Due to the New Year's holiday, The Bold and the Beautiful opted to rebroadcast a recent episode instead of a new episode.
The episode, which originally aired June 26, 2023, was part of a series of episodes B&B shot on location in Rome. The episode featured Ridge and Brooke being serenaded by Andrea Bocelli. You can read a full recap of the episode here.
Regular B&B programming resumed on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and picked up where the Thursday, December 28, 2023, episode concluded.
In the design office, Hope was speechless when Thomas presented a ring and asked her to marry him. Hope stammered that it was "so unexpected." "Is it really, though?" he asked and reminded her of how devoted he'd always been and always would be to her and only her.
Hope said Thomas was incredible, and the ring was a sweet thing to do for her. Thomas replied that it was for both of them, their child, and their life together. She stated that she'd had no idea he'd had any of it planned. Thomas explained that she was hard to surprise, and he'd had the ring for a while. He'd been looking for the right time.
Thomas figured that it wasn't the ideal location, but they'd had some of their most incredible memories there. Hope stated that he was thoughtful and always made her feel special in the way he valued her and put her first. She claimed she'd never had that before, and it was nice not to question his commitment and to know how deep his love was for her.
Thomas asked if that meant Hope would be his wife. Hope stated that she couldn't accept his proposal or make that level of commitment to anyone at that time. She appreciated his expression of love and was flattered that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, "because I love spending time with you and Douglas."
Hope claimed that every moment with Thomas was magical, but she wasn't ready yet for that level of commitment. She was still finding closure in her marriage to Liam. She wanted to make sure Beth was in a good place, and she needed to give herself space to figure out who she was, what she needed, and what her future looked like. She said she was sorry, but she wasn't ready yet. She hoped he understood.
Thomas maintained that it was okay, and he understood; however, he didn't want the ring. He turned Hope around and unclasped her necklace. Threading the ring onto the gold chain, he instructed her to keep it close to her heart, where it belonged.
Hope called it a beautiful gesture. Thomas didn't want her to feel any pressure. He believed in them. He believed the ring would be on her finger. He believed in their love and could feel it. He felt it when they worked together, when she said his name, and when they were intimate. He figured he'd waited years and could wait a little longer, and they kissed.
In Eric's office with Ridge, Steffy was adamant that Hope wasn't serious about Thomas and had told Ridge that Hope and Thomas' relationship was private because Hope wanted to hide that it was just a hookup. Steffy asserted that Hope had no intention of getting serious with Thomas.
Brooke arrived and hoped that Steffy was right. Brooke was glad that she and Steffy were on the same page about Hope not considering a future with Thomas. Brooke reasoned that she was trying to protect Hope and Thomas both. Brooke said that Hope was like a drug to Thomas, and Thomas needed to stay away.
Steffy agreed with Brooke, saying that Hope was Thomas' kryptonite. Steffy was impressed with the progress Thomas had made but felt that the relationship with Hope could cause real problems. Ridge asked where all the faith had gone. Steffy and Brooke admitted that they didn't have much faith when it came to Hope and Thomas.
Ridge said that if things ended in heartbreak, it didn't mean Thomas would crack. In Ridge's view, Thomas wasn't the same guy. He asked Steffy and Brooke to give Thomas credit. Steffy replied that she just didn't want it to be the thing that set Thomas back. Opposed to Hope playing with Thomas' emotions, Steffy concluded that Hope needed to be with Thomas or to let him go.
Later, Brooke and Ridge were alone. He said he'd thought they were past it about Thomas. Brooke replied that they had been until their kids had started dating. Ridge thought she sounded like Stephanie when Ridge and Brooke had started dating. Brooke acknowledged it but said Ridge had been nothing like Thomas. She didn't want to cause a rift between herself and Ridge.
Ridge insisted that Thomas had changed, and "maybe this is their destiny. Can I say that?" Brooke quickly replied, "No!" Ridge reasoned that Stephanie hadn't thought Brooke and Ridge would last or were right for each other. He said Thomas adored Hope. He assumed Hope liked it and said, "Maybe they should be together."
Ridge recalled that he'd once been concerned, too, but he said sometimes, one had to stop worrying. Brooke was concerned it would blow up in their faces. "They're kids! They know what they're doing," he concluded. He reasoned that Hope and Thomas were being honest with each other, and Thomas probably knew that it had gone as far as it would go.
Brooke doubted Thomas was prepared to accept that. Ridge reasoned that Thomas had accepted it. He brought up the possibility that Hope would fall for Thomas. Brooke didn't see it happening and didn't think Hope could ever fully commit to Thomas.
In Finn's office, Finn was baffled by Xander's belief that Thomas had murdered someone. Xander said he probably shouldn't have said anything, and he hadn't known Finn's affiliation with the Forresters before the appointment. Xander explained that Emma Barber had been totally innocent and hadn't deserved what Thomas had done to her.
Finn asserted that he wasn't naïve about Thomas. "But ending someone's life?" he asked. Xander reminded Finn that Thomas had kept someone's baby from them, and Xander asked if Finn didn't think Thomas could be capable of more. Backing up, Xander decided he needed to go, and Finn couldn't be his doctor.
Finn assumed it was because he was related to Thomas. Xander said all he knew was that everyone had loved the sweet and kind Emma, the talented dancer who'd had her life ahead of her. Finn asked how Emma had died. Xander explained that it had been a car crash on Mulholland Drive. Finn asked if Xander thought Thomas was responsible. "I know he is," Xander responded, and he left the office.
Later, Steffy arrived at Finn's behest. He had called her there to tell her about an odd encounter he'd had that day. He said it was with a man who knew her, Xander Avant. Steffy seemed weirded out to hear that Xander, a previously fired intern, was back in town.
Finn explained that Xander had been freaked out upon seeing Finn's wedding photo and realizing that Finn was related to Thomas. Finn revealed that Xander had made a serious accusation against Thomas.
Steffy asked if Xander had revealed that he'd been one of the ones to know about the baby Beth secret. Steffy said it was why Xander had been fired. She hated to think of it and all the lives that had been turned upside down. Finn recalled that Steffy had been raising baby Beth, who Hope and Liam had believed had died.
Steffy said it had been a terrible chapter in her life, and Finn said Thomas had been at the center of it. She claimed it was Thomas' biggest regret, and it still haunted him that he'd kept the secret that baby Phoebe had really been baby Beth. Steffy believed that Thomas wasn't that person anymore, and Hope had miraculously forgiven him.
Finn wasn't so sure about Thomas' change and recalled that, earlier, Thomas had been laying down the law and threatening Steffy. Denying it, Steffy reasoned that Thomas was her brother, and she could handle it. She asked what Xander had accused Thomas of and was taken aback when Finn said it had been murder.
In Finn's office at the hospital, Steffy had an unusual reaction when Finn mentioned Xander's claim that Thomas had murdered Emma. Finn questioned if Thomas was more dangerous than Finn had realized. Steffy acknowledged that Thomas had made some "terrible mistakes" in the past, but she was certain that he had never committed murder.
Steffy went on the offensive by telling Finn that there were some things that he needed to know about Xander. Steffy told Finn that Xander had once claimed that Thomas had threatened Xander when Xander had wanted to tell the truth about baby Beth. Steffy conceded that Thomas probably had threatened Xander because Thomas had been in a bad place back then. Steffy insisted, however, that Emma's fatal car accident had been just that -- an accident.
Finn stopped short of disagreeing with his wife. He did, however, express concern that Thomas might not be as "better" as everyone believed. Finn stated that he and Steffy needed to be "cautious" around Thomas and keep their eyes open. Steffy agreed. "That's why I have been so concerned about Thomas having a relationship with Hope," she replied. Steffy asked what would happen if something triggered Thomas or if Hope somehow let him down.
"You may not be able to wear the ring on your finger just yet, but in the meantime, it's exactly where it belongs -- right next to your heart," Thomas said as he held Hope in an embrace. Hope softly told Thomas that she was not ready for "that level of commitment" and hoped that he understood.
Thomas admitted that he was disappointed with Hope's response but said that he understood that she needed more time. "It feels like I've waited my entire life to be with you. I can wait a little longer," Thomas said with a shrug. Hope asked Thomas if they could keep his proposal a secret. He agreed. Hope was puzzled when Thomas seemingly randomly commented that Finn wasn't his biggest fan. Hope thought back to a conversation she'd had with Finn in which he had told her that she could do better than Thomas.
Hope told Thomas not to worry about Finn -- or anyone else, for that matter. Thomas replied that the only person that mattered was her. Thomas was sure that he and Hope could have a beautiful life together. He pledged that his eye would never wander.
In the executive office at Forrester Creations, Poppy was nervous about her date and told Luna that she might cancel. R.J. happened upon the conversation and asked what was going on. When he learned of Poppy's date with Bill, R.J. warned Poppy to run away as fast as she could. Poppy flashed Luna a sharp glance.
Luna explained that Bill thought that he and Poppy had met before, and he wanted to get to know her better. Luna urged her mom to go on the date. "Think of it as a little mystery to solve," Luna said. Asked what that meant, Luna urged her mom to use the date to find out why Bill thought that they had met before.
After Poppy left, Luna tried to convince R.J. that Poppy and Bill's date was a good thing. R.J. agreed to back off of his opposition. Luna wondered what life for her and Poppy would have been like it her dad had been in the picture. "Do I wish that he stuck around when I was a kid? Sure," Luna shared. But Luna said that she wondered how life would have been different for her mom.
As Liam and Bill sat at the bar at Il Giardino, Liam could not help but wonder why, out of the thousands of restaurants in Los Angeles, Bill would choose to eat at the one where he could run into Sheila Carter. Bill said that he wanted to keep an eye on Sheila in the event that she slipped up. Liam sensed that Bill was in some sort of hurry. Bill said that Liam would need to be on his way because Bill had a date.
Liam was dumbfounded by the idea that his dad was dating. Bill told Liam that the woman he was dating was Finn's aunt, Poppy. Bill added that he was certain that he and Poppy had met before. Liam delicately asked if Bill and Poppy had been lovers. Bill laughed heartily and said that he did not kiss and tell. Liam took the hint and left the restaurant.
Later, Poppy and Bill were seated in the restaurant area. Bill started off by telling Poppy that there was no doubt in his mind that they'd met previously. Poppy asked what made Bill so certain. "Promise you won't think I'm a stalker?" Bill asked. "Well, that depends on what you say next," Poppy replied with a chuckle.
Bill said that he had done some digging into her life and looking at old photos of Poppy online. Bill asked Poppy if she remember the Golden Gate Music Fest from around 20 years earlier. "You were dancing. So free... so beautiful. Every guy noticing you. Including me," Bill said. Bill continued his story by saying that he and Poppy had danced together and then talked for hours. "It was a very memorable evening," Bill said as he grinned. Bill said that he had not forgotten that evening and sensed that Poppy hadn't, either.
In Eric's office, Luna spaced out. R.J. assumed she was thinking of Poppy's date with Bill. Luna knew that Bill wasn't R.J.'s favorite person, but she wondered if Bill could be the one who could change Poppy's life forever. R.J. gathered that Luna was expecting a lot from a first date, but he felt that Bill had quite a history with the ladies.
Luna wondered if she should be worried. She admitted that she'd always felt bad that her father hadn't been in the picture for her or Poppy. Luna remarked that Bill seemed nice enough; he was successful and larger than life. R.J. wondered if that was Poppy's type. Luna figured that it might be if Poppy and Bill had had an encounter years back.
R.J. guessed it had been hard for Luna to grow up without her father. Luna said her father had never been there, and one couldn't miss what they hadn't known. She admitted that she'd wondered about her father, but all Poppy had said was that Luna had been made with love.
Luna continued to romanticize Poppy and Bill's newest encounter after years apart. R.J. teased that Luna was hearing wedding bells after only one date. Luna knew that she was dreaming, but she wondered if Bill could give Poppy a happy ending after all that time.
At Il Giardino, Poppy informed Bill that he was correct about their encounter at the Golden Gate Music Feast years back. She said it had been a wonderful night, a night she'd never forget.
Poppy opened a tiny canister and removed a morsel to eat. Bill asked what it was, and she said it was something to take the edge off. She assured him that it was all natural and guaranteed to put a smile on her face. She admitted she'd been nervous about the date and remarked that her morsel would take the edge off, kind of like scotch did for him.
Bill brought the topic back to their night together, and Poppy remarked that he'd never called her afterward. Bill acknowledged it and explained that he'd been obsessed with building his company back then. He hadn't had room in his life for anything else. Poppy replied that he'd had a life to live, and she'd had one, too. He replied that he was more sorry about it than she knew.
Later, Bill had filled Poppy in on when he'd saved Li. Poppy hadn't known about it but said her family owed him a lot. Bill disagreed and felt he owed her an apology for all those years earlier. "If I'd picked up the phone back then, who knows how different our lives could have been," he said.
Bill admitted that he'd been on the Forrester website and had seen that Luna was making the most of her internship. Poppy replied that her daughter adored fashion and had worked hard to finally be a part of that world. Poppy shared that Luna hadn't had an easy childhood, and her father hadn't been in her life. Bill called the man a jerk, but Poppy disagreed.
Poppy revealed that the father hadn't known about the pregnancy. Bill gleaned that Poppy knew who the father was, even if Luna didn't. Poppy thought he was being personal after 20 years apart. Bill apologized and said any man would be proud to have Luna as a daughter.
Bill recalled watching Poppy dance so freely, as if nothing had mattered. Poppy said her life had been completely different before she'd become a mother. Bill uttered that he'd never forgotten about her, and he'd really like to see her again. He leaned over the table and kissed her.
In Finn's office, Steffy was suspicious of why Xander had chosen Finn as his doctor, and she wondered if Xander had ulterior motives. Finn replied that he'd "kind of" had to pull the information about Emma and Thomas out of Xander. Steffy insisted that Finn support her brother. Finn wanted to but couldn't ignore Xander's accusation.
Steffy said Xander wasn't innocent and had been part of the baby lie. She suspected that the accusations were payback, but she believed her brother and the police. Steffy explained that Xander had gone to the police, who'd determined that the death had been due to reckless driving, not Thomas. Steffy insisted that Thomas hadn't done what Xander had said. "You're my husband, Finn. You need to understand that," she told him.
Steffy asserted that they should be concerned about Hope using Thomas and how devastating it would be if Hope broke it off. Finn agreed but said he was even more concerned about Hope, who needed protection if Thomas had issues. Steffy assumed Finn was taking Hope's side.
Finn claimed not to take any side, but he said being family didn't negate or forgive what Thomas had done to Hope in the past. Steffy replied that Hope had suffered, and so had Steffy, who'd been raising Hope's baby. Steffy insisted that Xander was trying to get back at Thomas for being fired, but Finn was adamant that Xander was convinced that Thomas was responsible for Emma's death. Steffy couldn't believe they were still talking about that.
"No one in your family mentions it," Finn remarked. Steffy said it didn't mean they weren't haunted by it -- or that it had been Thomas' fault. Steffy told Finn to just drop it.
In the design office, Thomas asked if Hope might want to reconsider marrying him. He laughed when she smiled but declined. He was just glad she hadn't thrown the ring at him. He merely wanted to be with her and claimed he could wait. He loved that she'd wear the ring around her neck, close to her heart, where he thought it belonged. He stated that, in the meantime, he'd keep reminding her of how happy he could make her.
Hope replied that she was happy. "But think about how much happier you'd be if we were husband and wife and stuff...I'm not gonna push. I'm not pushing," he claimed, adding that he knew she wasn't ready to marry him -- yet. Hope touched the ring and looked away.
Hope stated that she hated to disappoint Thomas. Thomas claimed that he wasn't disappointed. He said she wasn't ready to commit to him or anyone, but in the meantime, she'd know that she was the only woman for him. They kissed, and when they hugged, she looked disturbed.
Later, Hope had gone, and Steffy was there to talk to Thomas about Xander Avant. Steffy filled Thomas in about Xander returning to town and freaking out when the new doctor he'd wanted had turned out to be married to Steffy. Thomas recalled that Xander had been fired, and she said it had been due to the baby Beth lie. Steffy disclosed that Xander was still shaken up about what had happened to Emma and didn't believe it had been an accident. She told Thomas that Xander thought Thomas was responsible for Emma's death.
Back in Finn's office, Finn had done an Internet search for Emma Barber, resulting in articles about the crash, one citing that she'd died 100 feet off the embankment.
Hope arrived after receiving a text message from Finn. She guessed that it was about Thomas. Finn replied that he was worried more than ever about Hope's involvement with Thomas.
Hope tried to assure Finn that there was nothing to worry about because she knew better than anyone how much Thomas had changed. Finn revealed that he'd learned something shocking about Thomas from a new patient who'd freaked out about the bride in Finn's wedding photo. Finn asked if the name Xander Avant rang any bells.
Hope asked if Finn had seen Xander. Finn replied that Xander had made a shocking statement. Finn assumed that, like Steffy, Hope knew about it. Finn was sorry to dredge up a dark chapter in Hope's life, and Finn wished he could just forget what Xander had told him. Finn stated that Xander had accused Thomas of murder, and Finn asked if Hope got why Finn would be concerned about her.
In Eric's office, Ridge, Brooke, and Carter returned from a visit with Eric, and Brooke remarked that Eric had looked good. Ridge murmured that he wouldn't get too excited about Eric's recovery. Ridge wasn't sure if Eric would be compromised or what kind of life Ridge had sentenced Eric to. Carter and Brooke tried to reassure Ridge, who was still concerned that Eric might have wanted to stay on the other side with Stephanie and Phoebe.
The topic turned to Hope and Thomas. Ridge wanted Brooke and him to be on the same page about letting their kids be adults and choose their own relationships. Carter decided to bail out of the conversation. After Carter had gone, Brooke told Ridge that it wasn't that simple.
Ridge asked what Thomas had done lately and if he'd mistreated or scared Hope. To Ridge, Hope seemed happy, and Ridge asked how hard Thomas had to work to win Brooke's trust back. Brooke admitted that Thomas had been on his best behavior. Ridge suggested Brooke give Thomas a break because he was good enough for Hope.
Ridge told Brooke that he counted on her love and support. Brooke said it wasn't hard to do, and Ridge was her favorite subject. He asked her to think about what he'd said. She agreed but looked doubtful as he hugged her.
In the design office, Thomas wondered why Xander would make that kind of accusation, and he asked what Steffy had told Finn. Steffy said she'd advised that it wasn't true, and she'd asked her husband to never mention it again. Thomas thanked Steffy for having his back, and she said she'd always be on his side. "Even when I don't deserve it?" he wondered.
Steffy recognized the hard work Thomas had done. She said they'd all made mistakes, and while he wasn't perfect, he was a good man. Steffy insisted that Emma had lost control of her car, and it hadn't been Thomas' fault. Steffy described Finn's appointment with Xander as a chance encounter, but Thomas wondered if Xander had targeted Finn to get to Thomas.
Steffy wasn't sure, but she'd told Finn that Xander might want payback. She'd thought they'd put it behind them, but Thomas remarked that Xander hadn't. She said she knew about the dark things he'd done, but she didn't think he'd murder anyone. Doubting Finn thought the same way, Thomas remarked that Finn believed Thomas could hurt Hope. Thomas asserted that he'd never hurt Hope, and no one, "I mean no one," would get between them.
In Finn's office, Hope was unsettled by the news that Xander was in town and "still" talking about Emma. Finn figured it was because it was true, and Thomas was responsible. Finn asked if she got why her relationship with Thomas was so concerning.
Hope recalled struggling with the loss of Emma, who'd shown much promise. "But to keep blaming Thomas?" Hope asked. She said the police had investigated and cleared Thomas. She asked why Finn was digging into it. Finn explained that he hadn't been. He said Xander had shown up and revealed the concerning information to Finn, who cared about Hope.
Hope looked surprised, but Finn told her that he was a great judge of character. He told her that she was the amazing founder of HFTF and had done great good for people around the world. Finn asked who would have thought of combining fashion and charity. Finn praised her for inspiring people with her values but said the detour to Thomas wasn't like her.
Thomas arrived outside the door and overheard Hope say, "Hope Logan, this paragon of virtue, that's not all that I am." She stated that she was a woman, and Thomas reminded her of that. Finn figured that she was rebelling against her image and Liam's treatment of her, but he said she deserved better than Thomas, who might even be responsible for the death of an innocent young woman. Finn was adamant that Hope needed to walk away from the dangerous Thomas.
Later, Finn was alone, ending a call. Thomas arrived. Finn asked how long Thomas had been there. Thomas said he'd heard Finn's conversation with Hope. Finn admonished Thomas for listening in. Thomas explained that he was there to talk to Finn, brother-in-law to brother-in-law.
Thomas considered himself lucky that Hope had somehow forgiven him and had opened her heart to him. He said he'd treat Hope like the jewel that she was, and he and Finn were family, whether Finn liked it or not. Thomas was sure he and Finn could get along. Thomas knew that Hope hadn't always been safe with him, and he'd been a hurt person who'd hurt people. Thomas figured Finn knew that hurt people could be healed and rehabilitated.
Thomas stated that he didn't want trouble between Finn and him, and he advised Finn not to put himself between Thomas and Hope. "Understand?" Thomas asked. Finn was perplexed that a threat could be coming from the "new and improved" Thomas. Wanting them to support each other, Thomas asked if Finn had made mistakes before.
"Not like you," Finn replied, noting that Thomas' mistakes weren't little blunders. Finn could understand why the family defended Thomas, but "I see you clearly. Thomas, you are as unstable as ever, and you need to stay away from Hope." Finn added that, after learning about Emma, Finn also believed that Thomas was dangerous. Thomas replied that the case had closed, and he hadn't been charged for a reason.
"That doesn't mean you're not guilty," Finn surmised, and he asked what had happened that night. Thomas told Finn not to mess with Thomas' family, life, or relationship with Hope. Finn asked if Thomas would drive Finn off a cliff. Finn could see that anger, hostility, and the obsession that Thomas called love. Finn believed that Thomas was playing off his issues and pretending to be the good designer, son, and boyfriend. "But you are a bad person," Finn asserted, adding that Hope was too good for Thomas. "As long as I live and breathe, you will never be with Hope. Never," Finn concluded.
Back in the design office, Steffy was working when Hope arrived. Steffy guessed Hope was looking for Thomas. Steffy decided that Hope should know about Xander's visit. Hope revealed that Finn had told her about it, and Steffy was surprised to hear that Finn was worried about Hope's relationship with Thomas.
Steffy learned from Hope that Finn had text-messaged Hope and asked to see her about Thomas. Hope shared that Finn had warned her against her relationship with Thomas and then informed her about Xander's visit. Steffy wished Finn hadn't involved Hope. Hope replied that it hadn't been her first time hearing it, and they'd all had to deal with it. Steffy insisted that the police had deemed it an accident. Hope didn't believe that Thomas was a murderer.
Steffy figured that, if the accusations about Emma surfaced, Thomas would need someone to lean on. "Either you are all the way in, or you are all the way out," Steffy concluded, insisting that Thomas needed someone who was truly there for him. Hope flashed back to Thomas asking her to marry him. Steffy felt that it was the least Thomas deserved.
