Lilly's farm: living room
Vernon: Lilly?
Lilly: I called Mel.
Vernon: Lilly?
Lilly: I'm in here, Doc! We're in here! Thank God you're here. She had a seizure.
Vernon: She has epilepsy.
Lilly: Yeah. It's been at least five years since her last episode.
Vernon: Did you time it?
Lilly: I think it was 90 seconds, and then I heard her fall. I'm afraid she hit her head.
Mel: What is she taking?
Vernon: Lamotrigine. Fifty milligrams a day.
Lilly: Yeah.
Mel: Okay. Tara? Can you hear me? It's Mel. Doc's just gonna take your blood pressure, all right?
Tara: What happened? Where am I?
Vernon: You're at home, honey. You had a seizure.
Tara: Where's my mom?
Lilly: I'm here, baby. Right here, sweetie. And Mel and Doc are taking care of you.
Jack: Hey, Lilly.
Lilly: Hm?
Jack: Why don't we go make coffee for everyone?
Mel: It's okay. We got her.
Lilly: Okay.
Vernon: Her vitals are stable.
Mel: Okay. Do you wanna try sitting up, sweetheart?
Tara: Mm-hmm.
Mel: Here we go... All right. How are you feeling? Are you dizzy at all?
Tara: No.
Mel: Okay. Do you feel nauseous? How's your head feel? Do you have a headache?
Tara: No?
Mel: I'm just gonna feel your head and see if you have any bumps, okay? All right, sweetheart. I don't think that you have a concussion, but just to be safe, I'm gonna have Lilly wake you up every few hours throughout the night. All right. You're okay. I'm gonna go talk to Doc, okay? Here, let's get you a blanket... So what's her history?
Vernon: It's primarily tonic, but I have seen some absence seizures too. We think it started with a bad fever when she was an infant, and fortunately, her medications are very effective.
Mel: You think stress triggered it?
Vernon: Most likely.
Mel: Yeah... Oh God. Poor thing. She's probably so overwhelmed with Lilly's cancer and having to take care of Chloe.
Vernon: We need a plan to get them support ASAP. Otherwise, Tara's seizures are gonna increase in frequency.
Mel: Yeah.
----------
Lilly's farm: kitchen
Lilly: This is all my fault. Stress is one of Tara's triggers, and, um... Well, we were in the car talking about my cancer, and we came home, she had a seizure.
Jack: Hey, hey, no. Lilly, come on... You can't blame yourself, okay? I'll... I'll take care of Chloe.
Lilly: Thank you.
Jack: Everything's gonna be just fine.
Lilly: I wish that were true.
----------
Lilly's farm: Chloe's bedroom
Jack: Oh, hey. Hey! Oh, Chloe. Hey. Oh. Did all the people in your house wake you up? Hm? Those naughty people. Oh, that's no good! It's okay. Come on. Okay. Okay. It's all right. What do you need? What do you need? Do you need that? Isn't that pretty? No? Okay. Yeah? Close your eyes. Okay, okay. You're not ready. Okay, okay. Oh, you're not ready. You're not ready. Well, you wanna know something? When it comes to all of this, I'm not ready either. Okay? Don't tell anyone. Okay.
----------
Mel's cabin
Mel: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up.
Jack: It's okay. What time is it?
Mel: It's early.
Jack: I didn't think you were leaving for LA till tomorrow?
Mel: Um, I'm not. I just, uh, got a lot to do today.
Jack: Baby, I feel like before you go, I gotta explain why I'm not going with you.
Mel: No, it's fine. Can't leave the bar... I totally get it.
Jack: No, no. It's not just that. Look, I want our first trip away together to be special, you know? I want it to be about us, not your sister's divorce. Believe it or not.
Mel: Makes sense.
Jack: Mm. You look a little tired. You should come back to bed.
Mel: I told you I have a lot to do today.
Jack: Oh yeah, but come on. It's not even 7:00.
Mel: Aw. Aw, you're not making this easy.
Jack: Oh really? Good... I just want attention.
----------
Preacher's house: kitchen
Preacher: Hey.
Connie: Where's Christopher?
Preacher: He's, uh, playing with Tucker.
Connie: Charmaine's dog?
Preacher: Yeah. There's some sort of issue, so Jack took him in.
Connie: Oh. So you're already dog-sitting. You are a saint.
Preacher: Well, actually, we offered to look after Tucker when Jack went to Lilly's.
Connie: Uh-huh?
Preacher: Christopher took one look at that dog. It was love at first sight.
Connie: Didn't have the heart to say no?
Preacher: Pretty much.
Connie: You're an old softie. But I think it's good. You know? Christopher could use a buddy.
Preacher: Yeah, I thought so.
Connie: Mm-hmm. Oh. Mm-hmm.
Preacher: Oh, you gotta be kidding me. They're cancelling the camp play.
Connie: Why can't they find another director? Christopher worked his tail off.
Preacher: Yeah, I know. He's gonna be devastated.
Connie: Not on my watch. I'll call over there and take care of it.
Preacher: No, you don't have to do that.
Connie: Well, I don't mind.
Preacher: Connie, you have been doing so much work around here. I feel like we're taking advantage of you.
Connie: Are you saying you don't want my help? Because you certainly can't do this all by yourself.
Preacher: No, not exactly. It's just... Look, I'm just... Just worried that eventually you're gonna resent me.
Connie: I see.
Preacher: I thought you'd be relieved.
Connie: I am... Yeah. Wonderful not to be needed.
----------
Jack's bar
Jack: I'm sorry, you said there's a spring?
Gary: Yeah, and the source is right under your lot, which means...
Jack: I have to notify Fish and Wildlife.
Gary: And get a survey done and submit an LSA application, but it's not guaranteed.
Mike: Wait, so how long till he can break ground on the house?
Gary: Anywhere between eight months and a year. And that's if the permit gets approved. These environmental protection concerns have led to a hold on building permits.
Jack: Just... Wait a second. My house was built in 1954. Surely there's a grandfather clause that would allow me to build before then.
Gary: These days, new construction requires a permit.
Jack: So I gotta wait for up to a year for a permit that I might not even get or sell and take a loss?
Gary: Sorry. I wish I had better news for you.
Jack: Yeah.
Gary: Listen, I have other meetings, so let me know what you guys decide, yeah?
Jack: Sure. Thanks for coming out, man.
Gary: All right.
Mike: See ya.
Jack: Man, if I don't have a place for the twins to stay, Charmaine's gonna use this against me for sure.
Mike: Um, how about Mel's?
Jack: Yeah, that's fine at the beginning, but if I want partial custody, the twins will have to have their own bedroom.
Mike: Then look for another place.
Jack: Dude, with what cash?
Mike: Sell the land?
Jack: Come on. Who in their right mind is gonna buy a residential lot knowing that they can't get a building permit? I just... Man, I feel like the deck is stacked against me, you know? I keep trying to do the right thing, and everywhere I turn, a roadblock.
Mike: Come on, man. That's not the Jack I know.
Jack: Well, it's how I feel.
Mike: When we were serving, remember what you'd say? The only way to fail is to quit.
Jack: Yeah... I just don't feel like that guy anymore.
----------
Brady's house: living room
Brady: Hey. There you are... What are you doing out here?
Brie: Hm, I've been up for a while.
Brady: Oh.
Brie: Oh, you're so warm.
Brady: You cold? Want me to grab your blanket?
Brie: No. I wanna stay just like this.
Brady: Mm... Thanks for staying the night.
Brie: Oh. Is that a hint it's time for me to go?
Brady: Actually, I was, uh, hoping we could spend the day together... Hello? Is that necessary? Fine... I gotta go to work.
Brie: Don't worry about it. Maybe we can see each other tonight?
Brady: You know what? I have a better idea.
Brie: Yeah? What?
Brady: I'm not gonna be long. You stay here, I'll bring back breakfast.
Brie: Breakfast in bed?
Brady: Mm-hmm... Anything you want.
Brie: Where do I sign?
Brady: Don't move.
----------
Jack's bar
Lizzie: Oh, damn it.
Ricky: Can I take your order?
Lizzie: I didn't know you were working today.
Ricky: Why would you think that?
Lizzie: I don't know. I was hoping at least one thing would go right today.
Ricky: What's wrong?
Lizzie: The internet is down at the B&B, and it is crazy slow here.
Ricky: So, are you, like, never gonna speak to me again?
Lizzie: I don't know.
Ricky: Lizzie.
Lizzie: I feel like you have what you want, and what I want doesn't matter.
Ricky: Living together is a huge jump from being boyfriend-girlfriend. Listen. Hey... I love you, and I wanna be with you.
Lizzie: Okay. I guess it is a big step. Can we talk about it in the future?
Ricky: Sure. You, uh, want me to get you some fries?
Lizzie: Yes, please. Extra salt.
Ricky: You got it.
Lizzie: Hey, um, who was that marine guy you were talking to at the Lumberjack Games?
Ricky: Hm? Uh, just, uh, some guy trying to recruit people.
Lizzie: Really? It seemed like you guys knew each other.
Ricky: No.
Lizzie: So you've never met him before?
Ricky: Holy hell. I think that guy's Granger Smith.
Lizzie: Who's Granger Smith?
Ricky: Huge country music singer.
Lizzie: So he's famous?
Ricky: Heck yeah.
----------
Jack: Hey, man. Something going on with you and Lizzie?
Ricky: Why?
Jack: I hate to tell you this, but she's checking out that guy there.
Ricky: Oh. I told her that's Granger Smith.
Jack: No, it's not.
Ricky: Yeah, I know.
Jack: Hm.
----------
Jack's bar: kitchen
Preacher: Hey, I gotta drop by the camp. Be back in an hour.
Jack: All right. Can you swing by the bakery truck on your way back? I told Connie we're running low on pies.
Preacher: Can't Ricky do it?
Jack: Yeah, but isn't Christopher's camp right by the truck?
Preacher: Uh, yeah. Yeah, I guess it is.
Jack: So...
Preacher: So, it's just that Connie and I had a misunderstanding this morning.
Jack: Oh. Sorry to hear that. Don't worry about it. I'll pick up the pies.
Preacher: No. I got it. You know, um, gotta face the music some time. Might as well be now.
----------
Vernon's practice: office
Mel: Okay, so I have an idea.
Vernon: Go on.
Mel: Um, I'm thinking about creating a care calendar to reduce Tara's stress.
Vernon: And how would that work?
Mel: I'd create a schedule, and people can sign up for anything that Lilly or Tara might need, like, um, running errands, babysitting, bringing meals, that kind of stuff.
Vernon: That is a good idea.
Mel: Thanks. I'll run it by Lilly this afternoon.
Vernon: Oh, um, by the way, I wanna tell you, I have decided against bringing in Dr. Hansen.
Mel: Oh. I thought you liked her.
Vernon: She didn't seem like the right fit.
Mel: Okay. Um, are you gonna keep interviewing people?
Vernon: No. For now, I've decided to, uh, put my search on hold.
Mel: Okay... Look, I've been wanting to talk to you about how I told Jack you were retiring.
Vernon: What about it?
Mel: Well, I just want to apologize. And I'm sorry that you feel like I breached your confidence. The only reason I brought it up with him was because I was caught off guard, and I needed to work out my feelings. I told him not to say anything, but you know Jack. He was just trying to be protective.
Vernon: I'm not mad at Jack. I know his intentions are good, and...
Mel: But you're still mad at me.
Vernon: I wouldn't say mad. I, uh... More like frustrated.
Mel: Frustrated, how?
Vernon: I have worked 30 years alone to build this practice, and up until now, anything that had to do with the work was strictly my business.
Mel: Okay, so you feel like being on your own was better.
Vernon: It was easier. The only person I had to answer to was me.
Mel: It's not about answering to me. It's just about having respect for a colleague.
Vernon: I do respect you, but it doesn't mean that I'm comfortable having you involved in every aspect of my life.
Mel: I'm not talking about every aspect. I am just talking about the clinic.
Vernon: But this is what you gotta understand. The clinic, this clinic, this is my life!
----------
Jack's bar
Lizzie: I looked him up. That's not Granger Smith.
Ricky: Oh. I guess not. Oh well.
Lizzie: Thanks for the fries.
Ricky: So, are we okay?
Lizzie: Yeah, but I gotta get to work... I love you, dummy.
----------
Sherriff station: interview room
Brady: Why the hell am I here?
Mike: I just need to clarify a few things in your statement. Where were you the night of the shooting?
Brady: I was at Juvy's. Bea vouched for me.
Mike: She's amended her timeline. There's now two hours where you're unaccounted for, which is plenty of time to do that.
Brady: You actually think I shot Jack?
Mike: I don't know, Brady. You tell me.
Brady: Why would I do something like that?
Mike: When Calvin first hired you, within a couple weeks, most of his assets were transferred into your name. Then Jack turns the cops onto the fentanyl, but to take Calvin down, we needed someone on the inside. You show up. You give us a date and a location to score the evidence that we need. But when we get there, the operation's cleared out. Now, Calvin doesn't know that you were the informant that triggered the raid. Otherwise, you'd be dead by now... But he knows that you let Spencer live... So, to save yourself, you needed to make it up to him by getting rid of Jack.
Brady: That's a bunch of crap. And I'm not saying anything more until I got a lawyer.
Mike: Good call.
Brady: So... Am I free to go?
Mike: Yeah... Just don't leave town, and stay away from Jack.
----------
Jack's bar
Jack: Oh. Does somebody need a coffee?
Mel: Yeah. To go, please.
Jack: You having a rough morning too?
Mel: Doc is frustrated with me.
Jack: What, more than usual?
Mel: Yeah. Don't know. Something's going on with him. I just can't figure out what it is.
Jack: Well, he's probably upset about Lilly.
Mel: Sure, but he's been acting like this for a while.
Jack: Hm.
Mel: So, what's going on with you?
Jack: Oh, just... There's an issue with getting a permit to rebuild my house.
Mel: Ugh, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?
Jack: Not unless you know how to relocate an aquifer.
Mel: I do not.
Jack: How about some food?
Mel: Oh, no, just the coffee, thanks. I'm on my way out to see Lilly.
Jack: All right. What time we doing dinner?
Mel: I'm not sure yet. Between the scheduling, submitting insurance forms, and charting, my day is just kind of packed.
Jack: Yeah. Well, just try to imagine doing all that with a baby in the mix.
Mel: Wow.
Jack: What?
Mel: What is that supposed to mean?
Jack: Nothing.
Mel: It's gonna be easier if you just tell me.
Jack: No, nothing. Really. It was just... I was with Chloe last night, and every time I put her down, she starts crying again. I had to hold her the whole time... Trying to imagine doing that with two. It's... It's a lot.
Mel: I think if you really want something, you figure out how to make it work.
Jack: Just, where's the breaking point? There's only so many hours in the day.
Mel: Well, only you know your limit.
Jack: Yeah. I just don't wanna bite off more than I can chew. I'm sorry. I didn't really wanna have this discussion here.
Mel: Yeah, but, I mean, I do wanna know what you're thinking.
Jack: Even if it's not what you wanna hear?
Mel: Of course.
Jack: Okay.
Mel: I gotta go.
Jack: I'll bring food home from the bar. We can eat whenever you want.
Mel: That sounds good.
Jack: Good.
Mel: Thanks for the coffee.
Jack: Yeah. Well, tell Lilly I said hi.
Mel: I will.
----------
Camp
Christopher: Wanna practice our lines?
Owen: Sure.
Christopher: Preach! What are you doing here?
Preacher: Hey! I heard you're looking for a director.
Christopher: Really?
Preacher: Mm-hmm.
Christopher: You're the best! They told us the play might get cancelled.
Preacher: Oh, not while I'm on duty. Hey, Owen... Okay, everyone. Let's grab a seat... All right. Now, my name is John. Everyone calls me Preacher. So I am the new director.
Girl 1: What happened to Dave? Is he dead?
Preacher: No. No, Dave is not dead. He just has a family emergency. All right. So our mission is to perform The Wizard of Oz.
Girl 2: You look like an Avenger.
Christopher: He's a marine.
Girl 1: Whoa! Have you ever killed anyone before?
Preacher: Hey, how about we just, you know, focus on the play?
Christopher: Um, we don't know what to do.
Preacher: All right. Well, who here, besides Christopher, knows their lines? Hm? Okay. Then that's where we'll start.
Christopher: When will we learn the songs?
Preacher: Songs?
Christopher: Yeah.
----------
Lilly's farm: porch
Mel: So you're good with the calendar?
Lilly: Yeah, if it'll make things easier for Tara. Absolutely.
Mel: Great. We'll set it up. Also, um, you know, there are support groups for people dealing with terminal illness.
Lilly: Ah. Well, I'll suggest the idea to Tara. Support group isn't for me.
Mel: Right. Well, bottling up your feelings can make things harder.
Lilly: It's not that... Knowing I'll see Buck... I'm actually not afraid of dying. I picture us on this tropical beach, holding hands, watching the sunset... That's my version of heaven.
Mel: That sounds absolutely beautiful.
Lilly: But I am really worried about Tara and Chloe.
Mel: Well, you know we will all take care of them.
Lilly: There's no way Tara can afford to keep up the farm after I'm gone. We're barely afloat with Buck's Social Security.
Mel: Lilly, I know how hard this must be for you. I want you to know I'll do anything that I can.
Lilly: Oh, thank you. You've already done so much. I don't know how to begin to thank you for bringing Chloe back to me.
Mel: Just seeing you together is all the thanks that I need.
Lilly: Do you know something? All of my children were born here. Two of my daughters got married here. Buck is buried down there. The family cemetery down by the pond... So much love. I just can't imagine Chloe growing up anywhere else.
----------
Bakery truck
Connie: How's it going?
Lizzie: It's been a little slow.
Connie: Oh, I meant with you. How are things at the B&B?
Lizzie: Oh, um, it's fine.
Connie: That's good news.
Lizzie: Not really.
Connie: What's wrong?
Lizzie: I like Jo Ellen and all...
Connie: Oh, she's a talker, isn't she?
Lizzie: She's been super nice, but she literally never stops. I asked about the internet being down, and she gave me a 45-minute explanation without explaining anything.
Connie: Sounds about right. Is there anything I could do to help?
Lizzie: Well, would it be cool if I came by the house later to use your Wi-Fi?
Connie: Why, sure! And bring your appetite with you. I've got a homemade mac and cheese in the Crock-Pot.
Lizzie: Mm. That literally sounds like heaven.
Connie: Oh, I'm glad you said that. And if you ever want your old room back, it's there waiting for you. No questions asked.
Lizzie: So I can come home?
Connie: Of course you can.
Lizzie: That'd be awesome... Thanks, Aunt Connie.
Connie: Aw.
Lizzie: But what about Ricky? What if I still wanna see him?
Connie: Not in the house when I'm not there.
Lizzie: Okay, deal. I'll see you at home.
Connie: Okay.
----------
Vernon's practice: office
Vernon: I am writing a prescription for Ramipril.
Charlie: I don't need it.
Vernon: Charlie, anything higher than 140 over 90 needs treatment.
Charlie: And I'm...
Vernon: 150 over 90.
Charlie: Well, it's not too far off.
Vernon: Yeah. If you're aiming for a stroke... Here.
Charlie: Thanks, Doc.
Vernon: I'll see you next week... Hi.
Muriel: Hello there.
Vernon: Oh, what is this?
Muriel: Dinner. Roast pork with a side salad and homemade vinaigrette. All you have to do is put it in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes.
Vernon: You are spoiling me.
Muriel: Well, I happen to enjoy having someone to cook for.
Vernon: Well... Thank you. Thank you very much.
Muriel: If you don't mind me saying, you, um, look a little bothered.
Vernon: Oh, it's just a work thing.
Muriel: Would you like to talk about it? I'm a good listener.
Vernon: You don't wanna hear about work.
Muriel: Sure I do!
Vernon: Well, let's just say I didn't handle a situation with Mel like I would have liked to, and she is upset with me.
Muriel: Well, you could always apologize.
Vernon: But here's the thing. I should have been more diplomatic, yes. But I didn't do anything wrong.
Muriel: Why would you think that?
Vernon: As a kid, I was taught, "Handle your problems by yourself." And now Mel wants me to run every work decision by her. That's just... It's not how I operate.
Muriel: Yeah, but, you see, if you open up to someone else, then it could help you see the problem from a whole new perspective.
Vernon: That's never been my way. And this old dog is way past learning new tricks.
Muriel: Saying you are too old to change is just an excuse. The aging brain actually is far superior in emotional intelligence than our younger counterparts.
Vernon: And your findings are based on...
Muriel: A few minutes I've spent on TikTok... Enjoy your dinner.
Vernon: Thank you... Thank you.
----------
Bakery truck
Connie: I have that extra order of apple pies for you.
Preacher: Thanks.
Connie: Anything else?
Preacher: Uh, look, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I was just trying to be considerate of your time.
Connie: Well, you did hurt my feelings, but I respect your intention.
Preacher: So, you forgive me?
Connie: Hm, I suppose so. Did you talk to the camp director about the play?
Preacher: Oh, yeah. Long enough for her to talk me into filling in for the director.
Connie: You?
Preacher: Mm-hmm. Apparently, no one else wants the job.
Connie: That's mighty brave of you.
Preacher: Yeah, or stupid.
Connie: Oh!
Preacher: I don't know what I'm doing, and neither do the kids.
Connie: Well, talk to Muriel.
Preacher: She has experience with musicals?
Connie: I'm surprised you didn't know that. She loves to wax poetic about her former acting career.
Preacher: Thanks. I'll call her. Oh, um, by the way, you're still welcome to come over and hang out.
Connie: And if I wanna do the laundry?
Preacher: We could work something out.
----------
Woods
Brady: Brie! Hey! Whoa, hey! Brie, wait up! Hey! I've been trying to call you.
Brie: Really? I waited three hours for you to come back without a phone call or text.
Brady: My phone died.
Brie: And no one at work had a phone you could've used?
Brady: I swear to God, I wasn't trying to leave you hanging.
Brie: Yeah, well, you did.
Brady: I'm really sorry. Come on. There's gotta be something I can do to make it right.
Brie: No, there's nothing.
Brady: You sure? What about this?
Brie: Oh, no, that is not gonna happen.
Brady: All right. If that's how you want it.
Brie: I know what you're trying to do. It's not gonna work.
Brady: All I'm doing is admiring how beautiful you are.
Brie: Nice try.
Brady: Listen, I am very, very sorry for making you wait, and I promise I will make it up to you.
Brie: Damn you.
Brady: Yes.
Jack: Brie?
----------
Jack's memories
Jack: Hey, what are you doing here?
----------
Woods
Jack: Get away from my sister.
Brady: Jack, calm down.
Brie: Hey. Hey! We are seeing each other.
Jack: You shot me.
Brady: That's not true.
Brie: What are you talking about?
Jack: You were there.
Brady: Yes, I was there, but I did not shoot you.
Jack: You...
Brie: Jack! Jack! Jack.
Jack: Get the hell off my property.
Brady: Brie.
Brie: No, I think you better go.
Jack: Get off my property!
----------
Mel's cabin
Mel: Doc.
Vernon: You got a corkscrew?
Mel: Uh, yeah.
----------
Terrace
Mel: I had no idea. I'm so sorry.
Vernon: It's not on you. I didn't want anyone to know.
Mel: What's the prognosis?
Vernon: Well, uh, I've lost about 15% of my vision, but I can function pretty well. Long-term... Um, probably facing somewhere between, um, partial and, uh, complete loss of sight.
Mel: You're going blind?
Vernon: In a word, maybe.
Mel: That's why you were looking for a replacement.
Vernon: Correct. And I told you that my search had nothing to do with you.
Mel: I know. I'm sorry.
Vernon: I am the one who needs to apologize. I... I took my frustrations out on you, and that wasn't right, and I... I hope you will forgive me.
Mel: Of course I forgive you.
Vernon: We don't need any tears.
Mel: No.
Vernon: We're good now, right?
Mel: Yes, we're good.
Vernon: Yeah.
Mel: That was great.
Vernon: There's one thing I need from you.
Mel: Okay.
Vernon: Promise me you won't tell anyone, not even Jack. Because I wanna know who my successor is before I go public.
Mel: Okay. Yeah.
Vernon: You're sure? No one means no one.
Mel: Yes. I am perfectly capable of maintaining confidentiality.
Vernon: Well, then we shouldn't have any issues.
Mel: Oh, don't worry. I'm sure we'll find something to disagree on.
Vernon: Which is exactly how I want it to be. Normal... Hey.
Mel: Thanks.
Vernon: To seeing clearly.
Mel: Cheers to that.
----------
Jack's bar: office
Ricky: Hey, there's some lady here to see you.
Jack: Okay, who is she?
Ricky: She didn't say.
Valerie Holt: I'm Valerie Holt.
Jack: Oh, the attorney. Right. Uh, yeah. Jack Sheridan. Your email said you were gonna call.
Valerie Holt: I happened to be in the area. I thought I'd stop by. You have a minute?
Jack: Uh, sure, yeah. Uh, sorry. Excuse the mess. Have a seat... Sorry.
Valerie Holt: So, your email had a lot of info. I thought I could clarify a few things.
Jack: Yeah, I think my main priority is just to ensure that I have an active role in my children's lives.
Valerie Holt: Has Charmaine threatened to withhold access?
Jack: Well, not directly, but her fiancé did offer to adopt the twins.
Valerie Holt: How did you respond to that?
Jack: He's out of his mind if he thought I'd give up my children. That's why I reached out to you. Well, I just get a feeling there's gonna be an issue with the custody because Charmaine and I are not married.
Valerie Holt: If she doesn't agree to put your name on the birth certificate or sign a declaration acknowledging you're the father, then you would have to file a petition of paternity.
Jack: So I'll have to prove that in court?
Valerie Holt: Yes. It's not a simple process. If Charmaine decides that she wants to ask for full custody, then you could be fighting for years in court.
Jack: Right. And I presume that that whole time, the twins are gonna be living with her and Todd.
Valerie Holt: Exactly.
Jack: Okay, so if I wanna hire you, how would that work?
Valerie Holt: My hourly rate is 350. I take a $25,000 retainer.
Jack: Right.
Valerie Holt: Since you're Brie's brother, I'll take 20. That something you can do?
Jack: No, but I will figure that out... If I have to fight to be in my children's lives, I'm gonna fight.
Valerie Holt: It will be a fight, and custody cases are emotionally and financially draining. They're always a huge disruption to people's lives... Your twins are lucky to have a father willing to sacrifice so much for them. I'll be in touch.
Jack: Thank you.
----------
Mel's cabin
Mel: Hey, I tried calling you.
Jack: Hey. I just, um, got caught up at the bar.
Mel: Don't worry about it. Where's the food?
Jack: Sorry, I... Forgot that was the plan.
Mel: It's fine. I can figure something out... Are you okay?
Jack: Yeah, just a long day.
Mel: Well, I was gonna surprise you, but I have no patience. So, I got us tickets to Maui. Joey said we could use her timeshare.
Jack: You booked tickets?
Mel: Yeah, for Christmas. I should've asked you first, but I just wanted to do something spontaneous for a change, and... I thought it would be romantic. What's wrong?
Jack: Mel, I, um... I met with an attorney today about custody of the twins.
Mel: Oh. How did that go?
Jack: Not great... If I wanna be in their lives, I'm facing a long and expensive court battle.
Mel: Oh. I'm so sorry. You know that I support you whatever you need to do.
Jack: I know, um... It's just... Uh, I feel like... You're gonna get the short end of the stick.
Mel: I don't understand what that means. Are you talking about money? I don't care about money.
Jack: No, it's not just money. It's time too. Mel, for the next year, at least, I'm gonna be juggling being a new father, fighting for custody, rebuilding my house, running the bar.
Mel: Yeah.
Jack: I don't think I can have another baby on top of all that... I'm sorry.
Mel: You know what? It's okay. We can wait until you're ready. Okay?
Jack: And what if we wait, and then I realize I can't handle supporting two families? You would've wasted all that time. That's time you can't get back. Mel, I can't be the person that stands in the way of you becoming a mother... I just can't hurt you like that.
Mel: Well, look, as long as I know how you feel about it, then it's my choice.
Jack: No, that's just it.
Mel: Jack...
Jack: No, Mel, you shouldn't have to choose. You deserve to be with someone that can give you everything you want. I don't think that's me.
Mel: Are you saying that you wanna end this?
Jack: It's not because I want to.
Mel: Oh my God... I can't believe this is happening now.
Jack: Mel, you're an amazing woman.
Mel: Jack, you're not listening to what I want.
Jack: I am listening. That's what I'm trying to say. I know what you want. I don't know if I can give it to you... This is killing me... But I know I'm doing the right thing.
Mel: Get out. Get out of my house.
