Friday, February 24, 2006
Dante accused Bridget of not having a marriage with Nick without his son. Bridget insisted that whatever Dante may think, Nick really loves her. Dante asked why she and Dominick couldn’t become a family with him. Bridget said that Dominick has to come first. Bridget said that everything she and Nick have been through together have made their relationship stronger. Dante suggested that it’s made Bridget strong enough to walk away. Bridget said she came by to discuss Dominick, not she and Dante getting back together, and said that him buying some baby furniture is not enough to become a real father. Bridget said the only connection she has to Dominick is being the one who conceived him.

Ridge entered as Stephanie was urging Brooke to get back with Nick. Ridge was appalled at his mother’s idea. Ridge said he refused to suffer through any more of her interference. Stephanie said despite all of Ridge’s efforts, Brooke’s still not giving him the time of day because she’s now set her sights on Nick again, so the best thing for everybody would be for her to get back with Nick. Brooke accused Stephanie of being a monster for trying to engineer having her daughter lose her husband right after she lost her child. She said Stephanie doesn’t give a damn about anyone’s happiness. Stephanie said poor Bridget is stuck in a marriage with a husband who doesn’t love her, raising a kid that’s not even theirs. Brooke accused Stephanie of living vicariously through Taylor and in having an unhealthly obsession with her son. Stephanie accused Brooke of being a slut who slept her way through Stephanie’s family. Brooke drew a line in the sand with Ridge and told him he can’t sit on the fence anymore: He needs to choose sides. Ridge told Stephanie he’s had it with her machinations, and then proposed to Brooke in front of Stephanie.

Jackie was devastated when Nick told her the news that Dominick is Dante’s son, not Nick’s. He expressed his concern about Bridget getting attached to Dominick, knowing that Dante could take him away from them. A tearful Bridget returned home and checked on Dominick. Jackie tried to reassure Nick that Dominick will be fine no matter what happens, but she was worried about what all of this will do to Nick and Bridget. Bridget told Nick she’s never seen Dante like this before, but remained optimistic that something could be worked out. Bridget felt if she just gave Dante some time he’ll realize they are the best candidates to raise Dominick. Nick shocked Bridget when he told her he did not sign on to raise another man’s child. Bridget suggested the late hour was affecting their judgement. Nick insisted he doesn’t feel right keeping Dominick from his natural father, and doesn’t want to grow attached to a boy who could be taken from them at any moment. Nick suggested that Bridget’s clinging on to Dominick to fill the void left by Nicole. Nick said Dominick is not their son, but they could have their own child. Bridget stunned Nick by suggesting that Nick wouldn’t have any problem committing to Dominick despite the baby’s real paternity if he was truly committed to their marriage.

Thursday, February 23, 2006
Nick struggled to tell Bridget about Dominick. Bridget grew worried and impatient, and Nick was forced to spit it out. "It's about Dominick's dad," he started. He explained there was a paternity test taken at the hospital the night before. "Felicia was with someone else. It's his child. Dominick is not my son," he said as Bridget stared, open-mouthed. He told her that Felicia didn't deliberately mislead them; she believed Nick to be the dad. The pregnancy was a result of a one-night stand — with Dante. Bridget was shocked and dismayed, but immediately began worrying about Nick's feelings. "You lost your son, too," she reasoned through tears as she took him into her arms. She fell into a fantasy about them raising Dominick with Dante's blessing, but Nick found that completely unrealistic. Bridget went to talk to Dante, even though Nick was convinced she was just setting herself up for more heartache.

Brooke and Stephanie talked about Dominick. Steph noted that Nick told Brooke about Dominick before he told his wife, but that was a minor concern. She credited Dante with giving her perspective on the situation. "What about Bridget and Dante raising the baby?" Stephanie wondered aloud. What about Nick? Brooke asked. Nick would be yours, Stephanie reasoned. Brooke claimed (yet again) that she wouldn't come between her daughter and her son-in-law. Stephanie wasn't moved; she noted that it was the children who were keeping that couple together. Now that they're gone... "Bridget isn't going to find any lasting happiness with Nick. And you aren't going to have any lasting happiness without Nick," Stephanie said. Brooke dismissed her idea, saying that Steph was only concerned with keeping her away from Ridge. Stephanie pointed out that if Brooke was going to be with Ridge, she could have done so by now. She hasn't, because she's still in love with Nick. "Why would you deny yourself this?" Stephanie argued. Brooke didn't refute anything Steph said.

Meanwhile, Dante took in tons of baby equipment at his apartment. He enthused to the deliveryman that he'd just discovered he had a son, and he couldn't wait for him to move in. When Bridget arrived at Dante's, she stated that she wanted to keep her promise to Felicia by being Dominick's mother. Dante was in total agreement. But when she started talking about adoption, Dante cut her off. "I want Dominick to come live with me," he asserted. Alone? Bridget wondered. Not necessarily — Bridget's welcome to be there. Just not Nick. He made it clear that he wanted the three of them to be a new family. Bridget was stunned speechless by Dante's proposition.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006
An unsuspecting Bridget thanked Felicia for letting her spend time with Dominick to help heal the wounds from the loss of Nicole. Felicia thanked Bridget for being in her life. Bridget compliment Felicia for handling things so perfectly. Felicia told Bridget it’s okay to experience a little anger now and then, and complimented her half-sister on facing her problems head-on and come through them a stronger person. Felicia asked Bridget to promise to remain a strong person and to always look out for her son, no matter what happens. Bridget said she sees Dominick as her own child, and promised Felicia that nothing would ever come between her Dominick.

Stephanie ripped into Dante for telling the truth to Nick. She told Dante to step back and let her take care of things, and questioned whether he has Bridget’s best interests at heart. Dante stood his ground and refused to walk away from Bridget. Dante insisted Nick is still in love with Brooke and vowed to saved Bridget from future heartache. Dante said Nick is only with Bridget out of obligation. He said Bridget deserves to be happy. Stephanie agreed. Dante promised he could make Bridget happy, but needs her support. Stephanie felt that Bridget needs Nick now more than ever. But Dante said Bridget needs a man fully devoted to her, and that he would be honored to be part of the Forrester family.

Brooke sensed there was a problem and urged Nick to open up to her. Nick told her the truth about Dominick. A surprised Brooke doubted the paternity test, and was further shocked to learn that Dante was the real father. Nick questioned the bad luck and karma he has with children. He thought he was meant to have his own child, and angrily asked rhetorically why none of them could be his. Nick expressed regret for sticking around L.A. Nick worried about how Bridget will take the news. Bridget returned with Dominick. Brooke pulled Nick aside and insisted he must tell Bridget now and cannot wait any longer. Alone together, Bridget asked Nick if he was okay, and declared that she knew that the two of them would get through Nicole’s death together. She admitted how much she’s come to depend on Dominick in her life. Nick and Bridget pledged their love for each other. Bridget remembered Nick wanted to tell her something and asked what it is. She sensed it was bad news, and asked him what was wrong. Nick told Bridget a big mistake had been made....

Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Nick reeled from the realization that Dante is Dominick's father. Felicia explained that she didn't lie; she really believed that Nick was the father. Nick bitterly recalled that he's "batting 1.000 with kids" (referring to Brooke's son that turned out to be Ridge's). Felicia weakly insisted that he and Bridget could still raise the boy, but Nick was realistic, knowing that Dante would rightly want to care for him. Nick ripped into Felicia for creating this heartbreaking situation. Stephanie walked in and told him to stop; Felicia hadn't done this deliberately. Even so, Nick reasoned, Bridget is the one who will be most hurt. Then he got worried; he made the leap that Dante could well use the baby to create a family with Bridget. Nick told Felicia he didn't think Bridget could or should keep her promise to raise Dominick, now that they know Nick isn't the father. Just then, Bridget walked in with Dominick in tow. She gave the child to a pained Nick. He sighed deeply and caressed Bridget's face. Felicia and Stephanie huddled in the background. "There's something I have to tell you," Nick began.

While Nick and Felicia were having it out, Bridget and Dante talked at the guest house as baby Dominick slept. Dante spoke to her in riddles, telling her that things would change for her but they wouldn't be "all bad." Bridget struggled to get what he was talking about. She thanked Dante for being such a good friend to her. Dante reminded her that he came to L.A. to be with her, and he insisted that he was ready to give up the single life and commit to family and fatherhood. Bridget was happy for him, thinking he meant someday down the road (not today with his newfound son). She picked the boy up from his nap and brought him back to Dante. He insisted he wanted to help Bridget keep her promise to Felicia, to be a mother to Dominick. Bridget listened, but was confused by his statements.

Taylor visited with Stephanie after the memorial for baby Nicole. Both fretted over Bridget and how she'll react once she finds out about Dominick. Taylor walked out to the pool for some air, where Ridge happened upon her. He asked her how she was doing. She glibly responded that she was fine, considering she was "basically alone." She noted that Brooke's been making him jump through hoops. Ridge said he deserved as much. Taylor went on about the steps she's taken to rebuild her life. "You always did give more than you got," Ridge observed. Taylor noted that he didn't need her, but others did and that would sustain her for now.

2005 recaps