2000

To stop Amber and CJ's wedding, Rick finds the biological father of "little Eric" for him to sign over custody to Rick and Amber. Deacon, a ruthless schemer with no interest in being a father, agrees to sign for $100,000. Later, Deacon asks for more cash. The Forresters and the Spectras start a bidding war. Deacon takes the child to live with him and his girlfriend Carmen. Deacon develops feelings for Amber. Carmen becomes jealous, and gets angry when Deacon refuses a $1 million offer from the Forresters. Carmen dies in a rooftop accident.

2001

Amber moves in with Deacon and little Eric. Deacon and Amber bond over their similar pasts. Eric brags about not having to pay Deacon the $1 million. Bridget develops a crush on Deacon. Looking to anger Eric, Deacon gets involved with her. Deacon arrives at Amber and Rick's wedding and tells Eric to give him Amber, or he'll take Bridget. Amber refuses to leave. Deacon is thrown out. Bridget and Deacon marry in Las Vegas. Eric overhears Deacon making love to the then-virginal Bridget. Bridget learns the truth and wrecks her car. Deacon begs Bridget for another chance. She agrees. Brooke pressures Deacon to divorce Bridget. Deacon and Brooke make love.

2002

Brooke finds out she's pregnant. Whip Jones tells reporters he is the father. Deacon resents Whip's attempts to seduce Brooke. Deacon and Brooke continue their affair. Brooke and Whip get engaged. Bridget overhears Brooke and Deacon talking about their affair and baby. Bridget confronts Brooke, who goes into labor. Stephanie and Bridget help deliver baby Hope. Bridget returns home to Deacon, throwing him out and setting his belongings on fire. Having lost both women, Deacon goes back to New York. He shows up in Italy, begging Brooke for a life with him and Hope. Brooke refuses, hoping to reconcile with Ridge now that Taylor has been killed.