Brooke stared at Alex in disbelief. He was trying to turn this around on her. Make this about her and Ridge and not about his own betrayal of her.
"No Alex." She said. "This is not about Ridge. It has nothing to do with Ridge. Me reaching out for Ridge was just something that I tend to do. Ridge has always been and always will be my very best friend in the world. He's always been the one I have leaned on. And you know it. Yes it is true that he hurt me when he had left me for Taylor. Left our family. But I can't be angry at him for the rest of my life. I know that he's sorry for leaving. I know that it did hurt him to do that. He knows how wrong it was. I've forgiven him for that. And because of that we still are close. We always will be. You knew when you met me that Ridge and I share a special bond. And that bond had absolutely nothing to do with me deciding to end this marriage. Alex, you are in love with another woman. You would rather be with her than with me. So I'm letting you go. It hurts me to do it because I do love you Alex but I have to do it. You need to be with Sherri. This whole charade must end."
"Our marriage is not a charade."
insisted Alex. "My love for you was never a facade. I love you Brooke."
"I know you do Alex but not the same way you love Sherri. I'm not going to allow you to hang on to me knowing that I'm second in your life. I'm not going to make the same mistake Taylor did."
"What do you mean?"
"Taylor knew that Ridge loved me more than he ever did her and she did not care. It made no difference. She was willing to be second. I'm not willing to be second. I have more self respect than that Alex. So it's over. Our marriage is over. I'm going to have Connor draw up the annulment papers and you will be free."
"Just like that?" sighed Alex.
"Just like that." repeated Brooke. She then slipped off her gold wedding band and placed it in Alex's hand. "Good-bye." She said.
Alex grasped the ring in his hand. He said nothing as he turned and walked out of the hospital room.
Brooke laid back on her bed. Tears poured out of her eyes but she knew she was doing the right thing. She wiped her tears away and took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy but somehow someway she would make it through.

Vegas

Bridget stared blankly at the view her mind spinning from the days events. Jason was mother lost the baby. Jill was pregnant. It was a lot to thought about what Jill told her about Jason's plan to break up her and Deacon. In all the time she knew him, she never realized just how cold Jason actually was.
Then to hear from Jessica that he was a paranoid schizophrenic. She couldn't wrap her mind around it.
To make things worse, despite the assurances from Jessica and from Deacon, she couldn't help but feel responsible. Jason was in love with her and she...she just drops this bomb on him about Deacon and being pregnant with his baby. But what could she do? He forced it out of her. She didn't mean to blurt it out that way. Maybe if she would have told him earlier...he could have taken it better.
Bridget then remembered his cold reaction to the news. How he said she was a cheap slut and a damn whore. He had never spoken to her that way before. Which made her wonder, what if he had gotten violent with her the way he did with Jill? What if he had..She didn't want to think about it. Bridget placed her hand on her stomach where her baby resided. If anything that had happened...she couldn't live through that again. Even having Deacon by her side loving her wouldn't make a difference. There was no way she could endure losing another child. She knew that Deacon was no Dante. He would be more loving and understanding but still...she could not possibly bear it again.
"Bridget?" a female voice said.
She turned and saw Felicia standing there. "Hello." She greeted.
"I let myself in." explained Felicia. "I had to see you. I heard what happened." Felicia said walking over to where Bridget stood. "You okay?"
"I suppose. I don't know. It's all just..."
"I know." said Felicia. "But it's over."
Bridget nodded. "I know but I just keep thinking...what would have happened if Jason had gotten violent with me the way he did Jill. He wasn't happy when I told him about me being pregnant with Deacon's baby. He was angry. He hurled insults at me. What if he would have..." Bridget began to tear up.
Felicia put her arms around her sister consoling her. "He didn't." She said. "Your baby is just fine. Don't you think about that."
"I couldn't live through that again." sobbed Bridget. "It's too painful. I couldn't do it."
"Listen to me." said Felicia holding Bridget's arms with her hands. "You are not going to have to endure that again. Your baby is just fine. Nothing is going to happen to it. Deacon loves you and he is going to see to it that nothing happens to you or your child."
"I thought Dante was going to be that way." She said quietly. "But he wasn't."
Felicia nodded. "I know. And I'm sorry. I should have encouraged him to be more understanding but I didn't. I thought of myself and my own child and not what you were going through. I'm sorry for that Bridget. I truly am."
"You don't have to apologize." Bridget said wiping her tears. "I know you are sorry. I know Dante is sorry. I know that Deacon loves me. This whole thing just shook me."
"Of course it did. You found out that Jason wasn't who you thought he was. He was scheming with some cheap trashy girl to break up you and Deacon. That's a lot to take. But you know that I'm here for you."
"I know." said Bridget. "I appreciate that."
"You need anything, you let me know." said Felicia.
"I will." replied Bridget.
Felicia hugged her and then turned to leave.
Bridget watched as she left and then turned back to the view she was staring out at. It amazed her how much everything changed in her life in just a short period of time.
Being involved with Dante, being pregnant with his child, losing his child, heading to Vegas. Meeting wonderful Deacon. Marrying Deacon. Being pregnant with his child. Jason dying. Finding out he wasn't what he seemed. The more she had dug into his past, the more she wondered how she could not see what a monster he was. She was lucky. Jill on the other hand wasn't so lucky. She could have been killed but by the grace of God she was spared. She hoped that Jill could change her life around. She had a child to think of now. That child needed it's mother no matter what horrible things Jill had done, the child needed her. Bridget was glad that Jill did see that and was glad she stood up to Jason when he told her to get an abortion. Maybe there was some hope for her after all. Maybe Jessica could help her get things in order. Bridget remembered the cheap apartment that Jill was living in. It was hideous and no place to raise a baby.
Bridget was grateful that she had this loving home in Vegas and her loving husband Deacon. Her beautiful baby was going to have both its parents around to love and nurture them.
She giggled at the thought of Deacon grumbling and stumbling out of bed for a 3 AM feeding. Bridget had a feeling he wasn't going to enjoy that part. Or changing the baby. If he thought that he was getting out of that, he was mistaken. She also thought of the crazy mornings of going to work with pancake batter in her hair or baby spit on her blouse. Being totally exhausted after a long day and finally getting the baby to sleep only to have Deacon want sex and she wanting to hit him with her pillow. It would be hard and a lot of work but she knew she could handle it. She wouldn't be alone. Deacon was with her. And she had Daisy and Brett. Plus Gina. And when she had the time, her mother could come visit. Or she could go to L.A. and visit her. She knew that Rick and Amber would love to also visit their little niece or nephew. Her family would be there for her. She could count on father too. Yes he didn't handle the news very well when she told him and she really didn't
blame him but she wasn't a little girl anymore. She knew what she was doing. He
did come around to see it. He told her he was looking forward to seeing his grandchild. So was Stephanie.
Bridget wished Deacon had more family. She did meet his aunt once and she liked her alot. Gina didn't have anymore siblings. Deacon's father had one brother who died five years ago. She knew nothing about Mark Sharpe's parents. And she really didn't know what became of Mark after he split. A friend of her's told her he was living in Connecticut with some rich woman named Suzanna Jackson who owned some investment firm or something. Gina had received child support checks from him when Deacon was a child but they came from a PO Box number and she had no way of tracking him down. He was gone and that was that.
It made Bridget sad to know that her baby wouldn't know their grandfather but there wasn't anything she could really do about it. It would still have its terrific grandmothers. Gina and Brooke. She knew they would both spoil the child rotten.
Bridget was lost in her thoughts when she heard the doorbell ring. Deacon was at his club so she went inside to answer the door. She opened it and gasped.
There stood a man who resembled what Deacon may look like when he was older.
He had Deacon's good looks and blue eyes. He had a touch of silver on the side but his hair was the same shade as Deacon's and almost cut the same way.
"Hello." The man said. "You must be Bridget. I'm Mark. Mark Sharpe. Deacon's father."

L.A.

Brooke had been discharged from the hospital and she arrived home shortly after. She opened the
door and stepped in. She looked around and saw there were a few things missing. Alex must have packed up a few things and moved out. She was glad. She didn't feel like facing him and the sooner it was all over the contacted Connor from the limo and he promised to get the annulment papers to her right away.
Brooke walked into the living room and sat down. Well she was going to be Brooke Logan again. It was best this way. She meant what she said to Alex. She wasn't going to be second in his life. No way she was going to do that. If and when she ever met another, she was going to make damn sure that he loved her and her alone. There would be no other woman lurking and waiting. She had enough of that. Either she was first and the only woman he wanted or no deal. It was as simple as that.
Brooke was grateful that Bridget would not have to endure that. Deacon was madly in love with her. She saw the way he treated her and how much love he showered upon Bridget. It was exactly what Brooke wished for her daughter. None of this constant heartbreak that she seemed to go through all the time. And Rick was happy as well. Amber adored him. She was a terrific wife and a wonderful mother to his children. Brooke was happy knowing that her two children had good solid marriages. She did wish she could have that herself at some point but knowing her children were well off pleased her.
Maybe someday the right one will come along. She wasn't going to give up that hope. It was something to hold onto. No, she wasn't going to be bitter and angry and scream about how unfair it was. No. She was going to press on and believe that somewhere there was someone who was for her. She had believed for a long time that Ridge was that someone. To be honest, she never really stopped believing it even when she was married to Alex.
That could be part of the reason that Alex sought out Sherri. Maybe deep down knew that's what she felt. Brooke was no longer sure Ridge was the one although she had to admit it was very hard for her not to think so. When she had turned and saw him standing there by the pool at that Forrester party and she looked into his eyes, she knew. But so many forces driving them apart, it was so hard to fight them all.
What she needed was a break. A break from it all. She wanted to concentrate on making Forrester Creations the best it could be and being there for her children and her grandchildren.
Brooke picked up a photo album and began flipping through it. She smiled at a picture of Bridget when she was a little girl. About three years old. Ridge was in the picture as well. He was helping her with a big wheel bike they bought her. It was pink and white. Had pink hearts on the white wheel. Bridget looked so cute and Ridge...Brooke sighed. Ridge looked so proud. It was before everything was ripped to shreds. When Ridge was Bridget's father. When they were a happy family. Would she ever get to feel that way again?
Brooke continued to flip through the album. She found another picture. Rick in his baseball uniform. He was the star shortstop for his team in little league. Eric had been away on business and he was not able to attend one of the games. Ridge had stepped in. He spent two days helping Rick with his defense on the field and Rick made a great play that won the game. Ridge was so proud of him as was Brooke. It was yet another time, Brooke felt like a happy family with Ridge. So many times, she felt the way. So many times, it was taken away.
She was starting to wonder if was just not meant to be or if she just didn't fight hard enough. Should she fight for that again or should she just let it go because it was hopeless? Part of her wanted to. Part of her didn't. And if she did decide to fight for that, would she get hurt again? And who would she be fighting for? Alex? Or Ridge?

Vegas

Bridget stared speechless not knowing what to do. Deacon's father was standing in front of her.
Mark Sharpe. The one who took off and left Deacon and Gina.
Finally she found her voice.."Um...uh...Hello...what..what brings you here?"
"I had to meet you. My son's wife. I read about your marriage in the paper."
"Oh I see." said Bridget.
"Look I know it's a shock, me just showing up like this. Out of nowhere and I know you probably think I'm scum."
"Well." said Bridget. "To be honest, I don't really know a whole lot about you. Gina just said that you left when Deacon was almost two. You sent her child support checks but that was about it."
"Yeah." said Mark.
"I did. And I feel so stupid for doing that. I was a louse. And I let that stupid Suzanna...what a bitch. I messed things up and I swear I'm sorry. I know you don't owe me anything but please...I want to make things right. I know I had years to do that and I was a coward. I get that. I'm here now. Please will you help me?"
Bridget didn't know what to say. Help him? He wanted her help? The man who just up and left his son and Gina wanted her help? They haven't heard from him in years and he just now shows up. "I don't know." replied Bridget. "I don't know if I can help you."
"I understand." said Mark. He dug into his pocket and handed her a scrap of paper. "This is my phone number. Please give it to Gina or Deacon. Please I really want to see them. I swear I'm not trying to get money out of them or anything. This is not some scam. I swear on my life it's not. I just want to try to fix what I screwed up. Please. Please say you'll give them my number."
"Okay." said Bridget. "I will."
"Thank you." smiled
Mark. "You are a remarkable woman Bridget. I'm glad my son married you."
Bridget nodded and said nothing. Mark turned and left as Bridget shut
the stared at the piece of paper in her hand. What was she going to do? Should she tell Gina? Should she tell Deacon? She wasn't sure that either of them would want to see Mark. Not that she blamed them. On the other hand, maybe he was being sincere. Maybe he did want to make up for the hurt he caused. It was possible.
Bridget didn't know the whole story of what happened. Gina didn't speak much about it. Well maybe they should try. If they can in anyway be a family again, it would be worth it.
Bridget went over to the phone and picked it up. She dialed and waited. "Gina? Hi it's Bridget. I'm fine. Everything's fine. Um listen there's something I need to tell you. I don't want to do it over
the phone. Can you fly back to Vegas? Please it's important...Okay I'll see you then. Bye."
Bridget hung up the phone. "I hope I'm doing the right thing." She sighed.