106 Chapter Review: Brooke goes to a laboratory to have them examine the letter that had been left about Bridget’s paternity. Caspian finds evidence that Isabelle had been in the office of records and is concerned that his sister may know something about Lark and Isabelle. Caspian visits Vivian, Lark’s old nanny and questions her. She claims not to know about Brooke. Scott and Brooke argue about Bridget. She demands that he stay away from her. Thorne orders that Kimberly be watched when he brings her home for a DUI.

107 Putting It Together
Brooked arrived at the restaurant on time and headed straight to the hostess. “ Brooke Logan. I have a reservation for 3 o’clock.”
The engaging young Asian woman looked through the list for her name. “ Ms. Logan. Your party is waiting for you.” She closed the book and gripped a menu. “ Right this way.” She led Brooke past the Hibachi tables to the double doors in which she opened up to find him waiting for her. Brooke slipped off her shoes lowered herself to the floor across from her companion.
“Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”
She took the menu. “ Green tea. Please?” She asked.
“ No problem.” The hostess turned her attention to a waitress and told her to bring the tea before she closed the double doors behind her.
Brooke settled herself comfortably before she turned her attention back toward her companion. “This is a pleasant surprise. You calling me and asking me out for lunch.”
“ I figured after all you’ve gone through the last couple of days it would be nice for you to have a peaceful meal. Besides, this is one of your favorite restaurants.”
Brooke was honestly touched. “ How do you know?”
“ I know a lot about you likes and dislikes.”
A waitress came with Green Tea and a plate of California Roll placing it in front of Brooke with a smile.“ You’ve always loves sushi.” He nodded to the tray that sitting.
Brooke took out her chopsticks and picked up the California Roll. She dipped into wasbi, ginger and sauce before she placed the delicate morsel into her mouth. She closed her eyes in delight as she chewed slowly. “This is delicious. They have the best sushi than all the other spots in L.A.”
“ So I was told. I did some research.”
Brooke smiled. “ It’s been a while since we’ve done this. Had lunch together.”
He patted her hand.“ It’s been long over due. I’ve been worried about you. This thing with Stephanie has really stressed you out.”
“ It’s been difficult. Especially with Bridget being away. Don’t get me wrong. I know that having her with Ridge is the best thing right now but I just want to hold her in arms and keep her away from all the hurt in he world.” The serene look upon Brooke’s face disappeared. “ I want to protect her from all the hurt that her own grandmother inflicted upon her. ” She said bitterly. “I’m just worried about my little girl.”
“ I know that feeling. Because I feel the same way about you. You’ve been through too much at the hands of those Foresters. It’s been one thing after another. I just wish that they’d leave you alone.”
Brooke gave her father a sympathetic look. She knew he was concerned. “ That’s going to be hard to do considering that I work with them every day. Not to mention I have two children who are Forresters.” Seeing the sour look on Daddy, the Forresters aren’t to blame for what’s happened.”
“ I can’t agree with you on that. Honey I’m really worried about you.”
“Daddy there isn’t anything to be worried about.” She assured him.
“ Yes there is. I’ve watched you. You are taking this on all by yourself. You can’t do it all. You’ve been running Forrester, which takes a great deal of time. Taking care of Bridget. It’s taking it toll on you. You don’t sleep at night. You hardly eat. You are constantly running around. Not to mention the late night you stay up late reading and researching Bridget’s leukemia. Countless of times I’ve heard you pacing into the wee hours of the morning.”
“ She’s my daughter. I have to find out everything I can about her leukemia. I can’t afford to be left off guard. Knowledge is power and I need every advantage when it comes to Bridget.”
Stephen sighed shaking his head to show his disapproval.“ I know that you are doing the best you can. But this is a stressful is taking it’s toll on you. This is enough to make you insane but then you add this mess with Stephanie it’s too much. I’m just afraid that you are going to burn out.” He looked at with true concern in his eyes. Brooke was strong but she could only do so much before it over took her. He was deeply worried about her. “I’m very afraid of what this is going to do to you.”

Charlie sighed deeply as she studied the chart of her patient. The one thing that she hated about her job was seeing the pain and suffering that some of her patients endured especially because there were time that she was totally helpless. She closed the metal file and turned to the nurse. “ Please increase her morphine by two milligrams.” She turned her attention to the little girl who was suffering painfully. Leaning down she stroked her hair. “ It’s going to be alright Bethany.” She said to the heavily laboring little girl. “ I’m going to give you some medicine that’s going to take the pain away.”
Bethany opened her eyes and nodded weakly. Charlie supervised as the nurse as she took the needle and injected it into the tube. Waiting to see the relief on Elizabeth’s tormented face; she stood there until she was sure that the medicine was taking the edge off. “ I want her monitored. The cancer is eating away at her. She’s in constant pain.”
The nurse strode quickly to catch up with Dr. Dewitt. “ I don’t want her to suffer more than she has already.”
“ I’ll see that she’s monitored hourly.”
Charlie shook her head. “ Not good enough. Every twenty minutes.”
“ We are understaffed this week.”
Charlie gave the young nurse a determined look. “ I know that you are and I appreciate all that extra that you do but this case is very special to me. So please see that it’s done.” The nurse smiled and headed down the hallway while Charlie scribbled on her palm pilot her notes walking into her office. She was surprised to see her sister and her nephew inside. “Morgan. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” She checked on Dylan who was the most adorable baby in his carrier. Morgan was annoyed by her sister’s concern. “ He’s fine you know.” She said watching her pick him up. “ After all I’m his mother.”
“ I know that you are.” She said not showing the jealousy that she felt of her sister having the most wonderful baby.
“ So, are you going to tell me what you want?”
Morgan glared at her sister. “What makes you think that I’m not here just to see my older sister?”
“ Morgan. I don’t have time for this.”
“ Well, if you have to know. I need you to look after Dylan for the rest of the day. I know that you won’t mind that would you?”
“ Of course not. The daycare center here to prepared for babies but where are you going?”
“ If you have to know. I’ve got a job offer.”
“ A job offer?” This was news to Charlie. “ So you’ve finally let the idea of going back to Forrester go?”
“Forrester.” Morgan cackled gleefully. “ Forrester’s stock is probably plummeting at the moment. The more Stephanie Forrester’s dirty little secret are aired the more her image and company’s image is ruined.”
“ Is that all that you can think of is Stephanie?”
“ I hate that bitch.”
Charlie shifted her nephew in her arms. “ I dislike her about just as much as you do but there is a bigger picture here.”
“Bigger than the bitch who made my life miserable.” Morgan asked annoyed. “ She’s most certainly capable of distraction especially when it involved an unwanted grandchild.”
“ So, you believe that she’s guilty?” Charlie inquired.
“ Don’t you. She forced me to have an abortion at 17 with no regard for my welfare. Why should Brooke’s brat be any different?” She said bluntly.
“ Her obsession about Ridge has ruled her life. I know that during those years she didn’t want Brooke to marry her son.”
“ So she took away his daughter.” Morgan scoffed for a moment. “ When I read that Bridget was actually Ridge’s son I couldn’t believe it.”
“ It was unsettling.”
“ Unsettling.” Morgan turned to study her sister when the truth dawned on her. “ But not too surprising was it?” She glared at her. “You knew didn’t you?”
The last thing that Charlie wanted was to argue with her sister. “ Yes.”
“How long have you known.”
Charlie jiggled Dylan. “ For a couple of weeks.”
“ A couple of weeks and you haven’t told me.”
“ Ridge didn’t think…”
“ Ridge! He’s confiding in you. Why?” Morgan was enraged. “I’m the mother of his child yet he turns to you. He doesn’t even like you.”
“Trying to hurt me Morgan isn’t going to accomplish anything.” She said stolidly.
Morgan felt a twinge of guilt yet at the same time the resentment of her Ridge turned to Charlie was under the surface. She touched her sisterly lightly on the shoulder. “ Sorry. I don’t know why I’m taking my anger out on you it’s just frustrating. I’m the mother of Ridge’s child yet he treats me as if I weren’t. Then there’s Brooke. She’s just as bad as the rest of them.”
“ I thought that you liked her.”
“ She had me fooled. She used me and when I had no more usefulness she let me go.”
“ That isn’t true.”
“ She didn’t give me my job back and know I know why. It wasn’t about the company. It was a personal matter. She didn’t want me anywhere near Ridge. She wants him back.”
Charlie gave her sister an incredulous look. “ You don’t believe that. Do you?”
“ Stephanie stole her child’s birthright. She ruined Brooke’s chances of getting her one wish in life.”
“ Which was is?”
“ Ridge. We all know it. Brooke one true wish was to be his wife. She became his wife twice but lost it.”
“ She’s moved on.”
“ With this Caspian?”
“ From what I’ve heard yes.”
“ No man can replace Ridge. Once you’ve had him you just don’t forget ever.”
Charlie heard the wastefulness in her sister’s voice and was alarmed. “Morgan. Ridge is married. He’s off limits to you. Let this thing you have with him go. You have your son. You have your talent and you have me. I’m here to help you get your life back on track.”
“ My life would be on track if it weren’t for Brooke.”
“ Brooke isn’t the issue.”
“ The hell she isn’t. That woman is jealous and she’s just like Taylor. She’ll do anything to keep me away from Ridge. They act as if I don’t have any rights to him. We she’ll have to get over it. They both will. My son has just as many rights as Bridget and Taylor’s brats. Dylan is a Forrester and he will get his birth right!” Morgan yelled. Then a moment later she stepped to the side pressing her hand to her temple. Charlie moved into action putting Dylan down in his carrier and going to see to her sister.
“ Sit down.” She helped Morgan to sit and hurried to get her a glass of water and a pill. Then she took her pulse.“Another headache?”
Morgan nodded. Lately they had been occurring more frequently than ever.
“ I want to order a CAT Scan.”
“ No.”
“ Morgan this could be a side effect from your comma. You still have trouble sleeping at night not to mention you haven’t gained any memories before Dylan’s birth. You still have no idea what went on.”
Morgan sighed. “ I just don’t have time today for a CAT scan.”
“ How about tomorrow? Please. Just think about it.”
Morgan nodded giving Charlie relief.

Eve took Little Eric out of the pool and toweled him off before she called Marta. “ I’m sorry but could you take him upstairs to change his clothes. We are finished.”
Marta took Eric’s hand. “ No problem. I see that he enjoyed his swim.” They tottered off into the house when Eve left the pool area down toward the garden to where Trudie was.
“ There you are. You have me worried.”
“ I just didn’t want anyone to see me here.” She looked over her shoulder nervously. “Maybe I had better go”
“ No.” Eve was concerned for her friend. “ They don’t care if I have company. Besides it’s obvious that something is bothering you. You can all this way. What’s going on?”
Trudie saw the concern in Eve’s eyes. Did she want to do this to her friend? Ruin her day like this? But she didn’t have anyone else to tell and she was nervous as hell. What if Stephanie named her? Could she go to jail? Trudie was scared to death. “ I did something and it was really stupid. I thought that it didn’t matter and I wasn’t really hurting anybody. Besides. I saw an opportunity and I took it.”
“ What opportunity?”
“How’s the investigation going is there any information about Stephanie Forrester?”
“ Investigation? Trudie why are you changing subjects like this?”
“Because the investigation has everything to do with me.”
“ With you? I don’t understand.”
“ You know all the money that I got lately?”
“ Yeah. It’s from Chris’s life insurance.”
“ Well. Sort of.” She hedged.
“ Sort of.”
“ Chris did have a policy and it was enough to help out and maybe get us a new apartment. But not enough for a new house. At least not the one we bought.”
A shiver went up Eve’s back. “ Then where did the money come from?”
Trudie wrong her hands and closed her eyes for a small prayer. “It came from Stephanie Forrester.”
“Eric. Are you in here?” Beth stepped into the office that her daughter had supplied him and found Eric standing at the window. She moved next to him. “What are you doing?”
“ I had been looking at Eve play with Eric.” He noted that heavy conversation that Eve and Trudie were having but turned to Beth.
Beth put a small tray on the table of a warm turkey sandwich with ranch dressing and chips. “ I bought you something to eat. I noticed that you didn’t eat much earlier.”
He nodded. Beth always seemed to notice the little things. That always made her special.
“ I wasn’t too hungry.”
“With everything that you have going on. I don’t blame you. Do you want to talk about it.”
“ About how my wife lied to me? About how she has ruined the life of my granddaughter and son? No. I don’t want to talk about how she made a fool of me.”
“ She hasn’t done that. You aren’t a fool.”
“ Aren’t I? The first time I married her it was because of my son.”
“ I know.” More than anyone she suffered right along with Eric when she had lost him. “You did the right thing.”
“ But then I married her again. Even after I found out what she did to you and your family.”
“ You aren’t to blame for that. You thought that she had changed. You gave her a second chance. You aren’t to blame for being the loving man you are.”
“ She didn’t change though. She’s still the same manipulative woman that she’s always been. But this time she used and hurt her family members. I won’t ever forgive her for what she’s done.”
“ No one says you should. You’ve been through a lot. We are just worried that this is going to take on you.”
“ We? Does that mean Stephen? I know that he can’t feel that comfortable with me here.”
“Stephanie may not be jumping for joy but he understands. You are hurting and you need your family. We Logans never give up on family. Take all the time you need to heal. And know that I’m here for you. Always.”
Eric turned to Beth. “ I was a fool you know for not marrying you.”
Beth laughed. “ IF you did. Then Brooke and Ridge would have been brother and sister. Can you imagine that?”
Eric laughed. “ No I can’t imagine that.”

Bridget looked behind her to make sure that she hadn’t been followed. She had told Ridge and Taylor that she had wanted to go back to the cabin for a nap. She touched her temple it honestly wasn’t a lie. She had a headache and had been very tried but she pushed forward. The sound of a car driving up the drive pushed her thoughts away. Her heart beat faster as she spotted a familiar convertible Maxima. “ Scott” She whispered in a rush. He stepped out of the car looking so handsome in lightly faded blue jeans and a crisp white shirt that he left untucked. His Ray Bans were slightly tinted blue. God, he was such a dream looking like he had stepped out of one of her mother’s catalog for the Men’s Line. He looked around carefully before he headed to the front door of the cabin.
He knocked slightly before she stepped out behind the tree she had been hiding behind.
“Hey are you looking for me?”
Scott jumped. “ You scared me.” He said moving to her. That was all Bridget needed. She moved into the comfort of his arms. Just feeling his arms tightly around her body allowed her to end the faded that everything was all right but it wasn’t. She moved her head up looking into his face as she stared down into hers. “ Bridget. I’m so sorry. When I heard what happened I wanted to come and find you immediately.” He caressed her soft cheek as she closed her eyes at his touch. Unwanted tears slipped down her cheek. His heart ached. She was in such pain. She deserved much more than this. It wasn’t fair. None of it was. Scott leaned down and caught on the tears with his mouth. Bridget looked up at him. Her delicate lashes and green eyes made his heart beat loudly in his chest. He couldn’t do what Brooke wanted. He just couldn’t let go. Scott bent his head capturing her mouth in a soft kiss. Bridget moaned lightly in the back of her throat filling ever moment of need that Scott had. He moved his head slightly to allow his probing tongue access to her willing soft mouth. Bridget felt fire develop low in her belly as she moved against him unknowingly rubbing herself against his evidence of desire. Biting her soft lips he growled before he roughly pushed her away. Bridget was caught off track. How could he kiss her like that and then push her way. Scott stalked away like an angry predator. She just didn’t understand how she played havoc with is senses. Seeing her looking up at him with her innocence, her hurt and pain made him want to shut the world out and lose himself with her.
Confusion clouded Bridget’s eyes. “ Scott’s what’s wrong?”
“I’ve got to stop doing this.”
“ Stop doing what?”
“ Kissing you.” He put some distance between them. “ I didn’t come here for that.” When he saw the look of disappointment on her face, he stepped forward toward her closing the distance that he had but between them. “ I didn’t mean it like that. I came here to see how you are doing with everything going on.”
“ But you don’t want to kiss me?” She asked confused by the change in his behavior.
“ No. It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you because I do. But right now after the argument that I had with your mother, I don’t think that I should be doing it right now.”
“ My mother. What did she say.”
“ She warned me away from you.”
“ I just don’t understand what’s wrong with her. With everything going on she’s busy harassing you. Why can’t she just leave you alone.” It wasn’t fair. Her mom wanted her to stay a baby. She wasn’t one. Why couldn’t she understand that she wanted to date to have a boyfriend just like the rest of the girls her age?
Scott pulled Bridget toward him. “ Shh.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Honey calm down. I wouldn’t have mentioned your mother if I knew it was going to upset you.” He stroked her hair. “ If it eases your mind, I just think that she wants to protect you.”
“ From you?”
“From anyone hurting you. She’s scared that she hasn’t done a good job of it. She’s also afraid that I’m going to pressure your.”
“ Why can’t she understand that we aren’t about sex?”
“ I don’t know but I tried and I’m going to keep trying to get her change her mind. I promise you.”


The ringing of the phone got Kimberly out of afternoon nap. “Thorne?” She wandered into the living room looking around when she noticed the note on the sofa table. When she realized that she was alone she frowned. She let the phone ring and ring when the answering machine picked up. She ignored the call until she heard the message. “Kimberly it’s Honey…” Kimberly picked up the phone quickly.
“ I told you never to call me.”
“ Well, you weren’t answering your cellphone so I had to call you at home. But if you don’t like it I could always come and visit it in that fancy condo you live in.”
“ You’ll do no such thing.”
“ What do you want?”
There was distinct pause on the other end of the phone. “What do you think that I want?”

Eve felt as if her stomach lurch as she sat down on the outside bench. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. “ Stephanie Forrester paid you off.”
“ I found out that Chris changed the paternity test. He left me a letter telling me what he did. There were the actual results and the changed ones. When I read it I thought about the Forresters but then I thought about what to do with the information.”
‘ So you decided to blackmail her instead of coming to Brooke or anyone else.”
“ It was a golden opportunity. Nobody was going to get hurt and I had a chance to make a lot of money. I wasn’t going to let that go.”
“ The house. The clothes it all came from her, didn’t it?”
“ Yes.”
“ Oh God.” Eve shook her head. This was a total mess.
Trudie knelt down to look at her friend. “ I know that you are upset with me.”
“ Wouldn’t you be? Rick is my boyfriend. Bridget’s his sister not to mention that Brooke’s her mother. How could do this?”
“ I didn’t think that the truth would come out? I didn’t think that it would hurt anybody especially you.” Trudie was hurting. She didn’t want to see the disappointment in Eve’s eyes. “ I would never do anything to jeopardize your relationship to Rick.”
Eve had made huge mistakes in her life. Some worse than what Trudie had done. What she had done wasn’t right however Eve knew that she had been on her own with just her brother for a lone time. Chris and Trudie knew that money wasn’t easy to come by and they took a risk. Chris hadn’t known the Forresters so he took the money and changed a little girl’s life not knowing the damage he caused. But Trudie knew and made the decision to keep her mouth shut. There was nothing that Eve could do about it. What was done was done and she was going to have to find a way to clean it up.” Looking at her best friend, she knew that she’d never turn her back on her or lead her to the slaughter. “ I know that you didn’t mean to hurt me. We all make mistakes.”
“This one is pretty big. It could cost us everything.”
“ Not everything just Rick and your job.”
“ I know what Rick means to you.He means the world to you.” Tears fell down Trudie’s cheeks. She was so sorry that she was going to cost Eve everything that she had worked so hard for.
Eve nodded but lovingly wiped tears away from Trudie’s eyes. “But you are my best friend and like a sister to me. You’ve been there through everything with me. I’m not going to turn my back on you. I’ll think of something and find a way out of this mess.”
Trudie nodded knowing that she could die if Eve’s life was messed up because of her.

“You tell Marco that if he ever thinks of doing business with us again that he will see that my order is first priority. I don’t give a damn what other clubs give him. He had a contract with me and I’ll see he ass in court. I want my shipment sent to me as stated and he better not give me piss poor quality either.” Deacon hung up the phone cutting off the other person on the line. He gave his manager the inventory list when his personal assistant Michelle came into the office. “ Deacon you have a Rick Forrester wanting to speak to you.”
He lit a small cigar with his gold lighter inhaling and savoring the taste for a moment before leaning back in his chair. “ Tell him I’m busy.” He didn’t know who this Rick was and he sure as hell wasn’t in the mood to buy anything at the moment. His distributor was trying to dick him around and he didn’t like being fu(ked by anybody.
“ I was told to tell you that a Isabelle was with him as well.” Michelle watched at Deacon leaded forward looking interested in her last statement.
“ Isabelle.” He grinned looking like the cat that had just been given a bowl of cream. “Send them both in.” He turned to Nathan. “ This list is fine. Make sure the suppliers don’t skimp on anything. Also make sure that the VIP room is set for the Kobe Bryant party for tonight. Now that the case is over, he wants to party at the best. Just make sure that the groupies are over 18. The last thing he needs is another charge.”
“Okay Deac.”
Deacon walked out of his office down into the main lounge of his club to see the very stunning Isabelle standing next a young man in his early twenties. “ Isabelle, it’s always a pleasure with you.” He said grinning on of his bad boy smiles. He kissed her on both cheeks.” Mmm he inhaled. “ You do smell so good.”
She turned her head just a fraction so their lips almost met.“ Smell often invokes memories more than any other senses of the brain.”
His eyes sparkled with memory of their last encounter.“ Are you trying to get me to remember something?”
“ No. If I wanted you to remember something I’d use other drastic measures.” She turned to Rick. “Deacon I wanted you to meet a personal friend of mine. Rick Forrester.”
Deacon turned to Rick assessing him. “ Personal? Huh.”
Rick wasn’t sure if he liked the way that Deacon was looking at Isabelle but he sure as hell didn’t like the insinuation that he was making about Rick’s relationship “Not that kind of personal relationship.”
Deacon studied Isabelle for a second wondering if Rick were sleeping with her. Hell, he wasn’t the jealous type but the thought of her turning to Rick instead of him did bother him a little. She however was cool as ever not betraying any hint to what her relationship with Rick was “ Too bad.”
Right this way. He pointed to his office as Rick followed. He noticed that Isabelle didn’t follow. “ You aren’t coming?”
“ No. What you and Rick have to discuss is purely business and therefore none of mine. I only wanted to make the introduction. I’ll have a drink, if you don’t mind.” She said dismissively.
“ Of course not. You know where everything thing is.”
Isabelle gave him a pointed look. “ Yes. I do.”

Brooke saw the true concern in her father’s eyes. She knew that he was very protective of her however she could handle this. Truthfully she had no choice.
“I know you are worried. But you…”
“ For good reason.” He interrupted. Stephen pushed his plate away ignoring the dishes of Vegetable Tempura, scallop with white rice, soup that he ordered. “I can’t believe what this family has done to you. If Ridge and his breaking your heart over and over wasn’t enough. His bitch of a mother had the audacity to hurt my granddaughter.” The vein stared to pot out of Stephen’s neck and he turned red.
“ Dad. Please calm down. We will survive this.”
“ But you shouldn’t have to just survive honey. With you it’s always surviving one crisis after another. Don’t you think that you should have more than just surviving in your life?
She was caught off guard. “I’ve done more with my life than just survive.” She said not liking where the conversation is going. “It’s been more than just scandal.”
“That’s not what I meant.” His ran is fingers through his silver hair frustrated that she didn’t understand. “When I look at you I see so much. You’re beautiful, vibrant, and smart. Just look what you’ve done for Forrester. Nobody could have taken that company to the heights you’ve taken it to. Instead of basking in the glow of all you’ve accomplished you are constantly under attack from that woman. It’s been one scheme after another. ”
“I’ve dealt with it.”
“ But I want you to have more than this. I want you to have a life free from worry and stress. I want you to have everything you deserve.” He stood up and walked over to sit next to her. “I feel so helpless. When I see you going through all these different ordeals and it hurts me to know that I can’t help you. I’m your father, I’m supossed to protect you.”
“ But you are helping.” She implored. “ You being here with mom is all the support I need.”
“ But it isn’t enough damn it!” He pounded his fist on the table shaking the food. “You've gone through so much at the hands of that family. It makes me ill to see you and Bridget suffering because of Stephanie. That woman has spent more than half of your life trying to hurt you. And for what? For not being good enough in her eyes for her precious son Ridge. Well, damn it he isn’t good enough for you. For years I’ve had to stand back and see all the damage that they’ve caused you. I’ve watched you marry Eric, then Ridge and Ridge again.” He sighed. “Then you got involved with Thorne. What were you thinking? That family is poison to you.”
Brooke turned toward her father feeling the wealth of his sorrow. She saw lines of worry around his eyes. She had no idea how much of the turmoil of her life had effected him.“ I know that I’ve made some mistakes in my life.”
“ And many of them I feel are because of me.”
Confusion showed on Brooke’s face. “What are you talking about? You aren’t to blame for my problems with Stephanie. Or my marriages.”
“ I wasn’t there for you.” It was painful however it was the truth. He hasn’t been the type of father that Brooke needed. He touched her lightly on her cheek. “From the day that you were born you’ve always been special to me. Don’t get me wrong I love your brother and sisters but you were always special.” His smile disappeared. “ But then I left and you didn’t have a father anymore. That’s why you turned to Eric Forrester as a husband because I wasn’t there.” He finally admitted as if it were a secret.
Brooke wanted to tell him that it wasn’t true but deep down she knew that was the reason she had confused her love for Eric with real love. Eric had been kind, supportive and loving, everything she had missed from not having a father. She covered his hand with her own. “ That was years ago. We’ve been through this before. I’ve forgiven you for leaving us.” She squeezed his hand. “You have been there for me since the moment you came back into our lives. You've been a good dad. Always supportive and offering your help whenever I needed. Even when you were disappointed in me.” She whispered.
“ I wasn’t…”
“ Yes you were. She interrupted. “ Every scandal every tabloid cover caused you pain. I have to live with that. I’m sorry daddy for some of the mistakes that I’ve made. But they were MY mistakes and you aren’t to blame. You are probably right about Eric. We reached out to each other it was wrong. What he felt for me was real love however I wasn’t in love with him. I ended up hurting him very much.”
“ He should have known better. Even know when he’s at odds he isn’t turning to his family. He’s staying with you.”
“ Is this what this is about? Are you upset that he’s staying at the house? Is this about mom?”
“No honey. I’ve come to terms with your mother’s feelings for Eric years ago. He isn’t an issue. But I’m worried. The Forresters have hurt you so much in the past. I haven’t forgotten how they tried to use Bridget to get the company from you. How about the scheme in Italy to trick Thorne in believing you was having an affair with Ridge. Not to mention the hundreds of times that Ridge has made you cry. You were his wife and did he stand by you? No. He didn’t. He annulled both of your marriage.”
“ It’s in the past.”
“ No it isn’t.” He wished that his daughter could see the truth. “ It’s about them. They have each hurt you in different ways. The last was Thorne he couldn’t even keep his hands off a girl who was too young for him. The bottom line is that you need protection because Stephanie is the worst of them all. She lied. She actually changed her own granddaughter’s paternity test in order to force you out of the family. She did that only months before she tried to steal Bridget and Rick you. That woman knows no shame.”
“ And she’ll finally pay for it.”
“ Will she? I just don’t know. But I do know one thing. If you find out that Eric is staying at your house she’ll be out for blood. Yours. That woman is capable of anything. I feel for Eric. I really do but for the sake of our family don’t let Eric continue to stay at the house. There is no telling what she’ll do next. Grandchild.”

Maria looked at the empty lunch tray and sighed. “You’ve hardly touched a thing.”
Stephanie pushed the tray away from her.“ I’m not hungry.”
“ You’ve got to eat something.”
“ Eric hasn’t called.” She said ignoring Maria’s concern.
“ No.” Maria said sadly. “He hasn’t called.”
Stephanie stood up. “I’m sure that he got busy with Ridge but he’ll be home soon.”
Maria wasn’t sure but she wasn’t about to tell Stephanie that. “I’m sure he will that is why you’ve got to get yourself together. It’s time that you get out of those pajamas into something that Mr. Forrester would love you in.”
Stephanie looked down at her pajamas that she was still wearing. “ I guess it is time that I take a bath.”
“Yes. Put on something nice.”
“ I think that I will.” Stephanie stood up to take a shower while Maria went to the phone to make a call. “ Ms. Kristen, this is Maria. I think that you ought to come home. Your mother needs your support.”

The De'Angelo house was immaculate neat and orderly. Everything that it had been before he left Italy to go to L.A. but now just as it had been years ago something was missing. Years ago it had been Lark. After her death it was hard to walk through the halls without hearing her laughter or seeing mementos of her. However he couldn’t seem to leave or even sell the house because it had belonged to them. But now, he was home for a different reason. He was here to find out how concrete evidence to prove that …. He wasn’t sure what he was trying to prove. Honest to God, he didn’t want Brooke and Lark to be sisters but the more he studied the facts, the more he couldn’t pretend anymore.
“Mr. DeAngelo.” He turned to find the upstairs housekeeper stepped in his den.
“ There is a call from Grayson for you on the line.”
“ Thank you.” He picked his phone.
“ Caspian.”
“ Grayson.”
“ I heard that you were back in Italy.”
He didn’t question how Grayson had known he was coming to Italy. It had been a last minute decision after finding out Isabelle had been in London noising around the office of records. Caspian pushed his feeling down. To be ruled my purely emotion meant that you had no control. However the thought of his sister having something to do with anything going bother he beyond epic proportions. “ Yes. I just got in about an hour ago.”
“ Good. How about dinner. Be here within the hour. I’ll have cook make roasted stuffed peppers, lamb chops and pasta with the wine sauce that you like.”
“ I’ll bring the wine.” Caspian hung up the phone. He knew that this wasn’t simply a visit. Something else is going on.

Deacon poured himself a drink at the mini-bar in his office. “Can I get your anything?”
“ Club Soda.”
“ Club Soda?”
“ It’s a little early for me to be drinking especially when I’m here on business.”
“ Business.” Deacon slid into his chair before he used his remote to turn off the flat screen tv on his wall. He liked to let people think he was looking at the games but really it was the stock market he was interested in. “ We don’t have any business Mr. Forrester though I’d love to know what business you have with Isabelle.”
“ What business Isabelle and I have is none of your business.”
Deacon chuckled. “ It’s not what I was thinking earlier. You aren’t her type of bed partner. A little too young and innocent aren’t your Ricky boy.”
“ It’s Rick or Mr. Forrester to you. And I don’t appreciate you disrespecting Ms. DeAngelo like that.”
“Disrespecting. Believe me I wouldn’t dare disrespect a woman like her or do something that she didn’t want.”
“ Look Mr. Share. I’m not here to ply mind games with you.”
“ I didn’t ask you here.”
“ No you didn’t but I’m here about a lucrative business offer that I’d like to make to you.” Deacon leaned back in his chair crossing his fingers over his stomach.
“Now what would a fashion company and a club have in common.” He noticed the look of surprise on Rick’s face. “ Yes I know about Forrester Creations. I’ve dressed a few of my lady friends in your clothes. Good quality. And that mother of yours….what can I say.” He smiled. “ She’s the every man’s wet dream. It must have been a pleasure growing up with her.”
Rick clenched his fist trying to keep himself calm. Deacon was proving to be on son-of-a-bitch but he wasn’t going to let him get to him. He was here for a mission. “We aren’t here to talk about my mother’s attributes.”
“She certainly has them.”
“ We are here to talk about business. So are you willing to listen or do I need to go to another club.”
“ No. You’ve peeked my curiosity. You tell me Ricky boy what do you want with me?”

Kimberly looked at her watch. Honey was late. “Shit. You planned this meeting but you can’t even he one time.” A waitress came over.
“ Can I get you something.”
Kimberly glanced at the menu. “ The grilled tuna salad. Iced tea. Make sure that you give me one of those small canisters with the liquid sugar. That other stuff takes to long to dissolve.”
“ Right away.” She said walking away.
Kimberly waited impatiently until her food arrived. She had started taking two bites when Honey walked in wearing the latest in Dolce & Gabanna Kimberly rolled her eyes. “ You’re late.”
Touching her newly dyed hair Honey shrugged. “ I know time is money. Well, my time and your money.” She giggled.
“ I don’t have time for this.” Kimberly said not amused.
“ Whoa. Come down you wouldn’t want me to go running to your husband would you.”
“ Leave him out of this.” Kimberly spat.
“ Then be nice.” Honey said pulling her hand out of the grip that Kimberly took a hold of her wrist. “ I want to order before we get down to business.” She picked up the menu. “Ohh the rack of lamb sound good. Along with the stuffed mushrooms. After all you are paying. She winked at Kimberly.”

Taylor had left the children in ski school and headed back to the cabin. Ridge had left earlier to go back to L.A. She really hadn’t wanted him to leave but he honestly needed to talk to his mother. She just hoped that he would get some of the answers that he desperately needed. Now that it was just her, she hoped to spend some quality time with Bridget. More and more she thought about how difficult this entire situation was. If it hadn’t been for sleeping around Brooke none of this would have happened.But it wasn’t the girl’s problem. Bridget needed proper guidance and lots of love. When she arrived at the cabin she noticed a strange car parked in the drive. “ Bridget? Whose car is that parked in the driveway?” She said opening the door to the cabin. Taylor’s stopped talking when found Scott Granger siting on the sofa next to Bridget. Scott had his arm around her.
Bridget looked uncomfortable and distanced herself from the young man. “Taylor. I wasn’t expecting you.”
She closed the door.“ Apparently not. Bridget what’s going on?”
Scott stood.“ Mrs. Forrester.”
“ I don’t want to hear from you Scott though I’m sure that you know that I’m not happy about seeing you here. You are off limits to Bridget.”
“ Taylor. He just wanted to check on me and make sure that I was alright.”
“ You are putting me in an impossible situation. You know how your mother feels about him.”
“ Not you too.” Bridget frowned. “ I don’t know why I thought that you’d be any differently.” She said defensively.
“ That isn’t fair Bridget. You know how your father feels about Scott. What if it had been him who came through that door? He would have had a fit.”
“ I know…”
“ Do you Bridget? Do you know because angering your father at a time like this isn’t the smartest thing to do? He’s really worried about you.”
“We weren’t doing anything wrong.”
Scott turned to Bridget. “Shh. Bridget don’t take your anger out on Taylor. She’s right. It wasn’t the smartest thing for me to come. But I was worried about her.” He turned to Taylor. “ I just wanted see for myself that she was alright. I know that I’m not supposed to be with her and that everybody seems that I’m some sort of leech.”
“ It’s not that. It’s just that you are older than Bridget.”
“ Yes. I’m older than her. But that doesn’t mean that I have some lecherous designs on her. My interest in her is based on caring for her.” He gave Bridget a caring look. Taylor could clearly see the warmth in his eyes.
“ Listen. I’m sure that you do care about Bridget but you have to look at it from her parent’s perspective. You’ve established quiet a reputation as a play boy jaunting from one content to another.”
“ I’m really getting tired of that being thrown in my face constantly. Ridge used to have a reputation much worse than mine if I recall correctly yet that didn’t stop you from being involved with him.”
“No it didn’t. However I was much older. I had been married before and wasn’t a teenager.”
“ I’m not a child.” Bridget quipped.
“ But you aren’t yet an adult.” Taylor whispered. Her heart ached for the young woman. Bridget had a lot of issues to deal with and personally Taylor thought it might be good for her to have something to concentrate on other than being sick but she couldn’t go up against Brooke nor her husband at this point. She moved toward Bridget. “Sweetheart I know that this is a confusing time for you. You want to reach out and experience the first taste of love. It’s wonderful and feels like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.”
“ So you do know what I’m feeling.”
“ Of course I do. I’m not THAT old.”
Bridget laughed. “ I didn’t think that you were. It’s just… well it’s kind of hard to talk about my feelings. Mom won’t listen. She just made a decision and refused to listen.”
“ To any of us.”
Bridget turned to Scott with surprise. “ You talked to her?”
“ I tried to but it didn’t go over to well. She doesn’t want me to see you.”
“ See what I mean Taylor. My mom’s had lots of relationships but she objects to me having a boyfriend.”
“ It’s not just your mother. It’s Ridge too.” Scott added.
“ You have to understand that he wants to protect you.”
“ From what? What is it that they think is going to happen?” Oh I know. They are afraid that I’m going to fall in bed with Scott. That’s what they are worried about. Both of them have had children out of wedlock but they were worried about me.”
Taylor colored at Bridget’s remark. Bridget realized what she said. “ Sorry. I didn’t mean…’
“ It’s okay. You are right. They’ve both made mistakes and they want to protect you from making the same ones.”
“ We aren’t going to have sex.”
Taylor sighed. “ I know that you think that.”
“ We aren’t.” Scott stated putting his arm around her. “ It’s the last thing that Bridget needs right now. All I want to do is to spend time with her and take her mind off of her worries.

Caspian opened the door to the dressing room that had once belonged to Lark. In all the years since her death he had ordered for the room to be cleaned and fresh flowers to be put on her vanity just as it had been when she had been alive. He knew that some of the staff had whispered amongst themselves that he ought to let it go but it had been hard. It had been up until he met Brooke. Caspian opened the heavy drapes to allow the moonlight into the room. Fresh air filled the room causing the slight whiff of jasmine to fill his nostrils. He turned to look at the portrait above the fireplace. She was standing in a blue dress with from the back turning around to smile at the artist. He remembered when he had had commissioned someone to paint her. His wife had been very beautiful and too young to die. Turning away from the portrait of her smiling down at him he finally turned to the dresser to find the hair brushes that was still on the table. Picking it up, he noted the blonde hair still caught between the bristles of the brush. The hair on the brush was why he had traveled to Italy. It held DNA, it had all the answers that he had been looking for.

Yvette and KC had enjoyed their “working lunch”. Honestly KC had a wonderful time telling about her time in Paris and Italy. Yvette had enjoyed hearing about the different styles of designs and the insider stories about some of the industries model. “Tell me, do you watch the television show Top Model.”
KC nodded between her spoonfuls of her sinfully delicious plum tart. “I don’t miss in episode. I find it funny. Some of the things are realistic and some art. The model wear our clothes do have to have a certain look to convey a vision that we want. Some of Forrester models are the most beautiful in the world however when it comes to the WOW fashion show we may not use them all.”
“ I noticed that Trudie had a more fleshy look. Full breast, hips and butt.”
“ Thank God. The waif look is starting to go out. In Parisian Couture it works but here in America I like the full bodied look.”
“ See Girl, that what I’m talking about. A full figured woman like me huh?” Mona stated over KC shoulder. Standing up KC hugged Mona.
“ Certainly.”
“ Good because I’m all woman.” She pretended to lit a match and burn herself. “Certainly HOT Stuff. I just want to know when it Forrester going to make a line for real women like me.”
“Hopefully soon. Yvette this is a friend of my fiancée’s and mine Mona Carter. She’s a wonderful lawyer here in L.A.”
“ Nice to met ya. I was just over there having lunch with your handsome fiancée.”
“ Connor’s here?”
“ Yeah. He’s hiding. Now I know why he wanted to come to this restaurant. It’s because you’re here.”
It was so like Connor to come and to show his support of her. Yvette noticed the look of pure happiness on the designer’s face. “If you wouldn’t mind. I’d love to meet the man that can make you smile. KC waved Connor over while Yvette hid her surprise at finding that the handsome lawyer was white.
“ It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you.”
“ I don’t mean to interrupt. But I just couldn’t help to come and see how things were going.”
“ Wonderful. We’ve had an excellent lunch and conversation. I can’t wait for the article and the photos. I have a feeling that we are going to sell out.”
“ You certainly are.” Added Mona. “ I already subscribe but I’ll be buying a few for a couple of friends of mine.”
“ Yvette nodded. KC has it all. The artistic vision. The beauty of a model. Not to mention she is newest head designer for Forrester. Everyone is going to want to read about her. You had better get ready to have your picture taken again and again. Not to mention everyone’s going to want to know what she’s doing, seeing and wearing.”
“ I guess that I better be prepared for the onslaught.”
“ I hope that you don’t mind.” KC whispered. She and Connor already were used to getting looks from people all the time because they were a mixed couple. She wondered if the additional publicity was going to bother him.
“ I could never mind. It certainly going to be a change but for you I’d be willing to do anything.”
Yvette watched them noticing how loving they were with one another. Together they would certainly be an eye catching couple in the world of fashion. She wondered if they would mind having Connor being featured in the interview. A picture of them would work out nicely with the perfect caption.

Pharren had been more than shaken by her conversation with Caspian she had already begun planning her attack. To be unprepared for the possible fallout if Brooke Logan ever found out she was Samuel Huntington’s daughter and heir would be foolish. She was anything put that. Reginald, her personal lawyer had been summoned to her office where she had told him of her conversation. They had already begun to study Samuel’s will for any possible loopholes.
Reginald looked up from the documents. “ Well?”
He took of his glasses and leaned back into his chair. “ It doesn’t look good. The wording used within the document is very specific. All of assets including the stock for Huntington Press reverts to his heir.”
“ But those stocks were given to me.”
“ Yes. As Lark’s husband Caspian had a right to give her shares.” He paused. “However he could only do that if the shares belonged to him legally.”
“ Lark left him those shares.”
“ Yes, but they shouldn’t have gone to him. The documents clearly states heirs. If Brooke is legally found to be Samuel’s daughter, they automatically revert to her regardless of the changes made..”
Pharren’s hand tightened painfully around the glass that she had been holding. “ I can’t allow that to happen. I’ve worked countless days and nights. I’ve given everything to company. I’m made it success.” She moved toward her uncle’s portrait pointing up to it. “ I listened to Samuel when Lark fluttered around with her writing and painting. She was not interested in this company. I was!” Pharren was uncharastically losing her cool. She turned away fanning herself slightly. “ I will not allow anyone to take what is mine.”
“ You may not have a choice if this matter goes to court.”
“ Surely the other stockholders will support me over someone who knows nothing about this company regardless.”
“ It won’t matter.”
“ Yes it will.” She pressed her hands down on her desk leaning across it. “ They aren’t going to want some hot headed or bloodied American woman running this company. Hunting Press isn’t about the glamour and the allure of fashion. Brooke Logan would be a fish out of water.”
“ Not really. Have you seen what she’s done for Forrester? She has vision. She’s know internationally, a trend setter whom every woman wants to know what she’s wearing.”
“ And every man wants to bed her.” Pharren murmured.
“ She also has a great deal of brain under all of that beauty. The expansion of International Forrester, the Men’s Line and that lingerie line are legendary. She’s been called one of the top CEO in this century.”
“She is brilliant.” Pharren muttered moving to look at the view from her office.
Reginald shut the file. “ She’s a lot like you.”
“Me?” Pharren raised her eyebrow. “ I don’t know if that is a compliment or an insult.”
“ It’s meant to be a compliment. You are beautiful blonde with a fantastic business mind. Just like Brooke you have men falling down at your feet.”
“Yes, but unlike her I like to keep my indiscretions to myself not airing it out to the entire world.”
“ She is colorful.”
“You know if things were different and my company wasn’t on the line I think that I’d like her. I’m sure that we would have wonderful stories to share of two women who were unestimated by their counterparts who find success regardless of their detractors.
Reginald remembered when the fight that Pharren had on her hands when she took control. Many of the board members had been very old ideals about how the company had been run and weren’t thrilled about having a woman take charge. Especially when she did a complete overhaul of the company. However over time there was a huge paradigm shift as they expanded into magazine publication and to other innovative programs such as their e-book software. Not to mention the slow buy out that she had been trying to make a BCC major television company. “ You’ve done a wonders for the company even the biggest detractors can’t argue with that.”
“You are talking about Winfield.” She thought about the man who questioned her every turn and thought that he ought to be in charge of the company. “ I beg to differ. I think that he would love an opportunity to get rid of me.”
“ Not for Brooke Logan. You are the lesser of two evils.”
“ Is there nothing that we can do?”
“Not from a legal standpoint.”
She had feared this but it wasn’t a surprise. “Then we need to move to plan B.”
“What is that?”
“It’s risky.”
“ What is it?”
“ I want to open the company to the public.”
This got Reginald attention. “ Why in the world would you do that?”
“ Because once we take the company public I could then outright buy the stocks. Then there is nothing that Brooke Logan could do about it.”
“What you are talking about could be illegal.”
Pharren didn’t look phased at the least. “ NOT if I had no idea about her connection to Samuel therefore it wouldn’t be fraudulent if I were to buy all the shares.”
“ I’m not sure if that’s wise. With what you have done with the company the stock may be very expensive. Do you have that much capital?”
“Honestly it would be a stretch to get that much capital all at once even with your husband’s connections. There would also be a huge risk that somebody else could buy the shares.”
“I risk I don’t want to take. So we’ve got to come with something else. There is no way bloody way that I’m going to hand my company over to her.”

Taylor honestly felt for both Bridget and Scott. It was clear that he did care deeply for Bridget however this wasn’t the time or the place. It wasn’t just Brooke who didn’t want them together it was Ridge. Ridge had gone into “protective father” mode and wasn’t going to let his daughter date Scott. So she had sent him on his way however she gave Bridget five minutes. She had watched as Bridget had hugged him goodbye. Though when they kissed sweetly goodbye she had stepped away from the window. Honestly she hadn’t seen the girl smile as brightly as when Scott had come. Bridget opened the cabin door and stepped in just as Taylor finished cutting the crust off of the sandwich that she had made.
“ Come and get something to eat.” She placed the sandwich on the plate and poured a glass of iced tea.
“ Are you going to fuss at me?”
“ No. I think that you’ve had enough of that besides I think that he was honestly worried about you.”
Bridget took the plate and a bag of chips. She sat down at the table before and waited for Taylor who came with her own sandwich. They ate in silence for a couple of minutes before Taylor spoke. “ Do you want to talk about it?”
“ With you?”
“ You don’t have too.”
Bridget toyed with a chip before she ate it. “ Are you going to tell my mother and dad that Scott came to see me?”
Taylor sipped her tea. “No. I just don’t see the need to upset them at the moment.”
Bridget sighed. “Thanks.”
“ Bridget. You have to know that I don’t plan on keeping secrets from Ridge in future regarding Scott.”
“ But …”
“ No buts. I can’t keep secrets from my husband. We are trying to rebuild our marriage and keeping secrets about YOU isn’t a good idea.”
Bridget felt guilty. She knew what she had done and honestly didn’t want to make matters worse. “I’m sorry. I guess that I should be happy that you have me five minutes with Scott.
“ It’s not your fault honey.” Taylor chewed more of her roast beef sandwich. “ He really does care for you.” Bridget blushed.
“ He does. He’s so different than the guys in my class.”
“ How so?”
“I don’t know. He mature compared to them. They are concerned about impressing others or being cool but not Scott. He’s just different. He understands my love of art. He listens to me and doesn’t treat me like a kid.”
“ You resent being treated that way?”
“ Of course I do. My mom just sees me as sweet Bridget who needs constant protecting. Rick is just as bad as she is. But Scott doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile. Even with…” Even with the cancer he isn’t treating like I’m dying.”
“ Bridget you aren’t dying.”
“ Not yet.”
“ Don’t talk that way.”
“ How can I not? There is a chance that your kids may not match me and if that happens. I’m back to square one.” She pushed the plate away. “ I know that mom’s worried and I understand that but she won’t listen to me about Scott. She’s making it all about sex. I’m not like her. I don’t need a man in my life to be happy.”
Taylor nodded. “ I know. You are different.”
“ She’s got to see that I’m not going to make the same mistakes that she did. I just want a chance to live my life whatever is left of it. I just want to be with guy that I’m falling for. She doesn’t understand how different he is. Most guys who have asked me out have done it for my money or just to get a chance to look at my mom. They go on and on about how beautiful she is.” She said bitterly. “ Don’t get me wrong. I love her but sometimes it isn’t easy being her daughter. Right now. I’m just through another one of her scandals and I’m sick of it.”
Taylor’s heart broke for Bridget. She couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to live with a mother as morally corrupt as Brooke. “ I know you are honey. I’m so sorry that you have to go through this but remember you aren’t alone. You have your father, your family and me. I promise to help make things right.” “Are you going to talk to dad about Scott.”
“ I’m try sweetie. If there is proper supervision maybe your father will change his mind.”
Bridget’s face lit up with glee. “Thank you Taylor.” She hugged her tightly and Taylor felt a sense of closeness to the girl. She knew just what she had to do.

Deacon had to say that although Rick Forrester looked young, he certainly had a hell of a creative mind to come up with the likes of having a fashion show right here in his club. For him, it would be a win-win situation. The press along would get even more people talking about what he had done, not to mention that rental fee and what he’d charge the Forresters for drinks and food. Still, he wasn’t about to let Rick know that he was chomping at the bit to complete this deal. He took his time leaning back in his leather chair studying the young man. “ So you want to use my club for your fashion show? Why not use your own showing room.”
“ We are trying to change the image with it comes to this line. Forrester is known for its elegance its culture line. Classic beauty with style and elegance. But this line is different.”
“ It’s more real. Sexy. Flamboyant. That’s where I come in.”
“ Your club not you.” Rick stated. “ We aren’t going for anything trashy. Sexy, but sexy with style.”
“ You country club types you think that the only way you can have style is if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.”
“ I didn’t say that.”
“ You didn’t have too. You reek of it.” Deacon stood. “ Do you really think that you can come down here and insinuate that I deal with trash. I may have come from the gutter of Furnaces Creek and may have grown up in Vegas but I know what style can do.” Deacon pointed to the plush of his office. “ I’ve done all of this without some fancy business degree or anyone’s help. So I think that you wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t deliver. You see I know that I can more than any of the club in L.A. I’ve got a hot spot a corner of the market and a waiting list so long that people are booked months in advanced.”
“ No one is saying that you aren’t good at what you do Mr.Sharpe.”
Deacon puffed on his cigar. “Such manners Ricky boy.”
Rick stood. “ It’s Mr. Forrester or Rick.”
“ Whatever. It seems you need me more than I need you. Your whole line is based around my club.”
Rick picked up his briefcase. “That is where you are wrong Mr. Sharpe. Forrester doesn’t need anybody. Our name and our reputation stands for itself. This line is being talked about from royalty to the royalty of Hollywood. They will all come out to see it. We wanted the best venue for it. A place that was hot and had the type of panache that we want BUT it doesn’t have to be your club. Thank you for your time. I’ll see my way out.”
“Don’t be so hasty.”
Rick paused but didn’t turn around. “ I’m not hasty. I just don’t like to play games when it comes to business.”
“ Nether do I.” Deacon played with his gold lighter for a moment. “ Leave the proposal on the desk. I’ll take a good look at it and let you know if I agree to it.”
Rick nodded. “That sounds fair.” He slipped the proposal on Deacon’s desk. “ I expect to hear from you one way or another.
“You will within a day.”

Thorne paced in his office with the phone in his hands.
“ She had lunch with some girlfriend and now she’s heading over to Spectra.”
“ Who did she had lunch with?”
“ Some college girlfriend named Honey Malloy.”
“ Actually they didn’t have much lunch. They were heavy in conversation. In fact it looked like your wife was upset.”
“ Fine out with Honey Malloy’s address and then contact me. I want to talk to her personally.”
“ Done.”
Thorne cradled the phone has he wrote down Honey Malloy’s name. “ Where is she now?”
“ She’s at Spectra Fashions.”
“ Spectra Fashions.”
“ Yes. I’m sitting out of the building. Do you want me to keep watching her?”
“ Yes. Though I have a feeling I know what she’s doing. But I just got to fine out why. Thanks Justin. Please continue to watch her.” Thorne hung up the phone.
“ Is everything alright?” Thorne looked up to find Brooke standing in the doorway of his office.
“Yeah I guess.”
Brooke closed the door behind her. “ I was coming to check to see if you had the profits for last quarters projections for the stores in Italy and in Paris.”
“ Sure.” He turned his back looking through his cherry wood cabinet for the files before he turned around. Brooke noted that although he looked handsome in his charcoal gray weave shirt that was slighted open at the collar that stretched across his muscular frame and his black pants but it was the weariness in her eyes that alarmed her. “ Thorne. What’s wrong.”
“ Other than the fact that my mother was arraigned yesterday.”
“ Oh.” Brooke colored. “I know that I might not believe me but I’m sorry that you are going through all of this because of the situation of his mother.”
Thorne looked up at Brooke seeing her discomfort. “No. Brooke it isn’t about that. You aren’t to blame for has happened.” He paused for a moment moving to the sofa. “My mother is.”
Brooke blinked surprised at Throne’s admission. “ You believe that she’s guilty?”
He nodded. “ Yes. I know that I’m her son and I should be supporting her but I think about all the things that she’s done to you in the past. It’s not to much of a step for her to inflict that sort of pain onto Bridget.”
Tears formed in Brooke’s eyes. “Thank you.” She let out a large breath of air allowing him to see the relief in her eyes. “ I thought that maybe you’d blame me for what’s going to happen to your mother.”
He touched her hand. “After all that she’s done. She deserves whatever happens to her.”
Brooke nodded. “ Yes, she does. But none of us deserves this. When I think about how she’s hurt my daughter and the way that she’s hurt you.”
“Me?” Thorne blinked.
“ Yes. You. You aren’t happy with Kimberly. You never would have married her if it hadn’t been for your mother’s blackmail.”
“ I wouldn’t have ever been happy with anybody other than you.” He whispered honestly.
“ Thorne…don’t.” she looked away not wanting to travel down that road again.
“ I’m sorry.” He stood. “ I don’t want to upset you. I know that you are going through enough with Bridget. How is she by the way?”
“She’s making it through the best way that she can. She’s with Ridge now.”
“ Let her know that I’m thinking about her.”
“ I will.” Brooke stood up taking the files however she paused for a moment. “ Thorne. I know that married Kimberly for all the wrong reasons and I know that you have a baby on the way. But that doesn’t mean that you have to stay married to her.”
“ I have my baby to think about.”
“ And you can be a father to that baby without being married to its mother. It happens all the time.”
He turned her around.“ It isn’t that simple.”
Brooke turned him to face her. “ Yes it is. You aren’t happy with Kimberly. You don’t love her.”
“ No. I don’t. I love you.”
“ Thorne.”
“ Don’t stop me. You know how I feel about you.”
“ It doesn’t matter anymore you made that choice when you had that affair with Kimberly.”
“ Affair.” He sighed heavily. Turned away and smashed his fist against the table. “ It wasn’t an affair. It was one night. One freaking night that I can hardly remember. I honestly don’t know why I touched her. I loved you. I love only you.”
Brooke reeled from Throne’s admission that it wasn’t an affair. “ It wasn’t an affair?”
“ No. It was a mistake that cost me everything.”
Brooke wished that she could ease his pain. “ It shouldn’t have to cost you the rest of your life. Kimberly is complicated.” Brooke wished that she could tell him the truth about her. “ I understand your need to protect your child but you can do it without tying yourself to a woman you don’t love.”

Isabelle was sitting in Deacon’s private VIP room when Rick walked in followed by Deacon. Rick hated to admit it but unlike some of the other clubs that there were in L.A this room had it’s own Bose sound system, a flat screen television with a state of the art system not to mention top of the line furniture. They were comfortable yet classic pieces just as the artwork was more than tasteful. There was a connected private dinning room done in deep auburn and classic cherry wood dinning set“ Can I get you a drink?”
She slid out of the lounge couch she had been lounging on. “No thank you.”
“ Please don’t get up on my account. You know how much I love having you.”
Rick watched in fascination as Deacon blatantly hit on her. “ I’m sure you do but I have to decline your offer. I’ve got to finish some things at the office.
“ Well then. Maybe for another time.” He picked up her hand and kissed it before lightly massaging the middle of her palm. “ I’ve missed you.”
“ I’m sure that you’ve had things to keep you occupied. In one way or another.”
“ But still there is no other like you.”
Isabelle found Deacon amusing. “ So how did your business dealing go?”
“ Deacon’s going to look over the offer and let me know.”
“It’s a good deal.”
“ For Forrester yes. I just want to make sure that it’s a good one for me.”
She had no intention to tell him how to run his business. If he accepted the offer it would give him publicity like no other club in L.A but if he were foolish not to accept it then it would be a critical error. “ It’s your decision.” She turned to Rick. “ I think that it’s time that we go.”

Ridge paused for a moment before he touched the door. He wasn’t sure why he had come but he knew that regardless of the situation that he couldn’t stay away any longer. He needed answers. Opening the front door he stepped into the house he grew up in. Maria who had been cutting fresh flowers put them down. “ Ridge.” She rushed over to give him a hug.
“ Thank god you are here. You mother she’s going crazy.”
Ridge hugged Maria. “I’m sure she is.”
“ The press won’t let it go. They keep calling here and blocking the drive. I had to get Hector to do the grocery shopping.”
“ Maria. You let him do it until it all calms down. I don’t want you getting caught up in the fray.” He said with real concern.
“ I’m not the one who you should worry about it’s your mother and that precious daughter of yours. They need our support. How is Bridget doing?”
“She’s…well making it. Where’s mother?”
“ Upstairs. Your father hasn’t come home. She’s worried about him and so am I. It’s not like him to stay out.”
“ No. It isn’t.” Ridge headed upstairs. He looked in his mother’s bedroom but found it empty and headed to her reading room where he found her staring out of the window.
“ Mother.”
Stephanie looked up to find Ridge standing in the doorway. Feeling a sense of relief she rushed over to him. “ Thank God. You are here. I knew that you’d be here.” She held on tightly to her son. “ I just knew it. I knew that you’d be here as soon as you could.”
Ridge peeled himself away from his mother’s prying arms walking further into the room.“ I’m not sure if you’ll be so happy once this conversation is done.”
She paused visibly. “Honey you can’t believe this nonsense.”
Ridge turned to face his mother. “Honestly I don’t know what to believe.”
“ Well, not this nonsense that Brooke is making up.”
“ This isn’t about Brooke.”
“ Of course this is about Brooke it’s always about some scandal attached to her name.”
“Brooke had nothing to do with this in fact she’s the victim.”
“Victim.” Stephanie snorted. “ That bitch…”
“ Stop with the name calling. Especially after what you’ve done to her like trying to kill her at Big Bear.”
Her face turned red.“ I didn’t….” She stopped. Her temper was raging. How dare he defend Brooke after all she had done? “ I didn’t try to kill her. I wanted to scare her.”
“ But things got out of hand. Who knows what would have happened if Thorne hadn’t intervened. You could have hurt her or worse yet killed her. Do you have any idea how insane this is?” Ridge looked at his mother. She honestly didn’t get it. “ You don’t understand do you? Your hatred of her is waiting you alive so much you don’t want see that you almost killed her.”
“ I didn’t kill her.”
“No. You didn’t but you don’t feel bad about what happened.” Ridge sighed. “About none of it. You aren’t sorry about how you’ve hurt Brooke throughout the years.”
“ That woman has caused me pain. She stole my husband.”
“ Can’t you get over that?”
Stephanie frowned. “ No I can’t.”
“ Well mother. You and dad were back together when that happened. But Brooke isn’t the issue here in all of this Bridget is.”
“ Bridget. Yes she is. How is she doing honey?”
“ How do you think she is? She’s confused.”
“ Of course she is. We will help her work through this confusing time.”
“ I don’t think that you are in a position to help her right now. The case against you is pretty serious.”
“ Pretty ridiculous. I’ve got a good lawyer. I may actually have to thank Brooke. She had Jonathan sign some crazy document that gave home some conflict of interest. So I’ve hired Mercedes Vega. She’s done some good work in the past. It will only be a matter of time before the charges are dropped.”
Ridge turned and looked out of the window above the garden. “ Really.” He said dispassionately. “ You think the charges to be dropped. Just like that.”
“ They have nothing.” She said confidently.
“Nothing.” He turned to face her. “ This certainly wasn’t a nothing to me or to Bridget.”
“ Honey. Surely you didn’t think….” She stammered.
“ I lost my daughter. Years that I can’t make up. Years of her life. Night without her. My little girl.” He swallowed a lump caught in his throat. “ When I look at my daughter all I can see is the day when I had to tell her that she wasn’t mine. I had to distance myself from her when everything inside of me ached not to.” Stephanie reached out to touch his shoulder but he recoiled from her touch. “ You don’t understand the pain that I’ve been in. You don’t understand what it’s like to lose a child yet see her grow up. Bridget and I’ve lost time together. Time we can never get back. So I have to ask you what hand did you play in me losing my daughter.”

“He’s not what I thought.” Rick stated to Isabelle on the drive back to her office in her limo.
“ He doesn’t have that Park Avenue charisma but he does know how to run his business. He’s also making a name for himself.”
“ He’s brash. His comments to you weren’t respectful.”
“Respectful. Rick you aren’t going to let those comments get under your skin are you? He’s only saying those to get you going.”
“ He’s playing games.”
“ He’s being Deacon. It’s good for you to learn how to interact with the Deacon’s of the world. In business there are different types of people you may have to associate yourself with.”
“ Are you talking shady business dealings?”
She shrugged elegantly. “Sometimes. It’s always your choice. There are certain rewards and consequences. There are sometimes people who may have to be moved and they don’t want to be moved. Nothing ever runs smoothly all of the time even in the fashion business. There are some people who have businesses based solely on the hard work of others.”
“ Like Spectra. They steal designs.”
“ See. You have to know all the different types people. Everyone isn’t going to play fair. You have to know how to deal with them. As for Deacon. He’ll call you. He knows that this is a good deal for him. Just him time. He’ll come around.”
Rick listened to Isabelle. She was right. He was an honest person and planned on using honest business practices however there were times that he may have push certain buttons to get what he wanted. And he wanted it all.
“So. He insinuated a great deal about his relationship with you.”
“ Men do that.”
“ Is it true?”
Her eyes iced over that he felt it in his veins. “ Does it matter. Personal or professionally what I do isn’t your concern. Right now we are focusing on business not whether or not I do have a relationship of any sort with Deacon. Alright.”
The thought of her being with Deacon bothered him. But he didn’t have any say on it. Still, a woman like Isabelle deserved better.

Clark kneaded the muscles in Sally’s neck. “Sal you’ve got to lighten up.”
The buxom red head looked over her shoulder. “How in the world can we do that. That teenaged bitch on wheels wants her money and I can’t give it to her without the company going under.” Sally shook her head with regret as she looked around her office. Her second home. “This place means the world to me. I just don’t understand how
Clark was worried. He knew how lonely Sally had been since Macy had died. She had thrown her heart and soul into the business. It just wasn’t fair. “ Isn’t there anything that we can do?”
Sally pressed the picture of Sal that she had against her heart. “Not if we don’t find a partner or somebody to bail us out. I’ve called every contact that I’ve known and right now there isn’t one.” Sally sighed. “ Well there was one somebody that I might have asked but I didn’t want to bother her right now.”
Clark was surprised. He didn’t know that Sally knew anybody with that kind of capital except. “Sal? You don’t me Stephanie.”
“ Yes of course I meant Stephanie.” She said pulling an old Scotch bottle and a glass out of her desk before she poured herself a drink. “Who else do you think I meant. That lady got millions and I don’t think that she’s mind helping us out.”
“ Sal, you do remember that we used to steal dresses from her, don’t you?”
“ Yes” She took a swig. “But that was a long time ago. She’s forgiven me. But I won’t bother Queenie with this. She’s got her own problems about now.”
“Yeah.” Clarke picked up the paper. “ So, do you think that she did it?”
“ Hell if I know. I’d do just about anything to protect my son from that man-eater Brooke. But hurting Bridget. I just can’t see her doing it. Actually it doesn’t matter to me. Stephanie’s my friend and I’m going to support her. In fact…” She stood up and wobbled for a second before Clark helped her. “ I’m going to visit her.”
“ What now?”
“ Why not.” Sally huffed putting her arm on her waist. “Nothing is happening here. Not at all. I might as well go to cheer up an old friend.” She picked up the bottle.
“ What’s that for?”
“ For drowning our sorrows. We both seem do be having rotten luck lately.”
“ But…”
“ Clarke. There is nothing that we can do to save this sinking ship. Spectra going to need a miracle to get out of this.”


Vivian hadn’t been able to sleep the entire night. Thoughts of her allegiance to the Huntington had rattled along in her head. She had pulled out an old letter that she had promised to deliver to Lark in the case of Cassie’s death “With a heavy heart that I write this letter to inform you of a truth that I have kept from you…”.The letter that she had not given to Lark. How could she do such a thing? Cassie had been her friend more than her employer. Cassandra Huntington had more style and grace in her little finger than any other woman she had known. Cassie had also spent her life raising the bastard child her husband had with a woman named Beth Logan. Vivian’s hands shook as she took out the picture that Lark’s husband had left behind. She took it out and studied it. The woman in the picture looked so happy and so beautiful just like her Lark. For the first time she was torn about what she should do.

James had been summoned to Forrester and had only been waiting for a few minutes when Brooke arrived in her office. “James, I’m sorry that I’m late I had to see the revisions for the Men’s Line”.
“No. Problem.” He kissed her quickly on the cheek. “I know with everything that you’ve been going through you are busy.” He noted a hint a weariness on her part. Sitting down he she sat in the chair next to him. “So you want to tell me how things are really going?”
“ You know me well don’t you? I would be lying if I said that I was all right at the moment. Maybe I should lay down right now for a session.”
“ Why not?” He looked toward the sofa. “I’ve got the time.”
“ That’s kind of you.” She said honestly touched. “But it isn’t me that I need help with. It’s Bridget. If you could I’d like you to come over to the house and talk to her.”
“ Certainly. If you hadn’t come to me, I would have come to you. Right now it’s imperative that Bridget feel as if she is the most important thing going on in your life. She needs to be surrounding by your love, Ridge’s love and most importantly her grandparents love. An identify crisis can easily occur in situations where there are paternity mix-ups. She no doubt feels somewhat alone and confused.”
“ Confused isn’t the half of it.”
“How are you handling all of this?”
“ Me? I’m making it.”
“Are you sure because if you aren’t mentally well you aren’t going to be any help to Bridget.”
“ You sound like my father.”
“ He’s voiced his concern.”
“ Yes but he’s being over protective.” James gave her a look to know that he was unsure. “ He is. Believe me I’m fine. I’ve been dealing with these types of scandals for years.”
“ Still. This had to be a shock for you. I also know that it must be hard for not to think of what this could have meant for you and Ridge if the truth had come out years ago.”
“ You mean the fact that we probably would have still been married with other children.”
“Yes. Children who now could match Bridget’s bone marrow. Then there is the deep connection and strong shared history.”
“ I can’t ignore that fact but honestly it doesn’t equate right now. I have to stay focused on my daughter. Not what could have been. Ridge has a wife and a family. He and I are Bridget’s parents. We care about each other but we’ve gone our separate ways.”
“ You are amazingly calm.”
James was silent for a moment. There were many times in her life that Brooke has sworn off Ridge only to return to him. However there was a resolve in her voice that he had never heard before. Maybe it was best. The last thing the family needed was another on going drama of the Brooke and Ridge saga. It only ended badly for everyone left in his or her wake.

The front door of the Marquette estate thrust open and Pharren stormed in marring the marble floor with her muddy boots fresh from riding. She looked naturally beautiful in her tight riding pants, crisp white shirt and riding jacket. Ignoring the She ignored the gasp from the maid staff at the mess that she made of the floor as she headed up the curving staircase to her wing. Flinging the jacket on her chair sitting in front of her vanity table, she then took her hair out of the bun in a mass around her shoulders.
“ Riding didn’t go well?”
Pharren gasped. Her husband stood in the doorway of the bath. Ewen had been gone on holiday and she hadn’t expected him back until next week. “ Don’t tell me that you aren’t happy to see me?”
Pharren brushed past him and went into the bath. She turned the hot water on into the porcelain tub. “I really don’t have time for your games today.”
He pulled her toward him gripping her arm. Though older than hear years he was still very handsome looking much younger than he was with his dark hair that almost brushed the collar of his shirt, gray eyes, beard. He kept him body toned with running, tennis and polo. Not to mention the additional sport with his other women. “ That’s just too bad because that is what I want.”
She pulled her arm away. “ I don’t care what you want at the moment. I’ve had a bad day.”
“ I know. You’ve been riding with such fire and passion. You only ride like that when your upset. Why waste all that passion.” He gripped her blouse ripped it open to find her in a laced black bra. “ Just like I like you. All hot and sweaty My Dear.” He kissed her passionately and though she struggled for a moment she finally gave herself up to her husband’s kiss.

Caspian stood on the threshold of Grayson Delana’s home. It was an old elegant estate that had been his security when he had been growing up. He still had wonderful memories about the time that he had spent there. Grayson had been the father he desperately needed when his had died. As he had gotten older he had become his mentor, his friend not just the Godfather to the family. The door opened and Caspian was lead into the house where he greeted Thomas the butler and family friend. “ Caspian.” Grayson walked down the stairs looking relaxed in a charcoal sweater and slacks. With sliver hair and few wrinkles on his face he still was handsome though later in the years. It was his voice that held the power of fooling you. Quiet yet forceful all he had to do was ask and it happened. No one said no to Grayson when he made a request and still lived. But it wasn’t the threat that made people follow him. It was the way that he was loyal to those he loved. He protected his family. He loved them fiercely. He was the alpha and the Omega when it came to the Family.
“ Grayson.” He hugged the older man and kissed his ring. “ It’s good to see you.”
“ And you. I see that you aren’t turning into a waif with all that American food.”
“ I’ve been taking care of myself.”
“ Good. Let’s go into the den to talk and then…” He smiled. “We eat.”
Caspian followed him glad to see his friend but concerned about what this meeting could be about.

Stephanie looked at her son as if he had lost his mind. “I had nothing to do with that paternity test. How could think that I had?”
“ What am I supposed to think? The police come with evidence that you had the test changed.”
“ Contrived evidence by that screw up of a hospital. Do you think they want to admit that they screwed up twice?”
“ So. Now it’s the hospital setting you up? Really mother. Which is it? The hospital or Brooke.”
“Don’t take that tone with me.” She snapped.
“ I’ll take any tone that I want until you tell me the truth.”
“ I told you..”
“ I don’t give a damn what you’ve told your lawyer or anybody else. I want you to come clean. Did you do it?”
“ No.” Stephanie tried to turn however Ridge grasped her arm.
“ I want the truth.”
“ I’ve told it you.”
“ I saw something in your eyes when the police came to get you. I know that look. It’s the same look you had in your eyes when I confronted you when you tried to trick Morgan into taking that abortionate.
“ I can’t believe that you are brining THAT.”
“ That was killing my son. Your grandchild. But you were willing to do that.”
“ I was trying to protect you and your marriage. Morgan was unbalanced and of course I didn’t want you to have a child with her. Not that it mattered. You did.”
“ Because I just couldn’t let me kill my son. No matter who his mother is I still love my son. So I have to wonder if you were willing to do that, why not do that to Bridget.”
“ Because I loved that little girl. You have to remember that she was MY granddaughter.”
“ By Brooke.”
“ That didn’t matter.” Stephanie bit her knuckle. “ Do you think that I could have hate Brooke that much that I’d sacrifice my granddaughter and my son. I saw the type of father you were with her. I saw how much you adored her. You loved her so much. Just like I love you the moment that you were born. Do you really think that I could just take that away from you? As a mother how could I do such a thing to my son? Do you really think that I’d steal your daughter whom I loved from you just to get rid of Brooke.” Tears filled her eyes. “ Do you really think that I could do that you you?” Ridge saw the pain in his mother’s eyes and was touched. All his life she had looked out for him. She was sometimes a bit overbearing but she had never actually hurt anyone until it came to Brooke. Brooke was when his mother lost all reason. But even with that, he’d never known his mother to do something to hurt him. Then there was Bridget. He remembered how much time she would spend with Bridget. She had loved those cozy tea parties and the lunches with her adorable granddaughter.
“ You did love her.”
“ I still do.” Stephanie shook her head. “ She’s granddaughter. She’s a Forrester. She has my blood running through her veins. Do you think that I’d deny my own flesh and blood?”
Ridge was silent for a moment. “No. I don’t. Mother I’m so sorry for what I was almost accusing you of.”
“ It’s alright honey.” Stephanie opened her arms while he hugged her. “ I know that this entire situation is confusing for you, your father and Bridget. But I swear to you that I had nothing to do with changing those paternity test.”
Ridge looked into his mother’s eyes. He thought that he knew all the answers. When he had come there earlier, he had wanted answers and for time in days he could breath. There were things that his mother would be willing to do to keep Brooke out of his life but there was a line. He had been deeply afraid that his mother had crossed it but after seeing her reaction to the questions that he asked he was sure that his mother had nothing to do with the paternity situation. “Mother. I believe you.”

Stephanie closed her eyes with relief. “Thank God.” She whispered.

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