>> Thomas: My talent, your vision, us together.
So come on Hope, please. Can you trust me again?
I promise. I will not let you down.
>> Liam: Hey. Did I miss bedtime?
>> Hope: Just put Beth to bed. >> Liam: Oh, all right, well,
bright side, gives me more time with my hot wife.
>> Hope: Oh. >> Liam: Ooh.
All right, I know this look. Is it Hope for the Future?
♪♪ >> Thomas: Thanks for meeting
us here, Dr. Howard. This is just the--
the best place for this time. >> Howard: Well, I'm encouraged
by the progress you're making, Thomas.
And asking to meet at the office shows promise.
>> Thomas: Yeah, well you know, it's possible I could be
designing here again soon. Hopefully.
You know our-- our sessions have made all the difference
in the world and obviously, my mom is very supportive.
>> Howard: I'm glad you can join us, Dr. Hayes.
>> Taylor: Thank you, Dr. Howard.
I'm glad to be here. These intensive therapy
sessions have been wonderful for Thomas.
>> Howard: He's been putting in the work.
>> Taylor: Yeah. You know I-- I-- I see a-- I see
a real change in my son. I'm witnessing it firsthand
and I'm so proud of you. >> Thomas: Thanks, Mom.
>> Katie: No problem at all. I'll have my assistant send
over another press packet. Yes, I'll have her reach out.
Thank you very much. Ciao. >> Carter: Ciao to you too.
>> Katie: Huh. This day just doesn't want to end.
>> Carter: One of those, huh? >> Katie: Yeah. I'm really
sorry I had to cancel our dinner plans.
>> Carter: Don't even worry about it.
>> Katie: Thank you. I have a lot to thank you for.
You've been such a dear friend to me.
♪♪
>> Carter: So, you consider me a dear friend?
>> Katie: Yes, yes I do. And I sound just like
my grandmother. >> Carter: You sound just like
my grandmother. >> Katie: It's just that, um,
well you're one of the good guys.
I feel really lucky to have you on my side.
I just want you to know how much I appreciate you.
>> Carter: I feel the same way about you.
♪♪ >> Howard: We've been focusing
quite a bit on impulse control, using new tools to respond
to emotional triggers. Have you noticed a difference
in yourself? >> Thomas: Yeah, I mean, um,
I'm definitely recognizing things. I'm being more
objective and I can kind of catch my emotions before
they grab a hold of me. Well, obviously recently
hitting rock bottom, it-- it, I don't know,
it just made me so ashamed of the things I've done.
>> Taylor: Okay, but we-- we don't want you
to feel ashamed. That's-- that's not good.
I just want you to understand why you do some of the things
you do. >> Thomas: Yeah, but there are
some people out there who don't believe I'm capable
of change.
>> Liam: I know your life
hasn't been very easy lately, especially with Douglas
staying over at Steffy's. >> Hope: Yeah, I miss him.
>> Liam: And then add to that, Hope for the Future going
through a rough patch. I-- I get it.
>> Hope: Well, it's not just a rough patch, Liam.
I mean, they're considering shelving the line unless
we find a solution. >> Liam: You are nothing
if not resourceful and I know you and I know you're gonna do
whatever it takes to-- to bring the line back
and I'm here to help you in any way that I can,
if I can. >> Hope: And I appreciate that.
It's just um... I don't think
you're going to like what seems like my only option.
I'm considering bringing Thomas back as lead designer.
♪♪
>> Carter: I feel very close to you, Katie.
This friendship we've built. It's uh,
it's a beautiful thing. >> Katie: It's nice to have
someone to hold on to. >> Carter: It means a lot
and we've helped each other through some challenges.
>> Katie: Yeah, Bill and Sheila topping the list.
But you know what? We have fun.
>> Carter: Yeah. >> Katie: We have a good time.
>> Carter: Yeah. And a lot of wonderful meals.
>> Katie: So much good. >> Carter: Too many.
I think I've gained a few pounds.
>> Katie: Oh no, no, no, say it's not so.
Are you down to a five pack? >> Carter: Five and a half.
>> Katie: Okay, thank God. I was worried.
See? This is what I'm talking about.
This is what I'm talking about. I don't-- I don't wanna--
I don't wanna mess this up. You know, I-- I-- I love this.
It's uncomplicated and it's special and I just don't
wanna do anything to jeopardize this-- this friendship.
>> Carter: Me either. >> Katie: Because it's
rare, right? It's rare to find someone
that you can-- that you can laugh with and just be silly
with and... And still be vulnerable
and you know, be there for. It's rare and I just-- I--
I just don't want to mess it up, do you know what I mean?
>> Carter: Yeah, I know exactly...
Know exactly what you mean. ♪♪
>> Howard: You haven't mentioned Hope as much recently.
I consider that a positive sign.
>> Thomas: Yeah, I've had moments where I'm still
attracted to her, but I haven't been fixated
on her. >> Howard: Okay. Good.
>> Taylor: If I may, Dr. Howard?
>> Howard: Of course. >> Taylor: I hear what you're
saying, but-- but what makes it different now?
>> Thomas: Well, I think because I actually believe it,
you know? Um, I-- I honestly want
the best for Hope. I just, I want her to be happy,
you know and I want her to be able to trust me.
>> Howard: You understand how difficult that may be
for Hope? It may take some time.
>> Thomas: I get that. But I think we make
an amazing team together. You know, we're great parents
and we've designed some pretty awesome clothes.
>> Howard: I have no doubt you're being sincere Thomas.
>> Taylor: Me too. >> Thomas: Thank you.
Thank you both for believing in me.
>> Liam: Thomas, really? You would-- you would--
you would choose to work-- to work with Thomas again?
>> Hope: It was more like an ultimatum from Steffy.
>> Liam: Uh, its... From Steffy?
From Steffy, after everything that Thomas did to her
and her family. From Steffy? >> Hope: Well apparently,
they're back on good terms and she believes he is
the only way to get the line back on its feet.
>> Liam: Oh, my God, that is-- that is so unreasonable.
He's obviously not the only way.
>> Hope: Liam, I was just as thrown as you are right now.
>> Liam: Thomas, really? I mean anyone but Thomas,
I don't care. I don't care what Steffy
is telling you, she's wrong. It's not always just about
the numbers, okay. What is the cost of your sanity?
What is the cost of your safety? Please just look me in the eye
and tell me you understand that nothing good has ever
come from you and Thomas being together.
♪♪
>> Katie: I've had so much fun with you.
I mean we've-- we've laughed. I just, I-- I don't remember
the last time I've laughed that hard. My--
my stomach literally has hurt from laughing and that's
amazing and-- and wonderful and...
I feel safe and I feel secure with you and that...
That's everything that I could ever want in a friend.
>> Carter: Right back at you. You're a beautiful woman.
You're giving, open and I admire the hell out of you
and nothing's gonna change that. No matter what.
>> Katie: No matter what? >> Carter: Yeah.
So, I guess we are crossing into the friend zone.
>> Katie: What? What? No, no! Is that what you thought
that I was saying? Is that where you thought
I was going with this? >> Carter: Aren't you?
That's not, that's not-- >> Katie: No, no, no.
Hell no. ♪♪
>> Taylor: I think that went really well.
It's-- it's so good to see you finding clarity and then
working so hard to understand yourself better.
>> Thomas: Yeah, I'm just so sorry that I caused all this
trouble for you and Dad and Brooke and Douglas.
It's like there's no excuse for what I did.
>> Taylor: Oh, I know. I know I mean I understand
why you did it. But honey, when I--
when I look at you now, I see a man who is making
this beautiful evolution and I know I keep saying it,
but I am so proud of you. And I can tell
your therapist is too. >> Thomas: You know, I still
have no idea how Dad feels. And but...
At least Steffy is-- is happy to bring me back
into the office. >> Taylor: And as far as
your dad is concerned, he-- he will come around.
My big question now is will Hope?
♪♪ >> Hope: I understand, Liam,
how you feel about Thomas. >> Liam: For good reason.
>> Hope: We are talking about my career, my line that I love
and I care so much about. Hope for the Future allows me
to-- to try to make a positive impact in the world--
>> Liam: Allows you to try? You've been making a positive
impact, Hope and-- and I don't even mean that
in some like fuzzy, abstract way, like in my heart
or in our home. Like no, you are literally
an inspiration to millions of people across the planet.
Your-- your line has enjoyed success for a decade.
>> Hope: And I want decades more.
I don't want to abandon it. >> Liam: I'm not--
I'm not saying that you have to. I get that, I get it.
I get that you're scared about losing your line,
but caving into Steffy and turning to Thomas, there's
no way that's the answer. >> Hope: Yeah, well she says
I don't really have much of a choice.
>> Liam: She's wrong! Of course, you have a choice.
Of course, there are other choices.
>> Hope: Look, Steffy understands that she's putting
me in a difficult position, but she says her hands
are tied. >> Liam: That is bull, Hope.
>> Hope: I think the thing you don't want to acknowledge
is the fact that Thomas is a very talented designer
and Hope for the Future has been doing very well with him
as lead designer. >> Liam: I acknowledge that
he's a talented designer. I acknowledge that he's an
incredibly talented designer. What I am not willing
to acknowledge is that that is all that matters.
Do you-- do you acknowledge the risk that you are
taking here? >> Hope: Liam, I am in between
a rock and a hard place and I have the same concerns
as you. The difference this time though is Thomas isn't
just talk, he actually has been following through
with action. He apologized to my mom,
he's going to therapy. Taylor says he's making
excellent progress. >> Liam: Oh yeah, Taylor
always says that he's making excellent progress right before
he turns around and does something psycho.
She's blinded by her love for him. I don't care.
What about your mom? What does your mom say?
>> Hope: Well, she's not exactly thrilled.
>> Liam: Shocking. >> Hope: Yeah, but she also
understands the business side of it, Liam. And she also gets
that at the end of the day, it is going to be
my decision to make.
>> Liam: So, uh, okay. Have you made it already?
Are you gonna work with Thomas again?
♪♪
>> Taylor: You know how-- how worried I was about
our family. You know, I mean, I knew that
we would put the pieces back together at some point.
I was just so afraid that we were gonna get pulled
farther and farther apart. >> Thomas: Yeah, but you know
I made so many mistakes in the past and I hurt
a lot of people. Everyone in our family
and honestly I wouldn't blame them if they never wanted
to forgive me. >> Taylor: I think Hope wants
to move past all of this. I-- I think she knows that
she needs you and she's smart and she-- she wants to make
sure her line doesn't get canceled.
>> Thomas: But there is one more factor in this whole
equation and that is Liam. The guy pretty much
hates me, right? And I-- I don't exactly blame
him for-- for wanting to protect his wife.
But Mom, I promise I am not a threat to anyone anymore.
>> Taylor: No, I know that. I know that and your actions
are going to speak for themselves.
You're dedicated to your craft and there is no one better
to spread the message of love and acceptance.
And that is exactly what Hope for the Future stands for.
Thomas Forrester, I believe in you.
♪♪ >> Liam: Have you already made
up your mind about Thomas? Is that what this conversation
was always gonna be? You-- you letting me know
that he's coming back to HFTF? >> Hope: No, Liam.
I would never make a decision like that and not talk to you
first. I mean... I know you love me
and I get that you're just trying to look out for me--
>> Liam: Because of his track record--
>> Hope: And I haven't forgotten.
But you're asking me to choose between my career and--
>> Liam: No, no, no, I'm not. I am not asking that.
I'm not asking you to choose that because it's a false
choice, Hope. I don't, I'm sorry,
I don't buy this line from Steffy that Thomas is the only
way forward for Hope for the Future.
And frankly I'm kind of pissed off at her right now,
for-- for not letting you explore your options.
>> Hope: Oh, my gosh, we've tried. We've looked at
other designers. >> Liam: Okay, all right, okay,
how about this? All right fine,
this isn't working. Let me-- let me ask you this.
Is there anything, anything at all that Thomas
could do that would make him a deal breaker?
Anything that-- that would take hiring him off
the table forever? Because I'm-- I'm getting--
I'm getting scared that the answer is no.
I'm scared, Hope. I'm scared that Thomas could
sell company secrets to a competitor, that he could--
that he could literally throw an intern out of the window
of the Forrester C.E.O. office right in front of you
and Steffy and you would shrug and go, "Well, he is
a very talented designer." So you tell me,
where do you draw the line? Where?
>> Hope: And have you maybe ever considered that it might
be beneficial to Douglas to not see his parents at war?
That it might be beneficial to him to see us working well
together as a team? >> Liam: That would be
a good reason if I actually thought it came from you.
I have begged you so many times to keep Thomas out of your life.
And when you don't, we all pay the price.
I don't know what-- I don't know what to do anymore.
I'm exhausted, so I'm begging you again.
Please, please do not hire him at Hope for the Future.
Please do not give him that opening in your life.
Please.
>> Hope: Okay, fine. All right. I'll tell him no.
>> Liam: Oh, my God. My God, thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. You're making the right
decision, I promise, I promise. ♪♪