Original subtitles

I understand you, and I love you dearly.

If you did, you'd know how much all of this has destroyed me.

You're incredibly special, Eva.

You are laying it on pretty thick.

Who knows, I just might be sunbathing on Sheila's deck.

I thought you said you had

something going on with some doctor.

It's a situations hip.

Looks like you pulled it off.

Pulled what off?

Your transition from black sheep to respected member of society.

After my career, I raised a family.

I can cook.

How hard can it be, really?

Watch my counters!

Happy Thanksgiving, family.

ALL: Happy Thanksgiving.

[glasses clink]

Bill, what did you think would happen?

That they'd invite you to pull up a chair to their table?

Heart Attach?

What's this, Vanessa, a new shopping app?

Get ready for a serious endorphin hit.

Oh, so more of a full-body experience.

A new workout regimen?

Sure, let's call it that.

She does have more pep in her step.

And is this our lucky number?

Call and you're guaranteed to find whatever you need.

Lively, mature, luxury edition, or down and dirty.

If you can't find it at that number,

we'll find it for you.

Intriguing.

You certainly piqued my curiosity.

And if this is what's going to reinvigorate you

because of losing Doug?

Mm, count me in.

How are you doing?

Never better.

It's a new way to thrive.

A busy wife deserves some oomph in her life,

makes the whole world shine a little brighter.

If you'll excuse me.

Well, it-it looks like the secret to her pretty face

- is staying in the shade. - Yeah.

Finally, at last.

I was putting out a fire, darling.

Named Andre?

What were you doing here so early?

Just spreading some joy.

Hmm.

Bill.

The way you say my name.

You know, I bet with some coaching,

we can get you to infuse some good cheer

or positive energy into it again.

I'll take that under advisement.

And the reason for this visit?

Used to be, I didn't need a reason.

??

Thought you'd be putting up the Christmas decorations.

Oh, well, Dr. Cole said it was too soon.

Well, you tell him I gave you the green light.

Hang up some holly, Shanice, and some

some garland, some candy canes.

I wanna see some mirth. You know,

patients come here to be healed.

Let's do it with Christmas, huh?

Oh, look at Santa Claus over here.

Uh, do not nominate me.

- I'm serious. - Come on, Doc.

How sweet would it be to see you dressed up on Christmas Eve,

delivering gifts to all the kids in pediatrics,

spreading a little joy

to all the good girls and boys around Garland?

I know who'll be on the top of the naughty list.

Oh, I know you're not talking about me.

As hard as I've worked all year and been sweeter than sugar,

I think I deserve all the goodies.

Keep me off the volunteer list,

and, uh, I'll see what I can do for you.

He said he's on his way.

She wants to go over finances.

Tell him that and he'll run for the hills.

I'm not shirking my duties.

I gotta stay fit for my constituency, and you.

[chuckles]

Love you.

Love you, too.

You want some coffee?

You really want to make me happy?

You can sort through those.

Ooh, checks.

One pile for the campaign, and one for the PAC.

- You'll be able to tell. - All right.

For the record, isn't it the campaign manager's job

to try to make the spouse and the family happy?

[chuckles]

How are the most amazing kids in the world?

Smitty?

Everything all right?

Are these checks from the fundraiser the other night?

Should be, yeah. Why?

Pretty sure this donor didn't cross the threshold.

He'd have to be invited or he couldn't come in.

Oh, a check from...

Joseph R. Armstrong.

The R is for "reprehensible."

That whole pile arrived by mail, unsolicited.

And it has to be reported?

Only if we want to run a lawful campaign.

It all gets reported to make sure it's all aboveboard.

[phone buzzing]

I've been playing phone tag with this donor.

I'll be right back.

Yes, this is the congressman's campaign manager.

Thanks for getting back to me.

I've got to run and check on a new patient.

- See you next time, Derek? - Yeah.

Okay...

ANDRE: Oh, I got it.

Thanks.

Hey, Derek.

Hey, man, uh, I heard about you and Ashley.

Bad news travels fast.

Yeah.

Hey, but I'm hoping there's a way that you two

can still figure things out.

Yeah, thanks, but I-I don't see that happening.

Not even close?

I mean...

You mean... what?

You got something to say about it?

You know something I don't?

You-you want to throw your hat in the ring, man? What?

Since when do you mingle with them?

Chelsea calls them "the icebergs."

Cold enough to freeze you out,

show you just the tip of their power,

just enough to sink ya.

Majestic, frozen, and always alone.

But we're all a bunch of girls underneath it all, aren't we?

Want the same things.

So, drumming up business?

Who says business can't be pleasurable?

And you do get great pleasure out of receiving

those real estate commissions.

When you provide a service, you should get paid.

Only thing that doesn't pass the sniff test...

Gloria Darvel.

She was practically breathless over there,

but I heard she closed on a house a week ago.

What's the secret?

The secret

is nothing compared to yours!

This ring.

It's official?

In every way.

I am a married woman now, accessories and all.

Congratulations. But what I really want to hear

is what's happening with Bill.

I can still hear us all gathered around this piano.

And the parties.

Everyone who was anyone, right here in these walls.

Unforgettable memories.

Not all of them good.

Yeah.

Chelsea's kidnapping.

Granted, it was important to have everyone here then.

And I was grateful for all you did during that ordeal.

Yeah, we were a unit.

But not too long ago, you were standing in this very room

telling me how you resented being treated like a...

What did you say?

"Second-tiered family member"?

Vernon, I didn't use those words.

We shouldn't be fighting each other, Bill.

I treated you like a son because

that's what you were to me.

I helped you prosper because that's what family does.

But the way you treated Dani and the rest of us...

Vernon, those were just the words and actions

of a hurt man during some really bad days.

Looking back,

the truth of my years with Dani is more

nuanced.

Maybe you felt used

'cause I called you for help.

Felt you had to stand up for yourself.

Myself and my wife.

That was a big part of it.

And now you're here,

feeling nostalgic about what used to be.

Something's changed.

Tell me what that is.

You think something's wrong?

- Just curious. - Hmm.

It feels like you want me to say

that I regret what happened with Dani.

Do you?

Mm-hmm.

Without question, and without pause.

We were perfect for each other until we weren't.

It happens in relationships.

Yeah, well, I regret that it happened in mine.

What it did to the family.

You know, how it changed your love for me

you and Anita.

You know, I think about that love you gave me.

You know, the world it opened.

I never had anything like that in my life.

And I lost it.

I'll always hurt from it.

But that does not mean that I hate my present.

Vernon, my wife is my life.

As a wife should be.

And Hayley wants to be a part of this community,

just like I always have.

And I want her to have a soft place to land,

get the welcome that I got, feel the love that I felt.

You know, make life easier for her than it was for me.

I'm all she's got.

I just want to protect her.

It's touching.

Really.

Just wish you'd felt that protective of my daughter.

What can I say about L.A. and Andre

and the most marvelous honeymoon ever?

Completely unplanned.

The best things in life often are,

and many of them are found in Beverly Hills.

[chuckles] Wild.

I've never seen you happier.

Vanessa, what am I even talking about?

Please stop me the next time I go off at the mouth.

This was completely insensitive.

Dani, please.

This was your first Thanksgiving without Doug.

How'd that go?

I was all right until I saw the twins.

That part was to be expected,

but we found a way to move through it.

Compartmentalization.

No healing a wounded heart without it.

And if it's what I need to do

for the foreseeable weeks, months, or years,

so be it.

Fake it till you make it.

- [footsteps approaching] - We have company.

Calliope.

I called that number you gave us.

Let it be known

I am very much married

and I'm off the market.

Oh, I've heard so much about how happy you both are.

Really, Vanessa? What do you think Fairmont Crest is?

A makeshift love hotel?

Finance report. Ready?

Sure, but I thought Smitty was here,

and his car's gone.

I guess he had to run an errand.

I was on a call, maybe he didn't want to interrupt.

All right, but he didn't text...

You know what, there was a thing.

He saw a weird check from a strange donor.

Big corporation?

Joey Armstrong.

I'll handle that. Where's the check?

It isn't here.

[knock on door]

Mr. Armstrong?

I'm Bradley Smith.

Most people call me Joey.

We haven't formally met.

Smitty.

I guess my reputation precedes me.

Well, if your visit is professional...

"No comment."

Personal as it gets.

You know my husband.

Oh, is the congressman here as well?

I'm here to ask you

to leave Martin alone.

I'm glad to see you're doing well, man.

- I need to... - Man, you really can't wait

to get away from me, can you?

You got an emergency going on here?

Nah, I'm just meeting my uncle.

Look, you take care.

What'd he mean?

Got me. New arrival.

What'd I miss?

He was asking if we had a chance of getting back together,

and then he was gonna say something else,

but he got real quiet when I asked him about it.

Then you showed up, and he split.

Funny how he didn't want to stay around

when you were interrogating him,

being so laid back and easygoing... not pushy at all.

What was he gonna say?

If I was a mind reader,

do you think that we'd be in this situation?

You want to know what he didn't say? Ask Andre.

Typical.

Why would I expect honesty or clarity

- from someone who... - Okay, all right.

[quietly]: You promised me

that you weren't going to ambush me while I was at work.

Making and breaking promises is our brand.

Just tell me!

What was he gonna say?

Andre and I

talked about you and me,

and him and me, after you...

After you took off your ring.

I asked Andre if there was still a chance for us.

Some years we harvest, this year we're planting seeds.

Doing a lot of new things

with new people in our lives, right?

Okay, come on.

Feels like today is the day of people

not saying what they want to say.

But you and I have never been that way with each other.

Whatever's on your mind...

Would you say that I know you?

Seen you in all kinds of circumstances?

Sure. More than anybody.

So, if I said you seemed distracted

when you walked in here, I'd be right?

Maybe.

So, talk to me.

Honestly. This is important.

What's going on with you?

What the hell have you done to incur the wrath

of glorified Gloria and calcified Calliope?

What don't those women complain about?

Heart Attach?

Not the escort service.

- You've heard of it? - Oh.

We're gonna play that game,

where I pretend I don't know that's the company

you use for your extracurricular activities?

Quite the memory for other people's peccadillos.

You are passing out business cards.

What does that get you? Extra boy toy time

for every neglected wife you send their way?

Nothing as crass as that.

But more elegant than passing out cards

at the country club?

The last thing you need is for Gloria or Calliope

to call the head of the rules committee.

Won't be a problem.

We have clients in high places, including the rules committee.

Um, my point is,

I know who runs that service.

So do I.

Don't tell me he is romancing you

to try to scoop up clients for his skeezy business.

He isn't.

The skeezy business is mine.

That's just a generous campaign contribution.

Drop in the bucket.

It could taint the entire election, and you know that.

Look, every generation

has a handful of people like Martin,

if they're lucky.

And we are lucky. We have Martin.

And he's not afraid to stand up to the bullies

and just say "no more."

And I'm asking

that you let him do that with clean hands.

You think I'm dangerous?

I know you are.

You don't have a clue.

MARTIN: Smitty.

This is a surprise.

Congressman. [Chuckles]

It's funny, we were just talking about you.

- I heard about the check. - I was trying to help.

That's the problem with people like you.

Always crying about fairness and doing the right thing,

and it's a crushing blow every time

you realize that these things don't exist.

I don't believe that's true.

And that will always be your weakness.

And people like me,

the ones with the dirty hands you speak of,

will always use it against you.

Your move.

You see what I mean?

This is between us.

Smitty's the one who invited himself here

and made insinuations about my character,

or the lack thereof.

Because he's a good man, with the best of intentions.

And I didn't ask him to come here,

so whatever he said...

Oh, it was a very nice speech.

I never asked for his help.

But you must know what that is.

I'm sure you have someone in your life

who only sees the best in you.

And they will do whatever they can

to make sure the world sees it, too.

Someone who will do even the most blindly courageous thing

they shouldn't have done.

[laughs]

That's just it... I don't believe in good or bad.

I deal in expediency.

And I like having a congressman in my pocket.

The deal we made,

the deal you forced me to make?

It was between us.

I decide the terms.

And if Smitty offended you,

you might want to grow a thicker skin.

Because he's only here because he loves me.

It's mine. I run it for Joey.

Why?

The opportunity presented itself.

I do have a brain for business.

And a bod for sin?

I'm hands-off.

What do you do about the skeezy part?

I curate a lovely, enticing group

of energetic men and women who provide companionship.

The parameters are all very clearly explained to the client.

- Everything is aboveboard. - Sure it is.

Should a escort hit it off with a client

and they, as consenting adults,

decide to take the date to a different level...

No matter how you pretty it up,

it's still giving "prostitution."

Not at all.

Some people need extra with no strings

and no threat to their marriage.

So you're seeking customers at the country club?

It's a target-rich environment,

and I resent being characterized as a pimp.

Okay, madam.

I run a legitimate business. We pay taxes.

This isn't like you, Vanessa.

I'm more me than I've been.

And I know what I'm doing.

You are grieving,

and you're reaching out for anything

that makes you feel better,

but you have to be careful of what reaches back.

I am.

Being careful.

Would you do any of this if Doug were alive?

Stop being so damn sanctimonious.

I need this. Let me have it.

We gave you rare gifts, Bill.

And I'm not talking about things.

I know, and I'll always be grateful.

Not looking for gratitude, Bill.

This family wanted your love,

care, respect.

You left us.

You didn't just break Dani's heart.

Took mine along, too.

Anita, kids, cousins.

We're all connected. We're a part of each other.

Hurt one of us,

we all get scars.

And not a saint among us.

I made blunders.

But ask yourself

if-if you had been more included, Bill,

like you belong to us, on a, on a blood level,

would you have still had the temerity

to treat my baby that way?

- Vernon... - [scoffs]

I can apologize

for not drawing you closer, and mean it.

But only you can tell whether or not

that would've made a damn bit of difference.

What happened out there?

[chuckles] Ran into Derek.

Dude wants me dead. Or he should.

Because of the way you feel about Ashley.

Felt.

Felt!

He caught me off-guard.

I didn't know he would be here, where she works.

Ashley. You can say her name.

What'd you do?

Nothing.

I almost told him that she asked me

about getting back together, right before I went to L.A.

With your new wife.

What were you thinking?

What was she thinking, texting me?

When did you talk to Andre about our relationship?

We'd broken up.

How broken up?

You gave back the ring, ended the engagement.

That's big stuff.

That day I-I could barely keep it together.

Hell, I am still trying to pull myself together.

But you?

You recovered enough from

the pain of ending our dream to

call him?

When did you do it?

That night.

That same night

that we'd just broken each other's hearts? You...

You called him.

Wow.

Well

extra points for honesty.

Okay, I don't want to do this here.

Just walk me through it, okay?

We broke up, you walk out the door, and then what?

You just got hit with this big need to be with him?

Or maybe those feelings never went away.

I don't want to talk about this right now.

You never want to talk about anything!

Especially the fact that you had a thing for that guy.

Why didn't you just let me go?

Because it wasn't that way. Andre and I never

- got even close... - Yeah, but I was second best.

Never! I loved you.

Until you didn't.

You were pretending you weren't recovering.

You were making yourself helpless, you were

- you were manipulating me. - Yeah, I did.

It was stupid. I should've never done it,

and I wish to hell I could take it back.

You gotta believe that, Ashley.

But did it occur to you

that maybe I was doing it because

I was scared out of my mind that I was gonna lose you to Andre?

And it turns out it wasn't just in my imagination.

You didn't even give it a 24-hour cool down

before you went and asked him if

if you two still had a chance.

And you wanna know why I lied about my legs?

That is not the same.

I never acted on my feelings.

Tell me this.

Had I never got injured in that accident,

would we be together?

That is not fair.

Yeah, well, neither is telling me

that I shouldn't worry about losing you, because...

I don't think you were really ever mine.

I was ready to start my life with you.

Yeah, just refused to set a starting date.

Were you holding out for something better?

Okay, you know what? It doesn't matter

when I told Andre anything.

The bottom line is that I did it

after I told you that this was over.

Andre has nothing to do with any of this, okay?

Okay, keep telling yourself that.

What are you talking about?

Ever since you caught me

standing on my own two feet,

everything's been my fault.

"Derek lied. Derek didn't tell me."

Okay, fine.

You're right, I wasn't transparent.

I was wrong.

But so were you.

We both messed us up.

We lit our own matches

and burned this whole damn thing down.

What?

I didn't say anything.

Cue the marching band. Hallelujah.

If you're looking for a fight, I'm not giving it to you.

No, you know what? Don't do that.

Just say it.

What, you think I'm as cruel and as hateful

as Derek obviously does?

You want me to start looking for another job

because we can't work together anymore?

What? What is it?

Just-just say it.

I'm happy with my wife.

I found what I've been wanting all this time.

When we first started out,

yeah, it was all fun times, you know?

It was down low and not serious.

And Ashley?

Yeah.

I saw a future with her, I won't lie.

Something permanent, exciting.

Things shifted with Dani, and I don't know when or how,

but...

You know, I've got the best of both worlds with my wife.

She's as committed as I am,

and we still have that excitement, that-that spark.

Things evolved.

Yeah.

A puzzle wrapped in a mystery.

And I know two things: It works

and I'm not questioning it.

- Hey, Vanessa... - Stop.

I mean it.

Stop.

Okay.

Stop making judgments.

I know what people think when they see me.

Fun-loving, rule-breaking loose cannon,

never takes anything seriously,

and that-that's before Doug died.

- That's not how I see you. - No one saw me.

I was invisible.

Being married to a surgeon,

barely saw the man for more than an hour at a time.

Of course, there's early morning surgery appointments.

That's to be expected, but then there's

all the other things I never talked about.

We barely had a sex life.

Barely any life together.

I did my time on Lilac Lane.

So what if I wanted some freedom?

Excitement?

A man to make me feel alive again, like

like I mattered?

I'm still young.

Of course you are. But...

I'm sorry, Vanessa.

I should've been paying attention.

Dani

you're at the start of your beautiful love story,

and Nicole has her hands full all the time.

It's not her fault, and it's not yours.

That's not what I'm saying...

I am so sorry, Vanessa.

If you're thinking your presence in my life

would've kept Joey away, you're wrong.

I-I like him.

Why?

Because I don't have to explain myself to him.

He doesn't judge me or my appetites.

He treats me like I'm an adult,

able to make decisions for myself.

Including running an escort service.

I'm good at it.

And I like the distraction from everything

that turned upside down in my life.

Vanessa...

What can I do?

Nothing.

It's a legal business?

It is.

My hands are clean, they will remain that way.

You are my friend,

so I will never stop worrying about you.

He's dangerous.

Like I said,

I will love you through everything,

just like you've done for me.

Love you.

Love.

So inspiring.

Tell you what.

I am filled with goodwill.

Must be the season.

Why don't we let this moment pass?

We know where we stand.

Thank you.

And I have to say, I think you've got a point

about the congressman's future.

He will definitely make a difference.

As long as those differences

and my businesses don't intersect,

we will live in a place where all of our needs are met,

and we will coexist. Together.

Forever.

That's a future I can embrace.

You have my vote, Congressman.

Are we done here?

We'll never be done.

Martin.

Forget something?

No, I didn't.

Look, I'm only telling you this so you can have perspective.

Or maybe you won't, but I would still want to know.

Just tell me, please.

The day Derek moved out of your place,

a couple firefighters gave him a hand.

Okay.

One of them was a woman.

Sheryl.

Yeah, buds, I know her.

She made a move on him.

Oh.

She thought he needed somebody to lean on,

and he turned her down.

After everything that went down.

Guess the guy still loves you.

You're right.

I really wish you didn't tell me that.

Ash.

Hey, is everything okay?

Why wouldn't it be?

You just seem... I don't know.

Derek and I talked when

you went to see your uncle.

- How did that go? - It was okay.

You sure?

- Sure, sure. - Okay.

It wasn't easy, you know?

We were both painfully honest with each other

so that we could move on.

Separately.

So it's all good?

Or it will be. You bet.

Good.

Great, great.

Glad to hear it.

Hey, look, you take care of yourself, okay?

[elevator dings]

Vernon, I loved Dani

with all of my heart, and I really...

I really thought we were going to be together forever.

And the time that I spent here

with your family that became my family,

I don't know, that's...

If those are the best years of my life,

I wouldn't mind one bit.

But nothing can change where we are now.

I'm happy with Hayley.

What happens to and between you

your business.

Let it stay that way.

Fairmont Crest's business.

You knew the consequences before you chose

to live in the aftermath of what you wrought.

Okay, all right.

So, this is it. After everything we've been

to and for one another, this is who we are now?

Who can predict these things, huh?

People evolve. The world spins.

But one thing will never change.

I will never forgive you

for the way you broke my daughter's heart.

That's too much to ask of any father.

I get it.

I just can't help but wish

you'd done better.

Gave your best to Dani in the end.

Without all that grandstanding and animosity and pain.

Yeah.

I didn't live up to my own standard.

Or yours.

And I regret the way things ended with her.

So you promise to do better on the next go-round?

None of that matters now.

Dani has risen from the ashes.

She's got someone who

is devoted to protecting her, and

that's all I ever wanted for her.

At least you're not turning into Gloria Darvel

or Calliope Hodges.

The day I turn into

that holier-than-thou sanctified rule maker...

You are the least judgy person I know.

Because of this glorious glass house that I've built.

Fabulous view.

I love you.

Love you.

And thank you

for trusting me enough to be honest.

I may not like this new project...

Even with the friends and family discount thrown in? Kidding.

I don't need any more attention, not with Andre around.

- Mm. - So thank you.

But Joey Armstrong can make bank somewhere else.

And I've got both my eyes on you.

- I'm fine. - Hey.

Everyone can use a little extra love.

And shelter from the storm.

You didn't have to come to my rescue.

And you shouldn't have to come to mine.

You don't have to protect me, babe.

I know.

But damn

that was so hot.

The way you took him on,

telling him to grow a thick skin?

Are you crazy?

Can we at least agree that Joey is a dangerous man,

best avoided whenever possible?

It's just hard to forget.

That he has me right where he wants me?

Us.

You're stuck with me through thick and thin.

[sighs]

[chuckles]

[scoffs softly]

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