CHAPTER 7

Bridget is in her car, not able to contain the excitement she's feeling. She is on her way to see Nick after hearing about Taylor leaving him from Rick. She was out of town at a conference for a couple of days so she had no idea of what was happening at home until she came back to the beach house where Rick proceed to tell her about everything that has gone down between Nick and Taylor. She still can't believe that they are not together anymore, and she need to see Nick to see where his head is at. Afterall, he will need her to help him with Jack. That little boy will need a woman influence in his life.

One thing Bridget knows for sure is that her mother won't let Jack's existance ruined her chance of getting Ridge back. Brooke might tease Nick with the idea of them and the kids being a family but she won't go through with it. She's too much of a coward who won't do anything to jeopardize the chance of having Ridge let go of her forever; Especially with Ashley still in the picture. Therefore, Nick will need someone and why shouldn't it be her. She has loved Nick longer than anyone. If anyone deserves another chance with him is she Bridget. She will be a good mom to Jack.

Unfortunately for Bridget, she doesn't know that Nick is holding on to his marriage even with Taylor out of the house. Even as the days goes on and Taylor didn't come home, he is still holding on to the hope of a reconciliation.

One day ago, Taylor brought Jack back to the Marone Mansion for Nick's turn at custody. The situation was tense with the exchange. As much as Taylor didn't want to walk away and leave Jack, she didn't want to stick around too long either. She could see the look of love and hope on Nick's face and it makes her uncomfortable. It doesn't help that she still loves him and there are days she is tempted to walk through the door and tell him she made a mistake and she wants to come home. However, she knows that it would be foolish of her. She doesn't want to go back to being the insecure woman who's tempted to drown herself in alcohol to make up for the pain of not having 100% of her husband's love.

Nick though has no problem letting Taylor knows exactly where he stands. Before she left, he reiterate the same things he has been telling her since she walked away from him: That he loves her and he wants them to try again and be a family with Jack. After she left, he decided to devote his attention to Jack and making up for the days he hadn't seen him. Even though he called almost every day to check on Jack when he was with Taylor, he didn't go see him. Not because he didn't miss his little boy, but because he wanted to show Taylor that he trusted her and that he wasn't looking over her shoulders where Jack is concern.

At the Marone Mansion, Nick is on a blanket on the floor with Jack surrounded by toys. Jack is attempting to crawl now. He does this thing where he stays on his stomach and drag himself with one leg to reach whatever toy catches his fancy. He especially loves the toy boat Nick brought him from some vendor at the marina. He would grab on to that toy and chew the life out of it. Right now, Nick is trying to get him to crawl and get his stuff panda Taylor got him when she went to the zoo with him a couple of days. Nick was startled when the bell rings. He wonders who is it.

He grabs Jack and gets up to answer the door. Jack was cooing and grinning at him making Nick laugh. When he opened the door he was surprise to see Bridget standing on the other side.

Nick: Bridget?... Hi.

Bridget::smiling Hi Nick. How you doing? Can I come in?

Nick: smiling back at her Yeah, sure... come right on in.

Bridget walks in and notices the toys all over the floor looking like a tornado passed through.

Nick closed the door after him and turn to Bridget with Jack in his arms.

With a smile on her face, Bridget exclaimed "It looks like you and Jack have been pretty busy."

Nick: laughing. The little guy definitely knows how to make a mess.

Bridget: laughs Oh yeah, blame it on the poor little guy.

As she says that she reaches for Jack, and Nick let her take him.

Bridget: Hello sweetheart. How have you been handsome? She kisses him on his little cheeks. Turning to Nick. My goodness Nick, he got so big. Look at him. It feels like I haven't seen him in so long.

Nick: It has been awhile. How you doing? Heard you've been at a conference. Long running conference.

Bridget: Yeah, I know. I went back to Copenhagen where this doctor and an ex-professor of mine was giving this week long lecture on cellular rejuvenation and I thought it might be a good idea to go hear him talk. I'm glad I did. I learned a lot. Apparently though, I missed a lot around here.

Nick: Who told you? Brooke?

Bridget? Actually, Rick. So it is true. Taylor really left you.

At that moment Nick escorts her to the couch while she's holding Jack. They both sit down, and Nick offers her a drink which she denies. Bridget just wanted to get to the heart of the matter.

Nick proceed to tell Bridget how Taylor found out about him meeting Brooke at the Shady Marlin II and letting her see Jack behind her back. This causing her to finally confronting him about his feelings for Brooke and walking away from their marriage.

Bridget: What about Jack? I know there have been some issues but surely she didn't walk away from him too.

Nick quickly answers "No, No. Taylor didn't walk away from Jack. We are sharing custody with me being primary guardian. We both want what is best for Jack, and joint custody is it."

Bridget feels a little stab of disappointment. She knows that she is wrong for hoping that Taylor still had problems bonding with Jack so she can step in, but she can't help wanting a clear free chance at having a life with Nick and Jack without another woman in the picture. She can deal with her mother. She knows how to get her to back off, but Taylor is another matter.

Bridget: That's good. So her and Jack must be doing better then. I know she was having a hard time accepting my mother as the biological donor.

Nick: She has been making a lot of effort to put that behind her. She loves Jack, Bridget. I have no doubt about that. It's strange actually. It's almost like the moment she decided to end our marriage; her feelings for Jack just burst out like a ray of sunshine and just keep glowing. I don't know how to feel about that. A part of me is happy about the bond she shares with Jack now and the love she feels for him, but at the same time it hurts that she had to leave me for that to happen. What does that say about me and the feelings she supposedly have for me?

Bridget: I don't know Nick. Maybe it's easier to face her demons and her fears without having to look over her shoulder wondering when my mom will crash test her way into her life again. Your love for Brooke is something she couldn't handle. Maybe this is why it was difficult to love and give her all to Jack. Now she doesn't have to worry about holding on to you, and it's easier to focus on giving Jack what he needs.

Nick gets up and start picking up toys on the floor as Bridget watches him. Jack was still sucking away at his toy boat while sitting on Bridget's lap. Bridget looks at Jack and then at Nick and all the feeling of love and yearning she has in her heart comes to the surface, and she can't help but let it all out and laying it all on the line for Nick. This is it. This is the moment of truth. The moment that will tell her whether or not there's a chance for her again.

She gets up and put Jack in his playpen. She walks over to Nick and put her arms around him startling Nick. He looks at her all confuse at her gesture. He automatically puts his arm around her, not knowing what else to do. Bridget looks up at him and looks intently into his eyes.

Bridget: You know you are not alone right?

Nick still confuse shakes his head yes.

Bridget: No matter what you will always have me Nick. This is the one thing in your life you can be sure of beside Jack. No one in this world will ever love you as much as I do. I've loved you from the moment I set eyes on you, and I will take my last breath loving you.

At that moment, Nick starts to get uncomfortable and attempt at extracting himself from her but Bridget won't let go of him. She has a point to make and she's not about to let Nick interrupt her.

Bridget: Please, don't pull away Nick. Just listen for a moment.

Nick stops trying to pull away and looks down at her. What he sees puts him on edge. Her eyes are full of love, hope and adoration. Nick stomach muscles tighten. This is a complication he doesn't need. He loves Bridget, he really does. He will always love her. She was once his wife, and a woman he thought he would spend the rest of his life with at one point, but he hasn't felt that way in a long time. Nicole's death shattered a huge chunk of their lives and broke the bind that held them together. Leaving her for Brooke right afterwards didn't help matters. He cares for her, and he always will, but he haven't felt a romantic love for Bridget in awhile and he still doesn't feel that for her now. When he looks at her he sees a friend. He sees a woman he admires very much for her strength and courage. A woman who he will always feel a bond to due to the daughter they would have shared if she had lived. When he looks at Bridget he doesn't see a future, but how does he tell her that with that look on her face?

Bridget: I know you are hurting right now, but I want you to know that you don't have to anymore. I'm here for you and Jack. I love you and that little boy so much, and there isn't anything in the world I wouldn't do for the two of you. When I look at Jack, I see the best part of you. I see what the future might have been like if our little girl had lived. This little boy is a true testament of faith and miracle. You are a father now Nick. Something you have wanted for so long, and I feel that even though I didn't carry him and gave birth to him that he exists in part because of me. I helped in his conception. The two of you need me Nick. I will stand by you and give you everything you need. I know the family you wanted with Taylor is gone, but it doesn't mean you cannot have a family Nick. If you give me a chance again, you, Jack and I will be happy together. Think about that okay? I think Nicole would have been happy to know that her mom and dad had a second chance at love with her little brother. I love you Nick Marone. No other woman on earth will ever love you as much as I do.

She kisses him fully on the mouth as she holds on tightly to him. Nick is standing there astounded at her words, not knowing what to do. He feels like he has been hit by a ton of brick and he's frozen in time. When he didn't move, Bridget stops kissing him and pull away looking into his eyes. His face was blank and his eyes devoid of emotion leaving Bridget feeling hurt. At that moment she decides to leave and leave him pondering her words.

She walks to the playpen and gives Jack a kiss on his little head. Then she grabs her purse and walk to the door. Before she leaves, she leaves him with parting words for him to ponder.

"Think about it Nick. What do you have to lose? Don't you and Jack deserve a family with someone who loves the both of you at the same time?"

With that she walks away leaving Nick standing in the middle of his living room wondering what the hell just happened.

After a while, he sits on his sofa and look at Jack in his playpen. "She didn't even give me a chance to tell her that I'm not through with Taylor yet."