During a party at the Abbotts', and in front of a crowded room, Jack asked Phyllis to marry him. Phyllis stood stunned and frozen on the spot but then ran out of the room. Ashley tried to stop Jack from going after Phyllis, and she told him that Phyllis needed some time alone.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Michael stopped Phyllis from running off. Phyllis said that Jack's proposal had only been words and that Jack hadn't meant it, but Michael said that if she refused Jack's proposal, she would regret it for the rest of her life. At that moment, Jack arrived, and he told Phyllis he only wanted to talk to her. Michael agreed with Jack. He persuaded Phyllis to talk to Jack because Jack really loved her. Jack held out his hand for Phyllis to join him for a private conversation. Phyllis took his hand, and Jack and Phyllis went upstairs to talk privately.
In a room upstairs, Jack told Phyllis he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He said she was the most exciting woman he'd ever known, and he claimed that they belonged together. However, Phyllis stated that they couldn't be together because it would never work. She knew that Jack wanted a child of his own, something she couldn't give him. Jack claimed he couldn't live without her. Phyllis said that years down the road, he would feel empty because he yearned for a child of his own. She stated that he would be making a very big mistake if he married her.
Jack pointed out that Michael cared about her and that Michael had been pushing her to marry Jack. He told Phyllis that if she could look him in the eye and tell him she didn't want to marry him; he would walk away. Phyllis stood silent for a moment then she said she couldn't tell him that, but she claimed it wasn't about her or what she wanted or didn't want.
Jack admitted to Phyllis that he'd wanted to cancel the party, but he was happy he hadn't because he hadn't known that Phyllis would be there. He said that when Phyllis had arrived, he had wanted to ignore her, but he hadn't been able to take his eyes off her. He saw her passion and her fire, and his heart screamed that he'd found his soul mate. He couldn't imagine going through life without her. He wanted them to fix all their problems together. He wanted them to conquer all the obstacles together, and he wanted her to work with him.
Once again, Jack asked Phyllis to marry him. He pulled out a ring from the desk drawer and held it up to Phyllis, and he asked her to say yes. After a moment, Phyllis reluctantly said yes and told Jack to put the ring on her finger before she came to her senses. Jack slipped the ring on her finger, and they embraced.
After Jack had gone to find Phyllis, Traci and Brad watched Colleen dancing. Traci commented how happy Colleen was. Traci reminded Brad that they would eventually need to go back to New York. Traci commented about the big scene between Jack and Phyllis. Brad didn't look impressed. Traci told Brad that she needed to find Jack, and she left.
Brad took that opportunity to approach Ashley. He kissed her shoulder and told her how much he loved her. At that moment, Colleen approached Brad and asked him to dance. Brad claimed it wasn't a good time, but Colleen told him it was their last opportunity because it was the band's last number. He reluctantly joined his daughter on the dance floor. Ashley looked very unhappy, and she was deep in thought.
In the living room, John thanked Katherine and Lauren for attending the party. He said he was sorry that they had to rush off. Gina poked her head around the corner and called John away. Mac and Billy entered the room as John left. Katherine told Mac that Brock had decided to extend his stay in Louisiana for an additional two months.
Katherine asked if Mac wanted a ride home with her, but Billy promised he'd drive Mac home. Katherine and Lauren said goodnight and left. Mac was upset that her dad wouldn't be returning home for two months. She told Billy she missed Brock, but she wouldn't drag him away from helping people, something he loved doing. Billy was thoughtful, and he asked how Brock could have fallen in love with someone like Mac's mother.
After Mac and Billy left, Traci and John were alone in the living room, and Traci commented about the situation between Jack and Phyllis. John explained that it was a long and complicated story, and he didn't want to get into it. However, he did want to talk to Traci about Colleen. Traci claimed that Colleen was doing very well despite the crazy things that had gone on in her life. John was happy about that, but he asked if Traci was aware of the toll it was taking on Ashley's happiness.
John suggested that Traci and Colleen move in with him, but Traci said it wouldn't make any difference where she and Colleen lived because Colleen was part of all their lives, and Ashley and Brad would have to work it out. She wanted to know what was wrong with Brad and Colleen bonding. John said it created tension. Traci apologized but pointed out that they were living in an era of fractured families. She said that Ashley was strong and would handle it. Traci said she respected John's point of view, but until Ashley voiced her opinion about the situation, she and Colleen would remain at Brad's. She said she had to take care of Colleen, and Colleen was staying put.
Elsewhere, Ryan and Victoria were with Olivia and Neil. Victoria commented that it had been quite a surprise when Jack had proposed to Phyllis -- and not one anyone expected. She made a snide remark about Jack being better off if Phyllis refused his proposal. Ryan said it was time they left. Olivia agreed, but Neil wanted them all to go out and celebrate. Olivia said she'd rather not. Neil offered to drive her home. After Neil and Olivia left, Victoria asked if Ryan still believed that Neil and Olivia were just friends. She said that Neil appeared to be pushing hard to be with Olivia.
Michael found Isabella in the living room at the Abbott house. Isabella commented that she hadn't expected so much drama. Michael explained that Jack had been attempting to win Phyllis back. Michael said that he'd noticed that Isabelle and Paul were becoming closer. Isabella claimed that her relationship with Paul would get even closer later that evening. Michael thought that Paul had wanted to take things slowly. He warned Isabella that it could be a big mistake if she pushed too hard and too fast. Michael asked if Isabella was afraid that Christine would return and rear her lovely head. Isabella said that Michael knew her so well, and she walked away.
Isabella bumped into Lauren in the living room after Michael left. Lauren introduced herself as Paul's ex-wife. Isabella said she knew nothing about Lauren. Lauren said that she and Paul had spoken the previous day, and she and Paul had talked about Isabella. Lauren said she was surprised that Isabella was still in Genoa City.
Lauren said she saw Isabella as a woman of the world, and she was certain that Isabella knew how rebound relationships went. Isabella asked if that was what Lauren thought she and Paul had. Lauren thought that Isabella and Paul's rebound relationship would have been over at that point. Isabella said whatever she and Paul had, she'd never been happier, and if Paul didn't feel the same way yet, he would very soon. Isabella bid Lauren goodnight, and she left.
Paul arrived at the lodge and found Isabella scantily dressed. Isabella kissed him and told him the wine was chilling. As she poured Paul a glass of wine, she noticed that he appeared to be bothered by something. She handed Paul his glass of wine. Paul took it, guzzled it down, and asked for a refill. Isabella refilled his glass.
Isabella asked Paul why Victor has summoned him. Paul said it had to do with security. He didn't want to talk business. Isabella led him to the bed. She removed his jacket and began unbuttoning his shirt. Paul guzzled the rest of his wine, got up, and refilled his glass. Isabella commented that she'd never seen him drink like that, and she wanted to know what was bothering him.
At the Chancellor estate, Sean attempted to convince Jill that he cared about her, but Jill said that they'd had a good time together and that he had only been a diversion for her. She said it was over, but Sean wouldn't accept the end of their relationship and he claimed that he felt used. He told Jill that they would get past the hiccup in their relationship, but Jill said it wouldn't happen because Sean saw her as insecure and jealous. Jill pointed out that he was much, much younger than she was and that she would be the laughingstock among the people in town. Sean claimed it wouldn't happen, but Jill yelled that it had already happened that evening. She demanded that Sean leave.
After Sean left, Jill was in tears as she looked at herself in the mirror. She then dropped to the floor and sobbed.
Sometime later, Billy and Mac arrived at the Chancellor estate. Mac was still unsettled that Brock would be in Louisiana for another two months. Billy told Mac that when her dad had fallen in love with her mother, she'd probably been a completely different person than she had become. Mac countered that it wasn't true because people couldn't change that much. She said her dad had a big heart and that her mother had taken advantage of it.
Mac changed the subject because she didn't want to talk about her mother. She asked Billy what the deal was between Jack and Phyllis. Billy admitted that he had no idea, but he felt it was a good idea to return home and see what was going on. Billy and Mac declared their love for each other, they kissed, and Billy left.
A short time later, the doorbell rang. Mac believed that Billy had returned because he'd forgotten something, but when Mac opened the door, she froze when she saw her mother standing there. Her mother greeted Mac and said that it had been a long time -- too long.
Due to continuing news coverage of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, all regular daytime network broadcasts were put on hold. Therefore, no soaps were shown.
The thoughts and prayers of all those involved in Soap Central -- our staffers and visitors -- went out to everyone touched by these horrors.
At this time, there was comfort in the words of Agnes Nixon, a prolific soap opera scribe and creator of All My Children and One Life to Live.
Speaking of the "kinship of humankind under God," Nixon wrote:
The great and the least
The weak and the strong
The rich and the poor
In sickness and health
In joy and sorrow
In tragedy and triumph
You are All My Children
Due to continuing news coverage of the attacks against America, regular network programming was preempted.
Due to continuing news coverage of the attacks against America, regular network programming was preempted.
Due to continuing news coverage of the attacks against America, regular network programming was preempted.
