Nicole tells Zende that it might sound corny but when she is with him she does not lack anything. He says they have Eric and Ridge to thank as they cleared the entire house for them to have. He says she is the most incredible woman that he almost lost when he didn't at first understand why she was having Maya's child. She says the good part is that he did not lose her; all is okay now. Zende holds out his hand and takes Nicole in his arms to dance then waltzes her upstairs. He kisses Nicole and says he loves her. They kiss more and he starts to undress and then takes off Nicole's gown and lays her on the bed. Thomas cuddles and walks with Douglas and coos to him that his grandfather married his mom and now he is the dad and everyone lives happily ever after. Caroline comments that it will work out well now that he is living in the loft that was hers and Ridge's. Thomas can now have some quality time alone with Douglas. They vow they will not spoil him. Veronica stops by to see if Thomas is ready to go grab some dinner. Caroline is clearly surprised but tries to be okay with it and tells Thomas to go on. Brooke tells Ridge that she is proud of him for handling all of this with Douglas the way he has. Now she has to do the same with Katie and get that family back together. He says there it is, that grit and determination that she has always had and he likes. Brooke tells Ridge that it will be an uphill battle but she has to convince Katie and Bill will have to cooperate so leave him to her. Ridge tells her that he thinks it is right that Eric is running the company again and he needs to just focus on his family. He says Douglas deserves to grow up without that scandal hanging over him, and so does Caroline and Thomas. The family knows so now it is time the public knows and they can be a family as Thomas and Caroline love each other. He says it is all right, it is his fault. He overheard them talking the other day and she looks at Thomas the way she used to look at him. He says that he and Brooke are head of their families and now they need to act like it. Ridge says Douglas is a Forrester and he will make sure that he is raised that way. Thomas finds it hard to leave Douglas but Caroline reluctantly says it is okay. She has Veronica take a photo of her and Thomas and Douglas before she goes.
Nicole: I am so full. Zende: You haven't even started. Nicole: You... have made me full. This has. When I'm with you, I -- [Chuckles] It's gonna sound corny. But... when I'm with you, I feel like I lack for nothing. Zende: That doesn't sound corny. And you're right. Whenever you're with me, you never will. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: You've lost so much. Ridge: Only my job, for now. Brooke: Yeah. Only that. Ridge: And that's nothing compared to what you're going through. Brooke: Oh, I'm gonna get my sister back. Ridge: I like the sound of that. And I'm gonna run this company again one day. Brooke: You also lost a son. Ridge: Douglas was never mine to lose. [SCENE_BREAK] Thomas: And so when your mom arrived in L.A. and stepped out of that limo, she turned quite a few heads. Legs for days. Caroline: Okay. That's enough of that. Thomas: Forget I ever said that. Anyways, so, your mom married your grandfather, and your dad -- he... Moral of the story is everybody's really cool and everybody lived happily ever after. Yes, we did. Caroline: Well, I can see that our son is in for some very interesting bedtime stories. Thomas: Yes, he is. But don't you ever doubt that you're loved... by your mom... me... everyone. Thomas: Oh, yeah. Good. Is it -- is it weird? Caroline: What? Thomas: That I'm staying at the loft that used to be yours and Dad's home. Caroline: I'm glad that your father's letting you live there. Thomas: And I can't wait to have you guys over. It'll be so much fun. I just have to get the place babyproofed and settled. Caroline: Yeah. It'll be convenient for us. Thomas: Us? Caroline: Well, yeah. I mean, we'll get the opportunity to spend time alone with Douglas. Thomas: Quality time with my son. Caroline: With our little family. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: I'm so proud of you, really -- the way you've handled the situation with Douglas. Ridge: Hmm. Eventually. Took a little while to figure it out. Brooke: Ridge, you were dealing with a lot when Caroline got pregnant. Ridge: Forgiveness -- it's your greatest virtue. Brooke: Yours, too. Ridge: Well, thank goodness, 'cause without forgiveness, we wouldn't be here, would we? Brooke: No. Yeah, it's gotten -- gotten us through a lot of hard times. Ridge: Yes, it has. It still does, Logan. Brooke: Yeah, it does. Thanks. Ridge: [Sighs] [SCENE_BREAK] Nicole: This is incredible. Zende: Do you like French food? Nicole: First time -- unless French fries count. Zende: [Chuckles softly] Nicole: Thank you again for doing all of this. Zende: Don't thank me. It's the least that I could do. So, tell me... what was a date like with Nicole in high school? Nicole: Not like this. I can promise you that. Zende: Well, this is all possible because of Granddad and Uncle Ridge. They cleared out the entire house for me. Thankfully, Forresters are true romantics. Nicole: They certainly are. Come here. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Any word from Katie? Brooke: [Sighs] She is worried sick. Ridge: What about Bill? Brooke: Not a thing, but he hasn't heard the last from me. That's for sure. Ridge: I'd stay away from him. The guy's toxic. Brooke: He doesn't have his head screwed on straight. What he's doing to Katie is unacceptable. Ridge: There's no reasoning with the guy. You know that. Brooke: You can't just take a child away from its mother. This family really needs to be reunited. Ridge: You're gonna do it? That's a big task. Brooke: I know. But I'm gonna make it happen. Ridge: I like that. Brooke: What? Ridge: That -- grit and determination. I haven't seen that in you in a long time. Brooke: Ridge, I messed up. I've got to fix things. Ridge: I guess we both have some work to do, huh? Brooke: It appears you've done most of your work. Ridge: I gave Douglas to his father. I guess that's something. Brooke: Yeah, that is something. It's the right thing to do. And that's what matters. Now I have to make things right with Katie, and I have to do everything I possibly can to get that family back together. [SCENE_BREAK] Caroline: So, what do you think -- artist, scientist? Thomas: I'm thinking a beautiful sweeping curveball, are we not? Caroline: Ohh! You hear that? Your daddy wants you to be an athlete. Thomas: No limitations. I mean, anything that you dream of, you can have. We'll make sure of it. Caroline: Yes, we will. Thomas: But we're not gonna spoil him. No. We're not gonna spoil you. Caroline: Well, I have no problem with that. Thomas: Oh, I've -- I've seen your shoe collection. Caroline: When?! Thomas: Oh, back in the day, when we were together. [Gasps] Oh, by the way, your mom -- she has your entire fund for college in her shoe closet. Caroline: I am not that bad, and I'm pretty sure that you could fill a warehouse with all of your suits. Thomas: Not even close. Not even close. Caroline: [Sighs] Okay. Fine. We will not spoil our child. Thomas: Our child. God, that's unbelievable. Caroline: It's amazing, isn't it? [Knock on door] Thomas: Excuse me. Can I have my finger back? Yes. [Clears throat] Oh, Veronica. Hey. Veronica: Hey. Hi, Caroline. Caroline: Hi. Veronica: So, uh, are you ready? Thomas: Yeah. Caroline: For what? Thomas: Uh, Veronica and I have plans to go grab dinner. [SCENE_BREAK] Nicole: I wondered if this would ever happen. Zende: Really -- a night like this? And here I am, trying to be original and surprise you. Nicole: Stop. You are. It's just... I only ever dreamed that things would be this good between us. And when we split up... Zende: That was on me. Nicole: No. You reacted the way any other guy would have, and you had your reasons. Zende: Not much of a consolation, huh? Nicole: I was pregnant -- a surrogate at that. Zende: For your sister. You know, I-I've seen a lot of selfless acts in my life... but not quite anything like that. Nicole: It's something I had to do. Maya couldn't have children of her own, and she and Rick wanted a family. Zende: And you gave her one. You know, I just, uh... I just wish I had been more aware. Nicole: Of what? Zende: Of the incredible woman I almost lost. Nicole: But you didn't. You came back to me. Zende: You took me back. I'm not sure I deserve it, but, boy, am I grateful. You are the finest, most generous woman I have ever met. Zende: You are something. Look at you. Nicole: I've been working on it. Zende: Will you stop that? You're gorgeous. Nicole: I wondered if you'd feel that way. Zende: I feel that way. Nicole: Now look at me, sitting at this elegant table, surrounded by flowers and music, sitting with the hottest man that I know. Zende: [Chuckles softly] Nicole: Am I the luckiest person in L.A. or what? Zende: No. I win that title by a landslide. Singer: Take me in your arms and hold me tight make this moment last till morning light take me in your arms [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Spencer isn't gonna make it easy. Brooke: Oh, I know. He's gonna recite the litany. He's gonna go on and on about Katie's behavior, how erratic she is, her drinking. Doesn't justify what we did. You know, she wasn't a bad mother. In fact, she got depressed and she was drinking because of Bill and me, so now we're gonna have to correct it. Ridge: "We"? You think he's gonna help you? Brooke: Oh, you leave Bill to me. Yes, he will cooperate. Ridge: Wow. There she is -- the woman I fell in love with all those years ago. Listen to you, lioness. I'm impressed. Brooke: [Laughing] What? Ridge: And I'm inspired. Brooke: Me? I'm -- I'm an inspiration? Ridge: You are. Yes, you are. Brooke: [Chuckles] So, is there anything I can do for you at Forrester? Ridge: No. No. You know, I-I think my dad running the company is the right thing. I've got to focus on my family. Brooke: Meaning...? Ridge: Meaning Douglas' paternity is gonna go public. The family knows, but the world doesn't, and it's time... to put an end to this lie once and for all. Brooke: Oh, Ridge. Ridge: It's okay. It's the right thing to do. It's the right thing for everybody, you know? It's, um... It's right for me, it's right for Douglas, and it's right for Thomas and Caroline. They're gonna raise their little boy. They're gonna have a family. And that boy deserves to grow up without that scandal hanging over him. And... and Thomas and Caroline deserve it because -- because they love each other. [SCENE_BREAK] Caroline: I didn't realize you guys had plans. Veronica: Just getting some food. Hi, Douglas. Can I hold him? Caroline: Sure. Just support his head. Veronica: Oh, I'm good. I have a little nephew about this little guy's age. [Gasps] Hi! So cute. Thomas: He's really something, isn't he? [SCENE_BREAK] Zende: I love you, Nicole. Y-You know that, right? Nicole: I do. Zende: I want that future with you -- the one I almost lost. Nicole: Zende... I want that, too. [SCENE_BREAK] Thomas: Hey. You good? Caroline: Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? Thomas: Look, I hate bailing on you like this, and I hate leaving this little guy. Caroline: No, it's fine. Go have fun. Thomas: Okay. I'll -- I'll give you a call. Caroline: Yeah, whenever. Thomas: Thanks again for coming by with Douglas. I really appreciate that. Caroline: Yeah, of course. It was fun. Thomas: Yeah. It was. Caroline: Hey, um... Veronica, would you take a picture of us? Veronica: Sure. Caroline: Thanks. Thomas: Ah-ha-ha. [Camera shutter clicks] Veronica: Got it. Caroline: Thanks. Thomas: Ah-ha-ha-ha. Okay. I'll see you later? Caroline: Yeah. Thomas: Okay. Veronica: There you go. Caroline: Thank you. Thomas: Ready? Veronica: Yep. Bye. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: Thomas and Caroline in love? Ridge: I always knew how Thomas felt about her, but I was kind of hoping it was one-sided. But I heard them talking the other day, and... the way she looks at him is... the way she used to look at me, so, no, it's real. Brooke: Oh, no. Ridge: It's okay. It's all right. It's my fault. I was so busy trying to give her the future she wanted, I forgot to live in the present... and to love her the way that she should be loved. God, look at this. Look at this mess we made. This family's in disarray. Brooke: Now I'm the one who's impressed. Ridge: Well, don't be. Don't be impressed. We've got a lot of work to do. We -- We got to take care of our family and take care of all our children. Brooke: Including Rick? Ridge: Including Rick. Brooke: We have to be grown-ups. Ridge: Nah, I'm not good at that. But, yes, we -- we will. We're -- we're the leaders of this clan, so we got to act like it. Brooke: That's right. My sister needs me, even though she won't admit it. Ridge: You got to make her open up to you. Brooke: And her crazy husband. Will needs his parents together. And I'm gonna make damn sure that happens. Ridge: And I will be a good grandfather to Douglas, and he'll be raised a Forrester. I'll make sure that happens. Brooke: So there we have it. We have our work cut out for us. Ridge: We do. But we're leaders. We can do this. [SCENE_BREAK] Zende: [Chuckles softly] Nicole: Lying here like this... in your arms -- that's all I ever need. Zende: I want to spend the rest of my days like this... holding you. And I'm so sorry that I ever caused you pain. You are the best thing that has ever slipped into my life. I never want to see a day without you. I love you so much, Nicole. Nicole: I love you, too.