Friday, December 30, 2005
A teary Taylor found herself in Hector's arms on New Year's Eve, before pulling away. He offered her not only a better night, but a better life, if she would just say yes to him and forget about Ridge. Thorne and Darla celebrated the New Year with champagne, a dip in the pool — and Sally. The grand dame was a bit down about still being in a wheelchair and being a third wheel to Darla and her hubby. They tried to reassure her that she's family, and they're happy to have her there. Nevertheless she bowed out early, promising to sleep soundly so the happy couple could party in private. Alone again, Darla fretted about finding Sally something to do, so she could feel useful again.

Brooke saw Stephanie at the office (Steph was still there because Felicia was too tired for New Year's festivities). La Forrester was sad about Felicia, but happy about one thing — at least Ridge was with Taylor and not Brooke this time around. Brooke countered that she should be with Ridge because of RJ. Eric broke up the bickering duo and Brooke stormed out. Eric pushed for Stephanie to accept Brooke into the family for the sake of "peace," but Steph was far from moved. He gave up and told her Ridge wouldn't be home for New Year's. Stephanie was worried; she knew how much Taylor was counting on Ridge being back. Everyone could be pushed to the breaking point, Steph pointed out to Eric, even their daughter-in-law.

Hector kept working on Taylor to come around. He told her she was always trying to make things right for everybody else, but she wasn't getting that back from her husband. "It shouldn't be this hard. I shouldn't have to convince him," she sighed. Hector wanted to spend the night. Once again, she pushed him away and left the room. He followed her to her bedroom, saying he couldn't just leave her upset and hurt. Downstairs, Brooke and RJ let themselves in through the open front door and called out for Ridge or Taylor. She eyed the champagne and assumed they had a special night planned, even though Ridge had invited her and the baby over. Upstairs, Hector insisted to Taylor that Ridge "will never be the man you need him to be." They embraced until Taylor heard Brooke coming upstairs. Hector went into the bathroom. Brooke opened the bedroom door and Taylor told her Ridge wasn't home, which was news to Brooke. She said she wasn't surprised, given that Stephanie had messed up the business and Ridge needed to fix things. Taylor was annoyed that Brooke took Ridge's side, then she threw her out of the bedroom. Hector came back out. Brooke found Hector's badge downstairs and got suspicious. Hector was disgusted that Ridge would ask Brooke over on his first night home. "You deserve so much better," he whispered, as he pulled Taylor in for a steamy kiss. Just then, Brooke opened the door and was so shocked she dropped the badge, startling the couple. "Oh my God," Brooke mouthed, as Taylor shook in her skivvies.

Thursday, December 29, 2005
In today's Brooke/Stephanie battle, Brooke showed Stephanie their terrible international sales figures and insisted that Ridge was exactly where he needed to be: "On the road, cleaning up your mess." Even if it was the holidays. She blamed Stephanie for the fact that he had to work his butt off to "add a little panache to a collection of muumuus." La Forrester then proudly unveiled the new ad campaign, which featured Taylor. The ladies continued to argue the usual — Steph's vision for the business and her obsession with Brooke, Taylor's virtue and Brooke's lack of it and, of course, Ridge.

Hector and Thomas had coffee at Insomnia, where they caught up on Caitlin. When Hector praised Thomas for being giving like Taylor, Thomas responded that the Ramirez clan lived by the same ideal, which is why he and Taylor got along so well with Caitlin and Hector. When Thomas left, Hector picked up the tab.

Darla brought Ridge's mail to Taylor and did a bit of instigating. She dropped some serious anti-Ridge propaganda, but Taylor just defended him. After Darla left, Taylor finished lighting the candles for her romantic New Year's Eve with Ridge. When the doorbell rang, she assumed, with excitement, that it was her husband returning early. Of course, it was Hard Press Hector hiding behind a huge bouquet of yellow roses. He'd come by to wish her luck with Ridge and suggested that if Ridge wondered about the roses, she point out they were yellow for friendship. He was conceding the fight for her under the belief that Ridge was already on his way home. Then the phone rang and it was Ridge, who explained that he was not, in fact, coming home yet. Taylor barely held back the tears, but it was Game On for Hector. She owed him that New Year's kiss, but he was angling for much more.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Taylor and Stephanie discussed Ridge's absence over tea. Stephanie was upset that he'd missed the holidays with his family and that he still didn't know about Felicia's condition. Taylor bemoaned the letdown of her first Christmas back. She wondered if Ridged stayed in Paris as a form of passive aggressive payback, but Stephanie drew the distinction between "thoughtless" and "vindictive." Whatever Ridge was, Taylor was questioning her future with him. Stephanie wanted to call Ridge and give him a piece of her mind, but Taylor cried, "He should want to be here! You shouldn't have to call him and tell him that his wife is upset to make that happen." She then admitted that from the start, her return from the dead hadn't brought half of what she'd expected from it, and said maybe this relationship was just too hard.

Hector, meanwhile, returned to Forrester to see Taylor and stammered to make excuses when Darla spotted him. Darla teased him, but then admitted she'd noticed the chemistry between him and Taylor and promised his secret was safe with her. Hector picked up on her negative feelings for Ridge, so she explained that he was a self-centered jerk who calls her Dingbat to her face. She imagined Taylor could do a lot better and Hector agreed. Much to Darla's pleasure, her support got Hector so pumped he headed straight out, presumably to take action with Taylor.

Back at the manse, Taylor went out for her nightly dip to find Hector dripping, pumped and sexy in her hubby's swim trunks. He said he saw his courting as another example of him "saving people from perilous situations." He went for the hard press, moving her hand to his six-pack as he professed his love and desire for her. She looked ready to jump, but before she could, he lifted her up and carried her to the double chaise lounge. When Taylor said she felt "something" too, he said it had been so long that she didn't even know what to call passion anymore. "It doesn't matter what you call it," she said. "I can't. I'm married." Hector left her with the promise that he'd be back for that New Year's kiss, which would hopefully be the start of their future together.

Bridget and Nick sweated it out until the doctor finally found the baby's heartbeat on the sonogram. Tragedy averted, Bridget apologized for her emotional reaction, but the doctor brushed it off as one of the many changes motherhood would bring. When a concerned Brooke rushed in, Bridget told her everyone was fine, but was teary as she recapped what happened. The doctor remained confident that the baby should make it to full term, but warned sex was out of the question again. Nick and Brooke were left alone when Bridget was moved to a room for the night. Nick comforted the worried grandma with a hug — just in time for Stephanie to spy it and misunderstand! When Nick left to catch up with Bridget, La Forrester didn't hesitate to go on the attack. "Did the doctor suggest no sex?" she asked Brooke. "Is that where you come in? Naughty Florence Nightingale going to help Hubby through the dry spell?" She went so far as to accuse Brooke of hoping Bridget would lose the baby so that she could be with Nick. Brooke told her Bridget and Nick had agreed to raise Dominick and suggested that before Stephanie make "groundless accusations," she should consider the consequences for her grandson. "Do you really hate me this much that you're willing to ruin his life just to get back at me?" (Uh, hello? Of course she does!)

Tuesday, December 27, 2005
While waiting in the basement office for Forrester's Toys for Tots donation, Hector had a sexy fantasy of Taylor coming onto him. When she interrupted, talk quickly turned to Ridge. Hector was shocked to hear Ridge was still away. She explained that he was worried about the business, with Forrester struggling in Europe, but Hector didn’t buy that as an excuse for staying away from family during the holidays, especially considering Ridge's wealth. Taylor admitted she was questioning her husband's priorities as well, but she believed he'd be back for New Year's. "He knows I have a kiss waiting for him at the stroke of midnight and he'll be here," she said. Hector claimed that kiss for himself if Ridge didn't show up to receive it. "One way or another, this could be the most important New Year's of your life," he promised. Taylor admitted that she'd give in to Hector "in a second" if she weren't married, but Hector only responded that if Ridge failed her this time, he was through respecting her marriage. "No more Mr. Nice Guy," he warned. "I'm putting on a full court press." Taylor seemed to like the idea.

Jackie and Massimo reveled in being grandparents, though they both wanted baby Dominick to take the Marone name. With all the recent excitement, Jackie was worried Bridget's baby might get lost "in the shuffle" and suggested they throw a baby shower. Massimo was impressed. Later, he wondered if Nick was really over Brooke. Jackie was positive he wasn't, but also knew he was committed to Bridget and their baby. She said Nick and Bridget had already overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and their daughter would bond them to one another for life.

Meanwhile, that daughter was in jeopardy after Bridget's fall. Nick kept his cool as he rushed his pained and frightened wife to the hospital. She told the doctor she was bleeding and cramping in her lower abdominals and her back. The doctor determined that the baby was okay, but Bridget's cervix was slightly open, which could cause infection or miscarriage. She recommended surgery and, after getting the 411, Bridget and Nick agreed. Nick held Bridget's hand through the procedure. When it was done, the doctor kept Bridget in the hospital, but anticipated Bridget would make it to full term. In the hospital room, Bridget woke to find Nick watching her. After some light banter, the doctor came in with post-surgery instructions. Then she did a sonogram to make sure the baby came through the surgery, but couldn't find the heartbeat. Bridget broke down as the doctor continued searching.