In the sprit of the Christmas time, I’ve created a three-part Christmas story for Brooke. This time takes place in a another dimension that is very similar to the characters in AAO. Therefore, the events that take place here won’t be happing in the story or…not like this. J (Yes, I’m taking a page out Pam’s book and the story she did a while ago.)
See, in this dimension….I did a BIG “What If…”

Your turn Queenie..(Hint to Dot)

This is part One, I hope you’ll enjoy it. Happy Holidays..

A Special AAO Christmas
{Part 1}

Brooke gently pushed her way through the throng of the Christmas crowd that gathered at the mall. For the last few weeks she had done a great deal of shopping and had gotten gifts for just about everybody on her list. Her arms were laded down with bags with the latest presents for her children and a special gift for her husband. Stopping a moment to listen Boy’s Choir rendition of “Silver Bells” she took in the joys of the season. Christmas to her was all about family and loved ones. She had planned an entire Christmas dinner with the works. She had so much to be thankful. Reaching down to touch the light swell of her stomach, she thought about the baby that she carried. She loved being pregnant, loved the feeling of her baby being inside of her. She knew that this baby was special because this would be her last child. She knew that although she didn’t look it, she was getting past the years to have babies, besides her own baby girl, Bridget was expecting. So, this baby was special, just as Gia was special to her. In her bag, there was a specially wrapped personal doll made in the likeness of her five year old daughter. Moving through the crowds, she found her car and headed to the beautiful estate that had been the home of her and her children for many years.

Ridge finished putting the last touches on the huge Christmas tress. “ You know, if you weren’t a designer, I’d say that you should go into the Christmas tree decorating business.”
“ Very funny. Princess.” Ridge threw tensile at his beautiful twenty-three year old daughter. Looking very much like her mother with her soft skin and her long blond hair falling around her shoulders, in a soft pink cashmere sweater that covered her swelling stomach and jeans, he was reminded of the young girl she had been. He couldn’t believe that Bridget was soon to be a mother herself. She and her husband were expecting their first child. They had gotten in from Paris, where they lived, to spend Christmas with the family.
“ Well, I think that the tree looks just like the one on the cover of this magazine.” Ten-year-old Phoebe added before eating a Christmas cookie that her grandmother had made. “ It’s wonderful dad.”
Ridge playfully stuck out his tongue at Bridget. “ Thank you. At least one of my daughters likes it.”
Stephy who had been reading a magazine looked up. “ It’s not my fault that I find Christmas to be another holiday set up by the masses for spending money. I’m so sick of Christmas music, fake Santa and battling parents who knock each other down to get the latest gadgets for their spoiled kids.”
Bridget plopped down next to her sister. “Come on. You’ve got to like something about Christmas.”
“ Don’t pay her any mind Bridget. She just hates Christmas because mom likes it.” Stephy said quietly.
Bridget knew all about the problems between Taylor and Stephy. What seem liked natural growing pains turned into something else when Ridge and Taylor divorced? Stephy had somewhat blamed the situation on her mother. It really didn’t help that Taylor devoted all of her attention on Thomas who she saw at the Forrester heir and the perfect don.
Bridget pulled back a lock of Stephy’s dark hair. “ Honey you don’t have to hate everything your mother loves. Besides, I know that you love your mother even if you have your differences.” Bridget leaned forward to whisper in her little sister’s ear. “ I’ll tell you a secret, my mom and I had differences all the time. You can’t believe the things that I blamed on her that weren’t her fault.” Stephy loved Bridget. Her older sister wasn’t just a successful artist; she was beautiful, charming and funny. But she didn’t understand. Everyone thought her mother was a saint, but she knew better. “ Yeah, but she wasn’t uptight, like my mother is, was she?”
“Believe me, having a mother like mine wasn’t always easy.”
“But Brooke’s cool unlike the uptight ….”
“That’s enough young lady.”
Ridge stopped Stephy were she was. He and Taylor were no longer married but that didn’t mean that he didn’t care for his ex-wife, he still did. “ Stephy, that is no way to speak about your mother. She loves you very much.” Ridge had heard enough of the conversation. Stephy said nothing else about her mother; she didn’t want to ruin Christmas for everybody.

Brooke tired to open the front door with all of her bags but it was impossible. It wasn’t until Rick opened the front door that she got the help she needed. Rick looked at his very fashionable mom in a beautiful wrap around silk dress and her long golden hair. Taking the bags he placed on the sofa as he stepped down into the beautifully decorated house.
“ So, did you clean out all of the shops?”
“ I only did a little shopping.”
“ You call this a little?”
“ When you have a family, we will see what you’ll buy. But since you aren’t willing to settle down…”
“ Ahh, don’t start that again mom.”
Brooke wished that Rick would settle down. Her son was known to be a playboy. Handsome, rich and aggressive in business, the women loved him. However, Brooke was worried that Rick’s life was consumed with business that he’d never know the love he deserved. Deep down, she felt that her son feared love, since he had lost the one woman that he had truly loved. “ I just want what’s best for you. Don’t you get tired of all the faceless women you bed.”
“Women I bed. That’s rich mother, coming from a self-proclaimed man-eater.”
“ I never pro-claimed to be a man-eater, that was Stephanie’s saying, not mine.”
Pouring himself a drink, he shook his head. “ Being a Forrester and running International has certain bonuses. Beautiful women are only one of the perks.”
“God, I had the way that you say that.”
Rick was more than cynical. “ If you don’t like the truth mother..”
“ I really hate that you haven’t found love. What about Eve? Don’t tell me that you don’t think of her. Her home office is in Italy. There has got to be a reason that you decided that you wanted to run International Forrester instead of staying here.”
“Are you complaining about my choice of job? I thought you liked what I was doing for the company.”
“No, but it’s frustrating to see you so unhappy.”
“Mother, I’m not unhappy.”
“ Well, you aren’t happy, are you?”
Rick turned to his mother. He knew that she didn’t mean any harm. She just wanted to see him settled. But he wasn’t Budge. He had had his one chance at love and lost it. Pulling his mother into his arms. “ I love you mom.”
“ I love you too honey.”
“ But you’ve got to stop meddling. Don’t you have enough to worry about? This house is full of children. You’ve got grandma and grandpa coming in. Not to mention dad and the rest of the family. You’ve got a whole Christmas dinner to attend to. Besides you’ve got your businesses and another baby on the way.” Looking down at her slightly swelled stomach. “ So, how is the pregnancy going?”
“ Trying to change the subject?” She headed to the sofa took off her high-heels and rubbed her feet.”
“ Yes, but I want to know about the baby.” He was honestly concerned.
“ The baby is fine. I just have to be careful because the pregnancy is slightly high risk.”
“ Because of your age?”
“Very funny.” She touched her stomach lovingly. “ This baby is my last Rick. It’s funny but all of my success in business who would have ever thought that my greatest legacy would be my children. Brooke picked up a photo of children during the last Christmas. With both Rick and Bridget living in different countries, she didn’t get to see her whole family together often. The picture was a bevy of golden and dark haired children all mixed together. There was Rick at twenty-seven standing next to twenty-three year old Bridget, Thomas charming thirteen year-old with mischief in his startling blue eyes stood between his sisters, ten-year old Phoebe, ten-year old Stephy who was standing next to a serious looking seven-year old Dylan. There in the front was five-year old Gia holding the hand of a little blond haired boy her 2-year old brother, Logan. There were all of Brooke’s children, her biological children and stepchildren, all together. They were her family and she loved them all.“ This baby is special. It’s the last of our legacy.”


Brooke placed the gifted wrapped gifts under the sparkling Christmas tree. She studied the huge tree until she found the ornament that she had been looking for, Ridge bless his heart, hadn’t forgotten it. The ornament was made of pure gold on a shining star with the inscription of the words beloved engraved on it. Tears filled Brooke eyes as memories overwhelmed her. She remembered the first Christmas that she had shared with Caspian and he had placed all these pure gold ornaments on their tree. She also knew that Ridge made sure it was Gia was the one who put the ornament on the tree. Her daughter was too young to understand the significance of it, but she would when she was old enough. Brooke loved all her children, but Gia was special, a beautiful dark-haired cherub with her golden eyes and her father’s coloring, her five- year old daughter was so beautiful, sweet and gifted. To the world, she was Brooke and Ridge’s daughter just as their other children Logan and this new baby were. But when she was old enough, Gia would be told the truth.

The cool air that rushed in from the front door as it opened pulled Brooke away from her thoughts. Smiling at the sight of her husband, Ridge Forrester, she laughed as he carried Gia on his shoulders and Logan in his arms. “Look I told you Mommy would be home, didn’t I.”
“ Mommy.’ Squealed Gia.
Ridge came forward and kissed his beautiful wife passionately on the lips. “ Hello. Beautiful.”
Smiling up at part of her family, she felt blessed. “ Hello to you. Where have you been?”
Ridge handed her adorable two-year-old son, who had her blond hair and Ridge’s eyes. Kissing him, she cuddled him next to her while Ridge hoisted Gia off his shoulders.
“ Toy store!” Gia whispered.
“ Shh, it’s our secret.’ Ridge told his daughter.
Gia’s little eyes got wide as she put her finger up to her lips. “Shh. A secret” she said in a loud whisper before she ran to her mother for a hug.
Brooke eyed her husband. “Let me guess. More toys. You are going to spoil the children rotten.”
Rubbing his wife’s shoulders and kissing her again, Ridge looked non-pulsed. “ That’s what husband’s do Logan. Spoil their princesses and princes.”
Brooke couldn’t be mad, after years, which would have thought that she and Ridge would be together and happy. She loved her husband and he made her happy. Ridge had changed over the years. He had become more mature a family man who no longer needed to adorned by many to feel important. They had built a life together, working together and creating a family. When she had been in the lowest moment of her life, he had saved her from falling in a pit of despair. “ Where are the girls?” This was the week that the girls stayed with them since Ridge shared custody with Taylor.
“ Bridget took them out for ice-cream. The little tikes and I snuck to the toy store to get the girls’ presents.”
“ We must have been thinking the same thing. I got more presents for the children.”
Brooke turned to put a now sleeping Logan down in his playpen. She pulled out one of Gia’s favorite puzzles for her daughter watched as Gia started to put the pieces together to make a big castle with a unicorn grazing in the grass. Ridge wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed the back of her neck. “ I got the best present in the world. You Logan.” Smiling, she knew it was true. She had thought that she had lost everything that mattered to her. That she’d never find happiness again. But she did, she got her Christmas wish.

Special Christmas Part 2

The aroma of freshly baked cookies permeated though out the kitchen causing mouths to water, even those baking Christmas cookies. Brooke hovered over her daughter, as Gia’s little fingers pressed the chocolate morsal nose in her snowman sugar cookie. “Look, it has a big nose, mommy.” She said in delight.
“ Yes it does sweetie.” Brooke kissed the top of her daughter’s silky head. “Now, put on the scarf.” She moved the bowls with the sweet gum drops, for buttons and licorice for scarves toward Gia.
“ I’ll help her with that Brooke.” Stephy said as she scooted closer to her sister taking her little hand to help her put the “scarf” on Gia’s snowman.
“ Thanks.” Brooke winked at Stephy before she headed back to the counter to knead the cookie dough for dark semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies that were specially made for Eric. Beth opened the stainless steal oven, inhaled the heavenly scent “ I think that this batch is better than the others.”
“ They do smell wonderful, don’t they?”
Beth put the cookies on the cooling tray and glanced at Brooke while she watched Stephy help Gia with her cookie. “ Steals your heart, doesn’t it?”
Brooke nodded at her mother. “Stephy melts when it comes to Gia. And Gia, she can’t get enough of her big sister.”
“Sometimes I think that her brothers and sisters are the only ones to melt that girl’s heart.”
“ Stop it mom.” Brooke admonished gently. Brooke felt a strong kinship toward her stepdaughters however she was particularly close to Stephy.
“ She’s had it rough being compared to Phoebe all the time. It’s got to be hard being a twin especially with that good twin, bad twin ideal that some believe.” Brooke also thought that it was easier for Taylor to mother because Phoebe was easygoing and eager to please. “ Stephy has qualities that haven’t even been tapped into. Like all diamonds you’ve got to dig beneath the surface to get to it.” The truth was, Stephy sort of reminded Brooke of herself. Brooke had been misjudged and labeled, she hated that Taylor did the same thing to her daughter although she knew that Taylor didn’t mean to.Phoebe was indeed a wonderful child doing her best to please, but Stephy was honest, sometimes brash, and admittedly a little manipulative at times. However the girl would never hurt anyone. She also, Brooke surmised, was going to be a grand beauty that would more than rival her own mother.
Bridget who had been wrapping gifts in the living room opened the kitchen door. She looked adorable in a pair of vintage jeans a man’s striped shirt, that no doubt belonged to Dean, and a burgundy undershirt that had a logo on it. Her blond hair was twisted up in a leather holder with a pencil through it. “ Mmm.” She rubbed her swollen stomach. “ The baby smelled cookies. She’s hungry.”
“ The baby huh?” Brooke laughed as she handed Bridget the plate full of her favorite lemon sugar cookies. “ I can’t keep my future granddaughter hungry, can I?”
Biting a cookie, Bridget groaned with delight. “Nobody can make sugar cookies like you and grandma.”
Beth dusted her apron. “ Well, I’d like to take the credit honey but your mother and sister are responsible for that batch.”
“ Baking Stephy? I didn’t know that you had culinary skills.” Bridget threw some flour at her sister. “ Maybe the baby and I had better eat something else.”
“Very funny. How in the world does your husband stay alive eating your cooking.” Stephy asked in perfect French. Brooke and Beth laughed not because Stephy spoke in French, the girl had a way with languages, but because Bridget was indeed a horrible cook.
“ He doesn’t love me for my cooking, at least not in the kitchen. He likes me in the bedroom.”
“ Hey. Prying ears.” Brooke nodded to Stephy.
Stephy grinned. “ I don’t mind. Besides, you and dad are hugged up closed up in your bedroom . I know that you aren’t knitting. Bridget, I assume is a lot like you.
“I don’t want any talk like that around you, your mother would have my head.”
Stephy didn’t argue with her stepmother, she knew that her mother and her stepmother have didn’t always get along in the past, although they did now. She didn’t want to ruin that..
Bridget sat down at the kitchen table next to Gia. “ So, did you help mommy Gia?”
“Yes. See my cookie. It’s a snowman. Stephy made one too.”
Bridget adored her little sister. “ Your cookie is perfect.”
Gia beamed smiling at Bridget. “Brudge..Mommy is going to cook it..”
Stephy helped her sister down off her chair. “ Come on Gia. Let’s wash our hands. Then your mommy can bake your cookies.” Stephy took Gia over to the step stool that allowed her sister to step up and then lean over the sink and helped her wash her hands.
Brooke took Gia’s cookie and placed it on the cookie sheet then put it in the oven. Looking around her huge kitchen she noticed the different kinds of cookies on plates. While on the shelves, there were empty tins that needed to be filled with the cookies.
“ Come on Budge. Your cookie break is over.” She said winking at her daughter.
Bridget stood up after stealing another cookie. “ I’m a world renowned artist. A wife and soon to be mom and whenever I come home, I still have chores.”
Brooke put her arms around her daughter. “ Get used to it, you will always be my little girl.” A large shrill came from the monitor that had been sitting on the counter.
“ Do you want me to get him?”
“ No, mom. I’m fine.” Brooke told Beth. She took off her apron brushed off the flour that clung to her black turtle neck and black pants and left the kitchen to upstairs. Opening the door to the Logan’s room, she picked up her crying son. Seeing his mother instantly, he stopped crying and lifted his arms so she could take him into her arms. Cooing lightly, Brooke showed him the pictures of his airplanes on his wallpaper. Logan’s eyes became big whenever his mother showed him a plane and he clapped with delight when she gave him his plane. “ Your plane sweetie.” She kissed him softly, inhaling his soft scent. She made her way toward the window in Logan’s room and looked down. Eric had pulled up to the house and was unloading his car of presents.
Not much later, the doorbell rung. “ Let’s go see grandpa. Logan. Let’s go.” She put Logan down and helped him walked down the stairs before she let Eric in the front door.
“ Happy Holiday’s Brooke.” He said grinning as he carried in a load of gifts. “Some of for my grandkids and the other is for the hospital.”
“Thanks Eric, the children in the foundation are going to love it.”
He found a huge pile of gifts in the right hand corner on the decorated living room and put the gift down before he scooped up Logan.
“ How’s my favorite grandson doing?”
‘Pa Pa.. Plane.” Logan murmured showing his grandfather his plane.
‘It a plane.’ He kissed his grandson on the top of his head. Is that cookies that I smell?” He said with his eyes sparkling. “ It wouldn’t be chocolate chip would it?”
“Yes it would. There is a batch cooling off just for you. Besides, mom is in there and I know she is dying to see you.”
“ Beth’s in town?”
“ She and dad got in late last night. She’s helping the girls cook the cookies.”
Eric carried his grandson into the kitchen with him. The sight of the different women cooking together in the kitchen did his heart good. Bridget, who was truly a thing of beauty with her pregnancy was frosting cookies, while Stephy, he could tell since her hair was cut in a short bob, was sifting flour into a bowl. Beth, who Eric thought looked more beautiful than ever was in a soft lavender cashmere turtleneck in black pants, was checking helping little Gia make shapes with the cookie cutter.
Beth looked up to find Eric. “ Eric. It’s she good to see you.” She hugged her longtime friend. “ It’s good to see you.”
“ It’s very good to see you.”
Bridget stood up. “ Hey.”
He kissed his granddaughter. “ Hi Sweetheart.” Opening up his jacket, he pulled out a little box, which he handed to Bridget.
“ Ju Ju Beads.”
“ I know about your craving.”
She hugged him. “ Thank you.”
Deep down, Bridget would always be more to him than a granddaughter. She would always be a little girl to him no matter what any paternity document stated. “Where is that husband of yours?”
‘ He is visiting his brother.’
Bridget had worked hard to try to repair the damage the rift between he and his brother. “Besides, I think it was overwhelming being in a house full of ladies today.”
He looked at Stephy. “ Where’s your other half. I expect her to be here. And Thomas.”
Stephy ate a semi-sweet morsel.“ She still had some more Christmas shopping to do. Thomas took her and Eric to the mall.”
“ And your father?”
“ Out picking up Brooke’s gift.” Stephy supplied.
“ Sh!” Bridget reprimanded her sister.
“Did somebody say something about a gift?” Brooke inquired as she came through the kitchen door.
Bridget threw a tea towel at her sister. “ Keep your yap shut.” She said playfully.
“ So nobody’s telling me what Ridge is getting me for Christmas?”
“ You’ll just have to wait mom.” Bridget supplied. “Now if you don’t mind. We still have cookies to back.”
Eric looked at Brooke. “ Bossy one, isn’t she?”
“ Yes, Eric, she is.’


Phoebe looked at the glass. “ Isn’t it beautiful Eric?”
Eric Forrester III looked at his “aunt” and shrugged his shoulder. It was weird to make sense of it all since he was 11 years old and Phoebe was 10. Phoebe was also probably one of his closest friends although she was a girl. She was sometimes very timid and he felt the need to protect her. Eric had a strange life, no mother and two fathers who were best friends. He spent half of his time in America with CJ and the other with Rick, neither his biological father. He biological father lived in New York running his clubs. He got a Christmas card from his father from time to time along with a check but deep down it didn’t bother him. “ Come on Phoebe. Just pick it already.”
“ I’m am. I just want it to be the perfect present for Stephy. I saw how much her eyes lit up when she saw them.”
“ Lit up? Your dad and your mother are going to lite your ass up if they found that you spent that kind of money of Stephy.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened with tears. “ You promised me, you wouldn’t say anything.”
“Look, I said that I wouldn’t and I won’t. Still, I don’t get it. Stephy can be a bitch at times.”
“ She isn’t!” Phoebe knew that not everybody understood Stephy. Stephy however, had always protected and looked out for her. Stephy always helped her have the confidence to speak when she was afraid to. Stephy was full of life while she was bland and ordinary. She fingered a strand of her long black hair, which was pulled back in a French braid. Stephy had the guts to cut her hair in a Bob even when her mother had freaked. Brooke, after a long argument had taken Stephy to her stylist and her sister had come home looking different. A part of Phoebe was hurt because she and Stephy no longer looked exactly the same, not that they hadn’t had different style of dress because they dressed differently. Still, another part of her was envious that her sister had cut her hair in something stylish that it mad her look more beautiful than Phoebe.
“ Come on. Thomas’s is waiting and if you don’t come on, he’ll come in the store and get all bossy.”
“That’s unlikely. Some girl is probably making eyes at him.”
“ Yeah, that’s true.” Eric said smiling. Eric was starting to like girls. They certainly liked him with his dark hair and his dark looks. Eric also had a certain bad boy charm, wearing a pair of chino shorts, a plaid shirt with a blue T-shirt, he was cute. With his cropped hair and Ray-Ban shades with a come hither smile, dark eyes and a hopped earring in the left ear, at eleven he was still a girl’s fantasy. To know that he was a rich Forrester was even better.
“ Stop that. I hate the way those stilly girls fawn over him. They don’t even seem to care if he talks to more than one of them at the same time.”
“ He’s a Forreester male, it happens.”
“ Being a Forrester doesn’t mean that you have to be a jerk to women. I hate how arrogant Thomas is sometimes.”
“ He isn’t bad.”
“ He is going to be like your father, if he doesn’t watch it.”
“You know better to believe the stuff that they write about Rick in those tabloids.”
“ Of course I know better than to believe that stuff but that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed that he has a lot of girlfriends. Brooke says that he needs to settle down, like Budge.”
Eric’s grandmother wanted Rick to settle down and move back here to the states. Not that he didn’t blame his grandmother, but Eric didn’t see that happening. All he knew was women were complicated or at least that what his other dad, CJ said.


The cookies had all been baked and the clean up process had begun. Eric, bless his heart had agreed to take Gia and Logan to “Cat and the Hat Comes Back” which was in the movies so the rest of women could finish the cleaning without having to worry about the children. Beth had just finished up with the cookie sheets and Brooke had put the mixing bowls away when she washed her hands one last time. “ That goodness everything is done, I’m going to have to change my clothes and get ready to go to the hospital.” Brooke looked in the Miska crystal dish that lay on the counter where she had put her wedding ring. Slipping her wedding ring, 5-carat emerald cut diamond surrounded by diamonds set in the platinum band onto her finger, she then looked for another ring. Seeing the dish empty Brooke started to move things on the counter, surely her ring was simply misplaced. Beth watched her daughter. “What’s wrong?”
“ I’m missing my wedding ring.”
“ Brooke you just put it on.”
“ Not Ridge’s Caspian’s wedding ring. I can’t find it.”
Beth had always noticed that her daughter wore her wedding band from her marriage to Caspian on her right hand. The band was delicate thin platinum ring with a perfect unflawed diamonds making up the circling the entire band. Inside there was an inscription to Brooke from him. “Sweetheart, it’s got to be in here somewhere. Are you sure that you didn’t take it off.”
Brooke’s normally calm demeanor was breaking as she started to panic. Brooke starting searching high and low for her ring when Stephy walked into the kitchen. “ What’s wrong?”
“ Your stepmother lost her ring.”
“ You have it on, Brooke.”
“ Not that ring. Beth supplied. It’s the other ring that she wears.”
Stephy had seen that ring. Brooke never took it off. Stephy watched as her stepmother was frantically searching for the ring. Much never ruffled Brooke so she wanted to help her. Stephy helped to look for the ring but they couldn’t find it.
Brooke had tears in her eyes. “ I know that I took it off and put it into dish. I’d never leave it for long.”
“ Honey, you’ll find it.”
“ You don’t understand…”
“ Of course I do but Brooke don’t you think that it’s time that you put that ring away? Caspian’s gone.”
“ Don’t you think that I know that!” She snapped with pain in her eyes. Even after all those years, she still loved him.
“ I know that you do honey. But do you think that you should still be wearing his wedding ring?”
Brooke looked at Stephy whose face showed the confusion that she was feeling. Wiping the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, she summoned up a fake smile for Stephy’s sake. “Mom, not right now. Stephy, thanks for helping me. I’m sure I’ll find the ring.” Stephy was startled. She had never heard Brooke use that tone and she was confused. She had heard that name before. She had to think for a moment then it dawned on her. She had heard that Brooke had been married to another man that wasn’t Rick’s father however that marriage wasn’t talked about much. Stephy looked away for a moment before she noticed something sparkling in the dirty dustpan that still had trash in it. Running to it, she picked through the trash to find the diamond ring. “ Here it is.”
Brooke’s look of despair turned to relief as she took the ring from Stephy. “ Thank god.” She hugged Stephy. “ Thank you.” Slipping the ring on her right hand, she felt secure once again. Stephy however, gave her stepmother and grandmother a nervous look. “ I better go and get ready.”

Ridge was finishing a conference call to Hong Kong, the newest location of International Forrester when Sherrie, his secretary came to him. “ Ridge, there is a woman waiting to speak to you.”
“ I really don’t have time right now. I’ve got to get to the foundation’s party.”
The door opened and a beautiful woman dressed elegantly in all dark blood red burgundy stepped through the door. “ Not even if it’s me, Ridge.”
Ridge paused for a moment, his body tensing. He hadn’t seen Isabelle in almost five years. He looked at Sherrie. “It’s alright. I’ll see her.”
“ What do you want Isabelle?”
“ Is that a way that you speak to me. No welcome. No how are you?”
“ I don’t care about how you are.”
Isabelle sat down in Ridge’s huge office. “ Nice office.” His office as well as position in Forrester had changed over the years.
“ I’m sure that you aren’t here to talk about my office either, so spill it. What the hell do you want?”
“ It’s about Caspian.”
“ You and your brother are no longer my concern. You haven’t been in years.”
“ How can you say that Ridge. You are married to his wife and playing father to his child.”
“ His child! Gia isn’t his child. She’s mine.”
“ She’s his and you know it. Everytime you look at that little girl, you know that she is his.”
“ I’m her father. She is my child just like Logan and the baby Brooke is carrying. There is nothing that you or your brother can do about that. We made a decision years ago, we are going to stick by it.”
“ Things change. Brooke and I have a happy marriage and a wonderful family.”
“ Because my brother isn’t in the picture. Tell me, what do you think that will happen if he were suddently back in the picture.”
“ It’s impossible. He is in jail, where he belongs. He is nothing more than a murdering piece of scum.”
Bella’s eyes darkened with fury. “ I’d watch my step, if I were you. My brother only killed to protect his wife and his child. He’d spend forever protecting her.”
“ He lied to her. He endangered her and her family!”
“ He tried to protect her and you were only able to have her because you were her second choice. Don’t forget that. Caspian’s lawyer as worked hard to have the trial revisited and very soon my brother will be a free man. He will want everything that was taken from him. Starting with his wife and his daughter.”
“ She isn’t legally married to him anymore.”
“ Yes, she’s married to you. But in her heart, she still loves my brother. He pulled away from her and divorced her to protect her. Do you think that you’d be so happily married if she knew why he divorced her? She still loves him and the child, their daughter, will bond them forever.”
Ridge had had enough. Isabelle was nothing but trouble trying to stir up problems where there was none. “ My wife and I are deeply committed to each other. We have created a beautiful family together and nothing including your brother will come to destroy it. I won’t allow it!”
Isabelle stood up. “ You won’t have a chance. Enjoy your time while you can. Once my brother is free, your perfect family will be over. I’m sorry Ridge but you knew the risk when you married Brooke. Your love for her and your family won’t be enough when my brother comes to claim his wife and his daughter.” With that, Isabelle left leaving Ridge will an unsettling feeling. If Caspian were freed from jail, something he had never considered since Caspian had indeed murdered those men, he would want Brooke back. He would also want to know his daughter. Ridge couldn’t allow that. He loved his wife and their children with all of his soul. He’d fight Caspian with everything in him to his family.


Brooke knocked on Stephy’s bedroom door. “ Can I come in?”
Stephy was pulling a blue jean jacket on that matched her blue jeans. She had on a pink GAP T-shirt and matching pink Timberland boots. “ Yeah.”
Brooke had changed her clothes as well and was wearing a soft off-the-shoulder cashmere sweater, a sleek black skirt with a slopping hem and high-healed black boots. Her long hair was no pulled back in a stylish ponytail. Stephy was no longer amazed by Brooke’s ability to pull outfits together. Stepping tentatively into the room Brooke walked to her bed. “ I thought maybe you wanted to talk about the ring.”
Stephy stopped putting her CD’s in her bag. “ It doesn’t matter.”
“ Yes, I think it does.” She sat down. “ You see the ring means a lot to me.”
“ Because it belonged to your other marriage.”
Brooke sighed deeply. “ Yes. Do you know about Caspian and I?’
“ Not much. Just that you were married to him.”
“ Well, it’s a long story. A very complicated on that involves so many people. You aren’t ready to know everything but I did marry a man named Caspian DeAngelo. You were around 3 years old or so when I first met him. I loved him very much. We were happy but something happened. Something terrible happened and he had to go away.” Brooke was quiet for a moment and Stephy saw the pain in Brooke’s eyes.
“ I was just surprised by your reaction. Aren’t you happy with dad and your marriage? Why would you need to wear somebody else’s wedding ring?”
“ Stephy, I am happy. However, there are times that I’m filled with sadness but that doesn’t last long. It cut deep and I lost Caspian. I thought that I’d be married to him forever. However, things didn’t work out that way and he divorced. He did it for me, he let me go when it was so hard for him. For such a long time I thought that I’d never find love or happiness again however, I got a chance to put my life back together.” Brooke stroked Stephy’s hair lightly. “ When Caspian left, I thought that I had lost everything. I felt so alone and hurt. Inside, I was dying. I loved Rick and Bridget but my children were older and I felt that they didn’t need me. I was so alone when your father came along. He saved me Stephy in so many ways. He saved my life. I loved him for that and I love him even more for giving me the type of life that I always wanted. But he wasn’t the only one who saved me.” Brooke lightly touched Stephy’s cheek. “ You did.”
Stephy was clearly surprised. “ What?”
“ You and your sister. You help to save me. You and your sister and your brother, you needed me in a way. You showed me so much love and brought joy into my house where there was despair. I had always loved your father but letting me become a stepmother to you and creating a family with you was the best medicine that I needed.” She cupped Stephy’s face. “ You gave me what I needed. Your family has made me so happy and so loved. I love my family and your father very much.”
“ But you still were your old wedding ring.”
“ Something your father understands. When I married your father, he knew that I still had deep feeling for Caspian. He accepted it. Sometimes there are people who touch our lives in such a way that we never forget them. I loved Caspian deeply and because of him, I learned the truth about myself and who I really was. We went through a lot and even though we had to part, I don’t regret the time that I had with him. Nor do I regret the years with your father. I’m so happy. I finally had the dream that I had when I was young girl and had first saw your father. For years, I always wondered why Ridge and I didn’t work out when we were young. But I know that reason. I had to find Caspian and Ridge had to find Taylor.”
“ My mom?”
“ Yes. You see, your mother brought out something in your father that even I couldn’t do. She made him more responsible. She made him understand the importance of family and most importantly, she gave him you and your sister. You have enhanced your father life, your mother’s life as well as my own. I wear two rings. One from a marriage in the past because I can’t forget it and one for a marriage that is my future. A future that is growing everyday and every moment.” Brooke took Stephy’s hand and placed it on her slightly swelling stomach. Feeling the love that Brooke radiated, Stephy was instantly calmed. More than anything, she wanted her family. She reached up to hug Brooke who willing took the girl into her arms.“ You see, I remember the Christmas that a family was my wish. You were my Christmas wish.” Brooke didn’t see it but there were tears in the young girl’s eyes.


The hospital was decorated in Christmas color and the banquet room was beautiful with a huge decorated Christmas tree. Dr. Linda Spencer stood in the entry of the room. “ I can’t believe what you’ve done in such a small amount of time. Brooke felt a strong sense of satisfaction in all the hard work the committee had done.
“ I want the children and their families to have a memorable Christmas.”
“ You have done a lot for the hospital. Your contributions to the cancer foundations and have been a true blessings to the hospital.”
“ The money is going to research is very little when you look at all the work that has to be done for this disease it’s scary. When I think of all the different parents who can’t even afford health care or whose doctor’s bills are so high that they can barely mange to pay their bills, it’s saddens me. The foundation it just my way of helping those in needs.” Brooke remembered the days that she had thought that her daughter was going to die; the pain had been like no other. She wanted to share Christmas with families who were going through enough with their families’ health who might not have the time or the finances for a happy Christmas. So, the foundation that she had started in her sister’s name, the Lark DeAngelo Foundation for Children In Need. Within an hour, the room was filled with people of all different races and ages. Children who had different various stages of cancer, AIDS and other terminal illness with laughing right beside other healthy children. Eric who had brought Logan, Eric III, Phoebe and Gia was dressed as Santa Clause giving out gifts. Beth andThomas were filling the plates with hot food that had been ordered. The young girls were ogling Bridget’s husband, who ignored them while finding a way to ensure that Bridget got a chair. Brooke, really loved her son-in-law, although quiet and time intense, he adored her brother. Speaking rapidly in French, Henri, kissed his beautifully pregnant wife. Bridget was laughing at something he was saying and Brooke felt the overwhelmed with emotions. She had been one of the parents years ago. She had almost lost her daughter. But God and Rick had saved Bridget. Bridget would always be grateful that her brother’s marrow had saved. Bridget was going to be a mother herself. Strong hands wrapped around Brooke stopping her thoughts of the past. “ A penny for your thoughts.” Ridge voice whispered in her ears.
Sighing contently in the arms of her husband, she felt very blessed. “ I was thinking how blessed I am.” Ridge saw how happy the families were. How for one night, there would be no sickness or pain but love. His wife with her giving heart had done this. The foundation had grown to have support groups on a national Level. Brooke has sunk millions that she got from her companies Caspian signed over to her into the foundation. How could she not? They had been very blessed when their daughter had been saved. He looked down in her face and saw pure joy. “ I love you.”
Startled by the wealth of emotion in his voice she turned to him. “ I love you too.”
“ You’ve brought me so much and you’ve shown me how to love. Just look at what you did with our daughter’s condition. You’ve created such a foundation to help so many others. You are truly amazing.” He stroked her hair gently. “I don’t want to ever lose you.”
Brooke was startled by the wealth of emotion. “ And you won’t. Besides I didn’t do it alone. I had help. It’s not what I’ve done but what we’ve done as a family. Look around this room. And even though your mother is visiting your sick aunt Pam, she spend hours recruiting money for the foundation. Our family is helping other families. What could be better?”
‘ I can’t think of a thing.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.
The families started to clap as they watched Brooke and Ridge kiss. Stephy groaned and looked at her sister Phoebe who had a soft smile and romance in her eyes. Eric III who was used to the actions of his grandmother made faces while Bridget smiled a soft sweet smile before she kissed Henri. Thomas, shook his head at his father. If they kept this up, he thought, there be more than another baby coming into this family.
“ Come on you too, that’s how you got so many children to begin with.” Eric said dressed as Santa, yelled. Laughter rung out.
Ridge pulled his head from his wife’s mouth. “ That was my wish. Lots of children. Lots of love, surely you know that.”

The last of the gifts were given and the food had been all eaten. Two families and three staff members had been given trips for the entire family. The Forrester family had loaded their children into the cars. Stephy had convinced Henrie to allow her to ride on the back of his motorcycle while Bridget, Phoebe, ThomasLogan and Gia rode with Ridge in the SUV. Eric and Beth rode together while Brooke took her Ridge’s by herself. She had one more Christmas gift to pick up and then everything would be perfect.

“ Mrs. Forrester, the flight is in.” Brooke followed the woman until she was lead to the gateway. Brooke waited as the different passengers left the plane when a woman came toward her followed by a young boy around the age of seven. The young boy with dark hair, a cute face that she knew was missing a front tooth looked at her for a moment before he quietly smiled. Brooke bent down for a moment while smiling at the little boy.
“ How was your flight?”
“ It was okay.”
“ I know the flight from New York can be long.”
“ It was alright. I watched a movie on my player. Besides, I was reading the fourth Harry Potter book.”
“ That’s heavy reading isn’t it?”
“ Not really.”
Brooke nuzzled his dark hair.“ Can I get a hug?”
He nodded before she hugged him tightly. Brooke felt tears forming in her eyes as his arms tightened on her. For a moment, they stayed like that; she hugged for all the time that had been lost. Finally she let go. He looked at her face for a moment before he spoke. “ Why are you crying?” He asked seriously.
“Because I’m going to get my Christmas wish.”
“What was it?”
“ You Dylan. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Brooke opened the door to her home to find the fireplace lit, Christmas music in the air and voices in the living room. Stepping down, she found her parents hugged together on the sofa sipping hot coco. Eric was in deep conversation with Rick while Gia was coloring with her little brother on the table. Stephy, Phoebe, Eric where playing Cranium with Bridget and Thomas. Bridget looked up to see her mother. “ Hey mom. Can you believe that these three are beating us?”
“ That because we are talented Budge.” Eric said to his aunt laughing. “ Right grandma?” He said to Brooke.Brooke loved her charming grandson. “ I’m sure that you are Eric.”
Brooke stepped aside and the crowd of family noticed the little boy standing next to her. Gia, who had been playing with Legos stopped and squealed with delight. “ Dylan.” Gia ran as fast as she could to Dylan and hugged him tightly. Instead of being repulsed by Gia’s hug, Dylan held her tightly. “ Gia.” He said with pure delight. Brooke had always noticed the closeness between two. In fact, Dylan’s first words had been Gia’s name, which was very strange in itself since he had been almost two before he started to speak and when it did it was in full sentences. He had always been a different child, very quiet with an intense quality. Brooke regretted that Dylan lived in New York because that meant that she and Ridge didn’t see him often. It also didn’t help that Stephanie plain out refused to acknowledge him as Ridge’s son. She blamed him for Ridge and Taylor’s breakup. It broke Brooke’s heart to see that Dylan was separated from his family however Morgan had moved to New York and had refused to allow Ridge joint custody. The custody battle had gotten nasty and in the end not even Charlie had been able to convince sister to not take Ridge’s son away. Ridge hadn’t wanted Dylan to suffer anymore so he allowed Morgan to have Dylan so he could have his son on some holidays and 5 weeks in the summer. This year had been Morgan had wanted to take Dylan with her to Europe, she and Ridge had fought hard about it. Charlie had intervened after talking to Brooke and had convinced Morgan to change her mind.

Ridge who had been in the kitchen came out when he heard his daughter yell. “ What’s going on?” He stopped at all the smiling faces looking his way. “ What?”
“ Dad..” A quiet voice stilled him. Ridge looked past his children to his wife who had tears in her eyes. Finally, next to her, he noticed a little boy who was holding Gia’s hand. His hear stopped. “Dylan…”
Dylan stepped forward. “ Merry Christmas” He said to his father.
Ridge scoped his son up into his arms and hugged tightly. Dylan who had missed his father the last four months and who had didn’t mind. Here, in this house, they liked to hug. Ridge who was overwhelmed with the gift of son closed his eyes. All around him was his children and family. Brooke watched her husband as she held his son. Finally, her Christmas wish had come true. She had her entire family together, under one house. She couldn’t had asked for anything more.

Chapter 3  

 

Sitting on the edge of Gia’s bed Brooke watched her little daughter while she slept. Brushing the dark curls of her hair away from her face she leaned down and kissed the sleeping child. Tucking her daughter’s Teddy Bear in bed with her, she made her way through the quiet house. Bridget and Henri shared Bridget’s old room know doubt basking in their love and baby. The twins who didn’t normally share a room slept in Phoebe’s bedroom but since it was Christmas Eve they wanted to stay together. She found both of them asleep with Stephy hanging partially off her bed. Pushing Stephy lightly until she was sleeping on the bed instead off hanging off of it, she picked up some of her discarded clothes and put them in the hamper. Kissing, Phoebe who was of course sleeping like an angel, she moved on to the other children. Making her way to Dylan’s bedroom, she found him asleep as well in his football inspired bedroom and almost stepped on her grandson, Eric III who had made a pallet that he had made on the floor. Eric, bless his heart, was looking out for Dylan and had been staying with him instead of sleeping at his house with Rick. Still, Brooke didn’t understand why he insisted on sleeping on the floor but he said he was comfortable. Thomas wasn’t in his room, he had opted to stay at his mother’s house for Christmas Eve. She didn’t blame him for he was very protective of her. Lastly, she checked on Logan. He was snoring lightly, bless his heard, he had had a long day with all of his brothers and sisters. Making sure that his baby monitor was on, she turned the lights down and closed his bedroom door. There was one more bedroom. It was going to be nursery for the newest baby. Her house certainly was filled with family and love. The noisy home was now peacefully silent as everyone slept with visions of sugarplums or visions of their Christmas gifts on their minds. The fast couple of days were wonderful especially since Dylan had been with them. She couldn’t remember seeing Ridge this happy. She closed her eyes saying a small prayer to God, thanking him for the gifts of her family.  

 

Brooke sat the vanity table in her bedroom brushing her long glorious hair when Ridge stepped in from the bathroom rubbing his wet hair with a towel. Turning to smile at her husband stopped brushing her hair. “ I was hoping you’d be in there a little longer, that way I could join you.”  

Grinning at his wife in her silk white robe with a soft rose pattern on it he nuzzled her neck. “ I could go back. That way you could join me.”  

Turning around she used her foot to skim up Ridge’s towel covered thigh. “ I think that I could skip the appetizer and head straight to dessert.” With that, she pulled away the towel leaving her husband naked and very much aroused. Giving him an appreciative look over, she slowly licked lips. “My my. Mr. Forrester, what do you have there?”  

He pulled her up out her seat and into his arms. Brooke could feel the evidence of his desire for her hard against her slightly swelled stomach. After all of these years, she never got tired of making love to her insatiable husband. His hands found their way into her hair; he inhaled deeply losing himself of the scent of her shampoo. Rubbing herself against him, she knew by his moan that it wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge. She cupped him in her hand, he was swelling, getting harder and harder by the moment.  

“ Do you know what you are doing to me Logan?”  

Giving him one of her sexy grins. “ I think that I do.”  

Untying her robe, it feels from her shoulders to the floor. Stepping back slightly he stared at her luscious form. Her breast as become bigger, her nipples hard and a luscious pink color. She had feed both Gia and Logan from her breast and never had he found anything as arousing. The child that rested in her would feed from these breasts as well. Her stomach, although no long flat, swelled slightly round with golden skin, and was just at beautiful to him. His child rested there. Finally he looked down and touched the Vee of her legs that hid the portal of her body. Touching her nipples lightly, he knew it would send shivers through her now sensitive breast. Brooke’s eyes closed as his fingers lightly touched her nipples in a lazy pattern. Raining kisses on those breasts, he suckled a nipple inside of his mouth. “ Ridge..” Just hearing her call out his name filled him with intense need. He then moved to the other breasts feasting from that as well. The suckling of his mouth on he breast caused longing between her legs as she became wet for him.  

“ Do you know how sexy and alluring you are?” His kisses moved to the swell of her stomach. He kissed the swell. “ God, how I love you Logan. How I love our child resting inside of you.”  

“ I love your baby. It’s part you and me.” She pressed the side of Ridge’s face against the swell.  

He looked up into her the golden pools of her eyes. “ I can’t thank you for what you’ve given me the last few days. You gave me my entire family. You’ve been a wonderful stepmother to the girls and Dylan. Bringing him here means so much to me.”  

She cupped his face in her soft hands. “ Christmas wouldn’t have been the same without him. I’m just happy that our entire family could spend the holiday together. Seeing you with the children it’s amazing. I’m amazed how wonderful our life has turned out.”  

Ridge stood up and picked his wife carrying her to their bed. The scent of roses greeted him as he lay her down. Careful not to hurt her, he started to kiss the inner sole of her foot lightly before using his tongue to slide up her leg. “ Ridge..”  

“ No. I’m going to take my time with you.” Brooke relaxed as Ridge’s mouth kissed and caressed her body. He took his time finding all the tidy different soft spots on her body. He knew them well. He knew that if he licked behind her right knee that she’s been on fire. Trailing his fingers he found her, wet and desirable. Opening her, he slipped his fingers inside of her as his mouth found her breast. “ Ridge… “ Her body moved against his fingers. They filled her, his mouth suckling her hard as she came. Brooke’s body shook with need and her body closed sharply on his fingers. God, she made him so hard. He took her mouth openly, greedily. His tongue stroked hers and she gasped for air. “ I need you. NOW!” Slipping his fingers out of her yet stroking her nub as he did, he found her. Pushing against the light resistance, he found his way home inside of her. Their groans mingled together as he filled her with his pen*s. Hot. She was so damn hot and he wanted to lose control but he knew better. She was pregnant and he didn’t want to jeopardize his child. Taking his time, he moved inside of her sweet body. She was so soft inside, so hot, but he held on. Brooke moved against him, widened her legs as she rotated against him. She moved her body, tightening herself around him. Her movements matched his taking him deeper and deeper until she started her climax. Her body tightened, her body squeezed him until he came in a rush pumping inside of her. Ridge moved to collapsed beside of her. Ridge’s breath sounded heavy as he tried to catch it. Brooke who lay sweaty next to her husband had a rosy glow that made her look even more beautiful. Ridge leaned up and looked over at his wife. “ You are amazing woman Logan.” He trailed his fingers between her damp breasts. “Beautifully amazing.”  

“ No bad yourself. Forrester.” She said with a giggle as he pulled her on top of him.  

Concern sounded in his voice. “ I didn’t hurt the baby, did I?”  

“ No. You were very careful. Stop worrying.”  

“ I want to make sure that you and the baby are alright. I want this child to be healthy.”  

“ She is.”  

“ She?”  

He raised his head. “ Do you know something that I don’t.”  

“No. It’s just a feeling.” She rubbed her sleek thigh against his hairy ones. She leaned down to nibble on his chest.  

A baby girl, that thought of that made him smile. “ I’d like that. A little girl.”  

Brooke shook her head in amazement. “ You were always were partial to girls. You don’t think that we have too many. Bridget, Stephy, Phoebe and Gia?”  

He shifted his position as he encircled her in his arms. “ I love all of my daughters and sons. But this baby is special.”  

“ Because she would be biologically yours?” Brooke inquired. He had been very loving and caring during her entire pregnancy with Gia. He had acted very much like the happy expectant father. Brooke hadn’t basked in her pregnancy during those days dealing so much with her grief however she had loved her child.  

“ No Logan. I love Gia just as much as I love Stephy and Phoebe.”  

“ I know you do. She knows it to. But this little girl would be yours in everyway. I know that you’d like that.”  

“ I just want our baby to be happy just like the rest of my children are. Just like we are.”  

She didn’t understand. She had become the world to him. He had never thought that he could love Brooke as much as he did. His life had turned out so much differently but he never imagined that he’d be as happy as he did. Brooke was a wonderful wife. Brooke put he and their family first. She always found a way to make to the kids school events or find little gift that she knew they would like. She knew about their comings and going and always had a way of making it look so easy. More than that she was a patient caring wife to him. She was his partner in business together they made Forrester bigger than even he thought it would be. But she was his partner in his heart. There was honesty, love, laughter and she was so unpredictable that he never was bored. Life with his Logan was fun filled, passionate and more than satisfying in and out of the bed and boardroom.  

“ I am happy Ridge. I never thought that I’d see this day. If you had told me years ago that I’d be laying here in your arms with a household full of children along with being pregnant in my forties, I’d never believe it. But I’m happy. I’m happy with everything we have. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” She didn’t understand how her words took his fears away. Seeing Isabelle that day had gotten to him as well as the news that Caspian could be released. Released or not, he had give up Brooke and his child, he couldn’t think to claim them now.  

 

Ridge slipped out of bed trying not to disturb Brooke. He had something wonderful planned for her Christmas. Picking up his cell phone, he headed to the balcony door and opened it to slip outside. He dialed a number talking softly. “ Hello. Yes, it’s me. I want to know if everything is set for tomorrow. It is? Good. I want my wife’s Christmas dreams to come true.” Hanging up the phone, he smiled to himself. He was going to give his beautiful wife a Christmas of her dreams.  

 

Gia ran down the hallway to her mommy’s bedroom as fast as her little legs could take her. She couldn’t wait for her to come and help her open up the gifts that Santa got her. Pushing hard at the partially open door she tiptoed in the room to find that her mommy was still asleep. Disappointed, her little face became a frown when she got an idea. She’d help to wake her mommy. Standing on tiptoe she hosted herself on the bed clawing the bed to try to keep her from falling. Finally, she made it. Pushing some of her mother’s long hair aside she kissed her mother hard on her cheek while trying to cup her face in her hands. “ Mommy, get up it’s Christmas.” She said in a loud whisper. Brooke felt something damp touch her cheek and opened her eyes. Startled she found her daughter staring at her so intently at her with her golden eyes. Her hair was a mess of natural dark curls. “ Gia. Sweetheart, what’s wrong.”  

“You are up mommy, let’s go.” Gia tried to tug at Brooke’s bed sheets. “It’s Christmas, you’ve got to get up.” Brooke sat up taking the sheet with her since she was naked. “Come on Mommy!”  

“ I am honey. Where’s your father?” Ridge’s side of the bed was empty.  

Shrugging her little shoulders Gia answered her mother. There was a slight knock on the door as Phoebe can inside of the bedroom wearing a blue robe over her nightgown. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Seeing her little sister in her pink nightgown and her stepmother sitting looking ruffled in bed with just a sheet to cover her, she blushed. “I’m sorry Brooke, she got away from me. Gia, I told you to let your mom sleep.”  

Giving her older sister a saucy look Gia crossed her arms over her chest like her older sister Stephy did and huffed. “ I wanted to open my presents. Everyone is waiting. Dylan has been up for hours.”  

Brooke snickered at her daughter’s very much adult impression. “ For hours huh? All right. I surrender, it’s time to get up.” Brooke slipped out the bed taking the sheet with her. Gia watched her mother intently.“ Mommy are you naked again?” Gia asked with much interest. Her mommy and daddy sometimes had no clothes on.  

Brooke nodded. “ Only a little.”  

Phoebe picked her sister up off the bed. “ I’ll watch her while you get dressed.”  

“ Thanks. I’ll be down in a minute.”  

Brooke paused as she headed to the bathroom. “ Is everyone else up?”  

“ Bridget and Henriare closed up in their room. Stephy is downstairs. Rick got Logan up gave him some cereal already. Grandma Beth and Grandpa Steven are already downstairs. I think that she is cooking breakfast.  

“ Where is your father?”  

“ Grandma noticed that you didn’t have any cumin so he and Dylan went to the store to get it.”  

Brooke couldn’t believe that she was sleeping the day away like this when she had lots to do. “Could you give Gia and English muffin with strawberry jam? I want her to eat a little something before she gets too excited.”  

“ Jam? Mommy it’s preserves.” Gia stated with her new vocabulary word Stephy had taught her looking very proud of herself.  

“ Okay, make sure it has strawberry preserves for our little princess.” Brooke kissed her daughter on her lips. “ Okay?”  

“ Okay mommy.”  

“ I’ll be back in a minute.” Brooke dropped the towel on the bathroom floor and stepped into the shower. Within a short amount of time she dried off and wrapped a towel around her body. Drying her hair quickly she quickly put on her white robe. Stepping out into the bedroom, she found that her bed had been made and a bright blue box was sitting on the bed. “ Marry Christmas Brooke.” Both, Stephy and Phoebe were standing at the edge of the bed with smiles on their faces.  

“ This is for me?”  

“ Yes.” The girls said in unison. Brooke sat down before opening the box. Inside nestled between the tissue paper was the most beautiful day robe. Brooke took it out. It was more like a gown than a robe. Soft pink in color, it was an empress waist cut, with a delicate crystals design at the bodice and the long triangular draping sleeves. Brooke noticed that it had a small train. In tiny little letter of BLF graced the sleeves. It was so beautiful. Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. “ Girls it’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”  

“ That’s because it’s specially made.”  

“ Shh. Phoebe.”  

“ No, tell her the truth. She’ll love it even more.” Phoebes said shyly. “ Stephy designed it.”  

“ No I didn’t.”  

“ Yes, she did.” Phoebe showed Brooke a drawing that Stephy had done. It was remarkable and a talented sketch especially for a girl her age. “ You did this?”  

Stephy glared at Phoebe. “Yeah. It was nothing.”  

Brooke slipped off the bed toward the girls. “ It was nothing. What you both did was much more than nothing.” Tears filled her eyes. “ This is the most special gift that I ever received and to know that you designed it. Your first Forrester Original, Stephy you stepping into your father’s footsteps.”  

“Maybe. Really, it was nothing. Granddad helped. It was Phoebe’s idea to get him to help. He was the one who suggested we use the empress waist because of the baby. He had the Forrester cutters to cut the robe and get the material.”  

“ It’s beautiful.”  

“ It certainly is. I wish that I was talented.” Phoebe said wishfully.  

“ You are silly.” Stephy told her sister. “ You have a way of making everyone feel better about themselves. Besides, you are brilliant in all your studies, you not to mention those fantastic stories you write. Everyone in our class can’t wait for you to write another chapter.”  

“Your sister is right. Phoebe, your stories are full of beauty and romance not to mention wit.” Getting praise from Brooke meant a lot to Phoebe because she thought the world of her.“ Thanks Brooke.”  

“ Both of you are so talented and I want you to know that this beautiful gift means so much to me.”  

Ridge stepped into the doorway to his bedroom to find Brooke hugging the twins. “ I was just coming to get you up honey but I see the girls beat me to it.” He kissed his wife on her lips head.  

“ Actually our precious five year old did it. She wants to open her gifts.”  

‘The last that I saw of her, she was conning your father to give her another slice of English muffin. So, what do we have here?” He said with a twinkle in his eyes as he winked at his daughters.  

“ Like you don’t know?”  

“ Well, they had to get your size.”  

“ Daddy suggested we make it pink because he says you look beautiful in that color but that’s all he did.”  

Ridge took out the robe and held it up to Brooke. “So what are you waiting for Logan? Put it on.”  

Brooke took the robe. “ I’d love to.” Ridge put his arms around his daughters and kissed the top of both of their heads. “ That was a wonderful thing that you did for Brooke.”  

 

 

Sitting amid a torn wrapping paper of a variety of colors, Brooke held her playing son in her lap. Logan was enthralled with his latest acquisition a bus that the Little People could get off and on. He, like the others had been up very early in the morning wanting to open their brightly wrapped gifts from under the tree. She enjoyed watching all the children find delight in some of their gifts. Gia who had gotten a new beautiful doll, which was a mirror image of her was fascinated and was steadily combing her hair. Dylan who had gotten a new set of paints for watercolors, an new game for his X-box and a set of interconnects was creating a house for Gia’s doll. “Mom, do you want me to take Logan?”  

Bridget’s pregnant from was wearing a pair of pink poodle pajamas. “ No. Honey, I do have a present for you.”  

“ Another one?” Henri slid next to his wife. She’s going to be spoiled.”  

“ I already am silly because of you.”  

Henri shrugged but watched as his mother-in-law who looked somewhat like a fairy princess in a robe he had thought Ridge had designed for her. Ridge was crazy about his wife. Henri liked that because he too was crazy about his. Bridget was spoiled, used to getting her own way and could even be manipulative when pushed but he didn’t care about that. Because she was his love, the only one he ever had. She was talented, funny, smart, beautiful and mostly giving. Pulling his wife in his arms he watched her open her box from her mother. Inside was a card from Philippe Carter. “ What’s this?”  

Ridge sat down next to his wife putting his arm around her as she talked to their daughter.“ This was a gift for the both of you. I know that you love your loft. It is beautiful especially with both of your work, however the way that you’ve set it up; there is no room for the baby. So, we brought the loft above your. We can have the floors knocked down and extend the loft to a second floor where you can create a beautiful nursery.”  

Brooke watched Bridget’s face light up with delight while Dean’s became wary. “Brooke, Ridge this is too much.”  

“ No it isn’t.” Ridge stated. “ We care about you both.”  

“ And we respect your decisions to lead your life.” Brooke added.  

“ We can provide for ourselves.”  

“ We know that.” Ridge assured them. “ You are both talented and we know you love living on the West Bank. However, the loft isn’t enough for a baby but if you let Philippe redo it so there is another floor for the baby’s room, it would be perfect.” They did indeed love living where they were. It was so beautiful and artistic. Bridget would sometimes come home and watch Henri paint. She loved the nights where they eat fresh French bread, Brie and sausages. She loved how they’d talk long walks and stop in the cafés. Both of them have made money over the years but it didn’t change how they lived. They were rich because they were rich in love.  

“ We just want our first grandchild to have everything.” Brooke added.  

“ I can provide for my family Brooke. Our baby will have everything.”  

“ I know that. We weren’t saying that you wouldn’t provide for your baby. We gave your our daughter because we trust and believed in you. We know how much you love her. We just want to help.” Henri saw the look of indecision on Bridget’s face. She wanted this. Besides, with their work, the loft wouldn’t be the best place for a baby’s room. “Alright.”  

“ Thank you sweetheart.” Bridget kissed him.  

He pulled away. “Hold on for a moment. I can’t have your parents pay for this. I’ll buy the loft myself.”  

“ Only if you’ll allow us to Philippe to redo it. He a wonderful decorator who will only design the baby’s room the way that you want and if you want, you can have it arranged so that bedroom is put on the second floor.” Touching her often-untouchable son-in-law on his hand she spoke to him from the heart. “ We love our daughter but we also love you. We want you to have something special from us for you and the baby. You’ve never taken anything from us in all years. Let us use all that Forrester money we have or we are going to start making you and Bridget vote her own stock proxies at Forrester. Just imagine you in a three-piece suit at a stockholder’s meeting.”  

Scratching his streak of blue hair he laughed. “ I’d be out of place.”  

“ Yes, but we’d demand it. After all, I’ll be extremely busy and I’ll have my grandchild to worry about.”  

“ Are you going to help me out?” Henri asked Bridget.  

“ She’s my mom. I never win.” Bridget wanted this and that was the most important thing to him.” Taking her hand in his own he turned to her. “ Alright Princess, you get the loft and the remodeling.” Bridget kissed her husband passionately, not caring who was around.  

Phoebe who came in from the kitchen sighed. “ Aren’t’ they romantic?”  

“ Horny, more like it.” Stephy said as handed Phoebe a gift.  

“ You are too crude Stephy.” Eric III said shaking his head.  

“ Bite me.”  

“What’s this?” Phoebe said ignoring the constant banter between Eric and Stephy, they always went at it.  

“ It’s for you silly. Your Christmas gift.”  

Phoebe beamed and ran to the stairs. “ Just wait. I’ve got yours upstairs.”  

“ Hey you two, why don’t you open your gifts from each other at your mother’s house. In fact, we had better get going.”  

“ Dad, we are going to miss breakfast if we leave now.” Phoebe murmured.  

Brooke knew the girls wanted to eat with the family. “ Honey, they can eat a little and then you can take them over to Taylor’s house.” Looking at a still kissing Bridget and Henri she pushed Logan into her husband’s hands. “ I think that we had better get started on breakfast before these two make another baby.”  

“ You are one to talk mom.” Rick winked at his mother. “ Last night while sneaking some of your delicious homemade Egg Nog, I swore I heard some moaning coming from your bedroom.” Brooke blushed turning beet red.  

“ Busted.” Eric III gave his father a high five. “ Don’t get embarrassed grandma, after all you are having another baby at 40 something years of age. So you and Ridge must be doing something.”  

Brooke threw some paper at Eric. “ I don’t know what to do with you.”  

Eric ducked and then threw some back at her. “ You’ll love me grandma. All the girls so.”  

“ Oh that is so gross. Eric. Who wants you?” Stephy inquired.  

“ I’m a Forrester. We are irresistible to all the ladies.”  

Gia thought she was in present heaven when all her sisters started throwing colored paper at Eric. She and Dylan joined in as laughter filled the air.  

Beth and Stephen came in. “ Alright, breakfast is ready. Who’s hungry?”  

Eric looked at his dad. “ I’ll race you to the table.”  

“ Not if I don’t get there first.” Stephy said with a gleam in her eye. Then there was a made dash to the table. Ridge looked at his wife. “What can I say?” He helped Brooke up and they followed the rambunctious crowd to the dinning room.  

 

Taylor Hamilton Hayes Forrester Gramaldi checked the dinning room table one more time to make sure it was perfect. Damian kissed his wife on the top of her head as she snuggled in his secure arms. “ Everything’s perfect for the girls Christmas breakfast, stop worrying so much.” He said in his heavy Italian accented voice. Damian Gramaldi had met Taylor had met when she had opened her new practice three years before. Damian had owned the new restaurant across the street from her practice and they had literally bumped into each other when he accidentally knocked her down when she had been running out of the rain. He had moved to L.A to start over in a new life and to forget his old one. The once a huge business tycoon, had given up his business as well as his only child, his son Luke to his ex-wife Lily in Oakdale in order to keep his son safe from his brother’s evil plot. Forsaking the million-dollar business that had left him with nothing more than an obsessed mother and painful memories, he wanted to fine peace. But, he had found so much more, he had found Taylor. Taylor had just started putting her life together when had wanted to make a new life for herself and her daughters and sonwhen they had met. He had found the beautiful doctor not only delightful with her wit but intriguing as well. It had been the first time that he had been interested in a woman in many many years. Not since Lily, had a woman stirred his interest. So, they started dating. He told her of his mother’s obsessive behavior, of how he had lost his memory and his wife Lily. Finally, he told her how his half-brother had tried to kill him so he gave up the rest of the rights to his company and allowed his now ex-wife to raise his son. Damian’s son, whom he loved, had grown up with Holden, Lily’s husband as his father. Damian didn’t hate Holden or Lily but he missed his son. Yes, he got to see him on Holidays but it wasn’t the same. Taylor had commiserated on how she and her daughter Stephy didn’t see eye and eye and how it bothered her. Taylor never thought that she’d fine love again let alone with a hugely sex Italian man a few years younger than her but she did. He was very romantic and they had a type of chemistry that she could be honest now, she had been missing with Ridge. He was very loving, caring and he loved Stephy and Phoebe very much. He was a good friend to Thomas and she suspected that Thomas filled the ache inside of not having Luke. What was even more amazing was that she and Brooke had become very close when she Damian asked Taylor to marry him only six months after they had met. She hadn’t been sure what to do. It had been a pregnant Brooke with Logan who had asked her point blank if she loved him. Taylor had, so Brooke told her not to question it. Brooke had even told her how Taylor’s romance and Damian had somewhat reminded her of what she had shared with Caspian. She had learned not to questions her blessing. So, Taylor and Damian married and had been very happy ever since, she only wished that her relationship with Stephy had progressed. Unlike Phoebe who had forgiven her mother, Stephy hadn’t. She always but distance between them and didn’t let her get close. It hurt Taylor to see how Stephy would turn to Brooke and not her. Years ago, she would have blamed Brooke, but she couldn’t in this one. She had the blame and she had to make amends. Turning to her husband, she frowned. “ I just want breakfast to be prefect. I made all their favorites. Even eggs benedict for Stephy. Of course Thomas snuck in here and already has eaten some of the cheese Danish. Of course the girls probably ate at Ridge and Brooke’s.”  

Sensing the pain in his wife’s voice, Damian’ tried to allay her fears. “Don’t worry so. The girls will love it. Both of them. I just wish that Luke could be here. He is growing up so soon and so fast.”  

“Maybe next year Lily will let come.”  

“ Maybe. He is already 14 soon he’ll be man looking to only Holden for guidance.”  

Thomas came into the dinning room. “ I just called and talked to Brooke. She said that dad and the girls are on their way.”  

 

Phoebe and Stephy opened the front door of their house and stepped in. “ Mom.” Phoebe called. Taylor who was dressed in a white rabbit sweater and chocolate pants with her hair swept up looked beautiful as she hurried to hug her daughter.  

“Merry Christmas sweetheart.” Kissing Phoebe, she turned to Stephy. Stephy saw the hope in her mother’s eyes and hugged her only after a moment’s hesitation. After all, it was Christmas. Ridge stepped down into the house that he and Taylor once shared. “Merry Christmas Doc.” He said putting Gia down to hug his son who was in the living room. Gia had demanded to go see Thomas.  

Taylor turned to her ex-husband and smiled. “ Thank you Ridge.” She knew that it was his Christmas with them but they somehow always shared their children. “ And you” He said to Thomas. “ You’ve got a bunch of gifts under the tree.”  

“ Thanks dad.”  

Ridge turned to his ex-wife.“ I knew that it wouldn’t be the same without them.” He said kissing her lightly.  

“ Hey get your lips off my wife or I’m going to kiss yours tonight.” Damian said laughing as he came into the living room. Only joking. Ridge shook his hands clasping them lightly.  

“Good to see you.”  

“ And you Ridge.”  

“Merry Christmas Damian.” Phoebe hugged her stepfather. “ Hello Phoebe.” He turned to Stephy. “ And you, it’s good to see you being so sweet to your mother.”  

Thomas smirked at his sister. “ She’s a real sweetheart, aren’t you Stephy?”  

“ Aren’t I getting kiss too?” Gia asked Uncle Damian.  

“ Of course moppet.” He swooped her up and kissed her on the cheek.  

Taylor watched with amusement. “I swear that little girl is flirting. She becomes more and more beautiful every time I see her. And she’s her mother’s daughter.”  

“ I think that she has a crush on Damian she always wants to come over here. Not that she doesn’t love you. Although she is starting to ask questions about how come Brooke isn’t Thomas or the girls’ mother and you are but I’m their father. It’s confusing to her.”  

“ It’s confusing to me at times.”  

“ Is it?” Ridge said softly. He still loved Taylor and wanted her to be happy.  

“ Not that confusing Ridge.” She put her arms in his as they moved toward the living room. I’m happy and so are you. It’s just that we are happier because we aren’t married to each other. We tried but some things are too hard to forget.”  

“ I’m sorry for pain that I caused you.”  

“ Shh. Ridge, I think that we loved each other and we both caused each other pain. But not anymore. You did try but after what happened to Morgan, we couldn’t get back to that point. I couldn’t trust you nor could I accept Dylan. But that is over.”  

Taylor watched as Thomas carried Gia on his shoulders as Stephy and Phoebe went to the Christmas tree. “ I have some gifts for Gia, Logan and Bridget. There is also one for Dylan.”  

Surprise filled Ridge’s eyes. “ Doc…”  

“ I know was angry for so long that you had a son and I didn’t but I was wrong to do that. Brooke told me that she got Morgan to let come. And since, I know your little girl adores him and he isn’t here it’s because of me. You left him back at the house.”  

“ He’s busy with Logan and Eric besides I didn’t want to make things uncomfortable.”  

“ I know.” She squeezed his hand as she made her way to Thomas. “Gia. I’ve got a present for you. Why don’t you look under the tree and find it.”  

 

Ridge and Gia had left and Taylor, Damian, Thomas and the girls had eaten breakfast when they exchanged gifts. Thomas was wowed by the Coldplay tickets that Damian had given him. “ These are hard to find.”  

“ We’ll go to New York. That’s why there are two tickets.”  

“ Thank.” He smiled at her mother and stepfather.  

Phoebe had blushed when Damian had had given her a crystal butterfly to add to her collection. “ Thank you. It’s beautiful.”  

“ It’s a lot like you Phoebe. You are like that butterfly. You go through so many changes but I have a feeling that underneath the caterpillar is a beautiful girl that will grown to become a beautiful young woman.”  

Stephy rolled her eyes at the statement. Taylor noticed and frowned. “Stephy, that isn’t nice. Damian, spoke from the heart.” Stephy sighed. If only her mother got a grip. It wasn’t what Damian had said, she believe the same thing about her sister but it was that it was coming from him. Her mother didn’t see it but she did. Phoebe almost down right stuttered when she was around Damian and blushed all the time. Her sister had a crush on her stepfather. Phoebe would have died if anyone knew that is why Stephy never said a thing to her about it. Ignoring her mother she handed Phoebe her gift. Taking Stephy’s gift, Phoebe opened it carefully.  

“ Why are you doing that?”  

“ I don’t want to ruin the wrapping paper.”  

“ God, it will take forever.”  

“ So.” She finally opened the gift. “ Oh Stephy, it’s amazing.” Phoebe took out the large framed gift. There were three photos. One of her, one of Stephy and one of them super imposed over each other. Below was sketch that Phoebe had known her sister drew. It was two profiled sketches of them combined. Below at the bottom was a simple note. “Half of a whole. Fly free and be. For I’ll always be with you. Stephy”. Phoebe had tears in her eyes. “ Stephy, this is so beautiful.” Hugging her sister tightly tears slipped down her face.  

Taylor picked up the gift. It was remarkable. “ You did this?”  

Stephy nodded. “ I got K.C to help me super impose the pictures and the matting. The sketch I did.. I wanted to match Phoebe’s bedroom.  

“ This is a touching gift. I’m proud of you.”  

Feeling a slight sting of tears in her own eyes Stephy shrugged. “ I love my sister. She is good part of me.”  

“ No, she isn’t.” Thomas stated to his little sister. “ You BOTH are special.”  

Phoebe handed Stephy her gift. Stephy opened it and was stunned. “ How did you know?”  

“ Put it on.”  

It was a beautiful ring. Delicate and so unlike Stephy in it’s style. A black peal and white pearl nestled in a while gold setting. She had somehow fallen in love with the delicate ring. “ Phoebe, it must of cost you all the allowance you had.”  

“No, it didn’t. Besides. Thomas helped.  

Thomas shrugged at his sister.“ You owe me. You are going to have to clean dishes on my week next week.”  

Taylor saw the ring and knew it cost a great deal. “ Phoebe, your sister is right. It’s too expensive.”  

“ No it isn’t. You loved the ring. You said that it reminded you and us. You and me, the same but different. When you wear it. I want you to think of me.”  

“ Honey, I don’t think that…”  

Damian put his hand on Taylor’s arm. This was something special that Phoebe wanted to give her sister. The two girls were very different indeed however they had closeness, a bond that nothing could ever break. He knew that everyone thought Phoebe was the light and Stephy was the dark but not Phoebe. Phoebe, he knew loved her sister more than anything. This gift had deep meaning. Their gifts to each other were priceless. “ Let it go Taylor.”  

 

Phoebe placed her butterfly on her desk and studied it. “ I see you found a place for it.” She turned around to find her sisters coming into her room.  

“ Yes. It’s beautiful.”  

Noticing that her sister had already mounted her gift above her desk Stephy shook her head. “ Did you do that the moment that you got up here?”  

“ Yes. It came from you.” She hugged her sister.  

“ Mom liked your gift.”  

“ She liked yours too.”  

“ I’m not sure. I think that I should have given her something else.”  

“ She loves to smell good. That perfume was perfect. Not to mention that blue cashmere sweater. It’s beautiful.”  

‘Yeah, but she really liked your book of poems. She’s going to put that in her office next to the butterfly set you gave her.”  

“ Your gift had meaning. I got her a gift that a stranger would.”  

“ No you didn’t Stephy.”  

“ Yes I did. I just can’t get close to her. I just don’t know her.”  

Phoebe didn’t like that her mother and Stephy were at odds all the time. “ Get to know her. She is sorry. She wants to love you but you’ve got to give her a chance. Please Stephy? For me.”  

“ Why do you always do that? I don’t care what anyone thinks except you.”  

“ I know. That’s why I always do that to you.”  

 

Taylor sat in her bedroom studying the beautiful sweater that Stephy had given her. It was a royal blue slightly sloping off the shoulder with a bow on the side. It was indeed beautiful. Damian stepped in the bedroom looking handsome as ever in his white sweater and dark pants. “ It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”  

‘ I know. I’m thinking about wearing it tonight.”  

“ She may like that.”  

“Maybe. It was a wonderful gesture on her part. I think that it’s the first step in the right direction.  

 

The Forrester household was full of commotion as they took on Christmas dinner. Although some of the dishes had been ordered from La Trem most of the meal had was being cooked at the house. The rack of lamb was ready to go, two big turkeys were cooking in the oven. Bridget who had been elected that task since it wasn’t something she could ruin was already dressing the roasted pheasant. Beth had fixed salmon for the guest who didn’t each beef or pork while Brooke had ordered a honey backed ham. Brooke had made oyster stuffing, regular stuffing along with a cornbread stuffing while they took care of the stuffing while there were a myriad of salads would be handled later. KC and her mother Nichelle had come over to help with the meal. Nichelle had washed the collard and mustard greens while KC was busy stuffing the individual sweet potatoes with brown sugar, nutmeg, marshmallows and butter for them to be roasted 10 minutes before the meal. Still stylish as ever, the designer who was in the process of opening her own design house and mother of two five year old twins looked amazing as she mastered in the kitchen. Wearing a chiffon gray tank top with a pair of low riding jeans, you could only marvel at her body. Nichelle was comfortable in a form fitting crisp white blouse and tailored red pants. As the women bustled around the kitchen, the men were in charge of overseeing the caterers making sure they set up the dinner tables of. Connor and Kirk gave the caters orders based on their wives orders while they took turns sneaking into the den to watch Lakers play the Nets. Poor Eric and Dylan were stuck being gofers and had to run back and forth to the store twice along with Ridge when his wife almost had a breakdown because he hadn’t gotten the turkey sausage for the sausage for some dish she was cooking. “ Women, Eric muttered. How come Stephy and Phoebe aren’t here suffering like us.”  

“ Because they are with their mother.” Dylan replied. “But Thomas is on his way over to help.” Gia, who had been a shadow to Dylan, loved all the excitement. She however was disappointed that Madison, her friend and KC’s six-year old daughter wasn’t there yet.  

“ When in Madison coming?” She asked.  

“ She and Marques are with their uncle Corey. She’ll be here soon.”  

“I want someone to play with.” She slid her hand into Dylan’s. “Will you play with me Dylan?”  

Dylan looked at Gia. He never could say no to her. “ I promise that I’ll play with you a little later.”  

“ You promise.”  

Eric pushed her lightly. “ Get out of here Gia. He’ll play with you later.”  

“ Don’t push her.” Dylan said quietly. “ She’s little.”  

“ She’s a pain sometimes.”  

“ No, she isn’t. She just wants some attention.” Dylan thought. He understood that. When he was with his mother, he often was alone and wished that he had someone to play with. His mother didn’t like for him to play with too many people. “ Let me finish helping your mother and I’ll play with you.”  

“ Can we play Shoots and Ladders or Candy Land?”  

Eric groaned. “ You better watch her, she’s good at that.”  

 

KC stepped outside noticing beautiful dressed tables had been set for dinner with wonderful touch right down to the place cards the place cards had been given. Noticingthe individual flower arrangements it was a wonderfully set tables. “ It’s beautiful Brooke.”  

“ They did a wonderful job. I can’t believe how much your mother and you were a help to mom and me. Thanks.”  

“ It was nothing. I couldn’t feel right about coming and not helping. I just appreciate you inviting my parents and family.”  

“ Is Connor’s mother coming?”  

“He is going to pick her up at the airport at 4 p.m. In fact that’s in a half and hour. I better get a move on and finish up. Besides, your dad and mine are in the den again. My mom is going to kill him if he doesn’t get away from that game.”  

“ That’s why I’ve been keeping Ridge busy for the entire day. Once he starts watching that game, nothing gets done.” Brooke sat down for a moment resting her hand on her swollen stomach.  

“ Are you alright?”  

“ Yes, she said smiling.” Brooke looked beautiful in a soft chocolate sweater and matching pants. “ I’m just marveling at today. It’s going to be a wonderful Christmas. In fact it is. Having my family and friends here…it’s a wonderful thing.”  

“ Are you nervous about tonight’s announcement?”  

“ No. KC, I made a decision. One that it best for everyone involved. I don’t regret it. Not one bit. Besides, I’m starting something new. It’s going to be a wonderful adventure.”  

KC and Brooke’s conversation was interrupted when Bridget came outside. “Mom. You’ve got a phone call from Aunt Donna she’s having some sort of crisis with the macaroni and cheese.” Donna didn’t cook any better than Bridget. “ I had better help her, it will be a mess.”  

 

Bridget awoke from her nap however she was still a little tired. There was still a lot of work to be done for dinner, however she, at the urging of her husband and her mother not to mention Nichelle had lain down for an hour. She rubbed her stomach talking lightly to her daughter that grew inside of her when there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”  

Brooke came in holding a small tray. “ I have mint tea for you, wheat crackers, cheese and a small slice of turkey. I know that you need something to eat.”  

Taking the piece of turkey, she bit into it. “Mmm, this is so good.”  

“ You can thank Henri for that. This is the turkey that he roasted on the grill. Thank god that he can cook or you’d be as skinny as a rail.”  

Rubbing her stomach, Bridget laughed. “ No chance in that.”  

Brooke put her hand on her daughter’s stomach. “ I’m just happy that you and my little granddaughter are going to be fine.” Brooke’s face lit up with a smile. “ Seeing you happy makes all of my dreams for you come true.”  

“ You aren’t the only one mom. Watching you and dad putting this family together is amazing. You are awesome mom especially to Thomas the twins along with Logan and Gia. I hope that I can be half the mother to you this baby as you’ve been to me.”  

“ I wasn’t such am awesome mom with you.” She fingered her daughter’s long hair. “ I made a lot of mistakes with you.”  

“Don’t do that. Mom, you did everything in your power to make me happy. I was difficult and spoiled most the time but you put up with me anyway. I love you.”  

“Honey, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.” Brooke leaned back touching her own stomach. “ I can’t believe that you and I are pregnant at the same time.”  

“ You never were very conventional, were you?”  

“ No. I wasn’t. But I’m trying to be a convential mother now.” Brooke was silent for a minute. “ Well, in a way.”  

“ Mom, are you planning something.”  

“Not really I’ve been thinking about the family and this baby. It’s my last and I want to have time for this baby. I want to have time for the baby and for the children. I’m going to have three children under the age of six in the house. Not to mention the twins and Dylan. Eric spends a lot of his time here when Rick and CJ so I really want to be here and not spend so much time at Forrester.”  

“ Mom, what are you saying?”  

“ I’m giving up the position of CEO of Forrester Creations.”  

“ What?” This was news for Bridget. “ Mom, you love that position.”  

“ I do. But lately, it isn’t as important as it used to be. Your father had been taking on more and more responsibilities and it’s time for a new area. It’s also time for the Forresters to be in control of their own destiny.”  

“ What are you going to do?”  

“ Take a long awaited rest. Enjoy my family.”  

“ I can’t see you doing that forever.”  

“I won’t. I already have something planned when I’m ready to go back to work.  

”Are you going to get involved with running Microtech?”  

“No. That’s not my area of expertise. Besides, that company has too many memories.”  

“ You are majority shareholder.” Caspian had felt most of the company to Brooke when he died along with his homes in Italy, Roma, New York, L.A and his private island. Brooke also received that all his Forrester stock and surprisingly, some Newman Enterprises stock that Brooke hadn’t known anything about. That made her more than wealthy.  

“So what are you going to do?”  

“ I’m KC’s partner in her new company.”  

Bridget was shocked. “ What? Mom, does dad know.”  

‘ Yes, your father knows. We’ve discussed and he supports me and every way.”  

“ Her company is going to be competition for Forrester.”  

“ Big time competition. You’ve seen her work. She’s Forrester a great deal of money. But I think that Forrester will step up in their game. Besides, our style is going to be a little different.”  

“ Are you going to be CEO?”  

“ No. This is KC’s baby. When I’m ready to go back to work, I’ll be working with her. Of course she’s the creative end and I’ll deal with the business end. Right now, I’ve supplied her with the additional finical backing she needed but she’s done the rest on her own.”  

“ With Jackson’s help.”  

“ He’s helped her a lot but she’s doing a good job. As me being involved it won’t be for a long while. Right now, I’ll focusing on the children. That is going to be my legacy.”  

“ I never thought that I’d see you this happy.”  

“ Well I am.”  

“ You know who you sound a little bit like?”  

“ No, who?”  

“ Stephanie.”  

“Stephanie. Well that is something.”  

“ Is she coming to dinner tonight?”  

“ Yes but she’ll be late because her plane won’t get in until later.”  

“ Does she know that Eric is coming with his wife?”  

“ Yes. But it’s still Christmas. It’s time that we put our bitterness aside.”  

 

Ridge felt a sense of peace as he played Candy Land with his children. Gia, was currently beating Dylan, who no doubt he was letting her. Dylan had always been a kind child and very quiet. He, was nothing like Morgan, instead there was always something serious about him. “ Dylan, we can call your mother later on tonight to wish her a Merry Christmas.”  

“ I already did.” He said while counting. “ Brooke called her earlier.”  

“ She did.”  

“ Yeah. Mom’s fine. She’s in London with Lance.”  

“ Lance?”  

“ Her boyfriend. She’s got a new one.”  

“ Do you like him?”  

“ He’s alright.”  

Ridge was annoyed. He wanted his son with him. He loved and missed Dylan so much. Morgan hadn’t calmed down; she was jus as wild and predictable as ever. “ But at least you get to spend time with your aunt Charlie.”  

“ She’s cool. She always takes me places all over the city. Sometimes, I get to stay with her and uncle Richard.” Charlie had married a Dr. Elston Hathaway.  

“ Do you like staying with them?”  

“ Yeah. He coaches my soccer team. It’s kinda cool.’  

Ridge ruffled his son’s head. “I’m glad that you have your uncle Elston to help you out.” Dylan looked up at his father. He was getting enough to know that the strain between his parents wasn’t normal. His mother didn’t like to mention his father at all. He supposed that was why she had changed his last name to DeWit. Dylan hadn’t told his father of his name change yet, he knew it would upset him. “ Don’t worry dad. I still know that you are my father and if I lived here, you’d try to help out.” Dylan sighed. There were times that he wished that he lived with his father. This house was full of so many children and happy times. He wanted to feel closer to them, now that he was getting older, it seemed that he saw his father less and less. Deep down, he knew it was his mother’s doing.  

 

Bridget stepped in front of the mirror. She looked so lovely in the soft mauve colored satin pants evening outfit. The satin sleeveless top was had a small satin bow under her breast and allowed an empress waistline. While the matching pants afforded her room to breath. Her blond hair was swept up in pink-jeweled pins. On her feet were tiny-jeweled slippers with a B on it. Her ears sparkled with diamonds her husband had given for her Christmas. He had hidden them under her pillow and she found them in the morning as her Christmas gift. Henri stepped out of the bathroom in an all black stylish tuxedo. His hair was combed back from his face. He was extraordinary handsome. Henri always had been with his lean body and toned muscles from physical labor. Women often flirted with her husband but Bridget didn’t care, Henri was hers that she knew it. It was funny that in her search for love, she had found the greatest gift with a man who had known none. “You look amazing honey.”  

Bridget wrapped her arms around him. “ And you look so downright sexy.”  

“ Sexy huh?” He caressed her face and lean down to inhale the scent of her hair. “ Only for you Princess.” He whispered before kissing her softly and sensually on her lips.  

 

The doorbell rang and Beth opened to invite Megan and her husband Giovanni in. Storm and his wife Carla had arrived with their two boys. Donna and her husband had arrived with their little girl Christin. Kristin and Sam were talking to Katie and her new boyfriend. Already the house was filled with laughter. Megan kissed Beth. “ It’s so good to see you again.”  

“ Megan, you are looking beautiful.” Megan wore an exquisite silver jeweled dress with which sloped down her back. Her husband looked equally handsome. Beth was going to close the door when Thorne and his wife and son arrived. Mercedes, a very beautiful Hispanic lawyer with a spitfire mouth and a brilliant mind had met Thorne when he had been overseas in Spain conducting business. Four months after meeting they eloped and had been happily married. The two had a small son, Antonio who was two years old. The beautiful dark haired woman looked stunning in her champagne colored silk that clung to her curves with it’s darling neckline. “ I’ve brought tamales and corn salsa stuffing for the dinner. I’m going to put it in the kitchen. She kissed Thorne and left her son with them making her way. Seeing Storm, Thorne scooped up Antonio and headed over toward his friend. Thomas, who had changed there looked handsome in his tuxedo mingled with his aunts and uncles. Soon the house filled up. Nicelle and Kirk arrived with KC and Connor. Connor held his beautiful children in his arms. His daughter and son were the most gorgeous children with brown skin, soft curly hair and their mother’s eyes. Madison was adorable in her cute gray dress with a pink bow and curly hair in a nestle of curls. Marques on the other hand a matching little suit with knickers and a gray bow tie. Once one their feet, they ran to find the rest of the kids who were in the playroom with a very happy Gia who looked too cute in her burgundy velvet dress with white petticoats while Dylan had on a miniature three piece suit with a vest that matched the color of Gia’s dress.“ Just look at them.” Connor whispered to his wife.  

“ I know. They are happy aren’t they Mr. Davis.”  

Connor wrapped his arms around his wife who was exquisite in her strapless plum colored evening dress with a billowed semi train. It was such a classic design yet stunning on K.C. Of course the beautiful diamond necklace, her last anniversary gift from her husband only mad her look even more striking. Eric III, looked dashing next to his other father CJ, who had come with Sally. Good Ole Sally still looked fabulous in her muti-colored sequence dress. The front door opened and Phoebe stepped in wearing a soft pink spaghetti strapped dress her with a chiffon shawl. Her long hair was in curls and pearl earrings in her ears. Eric looked at her and smiled. Then stepped in Stephy looked beautiful as well with a lavender colored dress of the same design as Phoebe’s with lavender pin in her bob. Eric smirked, what Stephy hated more than anything was when Taylor ordered them to dress alike. Biting a chocolate truffle that had been set out he winked at her and eased up to her. “Nice dress.”  

“Eric, if you don’t want to eat that truffle from your nose, I suggest that you shut up.”  

Thomas stepped between the two.“ She means it. She had a great left hook.” He rubbed his shoulder in pretend. “ I should know.”  

Phoebe gave him a disapproving look and hurried to her father who came down he stairs carrying a freshly dressed and adorable Logan in his arms who was dressed in a miniature suit. Ridge kissed his daughter. “You look beautiful. Both of you do.” He said kissing Stephy. “And you son. I think that you are a chip off the old block. Where’s your mother?”  

“ Right here.” Damian said as he and stepped into the beautiufully decorated house. Taylor and Damian looked like a stunning couple. He in his all black tuxedo and black dress shirt and she in a single shouldered black evening dress. Taylor’s hair was swept up in an elegant hairstyle “ Taylor’s got a small problem.”  

“ A run in my stocking.”  

Ridge, who knew more about the troubles of women panty house. “Go on and ask Brooke. She has tons of pairs upstairs. She’s in the bedroom.”  

“Alright.”  

 

Brooke sat at the vanity putting he last touches of her makeup when there was a knock at the bedroom door. “ Come in.”  

Taylor peeked her head in the bedroom. “ Hey”  

“ Come in.” Brooke was dressed in her robe.  

“ I don’t mean to disturb you but I’ve got a small problem.”  

“ What is it?”  

“ I ruined my stockings.” She showed her the run.  

“ I’ve got plenty.” Brooke went over to her wardrobe and went through it. She pulled out of a new pair of Brooke’s Bedroom hosiery. “ Here I think that this will fit you. But..if you want something a little more sexy, I’ve got a pair of Brooke’s Bedroom thigh highs and garters that are brand new and would sexy with your dress.” Brooke held put the other pair. “ What do you say?”  

Taylor thought for a moment. She had started embracing feeling sexy and that was what Damian did to her. “ Are you sure Brooke?”  

Laughing Brooke nodded. “ Yes. What you do is give your husband a small peak and he’ll be thinking about it during most dinner.”  

“ I’ll have to try it.” Taylor took the garters and the hosiery when she saw the garment bag. “ Is that your dress for tonight?”  

“ Yes. I’ve been so busy with dinner that I’m behind everyone else. I’ve still got my hair to do and get ready.”  

Taylor thought for a moment. “ How about I help you with it. I’ve got two hands.”  

“ Would you?” Brooke was pleasantly surprised by the offer. “ Taylor thank you.”  

“ It’s the least that I could do.” Taylor wet her lips. “After all, I owe, you.”  

Brooke was surprised by that admission. “ You owe me?”  

“ I never really said it Brooke but I do owe you for my girls.” Taylor looked around the bedroom her ex-husband and Brooke shared. “They count and depend on you. And, they love you. Especially Stephy. She and I aren’t too close but at least she has you and I know that you’ve tried to get her to become closer to me.”  

“ I neglected my daughters. I should have known better. Brooke reached out and clasped Taylor’s hands in hers. “ We all made mistakes. Look at my life, it’s been full of them. Come on, in the past, you pointed them out so you know them all.” She said smiling. “ I’ve made so many mistakes with my own children but they don’t care, all they have forgiven me. The girls are the same way.” Brooke sat down next to her. ‘ I know it’s hard. But the more you show her that you care the more she’ll respond. Just give her time.” Brooke paused looking at an old enemy turned friend. “ Just keep trying. She loves you.”  

Tears filled Taylor’s eyes. “ Thank you.”  

Hugging Taylor she whispered.“ No, thank you for sharing your daughters with me.”  

 

Taylor stepped out of Brooke’s bathroom bringing her the last hairpin when Brooke stood up. ‘ My god.”  

“ It looks good?”  

“Good isn’t the word for it. It’s beautiful. Ridge outdid himself for you.”  

Brooke turned to look into the mirror. The white satin strapless dress clung to her perfectly molding to the slight swell to her stomach while the jeweled over-dress covered the satin one molding to the right side of her arm creating a draping jeweled sleeve and covering part of the dress stopping below the waist. It was such a dramatic look yet antiquely beautiful. Brooke’s hair was long and a dazzle of long curls while tiny jeweled diamond pins adorned her hair. “ You look like a bride Brooke.”  

“ A bride.” Brooke looked again. “ I guess that it does. It’s beautiful isn’t it.”  

“ You are beautiful Brooke.” Brooke turned and looked at Taylor in surprise. “ I know that I don’t admit it but you are. You are beautiful.” Taylor looked away. Let’s help you finish up. What earrings do you want to wear?”  

Brooke smiled. “ Open the wardrobe, there are a couple of jewelry boxes. “ I’ve got quiet a collection but I think that a tear drop diamonds would look go with this dress.”  

 

Brooke walked down the stairs to find family and friends mingling with each other. Eric stood next to his incredibly beautiful wife Jackie Payne Forrester who looked elegant dressed in black and white. Jackie had met Eric when she had moved to L.A as a buyer for Fenmore and the two were married a year ago. Brooke liked Jackie and the two had become fast friends. Jackie looked up to see Brooke and her mouth dropped open.  

“ You look beautiful.”  

“Thank you. My husband is responsible for this lovely dress.”  

Ridge took his wife in his arms and kissed her. “ You truly are a vision Logan. After putting this lovely dinner together, this is nothing. Why don’t we get started because I hear that dinner is fabulous.”  

“ What about Stephanie?”  

“ She called. Her plane is late but she’ll be on her way.” He kissed his wife on her lips.  

Logan ran to his mother.“ I’m hungry mommy.”  

Brooke leaned down and picked up her son. “ Well then young Master Forrester, let’s eat.”  

 

The crowd of family and friends were send outside. They were amazed how the back courtyard had been changed. The long table had been set up with china, perfect setting. Lights had been put in the trees to light the night’s sky. A small orchestra had been set up so they played music. “ Oh mom. This is beautiful.” Bridget awed.  

“ It is isn’t it?” Brooke smiled at her husband. “ This is going to be the prefect night.”  

Family and friends sat down at the table based on their place setting. The food, a wealth of delicious treats covered the table. Ridge stood at the head of the table. ‘Tonight we gather together with family and friends to celebrate a special night. A night when people get together and share their happiness together.” He took a hold or Brooke’s hand. “We welcome all of you to our home. Our family.” He glanced at Taylor and his children. “Our friends.” He looked at Megan, KC and Connor. Nichelle and Kirk beamed while Bridget and Henri kissed. Ridge looked around the table. “Our lives wouldn’t be the same without you. So in this special holiday day season we wish you love, peace and joy.” Ridge picked up his champagne flute. “ To family and friends. May we always remember what is most important.”  

Everyone picked up their flute and drank. Eric III frowned. “ Damn, it ginger ale.” Family and friends burst out with laughter. He shrugged. “Alright. Let’s eat.”  

 

Stephy had been set upstairs by her father to go get an extra backing for Brooke’s earring that had fallen off. Once upstairs, she found three different jewelry boxes on the bed. She opened one seeing different small boxes with diamonds but no backing. Wow, she had a lot of jewels. So, Stephy tried the next one. She opened the box but she didn’t find just jewelry, she found something else, a small photo album, letters and a man’s wedding ring. She opened the black velvet box to find a pair of expensive canary diamond earrings and other jewels. The letters were wrapped in ribbon and looked old. But it was photo album that called to her. She opened it and found pictures of Brooke with a man she never had seen before. Looking at the photos, there were many of them hugging and kissing and finally one of them at some wedding. The man was very very handsome. There was also something dangerous looking about him. This must have been Brooke’s husband Caspian. Studying a picture of him awareness of another thing came crashing down on her. His face, he had seen his face before, it wasn’t exactly the same, but the features were there. They were mirrored in her little sister Gia. Panic set in. “ No, it’s some mistake.” But as she closed the album she found newspaper clipping of some sort of trial. Reading it, she looked at the date. Brooke’s other husband had gone to jail nine months before Gia had been born. Nine months. Tears filled Stephy’s eyes. “ Brooke, what you done to my father?”  

 

Bridget was eating a piece of lamb and fresh string beans with almonds and red potatoes when she noticed that her sister hadn’t come back yet. It had been a while. “ I’m going to check on Stephy.” Bridget got up and went upstairs to find Stephy sitting on her mother’s bed.  

“ Stephy, what’s going on?”  

Stephy looked up with ears in her eyes. Bridget was instantly alarmed. “ What’s wrong?”  

“ Gia, she wasn’t a couple months early, was she?”  

“ What?”  

“ I always been told that she was born early but she wasn’t. She was born on time.  

She isn’t my dad’s daughter, is she?”  

Dread set inside of Bridget. Gia’s paternity was only known to a few they. They had kept it a secret to keep Brooke and Caspian’s child safe. ‘Of course she is…’  

“Don’t lie to me Bridget. Look at the pictures. She look likes him at least in the coloring and the hair.”  

“ Dad, has dark hair and..”  

“ Don’t lie it me. I see it in your eyes. She’s not his, is she? Brooke is lying to my dad.” This cut deep for Stephy. She trusted Brooke and loved her, she didn’t want her to have betrayed her father. “ I can’t believe that she did this.” Tears slipped down Stephy’s eyes.  

 

Bridget made her way down outside to her mother. “ Mom, I need you to come upstairs for a moment.”  

“ Is everything alright?”  

“ Just come on?”  

Brooke got up from the table and with Bridget. “ What’s wrong?”  

“Stephy found out about Gia’s real paternity.” Her daughter told her as she made her way upstairs. Brooke gasped and went to her bedroom. Ridge who thought something was wrong got up from the hearty happy dinner and made his way upstairs as well. “ What’s going on.”  

Stephy looked at Brooke with angry. “She’s been lying to us all.”  

“ Stephy..” Brooke came forward but she moved away. “ I’m not stupid.”  

“ I know that.”  

“ I saw the pictures of your and Caspian. I saw his features. Gia’s darker completion her curly hair and I counted the months from that article when he was sentences. She was born almost not quiet nine months afterward. I’ve always heard that she was born early but she wasn’t, was she?”  

Ridge looked at Brooke and sighed. Brooke nodded to her husband.“ Stephy. I’m not going to lie to you. Gia’s biological father is Caspian DeAngelo not me.”  

Stephy looked at dad with shock. “ You know.”  

“ I’ve always known. I knew when I married Brooke. She was pregnant when she and Caspian divorced. She didn’t lie to me honey. I already knew that Brooke was carrying his child. She was pregnant when we married.”  

Brooke felt a wealth of guilt for the pain that Stephy was going through.“ Honey we didn’t want to lie to you or anyone but we had to keep Gia’s paternity a secret.”  

“ Why?”  

Brooke looked at Ridge unsure what to say to the girl. The entire truth was too much. “Because Caspian was involved in some business with some very bad people. He was a good man but some people wanted him to do some things that he didn’t want to do. He tried to protect me and he went to jail for it. Because of that I made a decision to keep his child safe from some of those same people. Your father helped me.” Tears spilled out of Brooke’s eyes as she touched Ridge’s hand. He helped me get through the toughest time of my life and through the birth of my daughter.”  

“ Our daughter Brooke.” Ridge said. “ From the moment that I knew about the baby, I loved it because it was part of Brooke. Brooke was grieving and she was in such a world of pain. I wanted to help her and her child. Soon that baby wasn’t hers, she belonged to me as well.” Turning to his daughter he wanted to ease the pain of finding out this discovery no doubt had on her. “ We decided to keep this secret to protect Gia.”  

“ What about when she’s older?”  

“ When she’s older we will tell the truth. I grew up not knowing who my real father was. Bridget grew up thinking that Eric was her father, I wouldn’t knowingly do that to Gia but she’s too young to understand. She would be too confused right now.”  

Stephy looked at Bridget. “ You’ve known about this.”  

Bridget nodded. “Only close family members know the truth about Gia’s real paternity. We wanted to keep mom and her baby safe. That’s why there was such a rushed marriage between dad and my mom.”  

“ But your marriage it’s real isn’t it? I’ve seen how much you love each other.”  

“ We do love each other. Very much so don’t worry our marriage is very much so real.” Ridge said to her. “If you don’t believe anything. Believe in that and in our family.”  

Letting go a breath of air. Stephy nodded. Turning to Brooke, she felt remorse. ‘Brooke, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to accuse of lying to my father.”  

Brooke hugged her. “ It’s alright honey. I understand, you love him and you want to protect him.” Holding her stepmother tight Stephy found peace. She knew they counted on her, she wouldn’t tell anybody what she learned today although a part of her to saddened to know that Gia wasn’t really her sister. Still, she saw how much Brooke loved her brothers and sister, it didn’t matter to her that they weren’t her blood, it shouldn’t matter with Gia either. Poor Gia, she’d never get to know her real father. Moving away from Brooke, she placed the album back in the huge box and closed it. “I’m sorry that I went through your stuff.”  

“ It’s alright. I shouldn’t have left it out. You thought it was one of my jewelry boxes.” Pausing. “ One day, I’m going to give Gia this box. She’ll want to see him.”  

“What’s going to happen if he gets out of jail? Will he want Gia?”  

Brooke wore a sad look upon her face. “Caspian knows she’s his but he agreed to this. He knows that Ridge has claimed her. He wanted both Gia and I to be safe.” Looking at Ridge she finished. “ This was the only way, she whispered.”  

“You don’t have to worry honey. Caspian isn’t going to get out of jail anytime soon.” Ridge answered his daughter. “ So, don’t worry. This has been taken care of. We are together and nothing is going to split our family apart.”  

Bridget kissed her little sister on top of her head. “ Come on, dinner’s getting cold.” They left. Brooke stood there for a moment trying to compose herself as tears filled her eyes. “My god Ridge.” Ridge held her for a moment.  

“ It’s alright. She’s fine.”  

“ Is she? Because we are asking her to keep a huge secret. I don’t want to do that to her.”  

“ We had no choice to tell her the truth. There was no other way. She’s alright honey. It’s better than what she was thinking. Believe me, that one can keep a secret.”  

Brooke pulled away. She says that Gia looks like Caspian. ‘ I never mentioned it but I do see him in her. Her Italian heritage is running through her blood. I think that one of the reasons that she likes Damian so much.” Brooke put the box away. “ It is only a matter of time before other people look at her and begin to put two and two together.”  

“ Calm down. They won’t. I have dark hair just like her. So, stop worrying. Besides all the records state that she was born early. Don’t worry nobody will put it together. Gia is safe.” He turned her toward him. “ I made vows almost six years ago to love, protect and honor you. I won’t break my word now.”  

 

The rest of dinner was filled with laughter and went out without a hitch. Stephy had now knew a big secret yet was able to enjoy the dinner because she had been trusted with the truth. If her dad said that everything was going to be fine, it would. Finally, the dessert table was unveiled with clapping hands and whistles. Kirk’s eyes got huge when his wife whispered that his mother, had sent three of his favorite sweet potato pies with them on their visit. KC held her son, Marques in her lap whispering in his ear amidst the giggles. Eric stood up and hit his glass. Everyone quieted down and turned to him. He smiled at his wife Jackie before he turned his attention to Brooke and Ridge. “ We have had a wonderful time tonight and before we fest anymore, we have a special dessert.”  

Brooke looked at Ridge with a question on her face when the most beautiful cake was wheeled out. Everyone dishes were removed and little miniature box wedding cakes with orchids as icing was placed on everyone’s setting. Brooke hadn’t ordered a wedding cake. “ What’s this?”  

“ Don’t look at me.” Mercedes said shrugging. “Thorne, do you know what this about?”  

“ I have no idea.”  

Brooke turned to Jackie. “ How about you.”  

“ I know nothing about this Brooke.” She said in her crisp British accent. “ Though I am excited to find out what this is about.”  

Brooke had been so busy asking question that she didn’t notice her husband getting up.  

“ Brooke. It’s about you and me.”  

Brooke turned. “ What?” Ridge clasped her hands in his and helped her stand. “ Brooke Forrester, you have brought me nothing but happiness. From the moment we met, you have brought me excitement, fire with your unordiox behavior not to mention a whole lot of trouble.” Laughter erupted from the table. “ But you’ve brought me so much love making me happier than I ever thought that I’d be. So, tonight, in front of our family and all that we love along with our children. I’m asking you to marry you.” There was a murmur from the guest.  

“ But we are already married.”  

“ Yes and as intimate that ceremony was something was missing. So, I want to rectify all of that. My beautiful wife, what do you say that we get married again, right here on Christmas in front of God, our family and friends.”  

“ Say yes mom!” Yelled Bridget.  

“ Come on Grandma, what are you waiting for.”  

Brooke looked at Ridge with pure love in her eyes. “ I’d be honored to marry Ridge Forrester.”  

Ridge looked at his guest. “ What do you know ladies and gentlemen, she said yes.”  

Ridge took Brooke’s hand and lead her to the middle of the courtyard while family and guest followed. Thomas handed Brooke a bouquet of orchard while their children stood up for them. Stephen gave his daughter away while Thomas who held Little Logan who was to sleepy and didn’t know what was going on, stood next to their father. Dylan stood proudly by his stepbrother Rick and Eric III. Bridget stood by her mother with the twins by her side. Gia, bless her heart, decided to stand in between her mommy and daddy. Neither Ridge nor Brooke cared instead they looked into each other eyes. A pastor Clark who had been invited by Ridge came out. “ We are here standing on this special day, surrounded by family and friends and. …” looking at Brooke’s stomach. “ And looks likes more family on the way.” Bridget winked at her husband. “What better place to renew ones vows to god and family than tonight. Ridge and Brooke have committed themselves to each other and to their children. There children are a testament to how families can blend and become one.” Brooke looked at Stephy and Phoebe and smiled softly before her eyes found Taylor who was smiling at all of them secure in the arms of Damian. Brooke turned her attention back to her husband who studied her with great love.“ They have created one of God’s most precious gift, a plethora of children who love and depend on them. Tonight, they commit to each other again. Is there anyone who feels that these two shouldn’t commit themselves to each other again please speak or hold your peace.  

 

The front door to Brooke and Ridge’s house opened and a figure stepped in. Walking to the outside where it heard voices, the figure stopped when what looked to be a wedding was going on. “ What is going on here?”  

The proceeding stopped and all eyes turned to find Stephanie Forrester with a short cropped silver hairstyle that looked befitting a new black evening outfit on. ‘ Mother.”  

“ I see that you didn’t let my delay stop dinner from happening.”  

“ We weren’t sure you going to make it.” Ridge explained “ Now if you don’t mind mother Brooke and I are going to finish.”  

“ Finish what?”  

“ They are getting married Grandma.” Gia told her grandmother.  

“ Married? Did you already have one horrible wedding all those…”  

“That’s enough Stephanie. They are renewing their vows. Are you going to stay or are going to leave?” Eric asked.  

Stephanie was quiet for a moment. “I have something to say.” Most the family looked away because they didn’t want the moment ruined with Stephanie’s opinions. “ I remember that first wedding or shall I say the third one you too had six years ago. As I recall I was against it.”  

“ We remember.” Ridge added.  

“ Well, I had lots of reasons that I didn’t want you to marry my son.” Looking at the children’s faces she paused. “ I won’t get into those reasons but I was sure that my son was making a mistake marrying you when…” she glanced at Gia. The little girl innocently smiled not knowing what her grandmother was saying. Stephanie hadn’t wanted her son to raise that man’s daughter but over the years, she had to admit it that the little girl had wormed her way into her heart. “ Well, I was wrong.”  

There was a slight murmur of the family and friends as Stephanie came toward them. “ I thought that Brooke would make you unhappy but I’ve seen the last couple of years, that she hasn’t.” She looked at Brooke. “I’ve done things to you that I’m ashamed of and I know because of you my son tried to forgiven. I thought that I was protecting him but I was hurting him. You’ve made my son happy and that is the only thing that I’ve wanted for him.”  

Brooke was floored she looked at her husband. “ Did you plan this?”  

“ No,” he shook his head. “ I never thought I’d see the day when mother would have something nice to say about us.”  

“ I was wrong. Brooke does love you and you obviously love her. So, I’ll be quiet and enjoy the wedding.”  

Brooked looked at Ridge. “ You heard the lady. Let’s get finished. What’s next pastor?”  

“ Your vows.”  

Ridge smiled at his wife. “ Brooke, I really don't know what I could say that I haven't already said. You know how much I love you, Logan. How devoted I am to you -- and to our family standing beside us. All my hopes for our future, they're the same as yours. Finally, we're at a place where I don't have to tell you everything that's in my heart -- I can show you. We don't have to imagine what our life will be like -- we are living it. Right now. Starting this moment. Now and forever we'll be partners in every sense of the word. Sharing every challenge and every triumph. They'll be ours to overcome or celebrate.’ Brooke squeezed hands. ‘Ridge, my darling. Our love has been like the ocean. It has been both stormy and serene. But we have survived seven years of changing tides and returned to each other at last. When I hade no hope for the future, you became my future. When I no family, you gave me family. When I thought there would never be love again, you showed me a love so deep and committed that it couldn’t be real. Today, now and forever I pledge to you my adoration, commitment and love under dark skies and clear. I will embrace you, sustain you and inspire you for as long as we both shall live.” Ridge took a small thin ring out of his pocket. It was gold and had a mixture of stones and diamonds. “ This ring represents our family, each of these stones are the different birthstones of our children, Rick, Bridget, Stephy, Phoebe, Dylan, Gia and Logan. Once our other baby is born, we will add one more for it.” Taking Brooke’s hand, he slipped the ring on her finger next to the wedding ring he had given her six years before. Tears filled his eyes for only a moment before he leaned down and kissed his wife passionately while family members who had been supplied rose petals threw them at the happy couple. Kristin moved toward Stephanie. “ I’m proud of you mother. You put your feelings aside and put Ridge first. Its the first step to really making amends for what happened all those years ago.” Brooke and Ridge continued to kiss as the friends, family and children wished them well.  

 

Brooke came toward Eric and Jackie who were dancing. “Tapping Jackie on the shoulder. “ Do you mind if I cut in?”  

“ Only if you promise to give him back.”  

“ I will.” Brooke slid into Eric’s arms. “You knew about this, didn’t you?”  

“ I thought it was a lovely gesture. Your other wedding wasn’t really a happy one for you. Ridge wanted to do something different. I knew it when he showed me the design for your dress.”  

“ It’s beautiful. A work of art.”  

“My husband isn’t the only one with secrets or gifts. I have one for you as well.” Brooke slipped an envelope in Eric’s hands.  

“ What’s this?”  

She kissed him on the cheek. “ Merry Christmas Eric.” Slipped out of his arms and made her way to her husband. Eric opened the envelope and took the paper out of it. He blinked twice before he looked at both Ridge and Brooke who smiled at him.  

“ What is it Eric?” Jackie asked.  

“ It’s Forrester stock. She’s given me 11% of Forrester stock.”  

“ Eleven percent?”  

“ Yes, it’s what Caspian had and the 1% to make us major stockholders again. Do you know what this means?”  

“ You are in control of Forrester once again. Oh Eric, I’m so happy for you.”  

Eric looked up and found that everyone had stood and was clapping. Tears formed in his eyes. “ Thank you Brooke.”  

 

The ringing of the doorbell caught Phoebe off guard as she came from the bathroom. Opening the door she found a beautiful woman wearing dress coat with a white fur collar standing in the doorway. “ Why I help you?”  

“ Yes. Is Brooke home?”  

“Yes. Are you here for the Christmas dinner? “  

“ No, I’m just an old friend with a present for her.”  

“ Are you Stephanie or Phoebe?”  

“ I’m Phoebe.”  

“ Well, young lady, you’ve growing more and more beautiful each day. No doubt like your mother.”  

“ You know my mother?”  

“ I know a great many things.”  

“Well, I’ll go and get Brooke.”  

Phoebe went outside. Ridge was busy feeding his wife cake. “Brooke there is someone at the door for you. A woman, she says that she knows you.” Brooke got up from the table and went inside to the front door. She was surprised to find not a person but a huge dollhouse with a ribbon around it. She paused for a moment as she kneeled down to look at the dollhouse. She had seen it before. The doll it was a replica of Caspian’s house in Italy. Stepping out of the front door she found a limo in the drive where other cars were parked. The limo door opened Isabelle dressed in black dress coat stepped out. Still elegant and ever, she hadn’t changed since the last two years since Brooke had last seen her. “ Isabelle. It’s good to see you.”  

“ And you Brooke.” Nodding to her. “ You look very beautiful and incredibly happy this Christmas.”  

“ I am. You brought the dollhouse for Gia.”  

“Yes. I was in town on business. I thought that she’d enjoy it. It has an entire doll family inside of it.”  

“ Thank you. She’ll love it.”  

“ I’m sure she will.”  

“ Don’t you want to come inside? I’d like you to share Christmas with us, after all, you are family.”  

It was a kind gesture but one Isabelle couldn’t afford. “ No, thank you Brooke for the offer. I wanted to leave the gift for Gia.”  

“Isabelle, won’t you at least come in to see her?”  

Bella hesitated. “ I thought that you were still upset with me.”  

“ About Rick? My son chose his path. I might not have been happy with the outcome but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t allow to see Gia.”  

Isabelle gave Brooke one of her rare smiled.“ I’d love to see her Brooke but only for a minute. I have other things that I have to do.”  

 

Ridge looked toward the house. “Phoebe, who was at the door?”  

“I’m not sure. It was a lady. She was very beautiful.”  

Taylor put an arm on Ridge’s shoulder. “ Stop worrying. Ridge, why don’t we dance. It’s been a while.” Ridge glanced up at his ex-wife. “ I’d love to.” Ridge took Taylor into his arms and they danced.  

“ Who would have thought that we would have come to this point. You and I in other arms but happy with others.”  

“ I wouldn’t have. But it’s nice.”  

“ Yes, it is.” Taylor paused. “ Tonight, your wedding it was a beautiful gesture. You are certainly a much better husband to Brooke than you were to me.”  

“ I’m very much so sorry for the pain that I caused you.”  

“ I know. But just look at our girls and how wonderful they are turning out. I don’t regret anything that happened between us.”  

Jackie snuggled closer to her husband kissing him slightly on the lips as she spied Stephanie watching them. “Why don’t you go to her and dance with her. You may not be married anymore but for such a long time, she’s been your friend.”  

Jackie always seemed to know to make things better. It amazed Eric that he could have found such a wonderful partner in his later years. “  

Eric III walked by them. “ Hey, if you don’t mind granddad, I’ll dance with Jackie.”  

Jackie smiled. “ Such charm. He certainly inherited it from you.” Eric let go of his wife and headed over to Stephanie. “ You look beautiful Stephanie. I love your haircut and your natural color.”  

“ Thank you. Pam convinced me to so something different.”  

“ Well, it certainly is working.”  

“ Besides, I met an old friend while I was away.”  

“ An old friend?”  

“ Who?”  

“ Massimo Maronoe. I’m not sure you’ve ever met him but our parents knew each other.”  

“So, he’s the reason behind the new hairdo.”  

Stephanie sipped her champagne. “Maybe.”  

“ I’ve very happy for you.”  

“ Thank you.” Stephanie spied Jackie dancing with Eric III. She noticed KC and Connor dancing as well as her parents. Then she noticed Ridge and Taylor dancing. “ Look at that.”  

Eric turned his head. “ They made their peace a long time ago. So how about we do the same. Would you like to take a spin on the dance floor.”  

“ What would Jackie say about it?”  

“ She’ll understand.”  

“ Yes, she would. Wouldn’t she?” Stephanie may not admit it but Jackie had indeed made Eric happy. Putting her glass down she smiled. “ For old times.”  

 

Gia came down the stairs with her mother’s help to find a pretty lady sitting in the living room. The woman kneeled down to where she was. “ Hello Gia.” Gia looked at her mommy who nodded and she hesitantly stepped toward the woman.  

“Hello.”  

Isabelle was overwhelmed with emotions. The child was so beautiful. “She’s even more beautiful than her pictures.” She said to Brooke who sent Isabelle pictures of Gia every year along with the her other children. Turing back to her niece, she smiled. “ Gia, tell me have you enjoyed your holiday.”  

“ Yes. I got lots of presents and cake. Plus we had a wedding.”  

“ Cake and a wedding. My goodness. You are a lucky little girl.” She caressed on the girl’s curls for a moment before snatching her fingers back. Brooke wasn’t sure if she had ever seen Isabelle more vulnerable than at that moment. “ I got you a little gift over there.” She pointed to the dollhouse. Gia turned and saw the most beautiful dollhouse. Her eyes got wide.  

“ It’s for me?’  

“ Yes, it is.”  

Gia ran to the dollhouse looked from the outside. Someone was going to have to help her open it get her inside of the house. “ It’s amazing mommy. Can I play with it?”  

“Not right now honey. Maybe tomorrow. Okay sweetheart.”  

“ Okay.” Gia turned toward Isabelle and ran to her and she hugged her. “Thank you for my gift.”  

Isabelle paused and allowed herself to enjoy the moment of having her niece in her arms. “ You are more than welcome Gia.” Isabelle looked to Brooke. “ I had better get going.”  

“ Are you sure that you don’t want to stay for dessert.”  

“ No. I think that it would be better if I left.”  

“ I think that it’s best.” Ridge came in from the outside. He didn’t like seeing Isabelle, the woman was trouble.  

She turned her cold eyes on him. “ Ridge. You are looking charming tonight. Merry Christmas.”  

“Gia, come here.” His daughter came to him.  

“ The nice lady gave me a dollhouse.”  

He picked her up. “ That was nice of her.” Kissing Gia on the top of her head. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go outside with your uncles and aunts.” He put her down. Gia turned to look at Isabelle.  

‘ Thank you.”  

“ You are welcome little one.”  

After Gia left, Ridge advanced. “Now she’s gone I want to know what the hell do you think that you are doing?”  

“ Ridge, she only came to give Gia a gift.”  

“Why? Why all of a sudden?” He couldn’t believe the gall of that woman to show up at his home.  

“ Because I was in town Ridge and I wanted to see my niece. She is, after all, Caspian’s child.”  

“ No! She’s my daughter.”  

Brooke was alarmed. “ Ridge calm down. Isabelle has a right to see Gia.” Ridge wanted to scream. He wanted to tell Brooke of how Isabelle wanted to start trouble.  

Isabelle smirked. “ See Ridge, you don’t want to anger your beautiful wife do you?”  

She turned to Brooke. If I’m not mistaken, that’s a new ring you have on.”  

“ Yes, Ridge and I renewed our vows. Tonight.” Brooke answered.  

Isabelle looked at Ridge. “ Renewed your vows. That is a romantic gesture, isn’t it? Getting married all over again making sure everything is in place.” She picked up Brooke’s hand looking at the ring but noticing that Brooke still wore Caspian’s ring. “ Something old and something new. You still where Caspian’s ring.”  

Brooke looked down at it not sure what to say about it.  

“ That says a lot.” She looked at Ridge. “ Doesn’t it?”  

“No. Not really. She loved your brother.”  

“And he gave her up to you. So you better take good care of her and his child.”  

“Ridge is a wonderful husband and father.”  

“ I had better get go. I don’t want to upset your husband. He doesn’t like me. I think that’s because I remind him of Caspian. Tell me Ridge, do you have that problem with Gia?”  

“ No, he doesn’t. Isabelle, he loves our daughter very much. I don’t like what you implying.”  

“ Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”  

“ I’m sure that you didn’t.” Ridge stated not amused in the slightest.  

“ You’ll send me pictures of her, won’t you?  

Brooke knew that she sent the pictures to Caspian. No matter what happened, he deserved to see the pictures of his child for he’d never see her in real life. Caspian had sacrificed a great deal to make sure that she was safe. Brooke hadn’t even known she had been pregnant until he had been sentenced. Caspian had made the ultimate sacrifice because of her didn’t disappear. It was because of her, he confessed to killing two men who had been sent out to kill her in order to get at him. If she hadn’t loved Rick and Bridget, she would have been able to disappear with him when he asked, he had enough money and connections. But she couldn’t leave her children, not even for him.  

“ Of course I will.”  

“ She’s all that I have left of my brother.” Isabelle said sadly. “ Merry Christmas Brooke and Ridge. Enjoy your family.” She looked hard at Ridge for a moment before turned and headed to the door and closed it behind her. as Ridge wrapped his arms around Brooke.  

 

Brooke carried Isabelle’s newest present upstairs in her daughter’s bedroom. Touching the dollhouse lightly, she felt the weight of the conversation between Ridge and Isabelle. There was a great deal tension between them and she knew the behind it, it had to do with Caspian. Letting go of him had been the hardest thing that she had ever done but it was the best thing for everyone involved. She understood that now. However, it pained her deeply to think about him locked away in some jail cell for protecting her life. Touching her wedding ring, she sighed. “ Caspian. I never wanted this to happen.” Opening the dollhouse, she studied the perfect detail of the house. Everything was done to perfection from the china in the china closet to the lights that lit up the house. Gia would love it. Brooke found the box that held family and gasped when she realized that the mother was a replica of her. The other dolls, thankfully were just little dolls. Brooke noticed that there was something underneath the velvet box the dolls were in. Brooke pulled at the box and found a letter with her name on it. She knew that handwriting. It was Caspian’s. He, not Isabelle must have sent the dollhouse to Gia. But why? Every since he had been sentenced, he refused to see, speak to her or even take her phonecalls. Why has he now decided to sent her a letter? Opening the letter she read.  

 

My Dearest Brooke,  

If you found this letter, then you were looking in the right place. Sorry for this surprise but there was no other way for me to talk to you but through a letter. There are so many things that I want to say to you but a letter isn’t long enough for all the words floating around in my head. I know that you’ve gone on with your life and from what I hear, you are happily married with beautiful children. I want you to know that knowing that you are loved, safe and happy has kept me sane. Seeing pictures of the child that we shared has filled me with hope that I cannot express. Ridge, whom I may not have liked, has turned out to be a man of honor and has proved to be worthy of you. He has been able to provide you with the life, love and family that I desperately wanted to give you.  

 

Brooke, I know that I cannot ask you to forgive me for the heartache and pain that I inflicted on you. There were many reasons that I acted like did. I know that I hurt you when I sent you those divorce papers and refused to see you. I wanted to cut out my own heart before I inflicted such pain on the woman that I loved more than anything but I had no choice. I had to push you to move on. I had to make a clean break for it would be the only way that you’d go on without me. My lifestyle and the choices that I made long before you came back to haunt me in a way that I never expected. In the end, we all have to pay for our sins. Right now I’m paying for mine. But I’m sorry that you and our child had to pay the ultimate price.  

 

Brooke I want you to know that I am no long incarcerated for the crimes that I committed. A corrupt district attorney has come to light and my case has been dismissed on those merits. I’ve been out of jail for almost a year. When I was freed I wanted to contact you. The urge to come to your house and see you, to hold you and to see the child that I’ve never seen in my life ate away at me. You’ll never know how hard it is for me to let you go but I have to. My life is still in danger and for that reason I have left to an undisclosed location far away from you or L.A. To the world, I am still in jail serving out my sentence and I wish for the world to still believe that. I’m fine. Jail didn’t break me nor did it destroy me although being separated from you almost did. I want you to know that I don’t regret taking those men’s lives. I would rather sit in a jail cell for the rest of my days than live on their earth without you. You have brought me my greatest joy and greatest love that I’ve ever experienced. You have carried my child and I know that you will protect and make sure that Gia is happy for all her days. I want you both to be happy and secure and I’m sure that Ridge will see that you in my stead.  

 

When Gia’s old enough you can deicide if you want to tell her about me. If you do, please tell her that I loved her and wanted to be a father to more than anything but circumstances changed. This will be the last contact that I will have with you. It’s better and safer for you this way. Find your happiness Brooke. Embrace life with all the joy in your heart that I know you have. Look to Ridge and your children for your ultimate happiness. And know for the rest of my days that I’ll always love you.  

 

Caspian  

Hot tears ran down Brooke’s face. “ Caspian, you are free.” She was happy and sad at the same time. He had loved her so much that he has suffered for her. She knew what they had was over but this was the final chapter. All that was left was Gia. Gia was the living-breathing symbol of her old life. “ I’m sorry Caspian. I’m sorry that our dream is over.”  

 

“Brooke.” Ridge stepped into Gia’s room. “ Honey, where are you?”  

“ I’m here.”  

He saw the tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”  

“Nothing. Everything is going to be alright.”  

Ridge noticed the letter in her hand. “ What’s that?” Brooke handed him the letter which Ridge quickly read. Dread filled him as he read the words. “ So, Caspian’s free.” Isabelle had been playing mind games with him a couple of days ago. “ Isabelle hinted that he may be freed soon.”  

“ When ?”  

“ She came to visit me. She told he might be freed. She told me that he might be back to claim you and Gia.”  

“ Why didn’t you tell me?’  

Ridge sighed sitting down on his daughter’s bed. “ Because I didn’t want to worry you.” He pulled her into his arms. “That’s not true. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid.”  

She caressed his face. “ Afraid of what?”  

“ Of losing you. Of losing everything that we have.”  

Brooke had only seen Ridge look so vulnerable before once before when he had lost Caroline. “ When we first married. I was lost. I felt that I had lost all my hopes and dreams because I lost Caspian. You helped me but did much more than that. You made me remember the love we shared so many years ago. It was like almost going back to the beginning to where we met at your mother’s house. We started over and created a family full of love.”  

“ Still, I know how much you loved him Logan.” He held her and fingering Caspian’s ring which she always wore. “ I’m reminded everyday.”  

“ Ridge. I’m sorry.”  

“ No, Don’t apologize. I understand. I understood when we married. But now we have everything. Everything that I could have dreamed of and more. I don’t lose that or you.”  

“ You won’t. Ridge. I love you. I’m married to you and I’m very happy. I’m happy with the life we’ve created together. This letter has freed me in a sense to go on with our lives together. All these years, I’ve worried about Caspian. I wondered if he was all right. Now, I don’t have to do that anymore. He’s free.” She paused. “ As free as he can be considering everything that has happened.” She held Ridge’s hand gently squeezing it. “His letter made it clear that realizes that I’m happy and I’ve found peace. You have nothing to worry about. Caspian isn’t coming back to claim Gia or I and even if he did, it wouldn’t change what has happened. Or the choices that we made so many years ago. Tonight, you and I renewed our vows. Or shall say that we made them. I pledged my life to you and our family. Nothing and nobody is going to change that ever.” She slid off his lap. “ You were right, I did and still do love Caspian. But that life is over. He can never come back and even if he could, I can’t go back. Nor could I live that kind of life.” She touched her ring. “ I’ve held on to the past but I’m not going to anymore.” She slipped Caspian’s ring off her finger.  

“ Brooke I wasn’t asking you too.”  

“ I know. But it’s time. I’m living for now for our future and not in the past. I’ll put the ring away for Gia. I still want to tell her the truth when she’s older. She may want this ring. But I don’t need it anymore.” She picked up Caspian’s letter and slipped her ring inside. “It’s time that I said goodbye.”  

 

Ridge led his wife outside. He felt as if he had the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders. He knew what giving up her ring had meant to her. He knew now that Caspian would no longer be a threat to their marriage. “I have one more surprise for you tonight.”  

“One more?”  

“Yes. One more and a lifetime of surprises Logan.”  

In the middle of the courtyard, the orchestra started playing “Unforgettable”.  

“ Ah, Ridge our song.”  

“ Yes, our song.” He kissed her gently on the lips when a beautiful voice sang the song of their dreams. Brooke listened to voice and her eyes widened with surprise. Brooke gasped as she stopped dancing and found Natalie Cole singing in her courtyard. “ My God, how did you?”  

“ I wanted you to have a very special Christmas.”  

“ Of Ridge Forrester, you are the most romantic man ever.”  

Ridge wrapped his arms around his wife. “ Only for you my love. Only for you.”  

Ridge and Brooke danced together to their song sung by their favorite song bird. They basked in their love and their families. Brooke closed her eyes and enjoyed the secure arms of her husband. Ridge had given her her Christmas wish. Family, love and joy. She couldn’t ask for anything else. She was rich, rich in love. One man had loved her enough to let her go, another loved her enough to keep her.  

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