The first big love never fades!

Eric Junior and the tabloid!

Irritated, Ridge hung up. He needed to collect himself first and process this news. Brooke had delivered her baby. Actually, that was very exciting news, but Ridge didn't feel like cutting capers. Apparently Brooke hadn't felt the need to inform him that she was in labor. Did she want to punish him for taking some time off to evaluate everything? Ridge felt again the anger creep up inside him at the thought that his father had apparently been there for the birth, or at least had known about it before he did. Nevertheless, Ridge hurried to get to the hospital as soon as possible. At the gift store, he picked up a long-stemmed rose and a small stuffed elephant. Then he made his way to Brooke's hospital room. In the hallway, his father intercepted him.

"Hey, there you are finally! Brooke's been asking me where you are!"

"Excuse me Dad, I got here as fast as I could. You could have let me know sooner. Why didn't you call me right away? Were you with her during the delivery?"

"More or less." muttered Eric sheepishly.

"What do you mean, more or less? I want a straight answer. Yes or no?"

"Yes, but before you get upset, Ridge. Please let me explain. It was really just a stupid coincidence. I was with Brooke when her water broke and she went into labor. It went without saying that I grabbed her right away and took her to the hospital."

"And why didn't you inform me immediately, but waited until the baby was born?!"

"The birth went extremely fast. We were barely in the delivery room before Brooke was in the most intense contractions. She was afraid you wouldn't make it in time and she didn't want to go through it alone. So I stayed with her. Afterwards, Brooke was pretty wiped out and wanted to get some rest and I wanted some time with Eric Junior. I wanted to enjoy this one moment by myself. I hope you can understand that!" 

Ridge responded evasively. As insane as it was, on one hand he could actually understand his father somehow, but on the other hand he was still disappointed, he found out about the birth so late. 

"So how are Brooke and the little one?" he asked.

"Fabulous! Brooke has recovered a bit by now."

"Fine, I'll go to check on her!" 

He knocked and carefully stepped into the room. Brooke was lying in her hospital bed, gently cradling her little boy in her arms. Ridge had to admit, she looked amazing. She represented motherly happiness in person. Everything about her seemed to glow. Rarely had she been more beautiful to him. She held out her hand.

"Ridge! Glad you're finally here!" 

Gently, he sat down with her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He glanced at Eric Junior, who slept peacefully in his mother's arms. Despite everything, Ridge was entranced by the little one. He just blinked and wrinkled his little nose. Brooke noticed by the look on his face that Ridge's heart was melting like butter in the sun. Carefully, Ridge stroked his fingers over the little hand. 

"He looks so cute!"

"Would you like to hold him?" Carefully, Brooke handed him the baby. Ridge rocked him softly.

"Hey, you munchkin! Welcome to this world!" 

At this moment, he didn't care about the whole mess. This little worm in his arms was a sweet and innocent little child, who shouldn't suffer from all the craziness. Brooke watched emotionally, Ridge's loving interaction with little Eric. She hoped this moment could be a turning point for them.

It was Saturday night. Taylor had cleaned the entire house and prepared everything for Blake's arrival. While dinner sizzled in the oven, she looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing the dress which Blake loved the most. She personally didn't like it, it didn't have her style. But it was still a beautiful dress and at least on the outside, everything should be perfect tonight. Taylor struggled with her conflict of emotions. She felt ashamed, because she wasn't the least bit happy about Blake's homecoming and rather looked forward to his presence with dread. All day long she tried so hard to remember their good and happy times and to rediscover her sympathies for Blake. Furthermore, she felt terribly guilty because she had seen Ridge so often in his absence and had enjoyed the time with him very much. It went against her own morals that she, as a married woman, had deep feelings for another man. She had to close the 'Ridge' chapter for once and all. Despite all the difficulties, Taylor wanted to hold on to her marriage. She had made a vow to Blake, and she still felt bound by it.