Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Steffy turns to Taylor for comfort when she tells her mother about Ridge trying to talk her into signing annulment papers so Hope and Liam can get married. Ridge secretly informs Brooke that he doesn't think that Hope and Liam will be getting married anytime soon and that they need to stop the wedding. Taylor receives a very thoughtful and yummy Valentine's Day present from Thorne. Ridge attempts to convince Liam to wait for a few months to marry Hope, out of respect for Steffy. To protect his sister from any further emotional pain, Rick vows to take it upon himself to find out if Liam is truly the man for Hope. Liam makes one last attempt to get Steffy to sign the annulment papers so that he can marry Hope. Ridge suggests to Steffy that she move on with her life, but he pleads for her not to do so with Bill. Hope's plan to remain abstinent until she is married is solidified after she meets with young girls whose lives she influenced due of her public stance against premarital relations. Steffy informs Liam that she has faith that they will one day reunite and she will continue to fight for him. When Brooke learns of Rick's idea to get Steffy to sign the annulment papers, she fears that his plan may backfire. Ridge uses his role as CEO of Forrester Creations to try to edge Eric off of the design team. Tired of his brother's misuse of power, and having a scheme of his own up his sleeve, Rick thwarts Ridge's attempt. Katie fills Brooke in on the current state of her strained marriage to Bill. Liam sternly puts Bill in his place regarding the future of their father-son relationship. Despite their conversation, Bill voices his opinion about the direction of Liam's life.

SNEAK PEEK: Liam is frustrated.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Brady gets the surprise of his life, arriving on Madison's doorstep only to be met by the handsome and enigmatic Ian McAllister, who claims to be Madison's husband. When Brady asks Madison point blank if she's married, the look of despair in her eyes is all the answer Brady needs. He backs away, hurt and confused, unsure why she kept this from him when only hours before, he proposed. He goes, wanting nothing more to do with her. Ian and Kate have a romantic past. Ian is the new CEO of Titan. Melanie is rocked to learn that Abigail was with a married man — even more so when she learns that man is Austin. Melanie asks if they slept together, and Abigail, starting to believe her own lies, says yes. E.J. and Nicole begin Election Day (and Valentine's Day) by making love. Jennifer tells Abe she's been approached by a poll worker who will skew the vote count to ensure Abe's win. Jennifer refuses the offer. Abe wins the race. E.J. doesn't understand how this could have happened. Stefano lays into E.J. and says he's had nothing but missteps ever since he chose to run. Lexie is thrilled for Abe, until she overhears that Abe received the debate questions in advance and managed to get false ones to E.J. She can't believe Abe lied to her. Nicole shows up with news that there is a challenge to the results due to ballot tampering. Abe can't believe this and questions Jennifer, but she swears she told the poll supervisor not to do it. Lexie happens upon this as she hears what Abe is accused of and she loses it. She runs off, and Abe wants to go after her, but Roman stops him — he needs to take him down to the station for questioning. Though Marlena isn't jealous of Hope, she fears John and Hope's marriage is just the beginning of a serious malevolent strategy by Stefano to tear her and John apart. Stefano finally looks in the envelope Alice left behind containing a secret about him.

SNEAK PEEK: Lexie walks out on Abe.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Thrilled that the baby she is carrying is Jason's, Sam's attention turns to Jason's health issues. Sam convinces Jason to go to the hospital — for her and for their unborn child. Patrick investigates Jason's condition. Patrick and Robin work in tandem to explain his test results, and Robin vows to find a genetic protocol solution to save Jason. Franco has sent Jason and Sam black/white footage of Jason's past. Jason, Sam and Monica discuss their future as a family, as they cling to hope. The heat is on between Carly and Johnny. Sonny confronts Kate about Jax, and she makes a shocking admission. At Ewen's urging, Shawn asks Carly to the Pulmonary Ball. Robin, Patrick and Emma share a loving moment with a surprise — Anna Devane returns. Jason experiences a medical issue when thinking about Franco. Sam has a new Franco DVD present. Carly and Kate struggle over creative control of the MetroCourt and the bash. T.J. and Molly continue to forge a friendship as they study. T.J. announces an unauthorized party at the lake house via MyFace. Matt is horrified to learn of Liz's suspension — and he goes after Maxie. Johnny and Anthony spar. Maxie comes clean about Anthony's favor. Maggie gets a date of her own when Steve and Olivia decide to go to the pulmonary research benefit together. Dante and Ronnie find additional clues on the predator who attacked Delores and the dancers. Meanwhile, Delores goes to Johnny for information. Hormones raging, Alexis try to convince Molly to be her "date" to the pulmonary benefit. Patrick looks for Robin in the lab. Everyone is gathered at MetroCourt's Pulmonary Research Benefit Ball, where a war ensues between Sonny and Johnny.

SNEAK PEEK: Luke disappears.

YOUNG AND RESTLESS: At Hope's farm, Adam is having trouble adjusting to being blind. He angrily lashes out at Sharon about the fact that Victor arranged for his trip to Kansas. Adam tries to run out, but he stumbles. Sharon embraces him, saying he can't leave. He tries to push Sharon away, but she refuses to leave. Kay announces that she's throwing Cane and Lily a surprise wedding in France — and is taking everyone there on her private jet. The family begins excitedly preparing for their trip. Jill asks Cane if he's sure he doesn't want Genevieve at the wedding. Cane responds that he's never gotten along with his mother and that Kay and Jill are his real family. In the Provence vineyard, the minister welcomes the guests to Lily and Cane's wedding. Genevieve arrives and watches from a distance unseen. Jill sees Genevieve, but she doesn't give her away. Lily says her vows, stating how she missed Cane when they were apart. Cane expresses his happiness at having a second chance. Lily and Cane exchange their rings, and the minister pronounces them husband and wife. At the Newman Ranch, Anita says she wants to talk to Victor, but he orders her out. As she's leaving, one of her earrings falls to the floor. Chelsea doubles over in pain, fearing she's in labor. Billy, Victoria and Nikki take her to the hospital. Anita rushes in, worried about her daughter. Nikki introduces herself as they await Chelsea's test results. She notices that Anita has lost an earring. Anita becomes upset when Billy implies that Chelsea might be faking her labor pains. A doctor enters and informs them that there is nothing wrong with Chelsea or the baby. Billy and Victoria leave, and Anita challenges Chelsea, saying she knows it was all an act. Chelsea confesses, and Anita warns her not to alienate Billy and Victoria. Jack becomes frustrated as he realizes that he still has no feeling in his legs. Ashley stops by with some Jabot files for Jack. He opens an envelope and finds the engagement ring and bracelet he gave to Genevieve. He answers a call from Genevieve, who apologizes for leaving him at the altar. Upset, Jack hangs up the phone. He tells Ashley he's going to launch a legal challenge against Genevieve's purchase of Beauty of Nature.

SNEAK PEEK: Adam saves the day.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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