Xander Avant is Finn's Newest Patient

In the Forrester design office, Finn refuses to allow Thomas to speak to Steffy in that tone. Thomas tells Finn that this doesn’t involve him, but Finn says when he speaks to his wife as he did it does. Finn is paged and has a new patient waiting at the office. Steffy tells Finn that she can handle this, so he takes off.

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Steffy takes a call from a supplier, who is sending their good wishes to Eric. Thomas comments it’s amazing how Grandad has all this support from all over the world, and maybe she and Finn could take all this concern for him and Hope and focus it on Grandad. He gets Finn is an only child and doesn’t understand sibling energy. Steffy notes Finn just wants to protect her like she wants to protect him. Thomas says he is happy and that should be enough. He wants to move past the mistakes he made, Hope has moved on, so what can’t she? Steffy is concerned that he’ll jeopardize his progress for Hope. Thomas doesn’t see it that way. He sees the company is thriving, Douglas is succeeding, and he’s in love. He’s not asking for her to support him and Hope, just not to undermine his relationship.

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In Ridge and Eric’s office, Hope assures Ridge that she knows Steffy is just protecting Thomas, but they have nothing to worry about. Ridge is worried and asks if she sees a future with his son. She guesses she’s in the hot seat with him now. Ridge wants to know if she’s serious about Thomas, as he’s serious about her. Plus, the last time this happened, it caused a lot of pain for his family, and he’d hate for history to repeat itself.

Hope assures him everything is fine, so why can’t that be enough? Ridge asks if she thinks it won’t last, or if it will? Hope can’t give him a guarantee, she thought she’d be with Liam for the rest of her life, and she’s not. She doesn’t know what the future holds. Ridge says Thomas thinks his future is with her, and asks if that is a possibility. Hope understands his concerns, but this is between Thomas and her.

Steffy heads to see her dad. Ridge relays Hope was just here and she gave him an earful about Steffy lecturing her about Thomas. Steffy is concerned about Thomas’ feelings for Hope, and that Hope doesn’t want a future with him, which makes Thomas vulnerable. She knows Thomas wants him to support his decision, but this could end badly for Thomas. She is genuinely fearful for her brother.

Hope rejoins Thomas in the design office, and they discuss the lectures they both got. Hope understands where Ridge and Steffy are coming from as they are worried about him. Thomas feels they should be feeling the opposite, her love and support have helped him become a new man. He says she’s made him happier than ever and thanks her for that. She doesn’t want this to cause tension between him and his family, especially what with Eric’s recovery. Thomas says he’s just so grateful to be with her, kissing her, and he loves knowing she’s always beside him through the good times and hard times. She has trusted him to grow into the man she deserves by her side. He again assures her that he’s a one-woman man, and that is why he hopes she’ll make him the happiest man in the world. He gets down on one knee, pulls out a ring, and asks Hope to marry him. Hope is stunned.

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Finn arrives at his office at the hospital and meets his latest patient. Xander Avant enters, and Finn doesn’t recognize him or the name. Xander is in just for an annual checkup. He explains he’s back from London after a few years. Finn asks what took him to London. Xander recalls Ridge throwing him out years ago after his part in covering up Beth’s kidnapping. Xander explains he just needed time away from L.A. to regroup. As Finn directs him to the exam room, Xander notices Finn and Steffy’s wedding photo on his desk. Xander asks, “Are you married to Steffy Forrester?”

Finn asks if Xander knows his wife. Xander says he was an intern at Forrester, he worked with them all, including Thomas. The tone of Xander’s voice leads Finn to ask if he has some history with Thomas.  Xander flashes back to Thomas confronting Xander and Zoe, saying Liam and Hope would be fine, and to keep quiet. Xander pointed out Emma wasn’t fine, she was dead because of this. He also claimed that Brooke was worried about his and Hope’s engagement and that this marriage would be based on a lie. Xander asked Zoe what kind of life they were supposed to have with this always hanging over their heads.

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Back in the present, Xander doesn’t mean to be rude but feels this isn’t a good fit. Finn asks if this is because of his family and somehow Thomas. Xander warns him that Thomas isn’t who he thinks he is. Xander says he’s a man with no conscience and no remorse. He stammers that Thomas did something evil to an innocent young girl. Xander recalls happier times with Emma, and her being run off the road. Xander couldn’t help but suspect the accident wasn’t an accident back then, and recalls he confronted Thomas who warned him to keep his mouth shut. Xander asks Finn if he has heard the name Emma Barber? Finn hasn’t and asks if she was an intern too. Did Thomas make things difficult for her? Xander says worse than difficult, they are talking about murder.

Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: A previously aired episode will run. New episodes will return on January 2.

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