After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

Everything can be over in a heartbeat!

As agreed, Ridge signed the contracts with the 'Jackson production' two days later. Later at night he celebrated the success with Taylor and the kids. Like he had told Taylor he gave Rick the responsibility for this project. The latter was very proud and gleeful about the opportunity to prove himself. He was honestly a little surprised that Ridge would trust him with such a big important project, but he didn't give any more thought to whether Ridge might have had any ulterior motives. Ridge had talked to Steffy and Thomas ahead and discussed to them his reasons why he was delegating this project to Rick. The two had a sheepish grin on their face as their father explained that this was a good opportunity to get rid of Rick for a while. Furthermore, their father took them in his arms and said

"Plus your mother would kill me if I sent either of you to New York for that long!" They laughed and agreed with him and jokingly replied that they definitely didn't want to risk that. So at the end Thomas and Steffy were not too disappointed that neither one of them was allowed to lead this project. However, they appreciated that their father discussed the matter with them beforehand. Then there came a big shock  for all of them, Eric suggested Thomas and Steffy should support Rick, as the work could not be done alone. Eric was convinced it would be most effective if all three worked together. Secretly, of course, he hoped it would help to keep the peace within the family. Because even if the fronts were settled and Ridge had clearly decided with which woman he wanted to spend his future, the relationship between Rick and the Forrester siblings was more than tense. He hoped by working together they would become closer again and they would finally find a way to get along with each other. Rick as well as Thomas and Steffy were horrified by this idea and none of them had any real desire to form a partnership, but in the end they all agreed to it for the sake of the family. Ridge praised his children and confirmed he appreciated their willingness to do this. He encouraged them, not to let Rick undercut them and to assert themselves.

Taylor sat in her office waiting for her next patient. She was studying the file again when her cell phone rang.

"Hi Sweetheart!"

"Hey Doc! Do you have a moment or are you doctoring on someone's soul right now?"

"Ridge!"

"Just a little joke! So what are you doing?"

"Waiting for my next 'victim'. What do you want? Are you calling just to get on my nerves or what?!"

"You know that's one of my favorite things to do. No seriously, I actually want to take you out for dinner. What do you say? The two of us all alone, a good meal, good music..."

"How am I supposed to say no to that?!"

"Okay! Then I'll pick you up at seven."

"Fine, I'll see you then, I'm looking forward to it!"

"Me too! And now I won't bother you any more with your 'shrinking'. Bye Doc!"

"Bye jackass!"

"I love you too!" After she hung up, Taylor shook his head. This man would never grow up.

After her last patient left, Taylor changed and got ready for their dinner. She was excited to have a nice quiet dinner with Ridge again. But it turned seven and Ridge didn't show up. At first, Taylor remained completely relaxed. It was not unusual for Ridge to be late. But the more time passed, the more anxious she became. She called at Forrester Creation, Pam was no longer there, but after several attempts, Thorne finally answered the phone. But all he could tell her was that Ridge had left the office some time ago. Taylor now suspected that Ridge was stuck in traffic and continued to wait. But more and more time passed without Ridge showing up. That's when her phone rang.