Zende Forrester Dominguez and Nicole Avant

Zende is the adoptive son of Kristen Forrester and Antonio Dominguez. Nicole is the daughter of Julius Avant and Vivienne Avant. She's also the sister of Maya Avant who played an important role on B&B from 2013-2018.

Meeting at Forrester Creations (2015)
In May Nicole wanted to go through an internship at Forrester Creations where she met Zende. At first Nicole was confused that Zende is a Forrester because he didn't look like them so he explained to her that he is adopted. Zende, who also became an intern at FC at that time, wanted to spend a lot of time with Nicole and the feeling was mutual. The two were very infatuated with one another. At one point Nicole's parents Julius and Vivienne show up in LA and want to take Nicole back home. She refuses to leave her work at Forrester Creations and Zende, but her father was very adamant as he wanted Nicole far from her sister Maya and LA. Julius didn't want to accept this older daughter because she was born a man and decided to undergo sex change. Vivienne was not as stubborn, but she was submissive where her husband was concerned. Even though Julius couldn't accept Maya he decided to stay in LA for Maya's wedding to Rick Forrester because he was impressed with the life of the famous family. Julius leaves the ceremony when Maya confronts him about not accepting her, but Vivienne refused to listen to her husband and stayed to support Maya on her big day. Nicole and Zende also attended the wedding.

Nicole's and Thomas's kiss/Zende's jealousy
In September 2015 Nicole saw that Thomas Forrester is sad because his father gets married and his bride won't be his mother Taylor Hayes. Nicole comforted him and Thomas kisses her. Later Nicole talked about the kiss with Thomas and Zende overheard it. Both Nicole and Thomas assured Zende that the kiss didn't mean anything and the couple continued to be together.

Zende fighting Nicole's decision to become Maya's and Rick's surrogate
In October 2015 Maya and Rick asked Nicole to be their surrogate. Maya can't have her own babies and wanted to have a baby with her husband that will have both of their genes. Nicole was torn and told Zende about it. The man begged his girlfriend to not do it however Nicole decided to help her older sister and Rick because she owes them a lot. Zende was horrified, but tried to accept it and assures her that he will stand by her side. Julius and Vivienne showed up in Los Angeles and apologized to Maya. They also said they want to move in to LA to be close to both of their children. The happy reunion changed into chaos when Julius finds out that Nicole is supposed to become a surrogate for Maya and her husband.

Zende wanted to make love to Nicole and she refused because until she gets impregnated she has to avoid sexual contact. The young Forrester man was very disappointed that he couldn't even make love to his own girlfriend because she will soon be carrying his own uncle's child.

In November 2015 Julius and Vivienne showed up at the hospital to stop the insemination, but it was too late. Soon Dr. March confirmed that Nicole is already pregnant. Zende confessed that he was not ready for the pregnancy to happen so fast.

In December 2015 Nicole rejected Zende's offer to go out for a date because she felt bad due to the pregnancy. Zende's disappointment grows.

Intimacy problems/Sasha going after Zende (2015-2016)
Nicole was thrilled because her best friend Sasha Thompson arrived in LA. Nicole gave Sasha a tour around Forrester Creations where she met Zende.

Soon Zende tries to be intimate with Nicole, but he gets repulsed when he thinks about Rick's baby inside of her and stops it.

In January Nicole is jealous when she see's Zende taking photos of a Forrester model. He hoped to get Oliver Jones previous work as a FC photographer. At one point Zende started taking photos of Nicole, but she has morning sickness and had to stop the session. Sasha takes her place. Rick and Maya are impressed with Sasha's modelling skills and they think that Sasha really inspires Zende. Nicole is pretending that she's happy for Sasha and she tells Rick that she feels threatened and doesn't want the two to continue working together. Rick wants to support his sister in law so he tells Sasha that she won't get the job. Zende and Sasha found out that Rick didn't hire Nicole's friend at her request and the two confront her. Nicole admits that she was jealous. She apologized and asked Rick to give Sasha a chance.

Calling it quits/ Zende dating Sasha
In February 2016 Zende assured Nicole that he doesn't mind waiting for sex until the end of her pregnancy. He prepared a romantic dinner for Nicole and during it confessed to her that she doesn't feel good that she will give birth to Rick's daughter. He says that he does love her, but that is too much for him. The two call it quits. In March Nicole found out that that Zende and Sasha are dating. She was absolutely heartbroken and disappointed. The worst part was that Zende confessed that he and Sasha had sex. When Nicole complaints to her parents Julius tells Nicole that she is guilty because she became a surrogate.

In April Sasha lied to Nicole that Zende told her that he loves her. Nicole confronted Zende, but he assured her that it's not true and that he still loves her and only has fun with Sasha. Nicole was done with Sasha and asked her to leave LA. Instead of leaving Sasha confessed to Nicole that she is her biological sister, Julius's secret daughter. Nicole confronted her father who tried to lie. Nicole forced her father to confess to her mother. Vivienne learned the truth and was furious with Julius. She was disgusted when Julius called Sasha "a mistake". Vivienne told Julius that she doesn't want to see him and hugged both Nicole and Sasha.

Nicole and Zende back together/Sasha's fake pregnancy
Nicole started giving birth with Maya, Vivienne and Rick by her side. Zende later revealed that he secretly watched her giving birth dressed as a doctor and that he apologizes for leaving her to deal with it alone for his own selfish reasons. He tells Nicole that his relationship with Sasha was a mistake and he wants her back. The two kiss and are happy to be back on track, but then Sasha lies about being pregnant with Zende's child. She shows everyone a fake pregnancy test. Ultimately Sasha told Nicole and Zende the truth. Nicole doesn't want to forgive her half sister and demands she leaves town.

In June 2016 Julius begs his family for forgiveness and Nicole forgives Sasha.

Ridge Forrester hires Sasha to become a lingerie model, but Nicole doesn't allow Zende to take photos of her as she doesn't trust her half sister. Sasha says that Nicole tries to take her chance for success from her. Zende declined Ridge's offer to take photos of Sasha and took photos of shoes instead. Nicole was grateful to him, but Zende wasn't satisfied with that work. Soon after Zende prepared a romantic dinner for him and Nicole and the couple made love for the first time.

Maya's and Rick's shocking request/New problems for the couple
Nicole and Zende's relationship was going in the right direction when Maya and Rick decided to ask Nicole to give birth to another baby so they could give their daughter Lizzy Forrester a sibling. Zende was shocked that Maya and Rick can ask for this kind of sacrifice again and he couldn't believe that Nicole can even think about it. Nicole admitted that Zende is right and assured him that she will say no to her sister. One day Nicole took Lizzie into her arms and got so emotional that she decided to give her a sibling. Maya and Rick were grateful, but Zende became furious. He was disappointed that Nicole decided it all on her own.

Zende started rejecting Nicole's calls and soon she heard that he is in Hawaii with nobody else, but Sasha. Zende told Nicole that if she will become a surrogate once more they are definitely over. Zende called Nicole and asked her to change her mind, but this time Nicole turned off her phone. Shortly before the insamination Nicole told Maya that she can't do it to Zende and stopped it. Nicole entered the Forrester jet that just arrived back from Hawaii and saw Sasha and Zende in bed. Zende tried to explain to her, but Nicole didn't want to listen to this. Zende found out that Nicole didn't become Maya's surrogate and wanted to work things out with Nicole, but she couldn't forgive him for cheating on her with her sister. Zende told her that he will always love her and he has a ring for her in case she changes her mind.

After thanksgiving Zende asked Nicole for her hand, but she rejected him. Angry Nicole told Zende that she will never be his wife. Sasha tried to convince Nicole to forgive Zende and reminded her that she had a role in all this mess when she wanted to become Maya's surrogate again. Zende left town to be with his parents for Christmas, but told Nicole he would rather spent the holidays with her.

Forgiveness and Marriage
Zende came back to town and assured Nicole that he loves her. Nicole was still angry and even rejected to work with Zende in Forrester Creations. Maya convinces Nicole to give it a try. When Nicole gets ready for the photo session outside FC Zende drove by in carriage. He proposed again and swore that he will never betray her again. Nicole finally gave in and happily accepted the proposal.

Zende and Nicole became married on Valentine's day. The ceremony took place in the Forrester Mansion with Nicole's portrait above the mantle. The newlyweds went for a honeymoon to the Virgin Islands.

Infertility
Zende and Nicole took care of Lizzie one day and started thinking about having their own children. Sadly Nicole found out that she probably can't have anymore children from Dr. Caspary. The cause was scaring after her last pregnancy. Nicole was devastated and told her parents about it. Nicole got closer to Lizzie and raged at Maya for not taking care of her properly. One day Nicole is emotional when Lizzie calls her "mamma". Julius admired Nicole for taking good care of her biological daughter and assured her that Lizzie knows who her real mother is. Nicole was torn when Maya asked her to sign the final adoption papers, but Zende told his wife that Lizzie can't become their child as she's Rick's baby. Nicole apologizes to everyone and signs the documents.

A new life in Paris/Divorce (2017-2020)
Ridge Forrester offered Zende and Nicole work in Forrester International in Paris. The two accept and move to Paris together. The couples seemed to be happy until Zende came back to Los Angeles in 2020 and informed his family that he and Nicole are getting a divorce.