August 2008

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Previously on Beyond the Horizon, people worked their agendas and made bold and daring life-altering choices in July...

• Henry (Sebastian Roché) and Leo (Jeff Branson) Von Stadt forced Shawn (Tobias Truvillion) to fire Jenna (Kari Wuhrer) from VSI after Rachel (Sherri Saum) left an anonymous tape of Jenna admitting to sabotaging the Sapphyre project.
• Aviva’s alter, Ava (Christina Chambers) ran amok, sleeping with Evan (Ian Buchanan) to distract him, sleeping with Rolo (Ignacio Serricchio) for revenge, pushing Theodore (John Ingle) down the Hunter College staircase and attacking Rachel.
• Lauren Sapphyre (Lynn Herring) finally signed on with VSI, thanks to Thomas (Bobby Steggert) and Rebecca’s (Lindze Letherman) hard work.
• Fiona (Connie Fletcher-Staton) was convinced that Leo and Dominic (William Shew) were hiding a deeper connection.
• Eleanor (Catherine Hickland) learned that Esther (Kathleen Widdoes) was Hattie’s (Kate Collins) mother!
• Rod (Forbes March) and Fiona continued to clash over their father Terrence’s (Walt Willey) fate.
• Rebecca landed an internship at Sapphyre Cosmetics, while Eleanor was intrigued by Lauren’s take on life and past connections to Henry and Evan.
• Aurora/Eddie (Jeffrey Carlson) caught Jenna trying to get a disoriented, hospitalized Theodore to sign a new will, leaving everything to her.
• Christian (David Evan Smith) struggled with Terrence's condition and it caused him to return to his partying roots to try to escape. It proved to Rod that Terrence’s AIDS status and uncertain future is deeply affecting Christian.
• Jenna tried to “out” Thomas to the Baldwins, but it forced Eddie to step up and reveal he was gay and a drag performer, to the accepting Baldwins.
• Crystal (Kerry Butler) made another attempt to bridge the gap between her and Rod, but they remained as strained as ever when a comment from Rod crossed the line.
• Christian and Terrence decided to plan the wedding.
• Julia (Melissa Archer) worried for Nathan (Jason Thompson) when his partner said he’s been missing. Julia suspected Hattie, until James (Alec Musser) brought news of Aviva’s strange behavior.
• Carina (Natalia Livingston) was mesmerized by Lauren Sapphyre.
• Tiffany (Ambyr Childers) witnessed Rolo’s betrayal with “Aviva”.
• Eleanor decided that Esther might be the key to Hattie’s downfall.
• Ava took flight since she felt the walls were closing in, and her path crossed with Ford (David Chisum).
• Jenna roped in James to launch a company to eventually compete with VSI... But Theodore was only willing to invest half of the money they needed.

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Opening Sequence

Watch the Opening Sequence on YouTube!

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Eddie resents the offer from Edina that he views as emotional blackmail, and won’t bargain to get acceptance that he should have just for being her son. Edina insists she was misinterpreted. Edina just wants a fresh start.

“You’re far too beautiful to be lingering around the waterfront at this time of night by yourself. It can be dangerous out here,” Ford tells her, not quite intimidating her, but not really wanting to. “For all you know, I’m the dangerous one,” Ava smirked, not about to back down. Ford was intrigued by her, “Why don’t I take you away from here... to dinner, perhaps?” Ava laughed at Ford’s suggestion, “Yeah, and then we can go to the drive-in and you can ask me to wear your varsity jacket.” Fortunately Ford loved a challenge. Ava was unfazed by his attempts at flirting. The sound of distant sirens obviously rattled Ava, which Ford couldn’t help but notice, despite Ava’s attempts to remain inscrutable. “Look, obviously you have some desires to stay hidden. Why don’t you hide with me?” Ford’s offer seemed like her best possible option right now, and Ava swore she’d take her chances if he tried anything funny with her. Ford was charmed by her spunk.

“It’s Professor Reynoso!” Tiffany cried, at the doorstep of Hattie’s apartment. Hattie immediately wondered if Tiffany learned of Hattie’s plot with Rolo to frame Aviva for drugging Eleanor. It soon became clear that Tiffany had no idea when she went into detail about catching Rolo having sex with Aviva on her desk at Hunter! Hattie consoled a devastated Tiffany, and looked over Tiffany’s shoulder to Esther, both of them thrilled Tiffany has returned to the family fold... but furious with Rolo for breaking her daughters heart.

Terrence and Christian plan to marry in Canada, and consult with Terrence's doctors about how able he will be to travel in his condition. Terrence is cleared for one week's trip to Canada.

Hoping to land a job as Lauren Sapphyre’s personal assistant, Carina finds it difficult to get an appointment with Lauren, and wonders if it’s a hopeless effort since she has no experience in Lauren’s world. Julia tells Carina that this is the first time she’s seen Carina actually invest in something, so how could that devotion not make her a committed participant? Thanks to Julia’s reinforcing comments, Carina remains determined to catch Lauren Sapphyre’s attention.

Theodore showed up at Eddie’s doorstep to plead Edina’s case. Eddie admits how offended he was that Theodore so easily forgave Edina for keeping two children from him. Theodore admitted that he’s still furious. But still loves Edina. In his late years, after a heart attack and a fall down the stairs, he needs to do all he can to make his life the best, the happiest it can be.

James didn’t think the police would be able to do much about Aviva, and wanted to handle the situation personally. After all, the police released Aviva in the first place, and that allowed her to assault his father Theodore, and not to mention Det. Nathan Weber that was working her case, quickly disappeared. Julia isn’t sure, since Aviva has possibly overpowered a police officer, who’s to say she can’t take on Julia and James if they showed up at her doorstep. James decided he was going, regardless, and Julia was welcome to join him if she wanted. Though hesitant, Julia followed after James to confront Aviva personally.

Ford lets Aviva in to his humble studio apartment that barely looks to have room for Ford, much less her. Ford tells her his bathroom is in the back, if she wants to shower. “I’ll keep my distance, I promise.” Ava doesn’t know whether she can take his word for that, but is pretty confident in her ability to defend herself, so she heads for his bathroom. Entering the bathroom, she looks at the cramped quarters and less-than-clean bathtub and then fixes her gaze on the reflection in the mirror. “Where did this start?” she asked herself, acknowledging the mess she’s in.

Eleanor waited until Hattie was at work at VSI answering phones before showing up at Hattie’s apartment to talk to Esther. Esther was surprised to see Eleanor and threw Eleanor for a loop by acting like they were old sorority sisters, as if the institution they spent time in together was college. Eleanor played into Esther’s friendly disposition and expressed concern for Esther staying with Hattie, after everything Eleanor’s heard. Eleanor heard that Esther believed Hattie killed her own husband! “Nonsense, dear,” Esther dismissed, “You understand more than anyone what things we girls have to do for our freedom, don’t you?” Eleanor is confused, “I’m sorry, didn’t Hattie put you in Shady Glen? Isn’t she the reason you wanted to get out?” Esther got a little flustered, “I won’t say that I never had my share of stresses and problems, dear, and perhaps there was a time when being at Shady Glen would have benefitted me. But I got all better, and Hattie was just being overly cautious and overprotective of me. Wouldn’t your daughters do the same for you?” Esther’s answer didn’t quite satisfy Eleanor, who realized Esther might not be the best way to get the goods on Hattie.

Invitations are sent out for Terrence Applewhite’s wedding to Christian Avery Field. Terrence wants his wedding to Christian to be a real party and invites Eddie to perform as Aurora Borealis at the reception. Eddie is touched, given his part in ruining Terrence's last production. Eddie is also excited because he hails from Quebec. Eddie puts his feelings about Edina on hold for his return trip to Canada. Christian invites Jenna, who invites Shawn. The Halperin women are invited, and Eleanor invites Henry, so Henry offers to bring the whole wedding party to Canada and back on his private jet. Rebecca invites Thomas as her date, but he isn’t sure he can get time off from VSI.. When Thomas inquires about getting the time off, he learns Henry is flying the entire wedding party to Canada on the VSI corporate jet.

Eddie is thrilled to have a chance to go back home to Canada and see his old life through the new eyes of someone at peace with who he is. Eddie went out on a limb to invite Shawn as his date. “I know, you will probably tell me no, but... I would love to share this with you. Shawn breaks it to him that he’s already attending the wedding – with Jenna. Eddie is crushed, but Shawn promises to try to make time for them to spend together away from everyone.

Julia and James arrive at Aviva’s apartment and James’s pounding on the door yields a shouting response from Nathan. Julia recognizes his voice instantly. James crashes through the door and they inspect the apartment to find Rachel unconscious and a very weak Ramon and Nathan chained up. Julia races to Nathan, which James immediately notices, but Nathan tells Julia that Rachel is bleeding pretty badly. Julia takes charge of the situation, determining that Ramon and Nathan appear to be malnourished, and Rachel might have a hairline skull fracture. James tries to find the sharpest blade to try to break through Ramon and Nathan’s chains. Julia tends to Rachel’s head injury while calling 911 for help.

Ava comes out of the bathroom drying her hair and wrapped in an oversized bathrobe. She looks around and doesn’t see Ford. Relieved he didn’t try to join her in the bathroom, she starts to wonder where he went. Ford returns with two bags. One holds microwave TV dinners, the other a tank top and a pair of women’s jeans. Ford checked her size when she changed out of her clothes for the shower. “I’m not sleeping with you,” Ava told him defensively. Ford won’t pretend that he wouldn’t enjoy it, but that’s not why he’s doing what he’s doing. Ava demands to know why he is, then. “No one did it for me. Maybe if someone had I wouldn’t have made at least some of the bad choices that brought me to this palatial estate,” he said, his voice heavy with irony. Ava continues down the defensive path, “Look, you don’t know me and I’m no one’s charity case, you won’t redeem your soul by trying to redeem mine, so if that’s it, screw you, you’re outta luck.” Ford continues to be amused by her, “My motives aren’t selfless. Lady, I’m just... I’m pretty used to staring at these four walls. Whoever is in my life now, it’s by circumstance, and most of them aren’t too happy about it. So when I ran into you and you didn’t seem to have a lot of options... You kinda remind me of myself. Look, can we eat this stuff? I’m starving.” For some reason, Ava let go of the desire to fight with someone, at least for long enough to eat the frozen pizzas Ford brought them.

Carina happens upon Lauren having lunch at The Redeye, and takes the chance to introduce herself and explain her need to start fresh. Lauren cuts her down, “Carla, do you know that I’m constantly being interrupted during my meals by aimless young women who somehow latched on to the idea of Lauren Sapphyre. But they all have no idea who I am or what I’ve done to get to where I am today. Can you guess how broke I would be if I took a chance on all of them?” Carina is crushed with disappointment at Lauren’s reaction, and lashes out at her, “It’s Carina! And how dare you look down your nose at me! I guess you’ve forgotten what your life was like before finding direction.” Lauren was surprised by Carina’s fire and determination... and fiercely aggressive beauty... but didn’t hire Carina as a personal assistant... she hired Carina as the face of ‘Artemis’!

Ford woke up in his chair and saw Ava was no longer in the pull-out couch that he left her sleeping in. Feeling the breeze on his back, he saw his window was open and investigated, finding Ava on the fire escape. She was staring into the night. Ford wondered what she was doing out there. “I don’t sleep well. I end up thinking about all the... failures,” Ava says. Ford didn’t understand. “The people you’re supposed to be able to count on who fail you over and over again and prove they never really cared about you at all. They’re not even real people in three dimensions when you look at them long enough. They’re just... shadows. All of them.” Ford understands more, after that clarification. “The world’s full of hypocrites,” Ford adds his philosophy, “No matter how nice they seem, how wealthy they are, everyone is just out for themselves. Some just have the means to cover it up better than others. That’s why I prefer to keep company with the people who can just be open and honest about the kind of bastards they are. You know where they stand, at least. As long as I know where I stand...”

Eddie finds Dominic “mourning” Christian, who Dom is certain is about to “march off to his Canadian doom” by getting married. Dominic confesses he has done a lot since coming to New York that he’s not proud of and thought that would be how he’d lose Christian, not through a marriage. Dom apologizes to Eddie for his part in Eddie’s dependency on pills. Eddie owns his choices and makes it clear he doesn’t blame Dom for his drug use. Eddie won’t share Dom’s mistakes with Christian and Dom only needs to lose Christian to this marriage if he chooses to.

Fiona is prepping for the trip to Quebec, and finds that Rod hasn’t started yet. Rod has a hard time coming to terms with going to a wedding between his father and Christian, but Fiona thinks Rod has spent enough of this time thinking about what he can come to terms with. “Our father,” Fiona already can’t stop the tears, “he may not see Christmas. Or even Halloween. Do you have any idea how hard that is for him? To look down the road and see the end of it? He wants to grab any bit of happiness he can in the time that he has left. And if you make this about how hard this is for you... our father is going to take those missed opportunities and regrets to his grave. Dad has always put us first. ALWAYS. You can’t do the same for him? This one time? When it matters most? The last happy milestone he may ever make for himself? I hope to see you there.” Fiona leaves Rod with further confirmation of the finality of his father’s illness.

Thomas wants to meet his sister Didi and asks Eddie to introduce them when they get to Quebec. Eddie isn’t sure how his sister is doing or where she is in her life, whether she’s ready to meet the family she never knew.

The wedding party boards the VSI jet and travels to Quebec, Canada. On the flight over, Eddie has a tough time staying silent as he watches Shawn with Jenna and sees Shawn's "other life" in progress.

Nathan, Ramon, and Rachel are all being treated at the hospital, and family is being notified of the injuries and ailments. Rolo arrives at the hospital to see Ramon, who’s being nourished via the I.V. drip. Rolo is shocked to hear Ramon talking about Aviva’s apparent other personality “Ava” and Rolo acknowledges that Aviva was acting strangely during the classes she was teaching recently, but doesn’t share with Ramon the fact that he believes it was “Ava” that seduced him. Rolo keeps it to himself that he slept with Ava/Aviva.

Ava circles Ford’s sparsely decorated apartment, bored. Ford comes back after being out for the day. “You don’t own any books or anything,” Ava says. “I don’t really read,” Ford responds, unsure whether or not Ava was judging him. “So what are you, like, a dog-walker? Bus driver?” Ava speculates, “It’s just that you never seem to leave here with a briefcase when you leave for the day and don’t seem to have any dress code to uphold, so either you’ve got a really laid back job, or you wear a uniform that you keep in a locker every day... or you’re independently wealthy and just love to hide it,” Ava says, looking around again at the sub-standard living arrangement. Ford quickly dismisses the idea that he’s independently wealthy. But he’s working on it. “I’m self-employed,” Ford says, vaguely. “Meaning unemployed,” Ava translates, getting a laugh from Ford. “What’s your name?” Ford asks, finally. “... Ava,” she shares.

Upon arrival in Canada, Christian asks Jenna to plan his bachelor party. Jenna leaps on the project and starts scouting locations. With Jenna busy, Shawn separates himself from the crowd and asks Eddie to show him the sights. Eddie is hesitant, but thinks it might be good for Shawn to see the life Eddie came from.

Eleanor plans a more low key bachelor party for Terrence, consisting of dinner and drinks. Rebecca asks Thomas which bachelor party he wants to go to, and Thomas avoids the one Jenna’s planning because it’ll be a little more gay than he cares to experience.

With Shawn in Canada, he couldn’t be reached to be told about Rachel’s condition, but Julia did manage to get in touch with Shawn and Rachel’s mother, Valentina Gembressi (guest Vanessa Williams)! Julia was a fan of Valentina’s designs, but remained focused on Rachel’s condition... which Valentina didn’t seem to be able to do. “Will I need to cancel my press tour? I mean, is this a life-threatening thing going on here?” Julia doesn’t address the stupidity of the question, and answers honestly that yes, Rachel’s seriously injured. Valentina dismisses Julia, wanting her to send in a doctor that didn’t get their degree off the back of a matchbook right out of high school. Julia’s insulted, but respects Valentina’s emotions and excuses herself.

Eddie takes Shawn out to see the sights and it teaches Shawn more about Eddie and brings them closer together. Eddie is thrilled to be able to have that time alone with Shawn, and takes it to mean Shawn really does care. Eddie and Shawn happen upon his sister Didi (Kelli Giddish) working at a coffeehouse in downtown Quebec. Quiet and shy, Didi isn’t forthcoming on conversation and wouldn’t even know where to start. Eddie and Didi are shocked to see each other and Eddie introduces Shawn as his friend. Didi isn’t sure if “friend” is a softened term for something deeper. Eddie invites Didi to Terrence and Christian’s wedding to meet his friends and their new family. Didi is apprehensive, but will think about it.

Crystal finds Rod working at Large Bar deep in thought, and hugs him and asks how he’s doing. Rod says he’s okay. Crystal said she understands why it was difficult for Rod to go to the wedding, and it’s probably better that Rod wasn’t there to voice disapproval on Terrence’s big day. “But that’s the thing... I don’t think I disapprove anymore...” Rod said, surprising Crystal. Rod continues, “All this time, I’ve put Christian through hell, challenging him every step of the way and he has stayed loyal and devoted to my father. Yeah, there’s a huge age gap, but who am I to say what love is really supposed to look like... Come with me to the wedding. I need to support my father.” Crystal was surprised by the turn of events, but felt it was encouraging that Rod was ready to witness Christian making a commitment to Terrence... perhaps it was a reassurance to Crystal that Rod didn’t want Christian for himself. Crystal’s disappointment crept in when she realized she had to stay behind and keep an eye on the businesses while Eleanor was in Canada for the wedding. What wasn’t comforting was the thought of Rod in another country with Christian, when she couldn’t be there to see what was going on.

Rolo was shirtless, doing his landscaping work out on the terrace at the Von Stadt penthouse while Henry and Leo were in Canada, when Hattie let herself into the apartment. Rolo was surprised to see her. “Are you the reason Tiffany won’t take my calls? It’s been weeks since she’s seen me,” Rolo accused her. “I wish I could take the credit, happy pants, but the credit lies solely with you,” Hattie fired back, “I wanted you to send my daughter back to me, and I’m glad you did, but I have serious issues with your methods. Tiffany has always been such a sensitive girl, so you think that cheating on her, breaking her poor defenseless heart, is the way to give her back to me?! How DARE you! Cheating has been known to get men killed,” Hattie said chillingly, picking up a rake that was leaning against the wall. Slowly approaching him, backing him up against the terrace wall with the rake inching closer to his neck, “Rolo, my boy, let that be the last time you hurt my daughter,” Hattie warned. “Listen lady, I didn’t plan to hurt Tiffany, Professor Reynoso was as much a surprise to me as it was to Tiffany. I didn’t even know she saw us. Tiffany and I weren’t even really dating, we were just having a casual thing!” Rolo’s defense was of no comfort to Hattie, “Don’t you EVER talk about my daughter that way! Any woman that shares her body with you is being vulnerable with you, letting her guard down, and this is how you repay her?! You let her just go right out of your head as soon as some little tart bats her eyes at you? Every last one of you men are all alike. Every last one.” Hattie stops herself and drops the rake, leaving Rolo a little unnerved by a situation that could have just gone terribly wrong...

Carina reported to Lauren at Sapphyre Cosmetics, but didn’t think she had what it took to model, and it wasn’t really what she was looking to do. “Only fools pass up opportunities,” Lauren warned her, “and I have a knack for seeing what people are capable of and helping them realize their potential. Besides... if I take a leap, it’s my money I lose. Being a failed model isn’t the worst thing in the world to be.” Without allowing herself too much time to think, Carina took her own leap and accepted the offer.

At Terrence’s bachelor party, Henry and Terrence get into a discussion about life being short, and whatever happens to Terrence, he wants Henry to look out for Eleanor and take care of her. Charles Halperin was a good man, and Terrence believes that Henry’s been a stabilizing force in Eleanor’s life since Charles’s death. Henry has an unexpected flashback of placing Charles Halperin’s body in a car and telling him goodbye. Eleanor jars him out of his flashback. Later, Rebecca seems sad and confides in Thomas that she always thought her father would be there to give her away on her wedding day. Henry overhears Rebecca’s comment and appears to be remorseful.

At Christian’s bachelor party, a stripper in a loincloth and angel wings commemorated the play that Terrence and Christian last worked on together. The stripper reminded Dominic of the movie “Party Monster” and how it’s always been symbolic of their friendship, and thought again of how he’s “losing” Christian. Dominic drowned his sorrows in liquor. Eddie slips away from the bachelor party to meet secretly with Shawn at a bar.

Jenna commends Christian on landing a man who will keep him in a comfortable life. Christian insists it’s not about that. Jenna admits she’s at a crossroads about how to achieve her goals, and admits she’s better about her VSI firing. Christian is sure Jenna will bounce back and maybe she’ll end up showing VSI what they lost. Jenna still needs another major investor. Christian tells Jenna about symmetry, and how hit makes so much theatre brilliant. Lauren Sapphyre was part of the reason Jenna was dismissed, so it would be very symmetrical if Lauren made an investment that got Jenna back on top. Jenna loves the idea!

Thomas and Rebecca run into a drunken Dominic and try to get him to return to the hotel. Dom refuses, determined to drink more, and so Thomas and Rebecca follow him to the next bar to make sure he will be safe. Dominic heads to a gay bar and Thomas and Rebecca follow him in, shocked to find Shawn in a passionate (and compromising) kiss with Eddie!

Eddie spies his little brother and realizes Thomas saw the kiss. Thomas and Rebecca slip out. Dominic interrupts Eddie and Shawn, bitter because Dom hasn’t found that kind of connection yet. Eddie leaves Dom with Shawn, and goes after Thomas to contain the situation. Unfortunately Eddie can’t catch up with Thomas and is worried that his relationship with Shawn will be exposed.

Shawn tries to console and reassure Dominic that it will all work out and Dom will be happy someday. Dominic is sure that Christian won’t have time for him anymore once he’s married and once Christian finds out Dom’s secret, he won’t want anything to do with him. Shawn is shocked when the loose-lipped Dominic spills the truth that he and Ford Collins were involved in the hold-up at Large Bar where Rod was shot, and that they were working for Leo! Shawn realizes VSI could be involved in shady dealings, and thinks about how he might use this to his advantage.

A guilt-ridden Henry Von Stadt pulls Leo aside at Terrence’s bachelor party and tells him he has decided to abandon the quest for whatever evidence against them that Charles Halperin left to Eleanor in his will. Leo is amazed at what he’s hearing. “Father, you’ve never had much of a sense of humor, so what is this? Are you drunk? You can’t be serious.” Henry is outraged at being second-guessed by his son, “There is no proof Eleanor is even aware of any evidence that her husband left her. But the biggest overture we made to get our hands on it ended up in disaster with an innocent man being shot because YOU hired incompetence! Every step we make for this evidence risks further builds a case against us. It’s over. We’re letting it go.” Henry’s decree doesn’t satisfy Leo, who wonders if his father is losing his edge out of guilt over Charles Halperin’s death and possibly growing affection for Eleanor. Leo refuses to be deterred and places a call, to Ford Collins. “This is your chance to earn your stripes back,” Leo offered Ford, “all you have to do... is burglarize my home.” Ford’s face lit up at the thought.

Thomas’s mind reels at the revelation of Shawn and Eddie’s connection and how it would finally knock Jenna off her high horse. Rebecca acknowledges how tempting it would be to use this to rattle Jenna, but couldn’t it also do damage to Thomas’s new brother Eddie?

Back in New York, Valentina Gembressi has turned Rachel’s ICU room into Valentina’s second office. Valentina is frustrated on her phone and making demands, “Put me through to Lauren Sapphyre, or I will have your job, and your mother’s job!” When it seems the secretary is still hesitant, Valentina fumes, “Please, darling, I was designing gowns for Sophia Loren back when Lauren was mixing Armani with Polo and calling it her own scent. Put. Her. On. The. Phone.” Valentina obviously gets her way, “Listen Lauren dear, I see you have a few orders in for some gowns of mine from the Grecian Goddess line to be used in your cute little Artemis campaign. Best of luck to you dear, but you know that with me, bygones are certainly not bygone and we simply aren’t destined to be in business together? Capice? Pull them. Immediately. Smooches!” Valentina groans some “air kisses” into the phone, and hanging up without waiting for Lauren’s response.

Rolo calls Tiffany in a fury, and leaves her a voicemail because she still doesn’t answer his calls, “Listen, Tiffany, I just got a visit from your mother, and she told me that you saw me with Professor Reynoso... And I’m really sorry about that... but your mother’s a total whackjob and her picking up a rake and threatening me with it just isn’t freaking cool! I didn’t even know you wanted anything more than a casual thing, I thought we were having fun... If I knew you wanted more, maybe things woulda been different... But either way, keep your crazy mother, and all her sharp objects, AWAY from me!”

Ava seems to be gearing up to ask Ford something, and Ford implores her to say it. “Okay,” Ava says, “I know that I’ve been staying here for a little while, laying low, and despite the accommodations, it hasn’t been that bad. But the fact that I don’t really have anywhere else to go, and I can’t stay here forever... I need to disappear. I’m sure you don’t have enough money, but if you could give me enough for a plane ticket, something to get me out of the country, once I’m somewhere safe that they can’t get me, I will pay you back and I’ll figure out the rest of my life from there, I’ll be out of your hair.” Ford seems, at first, disappointed Ava wants to leave. But then curious, “What have you done? Why are ‘they’ trying to get you? I’m not exactly law abiding, and if you don’t know by now, I’m not planning to call the cops on you or anything.” Ava doesn’t seem reassured and doesn’t want to tell him. “Well you’re out of luck,” Ford warns her, “I’m out of money anyway.” Ford then gets an idea, “But I can change that tonight. I just got a job from a guy... really well-to-do poor little rich kid, and he wants me to rob his place while he’s out of town. Long story. You help me, we split the spoils, 50/50.” Ava seems skeptical about this “job” and yet... is compelled to trust him. Ava agrees.

Terrence is nervous before the ceremony and Fiona is amused to see her very mature father reduced to sweaty palms and a case of the jitters. “I just don’t want to ruin this,” Terrence worries. “How could you ruin this?!” Fiona is continually surprised. “It’s still hard for me to believe that Christian, at his age, in this society, could look at me and not just see some dirty old man. And I had my doubts and fears about him before, we’ve talked about it, you and I, but I’m past that, and I trust him, but... I just feel so lucky. In the last few arguments with your mother... she used to tell me, ‘what do you think you’re going to find out there?! What superficial gay is going to want you now, at your age, with your baggage?!’ and it used to get to me. Anyway, I’m just lucky beyond words that I can have this day, with this beautiful, amazing man that wants me, flaws and all. I just don’t want to ruin this, I want this to be a charming, romantic day for him.” Fiona is touched by her father’s love for Christian, which is a long way from how she first felt about it when she first met Christian. “You’re going to be fine,” Rod said, surprising both his father and sister with his arrival. Terrence got a little emotional that Rod showed up, “Just when I thought I couldn’t feel more lucky... I get to have both of you here, in my corner. Thanks for coming, son, it means the world to me.” Terrence and Rod share a hug. Fiona chimes in, “I’m just glad you can take over the ‘Best Man’ duties!” she jokes, “I was just all wrong for the part.”

Christian and Terrence’s wedding commences. The officiant comes to the point in the ceremony for vows, and Christian and Terrence have written their own. Terrence starts with his, "It's been a relatively short time... a relatively very, very short time... since I've known you. And it's been utterly terrifying getting to know you. I was scared of our age difference, for so many reasons. First, what you would think of me. But that was quickly put to rest when I discovered what an old soul you were. You are so mature, so grounded, and so certain of yourself, and at an age that I could have only hoped to find such self-assuredness, and despite all the hardships you've faced and conquered. I've been so many things to so many people, succeeded in many ways, failed in many others. But all you ask of me... or have ever asked of me... was to be myself, and just be there for you. Which you make so easy to do. And once I found such comfort with you, I was scared of what everyone here would think of me," Terrence says, looking to Rod, then to Fiona, "And there were skeptics... they told me I was crazy, I was too old, too naive... but I think my trust in you and love for you is contagious. At least I hope it is. And I think it says a lot that so many people we care about have come to support us today, in one of the happiest days in my life. The road ahead... may not be very long..." Terrence says, eyes welling with tears, "but I thank God that it's brought me here and it's the only place I want to be. With you. Fully. Completely... and legally! I love you."

Christian is emotional, but choosing his happy tears, over his sad ones, and forges ahead with his vows. "I never like to plan ahead... it never did anything for me, and growing up, everything in my life was always changing. And it does things to you, it makes you question yourself, who you are, what really shapes you. Being self-assured was a choice, because I knew that, no matter what, the one constant I'd always be guaranteed... was me. It was a comforting choice, for what it was, but it wasn't always a happy choice. I felt so good when I met you. You saw everything in me that I liked about myself, and didn't judge me for the things I hated about myself. Yes, I've been through a lot, I've lost a lot, there's so much more that I will go through, but the really good side to the turmoil and the hardships is that you learn to appreciate the small things, the moments, the simple pleasures. A lazy night in bed, watching an old movie, an unexpected deep conversation over ice cream at 2:37 in the morning. Those are what I treasure. Every moment I am fortunate enough to share with you is joyous and memorable. You are everything I needed, at just the right time in my life. I love you."

Shortly after the vows, Terrence and Christian were pronounced husband and husband!

Didi Dawson was in attendance for Terrence and Christian’s wedding, obviously having accepted Eddie’s invitation. Christian and Terrence graciously embraced her. Thomas was excited to meet her. Didi seemed a bit overwhelmed to be surrounded by the boisterous and ultra-liberal crowd. Jenna learns Didi is her half-sister and feels her out on Didi’s future plans. Didi says she’s comfortable in her life and it didn’t occur to her to change anything. Jenna is relieved, and feeling as though Didi isn’t a threat, plays remorseful that they won’t have more time to get to know each other.

Back in NY, Crystal was hosting at Large Bar on Karaoke night, in place of Aurora Borealis. Crystal was obviously feeling very down, but tried to perk herself up with a karaoke performance of “Xanadu”, which got the crowd amped up. After the performance, a bashful Crystal was taken aback when a man named Trevor Allen (Tuc Watkins) approached her to tell her he was thoroughly impressed and wondered if she’d ever done any professional singing. “As professional as singing in the shower,” Crystal laughed. Trevor said he was a talent manager from Upstart Agency and would love to have a meeting with her sometime. Crystal was blown away by her own fortune (for once!) and convinced herself that this was supposed to happen, this was the reason she was the only one that didn’t make it to Terrence and Christian’s wedding.

Terrence and Christian have a romantic wedding reception, and Aurora performs, which is a lot for Didi to witness. The wedding reception is loud and raucous and Didi ends up having a great time with such a diverse crowd of people. Didi thinks that Eddie has found an amazing life in NY. Eddie is so occupied with Didi that he doesn’t have an opportunity to talk to Thomas about what he saw. The secret hangs over Eddie for the rest of the reception.

Didi thanks Eddie for inviting her to the wedding, and is delighted to have had the experience. Eddie bids her farewell and tells her to visit sometime. Didi seems open to the idea.

On the ride back to New York on the VSI jet, Thomas and Eddie have the tension of their secret between them. Thomas studies Eddie’s every reaction to any display of affection between Shawn and Jenna.

Ramon went home when he was released from the hospital, and the minute he was in the door he was shouting to Rolo, yelling at him for not picking up the phone and telling him that he wants Rolo’s help in finding Aviva. They need to search the city for her... if Ramon lets her disappear after he was the cause of her losing her grip... Ramon would never forgive himself. Ramon opens to the door to Rolo’s room after not getting a verbal response and is horrified to find Rolo in bed, face down, with what looks like a stab wound in his back!

A masked Ava and Ford arrive at The Dorilton building and enter the back entrance that Leo tipped Ford off about. Ava is still skeptical and wants to know why Ford’s boss wants him to rob him. Ava thinks Ford’s lying or trying to set her up. Ford gets angry and lashes out at her that if he wanted her gone, he would have turned her in long ago. “Unless,” Ava countered, “you were as much of a fugitive and couldn’t run the risk of letting them know where you were either!” Ford ordered Ava to shut up and stay focused. Ford and Ava arrive at the penthouse and Ford punches in a “scrambling code” on the access panel that Leo gave him to get into the apartment (a detail Leo learned about from the electronics division at VSI). Ava and Ford start tossing the place and snagging valuables for themselves.

Shawn raced to the hospital after finally receiving a message about his sister Rachel’s head injury. Panicked, Shawn finds Rachel’s room and is surprised to see their mother Valentina there! “Darling, finally! I couldn’t get a hold of you!” Valentina was exasperated, “Your office said you were out of the country at some wedding. Who was getting married and why wasn’t I invited?!” Shawn quickly tries to refocus his mother, “A friend of a friend, it wasn’t anything that would have made your social calendar. What the hell happened here?!” Valentina continues on, “Oh you know your sister. Getting into everyone’s business apparently finally caught up to her, and someone savagely attacked the poor dear. She had some swelling of the brain, it’s gone down, but there’s a few blood clots they’re concerned about. She needs to quit that nosy line of work she’s in, that’s what caused this!”

Once the trip is over, everyone returns home to NY on the jet and Terrence is exhausted. Shortly after, Terrence collapses! Rushed to the hospital, Terrence continued to slowly deteriorate.

Rod lashed out at Christian for pushing the Canada trip on them all, Christian felt guilty, and Fiona ordered them both to stop their selfish fighting. Dr. Julia Lawless adjusts Terrence's prescription dosages.

Lauren began grooming Carina for her role in the “Artemis” launch and Carina was dazzled by the lifestyle she was being pulled into. Lauren set up a test shoot, which was awkward for Carina at first, but she ended up loosening up and having fun.

Hattie arrives at the Von Stadt Penthouse to check on things and prepare for Henry and Leo’s return, only to find the door open and the place ransacked. Hearing a noise down the other end of the floor, Hattie realizes the burglars are still there, and gets on her cell phone to dial the police about the burglary.

While hospitalized, Terrence's eyesight begins to go. Julia admits to the Applewhites that this is probably Terrence's last month to live.

Coming in September on Beyond the Horizon:

• Hattie disrupts Leo’s plan by getting Ford and Ava caught.
• Rachel wakes up, while Rolo’s life hangs in the balance.
• Jenna has a proposition for Lauren, who’s at loose ends after Valentina Gembressi nixes use of her gowns.
• Hattie finds herself right in the middle of the case of Rolo’s stabbing.
• Eddie and Thomas discuss what Thomas saw in Canada between Eddie and Shawn.
• Henry suspects Leo has gone against his wishes and seeks answers from Ford.
• Terrence’s condition worsens, and he wants to see his ex-wife Emma.
• Ava swears Aviva is never coming back.
• Carina learns about Lauren’s family.
• Evan is on hand to revise Terrence’s will.
• Startup company Baldwin Enterprises launches.
• Jenna’s past comes back to haunt her.
• Rebecca’s new dorm roommate hits it off with Thomas.