Chapter 101 Review: Brooke and the Forresters are pleased as Rick presents ideas for the WOW fashion show. The meeting is interrupted when Isabelle shows up. Isabelle and Stephanie have harsh words while she lets Brooke know she supports her relationship with her brother. Caspian goes to investigate the doctor on call when Brooke was born but has no luck in finding out if they are sisters. Taylor tells Pierce about Brooke’s blackmail and he hopes to help both of the women. Bridget gets Scott to promise not to give up on them. After the stockholders meeting the police come to arrest Stephanie and the entire family is shocked as Eric finds out that Bridget isn’t his daughter. Brooke goes ballistic and slaps Stephanie for her actions.

Chapter 102 (Reality)

Megan was hesitant to knock on Brooke’s office door. Clearly the events within the last hour had sent a shockwave throughout the Forrester family. Never in a million years did Megan think that Stephanie would have been capable of doing something like bribing the doctors to change Bridget’s paternity test, however now the police had evidence contrary to that. Knocking gently, she opened the door. “ Brooke, can I get you something?”
Brooke who was standing on the small platform in front of her bay windows staring out into the darkness of the city out far in the horizon. “ No Megan, I’m fine.” Brooke didn’t bother to look at her.
“ Are you sure? You’ve been locked up in here at least an hour.”
“ I’m just trying to put all of these events into perspective.” She turned toward Megan and stepped off the platform while rubbing her arms absent-mindedly. “ Every time I think about it, I get chills running down my body. To think that Stephanie hated me so much that she’d cheat Bridget out of a father and Ridge out of his daughter makes my blood boil.”
“ You really think that she did it?” Megan wasn’t sure what to think. She may not have always liked things that Stephanie did to Brooke, however Stephanie had always been kind to her. Also, honesty, family and honor were so important to her.
“Oh she did it alright.” She said with quiet anger. “ I saw it. The look in her face. She daughter’s live in an effort to keep Ridge and I apart.” A raw look of anger expressed itself on Brooke’s face making her seem almost dangerous. “ I promise you one thing. I will make Stephanie pay for hurting my daughter and destroying my family the way that she did.”

Ridge put down the decanter full of Vodka. After what had happened today, he needed a stiff hard drink. It didn’t make sense, none of it did. Why in the world would his mother change Bridget’s paternity test? He shook his head. “ She didn’t do it. It’s some sort of mistake.” He said to himself. He had to believe that it was a mistake. His mother wouldn’t do this to him or to his daughter. But deep down. He wasn’t sure. The look in her eyes. There was something there that reminded him of the time when she had tried to drug Morgan to make her miscarry. Tonight, he had seen that look cross her face. Could his mother have done this to him? “ Damn it all to hell!” He picked up the glass and threw it up against the wall shattering it to pieces and causing liquor to cascade down the wall.
Taylor came down hall looking stunning in a strapless black evening gown. “ Ridge? What’s going on?” She found her husband pacing back in the living room with shattered glass on the floor.
“ I can’t believe it. I just won’t believe it. Brooke is wrong. She has to be”
“ About what?” Clearly Ridge was upset about something. Fear gripped Taylor. Had Brooke broken her word and said something about the night she had shared with James. “Ridge, answer me. What is Brooke wrong about?”
“ I won’t believe it Taylor. All my life, I’ve depended and counted on my mother. She wouldn’t hurt me.”
His mother? This was about Stephanie? “ Ridge, you need to tell me about what happened. Did something happen between your mother and Brooke?”
“ Mother was arrested.”
“ What? My god, for what?”
“ The hospital and that farce of a police department think that my mother had something to do with having Bridget’s paternity test changed.”
Taylor was floored. Her mouth dropped open. “ Are you sure? Surely, it’s some kind of mistake. I mean, you mother...” Taylor’s voice trailed off. She remembered how Stephanie had tried to blackmail her to get her to change her mind about reuniting with Ridge. Would Stephanie have so far as to change Bridget’s paternity test to get Brooke out of Ridge’s life?
“ My mother what?”
“ Ridge. Just tell me what happened. She was worried at the look of pure agony on Ridge’s face. “ Doc. All hell broke lose that’s what happened. Dad’s world feel apart. Brooke went ballistic and mother…she’s at the police station. They think that she did this. They say that they have evidence but it’s got to be some sort of mistake. My mother would never hurt me like this. Never.” Unwanted tears filled Ridge’s eyes and he looked away to blink and get rid of them. He wouldn’t believe such a thing. Taylor, on the other hand although relieved that Brooke hadn’t opened her mouth saw the pain that her husband was in. She reached out to hug him. “ It’s alright. It’s going to be all right. Tell, me what happened.”

Stephanie Forrester was furious. She couldn’t believe that she had been handcuffed, humiliated and made to ride in some ridiculous police car like she was some sort of criminal. Worst yet, they had her in some integration room and had been asking her all sorts of questions about Bridget’s paternity. How in the hell had this happened? The lab technician that she had bribed was deceased and she knew that bimbo Trudie knew better to open her mouth. Deep down she was worried. She had seen the look of horror on Eric and Ridge’s faces. She was afraid of losing them. Deeply afraid.
Lt. Burke sat down across from Stephanie Forrester. That woman was as cold as ice. “Mrs. Forrester if you just answer some of our questions then we’d be more than happy to see that you get back to your family tonight.”
She coolly raised an eyebrow. “ Lt. Burke, I think that tonight you might be looking for another job once my lawyer gets through with its lawsuit of false arrest.”
“ False arrest.” He smiled. “That’s a good one lady. Because your lawyer can’t to a thing to me.” He pushed the bank records he hand toward her. “ It’s right here in black in white. Your bank records show that you’ve been paying a Christopher Hastings for years.”
“ I don’t know any Christopher Hastings.”
“ Christopher Hasting was the person who was in technician in charge of Bridget Forrester’s paternity results.”
“ How would I know that?”
“ You would know that because you’ve been paying him. How can you explain that?”
“ I don’t have to. Is my lawyer here?”
“ You can play all the games that you want. But we have motive. Your hatred of Brooke Logan and your fear that she was going to marry your son drove you to change the paternity test. You had opportunity and lastly, you had the financial means. Best of all, we have a witness that collaborated that you did pay Christopher Hastings.”
Stephanie wondered who that person could be. Nobody else besides her, Christopher and that sister of his would have known that. She wasn’t never s dumb woman and she knew that if they had everything that wanted to convict her, she wouldn’t even been in this room. They had nothing but circumstancal evidence. She as keeping her mouth shut.


Eric Forrester was in shock, if that was the word for feeling so numb that nothing could hurt him anymore than he had already been hurt for that day. There was nothing else left of the family he thought he created. In one swoop, he had lost so much. His daughter, who he adored, was no longer his. Not only that, she might die. If that wasn’t enough, everyone he had ever loved had been lying to him. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The worst of it was that his wife, the woman he loved and trusted for so many years to be his partner and friend had robbed. She had made of fool out of him. She had ridiculed, tricked and manipulated him for years. She had done it all smiling in his face while all the while plotting and doing exactly as she pleased. For years spoke about integrity, honesty and commitment to family when all the while, she had been lying to get what she wanted. All she cared about was moving him and the rest of the family around like pieces on a chessboard, manipulating them to do whatever she wanted. She didn’t give a damn about anybody’s wants, needs or desires, as long as they feel into line of her master plan. Eric’s wants and needs didn’t matter. Nor did Thorne or Ridge. His own children. My god, the woman had blackmailed, manipulated and lied to them all in order to get them to do what she wanted. Then, there was Bridget. Beautiful, talented, sweet Bridget. She had confused the girl by stealing her father when he needed her and replacing him with a grandfather. Though he never said it, he knew that Bridget and he lacked the closeness because she had always thought of Ridge as her father. It had been a difficult task on them all, but they worked to get through of it. However, it was all for nothing. The pain that she caused was all because she hated Brooke. “ Stephanie. How could you do this? How could you do this to my family!”
“ Dad, please, you’ve got to calm down. It’s not good for you to get worked up. I’ve called your doctor.” Kristen was very worried about her father.
“ For what?”
“ To make sure that you stay calm. I’m really worried about you.” Kristen kneeled down to the chair next to Eric. “ I’d be so upset something happened to you. Dad we all need you. This family needs you so you need to stay calm.”
“ Needs me.” He snorted. This family doesn’t need me. They didn’t even tell me the truth about Bridget.”
A huge mountain of guilt weighted down on Kristen.“ We didn’t want to hurt you. None of us did.”
“ Because I’m a useless fool.”
“ Dad, that isn’t true. We all depend on you.”
“ Isn’t it? Look at what your mother has done to me. For years, I let her take the lead. Make all the decisions for the family even if I didn’t agree with her. ” He felt like the weight of the word was on his shoulders. “From the moment I met her, she was in control. The night we met, she controlled the topics, what we drank, even what I ate. That night changed my life. It was nothing more than a party, a stupid party which I got drunk and changed our lives.” Kristen didn’t say a word; she felt that her father had to get his pain and grief out. “ When she ended up pregnant, I did the right thing. The honorable thing.” He stood up a picked up sketch that had been sitting on the easel. “I married her.” He spat. “ I married that bitch and gave up the woman that I loved.”
“ Dad, you’ve got to calm down.”
“ Calm down! How can I when for years I’ve allowed myself to be controlled by your mother. It was for my family, I thought. From the moment that I married her, she controlled everything. Her family, had the money so I had to fall into line if I wanted to keep the company.” Bitterness like bile burned deep down inside of him as he thought about how she wanted to control almost every aspect of the business when they started. “But I dealt with it because I loved my son. My children were worth the years of her controlling my every move or her irrational jealousy of people like Margo who did wonders for this company. Any woman who had beauty or class was under suspicion. Have you ever wondered why Margo was the only female designer here for years? It was because your mother couldn’t stand for me to hire women. She thought the models were enough. I think that is why she hated Brooke so much from the start. At first, it was because she was Beth’s daughter but then that hate grew because she was so afraid of Brooke’s beauty and talent.”
Kristen who knew that her parents had had problems during their marriage felt her father’s deep pain. “ I’m sorry daddy.”
Eric turned to her. “Not as sorry as I am.” Pain and disappointment showed in Eric’s eyes. “ For years, I ignored the way that she doated Ridge and practically ignored you, Felicia and Thorne.”
Kristen and the others had always known that Ridge was her mother’s light and hope. It wasn’t her father’s fault. “Dad, it’s okay.”
He shook his head. “ No, it wasn’t.” Turning toward Kristen, he cupped his daughter’s face. “ It wasn’t alright honey. It wasn’t all right the way that she made you feel bad for who you were. That you had to move away and hide who you were to make her happy. It wasn’t fair the way she criticized Felicia for not being good enough or acting like a Forrester. Then, there is your brother, Thorne. She never was interested in him. He didn’t matter because he wasn’t Ridge.” Eric paused and turned away looking out the windows in his office. “ But I thought that manipulative Stephanie who got rid of Brooke’s family, schemed to get what she wanted had changed. I thought that she had seen the errors of her ways. I thought that she had changed. I fell in love with her again and we remarried. I thought that she was somebody different but she wasn’t. Her obsessive need to control every aspect of Ridge’s life drove her to destroy my Bridget. The very family that she swore to protect is the very family that she has destroyed. The Forrester legacy and family is now fractured and broken because of her. God as my witness, I will never forgive her for what she has done to this family!”

Taylor sat down still reeling from the conversation that she had with Ridge. “ So the police think that your mother actually bribed someone to change the paternity test.”
“ They say that they have some bank records or something.” A long time ago, Taylor would have balked at the mere mention that Stephanie would be capable of something like this but not anymore. She remembered how Stephanie treated her when she wanted to leave Ridge.
“ Is there proof?”
“ I don’t know Doc. I don’t know damn thing. Nobody knows. Right now mother is down at the police station.”
“ Alone?”
“I guess. She’ll probably call Jonathan to represent her.”
“ Eric isn’t with her?”
“ He just found out that Bridget isn’t his and is sick. Even worse, when Brooke went off she revealed some things that we didn’t even know.”
“ Like what?”
“ Mother apparently tried to kill her up in Big Bear almost two years ago.”
“ What!” She wasn’t sure if that were the truth. “ I think that Brooke is being silly, playing the victim, no doubt.”
“No, she isn’t. Thorne was there. He told us the truth. Mother tried to strangle her when she found out about her and Thorne. They kept it a secret.”
“ If it were true, Brooke would have pressed charges. Believe me, SHE wouldn’t let this go.”
“ Thorne begged her not to. Mother was in shock and on meds, her anger got in the way. To make Thorne happy, she kept quiet. But that wasn’t all that she did.” Ridge’s voice got quiet. “ She even resorted to blackmail.”
Taylor’s head popped up and her stomach clinched as she thought that her secret has been exposed. “ Blackmail.”
“She blackmailed Thorne to marry Kimberly. What in the hell was she thinking? That’s why he married that girl.”
Taylor let out a large breathe. “ Oh.”
“All of this was so unbelievable.
“ In one moment, the mother I knew was no more. Still. I just can’t believe that she’d do this to Bridget.”
“ Do you think she had the test changed?”
“ Brooke does.”
“ I’m not asking about Brooke. I’m asking about you. Do you think that your mother did this?”
Ridge looked so tired and unsure. “ I don’t know.”
She reached out and took his hand in hers. “ I think the fact that you aren’t down at the police station defending your mother says a lot Ridge. Deep down, you are unsure, aren’t you?”
“ I don’t want to believe she’s done this but honestly I’m not sure. She really hated Brooke back then but it would have meant hurting me. I can’t see my mother hurting me like that. I loved Bridget so much and losing her was like losing a piece of myself.”
She remembered how hurt and lost Ridge had been but she also remembered something else. She remembered how Stephanie had convinced her not to go back to Paris but to wait because she was so sure that Ridge and Brooke’s plans to marry would fall through. How could Stephanie have known that the paternity test wouldn’t show Ridge to be Bridget’s father?” Right now, I think it’s best not to focus on your mother. We can’t help her until we know about everything that is going on. Right now, we’ve got to focus on the person who is going to be hurt the most by this, Bridget. Brooke will tell Bridget but she maybe not in the best way because we aren’t sure if Stephanie is guilty or innocent. Brooke will paint her guilty, surely you see that.”
“ Brooke’s upset right now.”
“She no doubt, is seeing red. I’m also sure that she is having a hard time focusing on Bridget at the moment. So, we need to focus on Bridget. Once the press gets a hold of this, it will be even more difficult for her.”

KC finally finished working on sketch of a daring business suit with shades of violet strips when she picked up another blank sketchpad. She had been debating heavily on whether or not she should design her own wedding gown. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do it, but she wanted to play the part of the bride. Touching her engagement ring, she felt so free and happy at the same time. Still, she knew that if she designed her dress, it would be stunning. More than anything she wanted a prefect wedding for the prefect marriage that she was going to have. The ringing of the phone pulled her away from her thoughts. “ KC. Hunter.”
“ Hello. Ms. Hunter. I’m Yvette Watts, calling from Bazaar magazine. We are doing an article on the fresh looks from the designers we are predicting to be set he fashion world on its ear. We would like to feature you as one of the designers.”
KC was pleasantly surprised. She had worked hard in the fashion world and would love to get the additional exposure in a magazine like Bazaar would offer. Often black designers weren’t given their due in the fashion world. “ Well, it certainly would be an honor.”
“ If it were possible, I’d like to schedule just a preliminary meeting so we could get together and discuss the article. I’ll be in L.A the day after tomorrow. Don’t worry, where ever you suggest will be just fine because I know L.A pretty good.”
KC went through her personal planner to find an opening in her schedule. “How about we meet at Zenith at 4:30?”
“ That sounds wonderful. I’m looking forward to our interview and finally meeting you.”
“ As am I.” KC said as she hung up the phone. She hesitated only a moment before she made another call. “ Hey, it’s me.” “I’m I interrupting something. No, well then get your butt over to my office. I’ve got some good news to share with you.”

Beth had been setting the table for dinner when Brooke came through the front door from work when she noticed the look on her daughter’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“ Stephanie Forrester.”
“ Will that woman ever stop? What is she doing now? Defending Taylor’s actions, I bet.”
“ No.” Throwing her briefcase and purse down on the sofa Brooke showed the signs of the stress she was under. “ Taylor’s actions are noting compared to Stephanie had been doing all of these years.”
“ Doing? What are you talking about?”
“ Bridget’s paternity. Stephanie Forrester is responsible for changing my daughter’s paternity.”

Alexis handed KC a container. “Not to sound cliché or tap into any stereotype that people have about blacks. I must say that I was craving for a good chicken box and half and half as well. KC who had cleaned the table and had already started on a hot fried chicken wing laughed. “ Considering that you are stylish, a high paid articulate lawyer working for Newman Enterprises. I think that you are entitled to a chicken box, western fries and half and half. Some days it’s what the doctor calls for although it can’t beat grandma’s chicken.”
Alex who had eaten at the Hunter household during her college years agreed. “Ruth’s fried chicken can’t be topped by anybody.”
“I’ve always told her that she needs to put some of her recipes down in a cookbook or open a restaurant.”
“She’s certainly give Bea Smith a run for her money.”
Alexis, who had kicked off her 500-dollars shoes that matched her expensive Dolce&Gabanna suit.
“ So, you want to tell me what has you so in high spirits today.”
“Can’t a girl be happy?”
“Of course she can, but you didn’t call at the end of my meeting to have me come over just to eat chicken. What’s up?”
KC shook her head, causing her dangling earrings to move in motion with her as she finished off her wing. “ You are looking at one of a featured designers for the next issue of Bazaar magazine.
“ Are you serious?”
“ Yes.”
“ Girl, this is fantastic! Though I’m not surprised, KC, your work is amazing. I’ve only seen hints of at the designs that you plan to use for the fashion show but they are astounding.”
“ I’m really excited about this.”
“ You should be. I just want to know why we are eating chicken boxes when we should be out at some fancy restaurant living it up?”
Taking a sip of her half-n-half, KC answered.“ We are here getting comfortable because I’ve got work to get done. Besides, I’m sure that you’ve spent all afternoon being cooped up in meetings.”
“ It’s all part of the job.”
“ How long are you here for now?”
“ I’ll be here for another week then I’m back to Geonna City.” KC wasn’t sure how Alexis could deal with all that traveling back and forth all the time that she did working for Victor. It was no wonder that she found it hard to have time for a relationship. “ I’m really happy for you KC. Your career is going well. You are going to have a an amazing fashion show let not to mention your upcoming nuptials with Connor.”
“ Things are going very well. Especially with Connor.”
“ Have you set a date yet?”
“ We are tonight. I’ve also hired Rene Lindsay to be my wedding coordinator.”
“ She’s amazing and hard to get. I hear that she has a year waiting list.”
“ I know and hard to come by but my mother redid her penthouse and she loved her work. They have been friends ever since.”
“ And she can’t wait to help Nichelle’s daughter plan her wedding.”
“ It’s nice to have parents in high places.”
“ Yeah it is.” KC knew that her mother and grandmother were excited about her wedding. Her father, well, he was coming around. By the time the wedding took place, he’d be welcoming Connor with open arms. “ I think that my mother really wanted to help out when I was going to marry Coron however with his parents, they tried to push her out of the way. Of course, I was so eager to please; I didn’t realize how much it hurt my mother back then. But not this time, I want my wedding to be more than beautiful; I want it to have meaning. If fact, the more that I think about it, the more I want my wedding to take place somewhere exotic.
“ Exotic such as where? I hope not Japan. Neil and Drucilla got married there.”
KC knew more about the dramas Genoa City because of Alexis job.“ How does that make you feel? I know that there was something between you too.”
“ Water is under the bridge. I wish both of them well. Neil has suffered enough from Malcolm’s death. So, where do you have in mind?”
“ Oh, I don’t know maybe Brazil.”
“ Brazil. I got a great bikini that I would look fabulous in.”
Laughing, KC, knew that Alexis did. “ Well, I’ll let you know if you need to get it ready.”
“ What does Connor think of all of this?”
“ I’m not sure. I’m going to surprise him with it. With Eboni and my mother’s help, we will be able to start the process of getting the wedding together.”
“ Wow. I’ve never seen you like this.”
KC put the trash from her chicken box in the wastebasket before she took out a slice of peanut butter pie. “ Like what?”
“ This happy. It’s good to see you like this.”
“ I’ve gotten everything that I could ever want. I’m not going to let it slip away.”

Brooke pushed her food around on her plate. Although the salmon, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus was delicious all the effects of the day and Bridget’s cold treatment, her hunger had waned.
“ Brooke, honey. What’s the matter?” Stephen had noticed that everyone was quiet at the dinner table. Bridget seemed to be glaring at Brooke, while his daughter had hardly said a word. Normally, there was a great deal of chatter going on.
Brooke tried to muster a smile for her father’s sake. “ It’s nothing I’m just tired.” She had thought that a hot shower and change of clothes would make her feel a little better, however it didn’t.
“ You aren’t the only one tired of stuff around here.’ Bridget muttered under her breath.
“ That’s enough young lady.” Brooke admonished her daughter. Bridget glared at her mother. What did her mother care about her heartache or pain? Looking properly refreshed in cream chiffon colored blouse with a slopping V-neckline and three little buttons that pulled the bodice to the side. It was somewhat trendy and yet fancy on her mother with its old style triangular sleeves. Her mother had forgone jeans wearing a pair of trendy form fitting boot cut camel colored suede pants. Instead of wearing some high-heeled shoe boots that she knew her mother would usually wear to match her pants, her mother was barefoot with her feet perfectly painted in some soft cream color. Her long hair fell straight and long way past her shoulders. While a pair of beautiful long dangling earring graced her ears. Wanting to find a flaw with her mother looks and not finding one she was even more annoyed. On another other mother, she’d look like an older woman trying to dress trendy however, on her mother, she look youthfully beautiful. Pushing her plate away she stood up. “May I be excused?”
“ No.” Brooke spoke. Noticing her daughter had hardly eaten.
“ I’m not hungry.”
“ That’s too bad, we are having dinner together. Let everyone else finish.” Taking a bite out of her salmon, she spoke to her mother. “Thanks for cooking dinner, it’s delicious.” Seeing that Bridget hadn’t moved to sit, she looked at her daughter. “ Bridget, please sit.” Bridget didn’t move so Brooke iced her daughter with one of her stares. “You heard me young lady. Sit down and each with your family.”
“ I can’t believe you. You just expect me to sit down and eat like nothing has happened.”
“ Bridget, this isn’t the time.”
” When is it then?” She rolled her eyes. “ Oh, that’s right. I have to wait until I’m older. Tell me mother, are you going to cut up my dinner and feed it to me as well?”
“ I’ve had enough of your sarcastic comments young lady. Now if you don’t act in more respectful manner, I’m going to bend your little ass over and spank you like you are seven because that is how you are acting.”
Bridget sat down in her chair huffing hard. Stephen who had never say his daughter or granddaughter acting like this was surprised. “What’s going on here between you two?”
“ Bridget’s just upset because she is isn’t getting her way.”
“ You aren’t being fair.”
“ I don’t have to. I’m your mother and I’ll protect you the best way that I see fit. Right now, your relationship with Scott is inappropriate.”
“ Inappropriate. This coming from a woman who wasn’t even sure who was my FATHER was.”
“ That’s enough Bridget.” Beth was socked by her granddaughter’s callous behavior.
“ You are acting like a spoiled brat. Your mother is right; you are too young for a relationship right now. I have to wonder who would want to date a girl who is acting like a two-year old. Your mother loves you very much. She wants to protect you because she thinks that you are too young to be dating a man Scott’s age.” Bridget opened her mouth but her grandmother stopped her. “ You just shut your mouth and let me finish since you’ve decided to be down right cruel to your mother. You are acting like you are the only person in this family who has ever been disappointed by something. Well, I’ve got news young lady. We’ve ALL been disappointed, plenty of times. Your mother, more times than she can remember but she never let that get in the way of being a good mother to you or brother. So, get over it and grow up Bridget!”
Bridget’s face turned bright red. Being admonished in front of her family like this was so embarrassing that she ran out of the room to upstairs.
“ Bridget…” Beth called.
Reaching out to touch her mother, Brooke shook her head. “ Just let her go.”
“ I sorry, I didn’t mean to..”
“ It’s alright mother. She was acting like a spoiled brat. It’s just…” Brooke pushed herself away from the table. “ Bridget and I have always been so close. It hurts that she is pushing me away especially now.”
“ She’s a teenager honey.”
“ Who wants to date Scott. I can’t allow that.”
She’s very upset with me at the moment but I’m hoping in time she understand my reasons.” The ringing of the doorbell cut Brooke off. “ I’ll get it.” Padding over to the door she opened it to find Ridge on the other side she groaned. “If you are here to defend your mother, I don’t want to hear about it.”
“ I’m not here to talk about mother.” Brooke noticed the weariness in Ridge’s face. She moved away from the door.


Jonathan found Stephanie sitting in the integration room in the police station sitting across from a police officer. Stephanie was revealed to see him. “ It’s about time.”
“ I would have come sooner but I was held up in a meeting. I’d like to know what my clients being charged with.”
“ Bribery and falsifying documents.”
“ I did no such thing.”
“ Say nothing else Stephanie.” Jonathan stated. “ I want sometime alone with my client.”
“ Only a few minutes.” Lt. Burke got up and left.
Stephanie turned to Jonathan. “ Didn’t Eric call you?”
“ No, haven’t heard from him. I got here as soon as you called me.” Knowing that Eric hadn’t even called Jonathan worried her a great deal.
“ Can you tell me what this is about?”
“ It’s about shotty police work and circumstantial evidence. Nothing more.”
“ They think that you paid this technician to change Bridget’s paternity test.”
“ I did no such thing. This whole thing is really ridiculous at best. Can you believe they had the gall to arrester me at my own company in front of my own family?” Stephanie stood up. When I get through with them, there will be nothing left of this archaic police department.”
“ Stephanie, you’ve got to calm down.”
“ Calm down.” She made a face putting her hands on her waist. “ They treated me as if I were a criminal. Can you believe it? I’m the pillar of the community. I’m on countless boards and personal friends with the governor. There are rapist, murderers even serial killers but they have the gall to arrester me.”
“ They think that you’ve committed a crime.”
“ Well, they don’t have a thing to prove I committed some crime.”
“I’m sure that it’s some sort of mistake. Let me talk to the police and get a look at their so-called evidence. I’m sure I’ll get this matter taking care of in a matter of time. I’m going to talk to the police right now. Don’t worry everything will be fine.”
“ Thank you Jonathan. I’m sure this matter will be cleared up but I’m worried about Eric. He was very upset and hadn’t known the truth about Bridget’s paternity. The news must be killing him. With his heart condition and all, this is the last thing he needs.”

Yvette Watts finished ordering her dinner when her lover finally showed up. Giving him an annoyed look she took a sip of her wine.“ You know, I was getting ready to eat without you.”
The incredibly handsome dark skin black with an immaculate goatee and a smile that wowed the ladies wearing an expensive tailored black three piece suit with plum shirt and a sharp tie didn’t blink as he slid into the set opposite from the luscious beautiful black woman with flawless skin. “ I wasn’t worried, I knew that you’d wait for me.” He said with a charming smile. “ I was held up in a meeting.”
“ I know. I know, your magazine is your life.”
“ Yes, it is, you know that.” He said in a smooth baritone voice. Glancing at the menu, he ordered his meal flawlessly in French. “ I should order two meals, you know that I find French food to be unfulfilling.”
“ Yes, that but this restaurant makes the best Chicken Core’De Blue that can be found in New York. Besides, I’m leaving town the day after tomorrow for an assignment. You could pretend that you are going to miss me.”
“ Where are you going?” He asked only out of curiosity. He and Yvette had a year ago, although they were cozy and he cared for her their relationship of sorts was one of adult nature. He enjoyed her wit and her drive. He also enjoyed how sexy so looked in and out of clothing. She was also was a wildcat in the bedroom. Looking like Gabrielle Union, she made more than one head turn. She also was intelligent and didn’t bore him as easily as other women did. A man of his position and good looks was often propositioned however lately; even Yvette wasn’t as appealing to him. In fact, none of the women were. He was getting older and deep down there was something missing in each of the women that he dated.
Yvette took taste of her lobster bisque. ‘I’m going to L.A. Bazaar is doing a spread on the designers who they think is going to be prominent in the fashion world. I’m doing an article on K.C Hunter, she’s Forrester Creations designer. She’s amazing designer, in fact, she is the first black head designer that company has ever has. It’s about time.” Yvette had been so caught up with her assessment of KC’s work that she didn’t notice how Jackson suddenly became quiet. “ Her work is alluring and sexy. I’d love one of her dresses.”
“ How long are you going to be gone?”
“ A couple of days. Why?” She stroked his strong thigh, feeling his muscular leg slightly moving her hand up until she felt his strong huge erect member through his pants. “ Do you want to go with me? We could make this a trip of business and pleasure. What do you say?”

The darkness of the night in Brooke’s courtyard matched the darkness raging inside of Ridge’s head. He was so confused about what was the truth and what was lies that he didn’t know if he were coming and going. Brooke stepped out of the house and closing the French doors behind her. “ I thought it best that we talk out here.”
“ Bridget doesn’t know, does she?”
“ About your mother changing her paternity test?”
“ Brooke, right now I’m not sure what mother has done.”
“ From where I stand your mother is guilty. My God, that woman has been guilty for so acts against my family and against yours. I just wish that I had opened my mouth about everything that she has done to me because maybe she wouldn’t have gotten a chance to do this to Bridget.”
Brooke saw the indecision in Ridge’s face.“ I wish that you had told me about what happened between you at Big Bear.”
Brooke turned and stared off deep into the night. “ Thorne convinced me that she wasn’t in she wasn’t in her right frame of mind, that she didn’t mean it. But I don’t know. She could have killed me.”
Ridge felt so conflicted. How could he defend his mother when she was wrong? He remembered when his mother had been willing to trick Morgan into drinking an abortionate to get rid of his son. He had been appalled by her actions but she had convinced him that she had only done it to protect him. If she had been willing to go that far, wouldn’t she be willing to have Bridget’s paternity test changed? No, part of his brain said. Yes, said another. Looking so dark in his black turtleneck and black jeans, he looked solemn. “ I’m so sorry for she’s done to you.” He said with true regret.
“ Not just to me Ridge. But to all of us. Including you. She cost you your daughter.”
“ I’m not saying that mother didn’t do the things that she did to you. She was wrong and she should pay for that but I’m not sure if she’d do this to Bridget. I still remember how upset she was when she found out that Bridget wasn’t my daughter.”
“It didn’t matter when it meant that she got rid of me. By bribing that hospital technician, she allowed Bridget to stay in your life, as your sister. But I would no longer be in your family nor would you or I be connected. She our lives turned upside down.” Brooke felt a chill go through her body. “ I still remember that letter that you found in some random book. A letter supposedly written by a doctor who said that bribed her. A letter just like a letter that we go so many years that said that your father wanted a divorce. Even back then she capable of so much pain and heartache. But this time she hurt more than me. She hurt our daughter.” Brooke turned to Ridge. “ She has to pay. She has to pay for what she has done to all of us. You, Bridget, Eric and God know who else. She must be stopped!”
Ridge felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I will make one promise to you. If I find proof that my mother has done this to us, changed those test, there will hell to pay.”
Knowing how close Ridge was to his mother she knew that this could be difficult for him. Clenching her fist tightly she turned staring off into the night. “ You’ll have to stand in line first.”

Taylor finished packing her bags. Ridge was talking to Brooke right this moment about her idea for Bridget. She hoped that Brooke would agree. This story would be making headlines and Bridget didn’t need this. Stephanie’s arrest was startling and if this had happened to her a year ago, she’d be at the police station defending her but not at this moment. “Stephanie, you made your bed and now you’ll sleep on it.” She would protect her family with everything she had against the likes Stephanie and Brooke. Right now Ridge was starting to see what she finally understood, his mother would do anything to get what she wanted. It didn’t matter who Stephanie hurt. It didn’t matter if she destroyed them all.

Jonathan came back into the integration room. “ Well, Stephanie stated.”
“ They want you to answer their questions however, I’m opposed to this.” Jonathon lacked pallor in his face. This situation was graver than he had thought. He had seen the evidence, the records and the cancelled checks. “ Stephanie, they have cancelled checks from his bank records.”
“ So.”
“ So, the checks are made off from you. From your personal account. Then there is more. The hospital wants to press charges against you. They are really serious.” It was more than that the situation was grave. The police had witness, motives and evidence. This wasn’t some mistake. It looked as if Stephanie had done this. “Stephanie there is a problem.”
“ What kind of problem?”
“They are going to legally arrest you. Book you and fingerprint you. But that is only part of the problem. It’s late and the courts are closed.”
“ So?”
“ So, that means they can’t arraign you for tonight.”
Stephanie’s face grew angry. “ Are you telling me that I have to spend the night in jail!”
Shaking his head yes, he conformed her suspicious. “ I’m sorry but it looks like you are.”

Brooke handed Ridge a glass of wine. “If you want something to eat there is still dinner left.”
“ No. Thanks Brooke. I’ll get something at home.” He sipped out of the glass. “God, this had been a very stressful day.”
“ I am sorry.”
“ You aren’t at fault. I’m just hoping that this is some sort of mistake.” Ridge closed his eyes. “ I’m praying that it is. Still, the look on dad’s face.”
“ The last thing that I wanted to do was hurt Eric. He’s been through enough. When I left Forrester, Kristen and Thorne were taking him home. Finding out about Bridget’s illness and that’s not his daughter. I think that it was too much for him.”
“ I remember that feeling. Finding out that the little girl that you love so much isn’t really yours. You never get over something like that.”
Touching his shoulder lightly, she offered him her support.“ We will help Eric get through this. You’ll see.”
He turned toward her. “ You are pretty amazing woman, Logan.”
“ Why all the compliments Forrester?”
“ Because you’ve forgiven dad, haven’t you? For what he tried to do with Bridget.”
“ What choice do I have? Eric’s been through a lot. All of us have. He was sorry for what he did and he wanted us to come together as a family. Right now I’ve got to put all attention and focus on Bridget.”
“ I agree. We’ve got to focus on Bridget. That’s one of the reasons I’m here. This is going to tough. The reporters are going to be out for blood and Bridget’s paternity will be through out there for every tabloid reader to read while standing in line in the grocery store. Not to mention the effect it will have on her peers.”
“ Oh God.” Brooke sank into the outside bench. “ I hadn’t even thought of that. It was the price they price they paid for being famous. “She’s going through enough. Right now, she needs to focus on staying well.”
“ That’s why I want to take Bridget away.”
“ Away, where?”
“ Just up to Big Bear. We’ll tell her that she’s taking a trip with the kids, Taylor and me.”
“ We have to tell her the truth before she hears it from someone else. There has been enough lies.”
“ I’m not saying we lie. We have to tell Bridget the truth. But if we go away to she won’t have to deal with the public right now. Besides, maybe there will be more clarity of the situation as far as mother is concerned.”
Brooke thought for a moment. It sounded like a good plan. Bridget needed time to adjust.“ I think that you are right. Big Bear sounds like a good idea. Especially with everything going on with Stephanie’s arrest and the paternity issue coming to light. Besides with Bridget is so angry with me at the moment, it would be go idea to have her focus on something else.
“ Bridget’s angry with you? Why?”
“ Because of Scott.” She sighed. “Our daughter wants to daughter our twenty-two year old designer.”
“ Is she out of her mind!”
“ Don’t worry. I said no. So, at the moment, I’m public enemy number one but her.”


Eric looked around the house that he had raised his children in and shared with Stephanie for so many years. He remembered the joy that he had felt when he had moved back here when they remarried. The place that had always given him peace and joy now gave him nothing. He couldn’t stand to be here now. “Lies. Its nothing but lies.”
“Dad, I think that maybe you should sit down and relax.” Thorne told her father.
“ I don’t want to sit down son.”
“ I’m worried about your heart condition. Stress isn’t good for you.”
“ My heart.” He laughed bitterly. “ If I survived today, I can survive anything. Including your mother’s treachery.”
“ Maybe you shouldn’t stay here tonight dad.”
“ Don’t worry, you mother won’t be coming home tonight.”
“ How do you know?”
“ I called the police station.”
“ You did.” Thorne hadn’t inquired about his mother. He hadn’t wanted to after all that he had heard.
“ I wasn’t calling to find out how she was doing, as far as I’m concerned, your mother can rot in that jail cell forever. I just want to know if she’d be released tonight. It looks like she won’t because she hasn’t been arraigned. So, for tonight, I’m fine. I’m sure that Jonathan will have her out by the morning.” Eric turned to Thorne scratching his head as if he had so many thought going around his head at the same time.“ I’m going to need you to go back to the office and come up with something for the press. By the morning, they will be all over this. I don’t want this publicity to hurt the company. I just wish that there was more that I could do to protect the family from this.”
Thorne nodded he’d take care of that. “ Dad, we need to talk about mother.”
“ No. We don’t need to talk about her. Your mother will fend for herself like she always does. All I can say to you Thorne is that I’m so sorry for what you mother did to you. I never understood why you married Kimberly but now I do.” Eric was very concerned about his son. “I know that Kimberly is pregnant. I know that you want to do what is best and honorable for your child but I’m telling you, don’t stay married to her if you don’t love her.”
Thorne didn’t want to add to his father’s worries. He wasn’t in love with Kimberly. He didn’t want to be married to her but there was more to the story than his father knew.
“ Dad, right now don’t worry about me.”
“ You are my son. It’s my job to protect you.” Looking older than he had ever did, Eric sunk to the sofa in his spacious living room. “ I didn’t do it before but I plan to now. I want you think about what you are doing to your life being tied down to a woman you don’t love. What kind of life will you have? Or she? How about your child? Do you want your child to grow in a household without love?' Eric looked desperately at his son. “ I did it. I did it and look at where I am. Is your mother happy? Am I happy? I’ve had a marriage built on lies and now my family; the thing that I love the most is destroyed. I don’t want that to happen to you son. Get out of your marriage. You can still be a father to your child but you don’t have to be married to a woman that you don’t love or want.”
Kristen stepped forward. “ Dad, this isn’t the time.”
“ Yes it is. What better time than now. Our lives are changing right before us. Thorne compromised himself in order to protect Brooke. I just sorry that my actions but you into a position that you had to sacrifice yourself to protect Brooke and Bridget from your mother and me. My heart attack made me look at my life and choices. I was wrong for what I did. I don’t want you to pay for the mistakes that your mother and I made. I’m changing my life son. I’m starting over without your mother.” Both Kristen and Thorne were shocked by their father’s announcement.

Bridget ran down to stairs find her father in the living room. “ Oh Ridge, thank god you are here.” She ignored her mother as she rushed into his arms.
Ridge hugged her tightly. Hey Princess. I hear that you’ve been having a pretty tough time.”
“ That’s because mom won’t listen. Maybe you…”
“ Sorry Bridget. But I agree with your mother on this one.”
Disappointment showed on her face. “I don’t know what mom told you.”
“ I told him the truth. That right now, although I like Scott, he is too old for you.”
“ I agree.” Ridge didn’t even want to get into his feelings about Scott with Bridget. As far as he was concerned Scott was taking advantage of his daughter. Brooke thought that Bridget was falling for Scott because he was a suave designer who reminded her of Ridge. Ridge, scoffed at that idea. He planned to have a long talk with him once this mess with his mother was contained. “ Your mother is right. Scott knows better than to get involved with someone your age.”
“ It wasn’t like that.’
“ What was it like Bridget?” Brooke injured. “ Because if you thought that there was nothing wrong with what you did, you wouldn’t have tried to hide it from me.”
“ I was scared that you wouldn’t understand.” Crossing her arms she stormed across the living room. “ You didn’t.”
“See, what I mean?” Brooke told Ridge.
Ridge walked behind Bridget. He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her on the top of her head.“ I know that you are feeling out of sorts right now. I think that maybe you need some sort of breather. I was thinking that maybe we could take a short trip up to Big Bear.”
Bridget was suspicious. “ Is this her idea?” She meant her mother.
“ No. It’s mine. In fact, I had this idea before I found out about you and Scott. I’m taking Taylor and the kids away for a couple of days. I want you to go with us.”
Bridget turned toward Ridge. “ Really?”
“ Yes.” Ridge had lost so much time with his daughter. She was seventeen and ill. Leukemia was so unpredictable. He didn’t want to waste anytime. “ I want you to come with us. Please honey.”
She was hesitant. She didn’t want to leave Scott, she knew her mother would add pressure to insure that he stayed away from her but she also wanted to spend time with Ridge. “ All right. I’ll come with you.”
“ Good sweetheart. You won’t regret it.” He hugged her and looked at Brooke over Bridget’s shoulders.

KC used her foot to open the front door of her house while the key dangled in her mouth. With an armful of groceries, she had no choice but to use her feet to help her. Automatic lights that came on so she wasn’t in the dark only lighted the house. Connor had been caught up in a mediator matter and had called her at the office to let her know that he’d be home late. The planning of their wedding was off, at least into the morning. Heading to the kitchen, put the groceries on the huge island and pressed the button on answering. Listening to the messages from different people, she wrote down Connor’s messages besides her own. Unpacking the groceries, she put the fresh fruits, vegetables and some fresh scallops she planned to have for dinner the next day in the fridge. She took out a magazine, Morpheus and laid it on the table. She wasn’t sure what made her buy the magazine. Maybe it was the curiosity of finding out how Jackson’s magazine was fairing that called to her, she had heard it was doing well. Pouring her a glass of bottle water, she made her way upstairs to her bedroom with the magazine in tow. Making a bath in a master bedroom, she sat on the rim of the huge Jacuzzi tub; she opened on the front page of the magazine. There as big and clear as day was a black and white photo of Jackson.

Brooke watched as Ridge carried Bridget’s suitcase and book bag to the front door. Bridget followed. “ Make sure that you carry a heavy jacket for the skiing. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”
“It’s the middle of the summer.” She answered.
“ The fake snow up on Big Bear during the summer can get a little cold.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Ridge gave Brooke a sympatric look. Bridget’s chilly treatment was getting to her. “Bridget, lighten up on your mother.” Bridget looked at her mother and felt a tremor as she saw the look of anguish on her mother’s face. She pushed away any regrets that she had about her treatment of her mother because she didn’t care if she was happy. All her mother cared about was getting her way.
“Bridget, aren’t you going to say goodbye to me?” Brooke inquired when it seemed her daughter wasn’t going to speak to her.
“ Bye.” She turned around and headed the door.
“ Not so fast, young lady. Give your mother a hug.”
Ridge nudged his stubborn daughter until she walked over toward her mother. Bridget stood still as her mother envopled her in a hugs.“ I know that you are angry with me honey. But I love you very much.”
Bridget pulled away from her mother’s arms. “ See you in a couple of days.”
Brooke felt a lump in her throat. She hated her and Bridget departing in such a way. “ Have a wonderful time honey.”
Ridge hugged Brooke. “ Are you going to be alright?” He whispered in her ear truly concerned about her well being.
“ Yes. I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow she whispered.” They had decided that she’d come up to Big Bear and they’d tell Bridget the truth together. Kissing Brooke lightly on the head, Ridge turned and left.

Yvette premed in the mirror for a few minutes brushing her shoulder length brown hair with highlights. Adding just a bit of MAC’s Freeze on her perfectly lined lips for affect, she was done. Donned in a sexy hot pink teddy from the Brooke’s Bedroom line she knew would more than enthrall Jackson. Jackson was everything a woman could want in a man. He was wealthy, owned his own prominent magazine, sexy and the things that he could do in the bedroom make her toes curled. They had met a year ago at a special fundraiser that Alvin Dance Theatre held. She had seen him across the room and her heart feel in her stomach. She had made her move and although he had been on the arm of a very beautiful dancer, she had given him her card. He, later that week, had given her a night of pure passion. Their relationship of sorts wasn’t exclusive but she hoped that it would be one day. As far as she was concerned, she and Jackson were perfect for each other. Both ambitious, she planned to go far in Bazaar and hoped one day to own her own magazine. Jackson could more than help her accomplish her goals in a professional and personal ways. It was more than what he could do for her. It was how she felt with she was with him. They had so much in common. They both were strong, beautiful and together made an impressive pair. She loved being with Jackson especially when he was relaxed. He would be so charming, so persuasive however; she loved the power he had. She knew that he’d do whatever it took to succeed. That was like an aphrodisiac to her. Besides, just looking at him made her hornier than Samantha in Sex In The City. Yvette made her way out of the spacious master bath in Jackson’s penthouse and climbed upon the black satin sheets.

Jackson striped off his shirt, leaving his muscular chest naked. Underneath the 700-dollar suites he wore, he had a body that of firm muscles that worked out each day to get. Jackson was a workaholic by nature. He got up at the wee hours of the morning and could often be found at his magazine late into the night. Working, that was all that he did, it was his love. Morpheus, his magazine was his life. He had worked hard to get the finical backing to get his magazine. He had worked for numerous corporations throughout the years to learn all the tricks of the trade. They had thought that he was working for them, but what he had been doing was learning from the best. He took their ideas and their suggestions and used to create his own magazine. Hell, he even had a made connections with Victor Newman, no small feat. He had worked hard getting his first two million when he was only twenty-five. Back when some of friends who he had grown up with had been struggling or hustling to get by, Jackson made a deal put him in the driver’s seat. A deal that changed his life forever. Standing his huge walk-in closet he placed his shirt in the satin bag for his dry clean clothes. Looking at his expensive shoes laid out perfectly, he opened one of his cherry wood drawers, which held his dark socks, which he counted. Everything had a place; his penthouse was like him masculine, organized and immaculate. Hanging his pant on the wooden hanger, he walked out of the closet. Stripping out of his underwear, he threw them in the wooden hamper. He padded across his day room; he looked down at lights of Manhattan below. Yvette was waiting for him, but he didn’t care. She’d wait. She wanted more from him than he was willing to give. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about her. He did. But his mind was on the conversation they shared. She had asked him if he wanted to go to L.A. Normally, he wouldn’t even consider going, he had too much work to do, however mere mention of KC's name got to him. It always did. K.C had been his friend and his thing that he had wanted for such a long time. They had worked together, been friends, had shared their families with each other but for so long he had wanted more from her. She was the epitome of beautiful, talent and grace. She was funny finding delight in the simplest thing. She had been so much to him. For years he had yearned for her. He had been willing to give up the women he had for her if she’d only look his way as more than a friend but she hadn’t until that night. It had damn near killed him when she wanted him to marry that foolish Coron. Coron wasn’t worthy of her. He was nothing but a mamma’s boy afraid to voice his opinions. He’d never satisfy a woman with talent and beauty that KC had. He wanted to find a way to end their relationship before she married him, so when Coron’s mother came to him with a proposition, to break them up for 5% of her company. He took it. He thought that he could have everything, the stock and KC. So, he finally made he move made love to the woman he had wanted for so long. That night had been incredible not just to him but to her as well, he knew it. They connected, their bodies needed each other, but there was more to it than that, he saw the look of awareness and love in her eyes. It had been perfect and then he had ruined it. Jackson had few regrets in his life but he certainly regretted not telling the truth to her. It cost him everything. In that moment, he chose his ambition over KC and he sometimes wondered what would have happened if he chosen things differently. Yes, the stock he augured more than gave him the financial backing he needed to make his start but it had cost him the only woman that he had ever loved. “ Jackson.” Yvette’s voice brought him back from reality. He headed toward the bedroom finding her lying across his bed. Yvette eyes devoured him. His body was magnificent. Boy, was she going to get everything she wanted and more that night. Reaching across to cup her head he pulled her toward him before capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

Brooke lay on the sofa alone in the darkness of her living room. She wanted to relax. So far, she hadn’t been able to do so because her mind had been on Bridget. All she ever wanted was happiness for her little girl. When he daughter had been born, she had so many hopes and dreams for what Ridge and her could give her daughter. When she and Ridge finally had married, she had the family she had always wanted. Bridget had adored her father so much and it almost had killed Brooke to take him away when she told Bridget what she thought was the truth. She hadn’t protected her daughter enough. Why hadn’t she investigated the truth behind the letter? Why didn’t she see that it was a set up? Stephanie had everything to gain by the Bridget being Ridge’s. Stephanie and Taylor both. The ringing of her doorbell jarred her back to reality. Sliding off the sofa she slowly made her way to the front door and opened it to find Caspian standing on the other side. Brooke stood there for a moment looking at him before she launched herself in his arms. Caspian closed his eyes tightly and held on her as long as he could. He didn’t want to let go of her. He wanted this, her in his arms, always. He tried to stay away. Not because he didn’t want to be with her but because he was afraid his suspicions were true and what that would mean if it were.. Even if it were, he knew that if would never change his feelings. He loved her, deeply. He pulled her tighter to the contour of his body a part of him told him to never let it go. Just live in the moment. But he couldn’t. He wasn’t a man for dreams. He was a man who lived in the real world. He would find out the truth. Brooke felt him leave her; his mind was somewhere else at the moment. “What’s wrong?”
Gently fingering the side of cheek he looked into the golden depths of her eyes. “It’s nothing.”
But it was something. Something there behind depths of his eyes. They stepped down into the living room. “Is this about last night? You wanted to tell me something important and I didn’t show up for dinner.
“Brooke, don’t worry about dinner.”
“ You wanted to tell me about something important to you.”
“ What I wanted to tell you can wait.” He kissed her lips softly. “ It can all wait.”
He noticed the wariness in her eyes and the darkness of the room. He was concerned. “You looked stressed.”
“I am.”
What happened?”
“So many things have happened since last night. It seems like a lifetime ago.” Caspian took her hands and walked with her to the sofa. Curling up next to him, she let out a deep breath. “ Everything. Starting with Taylor and ending with Stephanie. Where do I start?” He lifted her head up with great care.
“ Start at the beginning.”

Connor found KC asleep when he got home. It had been a long day and even longer after he had gotten Brooke’s phone call. He had been floored to find out the lengths of Stephanie’s treachery. He really felt for Brooke, her life was in such disarray. Sitting down on KC’s side of he bed, he slightly fingered the red silk hair wrap she wore to bed. She was so beautiful and loving. He wanted nothing more than to climb into bed and hold her but he had some work to finish. Tonight they were supposed to start planning her wedding and he had been caught up at work. Lightly kissing her lips he got up moved the magazine that she had been reading off the bed when he noticed the cover. It was Jackson’s magazine. He paused for a moment before he opened it.

Taylor was packing a bag with the snacks for the children when Bridget stepped into the kitchen. “ Do you need any extra help getting the kids stuff together?” Putting an extra bag of Thomas’s favorite chips in the bag, Taylor shook her head.
“ No. I think that I have everything. Is there anything you’d like me to pack? I just put some extra things in because I’m not sure what you like to eat.”
“ Anything’s fine.” Taylor turned to the fridge and got out a couple of bottles of water.” Here, you need to keep your water level up as well as your potassium. Eat a banana.”
Bridget grimaced. “You should like my mother.”
Noticing Bridget’s reaction, Taylor wondered why Bridget made a face. “ Well, I’m not sure what to make of that but I’m a mom. I’m sure she’s concerned about your health.”
“ I know.” Bridget picked up the banana. “ She’s always worried about something.”
“ Bridget is everything alright between you and your mother?”
Bridget appreciated the opportunity of going away with her father and she was more than grateful that Taylor had changed her mind about the kids getting tested however she wasn’t ready to get into her problems with her. “ Yeah. Everything’s just fine.”
Taylor didn’t believe Bridget, something was wrong between Bridget and Brooke. “We had better get a move on. Ridge will be ready to leave soon.”
“ Why are we leaving so late tonight instead of tomorrow morning?”
Taylor turned away putting napkins in the bags. “ Ridge just wants to get a move on. Besides, the kids will sleep most of the way. If you want chose a DVD for your player, that way you won’t be bored.”
“ I’ve got some reading to so. I won’t be bored. Thanks for the water and banana.”
Taylor reached out and touched Bridget’s hand. “ I know things haven’t been that great between us in the past but I hope that this trip will be the first of many. I am stepmother but I hope you and I can much more. I want very much to be your friend.”
Ridge stepped in the kitchen hearing the last of the conversation between his wife and his daughter. Thank god something good had come from all of this mess. Seeing them together meant they were on their way of mending their relationship that was half the battle. “ This is what I like to see. My two favorite ladies getting along.” He kissed Bridget on top of her head. “ Have I told you how happy I am that you are going with us?”
“Only a million times. I’m really glad too.”
“ Do you want to call your mother?”
“ For what? I’ve already said goodbye to her.”
“ Alright princess. Get into the SUV, we are getting ready to go.” Bridget nodded and left to get into the car. Ridge put his arms around his wife neck and played with her hair.
“ Thank you for being so sweet to her.”
“ She’s your daughter Ridge besides, I want to have a relationship with her. But I have to wonder what is going on between her and Brooke.”
“ She didn’t tell you?”
“ No, but it obvious that she is upset about something.”
“ She’s angry at Brooke right now. Brooke found out that she was secretly seeing Scott Granger.”
“ Lauren’s son?”
“ Yes. Our twenty-two year old designer. Brooke was pissed and forbade her to see him. Bridget’s mad at her right now but in time she’ll see her mother is right..”
“ Brooke brings on some of this on herself.”
“ Taylor want makes you say that?”
“ Ridge, she is very busy all the time. She’s always at Forrester or always involved with some sort of drama. Lets not to mention the different men she’s been with. Take a look at what both Rick and Bridget have done. They’ve both turned to relationship with much older people. Relationships, which were just an inappropriate as son of Brooke’s in the past. Bridget is confused. She thinks that dating a much older man will solve her problems because her mother has done that her whole life.”
“ Taylor, I’m not so sure that is true.”
“ Isn’t it? Look at Brooke’s life. Look at the number of marriages she has had. Then look at the fact that Brooke has been involved three men in the same family. It’s immoral and Bridget has grown up dealing with the repercussions with that type of lifestyle that her mother has lead. It’s only natural for her to try to find the love she sees that her mother hasn’t found. Ridge, we’ve got to be an example for your daughter. She has got to get some sort of normalcy in her life and I really think that we can provide that for her.”
Ridge pulled Taylor into his arms. He wasn’t completely sure that she was right. He figured that Bridget was rebelling like most teenagers, however some of Taylor’s remarks had merit. Bridget had watched Brooke try to find love. Brooke did the best that she could but there had been nothing but drama in Brooke’s life. No doubt in some form of fashion, his daughter had been affected by it. “ I’m not sure Brooke is to blame for this Taylor. She’s had a hard life and none of this would have happened if mother hadn’t…’ He paused. “ Maybe we shouldn’t spend time second guessing what Brooke should or shouldn’t have done. She has done her best and I must say that both Rick and Bridget have turned out well. This thing with Scott is just some silly girl crush that she’ll get over right.”
“ I hope you are right Ridge. I hope that I’m wrong but I’m not so sure.” Taylor hated the way that he always defended Brooke. Deep down she knew she was right. Brooke hadn’t been the best mother she could be to Bridget. She was going to prove it to Ridge and prove that she could be a better mother to the girl. She not only owed it to Ridge but she owed it to Bridget.


Although it was warm and the middle of summer, Brooke had asked for a fire to ward off the chill. Caspian knew that the chill she was dealing with had little to do with the weather but more with her coldness she felt at Stephanie’s actions. Guilt weighted down on him as he thought about the all she had been through and how he hadn’t been there for her. He wanted to protect her and Bridget from all of this but truth was, he couldn’t do that. The ball was in motion and there was no turning back. Just as there was no way he could ignore his suspicious of the connections between she and Lark. If it were turn then Brooke’s life would be turned upside down even more than it already was. He bent over the fireplace closing his eyes at all the drama that would cause not to mention the possible destruction of their relationship. He didn’t want that but he didn’t want the lies between them. There had been enough of that in her life already.
Brooke came in from the kitchen carrying two cups of coffee when she found Caspian staring off into the fire. He had a very serious look on his face. There was something bothering him. “Caspian.Honey what’s bothering you?”
He couldn’t help but to smile at her sweet generous heart. “ Even after the day you had, you still want to help me.” He kissed her softly marveling at the woman she was. “The only thing bothering me is that I couldn’t be there for you.”
“ You can’t be there for all time. I know you have a company to run besides you can’t hold my hand, no matter how much I’d like you too. But tell you the truth, I could have used some hand holding last night.” She nuzzled his neck.
“ Why? Sounds like you handled Taylor perfectly.” Seeing the slight frown on Brooke’s face he knew she was still somewhat reluctant about her actions. “ You did what you needed to do for Bridget, you can’t feel sorry about looking out for your daughter’s well being.”
“ I’m trying to.” She said wearily. “I’m trying to be a good mother, even if my daughter doesn’t understand it.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “She’s still angry at you because of Scott.”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“ When I came over earlier today she was upset. But I hoped that maybe she calmed down I bit.”
“ Well, she hasn’t. She hates me right now but I can deal with that because she’s a teenager.”
“ She doesn’t hate you, she loves you.”
“ She’s going through a lot right now and she things that I’m keeping her away from Scott.”
“ You should. She’s too young for a man that age, not to mention an inexperienced virgin. He out to be horsewhipped for even going near her.”
“ Spoken like a father. It’s too bad that you never had children.”
He had been delighted when Lark had told him she had been pregnant and equally devastated when their baby had died along with his wife. A look of sadness touched his face.“ Yes, I always wanted children.”
“ I remember when I found out that I was pregnant with her I was so excited. Bridget was supposed a living breathing reflection and Ridge and I. Never did I ever doubt that she was his, even when Eric told me of the night we spent together. I always believed that Bridget’s was Ridge. I knew it, deep down in my soul.” She pressed hard against her heart. “Nobody could tell me anything differently so when first test said Ridge was her father I knew it. Even her name reflected that belief. I combined both my name and Ridge’s name even before the test results because I knew she was his child. Years later when Ridge found that letter, I was devastated and bewildered so I focused on proving that Bridget was his.” Laughing a little hysterically to herself the intensity of Stephanie’s actions over those years ago hit her hard. “ Ridge didn’t want to do the test, he believed in me. He didn’t even want to tell anyone but I pressed the matter. I wanted to prove it myself to never have him question that she was his daughter. So, I told Stephanie and we got Bridget tested and then the horrible truth can out.” Caspian heard the tremor of anger in her voice, he wanted to comfort her but he knew he had to let her get it all out. “Everyone thought that I had bribed the doctor, but I knew that I didn’t.”
“Did anyone ever try to reach the doctor?”
“ She died.”
“ She died?” Caspian was immediately suspicious of that. “How?”
“ I don’t know. Some type of mugging or something.”
“ And this letter?”
“ I don’t know where it came from or what happened. I never thought to question it because I had to deal with this mess. Ridge was furious. Eric thought he was robbed and Stephanie…she did her best to make everyone turn their back on me.” Remembering the heartache and devastation that she went through during that time filled her heart with anger. She didn’t bribe that doctor because she did. It didn’t matter that she was hurting Ridge or me. It didn’t matter that my little girl’s whole world..” Tears poured out of Brooke’s eyes as she remembered the pain that her entire family endured. “ She changed my little girl’s entire life just to keep me away from Ridge. She stole so much from Bridget, from Ridge, from Eric and me. I just let her! I didn’t fight her!”
“No, no. Don’t do this. He pulled her into his arms. You couldn’t have known that she did this. Why would you suspect such a thing?” Gently wiping the tears from her eyes with his thumbs, he soothed her. “ You aren’t to blame. Stephanie Forrester is.”
‘ She stole my life. She stole Bridget’s life and I don’t plan to let her get away with it.”

Kristen put the phone down and turned to her brother. “ It’s all set. I’m going to stay here tonight.”
“ Is Sam alright with this?”
“ Yes. She understands and I really don’t think that dad should be alone tonight.”
“ He’s really upset. I’ve never seen him like this.”
“ I know. How could she do this? How could she do this to him? To all of them.”
Thorne put his arm around his sister as she laid her head of his shoulders. “ I don’t know. I always she damn near obsessed with Ridge but I never thought that she’d go this far.”
“ She sacrificed you. She lied to all of us. Poor dad, just when he thought that he was putting his life together, he finds out like this.”
“ This effect this is going to have on everyone. Kristen, I’m not sure if our family can survive this. Did you see Ridge’s face?”
“ He is really hurt and unsure but I think that going away with Taylor, Bridget and the kids is best for them all. Our little sister…” Kristen paused. “ I mean our niece, she is going to need a lot of love to get through this.”

Caspian dimmed down the lights to Brooke’s bedroom before he headed to the bed. Brooke came out the bedroom wearing a pink silk Como. He had run her a bath earlier. He was worried about how the stress of the day was getting to her. Seeing Caspian’s handsome face made her feel safe. Standing in front of him while he sat on the bed she kissed the top of his head. “ Do you know how safe I feel with you?”
“ I love you.”
“ I know. You love for me for me, for who I am. With you, I don’t have to pretend to be perfect with you. You love me with my faults.”
“ I’m not perfect. How can I expect you do me. Besides, I wouldn’t change one thing about you. He did love her. More than she even knew.
“It’s amazing that although my life is full of drama, this relationship with you is so uncomplicated. I don’t have to worry about meddling mothers or about weird family relationships. More than that, I know there are no hidden agendas or manipulations on your end. You love me, just for me.”
Her words got to him. So far between them, there had been little drama however things could change if his suspicions were true. There was his past with the mafia, his wife Lark and if she turned out to somehow be Brooke’s sister, things would become even more complicated. She didn’t need that right now. But, the wheel was in motion and he had to find out the truth before something more destructive happened. However, tonight, he couldn’t change what was to be. So he did what he had been dreaming of doing…he made love to her. Pulling her closer to inhale her wondrous scent, nuzzling the front of her Como with his mouth, she shivered. His slide his hands to the color of the robe and gently parted it to display her full breast, flat stomach and sensual thighs. His whole body ached with need. “ My god, you are so beautiful.” He closed his eyes and pulled her gently to him so his face was nuzzled in her bosom softly, just allowing himself to feel her. His day’s growth of whiskers was slightly rough against her breast causing a thrilling sensation. Brooke let go off all the pain, hurt and the stress of the day. She let it go to be with him. Leaning her head back, she allowed the Como to drop to the floor as his mouth found her breast. Pressing light kisses on the globes he took his time to savor the taste of her soft skin. His mouth then opened to blow air on her nipples before he covered them with his warm mouth. Brooke arched her breast further to feel his mouth on her. He picked her up off the floor standing as his mouth moved over her body. Turning her so he could lay her down on the bed, he mouth worked his way down to her flat stomach. His fingers skimmed the skin, laving her belly button; he continued his assault on her body. Making his way down his body, he parted her legs to open the gates to her heat. Sliding his fingers around her nub, she felt the wetness of her desire. “ So beautiful,” he murmured. “ So wet.” Sliding his fingers inside of her she arched her body to accommodate his fingers. She loved the feel of his fingers inside of her. Lowering his head, his fingers spread her further and he found her. Aching with such an intense need, his tongue touched her nub. Finding her plumb, taunt, he tasted her sweet nectar. He took his time, laving her as her fingers clawed at his back until she climaxed. He needed her with total passion. Standing back, he stripped out of his pants and underwear. Naked, handsome and sexy, he moved back to her. Brooke’s body was wet with perspiration and need. She pulled him to her and pushed him back on the bed. Climbing on top of him, she ran her hand up and down his hard member. Licking her finger, she ran it around the tip of the head of his pen*s. Groaning hard, Brooke widened his legs and slide on top of his member. Her body ached and arched as she took him into her body. He filled her total pleasure. Needing more, she began to move up and down his body. Closing her eyes, tightly, she felt ever sensation, every caress of his hands on her body. She moved slowly, not wanting to moment to go away. With Caspian she was free full of abandon. He moved inside of her body, feeling her tighten around him. Pulling himself up into a sitting position, he captured her lips. Thousands of kisses, long kisses, as they breathed for each other. His body moved inside of her as she moved on top of him. Finally, he began to groan as the pace quickened his pace. He moved in and out of her body loving the feel of her so tight and wet around him. Hot, sweet, wet and only for him. Opening his eyes, he watched her how her breath caught in the back of her throat until they climaxed together with a heap of shaking bodies. Together they climaxed with a heap of shaking bodies. Brooke exhaled as she collapsed in is arms. He held her in his arms cradling her body in his arms. Brooke felt safe and loved. Caspian closed his eyes. He was where he was supposed to be. She was his future, his destiny and he destroy anything that stood in the way of their happiness.

Stephanie was lead to a small dark dank cell. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She was supposed to be with Eric helping him get through his heart attack. The guard opened the door to the cell. There were all kinds of women, races and ages in the cell. “ You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not going in there.”
“You don’t have a choice. The isn’t a country club, now get in.” The female officer nodded toward the cell.
“ You won’t even have a job when my lawyer gets through with you.”
“As you can see. I’m shaking in my boots. Now, you can walk in there on your own or I can help you.”
Stephanie stepped in the cell. All around here were the low lives of society. The hookers, whores, drug addicts and go knows what else. She didn’t belong here. She hadn’t done anything wrong.

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