A Ridge-style proposal!
Taylor and Ridge landed and were immediately on their way to their Bel Air mansion. On the drive, they enjoyed the sights of their hometown. It was very emotional for both of them to be back in LA after so many months. Once home, especially Taylor, were overcome with emotion. It felt great to be back in their old house. Even though Steffy and Thomas had changed a few little things in the past year, it still had the same spirit. Ridge contacted the kids that they had arrived. Steffy and Thomas then showed up shortly. Since neither of them was in the mood to cook, they ordered pizza for dinner. While they made themselves comfortable, Steffy and Thomas reported about everything that had happened today. A few journalists had shown up at Forrester Creation as well as outside the house, waiting for an official announcement. In addition, all the family members had literally swarmed Thomas and Steffy for details. Overwhelmed by the situation, they had waited for an unobserved moment to sneak out of the house. They had spent the rest of the day hiding out at Steffy's friend's house with their cell phones on silent. Steffy had learned from Katie that she had arranged an official statement saying Forrester Creation would not comment on Ridge's personal life.
"I'm sure many people think the tabloid is a fake. Because from what we've gathered, Granddad learned that Jarrett was behind it, and what he's written about our family in the last years could rarely be taken seriously."
"Indeed! Nothing good has come from that idiot in the last few years..." Thomas agreed with his sister, "...I mean he must be totally crazy, watching you guys for days and then out of the blue publishing these pictures or did he talk to you about it before?" Ridge shook his head.
"Of course not, we were just as shocked as you were when we read that this morning. I mean, basically the article itself isn't all wrong, but we would never have allowed something like that to happen."
"Especially not before everyone knew. The last thing your dad and I wanted was for them not to hear it from us."
"Yeah, that really sucks. In any case, you'll have some major explaining to do tomorrow, and I think despite the article, the news will still be a big surprise to some."
Later that evening, Taylor stood alone in the master bedroom. Thoughts of the night she had left LA in a hurry came flooding back. Never would she have imagined that night that a year later she would be standing here like this. She shook off the old memories and started unpacking the suitcases. She was a little irritated when she stepped into the closet. There were still some clothes, she had left behind. But in the entire room was no item of Ridge, which confused her, since he had lived here before he left LA. Just then, Ridge entered the room and Taylor approached him about her observation.
"Where did you leave all your stuff, you didn't bring it all with you to San Francisco?"
"I was sleeping in one of the guest rooms at the time. To me it seemed kind of wrong to stay here in this room, this was, even when you weren't here still your room. I would have felt like an intruder." Taylor stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Anyway, now it's our bedroom again. I hope you're not planning on letting me sleep here alone?!" He looked at her tenderly.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Even though Taylor laughed at his remark, he noticed her troubled face. "Hey, what's the matter with you? Is it anxiety about tomorrow?"
"No! No! It's just..." Taylor avoided his gaze. Ridge had an idea what was going on inside her. He pulled her back to him.
"Are those any old ghosts haunting your head again?" Taylor didn't give him an answer, but the look on her face told Ridge he had hit the bull's eye. "I know a good way to get rid of all those evil spirits!" He started tickling her so hard until she cried out and tears rolled down her face from laughter. He did not let go until she was already gasping for air and begging for mercy.
The next afternoon, the big moment was there. Taylor, Ridge and the kids were on their way to the Forrester mansion, where the whole family was already waiting for them. Felicia had arrived two days ago and Kristen had arrived that morning. Thorne had also already joined them in the living room, as well as their parents. They were all sitting together, discussing whether the article was true or not. Thorne and Eric were convinced the tabloid was a bluff. Eric had also figured out that Jarrett was actually trying to hit Brooke with it, and the pictures could speak a misleading language. Everyone knew that Taylor and Ridge had always been very intimate with each other, which could easily be misinterpreted. The photo showing them arm in arm was not conclusive proof and the kiss could have been a harmless greeting kiss. Stephanie, on the other hand, hoped the article would speak the truth. She still wanted nothing more than for Taylor and Ridge to get back together. Felicia and Kristen at least considered the possibility that the two were a couple again. After all, they had spent the last few months together in San Francisco and had seen each other from time to time, so it was possible that old feelings had flared up. In any case, everyone was eagerly waiting to finally hear what was going on. Then the front door opened and Steffy and Thomas entered. While the two were greeted by the family, Ridge and Taylor stood outside the door and took a last deep breath.
"Are you ready?" asked Ridge his sweetheart, who just shook her head.
"Can't we just get away quietly?" Ridge laughed and took her in his arms.
"I'm afraid we have to face them, so let's get into the fight!" But before he stepped through the door, Taylor pulled him back once more and gave him the most loving and tender kiss.
"I love you!" He smiled at her, now pulling her to him as well and kissed her back.
"I love you too!" Then he grabbed her hand and they walked together into the living room.
First of all, they were both greeted warmly by everyone, especially Taylor. Everyone was happy to see her again after more than a year. When the general welcome hubbub had finally quiet down and everyone was sitting again, Stephanie could no longer stand the tension.
"So now tell us what's going on with you both?" Ridge cleared his throat.
"Well about that article, we're really uncomfortable with that and we're sorry you all found out the truth this way. Actually, we had planned to tell you all about it ourselves this weekend." Everyone stared at him, stunned. Felicia realized what her brother was trying to say.
"So it's true? You're really back together?" Taylor and Ridge grinned at each other.
"Yes it's true! Taylor and I spent a lot of time with each other and fell in love again and we're back together." For a moment, the room went dead silent; you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone was trying to comprehend what they had just heard. Kristen was the first to regain her speech.
"But how did this happen, I mean all of a sudden?" Ridge looked around sheepishly.
"To be honest, it didn't happen suddenly, and we haven't just been together for a few days. We've been together for a long time and we've been living together for a while now." Everyone looked even more stunned.
"Are you saying you've been a couple for months and have kept us all in the dark all this time?" Stephanie couldn't believe it. She had assumed Taylor and Ridge had only recently gotten back together. She couldn't believe the two of them would keep such a big secret from the family for so long. "Why did you guys do that? Don't you think your family has a right to know what's going on between you? Why all this secrecy?"
"It's obvious mother!" interjected Thorne. "Probably the whole thing is just a game for Ridge. A gimmick and nothing serious! That's why you guys haven't said anything all this time. You Ridge just wanna have a little bit of fun." Ridge, who had felt extremely guilty due to his mother's disappointment, was now furious.
"No! That's not true!" Taylor put his hand in hers to calm him down. She tried to explain herself.
"It was mostly my decision to wait so long. We didn't want to say anything, until we were absolutely sure, and we wanted to figure out for ourselves first where this relationship would head too. We just needed this time and we wanted to spend the beginning phase of our relationship without any interference. It wasn't our intention to hurt or betray anyone, but this time we want to do it our way, how it feels right for us." Felicia and Kristen nodded in agreement. They could very well understand why Taylor and Ridge had waited a while before they were ready to let the family in on it. Especially after everything that had happened between them in the past few years. Stephanie fell silent, realizing, it was mostly her that was meant when Taylor implied they didn't want any interference and the unspoken criticism made her very thoughtful. Ridge now took the floor again.
"Anyway, we're both very serious. We love each other and we are about to build a life together and either you are happy for us or not! In any case, we're not going to justify our feelings or our decision!" He had spoken in a determined voice and everyone comprehended, he was adamant.
Felicia and Kristen now approached the two, hugged them and expressed their joy. Both were always convinced, Taylor was the more suitable woman for Ridge. They had their problems with Brooke because of all the turmoil she had brought to the family. So they were genuinely happy for their brother and also for Thomas and Steffy. They sensed how much it meant to both of them that their parents had found the way to each other again. The ice seemed to be broken and the mood became more relaxed. Taylor and Ridge shared how they had grown closer in the last few months, and Felicia and Kristen also gave an update about what was going on in their lives. No one noticed, Thorne had quietly slipped out of the room. Later, everyone was sitting scattered around the room talking to someone, Eric signaled to his son he wanted to talk to him privately. So Ridge followed him into his study. Taylor stood with Felicia in front of the large window that faced the garden. They saw Thorne walking along, obviously very agitated.
"He doesn't seem too happy about the news about Ridge and me," Taylor was wondering what the issue was with Thorne. Felicia offered her the answer.
"Well, the whole thing is probably more of a shock to him. You know how he feels about you, and that hasn't changed at all. He was very upset with Mother and Ridge because, in his opinion, they drove you away and he made them responsible that you broke up any contact with us. It hasn't been easy for him to deal with that anger and it's certainly hard for him to cope with you choosing Ridge again." Taylor became very thoughtful. It hadn't occurred to her that her feelings for Ridge might hurt Thorne in any way.
"The best will be for me to go to him and work it out."
"Do you really think that's a good idea? Maybe you'd better give him some time to digest all this first."
"No. It's certainly better we discuss this now, once and for all. I don't want this thing to come between him and Ridge."
As Taylor made her way to the backyard, Ridge curiously turned to his father.
"So Dad, what did you want to talk to me about? Is it about business?"
"No, it's about you. I want to know from you if you're really certain you made the right choice?! Don't get me wrong, Taylor is a remarkable, unique woman, but you have to admit it's a little weird after all this time."
"I get your skepticism Dad, but I'm absolutely positive. I fell in love with her and we are very happy. This time, this is it! She is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"And what about Brooke? You know she still loves you, she believes you just wanted to get away from LA for a while to get some distance and then give you guys another try. I mean, you guys have been so happy together these past few years."
"Dad, Brooke and I were never happy without limitations. There were always obstacles, misunderstandings or some kind of scandal. I'm realizing that now. Yes, we loved each other very much at one point, I won't deny that, but this relationship was over before I left LA, and for good. I've made that pretty clear to Brooke over and over again."
"But she keeps telling me you guys are in touch and you send each other messages regularly and you talk on the phone from time to time."
"Yes that's true, but that is always about RJ. Of course I still have contact with her, it's not like I don't want anything to do with her. She's part of the family and she's RJ's mom, but we've never shared any personal stuff or talked about us. The marriage between Brooke and me is over and that has nothing to do with Taylor. I just don't love Brooke anymore."
"Then you should get that straightened out as soon as possible, because Brooke is solid, that you'll get back together someday."
"I already made some plans to talk to her, even before this trash came out. I made an appointment with Brooke for tomorrow. I want to tell her everything about my involvement with Taylor." Eric was relieved that Ridge wanted to fulfill his responsibility, he felt great sympathy for Brooke. He knew this news would be a blow to her and he felt sorry for her. It was not easy for him to accept the fact that Brooke and Ridge would never be together again. He as well as Brooke had secretly hoped, one day would be a reunion for the two of them. In his eyes, they had always been a perfect couple, but he was of course willing to give his new relationship with Taylor a chance; after all, he liked Taylor as much as he liked Brooke and he knew she truly loves his son and he could be happy with her. He took his son in his arms.
"Anyway, I wish you and Taylor all the best and that you will make your way together!"
While Ridge and Eric took the opportunity to discuss some business issues with each other, Taylor had stepped into the garden. A little uncertain, she walked toward Thorne. She didn't quite know how to start the conversation. It finally blurted out of Thorne.
"Honestly Taylor, I don't get it! After everything he put you through, how can you give him another chance? He's not serious! He's going to hurt you again!" Taylor tried her very best to convince Thorne how sincere and solid her relationship with Ridge was and how he had changed and was now much more responsive to her needs. She asked him to give Ridge another chance and not be so suspicious of him.
"How could I not be? After all he's done to you in the last few years, and to Brooke, and even to his children. I'll never understand why you're so attached to him. The worst is you don't see the people who really care about you and genuinely love you!" Taylor understood Thorne was now talking about himself.
"I never overlooked your feelings and I never wanted to hurt you, but there is only one person I am truly in love with and I want to be with. Don't get me wrong Thorne, I care about you very deeply. You're like a big brother to me, you've been there for me and the kids in many difficult situations and I'm very grateful for that and I really appreciate that you're still sympathetic to me and haven't condemned me to hell but we both know that this would never work and I'm not just talking about that Aly could probably never accept a relationship between us. My feelings for you are just not the same as my feelings for Ridge."
"I just hope you don't regret it one day and you don't get burned."
"That's certainly not going to happen this time." The two hugged, then they heard a throat clearing behind them.
"Am I interrupting something important?" Taylor broke free of the embrace and she walked up to Ridge and tapped his forehead, laughing. The two brothers gave each other a long definite stare. Taylor noticed Ridge pulling her very tightly.
"I'm going to go inside, it's starting to get a little chilly out here." After Thorne was gone, Ridge glanced urgently at Taylor.
"Let me guess, he's not thrilled and doesn't believe we belong together."
"Well let's just say that might take some more convincing."
"He still loves you, doesn't he?! Taylor nodded.
"But I've made it pretty clear that this is never going to happen and that I'm in love with you. So please don't start a fight with him."
"As long as he keeps his hands off of you!"
The family sat together for a long time that night. Stephanie was on cloud nine. It was such a blessing to have all her children around and the news of Ridge and Taylor was the crowning moment for her. Out of a joke Felicia brought up the topic of marriage, teasing Taylor and Ridge, when it would be their time. Taylor said she was old-fashioned in this respect and she will wait for a proposal. Thus, everyone looked tensely at Ridge, who felt very uncomfortable at that moment. Stephanie suddenly went into a complete frenzy.
"Oh my God I have a wonderful idea! What do you guys think about getting married the day after tomorrow at our summer party?!" Taylor and Ridge looked at her in bewilderment, hoping she was just joking. But she had that certain sparkle and gleam in her eye that indicated she was quite serious. Ridge cast a venomous sideways glance at Felicia, who had brought up the subject, and she shrugged guiltily.
"Mother, please let it go. We really don't want to rush this right now." Taylor nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, besides, this is your summer party, you should be the center of attention and there's really no need for a wedding! And like I said, I'm kind of old-fashioned in that regard. First I want a proper proposal with a ring and everything, and then comes the wedding."
"But that can all be organized. We still have the whole day tomorrow. I can easily plan the most beautiful wedding in that time. All that's missing is the proposal, that's your part, Ridge." Stephanie was getting more and more excited about her idea. Everyone sighed, Eric made an attempt to bring her back down to earth. But his wife wouldn't listen. Ridge had finally come up with an idea of how to gallantly get out of this situation. While his father was still arguing with his mother, he fiddled with the flower arrangement on the table and fished a piece of gold wire from the ornament. He formed the wire to a ring. Taylor watched his doing with confusion. Finally, Ridge cleared his throat.
"Listen up, everybody!" Everyone except his mother looked at him in disbelief. They couldn't imagine he would actually go along with this crazy idea. Ridge got down on his knees in front of Taylor.
"Taylor, my love, with this ring I ask you: Will you become my non-wife and not marry me at the summer party, but instead live happily with me without a marriage certificate?" Taylor's grin grew wider.
"Yes Ridge! I very much want to become your non-wife and not marry you at the summer party. I want to live happily with you without a marriage certificate." He slipped the homemade ring on her finger and they fell into each other's arms and sank into a deep intimate kiss. Everyone was laughing and cheering only Stephanie made a face, but she realized she had no chance to win this battle. They all toasted to the non-engagement.