Friday, July 20, 2007
Brooke tucked Hope in and tenderly explained to the little girl that she "has to share" the kids with Ridge, who watched from the doorway as Brooke cuddled the child. He returned to the living room where Stephanie nosed around about what was going on. He tried to send her home, but La Forrester said she'd make tea. Brooke entered from the other room and blasted her ex, who claimed he'd done what he thought "was best" for her. They were interrupted when Hope called out to "Daddy Ridge." Stephanie entered and an argument commenced. Stephanie observed that her rival's "sexual power" was fading away, Brooke noted that Stephanie believes herself to be "vastly superior" and lives her life as a "human icicle."

Phoebe and Rick's horizontal action by the fire was cut short when she cooled him down. "I thought this is what you said you wanted?" he asked. "I guess I'm not ready for this," she explained. Rick said he was "trying to understand," before launching into a whole guilt trip, questioning her feelings. "Loving someone more than a friend" means that "they make love," he pointed out as she (still clad in that flapper-inspired headband and the flashy getup she wore to the sing-off) stammered reassurances. "How can we grow" he pleaded, "I don't want this relationship to die." She murmured that she wants her first time to be special and she wants the man to respect her afterward, adding that she also has to respect herself. Tears welling up in her eyes, she said she hopes he doesn't give up on them and apologized. "You have to do what you have to do," was Rick's response.

Nick returned home and was frosty to Taylor as he poured himself a drink. When she tried to talk to him, he chided her for the damaging testimony against Brooke. "I was just telling the truth," protested the shrink as her husband stood at a distance, nursing his drink and glowering. "I know you're always going to be there when she falls anyway," sniped Taylor. They swapped accusations over each other's inability to act objectively when it comes to Brooke. He said he was heading to the boat and didn't encourage his pregnant bride to wait up. Aboard the vessel, Nick picked up his lighter and thought back to showing the kids how to burn the edges of a treasure map. As he sat and puffed on a cigar, Brooke showed up, saying she didn't expect to find him there, but it's the place where she usually feels most comfortable. She wept about how she'll get along without Hope and R.J. Nick took her in his arms and they shared a long embrace. He held her as he delivered a pep talk peppered with steamy, meaningful glances. An almost kiss ensued, but then Brooke gasped and pulled away. Nick jumped back and made a hasty exit.

Thursday, July 18, 2007
After weighing out the audience's applause, C.J. announced that Rick was the winner at the same moment Felicia declared Constantine as the victor. A tie was determined and Rick playfully chided his aunt for voting against him. Rick said it was time that Phoebe get out of her rocker clothes so she could return to her "classic" self. Constantine pointed out that Lawrence Welk was a classic, too. After Rick and Phoebe left, Felicia flirted with Constantine. He was then surprised when she leaned over and planted a steamy kiss on him.

On the witness stand, Taylor revealed that Brooke had admitted in their conversations that she was a "bad mother" who didn't "deserve her children." Taylor also pointed out that Brooke was very upset that day. Storm called Brooke back to the witness stand and she agreed that she had been distraught, but noted that she was still perfectly capable of taking care of her kids. Nick stood up and exclaimed that Brooke was one of the best mothers he's ever met. The judge ordered Marone to sit down and excused Brooke from the stand. As she walked to her seat, Brooke threw an icy stare at Taylor. The judge called a recess while he went into his chambers to deliberate. Taylor huddled with Stephanie, Ridge and Eric and said she would "be stunned" if the kids didn't go home with their mother. Taylor then tried to talk to Brooke, but was snubbed. The judge returned and court was called back into session. While deciding that there is no evidence that Brooke is immoral, he couldn't ignore Taylor's testimony and decided that Hope and R.J. should go to Ridge for the time being. "You are not helping my family!" Brooke cried out. "You're destroying it" After court was dismissed, Nick offered his condolences to Brooke then reamed Stephanie and Ridge for their actions. Taylor approached Brooke and tried to apologize. "You stabbed me in the back!" Brooke spat. "Thanks to you, my children are not going to be spending the night in their beds tonight... Why don't you take your lame excuses and get the hell out of my sight!" After Taylor exited, Brooke broke down in sobs.

Rick escorted Phoebe back to Bridget's beach house, where he had a romantic setting of lit candles waiting. As they started making out furiously in front of the fireplace, Rick suggested they stop and have dinner before things get out of hand, but Phoebe purred, "I want to."

Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Brooke took the stand and explained why her kids were accidentally left alone for the entire night and how the fire in her house started. The judge then asked Ridge's opinion and he declared that he didn't want the kids taken from Brooke. But when further prodded, Ridge admitted that there have been some "precarious situations" lately and that Brooke may need a break from parenting to get her life together. Storm then pointed out that Ridge was recently found guilty in obstruction of justice in Shane McGrath's death. When Ridge stepped down from the stand, Brooke reamed her ex for his damaging testimony. When it was time for Stephanie to testify, she reminded the court that she wasn't the one who called Child Protective Services. After outlining Brooke's marriages to three Forrester men, Steph then explained that Brooke has had a emotional breakdown before and appears to be headed for another one. Once Stephanie was finished, Taylor arrived and informed the judge she was reluctant to be present given her "complicated history" with the defendant. She was still told to take the stand and a confident Brooke said, 'Thank you, Taylor." The judge asked about Brooke's recent behavior and Taylor revealed that Brooke was upset and "really confused." But when the judge asked if Taylor would leave her own baby in Brooke's care, Mrs. Marone paused and said, "No, I wouldn't." Brooke's mouth dropped open in shock.

At Insomnia, Rick advised Constantine to drop out of the singing contest. "Phoebe and I are going to own this competition," Constantine shot back. "I'm warning you pal, this isn't going to be pretty." C.J. explained to the audience how they will decide the best duet. Rick and Phoebe performed first and received thunderous applause. "That's going to be tough to beat," Felicia speculated. Constantine and Phoebe sang next, and the audience responded to them quite favorably as well. "Excellent jobs you guys!" praised C.J., then asked the audience to applaud for each couple so a winning team could be decided. "I say we have a winner," announced Felicia.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007
On the morning of the custody hearing, a rattled Brooke gazed longingly at a photo of Hope and R.J. "I just want my children back where they belong," she whimpered to Storm, who was representing his sister at the hearing. He also strongly advised his sister against any emotional outbursts in front of the judge, then left for court. Bridget and Rick showed up to offer their mom support. "Ridge let you down, Mom — like always," Rick huffed and Brooke agreed that Ridge had been swayed by Stephanie. Rick then offered to testify for Brooke but she insisted that it wouldn't be necessary.

Over a pancake breakfast, Ridge told Hope and R.J. that Rick and Bridget would be spending time with them today. Eric and Stephanie arrived and Ridge admitted that if he had his way, the children would be reunited with Brooke. Stephanie reminded her son that Child Protective Services was called in because two 911 calls had been made form the same house within 24 hours.

Nick urged a reticent Taylor to testify on Brooke's behalf. Brooke appeared and said she was "glad to have both of you on my side." Nick shared that his wife was reluctant to appear at the hearing but Brooke whined that Taylor's help was important. Brooke then noticed that Taylor was beginning to show in her pregnancy and apologized for obsessing over her problems. Taylor assured Brooke that she will regain custody of children without her help. As Brooke and Nick left for the hearing, he whispered to his wife, "If you change your mind, it would mean a lot if you were there." Once she was alone, Taylor was served a subpoena to appear in court.

While Bridget kept the children entertained, Rick updated Phoebe via phone about what was going on. She suggested that they postpone the singing Competition, but he reminded her that it would be an automatic forfeit and vowed to be at Insomnia later.

As they entered the courtroom, Nick and Brooke traded barbs with Stephanie and Ridge. The hearing was called into session and Dorothy, the CPS worker, testified that Brooke's children should be taken out of her custody until a court could determine her competency as a parent. An angry Brooke stood up and tried to convince the judge that this hearing was a result of Stephanie's vendetta against her. The judge told Storm to control his client, but Brooke kept mouthing off.

Monday, July 16, 2007
While arguing with Ridge, Brooke felt she had to defend her ability to be a good mother. He wouldn't let her see Hope and R.J., who were staying at his place, thanks to Child Protective Services.

Stephanie barged into Taylor's office telling the doc to testify against Brooke in the hearing scheduled for the following day.... Ridge and Ashley discussed what was going on with Brooke.

Nick comforted Brooke, who told him Ridge wouldn't let her see her kids. "It's Stephanie. She got to him," she cried. Nick said he would go to the hearing and defend her by saying that the fire was an accident. Brooke pointed out that Stephanie will say whatever it takes to make sure she never sees Hope and R.J. again.

Stephanie arrived at Ridge's home and went on about how lucky the kids were that he was there when Brooke arrived. "The best place for the children is here with you," she said. Steph noted there was nothing they could do now because the decision was up to the judge as to where the kids will be safe. Ridge tucked the little ones into bed while a lonely Brooke embraced one of their stuffed animals and looked at their picture. Once Ridge left the room, Stephanie checked on the kids.

Nick visited Taylor at work. She informed her hubby that, thanks to him informing Stephanie that she talked to Brooke about her issues, Steph wants her to testify against Brooke. "We're going to get them back where they belong," Nick said about Hope and R.J.

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