B&B: What's Up Today at Forrester Creations? - Daily Chat

[LittleIggy]

20 hours ago, Petunia13 said:

I’m starting to resent Hope for putting herself in this situation. 

How stupid is it to travel so far along in the pregnancy, on top of that alone and in bad weather? To a local island beach hotel, when she lives by beaches, hotels, and family has luxurious mansions, so she put her life and baby’s wellbeing at risk to do what she could do at home 😒

Why didn’t they just go to Big Bear like everyone else. I can’t stand where this storyline seems to be going. It’s too cruel. Back to not watching.

[Anna Yolei]

1 hour ago, ByTor said:

I can't help but wonder if maybe the guy demanding the money from Dr Shady will end up doing something to Zoe.  

  Hide contents

I thought word was that Xander will be leaving due to his being cast in a movie, which would leave Zoe with less to do than she already has.

If that something gets her off my screen, I'm here for it.

[IOU Payne]

And they went there.  Fuck that noise.

[smartyshorts]

Quote

30 minutes ago, IOU Payne said:

And they went there.  Fuck that noise.

 

I'm going to NOPE right on out of that. 

[Cool Breeze]

Kind of hoping Liam’s helicopter crashes in the Pacific.  Pilots don’t refuse to fly in treacherous conditions because they’re wusses.  It’s because they could very easily die.  Nevertheless, despite the professionals telling him it’s not possible, Liam maintains his screechy need to rush out there ASAP, risking his life to be with a wife and baby who are under a doctor’s care, potentially leaving his older daughter fatherless.  Idiot.  

[jenrising]

That was brutal. I kind of wish I hadn't watched live so I'd know what I was in for. 

[MotherInLaw]

Did I miss something between the end of yesterday’s episode and today’s?  Maybe I fell asleep and missed the actual birth?  Last I saw Hope fainted.  Today Liam’s there and the baby’s dead.  WTF?  And the next commercial is Dr. Shady handing someone balloons and a check for Publisher’s Clearinghouse. This is more than I can deal with.

Edited January 4, 2019 by MotherInLaw

[Lilac2000]

I just caught the tail end...is the baby really dead or did Wayne Brady swap a stillborn for Beth?

[nkotb]

I've harped on SC before, & I'm sure I will again (although, for the most part, SC is pretty good, it's Liam that's the shit-for-brains I just can't deal with). Today, though, he broke me. Anyone could've guessed how this storyline was going to go, especially after seeing SC's face at the beginning & hearing him say "she looked like an angel". Ugh, I sobbed today, I'm not ashamed. It was painful. However, super good idea to leave the heavy lifting to him & not Hope's portrayer, - I'm too lazy to look up her initials. This is probably his best work since finding out that not only had Steffy cheated, but that she'd ridden the stallion. It was the first time I've felt any emotion from B&B in forever. That'll be his Emmy reel, obviously.

I really thought we'd see Dr. Shady, on a phone call, holding a perfectly healthy Beth at the end of the episode. I'm probably thinking more about this than the writers have or will, but I can't figure out how Dr. Shady is going to get the baby to Taylor/Steffy, & get the money, but keep it from Hope completely. No way Hope won't be suspicious that her baby died in his care, & suddenly, he's involved in giving a new baby to Steffy. Any guesses?  

[sugarbaker design]

The actual birth wasn't shown on camera, but conventional wisdom has it there was a baby switch, yet to be revealed.  I'm assuming there'll be flashbacks galore next week

It was cruel the way Liam let Hope go on and on about Beth before telling her what happened.

I'm guessing the doctor will tell Taylor that he knows of an infant available for immediate adoption in exchange for $200K and total discretion.  Taylor will then gift the baby to Steffi for a New Year's Day present, making up some sad tale of an unwed mother.

Edited January 4, 2019 by sugarbaker design

[Petunia13]

It’s cruel to do this to Hope after she’s already lost a child. 

[jenrising]

31 minutes ago, nkotb said:

I've harped on SC before, & I'm sure I will again (although, for the most part, SC is pretty good, it's Liam that's the shit-for-brains I just can't deal with). Today, though, he broke me. Anyone could've guessed how this storyline was going to go, especially after seeing SC's face at the beginning & hearing him say "she looked like an angel". Ugh, I sobbed today, I'm not ashamed. It was painful. However, super good idea to leave the heavy lifting to him & not Hope's portrayer, - I'm too lazy to look up her initials. This is probably his best work since finding out that not only had Steffy cheated, but that she'd ridden the stallion. It was the first time I've felt any emotion from B&B in forever. That'll be his Emmy reel, obviously.

I really thought we'd see Dr. Shady, on a phone call, holding a perfectly healthy Beth at the end of the episode. I'm probably thinking more about this than the writers have or will, but I can't figure out how Dr. Shady is going to get the baby to Taylor/Steffy, & get the money, but keep it from Hope completely. No way Hope won't be suspicious that her baby died in his care, & suddenly, he's involved in giving a new baby to Steffy. Any guesses?  

Agreed about the acting. SC and AN did a wonderful job. On the rare occasion that SC gets some actual work to do he's very good and it makes me even more angry that they leave Liam to be a useless stale waffle most of the time. AN isn't the strongest actress but I thought she did really well with Hope's emotional rollercoaster and slow realization. 

[Joimiaroxeu]

Seems odd to me they'd choose to do such a sad 8000th episode. Guess they're saving the fun for the 10000th. 🙄

All I have to say is this: Liam and Hope are going to have an autopsy done, right? Or would that be considered too macabre or pointless? Whatever, that'd probably be the quickest way for them to find out the baby Dr. Buckingham handed Hope is not theirs.

The Hope Haters must be dancing in the streets right about now.

Edited January 4, 2019 by Joimiaroxeu

[Gam2]

I just knew the writers were going to do this but I hated it anyway. As much as I’ve ragged on AN’s acting abilities, she brought it today with SC. Can’t wait until they get their baby from Steffy. Please,please don’t drag this out forever!!

[nasir jones]

I know I was supposed to feel sad, but I really feel like everything I watched for months prior to this was just a gigantic waste of time.

[Waldo13]

Does Stuffy have the same thing that Y&R Victor has written into his contract that they don't loose.  It looks like Stuffy will have two babies and Hope will have none.  

I'm not a big fan of this story line. It's far too cruel for my taste.  I had the same problem with Y&R when Sage and Nick seemingly lost their baby.  I'm hoping that TIIC will redeem themselves in the upcoming weeks. 

I have to say that AN is a better crier than moaner.  SC was excellent today also. 

[bannana]

I wonder if Dr. Shady will make the deal with Taylor, but pretend that baby is not yet born.  Thus having the adoption happen a ways down the road.  Otherwise this is too absurd, that Hope's baby dies and five minutes later Steffy adopts a newborn.

The real question is, will Liam decide that since Beth died, and Steffy now has two babies to care for, that it is Waffle Time again?

[mightysparrow]

All those Steffy/Taylor fans that have been screaming for baby blood must be pouring the champagne now.  I wonder what the reaction will be if Bell has the guts to remind them of some B&B history.  Like the fact that, unlike their fave, Liam WASN'T with Hope because she was pregnant.  If I recall correctly, Liam dumped Hauxdilox the second after she miscarried.  How will the lunatic fringe react if the death of their baby brought Liam and Hope even closer?  I doubt it's going to happen because Hope needs to suffer ALL THE FUCKING TIME.  If she's not paying for the circumstances of her conception, she's paying for being a better person than Hauxdilox ever DREAMED of being.

I'm glad I'm not watching.

[lightninggirl]

Just now, mightysparrow said:

All those Steffy/Taylor fans that have been screaming for baby blood must be pouring the champagne now.

They'll be screaming again when Stuffy breastfeeds and bonds with Dope's baby and has to give it back, kicking and screaming and then has some sort of weird meltdown a la Katie's post-partum disappearance. But most likely more dramatic, and with less crying (because no one cries more than Katie; I don't think it's physically possible).

[mightysparrow]

17 minutes ago, lightninggirl said:

They'll be screaming again when Stuffy breastfeeds and bonds with Dope's baby and has to give it back, kicking and screaming and then has some sort of weird meltdown a la Katie's post-partum disappearance. But most likely more dramatic, and with less crying (because no one cries more than Katie; I don't think it's physically possible).

I feel sorry for any poor baby that has to suck on all that poison Hauxdi has coursing through her slatternly veins.

[nilyank]

How long are they planning to do this story? JMW will be giving birth and going on maternity leave within the next few months. If the switch is discovered before she leaves, it won't be enough time for her to bond with money bought stolen baby? If the switch isn't discovered, is she going to take off with both babies, while Liam mourns Beth and won't have Kelly around?

This is a stupid storyline because there is no real build up for the switch. If Steffy had started the adoption idea months ago when she found out that Liam and Hope were having a baby together, or even as they neared Lope wedding. There are no stakes involved and any emotions that Steffy will feel about returning the baby to her rightful parents, will be superficial at best.

[Gam2]

This whole story line is absurd and unnecessary. Why are we all trying to make sense of it?

[RedRockRosie]

3 hours ago, MotherInLaw said:

Did I miss something between the end of yesterday’s episode and today’s?  Maybe I fell asleep and missed the actual birth?  Last I saw Hope fainted.  Today Liam’s there and the baby’s dead.  WTF? 

Yeah, it was a big jump...Liam getting a flight out to Catalina...Hope passing out & then suddenly Liam is there? I thought at first it was a dream that Liam was having after his chopper ditched in the cold waters. He dreamt that because he wasn't there for Hope the baby didn't make it. Kept waiting for him to be brought into the clinic beside Hope & then wake up to see her holding the baby.

I really hate this crappy storyline of thinking they lost their baby (#2 for Hope!!) while Hauxdi has her "precious baby girl" after offing one cousin & almost offing her other cousin.

1 minute ago, Gam2 said:

This whole story line is absurd and unnecessary. Why are we all trying to make sense of it?

You make a good point Gam2.

[ByTor]

2 hours ago, bannana said:

The real question is, will Liam decide that since Beth died, and Steffy now has two babies to care for, that it is Waffle Time again?

I much fear that's exactly what's going to happen.  Then when they find out the baby is actually Beth, waffle time again!

[ByaNose]

I don’t watch the full show anymore and usually only watch the Friday epsisode in full. I knew about the “death” of thbaby storyline be hinted about for a while. The question I have is that everyone (mostly) think Taylor is going to get the baby for Steffy or Steffy is somehow going to adopt the baby but has Steffy even hinted that she wants another baby? Is Taylor miraculously going to adopt a baby out of the blue? Has it been said that she wants a baby? Thanks in advance. My New Years resolution is to actually watch the full episodes of B&B from now on.

[Petunia13]

1 hour ago, ByaNose said:

I don’t watch the full show anymore and usually only watch the Friday epsisode in full. I knew about the “death” of thbaby storyline be hinted about for a while. The question I have is that everyone (mostly) think Taylor is going to get the baby for Steffy or Steffy is somehow going to adopt the baby but has Steffy even hinted that she wants another baby? Is Taylor miraculously going to adopt a baby out of the blue? Has it been said that she wants a baby? Thanks in advance. My New Years resolution is to actually watch the full episodes of B&B from now on.

A lot of your questions are answered and discussed in thread. Not trying to be rude I just think reading a page or 2 is helpful. Yes Steffy wants to adopt an infant daughter cuz Hope doesn’t want her baby to be around Steffy’s mom, Taylor, who lives with her. Taylor is unstable and violent and hates Hope btw.  Steffy was a twin so had envisioned the sisters bonding and shit and when Hope expresses reasonable concern about her child being around crazy bitch Taylor, Steffy said fuck it then I’ll adopt a sibling for my golden child. 

[ByaNose]

2 hours ago, Petunia13 said:

A lot of your questions are answered and discussed in thread. Not trying to be rude I just think reading a page or 2 is helpful. Yes Steffy wants to adopt an infant daughter cuz Hope doesn’t want her baby to be around Steffy’s mom, Taylor, who lives with her. Taylor is unstable and violent and hates Hope btw.  Steffy was a twin so had envisioned the sisters bonding and shit and when Hope expresses reasonable concern about her child being around crazy bitch Taylor, Steffy said fuck it then I’ll adopt a sibling for my golden child. 

Thanks. This in turn will make Hope crazy. Such fun!

[ByTor]

Prediction...Taylor figures out the baby is really Beth & gives her back to her real parents and that is what redeems her.

[Gam2]

2 hours ago, ByTor said:

Prediction...Taylor figures out the baby is really Beth & gives her back to her real parents and that is what redeems her.

So hope you’re right!

[ByTor]

12 minutes ago, Gam2 said:

2 hours ago, ByTor said:

Prediction...Taylor figures out the baby is really Beth & gives her back to her real parents and that is what redeems her.

So hope you’re right!

Even though I don't like Taylor, I'd like to see her redeemed somehow.  The reason I never liked her is that I always saw her as a hypocrite, but in real life there are plenty of people who are hypocrites, but that doesn't make them evil.  Taylor turning into a baby napper who shoots people in the back was stupid contrived drama for the sake of drama.

[backhometome]

So is the baby really dead or did Dr. Wayne Brady switch babies with the woman from earlier? and let me guess Steffy will some how end up adopting "Beth".  I also predict Hope will believe that to be her baby and everyone else will be calling her crazy. 

 

I knew as soon as Liam walked in that the baby was dead. Seemed odd for Liam to let Hope go on and on without telling her. 

[Anna Yolei]

1 hour ago, ByTor said:

Even though I don't like Taylor, I'd like to see her redeemed somehow.  The reason I never liked her is that I always saw her as a hypocrite, but in real life there are plenty of people who are hypocrites, but that doesn't make them evil.  Taylor turning into a baby napper who shoots people in the back was stupid contrived drama for the sake of drama.

This. People loved her for her more rational behavior. Between shooting Bill in cold blood and being involved with a baby switch, that puts her firmly in Sheila territory.

[Petunia13]

Also Dr Buckingham is irredeemable in my eyes. It was stupid of Bell to put him and Taylor in opening credits if they are going to be doing this heartless shit. Actually the only way Taylor or Steffy will be redeemed for me if if one of them find out the baby is Beth and reunite her with Hope then shoot Dr Buckingham. 

[Anna Yolei]

4 hours ago, Petunia13 said:

Also Dr Buckingham is irredeemable in my eyes. It was stupid of Bell to put him and Taylor in opening credits if they are going to be doing this heartless shit.

Right? That sort of cruelty literally ruined Adam Newman's viability to the point that not even a (long overdue) recast was able to truly save the character. Why do this for any character that TIIC plan to keep after this story?

I can't believe they would even go there with Taylor of all people. Not because she's any sort of saint, but because she loves pretending to be the victim as others (like Stephanie) do the dirty shit that she just so happens to benefit from. Even the outright shooting of Bill was just so OOC, even for the unhinged lunatic she's been pretty much since Ridge left her over the James boink.

At least the cover story won't be nearly in the realm of stupidity as the Ashley/Sharon switch on Y&R, where somehow Ashley didn't realize that she hadn't just pushed out a HUGE looking baby. I've never delivered a baby, but from those who have had even scheduled C-sections that never pushed at all, you don't just "feel really good" down there afterward. :/

ETA: Although I wonder that, assuming Taylor is not in this from the outset, TPTB will have this come out when baby Beth comes down with whatever illness if was that struck baby Jack all those years ago...that same immune-thing that both Brooke and Nick were carriers for, and the gene ended up passed to Hope unknowingly. That or some other illness that only Hope or Liam's DNA can help fix.

Edited January 5, 2019 by Anna Yolei

[TigerLynx]

Bell is so predictable.  Now that Hope's baby is dead, she will at some point insist that Liam needs to be with Steffy and Kelly.  Once Liam and Steffy get back together, it will then be revealed that Steffy's new adopted baby is actually Beth.  Liam will be furious thinking Steffy knew the truth all along.  Liam will run back to Hope, Steffy will prove she didn't know the truth about Beth, Liam will waffle again, and so on and so on.

[A-Lo]

9 minutes ago, TigerLynx said:

Bell is so predictable.  Now that Hope's baby is dead, she will at some point insist that Liam needs to be with Steffy and Kelly.  Once Liam and Steffy get back together, it will then be revealed that Steffy's new adopted baby is actually Beth.  Liam will be furious thinking Steffy knew the truth all along.  Liam will run back to Hope, Steffy will prove she didn't know the truth about Beth, Liam will waffle again, and so on and so on.

Rinse. Launder. Repeat.

[CountryGirl]

So I watched - there was too much talk here - and elsewhere - for me not to tune in and I'm so glad I was forewarned, but Lord, that was heartbreaking.

As for their haters and all those who clamored for baby Beth to die? It's beyond disgusting, even if Hope hadn't already lost one baby, but people braying for that baby's blood makes me think...well, I think it's it's pretty damn obvious and I think the following will suffice:

I know it's been a while since I've done a full-blown recap but this episode - and all credit is due to Scott and Annika - deserves it.

I'll dispense with the Bill/Brooke/Ridge scenes first, so I can give the Hope/Liam ones their due.

At FC, a pacing Bill is frustrated and barking on the phone: "Still? How much longer are they gonna keep everything grounded? Yeah, of course I understand, but that -- fine. Call me when you find out otherwise." He hangs up, then glances askance at Ridge: "You have any seasickness medicine around here?"

Ridge: "Not that I know of, no." There's no hint of snark in Ridge today, a rarity and it's actually refreshing to see the two men getting along. It's as if they understand it's not about them, but about Brooke, and her worry over her pregnant daughter and unborn granddaughter. Or you know, they grew up. For today anyway.

Bill: "Well, find some. Maybe I can get us a boat after all."

Ridge: "I thought you tried boats already."

Bill: "Well, I'm gonna try again. I'll try 8,000 times if I have to." It's the 8000th episode and I've watched almost every one. Where does the time go?

Ridge: "At least Liam is on his way and Hope won't be alone."

Brooke isn't so sure and the worry is written all over her: "If he makes it there on time. Hope could have already had her baby." Little do they know...

Bill resumes barking on the phone: "No! Not tomorrow. Tonight. Yeah, you do that. Call me!" He shakes his head, so frustrated that for once, all of his millions mean nothing.

Ridge: "Boats are still being docked."

Bill sighs and offers an attempt at levity: "I don't suppose anybody wants to kayak."

Brooke: "Well, at this point, yes. To get to my daughter, I would do anything." I love mama lioness Brooke. She sighs, looking down at her phone. "Nothing! Why won't she write back?"

Um, she's a little busy, Brooke.

Ridge, gently: "Well, she's in labor, so you maybe can cut her some slack." I don't totally despise Ridge today so that's something, I guess.

Bill seconds his reassurance: "She's probably just not responding to text messages right now."

Brooke: "Thank you both for being reassuring in your own ways." They really are putting aside their differences to help the woman they both love. Well, as much as Ridge can love anybody besides his own reflection. She sighs again, pacing like a caged animal. "I just feel so helpless, you know?"

Ridge nuzzles her as the tears come: "Come on."

Brooke: "I'm stuck here while my daughter is stuck there, bringing her baby into the world. And I just feel so helpless. I just want to put my arms around her and around Beth." And here is where I felt there was the tiniest of niggling in Brooke's brain that something - not necessarily the worst, the unthinkable - has happened. And it will have eerie echoes with Hope later in the episode.

Bill looks at his phone: "Liam isn't responding to texts, either."

Ridge: "Well, that's probably good news. He's probably sitting there with Hope and they're admiring their new baby." I don't know what to do with a Ridge that is being every inch the supportive husband. 

Brooke: "All right. One more message." I visibly cringe when I see what she writes and I hope Liam gets rid of these texts before Hope can see them. Update me when you're able. I'm worried about you. Can't wait to meet Beth." She confirms the text was delivered then looks at Ridge, then Bill: "Okay. Well, now I just wait, right?" You can tell she is not very good at waiting. 

Ridge: "It's gonna be fine."

Brooke sighs for what must seem like the hundredth time that hour: "Yeah. I know. I know. I just want to be there. My little girl's about to have her baby." Oh, Brooke...

Ridge: "She's gonna be a mother, huh? And what a mother she'll be. She learned from the best." They share a smile.

Bill is on his phone again: "Okay, great, we'll leave now and meet you there. Thanks." He hangs up and grins, telling them: "Flights are back on."

Brooke/Ridge are in disbelief: "What?"

Bill: "Official grounding's been lifted. I have a helicopter on the way over right now. We'll be Catalina within the hour. Let's go." The men head for the door.

Ridge, hanging back for a second: "Bill. Thanks for doing this for us." They meet eyes and while Ridge is far more tolerable than he's been in the history of forever, we know Bill would go to the ends of the earth to make Brooke happy. 

Bill shrugs it off: "Yeah, well, it's not every day your child brings a baby into the world, right? We have to be there, especially you, Brooke." And it hits me like a ton of bricks that this is their grandchild. A Brill grandchild. 

Brooke smiles with pride as she looks at a recent press release about Hope: "I've raised an incredible woman. She's been an inspiration to so many. She's gonna be a great mother and a great role model."

Ridge, excited, beckons her: "Come on."

Brooke is practically giddy: "Little Beth is gonna be so lucky."

On Catalina Island, Hope is lying on a gurney, the power restored, her eyes closed.

A few moments later, she starts to regain conciousness and thinks she is seeing Dr. Fuckingham. That was not a typo.

Hope: "Doctor? Doctor!" She comes a bit more awake as she sees Liam standing in the doorway instead. She smiles sleepily: "You made it."

Liam, quietly: "Finally." He lingers in the doorway and it's written all over him, the loss, the heartbreak for himself and now, here he is, standing in front of his wife, the love of his life, moments away from saying the words that will shatter her world forever. It's clear from his red-rimmed eyes and exhausted look that he's been full-on sobbing, but he has to stuff every tear, every emotion, to be brave for Hope, her body torn and bleeding, her womb empty, their child lying dead in the other room (and as much as I hate the baby swap storylines, that had better NOT be Beth in the other room).

Hope smiles: "Finally."

Liam approaches her bed, mentally steeling himself as he attempts to make a little joke: "Wasn't about to let a little wind stop me."

Hope laughs: "I'm just glad you're here. And Beth? I had the baby?"

Liam, takes her hand, choosing his words carefully: "You did." 

Hope: "I didn't even see her. I passed out, I guess." And I'm guessing Dr. F sedated her. To cover his nasty, greasy tracks. "Did you -- were you --""

Liam: "I was, uh -- I was in the air. I got here a few minutes after, and, uh... Dr. Buckingham's been filling me in." He almost tears up here, looking down at her face. "You were so brave."

Hope: "It was the scariest thing I've ever had to do. It was so windy. That storm, and then... and then the power went out. I was in so much pain and missing you. None of that matters now. Beth's here." She laughs again, so, so happy and Liam looks ashen, knowing he is going to destroy that in a few moments. "We have our daughter. We have our daughter, Liam." Except...they don't and again, assuming a baby swap is in the works, that is still bitter consolation that Hope and Liam will miss out on the first weeks/months of their baby's life. Moments that can never be gotten back. And it won't erase the horrific moments they are experiencing right now. Moments I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Hope: "I was so weak, but the doctor kept telling me to push, and, as exhausted as I was, i knew I had to give it my all. And that's the last thing i remember, was pushing so hard, and then... and then darkness. But I got her here. It was enough." She smiles, the image of new motherhood bliss.

Liam: "You did great."

Hope: "She's beautiful, right? You've seen her?"

Liam swallows hard :"Um, briefly. I, um -- I came to see you after talking to the doctor." I can only imagine those moments with Liam and Beth. 

Hope: "Can you believe it? We're parents. All the planning and anticipation for this day, and it's finally here. Okay, so, tell me, does she look like you or me or a combination of both?"

Liam, his words coming slow: "Um, she looks like, um, like an angel. Like a little angel." My heart, guys...OMG.

Hope smiles at this: "Well, where is she?"

Liam: "She's -- uh, in the other room. She's in the other room with the doctor."

Hope: "Is he doing tests, or...?"

Liam: "I don't -- uh, I don't know."

Hope: "But I want to see her. I want to see our little girl."

And I've seen Liam get flak for dragging this out, but I totally understand him here. Not only has he received the worst news any parent can receive mere moments ago, he has to mentally prepare himself and rein in his own emotions to be as strong as he can be for Hope, who has just gone through a traumatic birth all alone, and undoubtedly feels guilty beyond measure for not being there with Hope. That maybe if he had been there, they would have had a different outcome and would be holding their baby girl right now. The "what ifs?" and "if onlies?" have to be gutting him now.  These last few moments are his way of trying, however futile, to protect his wife, to give him just a few more minutes of innocence against that which is unimaginable. 

I know what Liam is feeling, It's what my eldest brother felt when our brother (the youngest of the three brothers in my family) was killed in a car accident at 3:30am in the morning. He was the first person our mother called and because of close proximity, it fell to him to tell our brother's fiancee and mother of their young son...and me. My sister-in-law accompanied him to her home and stayed with his fiancee. He got back in the car and drove to my apartment complex and sat there and sat there...for nearly three hours. My sister-in-law called him to see how we were both doing and he revealed he hadn't told me yet, telling her I was still asleep (it was around 7am in the morning) and innocent and believing my world to still have our brother in it and he wanted to give himself and me, his baby sister, more time before blowing my world apart.

Hope is fully awake now: "I want to see Beth."

Liam: "I know, um... but I asked the doctor for just a few minutes with you first, just the two of us."

Hope gives him a questioning look for just the tiniest of moments, then shrugs it off because how could she not? "Oh! Are you giving us our babymoon?"

Liam, shell-shocked: "What?"

Hope teases: "You know, the reason we came to Catalina, our babymoon. One last adventure before Beth." She laughs. "Although, she did have other plans, didn't she? So that's what this is, isn't it? Some alone time with your wife before our lives change forever. I'm so lucky to have you. I'm so lucky, especially after everything we've been through, when you think about it. Falling in love at such a young age, coming close so many times, things getting in the way, almost losing each other. I mean, I moved halfway around the world. But we overcame all of it. And we always found our way back to each other. Always. Can you believe in a million years that we would be on Catalina about to meet our daughter?"

No. Not like this. Never like this.

Liam is wistful here: "No. No, I don't suppose I did."

Hope gasps, remembering something she forgot once labor entered the picture: "Oh! I had an idea, and I hope you like it. So, we agreed on a first name, but we never came up with a middle one. How's Avalon? For the city she was born in? A little reminder about this crazy, wonderful night in Catalina. What do you think?"

Liam tells her the only thing he can: "I think that's -- I think that's lovely."

Hope: "It is, isn't it? Elizabeth Avalon Spencer. We did it. She's here.." She smiles, so happy. "A living, breathing version of us." But Liam is so quiet, too quiet, and for a moment, just a split second, you can almost hear a tiny warning bell sounding the barest whispers of alarms in Hope's head.  Just like Brooke earlier. Her voice is more serious here: "So... I want to see her. I want to hold her. Can you, um -- can you tell Dr. Buckingham that I'm ready? It's been too long, Liam, and I want to hold those little fingers and hear her voice and... I just -- I want to hold her forever and never let her go. I'm ready to meet our daughter."

When he sits there, the alarm sounds just the tinest bit louder. 

Hope: "Please, Liam. I'm ready to meet my baby." She shifts in the gurney as if she's about to get up.

Liam is on his feet and stopping her: "Well, wait, no -- wait, wait, wait.

Hope eyes him, a trace of annoyance in her eyes: "Aren't you?" 

Liam: "No, it's okay. Hey. Lay back down, lay back down. Just-" She settles back down.

Hope: "What?"

Liam: "I just, um... I just wanted to drink you in, the glow around you, and just..."

Hope, realizing finally that he's stalling but couldn't even begin to fathom the reason why, not yet, not yet: "Well, you can also drink it in with our baby in my arms."

Liam: "I need to say this, and I need -- I need you to hear how proud I am of you. You're so brave. You're so strong. You're stronger than I'll ever be, Hope." That we already knew, Liam. 

Hope: "Are you just saying this because I went through it alone? Giving birth? Please, I don't -- I don't want you to feel guilty." But he does, for so many reasons. He's wearing like a hairshirt right now.

Liam: "Yeah, well, part of me always will." 

Hope is quick to reassure him: "No, don't. Don't, seriously. I appreciate you calling me strong, but..."

Liam, knowing the clock is ticking on the truth as loudly as the blood is pounding in his ears, in his chest: "Can you do me a favor? Don't minimize what you just did, what you just went through because it was amazing. And you should celebrate it, and you should remember it, and you should know that we're in this together, I'm by your side, and there's nothing that we can't handle together. You know that, right?"

Hope is distracted but that will only last so long: "Yeah, I do. I do. As a couple and as parents. We got this. And I'm not naive, you know, I know it's not gonna be all fun and games. There's gonna be tough times, but that's okay. That's okay because whenever one of us is feeling weak or down or overwhelmed, the other one will step up."

Liam: "And sometimes... rarely... we'll be both be weak. And, you know, we might wonder, like, how do we move on? Those are the times when we step up for each other, right?" 

Hope: "I'm certain of that, too. Look, sweetie, if you're just doing this to stall the doctor because you feel like you need to make things right with me, there's nothing to make right. Okay?" At his stricken face: "Hey. Hey. You don't control the weather, okay? You did everything you could to get here. And I know that. I know that. I don't blame you at all."

Liam: "I believe that. Goodness just radiates from you. Have I ever told you that?"

Hope: "Yeah. From you, too. And I guess that means that Beth is just destined to be a troublemaker then, right? To test us."

Liam: "I doubt it." He blanches, realizes what he just said.

Hope: "Tell me about her."

Liam: "Um... she's beautiful. Tiny little fingers, tiny little toes..."

Hope smiles at that for a moment, but then pauses, listening. "You know, I'm surprised I don't hear her out there. You said she's just in the other room, right, with the doctor?"

Liam: "Yeah."

Hope: "Sleeping?"

Liam: "Um..." Oh God, oh God, oh God!

Hope: "Well, I mean, whatever tests needed to be done should be done by now. It shouldn't be taking this long. So could you tell Dr. Buckingham that I'm ready to see Beth?" Hope becomes agitated here, chafing for her baby: "I just -- I... I want to see her. What's wrong?" She locks eyes with Liam and for the first time, truly sees him, his haunted eyes raising panic now as she fights against the unwelcome thoughts creeping into her mind as she begs: "Liam, please, you're scaring me. What's wrong? No, I need -- I need to see Beth right now. I need to see her right now, so where is she?"

Tears are in her eyes now as she starts to fear the worst but the worst, I think, for Hope right now, is that the baby is alive but having complications. She won't - can't - let herself believe anything beyond that.

Liam: "Shh..."

Hope will not be shushed, exclaiming, the panic coming faster and faster: "Where is she? Where is she?! Where is she?! I want to see Beth! I need to see our daughter!" Believing if she can just see her, all will be okay. 

Liam is on the razor's edge of losing it and isn't capable of speech for a moment.

Hope is every inch the mama lioness Brooke is as she demands: "Answer me! Where is she? Why can't I see her?!"

Liam: "Shh. Listen. Listen. I know, I know. Listen!" But she's heard all she needs to or so she thinks.

Hope: "What's wrong?"

Another look at his face, his ravaged, recently tear-stained face. Her mind whirls and she tries desperately to quiet it, denying what's coming: "No!" The maternal instinct has kicked in with a vengeance and she moves to remove her IV. 

Liam: "Stop! Stop! What are you doing? Hope, stop it! You have to rest!" The sand has run out of the hourglass and Liam knows it. 

Hope: "Because you didn't tell me, I will find her myself!" Safer to be angry then...whatever this is that she can't even comprehend.

Liam: "Listen, you have to rest. You have to recover right now. Stop."

Hope: "Recover from what? What am I recovering from?" Her eyes bore into his.

Liam, taking the deepest breath he will ever take finally rips the band aid off with four life-changing words: "She didn't make it."

The words hit Hope like a bullet to the brain and for a moment, she feels nothing: "No... no, don't say that."

Liam: "I'm so sorry." At those words, the bullet explodes and the pain seeps in.

Hope, bargaining, pleading and it is so pitiful: "Why would you -- you saw her. You saw her. You just -- no. No. She's fine. She's fine. I need to see her. Can you go get her, Liam? I need to see her. She's fine."

Liam: "Okay, listen, listen, listen. I will bring her to you."

Hope: "She's fine."

Liam: "I will bring her to you, you will see her, but I -- you -- you have to be prepared....(he swallows hard here) because I was not prepared." And this is going to sound totally bonkers, but if we're forced to watch this, then we should have seen these scenes, too. 

Hope: "She's alive. She is alive. I didn't carry her all this time, I didn't love her all this time for her to not make it."

Liam: "I know. I know."

Hope: "No... no! No!" 

An abyss has opened beneath her and she's falling down, down, down. There is no bottom. There will never be a bottom.

Liam: "I'm so sorry."

Hope, hating those words, almost hating him here, screams: "No! Dr. Buckingham! Dr. Buckingham! I need to see my baby!" The doctor comes in with the baby, wrapped in a blanket.

Hope, crying asks: "Is that Beth? Beth! Is that-"

Liam: "That's her."

Hope, heaving with sobs, insists: "She needs her mommy. She needs her mommy!"

Dr. F: "It was a -- a placental abruption. I did everything I could." Sure, you did, you motherfucking scum of the earth. And he doesn't look one bit sorry!

The doctor places the baby in her arms and the two of them look on as Hope holds her baby for the first time.

A broken Liam moves to sit next to his shattered wife, his arm around her.

Hope can barely breathes as she holds the daughter who never took her first breath.

Annika is just raw emotion here:

Liam, looking down at his daughter. I can't imagine what SC felt as a father of a young son. 

Hope, sobbing in his arms so hard she's shaking.

Hope, wailing as she holds her baby, her cries of "No! No!" those of a wounded animal go right through me and the tears I've been shedding since pretty much since Liam entered Hope's hospital room are coming fast and furious now.

The two cling to each other, trying desperately to keep from drowning.

I absolutely hate this for Hope and for Liam and by God, Beth had better be alive somewhere, but I will still be furious over Hope and Liam having to endure this pain and the pain of never, ever hearing her first cries, the first of many milestones to be stolen from them.

But I am just in awe of Scott, whose anguished, protective Liam tore at my heart, and Annika (who as far as I'm concerned OWNS this role now), who ripped it into a million pieces. They have their Emmy reels and both should take home the win.

Bravo!

Edited January 5, 2019 by CountryGirl

[Gam2]

If I could give this 1,000 likes, I would!!!!!!

[CountryGirl]

On 1/4/2019 at 3:41 PM, Petunia13 said:

It’s cruel to do this to Hope after she’s already lost a child. 

Absolutely...but they did this to Amber, who lost a son and a daughter with Rick. 

[CharlizeCat]

Thank you for the recap, CountryGirl. As always, it was outstanding. I am sorry for your personal loss. It was brave of you to share it.

[Petunia13]

Great recap @CountryGirl 🌟

This story is just too dark and twisted for my liking. It’s one thing to be a golddigging gigalo. It’s another to actually harm a baby and shatter a family. Does anyone else think Dr Buckingham isn’t a real doctor? Like maybe he has false credentials or even is an identity thief. It’s kinda telling no one was at the clinic to verify his identity or credentials and he seems really weird in his bedside manner and decisions. He could die for all I care and I hope his strange looking daughter fucks off too. 

[mightysparrow]

@CountryGirl, as always, your recap was incredible.  And thank you so much for sharing your own story.  It sounds like there's a lot of love in your family, that your brother would want to spare you pain like that.

[Anna Yolei]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

Absolutely...but they did this to Amber, who lost a son and a daughter with Rick. 

Did they? If you're talking about Rosie, I thought the only thing in doubt was the paternity but she never thought the baby was dead at any point.

Still, the recaps alone gut me and I haven't even watched the episode...mostly because Hope *is* an entirely decent person. The plot wasn't as ridiculously stupid like the Ashley/Sharon story on Y&R, the mother wasn't pulling her own ass covering shit like Sage was about covering Christian's paternity, and she wasn't like ATWT's Jennifer who set up the father to lose custody out of her own embarrassment for having slept with the guy (and also partially the reason the guy lost his other son but I digress).

Hope was just a victim of circumstance and even for how awful a brat she could be in the past, she didn't deserve this. Hell, that's not something I'd wish on goddamn Steffy, no matter how better off Kelly would be raised by...anyone else.

I'm already preemptively pissed off that Liam's probably gonna choose this time to start waffling back to Steffy, because ofc he will. It's been smooth sailing for way too long.

Edited January 6, 2019 by Anna Yolei

[mightysparrow]

1 minute ago, Anna Yolei said:

I'm already preemptively pissed off that Liam's probably gonna choose this time to start waffling back to Steffy, because ofc he will. It's been smooth sailing for way too long.

And we all know that Hope and Liam are going to have marital problems as they try to get over the death of their baby.  Hope will 'drive Liam away', which will let both Liam and that horrible slattern off the hook.  And that horror-show that is Taylor will take a victory lap when her daughter 'wins' out over the Logans, making sure to roll over Hope and Liam's dead baby's tiny corpse, which will make their fans happy.

[TobinAlbers]

36 minutes ago, mightysparrow said:

And we all know that Hope and Liam are going to have marital problems as they try to get over the death of their baby.  Hope will 'drive Liam away', which will let both Liam and that horrible slattern off the hook.  And that horror-show that is Taylor will take a victory lap when her daughter 'wins' out over the Logans, making sure to roll over Hope and Liam's dead baby's tiny corpse, which will make their fans happy.

They've set it up some groundwork in that in Liam staying behind to tend to Kelly that in the aftermath Hope will have reason to resent Liam 'not being there for her and Beth when they needed him'. Yes, Liam has a duty to Kelly and yes, the weather played a role, but Hope also put herself and her child in a precarious situation of taking a last minute babymoon to an island that required her to either take a boat or helicopter and even when the weather became a factor forged ahead with going alone in large part (IMO) because she was trying to redirect Liam's focus onto her and Beth. 

And that goes to the bigger picture with this couple. The loss of Beth is just another example of the same shitty problem between Lope. Since Steffy entered the picture, Liam's attention is always divided between Steffy and Hope with Steffy somehow always getting Liam when she wants him and Hope left standing around waiting for him and Liam showing up too little too late and with apologies and promises. Initially there was always an outside factor - Bill or Quinn - now we have the weather and Kelly and no Liam can't help it that these things take him away from Hope but THIS time with Hope losing Beth, I can see her finally being fed the hell up and just unleashing on Liam in a brutal breakdown fight where she blames him but also herself because if she wasn't so desperate to keep his attention she'd have never gone to that island and where she lost Beth. It was one thing when he kept failing her but he failed their daughter (in Hope's mind) and that is something she can't forgive. Again rationally Liam isn't guilty and yet I can agree he deserves Hope's wrath in this- and that's how their marriage will fall apart. Hope won't be able to take back what she said and Liam will never be able to forget it or forgive himself and leave because he doesn't want to bring her more pain.  He'll go back to an understanding Steffy to raise Kelly and the new baby.

And when Beth is revealed to be alive, the expectation will be that Hope and Liam reunite, but I'd love it if Hope shuts Liam down as she realizes now that she doesn't need him and his indecision in her life anymore; he's Beth's dad but they're not getting back together. Steffy's 'I choose me ' moment after finding Liam dry humping Hope could've worked if that was solely the issue between them but when you screw your baby's granddaddy/maybe daddy it's hard to be 100% in that person's corner. In any case, I feel like Hope has a better leg to stand on breaking the cycle and choosing herself and Beth and dropping Liam once this is all over. Knowing this show? Lope will be cooing over their Christmas miracle at their vow renewal ceremony in December 2019.

[SimplePleasures]

On 1/3/2019 at 1:42 PM, Waldo13 said:

As an aside, Coast Guard Helicopters fly in all types of weather. Maybe Bill could have used his influence to get them to fly Liam to Catalina. Long Beach has a Cost Guard station. In the world of B&B, that's not so far fetched.  

Ummm, Catalina Express, a ferry, offers up to 30 round trips daily. 

https://www.catalinaexpress.com/schedule-fares.html

It's only an hour to Catalina Island via ferry.

This show, I swear, tests insults my intelligence on a daily basis.

[RuntheTable]

@CountryGirl, thank you for sharing; I know how difficult that can be. 

Still not watching, and after reading the comments here, and seeing those disturbing, unsettling, and very distressing screenshots; I don't see that changing. 

I have been watching soaps since the late sixties, so I get that there has to be good and bad stuff, but there also has to be some kind of karmic checks and balances. If the bad guy always wins; what is the point? I am absolutely fuming with this whole mess. Hope was living her life, and Ridge, in his never ending quest to best Bill, brought her back to LA. Now look at her. This is simply too much. And now in her grief and despair, she will have to watch Steffy have the blessing of two children. She will also no doubt lose Liam, either by her choice, or by his normal waffling procedure. 

My top ten statements regarding this SL:

Out of bounds

Wrong on every level

Too fucked up for words

Cruel, mean, and heartless

No fun to watch

The suckiest SL that ever sucked

Just absolutely pisses me off

Fucking wrong

Creepy

Shit ain't right

The really bad thing is, I can't even be mad at Steffy or Taylor; they will be the unknowing recipients of this crime too. Worst still, is that Steffy will ultimately, and once again, be viewed as the victim. I can say with unequivocal faith, that Hope will be burned at the stake for daring to want her child back. I can see it all now, a devastated Steffy, who has loved, and cared for, and bonded with this little girl, will have to hand her over to her real mother. Hope of course, will be seen as a heartless wench, who has once again taken something from Steffy. Brooke will also be dragged for supporting her daughter's right to motherhood. Taylor will be running amok, squawking to anyone who will listen about those evil Logan's, and how they will never stop interfering in her and her daughter's lives and happiness. 

I swear to God, I have blisters on my brain just thinking about it. 

Now, there is the small chance fucking Show can redeem themselves. If they let this be the final straw for Hope, and allow her to not only find, but embrace her inner bitch, and have her be done with Liam and Steffy and that whole friggin shit show? I think I could get behind that. I can't say Hope doesn't bear some responsibility here; she should not have gone anywhere in her state of pregnancy. But that still does not give Dr. Shady the right to mess with her life, and the life of her child. The fact is, Hope would not have felt the need to get Liam away if he had been focused on her and their unborn daughter. Yeah, so Kelly had the sniffles. Kelly also had Steffy, Ridge, Taylor and the Nanny. Oh yeah, and there is also that thing called a Pediatrician, or a doctor, or the emergency room, or the friggin Minute Clinic. Let Liam know of course, but take the baby to someone who can you know...…..make a damn diagnosis, prescribe some medicine. I don't think Liam looking concerned and cooing over Kelly is gonna help much. Let Hope see this. And let her see it with perfect forward thinking clarity. This is how it will always be. Liam being torn between two families, not being able to fully commit to either. It doesn't even have to be about the past; let it be about Hope wanting a better future. One that includes happiness, something she will never have for any measurable length of time with Liam. 

The other out Show has, is if Taylor discovers the truth, and does the right thing. It would ultimately be less satisfying than watching Hope be done, but it would right a terrible wrong, and it would put Beth back in her real mother's arms. 

Edited January 6, 2019 by RuntheTable

[TigerLynx]

Hope losing her baby is horrible.  I felt bad for Bridget and Steffy when they lost their babies, and sorry for Taylor when Steffy was kidnapped and believed dead, and Phoebe died.  However, when it comes to Liam and Ridge, Steffy, Taylor, Hope and Brooke knew what they were getting when they married the pathetic wafflers.

[Anna Yolei]

10 hours ago, TobinAlbers said:

Initially there was always an outside factor - Bill or Quinn - now we have the weather and Kelly and no Liam can't help it that these things take him away

It's not so much the circumstances that piss me off so much as the way they've both chosen to respond to them. Liam's response to Hope throwing away her ring was to mack on her sister then marry her the next day. Hope's response to Liam showing up 5 minutes late to a wedding is to marry his brother who was just standing there. There's been a trend on soaps for couples breaking up over misunderstandings but in the past, there was also the occasional story where the couple chose to work together to overcome a problem. That this has been the longest peaceful period in all their nine attempts at marriage is telling.

24 minutes ago, RuntheTable said:

The fact is, Hope would not have felt the need to get Liam away if he had been focused on her and their unborn daughter. Yeah, so Kelly had the sniffles. Kelly also had Steffy, Ridge, Taylor and the Nanny. Oh yeah, and there is also that thing called a Pediatrician, or a doctor, or the emergency room, or the friggin Minute Clinic. Let Liam know of course, but take the baby to someone who can you know...…..make a damn diagnosis, prescribe some medicine. I don't think Liam looking concerned and cooing over Kelly is gonna help much.

Exactly this. My brother has a child that's the result of an affair and I am blown away at how supportive and loving my sister-in-law can be towards a child under the situation (because God knows I would've bounced, high California rent market or not). But my brother does not drop everything for this kid because she gets sick and he doesn't neglect her just because his other two kids came first. And it's tough in a two-family situation. But it does mean missing some things. Little sniffles are not something to skip out a whole ass boat trip.

[Anna Yolei]

1 hour ago, RuntheTable said:

The really bad thing is, I can't even be mad at Steffy or Taylor; they will be the unknowing recipients of this crime too. Worst still, is that Steffy will ultimately, and once again, be viewed as the victim.

Ugh, right. Like, she *will* have her hands clean this time, but you mentioned, what's the point when people skate on things they actually do? It's like when Eric has let literal decades of Ridge's shitty behavior past, but his line in the sand (before the Quinn thing) came with Ridge covering Douglas's paternity and booting his position on some morality clause that he didn't bother pulling out of his ass when Ridge slept with yet another one of his brother's wives or when Rick fired a gun at him for it less than a year before. That's just fucking hollow, just like the torture Quinn put Liam through.

Steffy losing a child that she bonds with is not what I'm here for, and even less so when it's a quick and cheap way of redeeming a character that hasn't even begun to atone for or feel any remorse for any of the shit she's done to everyone she knows. When she feels an ounce of guilt over splitting up Thomas and Sally and maybe costing him a potential family or for the hundreds of times she's thrown her cooch in Liam's face for no other reason than because she hated that Hope existed, Bell can call me.

1 hour ago, RuntheTable said:

The other out Show has, is if Taylor discovers the truth, and does the right thing. It would ultimately be less satisfying than watching Hope be done, but it would right a terrible wrong, and it would put Beth back in her real mother's arms. 

I would honestly prefer this to another round of Steffy the Martyr. Taylor is a legacy character that--BTS drama aside--has been dragged through the ringer. Out of all the veteran characters, I'd say she's the least recognizable from her original role. She could use a little bit of brass polish for that tarnished halo of hers.

Absolutely I'm down with Hope being entirely done with Liam, but I have better odds from waking up to six inches of snow in San Diego tomorrow than I do of ever seeing her or Steffy leave this useless waffle's orbit permanently.