Friday, December 09, 2005, Episode #4698

The Spectra employees get a summons from Sally.
Thorne and Darla arrive at Spectra, wondering why Sally called them over. Darla has a funny feeling about this. The elevator door opens and Thomas (who isn't supposed to be working there, under the terms of his bet with Ridge), Bob, Faith and some other employees get off. Thomas and Bob explain that Sally called them, too, for some big meeting. Now Darla is REALLY worried.

Thorne, Darla and Thomas are shocked by Sally's news.
Clarke is with Sally in her office, asking if she's sure she wants to do this, As she looks over photos of CJ, Macy and her; Saul and her; and Thorne, Darla and Alexandria, she says she needs this, and she has to do it her way. Clarke picks up the photo of Saul and says, "Azoy," the Yiddish word Saul always used. Thorne knocks and asks Sally if she's ready for them. She tells him to bring everyone in. Clarke offers punch and pigs in a blanket. Bob asks what the occasion is. It's a bon voyage party, Sally says. Darla tells Sally that she didn't have to do this for Thorne, but Sally says it's not for Thorne: it's for Spectra. She's shutting the doors today. Once everyone has some punch, Sally asks Darla to pass out some generous severance checks. Bob and the others say they can't take these, but Sally says they've earned it. Thomas says he hasn't, since this is his fault. Sally tells him it's not; after all these years of hard work and last minute saves of this company, she thinks she's earned a vacation and is taking it. Clarke proposes a toast to their Spectra family, but Bob says they should toast to Sally instead. Everyone agrees. Sally thanks them again and tearful goodbyes are exchanged before everyone gets back to work.

Clarke stays behind to support Sally.
Darla, Thorne and Clarke remain with Sally. Darla refuses to let Sally close the company that's been Sally's life, but Sally says that it's time. Her life is just beginning, she says. Darla is in tears, unable to believe that Sally wants to leave. Sally tells her to wipe those tears and explains that she has two choices: she can stay in this dusty office or she can sail the seas with handsome men. Thorne asks if she's joining the navy. Actually, she says, she's taking a cruise. Just then, the phone rings; it's a man from the "Happy Acres Assisted Living Facility," telling Sally that a van is coming to pick her up. Covering, she calls him "Captain" and thanks him for sending a driver. She then tells Darla and Thorne that the captain is sending a limo for her, so it's time for goodbyes. Darla asks Sally once more to reconsider, but Sally tells her and Thorne to go and be happy.

Sally remembers the good times at Spectra before asking Clarke to get her out of there.
Alone with Clarke, Sally packs some photos, prompting memories of her, Clarke, Macy, Darla and Saul over the years. "Send in the Clowns" plays over the montage, which ends with a memory of Saul saying "Azoy." Sally then tells Clarke to get her out of here: he pulls a blanket off her legs and we see that she's in a wheelchair. As he wheels her out, Darla and Thorne return and are stunned to see Clarke wheeling Sally out of the office!

Nick bonds with his son.
At the Forrester mansion, Nick bonds with his son. He asks what the baby's name is. Dominick, Felicia replies. "That's my name, too," a smiling Nick tells the baby. Standing up while holding the boy, Nick asks Felicia how she could keep this from him. She explains that no one expected her to carry a child to term after the chemo, so she didn't want to get anyone's hopes up. Now she's glad she didn't, since she sees how happy he and Bridget are, married and starting a family of their own. He asks Stephanie what she told Felicia, Stephanie says she told Felicia everything. Felicia tells Nick that he and Bridget have gotten past their problems. Problems caused by lack of honest communication, Nick says. Stephanie asks Felicia if she's saying that Bridget shouldn't know about the baby. That's right, Felicia says, refusing to put this burden on Bridget. She tells Nick that she doesn't want his life to change, which is why she's going back to France. Nick tells her she's not taking his son anywhere. He refuses to let his son grow up without a father, like he did, so he plans to be there for this boy. What about Bridget? Felicia asks. Nick says they'll work it out, which is why he has to tell Bridget tonight. He asks Felicia to promise she won't leave. Stephanie says she won't let her, but Nick still wants Felicia's word. Once she agrees, Nick says goodbye for now to Dominick and leaves.

Bridget wonders what Nick has to say.
Nick returns to the beach house. He pauses outside before going in, where Bridget has dinner waiting. She kisses him and asks him where he's been. He says that there's a reason he ran late. Seeing how much work she put into dinner, he tells her to sit down and relax. As they eat, Bridget goes on about how nice it is to have a quiet dinner like normal people. She knows some people would find this boring, but she's glad to put all the crises and drama behind them and just relax. This is just an example of what they have to look forward to once they bring their first born into the world and start their own little family together. Yeah, Nick responds. Bridget continues about how she wants to have more kids eventually, but she wants to give their undivided attention to their daughter for a while first. She then realizes that she's been doing all the talking when it's obvious he has something on his mind. She wants to know what it is. Nick says that there's just something he has to tell her.

Back at the mansion, Felicia puts the baby down and returns to chat with her mother, who wants to talk about Nick. She says Nick had a right to know about the baby. Felicia says that was her decision, but Stephanie can't see why Felicia wouldn't want Nick in his son's life. Felicia accuses her mother of once again using the need to tell the truth to run others' lives. Stephanie says she thought Nick would accept his responsibility for this baby. Felicia hopes she's right, since Nick has two children now. She doesn't want to take Nick away from Bridget. But she wants him to know his son, Stephanie guesses. Felicia worries about how Bridget would react to that. Stephanie thinks Bridget would want Nick to know his son. This is just why she stayed away, Felicia says. Stephanie points out that Felicia had no idea about Nick and Bridget until she got here. But she figured Nick would be with someone, Felicia says, which is why she has to leave. Stephanie reminds her of her promise to Nick not to leave, but Felicia can't bear to stay here. Stephanie accuses her of running away from feelings she has for Nick. They don't want her here, Felicia says. Stephanie says she does, and she thinks Nick will, too. Because of the baby, Felicia argues. Stephanie urges Felicia to stop running and come home, but Felicia says she and Dominick were happy in France.

Stephanie doesn't see the pain on Felicia's face.
Felicia sits on the sofa; Stephanie sits behind her, so she can't see the pained look on Felicia's face. Stephanie urges Felicia to stay in L.A., to give the baby a chance to know his family, including his father. She also wants a chance to make amends to Felicia for all the past mistakes that drove Felicia off. After recent events in her life, she's had a comeuppance and has learned how much her family means to her - and despite what Felicia might think, she's not just talking about Ridge. She sees herself in Felicia's independence and your stubbornness, which is why she wants to get to know her daughter again. She also wants to know her grandson, even though that will be hard for Bridget. Stephanie moves closer to Felicia, who says, "Oh, Mom," and leans her head on her mother. Whatever happens, Stephanie says, they'll work it out together. Suddenly, Felicia collapses to the floor, losing consciousness. Stephanie kneels down by her daughter, calling out her name.