Episode # 10365, Tape Date: 6/27/06; Air Date: 7/27/06; Director: Roger Inman

Summary: The loft-dwellers are at the hospital, just rehashing what has already been said…Steve tries to explain about Della…Chelsea thumbs her nose at Max…and yet again, he turns to Stephanie…Sami tries to tell everyone the truth, but Carrie is too upset to hear it.

In Cincinnati…the ever-lurking gloved hand, lurks outside the bar as there is a replay of the “who the hell are you?” scenario transpiring inside. After both declare to be Steve/Nick’s wife, they want to know what is going on. Steve says that he and Della are NOT married, but she says they had an agreement. She demands to know why Kayla is calling him ‘Steve’ and he begins to explain about how she is from his unknown past. But Della refuses to believe it. He tells her he has taken a DNA test and it is true. She demands to know where he has been and what he has been up to…telling him that life is his past…this is now. He asks to speak to Kayla alone so they sit and he apologizes for not telling her sooner. She asks if he loves Della. He never answers her, but assures her that there have been other women, but Kayla only wants to know about Della. He tells her about the life he has been living is not what she is used to and he is not the man she thinks. She says he isn’t so different from the Steve she knew and tells him that he had a favorite dive in Salem, called the Cheatin Heart…not too different from this place. He says he just isn’t the right kind of guy for her and being back there has made him realizes that. But she insists they belong together. But he says until he can remember, he can’t be with her. Kayla is confused and asks why he didn’t mention any of this when they were in Salem…was he playing her? He says the truth is he doesn’t feel the same connection that she does. She thinks that maybe he doesn’t want his former life back at all. Della sashays over telling him to chose. She asks him if he remembers making love to Kayla. When he doesn’t answer, she says she KNOWS he remembers it with HER and that she is not going to give up on him and starts kissing on him. He pushes her away and apologizes to Kayla. She asks him if he even WANTS to remember his past with her. He says he fears that he could even be dangerous to her and Stephanie. She says he is trying to protect her for all the wrong reasons. But, he says, if he can’t remember her as his wife…how can he be her husband?

At the Dune Club…Chelsea is dancing with a bunch of guys as Max confronts her, wanting to know what the hell she is doing. She doesn’t want to talk to him. She says she is just having some fun. She goes on to say that he is just so busy with Stephanie, what is she supposed to do?...go home and read a book? He chastises her and then tells her to just forget it and storms out with Stephanie. Abby points out that went really well (LOL) but Chelsea is sure that he will be back. Outside, Max is furious and rants to Stephanie, saying a relationship shouldn’t have to be this hard. Stephanie says maybe he just isn’t meant to be with Chelsea. Inside, Chelsea wants to dance and urges Abby to pick her one out as well. Abby reminds her she is seeing Josh. Abby thinks that Chelsea is just afraid of caring about Max and pushing him away…saying Chelsea reminds her of Sami. Chelsea bristles at the idea of being compared to her cousin, saying SHE knows how to handle men. She says trust me…Max WILL end up with me…NOT that bitch Stephanie. Max thinks that maybe he and Stephanie (race car drivers) are not cut out for relationships. But, she says that even though she enjoys what she does, that is not ALL there is in life. She is sure that she will fall in love someday…just look at her parents. They talk about Steve and Kayla and about love. Inside, Abby tells Chelsea she is just going to lose Max if she keeps pushing him away but she just wants to dance and goes back out on the floor

At the Hospital…Belle is with Shawn, blaming herself for what happened to Philip. He tries to comfort her and as he hugs her, Philip walks out of his room and sees them. He (sarcastically) thanks Shawn for being there…to take care of his wife. Belle tries to calm him down as Mimi walks up as well. Shawn tells them all they need to talk. He talks about custody and such and how about how they all live so close and how convenient it is. Philip chimes in that maybe it’s a little TOO convenient (ya think?) Shawn says they are going to just have to accept what has happened and learn to live with it and be friends. Mimi says that they all need to be honest and she needs to tell them something…that will change everything. She says she has kept it a secret…then blurts out that Shawn is Claire’s biological father. She explains and everyone is furious with her that she hadn’t told them all sooner. Shawn demands an annulment and rushes to Belle’s side saying that this is a sign that they belong together. They leave together arm in arm as Philip spits to Mimi that as soon as the surrogate gives birth, he is going to sue for full custody. Yes, of course, it is a fantasy on Mimi’s part! Shawn asks her what she wants to say, so she REALLY BS’s her way through it, saying that they need to all work together for the sake of the kids. Shawn agrees, saying that they are all good friends and need to work together for the welfare of the children. He tells Philip how he and Mimi are solid and honest with each other. He talks about how Belle has stood by Philip in difficult times and loves him as well. He asks him not to push her away now. Philip says he would never abandon his family, then tells Belle that he loves her and Claire. Shawn hugs Mimi and assures her that everything is going to work out okay.

Lucas and Carrie…return from the hospital (to Sami’s apartment), talking about her not being pregnant. But Lucas is still glad that they got married. She is upset that she can NEVER get pregnant and asks Lucas if he still wants to stay together. He asks if she regrets marrying him and she says no, she is just sad but feels lucky to be his wife. She suggests that they join Austin and Sami up on the roof.

Up on the Roof…Sami, Austin and EJ are enjoying their (romantic?) dinner for three (lol) as Sami is still going on about the ring. As Austin gets more champagne, EJ gives her the eye. She tells Austin that the truth is, she doesn’t deserve the ring and takes it off. She says she needs to tell him something but she wimps out and says she doesn’t deserve to be happy but feels lucky to have him in her life. He puts the ring back on her finger telling her to wear it always. He runs down to the apartment to get the desert wine that Maggie gave him…as EJ starts badgering Sami to tell Austin the truth. Austin comes back with Carrie and Lucas in tow. He tells them about giving Sami the ring and as Carrie admires it, Lucas congratulates Austin. Lucas asks Sami why she doesn’t seem happy and is sure that there is something else going on. Carrie calls him off and Austin asks how Carrie and the baby are (nervous looks from Carrie and Lucas). Carrie tells them that everything is fine and whispers to Lucas she will tell them later, she doesn’t want to ruin Sami’s evening. Austin proposes a toast to Sami (as EJ pushes her to talk). Sami tells them all she has something to say that could change everyones’ lives forever. She talks about how she wants the best for everyone but before ‘happily ever after’ she has to apologize for what she has done. She says she has hurt them all in the past and done terrible things. She starts babbling about all she has done and says they could be there all night. She says she is lucky that they have all forgiven her. She tells Austin that he is so amazing and thanks him for loving her and wants him to be proud of her. She turns to Carrie and Lucas, saying she wants to be a good role model for their baby. She tells Carrie that she is so happy for her and knows that she will be a great mother. Well, that gets to Carrie, who runs off. A dumbfounded Sami asks “was it something I said?” Lucas takes off after Carrie…and of course Austin follows shortly thereafter. EJ asks Sami if this “secret” is the worst thing she has ever done and she says it’s debatable. He tells Sami again that she needs to tell Austin the truth and now. Downstairs, Carrie is crying as Lucas tries to console her. She yells at him to just STOP IT…she made a huge mistake…as Austin is standing at the door. Freeze frame on Austin…as the previews show…

Max (to Stephanie): Who would do something like this? (Stephanie): You have to ask?...He hugs her, telling her he is sorry…as Chelsea watches them…

Steve (to Kayla): I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have…it’s time for us to say goodbye…

EJ (to Sami): Your future lies in your hands…you need to make a choice…

Carrie (to Lucas): I only married you because I thought I was pregnant (as Austin listens)…

And the credits roll…
Laney