Paul recently returned to Oakdale in 2001 when his mother was burnt in an explosion. He's as mommy-whipped as ever and immediately went to work trying to "get" Craig Montgomery for all he believed he did to his mother.

Paul also struck up a friendship with Rose D'Angelo which has grown into love. After Rose returned from the spa, Paul told her he loved her despite her aging appearance. She told him that they should just be friends after someone mistook her for his mother (!). Paul tried, but he wasn't successful at being "just friends" so he decided to ask Rose to marry him. After some persuading she said yes! Paul didn't just buy her an engagement ring, he bought 3 cheesy rings to give her first. A disco dazzler, a mood ring, and a decoder ring. Rose loved all of them, and Paul threw another ring onto the table. This one was in a plastic bag. She pulled it out and it was a huge diamond ring! So Paul and Rose are officially engaged now.