DAYS: NICOLE IS PREGNANT
■ Nicole receives surprising news from Kayla: She’s pregnant. “Nicole’s having some bad cramping, and she hasn’t gotten her period,” sets up Arianne Zucker (Nicole). “Kayla thinks she’s in perimenopause, and Nicole is like, ‘What? No I’m not.’ They run a couple of routine tests and, voilà, it’s not menopause, it’s a baby. This is the last thing Nicole thought.”
When the women discuss Nicole’s complicated medical history, she reveals another major issue: She’s not sure whether the father is Eric or EJ. “It’s a highrisk pregnancy,” points out Zucker. “Kayla’s very supportive about figuring out who the father could be, which obviously means doing a paternity test.”
Before Nicole can digest the news, EJ arrives at the hospital. Kayla gives the pair a moment alone, during which EJ reveals that he knows Nicole and Eric slept together, and surprises Nicole by being understanding and forgiving. “EJ is changing with Nicole, not necessarily with other things in his life and dealing with his own family, but with her, he’s flipped a switch,” says the actress. “He’s been way more supportive than explosive.”
EJ expresses his concern for Nicole and admits he’s afraid she’s not telling him everything. Nicole chooses to lie and says she may be entering early menopause. “She needs a moment,” notes Zucker. “I mean, look, this is just as big for him as it is for her. And she could lose the baby, she could miscarry. She’s just keeping the news close to the vest until she decides what she wants to do.”
EJ ultimately tells Tony that Nicole slept with Eric, while Nicole confides her pregnancy secret to Anna. “Anna’s become this wholesome figure with the way she speaks to Nicole,” shares Zucker. “She wants Nicole to do what she feels is right. It’s, ‘What do you want to do in your heart?’ ”
In the end, Nicole realizes she has to schedule a paternity test. “The right thing would be to hope that this is EJ’S baby,” concludes Zucker. “But if it is Eric’s, although Nicole’s had to let him go, it doesn’t mean she’s lost that love for him. And she just went through this whole thing with him wanting to be a father. If this is Eric’s baby, it’s an emotional complication. But Nicole would like to have faith in the fact that EJ will support this no matter what. Couples do it all the time.”
“If this is Eric’s baby, it’s an emotional complication.”