My home!

The Bel Air mansion was a hive of activity. Jack's first birthday was in a few days and a big celebration was planned. Taylor and Ridge had invited the whole family for this special occasion and now they and the kids had been busy with the preparations for days. Thomas and Steffy helped their father decorate the entire house. Balloons, garlands and other party supplies were hanging everywhere. Meanwhile, Phoebe supported her mother in the kitchen and helped her prepare everything for the big birthday buffet. Jack watched all these activities with big eyes and joyful anticipation, as if he knew full well that all this effort was for him. When Thomas, Steffy, and their father finally finished their work, they looked at it with satisfaction. Thomas and Steffy, however, thought they had gone a little overboard with the decorations but Ridge wouldn't hear of it; no expense should be spared on Jack's first birthday. Taylor shared his opinion. Phoebe kept asking her mother how many companies she actually planned to feed. The total menu would easily last for at least 12 birthday parties. But her mother demanded she wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone.

The eve before Jack's birthday, Taylor sat in the living room in a melancholy mood. Ridge was putting Jack to sleep. Taylor took Jack's baby album. She just viewed the first pictures of Jack, shortly after he was born, when Ridge came and joined her on the couch. Nostalgic, Ridge glanced at the pictures.

"My God, Jack was so small and tiny back then!"

"Yes, indeed!" agreed Taylor with him. "He seemed so weak and fragile after the exhausting birth. I was terribly concerned about him. He gave us a horrible fright because he didn't cry out at first. It was almost a miracle that he recovered so quickly from all the strain!"

"Well, Jack is truly a miracle child! When I think of all the positive differences he has made in our family!" Ridge took her in his arms and pulled her closer. Taylor gave him a loving peek. She noticed, despite his smile, he seemed sad and thoughtful.

"Are you okay?" she finally asked, Ridge nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine...I just regret sometimes that I haven't been there right from the beginning. I missed so much and it's not going to be easy to explain all this to Jack one day. For example, what if he asks why I wasn't there for his birth?!"

Taylor bowed her head and was silent for a moment. Then she turned at Ridge and stroked his cheek.

"You're right, eventually we'll have to tell Jack the whole story, but I'm sure he'll understand it somehow! Besides, we don't need to worry about it right now! The important thing is from the first moment on you knew Jack was your son, you were there for him! Jack knows very well how much you love him and you two have such a deep bond with each other. These first few days in his life, where you weren't with him, will not change that. Especially, it wasn't your fault, it was just the circumstances. I mean it's all just been a little bit crazy!"

"Yeah, that pretty much describes it!" Ridge laughed. "But as crazy and insane as the whole story was, I'm glad it turned out that way!" Ridge paused and exhaled deeply. "There's been so much chaos and confusion in my life over the past few years...but Jack was the game changer. Since he's been there I finally feel like I know again why I'm on this planet and what's really important in life!" Taylor beamed and snuggled up to him.

"I know what you mean, I feel the same way! Jack has given my life so much joy and sense again, with him everything has changed for the better and the best part is we are a family again!" They looked deep into each other's eyes and gave each other a tender sweet kiss.

They got comfortable and scrolled through the entire baby album. They reminisced about many moments and laughed at some of the shots.

Afterwards, they lay cuddled together on the couch for a long time. Taylor got all serious once more.

"The more I think about it...sometimes I have this idea that some higher power deliberately directed the whole scenario the way it went. Like it was meant to be that Jack should be our child." Ridge softly stroked her head.

"That certainly sounds better than the fact that it all happened because of some stupid mishap. But anyway we should just be happy with how it all turned out! However, I wouldn't mind if Jack's next year won't be quite so exciting and dramatic!" Taylor chuckled.

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind that either. But I have my doubts about that with this family, though!" They both had to laugh.

Later, they lay in bed together, waiting for midnight. Ridge was preparing two champagne (non-alcoholic) glasses and Taylor was staring at the clock.

"Hurry up, it's ten seconds!" They counted down the countdown. At the stroke of midnight, they toasted each other.

"To Jack!"

"To Jack!"

After they had taken a few sips, Ridge raised his glass again.

"And to you! The most adorable loving mother in the world!" Taylor turned bright red.

"You're such a flatterer!"

"True, and it works every time!" He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. Taylor sighed in contentment.

"I love you so much!"

"I love you too Doc!"

Ridge got very serious, reaching for her hand. "I can't tell you how much you mean to me. I know I've made so many huge mistakes over the last few years, regarding us and our family. I have let you down and hurt you very deeply. It's remarkable that you gave me another chance!" Taylor put a finger to his lips.

"We should put the past behind us! We both made major mistakes, but it doesn't matter now anymore. What matters is the present and the future!"

"You're absolutely right and speaking of the future..I think there's one more significant point we need to clarify or rather another important step we should take together!"

Taylor had no clue what he was talking about. Ridge covered her eyes with one hand and rummaged in his drawer. When he finally removed his hand, Taylor couldn't believe her eyes. Ridge held out a jewelry box, inside sparkled a magnificent ring. Taylor was speechless, fighting back her tears. Ridge grinned at her with anticipation and reached for her hand.

"Taylor, I love you more than anything! In the last few weeks and months I have finally realized where I belong, where my home is! I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Jack and our other kids. We are a family and I wish for us to make it official. So I ask you, will you marry me?"

Taylor swallowed hard, not capable of any response for the first moment. Then she nodded her head wildly and with tears of joy she fell around his neck.

"Yes, Yes I do! I do!" she repeated over and over again. "I love you so much and I want nothing more than to marry you and become your wife!" Ridge slipped the ring on her finger and the two sealed their vows with a long intimate kiss.