After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

The end of a lifelong Lovestory!

The entire family except Stephanie was convinced the crisis with Brooke and Ridge was just one of their games, Ridge knew the problem was far bigger than anyone suspected. He didn't even understand how Brooke and he had gotten there. After the news that nothing had happened between Brooke and Thomas on that Island, everything had been wonderful. They had been so happy to be together again and planned a gigantic wedding. But then slowly, step by step, everything had fallen apart. First of all, they had to deal with Taylor's absence. Brooke had been very compassionate in the beginning and had supported him in his plan to take care of his children. However, Brooke assumed that this increased care would only be temporary to help Steffy and Thomas get over the first difficult time. She did not agree at all with making this permanent. Furthermore, an obstacle in their relationship was the difficulties between Brooke and his children.

There was no love lost between Brooke and Steffy. They both agreed on one point. They hated each other. Hardly a day went by where they hadn't been on each other's throats.. When they weren't bickering at each other, they were killing each other with their glances. Brooke always tried to convince him that the fight was Steffy's alone, because she was not ready to accept her as the woman on his side. For years, Ridge had gone along with Brooke's point of view, often admonishing his daughter to be more respectful and kind to his wife. But recently, he began to have doubts about whether it was really just Steffy. He had overheard some arguments in which Brooke did not hold back at all. One evening he had asked her to be a little more empathetic and understanding towards Steffy, after all she had to deal with the loss of her mother. Brooke reacted rather insensitively and only said dryly that Taylor was not dead but only living in another city. A heated argument ensued, but the next day they reconciled.

With Thomas it was almost worse. Although Thomas had truly groveled and apologized over and over again, Brooke was not ready to forgive him. She wanted nothing to do with him anymore. At first, Ridge could completely understand this. He himself had been extremely disappointed and angry. However, as time passed, his anger ebbed away. He had some serious conversations with his son where he could see how much Thomas regretted his mistake. He also did not ignore the fact that it had been his mother who had pushed and pressured Thomas again and again. He knew only too well how demanding and manipulative his mother could be when she really wants something. Of course Thomas had been a coward but he could somehow reason his son's behavior. No one had a chance against Stephanie Forrester. While Ridge found the place in his heart to forgive Thomas, Brooke remained unforgiving.

With the support of Hope and Rick, she demanded Thomas' dismissal and suggested Steffy also should be removed from her current position. Ridge was shocked. He could understand Brooke on one hand and didn't want to hurt her, but Thomas and Steffy were his children, whom he loved. Forrester Creation was their family heritage, he could not take that away from them. Besides, he was very happy that his relationship with them had developed so well lately, he didn't want to lose this. Ridge was torn apart, he consulted with Eric. Both came to the conclusion Thomas would have to deal with the consequences of his behavior, but a dismissal was out of the question. Instead they removed all responsibility from him and ordered him to support Steffy with her line. Brooke didn't agree with this solution at all and a bitter argument followed. For days there was not one word spoken until they made up again. However, a rift had appeared in their relationship. Without noticing it, they drew more and more apart. The topic Thomas and Steffy was now consistently avoided by them. Brooke silently accepted his meetings with them and bit her tongue. Ridge, on the other hand, strove for truce between the parties and also stifled many remarks.

The speechlessness between Brooke and Ridge became more and more massive. It seemed as if they had completely forgotten how to communicate with each other. The only subjects they talked about were business or who was picking Rj up from his practice or what they order for dinner. Their entire environment noticed their problems. Ridge avoided all questions, because he himself had no answer.