Friday, January 20, 2006
Brooke was surprised to come downstairs to find Ridge playing with R.J. He announced that his marriage is kaput. "Is it remotely possible that you could take me back?" he asked. Before Brooke could answer, Nick and Hope returned from their breakfast date. She asked Ridge to take the kids to the kitchen. "He's not wearing his wedding ring," a jealous Nick observed, but before he could get too worked up, Ridge returned and Brooke asked Marone to leave. "I can handle this on my own," she assured him and Nick reluctantly exited. Brooke reminded Ridge that she already gave him a chance. "You hurt me more than anybody else ever has and I'm not going to put myself in that position again," Brooke vowed. She urged Ridge to go back to Taylor and fix their relationship. He then proposed and passionately kissed Brooke. "Please just leave me alone," she begged.

Stephanie walked in to find a despondent Taylor laying on her sofa. "It's over," Taylor lamented about her marriage, but Steph disagreed and wanted to gird up for battle against Brooke. Taylor declared she was through with fighting and she had to accept the fact that Ridge wants someone else. Taylor suggested that both she and Stephanie start new lives. "We can do that together," Tay affirmed and the women embraced. After Steph left, Dante appeared to cheer up Taylor and she appreciated his efforts.

Nick showed up at his mother's boutique and Jackie immediately wanted to know what was going on with Brooke. He explained that Ridge and Taylor were splitting and surmised that Ridge was trying to reconcile with Brooke. "You can't allow yourself to get caught up in Brooke's drama," Jackie strongly advised, but Nick fretted about Hope getting hurt should Ridge and Brooke get back together.

Thursday, January 19, 2006
Though Taylor assumed Brooke was jumping at the opportunity to reunite with Ridge, Brooke encouraged Taylor to do whatever it takes to get her husband back. Taylor and Brooke exchanged harsh comments about each other being, shall we say, loose. They blamed each other for their lives falling apart. Taylor told Brooke to go after Ridge. She handed Brooke her wedding ring, as if to give her everything she had with Ridge.

Nick told Bridget that Ridge was most likely breaking up with Taylor, and that Brooke actually wanted Ridge to stay with his wife for their kids' sake. They discussed whether it would be good for Brooke to get back together with Ridge.

Ridge informed Stephanie that he told his kids he's leaving Taylor. He blamed his mother, but she defended herself, claiming she only wanted him to be happy. "Mother! I'm in love with Brooke. I always have been," he blasted. Stephanie was irate when her son said he was going to ask Brooke to marry him. Ridge pointed out that Stephanie is the reason he and Brooke split. "If hating Brooke is more important than my happiness, tell me now," he demanded.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Taylor and Ridge waited for the kids to arrive at the Big Bear cabin so they could announce their plans to split. "I should've accepted your relationship with Brooke and moved on but I couldn't," Taylor lamented. Ridge affirmed that it was important that their children know that above all else, they are loved. Thomas, Phoebe and Steffy showed up and immediately sensed something was wrong. "Our marriage to each other is over," Ridge told them. Not surprisingly, the kids were upset. "How can you do this to Mom?" Thomas demanded but Taylor explained that her expectations for her family when she returned home were unrealistic. After the teens departed, Ridge thought the meeting went well but Taylor didn't agree. "You can end our marriage Ridge, but you'll never change my opinion about Brooke," she groused. Taylor wanted time to herself so Ridge left without her.

Stephanie informed Eric that Ridge and Taylor were having marital problems. Eric was peeved when Steph worried that Brooke would take advantage of the situation. Eric pointed out that all of Stephanie's manipulations have caused nothing but problems and advised his ex to butt out. "That's what a good parent would do," he muttered.

Brooke was determined that Ridge and Taylor stay together for the sake of his family. "That's very admirable that you're worried about Taylor's kids," Nick praised. Brooke made another frantic call to Ridge's cell phone, but when she got his voice mail again, she headed up to the cabin to stop him from making any drastic decisions. At the cabin, Brooke found Taylor and realized Ridge had done the deed. "Do you have any idea how much I hate you?" Taylor spat.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006
"I don't want us to lose what he have," Taylor cried to Ridge. He said he would always love his wife, but he never got over Brooke. "Our marriage hasn't been working," Ridge declared. "I'm still in love with Brooke." Taylor broke down in tears but Ridge explained, "I realized that being with R.J. and Brooke is where I need to be." Not surprisingly, this offered little comfort to Tay. "Don't do this to our children," she wailed. Ridge embraced her warmly, but confirmed that their marriage can never be the same. "You need Brooke," Taylor admitted in stunned defeat. Ridge hoped she would one day forgive him. "I'm incredibly sorry," he said as Taylor once again turned on the waterworks.

A perturbed Stephanie paid Hector a visit, but it wasn't for a friendly chat. "I don't want you to see Taylor again," Steph ordered. Hector said he couldn't comply. "You don't run my life," he huffed to which La Forrester demanded that he stay away from Taylor "or else."

Nick begged Brooke not to let Ridge back into her life. She pointed out that just because Ridge and Taylor were having a crisis in their marriage didn't mean Brooke was running back into his arms. Brooke reminded sailor boy that she still has the hots for him, but in the same breath announced it was a moot point since Nick belonged to Bridget now. Brooke said she would hang onto the brief happiness they once shared. "I will never stop wanting what's best for you," he sighed, but strongly advised Brooke against hooking up with Ridge again.She then realized that Ridge could be ending his marriage over her and left him a frantic voice mail on his cell phone not to do it.

2005 recaps