On the plane to Italy, Ridge was leaving the restroom when Brooke stopped him. She wanted to join the mile-high club and led Ridge back into the restroom. Thorne noticed Ridge and Brooke were in the restroom together with the occupied sign on, and he was ecstatic. Thorne wanted Brooke to make love to Ridge so Taylor could finally be free of Ridge, free to love again.
At Insomnia, Amber confided her troubles about Sheila to the waiter. Grant and Macy were also there. Grant didn't think Forrester had a chance of pulling off a good showing in Italy, since they had only had a few weeks to put a collection together. Grant admitted he had financial success but wished he had a friend to share it with. Macy took the hint, left the table, and surprised Grant by singing a song to cheer him up. It worked.
Grant was impressed by Macy's singing. Amber walked over to their table and congratulated Macy on a song well sung. Amber mentioned that it had to be nice singing to one's boyfriend. Grant wondered why Macy hadn't corrected Amber when she'd called Grant her boyfriend. Macy asked Grant the same question.
Lauren was a bit down once she took stock of what she was doing. She was flying to Europe on an impulse to chase after Eric. Sally comforted her, insisting there was nothing wrong with flying after the man she loved. Lauren wished Eric was more like Ridge -- a risk taker. Sally reminded Lauren that Eric was taking a huge risk by having a showing in Italy and said she would take Eric over Ridge any day.
Stephanie realized Ridge and Brooke were not in their seats. She noticed Thorne smiling at the occupied sign on the airplane restroom and deduced that Brooke and Ridge were in there together. Eric was not concerned that Ridge was in there with Brooke. Eric said Ridge needed someone, since he didn't have Taylor.
Brooke and Ridge couldn't keep their hands off each other. Brooke wanted Ridge to make love to her in the restroom. The "fasten your seat belt" sign flashed on, and the flight attendant knocked on the door, telling them the plane had begun its final descent into Milan. Brooke and Ridge needed to take their seats.
Lauren still couldn't believe what Stephanie had said to her in the beauty salon. Sally couldn't wait for "Queen Stephanie" and her royal brats to face their Waterloo. Sally advised that Eric would need support once the showing failed. Lauren would be there to pick up the pieces. Sally predicted that the Forrester collection would be the biggest flop heard around the world and that Forrester would be so far down after it that they would never find their way back up.
The Forresters arrived in Italy. The scenery was breathtaking. Eric announced that nothing Forrester had ever done had had so much at stake. It was Forrester's only chance to present a collection so great that the world would never be the same. If not, it would be Forrester's final showing.
Sally and Lauren arrived at the hotel the Forresters were staying at, the Villa D'Este. They sneaked in, wearing dark glasses and hats so the Forresters would not recognize them. Using a fake accent and phony name, Sally asked the clerk for their room. The clerk could not find Sally's name on the reservation list. Sally raised hell, demanding that she and Lauren be given a room at once. The clerk gave in and found Sally and Lauren a room. Once they were in their room, Lauren wanted to know what Sally had planned during their stay in Italy. "Just relax and enjoy the ride," Sally advised.
Eric realized the showing was Forrester's biggest ever, and if it was not a success, it could be the end of Forrester. Eric called a man to his room and arranged to meet the man in the town square after the showing. He planned on proposing to Stephanie and marrying her right then and there. Eric said, "One more thing. Don't tell Stephanie. It's a surprise."
Brooke was glad to be away from Los Angeles and Taylor. It was the moment she had been waiting for. After the fashion show, Brooke planned on marrying Ridge.
Stephanie asked Ridge what Eric was up to. Ridge didn't know but advised his mother that if Eric proposed again, she should give the guy a break and marry him.
Back home in L.A., Taylor was planning on calling Ridge and telling him the truth. Doctor Santana warned against any contact with Ridge. Taylor didn't agree with the doctor when she said Taylor's blood pressure was down because Ridge was out of town. Taylor wanted to know why Brooke and Ridge weren't engaged if they were so in love.
Ridge admitted he was still in love with Taylor, but she was carrying Thorne's baby. Ridge could no longer rely on Taylor the way he could rely on Brooke. The one thing Ridge could count on was Brooke's loyalty.
Eric gathered the press to talk about Forrester's exciting showing. Caterina arrived with the top designer in Italy, Rocco Borroco. The Forresters were sharing their collection with some of his designs. The press started to hound Eric with questions about his aborted wedding and Forrester's late spring showing. Eric promised their showing would be fantastic.
Lauren realized that if the Forrester showing was not a success, Eric would need her to get him through it.
The models were preparing, and everyone was buzzing backstage. Stephanie told Eric that no matter what happened, she knew he would have done his best.
Brooke wanted Ridge to make her a promise. If everything came together, she wanted Ridge to promise her that they would be together -- this time forever. Ridge vowed that if they were together again, it would be permanent.
Taylor phoned Thorne and asked to speak to Ridge. Thorne said Ridge was busy with Brooke. They'd been together ever since they'd left L.A. Taylor wanted to hear it from Ridge if it was too late for them. Taylor could hear Ridge in the background, but Thorne refused to let Taylor speak with him. Instead, Thorne hung up on Taylor.
The Forresters were feeling the pressure to have a great showing. If not, it could be the company's final showing. Eric gave the models and everyone involved a pep talk. He wanted everyone to put to rest the rumors of Forrester's decline and show the world the magic of Forrester.
The press buzzed with anticipation. They wondered what the reaction would be, since most buyers had already bought their spring collections.
Sally and Lauren were in line, incognito. Neither one had the gold ticket required for entrance. Sally, in a blonde wig, said someone had stolen her and Lauren's tickets. Sally started giving the guy taking the tickets a hard time when he didn't let them in. Eventually, Sally and Lauren got in.
Forrester Spring '98 began. No one seemed impressed by the initial group, and the Forresters started getting a little concerned, wondering if it was the end of Forrester. There was no reaction to the second group, either. Sally was delighted that Queen Stephanie was down for the count. Caterina was mad because her career would be ruined if the showing didn't turn around.
Ridge and Brooke couldn't bear to watch and headed off by themselves. Even though she might lose her fame and social status, Brooke said all her joyful moments in life were about love. Ridge and Brooke had never lost that.
Stephanie tried to comfort Eric. She had never been prouder of him than she was at that moment because she knew he had tried his best.
The third group of models received more of a reaction from the audience. The tide seemed to be turning, much to Sally's chagrin. The fourth group got even more applause. The crowd seemed enchanted with the designs. Ridge and Brooke heard the crowd reaction and decided to join in. Caterina wore the showstopper, and it was gorgeous. Everyone was delighted with the showing. Brooke and Ridge kissed, and so did Eric and Stephanie. All the Forresters took a bow at the end of the showing. Forrester '98 was a success.
The Champagne flowed as did the toasts as the Forrester clan celebrated pulling off the comeback of the decade. Catarina, the model with the huge ego, started to flirt with Clarke, and it ended with her planting a huge kiss on him. Stephanie left the gathering to take a bath before the party later, and then Thorne headed out, also.
Sally carried on about how insane it was; she hadn't gone all that way to see the house of Forrester rise like the proverbial Phoenix. She had wanted some heat, some mass hysteria, and some public humiliation. Lauren was calm through all of the mayhem; she was focused on Eric, who she believed was making the biggest mistake of his life as he rekindled his romance with Stephanie.
Thorne packed up some presents to take home from the trip -- one for Taylor and one for the baby. There was a knock at the door, and Brooke entered and gave him a hug to thank him for supporting her to get Ridge back. She told him that it was going to happen for them, and they were definitely on the right track; she knew that by all of the past times she had gotten engaged. She then asked Thorne why he was so nervous about all of it. Thorne blew off her questions and told Brooke that he was very happy for her because she deserved it. Brooke left.
Taylor was in bed at the beach house and could see the baby's heartbeat on the monitor. She couldn't wait to tell "daddy" about it. Taylor told her doctor that she had thought about everything. She said that in the past, she had believed that Brooke was the one Ridge wanted to be with, but she had since decided that she was wrong about that, so she could be wrong about other things, too. "You want him back," Dr. Santana guessed. The doctor believed that if Taylor told Ridge and if he rejected Taylor, the results from all the stress could lead to a miscarriage. She wanted to know if Taylor was sure enough of her feelings to risk telling Ridge the truth.
Thorne tried to reach Brooke to tell her that she had left her purse in the room when the phone rang. At first, Thorne thought it was Brooke returning his voice message, but it was Taylor, once again, trying to track down Ridge. Thorne didn't miss the opportunity to tell her that Brooke and Ridge had spent every moment together while on the trip. Taylor only wanted to tell Ridge the truth, and she wanted Thorne's help in getting his big brother to at least return her phone calls or talk to her.
Eric wasn't going to the party to celebrate the showing. Ridge thought that the next time he saw his father, Eric and his mother would be on their honeymoon. Ridge told his dad that he wouldn't be at the party, either. Lauren then phoned Eric to give him congratulations and told him that, strangely enough, she, too, was in Italy, visiting a friend in Milan. She pleaded with him not to marry Stephanie; if they could only spend some more time together, he would know that she was the one for him. Eric told her that what they'd had had been wonderful, but it was time to move on.
At a jewelry shop, Ridge looked for something very special for an engagement ring. The first ring the salesman showed him was a twelve-carat diamond, but Ridge wanted something a little bit more unique for the love of his life. He wanted the ring to be like nothing else in the world, something like the woman he was about to ask to marry him. Of course, the salesman had the perfect ring tucked away for a special customer such as Ridge; it was a huge ring, fully encrusted with diamonds.
Back in her room, Stephanie saw an envelope on the table. She picked it up and read, "My love. I still call you that, for you are still my love and always will be. I hope the look that I have seen in your eyes the last few weeks means I am once again your love, that you have found it in your heart to forgive me, that you long in your heart to be together as much as I do. If I am right, I will know it when you arrive at the main square in town in front of the church. The mayor has agreed to marry us. If you do not come, I will know that I am wrong, and I won't bother you again. I love you, Stephanie. Please be my wife. Eric."
Eric got out of a Mercedes and was in the town square, early and very excited.
Brooke went to her room but realized that she didn't have her purse. She returned to Thorne's room and heard Thorne telling Taylor on the phone that Ridge was in love with Brooke, and Taylor having Ridge's baby wouldn't change that. Taylor told Thorne that she didn't want to go through life, thinking, "What if?" Thorne agreed to talk to Ridge and have him call her back. Thorne turned and saw Brooke standing there. "Taylor is pregnant with Ridge's child? Not yours? Thorne, please tell me it isn't true," she begged as the tears began to swell in her eyes.
Eric was in the town square with flowers, awaiting the arrival of his bride-to-be. The mayor prepared for the wedding. In the meantime, Eric wanted to sit in the restaurant, drink some coffee, and relax. Eric wanted to be waiting in the square, but he gave in and went into the restaurant.
Sally ranted to Lauren, insisting she could not give up. Lauren told Sally that Eric seemed determined to marry Stephanie. Sally could visualize Queen Stephanie gloating. "I can see it now," Sally dramatized. She imagined she would be at home and hear awful screeching outside her door. It would be Queen Stephanie crossing the Alps on her elephant---Hannibal's wife, going to join him in conquering the world. "I'll never be rid of that woman," Sally lamented. Lauren was amused at the dramatics.
Stephanie was lakeside. She needed a ticket into Como. A kind gentleman told her that the boat taxi would be back soon. She told him that she was going into Como to be married. She said she could always drive there. The man told her she couldn't do that, explaining, "It is good luck to take the boat on your wedding day." He told her to wait, and he would get her a ticket.
Taylor and Thorne conversed. She demanded that he agree to help her speak to Ridge. He didn't believe that it would help to tell Ridge that Ridge was the father of her child, but he finally agreed to tell Ridge to call. He hung up, and when he turned, he saw a devastated Brooke standing there. Brooke asked if it was true that Taylor was pregnant with Ridge's baby.
Taylor hung up the phone as Dr. Santana entered the room. "Did you reach Thorne?" she asked. Taylor said that Thorne had agreed to help her. She had overreacted earlier when she had seen Ridge and Brooke together. She had since realized that Ridge did not love Brooke, or they would be engaged already.
The sales clerk handed the small package to Ridge. "Here is your beautiful engagement ring," he told Ridge. As Ridge left, he said to himself, "Today is the day, Brooke."
While waiting at the lakeside, Stephanie reread Eric's letter. She thought it was a wonderful idea to be married in Como.
Sally put down the phone. She couldn't reach Stephanie. Stephanie was either out or had returned to the States. Lauren saw Stephanie at the water taxi stand. "I think she is about to take a boat ride," Lauren said. "She will take more than a boat ride if I have anything to say about it," Sally declared.
Thorne told Brooke to calm down. She demanded to know if it was true that the baby was really Ridge's. Thorne explained that Taylor had gone to Brooke's house the day of his parents' wedding to tell Ridge about the baby. That was when she'd seen Brooke and Ridge in bed together. Taylor had suffered an anxiety attack and ended up in the hospital. She'd almost lost the baby.
Thorne said Taylor had panic attacks, and they were all associated with Brooke and Ridge. The doctor had instructed her that she had to stay calm, or she could still lose the baby -- and it might be the last chance she had to have a child. "So, I am the cause of these panic attacks?" Brooke pondered. Thorne told her that that had been when he and Taylor had decided to cut Ridge out of her life. However, she was suffering from guilt and wanted to tell Ridge. "Ridge has to be told," Brooke said.
Sally joined Stephanie at the water taxi stand. "I am your worst nightmare come true," Sally told the Queen. "What are you doing in Italy?" asked a stunned Stephanie.
Thorne couldn't believe that Brooke was thinking of telling Ridge. He said Ridge was close to proposing to Brooke. Brooke couldn't believe that there was a hitch in all their plans. They were almost there. She had waited and hoped for that day to arrive, and yet she had to tell Ridge that he was the father of Taylor's baby.
Thorne reminded Brooke that Taylor most feared that Ridge would want Brooke. He asked what was to assure anyone that once Ridge married Taylor, he would be true to her. He pointed out how often Ridge had gone back to Brooke. Brooke then got a call on her cell phone. It was Ridge. He was waiting for her at the upper garden and wanted her to join him. Brooke said she would be right there. As she left the room, she said, "It's his baby. He has to be told."
Back in the restaurant on the square, the mayor approached Eric. The plans were almost ready. He asked where the bride was. Eric assured him that she would be there soon.
Stephanie found it laughable that Sally had gone to the fashion show. She asked, "How does it feel to be at the most important event of the season?" Sally tried to downplay the fashion show, but Stephanie continued to twist the knife. She quoted from Il Figaro: "Spring has just begun." Stephanie told Sally that she was going to bury Sally and her pathetic fashion house. She then announced that she was going into Como to meet Eric. They were going to get married. All the dirty tricks Sally had pulled the last time hadn't worked.
Stephanie told Sally to leave, but Sally told the "self-righteous windbag" that she was going nowhere; she was going to stop Stephanie. "Stop me?" Stephanie asked. She then pushed Sally into the lake. She climbed into the boat that was moored there and started the motor. She rode away and left Sally in the lake. Sally climbed out of the lake, shouting that Stephanie had better return. "You can't dump me and leave me like this! I have had it with you!" Sally shouted.
Brooke entered the garden and saw Ridge looking out at the landscape. He turned, and they stared into each other's eyes.
As she taxied across the lake, Stephanie was talking to herself. She believed she could trust in Eric again. She knew for sure that he loved her. All those fears concerning Lauren were silly. This day, she would make sure that Eric knew how much she loved him and wanted to be married to him. Suddenly, the boat began to make some strange noises. She looked around and said, "This doesn't sound good."
The mayor wanted to know if the children would be at the wedding. Eric said that it was a deeply personal moment for him and Stephanie. It would be just the two of them. Then he looked out at the empty square. "I wonder why she is so late," he said.
Taylor believed that Ridge had always loved and wanted her. "When he returns from this trip, we will begin our life together -- just the three of us," she said.
Ridge told Brooke that she looked radiant. He thought he knew what she was thinking, but she didn't believe so. "You are thinking, 'Why did it take this jerk so long to appreciate me?'" Ridge guessed. She told him that that wasn't what was on her mind. He continued guessing. "You are wondering if I really mean it this time. Well, I do mean it. I know now what I want. I have made a decision. I want you to be my bride. Will you marry me?" Ridge asked.
