Friday, May 20, 2005
Bridget returned to the Shady Marlin excited about Taylor's return. She and Nick discussed the predicament Brooke is in. Nick suggested they give Brooke credit for how well she's handling Taylor's return, but Bridget remained convinced that her mother belongs with Ridge and feared her life would be ripped away from her. Nick noted that if Taylor was the woman everyone says she was, she'd do the right thing, to which Bridget cooed, "logic goes out the window when it comes to love."

Back at the house, Taylor's trail of reunions continued with Thorne and Darla. As she welcomed Darla to the family, Stephanie showed up with an out of the loop Eric. He was as speechless and confused as Stephanie had been. Even as they hugged, his face showed joyful disbelief. We again heard the phrase, "We're never going to be apart again, ever," but this time it was from Eric. When Ridge, Brooke and Taylor were left alone, Brooke was ready to talk business, but Taylor said she was wanted to be with the kids. Brooke headed up to bed, hoping Ridge would follow, but Taylor asked him to stay back to speak with her first. He told Brooke he'd meet her upstairs, to which she said, "I'll be waiting."

After Ridge served Taylor her favorite tea, she acknowledged the changes in his life, but emphasized that her feelings remain the same. To her, it was only months ago that she thought she was dying in his arms and she aches to be back in his arms and his life. Ridge moved away, to stand by the fire. When he said Brooke should be involved in the conversation, Taylor filled him in on their earlier confrontation. She called Brooke's request that she move out "a mother's plea" to give up "everything that's most precious" to her, but insisted she can't give up all that she'd worked so hard to return to. She maintained she wasn't pushing him, but just had to tell him how she felt. After reiterating those feelings, she left him to check on the kids.

A still thrilled Eric wished he'd had more time with Taylor, but his mood changed when it finally dawned on him what this means for Brooke and Ridge. He visibly flinched when Stephanie noted that Taylor's return meant Brooke and Ridge weren't legally married. When she started singing her anti-Brooke tune, Eric warned her to stay out of it. Instead, Stephanie called Taylor and told her not to let Brooke sleep with her husband. She warned Taylor that Brooke was using all her ammunition, from the kids to her body, but Taylor said she had to trust Ridge.

Upstairs, Ridge found Brooke in a pink negligee. She brought up the triangle issue, but Ridge put her off. She admitted the past days have been challenging, leaving her with conflicting feelings. On the one hand, she's overjoyed for everyone. On the other, she's committed to keeping what she has with Ridge strong. She looked into his eyes searching for his love and any reassurance that she wouldn't lose him. As they kissed, she asked him to make love to her - and it looked like she was going to get what she wanted as the scene faded to black.

Thursday, May 19, 2005
Ridge and Stephanie discussed Taylor’s return, marveling over the fact that her time away hasn't changed her one bit. Ridge said she's still the woman he fell in love with — can you spell trouble? Mother and son rehashed all the recent themes, from Taylor's return to Stephanie's belief that Ridge was going crazy to how perfect Ridge and Taylor always were together. Stephanie said she was proud of the man Ridge was with Taylor, insinuating that she hasn't been proud of the man he's been with Brooke. Thus began her new campaign against Brooke.

Taylor and Bridget caught up in the living room. Taylor thanked Bridget for helping everyone move past her "death," which moved Bridget to tears. Bridget said Taylor's tendency to do good motivated her to want to do the same and that she was follow in Taylor's footsteps by studying medicine. Taylor apologized for ruining Bridget's wedding day, but Bridget wouldn't hear it and became typically googley as they discussed Nick. When Brooke entered, Taylor commended her on raising a lovely daughter. Brooke sent Bridget off to spend some quality time with Nick, leaving Ridge's two wives alone together.

Taylor tried to make a quick exit, but Brooke asked her to stay to discuss matters. She offered Taylor some info on houses for rent, showing her one she thought Taylor would like. They agreed it should be a nearby house and Taylor said she was glad they were "on the same wavelength." Taylor commended Brooke for how calmly she's handled this situation and Brooke insisted she was just thinking of the kids. That's when Taylor dropped her side of the bombshell, saying, "I want you to take as much time as you need to find the right house for you to move into." Brooke corrected Taylor about who would be moving and when Taylor asked if Ridge was in on this, Brooke said that she'd just "assumed" things would go this way. Taylor insisted Ridge should be a part of this conversation. Hope interrupted with a family drawing that included Ridge and then asked where "daddy" was. Taylor recognized how important Ridge was to the babes in his "other" family. Amazingly, no one lost her cool as the newest battle for Ridge began. Taylor acknowledged that this situation is unfair to everyone, noting that what really matters is how they deal with it. Brooke continued selling her side of the story, pointing out how she's the one who has young children who need Ridge. She told Taylor she was welcome to stay as long as she wants, but Taylor again questioned Ridge's desires. Brooke empathized with Taylor and begged her to do the right thing by letting her keep Ridge.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005
The episode started by panning over family pictures of Brooke, Taylor and the kids and into the ongoing reunion of Stephanie and Taylor. Upstairs, an excited Bridget stormed in to find Ridge and giddily demanded to see Taylor. They reminisced about all the pain Ridge went through losing her and Bridget wondered how he could bring himself to be apart from her now. He informed her that Taylor was catching up with Stephanie, so Bridget hounded him for details, wanting to hear his version of the story. He glowed as he filled her in, but when he was done, Bridget asked how he and Brooke were doing. He told her Brooke is happy for the kids and that after she passed out from the excitement, he went downstairs to think — i.e. they slept separately! He insisted he’s not shutting Brooke out, even though there's a lot to work out. She said that their family means the world to Brooke, but Ridge is too caught up in the joy of seeing Taylor back with the people who love and missed her to think about the growing conflict.

Nick found Brooke in her office, where she was grabbing some reports. He immediately brought up the current state of affairs at her home and said he's heard Taylor was a well-liked woman. None too subtly, he asked how Taylor was as a wife. Brooke acknowledged the adjustment she'd have to go through now that Ridge was with Brooke, to which Nick pointed out, "I guess that goes double for you and Forrester." Brooke stood behind her belief that time moves on and Taylor's the one who needs to adjust. She said she was "taking it one day at a time," but had faith in her relationship. Nick brought up the legal angle again and Brooke got defensive. As she angrily looked through some dresses, Nick reminded her of his promise to always support her and scolded her for making it "so hard to do." She apologized for snapping at him. She said the real concern is the kids. Nick acknowledges that Ridge is in a no-win situation with two wives laying emotional claim to him. He wondered if Stephanie had weighed in yet, not knowing it was going on as they spoke. It was clear Brooke wasn't expecting her full support, but also that she was hopping the existence of their son R.J. would sway her. She believes her love will survive this "ultimate challenge."

Back at the house, Stephanie flashed back to Taylor's deathbed, reminding viewers of the pain she felt losing her. She bemoaned the years lost to the mistaken belief that she was dead. Taylor refused to let anyone take on any guilt over it. She reminded Stephanie that it was her own idea to remove the monitors and commended Stephanie for standing by her family. Stephanie wondered if Omar was really going to give up. Taylor had faith that he'd finally accepted the fact that Ridge is the only man for her. Talk turned to the kids and Taylor expressed her thanks for all Brooke, Stephanie and Bridget have done for them. Then Stephanie went to the heart of the matter, asking how Taylor felt about Brooke. Taylor started crying. Stephanie maintained she had nothing to worry about, because she is Ridge's one true love. Taylor understood and respected what Brooke and Ridge have built, but that didn't stop her from wanting her life back. Stephanie said that while Ridge has a responsibility to his new family, that doesn't change the love he has for Taylor. Stephanie went through her anger at God over losing Taylor, but said her return is a blessing and the return of "decency and faith." They cooed over each other long enough for Ridge to walk in and enjoy the view.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Brooke woke up to find Ridge getting dressed. He'd been up with the Taylor and the kids, making breakfast, and let her sleep in. He'd already talked to the twins' boarding school headmaster about their moving back home, so Thomas was driving them to pick up their stuff. Brooke was a bit put off by the fact that she was left out of this decision about the girls, but Ridge insisted there was no decision to make. When she filled Bridget in later, she insisted that even with Taylor home, nothing would change between her and Ridge. Bridget warned that it could get messy and let her know that the marriage may not stand up since Taylor was never dead. Brooke was annoyed that Bridget was already talking about lawyers and swore that their commitment isn't about a piece of paper. She said she isn't naïve, but expects they'll find a solution that works for everyone. The poor woman even held onto the hope that she'll keep Stephanie's support if it comes to choosing sides.

Stephanie sat on the patio feeling guilty about not recognizing how much Ridge was still grieving for Taylor. Eric joined her with coffee and said he agreed they Ridge needs professional help. They plot how to do it without making him feel attacked or setting him off. Stephanie rued her choice to let him take the twins. His parents were scared, but determined to find him help. Stephanie admitted that at Bridget's wedding, she felt the family was finally happy.

Ridge came downstairs to find Taylor cleaning up the coffee table (with quite a bit of tempting cleavage exposed). She told him to get used to seeing her and swatted him with a towel as she went to start on the kitchen. The doorbell rang and Stephanie arrived. She let him know they had a place reserved for him at a swanky psych hospital, but he laughingly said all would be well as soon as he had his chance to talk. His insistence only increased her concern. Then, as promised, Taylor walked into the room. "Stephanie," was all she had to say. La Forrester was actually speechless for a moment as she stared at her favored daughter-in-law. Taylor guided her hand to her face and whispered, "I'm real. I’m alive." Stephanie’s tears showed that she was finally accepting what was before her. As Taylor filled her in on the story of her return, Stephanie remained stunned and tearful. "You're home!" she sobbed as they embraced again. Then she turned to hug Ridge, saying, "And you have your wife." She apologized for questioning Ridge's sanity. After Ridge left to take a phone call, Stephanie addressed the changes Taylor has returned to. Talk turned to Brooke and the fact that she wants her family to stay together in just the way Taylor does. Stephanie calmly told her that Ridge never got over her and, "This is where you belong. This is YOUR home."

The battle lines are being drawn!

Monday, May 16, 2005
Brooke continued to insist that Taylor just has to "deal with" the fact that she and Ridge have created a family. Ridge reminded her that the kids need their mother close and asked if they could keep the focus there for now. Brooke recognized that it's also a major event for Ridge and asked him to share his feelings with her so she can be involved. His whole face lit up as he walked her through his recent reunion with Taylor. He said that seeing and talking to her should have been strange, but it wasn't, and that the best part was seeing the kids with her. He admitted that from the Thomas/Amber debacle to the twins choosing boarding school, he kept wondering how Taylor being there could have changed things. He appreciates everything Brooke has done for the kids, just as Brooke appreciates that all she's done cannot compare to what Taylor shares with them. She stayed strong on the message that while Taylor is there for the kids and thus a part of the family, Brooke and Ridge are the couple. Ridge suggested this could be the best thing that's ever happened to their very non-traditional family. As he hugged her, it was clear Brooke didn't agree.

Nick tried to quiet Bridget's concerns with a nighttime dip in the sea, but the suited up pair never made it off the boat. She was concerned that Stephanie and Eric still don't know about Taylor, but knew the kids needed more time with their mom before others were told. Nick offered his body as distraction. He buried his head in her bare belly, but not even that distracted her from her growing list of worries over Taylor's return. When she kept moping, Nick said the boat was a no moping zone and the seduction continued. This time, Bridget was able to stop talking and enjoy it. In the afterglow, Bridget went back to stressing. She filled him in on how frightening the competition between Brooke and Taylor used to get and warned that Taylor's return will cause major problems for her mom. (Duh!)

Meanwhile, Taylor was enjoying her reunion with the kids. The twins announced they'd stay back from boarding school now that she's home and also teased that Thomas likes girls now. Taylor picked up on that when she and Thomas were alone. She told him he'd grown into a handsome man and he asked if that made her sad. "Only proud," she said. He admitted that even though they'd continued going to church on Sundays, he'd almost lost his faith in God since she'd "died." He'd been angry over losing her and wondered what kind of God would take her from them. Taylor says those times are just what faith is for. God always has something in store or something to teach. Their painful time apart taught them to appreciate family in a way others can't. Thomas was astounded by the fact that she found something good in the biggest tragedy to ever hit their family. Taylor points out that her prayers were answered, because she got to come home. She also noted that her son has become more outgoing. Thomas said he used to miss her most when nightmares made him want to be held by her and now, even though he's grown up, all he wanted was to be held by his mother. They embraced. The girls returned from prepping for bed and the group decided to all sleep in the same room. Taylor held all three of her kids in her lap and promised never to leave them again. (Again!) When Ridge came in to check on them, the three Forrester ladies were asleep in one (tiny) bed, with Thomas asleep in the other. Ridge tucked his family in and woke Taylor with a kiss on the cheek. Brooke got to the doorway just in time to catch them holding hands and sharing a meaningful, contented smile.