Ridge continues to apologize for how things turned out. He wishes he could change it. She cries to him that looks like Nick and Brooke are the only ones who ended up with any real happiness. It seems so damn unfair! He only wants the best for her and that includes a man who will love and cherish her ..one that won't let her down the way he did. Interrupted by Thomas, Taylor scoots them on their way to the party. Stephanie talks to Phoebe, who shares with her that she'd like her dad to move back home. Stephanie admits too much may have happened for that to be a reality. When Darla returns home, she finds the place lavishly decorated by Sally and Thorne and she can't possibly express all her love for them. The guests arrive and even Sally and Stephanie hug and make nice. Most don a big red rubber nose and join in on the festivities. Stephanie tries to cheer Ridge up and they agree they will have to learn to live with Brooke's choice. Stephanie opines that she will not let Brooke keep the company; she won't let it be hi-jacked. But, Ridge doesn't feel that fighting over the company is going to help anyone. And he tells his mother that after what he did to Taylor, he could never judge her again. Phoebe calls Taylor that she is having difficulty because of fog, but dismisses Taylor's wish that she come back home, and heads to toward the party. Shortly thereafter, she has a flat and calls home again. Taylor tries to give her instructions of who she should call for help but the line goes dead. She repeatedly calls Phoebe's name to no avail. Phoebe is being confronted by a scary, shadowy figure who asks if he can help. Taylor panics and grabs her purse, phone, jacket and flies out the door. Everyone is having a great time playing, singing Happy Birthday, making a wish, blowing out the candles on cake, taking pictures, and wondering what is keeping Phoebe. Darla gathers everyone and makes a loving speech. Only now does she think she is deserving of the love and acceptance and happiness she has found with this family in abundance.
Ridge: I'm sorry, doc. You don't know how sorry I am. If I could just change things -- Taylor: Yeah, but you can't. Anymore than I can. It just looks like Nick and Brooke are the only ones who ended up with any kind of real happiness. It just seems so damn unfair. You know? After everything it costs us, you, me, our children - [SCENE_BREAK] Phoebe: I can't believe how much Alexandria has grown. Darla: Oh, I know, I know. She's really missed you, too. We all have. Stephanie: Especially me. Phoebe: I missed you guys too -- a lot. Darla: Oh, my gosh. I can't believe what time it is. I've got to go pick up the cake. Are you sure you can watch the birthday girl for me? Stephanie: Of course I can. Make sure it's a chocolate cake. Darla: You got it, you got it. Okay baby, be good for Grandma and for Phoebe, okay? And I'll see you at home a little bit later. Alexandria: Okay, Mommy. Darla: Okay, baby. I love you. Happy birthday. Grandma, you are the best. Thank you. Stephanie: I love you too, Darla. Darla: I love you. And you, I'm so glad you're back. Phoebe: Thanks. Darla: You are exactly what your mom and dad need right now. See you later. Bye honey! Stephanie: You're worried about your mother and father, aren't you? [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: No one deserves to be happy more than you do, doc. But you're not, the kids aren't -- because of me. I never really comprehended the depth of the pain I caused until Brooke pretty much did the same thing to me. Taylor: Don't beat yourself up. I mean, I've done my grieving. I put it behind me, put it behind me like I did our marriage. I'm determined to move on. Ridge: I only want the best that life has to offer for you. That includes a man who'll love and cherish your strength, intelligence, your compassion. A man who won't let you down the way I did. Stephanie: She's a good little artist, isn't she? I think she gets that from her grandfather. Phoebe: Where's Alexandria? Stephanie: I took her down to Eric's office. He designed a dress for her for the party. And I wanted to have some time to talk to you alone. Phoebe: Grandma, it's okay. I'm okay. Really. Stephanie: But you're not sure about your mother and father. Phoebe: What Mom needs, what we all need is for my dad to come home again. Stephanie: Honey, I know that would make you happy, but so much has happened between your mother and your father -- Phoebe: Yes, I know. But if you and the rest of the family supported a reconciliation -- Stephanie: The most important thing right now is you're here. Your mother needs your love. All our love. Phoebe: Especially my dad's - [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: If I hadn't been so focused on getting Logan back, I probably would have realized the full extent of what I was losing with you and the kids. Taylor: Ridge, you were in an impossible situation. Okay, I knew that. Brooke knew it. Thomas and the girls, we all knew that -- Thomas: We knew what? Ridge: Hey, you. Your mother and I were just -- Taylor: We were just talking about history stuff -- Thomas: Hoping your son didn't interrupt you -- Taylor: No, you weren't interrupting. Look, but if you don't get over to that party, you guys gotta go, you're going to be late. Thomas: Mom, why don't you change your mind and come with us. Phoebe's meeting us there. Taylor: No, honey, I have a lot to do around here. Would you just give Alexandria a big birthday hug for me though, please? Ridge: Bye. [SCENE_BREAK] Darla: Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I can't believe this! You guys are unbelievable! [Laughter] Sally: You know what? I think she likes it. Darla: Are you kidding me? When our little girl sees all of this -- Thorne: Honey, hey, hey, don't cry. Come on. Darla: God, I love you guys so much. Thank you. Sally: Stop it. Now, now you tell me. After I moved out of the place, and back to my old dump. But that does not mean that I'm giving up my number one babysitter position around this joint. I am here for that little goddaughter of mine any time. Darla: Just like you have always been here for her mom. Sally: Oh, will stop it! Will you just stop it, or I'm going to start blubbering. Darla: Don't start. [Crying] Alexandria: Why are Mommy and Grandma Sally crying? Stephanie: Oh, honey. I don't know. But sometimes grownups cry even when they're happy. Cuz' they are kind of silly. Thorne: Or sometimes they put on funny little noses and smother their favorite little birthday girl with kisses! Darla: Happy birthday, baby! Sally: What a family, huh? C'mon you guys, you're killing me here. Stephanie: Oh, you're such a crybaby. Sally: Don't you start. No, no, no! Don't you start. Who says that there is no such thing as happily ever after? Alexandria: No, no, no. It goes here. Eric: There? Is that it? Alexandria: Here. Eric: Show me, let me see. Darla: Excuse me ladies. Stephanie: Yes? Darla: Do you care for any punch, either one of you? Stephanie: Thank you, Darla. Sally: I'll pass, Darla. Thorne: I'll help you get that on. Eric: Okay, you do that. Thorne: Okay, sweetheart. Now you show Grandpa how it's done. [SCENE_BREAK] Thomas: Let me guess? You are remembering when the twins were four? Ridge: Phoebe wanted a puppy, Steffy wanted a cat. Thomas: That's right. And Mom convinced them that they really wanted goldfish. Ridge: Yeah, your mom always had a special way with you kids. It's one of the things I -- I'm going out to get some air. Let me know when they cut the cake, will you? Eric: Your dad is going to be all right. He's taking some time -- Thomas: I know. I know. Eric: So? Thomas: It's just -- I walked in on Mom and Dad talking today. I kinda just got the feeling -- then again, it's probably just wishful thinking . [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: Thanks for coming. I know you're not exactly in the party mood, but as the night moves on. Ridge: Oh, don't worry about me, mother. I'll be okay. Stephanie: Of course you will. Ridge: Brooke's made her choice. I have to find a way to live with that. We all do. Stephanie: Yes, we do. I'm not going to let her keep the company, though. I gave her that stock because I wanted her to come back to you. I'm not going to let her hijack it. Ridge: Look, I understand your resentment, okay? I don't think fighting over Forrester Creations again is going to help anyone. Besides, remember how Taylor reacted when she found out you gave Brooke half the company? She still hasn't forgiven you. Stephanie: No, she hasn't. Ridge: Or me. For trying to get Brooke back. During that whole time, I just didn't understand what I was doing to Taylor. Stephanie: But you do now. Ridge: Our marriage broke up because I saw Taylor as a hypocrite. And I was probably justified in feeling that way back then, but I'll tell you. After what I've done to her now, there is no way I can ever judge Taylor ever again. [SCENE_BREAK] Taylor: Why? Why, Ridge? [Phone rings] Taylor: Hello? Phoebe: Mom, it's me. Taylor: Hi, sweetie. How's the party? Phoebe: Oh, I'm not there yet. I'm calling from the car. Taylor: Phoebe, I don't like you calling on the cell when you're driving. You're a new driver. I need you to concentrate on the road. Phoebe: I know, I know. That's why I'm calling. I think I missed that turn off for Uncle Thorne's. And the fog is really bad, I can barely see. Taylor: Does anything look familiar? Phoebe: I think I passed that little restaurant Darla likes about a mile ago. Taylor: Oh, no, no, no. Honey, the road you were supposed to turn on was right after that restaurant. So, okay. No, don't make a U-turn on PCH. It's too dangerous. Phoebe: Mom, Mom. I'm not stupid. I know how terrible traffic on PCH. Taylor: Look, I just want you to come back home. Phoebe: Mom, no, no. I'm fine now that I know it's the right road. I'm fine. Taylor: No, Phoebe. Phoebe: Mom, relax. Okay, I'll call you as soon as I get there to let you know that I'm safe. Okay? Love you. [SCENE_BREAK] [Cheering] Ridge: I would have thought your sister would be here by now. Thomas: You said Pheebs went to the mall to get a present for Alexandria, right? Ridge: Yeah. Thomas: Teenage girls, malls. We may never see her again. Thorne: You guys talking about phoebe? Ridge: Yeah, she's going to miss her little cousin blowing out the candles. Thorne: Clarke is running late too. He was supposed to be here an hour ago. Said he had a surprise for Alexandria. Sally: Don't worry about that. Don't worry about him. We'll save everybody some birthday cake. Won't we, little princess Alexandria? Darla: Did somebody mention birthday cake? [Cheers] [Everybody sings Happy birthday] Thorne: Are you ready to blow out the candles? Darla: You got to make a wish, remember? Thomas: Don't tell anyone or else, it won't come true. Darla: Ready? Thorne: Deep breath, deep breath. [Cheers] Darla: Grandpa, would you like to do the honors? Eric: Yes, of course. Of course, if that's alright with you, isn't it? Yeah. Alexandria: Thank you for my party dress. It's so pretty. Eric: Well, it's pretty because it's for you. And you are my perfect little granddaughter. [Talking among themselves] Eric: Here you go. Ladies. Stephanie: Oh, thank you. Thorne: Everybody, my beautiful wife here would like to say something. Darla: Thank you, baby. First of all, I would just like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for making this such a special day for our daughter. I know she will remember this day forever. Along with all the wonderful memories she's going to make being a part of such a beautiful loving family. That's something I never really had when I was Alexandria's age. But it never stopped me from praying that someday, someday I would find a family of my own. And I did. Right here. Because of this beautiful, amazing woman. She took me into her family and into her heart. As did this, amazing, amazing, beautiful woman did. The day that I married her son. And what a son. And what a father. And what a husband he is. Thorne, you have given me more happiness and more love than I think my heart can ever hold. You and Alexandria are my life. As the two of you, are the mothers that I never had. Stephanie: Oh, sweetie. Darla: Sally, you taught me to tough, yet compassionate. And miss Stephanie, who taught me about dignity and self-respect. And only because of the two of you, I can stand here and say that I am happy and I'm finally worthy of the love and happiness that I have found with this family in abundance. And your family. And in yours. And in ours. I love you all, more than words can possibly say. Baby, love you. Come here, girls. [Laughter] Picture! Stephanie: Picture! Happy birthday to you. Darla: Happy birthday, Allie! [SCENE_BREAK] Phoebe: Mom, listen. I pulled off the side of PCH as far as I could. I just -- I can't believe I got a flat tire. There's hardly any shoulder, and I'm sure there is a jack in the trunk somewhere. Taylor: No, no. Absolutely not. No, you are not changing a tire on PCH. It's dark, it's foggy. It's too dangerous. No! Phoebe: Mom, I was kidding. I don't have a clue how to change a tire. Which I'm sure Thomas will never let me forget. Taylor: Did you call your brother? Phoebe: I tried him and I tried dad's cell, but I couldn't get through. Taylor: I know, there's not good reception on the beach. Phoebe: Yeah, I sort of figured that out. Taylor: Okay. All right, now listen. This is what I want you to do. I want you to get back in the car, and I want you to lock the doors, and turn on the emergency flashers, okay? And are you listening to what I'm telling you? Honey? Phoebe, what just happened? Phoebe, Phoebe? Man: Do you need a little help? Sweetheart? Taylor: Honey? Would you talk to me, please? Phoebe? Answer me?