Chapter 21

 

"Ridge, we have to stop." Brooke said pulling away from his kiss. "I meant what I said. Unless you’re a free man I won’t even consider it. I can’t."

"Oh Logan, my sweet, sweet Logan." He said giving her one last kiss. "It will happen, I will tell her and we will be together."

"I think you should go now. Let me sleep, we can talk in the morning." She said.

"Let me stay, I promise I won’t do anything."

"But I may." She said.

"I suppose I should say I’d stop you but you know I couldn’t."

She laughed softy and kissed him. "You’re a hard man to turn away."

"You got that right." He laughed. "And that my dear is all your fault."

"Oh." She said with a choke. "I didn’t mean it that way."

"I know."

"Go now, please."

"Brooke please, don’t turn me away." He said with the most sincere look she had ever seen.

"What am I doing?" She asked as she brought her lips back to his.

 

Stephanie picked up the phone and dialed her home. It rang four times before an out of breath Eric answered.

"Where were you?" She asked him.

"I was out at the guest house talking to Rick. I wanted to see if he had seen Ridge."

"Has he?"

"No, but I spoke to Thorne."

"Is he with him?"

"Thorne’s alone. Stephanie I have to tell you something and it is going to upset you. Are you alone?"

"Taylor is asleep, so are the children. What is it Eric?"

"Brooke is back."

"I don’t have time to worry about Brooke. I suppose she and Thorne are making wedding plans."

"No Stephanie, she isn’t with Thorne."

"No! No, no, no! Don’t you say it! Don’t you dare say it!" She said in a loud voice. "Don’t you dare say that he’s with that slut. No Eric no!"

"Stephanie calm down, you don’t want to wake Taylor."

"Eric you have to stop him, he’s making the biggest mistake of his life! You have to find him and bring him home to his family! We can’t let that tramp get her hands on him! We can’t!"
"Stephanie I have no idea where they are and even if I did how would you suggest I stop them?"

"Drum some sense into his head! He’s not thinking with it anyway! Damn that woman, when will she ever leave this family alone? When?"

"Ridge has to make his own decisions."

"Not this one, never this one. Eric his babies, think of his babies. This will kill Taylor if she finds out. And then what? You know he loves her, he’ll realize his mistake but it might be too late!"
"I don’t know where they are." He said.

"You’re protecting her again. Damn it Eric think of this family first!"

"Brooke is part of this family."

"No! Never to me! She’ll never be anything but the whore who stole you and ruined Ridge’s life. I need you to come here! I need you now!"

"Why Stephanie? You surely don’t intend on telling her!"

"Don’t be ridiculous. I would never do that. I can’t leave her alone, I need you to stay with her."

"And where are you going?"

"To find them." She said as she hung up the phone.

 

Bridget knocked on the guestroom door. "Grandma." She said.

"Come on in dear." Beth answered.

Bridget came in and sat on the side of the bed next to Beth. She started to say something and her eyes filled with tears.

"What’s wrong Bridget?"

"Her phone is shut off. Oh Grandma she can’t be marrying him, she just can’t."

"Oh Bridget honey." Beth said as she took her into her arms. "Your mother has a right to happiness, even if we don’t agree with her choices they are her choices."

"But not Thorne, Grandma it’s wrong."

"Your mother and Thorne don’t feel that way. If she loves him shouldn’t she have the right to make a life with him?"

"But she promised me."

"What did she promise you?"

"She promised it was over. She knew we didn’t like it and she promised it was over. He hurt her and she was scared he’d hurt her again too."

"Your mother has had a lot of hurt in her life, maybe that’s finally all over."

"I called Thorne too but there was no answer. They eloped." She sobbed.

"Then we have to try and be happy for them. It’s all we can do now honey."

 

Brooke arched her back as Ridge moved his mouth over her breasts. She moaned in pleasure and reached to hold him closer to her.

"Logan I" He started but she covered his mouth with her hand.

"No words, don’t spoil it with words."

She looked at him adoringly as he smiled at her. His hand caressed her nipples turning them to hard beads. She felt a tightness, a longing between her legs and she took his hand and guided it there. His mouth claimed hers as his hand stroked and played with her making her wilder by the moment. She surprised even herself when she reached for him. He was hard and slick in her hand. She got to her knees and slipped the nightgown over her head and out of the way. He moaned as she lowered her mouth over his chest and started to kiss and lick him with total abandon. Ridge kicked his pants off and Brooke pushed them from the bed to the floor. His hand found her center again and she gasped aloud. She positioned herself over him and lowered herself onto his waiting hardness. He sighed softly as he filled her.

"I love you." He whispered softly as they began the oldest dance known to man.

 

Thorne opened his eyes and tried to adjust to the darkness. He listened to the sound and finally recognized it as the doorbell. He got up from his bed and with the unsure footing that came from the alcohol he walked to the door. "Brooke?" He said as he opened the door and his hazy eyes saw blonde hair.

"Where are they?" Stephanie demanded.

"Mother?"

"Where are they Thorne? How could you let this happen! You promised to marry that slut and keep her away from them!"

"Oh, so that’s how it is." He said with a laugh. "Once more good old Thorne takes care of Ridge’s mess. With Mommy’s help of course. And to think I believed you were finally happy for me."

"You’re drunk." She said.

"Give the lady the prize!" he said as he staggered inside leaving the door open for his mother. She followed him in.

"Tell me everything you know. And tell me now!" She demanded.

"What’s to tell? It’s the same old story. Happened with Caroline, happened with Taylor and now Brooke. My charming brother is what happened."

"Tell me!" She said with a slap across his face. He teetered back holding his cheek where she had hit him. He looked at her in shock.

"Do you even care about me a little bit?"

"Thorne I do not have time for your drunken babble. Now tell me everything you know so I can find them and stop him before it’s too late!"

 

Taylor stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom. She reached into her medicine cabinet and took out a bottle of aspirin. She pushed at the childproof lid but couldn’t get it to budge. Tears of frustration came to her eyes and she threw the bottle against the wall and fell to the floor in a sobbing heap.

Eric heard the thud and ran up the stairs two at a time. He reached the bedroom and followed the light into the bathroom.

"Oh Taylor." He said taking her into his arms and holding her. "Taylor honey don’t cry."

"Eric." She said. "When did you get here? Is it Ridge? Did something happen to Ridge?"

"No dear, Stephanie had to go home but we didn’t want you to be alone."

"He didn’t come home. I told her he wouldn’t." She said with a sob and a hiccup. "I fell." She stated.

"Are you alright?"

"Nooooo, I’ll never be alright again." She said. She reached for her temples and rubbed them. "My head hurts."

"Let me get you back to bed and I’ll get you some aspirin." He suggested. This brought on peels of laughter from his daughter-in-law.

"What’s so funny?" He asked.

"They don’t work." She laughed.

"Sure they will, you take them and rest and I promise you’ll feel better."

"No, the bottle doesn’t work." She giggled. Her eyes went to the bottle on the floor. Eric reached for it and easily opened it. "How did you do that?" She asked in wonderment.

"Must be one of my hidden talents." He smiled.

"Ridge doesn’t want me anymore and it’s all my fault." She said. "He found out and he hates me."

"He found out what Taylor?"

"My secret." She whispered. "Shhhhhh." She said with a laugh.

"Ridge loves you, he loves you and your family."

"My family." She said. "Yup! My family, not his family, my family."

"Come on honey, let’s get you into bed." Eric said as he tried to get up.

"You want me?" She asked. "Am I sexy to you?"

"Honey you’ve had way too much to drink."

"I remember when you wanted me. I wanted you too Eric."

"Not now Taylor, you’re drunk and you don’t know what you’re saying."

"He was with her then too." She said. "Good old Brooke, you know I can always count on her to f*ck my husband."

"Taylor." He said softly.

"Anyway, anyway ummmm anyway I did want you. I came to you. I came to your bed but I couldn’t do that to her."

"What? Do what to who?" He asked.

"She was my best friend and she loved you. She was in bed with you so I couldn’t be too. But I wanted to be. I was ready to make my life with you. But good old Brooke. No wait, it was Stephanie that time." She laughed. "But she got there first."

"You came to me?" He asked in amazement.

"What’s with you Forrester men anyway?" She asked. "You all f*ck Brooke and you all want me but I never get anyone. Only Ridge and he doesn’t love me."

"He does love you."

"No, not now. He knows Eric and now he hates me." She started to cry again. "Do you hate me too?"

"No one hates you Taylor. We all love you."

"Want to go to bed with me?" She asked.

"You don’t know what you’re saying Taylor." He struggled to his feet and then lifted her into his arms.

"My Prince Charming. Are you going to take me away to live happily ever after?" She slurred. "Or will you turn to Brooke too?"

"Come on honey." He said softly as he walked back to the bed. He carefully laid her down and then covered her up. She pushed the blankets off in a quick motion exposing her right breast. He couldn’t help from looking at her with desire.

"Why don’t you join me. No one will ever know and at least this way if I make a baby it will be a Forrester." She said.

"Honey stop that. Everything is going to be alright, it will." Eric said, trying to reassure her. But in his heart he knew she was right, nothing would ever be the same for her and her family.

Thorne shook his head in disbelief as he watched his mother drive away. "How could I have been so stupid? How could I have ever believed she would be happy for me? She still hates Brooke as much as ever, she just doesn’t care about me, as long as she isn’t with Ridge she’s fine. But she will be with me because I love her and she loves me and I will get her back." He walked to the bar and poured another shot and drank it down. "Come back to me Brooke, please come back."

 

"Oh God." Brooke shouted as she felt her body lifting her to heights she once though impossible. "Yes, God yes." She said as her nails dug into Ridge’s back. His mouth captured hers again and her tongue sought out his. Her legs wound tighter around his back as he lifted her buttocks and brought her closer. "Yes, yes, yes. Oh Ridge, oh Ridge." She moaned. "Take me there, oh God please."

"Almost there baby, we’re almost there." He assured her. Suddenly her eyes glazed over and she gasped as the most intense orgasm of her life overtook her. She felt herself shaking and flying at the same time and it only got better when she felt Ridge’s body join hers.

They lay sweating and holding each other as they caught their breath. Ridge softly pushed the hair back from her face and kissed her. Her mouth moved to meet his and the gentle kiss intensified as she felt him growing again inside her. "I can’t. It’s too much, too much." She said.

"It’s perfect." He said as he reached between them to stroke her nub.

"Oh God, please don’t stop." She said reversing her prior stance.

"Never my love, never." He promised.

 

Stephanie reached for her cell phone as she drove. She punched in the number again but it just rang and rang. "I know you’re there. I know it in my soul. Answer that phone Ridge!" She shouted. She disconnected and hit the O on the dial. "Hello, I need help. I’ve been dialing a number and I know that the people are there but it keeps ringing. Can you tell me if the number is out of order?" She asked the operator.

"The number is fine but the phone is disconnected." The operator told her.

"Brooke!" Stephanie said like a curse. "Of course you’d do that. You don’t want anyone to interrupt your tryst. Well think again bitch. He belongs to Taylor and when I get there you’ll know that once and for all."

She approached a fork in the road and took the turn that read "Big Bear – Next Right."

 

Thorne opened his eyes at the sound of the door opening. He started to turn but immediately felt dizzy and held his head. Slowly he got up and watched as Kimberly walked inside.

"I must have left the door open." He said to himself but aloud. "Why are you back Kimberly?"

"I saw your mother leave. I was worried about you. She looked so angry."

"I don’t need protection from my mother." He said to her.

"I didn’t say that Thorne, I just wanted to be here for you."

"What the hell is wrong with you Kimberly? Can’t you take a hint? I told you I love Brooke, not you! What do you do, sit around and watch my door all night? Go home, go to bed! I don’t want you here." He shouted at her.

Kimberly felt tears welling up in her eyes but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much her had hurt her. She regained her composure and faced him. "I was asleep on the couch and I heard her car. She drove up fast. I was scared and I checked. Thorne you have to know that I care about you. I do not spy on you."

He shook his head and walked to the bar and poured another shot. "I didn’t say that, at least I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry Kim, I’m frustrated and mad. I didn’t mean to take it out on you but it’s late and I want to be alone."

"I’m leaving." She said softly. "Bye Thorne, don’t forget you can call me anytime you need me."

"Yeah whatever." He said brushing her off.

Kimberly walked to the door, turned and looked at him and then left.

 

"Why do I let you get to me like that?" Brooke said with a laugh as she reached for a cookie. She was lying comfortably in Ridge’s arms.

"Cause you love me as much as I love you." He answered as he stole a bite.

"Hey!" She said in fake annoyance. "Seriously Ridge, I didn’t want that to happen."

"But aren’t you glad it did?" He laughed as he ran his fingers across her chest.

"I don’t know." She answered honestly. "I just don’t know Ridge. It doesn’t change anything accept to prove my point that I’m nothing but your slut like your mother says."

"My beautiful, wonderful, loveable slut." He said with a kiss. Then he turned serious. "Brooke I never have thought of you that way, you know that."

"But your mother does and even Eric has from time to time. I just hate to prove them right."

"The only thing that they’d be right about is that I want you and I adore you."

"Oh yeah, that’s exactly what Stephanie thinks." She giggled. "I’m so mad at myself Ridge, I swore that you’d have to prove yourself before I even thought of this."

"I used unfair tactics on you." He said. "Like this." He kissed her. "And this." He said as he pulled her tighter and let his hand drift between her legs.

"No, come on Ridge enough."

"I can never get enough."

She reached for another cookie and he grabbed it from her hand. "Hey! That’s mine!" She complained.

Ridge let his hand stroke her belly as he took a bite. "You spent the entire time away with your mother?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"You didn’t do a gourmet tour or anything?" He teased.

"What are you talking about?" She groaned as she tried to take the cookie back from him.

"Well Logan, I think you oughta lay off the cookies."

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked.

"I think you’ve put on a little weight."

"I have not!" She protested.

"Just a tad." He laughed. "You’re belly is a little bit rounder than it was before you left."

"If you don’t like it then go home to your boney wife." She said angrily.

"Oh come on Logan, there’s more of you to love now."

"That isn’t funny."

"You’re still beautiful and sexy and the woman I adore." He said trying to make up for his comments.

"Keep trying Forrester, you’ve got a lot more work to do if you wanna get on my good side again."

"All sides of you are your good side."

"Keep it up boy, keep it up." She said with a throaty laugh.

"God how I love you Logan." He said as he kissed her. "How did I ever let you get away?"

"Just stupid I guess." She said. She then looked at him thoughtfully. "This is all just a fantasy you know."

"No it’s not, it’s real. It’s real and it’s forever." He promised. "I love you now and that will never change, I will do right by you Brooke, you can count on me."

Her eyes filled with tears as she smiled at him. "I don’t know why Ridge but somehow, somehow I believe you." She leaned over and kissed him.

 

Eric shut off the light and walked out of the bedroom and back into the living room. He was tired and unnerved by what had happened. She had brought back memories that he thought were hidden forever and he was uncomfortable. The attraction was still there for him and it embarrassed him. He didn’t want to have feelings for his son’s wife. Not again. "She’s going to need someone when he tells her." He said. "Maybe that person is me."

 

Stephanie pulled up at the cabin at Big Bear and was surprised to see it dark and no cars parked outside. "Could I have been wrong?" She asked herself. "No, all my instincts tell me that they are here. Maybe they went out somewhere. Well I’ll just have to go in and wait for them, that’s all." She said as she shut off the engine. She got out and inserted her key into the lock and opened the door. Just as she was about to turn on a light she heard the sound of soft voices coming from the bedroom. She looked at the door and was able to distinguish what looked like candlelight coming from the room. "I knew it." She said. "It’s time to put an end to this once and for all."

 

"Oh Ridge, God Ridge." Brooke whispered. "Oh God yes." She cried as her hands grasped the bed board. She moved her legs slightly farther apart as his mouth worked it’s magic.

"You forgive me now?" He asked temporarily stopping the sweet torture.

"Not if you stop." She laughed.

He caressed the inside of her thighs and laughed back. "I have no intentions of stopping." He promised. He grabbed her legs and pulled them over his shoulders and moved back in to Brooke’s happy moans and squeals.

"Oh God Ridge, oh yes, please yes." She cried.

Stephanie had just put her hand on the doorknob not sure about how she was going to proceed when she heard Brooke’s cries. A scowl crossed her face and she opened the door. Adjusting her eyes to the room she saw Brooke, naked and writhing on the bed and for a moment wondered where her son was. Then she realized just what was happening.

"What a disgusting show of depravation." She said in a loud voice. "Get off of the woman this moment!" She demanded.

"Stephanie?" Brooke said in alarm as she threw a blanket over herself and Ridge. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same thing." She quickly retorted. "Ridge! Get up and get dressed! You’re going home to your wife and family!"

"He’s not going anywhere Stephanie." Brooke said angrily. She squirmed aside as Ridge moved up under the covers and popped his head out.

"I think you’d better leave Mother."

"I think you’d better come with me." She told him. "Where is your car?"

"Why is any of this your business?" Brooke growled at her nemesis. "He’s old enough to make his decisions without you."

"I really have no interest in your opinions Brooke. And once I tell Thorne he won’t either, this time I’ve finally gotten you out of my family forever."

"You wish." Brooke laughed.

"Logan." Ridge warned.

"Don’t you dare!" She spit at him. "I should have known better." She grabbed the blanket and jumped off the bed leaving Ridge sitting there unprotected. "You’ll never be free of her apron strings." She turned to Stephanie. "Go ahead Stephanie, he’s all yours! Why don’t you do what you’ve done vicariously through me for years!" She grabbed her clothes from the floor and went into the bathroom slamming the door behind her.

Ridge covered himself with a pillow. "Mother! Wait in the living room."

"You get dressed! We’re going home!" She commanded as she walked out. Ridge went to the bathroom door and tried to open it. Finding it locked he knocked.

"Come on Logan, this isn’t my fault."

She opened the door and peered at him in anger. "You didn’t even try to stand up to her. Damn it Ridge I can never count on you! I should have known better than to believe in you! Go home to Taylor! We have nothing!" She said slamming the door shut again.

"Logan! Come on give me a chance! I was as shocked as you were!" He begged as he pounded on the door. "Don’t throw us away! We’ve come so far tonight! Damn it Brooke I love you!" He sighed in relief as she opened the door. "I’m sorry Logan, I’ll fix it, I promise I will."

"Here!" She said as she pulled the ring off her finger and handed it to him. "And I want mine back!"

"Brooke stop it, please I’ll talk to her, I’ll make her leave."

"She’ll never leave without you and you know as well as I do that you’re eventually going to give into her so do us both a favor and do it now. Damn you Ridge Forrester! Damn you for making me believe you!" She said as her eyes willed with tears.

"I’m not going anywhere without you Brooke."

"Just get my car back up here Ridge. I’m not your responsibility. You have a family as your mother so sweetly pointed out. Just get out of my face! Get out of my life!"

"Okay, I understand that you’re mad." He said as he grabbed her arms. "Just give me a couple of days to clear it all up. We will get past this, my future is with you."

"I don’t give a damn about your future." She slid her arms into her blouse. "I told you it was a fantasy and I was right. You’ll never have the balls to choose me. You never did and you never will. Now give me my ring, get me my car and leave me the hell alone!"

She pushed past him and sat on the bed fuming. He walked to her and she pushed him away.

"Logan please."

"Let’s go Ridge!" Stephanie shouted from outside the door.

"Go Ridge, Mommy’s waiting for you!"

"This isn’t over!" He told Brooke.

"It was over before it started." She said sadly. He pulled on his pants and grabbed his shirt and shoes. He reached into his pocket and took out Brooke’s ring that Thorne had given her.

"Please don’t put this back on." He said softly.

"I doubt he’ll want me after that barracuda talks to him." She said grabbing it from him and stuffing it in her purse.

"I’ll tell her, I swear I will."

"No you won’t. Mommy doesn’t want that." She said. "Go Ridge, just go."

He leaned to kiss her but she turned from him. He sadly walked to the door and closed it behind him.

"Let’s go." Stephanie said calmly. "You have no idea the damage you’ve caused. It’s going to take a lot of work to calm that poor woman down. She’s very upset."

"I know." Ridge said looking forlornly at the bedroom door.

"I mean Taylor." Stephanie said through clenched teeth.

 

Brooke broke down into sobs when she heard first the door open and close and then Stephanie’s car drive off.

"Give me your phone Mother." Ridge demanded.

"Who are you calling? You can’t call Taylor, you have to do this in person!"

"I fully intend to." He said. "I need to get Brooke home. She has no car."

"Let her rot." Stephanie said.

He shook his head and took her phone and punched a number.

"Where’s your phone Ridge?" She asked.

"I left it there, but Brooke doesn’t know that." He said as the phone rang. "Roger, Ridge. I need you to get Brooke at Big Bear. Bring her home. No, no I’m not with her now. Her car? Right, right. If she insists but she’s tired, I’d rather she just went home and you brought her car in the morning. Yeah she is. Yeah. Okay Roger, thanks." He said as he shut the phone off.

"We have to talk." Stephanie told him.

"No Mother, if we talk now I might say things I’ll regret." He laid his head back against the seat and closed his eyes.

 

A knock at the cabin door woke Brooke from her restless sleep. She rubbed her tear stained eyes and walked to the door and opened it.

"I’m here to bring you home Ms. Logan." The driver told her.

"Take me to my car, I have somewhere I have to be."

"Mr. Forrester told me to take you home."

"And I told you to bring me to my car." She said. "Please don’t make this night any worse than it already is."
"Yes Ms. Logan." He said. "To your car it is."

"You’re not coming in." Ridge said to Stephanie as she pulled up at the house he shared with Taylor.

"You’re father is inside, I just want us to go home together."

"Why is he there?"

"I told you Taylor was a wreck. We couldn’t leave her alone."

"Fine, come in, get Dad and leave. This is between Taylor and me."

"She’s your wife Ridge, she’s a good wife." She reminded him.

"I know that Mother, no need to remind me."

"You built a marriage together, you have a beautiful family. Forget what happened with Brooke, find some excuse to tell Taylor. Do not hurt her!"

He looked at the ground as they went inside. Eric stirred at the sound of the door closing.

"Hello Dad." Ridge said. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"She’s sleeping. She had too much to drink son."

"Alright." He said. "Take Mother home will you?"

"Is there anything I can do?" Eric asked.

"Not tonight but soon." He said.

Eric walked to his son and hugged him. He leaned over and whispered to him. "Be gentle Ridge, she’s very fragile right now."

"I will." He quietly answered him back.

Eric walked to his wife, took her arm and led her out. Ridge locked the door after them and turned off the lights. He slowly headed upstairs but took a detour at Thomas’s room. He walked inside and watched as his son slept. He leaned over and kissed him and then left his room for the girl’s room. A broad smile came over his face as he watched the little girls in their beds. Steffie was sucking her thumb and Phoebe was tightly hugging her favorite teddy bear. Ridge adjusted their covers and then kissed each child. "I promise I’ll always be there for you, even though I won’t live here anymore." He whispered.

"You know." Taylor said from the doorway

Ridge turned and faced his wife. She was pale and she looked terrible.

"Go back to bed Doc."

"When?"

"When what?"

"When did you see him? When did he tell you? He promised he wouldn’t." She said sadly. "You blame me don’t you?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about Taylor."

"It really wasn’t my fault. It was Brooke, it was always Brooke."

"Taylor you can’t blame Brooke for our problems."

"But we didn’t have problems, except for her. You were always with her." She said to him.

"We have to talk Taylor."

"You’re very calm." She said. "Has it not sunk in yet? Is that it?"

"You’re confused Taylor. Dad told me you were drinking."

"Can you blame me?"

"No, I guess not." He looked away and then back at her. "I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"Isn’t that supposed to be my line?"

"How did you hurt me?" he asked.

"You don’t even care do you? What did he say to make you feel this way?"

"Who Taylor?"

"Pierce. When he told you about the girls."

"Told me what?"

"That he’s their father." She said sadly. "That we made love and made the twins." Ridge looked at her and felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. He was nauseous and dizzy. He grabbed onto the side of the chair next to him.

"What did you say?" He asked in shock. "What the hell did you say?"

 

"Thank you." Brooke said to Roger as he handed her her keys.

"I’ll stay till you drive off." He said.

"I’ll be fine."

"It’s late Ms. Logan."

"Okay." She agreed. She got into her car and started the motor. She waved to him and drove off. She turned towards the coast.

 

"You shouldn’t have done that." Eric told Stephanie as they entered their home.

"I had no choice. That bitch, that bitch was in bed with him."

"He loves her Stephanie, he wants to marry her."

"He’s already married. No Eric, I got there just in time. It’s over. He and Taylor will be fine now."

"And if they aren’t?" He asked.

"I won’t accept that."

"You’re a stubborn woman Stephanie. But this time you’re wrong. He’s not going to give up Brooke this time. He loves her."
"Not only is he going to give her up but Thorne will too. I’ve finally gotten rid of her."

 

"Brooke." Thorne said with a smile as he opened the door.

"I’m so sorry." She said.

"I know, I know baby, it wasn’t your fault. I know he forced you. How did you get away from him?"
"I don’t want to talk about it." She said. Her eyes filled up with tears.

"I’ll kill him! He hurt you. Did he touch you?"

"Please Thorne, can we forget this?"

"Oh Brooke, you’ve come back to me. Of course we can forget it. Marry me Brooke, marry me tonight."

"Tonight?" She asked.

"Why not? We can get into the car and drive to Vegas. We can be married tonight. What do you say Brooke? Will you marry me?"

"Okay." She said softly. "Okay I’ll marry you tonight."

"You’ve made me so happy." He grinned as he pulled her to him and kissed her. "I promise you I’ll make you happy every day of your life. Oh Brooke thank you."

Thorne held her while tears ran down her cheeks. "Oh Ridge why?" She whispered too softly for Thorne to hear.

 

Chapter 22

 

The dawn was breaking and the sunlight was making it’s way into the house but Ridge took no notice of it. He had left a sobbing Taylor and gone to a local bar where he tried unsuccessfully to get drunk. When he had returned Taylor was asleep in bed with Thomas. He had watched the girls, the girls he had believed to be his daughters as they peacefully slept. He had cried for his loss and then gone to the living room and poured another drink. He walked to the window and looked out at the pool. He had shared so many happy times there with his family. "It was all a lie, all just a lie." He said to himself.

"I’m sorry, Ridge I’m so sorry." Taylor said as she walked into the room.

"Just go, I can’t deal with you right now Taylor."

"Ridge please, you have to believe me. I didn’t know. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to you."

"Oh I doubt that Taylor. You knew you f*cked him."

She turned away in shame. "Ridge I love you, I know we can work through this."

"Work though it? Are you insane? You slept with Peterson, never told me and then passed off his children as mine for years! You made me love them Taylor, you made me their father! And now what am I supposed to do, turn them over to him?"

"You’re their father Ridge, in all the ways that matters you are their father."

"No Taylor, no I’m not. You know that as well as I do. Nothing will ever be the same again. Nothing!"

"We’re a family. We all love you."

"I can’t deal with this now Taylor, I just can’t do it."

"Please." She begged.

"Taylor how can you beg me like this? Do you have any idea what your deceit has done to me? I’ve lost my little girls, I’ve lost them forever. And you expect me to forgive you? No Taylor, that’s something I can’t do right now, maybe I never will be able to."

 

Thorne gently shook Brooke. "Honey we’re almost there. We’re almost at Vegas."

She opened her eyes and looked at him and smiled. "You’re a very good man Thorne, I hope you realize that."

"As long as you feel that way that’s all that matters to me Brooke. Just think, in a few short minutes we’ll be there and then you’ll be my wife. Mrs. Thorne Forrester, how does that sound honey?"

Brooke gave him a weak smile and opened her purse. She took out a comb and ran it through her long blonde hair.

"What? No reply?" He asked.

"I’ve been through so much tonight." She said. "You’ll have to bear with me honey, I’m not totally myself."

"You’re the Brooke Logan that I love, that much I know." He said. "Look honey, the sun is starting to come up. I’d say that’s a good omen."

"Yes." She said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Thorne, did you talk to your mother tonight?" She asked him.

"She came over looking for you and for Ridge. We had an argument but don’t worry about it. She’ll get over it and I promise she’ll be happy for us eventually. In fact as long as Ridge and Taylor are happy I doubt she’ll give us any trouble at all."

"Are you sure this is what you want? I mean I’ve been gone for so long and we didn’t even talk. How do you know you even love me anymore?"

"I could never not love you Brooke. I thought about you every day. I swear I must have called Bridget a million times. No honey, I don’t have any doubts at all. This is what I want, it’s what we both want. I just wish that Ridge hadn’t come and interfered in the first place. I wish you’d tell me what he did. I swear he’ll pay for hurting you."

"He didn’t hurt me Thorne, just leave it alone. Please, for me?" She begged.

"I’d do anything for you Brooke, I just hate to see him win."

"He didn’t, I’m here aren’t I?" She asked halfheartedly.

"Don’t act so thrilled." He laughed.

"Sorry." She told him. Brooke looked out the window and suddenly turned to Thorne. "Do me a favor?"

"Name it."

"Pull into that rest stop up ahead."

"We’ll be in Vegas soon, we can get a room and all before we get married." He told her.

"Can we just stop now Thorne?"

"Sure baby." He said. He carefully pulled the car off the road and into the rest stop. He pulled into a parking space near the restrooms and turned off the engine. "I think I’ll go get some coffee, I’m still feeling some of the effects from the alcohol."

"We shouldn’t have come. You shouldn’t be drinking and driving."

"I’m totally sober honey, I just have a bit of a hangover."

She touched his face gently and got out of the car, but instead of heading for the restrooms she walked to a bench and sat down.

"Brooke?" He said joining her. "Is something wrong?"

 

"You’re up early." Eric said to Stephanie who had just joined him in the kitchen. He himself hadn’t slept well and was on his second cup of coffee. Stephanie poured herself one and sat down.

"I’m concerned about Ridge and Taylor." She admitted.

"What will be will be. You did your best Stephanie, it’s in their hands now."

"I’d like to talk to him, remind him of what a wonderful wife she’s been and how much he loves her."

"If he doesn’t know that now nothing you can say will change it."

"You don’t want them to make it." She accused her husband. "You want him with that slut!"

"I want him to be happy. He hasn’t been lately and you know it."

"Brooke won’t make him happy. She may be good in bed but that’s not enough to make a marriage. Eric he and Taylor have three beautiful children. Think of them."

"Stephanie we can go over this again and again but it isn’t going to change anything. Whatever happens it is Ridge and Taylor’s decisions and we’re going to have to live with it."

"I want to go over there, I want to make sure everything is alright."

"No!" Eric said sharply. You are not going to interfere. I am putting my foot down."

"And I’m telling you that they both need us. I will not stand by and watch him throw away his marriage for Brooke. He doesn’t love her, he never loved her. He loves Taylor and his children and I need to make them both realize that."

 

"I never meant to deceive you Ridge, I had no idea that they weren’t yours. I truly believed that they were. Do you really think I would have lied to you like that? I’m not Brooke!"

"No, you sure aren’t."

"What does that mean?"

"I’m sure you don’t want to hear my answer Taylor. I just know that, no I don’t want to get into this now. But Taylor, you knew there was a chance they weren’t mine and you did nothing."

"I pushed it out of my head, I didn’t want it to have happened so I pushed it aside."

"Until now." He said. "So what happened? Seeing Pierce again brought back the old memories?"
"No, he told me that they were his. I didn’t want to believe him, we fought and he said he was going to tell you. Ridge I wanted to tell you but I was scared."

"But you did tell me Taylor, I haven’t seen Pierce. It was you that told me. You spilled your own secret."

"We can get past this Ridge, our love can get us past this. Pierce will have to see that you are their father in every sense of the word. He can’t be that to them. Maybe someday, when they’re grown they can learn the truth but now they need us, they need both of us."

"I won’t abandon them. I love them Taylor but, oh God I can’t believe I’m saying this."

"What?" She sobbed.

"Pierce has his rights, if they’re his kids he has rights too and we can’t deny him. I’d kill anyone who tried to deny me my child."

"We can work something out then. As long as we have each other we can do it Ridge."

"Taylor I want, no, I demand a paternity test."

"We don’t have to." She said sadly. "It’s already been done, Pierce did it. That’s why Steffy had that mark on her leg, he had blood drawn."

"You misunderstand me Taylor, I believe you about them. It’s not the twins I want tested, it’s Thomas." He said to his devastated wife.

 

"Sit down Thorne, I want to talk to you." Brooke said tapping the bench next to her.

"We really ought to get back into the car honey, we’re almost there and I can’t wait to make you my wife."

"Thorne tonight was, well it was eye-opening to say the least."

"Ridge finally showed his true colors." Thorne said taking her hand. "I know it must have hurt, knowing that he only wanted you for his mistress like that, but honey I’m not my brother, I love you and I want to marry you and raise a family with you. We are going to be happy. I swear we will."

"Remember when I married Grant?" She asked him.

"Yeah I do."

"You know why I did that."

"Yeah Brooke, and it almost worked. Well sort of. I mean Ridge wanted to stop the wedding, I know, I was with him. But I guess deep down we all knew that he was going to marry Taylor, that he really truly loved her."

"Thorne I never should have married Grant, it was wrong, it wasn’t fair to him. He loved me and in my own way I loved him. But I didn’t love him like a woman should love a husband."
"Why are we going down memory lane like this honey?"

"Thorne I’m trying to explain myself. I’ve done things in my life that I’m not proud of and the time has come for all that to stop. Tonight Ridge showed me how I can’t depend on him, he left with your mother, he went back to Taylor just like you said he would."

"I know that hurt honey but I’ll make it all go away. I love you so much Brooke."

She smiled at him. "I know you do Thorne, but I want you to be happy too."

"You do make me happy."

"Can you really be happy married to a woman in love with your brother?" She asked him.

"You’ll stop loving him, you already are moving away from him."

"No Thorne, Ridge and I will be forever connected. Nothing will ever change that now. But that’s not really my point."

"Connections do loosen. I thought it would always be that way with Macy."

"Macy is dead Thorne, that’s why the connection is gone."

"It was gone when I fell in love with you."

"Thorne my connection with Ridge is a different kind."

"Not really, I mean you’ve known and loved him a long time but he never came through for you, he never gave you anything lasting."

"He did this time Thorne."

"Don’t believe him Brooke, he’ll never leave his family. He may have the right words but push comes to shove he won’t be there. Whatever you think he gave you will disappear and then what?"

"This won’t disappear." She said gently touching his arm. "I’m pregnant Thorne, I’m having his child."

 

Beth walked into the kitchen and saw a forlorn Bridget sitting at the table having a cup of coffee.

"She didn’t come home Grandma." She said sadly.

"I was afraid of that honey." Beth said as she mussed her hair. "We’re going to have to support them when they get home."

"But how Grandma, she married my brother, yuck."

"Bridget she’s happy, isn’t that what we both wanted for her?"
"I wanted us all to be happy, not just mom but I guess so. Oh Grandma I wish she hadn’t done that." Bridget said as she threw herself into Beth’s arms.

"Honey sometimes life throws us a curve and sometimes it throws us a few more. Things have happened with you mother, things that she has to tell you herself. But I want you to understand that she needs you Bridget, she needs you more than she ever did before."

"She has Thorne now." Bridget said as she wiped her eyes.

"Thorne isn’t enough. Honey you’re her daughter. Do you know how important the relationship between a mother and a daughter is? Especially to your mother."

"I know she needs you Grandma, but she never thinks about me."

"Oh Bridget, she thinks about you all the time. We talked about you and your brother so often while she was with me. She loves you so much and she’s so proud of you."

"I don’t think so."

"You don’t think what? You have to know she loves you."

"She doesn’t care what I think about anything, if she did she would never have married Thorne. Grandma it’s gross."

"I hope you can get past that because she’s really going to need you."
"Well I needed her and she’s not here."

"Honey your mother is going to need you so much when she comes home. I really hope you’ll give this marriage a fair shot."

 

Becky was up and dressed when Sean opened his eyes. She was doing stretching exercises and Sean was more than a little turned on. "Becky? Where are you going?" He asked.

"Jogging. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."

"What time is it?" He asked as he stretched.

"Six thirty. I know, I’m an early riser. But since I got over the cancer I hate to let any of the day get wasted."

"You and me in bed is a waste?" He laughed.

"No." She laughed as she walked over to him and kissed him. "I’ll work up an appetite."
"For breakfast?" He asked.

"If that’s what you want to call it." She said with a sly smile. She kissed him again and went outside. Sean laughed and then rolled over again and fell back asleep.

"Wwwhat?" Taylor asked Ridge. "Why Ridge? Why Thomas?"

"If you lied about Pierce who’s to say you didn’t lie about Thorne." He said. "You know I was happy with Brooke when Thomas was born. You and Mother are forever accusing Brooke of lying to me but what about you Taylor? You lied too. And now I need to know if you lied then too."

"How dare you!" She hissed.

"How dare you!" He shot back. "I don’t even know you Taylor. I don’t know you at all."

"I made a mistake! You were spending all your time with Brooke and I was hurt. I needed you and you weren’t there for me. That’s why it happened. It happened once and I am sorry. Are you really willing to throw away everything for that?"

"You already did that Taylor. You let me believe that those girls were mine and they aren’t and now, now I can’t stand to be in the same room with you." He stood up and grabbed his keys.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"Anywhere, anywhere that you aren’t!" He shouted. He walked to the door, looked back at her and left slamming it shut.

 

"You’re pregnant?" Thorne asked in astonishment.

"Yes." She said as she gently caressed her belly. "And I’m keeping this baby Thorne."

"I didn’t, I never imagined, I oh Brooke I"

"It’s okay Thorne, I know you didn’t expect this."

"Does Ridge know?"

"No, and he’s never going to. I trust you Thorne. I trust you to keep my secret."

"He’ll figure it out Brooke, he isn’t stupid."

"I’ll tell him it’s not his."

"He’ll ask who’s it is. What will you tell him?"

"That it’s none of his business."

"Well you know he’ll never go for that. You can say it’s mine."

"No, I can’t do that. I can’t play Taylor’s game."

"Isn’t that what you’d be doing anyway? Is this a trick to test his feelings for you Brooke? Because if it is you’re going to be really disappointed."

"I just want to have this baby and raise him alone."

"Alone? Brooke where does this leave us?"

"I guess it doesn’t." She sighed. "I’m sorry Thorne, I never meant to hurt you like this."

"Come on Brooke, we can say he’s mine. I’ll be a good father Brooke, we can raise him as our own."

She sighed deeply and looked away. She was silent for a few moments, which gave Thorne a false sense of security. He reached for her hand and held it, bringing it to his mouth and kissing it. Brooke smiled sadly at him and let go of his hand. She turned to face him with a serious expression on her face.

"When I told Grant I’d marry him I was doing it to get to Ridge, I wasn’t in love with him and I did him a great injustice Thorne and I can’t do it to you too."

"What are you saying?"
"I can’t do it Thorne, I can’t marry a man I’m not in love with ever again. I’m so sorry that I let this go so far but it would be unfair to you, it would be unfair to both of us."

"No Brooke, no." He protested. "I know I can make you love me again. I love you so much honey and I swear it can be so good for us."

"No Thorne, it won’t. I could never be the wife you deserve. You need someone that loves you more than anyone or anything and that person isn’t me sweetie, it just isn’t. Thorne we have to turn around and go back home."

"But we were so close, we came so close Brooke."
She pulled him into her arms and held him. "You’ll always be my friend Thorne, and I’ll always love you in my own way."

"Please don’t do this Brooke, I know we can make it."

"I love him Thorne, I think I always have and I know I always will. I have his child now and that will have to be enough for me."

"He won’t leave her for you Brooke."
"I know that, I know he won’t. I had my fantasy but it was blown to bits today."

"Brooke don’t let what he did to you ruin us."

"Don’t you see Thorne, there isn’t an us. That died in Venice. I tried to bring it back but I couldn’t. I’m not in love with you anymore, maybe I never was, Thorne you just don’t know. I’ve been playing games with myself for so long, so damn long. I tried so hard to forget him but I can’t." She started to cry and he pulled her into his embrace.

"You did love me, we did love each other and we can find it again Brooke, if we try we can."

"I fell for his trick in Venice because deep down that was what I always wanted. I wanted him to tell me what a mistake Taylor was and how he loved me. That’s why I was so mad, because they all knew me so much better than I knew myself. Oh Thorne, I need you to be my friend, just like you always were, I’m so alone."

"You’ll never be alone Brooke. Marry me and I promise you’ll never regret it." "He kissed her forehead. "I’ll be a father to your child, I will make you happy and I promise I won’t push you into anything you aren’t ready for."

"No, no, no, no." She said. "I will not do that to you. Please Thorne, please just take me home."

 

"Alright Mother, now I want to know why you did that!" Ridge shouted as he stormed into the house.

"Calm down son." Eric said.

"Calm? That’s a laugh, you both know that my entire life was shot to hell tonight, everything that I knew was turned around and nothing, nothing will ever be the same again."
"She’ll forgive you Ridge." Stephanie said as she tried to embrace him. "Taylor is kind and she will forgive your mistake. She doesn’t ever have to know how far it went."

"What?" Ridge asked in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Your little thing with Brooke, she doesn’t have to know you bedded her."

"Bedded her? Damn it Mother you make is sound like she’s a racehorse. But this has nothing to do with Brooke, I may have lost her forever now thanks to you."

"Brooke will listen to reason Ridge." Eric said calmly.

"Eric!" Stephanie shouted.

"What happened with Taylor while I was gone? Did Peterson come over?"

"Pierce? Why would he come over?" Eric asked.

"Mother?" Ridge questioned.

"No Ridge, we were alone with her. She was distraught and she drank too much, she wasn’t making much sense but I know she realized where you were."

"Taylor had no idea where I was. She was trying to hide her little secret." He spit venomously.

"What secret?" Eric asked. "She was saying something to me but I didn’t understand her."

"Not now, I can’t go into this yet." He said. "So no one knows but me?"

"We have no idea at all son." Eric assured him.

"Ridge you have to go home to her and work things out." Stephanie implored him.

"It’s over, it was over before I knew but now, now I swear I could kill her."

 

Brooke was silent as they drove back to Los Angeles. Thorne tried to talk but she kept turning away so he gave up. He swore to himself that he’d make her see reason. He loved her and they would be married, now that there was a baby it was even more important. He pulled into the driveway and stopped the car. Brooke looked at him with a sad smile.

"Someday you’ll forgive me." She said as she reached into her purse. She pulled out the ring and handed it to him.

"What’s this?" He asked.

"I can’t keep your ring Thorne."

"This isn’t my ring." He said looking at it. Suddenly his eyes opened in amazement. "He meant it Brooke, he was serious wasn’t he?"

She grabbed the ring and stared at it. "This is the ring he gave me at Big Bear all those years ago, I gave it back to him. He must have hidden it in my purse." She smiled.

"He’s married, he has no right to give you this."

"I know that, but for a little while it felt right."

She reached deeper and pulled out Thorne’s ring. "I must be the luckiest woman in the world." She said with a sob. "A purse full of engagement rings."

"Oh honey." He said softly as she handed him his ring. "Keep it baby, maybe you’ll change your mind."

"I won’t."

"What are you going to do with his ring?"

"Give it back, but not today, I need to be alone today."

"Stay with me, I won’t try anything."

"Oh Thorne you are so sweet. Why can’t I love you?"

"I love you Brooke, I love you so much." He said to her as she opened the car door.

"I know." She smiled and got out of his car and into her own. She drove off leaving him standing there with tears streaming down his face.

 

"He’s going to find that slut." Stephanie said to Eric after Ridge had left.

"I don’t think so. Whatever happened with Taylor, well that’s what’s eating him now. I hope he stays away from both of them right now."

"Taylor." Stephanie said. "I have to go to her."

"It’s none of your business."

"The hell it isn’t! She’s my daughter-in-law and I want to help her, I want to help both of them."

"Stay out of it Stephanie."

"No." She said as she grabbed her keys and left.

Eric grabbed the phone and punched in the number for Ridge’s cell phone. It rang and rang but no one picked up. "Where are you son? Oh Ridge, I hope you know what you’re doing."

 

"I can’t go home, I can’t face them. Oh God what am I doing to my life?" Brooke sobbed. She pulled her car off to the side of the road and pulled her cell phone out of the glove compartment. She punched in a number. "Please be there, I need you so badly."

"Hello." A sleepy man’s voice answered.

 

"What happened?" Kimberly asked as she walked up to Thorne.

"She left me, she gave me back my ring." He said as he stared at the perfect diamond in his hand.

"I’m sorry." She whispered.

"No you aren’t."

"I’m sorry you’re hurting, I’m not sorry she left you. I told you she’d end up hurting you. I never knew it would be so soon."

"Go home Kim, I’m not in the mood for company." He said, his eyes not leaving the ring.

"I’m going to make it feel better." She said as she put her arms around him and kissed him. "I love you Thorne, I really, really love you."

His hand opened and the ring fell to the ground as he fell into her embrace.

 

"My God Taylor, what happened to you?" Stephanie asked as Taylor let her inside. Taylor was pale and sick looking. Her hair was stringy and she was wearing old sweats. She looked like she hadn’t slept in weeks.

"He didn’t tell you?" She asked her in a soft voice.

"No, he only said he was angry at you. Though I have no idea where he gets off being angry with you. It was Ridge that ran off with that slut!"

"He was with Brooke?" She asked.

"Oh honey, I thought you knew."

"No, but I suspected. But it doesn’t really matter anymore now does it?"

"Oh course it matters, but he loves you. He’s going to come to his senses. That woman spreads her legs and he feels flattered. I know it’s wrong honey but if you can see it in your heart to forgive him I’m sure that things will work out for you. He loves you so. And you have such a wonderful family Taylor, Brooke can’t come close to what you have to offer him. In fact I bet her regrets it already."

"I know what he regrets." She said sadly.

"Don’t Taylor, don’t! He has no regrets about you."

"That’s not what he said."

"He didn’t know what he was saying. Honey believe me things will work out. Now you have to do something about yourself."

"Stephanie no. I don’t care. I just don’t care anymore. Ridge left and he’s not coming back."

"Now why would you say that?"

"Because it’s true. Just go Stephanie, please just go."

"I’m not going anywhere. Now lets get you showered and dressed. I want you to look pretty, if not for my son at least for your children. My God Taylor you’ll scare them looking like this."

"You’re right, I have to think of my children." She said softly. "They’re all I have left."

 

"Where are you going?" Becky asked Sean when she came back and found him dressed and writing her a note.

"Good, you’re back. Something came up Becky, I have to leave. I got you a rental car to get back."

"What came up Sean? What could be more important than us? You were the one that pushed for this thing? I changed my plans for you. This isn’t fair Sean!" She pouted.

"Becky stop acting like a child. I wouldn’t be leaving if I didn’t have to."

"This can’t be work. Brooke isn’t even here. Is it a woman Sean?"

"I don’t want to fight with you." He said as he closed his suitcase. "I’ll call you later."

"Don’t bother." She said as she sat down and crossed her arms in front of her.

"Becky come on, don’t do this."

"Tell me what’s so important!"

"Brooke’s back and something’s wrong, something happened."

"So why does she need you? She has Ridge and Thorne and Eric."

"Honey this is personal and she needs me."

"And I don’t?"

"Not at this particular moment. Becky she was sobbing. I could barely understand her and she begged me. She’s very important to me and I won’t let her go through this alone."

"Fine Sean, just don’t expect me to be home waiting for you."

"Becky!"

"I’m serious." She said. She grabbed her purse and stormed out of the hotel room.

 

A few hours later Sean pulled up at the cabin at Big Bear and knocked on the door. A disheveled Brooke opened the door and practically fell into his arms.

"What’s wrong honey? Talk to me."

"Oh Sean I made such a mess of my life." She sobbed into his arms.

 

The bottle falling off the bed woke Thorne and he looked down at the floor to see what made the noise. "Oh." He said when he saw the bottle. He rolled back over and found himself pressed against Kimberly. Then he became even more confused when he didn’t recognize his surroundings. "Kim." He said shaking her. "Wake up Kim."

She rolled over to face him and smiled. She brought her hand to his face and kissed him. "Morning. Or should I say afternoon."

"Kim what happened? Where are we? Damn I got drunk again." Suddenly the light caught on her hand and he saw the sparkle of a diamond. He grabbed her hand and stared at Brooke’s engagement ring. "Where did you get this? Take that off Kim! That’s not yours."
"Don’t you remember?" She asked.

"Remember what?"

She got up from the bed and walked to the dresser and picked up a piece of paper. She came back to the bed and handed it to him.

"What’s this?" He asked.

"It’s our wedding license Thorne. We got married." She said showing him the gold band next to the engagement ring.

 

"Hello Beth, I need to see Brooke." Ridge said as she stood at the door looking at him.

"I’m afraid she’s not here Ridge. You might check Thorne’s house."
"No one’s home there."

"Then try Vegas." Bridget said walking in and blowing her nose into a tissue.

"Vegas?" Ridge asked, his eyes widening in alarm.

"She married him Ridge, she married him." Bridget started to cry again.

"No Budge, she wouldn’t have done that. She doesn’t love him."

"She never came home last night. She called from the airport and said she was going to see him and that she might not come home. She was wearing his ring when she left here."

"She wasn’t with Thorne last night." He told her as he put his arm around her to comfort her.

"How do you know that Ridge?" Beth asked.

"Because she was with me." He said.

"You?" Beth asked.

"I love her Beth, I love her and I swear I’ll do right by her this time. I want you and Steven to know that. I will never hurt your daughter again. It may take awhile for us but I will make her my wife and when I do it will be forever."
Bridget looked up at him and squeezed him tightly. "I knew you’d come home someday." She said to him.

"But Ridge, if she isn’t with Thorne and she isn’t here and she isn’t with you then where is she?" Beth asked.

"Thorne!" He said. "Damn it she was vulnerable. He knew that and she went to him. I have to stop them! I have to stop them before it’s too late!" He ran out the door and Bridget ran after him.

"Ridge! Where are you going?"

"Vegas! I have to stop her before she makes the biggest mistake of her life." He said as he got into his car and drove off leaving a smiling Bridget and a confused Beth.

 

"What happened honey." Sean asked as he held Brooke in his arms. "I thought you had everything figured out."

"So did I." She told him. "When I called you I knew that marrying Thorne was my best choice. He would be my baby’s father and he’d love me. I know he’d love me."

"So what changed your mind Brooke?"

"When I landed I headed over to Thorne’s but Ridge cut me off. I still don’t know how he knew where I was but he did. He had his limo blocking the street and when I got out to question him he pulled me in the car and took me here."

"Where is he?" Sean asked.

"I don’t know. It’s a long story Sean and I don’t know if I have it in me to even repeat it all."

"Come on honey, we’ll work something out."

She took a deep breath and continued. "He told me that he loved me and that he was going to win me back. Sean I fought him, I tried so hard but I love him so much."

"I know you do honey. There’s nothing wrong with you giving into it. Maybe he will come through this time. I can see how much he loves you. He really does Brooke, it’s just not so easy for him being married."

"He’ll never leave her. Oh Sean, he gave me a ring, the ring that he gave me when he proposed the first time. He was so sweet and so loving. He made me cookies." She laughed.

"Ridge Forrester made cookies?" He laughed with her.

"We made love Sean and it was so good, so real. I wanted to tell him about the baby so badly."

"Then why didn’t you?"

"Because I wanted him to want me for me. I didn’t want him to come to me for the baby like he did for Thomas. Oh who am I fooling? He didn’t leave me for Thomas, he left me for Taylor, it was always Taylor. I was just too stupid and stubborn to admit it."

"So what happened? Why are you in this state?"

"Stephanie found us. She walked in on us." Brooke looked at Sean and started to laugh.

"What’s so funny?"

"He was going down on me." She giggled. "And the old cow was speechless. At least for a moment. Then she demanded he come home with her." She said sadly.

"And?" Sean asked.

"He did." She answered.

 

"Roger it’s Ridge, take down this number, it’s my new cell phone."

"What happened to the other one?"

"Don’t ask. Just tell me, did you find out anything?"

"Thorne took out a marriage license in Vegas."

"With who? With Brooke?" Ridge asked.

"I don’t know and I don’t know if they’ve been married yet. But you were right to head that way. Thorne checked in at The Four Seasons, my people are working on getting you a room number."

"Call me the minute you know Roger, I have to stop them. I love her Roger, I have to stop them."

 

Chapter 23

 

"I’m sure that Ridge was just trying to make best of a bad situation. He didn’t want his mother on your case Brooke." Sean said as he stroked Brooke’s hair and held her.

"He didn’t have to leave me, he didn’t have to go along with her. She said the magic word and Ridge reacted just like she knew he would."

"What word was that honey?"

"Taylor." She said sadly.

 

"We got married?" Thorne asked Kimberly in shock.

"Oh Thorne, please don’t say you don’t remember, please don’t start our life together that way."

He concentrated hard and it all came back to him. He had made love to Kim on the lounge chair and when they had finished he had seen the ring on the ground, he had picked it up and slipped it on her finger and begged her to marry him. It had all been his idea, Kim hadn’t pressed him at all.

"Did I drive here?" He asked.

"I drove." She said. "But Thorne you proposed to me."

"I know I did Kim, I just, oh God Kim I was so drunk."

She looked at him and started to cry softly. "Are you going to divorce me?" She asked in a whisper.

 

Taylor came out of the shower wrapped in a towel with another one around her long dark hair. "Thanks Stephanie, I needed that." She said.

"You need this too honey." She said handing her a cup of coffee.

Taylor took it from her and took a large gulp. "It’s good." She said with a smile. "Thank you again Stephanie."

"Honey I know you’re hurting and I don’t blame you." Stephanie started. "But I just know that things will work out. He loves you and the children so very much. Forgive him his affair with Brooke, you concentrate on your marriage and I’ll make that bitch pay."

"There is so much you don’t understand." Taylor said as she rubbed her hair with the towel and pulled it off. She shook her head letting her hair fall to just below her shoulders. "I know you only want what you think is best but it just isn’t going to work this time. Even if Brooke wasn’t involved it wouldn’t work. Ridge doesn’t want me anymore, he doesn’t love me."

"Nonsense."

"Stephanie, he hates me right now and he has every right to do so. I betrayed him in the worst way possible. It’s not Ridge that needs forgiveness, it’s me."

 

"Becky?" Megan asked as she listened to the voice at the other side of the phone line.

"It’s me Meg."

"Are you home? I thought you weren’t coming home till late."

"Sean ran off."

"He what? Come on Becky, tell me what you’re talking about." Megan pushed Giovanni away as he tried to kiss her neck. "Shhh, stop it Gio, something happened to Becky."

"Am I breaking something up?" Becky asked.

"No, now don’t try and get out of this, I want to know exactly what happened."

"We were having a great time, at least I was."

"And?" Megan asked as she once more pushed an amorous Giovanni from her neck, but this time with a smile and a kiss.

"I went for a morning jog and when I came back he was dressed and writing me a note."

"Well what happened?"

"Something happened to Brooke and he ran off to go to her."

"What happened to Brooke?" Megan asked with concern for her boss.

"I don’t know, but he was with me Meg, why did he leave me for her? I know they were lovers, damn it I knew I could never keep a man like Sean."

"Becky he’s her friend. Brooke is in love with Thorne, she wants to marry him."

"Then why did she call Sean?"

"Maybe she had a fight with Thorne. Becky he loves you, don’t think this way, besides Brooke really likes you, she wouldn’t steal your man."

"Maybe he was never my man."

"Becky!"

"I mean it Megan, she’s so much more of a woman than I am. She is everything I’m not, smart, beautiful, sophisticated."

"You are all that and more. Honey I’m sure she just needed a friend. Sean is such a nice guy. You know he is. What did he say to you?"

"That he was sorry and he wanted to be with me but Brooke was a wreck and he was really worried."
"See!" Megan said excitedly. "He wants to be a good friend, but he loves you. Don’t make more of this than there is Becky, please don’t."

"Thanks Megan, I’ll think about it." She said. "Go back to Giovanni. I don’t want your man mad at me too."

"He isn’t Beck. Call me later."

"Okay." She said.

 

"So you’re giving up?" Sean asked Brooke.

"Giving up? No Sean, there had to be something for me to give it up. All I had was a dream. I’m going to let him go, he has a wife and a family that he loves, that he’ll never be able to leave them for me."

"But you have his baby too Brooke."

"And he can never know that. Sean you can’t tell him."

"But you have to Brooke, he has a right to know."

"I will someday, after I get over him." She laughed.

"Brooke."

"I will, I swear I will. Sean I did with Thorne once and I did with you." She smiled at him and touched his face. "Why did I let you get away?"

"You didn’t love me, not like you love him."

"I never loved anyone like that, and I know I never will. Oh Sean, marry me and take me away from here." She said wistfully.

"If I had even the tiniest notion that you meant it I would Brooke."

"No you wouldn’t." She said with a smile. "You love Becky and I am happy for you."

"Brooke a part of me will always love you."

"I told Thorne something tonight Sean, and I’ll say the same to you. I love you dearly and I value your friendship so much. I will never again marry a man that I don’t love to save myself from a man I do. I will never destroy a friendship out of selfishness. But I am so happy that you care enough about me to even pretend you would marry me."

"Oh my sweet Brooke, if I could put a smile on your beautiful face I’d marry you in a second." He kissed her on the cheek and smiled at her.

 

"Why does he have to forgive you Taylor?" Stephanie asked her daughter-in-law.

"I think it’s best if you ask Ridge, I really can’t get into it with you."

"If you are talking about your taking that job I think he will get beyond that. He wants you at home but he also loves you enough to know he can’t control you."

Both women turned at the sound of the doorbell.

"Can that be him?" Taylor wondered aloud.

"He wouldn’t ring the bell honey. I’ll send whoever it is away." Stephanie told her. She walked to the stairs, looked back at Taylor and then went down and opened the door. "It’s not a good time Pierce." She told the handsome man at the door.

"It’s never a good time in your mind Stephanie, but I need to see Taylor."

"Not today."

"I think I’ll leave that up to her." He said as he pushed past her.

"Look Pierce." She said grabbing his arm. "I said not now and I meant it. Taylor does not want or need to see you today. Go home Pierce, you can’t be a part of her life anymore."

"That’s where you’re wrong. I’ll always be a part of her life."

"And that is where you are wrong!" She answered him angrily. "Taylor is a married woman and you’d do best to remember that. Now go home Pierce Peterson, and stay away from my family."

"Pierce." Taylor said as she saw him from the top of the stairs. She turned slightly pale and grabbed onto the banister to get her balance.

"Taylor we have to talk." He said pushing away from Stephanie and towards the stairs.

"Wait down there, I’ll be down in a minute." She said.

"You don’t have to do this." Stephanie said.

"Yes Stephanie, I do." She said. She turned away and went into the girl’s room and looked at her sleeping daughters. "Oh babies, I am so sorry. I never wanted to cause you any pain. I love you more than I thought possible and I will make things better, I promise."

 

"Kimberly try and understand." Thorne said.

"Thorne please don’t, please. I love you so much and you were the one who asked me and oh God please don’t divorce me."

"Kim." He said. "I do care about you."

"Give me a chance, I can make you so happy. I know I can." She touched his arm gently and was so sad that he couldn’t turn away from her.

"I won’t divorce you Kim. You’re right, I did ask you, I begged you and I will stand by my vows."

"Thorne." She smiled and kissed him. "You won’t be sorry, you’ll never be sorry."

 

"Forrester." Ridge said answering his cell phone on the first ring. "Is that you Roger?"

"It’s me Ridge, and I have bad news."

"No, oh please no." He moaned.

"They’re married. It happened last night, they are registered at the Four Seasons as Mr. and Mrs. Thorne Forrester, they’re in the bridal suite."

"Are you sure they went through with it? Maybe they registered before the wedding, maybe it’s not too late."

"I’m waiting for the fax of the marriage certificate. I’m sorry Ridge, I wish I could have done something."

Ridge took his phone and threw it out the car window. He punched the dashboard screaming "No, no Logan, no!" As he drove faster and faster.

 

"Stephanie I need to talk to Pierce alone, I hope you don’t mind."

"Taylor this isn’t a good idea." She said to her. "Ridge wouldn’t like this at all."

"Ridge would understand." She said calmly. "I really appreciate everything you’ve done but I have to do this. Please try and understand."

"I don’t."

"But you will." Taylor said as she picked up Stephanie’s purse and handed it to her. She linked arms with her and walked her to the door. "We’ll talk later, I promise."

"Please honey, please don’t do anything stupid."

"I’ll be fine." She smiled at her and hugged her. "I love you Stephanie." She said.

Taylor opened the door for Stephanie who had no choice but to leave. She stood outside after Taylor had shut the door.

"What is going on Taylor? What is happening to your marriage?"

 

"You’re home early." Sheila said as Becky came inside. "What happened?"

"Don’t ask." Becky said.

"But I did. You look terribly upset Becky, did you have a fight with Sean?"

"Not exactly. Well sort of. It wasn’t my fault Sheila, I mean Emily." Becky corrected herself. "I mean it’s not that I don’t like Brooke, I do, but Sean was with me. He shouldn’t have just left me for her."

"Brooke Logan." Sheila said with a look of nostalgia on her face.

"You act like you know her, do you?" Becky asked.

"I know of her, I don’t know her. She seems like an exciting woman."

"She is and that’s the problem, how can I compete with her Sheila? If Sean sees a woman like her what can he possibly see in me?"

"There’s a lot more the world has to offer besides Forresters Becky, and you are so much better than any of them, including Brooke Logan Forrester. Don’t you ever forget that."

 

"How is she?" Eric asked Stephanie when she came in.

"Not good at all. Has Ridge called?"

"No, you didn’t expect him to did you?"

"I most certainly did." She said as she took off her jacket and put down her purse. "I’m very worried Eric, Pierce Peterson came over and Taylor insisted on seeing him, alone."

"He’s a friend. Maybe it’s easier for her to talk to him than to us."

"Something is going on, I don’t know what but the tension in that room Eric, you could cut it with a knife."

"Well we can call her later."

"No, I want you to go talk to her. She was good with you last night." Stephanie said.

"I don’t think that’s a good idea Stephanie. She needs time on her own. Whatever happens with she and Ridge, well it’s up to them to fix it, not us."
"Eric please, she needs us, she needs you. Please go talk to her, please."

"Alright dear, I certainly don’t want to turn my back on her. Let’s give her a few hours to think things through and then I promise I’ll go see her."

"You’re a good man Eric." She said with a hug. "I hope you realize how much I appreciate you."

 

Sean walked into the living room with two cups of tea and handed one to Brooke.

"Thanks." She said taking a sip. "Would you believe a few short hours ago Ridge was doing the same thing for me?" She said sadly. "I had such hopes Sean, such dreams."
"I honestly don’t think you should give them up Brooke. Just because he left with her doesn’t mean that he didn’t mean what he said to you."

"Would you have left?" She asked.

"Well, no." He admitted.

"Doesn’t that prove something? He may love me but it is never enough, never enough to put our love or me first. I am just so tired of fighting for happiness, I’ve had it Sean, I can’t do it anymore. I have my kids and the baby coming and that will have to be enough for me."

"Do you think it can be?"

"It has to be, I have no other choices, at least not now, probably never." She sighed.

 

"Did something happen?" Pierce asked Taylor. "Stephanie was more hateful with me than ever."

"You have no idea how much happened Pierce. Sit down and I’ll bring you up to date." She said as she took a seat on the couch.

"I didn’t mean to upset things, I really wanted to apologize for our last conversation and try and talk you into coming back to work."
"Apologize?"

"Taylor I never meant to threaten you. I want to be part of my daughters lives but I do realize what this is going to do to you and I want you to know I will work with you on this. I won’t tell Ridge, I promise."

"Too late." She laughed, almost hysterically.

"You told him?" A shocked Pierce asked.

"Not on purpose. It was a lack of communications and I thought that you had told him."

"Taylor I’m sorry, how did he take it?"

"He didn’t take it well at all, he hates me, my marriage is over Pierce."

"He’ll come around, he loves you."

"No. He doesn’t love me, and that’s the funniest thing." She started to laugh again.

"Taylor, honey what happened?" He asked as he got up and sat right next to her. He put his arm around her and her laughter turned to tears as she allowed him to hold her.

"He didn’t come home. I was upset and I got drunk. I don’t know why but I was so sure that you had told him. I mean why else would he just leave like that."

"Taylor I didn’t even see him, I swear it."

"I know." She said. She blew her nose and continued. "He had said he was going back to work to redo a shoot that was lost. He said he’d be all night but when I tried to call him he wasn’t around and then I spoke to the photographer and well, he knew nothing about the shoot. That was when I knew you told him. I started drinking and somehow Stephanie and Eric ended up here and then Stephanie left to find Ridge and I, I just don’t know Pierce."

"Did something happen to him?" Pierce asked.

"Yeah, Brooke happened to him."

"Brooke? No, he loves you, he wouldn’t be with her again."

"He has been for quite some time. I just hoped it would run it’s course and he would come back to me. I guess I have no pride do I?"

"It has nothing to do with pride Taylor, you love him."

"Well that isn’t enough Pierce, at least not now."

"Why? And what did you tell him?"

"He finally came home and he didn’t seem to want to talk to me and I just lost it. I told him that it wasn’t my fault and I didn’t know and the next thing you know I had told him about the girls."

"Oh my God Taylor, oh Taylor." He held her tightly.

"He said some vile things to me and told me he couldn’t stand looking at me and he left. I haven’t seen him since."

"I’ll talk to him, I’ll explain how and when it happened. He has to understand Taylor."

"He won’t. Oh Pierce I am so empty inside. I feel like my whole life is over."

"We’ll fix this. I’ll fix this. I won’t take your children away from you. I just want to be a part of their lives."

"Good, because I know Ridge won’t be." She said as she burst back into tears.

 

"He’s not answering his cell phone Rog." The man told Roger, who was looking at the paperwork that had been faxed to him.

"We have to get through to him, this was a big mistake, it isn’t Brooke, we have to tell him. Try his old cell phone."

"I thought he lost it."

"No, I think he just misplaced it. Maybe if it rings long enough he’ll answer. We have to get through to him before he does something stupid."

 

"I can’t believe I pulled you away from your weekend with Becky, you should have told me Sean."

"You needed me. Do you really think anything could have kept me away?"

"I appreciate it honey but you have a lovely young lady waiting for you. Why don’t you go home to her?"

"I will as soon as I’m sure you’ll be alright."

"I will be ok." She said. "Damn, there it goes again." She turned her head towards the bedroom.

"What?" Sean asked.

"That ringing sound? Don’t you hear it?"

Sean listened and walked towards the sound. "Yeah I do, it sounds like a phone."

"Ridge took all the phones out of here."

"Honey that is a phone." He insisted.

Brooke gave him a confused look and went into the bedroom with Sean close behind her. "I think it’s coming from the closet." She said. She opened the door and saw Ridge’s cell phone on the floor. "He had this all the time." She said picking it up. "Hello?" She said.

"Is Ridge there?" A man asked her.

"No he’s not. I guess this is his phone then."

"Do you expect him back soon?" He asked Brooke.

"I don’t expect him back at all. Who is this?"

"I need to find him Miss, do you know where he is?"

"Look, I don’t know who the hell you are, I am not about to tell you anything."

"You’re Brooke aren’t you?" He asked.

"Do I know you?"

"Brooke, my name is Roger and I’m looking for Ridge. He took off to Vegas to find you and I can’t get him on his new phone."

"Vegas? He knows I went to Vegas? How does he know that? Wait! You’re the guy that kidnapped me aren’t you?"

"Not exactly, that was my man. I’m the one who set it all up." He laughed. "But right now Ridge is trying to stop you from marrying his brother."

"I didn’t marry Thorne. Damn it how does he do this? Why do I let him get to me like this? He really went after me?" She asked as a smile crossed her face.

"He was frantic Ms. Logan. He wants to stop you no matter what it takes, unfortunately we had a mix up on our information and we told him that YOU married Thorne."

"The way you said that? You put the accent on you instead of married. Why did you do that?" She asked.

"Thorne got married tonight, we thought it was to you but it wasn’t and now Ridge is on his way to try and stop it or well I don’t know what."

"He’s trying to stop me?" She said. "Sean he’s trying to stop me from marrying Thorne." She said as she clutched his hand. "Wait! Mister, um Roger right?"

"Yes."

"You just said Thorne got married?" She asked as she lifted her eyebrows in concern.

 

"Open the f*cking door Thorne!" Ridge shouted as he pounded his fists on the hotel room door. "I mean it baby brother, open the God damn door right now! This has gone far enough! Brooke! Brooke you come out here! Damn it I need you! I love you! You can’t marry him! I left her! I left her tonight! Brooke please!"

"There he is." The housekeeper said to the security guard as she pointed at Ridge.

"Sir please come away from that door." The guard told Ridge.

"You don’t understand, I have to stop them, I need to talk to her now."

"Mr. and Mrs. Forrester checked out. No one is in that room."

"I don’t believe you." Ridge said as he started pounding on the door again. "Thorne! Open the door!"

"Please stop before I have to call the police." He told Ridge.

"I have to see her, I have to talk to her."

"Would you believe me if I showed you?" He asked Ridge. He turned to the housekeeper. "Open the door Charlotte."

"Yes sir." She said as she put the master key in the lock. Ridge pushed past them and into the room.

"Brooke!" He shouted as he looked throughout the suite. To his surprise it was empty. He checked the closets and drawers and they were empty. "I’m sorry." He said sheepishly. "When? When did they check out?"

"I don’t know and I wouldn’t be at liberty to tell you."

"Do you know?" He asked the housekeeper.

"I, I" She started.

"Please, the woman with my brother, I love her and she loves me. It was all a big misunderstanding, I have to get to her before this goes too far."

"I wish I could help you." She said.

"Look I’m sorry for the disturbance." Ridge said.

"I hope things work out for you, but well, she looked very happy." She said sadly.

"She did?" He asked. "Oh God what have I done?" He said sitting on the bed.

 

"I’m sorry that I’m making you come home so soon but I have some things that I can’t put off." Thorne said.

Kimberly cuddled next to him and linked her arm through his. "That’s okay. We can have a honeymoon at home. Besides, I can’t wait to share a home with you."

"Wow, it’s still so unreal to me. I haven’t really thought about all that." Thorne said. "Kim I have to ask you a favor."

"Yes?" She asked.

"Can we not tell anyone until I tell Brooke?"
"Why are you so concerned about her? She left you high and dry Thorne."

"She’s in a lot of pain Kim, please do this for me."

"Tell her today Thorne, I’m you wife and I’m proud of it. I want to shout it from the rooftops. I want to make a home for us. Oh Thorne I want us to be so happy. I will make you happy." She kissed him and he smiled. "You’re not too upset are you?"

"Shocked is more like it Kim, but not upset with you." He said. "Not upset with you at all."

 

"Thorne got married? No, that has to be a mistake, we were going to get married but we changed our minds. Thorne can’t be married." Brooke said to Roger while Sean looked on.

"I’m afraid it’s true Brooke. He took out a marriage license, was married and checked into the bridal suite at The Four Seasons Hotel."

"Well who did he marry? Roger this has to be a mistake."

"The only mistake was when I told Ridge he married you." Roger said. "Ridge is going crazy trying to stop it and you never married him. Where are you Brooke?"

"Who did he marry?" She insisted.

"The bride’s name is Kimberly Fairchild."

"Oh my God. He wouldn’t, he couldn’t. Why would he marry her?"

"That I don’t know. All I know is that Ridge thinks you got married and he’s furious."

"Good! Serves him right." She said. She turned to Sean and covered the speaker. "Ridge thought I married Thorne and he’s going to Vegas to try and stop me." She told him with a smile.

"I told you he loves you Brooke."

"Brooke! Brooke?" Roger called out.

"I’m here. When did he marry her?"

"They were married last night, no I suppose it was really this morning. Brooke where are you? I need to try and find Ridge and I want to be able to tell him where you are."

"Tell him I went back to Big Bear."

"Will you wait for him there Brooke?"

"Yes." She said. "Yes, I’ll wait here Roger, but not forever. Tell him not forever." She said as she hung up. She turned to Sean. "He still loves me." She said as a tear ran down her cheek. "He really loves me."

 

"Ridge can get past it Taylor. He’s still your husband and he still gets to live with my kids." Pierce said. "Taylor nothing has to change, at least not any major changes. The only thing different is that I get to be a part of the equation."

"You don’t understand Pierce, for him it already has changed. Now he doesn’t trust me and he hates that the girls aren’t his. And really, I can’t blame him. I just took his entire world and turned it upside down."

"Now Taylor, I want you to gain your prospective and tell me about Brooke."

"I don’t want to talk about Brooke. I don’t want to think about Brooke. Damn that vulture."

"How did it start up again? Taylor he had put her aside and moved on with you. He was a devoted, loving husband. If anyone knows that I do. I tried so hard to win you from him but I didn’t have a prayer."

"It was gradual, at least I think so. At first I thought it was because I went back to work, but looking back on that it doesn’t make sense. He was loving then and our sex life, well it couldn’t have been better. No, that wasn’t it and yet it was part of it. Ridge must have felt threatened and then she saw it and laid her web like the spider she is."

"You can’t blame it all on Brooke, no matter who made the first move he was a part of it too Taylor."

"But he didn’t try to resist her."

"Do you know that for a fact?"

"No." She admitted. "No, I don’t but I know how she operates. She wanted him, she always has."

"So when did the affair actually start and how much into it is he?"

"I’m not sure Pierce, but I found her panties in his pocket. I never got to talk to him about it. I let it fester and then all hell broke loose."

"Did he actually tell you it was over?" Pierce asked.

"Not in so many words, but I could tell."

"Taylor I am so sorry. I wish, I really wish." He pulled her into his arms and held her.

"What do you wish?"
"So many things Taylor, I wish we never did what we did, but then again I’m glad we did. I wish Ridge had never found out and then I wish he had a long time ago, but most of all I wish you loved me even half as much as you love him."

 

Brooke had finally convinced Sean that she was alright and sent him back to Becky. She had straightened up the bedroom at the cabin and lay down and taken a nap and then she decided she’d better call her mother. She went down to the living room and took out her own cell phone and punched in her number,

"Hello." Beth’s voice answered.

"Mom." Brooke said.

"Oh Brooke, oh honey."

"I’m okay Mom, I am."

"I supposed I should say congratulations, but you know how I feel. I hope Thorne can prove me wrong, I hope he can give you everything you deserve."

"Mom no, I didn’t marry Thorne, I couldn’t go through with it."

"Oh Brooke, oh honey that’s wonderful." Beth said. "Hold on a sec Brooke." She held the phone down and called out for her granddaughter. "Bridget! Honey your mother is on the phone."

Bridget walked into the kitchen. "How is she?" She asked in a monotone.

"Still single." Beth smiled.

"Mom!" She grabbed the phone from Beth. "Mom! Mom, Ridge is looking for you. He told us he loved you and wants to marry you. Mom, he said he’s coming home to us."

"I know baby, I know." Brooke said as she felt fresh tears run down her cheek. "But that isn’t why I didn’t marry Thorne. I couldn’t lose my friend, and I couldn’t marry another man that was wrong for me. I don’t know what will happen with Ridge but I do know that we are in this together. I love you kids so much and I will never make another move like this without thinking of us all again."

"I love you too Mom." Bridget said smiling and grabbing for Beth’s hand.

"Honey, put Grandma on okay?"

"When are you coming home Mom?"

"Soon, I promise."

"Brooke?" Beth said.

"Mom I’m okay. I’m at Big Bear again. I needed to think and then so much happened. I have to tell you all about it but, oh my God Mom, I have to go." She said as she cut the phone dead.

"Brooke? Brooke what’s going on?" Beth asked as the dial tone started to assault her ear.

 

"Logan. Where is he? Why Logan, why did you do this?" Ridge asked with a look of sadness and anger.

"Come on in Ridge, we need to talk."

He came inside and sat down on the couch. Brooke sat next to him. "Ridge about what happened earlier."

"Let me talk first, there are things I have to say." He said. Ridge took her hand and kissed it. "Oh Brooke, I can’t blame you, I know what I did was wrong. I should have stood up to her. I should have stood by your side but I wanted, no Brooke it’s more than all that. Taylor deserved to know how things stood first. But I shouldn’t have left you."

"Ridge wait, I do understand about Taylor. You’re right. But when you just did what Stephanie asked without a look back I was so angry. I had started to trust you, I had started to believe in you."

"And I blew it. Damn it Brooke, why did I do that?" He asked sadly. "When I came here with you I had such hopes. I had such dreams Brooke. Now they’re gone, they’re all gone and yet nothing can go back the way it was. I can’t go back to Taylor, that’s over. I’ve lost you both."

"Would you want her if you could go back?" Brooke asked.

"I do love her, but it isn’t the same that I feel for you. I keep thinking about that night."

"What night?"

"When you married Grant." He sighed.

"That was so long ago." She said.

"A lifetime." He admitted. "But it changed everything, God Brooke, if I had only gotten to that dock five minutes sooner all our lives would be so different now."

"You wouldn’t have Thomas, or the twins." She said with a sad smile. "Is that what you really would want?"

"I’ll never regret Thomas, I love him. He’s my son and he will always be my son. But Brooke, that night I lost the most important thing in my life forever, I lost you."

"No, you’ll never lose me Ridge, I’ll always be a part of your life in one way or another."

"But now you’re married to my brother and I lost my chance again."

"No." She said. "No, Ridge, I didn’t marry Thorne."

"Don’t lie to me Brooke, I know it happened. I’m not proud but I had someone looking for you. I tried to get to Vegas but I was too late. The story of my life I guess."

"You weren’t too late." She said as she gently touched his face. "I didn’t marry Thorne, how could I Ridge?"

"But the marriage license? The bridal suite?"

"Ridge, I couldn’t marry Thorne, not as long as I love you."

"Me?" He asked.

"You." She said as she started to cry. "We have a long hard struggle don’t we?"

"We?" He asked as his eyes welled with tears.

"You still want me don’t you?" She asked.

"Oh Brooke, Logan of course I want you." He said as he pulled her into his arms and covered her face with kisses.

"And you’ll still marry me?" She asked shyly.

"The minute the divorce is final."

"Divorce?"

"I called Jonathan and asked him to start on the papers."

"When Ridge?"

"Is that important?" He asked.

"It is to me."

"I called him from Vegas, after I thought I didn’t stop you from marrying Thorne. I knew I couldn’t go back to the past even if I did lose you. But I still swore I was going to try and get you back. Wait! There was a marriage license and a wedding." He said.

"Your friend Roger called on your cell." She pointed to his phone on the table. "Thorne married Kimberly."

"What?" He laughed.

"I don’t think it’s funny. I think he did exactly what I refused to do. But Ridge, I need to know something. You said you called Jonathan, but what about Taylor? Did you tell her yet? Does she know it’s over?"

"You may get your chance yet." Taylor said with a lilting laugh.

"I don’t like being an afterthought Taylor." Pierce told her.

"No, but maybe when things clear, who knows Pierce. After all we will be seeing a lot of each other."

"Are you coming back to work?" He asked.

"Yes, and the girls, you will be wanting to see them. Once I tell the rest of the family then we can make some arrangements, but Pierce you have to give them time."

"I’ll give them all the time in the world." He smiled.

They both turned at the sound of the doorbell.
"Ridge?" She wondered aloud. She excitedly went to the door and opened it. "Eric." She smiled. "Did Stephanie send you?"

"She was worried and so was I. May I come in?"

"Sure." She said stepping aside.

"Peterson." Eric said to Pierce.

"Hello Eric." He turned to Taylor. "I think you have enough to deal with right now. Call me, you know I’m there for you." He whispered with a kiss to her cheek. "See you soon."

"Thank you Pierce." She said as she walked him to the door. "We’ll talk soon." She promised. She closed the door and went back to Eric.

"Why was he here?" He asked.

"Don’t start Eric, I couldn’t handle you becoming like Stephanie." She laughed.

"You seem a bit better today. Stephanie had me worried."

"I’ll survive," She said. "The end of a marriage isn’t happy but I will get by." She told him as she gave him a hug.
"Don’t talk that way, things may work out."

"Now Eric, don’t you start that too. You know the score even if your wife won’t admit it. He’s been carrying on with Brooke for sometime now. I know when something is over, this is it Eric. What we had was, oh damn it I don’t want to talk about this right now. Just know that there is more to it than his affair. I did something too and I’m not ready to go into it right now."

"What could you have done Taylor? Is this what you were trying to say to me last night?"

"I was really drunk Eric, we’d both do best to forget what happened."

"There are some things not that easy to forget. And some things we have to talk about. I was awake all night thinking about them."

"Oh God what did I say?" She laughed. "Did I threaten Brooke’s life cause if I did, I swear I am non-violent."

"I think you know what I mean."

She sat down and sighed. "That was a long time ago Eric."

"I’ve never forgotten."

"Eric."

"I moved on, you were my son’s wife and my daughter-in-law. Those feelings were inappropriate."

"And now they’re not?" She asked.

"I’m sorry Taylor, this isn’t the time or place. And believe me it wasn’t my intention."

"It isn’t the time at all. It may never be Eric. It’s too soon to even think that way and I don’t know how I feel anymore."

"I didn’t mean to upset you Taylor."

"I know."

"We don’t need to talk about this again dear."

"We do, but not yet okay?" She asked him. "I do need you though." She hugged him.

"And you have me, Taylor, you have me."

 

Chapter 24

 

"I let her know that I was unhappy. I didn’t go into it all yet Brooke because she was drunk. The timing was all wrong but believe me I will tell her. Nothing is going to keep us from being together again." Ridge said as he stroked her face lovingly.

"It’s going to hurt her. She’s going to cry and beg you to stay. Ridge I couldn’t take it if you leave me again."

"It’s not going to happen. I’ve known for a long time, longer than I would admit even to myself. Brooke I need you, I need to spend the rest of my life with you."

"When did you know it?" She asked him with a smile.

"That first night we worked together on the collection. I felt so happy, happier than I had in so long. There was nothing sexual and yet the tension was there but it was a feeling I really can’t explain. I knew I had finally come home."

"I think I felt the same way, but I never let myself believe it would ever happen. I was so scared that the old feelings had resurfaced. I never hoped that today would come, never."

"It’s here and it’s just the beginning Brooke. As of this moment you are mine and no one will ever take you away from me." He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned in and kissed her. "God how I love you."

"Where do we go from here Ridge?" She asked.

"The sky’s the limit."

"I’m serious." She laughed. "You can’t go back home, you can’t live there now. You can’t Ridge."

"And I won’t. But Brooke I have to break it to the children slowly. I don’t want to scare them. They have to know that I still love them even if I don’t live with them." Suddenly she saw his eyes cloud with tears.

"You aren’t going to be able to do this are you?" She said in a terrified voice.

"Oh Brooke it’s not what you think at all, I have to tell you something and I’m just not sure how to start."

"Oh God." She said. "You don’t think she’ll give you the divorce do you?"

"She will Brooke, it’s not that. Come on, let’s sit down." He said taking her hand and leading her to the couch.

 

"Where is Ridge now?" Eric asked Taylor.

"I don’t know, with Brooke I imagine." She sighed.

"Taylor you seem very calm about this." He commented.

"I’m resigned to it Eric. I’m not happy about it but there’s no use in fighting it. The situation is so much more complicated than you can imagine."

"Well why don’t you tell me about it? I am a good listener." He smiled at her.

"I know you are Eric but it’s so hard and so personal. I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it yet and to see the way you look at me after you know."

"Look at you how Taylor? You know that I love you. You can trust me. I won’t judge you, talk to me, it might help."

"I’m numb Eric, so numb." She rubbed her temples and looked at him. "This isn’t really about Brooke, but in a way it is. Ridge and Brooke started up before he ever knew but I don’t know if he would have left me for her if it hadn’t come out."

"If what hadn’t come out?" He asked.

"Please Eric, you can’t tell anyone yet, not even Stephanie." She said with such a look of terror on her face he wanted to hold her and comfort her and make it all go away.

"You have my word." Was all he said.

"When I first started working with Pierce, the first time, not now, Ridge and I were having problems."

"What kind of problems?"

"Brooke problems. She was making plays for him all the time and he wasn’t doing a thing to discourage her. I was hurt and scared and I turned to Pierce for friendship. One night it went too far." She said looking downward in shame.

"Taylor that was a long time ago and a hard time for you. What possible good would be served by telling Ridge now?" Eric said softly. "Why don’t we keep it our own little secret."

"You’re far too kind to me Eric but there’s more."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Eric asked her.

"Not really but I will, to you I will." She said with a resigned smile. "Pierce and I, when we made love, we conceived a child."

"A child? What happened to it Taylor? Don’t tell me you had an abortion?"

"No, I didn’t have an abortion, I had Phoebe and Stephanie." She told her father in law.

 

"Should I call him?" Becky asked Sheila. "Should I make the first move?"

"Good question. He did walk out on you but if he was really just concerned for a friend maybe you should be gracious and make the first move. The point is Becky do you love him? Do you want him even if he was with Brooke?"

"I thought I did, but I really don’t think I can compete. Maybe I should just forget all about him. Maybe I was never good enough for him."

"You are more than good enough Becky, you’re a beautiful woman and a kind woman too. Sean is lucky to have you, that is if you still want him. Brooke Logan is not worthy to wipe the floor you walk on."

"I do Sheila, I mean Emily. Oh I am so sorry, I know you don’t want to be called Sheila but I am so upset I don’t think."

"It’s okay Becky, as long as we’re alone you can call me Sheila." She smiled.

"Sheila why do you react this way about Brooke? Do you know her? I think there’s something more, something you aren’t telling me."

"You’re right Becky," Sheila thought. "I do know Brooke and she betrayed me like no one else in my life. And she’s going to pay for it, oh yes she is going to pay."

 

"This is hard Logan, and I want you to listen to me and think about what I’m saying and please try and understand me okay?"

"You’re scaring me. Ridge you really are, are you having second thoughts?"

"None. None at all." He said with a tender kiss. "I have wanted this for so long. But I can’t go into a relationship and a marriage with you until you know all the facts. Most importantly I want you to hear this from me and no one else."

"Alright." She said softly.

"First I want you to know I just found this out. I just found out after I left you and went home with mother."

"What did you find out? Is your mother filling your head with lies about me again?"

"No Logan." He said. "God this hurts so much." He said as his eyes filled with tears.

"Let me help you." She said touching his face. "Whatever is hurting you let me take the pain away."

"You’re the only one who can Brooke." He said as he put her head on her chest and she soothed him. "I need you so much. Please help me with this Brooke, please."

"What’s wrong baby, what happened?" She asked as she stroked his head and gave him soft kisses.

"When I got home I was determined to tell Taylor it was over. I went and looked at the kids, oh Brooke I don’t want to hurt them but I can’t, I mean."
"I know." She said. "And I’m sure you can work something out with Taylor, she knows how you love them. Once she gets past it all she’ll come around."

"Brooke listen to me please." He said sitting up and taking her hand. "I had just come from Thomas’s room and gone in to see the girls. I was sad because I knew that I wasn’t going to be there for them, not like that anymore."

"I don’t want to tear you from them Ridge, I don’t." Brooke said as she started to cry.

"It isn’t you Brooke, I want to be with you. Please don’t think I don’t. But you have to let me finish this Brooke, I have to tell you."

"I’m sorry, I just feel so guilty that my happiness is going to cause those children such pain." She said sadly.

"No honey you did nothing wrong." He said softly. "This is so hard Brooke."

"Maybe, maybe you can get joint custody."

"Yeah." He said with a laugh. "That would work."

"Well I know she hates me but she knows you love those children."

"Brooke the twins, they aren’t mine." He said quickly. "They aren’t my children."

Thorne turned at the sound of the door opening. Kimberly was back with more of her things. She had been going between the two homes for the last hour carrying piles of clothes and books and other belongings. "Well at least we’re saving money this way. Who needs a moving van?" She laughed. "Do you think Ridge would help you bring over the bedroom stuff. I like my set so much better than yours."

"Hmmm?" He said distractedly.

"The bedroom set, don’t you like mine?"

"Yeah Kim, yours is fine."

"It’s not that I don’t like yours, I do, but well you shared it with Macy and then Brooke and it feels funny. I mean I don’t mind that you and Macy shared it but Brooke?"

"We can buy something new Kim."

"New." She said. "Something that’s ours, wow Thorne I like that so much." She smiled. She walked to the refrigerator and took out a can of Coke and opened it. "Want one?"

"I’m okay."

"Can you go back with me this time? I have a couple of heavy things."

"Kim you don’t have to bring everything over today."

"Yes I do, this is my home now." She grinned. She looked down at the rings on her finger and smiled. "I still can’t believe that I’m your wife."

"Me either." He muttered under his breath. She looked up at him and he smiled. "Kim do me a favor?"

"Sure." She said.

"Take that ring off." He said.

"What? Thorne no." She said pulling her hand and holding it against her chest.

"It doesn’t seem right, I’ll get you your own ring Kim, please, don’t wear Brooke’s ring."

"It’s my ring Thorne, you put it on my finger. You gave it to me."

"Wouldn’t you rather have one that never belonged to another woman? Kim every time I look at it I’ll think of Brooke, is that what you really want?"

 

"Phoebe and Stephanie? Taylor no." Eric said. "How could you have done this? How could you have kept this from us? From Ridge? Damn it Taylor, he’s your husband!"

"I didn’t know." She said.

"You didn’t know? What the hell kind of an answer is that?"

"It’s the truth!" She shouted. She turned from him and ran out of the room.

 

"Nnnnnot yours?" Brooke asked in confusion. "Ridge how?"

"Taylor had an affair with Pierce, the twins, my little girls, Logan they aren’t my little girls."
"Oh God Ridge, oh Ridge." She said as she held him tightly. "Ridge I am so sorry, so so sorry. I know how much you love them."

"She lied to me, she let me believe they were mine all this time."

"I don’t know what to say."

"I don’t either Brooke, it hurts, oh God how it hurts."

"How could she do that to you? To them?"

"She says she didn’t know."
"You don’t believe her?"

"I don’t know what I believe anymore."

"Why Ridge? Why did she have an affair? She won, she had you, she had Thomas, she had everything. Why would she throw it all away like that?"

"She was insecure. She knew that we were close."

"But we weren’t like that."

"I know, but she wasn’t sure. She needed something I guess. And that something was Pierce. Anyway she says that she thought the girls were mine. She says she only found out the truth when Pierce came back."

"Maybe she did."

"But she still lied Logan, she still kept it from me for all this time."

Brooke got up and walked to the window and looked out. When she turned around her eyes were filled with tears.

"Brooke no." He said. "I know what you’re thinking but it has nothing at all to do with it. I swear I love you and Taylor and the twins have nothing to do with it. I was going home to tell her. I was ready to tell her that I loved you when she told me."

"I can’t help wondering Ridge, you were with me and you left and maybe the only reason you came back was to get back at Taylor. What if you decide to forgive her, what if you decide you still love her? Where will that leave me Ridge, where?"

 

"Stephanie Forrester I can’t believe it’s you!" Ruthanne Owens said into the phone. "Now how long has it been?"

"Too long Ruthanne, far too long. How are you? And Mitch and the kids?"

"We’re all fine Stephanie, now come on and tell me why you’re calling me after all this time."

"I needed a friend Ruthanne, and I knew you were the one."

"You know I’ll always be your friend. Now tell me what’s wrong."

"It’s a long story and it’s so complicated. Can we meet for lunch? I’d really like to see you."

"I think I can do that. Where and when?"

"How about Mannequins at noon." Stephanie suggested.

"I’ll be there. And Stephanie, hang in there, what ever it is I just know it will all work out."

 

"Taylor stop. Stop and talk to me." Eric said as he knocked on her bedroom door. "Please come out. I want to listen, I want to understand."

Slowly she opened the door and faced him with tear stained eyes. "I swear I didn’t know Eric. I swear I thought they were our girls."

"Tell me what happened. Tell me from the beginning." He said. Eric walked into her bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed and motioned for her to sit down next to him. She walked over and he put his arm around her. "I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt him on purpose Taylor, tell me why you lied."

"I didn’t lie Eric. I never dreamed that they weren’t his. Never. And then when I started to work again Pierce came over. I showed him the girls and he, he knew. I don’t know how but he knew. He somehow got back into the house and drew blood from Steffie. I knew something had happened to her but I had no idea. He had it tested and it proved his suspicions."

"Oh Taylor, Taylor."

"I still didn’t know anything and then I was so confused about everything. I knew Ridge was cheating on me and I was so devastated."

"I’m confused Taylor. You knew about Brooke and you knew about the children and you said nothing to Ridge about either?"

"I knew about Brooke, at least I suspected. I heard some conversations and there were other things. But I didn’t think it was serious. I thought he would sleep with her and get her out of his system and we’d be okay again. I know he never loved her like he loves me. I know that Eric, with Brooke it’s all about sex and I think our sex life was starting to bore him."

Eric looked at her and blushed.

"I’m sorry Eric, that was too personal, but I’m trying to explain how it all happened."

"Taylor I don’t want to choose sides. Ridge is my son and I love him, but I love you too."

"I know that. And I don’t want to turn you from him Eric, and I also realize that Brooke is the mother of your children but she’s caused me so much pain Eric, so much pain."

"Taylor what is it you want? Do you want your marriage? Do you expect Ridge to just accept this and stay?"
"I’m too tired to fight anymore. I love him so but I can’t fight, I just can’t."

"Maybe you won’t have to. You’ve been married a long time. Maybe he needs time to think, to cool down."

"Unfortunately he’s doing that in Brooke’s bed, and she won’t let him go Eric."

"She’ll have to if he wants to come home to you. You have a family together, it counts for something."

"But it’s all a lie, he feels he lost the girls but he hasn’t. They love him and they are his in every way except by blood. Even Pierce realizes that. He doesn’t want to disrupt their lives, he just wants to get to know them, to be a part of their lives."

"That’s a lot to ask of Ridge, and of Pierce."

"You think I don’t know that? If I could go back in time and change things I would but I can’t Eric."

"No you can’t Taylor and now you have to decide what it is you want."

"I want my husband." She said flatly.

"But you said you were resigned to the fact he was leaving. You said you didn’t want to fight anymore."

"Eric I know I did, but I can’t give up either. I still think when he has time to think it all out he’ll come home where he belongs. He doesn’t belong with Brooke that was over long ago and he will realize that. I suppose my main relief, if you can call it that is that it’s all out in the open now. Now we have to deal with it and move on and I am confident Ridge will do the right thing. He has to Eric."

"If you want me to talk to him." Eric volunteered.

"Not yet." She said. "I suppose I have to have faith in him. And I will Eric. I need time to get my strength and perspective. I can’t let her destroy his life. I know I said I can’t fight but how can I not? I have to save him from her. I love him too much to condemn him to a life with Brooke Logan."

 

"Now you stop that right now Logan. I am not going to change my mind. I may forgive her, I hope I do Brooke, for the children’s sake. But I will not leave you, I am committed to you from this day forward. You have to believe that Brooke."

"I want to."

"Then do." He said.

"Alright Ridge, then where will you go? Will you come home with me?"

"There is nothing I want more than that but I can’t do that yet. Until we are legally separated it could hurt our chances for a fast divorce and it will embarrass Taylor. You don’t want that do you?"

"I know that I want to be with you." She said.

"And I want that too." He said. "I want it so badly but Brooke, we’ve waited so long. We can wait a little longer. And we will be together, we just can’t live together."

"Where will you live?"

‘This is where you have to trust me Brooke."

"No, no, please no Ridge. Please not with Taylor."

"When I left you after Thomas was born I stayed for the kids. I stayed in a guest room."

"No." She said shaking her head. "No, no you can’t."

"Don’t you trust me?’

"I don’t trust her."

"I’m not asking you to. Brooke I need to make it easier for my kids. This will be so hard on them, they’re so young Brooke. Think of what it did to Bridget and Rick."

"You’ll never leave her."

"I already have. It’s over Brooke, I am committed to you. You have to trust me Brooke."

"How long? How long will you stay with her?"

"Not long. Just until we can make the children understand. I won’t share a bed with her, you have my word Brooke."

"And I’m supposed to just stand back and watch you move back in with her? Sure, good old Brooke, punching bag Brooke, always available Brooke. Damn it Ridge if you want me you have to fight for me too. You may think that I’m ready to roll over and play dead for you but I’m not. There are a lot of men out there that want me. Why should I spend another second while you waffle your way back and forth between me and Taylor?"

"This isn’t about Taylor, it’s about my children!"

"Too convenient." She said.

"No it isn’t. I will ask for a divorce the minute I see her again and then I will move to the guest room until the children are ready."

"She’ll make sure they never are."

"Did you?" He asked her sincerely.

"I wanted to." She answered honestly. "Why can’t you get an apartment, something close to them but not with Taylor?"

"Alright Brooke, come on." He said grabbing her hand and dragging her to the door.

"I’m tired of your games Ridge, where are we supposed to be going now?"

"Just come with me." He said.

 

"Will you be dining alone?" The hostess asked Stephanie as she entered the restaurant. Her black pantsuit was fashionable and crisp and it complemented the gold blouse she wore under her jacket. Her hair was perfect as was her makeup. She wore chic gold earrings and a matching gold pendant. She was a woman of elegance and money. She caught the eyes of many in the café. She smiled politely at the hostess.

"No, I’ll be joining my friend. There she is." Stephanie smiled as Ruthanne waved to her. The African American woman was as lovely as always, she was dressed impeccably in a deep maroon suit with a cream colored blouse. Her ears were adorned with large gold hoops and she wore only a smidgen of makeup. The hostess showed her to the table and handed her a menu. "Can I get you ladies a cocktail?" She asked.

"Iced tea please." Stephanie said.

"Same here." Ruthanne chimed in. "Oh Stephanie Forrester, you are a sight for sore eyes." She said as she got up and hugged her.

"It’s been too long. We can’t let problems be the only thing to bring us together." Stephanie said.

"I know Ruthanne, and I’m sorry to be dragging you into my troubles."

"What are friends for?" She smiled. "So tell me, is it Eric?"

"No, it’s not him. It’s my sons and that slut Brooke Logan."

 

"But I love this ring." Kimberly said with a pout.

"Fine." Thorne answered angrily.

"Well if I give it to you what will you do with it Thorne? You can’t keep it like a shrine for her."

"I won’t. I’ll sell it, I just don’t want to see Brooke every time I look at you."

"Alright." She said as she reluctantly took it off and handed it to him. Thorne smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek. "No, no, no." She laughed as she kissed him hard and sexually. He returned her passion and soon he was on top of her on the couch. "I promise I’ll make you forget all about Brooke." Kim whispered into his ear. Thorne closed his eyes in pain but then gave his attention back to his bride.

"I’ll try to make you happy too Kim." He said.

 

"Is Becky home?" Sean asked Sheila when she answered the door at Becky’s apartment.

"She went out Sean, you should have called first." Sheila said with a hint of coldness.

"I didn’t mean to hurt her Emily, a friend needed me."

"Becky needed you."

"No she didn’t. Look I am sorry she’s upset but it couldn’t be helped. Do you know when she’ll be home?"

"I have no idea. Maybe she’ll meet a guy who puts her first."

"Tell her I was here." Sean said.

"If I remember." Sheila smiled.

"You will remember." Sean said to her. He turned and walked away.

"If you think I’ll let you hurt her too Brooke you are sadly mistaken." Sheila said under her breath. "Becky is ten times the woman you are."

 

"Where are you taking me?" Brooke asked Ridge as he led her by the hand through the woods.

"You’ll see." Was his answer. He turned and smiled at her and she couldn’t help but smile back at him. He squeezed her hand tightly and led her further down the path. Suddenly he stopped at a small clearing.

"What’s that?" Brooke asked as they came to what looked like remains of a burned out building.

"Careful." He said as he led her inside. The roof was mostly gone and the wood had been badly burned away but Brooke could see that it had once been a church.

"I never knew this was here." She said.

"I know." He smiled.

"It’s old. Do you know how old it is?" She asked him.

"I have no idea Logan, but it is pretty isn’t it? I mean in it’s own way."

"Yes, I bet it was beautiful once. But why are we here?"

"There’s something I have to do." He said. He walked her to the front of the church to a small altar. He took her hand and turned to face her. "Brooke Logan I love you. We have been through so much, traveled so far and fought the hardest odds to be here, but we made it."

"Ridge?"

"No, wait." He smiled. "We still have a long fight ahead of us, but together we can do anything. Anything at all. I know that I am not free yet but I will be. And on the day that I am I swear I will make it all legal but for now, in front of God, I pledge my undying love to you Brooke. I adore you, I always have and I always will. In my heart you are already my wife. But for now this is what we have." He took a deep breath. "I, Ridge Forrester, promise to love you Brooke Logan, for all the days of my life. I will never ever put another before you. As of this day, in our hearts I am your husband and I will cherish you forever. Believe in my love Brooke, it is pure and it is real. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life but loving you was never one of them. I am yours Brooke, forever and always."

"Oh Ridge, oh my God." She whispered.

"Love me Brooke, love me like I love you."

"I do Ridge, I do." She said. He pulled her into his arms and their lips met in a kiss filled with all the love that had been inside them for so long.

"Brooke Logan, now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time." Ruthanne commented. "Don’t tell me she has her eye on Eric again."

"No, she’s back to Ridge and to Thorne, either one of my sons will seem to do for that slut."

"But aren’t they both married?"

"Ridge and Taylor are very happily married with three beautiful children. But she has a way of getting under his skin. He’s slept with her."

"Oh dear, I hope it isn’t the end of his marriage."

"I won’t let it be. Taylor is perfect for him. No I caught them at the cabin and put an end to it. Now I have to make sure Thorne doesn’t take her back."

"Now if I’m not mistaken he’s married to that pretty singer, the daughter of your business rival."

"Business rival?" Stephanie laughed. "Sally only wishes she was a rival to us." Then she turned serious and somber. "No Ruthanne, Macy died. It was tragic and it was all Brooke’s fault."

"What?" Ruthanne asked in a shocked voice.

"Brooke had her claws into Thorne, she couldn’t get Ridge so I suppose any Forrester will do. Anyway Thorne married Macy and they were happy until Brooke kept throwing her body at him. Brooke drove her back to drinking and the poor girl was killed in a car accident."

"Well then I’m sure Thorne wouldn’t want anything more to do with Brooke."

"You would think that but no, he and Brooke became an item again. It was horrible how they acted so soon after poor Macy’s death. But Thorne somehow wised up and ended it. Then she set her sites back on Ridge."

"You poor thing, you must be so upset."

"I am, but I think she’s out of the picture now. Thorne was going to marry her and I hate to say it but to me that was preferable to her breaking up Ridge’s family so I didn’t object. But now that she was fooling around with Ridge Thorne will see her for what she really is."

"It must be hard having to deal with her on a business level every day."

"You can’t imagine Ruthanne, and she’s gone and hired a new designer and taken control from Eric. She’s a witch and she is out to destroy my family. But I will never let that happen, never."

"How does Eric feel about all this?"

"He’s supporting her in the business. She said he was stale and he agreed. I don’t see it at all. But at least the man she hired has some talent and some class. As for my boys, well Eric feels they should decide for themselves."

"They are grow men Stephanie."

"Grown men thinking with their lower brains." She said angrily. Ruthanne blushed and laughed.

"You have quite a way with words."
"It’s the truth. Oh Ruthanne it feels so good to be able to talk to someone about this, someone who sees reason."

"Does Ridge’s wife know about the affair?"

"A bit. Not too much I hope. She was very upset but I think I calmed her down. I brought Ridge home to her and hopefully they’re working things out. I’m sure he’s feeling very guilty about right now. He’s home thanking his lucky stars that he’s married to such an understanding woman."

 

"Logan, God Logan." Ridge moaned as Brooke leaned back and took all of him deep into her body. He reached for her breasts and pulled them to him and one by one took her erect nipples into his mouth and teased them with his tongue and his teeth. Brooke smiled and pulled back and rode him hard and fast. He took her hands and held them as she arched her back higher and higher.

"More, I need more." She moaned.

"You have all of me Logan." He said but he looked in surprise as she pushed harder and he filled her even deeper than before.

"So good, so good." She sighed. She leaned back and looked up at the blue sky above them and started to laugh. "God I hope no one can see us."

"They’ll be jealous." He laughed with her. Then he reached his hand between them and stroked her sensitive nub making her instantly crazy. "You like that don’t you?" He teased.

"Yes, oh yes." She moaned as her eyes glassed over. "Almost there, almost there." She said more to herself than to him. He moved up to meet her body, never once stopping the administrations of his hand. She moaned loudly and gasped as her body began to spin and she was overtaken by an intense orgasm, moments later Ridge joined her with one of his own.

 

"Taylor I’m not sure what is right or what is wrong but I want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you." Eric said taking her hand.

"I’ve never been so confused in my life. It’s like everything has hit at once and I don’t know quite where to turn."

"You can always turn to me." He said.
"I appreciate that." She smiled.

"Taylor, in time this will all be over and we will all go on one way or another. I want you to know I will be there for you."

"Eric, what are you really saying?" She asked.

"If you decide that your future is not with Ridge." She put her hand to his mouth and stopped him.

"It’s too soon. Way too soon."

"Just know that the feelings, they’re still there. I guess they always have been."

"I’m flattered but I think this family has had enough broken marriages, I certainly don’t want to be a part of two of them."

"Stephanie and I haven’t had a real marriage in a long time Taylor."

"Please don’t tell me this Eric, it’s not fair. I’m already so confused."

"I want you to be fully aware of your options." He said as he looked her straight in the eyes. "And this is one of them." He said as his mouth captured hers in a kiss.

 

"The club don’t open till eight." The pink haired girl told Becky as she tried to open the doors.

"I’m looking for someone."

"Ain’t nobody in there." She said. "Who you lookin’ for anyway?"

"Sasha." She said.

"He doesn’t work here."

"But he’s always around." Becky said.

"I’m not his keeper. Come back at eight."

"If you see him tell him Becky was looking for him please." She said.

"Whatever."

 

"That was wonderful Thorne." Kimberly smiled. "It always is so wonderful."

"I aim to please." He laughed.

"Let’s go out and do something, we need to celebrate our marriage." She said.

"What would you like to do?"

"I want to tell everyone. Can we?"

"I really wanted to tell Brooke first."

"After she left you practically at the altar?"

"I suppose you have a point. But Kimberly, don’t expect my family to be very excited."

"Because I’m younger than you?" She asked with a pout.

"My mother was counting on me keeping Brooke away from Ridge, that’s not going to happen now."

"Why is she so obsessed with him?"

"First born I guess."

"I like her baby boy so much better." She giggled as she kissed him.

"We can go tell Sally. But I don’t think she’s going to like it much either."

"She doesn’t blame you."

"Yes she does Kim. She blames me and Brooke. I blame us too."

"I don’t blame you. You never wanted to hurt my sister. I know you would have done right by her in the end. You know Brooke wasn’t right for you."

"Let’s not get into that Kim. I still have feelings for her. You know I was set to marry her."

"But you married me instead. That’s all that matters."

"I don’t think Adam would be very happy either. I suppose I’m going to have to be watching my back from now on."

"I wish." She said. "I miss my Dad so much. But Thorne, he’d be happy for us if he knew how happy we were."

"I don’t know about that."

"I do, and when we make him a grandfather he’ll be even happier."

"Let’s not get too far ahead. I’m really not ready for that yet." Thorne said. "Kim, you are on the pill aren’t you?"

"I try to remember everyday but sometimes it’s so hard." She smiled. A look of horror crossed her new husband’s face.

 

Brooke kissed Ridge and curled up in his arms. The shady glen had become their love nest and she couldn’t have been happier. He had eliminated practically all her doubts, though a few lingered.

"Happy?" He asked.

"Uh huh." She said. She looked down at the ring that Ridge had put back on her finger. "I wish I could wear this in public."

"Soon, as soon as the separation is legal." He said with a kiss. "But we can tell your Mom and Bridget and Rick."

"They’ll be so happy for us." She smiled.

"God you are so beautiful." He said as he sat up and took in her long lean body. "Such perfect breasts." He said as he kissed them. "And such a cute little pot belly." He laughed.

"Stop it!" She said with a light punch. "Do you want me to go on a diet?"

"Nah, I like you just the way you are. Hey maybe someone should write a song." He laughed.

"Ridge soon, soon we will be a real family." She bit her tongue wanting so badly to tell him but for some reason she still held back.

"We already are Logan."

"I hope Eric is supportive. I know your mother won’t be."

"No, she won’t. But that really doesn’t matter."

"She’s going to think you only came to me because you’re mad at Taylor."

"Let her, we know the truth."

"I only want you if you love me, I want you to come to me for me alone. No tricks, no lies."

"I do just want you. Well, I don’t mind having Bridget again either." He smiled.

"I’m sorry she wasn’t yours."

"It doesn’t matter."

"But I did the same thing that Taylor did."

"No you didn’t. You never hid that it could be either of ours, you had the test and you heard the same results that we all did. You can’t compare the two." He said as his hand lazily stroked her body from her breasts down.

"But the second test. You didn’t believe me then."

"I was shocked and hurt. Brooke I believed you and I know you had nothing to do with that letter."

"Your mother still thinks I wrote it. Oh." She said as he zeroed in on her womanhood. "Keep this up and we’ll never get inside."

"I’ll get inside." He said suggestively. He leaned over and spread her legs gently and lowered his mouth to her. "God you taste so wonderful."

"Oh Ridge, that feels so good. Please, please don’t stop." She begged.

He moaned as he tasted her creamy essence. He could never get enough of this woman, he knew that now and no one would ever separate them again. He looked up at her and was so turned on by the desire in her eyes. It couldn’t get any better than this. He thought as he spread her and let his tongue fill her.

"Why?" A shocked Taylor asked when their long kiss finally ended.

"I’ve wanted to do that for so long Taylor, so long."

"I’m so confused Eric and this isn’t helping things at all." She sighed. Her hand went to his face and she caressed his cheek. "What do you expect from me?"

"Nothing. I’m sorry Taylor, I couldn’t help myself. But you see now that life isn’t always as we planned. Sometimes things happen for a reason."

"I’m not ready to give up on my marriage." She said.

"I’d better leave." He said getting up. "I’m sorry if I upset you Taylor."

"You’ve given me a lot to think about." She said softly.

 

"So what makes you so sure Thorne will leave her too?" Ruthanne asked her friend.

"I’m not totally sure, but he will learn about what happened at Big Bear and then he’ll see that slut for what she really is. Nothing but Valley trash. No better than her mother. Yes Ruthanne, this time I think we will finally be able to rid ourselves of Brooke Logan. Once she knows that there is nothing left for her she’ll leave."

"Leave your sons?"

"My sons, my family and hopefully my company too, I am determined to rid myself of her Ruthanne and when I am determined I don’t quit."

 

"Shut that brat up!" The man said as he slapped his wife. She cringed in pain and ran to her son.

"Shhhh, please baby be quiet, Daddy is busy."

"I’m not that brat’s Daddy." He said. "You’re just damn lucky that I took you and your stupid rugrat in."

"Yes Peter." She said. "We’re both lucky. Aren’t we sweetheart?" She cooed to her son. She picked him up and walked back and forth across the tiny apartment trying to quiet him while her husband looked at her with disgust.

"I don’t belong here." She whispered. "We don’t belong here." She repeated to her tiny child. She rocked him in her arms.

"Get me a beer." Peter shouted. She went to the small refrigerator and took two cans of beer out and popped the tops. "Who said you could have one?" He said with a sneer. "Ah go ahead you stupid lush."

She quickly gave him his beer and then put hers to her mouth. "I’m not a lush." She whispered. "I’m not."

 

Chapter 25

 

Brooke folded up the towel and put in on the rack. She surveyed the kitchen and everything was clean and in it’s place. She sighed. It was time to go home, even if she wasn’t ready it was time. She smiled as Ridge came behind her and put his arms around her. His lips softly kissed her neck and she leaned back feeling happy and secure in his embrace.

"I wish we didn’t have to leave." She said.

"Me too but we do. We have plans to make and a lot of things to do. It isn’t going to be easy."

"I can’t believe I’m not going to be with you. It feels so right here in your arms."

"You aren’t getting rid of me that fast." He said with a laugh.

"We both have cars to get home and I’ll be heading home and you." She stopped as a tear escaped from her eye.

"We’re going home together. I’m taking you home and we are going to talk to your family and explain everything before I leave."

"I need my car."

"And you’ll have it. I called Roger and he’s sending someone to bring it back to you."

She turned to him and smiled. "Then it’s not over yet."

"Logan it’s just beginning. I know you have your doubts but I swear it is. You and I are forever."

"It still feels like a dream." She sighed.

"It’s real." He assured her. "And it won’t be long, it may not be easy but I promise we will not have to wait long."

"Are you going to tell your parents?" She asked.

"Not until I work it out with Taylor, I owe her that much."

"I agree. But maybe we shouldn’t tell my mother and the kids."

"Too late, I already did. At least I told them I was going to find you and make you mine. Now I get to tell them that it worked."

"What about at work? We should try and act like nothing changed."

"Do you really think I can do that?" He laughed. "How can I possibly be in the same room with you and not touch you?"

"We have to try. We can still find ways to be together. But we can’t mess it up. If we make Taylor mad she’s going to make us pay."

"Maybe." He said thoughtfully.

 

"Where have you been all day?" Eric asked Stephanie when she came into the house. "And all dressed up too?"

"I had lunch with Ruthanne Owens." She told him with a smile.

"Ruthanne? How is she?"

"She’s wonderful and very happy."

"So what made you two get together?"

"I wanted to talk to a friend Eric, I wanted to talk about Ridge and Taylor and that slut."

"Stephanie stop it."

"And you stop defending her. You know she’s never been anything but trouble to this family."

"I beg to differ." He said. He smiled as the face of his former wife flashed in front of him. In his visions she tossed back her long blonde hair and greeted him with a kiss. He felt himself aroused at the thought and was slightly embarrassed.

"That was the only good thing she ever did." Stephanie said misinterpreting his smile.

"What?" He asked coming out of his daze.

"Rick and Bridget. And I still think they would have been better off being raised away from her influence."

"She did a good job with them. They’re both great kids."

"Great kids who are repeating their mothers mistakes." She clucked.

"Brooke didn’t pick Amber as a partner for Rick."

"No, she just hired her as a nanny. The woman has no brain Eric."

"Amber was hired to drive the kids around, not as a nanny. And besides, Beth hired her, not Brooke."

"No, Brooke was too busy tried to seduce Ridge."

"Ridge was her husband. Damn it Stephanie, you have to lose this hatred."

"As soon as I lose Brooke Logan as part of this family."

"There’s just no talking to you is there?" He said with exasperation.

"And I could say the same thing." She said as she walked to the bar and poured herself a glass of ice water.

She looked over at her husband. "Do you want anything?"

"No thank you, I just had an iced tea."

"So did you go talk to Taylor like I asked?" She asked him. He turned from her as his face turned crimson.

 

Sean Damon put down his empty beer mug and motioned to the bartender.

"Can I get you another?" He asked.

"One more and then I have to hit the road."

"Tough day friend?" The bartender asked him.

"You have no idea." Sean smiled. "But I think I can fix it."

"Woman problems right?"

"Aren’t they all?" Sean laughed.

"This one’s on me." He said as he slid a frosty mug to Sean.

 

Kimberly was humming to a song on the car radio as she and Thorne headed to Sally’s with the news of their marriage. She was confident but Thorne was nervous. He wasn’t happy about the wedding but he intended to honor his commitment. He looked over at his young wife and smiled. "You could have done worse Thorne." He thought to himself.

"I love it so much, thank you Thorne." Kimberly said as she held up her hand and looked at the perfect solitaire diamond on her finger.

"A promise is a promise." He said. "And I didn’t want Sally to think badly of us from the start."

"She’s going to be happy for us, they all are."

"I wish I had your confidence Kim."

"I just wish my Dad was here too, I know he’d be happy."

"Adam didn’t even like me married to Macy, I can just imagine his reaction to me marrying his baby."

"He only wanted me to be happy."

"You’re living in a dream world Kim."

"I am." She smiled. "Because I have the man of my dreams." She leaned over and kissed him.

 

"Here comes Mom." Bridget called out to Beth when she heard the car pull up. She ran to the window and looked out. "No, it’s Ridge. Oh Grandma he must not have found her."

"Honey I’m sure he did. We know she didn’t marry Thorne."

"But then, wait!" She said excitedly. "Mom is with him."

"Bridget let them come in and tell us what they want to, don’t push them honey." Beth implored.

"Grandma, Ridge said he was coming home, he said he loves Mom."

"But we don’t know how your mother feels."

"Oh yes we do!" Bridget said with a giggle as she watched Ridge pull Brooke into his arms and kiss her. She ran to the door and opened it. "Are you going to stay out there all day or come in and tell us?" She shouted.

Brooke looked at Ridge and smiled. "You’ve made two girls happy today." She told them.

"Make that three." Beth grinned as she stood at the door watching them. Ridge put his arm around Brooke and they walked inside.

"Well?" Bridget asked excitedly.

"Well what?" Brooke asked with mock innocence.

"Mom come on! Are you guys together?"

"Bridget calm down." Brooke told her. "This isn’t as simple as you’re making it."

"I know you love him and Ridge told me he loves you. Everything is perfect now. We’re a family again."

"Bridget don’t exaggerate." Brooke warned.

"Mom! Stop!"

"Alright." Brooke laughed. "You’re right, Ridge and I, we do love each other."

"I knew it, I knew it." Bridget said as she jumped up and hugged her mother. She then hugged Ridge. "Are you moving back home tonight?" She asked him hopefully.

"Bridget, honey listen to us." Brooke said. "Ridge is married to Taylor and they have three little children. This is going to take time. We don’t want anyone to be hurt."

"Mom she hurt you when she stole Ridge from you!"

Ridge looked from Bridget to Brooke and started to laugh.

"It’s not funny Ridge, you know it’s the truth." Brooke said sternly. "I wanted to die. I felt like my life was over, you have no idea how long it took for me to recover."

"I’m sorry Logan but Bridget makes me smile. I feel so valuable, to be stolen and all." He chuckled.
"Brooke, Ridge tell us what’s going on." Beth said to change the subject.

"Well I was up at Big Bear and Ridge came up and well he said all the right things." Brooke said with a smile.

"What did he say Mom?"

"I told your mother that I love her and I want to marry her and that I will never hurt her again." He told Bridget. "And your mother agreed to be my wife." He smiled at his one time daughter.

"I knew it." She grinned. "When?" She asked hopefully.

"It won’t be for quite some time honey. Ridge is already married."

"What are you going to do Ridge?" Bridget asked him.

"I’m going to talk to Taylor honey, I’m going to ask her for a divorce."

"Do you think she’ll give you a problem?" Beth asked.

"I’m not sure Beth but I’m not taking no for an answer. I love Brooke and I am going to be with her."

"Where will you live?" Bridget asked.

Brooke looked sadly at Ridge. He took her hand and squeezed it. "For now I’m going home Bridget."

"You can’t!" She said quickly.

"Honey I have to. Remember I did it for you and Rick."

"I remember you left us."

"Don’t pressure Ridge Bridget." Brooke told her daughter.

"I promise it won’t last forever. I just want to make it easier for my kids. You can understand that can’t you Bridget?"

Beth looked at Brooke, raising her eyebrows. Brooke shook her head softly. Ridge and Bridget both missed the subtle exchange.

 

"Well did you?" Stephanie insisted.

"Yes, I talked to her."

"And are they working on it Eric? Has your son come to his senses?"

"I don’t know Stephanie, he wasn’t home."

"We have to do something."

"There’s nothing we can do, it’s up to them."

"We can make him see what a mistake he would be making to give up on her Eric. They have a family and a good marriage. They can’t just throw it away."

"Taylor wants to fight Stephanie but it all depends on Ridge."

"That slut, he has to realize how she is destroying his life." She shook her head. "And we have to be there for Taylor, we have to support her and her efforts."

"Brooke is not a slut and I believe she truly loves Ridge, she always has."

"She doesn’t know the meaning of the word. For her it’s just about sex. As long as her hormones are satisfied the hell with everyone else."

"No, that’s not true. She is a kind, loving woman. I don’t know what’s going to happen but if either of our sons chooses to make Brooke a part of their life we have to accept it Stephanie."

"No." She said. "That’s something I will never do. Never."

 

"You’ll at least stay for dinner won’t you Ridge?" Beth asked. "I made Bridget’s favorite chicken. If I remember correctly you like it too."

"How can I resist dining with three such beautiful women?" He smiled. He pulled Brooke closer and captured her mouth with his.

"Do you want to call Taylor and tell her you’ll be late?" Brooke asked when the kiss ended.

"I don’t think she’s expecting me. I’ll see her when I get there. Besides Logan, it isn’t going to be a happy reunion. I’m going to ask her for a divorce, not a meal."

Bridget looked at Beth and smiled.

"I just don’t want to cause her more aggravation than we need to." Brooke told him with a touch to his arm. "I want it to be smooth and fast."

"Me too Logan." He smiled and kissed her again. "So since this is our own little private celebration what do you say we have some champagne?"

Beth looked at Brooke whose eyes widened.

"That’s a nice idea Ridge but I have a bad headache, and you know Bridget is too young." Beth said to save her daughter an embarrassment.

"How about you and me Logan?"

"It’s too soon to celebrate. I think we should wait until we have Taylor’s signature on the divorce papers."

"Party poopers." Ridge laughed.

 

"Hold your horses!" Sally called as she headed to the door. Kimberly looked at Thorne and giggled.

"Typical Sally." He said to her.

"Where’s the fire?" Sally said opening the door. "Kimberly! What a wonderful surprise! Whatever brings you?" Suddenly her cheery demeanor changed as she spotted Thorne. "Thorne." She said to her former son-in-law. "Thorne Forrester you are not welcome in my home."

"Sally please, we want to talk to you." Kimberly begged. "Can we please come in?"

"You can of course, not him."

"Sally I’m not the enemy." Thorne said.

"Oh yes you are Thorne, if it wasn’t for you and your paramour my darling daughter would be alive today."

"Sally please." Kimberly said. "Please don’t blame Thorne."

"I don’t understand how you can even stand to be in the same room with him. She was your sister Kimberly, your sister!"

"I told you this was a bad idea Kim." Thorne said taking her hand. "Come on, we tried."

"No," She said. "Sally you have to listen to us. Please."

"Alright Kimberly, for you I will. Come in." She looked at Thorne with hatred. "Both of you."

 

"That was delicious Beth." Ridge said as he pulled his chair out from the table. "I thank you again for everything but I think it’s time I went home and got things started."

"Oh Ridge." Brooke said. She got up and put her arms around him.

"I know Logan, I know." He said kissing her hair. "Just remember this, no matter what else, I love you. I love you and we will be together."

"I love you too Ridge." She said as her eyes welled with tears.

"Come on and walk me to the door." He took her hand and they walked together. "I’ll see you tomorrow at Forrester. And trust me Brooke, it will all work out."

"I know." She smiled. He cupped his hand under her chin and lifted her mouth up. He kissed her gently but with love and passion.

"Until tomorrow." He smiled.

"Tomorrow." She repeated as she watched him walk away.

 

Taylor had just come back from the playroom where she watched Catherine with her children. She knew that their whole happy world was going to be coming to an end if she didn’t do something to stop it. She walked to the bar and poured another glass of Merlot. Holding it to the light she watched the deep red liquid as she swirled it around. "I will fight for us Ridge, for all of us." She said. She brought the glass to her lips and took a sip, relishing it. Her eyes wandered back to the grandfather clock. "He will come home, he has to." She said aloud. A smile crossed her face when she heard a car pull up in the driveway. "Please be him, please." She said. She put down the glass and sat on the soft, comfortable couch as the door opened. She suppressed her smile when Ridge walked in.

"Hello Taylor." He said.

"Ridge." She got up and walked to him. She put her arms around him and held him. "I missed you, we all have."

"Are we alone?" He asked as he extricated himself from her arms.

"Catherine is upstairs with the children. Can I get you some wine? Have you eaten? I have a salad in the refrigerator."

"I ate." He said.

"So here we are." She smiled.

"Taylor we have to talk, we have to make some decisions."

"I’ve been thinking about everything ever since you left. Ridge can I ever make you forgive me?"

"If that was all it was then maybe, but Taylor you know there’s a lot more to it. You know I haven’t been in this marriage for a while now."

"I’m willing to forget that. Come on Ridge, let’s give it another try. We’ve been through so much and we have so much together. I don’t want to lose it all."

Ridge sat down on the couch and picked up a nick knack from the coffee table and played with it nervously in his hands. "It’s too late Taylor things have changed, I’ve changed."

"Change makes us grow. It doesn’t mean it has to be an end." She told him.

"I can’t sugar coat this Taylor so I’m just going to say it. I want a divorce and I want it now."

 

"Did Peter hit you again Sandy?" The woman asked her friend. They were sitting at the playground watching the children. It was evening but the park was well lit and it was a safe neighborhood. Sandy was holding her baby in her arms.

"He doesn’t mean it. He loves me."

"I don’t know. Sandy I like you, I know I haven’t known you long but I really like you. I think you should leave him."

"I can’t, he’s all we have. I was so lost before he took us in. He gave me my life. He gave me everything."

"I’ve known him almost my entire life and he isn’t the man you make him out to be. You’d be so much better off alone."

Sandy turned away and watched her friend’s kids on the slide. "When Adam gets older I want him to be just like your kids." She smiled. "Your kids are wonderful Marie. I hope I can be a good mother like you are."

"Peter will make him just like him. Sandy you have to leave him before he does something really bad."

"I have nowhere else to go."

"What about your family?"

Sandy was too embarrassed to tell her friend that she had no memories at all of her family. Her life seemed to have started when she woke up in Peter’s bed, pregnant and alone. She had become his lover, his wife and his housekeeper, not necessarily in that order of importance. She wasn’t in love with him but she depended on him, for herself and for her son. She turned to watch the children again. They had gotten off the slide and where headed towards the swings. "The kids are getting too far away." She said.

"Bobby! Jimmy! Sharon! You get back here!" Marie called out. "I better go get them, they’re getting too close to that brook, it makes me nervous." She said.

"What did you say?" Sandy asked.

"The brook, it’s dangerous." She repeated as she headed off towards the children.

"Yes," Sandy said. "I don’t like brooks." She said as if in a trance as she got up and followed her friend.

 

"Why didn’t you tell him?" Beth asked Brooke once Bridget had gone to her room. "He has a right to know honey, especially if you intend to marry him again."

"I will tell him, just not yet."

"And why not? Brooke deception is what got you in trouble in the first place."

"It was Taylor’s deception, not mine."

"But you ended up the loser." Beth reminded her. "Why won’t you tell him?"

"Because I need to be sure."

"Brooke you have his ring on your finger, the man vowed his love for you to me and to your daughter. Honey, if you can’t trust him now how can you ever trust him?"

"It’s not Ridge I don’t trust, it’s Taylor."

"He chose to be with you."

"You don’t really think she’s just going to let him go."

"No, I suppose not, but Ridge seemed sincere."

"He is Mom." She said. "But until I know that it’s only for me I can’t tell him. I can’t guilt him into staying with me. He still could change his mind."

"You need to have more faith in him and in yourself."

"I know, I know." Brooke said as she picked up and apple and took a bite.

"Besides Brooke, you are starting to show."

"He’s made a couple of comments about me being fat." She laughed.

"And he’s going to wonder why you refused the champagne too."

"He already is wondering. I made him get me herbal tea at Big Bear." She said with a giggle. "Mom, he made me cookies."

"Cookies?"

"He baked them himself."

"Tell him Brooke, he’s going to be a father again and he has the right to know."

"Now isn’t the time." She said. "He has to handle Taylor first."

 

"No." Taylor said to Ridge.

"No? What do you mean no?"

"I mean no, I will not give you a divorce."

"This is not negotiable Taylor."

"You owe it to us to fight for this marriage. I know I let you down but we can get past that."

"Taylor I am not in love with you anymore."

"Please don’t say that. I know you’re mad but I also know that what we have is real and too important to give up on."

"I’ve already called Jonathan. He’s writing up the papers."

"I won’t sign them. I am not going to let you throw your life away." She said as she got up and walked to the window.

"You can’t do this Taylor. I will get a divorce, even if I have to wait, it will happen."

"I’ll fight it every inch of the way."

"I don’t want this to have to get dirty Taylor. But I will if I have to. Your infidelity will sew it all up and you know it. We don’t have to put the children through this. Think about it."

"I am thinking of them and of us. I know what I did was wrong but I never stopped loving you."

"I did not expect this attitude from you."

"Did you really think I would just let you go running to Brooke?"

"So you know." He said as he looked at her.

"Of course I know. And I’m not going to let that woman ruin your life."

"She isn’t ruining my life. Look I didn’t plan on this happening. I never planned on falling in love with her again but I did and I want to be with her. Taylor you can’t stop me."

"Do you think your infidelities mean nothing Ridge? If it comes to that I can get a lawyer to throw them right back in your face as well as your mistress. And let’s not forget it only happened one time with me and it was a mistake. You and Brooke have been carrying on for months and I have proof."

"Vindictiveness isn’t flattering on you Taylor."

"I’m not being vindictive, I’m doing this for you."

"Spare me."

"Can you honestly say you don’t love me? Did it just end overnight?"

"I don’t want to argue anymore tonight, I’m tired and I’m going to bed." He got up and walked towards the stairs.

"I’ll be up in a minute." She said.

"Taylor I’m moving into the guest room. I’m only staying until we can make the children understand."

"They’ll never understand."

"Neither did Bridget and Rick."

"Those are your father’s children! How dare you compare them?"

"You’re right Taylor, at least I’m related to them." He said coldly as he walked up the stairs.

 

"How about this one?" The saleswoman said to Becky as she handed her a short red mini-dress.

"Red? Isn’t that really out there?" Becky said.

"You want to impress your special guy? Nothing says it like red." She smiled. "I know this will look great on a cute figure like yours. Come on, try it on."

"Okay." She said shyly. She went back into the dressing room and removed her jeans and tee shirt and slipped the clingy red dress on. "Wow." She said as she admired her reflection.

"Come on, come on show me." The saleswoman said from outside.

Becky tentatively walked out and stood in front of the woman.

"I knew it. Now twirl around for me." She said. Becky grinned and turned. "You have to buy this dress, and I have the perfect shoes for it too."

"I don’t know." Becky said.

"Trust me, this dress will make that man eat right out of your hands. And it’s on sale too."

"Show me the shoes." Becky said with a huge grin.

 

"I’m really happy Mom." Bridget said to Brooke as she lay across her mother’s bed. "I knew someday he’d come home."

"He’s not home yet."

"But he will be." She said as she picked up Brooke’s ring from her nightstand. "Why aren’t you wearing this?"

"I can’t Bridget. Ridge is still married. I have to put it away until he’s free."

"You can wear it here."

"No, no I can’t." She smiled. Actually she had had a very hard time taking it off her swollen finger. Her pregnancy was taking a toll on her and she knew she wasn’t going to be able to hide it much longer.

"What did you tell Thorne?" Bridget asked.

"Thorne, oh God Thorne." Brooke said sadly.

"Mom you didn’t love him, it’s better this way."

"Bridget you will not believe what Thorne did."

"Did he fight you? Did he try to force you to marry him?"

"Of course not." Brooke laughed. "Where did you get this imagination of yours?"

"Well what did he do?" She asked.

"Thorne married Kimberly." She told her daughter.

 

"I’m sorry for the interruption." Sally said to Kimberly and Thorne. "But I haven’t talked to CJ in a week and I wasn’t going to make him wait."

"How does he like Seattle?" Kim asked.

"He likes it but he misses home. It just wasn’t the same for him since Macy died."

"And since he and Becky broke up." Kim added.

"Yes." Sally said. "So what is it that is so important that you had to see me tonight?"

"Sally we got married." Kimberly blurted out with a smile. "Thorne and I got married."

"No, no Thorne, you wouldn’t have done this. How could you do this to Macy’s memory? How?"

 

Sean pulled his cell phone out of his pocket again and dialed Becky’s house. It rang four times before Sheila finally picked up.

"Hello." She said not even trying to hide her annoyance.

"Is she home yet?" He asked her.

"And hello to you too Sean." Sheila said rudely.

"Is she home Emily?"

"No and like I told you the last three times you called I have no idea where she is or when she’s coming back."

"Look, I know you don’t like me. Frankly I have no idea what I did to you to make you feel this way but it is irrelevant. All I want from you is for you to tell Becky to call me on my cell as soon as she comes home."

"You should have thought about that when you took off on her to see your whore ex-girlfriend."

"I am not going to argue with you or defend Brooke to you. Just give her my message." He said as he angrily disconnected. "Let me have another beer Mac." He said to the bartender.

 

Taylor splashed her Channel on her neck and dipped a bit between her breasts. She picked up her brush and ran it through her long, thick raven hair. She smiled at her reflection as she took in the effect of her sexy black teddie. "You won’t turn me away Ridge and once we’ve been together again you’ll realize your mistake. I love you and you love me and that is the way it’s meant to be." She frowned slightly as her thoughts drifted to her father-in-law. His kiss had rocked her in a way that she hadn’t expected. But she was a married woman and she intended to stay that way. She opened her jewelry box and took out the diamond pendant that Ridge had given her on their last anniversary. "A good memory for both of us." She said as she clasped it around her neck. She reached for her mascara as her thoughts went to Ridge and their expected lovemaking.

 

Ridge reached for the phone at the bedside and punched in a number with a smile.

"Hello?" Brooke’s lilting voice came over the line.

"Hello to you my beautiful lady." He said.

"Ridge." She sighed. "Is something wrong?" She suddenly asked with apprehension.

"Yeah Logan, I am lying here on this bed missing the hell out of you, that’s what’s wrong."

"How did it go?" She asked hopefully.

"Not too bad. She isn’t happy about it but I think with time to adjust it will all work out." He lied, not wanting to upset her.

"Good." She sighed with relief. "I’ve been thinking about you."

"And I you." He assured her. "I just had to hear your voice before I went to sleep."

"I love you Ridge. God it feels so good to be able to say that out loud."

"I love you too Logan, I love you more then you can ever imagine."

"If I close my eyes I can imagine you’re here with me." She said in a dreamy expression.

"And what am I doing to you?" He laughed.

"Hmmmm, that’s a tough one, you do so many things so well."

"I’m lowering your nightgown Brooke, I can see those beautiful creamy breasts and my mouth, my mouth is teasing them one after the other."

"Oh yes, yes." She sighed. She slid the strap of her nightgown down and stroked her sensitive nipples. They hardened to her embarrassment.

"What are you doing Logan?" He asked her.

"What do you mean?"

"To me, what are you doing to me Logan?"

"Ummm, I’m writhing from your touch. I’m so wet Ridge, so wet and so ready."

"Oh Logan, you are going to be the death of me." He laughed. "Are you touching yourself Brooke?"

"Are you?" She countered.

He looked in embarrassment at his hand on his member. "Yeah Brooke, I am." He admitted.

"Ooooh kinky." She giggled. "I kind of touched my breasts too."

"Well before we go too far maybe we should say goodnight." He said with a laugh.

"I suppose so." She said.

"Logan?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too Ridge." They both gently hung up the phones. Ridge reached for the light as the door opened.

"Happy to see me?" Taylor said in a sexy voice as she eyed his erection.

 

Becky paid the cover charge and walked into Passions. The music was loud and pulsating and Becky found herself half-dancing and half walking towards the bar. Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder and turned her around. Her mouth was crushed to his in an intense kiss. Becky screamed but with all the noise no one heard her. Suddenly she realized that the man holding and kissing her was Sasha.

"Finally." He said to her.

"Uhhh, uhhhh." She stuttered.

"I heard you were looking for me before."

"Um yeah." She said softly.

"So Becky Moore, we finally have our night."

"I don’t even know your last name." She said.

"I’m just Sasha, like Madonna or Cher." He laughed.

"Oh." She said.

"Let’s get the f*ck out of here." He said taking her hand and leading her to the door. Becky didn’t know what was in store for her but she knew that she wouldn’t have stopped it for anything in the world.

 

Eric put his novel down and reached for the light. His wife was snoring softly in the bed next to him. Instead of the familiar affection all he felt was annoyance. His thoughts went back to Taylor and the kiss that they had shared. His loins tightened as he remembered. It was more than just physical, he truly felt love for this woman. He thought of Ridge and wondered what was happening with them right now. Had he come home? Was he still with Brooke? Had Taylor convinced him to make a go of the marriage? He knew that he should be rooting for the reconciliation but he couldn’t. All he could think of was Taylor. Her smile, her lips, her eyes, her beautiful hair he wanted it all and he wanted her. "You may think Ridge is right for you Taylor but he’s not. And I will convince you of that." He whispered. "I will."

 

Chapter 26

 

Ridge pulled the blankets over himself as Taylor smiled at him.

"Do you think that I don’t already know that body by heart?" She asked him. "It’s loved me and held me and been inside of me so many times. Why hide now?"

"It’s inappropriate now Taylor."

"You responded to me Ridge, what’s between us isn’t dead."

"I was responding to Brooke." He told her. She flushed with anger and hurt.

"Was that necessary to point out?"

"You started this Taylor."

"You didn’t have to be so cruel. You know that you respond to me, even if you don’t want to, it happens Ridge."

"I don’t want you getting any ideas."

"I’m still your wife."

"Go to bed Taylor, I don’t want to start this again."

"I want you to come with me Ridge, just tonight and then if you still want to leave I promise, I won’t stop you."

"I can’t do that."

"Why not Ridge, am I that repulsive to you? Or are you just scared that you’ll change your mind?"

"I won’t change my mind Taylor."

"Then where is the harm Ridge? We made love the other night, and still you think you can leave me. Why not let me have a chance to change your mind?"

"Go to bed Taylor. It’s been a long day and I’m tired."

 

"Mom?" Bridget called out at Brooke’s door. "Mom are you okay?" She knocked harder at the sound of Brooke’s moans. "Mom! What’s wrong?"

"Oh Ridge." Brooke moaned to herself as she felt herself start to convulse.

"Mom!" Bridget said pushing the door open. She looked at her not comprehending the scene in front of her.

"Oh God." Brooke said to herself. She quickly pulled her nightgown back down and pulled the covers up with an embarrassed chuckle. "Come on in Bridget."

"What’s wrong Mom? Are you sick?"

"Oh, um, a little." She said.

"Mom? Oh my God were you?" She saw her mother’s flushed face.

"Honey." She laughed. "What did you want?"

"I heard you and I thought. I’m sorry Mom."

"This is embarrassing." Brooke said.

"I’ll go."

"No, stay." Brooke laughed. "I was talking to Ridge and well we sort of got caught up in things. Don’t think badly of your mother okay?"

"If he had stayed you wouldn’t have had to do that."

Brooke looked at her and smiled. "I’m sure that he is having a similar experience right now. Anyway what is it honey?"

"I was thinking about Thorne." She said. "Mom why would he marry her? Why would he do that if he wanted to marry you?"

"I don’t know. I guess she convinced him that she could make him happy. It upsets me too."

"I’m glad that you didn’t marry him though."

"It wouldn’t have been right. I thought about it but I care too much about him to marry him."

"You mean because you weren’t in love with him?"

"Exactly. He’s my friend and I never wanted to lose that. Bridget I have made so many mistakes in my life and all in the name of love. I’ve hurt others and I’ve hurt myself but no more. Never again."

"Well you have Ridge now."

"Even if that doesn’t work out I will never make the same mistakes that I’ve already made. I made such a mess of my life." She said as she started to think. Her mind flashed to Grant Chambers. He had loved her but she couldn’t return the feelings and yet she took advantage of his love in attempt to get what she wanted. Her eyes filled with tears. "I think he forgave me at the end." She told Bridget.

"Who Mom?" She asked.

"Grant." She said quietly. "I treated him badly Bridget, please learn from my mistakes. Don’t ever take advantage of a friend, no matter how much you want something. You only end up hurting everyone involved."

"Stop Mom. Please don’t get so sad."

"Oh Bridget, I’m just overly emotional. Hormones and all." She laughed. "Really I’m very happy. Ridge and I are going to have a wonderful life together. I just keep thinking that if things had been different maybe Taylor and her children wouldn’t have to suffer now."

"There wouldn’t be any children." Bridget said.
"Yeah." Brooke sighed. "Things would sure be different."

 

Taylor sat on the side of the bed next to Ridge and ran her hand across his thigh. "Ridge can’t you give us one more try. I know we can make each other happy."
He grabbed her hand and held it away from him. "Stop it." He said sharply.
She looked at him with tears in her eyes and his grip softened. "Doc, it’s over. I don't want to hurt you but it’s done. Please, please respect my choice like you wanted Brooke to when it went the other way."
"But she didn’t. She kept after you, she took her clothes off for you."
"But I never followed through."
"Liar! You've been f*cking her for months!"
"Things have changed. When I committed myself to you and our family nothing happened."
"And when Ridge? When did this commitment end? It wasn't because of what I did because you didn’t know. Don’t you dare paint yourself as the innocent party. You've done so much worse than what I did."
"What is it you want from me? I’ve explained that my feelings have changed. I can't go back, I don’t want to go back. I’m in love with Brooke, damn it Taylor, I always have been."
His comment felt like a slap and she physically jumped back from it. "You’ll pay for this Ridge. You and your whore will pay dearly." She told him. She got up from the bed and walked to the door. "You bastard." She said as she slammed the door and ran.


"I thought you liked Passions." Becky said as she and Sasha drove away in his black Trans Am.
"It’s fine, but I am not in the mood for a crowd tonight."
"Where are we going?"

"I’ll know when we get there." He said. He pulled her over to him and roughly took her mouth with his. She was stunned for a moment when his tongue assaulted hers but sighed and gave into his kiss.
The screeching of the other cars wheels brought a stop to them and Becky’s
heart was racing. "Watch the road." She said.
"I’d rather watch you." He told her as he pushed the sleeve of her dress down, baring her breast. Becky reached to pull it back on but his hand caught hers and stopped her. She was frightened and yet aroused when his thumb and forefinger circled and pinched her nipple to hardness. She made no move when he lowered the other strap, completely baring her breasts. Her eyes went to his and then slowly she took in his entire body. She felt a tingling between her legs as she stared at his erection. He looked at her and smiled.
"Go for it Becky." He laughed.
"What?" She asked him as she blushed.
"You know you want it." He took her hand and placed it on his swollen member. "Go ahead Becky, take it now."
"Sasha." She nervously laughed.

"Becky go wild, take a chance, follow your urges."
She looked at his face with desire and then unzipped his fly and leaned down on the seat.

 

"Hello." Brooke said into the phone.

"Good, you’re home." Sean said.

"Sean everything is perfect. It all worked out so perfectly."

"Am I disturbing you?"

"No but it sounds like I might be disturbing you." She laughed. "Where are you?"

"At a bar. I’m just having a couple of beers. I wanted to see how you were doing. So you wanna tell me or what?"

"He asked me to marry him. He told me he loved me Sean. The things he did, they were so romantic."

"So you got what you wanted then?"

"Almost." She said softly.

"What didn’t you get?"

"He’s still there, he went home."

"To Taylor?"

"Well for the kids really but I don’t trust her. My mother keeps saying that if I trust him I shouldn’t worry."

"Your mother is a smart woman Brooke, listen to her."

"How can I thank you for coming to my rescue?" She asked.

"I didn’t do anything."

"You were my rock, my shoulder to cry on and I can never thank you enough."

"I’ll always be there for you Brooke."

"Sean is everything alright?"

"Not really." He admitted.

"Tell me."

"And bring you down from your high? No way." He laughed.

"I love you Sean."

"I love you too Brooke."

"Sean if I can help."

"We’ll talk tomorrow. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and it seems that you are."

"Better than okay."

"Keep the faith Brooke, I told you it would all work out."

"And you keep the faith too Sean. Becky loves you, she just needs to grow up a little."

 

"Whooo hooooo!" Sasha shouted out the car window. "That was outrageous."

"I can’t believe I just did that." Becky said as she flushed. "We could have been killed."

"Man what a rush, driving at 80 and getting my rocks off. Becky you are a fun chick!"

 

"Sandy you’re scaring me. Honey what’s wrong?" Marie asked.

"I don’t know, it’s funny Marie, some names or words just seem to get to me. When you said that about the brook, I just felt sick to my stomach."

"Did you ever have a bad experience with water honey?" She asked with concern.

"I don’t think so, oh Marie, it’s so hard. There is so much I don’t remember. Sometimes I feel like I was born on the day I married Peter."

"I wish you’d tell me more about what happened. You can trust me Sandy, you can."

"I would if I could but my mind is so clouded. I’ve forgotten so much. I get familiar feelings and sometimes I see images in my head but aside from that, well it’s like there is nothing there."

"Bobby get over here right now!" Marie shouted at her oldest son. "I’m sorry Sandy, sometimes I just can’t control them."
"It’s okay, Bobby is a doll." She said as the youngster ran over to them. He smiled a toothless grin and handed Sandy a bouquet of flowers that he had picked. "Oh thank you sweetie." She said with a smile as she took them. "Ouch!" She said as she let go of the flowers. "I think I was stung."

"No Sandy." Marie said as she picked them up. "It was just a thorn."

"Thorne?" Sandy said in confusion. She looked at her friend and started to cry. "Why does this keep happening to me?"

 

The smell of freshly brewed coffee woke Ridge from a dream filled sleep. He and Brooke, it had been so real to him. He smiled to himself remembering her smile and her laugh. It invaded his thoughts day and night. His love for her was so strong and so real, he knew that his life was finally beginning.

He inhaled the rich aroma and opened his eyes. "Taylor?" He said seeing his wife at the door with a steaming mug of coffee.

"Can I come in?"

"You already are in."

"I need to talk to you."

"You said enough last night."

"I can’t leave things like that Ridge. I was angry and hurt but I said things that I didn’t mean. I’m sorry."

"For what Taylor?"

She walked over and gave him the cup. She sat on the side of the bed next to him. "For so much Ridge. For what I did with Pierce, for the girls and for the hurtful things I said to you."

"Taylor?"

"I don’t want you to hate me."

"I don’t want that either. So where does this leave us?"

"I didn’t mean what I said about making you pay. I won’t hold you in a marriage that you don’t want. All I ask is that you take some time before you marry her. Make sure it’s what you really want."

"I can’t do that Doc."

"I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I won’t fight the divorce as long as you take your time about the marriage. Will you at least think about it Ridge?"

"I can do that, but Taylor I intend to be with her."

"Be with her Ridge, just don’t jump into marriage. For me, for the children."

 

"Damn!" Brooke shouted as she threw her skirt on the floor. It joined three others in a pile.

"What’s going on?" Beth asked as she walked in.

"Nothing fits, nothing at all."

"I was afraid of that honey. You are growing and you aren’t going to be able to hide your pregnancy much longer. You wore nothing but casual things in Paris, no suits or tight dresses. It looks like you are going to have to change your style a bit."

"Well that doesn’t help me now. I have to find something to wear to the office."

"What about this?" Beth said as she took a dress out of Brooke’s closet.

"Oh Mother, I look like a cow in that."

"Well the time for tight skirts has come to an end honey." She laughed as she looked again. "This is nice." She said showing her a black shift. It was free flowing and very attractive. It had a deep slit to the thigh and a red rose embroidered on the skirt.

"I guess." Brooke pouted.

"You’re going to have to do some shopping if you intend to keep hiding your pregnancy. And even that is not going to fool Ridge."

"I’m not trying to fool him, I just don’t want him to feel obligated to me."

"But he is honey, he loves you."

"Oh shit." She said putting her hand in front of her mouth. She turned slightly green and ran into the bathroom. Beth heard her retching into the toilet. She followed her in and wet a washcloth and handed it to her. "Thanks Mom."

"Is it bad this time?"

"Worse than both Bridget and Rick." She admitted.

"Well you aren’t as young as you were then."

"Thanks for pointing that out." Brooke groaned.

"Honey I’m just being honest, a woman’s body changes with age, I can attest to that."

"Ugh, so now I’m old too. Old and bloated and sick. It’s a wonder Ridge wants me at all."

"Now just stop feeling sorry for yourself Brooke, you have a man who loves you, two wonderful children and a Mother who wants to do anything in the world for you. Not to mention a great job and a beautiful home. And you are having a baby with the man you have loved your entire adult life. Oh Brooke there is nothing for you to feel bad about."

"I know." Brooke answered as she stared to cry. "My stupid hormones." She said with a sob and a laugh.

"Becky, Sean has been looking for you all morning." Megan said when her friend walked in a half and hour late. "What happened to you? You look like hell."

"Thanks." Becky said with a yawn.

"Well? Are you going to tell me or what?"

"I saw him last night." She smiled.

"Well he sure wasn’t acting that way, he seemed frantic to see you."

"Not Sean, Sasha."

"Oh no." Megan said as she put down her coffee mug. "Please tell me this is a joke."

"No joke Meg, I was with him all night. I never went home." She yawned.

"You can’t let Sean know that."

"Why not? All he cared about was Brooke."

"Brooke?"

"Yeah she’s back and she called him and he went running to her side like a knight in shining armour. I knew I was no competition for her."

"Oh Becky I can’t believe that."

"Just leave me alone Megan. I’m tired and I’m late and I don’t want to argue with you. I like Sasha, we had fun."

"Well what did you do?"

Becky looked at her and smiled. "You really don’t want to know." She winked and walked away. Megan was about to follow her when Thorne and Kimberly walked up to her desk.

"Hey Megan, are Mom and Dad here yet?" Thorne asked her.

Megan watched Becky walking away and turned back to Thorne. "Sorry Thorne, I was concerned about Becky. You’re looking for your parents?"

"Yeah, are they here yet?"

"Your Dad is in his office. Your mother isn’t in yet."

"What do you want to do Kim?" He asked her.

"Wait for her, after Sally last night I’m not feeling all that confident." She said taking his hand.

"Would you like me to call you when she gets in?" She asked him.

"Yeah Megan, thanks." He turned away and then turned back. "Is Brooke in yet?"

"I didn’t even know she was back Thorne. I haven’t seen her."

"How about Ridge?"

"No, not him either, sorry."

"Let’s go to my office and wait for Mother." Thorne said to Kimberly.

"Okay." She smiled at him.

"Is there something going on that I should know about?" Megan asked them.

"I think Mom and Dad oughta know first." He said. "And Brooke."

"Now you have me really curious." She laughed. "But I guess I can wait."

"We’ll tell you after them Megan, and thanks." Thorne said as he led Kimberly away.

"Very strange indeed." Megan said to herself.

 

"Where’s my breakfast?" Peter shouted at Sandy. She jumped from her sleep and stared at him.

"You said, you said you weren’t working today."

"I said I wasn’t working, I didn’t say I didn’t want my breakfast. Now get your lazy ass out of bed and get to work."

"Yes Peter." She said as she scrambled out of the bed and into the bathroom.

"You better not be taking a shower, I’m hungry bitch!"

"No, just peeing." She called out. She lowered her head and silently wept. "Please Lord, tell me where I belong." She whispered. She finished and washed and brushed her teeth and went into the kitchen where Peter was sitting at the table reading the paper.

"What would you like?" She asked.

"How many f*cking times are you going to ask me that? You know I like fried eggs, toast, Wheaties and sausages. And you better not f*ck up the coffee again. It was dishwater yesterday."

"I won’t I’ll do it right." She said as she started to quickly go through the cabinets getting the things that she needed. Peter started fiddling with a box and some tools. "What are you doing?" She asked him as she poured his cereal into a bowl.

"I got this cable box from Arnold. He says we’ll get all the premium shit for free. I just gotta take out this one part." He told her.

"Isn’t that illegal?"

"Isn’t the illegal?" He mimicked her. "Jesus woman, do you think I’m made of money?" He grunted as he continued to work on it. "Here we go." He said. He walked to the small television set on the counter and attached it to the box. "Come on, come on." He said willing it to work. "Yes, look at that Sandy, it’s HBO." He laughed.

"They won’t catch us will they?"

"Just don’t go telling your nosy friends." He said as he started to change the channels. "Damn it."

"What’s wrong?" She asked as she put the cereal in front of him. He picked up the sugar bowl and started to ladle huge spoonfuls onto the flakes.

"Where’s the milk?"

"It’s coming." She said. She scurried to the refrigerator and got it out and gave it to him. He poured it on the cereal and put it down on the table. When she tried to take it to put it away he pushed her hand away. "When I say I’m done woman."

"What’s wrong with the box?" She asked again.

"Nothing wrong with the box, but Playboy is only on at night. Stupid censorship!"

"You wouldn’t want little children to see it."

"Give them a f*cking education if you ask me." He said. "Go ahead Sandy, try it out."

"What about your eggs?"

"They can wait, try this out." He said like an excited child on Christmas morning. Sandy went to the box and pushed down the buttons changing the channels. She was picking up all the premium services and all the regular cable channels.

"This is great Peter. ShowTime, HBO, Cinemax."

"Yeah and we get stations from Atlanta, Chicago and New York City too." He got up and switched the channel. "This one has the Met’s games. I hate those f*ckers but I love to watch them lose." He laughed.

"That’s from New York?" She asked.

"Yeah, but this is just the stupid regular shit we get around here."

She sat down and watched Queen Latifah interviewing a former prostitute turned evangelist. They broke for a commercial and Sandy went to start the eggs but she turned as they advertised a huge clothing sale. "That’s the Macy’s supersale all week long." The voiceover told her. Sandy’s eyes widened as she stared at the store’s logo. "Macy." She said softly. "It’s happening again, why is that so familiar? Why?"

 

"Brooke!" Megan jumped up and hugged her boss and friend. "Welcome back!"

"Thanks Megan, it’s sure been a while hasn’t it?"

"Too long. You look wonderful. But Brooke, um." She hesitated.

"What’s wrong Megan? Is Stephanie on the warpath again?"

"No, she’s not even here yet. It’s just, well Thorne."

"What about him? He’s not here is he?"

"Yes. Didn’t you expect him?"

"Not really." She sighed. "Thorne and I are over Megan." She told her.

"Oh thank God. When I saw him with Kimberly, well all I could think is you would be so hurt. I mean, well are you okay Brooke?"

"Megan I’m fine, really. Is Ridge in yet?"

"No not yet."

"Would you buzz me when he gets here please."

"Of course Brooke." She said looking perplexed. She watched Brooke enter her office and close the door. "This is getting stranger and stranger by the moment." Megan laughed.

 

"You can’t just tell them Ridge, they won’t understand." Taylor pleaded with him. "You have to give them time to get used to it, break it to them slowly."

"I fully intend to make it as easy on them as possible but I am not going to be living here long Taylor, it isn’t right." He rinsed his cup and put it into the dishwasher. "I’ve got to go. I have a meeting with Sean this morning."

"And Brooke?" She asked.

"I will be seeing Brooke." He admitted.

"Think about what I asked Ridge, please don’t rush this."

"I’ll see you later Taylor." He said. She went to him for a kiss but he turned his head and her lips brushed his cheek.

"Have a good day Ridge." She said as he walked out. She walked to the window and watched him drive away. "Damn you Brooke Logan." She said as the tears ran down her cheeks.

 

"Is Brooke in yet?" Ridge asked Megan.

"Yup, she asked me to buzz her when you got here."

"Is she alone?"

"As far as I know." She told him. She started to pick up the phone.

"Wait Megan, just let me go in." He smiled.

"Okay somebody better tell me what’s going on soon or I will just go crazy." She laughed.

"You know what they say Megan." He said in a serious tone.

"What Ridge?"

"Curiosity killed the cat." He laughed as he walked away and towards Brooke’s office. She shook her head and laughed with him as she watched him slowly and carefully open the door to Brooke’s office.

"Hello beautiful." He said softly. Brooke was standing at her shelf taking down a ledger.

"Ridge." Brooke turned around to face him. Her smile lit up the office and he fell in love all over again. He shut the door, walked up to her and took her into his arms. "I missed you Logan."

"Me too Ridge, more than I ever imagined possible." She tilted her head up to his and their lips met in a sensuous kiss. "How did it go?" She asked when they finally ended it.

"Not exactly how I had hoped, but not terrible either."

"Were the children upset?" She asked.

"I haven’t spoken to them yet?"

"Why not Ridge?" She asked angrily. "Wasn’t that the point of you being there in the first place? Or was it so you could decide if it was me or Taylor that you wanted?"

"Where the hell did that come from Logan? You know how I feel. Don’t be this way, it’s hard on me too."

"Look Ridge, I am not happy at all about you staying in that mausoleum with her. I know she is going to do anything she can to change your mind and with your mother and father behind her she might just do it."

"Oh Logan." He said pulling her tightly into his arms. "Believe me, no one is going to change the way I feel about you."

"I thought I could do this but maybe I can’t Ridge. How can I keep seeing you here at Forrester and not touch you and love you. How can I send you back home to her at night?"

"It won’t be long. I promise."

"You didn’t even try yet Ridge! Why not?"

"Well if you can remember it was late last night and the kids were in bed and I had to talk to Taylor."

"Don’t make excuses Ridge, just get it over with. I really can’t take it, I just can’t. Damn it I have waited years for this and I won’t wait any longer!"

"Brooke, honey calm down." He pleaded as he held her and stroked her hair. "We’re on the same side here. I don’t know what happened since last night but nothing has changed, I am one hundred percent committed to us, don’t you dare doubt that."

"I’m sorry." She said pulling away and walking to her desk. "I just get so frustrated. I want this over, I want my life, our life."

"Soon, please Brooke believe me it will happen soon."

"I had a bad morning, I couldn’t find anything to wear and then the morning." She suddenly stopped.

"The what?" He asked.

"Um, the morning paper was late." She said.

"Don’t stress out over a newspaper Logan, I’ll go get you one."

"We don’t have time. We have to meet with Sean."

"Yeah we do." He said. "Are we okay Logan?"

"Yes." She smiled and came back to him and put her arms around him. "Just don’t keep me waiting Ridge."

 

"That’s gorgeous Eric." Sean said as he walked up to him at his sketchpad. "Have you been holding out?"

"No Sean, I was just inspired." He smiled. "So you really like it?"

"Get it to the cutters and we can put it in the show. I see it as a showstopper and I’m sure Brooke would agree."

"I don’t think so, this one is a little personal."

"Eric no, you can’t hold back. The detail is amazing. No woman in her right mind wouldn’t want to wear that dress for her wedding."

"I’ll have to think about it." Eric said as he looked at his sketch. The dress was long and flowing, it was extremely detailed, feminine and yet sophisticated, but the most important thing was the beautiful brunette that he had drawn wearing it. He lifted it up and carefully put it in his portfolio.

"At least let Ridge and Brooke have a look at it." Sean said.

"Perhaps, we’ll see." He said noncommittally.

"I’m meeting with Brooke and Ridge to go over what’s gone on in her absence. Would you like to join us?" Sean asked.

"I would but my son has something he wants to see me and his mother about. You can bring me up to date afterward."

"Of course." He told him. "Eric I’m glad that we can work together this way, it means a lot to me."

"I’m glad too Sean. Forrester means so much to me, you and Brooke opened my eyes and I truly thank you for that." The two gentlemen shook hands and Sean walked out. As soon as he was gone Eric took out the design and looked at it. "Someday Taylor, someday you will wear that dress for me."

 

"Mrs. Forrester, I’m so glad to see you back." The receptionist at the clinic greeted Taylor.

"Thanks Missy, it’s good to be back. I’m sorry if I let you all down, just know I am here to stay now."

"Good." She smiled. "Pierce called a few minutes ago. He has a breakfast meeting with some investors and then he plans on stopping by. So can I get you some coffee?"

"Light and sweet." She smiled. She walked into her office and sighed upon seeing the framed picture of her family. She lifted it up and stared at it. "Oh Ridge, how did this happen to us?" She asked with a tear. "Is there any hope? Any at all?"

 

"So there you are." Sean said to Becky. She was at her desk going through phone messages. "It was nice of you to return my calls."

"It was late when I got home."

"I said I didn’t care. I said to call anytime, any hour." He told her. "Becky I explained it all to you. You know that it isn’t that way with Brooke, she needed a friend and I had to be there for her."

"Well I had my own needs Sean."

"I thought I had taken care of them Becky."

"You walked out on me, I didn’t like that."

"Okay fine, it’s over and done. Can we move on now?"

"I’m not sure." She said.

"Whatever." He said angrily. "Let me know when Ridge and Brooke get here." He said dismissing her as he went into his office.

Becky reached for her purse and took out the crushed black rose and held it to her nose. "Sasha." She sighed.

 

"Stephanie, Eric would like you to come to his office." Megan told her as she started into her own office.

"Oh no, what’s wrong now?"

"I don’t know. He didn’t say."

"What has that bitch done now?"

"I’m sure I don’t know." Megan laughed.

Stephanie went to her office, put down her purse and turned on her computer. She checked her email and answered several of them before she got up and headed to Eric’s office.

"What happened?" She asked.

"I don’t know. All I know is that Thorne wants to talk to both of us."

"That bitch! She married him Eric, that has to be it."

"I don’t think so Stephanie, trust me on that one."

"You do know what this is about then?"

"No, I really don’t." He said as he pushed his portfolio to the side of his desk.

"Whatever it is it can’t be good and somehow I know Brooke is involved." She said turning up her nose.

 

"Thorne it’s Megan, your mother is in your Dad’s office."

"Thanks Megan." He said. He turned to Kimberly. "Maybe I should do this alone Kim."

"Why? Are you embarrassed by me?"

"Kim I don’t want you to get hurt again and I really think my mother is going to have a bad reaction. Why don’t you let me prepare them first."

"I’m your wife now. Whatever we do, we do it together." She smiled sweetly at him. "They are going to support us, I just know it."

 

Sandy had put the last of the dishes away and started on the laundry when she heard Adam crying. She smiled and walked to the crib and lifted her tiny son into her arms. "Mommy’s here baby, Mommy’s here." She cooed to him. "Daddy is out playing pool with his buddies, nobody is going to hurt us today." She kissed his head and rocked him until his tears stopped. Suddenly as if on a huge movie screen a smiling red headed woman’s face flashed before her. "My mother, you’re my mother." She said as she tried in vain to keep the image in her head. "Please God, please let me remember, I want to go home, I want to go home." She cried.

 

"It looks like you didn’t even miss me." Brooke smiled at Sean and Ridge.

"I missed you Brooke." Ridge grinned. "It’s not the same here at all without you."

"Ridge, Sean knows about us." Brooke confessed.

"He does? And how did that happen?"

"I told him." She simply stated.

"So Damon is your confidante now?"

"Jealous Ridge?" Sean smiled.

"Not a bit, the lady is mine, all mine." He said putting his arms around Brooke and kissing her. "And soon she will be my wife too."

"Is this a secret Brooke?" Sean asked.

"No but Ridge’s children don’t know yet and neither do his parents. We just don’t want to publicize it until we’re sure that Taylor is okay about it all." She explained.

"Okay, I won’t say a word." He winked. "So on to business. You guys have got to see the design your father was working on today."

"What was it?" Brooke asked.

"A wedding gown, and what a gown. It is spectacular. I think it can be our showstopper."

"So did you get it into production?" Ridge asked.

"That’s the problem, Eric says he isn’t sure."

"I’ll talk to him." Ridge said. "If Dad has a gown good enough in your eyes to be the showstopper it has to be good."

"Oh it is Ridge, it really is."

 

"Hi Mom, Dad." Thorne said as he and Kimberly entered Eric’s office.

"Kimberly?" Stephanie asked. "Honey Thorne needs to talk to us, perhaps you can come back when he’s done?"

"This involves Kimberly mother." Thorne explained as he reached for his bride’s hand.

"What is it son?" Eric asked.

"Dad, Mom, Kim and I were married yesterday." He announced.

"You what? What about Brooke?" Stephanie shouted. Her face was flushed and she was angry.

"Brooke turned me down."

"So you decided it was so important to get married that you asked this child?" Eric angrily questioned his son.

"We love each other Mr. Forrester." Kimberly said pleadingly.

"Love? Yesterday he loved Brooke and was ready to marry her. This is ridiculous. We can get this annulled and be done with it." Stephanie proclaimed.

"No! No you can’t do that!" Kimberly cried out.

"And why can’t we?" She asked her.

"Because I’m pregnant." She announced to the flabbergasted room with a broad smile.

 

Chapter 27

 

"Well we have to see this wonderful dress of Eric’s Sean but right now I’d like to see what you all did while I was gone." Brooke told him.

"So Ridge hasn’t brought you up to date huh?"

"We’ve been a little busy Sean." Ridge laughed. He looked at Brooke and smiled.

"Guys, come on, this is a real live meeting." Brooke reminded them.

"Our romance is old already." Ridge said with a mock sigh.

"Not by a long shot." She said with a punch. "But I have been very neglectful of my duties and that is about to change. Gentlemen, show me what you’ve got."

 

"Pregnant?" Stephanie said when she recovered from the shock. She then turned to Thorne. "You stupid fool! Have you learned nothing? How could you do something so careless? How?"

"This is your grandchild you’re talking about!" Thorne said angrily as he put a protective arm around Kimberly. "And this is my wife, whether you like it or not she is my wife. Get used to it Mother."

"Thorne, your mother is just shocked. This was a total surprise. We were under the impression that you and Brooke were getting married." Eric said to bring calmness to the room.

"Well then we’ll leave you time to think about it. We can talk later. Come on Kim, let’s go." Thorne said taking her hand. He led her out of the office and they walked in silence to his. Nothing was said until he securely closed the door. "Pregnant? You’re pregnant?" He asked her in horror.

 

"Morning Taylor." Pierce said with a smile as he entered her office. "You are looking beautiful today."

"Well I don’t feel beautiful. In fact I feel rather ugly." She told him with a frown.

"Bad night?" He asked. He walked up behind her and gently kneaded her shoulders. She smiled and leaned back to him. To her amazement it was helping her tension.

"Bad night, bad morning, bad life." She sighed. "Every time I think I have resolved myself to it and think I can move on I fall backwards. It’s so aggravating Pierce, I thought I could be so much stronger then this."

"Come on Taylor, stop beating yourself up. You just found out that your kids aren’t your husband’s kids, that he’s been unfaithful and that your marriage may well be over. You certainly can’t expect to be over this in a day."

"I blamed you, I blamed Ridge, I blamed Brooke but I never put the blame where it really belonged, on myself."

"That isn’t true Taylor, you may be partially to blame but we all are a part of it."

"If I had had faith in Ridge I wouldn’t have turned to you, my children would have been his and Brooke wouldn’t be an option."

Pierce turned her to face him. "He gave you good reason to lose faith Taylor. And maybe, just maybe if we hadn’t come together you wouldn’t even have two more beautiful children. Do you wish that you didn’t?"

"Or course not, I love my daughters." She said defensively.

"Well you had a hard time conceiving with Thomas and none at all with the girls. Perhaps the problem was never you, but Ridge."

"It doesn’t justify what I did to him. I committed adultery. I cheated on the man that I loved and all because of stupid, petty insecurities."

"Oh honey, I wish there was something I could do to make it better." Pierce said softly. "Tell me what happened, tell me how Ridge is reacting to all this."

"He says he loves Brooke." She told him. "But he can’t Pierce, it’s all reactionary, he may still have feelings for her but love? I really don’t think so."

"Taylor I am not saying this to hurt you but he started up with her before he knew about the girls. You say it’s reactionary but to what? What was he reacting to?"

"Nothing." She sadly admitted. "Nothing."

 

"Okay so we have one pile of keepers, one pile of back to work on and another of forget about it’s." Brooke laughed. "And we all agree on the choices right?"

"Right." Ridge said. "So what next?"

"I’d really like Eric to join us." Brooke said. "Especially since none of the forget about it’s are his."

"It’s amazing how he’s gotten over his slump Brooke." Sean said. "And the strangest thing is that the three top designs, the ones you and Ridge love so much, he did them yesterday."

"Are you serious?" Ridge asked. "Then I have to see that wedding gown."

Brooke looked at her watch. "Well guys, it’s eleven o’clock, what do you say we order some lunch and get to work on the ones we want to fix?"

"Lunch?" Ridge laughed. "Don’t tell me you’re hungry again Logan, you ate a muffin, a banana and five cookies for breakfast. Do you ever stop?"

"I’m so glad I have someone to criticize my every move." She said sarcastically.

"Well you seem to be hungry all the time Logan."

"Well that’s to be expected isn’t it?" Sean asked. Brooke looked at him as if she would kill him. He suddenly realized his mistake.

"Why is that Sean?" Ridge asked.

"All that French food Ridge, you know how that gets. It’ll take her a while to get used to plain old American cooking."

"If my lady wants French, I’ll get her French." Ridge said as he hugged and kissed Brooke. "I’ll get her anything her heart desires."

"I’ll take anything right now." She laughed. "I’m really hungry. So how about you two guys do me a favor, you order lunch and I’ll go to my office and catch up on my mail and give my mother a call and I promise I’ll be back in a half hour."

"I suppose I can be away from you for that long." Ridge teased. "But I need one more kiss to hold me over."

"Were you two always this disgusting?" Sean laughed.

"No, but we will be from this moment on." Ridge said as he lowered his lips to Brooke’s and gave her a very passionate kiss. "Hurry back my love."

"I will." She said with a smile as she left the office.

Ridge couldn’t get the smile off his face as he watched her go and Sean was quite amused. "You really are in love aren’t you Ridge?"

"Sean I am happier than I have ever been in my life. I know I shouldn’t be but that woman does something to me. Why I ever let her get away before I will never know."

"You needed to do some growing up Ridge, and some soul searching. But I suppose it doesn’t come without a price."

"No." Ridge sadly replied. "It doesn’t. I am hurting a woman that I also love, a woman who has been so good to me and brought me so much joy."

"So how can you be sure you’re doing the right thing?"

"Did you see her smile? Did you see the way the room lit up when she entered? Sean I love her, and I want her and she is mine, all mine." He grinned. Ridge then looked at the pile of designs. "You call and order lunch and let me tackle some of these."

"You got it."

Ridge started to look at the sketches and then he smiled. "Give me a pad Sean." He said.

"A pad why?" Sean asked as he handed Ridge his pad and a pencil. "Brooke wants us to work on those. What are you up to?"

"Righting an old wrong." He replied.

 

"Well what do you make of that Stephanie?" Eric asked his wife. The look on her face should have been all the answer that he needed. "I thought you liked Kimberly."

"I never thought he would go this far, never. Besides we need him to keep Brooke away from Ridge. Taylor needs time to make that marriage work."

"All the time in the world won’t fix it if it isn’t what they both want and I don’t think either of them do anymore." He said as his mind drifted back to their kiss. Only this time his imagination let it continue and move much further. He was so deep in thought he didn’t even hear his wife.

"Eric what is wrong with you?" She complained. "You aren’t listening to a word I’m saying."

"What? I’m sorry Stephanie, I guess my mind wandered."

"Well keep it where it belongs, we have to find a way to fix this, all of this before it’s too late."

 

"Well Sean almost let it slip Mom." Brooke said to Beth on the phone. She was doodling on a pad and talking as she sat at her desk.

"Brooke I think you have to tell him. I don’t see what purpose you have in keeping it a secret. He loves you and he asked you to marry him. He deserves to know the whole truth."

"Maybe, but the timing is wrong. We have the showing, Thorne just got married, the whole family is a wreck and that doesn’t even include Taylor and her kids."

"Brooke you can’t worry about everyone else." Beth reminded her.

"But Mom, they are all going to be coming down on me once they know about me and Ridge, and I really don’t need to give them more ammunition." She looked down where she had written Ridge’s name in the middle of a heart and smiled. She put the pad and pen down.

"I am not telling you to tell them all, just the father of your child Brooke. Lying will never ever make things work. You have to have learned that by now. Honey tell him, tell him today."

"I didn’t mean to upset you Taylor." Pierce said. He let go of her and walked to the window and looked out. "If I could take it back I would."
"Take it back? Take what back Pierce? Our night? The girls? Finding out the truth?"
"All of it, none of it. Taylor, I care so much for you. I don’t regret our night, only the pain it caused you. But honey, Ridge and Brooke would have happened anyway. Neither of them knew about us and it happened." He turned back to her and smiled. "Are you hungry?" He asked.

"No, I don’t think I’ll ever be hungry again."

"You need to eat. You have to be strong and healthy for those beautiful children. So what do you say we go out and have some lunch?"

"I don’t think so, besides, does anyone ever work here?" She laughed.

"We aren’t open yet Taylor. Come on, one quick lunch, indulge me." He flashed her his famous smile one more time and she found herself smiling back at him.

"Alright." She agreed with a smile of her own. "Let’s have lunch."

 

"Answer me Kimberly! Are you pregnant?" Thorne demanded.

"Why are you shouting at me? It’s not my fault Thorne, I didn’t do it alone."

"Oh God, how? How did you let this happen? You swore you were on the pill." He said as he pounded his fist on the desk.

"It made me fat." She said in a little girl voice.

"Well this is sure gonna make you fatter. God, Oh God Kim. Have you seen a doctor? Are you positive? Why the hell didn’t you tell me? You know I could have married Brooke and then where would you be?"

"I took one of those test that you get at the drug store. I was too embarrassed to see the doctor."

"Embarrassed? Kim you have to know for sure."

"But we’re married, it’s okay now."

"It is not okay." He said to her. He looked up and saw the tears in her eyes. "Kim I’m just not ready for this."

"Well you better start getting ready." She said with a sob. "I thought, I mean Macy always said, I mean you two wanted a baby."

"Macy and I had been together a long time Kim. We got married because it was what we both wanted. We had a wedding, a ceremony, we did the whole nine yards. You and I, honey I was so drunk I didn’t even know it happened."

"So you’re going to blame me? Are you going to leave me?" She sobbed.

"I am not bailing on you Kimberly, I am just trying to make you understand, there is a time to have a baby and a time not to."
"Well we don’t really have a choice now."

"Let’s make a doctor’s appointment and make sure you really are pregnant okay?"

 

"Okay that sounds great." Sean said. "How long will that take? No, delivered please. Fine, oh wait, can you add a vanilla milkshake. Yeah thanks." He said as he hung up the phone.

"Vanilla milkshake Sean? Trying to make Logan jealous?"

"It is for Brooke." Sean smiled.

"Call back and cancel it, she’s having a little problem with her weight and I don’t want to make it harder for her."

"Brooke’s weight is just fine Ridge." Sean said. "And I think she can use this."

"I don’t know about that." Ridge laughed as he continued to draw.

"What are you doing Ridge. Starting something new?"

"Can I trust you?" Ridge asked.

"Sure." Sean replied.

"Come here." Ridge said to him. Sean walked over and looked at the gown that Ridge was drawing. It too was a wedding gown. It was tight and form fitting to the waist, with a jewel neckline. The sleeveless gown and a full flowing skirt. On the side he had sketched the back where the dress was cut low and had thin spaghetti straps made with tiny pearls and crystals. The hem also was decorated with the same. "What do you think?" Ridge asked.

"I think it’s beautiful, perhaps we can use this one if Eric doesn’t want his. What kind of material do you intend to use? And is this ivory?"

"It’s ivory and it’s satin with a Belgian lace."

"How about a headpiece?" Sean asked.

"Well I just finished drawing the head, I don’t have a headpiece in mind yet. What do you think?" He asked as he held up the picture of the beautiful blonde woman.

"Brooke, this is for Brooke." Sean said with a sigh. "So it’s not for the show then."

"Oh it’s for the show Sean. Like I said, I am righting a wrong."

"And what wrong was that?"

"Not trusting the woman I loved enough." Ridge admitted. "Didn’t Brooke tell you?"

"The runway proposal. You gave Taylor Brooke’s gown and her ring."

"I was mad. I was hurt. But I was wrong." He told him. "This time Brooke will not be hurt or embarrassed. That I promise you."

Sean did a mental calculation on the day of the showing and tried to stifle a chuckle.

"You find it funny? Or do you think it will upset her?" Ridge asked with concern.

"Ridge, it’s not for me to say but don’t you think you should wait until you’re divorced before pulling another stunt like this one?"

"It isn’t a stunt."

"No, but think of the press. Brooke might become a pariah, a laughingstock."

"I’m not going to repeat the proposal, I’ve already asked her and she’s said yes. I just want the world to see the woman that I, wait, there’s something more isn’t there?" He asked Sean.

 

Taylor and Pierce walked into the small intimate Italian restaurant and were immediately greeted by the owner. "Dr. Peterson, what a pleasant surprise." He said to him. "Come, come I have your favorite table for you."

"Hello Mario." Pierce said. "Thanks for fitting us in at the last moment like this."

"For you, anytime." He said. He personally escorted them to the table. "I will send Benito over to take your orders but can I get you something from the bar?" He asked them.

"A bottle of my favorite Merlot would be nice." Pierce said.

"Oh Pierce, I shouldn’t be drinking so early." Taylor said.

"We can have a couple of glasses, we don’t have to finish the bottle." He told her.

"I suppose that will be alright." She said.

"Good, good." Mario said as he walked away.

"You sure made an impression on him." Taylor said to Pierce.

"I helped him out a little once." Pierce admitted.

"Professionally or financially?" She asked.

"A little of both." He told her. "Mario and his wife were having problems and I counseled them, after things were straight between them he told me he was trying to establish his own restaurant. You see he had had one in Italy but when he came to the States he worked as a chef. He needed some backing and I’d tasted his food and it was the best."

"You’re a nice man Pierce Peterson." Taylor said with a smile as she took his hand. "A very nice man."

 

"There is nothing for us to fix. Our son is married and his wife is pregnant. I don’t like this anymore than you do but if we don’t accept it we will lose Thorne. As for Ridge, if he and Taylor don’t make it we will have to support his choice too."

"No, no I can’t do that. He cannot leave his wife and children for that slut."

"Stephanie there is more to this than you realize." He shouted and instantly regretted it.

"What more is there? What aren’t you telling me?" She demanded with a sense of outrage. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes closed to slits as she got angrier by the moment.

"It’s not up to me to tell you. It was told to me in confidence, I don’t even know how much Ridge knows."

"I’m your wife!"
"And Taylor asked me to not say anything."

"It’s too late for that Eric, now tell me and tell me now."

 

"Thanks for coming Marie, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t." Sandy said as she greeted her friend at the door. She was holding an ice pack to her cheek and her eye was blackened.

"He did this." Marie said shaking her head.

"No, I, I fell and I hit my head on the table."

"Sandy it’s not going to stop, you have to get out of this marriage before he kills you. Come and stay with me."

"He’d only drag me back, and he might hurt your kids too. No Marie, I can handle this. I know I can. I just need to see the dentist. It really hurts."

"Let me see it." Marie told her as she pulled the ice pack away. "Come on Sandy, open your mouth." Sandy sighed and complied. Although she has no medical training it didn’t take any to see that her tooth was loose and in danger of coming out. "You can’t drive like this." Marie told her.

"I can’t take the baby and I can’t ask you to take me. I can drive."

"No, we’ll call a cab."

"I can’t afford a cab Marie, Peter would kill me for wasting the money."

"I could kill Peter." Marie said under her breath. "Here." She said as she dug into her wallet and handed Sandy two bills. "I’ll pay, please don’t drive."

"Oh Marie." Sandy sobbed. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

 

"What do you think I’m hiding Ridge? All I am saying is that Brooke doesn’t deserve to be put into a position where she can be embarrassed or ridiculed. And neither does Taylor for that matter."

"I just want her to wear the dress, for us. No one would have to know the significance but you and me and Logan."

"As you crazy?" Sean laughed. "You are Ridge Forrester. The fashion industry stops and waits on your every move. If you don’t think they will know that something very big is up when Forrester’s CEO models a wedding gown you’re crazier than I even thought. Why not wait Ridge, wait till you and Taylor are divorced and you’re free to make a grand statement like this. You have to respect Brooke, you’re not thinking. I know you mean well but it’s not going to work."

"We have four weeks till the show. Maybe by then Taylor and I can work out the divorce."

"What universe do you live in?" Sean asked him with another laugh.

"Sean I just want to make things right, I want to give her what was hers."

‘Four weeks.’ Sean thought. ‘In four weeks the world will see her pregnancy, especially in that dress.’ But he instead turned to Ridge. "How about you ask her and not surprise her this time?"

"Ask who what?" Brooke said as she walked in. Ridge grabbed the sketch and hit it behind his back. "What is that?" Brooke asked him.

"Nothing, nothing at all. Just something I’m working on that isn’t quite ready for your eyes." He told her.

"If you say so." She smiled. "So have you guys got anything to show me then?"

"Not really Logan, sorry." Ridge smiled.

"I really feel like I walked into the middle of something." She told them. She looked from Sean to Ridge and back to Sean. "Okay play the strong silent types." She laughed. "Anyway I have to go down to the cutting room to check on something. I just wanted to see if lunch was here yet."

"Wow you really must be hungry." Ridge said as he walked up to her and pulled her into his arms. "Want company?"

"I’d love company but I really need you two to get to work on those."

"Slave driver, I’m in love with a slave driver." Ridge joked.

"And you love it too." She teased him with a kiss. "Wait till I get the whips out."

"Ummmm, sounds kinky Logan." He smiled. "Hurry back will you. I really don’t like being apart."

"You are spoiling me Ridge." She said as her eyes welled up. She started to the door and then turned back to them. "Ridge, I need to talk to you when I get back, it’s really important."

"Sure Brooke." He said in a serious tone. Sean caught Brooke’s eye and she nodded. He gave her the thumbs up as she walked out.

 

"Now that wasn’t too bad was it Sandy?" Her dentist asked after he had finished with her.

"No, it didn’t hurt much but Doctor, will it be expensive?"

"Don’t you have insurance?" He asked her.

"No, my husband was out of work and he doesn’t have it with his new job. Maybe we can work out a payment plan?" She suggested.

"We’ll work something out. You just talk to my nurse and we’ll set it up."

"Thank you doctor." She smiled at him.

"I want to see you again in two weeks."

"Okay." She agreed. She walked out to the nurse’s desk. "Dr. Cochran said we could work out a payment plan, my husband is out of work and we just don’t, I mean, I’m sorry." She said as her tears of embarrassment started.

"Nothing to be ashamed of Mrs. Walker. Why don’t you pay us say twenty dollars a month until it’s paid up? Can you handle that?"

"Yes, yes I can do that. Um, can I borrow your phone, I need to call for a cab."

"I’ll do that for you. You just have a seat and wait."

Sandy sat down and picked up a magazine and started to skim through it. She kept looking up awaiting the cab. A few minutes later he showed up. She reluctantly put down the magazine, which she had been reading.

"Take that honey, we got too many anyway." The nurse said. "In fact take a couple why don’t you?"

"You’re very kind." Sandy said. She picked up her magazine and the first two others that she saw. Little did she know at the time that the ‘Eye on Fashion’ she had just grabbed was going to change her life forever.

 

"I can’t eat another bite Pierce, this was wonderful. You were so right to help this man get this restaurant." Taylor said as she delicately wiped her mouth. She picked up her glass and took a sip of her wine.

"We can’t leave without dessert Taylor, he has the best gelato and Tiramissu you have ever eaten."

"Oh I can’t."

"Yes you can." He smiled as he gestured to Benito.

"Yes Dr. Peterson." He said. "Can I get you some dessert?"

"Two espresso’s and one of your world famous Tiramissu Benito please."

"Very good." He said.

"We’ll share." He told her.

"I can do that." She said with a smile.

"You are so beautiful when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Smile, Taylor it’s been far too long."

"Smiling doesn’t come easy right now Pierce, but somehow you can bring one out from time to time."

"I’m glad." He said as he took her hand. "Taylor we could be good together, we already are."

"I’m still married Pierce, and I still have hopes that I can salvage it. I love that you care but please don’t read more into this than there really is."

"Talk to me Eric, tell me what you know." Stephanie pleaded. "Eric if this affects Ridge and Taylor it affects me too."

"Taylor told me something Stephanie, something that is going to upset you. It changes everything."

"What? Please Eric what?"

"Alright I’ll tell you but you have to promise to calm yourself and remember that we can’t change it. We can’t change it at all now."

"What happened? What happened that has you so upset?"

 

"Thorne?" Brooke called out to him as he walked towards the elevator. He turned around and almost smiled and then remembered how things stood. He slowly walked over to her. "I never expected you to be here today. Can we talk?" She asked him.

"I think you said all you had to say to me Brooke."

"I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wanted you to be happy. I knew I couldn’t give you that Thorne, please believe that."

"Let’s not rehash this Brooke, it makes no difference anymore anyway." He said sadly.

"Why did you do it Thorne?"

"Why did I do it? I could be asking you the same thing. Ridge again. You know he’ll only hurt you in the end. I would have given you the world Brooke, I would have done anything for you."

"If I really meant that much to you you wouldn’t have married Kimberly."

"You know?"

"I know." She said. "But I don’t understand."

"It happened and I’m married. It wasn’t planned but it happened."

"Do you love her?" She asked as she took his hand.

"No, but I’ll be a good husband to her. No Brooke, I love you, not Kim."

"Thorne, oh honey I didn’t want this for you. I just want you to be happy." She grabbed tighter onto his hand. "How did it happen? Why did you marry her?"

"That’s really not important anymore Brooke. Maybe Mace was right all along, she told me you’d hurt me. You know Brooke, you thought I didn’t love her but I did, I really did."

"I didn’t mean to hurt you, and if we had married you would have been hurt more in the long run, you may not believe that now but someday you will. You are so important to me, and such a dear friend. I Never want to lose that. Please say we won’t lose it, say you forgive me."

"I can’t just now Brooke, it hurts to much but I can’t dwell on it either. I have a wife and I have to make a life with her."

"You don’t have to do this Thorne, it’s not too late. You don’t love her, not like a wife. Make a clean break while you can."

"I can’t, not now Brooke, it is too late. She’s pregnant."

"No. Oh Thorne no." She said sadly.

 

"That can’t be true, Eric it can’t. This will destroy him. This will kill him. No, no Taylor would never have done that! Why are you lying to me, why?"

"It isn’t a lie Stephanie. Taylor is besides herself with guilt."

"He forced her Eric, that man forced her."

"No, she did it of her own free will, she regrets it but it happened and they children are his. I don’t think Ridge is dealing with this well."

"No wonder her ran to Brooke, he’s upset. We have to be there for him."

"This I agree with Stephanie. We have to support his decisions."

"No, no not that. We have to make him understand that she made a mistake, but he loves her and he needs to forgive her."

"Are you so sure about that Stephanie?"

"Do you hate Taylor? Is that what this is about Eric?" She asked him. "Honey please find it in your heart to forgive her. We can’t lose her, she loves him so."

"No Stephanie, I don’t hate Taylor at all." He told her.

"Then what?"

"I think it’s over and we have to accept that. Ridge wants out of his marriage and we can’t stop him. We have to support him Stephanie, he is our son."

"And Taylor?"

"We will always be there for her." He smiled as her face flashed before him once more. "I will always be there for her."

 

"Where’s Sean?" Brooke asked Ridge as she walked back into Sean’s office.

"He went to pick up our food at the gate." Ridge grinned. "I bet that makes you happy huh?"

"Nasty boy." She laughed and kissed him. Then she became sad. "I just talked to Thorne. He told me something, something shocking." She looked pale and upset.

"What?" Ridge asked with brotherly concern. "What did he say to do this to you Brooke?"

"Kimberly, she’s pregnant." She said.

"Well, well. Looks like little brother is quite the busy boy." Ridge laughed.

"It isn’t funny Ridge, you know as well as I do that he wanted to marry me. She tricked him, she’s using him, hurting him."

"Well honey that is his problem. We can’t exactly do anything about it can we?"

"No but it still upsets me." She said sadly. "He is so sweet and kind, he deserves so much more. I wish, oh I wish I had never let anything happen between us. Maybe he and Macy would be together now. She never would have started to drink. Ridge do you think I ruined his life?"

"No." He said emphatically. "You and Thorne tried to make it work. You did care about him. It isn’t either of your fault that it wasn’t meant to be and you did not force him to sleep with Kimberly."

"But he and Macy, they might have been happy if it wasn’t for me."

"Macy is gone Brooke, we can’t bring her back." He put his arms around her. "And it’s time for us to think about us and not my brother."

"You’re right, I know you are." She sighed as she put her head on his chest. "I love you Ridge, I love you so much."

 

Sean walked up to Becky’s desk and put the bags of food down. "Can we talk?" He asked her.

"What’s the point?" She asked him.

"I thought we had something Becky, I thought we had something really nice. Was I wrong?"

"I was the one who was wrong Sean. I can’t be like her, I can’t be like the women you’re used to. You can’t mold me into what you want, I am who I am and that doesn’t seem to work for you. We had fun, I guess that was all I could have asked of you."

"That’s all it meant to you? Becky Brooke is my friend, we do not have a romantic relationship, we did once but that’s over. Why won’t you believe me?"

"It goes so much further than that. You may not want Brooke but you want a Brooke and I’m just a Becky."

"How can you say that? Do you think I was using you? Do you think it was all a lie? Becky come on, let’s have dinner and a nice quiet night where we can talk."

"I’m sick of quiet nights. I’m young Sean, I want to party, I want to have fun. I’m sorry but this isn’t working for me. Maybe I should find another job."

"No, no that won’t be necessary." He said in a professional voice. "I won’t bother you again." He said as he picked up the bags and walked into the office slamming the door behind him.

 

"Sean?" Brooke asked as she let go of Ridge. "What’s wrong?"

"I guess Becky and I just broke up." He said. "I don’t get it Brooke, I explained to her that you and I are just friends but it basically came down to I’m boring." He said with a forced laugh.

"You are far from boring." She assured him. "Do you want me to talk to her?"

"Thanks but no, I think I’ll cut my losses. She’s sweet and cute but between her and that nazi nanny of hers she’s too high maintenance."

"Do you want me to reassign her Sean?"

"We’ll see if we can work together. It isn’t fair for her to lose a job because we didn’t work out. Anyway, here’s lunch." He smiled as he put the bags down.

Ridge walked up to Brooke and put his arms around her, kissing her hair. "You’ve had a hard day today Logan, what do you say we forget this place for a few hours and go do something."
"My friends have had the hard day Ridge, I can manage. We really do need to get some work done." She walked to the bags on the table and started rummaging through them. "After we eat." She said with a smile. "Ummmm so what did you get me?" She asked Sean.

 

"This is really not a very productive day." Taylor said to Pierce. She looked out at the ocean and took a deep breath. "But it is nice."

Pierce had insisted on a walk on the beach and Taylor had found herself giving in. They had walked and talked she was feeling much better, much to her surprise.

"Look." Pierce said taking her hand and guiding her to the water’s edge. "A starfish, and it’s alive."

"Throw it back Pierce, let it live."

"I will but wait." He said as he gently put it in her hand. "Isn’t it amazing?"
"You are amazing." She said. He took it from her and threw it back into the water and then he took her into his arms. She made no protest when his lips claimed hers. Her arms circled him and she let herself get carried away in his kiss. Then she remembered and pulled away from him. "I can’t. I’m married, for what that is worth I am still married."

"Fair enough." He said. "Come on." He said as he got to his knees and helped her down.

"What are you doing?" She laughed.

"WE are making a sandcastle." He smiled.

 

Sandy held the icepack to her face as she turned the page to the magazine. She was just about to look down when the baby started to cry. "Oh Adam." She said putting both objects down. She ran to him and lifted him into her arms. "Mamma loves you, yes she does. Mamma loves her little Adam." She softly sang to him, again surprising herself with the strength of her voice.

"You’re good." Marie said as she walked in with a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water. "You’re really good."

"Thanks, but it’s just a lullaby."

"No, it’s more than that. You have a beautiful voice. You really should sing in the choir."

"Peter doesn’t like me being out with people. He wants me to stay home. I’m lucky he lets me see you."

"Give me that dumpling." Marie said as she took Adam from her. Sandy took two aspirin with the water and sat down. As she reached for the icepack her eyes fell on the picture in the magazine. "My God Marie, that woman, she looks just like me."

Marie looked down at the article about how the powerful Forrester family was mourning the wife of one of their own. "She sure does." She said as she picked it up. "Oh my God Sandy, did you read this? The husband, his name is Thorne."

"Thorne?" She gasped. "Wwho is the wife?"

"He was separated from his wife and seeing the CEO of the company, Brooke Logan. Brooke? Thorne? Sandy this can’t be a coincidence."

"What is her name?" She demanded.

"This is a picture of her and her mother, Sally. Her name, her name." Marie said as she searched for it.

"Macy." Sandy said. "My name is Macy, Macy Forrester." She gasped.

 

"Why are you taking me back here?" Brooke asked Ridge as he led her to her office.

"It’s a surprise." He said as he winked at the smiling Megan.

"But I told you we have to talk." Brooke insisted.

"We can talk later." He said opening the door. She was stunned when she walked in. Her office had been transformed into a garden. There were flowers, flowers of every kind and every color. Brooke looked at Ridge.

"How did you do this?"

"With a little help from Megan." He smiled. He closed the door and led her to the bed. It was open and laid out with pink satin sheets. He reached for the zipper on her dress and carefully lowered it. She stood before him in lacy white underwear and thigh high hosiery. He smiled as he undid the front clasp of her bra freeing her breasts. "Oh Ridge." She moaned as he brought his mouth to them one by one. She parted her legs as he slid down the panties leaving her in just her hose. She sat on the bed and he lifted one leg and slid the stocking off of her. His mouth made a detour in her delta. Her eyes glazed over when he lifted her other leg and took the last piece of clothing off of her.

"I need you Logan." He said as he sat next to her and ran his finger from the inside of her knee back to her wet, waiting womanhood. "So sweet, so very sweet." He sighed. "I have to taste you again." He once more lowered his head to her. She pushed herself to his eager mouth as he practically devoured her. It took just minutes until she was writhing and moaning softly. Her hand reached for him and she tugged at his belt. "Slow down Logan, we’ve got all the time in the world." He promised her. He once more continued his torture. Brooke moaned and squirmed and sobbed for her release. Every time she was there he would stop and then start all over again. He moved up and took her lips in a sensuous kiss. She clung to him, pushing herself against his groin. His hardness rubbed against her and she bit back a scream with her release. He soothed and comforted her and then removed his own clothes.

"Take me." She begged.

"Gladly my love." He said as he lowered himself into her waiting body.

 

"Am I too late?" Eric asked Sean as he knocked on his door.

"Ridge and Brooke just took a break, they’ll be back." He told him. "Can you help me with this pile?" He asked pointing to the stack of designs.

"Which ones doesn’t she like?" Eric sighed.

"None of yours Eric."

"None of them? Damn it Sean I had some good work there and you know it!" The enraged man shouted.

"No Eric, wait, you misunderstood. She loves all of yours. It’s mine and Ridge’s that she wants some adjustments on."

"Oh." He said in an embarrassed voice. "Well that’s a shock. She liked them all?"
"We all did Eric. Now you have to get that gown and show that to them. I know it will be the perfect showstopper, I just know it."

"I’ve decided against it Sean. I designed the dress for personal reasons and I will not show it."

"Personal? Is one of your daughters getting married Eric?" Sean asked.

"I think this topic is closed Sean. So let’s look at the other designs shall we?"

Taylor laughed as Pierce dug a window out of the sandcastle. "We need more shells." He told her. "I want to make a driveway."

"A driveway?" She laughed.

"How else will they get in and out." He smiled. A crowd had gathered around the well-dressed man and woman sitting in the sand playing like children. Taylor hadn’t had so much fun in months and Pierce felt like a kid again.

"Mister. Hey Mister!" A young boy keep calling out to them.

"Pierce he’s calling you." Taylor said.

"Mister, hey Mister." He said again.

"What is it son?" Pierce asked.

"You’re gonna get real wet."

"I think we’re alright." Pierce said as he lined the shells in a row.

"Okay but I warned you." The boy said right before the large wave hit. It caught them both off guard. They tumbled into the castle, knocking it down and getting wet and muddy in the process. Pierce got to his feet and pulled her up.

"I am so sorry Taylor." He laughed.

"Oh Pierce, it was fun, it was so much fun." She laughed back. "You are so good for me." She said with a hug.

 

"I didn’t want to spoil all the hard work with the real thing." Ridge said as he opened the bottle of sparkling juice. "So I did the next best thing." He grunted as the cork finally came out. Brooke laughed as it sprayed them both. "Think that’s funny huh?" He said. He leaned over and licked the sticky liquid from her breasts. "Now that’s the way I like it." He moaned. She sighed as she felt herself getting warm between her legs. She took his hand and placed it there. "Something you want Logan?" He teased.

"You know it." She said suggestively.

"Hmmm." He said. "Now that’s a combination I can’t resist." He laid her back on the bed and gently poured the wine over her body.

"Lick it all off me." She commanded.

"Here?" He asked as he licked her arm.

"No." She giggled.

"Oh okay, here?" he asked as his mouth moved to her fingertips, taking them one by one into his mouth.

"Better, but not quite."

"Ahhhh, then how about here?" He said as he lowered his mouth between her breasts.

"Oh yes, that’s nice, so nice." She sighed as he gently teased her hard nipples.

"Logan?" He asked.

"Yes?" She said dreamily.

"Did you have um, something done to them?"

"Ridge!" She jumped up. "No I did not!"

"They seem a bit larger." He grinned. His hand stroked her thighs and moved to the apex between her legs. "Are you wet for me or is it the wine?" He asked.

"Both." She said, forgetting his comment about her breasts.

His hand straying to her belly and he gently rubbed her. "So cute, I am starting to get into my chubby little Logan." He teased.

"I am not fat!" She said angrily.

"Yeah you are." He laughed. "Maybe I should start working on a plus size collection." He teased her.

"Ridge I am not fat damn it! I’m having your baby!" She blurted out. Ridge’s eyes widened like saucers as he stared at her.

"What?"

"I didn’t want it to be like this." She said as she started to cry. "I didn’t want to try to trap you Ridge, I didn’t plan this. I swear I didn’t and I won’t make you stay, I promise."

"Won’t make me stay? Logan, my sweet, sweet, Logan. Nothing in the world could ever tear me from you now. Nothing. You have just made me the happiest man in the world." He pulled her to him and kissed her with more love and passion then either of them knew was ever possible.

 

"We’ll ruin your car getting in wet like this." Taylor said she and Pierce headed to the car.

"You’re right, but I have an idea." He turned her towards the concession stands and led her inside a small boutique. "It’s no Forrester but at least we can get some dry clothes." He told her. They picked out shorts and shirts and then Taylor looked at him and laughed.

"I don’t think we’re going to find underwear here."

"Shall we go commando?" He asked her. "No, wait, you can use this." He said handing her a small white bikini.

"What about you?" Taylor asked.

"Let’s see." He said as he assessed the men’s swimsuits.

"Oh I like this one." Taylor said holding up a tiny Speedo.

"You do huh? Shall I model it?"

"And if I say yes?" She asked him.

"Then all bets are off Taylor, all bets are off."

 

"Where are you Taylor?" Stephanie said aloud as the phone rang and rang. She hung up before the machine picked up. "This can’t be true, it has to be some kind of joke, some kind of cruel joke. You would never have done this to Ridge. Ridge, that’s it. I have to talk to Ridge." She got up and walked to his office she knocked and got no reply. When she opened the door it was empty. "You better not be with that slut." She said as she headed towards Brooke’s office.

 

"You’re really happy?" Brooke asked as Ridge held her.

"Brooke, happy doesn’t even begin to come close. A baby, our baby? Logan we have wanted this for so long."

"But the timing Ridge, it’s all wrong. We can’t even be married in time. And I know your family is going to accuse me of trying to trap you."

"The hell with my family." He said. "We have our own family now." He kissed her forehead. "But we’d better wait before we tell anyone. It could make Taylor mad and we don’t want that."

"Thorne knows Ridge. Thorne and Sean both know. And my mother." She confessed.

"Well at least I wasn’t the last to find out." He said trying to hide his pain but not hiding his anger.

"You have to understand. I thought you and Taylor were happy, I didn’t want to ruin your marriage."

"So why tell them? I can understand you telling your mother but my brother? Damon?"

"Ridge, I was going to marry Thorne. I had to tell him what he was in for."

"You’d have married him and let him raise my child? What is with you women? I thought you’d have learned from Thomas!" He shouted.

"I couldn’t go through with it Ridge, I couldn’t marry him and keep your child from you, I never would have. You have to believe me Ridge."

"And Sean?" He asked. "Why the need to tell him?"

"I needed a friend, someone to talk to. I needed to get my head straight. Ridge don’t spoil this please."

"Brooke you’ve taken something so special and spoiled it, spoiled it by bringing my brother into it. Is this what I have to look forward to?"

"I should have known not to count on you Ridge." She said quietly as she got out of the bed and started to dress. He looked at her and turned away. Her tears ran down her cheeks as she looked at his back. "We came so close, is that how it will always be for us? Coming close? I never should have come back from Paris." She sobbed.

"No, no Logan." He got up and walked to her. "It’s all such a shock, such a surprise. Forgive me, I over reacted. Don’t throw us away, I love you, I need you Brooke, don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me." He begged as he pulled her into his arms. She clung to him sobbing as he stroked her hair and her back.

 

"Open the door Brooke!" Stephanie shouted as she pounded on the door. "I know my son is in there, open the door this minute!"

Ridge looked at Brooke and kissed her softly on the mouth. "You and me forever Logan, forever." He whispered. "You and me and our baby." He added. Brooke sighed and held him tightly as Stephanie pounded harder and harder on the door.

"I’d better get dressed before she knocks down the door." He told her.

"Wouldn’t be like she hasn’t seen us worse." She smiled, but she let him loose and started to straighten the bed. Ridge buttoned his shirt and went to the door.

"Hello Mother, what can we do for you?" He asked her.

"What was going on in here?"

"Exactly what you thought Mother, now what is so important?"

"I need to talk to you." She turned to Brooke. "Alone!"

"Would you like to use my office Stephanie?" Brooke said sweetly.

Stephanie just stared at her.

"Mother? Brooke asked you a question." Ridge said.

"We’ll go to your office." She said suspiciously.

"Alright, fine." He said. "I’ll be right back Logan." He smiled at her. He started to walk out with his mother but turned back, walked back to Brooke, took her into his arms and kissed her. "I love you Brooke Logan." He said loudly.

"I love you Ridge Forrester." She replied.

He gently touched his unborn child in her belly. "You too." He whispered. He then turned and walked out with Stephanie.

"We really are a family now Ridge." Brooke said with a smile. "And no one will ever destroy us again."

 

"Was that little show for my benefit?" Stephanie angrily asked her son as she closed the door to his office. "Because if it was you wasted your time. You are making a huge mistake and I will make sure you realize that."

"Actually it was for Brooke Mother, but I wanted you to know how I feel. I am in love with her and I am going to marry her. I asked Taylor for a divorce last night."

"No, Ridge no, I know you are angry at her but she is a good woman and she is your wife. You’ve built a life with her, don’t let Brooke Logan destroy that."

"Taylor did a pretty good job of destroying it herself mother, but that isn’t the point. Even if she hadn’t I would still be in love with Brooke. I always have been. I just opened my eyes to it again."

"That is not love, it’s infatuation. She’s good in bed. She isn’t the woman you love. Ridge I know about Taylor and Pierce."

"She told you?" He asked, taken somewhat aback.

"No, she told your father and he told me. While I can’t condone what she did, I can understand her reasons. You were all over Brooke and she was insecure. She made a mistake, a huge one. But you love her and you love those children too."

"They aren’t mine. I don’t even know if Thomas is mine."

"Stop it!" She shouted. "Stop it right now. You know he is yours."

"It doesn’t matter, I’m in love with Brooke, she is my future."

"I will not allow that."

"You have no say mother. I will do my best to make this easy on Taylor and the kids but I will not stay in this marriage, in fact, no, no I have to talk to Taylor about this."

"Think about what you are throwing away."

"I wish you had said that to me years ago mother, maybe then Logan and I would never have parted. I love Taylor, she is a good woman, a good wife. But I am no IN LOVE with her, I don’t think I ever really was."

"Of course you were, you are. You are just letting her betrayal get to you. I am not trying to downplay it Ridge, it is serious and it is hurtful but you can get past this. You can."

"It’s too late mother, it’s over."

 

"I told him, he knows and he’s happy." Brooke said to Beth. She was so shocked she almost dropped the phone.

"Oh Brooke, I am so glad you told him. Tell me about it tell me what happened."

"He was so thrilled and then he got mad."

"Mad? He played his part in this too Brooke, I know that the timing is bad but he has no right to be mad at you."

"Oh not for that, he was mad that Thorne and Sean knew before he did. But we got past it Mom, and you should have seen him with Stephanie." She giggled. "The old goat practically had a heart attack."

"Brooke she is going to be your mother-in-law."

"Oh God, don’t remind me." Brooke laughed. "Seriously Mother, that is the only drawback of the entire thing, being back in her family."

 

Thorne looked down at the pregnancy test and sighed. "It can still be wrong." He told Kimberly.

"That’s the third one Thorne." She said motioning to the three discarded boxes in the waste paper basket.

"We’ll see what the doctor says tomorrow." He said.

"Is it really that bad?" She asked.

"It’s just too soon Kim. I need to get used to being married and now we have a baby."

"I love you Thorne, and I love our baby." She patted her still very flat stomach.

"I will too Kim, I will." He said as he put his arm around his pretty young wife.

 

A dejected Stephanie left Ridge’s office. He sat at his desk and picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number.

"Hello. Forrester residence." Catherine answered.

"Catherine, is Taylor in?" Ridge asked.

"She went to work Ridge."

"With Peterson?" He asked, almost forgetting that he should no longer have the right to be jealous.

"Yes." Catherine confirmed.

"Thanks Catherine." He said hanging up. He then looked up the number in his files and called that.

"Mrs. Forrester’s line. This is Missy, may I help you?"

"Missy, this is Ridge Forrester, is Taylor available?"

"Hold please Mr. Forrester." She said. He listened to the muzak as he waited for Taylor.

"Hello Ridge." She said.

"Taylor you should have told me you were going to tell my parents."

"I’m sorry Ridge, I didn’t think you would have a problem with that. I suppose Eric came to you."

"No, it was mother." He said.

"Then he told her, I didn’t."

"It really doesn’t matter Taylor, you should have told me that you had told them. I was totally unprepared for this."

"As I was unprepared for your papers that were delivered to me." She said as she looked down at the divorce papers.

"Have you signed them?" He asked.

"I don’t even have a lawyer yet Ridge. We have children, you certainly don’t expect me to just sign papers and be done with it do you?"

"Fine, just don’t sit on this Taylor."

"When will you be home tonight?" She asked. "I thought maybe we could rent some movies and watch them with the children."

"I’m sorry but I can’t."

"You can’t what?"

"I can’t come back. I’m moving out Taylor, I’m moving to a hotel."

"You’re going to her aren’t you?" She asked with venom.

"Not today, but soon Taylor, very soon."

"You’ll hear from my lawyer." She said slamming down the phone.

"Damn, I was afraid of that." He said to himself. "I’m sorry Taylor but my future is with Brooke, Brooke and our child." He said with a smile.

 

Chapter 28

 

"We still need to talk Logan." Ridge said to Brooke as he walked back into her office.

"Is your mother done yelling at you?" She teased. "Do you have to got to your room without dinner?"

"Cruel Logan." He said with a smile. He shut the door and walked over to her and took her two hands in his. "Don’t you worry about her, don’t worry about anything Brooke."

"So what do you want to talk about?" She asked.

"Our baby of course." He said as a huge grin covered his face. "I’m sorry I overreacted."

Brooke smiled at him and reached up to touch his face. "You didn’t, I should have told you a long time ago but I didn’t want you to come to be because of the baby and I didn’t want you to feel trapped. I needed to know that you loved me for me and nothing else."

"But that isn’t true Logan." He said seriously.

Brooke looked at him in shock and surprise. She was upset and confused. She let go of him and turned away so he wouldn’t see her tears. "Maybe then we will have to wait Ridge. I am not marrying a man who doesn’t truly love me, never again."

"I do truly love you, but now I love my baby too Brooke, I did love you for you and no one else but you’ve just given me an incredible gift and that makes me love you so much more." He turned her to him. "Now stop crying and kiss me will you?" Brooke looked into his eyes and started to laugh. Ridge made a face and snuck a quick kiss and then started to laugh himself. "I’m really sorry for before." He repeated.

"And am I fat?" She asked him innocently.

"You are beautiful." He told her.

 

Stephanie was never a one to quit, especially when her family was involved so when she had left Ridge she was more determined than ever to see Taylor. She had made some calls and gotten directions to Taylor’s new office. The phone wasn’t listed and though she would have been able to get the number she didn’t want to take the time. Besides, this was something better done in person. She had made a beeline for her silver Mercedes and driven directly to Taylor’s office. Once there Stephanie took the time to survey the situation. The building was new and modern, in a busy area. She noted that there was a large parking garage and a bus stop nearby. Pierce had made a good choice she noted. But he wasn’t going to have Taylor. She was going to bring her son and daughter-in-law back together if it was the last thing she did. She entered the large glass doors and walked up to the receptionist. She sat at a huge mahogany desk. It was neat and clean, no stray papers or mess. There was a computer, a pad and several pens as well as a phone system on the desk. The petite blonde receptionist was dressed in a smart and stylish suit. Her hair was cut in a short, sassy style. Her nails were short but well maintained and she wore tortoiseshell designer framed glasses over her bright blue eyes. She appeared to be in her mid twenties.

"May I help you?" She politely asked.

"I’m looking for Dr. Forrester’s office. She works with Pierce Peterson."

"Their offices are on the seventh floor but they aren’t open for business yet. I can give you the phone number. Perhaps they can give you a reference."

"I am not here as a patient. I am here to see Dr. Forrester. I’ll just go and surprise her."

"I’m sorry ma’am but I’ll have to call up first.

"Very well." An annoyed Stephanie replied.

"Who shall I say is here?"

"Stephanie Forrester." She said impatiently.

"One moment." She smiled politely and hit a button on her intercom system. "Hi Missy, it’s Elizabeth from downstairs, I have a Mrs. Stephanie Forrester to see Dr. Forrester. Uh huh, uh huh." She said as Stephanie became more and more impatient. "Yes. Alright thank you." She turned to Stephanie. "Dr. Forrester’s assistant is making sure she’s available."

"I’m sure she is to me Miss."

"Yes Ma’am." She smiled as she turned her attention back to the phone. While she waited she picked up her pad and started to doodle which ticked Stephanie off even more. Finally she returned to the call. "Okay, great. I will, thanks Missy." She turned her attention back to Stephanie. "Take the third elevator to the seventh floor. Make a right and you’ll see Missy. She’ll bring you to Dr. Forrester."

"Thank you." Stephanie said as she walked away, shaking her head in disgust. She stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button for seven. When the doors opened she was impressed immediately. The rugs were thick and regal looking in a deep shade of burgundy. The walls were painted a pale rose with a lovely border of soft flowers near the ceiling. She walked to the receptionist’s desk. It was large and functional, the wood was a light color. The lovely, professional looking woman looked up at her. She stood up and addressed Stephanie.

"Hello Mrs. Forrester, Dr. Forrester is waiting for you. Please follow me." She walked Stephanie down the hallway to Taylor’s office. She knocked lightly on the door and opened it.

"Stephanie." Taylor smiled and got up to greet her. "I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see you. Come on in."

Stephanie slowly walked in, giving the office a through examination. Unlike the reception area Taylor’s office was downright plain. The desk was old but functional and the walls were painted an industrial gray. There was little decoration and it gave off a rather cold appearance. Taylor noted the displeasure on her mother-in-law’s face.

"I know what you’re thinking, it’s awful, but I haven’t picked out colors or furniture yet. I guess my life has been too hectic, but I will get around to it. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Coffee would be fine." She said as she took a seat next to the desk.

"Missy, would you hold all my calls?" Taylor asked her assistant.

"Of course Dr. Forrester." She said with a smile. She walked to the door and left while Taylor poured Stephanie her coffee.

"Taylor I must tell you I am terribly disappointed in you." She started. "When Eric told me I didn’t believe him. I just don’t understand Taylor, I don’t understand at all."

"It’s not easy to explain. It was a bad time for me Stephanie, I know it doesn’t excuse anything but hopefully it at least gives you some perspective of where my head was at."

"You seem to have lost your head altogether Taylor." She said in a snippy voice. "And now your marriage too. You are aware that Ridge is sleeping with Brooke Logan."

"Yes." She said sadly.

"Well what are you going to do about that?" Stephanie demanded.

 

"Sandy what are you talking about?" Marie asked her friend. "Sandy you’re scaring me."

"No, no I remember it now Marie. I remember it all. Oh God, oh God the accident." She said as she clutched her hand to her mouth.

"What accident?"

"I was in an accident, a car accident. I remember waking up away from all the smoke and fire and sirens. People were screaming and calling my name but I just ran and ran. I wanted to be away, away from all of them. I just keep going further and further away. I didn’t want to remember I forced myself to forget. And then I met Peter at the truck stop. I begged him to take me with him and he did. And then I did it, I wiped it all from my mind. I didn’t know my name or my husband’s name."

"And this woman in the magazine?" Marie asked.

"She’s me, I’m her. I am Macy Forrester and that man is my husband Thorne." She sighed.

"You’re rich and you’re famous." Marie said in an astounded voice. "Sandy what are you going to do?"

"I don’t know. I need to think about it all. I need to remember why I needed to forget."

"But your family, they think you’re dead. You have to tell them." Marie implored her. "And you can get away from Peter. You and Adam."

"Adam, Adam is my father. I named Adam after my father. See Marie, I didn’t really forget, I just buried it." She grabbed the magazine and looked at the pictures again. Her eye stopped at a picture of a beautiful blonde woman. She suddenly looked angry. She was filled with hatred. "Brooke, Brooke Logan. She’s the cause of everything."

 

Brooke walked out of her office and up to Megan’s desk. She smiled at her assistant.

"Can you come inside a moment Megan?" She asked her.

Her curious friend got up immediately and followed Brooke into her office. "What’s up Brooke?" She asked.

"Well I know you’re aware that Thorne and I broke up."

"Yes. I’m sorry about that Brooke, I know you loved him." She said with sincerity.

"I do love him Megan, I love him as a dear, dear friend." Brooke said. "But you know that there’s more to this story Megan. Now don’t you?" She teased.

"I know something is going on, I do have my suspicions."

"I trust you Megan, and we work so closely I don’t want you to be wondering all the time. So, I want to tell you everything okay?"

"Sure Brooke." Megan said.

"Now what I tell you has to be between us and the parties involved for the time being."

"Brooke come on and tell me, you’re making me crazy." She laughed.

"Ridge and Taylor are getting a divorce." Brooke told her.

"Oh, poor Ridge. He must be so upset. Isn’t he?" Morgan asked as she looked at Brooke and saw the smile on her face.

"Not as upset as you’d think Megan. Ridge and I, well we, we’re together again." Brooke looked at Megan trying desperately to gauge her reaction. Megan’s face was a combination of wonder and shock.

"Does Taylor know about you two? I mean is that why he’s getting a divorce? Brooke I’m sorry, this isn’t coming out right. You know I want you to be happy but I think this is going to make your life a disaster."

"Hmmmmm." Brooke said as she thought about what Megan had said to her. "You are right in some ways, but we love each other and we want to be together."

"But at what cost Brooke? Eric, Stephanie, Thorne, Taylor, her kids, your kids. I mean isn’t everyone going to really give you a hard time about this?"

"I’m really surprised Megan, I really expected your support." Brooke said sadly.

"Oh Brooke I do support you, I just hate to see you getting hurt again. And what if Ridge changes his mind? He and Taylor have three little children. What if he decides that he can’t give them up? I don’t want to see you alone and hurt."

"That isn’t going to happen. It’s real Megan, Ridge asked me to marry him and I accepted."

"Marry him? Oh Brooke, I’m so happy for you." She said with a hug. "Please don’t be mad at me. I was only thinking of your best interests."

"I know you were Megan, and I appreciate it. Can I really, really trust you?" Brooke asked her.

"You know you can Brooke." She told her.

"Then I have a little bit more to tell you." Brooke said with a smile.

 

Ridge was sitting in his office trying to fix some of the designs that Brooke had given him but he was finding it very difficult to concentrate. He kept thinking about their baby, the baby that he wanted so very badly. The timing couldn’t have been better as far as he was concerned. He had been so hurt and lost when he had learned about the girls and suddenly Brooke was giving him the most precious gift she could give him, their child. His thoughts returned to the two babies that they had lost. The first one he hadn’t been ready for and it had almost been a relief when Brooke had lost the child, that was until it truly hit him. Then he had grieved alone for what wasn’t to be. Then so many years later she had become pregnant again. And when they had split he had doubted Brooke and hurt her deeply. But in his heart he knew the truth, Brooke had been pregnant and they had once more lost something that they had created. Ridge vowed to himself that he would take such special care of Brooke and his baby this time. Nothing was going to take this child from him. He smiled as he looked at the design he had created. "I wonder?" He said aloud as he looked at the beautiful gown that had suddenly become a maternity gown. "Is there a place in Forrester for this?" He asked himself. Well this one wasn’t for anyone but his woman, his partner for life, his Brooke.

"What are you doing?" Bridget asked as she walked inside.

"Hey Budge." He said with a smile. He got up and walked over to the girl that he had brought into the world and hugged her tightly. "What a wonderful surprise."

"Is that what I think it is?" She laughed as she let go of him and looked at the design.

"Just playing around with an idea." He told her. "What do you think?"

"Well it’s about time that haute couture found a place for pregnant women." She agreed. "Do Mom and Dad agree?"

"I haven’t shown them yet." He confessed. "You think I should?"

"Yeah." She said. "I think Mom will like the idea."

"So what brings you down honey?" Ridge asked her. She looked at him and grinned. "I was just so excited about you guys and I wanted to talk to Mom. But she has someone in her office so I thought I’d talk to you."

"I’m glad you’re happy Bridget, I think you may be the only one who is. Besides your mom and me and maybe Beth."

"Grandma is happy, she’s just worried you’ll let Mom down. You won’t will you?" She asked him.

"Never again Bridget. I’ve learned my lesson. So what did your mother tell you?"

"Just that she loves you and you asked her to marry her." She looked at him and suddenly frowned.

"What?" He asked.

"She also said you’re still living with Taylor,"

"I was but I decided that wasn’t a good idea. But let me ask you. You’re in a better position to advise me than anyone else."

"Me?" She laughed.

"Yeah you and Rick. When I left your mother to marry Taylor I know I hurt her, and you too. But I never wanted that. I just wanted to do the right thing."

"But it wasn’t the right thing was it? You left someone you really loved to marry someone you didn’t feel the same way about."

"Now don’t say that Bridget. I loved Taylor, I still love her, but what I feel for your mother is different. I can’t deny it anymore. What makes it so painful is now I’m hurting Taylor and the kids."

"You can still be a good father to them Ridge, but you have to try harder with them than you did with us. You promised to be there for us and you weren’t." She told him truthfully.

"But I knew that was Dad’s job. It didn’t mean I didn’t love you."

"But it hurt me Ridge. It really hurt."

"Did it help that I stayed for awhile before I left?" He asked.

"No!" She almost shouted. "No Ridge, that made it so much worse. I really thought you were staying with us. I couldn’t believe it when you left. Are you asking me this because of Thomas and the twins?" She asked him.

"I guess I am." He confessed. "That’s why I was going to stay with Taylor for awhile."

"But you’ll only confuse them Ridge. They aren’t stupid. They can tell that something is wrong with you and Taylor. Don’t do that to them, not if you want to make it easier for them. Just love them Ridge, love them and be there for them when you can."

"How did you get so smart?" He asked as he mussed her hair. "And when did you grow up?"

"I’ve been grown for awhile Ridge. You just haven’t been around."

"Yeah, and I am sorry Bridget. I hope I can make it up to you. I’ve had you on m mind for a long time now." He said thoughtfully. He was distracted with memories of his conversation with Brooke before they had connected again. She had made some insinuations that had stuck with him. He looked at the beautiful young woman in front of him. He was so impressed with her. She had grown up all right and he loved her so much.

"What?" She asked him, embarrassed by his stares.

"No, no it’s nothing." He said.

"Obviously it isn’t Ridge. You know you can talk to me. Have I done something to upset you?" She asked him. She looked so sad that he pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the forehead.

"Quite the opposite Bridget. Everything you do makes me happy. But there’s something that’s been on my mind for a long time and I think I want to talk to you about it."

She looked at him in confusion as he led her to the couch and sat down next to her.

 

"There’s really nothing I can do about it Stephanie." Taylor said. "I’m not happy about this either, believe me. I love Ridge and I wanted to make our marriage work despite what happened with Pierce and with Brooke."

"Then you have to." Stephanie insisted. "You can’t let her win. Ridge loves you and he loves the children. We can get lawyers, we can show them how important Ridge is to them and how he has truly been their father."

"But I don’t want that. I can’t do that to Pierce or to the girls. He is their father and he has a right to be in their lives. I won’t deny him access to them."

"Alright Taylor." Stephanie said angrily. "Are you still involved with Pierce?"

"No, it was once, and only once." The beautiful brunette implored her.

"Once too often Taylor." She said. "How could you do that? I can’t understand you, I really can’t. Did you really think Ridge would never find out?" Suddenly she looked at Taylor and her eyes widened. She took in the inexpensive shorts and tee shirt and turned her nose in distaste. "What are you wearing?"

"Oh this." Taylor laughed. "It’s a long story Stephanie."

"I really don’t know what’s happening to you. If you expect to get him back you have to look better and you have to fight. Brooke has her claws into him. It is not going to be easy."

"Well what do you suggest I do? I can’t change the facts, Pierce is my babies’ father and Ridge can’t seem to get past it. Brooke is irrelevant."

"Brooke Logan is not irrelevant. She wants him and she’s convinced him that he wants her. You have to make things right and you have to do it now." She shouted at her. Suddenly the door opened. Both women turned to see Pierce walk in. Stephanie was more than angry. Not just at the fact that he had made an uninvited appearance but that he was dressed as Taylor was. Her eyes were practically slits as she looked at him with unmasked hatred.

"Taylor, we need to look into the, oh hello Stephanie." He said with a smile. "I’m sorry for interrupting."

"Pierce, can you give us a moment?" Taylor asked.

"Sure. I just want to leave this file with you. It’s the three candidates for the child psychiatrist. I’d like you to interview them and give me your recommendation." He said as he gave her the folder.

"Have you met them?" Taylor asked.

"Actually I’ve only met one of them but I don’t want to prejudice you." He explained. He looked at Stephanie who was still staring at him. "Do I have something in my teeth?" He asked her with his typical schoolboy charm.

"You’re wasting your breath on me." She said in a dead tone.

"Pierce, we can talk later okay?" Taylor asked him.

"Sure." He said as he started to walk out. He abruptly turned around. "Oh Taylor, the cleaner will have our clothes back in about an hour."

"Great." She said. Pierce waved and walked out closing the door behind him.

"You spent the day with him." Stephanie flatly stated.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I did."

"I want you to think hard about this Taylor." Stephanie warned her. "If you want to save your marriage you have to get rid of Brooke Logan and Pierce Peterson. Anything less and you have no chance, none at all."

 

"Megan no one can know this until I’m ready." Brooke implored her friend and assistant.

"I promise Brooke, what is it?" Megan anxiously asked her.

"I’m pregnant." Brooke grinned.

"Pregnant? Brooke do you know who the, um, I mean."

"Oh course I do Megan, it’s Ridge, no one else but Ridge." Brooke laughed.

"But you and Thorne. And you’ve been away."

"Megan I didn’t make love with Thorne, only Ridge. This baby I’m carrying inside me." She said as she lovingly touched her slowly swelling belly. "This baby is a product of our love. Ridge and my love."

"Oh, okay now I understand." Megan said.

"I’m not sure I like the way you say that. Are you saying that he’s only leaving Taylor because of the baby?" Brooke said squinting her eyes at Megan.

"No." Megan said as she reddened.

"Megan, I know you think that this was fast, maybe too fast but it wasn’t. Ridge and I have been falling in love all over again for a long time. We do want this, baby or not."

"Then I’m happy for you Brooke, I really am."

 

"Are you serious?" A stunned Bridget asked Ridge.

"I am but I won’t pursue it if you don’t want to. Bridget it’s totally up to you. Think about it, take your time and then tell me what you decide. I promise I won’t be mad either way."

"No." She said shaking her head. Ridge smiled sadly at her.

"Okay, I understand, things will just be the same. We’ll be fine."

"No, that’s not what I meant." She said. "I want to do this. I’m ready to do this. But Ridge, we can’t tell anyone, no one at all."

"Not even when it’s over?" He asked her.

"We’ll have to see what happens and then decide then." She said. He looked at her and smiled. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

"I hope I’m right." He said honestly.

"I don’t know what I hope." She said with sincerity. "But I love you." She added with a kiss to his cheek.

"And I love you too." He assured her. "So when shall we do it?"

"Now, today, before I change my mind." She said nervously.

"We don’t have to do it Bridget." He said once more.

"Yes we do."

 

Brooke was disappointed in her conversation with Megan. She had sat in her office thinking hard after she had left. She had expected her to be happier for her. She was suddenly realizing that this was going to be much harder than she had ever imagined. She and Ridge would have very little support. She put her hand gently on her belly. "But you’ll be so loved, that I promise you."

 

Later that night as she prepared dinner for herself, Bridget and Beth Brooke thought back to the conversation. It was almost as though Megan was against this union. She found herself growing more and more angry as she cut the vegetables for the salad. Suddenly she jumped as arms surrounded her and a wet mouth claimed her neck.

"Oh my, now who can this be?" She teased.

"If you have to ask Logan." Ridge warned with a chuckle. He turned her to face him and he took her mouth with his. Her hands wound themselves around his neck and she sighed as his gently kneaded her butt.

"Not that I’m complaining." Brooke said, disengaging herself from his arms. "But what are you doing here?"

"I thought you might like a roommate." He told her.

"What?" She was almost too stunned to talk.

"I can’t do it Logan, I can’t stay there and I can’t be without you. I tried to get a hotel suite but what was the point. Taylor knows about us, Mother and Dad know about us. We’re going to be parents and I don’t want to miss a single moment."

"Oh Ridge." She smiled at him. "Did you talk to Jonathan? Did he advise against it?"

"It’s none of his damn business." He assured her as he stroked her hair. "So what do you say? You want someone to warm your toes at night?"

"More than anything in the world." She told him and then backed it up with a kiss.

"I hoped you’d say that." He told her. "My suitcase is already in our bedroom."

"I like the sound of that." She giggled.

"Our bedroom, it was ours and it is again Brooke."

"Did my mom or Bridget see you come in?" She asked him.

"Actually I came in with Bridget. She came to see you at Forrester but you were busy so I was honored with the visit instead."

"I hope she didn’t bother you." Brooke said. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Never. She’s family Logan, you know that." He leaned against her and cupped her breasts with his hands through her blouse. She closed her eyes and sighed. Ridge took this as green light so he carefully unbuttoned her blouse and then undid the front clasp of her bra, spilling her breasts to his hands. "God you’re beautiful." He told her.

"Ridge they’re out there, we can’t do this now." She protested and yet pushed herself against his arousal.

"No one is coming in." He said, unzipping her skirt and letting it drop to the floor. When his hand slid into her panties her breath caught. His fingers expertly explored her and she felt the warmth filling her. She was lightheaded with desire. His hands separated her feminine folds and zeroed in on her nub. He circled it with the tip of his thumb until she could barely stand. He body was shaking as he grew hard and slick.

"F*ck me." She demanded as she fumbled with his belt.

"Changing you mind so fast?" He teased.

"You have a way about you." She whispered as she freed him and took him into her hands. "Now I think I will have my way with you." She said seductively.

"I can take anything you hand out." He laughed.

She gently guided him inside her and he lifted her up into his arms and started an intense rhythm. Her legs straddled his waist as he moved in and out in a slow and sensuous movement.

"Harder Ridge, I won’t break." She moaned.

"The baby." He said as he continued to thrust.

"Shhh, the baby is fine. Oh God yes." She said as he increased his pace.

 

"Grandma no!" Bridget shouted as Beth put her hand on the kitchen door.

"What ever is wrong?" She asked her.

"Ridge is in there."

"Well I just wanted to see if Brooke needed help with, oh my." She said as she heard her daughter’s loud moans. "How about you and I go out to dinner?" Beth suggested.

"Sounds like a good idea." Bridget laughed. "But we have to come home soon."

"Hot date?" Beth asked with a smile.

"No such luck." Bridget admitted. "I’m not exactly lucky in love. But I’m still looking." She laughed. "Actually Caitlyn, Shelby and I are going to the coffeehouse. If we’re lucky I may meet up with Aidan Randall. He and I have two classes together. He just broke up with Tutti and I know he’s lonely and he is a real cutie." She laughed.

"Well Aidan Randall will be lucky to meet up with a girl like you." Beth smiled. "Now let’s leave Brooke and Ridge a note and go eat."

 

"Ridge moved out." Eric told Stephanie as he handed her a glass of wine. "Taylor said he’s going to a hotel."

"A hotel? That’s silly, he can come here."

"I think he wants to maintain some distance, and he probably wants a place where he can be with Brooke."

"The slut will have to wait for a divorce and that will happen when hell freezes over." Stephanie said vehemently.

"I don’t want to go into this again Stephanie, this is between Ridge and Taylor and Brooke."

"Brooke has no rights, he’s a married man. And I talked to Taylor today, hopefully she’s seen the light and will put up a fight for her marriage. But he really should be there Eric, his children need him."

"I agree that they need him but perhaps his living there with hostile feelings for Taylor would be worse. And Taylor tends to agree."

"She does?" A shocked Stephanie asked him.

"After she lost her initial anger she realized that it would be a better environment for the children. You see Stephanie, I think she has resolved herself to the fact that her marriage is over."

"But it isn’t over, they still love each other and the children. What we have to do is find a way to get Brooke Logan and Pierce Peterson out of the way."

"Peterson? Taylor is interested in Peterson?" Eric asked her. He quickly hid his own personal dismay.

"They were flirting Eric, I saw it with my own eyes. I know it was innocent with Taylor, but not with him."

"I don’t like that one bit. He’s taking advantage of her vulnerability. She needs her distance from him. She never mentioned him to me at all."

"She’s hiding it, or she doesn’t realize what he’s doing. But Brooke is doing the same thing to Ridge. She knows about the twins, I’m sure of it and she swooped down to get him. Eric we have to find a way to get through to them both, for the family."

"I’ll talk to Ridge tomorrow, I don’t know where he’s staying." Eric said sadly. He felt his chance for Taylor was starting to slip away from him. He hadn’t wanted to rush her and now Pierce had done it. What the future would bring at this point he didn’t know but he was still holding onto his dreams.

 

 

"Bridget? Mom?" Brooke called out. She and Ridge had recovered from their spontaneous lovemaking session and gone out to join the others but when they went into the living room they had found it empty.

"Here’s a note Logan." Ridge said. "Mom and Ridge, Grandma and I thought you needed some alone time so we went to dinner. Have fun you guys. Bridget." He read with a smile.

"Well we did have fun." Brooke giggled.

"We sure did, but I think maybe we oughta have some more." Ridge said putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Anything special in mind?" Brooke said suggestively.

"Monopoly? Scrabble? Chess?" Ridge teased.

"Board games? You want to play board games?" Brooke laughed.

"Hmmm, how about some naked Twister." He said with a wink.

"Better, but I think we can make our own moves."

"Actually, I think we need to christen the rest of the rooms in the house."

"We did that years ago." She smiled.

"We need to re-christen them Logan, over and over and over." He said as he lifted her into his arms.

"Where are you taking me?" She sighed.

"Hmmm." He said looking around the house. "Well let’s take advantage of the rug in front of the fireplace first."

"Oh yes." She whispered. He kissed her softly and looked into her eyes with adoration and love.

"We are going to have such a wonderful life Brooke, such a perfect life."

 

"Is he gone?" Marie whispered to Macy as she came inside the small house. They had talked for hours the previous day and Macy had remembered so many things. She had sworn her friend to secrecy. She knew that she needed to be sure of herself before she made the next move towards her freedom.

"He left about a half hour ago." Macy said with a smile. Marie was stunned by the change in her friend. Gone was she shy, timid mouse and here now was a beautiful confident woman.

"Have you made any decisions?" Marie asked.

"I’m leaving Marie, I’m going home, whatever that will bring."

"And Peter?"

"Peter and I aren’t really married now are we. Right now I have to wonder how he did it anyway. He came up with my name and he got some fake ID’s. But there is no Sandy, I’m Macy and I have a husband, at least I did." She said thoughtfully.

"Have you remembered anything more?" Marie wondered.

"It’s like the floodgates have been opened. I was awake all night with thoughts, visions, and memories. I can’t get them all in the right order yet but yes, I remember so much." She looked at her friend and her smile was replaced with a look of intense sadness.

"What? What’s upsetting you?"

"The accident. I caused it Marie."

"What happened? Did you lose control of the car? Had you been drinking?"

"No, not that evening. You see my husband had told me he wanted a divorce, he wanted to marry his mistress. I had fought it so hard for so long but I lost, I lost his love and I was losing his respect and my own dignity. I asked him to spend one last evening with me. I wanted to give us some closure. I wanted to show him that I wasn’t what he thought I was. I guess I hoped he would change his mind."

"Did he?" Marie asked her.

"No, not about the divorce. But we had a wonderful night. He was sweet and kind and as loving as when we were happy together. But he still wanted Brooke so I set him free. I had been drinking very heavily and I had decided that I was going to get some help so when Thorne left I was feeling good about myself. That was until that bitch showed up."

"His mistress?" Marie gasped.

"She said she was delivering the divorce papers to Thorne but I knew she was there to rub it in. She wouldn’t leave, she just kept pushing and pushing. And then I lost it. We started to fight and I told her she would never have Thorne, that I would never sign the papers. I grabbed her car keys and took off."

"Her keys? Why didn’t you take your own car?"

"My mother had brought me to the cabin and I had planned on calling her to take me back." She said as a faint smile crossed her face. "No," She continued. "No, that’s not really true. I planned on convincing Thorne to stay. I thought we would be leaving together. But that didn’t happen so I took Brooke’s keys. She ran after me and jumped into the car. If only she had shut her mouth it wouldn’t have happened but she couldn’t do it. She kept telling me that he was hers and he would never be mine. She called me names and I was so mad, so very mad."

"You were upset, you had a right to be upset. Sandy, sometimes accidents can’t be avoided."

"It wasn’t an accident Marie." Macy said as tears ran down her face. "I wanted to die, I wanted to die and I wanted Brooke to die too."

 

"Eric." Taylor smiled and got up from her desk. She walked to her father-in-law and hugged him. "I didn’t expect you today."

"Not disappointed I hope." He said.

"Never." She told him as she let go of him. "Is something wrong Eric?"

"No, I just wanted to see how you were doing." He said as he looked around at the sparse office. "You can do better than this Taylor."

"It will be better, I haven’t had time to deal with decorators. But you should see Pierce’s office. His is finished and it’s beautiful."

"Pierce." He said with distaste.

"Not you too."

"Taylor I’m worried about you. You’ve been through an earth-shattering experience. You’re marriage is ending and your husband had moved on. I just don’t think that now is the time for you to get involved with Pierce."

"We aren’t involved Eric. I work with him and he’s a friend, nothing more. I don’t want anything more Eric."

"From him or from anyone." He asked.

"Please." She begged.

"I’m sorry. I suppose I’m not exactly the right person to approach you on this."

"Why won’t everyone just leave me alone and let me make my own decisions? I’m not a confused schoolgirl damn it! I’m a woman, I’m a doctor and I have a brain of my own."

"What is it that you want Taylor?" He asked her.

 

"We’ll never get anything done this way." Brooke laughed as she kissed Ridge one more time. She was sitting on his lap with her arms around his neck and her dress around her waist. The sketches that had been the reason for the meeting had been forgotten. They lay on the floor nest to Brooke’s red silk panties.

"But we had to christen my office." He teased. She shifted and he moved deeper inside her. "Oh Logan, you are making me very hard again."

"Uh huh." She said as her hands went under his shirt. Her nails raked over his nipples. He raised her legs higher and she moaned in pleasure. "I could die happy at this moment." She sighed.

"Imagine the looks in peoples faces finding us this way." He said. He brought his mouth to her neck and covered it with butterfly kisses and tiny bites. He groaned when she shifted again and he was drawn ever deeper. "So good. You feel so good."

She laughed softly and then started to rock the chair slightly. All words were forgotten as their mouths met in a frenzy that matched their other movements. Brooke’s body tensed and she sat straight as she felt the orgasm taking over her body. Ridge held her tightly to him and watched the pleasure in her eyes, the pleasure that only he could give to her. One last thrust brought her over the edge and she collapsed against his chest. Ridge was surprised and disappointed as she rose from the chair and off of him.

"Come on Logan, not fair." He complained. She smiled at him and slid to her knees. His eyes widened as she took his throbbing member into her mouth. He took her hands in his as she continued her sweet, erotic torture. Ridge lifted her left hand to his mouth and sucked on her fingers. He moaned as she slid her fingers of her right hand up and down his length and then took him back deeply inside her mouth. When he was about to come he pulled her up and impaled her once more on him as he spilled his seed deep inside the woman he loved.

 

"What did you do Sandy? Why do you say it wasn’t an accident?" Marie asked her. Macy looked around nervously and then looked down at her lap.

"Because it wasn’t. At that moment I wanted to end it so I steered the car into the path of an oncoming truck and we crashed."

"Oh my God."

"I was unconscious and when I woke up I was stuck. My legs were stuck. I looked at Brooke and she was hurt bad and bleeding." Macy said. She took a deep breath and looked over at her sleeping baby. "I don’t know how long we were there before Thorne showed up."

"Your husband?"

"Yes. He must have seen the accident or something but he came and tried to get us out. I told him to get Brooke out first. She looked so pale and I was scared. I knew then how wrong I had been, I never should have done that and now I was responsible for her. I thought she might die."

"But she was the woman who tore your marriage apart."

"Yes, but she didn’t deserve to die Marie. She didn’t." Macy said with a sob. "So I told him to get her out first and he did. While I waited for him to come back I saw the gasoline. I was so scared. I really thought the car was going to explode."

"How did you get out? Did your husband come back?" Marie asked.

"Oh my God! Oh my God!" Macy sobbed as she stared at her friend.

"Sandy? What happened? Did the woman die?"

"I, I, I just remembered. The woman, the truck driver was a woman. She came and tried to help me. She pulled me out and the car exploded. If they think I’m dead it has to be that she, she died."

"Oh Sandy maybe not." Marie said trying to encourage her friend.

"I read the article. They said that they found parts of my body. I’m not dead and I didn’t lose any parts. Oh God, I killed that woman." She sobbed into Marie’s arms. "All she did was try to save me and she died."

 

"Knock, knock." Sean said with a smile as he entered Brooke’s office. "So how is the happy Mom to be?" He asked after he closed the door.

"She is walking on air. Ridge moved in last night."

"Wonderful." He said. "I hoped he had it in him Brooke. You deserve happiness. You really do honey."

"Oh Sean I am so happy." She said as she walked to him and hugged him. "I just wish that Taylor and the children didn’t have to suffer. I know most people don’t believe that but I really don’t want her to be hurting."

"Brooke I believe you but it’s besides the point. You can’t worry about her. You have your own family to consider now."

"Yes I do." She smiled and touched her belly. "Ridge told me he’s going to design me an entire wardrobe."

"Well he’s not." Sean said sternly.

"Don’t be a slave driver." She laughed. "He won’t do it at the expense of the line."

"That isn’t what I meant, I meant he can design some of it but I am going to help." He grinned.

"You are the best." She smiled.

"So where is Prince Charming?"

"He’s in his office." She explained.

"And Eric?"

"I don’t know. Ridge and I were very busy." She laughed.

 

"What is it Mother?" Ridge asked Stephanie. "I’m really under the gun so if this is personal it will have to wait."

"Come in." She said. He sighed and entered her office. "Close the door."

Ridge did as he was asked and took a seat by her desk. "What now Mother?"

"Where are you staying. I know you left your home."

"That isn’t important Mother."

"It is to me. You need not stay at a hotel. We have room for you at home. I want you to move back home."

"I think I’m a little too old to run to Mommy and Daddy." He laughed.

"So do I." She said. "Go home Ridge, go home to your wife and your children."

"My children?" He asked rolling his eyes.

"You have three wonderful children Ridge."

He looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, maybe I do Mother."

"What does that mean? Do you have reason to believe that Pierce is lying? I had hoped and prayed."

"I don’t know what to think Mother. But I love the girls anyway. That isn’t going to change. But it will never be the same. You know that."

"It doesn’t have to be different."

"Funny that wasn’t your attitude about Bridget."

"Bridget is your father’s child, Brooke was wrong to throw that burden on you."

"It was never a burden. I love those kids, both of them."

"Of course you do, they’re your siblings." She emphatically stated.

"Is there a point to this conversation because I’m very busy."

"Ridge you had your fun." She said seriously. "You had your little fling with Brooke, it’s over, done. Now go home to your wife where you belong."

 

"I don’t know how to thank you Megan." Taylor said as she lit the final candle.

"I just hope it works." Megan smiled at her. "I like Brooke, and I hate to do anything to hurt her but this is wrong, Ridge belongs with you and his family and I want to do anything that I can to help you." She smelled one of the roses that Taylor had placed in tiny vases all over the office. "This is going to work, I just know it."

"It’s my last chance Megan." Taylor replied. She reached for her zipper and tugged at it.

"Let me help." Megan said. She ran over to her and unzipped the dress revealing the sexy black teddie. "Wow. That’s beautiful. Did Ridge design this?"

"Actually no. This is one of Eric’s I think." She smiled. "It is from the Brooke’s Bedroom line. But what the hell, sometimes you have to fight fire with fire."

"Good luck Taylor." Megan said as she walked out. "Brooke, I’m sorry about you and your baby but what you did was wrong." Megan whispered to herself once she was outside.

 

Thorne and Kimberly silently got into the car. He had known deep down that his fears would be confirmed but he was still disappointed. The doctor had given them the results. He had hoped that there was no baby, now there was no doubt, he was going to be a father. He looked at his young wife and smiled weakly. She smiled back at him.

"Are you mad at me?" She asked.

"It was both of us Kim. No I’m not mad. I guess I’m just kind of stunned."

"We’ll be good parents Thorne." She said. "You will love this baby."

"I will Kim, I promise I will. I always wanted to be a father, I guess I just never expected it to come like this."

 

Macy finally stopped crying and let go of Marie. She walked to the crib and looked down at her tiny son. "I wonder if Thorne is married to Brooke yet." She said.

"Your husband?" Marie asked.

"Well he thinks I’m dead and he wanted to marry her. Now I’ll be coming home alive, with his son. I suppose he’ll hate me."

"No Sandy, he’ll be happy to have you back alive and well, he has to be."

"Well I’ll find out soon enough. Tomorrow I’m taking Adam and I’m going home. I’m going to face my past, and my future."

 

"Enough Mother. I have too much work to do to argue with you. Thank you for the invitation but I am fine where I am."

"You didn’t tell me where you are!" She said sharply.

"No, I guess I didn’t." He said cryptically as he walked out.

 

"Ridge I need to ask you about, what the hell?" Brooke said as she entered Ridge’s office. Instead of the bright lights and the open curtains the room was dim and lit with candles. There were roses everywhere and then to top it off she finally focused on Taylor, sitting in Ridge’s chair, dressed in the tiny skimpy teddie. "You’ve got to be kidding." Brooke said with a laugh.

"Get out of here Brooke." Taylor told her. "He’s my husband and I plan on reminding him of that fact."

"Oh you do do you?" Brooke laughed. "You’re too late Taylor. Ridge is happy now, Ridge is back where he belongs, where we both know he always belonged."

"Don’t be so confident Brooke. I think I have a few advantages here."

"Hmmmm. The children?" Brooke said. "I don’t think so Taylor. You were always quick to remind me that Ridge had no need to bring up another man’s children, now I think I’ll return the advise."

"You bitch." Taylor said as she jumped from the chair and pushed Brooke.

"Are you getting physical?" Brooke laughed.

"You bet your ass I am. This is war Brooke."

Brooke pushed Taylor this time and almost knocked her to the floor. She grabbed the desk for support and threw herself at Brooke. The two women fell to the floor, Taylor on top both grabbing and pulling at each other’s hair.

"Get off of me!" Brooke screamed.

"You leave my husband alone!" Taylor countered.

Suddenly the door burst open and Ridge stood there stunned. For a moment he couldn’t move or speak. Then his voice came back.

"Taylor get off of her!" He shouted.

"She started it." She said pushing at Brooke. Her knee connected with Brooke’s stomach and Ridge ran to them and roughly pulled Taylor off.

"Stop it! You’ll hurt the baby!" He screamed at her.

Taylor stopped squirming and stared at Ridge, a look of shock, surprise and horror filled her face. She couldn’t deny the anger that was in Ridge’s eyes and the obvious love and affection he had as he watched Brooke get to her feet. He released Taylor and went to Brooke and gently held her in his arms and a flood of resignation filled Taylor.

"A baby?" She asked them through her tears.

 

Chapter 29

 

"A baby?" Taylor repeated. "My God Ridge, how could you?"

"How could I? How dare you ask me that." He said. He turned back to Brooke. "We need to get you to the doctor Logan, I want an ultrasound."

"I’m fine Ridge, really I am." She assured him.

"Are you claiming that this is my husband’s child?" Taylor asked Brooke. Her eyes were wild with anger.

"It’s his." Brooke simply stated.

"How can you be so sure Brooke? You’ve been screwing your new designer and Thorne too." Taylor said with a sneer.

Brooke tried to pull herself from Ridge’s arms and attack Taylor again but he held her tightly.

"Stop it Logan, you’ll hurt yourself or the baby."

"If there even is a baby." Taylor scoffed.

"Oh there is a baby, and it’s Ridge’s baby so eat your heart out Taylor, he loves me now. Deal with it!" Brooke screamed at her rival.

"Taylor go home, we’ll talk later." Ridge told her.

"And get dressed, you look like a slut like that." Brooke added.

"Takes one to know one. This is Brooke’s Bedroom after all!" Taylor shouted back.

"Ladies please." Ridge said trying to diffuse the situation.

"I need to talk to you Ridge." Taylor told him.

"Go ahead Ridge. She’s no threat to me." Brooke said. She smiled at Taylor and proceeded to plant a sensuous kiss on Ridge’s lips. "I’ll see you later Ridge."

Brooke calmly let go of him and with a laugh walked out of his office. For a moment Ridge was speechless. He hadn’t expected any of this, not Taylor’s attempted seduction or the fight or the words that the women had for each other. He nervously poured a glass of water and sipped it.

"Don’t do this Ridge, don’t let her fool you like this. This may not even be your baby. Are you just going to believe her?" Taylor implored of him.

"That’s a bit of the pot calling the kettle black isn’t it Doc?"

"Perhaps." She blushed. "But with me it wasn’t intentional. I had no idea Ridge, I never meant to deceive you."

"Well Logan is not deceiving me Taylor, I’m sorry you had to find out this way, I fully intended to tell you privately but Brooke is carrying my baby and I couldn’t be happier."

"You’re a fool Ridge, you know chances are it isn’t even yours. Are you going to have a paternity test?"

"That isn’t necessary, this is my child and I resent your implications."

"Oh for God’s sake Ridge, you know as well as I was that she was sleeping with both Sean and Thorne. How can you be so naïve?"

"This is not a debate Taylor, I believe her and that’s all that matters."

"You’ll be sorry Ridge. She’ll hurt you in the end, she always does and this time I won’t be there to pick up the pieces." She told him.

 

Brooke stormed angrily past Megan and into her office. She slammed down the folder she had brought to discuss with Ridge. "Of all the nerve. That woman has no class, none at all." She muttered to herself, but loud enough for Megan to hear.

"It was for your own good Brooke." Her assistant said walking in. "He’ll never be free of Taylor and their children, isn’t it best you found out now?"

"What? How did you know about this? How did you know I was talking about Taylor?"

Megan looked at her and then looked down.

"You were in on this?" Brooke asked. "Damn it Megan how could you do that to me? I trusted you."

"Brooke I did it for your own good. He’ll never really be yours. You know that. He loves her, it was always Taylor for him. How many times does he have to break your heart before it gets through to you?"

"Get out." Brooke said calmly. "Get out of my office before I do something I regret."

 

Sean walked out of his office and up to Becky’s desk and stopped. He smiled at her but words just wouldn’t come. He sighed deeply and just shook his head. "Becky we really need to talk." He told her.

"It won’t make a difference Sean, we’re just worlds apart. I can’t deal with it any more. As much as I like you it just isn’t working."

"And you’re willing to just give it all up, just like that?"

"You don’t really want me Sean, you want the woman you’re trying to make me into and that isn’t me. I’m not comfortable with that image. I really like you but I can’t be what you want me to be."

"All because I went to Brooke? Becky she’s just a friend. I thought you understood that."

"The funny thing is that I do Sean, but I still don’t want this any more."

"Okay, okay Becky if that’s how you really want it. But I think we could have had something really special."

He looked at her with a sad expression when her phone rang. It was an inside call. She looked at him once more before answering it. "Hello. This is Becky. Yes, yes Ms. Logan, I mean Brooke. Okay. Yeah I can. He’s right here would you like to talk to him? Okay." She put her hand over the receiver. "Brooke wants to talk to you."

"I’ll take it in my office." He said. He smiled at Becky one more time and then went into his office and closed the door. He picked up the phone. "Hi Brooke."

"Sean I have a problem and I don’t know if you’re going to like my solution."

"What is it Brooke?" He asked her.

"Can you come down here Sean?" Brooke asked him. "I’d rather talk to you in person."

"Sure Brooke, I’ll be right there." He hung up the phone and went back out to Becky. "I have to go see Brooke, we’ll talk again later." He said before he turned and left her.

 

"Why are you forcing me to hurt you Taylor?" Ridge asked.

"Forcing you? That’s really funny Ridge." Taylor said with a false laugh. "I think you are doing a good enough job of hurting yourself. You’re turning your back on your family and for what Ridge? Hot, wild sex? You know that will get old fast and then where will you be? Brooke will get bored and start looking around and then maybe you’ll realize what you lost but it will be too late. I won’t be waiting this time Ridge. You want a divorce, you got one. But don’t ever think that you can come home again. Never."

"Doc I made my decision."

"Alright then Ridge, just remember when she hurts you this time that you did this to yourself."

Ridge looked at the woman that he had loved so deeply for so long. A part of him ached to pull her into his arms and make it right but he knew where his future was and it was no longer with her. He gave her a sad smile and took her hand. "I do love you Taylor, I will always love you."

"That’s your misfortune Ridge." She said as she pulled her hand from him. She grabbed her clothes and went into his bathroom and shut the door. Once she was alone she allowed the tears to fall from her eyes. "This is the last time I will ever cry over you Ridge Forrester, from now on I will do what’s best for me, for me and for my children." She said quietly.

 

"Okay what’s up?" Sean asked Brooke. He took one look at her torn dress and quickly ran to her side. "What happened?"

"I’m fine Sean, it’s nothing."

"Nothing? Look at you, your dress is ripped and your hair."

"I know, I’m a mess but I am so angry I haven’t had time to straighten up. Close my door will you?"

He walked to the door and shut it. When he turned Brooke was out of her dress and looking through a rack of dresses in the corner of her office. She wore a sexy red panty and bra set that did little to hide her assets or her pregnancy.

"They may not fit." He said.

"Grrrrr." Brooke growled at him. He walked over and pulled a dress from the rack.

"This one will." He told her.

"Hmmmm." Brooke said as she inspected the dress. It was an empire waist dress in an aquamarine shade. She slid it on and it fell perfectly on her body. "Ya think?" She asked him.

"I’m thinking how Ridge is a very lucky man." Sean said with a smile.

"This one is yours isn’t it?"

"Good eye." He told her. "Turn." He instructed. She turned her back to him and he zipped it the rest of the way up. "I was hoping this would make the showing but you do it more justice than any of the models ever could. I think you must have been my inspiration."

"You are so good for me." She smiled and hugged him.

"Now brush your hair and tell me what happened." He said as he picked up her discarded dress and assessed the damage.

"I went to Ridge’s office to show him some papers that I got from Milan. A problem with the fabric for his two new gowns."

"I thought that was Thorne’s job."

"It is but well, this one is Ridge’s baby and well I wanted to see him." She said with a blush. She opened her purse and took out her brush and ran it through her long blonde locks.

"So what happened? Don’t tell me, Stephanie was there."

"No, Taylor." She said. "And would you believe she was in her underwear?"

"What?" Sean said with a chuckle. "Don’t tell me you two got into a cat fight Brooke."

"She started it." She answered defensively.

"Need I remind you that you are pregnant."

"No Sean, I am well aware of that." She said as she protectively held her swollen belly. "And now Taylor is too."

"You told her? Ridge will be furious Brooke, you might have jeopardized the divorce."

"I didn’t tell her, Ridge did." She beamed.

"How did Taylor react?"

"She wasn’t very happy. But that isn’t really the issue."

"Oh?" Sean asked. "Okay Brooke, you have my interest. What is the issue?"

"Megan." She said.

"Megan? What does she have do to with any of this?"

"She set it all up. She was helping Taylor try to seduce Ridge away from me. After I told her about the baby and how Ridge proposed she went behind my back and helped Taylor."

 

"Hi honey." Stephanie said to Thorne as he walked into her office.

"Are you in a more civil mood yet Mother?" He asked.

"I’m sorry about the last time we talked. I’ve been so worried about your brother that I took it out on you. You know that I love you Thorne."

"I wonder sometimes." He sighed. He shut the door and sat down on her couch. "Come sit with me."

Stephanie got up from her desk and sat next to her younger son. She put her arm around him and hugged him tightly. "I do love you so much honey."

"Mom, Kim and I went to the doctor. It’s for real, she is pregnant."

"Are you sure it’s yours?" She asked.

"Yes Mother, Kimberly was a virgin and I know she loves me."

"But you don’t love her."

"No, but I’m trying." He said sadly.

"This is all that sluts fault."

"Now how can you blame Kim’s pregnancy on Brooke?" Thorne laughed.

"She drove you into her arms. She let you down with her chasing after your brother and you turned to someone who wanted you. I’m not blaming you honey. Kimberly is a beautiful young lady and she is a good person. I just wish that you hadn’t had to. Oh I wish for so much more for all of my children." She sighed.

"On that we agree Mother. I wish things were different too but I made this baby and I will honor my vows to Kimberly. Sometimes I just wish I could go back in time and do things differently." He said as a wistful look came over his face. Stephanie took his hand and squeezed it.

"I don’t think you’re talking about Kimberly, or even Brooke for that matter. You’re thinking about Macy aren’t you?"

"Why did I mess that up Mom? Why did I hurt someone that loved me so much?"

"Brooke Logan." She said sadly. "That bitch has done the same thing to all the men in my family. I just pray that Taylor is strong enough to get her husband back and then we can be done with Brooke Logan forever."

 

"I can’t believe Megan did that to you Brooke, I’m shocked." Sean said.

"You are? Imagine how I feel. I trusted her, she was my friend and she turned on me."

"Did she say why Brooke?"

"I can’t talk to her. If I do I’ll fire her, I swear I will. That’s what this is all about."

"What?" Sean asked.

"Well what she did was wrong, but it isn’t something that has to do with her job and it would be wrong and probably illegal to fire her."

"She betrayed your trust Brooke."

"Only in a personal way."

"So what’s your point then?" He asked her.

"I want to trade assistants. You take Megan and Becky works for me."

"Brooke, Becky is a rookie, she doesn’t have a clue how to handle things like Megan."

"I’ll train her. It’s a matter of trust Sean, I can’t trust Megan and I can’t work with her. Will this be a problem for you? I thought maybe it might be easier for you anyway what with you and Becky fighting."

"I’d be happy to have Megan. Just don’t compromise yourself Brooke. Stephanie and Eric will jump all over you if you do."

"Let them. I have to do this for me."

"I have an idea then." Sean suggested. "What if you take Becky and she also works for me, Stephanie and Eric can continue to use Megan?"

"Won’t that be too much for Becky? And besides, I would want her here, right outside my office. And I don’t want Ridge to work with Megan anymore either."

"Honey that has to be his choice. I know you are the CEO but you are also his fiancée and you can’t be making all his choices."

"Oh Sean it’s just making me so crazy. I am so upset with her."

"My plan will work. She and Becky can change desks today."

"And I will let Ridge make his own decision." She said with resignation.

 

Taylor came out of the bathroom and picked up her purse. She saw that Ridge had removed all the candles and flowers and that the lights were back up. He was at his desk working on a design. He looked up at her.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I will be." She answered.

"Do you think we can be friends again someday?" Ridge asked her.

"I wanted so much more for us Ridge. I don’t know if I can ever be your friend." She said to him. "But for the sake of the children I will try to get along with you, that’s all I can offer you."

"I never wanted it to come to this Doc."

"I want you to stop calling me that."

"Doc?" He asked. "Why?"

"Because that is a term of endearment Ridge, and obviously your feelings for me have changed."

"I’m sorry, I never planned on hurting you."

"I have to leave Ridge. I will be hiring a lawyer. I want this to be as amicable as possible, for the children’s sakes. Please don’t disappoint me Ridge." She turned away and then turned back to him. Her hand gently touched his face. "You just threw away the best thing you ever had Ridge." She said softly before she turned and left him.

 

Taylor held back her tears as she approached Megan’s desk.

"I’m so sorry Megan. I hope I haven’t caused you any troubles with Brooke." Taylor told her sincerely.

"It doesn’t matter Taylor, I did what I felt was right. If I had it to do over I’d do it again. Is there any hope?"

"No, it’s over." She said as she looked at Brooke’s closed door. "Is she in there?"

"Sean Damon is with her."

"Ask her if she has a moment for me please." Taylor said.

"Of course." Megan said sadly. She picked up the phone and punched Brooke’s personal intercom number.

"What is it Megan?" Brooke asked her impatiently.

"Taylor is here, she’d like to talk to you."

"Alright, send her in." Brooke said. She turned to Sean. "This should be good. Taylor wants to see me."

"I’ll stay." He told her.

"No, she isn’t going to try anything. I think she deserves some privacy."

"Brooke I don’t know." Sean said to her. He was very protective of her and she did appreciate it.

"She won’t hurt me. Our fight, it was stupid Sean, we both over-reacted. It won’t happen again. I need to see what she wants and I doubt she’ll talk in front of you."

"Call me if you need me Brooke." He said.

"I will, and we’ll talk to Becky later too okay?" She said with a kiss to his cheek as Taylor entered.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt." She told them.

"Sean and I were done." Brooke told her. She waved to Sean as he left and closed the door. "Would you like some coffee Taylor? I’m afraid I only have decaf, Ridge took my regular away."

"He did the same with me." Taylor reflected. "Brooke I’m sorry, I had no idea you were pregnant. You know despite how we feel about each other I would never want to harm your child."

"Because it’s Ridge’s child?" Brooke asked.

"No, because it’s an innocent baby that has no ties to his mother’s sins."

"Oh, so I’m a sinner now? Cute." Brooke said. She poured herself coffee and looked at Taylor.

"No Brooke, none for me."

"So what did you want Taylor? To apologize? To gloat?"

"Gloat? Why would I gloat Brooke, you’ve won."

"No Taylor, I didn’t win. I got my husband back." Brooke said with a jubilant look.

"This was a huge mistake." Taylor said grabbing her purse.

"Look Taylor, I know you’re mad and I don’t blame you but remember this. Ridge is mine now and he’s going to stay mine. So I would really appreciate it if you’d knock off the shows like the one today."

"He’s still my husband Brooke. And you’d do best to shut up before I change my mind. I came here to be civil but I suppose that’s impossible when dealing with a bitch like you!" Taylor shouted at her.

"Civil? That’s a joke Taylor! The only times you’ve ever been civil to me was when you were so positive that you had Ridge, well you don’t anymore."

"Do you hear yourself Brooke? God, I wish Ridge could hear you, he’d turn and run so fast you wouldn’t even see him."

"That’s your opinion."

"You don’t deserve him Brooke. You don’t deserve any of the men who’ve been stupid enough to fall for you. I just hope Ridge realizes before it’s too late."

"Look Taylor, I’m sorry, can we start again?" Brooke asked.

"Start again? Why the hell would I want to start again with you?"

"Well I am going to be your children’s step-mother."

"Over my dead body." Taylor said. "You will never be alone with my children and I will fight you till the ends of the earth about that."

"Don’t be that way Taylor, they need Ridge."

"I’ve had enough! I can’t take this anymore. You are truly delusional Brooke. I really feel sorry for you! No, no not you, I feel sorry for your children." Taylor said. She walked to the door, looked back at Brooke and left.

 

"Thank you, just tell her that I called." Eric said into the phone. He gently put down the receiver. "Where are you Taylor?" He asked aloud.

 

"What do you think Macy would do Mother? Do you think she’d hate me?" Thorne asked.

"Macy was a kind, forgiving girl honey. I think she would be glad that you’re doing the right thing by her sister."

"But she’s be so disappointed in me. I know she would be. Why didn’t I turn her away? Was my ego so in need of stroking?"

"I can’t answer that Thorne, only you can. But I think that Macy is looking down at you and smiling. You got away from Brooke Logan and that was what was most important to her."

 

Brooke once more walked into Ridge’s office. This time she was happy to find him alone and at his desk.

"I’m sorry Logan, I meant to come down to you. Did you call the doctor?"

"I’m fine Ridge, really. I have an appointment next week."

"That’s too far off. What if something happened to the baby?"

"You really do want this child don’t you?" She asked him with a smile.

"More than you can ever imagine Brooke."

"To replace the twins?" She wondered aloud.

"No, no child can ever replace another. I want this baby because I love you and I want a child of our love. And I need you to believe that."

"You’re in a reflective mood. What did she say to you?" Brooke asked him. She stepped behind him and started to massage his neck.

"Oh that’s good Logan." He said leaning back.

"Well? What did she say?"

"She said it’s over, she’s not going to fight." He said in a sad voice.

"You aren’t happy about that?" Brooke asked. She stopped the massage and looked him in the eyes. She looked scared again. She had fought for so long for this and she envisioned it slipping from her fingers.

"Well happy isn’t really the right word." He explained. "I’m relieved, but I’m sad. A huge part of my life just ended and well, I’m sad Logan."

"Are you having second thoughts?" She nervously asked.

"Brooke would you please stop asking that? No, I am not having second thoughts, but it wasn’t an easy thing to do. I hurt someone I loved today and that’s not something I take lightly."

"No, I don’t imagine you do. Forgive me Ridge, I don’t mean to be callous. But I love you so much and I want to be with you and all I keep imagining is." Ridge stopped her mid-sentence by capturing her mouth with his in a kiss.

"Stop imagining things Logan, we finally have what we both want." He smiled and kissed her again.

 

"You look agitated Taylor. Brooke or Ridge?" Pierce asked her. She had just returned to the office and slammed her purse on her desk.

"Actually both. I suppose I’m being very transparent."

"No, I understand how you’re feeling. Want to talk about it?"

"I gave it my best and I lost. I give up Pierce, my marriage is over."

"I’m sure this isn’t easy for you." He said softly. "Can I do anything?"

"You know a good lawyer?" She said with a laugh.

"As a matter of fact I do." He smiled. "Let me get you her number."

"Ah, a woman. You do know me well."

"I know that a professional woman like yourself in this position doesn’t want to be dependent on a man."

"I just need someone good." She told him.

"Didn’t Jonathan Young already start things?" Pierce asked.

"Yes and it seems fair, at least at first glance."

"But?"

"I don’t want that whore anywhere near my children." She said, suppressing a sob.

"Oh Taylor, how I wish I could take all your pain away."

"Nothing will do that, nothing but time." She said. "But I mean it Pierce, I don’t want her near my kids."

"That won’t be easy Taylor. Ridge is, well he’s Thomas’s father and he’s legally the girls too."

"Then I have to change that don’t I?"

"Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Right now you’re angry and rightfully so but that will pass and Ridge will still be there and you will have to deal with that." Pierce said.

"You don’t want me to have you proclaimed the father?" She asked.

"Not out of revenge Taylor, when the time is right we’ll do it, but not until then."

 

"I need to talk to you about something Ridge." Brooke said, turning serious.

"Okay. I’m listening."

"This whole thing with Taylor."

"I thought we were going to forget that Logan." Ridge said, somewhat annoyed that she was once more starting up.

"This isn’t about Taylor, it’s about Megan."

"Megan? What does Megan have to do with it?"

"She helped Taylor set up the whole seduction thing."

"Megan?" Ridge laughed.

"It’s not funny Ridge, I told her about us, I told her about the baby and then she ran to Taylor and helped her."

"That doesn’t sound like Megan. Did you talk to her?"

"If I had I would have fired her. I can’t work with her anymore Ridge."

"Logan, you can’t fire someone because she doesn’t approve of your personal life."

"I can fire any one I want to, but I am not going to fire her."

"Good." He said with a smile.

"But I am going to do something about her." She told him.

"What are you planning Logan?" He asked with apprehension.

"I’m going to move Becky over. She is going to work for me. Your parents can use Megan. But you and I will use Becky, Sean too."

"Becky? Come on Brooke, she’s new, she can’t handle things like Megan. This is not going to work. We need to keep our personal feelings out of this."

"I can’t. I can’t look at her the same way anymore and I can’t stand the thought of her playing games with Taylor to pull you away from me. If you love me you’ll do this Ridge."

"This is not good. I think we should just talk to her, let her know that she has to keep out of our personal lives and just work. We need her."

"No, I am not going to waver on this Ridge. I can’t trust her, not after that."

"I need her Brooke, you can take Becky if you want but."

"Ridge no!" She shouted.

"You’re really serious about this aren’t you?"

"She hurt me Ridge, she was my friend and she hurt me. I can’t trust her anymore and I wish you would stand by me on this."

"Alright Logan, I don’t like it but I will. But on one condition first."

"What?"

"You talk to Megan first. Maybe Taylor pressured her. Maybe she really didn’t want to do it."

"I’ll make you a deal. I’ll wait until tomorrow, see if I’ve cooled off and then I will talk to her. But if I still feel the same way."

"Then I will stand by your decision." Ridge assured her.

 

Taylor took another gulp from her wineglass and put it back on the coffee table. Her aim was off and it teetered and shattered on the floor.

"Damn!" She shouted.

"What’s wrong Mrs. Forrester?" Catherine asked as she ran into the room.

"I dropped a glass. I’m fine." She said. "Can you get something to clean it up with please." Taylor asked her as she went to the bar and poured herself a new glass.

Catherine came back in with a dustpan and brush and a cloth. She swept up the glass and then wiped the wine from the floor. "It missed the rug. That’s a good thing huh?" She said to her employer who ignored her. "Mrs. Forrester?"

"Catherine, call me Taylor or Ms. Hayes or anything but that." She said as she tugged off her wedding ring and engagement ring. She took another gulp of her wine and threw the rings against the fireplace. Catherine immediately ran to retrieve them.

"Leave them there and go to bed." Taylor commanded her.

Catherine looked at her in part fear and part pity. The look wasn’t missed by Taylor.

"Don’t stare at me like that. I know what I’m doing."

"Did, did you and Mr. Forrester have a fight?"

"Mr. Forrester and I are getting a divorce. Now go, leave me alone." Taylor said as she sat down.

Catherine took the broken glass and left the room. Once she was gone Taylor let the tears flow again. She picked up her glass and drank it down. She got up to get more when the doorbell rang. Stumbling once she made her way there and opened it.

"Eric." She said in surprise.

"Are you alright?" He asked her.

"I broke a glass and I guess I got upset, come on in." She said. He watched her stagger to the couch and sit down. Eric closed the door and joined her. "Pour me more Eric, and get yourself some too."

"What happened?" He asked her.

"Brooke Logan happened." She said with a laugh. "Look Eric, no rings!" She giggled and showed him her hand.

"Taylor, I am sorry."

"I made my last attempt today and I fell flat on my face. He didn’t even look at me. All he cared about was her and her baby."

"What baby?" A stunned Eric asked.

"Brooke’s baby. Brooke is having a baby. I wonder if she’ll have to test Sean and Thorne and Ridge this time the slut!"

"Brooke is pregnant?"

"That’s what they tell me." She looked at him impatiently and went to the bar herself and poured more wine. "Want some?"

"I’ll get it myself." He said. He walked to her and poured himself a glass. He put his arm around the woman and she fell into his caress.

"Am I pretty?" She asked him.

"You’re very pretty. You’re beautiful Taylor."

"Ridge doesn’t think so. He likes sluts better." She said with a hiccup.

"I think you need to get into bed."

"That’s a very good idea." She said as she pulled his head to hers and kissed him.

Eric knew it was wrong to take advantage of her in this condition but he couldn’t pull away. Her lips were so sweet and he felt so good in her embrace. When her hand slid into his shirt and caressed his chest his member hardened and she rubbed herself against him. He moaned loudly and cupped her breasts through the material of her blouse. Her nipples responded to his touch and his tongue slid deeper into her mouth. Eric gently led her to the couch and lowered her down. She looked up into his eyes and he lay on top of her and they met once more in a passionate kiss.

"Taylor, are you sure?" He managed to ask as he pulled his mouth from her.

"Take me." She whispered.

 

Beth put down her novel and got up and sat next to Ridge. He smiled at her and looked at the book she had been reading.

"Any good?" He asked.

"It is. But I really don’t want to talk about a book. I thought that with Brooke and Bridget out of the house it would give us time to talk."

"Are you angry at me Beth?" Ridge asked.

"Should I be?"

"No, not at all. I love your daughter very much and she loves me. I won’t let her down again."

"She told me what Taylor set up today. I have to wonder."

"What? If I would have gone through with it if I had found her instead of Brooke?"

"You loved her a great deal Ridge, you have children together. I don’t want to see my daughter hurt again. I know that you can make her happier than anyone else, but you can also cause her more sadness that any one else too Ridge. I guess I need some reassurance. I need to know that this is your final decision. You’ve been flip-flopping between my daughter and other women since the day she met you. She won’t survive it if you betray her love again. And this time there is a child to think about."

"A child that I am already in love with Beth, as much as I am in love with his mother."

"Well it seems to me that you love Brooke when it’s convenient for you and when your mother approves. You are not a young man any longer Ridge. You need to make your choices and stick with them. If you want my daughter then I will support you, but if you ever hurt her again you will wish you never set eyes on me. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal." He said.

"I like you Ridge, don’t get me wrong."

"I know Beth, I know you’re only thinking about Brooke."

"And about Bridget too. Do you have any idea what it did to her when you left the last time?"

"I didn’t but she told me. She’s quite a remarkable young woman." He smiled as he thought about her. The results would be ready in the morning and he and Bridget would know once and for all.

"She thinks of you as more than a brother Ridge." Beth reminded him. "Don’t ever think that just because she’s grown now that she doesn’t need parents because she does. When you marry Brooke you’ll be assuming that role again. Eric may not like it but we know that it’s true."

"I will not let either one of them down Beth, or Rick either."

"Rick." Beth said. "How does he feel about all this?"

"He’s his own man now. I think he pretty much expects Brooke to make her own decisions."

"But Ridge, he knows all the pain you’ve caused her too. Remember how angry he was with you?"

"But he came around."

"And now you’re back again, professing everything you told Brooke the last time. I doubt he believes you, I don’t even know if I do."

"Well Brooke does and she’s the one that really matters Beth." Ridge told his soon to be mother in law.

"Have you told Taylor? Does she know you want a divorce?" Beth asked him point blank.

"She’s been served Beth. She knows."

"Alright, then the subject is closed." Beth smiled and took his hand. "Make my baby happy Ridge, that’s all I ask of you. Make her happy."

 

"What’s with the shit all over your face?" An angry Peter shouted at Macy when he came into the kitchen.

"Wwwhat?" Macy stuttered. She had forgotten that he expected the scared little Sandy. She was glad that she was making her escape today.

"You look like a whore." He said. "Wipe that shit off now!"

"Marie had a Mary Kay party, I was just trying out the samples."

"Don’t f*ck with me bitch! You are not spending my hard earned money on makeup so you and your friends can go whoring around now go wash before I wipe your f*cking face on the stove."

She turned and ran out of the room and into the bathroom. "Calm Macy, calm. You’ll be home today, he won’t ever hurt you again." She told herself as she brought the washcloth to her face. Once she was clean she went back into the kitchen. She had to be careful not to anger him. She needed him to leave as normal. She needed to make her escape. All she would bring was Adam and some of his things. She’d get new things for herself. She had considered calling Sally but was afraid of what the shock would do to her. No matter how she handled it she would be shocked. And so would Thorne. She wondered again if he had married Brooke. Well that wouldn’t matter now, the marriage would be invalid. Macy Alexander Forrester was alive and well and coming home.

 

Brooke rolled over and reached for Ridge but he was no longer in the bed next to her. She listened and heard the sound of the shower running. A huge grin covered her face as she got up out of the bed and tiptoed into the bathroom. She grabbed her toothbrush and ran it over her teeth in a quick brushing. She almost cursed herself when she felt her bladder begging for release. She took care of that and them silently stepped into the shower, her hands circling her lover’s waist.

"Good morning Logan." He said taking her hands in his. He pushed them down lower till they were resting on his erect member.

"You’re UP early." She teased.

"Only for you my love." He said as her hand covered him and started to stroke him up and down. "Oh my." He moaned.

"Turn around to me." She purred. Ridge turned and she released him. He pulled her into his arms and his mouth claimed hers. She moaned as his arousal strained against her stomach. Suddenly she pulled her mouth from his. "Oh shit." She muttered as she jumped out of the shower and doubled up in front of the toilet.

"Logan." Ridge shouted as he jumped out and held onto her. He grabbed a cold cloth and wet her forehead as she threw up into the toilet.

"I’m so embarrassed." She said.

"No baby, it’s morning sickness, it’s okay." He said as he continued to hold her.

"I’m okay, I can stand now." She said in a weak voice.

"Let me help you." Ridge said as he helped her to her feet.

"I’m so sorry." She told him as she reached for her toothbrush again. Ridge got it, put toothpaste on it and handed it to her. He continued to support her as she brushed her teeth. Once she was done she used mouthwash and then turned to him.

"You have nothing to be sorry about." He said. "My timing was off, I should have realized."

"It came on so fast. Usually I have more warning." She said with a smile. "Want to get back in?" She asked him.

"Only to help you shower, I have an appointment this morning anyway."

"With who? Carlos isn’t coming in until two." Brooke questioned him.

"It’s with my lawyer, not business." He smiled.

"Oh, the important stuff." She answered.

"Very important." He said with a kiss.

"You go get dressed. I’m okay now." Brooke assured him.

"Logan?"

"Ridge, I’ve been having morning sickness every day. I’ve handled it alone before and I can now."

"Well I don’t want you to handle anything alone now." He told her.

"I love you Ridge." She said with tears in her eyes.

 

Taylor’s head was throbbing when she woke up. She groaned softly and opened her eyes. She was more shocked than she had ever been in her life when she saw Eric sleeping beside her. She saw that he was naked and so was she. "Oh God, what have I done?" She whispered. She sat up and saw the empty wine bottle and glasses on the nightstand as well as the empty condom wrapper. She gasped and lay back down. "Think Taylor, think." She told herself. She closed her eyes and the night before began to flash before her eyes. She had had too much wine even before Eric had arrived but she didn’t stop when he got there. He had held her and kissed her and she had wanted him, she had wanted him so badly. She searched her mind to remember how it had come so far.

Taylor had torn at the buttons on his shirt as he lay on top of her kissing her wildly. She felt encumbered by the clothing and wanted it gone. She wanted, no she needed to feel his flesh on her. She felt his desire straining against his pants and she had reached down to touch him.

"Oh Taylor." He had moaned, not taking his mouth from hers. Neither of them wanted to lose the moment or the feeling that they had. She shivered as he gently opened the tiny pearl buttons of her blouse, his moves were slow and sensuous. She felt a throbbing between her legs and she shocked herself when she took his hand and guided it there. His fingers found the snap at her waist, he opened it and slid down the front fly of her jeans and then his hand dove into her dewy folds. She jumped and pushed herself to him as first one and then another finger found its way inside her and she knew that would never be enough.

"No here." She told him. She pulled herself up and put her arms around his neck. Her tongue dove into his mouth as his hand continued to explore her. She felt her body begin to shatter as an orgasm rocked her body. She held onto him tightly, not stopping the kiss for a second. "Oh God." She moaned as she felt it starting all over again. "Eric?" She moaned into his mouth.

"Taylor, my beautiful Taylor." He murmured. Her hand reached down to stroke him through his pants. "I need to be inside you."

"Yes, oh God yes." She cried. "But not here, in the bed please?" She begged.

"Alright." He told her. He let her loose and she got up from the couch. She zipped her pants back but kept her blouse open. She went to the bar and grabbed the bottle of wine and turned to Eric. "Get the glasses." She said as she headed up the stairs.

He had grabbed them and quickly joined her in the bedroom. They had shared another glass of wine, once more shy with each other until Taylor had sat next to him and kissed him. Then the passion had risen to the top again. They had desperately undressed each other and the shock of seeing the unfamiliar body had almost made her stop, that is until his eyes had met hers with such passion and love that she melted. Only a moment of conscience had made Taylor reach into the drawer and hand him the protection. And once he had put it on neither of them was able to deny themselves any longer. They had come together in a frantic coupling like neither of them had ever had before. Afterwards, sated and tired they had finished the bottle of wine and fallen asleep in each other’s arms.

Now, the next morning it all seemed like a dream to Taylor, not a nightmare but a wonderful, romantic dream. She looked at the sleeping man in her bed, her father-in-law and instead of feeling shame or remorse she felt a wave of desire sweep over her. "No, this can’t happen again, it’s too soon. We acted on impulse but we can’t do that again." She told herself. Then she smiled as she watched him sleeping. "What a wonderful man you are Eric Forrester."

 

"Morning Beth." Ridge said as he walked into the kitchen. "You ready Bridget?" He asked the teen.

"Yup." She said taking a last gulp of her coffee.

"Where are you two off too?" Beth asked.

"I have an appointment and I’m dropping Bridget off." He told her. "Beth do me a favor, Brooke isn’t feeling too well. Don’t let her overdo it."

"What’s wrong with Mom?" Bridget asked.

"Upset stomach." Ridge lied as Beth motioned to him. "Let’s go Budge." He said. He put his arm around her shoulder and led her out of the house. Beth looked puzzled but was more concerned with Brooke so she headed upstairs to her bedroom. When she entered Brooke was just coming out of the bathroom.

"Mom? Where’s Ridge?"

"He said he had an appointment. He left with Bridget."

"Oh yeah, he said he was driving her today." She said, unconcerned.

"Morning sickness?" Beth asked.

"Yeah, but it passed."

"You have to tell Bridget honey."

"Yes and Rick too." Brooke smiled. "No reason to hide it now. If Taylor knows I’m sure that Stephanie will soon."

"Taylor?" Beth asked.

"Yes, let me tell you all about it." Brooke laughed. "Sit, you’ll love this." She said to her mother.

 

As soon as Peter drove away Macy got to work. She grabbed a small duffel bag and threw in some baby clothes, toys and diapers. She looked at her own things and decided that the only thing she cared at all about was the pretty red sweater that Marie had given her for Christmas. She threw that into the bag and looked around the room. Satisfied that she had everything she needed she went to Peter’s dresser. He had no idea that she knew about his secret drawer but she did. She had no money of her own and she needed it. She found three crisp hundred dollar bills and several tens and twenties. She put them all in her purse and took off her wedding band and put it where they had been. She wanted Peter to know exactly who had taken the money. She closed the drawer and went to her sleeping baby. "Oh Adam, you’re going to meet your Grandma today." She told him. She lifted him into her arms and carried him into the kitchen. She prepared his bottle as well as two extras and fed him cereal as she reached for the phone and called Marie.

"Hi, it’s me." She told her.

"Oh Sandy, I am so happy for you but so sad too. I’ll miss you so much."

"No you won’t. I promise we will never lose touch. Once I get settled I want you and the kids to come and visit me and meet my family."

"I can’t believe that you’re really going home." Marie said.

"Well I am." Macy said. "I still have a lot of remembering to do but I am not going to do it here."

"Do you need a ride to the train station?" Marie asked.

"I was going to take a bus but yes, I’d love it."

"I’ll be over in a few minutes." Marie said as she started to choke up.

"This isn’t goodbye Marie, it’s a whole new hello for me." Macy said triumphantly.

 

Ridge and Bridget walked out of the office and headed to his car. Neither of them had said a word to each other since they had heard the results. Bridget’s eyes filled with tears as she stopped short and looked at him.

"I don’t know what I should call you." She told him.

"Wow, I didn’t think about that." He smiled at her. "What do you want to call me?"

"It’s so weird Ridge. I mean, all this time, all these years."

"Oh Bridget I am so sorry. I should have questioned this years ago." He said as he took her into his arms. "Can you ever forgive me honey?"

"Ridge what about Dad? I mean Eric. I mean, I don’t know." She said with a sob.

"I won’t lie and say it will be easy, but nothing will really change. You love him and he loves you. The only thing different is."

"That you’re my father." Bridget said, completing his sentence.

"Yeah, I’m your father." He smiled.

"Ridge?" Bridget said to him.

"What honey?"

"How did this happen?" She asked him.

 

"Brooke you are going to be in for a lot of troubles. Taylor and Stephanie are never going to let up on you and now with Megan acting that way." Beth sighed. "All I can say is that I am glad I spoke to Ridge last night."

"You did? What did you say to him?" Brooke questioned her mother.

"Now don’t you take that kind of an attitude with me young lady. That man has caused you more than a lifetimes worth of pain. I just wanted to be sure that we were all on the same page. I wanted him to know in no uncertain terms that I was not going to stand by and see him hurt my daughter again."

"Oh Mom I love you." Brooke said with a hug. "But it wasn’t necessary. He loves me, he wants me, he wants our baby."

"I know that now, but it isn’t going to be easy. You both have a fight ahead of you."

"As long as we’re together we can face anything." Brooke assured her.

 

"Good morning." Eric said as he awoke and saw Taylor. He smiled at her and reached out to her but she pulled away.

"No Eric. We have to talk about what happened." She told him.

"Yes we do, but not with you all the way over there." He said to her.

"If I get into your arms again I won’t want to leave them and Eric, I am not ready for that. We moved too fast. Last night shouldn’t have happened."

"I have no regrets." He stated.

"But you should, and I do. I’m still a married woman and you’re a married man. Eric you’re married to my best friend."

"You can’t deny what we both felt Taylor."

"I felt loved, and wanted. But Eric I’m not ready to deal with any of that yet."

"You want us to deny our feelings?" He asked her, obviously hurt and disappointed.

"Not deny them, put them on hold." She suggested.

"I’m not sure that I can do that Taylor."

"I can’t offer you more, not yet." She said sadly.

"Mrs. Forrester, is Mr. Forrester coming down for breakfast?" Helen asked Stephanie as she put a plate of fresh fruit on the table.

"No, he isn’t here. He went to see my daughter-in-law last night and she was upset, we decided it was best not to leave her alone."

"Oh yes, poor Taylor. How could Ridge do that to her?" Helen clucked.

"Do what?" Stephanie demanded.

"The rumors, oh Mrs. Forrester I am sorry for talking but everyone is saying that he moved out, he left her."

"No, no he didn’t. They’re having a misunderstanding that’s all. He’ll be home with his family soon. I’ll make sure of it." Stephanie told her. She sipped her coffee and turned the page in the morning paper. "I think I’m going to invite Thorne and Kimberly to dinner tonight. Make something special would you?"

"Of course Mrs. Forrester. I am so happy for Mr. Thorne. I am glad he found a woman to love. It was so sad when his wife died."

"Indeed it was. I’m not jumping for joy about Kimberly, but she is a much better companion than Brooke Logan. Yes, once I get Taylor back with Ridge we will be done with that woman. Then I can work on getting her out of the business too." She said with a confident smile.

 

"More Coffee?" Taylor asked Eric as she poured more into her own cup.

"Yes please." He said. "Damn why does this feel so awkward?" He asked aloud.

"You know why." She blushed.

"Taylor what we shared was beautiful. I am not ashamed and I do not regret it." He got up from the table and put his arms around her. His mouth went to hers in what started as a chaste kiss but soon grew to passion again. She closed her eyes and wove her hands around his neck kissing him back deeply.

"No!" She said pulling away. "Eric we can’t." She told him once more.

"We can." He said bringing his mouth back to hers and against her better judgement she fell back into the kiss.

 

"I don’t know Bridget, but I intend to find out." Ridge assured his daughter. "My daughter." He said aloud with a smile. Bridget looked at him and smiled through her tears. "You aren’t disappointed are you?" He asked her.

"No." She said to him quietly. "I’m just having a hard time processing it. I really thought you were going to be wrong. I’m not upset that you were right, I’m just kind of worried about how Dad is going to take this. I mean um, my Grandfather." She said as she started to cry harder.

"Bridget, sweetheart if I had any idea this would cause you pain I never would have done it." Ridge said putting his arms around her again. "Look, I have an idea."

"No, wait Ridge. Can I tell you what I want to do first?" She asked him hopefully.

"Sure you can."

"I want to not tell anyone right away. Mom is kind of a basket case lately with what’s been going on with you and Taylor and all and I just don’t know what to say to Dad. I mean."

"I know who you mean Bridget, and I know he’s Dad to you. I’m not going to try to change that if you don’t want me to."

"Ridge. I do love you." She said. "Oh my God, you really are my dad." She said as she held him tightly. He kissed her forehead and held his daughter tightly, as if to never ever let her get away again.

 

Macy pushed her hair back under the baseball cap and adjusted the dark glasses once more. She started at the familiar sign. "Spectra Fashions." It read. Her hand held the door and with all the strength in her she opened it. Smells and sights assaulted her at once. She felt more at home than she had since she had woken up with Peter that day. She was home, finally home. She walked inside and memories flooded her. She had spent so much of her life here. Her mother was here. She rocked her sleeping baby and continued towards the elevator. It would take her to Darla’s desk. Darla, her friend, her mother’s most loyal employee. Would she recognize her? Should she tell her who she was? She hit the button and the elevator began to move. All too soon the doors opened and she stepped out. Darla’s desk was empty. "Good." She said to herself. She walked the familiar corridors to her mother’s office. The door was shut and she almost was tempted to turn away. "No Macy, you can do this. You can." She said as her hand grabbed the door and opened it. The breath went out of her when she saw the hefty red head standing with her back to her talking on the phone. "Just leave it on my desk Darla, I don’t have time to make happy talk, this whole showing is falling apart. Where the hell is Clarke Garrison when you need him?"

Macy just stood and watched her. Too frightened to say anything. She carefully put Adam down on the chair near the door. He slept soundly through his mother’s ordeal.

"Well? Have you found him?" Sally asked turning around. She looked at the woman in front of her. The disguise may have fooled a casual friend but not a mother. Sally clutched at her chest and her mouth fell open. "Who? Who the hell are you?" She shouted.

"It’s me Mother, it’s me, Macy." She said taking the cap and glasses off.

 

Chapter 30

 

Brooke walked past Megan as she entered her office. She had almost stopped to confront her but she remembered her promise to Ridge. But Megan could see the anger on her face and it upset her. She had only wanted what was best for everyone, she had never intended to hurt Brooke. She hoped that somehow she could remedy the situation. She got up and followed Brooke into her office.

"Can we talk?" Megan asked.

"I think it’s better if we wait Megan, I’m annoyed with you right now and I may say something I’ll regret."

"Brooke please, give me a chance to apologize." Megan begged. "I never meant to hurt you. I was worried about you. You have to believe me."

"Perhaps you were but I am really not ready to talk about this. Get back to work Megan, maybe we can talk later." Brooke said, dismissing her. Megan sighed and left the office. After she left Brooke turned on her computer and opened up her email. A smile crossed her face when she saw the ecard from Ridge. It was a silhouette of two lovers and it simply said "It’s just beginning Logan, I love you, Ridge." She saved it to her personal file and went to the next message. It was from Katie. She was planning a visit the next day and was looking forward to seeing her. Brooke wondered if Beth had told her about Ridge. She smiled again. She was so happy now. She finally had everything she always wanted and nothing and no one was going to ever take it away from her again. The smile left her face when she looked up and saw Stephanie staring at her from the doorway.

"Hello Brooke." She said as she walked in.

"Stephanie. What do you want?"

"Oh, I think you know the answer to that." She said. Stephanie shut the door and walked up to Brooke. "You can’t have him you know. You may have gotten him into your bed but you can’t have him."

"I already do Stephanie and nothing you do or say can ever change that."

"You always seem to underestimate me Brooke. But that’s your mistake isn’t it?"

"Give it a rest Stephanie, it’s getting old." Brooke laughed and looked back at her computer screen.

"I’ll always be one step ahead of you Brooke Logan. One step ahead and a mile above you."

"You don’t scare me."

"Then that too is your mistake Brooke." She told her.

 

"You want to kept it a secret Bridget? Even from your mother?" Ridge asked. "Don’t you think she deserves to know the truth?"

"Please Ridge, just give me a little time to adjust to it without everyone jumping down my throat. I promise it won’t take too long."

"Alright Bridget, and maybe this way I can do a little investigating on my own. If they don’t know what I’m looking for then no one will be suspicious." He said thoughtfully.

"Why would someone do this to us Ridge? It seems so cruel. It hurt so many people."

"Yeah it did honey, but I think I have to concentrate on who it would help instead."

Bridget looked at him and smiled. "I think I know exactly who you suspect."

"Well, I think we will wait till I have something more concrete."

"Why does Stephanie hate me?" Bridget asked him.

"She doesn’t hate you honey, she hates your mother and I am going to put an end to that too. But I don’t know for certain it was her so let’s not accuse her just yet."

Bridget looked at her wristwatch. "I’d better get to school."

"Are you sure Bridget? If you want to take off and spend some time together?" He left the question open.

"I’d like that but I have a test and if I want to get into my first choice for college I can’t miss it."

"We have the rest of our lives don’t we?" He said with a hug. "Bridget I know how shocked you are but I want you to know how happy I am, and how happy your mother will be too. I love you honey."

"I love you too Ridge." She told him.

"Have you seen Ridge this morning?" Eric asked Sean. He had gotten in and checked his office but it had been empty.

"Not yet. I was looking for him earlier but Brooke said he had an appointment."

"He did? Nothing I knew about." Eric said. He looked at the design Sean was working on. "That’s good Sean. May I?" He asked. Sean handed the sketch to him.

"I was thinking that would look nice in a powder blue, sort of icy blue actually." Sean said.

"Yes, I can see that, or else maybe a deep blue." He smiled as he thought of the deep blue pools that were Taylor’s eyes.

"That might work too. I wanted to talk to Brooke about adding this to the collection but she’s been in her office with the door closed. Megan said Stephanie is in with her."

"That can’t be good." Eric said. "She’s been causing too many problems around here."
"That’s not fair Eric, Brooke has been working her butt off since she got back and she’s put in some long hours too."

"No." Eric laughed. "I wasn’t talking about Brooke, I was talking about Stephanie. She’s been trying to veto just about everything that Brooke starts. We can’t run a business this way."

"Well I know she and Brooke have never seen eye to eye but I think it’s time she tried again Eric. She isn’t going to win this one. Brooke and Ridge are determined to make it this time."

"Do you really think so Sean?" Eric asked.

"I do Eric."

"I thought you were interested in Brooke."

"I was Eric, but Brooke only has eyes for Ridge. And he seems to feel the same way."

"Has he said that to you?" Eric asked him as he handed back the sketch.

"I think you should talk to him about it. But yes, he’s told me he is very much in love with Brooke."

"Good." Eric said. "Anyway Sean, get that dress down to production, I certainly think it deserves a place in the show."

"What about that wedding gown of yours Eric?" Sean asked him.

"Sorry Sean, not this time."

"I think you’re making a mistake."

"I know I’m not." Eric assured him. "What’s this I hear about you and Ridge working on a new line?"

"Just an experiment, nothing solid yet."

"Can you clue me in?" Eric asked the younger man.

"Not really. I want to see what we come up with first."

"I hope it won’t take you away from the current line."

"Not at all Eric, it’s only part time really."

"I’d be interested in seeing what it is." He told him.

"Actually it’s haute couture for the maternity set." Sean said.

"Interesting, but is there a lot of call for that?"

"More than you realize. Women are tired of looking frumpy when they are in one of the happiest times of their lives. It won’t be a huge line but there is a place for it. Other houses have done it."

"But we’ll do it better." Eric smiled. "Good work Sean."

 

Sally stood there staring at the woman in front of her. She was dumbstruck. She looked so much like Macy. "Who are you? How did you get in here? Why are you trying to look like my daughter? Answer me!" She demanded.

"I am your daughter Mother, it is me." Macy said as she slowly approached her.

"No, it can’t be. Macy is dead. She’s dead I tell you."

"No. No I’m not Mother. I’m here, I’m here and I’m alive." Macy walked to her and took her hand. "See Mother, it’s really me."

"How can it be? I buried you. I did."

"It wasn’t me that you buried. I was thrown from the car and I ran."

"Macy? Macy is it really you?" Sally said as she started to shake.

"It’s me Mom, I’ve come home." Macy couldn’t hold back any longer. She threw herself into her mother’s protective arms. The two women held onto each other and sobbed. Then Sally stepped back and without letting go looked at her.

"My prayers, my prayers have all been answered. My beautiful daughter is alive, she’s come back to me." She pulled her close one more time and covered her face with kisses. Suddenly she stopped and released her. "How could you do this to me? Do you have any idea what you’ve put me through? I thought you were dead! I’ve grieved for you Macy. Why did you do this? Why?"

"It wasn’t on purpose Mother. I lost my memory. I didn’t know who I was. I was so alone and so frightened."

"You lost your memory?" Sally asked her. "Oh Macy, Macy darling Mommy is here, she’ll make everything alright again." Once more she pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.

"I love you Mom, I love you so much." Macy said with a smile as tears continued to pour down her cheeks.

 

"I don’t have time for your nonsense Stephanie." Brooke laughed and got up from her desk. Stephanie’s eyes followed the beautiful blonde as she walked to the coffee maker and poured herself a cup. She turned up her nose at Brooke’s shapeless, flowered shift.

"What are you wearing? Is this really something that a CEO of a fashion house should be seen in?" She asked Brooke.

"Don’t you like it?" Brooke said with a spin.

"No, and I know it’s not one of ours."

"You’re right about that, it isn’t Forrester. But it’s comfortable and it will do until I have time to do some shopping."

"Maybe I shouldn’t worry." Stephanie laughed at her. "If Ridge sees you in that getup there is no way he’s going to leave a beautiful woman like Taylor. Maybe you are already doing me a favor Brooke."

"You wish." Brooke laughed. "Would you like some coffee Stephanie?" She asked politely.

"No, I’d like you to leave."

"Leave? Leave what? When?" A puzzled Brooke asked her.

"Leave my son alone, leave Forrester, just plain leave Brooke. You have no place here."

"No place here?" Brooke laughed. "You know Stephanie there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time."

"And what might that be?" Stephanie snorted.

"You? What is it that you do here? I mean besides being Eric’s cash cow so many years ago. You have a huge office and you come here every day but do you ever do anything? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do anything at all besides criticize me. So you tell me Stephanie, what is your contribution to this company?"

"You’re nothing but a stupid whore." Stephanie countered.

"Oh good answer." Brooke laughed and applauded. "Stephanie Forrester wins the prize. Ask her a question and she calls you a slut. You are so original Stephanie. But you know something, you never answered my question."

"Just leave Brooke, you aren’t wanted here, not by anyone anymore. Save what’s left of your pride and go. Go to your mother in Paris."

Brooke looked at her and smiled. "Sorry Stephanie, I’m here to stay. Get used to it."

 

"Good morning." Taylor said with a smile as she walked up to Pierce. "I didn’t expect to see you today."

"Morning?" Pierce laughed looking at his watch. "I’ve never know you to be so late. But you seem different somehow."

"Do I?" She asked.

"Yes, like a weight have been lifted off your shoulders. Did something happen last night?" Taylor looked at him and blushed. "Something did happen." He laughed.

"Not really. I guess I finally faced facts. It’s over and I’m not going to fight anymore."

"I’m sorry Taylor, that must have been hard to face."

"It was. But I just don’t want to do it anymore. Maybe part of what we had was already over. But I mean it, I am not going to waste anymore time trying to save a dead marriage. But I am going to make sure that Ridge is responsible for his children, all of them."

"But."
"But nothing Pierce, they were conceived in my marriage and according to the law that makes them his. Ridge has been their father and he will remain responsible for them."

"Are you saying that you plan on denying me my rights?" Pierce asked her.

"You don’t have any rights Pierce. I’m sorry but that’s the truth. Unless you take me to court I am not disrupting my children’s lives anymore. It’s far too much for them to deal with losing their father from their home, they are not losing him from their lives. Perhaps in time we can do something but not now. I expect you to respect that Pierce."

"I don’t want my daughters to have any pain either Taylor, but I want them to know who their real father is. I can give them time to adjust to Ridge being gone but that’s all I can promise. And let’s not forget that Brooke probably knows. She isn’t going to want to see Ridge being a father to them."

"I don’t care what Brooke does or doesn’t want. My children are what matters. I called that lawyer you told me about. I’m seeing her today."

"Taylor you may be trying to do too much too fast. Are you sure something else didn’t happen? You seem changed somehow."

"I’ve made decisions in my life and I am going to move on Pierce. So maybe I have changed but if so it’s for the better." She ran her fingers through her hair. "So what are our plans for today?"

"Anything your heart desires." Pierce said with a smile.

"I meant work Pierce, I am not going to jump into a relationship with you. It’s far too soon to even think of that."

"It’s good to have you back Taylor. This is the woman I first met. Confident, strong and beautiful." He handed her a file. "You tackle this one and I’ll take this. We can meet later and compare notes."

"Sounds good. But remember, I have to leave to meet my lawyer at two."

 

"Don’t leave yet." Kimberly begged Thorne. She was lying in their bed wearing a tiny white nightie. She reached for the thin spaghetti strap and let it fall exposing one perfect round breast. "Come back to bed."

"Kim I already spent way too much time in bed this morning. I have to get to work, we have a showing coming up. In fact don’t you have a couple of fittings today?"

"Yes but this is our honeymoon. Can’t we do it one more time? Please?" She pouted prettily at him.

"You are so beautiful Kim, but I have to get to work." He said as he opened the door to the bathroom.

"Thorne?" She called out to him.

"What?" He asked turning back around.

"Are you happy? Are you going to be happy being married?"

"I’ll be just fine Kim." He told her. He went into the bathroom and closed the door. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. "I’d be a lot finer if you were Brooke though." He said quietly. "Or Macy." He added.

 

Sally finally released Macy. "Tell me, tell me everything. How did you get back here? Where were you all that time? How did you get your memory back? When did you," Suddenly her question was cut off by the sound of a baby’s cry. She looked at Macy in puzzlement.

"Oh that?" Macy laughed. "Come here Grandma and meet your grandson." She took Sally’s hand and led her to the chair where Adam was crying. Macy picked up her son and rocked him. "It’s okay honey, this is your grandmother." She smiled at the speechless Sally. "Yes Mother, he’s my son. Meet Adam."

"Adam?" Sally whispered. "After your father?"

"At the time I didn’t know that, at least not consciously. Something told me that Adam was the perfect name for him and so that’s what I named him."

"Can I hold him?" Sally asked.

"Sure you can." Macy said handing the baby to the buxom redhead. Adam looked at her and cooed. He reached for her hair with his tiny fingers and gave it a pull.

"He’s strong, and so beautiful." Sally said. "Macy? When was he conceived? How old is he?"

"He’s Thorne’s if that’s what you meant. I was pregnant the day of the accident, not that I knew that. I found out later. When I was with Peter."

"Peter? Who is Peter?" Sally asked as she smiled and rocked her grandson.

"Mom it’s such a long and complicated story and I’m not sure that I know all the answers myself. I’m sorta hopin’ that you can fill me in on some of the missing parts. But let’s sit down and I will try and bring you up to date and answer as many questions as I can."

"Does anyone else know you’re back?" Sally asked.

"No, I wanted to come home to you first Mom. I wanted to see you and Ceej and Darla and Clarke. Where are they anyway? Darla wasn’t at her desk and I didn’t see Clarke or CJ."

"Darla is around somewhere running like a chicken with her head cut off." Sally laughed. "Bucky should be in his office. Your brother moved to Seattle, but we’ll call him Macy, I know he’ll want to come home to see you."

"I really want to see him too Mom." Macy said with a hug. "And Mom? I need to ask you something."

"Anything darling."

"Thorne, did Thorne marry Brooke?"

 

"Hello my beautiful lady." Ridge said with a grin as he walked into Brooke’s office. "Where did that frown come from?"

"Where else? Your mother. She was here spewing her usual venom." Brooke said getting up and putting her arms around Ridge. "But you make it all worthwhile." She said with a kiss. "How was the meeting? Does Jonathan think there will be many problems with the divorce?"

"Jonathan?" Ridge asked.

"Yes, your lawyer. You told me you were meeting him this morning."

"Oh yeah, sorry, my head isn’t screwed on tightly. I guess you upset me with this news about Mother. I hope you didn’t let her get to you Logan."

"Nope." She smiled and touched the tip of his nose. "Not when I have the love of her sexy son."

"That you do my love." He said with a deep kiss.

"I’m so sorry about this morning. I really wish you hadn’t had to leave so soon. I felt fine after that." She said stroking the side of his face.

"Oh Logan, we have a lifetime."

"What do you say we start it right now?" She suggested. She reached her hands under his shirt tracing little circles around his nipples. Her lips teased his lips and his neck as she rubbed herself suggestively against him.

"Logan we have a lot of work to do today." He moaned.

"Ummmm, lot’s of hard work." She giggled as she let one hand drop down to stroke him.

"Brooke." He said taking her hand off him and bringing it to his mouth and kissing it. "Not now. We have things to take care of."

"Let Brooke take care of them." She purred into his ear.

"You are truly tempting me. But I lost the whole morning."

"Ridge come on." She pouted. "I want you, I want you now."

"Logan you will be the death of me."

"At least you’ll die with a smile on your face." She teased as she undid his belt.

"Logan!" He said sternly.

"Ridge." She answered in a sing-song voice as she got to her knees. "I never did have breakfast." She smiled as she released him from his pants.

"Logan?" He said.

"Shut up and enjoy." She told him. And he did.

 

"Eric!" Stephanie called out to her husband. He was walking down the hallway towards Ridge’s office. He stopped at the sound of her voice and walked to her. "Eric I was frightened. You never called. What happened?"

"Let’s go into your office." He said taking her arm and leading her inside. He shut the door and walked to a table where he poured himself a glass of water.

"Was Taylor alright honey? Why didn’t you call me?"

"Taylor was upset, she needed to talk. She had a bit too much to drink. I couldn’t leave her alone."

"I realize that. But Eric, you could have called me."

"We were up late talking and then I was tired and I went to sleep. I’m sorry Stephanie, I didn’t mean to upset you."

"Did Ridge call her or come home?"

"Stephanie you are going to have to face facts. Taylor and Ridge are over. Taylor is seeing a lawyer today and Ridge has already seen Jonathan."

"No! No, I will not let that bitch win again." She stood up and pounded on her desk. Her face began to get red and she was sweating.

"Stephanie, you have to calm down. This is not good for your health."

"Brooke Logan is not good for my health. Eric we have to get her out of our lives, we have to get rid of her."

"Sit, sit right now. I mean it Stephanie." He walked to her and gently pushed her down in her chair.

"Eric no, no. Not her, not her again. She’ll ruin his life. He has a wonderful wife and three beautiful children."

"He’s not in love with Taylor."

"Yes he is! That seductress is throwing her breasts at him and spreading her legs for him. He’s falling into her web and we have to help him out of it!"

"You have to try and calm down, you are going to make yourself sick Stephanie. I mean it." He went back to the pitcher and poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. "Look at how worked up you’ve gotten. Over something you have no control of."

"I have to take control Eric. I have to stop her."

"You can’t stop her. Ridge loves her." Eric insisted.

"No, he feels lust for her, not love, never love. That woman is incapable of giving or receiving love Eric."

"You have to stop obsessing over Brooke. You have so much more in your life than just her. Think of your other children, your grandchildren. Maybe you can show some support to Thorne and Kimberly. I’m sure they can use you now."

"Stop it Eric, stop trivializing this. Brooke is destroying our son’s life, his marriage, his family. I don’t have time to worry about Thorne and Kimberly right now. They’ll be fine. Ridge and Taylor won’t be Eric."

"I can’t take this anymore Stephanie!" Eric exploded. "What the hell kind of a life is this for me? I’m married to a woman who is so obsessed with her son’s marriage that she can’t see her own is falling apart in front of her eyes!"

"What are you talking about Eric?" The suddenly quiet Stephanie asked.

"Us! Our marriage! It’s falling apart and you don’t even seem to care. We don’t talk, we barely even eat together and God knows the last time we made love. You’re more like a roommate to me than a wife! Maybe you should get your priorities straightened out. No, forget that Stephanie, maybe I just don’t give a damn anymore." He shouted. Eric slammed down the water glass, shattering it. He turned away from her and stormed out of the office.

 

"You’re going to be the death of me Logan." Ridge said as he kissed Brooke and got up from the couch.

"I hope that’s good." She smiled.

"Brooke everything about us is good. Being in your arms, making love to you, knowing that you love me. And our baby Brooke, our beautiful baby. But that I need to talk to you about."

"What?" She asked. She looked up at him with wide, wondering eyes.

"God I can’t talk to you about something serious with you so gloriously naked." He said. He sat back next to her and pulled her into his arms.

"You ready for another round?" She teased, kissing his lips and his neck.

"Logan, Logan, Logan. I will always be ready for you. But I want to take you to the doctor. I’m still worried about what happened yesterday."

"I’m fine Ridge, I promise."

"Will you please do this for me. I want an ultrasound."

"You just want to see if it’s a boy or a girl don’t you? You know it’s probably too soon to tell. Do you care Ridge? Would you prefer a boy? Do you want a girl?"

"I want whatever we are blessed with Logan, as long as he is healthy."

"He." She laughed. "You said he. I know you want a boy."

"A boy would be nice. But a girl, one who looks just like her mother. Now that sounds nice to me."

"I don’t care what it is, as long as it looks like you, exactly like you." She punctuated with a kiss.

"Why like me Logan? You’re so much prettier."

"I don’t want anyone to have any doubts about whose baby this is." She said.

"Oh God Logan, what have we all done to you?" He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. "No doubts, I have no doubts and no one else will either."

"I was so sure Ridge, so sure Bridget was yours." She said sadly. Ridge was so tempted to tell her, but if his plan was to work it had to be a secret, a secret from everyone. Brooke could never keep this from his mother or Taylor and he had to catch them both unaware.

 

"Let’s just worry about Thorne later. I want to know what happened to you. Please Macy, you have to tell me. We’ve all been so sad and lonely without you." Sally said to her daughter. She didn’t know how to approach her with the news about Thorne and Kimberly and thankfully Macy hadn’t asked about her sister.

"I can take it Mom. I know he wanted to marry her. I don’t suppose he had any reason not to with me being dead. But I imagine the legal aspects could be a problem. We’ll have to call Connor won’t we?"

"We can call him later. First we have to talk and I have to get to know my Grandson. How I wish we could get in touch with your father somehow."

"Yes, Daddy would love little Adam wouldn’t he?" Macy smiled. "Oh Mom, it was so confusing. What I remember is that I ran from the accident site. I just kept running and running and eventually I hitched a ride on a truck. By the time I got out I couldn’t seem to remember anything. Not my name, where I was or how I got there. I wandered around, slept in a park I think and then I saw what I was looking for."

"What was that?" Sally asked.

"A bar. I found a bar. I went inside and had a drink and another and then another. I had no money and I didn’t know what would happen and then I looked up at the truck driver was there, the one who had taken me."

"Did he help you Macy?" Sally asked her.

"He called me Sandy and he asked me why I had run out on him. I was so confused. I didn’t know why he was calling me that, but I didn’t know what my name was so I believed him. He said he was my husband. It was all so confusing. I couldn’t figure out why he had picked me up and why I was where I was but I was lost and scared so I went home with him. He told me that I had run away from him, that I had an affair and that now I was home. When I found out I was pregnant I knew it wasn’t his, but I didn’t know who the daddy was. Peter told me that we would raise him as ours."

"Oh Macy, Macy honey." Sally said holding her to her. Little Adam started to cry and they both laughed.

"What happened next honey?"

"I lived with him as his wife. Part of me knew I didn’t belong but I wanted to, I wanted to forget and yet I wanted to remember too."

"Oh Macy, what have you gone through, and all because of Thorne and Brooke. I could kill them both."

"No, don’t blame them. I was out of control. I was a drunk Mom, but I’m not anymore. Macy is back and she is better than ever. At least I will be." She smiled.

 

Pierce had left her alone to review her files but Taylor couldn’t seem to take her mind off of the previous night and morning. What a shock it had been to her. She had never expected to be so caught up in her feelings for Eric but she was. She had barely thought of Ridge since she and Eric had shared first her bed and then a wild romp in her kitchen. She blushed to herself remembering it.

She had told him no, that she needed to wait and think, that the night before had been a mistake but when he had kissed her and touched her she had found herself wanting him so badly she couldn’t say no.

"Eric please you’re confusing me so." She had begged him.

"Nothing is different from last night, this is where I want to be, where you want to be."

"But Ridge, Stephanie. Eric it’s wrong."

"Does it feel wrong Taylor? Can you honestly tell me it feels wrong?" He asked her.

"No." She said giving into his embrace and kiss. She had let him undress her again and they had made love on the kitchen chair. It had been wild and exciting and Taylor had found herself feeling the love that she had once before felt for Eric. A love that this time she doubted she would be able to deny.

Bringing herself back to the present she found herself smiling. And even more so when Missy came in with a huge bouquet of flowers. All of her favorites like delphinium, gerbera daisies, lilies and alstroemeria give the abundant bouquet its just-picked beauty. She sniffed their fragrant aroma and then saw the card. "Please." She whispered to herself as she opened it. She let out a sigh of relief when she read the inscription. Taylor held the card to her heart as tears formed in her eyes.

Becky sat at her desk looking at the single black rose in the vase. She had seen Sasha two more times and yet she knew so little about him. He was private and secretive. Their relationship was pretty much based entirely on sex, but it was good sex. Yet Becky found herself missing what she had had with Sean. The romantic walks, the long talks, the fancy dinners and the respect. Yes, respect was something that she had gotten from Sean but not from Sasha. She wondered why she was so drawn to this dark man of hers. She picked up her pen as the intercom went off. "Sean." She whispered to herself.

"Hi." She answered him.

"Becky can you come in a minute?" He asked her.

"I’ll be right in." She told him. She picked up her pad and walked into his office.

"Hi Becky." He said. "Sit down will you?"

"Sean is this about work?" She asked.

"I need to talk to you about something, I want to run something by you before you hear it from someone else." He walked to the door and shut it as she sat down in the chair in front of his desk. Sean returned and sat down. "How have you been Becky?"

"I’ve been alright." She said.

"Becky is it difficult for you to continue to work for me?" He asked with genuine concern.

"Please don’t fire me Sean. I need this job. I need to support Kevin and I have to be able to pay Emily."

"I don’t trust that woman." Sean told her.

"That’s not fair. She’s wonderful with Kevin and he loves her, and Mary. You’re just saying this because she doesn’t like you."

"And why is that Becky? What have I ever done to her to make her feel that way?" He asked her.

"I don’t know, maybe it’s a personality thing. But that really doesn’t matter. I like her and I want her to stay with us."

"Just be careful Becky and no, I have no intention of firing you. Why would you think that?"

"Well you and I." She said nervously.

"What we have or had has nothing to do with your job. I would never fire you because you don’t want to date me anymore. I wish you would change your mind but I would never fire you. What I want to talk to you about is something Brooke is thinking about."

"Brooke?" Becky asked with a sigh or relief.

"Brooke is having a difference of opinion with Megan and she is thinking of asking you to work for her and for Megan to work for me."

"Brooke wants me?" Becky asked him. "What happened with Megan?"

"That’s personal between them and this isn’t certain. I just didn’t want you to catch wind of this and think that I was trying to push you out because I am not. I am perfectly happy working with you Becky and I always have been."

"Do you think I could do that job Sean?" She asked.

"I think you could do anything you set out to do Becky Moore. You are a smart and beautiful young woman. I have total faith in your abilities."

 

"Okay, I’m going to go meet with Giovanni. Can we meet for lunch?" Kimberly asked her husband.

"Lunch? We are already so late. I think we’d better grab something on the run today." He laughed.

"Well we can do it together can’t we?" She asked him with a pout.

"Kimberly, I am not going to run out on you. We need to each do our own jobs okay. How about we go out someplace nice for dinner instead okay?"

"Café Russe?" She asked.

"If you’d like." He said to her. "I’ll call and make reservations okay?"

"Okay." She agreed. "I love you Thorne." She smiled and ran to him and hugged him. Her arms snaked around his neck and he felt her tongue push its way into his mouth in a less than chaste kiss. He found himself enjoying it as well as laughing at her youthful exuberance.

"I’ll see you later Kim." He said extracting himself from her arms. He walked away with a chuckle and a smile on his face.

 

"You’re really making too much of this." Brooke said as Ridge led her to the receptionist’s desk at her OB/GYN’s office.

"This is not just your child, he’s mine too and I want to be sure that he’s okay Logan."

"He huh?" She laughed.

"It’s just an expression. I already told you I don’t care as long as he’s healthy."

"Or she." Brooke smiled.

"Yeah, I would love a little girl too. Whatever we have Logan, it will be the most loved kid in the world." He turned to the receptionist. "Hi, I’m Ridge Forrester and I’m bringing my lady in for an emergency visit. I called before."

"Yes, Ms. Logan are you alright?" She asked Brooke.

"I’m fine. Nothing happened." Brooke insisted.

"She had a fall and she had a tussle with someone. Will the doctor be able to do an ultrasound?" Ridge asked.

"Yes, we have it scheduled, but you’ll need to wait a bit. The office is very busy today. Dr. Hennessy will be with you shortly."

"I think an emergency should take precedence." Ridge said, somewhat annoyed.

"This isn’t an emergency Ridge. I’m fine, I was not hurt, there is no spotting. Really you need to calm down." Brooke looked at the receptionist and laughed. "You’d think this was his first."

"It’s our first." He told her.

"Sort of." Brooke laughed. "You were there for Bridget and you were her Dad for her formative years anyway."

"I’d never discount Bridget. But this is different Logan, you were hurt and you need to be checked out."

"Why don’t you both have a seat and doctor will be with you shortly." The receptionist told them. Brooke took Ridge’s hand and led him to the chairs and sat. She picked up a copy of "Eye on Fashion" and started to look at it. "Hmmmmm." She said.

"What?" Ridge asked.

"Oh nothing. Just an article about what a bitch I am." She said putting it down.

"What are you talking about?" Ridge asked grabbing the magazine and opening it. "This is an old issue Brooke."

"I know but still, it practically blames me for Macy’s death. You know how badly I felt about that. And Ridge, I did not cause that accident."

"I know you didn’t. Don’t let this bother you, no one believes that garbage anyway."

"Sally Spectra does, your mother does." She said. She gave him a sad look. "I didn’t hate her Ridge, I really didn’t. I was going through a hard and confusing time. I really thought Thorne and I were meant to be."

"We don’t have to talk about this." He said a little uneasily. As much as he loved Brooke he still had jealous feelings about her relationship with Thorne. He resented that his brother had at one time made her happy.

"I think we do Ridge. You know we never really did. Not since we’ve been together again. I know you never approved of me and Thorne but I need to know that you at least have gotten past it."

"There’s nothing to get past. It meant nothing, you and I are what matters."

"Ridge that is not true." She told him. She took his hand and held it and looked deeply into his eyes. "It was not nothing with Thorne, I did love him. But I never loved him like I love you. I wanted it to be so much more but I couldn’t make it so. I couldn’t do that to him or to us. Even if I never had you again, I knew Thorne deserved better than to be second best."

"Thorne is the past, I am the present and the future, that’s all that matters now." Ridge said to her.

"You don’t blame me for Macy do you?" She asked.

"You certainly are acting the part." Ridge laughed.

"What part?" Brooke asked defensively.

"The nutty, insecure pregnant lady." He said with a kiss. "You know I don’t blame you for Macy, I don’t blame anyone. It was a terrible accident and I just thank God that you were alright."

"I just wish." She said thoughtfully.

"I know honey, I do too." Ridge agreed.

"You know I blame them Macy. Both Thorne and Brooke. If they hadn’t pushed you like that."

"Then something else would have done it." Macy smiled at her mother. "Mom, I was out of control. I was drinking like a fish and I was insecure. I knew Thorne didn’t want me and there was nothing I could seem to do to hold onto him. But my drinking only pushed him farther and farther away. It was a hard lesson to learn and I learned it in the strangest way."

"How honey?" Sally asked. She was so worried about her daughter. There was so much she had to learn and so much Sally needed to know about what had happened to her.

"Peter, the man who took me in, well he was a drinker. He was mean and abusive and I hated it. I saw myself when I looked at him and I knew I didn’t want it. But still, I was unhappy and so I drank. We both drank quite a lot in the beginning. Maybe that helps explain why it took me so long to remember everything. But one day I woke up and I didn’t want it anymore. So I purged it from my system. I stopped cold turkey and it was hard, but I was pregnant and I had to think about my baby."

"And then you remembered?" Sally asked.

"No, not really. But I met a wonderful woman and she became my friend. Somehow when I was with her things were calm and they started to make sense. Little by little things started to come to me, little things." She sighed and looked at her mother and her son. "Can I take him Mom? Is he too heavy?"

"Oh Macy I would hold you both it I had to." Sally said in her strong voice. "Just having you here gives me more strength than I’ve had in months."

Macy walked to her and held her mother and her son close to her again. "Me too Mom, me too."

 

"I just don’t know what to do Ruthanne." Stephanie complained to her friend. "She’s somehow torn my whole family apart. Eric walked out on me, he said terrible things." She reached for her earring and removed it and once more placed the phone on her ear.

"Maybe he’s got a point. Maybe you need to concentrate more on your husband. I know you aren’t happy with what Ridge is doing but it might just be too late for you to help." Ruthanne said. Hers was a voice of reason, but Stephanie was not ready to listen.

"I will not let her win." Stephanie insisted. "That bitch is not going to get my family, she’s not."

"What did Eric say exactly?" Ruthanne asked. Although Stephanie had told her from what she knew of Eric Forrester, Ruthanne couldn’t believe he would have said and done what he had. He loved Stephanie. They had fought so hard to be remarried. It was absurd that he would be willing to walk away from his marriage over Brooke Logan.

"He told me that I was obsessed and that we don’t have a marriage anymore, that I have to concentrate on us. And then he said he didn’t even care anymore and he walked out." Stephanie said as she stifled a sob.

"Would you like me to come there? I could get to Forrester in no time. We can go somewhere and talk." The calmer woman suggested.

"I need to make him understand, he has to know the damage that Brooke Logan is causing Ruthanne, he has to."

 

"Are they from the boss?" Missy asked Taylor who smiled at the card.

"No, they’re from a friend, a very special friend." Taylor answered. She took the card and placed it inside her purse. "They’re beautiful aren’t they?"

"Yes they are." Missy said.

"If you don’t mind I need to make a phone call." Taylor said with a smiled.

"Oh course." Missy waved and walked out of Taylor’s office, closing the door behind her.

"Oh Eric." Taylor sighed. She reached for the phone and called Eric’s office at Forrester.

"Eric Forrester." He answered gruffly.

"Am I calling at a bad time?" Taylor asked.

"No, no not at all." He said as the smile went from his face into his voice. "There is no one in the world I would rather talk to."

"The flowers, Eric they’re beautiful." She told him. "But totally unnecessary."

"They certainly were necessary. How are you dear?"

"Confused. Eric I can’t remember when I was more confused in my life."

"Please don’t tell me you have regrets Taylor. This is something that was meant to be, not just now but before. We once reached to each other and then retreated, but never again. I will not rest until you are mine."

"Don’t say that please. You’re moving far too fast for me. I keep playing back last night and this morning in my head and I just don’t know what to think. I don’t seem to know anything anymore."

"It was the most beautiful experience in my life Taylor. And it was just the beginning."

"You need to think Eric. You need to think about what you have and what you are apt to lose. This isn’t just about two people, so many others are involved. And I have to think too. Stephanie is my closest friend. I love her and I don’t want to hurt her."

"Taylor sometimes we have to put ourselves first and this is one of those times. You know it and I know it. What happened between us was so special and so powerful." Eric said. "Please don’t throw us aside. Please promise to see me again."

"God forgive me but I have to." She said.

"Tonight, I need to see you tonight." He told her.

"Call me at home. I have to go Eric, I have to think about this." She gently hung up the phone and then stared at the flowers. "I need to see you tonight too." She whispered.

 

Ridge took Brooke’s hand as Dr. Hennessy started the ultrasound. She shivered and laughed as the doctor moved the instrument over her. Ridge’s eyes widened as the sound of the baby’s heartbeat were suddenly loud and clear. "Look." He said and pointed at the screen to Brooke.

"That’s our baby." She smiled. "Look, that’s a little leg or is it a hand?"

"It’s the leg." Dr. Hennessy answered with a smile. "And your baby has a good strong heartbeat. Everything seems just fine Brooke."

"See." Brooke said to Ridge.

"I had to be sure Logan." He said squeezing her hand. "He’s kicking." He laughed.

"I don’t need the camera to tell me that." Brooke answered. "This little guy is very active, must take after his daddy."

"So doctor, there was no problem from the fall?" Ridge asked again. He was looking for more reassurance.

"It really wasn’t a big fall Ridge." Brooke insisted. She looked at him and smiled to see how thrilled he really was.

"Look!" He said again. The baby seemed to be moving his hand and Brooke and Ridge smiled at each other. "Doctor?" He asked. "Is it too soon to find out about the baby?"

"Hmmm." She said with a grin. "It’s a little early but we may be able to tell. What do you say Brooke? Do you want to know?"
"Ridge? Do you really want to know?" Brooke asked.

"It will make it easier to plan." He said. "We can paint the nursery, buy dolls or footballs. I think it would be really great to know."

"I don’t know." Brooke said. "I guess I’m old fashioned. I like the surprise of finding out when the baby is born. But if you really want to know." She smiled at him.

"What’ll it be folks?" Dr. Hennessy asked.

"Do you know?" Brooke asked.

"Yes I do." She answered her. Brooke looked at Ridge with concern. She was uncertain if she wanted to know and yet she wanted to do what Ridge wanted. The look in his eyes said it all. "Okay Dr. Hennessy, what are we having?" Brooke asked.

 

"Bridget you are sure acting weird today." Caitlyn told her friend. "Did something happen? I mean you got here late and had no reason."

"I don’t have to tell you everything." Bridget said as she pushed her hair back.

"Excuse me for being concerned." Caitlyn said. "I thought we were friends but whatever." She started to walk away and Bridget grabbed her arm.

"No, don’t go. I have to tell someone but if I do you have to swear not to tell anyone."

"Wow, this sounds serious."

"It is. Let’s cut okay?" Bridget said.

"Yeah sure. Where do you wanna go?" Caitlyn asked.

"Let’s go to the beach. We can sit there and talk. This is so big, it changes everything."

"Let’s go." Caitlyn said.

The two girls quickly snuck out of the school and headed for the parking lot.

"Whose car?" Caitlyn asked.

"Yours I didn’t drive." Bridget said. She spied Caitlyn’s car and started towards it.

"Hey Bridge! Cate!" Shelby called out as she ran to catch up.

"Shit it’s Shelby." Caitlyn said.

"She can come. You’d tell her anyway." Bridget laughed.
"This sure sounds serious Bridget." Caitlyn said again.

"It is Cate, it’s going to change everything in my life."

 

"Now Mom, I know you’re trying to protect me but I’m really a lot stronger than you realize. I want to know about Thorne and Brooke. Did he marry her?" Macy asked Sally.

"No. They got close to it but Brooke decided she wanted his brother after all." Sally said with disgust.

"I could have told her that and saved us all a lot of heartache." Macy told her. "It was so obvious to me that she never got over him. But poor Taylor. She must have her hands full with Brooke chasing after Ridge again."

"Rumor has it she’s already caught him and that their marriage is as good as over. Clarke tells me Ridge moved out of Taylor’s home and into Brooke’s."

"Oh no. How could he do that to his family?" Macy wondered. "Poor Taylor."

"Maybe she’s the lucky one. I think the Forrester’s are far more trouble than they’re worth. We’re well rid of them."

"But we aren’t really Mom, Adam is Thorne’s child and he will be a part of his life. And maybe." Macy stopped and smiled. Sally caught this and her face contorted. "What is it Mom? There’s more than the fact you don’t like Thorne isn’t there?"

"You don’t need him Macy, he’s no good, no good at all."

"But legally he’s still my husband." Macy pointed out.

"Oh dear Lord." Sally exclaimed. "You’re right, he is still legally your husband. Macy sit down, there’s something I have to tell you."

 

"Do you have any names picked out yet?" Dr. Hennessy asked Ridge and Brooke as she watched the screen.

"Not really, everything has been happening so fast." Brooke explained. "But I guess we’ll only have half as many to look at." She smiled at Ridge. He leaned over and kissed her lips.

"So are we looking at names like Suzy or Mary or at names like Bobby or Jimmy?" Ridge asked.

"I hope you like the color, oh excuse me." Dr. Hennessy said as her beeper went off. "I have to take this call, I’ll be right back." She walked out of the office leaving the couple alone.

"What?" Ridge groaned. "She could have at least told us before she left."

"I guess she likes to tease." Brooke laughed. "I’m sure she’ll tell us as soon as she gets back. What do you think Ridge? Can you tell? Do you see a little um."

"I can barely make out his head Logan." He laughed. "Can you?"

"Nope. I haven’t got a clue, but Ridge Suzy or Mary? Bobby or Jimmy? I sure hope you have some better ideas than those."

"They were just examples." He said with a chuckle. "I promise I can do better. How about you? Do you have any ideas?"

"A couple, but I think I’ll wait." She said.

"Our baby Logan, I am looking at our beautiful little baby and I don’t think I could be any happier than I am at this moment."

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