Eric serves breakfast in bed to Stephanie and apologizes for last night. He decided to do this about 30 seconds after she called last night. She wishes he had come over then; it would have saved her from another sleepless night. This is affecting you that badly? Eric asks.

Remembering what Stephanie did to her in Italy, Sally hopes that Stephanie will get a very large serving of what she has been doing to Sally all these years and she, Sally, will relish every moment of it.

Lauren knocks at Sally's door. Sally comments that she has that "cat-swallowed-the-canary" look. Pulling out a pair of trunks from her bag, Lauren says, "They do say that a picture is worth a thousand words!"

Alone in the guestroom, Ridge is thinking that this will be his last night in this house. He must tell Bridget, but hopes she doesn't react in the same way that Rick did. Bridget knocks at the door; she has the day off because of a teacher's conference. Maybe they can do something together? She rushes out of the room while Ridge tries unsuccessfully to stop her. Brooke is watching.

Stephanie and Eric have a heart to heart talk. She says that she spent a sleepless night and Eric realizes that she is really bothered. Stephanie tells him that he means more to her than anything else and she is going to prove it. Things are going to change around here. What brought this on, Eric asks.

Rick is outside pacing. He will not let Ridge do this to them. Bridget comes out and Rick snaps at her. What is wrong? Are you still worrying about Mom? I should have told you that I know what it is. Rick’s mouth drops open as Bridget says these words.

Brooke comes into the bedroom and pleads with him not to do this. He begs her for her help; if she would only help him, it would be easier on the children. So for the sake of your son I have to lie to my children? She asks. I won’t do that; anyway, they would see right through me.

Stephanie tells him that she went to see James. He showed her that she was being insensitive to Eric and his needs. He was the only one who would tell her the truth; he was totally honest with her---brutally honest. Now she wants to be honest with Eric. "I am happy that Ridge is going to be with Taylor, but for your children, this is a very painful situation. For that, I have been dismissive and I am really, really sorry. They are going to be my step children and I want them to know that I will be there for them and I will support them." Eric reminds her that the children know how she feels about their mother and this is the last thing they need right now. Stephanie agrees and says it does have to stop.

Eric has to wonder if Stephanie can stop; she has so much anger toward Brooke. Stephanie says that the anger will never go away, but she promises to control it for his and his children's sake. Eric wonders how she will do it and Stephanie tells him about the trick that James taught her. However, she laughs, it may be difficult in Brooks case; I may have to count to a thousand. Eric tells her that Brooke is not a threat to their relationship but her anger toward Brooke is a threat. They embrace and smile at each other.

Lauren describes her evening with Eric. Sally is shocked that they only talked; this was a golden opportunity and she didn't seize the day? Lauren says she would have but Stephanie tracked him down and called him at her place. Sally is chagrined; it was her fault that Stephanie knew where to find Eric. Lauren thinks someone should go over there and give that woman a clue to what she is losing. "Do you want me to drive?" Sally asks. Yeahhhhh, Lauren says mischieviously.

Brooke tells Ridge that she isn't ready for this and neither is Bridget. But it has to be done, Ridge tells her. Brooke wants a couple more days; she thinks Ridge will change his mind, but Ridge says that he is sure. Please don't make me do this to her, Brooke pleads.

"You know what is going on?" asks a shocked Rick. Bridget thinks that it has to do with the miscarriage and her mom’s inability to get pregnant again. What else could it be? She thinks she should talk to Ridge about it; he knows how to make Mom happy. Rick tries to discourage her from doing this and Bridget wonders what is wrong with him today. He tells her not to go see Ridge, but Bridget says he is still in the house. Rick realizes that he could only still be there because he wants to tell Bridget. Rick tells her to hang in there for a while; he has to see someone. As he goes back into the house, he says, "Damn you, Ridge." Bridget hears him and yells, "What are you talking about, Rick?"

Ridge says that if they wait any longer, Bridget will hear this from someone else just like Rick did. Brooke reminds Ridge that he is doing to Bridget what her own father did to her. She knows what kind of pain Bridget will be feeling. How can he to this to her baby?

Ridge tries unsuccessfully to assure Brooke that it will be all right. They have to do this together for Bridget's sake; they have to be strong for her.

Sally and Lauren are at Stephanie's door. As they push their way into the house, they are unaware that Eric is at the top of the stairs watching and listening. Sally announces that Eric left something behind at Lauren's and she was anxious to return it to him. Stephanie suggests that they keep it as a souvenir. As she hands the trunks to Stephanie, Lauren asks if she will have him autograph them for her.

Standing outside Taylor's door, Rick says, "You had better be home, Taylor. I am not going to let this happen. If Ridge won't stop it, you will!" There is an angry determined look on his face.

When Ridge and Brooke come downstairs, Bridget tells them that she has a craving for waffles. Can they go out to Julians? They tell her that they can't do that today; there is something they need to talk to her about.

Lauren and Sally have arrived at Stephanie's house and Lauren drops a bombshell; she shows Stephanie Eric's boxer shorts and intimates that she and Eric slept together last night. Sally says that it didn't show much class for her to call her ex-husband at another woman's apartment. Lauren said that Stephanie interrupted a private and special moment between her and Eric; don't do it again, she orders. "Control your temper, Stephanie," Eric whispers from his front row seat at the top of the stairs.

Lauren really blasts Stephanie for being so selfish and for treating Eric so badly. She tells her that Eric told her everything and he is through with her. Stephanie assures her that she and Eric have patched things up and now things are right on track, but Lauren just laughs at her. Stephanie asks how many times Eric walked away from her yet she persists in chasing after him. She wants them to leave. Get out now and take that redheaded witch with you, she says.

Stephanie holds her temper. When things get really bad, she begins counting. What is she doing? Lauren asks Sally. When Stephanie reaches a slow count of "eight," Lauren says to Sally, "Do something!" Sally tosses a glass of water in Stephanie's face and the two troublemakers quickly run out of the house laughing.

Stephanie continues her count until she reaches eighteen and a half then she begins to wipe herself dry. When Eric comes down Stephanie says, "You could have stepped in at any time, you know. Or were you waiting to see if I could handle the situation? Well, I held my temper." Eric says he is more concerned how she handles it with Brooke. "Now about those shorts," Stephanie begins. He says, "I left them at Lauren's to dry after I went in the hot tub. I will go over there and talk to her." Stephanie says, "No, you know what happens when you go over there; you just encourage her more. See, I have changed; it's a beginning." As he holds her, she admits that the real test will be if she can hold her temper with Brooke.

Taylor is planning a special dinner for Ridge's first night home when Rick comes to her door. "Surprised to see me?" Rick asks. Taylor admits that she wasn't expecting him, but isn't surprised that he is there. Rick really gives Taylor hell, telling her that he knows everything. Taylor says that she knows he is upset and confused, but he tells her that he is NOT confused. You are in a lot of pain, I know, Taylor says. He tells her to quit telling him how he is feeling. Then, will you tell me how you are feeling? Taylor encourages.

"Oh yes, there is that conscientious caring psychiatrist talking," Rick sneers. I used to believe that but not any more. You are a selfish person. I am selfish for wanting my son to know his own father? Taylor asks. "Yes, when you want him to leave his other family for you, yes I call that selfish. It was your fault that he didn't know about Thomas in the first place." Yes, admits Taylor, I made mistakes and . . . Rick interrupts. "And you want us to pay for them. Don't you know what you have done? Ridge is telling Bridget right now. This is going to kill her. She has waited all her life for Ridge to live with us, for us to be a real family. Now you are taking all that away."

Taylor reasons that Ridge has a right to know about his child, but Rick counters that he didn't have to give up his family because of that child; he made that decision out of guilt, not love. He tells her that Ridge really loves his mom. She says that the decision was Ridge's alone. He made the decision because he loves Thomas, not out of any sense of guilt.

Going into the other room, Taylor brings out Thomas and introduces him to his "Uncle Rick."

"Cute kid," Rick rudely tells her. "But you could have a million babies by Ridge and it wouldn't matter. He still loves us. If you really loved Ridge, you would let him stay with the family that he loves.

Why are you guys looking so serious, Bridget asks. Ridge says that they have something serious to talk to her about. There is going to be a lot of changes, but one thing will never change and that is the way he feels about her. Bridge is very worried; she thinks that someone is sick or dying. No one is sick, Brooke tells her, but Ridge tells her that something has happened and he is going to move out.

Bridget can't believe it! Do something, she begs her mother. I thought we were happy, she says to Ridge. I thought we loved each other. Is it Rick's fault? Is it my fault? Did I do something? Ridge assures her that it isn't anyone's fault. She and her brother mean the world to him. Then why are you leaving me? Bridget asks.

It has taken forever but Ridge finally tells Bridget that he is Thomas' father. He wants to be with him, so he is going to marry Taylor. Angrily, Bridget asks how he could do that to Mom; Mom didn't know! As Ridge and Brooke exchange looks, Bridget comes to realize that her mom did know. Brooke verifies this when she tells her that she knew even before marrying Ridge. "I should have told Ridge right away. I was wrong."

Bridget is devastated. "You knew?" she screams. "You promised that we would be a family forever. How could you do this to us? I hate you! You are a terrible mother!" Bridget slaps Brooke. Both Brooke and Ridge are stunned!