Thomas expressed anguish about his actions with the mannequin and chose to be honest with Ridge and Hope about his feelings for Hope. Liam and Steffy admitted that they didn't regret their night, but Steffy pressed Liam to keep it a secret.
Steffy and Liam discuss their feelings about that night
Monday, December 14, 2020
by Chanel S. Garner
At Forrester, Zoe and Carter were in the CEO's office, discussing whether she'd gone wedding gown shopping. Zoe hadn't yet, and he advised her not to be in a rush. After all, she was surrounded by designers at work, and he thought it was possible that one might volunteer to design her a dress. Zoe hadn't thought of that. Carter said that she'd be "Forrester extended family" and should get used to tiny miracles happening -- and big ones, too.
Zende rushed in, saying that Zoe and Carter wouldn't believe what had happened to Thomas. Later, Zoe stated that it was unbelievable that Thomas was recovering from brain surgery. She and Zende remarked that Thomas had been acting like himself days earlier at their meeting. Carter wondered if it had crept up on Thomas overnight.
Zende hadn't gotten that impression from Ridge, who'd indicated that it had been building. Steffy's boyfriend, Dr. Finnegan, had been the first to notice changes in Thomas' personality. Zoe asked if Douglas knew, but Zende said no one had told the child. Zoe was glad Thomas had pulled through, and she hoped he'd be okay.
Carter and Zoe figured that Thomas had been suffering for a while with his issue. Zende said Thomas had covered it up and tried to appear normal instead of getting help. Carter assumed Thomas had feared losing the trust and respect he'd worked to regain. "If that's true, that's really sad," Zoe decided, feeling terrible for Thomas.
Carter found Zoe to be amazing to forgive Thomas and express concern for him. Carter was honored that he'd call Zoe his wife. Zoe replied that she was marrying Carter because he said the best things. Carter told her to look at what he had for inspiration. Zende rolled his eyes.
In Thomas' hospital room, Thomas was upset about what he'd done with the mannequin. Hope tried to calm him down and get him to stop thinking about it. That was impossible for Thomas, who said it was seared into his brain. Hope offered to get the doctors to explain to him how his brain injury had led to his delusions about the mannequin.
Agonizing, Thomas said he didn't want to be like that, and he'd worked so hard not to be. Hope replied that he wasn't. Thomas was distraught that he'd kissed a mannequin and asked what was wrong with him. "I'm nuts. That's why I'm here," he fretted.
Thomas' eyes shut tightly as he fought against his memories. He said it had been alive; he'd thought it had been Hope. He flashed back to the "flesh" mannequin commanding him to show Hope how he felt. Upset, he concluded that he couldn't be a father to Douglas any longer.
Hope started to leave to get the doctor, but Thomas told her not to. She said that he needed to calm down. Hope assured him that he was not a danger to Douglas, himself, or her. Thomas flashed an uncertain look. She asked if she'd ever lie to him. She promised that he'd be okay.
Thomas thought Hope was just saying things, but Hope insisted that he'd had brain trauma. She said he had Finn to thank for discovering it. Thomas replied that he liked Finn.
Hope said Finn had found Thomas to be supportive usually, but when Thomas had stopped acting that way, Finn had become concerned. He'd asked her if she'd seen anything out of the ordinary about Thomas. Hope hadn't, but after Finn had seen Thomas again, Finn had become even more concerned. She'd told Finn about Thomas' head injury, and Finn had deduced that it could cause erratic behavior. That was when Hope had gone to check on Thomas.
Thomas was ashamed that Hope had seen him that way. Hope wanted Thomas to stop blaming himself for a condition that had been out of his control. His injury had caused a subdural hematoma. Thomas asked what that was. She explained that he'd had bleeding in the brain, and the pressure had caused him to have delusions. It had been a serious brain injury, and he could have died. "I'm not crazy?" Thomas asked, clarifying, "I'm not a danger to Douglas?"
Hope told Thomas that he wasn't, and everything would be fine. Thomas thanked God. He asked if Hope really wasn't afraid of him or afraid that he was still obsessed. Hope wouldn't judge him because he hadn't been responsible due to his condition. "You must have been freaked out, though," he guessed.
Chuckling, Hope said she had been until she'd figured out what had been going on. Thomas claimed that he was no longer obsessed, but he needed her to know that he did still care about her. Hope knew it and asked him to save his energy. Thomas insisted upon telling her that he accepted the decisions she was making for her life. He said he might be a one-woman guy to a fault, but he'd always love Hope.
At the cliff house, Steffy tried to get Liam to see that telling Hope their secret could blow up his marriage. She said that no one needed to know what had happened, and she reminded him that she had something at stake, too. Liam apologized, but she told him not to be sorry. She felt just as responsible as he had been. Liam wondered if she really was.
Steffy replied that she could have told Liam to leave, but she hadn't. Liam reasoned that she hadn't been exactly sober. She stated that they'd known what had been going on. "Not really. Neither of us did, really," Liam contended. He said that everything that had happened between them had been based upon a total misunderstanding. Liam felt that he should have confronted Thomas and thereby avoided the entire misunderstanding.
Steffy tried to reason with Liam about hurting Hope, and Steffy said she was in a good place with Finn. She urged him to help her protect Hope and Finn. Steffy asserted that what they'd done had been wrong. Sighing, she said, "But, in the moment, I mean, it felt right." Liam replied that it had. Steffy hadn't felt that way in a long time. It had been nice to be close to him and reminisce about the past. He replied that it had felt good.
Steffy said it had been crazy because, "for a minute, I thought that..." Liam stated that he'd thought that same thing. Gesturing to the portrait, Liam said it never felt wrong to be with Steffy. It was the most natural thing on the planet. Steffy agreed and acknowledged that they'd shared a lot in that house. They'd started a family there with Kelly.
Liam stated that he'd felt it had been happening all over again. He'd thought his marriage had been over, and he'd never go back. "And I was coming home to you. Like, we were gonna have our life and our family back," he added. It meant a lot to Steffy that he'd say that.
Liam told Steffy that he still loved her and had never stopped loving her. Steffy felt the same way. He asked why she thought that was. She doubted they'd ever understand it. She called it connection or chemistry. She said she'd never regret a moment they'd shared together, and no matter how it turned out, she'd be fine.
Liam stated that it was what he admired most about Steffy, who'd faced many obstacles over the years. She'd always come back stronger and more resilient. He stated that Kelly had a good role model. Steffy said she did everything for Kelly, the child he'd given her. Kelly was a testament to the love she and Liam shared, and whether or not they were together, Liam and Kelly would always be the greatest gifts.
Liam was grateful for the role Steffy let him play in Kelly's life. He said Steffy could have made it difficult for him to have a relationship with Kelly. It was one of the reasons he'd always love Steffy. "You're so special, Liam," Steffy replied. He was a big part of who she was and had opened her heart in ways she hadn't imagined. The problem with that was open hearts were easily wounded. Liam replied that he'd never wanted to hurt her.
Steffy claimed that she hurt herself when she let herself think about a future that wasn't her anymore. She didn't want Liam to blame himself because it took two to tango, and in the moment they'd shared, a life together had seemed possible. Liam replied that it had to him, too, and he'd wanted it. He'd wanted them together again, just like the portrait.
"Yeah, I know," Steffy agreed. It had seemed like a door had been opening, and she and Liam had taken the chance and gone through it. Liam claimed he hadn't been leading her on, and he'd felt the same things. Steffy said that the way they felt about each other didn't diminish his love for Hope or Steffy's connection with Finn. Liam added that whatever it was between them, that was just "us." Steffy chuckled, saying it was a beautiful thing.
"Ah, Steffy...I wish..." Liam started to say. Steffy replied, "I know. Same." Liam stated that for a brief, shining moment, that wish almost came true.
Thomas makes a startling admission
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
by Chanel S. Garner
At the cliff house, Liam told Steffy to never doubt what being with her had meant to him. He'd never thought he'd be with her or touch her again. Steffy said it probably shouldn't have happened. Liam scoffed. "Okay, it definitely shouldn't have, but I don't regret it," she replied.
Liam didn't regret the feeling. Steffy asked what feeling. He said it was the feeling that he might have a life with her and Kelly again and the feeling of what the future could hold. Steffy knew the feeling well and knew that it could never be.
Liam lamented not realizing that Thomas had been kissing the mannequin. Steffy didn't know why Liam would have realized it. Liam said it was because he'd known Thomas had had the mannequin at one point in time. Liam had been jarred by the manner in which Thomas had been talking to "her." It had been so intimate, and he asked how he could think of anything "but."
Steffy told Liam not to be hard on himself for making an understandable mistake. Liam said it had led to an even bigger -- "Not mistake. I'm not going to call it that," Liam decided, although it had been based upon a huge misunderstanding. For him, being with Steffy had been a memory, and he thought he'd keep it in his back pocket for a while.
Steffy liked knowing that their night had meant something to Liam. Liam said that, as guilty as he felt, there were moments "that were, you know." Grinning, she replied that it had been overwhelming. Liam regretted betraying his marriage, but he couldn't say that it hadn't reminded him of a life he'd once loved. It was just that their lives were going in different directions.
Steffy said the directions were with Hope and Finn, and Steffy thought they were good directions. Liam felt lucky to have ever had a relationship with Steffy, even if it hadn't been the forever that they'd wanted. There had been a lot of great memories, including the previous night, which he'd thought would never happen again.
"Oh, tell me about it," Steffy replied, chuckling and flipping back her hair. She hadn't expected the feelings that she'd thought she'd done a good job burying to come rushing back. Liam said he didn't think they had to bury them. Steffy gaped at him. Liam said they were always going to care about each other. Hope knew it, and Finn would know it if he didn't already.
Steffy explained that there was a difference between caring for someone and thinking a future was possible with them again. Liam stated that they'd gotten a little too close to that. Steffy agreed, and they smiled at each other.
It was hard for Liam not to think of what a reunion would have meant to Kelly. Steffy asked why Liam was doing "this." She wanted him to be happy with his choices, and she knew that his family with Hope brought him joy. Steffy was thankful that what he'd thought about Hope hadn't been true. "Even if it means..." he replied and waved his finger between himself and Steffy.
Steffy said his name as a warning not to go there. She stated that they had "a great life." Kelly was thriving, and Steffy wanted him to stop feeling guilty. All she wanted him to feel for her was deep, deep appreciation. She was thankful that they were raising a child together, and Kelly and she would always love him, no matter what.
Steffy already knew how Liam felt about her, but it didn't change what they knew to be true about the kiss between Thomas and the mannequin. Hope hadn't betrayed Liam and never would. "I, on the other hand..." Liam replied. Steffy told him to stop beating himself up because it had been a misunderstanding. Liam said he should have gone to Hope like an adult.
Steffy responded that Liam had gone to her because he knew that he could talk to her. Liam didn't think Hope would see it that way. Steffy insisted that he couldn't tell Hope that he had slept with Steffy. Steffy said the Logans would rally against her. Liam asked when Steffy had started caring what people thought. Steffy said she cared what Finn thought.
Liam said it was fair, and he wasn't the only one with a relationship to lose. Steffy believed that Finn was a good guy, and for the first time in a long time, she thought she could have a life with someone. She asked if Liam knew how long it had taken her to get over him, and she finally had someone in her life. She wasn't willing to lose Finn.
Liam reasoned that Finn might understand. Steffy didn't think so -- not after the warnings he'd received about Liam and Steffy. She'd constantly reassured Finn that it wouldn't happen. She didn't know if Finn was her forever or her future, but she wanted a chance to find out. She felt that Liam owed her that. She said it would also destroy Hope.
Steffy urged Liam to let go of the mistake he'd made about the mannequin. Liam wanted to stop and think for a second. Steffy felt like she was on a roller coaster. Her brother had just had brain surgery, and Finn had saved Thomas' life. She felt that should be making her and Finn closer, but Liam was threatening to take Finn away from her.
Liam claimed not to be doing that, but it was exactly what Steffy thought would happen if Liam told Hope. Steffy had had enough whiplash for a lifetime. She stated that Liam had mistaken what he'd seen, and he and Steffy had slept together. Frustrated, she didn't want to go over it again or feel the way she was feeling. She implored Liam to move on and not tell Hope.
Liam said he'd never meant to hurt Steffy like that. He recognized that he'd caused pain and confusion by mistaking what he'd seen, and Steffy deserved better from him. He assumed it made him a bad person to say it, but he didn't regret his night with Steffy. He didn't regret what he'd said. He loved Steffy and always would.
At the hospital, Thomas was surprised that Hope hadn't left yet after hearing that he loved her. He asked her to be truthful and tell him whether she was scared. He stated that it didn't feel right to lie to her about his feelings. It wasn't who he was anymore.
Ridge rushed in with good news about Thomas' surgery. His scans looked normal, according to the neurosurgeon. The doctors still had to run tests and keep an eye on Thomas, but things looked really good for him.
Ridge said he'd call Steffy about it soon. Hope was surprised to hear that Steffy and Liam had taken off. Ridge told Hope that Liam had had a conference call, and Steffy had gone to check on her daughter. Hope decided to step out to call her mom and Donna about the kids. Thomas asked her to tell Douglas that his father missed him.
After Hope had gone, Ridge wanted to ask Thomas something but wondered if it was the best time. Thomas said he wasn't doing anything at the moment but resting. Ridge said he'd noticed the way Thomas had been looking at Hope, and Ridge knew about the kiss. Thomas asked what Ridge meant, and Ridge said he knew that Hope and Thomas had kissed.
Ridge didn't want to judge Thomas, but Ridge felt that he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't ask. He also mentioned that Brooke was still a little concerned about Thomas' past feelings for Hope. Ridge said that seeing Hope's concern and attentiveness regarding Thomas had made Ridge wonder if they'd been wrong about the relationship between Hope and Thomas. After all, kissing was a big deal and very intimate.
Thomas stopped Ridge, who Thomas felt needed to know something. It was something upsetting. Ridge didn't think they needed to talk about it if that were the case, but Thomas didn't want Ridge thinking things about Thomas and Hope. Thomas revealed that he'd done something stupid; he'd taken the mannequin.
Interrupting, Ridge replied that it wasn't stupid, and he knew that Thomas had been using the mannequin for inspiration. He asked if Thomas and Hope had gotten closer while working together. Thomas revealed that he hadn't kissed Hope. Ridge seemed perplexed.
In the corridor, Hope encountered Finn, and they discussed how well Thomas was doing physically. Finn wondered how Thomas was mentally and if he'd mentioned anything to Hope. She revealed that Thomas had gotten worked up about talking to the mannequin, and he'd been really worried that he'd lost his mind.
Finn hoped that he and the neurosurgeon could talk to Thomas about that when they checked on him later. Hope thought that Finn should know something else, but she wasn't sure if she were overreacting. Finn asked if Thomas had done anything else while he'd been delusional and reminded her not to judge Thomas for what he'd done in an altered state of mind.
Hope didn't judge Thomas, but it had still been pretty creepy to her. Finn asked if it had been creepier than calling the mannequin by Hope's name. "Much creepier," Hope responded. She thought Thomas would be mortified if he knew she were telling Finn about it, but it was something that Finn needed to know. Hope revealed that during Thomas' argument with the mannequin, he'd told it that he wouldn't kiss it again.
"Wait a minute. What?" Finn asked. Hope stated that Thomas had been kissing the mannequin and thinking that it had been Hope.
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