SOD (6/30/09 Issue):
BETTER OFF WED?
Last week, Nick popped the question to Bridget. Now they're ready to say "I do," at an out-of-thin-air wedding. "So we do it any other way on B&B but fast?" chuckles Ashley Jones. "Really, you don't need a lot of time to plan a wedding when you have unlimited funds. So this is put together really fast, but it's still a big deal and a lot of fun."
Since this couple has been married twice before, is Bridget really sure she wants to be Mrs. Nick Marone again? "He's told her all the right things, which he has said before," acknowledges Jones. "But she's known Nick for almost her entire adult life. He's the biggest thing to ever happen to her. So in a lot of ways, he shaped her into the woman she is today. I don't mean they were all great because he did bring a lot of negative in her life, but she's learned a lot and she's very strong now."
Jones has a new perspective after a recent comment from her TV groom, Jack Wagner. "Jack said he didn't know if Bridget is the love of Nick's life because there's still unfinished business with Brooke," Jones explains. "I thought about that and wondered if Nick really is the love of Bridget's life. For a soap opera, it makes it more interesting that he is, but who knows if he is the love of her life? Maybe he's the biggest love she's had so far. But I actually think there isn't anything left between Nick and Brooke. Every time they've been together, all Brooke wanted to do is run to Ridge. However, there's a camp that can say, 'Isn't that what happened to Bridget?' But I don't think this time it will happen."
On their big day, Nick and Bridget can't escape the drama swirling around them. "It's more interesting to see how guests relate to each other, so there are lots of vignettes happening at the wedding and reception," notes Jones.
And how, Katie, who ruined Bridget's last marriage, magnanimously helps the bride get ready ("It's awkward.), Bill shows up at Nick's invitation ("He's pushing everyone's buttons of course."), Jackie uses her son's nups to publicly come out about her relationship with Owen ("Nick is not happy Owen is there."), Bridget's grandparents Stephen and Beth attend ("There's a sign that Beth's condition isn't getting better."), there's tension between Eric and his family ("He's sitting on the Logan side of the church.") and the biggie: Ridge and Taylor face their loved ones the day after they had sex, but are keeping it a secret.
"Brooke even goes up to Taylor and thanks her for helping Ridge to heal," says Jones. "It's also interesting to see who catches the bouquet. This is all setting up to be a new chapter for Nick and Bridget."
RIDGE AND Taylor HAVE SEX!
Ridge's reliance on the anti-anxiety pills he's been pilfering from Taylor has got him feeling no pain and then some. "He's been less anxious, but a bit groggy," says Ronn Moss. "He's still somewhat in a state of awareness and consciousness, but the pills are affecting his judgment somewhat, I'd say at this point. Ridge is definitely addicted to these pills. They are the only thing taking away the pain of Phoebe's death, and of the betrayal of Brooke siding with Rick. Ridge thinks the pills are helping him be less stressed out about it all."
That leads to an intimate setting between Ridge and Taylor at the Forrester guest house where he's been staying. "Taylor has made him a home-cooked meal," sets up Moss. "Ridge is feeling genuinely comforted by Taylor; he feels for certain she is the one person in the universe who understands what he is going through right now and who agrees with him about Rick having to stay away from Steffy. She has made dinner and Ridge is drinking wine. It's a comfortable and loving evening."
The exes then give in to passion and make love. Given the effect of the pills, does Ridge know what he's doing? "Ridge is aware he's with Taylor, but she's not aware that he's taken all these pills," says Moss. "I think that if he weren't on the pills he may not have taken their relationship to the next level."
Once the deed is done comes the sobering aftermath. "Ridge is a bit surprised to wake up and find himself in bed with Taylor," says Moss. "She's extremely happy and tells him how much last night meant to her and how long she had waited for that dream to come true. Ridge doesn't want to hurt her feelings; he's very protective of her and tells her how wonderful and supportive she's been to him and how good he felt all night long."
After Ridge jumps into the shower, Taylor's bliss sours. "She notices the bottle of pills and sees that it is empty," says Moss. "She confronts him and reads him the ript act for not consulting with her before taking them and drinking wine. She's heartsick, really, because she thought they were reuniting; she tells him she feels ashamed."
A humiliated Taylor decides their next move. Explains Moss, "Ridge wants to do the right thing and tells Brooke, but Taylor convinces him this has to be their secret; that Brooke will accuse her of taking advantage of him. And if he tells Brooke it could be the end of their relationship."
Ridge agrees to keep quiet, but now they must convince Stephanie (the biggest advocate for their reconciliation) that nothing happened. "She gets a big demanding about it this week," chuckles Moss.
Then there is Ridge's first encounter with Brooke, which may not go as well...
SPOILERS
June 24 - Jackie makes a momentous decision and defies Nick's orders.
June 26 - Stephanie sets the record straight for Eric after Thorne and Felicia make a startling announcement.
Nick gives Jackie and Owen a serious warning.
Bridget has cause to be concerned.
WTH is that man smoking!
Bill was the only reason I started paying attention again. 
Since we've already established that Taylor can't get pregnant naturally, I'm betting on Steffie/Rick. But with this show, you never know!
