Taylor returns the favor!
Taylor's injury had completely subsided. Tomorrow night, the business dinner would finally take place. In the past few days Ridge had freaked out himself and checked his sketches again and again to see if he could still improve something. At one point, Taylor had vigorously snatched the portfolio out of his hand and told him not to drive himself crazy.
Taylor just said goodbye to a patient and had a 20-minute break until her next appointment. She had a full schedule today and tonight she was on duty at the hospital. She was savoring a cup of coffee when Ridge called her.
"Hey Doc, you won't believe what happened!" Ridge sounded very agitated.
"What's going on?"
"Mr. Marson just called me and asked if we could postpone the dinner to tonight. Something came up for tomorrow night." Taylor couldn't believe it.
"And what did you say?"
"Of course I agreed, I mean after all he was also immediately cooperative when I asked him and I finally want to get this done!" Taylor became very thoughtful.
"I understand that, of course..."
"I just wanted to let you know, too bad you have your shift at the hospital today, but unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it. But I'm sure Mr. Marson and his wife will show some comprehension for the situation. I mean it's not our fault when they change the date on short notice."
"Yes indeed..." Taylor mused, she was about to say something but Ridge interrupted her.
"I have to go now. I have to call the restaurant and make the arrangements and then I have to go home soon to get ready. Will you think of me when I beard the lion in his den?
"Of course I will. I love you."
"I love you too!" After Ridge hung up, Taylor thought hard. Then she called for her assistant. She wanted to know what other appointments she had today.
"The next one is Mrs. Peterson with her daughter and then you have two new patients, a marriage counseling."
"Good, I will take care of Mrs. Peterson and her daughter myself, but I would be very grateful if you could take care of the new patients. Give them our questionnaire and do the usual tests with them. You know the drill!"
"Of course, and what about your shift at the hospital?"
"I'll take care of that right now."
Taylor hung onto the phone, calling colleague after colleague to find someone who would cover her shift. Finally, after several attempts and some begging, one colleague agreed to fill in for her on short notice.
After finishing her session, Taylor was in a hurry to get home. Time was quite short, but she could still make it. As fast as she could, she rushed through the traffic. At home, she took the fastest shower of her life and got ready at a record pace. Before she knew it, she was back in her car and on her way to the restaurant.
Ridge, meanwhile, was sitting, very nervous and tense in the private dining room he had reserved. A waiter was finishing setting the table and said everything was ready. Ridge thanked him for responding so flexibly to the change in reservation.
"Please sir, this is not a problem for us at all." The waiter left him alone, Ridge went over his notes again for his presentation. There was a knock on the door. Ridge was irritated, it was actually a little bit too early for Mr. Marson and his wife. The waiter appeared.
"Mr. Forrester, your wife is here!" Ridge looked a little puzzled at first. He was speechless when Taylor appeared at the door. The waiter discreetly withdrew. Ridge joyfully approached and took her in his arms.
"Doc?! What are you doing here?"
"Well what do you think? Supporting you to get the job."
"But I thought...you said you had so many appointments today and the hospital..."
"I arranged everything! My assistant is taking care of my patients and I found someone to switch my shift with!"
"But..."
"No but! You're more important to me than anything, this is your big night! I can't let you beard the lion in his den alone!" Ridge didn't know what to say. He pulled her to him and gave her a long kiss. "And are you nervous yet?"
"Aw come on, I'm calm as a cucumber!" Taylor grinned. She knew Ridge all too well to know that wasn't true.
Shortly after there was another knock at the door and Mr. Marson and his wife entered. Ridge and Taylor walked up to them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Marson, it's so good to see you! May I introduce you to Dr. Taylor Hayes, the love of my life." Taylor smiled briefly at him and greeted the Marson couple warmly. Mr. Marson shook her hand.
"It's an honor to meet you. I hope you are feeling better after your accident? My wife and I were very concerned when we heard about it."
"Oh, that's very thoughtful of you, I'm feeling excellent again. Thank you for asking!"
"We're glad to hear that and we apologize for the change in plans. We're very grateful you were willing to do this on such short notice."
"Please, it's not a problem at all!" Ridge rebuffed him. The waiter led them to the table. He took their order for the aperitif and provided them with small appetizers. Mr. Marson and his wife were very pleasant people, a little old-fashioned and formal perhaps, but Ridge and Taylor realized soon, they were two kind-hearted people. They had two daughters, the eldest had moved to Sydney to start her own business and the younger one was in the process of becoming a junior manager in her father's company. They had a stimulating conversation about how hard it was to be a parent on one side and the boss on the other side. The waiter was serving the main course, unknowingly he put Taylor in a quite embarrassing situation. Ridge had ordered an expensive 'Chardonnay' for everyone. When the waiter wanted to pour her a glass, Taylor turned him down, saying she'd stick with her water. After the waiter withdrew again, Mrs. Marson approached her, concerned. "Don't you like 'Chardonnay'? You should at least try it, it tastes very good!" Taylor was terribly uncomfortable, for a moment she sheepishly looked down at the floor. But before she could say anything, Ridge saved the day. He laughed.
"You know, we came with our own car and we have an agreement that whoever drives home doesn't drink any alcohol. We flip a coin every time and this time to my fortune my adorable wife lost." Taylor smiled gratefully at him. She would prefer to jump in his arms and smother him with kisses. She replied.
"Well, Unlucky at cards, Lucky in love!" Mr. and Mrs. Marson joined in the laughter.
"A very wise decision." added Mr. Marson appreciatively. Neither he nor his wife noticed Taylor surreptitiously reached under the table and squeezed Ridge's hand. The meal passed without further bumps. Mrs. Marson perked up when Taylor told about her obligation at the orphanage. In addition to her duties in her husband's company, she was also very active as a volunteer and was involved in several charities. After dinner, Ridge and Mr. Marson retired to talk about business. Taylor sat down with Mrs. Marson. She took a lively interest in Taylor's profession and asked her all sorts of questions, such as whether it wasn't difficult not to take her patients' conflicts home with her. Taylor, who enjoyed talking about her profession, answered each question willingly. Taylor wanted to know from Mrs. Marson about her duties at the company and how she was dealing with the fact that her daughter moved so far away. Finally, Mrs. Marson asked if Taylor knew what idea Ridge was about to present to her husband. Enthusiastically, Taylor described Ridge's concept to her. She recognized Taylor stood completely behind Ridge. As she talked with Mrs. Marson Taylor kept squinting at the men. However, she wasn't able to figure out if Mr. Marson liked the idea or not.
In the end, they said a friendly heartwarming goodbye to each other. While the Marsons took a cab home, Taylor and Ridge sat down in the bar area and ordered another drink.
"So tell me, how did it go?" Ridge made a critical face.
"Well...I don't know...I'm not sure...I'm afraid..." Taylor couldn't stand his stammering any longer.
"Are you trying to say he didn't like the idea?" Ridge couldn't contain himself any longer. He beamed all over his face.
"On the contrary, he was thrilled! Maybe we still need to discuss the finer points. He had some minor suggestions for improvement, but overall I think I convinced him."
"That's wonderful, I'm so proud of you! Full of admiration, she hugged and kissed him. He looked into her eyes.
"But I couldn't have done it without you, the way you've got Mr. Marson wrapped around your finger, and Mrs. Marson was hanging on every word you said. If I get the job, it's also partly thanks to you." Taylor blushed.
"Oh, come on, your idea is great. I have only made a small contribution."
"Totally modest, as usual! But I think we both did a convincing job."
"Yeah, we're just a real dream team!"
"You're right Doc!'' They were in such a good mood that they decided to stay and dance. It was past midnight when they arrived at home, both totally exhilarated and exuberant. Taylor glanced at him seductively.
"And where's my reward for messing up with my schedule and rushing through the city just to stand by you?" Ridge grinned mischievously at her. Without a word, he lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom. Later they lay in a tight embrace catching their breath. Softly Ridge stroked her face. It was bright red and her cheeks were still glowing. There was this radiant gleam in her eyes that always appeared when they made love. Taylor curled up in his arms.
"I think in the future I'll join you to your business meetings more often, if the rewards are always so commensurate." Ridge chuckled and played with her hair.
"I wouldn't complain about this at all. I can't tell or show you enough how grateful I am for tonight and how much I appreciate your support"
"That went without saying Ridge. Last time you dropped everything to take care of me. Today it was just the other way around. One hand washes the other. After all, that's how it should be when you're in love and in a relationship, am I right?"
"Absolutely Doc!" Taylor soon fell asleep snuggled up against him. Ridge gazed at her dreamily. At that moment he realized once again how much he loved her and how lucky he was to have her by his side.
