Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Sami, Rafe and Will are shocked and overjoyed by Sydney’s return. Caroline and Roman hear the commotion and can’t believe it. EJ found Sydney! Rafe learns that EJ went behind his back. Rafe and Roman get a lead that confirms EJ’s story. EJ defies instructions and takes the child home where Sami hears her call him daddy. Sami is surprised Sydney remembers him, but dismisses it. Later, Rafe arrives, and chews them out for not taking Sydney to the hospital first. Through a slew of excuses, Rafe realizes that Sami knew about the latest ransom note. Melanie rejects Daniel, but he refuses to take no for an answer and the two finally come together. However, Melanie admits she hates Carly even more. Nathan attacks Carly, but is conflicted himself. Stephanie confides in Caroline, but remains convinced she has done the right thing in not giving Nathan Melanie’s letter. Philip wonders if Chloe is upset that she cannot be a mother especially now that Daniel is a father, but she dismisses this. Carly reaches out to Melanie, to no avail. Nathan finds an emotional Melanie, and the feelings between them are electric. Stefano and Kate arrive home to find Sydney alive and well. EJ won’t let Stefano near Sydney. After Rafe and Sami take Sydney to the hospital, EJ and Stefano fight and Kate tries to play peacemaker. She says EJ can’t keep Sydney away from Stefano as long as they all live under the same roof. This gives EJ an idea. Sámi confirms to Rafe that she knew about the latest ransom note and kept it from him. She expects Rafe to blow up, but he doesn’t, which is worse to her, because she can see how deeply she hurt him. He goes into FBI mode and insists they take Sydney to the hospital and find the kidnapper. Sami leaves with Rafe, but still can’t get him to open up. When EJ arrives later at the hospital, Sami admits she thinks she blew it with Rafe. EJ asks if he could spend the night with her. Rafe walks in and overhears. Melanie unloads emotionally on Nathan. At the same time, Stephanie confesses to Lexie that she’s done something maybe she shouldn’t have. Meanwhile, Melanie reacts to Nathan’s comfort, and says he doesn’t have to do it because he feels guilty about not reading her letter. Nathan asks her what she’s talking about. Melanie tries to tell him but he’s called away for a patient before she can. Melanie realizes Stephanie never gave the letter to Nathan. When Stephanie comes to visit her, Melanie rips into her. Melanie and Stephanie have it out. Melanie knows Stephanie never gave Nathan the letter. Stephanie tries to cover, but Melanie tells her to stop it. The girls argue and Stephanie tells Melanie that Nathan didn’t want to hear about her. He has moved on with Stephanie. She scolds that even if Melanie wanted to be with Nathan, how could she break Philip’s heart? Affected, Melanie is at a loss for words. Maggie meets with Nathan to tell him that she thinks her myasthenia gravis has returned, but she keeps quiet when she senses her grandson isn’t doing well. She questions and he admits it’s because of Melanie. Maggie calls him on this and guesses he still has feelings for her. Nathan admits it’s true. She said she sent him a letter and he can only guess it was to tell him how she felt. Part of him wishes he had stopped her wedding. Maggie tells Nathan that Melanie is married to Philip. What about Stephanie? Nathan agrees that it’s time to truly give up on Melanie, but he’s still privately conflicted. He goes to see Melanie, but finds her asleep. Stephanie calls Nathan, and both of them know they need to talk. Later, Maggie is at home and she falls. She fears the worst. EJ has asked Sami if he could spend the night. He wants to be there for his children and their mother. This rattles Sami and Rafe, after overhearing, is a bit bothered. He focuses on the aftermath of Sydney’s rescue. Lexie presents Sydney with a clean bill of health and EJ is questioned. Sami tells Abe about the video of Sydney and Rafe wants to view the video for a possible lead on the kidnappers. Will and Mia fold in to the group, also happy to see Sydney. They go home, and Sami thinks Rafe is going to stay, but he’s got work to do. He leaves her alone with EJ and her kids. Sami admits her relationship with Rafe worries her and EJ, playing the father role, places a blanket around Sami and Sydney. At the same time, Rafe uncovers phone numbers to EJ’s cell and he has the first step in finding the kidnappers. Mia is thinking about Chad when Will shows up and kisses her. He tells her about Sydney and they go to the hospital. Later, Will gives her a St. Christopher medal that will signify their exclusiveness. She accepts it, buts is still conflicted. Sami wakes up with her daughter in her arms, but there’s no sign of Rafe. He’s been working all night trying to track the kidnapper. EJ and Sami bond over the baby. Later, EJ visits Anna, who is packing up, and explains his decision to stay in town and break Sami’s heart. Arianna goes to see her brother and urges him to forgive Sami. Brady sees Sami and takes Rafe’s side. Later, Sami goes to Rafe’s office to make amends, but he is distracted as he gets a lead. Brady crosses with Chloe and asks her a huge favor. Chloe goes to see Nicole in prison and tells her Sydney is alive. We see Nicole’s relief, but she knows she has to move on. She’s carving out a place for herself in prison, and we see her hatred for those she has left behind, especially Sami and EJ. Nicole recalls seeing the kidnapper’s boots, but sadly she doesn’t think anyone will ever know who took the baby. Arianna visits Melanie and talks about her regret about turning down Brady’s marriage proposal. She’s hoping Brady will propose again, and indeed, Brady tells Daniel that is his plan. Brady is on his way to meet with Arianna while she crosses with EJ and expresses her sincere gratitude for what he did to bring Sydney home. Daniel comes across Melanie who is feeling blue. He is at a loss as to how to comfort her. He seeks out Maggie’s advice, and she gives him much needed encouragement. Daniel realizes Maggie is ill and convinces her to have a check-up. Later, Maggie learns her myasthenia gravis is back. Daniel urges her to tell Melanie. She does, and Melanie expresses her desire to be there for Maggie as Maggie has always been there for her. Sami insists Rafe talk to her about how he feels. Rafe admits he’s hurt, but the love they have for each other overcomes the problems in their relationship. Sami, however, is sure that her betrayal of trust will come back to haunt them. Rafe gets the address of a dwelling that fits the kidnapper’s profile. He tells Sami they will talk later and rushes out. Sami returns home and tells EJ that she damaged her relationship with Rafe by having kept the secret from him. EJ advises her to concern herself with her daughter and nothing else. He “believes” she and Rafe will work out just fine. Meanwhile, Anna can’t find her boots, and lies to EJ about missing her plane. When she finally finds them she realizes they don’t fit in her suitcase. Later, Rafe enters the cottage.

Daniel tells Victor that he is Melanie’s father. While he doesn’t want Victor badmouthing Carly, he admits he’s not her biggest fan either. He’s concentrating on his relationship with Melanie, and is having doubts that she’ll come to accept him. Victor urges Daniel to stick by his daughter. One of Victor’s greatest joys came from his late-in-life discovery of his grown children Isabella and Bo. Daniel is moved. Vivian taunts Carly. She’ll only be satisfied when Carly is behind bars, alone and away from everything she loves. Later, Victor informs Vivian that Daniel is Melanie’s father. Vivian says she finally got her revenge. Carly has lost everything. Later, Carly leaves a message for Bo. She’s going to plead guilty at the hearing. Chloe tells Nicole about her hysterical pregnancy, the whole story about Daniel being Melanie’s father, and her concern that Daniel’s focus will be on Carly. Chloe is proved correct when Daniel later asks about prison, and she realizes he’s concerned about Carly being sent there. EJ offers Arianna a job. Surprised, she promises to think about it. When EJ goes, Brady tortures Arianna in a fun way before finally proposing. This time, she says yes. Sami insists Rafe talk to her about how he feels. Rafe admits he’s hurt, but the love they have for each other overcomes the problems in their relationship. Sami, however, is sure that her betrayal of trust will come back to haunt them. Rafe gets the address of a dwelling that fits the kidnapper’s profile. He tells Sami they will talk later and rushes out. Sami returns home and tells EJ that she damaged her relationship with Rafe by having kept the secret from him. EJ advises her to concern herself with her daughter and nothing else. He “believes” she and Rafe will work out just fine. Meanwhile, Anna can’t find her boots, and lies to EJ about missing her plane. When she finally finds them she realizes they don’t fit in her suitcase. Later, Rafe enters the cottage. Daniel tells Victor that he is Melanie’s father. While he doesn’t want Victor badmouthing Carly, he admits he’s not her biggest fan either. He’s concentrating on his relationship with Melanie, and is having doubts that she’ll come to accept him. Victor urges Daniel to stick by his daughter. One of Victor’s greatest joys came from his late-in-life discovery of his grown children Isabella and Bo. Daniel is moved. Vivian taunts Carly. She’ll only be satisfied when Carly is behind bars, alone and away from everything she loves. Later, Victor informs Vivian that Daniel is Melanie’s father. Vivian says she finally got her revenge. Carly has lost everything. Later, Carly leaves a message for Bo. She’s going to plead guilty at the hearing. Chloe tells Nicole about her hysterical pregnancy, the whole story about Daniel being Melanie’s father, and her concern that Daniel’s focus will be on Carly. Chloe is proved correct when Daniel later asks about prison, and she realizes he’s concerned about Carly being sent there. EJ offers Arianna a job. Surprised, she promises to think about it. When EJ goes, Brady tortures Arianna in a fun way before finally proposing. This time, she says yes.