In Eric's office, Steffy and Hope continued to bicker in front of Thomas about his life choices. Steffy was thrilled for her brother, who'd found a woman who truly loved him. Steffy told Thomas to step into the future and leave Hope in the past where Hope belonged.
Hope, proclaiming herself the mother of Thomas' child, refused to let Steffy belittle her. Thomas asked if "we" could stop, but the women carried on as if he wasn't there. Steffy said if Hope wanted a future with Thomas, she'd be the one wearing his ring.
Thomas appreciated Steffy looking out for him, but he didn't want her to be so rough on Hope. He said he could handle his own life. His engagement had surprised everyone, and Hope needed time to process it. He believed Hope would see it was good for everyone. Thomas asked them to stop arguing. He hated it when they fought. Thomas left to pick up his son.
Hope wished they could get along, but Hope refused to let to Steffy disrespect her and mess with her life any longer. Steffy replied that Hope owed it to Thomas to let him enjoy the moment. Hope questioned Thomas' choice, but Steffy said she trusted his judgment. Scoffing, Hope said if that were true, Steffy wouldn't have gotten into his head and convinced him to leave with Douglas. Steffy said getting far from Hope was the best thing Thomas could have done.
Steffy yelled that Thomas was finally out of his fog, and Hope needed to let him go. Hope asked what she should do if she didn't want to and if she still loved him. Steffy replied that she was sorry for Hope, who hadn't appreciated Thomas. Calling it done, Steffy advised Hope to be with someone single, because Steffy would do all within her power to keep Thomas off the market. Steffy said Thomas had an exciting future without Hope.
In the design office, R.J. and Luna kissed. They admitted it felt as if it had been forever since they'd done that, but it was because she'd been getting to know her father. She said Bill was R.J.'s least favorite person, but R.J. said it was no longer true due to Bill creating Luna.
Luna announced that Bill wanted to adopt her. R.J. was excited, calling it a big step and a full-circle moment. It meant a lot to Luna, and she added that it did to her mom, too. Luna recalled that she and her mom had struggled, and there had been a void. She hadn't seen her mom smile so much as when they'd become a family with Bill. R.J. didn't get why Poppy, who had strong feelings for Bill, hadn't told Luna sooner. Luna said her mom could be mysterious sometimes. Luna's phone chimed, and she said she had an appointment.
At Il Giardino, Deacon, Hollis, and Sheila were excited about Tom's set that night. The restaurant was alive with an evening crowd, but upstairs, Poppy was upset with Tom for showing up at Bill's. Tom said he had wanted to invite Poppy to the concert and had hoped she'd bring their daughter. Poppy asserted that Luna wasn't his daughter, and he needed to stop.
Tom said he just wanted Luna to get to know him, and Luna didn't even know who her real dad was. Claiming Luna did know, Poppy stated that he was a kind man. "You only wish it was Bill Spencer, but it's not. It's me. I'm Luna's dad!" Tom proclaimed. Tom wanted to see Luna, who deserved to know who her real dad was.
Poppy insisted it wasn't Tom, and she told him to stop being delusional. She ordered him to stay out of her daughter's life, but Tom persisted, saying it was "our" daughter. He accused her of trying to keep him away for a long time, trying to land herself a rich man. Tom insisted that Luna needed to know who her real father was.
Poppy maintained that Luna's father was Bill. "You trapped that poor sucker!" Tom responded. Poppy told him that a paternity test had proven it. Tom called it bull. He'd kept his distance, but in his mind, it was time for Luna to know the truth. "Tom, for the last time!" Poppy yelled.
Tom insisted that he could tell Luna was his. He and Poppy had spent a lot of nights together, like in San Francisco. She said he'd been passed out on the tour bus, and she'd spent the evening with Bill Spencer. Tom figured she would say it was the rich Bill. Poppy disclosed that her sister, a doctor, had administered the test, and it had been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Bill and Poppy were Luna's parents.
Tom asked why Poppy hadn't figured it out sooner. He said he'd tried reaching out, but she'd shut him down. Poppy accused him of being caught up in the "lifestyle," and she'd wanted to protect Luna from all of that. Poppy added that he'd kept calling her and sending her those letters. Tom said the letters had been returned. She replied that it was because they hadn't meant anything. "You're just a fling from my past, Tom. Now leave us alone!" Poppy ordered.
Tom stated that Poppy couldn't keep him from Luna. He said he had a show to do, but after that, he'd track Luna down and tell her that her dad "ain't Bill Spencer." Tom suggested that Poppy come clean but said that, either way, Tom was Luna's dad. He decided that he had to hit the can, and she had to go. Poppy's jaw dropped, and her back hit the wall behind her.
Back downstairs, the place was crowded and alive with background music and chatter. Jack grimaced when he saw Li at the end of the bar in her scrubs. He didn't remember her being one for live music. She drawled that he thought he knew her "so well." She admitted that she was there for a "pick-up" and hadn't known what had been going on there.
Urging Li to join him for a drink, Jack asked Hollis to get another for the lady. Jack toasted to Finn, and Li drank to that. Li seemed distracted as she looked around, and Jack asked if she was looking for someone. Li shook her head, annoyed. Li strode off and bumped into Sheila, who was amused to see Li. Li cocked her head and marched off.
Sheila turned and bumped into Justin. She guessed the place was filling up. Justin said it was the best food in town -- and live music he wouldn't miss for anything in the world.
By the bar with Deacon, Tom arrived without his energy drink. Hollis offered to get one from the back, but Tom insisted that it had to be ice blue. He guessed he'd left it backstage. Backstage, someone in leather gloves opened Tom's blue drink and sprinkled power into it.
Sheila passed Jack as she strode in from the backstage area. Deacon, Sheila, and Hollis encouraged Tom. As Tom went backstage, Jack shook his hand and said he couldn't wait to hear Tom play. Tom passed Justin, who came from backstage, looking irritated. Next, Tom and Li moved side to side to try to pass each other as she also entered from the backstage area.
When Tom made it backstage, he took a swig of his drink and practiced singing his song. Deacon arrived to give Tom a final pep talk. Tom said the night was about a fresh start. He was ready to take his life back and reclaim what was his.
Deacon stood onstage to welcome everyone to the first night of live music at Il Giardino. He introduced Tom, who took the stage with his blue drink in one hand and guitar in the other. Tom strummed the guitar, singing "H-O-T-T hotter than that..."
Chugging his drink, Tom performed several songs. As the crowd clapped, Tom's vision blurred, and he fell on the floor. Li frowned from her seat, looking on as Deacon, Hollis, and Sheila rushed to help Tom, who wasn't breathing. Sheila performed CPR.
At Bill's house, Poppy was having coffee in the living room. She flashed back to her argument with Tom the previous night and seemed worried. Bill surprised her when he entered the room. She'd thought he'd be at work. He took a look at her and asked if something was going on. He assumed she'd been crying. She tried to deny it but admitted to being emotional. Insisting upon hearing about it, Bill said there was nothing she couldn't tell him.
Bill told Poppy that there was nothing he couldn't fix. Poppy knew it but said it was a lot. He asked if she meant he was a lot. All of it was a lot, according to Poppy, from the paternity tests to waking up to Bill each morning, knowing he was Luna's father. She was overwhelmed. It had been so unlike all the fears she'd harbored about how things would be. It was as if the life she'd known had died. He said it was for the better. "Much better," she added.
Unable to thank Bill enough, Poppy asked if he had to go to the office. She dropped her robe, exposing her nightie. She said she wanted to show him what life with him meant to her.
Later, Poppy and Bill cuddled on the sofa, naked beneath some covers. His phone chimed, and she insisted he see if it was one of his kids. Bill had received a news alert about someone who looked familiar, a person named Tom Starr. Bill recognized Tom as a busboy and reported to Poppy that he'd died at the restaurant the previous night. "Died?" Poppy said in disbelief. Bill told her that Tom had collapsed on stage.
Poppy asked what had happened to Tom. Bill read further and said it had been a drug overdose. Shaken and tearful, Poppy said, "That's so horrible." Bill said one heard about tragedies like that every day, and he was glad his family hadn't been touched by it. Bill stated that the poor guy was gone, and life could be fleeting. Poppy called it tragic.
Bill thanked Poppy for his daughter. Poppy recalled that she and Luna had struggled for years to hold their lives together and had barely made ends meet. She'd done her best to raise Luna in a safe environment. Bill said Poppy didn't have to worry anymore. He'd always care for them. Poppy replied that his love had changed their lives. Bill said Luna could depend on him. Poppy concluded that it was what made it all worthwhile. Bill held her, and she looked worried.
At Il Giardino, Deacon had coffee at the bar as he and Hollis reeled from the events of the previous night. Finn arrived, saying he'd heard about Tom's death at the hospital. Deacon thanked Finn for coming and said he had to know what had happened to Tom.
Hollis and Deacon agreed that it was a shame. Tom, who'd been a sweet guy, had been trying to make a new start for himself. Hollis noted that Tom had gotten shaky and unsteady on stage. Deacon figured that Finn might know something, and Finn revealed that it had been a drug overdose.
It didn't make sense to Deacon and Hollis. Finn replied that the full toxicology report was still in process, but Tom's presentation had been textbook. Deacon, Hollis, and Finn lamented Tom's death. Deacon remarked that Tom had never forgotten a face. Finn said it was awful that Tom had had friends and a lot to live for, but drugs had taken it all away. Deacon didn't get it because Tom hadn't been using anything. He didn't understand why Tom would go back to it.
Finn reasoned that relapses happened. Deacon said Tom had been up-front about his history of drug abuse, and he'd sworn he'd kicked the habit. Deacon said it wasn't the guy Finn knew, the guy who'd saved Sheila, or the guy Finn had seen working there. Finn agreed but said people could function with addictions. Deacon insisted that Tom had been looking forward and reclaiming his life. It didn't make sense that he'd start using again.
Deacon decided not to make final judgments until the report on Tom was done. Finn said the news had picked it up, and Deacon would have to deal with news vans. Upset, Deacon said people didn't throw away second chances. "Look at your mom," Deacon considered. Finn didn't want to go there and said he'd just arrived to talk about Tom. Finn didn't want to make it a habit or risk running into Sheila. He had to honor his wife's wishes, and his family came first.
Deacon was thankful Finn had stopped by, even if Deacon hadn't liked the news. Finn thought of how drug addictions ruined families, and he asked if Tom had had kids. Deacon said that there were none that he was aware of.
In the design office, Luna was cataloging dresses when Zende entered. He offered to return later, but she said it was fine if he stayed. Noting that she seemed chill, he said he'd heard that she'd found out who her father was. Guessing it had to be surreal, Zende remarked that it was as if she'd discovered she was a princess.
Luna hadn't thought of it that way, but she didn't see herself as a princess. The money was new to her, but it blew her mind that she had an extended family. Zende smiled because Poppy had finally told Luna what Luna had always wanted to know. Luna told him about the paternity reveal, and he said it was official. She was Bill Spencer's daughter. She stated that one of the biggest mysteries in her life had been solved. Her whole life, she'd thought her dad was dead, but as it had turned out, he was very much alive.
Luna told Zende that she'd almost given up, but she'd found out who her father was. She was excited to get to know him. Zende called her amazing. She reasoned that Bill could have been angry to have another kid show up out of the blue, and he hadn't had to accept her. She said he had, and she'd had an amazing connection with Bill even before they'd known. The DNA test had confirmed it, and an instant bond had formed. She revealed that Bill even wanted to adopt her. Zende was glad she was finally getting to have her father in her life.
Luna stated that it had been a roller coaster, but she was thrilled to finally know her father.
At Bill's house, Poppy was still shaken by the news of Tom's death. Bill entered, saying that Poppy had been incredible earlier. She wondered if she could have him to herself a bit longer, but he informed her that he was headed to Forrester to talk to Katie. Bill claimed that he and Katie still had a lot to discuss due to Will having a new sister.
Poppy warned Bill not to be gone too long because she'd miss him. Bill kissed her and left to grab something from the den on his way out of the house. "Katie," Poppy seethed to herself.
Later, Poppy cried, gazing at the article about Tom's demise. A flashback to a time when they had been young played. In it, Tom told her that the previous night had been amazing. She said he'd been amazing on and off the stage. Tom told her that she was his inspiration. Tom said he never forgot a face, especially one as beautiful as hers. Poppy told him that she'd carry a piece of him inside of her forever. Sobbing, in the present, Poppy said, "I'm so sorry, Tom. I'm so sorry."
Poppy cried, recalling Tom saying it was time Luna knew the truth.
In the design office, Katie congratulated Paris, and Paris showed off her ring. Katie noted that the engagement between Paris and Thomas had come as a bit of a shock to Katie. Paris assumed the quickness of the engagement concerned Katie, but Paris said she'd learned the hard way about committing to someone who wasn't fully committed to her. Paris didn't want to go down that road again and had been completely up-front with Thomas about it.
Katie wondered if Thomas had been completely up-front about Hope being his everything -- until Paris had become his everything. Paris said Thomas had been open and honest about his feelings for Hope. Katie asked if Paris believed that Thomas didn't still have feelings for Hope. "Yes, but it doesn't sound like Hope's too convinced," Paris replied.
Later, Katie was alone when Bill arrived. They bantered a bit about him "being on chill." Katie asked what it was like to spend his days and nights with a woman who had kept such a consequential secret from him. She backed off, saying she might be overstepping. Bill replied that she meant too much to him to ever be seen as doing that.
Bill stated that he and Katie had history, and she was one of the few people whom he could really trust. Katie called him her first true love and man of her dreams. She'd grown up with him, and they'd had a wonderful life. She thanked God for their son. Bill said Will was the best of both of them. "Just like Luna is the best of you and Poppy?" Katie asked.
Bill asked what Katie knew about Luna. Katie responded with positive things. She saw a lot of Bill in Luna, just as there was a lot of him in Will. Bill talked about setting up a time for Luna and Will to meet. "What about Poppy?" Katie asked. Bill asked what Katie meant. She noted that things had moved fast, and Bill wanted Luna and her mother close to him.
Bill asked if Katie thought he should have excluded Poppy. Katie repeated that it was all happening very fast. Bill replied that he was painfully aware of how fleeting and precious life was, and he was aware of all the time he'd missed out on with Luna and Poppy. He'd been alone for quite a while. He said it hadn't been what he'd wanted; he'd wanted his Katie.
Stammering, Katie asked why Bill would talk that way when Poppy was living in his house and he had feelings for Poppy. Bill replied that he did because Poppy had given him a daughter. Katie added that Poppy was also in love with him, and it was really hard for Katie. She stated that she felt like an interloper in her own home. She said she felt like she wasn't allowed to be in the home, "our home," where they'd raised Will. She said she had amazing memories of them there.
Bill replied that he did, too, and always would. He asked what was really going on. Katie stated that she hadn't realized or wanted to admit how difficult the situation was with Luna and Poppy, and Katie didn't trust Poppy. There was something Katie couldn't put her finger on, and she wanted Bill to be careful.
In Eric's office, Thomas arrived at the end of Hope's call with Deacon, and Thomas asked if everything was okay. Hope explained that Deacon's employee and wedding officiant had died of a drug overdose at Il Giardino. Thomas had arrived to talk to Hope. He didn't like the way Steffy had spoken to Hope the other day but doubted she'd get an apology.
Unconcerned about Steffy, Hope implored Thomas to think long and hard before getting married. Hope expressed love for Thomas. He said he loved her, too, "but..." Hope guessed he'd say Paris had stolen his heart, and he was marrying Paris because he couldn't imagine a life without her. Hope asked if any of what she'd said was true. She asked if Thomas was running toward Paris or running away from Hope.
Hope claimed that she didn't think she was the only woman he'd ever love, and if they weren't meant to be, then that was inevitable. Hope said Paris was wonderful and kind, but it seemed like Thomas was trying to "copy paste" Paris into his life instead of Hope. Hope knew the vision he'd had for them and Douglas, and she knew how much he'd wanted it. "Yes, I did. But you didn't. And that's why you turned me down over and over again," he told her.
Hope claimed that it hadn't meant that she'd wanted the relationship to end. She exclaimed that she still loved Thomas, and she believed he still loved her, too. Thomas didn't know why she was bringing up all their feelings "from back then." Hope said it hadn't been that long before. He replied that a lot had happened since.
Hope claimed it worried her that Thomas' life had changed so quickly and that he'd practically run from her to Paris. Hope said, "I think you are running from your feelings. I think you wanted to put me and what we shared behind in the past so fast because you just didn't want to deal with it." He yelled that she hadn't wanted to marry him, so he'd had to move on.
In the corridor, Paris heard Thomas yelling. She walked up to the door and listened in. Thomas said he'd found Paris, and they'd been there for each other. Hope claimed to be happy that he'd found support, but she asked if it was really a reason to rush into marriage. She hadn't forgotten what it had been like between them.
Touching Thomas, Hope asked if he had forgotten. She uttered about the passion and the connection. Thomas cupped the nape of her neck. After a moment, he told her that she had to stop it. "You made it clear. We're not going anywhere. It's over," he told Hope and strode out of the office.
Alone, Hope sobbed. Paris entered and asked if she had to remind Hope that Thomas was Paris' fiancé. "You're out of line, Hope," Paris asserted. Hope wanted to explain, but Paris asked how Hope could do it to someone she had considered a friend. Paris stated that they'd been close, and Paris had been a valuable part of HFTF. Hope said she hadn't forgotten.
Paris asked how Hope could stab Paris in the back the way she just had. Holding up her hand, Paris stated that Thomas had put the ring on her finger, and they were engaged. Hope claimed to know it. Paris said Hope didn't accept it. Hope explained that she and Thomas had been in love, and Paris needed to know that they still loved each other. Paris replied that Thomas would always care about Hope, but he'd moved on and wouldn't go back.
Paris concluded that Hope had had her chance, and she'd rejected him time after time. Paris believed that Thomas had too much self-respect to let Hope do it to him again. Paris declared that he was with her, she loved him, and they'd be married. "So, don't you ever make a play for Thomas again!" Paris warned.
At Bill's house, Poppy checked the time. Luna and R.J. entered, and R.J. invited Poppy to go with them to Eric's house. Poppy preferred to wait for Bill. R.J. asked where Bill was. Feigning a happy demeanor, Poppy revealed that Bill was with Katie. Luna saw through it and tried to reassure her mother that she had nothing to worry about. R.J. and Luna took off, and Poppy checked her watch again, wondering why Bill wasn't home.
In the design office, Katie claimed she wasn't trying to come off as insecure. Katie was trying to wrap her head around Bill having a daughter with Poppy, who gave Katie bad vibes. Bill wondered what that meant. Katie replied that she didn't want him taken advantage of.
Bill believed Katie felt that way because he was the father of their son, but Katie said she'd always wanted what was best for him. Bill uttered that he'd thought for a long time that reuniting their family had been what was best. Katie knew Bill had a lot of guilt about the past, but in Bill, she saw a strong, caring man who could make one feel like the only person in the world.
Bill replied that he'd thought he was bullheaded, arrogant, and aggressive. Bill recognized that he'd grown up a bit, and he owed it mostly to Katie, the best thing that had ever happened to him. Tearfully, he called her the love of his life. He got that life went on, and she'd had a right to move on. Though it had taken him a while, he'd finally moved on to his next chapter.
Katie asked Bill to say it again. He stated that life went on. "You know what I mean," she uttered, taking his hand. Bill stated that she was the love of his life. She was his Katie. Bill apologized, saying he felt as if he was sending her mixed signals, but he'd always love her. She concluded that he was moving on with Luna and Poppy. Bill stated that he'd always hold what he and Katie had shared in his heart, and they'd had wonderful memories.
Flashbacks played of Bill and Katie throughout the years. Bill stated that they'd had a wonderful life and family, and he'd often wondered what could have been if he hadn't screwed things up. Katie said she did, too. Bill asked what was going on with "what's his name." Katie replied that she and Carter were better off as friends, and she couldn't see herself moving on with any man at that point. She wished Bill would think about what he said before he said it.
Bill asked what that meant, and Katie indicated that it was hurtful of him to say she was the love of his life when he didn't mean it. He insisted that he did mean it and told her not to doubt his love for her. Bill and Katie hugged. Just then, Poppy opened the door and saw the embrace.
In Eric's office, Paris was irate that Hope had made a play for Paris' fiancé. Hope asked if Paris really thought Thomas had moved on from what he'd had with Hope that fast. Hope claimed to be concerned for Paris and Thomas because it was happening too fast. Hope said she'd been the only woman in Thomas' life for years, but Paris said it wasn't the case anymore.
Paris asked if Hope was trying to say that it was a matter of time before Thomas went back to Hope. Hope replied that Paris should be careful because Thomas was very much a one-woman man. Paris didn't appreciate the warning when Hope was the one making moves on Thomas.
Hope claimed she was being honest. Paris revealed that she and Thomas had built their relationship on honesty at a deep level, and she said Hope knew nothing about that or Paris' relationship with Douglas. Paris said that it stung Hope that Douglas had embraced Paris.
Paris said she was sensitive to it, but she thought Hope acted as if Thomas could never get over Hope. Paris asserted that Thomas loved her with his eyes and touch. She said that in bed, she and Thomas daydreamed about their home and future children, which was something Hope and Thomas had never had. Paris stated that Thomas had left Hope in the past. It was time for Hope to respect Thomas and Paris' engagement and leave Paris' fiancé alone.
Paris didn't want drama and got how hard it was for Hope. Hope asked if Paris got how much Hope and Thomas had loved each other. Paris replied that Hope hadn't wanted to get married; that was okay, but it wasn't what Thomas had wanted, so he'd moved on. Paris repeated that Thomas was a one-woman man. "I am that woman now," Paris concluded, and she left.
At Eric's house, Carter, Eric, and Donna spoke with Thomas, and the men congratulated Thomas on his engagement. Ridge and Brooke arrived for the Fourth of July celebration. Steffy, Finn, and the kids were off doing family things, and Ridge said they might make it later. Ridge asked where Thomas' bride-to-be was. Deciding to find out, Thomas checked his phone.
Later, R.J. and Luna arrived, and R.J. told Thomas that he'd left big shoes to fill with HFTF. Thomas replied that his brother was doing just fine. R.J. and Luna said they were happy for Thomas, and R.J. wondered where Thomas' fiancée was. Thomas said it was a good question.
Later, Thomas was hugging Paris, and Eric toasted the woman of the hour. Ridge called Paris his future daughter-in-law. As Thomas got Paris a drink, Carter complimented her and her ring, saying that Thomas was a lucky guy.
Paris joined Thomas by the drinks. He said he'd thought about sending Charlie to look for her. She asked if he'd missed her. "Always," he murmured against her lips. She said she'd had some loose ends to tie up. He hoped she'd tied it all up because he didn't want to let her out of his sight for the rest of the night. Paris and Thomas giggled and canoodled. Behind them, Hope opened the front door and witnessed the kiss.
Later, Brooke saw Hope and Thomas glance at each other, and Brooke asked if Hope was okay. Eric interrupted, getting everyone's attention to thank them for attending the party. Ridge announced that his son was home, and he toasted to his son's engagement.
Thomas assumed his return and engagement had surprised some. He explained that he'd been out of sorts when he'd arrived at International, and he'd never expected to fall in love. "But that is exactly what happened," he stated. He said he and Paris had reconnected and helped each other. He stated that she meant the world to him, and he loved her. Paris replied in kind and said she couldn't wait to be married.
Thomas noted that Eric and Stephanie had made the place a home of love and family. He and Paris had helped each other through problems and issues and had helped each other move past "that point." He asked if he and Paris could get married in Eric's home.
"I guess we're about to have another wedding!" Eric exclaimed and toasted the couple. Hope's eyes widened, and she backed into the foyer as the others celebrated. A pop like a cork sounded, and confetti fell through the air. Hope looked over and saw Thomas and Paris kissing.
At the Forrester mansion, Hope paced as Eric and the rest of the Forresters celebrated Thomas' engagement. Thomas received a text message with an update that Douglas was having a great time with Steffy and the kids. Paris voiced her excitement that Douglas was enjoying himself, but across the room Hope shook her head and rolled her eyes.
Later, Carter privately congratulated Thomas and Paris. "It's everything I wanted for you after... everything," Carter told Paris. Eric announced that he wanted to work on the logistics for another wedding in his home. Carter asked if he could officiate Thomas and Paris' ceremony. Both Thomas and Paris politely put the offer on ice, noting that they had only just started planning their wedding.
Brooke checked on Hope to see how she was doing. Hope said nothing and walked away. Brooke followed Hope outside. There, an emotional Hope expressed both sorrow and rage as she questioned how Thomas could have moved on so quickly. Brooke wondered if Hope was second-guessing her decision to reject Thomas' marriage proposal. "If Thomas were to hand you a ring now and propose to you, what would you do?" Brooke asked.
Hope replied that it didn't really matter what she would do because Thomas had already moved on with Paris. Brooke tried to comfort her daughter with a hug.
Back inside, Ridge, Eric, and Donna discussed the impact of Thomas and Paris' engagement on Hope. Donna went so far as to say that Thomas and Hope were still in love. After Eric and Donna headed to the pool, Ridge asked Thomas and Paris to make their way down to the pool as soon as they could. Ridge started to walk away but abruptly stopped. He turned back around to Thomas and Paris and told them how happy he was for them. After declaring that was all he had to say, Ridge resumed his journey to the Forrester pool.
Alone with Thomas, Paris shared that she was happy that she and Thomas were a couple. "We get to be an 'us' for the rest of our lives," Paris chirped. As Paris expressed her excitement about becoming Thomas' wife, they both agreed that something much more important had to come first: pool time.
Out on the grounds of the Forrester estate, Brooke told Ridge how Hope was having a hard time with Thomas' engagement. "It didn't have to be this way. She turned him down," Ridge replied matter-of-factly. Ridge didn't fault Hope for saying no because he understood that she had not been ready to get married. Brooke questioned the speed at which Thomas had gotten engaged to another woman. She also shared that she had asked if Hope had had any regrets. Ridge asked what Hope's response would be if Thomas were to ask Hope to marry him right then.
Paris emerged from the bushes and asked if either Brooke or Ridge had seen Thomas because he had yet to show up at the pool.
Back inside the house, Thomas thought back to his proposal to Hope and how she'd turned him down. Hope reentered the house and said that she had hoped to catch Thomas alone. Thomas told Hope that he could tell that she'd been upset by all the wedding talk. Hope again pleaded with Thomas not to go through with his plan to marry Paris.
Thomas let out a deep breath and asked why Hope was bringing that up again. He pointed out that he has asked Hope to marry him "a bunch of times," but she had made it abundantly clear that she didn't want to get married. Hope blasted Thomas' decision to jump right into another relationship -- and his unilateral decision to make Paris a part of Douglas' life.
"You had your chance, and you hurt me over and over again," Thomas replied. Hope countered that she had said no to getting married, not to her relationship with him. "It was never over between us," she said softly. Thomas asked how many times Hope wanted to reject him. "How about I give it a third try?" Thomas asked as he took both of Hope's hands.
"Will you marry me, Hope? Will you be my wife?" Thomas asked.
