Chapter Five

 

 

Amber and Rick were waving goodbye to Little Eric when Brooke came down the stairs.  She smiled and waved too, then put her arm around her son.  “Where is he off to today?” She asked.

“A play date with Stevie Sanders from his pre-school class.” He said.  “So, did you have a nice time last night? You had already gone to bed when we got home.”

“It was alright.” She said with a hug. 

“Just alright?” Rick raised his eyebrows. 

“It wasn’t a date Rick, it was just dinner at home with my baby and a friend.  Please don’t read something more into it.  I’ve just ended a lifelong commitment, I am certainly not ready for anything serious at this point.” Brooke pointed out.

“But that Captain Payne is very nice and very hot too.” Amber said with a smile.

“He’s very nice.” Brooke agreed. 

“Aren’t you going to work today?” Rick asked his mother.  He frowned as he took in her appearance.  She was wearing an old robe, her hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail and around her eyes were dark circles. 

“I don’t think so.” Brooke bit on her lower lip.  “I didn’t sleep well last night, I think I’ll just rest today.  Your father has everything under control at the office.”

“Mom, you know I love you and I support anything you do, but lying around the house feeling sorry for yourself was never your style.” Rick took her hand and squeezed it.  “Maybe you’d feel better if you kept busy.”

“My style?” Brooke asked in a wistful voice.  “I’m not ever sure I have a style.  I feel like everything that I knew, like my entire existence ceased being real when I heard those words between Ridge and Bridget.  I don’t even know who I am anymore.  I just need some time to figure things out.  I just need some time alone, just for myself.  I hope you understand that Rick.  I have a lot of decisions to make and a lot to think about, so for the next few days it’s just going to be me and Hope.”

 

 

Nick turned around and grinned.  “Hello Mother, this is starting to become a habit.  What brings you to the Shady Marlin again?”

“Do I need a reason to come see my son darling?” Jackie asked as she planted a kiss on his cheek.  “I still can’t get over how handsome you are without that nasty old beard.  I must remember to thank Brooke Logan.”

“Hrmmph.” Nick said without looking up from his wok. 

“And what does that mean?  Don’t tell me you’re fighting with her.”

“That would be impossible.” Nick muttered.

“Well good.” Jackie smiled and sighed.  “I think she’s good for you.”

“It would be impossible because she won’t take my calls.” He looked up at her.  “It’s been almost three weeks and she’s been avoiding me.  I guess I came on too strong, but damn it, you’d think the woman would give me a chance to explain or apologize.  Not that I think I did anything wrong.”

“Oh Nicky, I am sorry.” Jackie gently stroked his arm.  “You seemed so taken with her.  I had hoped she was going to be the one to finally anchor you down.”

“Actually that was something I wanted to talk to you about.” Nick gave her a look that Jackie immediately knew meant trouble.

“On no you don’t! You just got here, you’re not taking off again, I won’t have it, I won’t!”

“My life is the sea and so is my job Mother.”

“Not anymore, you’re the commander of the Marone fleet, that means you stay here and run the entire fleet, not take off on a boat to some Godforsaken place.  Nicky I know you’re disappointed but there will be other women and maybe even in time Brooke will come around.  You know she just went through a terrible ordeal.”

“I was trying to help her, apparently she doesn’t want my help and believe me Mother, I can take a hint.” He reached for one of his cigars, put it in his mouth and fumbled around for a match.

“Now Nicky, I don’t think that is true.  She most likely just needs some time on her own, to think things through.  I’m sure she appreciated your friendship.” Jackie protested.

“I guess she wasn’t too fond of my kisses.” He moped.  “Her loss.” He added as he found a match and lit it against the stove. Jackie gave him a knowing smile.  “What?” Nick grumbled.

“I think the friendship is far from over.  Give her time and I’m sure things will work out.  I know you care about her Nicky, you wouldn’t be this upset if you didn’t.”

“You know me too damn well.” He looked up at her and smiled. 

“So are you going to heed my advice?” Jackie asked.

“When have I ever not Mother?” Nick walked up to her and gave her a hug.  “I just wish she’d answer her damn phone.” He added.

 

 

“She’s not here Ridge, just like I told you this morning, just like I told you yesterday and last week and the week before that.” Megan said with a sigh. 

“Has she called?” Ridge pressed.  “Did you tell her I was here?  Did you tell her how much I need to talk to her?”

“I told you that I would give her your message and I did.” She put down her pen and gave him a sad look.  “I can’t force her to call you back Ridge.”

“You can tell me where she is though.  I need to see her!” Ridge demanded.

“She went away to get away from you.  Give her time.” She implored him. “She’s not ready to come back and she’s obviously not ready to deal with anything yet either.”

“Well then who the hell is running this place?”

“Brooke has kept in touch via the phone, Eric is taking over most of the day to day things.  It’s not like she’s missing or anything Ridge.”

“She may as well be.  She can’t just hide from this, she can’t just hide from me Megan.  I’m working it out, she needs to know that.” He was so frustrated.  It seemed to him that everyone knew where she was and yet no one would tell him.  Rick had completely shut him out and Eric was so distant.  If Bridget knew where her mother was she wasn’t saying and his mother didn’t have a clue, though Ridge was sure that even if she did know, she’d never tell him. 

“Ridge, she isn’t going to be gone forever.  Give her some space, I know she’ll talk to you when she gets home.  But please stop bugging me, I gave her my word that no one would learn where she is and I intend to keep it that way.”  Megan gave him an encouraging smile.  “She’ll be home soon, I’m sure of it.”

 

 

Brooke looked once more at the beautifully set table and then at the door.  She sighed and walked over to the couch and sat down, staring at the phone.  “Where are you?” She asked aloud.  And then as if by magic there was a knock on the door.  Brooke smiled broadly and got up to let her guest in.  “Donna, hi!” She said as she hugged the pretty auburn haired woman.  “It’s so wonderful to see you again.”

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Donna Logan answered with a kiss to her sister’s cheek.  “The roads were brutal.”

“Come on in, lunch was delivered about fifteen minutes ago.” Brooke told her.  “But it’s all still nice and warm so we have time to visit a bit first if you want.” 

Donna put down her suitcase and purse and looked around.  “So this is Ojai Spa.  Pretty impressive.”

“It’s a nice place to go when you need time and room to think.” Brooke told her.  “They have some wonderful treatments and massages and just about anything you can ask for.  I’m so glad you could join me.  I got the two-bedroom bungalow, Hope’s in with me so you have a room all to yourself.  Would you like to get settled?  Maybe go for a walk and see what they have to offer? We can book massages and we can make some dinner reservations, maybe we can just take a walk or a swim.  I can get a sitter for Hope if you want to do something else, just name it.” Brooke nervously rambled.

“Actually I’d like to know what the heck is going on Brooke.  When Katie and Storm told me about the wedding I was floored, and then when you called me and asked me to join you, well I really would like to know what happened.”

“Where do I start?” Brooke said with a laugh.

“Well at least you can find some humor in it.” Donna smiled and gave her a hug.

“It wasn’t that easy to do.  I thought I’d fall completely apart, but then Nick showed up and I felt so much better.” Brooke smiled.

“Nick? Who is Nick and what does he have to do with your wedding falling apart?” Donna wondered.

“Nothing at all.  I had met him prior to the wedding, but nothing really happened between us until after I ran out on Ridge.  I was as Las Olas and Nick came in and.”

“Hold it.” Donna stopped her with a laugh.  “You’re getting way ahead of yourself.  I really want to know what happened with Ridge.  Well yeah, I’d like to know who this Nick guy is but only after you tell me about the wedding.”

“It’s so hard Donna.” Brooke frowned.  “I have a hard time even saying it out loud.  I don’t know why they did it or how they could do it to me.  I mean I suppose I do understand Bridget.  She has every reason to hate me, but I thought we had really made some progress.  I guess I was wrong.”

“What does Bridget have to do with it?” Donna asked Brooke.

“Ridge and Bridget, they were, well involved.” Brooke said with a blush.

“They what?” Donna gasped loudly.

“Bridget found herself in love with Ridge and Ridge did nothing to discourage her, in fact he encouraged her, he kissed her, more than once.  It was so devastating.  It’s still hard to talk about, but somehow I can tell anything to Nick, he just makes me feel so important.  It amazes me, I’ve hardly known him a month or two and yet I feel so comfortable with him and I feel like I can count on him.  Why do I never feel that from Ridge?” Brooke sighed.

“Bridget and Ridge?” Donna was still stunned by what her sister had told her.  “Brooke how? Why?”

“It happened in Portofino.  I thought Ridge and I were finally connecting again and the one he was connecting with was my daughter.”

“But he, she, Brooke he delivered her, he raised her as his daughter and step daughter! She was his sister! I don’t understand this, I really don’t.”

“I wish I could say that I understood Donna, but I don’t.  What he did was so foreign to me that it took right up until the vows before I knew I just couldn’t marry him.” Brooke frowned and pushed back a strand of hair.  “And nothing has been the same since.”

“Do you still love him?” Donna wondered aloud.

“I guess a part of me will always love him, but I’m doing my damnedest not to.”

 

 

“Have you tried her cell phone darling?” Jackie picked up a fork and speared a piece of sizzling pepper from the wok.  She blew on it to cool it down and put it in her mouth.  “Delicious.”

“Thanks, stay, I have plenty.” Nick gave it one more stir.  “And yes, I’ve tried her home phone, her cell phone and her office phone.  I’ve gone to her house, I even went to Forrester once.  Apparently she’s given everyone instructions to not let me through to her.”

“Now why would she do that?” Jackie asked as she put napkins next to the plates on the table. 

“I guess I rushed her.” He said in a grumpy voice.  “She has no idea the effect she has on a man Mother.”

“I hardly believe that.” Jackie laughed.  “Perhaps she’s playing hard to get.” She suggested with a smile.

“More like impossible to get.” Nick laughed.  He turned off the heat under the wok and picked up the lid off of the rice cooker.  “You get us something to drink.” He instructed his mother as he got a spoon out.  He brought the rice to the table and spooned out large servings on both plates. 

“So are you giving up?” Jackie asked, rummaging through the refrigerator.

“She leaves me little choice.” He looked up at her.

“You’ve never been a quitter.  Go to her Nicky, go to her office again and demand that she see you.”

“Ah, and carry her off like a pirate in one of your romance novels?” Nick laughed.

“That’s not what I was suggesting, but it could work.  Women love the strong and aggressive hero.” She said with a lilting laugh.  “Sail away with her, take her around the world.  She’ll fall madly in love with you.”

“Before or after she has me arrested for kidnapping?” Nick chuckled.  “Besides, she has a baby at home.”

“Then just take her for the afternoon silly.” Jackie took out a bottle of white wine and a long neck beer. 

“I’m not going to abduct her Mother.” He shook his head and carried the wok to the table.  Carefully he filled the plates with the steaming concoction.  “Though the idea of a day on The Shady Marlin with Brooke is very appealing.”

“Then just ask the woman.” Jackie sighed.  “I’ve never seen you so, so, indecisive Nicky.”

“It’s not me, I keep telling you.” He swung his leg over the chair and plopped down on it.  “It’s her.”

 

 

“I think I’ve had enough.” Brooke stood up from the wooden bench and opened the sauna door.  “Let’s put on our swimsuits and hit the pool.” She suggested to Donna.

“You amaze me.” Donna smiled.

“I do?” Brooke crinkled her nose in her characteristic smirk.  “How so?”

“The sister that I’ve always known would be home, crying and trying to figure out some way to get Ridge back, to fix things, but you’re so different now.”

“Different how?” Brooke asked.

“Different good, different strong.” Donna got up and walked up to Brooke.  “I’m really proud of you.”

“I’m not sure if I could have done it without Nick.” Brooke smiled.  “He made me feel strong, he made me feel like I was right to listen to my own head and heart.  He made me realize that there was life after Ridge and I will always be grateful to him for that.  He’s such a wonderful man.”

“A sailor.” Donna laughed as they walked out of the sauna.  “Not exactly your usual type.”

“My type? Donna for most of my life ‘my type’ was one and only one thing, Ridge Forrester.”

“Not exactly true.” Donna objected.  “You had Connor and Grant and Thorne and Eric and Whip and well, let’s try and forget Deacon.”

“All of those men had one thing in common.” Brooke reminded her sister. 

“I know, they were substitutes for Ridge.” Donna frowned. 

“I didn’t mean to use them, that was never my intention.” Brooke led her sister into the locker room.  “I just could never get him out of my heart.”

“Or out from under your skin.” Donna added.  “But Brooke, you loved him so hard for so long.  Why do you think it will be different this time?”

Brooke opened the locker and took out her light blue bikini.  “Because I could compete with Taylor and Caroline.  I could rationalize that he was with them because of circumstances and that forces of nature were against us.  I knew he loved me and belonged with me and I knew that he was my true soulmate.”

“And now? What’s different now?” Donna asked.

“This time my eyes were opened Donna.  I saw that the dream was over, the man that I had trusted my entire life to didn’t exist.  My heart was broken but I wasn’t.  I made it Donna, I made it out alive.  Somehow I survived this.  But what hurts so much isn’t Ridge, it’s Bridget.”

“Have you spoken to her about it?” Donna took out her own swimsuit.  “I mean since the wedding?”

“No.  And it’s killing me.  She’s my daughter and I love her, and yet a part of me wants to, wants to.”

“Kill her?” Donna suggested.

“No!” Brooke gasped.  “But slap her.  I sure do want to slap her.”

 

 

“Hello Ridge.” Dr. Munoz extended his hand to him. 

“Sorry I was late Dr. Munoz.” Ridge sheepishly looked at anything but the doctor’s eyes. 

“I’m sorry too Ridge.  My time is valuable and I had assumed yours was too.  We still have a half-hour, I suggest we make the most of it.” He put on his glasses and picked up a pad.

“I’m not sure this is such a good idea.” Ridge walked to the bookshelf and pretended to be engrossed in the titles.  “I mean it’s over, I’m not seeing Bridget at all now.”

“And you feel that that ends it all?” Dr. Munoz asked him.

“Sure.  I don’t want to encourage her feelings.  I know what I did before was wrong. I’m wasting time with this.  I need to do something, I need to get Brooke to understand.”

“But how can you Ridge?” The doctor asked.

“Can I what?”

“Can you understand yourself? Can you make Brooke or anyone else understand what you were doing when you clearly don’t know yourself.”

Ridge turned to face him.  A look of anger changed to one of recognition.  “You’re right.  You’re right Dr. Munoz, I do need your help.  I really, really do need it.  I want my life back, I want Brooke back, I want things normal again.  Please.  Can you help me?”

 

 

Brooke paid the babysitter and waved goodbye as she left the cottage.  She turned back to her sister.  “Are you sure you want to eat in the room tonight?”

“I’m really tired.  We can go out tomorrow.  Tonight I’d just like to get into something really comfy and hang out.  We can watch a movie and talk.” Donna put down the towel she had been rubbing her hair with.  “Is Hope awake?”

“She just fell asleep.  But it won’t last too long.  She was so excited to see you.” Brooke smiled broadly.  “I know she’ll be up wanting to play with you again.”

“Good, cause I want to play with her too.  It’s so nice being around a baby.” Donna gave Brooke a wistful smile.  “If only I could meet the right guy and start a family.”

“Or.” Brooke said with a mischievous grin.  “You can do like I did, find the wrong man and start one anyway.”

“You’re so bad.” Donna giggled.  “I guess we do have one thing to thank Deacon Sharpe for.  I can’t imagine life without Hope in it.”

“Me either.” Brooke said softly.  Then she looked at the menu again.  “So what do you feel like eating? Any ideas? They have some wonderful things here.”

“You know, I never expected to see you so animated.” Donna laughed softly.  “I was really prepared for the worst.”

“Like me throwing myself on the bed, sobbing my eyes out? You picking up the pieces and begging me to find a reason to go on?” Brooke grinned.

“Weeeeeell.” Donna gave her a shrug. 

“I know, that’s how I’ve always been.  But this time it’s different.” Brooke picked up the room service menu.  “This time it was my call and I feel good about it.  I almost made a huge mistake, but I didn’t.”

“I can’t believe this is my sister, Brooke Logan, telling me that marrying Ridge Forrester would have been a huge mistake.”

“I know.  Me either Donna, but maybe I’m finally learning.  All I could think about was how the marriage was destined for failure and I just couldn’t do it.  You know when Bridget started crying and looking at Ridge as if her world was ending, it was just too much for me.”

“And Ridge?  Was he looking at her too?” Donna asked.  “Because Katie and Storm just didn’t know what was going on.”

“To be fair to Ridge, no, no he was totally into his vows.  His eyes never left me once we were in front of the preacher, but Bridget was sobbing and I was getting itchy and I just couldn’t do it.  So I said ‘I don’t’ and I ran out.  Ridge and Bridget both came to the room, first Ridge.  I was giving him hell and Bridget came in and told ME to stop it.”

“Brooke, I love her, but your daughter needs to have someone slap the shit out of her.” Donna said angrily.

“Donna, as mad as I am, I have to take my own share of the blame.  I hurt her deeply with Deacon and I know she was acting out on that.  I do hope that in time we can get past this, but right now I just can’t be with her.  Anyway, where was I?”

“Bridget came in and gave you lip while you were telling Ridge off.” Donna reminded her.

“Yes.  So they both started throwing their excuses at me but no matter what else, neither one of them would admit that what they did was sick or wrong or anything else.  I just couldn’t be with them so I left and I ended up at Las Olas.”  Brooke’s pained expression was suddenly replaced with a smile. This totally confused Donna.

“What Brooke? Why do you look so, so happy?” She asked.

“Do I?” Brooke wondered.  “I guess he just makes me smile.”

“So you and Ridge ARE going to get back together?” Donna questioned her.

“Ridge?”  Brooke asked.  “What does Ridge have to do with anything?”

 

 

Jackie Payne washed the last glass and put it away.  She put down the dishtowel and turned to her son.  “So are you going to go to her?  Are you going to ask her out Nicky?”

“I don’t beg women Mother.” He frowned and lit his cigar.  “Now stop pushing.”

“I do hope you think about this darling.  I know you don’t know her well but I really think that this Brooke Logan is good for you.  I urge you to pursue this, or you may well live to regret it.”

Nick shook his head and walked to the stove.  “Coffee Mother?” He asked.

“You’re changing the subject.” Jackie admonished him.

“Yes, I am.  Coffee?” He asked again.

“No darling, I must be going.”  She walked up to him and gave him a hug.  “Think about it.” She said before placing a kiss on his cheek.

With a laugh Nick walked her up to the deck.  He watched her get into her car and drive away.  “You’d be surprised Mother.” He said to the fading headlights.  “I think of little BUT her.”  He sighed and looked back at the lonely boat.  “Maybe you’re right.” He said. “Maybe it’s time to let Ms. Logan know that Nick Payne is not taking no for an answer.  I’m going to make you see me Brooke, I’m going to find you tonight and I’m going to make you realize that we have something good here.”

 

 

Ridge was tired when he got home.  The session with Dr. Munoz had been productive.  Ridge was starting to understand why he had reacted as he had, he knew that he had not taken time to grieve properly.  He was projecting something into Bridget and yet another part of him was grabbing back his happy memories with Brooke and their family together.  And as tired as he was, he was excited and he wanted to share that excitement with Brooke.  “Catherine?” He called out.  “Catherine, are you here?”

“I’m right here Ridge.” She said as she came out of the kitchen. 

“Oh Catherine, I am going to ask a huge favor of you.”

“Okay.” She said hesitantly. 

“Are the kids upstairs? Have they eaten?”

“They’re in the kitchen, eating now.  And Ridge,” She started.

“Wait a second.” He told her.  “I want to talk to the kids a minute and then I need to talk to you.  I need to leave and I need you to stay with the kids.  Wait right here okay?”

“Ridge wait!” She said. But he had already headed to the kitchen. 

 

 

“Hey kids, your Dad is home.” He said with a smile that disappeared when he saw the strawberry blonde sitting at the table with them.  “Bridget?” He said softly.

“Aunt Bwidget is here!” Steffie announced.  “Can she sleep over? Can she?”

“Yef Daddy! Pwease!” Phoebe added. 

“Yeah Dad, it would be really cool.” Thomas said, trying to sound mature.

“Kids, stop bugging Bridget.” Ridge told them. 

“Hi Ridge.” Bridget smiled up at him, blinking her sad doe-eyes.  “I’m sorry we didn’t wait for you.  I can heat something up.”

“Bridget, can I speak to you alone?” He asked the young woman.

“Sure.” She grinned.

“Make her stay Dad.” Thomas pleaded.

“Finish your dinner kids.” He took Bridget’s arm.  “Let’s go outside.”  He led her to the patio door and opened it.  They walked outside.

“It’s a beautiful night.” Bridget stepped closer to Ridge. 

“Bridget, what are you doing here?” Ridge asked in a tone that shocked her.

“Wwhat?” She stumbled.

“Look, Bridget, I thought we had decided that you weren’t going to be coming over, especially without asking me.”

“Why are you doing this?” She filled with tears. 

“We’ve already been through this Bridget.  What happened, what almost happened, it was all a big mistake.  I’m trying to get it all straightened out in my own head.  I need to fix things in my life and when you keep coming over like this, I can’t do it.  The kids are confused enough already with the mess from the wedding and.”

“That’s my mother’s fault, blame her Ridge, not me.” She protested.

“I can’t blame Brooke because it wasn’t her fault.” He said strongly.

“She’s the one who ran out on you.  I never will Ridge, never.” She grabbed his arm.  “Ridge, I love you.”

“No!” he shouted.  “Bridget, whatever you think you feel for me, it’s not real.  I love you, but I love you like a sister, or maybe something even more.”

“It IS more, it is Ridge.  I can be a wife to you, I know I can.” She begged.

“That’s not what I meant Princess.  You know it isn’t.  You know that I meant that a part of me always thought of you as a daughter.”

“You don’t kiss a daughter like that!” She shouted.  She balled her hands into fists and punched his chest over and over again.  “You don’t undress a daughter! You don’t get hard for a daughter! You don’t!” She screamed.

 

 

“Nick Payne, he sounds intriguing.” Donna admitted.  “But so different from your usual type.  I bet he doesn’t even own a suit.”

“Clothes don’t make the man.” Brooke protested.  “But I’m sure he does own one.  There is so much more to Nick Payne than what meets the eye.  You think you know him on the surface, but he is so deep and so intense.  I really respect him.”

“Sounds like more than respect.” Donna gave her a sly look.

“It is, but don’t make a lot out of this.  He’s a friend and someone I am coming to really care about, but I am not looking for romance or anything like that.” Brooke picked up a toy from the floor.

“You’re protesting too much.” Donna answered. “Besides, I’m not suggesting you marry the man, but there’s no reason you can’t have a little fun.  I mean if he’s as hot as he sounds, why not let him scratch your itch?”

“I’m not itchy.” Brooke laughed.  “I am not looking for a sex partner.  I’m not looking for anything.”

“Sometimes you find the best things in life when you’re not looking for them.” Donna shut the light off.  “So are you sure you’re not upset that I want to sleep?”

“Not at all, I’m tired too.  We can call it an early night and get up and do something fun tomorrow.  After all, we spend so little time together and I can’t stay here forever.”

“Give my cutie a kiss for me.” Donna said with a hug.  “I love you sis.”

“I love you too.”

 

 

“Princess?” Ridge touched Bridget gently on the shoulder.  “Are you okay?”

“You don’t care.” She sobbed softly.

“Of course I care.” Ridge sat down next to her.  “Bridget, we let things get way out of hand.  I let you think things were happening that never really were.  I take the blame for the whole thing and I want to fix things between us, but until everything is settled I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come around here, it’s too confusing.”

“For who?” She looked up at him.

“For the children.” He answered.  “And for you.”

“What about for you Ridge?” She asked.

“I know what I want, I know what I need.  Bridget I am seeing Taylor’s old mentor and he’s helping me, he’s helping me understand how things got this way.  Maybe he could help you too.”

“You think I need a shrink?” She gasped and sat up.  “That’s crazy Ridge.  There is nothing wrong with me.  I love you! I want you! I know we could be happy!”

“No Bridget, we can’t and we won’t.  I’m in love with your mother and I am going to win her back.  I’m going to find her tonight, I am going to go to her and tell her about the help I am getting. I am going to get down on my knees and beg her forgiveness and I am going to vow to never ever hurt her again.”

“Nooooo.” Bridget moaned.

“I’m sorry that it hurts you but I can’t let you go on believing something will ever happen between us.  Tonight I will find Brooke and tonight I WILL convince her to be my wife.”

 

 

Rick let his father in and walked with him to the couch.  “Can I get you anything Dad?” He asked.

“Answers.” Eric told him.

“Did Mom call you?” Rick frowned. 

“Don’t worry Rick, you’re not betraying your mother.  I she called me, I know she’s at Ojai.” Eric assured his son.

“Did she tell you that?” Rick asked.

“No.” Eric admitted.  “I figured it out, and you just confirmed it.”

“Dad, Mom will kill me.”

“No she won’t.  Your mother isn’t hiding from me, she knows I wouldn’t hurt her or betray her.  I know where she is, but no one else will find out from me.”

“Good.” Rick said with relief.  “I didn’t want to have to lie to you.  What do you need answers about?”

Eric got up and paced back and forth.  “Dad? What is it?” Rick asked him.

“I just don’t know how it could have happened without anyone knowing anything.” Eric let out a deep sigh. 

“Massimo knew.” Rick muttered with disgust.  “And I think Stephanie knew too.”

“She did, at least at the end.  But no matter how angry I am at her and how much I know she resents your mother, I can’t believe she would have condoned what was going on.”

“Me either.” Rick agreed.  “I think she found out recently, I think she was trying to get them to stop.”

“Ridge keeps trying to tell me he knows it was wrong, he claims to still love your mother and want to marry her.”

“You didn’t tell him where she is did you?” Rick stood up and crossed his arms in front of his chest.  “You didn’t did you Dad?”

“Of course not.  I gave Brooke my word.  I’ve told no one.  She did tell me that you and Amber knew, as well as Megan.  Does anyone else know?”

“She called Aunt Katie and Aunt Donna.” Rick answered. 

“Did she say anything to you about when she plans on coming home?” Eric asked him.

“No, and I didn’t ask her.  I figured she should take all the time she wants.  I’m just sick of Ridge showing up every day and calling every five minutes.” Rick complained.

“He’s been calling me too. I don’t think he’s going to quit.”

“Well we’re not going to tell him.” Rick stood firm.

“No son, no we’re not.” Eric promised.  “I just hope your mother is doing alright.  I worry about her being there all alone, dwelling on it.  I honestly think she should be with the people who love her.  I want her to be happy, I want to see her smile again.  I think I need to go get her and bring her home and so help me Rick, I will make her smile again.”

 

 

Brooke had fallen asleep quickly, she had been even more tired than she had realized, but the sound of the door opening had broken through her consciousness.  She sat up and tried to get her bearings.  “Donna?  Is that you?” She asked. 

The shape approached her and she saw it was definitely male, definitely not Donna.  “Who? Who is it?” She asked.   She rubbed her eyes and gasped.  “How? How did you find me?”

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