Taking a deep breath, Traci wheels her luggage in to tell Diane that Ashley will be there soon. Whaddaya think? Diane asks. Traci’s speechless – so gives Diane a big hug.
Pietro, the party planner ,is a huge fan of Nikki’s – look at this fabulous 80’s glamour shot of her and Victor – we can put it on sports jackets and shawls – imagine Nikki arriving to find all her guests decked out in her image. It’s genius, no?
At Newman, Vikki admires her Mom’s new locket. The way things are going, Nikki thinks there may not even be a party. If your father has his way, she’s not sure who’ll be on the guest list.
Yes, of course Nick will protect the family and company. Victor feels betrayed by Mike and thinks the Abbotts are behind him quitting. Do you really see them as a threat? Nick asks. Jack appears to wonder what threat he and his family pose.
After touring the house, Traci can feel her parents smiling down on them – Diane’s made the house even more welcoming – and Traci couldn’t respect and admire her sister in law more. How are you holding up? Diane asks. It hasn’t been easy, Traci admits.
Updating Vikki that Mike resigned, Nikki doubts the Baldwins will be at her party. The mood Victor’s in, he’ll probably focus even more on Kyle. Claire’s about to find out that changing her grandfather’s mind is next to impossible.
Pietro presents Party idea #2; hiring actors to perform a play about Nikki’s life. We can start with a pole right over there. Unique, but Claire wants a more sophisticated approach. A diamond theme? No. Bollywood? No. Claire pictured something more intimate – no themes or gimmicks. She has a few ideas.
Victor doesn’t see Jack as a threat – that’s ludicrous, he leaves Nick to appreciate Jack not rubbing it in his Dad’s face that Mike quit. Talk to me, Jack sits – what’s going on? Nick explains that his Dad perceives a threat to the company. And you’re wondering if he has something to worry about, Jack guesses.
Nick’s sorry his Dad reignited their war – you aren’t his main concern – this is about Dumas. HE reached out to Billy, and Jack doesn’t like it one bit. If the Abbott family is sincere in not wanting to escalate this war, Nick’s advice is ‘don’t align yourself with Dumas’. Knowing his Dad eats guys like Dumas for breakfast, Nick’s not sure why he sees him as a threat.
At the office, Victor tells Vikki that Dumas is circling the company and wants Chancellor. We must protect your mother.
Claire wants to incorporate Nikki’s favourite colours in the flowers and decor. When Kyle joins them, Pietro is pitching a Mozart theme. No pigeons, no dancers, no pole, Claire hopes Pietro can bring his creativity to HER vision. Yes, she likes candles. This party will be classy and elegant, like Nikki and her granddaughter, Pietro promises.
Traci knows she hurt Diane’s feelings by not confiding in her – she was trying to protect her family (which Diane’s now part of) Diane’s been so worried; I’m here if you want to talk. It’s been a journey, Traci admits – being in what she thought was a loving relationship to learning she was about to marry a monster.