The end of a lifelong Lovestory!

The entire family except Stephanie was convinced the crisis with Brooke and Ridge was just one of their games, Ridge knew the problem was far bigger than anyone suspected. He didn't even understand how Brooke and he had gotten there. After the news that nothing had happened between Brooke and Thomas on that Island, everything had been wonderful. They had been so happy to be together again and planned a gigantic wedding. But then slowly, step by step, everything had fallen apart. First of all, they had to deal with Taylor's absence. Brooke had been very compassionate in the beginning and had supported him in his plan to take care of his children. However, Brooke assumed that this increased care would only be temporary to help Steffy and Thomas get over the first difficult time. She did not agree at all with making this permanent. Furthermore, an obstacle in their relationship was the difficulties between Brooke and his children.

There was no love lost between Brooke and Steffy. They both agreed on one point. They hated each other. Hardly a day went by where they hadn't been on each other's throats.. When they weren't bickering at each other, they were killing each other with their glances. Brooke always tried to convince him that the fight was Steffy's alone, because she was not ready to accept her as the woman on his side. For years, Ridge had gone along with Brooke's point of view, often admonishing his daughter to be more respectful and kind to his wife. But recently, he began to have doubts about whether it was really just Steffy. He had overheard some arguments in which Brooke did not hold back at all. One evening he had asked her to be a little more empathetic and understanding towards Steffy, after all she had to deal with the loss of her mother. Brooke reacted rather insensitively and only said dryly that Taylor was not dead but only living in another city. A heated argument ensued, but the next day they reconciled.

With Thomas it was almost worse. Although Thomas had truly groveled and apologized over and over again, Brooke was not ready to forgive him. She wanted nothing to do with him anymore. At first, Ridge could completely understand this. He himself had been extremely disappointed and angry. However, as time passed, his anger ebbed away. He had some serious conversations with his son where he could see how much Thomas regretted his mistake. He also did not ignore the fact that it had been his mother who had pushed and pressured Thomas again and again. He knew only too well how demanding and manipulative his mother could be when she really wants something. Of course Thomas had been a coward but he could somehow reason his son's behavior. No one had a chance against Stephanie Forrester. While Ridge found the place in his heart to forgive Thomas, Brooke remained unforgiving.

With the support of Hope and Rick, she demanded Thomas' dismissal and suggested Steffy also should be removed from her current position. Ridge was shocked. He could understand Brooke on one hand and didn't want to hurt her, but Thomas and Steffy were his children, whom he loved. Forrester Creation was their family heritage, he could not take that away from them. Besides, he was very happy that his relationship with them had developed so well lately, he didn't want to lose this. Ridge was torn apart, he consulted with Eric. Both came to the conclusion Thomas would have to deal with the consequences of his behavior, but a dismissal was out of the question. Instead they removed all responsibility from him and ordered him to support Steffy with her line. Brooke didn't agree with this solution at all and a bitter argument followed. For days there was not one word spoken until they made up again. However, a rift had appeared in their relationship. Without noticing it, they drew more and more apart. The topic Thomas and Steffy was now consistently avoided by them. Brooke silently accepted his meetings with them and bit her tongue. Ridge, on the other hand, strove for truce between the parties and also stifled many remarks.

The speechlessness between Brooke and Ridge became more and more massive. It seemed as if they had completely forgotten how to communicate with each other. The only subjects they talked about were business or who was picking Rj up from his practice or what they order for dinner. Their entire environment noticed their problems. Ridge avoided all questions, because he himself had no answer.

The weeks went by without any change in the tense situation. Brooke was really afraid for their relationship. Ridge and she had never been so estranged. She feverishly thought about how she could save her family. A few days after Thomas and Steffy returned from their weekend with Taylor, she had an idea. That evening, she prepared a romantic candlelight dinner for them. When Ridge saw the lovingly laid table, he was initially delighted, but when Brooke told him her plan, he freaked out.

"Excuse me? You want to shove Thomas and Steffy off?"

"No of course not! I just think it would be the best for all of us if they moved in with Taylor. After all, they really loved it there and maybe a little distance would benefit the situation for all of us. Just think about it. That would help all of us. I'm sure Taylor misses her kids and would love to have them with her and Thomas and Steffy would have their mother back and we would have time and peace for ourselves and our family again."

"Yeah that's all you care about. You don't give a damn about Thomas and Steffy at all, it's all about you and your own little world. The two are only a disturbance factor in your eyes, so away with them and everything is fine again. But I tell you one thing. Thomas and Steffy are not only Taylor's children but also mine and I am very happy about the close and good relationship we have at the moment. I will certainly not risk that!" I don't want to hear another word about this idea. And one more, I forbid you to talk about this with anyone else, especially Steffy and Thomas. One word from you in this direction, you will not only get rid of them, but also of me! I've lost my appetite." Furious, Ridge jumped up from the chair and stormed out of the house.

In the aftermath, they not only remained silent, but began to scuffle over every little thing. A soda stain on the newspaper or an open toothpaste. Every inconsequence led to an endless debate. Hope and RJ suffered extremely from the situation. The two spent less and less time at home, often staying overnight at friends' houses for days at a time. Even at Forrester Creation, everyone noticed their arguments. All employees avoided the two as best they could to avoid getting caught in their crossfire. Within the family Ridge and Brooke became a permanent subject. Almost everyone was convinced that the two should separate. But they fell on deaf ears. Until the decisive turning point, which finally opened Ridge's eyes.

He had to go to New York for two weeks on business. As he sat on the plane, he felt more relaxed than he had in a very long time. He was looking forward to some time away from all the stress and concerns. He was enjoying his time in the Big Apple. When he wasn't working, he was strolling through pre-Christmas New York, meeting up with friends and attending musicals. For him, the time went by far too quickly. On the flight back, he realized how the burden that had fallen off him in the last few days weighed heavier on him with every mile he approached Los Angeles. Suddenly he realized that he hadn't even talked to Brooke on the phone during his entire stay. They had only sent each other a few short messages. Ridge had to admit to himself, he hadn't even thought about her much or missed her. That realization startled him. He thought back to the good old times. If they had been apart for a few days in the past, they had talked on the phone several times a day to tell each other how much they love each other. A feeling crept into Ridge's mind that those times were gone forever.

When he arrived at home a few hours later, he was already greeted stormily by Hope and RJ. Unlike Brooke, he had missed his children very much. At dinner, he kept glancing unobtrusively at Brooke. But no matter how many times he looked over at her, the feelings for her were gone. There were no palpitations or butterflies in his stomach. Later, in bed, he couldn't fall asleep from brooding. He tried to remember the last time they had made love or went on a date together. It wouldn't come to him. Over the next few days, Ridge made more of an effort to reach out to Brooke and rekindle his love for her, but to no avail. After a brief period of harmony, their arguments started all over again. Ridge had reached the point where he admitted the truth to himself. He no longer loved Brooke. She had become a stranger to him in an odd way, and if he was honest, he no longer wanted to live with her. He didn't see a future for the two of them anymore, and things couldn't continue as they were now. He still struggled a bit with the breakup, mostly because of RJ and Hope. But on the other hand, he thought, maybe a breakup was the best thing for them, too. He had noticed that both of them were hardly ever at home and when they barricaded themselves in their rooms with loud music.

Finally, Ridge pushed himself and decided to talk to Brooke. As they sat on the couch together in the evening, he tried to explain his feelings to her as calmly as possible and told her a breakup was the only option. Brooke was stunned.

"You can't be serious. We love each other. We belong together!"

"That's what I thought, too. I was always convinced you were the love of my life. But there's nothing left of that. I'm sorry. But when I look at you, there's no love, no infatuation left, nothing!"

"No, I don't believe it. That's not you. Thomas and Steffy must have talked you into it. They've turned you against me. Admit it!" Brooke was convinced Ridge's separation intentions weren't based on his own decision; his children had made him do it.

Ridge lost his patience.

"Brooke, stop it! I'm talking about us and about my feelings and you're about to start going after Thomas and Steffy again. Those two have nothing to do with my decision. They don't even know about it."

"Oh nonsense. You don't really want to tell me that. You chat with them all the time."

"Now don't exaggerate so excessively. I usually spend two evenings a week with them. But I don't even want to talk about that now!"

They argued back and forth for a while. Brooke just didn't get his point. She didn't want to believe that he wanted to leave her för once and all. Emotionally she bursted out if he wanted to leave, he should. He would come back to her soon anyway because he couldn't live without her. She left the house to cry to one of her sister's shoulders while Ridge retreated to the guest room.

The next day, Ridge took a day off and packed his belongings. During the night he had thought about where he wanted to stay, it occurred to him that he still had the keys to his parents' guest house. For the first time this was the ideal solution. There he had enough peace to compose himself. He decided to take only the most necessary things with him and to store the rest in his study. Around noon Brooke came home, she had spent the night at Donna's and only saw in the office that Ridge hadn't shown up for work. When she stepped into the house, she discovered packed boxes. Ridge came down the stairs with two bulging suitcases. Brooke fought back her tears at this sight.

"You can't move out and give up everything we share."

"It's all been said Brooke. I can't and I don't want to go on like this. I don't want to build my future with a woman I'm no longer in love with. It's not good for me and it's not fair to you either." Sobbing, Brooke whimpered.

"But I love you and you love me too. I know it!" She went to him, took his head in her hands and fixed him.

"Tell me you still love me!"

Ridge took her hands away and looked at her with a serious face.

"No, I can't. Because that would be a lie."

When all his stuff was in the car, he came back into the house.

"Well I think I have everything I need for the next days, I'll get the rest as soon as I know where I'm staying permanently. I'll be back tonight to talk to the kids and explain everything to them." Brooke barely listened to him. She just stood there and gave in to her tears. Shocked, she watched how Ridge took off his wedding ring and placed it on the table. Before he left the house, he turned around.

"One more thing Brooke, I will always be there for the kids and you...you are still a part of my family and I hope one day we can be friends with each other again. Take care of yourself!" With those words, he closed the door behind him. As he drove off the ground, he felt as if a huge weight had fallen off of him.