Why the hell not?” He asked sounding a little
annoyed.
“Because I’ve never had that before, never. There was
always a black cloud following me around.”
“I’m not Forrester.” He reminded her. “God how I hate what
that man has done to you!” He shouted.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Brooke cowered.
“Oh no, no.” He gently pulled her back. “I am soooooo not angry at you Brooke. I’m just so mad that that
idiot ever entered your life. How a woman as smart and beautiful as you are can
have these insecurities is beyond comprehension. I swear at times I could kill
him.”
“Let’s not ruin this with this kind of talk.” Brooke leaned in and kissed him.
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard in a long time.” Nick took a deep breath
and smiled. “So I have a question for you.”
“You do?” Brooke raised her eyebrows. “Hmmmm, you can
start here.” She touched her neck. “And work your way all the way down to there.”
She pointed at her toes. “With a couple of very long stops in between.”
“Now that’s a journey I can get into.” Nick laughed. “But that wasn’t my
question.”
“Oh, I see.” Brooke smiled. “Will I do the same you’re wondering? Well let me
show you.” She started kissing and giving him nips on his neck.
“I was going to ask you what kind of wedding you really want.” Nick moaned as
he enjoyed her administrations.
“As long as you and I and Hope are there I really don’t care.” She purred.
“How many kids do you want?” He asked.
“Kids?” Brooke stopped what she was doing and looked
up at him. “Kids?” She repeated.
“You know, those little tiny people that crawl around
and call you Mommy and Daddy.” Nick grinned at her.
“Kids.” She smiled. “I always thought Hope would be my
last child.”
“If that’s what you want it’s okay.” Nick quickly answered. “I love her with
all my heart and soul, just as if she were mine.”
“But she’s not.” Brooke said softly.
“In here she is.” He pounded on his chest, his heart.
“Do you want to try?” Brooke asked him.
“I kinda like the process that we’d need to follow.”
Nick teased.
“I’m serious.” Brooke giggled. “You know Nick, I’ve never had a planned
pregnancy.”
“A whole new experience for you huh?” He laughed. “We all should try new things
they say.”
“What if I can’t?” She asked him.
“Do you think that?” Nick asked.
“No, not really, but I just, well this is so weird. I’ve never, you know, done
it on purpose.” She giggled again. “All my children are loved and wanted, but
never planned. There was always drama and pain involved, no matter what though
I wouldn’t, I couldn’t live one day without any of them.”
“I know you’re a good mother Brooke.” He touched her gently and with deep love.
“And I know that you’d do anything in the world for your kids.”
“I’ve never had a stress free pregnancy. I’ve never carried a child and been
happy with it’s father. I’ve always been alone,
fighting, struggling, wishing.”
“That’s just so wrong. You should have been loved and cherished and comforted
each and every time.”
“I made a lot of mistakes in my life Nick. I was always chasing something
elusive. I always thought that once I had it I would be happy and everything
would be perfect. It’s funny, once I stopped chasing and fighting and trying so
hard, love was there. It was right there waiting for me and it was more
beautiful and more perfect than I could ever imagine.” Her eyes shown with the
love she felt for him. “I keep thinking that this can’t be real, that the
bottom has to fall out like it always does. But here you are, not just loving
me but wanting to actually plan a family with me. No one, no one ever did that
with me.”
“We have plenty of time to think about it.” Nick assured her. “But well, we
didn’t use protection unless you’re on the pill and I just wondered if I
should.”
“And you say I worry too much.” Brooke kissed him softly again. “I’ve never had
good reactions to the pill.” She explained. “And Nick, I would love it if we
had a baby, I really would, so I don’t see any reason
for us to use protection. Do you?”
“So you want to try?” His eyes glistened with joy.
“I want to try.” She smiled back, her eyes filling with tears. “Our baby will
be loved and cherished and will make this family complete. Yes Nick, I want to
try, I want to try.” A perfect tear fell onto her cheek. Nick kissed it off and
then kissed her softly on the lips.
“So you know what they say don’t you?” Nick asked with a smile.
“No Captain, what do they say?”
“Practice makes perfect. Wanna go for perfection?”
“I always was a very dedicated student.” Brooke giggled. She brought her lips
to his and as they kissed their hands caressed and explored each other. Their
lesson started.
“I said who is there!” Eric shouted. His voice was powerful and strong but
inside he was a bit scared. He was alone in the building without any kind of
weapon for protection.
“Dad?” Ridge walked up to him.
“Oh for God’s sake Ridge. What are you doing here so
late? And why the hell were you trying to scare me to death?”
“Me?” Ridge asked. “I just got here. I wanted to uh, check something in my old
things but the office was locked, I went to security to see if I could find my
key. I didn’t even know you were here. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Well you did. You shouldn’t be sneaking around here after dark like some kind
of criminal you know.” Eric shook his head. “Come on, I’ll let you in, I have
the master key, but I don’t know what it is you expect to find in there, Amber
has been using the office for quite a while now and as far as I know all your
things have been shipped to your house.”
“You’re acting like I’m some kind of intruder.” Ridge said angrily. “I thought
I was family.”
“You work for the competition now Ridge, family or not, you don’t belong
wandering around here when no one is around. So what is it you wanted?”
“Some old ideas that I had on my computer.” Ridge answered.
“If it’s on the server I’m sure you can still access it if you still remember
your passwords, I haven’t had them delete you. I guess I was always hoping.”
Eric sighed.
“Thanks Dad.” Ridge put his hand on his shoulder. “I just don’t know.”
“Here, go ahead.” Eric handed him his keys. “I’ll be in my office, just bring
them back to me before I leave.”
“Thanks.” Ridge repeated. Eric walked back to his office and Ridge headed to
his old one. He had come up with what he felt was a weak excuse, but thankfully
Eric had bought it. He wouldn’t approve of his trying to track down Brooke this
way. His trip to security had been somewhat successful. He had found her
parking information, she was driving a van, probably
because of the cripple. Ridge seethed. And he had the plate number. Now he just
had to go to the computer and kill some time. Maybe he could find more out on
Brooke, it wouldn’t hurt to try. He was about to slip the key into the lock
when he noticed that the door was already ajar and that the desk light was lit.
“Amber?” Ridge asked as he opened the door. He walked in, his eyes widened in
shock. “Oh my God! It can’t be. How can YOU be here?”