Agreeing to see Ashley is letting her win, Audra wants to ignore her. Tucker must be the one to shut her down – but insists Audra comes with him. Ashley’s delighted to receive Tucker’s text asking ‘where are you’?
Visiting Claire, Cole will support her decision either way. Good, Mike just left – he said I might be released tomorrow morning. Cole’s not mad, he’s worried (and so is your Mom) Are you really ready to face the outside world again?
Nikki knows Vikki wouldn’t cut Claire off. Trust your father. There must be another way! Vikki’s fed up with her feelings about this being ignored. After she marches out, Nikki’s frustrated to find no booze in the bar.
Victor’s sure Vikki will get over her anger once Claire comes to stay at the ranch. His plan is to have the press publish the story of his granddaughter’s return (with photos staged to look like Claire is staying at Vikki’s house.
Cole and Claire discuss her love of children. You have younger siblings to meet, he points out. That scares Claire but she’s excited about it too. Kids are so innocent; they have so much hope (as does Claire)
In the dining room, Ashley assumes it was Audra’s decision to tag along. No, Tucker insisted, Audra demands he tell her it’s over so they can leave. Yeah Tucker, tell me it’s over and that we don’t have a second chance, Ashley challenges him.
You and I don’t work – never have, never will, Tucker declares. Is that really how you feel? Ashley suggests they drop this charade. You love me and I love you – she wants him back. It was my fault but I can fix it. We can have everything we ever dreamed of, Ashley kisses him and walks out. Classy, Audra sneers. Tucker wipes his lips with his shirt.
Nikki agrees that Jordan won’t be able to resist coming after them if she sees photos of Claire reunited with the family – but how do we convince Vikki? Mike arrives with good news. Claire was on to him (for jumping the gun) – she’s very savvy. She’s a Newman, Victor adds with a hint of pride.
Vikki joins Claire and Cole to fret about her father’s plan – he’s keeping us in the dark for a reason. Claire trusts her grandfather to keep her safe. Mom, support me on this please. Vikki reacts as if she’s never been called the M-word before.
Mike’s hoping the Judge will act on his request by tomorrow morning. Victor’s sure his press/photo op plan will work (despite Vikki and Cole not knowing or approving it)
Vikki desperately wants to give Claire what she wants and loves to hear her call her Mom. But being a Mom means making hard decisions. She’s terrified and wants to protect her daughter. What does Cole think? We should trust Claire’s instincts – she’s inherited her Mom’s determination.
Back in their suite, Audra hopes Tucker didn’t fall for Ashley’s performance – let’s go to Paris tonight! Hey! Do we have a problem?! she barks?
Now home, Ashley has a drink as her inner voices do battle. I don’t like where this is headed, weak-Ashley whines. Ashley wake, up Wake up, another voice yelps. Putting the glass down, she bursts into tears.
My Thoughts: So, Ashley has dissociative identity disorder now? I doubt this serious mental illness will be portrayed in a remotely accurate manner so expect Sharon to drop by to cure her (or at least give her another 15 or so years of ‘sanity’) Mrs Martinez is the one who’s mental health I’m most concerned about. She’s been baking her famous cinnamon rolls for the ungrateful Abbott’s since they were kids yet wasn’t even invited to Jack and Diane’s wedding. And Ashley didn’t bother to use a coaster…. How odd that Tucker and Audra are renting two identical rooms at the club – and that neither of them has a king size bed. Even a nobody like me splurges for two queen beds when I stay in a hotel. Theirs appears to be a double. That said, I am impressed that housekeeping always manages to make the beds regardless of whatever time Tucker and Audra mess it up and that they’re only gone long enough to have a drink downstairs. Why does the Newman ranch have the equivalent of a hotel mini-bar? At least it doesn’t take Nikki long to realize ‘oh yeah, this bar no longer has alcohol’ … Do we have a problem!? Audra barks at Tucker. If only he’d told her to go ahead – and book the tickets on her own credit card.