Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
In the cabin, Thomas tells Hope he didn’t drive Emma off the road. He did not want her to die. “I have been completely honest and open with you. Now you know everything, so please, tell me we still have a future together.” Hope doesn’t know what to say. Thomas insists there are no more secrets between them. He loves her and wants to marry her, and doesn’t want the past to affect what they have now.
Hope tells Thomas she needs some time, but promises not to lose sight of the man he’s become. Thomas feels that as long as she’s wearing his ring on her chain, there’s hope. Hope can’t make any promises about the future. She needs time to process everything he’s just told her.
In the design office, Luna and RJ discuss their visit to Eric in the hospital. He teases her for revealing how into him she is and they start kissing. Suddenly, his mother, Brooke, walks in. Embarrassed, she exits. RJ tells Luna he needs to get his own place… like, today! RJ thinks it would be nice to have a little bit of privacy. Luna agrees that it would be.
In the main office, Ridge and Carter discuss Eric. Ridge tells Carter he’s family and they embrace. Brooke walks in and exclaims. She’s walking in on everybody tonight! She explains that she walked in on RJ and Luna kissing and felt mortified. Ridge is sure their son felt the same way. Brooke thinks it’s cute how smitten he is with Luna. Ridge grunts about another office romance involving one of his kids. Carter thinks they both know a thing about office romance. Ridge points out he’s also dabbled. Carter quips, “Touche,” but says Ridge and Brooke are the king and queen. Ridge and Brooke smooch and the blonde notes they can’t compare themselves to Thomas and Hope. Carter takes this as a cue to leave. Ridge and Brooke decide not to talk about their kids anymore and make out instead.
In the design office, RJ tells Luna his priority is getting closer to her. They start kissing again and Carter walks in. He drops off some papers and gives them a tip — lock the door. After he exits, RJ does just that and he and Luna resume their make out session. The compliment each other for a while and Luna gushes that her feelings grow stronger for him every day. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.” RJ feels the exact same way. RJ tells Luna he thinks about her when he’s in bed at night and wishes she were there. Luna does the same thing. “Please get a place of your own soon.”
In the main office, Ridge is giving a statement about Eric to someone on the phone when Thomas comes in. Ridge finishes the call and asks his son what’s going on with him. Thomas says he was just talking to Hope and he feels like he just screwed it all up. They go over Hope being forgiving and being able to leave the past in the past. Thomas hopes it continues. Ridge urges him to keep his head on straight. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Thomas thanks his dad for his advice. Ridge is proud of him. Thomas tells him that means a lot. He knows his relationship with Hope came is a shock. Ridge may be the only one who approves. It feels like everyone has something against their relationship, especially Brooke. Ridge says she’s just being a protective mother. Thomas isn’t sure that’s true, but he only cares about Hope’s opinion anyway. She’s trying to forgive him but she’s not going to forget everything from the past. He would do anything for her. Ridge grins, “It sounds like it’s real.” Thomas has shown Hope the kind of love she deserves, he’s told the truth about the mistakes he’s made, he’s put all the cards on the table. There will never be anyone else for him. “I think I can give her the life she deserves.”
In the cabin, Hope paces and appears deep in thought. Brooke comes in and wants to say goodnight to the kids. Hope explains they’re with Katie. Brooke notices the romantic setup and assumes it’s for Thomas. Hope says it was, but he left already. Brooke asks if they had an argument. Hope says they didn’t. Brooke can tell something’s weighing on her, “Why don’t you tell me what happened here tonight between you and Thomas?” Hope assures her mother that Thomas didn’t do anything to her; he loves her. Brooke learns they had a difficult conversation about his past. She goes on about him claiming to be a changed man. Hope snaps, “I believe him.” Brooke feels she can’t be all that comfortable with the things he did or she wouldn’t have such a difficult time committing to him.
Brooke thinks Hope has developed feelings for Thomas, she won’t fight her on that, but it’s going to be hard for her to move past the events of the past, “So, it would be best for you to end it with him now.” Hope doesn’t intend on doing that. Brooke urges her to consider what’s best for her and the children. Hope has. She says Thomas has done some regrettable things, but none of them are perfect. “What makes this different, mom, is that it’s not just empty words and platitudes. He’s done the work.” Brooke tells Hope she’s acting a little strange. She’s very uneasy. She urges her to trust her instincts if there’s anything she doubts about Thomas at all. Hope doesn’t doubt him. He’s an exceptional designer, has stepped up to prove himself as a father, and loves her unconditionally. She tells Brooke that at some point she’s going to have to stop fighting this. Is there any part of her that can accept her and Thomas? “Because who knows what our future might be?” Hope fondles the ring on her chain.