Jackie told Eric to let go of her. She explained the decision to give up the job was her choice. Massimo watched the scene and then confronted Eric ("Take your hands off my wife!). Stephanie noticed Eric, Jackie and Massimo have disappeared from the party. The two men spoke around Jackie as though she wasn't present. Ridge arrived with the kids  all aged about 10 years older than when we last saw them. Nick came in with news about Brooke. Thomas flirted with Samantha. Nick had the call traced, and as it turned out so did Ridge  it was an international call. Later Nick learned the call was from France and he made plans for travel. Deacon was at dinner with Caitlin the new Forrester intern. They discussed Eric -- she thought Eric was a "sweetheart." Deacon whined again about how Eric is keeping him from Bridget. Massimo arrived at the same bar  Deacon asked him to join a partnership to bring down Eric.
Jackie: Eric, please let go of me. Eric: Not until I talk some sense into you. Jackie: I will not be bullied. Eric: Not by anybody but your own husband, you mean. Jackie: Massimo doesn't intimidate me. Eric: Then, for God's sake, why are you giving up your job as Fenmore's rep to Forrester? Jackie: That was my decision. Eric: It was a decision engineered by your husband. Jackie: I really resent that. Eric: Jackie, for God's sake, he's hell-bent on running your life. You can't allow him to that. Jackie: You know what I can't allow? I cannot allow my marriage to be threatened before it's even begun. This has just got to stop. Hudson: Massimo, are you all right? [ Massimo sighs ] Stephanie: Hi! Bridget: Hi. Ridge: Hey, sorry we're late. Thomas: No, Pheeb's couldn't decide what to wear. Pheoebe: That is so not true. Steffy: Brothers -- Ridge: All right, you three, knock it off. It's an engagement party, no squabbling allowed! Okay? Congratulating the happy couple is definitely allowed. Come here. Bridget: Thank you. Stephanie: You look very handsome tonight, Thomas. And girls, you look -- Thomas: Congratulations, bride-to-be. Bridget: Thank you. Good to see you. Ah, you look so cute! Love the dress. Thomas: Congratulations. Thorne: Hey, everybody. Sorry I'm late. Stephanie: I detect a pattern here. Thorne: Yeah, well, the baby-sitter bailed at the last minute. So it's just me. Stephanie: Okay. Thorne: But Darla sends her love. Samantha: Add mine to hers. Have you set a date yet? Oscar: No, but if it were up to me, we would tie the knot tomorrow. [ Women "aw" ] Thomas: Speaking of tying knots, here's the expert himself. Nick: I think I'm at the right place. Congratulations, you two. Stephanie: You are at the right place. There's plenty of food and drinks, so let's party. Come on. Nick: Forrester -- there's something you should know about Brooke. Caitlin: You always go on and on like this? Deacon: What are you talking about? Caitlin: You haven't said five words since we've gotten here. Deacon: Are you counting? Caitlin: Just thought you wanted some company. Deacon: Is that what you thought? Caitlin: You'd rather I hadn't tagged along? Deacon: Hey, listen, you know, it's a free country. You can do whatever you want. It's just -- just forget it. Caitlin: Your mind's elsewhere. Deacon: Yeah. Caitlin: The engagement party for your ex-wife. Deacon: The kid's perceptive. Caitlin: I'm not a kid. I'm Forrester Creations' newest intern. Deacon: Slash wanna-be fashion designer, I know. Caitlin: Someday. After I finish design school. Deacon: And after you climb your way to the top, right? Caitlin: That's not my style. Deacon: Honey, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. You're too young to have a style. Caitlin: You're making fun of me. Deacon: Look, I'm just pointing out what's obvious, okay? Caitlin: Well, if this is the real Deacon Sharpe, no wonder Eric Forrester has problems with you. Deacon: Well, I am a charmer. Hudson: Don't do it, Massimo. If you go out there -- look, everyone's arrived. Why don't you join them? Eric: Jackie, I'm not a threat to your marriage. Jackie: Well, Massimo thinks that you are. Eric: Well, it wouldn't be the first time that's he's been wrong about something. Jackie: He doesn't trust you, Eric. Eric: But he trusts you? Jackie: Yes. And I want him to keep trusting me. Eric: And that's your explanation for why you're doing this? God, Jackie, look at you. You're not even yourself. You're afraid to talk to me. You're even afraid to work with me. Massimo: Take your hands off my wife!!! Caitlin: Mr. Forrester seems like a real sweetheart. [ Deacon laughs ] Deacon: Well, if that's your take on the man, I'd say you're more confused than a goat on Astroturf. Caitlin: I'm a pretty good judge of character. Deacon: Ah, that would come from all of your years on this planet, I'm sure. Look, you're in a whole different league now. Caitlin: The cutthroat world of high fashion. Deacon: It can be if you piss off the wrong person. Caitlin: He can't be that bad. Deacon: Look, Caitlin, whatever. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that I'm some kind of choir boy. But if it wasn't for Eric Forrester, I'd be engaged to his daughter right now. Thomas: Here, allow me. Samantha: My, how gallant? Thomas: I have my moments. [ Laughter ] Samantha: They look happy, don't they? Thomas: Yeah, Bridget's the best. Ozzy, on the other hand -- but let's talk about you and me. And when you're gonna model another teddy for me. Nick: I had Brooke's phone call traced. Ridge: You found out exactly what I found out. It's an international call, right? Look, you're not the only one who's concerned about her. And I am still her husband. Nick: I know that. Ridge: Listen, if you find out anything, all right, anything at all, promise to let me know. Bridget: Is everything okay over here? Nick: Hey. Bridget: Hi. Nick: Time for me to wet my whistle. Bridget: Okay. Stephanie: Have you tried those chocolate-covered strawberries? Phoebe: No, are they good? Stephanie: Oh, they are to die for. Steffy: Let's go try some. Stephanie: Okay. Thorne: Mother, have you seen dad? Stephanie: No, I -- I think he -- I guess he and Jackie seemed to have disappeared and Massimo, too. Honey, I want to check on something. I'll be right back. Thorne: Okay, all right. Stephanie: I knew something was going to happen. What's going on? Hudson: Trust me, you don't want to know. Eric: Jackie, you don't have to put up with this. Massimo: That's right. She doesn't have to put up with you. Or your constant effort in trying to undermine our marriage. When are you going to get it through your head, Eric, that we love each other? All I care about is her happiness. Eric: Then stop trying to control every aspect of her life. I'm warning you. Because if you don't, sooner or later, she's going to decide that she's had enough. Jackie: Eric, please -- Eric: Jackie, I'm sorry. This has to be said. Massimo: Enough! I don't wanna hear one more word from you, not one word! Jackie: Massimo, please. Eric, he's just trying to be a friend. Massimo: This man is no friend of yours. He's anything but a friend. Stephanie: What's going on out here? Eric: Your old college beau here is making an ass of himself. Oscar: Okay, guys, this is a party. Can we just all go in and have a drink, please? Massimo: Oscar, I don't want a drink. I want this man to stop being disrespectful to my wife. Stephanie: Mass, this isn't the time or place. This is a very joyous occasion. Please, let's just settle down, and we'll go inside. Massimo: No. I think it best if Hudson take Jacqueline home. I'll make our apologies to Oscar and Bridget. Oscar: No apologies are necessary. Okay, we just want you to stay, please. Massimo: Oscar, believe me, this is best for everyone. Eric: Jackie, you don't have to go just because he says so. Jackie: Eric, please. No more. [ Massimo sighs ] Caitlin: You loved her a lot, huh? Deacon: Yeah. I still do. Caitlin: But now that she's wearing some other guy's ring -- I mean, obviously, her dad doesn't feel that way. Otherwise -- Deacon: Look. I've done everything humanly possible to let this guy know that I'm worthy of his daughter. Hell, I've gone above and beyond the call of duty. And you know what? The guy treats me the same as he always -- you want another soda or something? Massimo: Oscar, sorry I lost my temper. You know, I wish you the best of everything. Bridget: Thank you. Why does it have to be like this? Oscar: You know, Mo and your dad just can't get along. Bridget: I mean, they're two amazing men who would do anything for their families. Oscar: Well, that's just it. See, Massimo's code of behavior where family's concerned is pretty strict. Bridget: What, and my father's isn't? Oscar: Let's just say they see things very differently. Bridget: Which leaves you and me stuck in the middle, unless we do something to keep that from happening. Caitlin: You better watch that. Deacon: What, this? No, it's -- alcohol free, same as yours. Which is probably a good idea, because you're underage. Caitlin: Who says I'm underage? Deacon: Okay, fine, jail bait, you be as old as you want to be. It doesn't matter to me. Caitlin: So now you're mad at me, too? Deacon: I'm not mad at you. I'm just -- just ignore me. I'm lousy company tonight. I'm sorry. Caitlin: All because of a nice man like Eric Forrester. Deacon: Yeah, he is a saint, isn't he? Caitlin: Mind if I decide for myself? Deacon: Hey, it's a free country. Just don't say you haven't been warned. Caitlin: Well, I'm gonna go let you -- Deacon: Do whatever. Caitlin: Thanks for the call. See you tomorrow. Deacon: See you around the water cooler, kiddo. [ Massimo sighs ] Massimo: Give me a Bourbon neat. Thanks, Tony. Ridge: So that's what we know so far. It's an overseas call. Which means -- Samantha: That Brooke could be anywhere. Ridge: I just wish she'd come home. I feel like a part of my heart is missing. Of course, Nick's determined to find her, too. Samantha: How are things between you and your brother? Where is he, anyway? Well, it looks like Nick has done his disappearing act again. [ Phone rings ] Nick: Payne here. France? You sure the call came from France? Thanks. This is Captain Payne. Get the Marone jet fired up. I'll be there as soon as I can. Bridget: Guys, I am so happy my three favorite people could be here today. Phoebe: This is really cute. Bridget: I know. Steffy: Does he have a younger brother? [ Bridget laughs ] Thomas: Will you two knock it off? Bridget: Thomas, do you have a problem with my fiancé? Thomas: I just hope he's good enough for you, that's all. 'Cause if he ever gives you any grief, he'll have me to answer to. Bridget: Really? Massimo: Do it again, bartender. [ Deacon clears throat ] Deacon: Massimo, long time no see. How's tricks, pal? Massimo: I gave the man plenty of warning. Deacon: Okay, I'll play along. What man are we talking about? Massimo: Who the hell does Eric Forrester think he is, anyway? Deacon: This is about Eric Forrester? What's going on? There must be something in the air here. Seems to me that you and I have a little something -- or should I say someone -- in common. Look, I don't know what your beef is with Forrester, but I promise you, I got a couple of my own. Hey, you know, we could just be two guys grousing in a bar. Or, I don't know, don't you think maybe it's time somebody put that smug bastard in his place? So what do you say? Are you ready to do something about this guy? Are you ready to cowboy up? Stephanie: You're not thinking of calling Jackie? Eric: I never meant for it to go that far. Stephanie: Listen to me, Eric, this is supposed to be a very special and joyous occasion for your daughter. Eric: Of course it is. I'm sorry, let's make it that way. Here. Everybody gather 'round, I wanna make a toast to the happy couple. Everyone, I want to officially congratulate my beautiful daughter and her husband-to-be on their engagement, and to wish them every conceivable happiness. This is a very exciting and wonderful time in your lives. And I encourage you to cherish it as you cherish one another and the love that you share. And I want to tell you that the best is yet to be. Bridget: Hear, hear. [ Eric laughs ] Oscar: Okay, I guess it's my turn. Um -- I'll just talk from the heart. Because it's yours anyway. And it has been since, well, probably since almost the first moment I saw you. Ah -- I'm usually good in front of an audience, but, uh -- [ Bridget laughs ] I love you, Bridget. And that's never gonna change. No matter what happens, no matter what life throws at us. I'm yours forever. That's the truth. Bridget: I am very, very happy. Can you tell? [ Guests laugh ] This man has been so wonderful to me. They say when you fall, you fall hard. But I never expected this. I guess I'm kinda emotional right now 'cause I didn't know if this was ever gonna happen. If I was ever really gonna find the right guy. And I did. But most importantly, I'm sorry, it's so important that you guys know how grateful I am to you for your support and your encouragement. Your love has made me who I am today. And I thank you so much for caring and for standing by me. Especially you, daddy. And, stephanie, I will love you more than you will ever know. Stephanie: I love you, too. [ Glasses clink ] Stephanie: Oh, that's the Forrester family custom. Eric: I know what that is. Bridget: Oh, that's our cue? [ Guests "ooh" ] [ Applause ]