Cane and Lily decided that he would tell Charlie about Juliet's pregnancy, while Lily separately broke the news to Mattie. The family came together after the twins learned the truth, and Cane apologized and promised them that things wouldn't change. Mattie argued that things had changed forever. Cane told them that he had to take responsibility for the baby. Cane insisted that everything would be okay, but Charlie and Mattie stormed out of the house. Lily walked out of the room, leaving Cane alone. Several of Nikki's friends and relatives gathered in the park for her recital. Victor did his best to calm Nikki's jitters, and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Tessa found Nikki doubled over in pain, but she refused to cancel the performance. A technician told Victor that someone spilled a soda in the soundboard. Nikki gave a perfect performance, then she rushed off the stage. Victor found Nikki in agonizing pain, and he was shocked that she was having flare ups again. She confessed that she hid her flare ups because she didn't want to admit she couldn't perform. Jack came to check on Nikki, and Victor asked him to leave. Jack looked to Nikki, who asked him to go and promised to talk to him later. Nikki thanked Victor for making her do the concert, and she took his hand. Nikki told Nick to stop being so angry at Victor about the concert. Victor watched, from a distance, as the rest of the Newmans surrounded and congratulated Nikki. Abby was surprised when Scott complimented her for doing a good job. The after party started. Dina, Jack, Ashley and Ravi attended the event together. Hilary and Howard covered the celebration for GC Buzz. Devon, Neil and Mariah watched Hilary with Howard. Devon said it made him miss the days when he'd just purchased the show. Mariah chatted with Noah and Tessa. Mariah was uncomfortable when she saw Devon talking to Hilary. Tessa was unhappy to run into Zack at the party. Nick asked Abby how she saved the concert from cancellation. Abby told Nick that Noah loaned her some equipment from The Underground. Noah was startled when Nick scolded him for borrowing the equipment without asking Nick's permission. Abby introduced Zack to Ashley, Dina, and Ravi. Ashley and Ravi told Dina they were just friends, but she thought they were fooling themselves. Jack told Nikki that Victor forced her into the concert, but she insisted that she did what she wanted to do. Ashley took Victor to task for being so tough on Abby. Victor admitted she was right, and he noted that Abby did a wonderful job. Dina lamented that Graham wasn't invited. Zack and Victoria met, and he asked if she was there alone. Abby walked over, and after Victoria left, she asked Zack to stay away from her sister. Scott and Sharon assumed that Zack was the new man in Abby's life. Victor announced that the contributions raised tonight had exceeded expectations. Reed was unable to reach Mattie by phone. Nick seethed about the concert as he headed out to his car. Victor followed Nick to the parking garage and confronted him.
Tessa: Every time I fall you're the voice that carries through I'm still learning, learning, learning how to count on you [Applause] Mariah: Whoo! Nick: I should go check on your grandmother. Noah: Oh, hey, sit. She'll be here in a second. Mariah: Tessa's so great. Victor: Tessa is finished. Are you ready? Nikki: Well, after all the trouble that Abby and Noah went through to fix the sound system, I better be ready. Victor: Sweetheart. You are ready. And I'm very excited to introduce you. Nikki: Okay, nothing elaborate, though, okay? I mean, I'm good, but I'm not that good. Victor: Don't you worry about a damn thing. You'll be wonderful. I'll see you out there. Nikki: All right. Thank you. Victor: You'll be wonderful. Nikki: [Gasps] Hilary: Okay, next up, victor's about to come out to introduce Nikki, so I want you to start on the wing so you can get a full shot of him moving towards center stage then swing around, get a shot of the audience. Howard: Got it. Hilary: Okay. Howard: Hope he's in a better mood than he was on the red carpet. Not exactly the warm and fuzzy type, is he? Hilary: Yeah, he was distracted. Howard: Mm-hmm. Hilary: Distant. Howard: Till he got that text. Hilary: Yeah, then his whole demeanor changed. Howard: Mm-hmm. Hilary: I wonder what that was all about. Abby: That was so great. Amazing. Victor: My sentiments exactly. You're wonderful. Tessa: Thank you, Mr. Newman. Victor: Really great. Excuse me. Did you, by chance, find out why the original soundboard malfunctioned? Yeah, somebody spilled a soda on it. Gunked up the works. It fried the circuit boards in an instant. Victor: Really? Huh. And no one reported it? Look, they were probably scared they were gonna get fired. I'm always telling my crew "no liquid around the equipment," but, you know, folks aren't careful, accidents happen. Victor: Thank you. Abby: Dad! You're on. It's all you. Victor: It is? Abby: It's all you. Victor: All right. Abby: [Laughs] Victor: Let's go for it. Abby: Good luck. Victor: Thank you, sweetheart. [Applause] Cane: Charlie just texted me, and he's gonna be here soon. What about Mattie? Lily: Uh, I expect her any minute. Cane: Look, sweetheart -- Lily: Cane, it's better this way. Cane: So we're really gonna do this? Lily: Yeah, we really are. Cane: Uh, I have to go. Mattie: Hi, mom. Lily: Hi. Do you have a second? Mattie: I really need to get started on this research paper. Lily: Mattie, if you can hold off on that, I really have to talk to you. Cane: Let's talk out here, okay? We can have some privacy. Charlie: Yeah. What's going on, dad? Cane: Um, your mom, she's talking to Mattie right now, okay, 'cause there's, uh... there's something that you guys need to know. [Applause] Victor: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot express to you the deep gratitude I feel for your support. Not only of my family, but your support of this magnificent university. [Applause] Nikki: [Wincing] Tessa: Nikki? Nikki? Victor: And your support for the fight against this... Tessa: Uh, are you having another flare-up? Nikki: [Strained] Yeah. Tessa: Just, um, relax, okay? I'll tell Mr. Newman so he can get you a doctor, and then we can cancel, okay? Nikki: No! No! [Applause] Victor: Now, I'm sure you are anxious to hear my wife perform. So without further ado, I would like to welcome my wife, Nikki Newman, who is not a professional, but she plays like one. [Applause] Victor: Please welcome Nikki Newman. [Cheers and applause] [Cheers and applause continue] [Applause stops] [Piano playing] Mattie: Okay. Talk about what? Lily: Uh, you know that your father was let go from brash & sassy. Mattie: Something else happened, didn't it? Something bad. But why is dad talking to Charlie while you're talking to me? Lily: We just thought it was best to do this separately. Mattie: Do what separately? Is the lawsuit back on? Lily: No, Victoria settled the lawsuit. That's over. Mattie: Then what's going on? Is dad in more trouble? Lily: [Sighs] Mattie -- Mattie: Mom, please. Whatever it is, just tell me. Cane: So, uh, how you doing with all this? You doing all right? Charlie: Yeah. You know, I'm fine. You're the one that got the raw deal at work. Sucks Victoria fired you. Cane: Yeah, well, you see, that lawsuit, it was a real problem, and it, uh, it cost her a lot of money to settle it out of court. Charlie: So then why'd she settle? You didn't do anything wrong. You should fight. Cane: I can't fight it. Charlie: Why not? 'Cause it's expensive? Mattie and I can help. Cane: The reason that I'm, um, I'm not working at the company anymore is, uh... 'cause I lied. Charlie: About what? The things the woman said, they weren't true. Cane: No. They were not true. They were not true at all, okay? But, you see, it's -- it's, um... it's a little more complicated than that. Charlie: Dad, we -- dad, we don't have to do this. Cane: [Sighs] We do, 'cause, you see, there's some things that you and your sister, you don't know and you need to know, okay? Lily: Look, people make mistakes, Mattie. I've made some, too. Mattie: Okay, fine. Lily: Wait. Please, wait. There's more I have to tell you. Cane: I made a huge mistake, and it's, uh... this is not gonna go away. Mattie: I don't want to talk! I'm done talking about this! Lily: Then you know what? Just listen to me, please. Cane: Juliet is pregnant. And I'm the father. If I could change this, I would change this. Charlie. [Sighs] [Piano plays] [Music stops] [Applause] Noah: That was amazing. She was amazing. Reed: I've seen her play before, but not like that. It's like she was possessed, but like in a good way. Victoria: In a very good way. Dina: Oh, wasn't she brilliant? Ravi: Exceeded all expectations. Dina: Yes. Ashley: Are you okay? Jack: I'm moved. Ashley: Is she coming out for an encore? Jack: No, I think she's finished. Ashley: Not even another bow? Jack: Will you excuse me, please? Dina: Where in the world is jack going? Howard: Okay, let's huff it backstage and get some footage in the dressing room. Hilary: No, I don't think so. Howard: What? Why? Hilary: Because this night belongs to victor, okay? Let's give him some privacy to congratulate his wife. Nikki: [Sighs] [Sighs] Victor: You were absolutely -- what's wrong, baby? You're having a flare-up. Wait a minute. That's why you took the trip out of town. Why didn't you tell me? Nikki: Because you would have canceled. Victor: Of course I would have canceled. I don't want to see you in agony. Nikki: But you want -- you want me to depend on you. You want me to need you. [Voice breaking] That's -- that's why you did all of this. Victor: How can you say that? Didn't you hear what I said in my speech? I meant every word. Nikki: I didn't want to give in to it. I didn't want to be weak. I didn't want to admit that I couldn't do it. Victor: Oh. Nikki: [Sniffles] You know, I had a visitor earlier. Victor: Who? Did they upset you? Nikki: No, no, no, no, no. Just the opposite. Very nice young woman. She has M.S., Too. She told me that I was an inspiration, that I encouraged her. Victor: Okay. Nikki: It was so sweet, but I just wanted to feel like I earned her encouragement, that it was justified. Victor: But it was. You showed her. You showed everyone. It was wonderful. Jack: Hey. Are you all right? Nikki: Oh, jack. Come in. Come in. Jack: I could see how much it was taking out of you to be on that stage. Are you okay? Nikki: I'll be fine. I promise. Victor: This is not the time, jack. Jack: I will go if you ask me to leave. Nikki: I'll see you at the party, okay? Meet you over there. Thanks for coming back to check on me. Victor? Victor: What? What can I get you? Nikki: You could just listen. There has been a world of misunderstanding about this concert, misunderstanding and mistrust. But I am so grateful that you did make me go out there and do this, and I proved to the world and myself that I could do it. I went out there on the stage by myself. I performed by myself. [Sighs] I never thought I would admit that to you. So thank you, victor. Thank you. Nick: What happened out there? Sharon: You still can't find Abby? Scott: Abby was so stressed before the show, and it couldn't have gone better. Sharon: Why didn't Nikki come out for another bow? Scott: Who knows? Artists are never really pleased with their own work, you know? Yo, Abby! Abby: What's wrong? Scott: Nothing. Relax. I just wanted to say well done. Everything was so great. Abby: Am I dreaming? Did you just give me a compliment? Sharon: And it was sincere. Scott: Look, you kept it together when things got dicey. You deserve a kudo or three. Abby: Well, I fully expect you to be back to your judgmental ways by morning. Scott: Damn. That means I got to be nice, not, uh, pick on you the rest of the night. Abby: Yes, you do. [Both laugh] Sharon: Abby, we'll see you at the party. Scott: Bye. Victoria: Well, good job, Abby. You pulled it off. Abby: I did, didn't I? With Noah's help. Victoria: Um, that's great. Do you want to come with us? We're gonna go congratulate mom. Abby: Of course, yeah. Where's nick? Reed: Maybe he's already back there. Victor: I'll give you time to chat, all right, while I confer with dr. Miller. Nikki: I'll wait for you here. Nick: Mom, what happened out there? I mean, you ran off stage so quickly. Nikki: Well, as you expected, I did struggle out there. Nick: Mom, are you -- Nikki: But it's over. I finished the recital. That's the most important part. I feel better already. Nick: Okay, come on. I'm gonna take you home so you can get some rest. Nikki: No. Are you kidding? I want to party. I want to celebrate what I just did out there. Nick: Uh, and dad? Nikki: He figured out that I've been having flare-ups, and we talked about it. But please keep it to yourself. We don't want it getting out. Nick: Mom, I'm just worried that you're making things worse for yourself. Nikki: Honey, you've got to stop being so angry with your father about this concert. It was my decision to perform and mine alone. Nick: I'm not so sure about that. Nikki: Son. When I got this diagnosis, I figured out that in order to live with M.S., I have to stand up to it, and that's what I did tonight. Nick: You do know how proud I am of you, right? Nikki: Yes, I do. Nick: I'm just worried, you know. This party, it's gonna be long. You'll be on your feet all night. There will be people. Nikki: And it's gonna be so much fun. And you're gonna be right there with me. Nick: If that's what you want. Nikki: [Chuckles] Victoria: Hi, mom! Nikki: Oh! Darling! Victoria: You were so good. Reed: That was incredible. Nikki: Oh, I don't know about that, but, oh, my goodness, it's over. Noah: I'm so proud of you. Nikki: Oh, hi. Thank you. Thank you so much. Abby: You were amazing. [Chatter] Abby: You did a great job. Tessa: You were amazing. Lily: Mattie, I am so sorry about this. I am sorry for everything. Mattie: Stop saying that! What are you apologizing for?! Lily: That you had to hear this, that any of us have to even deal with this! Mattie: And how do we do that, mom? Cane: Charlie! [Sighs] Hilary: Did you get the Abbotts? Howard: Got 'em. Hilary: Okay. Howard: Focused and in frame. Hilary: Excellent. Follow me. Howard: All righty. Hilary: Now, the money shots tonight are major contributors and the Newman family. Howard: Okay. Hilary: Look. Right over here, we have Noah and Nicholas Newman. Now, this is the footage that's gonna keep victor happy. Howard: Mm-hmm. Hilary: We have some more coming out of the elevator right here. Howard: This isn't my first goat rodeo, you know. Ooh. Wow. There are lots of pretty single ladies who would just love to be on TV. Hilary: What part of "we are not running a personal dating service for you" do you not understand? Howard: I'll try. Devon: Thanks. Neil: Thanks. Devon: [Clears throat] Looks like Hilary and that Howard guy got here pretty fast, huh? Neil: Didn't we leave the venue before they did? Mariah: Well, it seems that Hilary's new BFF is a fast mover. Devon: I find it funny to see the guy that I booted sticking so tight to Hilary now. Makes me miss the days when I bought the show and we were learning the business, you know? Neil: Hmm. [Applause] Noah: Encore! Nikki: Thank you so much. I think I've played enough piano for one evening. Thank you. Hilary: Nikki, Nikki, can we get a shot over here? Nikki: Yes, of course. [Camera shutters click] Victor: Now I would like the whole family, please. Come, boys and girls. Nikki: Come on, kids. Abby: [Chuckles] Nikki: Wait, where's Nicholas? Nicholas? There he is. [Camera shutters click] Cane: You will never know how sorry I am, and I know it seems like this is gonna change everything, but it doesn't have to be that way. Mattie: That makes no sense. Things have changed, and we can't unchange them. Cane: I know it seems like this ruined everything. But I have to take responsibility for this baby regardless of what Juliet wants because it's the right thing to do. And I can fix the damage I've done to my family. I want to do that, 'cause that's what we are, the four of us. We're a family. We always were a family, and we're always gonna be a family, Charlie, okay? Charlie: Just getting bigger now. Lily: Charlie. Cane: Baby, it's okay. He has every right to be angry. Listen, I can't tell you how you should think or how you should feel or how you should react. But all I can do is just ask you to have the faith just to know it's gonna be okay, 'cause I know that. Charlie: [Scoffs] Really, dad? Cane: Charlie -- Charlie: Too bad you couldn't tell the future the night you hooked up with that woman in Japan. Cane: Charlie. Charlie: Maybe that would have stopped you. Cane: Wait. Wait. [Door closes] Cane: I love you, and I love your brother, and I'm always gonna love you. I promise you that, sweetheart. [Sighs] [Sighs] Hilary: Are we all set? Howard: Yeah, just one sec. Just want to make sure everyone is in the frame. Hilary: Can you see them on the monitor? Howard: Yeah, but sometimes there's not exactly -- Hilary: Okay, then we are in frame. Howard: Okay, let me just get a quick check of the levels and we should be good to go. Hilary: Joining us is dr. Miller, dean of Genoa city's medical school. Dr. Miller: I have to thank you, Nikki, for that electrifying performance. Nikki: Oh, thank you so much, but really, we have to give the credit to victor. It's his idea. Victor: No, no, no. This evening is all about you, my love. Nikki: Aww. Dina: I guess we were wrong earlier. Nikki seems perfectly fine. Abby: Mm! Nick: All right, what was that for? Abby: It's a down payment for the huge thank you I owe you. Nick: For what? Abby: This concert would have never have happened without you. Nick: You know, I'm curious. How did that happen? I mean, last I heard, the safety inspector wouldn't issue a permit. Next thing I know, Tessa's walking out on stage to be the warm-up act. Abby: Yeah, it was just pure luck. Dad was furious with me, blaming me for not handling the situation the way he would have, and then, well, Noah said you had a soundboard at the underground and volunteered to swap them out. Problem solved just like that. Nick: Noah did that? Abby: Yeah. I mean, you get an "attaboy" for owning what we needed, but in my book, Noah is a superhero. Mariah: Hi! Tessa: Oh, my god. [Laughter] Mariah: A star is born. Noah: That's what I've been telling her. Tessa: No, not quite. I was pretty nervous up there. Mariah: You didn't look like it at all. Tessa: Noah helped with that. Noah: Are you gonna embarrass me in front of my sister? Tessa: Uh, as often as possible. He bought me that bouquet before the show. Mariah: [Gasps] Oh, look at you! Noah: Okay, all right. You two girl-gush. I'm gonna go mingle. Just give me a signal when you're done, please. Tessa: [Laughs] Mariah: Wow. He brought you flowers. That's pretty spectacular. Tessa: Well, he keeps saying I keep making too big of a deal out of it, but no one's ever bought me flowers before. Mariah: You've never had a guy like Noah before. Tessa: Well, how are things going with your guy? I mean, it must be kind of weird having Devon's ex here working the party. Mariah: Yeah. Just slightly worse than working with her. Devon seems... never mind. Sorry. Tessa: Oh, no, no, no, no, no. You're not allowed to leave me hanging. "Devon seems" what? Mariah: Forget it. I'm probably imagining things. Tessa: Well, whatever she's saying, he's finding it pretty entertaining. Neil: This was an amazing evening, and, you know, everyone in that room could feel your love for this lovely lady right here. Nikki: Thank you, Neil. Tessa: Wait. What? I was counting on our last conversation being our last conversation. Zack: Small town. Tessa: How'd you get here? Zack: I was invited by Abby. Tessa: As in Newman? Zack: She's my business partner. Noah: Who was that? Tessa: Abby's date. Ashley: So you're dating Zack? Abby: Oh, we're not dating, exactly. I mean, we've been out a couple of times, but it's business. It's business. Ashley: Do you think that's a smart decision on your part? Dina: Oh, don't be such a prude, Ashley. If you ask me, Zack and Abby make a good team. I mean, after all, you work with Ravi. Ashley: We're not dating, mother. Ravi: Yeah, Ashley and I are just friends. Dina: [Chuckles] You keep telling yourselves that. [Abby and Dina chuckle] Abby: Ah, Zack, hi. I want you to meet my mom, and then this is my grandmother, Dina. Zack: It's lovely to meet you. Abby's told me so much about you. Dina: Oh, really? Ashley: Hi. Zack: Nice to meet you. Ashley: Nice to meet you, as well. From what little I've heard, you are the genius behind the dating platform that Abby has in development. Zack: I leave all the genius parts up to the software creators. I'm just in charge of business and marketing. Abby: Ravi is the brilliant tech guy I told you about. Maybe my mom will let you borrow him sometime. Ashley: Maybe. Abby: Maybe. [Laughs] Nick: Hey, uh, what's this I hear about you saving the day earlier? Noah: Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot to tell you in all the excitement. Um, Abby was having electronic problems, so I thought it was just the soundboard needed to be replaced, but they didn't have an extra one, so I used the, uh, the one at the underground to sub it in. Nick: Hmm. Just like that? Noah: Well, yeah. The, uh, the safety inspector was about to shut the whole thing down, and I couldn't let him take the concert, so I had to do something fast. Nick: Yeah, well, uh, is that something you think maybe you should have run by me first? Noah: Are you mad at me for helping out? Nick: Who owns the equipment at the underground, Noah? I do. Noah: Yeah, well, I-I was just helping grandma. I thought you'd be okay with it. Nick: Well, I heard the safety inspector say the equipment at the venue was in dangerous condition. You took a risk, son. You got to be more careful than that. Tessa: Are you okay? Noah: Uh, yeah. I guess my dad thinks that, uh, what I did with the sound equipment was dangerous, something. Tessa: Hmm. Well, if it was, it sounds like it was more heroic to me. Nikki: Thank you so much for coming tonight. It's so good to see you after all these years, Dina. Dina: Oh, thank you. You look beautiful. Nikki: Oh, as do you. Dina: Thank you. Ashley: Nikki, you were absolutely wonderful tonight. Nikki: Thank you. Dina: Ravi was giving me the background on the piece you chose and tips for what to listen for, and he was spot on. You were marvelous. Just marvelous. Nikki: Well, thank you so much. I have heard you're very well-educated about music. Thank you. Ravi: Thank you. It was an honor and a privilege to hear you play. Jack: Couldn't have said it any better myself. Any chance I could interest you in an hors d'oeuvre? Nikki: Well, now that you mention it, I am starving. [Laughter] Jack: Excuse us, please. So, how are you doing? Honestly? Nikki: Oh, jack. I feel like a monumental weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Jack: Victor backed you into a corner. Nikki: No. Jack: Yes, he did. And you have been putting on quite a show tonight, both on that stage and here on his arm. Nikki: That is not true, jack. I have done what I have to do. Now go enjoy the party. I intend to. Victor: Problem? Ashley: Um, not really. I just don't appreciate how tough you were on Abby tonight. She was a complete nervous wreck. Victor: Well, I'm sorry if I was a little hard on her. But she did a wonderful job. You know, she and Noah both did a great, great job. Ashley: Well, maybe you could express that to her. Might be nice. Victor: Maybe I'll do that. Zack: Oh, please. You first. Victoria: Thank you. Since getting a chardonnay might take awhile. Zack: Two chardonnays, please. While we're waiting, I'm Zack. Victoria: Hi. I'm Victoria. Zack: Are you here alone? Victoria: I'm here with my 16-year-old son and his phone, so, yeah, I guess I'm alone. [Both laugh] Abby: Oh, there you are. I see you met my half-sister. Victoria: So, what's your connection? Abby: Oh, well, Zack's start-up is a part of my tech incubator. We're working, um, we're working on a new project. [Chuckles] Victoria: Thank you. Good luck with your "new project." Abby: [Sighs] Zack: Chardonnay? Abby: Not right now, thanks. Zack: I, uh, hope you're done working for the night. I'd like to get a dance in. Abby: Yeah, so would I. Uh, but one request. Stay away from Victoria. Zack: Who's Victoria? Abby: [Chuckles] Sharon: Hmm. Looks like Abby has found someone new in her life. Scott: Yeah. Sharon: And I'm happy for her. Scott: At the very least, maybe it'll get her to lighten up at work. Sharon: You lighten up. Victor: Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? I've just heard from our wonderful dean of the medical school, dean miller, that the funds raised tonight have far exceeded our expectations. Jack: Yes. [Applause] Victor: I want to thank all of you for being kind and gracious and generous with your contributions. It is helping to hopefully eradicate multiple sclerosis. The star of this evening is undoubtedly my wife, Nikki Newman. [Applause] Victor: And, of course, all of you who have so generously contributed tonight are stars in your own right. Thank you. Thank you very much. [Applause] Reed: [Sighs] Victoria: Hi. Did your phone die? Reed: [Sighs] No, I-I gave up. I was trying to get in touch with Mattie, but I wasn't getting an answer, so... Victoria: Do you think something's wrong? Reed: You did fire her dad. Victoria: Well, I doubt that's why she's not answering. Reed: I did get one response. Um, when she just said she couldn't talk now and, uh, didn't give me a reason why, so... Dina: Oh, it's such a shame that graham wasn't included tonight. He so very much would have enjoyed this evening. Nikki: Hi, baby. Victoria: Hi, mom. I am so happy for you. You know, I know nick was against this concert, but look at how well it turned out. Nikki: Yeah. Where is your brother, anyway? Nick: [Sighs] Victor: You're not going anywhere. You and I aren't finished yet. [NEXT_ON] Billy: You two remember my friend Phyllis, right? She's very special to me. Abby: I'm sick of you treating me like I am 6 years old! Victoria: Well, then stop acting like one! Nick: Mom dared to tell the great victor Newman what she thought of him. You're arrogant and heartless!