The judge asks Ridge what exactly does he want him to do. Ridge says he just asked what he could do, well this is it. He wants the mom to win in this case. The judge says he should not be asking that. Ridge says he is NOT asking, he is telling him that this has to happen. At Bill's request Brooke goes to his office. He wants to plead with her one more time to talk to Katie that this is not the answer. She says she is not on either side and she sees once again that she has made a mistake by coming here. Carter tells Katie to look over the papers but not too long. The case is on the docket so papers need to be filed. Thorne speaks up and says he thinks they need to be married before that; present an united front and that might help their case. Carter congratulates them and says a two person home is worth much more than Bill and his chasing women and what he can offer. Bill is incensed that the fate of his son is in a stranger's hands. The judge tells Ridge that this is beyond a favor even though he owes what he has now to Ridge and his support in the past. Ridge keeps at him and looks to him to say yes. Thorne tells Katie this will strengthen their case so they need to go ahead and set a date. She agrees, no need to wait. He tells her he could show her a dress right here in this office. He wants her to know that although he thinks it will help their case he did not ask to marry her because of that. He lost Aly and went to Paris to find himself in his work but he is looking forward to being married and having a family again. Brooke tells Bill do not worry about standing up before a judge. Fathers have rights too so no matter what Katie says he gets his turn too. Bill says okay the judge will decide and Katie will have to accept it. Ridge puts the screws on tighter by comparing the judge's own grown daughter to his and just how he would feel if a powerful man like Bill Spencer pursued her endlessly until she could not say no. Justin tells Bill that he dug back years and years but all he can get is one old traffic ticket on the judge. He is a straight shooter with a midwestern upbringing so he seems clean. Justin says Brooke is a good influence and he should listen to her. Bill says yes she put herself in the middle and he is grateful. Brooke returns to the office and Ridge tells her the court case has been set and Thorne and Katie are going to be married. She says if Katie does not drop the case then the judge will decide. Ridge says yes indeed!
Craig: What exactly do you want me to do? Ridge: I want you to do your job, that's all. Craig: I haven't even heard testimony yet. How could I possibly -- Ridge: You said if there was ever anything I needed -- well, this is it. Craig: [ Sighs ] Logan vs. Spencer? Ridge: Rule against bill. Do we have an understanding? Justin: You can't influence the judge on this family matter. Bill: Anybody can be bought. Justin: I'm trying to help you keep equal custody. How can you do that from behind bars? Bill: Fine. Fine! I pay for your advice. I might as well use it every now and then. Justin: [ Exhales sharply ] Hey. Brooke: Hi. Justin: Hi, brooke. Brooke: [ Sighs ] So. I got your message. The hearing's been set? Bill: Next week. Brooke: [ Sighs ] I hate that it's come to this. Bill: Doesn't have to. I mean, if katie would just listen to reason... you've already talked to her, brooke. Would you try one more time? Convince katie how bad this is gonna be for will. It's only gonna hurt him. Make her understand. Katie: I, uh -- I really haven't had a chance to look through everything yet. Carter: Take your time. Well, not too much time. The hearing's fast approaching. Thorne: You know, I've actually been, uh, thinking about our wedding date. Katie: We haven't set one yet. Thorne: I know. I was thinking that, uh... maybe we should get married before the hearing. Katie: Now? Thorne: Well, it would help, right? I mean, the judge is going to be comparing bill's home to katie's home, and if he can see that will has a loving, stable family with katie... Carter: Well, some judges could be influenced, but overall, no. Whether their parent's married or single, it shouldn't affect custody. But it won't hurt. The judge will be looking at the big picture, which certainly includes step- parents. A marriage can be an asset in a case where civility's a concern. Thorne: We're talking about bill spencer here. Given his history, it's definitely a concern. So let's do it. Let's be the family will needs. Brooke: You know, maybe this was a mistake, coming here like this. Bill: Why would you say that? I thought you were on my side. Brooke: I am on both your sides, will's especially. It just feel wrongs, you know, coming here, meeting you like this. If word were to get out... Bill: What would be the worst thing that would happen if katie found out? You're just trying to protect will. Brooke: That's not the only person I'm concerned about. Bill: Ah. Right. The dressmaker. Well, you know what, even the best marriages have secrets. Ridge: There's no need to look uncomfortable. Craig: I don't think you realize what you're suggesting. Ridge: I'm suggesting you make sure that boy ends up in the right home. I was there for you when you needed help. Craig: I will always be grateful for that. That loan opened up all kinds of doors for me. I wouldn't be sitting here today if it wasn't for you, yes, but what you're asking me to do... Ridge: Craig, craig, craig... you misunderstand. I'm not asking you anything. I'm telling you I need your help with this. The mother needs custody of her son. Carter: Let me ask you a question before you start planning a quickie wedding, and it's important. How does will feel about your engagement? Thorne: Will is totally on board. Katie: Yeah. He is. Carter: Good. If will accepts thorne and is having a positive reaction to having him around, this is gonna work in our favor. Thorne: You think the judge is going to be talking to him directly about it? Carter: It could happen. He also has the custody evaluation that was already conducted. Katie: Listen, when thorne and I first started dating, bill was already ignoring will and neglecting him. He had been for months. I mean, months and months of disappointment. And it broke my heart to watch my son slowly realize that he couldn't trust his father. And then thorne came into his life, and he proved that there was a man that he could count on. And it's just been amazing, watching him open up his heart to thorne because thorne listens to him and pays attention and looks him in the eye. Bill will always be will's father, and I am not trying to diminish that, and I will foster that relationship for as long as it is healthy, but that is why i need sole custody. I hate to say it, I never thought I would say it, but... fatherhood and bill, they -- they don't fit, and I don't know if they ever really did. He blames all of his mistakes, all of his failures with wyatt and liam on the women, the mothers that kept their sons away from him. And when I was married to him, i bought into that. But now I see that it's more complicated. And bill has -- has ruined his relationship with liam and wyatt. He has done that all by himself, and he is doing the same thing with will. Now, I now that you say that it shouldn't matter if thorne and i are married, and it shouldn't matter. But I can tell you one thing that does matter, and it's something that the judge needs to understand. Bill is an occasional father. He sees will on his terms and his terms only. And with thorne, will gets commitment and love and loyalty and devotion. And I know that will would only have positive things to say about thorne and the home that we are creating for him. Carter: In that case, let me offer a congratulations. [ Laughter ] Carter: If this is how things stand between you two and will, then i wholeheartedly support the idea of the marriage happening before this hearing. Thorne: Yeah? Carter: Yeah. I don't know judge mcmullen very well, but I know human nature. A two-parent home with a caring spouse who the child looks up to, wants to spend time with him? It's a better option than bill handing will over to a nanny while he chases unavailable women. Katie: [ Scoffs ] Carter: Bill has an ugly history, an easily proven past of transgressions. Comparing his lifestyle to what you two can offer, I have no doubt what the judge will decide. Brooke: I tried to talk to katie again. I tried to get her to listen to reason. But you know how she is, how stubborn she is, and once she makes up her mind... Bill: Well, she's never been more wrong. Yes, I've made some mistakes. I didn't spend enough time with will over the last several months. But come on, brooke. That's nothing so egregious that I should lose custody of my son. And yet, here we are, a judge gets to decide. My son's future lies in the hands of a total stranger. Craig: I can't believe you're putting me in this position, ridge. Ridge: I did! I did put you in this position. I gave you a loan that made you a judge, and now I need your help. I'm asking for a favor. Craig: This goes way beyond favor. Ridge: Come on, man. You know me, you know I wouldn't ask if it weren't important, and it is important. Bill is scum, and katie -- she's a good parent, and now she's with my brother. Will needs this. He needs a proper guardian, someone he can look up to. You can give that to him. Craig: It's not that simple. Ridge: It is that simple. Craig: No. Ridge: Yes! You look at both sides, you compare the evidence, and then you make the right decision. Katie: Well, it is something to think about. Thorne: Getting married right away? Katie: And carter didn't say that we needed to, but... Thorne: Well, he obviously thinks it could strengthen your case, so... Katie: Will is better off with me. And I need to be the one in control, I need to be the one making the decisions. But I have to say that the feminist in me kind of cringes at the thought that having a husband would strengthen my case. Thorne: Not just any husband. We're talking about me. Katie: Well, that's -- yeah, that's a good point. You're right. Thorne: No, but listen, if you feel like you need to do this on your own, then go for it. But if it could help, just even the -- Katie: Let's do it. Thorne: Really? Katie: Yeah. I mean, we're already engaged. We want to get married. We want to spend the rest of our lives together. Thorne: Right? Katie: So why should we wait? Let's go into this custody hearing as husband and wife. We'll show that judge that we have a solid, stable family. Thorne: Mm-hmm. Brooke: Bill. Listen to me. Try not to worry if you have to get up there in front of a judge. Bill: [ Scoffs ] Brooke: I understand your concern, I really do. But that's the judge's job. They have to be impartial, and, yes, katie may say some pretty bad things, but at least you will get your chance to stand up there and explain. Explain what will means to you. Explain what being a father means. Fathers have rights, too. Bill: We do. I do. Thank you, brooke. I never wanted it to come to this, but... here we are. A judge is going to decide, and katie better damn well accept it. [ Sighs ] Ridge: You think I'm asking too much. You know what, you're right. I am asking too much. I am. But if he did to your family what he did to mine, you would agree with me. He targeted my daughter. Craig: What do you mean "targeted?" Ridge: He -- he pursued her, he was obsessed with a girl half his age, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. What would you do if somebody did that to audrey? If somebody took advantage of her. Craig: So you mean he actually -- Ridge: Yeah. Craig: He -- hey, listen, I'm sorry. Ridge: No, it's -- I'm sorry, too. But that's who he is. That's how he treats his own sons. The mental abuse, the physical abuse, its' all gonna come out in court. He's a bad man, craig. And giving katie full custody, that's the right thing to do. What do you think? Craig: I think I can lose my job. Ridge: You could lose your job? Why, because you're doing the right thing by a little boy? Craig: Ridge! Ridge. You know if I make the wrong decision here, this could mean the end of my career. Ridge: You're not saying "no," and I appreciate that. Katie: Mmm, so it looks like we're getting married. Thorne: Yep. Looks like it. Hey, just so you know, I wasn't thinking about custody or how it would look in front of the judge when I asked you to marry me. Okay? I was only thinking about you and the life that we're going to make for each and for will, so... if you want to wait, we can. Katie: Mnh-mnh, not a chance. I would marry you right here, right now. Regardless of any custody hearing. Thorne: Wow. Hey, carter, you still here? We may need an officiant. Katie: Uh, maybe -- maybe not right here in this office. Thorne: No? Katie: No, and I, you know, I have to go buy a dress or something, right? Thorne: No. Look where you are. We can find you a dress right here. Actually, you know what, i could -- I could sew you a dress. Katie: [ Giggles ] Well, in that case, get carter back in here. I mean, we can get married today, you're right. Thorne: You know what, it doesn't matter when we get married -- today, tomorrow, wherever, whenever. As long as we say "I do." You know, uh... you know, when darla died all those years ago, and then aly... I tried to find myself in paris. I was hoping I could find meaning in my work, and... and, uh, all those dates that went nowhere. If I would have known what was waiting for me right here, I would have come home so much sooner. Do you understand what you've given me? I get to be a husband again. And a father. So thank you. Bill: Tell me you found something. Justin: [ Groans ] Wish i could, but this mcmullen guy appears to be completely clean. Bill: Not a chance. Justin: Okay, there's one traffic violation on his record -- just one -- and that's from 6 years ago. Doesn't exactly give you much leverage. I mean, not that you're contemplating blackmail as an option. Bill: No. No, of course not. Justin: Oh, okay. Bill: But I like to have as much information as I can, just in case. Justin: Well, I have a load of information on the guy, but it's all pretty boring. Stellar report cards from high school, church newsletter articles he wrote. This guy's a straight-shooter with a modest midwest upbringing, a self- made man with nothing to hide. [ Sighs ] I don't think I'm gonna find anything, but I can keep digging. Bill: All right, well, you know what, maybe it's a good thing, if he's as squeaky clean as you say he is. Means he'll do the right thing and not give katie sole custody. Justin: Oh, look at you, choosing to stay positive. Bill: Yeah, well, that's brooke's fault. She has a way of making me do that. Justin: She's a good influence on you, always has been. Bill: Yeah, I'm grateful to her. She put herself in the middle of this mess. She could have just chosen blind loyalty to katie. Says a lot that she didn'T. It means a lot, too. Ridge: Hey! I thought you were gone for the day. Brooke: No. I had a few errands to run. Ridge: Yeah, same here. Talked to katie and thorne. Hi. Brooke: Yeah? Hi. Ridge: Custody hearing has been set. It's coming up soon. Brooke: I heard. Something the matter? Ridge: No, I just want to get it over with. Will deserves better than spencer. Brooke: [ Sighs ] You have every right to hate him after everything he's done to you through the years. But all bill is trying to do is have a relationship with will, one that he didn't have with his older sons. And you act like there's something that we can do to prevent it. But we can'T. If katie doesn't drop it, the judge will decide. Ridge: Yes, he will. Brooke: Look, I know you don't want to hear this, but I think it's wrong. They can't take bill's son from him. Ridge: The hell they can'T. . . .