Brooke berates Taylor that this isn't a love match, but to Rick it's a rescue mission. Rick says their opinion doesn't matter, only Phoebe's. Taylor says that she was just proposed to and she hasn't given Rick his answer. Now she will  yes, she will marry him. She asks Rick for a little time so she can prepare Thomas and Steffy. Rick also asks his mother for a little time for her to accept this. Pam tells Marcus not to act so Mr. Innocent. He tells her that she is barking up the wrong tree if she thinks he is having an affair with Donna Logan, so keep her twisted mind to herself. Taylor apologizes to Rick for making him wait. He replies it doesn't matter now. He doesn't care what anybody else thinks of this, he's ready to be it all, even father to Jack. She asks him to stay the night. Rick only wants to stay if Taylor wants it too, not just for his sake. She utters yes she wants him to stay and feel all of him. Marcus tells Pam that she doesn't know the first thing about him so how dare she call him a liar. He walks out. Ridge doesn't know how Phoebe could give Rick such a free pass. But he is sure that Taylor is not going to marry Rick any time soon. Brooke is sure this was orchestrated for her benefit, getting engaged right under her nose. She still believes this is payback, Taylor using her son, to hurt Brooke. Ridge half-way believes this too, but he warns her that the more she says no to this union, the more Rick's heart will say yes. Brooke still can not back away. After making mad, passionate love, Taylor wonders why she took so long to say yes to this. They discuss their unlikely future by themselves as people shun them. She declares she loves him so much.
Brooke: Taylor, think. A marriage to my son is not what you want. Rick: No, Mother, it's not what you want. Brooke: (Sighs) the ink isn't even dry on your divorce yet. You can't get married to anybody else. Why would you want to jump into an engagement? Phoebe was very generous, but it cost her. You saw her. Now you want to rub her face into what you're doing? Taylor: (Scoffs) (Indistinct conversations) [SCENE_BREAK] Marcus: Okay, so what do you want? Who are you? Pam: Someone who thinks that you are being taken advantage of. Marcus: By whom? Pam: By who else? Donna Logan. Marcus: And what makes you think that I know anyone by that name? Pam: You called Forrester Creations asking for her. The caller I.D. led me right here. Marcus: You're the receptionist? So is, um, tracking down every phone call one of your "duties?" Pam: I know what's going on, mister. And am I blaming you? No. I'm sure that you're just, what, working your way through college? Or you're a wannabe actor waitin' for his big break. The caterers were hiring. You're presentable enough. Why shouldn't you apply? Passing cheese puffs in high society-- anyone can do that. But little did you know the lady of the house was gonna be all hands. Marcus: Whoa, whoa. So you think Donna Lo -- Mrs. Forrester and I are having a, uh... Pam: (Inhales sharply) [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: (Groans) Phoebe already knows about Taylor and I, ring or no ring. So what does it matter if we get serious? Brooke: Dating your girlfriend's mother is serious, yes. So is divorce. So is drinking when you're nursing a baby. Rick: Oh, come on. Taylor: Would you please shut up, Brooke? Ridge: Isn't that how this whole relationship started, though, over drinking? Brooke: You were both on the rebound, and you, Taylor, you were in trouble. You started drinking again because you couldn't accept who your baby was genetically. Rick: All right, mom, cut that out. Wh-what does it matter how it all began, huh? Brooke: Because this wasn't a romance. This was a rescue mission. And now you're feeling responsible for the person that you rescued. So you're both trying to convince yourself there's more to this, or you're trying to convince me, anyway. Taylor: You're always going to make me being with Rick about you, aren't you? Brooke: No, this isn't about love or marriage. That was an afterthought. Rick: Okay, you know what? Who cares how it all began, okay? Is-isn't that what love is about? It happens for--for all these other reasons? I mean, fine, it wasn't love at first sight like you and Ridge, but we all see how that's worked out over the years. Ridge: Oh, you--you think just because the damage is done and Phoebe's washed her hands of all this, it's okay to just carry on with her mom? Rick: Phoebe's opinion was the only one that ever mattered. Phoebe's feelings matter. Yours don't. Brooke: (Sighs) why do this, honey? Why? Why rush into an engagement like this? Why not just enjoy the process? I mean, you two haven't even been able to go out to dinner together. Just take your time. And you know what? The feelings will be there. If they're real, they will still be there, but if they're not, well, you'll be glad that you didn't just rush into anything. Rick: You can say it-- rush into having sex. Admit it, the thought of Taylor and I sharing a bed together-- it just gives you nightmares. Brooke: Can you blame me? Rick: (Sighs) Taylor: I am not having any more of this conversation. Rick: Nope, neither am I. Taylor: I mean, I was just proposed to. As if either one of you have any say in any of this. Rick... Taylor: When you first asked me to marry you, I couldn't give you a "yes" or a "no" because I was just-- I was feeling so unsettled about everything. But now you've given me this ring... and I accept it. Yes, I will marry you. Rick: (Laughs) Taylor: I will marry you. Rick: (Laughs) Taylor: Can you just be patient and give me a little time to talk to Steffy and Thomas so they have a little time to get used to it? Rick: Yeah, yeah. You're their mother. You put their feelings first. I only wish I could say the same for you, mom. Brooke: Rick, of course you can. I've been pleading with you to--to not get involved because I care. Rick: I know, because you care, because you love me. I know this. I love you, too, mom. I love you so much. But this is one of the happiest days of my life. The woman I am madly in love with just accepted my proposal. And yet you continue to be so negative. Mom, I don't want to lose you from my life. I don't at all. But I'm beginning to see how easily that could happen. Rick: You ready? Taylor: Yeah, let's go home. [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: Don't play innocent with me. Marcus: Look, lady, you are so barking up the wrong tree. Pam: Then why'd you call her? It wasn't about watercress sandwiches, was it? And why did you ask for Donna Logan instead of Mrs. Forrester? Did you know her before Eric? Marcus: Listen, lady, my business is with her... Pam: (Scoffs) Marcus: Not you. Did she even get my message? Pam: You would be just her type, I bet. Of course, a guy like Eric at his age isn't gonna be able to satisfy her. Marcus: Okay, you know what? You ought to get your brain checked out, seriously. Pam: Have you been meeting at that nasty little love nest of hers in Hollywood? Marcus: Okay, look, what do you want, huh? A lie detector test? Fine, I'll take one. Now if you can't respect her, then respect me. Oh, and keep that twisted little mind to yourself. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: She'll never do it. Brooke: Marry him? Of course she will if nobody stops her. Ridge: I've gotta believe that Taylor has more dignity than that. Brooke: She's not the woman you once knew, Ridge. She's changed. All of the qualities that you and Stephanie idolized in her-- they're gone, ever since you moved out of the house. Ridge: I think it's the drinking that changed her. Brooke: I think it's the wanting to get me back. Taylor: Well, there aren't any messages. Rick: Were you expecting any? Taylor: Well, I wasn't really sure if Phoebe was okay with everything. Rick: She was. She is. (Chuckles) Taylor: It's just hard to get used to. You know, she's still... such a little girl to me. And then there are times she can be absolutely unselfish and completely pragmatic, and I-I don't know. I just can't get used to it. Taylor: Did I tell you that this is beautiful and I love it? Rick: (Chuckles) I'm just happy that I had it. I've never really held on to anything that long. (Laughs) Taylor: (Laughs) I haven't made this very easy for you, have I? Rick: Oh, no, please. I didn't-- I didn't mind the wait. I did mind the fact that you--you doubted yourself, you felt--you felt bad for yourself. And I minded that you put everybody else's feelings ahead of your own. Taylor: Well, it's a little hard to explain if, um, you're not a parent. Rick: True. But I will be kind of, right? Like a-a stepfather to jack. Taylor: Are you ready for that? Rick: I am. Yeah, I'm ready for it all. I've been ready. (Laughs) Taylor: (Laughs) Rick: No, ser-- I-I don't want you to think that I ever tried to push you or-- or, um, I didn't want to seem impatient. I just knew that the only person I could lose you to was you. And I almost did. Taylor: I'm sorry. Rick: Just promise me that's over, okay? Promise me that when Steffy and Thomas find out about our relationship, and let's say they don't approve, don't go anywhere. Taylor: I won't. Rick: Good. Taylor: Besides, you'll have enough to worry about with your mother because she'll turn the entire Logan family against us. Rick: Oh, you know, let 'em try. (Scoffs) I'm so sick of hearing that. Look, I don't care what they think or what anybody thinks about us. As long as things are right between us, that's all that matters to me. Taylor: Stay here tonight. . [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: If you're telling the truth-- Marcus: If? Listen, who are you to come around here suggesting that I'm a liar? Lady, you don't know the first thing about me. Pam: Then fill me in. Why were you calling her? Marcus: What business is that of yours? Pam: Let's just say that the new Mrs. Forrester and I, uh, have a personal history. As I can see, you do, too. Marcus: Now you are so off base, lady. But hey, believe what you want. But I am not having an affair with her. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Phoebe's the one I don't understand in all this. Why would she give Rick such a free pass? I'm just glad she didn't have to see that on-the-spot engagement. Brooke: That was for my benefit. Almost as if they had planned it. Ridge: No, they couldn't have known how it would play out with Phoebe. Brooke: (Scoffs) Well, he knew that I would be here. And if they were going to get engaged, why not do it right underneath my nose? Ridge: Taylor's gotta have some perspective, though. I mean, you heard her. They're not getting married any time soon. Brooke: Getting married isn't really important to her. What's important is turning Rick against me. And she's done that. He's like a trained seal now. And if she could, she'd have us watching in the bedroom if she could arrange it. (Sighs) Ridge: You think they're sleeping together. Brooke: She's played it perfectly. "Oh, no, Rick, not yet." Well, now it's time for his reward. I mean, what else could "Let's go home, Rick" mean? [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: Do you want me to stay here because that's what I want? Taylor: Isn't it? Rick: Well, yeah. (Laughs) Taylor: (Laughs) Rick: But I want to stay here because you want me to. Taylor: (Whispering) I want you to. I want you. (Normal voice) Mm. I want to touch you. I want to see you. I want to feel all of you. . [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: I know Taylor. She's not calculating. She's not diabolical. Brooke: She's never been what you would call impulsive either. Ridge: Well, maybe then it's as simple as this. Maybe Rick was just there, and she feels grateful to him. Brooke: Well, I think it's even simpler. I think that... (sighs heavily) she finally has everything in the world again. She's married with a baby on the way, and she doesn't feel like I or anybody else could do anything to hurt her. So she has jack, and then she realizes that jack is my child. And suddenly, she feels like everything in the whole world was taken away from her because of me. (Sighs) Ridge: So maybe she is retaliating on some level. Brooke: Ridge, this revenge of hers is not unconscious. She knows exactly what she's doing. And she is using my son. I just wish he would wake up and realize what's happening and walk away. She can't hold onto him much longer. (Sighs) but I'm sure if he turned his back on me, she will be happy. Ridge: That could happen, you know? Brooke: (Sighs heavily) I don't always have to be agreed with. Ridge: Logan, I know what it is to be a son in love with a woman that his mother detests. Everything is life and death. The more you say "no," the more his heart is gonna say "yes." Brooke: I can't lose him, Ridge. Ridge: Well, then I strongly suggest that you back off. Brooke: I love you, but you can't ask me to just stand by and watch my son be used. I-I'm sorry, but I-I can't do that. [SCENE_BREAK] Taylor: Mm. Rick: Mm. Taylor: Mm. Rick: (Exhales deeply) Taylor: (Sighs) Rick: Ohh. Taylor: Remind me again, what was it that took me so long to do this? Rick: It's because you're so stubborn. Taylor: Mm. Do you promise to teach me not to do that anymore? Rick: Can I have that in writing? (Laughs) Taylor: (Laughs) oh, my goodness. Rick: What? Taylor: Your heart-- it's beating so loudly. Rick: It's 'cause it's been screaming at the top of its lungs, and nobody would listen. Oh, Taylor, this just feels so... Taylor: I know. Rick: Mm. And it's only the first time. Taylor: I know. Rick: (Exhales deeply) Taylor: (Laughs) I never thought life would give me this again-- someone I could love, someone who made me feel like a woman. Rick: I have a feeling, though, that most of our lives is gonna be spent alone. I mean just with you and me. We're kind of an embarrassment to our families. Taylor: (Laughs) Rick: (Laughs) And your professional invitations are gonna start to dwindle because your colleagues are gonna meet your husband for the first time, and they're gonna start to, like, mentally do the math and... Taylor: Oh, you want to know what's really fun? Rick: What? Taylor: Is going to a cocktail party with a lot of psychiatrists there that have had a couple of drinks in 'em... Rick: (Laughs) Taylor: And they're all trying to argue with each other about which one's not as crazy as his patients. That's fun. Rick: Like I say, we're just gonna have to be more than--than just good company for each other. We're gonna have to be like, um, like travel to exotic places. Taylor: Mm. Like Tahiti? Rick: Yes. Or the bottom of the ocean, you know, where the fish have, like, little lanterns as eyeballs? (Laughs) Taylor: (Laughs) Rick: No, seriously, we're--we're just gonna have to find more... Taylor: (Giggles) Rick: In each other than other couples do. And you know something? After tonight, I know we can because I can hold you like this, and I can touch you like this for a very, very long time and never have to change positions. Taylor: I really kind of-- I kind of look at these last few years of my life like that's where I-I hit bottom. Like I just-- I had to keep letting people that I knew weren't really in love with me just keep betraying me. And it's like this time I really feel like you love me and that you care about me. I love you. I love you so much.