The two women in Ridge's life!

The next day was Eric and Stephanie's big summer party. In the afternoon, Taylor and Ridge rode with the kids to the Forrester mansion to help with the final preparations. Stephanie was in high spirits and she was no longer mad at Taylor for her behavior the day before. Seeing the happiness of Ridge and Taylor and the fact that the talk with Brooke didn't change anything, she realized Taylor was probably right. They were perfectly capable of handling the situation on their own. Stephanie simply looked forward to spending time with her family. Finally everything was prepared. A magnificent buffet had been prepared, the garden was beautifully decorated with lanterns, lights and torches. There were small tables all around. Flowers and candles were floating in the pool and a dance floor had been set up. The musicians were just setting up their instruments. Taylor and Steffy said their goodbyes, they needed to go home to freshen up and change. Ridge and Thomas had brought their suits with them and were getting ready at the Forrester mansion. Ridge waved to Taylor and his daughter.

"See you later! I've already ordered a ride for you guys."

Steffy, wearing a red-white summer dress stepped into her mother's bedroom.

"Mom, could you please help me with my hair." Steffy froze when she saw her mother. She was still in her robe, some of her clothes scattered on the bed. "Mom, what are you doing? Our car will be here any minute. Why aren't you ready yet?" Taylor sighed in exasperation.

"I just don't know what to wear! I don't have a suitable dress for this evening."

"Oh come on, you have plenty of beautiful dresses!"

"Yeah, but I just want to look really special."

"I see. You want to outshine all the women that night, or at least a certain one! Am I right?" Taylor smiled sheepishly, but gave her no answer.

"You better help me!" she urged her daughter. Steffy checked the clothes and finally pulled out a beautiful white summer dress.

"How about this one?"

"All white? Are you crazy? This makes me look like a bride, if I show up like this, your grandmother will call the minister right away!"

"Okay, you have a point." Steffy pulled out a short, sexy black dress.

"And how about this one?"

"All black? This is a summer party, not a funeral!" Steffy hissed through her teeth.

"Fine, no black then either." She pulled out a floral colorful strapless dress.

"And how about this one? It's perfect for a summer party."

"I don't know, don't you think it's a little too gaudy? With this dress I look like a livid candy store." Steffy cried out.

"Mom, you're driving me crazy." Just then, the front doorbell rang. "I'll get it, if that's our driver, you really should hurry." Steffy rushed down the stairs. At the door was a delivery man. "Package for Dr. Taylor Hayes?!"

"Yes, that's my mom." Steffy accepted her mother's delivery and headed back into the bedroom with it.

"Who was it?" her mother asked curiously.

"There's a package for you. Were you hitting the stores on Rodeo Drive yesterday?"

"No, I didn't buy or order anything. That's weird." Taylor started to open the package, on the tissue paper was a card 'For the Queen of the night! Love Ridge' Hastily Taylor pushed the paper aside. Inside was a magnificent gold- silver dress.

"Wow, Dad really has a good taste!" commented Steffy appreciatively. Taylor's face was beaming. She disappeared into her dressing room and came out in the new dress. "Wow, you will be the eye-catcher of the night! Brooke doesn't stand a chance against you." Taylor and Steffy were now helping each other with their hair. Shortly after, the doorbell rang again. This had to be their ride. As they trotted out, both of their mouths dropped open. "A limo? Dad is really pulling out all the stops." Mother and daughter enjoyed the ride to the Forrester mansion, which ended all too soon.

They were one of the first. Only Felicia, Kristen and Thorne were already there. The two ladies were greeted warmly by the three of them. Steffy asked Thorne where Aly was, he said she was currently at a summer camp. Taylor explained to Ridge's great regret, RJ had not come either. He had been invited on a sailing trip by a school friend and his parents. Felicia gave Taylor great compliments about her dress.

"Just stunning! It's a big advantage being in a relationship with a famous designer."

"Yes, that's one of Ridge's great assets."

"What about me?" The man of the moment just joined the group. He first hugged his daughter and then wrapped Taylor in his arms.

"I was just complimenting your sweetheart on her dress, but really, the compliment has to go to you." Ridge gave Taylor a peek on the cheek.

"Well, a designer is only as good as his inspiration."

"And Ridge has had a lot of inspiration recently. He showers me with dresses."

"Aha! So that's how he got you. That's why you went after him. Now we've got you!" teased Kristen her.

"That's not true. I would have fallen for Ridge even if he would just give me sloppy shirts." She glanced at him in love, and he pulled her closer.

"And even in those, you'd still look sexy." he said half aloud. They shared a tender kiss. Steffy and Thomas rolled their eyes. They hoped this sweet nonsense wouldn't continue all night long. As time went by, more and more guests arrived. Besides the family, all the immediate employees of Forrester Creation were invited, as well as some friends and business associates. Many curious glances wandered to Ridge and Taylor. Most of them had read the article and wondered if it was true. One look at them proved to everyone that the tabloid was speaking the truth and the two were indeed a couple again. Brooke, perfectly styled from head to toe, also entered with her folks. She came together with her sisters Donna and Katie, the latter were accompanied by Bill Spencer. With them was also her daughter Hope along with her boyfriend Liam, and Rick and his girlfriend Caroline. The guests gradually took their seats at the tables.

The Forresters were all seated at one table. Stephanie, Eric, Felicia, Kristen with her son Zehde, Pam, Ridge and Taylor with Thomas and Steffy. Not far away sat Brooke with her family. The entire time poisonous glances flew from this table to Ridge and Taylor. The latter, however, tried their best to ignore the stares. When everyone was seated, Eric took the microphone, thanked everyone for their coming, and declared the buffet open. At the Forrester table they had a great time. They were all chatting, joking and laughing. At the Logan/Spencer table, however, the mood was far less jovial. Brooke couldn't take her eyes off of Ridge and Taylor. Disgusted, she kept looking in their direction. Seeing the two so enamored and intimate with each other struck her to the core. It stirred her up, watching Ridge to be the perfect gentleman and get Taylor everything she wanted from the buffet. How Taylor wheeled out the crabs for him and fed him with them. Brooke was absolutely sure this was all just a show and she wondered how Ridge could be so cruel to her. But she would convince him tonight that she was the woman of his life. Rick also stared very disapprovingly at his half-brother. Just then, Ridge put his arm around Taylor and gave her a sweet kiss. Sympathetically, he took his mother in his arms.

"Now don't keep looking, Mom! You really don't have to do that to yourself." Hope agreed with her brother.

"They could really pull themself together a little more, it's really disgusting the way those two flaunt their happiness to everyone.'' Brooke was grateful for her children's support.

Taylor and Ridge, on the other hand, didn't care how they looked to Brooke and the other people. They loved each other and everyone could see that. They had no intention of hiding themselves or their feelings. They enjoyed the atmosphere. Finally the band started to play, the first dance belonged to Eric and Stephanie, after that the dance floor was open for everyone. Ridge didn't take long to ask Taylor to dance with him. As the two twirled around the dance floor, Felicia gazed at them with a big smile.

"They really do make a beautiful couple and they seem so in love. I'm so happy for Ridge and for Taylor too. They both deserve it."

"Yeah, it really seems like it's going to be for real this time." Even Thorne had to agree with his sisters that they looked very harmonious and content. After dancing together for quite a while, Ridge and Taylor returned to the table a little exhausted. Ridge leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and put his arm around his sweetheart. The latter made herself comfortable, cuddled up on his shoulder.

"It really is a beautiful party!" commented Taylor to the group. Her daughter agreed with her.

"Yes really, a great party and so amazingly peaceful."

"Well wait and see, the evening is not over yet. Who knows what else will happen, or rather what some might be up to."

"Now give us a break Thomas, Brooke may be a little unrestrained at times, but she knows exactly how to behave at an event like this." Thomas and Steffy were not as convinced as their father. Later that evening, they watched Brooke speaking eagerly to one of the musicians and kept squinting toward Ridge. An uneasy feeling crept inside them. Three songs later, Brooke positioned herself very close to their table and gave the musician an unobtrusive signal. The latter now grabbed the microphone.

"And now a very special song that has a very big meaning for two people here.'' Everyone looked up eagerly to see what song would come now. Shortly after, a common sigh went up from the Forrester table and a few heads were shaken disapprovingly. The band had started playing the song "Unforgettable." Everyone knew that this could only be Brooke's work. Brooke stared expectantly at Ridge. When the music started, he flinched for a moment. Steffy and Thomas hurled venomous glances at Brooke. Taylor tried hard to keep up her facade. Ridge gave her a reassuring hug and whispered to her she shouldn't take Brooke's move so much to heart. Brooke kept looking at Ridge, who was not responding at all as she had expected. She couldn't understand why he didn't ask her to dance. After all, the band was playing their song, this had to be important for him. In the end, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She stepped towards him and with a seductive smile she held out her hand.

"Hey Ridge, how about a dance to our song, for old times sake." Most members at the table stared at her in disbelief about her boldness. They all couldn't understand how she could really be so brazen. Eric found the gesture touching, but not necessarily appropriate in the current situation. Then Ridge rose and for a brief moment they all feared he would actually take Brooke up on her offer. Instead, he just raised his hands apologetically.

"I'm sorry, but I've already promised this dance to someone else." He walked over to his daughter and bowed.

"May I have this dance!" With a satisfied grin, Steffi accepted her father's arm and sauntered with him to the dance floor. Thomas grinned broadly all over his face. Taylor was visibly relieved that Ridge hadn't gotten involved in Brooke's games. She watched emotionally as he made his rounds with his daughter instead. Brooke's features had all slipped from her face. No one had humiliated her so terribly in a long time. The fact that Ridge was dancing to this song with Steffy, that little beast, was almost worse than if he had asked Taylor. Angry and disappointed, she turned and disappeared into the house. Donna and Katie, who had been watching the scene from their table, eagerly rushed after her to offer her comfort. They couldn't understand Ridge, they thought it was a beautiful gesture on Brooke's part and Ridge really could have done that one dance with her. Stephanie, on the other hand, was pleased. She was mighty proud of her son, she was now truly convinced that Ridge was finally free of Brooke's curse.

A little later, Taylor was in the powder room redoing her makeup and washing her hands. She was about to leave when Brooke walked in the door. The latter gave Taylor a bitter look and headed straight for her, forcing Taylor to back into the room.

"Not so fast! Now we can finally have a little chat." Taylor actually had little desire to argue with Brooke.

"I don't see what we have much to talk about?!"

"Like how you made a pass at my husband!" Taylor laughed mockingly.

"Your husband? You may not have noticed it, but Ridge and you haven't been married for a long time and he broke up with you. Do you understand? He doesn't live with you anymore! You're not a couple any longer!"

"Ridge and I have and will always be married to each other in our hearts, no matter what it says on paper. So keep your paws off him! He's mine!" Brooke looked at her threateningly

"Brooke please, just let it go, okay? The fact is, he lives with me now, we love each other and whether you accept that or not, that's not going to change anything."

"You seem pretty damn sure of yourself this time! You really think your nasty game worked out?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about?"

"About how the whole thing was a set-up between you and your annoying brats. You did everything you could to separate Ridge from me so you could hook up with him again!" Taylor stepped decidedly closer to her.

"That's enough Brooke! First don't insult my kids in my presence, I warn you. And furthermore, neither Thomas, Steffy, nor I have influenced or manipulated Ridge in any way. He is with me because that's where he wants to be!"

"You don't believe that, yourself! Ridge hasn't loved you for a long time, in fact he has never loved you. I've always been the woman in his heart. I can tell you what it's been like. Ridge was certainly very distraught and vulnerable when he left for San Francisco, and you shamelessly took advantage of that to throw yourself at him." Taylor rolled her eyes.

"At the risk of bursting your bubble, that's not at all what happened. Whether you believe me or not, when I left LA back then, I was really convinced that I had to let Ridge go for good, that I had to finally accept that he was with you, and you know what?! The whole time I lived in San Francisco, I had no contact with him and I learned to realize that we were never going to get back together. And then when Ridge suddenly showed up, I was anything but thrilled at first. But after we put our differences aside, we got close again and we both fell in love with each other. It wasn't planned or anything, it just happened. And now we're building a future together, he's not coming back to you. Why should he? He's been doing a lot better since we've been involved." Brooke groaned.

"Yeah the old story, I don't deserve him. I've hurt him over and over again, unlike you blah blah blah." mimicked Brooke Taylor.

"That's exactly how it's been. Every time you won Ridge back, you didn't care about his feelings anymore; worse you let him down every single time. Why do you think Ridge always came to me for comfort and encouragement even during your marriage?! You certainly gave him plenty of fun, adventure and what else, but I provided him true love and support."

"That's your perspective! The fact is, I love him and he loves me. We're meant for each other and there's nothing you can do about that!"

"Is that so? Then I'm just wondering, why does he live with me and not you?! Now Brooke was getting very close to her.

"Now let me tell you something, you should have a little more respect for me, you know as well as I do that I can destroy your little fantasy any time!"

"Oh yes, that's very interesting and how?"

"You know perfectly well that all I have to do is snap my finger.." She snapped with her finger. "...and Ridge comes crawling back to me and drops you like a hot potato. If I may give you some advice, you'd better give up right now!" Taylor looked Brooke straight in her eyes

"You know what? I'm all too happy to give you that advice back!" Taylor had finally had enough, she pushed past Brooke to the door. She turned around one last time.

"One more thing Brooke! Slap one of my kids again and you will regret it! That's a promise!"

She turned on her heel and left. In the hallway, she took a deep breath, then made her way back to the backyard. That's when Ridge met her halfway. He rushed up to her and put his hands around her shoulders. He looked at her appraisingly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Well, I knew you were going to freshen up and I overheard in a conversation between Donna and Katie that Brooke was going to the powder room as well, so I figured I'd better check before there was any killing going on."

"As you can see, nothing happened to me. I'm still alive and I'm perfectly fine!"

"And what about Brooke?"

"When I left the room, she wasn't missing a hair." At that exact moment, Brooke stepped out into the hallway looking completely unharmed. She cast a withering glance in their direction and stalked off. Ridge looked at Taylor urgently.

"Okay, what happened between you two?

"Nothing!" Taylor feigned innocence. "Just a clarifying woman to woman conversation!" At that moment, the band started playing again. Taylor hugged Ridge, gave him a kiss and pulled him with her.

"Come on, you promised me a night full of music and dancing!" For the moment, Ridge relented and the two headed back to the party and the dance floor.

It wasn't until they were back home and climbed into their bed that Ridge brought up the subject again. Taylor gave him a glimpse of their conversation. Defeated, he shook his head.

"I wonder if I live long enough to see you two getting along for more than five minutes?!"

"Not in this lifetime!" gave Taylor defiantly. Ridge was astounded about her fierce reaction.

"I didn't realize you were so feisty!" She looked at him mischievously.

"When someone hits me, I can extend my claws, too." She made the typical hand motions. Ridge laughed and pulled her close.

"My wild kitten!" They sank passionately into each other's arms and were indulged in their feelings. Any thought of Brooke was forgotten.