Jack and Diane are all dressed up for dinner but he’s decided they’ll stay home (to enjoy candles, Martinis and each other)
Victor’s also toasting his wife at home (starting her birthday early with champagne, snacks and LOTS of flowers)
Mike sneaks up on Lauren in the jazz lounge. I love you, he repeats over and over into her neck.
I love you, Jack tells Diane.
I love you, Victor kisses Nikki.
Mike gushes over Lauren, ‘the centre of his universe’. Not so fast – kissing and dancing won’t make up for him being so dedicated to his boss.
Victor assures Nikki that he and Claire will throw her the party of the decade. She’s so amazing and brilliant, Nikki predicts a corner office for her granddaughter. May I have this dance m’lady? he asks.
Jack blathers on about what a great job Diane did renovating the house. His love was her inspiration, but, she seems nervous when told that Traci and Ashley will be coming home soon to see it.
Diane wasn’t expecting Traci and Ashley to come home so soon. She wants them to feel safe and love it (and hopefully, not react like Billy did)
Mike engineered quite the surprise the night he proposed. Yes, the most glamorous casino Lauren’s ever seen. Promising to surprise her again tonight, Mike goes behind the bar to make drinks. He’s rented out the lounge (complete with pianist)
Dancing with Victor makes Nikki feel ‘lighter than air’. Remember that spark? We were so deeply in love – like Claire is with Kyle. People doubted our love too – though she agrees they should slow things down (but, that’s as far as her agreement with Victor goes)
** Good Lord. I don’t care how the Abbott ‘kids’ feel about Diane swapping out one set of antiques for another. If they don’t like it, they can well afford to buy their own homes. Never mind what Ashley’s recently gone through – how can she possibly feel ‘safe’ in a home she suffered extreme childhood trauma in? The big reno-reveal was anti-climatic the first time, I certainly won’t be waiting with baited breath for Ashley and Traci’s reaction. I hope Harrison smears his PB&J hands all over the new ‘feminine’ velvet couch … I’m also not interested in Lauren nagging Mike about working for Victor. Move out or move on. Or, pay a couples counsellor to tell you how ridiculous you sound…. But, the absolute worst, is watching Victor and Nikki shuffling around in clockwise circles in their living room. Big deal – Victor paid a florist to send a selection of their most expensive bouquets over and had the hired help open up some Lunchables… Even Lauren’s fabulous legs and Jack looking dashing as hell in his tux don’t compensate for this geriatric, cringe inducing Valentine’s Day episode.
Now, I’ll do my best to get through the second half ….
Diane wants to know how Jack’s sisters really feel (not ‘sugar coat’ it) He declares her a foundational member of the Abbott clan.
Nikki supports Claire’s relationship with Kyle. That’s all we should say on the matter tonight – this evening is about ME. Victor gives her a birthday gift (and will give her one each day until her birthday)