After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

Cozy night on the couch!

Indeed it looked like Thomas as well as Steffy were about to start a sincere relationship. Thomas' dream girl was an open secret in the family. Everyone had known for a long time that he had a crush on Maya and recently he started dating her on a regular basis. Steffy often teased him, claiming he had by god taken his time. She herself made a real secret of her new admirer. She didn't tell her parents or anyone else who she spent her evenings with lately.

Taylor showed up at Forrester Creation after work; she wanted to pick up Ridge. Since he was still busy, she chatted animatedly with Pam, swapping the latest gossip. Pam told her about her weekend in Chicago. Brooke, after she had realized what Pam and Ridge had cooked up, had stormed off in a huff. Pam, on the other hand, really had enjoyed herself at the luxury hotel. Pam was just about to give a performance of Brooke's dumb face when Brooke came around the corner and glared at them both. Taylor and she exchanged icy stares. At that moment, the door opened and Ridge stepped out of his office. Brooke turned on her heel and rushed away. Pam and Taylor chuckled, while Ridge asked, irritated.

"What's going on here?"

"Oh, nothing special!" waved Pam off. "It's just that we two seem to be so scary lately that Brooke runs for the hills just looking at us!" 

"Okay?!" Ridge walked over to Taylor and hugged her. "What are you doing here Doc?"

"I just wanted to make sure you get off work on time!" The two said goodbye to Pam. On the drive home, Ridge noticed Taylor looked quite exhausted.

"Busy day?"

"Oh actually no more than usual, but I had three marriage counseling sessions today!" Taylor sighed and shook her head. "You can't imagine the ridiculous arguments some couples have!" Ridge was a bit puzzled. "Usually marriage counseling was always your top discipline!"

"Yeah, but lately I really don't know what to say sometimes! Somehow I've lost my touch, maybe because everything goes so smoothly between us!" Ridge laughed.

"I hope you don't suggest we should start arguing more often so you can get your counseling back on track!" Taylor grinned mischievously at him. 

"Now that is an interesting idea!"

"Forget it Doc! Get it out of your head immediately! Buy a new reference book or attend some advanced training, but keep me out of it!"

"Okay, calm down! I was just joking!"

"You never know with you!"

Once home, Ridge took care of their drinks. He went to the kitchen and made Taylor's favorite tea. As they sat together on the couch, he addressed her again about her encounter with Brooke.

"Do you have any idea what that was about earlier?"

"Don't ask me! Pam and I were talking, Brooke saw us and when you came out of your office she left again! Maybe she is embarrassed about Chicago and she decided to keep her distance!"

"Yes, that's possible. Actually since her return she had changed her attitude. She literally avoids me now."

"Don't tell me that bothers you?!"

"No, of course not! I guess she finally realized she has no chance with me anymore!" Taylor laughed derisively.

"You don't believe that yourself! I rather think she has changed her tactics!"

"You never trust Brooke!"

"Not in this lifetime!"

Taylor snuggled up to him.

"Was I the same..did I also react so pushy and shameless and deceitful?" 

"What do you mean?"

"Well....there were times, when you were married to Brooke, or at least in some kind of a relationship with her and I tried to win you back. Was I as bad as she?" Ridge laughed and embraced her.