At Brooke's house, Brooke ranted to Hope and Liam about Thomas preventing Brooke from seeing Ridge. Liam asked why Thomas was playing gatekeeper. Brooke said she had thought Ridge had understood things, but then he'd beaten up on Deacon. Liam felt that any reasonable person would have defused the situation, but Ridge had gleaned that she'd been defending Deacon.
Brooke said she felt that Ridge was slipping away from her. Liam questioned whether Ridge had known Brooke had been there, and Liam remarked that Thomas was also keeping Ridge's phone from him. Liam had thought Thomas was done manipulating, but Hope figured Steffy's brother was doing Steffy's bidding to matchmake their parents. "What are we? In fifth grade?" Liam asked.
Brooke was infuriated because Steffy was putting things into Ridge's head. Hope said Steffy had been waiting for the opportunity. Brooke was well aware that Ridge's kids were trying to push their parents back together. Liam thought Ridge had been willing to move on from the kiss.
Brooke conveyed that Ridge hadn't been happy about it, but she'd had a frank talk with him. Hope said that Ridge had to understand that the entire night had been fueled by alcohol, and Brooke wouldn't have kissed Deacon sober or let him crash there. Brooke replied that Ridge had told her that he loved her before he'd left, but she feared he wouldn't return home.
Hope believed that Ridge would, but Brooke wondered if there was anything Liam could do. Surprised, Liam asked what Brooke wanted him to do. Brooke suggested that he visit Kelly and pull Ridge aside to talk to him. Hope didn't think Ridge would throw his marriage away. Brooke was insistent. Liam agreed he'd do what he could, and he left.
Brooke stated that Taylor had been waiting for years to pounce on Ridge and would use the situation to her advantage. Hope tried to reassure Brooke, but Brooke questioned why he was still at Steffy's house. Brooke feared that if Liam couldn't get a message to Ridge, Brooke would lose the love of her life. Hope was sorry and felt partially responsible.
Brooke stated that it wasn't Hope's fault. Brooke said she had ruined her own sobriety and chosen to drink. Brooke had chosen to ruin her life and her future. Hope wished she hadn't been so insistent about Deacon and had respected that it had been Ridge's house, too. Hope acknowledged that she'd been an insensitive brat. Brooke disagreed. Hope stated that she should have moved out, but she hadn't thought it would jeopardize Brooke's marriage.
Hope was sorry that she had wanted a relationship with her father without thinking of how it would impact Brooke and Ridge. Brooke could empathize with that because she hadn't known her father while she'd been growing up. Brooke had reconnected with her father as an adult, and she'd wanted that for Hope, too. Brooke said she shouldn't have dismissed Ridge's concerns.
"Wow. Am I realizing that right now?" Brooke asked. She hadn't liked the infighting, but she'd wanted Hope to have a relationship with her father. Hope insisted upon owning her stubbornness. She admitted she could have met Deacon in town for coffee, but she just hadn't thought it would affect Ridge the way it had. Brooke hadn't, either, and Ridge had been insistent that something bad would happen. Instead of listening to her own husband, Brooke said she'd defended Deacon. Brooke asked why she'd done that. She felt that she was losing Ridge to Taylor as they spoke.
At Steffy's house, Ridge told the tearful Taylor that he wanted to return home to her, and the two kissed. Steffy and Thomas entered. Ridge put his arm around Taylor. Steffy said, as kids, she and Thomas would be grossed out, but it was like a dream to see their parents kiss. Hugging Taylor, Ridge said he was home with Taylor and his kids -- if Taylor would have him.
"Of course, she will," Steffy stated, adding that Taylor had always loved Ridge. Ridge claimed that he was sorry, and there was a lot of time to make up for. Thomas didn't think Ridge needed to apologize. Taylor remarked that she'd stayed away because it had been too hard to be there without Ridge and their family. Thomas and Steffy were happy and grateful. They decided to leave for a walk to give their parents time alone, and they exited through the back door.
Taylor welcomed Ridge home and wondered if it was really happening. Thinking she meant putting their family back together, he hoped so. Ridge guessed their kids knew what was best for them better than they did. She stated that they were living proof that it wasn't too late to start over. They hugged. She said it felt good for her to be in his arms. Ridge kissed Taylor. She felt like the kids were watching, and Ridge suggested they find some privacy.
Later, Steffy and Thomas returned inside. The living room was empty, and they assumed their parents were upstairs. "Ew," Thomas replied. To their surprise, Liam arrived. Claiming to be in the neighborhood, he asked if he could see Kelly. Steffy reminded Liam that Kelly was at her friend's house. Liam had totally forgotten. Thomas asked if that were true.
Steffy assumed that Brooke had sent Liam to speak with Ridge. Liam admitted that he was there for Brooke, who was really scared. Steffy said Brooke should be. Liam asked why they weren't even letting Brooke in the house. Thomas claimed that wasn't an accurate description, but if it had happened, he asked what letting Brooke in would accomplish besides begging. Thomas believed that Ridge needed a break from Brooke.
Steffy wished she could welcome Brooke into "our home," but Ridge was moving on with Taylor. "Okay, but they're married, so..." Liam said. Steffy asserted that they shouldn't be. Thomas said they might give Brooke some grace, but it wasn't the first time Brooke had screwed up. Steffy said "we've" given Brooke plenty of chances, but it was over.
Liam said that, if that was the case, Steffy and Thomas still could have let Brooke talk to Ridge. Liam had also asked what Thomas having Ridge's phone was all about. Thomas replied that they weren't holding Ridge hostage, and he could leave if he wanted to. Liam asked where Ridge was. Thomas smirked. Liam wondered why, if Ridge was moving on from Brooke, Thomas and Steffy were afraid of Brooke and Ridge communicating.
Thomas and Steffy were bubbling with cryptic excitement, and Thomas said there was someone else Ridge would rather spend time with. Steffy claimed that they weren't pulling any strings, and their parents could make their own decisions. She said none of it would be happening if Brooke hadn't drunk to give herself permission to be with Deacon.
Upstairs in a bedroom, Taylor asked if she and Ridge were really doing it. She told him that she'd never stopped loving him. He began nuzzling his face against hers. She saw his wedding band on his left hand. Ridge slowly removed it, and they kissed.
At the cliff house, Taylor was in bed alone, dreaming of kissing Ridge. She woke up and saw him in the chair across the room and realized that it hadn't been a dream. He sat on the bed, and Taylor said it felt like no time had passed. Ridge said it was familiar to him, too. Taylor stated that it had been "so good" kissing Ridge. It had felt "so right," but she asked if he regretted anything, because, in her view, things had literally changed overnight.
Pointing to the chair, Ridge replied that sleeping over there had been the right choice. "Glad we didn't -- " he stated. She readily said she was, too, but that wasn't what she'd meant. He revealed that he regretted not seeing what Brooke had been doing, that she'd choose Deacon and thrown away everything they'd had. Ridge didn't regret being there with Taylor, who'd always been there for him. He intended to focus on that. Liking the way he thought, she said their kids wanted it "so bad" and had been relentless. He said Steffy was like a dog with a bone. Taylor replied that Steffy was like Stephanie, who'd be very proud.
Downstairs, Thomas arrived. He and Steffy were stoked that their parents were together upstairs. Thomas had been afraid to trust it because Brooke could be resourceful. Steffy was thrilled that they hadn't seen their parents since the previous night. Thomas worried that Taylor had guided Ridge to talk about feelings, and the reconciliation had never happened. Steffy believed Taylor would sacrifice her own happiness if she sensed any doubts from Ridge.
It was quiet in the house because Finn had taken the kids out to keep them from disturbing Ridge and Taylor. As Thomas and Steffy talked about what a game-changer the reconciliation was, Taylor and Ridge arrived downstairs, and everyone had a group hug.
Later, Ridge and Taylor had coffee on the couch, and Steffy noticed that he wasn't wearing his wedding band. Grabbing his keys, he said he was going to talk to Brooke. Ridge asked where his phone was, and as he looked for it, Thomas "found" it for him. "Oh, boy," Ridge said looking at his phone. He stated that he needed to see Brooke face to face.
Steffy tried to dissuade Ridge, saying Brooke would just turn on the waterworks and make excuses, but Ridge asserted that he'd be back. "Love you guys," he said as he walked out. Taylor assured Steffy that it would be fine and hugged her.
Steffy suggested that Taylor go to Brooke's and stake her claim. Thomas agreed and urged Taylor to set some ground rules. Taylor didn't want to do that. She had faith in what she and Ridge had talked about, and she trusted what they'd all shared together. Steffy had no doubts that Ridge and Taylor belonged together, and she believed it was the end for Ridge and Brooke.
At Brooke's house, Hope arrived and found Brooke alone. Ridge hadn't returned home the previous night. Hope didn't want Brooke to worry and suggested that he'd stayed at a hotel to think. Eric arrived at Brooke's behest. Brooke hoped that Eric would tell her that he'd spoken to his son and could assure her that Ridge wasn't where she thought he was.
Later, Eric was sorry to hear about Brooke's lapse in sobriety and asked if she still wanted to drink. "Absolutely not. Look what it's done to my life!" Brooke asserted. Eric hadn't spoken to Ridge and couldn't put her mind at ease about where he'd spent the night. She was sure they all knew where Ridge was after she'd defended Deacon and after Ridge had reached his limit.
Hope insisted that Ridge had overreacted; Brooke had been trying to stop a fight and protect both men. Eric doubted Ridge saw it that way. Brooke didn't know how she couldn't be worried about the future of her marriage. Hope still couldn't believe Thomas hadn't let Brooke inside the house. Eric was surprised that Thomas had confiscated Ridge's phone, as well. Brooke replied that Thomas and Steffy were doing everything they could to push their parents back together.
Eric didn't approve of Steffy and Thomas' tactics, but he understood what they wanted. Brooke brought up one tiny detail -- she and Ridge were married. She added that Ridge did love her. Eric said that no one was disputing that. Brooke questioned why she'd drunk and said one could see the domino effect. She recalled that Ridge had said he loved her and that they could work it out. "But then I defended Deacon!" Brooke incredulously added.
Hope replied that Ridge had been beating Deacon up. Eric added that anyone would have tried to stop that. Brooke stated that it had been the last straw for Ridge, but she wouldn't give up. She called Ridge and left him a message, sorry for all that had happened. She wanted a chance to make things right. She asked him to return home and be with her, so they could talk about it.
Later, Brooke was alone, and the song "Destiny Appears" played over her flashbacks of herself with Ridge. She was relieved when Ridge walked through the front door. She thanked him for returning and apologized for betraying his trust. She insisted that kissing Deacon never would have happened if she'd been sober. It had been the alcohol, and she recalled that Ridge had told her that he'd understood that and had said that they could work through it.
Ridge said he'd also told Brooke to keep that guy out of their lives. He asked if she'd heard that. Brooke was sorry. She'd been trying to support her daughter. She still couldn't understand the strange series of unpredictable events of New Year's Eve. Ridge said the scenario had been unpredictable, but he'd told her that someone would get hurt if she let that man into their lives.
Ridge stated that she'd defended Deacon. Brooke denied it, but Ridge insisted that she had. Brooke informed Ridge that she'd looked for him at the cliff house, but Thomas hadn't let her near the place. She asked if Ridge had stayed there on the sofa. Ridge said he'd stayed there.
Brooke suspected that his kids and Taylor had told him that he belonged there, but Brooke insisted he belonged with her. She said she and Ridge had made vows to each other and had promised to be together for the rest of their lives. It was exactly what they'd do, according to Brooke.
Brooke glanced at Ridge's hand and asked where his ring was. In his silence, she asked what had happened the previous night. She asked him not to say he was giving up on them. She loved him and wanted him to say that he loved her, too.
In her office, Taylor smiled as she thought about kissing Ridge. "I'd ask you who you're thinking about, but that smile pretty much says it all," a voice said from the doorway. Taylor turned around and saw a beaming Sheila standing before her. Taylor scolded Sheila for walking in unannounced. Sheila explained that she was too excited to know what was going on between Taylor, Ridge, and Ridge's "tramp of a wife" to wait.
Taylor admonished Sheila for the name-calling. Sheila insisted that she was a "self-proclaimed member of Team Taylor" and wanted to congratulate Taylor for waiting patiently while Brooke dug her own grave. Taylor remained silent as Sheila explained that Deacon had filled her in on everything. Sheila continued, stating that she knew how long Taylor had waited to be reunited with Ridge. "I just hope that the wait isn't too much longer," Sheila concluded.
Taylor remained silent. Sheila's face lit up as she questioned if the reunion had already happened. Taylor smiled slightly, and Sheila became giddy. Sheila commented on the glow on Taylor's face and the joy in her eyes. Sheila said that she would not have been able to spend time with Finn and Hayes if it had not been for Taylor's kindness. When Sheila commented that Brooke had urged Ridge not to allow her to spend time with Finn and Hayes, Taylor realized that Sheila had a "vested interest" in how things played out.
Sheila tried to walk back her statement and focus on Brooke's drunken night with Deacon.
Later, back in her hotel room, Sheila celebrated the success of her plan. "I warned you, Brooke, not to mess with my life. You're paying the ultimate price now," Sheila said as she cackled evilly.
At Forrester, Thomas and Steffy wondered what Ridge was saying to Brooke and how Brooke would react. Thomas stated that Brooke had probably unleashed a "torrent of tears" and offered a "patented promise" that she'd never hurt Ridge again. Steffy feared that Ridge would cave to Brooke's "waterworks."
Hope entered the executive office and asked what Thomas and Steffy were talking about. Their silence led her to believe that the topic was Brooke and Ridge. Thomas told Hope that a lot had happened "in the last twelve hours." Steffy added that things were not looking good for Brooke. Hope advised Steffy not to count Brooke out. Steffy made a veiled comment suggesting that Hope talk to Taylor about Brooke and Ridge's future.
Hope asked Steffy what she was implying. Steffy informed Hope that Ridge had finally reached his limit and "turned to the woman he could trust." Steffy added that Ridge and Taylor had "shared a magical night of reconnection" and that Ridge had taken off his wedding band. Hope accused Steffy of wanting Ridge and Brooke's marriage to fail. "You were rooting for their marriage to fail so that your mother and Ridge could reunite," Hope said icily. Steffy did not deny the accusation.
Brooke took Ridge's bruised, ringless hand and caressed it gently. She looked into Ridge's eyes and softly asked him to tell her that he still loved her. "Tell me I'm your Logan," she said with a slight smile. "You will always be my Logan," Ridge replied. Brooke took Ridge's statement as proof that they would be okay. Ridge tried to say something, but Brooke cut him off. She told Ridge that he was with her, and that was all that mattered.
"I don't want to hurt you," Ridge said before Brooke interrupted him again. Brooke repeated how bad she felt about what had happened on New Year's Eve. Ridge told Brooke that he had spent the night in Malibu with Steffy and Taylor because he had needed "a safe place to land." Ridge told Brooke that he loved her, but he said that he no longer felt that he and Brooke should be together.
"We are husband and wife, and we can't let anybody or anything change -- " Brooke said before Ridge cut her off. "It's already changed!" Ridge yelled. Brooke wondered if Ridge had taken his wedding ring off because he had made love to Taylor. Ridge shared that things had not gotten that far "but could've" if they hadn't stopped it. Brooke proclaimed that she would not allow one night to affect what they had. "We will survive this. You'll see," Brooke said as she rubbed Ridge's shoulder.
Brooke told Ridge that they needed to forgive each other so that they could recommit to their marriage. Ridge, his head resting in folded arms that he had placed atop the banister of Brooke's staircase, smiled slightly. "I thought it was always going to be you and me in the end," he replied. Ridge told Brooke that they were "getting too old for this" and that he could not "do this" anymore. Brooke wrapped her arms around Ridge, said that she loved him, and told him that she never wanted to lose him. "You are my soul mate. You are my destiny. We gotta hang on to each other, okay? We can't let each other go," Brooke sobbed.
Ridge pulled away. "You're even more beautiful than the first day I saw you," he said softly. "I love you with everything. You're the one I was young with. We can't do this anymore," he said as tears welled in his eyes. He gave Brooke a kiss. When their lips parted, he added, "You will always be my Logan." Ridge slowly stepped away from Brooke, picked up his keys, and walked out of the house. Alone, Brooke sat down in a chair and wept.
The Bold and the Beautiful did not air due to CBS coverage of a presidential press conference regarding the crisis in Ukraine. While this was not a planned preemption, there were be no "lost" episodes. The episode originally scheduled for broadcast aired on Friday, February 25.
At Carter's place, Carter worked out and thought of Grace threatening him into not seeing Paris. To his surprise, Paris arrived on his doorstep. Deep longing was in her eyes. She said she hadn't been able to stay away any longer. Paris draped herself across the sofa, saying that seeing him at work wasn't the same because she didn't get to see him "like that."
Putting on a shirt, Carter said it couldn't happen. He refused to repeat what he'd done to Eric. Paris insisted that they weren't betraying anyone, and she and Zende weren't exclusive. Carter knew that Zende wanted to be and had proposed marriage to her.
Paris replied that Zende had misunderstood their relationship. Paris wanted to be near Carter and to feel his body against hers. She said she knew that he wanted that, too. Carter told her that they'd talked about it already, but she said he'd never explained why. She didn't think protecting her career or the Forresters should be more important than how they felt about each other.
Carter insisted that things had already gone too far. Paris asked what that meant. Carter flashed back to Grace's threat, and Paris asked him to say what was going on. He explained that there were other things and people to consider. Paris asked why Carter was fighting it when he wanted her as much as she wanted him. The two began kissing.
At Il Giardino, Sheila arrived in her usual flirty mood, but Deacon told her that they couldn't be seen together. He reasoned that Brooke might show up. Sheila offered to take him to his broom closet, promising that he definitely wanted to hear what she had to say. He refused to take her back to his room, but she hinted that what she had to say might be about Brooke.
Sheila revealed that Deacon's dreams might not be so far-fetched, and the door might be open for him and Brooke. Sheila conveyed that he'd been right. She said that Ridge going into a fit of rage, followed by Brooke going to Deacon's defense, had been the end; Ridge was going home to Taylor.
Deacon asked if Taylor had said she was back with Ridge. Sheila spitefully asked why Deacon questioned everything she said. She insisted that Ridge had had enough, and Brooke going to Deacon's defense had sent Ridge running into Taylor's arms. Sheila believed that good things were happening for Deacon, and it had all been because of his drunken night with Brooke.
Deacon couldn't believe it was finally over with Ridge and Brooke. Sheila said that it was karma. He reasoned that if he had a shot with Brooke, he had karma to thank for it. Deacon strode off, and Sheila murmured, "And me. Especially me."
At Brooke's house, Brooke gazed at pictures of her and Ridge and recalled him telling her that he loved her with everything, but he couldn't do it anymore. She sobbed on her staircase.
Hope arrived, and Brooke revealed that Ridge had been there. He hadn't been home the previous night because he'd been with Taylor. "They'd been kissing and everything," Brooke stated, believing that Ridge had already moved on. Hope replied that Steffy had told Hope that Ridge and Taylor had been together. Brooke asked how her world had fallen apart.
Hope stated that Ridge hadn't stopped loving Brooke. Agreeing, Brooke replied that Ridge would always love her; he just couldn't be with her. He needed peace and stability, but she couldn't give him that. Hope said it wasn't true, and the couple had been happy for a long time.
Brooke cried, wondering why she'd drunk and kissed Deacon. She said she couldn't lose Ridge, and it couldn't end that way -- it just couldn't. Brooke still couldn't understand what had made her drink. Hope said that what had happened had happened. Hope believed that Brooke and Ridge could have gotten through it, but Thomas and Steffy had pushed for their parents to reunite.
Brooke said that every second Ridge had spent with them, they'd convince Ridge that it was where he belonged. Brooke said she needed to convince him that he belonged with her, or she'd lose him to Taylor for good.
At Forrester, Ridge had finally changed clothes from the previous day. Thomas and Steffy found Ridge eyeing a photo of himself with Brooke. They told Ridge that their mother hadn't heard from him, and they wondered if he'd spoken to Brooke. Ridge said he'd felt that he'd owed Brooke the truth, and he revealed that he'd told her that he'd spent the night at Steffy's house with Taylor.
Ridge said that the situation was painful for everyone involved. Thomas replied that Ridge had decided to return to Taylor and their family. "Well, Brooke's my family, too," Ridge interjected. Steffy and Thomas said Brooke had broken Ridge's trust. Thomas added that Brooke had slept with Deacon, but Ridge corrected Thomas, saying Brooke hadn't slept with Deacon.
Ridge didn't want to answer any more questions. Steffy and Thomas knew that it wasn't easy, but they insisted it was for the best. They said Ridge would be going home to safety and security. Steffy left to take care of something, and in the hallway, she called Taylor to say that Ridge needed her.
Later, Steffy returned to the office, and she and Thomas continued trying to convince Ridge that he'd made the right decision. They said Ridge might have worked things out with Brooke in the past, but that day, he had a new woman in his life who'd always loved him. Just then, Taylor arrived, and she and Ridge gazed at each other.
Later, Taylor had gleaned that Brooke knew that he'd spent the night at Steffy's house with Taylor. Ridge replied that he hadn't wanted Brooke to hear it from anyone else. Steffy stated that he could finally move on because he'd said all that he'd needed to say and could focus on his future "with Mom and with us." Ridge reminded them that he'd stay in the guesthouse.
Taylor thought it was a good idea. With complicated emotions involved, the transition would take awhile. She said Ridge had endured a lot with Brooke, and for a while, it wouldn't feel like something to celebrate.
Steffy told Ridge that he could count on them, and Taylor loved him more than anyone. Steffy said they'd watched him struggle with Brooke and convince himself that everything was okay. It finally was okay because had had people who cared about his well-being. She said the time had come for the Forrester family to reunite. Ridge hugged her, and Thomas hugged Taylor.
