All language subtitles for Good American Family - 1x01 - Almost Like a Prayer.WEB.DSNP.en

It was 2019.

I was at the top of my game.

We'd finally put the
hard times behind us.

Wait till
you hear the story of

the mom they said,
"worked a miracle."

Everybody's favorite Hoosier...

- Hey!
- Kristine Barnett.

Kristine Barnett,
Indiana's own...

With me today
is bestselling author,

Kristine Barnett.

And I can assure you,
every parent out there today...

Kristine Barnett,
it's such a thrill to have you here...

So, you saved your son.

Please welcome
Indiana's own super mom,

Kristine Barnett.

Whoo! Gosh, it still is such a trip

to find myself in front of
crowds like you all.

I'm just a regular mom

who's trying to keep the wheels
from careening off the bus.

So, you see, I may have
written a book on parenting,

but I don't have it
all figured out.

There's a new challenge
every day.

It's a lesson I learned when my oldest,
Jake there, was two.

He suddenly stopped talking.
He stopped playing.

He stopped making eye contact.

Autism.

The experts told me
he might never learn to read

or tie his shoes again.

He'd never wrap his
arms around my neck

and tell me he loves me...

that I might never hear
his voice again.

I was devastated
for about a minute,

until I realized
those experts were wrong.

I was the expert on my son,

and I sure as heck
wasn't gonna give up on him.

Because I don't give up
on the people that I love.

Call it mom's intuition,
but I knew Jake had gifts.

And a few years ago, at just 15,

he began a PhD
in quantum gravity.

So, I wrote The Spark
because over the years

I've worked with hundreds
of kids with autism.

Like Jake, each has a spark.

And if we just learn
to listen to our kids,

they will reveal to us
who they really are.

Standard autism therapy

pushes kids to focus
on normal tasks...

instead of their everyday...

fixations, instead of
their unique fixations.

But I found that the opposite
works better.

With my Spark Method,
I immerse kids

in things they're
naturally drawn to,

whether that's algebra
or animals.

Well, gosh, parenting 911,
what's your emergency?

You Kristine Barnett?

Kristine Barnett, you're under arrest
for child neglect,

the abandonment of a dependent,
and conspiracy to commit neglect.

- You have the right to remain silent.
- What? My boys are right there.

- Should we call Dad?
- No, this is his fault.

- You have a right to an attorney.
- Call Grammy.

If you cannot afford one,
one will be provided for you.

Do you understand these rights
as I've read them to you?

You don't understand.
Do you know who I am?

The families that I've helped?

Do you know how many
children I saved?

You're arresting
the wrong person.

She's not who she says she is.
Ow!

That bitch tried to kill me!

- Bye, Miss Kris.
- Bye-bye, I'll see you tomorrow.

This was the fall of 2010.

I didn't want to admit
at the time

that my husband and
I were struggling.

We'd been on the path to adopting a little
girl named Blanca,

but it fell through.

And I'd been thinking lately

how if that hadn't happened,

I wouldn't be sitting
here today.

Oh! At her last school,
I couldn't get her in the door.

With you, I can't get her out.

Now, if you don't let go, how am
I gonna go to the junk store

and get us a radio to take apart?

Speaking of,
how much do we owe you

for all that extra
one-on-one time?

- Oh, no.
- Kristine, you charge barely half

of what that other school costs,
and they did nothing.

With you, Shawn's reading.

"Don't put crayons
in your nose."

Yeah, it has been a bit of an epidemic.

You're so sweet, Val, but I don't charge
for those sessions

because I don't want the
families who can't afford extra

to miss out.

It's official,
you're a literal saint.

Okay, honey, come on.

Okay, how about this?

How about I make a donation
for the rec center?

- Oh, come on, I just want to help.
- Will you stop?

I don't need the help.

Oh, God, o-of course.
I'm so sorry.

I-I just didn't wanna brag,

but I got a grant from
the Christian Community Fund,

so that, plus what I've saved,
almost ready to open.

Kris, congratulations!

Hold on, honey,
I got it, I got it.

On top of everything
you two have been through,

how are you and Mike holding up?

Oh, we're hanging in.

Having the new space to focus on
has been our saving grace.

Honestly, I think it's
all God's will.

He just wanted me to
get my behind in gear.

Mom?

What's up, bud?

I-It's too quiet
in the living room.

Would you sit with me?

Sure, just, uh,
let me freshen up a little bit

before Daddy gets home, okay?

Do me a favor and
take this down.

I'll be down in a jiff, okay?

Hi, babe.
How was inventory?

Long.

The boys didn't call
and say goodnight.

Oh, I'm sorry. I did try.

There was some sort
of Lego crisis.

But you could go peek in now.

Yeah, well...

they're asleep.

And why are you still up, sir?

- The dreaded string theory.
- Hm.

It's getting pretty late, pal.

You know, even college kids
need to chillax at some point,

so what do you say?

Wanna call it a night, play a little Xbox
with the old man?

I think I got some Pop-Tarts
in there.

Dad, would you please stop talking?

What are those?

Oh, I just packed
a few things up

to take over to the rec center.

You're getting rid of her stuff?

I'm just trying to
pay it forward.

I-I didn't want it
to go to waste.

And you weren't gonna ask me?

Could you guys talk about this
somewhere else, please?

You're right, bud.
This is parent talk.

Can I use the windows?

He's, he's 12,
he should be in bed.

If I stop now,

I'll lose everything
that I just figured out.

He was on a roll.

Yeah.

Good luck, bud.

Turn out the lights
when you're done.

You're okay.
You're okay.

You're okay.

So, where do you propose
I sleep now?

How about right where you are?

Is that why you let him stay up?

Gonna force me to sleep
in here tonight?

- Michael.
- You spoil that kid.

Says the man who bribes his son
with video games and Pop-Tarts.

I wanted time with him.

I just worked a 12-hour shift

to provide for a family
that I don't even get to see.

And now, on top of that,
I have nowhere to sleep.

For Pete's sake, Michael,

if sleeping with your wife
is so repellent,

there's a whole other bedroom
down the hall

that no one is using.

So, are you really
just over her?

Is that honestly what you think?

I think I'm gonna sleep
on the floor.

Mike, I'm trying to sleep.

I told you this would
happen if you married that man.

You told me
I'd catch him spilling seed

on the floor of our room?

Well, not verbatim.

It's just a phase, Mother.
He's depressed.

And it's my job to help him
find his joy again.

Well, you know best, I suppose.

If you ask me, that life was never
right for you.

Just come home.

I'm making soft meat.

Will you stop?
Michael's my soulmate.

Well, whatever cranks
your tractor, I suppose.

I don't even know
what that means.

It means what it means.

I have to go, Mother. I'm here.

Think about what I said.

♪ Meet me in the middle
of the night ♪

♪ Let me hear you say
everything's alright ♪

♪ Let me smell the moon
in your perfume ♪

♪ Oh, Gods and years
will rise and fall ♪

♪ And there's always
something more ♪

♪ Lost in talk, I waste my time
and it's all been said before ♪

♪ While further down
behind the masquerade ♪

♪ The tears are there ♪

♪ I don't ask for
all that much ♪

♪ I just want someone to care ♪

♪ Answer right now ♪

♪ Meet me in the middle of the day,
let me hear you say everything's okay ♪

♪ Come on out
beneath the shining sun ♪

♪ Meet me in the middle
of the night ♪

♪ Let me hear you say
everything's alright ♪

♪ Sneak on out... ♪

Hi, babe, it's me.

You're okay.

Just calling to say
I'm sorry about her stuff.

I should have asked you first.

You're okay.

It's just that I think that...

Oh, maybe this is you.

Hi, I was just leaving
you a message.

Uh, hi, is this Mrs. Barnett?

Uh, my name is Sandy Mosley,

down here at First Path Adoptions
in Myrtle Beach.

Oh. Gosh, I thought you
were my husband.

Oh, no.

Well, no, like I said,
this is, uh, Sandy Mosley,

and, uh, I'm sorry to
call out of the blue.

But I got your name from, uh,

Secure Children Indiana.

Uh, and well, I understand, uh,
your family was fostering

a little girl
earlier this year.

Yeah. Yes, is, is Blanca okay?

Oh, yes. I mean, I assume.

But I'm actually
calling because,

uh, I see you were on the path
to adopting her.

Yes, until her aunt showed up
and the state insisted

she'd be better with
biological family.

Great, because we have
a little girl here

who I think you will love.

She is seven,

uh, born in Ukraine.

She has dwarfism,
and is as sweet as can be.

Now, the only hiccup is we're...

we're in a little bit of
a pinch.

Uh, you see, her current
situation didn't work out.

So, if we can't find
a family for her in 24 hours,

she's gonna be sent
to a group home.

Ooh, gracious, poor thing.

What happened
with the other family?

I'm afraid this happens
more than you'd

care to think.

Not everyone's heart

is big enough to hold a child

with special needs.

That's why we called you.

Actually, the preferred
term is disabled.

All kids are special.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

That's why when your file
came across my desk

describing your daycare
and your son,

I just, I cried.

I think you're the light

that this little girl needs.

- I'd have to talk to my husband.
- Of course, of cour...

Absolutely,
I, I know this is fast.

And what's her name?

Natalia.

Natalia Grace.

Natalia Grace.
That is beautiful.

- Almost like a prayer.
- Amen.

As soon as I got the call,
I knew what we had to do.

I mean, this isn't like
getting a dog from the pound

and realizing you can't
take care of it.

We're talking about a little girl here.

It's awful, Kris.

But that doesn't mean that w...

Jen, would you mind taking that
out back or something, please?

I'm sorry for the
girl, okay? I am.

But Kristine, I'm...

we're barely holding
it together as is.

Because of what happened
with Blanca.

- No.
- Yes.

We were fine before that.

Because I needed time to grieve.

And you just forgot about
her immediately.

That's not fair.
I was just raised not to wallow.

Kris, she was supposed
to be our daughter.

Maybe she wasn't.
Maybe this little girl is.

And who says the same
thing isn't gonna happen

all over again, Kristine?

How do we know?
How do we know that?

Well, because Michael,
she needs us.

She doesn't have anybody.

And if we don't take her,

they're gonna put her
in a group home.

Do you know what happens to
disabled kids in a group home?

Kris, come on, please.

I know things have been rocky
between us this last little bit,

I know you've been sad.

But this is the little girl
that you've always wanted.

A daughter to dance with
at her wedding.

Everything you've always said
and talked about.

I have to get back to work.

Maybe we're not being called
to save this little girl.

Maybe she's being called
to save us.

Hi.

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Hey, soul sister ♪

♪ Ain't that Mr. Mister
on the radio, stereo ♪

♪ The way you move
ain't fair, you know ♪

♪ Hey, soul sister,
I don't wanna miss ♪

♪ A single thing you do ♪

♪ Tonight ♪

- Hey, guys.
- Oh, boo, Mom, boo!

- Hey, guys.
- What?

I want us all to be prepared

that it may take Natalia
a little while to warm up to us.

So, we need to be
patient with her.

- That's right.
- Even if she hits us?

She's not gonna hit you. She just may
not hug you right away.

I don't want her to hug me.
She's a girl.

Boys rule and girls drool.

Might wanna try a different
opening line there, Wes.

It's not how the expression
goes anyway. It's the reverse.

- What?
- No way, I don't drool.

- Huh?
- Anyhoo,

the other thing I want us
all to remember is

that even though
Natalia's small,

she's the same age as Ethan.

- She's not a baby.
- How small is she?

Like a G.I. Joe?

No, dummy.

Mommy said she's
a little person.

Yes, a little person
is another way

to refer to someone
with dwarfism.

The point is that
Natalia is seven.

- Yeah.
- Well, I hope you guys got all that,

because we are here.

Well, this can't be
the right place.

Mm, GPS says it is.

Welcome to
Myrtle Beach.

Come on in, there you go.

That's it, right this way.

Now, your princess
is saying goodbye

to her previous family,

um, so you all can
just wait right here

in our Forever Family Room.

Okay. Will there be
a chance for us

to speak with the other family?

Not in a closed adoption. Mm-mm.

But you all have fun, and
we'll be in shortly, alright?

- Thank you.
- Okay.

They're really not gonna say hi?

I mean, I don't know.
Would you want to say hi to us?

They're probably embarrassed.

When's she gonna be here?

Soon, soon.

Whoo, okay.
Should we check out the toys?

They have the Game of Life.

Oh.

- Ugh.
- Okay, well...

- Hm.
- how about a game on my phone?

Yes!

Thank you.

Okay.

- What was that?
- Someone sounds mad.

Ooh. It's probably nothing.

You want me to go see
what's going on?

No, no, I think you should
give that some space.

Okay.

Sorry that took a minute.

Oh, what was that?
Is everything okay?

Oh, just a little hustle
and bustle.

Uh...

- But this is...
- Natalia!

Hi!

Are you gonna be
my mommy and daddy?

Well, um...

We sure would love that,
if you'll have us.

I will, I will.

We got you this.

We squeezed it the
whole way here.

We filled it up with all
the hugs we've been missing

for the last seven years.

Mm. Aw.

- Hi, Daddy. Hi, Mommy.
- Sweetheart.

Guys, come on, meet your sister.
Get over here.

- I'm Ethan.
- I'm Wesley.

- Jacob.
- Hi.

- And we just need your signatures here.
- Okay.

Now, on the phone, they didn't mention
Natalia's walker.

It's fine, of course,
but our house isn't accessible,

so it'll need work.

Well, there's no
financial assistance.

No, no, I just meant that
we'll need time to do the work,

and I, I don't wanna
get dinged for that

- on home visits.
- Oh!

Oh, no, don't worry about that.

No, we have your home study
from before,

and this is technically
an independent adoption.

So, the state doesn't require
post-placement visits.

Oh, which state?
South Carolina or Indiana?

Uh, neither.

Great, that'll just help smooth
the transition, don't you think?

We find that it does.

Does she have
any other health concerns?

Oh, well, just a few surgeries

to help with the hip
and foot pain.

But she got a clean bill of health
at her last checkup.

Well, she sure seems
like a spitfire.

Yeah.

Look out for that one.

Oh, and, uh,
speaking of her surgeries,

we usually just add the
past medical expenses

onto the other fees,
if that works for you.

I'm sorry, what?

To reimburse the,
uh, previous family

for accrued medical expenses.

We have to pay for
her surgeries?

None of that was
in anything they sent.

Well, there are HIPAA restrictions
on what we can email.

- Well...
- Well, how much is it then?

- Y-Yeah?
- Not a lot.

- Uh, her family had great insurance.
- Okay...

Uh, it was just shy of seven grand.

I'm... Seven th... W-We...

- We don't have $7,000 just lying around.
- Okay, okay, okay.

- We-we're not that kind of family, so...
- No, no, I... So...

So none of this was mentioned,

so I think we should
speak to a lawyer.

- Yeah.
- Absolutely.

Mm, of course.

Mm. We're...

We're gonna have to
put her in a home

until you sort things through.

No, I just... I think
we just need a minute.

- Give us a minute.
- Mm-hmm.

Okay.

- I will figure this out.
- How, how, how, possibly?

We, we maxed out our credit card
just to get down here, Kristine.

I know, but what
are we gonna do?

We're just gonna let them
dispose of her?

- Daddy and Mommy?
- Hi, hi. Hi, sweetheart.

Hercules ran out of hugs.

Oh, did he, already?

"She," she did.
Hercules is a girl.

Of course,
of course, my mistake.

Well, let's fill
Lady Hercules up.

Okay, okay, okay.

That ought to hold her.

Um...

Uh, could I get a refill too?

- Sweetheart, yes.
- Yes.

- Yes.
- Of course.

Oh, excuse me.

- Oh. What was that?
- I didn't have breakfast.

- What?
- They didn't give you breakfast?

No, it's... it's okay.
I'm, I'm more of a lunch girl.

It's not okay, Natalia.

Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day.

- That's right.
- Tell Jacob to dig around

in the blue backpack and look for a
granola bar to tide you over.

And we'll stop for lunch
on the way back to the motel.

- Okay.
- Okay?

- Thanks, Mommy.
- Okay.

Oh.

I'm okay.

What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?

- Okay.
- We can't... we can't just...

We'll use the rest
of the rec center money.

That ought to do it.

Wh-What? Don't you need
that to finish it up?

No, it's okay, we'll cut corners
at home until we pay it back.

That money is there
to help disabled kids, right?

Are you sure?

My grandpa always said
when God has a job for you,

he gives you everything
you need to get it done.

I'm gonna go get my checkbook.

Okay!

Okay.

- Little syrup for you.
- Thank you, Daddy.

You know, I saw on Food Network
that in the Ukraine,

they eat pancakes
with fish eggs.

- Ew!
- Would you like some help?

- Thank you, Mommy.
- Did you used to eat fish eggs, Natalia?

Nah.
I like fish brains better.

- Ew!
- Ugh!

- Watch out, I'm gonna puke.
- Not on me.

- You're making a joke, aren't you?
- Of course!

Who puts fish on pancakes?

But I do like to, um, do this.

I'm just gonna...
so I put this on here.

And then... and then I roll it,
and then, ta-da!

Pancake burrito.

We have a chef, you guys.

I could see fish eggs
being good on it too.

No, no, no, no.

Thank you.

Uh, how come you aren't
eating, Mommy?

You said breakfast was the most important
meal of the day.

It is. I'm just not that
hungry right now.

You can have some
of mine, Mommy.

My tummy's telling me it's full.

I'm full too.
Can we go down to the water?

Please, Mom?

- Can we? Can we?
- Please, please, Mom?

That's a great idea.

Go wear yourselves out
before the flight.

Okay.

Last one there's a rotten egg!

Don't mind if I do.

Oh, man, look how much
fun he's having.

- Oh, I love seeing him like this.
- Yeah.

I wanna go too.
Will you carry me?

- The sand is hard for my walker.
- Yes, ladybug.

Just let Daddy and I pick
up these scraps,

and we'll take you down.

I thought you're not hungry.

Waste not, want not.

But how come the boys
didn't have to wait?

- It's not fair.
- You know what? It's okay.

- I'll take her.
- No, you should eat.

Natalia, in a family,
we have to be patient.

But it's not fair.

Fair isn't always equal.

I wanna go down
to the beach too, it's not fair.

It's not fair!

- Maybe someone's still hungry.
- I wanna go to the beach now!

Maybe should just...
we should just let her go...

No, now, now, now, now!

I wanna go to the beach now!

- Natalia.
- I wanna go to the beach now!

- Have some more pan...
- No, Mommy!

- Have some more pancakes.
- No, I don't want pancakes!

Natalia! That's enough.

Look, I get the tantrum,

but the whole running thing,
I mean, what was that?

Do you think she's faking
not being able to walk?

No, I don't think she's faking.

Michael, she's a kid.

She didn't just go out
and buy a walker.

A doctor prescribed it.

I mean, look, there are
real skeletal concerns

with dwarfism that
would cause pain.

It's not that she can't walk,
it's just that it hurts to walk.

Could you get Hercules, please?

And this morning, she wanted
to go down to the beach so bad

- that the pain didn't matter.
- Hm.

I think we
just have another

very stubborn kid on our hands.

Here we go.

- No peeking, okay?
- I'm not.

- Are you ready, Natalia?
- I am.

Okay!

- Oh.
- Don't you like it?

It's a little baby-ish.

Oh.

Um, that's not kind, Natalia.

Daddy worked so hard
putting this together for you.

Oh, I thought you did it.

I didn't mean to hurt
your feelings, Daddy.

I just thought I should
be honest.

The whole princess thing
isn't really my jam.

Well, okay.
Well, what is your jam?

Black, or rocker.

Rock and roll.

Well, I can dig that.

You know,
I played in a band for a while.

- Whoa, I have a cool dad.
- I know.

Well...

Okay, hold on a second.

We did a pretty jacked up

cover of I Would Do
Anything for Love.

♪ I would do anything for love ♪

♪ I would do anything for love ♪

Look at you, you are a rocker.

And you know what?

It is okay if you don't
like the room.

We'll just redecorate it.

It'll be our little
daddy-daughter project, cool?

What do you think? Huh?

Aw.

No, no, thank you.

And the more we get
the word out,

the more kids we
can help, right?

That's the goal, right.

Okay, we'll see you there.

- See you soon.
- Great.

- Bye-bye.
- Bye.

You guys,

The Star is gonna do a piece

on the rec center opening
next week.

Yes!

Natalia, Mommy is about to open

a community center and school

for kids with autism.

We're very proud of her.

Now, can we talk about
why Natalia got to watch TV

- and we didn't?
- Oh, really?

Well,
it was just this once.

It's her first night home, guys.

Yeah. And fair isn't
always equal.

Eat up, sweet pea.

Do you want something else,
honey?

Can I have something else too?

No. You get what you get,

- and you don't get upset.
- Exactly.

Of course.

Tastes a lot better
with a big squirt of ketchup.

I loved every bite.

Okay, Mr. Clean Plate.
You may be excused.

Go do your homework.

- Would you sit with me, Mom?
- Absolutely.

I'll give your sister a bath
and I'll be right there.

- I want Daddy to give me a bath.
- Aw.

Maybe Daddy can do bath
tomorrow night.

Tonight he's on dish duty.

Do you like toys in the bath,

or are you more of
an in-and-out kid?

- I don't know.
- I'll take that as in-and-out.

Do you wanna start
getting your clothes off?

I hate baths.

- It's gross just sitting in dirt soup.
- I get that.

But you didn't take a bath at the motel.

And we need to get those
airplane germs off.

You can't tell me what to do.
You're not my real mom.

How about a bird bath?

You can just stand in the tub

- and I can wash your...
- I said no!

It's polite to ask
how someone is

when they're hurt.

Mommy, I'm so sorry.
Mommy, I'm so sorry.

Mommy, I'm sorry!
I'm sorry, Mommy!

- Oh, it's okay.
- I'm sorry, please don't mad, Mommy.

- It's fine.
- I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, Mommy.
Please don't be mad.

- We'll skip the bath tonight.
- I'm so sorry.

It's okay.
I'm gonna go get some ice.

Well, I had to read her
about a dozen books,

but she is finally asleep.

How's your side?

- It'll be sore tomorrow...
- Mm-hmm.

but I'll be okay.

Okay, I'm sorry you
had a rough first night,

but I just know you guys
are gonna be great.

I see many a mother-daughter
pedicure in your future.

I'm not worried, Michael.

It's the first night,
for heaven's sake.

Well, good.
That's great.

Look, 'cause I know, believe me,
how hard it is when a child

is favoring the other parent.

And for what it's worth,

you know,
I, I find Natalia to be

kinda like a little cat,
you know?

You just gotta... gotta wait for her
to just come to you.

Oh, is that what you've
been doing?

Never mind, I just...

Ignore it if it's not helpful.

Anyway...

S-Scoot over?

Hey, Mama.

You know, I really
was in the mood,

but it just... it hurts so bad.

Yeah.

Morning.

Good morning.

Mom!

Mom, come here. Mom!

- Mom.
- What is it, baby?

Wes or Ethan wouldn't do this.

Natalia Grace.

Come in here.

- Did you do this?
- Well, uh...

- Don't you like it?
- We don't draw on the windows, Natalia.

We draw on paper.

- But Jake did, I thought I could.
- Well, you can't.

Jake does that when
his equations

get too big for his notebook,

so he does it on the windows.

- It's for school.
- I-I didn't know.

- Are you mad at me?
- Oh, no.

No one's mad at you, honey.

- It was just a mistake.
- This wasn't a mistake.

She did it because I caught her
sneaking Cheetos last night,

and threatened to tell.

No, no, why would I sneak
Cheetos when I had

Pop-Tarts with Daddy?

Is that true?

- We...
- Did you give her Pop-Tarts

after she didn't eat her dinner?

No, no, no,
don't be mad at Daddy.

Playing Xbox just
made me hungry.

Was that before or
after the 10 books?

Okay, we played for maybe 20 minutes.
It's not a big deal.

If it wasn't a big deal,
then why didn't you mention it?

- We're supposed to be on the same team.
- Don't do that.

We are on the same team.
Which is why I was trying to help.

I was just trying to
put her to bed.

Doesn't sound like you
were trying to get her to bed.

You weren't there,
so you don't really know.

- I don't know why...
- Will you guys please just stop?

You're right, honey, sorry.

Let's focus on how do we fix it.

Do you wanna talk it out again?

Dr. Joglekar has office
hours today.

I wanna talk to him.

Okay.

Well, I can take you

because I have to, uh,
go by the rec center anyway.

Dad can take me
on his way to work.

It's more efficient.

Okay.

Let's get some breakfast.

Natalia, can you stop that,
please?

I like the sound.

Well, it's really making
Mommy's head hurt.

This is Kristine Barnett.

You guys, this is too much.
Oh boy, hold on.

Here we go.

Hang on, one second.

Babe, are you in on this too?

In on what?

The team just surprised me
with a new Daddy party.

They got me drinking soda
out of a baby bottle.

Walmart won't install the hoops

because the payment
didn't go through.

I ordered it ages ago,

and I thought the
check had cleared

before we paid for
that other thing.

It's almost the end
of the month.

Why don't we wait till
I get my paycheck

- and just put a down payment?
- No.

I need it for the opening next week.

I have a reporter coming,

and part of my grant
is showing that

I have a range of
physical activities.

And how the heck am I supposed
to explain that I don't?

Michael, are you
listening to me?

I need help.

Boys, be careful.

I think we just have to wait
till we have the money.

- I'm sorry.
- Fine, I'll figure it out myself.

So, I have to fess up.

I was excited for you
to meet Natalia,

but the real reason
I popped by is,

you know I've been working like crazy
to get the rec center open.

But I realized today that

we are just a wee bit
short on funds and...

Oh my God, hell yes.
I would be thrilled to help.

- How much do you need?
- Oh gosh.

- Val, I...
- Would 1,000 to start help?

It would, Val. It would be...

And I will pay you back.

It is not a loan,
you nut, it's a donation.

You pay me back by letting me
be a part of something.

So, I'm dying to hear
about Natalia.

I didn't know you were
still trying.

Well, it's a tragedy, really.

I mean, we're her second
adopted family.

- First one gave her back.
- My God, why?

No idea why,
she's the sweetest thing.

She just ran right up
and gave us a big hug

and called us Mommy and Daddy.

Almost like it was fate.

How is she getting
along with Mike?

Honestly, it's been a godsend,

because you know,
he was having such a hard time

since things with Blanca
fell through.

So, I've just been trying
to stay back

and give them space to bond.

You really are a miracle worker,

you know that, right?

And we had such a tough time
at the beginning.

Really? How so?

Jaden was just so hot and cold.

One minute, he was sweet as pie,

and then the next, he was

throwing screaming tantrums

and crying until he threw up.

He would say that I wasn't his real mom
or he didn't want me.

Oof. That must have hurt a lot.

I just didn't know what to do.

I mean, who wants to go
to the social worker and admit,

you know, "Oh, I don't know,

maybe my new kid just
doesn't like me"?

So, when did things
turn around for you guys?

Um, I guess after a few months.

I mean, it was gradual,
of course.

I remember there was
this one night

he had strep,
and he was so sick.

You know, just this little mush.

He crawled into bed with us
like we were a safe place.

I guess that's,

that's when I knew
that everything would be okay.

Hey. How did it go
with Dr. Joglekar?

I don't know. He was like that
the whole way home.

Can I come in?

I'd love to hear about your day.

Come on, little man.

Don't close up now,

you've gotten so good
at talking about your feelings.

I'm not not talking to you
because of autism.

I'm not talking to you
because I'm mad at you.

You said you'd
sit with me last night,

but you stayed with Natalia.

- You lied.
- I didn't lie.

- I was hurt and I was tired.
- You're never tired.

I'm always tired.

And last night,
I was feeling a little sad.

How come?

I guess I'm...

I guess I'm worried Natalia
doesn't like me very much.

But you said it would
take a while

for her to warm up to us.

It took a while for me
to warm up too, right?

Yeah, it did.

And that was definitely
worth the wait.

You know you're one of
my favorite people

to talk to, right?

I know.

I've always
considered myself blessed.

How many folks spend
their whole lives

searching for their purpose?

But me, I've known I was put
on this earth to help children,

ever since I was a child myself.

More than anything,
I've wanted to build a world

where all kids can feel safe
just being who they are.

And that's what the safe
center will be.

Safe center.
Safe center.

Safe space.

Our space. Our house.

- Hi, Mommy.
- Our... Oh, sweetie.

You need to hop to it
and get ready.

People are gonna be here
sooner than I care to think.

That dress is funny-looking.

Oh, well, that was mine
when I was little.

So, you should understand.

Natalia, today is
very important for me.

I would like it if everyone
tried to look nice.

You don't think I look nice?

That's not what I meant.

If that's what you're
comfy in, fine.

Why are you being so mean?

I came in 'cause
I wanted to help.

I would love your help.
You can fold the napkins.

I wanna cut veggies.

No.
Natalia, put that knife down.

- I don't want you to hurt yourself.
- I won't.

Drop the knife, please.

That's a knife for grown-ups.
Now, put that down.

No, you can't tell me what to do,
you're not my real mom.

Leave me alone.

- Natalia, put the knife down.
- No, I wanna cut veggies.

- Drop that knife right now.
- No!

- Drop it, Natalia!
- You're not my real mom,

you can't tell me what to do!

Natalia, drop it.

Natalia, drop it now!

Hey, what's going on?

Natalia, what is it?

Sweetie, what is it?

Mommy is mad at me!

W-What is happening?

I... She... She wanted to help,

and she wanted to cut vegetables

and I wouldn't let her,
and I grabbed her arm.

Wait, you grabbed her arm?

Michael, I felt like
she wanted to hurt me.

- What?
- I was scared.

I'm telling you, I was scared.

Kristine, she's...
she's just a little girl.

- What do you...
- Hello?

- Are we the first ones here?
- No, no, no.

- The place looks amazing!
- Michael, I'm not ready.

I-I'm not ready for
this right now.

Nothing is ready.
Nothing is ready.

I don't have a name
for this place.

- Nothing back here is ready.
- Okay, calm down.

You got this.

- Okay.
- It's fine.

- Okay.
- You got this.

Michael...

- I can do this.
- Yes, you can do this.

- Okay.
- There you are.

- I'm fine.
- Yeah, you are.

I'm gonna do this,
and you are gonna go out there

and make sure
everything is okay.

Make sure Natalia is okay, okay?

I need everything
to go smoothly today, okay?

Okay, I will, I will
see what I can do.

- Okay, I need you.
- Okay. You're...

- You're good, you're good.
- Okay. Okay.

There's somebody
here to see you.

Oh, don't get old, Natalia.

So, you giving me back, too?

What? No.

Honey, no, of course not.

- But she hates me.
- She... Who, Kristine?

She does not hate you, no.

If anything, I think she's

worried that you might hate her.

She thinks I hate her?

Well, not 'cause
of anything you've done.

It's just, Kristine wants
to be close to you.

And if there's anything
that Kristine does hate,

it's not being able to help
the people she cares about.

- I don't hate her.
- I know that, honey, I know.

Look, my dad,

your grandpa, I guess,
that's funny...

he was a, he was a
pretty mean guy,

especially to his kids.

And, when I met Kris, I...

didn't think I deserved
to be loved,

because I wasn't really
used to that.

And so, sometimes,
I would behave in ways

that, um, made it harder
for her to love me,

so I wouldn't get hurt
in case she changed her mind

and, and realized I was no good.

- Does that make sense?
- Not really.

Okay, I'm sorry.

Look, I, I...
I just want you to know

that in this family,
we love unconditionally.

And that means we love you
for who you are no matter what.

Even Kristine?

Oh, sweetheart,
especially Kristine.

So, what are you
studying exactly, Jake?

Um, mostly quantum physics.

And what does that entail?

Well, I've been focusing a lot
on PT symmetric lattice systems.

Don't worry, I have no idea
what that means either.

Oh, good, I'm not alone.

Well, I, I gotta say,
if what you've done with Jacob

is any indication of the scope
that this place can have,

I think you're gonna
have a major impact.

For so long,
it's been a dream of mine

to build a place where kids
on the autism spectrum

can come and play,

and make art, and watch movies.

Most of all, a place where no one
tries to change them.

A place where our kids feel free
to just be who they are.

I've decided to name our center
Jacob's Place,

because it's been
in raising Jacob

that I've realized
how important it is for all kids

- to have a safe haven.
- Mommy?

- Mommy.
- To learn, to play...

to be themselves.

And even though
it's called Jacob's Place,

I hope that everybody
feels like this is their place.

- Mommy!
- We are a community.

Hi, Mommy.

Sweetheart,
what can I do for you?

No Daddy, I want Mommy.

I hope everybody feels
welcomed...

-Daddy, stop it. Daddy
- and so we are open to anyone...

- Mommy?
- Yes.

- The zipper is so tricky.
- Okay, okay.

For those of you who haven't
met our new daughter,

this is Natalia Grace.

I took off my dress to go eat

because I didn't want
it to get messy,

but now I can't put it back on.

Okay, sweetheart.

No, Mommy, Mommy,

I'm sorry about before.

I'm sorry too, baby. It's okay.

You don't hate me?

No, of course not.

I could never hate you.

Aww.

Did you know we got
two teams' worth of kids

signed up for basketball today?

Honey, I am so proud of you.

But you...
you were the real hero today.

Whatever you said to Natalia,
you just...

you really saved the day.

- You wanna know what I said to her?
- Yeah.

That you were the one
who taught me how to love.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

And that I couldn't
have helped her...

if you hadn't helped me first.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Yeah.
- Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy, are you awake?

Oh.

Hi, sweet pea.

Did you have a bad dream?

Do you wanna get in and cuddle?

No.

It's not time yet.

♪ From in the shadow
she calls ♪

♪ And in the shadow
she finds a way ♪

♪ Finds a way ♪

♪ She's been everybody
else's girl ♪

♪ Maybe one day
she'll be her own ♪

♪ Everybody else's girl ♪

♪ Maybe one day
she'll be her own ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ And in the doorway
they stay ♪

♪ And laugh as violins
fill with water... ♪