After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

Two confessions!

Ridge learned little about what had transpired between Stephanie and Taylor. His mother said only Taylor had clarified some unpleasant truths to her that made her think. Taylor explained, it was good to get everything off her chest for once. However, it was up in the air for her how she should deal with Stephanie in the future. A few days later, Ridge told Taylor, her words seemed to have made a big impression on his mother, because after her visit she had asked him only once if he had seen her. Both laughed.

Taylor was sitting on the couch,she was in a sad mood. Today was Steffy's birthday. Taylor had invited her to celebrate the day together, but Steffy had decided she would rather spend the day with some friends in Las Vegas. So Taylor could only talk to Steffy on the phone via video chat and wish her a happy birthday. Susan stopped by with a bouquet of flowers. Taylor was amazed at first and said it wasn't her birthday after all, but Susan replied, in her family it was customary to give the mother flowers on that day.
"It was you, who were in labor." Taylor smiled.
"Well, it really wasn't one of my most relaxing days. That's for sure!" Susan noticed Taylor's sadness.

"Are you upset that Steffy didn't want to come, preferring instead to go crazy with some people in Las Vegas?"
"Oh actually, I almost expected it. In the last years Steffy always spent her birthday somewhere in the world with friends. She's just out of the age where you want to celebrate with your family."
"Well that's life!" Susan had a feeling Steffy's absence wasn't the only reason for Taylor's distress. She could see she had obviously been crying. There was a family album on the coffee table. All at once Susan knew what was going on. There were pictures of a birthday party with two blond girls wearing birthday crowns. Comforting, she took her friend in her arms.
"It's not easy to celebrate only one birthday today?!" Taylor nodded silently, wiping away some tears.
"It's weird, it's not like I don't think about Phoebe every day, but in everyday life you kind of manage to deal with it. You learn to live with this gap, you don't have a choice and then on a day like the birthday all comes back. Like it was just yesterday." Susan nodded sympathetically; she had four children and couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose one of her babies. Taylor walked out onto the terrace.

"I always wonder what it would be like if she were still with us. Sometimes I believe the only reason Steffy always spends her birthday somewhere else is because with all of us together, the loss would be more apparent to her. She probably needs to distract herself on that day."
"It's certainly tough for her, I mean they were twins."
"Yes, as they are in the book. Even though they weren't always together and each ended up going her own way, they were basically inseparable. As little kids, they always slept in the same bed, arms wrapped tightly around each other." Taylor fought back another flood of tears. "Please don't be mad at me, but I'd rather be alone right now!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, really! It has nothing to do with you."
"I get it, but if you need me, one phone call and I'll be right there!" Susan was about to leave the apartment and head out the door when Ridge, also with flowers and two balloons, crossed her way. You could tell by the look on his face that he felt the same way as Taylor did. She pointed with a finger toward the terrace.
"She's out there, she actually just sent me away, but maybe she wants to see you."

Unsure, Ridge approached Taylor.
"Hey! Susan just told me you preferred to be alone. I hope you'll make an exception for me!"
"Ridge?!" Taylor was stunned yet glad to see him. Wordlessly, the two embraced. There was no need to say anything, each knew how the other felt. Ridge handed her the flowers.
"To the woman who gave me two beautiful girls!"
"Thank you! But you did your part, too." For a while, they looked up at the sky in silence. Finally it burst out of her.
"I wish I could tell her today how much I love her and how proud I am for all she has accomplished in her life."