Friday, February 10, 2006
Brooke complimented Ridge on being so empathetic toward Nick at the hospital. Ridge said he could remember how he felt when they lost their own child. Ridge continued to reminisce and said he realized things in his life were never as good as when they were together before. Ridge offered to forgive Brooke for Nick. Brooke was appalled and asked him how arrogant does he think he is. Brooke insisted her being with Nick was not some stupid rebound relationship. Ridge asked then why isn’t she with him now? Ridge said he put his money where his mouth is by ending things with Taylor, and wants to know why she can’t meet him half-way in terms of reconciling — and asked if she was going to pursue something with Nick now. Brooke denied any intention of doing so. Ridge said if he really cared about Brooke then Nick would have given up everything for her. He then asked Brooke what kind of life she wishes for herself. He told her she lives in her skin, not her head, and feels her way through life — like he does, making the case for why they should get back together. Ridge said it’s not that complicated — all she has to do is say “Yes.” Ridge said he knows she wants to....

Back home from the hospital, Bridget had a flashback to her and Nick on the beach when Bridget told Nick she had an abortion. Nick boxed up Nicole’s things to donate them to a children’s shelter. Bridget was glad they were going to be put to good use. She asked Nick if he believed that things happen for a reason. Nick said some do, some don’t. Bridget said it has to be all or nothing. Nick said he was never one to figure God out. Bridget expressed her belief that because she told Nick she had an abortion that somehow tempted fate and caused her to lose Nicole. Nick insisted that what happened to Nicole was a medical crisis, and not caused by her. Bridget said she knows she doesn’t have supernatural powers, but that she deserved what happened to her. Nick rejected the idea and said that God doesn’t punish people. Nick refused to let Bridget think this way. Bridge said they wouldn’t be together if it weren’t for her pregnancy. Nick pleaded with Bridge not to pick apart their relationship. Bridget said the only way she can honor Nicole’s memory is to undo all the bad things around her. Bridget said the best thing she could do for Nick is offer him his freedom. Nick denied that they were together for the wrong reasons. He cited how they held it together despite everything and they found real love. Nick argued for sticking together, while Bridget insisted they don’t belong together. Nick apologized for Bridget’s lack of faith in their relationship. Bridget admitted she loved their time and life together, but insisted that it all fell apart once Nicole died and he was now free to have the life he really wanted in the first place. Nick reassured her with a tender kiss, and said while he misses their child he knows he wants to spend every day he has with her — if she’ll let him. Bridge said she loves Nick but she doesn’t want to be alive today. Bridget feared she might grow to resent little Dominick, but Nick insisted she doesn’t have the capacity for such resentment, and the two embraced.

Dante visited Felicia. Dante offered to bring her up to speed on everything that’s been going on, but Felicia said she’s only interested in who’s going to raise her son. Dante said she thinks her son’s future rests entirely with Nick and Bridget's future, but she’s overlooking something: He cryptically referenced their night in Europe together, and suggested that son’s future might not be what she had in mind for him....

Thursday, February 9, 2006
At the hospital, Felicia told Nick and Bridget that when Dominick gets older he’ll know he has an incredible angel named Nicole looking after him. Bridget tearfully cradled baby Dominick for comfort. Bridget thanked Felicia. Felicia and Dominick left the room so Bridget and Nick could be alone together. Bridget said she wondered if maybe she’s not supposed to be anyone’s mother. Nick implored her not to think like that. Bridget broke down in Nick’s arms as she grieved over the loss of their baby. Nick expressed regret for stepping away at the wrong time. Bridget reassured Nick that the doctors worked on Nicole for a long time and did everything they could. Dr. Caspary arrived to express her condolences and offered to make funeral arrangements. Nick politely declined and said if anything is done they’d do it privately. He asked the doctor for copies of the sonogram, then asked the doctor if he could see Nicole. The doctor left Nick to be alone with Nicole, who was in a body bag on a table inside the room. Nick knelt down beside the table and wept for his daughter. His slowly unzipped the body bag and lost his composure at the sight of Nicole. Nick told her she would always be his little girl and then zippered the bag closed.

Felicia joined Brooke, Thorne, and the group of loved ones holding vigil in the waiting room. Brooke and Eric decided to step in to see Bridget. Brooke and Bridget tearfully hugged. Bridget told her dad things would never be the same again.

At Forrester Creations, Sally broke the news to Ridge that Bridget was in the hospital. Ridge joined everyone at the hospital, where he learned about Nicole’s fate. Ridge was perturbed when he heard that Nick wasn’t there when it happened. Nick was comforted by Jackie and Massimo. Dante arrived at the hospital and learned about Nicole when he overheard Jackie and Felicia talking. Dante asked Felicia how Bridget was doing. Ridge and Thorne joined the others in Bridget’s room. When Nick returned to the room he thanked Thorne, Eric and Ridge for being there. Bridget asked Nick if he saw Nicole. Both of them agreed that they were glad they took the opportunity to see her. Bridget said she feels like half a person now. Eric suggested that everyone is made up of pieces of each other, that that’s part of what love is all about. Everyone embraced Eric’s sentiment, and joined hands.

Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Nick and Dominick Jr. hung out at the beach house. Brooke dropped by to get some things for Bridget, but Nick already had them packed up and ready to go to the hospital. Meanwhile, Felicia sat with Bridget at the hospital while the nurse gave her a positive update. Seconds later, however, Bridget was screaming in pain — her water broke. Eric and Thorne watched nervously from the hallway as Bridget writhed on the bed. The doctor lamented there was nothing they could do now that she was in active labor; they had to remove the stitch and let her give birth naturally. As Brooke fussed over Dominick Jr., Eric called Nick and told him something was wrong. Brooke offered to keep the baby, and Nick left for the hospital. Little Nicole didn't wait for Nick to get there, though — she was born right away. To silence. The doctors worked with her small body for a few minutes, but were unable to get the baby breathing. Felicia consoled Bridget as her cries of pain turned into grief.

Massimo and Eric grilled a nurse for information, but she insisted they wait for the doctor. Inside the room, Bridget asked to see Nicole before they took her away. A nurse handed over the tiny body. Bridget looked at her fondly, and hugged her tight. Felicia looked on as Bridget stroked her daughter's face and told her how sorry she was for what was happening. "You fought so hard," she said. She told the child she would always love her, and she held her close again. Bridget broke down sobbing while hugging Nicole to her chest.

The doctor came out and told Massimo, Eric and Thorne what happened. Nick arrived just as she left. None of the men spoke; their faces were frozen. Nick walked into the room and Felicia was still with Bridget. Felicia walked away silently and left the two parents to grieve together.

Outside the room, Jackie joined the group and Eric helped Felicia to her wheelchair. Brooke arrived with Dominick Jr. and gave him to Felicia. Eric told Brooke the baby was stillborn, and she broke down in his arms.

Nick got into bed with Bridget and held her. Bridget told Nick she held their child briefly; he apologized for not being there when everything happened. "She never knew how much we loved her," Bridget sobbed. "What's happened to our baby?" "I'll find her," said Felicia, sitting in the doorway with Dominick Jr. "I'll find her and take care of her." Felicia explained that while they took care of Dominick Jr. here on Earth, she'd take care of baby Nicole in the afterlife. Bridget and Nick were stunned speechless by Felicia's generosity. She went over and handed Dominick Jr. to Bridget, and Bridget cried quietly while embracing her new son.

Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Felicia collapsed on the floor as Eric arrived. Felicia insisted she was OK and asked Eric to get her walker for her. Eric insisted she take more pain medication, but Felicia said she was out — already. Eric questioned her if she’s now taking a higher dosage of pain meds, considering she just got them refilled by the hospice. When she hesitated, Eric insisted she shouldn’t be embarrassed about it. Felicia was upset that everyone needs to know every single move she makes. Felicia apologized for being out of sorts. Eric asked her if she’d be more comfortable at the hospital, but Felicia flipped out at the proposition. Felicia said people only get sicker and die in hospitals. Eric suggested just a short stay to get her pain under control, and admitted he’s scared for her. Felicia said she doesn’t need science, she needs her family. Felicia remained determined that she was going to die the way she wants to, which is not around strangers in a hospital. Eric relented but pleaded with Felicia to open up and ask when she needs something. Felicia agreed but made Eric promise to never admit her to the hospital. Nick called Felicia and told her about Bridget. Felicia insisted on going to the hospital to visit Bridget. Eric said if she collapses at the hospital he may not be able to keep her promise. Felicia said she’d use the wheelchair the hospice provided her.

At the hospital Nick tended to Bridget. Brooke arrived to check on Bridget and asked them if they reached Eric, but they hadn’t. The doctor arrived with some bad news: she’s not going to be discharged. Bridget was unhappy at the news, but was realized it was for the best. Bridget told Brooke they named their baby Nicole. When Nick stepped out of the room, Bridget confided to Brooke her worry that things might change between her and Nick if anything happened with the baby. Brooke told Bridget about the stunts Ridge tried to pull last night. Bridget told Brooke to keep a window open to Ridge, which surprised Brooke. Bridget blamed herself for her situation. Brooke said God does not punish babies for mistakes their parents make. Bridget said if she loses her baby she could lose the only thing that’s keeping her and Nick together. Brooke insisted that Nick adores her and not to think so irrationally. Brooke tried to give Bridget a pep talk.

Eric and Felicia arrived at the hospital. Eric filled Felicia’s prescription for more pain meds at the pharmacy, while she waited in the corridor in her wheelchair. Orderlies wheeled a corpse past her on a gurney and Felicia freaked out. When another orderly asked her what her room number was, Felicia flipped and said she’s not a patient there — and never will be. Nick then ran into her. He helped Felicia out of the wheelchair to Bridget’s room. With Nick’s help Felicia walked into Bridget’s room with a gift for Bridget. Bridget was happy to see her. Felicia became sick to her stomach when she smelled the rest of Bridget’s pizza. Bridget asked Felicia to teach her how to be as fearless as she is. Felicia reassured her sister that the baby was going to be just fine, and the two shared a tearful embrace.

Monday, February 6, 2006
Crickets chirped in the darkness as Taylor lay in her car, semi-conscious after swerving off the road. Hector arrived on the scene. He pulled her out of the car, bandaged her forehead and took her home. Hector was worried that she'd been drinking, so they skipped going to the hospital (even though he noted she may have a concussion). Taylor admitted to having a glass of wine...and a glass of champagne. But she blamed the accident on her being upset after a phone call from Ridge. Hector urged her to get over her marriage by thinking about other people. He asked her to volunteer at the shelter. (Isn't that where Hector volunteers? Small world.) She confessed to being scared about her new life without Ridge. She didn't have to be alone, however — Hector was more than willing to help her through it. Taylor resisted his advances, so he encouraged her to have faith in herself and embrace her newfound freedom.

Brooke gazed into a silver mirror and brushed her hair as she thought about Ridge's latest proposals. "I can't, Ridge," she sighed to the mirror. Ridge, meanwhile, was at Forrester Creations getting into it with Thorne in Ridge's old office (now Thorne's office). Thorne pointed out that Ridge had to come to work, because he had nothing (and nowhere) to go home to. There was no woman waiting for him. "I'm glad I'm not like you," Thorne said. "Take a good look at your life. What do you really have to show for it?" (Excellent questions, all.) Ridge admitted that he lost good families with both Taylor and Brooke. Thorne pointed out that making the women grovel for his attention probably wasn't the best way to make friends — or lovers — out of either of them. Ridge muttered about "not forgetting" Thorne's criticism when he gets back on his feet. Thorne shook his head and left.

Ridge called Brooke, who was expecting a call from RJ's pediatrician. She needed a prescription filled for the tot, but the pharmacy was out in Beverly Hills. Ridge offered to pick it up and bring it to Brooke, saving her the trip (though she didn't look like she was going anyway; she was dressed in a silk black negligee and matching robe). Ridge showed up promptly and Brooke gave RJ the medicine off-screen. When they were alone, Ridge asked why Brooke didn't call him in the first place. "I didn't want to give you the wrong signal...about us," she explained. Ridge was determined to change her mind. Brooke pointed out that Ridge walked out on her and their family. Ridge told her about Thorne's comments, and he admitted that he took Brooke for granted. No more, he claimed. "I know that you are what I need," he said. He begged her for one more chance to make their relationship "better than it ever was." (Does that mean there won't be another woman waiting in the wings this time? Ridge gets bored easily, you know.) Brooke studied her ex intently, wondering if she should believe him once again.

2005 recaps