Previously…
– With Samantha officiating the ceremony, Travis and Rosie were married. Afterward, Travis suggested to Rosie that they legally adopt baby Gabrielle, whom they have been fostering.
– Diane was surprised to see Isaac attend the wedding with as his sister’s guest. The former lovers had an awkward run-in. 
– To keep Tori from discovering that he had gone to her apartment to copy Zane’s hard drive for Sarah and Matt, Landon told Tori that he had come to tell her that he has feelings for her.

With Travis Fisher and Rosie Jimenez having been pronounced husband and wife, the cocktail hour is in full swing. Employees of The Wild Lady swiftly and efficiently fold up the chairs used by the guests during the ceremony itself in order to clear the dance floor and move them to the round tables that will be utilized for the seated dinner. As the guests mix and mingle, Molly Taylor stands by one of the barrels, covered in a white tablecloth, that is serving as a high-top table. 

“I was thinking,” Molly tells her ex-husband with an emphatic nod, “and I had an idea. Hear me out.”

Brent curiously tilts his head to one side. “What’s that?”

“Gabrielle. She needs a permanent home. And I want to give it to her.”

“Really? You mean…”

“Yes,” Molly says, conviction mounting in her voice. “I want to adopt her.”

“Wow. Mol…” Brent brings his hand to his chin and gently strokes it as he thinks. 

She impatiently swirls her straw in her gin-and-tonic before continuing, “It only makes sense. I was prepared to be a mother again. And that poor little girl needs a home. A family.”

“All true. But…”

“Brent, don’t you think about what it would be like right now? If our baby had lived? He’d be the same age as Gabrielle. And we’d be…”

He sighs, seeing the dreaminess in her eyes. He has allowed his mind to wander, too — maybe too often — but usually shuts it down as quickly as he can, fearing the pain that he knows comes with such thoughts. 

“It makes perfect sense,” she says again, in the sort of tone that Brent recognizes all too well. It means, I’ve made up my mind and I know I’m right.

“I just wouldn’t want you to jump into something you aren’t ready for,” he says cautiously.

Molly’s red lips part to respond, but she is interrupted by the sound of Jimmy Trask’s voice coming through the bar’s speakers. All heads turn to see the venue’s co-owner standing in the space where the ceremony was performed, a cordless microphone in hand.

“If I could have everyone’s attention,” Jimmy is saying, “it’s time for the moment you’ve all been waiting for — at least since the wedding wrapped up. Give it up for the newly minted Mr. and Mrs., Travis and Rosie!”

The guests break out in applause as the bride and groom emerge from the bar’s back area, she in her sleeveless white gown and he in his tuxedo. Travis holds baby Gabrielle in his arms. Brent claps his hands together, and when he glances to his side, he sees Molly doing the same… but the look of focused determination upon her face is one that he recognizes all too well.

—–

The cocktail hour continues as Rosie and Travis make their rounds, greeting and receiving well wishes from their loved ones. Jason Fisher leans against the bar, waiting for the bartender to serve him a drink as he texts on his iPhone.

“Is that Sabrina you’re texting?” a voice asks, and Jason looks up to see his older brother sidling up to him.

“You’re either psychic or I’m that obvious,” Jason says. He tucks his phone into the inside pocket of his charcoal gray suit jacket. 

“Just noticed that you came stag tonight — and you look a little bummed about it.”

Jason shrugs. “It is what it is.”

He turns back to accept the craft beer from the bartender. Jason slips two dollar bills into the tip jar. 

“Things are okay between the two of you, though?” Tim asks.

“They’re fine. They’re good. It’s just…” Jason uses his pint of beer to gesture across the room, where his teenage daughter stands with her older cousins, Christian and Caleb. “It wasn’t the time or place to dredge up all of that.”

“So you’re still trying to keep Sabrina and Sophie separate?”

“Not separate. But our dinner together was a disaster, and Sophie… I knew she would have complicated feelings about me being with anyone, but I didn’t think it would be that bad.”

“She’s going to grow up. She’ll get past this.”

“I hope so,” Jason says, sounding anything but optimistic. 

“But you wish she were here.”

As he sips his beer, Jason glances over at Rosie and Travis, who are currently laughing with Tempest Banks. 

“Yeah. I do.”

Tim gives his brother a pat on the back. “Hang in there. This’ll get easier.”

“What’s that thing they say? ‘With age comes wisdom’? I hope you’re right, old man,” Jason teases as he again looks over at Sophie.

—–

“And then my grandma slammed him over the head with the chili pot!” Sophie proclaims, using both hands to mimic the act. “He had to go to the hospital and everything.”

“He looks okay to me,” Christian Taylor observes as he watches Zane Tanaka huddled with their cousin, Tori, elsewhere in the room. 

“He is now,” Sophie says as she smooths her black dress with both hands. “But Grandma Helen said he would’ve killed Landon if she hadn’t shown up. Isn’t that crazy?”

“I wonder if they’ll avoid each other all night,” Christian says. “This is like a Bravo show. Don’t you think, Caleb?”

Both he and Sophie turn toward Christian’s twin, who is absorbed in his phone.

“Caleb,” Christian prompts. “Earth to Caleb.”

With a start, Caleb jerks his head up. “Yeah. What’s up?”

“You didn’t hear a word we were saying,” Sophie says. “Whoever you’re texting must be pretty important. New girlfriend?”

“It’s no one,” Caleb says grumpily. As if on cue, his phone vibrates and lights up. Both Christian and Sophie’s gazes go right to the screen.

“You’re texting Jasmine? Still?” Christian asks with an equal mixture of surprise and alarm.

“Who’s Jasmine?” Sophie asks.

“A girl from school.” Caleb directs his attention back to the phone.

“The girl who almost got him arrested,” Christian adds.

“Oh! The one you were buying crack for!” Sophie says.

Caleb lets out an annoyed grunt. “It wasn’t crack. And she didn’t almost get me arrested.”

“She’s bad news,” Christian says, as Caleb quickly replies to the text and then shoves his phone into the pocket of his dress pants. 

“Will you please just not say anything to Mom or Dad?” Caleb asks. “I mean it.” 

He maintains an unwavering stare until Christian nods in agreement.

“You, too,” Caleb says, pointing a finger at Sophie. “It’s none of their business. I promise I’ve got it under control.”

Without awaiting a response from either of them, he walks off.

“Do you really think he has it under control?” Sophie asks Christian.

He watches his twin move through the throng of guests. “For his sake, I hope so.”

—–

Once the first course, a watermelon-feta salad with mint leaves, is served, everyone begins to find their seats so that they can enjoy the meal. Claire Fisher, clad in a flowing black dress with her brown hair twisted and pinned into a chignon, is navigating toward the head table when she crosses paths with Isaac Banks.

“Seems like congratulations are in order,” the doctor says to his coworker. “You and Travis’s dad must be really happy.”

“We are,” Claire says with an irrepressible smile. “Are you having fun so far?”

He grins. “Tempest has been introducing me to people. I’m trying to keep all the family trees straight and stuff.”

“Good luck,” she responds with lifted eyebrows.

A few tables away, Diane stabs her fork into her salad as she stares at Isaac and Claire.

“Not a fan of watermelon?” Sarah Fisher Gray asks as she leans over from the next chair. “Or was that fork intended for someone else?”

“The watermelon’s fine,” Diane says. 

Sarah sighs. “Why don’t you just talk to him?!”

“He seems occupied talking to Claire, first of all. Look at them, laughing it up.” She takes a bite of the salad and finishes chewing before continuing, “I don’t know what he would even see in her. She smells like hospital!”

“First of all, he’s probably used to that, on account of being a doctor and all,” Sarah says. “And secondly, I highly doubt they’re flirting.”

“Whatever,” Diane says gruffly as she reaches for her glass of wine.

—–

The waitstaff circulates through the room, clearing finished salad plates. Tim and Claire go to the front of the room and use the microphone to thank the guests for attending and to wish Travis and Rosie well. Soon afterward, the servers begin to distribute the main course. While awaiting his dinner, Landon Esco makes his way to the bar.

“Can I get a shot of tequila?” he asks the bartender, who quickly obliges. Landon downs the shot and bites down on the accompanying lime wedge. 

“Are you sure you should be doing shots before you give the best man speech?” Tori Gray asks as she approaches from his left side.

Landon regards her uncertainly as he sticks the used piece of lime into the shot glass.

“I need the shot so I can give the speech,” he finally says. 

“Okay, that’s fair.” She quietly studies his face for a moment. “That bruise looks a lot better.”

“The miracles of make-up. I’m pretty sure I have enough on that I could go on that Drag Race show.”

Tori knots her fingers together. “I hope you’re feeling okay. About the other night–“

“It’s fine,” he says, waving a hand. 

“It’s not fine. Zane is sorry, too. He misunderstood…”

“I’m sure he did. Look, Tori–“

“It isn’t cool what he did,” she says firmly. “I mean that.”

“No, it isn’t. But…” He sucks in a long, slow breath, feeling emboldened by the shot. “I meant what I said at the hospital.”

“What? What do you mean?” she asks, but the way her eyes quickly dart away makes him think that she remembers much more clearly than she is letting on.

Landon exhales loudly before saying, “About coming to see you. About having feelings for you. Tori, I– I can’t go on without at least letting you know. And I want you to know I’m serious. That wasn’t some excuse.”

He does his best to catch her eyes, to make meaningful eye contact to make it clear that he is serious about what he’s saying. 

“Landon…” But she trails off, and Landon follows her gaze to see Zane walking up to them. Landon winces at the sight of the man who, only a few nights ago, punched and choked him. 

“Hey there,” Zane says. 

“I should go practice my speech,” Landon says.

Zane holds up a hand. “Hang on a second.”

Landon’s entire body stiffens.

“I owe you an apology,” Zane tells him. “I was totally out of line, coming after you the way that I did.”

“Oh.” Landon blinks twice, and he imagines that if he were a cartoon character, he’d be doing the most exaggerated double-take known to humankind. 

“I jumped to the worst possible conclusion and let my emotions get the best of me,” Zane says. “I wish I could undo it, but I can’t. I’m really sorry, Landon.”

“Uh… thank you,” Landon says tentatively, waiting to find out if he is being pranked.

“And if there are any medical costs I can help out with, it’s the least I can do to make it up to you.”

Landon looks at Tori, who simply nods, and then back at Zane.

“You’re serious?” he asks. “I appreciate it.”

“Completely serious,” Zane says. “Good luck with your speech tonight. And I promise, we’ve got no beef at all.”

“Thanks, Zane.” Still stunned, Landon heads back to his table.

Zane squares his body to Tori, taking both of her hands in his. “Was that okay?”

“It was great. Thanks for doing that,” she says.

“Good. Now let’s try and put this whole ugly thing behind us.”

He leans down to kiss her. As their lips touch, Tori knows that she should feel relieved that the entire mess is being resolved — but she still feels a strange knot of tension inside herself as she thinks about what Landon just told her.

—–

Once the main course has been consumed and the maid of honor and best man have given their speeches, Rosie and Travis cut the tiered white cake. 

“Don’t you even think about smashing that in my face!” Rosie says with a laugh as Travis holds a small piece up to her mouth.

“I know better than to mess with you like that,” he says before feeding it to her gently.

Soon afterward, they return to their table, as the waitstaff passes out slices of the cake and guests help themselves to coffee and tea. Samantha Fisher and Jaq Pearson get themselves cups of steaming coffee and stop by the head table on their way back to their seats.

“We can’t thank you enough for that beautiful ceremony,” Rosie tells her new sister-in-law. “You were amazing.”

“You guys inspired me,” Samantha says with a shrug. 

Jaq places an arm around Samantha’s back. “But she was pretty great, huh?”

“Very,” Travis agrees.

Samantha hugs her brother and sister-in-law, and then she and Jaq return to their own table. From a distance, Tempest Banks watches them go before swooping up to the table,  a frantic energy buzzing around her.

“Have either of you seen my purse?” she asks. “It’s this little black thing.”

“It’s not on your chair?” Rosie asks.

“It wasn’t a minute ago. And that’s where I left it.”

“It has to be around here somewhere,” Travis says. “Want me to help you look?”

Tempest shakes her head. “It’s your wedding. Chill out. I’ll find it.” She lets out a huff. “This is why I hate carrying these things.”

She peels off, leaving the newlyweds to exchange looks of bewilderment.

—–

Diane finishes touching up her makeup in the mirror of the ladies’ room. She is sticking her lipstick back into her clutch as she exits the restroom — and nearly slams right into someone.

“Whoa, watch it,” Isaac says, using both his hands to prevent a full-on collision.

She looks up at him. “Sorry.”

“I didn’t expect to step out of the men’s room and have a freight train coming at me.”

Diane scowls at him.

“Can a guy at least try for some levity?” he asks.

“Don’t you and the mother of the groom have some more bonding to do?”

Isaac laughs. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m deadly serious.”

“You think Claire and I are…?” He rocks his head from side-to-side. “We work together. I was congratulating her on her son’s wedding. And, for the record, you’re the one who shut me down. You don’t have a right to be jealous.”

“I’m not jealous!” She glances out toward the bar’s main area. “We shouldn’t be talking.”

“Why not? ‘Cuz someone might see? Like my sister?”

“Yes, actually.” 

“Why?” When she doesn’t answer, he tips his head toward the bar. “Come with me.”

“What? No.”

“Just for a minute,” Isaac says, grasping her hand to lead the way. Despite her reservations, Diane moves swiftly behind him, not wanting to attract any attention.

He takes her into the back hallway and checks the supply room. Finding it unoccupied, aside from Travis and Landon’s belongings scattered around, he brings Diane inside and closes the door.

“I don’t know what else we have to talk about,” she says. “You were ready to write me off, remember?”

“Because you wrote me off. Which I still don’t get. We like each other, Diane. And the sex…” He runs the tip of his tongue over his lower lip. “…it’s damn good.”

“It was. But it can’t happen again.”

“Why not? Because my sister dated your daughter? That’s a little freaky, but — half the people I’ve met today have had weirder connections than that. Did you know Alex dated his husband‘s sister back in the day?”

“Like I told you before, it’s over. It has to be.”

“But you were jealous when you saw me talking to Claire,” Isaac says. “Which means you care.”

“It means Claire and I have a long, sordid history,” she snaps back. “Isaac…”

He simply waits, staring back at her as she struggles to find words.

“What?” he finally prompts. “I was all ready to drop this. You said you wanted space, I was gonna give you as much as you wanted. But the way you got all jealous just now — that’s telling me a different story.”

She narrows her eyes at him, her long lashes fluttering. “And what story is that?”

“That you’re not as ready to walk away from this as you say.”

He places a hand on her bare arm, and although she flinches, she does not pull away. She looks down at his large, strong hand and then back up at his face.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” he says.

Diane feels a lump swelling in her throat. She swallows it down, determined to stand firm now. But she cannot bring herself to speak.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” Isaac repeats, and then he dips his head down, bringing their lips together. His hand goes to the back of her head, fingers nestling in her hair as he pulls her closer. Diane feels the heat surging between them, and it scorches her fears, at least momentarily, as she submits to the passion of his kiss.

And then the door flies open. Both Diane and Isaac jump backward.

From the doorway, Tempest stares at them in shock.

END OF EPISODE 1088

What will Tempest do now that she’s seen Diane and Isaac?
Will Tori be able to forget about what Landon told her?
Should Molly really proceed with adopting Gabrielle?
Discuss all this and more in the comments below!

Next Episode