Macy and Taylor arrived. Jude and Nathan was already seated at their table, getting acquainted with each other. Macy had picked up Taylor at her house after Taylor had kissed her children good night. Macy and Taylor sat down at the table for four that Maxwell, a waiter, had escorted them to. Nathan and Jude got up from their chairs to help the ladies sit down.
Taylor: Iīm glad you could come, Nathan. She said to him with a smile.
Nathan: Iīm glad you came, he answered with a twinkle in his eye that made Taylor blush.
Macy watched them and thought that maybe this was the best after all. Then she looked at Jude and thought: It definitely was the best...
Jude: Hungry?
Macy: Starving. For you, she thought.
The four of them ordered dinner and a bottle of red wine. There were a lot of people at Madison, as usual. But it wasnīt crowded. All tables were separated well. Madison was divided in different sessions. Three different rooms with the kitchen and entrance in the middle. Most tables were by the windows so you got a nice view while eating the superb food. The lightning was dimmed and had a romantic touch to it. The floor was covered with a darkred carpet, matching the walls. And in the room they were dining in was a large aquarium with fishes swimming around. It was a perfect atmosphere for couples in love to enjoy a wonderful night. Taylor had never been to Madison and was really impressed. She had always gone to Café Rousse or Mannequins. Madison was her new favorite, and it didnīt hurt to be there with Nathan. Taylor was surprised at how easy she forgot about her problems with Ridge when Nathan was around. She had only met him twice and she already felt like a teenager in love. Nathan had the same feeling, but held back. He had the image of Ava in the back of his head the whole evening. Why, he couldnīt understand. They had been divorced for a few years now. Still, he wouldnīt let go. He decided to ignore that feeling and enjoy this evening with Taylor.
Café Rousse
Ava and Grace were seated by a table. Grace had been right. This was what Ava needed to get over her bad mood. They were laughing and joking. Grace did her best not to mention any of the Bennettīs to her friend.
Grace: Oh, did I tell you about my date with Jerry?
Ava: No... Details, please!
Grace: Why bother? He only talked about one thing the whole night.
Ava: What?
Grace: The Lakers... A true NBA fanatic... I really hit the jackpot there...
Ava: Iīm sorry. Well, at least he is a supporter of the right team...
Grace: Iīm thinking about giving Kevin another chance?
Ava: Kevin?! As in Mr. Cheap? Grace, really there has to be someone else.
Grace: Where am I going to find a single and sane man in his late thirties, if I havenīt found one yet?
Ava: Well, right now maybe.
Ava stared at Clarke and Sally who just entered the restaurant.
Grace: Him? Isnīt he with that woman with the big red hair?
Ava: No. Divorced I think. He works at Spectra...
Grace: Oh... Something going on between the two of you?
Ava: No! I donīt even remember his name.
Grace: Well, he is georgeous. Maybe there could be something...
Ava: Theyīre coming this way...
Clarke and Sally walked over to them. Clarke had told Sally about Ava. Sally misunderstood and thought that she was Nathans inspiration.
Sally: Ava, right?
Ava nodded.
Sally: My name is Sally Spectra. I hear that I owe you a big thank you.
Ava: I donīt understand...
Clarke: Sal..., he tried to get her to move on, saying that it was wrong woman. But Sally didnīt take his hint.
Sally: Nathan have saved Spectra fashions and I hear that you were his source of inspiration.
Ava lookes surprised at Sally. She? An inspiration to Nathan?
Clarke: Sal, this is Nathanīs ex-wife.
Sally: Oh, Iīm terrible sorry. I got you confused with another woman.
Clarke looked at Ava who felt really uncomfortable.
Sally and Clarke moved on to their table to celibrate there soon to be victory over the Forresters.
Ava looked at Grace who felt her pain.
Grace: Iīm so sorry, hon.
Ava: Nathan has met another woman.. Well, I guess I should have expected that. He canīt stay single the rest of his life, right... Ava felt the tears swallowing up in her eyes. She excused herself and headed to the womenīs room to dry her eyes and get herself together. She took a few deep breaths and went back. On the way, she bumped into Clarke.
Clarke: I want to appologize for Sally. She didnīt know. I hope youīre not feeling to down about it.
Ava: No, Iīm fine. Itīs OK, really.
Clarke: Iīm glad.
Clarke started leaving when Ava stopped him.
Ava: We never really got introduced. My name is Ava Bennett. Ava shook Clarkeīs hand.
Clarke: Clarke, Clarke Garrison.
Ava: I donīt mean to be pushing, but would you like to go out with me sometime?
Clarke: Out? As a date?
Ava: I guess so.
Clarke: Iīd love to.
Ava: Ok, Iīll give you a call. Youīre in the book, arenīt you?
Clarke: Yes, I am, but Iīve got a card. He reached down for his wallet and took out a card and handed it to her.
Ava: Thank you. Now, I have to get back to my friend. It was nice seeing you again.
Clarke smiled to himself. He had just been asked out by a woman he didnīt know. And he loved every moment of it.
Back at their table, Ava and Grace finnished their meal as Ava told Grace about what she just did. Later, Ava and Grace got up from their table to leave. Grace went to pay, as it was her turn to do so. Ava looked over at Clarke, who smiled at her. She smiled back. Then, she and Grace left. On their way out, Ava saw the last person on earth she wanted to run in to. Her ex- father-in-law, B.B. Bennett. They looked at each other and passed, without greeting one another. Ava was relieved. Grace looked at Ava and sighed. Something was wrong with this whole situation, she knew it. But what? Neighter Ava or Nathan would talk about it.
The hospital
Stephanie was sleeping. She had been for a long time. The doctor had explained that she needed it to get her strenght back. She was still barely hanging in there. She hadnīt been able to talk about what happened to her. When the police had asked she had only told them that she didnīt remember. And she couldnīt. Not yet anyway. Eric was home, finally getting some rest. There was no point that he stayed anyway since the doctor had given Stephanie a sedative so she could sleep. Stephanie had reacted with scare as the doctor injected the sedative, but she couldnīt remember why. All her children had been by to visit. Kristen had tried to talk to her mother about what they went through together, but Stephanie didnīt want to talk about it, mostly because she didnīt remember. Kristen had for a moment seen a side of her mother that didnīt make sence to her. Stephanie had seemed very indifferent about the whole ordeal. It wasnīt like her. But Kristen figured that it was because of the memorylaps. Thorne and Eric had thought the same thing. The doctor had told them that it could just be the chock after being through something horrible or the first sight of a depression. Time would tell. It was just too soon now. As of now, the only thing that mattered was that Stephanie got better. And the doctor gave the family good odds.
Forrester mansion
Ridge came home after a long day at work. He wasnīt happy about the designs he had made lately. He couldnīt concentrate on work with everything going on. Stephanie, Taylor... He took a drink in the livingroom to cool off his frusturation. Eric came down the stairs and shhok his head by the sight of his oldest son drinking. Ridge had been drinking quite a lot recently.
Eric: Ridge, how are things at Forrester?, he asked to get Ridgeīs attention.
Ridge: A big kaos. We have no good designs for the coctaildresses. And Brookeīs bedroom... I only have half the sketches we need. And Thorne forgot to order a fabric I needed. Nothing is working. Brooke havenīt been in today. Thorne left after lunch. Megan was God knows where when I needed her.
Eric: No... I guess we have to postpone the showing again.
Ridge: Not if Brooke would just hire another designer, temporary. I sent her a memo.
Eric: Damn it! Why is everything happening now? We donīt have much time before the showing.
Ridge: Donīt worry dad, if we work twice as hard, weīre gonna make it. Like hell I would let Spectra win.
Eric: I heard that they hired a new designer.
Ridge: Yeah, Nathan Bennett. He hasnīt designed in quite a while now. I donīt think we have to worry.
Eric: I hope youīre right.
Outside Taylorīs house
Nathan had driven Taylor home. Jude and Macy had left Madion before they did. They thought theyīd give Nathan and Taylor some alone time. It had been a wonderful night. A lot of laughing and smiling. Nathan and Taylor had gotten to know each other pretty well already. They enjoyed each otherīs company.
Nathan: I had a wonderful night, Taylor.
Taylor: Me too. We have to do it again...
Nathan: Absolutely. Iīll give you a call.
Taylor smiled at him. Nathan leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her cheak, not wanting to go to fast. Taylor closed her eyes.
Nathan: Sleep warm.
Taylor: I will. Good night. Nathan went back to his car and drove home. Taylor saw him disappear around the corner and took a deep breathe in the cool night. The thought of Ridge never once entered her mind. She only thought of the next time she would see Nathan...
A park, the next morning
Amber had taken Ricky to the park, so he could play with the other children in the neighbourhood. C.J. had come by to play with him, so he joined them. He and Ricky played in the park. C.J. swung Ricky in the swings. Amber looked on. She loved the sight of C.J. playing with their son. She couldnīt help but fantasize about a familylife with him and Ricky. Someday, maybe, that fantasy will come true, she hoped. She had growned to love C.J. and it had hurt when he left her after their night together. Maybe he just needed time. Time to get over Becky. He wasnīt yet. Becky had only been gone for a couple of months. C.J. waved Amber over to them. She got up and headed their way. Their time would come, Amber told herself. It had to.
C.J: Want to take over here? I need to get back to school.
Amber: Sure. Donīt be a stranger, now. Come by tonight, Iīll make dinner.
C.J: You?
Amber: I think I can make some pasta. She playfully acted offended by his comment.
C.J: OK. Pasta...
Amber smiled at him and hugged him. She watched him as he left the park.
Ricky: Is daddy coming home tonight?
Amber: Yes, he is.
Forrester mansion
Elaine had just arrived. She wished Gregory was home. But Olivia told her that he had an appiontment downtown and wouldnīt be back until later that day. Olivia could see the disappointment in Elaineīs eyes, but didnīt comment on it.
Olivia: I was just going to take a walk. Want to join me?
Elaine saw her chance and took it. She accepted.
They left.
Elaine felt the pressure by A.J. to part Olivia and Gregory so she had to take a big step today.
Elaine: So, when are you and Gregory going to tie the knot again?
Olivia: As soon as the divorce from Annie is final.
Elaine: Thatīs nice. Am I invited?
Olivia: Of course you are.
Elaine: I just canīt imagine Annie and Gregory being married. What happened?
Olivia: Do we have to talk about that?
Elaine: Itīs just that I never really saw love between them. Not real love anyway. Attraction, maybe. But you donīt get married if you donīt love each other, right?
Olivia: Trust me, Gregory never loved Annie.
Elaine: No, not the way he loved you. But still, why did he marry her?
Olivia didnīt have the answer to that herself. She had always felt that Annie was a treath. Right from the start, when she started flirting with Gregory while he was still married to her. At the time, Olivia was pregnant and separated from Gregory. She had believed that they had an affair, which Gregory had denied. Olivia knew that Gregory married Annie to get hold of her stocks that Del left for Annie, but she had always been unsure about if that was it. Had Gregory ever had feelings for Annie? That didnīt matter now. She and Gregory was about to get married now. Annie is out of the picture.
Elaine: Did I tell you? I ran into Isabelle Langley yesterday.
Olivia looked at Elaine. Why did she bring up Isabelle? Isabelle was Elaineīs friend. Also Gregoryīs former secretary. Isabelle and Gregory had had an affair. Olivia had walked in on them, kissing in his office. That was years ago, when she and Gregory was barely talking to each other. When their marriage was dead and they almost divorced, but didnīt. Gregory had broken up with Isabelle after that. He had also found a new secretary. Olivia had never seen Isabelle since then. Why did Elaine bring up Isabelle? Didnīt she know about the affair? This talk and Oliviaīs flashbacks of the hard times with Gregory made her insecure about Gregory. He had had girlfriends on the side before. Was that over, or did he still have someone?
Elaine knew about Gregory and Isabelle. Thatīs why she mentioned her to Olivia. It would help if Olivia had her doubts about Gregory before she walked in on him kissing me, Elaine thought. She was going to pull this off, she knew it now. And the time for the big finale was just around the corner...
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