Love Resurrected

[aussieicon]

Taylor's stiletto heels clacked down the concrete walkway of the Marina Del Ray, coming to stop next to a pile of water soaked sticks and boat pieces at the boat building yard.
'What the hell do you think you're doing Dominic,' Taylor snapped, looking with disgust at the grease and dirt on Nick's face and black turtle neck sweater. He had an old sailor's hat pulled low over his eyes, so she didn't see his eyes roll as she used his full name.
'What does it look like. I'm rebuilding the Shady Marlin. Chuck and a few of the boys have spent the last six months salvage diving in the harbour, collecting every last piece of the Marlin. Now it's my job to put her back together.' Nick lovingly patted the pile of wood, caressing it gently like it was a lover.
'But... but...' Taylor begun, looking across the marina at the Shady Marlin II in her dock. 'But I bought you a new boat already Nick. You should just burn this pile of rubbish.'
'Rubbish?' Nick's face darkened and he placed his hands protectively in front of his work - as if just the remnants of the Marlin could actually understand her insult. 'There are memories on this boat that can not be replaced. She was a part of me...'
His voice trailed off whimsically, as he began remembering scenes on his Marlin, most prominent in his mind were those he spent with Brooke. There she was on the Marlin as they spent their first night stranded on the island. There was Hope and her climbing onto the boat as they went off to play on the island. Brooke on the deck in her wedding gown, happiness flooding her beautiful visage...
'She?' Taylor's face twisted grotesquely, her eyes narrowing in jealousy. 'She was a part of you? God I hope you're not talking about that slut Brooke?'
Nick physically winced at the words that came out of his wife's mouth, and his initial reaction was to grab her by the shoulders and shake her violently. But he slowly swallowed his anger and tried to remove the pain and bitterness out of his voice. 'She, meaning the Marlin. Don't you know that boats are feminine?'
Taylor looked blankly back at him, blinking stupidly before she shook her head. 'Anyway, none of that matters. What I want to know is when you're going to go out and get another job? It's been two months since the Forrester's brought back Creations. What are you going to do with your life?'
'I told you,' Nick said, boredom flashing across his face. 'I'm rebuilding the Marlin.'
She looked at him horrified, wondering if she even knew the man. 'I'm serious Nick.'
'So am I.'
Her eyes flashed with anger at him and she flicked her hair over her shoulder, huffing in what she hoped was her most condescending manner. 'Whatever. Anyway, I'm off to get my hair done and after that I'm having a manicure up in the Hills.'
Nick had a million retorts on his mind. If the woman was so worried about money, why was she wasting it on useless trinkets that she thought made her look younger? Again, Brooke's face flashed across his memory, and he was reminded of how she just got better and better with age. But he shared a child with this woman and he had made a commitment...
'Where's Jacqueline?' Nick asked, hoping to change the subject.
She laughed harshly. 'You think I'm taking the baby with me? She's home with the nanny.'
Nick found it hard to keep his temper down whenever Taylor spoke so coldly about his child - the child she had carried for 9 months. It had been a great shock to her when she'd discovered Brooke was actually the egg donor, and that Brooke had known nothing about the eggs being used. It had been an even greater shock when Brooke won joint custody of the child with him, and Taylor had been given no rights to the child. The truth be told, this was the reason he stayed with her. He felt bad that she'd gone to all the trouble to have his child, only to lose it in the end, and he knew the only way for Taylor to have some part in Jacqueline's life was if he stayed with her. But what he was finding harder and harder to cope with was Taylor's growing coldness and indifference to Jacqueline. Every time Brooke brought her back, Taylor would grow more and more distant and it was starting to cause problems between them. How could it not? While Brooke loved his baby unconditionally, and revelled in any moments she got to spend with it, Taylor was treating her more and more like she was just an obligation and he'd even caught her pinch the sweet little baby's arm the other day when she vomited on her new suit. Nick sighed deeply and let the insult slide.
'Well, bye bye,' Taylor said coyly, airkissing each side of his cheek like he was one of the girls at the country club where Taylor still insisted they keep a membership.
'Yeah, bye.' He turned back to his work as she clacked back down the walkway.

The sun was setting behind the marina, brilliant orange light flooding the bundled sails of the yachts and lighting the decks of all the boats. Nick looked up from his work, happy with what he had achieved for the day. He'd managed to turn a pile of wood into the back end of the Shady Marlin, working especially hard on matching up each plank and giving the name an extra coat of paint so it fairly shone.
He'd just ducked back under the half built hull of the Marlin when he heard an all too familiar voice.
'Oh my gosh, Nick. Is that... is it really... oh it's the Marlin, the real Marlin,' she breathed, her voice heavy with emotion, tears flooding her beautiful green eyes.
Nick moved so quickly that he whacked his head painfully on the hull, rubbing his head as he stood in front of Brooke. 'Oh, hi,' he said quickly. 'Yeah, it's the Marlin.'
'But... how is it possible Nick?' Whenever she said his name, it was like a talisman on her lips and Nick felt his spirit buoy.
'It was Chuck and the boys,' he laughed. 'They spent months gathering the pieces for me. They just presented it to me the other day but there is still heaps of work to do.'
'So I see,' she smiled, leaning forward to touch his face. Nick moved back, just fractionally, unsure what she was doing. But her fingers wiped gently at his nose. 'Sorry, you just had grease smudged all over your face.'
'Oh. Thanks,' he said, knowing he must have seemed stupid to over-react. 'So what do you think?' he asked, pointing back at the Marlin.
'It's... beautiful. I never though I'd see her again but I'm so happy. Oh you'll have to give Chuck a big thank you for me.'
'You could give it to him yourself, if you like,' Nick said nervously. 'I was just about to go up to the bar as it's getting dark. Would you like to...'
'Yeah, that would be good. I haven't seen Chuck in ages.'
Nick packed up his tools, as Brooke stood illuminated by the rapidly sinking sun, her hair aglow, her skin blazing like polished bronze. If only she knew how stunning she looked standing there... But then Taylor broke through his thoughts and he felt guilty thinking these thoughts about Brooke.
'Hey, you didn't tell me what actually brought you down here today,' he said, hoping to get his mind back to the present and away from the past where it so regularly ambled lately.
'Oh no, I didn't,' Brooke laughed. 'Seeing the Marlin again... well, I completely forgot.' She looked at the boat and Nick could see that the same memories were evoked in her mind that were in his. Their eyes met and held for just a fraction too long and Brooke looked away guiltily. 'Catherine told me that Taylor went out today, and I was just wondering... when she's not there Nick, could I look after Jackie? I miss her so much when I'm not with her...' her voice drifted away, tears flooding her beautiful eyes.
How could the two women be so different. Taylor barely spent time with Jacqueline anymore and Brooke was craving more time. Brooke had bonded wonderfully with their baby, despite the fact that she had been carried by another woman, while Taylor had found it almost impossible to bond with her and had constantly blamed that on Brooke, or her 'spirit' dwelling in 'the child'. 'Sure, it shouldn't be a problem,' he said, not quite convinced that it was the truth.
'So do you know if I could spend some time with her tomorrow?' Brooke asked eagerly.
Nick wasn't sure he could okay it that quickly, and he knew that Taylor was going to hit the roof when he told her. Perhaps he should put her off for a day or two, give him some time to soften Taylor up first. 'Oh, I think Taylor has plans with her tomorrow. How about the next day - I'm sure Taylor mentioned something about playing bridge at the country club with her girlfriends.'
'Sure,' Brooke said, quickly trying to mask the disappointment in her eyes. But Nick knew those eyes too well and he swallowed quickly to keep his own emotions in check.
'So how about we head up to Chuck's then,' Nick said.
'Sure,' she said again, her eyes brightening now into a smile. How was it possible that Brooke was just as at home in a swanky place like Cafe Russe as she was in Chuck's Bar. The same as she was just as comfortable on the runway as she was on the gangway of his boat... He let the thoughts drift away. He had to stop thinking about Brooke. It wasn't fair to either of them. They had come to an agreement between them all. She understood his reasons for staying with Taylor. But did he understand his reasons anymore....
Brooke turned back and took another look at the half shell of the Marlin. 'Nick?' she asked, her voice quiet and almost embarrassed.
'Yes.'
'Do you think I could come and help you tomorrow? I'd love to help rebuild the Marlin with you. Maybe I could even bring Hope and RJ by after school and they can help as well?'
Nick was torn. He knew that Taylor would tear shreds off him if he told her and would definitely put her foot down. But he also understood the emotional connection Brooke and her kids had to the Marlin. And he couldn't deny how happy it made him being in their presence. 'Yeah, that would be great,' he said, trying to keep his voice neutral, and make out like it was all about the kids. 'I'm sure Hope and RJ will love that.' As would he.
They had just reached the door to the smoky, loud bar when Brooke reached up and kissed his cheek. 'Thanks so much Nick. Now lead me to Chuck,' she smiled. Nick stood for just a second longer than necessary as she walked through into the bar ahead of him. And he wondered how everything could be so stuffed up and yet perfect at the same time? Was he going back again?

[aussieicon]

Brooke awoke the next morning to find Ridge sitting on the sofa in her lounge room.
'How did you get in?' she said fearfully, looking at the door and memories of Andy Johnston rushing through her mind.
'It's okay Logan. Bridget let me in before she left this morning. What's wrong with you?' He stepped up to Brooke and stroked her hair.
Brooke squirmed out of his grasp and walked to the dining table where the maid had laid out freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants. 'I've asked you not to touch me Ridge. You're married to Ashley now.'
'Logan...' he began, his eyes pleading with her. 'You know how much I love you...'
It had taken many months of seeing Dr Elizabeth but Brooke had finally come to realise what a destructive influence Ridge had been in her life. For too long, she'd blamed only Stephanie, believed that if Stephanie would have just left them alone, Ridge and her could be happy. But even without Stephanie in the picture, Ridge had still chosen to marry Ashley. Beth had helped her realise that she had to set herself free of Ridge if she ever wanted to live a happy life. But it was a hard process. The more she tried to break free, the more desperately Ridge tried to hold on.
'Actually, I don't know. I never have and that's your fault Ridge. You had plenty of opportunity to show me that you loved me. Unfortunately, you never could.'
'But Logan...'
'Look, it doesn't matter. As I said, you're married to Ashley. Your life doesn't really concern me any more.'
'We share a child Brooke. We will always be connected through RJ.' He placed his hands on Brooke's hair again, and she had the uncontrollable desire to lift her knee into his groin. Why had she ever thought that was romantic. It was nothing but annoying.
'Yes Ridge. We share a child. I also share two of them with your father, another with Deacon and one with your brother. I think I can now move beyond deciding the fate of my life based on who I share a child with, don't you?' She said the last sentence scathingly, sick to death of his constant blackmailing and trying to throw RJ in her face. Oh, he'd been horrified when she'd tried to do it months before, back before she knew about Jackie. But now that she was finally moving on, he seemed to be throwing RJ in her face at every opportunity. Finally she had come to realise that IF she was going to be with anyone, it would be because she loved them with her whole heart and couldn't imagine her life without them.
So why did she think of Nick then? He was also married and off limits, and Brooke had promised herself she was never going to chase a married man again. She missed having someone to share her life with but she was more than happy spending time with RJ and Hope, and spending as much time as possible with her sweet little Jackie.
Ridge shrank back as if Brooke had just slapped him.
'Why are you here Ridge,' Brooke asked tiredly.
'I wanted to take you and the kids out for the day. Maybe up to Big Bear. How would that be?'
'I have plans already.'
'Who with?'
'That's none of your business. And I'm not sure that Ashley would appreciate me spending the day with you.'
Ridge looked at her blankly, as if he couldn't understand why his wife would possibly have a problem with such a situation and Brooke was horribly reminded of all the times Ridge had played her and Taylor off against each other. She would never allow a man to do that to her again.
'Ridge,' she said, softening. After all, the man had been a huge part of her life - even if he would never be a part of her future. 'Why don't you take Ashley, RJ and Abby and head up to the cabin for a few days?' She knew that RJ would miss out on working on the Marlin but she also knew he needed to spend time with his father as well.
'I suppose...' he said, his hand suspended just above Brooke's hair. 'Maybe mother would like to come with us too...'
'No Ridge. I don't care that you've forgiven her. I knew you would anyway, as painful as that was for me. But I will not have that psychopathic woman around my son. It is the only reason I agreed not to press charges against her. You will not have her around him, okay? Promise me?'
Ridge rolled his eyes and mumbled his agreement and in that moment, Brooke wondered what she'd ever seen in such a tragic mother's boy. She had always blamed Stephanie for trying to control Ridge, yet she knew now that Ridge liked to be controlled. That's why he constantly forgave his mother, even though Eric, Thorne, Felicia and Kristen still weren't speaking to her.
'Fine. I'll go pack RJ an overnight bag and get him dressed and ready. Help yourself to some croissants.'
He mumbled something again about watching his weight and Brooke went up the stairs to get her son ready.

Two hours later, Brooke walked hand in hand down to the shipyard with Hope. Both were dressed in denim jeans, matching red sweaters with their hair tied back in a bandana. They were both ready to work.
'Hey gang,' said Nick, wiping his hands on his jeans. 'Where's RJ?'
'Nick, Nick, Nick,' Hope said, running into his arms and squeezing him in a big bear hug.
'Oh, there's my favourite girl.'
'So you still love me, even though you have another little girl?' Hope asked in her innocent and straight forward way.
'Of course I do. Your mommy didn't stop loving you when she had RJ or now that she has Jackie, did she? Of course I'd never stop loving you.'
'Yay, the Shady Marlin.'
Brooke looked at Nick and laughed. She had always been completely in awe at the fantastic bond Hope and Nick had formed. Even though Brooke had repeatedly gone back to Ridge, and he had tried very hard to erase Nick from Hope's life, he'd been unable to. They couldn't be closer if they really were father and daughter.
'You're right matey. This is the real Shady Marlin not that imposter over there,' he said, pointing to where TSMII bobbed gently on the water. 'But it's gonna be lots of hard work to get it back to the way we all loved her.'
'So where can we start?' Brooke asked. She noticed that Nick had already put in a lot of work this morning and the Marlin was starting to look more and more like her old self, at least the frame of her anyway.
'Well, see these planks here, they need to be sanded back and repainted.'
'Nick, you walk the plank, you don't paint it,' Hope giggled, grabbing a paint brush and chasing Nick around and around the outside of the boat.

Brooke's arms and back ached and Hope had long since fallen asleep on Nick's old pea sailor coat under the shade of the Marlin's hull. They had managed to get the decking back on the boat and Nick had erected the cabin on the dry ground, which would be lifted into place tomorrow. Throughout the day, Chuck and the boys had taken it in turns to come down and help and the day, and the boat, had flown by. Chuck had also brought down some spicy wings and a few bottles of beer and some juice for Hope, which they had all sat around and ate together, laughing and reminiscing about old times. Brooke had always liked Chuck. He'd always been such a good friend to Nick and it was a shame that they had gone their separate ways for so long. But it was just as good that they were back together now.
They were alone again, and Nick was working on the cabin while Brooke put a finishing coat of polish on the deck. When was the last time she'd actually worked as physically hard as this?
'Hey, you don't mind if I just have a quick cigar, do you?' Nick asked, peeking his head guiltily around the side of the boat. 'The munchkin's asleep, and I'm not allowed to do this at home...'
She nodded her head and laughed as he puffed on the cigar and blew thick smoke above his head. It filled Brooke with nostalgia for a time long past.
'You know who you reminded me of just then?' she said.
'Who? Fidel Castro? Boris Yeltsen? Some other big fat cat corporate bum smoking his cigar?'
'Captain Nick Payne,' Brooke whispered and their eyes met and locked.
'Dominic Marone,' Taylor screeched, drawing them both back to the present with such a startling suddenness that Brooke let out a little yelp of surprise. 'What are you doing, smoking that disgusting thing. I thought we agreed that you wouldn't smoke anymore. I've told you it's bad for your health.' Taylor then turned her eyes reluctantly towards Brooke, as if seeing her for the first time, although Brooke had a fair idea that it wasn't as much a shock as she'd made out. 'Oh, hello Brooke. What brings you here?' Her voice could be described as neutral to a passerby but Brooke knew the tone only too well. It dripped equal parts honey and venom.
'Hope and I...' Brooke started but Taylor turned her back on Brooke and sashayed over to Nick, taking his face between her hands and planting a lingering, sensual kiss on his lips. 'I've missed you darling,' she purred and Brooke couldn't help feeling that it was just a show being put on for her benefit.
Nick's eyes darted across at Brooke's and he looked embarrassed about the scene his wife was putting on. 'Hope wanted to help remake the Marlin,' Nick said, and Brooke wondered why she was thankful for his little white lie? It wasn't as if she was doing anything wrong. She wasn't chasing Nick, trying to seduce him, or undermine Taylor. She had simply wanted to help him with the boat because she was so happy that it was being rebuilt.
'Ah, I'm going to go then. Hope needs to get to bed and...' she was at a loss for words, what between the daggers Taylor was throwing her way and the pleading, apologetic look Nick had turned on her. 'Well, I'll swing by and pick up Jackie tomorrow then, okay?'
Pandemonium broke loose and Taylor had turned her angry eyes on Nick, demanding to know what he was talking about. Nick swallowed painfully, looking at Brooke as if she'd just dumped him in something smelly and Hope woke up crying, frightened at all the aggression. Brooke lifted Hope up. 'I'm going. Call me and let me know if it's okay,' she said to Nick, walking off towards the car. 'Bye Taylor,' she called over her shoulder, never seeing the malevolent glare looking back at her.

[simmiem2]

this is going reaaaaally well!!!

[MontanaLindy]

aussiecon! What a wonderful surprise to find this here this morning!

I started it from home earlier ... but ran out of time ... so just finished it ... now I can't wait for the next installment! ;D

[brickfan]

WOW Rebecca This is great, A strong Brooke and our beloved real captain.

Can't wait for the next chapter.

[Donna]

WOW! This is great!!!

[Pagirl]

I love it!!
Captain Nick Payne is back!

More, please!!!!

[albrown4]

I am really enjoying this story so far......................can't wait for the next part!

[aussieicon]

LOL - thanks for all the encouragement guys. I must admit, I am pretty hooked on it myself, even if it is keeping me from the real novel I am writing!

Anyway, here's another installment.

The ride home in Taylor's car had been painfully silent but Nick knew from his day's as a sailor that the calm often preceded the most violent part of the storm. He'd wished he'd had his car, but it was currently in the workshop, getting fixed, so he's mother had dropped him at the marina on her way to work at Jackie M.
Taylor slammed the car with such force, as they arrived in the driveway of their house, that Nick wondered whether they'd both be without a car soon. She stormed into the house, still not speaking to him and Nick walked behind her, rolling his eyes and wondering why he continued to put up with it. It was never like this with Brooke... Oh why did he keep torturing himself. He and Brooke were over. They had their chance and they both blew it. It was time to move on and to honour the commitment he'd made to Taylor and Jacqueline.
'Daddy's home Jackie...' Catherine begun, holding the beautiful blonde infant out to him but Taylor chose that exact moment to unleash the storm.
'Why the heck was that slut down at the marina with you? I thought you said she wasn't a problem for us anymore.'
Again, Nick's heckles raised. He hated it when anyone called Brooke names, but it especially made it painful when it was his own wife doing the name calling. He had tried to understand their history, and the animosity they both felt towards each other. But strangely, it was only ever Taylor doing the name calling and disrespecting. Brooke had been nothing but polite and professional in her dealings with Taylor.
Jacqueline's cries filled the room and Taylor swore nastily, telling her to shut up. Nick turned impatiently to Catherine and asked her to take Jacqueline back upstairs, promising to be up there as soon as possible. The long suffering nanny nodded gratefully at him and returned up the stairs, holding the now screaming baby close to her chest.
'What is it with you and your animosity towards our child?' Nick shook with quiet fury, clenching and unclenching his fists at his side.
'Our child? Hmph. You mean yours and Brooke's child?' she sneered, screwing her face up unpleasantly.
Nick was trying to be patient, trying to understand how this situation would affect his wife but it was getting harder by the day. 'She's all of our child. I know it's a difficult situation...'
'Difficult? Difficult? I'll give you bloody difficult. You try carrying a child in your womb for 9 months only to have it stolen from your arms, and to find out you are carrying your worst enemy's child. Difficult? Try looking into your baby's face, who you are supposed to love, and all you can see is Brooke...'
'You really hate her that much?'
Taylor laughed nastily and rolled her eyes at him. 'You men are all the same. You fall for her feminine wiles, her sashaying hips, her seductive bedroom talk. You are so sucked in by the slut...'
'Stop calling her that,' Nick yelled in fury.
'But that's all she is. A cheap, no good slut from the valley that has slept her way through the entire Forrester family and half of LA...'
He couldn't believe the hypocrisy of the woman. 'Need I remind you, sweet heart, that you have also been there and done that. And I would never stand for anyone calling you such foul names.'
Taylor looked as though he'd just thrown cold water in her face, and she came up spluttering. 'How... dare... you... compare... me...' She still had the car keys in her hand and she threw these viciously at his head. 'Get out. Go sleep on your precious Marlin. I'm sure your precious little slut will keep you warm if you want.'
He sighed deeply, wondering how to rationalise with such jealousy and spite. 'I think you're over-reacting...' he began.
'No, I am not over-reacting. Frankly, I don't care where you sleep. On the couch, on the boat, in the street or with her. Just as long as it is far from me.'
Nick was consumed with guilt wondering what he had done to make his wife feel so insecure and unloved. He tried to put his arms reassuringly around her, to soothe her and tell her he loved her but she pushed him angrily away, running up the stairs and locking their bedroom door. He could still hear Jacqueline's frightened cries so he followed her up the stairs and went to soothe his baby.

Brooke had just finished checking on the still sleeping Hope and was coming down the stairs to get herself an aspirin to take away the gently throbbing pain in her muscles. Even though her body hurt, she was satisfied with the work they'd got done on the boat, and Hope had been so happy when Brooke had put her to bed. The doorbell rang, startling her. Who could possibly be calling by this late? It wouldn't be her children, who all had their own keys.
'Nick,' she said in shock when she opened the door to find him cradling Jackie in his arms. Her face lit up at the site of her precious baby and she couldn't help leaning forward and drinking in the sweet baby smells that permeated her. 'What are you doing here?' she asked.
'Just thought I'd bring Jacqueline over for a visit, if that's okay with you? She was missing her mommy,' he said, though Brooke thought that perhaps there was more to him being here than he was letting on. Still she was happy to spend time with her daughter no matter the circumstances.
'Sure. Bring her in. Where's Taylor?'
'She ah... she ah went to bed early and Jacqueline was wide awake so ah...'
Brooke had a feeling that Taylor and Nick had just had a big fight, but she didn't want to get involved. She quickly changed the subject and invited Nick in and for the next hour they played with their little girl together on the lounge room floor.
Nick looked at his watch finally and said that he better get back home and Brooke reluctantly agreed.
As they stood at the door, Brooke hugging Jackie tight to her, Nick cleared his throat and spoke. 'Ah, you know today, when you mentioned Captain Payne?'
Brooke smiled and looked up in to his eyes, nodding her head.
'Was I a better man back then?'
It was not a question Brooke had been expecting and it took her somewhat by suprise. 'What do you mean better? There's nothing wrong with you now Nick.'
'Forget it. Look, I've got to go. I'll let you know if I can bring Jacqueline over tomorrow, okay?' He turned to leave and Brooke was filled with an immense sadness.
'No, not better, but definitely happier,' she whispered softly, not meaning for him to hear. He turned to look at her, his eyes filled with pain and anguish and Brooke's heart broke. Was he so far gone that he could never return to that man?

[Horsey]

Awesome!! ;D

[GIOVANNA]

:)Wonderful!!!

Just a question, what does Jackie look like? Does she look like Brooke?

[aussieicon]

Taylor got up off the bed, her eyes red rimmed from crying. She went to her dressing table and slathered cooling, eye cream on them, in the hopes of taking the puffiness away. A photograph of Jacqueline had pride of place on the dresser - as well as on Nick's bedside table and in a million other places scattered around the house. He was always taking photos of the baby.
Normally, that would have made Taylor proud and he was certainly the doting dad she'd always wanted him to be. But... the truth be told, just looking at the child made her feel sick to her stomach. Sure, she was a beautiful child, as everyone in the hospital had taken great pleasure in telling her. She'd come out of her womb with a full mop of blonde hair and huge expressive eyes that took in the world. She had dainty little rosebud lips, that were now always curled into a smile.
What should have been a joyous occasion had turned into a hellish nightmare. Nick had come to her, late in the pregnancy and confessed his suspicions that their had been a mix up with the eggs.
At first, Taylor hadn't realised what that meant, thinking that perhaps they'd just got another donor egg by mistake. But when Nick had mentioned that Brooke may well be the donor... The shock had been so great that she'd gone into premature labour and had the baby a month early. And before they had even had time to conduct the maternity test, she'd known. Just taking one look at the child that should have been her gift to Nick and she knew that Brooke had once again one upped her.
When was she finally going to break free of that woman? She'd been the third wheel in her marriage to Ridge and was now the mother of the child she'd carried. And she knew Nick still had feelings for her. Taylor could see it in his face every time he looked at his child. It only made her resent both Jacqueline and Brooke even more than she thought possible.
She stared at the photograph again, wondering if she had any maternal feelings towards the child. The truth was, she didn't. And if she was really honest, she never had. Even when she was carrying her, she'd always felt like something was not quite right. At first she'd put it down to the fact that it just wasn't her egg. Now she knew what it was. She resented this baby for bringing Brooke and all her craziness back into her life.
She heard a car pulling into the driveway and realised Nick was home. She looked in the mirror, noting that her body was almost back to its pre-pregnancy shape (just another thing she resented about the child) and adjusted her nightgown so that her breasts jutted seductively from the low cut bodice. Tonight, she was going to make Nick forget all about Brooke. She was going to remind him why he married her, why he'd chosen to stay with her when Brooke would have gladly taken him back. Tonight, she was going to erase Brooke from his memory once and for all. She ran the brush through her hair, put some shiny lip gloss on her lips so they shone in the soft lighting and walked seductively to the top of the stairs, knowing Nick would find it hard to resist her.
What she had not expected was to find that he'd taken the baby with him, and the fact that he had meant only one thing.
'You took the baby to see her, didn't you?' she said, her voice a bitter accusation. And once again, she felt the whole world closing in on her.

[brookennickfan]

This is such a great story.

I can't wait for the next installment.

[newestconvert]

AC, This is GREAT! Another wonderful fanfic added to the mix! If we can't get decent story lines we'll write them ourselves. Can't wait for the next install!!

[foreverbrookie]

Great story! I can't wait for more!

[tammievt]

Thank you so much for this great story.

[sassysue]

:)Outstanding!!!!!! If only Bell had one ounce of the talent you had. You should really consider writing professionally. You definately have a gift. You captured my attention right away as I read each installment. I can't wait to read the next one! ;D This is so much better than the show.

[aussieicon]

sassysue said:

:)Outstanding!!!!!! If only Bell had one ounce of the talent you had. You should really consider writing professionally. You definately have a gift. You captured my attention right away as I read each installment. I can't wait to read the next one! ;D This is so much better than the show.

Thanks Debbie. I actually do write for a living. I'm a journalist currently writing my first novel. I keep taking time off from my book to write this fanfic, but then, I keep telling myself that it helps me somehow!

Anyway, thanks again for all the encouragement. I'll write again today.

[aussieicon]

Nick pulled into Brooke's driveway for the second time in 24 hours. He unclipped Jacqueline from her car seat and lifted his little girl into his arms, wondering if he was doing the right thing.
He'd had a terrible argument with Taylor that morning about Brooke and Jacqueline and quite frankly, he was getting tired of it. If Taylor wasn't going to spend time with their daughter, and he was busy, then what was the big problem with Brooke spending time with her. It was her daughter too, after all. He knew that Taylor still had a massive problem with Brooke, and in some ways, he could understand it. He might not agree with it, but he could at least see things from her point of view as well. Brooke and Taylor had been intertwined in each other's lives for most of their adult years.
And truth be told, he was just as responsible for the problems now. He'd known when he first got involved with Taylor about the history between Brooke and her, and he really had tried to cut Brooke out of his life. But it would be easier for him to cut out his own heart than to cut her out completely. Was he being fair to either woman? Probably not, but he had to make the best of the difficult situation they were all in.
Nick remembered again the look on Brooke's face when she'd found out that she was the biological mother of his child. Of course she'd been horrified that her egg had been mixed up in the lab and had threatened to sue the hospital. But he also knew that she'd accepted Jacqueline with open arms, even if her conception was not quite how they had once planned together. Brooke had also gone out of her way to not cause problems for him and Taylor, and she understood why he had to stay with her and stick it out. But if he was really honest with himself, Nick would love nothing better in life than to be raising Jacqueline together with Brooke, Hope and RJ. He still felt as much a part of her family as he ever had.
Brooke opened the door and reached her arms out to take Jacqueline from him, her face lit from within by her smile. Nick had always felt weak at the knees when Brooke smiled and it was no easier now - especially knowing he couldn't cross any lines with her.
'Hi,' she said, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek. 'Thanks so much for bringing her over. Hope has been busy all morning making a new mobile for her crib. She's so excited about her new little sister - thinks she's a little doll for her to play with...'
Nick laughed, knowing exactly how precocious Hope could be and loving her just the same. 'I can imagine. Anyway, I'll keep the visit short,' or Taylor would just hit the roof again (she'd probably had him followed to Brooke's property to make sure he didn't stay too long), 'as I have to get back down to the boat.'
'Oh, okay then. What time would you like me to bring her back?'
'Ah, maybe I better call over here and get her. Taylor is...' How could he tell her that Taylor would cause a scene if she came to the house?
'Look, how about I drop her by the marina just before you leave? Save you the trip all the way back out here.'
'Okay, that would be great. I should have made a lot of progress by then.'
He kissed Jacqueline's head and got back into his car.

Nick couldn't believe how much progress he'd made on the Marlin today. Between him and the boys, they'd pretty much got the basic shell down pat, and only had to do the interior fit out now. It had been hard work, but Nick hadn't felt this satisfied since... well, since he was Captain Payne. His foray into the fashion industry had been a complete disaster, and in all honesty, he never should have gone into it. He'd done it for all the wrong reasons and it had taken him a lot to admit he had made a mistake. But he'd wanted to offer Brooke a reason to stay with him and to finally leave the Forrester's behind forever. Unfortunately, it hadn't worked, but he had no hard feelings towards her. He knew before he got involved with her that Brooke was desperately seeking acceptance from Ridge's family. He'd tried to tell her but she had to see it for herself. And finally, she had. It was ironic that Ridge had taken her along to a rape counsellor to get over being raped by Andy Johnston and her sessions had actually helped her exorcise Ridge from her life forever. Nick had a fair idea that the dress maker couldn't be happy with that - even though he was supposedly happily married to Ashley. In all the time he'd known his half brother, the guy had taken great pleasure in having two women on a string and for most of that time, one of those women had been Brooke. Even though they had decided to go their separate ways, Nick was happy that she'd finally woken up and seen how destructive he was in her life.
'Penny for your thoughts,' Brooke said, stepping up onto the deck of the Marlin where Nick was enjoying a quiet beer as he watched the sunset.
He felt like he'd been caught out doing something wrong, and in some ways, he was. He shouldn't be thinking about Brooke so much. Too many men had made her the other woman in their lives, and Brooke had copped so much flak in her life because of it. Half the hatred and ugliness that Stephanie Forrester had thrown her way was because Ridge had painted Brooke as the Scarlett woman. Admittedly, Nick had done the same thing when he'd been married to Bridgette; longing after Brooke while married to her daughter, and both women had been horribly hurt because of it. Nick would never do that to Brooke again. He cared too much about her to hurt her.
Hi, you're here,' he said, not too that he could, or should, share his thoughts with her.
'Boat looks great. I can't believe how much you've got done in such a short amount of time.'
Jacqueline was asleep in her baby carrier. 'Where's Hope?' he asked.
'Oh, she was having bath time so Rick and Bridgette decided to stay with her. It's a lot of hard work now that Catherine has gone to you guys, but I'm really enjoying being a hands on mom.'
Nick had tried to hire a new nanny when Taylor brought Jacqueline home from the hospital but Taylor had insisted that since Catherine had first worked for her, she got priority. Nick still felt guilty about leaving Brooke in the lurch, and had even offered to hire her a new nanny for RJ and Hope but Brooke wouldn't have it. 'I'm so sorry about that,' he said for the hundredth time.
'Nick, stop apologizing. It's been great being a stay-at-home mom. When you sold Forrester Creations back to Eric, and when Ridge took over Forrester Originals with Stephanie, I didn't know what I'd do with my time. But let's face it, I've made plenty of money over the years, and it feels good being able to give the kids so much of my time.'
How different Brooke and Taylor were. While he had always imagined that Taylor would be a more stable parent, given how everyone praised her and spoke about her like she was a saint, the exact opposite was actually true. Taylor spent very little time with Jacqueline and left the majority of the raising up to Catherine. Even when he'd been married to Brooke, she'd been more involved in Hope and RJs lives than Taylor. It was a reality he found quite disturbing.
'You don't miss the fashion industry?'
'Not really. After Andy, I couldn't go back to modelling - it just didn't feel right. And let's face it, I'm getting a lot older. I think someone younger needs to step up to the plate and do the modelling.'
'You're far from old Brooke, and you still look better than women half your age.' He hadn't meant to say it, even though it was true, and Brooke's face reddened prettily.
They both looked down at Jacqueline, silence between them as they were both lost in their own thoughts.
'I suppose I should go then, and let you get home to Taylor. I'm sure she's just dying to see this precious little girl.'
Nick doubted it. He also didn't want Brooke to go just yet. 'Wait, I have a spare beer here. Would you like to have a tour of the Marlin and see what we've achieved today?'
'That would be great. Okay but just a few minutes more. I promised to read Hope a bedtime story before she goes to sleep.'
He showed her around the boat, memories flooding him of happier times with Brooke and the kids whenever they'd go into a particular area of the Marlin. Even though the boat that Taylor had bought him was a carbon copy of the Marlin, it had never felt like home to him, because it was missing all the memories. Maybe that had been the idea behind her gift, considering Nick had been with two previous wives on this Marlin. But you just couldn't copy those kinds of memories. Even though he and Brooke were in the past, he would treasure the memories they'd made forever. She was and always would be his first love - unless you counted the boat, of course.
Later, as they sat on the deck, sipping their beer, Brooke asked him what he planned to do now that he'd sold Forrester Creations, and was no longer on the board at Marone. Nick thought long and hard about her question, as he had been for days.
'I'm not really sure yet. We've got money, though it won't last forever.' Especially not at the rate his wife was going through it. 'I was thinking of getting back to my first love.'
Brooke's face coloured and her eyes met his, hope fleeting in them for just a second before she swallowed it down. 'Your first love,' she said, trying hard to keep her voice neutral.
'The sea.' Again there was double meaning as Nick had always told Brooke she was the sea to him. And she was. She had been such a sobering part of his life. He'd only come to shore because he couldn't bear to be away from her. 'Not like I used to be, of course. I have Jacqueline to think about now. But maybe a shore based job in the shipping industry. I think I have far more experience in that than I do in fashion.'
Brooke laughed, taking a long sip of her beer and leaned back against the boat house wall, looking out to the sea. 'So you really will be Captain Payne again, or is that now Captain Marone?'
'I guess I will,' he said, wondering why he'd actually changed his name. Massimo Marone might be his biological father but he'd really done nothing for his life. He'd changed his name to honor his father and what had it gotten him? Massimo had still chosen Ridge and thrown Nick to the wolves. 'Captain Payne? Hmmm, maybe I should change back,' he said, only half joking.
'So what does Taylor think about your career plans? What do they call a captain's wife?'
Nick doubted that Taylor would be happy at all, but he really needed to make himself happy before he could worry about that. He hadn't been happy with his career for years now. The most worrying thing is that he'd lost who he really was in the fashion business. He'd always prided himself on being a straight shooter - a person that could tell it like it is, even if it was painful to hear. He'd become too much like Ridge for his own liking.
He shrugged his shoulders in answer to her questions, hoping she wouldn't push for more information. With the way he was feeling right now, and with the nostalgia all around them, he just might let the flood gates open and tell her too much.
She left five minutes later, and Nick made the long drive home to the house, Jacqueline sleeping the whole way home.
When he walked through the door, Taylor was sitting with three of her girlfriends, a dozen empty bottles of champagne on the table in front of them, and a full glass in front of each of them.
'Darllinngggg,' she slurred, obviously drunk. Nick had noticed that she'd started drinking small amounts lately - just a glass of wine here or there - and he'd tried to talk to her. After all, she was still a recovering alcoholic. Nick hoped she hadn't just fallen off the wagon. She reached up and kissed his lips, and Nick suppressed a shudder - her breath reeked of alcohol. 'You're finnaaaallly hoje... oops home.' She staggered back across to the table, grabbing her glass and spilling it all over the place.
'Okay ladies. I think that's enough for today. Would you like me to drive any of you home?' he asked.
They all had drivers waiting in the street and five minutes later, he'd helped them stagger into their cars - one woman puking all over his shirt.
'Oh Nick, let's go out. I'm in the mood for celebrating,' Taylor slurred. 'How about Cafe Russe? You haven't taken me there for ages, not since I was prreggnansh.'
'I don't think you need anymore celebrating,' he said, trying desperately to keep the anger out of his voice. 'How about an early night? You want me to help you into bed?'
She staggered across towards Jacqueline, who had just started to wake up and looked up into Taylor's face, her green eyes crinkled in a smile.
'Catherine!' she shouted. 'Come and get the baby. I want to spends ja nights with Nick and I don't wants her interrruptsing.' She hiccuped loudly and reached for her glass again, which Nick just managed to scoop out of her hand before she skulled it.
Taylor's eyes flashed angrily at him and she told him she was old enough to choose whether she had a drink or not.
He grabbed her arms angrily and forced her to look at him. 'Why are you drinking again Taylor? You know you can't afford to drink. You're an alcoholic. Those problems never go away.'
'I am not an alcoholic,' she hissed at him. 'I only drank before because Brooke was trying to steal my husband.'
He'd had enough of her blaming her problems on Brooke, just as Stephanie had always tried to do.
'Enough Taylor. Brooke was married to me then. She wasn't chasing Ridge. He chased her. He raped her. You drank because you chose to. Stop blaming your problems on...'
'What? On her? You're going to defend her now?' Taylor said, pushing angrily away from him. He tried to grab her again, and she turned and vomited and with horror, Nick realised she'd just been sick all over Jacqueline. He pulled away from her, and Taylor fell in a heap on the ground. He stooped to pick up his daughter, thankful that it had only gotten her blanket but he was furious at Taylor.
'What the heck do you think you're doing?' he snapped.
'All you care about is that stupid baby. Her, and that slut Brooke. Why don't you go live with her and you can raise your bastard together.'
Nick had never raised his hand to a woman before, but in that instant, he lost his temper and slapped Taylor across the face.
'Get out,' she screamed. 'Get out of here. I hate you and I hate your child. Get out.' She fell in a heap on the floor and Nick picked up his daughter and his keys and stormed back out the door. He'd never been so angry at anyone before in his life, with the exception of Stephanie Forrester. Why did he now get the feeling he was married to her twin?

[MontanaLindy]

Oooo...good stuff! ;D Thanks for sharing your story.

[MissJr]

WOW, aussiecon! You are an excellent writer! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next! ;D

[karen3012]

This is abslolutely awesome aussieicon. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us.

You totally had me in fits at the start of your story. I am so glad that hubby wasn't here tonight, because I was giggling uncontrollably.

But then I sobered up pretty quickly.

[aussieicon]

It had taken quite a bit of work to drag Nick along to counselling, especially after her outburst the night before. Why had she let herself get so drunk? Or at the very least, why had she let Nick see her so drunk?
Taylor had woken in a blind panic, realising that Nick had never even returned home and that he had the baby with him. Where was he? Her worst fear was that she had just pushed Nick straight into Brooke's waiting arms. And whatever she was feeling right now, she'd sell her soul to the devil before she'd willingly allow Brooke to win.
She'd initially gone to Brooke's house, fully expecting to find Nick's car in her driveway and she breathed a sigh of relief when she noticed it wasn't. That didn't stop her picking a fight with Brooke anyway. Face it, the woman just knew how to rub her up the wrong way. She only had to be in the room with her for five seconds and immediately she felt like she wanted to scratch Brooke's eyes out. But then again, Brooke had tried to steal every man Taylor had been involved with.
Brooke had insisted she had no idea where Nick was, and that she hadn't seen him since much earlier yesterday evening. Taylor didn't really believe her though, and found herself imagining that the worst had happened. 'Stay away from him Brooke. He's still mine. We're still married.' The fact that Brooke had refused to answer her made her all the more angry.
Eventually, after checking unsuccessfully at his mother's house, at Chuck's (would he really take a baby to a bar?) and at the boat that she'd bought for him. In the end, she reluctantly turned to the north end of the marina and headed up to the ship building area, dreading the fact that he just might really be there. What did it mean if he was spending so much time rebuilding a boat that he'd shared with Brooke? Did it mean that he preferred Brooke to her?
Even though she hadn't meant to, just the knowledge that he'd taken their child to his whoring boat made her mood all the worst, and she nearly blew her opportunity to guilt him into counselling.
Reluctantly, after much tears on her part (only some forced), Nick had caved and agreed to try to save their marriage.
Which is how they found themselves sitting in Pierce Petersen's office.
My, he was still as good looking as she remembered...

Nick fidgeted uncomfortably on the couch, wondering why he'd agreed to this torture. Wasn't it easier for all of them if they just admitted that they made a mistake and shouldn't have gotten married? Things had been strained between them for a long time, and in all honesty, Nick wasn't sure he could ever forgive her comments yesterday. She could rant and rave at him until she ran out of breath, and he could have overlooked it all. But to say she hated Jacqueline... It was outrageous and made him wonder what he'd ever seen in the cold, heartless bitch.
Strangely enough, Nick hadn't even blinked an eyelid when their therapist wrapped his muscle bound arms around Taylor and held her just a moment too long. They greeted each other like old lovers, and normally, that would bother Nick greatly. But today... he was just too preoccupied with the savage reverberation of her insults to their daughter.
'So Nick is it?' Pierce said, consulting the notes on his lap. Nick nodded his head, noticing that the man positively dripped money. Well then, he could fully understand why Taylor had a past with him, if that's what she had. She certainly liked to spend the green ones.
'Taylor tells me that...' again consulting his notes, 'you share a complicated relationship with your ex wife Brooke Logan, and that you... share a child together that Taylor carried in her womb?' Pierce looked up in shock, wondering whether he'd read the last part right. His piercing blue eyes bore holes into Nick and he found it difficult to sit there under that kind of scrutiny. In all his life, Nick had only ever had those counselling sessions with Taylor.
'Uh, well, I ah... know that it sounds... yes bizarre but... there was an egg mix up at the hospital and well.... yes, Brooke Logan is the mother of our child,' he confessed, trying to say it as fast as he could so that it wouldn't seem so... Jerry Springerish.
'I see...' Pierce said non-commitally.
Nick wished he had Jacqueline here with him now. He felt that maybe she'd help him to feel not so exposed.
'And Taylor,' he said, his voice noticeably growing more tender as he spoke her name. 'How did this make you feel?'
Nick rolled his eyes as his wife spent the next minute blaming Brooke for everything from their marital problems to global warming and a lack of world peace.

Taylor was just starting to warm up. There was so much to tell. And Pierce, wonderful Pierce, he understood so much of it already. He had been there for her when Brooke had once again tried to interfere with her happiness. And Pierce had supported her then, just as he would support her now. She so fully trusted his point of view and... well, she had to admit, the man still made her go weak at the knees when she looked up in to his soulful, intense eyes and he smiled that mega watt smile in her direction...
As she told him all about Brooke, and her straddling Nick, her turning up at the wedding (oh, Brooke didn't realise she knew - neither did Nick, but she did. After 20 years of living in Brooke's orbit, she was wise to her tricks and had had Nick's groom suite bugged with a multi-directional video camera) and the immense shock of finding out that Brooke's baby had been growing inside her for 9 months, Pierce nodded kindly at her, even placing his hand reassuringly on her leg. Taylor found her mind wandering, wondering how she had ever stayed with Ridge when Pierce would have so gladly given her everything her heart desired. She hadn't realised what a wonderful man he was until he started dating Brooke....
The thought of her nemesis came her crashing back to the present, and she poured out her emotions, her pain and her humiliation - all at the hands of Brooke - to them. Pierce nodded his head understandingly, leading her further and further into the story, while Nick stared at her blankly. She found herself disconcerted by his stare, shocked that by pouring her heart out in the protected environment of a therapists office, that Nick hadn't folded her into his arms already and promised to cut Brooke out of his life forever.
'Nick, what do you feel when Taylor talks like this?' Pierce asked and Taylor was utterly shocked to hear his answer.
'I think she needs to cut the crap. We're not hear today because of Brooke, no matter how hard she'd like to blame her. We're hear because she admitted last night that she hates me and our child. Now I can take her saying anything about me. I'm a big boy. I'm not going to go off crying in my beer. But I just don't know that I can ever forgive her for what she said about Jacqueline, as if it is her fault that the egg mix up happened in the first place.
Taylor started to panic. What if Nick truly couldn't forgive her? That had been why Ridge eventually left her and went running back to Brooke. She felt the panic claw at her like a wild animal, desperate to be free.
'You don't know what it was like, carrying her child inside me,' she began but Nick cut her off coldly, his laugh hollow and mirthless, his eyes boring a hole into her.
'Boo hoo Taylor. So you had to carry your enemy's child. Is that Jacqueline's fault? This situation has been difficult for everyone but to hear you carry on, you'd think you're the only one that has been put out. Brooke has a child that she's only allowed to spend time with on odd occassions. She had no idea that they were going to use her egg. They didn't give permission. But I have never once heard her complain...'
'Brooke! It's always about that bloody Brooke!' Taylor screamed, feeling her fury erupt to the surface.
'For God's sake...' Nick began but Pierce cut over the top of him. 'Nick, do you still think that Brooke is a problem in your relationship with Taylor?'
'No,' he answered, a little too quickly for Taylor's liking.
'Do you love her?'
'I will always have love in my heart for her. We shared part of our lives, share a child...'
'See. See what I have to deal with?' Taylor screamed.
Pierce patted her leg reassuringly, and she felt herself calm down almost instantaneously.
'... but,' Nick said forcefully over the top of her voice, cutting her off. 'I chose to stay with Taylor because I also love her. I want to share my life with her.'
For some reason, Taylor found herself laughing bitterly. Oh, she knew that he had feelings for her, but they were nothing like the feelings he had once shared, and still did with Brooke. But she had to get her emotions under control, if she didn't, Brooke would win and she'd lose Nick forever.
'Now I think our marriage is over, and we're just fooling each other to keep going through the motions. She's changed, and in some ways, so have I. It's not fair to either of us and it's certainly not fair to Jacqueline to live among this much stress...'
Taylor felt like she'd just had a bucket of cold water thrown in her face. Of all the accusations and hurt she thought she might hear out of Nick's mouth, of all the things she thought he might say, those words were the last she thought she'd hear.
'No Nick, please don't leave me. Please...' she begged, going down on her knees and taking his hand in hers.

[karen3012]

WOW, Taylor is really breaking down, isnt't she? I am ashamed to say it, but I do not feel one bit sorry for her. She is one sick puppy who urgently needs some serious counseling over her obsession with Brooke and men that have been involved with her.

Thank you for another great installment aussieicon.

[pds]

WOW, Aussie, this is great, I'm hooked already. Thank you