Taylor strikes back!
Over the next few weeks Taylor and Ridge settled back in LA completely. They were both busy with their work, but made sure to spend enough time together. Like she had told Stephanie Taylor offered the colleague, who had run her practice during her absence, a partnership. This gave her more space for her family and her charity work. Taylor had found a new intriguing project. At the children's medical unit of the General Hospital was a daycare for siblings, then often parents were forced to bring their other children with them to the hospital. One or two afternoons a week, depending on her schedule, Taylor volunteered at the daycare. She loved the time with the children. Along, she supported the families, offered talks to the parents and paid visits to the little patients.
Ridge also delegated some of his duties to free up his time. In addition, they both worked at home as often as possible. They had set up a new large office, where each had their workspace, just like in San Francisco. They enjoyed spending their time together this way. Another change in the house was their master bedroom. They had gotten rid of all the old furniture and given the room a total new look. They thought the fresh start should be visually apparent as well. Also both of them had their own personal motivation for this step. Taylor no longer wanted to be reminded of all the depressive hours she had spent in the old room. Ridge was much more comfortable with the new room, now he really had the feeling it was his room too. Before, he had felt like kind of an intruder, now he felt at home.
For Thomas and Steffy, it was still a miracle to see their parents so happily united. They loved the new spirit in the house and they found it wonderful to be spoiled by their mother again. In the evenings, they often all sat together, played games, watched movies, or just talked about anything. It was exactly the family life they both always dreamed about. Plus now since their parents had each other and they didn't have to worry about them any longer, they were free to concentrate on their own life.
There was only one small obstacle; Brooke. Still she never let out an opportunity to get close to Ridge and throw herself on him, no matter how forcefully he asked her to drop her advances. He tried to reason with her, but Brooke just laughed every time and told him to stop pretending already. She was convinced Ridge was still in love with her and she would eventually win him back. After all, she had always managed it so far. Thomas and Steffy were more than pissed off by her behavior and it cost them a lot of effort to hold back and control themself. In addition, everyone in the company whispered about the Taylor/Ridge/Brooke triangle. Some gossiped about if and when Brooke would succeed in getting Ridge back into her clutches.
Taylor took the situation much harder than she wanted. She was trying everything to keep her composure. She knew there was no reason for her to worry. Ridge proved to her every day how much he loved her and she had no reason at all to mistrust or blame him. He didn't give her the slightest hint to believe Brooke's advances would make an impression on him in any way. Still she struggled with the fact that everyday Brooke came up with a new idea to steal Ridge away from her and there was nothing she could do about it. But she tried to remain calm. No way was she going to give Brooke too much power over her. The days of Brooke being an ongoing issue in her marriage were over. Instead she used any chance she got to demonstrate to Brooke she was now the woman on Ridge's side. In fact, none of Brooke's efforts had worked so far.
One day she had appeared at Taylor's. With a sweet innocent smile, she explained.
"Ridge asked me to look over these papers and since I was just in the neighborhood, I thought it's easier to drop them off here quickly." Taylor accepted the documents and as she was about to place them on Ridge's desk, a small letter fell out. It was a handwritten note from Brooke. She thanked him for a wonderful night and hoped for a rerun very soon. With lipstick, she had added a kiss mouth. Taylor glanced suspiciously at the note and pondered. Ridge had spent every night at home lately except for one night a few days ago. He had been out with some Highschool friends, who all had happened to be in town. At least that's what he told her. Taylor shook her head.
"No, don't go there! He would never do that, he loves you! That is just another nasty scheme!" she told herself. She suppressed the uneasy feeling and decided to talk to Ridge first before she drew some wrong conclusions. When she showed him the note, his reaction made it clear to her that this had been just another of Brooke's ploys. He stared at the note, first surprised, shocked and then very angry, saying it was all a lie. He had only been at Brooke's that night to drop off the papers and he left immediately. Taylor trusted him and the matter was resolved.
Another time, Brooke overheard Ridge asking Pam to organize a romantic evening for him and Taylor. Without further ado, she rescheduled a business dinner for that very same evening. At the end, Ridge saw through her sharade. He outsmarted her by showing up to the business dinner with Taylor. All night long Brooke was forced to watch the idyll between Ridge and Taylor. Not wanting to embarrass herself in front of their business partner, she put on a good face, but secretly she was furious.
Taylor had her first appointment that day in the afternoon, so she decided to stop by at Forrester Creation to spend her lunch break with Ridge. When she arrived at his office, Pam had obviously already gone to lunch. The door was just ajar and she could hear Ridge and Brooke talking. She was speaking in her sweet voice, while he sounded rather annoyed.
"Ridge, now tell me, what do you think of my idea?"
"Brooke, I just explained to you, you know the usual procedure when someone wants to make any suggestions for a new line. Develop a concept and present it to the forum and we will all vote on it. Of course, you should think about which designer you want to work with."
"Well, there's really only one that comes to my mind!" She hugged him, he brushed her off.
"Forget it, I'm the CEO of this company and I have my own line with 'Onique-Style'. I've got enough to keep myself busy. But the house is full of talents. You have your pick of the litter."
"Oh come on Ridge, you're the only one who really understands my vision."
"I'm sure you'll find someone else to share your vision with. By the way, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me alone now. I would like to go on my lunch break."
"That's an excellent idea! We could have lunch together."
"I doubt a restaurant would let you in wearing this outfit."
Taylor had enough; she would put an immediate end to Brooke's games. Energetically, she knocked on the door and rushed inside.
"Hey sweetheart!" She stormed up to Ridge and greeted him with a big kiss.
"Hey Doc, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
"Well, as your wife, I know you pretty well, you probably have an endless amount of work and I thought I better make sure you have your lunch break." She showed him the picnic basket she was carrying.
"Mmm, you remind me every day why I married you." He lovingly pulled her closer and kissed her. Brooke scowled at the sight.
"Oh, isn't that sweet. What a nice picture of a good devoted housewife. Whereas with that basket, you could easily audition for 'Little Red Riding Hood'." She gave Taylor a wry look.
"Not a bad idea Brooke. At least, I take care of all Ridge's needs. Besides, it seems like you have never read any fairy tales to your kids. Otherwise you'd know that 'Little Red Riding Hood' meets the big bad wolf, not the witch." They both frowned at each other.
"Oh you're trying to be funny for a change."
"And you don't seem to have changed at all." She pointed with a finger at the negligee Brooke was wearing.
"I was just presenting Ridge my idea for a new collection. We're going to reactivate 'Brooke's Bedroom Line', but when I see your style, that's something you have no understanding for." Mockingly, she looked down at Taylor's business outfit.
"Well, you know I actually have a serious profession, which unfortunately doesn't involve running around half-naked. Unlike you, I know which appearance is appropriate. The sight of me in lingerie is reserved for my husband only." She squinted mischievously over at Ridge, who couldn't help but grin broadly.
"Well, judging by Ridge's strained face lately, your private life can't be that great. If you'd like, I'd be happy to give you some advice."
"Oh, that's very sweet of you. But you don't have to worry about our marriage at all. Ridge and I harmonize perfectly together. In and out the bedroom." Brooke had to control herself very hard not to attack Taylor and scratch that disgusting grin off her face.
"You know, I'd love to invite you to have lunch with us, but unfortunately this is a meal for two."
"I'd rather swallow poison! Bye Ridge! I'll see you later, alone!" With a final blink, she left the office.
Ridge stared at his wife, aghast.
"Don't give me that look Ridge! I promised you I will no longer see Brooke as a threat to our marriage and I don't, but you can't expect me to stay silent and listen to her crap!" Ridge pulled her onto his lap, taking her into his arms.
"I know the situation isn't easy for you Doc and I appreciate how you're handling it, but you should avoid any open confrontations with Brooke."
"I'm just trying to make her understand whose husband you are." She kissed him passionately. He pulled her even closer, returning her kisses and tickling her tenderly with his nose.
"Come on, let's not talk about Brooke anymore. I'm starving and I can't wait to see all the goodies you've brought."
Brooke, meanwhile, stormed into her office in a huff. She didn't know who she despised more; Taylor with all her overbearing awfulness or Ridge, who had sat there dumb as a post instead of defending her. But Taylor would see who would get the last laugh. But right now she was hungry too, so she changed to get something to eat. Still furious, she made her way out of the building. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice how she suddenly crashed into someone.
"Hey, watch out!" Brooke looked up and realized now who she had bumped into. Thomas and Steffy!
"Get out of my way! You two are really the last thing I need right now!" She shoved Thomas away and stormed off. A little later, they heard Brooke scolding the next person who had obviously crossed her path.
"My God, she seems to be having her mood swings again. I thought women only suffer from PMS once a month." Steffy giggled and boxed her brother.
"You're impossible Thomas and according to Brooke's age it's probably more like menopause already." Thomas made a startled face.
"Oh God please help me!" If that's the case, I'll be in Dad's office right now demanding a raise due to the danger bonus." Steffy burst out laughing.
"I'll go with you."
Ridge and Taylor, meanwhile, had finished their meal and regained their good mood. They were making plans for the weekend. Both Steffy and Thomas already had plans of their own. Taylor sat back down on his lap and glanced at him pleadingly.
"How about we go to Big Bear?"
"I don't know, I'm sure it'll be cold and uncomfortable!"
"Please Ridge, we'll make a fire and warm each other." She begged with her eyes. Ridge melted away, when Taylor gave him that certain look, he couldn't deny her anything, but he didn't want to make it too easy for her either. He continued to play coy. "Please. I'll give you a massage every day and I'll make my punch that you like so much, and I'll drive. Please Ridge say yes!" Ridge felt he had now extracted enough benefits for himself.
"All right! Fine by me." Joyfully, she fell around his neck.
"Oh Ridge, I love you! You're wonderful!" Just then the intercom went on and it was Pam.
"Ridge, you have to go down to the storage department. Apparently there was some kind of a mess with the last order of rhinestones."
"All right, I'll be right there." He sighed and stood up. "You heard Pam. I'll see you later at home." He gave her a kiss and wanted to help her to put away the remains of their lunch, but Taylor waved him off.
"I'll handle it, you better go and see what's going on." Ridge was just about to leave, when she held him back.
"Wait!" She gave him a sweet kiss. "I love you!" He returned the kiss.
"I love you too!"
A short time later, Taylor had cleaned up everything and put the leftovers back into her basket. She was about to leave the office when she heard Brooke and her sister Donna in the hallway. First she was annoyed, she really didn't need another encounter with her but suddenly, she had a brilliant idea. She went to the mirror. She opened her hair clip and ran her fingers through her hair until it was all messed up. Then she opened the first buttons of her blouse. At last she smeared some of her lipstick. With a satisfied grin, she grabbed her basket and left the office. With an extra loud voice, she called after Pam.
"Bye, have a great weekend!"
"You too Taylor!" As she walked with slow steps toward the elevator, she pretended to be busily fixing her hair. Brooke, who had noticed her by now, stared at her in confusion. As Taylor waited outside the elevator and turned around, both Brooke and Donna's jaws dropped. Taylor acted like she was irritated by their stares. All at once, she winced and sheepishly turned away to button her blouse. It wasn't until she was in the elevator and the doors had closed that she couldn't contain herself any longer. She had a terrible laughing fit. Brooke and Donna awoke from their shock.
"What was that?"
"Oh, dear sweet Taylor just visited her sweetheart for a lunch break."
"Aha! I suppose that was a very appetizing lunch break." Brooke gave her sister a venomous look.
"Well, I find it more than distasteful. Forrester Creation is a serious fashion house, not a whorehouse."
"Oh come on Brooke, now don't be so prude. I mean Ridge and you also used to spend your lunch breaks together."
"That was different! We were married and we worked together!"
Donna just shook her head, she knew it was pointless to argue with Brooke on that subject.
"Well, if you say so." she merely said, leaving her sister behind. She was tired of these endless tirades about Taylor and Ridge.
Later at home, Taylor was sitting in the living room proofreading a finished article. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't notice Ridge stepped into the house. She didn't notice him until he stood in front of her and cleared his throat. She jumped up."Hello darling! How long are you standing there?"
"Well, I guess that's what it looks like once the marriage routine kicks in. You come home tired from a day's work and your wife doesn't take any notice of you."
"Sorry! I was so busy with my article. I'm glad you're home." She hugged him and gave him numerous kisses.
"Better?"
"Much better!" Exhausted, he finally dropped onto the couch and Taylor went to the bar to prepare him a drink. Afterwards, she sat down next to him and snuggled up.
"You look tired!" Ridge sighed deeply.
"Just the normal craziness. Sometimes I wonder what they teach kids in school these days. Counting to ten obviously doesn't seem to be part of it anymore and to make matters worse, I just ran into Brooke and she was in a very strange mood" Taylor got very nervous but tried to hide it. "Out of nowhere she rushed up and yelled at me that I have no decency and don't know how to behave and so on. I have no idea what had suddenly gotten into her." Taylor tried even harder to appear unimpressed, but Ridge noticed her evasive behavior.
"Is there anything you might have said to her that caused this outburst?" Taylor shook her head, but Ridge didn't quite believe her. "Doc! I know you, the look on your face tells me you're hiding something from me. Come on, dish!"
"I swear to you, I didn't say a word to her!" For a moment Ridge was reassured, but then he probed further.
"Ok you may not have said anything, but you guys ran into each other again today didn't you?" Taylor dodged and tried to distract him.
"Oh my God it's late! You must be extremely hungry right? The kids wanted to prepare dinner tonight. Let's see how far along they are and what's for dinner."
"No way! You stay here!" He grabbed Taylor's wrists and pushed her back onto the couch. "Now tell me or do I have to use my secret weapon?!" He started tickling her.
"No Ridge please don't, stop it! Okay I confess!" Ridge eased away from her. "Actually, this whole thing isn't my fault. I'm not responsible for Brooke's wicked imagination. Just because I left your office with my hair down and my blouse slightly open, she immediately assumes the worst!" Ridge stared at Taylor confused.
"Your hair was tied up when I left, and I didn't touch a button on your blouse." Taylor grinned mischievously and a light bulb went on in his head. "You heard her, then you came up with that little charade. That was really bad!" He tried hard to look at her sternly, but couldn't help but laugh. Taylor hugged him and smothered him with kisses to smooth him.
"Don't be so strict! You should have seen her face! I swear that was my highlight of the day!"
"Your highlight of the day?!"
"At least until now!" She pulled him closer, her kisses got deeper. Ridge sighed. He kissed her with the same passion. He caressed her tenderly, she played with his hair.
But they were interrupted, Steffy's words rang out.
"Mum! Dad! Dinner is ready! So, whatever you're doing right now, stop and come into the dining room!" Taylor and Ridge stood up. He glanced at her, meaningful.
"Do you hear her talking to us? Your daughter!"
"What's that supposed to mean? She's your daughter too!"
"But she certainly didn't get that bossy tone from me. That's your part!"
"What are you trying to say? Ridge didn't give her an answer but his gaze said everything. She turned to her children. "Your father just implied I would constantly boss everyone around. Tell him please that's not true at all!" Steffy and Thomas both just whistled through their teeth and turned away. Steffy was extremely busy with serving the lasagna. Taylor focused on her son.
"I don't say anything without my lawyer!"
"Excellent answer!" Ridge padded him on the shoulder.