Against All Odds Chapter Review (60)

Thorne tells Brooke that he only slept with Kimberly because he was drunk and begs her to give him another chance. Taylor shows up at the cabin and accuses Brooke of having an affair with Ridge. Taylor and Brooke call a temporary truce after a headed argument when they both realize they are there for the same reason, to think about their relationships with Forrester men. Bridget throws a pool party while her mother is away and surprised when Scott shows up at the door. Stephanie refuses to help Morgan until she signs away her Forrester stock. The doctor tells Stephanie that Morgan’s baby is in breach position and she needs a C-section or she and the baby will die. Kimberly goes to Thorne with news that upsets him.

Against all Odds Chapter 61 (Waiting For An Answer)

Thorne looked at the pregnancy test that Kimberly had given him. " This isn’t right, it can’t be!"

" It is right Thorne. I’ve been feeling bad lately. My period was late and I didn’t want to deal with it. I’ve been avoiding this but after today, I knew that I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to take the test." Kimberly closed her eyes and rubbed her arms. " I’m pregnant and I going to have your baby. So, what do we do now?" Thorne looked at her with disbelief.

" These things are often a mistake. It has happened. They aren’t 100% fool proof." Thorne looked for his car keys. " I’m going to the store and we will get another test. It is a mistake." Thorne hurried out the door.

" Thorne wait…." Kimberly yelled. Kimberly sighed. " It doesn’t matter Thorne. One test or a million test. They are all going to say the same thing. " I’m carrying your baby and there is nothing you can do about it." Kimberly had planned the entire thing. When Thorne couldn’t perform the night that she drugged him, she had gone into phase two. She had given him a blowjob and it took time but it worked. She had gotten some of his sperm and sealed in a cup. Keeping it at room temperature she rushed it over to clinic the next day, getting artificially inseminated. She wasn’t sure if it had taken. She wasn’t sure if this baby was Thorne’s. There was a chance that it belonged to Scott but he’d never admit to it and she’d make sure that he never opened his mouth. As far as she was concerned, this baby was Thorne’s. This baby was the key to everything. "I don’t think that you’ll be moving anywhere. And Brooke, she never will forgive you this. I’ll make sure of it. You are mine Thorne. You are mine forever. Just like Macy would have wanted it."

The paramedics rushed the woman on the gurney into the emergency room. " We have a female in her early 30’s who is in labor. She has lost a great deal of blood and the baby is in breach position. The female has lost consciousness and her pressure it up. Hurry!" Stephanie slowly walked to the nurse’s station; she had no choice but to involve Ridge. His son was going to be born and it would be best that he didn’t find out through the mornings papers. Stephanie cursed. Morgan was going to be a problem, a big one. Maybe it would have been best if…. no. No matter how much she hated Morgan, she could never leave her to die.

Scott walked into the beautiful house after Bridget. " Your house is really beautiful."

"Thanks, Ridge bought it for us when he and mom where married the first time." Bridget looked at Scott; she couldn’t help but to wonder what he looked like without a shirt on. She immediately blushed once that thought entered her head. . At that time Stacey walked into the living room.

"Bridget, we ran out of cokes. Can we get some more?" Stacey found Bridget with a hunky man whom she had never seen and was defiantly older. " I see why you haven’t been back to the pool." Stacey walked over toward Scott aware of how sexy she looked in the little red bikini that left nothing to the imagination. " Hello, I’m Stacey and you are?" She held out her hand toward Scott who just looked at her. There was something about the girl that reminded him of Kimberly. He didn’t even care to even know the girl. Stacey stood there holding out her hand for a moment and then turned around to leave clearly embarrassed by the snub. She wasn’t used to that sort of attention and her ego was bruised. " Don’t forget the cokes Bridget."

Bridget licked her lips. " Sorry about that Stacey is used to being the center of attention and most guys fawn all over her."

" They do? What a waste."

" Why do you say that?"

"Because it has given her a swelled head and she hadn’t had a chance to grow as a person." Scott looked at her so intensely that her blue eyes almost sparkled. " So, I guess that you are having a party."

" No….yes…well it wasn’t supposed to be a party. It was supposed to be a couple of girls but it turned out to be more than that."

Scott stroked his chin looked at Bridget. " So they invited guys." He moved closer to Bridget and she could smell the Polo sport that he wore. God, he spelled so good, she thought. Bridget’s breathe caught in her throat. At that moment, Jamie came into the living room through the kitchen. " I’m sorry, I was just wondered what was taking Bridget so long." Jamie looked at Scott and shook hand.

"Hey man."

Scott looked at the good-looking teen and noticed his interest in Bridget. " Hey"

Scott didn’t like how he looked at her and didn’t back up. " Bridget will be out in a bit, we are talking about something important." Jamie sized up his competition and stood there for a moment.

"Bridget, can speak for herself. Besides I’m waiting for her in the hot tub."

Bridget looked from Jamie to Scott; if she didn’t no better she thought that Scott was jealous of Jamie but that couldn’t be right. She must be misreading things because Scott wasn’t interested in her that way.

"Bridget?" Jamie looked at her.

"I’ll be there in a minute." Jamie looked at Scott again and left.

" Is he always like that. Trying to boss you around?" Scott said in perturbed voice

" Why should it matter?"

" Is he your boyfriend?"

"Like I said earlier, why should it matter?"

" I didn’t like the way that he came over here like that. He was trying to stake his claim like he owned you or something." Bridget shrugged her shoulders. " He wasn’t doing that and even he was why should you care? Shouldn’t be with YOUR girlfriend."

" What are talking about?"

"Come on Scott, I know about her. Your mother told me you were seeing someone at Rick’s party. Believe me, she let me know that you wouldn’t be…" Bridget shook her head. " Why are you here?" Bridget looked at Scott’s hands where he was holding some files. " For my mom, right? Well, she isn’t here. Just leave it for her." Bridget turned away before Scott could see the pain in her eyes."

"Bridget wait… don’t walk away. What did my mother say to you?"

Bridget laughed. " You know what, your mother did, she told me the truth. She just wanted to let me know that I was out of my league."

" Out of your league for what?"

"You really need to hear it, don’t you? You want hear about my feelings? So that you can do what? So that you and your perfect girlfriend and talk about poor Bridget who has a crush on you." Bridget turned away. "There! I’ve said it! And before you give me your pity, you can save it. I know that you only see me as a kid. That you like girls like Stacey and even that tramp Kimberly because they give you what you need."

"And just what do you think that I need Bridget?"

"Sex. A man like you needs an adult relationship and I’m too young and too inexperienced for someone like you."

"Is that what my mother said to you?" Bridget didn’t say a thing. Scott titled her head up with his fingers. " Is that what she said?"

" In a nutshell." Scott cursed. He had no idea that Lauren had talked to Bridget.

"She had no right to talk to you about me."

"It doesn’t matter. It’s the truth, you know it and so do I."

Scott gave Bridget a wiry smile. " So you think everything. You think that you know the truth. You don’t know a thing Bridget." Scott caressed her cheek. " You don’t know damn thing about me. And you don’t know anything about yourself because if you did, you’d know how hard it is for me to stand here and to keep my hands off of you."

Bridger’s heart began to beat fast. "But…"

"You’d also know that seeing that guy here tonight has made me jealous, something that I never experienced before I met you. You, who are hotheaded, are rude most of the time and a virgin! You, who has more passion and beauty in her little finger than all the Kimberly’s and Stacey’s in the world." Scott came closer to Bridget and cupped her face. " You", he whispered. " You, Bridget Forrester who has such talent that you hasn’t begun to tap into your full potential. You, whose childhood dreams have been destroyed but still, tries to find hope and happy ending for your mother. YOU, whose kiss was so innocent, sweet and incredibly intoxicating at the same time that I had to go home and take a cold shower. You, whose visions have kept me up all night because you are the one thing that I should turn away and leave alone. Because my mother for all her meddling is right. I am wrong for you. Too old, too much of a playboy. I haven’t been a virgin since I was 15. I know what is it is like to have sex and I enjoy it immensely. I’m not ready for marriage and I only deal with women who understand that and who don’t expect anything from me. Yet, I’ve chose to have feeling for YOU. YOU who are too wrong and too perfect for me." Bridget’s mouth hung open. Never in her life had she heard anything like that. " You, who thinks that I have a girlfriend and thinks that I didn’t like her kiss. You, who runs from me." He kissed her forehead gently, then her eyes and her nose. " You, who should run away from me…" He looked deeply into her eyes.

" You, who I want to kiss right now regardless of all the reasons that I shouldn’t."

Brooke sat looking out at the window of the cabin when there was a knock on the door. Brooke looked at Taylor who was reading something. Taylor shrugged her shoulders indicating she didn’t know who it could be. Brooke opened the door and was pleasantly surprised Megan and KC stood. " Surprise!" KC held up a basket while Megan held up a bottle of champagne.

" What are you two doing here?"

" We are here to cheer you up, now move aside lady." Megan said. KC followed Megan into the cabin and both ladies stopped in their tracks when they saw Taylor.

" Taylor?" Taylor rose from her seat on the couch.

" Megan, KC" KC and Megan looked at each other at a loss for words.

" So, ladies what are you doing here?" Brooke said trying to peek into the basket KC was holding.

" Brooke…well the last week or so you’ve been pretty depressed and all."

" Not that we blame you. But we have been worried." KC said as she put the basket down.

" SO when you left work in a rush, I went past your home and Bridget said that you had left for Big Bear. So we thought that we would come and cheer you up." Megan looked sheepishly at Brooke. "We hope that we aren’t overstepping our boundaries but we have been worried about you." Brooke couldn’t help but to smile.

"No you two. I appreciate you coming all this way to cheer me up."

" Well we didn’t expect you to have company already. Taylor what are you doing here?"

"It seems that Brooke and I sort of had the same idea. We thought that we’d come here and think about our relationships." KC took her jacket off and headed to the couch.

" Well ladies. I think that it’s time that you took your worries and threw them out the door and had some fun."

" Right!" Megan pulled Brooke to the couch. KC took opened the basket and started pulling out some amazing deserts. She pulled out a large box of Sandra’s pastries with petti-fours, mini éclairs and chocolate croissants and scones. She pulled out a large box of Godiva chocolates and wine." KC opened the box and handed it to Brooke who took out a piece and bit into the delicious chocolate.

Brooke closed her eyes. " Mmmm, good." KC handed the box to Taylor who took a piece of candy. Megan opened the bottle of champagne and poured four glasses and handed it out to the women. Brooke sipped the champagne. "This is delicious." Brooke then picked up a mini éclair and laughed. " This is totally fatting."

" Like you have to worry about that." Taylor pointed to Brooke. " She ate an entire meal and probably gain nothing."

" You must be related to KC." Megan said sitting on the floor. " The other day, I watched her eat whole plate of shrimp alfredo and then dessert. Just look at her, she wears a size what? Two? Zero?"

" I always eat on the run. With working strange hours I something forget to eat." KC took another piece of candy. " Except when it comes to chocolate. I can’t live without the stuff."

" You know what they say. Chocolate is sometimes a substitute for sex." Megan said. KC, Brooke, Megan and Taylor looked at each other then they took another piece of candy. It had been a while for all of them.

Ridge rushed through the hospital doors followed by his father. He went to the nurse’s desk. " I’m here about a patient, Morgan Dewitt." The nurse looked at Ridge and pointed toward the double doors on the left. " I’m sorry sir but I can’t tell you anything at the moment."

" Is she going to be alright? She apparently is having complications with my baby."

" Sir, I’m sorry about your wife but…"

" She isn’t my wife." The nurse shook her head; she had noticed the wedding band on her left finger. " Oh, well I’m sorry but you are going to have to sit down and wait for the doctor. I can’t tell you anything at all." Ridge cursed.

" Ridge, just sit down. Trying to intimidate this girl isn’t going to do a thing." Ridge followed his father.

" I can’t believe this. Morgan has been in town all this time and mother knew it. Dad, no matter how I feel about her, I didn’t want anything to happen to my son."

"I know son. I know." Eric too wondered why in the world had Stephanie kept Morgan’s where about a secret. He didn’t have a good feeling about this. Stephanie walked into the corridor when Ridge jumped up.

" Mother, how is the baby? How is Morgan?" Stephanie gave her son and her husband a grave look.

Bridget’s mouth went dry. Was she dreaming? She had to be; Scott was saying all those wonderful things about her. " You want to kiss me?"

" More than I’ve ever wanted to kiss anyone." Scott gently traced her bottom lip with his finger. His eyes caught hers and then his head slowly descended. Bridget closed her eyes. And felt the brush of Scott’s warm mouth against hers. She moved into his arms, his hand touched her warm skin that was uncovered by her bikini, while his mouth tasted hers.

"Open your mouth Bridget." He whispered against her lips. She opened her mouth and felt the rush of desire when his tongue swept into her mouth, it brushed against hers. She could taste the faint taste of peppermint on his tongue and loved it. She loved being in his arms. She loved kissing him. She loved the stroke of his tongue. She loved him. Scott cupped her head and tilted it to give him better access to her mouth. She timidly stroked his tongue with her own while her hands pulled his waist closer to her body. She felt his erection against her and was over whelmed with the power that a woman could have over a man. Scott deepened the kiss while his listened the tiny moans that Bridget made in the back of her throat. God, those moans were so sexy and he wanted nothing more than to show Bridget the miracle of making love. His mouth suddenly left hers and Bridget’s footing was thrown off. It took them a moment to catch their breath. Bridget looked down and noticed how hard her nipples as become under her bikini. Scott noticed two and couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her small breast covered in the soft material. Bridget’s eyes caught Scott and she blushed. She crossed her arms over her breast. Scott gently caught her face and rubbed her lower lip.

" That was more than I ever expected. I want you to know that I ended the kiss because it was going to get out of hand, not because I didn’t like it. I liked it a great deal." Bridget smiled then her smile faded.

"What about your girlfriend?"

"Bridget, I don’t have a girlfriend."

" But I saw with Trudie and your mother…"

" Trudie?" Scott laughed. " You thought that Trudie was my girlfriend. Bridget, I was friends with Trudie’s brother. We are friends but only friends."

" You don’t have a girlfriend?"

"No, I don’t." Bridget smiled. Scott loved her smile, he had hardly seen it and to see that she was happy filled his heart with joy. Before she knew it, Scott kissed her again. Softly this time. When he pulled away he caressed her face. " Well, you had better get back to your party. I’m going to leave these folders for your mother."

" Oh?" Bridget’s disappointment was obvious. What had happened here? He kissed her, told her that he didn’t have a girlfriend and now was leaving. Scott was the disappointment in her eyes and smiled to himself.

"Are you busy tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? No."

" There is a nice showing down at the museum. Would you like to go with me?"

Bridget looked at him with awe and wonder. "You want to go out with me?"

"Yes, Bridget. Would you like to go out with me tomorrow."

Bridget nodded her head. " Yes, I’d love to go."

Scott smiled and kissed her again. " Good, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 6. There is a little restaurant that I’d like to take you too also." Bridget smiled and leaned forward for another kiss. Scott stopped her with his fingers.

" There is only so much a man can take. I’ll see you tomorrow." Bridget walked him to the door and watched as he drove off.

Brooke poured herself a glass of wine; the champagne was long gone as well as the chocolates and most of the pastries. But Brooke had found some ice cream and she and KC had created sundaes. The last hour has been fun; they had talked about a great deal of issues.

" I’m telling you, she has a motorcycle." KC said as she bit into a petit four.

"Who?" Brooke moved to the sofa and handed Megan an ice-cream sundae.

"Trudie. She came roaring up into the parking lot at work on it the other day." I think that Stephanie almost has a heart attack. Trudie had a leather outfit on and when she took off the helmet and her blonde hair went flying all around her, most of the men stopped dead in their tracks watching her like she was their vision of a wet dream. When Stephanie saw her she tried to order off the property. I thought the two of them where going to get into a screaming match right there, but Trudie just walked past Stephanie stating she was jealous because she had never had anything that big between her legs." Brooke burst out laughing at that comment. She wished she had been there to see it.

"She is interesting. I love her style. Brooke you did a great job picking her. The cutters finished a dress that Scott and I worked on. She put it on and she looked fantastic. As far as I’m concerned, she could ride to work on an elephant, it doesn’t matter because she makes my clothes look fabulous."

" Your clothes make a woman look fabulous. It was a smart move on my part hiring you." Brooke looked down at her glass. " I just wish that I could make other decisions as easily as I made when I hired you." Megan looked at KC.

" Men" Megan said. "They have a way of making your life much more difficult than it could be."

" They can make it pleasurable too."

Taylor looked at KC. " You can say that because you have a king among men. Connor is fantastic. He always seems to know the right thing to say and how to treat a lady."

" I have to attest to that." Brooke laid back on the sofa. " When we were dating, he was wonderful. Always bringing me gifts, trying to help me. Besides he was always a great kisser. If it wasn’t for him, I’d never have that Forrester stock."

" He is wonderful, isn’t he?" KC laughed. " And a fantastic kisser."

" He is also crazy about you. Brooke, you and Taylor should see the flowers and chocolates she received all of last week. He sent her lunch, concert tickets and don’t forget the balloons. He was so worried that KC wasn’t going to speak to him again."

" What happened?"

" I was really mad about the press conference. I invited him to the show and he shows up and creates this ruckus with your divorce and all." KC pointed to Taylor.

"You were upset about that?" Taylor was shocked.

"I was mad. He was supposed to see me and he ended up on television with you with the biggest scandal of the year."

Taylor looked uncomfortable. " I didn’t mean to make any problems between you two. It was my idea. I wanted to prove a point with Ridge. I wanted him to be embarrassed like I was at Rick’s party but I didn’t mean to cause any problem with your relationship with Connor."

"It’s all right. I’ve forgiven him. Although I miss seeing him popping up at work to see me since he has been banned from the building."

"He’s been what?" Brooke sat up. " Who banned him from the building?"

"Eric and Stephanie. They are upset that he is representing Taylor in the divorce."

" He is my lawyer, they have no right to do this. It is so amazing, they want me to keep Kimberly on as a model but they ban Connor from the building. Don’t worry KC; I’ll handle that when I get back. There isn’t any reason that you shouldn’t be allowed to spend time with Connor in the building. I own that company and although what happened isn’t something I want to happen again…" She looked at Taylor. " Connor isn’t to blame for doing his job. Besides one of us should have a happy love life."

"Well Megan could have a interesting love life if she want one." KC nudged Megan.

" Who is it?" Brooke said.

Taylor ginned." I’d like to know too."

Megan blushed. " There isn’t anyone." When Taylor and Brooke looked like they didn’t believe her she looked at KC. " You have a big mouth."

" You still love me." KC winked at Megan.

" Well, I haven’t told him how I felt." Megan looked away.

"It’s Giovanni." KC said, filling in the missing information.

" KC!" Megan blushed again.

" You should let him know how you feel. I think that you’d be surprised how he’d respond."

" He is sexy and very much an Italian male. He is also kind and caring. I remember how he took me out dinner and tried to cheer me up when Thorne had married Macy and I was depressed."

"You didn’t kiss him too did you Brooke?" Megan asked.

"No! Why are you acting like I’ve kissed all the men in you lives…" Brooke stopped and looked at KC, Megan and Taylor. " Okay, so I have kissed Taylor and KC’s men but it only shows you that you have good taste." Brooke looked at Taylor. " Well, most of you." Brooke touched Megan on the shoulder. " If you have feelings for him you should let him know. Love is a precious thing you should give it a chance."

KC looked at Brooke and moved to sit next to her.

" Are you talking about yourself? Are you going to give Thorne another chance?"

" KC, I don’t know."

"Do you still love him?"

"Yes."

" I can’t tell you what to do. I’ve been on both ends of the situation. I once had the most incredible fiancée. He was everything that I wanted or ever dreamed about. I screwed up badly with my best friend in the world. One night, we were together and this instant attraction happened. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It was like pure heat, explosive and wrong." Brooke knew all about that. Instant attraction, that was what she had with Caspian. "The next thing I knew we were naked and having the most incredible sex. In the morning, I was sorry but it too late. My fiancé has found out. I begged for another shot but it was too late. He never could forgive me, I’m not sure if I could forgive myself for what I did. " KC shook her head mentally. " God, I never talk about that, it was a real painful time in my life." She looked at Brooke. " I guess what I’m saying is that we all make mistakes. Believe me, I wish that I had another shot with to make up for what I did but I didn’t get it. Sometimes we get a second chance and sometimes we don’t." No one said a thing; no truer words had ever been spoken.

Ridge paced back and forth. He doctors had told him nothing, his mother had told him nothing. He had asked but she had said nothing stating that she’d clear things up once the baby was born. Ridge couldn’t seem to keep Taylor out of his head. This should be her, having his baby, not Morgan.

Morgan tried to open her eyes but she was drugged. The oxygen mask got in the way when she tried to talk. " Please… she kidnapped me……Stephanie" The nurse mopped her brow.

" It’s going to be alright, we are doing everything that we can. You’ll be ….." The nurse stopped suddenly.

"Baby….please save my baby." Morgan’s eyes closed. When she heard the doctor alarmed voice fade away saying that she was bleeding to death. She also heard the rapid beating of the heart monitor.

Rick heard noise and laughter when he drove up to his mother’s house. He got out of the car and walked around back where a bunch of teenagers were playing in the pool. He noticed Stacie and walked over.

" Hey what is going on here?"

" Bridget is throwing a little shin-dig. Isn’t it great?" Rick noticed the martini glass in Stacie’s hand. He then looked over at the bar and all the bottles of liquor that were out. He himself had drunk when he was underage, but he knew his mother well enough that she’d never allow underage drinking in her house. Something must be wrong. He looked around at some of the kids and knew that they shouldn’t be drinking. What in the hell was Bridget thinking?"

Bridget was up in her art studio sketching. She wanted to capture the moment that she had shared with Scott in her sketchbook. She had been caught up in her artwork that she had never returned to the party or paid attention to the time slowly passing by. Cynthiana opened the door to the studio.

" There you are Bridget. I’ve been looking for you." Bridget didn’t look up put continued to sketch.

" I’ve been working." Bridget showed Cynthiana the sketch of Scott.

" Wow, he is a real cutie." Cynthiana smiled. " I heard he came by and I guess I can understand why you are here. This is your world, but you had better get downstairs."

"Why?"

"Because Stacey and Jennifer got into your mother’s liquor cabinet and they’ve given out the liquor AND invited a few more people."

"Shit!"

" Shit is right." Bridget ran down the stair and was greeted by her brother.

"Bridget, what in the hell are you thinking?" Rick held up a liquor bottle. " You know better."

"I didn’t have anything to do with that"

"What have you been doing?"

" I was working on my artwork." Bridget grabbed the bottle and walked outside to the group of teens. She noticed Stacey and Jennifer lounging in the pool with their boyfriends.

"What in the hell do you think that you are doing? I never told you to open the liquor cabinet. I told you not too!"

"Calm down Bridget. You were just too busy playing kissy face with that man to notice. We thought that we’d liven up the party." Jamie scowled at Bridget when Stacey mentioned Bridget kissing Scott. Bridget ignored him. " Get out!"

"Bridget…"

"Get out of my house!"

"That is exactly what I was going to say!" Bridget swung around at her father’s voice.

"Shit!" She whispered to herself.

Eric walked over toward the teens in the pool. " Get out! I’ll call cabs for those of you who decided to drink." Eric looked at Bridget and she had a major sinking feeling in her stomach. "Where the hell is your mother! I can’t believe that she’d allow you to have a party!"

"She didn’t."

"Where the hell is she?"

"She went to Big Bear."

" And she left you alone to have a party! God, what is that woman thinking." Eric walked away angrily. Rick gave Bridget a stern look.

" Just great Budge. Now he is going to blow up at mom."

" Shut Up Rick! What do you care? You’ve been gone for more than a week. I don’t think your parting conversation with mom was all that civil the way that mom has told it. You acted like a spoiled brat because you didn’t get some company stock." Bridget walked away from her brother in a huff. How did things go from great to bad?" Once all the kids where sent home Bridget sat on the sofa wearing a t-shirt and looking at her irate father.

"I tried calling you when one of your friends answered the phone. I’d figured something was amiss since this is a school night."

" Dad, it’s finals"

" Don’t say a word." Eric looked at Rick. " I see that your brother got here just before I did so don’t lie to me telling me that your mother left you with him. Brooke had no idea that Rick was back yet. It’s just like her to do something like that. Just leave and not tell anyone."

" I don’t she thinking clearly. She’s upset about her breakup with Thorne." Bridget added hating that her father would use this against her mother.

" I don’t care why she did this, it’s just something that she has done before. When things get tough, your mother runs."

" That’s enough dad!" Rick looked at her father, the heat growing in his eyes. " Mom knows that she can trust Bridget. I’m sure that she wasn’t planning to be gone more than a day. I know that she didn’t mean…"

" Your mother wasn’t being responsible. As usual." Eric sighed. " Look, Bridget I’ll deal with you and your punishment later." Eric looked at her daughter. " And there will be a punishment." Bridget opened her mouth, she had a date and being grounded would ruin it.

"Why are you here dad?"

"How dare you ask me that question? I’m your father."

" She asks that questions because she can’t remember the last time you came over here. She wants to know what brings you here especially this time of night." Eric hated the way that his children were making it sound that he wasn’t interested in their lives.

"I wanted to let you know before you read it in the paper. It’s about Morgan." Bridget stopped rolling her eyes.

" What about Morgan?" Panic filled her. Morgan had resigned and was gone, she prayed that she’d never come back or most importantly, never investigate the where about of her missing tape.

"Well, there has been a complications with her baby."

" Her baby? Where has Morgan been all this time?" That was a question that Eric couldn’t answer. Only Stephanie could and she hadn’t told anyone where she had found Morgan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor lay in her bed watching the moonlight glow through her bedroom window. Memories of Ridge and her filled her mind. She remembered the first time that she had ever come to Big Bear. She had come to go skiing with Ridge and it turned out to be an entire family affair with Brooke, Eric and Rick who was a baby at the time. Later Stephanie showed up. Although she had a good time, it was clear even then that she would never be the one true woman in Ridge’ life, Ridge was still connected to Brooke. But she loved him, had loved him for years. She’d never forget how Ridge had romanced her with dinners, dresses and fantastic trips. St. Thomas had been the most wonderful time in her life. Tears filled her eyes. " Why couldn’t it be enough? Why did you have to ruin what we had?" Tears slipped silently down her cheeks. " What am I going to do know that you will no longer be in my life?" Taylor turned on to her side where a picture lay of her children. " As angry as she was and would most likely continue to be, she knew that her children needed their father. She’d never share joint custody of her children, she couldn’t bear to life without them, but she’d decided to have a more than fair visitation schedule for Ridge. She had been very worried about her children. She had tried to explain that daddy wouldn’t live with them anymore. Thomas had been so quiet and sullen while the girls had cried. For them, she could do most anything. She’d make sure that Ridge was still an important part of their lives as well as his grandparents. But she couldn’t subject herself to marriage with a man who would never be content with what he had, no matter how much she loved him. And she still loved him. Loved him and hated him at the same time. This time away had been good; it was helping her to clear her head. She had to focus on herself though and knew that anger wasn’t a good way to deal with any situation. It was hard though, every time she saw him, the anger resurfaced. Still she had to deal with everything for herself and her children.

 

 

Brooke lay on her stomach looking out the window in her bedroom. She couldn’t sleep; she had tossed and turned all evening. Her mind kept replaying her conversation with Thorne. She kept seeing the pain in his eyes. He loved her; she knew it. Still, the echoing thought of Kimberly filled her head. Kimberly taunting her with Kimberly’s affair with Thorne. It was a lie, the whole thing was lies. Brooke turned over. She had found happiness with Thorne, they were close to having it all and then….. Then he slept with Kimberly. Brooke thought about what KC had said and wondered if she was throwing everything away because of one night. A night that she had almost made a similar mistake except she wasn’t drunk on liquor, she had been drunk with intense emotions for Caspian. She had turned him an away but still he had protected her and made sure she was safe. Still, she had done the right thing; being with Caspian would have ruined everything with Thorne. " Oh, Thorne. Why didn’t you turn Kimberly away? It was so hard for me to turn Caspian away, but I did for you. Why couldn’t you do the same?"

Still she couldn’t help but to remember how he stood up to his family for her. How he had given up so much for her. Tears filled her eyes. Was this a test? Did this happen to make her think about how much she really loved Thorne? Wasn’t Caspian enough of a test? She had never mentioned Caspian to Thorne and she never planned to. Was she willing to let go of Thorne because of a mistake that he had made?

Kimberly stood under the hot spray of the water. Everything was working out the way that she had planned it. Thorne had come back with 5 different tests and he expected her to take them all. She played it up then, asking him why he didn’t believe her. He had demanded that she take the test and she did. They all came out with the same result. She was pregnant. She had cried and asked Thorne what they were going to do now. He had said nothing; just sat there staring at the pregnancy test like looking at it would change anything. Thorne had been in his own world hardly saying anything when she begged to stay the night because she was lonely and scared. He just nodded and she wondered if he had even heard her. It didn’t matter, he’d get over the shock and then he’d realize that he’d be tied forever. Kimberly slipped out of the shower and put on Thorne’s robe. She inhaled loving his scent. She went into his bedroom and slipped under the covers. She gently touched her stomach.

" You are the key to my happiness. There is no way that your daddy will leave us now."

Thorne sat on the sofa looking at the pregnancy test. He didn’t know how much time had passed or even that hours had gone by. He couldn’t believe it and if he hadn’t bought the test and seen first hand that Kimberly had taken it. For years he had wanted a child when he and Macy where married and nothing happened. He also wanted to have a baby with Brooke, but one night. One night with Kimberly, he had gotten her pregnant. A baby! A baby born out of rape. He couldn’t ask Kimberly to abort his child. He now knew that he was a fool to think that he had a second chance with Brooke. It was over. Thorne couldn’t cry, he couldn’t drink, all that he could do was to sit there and be numb. He felt numb all over. He was going to be a father to Kimberly’s child and there was nothing that he could do to change it.

Brooke packed her bags quietly, not wanting to disturb the other women. Megan and Taylor had retired to go to sleep while KC stayed up to work on her sketches. She closed the door to her bedroom. KC looked up at her sketch and looked at her watch, it was well past 11. " I thought that you were asleep?"

"I couldn’t. Thoughts of Thorne and other things kept eating at me." KC noticed the bags in Brooke’s hand.

" Brooke you are heading home?"

"Yes"

" Is everything alright?"

"Yes. I’ve had time to think. Think about a lot of things especially what you said earlier." Brooke titled her head softly. " This place has been a place for a great deal happiness and pain in my life. Ridge first asked me to marry him here but I also cheated on Eric here. Stephanie and I fought here, Macy fought here but I gave birth to Bridget here. Tonight with you and Megan and even Taylor, it gave me a new meaning for me and I thank you for that. It has given the time to think. What you said earlier about giving into passion and it ruining things for you. I understand that. I’m not going to let that happen. Anyway, I have a lot to discuss and a future."

" Does it include Thorne?" Brooke smiled for the first time since the fashion show.

" Yes. He made a mistake and if anyone can work it out, it will be me. I love him and I want things to work out for us. Tell Megan and Taylor that I said thank you. Be safe, I left the keys for you."

" Good luck Brooke."

Brooke headed to her car and threw her bags into her car. She could finally breath; she had made a decision. She knew all about the passion that had gotten KC in trouble, she had experienced it with Caspian and she has hadn’t given in. Could she cast stones at Thorne knowing how close she had been to giving in and ruining what they had. He had made a mistake, the same mistake she had made in the past. He hadn’t had an affair with Kimberly, he had gotten drunk and she was sure that he had made a mistake and together they could accomplish it. Suddenly a vision of Caspian filtered threw her head.

" He isn’t for you Brooke. It won’t work. You belong with me."

" It will work, Caspian. I love him" Brooke mentally shook the vision of him out of her head. She had made a decision and nothing could stop her. Not Kimberly or her own betraying visions of Caspian.

The doctor came out of the OR room toward Ridge. " Mr. Forrester."

" How are the baby and Morgan?"

" I think that you had better sit down."

Brook pulled up to Thorne’s house. It was late or better yet earlier in the morning but it didn’t matter, she’d surprise him. She walked to Thorne’s door and opened the door. "Thorne…" She walked into his bedroom to the sleeping figure in the bed. Brooke smiled. And gently pulled back the covers and was shocked to find a naked Kimberly asleep in Thorne’s. Kimberly murmured in her sleep.

" Thorne…." Anger coursed through Brooke’s body as betrayal hit her. He had been lying. Brooke was so angry that she left the bedroom and was headed out the front door when she realized that she might be walking into a trap. What if this was a set up on Kimberly’s part to keep her away from Thorne. Kimberly was manipulative and was clearly obsessive about Thorne. Brooke was on her way toward the bedroom when the sliding door opened and Thorne came through. Thorne stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Brooke. He looked toward the bedroom where a sleeping Kimberly was.

" Brooke…" Brooke looked at Thorne and guilt was there in his eyes. She had been a fool. He was lying.

" Is there something that you want to tell me?"

"Brooke…" Thorne didn’t know what to say. What could he do to make things right?

"Why is Kimberly in your bed?" Thorne said nothing. " Answer damn it! Why is she in your bed!"

"Brooke… I…" Thorne faltered. Pain hit Brooke.

"You bastard!" Brooke smacked Thorne hard across his face. He was going to lie to her. He was going to sit there and lie. She had come here to tell him that she wanted to give them another shot and that she loved him enough to get past the fact that he slept with Kimberly. But now she had a clear picture. He was having an affair with Kimberly and no intention of stopping.

"Save it! What ever you have to save it! What a fool that I’ve been. I came tonight because…" Brooke headed toward the door. " You stay away from me!"

"Brooke you don’t…"

" You stay the hell away from me!" Brooke ran out of the door and headed fast to her car. Thorne would have been able to catch her but he trip over Kimberly’s purse. By the time he got outside she was pulling off in a hurry. "Brooke! Brooke!" Thorne screamed.

Thorne ran back into his house and looked for his keys.

"Chasing her isn’t going to help, she’s upset." Thorne turned his gaze toward Kimberly.

" What in the hell did you say to her?" Thorne grabbed her roughly. Kimberly winced.

" I didn’t say anything and I didn’t even know she was here until I woke up to her screaming. Don’t take your anger out on me; I’ve got a lot of my own problems. YOUR baby! You remember that. I could care less about your melodrama with Brooke. I will say this…when the lying going to end? What are you going to tell her? I’m having baby and there isn’t a thing that you can tell her that is going to make her forgive you or me for that." Thorne looked at Kimberly and cursed. Then he dropped his car keys on the table. He turned away from Kimberly. A single tear ran down his cheek.

" Brooke, what have I done to us?"

Kimberly smiled. She had just won the battle.

 

Against All Odds Chapter Review 61 (Waiting For An Answer)

Megan and KC show up at Big Bear to cheer Brooke up and is surprised to see Taylor. They ladies drink, eat pastries and talk about their relationships. KC tells Brooke and the others that she had made a mistake when she was engaged and she slept with another man causing her relationship to be ruined. Later, Taylor thinks about her marriage to Ridge and is saddened that she and the children weren’t enough. Morgan live is in danger when she is rushed to the hospital. Ridge is called and wonders where Morgan has been. Stephanie stays mum. A drugged Morgan tries to tell a nurse what happens to her when she blacks out. The doctor worries when it looks as if Morgan is bleeding to death. Ridge worries about his child. Bridget and Scott share an intense passionate kiss when he opens up about his feelings for her. Scott asks Bridget out on a date for the next day. Bridget caught up with Scott that she doesn’t notice that her friends get into the liquor cabinet. Rick arrives at the house and wonders what is going on. Bridget orders her friends out when Eric arrives. He rails at Bridget and wonders where Brooke is. He blames Brooke for leaving Bridget alone with an open liquor cabinet. Rick and Bridget defend Brooke stating their mother is having a rough time and that she trusts Bridget. Eric refuses to listen. Brooke thinks about Caspian and how she almost gave into him. She thinks about Thorne and how much he loved her. She leaves the cabin and heads to Thorne to tell him she wants to work things out. Thorne is shocked to find that Kimberly is pregnant and it upset when the other tests that he makes her take say the same thing. Kimberly is overjoyed and remembers being artificially inseminated; still the teen knows that the baby could be Scott’s as well as Thorne’s. Kimberly slips into Thorne’s bed while Thorne is numbed by the news. Brooke arrives at Thorne’s house and finds a sleeping Kimberly in Thorne’s bed, when she goes to confront her, Thorne comes in and is caught off guard. Brooke asks Thorne what Kimberly is going in his bed, when he falters because of his own guilt about the baby, Brooke assumes that he is still seeing Kimberly. Brooke slaps Thorne and orders him to stay away. Thorne tries to follow her but is stopped when Kimberly points out that Brooke will never forgive him or her when she learns about a baby. Kimberly is ecstatic that Thorne doesn’t go after Brooke.

Chapter 62 ( The Rose Colored Glasses Come Off)

Bridget took her Physics book from her locker and frowned when she saw Jennifer coming her way. Bridget turned her back and finished backing her bag. Jennifer frowned when she saw what Bridget did. "Bridget, I can’t believe that you still aren’t talking to me."

"Why not, I got grounded because of you. I didn’t want to have that party in the first place. I told you no guys and I especially told you no drinking."

" But you didn’t seem to mind having Scott around. In fact I heard all about that kiss you were sharing with him." Bridget put her book in her backpack.

" You opened my mom’s liquor cabinet. What if someone drove home drunk and got killed? My dad railed at me and grounded me. When my mom came back home, he blamed the whole thing on her. They were already having problems with their relationship and now things are worse." Bridget looked at Jennifer. "She was already going through a bad time and something happened on trip…she looked so bad. Then when my dad started in and she just took it, she didn’t even argue."

"Your dad doesn’t live with you."

" Yeah but he stayed at my house until she came home." Bridget gave Jennifer a look of hate. "Thanks a lot. My mom really trusted me and I screwed up. I also missed my date with Scott because I got grounded."

" Bridget I’m sorry. Can you still go to Hawaii at the end of the week?" Bridget sighed. Carla and her parents were going to Hawaii and they asked her if she wanted go. Brooke had said yes since Bridget’s finals would be over and she had done well in school.

"Yeah, I can still go. BUT I’m grounded until I go. You don’t know what you did. I had a date with one of the world’s most incredible guy and I had to break it and tell him that I couldn’t go with him because I was grounded! Do you know that was humiliating for me!" Bridget brushed past Jennifer. " I have a final to take. Just do me a favor and leave me alone." Bridget walked past Jennifer; she hoped that she would be able to do well on the final. She had so much on her mind, yesterday she could hardly study, and she was worried. Her mom had been strangely silent hardly saying anything about the party except that she was disappointed in her. There had been the humiliating conversation with Scott who said that he understood, but she still didn’t feel well. She didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t want to think about being embarrassed in front of Scott, her mother ‘s pain and most especially she didn’t want to thing about what happened to Morgan.

 

 

Kimberly loved the white leather pants and matching jacket hanging in the store window. It would look stunning on her but she wouldn’t be able to wear something like that for long, not with the baby coming. Kimberly thought about it for a moment and then changed her mind, it didn’t matter, and she’d wear it and look great. Kimberly looked down at her bags; she had spent the morning pampering herself. She had gotten a facial, manicure, pedicure and a massage. She had almost maxed out the credit cards shopping, but the best part was when a group of girls had seen her and fawned over her about being the "Princess" model. She loved it, the way they all wanted to be her. She loved modeling and it was time to get back to it. After all, soon she’d be too big with her baby to model. Kimberly hadn’t felt this good in such a long time, she had everything that she wanted. She had her job, she had Thorne and she had his baby. Kimberly smiled at the thought of Thorne. He was backed into a corner and he knew it. It was all over between Brooke and Thorne and she couldn’t have felt better. Soon, she’d convince Thorne to marry her and she’d have everything that she ever wanted. Kimberly took the white leather outfit to the sale’s clerk. Kimberly walked out of the store and head to another store when she saw Rick and Eve standing in the back of a high priced store. Kimberly smiled. Why not make this day a little better?

Eve looked at the beautiful white shimmering single shouldered dress hanging on the hanger. " I’m not sure Rick, have you looked at the price of this dress. It’s more than I’d make in a year."

Rick frowned. "Eve, I told you that price doesn’t matter." Eve sighed.

" But it does to me." Eve put the dress back down. " I can’t afford things like these. God, no wonder your family is rich if you all make this kind of money on a single dress." Rick hugged Eve from behind and nipped her ear and smiled. Eve pulled away and smiled at him. " I know what you are thinking…and NO."

"No to what?"

" Rick, this a first. A dinner with your mom and it is going to be really special for me. But it isn’t special enough for me to allow you to spend a small fortune on a dress."

"I’ve got plenty of money to burn."

"No you don’t, you have got to invest that money wisely. This is why your mother gave you what money. Not to spend it on it." Eve was caught off guard by Rick’s traveling hand, which was currently making its way down her breast. His hands slowly caressed a nipple through the white spaghetti strapped top she wore. " Rick…" Eve giggled. She stopped his hand with her own. " I’d think that you’d better stop. Or it will lead to other things."

" Like what?"

"I don’t know.. Like a little something in one of these dressing rooms." Rick gave Eve an astonished playful look.

" I’d never thought of that. But that sounds like a really good idea." Rick started to nuzzle Eve’s neck with his lips. " Those dressing rooms look big enough to do so many things in. Have you ever done it in a dressing room? I’d like to try it because I bet it is a lot of fun? Rick said playfully. Eve’s eyes darkened for a moment when a flash of memory hit her.

(Memory)

Eve stood standing in the middle of a large dressing room wearing nothing but a skintight black corset and matching black thong panties. Her hair was pinned up in bun with a few loose ringlets of hair, her face was made-up heavily with white powder, kupie doll red lips, and large black fake eye lashes. All around her was her reflection; she didn’t want to look at it, the creature in the mirror, the creature that was her. He came up behind her. His fingers traced her shoulders slowly. His mouth kissed his way up her shoulders toward her neck. " You are everything that Kyle said that you’d be and more." He looked at her through the reflection of the mirror. He moved away from her standing back, still watching her through the mirrors. " Take it off." Her eyes jumped and met his in the mirror.

" Take everything off slowly." Eve reached up to take her hair down. " NO! Leave the hair up, I want you to leave your hair up." Eve stilled her hand. She reached for the hooks in the front of her corset and slowly unhooked them. Slowly the corset opened showing off her naked skin to the man who was standing on the corner.

"That’s it Angel. Now drop it on the floor." She dropped the corset slowly.

" That’s it. Now, touch yourself." Eve slowly bought her hand to her breast; she circled her nipple slowly as she watched him watching her through the mirror. Pure heat radiated through his eyes. "Now move your hand down." Eve lowered her eyes. " Now, I want to see your eyes when you touch yourself. Eve looked back into the mirror she saw that he was unbuttoning his white dress shirt and had already shed his jacket. Eve lowered her fingers to slowly down her breast toward her stomach down to her panties. Her fingers slipped down under the waistband of her panties touch herself between her legs. His eyes darkened. "Yes, that is it. Just like that." He made his way toward her standing behind her again. His hand slipped under her panties to cup her own hand. " That’s it Angel. We are going to have so much fun. I bought so many toys for us to play with. You’d like that wouldn’t you? I have a dildo with your name on it. I’d like to see you play with it. Would you like to take it into your mouth, your soft little pu$$y or how about somewhere else? His other hand rubbed her bottom and traced where the globes separated. " Have you ever taken it up here? I’d like you to do that…wouldn’t you do that for me?" Eve saw the pleasure in his eyes. Whatever he wanted, she’d do, she didn’t have a choice. She hoped that he didn’t want her to really do that. She hadn’t done that before although there wasn’t much she had done in her 17 years of life. His mouth came back to her shoulder and nipped at it. His fingers were on top of hers, which was resting over her nub. He used her fingers to circle and manipulate her nub. She felt his own arousal that was pressed against her bottom through his pants.

"Yesss… that it. My little Angel. You and I are going to have fun. Tonight, I’m going to do things that even you haven’t done." Eve saw her reflection and she clearly saw the silent single tear that slipped down her cheek.

(Fade Back To The Present)

"Eve, Eve..Are you all right?" Eve shook the horrible memory form her head. She turned toward Rick and smile.

" Yes everything is fine. I was just thinking about tonight."

" You aren’t nervous are you? Mom is dying to meet you."

" Your mom is an extraordinary woman. I just want to make a good impression."

Rick kissed her gently. " You don’t have to worry about making a good impression. She already likes you."

" She doesn’t know me but I’m hoping that after tonight she will. I really want her to see that I’m not with you because you are a Forrester but because I love you." Eve touched Rick gently on the face. Tears started to weld up in her eyes. " You don’t how much I love you. I never thought that I’d find the type of happiness that I’ve found with you. I don’t want to lose you."

Rick cupped Eve’s face. " Hey, hey honey. Where is this coming from? You have me. You are the best thing that has happened to me. You are the one true thing that I can count on and depend on. You are so sweet, so honest. I can always expect you to tell me the truth." Rick hissed Eve gently. " Listen I have to ask the sale’s lady a question I’ll be right back." Eve watched as Rick left. He trusted her, he expected her to tell the truth. She had always told Rick the truth except when it came to her past, those missing years. She could never tell him the truth, if she did, she’d lose him. She had been a nervous wreck when the man from the fashion show had recognized her she had been so scared. Rick had been in such a tizzy over his mother’s decision about his inheritance that he hadn’t noticed, thank god. Eve picked up the white dress again, it was beautiful and she was sure that she would look beautiful in it; still it was way too much money. Eve was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t see Kimberly come in and walked up behind her.

"Well, well, well. You haven’t wasted your time have you? Already you have Rick buying you all sorts of gifts. I’m sure that he loves showing you the good things you can get as part of the good life."

Eve put the dress back on the hanger. " Kimberly what do you want?"

"I don’t anything, I have everything that I’ve always wanted."

" You do don’t you? You never wanted Rick did you." Kimberly shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

"You did have your uses after all didn’t you Eve. Who would have thought that you would be so useful? You kept Rick busy and I had all the time in the world for poor lonely Thorne."

" There is something seriously wrong with you. All this time, you’ve been after Thorne. He is too old for you and he doesn’t even love you. You have to be the craziest woman in the world. He loves Brooke, even I know that." Kimberly’s eye twitched, how dare this little tramp talk to her about Thorne’s love for Brooke.

" Thorne may love Brooke but he loves what is in between my legs. And in the end, he’ll forget all about her. Just like Rick will forget about you after he is through. You are so wrong for him and eventually even Brooke will figure that out. So you’d better get that dress and anything else Rick wants to buy you because it ain’t going to last. You are only a step up from Amber." Kimberly started to sashay away when she turned back around.

" Just one more thing Eve. You and I both know that I really didn’t want Rick. I made it very easy for you to have him, what do you think would have happened if I had wanted him. I don’t think you’d be buying that dress, do you?" Kimberly walked out the door. Rick came from the other direction when he saw Eve looking furious.

" Is everything all right?"

Eve put a smile on her face. " Yes, everything is fine." Telling Rick about Kimberly would only upset him. Still a small part of Kimberly’s tirade had gotten to her. Kimberly had been after Thorne from the beginning, now she saw that. But what if she had really wanted Rick, would he be standing next to her?

Taylor walked into the front door of her house telling the driver to put her bags down. She paid him a hefty tip and sat down on the sofa. She sat down on the sofa feeling relaxed for the first time in a long while. The last two days at the cabin had been great. She had spent yesterday thinking hard about what she was going to do when she was no longer married to Ridge. Taylor picked up Steffy’s toy bear and smiled. She had called on her way home, the children where at Stephanie and Eric’s house and they’d bring them over later. Taylor decided not to change her clothes staying in her blue jeans and a white buttoned up shirt. She was going to take the children to a park before it got dark; she missed her babies and was dying to see them. Taylor thought about calling Connor to let him know that she was back into town but she changed her mind. She was feeling way too relaxed to deal with Ridge at the moment.

 

Connor shook his head as he walked toward the elevator toward his office. Court today had been hell but he had pulled it off and his clients were very happy and so was he. Connor rode the elevator to his floor. " Hold my calls please." He told Jan his secretary as he walked into his office. He threw his file down on his desk and headed over toward the bar to pour himself a drink. He heard the door to his office open. " Jan you can head home now, I’m going to close up earlier."

" Why is that? Did you have a hard day in court?" Connor smiled and turned around to find the very sexy alluring KC in his office looking stunning in a long sleeved black and white dress that was made out the finest silk. Its design was simple created from a weaving curve of black and white; it had a matching belt and an opened collar that displayed a simple diamond cross. She walked toward the desk and smiled.

" Yes, today was tough but it seems that it is going to get better."

" Why is that?"

"Because I’m now sitting here looking at you."

KC walked over toward Connor who was sitting in his leather chair. She turned the chair so he was sitting directly in front of her. She leaned forward slowly traced Connor’s brow.

"Tsk, tsk, you’ve been working way too hard."

" I have?"

"Yes. All that work has caused a line to form right here." KC’s finger traced the line between his eyes on his forehead. I don’t think that I like it." Connor grabbed KC and pulled her into his lap.

" So, what do you think I should do about it?"

" Well…" KC turned to she was facing Connor, her legs straddled his on the chair, it caused her dress to ride up and Connor to clearly see the top of her stockings where were being held on by a garter. " I was thinking that I’d help you think of something other than work." KC leaned forward and took Connor’s lips in a passionate kiss. Her tongue slid into his mouth, stroking his while his hand cupped her bottom through the soft silk of her dress. Her legs widen as his hands pressed her aching heat against he arousal. KC moaned softly as their tongues met and as her heat moved against him. KC pulled her lips away from his and his mouth trailed down her neck toward her collarbone. He traced the collarbone softly then blew on it. KC shuttered, it had been a long time and she wanted to make love with Connor. Connor pulled back a bit and looked at her, his eyes catching hers. His fingers went toward the belt of her of her dress. He slowly untied the belt and opened her dress. He shuttered when he eyes saw what lay underneath her dress. She wore a black bra and matching panties that were made of the most luscious see- through material. He could clearly see her beautiful breasts that were brown and silky and her nipples were hard like hard little dark pebbles. His pen!s was aching, he wanted her so much. His finger traced her nipples through the soft material and watched as her nipples began to harden even more.

" Beautiful… you are so beautiful." Connor’s mouth began to kiss in between her breast while one hand slid down her body toward her see-through panties. He moved her chair so KC’s back was against the desk. Connor leaned KC back and he slowly opened the clip that kept the bra together. KC sighed and her eyes closed to glazed passion when her breasts were bared and Connor’s fingers found her sensitive nipples. His head lowered and caught the luscious brown nipple in his mouth; he circled the nipple and played with it. Finally when her breath was labored with passion, he suckled at her breast.

" Ohh… Connor." KC was aching and wet. She wanted him like she had never wanted a man in a very very long time. Suddenly the buzzer of the intercom went off. Connor ignored it concentrating solely on KC’s breast and her aching nipples. The buzzer sounded again and Connor groaned. He pulled his head away from KC and picked up the phone. KC smiled at Connor as he took the phone.

"Yes"

"I’m sorry to bother you Mr. Davis but it is Burt Marks on the phone and he said that it was an emergency."

"Patch him through." Connor tried hard to listen to his client but it was so hard with the beautiful woman sitting in his lap. KC smiled at Connor knowing how hard this was to him.

"What are you smiling at?" He mouthed as he listened.

" At you." KC fixed the clasp to her bra and tried to get out of the chair but Connor wouldn’t let her.

" Don’t" He whispered. " Listen Burt, I have something that needs my immediate attention. No, I’m not saying that your manner isn’t important, but I will see you tomorrow to handle the situation. Good-bye." Connor put the phone down and turned his attention toward KC. " Where do you think that you are going. I like you just where you are." He nuzzled her neck and kissed her. The kiss turned heated and KC reluctantly pulled away. She closed her eyes.

" Ohhh. I think that we had better stop here or we won’t get out of this office."

Connor fingered material on the edge of her bra. " What is wrong with that?"

" I don’t want the first time we make love to be in your office although it does have major possibilities for the future." KC moved out of the chair. And Connor’s eyes followed the beautiful line of her body. She was stunning and he could see her body clearly through her bra and panties. His eyes found the beautiful area between her legs and his breathe caught in his throat. God, he wanted her. KC saw the longing expression on his face and felt a thrill go through her. KC found her belt and fixed her dress so that it was on right. Connor took a moment to close his eyes and tried to will his hard erection away. KC leaned down and kissed his gently.

" Don’t worry Connor. I have the feeling that when we finally make love, it will be more than either one of us expects."

" I don’t know about that. I have had some pretty erotic dreams about you. But I agree, I want when we finally make love to be special because you are more than special to me." KC smiled. Connor caught her hand.

" KC, you do know that that is what it will be for me." He cupped her face.

" What?"

"It won’t be sex for me, but it will be making love." Connor smiled. " The way that I feel with you, I haven’t felt this way in such a long, long time. KC, when I’m with you, I feel young and vibrant. I want to be with you all of the time. I think about you morning, noon and night. Especially at night." KC laughed.

" I think that you and I are having the same problem. I find myself thinking about you a great deal. In fact, from what I heard from some other ladies with good taste, they think that you are a king among men." KC’s fingers trailed up Connor’s tie. " You really are you know."

" I’m falling in love with you KC." KC was shocked by Connor’s words. She hadn’t expected something like that from him." She opened her mouth but Connor silenced her with his two fingers.

" Shhh. I don’t expect you to say the same thing to me. Not until you are ready." KC found that unexpected tears filled her eyes. Until she felt that same way, didn’t he know that she was falling for him just as well.

"Connor, don’t you know that I feel the same way about you. And I’m not saying it because it is expected but because it is how I feel inside." Connor kissed her and she melted into his arms.

Ridge walked into the dark hospital room toward the sleeping woman in the hospital bed. The monitors where beeping softly in the background. Ridge sat down weary, he had been at the hospital for a day in a half, leaving only to go home to shower and change. When Morgan had been wheeled out of the operating room she had been in critical condition. There was some sort of complication during the delivery and she had not only lost a great deal of blood something else had gone terribly wrong and she was in a coma. Ridge felt an over whelming amount of guilt knowing that it was his baby that almost killed her. He sat down next to her holding her hand. " Morgan… I’m not sure if you can hear me or not. But I wanted to say that you have to hold on. The baby needs you." Ridge sighed. " I know that our son wasn’t conceived under the right circumstance, nor can I say that I can forgive you for what you have done to my marriage. I can’t forgive you that. But, I don’t want you to die…our son is going to need a mother."

 

 

Brooke sat at her vanity table looking at her reflection in the mirror. She had taken care in her dress and appearance trying to look as beautiful as she could. She didn’t want any of the sadness that she was feeling to show in her face. She had taken great care in her dress tonight wanting to look perfect. Brooke stood, the white satin pants outfit was simple yet elegant enough for the dinner. The satin blouse was long sleeved that came together in a pointed angle above the wrist, the neckline was a plunging curved Vee that only hinted at her breast, while the blouse flowed over the top of the pants. The matching wide leg draw stringed pants were made of the same material. She wore a except a beautiful garnet ring that she wore on the middle of her left hand which matched the garnet that rested from the silver string chocker on her neck. Her hair she wore down, it rested well past her shoulders lying against the white satin. Brooke only wore a touch of perfume and just a hint of lipstick to give her lips a little color. Yes, she looked beautiful, simple, and classic with a little elegance. She didn’t look like the mad woman who had barely made it home the other day from Thorne’s. She didn’t look like that woman who had been so distraught that she could hardly focus enough on driving to her home. But inside she was the same woman, the same woman who loved a man and had been horribly betrayed by him.

Taylor laughed as she hit Steffy playfully on the head with the balloon that she had gotten her at the park. She had a wonderful time with the children and Katherine in the park. The children had played until it was almost dark. Now they were coloring in the playroom while the pizza she ordered for them was on its way. She had wanted this day to be special to them.

" We have pizza for dwinner?" Thomas said with hope in his eyes. Taylor kissed her son on the top of his head.

" Yes sweetheart, we are having pizza."

"Is daddy coming?"

Phoebe and Stephanie smiled at the mention of Ridge. " Dada, Dada!!" The twins clapped their hands. Taylor sighed.

" No. You didn’t isn’t coming for dinner. Honey, I told you that daddy and mommy love you but he can’t live with us?" Thomas looked at his mother and threw the toy he had been playing with down.

" NO! NO! I want my daddy!" Thomas was always a very quiet boy but now he was screaming. Taylor wanted him to calm down. She reached out to Thomas.

"Honey… mommy knows you want daddy but I told you. Daddy and mommy can’t live together right now."

" NO, NO! Daddy prwomised, he prwomised. We a family. He prwomised! He be back! He be back!" Thomas jumped up and ran out of the room. Stephanie and Phoebe felt the tension in the room and started to cry.

" Thomas!" Taylor called after her son while she tired to get her daughters to calm down. Where had this come from? She had explained the situation the best that she could to her children and although it had been upsetting to them, Thomas at least had somewhat understood. Where in the world did he get the idea that Ridge was coming back? Anger contorted her face. Ridge, somehow she knew that he had something to do with this.

"Damn you Ridge! What did you tell our children while I was gone?"

 

KC watched as Connor grilled steaks out back of ranch house. The smell of the beef filled the air while Connor looked handsome standing in tight jeans and a blue shirt buttoned up shirt overtop of the large grill. They had plans at Café Rouse but they cancelled them, Connor wanted to make her dinner. It was romantic notion and she was thrilled. She had gone home to change into a simple black sheer blouse that was open to expose her small flat stomach and a pair of low cut low rider black pants. The house was impressive house, beautiful and full of rich bold masculine brown and burgundy colors. The living room was large with a huge fireplace and brown leather sofa and matching love seat, pictures of Connor’s mother and friends lined the fireplace, the house had an impressive ranch style kitchen, a library, den, three large bedrooms, sauna and enclosed pool. The backyard was beautiful and as extraordinary as the house. Past the large patio down the beautifully lit road was a large stable that housed Connor’s horses but what was the most beautiful land that Connor owned. KC stepped outside.

"You know, every time I come here I fall more and more in love with this place."

"That is something coming from a city girl." KC placed the salad and a bottle of wine on the table

" A city girl, who me?" Connor ginned at KC. "Yeah you. I remember the first time that you saw Starlight, you were scared of her."

"Well, I’m not scared anymore. I feed her a carrot."

Connor put the thongs he was using to turn the steaks down. "You are one fast learner aren’t you?" Connor pulled KC into his arms for a passionate kiss. KC bit at his lips gently and groaned when his hands cupped her bottom. She loved the feeling that he was invoking inside of her. She was right the office was certainly not the place to make love for the first time but tonight just might be perfect. KC pulled away.

" Cowboy, I think that you’d better watch those steaks." Connor rubbed KC’s lower lip.

" I’d rather watch you and I’d rather be making love to you. But I’m willing to wait as long as you want me to. You are worth the wait. To me you are worth everything." Connor kissed the inner side of KC’s hand gently.

 

 

Brooke finished placing the glasses on the table. Everything looked wonderful and beautiful, as she had hoped that it would. Dinner was to be served outside under the stars in the middle of the courtyard to the connecting garden. Everything was perfect and beautiful as well as semi-elegant. The meal would be delicious for she was going to have everything catered from Nichelle’s. Tonight was all about Rick, Eve meant a great deal to him and she was going to see that the young lady who made her son happy was to be treated like the princess she obviously was. Her children were important to her and she’d focus on them and not on her own pain. As much as she disagreed with Eric, a small part of her felt guilty. She hadn’t talked to Bridget before she left for Big Bear, although she had called her, she should have talked to Bridget and be more aware of what had been happening in her own home. Because she was so focused on her own pain and her feelings with Thorne, she had left her daughter in a situation that could have been potentially dangerous. She had been shocked because Bridget had always been very responsible about things, still her daughter was a teenager and would have to deal with peer pressure and sometimes she wouldn’t make the right decisions. She should have made sure that someone stayed with Bridget. Although Brooke understood Eric’s anger, she also felt that some of it was misplaced because of what the children had said to him. She had talked to both Bridget and Rick and found that they had called Eric on his non-parental skills. She had told her children that she had a take part of the blame in that situation as well. She had divorced Eric when they had both been so young and she had basically raised them with Ridge as their father. Eric had stepped back as a father because he thought it would be easier for them to look at Ridge as their father. Still, Rick had stated that Eric wasn’t around that much now and that was no excuse for what had happened in Venice. Brooke had pointed out that although she’d never forget what Eric did and clearly is affected her relationship with him that her children shouldn’t allow that to ruin their relationship with Eric. Brooke has simply stated that Eric love them. Brooke also stated that they had ALL made their mistakes. Rick had turned red and apologized for his behavior at the showing. Brooke hadn’t known how much that had bothered her until he had said that he was sorry. Brooke had hugged her son, trying to hold back her tears of happiness that all was well between her son and her. She had also tried to hold back to the tears of despair that had been eating at her since she had found Kimberly at Thorne’s house the other day. She also knew that her children could see the pain in her eyes but she pushed the pain deep down. She couldn’t continue the way that she had been, working herself to death, crying at night, not paying close attention to what was really going in her children’s lives. She had been willing to give Thorne another chance and it turn he had ruined it. It was over and yes she’d cry in private, as she had done yesterday and this morning, mourning the love that she had lost. But in publicly she’d be strong and get through the pain for herself and her children. She knew that they were worried about her; she had overheard Rick planning to go over and confront Thorne. She had been ready to step into the room and tell him not to do such a foolish thing when Bridget had stopped Rick herself saying that he should leave it alone. She had stated that Thorne was most likely in his own pain at the moment and that Rick shouldn’t throw salt in the wound. When Rick had argued and couldn’t believe that Bridget of all people would defend Thorne. Bridget wore an expression that Brooke couldn’t decipher, and said that Rick had anyone to truly blame for this blame Kimberly. She stated that Thorne knows that he had screwed up and that forever he would know what he had with their mother and what he had lost. Then Bridget used a tone that Brooke had never heard her son use as she told Rick that if he wanted their mother to find real happiness that he’d leave Thorne alone.

Brooke walked back into the living room when the phone rang. She heard Bridget scream that she got it when she reached for the phone. Brooke shook her head, since Bridget was grounded the phone kept ringing off the hook since Brooke took Bridget’s phone. Brooke would give Bridget 5 minutes to talk and then she’d tell her to get off the phone. Brooke had allowed Bridget to keep her car to drive to school because she knew in her heart that the alcohol hadn’t been Bridget’s idea, still she had to teach her daughter a lesson. Alcohol was dangerous and it could have meant someone’s life. She had also banned Stacey and Jennifer from her home, Brooke had been surprised when Bridget when Bridget didn’t protest. Brooke had allowed Bridget to keep her trip to Hawaii; she had worked hard all years and deserved it. As long as Bridget stayed in line, she could go at the end of the week, which was steadily approaching. Brooke also wanted her daughter to get to relax, it seemed that Bridget had spent a lot of time watching her like a hawk ever since the showing and then there was the Morgan thing. Brooke hadn’t even thought that Bridget had liked Morgan all that much but she seemed to want any piece of information that she could get on Morgan and her baby. It wasn’t good for Bridget to be caught up in the problems of the adults in her family, she was a teenager and she wanted her daughter to enjoy her life and the upcoming summer. Coming the fall, her baby would be living in Paris; she had no doubt that Bridget would make it in the institute. She knew that she’d be hearing from them soon and in that moment Brooke wondered if she’d hear from Caspian.

" No Brooke, what are you thinking? You asked him to leave you alone and he had done just that. There isn’t any need to wonder about him. Besides you have trouble dealing with the Thorne situation… NO! There isn’t a situation with Thorne. It’s over." Brooke sat down on the sofa thinking again for the umpteenth time that day about the way Thorne had looked at Big Bear and then what he looked like when he came into his house after she had seen Kimberly in his bedroom. The ringing doorbell brought Brooke out of her stupor. She opened the door and was surprised by who she had found standing in her doorway. Thorne stood there looking handsome as ever in a black silk shirt and black pants. " Go away."

" Brooke, we need to talk."

" There isn’t anything to talk about. We talked and you told me a bunch of lies." Brooke closed her eyes and counted to ten. This was the time to be strong and not give an inch.

" I want you to leave me alone. It’s over and I don’t want to talk this anymore."

" Brooke, it you’d just listen to me I’d be able to explain things to you. What you saw the other night, it wasn’t what you thought."

" Kimberly wasn’t naked in your bed? Because that is what I saw. At first, I was angry after all I drove all the way back to L.A to tell you that I loved you. When I got there I find the same woman who you claimed that you weren’t having an affair with in YOUR BED! I foolishly thought that it was some trick, some little game that Kimberly was playing because of her obsession with you. But I gave you a chance to explain and you said nothing, nothing!" Pain crossed Brooke’s beautiful face. " You made a fool out of me. I believed you when you said that you made a mistake and that you hadn’t been sleeping with her. But we both know that it was lies, don’t we." Brooke headed toward the bar and poured herself a glass of Sherrie. She sipped the liquor hoping that it would calm her nerves. She tried hard to keep calm to not allow him to see how much his betrayal was hurting her.

" It wasn’t lies."

Brooke put her glass down and turned to face Thorne. " Then what was it? Why was she in your bed?" Thorne knew that this question was going to come up. He had told himself that he’d tell Brooke the truth, the real reason that Kimberly was at his house. But now, standing here in her house looking at her beautiful face he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell her, not yet. Brooke’s face broke.

" You aren’t going to tell me are you? Can’t come up with any lies to cover up the ones that you’ve already told me."

"Brooke… I "

" Leave now."

Thorne didn’t know what to say. Either way it was over. The writing was on the wall. Brooke wouldn’t understand that Kimberly was pregnant. He didn’t know why he had come. Maybe to see if she was all right. Maybe to find some way to tell her the truth but he couldn’t. He had raped Kimberly, taken her virginity and now he was being punished for his sin. He was going to have to give up the one thing in the world that he loved more than life.

" I love you. No matter what you think, I have always loved you. At first as a friend, then as a lover and finally as a potential wife." Thorne looked with Brooke with complete sadness. Tears slipped down his cheeks. " I love you. I wanted so much to share a life with you to have children …." Thorne broke off; the words were caught in his throat. Children, they’d never have children. No little blonde boys or girls with her smile or his sense of humor. His dream was gone.

" You should have thought about that when you chose to throw all away on Kimberly."

" Brooke, I don’t love Kimberly. I love you!"

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Brooke covered her face for a moment trying to hide the pain in her heart. Brooke could hardly get the words out of her mouth. "I know, I know you love me. Don’t you think that I know this? But that is all that I know. I don’t know you. I thought that I did. I thought that we had something special but in the end you threw it away for nothing." Brooke wiped the tears that flowed freely down her perfectly made-up face. Her tear filled eyes found his tortured ones. " You threw us away for Kimberly and can’t forgive you for that. So now, I want you to leave me alone. Don’t call me, don’t stop by to see and when we see each other we will just try to avoid each other or walk the other way. Like we did when you married Macy." Thorne stood there for a moment trying hard to keep himself from begging her not to leave him, the tears, like hers flowed down his cheeks.

" I don’t know if I can do it. Brooke how am I supposed to go on without you?"

Brooke almost laughed. He was asking her how he was going to go on without her. How was she going to go on without him?

" You won’t be alone Thorne. You’ll have Kimberly and believe me, she’ll give you all the comforting that you’ll need."

"Don’t say that… I need you." Brooke looked away.

"It’s time for you to leave."

" Brooke…"

" MY CHILDREN need me. Rick needs me to give him this dinner tonight. Seeing you would upset him. Seeing you upsets me. I want you to leave me alone. Just go… Just leave me the hell alone." When Thorne reached out to Brooke she backed up. " If you ever loved me, you’ll leave me alone and allow me to heal." Thorne stopped. He remembered how he had asked Ridge to do almost the same thing when Brooke was suffering with the end of their marriage. Brooke gave him a tortured look. " Please.. I’m asking you to leave." Thorne sighed, there wasn’t any point at the moment. She was telling him the truth, him being here only made matters worse. He turned to leave stopping at a moment when he opened the door to look back at the woman he loved. The woman he could never have. It was the beginning of the end, the end of his dream, and the end of a life that he had always wanted. Brooke watched as he left then she allowed herself to break down into tears. Bridget stood silently on top of the steps, she had tears in her eyes maybe for the first time, and she realized just how much her mother and Thorne had loved each other. Still, she told herself, it didn’t compare to the love that Ridge and her mother had shared.

" Soon mom, this will all be a memory. You will forget all about this when you are remarried to the man you really love." Bridget whispered.

Katherine handed Taylor the mug of hot tea. " Thomas, is he finally asleep?"

"Yes. Of Katherine, he is so upset."

" I know, he didn’t eat any of the pizza and it is his favorite."

Taylor took a sip of the tea. " I tried calling Ridge but his cell phone wasn’t on. The way that Thomas was crying worried me; he was on the brink of being hysterical. I just didn’t know what else to do." Taylor shook her head. " Was he like this when I was gone?"

"No Taylor. The children were fine. They missed you but they were glad to have a chance with their grandmother and father." Taylor noticed that Katherine didn’t say anything about Ridge. She knew that he was staying at Guest House, why didn’t Katherine mention him.

" Ridge didn’t spend anytime with the children?" Katherine avoided Taylor’s eyes.

" Katherine, I asked you a question, Ridge didn’t spend with the children?"

"Taylor, he lives there in the guesthouse and he love them. It was hard for me not to allow him to spend time with them." Taylor saw the apprehension in Katherine’s eyes.

"It’s not your fault. I’m sure Stephanie put a great deal of pressure on you. Besides you know how hard the children took the news that he was moving out. As mad as I was at him, I understand that my children need him."

"SO you are going to allow Ridge to have joint custody with the children?"

"No. I want to raise my children, but I have decided to give him a really lenient schedule that will allow him to spend a great deal of time with the children. But now I’m not sure. If Ridge is filling the children’s head with promises of us getting back together, it might not be the best thing. I won’t allow him to make it harder on them than it already is. Still, the children need him. I’m confused. Taylor sipped her tea. " I really have put some things into prospective. I’ve come to terms with the fact that my marriage is really over." Taylor said in a sad voice. " But what is this going to do to my children. They need their father and I know it and I have the feeling that Ridge knows it too. I only hope that he will make is easy for me to get my divorce and not fight it. If he is willing to do that, then I’d be willing to let some of my bitterness go for my children." Taylor picked up a photo of her and her children. " They are the most important things in my life."

The nurse shook Ridge. " Mr. Forrester, its late. Why don’t you head out for the evening, you can come back later if you’d like."

"Morgan?" He looked at Morgan lying in the hospital bed.

"I’m sorry Mr. Forrester, but there has been no change. Miss Dewitt is still in a coma." Ridge picked up his jacket and head toward the door.

"Mr. Forrester, if you’d like, you could feed your son. It might make you feel better." Ridge startled by the request. His son, he had only seen him twice but in that time he help the feeling of intense need for protection for him. His son who had come into the world in such a manner that his mother may never wake up. His son needed him and Ridge wasn’t going to let him down. He owed the baby that much. Ridge followed the nurse into the nursery and put on the correct clothing, The nurse handed him the tiny baby. His son whimpered a bit but when he was placed in Ridge’s waiting arms he stopped crying. It was like he knew that he was going to safe. Ridge placed the tiny nipple in his son’s mouth and watched in total amazement as his son suckled. Ridge remembered how he had fed his daughter. God, he missed his children. He missed living with them. In a way, he was glad that Taylor was out of town during the time of his son’s birth, still she would find out soon. He had told his children that he would be back soon that he would find a way to make them a family again. He wondered if that were possible. Would Taylor ever find it in her heart to forgive him especially now? What if Morgan died? Would Taylor be willing to be a mother to his son? What if Morgan survived? Would he be able to let her take his son away from him? Ridge had never thought that this would happen, he never thought that he’d get a chance to spend time with his son. Morgan was to have left town, but now he knew his son. He didn’t want him to leave when she did.

Eve stood entranced, looking at the beautiful dinning table that Brooke had set up in her garden, it looked magical. Classical music played in the background while Brooke came out holding a tray with. She smiled as she came toward Eve. It amazed Eve how beautiful Mrs. Forrester was, even in the simple white pants outfit she still looked elegant. "I just didn’t have time to cook dinner at such a short notice so I hope that you don’t mind that dinner is catered."

"No Mrs. Forrester, I don’t."

Brooke smiled. " Call me Brooke, please." Now these, I made. I hope that you will enjoy." Eve looked at the variety of barbeque-grilled shrimp and scallops wrapped in beacon, stuffed mushroom with crab imperial, and grilled mini vegetables with a sesame dipping sauce. Eve took a scallop and bit into the delicately soft meat.

" Mmmm." Her eyes lit up. " This is good." Rick came outside with a glass a Merlot for Eve.

" Mom makes the best appetizers." He took two mushrooms and popped into his mouth."

"You should really give these recipes to the chef that Zenith, he’d die for one of these vegetables." At the mention of Zenith, Brooke’s face showed a moment of discomfort; Brooke quickly put a smile back and her face. Rick noticed and so did Eve. God, she felt terrible she had heard from Rick that apparently that was the night that Thorne betrayed Brooke. Eve could have killed herself for mentioning that night.

"Well, I don’t think that I’ll see my secret. But if Forrester ever goes under I’ll make sure that I approach him. Rick, why don’t you get your sister, I’m not sure what is taking her so long." Rick nodded and head up the stairs. Brooke put her arms around Eve and walked her toward the table. " That dress is beautiful, white looks wonderful on you."

Eve touched the shimmering white material. Rick had bought the dress without her knowledge and it was sent directly to her home.

" Yes, it is beautiful."

" Not a Forrester but it most certainly suits you. Excellent quality material and the design so beautiful. Brooke turned her attention to the table." Eve looked down at the dress, Rick’s mom knew good quality when she saw it, she wondered how she would feel if she knew what her son had paid for the dress." Brooke looked back at Eve a saw the distress on Eve’s face. Brooke reached out to the girl. " What is it?" Eve shook her head but she unknowingly played with the hem of the dress.

‘ Nothing?"

Brooke’s eyes narrowed. " It’s about the dress isn’t it? What is wrong, you look beautiful in it."

" Mrs. …um Brooke. I just don’t want you to think that I’m using Rick…."

" Stop it right there young lady. I’m not upset that Rick bought you the dress. When I saw it, I knew that he did." Eve started to turn red. " Don’t Eve. Don’t be embarrassed; I remember when I got my first dress from Ridge. I felt princess and I couldn’t believe the small fortune that he spent on it. But I really wanted to fit in and look beautiful." Brooke put her arm around Eve. " Let me tell you a secret. As much as I love our setting here tonight, we don’t eat like this all the time. I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl myself and is apt to making simple as well as elegant meals. I wanted tonight to be special for you and my son. I know you are the one who talked to him to help him get his head straight. I also thank god that you got that little… guttersnipe away from my son. I knew planned this dinner that you would most likely not have a dress for this occasion because you’ve been working hard putting yourself through school. I knew my son would step in and help you to find the thing that would make you feel like a princess." Brooke stopped in front of the fountain that was in the middle of the courtyard in the garden. " I’m glad that my son bought you something special, but know that what is the prize isn’t the dress it is you."

Eve looked at Brooke with astonishment. It amazed her that someone as influencial as Brooke Forrester could be so nice to her. Rick had really been lucky to have such a nice mother. Brooke noticed the tears that had filled the girls eyes.

" Ahh honey. Don’t cry. Rick would have my head if you thought that I’d upset you."

" No Brooke, it isn’t that. It’s just… that was really nice thing that you said."

"It’s the truth. My son is happier with you than I ever seen him. I thank you for that Eve." Brooke hugged Eve.

" I can’t believe that he had the quall to show up here after all that he did to mom!" Rick paced back and forth, upset that Thorne had even approached his mother. Bridget stood up.

"Calm down, he left didn’t he."

" Was mom upset?"

"Of course she was. She loved him and betrayed her."

" I’m going over there! " Rick stormed toward the front door. Bridget ran after him and stopped him.

"No! Listen mom is doing her best to hold on. She planned this dinner for you and Eve. She wanted it to be special. She pulled herself together quick, she was crying right after he left but as you can see…" Bridget pulled Rick to the French doors and noticed Brooke laughing with Eve. " She pulled herself together for you. Don’t ruin it."

Rick looked at his sister; she was changing becoming a young woman. Tonight she looked very beautiful and mature in her shimmering bronze skirt that stopped above her knees and matching strapless top that stopped above her navel. Bridget’s hair was swept up. Somewhere his sister had become a young woman. She was also right, if he felt to confront Thorne, he’d only make matters worse. He had done his best to stay away from the man in order not to make any waves, but Thorne had gone too far. He was going to tell Thorne to stay the hell away from his mother.

"Come one brother, lets go eat dinner." Bridget wrapped her hand around her brother’s hand as they headed out toward the dinning table.

Rick kissed his mother on the cheek. " Dinner was excellent. Thank you mother."

Brooke stood up from the sofa in the living room. " I really enjoyed this tonight. I think that this is what I needed."

" Especially since Thorne came by to see you." Brooke’s eyes clouded. Brooke turned her eyes away.

" Mom. I’m so sorry about what he did to you. When I think about all the times that I’ve seen him at Kimberly’s or coming from Kimberly’s house, it makes me sick. I even went to him about my relationship with her. He told me not to pressure Kimberly about sex and to give her space. During that time he was sleeping with her…I want to kill him for what he has done!"

"Rick, calm down."

" Mom, I can’t ! He betrayed you! I just don’t understand it the whole thing."

" I don’t either. But it isn’t your place to understand."

"I’m worried about you."

" Honey, I’ll be fine."

" You’ll be hiding your pain. You already are. You did the same thing before you married Grant and you were miserable."

" Rick, please. I’ll be all right. I’m hurting but it isn’t your responsibility to take care of me, I’m capable. Now you take that beautiful young lady of your and go on out."

Eve and Bridget came out of the kitchen laughing. " It was a total mess and that was the last time that I tried to make seafood omelets. I guess I don’t get my cooking from my mom."

Rick smiled at his sister. " I think that we were sick an entire week after that meal that Budge made. Isn’t that right mom?"

" No, I don’t remember that." Brooke smiled at her daughter. " It wasn’t that bad." Brooke went over toward Eve. " We will have to do this again, maybe without Rick. Just a girl’s lunch."

"That sounds great Brooke." Brooke kissed Rick and Eve as they left.

"She really is good for Rick, isn’t she mom?" Brooke nodded her head.

" She sure is Bridget. I’m only sorry that we didn’t get to talk that much about her. I just didn’t want Rick to think that I was being nosy."

" Eve doesn’t talk that much about her past. The only thing that I know about her is that she’s been on her own since she was 16 or 17."

"She doesn’t have any family?"

"No. I heard from Rick that her mother just up and left with some guy leaving her."

" God that is awful. I can’t imagine why any mother would leave her children. Especially a girl like Eve, she seems so sweet."

" She’s really smart too." Bridget sat down next to her mom and put her head on her shoulder. " I guess not everyone is lucky to have a mom like you. You really have been a great mother to Rick and me. I know that I haven’t always made things easy for you. But I love you mom. No matter what happens I just want you to know that." Brooke put her arm around her shoulder.

"Honey, you’ve always been a wonderful daughter. And I guess I owe you an apology. I know the relationship between Thorne and I was bothering you but I still persisted. Maybe I was wrong. I guess that you were right after all. Anyway, where is all of this coming from with you?" Bridget had meant what she had said, she loved her mother.

"I don’t know. I guess with Morgan on the brink of dying, I just wanted you to know."

"Morgan…I wonder how Taylor dealing with that bit of news."

Bridget sat up. " Taylor? Why would you be concerned about her? You don’t like her. As far as I’m concerned she got what she deserved."

" Bridget!"

"Well not the part about her losing her baby or the part that she was in the hospital. But the part about Morgan having Ridge’s baby, it was justice."

" She’s hurting Bridget."

" You were hurting when he left us! She couldn’t wait to bring Thomas over here and flaunt it in our faces. So she deserves to have that Morgan and Ridge’s affair thrown in her face at Rick’s like that. I wonder how she is going to feel when Morgan wakes up and starts flaunting her son like she did."

"She was humiliated in public. Bridget you can’t be happy about that."

"God mother! Let me ask you a question. When you saw that video at Rick’s party how did you feel. Didn’t you feel just a bit vindicated for the pain that woman put us through." Brooke said nothing. At the party, she hadn’t felt that bad for Taylor.

" Especially when she tricked you in Venice. She deserved it mother! She deserved to be humiliated in public for the entire world to see. That’s why I made sure that the tape…" Bridget stopped; she had gotten so caught off guard that she slipped. Her guilty eyes moved from Brooke’s.

"That’s why you…. why you did what?"

Bridget stood up. " I’m tired mom, I’m going to bed."

"Not so fast Bridget. You didn’t do it did you?"

" Mom…I don’t know what you are talking about."

" The tape. My god Bridget! You are the one, you’re the one who put the videotape on at the party aren’t you?"

"Of course not.."

" Don’t! Don’t you dare lie to me young lady! You did it didn’t you?"

Bridget backed away from her mother. " Mom…you don’t understand. I was doing it for us. She was so smug in telling me that Ridge never loved you and going on and on about her perfect family."

" So you humiliated her in public. Bridget, how could you do something that?" Brooke shook her head looked down and then looked back at her daughter. " Where is the tape Bridget and where in the hell did you get it?" Bridget did answer her mother. "Answer me right now young lady!"

" I got from Morgan’s. She had it to blackmail Ridge. She going to show it to Taylor if he didn’t give her 5% of his Forrester stock." Brooke gave her daughter a shocked look.

" How do you know this?"

" I heard them talking. I found out that Ridge got Morgan pregnant. I went to Morgan’s house and found the tape."

" You broke into her house? My god Bridget, what were you thinking? Why did you do this?"

" Morgan was going to tell anyway. She was going to tell Taylor after she got the stock. She was trying to hurt Ridge."

" You weren’t doing this to protect Ridge Bridget. If you were, you wouldn’t have shown that videotape at your brother’s party. You did to get back at Taylor." Bridget wiped the tears on her cheeks.

" I’m not sorry for that. She had no right too…." Brooke gave Bridget an aggravated look.

" You had no right to do that to their marriage. You manipulated them Bridget. You destroyed their marriage."

" No, Ridge did that." Bridget looked away from her mother’s angry. " I didn’t manipulate anything, I just showed the truth."

" Are you listening to yourself Bridget? You showed that tape and Ridge’s marriage fell apart." When Bridget went to interrupt Brooke put up her hand to stop Bridget from talking. " You are responsible Bridget for how Taylor found out. She was distraught and she got into that accident."

" I didn’t mean for that part to happen. I didn’t want her to get hurt or lose her baby." Bridget cried. " I’ll always feel sorry that she lost her baby, I didn’t know that she was pregnant or know that she was going to react that way."

" But it did happen. When you manipulate things, bad things always happen."

"Not from where I stand. Where I stand everyone manipulates to get the things that you want. Taylor did and she Ridge. Morgan and she got his baby. Even Dad and Ridge manipulated you and Thorne. Didn’t Macy, she used her drinking to manipulate Thorne. Amber manipulated Rick. This WHOLE FAMILY MANIPULATES EACH OTHER! Even you mother, in the past you’d done some manipulating yourself." Brooke closed her eyes and shook her head. Tears started to flood her eyes.

" And where did it get me Bridget? My manipulating. I learned that it isn’t the thing to do. Maybe if I had honest with Ridge from the beginning, things would have been different and maybe you wouldn’t have been so hurt. In the past, I’ve done some things that I’m not proud of. You know this." Despair covered Brooke’ face. " Honey I’ve made some major mistakes and hurt a lot of people with manipulation and in the end, it never worked out. It always came out. Hell, I get blamed for things I didn’t even do. What you did was Bridget was wrong."

" She deserved it." Bridget started to cry hard. " I lived with you when she took him away. I heard you crying at night and saw how she got him to annual your marriage so quickly so she could marry him. I wanted her to understand what it is like to lose everything in a moment. I lost my family. She didn’t care. When I ran away she didn’t care about me, she came running over here to get him. So expect me to feel sorry for her! I don’t! And believe me, if the shoe were on the other foot, she wouldn’t feel sorry for you. That bitch would laugh her ass off and tell everyone how you deserved it."

"That isn’t the point."

"Yes it is! The point is that she was going to find out anyway. I just made sure that she found out in a way that would hurt her just as much as she hurt me. She hurt me mommy! She took my father! She took Ridge; he was the only real father I had! You don’t understand how I feel! She took everything just like Kimberly took Thorne from you. But I did something about it! Playing fair mom doesn’t always work mom. You’ve played fair and it hasn’t gotten you anywhere. I showed her that her marriage wasn’t what she thought was the perfect marriage was just a dream. I will never say that I am sorry. She hurt me first!" Bridget ran up the stairs to her room and slammed her door. She was scared. What if her mother told Ridge, he’d hate her? Bridget fell on her bed and cried.

Brooke stood in her living room in a daze. Never in a million years did she think that her daughter would be responsible for the disaster at Rick’s party. " Oh god, what did we do to you Bridget." Brooke was worried about her daughter. She thought for a moment about the family. They had all manipulated on some level. Was this what they were teaching their children to manipulate when things didn’t go their way? "How could you think manipulating Ridge and Taylor was the right thing to do Bridget? Oh god." Brooke loved her daughter and she had to get her to see the error of her ways. Still Brooke knew that the damage was already done. There was nothing that she could do to help Taylor and Ridge back together; their marriage was already over. It didn’t look like Taylor was going forgive Ridge and Morgan did have Ridge’s son. Brooke didn’t know what she was going to do about her daughter. She would never have thought Bridget capable of something like the mess at the party. Brooke poured herself a glass of wine. Brooke knew that she’d protect her daughter and there be no point in telling anyone what Bridget had done. If for some reason people began to really investigate where the tape came from. She’d take the blame herself. Everything was falling apart. First Thorne and now Bridget, did she really know anybody? Hell, did she know herself? Brooke headed upstairs with her glass of wine. She thought about going to Bridget but she’d wait until the morning to talk to her. Brooke sat down at her vanity table and looked at herself. Even with red-rimmed eyes and disheveled hair, she still was beautiful. Brooke took off her clothes standing naked in front of mirror. Her body was still fabulous, flat stomach, full breast and strong thighs. Brooke took another sip of her drink as she thought of all the things that she and Thorne did in the bedroom. " Still you allowed that manipulating Kimberly to have you. Maybe Bridget is right, playing fair hasn’t gotten me anywhere." Brooke closed her eyes for a moment and slipped a robe around her body. " Stop it Brooke, you know better. You’ve got to think about how you are going to help Bridget and not how to beat Kimberly at her own game." Brooke went to her dresser to put the earrings away in one of jewelry box when she noticed the box in which she kept the things from Caspian. Brooke opened the box and took out the anklet that he had given her. She remembered how he had put it own her. How the men around him claimed that she was her woman. Brooke picked up the card with his number. Brooke looked at the clock, it was really late. Brooke picked up her phone and dialed the number. The phone rang.

Caspian slept naked in his large bed when the ringing of the phone woke him. He realized that it was his private phone. He reached for the phone. " Hello" Brooke heard his sexy voice heavily accented in Italian. His voice was raspy with sleep but still she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and that strange feeling come over her. In that moment she felt like crying because she had missed his voice.

" Hello, is there anybody there?" He then said it in Italian.

Brooke wanted to say something. To tell him that she needed him, to listen to her. To talk about her feelings for Thorne to talk about Bridget. She wanted him to come to her. Brooke put the phone down on the receiver. Bringing Caspian back into her life would only complicate matters. Caspian got up from the large bed and went over the box that scanned the calls. His heart almost stopped when he saw the phone number. His Brooke had called him. He wanted to call her back and let her know that he was there. He had left her alone long enough. It was time to get the woman he loved. Caspian smiled. He would help her to get over Thorne and show her how wonderful love really could be.

 Against All Odds 62 ( The Rose Colored Glasses Come Off) Chapter Review.

Bridget is angry with Jennifer because she is grounded and had to cancel her date with Scott. Jennifer tells Bridget not to worry that she can still go on a trip to Hawaii. KC and Connor almost make love in his office, later Connor tells KC that he loves her. The two spend a special evening at Connor’s ranch house. Eve and Rick are shopping for a dress for her when she remembers a time when she was forced to make love to a mystery man who called her Angel. Eve promises that Rick will never find out about her past. Kimberly sees Eve and asks Eve if Rick would be with her it Kimberly hadn’t thrown him away for Thorne. Thorne visits Brooke and tries to get her to understand but he still won’t tell her the truth. Brooke tells Thorne to leave that they are over since he chose to be with Kimberly. Thorne figures that he is being punished for raping Kimberly and leaves stated that he’ll always love Brooke. Brooke gives Eve a special compliment and it happy to have the dinner for the girl. Rick is angered when he finds that Thorne visited his mother but Brooke tells Rick to concentrate on Eve. Ridge worries about his son because Morgan is in a coma and my not wake up. Ridge’s feelings for his newborn son grow. Taylor comes back from Big Bear and is happy to see her children; the happiness is short lived when Thomas acts out because his father won’t be coming back home. Taylor wonders what Ridge had told their children but realizes that they need both of their parents. She tells Katherine that she is willing to allow Ridge to spend more time with the children as long as she gets her divorce. Brooke and Bridget talk and when Taylor is mentioned Bridget becomes upset and slips that she showed the tape at Rick’s birthday. Brooke is upset to know that her daughter is manipulating and cause the trouble between Ridge and Taylor. Bridget becomes irate and says that Taylor got what she deserves and she won’t apologize. Brooke is worried that her daughter has learned to manipulate from all the machinations of the Forrester family but promises to protect her daughter. Brooke is worried that she doesn’t know anyone any more and is stressed by Thorne and Bridget’s actions. In a moment of weakness, she calls Caspian who answers the phone. Brooke hangs up when she hears his voice but Caspian knows that it is her and promises to come to the woman he loves.

Against All Odds Chapter 63 (Brooke’s Bad Day)

Brooke put the bags down and looked at her daughter while Bridget counted her three bags. "I think I packed everything that I need plus the kitchen sink." Bridget looked at her mom, feeling a large weight off her shoulders. It amazed her that her mom was still letting her go to Hawaii. " Mom, thanks for letting me go, I know that you still angry with me about….you know, the Ridge Taylor situation." Brooke pushed a piece of hair that had fallen daughter face out of the way. She gave Bridget a slightly disapproving look.

"I’m not going to say that I understand what you did Bridget. But we talked about it and telling anyone what happened would serve no real purpose." Brooke gave Bridget a stern look. " You made a promise to me and I expect you to keep it. No more manipulating, do understand?"

"Yeah mom. I understand."

" I mean it. Honey, please learn from my mistakes don’t play with other people’s lives. It always come back to haunt you. I know."

" You aren’t going to tell Ridge are you?"

"No. You and Ridge have a good relationship and it would make no sense to ruin it. He’d be really hurt if he knew that you showed that tape at Rick’s party. I wouldn’t do that to you honey, I know how important he is to you." Brooke gave her daughter a worried look. " Bridget, please spend this time away to focus on you. I think you’ve spent too much time worrying things you can’t change. Maybe living in Paris would be good for you because you will have a chance to focus on your work and not the machinations of your family. What you did was wrong and I hope that one day you will see it. Manipulating people to get what you want is wrong and it will only lead the unhappiness to the people you manipulate and yourself. I should know, I’ve been on both sides of manipulations, the plotter and the victim."

Bridget saw the sadness in her mother’s eyes and knew that her mother was more of a victim than she knew. Her mother was a victim of her own scheming with Kimberly.

" Mommy….I’m sorry for what I did because it has upset you. I know that you have been through enough."

" I’m worried about you honey. I’ve made some big mistakes and I’m hoping that you will learn from it. Please honey. Learn from me, don’t ever manipulate people it will only end in heartache and pain. Trust me, I know first hand about manipulation." Brooke looked her daughter straight in her eyes. "You and Rick are best parts of me and I don’t want you to anything that you will later regret." Brooke stroked her daughter’s face. " I have so many regrets and I don’t want you to have to regrets that I have." Tears slipped down Brooke’s cheeks.

"Momma, don’t cry." Bridget hugged her mom. " I love you and I promise no more manipulations. I’m going to make you proud of me, I promise you."

"Honey, don’t you know that I already am." Brooke wiped a tear away and smiled. " Not of this of course but I’ve always been proud of you. Honey, I’m just worried about you. When you get back we do have talking to do especially about Ridge."

Bridget looked away. " Ridge, I thought that you weren’t going to tell him."

" I’m not going to him or anyone what happened. But still, he obviously is an issue and I think we need talk about him. But not right now. Just go and enjoy yourself.

"What about you mom, are you going to be alright?"

" Yes, of course I’ll be fine."

" Mom, I know that you’ve been really depressed lately. With Thorne and all, then there is me. I know that you were really upset."

"Honey, it isn’t your place to worry about me. It’s my place to worry about you. Now, I’ll be fine. So don’t worry." Brooke looked her watch. Bridget knew that her mother had a meeting to go to.

" Mom go ahead to your meeting, the flight is only delayed a half of an hour and we’ll be fine. Cindy and her parents are in Starbucks having some coffee. I’ll just wait with them.

" Are you sure that you are going to be alright, I wanted to see you off."

" I’ll be fine mom. Go."

"Okay, but I’ll walk you."

"You just want to talk to Cindy parents to make sure you lay down the ground rules."

" Who me? Now why would I do something like that?" Brooke smiled at daughter.

Brooke finished reading the files on the information on Lauren’s boutique idea. " I’m telling you Lauren without knowing who this silent partner is, I can’t do business with you." Brooke talked to Lauren on a conference call on the speakerphone.

"Brooke, they are willing to back almost the entire project without major cost for Forrester or me."

Brooke leaned back in her chair biting on her pen. " And that is what is worrying me."

"Making money?"

"The little cost that they are actually asking. I mean we are going to be supplying the designs and might have to consider to getting another designer. But using designs that we already have, we aren’t really spending all that much.

"I don’t understand why you are having a problem with this, Brooke."

Brooke sighed. " I don’t know Lauren. Maybe it’s too good to be true. You coming with this incredible idea and you were instrumental in finding a silent partner to basically back the whole idea. I mean your experience with running Fenmore; this is something you can do easily so we don’t have to worry about hiring someone to run the boutique because your people can handle that end. It just seems to good to be true. I can’t take a chance and although I’m sure that the partner you’ve selected is wonderful. I can’t do business without knowing who they are. I trust you but I don’t trust them, not without knowing."

" Alright Brooke. I understand, I’ll talk to them today."

"Okay Lauren, I’ll talk to you later." Brooke pressed the button on the intercom. "When things look to good to be true, they normally are." Still Brooke had to admit, if this partner were someone they could trust, they could make a killing just on designs that they didn’t use. " Making money Brooke, that is something that you can do." Brooke put the files in the cabinet when she noticed a picture of Thorne inside the cabinet. She picked up the picture and touched Thorne’s smiling face. " To bad that love seems to be the only thing that you can’t do." Brooke couldn’t find it in her heart to throw the picture away and she put the picture back into the cabinet. The last couple of days had been hard; she had seen Thorne twice, once in a staff meeting and the other in the hallway. Brooke had ignored him both times and it seemed like her heart was going to explode, it had been one of the hardest things for her to do. After the first meeting he tried to talk to her, but she refused him telling him to leave her alone. He didn’t understand that seeing him was like a knife thrusting in her heart. She loved him, but that didn’t matter, it was over. As soon as she starting acting like it, it would become a reality. Eric opened the door to Brooke’s office. He stood there for a moment looking at his ex-wife. As much as he hated to admit it, she was still extremely beautiful. Brooke wore a beautiful dark blue pin-stripped dress, the sleeveless dress had a heart shaped curved neckline which hinted more than a little of Brooke’s breast, the dress shaped her body tightly molding to her flat stomach her hips, the hem of her dress stopped below her knee while her opened toed blue shoes matched her dress. On her wrist she wore a gold band that matched the gold banned ring she wore on her forefinger. Her hair rested well past her shoulders and when she leaned across her desk the light from the window hit her hair and it shined. For a moment Eric remembered how happy that he had been when he had married to Brooke. Brooke had been so young, so full of life almost innocent. All that she had wanted back then was to be his wife and have children with him. Now, he couldn’t figure out what she wanted. She did love the children but the choices that she made were choices that not only could hurt his children but the rest of his family. The thing with Thorne had only proved that he was right, she had involved herself with another member of his family not caring what it did to anyone else least alone Bridget. Bridget was a confused girl and rightfully so The woman who stood before him now was far from innocent, still he knew that she was hurting. What would losing Bridget do to Brooke, would it send her over the edge? Eric stepped into the office.

"Brooke, I have the three designs that KC did for the WOW line. I have to agree with you, they are excellent. I have also asked her to do a few designs for the cutor line since we are under the gun with Morgan not designing for us. Besides, I was impressed with what she had done with Ridge."

" So, you finally agree with me about her working here. It’s good to see that you are finally agree with me on something. It’s good to know that I can make an intelligent decision."

" Brooke, I’m not going to apologize for being angry with you. I’m Bridget’s father and when you left town and left her alone, you made a big mistake."

" And I’ve already said that I was sorry didn’t I?" Brooke slammed the file that she had in her hands down. " You act as if I purposely allowed Bridget to have that party and left the alcohol out for the kids."

" You weren’t responsible."

"Bridget has always been responsible and I trusted her on that. I thought that I was only going to be gone one night and yes IT WAS A MISTAKE."

" A mistake Brooke that could have ended up badly."

" You don’t think that I don’t know that? You know what Eric, it is really easy for you to sit back and tell me everything that you think is wrong with my parenting skills. When was the last time that you spent some one on one time with Bridget or Rick for that matter? Have you taken the time to get to know Eve, Rick’s girlfriend?"

" Rick is angry with me, you know that. He hadn’t said that much to me since…"

"Venice? And that is my fault. You can take the blame for that."

Eric shook his head. " You aren’t ready to forgive me for that are you? You and Thorne are over so it shouldn’t matter." Brooke stopped dead in her tracks when Eric made the remark about Thorne.

"Nice remark Eric." Eric walked toward Brooke.

" Look, I’m sorry about that remark. I didn’t mean it.." Brooke’s cold veneer stopped him from speaking any further.

"I know what you meant. Don’t expect me to think that you actually sorry for what happened between us. You haven’t uttered any words to Thorne since he chose me over you in that silly ultimatum that you’re your wife made. So now you have your son back and the Big Bad Brooke is out of his life. I’m quite sure that your wife is already arranging a dinner party for Thorne and Kimberly. You all can sit around and go on and on about what a wicked person I am."

" Brooke, honestly. I don’t think that about you. You aren’t a wicked person, how could you think that I feel that way about you?"

"Cut the crap Eric. You’d treat me like I am the enemy for almost a year and you ask me that. You’d tried your best to destroy my love life." Brooke sighed. "You know what, I don’t want to talk about this with you anymore it’s futile. Thorne and I are over, no need to discuss anything about it. I will however say one thing to you. Before you cast any stones in my direct about me being a poor parent in any way, think about all the things that you have missed in our children’s’ lives. This morning you had the opportunity to see your daughter off and you missed it. Now was that good parenting on your part? No. And with her most likely going to live in Paris in the incoming year, I’d think that you’d want to spend more time with her."

Eric scowled. " Going to live in Paris? I never agreed to that."

" Eric, we’d discussed this before. Bridget shows real potential for such a young girl and this is excellent opportunity for her artwork. She isn’t a designer she is another type of artist.. Why not let her go and explore where this takes her?"

"She’s too young."

"She’s seventeen. Plus she is mature for her age."

" You think that party shows her maturity.

"No. She made a mistake but in the art institute she’ll have restrictions. My parents also live in Paris and they will make sure that she is all right. Plus I’ll be visiting all of the time.."

" I can’t believe that you’d send our daughter off like that."

" I’m not sending her off Eric. I’m giving her something that she has always wanted. When the last time you saw a piece of work by her? I live with her and I didn’t truly understand how good she was until after I was shown." Brooke gave Eric a questioning look. "Where is this coming from, I thought that you weren’t against it?"

"I said that I’d consider it Brooke, I didn’t agree to it. I still haven’t."

" What are you saying Eric?"

" I’m saying that I’m not sure if I want my 17 year old impressionable daughter running around and living in Paris. You may not be bothered by that, but I am."

" All of the sudden right?"

"It isn’t all of the sudden."

" Yes it is and you know what I think that you are taking this stand because I’m for it. Well, it doesn’t matter. Bridget wants to go and I intend to fully support her. I’m doing what is best for her."

"I’m her father and you can’t ignore that."

"Why not, you’ve ignored Bridget. I can’t believe that you are willing to ignore her needs in order to spite me."

" I can’t believe that you are willing to ship our daughter out of the country because you don’t want to be bothered with her."

"How dare you? You know that is furthest from the truth. Do you really think that I want Bridget to go? I love her. But, I know this would be good for her. She is special Eric and this institute is the best. I want the best for my daughter. Just what in the hell do you want?" Eric could say nothing and he stormed out of the office.

" Damn you Brooke, I’m not going to allow you to ship our daughter out of the country for any reason." Eric stormed out of office.

Rick was in the office that he was using as his at Forrester checking on the newest ads for the WOW line and Princess. He would be spending the summer working in conjunction of add department. His mother and father thought that it was important to be part of every department to give him an idea on how the company was really working. He was studding the latest polls about the ads; his mother was almost a genius because people were feining for more adds with Trudie. Rick was getting ready for a meeting with Mark and Sam when he saw Kimberly walk past his office. Rick jumped up and went in the hallway; he grabbed her by the arm.

" Just what in the hell do you think that you are doing here?" Kimberly tried to get out of Rick’s grasp.

"Let go!"

" Not until you tell me what you are doing here." Rick pulled her back into the office. Kimberly pulled her arm until it was freed.

"Man handling me isn’t smart Rick." Rick advanced on Kimberly with hatred in his eyes.

"You are lucky that is all that I’m doing for you."

"What is this about? Oh, is it about your little slut Eve. It’s not my fault that your tastes runs toward trash."

"Don’t! Don’t you dare even mention her name. Not after what you did."

Kimberly looked bored. " So this is about Mommy, isn’t it?"

"What you did to my mother…"

" Was justly deserved. Your mother got everything that she had coming to her."

"How could you do it? How could you sleep with Thorne?"

"It was easy." Kimberly licked her lips slowly. " He was most fantastic, his lips and hands all over…" Rick grabbed her hard.

"Shut up! Shut up do you hear me!" Rick thrust her away and Kimberly she started to laugh.

" Don’t want to hear about do you? He’s everything that I always wanted. He was a real man unlike you…. you are nothing but a boy."

"You are a sick bitch! You never loved me."

" Don’t tell me that your feelings are hurt, are they Ricky. Let me tell you what hurt my feelings. It hurt my feelings when MY BOYFRIEND supported his mother’s horrible affair with my sister’s husband. Your mother is the biggest slut in LA. My god, she fu(ked almost everyman in your family yet you still supported her!" Anger contorted Kimberly’s beautiful face. " You supported her and she killed my sister! Did you really think that I was going to forgive you for that? So you asked me if I loved you…well I did but the moment my sister died, I started hating you." Rick blanched at Kimberly’s words. God, what had he done? He had supported Kimberly against his poor mother. " I hate you! I hate you and that bitch mother of yours. I’m glad that she is suffering. I hope that she is crying her eyes out. I hope that her heart is breaking into a million pieces. And you know what? I’m not done with her yet. I’m going to make her suffer." Kimberly smiled gleefully at Rick.

" Who in the hell are you? My mother wasn’t responsible for what happened to Macy. What kind of creature have you turned into?"

"I’ve figured that you’d say something like that. You murderers like to stick together."

" What do you mean by that?"

" You think that you know everything don’t you. You think that you know everything and you are so perfect. Well, I have something to tell you that it will change that tune of yours." Kimberly smiled such a sinister smile that Rick knew that he wasn’t going to like what she was going to say.

Brooke opened the door to her office when she found Rick standing there looking lost and with red tear stained eyes. " What in the world? Rick, what happened?"

"How could you mother? How could you lie to me?"

"How could I lie to you about what?"

"Grant…" Rick looked down at his shaking hands. " I shot him. How could you cover that up?" Brooke took a step back, shock ran through her body.

" Oh god. Rick." Brooke stepped hesitantly toward her son. The full shock of what her son was saying hit her. " I wanted to protect you. I loved you."

"I’m a murderer…. I tried to kill a man."

" No honey. No… you made a mistake. You were so young and confused." Brooke reached out toward her son with pleading eyes. " Think about that time. You were young and at a very impressionable age. I didn’t understand the violence that those video games and the movies were having on you. Then there was Grant, you didn’t like him and I didn’t really didn’t that."

" I tried to kill the man mother! What kind of person am I?"

"A sweet one. A loving person who made a mistake. A young man who had so many feelings that he couldn’t deal with them. You also had a mother who married a man her children didn’t know. She was so depressed and out of it that she didn’t pay attention to the large amount of stress that her children where going through." Tears spilled out of Brooke’s eyes. " If there is anyone who is to blame it is I. I should have been there for you…"

"Don’t, don’t do that mom. Stop taking the blame for something that I did." Rick covered his face in shame. " How could you stand to live with me, I was like one of the kids that shoot at people in the schools."

" No Rick, you aren’t. You were so confused."

" So confused that I’d almost kill someone. God, I never knew how much I hated him."

" You didn’t hate him Rick. You hated what I did. The mess that I made out my life. The mess that I made out of your life. Grant knew this, that is why he protected you."

" He protected me? He knew it was me?"

"Yes honey. He knew it was you. He didn’t want to tell me, but soon I found out. That is when we decided that we’d do anything to protect you."

" We… you, Grant and…."

" And Ridge. Ridge loved you. I knew that you had been through enough and we didn’t want you to go to jail or have the stigma of being an attempted murder. That is why we went to James to make sure that you were all right. And you were. You blocked the entire thing out and it was best."

" Mother, don’t you understand what this has done to me. What does it mean for me that I’m capable of this kind of violence? I might do it again… I might." Brooke shook her head.

"No, no honey. You aren’t that confused little boy anymore. You have learned to deal with your anger. You have never hurt anyone in your life since then and you will never will."

" I don’t know who I am."

" You are Rick. You are my son. I love you …."

" And you kept this from me!"

" To protect you. Don’t you see that I will do anything to protect you and your sister." Brooke reached out toward her son. " I’d do it again. I’d do it to protect you from your own pain. I know that you are hurting and are angry… most especially with me. But I promise you that I’ve never hidden anything else from you. I’m your mother and I want you to know that I love you so much. Don’t let this thing change you."

" How can you say that… I know what I am."

"So do I! I know who you are. You are standing in front of me. You are Rick Forrester. You are the wonderful man that I raised. You are smart and capable. You are gentle and caring and you’d never….Look at me!" Brooke cupped Rick’s face again. " You’d never hurt a soul. Do understand that? You’d never hurt anyone." Brooke hugged her son.

Rick started to shake in his mother’s arms.

" I’m scared mom. I’m so scared." Rick held on tight to his mother.

" I’m know honey. But there is nothing to be scared of. Nothing can happen to you. You are exactly who you think you are." Brooke kissed the top of her son’s head. " You are my precious boy and I love you. We all love you."

"I’m so sorry mom."

" I know, honey. I know."

Kimberly looked into the mirror in Thorne’s office making sure that she looked perfect in her sleeveless wrap- around pink blouse and her pink skirt with the white overlay. Her hair was in a long ponytail held why a pink ribbon while her matching pink purse and sling back shoes. She wanted to look her best for Thorne. She checked her lipstick and put a little more of Mac’s B-cup lipstick on. She thought about Rick, telling him all about his adventures with Grant had been deliciously satisfying. Rick should pay and he would be in his own hell. People like Rick could never deal with their own actions and this would most likely destroy him slowly.

"He never should have supported his mother over my sister."

" You bitch!" Kimberly turned around to find Brooke standing in the doorway toward in Thorne’s office. " How dare you tell my son about Grant! How dare you hurt him like that?" Before Kimberly could blink, Brooke had her by her throat and slammed her up against the wall. Kimberly’s lipstick went crashing to the floor as well as the files on Thorne’s desk. Kimberly got scared; Brooke was squeezing her throat tightly and had a crazed look in her eye. Kimberly tried to push Brooke away but she couldn’t because the grip that Brooke had on her throat was tight. " I should kill you right now. You went after my son." Brooke used her position to pull Kimberly’s head forward and slammed it against the wall. " MY SON! I’m not going to allow you to hurt him anymore." Kimberly struggled against Brooke making gagging sounds because her oxygen was being cut off. Thorne walked into his office and was shocked to find Brooke holding a struggling Kimberly by her neck against the wall. Thorne ran over and tried to pull Brooke off of Kimberly. He didn’t want to hurt Brooke but he didn’t want her to hurt Kimberly either.

"Brooke let her go." Brooke ignored him. She kept her eyes glued onto Kimberly who was gagging and starting to turn red. She struggled hard her eyes pleaded with Thorne.

" Brooke, please let her go! You are hurting her." Thorne pulled roughly at Brooke.

" Stop! Stop! You are going to hurt her!"

"Damn right I am!" Brooke squeezed tighter.

"NO, Please Brooke! Stop…..She’s pregnant!" Brooke who was momentarily caught off guard by Thorne’s words and she was flung back away from Kimberly by Thorne’s pulling.

"Pregnant?" Brooke whispered the word in horror.

Kimberly started coughing hard against the wall. Tears fell down her cheeks and she slumped toward the floor holding her throat. Thorne bent down toward Kimberly.

"Kimberly, Kimberly are you all right?" Kimberly panted heavily and started to cry hard. She touched the back of her aching head. "Thorne….." She inhaled; her voice took on a raspy quality. She cried harder. " She tried to kill me. She tried to kill me." Panic set in and Kimberly stroked her stomach. "She could have killed me and our baby." Thorne took the panicked teen into his arms.

" Shhh. It’s alright. Nothing is going to happen to you. You are safe."

Brooke stood looking down at the sight of Kimberly and Thorne together and she held her stomach, she felt physically ill. Thorne was holding his lover, stroking her head and that bitch was pregnant. Kimberly was going to have Thorne’s baby. All the rage that was inside of Brooke’s body was replaced with acute pain. " Baby… you are having his baby?" Now that Kimberly was all right, Thorne stood and helped Kimberly off the floor.

" Answer me Thorne. Is it true, she’s pregnant?" Thorne swallowed deeply looking at Kimberly who still had tears in her eyes and then to Brooke whose chest was heaving and voice filled with pain. He bowed his head for a moment took in a deep breath and nodded his head slowly.

" Brooke, Kimberly is pregnant." Brooke’s eyes went to Kimberly’s stomach.

" Is it yours?" She addressed Thorne not wanting to talk to Kimberly. Afraid of what she’d do. Brooke knew that she had lost it she might have ended up really hurting her if Thorne hadn’t stopped her. It wasn’t like her to lose control like that but all the anger and hurt had filled her so much.

"Brooke, the baby is mine. Kimberly…"

" I was a virgin when we made love." Kimberly supplied. Thorne shot Kimberly at look.

Brooke looked at the smug look in Kimberly’s face. "Are you sure she is pregnant? Test can be altered."

"You would know about that wouldn’t you Brooke."

"Enough Kimberly."

Kimberly gave Thorne a pouty look. " She is crazy Thorne. You saw for yourself that she was trying to kill me…"

" I wasn’t trying to kill you….yet."

"Brooke!" Thorne took at step toward her. " Look, I’m not sure what this is about but I know that you don’t mean that."

"Don’t I? Is she really pregnant?’ Brooke knew the answer before Thorne opened his mouth. The despair was in his eyes.

" Yes". Thorne’s eyes started to sting. He hadn’t wanted Brooke to find out this way. He stepped toward Brooke. " Brooke…"

" No. Don’t even bother, everything is crystal clear." What was left of her heart was breaking softly. A baby…. Kimberly had his baby growing inside of her. " There isn’t any need for discussion." Brooke looked away for a moment and then back at Thorne. One single tear slipped down her face and she didn’t bother to wipe it as it made it way down her cheek, her chin and dropped to the floor. " I see everything now." Her eyes found Kimberly. " Congratulations, you played this game very well. You had this planned from the beginning. I will hand it to you Kimberly; I really underestimated you. The lengths that you would go through in order to hurt me and get Thorne. I will say this, the only saving you right now is that baby growing inside of you." Brooke advanced on Kimberly until she was directly in her face. Brooke’s voice took on a deadly tone. " Make no mistake, you will pay for what you’ve done to my son today. And if you ever go near him or my daughter to cause them the slightest inkling of pain, I will come back and most assuredly finish what I started." Brooke turned away and walked out of the office when Thorne followed her.

" Brooke…" She stopped.

" Don’t worry Thorne, you baby is safe. I wouldn’t hurt an ." Brooke almost chocked on her words. " Innocent child."

" What happened Brooke? This isn’t like you."

"It doesn’t matter. It’s not your problem. Your problems have just begun." Brooke turned when Thorne blocked her.

"Don’t go, not like this."

" Get out of my way."

"Please….I love you." Thorne tried cupped Brooke’s face but she pulled away. " That is why she was at my house. She had told me about the baby and I….."

" Stop! Stop it! It doesn’t matter anymore. She’s tied to you forever. I don’t know what is the truth or lies. You had a chance to come clean but you didn’t. She was in your bed naked and calling out for you. You’ve lied to me and kept things from me. What we had is gone because you threw it away on her! That little manipulative bitch! I warned you, but you wouldn’t listen to me. You wouldn’t listen just like Rick wouldn’t listen. She’s gotten what she wanted all along, you! She can have you!"

" I don’t want Kimberly…. I want you!"

" Well, I don’t want you. I want a real man who can be honest and see through the manipulative schemes of little vamp. I want a man who can put me first and love me. I gave you my love, all of it, and you threw it away on her. So go! Go to your little whore because that baby is going to need you, if it is yours. Take her to your bed as many times as you want. Hell marry her. But just stay away from me!" Brooke walked around Thorne and started toward the elevator when she stopped. "By the way, you have five minutes to get your whore out of my building or security will throw her out. It’s bad enough that I have to see you. I will not endure her company in any manner." Brooke walked calmly away from Thorne never looking back at Thorne or to see the many Forrester employees that had stopped and witness her argument with Thorne in the hallway. Thorne looked around embarrassed and went into his office. Kimberly who had overheard the entire situation ran toward him.

" Thorne, I’m so….."

" Shut up Kimberly!" Thorne went into his file cabinet and took out a bottle of Jack Daniels and downed a drink. " I suggest that you go home."

" Home, why?"

"Because Brooke is upset and wants you gone."

" Why should I care what that woman wants? I know that you love her but she is a bitch and she tried to kill me!"

" Don’t, don’t ever talk about Brooke that way. Do you hear me?"

Kimberly whimpered. " She tried to hurt me. Don’t you even care?" Thorne took another drink.

"I care. And I’m sorry that you were almost hurt. Brooke isn’t normally like that. What happened between you and Rick?"

"He saw me and verbally attacked me. He called me a whore and then I let it slip that his past wasn’t all that he thought. After all, he shot Grant."

" He did what?" Thorne’s third drink was paused on his way to his lips.

" You didn’t know? I thought with you being Brooke’ fiancée she would have told you. I found out that Rick shot Grant. Apparently he didn’t know it and reacted badly and of course Brooke blamed me. It was just what she needed to come and attack me."

" Rick shot Grant."

" Yes and he blocked the whole thing out apparently. Kinda amazing isn’t it. I guess that Brooke was keeping secrets from you too."

" He blocked the whole thing out…" Thorne stood there for a moments and a flash sound vibrated in his head, a gunshot.

" Thorne, Thorne?" Kimberly touched his head. " Are you alright?"

" Huh?" Thorne backed up. " Yeah, I’m ……" Kimberly, go home."

" Thorne, I thought that we could talk…."

"Dammit Kimberly! Please. I’m glad that you and the baby are all right. Just go home. Please, I’ll talk to you later." Kimberly picked up her purse.

" Thorne, thanks for saving me." Thorne hardly heard her leave, he thought were no longer on the gunshot sound that he had heard but was on the look on Brooke’s face when she told him to leave me alone. She hated him now. It was clear as the pain on her face as he said that Kimberly was having his child. " Brooke, I’m so sorry." Thorne poured himself another glass hoping the numbness would soon engulf him.

Brooke sat in her office the tears streaming down her face. She was an emotional mess and in no shape to deal with everything that was coming at her. Thorne had gotten Kimberly pregnant, how in the world could he do that. Her cell phone started to ring and it took her a moment for her realize that it was ringing. Brooke jumped up and she raced to get it. She read the number. " Rick! Thank God."

"Mom…"

" Where are you? I left to get you something to drink and then you disappeared."

" Mom, I need some time alone."

" Where are you?"

"I’m not going to tell you."

" Why, I want to come and help you. I want to…"

"No! Mom. I need to spend some time alone to think about everything."

" But…"

" Mom, I’m just calling to let you know that I’m all right and that I’ll be gone a couple of days." Panic set in and she was scared. Rick wasn’t in the right condition to go off alone.

"No honey. You shouldn’t be alone."

" Mom when you had to deal with Thorne, you went somewhere to think and now I’m going to do that same. I know that you want to help me but you can’t. You’ve done everything that you could to protect me to insure my safely, but I’m a man now or at least I’m trying to be one. I can’t do that if you solve my problems and guess what mom. You can’t solve this for me."

"Well…is Eve with you?"

"No mother. I can’t tell Eve something like this. How is she going to feel when she finds out that she had a murderer for a boyfriend?"

" You aren’t a murderer honey. Grant didn’t die because of you. Listen if you won’t let me help then call her and get her to come with you. She’s loves you, I can tell."

" Look….ah….I don’t know. I gotta go. I love you."

" Rick no…don’t hang up. Rick!" Brooke heard the dial tone. " No. Please." She tried calling him back on his cell phone but he didn’t answer. " Oh god, what have I done. What have I done to my children?" First, Bridget and her manipulation and then Rick and his knowing about his shooting Grant and then up and leaving. Her children were both going through their own pain and there is nothing that she could do about it.

" Brooke?" James stood in the doorway.

"Oh James, thank god you are here." Brooke ran toward him and hugged him. James was surprised by the reception.

"Brooke are you alright? I got your call about Rick."

" No, he knows everything about shooting Grant."

" I heard from your message. Where is he now?"

"He left. I don’t where he is. He just called me and he won’t tell me where he is and I’m worried…."

" Why did he leave?" Brooke looked at him in a nervous manner.

" I don’t know….he said that he needed time alone. He needed to think about things. He said to give him some time."

" He is doing the right thing."

"What? How can you say that? He’s alone and his hurting." Brooke clutched her chest.

"My little boy is hurting and you are telling me to leave him out there alone."

" That’s the point Brooke, he isn’t a little boy. He is a man and he is going to need time to digest what he has learned. And you can’t solve this problem for him." James guided Brooke toward one of her office chairs and gave her a glass of water. He could clearly see that she was working herself up into a panic. She was almost falling apart. " Here drink this, at this point I’m more than worried about you."

" Me? You shouldn’t be worried about me you should be worried about Rick."

"Brooke, this is normal for what Rick is going through. Rick needs time to clear his head and besides he has a girlfriend who will be there for him if he needs her. What Rick doesn’t need is an overprotective mother who looks as if she is going to lose her mind herself. Now, drink this water." Brooke took the water and didn’t notice James eyes when he noticed that her hands had begun to shake.

" Now Brooke, why don’t you tell me what is going on with you. You are a mess."

" Me…nothing is going on with me. I’m fine… I’m all right." Brooke avoided his eyes.

" You are lying. I’m been worried about you especially since I haven’t seen you in for a session since you and Thorne broke up. Are you still experiencing the panic of your attack?"

"I’ve had a couple of nightmares, nothing serious. Hell, I haven’t had much sleep."

"Because of your breakup with Thorne."

" Thorne….he sure knew how to break my heart." Brooke looked at James. "I sure know how to screw up my life and children’s lives with my choices."

"Children lives? Is something wrong with Bridget?"

"Everything is wrong with Bridget… she did something."

"What?"

"What she did, well, I don’t want to get into it. But her reasoning for what she did all went back to Ridge. My daughter loves Ridge because of me and my love for him for all those years. Rick tried to hurt Grant because I married him." Brooke thoughts turned to Thorne as his voice echoed throughout her head. "Stop, Stop Brooke, she is pregnant." Brooke turned her head away from James.

"What is it ?"

"It’s nothing. Nothing at all." But Brooke was lying. It wasn’t nothing. Thorne was the father of Kimberly’s baby and nothing would ever be the same again.

"It is something. And I’m worried about you. You’ve got to calm down. If you continue like this you won’t be good for either of your children."

"I’m doing my best…it’s just that everything is falling apart." Brooke covered her face. "What am I going to do?" James knelled next to Brooke.

"Brooke what is wrong?"

"Pregnant…..she’s pregnant."

" Who?"

"Kimberly" Brooke’s tear filled eyes found James. "Kimberly is pregnant with Thorne’s baby." James reached out and pulled Brooke into his arms holding her as she cried. Poor Thorne, poor Brooke. Ten to one Thorne had not headed his warning and told Brooke to truth about his relationship. Nor had he distanced himself from Kimberly. James had hoped to see the girl but she always seemed to have an excuse not to see him and it worried him. The whole situation worried him, but at the moment he needed to help Brooke. The stress of Thorne and Rick along with whatever was bothering Bridget would send Brooke over the edge if she didn’t watch it.

 

Brooke heard the knocking at her office door but she ignored it. The last couple of hours had been hell on her. Megan pushed the door open. "Brooke, I’m sorry to disturb you but …." Brooke’s lifeless body lying on the sofa in her office nursing what it seems to be gin a glass startled Megan. Brooke hardly drank and never at work. "Brooke?" Megan had known that something was wrong but seeing Brooke like this only proved her theory. She knelled next to Brooke.

" Brooke is everything alright?"

Brooke answered in an unrecognizable voice. "What is it Megan."

" Your dress…."

Brooke shook her head and got up from the sofa. " My dress?"

"Yes Brooke, your dress for the Eye On Fashion awards. You are supposed to go tonight."

"Cancel. I don’t feel like going."

" Brooke, don’t you remember? You are the one who is honored this year for woman of the year."

" What?" Brooke looked at Megan in a confused manner.

"Brooke, they are honoring you tonight. Don’t you remember? They sent you that letter to let you know. I asked you if you wanted tickets and you told me to get 4. For Rick, Bridget and Thorne. You didn’t want me to ask Eric and Stephanie or Ridge. You said that you’d ask you mother and father, but I guess with everything going, you forgot to ask them."

Brooke sighed. " I remember now." Brook looked at the dress bag that Megan had carried in. " I had KC to design the dress for me."

" She didn’t forget Brooke." Megan hung up the dress, which was hanging in the bag.

"Tell her that I said thank you."

" Brooke, don’t you remember that KC is gone. She and Connor have planned a romantic get away. She left this morning." Megan put her hand on Brooke’s shoulder.

" Brooke, you aren’t all right. What is wrong? You haven’t been the same since earlier today. I’m really worried about you. You are drinking and you never drink hard liquor."

"I’ll be alright Megan." Brooke looked at the bag hanging in her office. " I bought tickets for Bridget, Rick and Thorne…" Thorne’s face flashed in front of her eyes. Pregnant, Kimberly was pregnant with his child. Everyone that she wanted and who was important to her was supposed to be there and they wouldn’t be there.

" Brooke, isn’t Rick going with you? I thought that maybe his new girlfriend could go instead of Thorne." Megan hated to bring up Thorne, she had been just as shocked as KC when they found that Brooke and Thorne didn’t make up and it seemed that their relationship took a turn for the worse.

" No, Rick …" Brooke tried to blink back the tears in her eyes. It seemed that everything was falling apart. " No Rick won’t be going with me. I’m going alone."

" Brooke, how can you go to that event alone. It is a big award. Listen I’ll cancel my plans for the night."

" No. Megan. I know that you already have class tonight. I know how important it is to you. That is why you couldn’t go when I asked you."

" I can cancel. I don’t want you to go alone."

Brooke smiled weakly. " Thank you for being such a good friend to me. But go to your class. I’ll be fine. It’s just a dinner and no big deal."

"Brooke…" Megan was really worried. She had never seen her like this. She was so quiet and sad looking.

" Did something happen Brooke?" Megan picked up the open bottle of gin on the bar.

"No… nothing happened. Everything is going to be alright." But Brooke didn’t believe it.

" You can go now."

Megan left the office. Something was very wrong with Brooke and she was very worried.

Brooke walked through her living room looking for her purse. She wasn’t sure what she did with it. God, she didn’t want to go to the awards ceremony tonight. How was she going to stand up there and listen to a presentation when things were so bad? How was she going to make an acceptance speech with her son going through his own personal hell and with the knowledge that Thorne had impregnated Kimberly? She couldn’t seem to even figure out where the hell her purse was. "Maybe you shouldn’t even bother with this awards, it doesn’t matter." Brooke picked up a photo of her Rick and Bridget and studied it. " The most important things in my life are you." Brooke had tried to get in touch with Rick but he didn’t answer his phone. She had gone by his guesthouse and noticed that he his closets were in disarray; he had left to go somewhere. Bridget had called from Hawaii and Brooke did her best to sound cheerful for her daughter. Brooke touched the empty space on her fireplace. There used to be a wonderful picture of her and Thorne on the beach. She had removed it, just as she removed all the other photos of Thorne from her home. There would be no more photos to remind her of the love that she had lost or the betrayal that she had discovered. Brooke was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t hear her front door open or notice that male figure walking up behind her. He reached out and touched her on the shoulder. Brooke jumped as she turned around and she dropped the picture.

"What are you doing here?"

Ridge picked up the broken photo of Brooke, Rick and Bridget. " I thought that you’d need a date tonight." Ridge said as he looked up. He breath caught in his throat when he saw what Brooke was wearing. " Wow! You look stunning." She looked more than stunning. The gown was elegant and very sensual at the same time. Brooke’s gown was a two-pieced outfit; the full-length skirt was made of out of beautiful cream satin, with a small train. While the skirt was epitome of classic beauty, the top was a mixture of elegance and sensuality. The top of the dress was done in a soft gray sheer material that as was so soft and silky to the look and probably to the touch. It was a single shouldered top and it left her right shoulder bare while her left shoulder covered in a long shelved sheathe of material. What made the top remarkable was the sheer material, which Ridge could almost see through without the help of the correct lighting. It was also clear that Brooke was braless and he could make out her two full breast and almost her nipples. Brooke’s hair held up by a beautiful diamond clasp, which was accompanied with the large diamonds on her ears and the diamond bracelet on arm of her naked shoulder. Brooke wore very little makeup and she looked extraordinary exquisite.

" That dress Logan is a mixture of elegance and sensuality. KC designed it didn’t she?"

"Yes."

" Brooke and you do look fabulous. And you are also…ahh braless."

"That is the way that the dress is made."

" Logan.. I can see your breast. Maybe you should…"

"Why are you here and dressed in a tux?" Brooke didn’t want to hear Ridge’s opinion about her state of dress. As far as she was concerned, you could hardly see her breast, he only saw them because he was looking

" I’m going to take you to the awards dinner."

"What?"

"Look, Megan told me about the award. It is a pretty big deal Logan. I thought that I’d go with you. Besides, I’m worried about how you look."

" You just said that I looked beautiful."

Ridge grinned. "You know what I mean. Something is bothering you, I can tell. What is it?" Brooke looked at Ridge with a sad face.

"Everything, everything is the matter and I can’t do anything about it." Brooke’s eyes filled with tears.

Ridge cupped her face. " What’s the matter Logan? What in the hell happened?"

Brooke shook her head. " Everything. Everything happened today. Rick found out about shooting Grant."

"What?"

"Kimberly told him. He has taken it badly and now he is gone. He won’t tell me where he is and I’m so worried about him. Then there is …Br…Throne." Brooke had almost said Bridget but she stopped herself.

" What about Thorne?" Ridge had no idea what was going on with his brother. He had been spending his free time with his son and trying to see his other children. He also had been busy getting a new place. At this point there was no telling when he’d be able to go home anytime soon. Taylor was furious with him and yesterday they had had a horrible fight about the children. She had been angry because he had told them that they’d be a family again. Ridge had tried to explain that he was doing all that he could to keep his family together. Taylor had said that they weren’t a family anymore and he ruined it. She had also threatened to stop allowing the children to see him if he didn’t stop telling them that they would be reunited. Taylor had said nothing about his son and Ridge wondered if she knew. He had been too afraid to ask. However, he had plans to go over and visit the children the next day and planned on taking his son who was going to be released tomorrow. He hoped that showing the baby would help her to open her heart to his child. Taylor loved babies; he knew it. He remembered how wonderful she had been with Bridget and hoped that seeing his son, who at this point was motherless, would help her see the light. The longer that Morgan was in the coma, the worse it looked. He had wondered what had happened and he had asked his mother who said that Morgan had apparently been renting his father’s old house that he had shared with Shelia. Stephanie said that she had found out and had confronted Morgan when Morgan went into labor.

"Nothing….I don’t want to get into it tonight. Talking about Thorne would only upset me. Besides, I don’t want to be late." Brooke found her purse and headed toward the front door and opened it. Whatever it was that was eating her must be big; he hadn’t seen Brooke like this in a long time. True, on the outside she looked wonderful but there was something in her eyes, the eyes were so sad. Ridge caught Brooke by the hand and stopped her. He cupped her face and gently kissed her fully on the lips. Brooke didn’t fight the sweet kiss but simply stood still in shock. When he lifted his head she looked at him with a shocked expression.

" Why?"

"I think that you needed a kiss Logan. I think that you needed something to make you smile."

" Ridge…"

"Don’t worry it was just a kiss between friends. Alright?"

" Friends..I think that I need that right now. Just a friend Ridge. I know that you are going through a lot right now." Brooke smiled weakly. "Thanks for being here for me."

Ridge smiled. " Anytime. Anytime Brooke." Brooke and Ridge made their way outside to the waiting limo hand in hand. When they drove off neither of them saw the figure standing in the shadows of the trees. Thorne stood in the drive and he was more than drunk. He had left the office not wanting to deal with Kimberly after the fiasco. He had wondered while he had been drinking why Brooke hadn’t told him about Rick. He had come to her house tonight hoping to explain things better but he had been in for a surprise himself. Brooke had opened her front door the light behind her bathed her and she looked beautiful. He also was surprised that he could see the light shining through the top of her outfit; she was naked beneath the top. Thorne had been shocked when Ridge had come behind her. He had watched as Ridge kissed Brooke and saw that she didn’t fight or pull back. Instead she had smiled and took his hand and went to the limo. "Brooke, why did you allow him to kiss you?" Thorne’s heart was breaking. "Ridge… I should have known that he would find his way over with you." A horrible scowl covered his face.

" There isn’t anyway that I’m going to allow you to make a move toward Brooke." Thorne took another drink out of his bottle as anger and resentment started to build inside of him.

Brooke walked off the elevator in Forrester with her award in her hand. Tonight awards ceremony had been wonderful and " Eye On Fashion" had also outdone themselves; Ridge had been the perfect date, charming and trying his best to make her laugh. Brooke was glad that he had taken her. She hardly remembered her acceptance speech although Ridge had assured her that it was more than wonderful. Brooke had also been pleasantly surprised to see that not only had Ridge shown up but Megan, Giovionne and her sister Katie. Brooke had been moved that they had all come to see her and tried to make her feel better. The only real damper had been the press; they had hounded her the moment that she and Ridge had left the limo. They asked her about Thorne and Kimberly while others hounded Ridge with questions about his marriage. Then they asked something that she hadn’t expected, they asked her if she were now involved with Ridge again. Both she and Ridge had denied the questions but Brooke got the feeling that they didn’t believe her or Ridge. Tomorrow, she was quiet sure that photos of her and Ridge would make front page. Ridge had tried to discourage Brooke from coming back to the office since it was so late but Brooke really didn’t want to go home. She knew that if she were to be in her home alone she’d only start worrying about Rick or think about Thorne and she didn’t want to do that. She made her way down the dimly lighted hallway when she heard voices coming from Eric’s office. It was late and she was surprised that Eric would still be working this late. She heard Stephanie’s voice as soon as she got closer to the office.

"Jonathan.. I don’t care how late it is. We’ve have waited for this moment and we aren’t going to let anything like the delivery of this message change things for us."

"Stephanie, you need to calm down. There isn’t any reason that we can’t serve Brooke with the papers in the morning."

" No, that isn’t good enough. I want it done tonight!"

Brooke slowly opened the door to Eric’s office. She studied the Eric who looked tired and weary, but that didn’t concern her like the look on Stephanie’s face. Stephanie almost looked happy. Jonathan had papers in his hands.

" Stephanie, I think that Eric is right. Tomorrow or tonight, it makes no difference."

"It makes a difference to me! I want her to know that her plan isn’t working. I want that bitch to pay for what she has done to my family. I want her to know tonight!" Pure rage contorted her face making her seem like a mad woman."

"Calm down? How am I supposed to do that? You told me yourself how she refused to even listen to you and are willing to ship your daughter off to another country. I told you how upset Thorne seemed today when I saw him; he was drinking in the office. But do you think that Brooke would even care about that? NO. She was too busy going out with Ridge. With Ridge! He took her to that Eye On Fashion Awards. Charlotte called me and told me. She’s at it again. She has already but her sights onto Ridge. I heard she wore a dress that you could see through and allowed her breast to be free so the men would them. How in the world can you allow your children to go through this again? What kind of mother would wear a dress like that? What about Ridge and Thorne, they haven’t had a good relationship since Venice and what in the hell do you think that this is going to do for them now. The little slut, I’m sure that she is taking her clothes off and trying to have sex with Ridge right now." Stephanie went toward Jonathan.

"Give me those papers. I’ll take it to the bitch’s home right now." Brooke pushed open the door fully. At first she had thought about leaving because emotionally she didn’t want to deal with Stephanie’s rage but Brooke knew the old bitch would show up at her home.

"You don’t have to bother. I’m here and you can hand me whatever it is you want me to see." Eric, Stephanie and Jonathan turned to see Brooke. Eric’s eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw Brooke, he could see her breast through sheer material. The dress was so elegant and sensual at the same time he was sorry that KC hadn’t designed it for their line, he knew it was KC’s work. Stephanie however was appalled by Brooke’s gown.

" You clearly are trying to seduce my son in that appalling dress. What kind of woman are you to be dressed with your tits out for the world to see." Brooke ignored the remark.

" Give me the papers." Jonathan looked at Eric. Eric was staring at Brooke and it took Jonathon tapping him on the shoulder broke him out of his trance.

" Eric, do you think that this is wise, allowing Brooke to read the papers right here."

Brooke’s eyes narrowed. " Let me see what you are all talking about and what Stephanie salivating to give me." Stephanie gave her a look of hatred and handed Brooke the papers. Brooke took the papers and started to read it. She stood there for a while taking in the information when she finally lifted her head. Pain slowly began to etch on her face and Stephanie smiled.

" This isn’t real."

" I’m sorry but it is you bitch. You thought that you could destroy my family so I’m showing you that you don’t have much of a family left." Brooke ignored Stephanie and zoned in on Eric.

" These papers, they aren’t real." Panic started to fill her.

" It is Brooke." Eric looked at her with a stoic expression.

" No! NO!" Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. "Bridget is my daughter. I’ve always had custody of her. These papers are not real. What judge in the world would take her from me without a court hearing?"

"Actually Brooke, Stephanie and Eric were putting in the petition for custody when they found out that Eric already had custody of Bridget." Jonathan pointed out.

" That can’t be right! I’ve always had the children."

" Not according to this. There was that time when you disappeared Brooke, you fully know that Eric got custody of the children."

" I had a nervous breakdown, you know that! Eric, you gave me back the children. You agreed that they belonged with me!" Brooke’s chest ached. She was frightened. Eric and Stephanie were going after Bridget.

" But what papers did you sign Brooke?"

"Paper…what papers? Eric stood in court and decided to let me have the children."

"Eric decided not to press any charges against you for kidnapping. Later he decided that you should be allowed your children because they needed you, however you never signed any papers that would allow you the guardianship of your children. All you had was a verbal agreement and now Eric has decided to revoke it."

" You can’t do this."

"We have Brooke." A vicious Stephanie said.

" Shut up! Shut." Brooke moved toward Eric. " You gave me the children. You know how important they are to me. I love them." Brooke was shaking. " You can’t take Bridget… she’s my little girl and I love her." Eric felt guilty seeing Brooke like this wasn’t something he accepted.

" It won’t matter Brooke. All the begging won’t matter." Stephanie shook her head. "It would have been easy to get the Bridget from your recent behavior. Leaving her alone, running off to Paris, sleeping with her brothers, allowing her to have parties, trying to ship her off to Paris. Look at how you are dressed tonight, throwing yourself after a married man, having an affair with Thorne and killing his wife. We would have blown you out of water but we don’t have to do it know, do we? We already have custody of Bridget, Eric never signed her back over to you." Brooke’s mind went back to those years, she was an emotional mess and she hadn’t signed any papers.

" No judge would…"

" He already has. Since Bridget is legally under the custody of Eric the Judge Harper has ordered her back to her father."

" Bridget won’t agree to this…"

" She doesn’t have to Brooke, Bridget is a minor and she doesn’t make those decisions."

Brooke looked down at the papers, thoughts filtered throughout her head. Stephanie smiled at Brooke; she looked defeated and seemed like she was going to lose her mind.

"No" Brooke whispered. " She’s my little girl." Brooke shook her head. " I won’t let you take her."

"You don’t have a choice…"

"Connor will stop this. He’ll…"

"He is out of town isn’t he? Besides it Friday and the courts are closed until Monday. You still wouldn’t have time to fix it even if he were here." Stephanie supplied. " He is probably humping that little designer you hired. Besides why would you want to get him to represent you? Wasn’t he your lawyer at that time? Shouldn’t he have told you that you should have the custody agreement in writing?" Brooke thought for a moment to that time years ago.

"Connor was out of town working with the Langley lawsuit for almost a year. He gave his clients over to another lawyer Tom Baker for that time."

" Well that isn’t our fault now is it? You really should have looked into getting a better lawyer." Stephanie said.

" Now, it makes sense, I couldn’t see Davis making that kinda mistake." Jonathan said.

" I’m going to fight this!"

Jonathan sighed. " If you fight this, it will only make it harder on your daughter. We will be forced to bring out your colorful history. By then, Eric and Stephanie will be able to prove how Bridget has had a better life being under their roof. We will call on Bridget’s teacher to talk about the emotional turmoil you have put her through with Thorne. How her grades have dropped this year. We will drag every affair, every immoral act that you’ve committed out and what do you think that the judge will side with? We will show how being in a family with a mother and father with people like the Forresters, who have successfully raised children their own children will be better for Bridget. We will then bring in Rick and talk about how you hired a teenaged girl to watch both Bridget and Rick when you went on your honeymoon. A teenaged girl who had sex and got pregnant by your son who was 16 at the time. We will talk about how Rick chose to live with Eric and Stephanie instead of you. We will bring in videos of your Brooke’s bedroom and show how you paraded half naked on a stage for the world to see. We will bring in experts who will talk about how this had to affect your impressionable teenaged daughter. We will have witness, Bridget’s friends who will talk about how your daughter walked in on you and Thorne having sex in bed. We will tell about how Bridget ran away from you so distraught because of your lies that you told about Thomas’s paternity. Do you want that to happen Brooke? In the end, Eric and Stephanie will still have Bridget and your already tarnished image would be in tatters." Brooke took in everything that Jonathan said. She knew that they’d do it. They’d put an ugly spin on everything and make her seem like the most horrible mother in the world.

Brooke turned toward Eric. " You haven’t said anything. Eric, you know. YOU KNOW how I love Bridget. You know that she and Rick mean the world to me. You know that I’ve been a good mother to them."

"Your whoring means the world to you not your children!" Stephanie said. " I warned you to leave my family alone, but you wouldn’t do it. You kept on . You slept with my sons and my husband and you expect him to feel sorry for you?"

Brooke swallowed painfully. " Eric, please. Don’t do it. I love her. Bridget needs me just like I need her." Tears were flowing down Brooke’s cheeks. " I’d anything for her. I’d die for her. Don’t take her. Don’t take her from me. My children are all that I have left."

Brooke grabbed Eric by the arm. " I’ll do whatever you want…. I’m begging you. Is that what you want. Me to beg! I’ll do it. I’ll do anything but don’t take her." Eric had never seen Brooke like this. She always seemed so powerful and in control but it looked like she was going to fall apart."

"I’m sorry Brooke, but I must do what is best for my daughter. Stephanie and I love Bridget and we know that the best thing for her is to live with us."

" No!" Brooke’s anger started to rise. " I’m not going to let you take her. I’ll fight…"

Eric shook his head sadly. " And you’d lose. Do you remember when I begged for you to leave Thorne? You didn’t. You didn’t care about MY FAMILY or the children. You didn’t listen to Bridget when she said that she didn’t want you with Thorne."

"Thorne and I aren’t together anymore."

" But that is only because he cheated on you. It didn’t have anything to do with Bridget. You wouldn’t even listen to me this morning when I voiced my opinion. You act like the children aren’t mine, but they are. I allowed you another chance and gave the children back to you. It was a mistake. Stephanie and I will see that you won’t hurt Bridget." Eric looked away. "I’m doing what is best for my daughter. When Bridget gets back from her trip, she will live with Stephanie and me." Eric took Stephanie’s hand. " Let’s go. I think that we are done." Stephanie kissed Eric on the cheek.

" I think that we are." She looked pointy at Brooke. " Or better yet you are. I promised you that you would lose everything and you have. Thorne had left you. Bridget is gone and it will only be a matter of time before Rick sees you for what you are. I couldn’t he happier." Eric, Stephanie and Jonathan left leaving Brooke alone. It was too much for her to bear. She had lost everything. Brooke had lost everything that was important to her all in one day.

Eric walked quietly back into his office to find Brooke lying on the floor crying while looking at a picture of her and Bridget. He had sent Stephanie home telling her that he wanted to talk with Jonathan, instead he had gone back into the building.

"Brooke…" Brooke looked up, her cheeks stained with tears."

" Eric? Eric please. Don’t take her from me. I know that you are angry with me about Bridget. And Stephanie had filled your head with tales, but you know that I love Bridget."

" I know that you do." Hope sprung into her eyes." Brooke stood up.

" You do."

" Yes Brooke. I know that you love our children."

"Then you changed your mind? You aren’t going to take Bridget from me."

Eric studied Brooke appearance, his eyes zeroed on her breast. They were luscious and full. He remembered how he used to love taking them in his mouth and playing with her nipples.

" Did you mean it?" Eric’s voice took a strange tone.

" Did I mean what?"

"Did you mean it when you said that you’d do anything to have Bridget?"

"Yes." Brooke was confused. "I’d do anything. What is it that you want me to do? Do you want me to keep Bridget here? If so, then I’ll do it. If you want me to be nice to your wife, then I’ll do. Just tell me what it is." Eric walked over to Brooke and surprised her by cupping her face.

" Anything that I want." Confusion covered Brooke’s face.

" Eric what…" Eric let go of her face and walked toward the door and locked it. Brooke looked at him with amazement as he turned toward her.

" Take your dress off."

" What?"

" I want you to take your dress off."

" Why…" Brooke words were cut off when Eric’s hands went to the belt of his pants.

" You said anything that I wanted."

" You can’t mean…. You love Stephanie."

" If you want Bridget, you’ll do it. I want you naked; I want you on your knees. I want to fu(k you. "

Brooke was caught off guard by Eric’s words. He didn’t say things like that. He was married to Stephanie, he and her didn’t get along. " You don’t mean it. You’d never ask me to do that." Eric unbuttoned his pants and Brooke could clearly see his straining member again the white cotton of his underwear. Brooke couldn’t believe this, what was happening. She took a step back. " Eric, don’t do this…"

" Undress Brooke… if you want Bridget back. How much do you want Bridget back? How far are you willing to go? Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. Anything, she’d do anything to get Bridget back. Brooke found the clasp to her skirt and unhooked. Eric watched as she shed herself of the skirt and her top he made his way over toward her seeing her stand in a pair of panties and garters. He didn’t want to wait she pushed Brooke to her knees. He opened his shirt and freed himself from underwear, his straining arousal ached.

" Open your mouth." At that moment Brooke hated Eric. He wanted her to be his whore.

Brooke slowly touched the tip of his straining manhood and then lowered her head. Her tongue slowly stroked the tip circling it. Eric threw his head back and pushed more of himself inside of her warm wet mouth. "That’s it, Brooke." Brooke’s mouth was sweet heaven on his hard aching arousal. She suckled him and caused him to come close climaxing. Eric pulled himself out of Brooke’s mouth and pushed her down until the floor. Eric pulled at her top until her naked breasts were exposed. His mouth found her nipples; one of his hands cupped her breast while he pulled at her panties and sudden trust inside of her.

" Ohhh… this is what I’ve wanted." Eric started to move in and out of Brooke’s body while tears streamed down her face.

" Eric, no please stop Eric!" Eric suddenly woke up. Sweat covered his brow and his arousal was straining in his pants. He looked around; he was sitting in his living room. It had all been a dream. He had come home with Stephanie and never gone back to confront Brooke. Eric was also embarrassed by his dream he hated to admit it but seeing Brooke had done something to him. He was sexually attracted to Brooke, the dream more than showed that. Still, he wondered, if Brooke were to offer herself up sexually to him, what would he do?

Brooke paced back and forth at her house when her phone rang. Brooke ran to the phone.

"Hello. Lawrence, what do you mean that you don’t know where Connor is? No, please. It’s an emergency. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going? Please call me as soon as he checks in." Brooke hung up the phone with her shaking hands. She was falling apart. Brooke was still in her gown but her hair was in disarray and the skirt of her gown was wrinkled. " What am I going to do?" Brooke paced in a nervous manner. Her head was hurting as well as her chest. Most importantly, she was scared to death. She knew that she had to do something or else she was going to lose her daughter. How could this have happened? It seemed that she was going to lose everything. In one day. Bridget, Rick and Thorne. Everything was a mess. Brooke wiped her wet cheeks and accidentally knocked over her purse, out fell a bottle of Valium. James had given them to her earlier today and he told her to take a half of one to help her sleep since she was having trouble. Brooke opened the bottle and took two pills followed by a large glass of water. Her hands were shaking.

" Brooke you’ve got yourself together. For Bridget and Rick." Brooke closed her eyes but the day’s events echoed through her head. Rick crying about how she lied to him. Thorne holding Kimberly telling her she was going to have his baby. Stephanie telling her that she lost Bridget. " No! NO!" Brooke fell to her knees and cried heaping tears.

" Everything that I love is lost. In one day. I’m all alone." Brooke cried until she fell asleep on the floor of her living room with tears on her cheeks.

The door to Brooke’s front door slowly opened slowly. A man hidden by the shadows of the dark room made his way to the middle of the floor where Brooke lay in a drug-inducted sleep. He gently knelt by her and turned her over. He touched her wet cheeks, she had been crying in her sleep. He slowly picked her up in his arms easily as if she were light as a feather. She mumbled in her sleep. " Bridget…" He lips caressed her brow.

" Shhh. Everything will be alright. I promise you that and I never break my promises." He carried her toward the front door toward the waiting limo. " Everyone who has hurt you will pay. I promise you that. Just sleep my love." Even in the limo he held her not wanting to let go.

" Where to Mr. Deangleo?"

" To the airport to my jet. We are leaving Los Angeles immediately."

 

Aganist All Odds 64

Thorne banged on the door, his hand hurt badly. He had been banging for the last 15 minutes. " Brooke…Brooke…Please let me in!" He had been calling her name and she refused to answer. Thorne paced, he was more than upset. She had been out with Ridge, why? " Why Brooke?" Thorne was tormented by visions of Brooke in bed with Ridge. He saw them together they way that they had been in Venice. He closed his eyes. "No, I’m not going to do this." But he saw the kiss, again and again. He saw Ridge kissing Brooke with in his mind, Ridge was cupping Brooke’s breast through the sheer material of her dress. He saw Brooke lying in bedroom in her bed, body intertwined with Ridge’s naked body.

" You can’t have Taylor so you’ll settle for having Brooke. I won’t let you get away with this you bastard!" Thorne walked around the back of Brooke home, picked up the flour pot and threw it through the one of the French doors. The alarm immediately sounded and Thorne opened the French door and pushed the code for the alarm. Thorne went upstairs to Brooke’s bedroom, which was dark and quiet. She wasn’t there. He was relieved and angered at the same time. Relieved that Ridge wasn’t in Brooke’s bedroom but angered that she wasn’t home.

" Brooke, where in the hell are you?" Thorne looked at the clock, it was 2 am in the morning. Brooke wasn’t home. Thorne was a mess. He replayed the day’s event in his mind. How he had found Brooke strangling Kimberly, the look on her face when he told Brooke that Kimberly was carrying his baby. He never had planned on telling Brooke like he did. She hated him, he knew it and so did Ridge. Ridge, who had tried his best to destroy them in Venice. Ridge who had always wanted Brooke, was no on the prowl. His brother, the same one who said that he would support their relationship was now the brother who was moving in for the kill. His brother’s betrayal hurt him. " There is no way that I am going to let you destroy Brooke. I love her, I really love her and you don’t."

 

Kimberly walked back into her bedroom. She had had a craving for ice cream and had raided her freezer for some Butter Pecan ice cream. She crawled into her bed wearing her pair of pink pajamas. As she bit into her ice cream Kimberly thought about her future. Pre-med was almost out of question now; still her grades had been excellent. She’d have to see her adviser in the morning to discuss what she wanted to do. Maybe she’d make business her major since she would soon be working in some form or fashion at Forrester. Kimberly touched her stomach, soon her baby would be growing and she wouldn’t be able to model, but she’d find some other job there. Stephanie would see to it. Besides she’d be busy for the next year or raising her baby. Kimberly smiled. A baby, Thorne’s baby was growing inside of her and everything was perfect. Life was perfect. With Brooke out of the way Thorne would become totally devoted to her. Kimberly finished her ice cream and put the bowl on the side of her table. She picked up a photo of her and Macy smiling. " Macy I know that you are smiling up at heaven. You should know that I have made her pay for all that she has down. Brooke will never have Thorne. I will." Kimberly kissed the picture. Everything was wonderful. Stephanie had called hours ago telling her all about how she had finally told Brooke about taking Bridget. Kimberly had wished that she had been there. Kimberly made plans to have tea the next day. She turned off the light and snuggled next to her soft brown teddy bear and promptly fell asleep with a smile on her face confident that everything was going her way.

 

 

Caspian watched Brooke’s sleeping form on the large bed in his bedroom on his private jet. It amazed him that after all that she had gone through at the hands of that horrible family, she could look so beautiful in her slumber yet he knew that she was out like a light mostly because of the drugs that she had taken. Truthfully, she had slept so soundly after he had gotten her that a first he was worried about how many pills she had taken. The dim light bathed the beautiful room in a romantic essence while the beautiful naked Brooke filled his thoughts. The gown that she wore was now draped across the sofa as well as her garters. Caspian clearly remembered how he had laid her down in the bed .Her body limp and beautiful calling out to him. His fingers ached to touch her. He unabashedly took his time as he unhooked the clasp to her full skirt watching how the material slid down her body and her beautiful legs. His depth fingers seemed to trace the skirt when his fingers found her heel covered feet. Lovely, he slipped her shoes off when his fingers came in contact with her small ankle. Caspian smiled then, for on her ankle glittering like a beautiful jewel was the anklet that he had given her. He had brought her ankle up to his mouth and kissed it gently then placed it back on the bed. He looked down at the woman in his bed wearing cream garters, panties and a top that was so sheer that he could see her beautiful breast and nipples. His fingers edged up her legs, past the laced tops of her garters, up her thighs to the sheer material that covered her naked breast. Gently, he took the sheer material off of her. Her breasts were as beautiful as he remembered and as much as she wanted to taste them, to touch them, he knew that he couldn’t. His hands found her garter and slipped the soft material of her hose off her legs. Lastly, he removed the garters from her silky things. He decided to leave her panties on, he wasn’t sure that he could take all the temptation of having her completely naked at the moment. He was aching already, it had seemed like decades since he last saw her personally on that boat, and it had been longer since he had a woman. To a man with his sexual appetite, it was almost unheard of, but he didn’t want just any woman, he wanted Brooke. And now, he had her. He gently covered her sleeping form and had lain quietly next to her the last hour cursing those damn Forresters. They had done this to her, they had hurt her and left her to die slowly. Sure, they did not put a gun in her hands but they had tried to kill her spirit and take her child. In those acts, they were trying to kill her. He wouldn't allow them to get away with it. He was already having the Forresters thoroughly investigated. If he couldn't find anything on them then he'd create something. No matter what, Eric and Stephanie would not take Brooke's daughter. His jet would be landing on his island very soon. His island was his personal sanctuary and he had never taken a woman there before, not even Lark since he acquired it after her death. His fingers caressed Brooke’s cheek and moved their way toward her brow. He bent down and kissed her on top of her head. "Don’t worry my love. I will protect and your beloved daughter." He whispered in Italian. There was a knock at the door and after his response did the door open.

"Mr. Deangleo, you said to let you know when Hunter Mackenzie called you."

" Thank you, I’ll take the call here." Caspian got up from the bed where he had been laying next to the sleeping Brooke. He took the call and Hunter assured him that all the court papers that the Forresters had filed along with the with the name judge that was handled Brooke’s case would be faxed to his island home. Caspian also felt as soon as he knew whom and what the judge was all about, he’d find a way to pressure him or her to revoke his decision. Caspian ordered for information on the Forresters from every possible scandal or tidbit of information to their most recent to any past financial activity to be give on them. Caspian also ordered that his best lawyer Allen Shipman to drop everything and to create a petition for the court if needed for Brooke. Her lawyer was out of town besides Allen was a killer in the courtroom, not that Connor Davis wasn’t a good one, and he was great. Truthfully, he could have contacted Connor if he wanted to but his lawyer might work better. Connor would no doubt question some of Caspian’s "ways" where as Allen would not. He had worked for Caspian and Bella for years even during the years when their business hadn’t always been legitimate. Eric and Stephanie had done their best to drive Brooke crazy, threatening her and kicking her while she was down. He would never forgive them for that. All of them would pay dearly for hurting Brooke, plain and simple.

The Next Day

Taylor rolled out of bed being careful not to disturb Thomas who was sleeping next to her and stumbled into the bathroom. She looked in the bathroom mirror and sighed. She had circles under her eyes and her hair looked like a bier bush. Last night, like the night before had been hell. Between Thomas’ new attitude, the temper tantrums and his crying for his daddy before he went to bed let alone the twins, she wasn’t sure she was going to make it. She knew one thing; her son wasn’t going to make it if this kept up. Four hours he had screamed for his daddy, crying heaping tears that turned his face red. He threw toys and refused to go to bed falling on the floor asking for his daddy. Taylor tried to comfort him, but she wasn’t enough and she had broken down and tried to call Ridge. Wherever he was, he hadn’t been at the new Condo that be had purchased and it had been late. Taylor’s anger and resentment for Ridge grew, after he had told their children lies about coming back, how dare he not be there when they needed him. Taylor also hated to admit it but she wondered where or who Ridge had been with. It shouldn’t matter, she wanted a divorce but still it hurt her to know that Ridge was back to his old ways and just days after he had come here begging to be part of their family again. Taylor took a shower, brushed her teeth, dressed and took her sleeping son back into his room. After checking on the twins and kissing them, she had a cup of coffee and turned the television on. She’d catch the early Morning Show on the television, while watching the show a commercial for Entertainment Tonight came on and they were giving clips to the covering that they had done on the Eye On Fashion Awards when picture of Brooke and Ridge together looking like a couple was shown. She could hear the commentator voice over top of the music." Brooke Forrester shocked all with date Ridge Forrester—find out about the beautiful yet sheer dress that she wore that almost caused a riot." Taylor stood there for a moment, unable to believe what she had just seen. Brooke and Ridge---they had been together. " But Brooke, you said…." Taylor felt the tears weld up in her eyes.

She had felt sorry for Brooke; she had actually felt sorry for the things that she had said about her. She had believed Brooke when she said that she had been upset over Thorne.

" It looks like you got over Thorne quiet fast Brooke, fast enough to get back into bed with my husband. Why Brooke? Why?" Taylor didn’t even want to think about it. She was angry but she didn’t have time to think about Brooke and what she was doing with her husband.

 

Eve finished cleaning the kitchen; she had washed all of the dishes, the kitchen floor, realigned the glasses and even rearranged the silverware. Trudie came walked into the kitchen yawning and sipping a cup of herbal tea. " Is it all clear now?" Eve gave Trudie a questioning look.

" What do you mean?"

Trudie waved a towel at Eve. " You’ve basically cleaned the whole house except the my room. You’d washed everything and you even ironed the towels." Trudie picked up a piece of an apple that Eve had cut up and placed on the kitchen counter and bit it. " So you wanna tell me what has turned you into Hazel?"

"Nothing." Eve scrubbed a non-existent spot of the counter. " It is my fault that you aren’t the neatest person?"

"No. But I know you. What’s up?"

"NOTHING."

"Eve you still hung up about that guy that you saw at the Forrester fashion show are you?"

"I had a nightmare last night, that he came to talk Rick and he told him the truth about me."

" Eve, you gotta know that isn’t going to happen. What are the chances of seeing him again?"

" Trudie, I’m going to be a Forrester a lot, to see Rick, to see you."

" And everything will be find." Trudie looked at her worried friend. " When are you going to stop beating yourself up for what happened? You were a kid ! You weren’t to blame for what happened."

" I participated willing…and I allowed myself to become…."

" You didn’t participate willing. You didn’t have a choice. And you paid your price for standing up for yourself. You almost died. You do remember how Chris and I found you that night. You were barely alive. You spent two years in a living hell. A hell that no one should ever have to live through."

" I knew what I was doing and why. Don’t make excuses for me. I did what I had to do. Believe me, if I could change things, I would. I’m scared Trudie." Trudie came behind the kitchen counter and hugged her friend.

‘Eve, you aren’t that girl anymore. You are so smart and beautiful and so giving. Don’t let the past ruin you."

" If Rick were to ever find out…"

" If he loves you, really loved you. It wouldn’t matter."

" Of course it would matter. Trudie, I’d be a fool to think that it wouldn’t matter. Rick is so wonderful, now that I have him I’m so scared that I’m going to lose him."

" Eve, is this about that bitch, Kimberly." Eve sat down at the counter.

" No…she’s been uncharacteristic quiet the last day or so."

"Talk about one sick bitch."

" Yeah. Anyway, you’re right True. I’ve got Rick, doing well in school. I haven’t seen that wacko in days, I shouldn’t let my past my past get me down."

" Besides, only you and I know what happened. Who would ever tell Rick?"

"Yes…who would ever tell Rick?"

Eve finished eating her cereal while Trudie showered and dressed for work. Eve decided that Trudie was right, she shouldn’t worry. Most likely, she’d never see that man again and even if he did, would he be willing to expose his own secret to the world, no one who was involved would. Eve walked past Trudie’s room and decided to help her friend out. Trudie was loveable but neatness wasn’t her calling. Eve picked Trudie’s discarded clothes, straightened her bookshelves, made her bed and cleaned up under her bed. She pulled out three pairs of shoes, two books, one blouse and envelope with Trudie’s name of it. She put the envelope on Trudie’s dresser and left.

 

Ridge tried calling Brooke again, but he didn’t received an answer. "Logan, where the hell are you?" He had tried calling to check on Brooke. He was worried about her, he wasn’t sure why he was worried, but his gut told him that something wasn’t right.

 

Taylor kissed the twins and Thomas. " Mommy loves you and I’ll be back later. You are going to have such fun with grandpa." Eric smiled as Phoebe tried to get him to smell a flower.

"We are going to the library and they are having an arts and fair." Taylor smiled.

"That sounds like fun doesn’t it." Steffy nodded and clapped her hands.

" Is daddy gwoing with us?" Thomas asked with serious eyes. Taylor looked at Eric and bent down to look her son in the eye.

" No honey. Daddy is at work. But I’m sure that later on, he’ll come by to see you."

" I don’t want to go." Thomas said angrily.

" Honey…" Taylor tried to comfort her son who pulled away.

" No! I want daddy to go! I want daddy." Taylor looked helplessly at Eric.

" I know honey, but daddy is at work."

" You and grandpa…"

" No! No! Daddy. My Daddy" Thomas screamed and he knocked over a picture that was sitting on the table. Taylor ran to her son, afraid that he’d hurt himself with the smashed glass. She pulled him into her arms.

" Baby…please." She rocked him in her arms as he cried for his father. It took Thomas almost an hour to calm down and when he finally did, he feel off to sleep. She had Maria to take him to the nursery that had been set up in Eric’s and Stephanie’s home. Eric bought Taylor a glass of wine and as tempted that she was to drink it, she turned him down.

" What in the world was that Taylor?"

" That is the mess that I’ve been going through the last couple of days. Your son told our children that we where getting back together and ever since I told Thomas that wasn’t so, he’s been behaving badly." Eric sat down and patted her hand.

" I know that this has been tough on you."

" It’s been tougher on the children. Of…god. They are going through hell. I’m trying to hard to pull everything together. To calm Thomas down but he loves his dad and he misses him." Taylor wiped her tears with a tissue. " They were so close."

" Ridge misses him too. He loves those kids, they mean the world to him." Taylor stood up.

" I don’t want to hear about Ridge and the pain that he is going through. He brought all of this on himself."

" Yes, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t hurting. I know what it is like to love your children and then because of a breakup, you don’t see them as much. You miss the little things and then when you see them they changed, not in a big way but a small way. You know then, that they are growing up without you." Taylor heard the sadness in Eric’s voice.

" Rick and Bridget?"

Eric sighed and sipped his wine. " I sometimes wonder how things would have turned out for my children if Brooke and I stayed together. I loved my children and if you remembered correctly you were the one to give me advice to help Rick when he was going through the same thing. Taylor, I’ll be honest. If Brooke had wanted me back or showed the slightest bit of interest in me I’d would have made it work. I loved her and I loved my son." Eric looked at Taylor. " I’m going to tell you something that I never told anyone. The night that Brooke and I created Bridget. The night that she got drunk. I knew. Damnit, I knew that she thought that I was Ridge and I made love to her anyway."

Taylor was speechless by this admission. " Eric. Why did you do that?"

"I thought that I could make her love me. I thought that I had a real chance. She had been drunk upset that Ridge was marrying you. So you see that even then I tried. I tried not only for my son, but I tried from myself. So, don’t be too angry at Ridge, all he trying to do is to keep the woman that he loves in his life. And he does love you. Just like I loved Brooke way back then." Taylor didn’t have the hear to tell Eric that he was wrong. Eric had only needed the love of one woman but Ridge needed the love of two women. Two women to fight over him, to stroke his ego. As much as she loved him, and she did because if she didn’t seeing his picture splashed on the television and newspaper earlier that morning wouldn’t have hurt. Neither would it have hurt to find out from an ex-colleague that Morgan had given birth to Ridge’s son either. She hadn’t mentioned it to Ridge yet that she knew. Maybe if she pretended that the baby wasn’t there, then the ache of his betrayal wouldn’t consume her totally.

Brooke slowly rolled over onto her stomach snuggling against the soft comfortable sheets and mattress. The soft bed was comfortable and soft while the supple scent of jasmine filled her nostrils. Brooke slowly opened her eyes; it took a moment for them to adjust and she lay there for a moment. Bright sunlight shined all around the unfamiliar room, bringing out the colors of cream and tan that the large bedroom was decorated in. Brooke sat up and looked around; she had no idea where she was. Brooke looked down at the large mahogany sleigh bed with the cream colored matching set covered it. Brooke slowly crawled out of the bed that resided in front of the enormous balcony, which was connected to the room. Brooke walked outside of the large balcony that held beautifully mahogany lounge chairs, accompanied by a soft cream love seat, to see the magnificent view of glorious white sand that stretch toward the beautiful blue-green ocean and that went on for miles. Brooke walked back into the room to take everything in. Seven feet away from the bed toward the left were two large double doors. Brooke opened the doors and walked up two stairs to find a large and beautifully decorated white and yellow bathroom. On the right side of the bathroom was a large while vanity that expanded the length of the wall with a small comfortable chair; on the vanity were brushes and combs as well of drawers full of makeup and other items. In the middle of the bathroom was a very large old fashion porcelain bathtub that stood on it own by four large legs, behind the tub was a large window seat in front of two large windows that allowed natural light to fill the bathroom. While on the left side of the bathroom had large porcelain tiled walk-in shower stood with semi-frosted glass and an old-fashioned porcelain standing sink. Brooke walked out of the bathroom and then went to the other set of doors that were on the left of the spacious bedroom as well. Brooke opened the door to a white and cream circular dressing room. The dressing room had five large closets as well as two dressers. She saw a door on the right of the dressing room and realized that it connected to the bathroom while a large mirror stood on the left side of the room with tiny dimming lights around edge of the mirror. Brooke walked out of the dressing room to stand in front of the bed and she saw the mini wall that on the right side of the bed around 7 feet from the bed. Brooke walked past to wall to another room. It was ingenious; the mini wall almost separated the large bedroom into to parts. Brooke looked at the cream-colored sofa and love chairs that were placed in the middle of "living" room in front of a cream colored table with flowers. Six feet in front of large cream fireplace. Above the fireplace sitting on a created place within the wall were television, DVD player, and wave radio as well. Surrounding the fireplace on the left and the right were beautiful mahogany bookshelves filled with a variety of books from "The Millionaire Mind" to "The Story Of O". On the right side of that room, almost facing the large balcony was mini-dinning table with two chairs that could be used for a small breakfast nook. Brooke noted a silk robe that matched the cream silk nightgown that she wore laying on the sofa. She picked up and wrapped it around her. Two fans were running attached to the ceiling that matched the ones that were running the bed that she had slept in. However on the wall, a thermostat for controlling the vents of the central air. Brooke walked to the left of the room where the two double doors were open to the large hallway. Brooke had no idea where she was, but she was going to find out. She tried to remember the last thing that she had done before she blacked out, she had been crying at home, the stress of yesterday had gotten to her. Brooke knew one thing, she was too close to the ocean and she wasn’t home. She wasn’t sure what had happened but she was going to get to the bottom of it. She had to get home and quick, she only had a small limited of time to find Connor and try to get the judge’s decision changed. Brooke made her way down the hallway noting the beautiful pictures covering the walls and found herself in front of mahogany stairs, which she walked down. A large white and brown living room was in the middle of the second floor, it too like her room was large and airy with a magnificent view of the water that showed through French doors, it had a fantastic furniture of a two sofas that faced each other, an esquire table coffee table that sat between them, a smaller table in the corner of the room with a carved chest board, large fans and much more was completely open for only four large beams separated the room from a sitting room on the right side. Brooke mad her way around the house, a music room with a Steinway, she found a large den, dinning room and then finally the kitchen. The kitchen was spacious with large bay windows, silver stove and refrigerator, kitchen table that resided two feet on the right side of the kitchen on its own platform. Fresh flowers and fruit were sitting on the small island in the kitchen. Brooke made her way back toward the living room when she noticed the French doors that lead to the outside deck that spanned the perimeter of the house was now open. Brooke slowly walked outside, her heart beat hard because she wasn’t sure what she was going to find. She make her way down the bricked steps to the large perimeter deck and looked up to see where the balcony that was connected to the bedroom that she woke up in was above her, it however was smaller than this large deck. She walked toward table and table that were placed almost at the edge of the deck in front of the banister; it was a simple table that was set for a meal. Only one place setting was on the table, iced tea was chilling in a glass pitcher. A paper was to the left of the table setting and on the right was a noted and her name was written on it. Brooke picked up the note when coming from the right of the deck walking toward her was an older woman. The woman was small with short hair that was cut in a cute bob wearing an olive colored pants set. The woman was beautiful and had a soft smile on her on her face remained Brooke of her mother.

" So, sleeping beauty finally awoke. That is good. Child you are looking all so much better, now that you rested. I must say that you needed it poor thing." She stopped when she got to the table and put down the tray that she carrying on the table. " Now… I know that you must be hungry and all so I bought you some fruit, cheese and an excellent little crab dip with homemade bread that I’d thought that you’d like." She uncovered the tray and the smell of the fresh cheese along with the gentle sea arose around Brooke. " So while you are starting on this, I’ll head to the kitchen to fix you anything that you’d like." Brooke looked at the woman in a confused manner.

" Miss…"

" Oh dear, just call me Ellie." Her accent was an Italian one. Ellie took Brooke’s hand and lead her to table. " Now sit and let me know what you’d like to eat." Before Brooke knew it she was sitting down.

" Ellie, I don’t mean to be rude to you because you seem like a nice person and all but where am I?"

" On an island dear." Ellie smiled. " Beautiful isn’t it. So is the house although I’m sure that you’ve seen the second floor, wait to you see downstairs. Also, this deck, if that is what you’d call it, runs around the entire second floor, it houses an beautiful outside pool and much more. Later I’m sure that he’d see that you’d have the entire tour." Ellie poured Brooke a glass of iced tea. " Your room is beautiful, it’s created for a woman you know. And it has never been used. You see he never brings his lady friends here. Never" Ellie cupped Brooke face gently for a moment. " You are the first, in all the years. I’ve never seen him bring a woman here. I guess he was waiting on you and I can see why." Ellie cupped Brooke’s face between her hands. " Beautiful… you are absolutely beautiful." Ellie took Brooke’s linen napkin and put it in her lap. "Our course, THAT woman has been here, his sister but she doesn’t count. Only came three or four times and never to really stay like him, just comes in middle of the night to talk and most of the time, it’s been bad news. If she stays, she stays in one of the other bedrooms upstairs and never your bedroom. I think that all of the light scares her; maybe she’s afraid that she’d melt. Just don’t tell him I said that. He loves that one, you know. Has pictures of her in his bedroom when they were kids. Sometimes when he looks at it and he looks sad. Isn’t his fault, I say? Isn’t his fault that she is cold, she just is. Ahh, but she is a crafty one. But she loves him, so I don’t mind her." Ellie stopped frowning. " But you, I’ve never seen him like the way that he was last night when he bought you here. He carried you up the stairs gently and as much as I think that he wanted you to be in his room, he had prepared the white room for you. He took his time with you. Worried about you. He said that you had an awful day and some horrible people treated you badly. Said that you needed rest, that you needed some mothering. And that’s what I’m here for deary." She patted Brooke’s hand. " You don’t have to worry, whatever those horrible people did, he’s going to make them pay. You are special to him. So special."

"Ellie, thank you for saying that, but still haven’t told me where I am and who is this HE is or how did I get here?"

"You know who he is, my dear." Ellie smiled. " In your heart you know exactly who I’m talking about. Now, what would you like to eat?" Brooke stood up. She didn’t want to be rude to the older woman but she wanted answers.

" Ellie, please, how did I get here? Why am I here?"

" I’ll get you a nice Mexican Omelet, that would do the trick." Ellie ignored the question. "Now sit down and get ready to eat. All of your questions will be answered in due time." Ellie walked back the way she had come and most likely toward the kitchen. Brooke was angry but not at the older woman, she had been kind. The hairs on the back of her neck were sticking up because the older woman was right, she knew. This was all of his doing…..Caspian’s doing. But how? How did he do it? How did he even know where she had lived? "Bridget’s application, that most have been how he knew." Brooke paced.

" But how…how did you know that I was upset about the Forresters?" It didn’t make sense; he didn’t make sense. How could he do it? Pop in from out of the blue when she needed him? " It isn’t right. I don’t need you. I certainly don’t need to be on this island paradise. I need to be home! Damn you Caspian… my children are suffering and you have whisked me away to some island. For what?" A sinking feeling hit her stomach because she knew why. He had come for her. He was being selfish, she had real problems and she didn’t have time to ….well to do what he wanted. Brooke was caught up in her thoughts that she hadn’t opened the note. She looked at it for a long time and finally she did.

Dearest Brooke,

I hope that you rested well in your bedroom. You were so distressed last night that I’m not sure that the pills you took were a blessings or not but maybe they were a blessing because they helped you to sleep, something that I think that you needed. Ellie will take good care of you to make sure that you have anything that you will need. Truthfully she’ll try to mother you; I think that she has fallen for you already, although I’m not surprised. I know that naturally you will be worried about your daughter, I had even thought of flying you to her, but that would only worry her. So, I bought you here. I have arranged that all of your calls from your home and your cell phone to be patched here so you can have easy communication with her and your son. Brooke please spend the day resting and taking care of yourself, for your cannot fight anyone in the condition you were in last night. You have full use of everything her, the sauna, pool, weight room but I’d ask that you save exploring the island for a later date although the beautiful ocean is more an acceptable to you. Anything in my home is available to you please enjoy it.

Until, I see you later.

Take care, I implore you.

Caspian

Brooke put the letter down. She had been right and this was all his doing. He had her phone calls patched to her here, but what if Rick came home and needed her. Also, she had to find Connor, she hated to ruin his vacation with KC at all but she needed to work fast. " There is no way that I can stay here. I’ve got to get home for my children." Brooke had too much to do and she couldn’t be here, staying here so close to him. God knew what would happen. For a moment, Thorne’s face flashed in front of her. And the ache there was in her heart intensified because going home meant facing Thorne. Still, it didn’t matter, nothing could change the fact that Kimberly was pregnant with Thorne’s baby or that he had or might still be sleeping with her. The lines were too blurred and too confusing. Still, she had to go home, to be there for Rick and to save Bridget. Another thought that had also filled her head, Kimberly. She wondered how the little bitch had found about Grant. It didn’t make any sense, only Grant, Ridge, Eric and James knew about what had happened. As much as Eric and her didn’t get along, she couldn’t see him telling her. Her children needed her and she wasn’t about to let them down, they were all that she had. Brooke was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Ellie coming toward her with a tray with a plate of a steaming hot Mexican Ouellette with sour cream, salsa and shredded cheese on the side. Brooke’s stomach involuntary growled when the scent of the food hit her.

"See dear, I knew that you are hungry. Eat." Brooke didn’t want to eat but she was hungry. Brooke watched as Ellie poured her some ice tea in a large glass with a sprig of mint. Brooke took a bite of the delicious omelet that was filled with hot peppers, grounded turkey, green and red onions and cheddar cheese.

" This is delicious." Brooke smiled at the woman.

" I knew that you’d like it. Although it may be late for breakfast, it is never late for an omelet."

" It’s late for breakfast? What time is it?"

"It’s around 4 in the afternoon."

" Four?"

"Yes deary, you slept so late. But you needed it. Now eat your omelet and I’ll draw you a nice bath. Later you can tell me what you’d like for dinner. Now eat." Brooke slowly ate her omelet. She’d eat her meal and take a bath and make plans to leave.

Taylor walked slowly into the hospital room. She had a meeting here with Karima Parker, but Karima was still hung up with a patient. Somehow she found herself here in Morgan’s room. Taylor looked down at Morgan who was so pale and still on the bed with tubes feeding her and monitoring her progress.

" I don’t know what to say to you. I’m so angry with you. Why? Why did you have to do it? Why did you have to trick me? I wanted to be your friend, to help you get over what had happened to you when you were young. But isn’t what you wanted is it? You wanted what I had. You wanted Ridge…well you got him." Taylor laughed bitterly. " But guess what? He isn’t yours. You’ll share him. You’ll have to share him just like I did with Brooke. And boy is hard to get rid of. I wonder how you’d fair up against Brooke? You know what is funny, Brooke and Stephanie both tried to warm me, but I didn’t listen. I should have and then my family would still be together. I hope that you are happy for what you did to me. " Taylor said, maybe hoping that Morgan would open her eyes. As angry as she was, it was hard for her to get mad at someone who in a coma, it just didn’t seem fair at all. Taylor got up and left the room and she missed the twitch of Morgan’s right finger.

" Are you sure that he hasn’t called at all?" Brooke paced in her living area of her bedroom in Caspian’s island house. " No. Keith, it’s just not like Connor to not tell anyone where he was going."

" No, I know that he wanted it to be special for KC. Hell I’m the one who suggested that he take her on a romantic trip. NO! I don’t want to talk to Sherrie Minor! I need Connor not anyone else. Please, please call me when he gets in contact with you. Alright." Brooke put the phone down. Connor was gone and she knew him, he wanted to make this trip special, most likely he wouldn’t want to ruin it with work. He had already had Sherrie Minor to cover for him just in case an emergency arrived, but Sherrie wouldn’t be able to help her, she needed Connor. " God, I can’t let them get away with it. They can’t get away with taking my daughter. Brooke made another phone call.

" Hello"

"Trudie?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"This is Brooke Forrester."

" Oh, hi Mrs. Forrester."

" Is Eve there?"

"No, she’s at work."

" Oh….well…has Rick been by there?"

"No. I haven’t seen since the yesterday."

" He was there yesterday? When?"

Trudie wondered what was going on. Mrs. Forrester sounded upset about something. "He bought Eve home yesterday morning, she spent the night at ..uh…his place. You know, Eve told me about what you did for her. I’ve known her forever and no one ever did anything nice like that for her. Thanks. Mrs. F. You made her feel special."

" Well, she’s a special girl Trudie. Listen when she comes home, could you tell her that I called. It’s really important."

" Sure.. Mrs. F."

" Trudie… one more thing. I know I’ve been busy but I’ve happy with the work that you’ve done at Forrester."

" Thanks Mrs. F" Trudie put the phone down. CJ came through the front door of her apartment with a smile on his face. Trudie was beautiful, in anything but seeing her in a pair of Capri style jeans and a tiny white T-shirt was almost more than he could take. She wore no bra under her T-shirt and he could clearly see her hard nipples of her big breast. She smiled when she saw him. She made her way over toward him. " So, what did you bring me?"

CJ put the pizza box down on the kitchen counter. " Poppa Johns pizza with extra cheese."

" Extra cheese and hot jalapeno peppers."

" Lots of peppers." Trudie slowly ran her hands up CJ’s chest and she could feel it through the fabric of his black shirt.

" I know that you like it hot." Trudie licked her soft lip glossed covered lips. CJ was instantly aroused. Damn, she was too hot.

"Yeah, I know how you like it." CJ lowered his head to cover her lips with his own. Trudie responded to the kiss and gently traced CJ’s lower lips with her tongue and he could feel the metal of her tongue ring. CJ groaned and suckled Trudie’s tongue inside of his mouth while his hands slid down her jeans to cup her bottom. Trudie sighed while she angled her head to receive more of his tongue while her pelvis seemed to almost cup his arousal. Trudie lifted her head and gifted him with a smile; he was defiantly aroused by her good. Dating CJ had been so much fun, she loved it. CJ smiled and opened the pizza box taking out one of the hot jalapeno peppers. He dangled it in front of Trudie smiling at her. Almost daring her, she just loved a dare. Trudie winked at him and then angled her head so it was under the hot pepper. She slowly ran her tongue around the tip of the hot pepper, while CJ mouth hung open as he watched her. She seductively rubbed the hot pepper with her tongue while CJ watched. At last moment when it seemed that he couldn’t stand to watch her suckle on the pepper, she bit into it. Trudie suckled the hot juice in her mouth and slowly chewed on the pepper. " Now if I can do that with a pepper imagine what else that I can do." She moved away from CJ but he caught her around her waist and pulled her toward him. He loved his head and kissed thoroughly.

" You are such a tease."

" Is that what you think that I am?"

" Yes!"

" Good. I’m glad that I have your attention."

" You always have my attention." CJ cupped her bottom.

" Really"

" Yeah, really. Why do you sound so surprised at this. There isn’t a day that I don’t think about you least 100 times a day. And it’s a good thing."

" Why is that?"

"Because…well…since Becky, I’ve always looked forward for end of the time. I tried to get past the day to sleep. Then my sister died and it was like the intensified. I basically stayed around for my son and for my mom, but I wanted desperately wanted to leave but then you came into my life." CJ nibbled Trudie’s shoulder. " You bought all of this joy and fun in my life. Thank you Trudie, thanks for helping to live again."

Trudie took hold of the ends of CJ’s shirt and pulled it off his head. CJ was surprised.

"What?"

" You are dirty."

"What?" CJ looked down at his chest.

" Yeah… I think that you are going to need a shower." She gave him a naughty grin. " I think that I am dirty also." CJ smiled when Trudie sauntered across the with her back toward CJ and she took off her shirt showing her naked back and walked toward her bedroom. CJ looked at the pizza, it was going to get cold.

" Hell, I love cold pizza." CJ started to unbutton his pants heading to the bedroom.

 

Brooke looked at the steamy water with hot bubbles in the porcelain bathtub. She took off her silk robe and gently stepped into the hot soothing water. Brooke took the luffa sponge and started to wash herself, trying earnestly to wash away her stress. There was a knock on the door and Ellie opened the door slightly. I’ve laid out your some clothes that you may want to wear this evening. "That’s fine." Brooke lay back against the tub, her head rested against the bathtub pillow. She noticed that on the table next to the tub where a bottle of Chardonnay was chilling next to a glass. Brooke decided to have some of the wine to cool her nerves, she poured herself a glass and sipped it slowly while she heard music playing softly in the background. Brooke sipped from the glass slowly and stayed into the water until it almost cooled. Brooke got out of the tub and gently dried her body. She walked out of the bath and walked toward the dressing room where an outfit was laid out on the small couch. Brooke touched the outfit, it seemed that Caspian still had impeccable taste in clothing, for the outfit was exquisite. Brooke lotion herself and slipped on the white backless halter top and white long skirt with a slit that went to her mid thigh on the side of the skirt. Brooke sat down at the vanity and took her hair down from the clip and brushed it. Brooke involuntary touched her ankle where the anklet was still resting, she should take it off, but she couldn’t seem to make herself to do it. Brooke left her bedroom and made her way down toward the second floor. She then went to the ground floor, finding a reading room, game room and a locked office. Brooke wondered about the locked office, what was behind the door? Brooke opened the front door of the house and only found a circular drive, but no cars. It didn’t make any sense, where were the cars? Brooke went back into the house and found Ellie in the kitchen.

" There you are Miss. Logan, what do you think that you’d like for dinner?"

"Anything would be fine. Ellie is there any car around where I can drive into town."

" Ah, there is no town."

"What?"

"We are on the island, a private tropical island owned solely by Mr. Deangleo. There isn’t a town here. There is only an airstrip for his jet, that is how you got here."

" There isn’t anyone else here on this island?"

"No. This is Caspian’s private island. His and his alone. There isn’t anyone else here besides you and I. So, if you want to go somewhere on the island, you’d had better wait for him to come back."

"Where is he?"

Ellie only smiled. " I don’t know honey. But you can believe that he will be here sooner or later. He has already called to see how you are doing."

"I didn’t hear the phone ring."

" That’s because the phones in your rooms are call forward from your home. You do have some calls if you want to listen to them just replay the voice male. Why don’t you just rest or read. I’ll fix dinner, what you like to eat. Dinner will be served around 7 or 8 depending on when you want it."

" I’m not hungry right now." Brooke walked away toward the sitting room. She was all alone on this island; she’d be all alone with Caspian except for Ellie. She had no choice but to wait for him and then she’d demand that he take her home.

Trudie closed her eyes tight as she moved up and down on top of CJ’s condom covered manhood. CJ gripped Trudie’s waist while he thrust harder inside of her.

"God….oh fu(k " CJ breathed. He was trying hard to keep himself exploding too soon. Trudie moved faster scoring her nails lightly down his chest. CJ groaned again. Trudie smiled, she loved the sounds that he made. She leaned forward and took his lips, they kissed passionately, but her movement forward brought him deeper inside of her. Trudie’s body undulated against bringing him so close to his climax. Trudie knew that he was so close and it gave her such a rush, she leaned back and held on to the back of the chair as she rode CJ hard. CJ couldn’t believe that he was this lucky, Trudie was stilling astride him, and her beautiful naked body that consisted of extraordinary breast, flat stomach and incredible thighs were glistening with perspiration. CJ couldn’t hold back and he climax, groaning loudly and it was enough to send Trudie over the edge also. After they caught their breath, he noticed everything around him. He never thought that an armchair could be so much fun. They were naked to the core in the middle of her living room laughing. Trudie kissed him gently and pushed some of his sweaty air out of his face.

" I think that I’m ready for the pizza now." CJ shook his head leaned back against the chair. This was the best afternoon that he had had in a very long time.

Ridge held on tightly to his son as the nurse helped him with the blankets. "Mr. Forrester. Do you have everything that you need? A young nurse asked him. Ridge looked down at his sleeping son who had dark hair like his.

" Yes. I’m fine. Dylan and I are going to be alright, won’t we buddy." Ridge gently kissed the top of his son’s head. " We are going to be fine." Ridge walked down the hall with his son and all the baby niceties toward the elevator. The elevator door opened he walked into the elevator and he was surprised to find Taylor standing there.

" Doc…"

Taylor looked at the baby in his arms. Pain hit her so much. She wasn’t ready to see Ridge or his son. Tears filled her eyes. Ridge looked uncomfortable, he hadn’t wanted to introduce the baby to her like this. Dylan must have felt the tension in the room because he started to cry. Ridge shifted his son in his arms. " It’s alright son." He rocked the baby. He then looked at Taylor and saw the pain in her eyes.

"Doc…"

" No… I can’t do this. I can’t do this." Taylor pushed the button on the elevator and when the door she brushed pasted Ridge.

" Taylor wait!" The door closed on Ridge’s call. Taylor ran toward the ladies bathroom and cried. Seeing the baby in Ridge’s arms had hurt her more than seeing him with Brooke and seeing Morgan all together.

 

 

Brooke stood on the second floor deck; she’d taken her dinner earlier in the kitchen with Ellie. Ellie had simply outdone herself with penne pasta and shrimp combination toped with a cream sauce made out of Absolute Vodka and she enjoyed that and a simple salad. Ellie had talked endlessly about her children and grandchildren while Brooke talked about her children. Brooke couldn’t seem to help herself from getting tears in her eyes; she was scared for her children. Ellie had stroked her hand and told she not to worry about her children, that everything would end up all right. Ellie had bought her some homemade mango sorbet’ that she had made and Brooke ate that. An hour ago Ellie had said that she was going to retire to bed and she had left Brooke sitting on one of the lounge chairs outside watching the moon which was reflected on the sea. She had told Brooke that she had left some other munchies in the kitchen if she wanted to eat something and had turned the lights on the outside pool which was located toward on the left side of the house, it was spectacular and created out of the cliff that house was residing on. Brooke didn’t want to go swimming. She had listened to her messages hoping that Rick had called but he hadn’t. Brooke stood on the balcony feeling the breeze from the wind blow through her hair when she felt a fluttering in her stomach and a sudden ache. Caspian, she knew without a doubt that he was here, somewhere, she had felt him. Brooke slowly turned around and found him standing on the steps of the deck. Involuntary her heart jumped, seeing him sent an electric shock through her. He was as sinfully handsome as had remembered. His dark hair had grown a little longer and he worse casual clothes, a dark black shirt molded against his spectacular chest, the first three buttons of his shirt was opened and she could see his collar bone and a hint of his muscular chest. His shirt was uncharacteristically not tucked into his black pants, which was tailored for him. In his hand he was holding a black jacket that accompanied his pants. Brooke’s eyes went back toward his face, his sensual gray eyes studied hers like they held the secrets of the world, his strong and sturdy nose, then there were those lips, full and sensual, they type of lips that would caress a woman’s body endlessly. Lips that would whisper erotic thoughts in her ears. Then he came toward her, walking slowly toward the banister that she had been holding, his eyes never leaving hers. His eyes drinking in her in. Brooke hated that he could make her insides melt with one look, one single look." They stood there for a moment, looking deeply into each other’s eyes. Brooke could smell the spicy scent of the cologne that he wore, an it was almost intoxicating. She bothered by the aching relief that felt when she had first seen him. Then it dawned on her that she had missed him. How was that possible? But a part of her, a part that she didn't like to admit to being here had missed seeing him, smelling him and hearing his voice. " No, Brooke… you didn’t miss him." She thought. But yet, something inside of her did. Brooke broke off the connection of his studying eyes.

" You bought me here?" She said as a statement not really as a question.

" Yes" He brought his fingers to her chin and turned her head back toward him.

"Why?" Brooke was surprised by the breathiness of her tone. "Why did you bring me here?" He studied for a moment.

" You needed me."

"No…" Brooke backed away from Caspian and turned toward the water. " I needed you. Is that what you think?" Brooke turned her angry toward Caspian. " YOU HAVE SOME NERVE! How dare you! How dare you take it upon yourself to decide what I need? You think that I needed this? You think that I needed to be away from my son? He is the one who needs me and my daughter…"

" I already know about your daughter. Eric and Stephanie Forrester have gotten Judge Harper to give them custody of her." Brooke’s shocked eyes found his.

"How did you? Never mind….you have your ways right!"

Caspian was extremely calm. She was angry; he had expected two possible reactions from Brooke. Either her relief or her angry. He really didn’t mind the anger because that meant that she had rested and would be wiling to fight. The male in him was also extremely aroused by her anger. She was extraordinary, he had never met anyone like her." I do have my ways." Brooke was furious. How dare he stand there so calm, so arrogant?

"I don’t care about your ways. I don’t even want to know how you found out…wait maybe I do. Did you know? Did you know ahead of time that they were going to do this? Take my daughter?"

"No. Truthfully, I wish that I had known. If I had known, none of this would have happened.

Brooke shook her head. " What kind of power do you have to know such things?" Something flashed in his eyes. " It doesn’t matter. What matters is my daughter. If you knew about how they planned on taking my daughter, why did your bring me here? I need to be home. I’m trying to find my lawyer. I’ve got a limited time to get her back. But that didn’t matter did it? You bought me here anyway. You took out of my home and you brought me to your private island for what? Or do I have to guess. I can imagine what you wanted. I guess you figured, I’d be upset and that because I was alone what a perfect time to come and me in your fu(king bed! Right! Maybe I’ll whore for you, like I did for those Forresters! I would be so happy to be rescued that I’d give you what I haven’t given you so far. You bastard!" Brooke was angry, all of the anger and rage of the last two days came out, and her anger at Kimberly, Eric, Stephanie and Thorne all came raging out. She hauled off and slapped Caspian. When Brooke went to slap him again he caught her hand in a firm grip, yet it was gentle enough not to hurt her. Brooke pulled against him but he held on and then pulled her into his arms. Brooke started to cry. He held on to her, knowing that everything was getting to her, her nerves were raw and the people that she once called her family had hurt her deeply. Brooke cried in his arms and then suddenly pushed away. "This is what you wanted. Me to be weak and fall into your arms." Brooke said in an accusatory tone.

" No. If I wanted that… if I’d wanted you that way. I wouldn’t have bought you here. I would have picked you up last night and carried you to your bed, striped you naked and waited. Waited for the Valium to wear off and waited for the despair to sink in and then taken you. You would have needed my comforting and with you not thinking, you’d never be able to resist and then you WOULD have given in to your desire."

"You don’t know that… I"

" You would have given in. You know it deep inside. But I don’t want you like that. I don’t want you at your lowest point, I want you when you know that you are giving yourself to me."

"Well, I’m glad that you said that, because I won’t be giving you a damn thing!. You had no right to come into my home take me out of the country without me knowing it." Brooke gave Caspian a suspicious look. " We are out of the country, aren’t we?"

"Yes, we are out of the country. I bought you here to relax and regroup."

"Well, you’ve wasted your time. I want to go back home."

"My jet has already left."

"Well, since you have all the power to find out what is going on in my life? You have enough power to bring that jet back here. If you want me to be happy then you’ll take back home now. I don’t want to be here. I want to be with my son and working on the case for my daughter. You had no right to make decisions for me. You have no right to bring me here, for what ever the reason and you know what the reason is. I don’t want to be here. I want to go home, now! Call that damn jet and have them come back!" Brooke stormed off into her bedroom. She was upset with Caspian. He had taken liberties with her, brining her here. She could stay here, not with him so close. Not when her children needed her. Brooke’s phone rang. She hurried to answer it.

" Hello"

" Hi, mom."

" Bridget, oh honey. How are you doing?"

"I’m fine, I’m having a good time here. To day I went on jet skies. Cindy was a little bit afraid but I wasn’t. I had a blast."

"I’m glad honey…" Brooke smiled sadly. Her daughter, her baby, she couldn’t lose her.

"Mom…are you all right? You sound a little sad."

" No, honey. I’m fine…just….just a little tired. I had a long day."

" I’m sorry if I woke you."

" No, honey. I’m glad that you called. You made my day."

" I love you mom."

" And I love you too. Bridget, you do know that I love you, don’t you?"

"Yes, mom. Well I gotta go. I’ll call you later."

" Bye honey." Brooke put the phone on the receiver. " I love you Bridget and I’m not going to allow your father and Stephanie do anything to take you away from me."

"Is everything all right with Bridget?" Brooke turned to find Caspian in her room standing quietly in the doorway. He made his way toward her.

" Yes, she having the time of her life. She deserves this trip, she hasn’t had it so easy." Caspian sat down on the sofa. " You haven’t had it easy."

" No, but I’m not a teenager either. It’s a blessing that she is gone because when she finds out…she is going to be so upset."

" She doesn’t have to find out Brooke."

" She will…don’t you understand why this upsets me so much. Why I’m upset that you bought me here. I can’t play with my daughter’s life."

" You think that is what I did? Because that wasn’t my intention. Nor was it my intention to upset you but I did what I thought would be best for you. Your lawyer is out of town. Brooke and the courts are closed so I knew that you’d be just upsetting yourself. I contacted my lawyer and told him about your situation and he had already started working on a brief…that is if you will need one. Allen is a shark and you are going to need someone like him on your side if you plan on playing hardball."

"You don’t think that my lawyer is capable?"

"No, I’m sure that Connor Davis is, but he isn’t at home. He’s away and not even due to be back by Monday. Besides, I already have my investigator to start looking into the lives of Eric and Stephanie. They will look through everything, every deed, every bank record and every secret that they have. Hunter, my investigator is quite good and he will indeed find something on both of them. You will keep your daughter."

" I can’t take any chances….I don’t know you or your lawyer."

"He’s the best kind of lawyer for the things that I have planned." Caspian gave Brooke an intense look. " This isn’t the time to play fair and I have no intentions of doing that Brooke. Your daughter is at stake as well as your happiness…believe me, my lawyer is the best person to handle the situation right now until Connor comes back."

" Can you find Connor?" Caspian sighed at Brooke’s question, he didn’t want to lie to her.

" Yes… I can find Connor."

" How?"

"Just like I found out about what is going on with you. I have my ways."

" Do you want to have Connor come back from his trip to deal with this situation with Bridget when I already have someone to do that until he comes back?" Brooke thought for a moment, she didn’t want Connor to ruin his trip but this was important.

" This lawyer of yours, he is as good as you say."

Caspian almost smiled. For he might have begun to make a little leeway with Brooke.

" Yes, he is the best. Let me do this for you. Let him begin to work on the case and let my investigators work Eric and Stephanie. Using Allen will be best especially if…"

"Especially if what?."

" Especially if I have to be creative."

"Creative?"

Caspian nodded his head giving Brooke a serious yet unreadable look. "Yes, Creative."

Brooke tilted her head to the side looking at Caspian. She was quiet for a moment. " As you were creative in having that man imprisoned, the one who tried to rape me."

"That was necessary."

" But it still is you being creative, right?"

"Yes"

"I don’t want something like that to happen to Eric or Stephanie…"

" You are so kind hearted. They are more than willing destroy them but you aren’t willing to do the same."

"There is a line that I won’t cross. Eric is Bridget’s father; I don’t want to destroy him. I just want my daughter to be safe and to be with me."

" Fine" Caspian finally stood and walked toward Brooke who was standing behind the sofa. " I will make sure that doesn’t happen to Eric, but I can still be creative when deemed necessary in other ways. Still, I would not have so much compassion for him. He thought nothing of the pain that he is willing to inflict upon you and your daughter."

"You promise, nothing like what happened to that man."

Something flashed in Caspian’s eyes and Brooke was worried that he would not give her his promise. But after a moment, he did. " I promise." Caspian came so close to her that he could almost see the rapid beating of her pulse at the joining of her collared bone.

" Tell me that you will stay. You can spend the time healing from everything that you have gone through."

" I can’t…my son."

" What has happened with your son?" Brooke said nothing. She wasn’t ready to tell Caspian everything, besides there was nothing that he could do to change matters.

Brooke moved away from Caspian and walked toward the balcony in her living area of her bedroom. She opened the balcony door and stood outside. Caspian moved toward her standing behind Brooke, waiting for a response from her. Brooke slowly turned toward Caspian and she couldn’t seemed to pull away when his hand he gently caressed her face. She closed her eyes when his fingers moved her hair out of the way of her face and stroked her cheek.

"Tell me…what happened with your son." Brooke’s hands caught Caspian’s and she pulled it away from her face. Without even knowing what she was doing, Brooke held onto his hand gently with both of hers.

" No… I can’t get tell you what happened. But my son is going through something horrible. I lied about something to protect him and he is hurting right now. He has left without telling me where he is." Tears filled her eyes. " Caspian, I’m so worried. He needs me, his whole world is falling apart and I have to be there for him."

"He has left because he is angry with you?" Brooke stroked Caspian’s hand and looked down, when she realized what she had been doing, she dropped his hand. Caspian took her hand into his. " You didn’t have to stop, I liked having you touch me." Brooke ignored Caspian’s remark because she wasn’t ready to deal with the overwhelming feeling that always arose when he was near.

" My son is hurting. He isn’t mad at me, maybe it would be better if he was, then he wouldn’t blame himself for what happened." Caspian caught Brooke’s face in his hands.

"Tell me, what happened?" Brooke shook her head.

" I can’t. I can only be there for him when he gets back." He truly didn’t understand how hard it was for her not to tell her. She wanted to open up about Rick to talk about his pain. But she couldn’t do it.

" And what about yourself, Brooke. You don’t know where your son is."

" You could tell me where he is. Tell me where son is, I want to go to him."

" No." Brooke pulled away from Caspian.

" I’m asking for your help. If you care…"

" Whatever your son is going through is a trying thing. But he is a man Brooke. He needs time to think. You are good mother but you need to let him work through whatever is bothering him. You need to stand back and not cuddle him. When he needs you, he will come home."

" He needs me now."

" No, he doesn’t. He needs to be a man. If you don’t allow him to deal with his own problems, he never will. He will be like Ridge Forrester, allowing his mother to handle all of his problems. Do you want your son to be like Ridge, never being a real man?"

Brooke frowned, she didn’t like what Caspian said. It was almost the same thing that James had said to her.

" Rick is nothing like Ridge…and I’m not Stephanie. I haven’t cuddled my son like the way that …the way that Stephanie cuddled Ridge. She’s obsessive about him worrying about him and only him. She doesn’t even care about her other children."

" Then allow him to go through this on his own. When he is ready, he will come to you. Until then, what you will have to do is to wait. The question is, where are going to wait. Going home is an option, but what will you do there? You’d only worry more, waiting for the door to open, for the phone to ring. Why do that when you can be here? You can rest here. You’ll have every comfort here. My lawyer will work on your case, I’ll can have it so that you’ll be notified when Rick gets home." Caspian could clearly that Brooke was starting to think. "Tell me, what is waiting for you at your home? Work? Harassment from Eric and Stephanie?"

" Maybe it’s what is here that scares me." Brooke said truthfully. Caspian grinned a bit.

" I know Brooke and at times what has been happening between you and scares me."

"Why?" Brooke found his. "This what you’ve wanted."

"Yes, it is. But it has been so long since I felt what I feel when I’m with you. Maybe, just maybe feeling this way scares me." Caspian moved closer to Brooke and gently pulled her into his arms. " But I’m will to take the chance." He however his head slowly until his head was only inches away from her. He looked deeply into her eyes, seeing almost into her soul. " Tell me, are you willing to take the chance." Brooke swallowed hard.

" Caspian.." Brooke involuntary licked her lips. "If I stay here….you know what will happen…." Caspian lowered his head a bit farther.

" Yes…what I’ve dreamed about will happen. There isn’t anything to stop that, but you’ve known that this was going to happen. Deep inside this has been our destiny."

" Destiny.." Brooke said before Caspian’s lips touched hers. The moment that his lips touched her desire rose up throughout her body. He touched her lips gently, slowly tasting her lips. She barely touched him, her breath soft and steady puffs of air that enticed him so. Brooke’s lips met his gently, sweetly while her breathe caught into her chest and it came out raspy when she pulled her lips away from his. Her fingers touched her lips gently and she looked deeply within his eyes. Caspian stood almost suspended in time as she looked at him and he ached to have her. She leaned forward that that was all the invitation that he needed. Her mouth touched his and she opened her mouth, he slid his tongue inside tasting her, his tongue stroked hers. The kiss heated up his hands pulled her tighter toward her body and she could feel him against her, his body so taunt with desire. Her hands moved down his back, feeling the cords of his muscles and then down to his pants touching his buttocks lightly. Caspian suckled her tongue inside his mouth when Brooke suddenly pulled away from him. Brooke stood back, breathing heavenly trying to gather her wits.

" Make no mistake, you and I both know that if you stay what will happen. As you said earlier. I truly believe that it is our destiny. You were never meant to be with Thorne."

At the mention of Thorne’s name, Brooke became silent. He had made his choice and in the end he had chosen Kimberly. Brooke looked at Caspian, so dark, to sexy, so willing to protect her. She had resisted him, ached to have him, felt guilt over him and in the end had turned him away. She had kept her word because of her love for Thorne and now she was standing here with him. She still had his taste in her mouth and she wanted more, so much more. Nothing was stopping her, nothing at all. All she had to do was to let go of Thorne and give into the passion that was growing steadily inside of her. The passion that had been inside of her since that night in Paris when they first met.

" You don’t want to talk about Thorne?"

"Not tonight." Brooke walked back into the room. She headed toward the table and poured herself a glass of water from the iced pitcher and sipped down the cool liquid.

" Not tonight Caspian. I don’t think that I can talk about it." Tears welled up in Brooke’s eyes. Caspian came toward her and kissed her on the top of her head.

" It’s all right…we have time" Brooke closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the comfort of his arms. Caspian slowly picked her up and carried her to her bed. He laid her down on top of the bed, slipped her shoes off her feet. He removed his shoes and crawled into bed next to her, he took her into his arms, her head lying against his chest, she listened to his heartbeat. He kissed her brow, gently. Brooke had been so quiet and so still that he for a moment had thought that she had fallen back to sleep when she suddenly spoke.

"If I stay. You promise that the moment that Rick comes back home that you’ll let know."

" Yes."

" Your lawyer will work on my case."

" Yes." Brooke sat up, and looked down at Caspian who was lying down. The moonlight shinning thought that opened doors from behind her bed from the balcony bathed her in such moonlight.

" I have to know everything that he is doing. I have to be aware of everything. She is too important to me."

Caspian sat up. " I wouldn’t have it any other way. You will never be in the dark about what he doing." Brooke swallowed.

" I’m trusting you with the most important thing in my life. Don’t let me down." A tear slipped down her cheek. Caspian caught the tear and wiped it away.

" I always keep my promises, especially the ones that I make for you." Brooke smiled.

" Well, you didn’t on the boat."

Caspian traced Brooke’s collarbone above the halter-top. " You made it so hard on me. You were so beautiful and understanding that night. I wanted you so much. I didn’t want to let you go. I wanted to take you away and never let you go back." Brooke leaned down toward Caspian when his bought his hands to the back of her head to pulled her toward him.

"I didn’t want to go that night." She whispered. " I had wanted to give in, but I couldn’t."

"Then do it now, give in. Give into what we both want." Caspian caught her by the back of her head and pulled her lips down to his. Brooke ‘s lips touched Caspian and together they became a conductor of natural heat. Brooke sighed and offered herself up to the stroke of his tongue that had slipped into her mouth. Brooke’s body came into contact with Caspian’s aching body. Her nipples hardened and they brushed against the smooth material of her halter-top causing them ache even more than they did. Caspian’s hands caressed her back, loving the feel of the naked skin that he felt above the top, he wanted to feel, to see and taste all of it. He wanted her naked, he wanted to be naked, to be inside of her…aching to feel her all around him, pulsating with pleasure. Brooke’s legs moved over Caspian thigh and he rubbed his thigh slowly between her legs, rubbing and tantalizing her though her panties under her skirt. Brooke pulled her mouth away from him and looked down at him. Caspian grabbed her and moved her so that she straddled him. He pulled her head back down and possessed her lips again; he slowly thrust his aching **** toward her scalding heat, simulating the sexual act that he was dying to participate in. Brooke’s body ached and ached while she arched her self against him, moving toward that elusive feeling while her hands pulled at the buttons on his shirt. His shirt ripped open, buttons flying all over the place when her hands contacted his naked chest. Her finger came into contact with his nipples and she stroked them. Caspian growled a sound that allowed Brooke knows that he loved that she was doing. Brooke pulled her head away from his lips leaned back while Caspian’s hands held her hips still as he moved against him.

" Uhh, uhhh" Brooke moaned as she struggled against him. Caspian hands moved up to the tie of the strings of her halter that tied behind her neck. He untied the strings and gently pushed the top down until it exposed her bare breast. Brooke looked down at him with passion-glassed eyes as his fingers caressed the slopes of her breast. He looked at her deeply in her beautiful.

" Beautiful, you are so beautiful… your breast so sexy." Brooke closed her eyes with passion as Caspian’s fingers found her nipples. He caressed them. " I want to take them into my mouth. I want to play with… I want to play with you." Brooke’s eyes opened. Caspian leaned forward slowly until his mouth gently caught her nipple between his teeth. He gently pulled and a mixture of pleasure and pain vibrated throughout her body, his tongue traced the spot that he had bit gently. He played with the nipple and then gently pulled it into his mouth and suckled. He eyes stayed open to watch her while her suckled at her nipple, Brooke eyes studied his while her breath labored hard and her body moved against his, she was aching…aching. Aching and he knew it. Caspian’s hands moved under her skirt and pushed her forward so he could moved the material of the panties to the side and found her aching numb.

"Ohhh….god.." Brooke’s eyes closed as he manipulated her numb, stroking it with his thumb she was wet and aching more and more. Brooke pressed herself against his thumb and his aching ****, which was straining against his underwear. Caspian could see by the look in her eyes that she was close to climaxing. A bead of sweat rolled down Brooke’s back. Caspian then suddenly turned so that Brooke was now lying owns her back, her legs were open. Caspian back away from the bed. "No…" Brooke said, she ached and now he was gone. Caspian threw the shirt that Brooke had torn open to the floor and then stripped out of his pants, shoes, socks and underwear. Then he stood there glorious naked in front of Brooke, his body was amazing, he was tan all over. Brooke’s eyes moved all over him taking it all in. His chest muscular, showing that he clearly worked out, his washboard stomach, her eyes trailed to the small trail of hair that ran from his navel down toward to pool of his hair and in the middle of the hair was his very large, straining arousal that was moving on its own accord, then there were his sculptured thighs. Brooke couldn’t keep her eyes off of him; he was so incredibly beautiful and sinfully handsome. Caspian made his way toward her slowly and he pulled Brooke to her knees. He took the material of her top in his hands and pulled it over Brooke’s head. Brooke held up her hands, silently not saying a word. His fingers unzipped her skirt and it became a puddle around her knees. Brooke breast rose up and down with the fierce beating of her heart when Caspian pulled her to her feet on top of the bed. His fingers traced the globes of her body and then trails lightly toward her stomach to her panties. He took his time his fingers moved across the satin feel of the panties, then moved between her legs to she was wet and soaked thought the panties.

" You are wet…..for me?" He said in a sensual tone as his fingers circled her nub through the panties.

" Yes…" Brooke said softly. Caspian looked into her eyes and then moved away from Brooke as she stood on top of the bed. He crawled on the bed got on his knees behind Brooke while she still stood on the bed. Caspian gently traced the globes of her buttocks, which was exposed by the thong panties with his fingers. Brooke tried to turn toward him when he stopped her.

" No. Stay standing like the way that you were." Caspian bent his head and kissed her left and right buttock gently. A shiver ran through Brooke as his hands found her panties and pulled them down. Brooke lifted her feet so that he could move her panties out of the way. Caspian kissed where the base of her spine and buttocks connected. Brooke turned around to face him, he came face to face with her aching desire and leaned forward to smell her spicy scent and then kissed her on her heated desire. Brooke cupped his face and pulled his head up so she could look into his eyes. He saw the passion there and then kissed her stomach, his lips trailing on the flat surface, and then traced the rim of her navel. Then he parted her legs gently and then his mouth blew gently on her nub, the he cupped her buttocks in his hands and brought her aching heat toward his mouth. He kissed her there, his fingers parted her and his tongue found her nub gently. He traced the nub slowly hearing her soft cry, he gently played with it, and his tongue rubbed it. Brooke parted her legs farther cupping his head pulling his head toward her all the while his tongue played her like a harp. It stroked, tasted and suckled her until her legs continue to shake, he bought to the brink and she climaxed, her eyes closed, her head thrown back, but he didn’t stop them. He caught Brooke and pulled her to the bed and bought his head back between her legs, her essence coated his tongue but he loved the salty taste of her. He stroked her again, pulling her legs over his shoulders and stroked her again with his tongue while his fingers found her nipples.

" Ohh..god" Brooke tried to sit up but she couldn’t it seemed as soon as the feelings started to end that they’d start all over again. His incredible mouth brought to the brink again just when she thought that she’d explode he pulled his head up and kissed her mouth, their tongues mating, her hands roughing up his hair suckling his tongue inside of her mouth, she tasted herself. Caspian quickly pulled his head away and lowered it back between her legs. Again he started the sweet torture with his tongue, he brought her to the brink again and when he slipped his tongue inside of her she screamed. Hot flashes of passion and incredible climax hit Brooke. Brooke lay almost lifeless as she tried to catch her breath while Caspian’s mouth trailed up her body slowly until he met her mouth. Brooke opened her eyes and smiled when she saw him staring down at her. She gently touched his face and brow with almost a loving nature. Caspian caught her hand in his and kissed it gently. He nuzzled her neck and then surprised her with the gentlest kiss that she had ever experienced.

" Caspian…"

" Shhh" He kissed her again, slowly, his tongue sipping in her mouth. Brooke slowly traced his lips with her fingers. Tears almost threatened to come to the forefront of his eyes. His heart grew with love. She was so beautiful and so gentle as she looked at him and he could almost see love. He bent down and kissed both of her eyelids.

" Sleep" Brooke closed her eyes listened to his heartbeat that beat loudly in his chest. He stroked her hair, their bodies entertained on top of the bed sheets naked. His **** was aching but he was willing to wait and give her a little more time until they made love totally.

 

Brooke snuggled against the warm body that lay next to her, the warmth was more than enticing. Brooke opened her eyes and turned to find Caspian lying naked next to her, his body spooning hers. He was asleep and utterly beautiful. Brooke couldn’t believe that she was here, that she was in bed with Caspian. She couldn’t believe how quickly that she had brought him to the brink and in the end, he still didn’t take his own release and she wondered why. He had wanted her, from the moment that they had met but in the end he hadn’t taken her even though she had been more than willing. She touched his face; he almost looked like a boy when he slept. He was so commanding, so demanding and beautiful. Brooke studied him for a long while and she slipped out of the bed. She went to the bathroom and put on the pink silk robe that was hanging in the bathroom. She left the "bedroom" area of the room and walked into the living room when she noticed a bag on the floor. Brooke opened the bag and pulled out some photos of her and her children that had once been her home. "Caspian" Brooke smiled gently. He had bought her photos of her children maybe he knew how much they meant to her. In the back of her mind, she wondered how he had gotten into her home but she pushed that thought in the back of her head. She wasn’t going to worry about that at the moment. Brooke looked at the children who where laughing in the photo, they had been children. Then she looked the other, she was lying on a bed with her children. The last photo was one of all three of them, their arms all around each other, the smile on Brooke’s face turned sad. She remembered that day, she remembered that it had been Thorne how had taken the picture. Brooke put the photo down and walked past the mini wall back toward the bed in which Caspian was resting. Brooke looked down at the bed. Maybe he hadn’t finished making love to her because she hadn’t truly let go of Thorne yet, question was would she ever. She still loved Thorne, even Caspian knew that but she had deep feelings for him. If she slept with him, made love to him, gave herself to him, there would be no turning back, ever. She could never go back to Thorne she knew that. The question was if she made love to Caspian would she ever be to the same.

 

Against All Odds Chapter 64 Review ( The Island) Brooke awakens to find herself at a mysterious tropical island owned by Caspian. She becomes angry when she finds that Caspian bought her without her consent. She lashes out at Caspian feeling that he is taking advantage of her. Caspian counters that he wants to help Brooke while Brooke is worried about her children. Caspian offers his best lawyers to help Brooke, he pleas with Brooke to take this time to relax and allow him to help her. After some thought, Brooke decides to stay. Caspian and Brooke come close to making love. Taylor becomes increasingly worried about Thomas who is acting out because of Ridge’s absence. She goes to the hospital to see a friend and visits a comatose Morgan. She misses a movement on Morgan’s hand after her talk. Ridge is taking his son to his new home when he runs into Taylor who is bought to tears when she notices the connection between the two. Eve who is worried about her past goes on a cleaning spree and finds the letter from Trudie’s brother and puts it on Trudie’s table. Trudie and CJ make love.

Against All Odds Chapter 65 ( No More Waiting )

Ridge opened the door quickly trying to stop the knocking at his door. " Mother? What are you doing here?" Stephanie pushed past Ridge into his new condo.

" I’m here to talk some sense into you."

" Mother, this isn’t the time."

" Well, it had better be." Stephanie gripped Ridge’s face. " What in the hell do you think that you are doing? Are you trying to totally ruin your marriage?"

"No. I’m not. And be quite you’ll wake Dylan."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. " I’m not concerned about waking that woman’s brat."

Anger crossed Ridge’s face. " Don’t. Don’t talk about my son that way."

" How can you call him your son? Thomas is your son. Phoebe and Stephanie are your children…not this baby."

" He’s my son mother. I don’t care how all of it started but I care about my son. He is all-alone in the world; his mother may never wake up. The truth is the longer that she is in that coma, the chance is greater that she may never wake up."

" Don’t expect me to feel sorry for that woman, she bought most of this on herself."

" She doesn’t deserve to die." Ridge said. He shook his head. " I don’t talk about Morgan anymore, mother and I don’t want you saying anything bad about her."

" The bitch destroyed it all! She and Brooke. Do you think that I was going to allow her to hurt you and Taylor! I’ve done everything to protect you from her and now you bring that brat home! What about Taylor what is she going to do when she finds out? I’ve tried talking to her and she still wants to get a divorce. That vulture lawyer of hers is out of town and now you have a chance to make things right and what are you doing? You are taking care of that baby and going out with that slut Brooke!"

"This isn’t about Brooke…"

" Yes it is! I saw you on television. She was making a play for you. Don’t be stupid. Don’t you want Taylor and your children back?"

" You know I do mother."

"Then why are you ruining it? Listen, I’ve called Morgan’s sister, she’d be willing to take the baby. All you have to do is give it to her. Once Taylor sees that the baby isn’t here, it will make a difference. I’ve also neutralized Brooke, she won’t be able to stick her nose in your business."

" Stop it mother."

Stephanie pulled on her son. " You aren’t listening"

Ridge pried his mother’s fingers off his shirt. " No! You are the one who isn’t listening. Dylan is my son. My son! Do you think that I could easily walk away from him? Maybe I could before I got to hold him and change him or even name him. For Taylor I could sacrifice my son, but not now." Ridge shook his head. " I really appreciate all that you’ve done for me but you are going to far! Mother, I screwed up. I****ed Morgan and although I was tricked…" Ridge sighed. " ..Well the tape showed that didn’t….hate it. Taylor knew it and she saw it on the tape. I was wrong to do it and now I have to pay for my mistakes mother."

Stephanie gave Ridge an incredulous look. " What are you saying?"

"I’m saying stay out of it. I’m saying that I’m not going to give Dylan away to Morgan’s sister. I’m going to find a way to make things work with Taylor. I miss her my children and I’ll find a way to work things out."

" You can’t do that with that baby or running around with that slut Brooke."

" I’m not running around with Brooke mother."

" The hell you are!" Stephanie and Ridge turned around to find a tired looking drunken Thorne standing in the doorway. " Where is she?"

"Thorne what are you talking about?" Ridge looked at his brother worried.

"Where the fu(k is she! Brooke!" Thorne shoved past Ridge and stumped into the living room. " Brooke!"

" Shut up Thorne you’ll wake my son!"

" I don’t care! I want to know where she is! I saw you, I saw you, you bastard. You were kissing her. I saw you!"

Ridge put his hands up. " Thorne that kiss wasn’t you think."

Stephanie ignored Thorne and turned her accusing eyes on Ridge. " You kissed that bitch? I knew it! I knew it! Are you crazy!"

Ridge ignored his mother screaming when he heard his baby crying. Ridge turned when Thorne pulled him. " You aren’t going anywhere you bastard. I knew that you would do this. Just like Venice, you are taking advantage of Brooke. She is hurting and there you are to pick up the fu(king pieces."

" Thorne…."

" I’m not going to allow you to do it! I’m not going to allow you to hurt her."

Ridge looked at his brother. " GO home Thorne and sleep it off. You don’ t know what you are talking about."

" You think that I’m going to let you take her from me."

" Take her from you? You’ve screwed it up all by yourself little brother. You messed up just like I did Thorne. I slept with Morgan and ruined my life. You slept with Kimberly and ruined what you had with Brooke."

" You think that you are better than me Ridge?" Thorne spat.

" No, but at least I didn’t go for seconds! What the hell were you thinking, you took a virgin to bed! A girl who was 19 years old. You are 38 years old Thorne, and she is almost twenty years younger than you. Was it worth it Thorne? Was****ing Kimberly worth hurting Brooke? So don’t come here blaming what happened on me. Your dick is what got you in trouble."

" You bastard!" Thorne punched Ridge in the face and jumped on top of him. Ridge hit the ground with a thug and was treated to Thorne’s punches. He felt blood run down his face from his nose. Ridge tried to shove an angry Thorne off of him but Thorne was holding on tight. Stephanie ran over and tried to pull Thorne off of Ridge.

" Let your brother go."

That only seemed to enrage Thorne who kept hitting Ridge. Ridge kneaded his brother in the stomach, Thorne turned a pale color of green and before he knew it he threw up all over Ridge. Thorne rolled over onto his side of vomited on Ridge’s expensive rug. Stephanie moved toward Ridge and looked down at her son with blood on his face and vomit on his shirt.

" Ridge, honey, are you alright?" Ridge sat up and looked down at his brother. Stephanie turned her rage toward Thorne.

" What the hell do you think that you are doing? This is your brother! You are ready to ruin it for that slut!"

"Shut up mother." Thorne sat up. " Just shut up. I love her."

" Well you weren’t thinking about her when you slept with Kimberly. It isn’t Ridge’s fault that you got that girl pregnant. In all of this have you thought about that young girl? No, you are worried about that slut?"

" Pregnant? Ridge said, but his comment was cut off by Dylan’s cries, which had escalated. Ridge stumbled from the room to get his son."

" You don’t even care about me do you mother?" Thorne spat.

" Don’t be ridiculous, you bought some of this on yourself. Do you see your whore trying to forgive you? No, she is playing up to Ridge, just like I knew that she would."

"That’s enough mother." Ridge said as he came back. Ridge held out of hand toward his brother who slapped it away. " Listen Thorne, you misunderstood that kiss."

" Don’t lie to me. I saw you. You kissed her, I saw it." Ridge sighed. " You have to have everything don’t you. You had Morgan and Taylor and know you want Brooke."

" Logan doesn’t belong to anyone."

" Shut the fu(k up Ridge and don’t call her your Logan."

"Thorne….look man. I want my wife back and Brooke and I are just friends. She was depressed that night and I wanted to cheer her up."

" By kissing her right?"

"I guess I know why she was upset. You got Kimberly pregnant."

" Yes he did and know it is time for you to do the right thing by that young girl. Thorne you have to marry her." Stephanie interjected.

"Yeah mom, I have to marry Kimberly but Ridge should stay with Taylor. Why don’t you tell him to leave Taylor and be there for Morgan?"

" I’m not going to answer that question. But I will say that I’m disgusted by your behavior today. Getting drunk and beating up your brother this is what this woman is doing to you. Look at what she is doing to this family! I’m not going to allow her to do this. In fact I’ve take care of that little slut!"

Both Thorne and Ridge looked at the dangerous glint in their mother’s eyes.

" What do you mean by that mother?" Thorne asked.

"You’ll find out soon enough."

"Mother, answer Thorne, did you do something to Brooke."

" Like you wouldn’t know? She never came home, did she come here with you bastard?" Thorne yelled.

Ridge shook his head. " No, she didn’t come home with me. Thorne, I swear to it. Brooke went to Forrester. I haven’t seen her."

" She didn’t come home and she hasn’t been in the office." Thorne looked at his mother and advanced dangerously on her. " What in the hell did you do to Brooke?"

Brooke stood on the second floor deck of Caspian’s beautiful beach house. She still couldn’t believe that she was here or what had almost transpired between her and Caspian last night. Brooke was so confused by Caspian, he wanted her and had made it clear from almost the night that they had met, yet last night when he had her, he had only pleasured her, not allowing himself the release that any other man would have expected.

" That because he isn’t like any other man that you’ve known, Brooke." She said to herself. This morning when she woke up she had almost expected that he would still be there in her bed, but he was absent. Brooke had been relieved in a way, because she needed to think. She had taken a hot shower and dressed a strapless yellow dress that was made of a light material that encased her body with its corset like ties in the back. The dress was simple in design but on Brooke it was more than beautiful since her flat stomach and small hips were displayed clearly from the molded material of her dress. Brooke wore no jewelry, and her hair was freely flowed down across her shoulders. Brooke looked across the sandy beach and saw Caspian running down it, her eyes devoured him, his muscular chest that was wet with sweat, his muscular thighs and legs. Brooke breathe caught in her throat as she watched him come closer to the house and made his way up the stairs from the beach that lead to the deck. Brooke didn’t move from her spot as watched him until he was out of sight moving toward left side of the house where the pool was located. Brooke couldn’t help her feet from moving toward that part of the house, she watched as Caspian stood in front of the outside shower that was located above the beautiful pool, Caspian wiped his body with the towel and turned the water on in the shower, took of his running shoes, socks and then dropped his running shorts on the deck, standing beautifully naked with his sculpted body. He stepped in the shower standing under the hot spray, them he started to wash himself. Brooke stood transfixed as he moved the soft sponge on his chest and watched the cords of his neck as he closed his eyes under the hot spray, her eyes watched how the soapy water ran down his muscular chest down the rest of his body. Brooke felt heat flood her aching body if she was honest to herself she wanted to open that door, take the sponge from him and wash him herself. She wanted to feel that hot hard wet skin next to hers, taste his beautiful lips and tear her clothes off forgetting about everything but only his mouth on her body. She knew that she should move away but she wanted to give herself another look. Brooke’s eyes ran up his body until she got to his face and her heart leapt as she stared into his beautiful eyes, which were studying her as if he could read her thoughts and feelings. Brooke turned away and walked inside the house. Brooke stood shaken by her emotions…what kind of woman was she that she could want him so much after what had happened with Thorne. Hadn’t she learned anything at all? Every time she gave into her passion and gave her heart it ended up with heartache.

Rick sat in the cabin thinking about what he had done. The last day his mind had been filled with horrible thoughts. What if Grant had died, what would have happened? He couldn’t believe that he’d shoot someone in cold blood, but he did. Rick thought about what his mother said, she said that he wasn’t a killer that he was the same man that he had always been. But was that true? Sure he had hated Grant, his mother hadn’t been happy with him, but to shoot him. What kind of person shoots another person just because he doesn’t like him? Tears filled his eyes. What kind of person was he? How could he go to Eve knowing what he did? Rick bowed his head and cried.

 

Caspian made his way to Brooke who was sitting in the music room looking at the ocean down below. She looked up at him and he saw something in her golden eyes that made his heart leap. Even dressed in a simple yellow strapless dress she was more beautiful than any other woman.

" Hello."

" Hello." Brooke stood up, dropping the book that she had in her lap. Caspian picked up the book and he gave her a sensual grin.

" The Story Of O, interesting reading. So, tell me do you find the book to arousing? The little French girl who finds her sexuality in the most painful and exquisite ways."

" Isn’t that what love is, exquisite pain? Maybe she had it right. Maybe is it easier for people have purely sexual relationships that way you don’t get hurt."

" Is that what you really think Brooke? Are you saying that you’d rather go through life having sexual encounters with different men, not ever feeling love?"

"Who knows what I feel?" Brooke turned toward Caspian and sat back down on the soft sofa. " This is beautiful room. The perfectly buffed hardwood floors, the piano, the antique harpsichord to the phonograph. You have such exquisite taste."

Caspian sat down next to Brooke. " You are changing the subject." Brooke eyes flashed full of color.

" What am I supposed to say? Where has love gotten me? I’ve had the most wonderful men in the world fall in love with me and I didn’t want them because I was always in love with Ridge."

" Do you still love him now?"

Brooke thought for a moment. " No, not like that anymore. I think his part of the scheme in Venice ruined whatever we had left. There is no more Ridge and I we are only friends now. It’s funny because it took loving his brother to make me stop loving him. But in the end, I’m still left with the broken heart." Brooke stood up and walked toward the piano touching the keys lightly. "So maybe the girl in the story was right. Maybe its better to enjoy sex without the risk of love. To explore and take as many lovers without dealing with relationships."

" Is that what you are going to do Brooke?" Brooke looked away from Caspian inquiring eyes. " Tell me, are you going to take on lovers now. Are you going to allow men you have no feelings for to fu(k you, without thought or feeling because of Thorne Forrester?"

" Maybe. Maybe it will best that way because I’ll just be giving my body and not my heart. Every time I give my heart a man takes it and throws it away as if it really meant nothing. That’s what Thorne did. So maybe I’ll give up on love and have indiscriminate sex." Caspian chuckled softly. " Why are you laughing?"

" Because you don’t mean it." Caspian came toward Brooke standing other side of the piano. " You are a very sensual woman but it isn’t your nature to have a purely sexual relationship. You need to feel something for the man you are with. You can’t help it, loving and feeling is part of your make up. If I thought it was so easy to have you without feeling, without caring, I would have taken the first time we met. And I would have finished making love to you last night."

" Why didn’t you? Last night I wasn’t going to turn you away. I was willing…"

" You weren’t really ready Brooke. I want you; believe me I want to finish what I started. But I wanted to give you time to think about things, to know what you are doing." Caspian moved closer to Brooke, cupping her face. " I know that you would never make love to just anyone. And that is what we’d be doing together, making love."

" I…" Caspian stopped Brooke’s words with his fingers. Brooke inadvertently licked her lips and her tongue touched his fingers. Caspian almost closed his eyes because the moment she touched his fingers with her tongue he became instantly hard. Caspian moved his hand and gently stroked her face.

"I know that you still have feelings for Thorne, that you still love him. I accept that Brooke, but I also know that the closeness between you and I is strong. There are feelings that you’ve tried to ignore; we don’t have to ignore them any longer. Don’t hide your feelings either Brooke. Don’t hide the ones you have for Thorne or the ones that you have for me. Don’t hide your heart or give up in love. Maybe it is time for you to give up on Forrester men…have you ever stopped to think that maybe they are the ones who don’t know how to love?" Caspian caressed her face. "This morning when you saw me, standing in the shower what did you feel? Was it a basic need for sex or did you feel a passion that grew inside of you, something sexual of course, but something with real genuine feeling? There is a something between you and me. You feel something and it isn’t just two people wanting to have each other’s bodies. There is something more, more potent than sex between us. I’ve had willing bodies, women to do any and everything a man could think of and more but in all those hedonistic sexual encounters, I’ve never felt half of what I feel when I look at you. So don’t tell me that you can just give yourself to man without feeling because there is nothing but feeling inside of you."

Brooke listened to his works shocked by the depth of true intense feeling from him. It surprised her how well he knew her. " So you think that you know what is best for me?"

"No, but I want to do right for you."

" You are willing to wait until I’m totally over Thorne?"

"No. I didn’t say that. Last night you had gone through a lot but today is a different day. I understand your feeling for him and I’m not willing to wait forever. I’m not a saint, I’m a man with needs who has deep feelings for you." Caspian lowered his head to capture Brooke’s mouth in a gentle kiss. It was a sweet kiss as his mouth slowly tasted hers taking his time to explore hers softly. When he pulled his mouth away from hers, she then cupped his head and pulled it down to taste his lips again. Passion erupted between them, her mouth on his, her tongue stroking his. Her body melted into his while his hands moved down to cup her body toward his when there was a knock on the door. Caspian groaned and pulled his head away from hers.

" Yes?"

Ellie opened the door. " Breakfast has been set up in the morning room. Now come on, you don’t want the wonderful food that I’ve prepared for you to be ruined." She smiled at Brooke and Caspian for a moment and then closed the door. Brooke laughed.

" What is so funny?"

"You. I don’t think that you listen to anyone, but you listen to her don’t you?"

" Yes, she is probably the closest thing to a mother that I’ve ever had. I knew that she’d be the suitable chaperone for you."

" You this planned…didn’t you?" Caspian caressed Brooke’s bottom lip. " I know that you did, the clothes fit me as if they were tailor made for my measurements. Then there is Ellie, you asked her to be here to protect me from you?"

" Yes, I planned to bring you here but without Ellie. I had decided when I came to you I’d sweep you off your feet and bring you here for a romantic get-a-way but once I saw the way that things were heading, I knew that I had to bring you here earlier."

" Thank you."

" What’s this, are you thanking you for meddling in your life."

Brooke walked toward the door. " No. You shouldn’t be meddling in my life. I was thanking you for last night and for being here for me." Brooke looked back at him. " Are you coming for breakfast or is Ellie going to have to bring out the big guns." Brooke held out her hand to him and Caspian took it.

Stephanie looked at both of her son’s. "I can’t believe that you are both worried about that slut. Don’t worry, I haven’t physically hurt her."

" How can we be so sure mother?" Thorne said suspiciously.

"Thorne, what are saying to mother?"

"What? Mother didn’t tell you? I can’t believe that she actually kept something so important from her precious son."

Stephanie looked at Thorne with disgust. " Thorne…"

" No, mother. Lets tell Ridge to what lengths you would go to get what you want."

" I was trying to protect you and this family from that whore."

"You tried to kill her!"

Ridge stood shell-shocked. " What? What did you say?"

"You heard me Ridge. Mother tried to kill Brooke. When she found out about Brooke and me, she went up to Big Bear. I caught her trying to strangle Brooke."

" I was out of my mind. I hadn’t slept, you know that I didn’t mean it."

Ridge backed away from his mother. " Why? Why would you try to hurt her?"

"How can you ask me that? That woman has single handedly tried her best to ruin my life. Your father life, your lives and even the lives of her own children. I wasn’t going to let her get her hands on my baby. I love you Thorne and I know what kind of woman she is." Stephanie’s face became red with her anger. " She is a whore! She will open her legs to any man and I…"

" Stop! Stop it! I won’t have you talk about her like this. Do you understand me mother? Now I want to know what in the hell have you done to Brooke?"

Stephanie eye’s narrowed as she looked at Thorne. " I did to her what she did to me?"

" And that means what?" Ridge said silently.

" I took her child, just like she tried to take both of you from me."

" What do you mean by that mother?" Thorne said.

" I simply did what was best for the family. Your father has been more than gracious with her and she doesn’t even ask his opinion about his children. Bridget has been embarrassed by her behavior not to mention her affair with you Thorne, but Brooke doesn’t care. Now, she has decided that Bridget should go to a school in Paris, a place thousands of miles from here. We warned her and she didn’t listen. So, we decided to do what was best for Bridget."

" Bridget…what about Bridget." Ridge asked.

" We have filed for custody for Bridget. We also found that there was a mix up with courts and your father still has legal custody of Bridget. So we told Brooke that once Bridget get back from Paris, she will come to live with us. Even if Brooke fights us, she’ll lose by her own loose behavior. After all that she has done, no court would give her back Bridget."

Ridge frowned. " You are taking Bridget from Brooke?"

" I am doing only what is best for Bridget. That poor girl had gone through enough with a woman like Brooke for a mother."

Ridge’s anger intensified. " Get out mother." Ridge said in a low tone.

" Ridge don’t be ridiculous?"

"Mother, I said get out. Do you hear me, get the hell out of my home before I throw you out." Stephanie looked shocked at her sons’ faces and was hurt to know that they were still defending Brooke.

" I’ll talk to you later Ridge when you calm down." She looked at Thorne. " You have some responsibilies to take care of." With that Stephanie left.

Thorne looked lost. " Oh god Brooke. Where are you?" He knew how much she loved Bridget, if she lost her Brooke would be totally devastated.

Ridge looked at his brother wondering the same thing. " Logan wherever you are, I hope that you are safe."

Sara looked up at Michael O’Leary. He had been her friend for the last year. He was there six months ago when she found that she had incurable ovarian cancer. It was funny, finding out that she was dying had changed her. She had stopped drinking, stopped looking for a man and found god. It was finding god that made her feel of pain and the regret of the horrible things that she had done in the past. God had also given her his forgiveness and now she needed her daughter’s forgiveness. There were so many things that she wanted to tell Angel. " Please Michael, help me find her. I have to tell so many things.." Sara winced in pain. " I have to tell her the truth." Michael kissed Sara on the top of her head.

" It’s all right. I’ll find her I’ll find your daughter." Michael left the room leaving Sara with her thoughts.

(Flashback)

Sara walked through the kitchen putting down her briefcase. " Angel. Angel? Where are you?" Sara walked through the tiny house and checked in her daughter’s room. Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her waist."

" Hey Honey" Sara turned to find Sam, her boyfriend behind her. When Sam came into her life great things happened. He gave her strength; he gave her love and the confidence to stand up. He had been the one to tell her that she could get the job in Florida. With this move, her life would be tens times better. Sam fingers traced her nipples through her new blouse while his hand traveled up her skirt. His fingers traced her panties and found her wet underneath. " Just like I like it." Sara spread her legs further allowing his fingers to find access to her heated warmth. Sara moaned with passion when she heard a noise coming from inside her bedroom. She pulled away from Sam and opened the door.

" Wait Sara.." Sara found Frankie, Sam’s friend looking out of the window in their bedroom with his hands down his open pants playing with himself.

" What are you too doing?" Sara walked toward the window where Angel was swimming. She frowned when she saw what her daughter was wearing. She was wearing a very tiny bikini. Sara stormed outside the back of the pool. Angel looked up and saw her mother coming toward her.

" Hi mom" The smile on her face started to fade when she saw her mother’s face. Sara gripped Angel hard so that she almost fell. " Mommy, what are you doing?" Sara slapped Angel.

" You little bitch… I told you about flaunting your body in front of Sam!"

Angel had tears running down her face. " I didn’t do anything wrong. Mom I’m swimming that’s all."

"No, you giving a show to Sam and Frankie."

" I’m not. I’m only swimming."

" Just like you were when you were with that boy Tommy?"

"Tommy is my friend."

" No, Sam told me. He told me that he saw you kissing that boy and that he touched your breast."

" He’s lying. Mom, I’m not like that. Don’t you see what Sam is doing? He is trying to break us up."

" No, you are? You are flaunting that body in front of him. He’s a man and you hoping and praying that he will make a pass so I would force him to leave. Well that isn’t going to happen. Sara pulled Angel into the house and threw her into her bedroom. " Put some clothes on!" Sara slammed the door and she heard Angel’s crying. She wasn’t going to let Angel come and steal the best thing in the world. Sam had given her back her life. Angel was going to have to learn that she wasn’t going to come between her and Sam. She loved Angel but her she wasn’t going to give up her happiness for her daughter, especially when Angel was the reason that she had lost her husband all those years ago.

( Fade Back into Present)

Sara wiped at the tears that streamed down her face. " Angel, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for leaving you. I’m sorry that I blamed you for everything. I allowed a man to destroy you." Sara closed her eyes. " Please god, please let Michael find my daughter. I have to tell her….I have to ask for forgiveness and tell her truth before I die." Sara turned her head to look at the table next to the hospitable bed. A picture a young girl with a sad smile was on the table. The picture was one of a young Eve.

Brooke looked down at the chessboard in front of her thinking about her next move while Caspian studied her. She was so beautiful and a ray of joy. She lay on her side on his carpeted floor in his study. The dress was perfect for her coloring and her tanned naked shoulders and her legs. During breakfast he conjuled her into talking about Forrester. Forrester was clearly her baby, she had told him of her ideas for the WOW fashion show and also a very innovating idea for a great commercial of the line. He was very impressed about her business savvy and clearly saw her as the brains behind the beautiful gowns that Forrester provided. After their late breakfast Brooke had went back into her rooms to work on some Forrester work that Megan had faxed to her. He had left her alone worked and he himself worked on some business had when his lawyer contacted him about because of Brooke’ case. It was a good thing because when he went to check on Brooke, he found her trying to call Bridget for the third time. It took almost all of his energy to get Brooke to put the phone down and to listen to what he had to say. Brooke wanted instant results but he told her to trust him, to give his lawyers and investigators time, he’d see to it that she got Bridget back. Brooke had looked at him with tears in her eyes, scared of losing her daughter. He had taken her in his arms and told her to hold on to her faith; she’d have his daughter back. He persuaded her into a game chess and was proud to say that she was keeping him on his toes as far as the game was concerned. Brooke moved her chess piece and took a sip of wine while she watched Caspian move his piece; he had just counteracted her last move. Brooke moved another piece and smiled when she made another tactical maneuver trap Caspian.

"Very good"

"Well you did expect me to play to win didn’t you?"

" Yes" Caspian expertly blocked her move again. " But I am playing for the same reason." Caspian sipped his wine and Brooke couldn’t help but to stare as a droplet of red wind clung to his lower lip and he used his tongue to scoop it up. Caspian found Brooke staring at him and he raised an eyebrow at her.

" I guess that I’m not used to seeing like this."

"Like what?"

"You are wearing jeans and whit shirt. I guess I’m used to seeing you in suits. And that line that you normally have here." Brooke leaned across the board and touched the space between his eyebrows. " It gone. I guess I’ve never seen you relaxed. I’ve seen you passionate, protective and I’ve seen you serious but never seen you really relaxed."

" I’m relaxed because I’m with you. You bring me peace."

" How can you say that with my melodrama?"

Caspian fingers traced her knuckles on her right hand.

" Although this situation with your children is serious and we will rectify the matter, your life is interesting but it isn’t a melodrama."

"It feels like it."

" Because of Thorne?"

" Thorne and Kimberly." Brooke stood up. " Who would have ever thought that I couldn’t trust him? Thorne was always trust worthy. The sad thing is that a part of me knew to watch Kimberly but I thought that I had to watch her because of my son, not because of Thorne. I knew that she played on both Thorne and Rick’s sympathy. I just thank god that Rick has Eve in his life and had already broken up with Kimberly before he found out." Tears shined in Brooke’s eyes. " I was wrong. I just underestimated a determined young woman with a fantastic body who was a virgin. How could Thorne turn that down?"

" He’s a fool Brooke. How could he want to young girl when he had you?"

" Maybe that was the appeal? Don’t men like virgins? He had a chance to be with some untouched as well as very beautiful. I guess he couldn’t turn her down." Brooke paused for a moment. " You want to hear something funny? I was going to give him another chance. He said him made a mistake and I thought all the things that we’ve been through together I couldn’t throw it away. I thought that he made a mistake and I hadn’t been honest with Thorne about you. But I found him with Kimberly again and if that wasn’t enough…"

Caspian frowned. " What, what else happened?"

"She’s pregnant. Kimberly is going to have Thorne’s baby." Caspian was silent; he knew that the girl was pregnant since she had taken the pregnancy test in her home. He didn’t know that Brooke knew yet.

" What? You don’t look surprised? Did you know, did you know that Kimberly was pregnant?"

"No. I didn’t know that she was pregnant, but I’m not too surprised that she is pregnant."

Brooke accidentally broke the stem of the orchid that she was holding. " Well it certainly came as a major shock for me. And, if I didn’t know better, I’m quite sure the little bitch was more than happy that I found out the way that I did."

"How did you find out?"

"Well that was interesting. I was actually chocking the little witch. I was infuriated with her, she had told son something that upset him and turned into a tailspin. I’m quite sure she did it to hurt him. It’s funny; she doesn’t even want Rick yet she had no problems in hurting him. Now I’m sure that she did it to get back at me."

"Because of her sister?"

"You’ve read about that?"

"You weren’t responsible for her death. It was an accident."

" Not to Kimberly. But it doesn’t really matter, she got what she wanted, played the victim to the hilt and slept with Thorne. She was more than thrilled that Thorne was coming to her rescue again from me and he blurted out the truth." Brooke brushed her hair behind her ear. "A baby. Every time I think about it, it makes me sick to my stomach. The last time that Thorne and I made love, he wanted to make a baby with me. He wanted a child and I wanted to give it to him. And now, Kimberly, she’s giving it to him." Brooke’s face broke with the pain that she was feeling. " Why? Why on the night that he asked me to be his wife, to be his did he do it?"

"Brooke, I can’t answer that?"

" I thought that I could. Thorne upset that night. I had run off to the garden to think and I…"

" ran into me." Caspian’s heated gaze found hers."

Brooke slowly looked away. " Yes, I was with you. And he was with Kimberly. He took her home, was significantly drunk and in turn took her to bed." Caspian said nothing; he only listened. " So, it’s over. The dreams that I had with him is over. Especially now that there is a new baby in his life."

" Do you think that he will marry her?"

"I don’t know. He’s always wanted a child and now he is going to have one with a sick girl. That baby is going to needs its father because Kimberly has some real problems."

Caspian made his way over toward Brooke and he gently pulled her into his arms. " You are an amazing woman."

" Why? Because I was a fool."

" No, because even through your pain, you are still thinking of someone else. Now you are thinking about Thorne’s child."

" It’s part of him. How could I hate a baby that is part of him? I loved him." Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. " I still do." Caspian pulled Brooke closer to his body. " I know that you do. But you’ve got to let him go Brooke. He isn’t good for you, no Forrester man is. Just look at your past relationships with them. First with Eric, he once loved deeply but now he is willing to destroy your relationship in order to take your daughter. Then, Ridge, he took your heart, your love and your body countless times leaving you without anything. Lastly, your Thorne, he was your last hope, your friend, but his betrayal probably hurts you’re the most because of your friendship. He took your love and destroyed it with an affair with a young girl who now carries his child." Caspian rubbed Brooke’s arms gently. " Brooke it is time for you to learn being a Forrester isn’t going to make you happy."

"My children are Forresters."

"Yes, but you aren’t were it counts. You are so much more than what they are. You have real feelings; you are smart, independent and could run any company that you want. Men want you and yet you are trying to be accepted by people who aren’t worthy of you."

"I don’t care about being accepted, not anymore. All I wanted with Thorne was to be married, to have children of our own and run a company. I wanted to move to Paris, to near my parents and Bridget. That’s all that I wanted. That is all that I’ve ever wanted. I wanted family unlike the one that I had." Brooke took a deep breath. " Don’t get me wrong, but I love my family. They are very supportive and caring but when I was young, my father was always gone. I just wanted him to be around and then when I was five, he just left and it was never the same. My brother did his best to fill in and my sisters Donna and Katie, they’ve always been wonder but I always felt that there was someone out there who was the missing part of me. An important part of me was out there. Maybe it was because my father was missing… I don’t know. I was young and I began to dream of a life different than mine. I used to have vivid dreams about it, living in different place, a different country. I dreamt about living in this grand house that was so big and beautiful. I’d see myself riding a most beautiful Arabian stallion. I saw myself having teas and going out to these lavish parties." Brooke laughed. " It was funny it was like I was a different person. I was almost shy around people in dreams except when I rode Queen, I felt wonderful."

Caspian’s heart jumped as if it was going to fall out of his chest. " Queen?"

"My stallion. In my dreams, my stallion was named Queen." Brooke was so caught up her thoughts that she didn’t notice how Caspian’s pupils dilated at the mention of the name. " It was all dreams, dreams of a teenager girl and a life that she wanted to live. When I got a little older the dreams contained but then they began to change and I dreamt about Ridge Forrester and what it would be like to be with him. We’d get married, have children and I’d have the life and family I wanted. But that didn’t happen and the rest, I guess you already know."

" You need to let that dream go Brooke."

" I have, I let Ridge go a long time ago. But, I have my children and I’ll never regret them. But I will regret the pain that I bought them."

Caspian cupped Brooke’s face. " You didn’t mean to hurt them. They know this. They can also see the pain that these men in their family have bought you. So it is best that you let Thorne go."

" And run away with you on a tropical island. Right?"

Caspian squeezed Brooke. " That is a good start."

Brooke leaned forward and kissed him gently on his soft lips. " So tempting, so dangerous don’t you think?"

" No" Brooke moved away from Caspian.

"Running to an island with a man who knows so about me with his "ways" but a man I know so little about." Brooke sighed and picked up her glass of wine off of the floor. She took a sip and looked at Caspian with her thoughtful eyes. " I know nothing about you. I want to know what makes you tick."

" You make me tick."

" I want more than that. I’m trusting you with my daughter. I’m trusting you with the most important thing in my life." Brooke tilted her head a little. " I want something from you. I want to know about you. Prove it to me that I should trust in you when just about every man in my life has let me down."

" What?" Caspian " I’ve never had to prove anything to anyone."

"Well, I’m not anyone. You even have to admit that." Brooke gave Caspian an inquiring look. " So prove it. You know about me and most of my secrets. I have a feeling that you have thousands of secrets. Tell me one." Lark’s laughing face flashed across his memory when Brooke mentioned secrets. "Tell me a big secret of yours."

He took his glass of wine and finished it. " You want me to tell you something that I never have told anyone?"

Brooke reclined on the sofa, curling her feet under her. Caspian looked at for so long she wondered if she had broken some unspoken rule. " You want to know who you are with? I can understand that." Caspian thought for a moment. " I have secrets, plenty of them."

"I don’t want to know all of them. But I want to know something. I want to know about the man who has bought me here. The man who seems to be there when I need someone to help me, but that simply isn’t enough. I need to know more about you. It is important to me."

" Maybe it is time that you understand who I am." His face became dark. "I’m not a prince or some sort of knight in shinning armor. Nor am I the evil who is here to tempt you to do things you wouldn’t want to do. What I am saying Brooke is that I’m a man, one who has done things that maybe someone else might not have done but I’m not a horrible person." Brooke wondered what Caspian was going to say.

"You did something that you think…."

"I’ve done plenty of things…some good and some not so good." Caspian poured more wine into his goblet. " I’m going to tell you something that I’ve never talked about with anyone except for a friend who was long gone from this earth." Brooke sat up; from Caspian’s tone she knew whatever he was going to tell her was something serious.

" I killed a man when I was 19 years old in cold blood. It wasn’t an accident, I knew what I was doing." Shock ran throughout Brooke’s body but she said nothing looking at him with wondering eyes. " I took his head between my hands and snapped his neck, killing him instantly. I still think that his death was too good for him."

"Why?" Brooke’s heart beat fast within her heart. She had to know why Caspian would be driven to murder.

"Bella, my sister. He was raping her. You see my bitch of mother’s boyfriend had been raping my sister beautiful sister. I had came home unexpectedly and I found him with her. It wasn’t the first time he had done it, I found out. But it was certainly his last." There was a coldness in his voice and in his eyes. " An anger like no other crept inside of me. He had to die, by my hands. There was no way that I was going to allow that bastard to live after what he did to her. Women should be honored not defiled."

" Where you tried for his murder?"

"No. I made sure that his body was never found."

" How? You were only teenager."

"I was the man of my household Brooke. I knew where I could put the body. My father had been a powerful man and he had friends who were more than willing to help me for the honor of my sister. Later, I took my sister out of my mother’s care, she had only cared about her lover, not giving a damn about Bella until it was too late." Brooke felt the weight of words reach her heart. He had murdered a man, taken his life with his bare hands at a young age. He had told her this; he had told her that he was a murderer.

" The man who attacked me…that is why you were so upset. Because of your sister?"

Caspian sipped his wine. " Yes. I wasn’t going it allow anything to happen to you. I watched what being raped did to my sister. I wasn’t about to let it happen to you. If Gunter would have raped you, his death would have been sealed." A tremor of pain filled his voice. " I had to protect you the way that I hadn’t been able to protect Bella." Caspian was filled with memories that he wanted to forget about. He put the glass down on the table in his den where they were and headed for the door. " I hope that was enough…you may not know as much about me as I do about you, but you know about my one of my greatest regret, that I didn’t get there in enough time. You also know what kind of man that I am. I’m not a knight Brooke…I’m a man who has made some mistakes. I’m also a man who wants you with every fiber of his being. " With that he left Brooke alone with the knowledge of the horrible thing that he had done.

 

Stephanie looked down at the sleeping Morgan and frowned. " Morgan, even in a coma you and your bastard son are causing me nothing but trouble." Stephanie sighed. Ridge had taken that baby home against her better judgment. She told him to contact someone from Morgan’s family but he didn’t listen. He didn’t listen to anything she had to say but so now she was going to take matters in her own hands. " I’m not going to allow you to destroy my son’s life. I got rid of that bitch Brooke and I’m going to make sure that your son isn’t going to destroy my son’s marriage." Stephanie left the hospital room almost knocking over a nurse in her haste. Ridge would get over his anger with her and then he’d see that she was right. She’d make sure the baby was taken care but Ridge wasn’t going to do it.

" What in the world is her problem?" The nurse said as she went into Morgan’s room. She sat down next to Morgan and took out a brush. " Alright Ms. Dewitt, I’m going to comb your hair now." The nurse brushed Morgan’s hair gently. " You really need to wake up, your son…he needs you." The nurse continued to brush her hair with she noticed a movement on Morgan’s hand. The nurse jumped up and ran to the door.

" Doctor, Doctor…come quick."

 

Brooke stood looking at the ocean from the deck outside of her bedroom. Her thoughts were of what Caspian had told her. The weight of his words were heavy on her heart.

" Caspian… what you did to protect your sister is the same thing that I would do to protect my own children." Brooke sat down on one of the lounge chairs. " If it had been Bridget, my daughter. I would have killed him too." Brooke remembered the look in Caspian’s eyes, the pain that was there. She remembered how he took such good care of her the night that she had been almost raped. She had asked him that night if someone he cared or loved had been raped. That night she had thought it might be his wife, but now she knew that I was his sister. She wondered about what he had said about not being a knight in shining armor, he wasn’t. He was just a man. A powerful man but still a man.

Megan took another call when Thorne came up behind her. She wrinkled her nose at the smell that was coming from him. Thorne looked terrible, unshaven and he reeked of vomit and alcohol. " Megan where is my father?"

" He’s in a meeting with Stan at the Biltmore Hotel, he won’t be back until later."

"Damn it!"

"Thorne, maybe you need to calm down. You also need to take a shower."

" Megan, I don’t have time for this. Do you know where Brooke is?"

"No. Someone called for her yesterday and said that she wouldn’t be in."

" Where is she?"

Megan was annoyed. First Ridge, then Thorne expected her to know where Brooke was.

" Look Thorne, even if I knew where she was, which I don’t I’m not sure I’d be telling you."

"Why?"

" Because you’ve hurt her enough. You know I kinda expected something like what you did from Ridge, but not you. She loved you. She really loved you and you hurt her." Megan walked toward Eric’s office. " So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to finish working." Megan left Thorne standing in the hallway while she went into Eric office. To tell the truth, she was worried, this wasn’t like Brooke to just up and leave. The

E-mail she received from Brooke which gave her a fax number to fax the reports. Megan didn’t know where the number was too. It wasn’t like Brooke especially since the meeting that Eric was covering was supposed to be hers. Megan thought for a moment and then she made a call. " Hi Katie…this is Megan. I was wondering if you have heard from Brooke. No? Oh. Can you do me a favor? Could you give me the number of your parents in Paris? Yes. Thank you." Megan wrote down the number. She then made a call to Brooke’s parents’ home in Paris in which she got an answering machine. She left a message for them. She didn’t want to alarm them but Brooke was somewhere and her messages were obviously being forwarded…..she wanted to know where she was.

Caspian sat on the beach looking out at the blue water, smoking a cigarette. Memories of the night he had killed his first man kept coming back to him. The look in Brooke’s eyes when he told her about the killing kept replaying in his head.

" I didn’t know that you smoked."

Caspian looked up to find Brooke standing over him in a beautiful low cut white string bikini and matching sarong. " Only once in a while." Caspian finished the cigarette.

"When you are stressed?" Caspian said nothing but looked at Brooke.

" You look beautiful. I take it the way that you were dressed, you aren’t going to ask to leave." Brooke knelt by him.

" No, I’m not going anywhere." Brooke turned Caspian’s head with her fingers. " I thought about what you said about what that you did. If it were my daughter, I’d do the same thing. My anger at a loved one being hurt would have caused me to do it. I’m not saying that killing him was the right thing to do, but I do understand why you did what you did." Brooke looked him deeply in the eyes. " I asked you for a secret and you shared what I think was probably the deepest one you ever had with me. You trusted me with the horror of a deed you committed for a love one. I’m not going anywhere. I want to stay. I want to be with you."

Caspian caught Brooke’s hand and kissed it gently. " Do you know what you are saying?"

"Yes. I know what I’m saying and I know what I’m doing?"

" You know where it will lead?"

Brooke looked deeply into his eyes. " Yes and I’m ready. I’m ready to let go of all my inhibitions to be with you. So, are you going to show me around your island like you promised this morning?"

" Yes, I’ll show you my island and much more." Caspian bent his head and kissed Brooke slowly, his tongue stroked her tongue and shivers ran throughout her body. He gently pulled his head away from hers. Brooke watched while Caspian made his way toward the house. She walked toward the ocean water allowing the cool water to soothe her bare feet. The was a gentle wind that blew through the air and a sense of peace filled Brooke. She wasn’t sure how long she stood there watching the water until she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She turned and found Caspian shirtless wearing a pair of white linen drawstring pants. Her eyes traveled down his to his sexy torso full of muscles, they her eyes traveled up to his beautiful eyes.

He held out his hand toward her and she smiled as she took it. They walked down the beach while he told her how he came to have this beautiful island. He told her that the island would be full of wonderful surprises that she was going to explore. He took her through a _____ group of palm tress to a beautiful a_____ for tropical birds. Brooke couldn’t help but to smile as Caspian held out his hands and a _______ parrot flew to him. " Lula, say hello to Brooke." Brooke smiled and stroked the beautiful bird.

" She’s so beautiful."

Caspian caught a lock of Brooke’s hair. " Not as beautiful as you." After they left the aq_____ they continued through laid path until they came to a small beautifully decorated platform with flowers and a table had been set for lunch.

" What in the world?" Caspian pulled out the chair for Brooke and placed a beautiful white orchid in her hair. He uncovered the trays of stuffed lobster with lemon/ butter seasoned scallops and light spinach salad. Brooke’s stomach was full of butterflies that she could hardly eat her meal. Caspian noticed and before the dessert was served he took her hand. Brooke was almost breathless.

" Where are we going?"

"Swimming." Brooke followed Caspian from the platform through another path; they walked for a bit until they came to the most beautiful waterfall that flowed into an equally picturesque pool of water. Brooke’s breathe caught in her throat at the sight of the delightful waterfall.

" It’s beautiful." Brooke walked to the edge of the pool and dipped her foot into the cool water. Caspian came behind Brooke, his hands caressed her shoulders.

" Its fresh water. It is so clear and beautiful. I come here to swim and see on that rock there." He pointed to the large flat rock. "I sun bath there." Brooke turned around to look into Caspian beautiful eyes. She wet her lips with her tongue softly and gently. She took Caspian’s hand within her two hands, her fingers skimming his long finger. She pulled the finger into her mouth slowly, her tongue touched the tip of his finger and her mouth gently suckled it. Caspian closed his eyes and groaned with unconcealed passion inside of his body. Brooke’s eyes met his and he saw the passion there that she had. Brooke slowly slipped his finger from her mouth and his touched his naked chest. Her fingers moved down his chest slowly circling his nipples and running back up his chest. Caspian caught her hands and pulled them down toward the tie string to his linen pants. Brooke untied the string and watched as his pants fell softly to ground. Caspian stood before her naked and so beautifully aroused at the same time. Brooke looked down at his large arousal and she took it into her small hands, which moved up and down his aching length expertly. He groaned in the back of his throat, which she not only heard but also felt, throughout his body. Brooke’s hands moved up to the tip of his shaft on which a drop of moisture had formed. Brooke’s fingers rubbed the tip and smoothed the essence down his shaft.

" You want me don’t you?" Brooke smiled. She felt the power of being a woman radiate throughout her body.

"More than anything that I’ve ever wanted." Caspian seized her lips, his tongue thrusting inside of her mouth. He ate from her mouth, inhaling her breath taking all that she had to give up her own thrusting tongue. Her hands slipped down to cup his testacals. Her fingers stroked and Caspian caught her hands in a tight grip. He pulled his mouth away from hers. Brooke’s breath came out in heaps and her breast rose and fell under her white bikini. Caspian looked at Brooke and then he slowly let go of her hands. His fingers found the ties behind Brooke’s neck and loosened them. The bikini top fell to the ground on top of Caspian’s pants. His eyes never left hers while his fingers found the ties at the sides of her bikini bottoms; it fell to the ground too. Then they stood there, naked as the day they were born looking at each other, feeling the air become electric around them. Caspian took Brooke’s hand and walked her slowly with him until they were both standing into waist high water with the waterfall behind them. Caspian cupped some water and poured it over Brooke, the cool water caused her already hard nipples to harden even more. Her eyes never left his.

"Tell me that I’m not going to regret this." She breathed against him.

Caspian bent down slightly until his mouth almost came in contact with her harden right nipple. " No, you will never regret this. This is what we have both waited for. You are what I want." He caught the droplet of water that fell from her nipple in his mouth right before he found her nipple. His mouth caught her nipple, suckling at it. Brooke threw her head back, moaning with desire thrusting more of her breast into his waiting mouth. Caspian’s mouth found her other nipple; he played with it before he pulled it into his mouth. He kissed her beautiful breast and rubbed his face against them inhaling her soft scent." I’ve dreamt of tasting these so many night." He caressed them. " I love them so much." Brooke leaned forward and captured Caspian’s mouth. They shared at first light kisses, youthful boyish kisses and finally long hot tantalizing passionate kisses. Caspian’s mouth found her neck and he trailed the kisses down until Brooke leaned back until her head touched the wet water. His fingers rubbed her nipples while his mouth moved down her body. Brooke ached, his mouth played havoc with her body, and her hands gripped his head. Caspian suddenly pulled Brooke up above him and water flew all around them. His strong arms held her high above him; water ran down her body as he gently lowered her against his body, her breast crushed against his chest while his shaft rose between them. Brooke could feel it hard shaft against his body.

" I want to wait Brooke, but I’m not sure how long that I can."

Brooke caught his head between her hands. " You don’t have to wait. I want you. I want inside of me. Fu(k me….no, make love to me Caspian."

Caspian lifted Brooke up again and this time he ran his hands up between her thighs as her body moved down. He hooked other hand under her leg.

" Wrap your legs around me." Brooke wrapped her legs around Caspian and moaned when he slid two fingers deeply inside of her. Brooke arched her body. " Yes, Brooke. Show me how you feel, express everything. I want to hear you, I want your moans, I want your sighs, and I want your cries. He moved his fingers inside of her in and out while his thumb found her nub, he rotated her nub gently. His mouth caught her nipples and soon he manipulated her body into an earth shattering release. Caspian watched as Brooke’s body ached and felt the pulsating over his fingers. Brooke’s pupils dilated and her breathing escalated. It took a few minutes before Brooke could breathe again. Brooke hands moved down Caspian’s chest toward his hard shaft, which she guided toward her warmth heat. She bought the head of his erection inside of her gently because of his enormous size. Slowly he eased inside of her, his hand holding on tightly to her back to hold her position while her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he slid a little further and a groan permeated throughout his body when he finally slid inside of her. Brooke gasped as his hard shaft filled her completely. She was so wet, so hot and tight around him.

" Oh God…oh!"

"Am I hurting you?"

Brooke shook her head. " No" She cried. Brooke eased herself down on top of the hard shaft. Her eyes were open as she watched Caspian. His hand moved to grip her waist while he began to move Brooke’s sensual body up on his aching shaft. The friction of their bodies, his shaft inside of her, her body lowering squeezing him tightly was driving him mad.

" Ohhh. Please. Please." Brooke cried as he moved in and out of her. Sensations moved all around them, pleasure built. He wanted it to last, he wanted to sustain himself but it had been too long. He had gone a whole month celibate without a woman and now, she was killing him. Her sheath was tight and wet and drenching him with her sweetness. He couldn’t help himself. He braced his feet hard against the bottom of the water and let some of the restraint go. His hands gripped her waist and he thrust harder inside of her. His eyes closed with raw passion, her body moved against his loving the burning feel of his shaft. Brooke couldn’t hold on, the pressure built up. Her hands scored his back as she shattered, he closed his eyes and he erupted inside of her, spilling his seed. Caspian almost fell into the water with the release that he experienced. He gently lowered her into the soothing cool water. Brooke felt like she was floating, the water covered her body while she clung to Caspian. Caspian smiled down at her while she bought her hands out of the water to touch his lips.

" Wow!" She unwrapped her legs from his waist while Caspian slid out of her.

Brooke treaded water while watched her with amazement.

" I’m sorry for coming so soon." He told her. Brooke swam toward Caspian.

" Believe me what we just shared isn’t anything to complain about."

Caspian caught Brooke and bought her body in contact with his. " I hadn’t had a woman and I dreamed about having you." He kissed Brooke gently. " Now, I’m going to make love to you the way that I had been dreaming about. I’m going to do so many wonderful things to make you scream and come for me." Caspian turned Brooke so she was in his arms and he carried her out of the waterfall, naked he walked toward another path while Brooke had her head resting against his shoulder. Soon they came to a clearing where a beautiful bed covered in white and pink rose petals was sitting on a platform under the shade of the Palm trees. Caspian gently lowered Brooke’s wet naked body onto the white satin sheets. Caspian looked down at Brooke’s beautiful naked body while her eyes devoured his including his fully aroused erection. It didn’t seem to take anytime at all for him to become erect again." Here under the tropical sun, shaded by the trees in our own paradise. I am going to show you what real passion is."

 

Against All Odds Chapter 65 Review (Brooke and Caspian become closer as they talk about her past loves, sex and Thorne’s betrayal. Brooke talks about her childhood and her dreams of living another life, Caspian is shocked at Brooke’s description of a horse she had in her dream. Brooke asks Caspian to tell her about one of his secrets, Caspian painfully tells her of the murder he committed to save Bella. Brooke isn’t repulsed by Caspian’s admission and they spend a romantic afternoon together. Caspian makes love to Brooke the first time in a beautiful waterfall. Stephanie berates Ridge for taking Dylan; she suggests that he allow Morgan’s sister to take the baby. Ridge counters that he will take care of his child, the two argue when Thorne arrives. Thorne blasts Ridge for kissing Brooke and he punches his brother. A fight ensues and Stephanie blames Brooke for the mess. Thorne tells Ridge that Stephanie tried to kill Brooke, when pushed Stephanie tells them about her plans to take Bridget from Brooke. Ridge throws his mother out, angry at her behavior. A nurse takes care of Morgan and notices a hand movement. Sara, a woman with ovarian cancer begs her friend Michael to find her daughter. She remembers her bad treatment of her daughter and hope to find her before it is too late.

Against All Odds Chapter 65 ( Pleasure and Pain/ Truth and Lies)

Stephanie smiled at Kimberly when she sat down across from her at Insomnia.

" How are you doing today? Are you feeling alright?" Kimberly nodded.

" Just a little morning sickness but other than that I feel fine." Kimberly sipped the herbal tea that Stephanie had ordered fro her. " Stephanie, I just wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done to help me. I don’t know what I’d do if you haven’t been there. You’ve helped me so much, first with the drug, then with the money."

Stephanie sipped her café latté. " I’m just sorry that the drug didn’t work. I really think that it would have been better if Brooke would have shown her slutty ways to Thorne."

" I don’t know what happened. I put the ecstasy in her drink at the Rick’s party and I knew that Gunter had the hots for her. I figured that it would be easy. I’d keep Thorne busy and Brooke would come on to Gunter. Naturally Thorne would get upset and turn to me. " Kimberly gave Stephanie a pouty look. " I’m sorry that it didn’t work."

Stephanie shook her head. " It doesn’t matter anyway. Everything worked out fine with Thorne getting drunk that night and sleeping with you. I’m just sorry that Thorne wasn’t the one to break things off with her." Kimberly nodded. She wondered what Stephanie would do if she knew the real truth? It didn’t matter, the only person who could tell Stephanie the truth would be Bridget and Bridget wouldn’t open her mouth.

" Stephanie, I hope that Thorne will learn to love me. I do love him you know."

" I know that you do. That is what Thorne needs, a woman who loves him, not who is in love with his married brother. I know that you are younger than him and that it might take some time, but once he sees that baby all thoughts of Brooke will leave his mind."

Kimberly sighed. " I hope so. He hadn’t even come home since she found out about the baby. He’s mad with me."

" He’ll get over it. He’s just angry because he knows that truth about Brooke."

" What do you mean by that?"

" Brooke is coming on to Ridge again."

Kimberly smiled. " Really? I can’t believe her. She all that crying and now she’s after Ridge again."

" Yes. But it isn’t going to work and in time Thorne will see her for the lying slut that she is. In a matter of time, everything will work out. You have my full support sweetheart. You are carrying my grandchild. I’m going to see that he marries you. So don’t worry about Brooke, leave her to me. You’ve done your part now it’s my turn. All you have to do is concentrate on his baby. My son is an honorable man, help him to remember that. You’ll see in no time soon, you’ll be his wife." Kimberly smiled with Stephanie by her side; she’d be Mrs. Thorne Forrester in no time.

Trudie walked into Insomnia and saw CJ who was standing behind the counter talking to Freddie, the assistant manger. Trudie hopped up and leaned over the counter.

" Excuse me Freddie…" She pulled CJ toward her and kissed him thoroughly, stroking his tongue with her own pierced one. CJ pulled her over the counter and felt her legs wrap around his waist. The place was filled with whistles and Catcalls at the obvious display of sexual heat.

Kimberly looked at them with disgust. " I can’t believe that Brooke would allow a girl like that to represent Forrester." Stephanie turned around and saw Trudie kissing CJ hungrily. Stephanie frowned.

" Forrester has class and style yet Brooke doesn’t understand that nor does that girl."

" Trudie doesn’t care. What if the press where here? How would it look like to have the WOW fashion model in the press like that?"

"Brooke doesn’t care. It’s bad enough that we have Brooke’s bedroom and that disgusting WOW line, now that tacky stripper of a model."

" It’s really a shame. She’s going to represent your clothes. Besides, look at what she is doing to CJ. She’s leading him down a path of destruction. Macy would be turning in her grave if she knew that her brother was convorting with that girl. Can you believe that he is allowing her around Little Eric? Poor Becky, this isn’t what she had in mind. I almost think that Amber is better than Trudie."

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed, she couldn’t understand why Sally would allow her son to be involved with such a tramp. She got up.

" Where are you going?"

"To take care of something."

CJ ended the kiss with Trudie. She unwrapped her legs and slid to the floor. " Sorry Freddie."

" Hey, don’t worry. We were finished." Freddie walked away with a smile on his face.

CJ laughed. " You do know how to make an entrance, don’t you?"

Trudie wiped a smug of lipstick that was on CJ’s mouth. " I try."

" You do don’t you?" CJ and Trudie turned around to find Stephanie looking at them. Stephanie took in Trudie’s style of dress, the young woman low a pair tight of Louie Vaton dark blue jeans that rode low on her hips, a light tan sleeveless shirt with words DIVA in gold sparkles that ended slightly below her breast and showed off her pierced navel. Her long hair was braided neatly in cornrolls while a tan scarf was tied overtop her hair that had gold shimmering sparkles that matched her T-shirt.

" It is more than oblivious that you don’t care about your own image or the image of Forrester."

"Now what image would that be?"

"Look at how you are conducting yourself in public."

" I was kissing my boyfriend."

"You call that kissing. It took like you were going to take your clothes off and start having sex right here in the middle of restaurant."

CJ frowned. Didn’t like the tone that Stephanie was using while talking to Trudie. "What True and I do isn’t any of your concern Stephanie."

Stephanie shook her head. " CJ, I’ve know you since you were a little boy. I was there when you married Becky. What would she say about your display with this tramp?"

Trudie faced Stephanie. " She’d be glad that CJ isn’t moping around like he is dead. She’d be glad that he found someone who cares about him."

Stephanie snorted. " Is that what you think CJ? Do you think that she’d want this whore around her son."

" That’s enough Stephanie. How dare you come into my place of business and insult my girlfriend. If you want to talk about whoring around, why don’t you talk to your sons? It seems that neither of them can keep their peckers in their pants. CJ walked around the counter to the table that Kimberly was sitting at and threw down the check. " Pay it and get out!" Stephanie couldn’t believe that CJ out of all people was throwing her out. She looked at Trudie with pure hate.

" This isn’t over young lady. I’ll see to it that you will not destroy our company or our image. You are trash just like that woman who hired you. I won’t allow your face or your body to represent us in any fashion show." Trudie seemed unaffected by Stephanie.

" I’ll see you later at work Mrs. Forrester….you too princess." She waved at Kimberly. Kimberly stood and looked at CJ. " I can’t believe you are sleeping with her."

" Don’t even go there. You are sleeping Thorne. Thorne!" When Kimberly tried to walk around him, he stopped her. " Kimberly, I’m worried about you."

" Well you shouldn’t be. I know what I’m doing."

" By sleeping with Thorne. What about Macy? How could you do this to her?"

Kimberly’s face contorted with pain. " I’m doing this for her."

" What?"

" Brooke killed her and took Thorne. Don’t you see, I’m with Thorne because of Macy? I’m going to marry Thorne and make sure that Brooke Forrester spends the rest of life paying for what she did to our sister."

" But what about you? Are you willing to throw your life away with Thorne just to spite Brooke."

Kimberly smiled and kissed CJ on the cheek. " I know that you are worried about me and I appreciate that. Don’t worry about me, I love Thorne. He and I are going to have a wonderful life together."

"How can you say that? He’s an ass…he treated Macy like shit and he’ll treat you the same way."

" No. He won’t. Thorne is a wonderful man. It wasn’t his fault about Macy, it was Brooke’s. She used sex and manipulated him."

" Kimberly…"

Kimberly pushed CJ’s hand away. " No.. I know him. I know that he’ll grow to love me. Please CJ, don’t make me choose between you and Thorne. Thorne is my life, accept it." Kimberly walked out of the store toward Stephanie who was waiting for her. Stephanie was irate.

" I know that CJ is like family to you but he is rude."

" It isn’t his fault .."

"I’m sure that that little whore has her under her influence. Everything I think about her representing us, it makes me want to scream." Kimberly thought for a moment.

" Why should she represent Forrester? No matter what, there will be a WOW line but that doesn’t mean that you have to use Trudie. Wouldn’t it be better if you had a more well known model to do the ads?"

" What are you getting at?"

"I’m just saying that whoever does the WOW ads will get a lot of press. So, it should be someone young enough for the appeal of young women but also be classy."

Stephanie started to understand where Kimberly was headed. "You? You want to be the model for WOW?"

"Yes. Stephanie before you say no just think. I’ve been known for the Princess Line it is successful but now that the press knows about Thorne and I it might be strange for me to be modeling the clothes of the prim and proper young women, but I am pretty enough and sexy enough for the WOW line."

"What about the baby?"

" Stephanie if we take the pictures now before I start to show I would get even more exposure to help my career. With Brooke out of commission at the moment, this is the perfect time for us to take action."

Stephanie thought for a moment then a smile covered her face. Nothing would upset Brooke more than having Kimberly model for her precious WOW collection.

Caspian laid Brooke down on the rose covered sheets. Brooke looked up at him and was unashamed of her naked body that still ached to have him. He leaned down and took her mouth slowly with his, his slipped his tongue between her willing mouth while his hands moved her arms stretched out toward the sides of her body. His body slowly covered hers and she could feel his erect manhood against her stomach. The scent of roses mixed filled her nostrils. Brooke sighed, her mouth ached with his kisses, her legs moved up to wrap around his waist. Caspian groaned, her legs fit him perfectly just like her body had fit his manhood perfectly. Brooke moved her hands slowly up his body, down the cords of his back and moved slowly up his chest. Her fingers stroked his nipples and she watched as his eyes darkened with passion. Brooke licked her lips while he studied her bottom that lip and seeing her tongue almost undid him. He took her mouth again and again, tasting her, his mouth trailed down her neck softly. He murmured words against her neck in Italian, his words that she didn’t understand, were ones of love and passion. He told her how much he wanted her and how much he loved her. Caspian continued his assault of her body, moving toward her breast. She watched him as his mouth suckled her aching nipples. It was erotic and she couldn’t seem to pull her eyes away from him, watching while his mouth covered her hard nipples. Fire coursed down her body. She moved her heated warmth steadily against his manhood. She ached for him and wanted him hot and hard inside of her. Her body arched off the bed, rose petals clung to her back, sensations moved throughout the air. His hand found her heated warmth; his thumb found the aching numb and stroked it slowly. She could easily feel the affect of his administrations—the fire burned harder inside of her, his mouth played with her nipples, his fingers slipped inside of her while she moved against him. What he was doing with his fingers and mouth was erotic. She allowed her thighs to open farther to give him better access while Caspian’s head moved away from her breast and she could feel his eyes watching her.

" Yess…baby just like that." His fingers moved in and out of her. " I want you to come for me…."His mouth moved down her body and his tongue found the rim of her navel. Brooke sighed as his mouth moved down her body. His fingers slide out of her body and he parted her exposing her to his eyes. His tongue found her swollen nub; he stroked it gently. He could taste her already, she was wet and delicious. He lowered his head again, tasting her essence; his manhood was so hard that he wanted in. Brooke fingers caressed his head as his mouth played upon her aching body and just before she was about to explode he pulled back and thrust inside her warmth. Brooke shattered while Caspian moved steadily inside of her but it was only the beginning. Caspian held off and when the pulsating rhythm of her orgasm faded he moved deeper, he used short strokes with caused an aching friction of her slippery warmth. Brooke ached and arched while Caspian’s body moved sensuously inside of her. Brooke closed her eyes since the pleasure was so intense and she moved against Caspian’s body, the feeling of another orgasm started. Caspian knew instinctively that she was close to exploding again so his strokes changed, they became deeper and harder. Brooke’s body undiluted against his and once again she tumbled over into a land of perfect sensations but Caspian wasn’t finished. After another set of waves subsided Brooke was amazed that he still hadn’t found his realize and looked at him with wonder because he was still hard inside of her. Her body was extra sensitive now after two orgasms and although he slowed down his thrusting, sensations of her breast and her heat were almost more than she could take. His mouth found hers and she could taste herself on his lips. His body moved slowly in and out of her body.

" Caspian…. I don’t think I can take…"

His mouth moved over hers. " You can honey, you can take more." Caspian thrust slowly, deeply inside of her.

" Yess…" Brooke moaned against him as another orgasm started to build. It was more fantastic than she had any thing she had ever experienced.

Taylor looked down at the city below from the magnificent view from Karima’s office. The office was decorated with dark hues and earth colors of gold and green. The walls were decorated with African Masks, artwork ranging from black and white sketches done from African American artist such as Tom Feeling. The office was as comforting as the other rooms that Karima used except for the one playroom that was designated for children. Karima, a beautiful African American woman in her mid thirties came through the door of her office. Karima was striking with her soft ebony skin, beautifully dred-locked hair that was swept up, while she wore a gold tailored pants suit that was striking on her. Karima walked toward her plush dark green velvet sofa and she poured herself a glass of iced tea. Taylor walked toward the matching plush chair and took the glass that Karima had given her. Karima nodded toward the Brea and crackers along with the fruit was on the platter.

" Would you like something?"

" No. I don’t think that I can eat much of anything."

Karima sat back on the sofa. " I can understand that. You’ve been a great deal the last month. Going through a divorce and having your relationship in the tabloids."

"That’s partly my fault. Having the press conference wasn’t the brightest thing for me to do, I know that now."

"Why did you do that?" Karima wore an interest look on her face that showed that she was clearly worried about the choices that Taylor had made.

" The truth is I wanted to hurt Ridge. I wanted to hurt him for making a fool out of me. I wanted him to feel what I felt like. I wanted him to be humiliated."

"Did it work?"

Taylor sighed. " He was, he was shocked and humiliated. But…

"But now you might be regretting your decision?"

"Yes…no…I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t done it because of the children. I know that they are too young to understand but I’m wondering if Thomas is going through this because of me."

" What exactly is Thomas going through?"

"He’s acting out. He cries, throws tantrums and is having a hard time sleeping. Now, he is getting in trouble with school. He got into a fight with another student in kindergarten." Taylor’s eyes turned red and became blurred with tears. "My little boy is such a sweetheart and here he is hitting another child. It isn’t like him."

"What about the twins?"

"My babies….they know that something is wrong. They are so sensitive. They ask for daddy and they are sad inside. They look for him every morning. Especially Stephanie…she was always the closest to him out of the girls." Taylor took the tissue that Karima handed to her. " Watching what this is doing to my children is killing me. And it doesn’t help that Ridge is giving them mixed signals."

" Mixed signals? How?"

" Ridge told him that he was coming back home."

"Is he?"

"Hell no!" Taylor shook her head and looked apologetically at Karima. " I’m sorry. No. He isn’t especially now."

" What else has happened?"

"Morgan had his son. Ridge is caring for him, there is no way that I was willing to allow him to come home before, I most certainly am not going to allow his child with her to come home with him. I just can’t believe that he would tell the children that he’s coming home." Taylor stood up. " It’s just like him to do something like this."

"Taylor, why do you think he told the children that he was coming home?"

"He did it because he is Ridge. He thinks that if he says it that it will become true. He meant it."

" So, your husband is telling your children that he is coming home. Obviously you are telling your children something different."

"Yes…"

"You know that is your mistake. Neither you nor Ridge should be giving the children conflicting messages, especially young children. Thomas is acting out because he understand things and he feels that both of you are lying to him. His sense of trust is being destroyed."

" I know…but I can’t allow Ridge to tell him that he’s coming home."

" I’m not saying that Taylor. What I am saying is that you both needed to do was to sit down and talk to your children together. You needed to explain that mommy and daddy love them and they would be there for them. You needed to tell your children that daddy is living somewhere else at the moment and you aren’t sure if daddy will be coming back to live with them."

" Why even give them false hope."

" You aren’t Taylor. But now, I’m sure if having that conversation is going to be what you need right now to help Thomas but he needs more."

"What are you saying? Karima, I’ve got to help my baby, he’s hurting."

Karima reached out and touched Taylor’s hand. " We will Taylor. But I need to see Thomas and girls. Thomas however will be my main concern." Karima gave Taylor a serious look. " I’m going to need to talk to you and your husband. I’m going to want to come to your home and observe all of you together." Taylor frowned.

" Taylor, this is what I do for all my patients. You and Ridge are going to have to put your differences aside at the moment and concentrate on your son." Karima shook her head. "I know this is hard. I also know that Ridge having a child with another woman is hurting you but I can’t deal with you at the moment, I’m going to try to help your son." Karima studied Taylor for a moment. " Taylor, I am going to say thins. Number one, you are going to need to talk to someone about your feeling."

"I was seeing James Warwick, but I’ve been busy." Taylor sighed. " Actually, I was given a number for someone but she is located in Italy at this time I can’t leave my children."

" I agree…you leaving at this moment, might not be the best thing for Thomas. But you should call the woman and see what arrangements that can be made. You also need open communication with your husband."

"I don’t know how well that is going to work. I’m filing for a divorce that my husband is contesting. It looks like we will be in court. I wanted to avoid this….but he won’t listen."

" You need to talk to him. Both of you really need to discuss things because you are going to have to be able to communicate if you want your son and daughters to get through this." Karima stood up and put her arm around Taylor. " You’ve been trying to handle it alone and you can’t. Whether or not you want to face it, you are going to need Ridge."

 

 

 

Taylor checked her makeup in the mirror of her compact before she rang the doorbell. She stood there for a few minutes before the door opened. Taylor’s heart jumped inside of her chest when she saw Ridge. It truly irked her that he could still make her heart race; her husband was very handsome in a pair of blue jeans and a blue shirt. The beautiful woman standing in her doorway caught ridge off guard. Taylor wore a beautiful cream-colored dress with a triangle neckline held by two thin straps at the neck, her arms and part of her back was bare. Taylor’s hair was twisted up and simple diamond earrings were on her ears.

" Taylor…" Ridge smiled. " Doc…what are you doing here?"

"I hope that this isn’t a bad time, but I need to talk to you."

"Sure…come in." Ridge smiled. This was a good first step. Taylor had come to see him. Taylor followed Ridge into the penthouse condo. It was decorated in a masculine style using rich colors; it had a mid Western and Native American flare that surprised Taylor

" The décor is different for you."

" I wanted to get the place fast and the previous owner had to leave town. I paid for everything including most of the furniture. But I like it." Taylor noticed a drawing table was set before a large bay window that gave a beautiful view of the city. Taylor noticed the design that Ridge was working on; it was a beautiful blue negligee.

" Nice design."

"You think so. Its kinda hard for me to design for the Brooke’s Bedroom line because I just haven’t been inspired…" Ridge looked at his wife. " I’ve missed you so much Doc…" Ridge cupped her face. " You don’t know how much that I’ve missed you."

Taylor tried to turn her head but Ridge’s lips found hers. His mouth was gentle and it caressed hers and when she inhaled, his tongue slid between her lips. Taylor closed her eyes and his mouth played havoc on her. Taylor had missed this, his kisses, his smell, his hands. Tears spilled from her closed eyes and she suddenly pulled away.

" No!" She held out her hands to guard herself from him. " It’s not going to work this time."

" What isn’t going to work?"

"This…every time I was upset with you in our marriage, you’d seduce me and I’d forget. Well it’s not going to work this time."

" I never did that…"

" Yes you did. Every time, you’d just sweep me up and take me into the bedroom and whatever I was mad about would just fade."

" Taylor. I’m your husband. I miss you damn it! This isn’t some sort of ploy. I love you!" Ridge was frustrated. " So I’m coming on to you. Yes I am. It is the first time since our separation you’ve come to see me. I was happy to see you. I wanted to kiss my wife."

" I won’t be your wife that much longer."

Ridge winced at Taylor’s words. " Why! Why are you doing this…? Look I know that I fu(ked up. I made horrible mistake with Morgan. I realize that now. It was my fault. I should have communicated with you… I should have run out the door the moment that Morgan suggested that I sleep with her." Ridge grabbed Taylor’s hand. " I was selfish….you were right. I thought that no matter what, you’d forgive me. I always knew that I could count of you and I never thought that you’d even leave me. Not in a million years."

" Yeah, well you were wrong."

" I know that. And I take all responsibility for everything that happened. I shouldn’t have slept with Morgan…"

Taylor pulled her hand from Ridge’s. " This wasn’t some simple mistake Ridge. You enjoyed it…you enjoyed sleeping with her. Didn’t you?"

"Taylor.."

"Didn’t you! I saw you! Just be a man and admit it, you enjoyed sleeping with her!"

"God, Doc…" Ridge took in a difficult breath. " I never meant to hurt you. I love you."

Taylor wiped the tears from her eyes. " You still aren’t answering the question. You enjoyed it didn’t you?’

Ridge pushed his hair back and wiped his runny nose with the edge of his shirt. " Yes. I enjoyed making love to Morgan."

Taylor started to cry harder. " I gotta go." She started to run to the door when Ridge caught her.

" Don’t go! Please, lets talk about things."

" There isn’t anything to talk about…at least about us."

" Yes there is damn it! I love you and I’m not going to throw it away."

Trudie roared down the road to the beach on her motorcycle, she loved riding it; it was one of the first things that she bought with the money from her brother. She knew that Chris was probably smiling down from heaven; he always loved riding on motorcycles.

Trudie pulled into the parking lot of the beach, took off her high-healed god Anne Klyne sandals and walked toward the waiting entourage on the beach. Giovanni smiled when he saw his model she was an interesting mix of hot and spicy with fun loving.

" Trudie…I’m so glad that you are here. I know that we aren’t supposed to start until tomorrow but the weather was beautiful today and I couldn’t wait. " I want you to go to your dressing room and get into the bikini’s I’ve laid out."

" When are we going to do the evening dresses?"

"Tomorrow. But today the bikinis" Trudie walked to the home make tent that was going to be her dressing room. She stripped out of her clothes and but on a short robe. She took the scarf off her hair when Cindy the hairdresser showed up. Cindy looked Trudie’s hair and left instantly, in a moment later Giovanni came in and looked at Trudie.

" What? Cindy can easily help me to take the cornrolls out."

" Actually, with Scott’s Egyptian bronze bathing suit would go perfectly with those cornrolls. Sharon came into the tent with the suit. The room cleared and Trudie put the one-piece suit on. The bronze single strapped suit was beautiful it had a curved missing piece from the right side to the middle of the suit, which exposed her smooth stomach. There was a matching armband that matched the suit, which Trudie put on. She looked in the mirror when her makeup people came. They covered her exposed skin with a gold shimmering makeup and put gold lip-gloss on her lips. Trudie went out on the beach and followed the directions of Giovanni while he snapped different photos of her in and out of the water. He was so busy snapping a photo of Trudie coming out of the water slowly on the side profile that he didn’t notice Kimberly coming up behind him.

" Hi Giovanni."

He turned for a moment and smiled at Kimberly. " Ahh beautiful…it is good to see you." Giovanni kissed her on the cheek.

Giovanni turned toward Trudie. " Okay True, go and put the white bikini bottoms on and the white top on. Get Cindy to take the braids out. Trudie nodded and got out of the water and walked past Kimberly. Kimberly looked at her body with a critical eye, as much as she hated to admit it, Trudie looked fabulous."

Giovanni changed the film in the camera. " So, what brings you here today?"

"I just wanted to see the shoot, to see how things are going." Giovanni didn’t really believe that, but he wasn’t going to say anything.

Trudie dried off her body with a towel and was sitting down at the vanity table when Kimberly came into the tent.

" Well, well…is that new Jennifer Lopez look?" Kimberly looked into the mirror checked her makeup. Trudie looked up at Kimberly.

"Actually cornrolls come from not only Africa but kings and queens in Egypt wear them. They are beautiful and not that I have anything against Jennifer Lopez, but it is an African custom."

"And what would you know about African or any other customs. You don’t seem like the studying kind?"

"You’d be amazed at the things that I know." Trudie gave Kimberly a cold.

Kimberly crossed her arms. " You probably know all about giving blow jobs."

Trudie stood up and got into Kimberly. " Keep it up Princess… I’ve got your number and I know exactly what you are."

Kimberly crossed her arms. " You do, what do you think that you know about me."

Trudie looked her up and down. " You take advantage of your youth and beauty, playing the little innocent victim to the hilt. I bet that you snowed them real well, first little Ricky and then Thorne. I wonder how long it will take for Thorne to wise up and see what he has with you."

"Thorne loves me."

Trudie rolled her eyes. " Who are you trying to fool? Me or yourself. I don’t even know him and I know that he doesn’t love you. So what did you do? Ply him with alcohol and got him to**** you while he was drunk?" Something flashed in Kimberly’s eyes. Trudie started to laugh. " You did didn’t you? You got him drunk. That was the only way he would fu(k you isn’t it? So tell me have you ever bedded anyone without them being drunk?"

"You little bitch. You don’t anything about me. I can have any man that I want. In fact there was a time that I had YOUR boyfriend sniffing around me and your pal Scott for that matter. So don’t tell me that I need to get a man drunk in order for him to sleep with me." Kimberly left the tent in a huff.

"Scott? When was Scott interested in you Kimberly?" Trudie looked perplexed. "Please don’t tell me he was interested in that bitch."

Scott worked on his latest dress that he was designing when he heard a knock at his office door.

" Knock, knock" Scott looked up a large smile beamed across his face when he saw his mother a stunning mauve suite with a plunging neckline and a split hem. Scott hurried across his office to give his mother a kiss.

"Mom, what are you doing here? I thought that you were in Europe."

"I was but I’m back. I’m sorry that I didn’t call you but this trip out to L.A came as a surprise." Lauren smoothed back a tentacle of her son’s hair. " And before you get all hot and bothered, I will be staying at a hotel, so I won’t be cramping your style."

"You won’t be cramping my style."

"Really?" Lauren sat on the edge of her son’s desk. " There is no special woman in your life. I find that hard to believe since there is always a girl someone somewhere."

"You make it seem like I’m some sort of gigolo."

Lauren crossed her legs. " No. Sweetheart, you are a playboy."

Scott went back to his drawing board. " There isn’t anyone. What about you? Did you pick up some stud close to my age in Europe?"

Lauren gave her son a slightly annoyed look. " No. I didn’t pick up a "stud" and my personal life isn’t any of your concern."

"But mine is to you?"

"Yes, because I am the mother, remember." Lauren gave her son a stern look that turned into a softer one. " I’m just concerned about you. Because if you aren’t seeing anyone then you and I know why? Please tell me you aren’t seeing Bridget Forrester."

Taylor wrenched herself out of the arms of Ridge. " Don’t you see? You ruined everything. I can’t go back. I can’t allow you to take advantage of me."

"Taylor….Doc. I’m not taking advantage of you. I love you. Give me a chance."

" Why are you doing this?"

"What?"

"All of this! You won’t consent for the divorce."

Ridge looked at her with amazement. " I love you! Do you really think that I’m going to allow you to divorce me? I need you. I’m not going let you walk out."

" I can’t do this…" Taylor inhaled. " It was too soon."

" No. Taylor, this is right. We are right together."

" Right together? What you, me and Morgan?"

" There is no Morgan! Morgan is not an issue. I don’t want her!"

"You slept with her. You admitted you enjoyed it!"

"What do you want me to do Taylor? Lie? Haven’t we lied to each other enough?" Ridge’s voice took a solemn tone. " Haven’t I lied enough?" Taylor eyes jumped.

" What else have you lied about?" Taylor swallowed deeply. " Have you been lying about Brooke? Have you …..Have you ever slept with her?"

Ridge sighed. " No. I have never slept with Brooke, not since we were married."

"Have you ever wanted to? Have ever been tempted by her?" Ridge could have groaned. Why was Taylor focusing on Brooke?

" Taylor…"

Taylor paled. " You have…you’ve been tempted by Brooke."

"Brooke isn’t the issue."

"Isn’t she? She has always been an issue from the moment we met."

" Doc…Brooke isn’t an issue! We are friends.."

Taylor gave Ridge an accusatory look. " You want to sleep with her!"

"That isn’t what I said…." Ridge reached out toward Taylor. " Look..Logan and I…" Taylor made a face at the mention of Ridge’s nickname for Brooke. The phone started to ring. " I’ll just let the answering machine get it." Ridge moved toward the door to block Taylor if she wanted to leave. " Taylor, believe me…." Ridge was cut off by the answering machine. Megan’s voice filtered within the room.

" Ridge this is Megan. Listen I’ve called Brooke’s family and they have no idea where she is. I’m starting to get worried also. If I hear anything, I’ll give you a call."

Taylor looked at Ridge with hate in her eyes. " Brooke, why am I not surprised. So you are worried about her?"

"Taylor, look you don’t know what mother did to Brooke. She’s missing and I’m worried about her. You remember the last time Brooke ended up missing she had a nervous breakdown."

" So it’s your job to go rescue poor Brooke right?"

"Taylor, this is something serious mom and dad…"

" Don’t! I don’t want to hear about Brooke’s problems! You know what? You don’t know what is going on with your own children!" Dylan’s cries cut Taylor from the operating baby monitor. Taylor picked up the baby monitor. " I guess that you don’t need our children because you have your son with Morgan."

" Taylor, you know that isn’t true. I love you and the kids."

" You have your son now."

Ridge painfully looked at Taylor. " He needs me. I can’t abandon him. Please don’t leave…we need to talk." Ridge headed toward Dylan’s bedroom and picked up his son. He was wet, so Ridge changed him. " You were wet, weren’t you little fellow." Ridge rocked his son back and forth in his arms. Taylor stood in the doorway and Ridge caught her staring at him when he turned. " He was wet."

Taylor nodded as the pain of watching Ridge with the baby he had with Morgan. " You love him already don’t you?"

"He’s all alone. With Morgan in the coma he needs me."

" I remember when Thomas was that size. He was so little and so innocent."

" He needed his father…remember?"

Taylor bowed her head. " Yes, I remember. I remember that you left your family with Brooke to come and be with me."

" Taylor things were different. I’m don’t love Morgan, I love you."

" You loved Brooke when you left her, didn’t you?"

"Taylor…."

" Stop Ridge.. I don’t even want to go into this with you. Whether it is Brooke or Morgan, its pretty much the same except now she has your son while my children suffering because of it."

" Suffering?"

"You don’t see them. You don’t know what this is doing to Thomas. He misses you. He’s acting out. Don't you get it? My babies are suffering because you aren’t there." Tears streamed down her face. " You think that this is easy for me? I love you. I loved you for years. Years! I married you for better or for worse. I died and came back to you…to you! I dealt with Brooke. You think that I didn’t see the looks between you or hold she had over you. When you left her, you still loved her. A part of you will always love Brooke, I know it. But I was willing to take a chance with you because I loved you so much. But I lost, didn’t I? So now I’m left all alone in the house that you bought us with our children and we are all miserable." Ridge stepped forward to comfort Taylor when he realized that he still had his son in his arms. Taylor saw what he was doing and immediately stepped back. " I can’t do this right now." Taylor ran out of the room and out of the condo. Ridge didn’t follow her yet his heart was heavy.

" Oh god, what have I done to you Doc? And what in the hell have I done to my children?" Ridge didn’t know but he was going to do his damnest to work things out. He had to prove to Taylor that she was wrong and he had to help his children, all of them.

 

Brooke lay naked on her stomach totally sated. In her mind flashes of her lovemaking with Caspian replayed. She could still feel every touch, every kiss, and every whisper. She remembered how his mouth felt on her hers, how his body felt inside of her, his scent, his taste…it all. And still, she wanted more. She was like a drug addict who had her first hit, except each time it got better and better. She wanted to breathe him, taste him, and even eat him. Yet, he was not done with her. His mouth was on her. His tongue was caressing her toe while he kneeled in the middle of their bed in paradise. His nimble fingers caressed the arch of her foot while his mouth suckled on her toe.

" Caspian…" Shivers shot up her body. God, she had never known how sensitive her toes were. His fingers slid into between her toes and massaged them; he had taught her that even her toes could be a source of orgasmic pleasure for her. He slid her toe out of his mouth gently and moved is mouth to the arch of the bottom on her foot. His tongue caressed it before he planted a kiss on it.

"What is it sweetheart? I’m giving you a break…letting you rest." Brooke’s closed eyes tried to open.

" You know what you are doing…" Her voice trailed off as Caspian’s mouth trailed down to her ankle, his teeth grazed her skin. God, it was too much.

" I’m seeing how much you can take. For this is only the beginning." He murmured against her ankle. He laid her leg down and his mouth moved up her legs while his hands caressed her thighs softly and moved sensually toward her buttocks. His mouth found the back of her knees, he softly bit her using his teeth then cooling the small amount of pain with his tongue.

" Ahh." Brooke loved the way that his mouth worked. His mouth trailed up the back of her thighs while his hand slipped between them. His fingers found her wet with her essence. His fingers slipped inside of her gently. Brooke moaned.

"Is that enough honey? Brooke slowly moved her head no. His mouth trailed up toward her buttocks. " Tell me, are my fingers enough to satisfy you?" He slid them in further inside her welcoming body.

" No…" Brooke’s body moved back against his fingers. He slid his fingers out of her and created a trail of the wet essence upward toward the cheeks of her buttocks. His mouth caressed the bottom globe of her left buttock, his moved over the globe while his tongue lapped up the essence that covered her bottom. His mouth caressed; his tongue lapped; his teeth tenderly scored. His hands moved up her back while his tongue found the base of her spine.

" I love this spot on your body." He nuzzled it with his nose. His body covered her lower body while his tongue licked up her spine softly. Brooke sighed, she wanted him. His hand slid under her body and arched her back against buttocks against his aching arousal. His mouth found her neck and caressed it with his tongue. His hot breath warmed her ear while his hand moved up under her body to caresses the nipples on her breast. "Tell me? Do you want me inside of you?" Brooke ached; she wanted him inside of her.

" Yes… please."

"Please what?" He was toying with her, but she didn’t care. She wanted him.

" I want you inside of me." She heard a rumble vibrating inside of his chest that was his groan. He moved back for a moment and then, suddenly his was there, all hot, all full and all throbbing inside of her. " Yes….that’s what I want." He thrust inside if her hard while Brooke moved back against him. She wanted everything that he could give. She wanted him, his essence and maybe even his soul. Caspian moved in and out of her body. He closed his eyes, pressed down hard and then almost pulled Brooke up as his worked against her, her back was sweaty mixed with his and her sweat. It moved against his nipples causing erotic sensation through his body. As she moved back against him, he moved deeper inside of her. He pulled her and her neck was exposed to his teeth, suddenly all the love making from before went out of the window. Passion built and the pure animal inside of his burst through. He pounded into her, his mouth sinking into her neck. Brooke cried out with a pain mingled with passion but she didn’t care. What they were experienced was purely carnal and she wanted more.

She moved.

He moved.

He thrust.

She took.

She arched.

He ached.

She screamed.

DEEPERDEEPERHARDERFASTER

DEEPERHARDERHARDERFASTER…

Till...they…..CAME!

Caspian collapsed on top of Brooke’s body. They limbs mingled together, their breaths were harsh, his hands lay over hers, clenched. Sweat, salvia, essence and seed covered her back, his manhood and their sheets.

 

Pierce finished his seminar about productive relationships when the leader of the National Therapist Counsel asked him to plan a similar sessions for counsel. Greg, an older well-known doctor did his best to convince him to sign up.

" Pierce, I’m telling you that the counsel will be more than willing to double your normal fee for your session. Your topic of Memory Therapy will be just the thing that makes the conference a success since it is becoming the new wave here in Europe."

" Greg, I’ll have to think about it. I’ve really enjoying the work that I’m doing here."

" But you don’t plan on staying here in Venice forever?"

Pierce thought for a moment. He hadn’t really given it a real amount of thought. At first, he had thought that he’s stay for a couple of weeks or a month or so at the most but the more he was around Isabelle, the more he wanted to stay. She was difficult, to say the least. Stubborn, aggressive and obstinate; she refused to even discuss their "relationship" yet he knew instinctively that she was starting to care a great deal for him. She might not say it, but there was something a flashed in her eyes every once in the while. There was something there, underneath the surface that fascinated him. Never had been more stimulated by another woman. They talked about a myriad of topics, argued about different topics from AIDS research from the new cloning issues. She was also fierce in the bedroom; the sex was orgasmic, fantastic and unforgettable. She never ceased to amaze him with her intelligent making business deals that impressed him. She had a way of looking at him that made his heart shutter; never had he encountered a woman like her. She hid things, he knew this. He also knew about the rumors that were circling her; some said whispered that she and her brother were dangerous. He knew in his heart that it might be true. She carried a gun, there were times she had these "meetings" and then there was the occasional bodyguards. He had once asked her about it, but simply said that it was a precaution. If he was smart, he’d bale out now but he couldn’t, she was something that he couldn’t walk away from and he was past the stage in his life that he was willing to be "safe" because the truth was that he wanted Isabelle. He had watched them together during a dinner he had and marveled at their relationship. Bella with her anti-social tendencies and control issues had actually looked somewhat relaxed. Although he hadn’t gotten much out of Caspian about their childhood, he could tell that not only did Caspian love his sister, he also liked Pierce. He had mentioned that maybe Pierce was what Bella needed but not in the presence of Bella. Pierce had also observed how Bella interacted with her brother and knew without a doubt that Caspian had a large amount of influence on his sister. Caspian meant a great deal to Bella, it was obvious. And not for the first time, Pierce wondered about the bond between them, there was something dark there, something hidden and he wondered what is was.

"To tell you Greg, I’m not sure if hope long that I’m going to be here in Venice, but I did rent out the penthouse at the hotel for a reason. I don’t plan to relocate at the moment."

Greg held up his hands, he knew when he was beat. " All right Pierce with your inspiration speeches, videos and your practice, you can work from anywhere you’d like but please consider the conference. L.A is wonderful this time of the year, besides the press loves you."

Pierce sighed. " I’ll think about it, now if you don’t mind. I have lurch plans." Pierce looked toward the door from the seminar room where Isabelle stood standing wearing her usual unreadable expression. As usual, she looked fabulous in her camel colored pants suite with a sheer tope blouse, while her hair was held back in an Amber jeweled barrette. Pierce motioned toward Isabelle who shook her head at him. He almost smiled, she was so predictably unpredictable. Pierce made his way over toward her. He kissed her on the cheek. " I’m sorry that I have kept you waiting." Isabelle turned her beautiful blue eyes on him.

"I haven’t too long, I’m not accustomed to waiting for anybody."

" But I think for me, you’ll make the exception."

Isabella almost smiled. " You are so sure of yourself, aren’t you?"

" Let’s say that it is my natural charm."

" That works on other women, but not me."

Pierce caressed her face for only a moment before she pulled away. " It could work, if you’d let it." Her eyes caught his.

" I don’t want it to work." Isabelle looked toward Greg. " Who is he?"

Pierce sighed, he wished like hell that she’d let that damn wall down. It was all right, he had time and he was going to have patience because Isabelle was more than worth it.

"Greg is in charge of the NTC, he wants me to do a seminar in L.A."

Isabelle turned toward Pierce. " Really? Are you going to do it?"

"I’m not sure. Tell me, if I’d do it. It would only be for a week or so. Would you miss me?"

Bella frowned. She wasn’t ready to deal with that type of question. "Whether or not you go, it makes no difference to me.."

" That not what I’m asking you. I simply want to know if you’d miss me." She turned her hard eyes on him and for a moment, he thought that he saw something.

" I already answered your question." Pierce was going to say something else because he was going to make her face her feelings for him when Greg approached them.

" Pierce I just had to meet this beautiful woman you were talking to."

"Greg Coffman this is Isabelle Deangleo."

"Deangleo, that names sound familiar."

Isabelle glanced at Greg. " Does it?"

"Yes, there was a Deangleo who contributed at great deal of money to the study of effects of child abuse."

"Really?" Pierce looked at Isabelle.

" Yes, this donation helped with the center in the United States and Paris. I do believe that Deangleo gave around ten million dollars. That was a generous donation."

" Well, I’m sorry to say that it wasn’t me."

"Greg stroked his chin. " Yes, this was an older woman. I do believe that her name was Olivia…are you too somewhat related."

Isabelle’s face betrayed nothing but she knew nothing about her mother giving money to research for child abuse. " No, I don’t know anything about Olivia Deangleo."

" One fantastic lady. She really wants to help with the counseling of child abuse victims. She was very passionate about it and…"

Isabelle cut him off. " I’m sure that she was because it is a worthy cause. So, I’m sure that you aren’t here to talk about that commission with Pierce."

" No. I’m hoping to get Pierce to speak at the conference in LA. Our head speaker backed out and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have speak than Pierce. Isabelle turned her beautiful smile on Pierce.

" I couldn’t agree more."

"I’m trying to convince him to do it yet he doesn’t seem willing. He seems to want to stay here and now I think I know why?" Greg’s eyes sparkled. " A beautiful lady can do something to a man."

"Hmmm, charm seems to be a natural element with therapist."

"You would know, Isabelle."

Greg looked surprised. " You are a therapist."

" I have my Doctorate but I don’t practice for a living. I have helped a few women from time to time but I work with my family business. Well, Greg, I wish you luck in your seminar. " Isabelle put her arm around Pierce’s waist. " Are you ready to go."

Pierce smiled at her handsomely. " Always." Pierce wrapped his arm around her shoulder. " Greg, I will get in touch with you about my decision."

" Good." Pierce walked Isabelle toward his car. She slid in the passenger seat.

" So, where are we having lunch?"

"We need to go to my house." Pierce smiled.

" Lunch at your house? Well this day seems to get better. First a wonderful session, an offer from Greg and now lunch at your home."

"It does seem to be your lucky day, doesn’t it?"

Pierce drove down that road and when he came to a stoplight he turned Isabelle’s head.

" It was a lucky day when I saw you again in that restaurant." He leaned forward and kissed her. Isabelle responded to the kiss that simply simmered. Her hands caressed his head and her tongue rubbed suggestively against his. When she began to suckle his tongue inside of her mouth, the light turned green. The car behind them blew its horn and Pierce reluctantly pulled his mouth from Isabelle. Isabelle almost laughed out loud at the way that Pierce raced toward her house in the hills.

 

 

Eric sat back at his desk looking at an old picture of Brooke and he when they were married. He wasn’t sure why he had kept it. It didn’t make much sense but he had it. If only things had been differently, then he wouldn’t have to do what he had to do. Brooke had left him no choice. She had chosen to ruin their marriage with an affair, she had chosen to hide Thomas’s paternity, she had chosen to ignore Stephanie’s health and have an affair with Thorne, lastly she had chosen to ignore his opinion on Bridget’s move to Paris. The truth of the matter, Brooke had brought all of this on herself. Eric threw the picture in the trash. She had to learn who was in the seat of control, he was. Maybe if she was willing agree to his terms, he might be willing to allow her a good visitation schedule, but she was going to have to beg. Brooke owed him. He had tried to be fair, he had been supportive toward her and she had taken advantage of him. She had hurt him, having affairs with his sons, bedding them not caring of the message she was sending. He had watched her year after year, going through man after man, chasing Ridge and then Thorne. He had took it all in, said nothing, had been her friend. But now he was in a position of power over her and he realized just how much he liked it. He’d work out a deal with Brooke, a deal that he’d be happy with. He’d see just how much she wanted Bridget.

Charlie hated flying, it always gave her a headache, but she was willing to deal with it. They would be descending soon, thank god and then she’d be on her way. Charlie opened her compact and finished touching up her lipstick, the older man who had been checking her out the beautiful redhead entire trip spoke to her.

" Meeting a boyfriend?"

"No."

He looked at her a moment and grinned. " A girlfriend?"

Charlie rolled her eyes. " No."

" Well in that case…"

Charlie pointed to his wedding band. " Wouldn’t you wife mind?"

"If you won’t tell then I won’t." The man grinned. Charlie gave the man an annoyed look. That was the kind of mess that got her little sister into trouble. Morgan had always been some sort of a loss cannon. That was one of the reasons she had landed herself in that mental institution all those years ago. Charlie had told Morgan not to take the job with Forrester Creations that seeing Ridge Forrester would only make matters worse. But of course, Morgan wouldn’t listen and Ridge had knocked up her sister. Charlie knew all about Ridge, he had been in a few classes in high school with him and she remembered what an ass he had been. But, her younger sister didn’t listen and she had become involved with the sanctimonious asshole. From what she had read, Ridge hadn’t changed; he still thought that he was god’s gift to women. He had carried on an affair with her sister, got her pregnant and now seemed to be back into bed with Brooke Forrester, his ex. There was no way in hell that she was going to allow Ridge Forrester to raise her nephew. Dylan was a Dewitt, not a Forrester. She’d play dirty if she had to, but she intended to take her nephew back home to New York.

Caspian fingers find the light bruising of the mark that he had made on Brooke neck when he had bit her. What in the hell was wrong with him? He had almost been like an animal trying to claim and brand her as his when he took her. Remorse filled him. He was a fool. He had taken her in the baser why that a man could take a woman. He had treated her like his whore when she was clearly his beloved. She, who had almost been a victim of a rape, yet he had used her in a way that was not respectful. Passion and pleasure, he knew more about…there were things that he had wanted to do but losing his control wasn’t one of them. Caspian sat up and pushed the sheet back he was ready to stand when she turned toward him.

" Where are you going?" She asked sleepily. Brooke sat up, the sheet slipped and his eyes were drawn to her breast.

" I…"

Brooke saw something in his eyes. " What’s wrong?"

Regret was in his eyes. " I shouldn’t have used you like that?"

"Used me how?" Brooke was confused.

Caspian gently touched the side of her neck. " I left a mark on you. I don’t know what happened. I had only wanted to pleasure us both when I lost…."

Brooke leaned forward and stopped the words with her fingers. " Shhh. Don’t." Her eyes caught his and the electric current that was between them heated up. " I wanted, I wanted all of you. Your passion was so great." Brooke licked her lips and she kissed him between her fingers. " I wanted you to lose control. I want it all. Everything you promised me." Caspian caught her fingers and his mouth nipped at them. "Don’t ever shield your passion from me. I wanted like that. I want in everyway you can have me." She looked deeply in his eyes. " Carte Blanche"

His eyes were riveted to hers. His fingers traced down her body. " Do you know what you are saying?"

" Yes."

"There are things that I’ve been dying to do to you." Brooke moved over Caspian, she took his manhood into her hand and guided into her waiting warmth. She arched her back, her nipples looked like a feast to his eyes. She moved down his straining manhood.

" Show me…" Her eyes closed. Her sighs could he heard throughout their paradise.

Caspian knew that he’d never let her go.

 

Against All Odds Chapter 66 Review: Brooke and Caspian continue to make love on his island. Stephanie and Kimberly discuss Thorne and their hopes that he will marry Kimberly. Stephanie is disgusted by Trudie’s behavior with CJ. Kimberly asks Stephanie for Trudie’s job. Kimberly visits Trudie’s photo shot and lets it slip that Scott had wanted her. Lauren comes back to town and hopes the Scott is over Bridget. Taylor visits a Karima, a child therapist, for help about Thomas. Karima tells Taylor that she will see Thomas but Ridge is going to have to help. Taylor and Ridge share a kiss but later they argue about Morgan and Brooke. Charlie, Morgan’s sister makes her way to L.A and plans on taking Dylan from Ridge. Pierce is offered a position to speak at the national therapist convention in L.A.

Against All Odds Chapter 67 (Out With the Old In With the New)

Pierce lay next to Isabelle watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful and at ease in her slumber. The black sheer nightgown she wore was made of the finest material and enhanced her beauty and hinted at her perfect naked body. Pierce couldn’t help but to notice how the light shining through the windows bathed her making her look like the angel with fiery red hair. She was an extremely beautiful woman who intrigued him like no other. She never ceased to amaze him. He leaned down and kissed Isabelle on her lips softly. Isabelle felt a pair of soft lips touching her and she sighed opening her mouth. Pierce’s tongue slipped in between her lips into her mouth. She responded to the kiss, loving the feel of him next to her. She opened her eyes and continued to kiss Pierce. He smiled when he saw that she was awake. Pierce kissed slowly down her neck and his hands tried to tear at the nightgown she wore. Isabelle pushed Pierce back away from her and almost laughed at the astonished look on his face. She pushed the covers back and then kneeled on the bed. She then smiled at him. Pierce heart melted. Isabelle took the ends of her nightgown in her hands and pulled it up exposing perfect skin of her thighs, stomach and breast. Soon the nightgown found its way to the bed and she kneeled naked in front of Pierce. Pierce reached out and stroked her hardened nipples and then pulled her toward him. His mouth found her and he suckled at her breast, tasting them. Isabelle threw her head back and laughed gently and it only made Pierce more aroused to hear the sound. Pierce threw Isabelle to the bed looked down at her naked body. Isabelle smiled wickedly at Pierce. She took her foot and used her toe to slowly make its way up Pierce’s body and it stoked his nipple. Pierce closed his eyes in ecstasy while a growling sound escaped his throat.

" What, you don’t like that?" Isabelle said teasingly. " Or did you like it? Maybe you’d like this…" Isabelle opened her legs and tailed her fingers suggestively down her body. Pierce could clearly see her dripping wet heat. Pierce’s member ached. Did she have any idea of what she did to him, how she made him lose his control. " Well…what are you waiting for?" Pierce grabbed Isabelle’s head off the bed and pulled her mouth toward his. He kissed her with passionate kisses that were nothing more than hot air, mingled breathes and tongues. She kissed his back just as hard. He couldn’t take anymore; he had to be inside of her. Pierce thrust hard inside of Isabelle. She hooked her legs around his waist and tightened her muscles around his member and he groaned against her naked breast. Feeling of exquisite bliss filled him as he pumped inside of her. He met each of his thrust with her own and before he knew it, he climaxed and she followed right along with him. Pierce lay there for a while on top of Isabelle then he moved off of her rolling on his back waiting to catch his breath. Isabelle laid there listening to Pierce’s breathing. She rolled over and leaned down to gently kiss him. When she moved away from him, he pulled her back toward him.

" Don’t go."

Isabelle pulled out of Pierce’s arms. " I have to take a shower."

" I thought that we’d stay in bed late this morning." Pierce caressed her face. " You’ve never let me stay the whole night before."

A shadow passed over his face. She pulled out of his arms and reached for her robe, which she quickly put on.

" Don’t…don’t do this."

" Do what?" Isabelle lit a cigarette.

" Don’t pull away from me. You are doing it again. Why?"

"Just because I let you stay one night doesn’t mean that you should make a big deal out of it."

Pierce sat up. " I’m glad that you allowed me to stay. This is a good step in the right direction." Isabelle tied the sash of her robe and laid the cigarette down on the ashtray.

" Don’t make more of it than it is."

Pierce caught her hand. " It means something to me Bella. I enjoy being with you and waking up with you."

" You enjoyed the sex."

" Hell yes I enjoyed it. But more than that, I loved watching the way the sun caressed your face. I loved kissing you. I loved making love to you. I fact Bella…I am falling in…" Bella cut Pierce off.

" Don’t." Her face became impassive. " Don’t say something that we are both going to regret. What we have together works. It two people coming together and enjoying each other. It’s enjoying good sex as well as conversation but nothing more."

Pierce flinched at her words; he really didn’t believe she meant it. " There is more to it."

" No there isn’t." Isabelle looked deeply in Pierce’s eyes. " Don’t make it more than it is. If you do then I’ll end it."

"Isabelle…."

" I’m going to take a shower. Maybe it will be best for you to leave while I’m in the shower." Pierce was taken aback by Isabelle’s actions. Why had she done this? Why did she push him away whenever he tried to get close? It seemed that for ever step forward he took, there where two steps backwards when it came to her. "

"Bella, why won’t you let me in?"

Charlie walked into the quiet hospital room. Yesterday when she had come, they had said that visitation was over and that she’d have to wait until today. Charlie made her way over to her sleeping sister. Tears filled her eyes as she saw how pale and thin Morgan looked. Charlie took her sisters hand and stroked it. " Morgan, Morgan if you can hear me. Its’ me. Its Charlie." Charlie waited to see if there would be any movement on Morgan’s part, but there was none. " I know that we haven’t been close the last couple of years but I want you to know that I’m here for you. Little sister, I’m not going anywhere." Charlie stroked her hand. " I’m going to stay here and protect you…like when we were kids. I promise you that. I love you Morgan and I’m not going to let anything else happen to you or to your son."

Katie handed Thorne a cup off hot coffee. " Thanks Katie."

" Listen Thorne, I really don’t know what to tell you. I haven’t really talked to Brooke in over a weekend when I did…." Katie gave Thorne a cold look. "She was upset about you." Katie put down her own cup of coffee. " You really hurt my sister. To tell you the truth even if I knew where she was, I wouldn’t tell you Thorne. If she doesn’t want to deal with you, she shouldn’t."

" I know Katie. I know that I hurt your sister. I’m so sorry for what I’ve done. Believe me, if I could change things, I would, but I can’t. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not worried or that I don’t love her." Truthfully Thorne looked like he hadn’t sleep much. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked to be growing a beard. He did however have on clean clothes so at least that wasn’t bad.

" Thorne, I’m sorry but I don’t know where Brooke is. Megan called me the other day. I also called my mother, she hasn’t heard from Brooke." Katie leaned forward in her chair.

Thorne stood and in his haste, he accidentally knocked over his chair. "That is the thing that worries me. No one has heard from her. Its like she has up and disappeared. With everything going and the amount of stress she was under, I’m worried."

Katie saw the pain in Thorne’s eyes. " You are aren’t you? You are really worried."

" Yes. God Katie, I hurt her. But there is more to it than that."

Katie got sick feeling in her stomach. Truthfully she thought that her sister had gone away to deal with her failed relationship with Thorne. But now, she was really scared.

""Thorne tell me, what happened? What in the world happened to my sister?"

Thorne’s sad eyes found Katie. " I fu(ked up Katie. I fu(ked up and Brooke found but I wish that it was only that. There is trouble with my parents.

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Bridget. I think that Brooke has lost custody of Bridget and it is all my fault."

Beth put the phone down on the receiver. She was worried to death about Brooke. Megan’s message had alarmed her that something was wrong with Brooke. She had called her daughter’s cell phone and left her a message. Beth looked at the phone book and picked up the phone again to make another call.

" Put the phone down Beth." Stephen gently squeezed his wife’s shoulders. " Brooke is a grown woman."

Beth ignored Stephen. " I’ve got to call Philip, they are friends, and maybe he has heard from her." Stephen took the phone out of his wife’s hand.

" Brooke hadn’t talked to Philip in a while, if she hadn’t talked to anyone else she hasn’t talked to him."

" What do you expect me to do? Just wait?"

" Yes."

Beth stood up and walked away from her husband. " You don’t understand. When I left Brooke was thinking of working things out with Thorne. I hadn’t heard anything from her, I thought that maybe things had worked out."

"Why Beth? The man cheated on our daughter why in the world would you advise her forgive him?"

"Because he is human and he made a mistake."

" Beth… I don’t know. Maybe the best thing for Brooke is for her to let go of those Forresters. They have bought nothing pain in my daughter’s life. To tell you the truth, her relationships with them are unnatural."

" Stephen what are you saying?"

Stephen came closer to his wife. " I’m saying that maybe this is thing with Thorne would be best if it is over."

" No. That wouldn’t be best. Thorne loves our daughter."

" But maybe he isn’t what she needs. Beth, our daughter has had relationships with Eric and Ridge…now Thorne. Don’t get me wrong, I like Thorne. He is a likeable guy and very nice but he cheated on our daughter with a young girl. I don’t know, I can’t get past that so easily. Those Forresters have changed our daughter. They have made her unhappy, tried to kill her and blame her for everything that has gone wrong. I’m saying that I want what is best for my daughter and I’m starting think that it isn’t Thorne Forrester."

"Well, I disagree with you."

" Why do you disagree? And why are you all of a sudden supporting her relationship with Thorne when you were originally against it?"

Beth looked away. " I gave it some thought."

" And you said that it was a mistake most especially because of Bridget. You went on and on about how this was hurting Bridget. Now you are trying to get Brooke to forgive Thorne."

" I did no such thing. All I did was suggest that she think about what she was doing." Beth waved her hand to ward Stephen off. " It doesn’t matter now because our daughter is missing. Don’t you remember what happened the last time Brooke went missing?"

"Yes honey, but she was under a great deal of stress."

" That’s what is worrying me. What happened? What happened to make our daughter so upset that she’d disappear without a phone call to anyone?"

"Honey, she gave Megan a fax number. We do know that, so we know that she is all right."

"But she hadn’t contacted me."

" But she has contacted Megan."

"Megan doesn’t know where she is."

" But she contacted her honey." Stephen kissed his wife on the top of he head. " Listen, just calm down. Brooke is all right. Maybe she needed time to blow off some steam. Maybe she went to one of those fancy spas that she has been trying to get you to go to. Stop worrying, our little girl is doing fine."

" I can’t stop worrying. I have a feeling, a bad one that something is wrong. I’m not going to rest until I find out what upset my daughter so much that she left L.A."

Brooke sighed softly as she opened her eyes. Thoughts of yesterday filled her head, thoughts of the love making that that she did. Brooke rolled over to find herself being watched by the most sensual eyes. Brooke reached out and touched Caspian’s face gently. Caspian caught her hand and kissed it on the palm of it.

" Good morning beautiful."

Brooke smiled softly. " Good morning."

" Sleep well?"

"I don’t know…a man kept me awake most of the night."

Caspian gently pulled Brooke over top of his naked body. " What did he do to keep you up?" Brooke felt Caspian’s hand caress her naked buttocks. She leaned down and kissed him slowly. Her tongue stroked his softly while she felt the evidence of his desire for rise between their bodies. Caspian groaned. He was amazed by his growing need for her. It would be so easy to slid up inside of her but she had been right. He had spent most of the night before making love to her; she had to be a least tender. Caspian rolled them over to their sides; their bodies were already taunt with need. But that would have to wait for later. Caspian pulled his head away from Brooke’s and he kissed the top of her head. Brooke stroked Caspian’s chest lightly with her fingers.

" You can’t be tired of me already?"

Caspian chuckled softly. " Are you kidding? I’m only letting you to rest up."

Brooke sat up and gave him a mysterious look. " Me or you?"

" You of course. I’m a Deangleo…we don’t get tired."

"Is that so?"

Caspian smiled. " Yes."

Brooke shook her head. Her hair flew all around her shoulders and there was laughter in her eyes. "You are arrogant."

" And you love it."

Brooke smiled faded. " I will admit." Brooke’s fingers trailed Caspian’s lips. " There is something about you." Her fingers stopped. " There has been since the moment we met."

" It was destiny."

Brooke looked away for a moment. " I don’t know if I believe in that word anymore."

Caspian’s fingers found Brooke’s face; he turned her face toward him. " I believe in it. I was meant to find you." Brooke looked at him in wonder. How could he say that?

" Do you really believe that?"

"Yes. Tell me Brooke. Now that you’ve spent the night with me, do you regret it?"

Brooke whispered her response to him. " No." Her hands found his face. " I don’t regret it. I glad that we made love."

" Good." Caspian cupped Brooke’s face and kissed her.

Eric looked at the latest photos for the WOW campaign with Ridge. Ridge looked at latest picture of Trudie wearing a white bikini bottom and a white striped blouse that was seer on certain spots. Ridge pointed to the second photo. " We can’t use that one, her nipple is clearly visible." Ridge picked up the third one of Trudie in the white ensemble. " This one will work, you can make out her breast but no nipple." Ridge studied the other photos. " They are great." Ridge picked up some reports and studied them.

" I have to tell you dad, Brooke really outdid herself on this idea. Not since the Brooke’s Bedroom have we have stores already asking for advanced orders without actually seeing the line. They are crazy from just seeing a few photos in the magazine. I’m tell you dad the website it jumping from so many hits. People are really revved up about this line." Ridge picked up one of his designs. " This new line has really got my blood flowing, I’ve got some great ideas. Just look at this design that I’ve created for this line."

Eric took the design. " I’ll admit its fantastic." Eric gave his son a wary look. "So, you’ve had time to design. I thought that maybe with Dylan and all you’d be busy."

" I’ve got to work dad. It’s all that I have left. I ordered a drawing table and work from there. Right now I’ve got Maria to come over to my house and look after him for this meeting."

" Why didn’t you just leave him at the house? We have a full scale nursery."

"Because of mother. And before you defend her actions. I don’t want to hear it. She came into my house, insulted my son. Your grandson. I’m not going to allow her to make me feel bad for being a father to my son."

Eric sat down in his chair and sighed. " Ridge, have a seat."

" I’m not changing my mind about anything."

" I’m not asking you to son." Ridge looked at his father and he sat down. "Look, I’ll be the first to admit that you mother has been acting a bit strangely lately when it comes to Morgan. But you have to know that she wouldn’t do anything to really hurt Dylan; after all it is her grandchild. You also have to remember that your mother was the one to bring Morgan to the hospital. The bottom line is that although she is against you taking care of Dylan at the moment, she’ll come around. He is her grandchild. Dylan is a Forrester and we always take care of our own."

Ridge had listened to what his father had said about Morgan. " Dad, how in the world did mother know where Morgan was?"

"What?"

"When mother left here that day she was livid about the stock situation. I guess I’ve been so busy dealing with Dylan and Taylor that I hadn’t given it much thought. How did mother know where Morgan was?"

Eric thought for a moment. Stephanie had been unusually quiet about that. But they had been so busy with the Bridget situation. He truthfully didn’t know. " Your mother said that she found out about my old house being rented by Morgan and she went to confront her."

" Dad, even you and I know that it couldn’t be that easy. There is more to this story."

" Why does it really matter? Morgan is in that coma at the moment. When she wakes up, she can tell us why she pretended to leave town." Ridge didn’t know. But he did know that something didn’t add up. The key to many of his questions could only be answered by one woman, Morgan.

"Well, son. I can’t answer that question."

" But there is a question that I think that you can answer for me this morning?"

"What is it?"

" I want to know just what in the hell do you think that you are doing by taking Bridget from Brooke?"

 

Brooke walked toward the huge Jacuzzi bath in Caspian’s humungous bedroom; she took off her robe and stepped into the hot soothing water. The bath oil and bubbles bath she had put into the water caressed her body while it soothes her tender body. Brooke leaned back against the rim of the tub. Her body ached a bit from the lovemaking sessions that she engaged with Caspian, but it was a good ache. The things that he had done to her last night had made her toes curl. Brooke rubbed the sponge against her body as she remembered how he’d bring her to the brink over and over again. She gently bought the sponge over her aching nipples and she was slightly aroused by the hot water. Brooke closed her eyes and her mind replayed how his mouth had tasted them and suckled them. Brooke’s body tingled as she ran the sponge down her flat stomach, down further down to sooth ache that was growing between her legs. The sponge in her hand stroked softly against her aching heat while memories of Caspian’s mouth filled her. Caspian came into his room to let Brooke know that breakfast was just about ready. Complete arousal hit him as he watched her in the tub. She was completely magnificent, her eyes closed with passion, her beaded hard nipples were ripe while her breasts were covered with the soapy bubbles. Brooke slowly opened her and found Caspian keeling beside the tub studying her with intense passion in his eyes. Caspian put his hands into the hot water finding the sponge that she was holding between her legs. He took the sponge using it to softly stroke her. Brooke couldn’t keep the moan from escaping from her mouth.

" Where you thinking of me?" Brooke arched from the rim of the tub while her legs spread further in the water. Caspian let go of the sponge and his fingers stroked Brooke softly and gently. He wanted to arouse her but he also knew that she was a little sore from the love making of the night before. Caspian leaned over the rim of the tub and lowered his head to her naked breast. Brooke cried out when he took her sensitive nipple into his mouth to suckle. He pulled her body closer to her and water sloshed over the rim of the large tub and sloshed over the rim. Caspian was wet but he didn’t care. He wanted her. Brooke pulled at Caspian her mouth ready to receive his penetrating kisses.

"I need you inside of me….now!" She didn’t care if she was sore; she wanted him. Caspian moved over the rim of the tub into the hot water, soon his robe was completely wet. Brooke opened her legs wider under the water while she tried her best to get slick wet robe off of his body. Caspian steadied Brooke, he didn’t want her accidentally to swallow any water or hit her head against the tub as she got the wet silk off of his body. Caspian thrust inside of Brooke.

"Ohhh. God yes!" She accepted him willingly, loving the feel of him inside of her. Water splashed over them and all over the floor, but they didn’t care. All that matter was that he was inside of her. Together they rode the wave of passion oblivious to everything around them.

Trudie rolled over to snuggle next to CJ who was sound asleep. She smiled to herself, she loved having him around. Trudie sat up and looked at the clock next to her bed.

" Oh shit!" Trudie jumped out of the bed. She was late; she was supposed to have some new photo shoot today. Giovanni had called her late last night to let her know. Trudie ran into her bathroom and turned the water on. She jumped into the shower when the cold water hit her. She screamed. Trudie hastily washed up shivering at the feel of the cold water. She quickly dried herself off and ran into the bedroom to her closet. CJ sat up rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He watched as a naked Trudie put on a black ribbed tank top and a low riding long jean skirt.

" Hey, aren’t you forgetting your panties and bra?"

"Shit" Trudie went to her draws and put on a pair of leopard print panties, she took her shirt off put on a matching bra and then the shirt again. She crawled under her bed to find a pair of black sandals. Trudie took a clip and twisted her wet hair up. CJ shook his head at her antics as she ran to her bedroom door.

" Don’t I get a kiss goodbye?"

" You are the reason that I over slept in the first place." Trudie grinned as she ran over to the bed. She leaned over and kissed CJ passionately. CJ was aroused all over again. He pulled he down on top of him on the bed. When he fingers started to cup her breast she pulled away. "Anymore of that and I’m going to be really late. I’ve got to go baby…but I’ll see you for lunch right."

" Yeah.. I meet you at Hollywood Deli."

" Okay.." Trudie ran out of the room. CJ shook his; he was tired and planned on getting another hour of sleep. But he noticed Trudie’s bag which she had forgotten it. CJ picked up his jeans threw them on when he noticed a letter on her desk, he threw in the bag. He headed out the door to the living room and out of the apartment. Trudie was waiting for elevator when he caught up with her.

" Trudie, you forgot you bag."

" Thanks."

CJ hauled her into his arms for another passionate parting kiss when the door of the elevator opened. An older woman in the elevator gasped at the sight of the heated kiss between the two. Trudie sighed and pulled away from CJ. " See you later baby. Keep that hard on for me." The woman frowned as CJ laughed. She was crazy as hell but he loved the feeling that filled him when he was with her. CJ headed back toward the open apartment door into the living room when Eve came out of her bedroom wearing a short white robe. Eve eyes were red and it clearly looked like she had been crying.

" Eve what is wrong?"

"CJ… I didn’t know you where still here. I thought you left with Trudie."

" No. She ran out, she was late for work. Eve…what is wrong?"

"It’s Rick."

"What about Rick?"

"He is missing."

"What?"

"I haven’t seen Rick in a couple of days. He hasn’t been at work and even Brooke had called looking for him."

That shocked CJ. He knew that Brooke always kept in close contact with Rick.

" Brooke hasn’t seen him?"

"No." Tears filled her eyes. " I’m really worried. The last time I saw Rick he was fine and now all of a sudden, I don’t hear a thing. I worried, what if something happened to him." CJ took Eve into his arms.

" Don’t worry Eve, we will find Rick."

Eve closed her eyes as the tears escaped. "It isn’t like him. Something is wrong, I know it."

Brooke walked into the kitchen to find Caspian making waffles. Her heart raced as she watched Caspian. God, he was so sinfully sexy standing there in black pajama bottoms.

Caspian looked up from the waffle maker and his breath caught in his throat. Standing in the doorway of his kitchen was his dream, his Brooke. She looked sexy, as hell standing there was Brooke matching top of his pajama bottoms. Brooke gave him a mischievous look.

" This seems to fit better than the robes in my bedroom. I hope you don’t mind."

Brooke walked over and kissed his gently on the lips.

" I’m not complaining. I love having you in my clothes and in my bed." He pulled her closer using one hand. " Go and get the dishes. Where do you want to eat?"

" Outside. It’s a beautiful morning."

Caspian gave her a look full of love. " Yes it is." Brooke smiled. She couldn’t remember the last time that she had been this relaxed since her world had started to fall apart. Brooke got the dishes and Caspian filled the two dishes with waffles and strawberries. He took another dish of hot bacon. They took their food outside. Caspian poured two glasses of champagne.

" In the morning?"

"Being with you like this is something that I’ve wanted for a while."

Brooke looked at him with awe. "You really mean that, don’t you?"

Caspian caressed Brooke’s face with his finger. " Yes. I really do. Since the moment that I met you I’ve felt like I starting living. For years, I’ve been filling my life with work but nothing else."

" Because of Lark’s death?"

Caspian paused and Brooke could feel the change in him. Pain was right there under the surface. " Yes."

Brooke stroked Caspian’s hand. " You aren’t to blame for what happened to her, it was an accident."

" I know but for so many years I’ve replayed that night over and over again. If I had only let her go then she’d still be alive…."

"Don’t do that. You can spend your life with what ifs. I’ve done that so many times. What if Ridge had married me instead of Caroline? What if Bridget had been Ridge’s daughter? What if Thorne hadn’t cheated? What if Macy hadn’t died in that accident? You can’t change things that happened her. I’m sure that despite the problems that you had with Lark, she knew that you loved her. Even I can see that you still do."

" I’ll always love her Brooke, she was a part of me. But I know that I can’t live with just her memory anymore. I need more. I want to feel love again…" Brooke looked away for a moment."

"What’s wrong?"

" Nothing. It just you loved her so much and even 10 years after her death you still have deep feelings for her. I’ve never encountered a man who loved so deeply."

" That’s because you’ve been dealing with the Forresters men. They don’t count."

" Still, you have to admit, you’re not an ordinary man."

" No, I’m not, does it bother you?" Caspian pulled Brooke out of her chair into his lap. Brooke cupped his face and gently kissed him.

" No…it doesn’t bother me. There is something about you that is so different. But maybe you a just what I need."

Caspian smiled at Brooke. " I’ll always protect you." When she opened her mouth to say something he quickly feed her some of his waffle. " I know that you have every reason to be wary of any man who makes promises to you."

" They have all let me down."

" I’m not them. I know that it will take time for you to truly believe in me, but you can. I swear to you that I won’t let you down."

Brooke looked away but she allowed him to pull her into his arms. So far Caspian hadn’t let her down, maybe for once she had found someone she could count on. Caspian had one thing right; she’d never depend on a Forrester for anything ever again.

Eric closed the door to his office. " I’m sorry that took so long but with your brother not coming into work Frank had to take over his duties."

" Dad, I’m not going to allow you to change the subject. What are you thinking about?"

"Ridge, first of all this is none of your business."

" None of my business…I raised Bridget as my child for the first 6 years of her life. I lived with her and Brooke and I know what kind of mother Brooke is. Taking Bridget from Brooke is a bad move all around."

" It isn’t from where I’m concerned. In fact, it is something that I should have done a long time ago. Brooke has raised both Rick and Bridget and instead of loving me as a father they both walk around with contempt."

" And that is Brooke’s fault?"

" Yes it is. I’ve stood by and let her take Rick when we divorced. She had an affair and that alone could have looked good in my favor in the court but I didn’t do anything. She cheated me out of the first 6 years of Bridget’s life."

" Brooke had nothing to do with that."

Eric gave Ridge a look of contempt. " You don’t know that. Who else had motive to change that test? No one. Brooke did. She wanted you to be Bridget’s father and she’d do anything to get you."

Ridge stepped back. " What has come over you? Why are you bringing this up? This happened years ago. I expected something like this from mother but not you."

" How would you know what I’m going through, Ridge? All those years, I watched you raise my children and I stood back. Then you decided that you didn’t want Brooke or the children anymore. I tried to step in. I wanted to be there for the children and for Brooke. But she wouldn’t let me. Instead she turned to Thorne and had an affair with him." Eric’s face contorted with pain and rage. " She doesn’t care what she is doing…she only wants what she wants. She didn’t care how Rick or Bridget would feel about her sleeping with another brother of theirs. She didn’t care how it made me look. She was willing to open her legs to Thorne and to you." Eric knocked over a sketch that was on his table. " She took my company and I forgave her; she took my children and I forgave her and she took my love and threw it all away. Then she sleeps around with my own two sons and flaunts it! I ignored it, but your mother was right all along. If that wasn’t enough, she planed on shipping my daughter out of the country so she could carry on her affair with Thorne."

Ridge stood shocked by his father’s tirade, shocked by the venom in her father’s voice. He was also shocked by the realization that his father was still carrying around hatred for when Brooke had left him. Ridge had thought that his father had gotten over, but he hadn’t. " Dad, how much of this has to do with Bridget?"

Eric’s eyes narrowed. " This has everything to do with Bridget. I want my daughter to have the best."

"I don’t think that this has anything at all to do with Bridget. This has everything to do with Brooke. You still love her don’t you?"

"What? You don’t know what you are talking about."

"I think that I do. A part of you still loves Brooke and you are angry. You thought that when she and I split that she’d come back to you, but she didn’t. She went to Thorne. That’s it isn’t it. That is why you were so upset when she got involved with Thorne."

" I don’t know what in the hell are you getting at? I love your mother not Brooke."

" You loved her deeply. You gave up everything to be with Brooke and you are angry that she left you. Dad, I’m sorry for what our affair did to you. I hurt you. But Brooke hurt you more because she never looked back and you thought that maybe she would. When Brooke left you for me, you always thought that it didn’t matter because it was me and she had loved me for years. But with Thorne, it was different. You never expected her to fall in love with Thorne. Her affair with me you could forgive but you couldn’t forgive her affair with Thorne."

Eric was livid with Ridge. "Shut up! You don’t know what you are talking about. I didn’t want her with Thorne because it would tear the family apart. She has slept with three members of the same family."

" And we each have bought her pain, most especially me dad. Brooke isn’t the villain here. She has made mistakes just like the rest of us."

" Brooke is nothing but a thorn in the side of this family. I won’t allow her to ruin what is left of this family. She had a chance to be a part of it and she decided to ruin it. "

"What do you think taking Bridget from Brooke is going to do to this family? It is going to be an outright war. You know it. Dad, Brooke may not have made the wisest decisions in her life but we all made those mistakes. But she has always been a good mother to Rick and to Bridget. She’d die for those children, they are her world. Don’t do it dad, don’t take Bridget away from her mother."

Eric turned away from Ridge. " This is not your decision Ridge. It had already been made. Brooke has made her bed, now she has to lie in it."

"You aren’t being fair to her."

"I’ve been more fair to her than I ever should have been." Eric walked to the door. " You are right about one thing…I did love her and she threw it away. I will never forget how she so carelessly tore this family apart and then threw away our own marriage. I have a chance to right a wrong with Bridget and I plan to do. Brooke thought that she could just shut me out of my children’s lives, well she can’t. Now she will see what it feels like to be looking from the outside in." Ridge looked at his father like he didn’t believe him.

"Don’t do this. Rick and Bridget will never forgive you for hurting her. Thorne will turn against you also. You don’t want to do this. Dad, I know that deep down, you don’t want to hurt Brooke. Talk to mom and let Bridget stay with Brooke."

" Ridge, if I were you, I’d be worried about my own children. I saw Thomas the other day and he was having a fit because YOU weren’t there. Taylor is crying her eyes out while you daughter are sad. So instead of worrying about Brooke, I’d worry about Taylor and your children. As far as I’m concerned, I’m looking out for my daughter…something that you need to be doing." Eric walked out of the room while Ridge had felt like he had been punched in the stomach. His father was making Brooke pay for leaving him. He knew that everything his father had done to break up Thorne and Brooke had an underlined meaning. Even if he father didn’t know it clearly, he did. His father still wanted Brooke and because of that he was willing to take Bridget to hurt her. The ramifications of that was chilling, not because of just what this was doing to the family but because of his mother. It would kill his mother if she ever found out why Eric hadn’t wanted Brooke with Throne. The whole thing was a mess. There would defiantly be a war and no one would be the winner. Ridge sighed because although he desperately wanted to help Brooke, he didn’t have the time. He had a family that was coming apart.

Charlie was studying her sister’s chart when the doctor came into to room to check on Morgan. " Hello Dr. Dewitt, I’m Dr. Langley." Charlie shook his hand.

" I’ve been checking my sister’s chart. It says here that she moved her hand yesterday."

Dr. Langley checked Morgan’s reflexes. " Yes, she moved her hand yesterday, but there has been no other changes in her condition. It may have been a muscle spasm."

"Or it could be sign that she my be ready to wake up."

"At this point, we can’t say what caused her hand to move. You know as well as I do Dr. Dewitt that the longer she is in the coma, the more likely that she will never wake up."

Charlie put the chart down. " I know, but I’m still optimistic about Morgan." Charlie looked at her sister. " She’s a fighter. I’m not going to give up on her. My sister will open her eyes."

Dr. Langley smiled at the pretty doctor. " Is that the doctor in you talking or the sister?"

" The sister and the doctor. I’ve seen people with little hope pull out of some situations because of their own strength. My sister wanted a baby more than anything. She has waited forever to be a mother. I know that she is going to open her eyes because of the love of her son. Besides, if I know my sister, she’s listening and she isn’t going to want me to raise her son instead of her." Charlie walked toward Morgan. " Do you hear me little sister. If you don’t wake up soon. I’ll have to take Dylan with me and you won’t want that." Charlie softened her voice. " Please wake up little sister. Dylan needs you and I need you too."

Ridge studied the picture of he, Taylor and the twins on his desk. Tonight, the children where coming to see him at his new place. He hadn’t had a chance to tell them about Dylan and he wondered how they would react. He had tried calling Taylor this morning but she wasn’t answering her phone. It seemed like everything was falling apart. Between Taylor, his children, his mother, Thorne and now this mess with Brooke he didn’t know what to do. Ridge got up to leave; he needed some air to clear his head. He was halfway down the hall when Megan came running up toward him.

" Ridge, that god you are here. Come quick, we got a big problem."

Morgan thought that she heard voices. They seemed to be far away sound that started to come closer. She thought that she felt something touching her arm. What was it? Who was touching her? She tried to open her eyes but she was so tired. She t concentrated on the hand touching her wrist. Morgan tried to move her hand, but she was so tired. She tried again but nothing happened. The voice was getting louder, she knew that voice. Somewhere in the back of her head, the voice was familiar to her. Morgan was going to try her best and she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred and she couldn’t make out the face of the woman who was standing by her door. She tried to speak but something was in her mouth. Morgan was so tired, she decided that she’d try later to see and she closed her eyes.

Beth hung up the phone, her hands where shaking full of anger. " Stephen! Stephen"

Stephen came from the kitchen where he making a sandwich for his wife. He hoped he’d be able to get her to eat something.

" What is it?" His beautiful wife was pale like she had seen a ghost.

" I’ve just finished talking to Katie. Oh god, when I get my hands on that bitch, she is going to pay."

Stephen was confused. " Beth, what are you talking about?"

"Stephanie Forrester. I’m going to kill that woman. Who in the world does she think that she is?"

" Beth, you still haven’t told me what happened?"

"Stephanie somehow convinced Eric to petition the court for custody of Bridget."

" What? That is ridiculous…why would Eric do that? He and Brooke had a fine arrangement."

"Because he is being lead around by the nose by that spiteful old woman. It seems that there was some sort of mistake and that Brooke never sighed papers giving her back full custody of Rick or Bridget. Rick isn’t an issue because he is of age, but Bridget it. Eric now has full custody of Bridget."

" My god." Stephen’s color drained out of his face.

" They told Brooke that once Bridget returns from Hawaii that they will take her. It’s no wonder that Brooke disappeared. She has no one to turn to. They are going to take Bridget from Brooke." Tears filled Beth’s eyes. " You know who much she loves her children, this must has devastated Brooke. Stephen, we have got to find out daughter, she is in trouble. I know it."

Stephen took his wife into his arms. " Don’t worry Beth, we’ll find Brooke. Well we also find a way to fight the Forresters; they won’t take Bridget away from Brooke. We Logans stick together."

Beth shook her head. " This is all Stephanie’s doing. I swear to god that if anything happened to my baby. I’ll kill the bitch. I’ll kill that bitch where she stands."

Ridge followed Megan down the hall toward the fitting room where he heard screaming going on. " What in the world?" He pulled open the door to find a partially dressed Trudie being held back by Scott. Trudie was yelling her head off. "You come anywhere near me bitch and knock your fu(king light out."

Kimberly was being pulled away from Trudie by two other models. " It isn’t my fault that you’ve been replaced. It isn’t my fault that Stephanie and Eric realized that they would be better off with a woman like me to represent them."

" Replaced, you couldn’t replace me on my best day."

" It doesn’t take much to replace a whore!"

" A whore…." Trudie somehow twisted her way out of Scott’s arms and launched herself at Kimberly. Kimberly screamed and took a tumble backward falling down hard against the floor taking the two models. Trudie grabbed Kimberly hair and had a fist ready to strike. " Call me a whore again you bitch and you’ll be picking your teeth up off the floor. We’ll see how pretty you are with a tooth missing." Ridge had seen enough and rushed forward to grab Trudie. Trudie held on tight to the screaming Kimberly’s hair. Kimberly was being pulled as well.

" Let go. Damn it Trudie, let go of Kimberly."

" Not until that bitch says she is sorry."

Ridge groaned as it took Scott and Megan tried to pry Trudie’s hands off of the screaming Kimberly’s hair. " Trudie, let go of her hair right now!" Trudie reluctantly let go of Kimberly’s hair.

" Everyone get the hell out now!" Ridge ordered. He went over toward Kimberly and helped her up on her feet.

" Now what in the world is going on!" Both Trudie and Kimberly started yelling at the same time. Ridge shook his head. " I can’t hear you both at the same time." Ridge pointed toward Trudie.

" Trudie what happened?"

"I was getting fitted for my photo shoot when Barbie- with the black hair told me that I didn’t need to get dressed because she was going to get ready for the shoot herself. Then she not so nicely told me that I’ve been replaced."

Ridge turned his gaze on Kimberly. " Is that true."

" It isn’t my fault that she wasn’t told the change of plans. She bought all of this on herself with her attitude and her slutty ways. You should have seen her yesterday with her tongue down CJ’s throat; they were practically having sex in his coffee shop. Naturally your mother was outraged by this and decided that the Forrester good name was being sullied."

"Give me a fu(king break. The Forrester good name. You helped to bring scandal to their name with your affair with Thorne; after all he was your own sister’s husband. You are some nutcase aren’t you?"

"How dare you talk about my sister, you bitch!" When Kimberly started toward Trudie, Ridge grabbed her before she could get to Trudie.

" That is enough you too. Now I’m not sure what is going on but I’ll handle it."

" She isn’t replacing me. Brooke hired me, not your father or your mother." Trudie stated angrily. " I’ve done a good job Ridge."

" No one is disputing that fact Trudie. And you aren’t being replaced."

Kimberly crossed her arms. " Yes she is. I’m doing to line now."

Ridge set his jaw. " You aren’t in a position to tell me what you are going to do Kimberly. Truthfully my mother doesn’t make any decisions concerning the WOW line. So as far as I’m concerned Trudie isn’t replaced at all, she has done a good job for this company. I also know that this move was made purely as a ploy to upset Brooke and I can’t allow that to happen. "

Trudie smiled and crossed her arms as she looked at Kimberly. " I guess that you won’t be replacing me after all." Trudie looked Kimberly up and down. " Not that you could."

Ridge sighed. "That enough Trudie, we don’t want to start some sort of war between you two. You’ve both done a good job for Forrester. "

Kimberly looked at Trudie with a great deal amount of hatred. " This isn’t over by a long shot." Kimberly didn’t even look at Ridge, he was a traitor all he was concerned about was that bitch Brooke. Kimberly walked away out of the room slamming the door behind her. Who did Ridge think that he was? Stephanie had given her the job. She was on her way to Stephanie’s office when a cramp hit her. Kimberly stopped for a second to shake it off. She closed her eyes and gripped the wall for support. She stood there for a moment and tried to walk again when another cramp hit her. She slowly made her way toward the bathroom. She was shaking when she pulled down her kaki pants and her panties. Kimberly cried out as she saw blood.

" No…of god no!"

Stephen did his best to comfort his wife, but she was determined to go to L.A. He told her to hold off and wait a day or in order for him to take off of work. Although she had first disagreed, he finally convinced her to hold off. But he too was worried, Brooke hadn’t called and that wasn’t a good sign. He took the picture of Brooke off of the mantel. She was a beautiful woman. He had wished to god that she hadn’t gotten involved with the Forrester Family. Eric Forrester and his sons had destroyed her. Stephen noticed the other photo of Brooke on top of a horse at summer camp when she was 12 years old. Even then, she had been different from the other children. She had been daring and outgoing, she wanted to know everything about the world and travel. Stephen sighed, he had always figured that Brooke had gotten that trait from her biological father. If he could change anything in the world, he’d change that…he’s make Brooke his real daughter. Stephen had never told Beth that he had found out about Brooke not being his. He hadn’t been the greatest husband to her back then, he also couldn’t ever bear to tell Brooke that she wasn’t his. He loved Brooke and as far as he was concerned, he was her only father. So, he kept his secret and never told Beth that he knew.

Donnetella Fury sat at the outside table as the beautiful estate waiting for Grayson, the head the family. Grayson was in charge of everyone and he was the only person who could right the wrong done to her. Grayson walked outside to his patio and found his beautiful goddaughter sitting in a beautifully tailored black suite, which skirt feel below her knees. She wore her hair up and she wore a stunning black hat with a veil that covered her eyes. Donnetella had been exquisite since her birth; her dark hair and her perfect features made men stop and stare. She rose when she saw Grayson and kissed him on both cheeks. They conversed in Italian.

" God father, it is so good to see you."

Grayson sat down and patted her hand. " Donnetella, I know that the last month has been hard on you. You’ve been in mourning with the accidental death of your husband."

" Accident? You and I both know that it was no accident. Michael was killed."

Grayson sipped his coffee and gave her a chilling look. " I know no such thing. We looked for the men who robbed your husband but ahh, we could not find him."

Donnetella closed her eyes at the mention on the robbery; she knew that it was lies.

" Grayson, you have always been the oldest friend of my father."

" I gave you away at your wedding since your father couldn’t be there."

Donnetella smiled softly. " I remember." She leaned forward. " I know that you will keep your promise to my father and continue to look after me."

" You mean a great deal to me Donnetella."

" Then if I mean so much, you will do what is only fair. You will bring the heads of Caspian and that sister of his Isabelle Deangleo to me." Donnetella beautiful face became fierce with passion. " I want their heads. I want the heads of the people who killed my Michael. Only then will I rest."

Morgan heard the voices again and one seemed to be coming closet and closer. This time, she’d try to open her eyes and keep them open longer. A hand touched hers. Morgan opened her eyes. It took her a moment to focus but when she did, she found Stephanie Forrester looking down her.

Against All Odds Chapter 67 Review (Out With The Old, In With The New)

Brooke and Caspian grow closer as she promises never to trust a Forrester again. Charlie visits her sister and begs her to awaken. Morgan finally awakens only to find Stephanie hovering over top of her. Ridge and Eric argue about Brooke; Ridge realizes that his father still has feelings of anger toward Brooke because of their affair. Ridge breaks up a fistfight between Trudie and Kimberly about the WOW line. Kimberly becomes enraged that Ridge refuses to replace Trudie with her. Later Kimberly becomes upset when she has cramps and finds blood in her panties. Beth becomes alarmed when know one knows where Brooke is; Stephen does his best to calm his wife. Stephen later looks at a picture of Brooke and admits though he knows that she isn’t his biological daughter, he loves her. Donnetella, the widow of Michael Fury, goes to Grayson, the head of the "Family" asks for the death of Caspian and Isabelle. Pierce becomes upset when Bella becomes cold when he tries to her that he loves her.

Against All Odds Chapter 68 ( Monsters)

Grayson sipped his coffee; the situation of Michael had gotten out of control. Michael had been nothing but a greedy bastard, who had tried to take control of the area that had belonged with Caspian when Caspian had been a thriving member of the FAMILY. Michael hadn’t had the interest of the FAMILY, nor had had he shown respect like he should have. When he had gone after a family who had always been respected and loyal to the Deangelo’s and to the FAMILY, he had gone to far. Since Michael had been the husband of Grayson’s goddaughter, he had given the okay for his death. He hadn’t want Donnetella to know, he had hoped that Donnetella would believe that Michael had died by an accident. He should have known better. Grayson leaned forward and took Donnetella hand in his. " Donnetella, you have to let this thing with Michael. It was an accident." Donnetella’s dark eyes flashed with fury. She pulled her hand out of his grasp.

" You and I both know that isn’t true. There has been talk."

" You should know better than to listen to idle gossip."

" It isn’t gossip. I know that Caspian and that bitch had something to do with it. Don’t try to get me to believe otherwise, I’m not a fool."

Grayson sighed. He allowed Donnetella to talk to him in this fashion because he knew that she was hurting. He should never have allowed her to marry Michael. Michael had been a leech using her beauty and connections to better his own position in the FAMILY. Still, Grayson hadn’t been able to turn her down; her father had been like a brother to him. "I know that you aren’t a fool Donnetella."

" Then allow me the revenge that I deserve."

"Michael wasn’t worthy of you Donnetella. He was a greedy man, making greedy and foolish mistakes. He moved into territory that didn’t belonged to him."

" That territory was up for grabs. Caspian wasn’t in the family. You allowed him to buy himself out. My Michael was trying to prove to you and the other members of our family that he could handle the territory."

" He showed disrespect to people who were under the protection of the Deangleo name. He made decisions that were not his own." When Donnetella opened her mouth to speak Grayson held up his hand. " He was wrong, as that brother of his was. They have both been a menses to the FAMILY from the start." Donnetella sat back in her chair feeling a sense of coldness come over her. " I protected him because he was your husband and you loved him, but he crossed the line." Grayson’s eyes became cold. " He put our way of life in jeopardy and didn’t heed the warnings. We have a duty to protect our members, even from our own kind. If you want to blame anyone for the death of your husband, blame me. I couldn’t spare him even for you."

"Fine. If some unfortunate accident…"

" No. Nothing will ever happen to Caspian or his sister. They are protected totally by the family."

" How is it that they are protected if they are out this family?"

" That was part of the agreement that we made with Caspian when he asked to be let go. I will not break that commitment."

" But he and his sister are allowed to kill my husband."

Grayson shook his head. " Enough of this talk, I can see that I’m not getting through to you. The mattered is settled."

" I want my revenge."

" You can’t have it. The matter is settled. Caspian and Isabelle will not be punished for whatever wrong you think that they did to your Michael." Grayson softened his look.

"Donnetella, for your sake let it go. Mourn your Michael and be glad that the matter is settled. If any other members of the other family decided to hurt your husband, you might have been caught in your crossfire."

Inside a cold chill filled Donnetella as she listened to Grayson’s words. Grayson was wrong, Michael had been strong and he had been growing stronger. He would have power one day rival Caspian and Donnetella knew all about Caspian. Caspian wanted what he wanted, when he wanted it. He had always been like that since they had been children. She had once found that attractive and alluring but now she found that it enraged her. She had loved Caspian when they were young; she had stood silently waiting for him to finally come to her. She had known that Caspian had plenty of women, she hadn’t cared how many of them had slept Caspian, and she figured that when he got tired he’d come to her for a family. But he hadn’t wanted her, and he had been allowed to break the commitment that their parents had made when they were children. He had broken their betrothal when he feel in love with an American girl and married her. Donnetella had been humiliated totally; he had pushed her aside for some insipid blonde girl. But later in her life, she had found Michael and she knew that he would have the power. She made him a perfect wife, with her connections and backing and his aggression surely he’d head one of the major families one day, not Caspian. But Caspian and that cold bitch of his sister had killed her husband and she’d make sure that they’d pay. Donnetella stood silently and gave Grayson a pitting look.

"Let it go Donnetella."

"What will I tell my son when he asks about his father?"

"Tell him the truth, his father was killed by accident."

Donnetella said nothing as she walked away. She would do no such thing. She’d have her revenge one way or another.

Morgan looked at Stephanie standing over her. Stephanie took a step toward her.

" Morgan…Morgan are you awake?" Morgan said nothing, only looked at her. Morgan moved her hand trying to find the call button to the nurse’s station. Stephanie knew instantly what Morgan wanted and she had to stop her. There wasn’t anyway that she was going to allow Morgan to tell what happened to her. Stephanie grabbed the cord that was lying next to her.

" We need to talk."

Morgan saw the evil gleam in Stephanie’s eyes. She shook her head. She tried to open her mouth but she couldn’t seem talk because of the mouthpiece in her mouth. Morgan started to moan softly and tried to reach out toward the cord.

" No yet. We will talk first. I’m not going to allow you to destroy my son." Morgan’s head was starting to ache instantly while Stephanie’s loud voice began to echo throughout the room. " Now, I can a few things to say to you." Morgan tried to look away. Stephanie leaned forward and took Morgan by her shoulders. " You had better look at me, I won’t allow you or your bastard son destroy my family."

Charlie had been walking down the hall and had stopped at the nurse’s station when one of the nurse’s how had been monitoring Morgan’s heart rate from the computer stationed at the overhead station said that Morgan’s heart rate had increased. Charlie headed down the hall and came through the doors to find Stephanie yelling at Morgan. Charlie pushed Stephanie away from her sister.

" What the hell do you think doing to my sister?" Charlie looked down and found that Morgan was awake. " My god, Morgan….you are awake." Charlie smiled. " Thank god."

Morgan was surprised to see Charlie standing over top of her. Why was Charlie here?

Morgan moaned softly. " Don’t worry little sister. The doctor’s are coming and they are going to take care of you." Two doctors came into the hospital room.

" Thank god you are here. My sister’s awake."

"Give us a few minutes, we want to check her out. All right."

Charlie smiled but her smile faded as she watched Stephanie Forrester out of the corner of her eye. She followed Stephanie out of the room. Stephanie turned toward Charlie.

" Charlene, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. You are looking well."

" Cut the crap, Stephanie. What in the hell do you think that you were doing to my sister?"

" I wasn’t doing anything to your sister."

" You were shaking her."

" She opened her eyes and then she started to open them up again. I was trying to …"

" I don’t believe that for one second. You don’t give a damn about my sister. You never did. When she was young, all you care about was running my sister out of town after you’re forced her to have an abortion."

" I did no such thing. She decided that it was best."

" She was a teenager and not ready to make that decision. She looked up to you. I told her not to but she didn’t listen. She really didn’t have me around then, I was in medical school, but I’m here now. And I’m going to look after her and Dylan."

" I thought you were here to get him. You said…"

" Of yes, I plan on taking my nephew and sister away from here but not before I find out what happened to my sister or what you are up too."

Stephanie laughed. " What happened to your sister? You fully know what happened to her. You nutty sister tricked my son into sleeping with her that is what she did."

" You expect me to believe that my sister had to stoop to get your son in bed. Your son slept around with when I was in school with him, just like he does now. It probably didn’t take much for her to get him in bed." Charlie shook her head. " I’m sorry that she did. I didn’t want her to come back here. It took her years to get over what happened her."

Stephanie sneered. " Yes, she spent some time in that mental instruction, didn’t she?"

Charlie looked shocked while Stephanie shook her head and gave her a mocking look.

" You didn’t think that I knew about her stint in the loony bind or her attempted suicide."

"You’ve done your work."

" She didn’t leave me any choice."

Charlie stepped forward. " Morgan’s past is her past. I’m quite sure you aren’t going to even take partial responsibility for what you played in her mental breakdown."

" Should I?"

" You wouldn’t know how to take responsibility for anything. Neither would your son. But that doesn’t matter. I’m more interested in what it is that you are doing here."

" I was checking in or your sister."

Charlie’s eyes narrowed." No. You weren’t. You’ve never cared about my sister. In fact, the only reason you called me to tell me about Morgan was to take Dylan out of town. And now I’m wondering why."

Kimberly stood shell-shocked by seeing the blood in her panties. Tears flowed down her face as another cramp hit her. Kimberly doubled over in pain; she tried to hold on the toilet dispenser for support. " God, no! Please…please don’t let me lose my baby." She couldn’t lose her baby, not here, not now. Not here on the bathroom floor in Forrester Creations. If she lost her baby, Thorne might be able to convince Brooke to take him back and all would be lost. She had to keep her baby.

" The newest protype sent in by Rebecca’s team is doing well in all of their developmental test." Sharon, the leader of Research and Development stated. Sharon frowned when she realized that Isabelle hadn’t been paying attention to a word that she said. Her boss was staring into space. Sharon was taken aback; it wasn’t like Isabelle to have her concentration broken. " Ms. Deangleo, is everything all right?" Isabelle looked at Sharon, truthfully she hadn’t heard much of what Sharon had said and that was unlike her.

" Yes, everything is all right. Please leave the test results on my desk." Sharon got up and left the file with Isabelle. Isabelle sat back in her desk; she hadn’t been concentrating at all. Her focus had been off most of the day and that disturbed her deeply since that had never happened. Her mind had been on Pierce and their discussion from that morning. He was angry that she had pulled away from him but his near declaration had caught her off guard. She didn’t want to hear it; if he had said it then she would have to end their relationship. She had already experienced love once in her life and it had ended tragically. She had made a vow when Benito had died she would never love again. Falling in love with Benito had been hard enough and he understood her as much as any man could but falling for Pierce could be deadly. Pierce had a way of wanting to help others and believing in the good of people. Isabelle didn’t have a natural inclination to helping other and she clearly saw the worst in people. No two people could be different in their visions of the world yet when the discussed art, literature and spent time together she sometimes forgot. . But how long could she hide things from him? She had already dismissed her bodyguards when she was around him. She had also been very careful not to have her gun visual as well. Her life in the FAMILY as well as her rape and subsequent marriage were other issues that were not know him. This morning, she had enjoyed having him in her bed but she could never allow him to know that. Isabelle’s life would always be connected with the FAMILY no matter what. Pierce could never understand and live in her world; he just didn’t have the make up for it. Isabelle could never live in his world. Pierce would want things that she could never give him. He’d want a wife and a family. Isabelle would never have children not after what had happened own child. Maybe it would be best for her to end things now with Pierce now before he became hurt.

Pierce looked at the schedule for the rest of the week. Truthfully he had time allotted in his schedule to make the conference in Los Angles. He could call Sharon and have her made the arrangements to contact the counsel in order for him to speak at the conference. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do.

" What are you thinking so hard about my friend?" Pierce turned to find Bailey standing in the doorway. Pierce had long since forgiven Bailey for what had happened with Taylor.

" I’m thinking about the conference."

" Are you going to do it?"

Pierce poured himself a drink and handed Bailey one. " I’m not sure."

"Why not, you’ve done conference like this in your sleep." Pierce nodded. " Is it the lovely Isabelle?"

"Maybe…"

" I’ve yet to meet this woman who intrigues you like no other not even the lovely Taylor Forrester had you riveted like this woman has."

" Isabelle is different from Taylor, in truth she is different from any other women I’ve ever met."

" How so?"

" She is highly intelligent and beautiful. We can have long discussions about literature, art even theories about the therapy."

" And that isn’t like Taylor?"

Pierce sat down. " Bella is different. She has a way about her. At times she is so hot and then will quickly turn cold."

Bailey raised an eyebrow. " I can understand you liking the hot, but the cold? Let me guess she is hot in the bedroom?"

"Yes, but there is more to it than the sex. There are times, I feel that there is passion building underneath the surface but then there are other times she becomes so cold. Like this morning."

"This morning?"

"I tried to tell her how I felt about her but she stopped me. She let me know if I was going to say that I loved her that she would end things between us."

"Sounds like she has issues."

"Truthfully, she does. Bella is intense yet cunning and even manipulative at times. She has a way of intimidating others yet I’ve seen her be kind a small child who wanted a toy." Pierce shook his head. " Bella has clear anti-social tendencies, no real close friends. She has an unwavering loyalty to her brother whom she’d do anything to see happy. They have a deep bond."

Bailey frowned. " Her relationship with her brother, is it natural?"

"You are asking if there is something sexual there. The answer is no on both her and his sides. I’ve never noticed any type of sexual current between them but they share their secrets."

" They have secrets?"

Pierce nodded. " Yes, Bella hides things. She was raised by her brother, she doesn’t discuss her mother."

" Why?"

"I have no idea."

" That isn’t like you. Pierce, this woman seems like she should be a patient. NOT your lover."

" I know that but Bailey I loved being with her."

Bailey shook his head. " Pierce, my friend. She isn’t the woman for you and talking to you has convinced me the more."

" I’m not going to give up on her."

Bailey shook his head. " I think that you should." Bailey said in a whisper. " I’ve heard some whisperings that say her family is connected."

" Connected to what?"

"The mafia."

" Bailey, please. You aren’t the type to listen to gossip."

" But what if there aren’t just rumors. Do you want to become involved with an anti-social, sometimes cold woman who has secrets, an unnatural relationship with her brother who may be connected to the mob?"

" Bailey you aren’t don’t believe this mob business do you?"

"The mafia does exist."

" I know that Bella’s family is powerful. And lets say that they did have something to do with the mafia, Bella wouldn’t have anything to do with that."

Bailey downed the last of his drink. " I’m just saying you need to think about what you are doing. You should also remember one other important thing."

" What is that?"

"Taylor Forrester is now divorcing her husband. Why deal with a woman you can’t truly understand or know everything about? Pierce you deserve a partner, a wife a possible mother of children. Can your Bella be those things for you? You could have that with Taylor.

Charlie advanced toward Stephanie holding her wrist tightly." Answer me Stephanie, what in the world where you doing in my sister’s room?"

"I told you I was checking on her?" Stephanie tried to move around Charlie but Charlie grabbed her wrist.

" No you don’t. I want a straight answer from you? You are after something."

Stephanie pulled her wrist away from Charlie’s grasp. " Yes I am. I want your sister out of my son’s life. So, I’m glad that she has awoken. Now she can take her brat as far away from my family. Ridge can finally wash his hands out her and focus his family."

" Dylan isn’t a part of that family?"

Stephanie inhaled taking a deep breath. " No. He isn’t."

At that moment the doctor came out of the room. Charlie’s attention was diverted. "Doctor, what can you tell me about my sister?"

" Well, we are going to run a series of test to check her vital signs. She will most likely need some physical therapy. And then there are other things."

" Such as?"

The doctor looked at Stephanie. " Dr. Dewitt can we talk in private."

Charlie noticed Stephanie’s interest and nodded toward the doctor. She wasn’t sure what he had to say but she was sure that she didn’t want Stephanie to know. Charlie took the doctor by the arm and started to talk to the doctor. Stephanie watched Charlie and the doctor talking. She wanted to know what it was they were talking but most importantly, she wanted to know what Morgan had said to the doctor. Had she told him about the kidnapping? Stephanie had to find out and find out soon.

The paramedics rushed Kimberly into the hospital on a gurney. A doctor rushed toward him. " What do we have here?"

"A young woman in her late teens or early twenties. She is around a month pregnant. She is experiencing cramping pains and is spotting." Kimberly’s cried out as another pain hit her. She reached out toward the doctor with acute pain in her eyes.

"Please doctor, I can’t lose my baby."

The sympathic doctor tried her best to calm her down. " We are going to do out best to take care of you and your baby. She nodded to the paramedic." Get her into room 15 to find out what is wrong."

 

Trudie walked into Hollywood Deli, she looked at her watch, and she was a half an hour late. She hoped that CJ had waited for her. She looked around for a moment to see if he was sitting down, she didn’t see him. A waitress walked over to her.

" Would you like a drink?"

"Yes. I’d like some bottled water."

" Would you like to order right now?"

"No. I’m waiting for someone. I’ll order for a moment." The waitress walked away while Trudie replayed her argument with Kimberly. That bitch was crazy as far as she was concerned. She couldn’t believe that Kimberly had dared to try to take her job. Trudie had worked hard to get where she was and she wasn’t going to allow Kimberly and her sick delusions to upset her. Truthfully Kimberly had worried her a bit; she knew that Stephanie Forrester didn’t like her. She had told Ridge Forrester that, he had told her not to worry, that Stephanie couldn’t over rule Brooke. During her conversation, Brooke can up; Ridge had said that they were looking for her. Trudie had told him of Brooke’s call top her apartment and that she had been looking for Rick. Ridge had seemed very interested in that bit of new and told Trudie to take the rest of the day off. Kimberly must not have Stephanie and left the building. Trudie had a feeling that this thing wasn’t over. Kimberly wanted her job but she wasn’t going to get it.

 

 

Isabelle followed, Gregory Pierce’s manservant into Pierce’s elegant penthouse; she made her way into the living room, which was decorated with antique furniture of a mixture of bronze, gold and black, heavy bronze drapes artfully covered the large windows, some of Pierce’s beautiful artwork that he collected all over the world covered the walls. She sat down on the black Ming chair while Gregory went toward the kitchen to get her some tea. Bailey came in the foyer and found him studying an exquisitely beautiful woman. Isabelle turned and then stood. Her cool eyes studied Bailey while in turned studied her from the top of her red burgundy colored hair which was pulled back with a solid gold clip, her face was tastefully made up and enhanced her beauty, gold hoped graced her ears while the secant of perfume graced his nose. She wore a cream colored sleeveless blouse that was held by a collar that encircled her neck, a gold braded belt, along form fitting cream skirt which was semi-long and ended 2 inches below her knees and cream colored high healed Prada pumps what matched her purse. Bailey knew that she would have to be beautiful to snare Pierce but he noticed that she had a cool elegance and the regal barring that only royalty had. Yet it was her startling blue colored eyes that he saw the coolness. Bailey knew instantly that she wasn’t the woman for his friend; there was no warmness in this woman. Bailey made his way over toward her.

" Hello you must be Isabelle."

Isabelle watched Bailey for a moment before she spoke. " You are Bailey."

" Yes." Bailey nodded. " Pierce isn’t here, he had an appointment to attend to. He won’t be here for another hour or so. But I hope you will be willing to stay. Since we haven’t had a chance to met."

Isabelle sat down. " You wanted to met me?"

"Yes, you are the woman in Pierce’s life."

" He is very important to you isn’t he?"

Bailey felt a chill go through him. She was probing him and he knew it. It was there in her eyes, the coldness, the cunning." Yes. Pierce has been my friend for many years." He leaned forward and looked deeply in her eyes. " I only want the best for him."

Isabelle crossed her legs. Gregory came back into the room with full tea service and raspberry scones. Gregory poured Isabelle a cup as well as Bailey. Isabelle sat back and sipped her tea; she waited until Gregory left before she spoke.

"Pierce’s happiness and future is very important to you isn’t? In fact his own happiness outweighs your own."

" Pierce had been the only real friend that I have. His happiness is paramount to anything."

"He has been your friend when others turned away from you. You want nothing for yourself and you live through him. Your wants and dreams are for him to have all that he can have." Bailey swallowed at her words, as her eyes seemed to glow with a fire.

" Women and men have treated you inferior because of what they consider to be your physical short comings. You have faced reality and known that you will not find your own happiness so you want what is best for your only friend, pierce. You’d do anything to see that he is happy. Anything." A small smile formed on Isabelle’s lips and then it instantly disappeared. " Anything like trying to frightened me off. That is what you had planned today isn’t it. That is why you sent for me."

" Yes." Bailey had been shocked that she could read him so easily and knew instantly why he wanted to talk to her.

" Do you know who I am?"

Bailey tried not to be frightened by the deadly tone in her voice. He had heard the rumors and now he knew them to be true. " I’ve heard the rumors."

" So, you know what I am capable of."

" Yes. And I also know that you aren’t the woman for Pierce. He needs a woman capable of loving him." Bailey put his cup down. " He deserves love. He doesn’t deserve to be hurt and if you persist with your relationship, he will be hurt. He is already falling in love with you."

" He told you this?"

" He didn’t have to. You already knew this, didn’t you? That is why you turned away from him this morning."

Isabelle waited a moment before answering. "Yes. I know that he thinks he is falling in love with me."

" You’ll only hurt him."

" I know that."

" Do you want to do that? Do you love Pierce?"

Isabelle’s cold eyes never faltered. " I care about him."

"That isn’t good enough for Pierce. He deserves a woman to be his partner and equal. One who will love him and place him above herself."

" I cannot do that."

"Because your loyalty is to your brother and your way of life?"

"My loyalty to my brother and his happiness mirrors yours own loyalty to Pierce."

Bailey sighed. " So my friend will come in second to your brother. Always."

Isabelle said nothing for Bailey spoke the truth. Bailey sighed. " I see the truth clearly. If you care about Pierce, you will let him go now before it is too late for him. He has already started to change things because of you. He has stayed here longer than he planned. As you can see, he has bought this penthouse in order to be closer to you. He may not even go to L.A to the conference because of you."

" I didn’t ask him to stay. He may go."

" He may not because of you. It is important that he goes. His future very well may be in L.A."

" His future?" Isabelle sipped some more of her tea. "His future wouldn’t happen to be Taylor Forrester would it?"

"Ahh, you know about Taylor."

" Yes. The kind compassionate doctor whom Pierce feel in love with. She’s free isn’t she?"

"She is divorcing her husband, Ridge Forrester."

" You think that she’d be perfect for Pierce don’t you?"

"Yes. If you weren’t around. As long as you are in the picture he won’t look at Taylor. I don’t want that for him. You may care about him but a life with Pierce is out of the question."

Isabelle said nothing about Bailey’s words although she knew what he said was logical.

She opened her purse and next to her hidden gun she found her an engraved cigarette case. She took out one long brown cigarette and used her gold lighter to light the cigarette. She smoked the cigarette for a moment as Bailey watched the smoke filter all around her bathing her in an eerie glow. Her eyes were focused on him and for a moment his throat almost closed.

" I can comprehend your wanting what you perceive what is best for Pierce. Tell me, what do you plan to do if I do not honor your request." Bailey steeled himself; he had no intention of allowing her to see any weakness in him.

" What ever it takes."

" What ever it takes. I can understand those words. But you can to understand that for me it could me anything. ANYTHING…"

"It means the same for me Isabelle. I will do anything to see that your relationship with Pierce is over so he can find happiness." Isabelle crushed her cigarette in the antique ashtray. She slowly stood and picked up her purse.

" It’s been a long time since someone warned me of their intent or threatened me." She smiled slightly. "This has been most interesting. Give my regards to Pierce." She started walking toward the foyer.

" Are you going to give him up?" She didn’t answer him at all. " I do have one more question." She stopped and turned.

" Yes."

" You fully comprehend my situation with Pierce. Why his happiness is paramount to me. But why is your brother more important than your own happiness? You aren’t lacking in any way that I can see? You are obviously highly intelligent, beautiful as well as elegant."

" Yes….I have no physical reasoning. On the outside, I’m almost perfect."

" But on the inside?" Bailey asked.

Isabelle’s memory replayed flashes of the past. Hugo’s face above her as he raped her. Benito’s face when she had killed him. The face of her innocent little baby after it had been born. " Inside, I’m a monster." Isabelle left leaving Bailey with terror. The depth of her voice and for that last moment when she uttered those words, he had felt her sadness. Bailey knew that he would give his life to get Pierce away from her. Isabelle Deangleo was indeed a monster, a monster that had stolen Pierce’s heart and had no intention of loving him back.

Bali

KC laughed as Connor danced with her on floor in their private dinning room at the 5 star restaurants that they were in. The last few days in Bali had been beautiful, romantic and fun filled. The nights had been filled with passionate as well as playful lovemaking. Connor leaned down and nibbled softly on KC’s earlobe. She sighed joyously and laughed.

" Now counselor, if you keep that up, you know where it is going to lead?"

Connor looked deeply into KC’s eyes. " Yes I am. " I can’t think of anything I’d like to do more than to spend the whole night making love to you." KC smiled and caressed Connor’s face. She gently pulled his head down toward hers. Her lips found his and a soft gentle kiss. She slipped her tongue into his mouth touching his with her own. Connor felt fire radiate through his body as she gently explored his mouth. His hands moved down the her shimmering evening black dress that escaped her body like a second skin while her hands held on to the lapels of his tuxedo. Connor’s hand moved down toward her buttocks which his cupped to bring up against his heated body. KC opened her mouth wider while Connor’s tongue swept into her mouth. The kiss turned from gentle to passionate in a matter of seconds. KC nipples were rubbing against the material of her dress and they ached. She wanted Connor with an intense fever. Connor pulled his head away from KC’s and she could easily see the fire building within him.

"Why did you pull away?"

Connor traced KC’s lower lip. Before she could think, he pulled her head toward his again and devoured her mouth in another soul shattering kiss. KC was hot, wet and needy. She knew that she wasn’t about to sit through an entire dinner and wait until they got back from dinner to make love to this incredible man. She moved back toward the door to the private dinning room as she pulled Connor with her. Connor pulled his head up away from KC’s when he realized that they reached the door.

" What’s this?"

KC’s eyes sparkled. " I’m just locking the door."

" Locking the door?" Connor looked at KC and couldn’t help but to notice her heathing breast through the V of her bodice of her black evening dress. The dress was spectacular on her. The was held by two thin straps that opened up to a V that displayed her perfect brown skin while the rest of the floor length dress fit her like a second skin. Her makeup was flawless and she wore a flawless pair of diamonds that dangled from her ears. God, she was beautiful from the top of her head to the bottom of her toes. KC smiled a sexy smile. " Good idea. The food can wait and the dinning room is paid for the night."

KC fingered the buttons on his dress shirt. " I wonder what we could do—all night in this private dinning room?" Connor lowered his head again to take KC’s mouth with his. His mouth made its way down the slope of her neck while his teeth nipples toward the side. KC leaned against the solid door and sighed. Connor loved the little sounds that she made; she had proved to be more than passionate. Connor’s mouth made it’s way down between the V of her bodice; his hands caressed her full breast that was partially exposed while his tongue traced a soft line between her breasts. Connor was now kneeling on his knees looking up at the beautiful woman. KC leaned down and kissed him passionately while his hands caressed her hips and buttocks. Connor gathered KC in his arms as he made his way over toward the plush while silk sofa in front of the fireplace in the private dinning room. KC wouldn’t allow Connor to lay her down on the sofa; instead she pushed him down in a sitting position. Connor grinned in anticipation of what was yet to come. From his sitting position he used his hands to span her waist while sliding his hands up to cup her breast through her dress. He used his fingers to stroke her nipples through her dress. KC shivered, she loved having his hands on her body. KC reached up and slide the straps of her dress off of her shoulders, baring first her flawless beautiful full brown breast with chocolate nipples that begged for his lips and tongue, then barring her flat stomach leaving her in a pair of sheer black thong panties that allowed him to fully see the mound covering her warm heated entrance. Connor felt his member jump within his pants as he looked at her body. It was perfect; he loved kissing her exquisite brown skin just as much as he loved being inside of her. KC gently kicked the dress from her high heels while Connor’s hands moved up her hips and pulled her toward him. His mouth found her breast, he took his time kissing and laving it leaving her nipples alone. His tongue traced slowly around her areole giving her heightened pleasure until it captured her nipple. Connor lifted KC off her feet as he pulled toward him. She ended up keeling over top of him while his mouth suckled at her breast. KC was an expressive woman; her sighs were echoed throughout the room. They became more erratic when Connor’s hand made its way down toward her panties and then under it. He searched for her heat, when he found it she was already hot and wet. He stroked her nub gently feeling her wetness. KC arched against his fingers when he stroked and stroked. When he knew that she couldn’t take much more, he trust two fingers inside of her.

" Oh…I need your fingers to stroke me." She said as he moved his fingers inside of her. In and out of her, feeling her heat envelope his fingers. KC rode his hand while his mouth moved her other breast suckling hard. KC felt the stirrings of complete passion begin to erupt as well as Connor did. He smiled when she exploded. It took a few minutes for KC to gain her barring but she did, she pulled away. She watched as Connor he gently ran the fingers that had been inside of her under his nose and sniff. KC blushed.

" Every thing about you smells good, especially your essence." Connor watched as she hooked her fingers on the waistline of her panties and pushed them down her thighs.

"God, you are beautiful." KC came toward him again, her hands and tore open Connor’s shirt to bare his chest. She ran her fingers down his chest as he inhaled since the sensations they caused an ache through her. KC moved her hand down to his straining member; she cupped and stroked his solid shaft through his pants. Connor groaned and opened his pants, soon his member sprung free. In moments, she had his aching member in her hands while Connor pulled her over top of him. KC leaned down and kissed him, her tongue playing with his. Just when she was going to lower herself on him, she whispered one word.

"Condom."

Connor reached into the pocket of his pants and with her help, covered himself. KC lowered herself onto his large member. Connor pulled her head down for a kiss. He surged inside of her, moving rapidly inside her heat. KC rode Connor with determination, her hands stroked his nipples, caressed them. His mouth traced the shell of his ear and blew in it. Her sighs, little moans and cries filled his ear. Her heat, hot, warm and tight made him ache. She was pure ecstasy. When he felt her pulsate around him, all he could do was to groan and explode. KC collapsed against Connor while his head was thrown back against the sofa. KC looked up to see the wide grin and laughed. Connor started to laugh too.

" Some dinner, huh."

"Yeah, I’m starving for more." Connor said with a smile. KC watched as his smile disappeared. He gently cupped her face. " Seriously…that was wonderful." He kissed her lips gently. " Everything is wonderful about you. The way you walk, dress, the way that you laugh." Connor inhaled and wrapped his arms around KC. He lowered his head to the crook in her neck and inhaled deeply. " I do love your skin." He said as he kissed her neck. " Your perfect brown skin, flawless and exquisite." He stopped kissing her and looked deeply into her eyes. " Never have I felt for anyone what I feel for you. I love you KC and I’ve been waiting forever for someone like you." Tears filled KC’s eyes as she felt the warmth of Connor’s love. " I know that we haven’t gone out for long but what I feel for you is apparent to me and I don’t want to wait any longer?"

"Wait any longer for what?"

"To ask you to marry me." Connor reached around in his pockets to pull out a velvet box. Inside was an exquisite pear shaped 4-caret diamond ring.

KC was breathless. " What?"

"KC, will you marry me?"

Paris

Beth sat looking down at the book that she had been trying to read for the last hour so but couldn’t seem to concentrate. All of her daughter was missing. The phone started to ring. Beth jumped up to reach the phone. " Hello"

" Mom"

Tears filled Beth’s eyes. " Thank god, Brooke. Brooke, honey are you alright?"

Brooke heard the concern in her mother’s voice and felt guilty. She checked her first message and heard her mother’s voice. She instantly hung up and called her mother.

" Yes mom. I’m as alright as I can be at the moment."

" Honey, your father and I were so worried. When we heard about you disappearing and then about Bridget." Brooke gasped.

" How did you know?"

"Brooke, we found out through Thorne." Brooke sat down at the mention of Thorne’s name.

" Thorne??"

"Honey he is worried about you like the rest of us."

" I’m not going to lose Bridget mom. I’m going to fight for Bridget."

" You have gotten Connor to work on getting her back? There has to be something that he can do?"

"Not Connor. He’s out of the country with KC. But I’ve got some other help."

" What kind of help?" Concern filled Beth’s voice.

" I’m not going to get into it right now. But I’ve a great lawyer and best private detective that money can buy to get information about Eric and Stephanie."

" Private detectives? Why are you hiring them?"

" I’ve got to fight fire with fire. I want every secret of theirs unturned. I’ve got to come up with something because I can’t them take my daughter."

" Does Bridget know about this?"

"No. She doesn’t and I don’t want her to until it becomes necessary."

" Brooke she will eventually find out."

" I know. But not know. My baby is having a wonderful time in Hawaii and I’m not going to ruin it."

" Maybe it is best that you haven’t told her. Listen, you father and I are making arrangements to come to L.A"

" No. Don’t"

" Brooke, we are your family. You should have called on us."

" Mom, when I found out, I was a mess. I couldn’t think straight. I just needed time to think and to plan."

" What are you planning to do?"

"I’m not sure right now. The lawyers and detectives are working around the clock to help me."

" That is why we should be there with you. Honey it will be you against Stephanie and Eric. We don’t want you to be alone."

" Mom, I’m not alone."

" Brooke are you telling me that you and Thorne…"

" No. Mother, Thorne and I are over."

" But…"

" Kimberly is pregnant with his child."

" What?"

" Kimberly is having Thorne’s baby and right now he isn’t my concern. Bridget is."

" Then if you aren’t with Thorne. Who are you with? Brooke where are you?"

"Mom, I’m save and I’m with someone who is going to help. Listen I have to go. I promise to call you tomorrow. I love you mom."

Beth heard the phone disconnect. " Brooke? Brooke?" Brooke hadn’t told her where she was or who she was with.

Caspian’s Island

Caspian stepped into Brooke’s room. He behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He leaned down and kissed her neck gently. " Are you all right?" Brooks sighed.

" My mother’s upset and I don’t blame her. I worried my family." Brooke turned in Caspian’s arm as he titled her head up.

" You needed some time away. To think and to clear your head."

" When is your lawyer coming to meet with me?"

"Tomorrow morning. He had been conversing with my detectives and he had already filed for a petition to see the judge the day after tomorrow."

" The day after tomorrow." Bridget will be back that day. I’ll have to tell her…" Brooke couldn’t go on. The tears filled her eyes. " I can’t lose her."

" You won’t. I promise you that."

" I want to go home."

" Brooke…"

" No, listen to me. I can’t stay here and pretend that we are on some extended holiday

" Honey we aren’t going to let them take your daughter." Caspian’s face became hard.

" I will never allow anyone to hurt you. Ever."

Brooke caressed his face gently. " I know. But I still need to go home."

Caspian kissed her gently on top of her head. " When do you want to leave?"

"Tonight."

" Tomorrow." Brooke shook her head. Caspian cupped her face. " Please, I’m going to be selfish. I want one more night with you in my arms. Tomorrow we will go to your home, I’ll have my lawyer met us at home."

" I don’t know."

" If I thought that it would mean that we would endanger your daughter, I would have things ready for tonight. But one night isn’t going to make a difference." Caspian fingers traced her brow. His smoky eyes caught hers and Brooke felt a thrill go through her body. She couldn’t seem to look away. "Please…Brooke. Please give me another night in your arms." Caspian’s face came closer to her and she could only hear his gentle tone. "One more night to give you pleasure. One more night to hold you in my arms. One more night…"

" You promise that tomorrow we will go home." Brooke’s tear filled gaze found his.

" Yes."

" Alright then. Tomorrow I go home."

Caspian saw something in Brooke’s eyes. " What else is it that is bothering you? Is it Rick?"

"I am worried about him. He did leave me a message letting me know that he was at Big Bear." Caspian said nothing, he just listened. " I talked to him and finally convinced him to talk to James. Tomorrow, before we get to L.A…"

" You want to check on your son."

" Yes. I want to check on him."

Caspian pulled Brooke hands and lead her to the sofa. " Fine, tomorrow we will check on your son before we go to your home." Brooke settled herself against Caspian as she tucked her legs under her. " Would you like to tell me what happened with your son?"

" I lied to him."

" It was to protect him, wasn’t it?"

"Yes." Brooke was quiet for a moment, trying to compose herself. "When my son was around eleven I married Grant Champers. He was wonderful man whom I didn’t love. I married because Ridge was going to marry Taylor. I was sure that Ridge would stop my wedding to Grant but he didn’t get there in enough time. So I married a man my children didn’t even know. That was a mistake." Caspian agreed but he was silent. He was silent as Brooke told him about her marriage and how her son tried to kill Grant Chambers. He listened as Brooke told him of the pain her son endure. Caspian was also surprised by the knowledge that Ridge Forrester was willing to throw away his life for Rick.

" So you see why I need to talk to him. Rick his hurting right now. The guilt alone is eating him up."

" I can understand his anger, but it is a good sign that he is willing to see James. Isn’t it?"

"Yes. But I’m still worried. I have to get through to him that he still the wonderful young man that I raised. This doesn’t change anything."

" It does to him Brooke. Knowing that you are capable of violence is a horrific thing to discover. It is natural for him to question himself, who he is, what he is. He may begin to think that he is a monster."

Brooke pulled out of Caspian’s arms. " No! No, my son isn’t a monster."

" Brooke, I know that he isn’t. But it is natural for him to think so. He will go through a transition and he will need the love of everyone around him."

" He’ll need me."

" Yes, he will but you won’t be the thing that he needs the most."

" Why not?"

Caspian smiled softly. " Because you are his mother. He knows that no matter what, you will love him. He will need you but he will need the girl that he loves."

" Eve"

" Yes, he will need to know that she will still love him. That will be the thing that helps him. A man needs to know that his beloved with love all of him, the angel and monster that resides in him."

L.A

Trudie ordered tuna with whole-wheat crackers. She had called CJ on his cell phone to let him know that she was still waiting for him. It wasn’t like him to stand her up, maybe something had happened. Trudie sat waiting when she realized that someone was looking at her. Trudie turned around and found a dark haired man in his earlier forties looking at her with interest. Somehow he looked familiar to her, the man made his way over toward her. He nodded to the chair adjacent to hers.

" Is this seat taken?"

" Yes, it is I’m waiting for my boyfriend."

" You’ve been waiting for a long time."

" A while….why you interested?"

" I just hate to see a beautiful woman sitting alone."

"Is that your best pickup line?"

" No, I actually have others." The man grinned at Trudie. " This one didn’t work?"

Trudie laughed. " No, this one didn’t work."

" You can’t blame a man for trying." The man sipped his drink and smiled again.

" But you probably used to this sort of thing being a Forrester model and all."

Trudie looked surprised. " How did you know about that I work at Forrester?"

" I’ve seen the ads. You are a very beautiful woman. The Forresters aren’t fools though I’m surprised that Stephanie Forrester isn’t blowing her top at you representing her precious company."

Trudie traced the rim of her glass. " You know Stephanie?"

"Lets just say the old bird and I had a few run-ins in the past. I know about her precious image and you don’t fit the mold of Forrester model."

" Well, she isn’t happy. She lets me know every way that she can."

"You should stick up for her. Don’t let any of those Forrester make you feel inferior because you aren’t." The man’s eyes traveled down her body. " You truly are magnificent." There was something in suggestive in his tone. He was flirting with her, she knew it and he knew it but it didn’t bother her in fact she liked it a bit " How do you know the Forresters?"

The man smiled. " Lets just say that I worked for them."

" You were a designer or something else?"

He laughed. " I am a designer.." The man stroked his chin as his eyes appraised her. "I have some designs that would look fantastic on you."

" So you have designs on me?" Trudie raised on eyebrow.

" I definitely could."

" Is that another pickup line?"

The man leaned forward. " Do you want it to be?" Before she could answer, the man’s cell phone rang." Hello? She what? Are you sure? No, no I am coming right away." The man smiled at Trudie.

" Good new?"

"Yes, a friend of mine was in a coma, it seems that she had just woken. I’ve got to go."

" I’m glad that your friend is okay."

The man smiled again. " Thanks and good luck with those Forresters, you are going to need it." As he started to walk away he stopped and turned toward her. " Do you eat here often?"

" Sometimes because it’s near work. Why?"

"No real reason. Maybe we’ll see each other again."

Trudie looked at the man as the he walked away. He had been old enough to be a father but still good-looking. A while ago, she would have flirted back because she found him attractive but things had changed. She wanted something solid, she wasn’t looking for marriage but spending time with CJ was so much fun she wasn’t about the mess that up. All thoughts of the man left her mind when her food came. She looked at her watch wondering where CJ was.

 

The large blonde Palomino raced fast in hard zig zagging amid the palm trees and then across the hot sandy desert. Brooke leaned forward using her knees to control the fine horse that she rode. The wind blew through her hair, the sun rained down on top of her blonde hair. Caspian couldn’t help put to stare at her; she was as magnificent as the horse that she rode. Caspian followed Brooke on his stallion enjoying the race that she was giving him. Together they rode, fast and furious on the sand close to the cool ocean water. Brooke looked behind seeing that he wasn’t far behind her. " Come on girl, let’s some them what we are made of." Brooke said to Princess, her horse. After a while Caspian caught up with her, although it took him some time, she was fabulous on a horse. Brooke slowed her pace to a trot as Caspian did the same.

" You are some rider. I’m surprised that you never though about being an equestrian."

Brooke patted Princess. " Are you kidding? My mom did her best to provide for all of us. She didn’t have the money for horse or stable fees."

" You are natural. You rode Princess expertly."

"She’s a beautiful horse."

" She comes from a long line of beautiful horses."

" You have a large stable?"

"Yes, at home I have an excellent stable with all kinds of horses. There is Lighting, El Diablo, King’s Ransom, Queen II, Zephyr."

" Queen II, you have a horse named Queen?"

Caspian looked into Brooke’s eyes. Queen II was the daughter of Queen, who had been Lark’s horse. In the last day or so, he had forgotten Brooke’s mention about her dreams and riding a horse named Queen. It wasn’t possible but it seemed that Brooke’s connection to Lark was stronger than he thought. But how? They were born in different country’s, had different birthdays but looked alike. They also were the same age. He knew that he couldn’t ignore some things. Caspian had to find out how Brooke and Lark were connected; to be forewarned meant to be forearmed. No matter what he found, he didn’t care, he loved Brooke and wanted a life with her.

Brooke waved her hand in front of Caspian’s face. " Are you all right? It seemed that I lost you. You have a horse is named Queen II?

"Yes."

Brooke said nothing. It amazed her that she had dreamed about a horse name Queen. Brooke’s eyes caressed the man sitting upon the black stallion. Caspian was magnificent. He looked sinfully handsome with his dark hair, handsome face and sexy looks. Caspian was like a dream man; he was smart, witty, charming as well as arrogantly male. He had a way of looking at her like he was doing now that sent chills through her body. The way that he touched her, the way that he made love to her, it was like unlike anything that she ever experienced. Caspian was like no other and she had begun to care a great deal about him. Caspian smiled at the warmth that radiated from Brooke’s look.

" What are you thinking about beautiful?"

" I was just thinking about you."

"What about me?"

"Just about the kind of man that you are. The way that you’d do anything to protect your family. I find that very attractive. I’m not even part of your family but you’ve done your best to try to protect and help me."

" You mean a great deal to me."

Tears started to shine in Brooke’s eyes. " I know that. In my heart, I know that I mean a great deal to you. That means a lot to me." Brooke looked at the ocean. " Every man in my life has let me down except for my son and truthfully I shouldn’t try to trust in you. But I am. There is something about you. I’m more than just attracted to you, Caspian." Brooke turned her eyes back onto him. " I’m thankful that I have you in my life. I care a great deal about you….maybe more than I can say." Caspian’s heart swelled with her words. He moved his horse so that he was sitting next to her. Brooke reached out and caressed his face. " Thank you for taking me riding."

Caspian took Brooke’s hand in his and kissed it. " You more than welcome mia amore."

" I need one more thing from you."

" What is it?"

"I want you to take me back to the house and make love to me."

Caspian threw back his head and laughed. " I think that can be arranged."

" Good…now. I’ll race you back to the house." Brooke took off galloping. Caspian wheeled his horse around and chanced after her. Once they reached the stables, Caspian told Brooke that he’d take care of the horses. Brooke walked back to the house unbuttoning her white shirt and her tight tanned riding pants.

Charlie walked into Morgan’s hospital room. Morgan was sleeping but she was no longer in a coma. Charlie sat down next to her sister’s bed. Morgan must have sensed her because she opened her eyes. " Charlie?"

"Yes, Morgan…I’m here."

" I thought that you were a dream."

" No, I’m really here." Charlie stroked her sister’s hand.

Morgan stroked her stomach. " My baby…they said that I had a son."

Charlie nodded. " You don’t remember do you?"

"No. I don’ t remember having him. What does he look like?"

"Honey, I don’t know. I haven’t seen him. Ridge has been taking care of him but as soon as I’m done, I’m going to call him and have him bring Dylan to you."

" Dylan? Ridge remembered." Morgan smiled.

" Yes, he remembered that you wanted him to be named after granddaddy." Charlie smiled. " You always said that you wanted a son to name after him."

Morgan weakly smiled. " I did, didn’t I?"

Charlie gave her sister a worried look. " Morgan, do you remember how you got to the hospital?"

Morgan stared at her sister. She was quiet for a moment. She tried to remember but nothing came to her. " No. How did I get here?"

Charlie sighed. " Morgan do you remember where you’ve been?"

Morgan tried again to think but it wouldn’t come to her. " The beachouse?"

"No, after the beachouse, where did you live?"

" I don’t know. I can’t seem to remember." Morgan looked worried. " Why, did something happen to my son?"

Charlie did her best to calm her sister’s fears. " Don’t worry Morgan, nothing happened to your son. Dylan is fine." Charlie knew instantly that the doctor was correct that the trauma from the coma and lost of oxygen caused memory lose. The truth of the matter is that Morgan had lost the memories from before the deliver and the weeks before it. The truth of the matter is that Morgan may never get those memories back.

Perspiration dotted on Kimberly’s forehead as the cramping began to subside. Whatever the doctor gave her was working. Kimberly knew that the pain leaving meant two things, either she had lost her baby or that she was getting better. But which one? She had been out of her mind in pain that she didn’t know what had happened. She touched her stomach. Had she lost her only connection to Thorne?

Isabelle stared into the mirror looking at her reflection. She had been honest when she said that she was a monster. On the outside, she was extremely beautiful but on the inside she was a monster. Tonight, she’d give Pierce the night of his life and tomorrow, she’d walk away from him forever.

Against All Odds Chapter 68 Review: (Monsters) Brooke and Caspian discuss Rick’s problem and decides to return to L.A they next day. Bailey questions Pierce about Isabelle and feels that Pierce will only get a broken her. He tries to tell Pierce about the rumors that he heard about Isabelle being connected to the mafia. Isabelle meets Bailey who is chilled by her décor; he suggests that she let Pierce go in order to have a life with a more suitable woman. Donnetella is angry when Grayson, the head of the "family" won’t allow her to get revenge on Caspian and Isabelle. She later vows to have it no matter what. Morgan awakens but before Stephanie can question her, Charlie interrupts. Charlie doesn’t believe that Stephanie was looking out for her sister’s best interest and wonders what really is going on. Charlie questions her sister who has no memories about where she had been the last few weeks. KC and Connor spent a romantic evening in Bali, which ends with a marriage proposal. Kimberly is in acute pain and is rushed to the hospital; she hopes not to lose her baby. Trudie meets an older man who flirts with her while she waits for CJ.

Against All Odds Chapter 69 ( Decisions)

 

Brooke stepped out of Caspian’s black marbled shower. She rang the water out of her hair and dried off using one of his black soft towels. The bathroom was beautiful with a roman like bathtub that looked liked a mini-pool with a large skylight over if so she could easily look at the stars while she bathed. Brooke lotioned down her body using an Este Lauder cream. After she blow dried her hair, she wrapped a black silk robe around her body and walked out of the bathroom down the little platform steps from the large bathroom toward the center of his beautiful bedroom to where his large bed covered with the black silk sheets were. His bedroom was amazing; it held two separate balconies, one with a dinning area, a huge fireplace in front of a sofa and matching chairs. A sliding door enclosed a smaller room, which had matching love seats and television, and full DVD center that was hooked up to the speakers, which were located throughout the bedroom. Brooke headed to the large bed, which resided to a mini platform. The room had been beautifully lit with candles champagne was chilling on the black ottoman while a black box with a gold ribbon was sitting next to it.

" Are you going to stand there or are you going to open it?" Caspian came from outside balcony stepping into the candlelit room. Brooke looked up, the breath caught in her throat. He was truly a magnificent man. He wore a black silk robe that matched hers, and although it was tied at his waist, it left his beautifully sculptured hairless chest exposed to eyes. He made his way toward her, his eyes taken in her pale long hair and her tawny eyes that sparkled in the candlelight as well as the black silk robe. "Well?"

"Well what?" Brooke’s eyes hadn’t left his and truthfully she had lost a train of thought.

Caspian who was standing next to her, looked down at the black box. " Are you going to open your gift?"

" Oh…my gift." Brooke blushed. What she wanted was to open that sash to his black robe and get him into bed. Brooke shook her head and picked up the box. "You didn’t have to get me a gift."

" When I saw them, I immediately thought of you." Caspian nudged her." Go ahead and open it." Brooke gave him a mischieficous smiled as she brought the box up to her ear and shook it. She untied the gold ribbon and opened the velvet box. Brooke gasped when she beautiful pair of Canary diamond earring. Two other diamonds on each side surrounded the large emerald cut Canary diamond. The quality as well as the carrot of the diamond was impressive.

" Caspian, there are beautiful."

" They reminded me of your eyes." Brooke touched the earrings. Caspian took the box out of her hands. "Here, I’ll help you put them on." Caspian took the earrings out of the box and placed them on her ears with tender care. Caspian pulled her hair away from her ears and looked. " Yes, you are most beautiful…." Caspian bent his head and slowly caught Brooke bottom lip in between his teeth and suckled it into his mouth. Brooke leaned into the kiss allowing Caspian full access to her mouth. Brooke hands made their way to the front of the sash to his robe and she peeled it from her body between their heated kisses. Brooke ran mouth down his neck, inhaling his scent. Caspian growled, when her fingers softly caressed his chest, when her mouth kissed his chest. Brooke gently pressed her face against his chest and felt the intense beat of his heart. It almost seamed that his heartbeat matched hers. Brooke looked up into his eyes, her hands gently made its way toward face feeling his brow, his eyes, and his strong nose and his mouth. It was almost like she was a blind woman and needed her hands to tell him what she looked like. Fire coursed between their bodies. She moved her hands away from his face toward his chest again. Her fingers caressed and rubbed against his nipples before she bent her head to his chest down toward his right nipple. Before Caspian knew what hit him, her mouth covered his right nipple and he could only steady his feet from swaying with her wet heated mouth on his nipples, the wet mouth suckling, her hands moving down his lower abdomen in a caressing motion. When she moved toward the next nipple, he was already gasping at her heated touch as her hand moved lower to cup him fully.

" You like that don’t you?" She whispered before she suckled him again. He was hard and in pain, but it was a good pain. Her hands stroked him, softly at first. Her hand moved lower to cup his scrotum and she carressed it gently with light fingers, which sent, shivers of pleasure through his body. Caspian closed his eyes and centered his mind to keep him from exploding. Tonight he had planned on giving her a night of passion but it seemed that Brooke had deemed it time to turn the tables on him. " Answer me" She whispered. Her mouth left his chest while she stood on her toes, her mouth so close to his, her hard nipples brushing against his chest, his achingly hard member in her hands. His eyes darkened with intense passion.

" Hell yes, I like it."

Brooke smiled at his comment as her fingers moved up his member. She studied Caspian, staring so hard into his eyes when her hands started to squeeze him tightly. Her hands moved up and down his member while she watched him. Caspian loved the feel of her hands on his body but what he loved was the little game that she was playing. How many times had he taken her edge that was where she wanted to take him? She squeezed him tighter while his pupils dilated.

" Are you going to come from me?" She whispered.

" Do you want me to?" Her hands answered her; she rubbed the moisture from the tip of his member over his shaft.

" Yes, I want you to come for me." Brooke said. The more that she touched him, the more the heat rose. Caspian saw the gleam. He was close to coming right there in her hand.

" Where do you want me to come? In your hand or inside of you?"

Brooke smiled wickedly. " I should make take your over the edge now for all the times that you teased me."

" Teased you? I wanted to be inside of you the first moment I saw you."

" Then kiss me. I want your mouth to be on me and then maybe I’ll put my mouth on you." It was too much for him to take. Her hands stroking his member, her breast rubbing up against his chest and then her words, at her words he envisioned her mouth on him. He pulled her head toward his and he kissed her like he wanted to swallow her, taste her, to be her. Then right there in the middle of the kiss, with her tongue in his mouth, he came, inside of her hand with a gushing rush. Caspian lifted his head from Brooke’s mouth and tore her robe from her body. Her lifted her off her feet and then moved her so that her aching heat scorched his. Caspian turned to that they ended up on the bed with him moving inside of her. He held her hand that still was smeared with his seed and encased it with his own. Brooke looked into his eyes while he looked into hers while the whole world went away. Their bodies moved in unison, breast against breast, legs entwined and heartbeats mingled soon their juices mingled as well.

Pierce walked into Isabelle’s dinning room and was surprised to find it transformed into a Japanese dinning room with the table, chopsticks, throw pillows, Japanese lanterns, music and so much more. He couldn’t help but to smile and take it all in. Bella had flare. He had to admit that he had been more than pleasantly surprised to find that she wanted to spend the evening with him. After all, things hadn’t gone too well that morning when he tried to tell her that he loved her. Pierce took of his shoes when he noticed the silk robe handing up.

" I think that maybe you should put it on."

Pierce turned to find Bella closing the doorway from her kitchen. She was very beautiful wearing a black silk and beaded Japanese style kimono which had long draping sleeves but unlike the normal kimono, was form fitting and gave her a sensual air. Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun held with two jeweled chopsticks. Her feet were bare with the gleaming burgundy polish that matched her nails.

"Are you going to stand there and gawk at me or change your clothes? Dinner is waiting." She said in Japanese.

"I’m just looking at a beautiful woman." He answered as well in Japanese. Pierce then hurried to out of his clothes to change into his outfit. When he came back into the dinning room, he found Bella kneeling while she poured him some green tea. She handed it to him. He sipped the hot liquid not taking his eyes off of her as she cupped the cup and sipped hers. Bella got up and then brought him hot soup and sushi.

" You are serving me tonight?" This was new.

Bella nodded. " Yes, tonight. I’m serving you."

" Why?"

" Why not?"

Pierce swallowed a little of his soap and then put ginger on his sushi. He bit into it; it too like the soup was delicious. Bella too ate some sushi. " Why Bella? Is it because of this morning? Is this what this is all about?"

" No. I wanted to do something different for you tonight. It had nothing at all to do with this morning."

" Bella, about this morning, I think that we should talk about it."

Isabelle poured some soki. " There isn’t anything to talk."

Pierce put his chopsticks down. " There is. Isabelle I care about you. I just don’t understand why whenever we seem to get close, you pull away." Isabelle continued to eat not bothering to answer his question. " Then you do that. You avoid my questions."

" I’m not avoiding anything. I just don’t see the need to go over this again."

" We’ve never talked about it. Just like we never talk about you."

"I’m not one of your patience."

" I never said that you were but you are my lover and there are certain things that I want to know about you." Isabelle put down her chopsticks and gave Pierce a cool look as she pushed her plate away from her. At that moment, a servant came into the room with the main course but neither touched the delicate food when he left. Pierce was frustrated; all that he wanted was something from her. Some sort of indication that she gave a damn, he knew that she did but he wanted her to admit to it. Pierce scooted around toward Bella’s side of the table. " I’m not asking you to tell me your secrets but I need to know that I mean something to you. I need to know that we have something. I…"

Bella scooted away and stood up. " YOU want too much. I’m giving you everything that can."

" All I asked was the spend the night."

" You were asking more than that."

Pierce got up. " And what is wrong with that." Pierce grasped her by her arm and turned him. " What are you afraid of Bella? Why won’t you let me in? Don’t you know how I feel about you? How you make me feel? When I’m with you, excitement courses through my body. You take my breath away. And I want to know how you feel about me. I want to know that you feel something, that you want to be with me, that you need me just like I need you." Isabelle tried to back up but he didn’t let her. " No. Bella, I not going to let you pull away. Tell me what I want to know."

Bella’s eyes faltered for a moment. Pierce wanted too much. He wanted her love and he didn’t understand that she couldn’t give it to her. She had to let him go but not now. Tonight, she’d have tonight and then she’s let him go.

" You want to know what I need." Bella found the sash of her Kimono and she unlooped the belt and dropped it to the floor. Pierce couldn’t seem to catch his breath as she stood there in a beautiful one-piece negligee made of a burgundy lace, which was sheer around the areas of her breast as well of her stomach. Isabelle slipped the chopstick out of her hair and it feel down past her shoulders. " I need you to make love to you. That is what I need."

Pierce wanted her but not until she admitted that she wanted him more than sex. " Is it just sex."

" No."

" You want me…why?"

Isabelle’s face softened. " Because you are the first person to make feel anything in years. That all that I can give you."

" That is enough…for now."

Pierce grabbed Isabelle’s head and kissed her with all of the heated passion that was acting inside of him. Isabelle kissed him back with a ferocious appetite. She needed him to be with her, at least for tonight. She stripped him naked quickly as his hand pulled down the to her negligee straps down, barring her breast. His mouth came in contact with her breast; his mouth suckling hard at her nipples causing them to sting slightly while his hand pulled the negligee from her body. Isabelle scored his back with her fingers pulling his head up away from his breast and again pulling his mouth toward hers. She suckled his bottom lip into his mouth and bit him but Pierce didn’t care because she used her tongue to sooth the pain. She moved her kisses down his chin, down his neck, down his chest, down his stomach. Pierce closed his eyes when her mouth trailed down his chest, her tongue ringed his navel and finally her wet mouth found his aching member. Pierce had though that he’d gone to heaven when her mouth suckled him, tasted and enclosed him in her warmth. His hands clenched in her silky hair not sure if he wanted to try to keep her head there or pull her away because he was close to coming. Suddenly, his body was going to answer for him and he couldn’t keep himself from coming. Isabelle didn’t move her head away from him pushed him over the edge.

Kimberly sipped the cool water from the straw. " Thank you so much Stephanie."

Stephanie patted her hand. "There, there. You didn’t think that I’d leave you all alone at a time like this. All you need to do is rest and take care of that baby."

Kimberly caressed her flat stomach. " Thank god, I didn’t lose the baby. When I woke up, I thought that I had lost it."

" You didn’t and you won’t. But you must stay calm and not over exert yourself." Stephanie kissed her on the top of her head. " You’ve got to stay in bed for a while, like the doctor said. And no stress."

" It is hard for me not to be stressed. Thorne won’t even talk to me. Ever since Brooke left, he acts as if the baby and I don’t exist. I know that he loves Brooke but he could at least act likes he cares a little about me or the baby." At that moment, Thorne who had been standing in the doorway with their notice made his presence known by walking through the door. Kimberly saw him and she tried to sit up.

" Thorne, thank god you came."

Thorne looked at his mother disapproving look and ignored her. Kimberly however looked tired with her hair in a disarray and tear stained eyes. He felt a wealth of guilt course through his body. He knew that his treatment of Kimberly was wrong. When he saw her, he saw all of his hopes and dreams ruined. Kimberly was right, he hadn’t spared her a thought or a glance since Brooke had disappeared. Stephanie stood up. " Well it’s about time that you showed up. This poor girl had been through hell. She almost lost your baby!"

Kimberly reached out to Stephanie. " Don’t…he’s been upset."

"He had been selfish worrying about that bitch."

Thorne gave his mother a cold look. " Don’t. Don’t start with me."

" Then act responsible. When are you going to take responsibility for the mess that you created? You got her pregnant, you could at least stand by her. You are a disgrace to the family. First whoring around with the slut that your father..!" Before Stephanie could finish Thorne grabbed her by her arm and pushed her out of the hospital room.

" Not another word from you! Do you hear me!"

Stephanie couldn’t believe that her own son was manhandling her with such hate in his eyes. " What in the world is wrong with you? Get your hands off of me, right now Thorne." She used such an authorative tone that he let her go.

"I’m tired mother. I’m tired of your comments and your insults about Brooke. Don’t you feel ashamed for all of the pain that you are going to cause pain Bridget. You don’t care that you are taking her away from her mother."

" Some mother she has."

" She loves her mother. Just like I do. But that doesn’t matter to you does it. All that matters is your hate and your need for revenge against her." Thorne looked back for a moment in Kimberly’s room. " I know that I’ve made mistakes, big ones but you. You’ve chanced. Gone is the mother that I used to love. I’ve always known that Ridge always came first but I still loved you and I hoped that one day you’d show me the love that you showed him."

" Thorne, I am I’m trying to protect you."

" No, you don’t give a fu(k about me. This is all about sticking it to Brooke. Your revenge against her is more important to you than your love for me." Stephanie was taken aback for she saw real hatred in her son’s eyes. She was hurt; didn’t Thorne understand that she was saving him? Brooke had done this, she had turned Thorne against her."

" That isn’t true. I love you."

" Prove it."

" What?"

"You heard me. Prove it. Don’t take Bridget away from Brooke. Allow her to keep her daughter."

" I can’t believe this. You bought me out here to try to talk me into allowing Brooke to keep her daughter."

" It is important to me." He gave her a pleading look." You are a mother; imagine losing one of your children. Remember how you felt when you lost Angela."

Stephanie’s eyes jumped. " How dare you bring up your sister? I lost my daughter."

" Just like you want Brooke to lose hers. God mother, you know that she adores Bridget. It will kill her not to have her living with her."

" Just like it killed me when she took your father."

" You got him back and you know what? Brooke was happy that happened."

" Do you think that makes me forgive her?"

" So, you want to hurt Brooke at any cost."

" I want to want everything that she has stolen to be returned. I’ll have that once Bridget has stolen."

" How? By hurting her. Killing her? How about hurting me? Do you care what this is doing to me? I love her. I don’t want to watch the woman that I love suffer."

" I’m sorry that you are going to suffer but she isn’t worth the pain." When Thorne turned away Stephanie stopped him. " Honey, she cost you your Macy. Beautiful sweet Macy. She died because of Brooke."

"No, she died because I wasn’t honest. I wasn’t a good husband to her. I’ll always feel enormous pain for what I did. If you want to blame someone for what happened don’t blame me."

Stephanie cupped Throne’s face. " You were always the sweetest boy. Don’t you know that I know that you are sorry? But is Brooke? Don’t you understand that I don’t want you to look back regret anymore thing because of Brooke. Don’t you see that all this time that you’ve spent out here worrying about Brooke, Kimberly has been waiting for you? That girl is having your baby. My grandchild is growing inside of her and she almost lost that baby. She needs you, not Brooke."

"Mother I asked you a question. I’m asking you to do this for me. Please. Allow Brooke to keep Bridget. I’m begging you. I’ll do whatever it will take for you to allow this obsession go. Anything."

Pierce felt the hot sweat pour down his back as he slid in and out of Bella’s heated warmth. They were laying on their sides, her back against his front, his fingers were caressing her nub in a sensuous manner while his member moved in and out of her body. Isabelle closed her eyes needing the feel of Pierce’s fingers and his member. She moved her legs up over his thigh as his finger stroked and his member stroked. She moved against him. They were there on the floor in the middle of her dinning room, naked, sweaty and fu(king liked rabbits. Isabelle moved her hand down on top of his and squeezed his member.

" I love being in you Bella." He whispered against his ear. " I need you Bella. I need you." Isabelle climaxed and Pierce quickly followed her.

Charlie watched with a smile on her face as her sister held her baby. Morgan kissed each of Dylan’s fingers. " My precious baby. Mommy has waited forever for you to come into her life." Morgan watched as her son stared up at her with his beautiful eyes that were gaining its blue color. " You are a gift from god. A true gift. I’m never going to let you go. Mommy is never going to let you go." Charlie left the room wanting to give her sister time with her son. Outside Ridge stood, he stood when he saw Charlie.

" Is everything alright?"

" Yes. I’m just giving Morgan time to spend with her son."

" He’s my son too."

Charlie rolled her eyes. " Yes, I’m quiet sure you were there. You are always there when comes to sex, aren’t you?"

" Why do you have to be like that?"

"What? Tell the truth about you? I still have my memory Ridge. I clearly remember you and how you were in high school and as far as I’m concerned, you haven’t changed."

"Well, you have."

"How so?" Ridge would never admit that she had become even more beautiful than she had been before. A clip twisted Charlie’s hair up. She wore a baby blue sleeveless cashmere turtleneck with a long black suede skirt with high heel boots. "Charlene, you seem to have taken the mother role in Morgan’s life."

" Oh." Charlie shook her head. " For a moment there, I thought that you might be stupid enough to try to charm me."

" Why would I do that, you always had a distaste for me?"

" Well, there is a brain in there somewhere under those good looks isn’t there? Ridge you’ve always had a bad effect on my sister, your obsessive mother made her have an abortion that basically made her crazy. Now, my sister had another affair with you and you wonder why I don’t like you."

" I didn’t have affair with your sister."

" Ridge, I’m a doctor. I know how babies are made."

" It wasn’t what you think, Morgan tricked me into sleeping with her. It happened once and I was very stupid but it wasn’t an affair."

" Tricked you, just how in the world did my sister trick you?"

Ridge was a bit embarrassed to explain how this happened. Charlene always had that effect on him. Unlike the other girls in his high school, she had always shone him a great deal of distain. He didn’t know why but she got to him. " It doesn’t matter how it happened at the moment."

" No, I think that it doesn’t mater. You bought it up. So tell me Ridge what did my sister do to get your overworking pen*s attention." Charlie sat down and crossed her legs. " I have all night besides I want to know everything that has been going on with my sister the last year."

 

Caspian thrust softly and gently inside of Brooke. They had already made love two times, but this time with gentle and soft. His eyes never left hers or her his as he moved. They just stared at each other while their bodies continued to be one, speaking a language that was old as time.

Thorne stepped into Kimberly’s room. Kimberly smiled weakly when she saw him. "I’m glad you are still here, I thought that you might have left."

Thorne looked at her sheepishly. " No. I had to talk to mother."

" I heard." Kimberly played with her covers. " You hate me don’t you?"

"What? No Kimberly I don’t hate you."

" Yes you do. You used to like me. You used to talk to me and have dinner with me but now you won’t even look at me."

" Kimberly with everything that has happened, it isn’t right."

" Because you hate me. Because you blame me for what happened with Brooke isn’t it."

" No. Kimberly…listen a friendship between us isn’t possible right now. I feel guilty for hurting you."

Kimberly looked away. " You mean for hurting Brooke. You don’t give a damn about me do you? You probably wanted me to lose this baby, didn’t you? Didn’t you!"

"Kimberly, you can’t expect me to be happy about this baby?"

" You wanted me to lose it didn’t you?" Tears streamed down Kimberly’s face. " All you can think about is what this has done to your life, what about mine? I was the one you raped. I was the one you treated horribly. I was the one who almost lost our baby and all you are concerned about is Brooke." Kimberly blew her nose.

" I love Brooke. I’ve hurt her and I want to make that pain up to her." Thorne saw the pain in her eyes and guilt filled him. " I didn’t mean to upset you."

" But you’d be better off if there wasn’t a baby right?" When Thorne struggled to say something, she stopped him. " Well, it doesn’t matter how you feel. I’m glad that I didn’t lose this baby. I might not have liked how it was conceived but at least it will love me." Kimberly looked away. " At least something will love me."

Thorne have Kimberly a tortured look as he came over closer toward the bed. He reached out to take her hand. " Kimberly, believe me when I’m sorry for the pain that I’ve caused you."

" You don’t act like it. Every conversation is about her and her problems. I know you love her but I need you. This baby needs you. I’m not asking you to run out and buy a nursery; I’m not even asking to stop loving Brooke. But can’t you find a little time for us. I’m alone. I don’t have a father or a sister. You are now the closest thing that I have to family, you and our baby. I need you."

Thorne tightened his grip on Kimberly’s hand. Two women needed his help. One was the woman he loved; the other was the one who carried his child. Thorne wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to forgive himself for what he had done to either women but the majority of his pain came from knowing what Brooke was going through. He knew that he’d never stop loving Brooke. He knew that he’d never forgive himself for taking advantage of Kimberly. There was only one thing that he could do.

THE NEXT DAY

The phone rang softly as Bella turned in Pierce’s arms. He had his arms wrapped around her body while he slept blissfully. She smiled softly and caressed his face for a moment, after all, he was asleep and he’d never know. There was a knocking at her door. Bella relucantly slid out the bed and wrapped a robe around her body. She opened it to find Mildred. " There is an important call for you, it is on the private line." Bella left her bedroom to take call. She listened for a moment and then placed reciver down.

" Mildred, have my bags packed. I’ll be going out of town."

" Yes, Ms. Deangleo."

Isabelle was tempted to go back to bed but she knew that she couldn’t. It was time that she let Pierce go. Isabelle walked to her study and wrote a letter.

Caspian watched Brooke as she lay on her stomach on the sandy beach. She was exquisitely beautiful laying basically nude except for a thing gold thong that she had untied at the sides to allow herself to sunbath. Caspian had waken early in the morning to watch her sleep, loving the feel of her body curled up next to him. He had convinced her to enjoy her last couple of hours on the beach to rest since he had kept her up late with their lovemaking. Brooke sighed as Caspian rubbed suntan oil on her back. He kissed her on the base of her neck. " I don’t want you to burn." His hands moved over her shoulders as well as her back.

Brooke didn’t open her eyes. " Don’t stop, that feels great." Caspian peeled back her thong and rubbed the lotion on each of the globes of her buttocks and then kissed each one. Brooke opened her eyes behind the jazzy tan sunglasses. " If you keep that up, you know where it is going to lead." Caspian lotioned down her legs as well then laid back back next to Brooke allowing the sun to bath his naked body with the glory of its rays. Brooke leaned up and then turned over, her beautiful breast were already a golden color. She looked long and hard at Caspian turning her attention to his long hard shaft, which was fully, erect. Brooke smiled sinfully for Caspian. " It looks like it is already leading to that."

" I can’t help it, it seems to have a mind of its own." Caspian caressed Brooke’s cheek.

" Being around you always has that effect on me." He leaned down and kissed Brooke gently yet with an amount of passion. Brooke sighed, lying on the beach sunbathing had allowed her to get some rest, and truthfully her nerves were a bit jumbled with thoughts of the meeting with Caspian’s lawyer. Caspian’s kiss deepened and he pulled Brooke’s body over his when the beeping of his pager went off. Caspian groaned and pulled away from Brooke’s body. " I hate to leave you."

Brooke smiled. " Go ahead and make your call." Caspian stood with his full erection bobbing in front of him. Brooke eyes ran down his body with a long appreciative look.

Caspian winked at her picked as he picked up his towel. She fully expected him to wrap the towel around his waist.

" Don’t spend too much time out here, I don’t want your skin to burn." He kissed her on her shoulder. Brooke watched him walking away with the muscles in his buttocks rippling. Brooke laughed to herself as she laid back down allowing the sun to caress her body. She had never met a man like Caspian; he had a sense of freedom and confidence that even Ridge hadn’t possessed.

Caspian wrapped the towel around his waist and headed for his phone. He dialed the number.

" Hello"

" Are you on your way?"

"I’m in the air now. I should be meeting within an hour or so after I land."

" You have everything you need?"

"Yes. Don’t worry, the judge will be taken care of."

" Thank you. I’ll talk to you later." Caspian hung up the phone. Caspian made another call to his lawyer.

"Caspian, I’ve been waiting for your call."

" How are things going on your end?"

"The petition will has been filed. The judge will see us tomorrow morning."

" Has the Forresters been notified?"

"No. But Hunter has found something that will help our case if the judge won’t."

" The judge will cooperate."

" Even if he doesn’t. I have already laid the grounds to have his ruling overturned and sent to another judge. This man was clearly friends with the Forrester."

" Good."

" Caspian, we have another matter that you need to contend with."

" What is it?"

" I’d rather wait and talk to you about the matter when I see you."

" Fine. I’ll see you later."

Caspian hung up the phone. He looked at his watch, he still some packing to do. The plane would be here in an hour. He walked outside to check on Brooke. He could clearly see Brooke lying on the beach. As much as he wanted to go back out there and make lover to her, he knew that he had some matters to take care of before the flight.

 

Pierce a woke up and rolled over. He expected to find Bella but he was surprised to find her side of the bed cold. " Bella?" Pierce found the her bathroom empty. He went down the hall and found one of the maids cleaning one of the other bedrooms. Mildred coughed lightly giving the maid a cue to leave.

" Mildred, where is Isabelle."

Mildred looked at him and handed him an envelope. " She left this for you."

" Where is she?"

"She’s gone."

"Like I said, she is gone."

Pierce opened the letter.

Pierce,

I’ve gone out of town. Last night was a night that I will remember for a long time however I feel that it would be best to end things now. I wish you well. You would be better off to find someone to give you the love that you need and the love that I cannot.

It is over.

Bella

Pierce crumbled up the letter as pain hit him in the chest. She had left him. He crumbled up the paper and threw it in the trash. " Where is she Mildred. I have to talk to her."

" I can’t tell you." Mildred gave him a sad look. " For what ever it is worth. I’ve never seen her like the way that she was when she was with you. I am sorry."

 

Brooke slowly awakened on the beach. It took her a few minutes to gather her thoughts to realize that she was still lying semi nude on the beach. Brooke stood and for a moment allowed herself to be caught up in the beauty of the ocean beating against the sand. It was beautiful, peaceful and serene. Brooke couldn’t help but to remember another time when she was standing on the beach with Thorne. So many times, they walked on the beach near his house. Brooke felt the tears as they ran down her cheeks. Thinking about Throne did this to her. The life that they planned seems so perfect and now so surreal. If things had gone the way that they had planned they would have been getting ready to get a home and move to Paris or would they? Brooke wondered if she had been married to Thorne would they have gone after Bridget? Would have a marriage to Thorne have helped her case? Brooke wondered how Thorne had known about Eric and Stephanie taking Bridget. Had he called Brooke’s parents to let them know that she needed him? " Oh Thorne, how like you to look out after me." Brooke shook her head. Things were twisted all around in her head. She knew that she could never trust Thorne again after what happened with Kimberly. She knew that she didn’t have a future with him because of the baby. But that didn’t mean that she had stopped loving Thorne, she still did and she knew that a part of her would always love him but it was over. Brooke could never go through the trauma and the turmoil that relationship had bought her. They had tried and tried but it seemed that there was always someone or something that got in their way. Too many stumbling blocks, like Stephanie’s stroke, Ridge and Eric plan in Venice, Macy’s drunkenness and death and finally Kimberly. Kimberly, the once sweet and innocent girl who now had become a scheming vixen who used and hurt her son as well as tried her best to hurt her. She was now going to be the mother of Thorne’s child. Brooke sighed, there really was no point in looking back. She had to look toward the future and Brooke wondered, not for the first time what a future with Caspian might be like. Brooke tied the ties to her thong and stood up. She picked up the white shirt and put it on, she didn’t bother to button it up. She walked toward the house and headed up the stairs through the open French doors in the living room. Brooke headed out of the room calling Caspian’s name while walking down the hallway. She heard voices and thought that he might be on the phone. She walked into the study.

Caspian was in talking rapidly in Italian when Brooke bounded into the room.

" Caspian…" Brooke stopped when she found a dark stranger in the room with Caspian. Vito, another of his investigators had flown in on the plane and they had been talking about the information they collected. Caspian turned toward Brooke and smiled.

Vito caught a glimpse of Mr. Deangleo's woman then he quickly looked away out of respect for her as well as Mr. Deangleo. But he had seen a great deal in that look. She had looked naturally beautiful, bathed in the sunlight wearing a shirt that was open to display her beautiful breast and an extremely tiny bikini bottom. Caspian stepped quickly in front of Brooke to shield her naked beauty. Brooke blushed and quickly buttoned up the shirt. " I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you to be speaking to anyone."

Caspian kissed Brooke on top of her head. " Vito flew in with the plan, he is one of the investigators that we have working on the Forresters."

"Oh..Thank god. Did you find something that I could use?" Brooke immediately moved around Caspian not knowing that the sun filtering through the windows shown her naked body through the shirt. Vito made sure that his eyes stayed directly on her face and not a fraction lower.

"Yes, Ms. Logan. I was just telling Mr. Deangleo that we found a unusual pattern." Vito’s eyes met Caspian. He hadn’t gotten around to telling him everything but his instantly knew not to tell Ms. Logan everything.

" What pattern?"

" Brooke, I think that you should wait. We will discuss…"

" No! Caspian, I’m not going to wait. If there is anything that I can use as leverage against them, I want to know."

" Brooke."

Brooke gave Caspian a determined look. "No. My daughter is too important. I won’t allow you to sway my decision. She is my daughter. I want to know now what is going on with her."

Vito was astonished at the scene before him. He had never seen anyone defy Caspian, ever. But this one woman was standing up to him. Caspian sighed. He gave Vito a pointed look then looked back toward Brooke. " Alright, you win. I’ll get you a robe to put on." Brooke looked down at her attire.

"No, I’ll get it." Brooke hurried out of the room.

Vito waited until she left the room. " Are you sure?"

"Yes, tell her what she wants to know. Her daughter is very important to her, it will want at her not to know everything that is going on."

Brooke appeared a few moments later wearing a while silk robe. "Now, tell me what you have uncovered."

Vito sat down. " The Forresters have been looking into your finical records. They have been interested in your trusts that you’ve left your children."

Brooke looked confused. " Why would they be interested in that?"

"It all started with your son Rick. Apparently Stephanie Forrester had bribed someone in your Connor Davis’s offices. They gave the Forresters copies of your trust for you children, however they were unaware of the newest drafts made. According to the information that Hunter collected, they were upset to find that you changed your trust."

" Why would they be upset?"

Caspian answered for Vito. " Because you no longer gave Rick Forrester stock did it?"

Brooke’s mind started to think back to the old agreement. It would have given Rick his stock. " Rick would have gotten his stock at his last birthday but I changed it. Just like Bridget’s trust."

" Based on the information that the Forresters have, Bridget’s trust and stock would go to who ever was her guardian, isn’t that right?"

Brooke nodded. " But that was before I had them rewritten. Not only did I change Rick’s trust, I changed Bridget’s as well. I left a guardian for Bridget who would vote her Forrester stock if anything happened to me."

" That guardian based is Thorne Forrester, that is right?"

"How did you know?"

"Caspian’s lawyer has all the information that you requested to be released. He knew about the newest trust."

Caspian had been listening to the conversation with avid interest. " Do the Forresters know that Bridget’s trust has been changed?"

"No. They still believe that whoever has guardianship of Bridget’s trust can vote her Forrester stock."

" But the stock doesn’t belong to Bridget yet. I haven’t given it to her." Brooke stated.

" If, you lost custody of her, they might be allowed to get their hands on her stock because it the agreement stated that her guardian could vote her stock."

Brooke sat there thinking for a moment. " The stock." She said with deadly quiet. Pain hit her in her stomach, she wanted to throw up. Tears filled her eyes. " They want my baby because her Forrester stock. This is why they have decided to come after Bridget…isn’t it? All about some****ing stock." Brooke’s eye blazed with intense hatred. " For stock in a company, they are willing to tear my daughter from her home and take her away from me. I can’t believe that Eric would use our daughter like that? Like she was some sort of bargaining chip. Like she means nothing."

Caspian was disgusted by the actions of the Forresters especially this was low. He took hold of Brooke’s hand.

"Don’t worry, we won’t let them get away with it."

Brooke shook her head and noticed that her hands were shaking with anger. " He is using my baby as a means to get his****ing stock. His stock! How could he use her, she is his daughter! If Bridget ever found out it will kill her. I won’t let that happen. I won’t allow him to hurt my daughter." Brooke turned toward Caspian. "I need to go home now. Your lawyer?"

" My lawyer has the information already."

" Then its time that we leave." Brooke looked confused as she walked out of the room.

Caspian turned toward Vito. " Is that all that Hunter found?"

Vito shook his head. " No. There is something else but he hadn’t told what it is. He wants to talk only to you."

Caspian shook his head. " Eric Forrester is a damn fool. What kind of man uses his daughter to in order to solidify his business affairs?" Caspian’s eyes became deadly cold. " I won’t allow this to happen. Not only will Eric Forrester not take Bridget from Brooke. When I’m finished, he won’t have his precious company."

CJ continued to drive up the road up into the mountains. Eve was asleep in the passenger’s seat. She was worried and he didn’t blame her. Brooke had left a message for her earlier during the day and when they returned to the apartment they had gotten it. Brooke had simply stated that Rick was at Big Bear and that he needed Eve. Eve had been so upset that CJ offered to drive her to Big Bear. He had gone many times with Rick to Big Bear and he knew where it was. Although he hadn’t told Eve, it was hard for him to drive up this rode knowing that this was where his sister had died

 

Brooke set the suitcase down on the first floor stairs. She looked beautiful wearing a dark chocolate sheer silk blouse with a V that displayed a bit of her amble breast and matching quarter length chocolate leather skirt as well chocolate high heels. She walked quietly outside to take one last look at the beauty here. Her time he had been wonderful despite all of the worry that she had. Caspian had seen to it that she had everything that she needed. Caspian walked outside next to Brooke, she immediately noticed that he had changed from his "island" attire to his immaculate black suite with a bronze and black tie. Brooke kept her eyes on the sea but she took Caspian’s hand.

"It’s time to go Caspian. It is time for me to get my daughter back." Caspian said nothing but Brooke understood his silence. He’d be there to stand by her. She turned toward him.

" Thank you for my time here. I’ll never forget the beauty of this place or you."

Caspian cupped Brooke’s face. "You won’t have to forget. We will be back and maybe with you children next time. I’ve waited what seems a lifetime to share this place with someone --- I waited forever to bring you here. We will come back to our island."

 

Caspian finished his call and looked at Brooke. She had been quiet during the entire flight just staring out of the window of the plane. Caspian walked over and sat across from Brooke. " Honey, why don’t you try to eat something. We will be landing soon."

Brooke shook her head. " No, I can’t eat. I’m too nervous and angry."

" You have to stay calm."

" How can I stay calm when I’m so hurt and angry. Before, I was upset because they wanted to take her from me but at least I thought that they loved Bridget. Eric is her father and maybe he was upset that he hasn’t been close to her. But now, I know the truth. This is about a company. This isn’t about Bridget at all although taking her away from me is a little revenge on me was the icing on the cake." Brooke sighed and leaned back against the leather chair. " Eric has changed, he was never like this when we were married. He never would have done this to her. He’d never use his children as a means for business."

" But he is willing to do it now."

"Because of Stephanie. Stephanie is behind all of this. She wanted the company for years and now she thinks that she has found a way through my daughter. For years she protected her family like a pit bull and on some level, I respected her for that." Brooke pushed her hair behind her ears. " I did respect her. Hell, I wanted to be her when I was young. But now, she has tried to systemically destroy my children all for a company." Brooke wiped away a tear that escaped and her face became hard. "I will never forgive that woman for hurting and using my daughter for a company. One day, I will see that she pay for what she is trying to do to my daughter but I can’t now. I know what I have to do."

Caspian didn’t like the sound of Brooke’s voice. " What are you going to do?"

" I’m going to give her what she always wanted. I’m going to offer her my Forrester stock for exchange for my daughter."

" No. Don’t do that."

Brooke stood up. " What choice do I have? This is about stock for them. They don’t really want Bridget and I’m sure that Stephanie will go along if it means that she gets her precious company back. My daughter is worth it. I can’t risk losing her."

Caspian came up behind Brooke and wrapped his arms around her. " Listen…."

" If it was your daughter, what would you do? She means more to me than any company. I’m not going to let you talk me out of doing this. Its my only chance."

Caspian turned Brooke around in his arms. " No, it isn’t your only chance. Before you make a final decision, listen to what Guy is going to say. Weigh your options before you go to the Forresters with this deal. Just think. You are a smart woman, think and plan before you make this deal."

" Caspian…I want my baby. The company means nothing to me without my children. Rick and Bridget are the most important people in my life."

" I know. Brooke. You’d give up anything for them."

Brooke closed her eyes and hugged Caspian feeling his warmth and support. " Including Forrester if it comes to it."

 

Trudie finished highlighting the last of her notes for class. Today, she had three classes. As much as she hated summer course, she knew that she hadn’t spent a great deal of time on her studies with the Forrester job. Summer classes meant more work, but less class. She looked at the clock and wondered if CJ had gotten to Big Bear with Eve. Yesterday, he had missed lunch when he had been asking around about Rick. Trudie had understood especially when she had seen how upset Eve was. Brooke had left a message for Eve and Trudie had offered to drive Eve when CJ volunteered. CJ knew where Big Bear was, but Trudie was still worried. Trudie packed up her bag when she noticed an envelope with her name on it. She opened it and was surprised to find a letter from her brother. Trudie read the letter with fascination, awe and shock. " Oh, my god." Trudie couldn’t believe what her brother had done to secure her future. He had changed a paternity test. He had changed Bridget Forrester’s paternity test to claim that Eric Forrester was her father when he wasn’t.

Allen Shipman turned out to be a very handsome as well a brilliant. There was an air about him that she saw within Caspian. " Ms. Logan, I’ve filed a petition within the courts, they will see us tomorrow. The judge that they used is circumspect; Judge Harper is a known acquaintance of the Forrester’s lawyer. As far as I can tell, he was used to the explicit purpose to rule in favor of the Forresters."

" But there is no prove of that."

" Yes but there is the air of prejudice in their favor. I’ve notified the judicial board, tomorrow they will rule on whether or not judge Harper’s decision was fair."

"Do you think that they will?"

" Yes, I strongly believe so. They won’t want the scandal and I’ve threatened to expose the Forresters as well as the judge. The judicial system doesn’t want the bad publicity." Allen sipped his coffee. " I fully believe that we will have a new judge by tomorrow. Judge Harper likes good press and he isn’t going to want the whiff of judicial misconduct on his record. And I’ll make sure that there is more than a whiff."

"How?"

" I have records that dates certain lunches that he an Jonathan took together 3 years ago when they both spoke at UCLA. Then there is the matter of the signed agreement between you and Eric Forrester that his lawyer neglected to show the judge."

" What agreement?"

Allen slid a paper to document to Brooke. " Brooke read the paper and looked up. The agreement stated that Brooke was to joint custody with Eric Forrester regarding Bridget as well as Rick. Brooke had never signed such an agreement with Eric all those years ago. " Where did this come from?"

" My offices, when Connor Davis went to New York for that year or so back then, he contacted you and you sought out my services."

Brooke shook her head. " But we just met. I never ….."

" Yes you did Brooke." Caspian said as he leaned forward. " You needed a lawyer and he took over for Connor. The Forresters of course have no knowledge of this, but Allen has a post dated check sighed by you all those years ago."

Allen handed Brooke the check. Brooke looked astonished. It was impossible but there was an old for all those years ago signed by her. Brooke looked at the check and the agreement. " How did you do this?" Brooke said to Caspian.

" Someone owed me a favor. Its been taken care of.

Brooke stood up and walked around her living room. " The judge, they will believe this document?"

Allen smiled. " They have no reason they shouldn’t. Your lawyer was not contacted to defend your case. If they had been, this matter would be resolved. The ruling of Bridget will be overturned. Plus the document as far as I’m concerned and what people think, it will be valid."

Caspian saw the look on Brooke’s face. " I know that you may not feel comfortable with this but you have to play hardball if you want to keep your daughter."

"Ms. Logan, this tactic will work. Eric won’t be able to prove that this agreement may not be valid."

" But it isn’t. He might be able to…"

" Brooke. When my people work on something, they work on it. They won’t be able to prove that the agreement isn’t real." Caspian looked deeply in her eyes. " Trust me Brooke, I’ve never let you down. I won’t let you down when it comes to your daughter."

Brook looked at Allen. " What about you? Wouldn’t you be disbarred if this matter ever came to light?"

"I’m not worried about this coming to light."

" Why not?"

"Let’s just say I had experienced in everything." Allen wore a smile that she couldn’t read. " Don’t worry Ms. Logan, with Caspian behind you, you never have to worry."

Brooke said nothing as she walked toward the French Doors looking outside. She thought about her daughter and what losing her would do to them both. She turned around to face Caspian and Allen. " This document would most likely assure that Bridget would be sent back home with me."

" Yes."

" But it wouldn’t assure that Eric and Stephanie wouldn’t go after total custody."

" We can’t be sure of that. Most likely they would, they’d be fools not to. But with this, Bridget wouldn’t be theirs. They’d have to fight for custody and that might be a hard for them with win. Bridget is 17 and she’d be able to testify that her wants and needs."

" But with my colorful past and their disgusting spin on it, they get Bridget."

" Brooke with the type of battling that I plan on doing, we would be tied up in the courts until Bridget turned 18."

"And for a whole year she won’t be able to leave the country and she’ll be in the middle of a very dirty battle. One in which my sex life and any other lies that they could tell would become public knowledge."

" Brooke, once we prove that they are using your daughter…"

" No. I don’t want anyone to know why they are using Bridget."

Caspian frowned. " Brooke you can’t be thinking of protecting Eric or Stephanie."

" No. I don’t give a damn them. I wish the world could see what they are really like but I won’t do that to Bridget. She can never know why they really want her. I won’t let my daughter go through that type of pain."

" Brooke…" Caspian tried to interrupt.

" No Caspian! I won’t have my daughter to find out that she’d been used." Brooke remembered the pain that she felt when Ridge had used her in order to get her to sign over he rights to BELIEF. " My daughter won’t ever find out."

"Even if it means that you take the risk of losing her?"

" You don’t understand, I don’t plan to lose my daughter. I know what I have to do. I have to make a deal with a devil. I won’t have Bridget’s life ruined because of a big battle that will only embarrass and hurt her."

" What are you saying Ms. Logan? Are you going to allow them to have Bridget?"

"No. She’s MY DAUGHTER. I will do anything to protect her, even giving Stephanie what she so desperately wants."

Caspian stood. " Brooke, you need to give this some thought. You don’t have to give them your stock. You can fight them."

" Not without Bridget getting hurt." Brooke closed her eyes for a second trying to be strong. " You don’t think that I want to fight them. I want to. I want to ground them into little pieces for using my baby but I can’t. I have no choice; I have to give them the only thing that they want. I’m going to give them my Forrester stock for Bridget."

Allen took a sip of his drink. " I’m sure Caspian that is going to work."

"It had better, there isn’t anyway that I’m going to let Brooke give them her company." Pure hatred covered his face. " When I’m through with them, they won’t know what hit them." Allen no doubt knew that Caspian never threatened, he simply acted.

" Is Brooke going to be all right?"

Caspian nodded. " She’s a fighter. She be find, this is just hard for her. She loves her children."

" That is obvious. I don’t know too many people who’d be willing to give up a multi million dollar company for a child who would be legal in a year."

" That is the type of mother she is."

Allen nodded. He glanced up at the stairs for a moment to make sure that Brooke wasn’t on them. " It’s amazing, when I first saw her, all I could think about is that portrait of your wife that hangs in your living room. Brooke looks just like her, it is almost uncanny."

" Yes, there are definite similarities."

" What do you plan to do about that? It is more than obvious that you care a great deal for Brooke. She isn’t just a fling."

" No, she isn’t."

" You know Caspian, if you plan to have a life with her, sooner or later you are going to have to tell her about her resemblance to your dead wife."

" I know, but I can’t tell her now." Caspian said with a tremor of sorrow. " I can’t take a chance of losing her."

Allen was surprised by Caspian’s admission. Not of the feelings that he displayed but by his admission. It wasn’t like him to ever tell what he was feelings. More than ever, Allen knew of the importance of this woman. Allen surmised that she would be eventually become Caspian’s wife. He would see that she didn’t lose her daughter. He owed Caspian and he’d do his best to try to protect his woman and her daughter.

" So, what do you plan to do to the Forresters?"

Caspian’s face became a mask of hatred. " I’m going to make their lives a living hell."

" What about the girl, Kimberly."

Caspian was in a quandary about Kimberly. Based on the information that Hunter had supplied him, it had been Kimberly who had slipped Ecstasy at Rick’s party making her a target for Gunter. It seemed that Stephanie and Kimberly had wanted to set Brooke up, instead they had almost had her a victim of rape. Stephanie would pay for her part of that plan and as well for the other pain that she bought into Brooke’s life He’d knew how he was going to extract revenge on Stephanie but Kimberly is another question. She would no doubt pay for the pain that she cost Brooke, but at the point there was no way he could do that without hurting her unborn child. " It will take some time to find out how to make her suffer for her deeds. I think I’ll let Bella think of something, she has a way of reading people better than I." Allen agreed, Isabelle had a way of extracting pain and plotting revenge, she truly was a work of art. " At this point, Kimberly will be spared, but once her child is born, it will be open season on her."

" So you’ve stopped the surveillance on her?"

"That is another issue. I’m not sure what Kimberly really is up to. Based on my information, Dirk was no forthcoming with this matter. He neglected to tell me that Kimberly was responsible for Brooke’s drink."

" I expect that he will be terminated?"

"Yes. He will be. He failed to report information that would have kept Brooke safe."

" Speaking of Brooke, is ummmm?" Allen was talking about the surveillance that surrounded her."

" I’ve decided to have everything removed. If I want something real with her, I cannot invade her privacy. Truthfully I was concerned about Kimberly and since she seems to have Thorne Forrester in her life, she really isn’t a threat to Brooke any longer. Besides, I’ll be around Brooke to protect her if needed."

Brooke sat looking at a picture of Bridget when she was a little girl. Time was running out, Bridget would be home soon and then she’d have to tell her the truth. Brooke had no intention of telling Bridget because she’d make things right. Brooke picked up her purse and headed down the hall and down the stairs to the first floor. She heard Caspian talking to his private detective who had come earlier. Brooke opened the door silently, not wanting to alert him of her plans. He wanted to protect her but she and only she could do this.

Rick sat in front of the fire. James had come by earlier and they had talked, really talked about what had happened. James had decided to take him one as a patient to help him deal with his past. Rick knew that he couldn’t stay here forever, that he needed to go home to figure out his place. Rick hadn’t slept much the last couple of days since his memories of the shooting had started to come back. He clearly remembered how he had felt that his mother was unhappy because of Grant. He wanted to help his mother and so had had shot Grant. He had wanted to originally scare Grant off but some who that plan had changed and he had shot him. He wondered how his mother had felt safe with him for all those years. How she had kept this terrible secret for all those years? There was a knock at the door. Rick wondered if James had come back. Rick opened the door to find a visibly shaken Eve.

" Thank god. Oh…thank god you are all right." Eve launched herself in Rick’s arms. Rick hugged Eve to him tightly before he remembered that he decided to distance herself from him.

" Eve what are you doing here?"

" Is that anyway to talk to your girlfriend, she was very worried about you."

"CJ?"

" Look Forrester, are you going to let us in or what?"

 

Aaron Harper laughed at his wife, she was young enough to be his daughter, but that didn’t stop him from marrying her. It had cost him, Francine; his wife of 25 years had been paid handsomely in her divorce settlement. She had gotten a shark of a lawyer and had been most vindictive, but it had worth it. Shannon was extremely beautiful and fantastic in bed yet she too was costing him money with her constant shopping and redecorating. He didn’t mind, he’d do just about anything for her. Aaron told Shannon that he’d met her in the bedroom. He had a call that he had to make to his daughter, he had missed her birthday and he wanted to try to make it up to her for missing her birthday party. The first thing that Aaron noticed when he opened the office to was the smell of cigarette smoke. " What the…" His voice trailed off when he turned on the light next to his desk and found a beautiful red headed woman wearing a Versace white suite made up of a jacket and matching pants, under jacket she wore no blouse so he had a slight view of her breast, on her neck, she wore a large triangular diamond that matched the diamonds of her ears and on her fingers. Her hair was pulled back in a bun while she calmly smoked as if were natural for her to be in his home. She was a beautiful woman yet there was something in her blue eyes that scared him. When she spoke he was surprised by two things, how calm she was and by her accent. " Judge Harper. I’ve been waiting for you."

Stephanie was reading the paper when the doorbell rang. She frowned and wondered who would come to her house at such a late hour. She walked to the door and opened it. She was surprised to see Brooke standing in her doorway. " What do you want? I had prayed that you would never come back. You are like a black plague causing your destruction.

Brooke pushed past Stephanie. " Oh, no. I’m have nothing to say to you, you little tramp. However if you are here to beg, get down on your knees. I’m sure that you are used to that position." Brooke dropped her chocolate colored purse on the sofa. " I’m not here to exchange barbs with you."

" Well then, what did you come for?"

Eric walked from the study. He had heard voices and was surprised to find Brooke with Stephanie. He studied Brooke from head to toe, she looked beautiful in her outfit yet there was something business like about her. Her hair was swept up and her ears sparkled was a stunning pair of flawless Canary Diamonds. He wondered where she had gotten those earrings from since he knew that they most of cost a fortune. Eric also noticed that Brooke had a beautiful tan, she had obviously spent some time in the sun. How like Brooke to be so selfish as to be frolicking in the sun when she should be begging him for their daughter. Brooke turned her attention to Eric.

" Eric, I’m here to talk to Stephanie."

Stephanie snorted. " Well I don’t want to talk to you."

Brooke gave Stephanie a cold serious look. "I think that you are going to want to have this conversation with me." Stephanie was perplexed. There was something about Brooke she wasn’t sure that she liked. Still she wanted to know what Brooke wanted.

" Leave us alone Eric."

" Stephanie, I’m not going to leave you. Brooke what do you want?"

" Eric, didn’t you hear me. I want to talk to Brooke alone. Why don’t you go to the store and get us some ice cream?" Eric looked toward Brooke but she looked through him.

He didn’t like this. Why did Brooke want to Stephanie? If she wanted to talk to someone, why didn’t she just come to him? Eric sighed as he picked up his car keys and left.

" Now, that he is gone. Why don’t you tell me what you want so you can get the hell out of my house."

Brooke sat down and crossed her legs. " I want to talk to you about dropping your petition for custody of Bridget." Stephanie threw her head back and laughed hartdly. She went over to the bar opened the small fridge and poured herself a glass of champagne.

" I think that I’m going to enjoy this conversation." She said as she sipped out of the champagne flute. " Tell me Brooke, what you going to do next? Offer to sleep with me? You slept with everyone else."

Brooke stayed calm as she ignored Stephanie’s lude and rude comments. " I’m going to offer you the thing that you’ve wanted for a very long time."

" And what is that? You have nothing to offer me."

Brooke opened the small briefcase that she bought and pulled out some documents. She threw the documents on the coffee table. " I’m going to offer you the one thing that I have that you want. Forrester. I’m going to offer you Forrester Creations."

 

Against All Odds Chapter 70 (Battling Blondes)

Stephanie laughed at Brooke while she sipped on her champagne. " You have got to be kidding me, aren’t you? You expect me to believe that after years of fighting with you, you are going to just hand over the company you stole from me, like that? You can’t expect me to take you seriously?"

Brooke gave Stephanie a serious look. " No, I’m dead serious."

Stephanie sat down grinned. " Well Brooke, I’m sorry to disappoint you but I don’t think that I’m going to take your little deal. But if you’d like, I’ll let you beg." Stephanie paused for dramatic effect. " Oh, I know. You can give me a pedicure like you did before."

Brooke picked up the document and handed them to Stephanie. " I suggest that you read those documents before you turn away my offer."

Stephanie put her champagne flute down and leaned forward. " What are they?"

" They are the newest documents regarding Bridget’s trust. When you hired whomever you hired to break into Connor’s offices, he or she got the wrong trust. They didn’t get you the updated ones." Brooke was calm and collected. Stephanie picked up the documents and started to read. " You see, when I changed Rick’s trust, I changed Bridget’s as well. Connor suggested that I leave a guardian for Bridget. As you can see, I chose Thorne to be the guardian of Bridget. So regardless who has actual custody of Bridget, Thorne will be the one to make decisions based on Bridget if anything happens to me or I lose Bridget." The reality of the situation hit Stephanie, it seemed that Bridget would no longer be a means for Eric of Stephanie to reclaim the Forrester stock. "Disappointing isn’t it. After all of your hard work, scheming and plotting is now down the drain."

" I don’t know what you are talking about. Eric and I want to save Bridget from a whore mother like you."

" It has nothing to do with Bridget. It had everything to do with the company, so give it up. I know what you’ve been doing. Getting Bridget has been about her stock." Brooke’s eyes became dark with anger. " You know after all the things that you’ve done to me in the past, this infuriates me the most. You’ve done everything and now you finally stooped to this. You had father transferred so he’d leave and take my family with him in order to get rid of me."

"I’d think that you’d be thankful that I helped your simpleton father."

Brooke stood up and walked like she talked for fear that she’d attack Stephanie. "You did everything to destroy my marriages to Ridge even after you orchestrated my affair with him."

" What are you talking about?"

"You think that I forgot about that letter that you had forged to make Ridge and I think that Eric wanted out of my marriage? We both know that is the reason that Ridge and I were free enough to go to Big Bear. Hell, you even watched Rick while we went."

" Why are you bringing this up now?"

"Because it is the type of woman you are. When Eric got back, he never knew what you did. I stayed quiet because Ridge asked me too and till this day, Eric never knew the part that you played in the breakup of his marriage to me."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. " That is water under the bridge."

" Is it? I mean, you did more than just that, didn’t you? You tried to kill me." Brooke leaned across the sofa. " You do remember that, don’t you? You attacked me up in Big Bear, tried to strangle me and then you had a knife, who knows what you would have done with it if Thorne hadn’t saved me."

" Where are you going with this Brooke? Are you going to try to threaten me with the video tape?" Stephanie stood up and smiled. " I don’t think so because you no longer have that damaging piece of information do you? If you did, you’d be flaunting that tape." Stephanie poured some more champagne in her glass. " I’d love to see your face when you realized that your information was missing." Brooke was shocked at Stephanie’s admission. She had looked for her black box in her bedroom when she finished talking to Allen, but inside the tape as well as Taylor’s letter was missing.

Brooke’s eyes narrowed. " How…"

"I have my ways tramp." Stephanie waved her finger in Brooke’s face. " Tsk, Tsk. You really should lock up things in a safe place. You never know which of your children’s friends might snoop in your things."

" Kimberly…"

" Give the girl a cigar." Stephanie headed to the door. " Well as enlighting as this talk down memory lane had been, I suggest that you leave." Stephanie opened the door. "You have no physical proof of what happened that night. No charges were made and your video footage is long gone." Brooke didn’t move.

" No, I don’t think that conversation is over. I’m not through talking about what you are. What type of woman would use an innocent like Bridget to get to me? I always thought that you loved Bridget."

" I do."

" But you just hate me more?"

Stephanie closed the front door. " I would make the deal with the devil if it meant getting rid of you. You’ve been a source pain and discord in this family. You’ve single handedly destroyed marriage after marriage. Eric and mine. Ridge and Taylor’s and don’t forget Macy and Thorne. Every time I think about how you killed that girl."

" I didn’t kill Macy."

"You have no shame do you? I told Thorne that earlier today. But of course he didn’t listen. Do you know that he was willing to do anything if I would promise to let you have Bridget?"

" Thorne has always cared about me."

Stephanie laughed. " Well, I don’t think that he was thinking about you when he slept with Kimberly. By the way, you do know that she is pregnant, don’t you?"

Brooke gave Stephanie a cold look. " You know I already do."

" Oh, I thought that I’d let you know." Stephanie rubbed her hands together. " He was so worried about her and the baby tonight. Kimberly had a scare, she thought that she might lose the baby." Stephanie waited for Brooke to respond but Brooke said nothing. " Aren’t you interested if she lost the baby or not."

" I’m assuming that she didn’t because you are so happy."

" Poor Brooke, you are a so loser."

" I’m not concerned about Thorne. I’m here to talk about Bridget."

" You aren’t concerned about Thorne? Why aren’t I surprised by that? Just who are you interested in? Could it be Ridge?"

Aaron Harper looked at the papers that Isabelle had handed him. He was scared, this strange woman had somehow broken into his home and she had his markers from the casino he went to in Los Vegas. Aaron made a great deal from his job as well as his investments, but he was addicted to the trial of gambling. He owed the casino and most importantly Freddie.

" As you can see, I have your markers. Freddie is an very old associate that owes me a big favor. And he’ll be calling in your markers tomorrow."

" I can’t afford to pay him tomorrow."

" That isn’t my problem."

Aaron frowned. " What is it that you want?"

" I only want what is fair and just."

" What are you talking about?"

"I’m talking about your friendship with the Forresters and the way that you ruled for them." The woman leaned forward giving him in a sinister look. " It wasn’t fair. I think that you should rethink your position."

" You are threatening me?"

"No. The truth of the matter is I’m just asking you to think. Think about the power behind Brooke Forrester. Do you really think that she is going to have some weak willed attorney. He is going to go for the jugular and of course bring up your connection to the Forrester’s lawyer. Do you really want to have the air of prejudice attached to your name? Besides, you are going to have a problem with Freddie. He is going to call in his markers tomorrow and you aren’t ready for that?" Isabelle stood, picking up a photo of his young wife. " I wonder what she is going to think about you no longer having the money to buy those lovely dresses and jewels that she loves."

 

" I’m not interested in Ridge."

" That isn’t what those photos showed. How about that kiss you shared? Do you know how much that upset Thorne? He saw it by the way and he and Ridge came to blows but you wouldn’t give a damn about that, would you? All you care about is destroying my family! Do you think that I’ve forgotten how corrupt and immoral you are? You are nothing with a whoring slut who has spread her legs for everyman in this family! You do nothing but fu(k and use your harlot body in order to get what you want. So use it now." Stephanie looked at Brooke with disgust. " Go ahead slut, try and see where that body is going to get you now! I won’t get your daughter back will it? You are right. I did want Bridget in order to get the stock back and although I’m upset that I won’t have it, knowing how miserable it will make you makes up for it."

" Tell me this. Will making me miserable be enough when you can have your company back? When you can finally give Eric back his company because that is what I’m asking you for exchange of my daughter."

" You don’t expect me to believe that you will do that do you? You wouldn’t even give up Thorne for your daughter."

" No, I wouldn’t give up Thorne to make Bridget happy, but this isn’t about making Bridget being happy. This is about losing my daughter. As much as you hate me, even you will admit that I love my daughter more than anything. More than Forrester." Brooke crossed her arms over her chest. " This deal is very real. I’m willing to give you what you want if you are willing to drop this custody thing for good."

Stephanie’s mind began to work. " You are serious aren’t you? Tell me this? Why would you come to me and not to Eric?"

" Because I know who runs this family. I know that if you and I came to some sort of agreement, you’d find a way to make Eric go alone with it. He always has, he always will."

" So, you are willing to give me 51% of your Forrester stock for your daughter?"

"No. I can’t give you 51% because that would mean giving you Rick and Bridget’s inheritance and I will always look out for my children. I’m however offering you, my stock."

" How much would that stock would that be?"

" I has originally planned on giving 20% to Rick and 20% to Bridget and that would leave me with 11%."

" No, that isn’t good enough. Your children could easily feel sorry for you and offer you up 10% of their stock each. I want 31% of the stock. That way Bridget and Rick would only have 10% each, just like my children. It never was fair that Rick and Bridget would have more than the children Eric and I had. After all, Eric and I built the company, not you." Brooke didn’t look like she liked that idea. " Come on Brooke, don’t let me believe that Bridget isn’t worth it. After all, you never cared about the stock right?" Stephanie said in a superior tone. " Think Brooke, your children will be part of the company and you’ll have your precious daughter back. Surely you’ve made enough money from my company that you will be set for the rest of your life." Brooke thought for a moment. It was a little difficult for her to swallow.

" This is what you’ve always wanted isn’t it?"

" Yes. For you to be out of the company completely."

" Fine. I agree to return to you and Eric 31% of my stock. Rick shall retain his 10% in the next three years. Bridget, will get hers when she turns 23 as well."

" Who will be voting for them? Surely you don’t suggest that you do it? I want you out of the company."

Brooke gave Stephanie an annoyed look. " Fine. I suggest Ridge be the guardian of both Bridget and Rick."

Stephanie eyes narrowed. " Ridge, why Ridge?"

" Because I don’t trust you or Eric. Thorne is out of question for obvious reasons. Ridge is the best choice because I trust him to look out for my children. But, if you don’t like my choice of Ridge, I’m sure that Connor would more than be willing."

"No. Ridge will do just fine in that matter. But I suggest that you don’t use this issue to become closer to Ridge. Not that you could do with you moving out of L.A"

" What?"

" Oh, did I tell you that? That is another stipulation of this deal. You are to move. I want you gone from L.A and away from my family."

" Just what about my family."

" You can visit on holidays and call of course but I don’t want you here. I want you gone. Since you want Bridget to go to Paris so much, she go with you. You have parents there and I’m sure that you’ll met some man." Stephanie looked Brooke up from head to toe, her eyes singled in on Brooke’s earrings. " You always do, don’t you Brooke."

Brooke looked shocked and Stephanie almost jumped with glee at the tears that she saw in Brooke’s eyes.

" What about Rick? I just can’t leave my son."

" Ahh, but you were willing to allow Bridget to live without you. Rick will be just fine; after all he is a growing man with a large inheritance. He has a life of his own. He is in college and has a job with Forrester. He won’t need his mother hovering over him, will he? You can give him your house to live in, I’m quite sure that would make him happy."

" My son needs me. Especially now."

Stephanie snorted. " Why now?"

" You don’t know? Don’t tell me that Rick hasn’t called Eric."

" Called Eric about what?"

Brooke stood. There wasn’t anyway that she was going to tell Eric and Stephanie what happened if Rick hadn’t bothered to tell them. Brooke now regretted not going to see Rick like she had planned. With finding out about the real reason that they wanted Bridget, she had decided to head straight to L.A. She did however call James, who had returned from Big Bear. He had said that Rick was receptive and hopefully Rick would come home soon. If Rick didn’t come home in a day or so, she’d go and get her son. Rick was just as important to her as Bridget, but at this point, Bridget was in more danger.

" Never mind about Rick. There is a matter but I’ll handle it."

" Does it have to do with that girl that he is seeing? I hear that she is trash."

" And who told you that? Kimberly. Now I’m quite sure that little slut put a real nice spin to things."

" You have a nerve to call Kimberly a slut. She only slept with one person unlike present company who has slept with three men in the same family. But that doesn’t matter, Kimberly will be family and you….well, you’ll be gone from our minds and long forgotten."

" You think so."

" I know so. You’ll be a bad dream that we have awoken from." Stephanie reached out and patted Brooke on the cheek. " Don’t worry about Rick. We will look after him and I’ll be nice to his little girlfriend although I am a bit curious about her since you seem to like her. So Brooke what is it going to be. Are you willing to give me 31% of the company and leave town NEVER to come back?"

Brooke thought for a moment. " I’ll need three months before I can leave L.A"

" No. One month. You really don’t need that but Bridget will need at least that much but even if she need more time, you can leave her here and she’ll meet you in Paris."

" No, you won’t dictate that. I’ll need two months to wrap things up."

Stephanie sighed. " Fine, you’ll have two months. And then you’ll be out of our lives for good. By the way, I don’t want you working at International Forrester. I want you out and totally out of our lives. I’m sure some rich man will marry you, you won’t need to work, but I don’t care what you do. As long as you are gone."

" You hate me that much?"

"Yes, I do. I hate you that much."

Brooke eyes met Stephanie and Stephanie almost took a step back from the hate that she saw there. " I know that you do and the feeling is mutual." Brooke picked up her documents and placed them back in her briefcase. " Have Jonathon draw up the papers and I’ll have my lawyers to do the same."

" I thought that Connor was out of town."

" He is, however, I have another lawyer who will handle this."

" Connor doesn’t know about this?"

"No"

" Does anyone else?"

"No."

" Are you sure?"

Brooke was exasperated. " I’m sure, why does it matter. Once the deal is signed no one will ever know. No one. I’ll have Bridget and you’ll have your company. Of course you will have to get Eric to agree with this."

" Don’t worry, I’ve been dealing with Eric for years. He’ll do anything that I say."

" I’m counting on that." Brooke started to walk to the door.

" By the way Brooke. I do have something to tell you….lets just say that it is the icing on the cake for me."

Brooke turned. " What is it?"

" You know that stroke that I had about two years ago."

" Yes."

" Well, I want you to know that I knew. I knew the whole time what had happened. I faked the memory lose."

" Why would you do that?"

"To put pressure on Thorne. I knew that if I pretended that I lost my memory that he’d might end things with you in order to keep me happy."

" You caused pain to Thorne, Ridge as well as Eric. Are you telling me that the whole thing was a lie?"

" No, I really had a stroke but I still had my memory. I just couldn’t help but to stick it to you. You really were stupid, just like you are now." Stephanie sighed happily. " I will say one thing. I’ve waited forever for this day and I simply can’t wait until tomorrow. For that will be the day that Eric gets his company back and you will be out of our lives for good. Thank god that I’ll never have to deal with you, you slut, ever again."

Brooke saw the glee in Stephanie eyes; she turned and walked out the front door closing the door behind her.

Eve took the kettle of hot water off the stove and fixed three cups of coffee. Truthfully, there wasn’t much here of the way of supplies and she wondered what had been eating the last couple of days. Rick was brooding in the living room while CJ was sitting on the sofa. "Man, you are really wound up. What’s eating you?"

"Nothing. Look CJ, I appreciate you coming all this way but ummm…" Rick ran his hand through his hair. " I think that you should take Eve back."

" Rick what in the world is going on?"

"Nothing, so stop asking me!" Rick snapped. "Besides, why do you care? You haven’t really talked to me since your sister…died."

CJ’s observant eye noticed the circles under Rick’s eyes as well as the strain. " Well, I’m talking to you now."

" Well, isn’t that grand. The great CJ finally wants to talk to me. You know what, I don’t want to talk to you. We were friends and you just bailed on me. After years of friendship. So don’t come here telling me that you give a fu(k about me." Rick looked at CJ for the moment. " If you are here, where are Amber and Eric?"

CJ stood up. " That proves my point that something is going on. You haven’t called or come by the see him, that isn’t like you Forrester. So I know that something is going on."

" So is this your way of snooping?"

"No….Listen, Rick. Man, I was worried about you. Eve was a mess. You know you ought to stop disappearing on her like this. This is the second time that you’ve done that. You really don’t know how to keep a woman do you? Besides, I think that it’s time that I stop being a total ass. Listen, I don’t like your mom or Thorne and I will never forgive them. And I’m still hurt that you knew about why Thorne married Macy, but Macy is dead." CJ looked down at his feet. " You were my only real friend and I’ve missed having you around. I care about you man." Rick looked stunned. He had been CJ’s friend for years and he had never heard him talk like this. " Besides, how can I be friend with Budge and not be friends with you?" CJ said with a grin.

" CJ, if you are my friend, please do me a favor and send Eve home."

" Why? This doesn’t make sense, you love her."

" I’m trying to protect her!" Rick said agitated.

" Trying to protect me from what?" Eve said as she walked into the living room. Rick turned his back on Eve.

" I want you to go home."

" No"

" Damn it Eve."

" Don’t talk to me like that. I’ve been worried to death about you. No one knew where you were. You just called in sick. If it hadn’t been for your mother…"

Rick turned. " My mother. Just what in the hell did she say to you?"

Eve took a step back at the fear she saw in Rick’s eyes. She knew fear because for so long she lived in it. She still did in a way, she was scared that one day Rick would find out the truth and never look back again. Eve reached out to Rick and cupped his face. Rick welcomed the gentle touch for a moment before he took her hand away from his face. He turned his tortured eyes on CJ. " Please, if you are my friend, take her away from this place and spare her."

Eve shook her head. " I’m not going anywhere. Rick, your mother was worried but I’m not sure about what. She wanted me to come to you. She said that you needed me." Rick noticed that Eve was shaking. " All my life, no one ever needed me…..but your mom said that you did . Rick, please… I need you. Don’t turn me away. I need you, don’t send me away." Rick saw the pain in her eyes. He hadn’t meant to hurt Eve. " I want to help you Rick. I want to be the woman standing next to your side."

" You deserve better than me."

" How can you say that? You are the best think that ever happened to me."

" Eve please…"

" No. I’m not going to leave."

Rick turned to CJ. " No way man. I’m not going to drive back with your angry girlfriend." CJ walked toward Rick. " If this about me being here, I can leave."

" This isn’t about you or her."

" Stop discussing me like I’m not here." Eve said annoyed.

" I want you to go home Eve."

" No"

"I.."

" No. I was worried. You just left me. I’m not going to let you push me away."

" Fine. Stay if you want, I’ll just leave." Rick moved toward the door but CJ blocked him. He shook his head.

" Sorry man, but if I let Eve be upset then it would upset Trudie which defiantly effects me. Besides, I’m worried about you too, so spill it."

Rick looked at both CJ and Eve and stormed off into the bedroom slamming the door behind him. Eve looked at CJ.

" Whatever it is, CJ…it must be big. I’ve never seen him like this."

CJ was worried as well.

Brooke walked over toward the bar in her living room and poured herself a drink. She walked outside in the dark night air looking at the scenery and the city from afar. This is her home, the only home that she had known, the only home her children had known. Tonight, things had changed. Caspian walked outside from the open French doors from Brooke’s living room. He was silent as he watched her drink a glass of vodka. After a moment, he made his way toward her. " You went to see Stephanie?"

" Yes."

" Brooke.."

Brooke put her drink down. " Before you start... I did what I had to do for my daughter. Bridget is too important to me. I know that you are used to people blindly obeying your orders but I make my own decisions. You should know that."

" I do."

" I’ve been on my own for a very long time, Caspian. I will always see to my children. I will always make final decisions when it comes to them. I won’t allow any man to dictate what I do." Brooke gave Caspian a pointed look. " That includes you. You have to understand that, as much as I do trust you. I won’t you to control me or my life."

Caspian touched a strand of her hair. " I don’t want to control you."

" What do you want Caspian?"

" Truthfully, I want to protect you. Protect you from the Stephanie Forresters of the world."

" You can’t. I’m a woman who makes my own decisions. I wouldn’t want stand by and allow you to solve my problems. Just like you wouldn’t want me to solve YOUR problems, would you?"

She had no ideas of the types of problems that he had had in the past." No. I wouldn’t."

" Let me ask you a question, what would Isabelle do? Would she allow you to push her aside to solve her problems for her?"

"No. Bella isn’t that type of woman."

"Neither am I so please respect that."

"I do respect you."

" Can you respect my decision to give Forrester Creations to Stephanie and Eric in exchange for my daughter?"

Caspian’s face was unreadable. " You went to her with the deal?"

" Yes." Brooke walked past Caspian into the house, he followed her.

" What did you offer? Did you offer all of your stock?"

"No. I’ll always protect my children’s interest. We haggled a bit. She was so nasty and gleeful at the prospect of getting my stock once she found that Bridget would not be able to help her in that endeavor. In the end she settled on 31% of my stock and my resignation from Forrester. I’m not to work here or at International Forrester. In fact, I have to move from here within the next two months for good. She wants me out of her life. You should have heard her. She went on and on about how I destroyed her family. We talked about so many things long forgotten. The forged letter that she had made to entice my affair to Ridge, the move she made to make my father move to Paris and even her murder attempt on me in Big Bear."

Caspian’s eyes darkened with hate. " She talked about that?" Brooke noticed the tick at Caspian temple. Brooke toward him and touched the temple wanting to sooth him. " It happened a while ago, way before I met you. Besides, I’m safe now."

" For how long?"

"For always… now." Brooke smiled as she wrapped her arms around Caspian. " For always. She took the bait, just like I knew that she would." Brooke pulled Caspian’s head down toward hers and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

Pierce slammed the phone down. " Bella, where the hell are you?" Pierce had spent the entire day looking for Isabelle, but no one would tell him where she went. Better yet, they wouldn’t tell him. It infuriated him as well as it hurt him. She left, just leaving a note.

" Bella, I’m not going to let you pull away from me. I love you. I’m not giving up on you."

Caspian reluctantly pulled his head away from Brooke’s. " I didn’t want you to deal with her alone."

" I’ve been dealing with her for years. She has waited forever for this moment, if I had bought you, she would have smelled a trap. You know that." Brooke went to the bar pulled out a bottle of chilled champagne. " She was so smug and self righteous." Caspian took the bottle from Brooke and poured the cool liquid into the glasses. " You should have seen her. She admitted to everything without any sanction."

" You got it all on tape?"

Brooke opened her briefcase and peeled back the interior on the handle; there was a transmitter that Caspian’s detective Hunter had given her earlier. " I got everything. Every little tidbit that she told me all on tape. She loves to gloat and to put me down. I knew that she wouldn’t let the opportunity pass. She even told me something that I hadn’t known; she had been faking her amnesia from the stroke. That whole time, she lied to stir up trouble between Thorne and I." Brooke sipped her champagne. " You what is so ironic is that I would done it. I would truthfully signed my rights to Forrester away to Stephanie in order to had Bridget back."

" I know, that is why I had to let you know what Hunter told me. I hoped that you’d change your mind about giving them the stock."

" I couldn’t believe it. Stephanie arranged with Kimberly to set me up. She almost caused me to be….raped." Anger as well as a bit of fear filled Brooke’s eyes. " Every time that I think about that night and what would have happened if you hadn’t saved me."

" Shhh. Honey." Caspian kissed the top of Brooke’s head. " Don’t think about that night."

" How can I not. She was behind it. She and Kimberly although I’m sure this was Stephanie’s idea. As much as I hate Kimberly, this seems more like something up Stephanie’s alley." Brooke sighed. " It doesn’t matter because soon I’ll have the ultimate revenge. I have Stephanie on tape."

" And with the addition of the information that I’m going to collect. You have nothing to worry about, Bridget will never be threatened again." Caspian said with a great deal of conviction.

Brooke shivered for a moment, knowing what Caspian had to do the next day. They had talked about it. Caspian knew why Brooke was nervous.

" You know that I’ll always protect you. Don’t you?"

Brooke looked deeply into Caspian’s eyes. They were both sitting on the couch while she was in his arms. " I know that you’ll try."

" I’ll do more than try."

The conviction in his voice worried her a bit. Today she had finally understood some of the power that he wield." But we are going to do this together, right." Brooke noticed something in Caspian’s eyes. " There is something that you haven’t told me, isn’t there?" Lark’s laughing face flashed before Caspian’s eyes for a moment. "What is it?"

"It doesn’t have anything to do with our plan."

" But it does have something to do with Bridget?"

"There is a matter that I’ve gotten handled to ensure things."

" What is it?"

"Brooke, it will be best if you don’t know." Brooke opened her mouth and Caspian stopped her. " I’m telling you the truth, it would be better if you didn’t know at the moment. I promise that tomorrow when this is over and you have your daughter AND your company I’ll tell you." He cupped her face. " Trust me in this. For this one time let it go."

Brooke thought for a moment. " If I don’t inquire this time, you must promise me that you won’t keep anything from me in the future. I know that you are a powerful man and that you have connections. I also know that if you hadn’t had Stephanie watched, you’d never know about what she and Kimberly did. I’m not a fool." Brooke looked Caspian in his eyes. " Whatever power you wield, I admit that I do need some of it to fight for Bridget but it ends there. Once this matter is taken care I want it to end. No more detectives looking out for my best interest. No more spying and no one prying into my life without my knowledge…even if you think that it is for my own good." He saw the worry in her eyes.

"Does it scare you?"

"It should shouldn’t it? You can make documents appear from nowhere. Have Stephanie watched using the best surveillance and god knows what else." Brooke knew that she should be wary, but she wasn’t. Instinctively, she knew that Caspian would never hurt her. " You don’t scare me. But I will admit that knowing about some of the things that you can do can be unsettling as well as thrilling. I’ve never been with a man like you before; I doubt that I’ll ever meet anyone like you. "

Caspian saw the seriousness in the depths of her eyes. Once before Lark had wanted him to stop manipulations and having her followed, he hadn’t been in a position in which he could comply. Now, things were different. He was no longer in the "family". He could keep Brooke safe from the likes of Stephanie Forrester. Everything between them would be honest and real. He knew that he wanted some permanent and that meant that one-day, he’d have to tell her about Lark. "I would never manipulate you Brooke. You are too important to me to risk losing you." Caspian kissed her lips gently. " You understand me more than anyone does besides my sister. With you Brooke, I can finally be myself. I know that at times, I’m probably overbearing. But I am trying. It is hard because I want so much to protect you."

" I can protect myself but I’ll admit having you standing my by side it will be easier. But I want complete honesty, I demand it." Brooke laid her head on Caspian’s shoulder.

Brooke based in the warmth of Caspian body heat. She remembered the first time that they had met in the elevator. How being near him caused a wealth of feelings inside of her body." I tried my best to forget about you. I tried my best to keep you out of my mind."

" Was it hard?"

" Yes. You would pop up in my waking and sleeping dreams. You used to drive me to distraction."

" Shall I tell you what you did to me?" Caspian gathered Brooke into his arms and put her head on his lap. She sighed and closed her eyes.

" I think that I have an idea." She said sleepily.

" No, you have no idea."

" Caspian…"

" Yes, my love?"

" I’m scared."

He knew. It was a dangerous game that they were playing. He had to admit together, he and Brooke had come up with something that would stop Eric and Stephanie…still it wasn’t like Brooke to deal with such subterfuge. Tonight’s meeting with Stephanie was no doubt difficult on her.

" I know. But tomorrow you’ll have you daughter."

" She’s worth it." She said as if she was reassuring herself for what she had to do. Declaring out and out war wasn’t her style, but it was his. Caspian was going for the jugular. Brooke would win and after all the dust settled, she have a lot more than just her Forrester stock and her daughter.

" I know." He paused for a second. " Would you like to know something? You are worth it Brooke. Your happiness is worth everything to me."

Brooke turned in his lap; she now looked up into his beautiful face. She knew that he spoke the truth. And for the first time in months, Brooke knew that everything was going to be all right. Brooke knew that he’d see to it because he loved her and because, god help her, she was falling for him as well.

Thorne was putting clothes into a bag. He had a great deal of packing to do as well as planning. The only thing that had put him at ease was the fact that Brooke was safe. Katie had called him and told him that Brooke had contacted her parents. " At least you are safe baby." Thorne stopped packing and lay back against the bed. His heart ached, it had been days since he had seen her even longer since he held her or kissed her. He couldn’t imagine what she was going through. She loved Bridget and he knew the thought of losing her would kill Brooke. He wouldn’t allow his mother or father to get away with it. He had no choice; he’d be willing to sacrifice everything in order for her not to go through a messy custody battle. Thorne was realistic, a custody battle would be ugly and no one would be unscathed. Truthfully, it didn’t make sense to Thorne. Why now out of all times, would Eric and Stephanie want to take Bridget from Brooke? It didn’t make sense. If Thorne didn’t know better, he’d think there was something more to it. Then there was Kimberly. The doctor stated that she needed to be kept in bed for at least a week or so. The right thing to do would be to allow her to stay with him since she had no real family and it was his baby. Truthfully, he couldn’t be happy about the child. Hell, he couldn’t look at Kimberly without almost resenting her and himself. Thorne went into his living room to pick up some Forrester files that he might need when there was a knock on his door. Thorne opened the door to find his mother.

" Mother?"

"We need to talk."

" There isn’t anything to talk about unless you’ve changed your mind. Are you willing to give Brooke her daughter?"

" That is what I’m here to talk about."

Caspian lay next to Brooke stroking her hair; his black shirt lay open although he was fully dressed. Brooke, who had taken a shower, was wearing an old T-shirt of Bridget’s. He had teased her about not wearing something from Brooke’s bedroom but Brooke explained that it helped her feel close to Bridget. Brooke had naturally been worried about what they were doing, but he had told her that she had done the thing that his own mother had refused to do. Brooke had asked him about his mother and soon his own painful memories of the loss of his father and his mother’s betrayal had come tumbling out of him.

" You banished her from your life?"

"As far as I was concerned, Olivia died the moment she did nothing to stop Hugo from raping Bella. She turned a blind eye to what he did to my sister."

" So, you at twenty had to raise her on your own."

Caspian sighed as painful memories crept into his head. " Bella was hard to deal with and not because she was difficult by nature but because she was highly intelligent. She had always been highly intelligent and sensitive. After the rape, she changed. The life that was inside of her died. She no longer showed any emotion. She just shut down." Brooke could hear the pain in his voice. She stroked him. As a mother, she shared her children’s pain just as she suspected that Caspian had shared his sister’s pain. " She wouldn’t open up. She went to a couple of therapists, but she outwitted most of them. Soon she wouldn’t go at all and I knew that it was my fault."

Brooke sat up. " Caspian, it wasn’t your fault."

" It was. I was the man of the family. I was supposed to protect her. But I didn’t. It wasn’t enough that he terrified my sister or that he even raped. " Pure emotion surfaced on Caspian’s face while unwanted tears filled his eyes. " That bastard was sodomizing my sister."

" Of god…." Brooke felt emotion wield up in her chest as Caspian covered his eyes to gain composure.

"So I took her from my mother and she lived with me. Truthfully, I didn’t do a good job raising her. I worked a lot back then and Bella naturally came with me. She became involved with the business."

" That was a good thing?"

"No, it wasn’t. I sometimes think that if I had pushed her that she’d be willing to have a real relationship."

" You said that she wasn’t afraid of men."

" She isn’t. But won’t let them come close to her heart. Sexually, my sister is normal. Hell, she probably had more men than I know about."

" Has she ever been in love?"

Pain flashed before Caspian’s eyes. " Once. And it ended tragically."

" What happened?"

" Benito. Benito was what happened. He was my best friend and only real confidant that I ever had. He started sleeping with Bella and although I was against it from the start, I later changed my mind because it made Bella happy. He understood and knew what happened to her. Hell, he knew that she could be cold at times, but he still wanted her and she wanted him."

" What happened?"

A memory hit Caspian’s body hard. Bella was standing over her bed wearing a mauve colored silk robe while Benito lay cold and naked in the bed. Brooke saw a look in Caspian’s eyes. It seemed as if he were remembering something.

" Caspian? What happened to Benito?"

" He died."

Brooke shook her head sadly. " Just like Lark."

"No. His death was different."

Caspian poured himself another drink. Memories of that night clouded his mind. Painful memories often had a way of popping up at the wrong times. The more that he was around Brooke, the more he disclosed to her yet it caused him to think about things that he wanted to forget.

{Flashback}

Caspian lay asleep in bed when the phone ringing woken him up. Caspian rolled over and reached for the phone. " Hello?" He said sleepily.

" Caspian."

Caspian sat up. " Bella?" He rubbed his eyes. "Caspian…I need you to come over." Caspian was instantly concerned. He stood up and walked away from the bed to his master bathroom.

" Bella, its your wedding night."

" I know. But I need you. You might want to call Grayson." Although Bella sounded calm and controlled as usual, calling Grayson meant there was trouble.

" I’ll be there." Caspian hung up the phone. He walked out of the bathroom and went toward his closet.

" Caspian…is everything alright?" Caspian turned toward his bed where his latest paramour lay naked; she had woken when he left the bed. Victoria sat up looking worried. " Caspian.."

" I have to go."

" Do you want me to wait up?" Her eyes traveled down his beautifully naked body, saddened that he was leaving before they could make love again.

" No. I have some business. Go back to sleep." He turned away and got dressed promptly dismissing her. Victoria frowned, Caspian was a passionate man in the bedroom but there were times he shut her out. He didn’t love her; she knew that there were other women. But she enjoyed the excitement that he brought into her life. Besides, he had a great deal of money as well as connections. She wasn’t delusional when it came to him, when he did finally decide to settle down, it would most likely be to Donnetella. Caspian made a call to Grayson and headed to Benito’s villa as fast as he could. He used his key to open the front door. " Bella! Bella"

He rushed upstairs to the bedroom. Caspian opened the door to find Bella and Benito’s body. Caspian was shocked.

" Bella, what happened?"

Isabelle pulled the collar of the robe that she wore. She kneeled on the bed and looked down at Benito’s naked dead body. There seemed to be little life inside of his sister. Her hand reached out and touched Benito’s lips, she bent forward and kissed those cold lips, while light gleamed off the diamond and platinum wedding band that she received earlier that day. Caspian made his way toward the bed, sorrow hit him. He reached out toward his sister. " Bella, tell me what happened."

"I thought that I could do it."

"Do what?" Caspian was scared by the lifelessness in her eyes as well as her voice.

" Have something .... normal, whatever that means. To have someone to understand me. Someone who could ….love me." Bella looked up at her brother. " He understood me." Bella looked down at Benito’s body again.

"What happened?"

"He lied. He’s been lying the whole time. Playing a game." Isabelle smiled ruefully. " He played it well."

" What are you talking about?"

"Benito, your good friend, my new husband. He isn’t what he seemed. It seems that my husband has been working a very deep cover.

"Why are you saying?"

"He has been working undercover to get information on you and Grayson."

"Bella…"

" Can you imagine that? Think about all the years that you’ve been his friend. Think about it, all this time, he had been working on some task force to get information on you, Grayson and the elite members of the family." The news of this rocked Caspian. They had been a close-knit group and there were things that Benito knew about….why hadn’t they been arrested before know. How had Benito been a member of this task force? He had been a friend with him since childhood; hell Benito’s own family had been connected.

" Bella, are you sure? I’ve seen the way that he looked at you, he loved you. He couldn’t have faked that."

Isabelle never took her eyes off of Benito. "He didn’t fake it. Even in the end, when I caught him, he was telling his boss that he wouldn’t give them the information they wanted unless I had immunity. But it doesn’t matter, he used me and he was going to hurt you. I couldn’t allow him to hurt the only family that I had. He married me against their wishes." Isabelle looked at Caspian and he was rocked by the sadness that was there deep in her eyes. He hadn’t seen Bella so any real emotion since her rape. " Before he died, he told me that he loved me….those were his last words."

Caspian sat on edge of the bed. " Bella, how did he die?"

"Poison. I poisoned my husband and the father of my child."

" What?"

" I’m pregnant. I’m going to have Benito’s child."

( Fade to Present)

Caspian did his best to shake off the memories of that night. It had been difficult on Bella, although she hadn’t said it, she had loved Benito. In the end, she had chosen the family. Caspian wished to god at times that she hadn’t done it since Benito had been the first man she had ever killed. Ironic, Caspian look his first life to protect Bella’s and in the ends, she took her first life to protect him.

Rick drank out of his coffee mug. " Rick, are you going to tell me what is going on?"

"No."

" You are hurting her, she came all this way to find you. Man, you should have seen her, she was worried she was. She loves you."

" You don’t think that I know that. I love her and I want what is best for her."

" And YOU don’t think that it is you?"

"Not anymore."

" Why not?"

"Because of what I’ve done."

"What did you do?"

"Grant."

"Grant, my sister’s husband. Remember when he was shot."

" Yeah."

" I was responsible for the shooting. I’m the one who shot Grant."

"Whoo" CJ was rocked by the news. "It was you?"

"Yeah. My mom kept it from me. She, Ridge and Grant kept it from me. I was upset about my mother marrying him so I tried to kill him."

" Are you sure Rick? You aren’t the type to shoot someone."

" Yes, I’m sure. I remember it now. I remember taking out the gun and aiming it. I remember how much I hated Grant. I thought that he was the reason my mother was unhappy. I had gone there to scare him but when I saw him, the anger just bubbled over and I shot him. I almost killed him. Don’t you understand what I’m capable of? Eve deserves better than me."

" But Eve wants you. Look, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be upset. But back then, you were going through a lot. Ridge was popping in and out of your life, your mom was way depressed and you were a messed up kid. You didn’t mean it Rick." CJ touched Rick on the shoulders. " Rick, Grant was alright. He survived. Don’t let what happen in the past mess up your future. What you did, was in the past. Let it go."

Caspian walked into the hotel’s bar. Although it was well past midnight, the bar was still open. Bella was seated in one of the darker sections of the bar. He slid into the chair opposite of her after he kissed her on the cheek.

" It is good to see you, I’ve missed you Bella."

"You are looking well. Tell me, Brooke enjoy your island?"

"As much as she could considering the stress that she was under."

"Your time on the island was it what you expected."

Caspian smiled gently. " That and more."

" Your connection to her, it has deepened a great deal. Emotionally as well as sexually, I presume. You have taken her to your bed or are you still playing martyr?"

Under normal circumstances a man in his position would feel uncomfortable about talking about his sex life with his younger sister, but he and Bella discussed almost anything. " I’m no longer playing martyr, as you have put it."

"It was what you expected?" Caspian didn’t answer, but that was answer enough for Isabelle. " Oh, so it was more?" She almost smiled. He brother had a look about him that she hadn’t seemed since the happier times with Lark. Isabelle sipped the Cabernet. " Have you told her of your love for her?"

"Not yet, this isn’t the time."

" Is she over Thorne?"

Caspian poured himself a glass of wine. " Not totally. I know that there are moments that she still thinks about him."

" Does it bother you?"

" Yes and no. As a man, it does bother me that I couldn’t wipe him out of her mind. But it also says something about her character, if she forgot him so quickly, I’d be concerned. But there are moments that I wish that she had forgotten him."

" That is because of your ego. You are used to women falling over themselves to want to be with you." Isabelle raised an eyebrow. " It is good that she doesn’t make it easy." Isabelle smiled. " I’m quite sure that you have made a lasting impression however, soon Thorne will be a footnote in her life. Well, I’m sure that you want to get back to Brooke."

" I’m going to check on her, but I’m staying at the penthouse tonight. You are welcome to stay with me or are you going back to Venice?"

"I’m not going to Venice."

" Why? Bella did something happen?"

" Bella."

" Nothing happened. I just need some time away from Pierce."

" Pierce?"

" Yes, I ended things with him."

Caspian shook his head. " Bella, why? You care about him. I’ve seen you with him."

" He wanted something that I couldn’t give him. He wanted emotions, feeling…love."

Caspian took his sister’s hand. "You deserve a second chance at love." He squeezed her hand. " Bella it has been a long time since Benito. I think…"

Isabelle pulled her hand out of Caspian’s grasp. " I don’t want to discuss Benito. That is a dead subject." Isabelle stood up and tried to leave but Caspian stopped her.

" Don’t, I didn’t mean to upset you. Bella, when are you going to forgive yourself?"

" There isn’t anything for me to forgive. I did what I had to do. For you, for myself."

" But you won’t forgive yourself."

" Guilt is natural as well as self embossed punishment. Don’t try to fix me Caspian. I know who I am. I did what I had to do to protect us as you protected me."

" Did I? Did I protect you?"

"As much as you could. You were young; you didn’t know what Hugo was doing. You didn’t know that Benito was lying. You did the best you could. As far as Pierce and I, it would have ended anyway. He’d eventually want things I could never give him. He deserves better than I have to offer him." Isabelle kissed her brother on his cheek. " I’ve taken care of Judge Harper, Brooke will have her daughter back." With that, Isabelle walked away leaving Caspian with a heavy heart. He could fix things to help Brooke, but there was nothing he could do to help his sister.

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