Douglas Pulls a Parent Trap on Thomas and Hope — and Deacon Kicks His Love to the Curb

At Deacon’s place, his eyes widen toward Sheila as Hope calls out, “Dad!” and turns the doorhandle of his apartment. Deacon calls out, “Just a second, honey!” and Sheila slips into the other room to hide.

Hope walks in and asks, “Uh, hi. What took so long?” Sheila fidgets in the other room. Deacon tells Hope he was about to have a shower and asks why she came over. Hope wanted to check in on him and says Beth and Douglas are missing their merman grandpa. Deacon would love to come for dinner soon, “I miss them, and I miss you too.” He confesses he’s been worried about her. Hope assures Deacon that she and Liam will co-parent well together. Deacon thinks that sounds… sterile. Hope will be fine and can take care of herself. Deacon wants her to know that he’s always there for her, “Nothing and no one is going to interfere with our relationship.” In the other room, Sheila listens and considers this.

At the cliff house, Finn recaps that Li wants him to cut ties with his birth mother and deny she exists. Li tells him Sheila will destroy everything he values. If he doesn’t cut her out immediately, he’ll lose everything he loves forever. Li is sure that Finn is the only one who can get through to Sheila and end her madness.

Li can see that Sheila has a hold on Finn and tells him he must break that hold. “I need to see that you know what needs to be done.” Li says Finn is her greatest blessing but curses his father’s affair with Sheila. Finn is innocent, “This is your father’s doing.” Finn vows he’s going to fix this, “I will not let you or Steffy down, and I will not allow Sheila to keep me away from my wife and kids any longer.”

At Forrester, Douglas marvels, “How do you draw like this?” Thomas isn’t sure how to answer that and admits that his mom has always been his biggest source of inspiration. Douglas suggests they all go to the beach together… his mom is happiest when family is together. Thomas warns the boy they don’t always get what they want and urges him to relax and wait to see how things turn out.

Thomas wants to get Douglas drawing, but the kid says he’s about to leave with Aunt Donna. Thomas tells him again that if his mom and him are meant to be together, everything will fall into place. Douglas thinks it will happen.

At Deacon’s, Hope gets a text and has something to take care of. They embrace and express their love. Once she’s gone, Sheila emerges from the other room. Deacon hisses, “That was too damn close. Sheila we can’t do this anymore.” Sheila protests that it’s OK — Hope didn’t see them together. Deacon argues that if she had, that would be it for him and his daughter, “I’m just playing with fire.” He tells Sheila, “You know how I feel about you, but I can’t lose Hope. Whatever we’re doing, it ends today.”

Thomas arrives at home to find a romantic dinner for two set up complete with candlelight. Hope comes in after him and says, “I got your message.” Thomas says he didn’t text her, “You texted me.” Hope says, “Nooo, I didn’t.” They both realize something and call, “Douglas?!” Douglas appears looking like a little waiter and grins, “Hi guys!”

Douglas confesses to texting them. Hope notes that he pulled this together very quickly. Thomas thinks it makes sense since he’s a Forrester, and they know how to set a romantic scene. He reminds the kid he asked him to be patient. Douglas says they’re the best mom and dad he knows, but together they make each other better, “That’s what family does, right?”

At the cliff house, Finn fumes that it’s killing him that his wife and kids are so far away. He can’t sleep and his heart aches. Steffy needs to be home with him where she belongs. Li believes he can do it. He’s the only one who can get through to that woman. Finn hasn’t said this before, but what happens if she won’t let go? Li steps forward, “You listen to me, your mother.” She recalls how he used to approach tough math problems by digging in and thinking outside the box. That’s what he’ll do… and then he’ll find the answer. Finn decides she’s right. He’s going to make it happen, “I’m not going to risk losing my family.”

At Deacon’s place, Sheila can’t believe that he’s saying it’s over. A big part of him doesn’t want her to walk out that door. He loves being with her; she’s unique, mesmerizing, and deliciously dangerous. But for the first time in his life, he’s making something of himself, and his daughter loves and respects him. Sheila knows that that means. Deacon can’t mess this up. He can’t believe Hope wants to be around him and it’s the best feeling in the world. Even the grandkids want to see him, “I can’t take a chance on losing that.” Sheila doesn’t want this to end, but she’s grateful for every moment she got to spend with him. “You’re incredible, and I don’t just mean in bed.” He’s shown her it’s possible to change and earn a spot in your family’s lives. She knows she can make it happen with Finn and is proud of Deacon. “I want you to have it all.” Deacon says he wants her to have it all too. Sheila replies, “Thank you. I think I will.” She hopes to have with her son what he has with his daughter. “I see what you’ve done with Hope, what you’ve accomplished. I think I might make Finn see me the way she sees you.” Sheila declares that he will be with his daughter and grandchildren, “And I will be with Finn and Hayes.”

At the cliff house, Li warns Finn to stay focused, “You cannot give into Sheila ever again.”

At Deacon’s place, Sheila tells him that she’s never been more determined to accomplish something in her life, “You know me, when I put my mind to something, I make it happen.” His relationship with Hope has truly inspired her. She’s going to have the relationship with Finn that’s she’s longed for, “I can just feel it.”