Tag: summary

Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Ashland walked into the living room of the Tuscan Palazzo and told Victoria that he didn’t sleep well because they were in separate beds last night. She thought he was blaming her for his insomnia, but he said that wasn’t what he meant. He knew he had to give her space to process things. He asked how she slept. She thought she did more thinking than sleeping. He asked where her head, and more importantly, her heart were at. Before they could talk, Victor and Nikki walked in. Victoria thought they were supposed to be in Milan. Nikki said they left right after Summer’s wedding so they could make sure that The Palazzo was ready for Victoria and Ashland’s wedding. Nikki noted that she was the matron of honor. Nikki was glad that they all got here early so that they could go over the details and make sure things would be perfect. Victoria changed the subject and asked about Summer and Kyle’s wedding. Nikki gushed about its simplicity and elegance, Summer’s exquisite Marchetti gown and how Summer and Kyle’s love shone through at the ceremony. Ashland beamed when Nikki said the best part was little Harrison, who thought he was a ring barrel instead of a ring bearer. Victor said that Harrison was looking forward to doing the same thing for Ashland and Victoria. Ashland couldn’t wait to see his son. Nikki asked if everything was okay, and Victoria said yes.

Nikki and Nikki left the room, ostensibly to discuss the wedding plans, but once they were outside on the patio, Victoria revealed that Ashland and Camilla Rhodes’ lawyer forged a codicil to her will that left Ashland everything. Nikki was so shocked she had to sit down. She wondered if Ashland was hiding anything else. Victoria was inclined to believe this was the last secret since she’d made it clear she wouldn’t tolerate any more lies. She just wished he’d come clean in the first place. Nikki felt so awful for Victoria and asked what she could do to help. Victoria didn’t say anything. Nikki offered to take care of canceling the wedding.

Victoria said all that mattered was protecting Newman/Locke. They couldn’t let the family business be decimated by a scandal, or the merger. Victoria looked at this from every angle, and she said she couldn’t do anything that would cause an investigation into Ashland or into Locke Communications Group. As a mother, Nikki wanted to know about Victoria’s emotions. Victoria couldn’t think of that now. The wedding had to happen, she stated. Nikki thought Victoria sounded like her father. Victoria was sure that her thinking was correct – they had to make sure there were no red flags anyone from the outside could latch onto – they had to keep this contained. Nikki didn’t think this was the right path for Victoria, because she knew Victoria took wedding vows seriously. Nikki asked if this wedding was for show and if Victoria was forcing herself into marriage that shouldn’t happen. Victoria said she wasn’t forcing herself into anything. Nikki asked if Victoria could be playing into Ashland’s hands. Victoria was adamant that she knew what she was doing. She thought Ashland was smart enough not to keep anything else from her. Nikki asked if Victoria thought she could have a happy marriage. Victoria said she could handle it. Her one concern was Billy, who seemed very determined to derail the ceremony. He’d been leaving her messages saying he had information she needed to know. Nikki suggested that he did, but Victoria was sure that he didn’t, because she was confident that Ashland told her everything. She said Billy couldn’t sway her plans about the wedding, but he could ruin things if he found out the truth and exposed the story to the world.

Nikki hoped Victoria changed her mind about letting her brother attend. She said Abby was staying home, so it would be nice to have some family for support. Victoria replied that Adam was coming. Nikki scoffed and said he couldn’t be Victoria’s only sibling at the wedding. Nikki said Nick was upset he wasn’t invited. Victoria said he should’ve thought about that before he dug up dirt on her fiance. Nikki thought Victoria was lashing out at the wrong people, and she suggested Victoria should be upset with Ashland. Victoria asked how many secrets Victor kept from Nikki over the years that he only came clean about because he had no choice. Nikki said far too many, and she was trying to spare Victoria that pain. Victoria said no marriage was perfect – it wasn’t like Ashland committed a crime against her and her family. He did this 40 years ago, and there was no need to relive it. She said she should’ve been able to trust Nick, but he betrayed her confidence. She would’ve stood by his side if the role were reversed. What Nick did hurt Victoria more than anything. Nikki didn’t want to argue about this. She asked what Victoria felt about Ashland. Victoria didn’t know.

Ashland guessed that Victor didn’t really rush here to check on wedding arrangements. Victor told Ashland that Billy was trying to start trouble by digging into Ashland’s past. Ashland already knew that. Victor said Billy might seem like an idiot, but he was also wily and tenacious. Victor had Adam watching Billy. Ashland wasn’t worried about that anymore because he told Victoria everything, though he didn’t want the story to go public. He assumed that wouldn’t be an issue since Victor took care of Gaines. Victor said Gaines slipped off his radar, but he’d be found. He wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin Victoria’s wedding day.Victor asked how Ashland was doing. He knew firsthand how it felt when your past caught up with him. Ashland was alright, but the distress Victoria felt was weighing on him. He said Victoria gave him a reason to live, and he hated bringing her pain. Victor blamed Gaines and Billy for the trouble, but Ashland admitted he was the one to blame – the choices he made in the past came back to haunt him. Victor respected Ashland for taking responsibility and for coming clean to Victoria. Ashland hoped he didn’t lose Victoria.

Victoria and Nikki came back inside. Victoria mentioned the wedding, and Ashland was hopeful because it sounded like it was still happening. He asked if he and Victoria could go for a walk around the grounds. Nikki asked Victoria to show her and Victor to their room first, and she and her parents left. Once they were in the bedroom, Victor asked Nikki for a moment with Victoria. Nikki left, and they talked about Ashland’s secret. Victoria said it was a lot to take in. Not just the money, but she assumed that Nick told Victor how Ashland got his name. Victor had been filled in, and he asked Victoria to forgive Nick. He’d been looking forward to having Victoria, Nick and Adam together at the wedding. Victoria said Nick would have to earn her forgiveness. Victoria appreciated Victor doing what he could to keep the Camilla Rhodes story quiet and protecting Newman/Locke from backlash. Victor said that wasn’t why he paid Gaines off. He did it because he’d never seen Victoria as happy as she was with Ashland. He knew this was good for the company, but mostly it was good for her, and that was more important than anything. She said she had every intention of proceeding with the wedding.

Downstairs, Nikki told Ashland that she had serious doubts about whether it was a good idea for Victoria to marry him. She said Victoria thought the wedding was the right choice for practical reasons, but she didn’t want to admit how much she was hurt. Nikki said she predicted all along that getting involved with Ashland would bring Victoria nothing but heartache, and that had proven to be true. She noted that there was his health, these secrets from his past – they weren’t good omens. He said he wasn’t superstitious. Nikki felt that if Ashland cared about Victoria, he’d call off the wedding. “Relieve her of this burden,” Nikki said.

At his place, Billy was on the phone with Hannah. He said he was flying to Italy alone. After Lily got back from California, she was going to pick up his children and bring them to Italy too. He said that there was a work emergency, and he needed to put out the fire. He asked Hannah to tell Victoria his change of plans, since she wasn’t taking his calls. He hung up. Gaines was there, and he commented that it seemed more like Billy wanted to burn everything down. Billy gave Gaines a duffel bag full of money, and Gaines told Billy what Ashland did. He thought the readers would be interested. Billy said this story wasn’t for clickbait -it was to prevent Victoria from making a huge mistake. Billy said that all the money he gave Gaines came from his personal account, and he wasn’t letting Gaines leave until he got proof that the story was true. Gaines pulled out a copy of the letter that Camilla wrote to Locke, not the new one that Ashland and Gaines Senior forged. Gaines wouldn’t give Billy the copy of the letter until he had a guarantee of protection from Victor. Billy said Victor would definitely come after Gaines, but Billy promised to protect him. Billy asked Gaines to read him the letter, since he wasn’t willing to hand it over.

In the letter, Camilla said Ashland was like a son to her. She was impressed by his drive and ambition, and she thought the obstacles he’d overcome had been character building. Gaines stopped reading to complain that Ashland was a money-hungry tyrant. He then continued to read aloud. Camilla said she wasn’t giving Ashland an inheritance, and she told him to go forth and prosper. Billy asked where Gaines proof was that Ashland and Gaines Sr. forged a codicil in the form of a deathbed letter. Gaines thought the letter was all the evidence Billy needed, and he said Locke would agree since he’d been paying Gaines to keep it hidden for years. Billy asked if anyone else knew about the forgery – a secretary or clerk, perhaps. Gaines said that nobody else knew. Camilla didn’t have a family, and she was going to be leaving her estate to charities, but they had no idea they’d been left in the will. Billy was intrigued and asked which charities, because in a way, Locke stole from them. Gaines said Camilla was eccentric, so she’d planned to leave her money to charities for cats, exotic plants etc. Billy assumed Ashland was pissed he got passed over for felines and flowers, but Gaines said Locke was a bastard and master manipulator who convinced Gaines Senior that he’d been wronged by Camilla. Billy wanted to know why Gaines seemed to have such animus toward Ashland.

Gaines had spent his whole life being ignored by his father. Then Camilla introduced Gaines Sr. and Ashland. Gaines Sr. took to young Ashland right away, and it made Gaines Jr. sick. When Ashland inherited all that money, Gaines Jr. knew something was wrong, and so he did some digging and he found the real letter and original will in his father’s files. Gaines took the letter, and shortly thereafter, the other files got destroyed. Gaines Jr. confronted Gaines Sr. about the letter, and the father was angry and ashamed. Senior knew he’d be destroyed if the truth came out, so he insisted that Junior keep quiet. Junior kept it a secret until his father’s death. In the meantime, he’d kept reading stories about Ashland in the news and getting angrier and angrier. He felt like Ashland stole his father, and he said Ashland had to pay. Billy said Ashland had been paying. Gaines said the money Ashland was giving him meant nothing to Ashland. Gaines complained that Ashland built his business on lies and he pulled Gaines’ father into that deceit. Billy thought it sounded like Gaines Sr. was a willing participant. Gaines argued that his father was a good man who played by the rules until he was manipulated by Locke. Gaines conceded that his got some financial compensation – the forged codicil included a payment for him, and Locke gave him a lucrative position, so it seemed like a victimless crime. Gaines contended that the crime weighed on his father and drove him to an early grave. Billy said that Ashland might be heading for an early grave. Gaines knew, and when he first heard about it, he almost felt bad for Ashland. Gaines said the diagnosis made Ashland seem human, but when Gaines came to get his final payoff, Ashland was dismissive and condescending. Billy couldn’t blame the man for being a bit rude to his blackmailer. Gaines asserted that Ashland was a fraud and master manipulator who’d ruin people to save himself. Gaines came here and risked crossing Victor to give Billy what he needed to take Locke down. Gaines wanted his revenge and he wanted to blow up Locke’s life while he was still alive to suffer.

Billy asked who knew about the letter. As far as Gaines knew, it was just the two of them, Locke and Victor. Billy didn’t understand why Victor would quash the story – he couldn’t condone the wedding anymore. Gaines suggested that Victor didn’t see what Locke did as a crime, since Victor probably did similar things on his way to the top. Gaines asked what Billy had against Locke. Billy said Victoria was the mother of his children, and she was a good person. Billy said he’d caused Victoria enough pain, and he didn’t want to see her suffer anymore. Gaines didn’t buy that Billy was being noble. Billy didn’t care if Gaines understood. He said the only person who needed to know the truth was Victoria. Since she wasn’t taking his calls, he was going to Tuscany early, and he was taking Gaines with him, so Victoria could hear the truth from the horse’s mouth.

Sally and Chloe were at Society. Sally said she reached out to some people in the LA fashion world to let them know she was going to the Newman-Locke wedding. Since she’d burned her bridges with everyone in the L.A. fashion scene, she knew that they’d all gossip about what she was up to. Chloe wasn’t thrilled that their plan now depended on gossip mongers – it was so risky. She also thought that Newman Media should be the ones publishing a story on the wedding. Sally thought it’d look self-serving if Newman Media put out a story about her designing Victoria’s dress, but if another outlet did it, it would give Sally credibility. Chloe liked the idea of planting the story for other outlets to pick up, but she was still not sure Sally’s plan to get Victoria to wear the dress would work. Chloe hoped that this plan didn’t backfire. Sally said that this would help Newman media become a fashion powerhouse complete with their own designs, just like Chloe wanted. Chloe decided to go to the airport with Sally so she could get one more glimpse of the dress.

At Crimson Lights, Adam checked in with the security team and learned that they hadn’t found Gaines. Adam wanted him to be located before Adam left for Italy. Sally arrived and smiled when she heard Adam on the phone with Connor. Adam told Connor how much he loved him. The P.I. walked in and said he had an update on Jesse Gaines. Sally seemed intrigued. Adam and the P.I. stepped out to the patio. Security footage showed that Gaines and Billy were together in Billy’s apartment. Adam said he’d take it from here. Adam went back to Sally. She asked what was with the cloak and dagger routine. He said that he had something to take care of, so he’d meet her at the airport. She said that if he was trying to impress her, she’d been on private jets before. He wasn’t trying to impress her or anyone else, he just wanted a comfortable ride. He said this was favor, not a date. She asked if this could at least be the start of a beautiful friendship, and he said no. she told him she was just teasing him.

Chloe arrived just as Adam got off the phone with a fashion editor. The editor had heard Sally was going to the wedding and that Newman Media was promising to give a scoop. The editor wanted confirmation. Sally started to tell Adam what to say, but Adam cut her off and said he was going to the wedding to show he was committed to playing a role in his family. This made it look like it was a self-serving business trip. Chloe said she was the one who leaked the story, not Sally. Chloe said she got excited and told a friend, and gossip traveled. Adam told Chloe that was reckless. He asked what if Victoria didn’t wear the gown. Sally was sure that Victoria would love it. Adam said he was only giving Sally a ride, he wasn’t going to get her an audience with Victoria, because his sister had enough on her plate. Sally was sure it’d all work out, and she thanked Chloe and Adam for having faith in her. He asked them not to allow any more leaks or gossip. He didn’t want anything to take away from Victoria’s big day. He left.

Sally thanked Chloe for covering for her. Chloe said she’d rather Adam be mad at her than at Sally. Chloe was used to Adam being mad at her. Sally said the dress was very delicate, and she was glad she didn’t have to stuff it into an overhead bag. Sally was going to spend the entire trip visualizing Victoria wearing her gown, because she believed in positive thinking. Chloe thought that Sally should listen to Adam, because there was a chance Victoria wouldn’t wear the dress, and then it’d be a wasted trip. Chloe asked Adam to go easy on the flirting, because it wouldn’t be good to cross Adam. Sally said fine, but she wanted this so badly that she was willing it into existence. Chloe couldn’t believe she’d hitched her wagon to someone nuttier than her, but she wished Sally left.

Adam went to Billy’s. Billy sent Gaines to hide, then he answered the door. Adam asked where Gaines was, and Billy pretended not to know who he was talking about. Billy said that he wanted Adam to leave so he could rest up for his trip to Tuscany. Adam stated that Billy wasn’t going to Tuscany.
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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

In Tuscany, Ashland felt revived after a wonderful lunch. Victoria hoped that meant he was ready to be honest with her. He warned her that once he shared what he did, if she chose not to expose his act, she’d become an accessory after the fact, at least in the eyes of the public. She was startled to learn this was about an actual crime. He asked if she still wanted to know, and she said yes. Ashland’s story was about his mentor, Camilla Rhodes. The real Ashland had set up a job interview with Camilla, which the current Ashland went to. The real Ashland was fascinated by the news and broadcast journalism, and he talked about it constantly. Some of it sunk into the current Ashland/Bobby’s mind. Current Ashland did some research to prepare for the interview, but he was a mess – he was a kid, and he’d just survived a brutal car accident and seen his friend die. All he had to go on was this conviction that he wanted to live Ashland’s life for him. Camilla had other candidates that day who were more articulate, better prepared and better dressed, but no one wanted it more than Ashland. Camilla sensed that, and she gave him the job. At first, Ashland was just a gofer, but Camilla took a liking to him and took him under her wing. Victoria was sure that meant a lot to Ashland, since he was just a boy without a family. Ashland said it did. Additionally, he thought it meant a lot to Camilla, because she didn’t have a family either. According to Ashland, Camilla treated him like the son she never had. With her trust and faith, she helped him map out a future for himself in the media realm that he never could’ve manifested on his own. Then it all went to hell.

Ashland acknowledged there was no excuse for the choice he made back then, but he said he was just a little boy at the time. He said Camilla had been his entire support system – she took care of him and protected him in ways that his mother couldn’t, or wouldn’t do. When she died, it was a terrible loss, almost as hard as when the real Ashland died. Camilla always talked about how much she appreciated, supported and admired Ashland, so he’d just assumed there would be a provision for him in her will. Camilla’s lawyer was the senior Jesse Gaines, and he informed Ashland that Camilla had willed her estate to charity. The charities Camilla chose weren’t reputable institutions – they were just little things she got a kick out of when she was alive. “A cat sanctuary, for God’s sake,” Ashland said. At the time, he’d felt like she was making a mockery out of the trust and faith he had in her. He knew now that this sounded like the thoughts of a spoiled brat. Victoria asked Ashland if Camilla cut him out of the will because she was upset with him. Ashland said Camilla left Gaines Senior. a letter saying that Ashland didn’t need an inheritance because she had faith that he could make it on his own. He said she was right, but at the time, he was immature, angry and confused, and Jesse was angry on Ashland’s behalf too. Victoria asked why Gaines Sr. cared. Camilla introduced Ashland and Gaines Sr. and encouraged Gaines to act like paternally toward Ashland. It was incomprehensible to Gaines Sr. that Camilla would scatter this vast estate to this motley collection of beneficiaries. Senior had tried, unsuccessfully, to talk Camilla out of her plan.

After Camilla died, Jesse Gaines Senior and Ashland stewed over her will and came to realize they could fix it. Senior forged a letter, supposedly written by Camilla right before she died, instructing Senior to revise the will. Victoria asked how much “Camilla” left Ashland in this letter. Ashland said it gave him the whole estate. Ashland explained that he and Senior were hurt and angry, and they did a terrible thing. He knew Camilla would’ve been outraged. Ashland used the money to buy the TV stations, which started his empire. Victoria noted that he built his empire on stolen funds. Ashland recognized that Camilla deserved better. When he grew up and realized what he did, it was just too late to change it, and there was no point in exposing Senior’s complicity. Victoria asked why Senior would take such an enormous risk. Ashland said it wasn’t really risky – Camilla didn’t have any heirs to challenge the will, and making Ashland the beneficiary seemed to be a logical choice. It was generous, but not suspicious. He said Senior just really wanted to reward Ashland’s service commitment to Camilla and her company. Victoria knew that Jesse Gaines Jr. currently worked for Ashland. She asked if he was in on this. Ashland said absolutely not – Junior was an idiot and a worthless human being, even Senior knew that. Senior made a foolish mistake – he didn’t dispose of the original letter from Camilla stipulating that Ashland wasn’t to receive an inheritance. Junior found it, and he saved it. After Senior died, Junior used the letter to blackmail Ashland. When Junior found out Ashland was dying, he realized this was the end of the gravy train. Junior wasn’t bright enough to make another living, so he demanded one last big payout from Ashland. Victoria realized that Ashland was trying to gather money to pay Gaines Jr, not for a wedding present. Ashland was ashamed he’d lied to Victoria and that he did it so easily. He said the scared little boy became a ruthless cutthroat, and after living that way for a lifetime, it became second nature. He’d wanted to shield her from this. She asked where things stood with Gaines now that Ashland paid him off. Was he gone? He admitted that Victor beat him to paying off Gaines.

Victoria asked Ashland if he sought help from Victor to pay off Gaines. He said of course not. Ashland didn’t know how Victor got involved. When Ashland got to the hotel with Gaines’ money, Victor was there, Gaines was gone, and Victor said he’d handled it. Victoria didn’t understand why her dad got involved. Ashland said Victor made it clear that it wasn’t for Ashland’s sake. “He loves you so much and he just sees how happy you are and he wants you to stay that way,” Ashland said. Victoria felt like there had to be more to it. Ashland knew nothing was simple when it came to Victor. He suggested that Victor was concerned that, with the Newman/Locke merger, this would hurt the company’s image. Victoria thought that was probably it. Ashland imagined that Victor was delighted to have leverage over him. Aside from that, he took Victor at his word. Victor had said he could relate to making regretful choices in his youth, and he didn’t want the foolish things Ashland did when he was young to derail his relationship with Victoria.

Ashland said Gaines Jr. was still a threat, because he still had the first letter from Camilla. Since Victor handled this, he didn’t know about the letter or that he had to retrieve it to neutralize Gaines. Ashland said Gaines Jr. despised him and he always had. Victoria asked why. According to Ashland, Gaines Sr. had no respect for Gaines Jr. and he didn’t think his son measured up to Ashland. Victoria thought that sounded like a twisted form of sibling rivalry. Ashland suspected that Gaines Jr. had been fantasizing about taking him down for years, but he didn’t because he was relying on Ashland’s money. Now that Ashland was dying, Gaines probably realized it was now or never. “And if he tries to come after you in any way, you do realize that it’s gonna blow back on my company, don’t you?,” Victoria asked. “Our company,” Ashland clarified. Victoria stated that this was fraud, conspiracy and theft, and as Ashland said, if she didn’t come forward, she’d be complicit. He thought they were protected from any legal repercussions. She asked if he was sure. He said the statute of limitations ran out a long time ago, but this would tarnish the reputation of Locke Communications Group, and since their companies had merged, Newman would also face the fallout. Victoria didn’t know what to say. He asked her to put that aside for a moment because he wanted to know if she was still going to marry him.

As the CEO of the company, Victoria said it was her responsibility to focus on the business aspect of this first. “If this story comes out it is gonna undermine everything that we’ve accomplished. I have spent years trying to make Newman strong and resilient and now I have to worry about a ticking time bomb!, she said. Ashland still thought there was a chance they could keep this quiet. But what was really weighing on him was what was going on between the two of them. He didn’t want to pressure her to follow through with the wedding. He didn’t think she needed to make that choice now. She ordered him not to tell her how to react, and she asserted that she never should’ve been been put in this position. He agreed and said he never intended her to be pulled into this. He’d tried to keep this secret under wraps for forty years, and he’d planned to take it to the grave. He was so sorry she was going through this, but he wanted her to understand why he did what he did. He asked if there was any chance they could work through this.

Billy entered Society and overheard Elena tell Nate that she was excited about going to Italy. Billy suggested that they do the double date they’d been planning in Tuscany. They wondered if the four of them could fly out together, and Nate said that Ashland was sending his jet to Genoa City to pick Nate and Elena up tonight. That didn’t work for Billy. Lily was still out of town with Mattie, and they had kids’ schedules to figure out. He added that Ashland would probably reroute the flight to Antarctica if Billy was on board. Nate said Lily told him there was tension between Billy and Ashland. Billy said he told Victoria and Ashland that they were rushing into things. Elena pointed out that there was a reason for that. Billy acknowledged Ashland was on borrowed time, but in Billy’s opinion, there were other factors that should take precedence. He still hoped Victoria called off the wedding.

Elena said she and Nate were friends with Ashland and Victoria, and Ashland adored Victoria. “Of course he does. What’s not to love?,” Billy asked. Billy made it clear that he wasn’t pining for his ex – he and Lily were deliriously happy, and he wanted Victoria to be happy too. However, he didn’t think Ashland was the man he said he was. He understood that they saw Ashland differently – he was charismatic and likely fun to be around. Nate said his friendship with Ashland went deeper than that. He admired the graceful way Ashland was handling his illness. Elena thought Billy should support Ashland and Victoria instead of trying to hold him accountable for something he may have done ages ago. Nate stated that Billy had a past, and Lily accepted him for who he was today. Billy said he and Lily had known each other forever, and he’d been open and honest with her about everything, but he couldn’t say the same for Ashland. If looking out for his children and their mother made him a hypocrite, he was fine with that. He wasn’t going to ignore the red flags. Elena asked if Billy was going to interfere with the wedding. Billy said that Victoria was capable of making her own decisions, and he wanted to make sure she had all the facts. “The facts according to whom?,” Nate asked. Billy got a text and abruptly left.

Sally ran into Adam in the park and told him she had a lot of luggage, so they’d need a big car for the trip from the airport. He noted that they weren’t going for long. She had to bring her sewing machine, steamer and other equipment. He said he’d reserve a limo. He asked if she had a plan to get in front of Victoria. She was working on it, and she was sure she’d come up with a strategy once she scoped out the villa. He told her it was a Palazzo. She thought those were the same thing, and he explained that, traditionally, a villa was a country home, a getaway, while the Palazzo was the official residence in town, though these days, they were interchangeable. She guessed the family Palazzo was gorgeous beyond belief. He’d never been there, and she said they could explore it together. He told her they were flying on the same jet – that didn’t mean they were together. She thought that sounded like a distinction without a difference.

Adam made it clear that he and Sally weren’t a couple, and she wasn’t his date to the wedding. They wouldn’t be sleeping in the same room. She told him she was kidding – she understood and was fine with the ground rules. She added that he wasn’t quite as irresistible as he thought he was. He started to defend himself, but she was joking again. Sally said they were just travel companions and colleagues, and she’d make sure no one got the wrong idea, since she thought that was his biggest concern. He said it was his second biggest concern, after making sure she didn’t get the wrong idea. Adam got a text and said he had to leave. Chloe arrived as Sally mentioned the airport. Chloe asked what was going on, and Sally brought her up to speed. Adam left. Chloe didn’t think this was a good idea. Sally felt compelled to at least try and get the dress to Victoria. Chloe questioned going with Adam. Sally said that Adam was the bride’s brother, with an actual invite, and he could get her past security. Chloe understood, but she didn’t like it. Sally said she and Adam weren’t going over as a couple – this wasn’t about romance. Chloe was concerned Sally would start thinking about romance because of the setting – a lavish wedding at a beautiful palazzo. Sally thought Chloe worried too much.

The text Adam got informed him that Billy was at Society, but by the time Adam arrived, Billy was gone. Adam texted to ask if Billy met with anyone. The P.I. replied that Billy met with Nate and Elena. Inside, Elena told Nate that she wanted to hire a full time nurse for the clinic. He said he’d talk to Devon. Adam walked in and made up a story about how he was supposed to be meeting Billy here. They said Billy got a text and left. They assumed he got a scoop. Adam looked at the ChancComm site and didn’t see any breaking news stories. Nate asked why Adam would be meeting with Billy, since they weren’t on good terms. Adam said that his sister’s wedding was coming up, so he’d wanted to make a temporary truce with Billy, for the sake of family unity. Elena was surprised Adam was going. Adam said that he and Nick were in a better place after Faith’s transplant, and he wanted to improve his relationship with Victoria too. He said he was hoping he and Billy could agree to be happy for Victoria and Ashland and make a pact not to disrupt the wedding. Nate didn’t think Billy and Adam were on the same page about that.

Elena mentioned that she and Nate would be at the wedding and that Nate was Ashland’s best man. Adam thought that was terrific. Adam left. Elena thought it was nice that Adam was supporting his sister. Nate assumed Adam was trying to score points with Victor. Nate thought it was good that Adam was being civil though, because he could be trouble, and Ashland and Victoria had enough trouble to deal with. Elena wanted to go home and make sure she packed everything. Nate said she could buy things in Italy. She just really wanted this trip to go well. She thought it would be a great step forward for them, and she was glad he decided to give them another chance to get it right. He was feeling good about them too. He was glad about taking some time off work and spending time with her. He said it didn’t even have to be in one of the most beautiful countries on earth – it could even be Fresno.

Marty, the investigator working for Billy, found Gaines Jr. and brought him to Billy’s home. Billy arrived after getting the text from Marty. Billy noted that Gaines left after agreeing to give Billy a scoop on Ashland. Gaines got a better offer. Billy assumed it was from Victor, and he asked how much it was. Gaines said it was more than Billy offered before, and he assumed it was more than Billy was going to offer now. “Newman won’t be happy that I gave his people the slip. He’s gonna be even more furious if I go back on my word and tell you what I know about Locke. So I need you to guarantee me protection from him. Or this conversation ends right now,” Gaines said.

Billy was confident he could protect Gaines. Gaines wanted more than just Billy’s word. He wanted to sign off on every detail Billy’s security team came up with. Billy asked why Gaines came back if he was concerned about Victor’s reaction. Billy sensed that this was about more than money. He got the feeling that Gaines wanted this story to come out. Gaines confirmed that this was personal to him, and he said Billy would understand why after they made their deal. Billy had already deduced that Ashland and Gaines Sr. cooked up an illegal scheme that helped Ashland launch his career. Gaines said Billy was on the right track. Gaines was ready to tell all as soon as they settled on a price and Billy guaranteed him protection from Victor.

Sally ran into Adam at Crimson Lights. She had found some earrings that would go perfect with the dress, and she thought he could give them to Victoria as a wedding gift. He already chose a gift. His assistant found a chef who’d make Ashland, Victoria and the kids a delicious home cooked meal on any night of their choosing. Sally thought that gift had a great balance – special and kind of posh, but considerate and homey. She was sure Victoria would appreciate the effort Adam was making. Sally had to step away to do something. Victor called to see if Adam was at the airport. Adam told Victor that Billy got some kind of tip, presumably about Ashland. Victor was disturbed, because Jesse Gaines had slipped through the fingers of his security team, and he had a feeling Billy had something to do with it. Victor instructed Adam to stay on it, because they had to make sure that man didn’t cause any further damage.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Billy was dining alone at Society. Adam walked in and asked if Lily finally left him. Billy said that Lily was away on a trip. They traded barbs, which concluded with Billy said he’d be at the wedding, unlike Adam. Adam clarified that he’d be there too, because Victoria invited him. Adam thought Victoria finally found a man worthy of her. Billy assumed that Adam was going as Victor’s plus one. Adam stated that Victoria personally invited him, and he graciously accepted. Billy found that hard to believe, but it didn’t matter, because he heard there might not be a wedding. Adam thought this was a lame attempt to get him to cancel his plans. Billy didn’t care what Adam did. He said that Victoria already left, but she might not walk down the aisle. Adam thought this was more wishful thinking on Billy’s part. Billy was sure Victoria would wake up and realize the insanity of committing to an enigma of a man. Adam stated that his sister was deeply in love, and for the first time in a long time, she knew exactly what she was doing. Billy didn’t think Adam had any insight into Victoria’s heart, given their history of hostility. Adam noted that Billy had a rocky past with Victoria, so he might not know her much better. Adam said that maybe Billy didn’t recognize Victoria and Ashland’s true love because he was comparing it to Billy’s sitcom-inspired relationship with Victoria. Billy argued that Adam had no idea what his relationship with Victoria was like. Adam said it was less than a week to the wedding, so Victoria was past the point of no return. Billy suggested that something or someone would help Victoria see the light.

Billy went to work and talked to his investigator on the phone. He was positive that Camilla Rhodes mentioned Ashland in the will. The investigator found something that both startled and angered Billy. He called Ashland a son of a bitch. Billy’s investigator, Marty, arrived. She informed Billy that there were no record of Camilla Rhodes’ will or her banking records. He asked if Ashland made them permanently disappear. She couldn’t be sure, but she said her people may have hit paydirt on another angle. They finally got a lead on Jesse Gaines. Billy asked where Jesse was, because he likely had all the answers Billy was looking for.

Adam called Victor, who appeared to be at an outdoor cafe somewhere. He said he was in a bit of a hurry, as he was going to Summer’s wedding. Adam just wanted Victor to know that Billy might be planning to disrupt Victoria’s wedding. Victor groaned that Billy hated to see Victoria happy. He wanted Adam to help him stop Billy. Adam wasn’t sure he was the right man for the job, since Victoria barely tolerated him. Victor thought Adam should do this for Victoria since she invited him to the wedding.

Sally and Chloe were in a hotel suite at The Grand Phoenix. Sally unzipped a garment bag and showed Chloe the dress. Chloe loved it and she thought it was way better than the one Lauren’s team made for Victoria (Lauren had shown Chloe pictures). Sally wanted to find a creative way to get this dress on Victoria. Chloe didn’t think Newman Media needed Sally pulling an over the top stunt. Chloe decided to call Victoria and mislead her into thinking that Lauren wanted her to come here for another dress fitting. Chloe said if Victoria wore this dress, Newman Media would be one step closer to becoming a fashion house, as Chloe dreamed. Chloe made the call, and Victoria’s assistant revealed that Victoria left for Tuscany already. Chloe felt horrible for Sally, who went through all that trouble for nothing. Sally wasn’t giving up. She was going to bring the dress to Tuscany.

Chloe and Sally went to Society. Chloe thought that Sally was taking it too far, flying all the way to Italy. Sally was confident that Victoria would love the dress as much as Chloe did. Chloe noted that Sally had a big strike against her, due to the machinations against Victoria’s niece. Sally knew the odds were against her, but this was her make it or break it moment. Chloe admired Sally’s determination and wished her luck. Chloe left to take a call. Sally saw Adam and asked if she could bum a ride to Italy with him. Sally told Adam her dilemma. He knew she was talented. He said if he went along with this little stunt, he still wanted to keep things strictly professional with Sally. She said that if Victoria wore her dress, it would get Newman’s fashion division more clicks than all the other divisions combined. He commented on her confidence. She asked if it would really be that terrible to fly over together and keep each other company. He decided to help her.

Later, Adam met with an invsestigator and told them to find out everything about ChancComm’s investigation into Jesse Gaines. Adam instructed the man to stay one step ahead of Billy Abbott.

Victoria and Ashland arrived at her family palazzo in Tuscany. Ashland opined that it was as breathtaking as the woman he wanted to marry. Alessia, the household manager, showed them to a bedroom and left them alone. Victoria was quiet, so Ashland filled the silence by marveling at the house. Victoria had been planning to say this on their wedding night, but she decided to say it now – Victor gave them the deed to The Palazzo as a wedding gift. Ashland thought it sounded like there was still going to be a wedding. She asked if he thought she’d fly 4,000 miles on his private jet if she’d already decided not to get married. She was leaving things open so that they could talk without interruptions. She was expecting this new confession he had to make to be worse than the others.

Ashland wanted to do everything in his power to convince Victoria to marry him, but he wasn’t going to do that, because he didn’t want to push her into doing something that didn’t feel right in her heart. Victoria knew Ashland got whatever he wanted, and part of the reason she fell in love with him was she was exactly the same way. He hoped tha love would endure. She said she still loved him. He realized he should’ve been forthcoming form the start. She sort of understood why he didn’t. She said she grew up with a father who kept things from the family whenever it suited him. She lived with Billy and his lies and gambling. He felt regretful about creating another cloud of dishonesty in her world. He said that he never told anyone, except her and Nick, about the decision he made the night of the crash. There were only two people who knew this other thing that he needed to tell her. He said there had been a wall around him ever since his damaged childhood that he couldn’t let anyone else through. He tried to lower the wall for her, but it didn’t come naturally or easily. He made some huge mistakes, and he wanted to make it right. He wanted and needed to make this work more than anything. He vowed to prove he wouldn’t ever lie again. She said it was more that he withheld information. He promised that wouldn’t happen again. Victoria assumed this had something to do with Jesse Gaines, and Ashland confirmed it. He thought it was time he told her how he made his fortune. It had been a long day though, so he suggested they go get some food, and he thought she’d need a glass of wine or two.

It was the day after Sharon and Rey’s honeymoon-inspired date. They were at Crimson Lights, and she was wearing the perfume he gave her. Mariah entered, and she was in a good mood. Sharon carefully asked where this new attitude was coming from. Mariah said not to worry – she and Tessa weren’t pregnant, but having a baby wasn’t off the table. Rey didn’t realize Mariah and Tessa were thinking of having a baby. Sharon explained that she didn’t say anything out of respect for Mariah’s privacy. Mariah said that Sharon and Tessa thought having a baby was a knee jerk reaction, but she and Tessa had an amazing conversation, and they agreed not to even discuss it until after Victoria’s wedding. Sharon thought that was a good idea to give everyone some time to think. Mariah was going to visit Abby and the baby today. She wanted to apologize and explain about her abrupt departure. Sharon was concerned, but Mariah insisted that she could handle it. She left. Rey thought Mariah seemed back on track, but Sharon didn’t think that was the case.

Sharon’s instincts told her that there were warning signs with Mariah. According to Sharon, Mariah specialized in pretending things were okay when they weren’t. Tessa came in, and Sharon told her about Mariah’s visit. Tessa didn’t realize Mariah planned to go to Abby’s. Sharon said that Mariah seemed upbeat, and she asked if Tessa thought that was true. Tessa wanted to believe Mariah was doing better. She said Mariah was angry at first about Tessa and Sharon talking behind her back, but she seemed to calm down, and she agreed to put the baby discussion on the back burner until they got back from Tuscany. Sharon was glad Tessa and Mariah were going to the wedding – she thought they both needed a vacation and time away.

Abby and Devon were asleep in the Chancellor living room. Abby bolted awake to check on Dominic. He was calm in his bassinet, and his breathing and temperature were normal. She told Devon that it looked like Dominic would be okay. Devon got on his phone, and Abby hoped he was texting Amanda. That was what he was doing. Abby was sorry she kept Devon here all night, but he said they both fell asleep watching Dominic, which wasn’t her fault. She said that they slept through the night, which meant Dominic slept through the night too. She went to get a bottle, and Devon looked in on Dominic. Mariah showed up, and Devon told her what happened last night. She went over to check the baby. Devon said Dominic only needed saline drops, and it was nothing to worry about. He added that Abby only called him because she was having trouble getting Dominic to sleep. “Abby called you,” Mariah said. Abby came in and was happy to see Mariah. Mariah said she was sorry for how she abruptly moved out, but Tessa was helping her, and she felt like she was in a better place. Abby said she and Devon were there for Mariah. Mariah thought it seemed a little soon for Dominic to be sick, and she asked what Abby did to treat him. Abby said Dom was fine. She asked when Mariah and Tessa were leaving for Tuscany. Mariah said they were flying out soon, but she’d been stockpiling breast milk and she was bringing bottles. Abby revealed that she’d decided not to go. Dominic was too young to fly, in her opinion, and she didn’t want to leave him with a nanny that long. She also decided to switch Dominic to formula.

Abby hoped this was okay with Mariah. Mariah was fine with it. Abby wanted to make this as easy on Mariah as possible, so if she had feelings or emotions she wanted to share, Abby was listening. Devon said the same applied to him. Mariah thanked them for understanding and left. Dominic didn’t finish the whole bottle, and he was crying again. They decided to call the doctor again just to be safe. The pediatrician wasn’t too concerned since the baby was active and alert. The call ended, and Abby said she was already an overreacting mom. Devon said you couldn’t overreact when you had a little life like that to take care of.

Mariah went home and remembered unsuccessfully trying to convince Tessa that they should have a baby. Tessa came home and said Sharon and Rey said Mariah went to see Abby. Mariah hoped they weren’t keeping tabs on her. Tessa said it wasn’t like that, but she was surprised Mariah didn’t mention her plans to visit earlier. Mariah said it was a spur of the moment decision that didn’t go how she planned. She said that Bowie was sick, and Abby said it was only a cold, but even if it was, he wasn’t even a month old. Mariah couldn’t help but worry. Tessa was sure Abby was doing everything she could to take care of him. Mariah said that Abby called the doctor, who said things were fine. Mariah said she couldn’t leave the country while Bowie was sick. Tessa thought Mariah should take a step back and let Abby deal with this. Tessa was sure Abby would take great care of the baby. Mariah yelled that she couldn’t just stop caring about the baby because they didn’t live with him anymore. She loved Bowie, and he was sick. She said that having their own baby was supposed to help – she’d have someone new she could put her love into, but Tessa shut that idea down. Tessa said she didn’t shut down the idea, she just felt they should talk about it more. She thought they’d agreed to table this discussion until after the trip. Mariah said she wasn’t going to Italy. She had to be here in case Bowie needed her.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Billy approached Nick at Society and asked what he found in New Jersey. Nick refused to discuss it. Billy contended that they both wanted the same thing, but Nick argued that Billy just wanted to damage Victoria’s relationship at any cost. Billy stated that he wanted the truth. Billy had been following Ashland’s money, and he had a theory on it. Nick ordered Billy to let it go. Billy thought that Nick found out something bad. Nick was tired of Billy pretending like they were co-conspirators in a plan to bring Ashland down. Nick only cared about protecting his sister. Billy said he wanted that too. Nick thought Billy wanted to be proven right and that he’d get sanctification out of knowing he wasn’t the only person who let Victoria down. Billy said that wasn’t true, and he accused Nick of sounding like Victor. Billy was a little hurt that Nick thought that way of him, but he agreed to drop the subject, and he said he’d see Nick in Tuscany. Nick didn’t reply, and Billy asked if the wedding was off. Nick said there would be a wedding and that he was finished with the discussion. He was flying to Milan to see his daughter get married. He left.

Victoria and Ashland were in in the hotel suite he rented to give her some space. Ashland was ready to hear what Victoria had to say. He also hoped she didn’t blame Nick for trying to protect her. Ashland never had familial love and loyalty growing up, and he thought it was worth holding onto. She said she didn’t come to discuss Nick. She also didn’t come to judge him for a decision he made as a desperate kid. She could see that it haunted him. She didn’t understand the choices he’d made since they got together, though. Being being lied to was unsettlingly familiar to Victoria, because she’d lived with a habitual gambler for years. Billy was charming and fun, but he was a master at lying to her. One of the reasons Victoria fell in love with Ashland was that she thought he was nothing like that. Now it turned out that he was just as unpredictable as Billy, she said. Ashland believed Billy’s search into Ashland’s past resurrected these old feelings of uncertainty in Victoria. Victoria said she couldn’t and wouldn’t live with lies again.

Victoria noted that she asked Ashland point blank if there was anything else she needed to know, and he swore there wasn’t. It made her wonder if there was anything else he was holding back and not willing to admit until he was forced into a corner. He understood how she felt and he hated that she saw the similarity between him and an addict. He asked if he could do anything to change that. She wanted the whole truth, and she thought they should start with the real reason Jesse Gaines was in Genoa City. Ashland promised Victoria the whole unvarnished truth about Jesse, but he asked if he could tell her on the flight to Tuscany. His plane was ready to go whenever they were ready. He said that, despite what she’d learned, he wanted to believe she still loved him. “How could I stop loving you? You’ve gotten inside of my heart. And that’s not something that you get rid of so easily,” Victoria replied. He was relieved. She thought the flight might be a good idea. They could get away from her family and the people trying to interfere, and maybe they could work things out.

Nick entered the hotel as Victoria was leaving. He was hoping that she’d gone up to Phyllis’s suite looking for him. She snapped that he was the last person she wanted to see, and she told him off about betraying her. She said that Ashland was the first man in a long time that she felt this kind of connection with, and they pulled off the merger of a lifetime. She asked Nick not to investigate, and he did anyway. He said he had concerns about Ashland, and Ashland only told the truth because he’d been forced into it. Nick didn’t see how he’d betrayed Victoria. She accused him of trying to dig up something before the wedding to make her doubt Ashland. He said that wasn’t his goal. Ashland came downstairs and overheard Nick ask Victoria if she had more doubts about Ashland.

Ashland went over and informed Nick that he and Victoria were flying to Tuscany tonight. Victoria had to go home and pack. She told Ashland that she didn’t want her brother at the wedding. She left. Nick asked Ashland how the hell he pulled this off. Ashland said Victoria was more open minded than Nick. He said that, like Victor, Victoria realized that the world wasn’t black and white and that people made mistakes and could be forgiven. Nick stated that he’d made mistakes and forgiven people. Ashland said it was clear that Nick hoped Victoria wouldn’t forgive him. Nick said he wanted Victoria to know who she was dealing with, and now she did. Nick started to leave, but Ashland said they weren’t finished.

Ashland said that what happened to “Bobby DeFranco” the night of the car accident, the choice he made was the most painful event of his life. It was tragic and overwhelming. “And character defining,” Nick added. Ashland said Nick would never understand what he’d carried inside of him since then and what it took to relive it with Victoria earlier. All Ashland could do was look forward. He said if Nick had any decency or compassion, he’d keep what he knew to himself.

Devon and Amanda played poker at their place. She thanked him for this perfect way to unwind after spending the night at the ER with Naya. The doctors handled the incident easily, but they warned the family to expect these kinds of things with her illness. Amanda was relieved the doctors took care of it. Back to the game, she thought he was bluffing, because his eyes were smoldering, but he suggested that was just the way he looked at her. She won the game, but he smiled and told her he still felt pretty lucky.

Abby was at home, and the baby was crying. Abby wished Nina was here to help, instead of in California. She noted that his father wasn’t there. Abby thought about calling Mariah and decided against it. Back at the penthouse, Devon and Amanda were flirting over the game of cards when Abby called and asked about Amanda’s mom. He said she was fine. He heard Dominic crying and asked about it. She was sorry for calling at this hour, but she’d tried everything, and last time Devon was the only one who could calm the baby. She was sorry for interrupting his night with Amanda. Amanda told Devon to go.

Devon and Abby thought Dominic felt warm and that he sounded congested, so she called the pediatrician. Dr. Bradley suggested saline drops, and since Dom had calmed down in Devon’s arms, Abby asked him to babysit while she went to the pharmacy. She left, and he told the baby how much everyone loved him. Abby returned with the drops and gave them to Dominic. She and Devon high fived, and she thanked him for everything. She promised to perfect the parenting thing so she didn’t have to keep calling him. He wanted her to keep calling – he’d take any excuse to see Dom. She said he was always welcome. She hadn’t spoken to Mariah, outside texts about Tessa dropping off milk for the baby. Abby didn’t want things this way, but she had to accept it for now. Devon said they’d just wait to help once Mariah was ready. She was video journaling for Chance again. She felt bad that he was missing the first few weeks of the baby’s life. Devon said that Chance would have a lifetime of memories with the baby. Dom cried, and Devon got him out of the bassinet. Abby watched them together and smiled. Devon fell asleep in Abby’s living room.

Amanda went to The Grand Phoenix to visit Phyllis. Phyllis playfully pouted about Amanda moving out of the hotel without telling her. Phyllis was excited Amanda and Devon moved in together. Phyllis thought it was about time those two acknowledged what the rest of the world saw. She saw the chemistry and respect between Amanda and Devon. Amanda felt lucky to have such a great guy. Amanda was free since Devon was helping Abby, so she wanted to see if Phyllis wanted to hang out. Phyllis was happy to spend time with her friend, but she looked concerned about Abby and Devon. She asked how Devon was doing after the baby was born. Amanda said it had a profound effect on him, and he felt a deep connection with the baby.

Devon called Amanda and brought her up to speed on Dominic. She was glad he went to help Abby. The call ended, and she relayed the information to Phyllis. Amanda didn’t seem bothered, but Phyllis looked suspicious. Phyllis said Jack delivered Summer, and they had a special connection, even though they weren’t biologically related. Amanda asked if Jack’s connection to Summer caused conflict between Phyllis and Nick. Phyllis said there were extenuating circumstances. Amanda felt like Phyllis was trying to warn her that this Devon’s bond with Dominic could cause trouble between Devon and Amanda. Phyllis said she wasn’t doing that. Amanda said she supported Devon being a big part of Dominic’s life. She saw this as something that had enriched Devon’s life, and by extension, hers. Amanda thought it was great that Phyllis and Jack were so close. She heard they were married once, and she asked what happened. Phyllis wasn’t sure the hotel lobby was the place to discuss it.

Phyllis and Amanda went to Society, and Billy was still there. He told Phyllis she just missed Nick. Phyllis asked Billy if he didn’t need to meet Lily, and he said that Lily was in California handling a minor crisis with Mattie, so he was free. Phyllis groaned because she couldn’t have an intimate conversation with Amanda with Billy here. Amanda suggested the three of them could have a drink, as long as Billy agreed to behave. He promised he would. Phyllis stepped away to take a call from her hotel manager. Billy and Amanda caught up. She said she was going to be opening her own legal practice with her sister. He was happy for her. She was glad things were going well for him. He told her they were having an issue with a story. ChancComm was following the money of a twenty year old who came into a huge influx of money. He wanted Amanda’s take on the case. Amanda said maybe this guy formed a connection with someone who left him an inheritance. She granted that it was a long shot though. He asked how difficult it was to change a will of someone who passed away. He knew she worked on a similar case when she first came to town. She said the person who’d have the easiest time changing a will was the attorney who drew up the will in the first place, though they’d face disbarment and jail time. Another way to do it was if someone came forward with a document saying the deceased changed their mind. Phyllis returned and asked what Billy and Amanda were talking about so intently.

Phyllis made it clear she wanted Billy to go, and he took the hint and left. Amanda got the feeling that Billy and Phyllis were intense together. She said they did crazy things, and she’d always regret the way they destroyed Jack. Phyllis said she held Jack close to her heart.

Billy went to work and called his P.I. and asked them to find out everything they could about Camilla Rhodes’ will. He wanted to find out if Ashland pulled off something shady to get her money.

At Crimson Lights, Adam overheard Sally talking with the person who’d be sewing the dress she designed for Victoria. He asked about it, and she told him that if Victoria wore the dress, the publicity would be good for Newman Media. She added that, if the dress was a hit, they could make a cheaper version and sell it to consumers. He told her she was taking quite a gamble with his money. She said this was an investment, not a gamble. She was sure that Victoria would love it and insist on wearing it. Adam said Victoria wouldn’t wear the dress if she knew it was from Sally. Sally was hoping Victoria would appreciate the design and craftsmanship and maybe respect Sally’s chutzpah. “You clearly don’t know my sister at all,” he replied. Sally said Adam might be the black sheep of the family, but you didn’t get to be the CEO of Newman Enterprises without occasionally fighting to get what you wanted. She hoped Victoria would see a bit of herself in Sally and admire the effort it took to get her the perfect dress. Adam said Sally might piss Victoria off. Sally was willing to take the risk. She knew there was no love lost between Victoria and Phyllis, so it might be a bonus that Phyllis despised Sally. Adam said Summer was Nick’s daughter, and Victoria was close to them both, so Victoria wouldn’t appreciate what Sally did to her niece. Sally didn’t think she hurt anyone, since Summer was at her dream job and marrying her dream guy.

Sally showed Adam the dress she designed and she asked for his opinion. He thought it was spectacular. He asked if Chloe helped, and she said no it was 100% her design. She hoped it’d be ready to show Victoria by tomorrow afternoon. He asked what if it wasn’t – would she fly to Tuscany and crash a destination wedding? She was going to do whatever it took. He thought she was playing with fire. She believed he liked that about her. He stammered that he never said that, but she told him he did. She said she was going to seize the day, like her namesake and create a huge buzz for the fashion platform in the process. He said that when she set her mind to something, she really committed to it.

Victoria went to the office and stared at the portrait.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

At Society, Ashland thought about and decided against calling Victoria. Nate came in to get some dessert to surprise Elena. Nate noticed Ashland seemed a little off. Ashland said he was dealing with unresolved issues. Nate said he was here if Ashland needed a friend. Ashland replied that it’d been awhile since he had one of those, and he could use one now. Ashland said some details about his life that he wanted to keep private recently came to light. When he was young and desperate, he made some choices people might not understand. In a defining moment, he saw the opportunity to improve his life, and he grabbed it. Since that time, he worked tirelessly to become the man he is now, and he tried to forget the man he used to be, as if one could truly forget one’s history. His bride-to-be knew about this chapter now. Nate admitted he suspected something happened because Victoria was unusually tense earlier. Ashland said that was before Victoria even knew the whole story. Nate asked if the wedding was still on.

Nate liked to think he was a good judge of character, and he believed Ashland was a decent guy. Ashland said thanks – it meant the world to him that Nate though of him that way. Nate believed most people had ghosts of one kind or another in their past. Ashland appreciated Nate giving him the benefit of the doubt. He hoped Victoria could be convinced to do the same. Ashland wasn’t expecting to fall in love after his ex ran roughshod over his heart, but Victoria changed all that. She gave him a reason to live. Planning a future with Victoria meant everything to Ashland, and the thought that his past could threaten that… He didn’t know what happened next. His mind told him to wait and give Victoria time, but his heart told him something different. Nate suggested Ashland should follow his heart.

Nikki showed up at Victoria’s office and asked if Ashland had answers to Victoria’s questions. Nikki could see that Victoria was upset, and she offered a non-judgmental ear. Victoria said she finally knew who Ashland was. Victoria told Nikki the whole story about the friend and the car accident. Nikki understood why Ashland wanted to hide it. Victoria said Ashland hid it from her because it was a painful part of his life that he didn’t want to talk about anymore. Victoria saw the pain in Ashland when he told her what happened, and it was heartbreaking watching him relive that story. Victoria was disappointed that the only reason Ashland told her was because, once again, he was backed into a corner. Nikki assumed Billy had forced Ashland’s hand. She said she told Billy to back off. Victoria said it wasn’t Billy – it was much worse – it was Nicholas.

Victoria was tired of people running around behind her back interfering under the guise of looking out for her. Nikki thought Nick genuinely was looking out for Victoria, unlike Billy who was just trying to undermine Victoria’s relationship with Ashland. Nikki said Nick just wanted Victoria to be happy. Victoria said she would be happy if people did as she asked. She asked Nick not to interfere, but he went sneaking around. He disregarded her wishes, and when he got the information, he went to Ashland, and not her. Nikki said that maybe Nick thought Ashland would be able to explain. Victoria said there was no excuse – she was his sister. Nikki was so sorry this happened. Nikki was shocked when Victoria said she dis-invited Nick from the wedding. Nikki thought Victoria would regret not having Nick by her side, if there was still going to be a wedding. Nikki noted that Victoria hadn’t said one thing about how she felt about Ashland. Victoria couldn’t turn her emotions on and off. She still loved Ashland. “Of course you do,” Nikki said. She said she wasn’t trying to tell Victoria what to do. Victoria appreciated the support, but that was all she cared to say. She said Ashland would be the first to know what she decided. Victoria left, and Ashland showed up. and Nikki told him that Victoria just left. He asked if Victoria was at a meeting or making wedding arrangements. Nikki said there was no need to dance around it – Victoria told her everything. Ashland asked if Nikki saw him differently now. Nikki hadn’t decided what she thought of Ashland now. He understood. She hated what it was doing to Victoria. Ashland did too. He loved Victoria and he wanted to make things right. Nikki said she wasn’t going to offer Ashland insight into handling this situation, if that’s what he was hoping for. She thought that he should wait for Victoria to be ready contact him. He said he’d get a hotel room until Victoria let him come home.

Ashland was on his way to the Grand Phoenix elevator when Victoria showed up and called his name.

Nick went to the Abbott house, and Phyllis asked how his trip was. Jack left the room to call the pilot. Nick said Victoria was making a terrible mistake. Nick told Phyllis the Bobby DeFranco story. He said Ashland stole his dead best friend’s identity. Nick had put together bits and pieces of the story, and he’d wanted to confront Ashland alone. He didn’t want to involve Victoria until he knew what he was dealing with, but she and Ashland showed up together and insisted that she stay. Nick said Victoria went off on him and said she was done with him. “That’s what I get for doing the right thing,” he sighed. Phyllis chalked it up to a sibling squabble, but Nick said Victoria didn’t want him at the wedding. Phyllis thought Victoria was just shooting the messenger. Phyllis was shocked Ashland stole a dying man’s identity. Nick explained that Ashamed said he had no way to save his friend’s life, and he had once chance to get away from his abusive father. Phyllis understood making that decision, if the story was true. Nick wondered what else Ashland was hiding. He thought his sister deserved better. Phyllis insisted that Nick had to go to the wedding and work this out with his sister.

Nick wanted to reach out to Victoria, but he thought that space would do them both some good. He’d figure things out after Summer’s wedding. He didn’t want any part of this to cast a shadow on their little girl’s big day. Jack returned and said there was a storm coming, and the pilot thought they should fly out tomorrow morning. Phyllis and Nick were disappointed. Jack said he already talked to Kyle, and he and Summer were willing to adapt. He told them to go home and get some sleep. Phyllis thanked Jack for keeping her company while she waited for Nick, and he said she never had to thank him for that. They left. Traci came in and said she rearranged her schedule so she could fly to Milan with them. Jack said that was great. He added that Ashley was flying in from Paris. Traci noticed a glow in Jack when they talked about Phyllis earlier and a wistfulness when he saw her leave with Nick. Jack admitted he’d been thinking about his history with Phyllis. Traci asked how worried she should be. Traci thought friendship was one thing, but this was Phyllis. Traci hoped he wasn’t planning on creating new memories with Phyllis. Jack said he wasn’t planning to act on his feelings. He respected Phyllis and Nick’s relationship. Traci asked where this was coming from. He thought the whole debacle with Sally made him think about what he’d loved and lost. He didn’t say this to get Traci’s pity. He wanted her to give him space and he didn’t want her to worry about him. She laughed at the idea that she wasn’t going to worry.

Traci found Jack looking at a picture of Dina. He said he had a dream of her giving him advice. It was funny because he used to have visits with their dad after he passed. Traci mentioned that she saw and talked to Colleen all the time. She said sometimes it was about simple things, and sometimes they were more significant, like the day Colleen came into the world and the day she left it. She thought it was normal. He said she never told him that. She didn’t think it was a big deal. He said maybe not. He thought it was amazing he was so invested in parental advice – he never listened to John’s advice when he was alive, and he always felt so so distant from Dina in those later years. Traci said Dina wasn’t known for being parental. She didn’t think it was odd that Jack wanted to listen to his parents now – love never left them, it just changed form. It was their responsibility to recognize the way it came into their lives. He agreed that love came and went and changed shape, but it never died – everyone who touched their heart stayed there, and he felt like they were the better for it.

Phyllis and Nick went to her place and talked to Summer on the phone. They were pleased Summer sounded happy. Phyllis said Summer and Kyle would get the life they deserved. Nick thought every couple should feel that way on their wedding day. Phyllis asked Nick if he regretted finding out the truth about Ashland. She blamed herself for encouraging him to follow his instincts and go to New Jersey. He said he would’ve done it whether she gave him her approval or not. It was completely his decision. He had no regrets. He did what he thought was right, what any brother should do. He said Victoria still loved and respected Ashland despite everything. Phyllis said maybe this strengthened Victoria’s bond with Ashland, and Nick helped Victoria go into this with her eyes open. He knew his sister wouldn’t see it like that, at least any time soon.

At their place, Mariah asked why Tessa talked to Sharon about her emotional state or desire to have a baby. Tessa said Sharon was Mariah’s mother, and they both loved her. Mariah said it should’ve stayed private. Tessa admitted Mariah had a right to be upset, but Tessa didn’t know who else to talk to. Mariah felt Tessa should’ve talked to her, but Tessa said she didn’t feel like she could. Tessa stated that she tried to talk to Mariah, but Mariah didn’t want to hear what she had to say. Mariah said that Tessa knew they could talk about anything. Tessa admitted she backed down because she didn’t want to disappoint Mariah more. Tessa also felt like Mariah wasn’t listening to her. More than anything, Tessa wanted to have a family with Mariah one day, but this wasn’t the right time. There were their careers to think about, they needed a home to live in. Mariah started to wave away Tessa’s concerns, but then she stopped and promised to listen. Tessa wasn’t sure she was ready to be pregnant or be a mom. She was also worried that Mariah’s decision was coming from a place of desperation. “Ouch,” Mariah said. Tessa said Mariah was kidnapped, she gave birth, now she was trying to find her place in Dominic’s life. Tessa thought Mariah was trying to distract from all the emotions going on inside, and she thought Mariah should work through that first. Mariah heard Tessa, but she disagreed.

Mariah said she wasn’t escaping, she was saving herself. She’d been on her own her whole life, and she hadn’t just survived, she thrived, and she said Tessa had done the same. Mariah thought she could be a surrogate then go back to her life, but she couldn’t. “Because you were kidnapped,” Tessa said. Mariah said no it was because being pregnant with Bowie changed her. She was ready to pour love into a child. Tessa wasn’t ready for that. Mariah asked what first time parents were ever ready. Tessa stressed that she needed to be in the right mindset, and she thought Mariah needed to find her balance again. Tessa didn’t think anyone should have a baby to mend a hole in their heart. She insisted that it was wrong to saddle a child with the chore of healing a wound. “It’s not fair to push me for something that I am not ready for because then I will lose my balance and we will both be a mess,” Tessa cried.

Mariah asked if that was it? End of discussion? Tessa said she’d never shut down all conversations about having a baby. She wanted to hear Mariah’s thoughts and help her in any way she could. Tessa thought having honest conversations like this were a step in the right direction. They agreed to keep the lines of communication open. They thought that together, they could handle anything. They said they loved each other, and Tessa said they’d both get to where wanted to be, eventually. She felt it in her heart and soul. Mariah felt that too. In the meantime, Tessa thought they should back off the baby discussion until they got back from Tuscany. Mariah accepted this. She didn’t want to push Tessa away – she needed her more than ever. Tessa said she wasn’t going anywhere without Mariah.

Later, Tessa walked in and saw Mariah in bed, and Tessa said she couldn’t think of a better way to end this day than falling asleep in Mariah’s arms. Tessa chattered about what she and Mariah could do tomorrow, like mani-pedis, but she noticed Mariah’s eyes were closed. Tessa said I love you and turned out the light without climbing into bed. Mariah opened her eyes.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Billy went to the Grand Phoenix for his meeting with Gaines, who was nowhere to be found. Billy inquired at the front desk. Crystal, the hotel manager, checked the computer and said it looked like he’d checked out. Billy spotted Victor sitting in the lounge, doing something on his phone. He walked over commented on how strange it was for Victor to spend this much time at Phyllis’s establishment. He theorized that Victor sent Gaines away. Victor told Crystal that if anyone was looking for him, he’d be in the hotel restaurant. He left.

Ashland was in Victoria’s office. Gaines had missed their meeting earlier, and Ashland wasn’t happy. He called Gaines and left a testy voice message about it. Ashland warned Gaines that it would be extremely foolish to renege on their deal. Victoria entered, and Ashland dropped the menacing tone and ended the call. Victoria said it sounded like someone was in trouble. Ashland claimed that one of his employees wasn’t getting on board with the merger. Victoria asked why Ashland didn’t just fire them, and he told her that this person was the holder of a lot of institutional knowledge that they couldn’t afford to lose. She felt that he was being deliberately vague, and one again, it felt like he was hiding something from her. She reiterated that he could confide in her. She was his ally, and she’d be his wife. She asked what the phone call was really about. Nikki walked in with terrific news. She realized she was interrupting.

Ashland told Nikki she wasn’t interrupting, and so she announced that, while Tessa had already been slated to sing at the wedding, Leslie Brooks had agreed to play something. Ashland said he couldn’t wait, then he quickly tried to excuse himself. Victoria pointed out that they hadn’t finished their discussion, but he left anyway, claiming he had to make some international calls right this minute. Nikki asked Victoria if everything was alright, and she said of course. It was clear to Nikki that something was on Victoria’s mind. Victoria said she may have spoken too soon when she said Ashland felt safe with her and like he could tell her anything. She said he seemed worried, but he was pretending everything was fine. She wondered if it might have something to do with Billy – maybe he was continuing his harassment campaign. Nikki had no doubt Billy was still investigating. She said other investigators might be trying to dig into Ashland’s history too. Victoria said that Ashland didn’t tell anyone else the truth about his past. Nikki suggested that someone figured it out on their own.

Ashland showed up at the hotel. Billy rushed right over and informed him that Gaines was gone. Victor appeared, and he claimed Ashland was there to meet him. He said their table was waiting. Billy hoped it was a table for three, because he had questions for them both. Laughing, Victor called Billy a pest. Billy didn’t think Victor and Ashland actually scheduled a meeting here. He thought it would be more natural for a board member and company owner to meet would be at Newman Media, which was just around the corner. Ashland said he and Victor were more than colleagues – they were about to be family. Billy hadn’t forgotten. Ashland said he and Victor were here to discuss the wedding. Ashland thought it was obvious that Billy regretted letting Victoria go. Victor said it was a mistake to meet here, and he suggested he and Ashland go to his ranch instead. Billy was sure Ashland had fond memories of the ranch where Victor watched him have a heart attack instead of calling for help. Victor told Billy to take a walk off a cliff.

Billy ran into Victoria and Nikki at Crimson Lights. He mentioned that he saw Ashland earlier, and they Ashland both had a meeting with Jesse Gaines. He stated that this was Ashland’s lawyer, or ex lawyer, who was in town for a few days. Victoria pretended she didn’t care. Billy could tell Victoria was trying to cover the fact that she’d never heard that name before. He was surprised Ashland didn’t tell her about Gaines. Victoria said she, Ashland and Nikki were running an international conglomerate. She asked if he really thought they had time to give each other a rundown of who they spoke to in the course of a day. He tried to convince her that she needed to know Gaines. “I don’t care, Billy!,” she snapped. She ordered him to leave her and Ashland alone and stay the hell out of their lives.

At the ranch, Ashland declined Victor’s offer of a drink. Ashland thanked Victor for running interference with Billy. Ashland could handle Billy, but it was getting to be a bit much. “Don’t worry about it. I took care of it for you, okay?,” Victor stated. Ashland wished that were true, but he thought Billy would remain a thorn in his side. Victor clarified that he was talking about taking care of Gaines, not Billy. Victor asked Ashland if he’d like that drink now. Ashland said Jesse Gaines was a nobody, an old acquaintance he’d recently gotten back in touch with. Victor said Gaines collected $300,000 a year from Ashland for decades, without doing a thing. To Victor, it looked like extortion. Victor offered Jesse a lot of money to leave Ashland alone for good. He said to consider it a wedding gift. Ashland asked if Gaines asked Victor for money. Victor said that he sought Gaines out and offered him a payoff or a prison stint for blackmail. Ashland asked what Gaines said about their history. Victor didn’t care what Gaines had to say. He said he and Ashland were similar – they had rough backgrounds and they pushed people around a lot and did things they’d probably regret now, but it made them who they were today. Victor was a firm believer in letting bygones be bygones. Ashland said that Gaines couldn’t be trusted to keep his word. Victor knew, and he was keeping an eye on him. Victor made it clear that he did this for Victoria, not Ashland. He said Victoria was the happiest she’d ever been because of Ashland, and Victor didn’t want that to change. Victor warned that what he’d done today, he could undo in the blink of an eye. Ashland understood. He promised that he just wanted to make Victoria as happy as she’d made him. “As long as it stays that way, you have nothing to worry about,” Victor replied.

At the Chancellor house, Abby held Dominic and tried to figure out why he was crying.

Mariah entered her hotel suite and found a note saying Tessa was running errands. She started to unpack her bag and found a bib in it. It caused her to flash back to moments with Dominic. Devon stopped by to check on Mariah and Tessa. Mariah said she was good, though it must’ve seemed like she freaked out on the day of the baptism. He said nobody thought that, but they’d been thinking about her. She asked if he and Abby had been discussing her mental health. He said Abby wanted everyone to be happy, and if they weren’t, she felt responsible. He said they were all trying to figure this out together. He wasn’t even sure what his role in Dominic’s life would be.

Holding Dominic in the first moments of his life was the single most amazing experience Devon ever had. He knew that connection would only get stronger. He also knew that he was the godfather, not the father, but it wasn’t that simple. Mariah asked if Devon shared this with Abby. He didn’t, because she had enough on her plate. Mariah asked if he thought she shouldn’t have shared her feelings with Abby. Devon thought Mariah made the right choice, since she and the baby were under the same roof, and she needed that separation. Mariah wondered how things got so out of control. He thought things would settle as time went on, and once Chance got home. He asked how she was really doing. He offered to hire her a bodyguard if she still felt unsafe, though he was sure Stitch was long gone. Right now, she wasn’t too worried, though she’d be relieved if Stitch was found. Mariah stated that she and Tessa had a plan to help Mariah heal. Nothing was concrete yet though. He was glad she was hopeful bout the future. She said she was incredibly excited, and he could tell Abby that she was well on the road to recovery.

Devon showed up at the Chancellor house, and Abby said it was perfect timing because she just put the baby down for a nap. Devon was disappointed, since he’d hoped to spend some time with the baby. They talked about the baby. Dominic was a night owl, but Abby loved motherhood, even when she was up at 3 AM. She asked about his life. He said he asked Amanda to move in. Abby wanted all the details. Dominic started crying, so Abby went upstairs to check on him. Devon looked at his grandma Katherine’s portrait while he waited. Abby brought the baby downstairs, and he was still crying. She said she couldn’t take the oft-given advice to sleep while the baby slept, because he never slept. Devon offered to take Dominic for a walk so Abby could rest. She didn’t want to impose, and he assured her he didn’t mind.

Devon took Dominic to Chancellor park and told him about Katherine, his great grandmother. He said Dominic had the Newmans, Abbotts and Chancellors, and the Winters. He wished Dominic could’ve met Neil. Devon said Dominic had deep roots here, and he’d never question where he belonged.

Tessa went to Crimson Lights. Sharon asked if Mariah was coming. Tessa said Mariah was taking a walk, so Tessa decided to come check in with Sharon. Sharon was glad Tessa came. Sharon said that Mariah asked her for space, and it was really hard to comply. Tessa thanked Sharon for respecting Mariah’s wishes. Sharon was optimistic that Mariah was on the way to emotionally distancing herself from Abby’s baby. Tessa wasn’t so sure about that. She informed Sharon that Mariah wanted a baby as soon as possible. She wanted some advice on how to talk to Mariah about this without upsetting her. Sharon thought that Tessa needed to decide whether she wanted a baby right now. Tessa said it wasn’t just about what she wanted. It was obvious to Tessa that this idea wasn’t coming from a healthy or grounded place. Tessa started crying – the fantasy was lifting Mariah’s spirits, and Tessa didn’t want to take that away from her. Tessa also didn’t want to make promises she might not be able to keep though.

Tessa wasn’t opposed to the general idea of a baby, but she wasn’t sure she was ready, and after all Mariah went through, Tessa didn’t think that Mariah was either. Sharon thought Tessa should follow that instinct. She said Mariah was grieving and trying to fill a void. Tessa said if daydreaming was helping, was there any harm in letting it go on any longer. Sharon didn’t think it was right to let Mariah get her heart set on the idea, then have that taken away from her too. Tessa realized that was true, but she knew talking to Mariah wouldn’t be easy. Sharon thought Mariah would understand.

After Tessa left, Rey showed up. His shift ended early. Sharon was glad to see him, because she needed him to save her from herself. She was having a hard time not running over to the hotel and mothering Mariah to death, whether she wanted it or not. Tessa had made it sound like Mariah was really struggling. Rey thought it was great that Sharon got closer to Tessa while Mariah was missing. That meant Tessa would be more likely to come to Sharon if there was an emergency she needed to get involved in. Sharon admitted that was a good point. In the meantime, he had some ideas for how to keep herself occupied.

Later, Sharon met Rey at Society, where he’d prepared a surprise. He was wearing a shirt he bought in Miami, and the speakers were playing a song they danced to on their last night in Miami. The menu tonight also featured foods they ate on their honeymoon. She wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to top this date. Rey held a fragrance strip in front of Sharon’s nose. Her eyes were closed. It smelled like the botanical gardens in Florida, but she didn’t know where he’d find tropical flowers in Genoa City. He had her open her eyes. She saw a bottle of perfume. He said every time she wore it, she’d be transported back to that magical time, so their honeymoon would never end. She said she had a honeymoon surprise for him when they got home – she’d be wearing nothing but the perfume.

Tessa went home with the mail she picked up from their old apartment. They’d received Victoria and Ashland’s wedding invitation. Mariah thought it was nice that they received an invitation even though they weren’t going to be there as guests and were only invited because Tessa was singing. Tessa was so excited for the trip to Italy. She thought they needed a change of scenery. Mariah said they could try and make plans with Summer and Kyle for after the wedding. Tessa hoped Kyle understood why Mariah couldn’t be his best person at his wedding. Mariah said she explained everything to Kyle, and he was understanding. Mariah thought this would be the perfect trip before she and Tessa settled down, not that you couldn’t travel with a baby. Tessa attempted to say something, but Mariah interjected to share a fantasy about their baby, Bowie, and a child of Amanda and Devon growing up together. Tessa assured Mariah that she wanted a baby with her, but she wasn’t ready yet. She thought they had to make sure they were both prepared to take on this life changing move. Mariah was sad, but she understood.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

At Crimson Lights, Nick wanted to talk to Ashland alone, but Victoria refused to leave, and Ashland said he wanted her to stay. Victoria testily asked if Nick dug up some ancient dirt. She informed him that she knew what he was up to, thanks to Phyllis being unable to explain why Nick took a trip to the town where Ashland got his start. She said she told her fiance all about it. Nick said this was about a 40 year old car crash that killed a guy named Bobby DeFranco. Ashland tensed up at the mention of the name, and Victoria asked if he was okay. Ashland never wanted to hear that name again, especially from someone in Victoria’s family. She asked who that was, and he revealed that he was Bobby. “You’re… Bobby DeFranco?,” Victoria asked. “I was. Before I became Ashland Locke,” he replied. Victoria shrugged it off – they all knew he’d changed his name. Nick asked if the crash wasn’t concerning. Victoria didn’t think it was a big deal that Ashland tried to cover his tracks by pretending his original identity died in a car crash. Nick clarified that a young man really did die. Ashland admitted this was true, and it was foolish to think he could run from it forever.

Ashland told his story. He was born Robert DeFranco, son of an abusive father and an enabling mother. He had a friend who gave him the courage to change his situation, a young man his parents didn’t even know – the real Ashland Locke. Bobby and Ashland were kindred spirits, so much so, that they did what a lot of dumb sixteen year olds did – they got matching tattoos. Victoria asked Ashland if it was the one on his calf, and he said yeah. Back to 40 years ago, Bobby’s father beat him up for getting a tattoo. Ashland saw Bobby all banged up and convinced him to run away. Ashland and Bobby left together, and they did odd jobs on the Jersey coast. One day, they were at an arcade on the boardwalk in Keansburg, when they heard a commotion. It was Bobby’s father, who was furious and looking for Bobby. Ashland hid Bobby, then he told the father that Bobby had gone to Philadelphia with a girl. After that, Bobby owed Ashland big time, and their bond deepened. They were inseparable. The real Ashland didn’t have a family, and the boys became family to each other. Bobby had big plans for him and Ashland to strike it rich. “So this is about money for you,” Nick interjected. Ashland was shocked that this was what Nick got from this story. Ashland said he and the real Ashland were just kids. They didn’t think about stuff like that or know what they were going to do. The real Ashland wanted to be involved in broadcasting, and somehow he got an interview with this woman name Camilla Rhodes. The woman who became the current Ashland’s mentor. The original Ashland was going to try and intern at one of Camilla’s stations. However, he never got a chance to go to the interview.

The real Ashland owned this beat up Camaro that he liked to drive really fast, and it scared Bobby. The night before the interview, Ashland and Bobby were in the car, and Ashland was speeding. He lost control of the car and hit a tree. Bobby was ejected and knocked unconscious. When he came to, Ashland was pinned against the steering wheel, and he didn’t have a pulse. Bobby couldn’t get his friend out of the car, and it caught fire. Bobby screamed for help and pulled Ashland so hard that Ashland’s wallet flew out of the car. The car was now engulfed in flames, and the situation was disorienting for Bobby. Bobby threw his own wallet on the ground and picked up Ashland’s, then he ran because the car was about to explode. After the explosion, and another car pulled up to see what was going on. Bobby was scared to talk to the other driver, because he thought they’d call the police and that the police would call his dad. When Bobby saw the police coming, he ran off into the woods. At that moment, he made the decision to become Ashland Locke and let his life as Bobby DeFranco burn up in flames.

Victoria asked Ashland where he went after the crash. He went to an old abandoned beach hut, and he stayed there for awhile. He stole newspapers to keep up on the crash. The body was badly burned, and the police assumed, due to the wallet, that the dead teen was Bobby DeFranco. The father was called in to identify the body, and he made a positive I.D. based on the tattoo on the calf. DNA testing was limited in those days, so there was no need to investigate further. Ashland took this chance for a fresh start and a permanent escape from hell with his father. He went to the interview with Camilla Rhodes, who wasn’t suspicious when Bobby showed up, because she’d never met never met the real Ash. He got the job, and the rest was history. Nick thought this split second decision to switch wallets seemed awfully calculated. Ashland said he’d been surrounded by flames and smoke, and his only friend in the world was dead. He knew his father would’ve beat him for days if he’d found him, and so his survival instincts kicked in. Nick asked why Ashland didn’t ask the other driver to help him pull his buddy from the car. “I thought he was dead! And here was gonna be no miracle rescue!,” Ashland exclaimed. Ashland had been thinking about that moment day in and day out for his whole life. Ashland didn’t care if Nick didn’t believe him. He just hoped that Nick never found himself in a similar situation. “Ashland Locke saved my life when my father was coming after me. And I wasn’t able to save his,” Ashland said.

Ashland asked how much of the story Nick knew before tonight. Nick didn’t have all the details, but he’d pieced most of it together. Nick had tracked down the reporter who covered the crash. According to Nick, the reporter always thought there was more to the story, but the case had never been properly investigated because of the witness – the driver of the other car. It was clear to the police that the witness was drunk, so when he told them that he saw a kid running off into the woods, they didn’t think he was reliable. Ashland said that was probably a lucky break for him. “Yeah, you’ve had a lot of those, huh,” Nick said. Ashland admitted that he should’ve told Victoria the whole story from the start. He’d been ashamed of how he acted all those years ago, but he was more ashamed of hiding it from Victoria. Victoria’s eyes were downcast as she said “How could you do this?” Victoria looked up at the target of her question, and Nick and Ashland were both startled to realize that it was directed at Nick. “So about hearing about this crash from your fiance, I’m the one you’re mad at,” Nick said. Victoria got up and left. Ashland guessed Nick got what he wanted. Nick said he wanted the truth, which Ashland wouldn’t give them. Ashland sarcastically said the truth solved everything and gave Victoria peace of mind. Nick argued that the bottom line was Ashland built his career and his life on the back of a tragedy. Ashland conceded the point, but he said he didn’t get everything handed to him. A disapproving Nick stated that Ashland watched his best friend die, and his first instinct was to grab his wallet and run. Ashland said he had to get his hands dirty and make some hard choices in a tragic situation, which was probably something Nick would never understand.

Victoria was alone in her office staring at the portrait Ashland gave her. Ashland arrived, and he said he was sorry about not being completely honest when she first asked him about his past. She said he told her there would be no more secrets, and how was she supposed to believe that now? He’d understand if she never trusted him again, but it would devastate him. She asked why he didn’t tell her. He was ashamed, and it was too painful to talk about it. He’d never told another living soul until this day. For 40 years, he’d held onto the image, the memory of Ash, and that horrible night haunted him ever since. He liked to think he built his life with the ethos of no regrets, but there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t wonder the same thing Nick did. What if he’d stayed? What if, by some miracle, he’d been able to rescue Ash? How would that have made his life different? She asked if he’d reached any conclusions, and he said no. He’d been trying to convince himself that Ash would’ve wanted to give up his identity to rescue him. He kept telling himself that he would’ve given up his identity for Ash, if the situation was reversed, but he’d never know. He said that if his life had taken a different direction, he would’ve never met Victoria, and there was nothing secretive or false about what he felt now. He’d never loved anyone the way he loved Victoria, but he’d completely understand if she broke up with him. Victoria needed some time to process this. Ashland understood, and he said he’d give her all the time she needed. He left.

Nick went to Newman to see Victoria, but she said she didn’t want to talk to or see him. He said he got it, but she didn’t think he did. She accused him of betraying her trust. She’d told him how much she loved Ashland, and she begged him not to be like Billy and dig in Ashland’s past. Nick reminded Victoria that she’d admitted she had serious concerns about the man she was marrying. She was adamant that this didn’t give him an invitation to investigate. Nick was sorry if Victoria was hurt, but he didn’t regret what he did. He said it forced Ashland to come clean, and who knows what other shady things he did during that time. Victoria said Ashland had been in the business a long time, and she was sure he’d done some ruthless things, but nothing illegal. Nick wondered what Ashland was capable of if he’d leave his best friend to die. Victoria defended Ashland – the car was about to blow up, and the friend was probably already dead, so Ashland had to make one of the hardest decisions he’d ever made in his whole life. She pointed out that he wasn’t even an adult yet. She asked Nick if he remembered what Noah and Summer were like at that age. She asked how Nick would’ve dealt with that when he was young. “How would you like the mistakes from your past, from your youth to be thrown back in your face,” she demanded. He stated that he’d never done anything like that, and she countered that he’d never been in that position. “Your father was tough, but he wasn’t physically abusive,” she added. She contended that Ashland’s father was a monster, hunting him down. Victoria snapped that Nick was born privileged and advantaged, and he could never relate to what Ashland went through. “So don’t come in here telling me that he is a terrible person until you understand the position that he was in,” she said. She asked if he could blame Ashland for what he did. “How does something that happened 40 years ago mean that he is not worthy of love and forgiveness and happiness?,” she asked.

Nick brought up what Victoria said about Ashland being in a tough spot and having to make a different decision. Victoria stood by that. “Well I guess you and I have different opinions about what’s right and wrong,” Nick spat. Exasperated, she told him not to get self righteous with her. She asserted that he betrayed her the minute he got on the plane to New Jersey when she’d asked him not to look into Ashland’s past. She noted that it was time for him to head to Summer’s wedding in Milan. She told him not to bother heading to Tuscany afterward. He asked if she was uninviting him from the wedding. She ordered him to leave. He believed that this revelation bothered her more than she was willing to admit.

Ashland went to Society and had a drink.

At the Chancellor house, Abby tried to get Dominic to sleep before it was time for her to go to the restaurant. She was going to be leaving him with the nanny, but she promised she’d be back before he woke up, and she’d take care of him, because that was what mommies did.

Tessa brought in room service – chicken piccata for Mariah. Mariah hopefully asked if Tessa got it with extra piccata, and an amused Tessa said that was not a thing. Sharon dropped by with a home cooked meal, and Tessa said she had errands. Mariah noted that it was late, but Tessa said she just had some things to do, and it’d give Mariah time with Sharon. Tessa left. Sharon knew that Mariah was thinking that she’d asked everyone for time and space. Mariah confirmed that she was thinking that. Sharon said she gave Mariah space. Mariah stated that Sharon only lasted 24 hours. Sharon thought Mariah seemed better, but she wanted to know how Mariah was doing.

Mariah felt much better. Stronger after getting out of that house. Sharon heard some things, second hand. She asked why Mariah left the Chancellor estate. Mariah asked if people were gossiping about her. Sharon said it was just concerned people sharing their thoughts, and Mariah contended that this was the same thing as gossip. Sharon thought Mariah was avoiding the question. Mariah admitted it was harder to be around Dominic than she thought it’d be. She knew he wasn’t hers, but there was still a strong bond. She noted that Sharon warned her about that bond. Sharon wasn’t going to say “I told you so,” she knew it was rough. Mariah said it was rough seeing Bowie and knowing he wasn’t hers to raise. Sharon asked if there was anything she could do to help Mariah. Sharon suggested Mariah move into the cottage with her, Rey and Faith for awhile. Mariah appreciated the offer, but she wanted space.

Mariah said what she and Tessa wanted to do first was find a new home. Sharon asked what Mariah was going to do about her postpartum separation anxiety. She offered to recommend some therapists. Sharon didn’t want Mariah to isolate herself or rush into anything big. Suspicious, Mariah asked what Tessa and Sharon had been talking about. Sharon covered for Tessa. Sharon said she went to Tessa and grilled her and poured on all this motherly guilt, until Tessa revealed that Mariah wanted a baby. Sharon asked if Mariah really thought she was ready. Mariah said she was 100% ready, but obviously Tessa was not. Sharon saw the benefit in waiting six months, or a year. She thought Mariah and Tessa would make wonderful mothers, but she didn’t think they should have a baby as a knee jerk reaction. Mariah snapped that it wasn’t a knee jerk reaction – it was a natural next step.

At the penthouse, Amanda and Devon were dressed for dinner. Moses ran in and upstairs, and Faith walked in too. They were also dressed up for their date. Moses came down with his wallet. Faith still didn’t know where they were going for the date. Devon knew, but Moses swore him to secrecy.

Tessa went to Society. Abby missed having Mariah and Tessa living at the house. She wanted them to come over and spend time with Dominic. Tessa said Mariah was finally starting to get back to her old self, so hopefully she’d be up for that soon. Abby said that they had an open invitation to visit any time. Tessa got a terse text from Mariah saying they needed to talk. Devon and Amanda arrived, and Tessa left. Abby congratulated the pair on moving in together. Amanda said Moses and Faith weren’t here, so this wasn’t the location of the date. They brought Abby up to speed. She thought love young was cute, and she couldn’t believe her niece was already dating. Devon said he’d remind Abby of this when Dominic was dating. She said he was so tiny, she couldn’t even think of that. Amanda got a text from Imani. Naya’s heart rate was spiking, so they were going to the ER. Devon was going to go with Amanda, but she said Naya wouldn’t want too many people around. She left, and he told Abby it was dinner for one.

Abby asked about Amanda. Devon said she was anxious about Naya. He said she worried about her mom because it was a new relationship. He mentioned that Tessa seemed frazzled earlier. Abby said Tessa was worried about Mariah. Abby stated that Tessa was claiming to be optimistic, but to Abby, it sounded like Tessa was engaging in wishful thinking. Devon was willing to do anything to help Mariah, but he thought she needed time.

Faith and Moses went to Crimson Lights, on the patio, after their date, which was at Top of the Tower. She had so much fun. Moses had reserved a private room at the restaurant that overlooked the city. Before tonight, Faith didn’t even know that her grandfather’s restaurant had private rooms. He said he called in a favor from her grandfather. Moses beat Victor in a game of chess to get the favor, but Victor was happy to help. Devon had a new singer serenade Faith and Moses. It was magical, and she’d never forget it. It was the most perfect night ever. Sharon was inside, and she smiled at them.

When Tessa got home, Mariah confronted her about telling Sharon that Mariah wanted a baby. Tessa asked Mariah to calm down. “No! You went behind my back again. First Abby, now my mom. Why would you do that to me?!”

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

At ChancComm, Billy made some calls trying to figure out why Gaines abruptly checked out of the hotel and where he went. He had a feeling Victor had something to do with it. He ordered his investigator to figure it out. Jack came in and asked what the problem was. Billy said that Lily was visiting Mattie at Stanford. Jack asked if Billy was doing something that Lily wouldn’t approve of. Billy said that she knew the whole story. Billy admitted that he was investigating why Victoria shouldn’t marry Ashland. Jack revealed that, according to Phyllis, Nick was on a similar mission. Billy recounted the story of Ashland somehow buying two news stations at the age of twenty. Jack figured Ashland used his inheritance. Billy said Ashland was a teen runaway who didn’t have any money. He revealed that he’d been invited to a Newman family meeting, where Ashland told them all a heartfelt story about changing his name to escape an abusive father. Billy said there was no public record of the name change. Jack suggested Ashland was trying to protect Harrison. Billy added that Victor and Nick were looking into Ashland too. Billy felt that Ashland’s story raised more questions, but he’d refused to ever share his real name. Billy wasn’t looking to make this information public, he was simply trying to protect Victoria and the children, but Ashland thought everyone should back off and stop asking questions. Jack understood why Ashland wouldn’t want to spend the limited time he had left fending off attacks from Victoria’s ex. He said if Victoria was satisfied, that should be enough. Billy could tell that Victoria was starting to question Ashland, and Billy wasn’t going to let her marry someone whose life was built on lies and deception. He said they didn’t know Ashland was sick. Jack said that Ashland was going through chemotherapy and he’d made the gut-wrenching choice to let Harrison go to Italy. Jack told Billy that he had to stop making leaps of logic to justify what he was doing. Billy maintained that he was protecting Victoria. Jack didn’t think this was about protecting Victoria or the kids, or possibly even about Ashland. He thought that Billy was trying to stop Victoria from moving on.

Billy said he was very happy with Lily. Jack said, historically this was about the time that Billy would start to sabotage himself. Billy insisted that he was protecting Victoria and the kids. Jack said this was Billy’s ego talking – Victoria could take care of herself. Billy asked if Nick’s ego made him investigate Ashland too. They shifted gears into this topic, and Jack mentioned that Nick was on the east coast. Billy was glad if Nick was looking into Ashland, because that meant they were on the same page. He said he could care about his ex without having an ulterior motive or being possessive.

Phyllis was at the hotel. Nick called from Atlantic City and said the plane was having mechanical issues. She asked what he found out. He uncovered something really bad, but he didn’t want to get into it on the phone. He thought she, Jack and Traci should head to Milan without him. She mentioned that Traci wouldn’t be on the plane, and he said okay. She thought he should just fly to Milan from New Jersey. He replied that he had to come home and confront Ashland first, but he promised he’d be there to see Summer get married.

Phyllis went to the Abbott house and talked to Traci. Traci learned that Jack and Phyllis would be alone on the flight. She said she’d pour Phyllis some wine, and they’d have a little talk. Jack came home and saw Traci and Phyllis laughing and talking about books. Phyllis said that the last time they talked was at the escape club. Jack said Phyllis had poured her heart and soul into the hotel and overcome obstacles that would be insurmountable to anyone else. Traci thought Phyllis’s hotel was a reflection of her and how much she’d grown in the last few years – she’d risen from the ashes, like the phoenix. She wondered what was next for the colorful protagonist that was Phyllis. Jack said next would be a jet ride to Milan, escorted by the proud and dashing father of the bride and groom. Traci said Jack must not have heard the news. Phyllis said Nick’s flight might not make it back in time, so they might have to go to Milan without him. Jack said he’d just have his pilot file a later plan, once they knew Nick’s status, and in the meantime, they could have dinner. Traci had work to do so she excused herself. Jack was surprised to see Phyllis and Traci getting along so well. Phyllis asked if Jack had confided in Traci about his feelings for Phyllis. Jack said he only talked to Phyllis and Nick about that. Jack said he’d get Phyllis more wine, and he’d have soda, because the last time he drank around her, he bared his heart to her, and he wouldn’t subject her to that. She said he could bare his heart to her any time he wanted, and he said the same applied with him.

Jack made Phyllis a grilled cheese sandwich. They talked about how, this time tomorrow, they’d watch their kids get married. She said Summer Ann was her little miracle. She reminded him of how many doctors said she’d never have another baby after Daniel. They flashed back to Jack delivering Summer in an elevator. Phyllis thanked Jack for giving her a miracle. In the present, Jack said that he felt the same way about Kyle – finding out Kyle was his son was an unexpected surprise. They thought about the time they got married, almost twenty years ago. There was a flashback to a before-the-wedding kiss that they shared.

In present day, Jack gazed lovingly at Phyllis, then he felt foolish about wearing his heart on his sleeve. She assured him that part of her heart would always love him. She loved spending time with him. He toasted to happiness. Nick called and said he was back in Genoa City. He had something to do, then he’d meet her and Jack. Jack noted that Phyllis never told him exactly why Nick was in Genoa City, though he’d surmised it was about Ashland Locke. Jack said he spoke with Billy earlier, who was convinced Ashland was keeping a secret big enough that it might cause Victoria to call off the wedding. Ordinarily, Jack would think Billy was just trying to keep Victoria from moving on, but Nick was also involved, and he’d only be involved to protect his sister. Phyllis said Nick had something, but what Victoria decided to do with it was up to her. She changed the subject back to the Summer/Kyle wedding. She thanked him for postponing the Jabot jet so that Nick could fly to Milan with them. He said he was glad it worked out.

Nikki and Victoria were in the CEO’s office after they finished working. Talk turned to the wedding, and Victoria said she wasn’t thrilled with the wedding dress. It was another stressor she didn’t need. Nikki said she was there to help. She told Victoria it was normal to be anxious. She asked when Victoria last talked to Ashland. Victoria said he texted to say he might cancel their dinner plans because he had some business to take care of.

Ashland met with his accountant and said he didn’t need the money anymore. The accountant asked if the wedding surprise fell through. Ashland went with that story, and the accountant left. Ashland called Victoria to say that they could have dinner after all. Victoria said she couldn’t wait to hear about his business meeting. The call ended. Victoria still seemed troubled, and Nikki wondered why. Victoria said that after Billy went on about Jesse Gaines, she’d looked him up online. She found out that Jesse’s father was an attorney for Camilla Rhodes, Ashland’s mentor. She had to wonder what that attorney’s son was doing in Genoa City. She was hoping Ashland would say something to her. She didn’t want to make it seem like she didn’t trust him. Nikki said she walked in on Ashland and Victor at the ranch talking very quietly, almost conspiratorially. Victoria wished she wasn’t having these doubts so close to the wedding. She blamed Billy for planting doubts in her mind.

Back at ChancComm, Billy was on the phone with the investigator again. He was unhappy that they hadn’t figured out where Gaines disappeared to after promising to sell information on Ashland to Billy. Nikki walked in and ordered Billy to stop trying to fill Victoria’s head with doubts. She reminded him that Victor explicitly warned him about interfering with Victoria’s happiness. “Defy him at your own risk. Oh and here’s a newsflash. You should worry just as much about defying me,” she snarled. Billy said he wasn’t causing Victoria to doubt things. He contended that Victoria was questioning Ashland on her own, and for good reason, because every day another piece of disturbing evidence popped up. Nikki demanded to know what Billy found. He didn’t have anything concrete. She wasn’t surprised. She accused him of trying to derail this wedding to feed his ego. He thought the fact that Victoria wasn’t blindly accepting Ashland’s version of things was a good thing. He felt that Nikki should be glad Victoria was asking questions of her fiance – a man whose name she didn’t know. Nikki vowed to look out for her daughter. She was not glad that Billy was meddling. Nikki maintained that, after what Billy put Victoria through, he had no right to criticize her new fiance. She was adamant that Victoria would marry Ashland and that Billy would stop trying to undermine them. He maintained that he was trying to uncover the truth. She told him he was no longer welcome at the wedding. She left. Billy called Nick and left a message hoping Nick found the answers they wanted.

Nate ran into Ashland at Society, and they spent time together while waiting for their significant others to arrive. Nate mentioned that he was enjoying the challenge of his new job. Nate noticed Ashland seemed tired and asked how he was managing the chemo. Physically, Ashland felt well, which was surprising, given the warnings he’d gotten about chemo. He’d had a stressful few days, but he thought he’d handled the trouble. Now, he was going to focus on this special time with the woman he loved. Victoria and Elena arrived around the same time. Victoria looked displeased when Ashland requested a table for four, but she didn’t object. They chatted over dinner, then Nate and Elena left. Ashland asked Victoria if something was wrong. She snapped that she felt like he was keeping something from her. She asked if he got health news he wasn’t sharing. Or maybe this had something to do with the fact that her brother went to New Jersey for some reason. Or maybe it was about a lawyer named Jesse Gaines who was connected to his past and the woman who mentored him. Ashland looked alarmed. He asked that they go back to her office where they could speak in private.

Nate and Elena were at Crimson Lights. She noticed that Victoria had been tense, and she wondered if it was about the wedding plans. Nate didn’t think that was it. When he talked to Ashland earlier, it reminded him of the reason this wedding was being rushed. Elena asked what Ashland’s oncologist was saying. Nate said he and Ashland didn’t get into it. It was clear to Nate that Ashland wasn’t as well as he was claiming to be, though. He’d advised Ashland to slow down and stop trying to manage everything. Nate thought this time should only be about the love Ashland and Victoria shared and the commitment they were making. That was why Nate agreed to join Victoria and Ashland for dinner, even though he would’ve preferred to be alone with Elena. He knew she’d been working hard with AskMDNow on top of everything else, and he asked if she wanted to unwind alone. She said she’d never forgive him if he left. She took his hand and they went up to her place.

Victoria and Ashland arrived at her office. He assumed Billy went running to her about the attorney. She noted that Jesse Gaines was a former attorney who lost his license for malfeasance. She didn’t understand why she didn’t hear this from him, and she told him not to pretend it wasn’t a problem. She reminded him that he promised not to keep secrets, but she kept getting unsettling information, and it was getting harder to convince herself nothing was wrong. She wanted him to stop with the vague reassurances and tell her the truth. She wanted answers from the man she was going to marry, not anyone else. Nick texted Ashland wanting to meet, and Ashland told Victoria. She asked what Nick wanted, and he said they were about to find out.

Ashland and Victoria met Nick at Crimson Lights. Nick had thought he’d meet Ashland alone. Ashland wanted Victoria to hear whatever Nick had to say. Victoria said that Nick ignored her wishes and dug into Ashland’s past.

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