After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

A Ridge-style proposal!

Taylor and Ridge landed and were immediately on their way to their Bel Air mansion. On the drive, they enjoyed the sights of their hometown. It was very emotional for both of them to be back in LA after so many months. Once home, especially Taylor, were overcome with emotion. It felt great to be back in their old house. Even though Steffy and Thomas had changed a few little things in the past year, it still had the same spirit. Ridge contacted the kids that they had arrived. Steffy and Thomas then showed up shortly. Since neither of them was in the mood to cook, they ordered pizza for dinner. While they made themselves comfortable, Steffy and Thomas reported about everything that had happened today. A few journalists had shown up at Forrester Creation as well as outside the house, waiting for an official announcement. In addition, all the family members had literally swarmed Thomas and Steffy for details. Overwhelmed by the situation, they had waited for an unobserved moment to sneak out of the house. They had spent the rest of the day hiding out at Steffy's friend's house with their cell phones on silent. Steffy had learned from Katie that she had arranged an official statement saying Forrester Creation would not comment on Ridge's personal life.

"I'm sure many people think the tabloid is a fake. Because from what we've gathered, Granddad learned that Jarrett was behind it, and what he's written about our family in the last years could rarely be taken seriously."
"Indeed! Nothing good has come from that idiot in the last few years..." Thomas agreed with his sister, "...I mean he must be totally crazy, watching you guys for days and then out of the blue publishing these pictures or did he talk to you about it before?" Ridge shook his head.
"Of course not, we were just as shocked as you were when we read that this morning. I mean, basically the article itself isn't all wrong, but we would never have allowed something like that to happen."
"Especially not before everyone knew. The last thing your dad and I wanted was for them not to hear it from us."
"Yeah, that really sucks. In any case, you'll have some major explaining to do tomorrow, and I think despite the article, the news will still be a big surprise to some."

Later that evening, Taylor stood alone in the master bedroom. Thoughts of the night she had left LA in a hurry came flooding back. Never would she have imagined that night that a year later she would be standing here like this. She shook off the old memories and started unpacking the suitcases. She was a little irritated when she stepped into the closet. There were still some clothes, she had left behind. But in the entire room was no item of Ridge, which confused her, since he had lived here before he left LA. Just then, Ridge entered the room and Taylor approached him about her observation.
"Where did you leave all your stuff, you didn't bring it all with you to San Francisco?"
"I was sleeping in one of the guest rooms at the time. To me it seemed kind of wrong to stay here in this room, this was, even when you weren't here still your room. I would have felt like an intruder." Taylor stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Anyway, now it's our bedroom again. I hope you're not planning on letting me sleep here alone?!" He looked at her tenderly.
"I wouldn't dream of it."

Even though Taylor laughed at his remark, he noticed her troubled face.
"Hey, what's the matter with you? Is it anxiety about tomorrow?"
"No! No! It's just..." Taylor avoided his gaze. Ridge had an idea what was going on inside her. He pulled her back to him.
"Are those any old ghosts haunting your head again?" Taylor didn't give him an answer, but the look on her face told Ridge he had hit the bull's eye. "I know a good way to get rid of all those evil spirits!" He started tickling her so hard until she cried out and tears rolled down her face from laughter. He did not let go until she was already gasping for air and begging for mercy.

The next afternoon, the big moment was there. Taylor, Ridge and the kids were on their way to the Forrester mansion, where the whole family was already waiting for them. Felicia had arrived two days ago and Kristen had arrived that morning. Thorne had also already joined them in the living room, as well as their parents. They were all sitting together, discussing whether the article was true or not. Thorne and Eric were convinced the tabloid was a bluff. Eric had also figured out that Jarrett was actually trying to hit Brooke with it, and the pictures could speak a misleading language. Everyone knew that Taylor and Ridge had always been very intimate with each other, which could easily be misinterpreted. The photo showing them arm in arm was not conclusive proof and the kiss could have been a harmless greeting kiss. Stephanie, on the other hand, hoped the article would speak the truth. She still wanted nothing more than for Taylor and Ridge to get back together. Felicia and Kristen at least considered the possibility that the two were a couple again. After all, they had spent the last few months together in San Francisco and had seen each other from time to time, so it was possible that old feelings had flared up.