Friday, June 3, 2005
Brooke revealed to Taylor that yes indeed, Hope is Deacon's child. Ridge told Stephanie to stop attacking Brooke. Brooke admitted to Taylor that she doesn't expect her to understand but that Hope considers Ridge her father. Then Stephanie brought up Brooke's affair with Nick. Ridge yelled at Stephanie to back off. Brooke raged at Stephanie saying that her acceptance was all an act. Stephanie insisted that the issue was who should raise the children. Taylor was shocked to hear that Stephanie asked Brooke to give up RJ for Taylor and Ridge to raise. Ridge asked for time alone with his mother, then blasted her for interfering and undermining Brooke. Stephanie claimed that she loved all the children and wanted what is best for them. Ridge told her to stay out of it or she would regret it and he stormed out. Back at the house, Taylor told Brooke that she believed Ridge will make the right decision.

Thorne and Darla told Sally that Taylor is alive. Sally wondered what Taylor's return meant for Brooke. Sally said that a decrease in Spectra sales is due to Amber's departure from the company and they need a replacement, particularly someone with a Forrester pedigree. Cut to Thomas sketching. He was still upset Eric didn't hire him at Forrester. Gaby wondered what happened with Caitlin after she spied Gaby kissing Thomas. Thorne called Thomas (on speaker phone) to see how he was doing and Thomas told him that Eric thinks he's not ready to join Forrester. Thorne and Darla were called away and Sally told Clarke that snagging Thomas might be good for Spectra — they'd have more Forresters than Forrester! Gaby and Thomas discussed his "sexy" designs and he thanked her for her support.

Thursday, June 2, 2005
After Ridge and Brooke discussed Phoebe and Steffy's new school, Ridge informed her that Hope cried when she was dropped off at hers. Brooke suggests they go together to pick her up early and he praised her on being an amazing influence on all the kids. He reassured her that just as she's always been there for them, they would now return in kind. When Ridge detected something was wrong, Brooke filled him in on Stephanie's machinations, including her plan to expose all of Brooke's past mistakes to Taylor. He was frustrated that "the dragon" was meddling and insisted he's never wanted Brooke to be like Taylor and has always loved her for who she is. When she told him about Stephanie's request that she leave town with Hope, letting Taylor adopt RJ, that was too much for Ridge. He grabbed Brooke and set out to stop his mother.

As soon as Taylor met Stephanie for lunch at the manse, Stephanie continued her campaign against Brooke. Her first order of business was sharing the news that Hope was the product of Brooke's affair with Deacon. Taylor was astounded, since she'd been given the impression that Brooke had been a good role model for the kids. Stephanie then started on RJ's paternity fiasco, starting with Brooke sleeping with Nick the day after Ridge was presumed dead. Taylor grasped Stephanie's message that Brooke hasn't changed. Brooke and Ridge walked in to hear Stephanie insisting that only Taylor can protect the family from Brooke's selfishness and when Ridge interrupted, Taylor went right for Brooke.

Thomas arrived at the guesthouse looking for his grandfather, excited to show off some new designs he'd been working on, but he instead found Gaby humming to herself as she moved into her new space. The two touched on the confusion caused by Taylor's return, before looking at his sketches. An impressed Gaby said she'd definitely wear it. He admitted that he loves designing and hopes to follow in his family biz. Eric showed up looking for Thomas, who started his pitch immediately. He mentioned his upcoming graduation and his internship at Forrester and announced that he was ready to design for Forrester. Eric was cautiously excited as he reviewed the sketches. He praised Thomas for his "promise," but warned there was still a lot for him to learn. Thomas remained positive, adding that his age gave him an edge on the market. Eric noted that was what they'd hoped Caitlin would bring, but it hadn't really worked. (Hm, interesting!) Thomas countered that he'd grown up around the biz. Eric recognized Ridge in Thomas, comparing their tendency to charge at any obstacle and grab everything they can out of life. He called the sketches "fine," but insisted they need more than youthful inspiration. Eric concluded that because Thomas lacked the necessary experience, this wasn't the summer for him. A disappointed Thomas claimed he thought he was good and had hoped Eric would mentor him. Eric agreed that he had talent, but with Sally and Spectra doing so well, they the timing was wrong. Before leaving, he suggested Thomas enjoy his summer and get a couple of years of design school under his belt before coming on board. Gaby tried to boost Thomas' mood, but he remained focused on designing — by any means possible!

Wednesday, June 1, 2005
On the Shady Marlin, Jackie and Nick continued fighting over postponing his wedding to Bridget. Nick filled her in on his convo with Ridge, in which Nick told him to take care of Brooke and the kids. She noted it was the family he should be protecting — not Ridge — but Nick insisted he wants his own family with Bridget just like Brooke and Ridge have. The conversation turned to Stephanie's manipulations and Nick wished she'd stay out of it. He asserted that Brooke would still love Ridge even if he chose Taylor and ordered dear old mom to accept the fact that Bridget will be her daughter-in-law, whether she liked it or not.

An excited Massimo rushed in to feast his eyes on Taylor. Brooke walked in just in time to catch him saying how great the loss of her was and that no one could replace her, but he shared the same enthusiasm at seeing Brooke. Then, he laughed that Ridge was lucky to share his home with two such beautiful women. Getting serious, he let them know he would trust the three of them to work out the crimps without any interference. He later offered to send the Marone jet to pick up Taylor's father. Taylor finished filling him in on her return just as Jackie showed up. Though she'd come to start on Brooke, she claimed she was there to meet Taylor. When Brooke went to the patio with her wine, Jackie found her and said that with Taylor back, Brooke would be relegated to being on the outside looking in — as they were at that moment. She acted as though she was empathizing, but then told her Nick is there to catch her. Brooke wouldn't even consider her daughter's fiancè. Jackie used her line about how much harder it will be for Bridget if they wait till after he married Bridget to realize they belonged together. Brooke listened silently as she watched the affection between Ridge, Taylor and Massimo.

Meanwhile, the Bridget/Stephanie faceoff continued. Bridget was disgusted by Stephanie's idea that Brooke should let Taylor and Ridge raise RJ. She pointed out that Brooke raised her, but Stephanie just pushed that aside, saying she was proud of Bridget and Rick precisely because they'd overcome having a mother like Brooke. Bridget charged Stephanie of being the only one unable to forgive Brooke and then accused of her being jealous. Stephanie denied it, but Bridget was convinced that La Forrester's real problem was that no one listens to her rants about Brooke. She asked Stephanie to give up on her grudges from the past to focus on the future. Stephanie insisted she was entitled to her own opinion, to which a calm Bridget responded, "Yeah. You are. Just keep it to yourself," and left. Once alone, Stephanie called to set up a lunch date with Taylor with the intention of airing all of Brooke's dirty laundry.

When Bridget returned to the Marlin, she told Nick they could cross Stephanie and Eric off their wedding list. He was surprised until he realized Stephanie's meddling was the problem. He warned her that she couldn't change Stephanie’s ideas about Brooke, but noted that Brooke has survived Stephanie before. Bridget recalled how tumultuous the in-fighting made life and Nick promised he'd defend Brooke against Stephanie. She noted that it should be Ridge defending her, but that he's too in his own head to do so. Nick changed the topic with a bit of kissing and canoodling.

Tuesday, May 31, 2005
In the guest room, Brooke filled Bridget in on how mean Stephanie was to her and how she'd threatened to give Taylor the full story behind Hope and RJ's paternity. Bridget noted that Brooke's trysts with both Nick and Deacon were ancient history and that even she has forgiven her mother for her sins. Brooke was feeling invisible, with all eyes on Taylor. She admitted that in becoming a "better person" she'd tried to live up to what Taylor's example, but she figured that she hadn't succeeded. She couldn't stop imagining all the horrible things Stephanie would say to Ridge about her and asked Bridget why he would ever want her when he can have Taylor. Bridget answered that he would want her because he loves her, but Brooke was sure she'd lose him with Stephanie fighting against her. Bridget was horrified to hear that Stephanie suggested Brooke let Ridge and Taylor raise RJ and reminded Brooke that she's not alone. Brooke denied that, saying only Bridget was in her corner, and admitted she was crushed that Taylor's kids were so ready to push her aside.

An "appalled" Bridget went straight to Stephanie, who was catching up with Gaby. Bridget asked Gaby to leave and then went on the attack. She reprimanded Stephanie, insisting that even she has to know her meddling is wrong. Stephanie played dumb and Bridget accused her of using her own scars to advance her agenda. Bridget didn't pull any punches, but Stephanie still insisted Brooke's good deeds don't out weigh the bad she's done. Bridget countered that Brooke should fight for her place in her own home, while Stephanie should just butt out.

Meanwhile, the twins fought over whose event Taylor should attend: Phoebe's dance recital or Steffy's lacrosse tournament. Thomas took sides and chose the recital, but Steffy was appeased when he mentioned their upcoming trip to Hawaii, where Taylor would get to watch her surf. Phoebe reminded her that she'd promised to teach Hope to surf, which brought up the interesting question of who would actually end up going on this "family" trip. Phoebe's sibs reminded her that things are changing and that Brooke, RJ and Hope would have to move out. She did NOT like hearing that, insisting that Brooke, RJ and Hope deserve to continue living in their home — and that she wanted them there. While Thomas agreed it wasn't fair, he maintained that someone has to leave and it should be Brooke. Ridge listens in as his daughter stormed out, screaming, "I don't want my own room if it means losing my brother and sister!" Thomas and Steffy felt bad, but hoped their father would back them up. Instead, he rehashed the situation, noting how much Brooke did for them and how much these changes are hurting her.

Phoebe tracked down Brooke to show her support. Brooke told an apologetic Phoebe that she was right to be thinking about her mom, but a worried Phoebe asked the million dollar question: "Are you going to move out?" Brooke admitted she doesn't know how things will end, though she hoped it would work out. She told Steffy that what mattered now was their reconnecting with Taylor, who is sure to be impressed with the person Steffy's become. Steffy embraced her, swore that Brooke was the one responsible for who she's become and promised she'll always love her. Most importantly, she declared that even with Taylor back, Brooke would always be a mother to her. Thomas and Steffy came in and agreed. A tearful Brooke was over the moon as Ridge watched on.