Liam questions Bill about the earring
In the love lair, Liam studied the diamond stud earring he'd found. "What the hell...?" he slowly uttered, observing the stallion painting on the wall. Alison entered and asked what Liam was doing in there. Liam asked when the room had been transformed from a gym. Alison stated that it had become Bill's napping room. "My father doesn't nap," Liam responded.
Alison stated that Bill had started doing so after reading that it was healthy for the mind. Liam studied the earring again. She noted that Liam had found Mrs. Spencer's earring. "I thought you said it was a napping room," Liam replied. Alison relayed that it wasn't always easy to find an opportunity with a little one at home. Liam asked if it was Katie's earring, and Alison replied that it definitely was.
In Katie's kitchen, Will and Katie donned "Will" and "Mommy" embroidered chef hats as they baked cookies. Bill entered. Katie noticed his good mood. He said he felt lighter than ever and as if he had all he needed. Katie remarked that all he needed was right there in the kitchen.
Bill joked around with Will and Katie. Katie loved seeing Bill like that and loved his display of family and commitment. She hoped that he'd keep up whatever had gotten into him. Bill planned on it and said it was the man he'd be from then on.
Bill sampled one of Will's cookies once they were done. It was the best cookie Bill had ever had, and he wanted Spencer to have a new business venture. "Spencer's cookies!" Will exclaimed in a Cookie-Monster voice, using his oven mitt as a puppet.
Katie apologized to Bill again for her ups and downs. Bill didn't want her to keep apologizing and conveyed that everything had worked out fine. He said that they all had their issues, but the important thing was to find individual fulfillment in life.
Alison called, and upon answering his phone, Bill said it had better be good. Alison filled him in on the little issue of Liam discovering the napping room. Bill was puzzled. She elaborated that it was the former workout room that he probably forgot to lock up, but she'd told Liam that Bill had been reading up on the importance of naps. She added that Liam had found an earring. "An earring?" Bill repeated. Alison stated that she'd told Liam that it belonged to Katie.
After the call, Katie asked what it was about an earring. Bill claimed it was an accessories issue for Eye on Fashion. Just then, Liam arrived and noted that he smelled cookies. He greeted Bill and asked if it had been a good day at work.
Liam visited with Will for a minute before Katie left with Will to put him down for a nap. After the two had gone, Liam remarked that he'd stumbled upon Bill's napping room. Bill enthusiastically asked if Liam thought it was cool. Liam was puzzled by why Bill would toss out the gym equipment and put a bed in the room. Puffing his chest and flexing, Bill asked if Liam had taken a good look at his father.
Bill asked if it looked like he needed to work out anymore. He added that it was good for Liam to know that a twenty-minute power nap was the key to staying sharp throughout the day. Liam figured that the earring he'd found meant that Bill hadn't been doing a lot of napping that day.
Liam asked if he was right in assuming that the earring was Katie's. Bill said that it was, of course, and not to embarrass Katie by mentioning it. Liam indicated that he wouldn't, but he had to be honest; he'd been weirded out by the setup, the burned candle smell, and the earring.
"You smelled candles 'cause there's candles!" Bill exclaimed. Bill explained that one had to periodically spice up a marriage, or it was as good as done. Liam agreed. He knew what commitment and loyalty meant to Bill. It was the reason Liam wasn't running to Steffy -- it had to do with Bill's integrity as a man and the example Bill had set. Bill darkly nodded, and Liam forced a smile.
In the Forrester design room, Nicole kissed Zende and thanked him again for declining the photography job. She was sure he'd get another assignment. Zende tried to be cheerful as he replied that he already had one. He'd be photographing shoes for the catalog. He'd hoped for something more exciting. Nicole said that shoes wouldn't talk back with attitude like models could.
Nicole admitted to being impressed that Sasha had offered to step down. Zende said he hadn't been able to let Sasha sacrifice her opportunity. It hadn't felt right to him. Nicole felt bad, but he told her not to. She said she trusted him. He added that she just didn't trust Sasha. Nicole thanked him for understanding, and she was grateful that he'd done it for them. She hugged him, and Zende looked sad.
Later, Vivienne and Nicole were on the sofa, discussing Zende and his photo opportunity. Vivienne didn't blame Nicole for nixing it. "Sasha prancing around in lingerie?" Vivienne pondered. She said Nicole had been very smart not to let it happen.
Nicole fretted about asking Zende to walk away from a major opportunity. Vivienne cited that Zende was a grown man and hadn't had to agree. She asked why they'd play with fire, and Nicole replied that she hoped it wouldn't push Zende the wrong way. "Back to Sasha?" Vivienne asked knowingly.
In the photo studio backstage, Ridge, Thomas, Steffy, and Pam readied a couple of models and Sasha for the lingerie shoot. Sax, the new photographer arrived. Thomas relayed that Sax was hot in New York, and they were lucky to get him on short notice. Steffy appreciated Sax replacing Zende. Sasha remarked that Zende hadn't had much choice in stepping down, and the Forresters exited.
Sasha watched the two models go first in the shoot, and she flashed back to her previous shoots with Zende. When it was her turn to go solo, she envisioned Zende photographing her instead of Sax. Zende slipped in as the shoot was wrapping up and Sax had left to get proofs.
Zende remarked to Sasha that the shoot appeared to have gone well. She said it hadn't been the same without Zende. She felt he should be the photographer, and he knew it. He remarked that Sasha's offer to back out had said a lot about her. She hated seeing him deprived of a high-profile chance.
Pam arrived with a stack of shoeboxes. She announced that Zende was up next and wished him luck working with all the heels. She laughed at how she cracked herself up, and she left. "Shoes? This is your assignment?" Sasha asked. Zende replied that from her tone, he should just go work in the mailroom. She pointed out that he'd given up the lingerie line for shoe wear. Zende replied that they knew Nicole wouldn't let it fly for him to work with Sasha in lingerie. He didn't blame Nicole.
Sasha exclaimed that it was Zende's family business, and Zende said that Nicole was his lady. Needing to fight for Zende, whom she believed in, Sasha accused Nicole of asking him not to live up to his potential. Sasha felt that committing to Nicole would be a mistake. She wondered how many opportunities Nicole would have him decline in the future.
"And you want to be married to that? No. I don't think so," Sasha said. She believed Zende wanted spice and flavor. By the look on his face, she knew that she was right. Zende replied that she was crazy. "Just crazy about you," she said. Zende said her name in a warning tone.
Sasha apologized about being out of line. She apologized again about the fake pregnancy and wished she could take it back. She'd been afraid of losing Zende, the first and only guy to make her feel like she was even kind of loved. She hadn't wanted to lose him, and if she was honest, she still didn't.
In the CEO's office, Thomas, Steffy, and Ridge entered, discussing Zende's choice to step down. Rick waltzed in to find out what he was hearing about a new photographer. Steffy said to ask his nephew. Ridge was glad Rick had arrived because he'd wanted to talk to Rick about a truce so that they could work together. "You're joking, right?" Rick asked.
"What's the catch?" Rick wondered. Ridge claimed that there was no catch. Brooke was upset at the idea that Rick might leave Forrester, and Forrester needed Rick there. Ridge said it wouldn't be the same without him. Rick had never thought he'd hear those words from Ridge's mouth.
Ridge explained that the company was important to Rick, and Rick was important to it. It might even be possible for him and Rick to work on projects together. Ridge said he wanted Rick to stay. "Is he on something?" Rick asked. Steffy replied that she wasn't sure. Indicating that there were definitely things to hash out, Rick concluded that an invitation like that -- "from you" -- wasn't one to refuse.
Rick left to tell Maya, and Steffy readily asked Ridge what that had been all about. Thomas and Ridge exchanged looks. Ridge claimed to be trying to keep the peace around there. It didn't make sense to Steffy that Ridge was reaching out to the guy who was bending over backwards to unseat Ridge.
Ridge asked what choice he had. Steffy asked if Thomas believed it. Thomas backed up Ridge, who was a busy CEO that needed to protect the company and family. Steffy contended that neither man liked Rick. Thomas said to drop it because there was already enough drama in the family. Ridge froze.
Steffy picked up on a vibe and asked what was going on with the two men. She said she deserved to know. Ridge decided she shouldn't be worried about them when they, more importantly, were worried about her and her unresolved feelings for Liam.
Thomas and Liam returned to Liam's after surfing. Thomas apologized for tracking sand and water in. He said Liam had to have noticed that he was rusty. Liam asked why Thomas had called him and suggested surfing. Thomas said they were almost brothers-in-law. Liam pointed out that they were not. Thomas said it was through no fault of Liam's.
Steffy was working on her computer when Bill arrived. She told him to call and make an appointment for when she was not busy. She advised him that Pam would not give him one, since Bill had already made his point. Bill said he didn't make appointments with family, especially when it was about not disgracing family.
Brooke walked into her bedroom and took off her shoes. She had a flashback to her and Bill making love.
In one of the offices, Nicole asked Vivienne if she had overreacted with Zende. Vivienne said treating someone like family did not mean "letting them walk all over you." She said that Nicole should not let any woman do what Sasha had done to her. Vivienne did not think Sasha walking around in lingerie and Zende photographing her was a good idea.
At the shoot, Zende told Sasha not to be sad. He was okay with photographing shoes. Sasha told him there was a wall of shoes in a Chicago museum about 20 feet high, and Aunt Vivienne had taken them there as kids when they had been in the fourth grade. Sasha said that Nicole could tell him all about it, since she had launched his new shoe photography career. Zende said maybe if he did a good job, they would graduate him to handbags. Sasha said he was supposed to have had the lingerie line, and he was stuck doing shoes. She tried to touch him but pulled back and said she felt terrible.
Nicole told Vivienne she thought Sasha was sorry for lying the way that she had. Vivienne said being sorry and being a better person were two different things. She was all for giving Sasha the benefit of the doubt, but there was no doubt that Sasha wanted Zende for herself. Nicole agreed but asked if, even though she did not trust Sasha, she should trust Zende. Vivienne asked if Nicole remembered the cute little dog her aunt had owned and how Nicole had thought he was the best dog in the world. Vivienne asked Nicole if she would have trusted that dog next her hamburger with her back turned.
Zende told Sasha that he'd told Ridge and Rick he was willing to do anything, and he was. He said he would never say shoes were beneath him. Sasha joked, except for the ones he was wearing, and they laughed. Zende said he hadn't been there that long and was surprised they even let him use the copy machine. "How hard can it be? You put the paper in, and it comes out the back, and..." he stopped and apologized.
Sasha said she had been there half the time Zende had and advised him to look where she was. She was modeling for the intimate line, and she owed all of that to him. After the chances he had given her and all the good he had done for her, she just wanted to do some good for him.
Steffy told Bill that before she listened to his unsolicited advice, she wanted to give him some of her own. She told him to stop playing favorites with his sons. Bill said there was no way he could be accused of doing that in that scenario. Steffy continued to accuse him. Wyatt had previously been the black sheep, but it had changed to Liam -- for the same reason: he smelled of Quinn to Bill. Bill said that was absurd. She told him to leave Liam -- and all of them -- alone. Bill said not until she stopped thinking of doing what she was thinking of doing.
Liam told Thomas he'd had a future with Steffy, and Thomas had been part of that too. Liam was grateful to have his memory back, but it was like having a map to a planet, just not the same one he woke up to every morning. He held his head and sat down, saying that was all he could think of until he got home.
Vivienne said she had to get going. Julius was probably wondering where she was. Nicole asked how things were between Vivienne and Julius. Vivienne said they were working on it. Vivienne asked how her little girl, who was not so little anymore, was doing. Nicole said she just felt bad. Vivienne told her to stop that.
Nicole wondered if telling Zende not to do something he wanted to do was the surest way to lose him. It would be a huge opportunity for him to be in charge of creating a look and a brand for an entire Forrester line. Vivienne said Zende's mother was a Forrester, and she encouraged Nicole to believe that Zende would have many more career possibilities that didn't involve Sasha. She kissed Nicole's cheek and left.
Sasha had one woman's shoe and one man's shoe and told Zende they were dancing and then, "Oh, no, look! He steps on her foot," while Zende took pictures of the shoes. Sasha said every woman could relate to that. Zende and Sasha created scenarios for the shoes while he photographed them. Sasha helped Zende photograph the shoes. They moved on to a gold pair of shoes.
Zende told Sasha she looked excited. She said Zende looked cheered up. Zende had just remembered something: it was just a job. Sasha said it was not just a job, not for him, and went to stand in front of him. He said that was true; it was a family business. He said he was just a worker bee and didn't call the shots around there. Sasha said, "Yet. Now get back to work."
Brooke returned to her bedroom after having a shower and once again had a flashback of making love with Bill.
Bill told Steffy she was not leaving Wyatt. She was not even allowed to think of leaving Wyatt. Steffy said she'd sat through his lecture to his sons. She'd heard it all. She asked what the point was. Bill said she was the only person with the power and possibly the desire to upend his sons' lives again. People who had been victims had no problem rationalizing whatever they needed to do to feel less victimized. Liam was struggling with that, understandably, but Steffy was not a victim.
Steffy said they all were victims. Quinn had manipulated all of them. Bill said that was true, but she had fallen in love with Wyatt and married him because she'd wanted to. He said she might feel she needed to display a retroactive show of regret for falling for Wyatt while Liam was missing, but she had made a commitment and needed to respect that. He advised her to not let Liam go to her and make it harder for him than it already was.
Liam walked downstairs, buttoning up his shirt, and Thomas said he'd always thought Liam was the type to kick down the drawbridge door to get his Steffy back. They were both drinking beer, and Liam said he would like to knock down Wyatt's door and couldn't tell Thomas how many times he had thought about it. Thomas asked him why he didn't. Thomas didn't think the sanctity of marriage applied in a situation like that.
Liam said he looked at his dad, a man of wealth and stature, and men like him were usually on their fourth or fifth wife, each one younger than the last, and his dad had Katie, and she was not the easiest person. She had a great big beautiful heart that she hadn't been born with, and it kept her on a health roller-coaster, yet his dad stayed put. He didn't say, "Oh, man, this should be a whole lot easier -- let me out of here." He made Liam think maybe marriage was that big and that worthy of respect, even a mistaken one or a stolen one.
Zende arranged another pair of shoes, and while he was photographing them, Nicole walked in. She said the way he looked at those shoes made her jealous. He never looked at her shoes like that. He started taking pictures of her shoes, and they giggled. She told Zende she felt awful, and he had to think she was petty for not wanting him to work with Sasha. He said he understood. She wished she didn't have those feelings and that she could trust Sasha, but she didn't.
Steffy walked into her office, looked around, and picked up a drawing. She had a flashback to the day Liam had returned and run down the beach toward her, and she had jumped into his arms. The memory made her smile.
Thomas told Liam he should probably get going. Liam thanked Thomas for stopping by and getting him out on the water. Thomas said anytime, but Liam still seemed tense, and Thomas felt he hadn't done very much. Liam said it was not good for him to be alone in the house with his thoughts.
Thomas said Liam respected his brother's marriage. He said people got mis-married all the time, and it was hard to get the hang of something a person was supposed to do one time for an entire lifetime. Yet he looked at his dad, and it made him think there was something sacred about those promises, even if a person made them to the wrong person for the wrong reasons.
Brooke was brushing her hair when Bill walked into her bedroom. She asked him if he was insane. He said no one was home; he'd checked and his driver had dropped him off. She said Rick and Maya had taken the baby out, but they would be back any minute. He said then he would be gone, just like Zorro, and told her to drop the robe. She said, "No, no, no. Stop," insisting they couldn't do it. It was risky, careless, and wrong.
Bill said he didn't know about any of that, but that was how it was going to be. He put his arms around her waist. She said no, she was not an option. She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her wrist and said she was a necessity. Brooke told him to go home to his wife. Bill said it was the only solution. He would stay married, but he could only do that if he had her and she had him.
Bill said he and Brooke could make Katie's life miserable by trying to stop loving each other and keeping their distance. Brooke said they couldn't have it both ways. Bill said that was exactly what they were going to do. They kissed.
Nicole told Zende she knew he was disappointed and had sacrificed a big job for her. Zende said that if she wanted to talk about sacrifices, Maya had wanted to have a baby but couldn't have one of her own, so Nicole had given her one. He said he had wanted to support her but had backed out when things had gotten hard. He had taken up with Sasha, who he'd thought was her best friend, and when they'd found out that she was actually Nicole's sister, she had led the crusade to have Sasha officially accepted into the family.
Zende said Nicole amazed him. She was like one of those weekend heroes on television. They giggled, and Zende said, "Girl saves family from burning car" or "Dog carries lost kitten twelve miles to safety." Nicole asked, "A dog?" He said he loved dogs. She said she loved him, and Zende told her he loved her too. He said they would have a dog and kids, and they would chase them around the back yard.
Nicole wanted Zende to have everything he wanted -- the dog, the yard, the kids, and a name that everyone knew was the world's greatest fashion photographer. She didn't want to ask him to give up anything for her, but she had. Zende said when his mom and dad had adopted him, his reading and writing hadn't been the best, so they'd give him some books; they were fairy tales, and he had loved them.
Zende said the books had reminded him of the stories his biological parents had told him when he had been younger, but even in fairy tales, not everybody got what they wanted. There was always going to be a door or a box that couldn't be opened or a person that couldn't be let in. He knew it was not a fairy tale, but she was his princess, and he would give up much more for her. They kissed and hugged. Zende looked at the shoes and rolled his eyes.
Bill told Brooke he loved her and had never forgotten their past -- and he knew she hadn't either. He knew by the way she was looking at him and her smile that she remembered as well. Brooke said she couldn't go through with what they'd done before. Bill asked if she couldn't see how things had gotten better since they'd stopped fighting. Katie was happy, and they were happy, but Brooke said she was not happy.
Bill asked if a visit from her stallion didn't brighten her day. He neighed like a horse, and Brooke laughed. He told her he loved seeing her eyes bright and her smile. He needed it; they needed it. Brooke said that didn't make it right. Bill said they had tried starving in the name of virtue, but it wouldn't die. It wanted what it wanted. It was like being alive, like breathing. He said they only thought they had a choice. They kissed again.
Liam went to see Steffy. She said he had just missed his father. Liam asked if she was protecting his twelve-and-a-half percent. Steffy said that Liam would agree with his father that he did not belong there. Liam said she was protecting the marriage thing. Steffy said Bill had been full of stern warnings. Liam said the marriage should have been theirs.
Steffy looked at her tattooed finger, and Liam asked if he had mentioned that she could get that removed. Steffy asked why they couldn't just try to be true to their word. They were good people. Liam said those vows had been said under false pretenses, and she knew that. Steffy walked around her desk.
Liam said he was trying, but it was taking everything in him. He was trying to do what his father had said and respect Steffy's marriage, yet he'd still had to go there and see her because she was all he thought about. Nothing his dad said was going to make him change how he felt about her. Steffy had tears in her eyes. He said he was always going to love her and want her. That was what he would have to live with. That was what he was married to.
Steffy told Liam he shouldn't be saying those things her. Liam asked what he shouldn't say -- that he loved her, that he would always love her. He said he would shout it from a rooftop. They were supposed to be married.
Steffy said she'd thought Liam had left. Liam agreed that their lives had been completely derailed, and it was not easy for him to wrap his head around it and let her go. He claimed he loved his brother but not enough to hand Steffy over to Wyatt. The only thing that gave him pause was Bill talking about respecting marriage and the example Bill has set by his commitment to Katie.
Bill had told Liam he was supposed to let Steffy go and respect her marriage. He wished he knew how. Steffy admitted it was hard for her, as well, but they had to. She reminded him that Bill would cut Liam off from the family. Liam said he didn't care. Steffy knew that being a Spencer meant everything to him. Liam said it doesn't mean much without her. Liam kept replaying this happy ending in his head: Steffy would get an annulment, and they would start over someplace else.
Liam said Quinn had gotten what she wanted, and Steffy was stuck in a marriage. Steffy said she was not stuck, and it was not just about Quinn. Liam felt it should be all about them and the future that had been stolen from them. Liam said it was funny how one day could change the course of their lives. Steffy told Liam that she was staying married to Wyatt.
Liam said Steffy hadn't been planning a future with Wyatt, but it had happened very fast. Steffy admitted that things had happened very fast, but it didn't mean that what she felt for Wyatt was not real. Liam wondered what would have happened if she had just waited a little bit longer. Steffy said she'd thought Liam hadn't wanted her.
Liam said Quinn made Steffy think that, but he was standing in front of her, wanting and loving her more than he ever had. Steffy told Liam she had made vows and meant them. Liam asked if she really loved Wyatt. She said that as far as she had known, Liam had never been returning, at least not for her, so she'd had to move on.
Liam wanted to know if Steffy could move on and forget. She said she didn't want to talk about it anymore. She cherished what they'd had, but they needed to move on. Liam wanted to know how he could look at her lips and not want to kiss them. She asked him to hold her. Liam said he loved holding her like that, even knowing he had to let her go.
Liam asked if Steffy remembered when they'd first met. They recalled the happy times they'd spent together. Liam said it was not supposed to end "like this." Steffy fingered Liam's sword necklace. Liam had gotten it back because it was a symbol of what it meant to be a Spencer: honor, integrity, and commitment. Liam suddenly realized that Steffy and Wyatt were his family, and he had to learn to accept that. That would be the hardest thing he had ever done.
Liam said he was going to live for moments like that, and if that was all he was ever going to get, then that was the way he was going to live. Liam put his hand over Steffy's while she held his necklace. He said no matter how difficult it was, he had to live up to his father's expectations; he had to be a Spencer, a man with honor.
Katie was happy to see Wyatt. He commented that Katie seemed happy. She admitted it had everything to do with Bill. Wyatt said he should sit at his father's feet and learn how to keep the glow Katie was wearing on Steffy's face. He was happy things were going well for her. Katie admitted things were good at that moment, and she and Bill had worked things out. Life couldn't be better.
Katie asked if Wyatt had been nervous telling Liam he was married to Steffy when Liam had returned. Wyatt said he hadn't been nervous at all because he knew what he and Steffy had. He said they were solid and were a better fit than Liam and Steffy had ever been. He was not worried about anyone taking his wife away from him. Katie admitted she felt the same way about Bill, finally. Wyatt said that it was the getting there that mattered, not how long it took.
Wyatt told Katie he was happy that she and Bill were in a good place. Katie admitted that there was a change in Bill and that he seemed more at peace. She hadn't seen him like that in a long time. Wyatt mentioned the meeting with Bill. Katie was very proud of Bill and how he had defended Wyatt. Wyatt admitted he'd never thought Bill would take his side over Liam.
Wyatt asked if Katie thought that Liam would back off from Steffy, and Katie felt that Bill had not given Liam any choice. Katie stood behind what Bill had said. Bill had given Liam an ultimatum, and the family had to be united. Wyatt said it meant a lot that Bill took his side and that Katie agreed with Bill. Katie said it might take Bill a while, but eventually he made the right call. Wyatt felt that was because of Katie's influence. She admitted that they'd had their challenges, but she liked how good they were for each other.
Wyatt was happy that Katie and Bill were back on track. Katie said she wanted to fix her relationship with Brooke, but Katie seemed to go to a dark place with Brooke. Katie was not sure she could trust Brooke. Katie said Bill was right; Wyatt and Steffy were married, and Liam had to respect that.
Wyatt admitted it was hard on Liam and Steffy. He knew Steffy's feelings for Liam wouldn't magically disappear and that it would take time for emotions to settle, especially for Liam. He was aware that Liam had lost everything. Wyatt said he felt for Liam. Wyatt said if he lost Steffy, he knew he would go crazy, and he would not just hand Steffy over to Liam. He said Steffy was happy with him and was not going anywhere.
Brooke told Bill they couldn't "do this," and she thought they'd decided that long before. She wanted to know how they'd gotten back to that place. Bill said they'd never left it, and they couldn't deny they loved each other. Brooke admitted she still loved Bill, but she couldn't betray Katie once again. Bill advised Brooke that Katie was happy. Brooke refused to hear it. Bill said if he was going to stay in his marriage, he had to have Brooke in his life. Brooke asked if he knew how crazy that sounded, but Bill told her he was never letting her go again and kissed her.
Bill said Brooke wanted it as much as he did. Brooke couldn't keep sneaking around. Brooke told Bill she'd lost her earring in Bill's office. Bill told her he had it. He kissed her again. She protested, but Bill picked her up and laid her on the bed. While Brooke and Bill were embracing, Rick knocked on the door, asking if Brooke was in there. Brooke told Bill to get under the bed, but he hid in the bathroom.
Rick asked if Brooke was okay because she seemed out of breath. She said she had been napping. Rick became concerned and asked if she was feeling all right. He touched her forehead and checked for fever. He told her she was definitely hot and flushed and wanted to get her back to bed.
When Rick walked in and saw the bed, he was embarrassed, realizing Brooke was entertaining someone. Rick told her he had spoken to Ridge and that Ridge had told him that Forrester needed him. Ridge was going to find projects for him, and he wanted to work with Rick.
Rick admitted that Maya and he were not leaving town. Brooke was delighted about the news. As Rick was leaving, he told Brooke that whoever the guy in her room was, he was happy for her. When Bill stepped out of the bathroom, Brooke asked what would happen if the door was not locked and Rick just barged in and saw them together. Rick had known there was someone in the bathroom. Bill said that was good because it deflected suspicion, proving she had moved on. Bill put a positive spin on the whole situation because Ridge wanted to work with Rick, so Rick would not be going anywhere.
Brooke admitted she didn't want to lose anyone. Bill admitted she was not losing anyone and had a full life. Bill said he just wanted to make her happy, just the two of them. Brooke said they didn't have that right, but Bill said they had no choice. The situation was far from ideal, but for the time being, it was the only way for them to be together. They kissed.
Brooke touched Bill's sword necklace and said she knew it was a symbol of what it meant to be a Spencer. She knew he felt so strongly about that symbol that he had his sons wear it to remind them of who they were, what they stood for, and what Bill stood for. Bill asked her where she was going with that. She said it was all a little hypocritical, and they should hold themselves to higher standards, just like they expected from their children. She pointed out that he expected Liam to respect Wyatt and Steffy's marriage, yet they were disrespecting Bill's marriage. She asked where the honor was in that.
Bill said he had always been the exception to the rule -- for his whole life -- and their situation had to be ruled as an exception. He said they were saving his marriage, and he couldn't be in that marriage if he didn't have Brooke. Bill said Katie would never know, and she would be happy. Brooke told him he couldn't show up unannounced. Bill agreed to set up times whenever she wanted but reminded her he couldn't live without her. She fingered his sword again. Bill said, "The hell with honor," and kissed her.
At Forrester, Steffy tried to work but kept flashing back on her wedding day and the day Liam had returned. Caroline arrived with Douglas. Steffy said she was just on her way to Spencer to see Wyatt, but Caroline begged Steffy to stay for some "adult time."
The women cooed over Douglas, and talk turned to Steffy's life and how complicated things were between the Spencers and the Forresters. Steffy was sure Caroline had stories due to living in the house with all the Forrester men. "Phew..." Caroline quipped, cutting her eyes.
Steffy discussed how Quinn had kept Liam, who'd had no memory, isolated, and Wyatt had been there for Steffy when Quinn had been pretending that Liam was sending Steffy hurtful messages. Steffy said her feelings for Wyatt were real. It felt good to Steffy to get it out in the open. "Keeping secrets doesn't solve anything," Steffy said, and Caroline grimaced.
At Spencer, Liam met with Bill and Wyatt. Liam had been thinking of the company image and how Spencer could "play a bigger role" and get a "bigger stage." Bill was all for expansion, but it took money and resources. Wyatt started to say something contrary to Liam, but Liam cut in, saying that he wanted to use Spencer's power and resources to make a difference in the world.
The men agreed that profits were up with good projections. Wyatt thought they needed to grow more, not rest on their laurels. Liam persisted with his idea of wanting to make a difference and suggested that a significant percentage of future profits go to their foundation. Wyatt didn't even know they had a foundation. "Fine. Then we have to start one," Liam replied. Bill informed Liam that Spencer wasn't a charity, and Bill had worked for all he had. He didn't believe in handouts.
Liam noted that they'd get significant tax write-offs, and as he felt Wyatt should know, it would be good for public relations. Liam believed that giving out grants to tackle issues would show leadership. Wyatt claimed that they already showed it daily. Disagreeing, Liam said there was a difference between leadership and dominance. Bill liked dominance and said it wasn't their job to save the world.
"But what if we could -- or at least tried?" Liam asked. Liam believed Bill would leave a legacy bigger than he'd ever imagined. Wyatt said that was true, as long as they didn't forget about making money. Liam believed there was a right way to make money, and it meant giving back. Liam added that a lot of the business' work had value; however, they also had magazines full of hearsay and shock-value gossip, and there was no journalistic integrity to such trash.
Wyatt said that not everyone was looking for journalistic integrity, and the "trash" had gotten them a lot of advertising. Wyatt had worked at Spencer long enough to know that ending the publications would negatively affect their margins. Liam didn't know why the public relations master Wyatt was fighting Liam's idea.
Wyatt said it sounded good in theory to save the world, but it wasn't how business worked. Bill decided that they didn't need to change anything -- except Liam's tie. Wyatt suggested that they give away half their profits, close departments, and lay off people. Wyatt asked who it would help, except for their competition. Just then, Steffy entered. Liam said he could use someone on his side.
Wyatt informed Steffy that Liam wanted to give away half their profits and stop selling unredeeming, but profitable, gossip. Liam had run the numbers and decided it wasn't that big of a hit; plus, the upside couldn't be measured in dollars. Bill decided that the bottom line was the bottom line, but Liam insisted upon doing something different. He wanted a foundation that would face all of the world's problems, including disease and world hunger.
Liam believed many people needed their help. "Too many," Bill responded. Wyatt believed their first responsibility was to their shareholders and employees. Wyatt asked Steffy's opinion. She said that Forrester hosted charity benefits and continued Stephanie's work with the homeless. Wyatt replied that they could do something like that.
Liam wanted more. He'd start his own global foundation, and he was happy taking no profit. Making a difference was the only thing left that made sense to him. Wyatt understood, but he said it was a little crazy. Liam asked Steffy if she thought he was crazy.
At Ridge's house, Ridge arrived home as Thomas was toweling off from a swim. Ridge had arrived because Thomas had sent a message that they needed to talk, but Ridge didn't see why they couldn't do it at the office. Replying that it was about Douglas, Thomas said he'd done a mile in the pool, trying to sort it out. Ridge replied that it was sorted out, but Thomas said he couldn't do it anymore.
Thomas couldn't keep lying. He felt that someone would slip up and say something or that Bill would use it against them. Thomas believed they could control how it got out, but not if they didn't do it first. Ridge didn't know why they were talking because they were saying the same thing.
Ridge tried to go upstairs but stopped when Thomas said he didn't think it was the right thing to do. Ridge knew that it was hard and complicated, but he stated that they had an agreement. Thomas replied that they didn't, and Douglas needed to know who he was.
Ridge asked if Thomas feared the child would resent Thomas. Ridge said that when he'd learned about Massimo, Ridge hadn't resented Massimo. Instead, Ridge had almost wanted to thank him for giving him the life that Ridge had lived. Ridge said it would be that way with Douglas, too. Thomas said it wasn't the same. Thomas knew about Douglas, unlike Eric and Massimo knowing about Ridge.
According to Thomas, Thomas had to live every day with the knowledge that his father had taken his son from him. Ridge relayed that it was a son born of a night that never should have happened. Thomas told Ridge to just stop it, because it had been a misunderstanding. "Misunderstanding? That's how you justified what you did to that girl? Misunderstanding?" Ridge raged.
Thomas claimed it hadn't been a betrayal, and he hadn't been getting back at Ridge for anything. "Caroline needed me. You had broken her heart, and I was there when she needed it most," Thomas said. He said Ridge couldn't use the night to take Douglas from him.
Ridge decided that Douglas was where he needed to be. Thomas asserted that the child needed to be with his real father. Saying that they were a family and had already talked about it, Ridge stated that they'd live in harmony, and no one would rock the boat. Ridge suggested that Thomas take another swim, if need be, and get back to the plan.
Thomas figured that Ridge didn't like people speaking up, but Thomas had to do it because Douglas was his son. Thomas decided that he'd claim the baby, but Ridge noted that his name was on the birth certificate. Thomas was ready to challenge it and take it to court.
Ridge asked Thomas to calm down and wondered what the real worry was. Thomas claimed that the secret was too much for him, and it was time for it to be out. Ridge said it wasn't.
Caroline arrived with "my boy," according to Thomas. Ridge told Caroline what was going on, and to Thomas, he said that Caroline was also asking for silence. Ridge stated that Thomas had been there to hear Caroline implore Bill and Brooke to let the Forresters live their lives as they wanted to. Ridge was willing to help Thomas through his issues, but the secret had to be a secret.
Thomas refused and said the truth getting out was inevitable, and they had to do what was right. Ridge replied that they were doing what was right. Caroline was pained to see the men arguing and said a baby was supposed to make a family closer. She believed they were all trying to do the right thing. She loved that Ridge wanted to protect the family and their privacy, but they needed to go ahead and be honest about who Douglas' father really was.
At Spencer, Bill and Steffy listened as Wyatt and Liam continued to bicker with each other about profits and charity. Wyatt was sure Bill didn't want to have to explain to Will later why they'd given away Will's legacy because they'd decided that profits weren't necessary. Wyatt didn't want to explain it to his and Steffy's kids and asked Steffy if she agreed that the foundation idea was kind of crazy.
Steffy preferred not to call good-doing crazy. Liam thought it was foreign to Wyatt to think of others. Bill noted that Wyatt was thinking of others; Wyatt was thinking of Will, the future children, and the employees that counted upon them to profit, not give money away.
Spencer was a business first and foremost, Bill concluded. Bill stated that Liam could form a foundation for himself on his own time. Bill got a call and took off. Wyatt also got called to a meeting. He didn't think it would take long and asked Steffy to wait, so they could go home together. The couple kissed, and Wyatt left.
Liam chuckled and said he wasn't giving up on his foundation. Steffy asked if he really had time for it. He was willing to make the time because focusing on something positive would stop him from obsessing about them until Steffy was ready. "Ready?" she asked. Liam replied, "For us."
Steffy laughed nervously. "You're married. I know. I know," Liam said. He claimed he'd respect it, and he'd wait. He figured he'd just throw himself into his foundation, so he could make a difference in somebody's life until she'd let him make a difference in hers.
Liam should have known Bill wouldn't have agreed with him. Steffy remarked that Liam's generosity impressed her. He said he wasn't trying to. Nearing him, she asked if he'd meant it when he said he'd wait for her. Liam replied that he wouldn't have to do it for long because she wanted him just as much as he wanted her, and the two kissed.
Steffy snapped Liam out of his daydream by calling his name. She said she'd thought she'd lost him for a second. He asked what she'd been saying, and she repeated that she was impressed by him. Liam started to say something, but Wyatt entered to collect his wife and go home.
At the mansion, Caroline told Ridge that Thomas was right, and it was time to tell everyone that Thomas was Ridge's father. Thomas asked Ridge to see what the secret was doing to Ridge's wife. Ridge told Caroline that they could still do it, and he asked her not to give up on their family.
Ridge figured that Caroline was exhausted from all the sleepless nights, and she wasn't thinking straight. The sobbing Caroline cried that she was exhausted; however, it wasn't motherhood; it was the lying. Thomas told Ridge not to do it to his wife. Ridge told Thomas not to talk to him about doing anything to Caroline. Thomas didn't want Ridge to give Douglas up. Thomas just wanted to publicly call Douglas his son. Caroline wanted Ridge to listen to Thomas, who was Douglas' father.
Caroline was sure it would get out, and they should just call it what it was -- adding that Douglas had a mother, father, and wonderful step-father. She said they'd all be in Douglas' life, just not as it had been doing it. She exclaimed that she couldn't live with the lie anymore.
Ridge said they could do anything together; Caroline just had to believe in him. She appreciated Ridge for protecting the family but said it wasn't working; lying wasn't fair to Thomas or Douglas. Ridge cited that Thomas lived there and could hold and play with the baby whenever he wanted.
Caroline announced that it was tearing her apart. She claimed it wasn't just the secret -- it was Ridge's anger, too. She believed that Ridge was still so hurt by what had happened that night that he felt lying made it go away. She stated that it wouldn't go away because it had happened.
"You broke up with me, and I took pills. And I drank," Caroline said. Ridge added that Thomas had then taken advantage of her. Caroline asserted that Thomas hadn't. She claimed that she kept trying to tell Ridge that, but he didn't want to hear her. "It felt like that at first -- and that night should have never happened -- but I was devastated, and I needed someone to be there for me, and Thomas was -- and --" Caroline said.
Ridge asked Caroline not to do it and asked her what she as saying. Caroline said she loved Ridge, but he didn't have to protect her and Douglas from Thomas. She believed that if they accepted the truth about that night, Ridge could let go of his anger toward his son, and it would be better for all of them. She couldn't lie anymore and didn't think they could raise a child with her stress and his anger.
Ridge wondered if it was why Caroline had questioned him from the start about his morality. He guessed he hadn't been listening. Ridge recalled that Thomas had called him the "great and powerful Ridge." Ridge stated that he'd been angry with his son because he hadn't known what the night had really been until just then. Ridge had just wanted to give Caroline the world.
Caroline said it couldn't go on for all their sakes, especially Douglas'. Ridge picked up the fussy baby and said not to cry. Ridge explained to the child that he wasn't the father and he wouldn't call the child "son" anymore. "Bye," Ridge said and kissed Douglas' forehead. Ridge handed the baby to Thomas. Caroline sobbed. Ridge stared at Caroline and nodded in resolve.
At Katie's house, Brooke mentioned that Hope had said "hello." Katie guessed Hope had a lot to say about Wyatt's marriage. Brooke replied that Hope didn't want to choose sides. Katie stated that Bill had, and he'd made it clear that Liam needed to back off. Katie was proud because it showed how Bill felt about marriage and his commitment to Katie.
Brooke was happy to hear Katie speaking positively of her marriage. Katie admitted to still having an issue about Bill telling Brooke what Katie had relayed to him in confidence. Katie and Brooke couldn't believe Caroline and Ridge were denying Thomas his son, but they agreed that it at least was out in the open. Brooke stated that they were still hiding it and pretending that Ridge was the father.
Katie didn't believe it would last. She said Thomas had a connection to Caroline. Katie believed that it would only make sense that they'd wind up together due to Douglas. Katie suggested that Brooke talk to Ridge about it, but Brooke said she was not going to tell Ridge that his wife was better off with his son. Katie figured it was who Ridge already felt and just needed the voice of reason.
Katie believed that Ridge respected Brooke, so she could help him see the truth. Using truth as her segue, Katie remarked that she'd given Brooke every opportunity to fess up. Rick had told Katie that there was a new man in Brooke's life. It didn't take a genius, Katie said, for her to figure out who it was, but she wanted to hear it from Brooke.
"And don't even think about lying to me," Katie warned. Katie believed it was Ridge, adding that he was Brooke's destiny. Brooke replied that it wasn't, and "that" was in the past. Katie gathered that Brooke was indeed seeing someone but didn't want to tell Katie who it was. "It's Bill," Katie decided.
Katie found it strange that she never craved a drink before, but for the little voice in her head that told her not to trust Brooke. Katie didn't understand why it wouldn't go away if Bill was faithful and Brooke was respecting the marriage. "Why do I still want the drink?" Katie asked.
Katie asked Brooke to say Katie was wrong and the new man wasn't Bill. Brooke insisted that the little voice was Katie's disease talking. Katie said she wasn't like Brooke, and Katie only drank when she felt that people around her were betraying her. Kate demanded that Brooke say nothing was going on between her and Katie's husband. "No," Brooke replied.
Katie asked if Bill had approached Brooke or suggested anything inappropriate. Brooke rang her hands and sighed. Katie asked if Bill had kissed or touched Brooke. Katie wanted the truth and said Brooke would give it to her right then.
