At Steve and Kayla’s place, the couple shared a heartfelt moment as Kayla playfully scolded Steve for pretending to forget their anniversary. Steve, ever the charmer, asked if he was forgiven, and Kayla, unable to resist, sealed her answer with a tender kiss. As they settled down to enjoy some wine and Kayla’s favorite cheese, she expressed her hope that Stephanie would have a special Valentine’s Day. Steve took the opportunity to update her on the apparent truce between Stephanie and Alex. While Kayla was pleased for their daughter, she quickly noticed Steve’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction. Steve admitted he was worried about Alex’s history as a playboy and feared that Stephanie might end up heartbroken. Kayla, however, believed in giving second chances and reminded Steve that their own relationship had gone through ups and downs, making them wiser in love. Eventually, Steve conceded, agreeing that after all their reconciliations, they had indeed become experts in second chances.

Their conversation was interrupted by a text from Tripp, catching Steve’s attention. Steve shared Tripp’s growing concerns about Ava with Kayla, vowing to get answers for his son. Afterward, Steve and Kayla exchanged Valentine’s and anniversary gifts. Amused, they both laughed when they realized they had gotten each other nearly identical presents—matching tickets to a Chicago Cubs game. Kayla suggested they offer the extra set of tickets to Stephanie and Alex, hoping it would help strengthen their bond.

Meanwhile, at the bistro, Alex eagerly awaited Stephanie’s arrival. When she finally appeared, he greeted her with a single red rose before pouring them a bottle of fine wine. The drink sparked memories of his childhood, recalling how his mother used to take him on lavish wine-tasting trips and expensive vacations. Though he cherished those experiences, he sometimes wished she had been more present in his everyday life. Stephanie reassured him that those experiences had shaped him into the person he was today, expressing gratitude to his mother for helping him become the man she had come to care for.

Stephanie, in turn, opened up about her childhood in California with Kayla. She reminisced about how her mother always made her feel loved, ensuring they created special memories together, even when it was just the two of them. While she was glad to have her father back in her life, she didn’t regret her upbringing, knowing it had also played a role in shaping her. Alex agreed, feeling thankful that her journey had ultimately led her to him. As they shared their desserts, a bit of cream landed on Stephanie’s chin. Alex chuckled, gently wiping it away before leaning in for a kiss.

Elsewhere, at Leo’s apartment, he was caught off guard by a knock on the door. Fearing it was the police coming to arrest him for theft, he hastily hid his belongings. However, he was relieved to find that it was Javi, who presented him with a Valentine’s gift—a playful chocolate kiss before leaning in for a real one. Feeling guilty for not making dinner reservations, Leo apologized, but Javi assured him that he understood. Knowing how much losing his dream job had affected Leo, Javi was willing to give him time to process everything. They exchanged gifts, with Javi giving Leo a humorous pillow that perfectly suited his personality, while Leo gifted Javi an expensive scarf. Though Javi insisted on returning it, Leo refused, wanting to do something nice for him while he still could. The couple decided to spend the evening together, ordering room service and watching TV. However, a minor disagreement arose when Leo mistakenly thought Javi wanted to watch a racing event when, in reality, Javi wanted to watch a basketball playoff game.

At the hospital, Johnny and Chanel found themselves discussing Sophia’s adoption situation with Tate. He confided in them that Sophia’s mother had changed her mind about the adoption, leaving them searching for the right couple to take the baby. Johnny and Chanel exchanged a knowing glance before Johnny made an unexpected offer—perhaps they were the right couple Tate had been looking for. Tate was taken aback, unsure if they were serious. Chanel quickly reassured him that they had been considering starting a family and believed fate had led them to this moment. Johnny emphasized that, since Tate and he were cousins, the baby would still remain connected to the family. Concerned they were overwhelming Tate, Chanel asked if they were moving too fast. However, Tate assured them he wasn’t uncomfortable and admitted that he and Sophia had been struggling to find a couple who met Sophia’s mother’s expectations. 

When Chanel inquired whether Sophia’s mother would only approve of the adoption if the couple came from her church, Tate admitted he wasn’t entirely sure but knew she valued strong Christian beliefs. Upon hearing this, Johnny and Chanel exchanged another look, contemplating whether they fit the criteria. Before making any decisions, Tate said he needed to discuss it with Sophia first. However, before heading out, he also had to see Holly, as he was already late for their date. Despite the uncertainty, Tate was hopeful that things would work out and admitted that he believed Johnny and Chanel would make wonderful parents.

At the Horton Lodge, Holly nervously admired herself in a negligee in front of the mirror. Just then, Doug walked in, accidentally catching a glimpse of her attire. Embarrassed, they both quickly turned away. Doug awkwardly explained that Julie had sent him on an errand, while Holly, flustered, clarified that she was only trying on the negligee and intended to change before Tate arrived. Doug reassured her that she looked nice but didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable. As he searched for what Julie had sent him to retrieve, Holly playfully guessed it was a book of love poems, only to be surprised when her guess turned out to be correct. Doug found the book and explained that his grandfather had once written a song for Julie and left its lyrics inside. Holly found the gesture incredibly romantic and hoped that one day, she would experience a love as deep as Julie and Doug’