At the cliff house, Taylor and Ridge passionately kissed until she wiggled out of his embrace and waved her finger at him. "Nope, no, no," she said as each of them tried to get their hormones under control. Taylor reminded him that there was no rush, and there were no expectations.
Figuring it had been hard for Brooke to give Ridge his freedom, Taylor said that he had to determine what that meant for him. "This can't happen unless you know what you want," she concluded. She asked whether he knew if he was even ready to move on. After a moment, she added that it was too soon for him to answer that question. She said one didn't just "move on" from the type of relationship he and Brooke had had.
Ridge replied that he wanted to move on from the drama and heartache. Taylor thought it was good that he wanted to, and she joked that they should leave the drama to their grandkids. Ridge replied that he wanted to be there for every moment of it. Taylor said Thomas was bringing Douglas over more. They were a multi-generational family, and she enjoyed spending time with Ridge, the kids, and the grandkids.
Holding hands with Ridge as they sat on the bed, Taylor said, "This is a good moment." Taylor said she had missed Ridge's company. She said she'd never stopped loving him. "No," Ridge acknowledged, climbing over her to kiss her. They cuddled on top of the covers. Taylor stated that they didn't have to pretend his head wasn't spinning. He thanked her for understanding, and she thanked him for letting her be there for him.
At Brooke's house, Hope arrived and wondered if Brooke had talked to Ridge. Hope didn't think it was too late. Brooke believed it was too late, and she had no one to blame but herself. Brooke revealed that Ridge had been there to pick up his things, and Brooke had told him to go and live a life without misery with Taylor. Wanting Ridge to be happy, Brooke was willing to let him go.
Hope couldn't believe that her mother was just giving up like that. Brooke didn't feel that she had much choice. Replying that Ridge was the love of Brooke's life, Hope reminded Brooke that she'd always said that the moment she'd laid eyes upon him, she'd known that he'd been the one.
Brooke wanted to do the right thing for Ridge and reasoned that he should be with Taylor, who was calm and sweet. Brooke figured that he wouldn't have to worry about Taylor kissing the first guy that happened by while Ridge was out of town. In Brooke's view, Ridge needed someone who'd be completely devoted to him, not bring him constant disappointment.
Hope didn't believe that Brooke thought it was worth it to give up on her and Ridge's years of history and love. Brooke, who'd been trying to see things from Ridge's perspective, wondered if she was making a mistake in letting him go. Hope advised Brooke to keep fighting, but Brooke wondered how many times Ridge would have to forgive her.
Brooke decided that Stephanie had been right. Stephanie had known the kind of woman Brooke Logan, "Slut from the Valley," had been. Hope didn't want her mother thinking of herself that way and said that Stephanie had had no right to say it. Disagreeing, Brooke stated that Stephanie had wanted her son to be happy with a woman of substance. Brooke hadn't gotten it then but did "now." Brooke also wanted that kind of joy for Ridge and was adamant that he should have it.
Hope didn't know what had gotten into Brooke or why Brooke was idealizing Taylor as if she was a saint who'd never made mistakes. Hope asked if Ridge would suddenly forget all the reasons he and Taylor had broken up before. Hope asked if Brooke thought Ridge hadn't noticed that Taylor had been MIA for years.
Hope wasn't buying Brooke's martyr act and refused to give up on Brooke and Ridge, especially because Hope knew Brooke wanted a life with Ridge. Brooke admitted she did want that. Part of her was hoping he'd return, forget about her mistakes, and move forward. Gazing at her ring, Brooke believed she'd always love Ridge and always wonder what had gone so wrong. "Why did I do it, Hope? Why did I let my destiny slip away?" Brooke asked.
At Forrester, Thomas couldn't concentrate on drawing as he thought of what Sheila had done to Brooke. Steffy arrived, and he asked what had brought her back to work. "You," she pointedly replied, insistent upon knowing why he'd shifted his position on Brooke.
Thomas claimed that he hadn't shifted. He reasoned that they'd gotten what they'd wanted, and they didn't have to kick Brooke when she was down. To Steffy, it sounded as if Thomas felt guilty about it. Steffy was satisfied that Brooke was finally out of Ridge's life, but Thomas reasoned that it wasn't completely that way due to R.J.
Steffy once again detected a tone in Thomas' voice that signified that he felt sorry for Brooke. Thomas stated that Brooke might deserve a little pity in the situation. "Seriously?" Steffy asked. She demanded to know if Thomas wanted to see their parents happy together or not. Thomas indicated that he did want that, and Steffy advised him to stop feeling sorry for Brooke, who'd brought all it upon herself.
Alone later, Thomas thought of Sheila, who'd urged him to keep quiet.
At Carter's place, Grace was in disbelief about what she'd just heard. Paris indicated that it was true, and she and Carter were in love. Grace stated that it was the same man who'd caused Zoe great pain, and Grace refused to let it continue.
Paris asked Grace to hear her out, but for Grace, there was nothing to hear. As far as she was concerned, Paris tying herself to Carter would be Paris' downfall. Grace believed that Paris had created an extraordinary life at Forrester, and it was a life that should include Zende. Grace refused to allow Paris to destroy all she'd worked for or to sabotage her career for that man.
Paris tried to explain that she and Zende were not exclusive. Grace replied that he wanted to be. Grace asked how he'd feel to know that Paris didn't want to be exclusive with him because she was lusting for Carter. Reminding Carter that he also had his career to think about, Grace asked him to tell Paris that it was over and that she needed to go back to Zende.
Paris asserted that she wasn't a child. Paris said that Grace couldn't order Carter and Paris to turn off their feelings or push Paris toward Zende. Grace asked if Carter didn't think she had a right to have an opinion or be concerned about the damage it would cause. Carter sided with Grace, saying he loved Paris too much to let her jeopardize her life. He said that if Zende proposed marriage to Paris, then Paris should be Zende's wife.
At the cliff house, Taylor awakened to the smell of coffee. Ridge sat on the bed with a cup in his hand. Taylor mentioned that there was nothing like having the grandkids pounce on the bed to wake her up. Looking at Ridge, she added that "this" wasn't bad, either. Taylor asked if Ridge had slept well. Ridge said he hadn't. He admitted he was still processing things and hadn't expected Brooke to set him free. "One terrible night, and everything we had is gone," he added.
Downstairs, Steffy received a call from Thomas, who was looking for Ridge. She conveyed that Ridge was upstairs, taking Taylor some coffee. Thomas wondered if he should stop the house hunt and move in, too. Steffy stated that there would soon be an open guesthouse. He asked if she really thought their parents would stay together. Steffy didn't know what would keep them apart.
Later, Taylor and Ridge descended the stairs, laughing and talking. He was fully dressed, but she was still wearing a nightgown and open robe. Steffy, who was on her way out, promised that they could have the place to themselves. Ridge said he was going to the office, too.
Taylor clarified that it wasn't what Steffy thought, and Ridge had merely taken coffee to Taylor that morning. Ridge added that he was staying in the guesthouse. Steffy said there was no judgment. She just couldn't help but feel her parents' energy and see the smiles on their faces. Taylor admitted to being happy. She said having Ridge there had been wonderful.
Steffy admitted she loved it, too, and it was better than she remembered. She reasoned that she might have taken it for granted before. Steffy said it was Ridge's chance to have lasting love. Steffy felt that Brooke was behind them, and it was incredible the way it had all been working out.
In the CEO's office, Hope arrived, looking for Ridge. Thomas was working there and assumed she wanted to see Ridge about Brooke. Hope said she didn't want it to be an issue between her and Thomas, but her mother was in a bad way. Hope needed Ridge to know that night wouldn't have happened if Deacon and Brooke hadn't been drinking.
Thomas stated that Ridge was happy where he was, and Taylor and Ridge were reconnecting. "He's not thinking about Brooke, and she shouldn't be thinking about him," Thomas added. Hope replied that Brooke was naturally thinking of her husband, and Brooke and Ridge loved each other. Thomas conveyed that Brooke and Ridge weren't together anymore; Ridge and Taylor were reconnecting. He said it was what they all wanted, and Taylor and Ridge finally had a chance to be together. Thomas vowed to support them in any way that he could.
Hope still wanted to speak to Ridge. "Or you could let our parents handle this on their own," Thomas advised. Hope knew that her mother could fight her own battles, but Brooke was confused. Thomas said his father wasn't; Ridge was happier than he'd been in a long time, and Taylor was ecstatic. Thomas said that Ridge and Brooke would always care for each other, "but if she's saying it's over, and he's accepted that, why push him to rethink it?"
"Because this is what they do!" Hope replied. She insisted that Brooke and Ridge's breakups had always been temporary. Thomas hoped it wasn't. Hope asked if it was really fair that one mistake would jeopardize the life they'd built together. Thomas said it was happening because Taylor was there, and she and Ridge had a chance to build something together.
Thomas left for a meeting, and a short time later, Ridge arrived. Hope said she knew Brooke had set him free; however, Hope believed that Brooke was punishing herself and trying to fix things by letting Ridge go. Ridge said he and Brooke had discussed it, and it was what she wanted. Hope asked if it was what Ridge wanted. He yelled that Brooke had let him go.
Hope believed Brooke had done it because Brooke thought it was what she deserved. Hope said Brooke was plagued by one question and wanted know what had happened; it hadn't been like her to do what she'd done. "The same way that what you're doing is not like you," Hope added, citing that he'd moved out and was reconnecting with Taylor while still married to Brooke. Hope said that two wrongs didn't make a right.
Steffy entered, telling Hope not to judge Ridge for wanting to be happy. Ridge said that Hope was just looking out for her mother, but Steffy complained that Hope was making it sound as if he was cheating on Brooke. Hope replied that he was still married to Brooke. Steffy claimed that she was Ridge's daughter, and Ridge was staying with his family and grandkids.
"And Taylor," Hope added. Steffy said Taylor had tried to help Brooke. Ridge cut in, but Steffy asked if they were really going to pretend and make excuses for Brooke. Steffy said she was sure Brooke regretted what she'd done and hated herself for it, but she couldn't take it back. She insisted Ridge was reconnecting with Taylor and remembering what it was like to be with someone he could rely on and trust. Steffy asked Ridge not to let Brooke back in and to "come home to us," his family, the Forresters, not Hope, not Brooke, and not the Logans.
At Il Giardino, Deacon was sweeping and thinking about Brooke's kiss. Someone grabbed his butt, and he instantly knew it was Sheila. "Come on, I'm working here," he said. Noting that she kept showing up there, Deacon suggested that she just ask for her old job back. Sheila said they could spend more time together, but he stated that he'd been thinking it would give her a legitimate reason to be there. Sheila offered to rev up his engine but warned that once he was with her, Brooke would become a disappointment.
Deacon assumed that Sheila thought Brooke deserved what was happening to her. Sheila said he ought to be thinking of what happened next and how he could be a part of it. "See, that's how you think. Not me. Not anymore," he replied. Sheila asked if he'd leave Brooke all alone.
In Deacon's silence, Sheila began to rant about Brooke, who'd never shown anyone else respect or courtesy and had always injected herself into everyone else's lives. Sheila claimed Brooke was the opposite of Taylor, who'd stayed away because she hadn't wanted to interfere. She said Taylor was humble, kind, and thoughtful. "Write her a fan letter already, geez," Deacon replied.
Sheila said Taylor had known how important time with Hayes and Finn was for Sheila, and Sheila knew what it meant for Taylor to have Ridge. "Because you guys are BFFs now?" Deacon asked. Sheila replied that if Taylor was happy, Sheila was happy. Sheila believed that if Taylor's family was secure and thriving, Sheila might be able to spend more time with her son and grandson. "She might even convince Steffy to give me a chance," Sheila uttered.
Deacon sarcastically asked who cared what it did to Brooke's life if things were looking up for Sheila and Taylor. Sheila urged him to go to Brooke and comfort her. "She has a weakness for that," Sheila added, and he quipped that Sheila made doing something nice seem dirty. He stated that Brooke's life had been turned upside down. "Karma's a bitch," Sheila replied.
Deacon recalled that Sheila had said karma was a good thing. Sheila guessed it depended upon what one deserved. Deacon reminded Sheila that Ridge was like a boomerang, and Deacon said that someone needed to tell Sheila's gal pal Taylor that no one should underestimate the commitment between Ridge and Brooke. Sheila smugly insisted that Ridge had moved out and was with Taylor. "I think you need a history lesson," Deacon quipped.
Sheila bragged about "destiny" coming to a screeching halt and said Deacon hadn't had anything to do with it. Deacon asked what it had been if it hadn't been him, and he challenged Sheila to explain it. Sheila stated that Ridge had left because of Deacon but wouldn't return to Brooke because of Taylor. Sheila began to go off on Brooke again, but Deacon wouldn't let Sheila trash Brooke. He said that one night didn't define who Brooke was.
The bartender interrupted Sheila and Deacon to get Deacon's help with a delivery. Alone, Sheila called Thomas, who promptly responded with, "Don't call me." Sheila said she wouldn't call if he'd assure her that he'd keep their secret. "Are we good?" Sheila asked.
At Il Giardino, Sheila phoned Thomas to again warn him that he should not tell anyone about her champagne label-swapping stunt. "This is our secret," Sheila growled. When Sheila hung up the phone, Deacon made his presence known. "Scheming much?" he asked as a started Sheila turned to face him.
Sheila called her life "an open book" and denied that she was doing anything secretive. Sheila reminded Deacon that they were both "within arm's reach" of getting everything they wanted. She urged him to "seize the moment" and give up trying to live a normal life by working at the restaurant. Deacon told Sheila that Brooke did not want him; she still wanted Ridge. Sheila told Deacon that he could "push Ridge into the Taylor column for good" if he chose to follow her plan.
Liam was on the phone, discussing contracts, when Brooke dropped by the cabin. Liam could tell just by looking at Brooke that she was not doing well, so he decided not to ask her how she was doing. Brooke thanked Liam for letting her drop by unannounced. She asked if Hope was home but agreed to stick around for a while when she learned that Hope had stepped out.
Liam fixed Brooke a cup of tea that was touted as being able to calm one's nerves. Liam offered an ear to Brooke, but Brooke expressed concern about burdening Liam with her woes. She did, however, share that she missed Ridge. Brooke questioned why she had sabotaged her relationship with Ridge. She also expressed regret that she had handed "Ridge over to Taylor on a silver platter," as Liam described it.
In the executive office at Forrester Creations, Steffy told Ridge that he needed a woman with stability in his life, someone like Taylor. As Steffy talked to him, Hope stared down at the ground, her arms crossed. Eventually, Hope spoke up on behalf of her mother, noting that Brooke would take everything back if she could.
"That vodka didn't just pour down Brooke's throat on its own," Steffy sassed. Hope reminded Steffy that Brooke was an alcoholic and felt it was wrong for Steffy to use that as a way to shame Brooke. Steffy countered that it wasn't just the alcohol; it was also Brooke kissing Deacon, and Brooke allowing Deacon to spend the night. Steffy declared that Ridge was where he belonged, a place where he received "the unconditional love he deserves."
Hope turned to Ridge and flashed an expression that seemed to beg Ridge to jump in and say something. As Thomas entered the office, Steffy declared that Brooke needed to suffer the consequences of her actions. Hope apologized to Ridge for the way that Brooke had hurt him. She insisted that Brooke would not have done any of the things she'd done with Deacon if she had not been drinking. "She loves you, Ridge. It has always been you," Hope said softly.
Later, after Hope left, Thomas told Steffy not to be so hard on Brooke and Hope. Steffy claimed that Hope was "in denial" and said that she was tired of Hope justifying Brooke's "reckless behavior." Ridge, who had remained silent throughout most of the discussion, admitted that there was a part of him that would always love Brooke... even if he knew that his relationship with Brooke had gotten to the point where it was not fixable.
Brooke returned to her house, and within moments of her entering her living room, Deacon showed up at the front door. Brooke allowed Deacon inside, even though she insisted that she did not need him to check up on her. Deacon gave Brooke a box of candy. He beamed as he told Brooke that he remembered her variety of candy, adding that he remembered every single moment of his time with her.
Brooke told Deacon that they were not going to "skip down memory lane." Without any prompting from Deacon, Brooke revealed that she had turned her husband over to a woman who had been "lying in wait for decades." Brooke questioned why she had pushed Ridge into Taylor's arms. Deacon asked if Brooke was saying that she hadn't given up on Ridge. Brooke, who had been mopey during the discussion, suddenly showed a spark of confidence. She stood more upright, and her face came alive. "I never should have let [Ridge] go," she replied.
Hope returned to the cabin and filled Liam in on her "little run-in" with Steffy at Forrester. Hope said it made her sad to see Brooke -- and Ridge -- hurting. Liam told Hope that Brooke had dropped by earlier. He said it was easy to see how much Brooke was hurting. They both agreed that it was a mistake for Brooke to have so easily "let go" of Ridge.
Alone in the executive office at Forrester, Ridge sat at the desk and thought about Brooke.
In the design office, Thomas paced around for a moment before dialing Sheila. Sheila answered the phone and demanded to know why he was calling. Thomas said that he had no one else to talk to about his concerns. Thomas told Sheila that it did not feel right to keep such a huge secret from Ridge and Brooke.
Sheila became more agitated and demanded that Thomas remain quiet. She told him that it would be only a matter of time before Brooke moved on with Deacon. She asked Thomas to consider Taylor's feelings and how much Taylor loved Ridge. If Thomas remained quiet, Sheila said that she was certain everyone would get what they wanted. "You say nothing," Sheila growled. She demanded that Thomas tell her that he would keep quiet. "Yes, I hear you," Thomas snapped. He was unaware that Steffy had opened the office and door and was listening.
Due to CBS Sports coverage of the NCAA "March Madness" basketball tournament, The Bold and the Beautiful did not air. This was a planned preemption and there were no "lost" episodes as a result of schedule change. Regular programming resumed on Monday, March 21, and picked up where the Wednesday, March 16, episode concluded.
Due to CBS Sports coverage of the NCAA "March Madness" basketball tournament, The Bold and the Beautiful did not air. This was a planned preemption and there were no "lost" episodes as a result of schedule change. Regular programming resumed on Monday, March 21, and picked up where the Wednesday, March 16, episode concluded.
