Original subtitles

[♪]

[Dawn] Sending my baby Christie away

was the last in a series of horrible things

Grandmother Cutler had done to me

before she died...

But I got her back.

[♪]

Now I was coming back to Cutler's Cove,

hoping to banish the horrors of Grandmother and The Meadows

from our lives forever.

[car radio playing rock music]

[radio turns off]

Christie.

Look at that!

You got her!

Hi, Mrs. Boston.

This is my daughter, Christie.

Hand her over now.

You gotta let me hold that baby.

Ohh!

[coos] Yeah.

The hotel's still so empty.

We thought we'd wait until you came back

before we reopened.

- Why? - Well, you remember

the hotel was left to you in the will?

Yes, but...

I don't know how to run a hotel.

Well, I just guess you're gonna have to learn then, aren't ya?

[♪]

[shushes Christie]

[♪]

[Clara Jean] Hey, sis.

Grandma tried to get rid of her,

but guess you got your bastard back.

Aren't you even a little embarrassed?

Embarrassed about what?

Well, it seems like

you're being passed from guy to guy.

I mean, whoever the father of this one is,

and then, before that, whatshisname...

The guy that you thought was your brother?

And, before that, Philip, your actual brother.

I mean, people might talk, Dawn.

I don't care what people talk about.

I care about that little girl,

I care about Jimmy, and that's it.

Oh, and by the way,

you ever call my daughter a bastard again,

and it'll be the last thing you ever say.

That sounds like a physical threat, Dawn.

You're a big-time hotel owner now.

You can't be talking like that.

[chuckles]

You're right. I'm the boss.

Watch your mouth or I'll have you thrown out.

How's that?

You can't kick me out.

Grandpa's will said

any Cutler can live here as long as they want.

Well, the will didn't say anything

about you coming into my room as you please,

so, get lost, Clara Jean.

Just don't get too settled,

thinking that you actually own this place, Dawn.

There's always another shoe to drop.

[Christie cries]

[footsteps receding]

[clock ticking]

[♪]

[testily] Does your voice work?

I just don't understand why you're treating me

like a derelict who walked in off the street.

Did you think you ought to be treated

like some long-lost princess?

[sighs]

[exhales]

[♪]

Okay.

It's just a hotel.

You can do this.

I just think

it makes more sense to get an answering service,

or for that matter, a better phone system.

Um, who do I call for that?

I don't know. Phone-system people?

Okay, uh... I'll... I'll look into it.

Can we discuss something a little bit

- more urgent, please? - Mm-hmm?

If, next week, someone orders a steak,

we'll be serving them an empty plate.

Until the truckers' strike ends,

we need to find a different vendor

or buy a few cows.

Okay, yeah, I-I will check into vendors.

Thank you.

Can I just reiterate

that, until you get the financials worked out,

phone systems and "cows" are going to have to wait.

We need to open up, like, yesterday,

or, in three months, we'll be insolvent.

Okay. I understand.

Just... what does "insolvent" mean, again?

[thwack]

Dawn!

Randolph.

I have some great news.

Oh, thank God. I can use it.

I found a way to save the hotel

five cents on every four boxes we've been buying.

This detergent has a higher density per volume

than this one.

Five cents?

Mm-hmm.

Randolph, do you have any idea

the financial trouble the hotel is in?

Well, yes! This would help, wouldn't it?

[unsettled] Are you all right?

I'm perfectly fine, Mother.

I really must share this news with the rest of the staff.

[♪]

What are you doing out here all by yourself?

Hiding. [exhales deeply]

I can't do this.

Yes, you can.

What are we talking about?

[chuckles]

The hotel.

It's just... [sighs]

It's too much.

You know, there's no law

that says you have to run this hotel.

You wanted to sing.

Yeah, but that was before.

We've got Christie now, and...

I want her to have the stable life that we didn't.

Professional singers can't have families?

I don't know. It just...

It seems so trivial now.

I-I just feel like Cutler's Cove is, like...

I mean, if I can get this place running like it should,

then that is the best chance we can give her...

and not just her.

For us, too, you know?

And maybe we can get Fern back.

I think...

that, if that's what you want,

let's do it.

You'll have this place

running like a machine by the time I get back.

[whines lightly] Mm.

Can't you remind the Army that the war's over

and they don't need you anymore?

You can't leave me now.

One month.

That's it.

Then I'm back for good.

You can hold this down.

In the meantime, I was thinking,

maybe you could wear something...

that you know that I'm thinking about you out there?

Dawn...

- will you marry me? - [blurts] Yes!

Yeah?

- Really? - Yes, yes, yes, yes!

Yes!

Give me your finger.

[♪]

We've had a lousy past.

Let's make a great future.

[♪]

Mother?

I'm glad to see

you're feeling better and...

socializing.

Dawn, you should know Mr. Bronson Alcott.

He is a, um... very old friend of mine.

In fact,

his bank holds the mortgage on the hotel.

Oh. It's a pleasure.

I hope we're paid up.

Uh... this month, at least.

And the pleasure's all mine.

Um...

forgive me, but do you mind

if I have a few words with my mother in private?

Oh!

Dawn, there's no need for privacy with Bronson.

He's been acquainted with this family since...

well, before we were a family.

Well, it's-it's about Randolph.

He's not...

He's just been behaving strangely lately.

Yes, he is still grieving his mother.

He just... he gets like that sometimes, Dawn.

He'll snap out of it.

What the Devil is on your finger?

Jimmy proposed.

Jimmy?

Your soldier friend?

My soldier fiancé.

Dawn!

He hasn't got a penny!

We'll be fine.

[gasps]

I don't even know what to say!

I mean, it's bad enough

you turned me into a grandmother before my time.

Now, now, Laura Jean.

Don't put lines in your lovely face.

You know as well as anyone

the heart sometimes knows better than the mind.

Ahem.

So, when is it that you plan on marrying this boy?

We haven't set a date yet, but I mean...

I'd marry him today.

Well, you don't plan on going to some justice of the peace?

We haven't discussed it.

Oh, no, no, no... no.

Dawn, this absolutely will not do.

If you are getting married,

you're going to have a real wedding,

right here!

We'll make it a huge event!

Oh! I will take care of everything!

[chuckles awkwardly]

I'm back.

How's my baby girl?

[♪]

What are you doing here?

I'm just looking after this little angel,

like you asked me to.

[Christie coos]

[sighs]

Oh! Mrs. Boston, I'm sorry, I...

for a second, I thought you were...

somebody else.

Nope! Same old me.

Thank you for looking after Christie.

[gushes] This baby is never a hardship for me.

You've grown up so much.

I mean, look at you!

A mother and a businesswoman.

Yeah, and I'm scared to death of being both.

Oh, nonsense!

When your grandmother took charge of Cutler's Cove,

she was a lot shakier than you,

and I am certain Lillian wasn't capable

of anything that you aren't, my dear.

Thank you.

I did want to ask...

I-I just met one of mother's friends...

Bronson Alcott.

Do you know anything about him?

Well, I guess I'm the source

of all your gossip around here, aren't I?

I'm just curious.

They seem to be pretty...

chummy.

Well, I don't know much about Mr. Alcott,

but I know that they went way back.

How far back?

Pretty far.

He was always around here, and then...

I didn't see so much of him anymore.

About the time that Clara Jean was born.

[chuckles dryly]

Even as a baby, Clara Jean drove people away.

[chuckling]

[♪]

[receptionist] Good afternoon.

Welcome to Cutler's Cove Resort Hotel.

How may I help you?

Mr. and Mrs. Garvey, it's so lovely to see you again.

- Your room is ready. - Thank you, Miss Cutler.

It's great to be back.

Mrs. Bradley, please look after the Garveys.

Room 283.

Oh, Edgar!

I thought we were going to trim the rose bushes?

Next on the list, Miss Cutler.

Thank you.

Mr. Nussbaum... I was just coming to see you!

How are we doing on the Crawford event for tomorrow?

How well could it be coming

when the new mixer has not arrived yet?

Have you checked the loading dock?

It's been sitting there since 9:00 A.M.

I-It would've been nice if they told me!

Just, uh, give me ten minutes and I'll deal with it.

Thank you!

[knocking at door]

Yes? What can I do for you?

I'd let you know, but I think you would blush.

[laughs] Jimmy!

Hi.

That was the longest month in human history.

Please tell me you're back for good.

I'm a civilian again.

[♪]

Wow. Look at you.

I curled my hair and made some changes.

- Yeah. - Do you like it?

I love it.

That said, you could probably shave it all off,

and you'd still be beautiful.

Please don't do that, though.

[laughing]

Hey, hey...

Hey, you haven't even asked about my trip.

That's only because I couldn't care less.

Dawn. Dawn, Dawn, slow down.

- Hey. - Slow down.

Listen to me, pal.

We have been here so many times,

and every time, you tell me to wait.

So, unless you have a war injury

you haven't told me about yet,

it's go-time, soldier.

Dawn...

I-I get it.

- You're not my sister. - Mm-hmm.

I'm totally past that wall.

Okay.

And now's the time that I'm very easy to convince.

Now is the time.

It's just...

[sighs]

Listen.

We're getting married in two weeks...

and we've waited this long.

I just thought maybe we could do one traditional thing,

when the rest of our lives have been anything but that.

I just want to do this right, you know?

[groans]

To punish you

for being the most romantic man alive...

I'm going to agree to wait.

Wh...

[♪]

[male employee] Please, sir, let me help you with that.

[Randolph] No, no, no, no! I told you! I'm fine!

Hey, Randolph, what's happening?

[male employee] I'll take care of the weapon, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, I've...

I nicked my hand.

Wait, this is more than a nick.

[female employee] We called the doctor, Miss Cutler.

[Dawn] Thank you, Mrs. Bradley.

It's just only that Mother loves the ocean so much,

and I tried to clear some bushes away

to give her a better view from the cem...

where she is.

Okay, that... That's fine, Randolph.

Let's get you to a doctor, okay?

Have we met?

[♪]

[gasps]

Sorry. Did I scare you?

What do you want, Philip?

How about a hug for your brother?

- I hardly ever see you anymore. - How about not?

Get out of my chair.

You know your father's not well?

Oh, he'll be all right.

He's not right in the head.

He needs to see another kind of doctor.

[scoffs] Well, good luck with that.

Like Mother would ever run the risk

of people finding out her husband is seeing a shrink?

Look. I have a million things to do, so.

I know you do.

You're the big boss now.

I mean, me working under Dad,

and you taking over for Grandma.

It's a crazy world, huh?

Is there something I can help you with?

There is.

Listen.

I know you haven't been talking to me,

but I was hoping that you and I could have a fresh start.

Even though I know you won't forgive me

for things that happened between us in the past.

"Things that happened between us..."

That's what you call what you did to me?

Whatever happened, we're family,

and I'm hoping that, over time, we can bury the past.

We can't.

I'm very happy for you and Jimmy, anyway.

In fact, I hope you don't mind,

but I asked Jimmy if I could be his best man,

and he said yes.

So, I'm gonna be standing up there with you guys.

Almost like... I'm giving you away.

Randolph has that honor,

and the only reason Jimmy said yes

is because he doesn't know what you did to me,

and I haven't told him,

because I know he would literally kill you

and spend the rest of his life in prison.

I mean, the way I remember things...

Just get away from me, Philip!

I don't want to see your face.

[♪]

[gushing] Hi! Hello! Hi!

[laughs] Oh!

She has her father's eyes.

Please do not bring him up on my wedding day.

Sorry.

She can have his eyes,

as long as she didn't inherit anything else from him.

I know you don't like talking about him,

but have you heard the latest about the great Michael Sutton?

I do try to avoid his press.

But why?

Did he get knighted by the Queen?

[laughs] Close.

He got fired from his last Broadway show

for being a fall-down drunk.

Apparently, he's been a boozer for years,

and he just can't control it anymore.

[whispers] Oh, my god.

Yeah.

I'd like to think he's struggling with his conscience,

but that assumes...

- He has one? - He has one.

[both laughing]

Dawn?

It's time.

Let's get your dress on.

[Trish squeals quietly]

[♪]

I'll be right outside.

Are you ready to give the bride away?

Where's Mother?

Randolph.

Don't go crazy on us now.

Your mother is stone-cold dead.

No.

Get a hold of yourself!

No...

it is not right to begin without Mother!

Ra... Randolph! Randolph?

[huffs in alarm]

He's gonna ruin everything!

It's my fault.

I-I should have known he wasn't up for it.

Oh, just think... think.

You'll just have to give me away yourself.

I absolutely will not.

That is not how it's done.

[huffs]

Okay.

All right.

[exhales]

[exhales deeper]

[calmer] You just give me one minute.

It's gonna be great, okay.

[♪]

[♪]

♪ Ave Maria

♪ Ave Maria...

♪ Ave Maria...

[minister] I now pronounce you man and wife.

[guests applauding]

♪ ...Maria...

♪ Ave...

♪ Ave...

♪ Ave...

♪ Maria...

♪ Ave...

♪ Maria...

♪ Ave...

[♪]

[♪]

[somber music playing]

[♪]

Hey... what's the matter?

You okay?

[♪]

I'm... I'm fine.

Just...

just seeing things.

[♪]

[both laughing]

Very nice.

Okay.

Ah...

I think we're over the threshold.

Ah!

Am I a dope for putting my wedding dress back on

for this?

No.

I think it would have been bad luck.

[♪]

I don't want to get your hopes up, but, um,

you, sir, are about to have

the most amazing experience of your life.

You know what?

What?

I think...

I'm already having it.

[♪]

Dawn. Dawn?

Yeah?

I, uh...

You gotta hear me out here, okay?

Okay.

I think we've gotta wait still.

[snickers]

Oh, I got you!

[laughing]

[♪]

We're finally here.

I love you, Dawn.

[♪]

Nice view.

Yeah, I'm just people watching.

Mm. Anybody interesting down there?

Not yet...

but they could show up any time, anywhere.

You should know, you may have married a loony, Jimmy.

I know.

Good thing I married you for your body, not your brain.

I'm not kidding.

I keep thinking I'm seeing Lillian and Emily.

Like... like, they're haunting me.

Yeah, they probably are. A couple of monsters.

I mean, think of the things they did to you.

You don't just shake things off that easy.

Yeah? What do you know about it, Dr. Freud?

Hey.

I was in the service, okay?

I seen guys come out of combat zones,

I can tell you about haunted.

You're just a little shell-shocked.

I don't know.

It just seems like

every bit of happiness I've ever known

gets undercut by some tragedy.

I mean, Randolph killing himself on our wedding day?

Yeah. Look at Randolph.

He let his mother haunt him, too.

It took him over.

He let his ghosts win.

You don't have to.

Maybe I just need a little time.

Yeah.

[♪]

[alarm beeping]

[groggily] Mm.

Christie.

Can't you wait half a second for me to open my eyes?

I'm hungry!

I'm hungry.

I thought I fed you breakfast yesterday?

That's the crazy thing about kids.

You have to feed them every day or they get grumpy.

Okay, come on.

Oh, ho, ho, ho.

[Christie giggles]

[Jimmy] Okay, let's go.

[♪]

Just tell me. What is it?

I know it's gotta be something.

Dawn, you're perfectly healthy.

But how can that be?

Every time I come here, you tell me I'm healthy,

so why can't I get pregnant?

We've been trying for years.

Sometimes, when your body is under a lot of stress,

it can be difficult.

Have you been feeling particularly stressed, Dawn?

Hmph!

Only every day and night of my life,

if that counts?

Well, then, I have to say,

this one test result is damn curious.

Because...

you are pregnant.

[♪]

[Christie] Thank you.

Mother, I don't need a party.

Not everything is an occasion.

People get pregnant all the time.

[scoffs] Well, yes!

But this is...

Yes, I know, I know... We're Cutlers,

and the Cutlers don't do anything small.

Well, I'm glad you finally understand.

Like it or not,

we are in a family that is in the public eye.

But let's just keep this a private family thing?

I don't understand.

Any time I try to do something nice for you,

you shoot it down.

Now, honey, I don't think she meant it like that.

[Jimmy] Yeah, Laura Jean, Bronson's right.

It's not that we don't appreciate the offer...

No, no, no, no, Jimmy, this is not you.

This is Dawn.

She never once thinks about something that I want.

God. Laura Jean, come back, now.

We're all having such a lovely time.

Why does she always run off like that?

Grandma just... doesn't like mess.

We should probably go home, hey?

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Bronson, I'm sorry.

I really didn't mean to spoil things.

Oh, no, no.

It's not your fault.

You know, Laura Jean's just been feeling a little, uh...

a little poorly lately.

Yeah, I know that routine all too well.

Uh, I wonder, Dawn,

do you think you could stay for a while?

There's something I've been wanting to discuss with you.

It's to do with your mother.

I can have my chauffeur bring her home.

Yeah.

Okay.

You know, it's funny.

You and I have been acquainted all these years...

I even walked you down the aisle,

and yet I don't think we've ever had a one-on-one conversation.

I guess that's true.

I know you and your mother have had a...

a strained relationship.

I was wondering if there was anything I can do

to help the two of you get closer.

I appreciate that, Bronson, but...

I think Mother and I

are probably exactly where we need to be.

Considering the fact that she willingly allowed me

to be kidnapped as an infant,

I think we're doing pretty good.

I understand.

It's just your mother...

bless her.

She's such a frail thing.

Mother may be many things, but frail?

She is frail, Dawn.

Her illnesses aren't always for, uh...

well, theatrics.

You know, since, um,

we're finally having this one-on-one conversation,

I should tell you

that there's always been something that's bothered me

about you and Mother.

Me and your mother?

I am intrigued.

Well...

certainly more Mother than you.

It's just...

Randolph wasn't in the ground

for two weeks

before she agreed to marry you.

Something clearly was going on between you two

while she was still married.

You probably didn't know

that your mother and I were engaged at one time...

before she ever met Randolph.

I did not.

Mm.

[deep breath]

I had a sister, at the time,

who fell desperately ill.

I found myself in a place

where I had to tend to her needs before my own,

and, uh...

some years went by.

Well, Laura Jean had every right to lose patience eventually,

and she married Randolph.

And, for a time... she was happy.

Yeah, until she got bored with him

and seduced her father-in-law.

I can see why you'd come to that conclusion, Dawn.

One thing you should know before anything else...

Your mother never seduced your grandfather,

Lillian's husband.

There was nothing consensual

about the night you were conceived.

[♪]

[Laura Jean sobbing]

Laura Jean!

He forced himself on your mother.

Sweetheart...

It's okay, sweetheart.

Laura Jean... Laura Jean, it's okay.

It's okay. Tell me what happened.

And I was the only one she felt she could trust.

She knew the police would be no help.

The Cutler name and money

has too much power in these parts.

When it was clear for all to see

that Laura Jean was carrying a child,

she told your grandmother the truth.

You can imagine how she reacted...

but in the fullness of time,

they both agreed to pretend it was Randolph's,

and he was none the wiser,

but after you were born,

your existence was too painful a reminder

of William's betrayal,

and Lillian had you taken away.

She moved Laura Jean into the fanciest suite in the hotel,

as if that would be some consolation.

I would hope

that perhaps you could judge your mother

a little less harshly, knowing this.

She should have told me.

Yeah, that may be true,

but I've told you.

Thank you, Bronson.

There's more.

I continued to be a comfort to your mother...

and then, eventually,

something more than a comfort.

You see, Laura Jean and Randolph

were never intimate again after that.

But...

she had Clara Jean after...

Yes.

Clara Jean isn't Randolph's daughter, either.

She's mine.

And...

well, now you know all of it.

But Clara Jean doesn't... Doesn't know?

Well, no.

I wanted to be in her life.

I think I would have been a good father.

But Laura Jean begged me to stay away,

so what could I do?

I did try to be at least a friend to Clara Jean

as she was growing up.

Well, let's just say

her temperament doesn't always make that easy.

I know that also.

You know, I am aware

that your mother does sometimes cry wolf over her health.

It's just... you don't want to wake up one day

and find out she's no longer here,

and have lingering regrets between the two of you.

You are so good for her, Bronson,

and I'm really glad she has you.

Thank you.

Yeah, it's great. Mm-hmm.

[door opens]

Actually, Dawn just came in, so I'll let her know.

Okay, talk to you later.

[sighs] Boy, have I got a story to tell you.

You gotta let me go first.

That was Dad.

Apparently, in prison,

he worked with a private investigator and...

they found her, Dawn...

Our baby sister.

They tracked down the family that adopted her.

She's a bit older than Christie.

They found Fern.

Fern, these are the friends I wanted you to meet.

This is James and Dawn.

[whispers] Well, say "hello."

Hello.

Hi.

Hello.

It's such a pleasure to meet you, Fern.

Where are you from?

We are from Virginia.

How do you know my parents?

It's a long story.

I got time.

Fern.

It's "I have time," not "I got time,"

like a bum would say.

Now be polite.

Mr. Osborne, it's... It's really all right.

[Dawn chuckles]

You two have any kids?

We have a daughter, named Christie.

Oh, I like that name.

[Mrs. Osborne] Sit up straight, Fern.

[sighs]

So, you're really friends of my parents?

Yeah. For a while now.

So, then why did you just call him "Mr. Osborne"?

Uh...

Look, we really just wanted you to meet.

You can say goodbye now, Fern.

- It's really nice meeting you. - Wait a minute.

Don't go just yet.

Uh, we'd love to ask you

a little bit about yourself, Fern.

Shoot.

Do you have many friends?

I guess.

I mean, most of them are jerks.

My friend Sheri's okay, but she has, like,

a thousand brothers and sisters, and always makes

cracks at me for being an only child.

Oh, I'm-I'm sure she doesn't mean anything by that.

Yeah, she does. She...

What's the matter, James?

[chuckles awkwardly] Uh...

Ahem, nothing, nothing.

It's just, uh...

I actually had a sister that would be about your age.

What's so sad about that? She die or something?

Fern!

Uh...

yeah, she... she's gone.

[Mr. Osborne] Okay, Fern, you can wait for us out front.

We'll discuss your behavior later.

Can't wait.

We had an agreement.

I didn't break our agreement, okay?

She... She thinks we're friends.

All right, then.

You wanted to meet her. You've met her.

Now, please don't contact Fern ever again.

If you're threatening me...

Jimmy, Jimmy... hey.

They're leaving.

Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Osborne.

Goodbye.

[wind gusting]

[Dawn] It's getting windy.

I think we're in for a storm tonight.

I can't get it out of my head,

how that guy talked to Fern.

[wind gusting]

Did you hear how Fern talked to him?

I think she can carry her own.

Do you think there's a way we could get her out of there?

Jimmy, I think you're just gonna

have to learn to be thankful

that she has a home and a mother and a father.

And a brother!

I think she deserves to know the truth.

She is safe and healthy.

We'll see her again.

Yeah... we will.

[windstorm rages]

I better go fix the tarps on the shed.

You're going out now?

Yeah, well, last storm, they got tossed around.

It's okay. I'll get Phil to help me.

[wind gusting]

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

[Clara Jean] Dawn! Dawn, where are you?

[door opening]

Hey. You can't just come barging in!

I just went to my room.

What the hell did you do with all my things?

What are you talking about?

My room!

Everything I own is gone!

Yes. Um...

I put everything in Bronson's house.

That's where Mother lives now.

[huffs, bangs glass down]

What gives you the right

to put your filthy hands on my stuff?

Clara Jean, you haven't lived here in, like, a decade.

You come once or twice a year.

I-I can't have you just showing up

whenever you want to antagonize my family.

You had no right to do this!

This is my hotel...

and I am telling you to leave.

- [Clara Jean grunts] - [Dawn gasps]

[groans]

[grunts]

[groans]

Why didn't you just stay gone?

[blows landing]

You cursed everybody by coming back.

Grandma's dead,

and Daddy's dead...

why are you still alive?

[blows landing]

[♪]

[Jimmy] Dawn?

[♪]

Hi.

Hi...

What's going on?

[groans]

You're in the hospital.

You're all right.

Do you remember anything?

Clara Jean...

Yeah.

Listen, Dawn.

I have something to tell you.

It's... It's bad news.

[sobs]

[weeping]

- Um, there's no... - No!

Permanent damage.

There's no permanent damage, okay?

You can still have kids.

The doctor said so. Okay?

Why did I think anything good could happen?

Hey...

look at me.

So much good has happened, okay?

Where's Clara Jean?

Tell me they arrested her.

She disappeared. No one knows where she went.

Of course, she did,

but that psycho made good on her threat.

There's always another shoe to drop.

Yeah, well...

for her sake, she better hope she never shows up again.

[weeping]

[sobbing] Baby.

[knocking]

Yeah, it's me!

Trisha!

Jimmy called.

I came right down.

[chuckling warmly]

Hi!

I'm sorry.

No, Dawn. Hey.

You don't have to keep it together for me, okay?

You can cry a whole lake, if you need to.

Okay.

I guess Jimmy told you about the baby?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, he did.

He did...

but, uh, he also said

that you're gonna make a full recovery,

and that you're gonna have lots more babies,

and that he loves you, mind, body, and soul...

And I'm thinking,

"Does this guy ever shut up about Dawn?"

I mean, he could've at least asked how my flight was.

[laughing] Oh!

Anyway, I'm here to cheer you up,

for when you're ready for it.

It might take a little more work this time.

I can tell you about the new show I'm dancing in,

and how much of an absolute disaster it's going to be!

- No. - And if I can laugh about it,

you can, okay?

Really? Really?

Yeah, my money says we close opening night.

Yeah.

We're gonna get through this, okay?

Yeah.

I know. Here comes the lake.

I know.

It's okay.

I can swim.

Oh, sweetheart...

I understand how you feel.

I am heartbroken at losing a grandchild, too,

and I will never forgive Clara Jean for what she did.

You can't let this destroy you.

No?

Is a sad face not good for the Cutler brand?

Dawn. Dawn, you know she didn't mean that.

I realize that I...

haven't been the mother to you that maybe you deserved,

but if there is one thing that I have learned

from my experiences,

it's that... [sniffles]

[voice breaks] ...life takes things away from you...

[steadier] ...but it's how you handle those hardships

that makes you who you are.

We know you have the strength to survive this.

Where you stumble,

we both want you to know

you can count on us for support.

Now, you have a husband

and a daughter...

who both love you and need you.

Embrace that.

[♪]

I hope this surprise isn't, like, a toaster or something,

'cause you've really built it up

with the whole blindfold and everything.

Okay.

Where am I?

You're at your new house.

This house represents nearly 10 months

of planning and sweating and sneaking around.

And I did have some help,

but I'll tell you, it's been worth it, Dawn...

to make your dream house.

Is this what you've been up to?

Mm-hmm.

I figured we need to get out of the hotel. You know?

Away from your ghosts.

Finally have a place of our own.

And you can still walk to work.

You like it, or love it?

I can't believe you did this for me.

I don't deserve you.

Yeah, probably not, but...

you're stuck with me.

To fresh starts...

To fresh starts.

[♪]

[phone ringing]

I've been looking for both of you.

Why? What's going on?

Fern?

How did you get here?

Oh, hi.

I took a bus.

Okay, a bigger question.

Why are you here?

Because I know who you are.

I found my birth certificate in my father's desk.

My real name is Longchamp, and your name is Longchamp.

I already knew I was adopted.

Okay.

Do your parents know you're here?

No. I just took off.

Okay, you understand,

we'll have to call them immediately?

No, please don't.

I don't want to go back there.

It's...

my father.

What about your father?

Nothing.

He just...

does bad things to me sometimes.

Fern...

you can tell us.

[breath shaking]

[Fern sniffles]

Hey.

Fern.

Fern, listen to me, okay?

You're safe here.

Dawn and I are your family, all right?

[♪]

Call the lawyer.

Yeah.

That was fun. Let's play it again, Fern.

I told you... call me Aunt Fern.

If you don't,

I'm just gonna pretend I don't hear you.

You're not that much older than me.

Well, I'm still your aunt.

New game...

Truth or dare? You have to pick one.

Um...

dare?

Okay.

I dare you...

You know the downstairs pantry

where all the liquor bottles are?

Hey! No!

Stop.

We were just playing, Dawn.

Well, play something different.

Come on, Christie.

Let's go to the beach.

[♪]

[man] Should we take the bags from the master suite?

That would be amazing for us, okay?

You know where that is?

Dawn. We were just gonna come look for you.

Betty Ann, this is my sister... Dawn.

[chuckles awkwardly] Hi.

Hi.

Betty Ann, Philip never goes out of his way

to introduce me to his lady friends,

so, uh, you must be something special.

Well, gosh, I hope so, because we just got married.

We eloped. Can you beat that?

You eloped?

- Mm-hmm. - I know, it's crazy, right?

I've told you about Betty Ann.

We dated in college.

Um, yeah, that was a while ago.

[Betty Ann] And then we ran into each other at the reunion

and everything just came flooding back.

[giggles] Just like nothing has ever changed.

That's... [words catch]

great.

I-I'm real happy for you guys.

My goodness.

What?

Am I the only one seeing this?

[laughs] Look at us.

We look exactly the same.

[Philip] Huh.

Well...

you're both blondes, I guess?

That's only because you got me to dye my hair,

but my goodness...

you know, we could be sisters.

Who knows?

Maybe we were separated at birth.

[laughs]

Well, it was really nice to meet you.

Um, do you mind pointing out where the powder room is?

Oh, uh, it's right in there on the left.

- Thank you. - Of course.

You, uh, know Mother's going to kill you.

You're her only son,

and you cheated her out of throwing you a big wedding.

She lives for stuff like that.

She's gonna love Betty Ann, and...

just so you know, I-I never told her about us.

She has no idea you used to be my girlfriend.

I was never your girlfriend, Philip.

You sure acted like you were.

All right, listen to me.

The only reason

I agreed to let you take over for Randolph

is because I didn't want to have to explain to Jimmy

why I wouldn't let a Cutler work at the Cutler Hotel,

and you know

that's more for your benefit than mine,

but one more crack like that, and the gloves are off.

Do you understand?

Damn. What's eating you?

[loudly] Do you understand?

Yeah.

Whatever you say, boss.

Over $200 in petty cash.

You don't think a guest took it?

Well, I hate to make any rash accusations,

but this has never happened before.

I hate to say it,

but the only thing unusual of late

is that...

Fern's been helping out at the front desk.

Fern? What do you mean?

She came to me.

She said she was eager to learn how a hotel runs.

So, I let her help me with the little things...

but then, yesterday,

she seemed to completely lose interest,

and that's when I noticed the money went missing.

I don't have any proof, mind you, but...

it's just a lot of money to go missing.

Thank you.

What?

She told you I took it?

No. She said you had been helping her out,

and that the money disappeared.

I'm asking if you know anything about it.

Mrs. Bradley's just a damn rat.

You're not answering my question, Fern.

Why do you hate me, Dawn?

What did I ever do to you?

Nobody hates you, Fern.

Look.

If you took the money and you admit it now,

you won't be punished for it.

You'll just have to give it back.

My father accused me of things I didn't do all the time.

Now you're gonna tell Jimmy, so he'll hate me, too.

He'll abandon me just like my real father did.

He didn't abandon you, Fern.

I told you what happened.

Okay, look.

Jimmy doesn't need to know about this.

I-I just want you to be honest with me.

So...

you promise you won't tell him?

I promise I won't tell Jimmy.

You just made a promise, Dawn.

If you tell Jimmy what you promised not to,

I'll hate you forever.

So... did you take the money?

Nope.

[♪]

Come on, Fern! Let's go see our new bedrooms!

[♪]

I spoke to Mr. Updike today.

The Osbornes are gonna stop fighting us for Fern, so...

I figured we'd tell her together.

They don't want her back?

Um...

I think they don't want her accusations

to be in the public eye...

but they didn't give a specific reason.

[Fern] Christie, get out! This is my room!

[Christie] Who says?

I can think of a reason or two.

Come on, let's go see

if the lock on our bedroom door works.

In the middle of the day?

Babies don't make themselves.

That sounds like a wager to me.

Hey. Wait. Wait.

[♪]

How has so much of my stuff gone A.W.O.L.?

We moved half a mile.

Explain this to me... How does stuff just disappear?

Maybe some ants came and took all your stuff.

I'm just saying

the simplest answer is usually the truth.

I'm serious, Jimmy.

I'm missing a nightgown.

I'm missing a bottle of perfume,

a few shoes.

You gonna blame Fern?

I didn't say anything except they've gone missing.

Why is she always your first suspect?

Why do you always take Fern's side over mine?

I mean, you see what she's doing, don't you?

She's pitting us against each other.

Oh, no, she's not. She's just...

Yes, she is, Jimmy! Open your eyes!

Oh, so I'm blind now?

Yes, you are.

When it comes to Fern, you just see what you want.

Or maybe it's because you need a villain in your life.

I mean, who is Dawn without her tormentors?

And maybe it's finally hitting you

that Lillian, or Emily... They can't hurt you anymore,

so you blame poor Fern.

[scoffs] Like...

honestly.

Now that, you're going to take back.

I don't hear you denying it.

[echoing] I don't hear you denying it.

I mean, who are you

without your tormentors, anyways?

[♪]

If it were me, I'd take a strap to that girl.

Didn't you torture me enough in real life?

[sneering] You'll never be rid of me.

That doesn't mean I have to take your advice.

[♪]

Dawn?

I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?

No, of course not.

What's going on?

[tearing up] It's Philip.

Betty Ann, hey.

It's okay.

What did he do?

I know we don't know each other that well...

I'm really sorry,

I just don't know where else to turn to.

That's okay.

He's, um...

[sobs] he's acting so strangely.

He's disappearing at night.

The other night, I followed him.

He had gone to your old suite in the hotel...

and he had crawled into your old bed

and fallen asleep.

In my old bed?

Well, was he sleepwalking?

I don't know.

Maybe, but why all of a sudden?

[words catching]

I-If he's never done it before,

I... I don't know.

Has he been under a lot of stress recently?

We weren't going to announce it yet,

but we just found out that we're pregnant.

Well, there you go!

I mean, that's gotta be it, right?

A father-to-be having a hard time sleeping

seems pretty normal to me.

What if he changed his mind?

What if he doesn't want to have a baby with me?

Betty Ann...

finding out that you're going to be a daddy

is a big deal.

I am sure it's just nerves.

Mm.

You sure?

Yes! Absolutely.

And hey, by the way, congratulations!

[laughs] Thank you.

You know what?

You're right. You're totally right.

I'm sorry to bother you.

Hey. What are sisters-in-law for?

[♪]

[♪]

Fern.

What?

Inside. Now.

[sighs pointedly]

[door slams]

What do you think you're doing out there with those guys?

We're hanging out. What?

You're gambling,

and with people much too old for you to be hanging out with.

[scoffs] I'm also up ten bucks.

We're just shooting some dice.

What are you, the FBI?

You expect to be treated like some long-lost princess...

[menacingly] Do you understand it?

I'm sorry, Fern.

I shouldn't have grabbed you like that.

Damn straight. What the hell, Dawn?

[♪]

Are you gonna hug me and let me apologize,

or you gonna kick me first?

[chuckles]

I was out of line, Dawn. I'm sorry.

Forgiven.

You found your stuff?

Yeah.

And it wasn't Fern.

I just, uh, misplaced it.

You're packing. What's going on?

Just a quick trip.

Big surprise when I come back.

I've had enough surprises.

Trust me.

This one's good.

Come on.

[♪]

[thumping at door]

[thumping]

I needed to see you tonight.

Philip, do you have any idea what time it is?

I'm gonna be a daddy.

I heard.

Shh. No, no, go. Go home now.

No, but did you hear the best part?

We're having twins.

- Twins! - Shh.

Okay, you are so drunk.

Go home to your wife and sleep this off.

[Philip pants]

I still think about you, Dawn.

- Okay, go away. - Why can't we be together?

Why can't you be my wife?

No. Philip.

Philip, Christie and Fern are right upstairs.

Dawn.

- Please? - I love you, Dawn.

We both want this.

No, no, we don't!

[muffled protesting]

Dawn, I know you still have the same feelings for me.

It's okay. We'll make our own baby.

Dawn, it's okay.

Dawn, come on, just relax.

You know I like it rough, but just relax, Dawn!

[Dawn grunts]

[smashing]

[breath shaking]

[whimpers] Dawn, you're hurting me.

[seething] Get the hell out of my house.

[♪]

[shard clatters]

[sobbing]

Christie, look.

That's real good, Fern.

I actually know what I'm doing, huh?

Dawn, you see?

[Jimmy] Daddy's home.

That's all I get, hey?

You were only gone for two days.

Fair enough.

I have a surprise for you guys.

Well, it's not a puppy.

Everybody...

this is Gavin.

Gavin is my dad's son,

which means he's my half-brother,

and your half-brother, Fern.

Our dad wanted to see you, Fern, but he couldn't get away.

Gavin, it is so nice to meet you.

This is Christie and Fern.

I'm Dawn. I'm Jimmy's wife.

Hi.

Gavin, do you want to play with us?

Come on, Gavin. I'll show you my room.

- Oh, hi. - [Dawn laughs]

Dad couldn't come?

No, his parole

wouldn't allow him to cross the state line,

but he sends love and apologies.

He knew you wanted to meet Gavin, so...

Cookies!

[door bell chimes]

[door closes]

Who was at the door, sweetie?

It's...

It's your favorite person in the world.

[♪]

Christie, go to your room, please.

You are either super-ballsy or super-stupid

coming back here, Clara Jean.

I could have you arrested for what you did to me.

Oh, I think you'll want to hear me out

before involving the police.

Get your miserable ass off my property.

Well, that's just the thing.

Maybe it's not your property for long.

You see, my friend, Charlie, here,

he's a businessman,

and he's had a lot of legal dealings in the past.

I can tell that by just looking at him.

Clara Jean explained to me that your grandmother, Lillian,

always wanted Clara Jean

to run the hotel after she passed.

[Dawn] Aw, that's awfully sweet.

So, I suppose I should just hand over

the entire operation to Clara Jean,

and then we're done here?

[chuckles drolly]

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

If you'd rather,

this whole thing could be settled

with a significant cash component.

Listen, kids,

I don't have a lot of fond memories

when it comes to Lillian,

but if there's one thing I certainly recall,

it's that she wasn't a dummy,

especially when it came to business.

Lillian wouldn't have trusted Clara Jean to wash her car,

let alone run Cutler's Cove.

So you say.

But, you see...

Clara Jean's father, Randolph, was next in line,

and Clara Jean is his natural daughter,

whereas you... are not.

I told you that I'd make you pay one day, Dawn.

It's okay to feel bad about it.

Oh... [chuckles] I don't feel bad about that.

I do feel bad about how much I'm going to enjoy

the remainder of this conversation, though.

There's another shoe that's about to drop.

It's a secret and it...

It's not really mine to tell, but...

I mean, your "legal counsel" here

is kind of forcing my hand.

Oh... I can't wait.

The thing is,

Cutler's Cove belongs to the Cutlers,

and there's only one Cutler in this room.

Only one legitimate one.

Only one, period.

Your father, Randolph?

Turns out he isn't exactly your father.

[laughs]

I think you're mixed up, Dawn.

You're the bastard in the family, not me.

You might want to go run down and talk to our mother

and her husband, Bronson...

his last name is Alcott.

You have his nose, by the way.

[scoffs]

Nice try, Dawn.

You're an Alcott, Clara Jean, not a Cutler.

If I'm lying, I will give you the hotel.

You have a witness here with Mr. Charlie,

but if I'm not lying,

I never want to see your hateful face ever again.

- If you think that you can... - Out. Both of you.

We're done.

[♪]

I know that face.

- It doesn't bode well. - Yeah.

I just got off the phone

with the principal at Fern's new school.

Did she kill someone?

They said she's being disruptive in class,

and not finishing her homework.

She's the new kid.

You remember growing up, being the new kid, always?

The new kid's always getting picked on.

She just needs time to adjust.

Okay, you're gonna listen to me.

[deep breath]

You have been making excuses for Fern for too damn long.

This has got to stop,

if you want us to have a happy marriage.

Dawn, it's not about our marriage.

No, we are the adults in her life right now!

If we don't speak together,

then nothing is going to change.

It's hurting us,

and-and it's certainly not good for Fern, either.

[Fern] What's not good for Fern?

We hear you're disruptive at school.

Who says?

The principal called us, Fern.

You poured glue on a classmate's hair?

She stuck her tongue out at me.

Why'd she do that?

Does it matter?

Listen. Not everybody's gonna like you.

That's okay,

but it is your job to deal with it better.

Is that clear?

Yes, Jimmy. I promise to do better.

Great.

You can start by doing that homework.

[♪]

Fern?

[sighs]

[♪]

What garbage are you reading?

What?

[♪]

She lied?

[♪]

Fern, just admit it... You made everything up.

You had no right to go through my things!

We spoke to your parents,

and apologized for the terrible mistake

of believing your story

that you stole from these magazines.

Please don't send me back there.

I admit I lied, but they're both so mean to me.

Fern, they are your parents!

You need to be told "no" sometimes.

That's not being mean.

Listen.

The Osbornes agreed to let you stay with us for a while.

They think that maybe

Jimmy and I will be able to get you better under control.

Really?

So I don't have to go back?

If you stop lying...

and stealing.

And any of this bad behavior, it needs to stop.

Okay? Do you understand?

Now go to bed.

Can I just stay up to watch...

Fern!

You were right.

I was wrong.

But you... you, baby,

have this beautiful thing called class,

so you'd never rub it into my face.

Oh...

Oh!

We'll see.

Okay.

[♪]

[phone ringing]

Oh, she's right here.

Dawn? Call for you.

Says he's an old friend.

Dawn Longchamp.

Dawn?

It's Michael.

Michael Sutton.

[♪]

[gulls crying]

[♪]

Christie, this is an old teacher of mine,

Mr. Sutton.

I can't tell you how nice it is to meet you, Christie.

Nice to meet you, sir.

[chuckles] Wow.

You're as beautiful as your mother.

Okay, um, here's your book.

I'll just be a moment, sweetie.

Can I get a soda?

I guess.

[Christie giggles]

I'm only staying a couple of minutes.

I'm just glad you came at all.

Wow... she is really beautiful.

Yeah, just remember our agreement.

She doesn't know you're her father,

and she never will.

I understand.

It's really good to see you, Dawn.

I-I heard about your success with the hotel,

and-and-and you're married!

Yes, very happily married.

Uh... a scotch and soda, please?

Just a cappuccino, please. Thank you.

I doubt you remember,

but I think I took you for your first cappuccino.

Yeah... what a magical day that was.

I... I wonder if you remember

getting me pregnant and then abandoning me?

What I did was so wrong and reprehensible,

but I...

I did fall in love with you, Dawn.

That was real.

But still, what I did was cold and unforgivable.

Yes. It was cold and unforgivable.

Goodbye, Michael.

Dawn, wait. Wait, wait.

Give me a minute.

I don't know if you've heard, but, um...

I've fallen on hard times.

Yeah, I can see that.

My phone hasn't rung in a long time,

I haven't worked in years,

and this is very embarrassing, but...

I was hoping that you might lend me some money.

On top of everything else, you're asking me for money?

- Goodbye, Michael. - That little girl...

She's mine, too, and I have rights.

And?

And if this went to trial in some custody case,

it might look like you've been keeping her from me

all these years.

You know what?

My name might be in the papers again.

My phone might start ringing again,

but yours would be in the papers, too.

And so would Christie's.

[♪]

Once a victim...

always a victim.

Why would you even think about paying that man?

I would never, ever

pay a blackmailer.

Yeah, well, I make a point to do

the opposite of anything you would do.

You do?

[laughs] Well!

Look at how you're running this hotel,

and your reputation as a tough cookie now.

But maybe, just maybe,

you're successful

because you do many, many things

exactly the way I did them.

I am not a cutthroat monster.

No.

But you're young.

You have plenty of time to learn.

Her type can never learn.

She's a weak, sinning whore...

forsaken by God.

She was raised by sinners.

She doesn't know anything else.

You can whine for the rest of your life

about our "mistreatment" of you,

but if you didn't get anything useful from it,

well, then, that's just a waste

of some perfectly good suffering.

[♪]

[♪]

I take it that's for me?

Michael, if I give you the money,

I need some assurance

that you're not gonna keep blackmailing me.

Assurance?

What? My word?

I've done that in the past

and it didn't pan out so well, did it?

Do you really think I'm dumb enough

to put anything in writing?

You have no alternative.

I just thought of an alternative.

I can just not pay you.

That wouldn't be very wise, Dawn.

When it comes to you, Michael, I've never made a wise decision.

Why break a trend?

Do you wanna go to court?

Would you really lie in court?

Well, Dawn...

when it comes to you, I've only told lies.

Why break a trend?

[man's voice] Dawn?

[footsteps]

Dawn Longchamp?

I thought that was your voice I heard.

Oh, Mr. Updike!

This is a really good friend of mine, Michael Sutton.

Michael, this is Mr. Updike.

[awkwardly] It's a pleasure to meet you.

My lawyer.

Michael here is a big Broadway and recording star.

Yes. I'm a great admirer.

You probably have some of his albums.

Well, none of his older work, but I do have his...

- [tape tears] - latest recording.

[♪]

I really have to dash.

I'll leave you two gentlemen to get to know one another.

Michael here can take care of the check.

My daughter made that for you.

You've changed, Dawn.

You noticed.

[♪]

[♪]

Nothing about this is right.

What are you talking about?

What do you think, stupid? I'm talking about Dawn.

She ruined my life.

You know what?

I'm going back.

No!

You're supposed to help me fix this.

Will you just drop this, already?

I'm getting sick of this!

I'm getting sick of you!

No!

What the hell, Clara Jean?

Help me fix this!

There's nothing to fix!

She beat you!

She's smart, you're not!

She's a worker and you are a lazy slob.

Who do you think you're talking to?

Do you know who my family is?

Oh...

you're so drunk,

you forgot you aren't even one of them.

That Dawn is the Cutler?

You... are nobody.

[screaming]

[splashing]

Clara Jean?

[♪]

[crying out] Clara Jean!

[Laura Jean weeping]

What more is going to be taken from me?

[sobbing]

[♪]

[Laura Jean continues sobbing]

Are you sure this is a good idea?

I have one last ghost I need out of my head.

[♪]

[chuckling warmly]

I thought I heard somebody pull up!

Luther, I don't know if you still remember me...

Dawn Cutler?

Of course, I remember!

What brings you back to these parts?

- Luther. - Jimmy.

- Nice to meet you. - Likewise.

Uh, I actually came to see Miss Emily.

Oh.

Well, she's out there in the field.

Where?

Well...

I mean, underneath it. Heh.

She, uh, yeah, she... She went toes-up on us

about three months back.

Oh.

[sighs]

Well, she's lucky she didn't live long enough

to hear what I had to say to her.

What happened?

Well, uh...

well, she...

She went and poisoned herself on accident.

You remember how

she used to make all our food bitter with vinegar?

Well, that old crow

had herself a hidden stash of sugar

for her tea at nighttime...

but, that night, she reached for rat poison

instead of her sugar.

It's the craziest thing, I tell ya.

I found her the next morning, skin gone blue...

Lord have mercy, a terrible way to go.

My God, what did you do?

Ah, I loaded her up in the wheelbarrow,

dug up a hole, and, tch, plunked her in!

[chuckles]

The way I see it, she's the Devil's problem now.

Poor fella.

How did Charlotte take it?

Well, it bothered her a whole lot more

than it did me, I tell ya.

I ain't danced a jig since I was a young man!

Heh. I was surprised I still knew how.

Anyhow,

why don't y'all come inside the house?

Charlotte would love to see ya.

[door opens]

[calling out] Charlotte?

Dawn!

You came back!

[Charlotte laughing]

Charlotte.

I-I'm just as surprised as you are.

Wow. I-It's good to see you.

This whole place looks better than I remember.

Oh, Luther's been busy sprucing everything up.

Yeah, Miss Emily always thought

making the place look better was like a sin or something.

I don't know. I never understood.

But she's gone now, and, uh,

I was thinking about clearing out the brush

and, you know, planting a crop of one thing or another.

Yeah, that's a great idea.

This place has been dead too long.

Please, make it look like it used to.

Uh, ahem...

uh, Miss Cutler,

since this is your property now,

I was, uh, wondering

if you would mind if I moved out of the barn

and in here to be...

well, closer to my Charlotte?

Of course, you can...

uh, as long as it's all right with Charlotte?

It's surely okay with me.

I love Luther.

I always loved Luther.

Emily just never understood,

but she's deader than a squashed cat,

and she ain't got no say on none of us anymore.

[Luther chuckles]

As soon as I get back, I'm going to sit with my lawyer

and make sure you two both can stay here

as long as you want, indefinitely.

[chuckling]

Well, we'd be greatly obliged.

I'd also like to offer a monthly stipend,

if that's okay?

A-A what, now? What's that?

Just some money for the both of you.

It's okay.

- Oh, no, Miss Dawn... - No.

Just lettin' us stay on here is nice enough of you.

Luther and I can take care of everything else.

Well... if you ever need it...

No.

But God bless you for the offer.

Amen.

[♪]

Do you regret not having a chance to confront Emily?

You know what?

No.

I didn't need to see her.

I survived both her and Lillian

and, somehow, ended up better for it.

Yeah, and...

you still have everything

they tried to take away from you.

I'm not going to let them haunt me anymore.

They're out of your head, finally?

No...

but they're only memories now.

I don't think I'll be seeing either one of them again.

[♪]

♪ I was hoping Long before I knew ♪

♪ That I'd find somebody Just like you ♪

♪ I was waiting For a love so true ♪

♪ So this late-bloomer Could finally bloom ♪

[Dawn] I think I finally figured out

how to live the best life I can.

I just have to cherish

the people that bring me happiness...

continue to be forgiving...

and use life's challenges as a way to grow stronger.

♪ This is why

♪ There is forever

♪ Drawing circles Linked together ♪

♪ This is why

♪ There is forever

♪ Just to be together

♪ Just to be Together ♪

I've been thinking.

Oh, no.

[chuckling]

I've been thinking that...

we have everything we ever wanted.

You, me, Christie...

Fern... God help us.

Why do we need a child of our own?

Mr. James Gary Longchamp...

[deep breath, sigh]

Thank you for that perfect introduction.

You're gonna be a daddy.

What?

Really?

[♪]

- No way! - Yeah!

[♪]

You're serious?

[♪]

- Guess you got your bastard back.

Aren't you even a little embarrassed?

- Embarrassed about what?

- Well seems like you're being passed from guy to guy.

I mean, whoever the father of this one is,

and then before that, what's his name?

The, the guy that you thought was your brother

and then before that, Philip, your actual brother.

My character in this series is not the nicest person.

She does take a fair amount of pleasure

in making life difficult for poor Dawn,

but I think it comes from a place of being wounded

as a child.

- Hey.

- Are you lost?

So when Clara Jean first meets Dawn

it's kind of the opposite of love at first sight.

They're really not destined to get along

um, which kind of gets a little worse

when they find out that they're actually related

and it's all downhill from there unfortunately.

- At first when Clara Jean meets Dawn at school,

Dawn inadvertently gets her in trouble.

- I think it's coming from there.

- [Michele] So she starts out not liking her

for that reason.

She also doesn't like Dawn

because Dawn's the new girl and she's pretty and she's nice.

Clara Jean's brother, Philip,

clearly likes Dawn from the moment he sees her,

for just the same reasons that Clara Jean doesn't like her.

So right out of the gate, Clara Jean sees Dawn

as competition and she wants to put her down.

- What gives you the right to put

your filthy hands on my stuff?

- Clara Jean, you haven't lived here in like a decade.

- You had no right to do this.

- This is my hotel and I am telling you to leave.

(dramatic music)

(Dawn grunting)

- Out of these movies,

I think you can expect a lot of twists and turns.

A lot of reveals.

- Daddy?

- When you think you know what's going on,

you don't.

- I can't wait.

- Cutler's Cove belongs to the Cutlers,

and there's only one Cutler in this room.

- Only one legitimate one.

- Only one period.

Your father Randolph turns out he isn't exactly your father.

- The Dawn series is really great for Lifetime

because it really serves up

that journey of human against elements

and people that are creating issues for them.

I think it really is a story of a girl

who has to battle against a lot of stuff.

- You can whine for the rest of your life

about our mistreatment of you,

but if you didn't get anything useful from it,

well then that's just a waste

of some perfectly good suffering.

- [Michele] So for a lot of the movies,

Dawn maintains all those good qualities

that we appreciate at the beginning.

- Are you all right?

- I'm perfectly fine Mother.

- [Michele] She's a warm and loving person

and later on in the series

a warm and loving wife and mother.

But after she meets the Cutlers

and starts to learn how they behave-

- Wake up!

- [Michele] She gets a little bit wiser,

and we even see that she starts to behave in a way

that even Grandmother Cutler might admire.

- Michael here can take care of the check.

My daughter made that for you.

- You changed Dawn.

- You noticed.

- [Crew] Take one.

- [Michele] One thing that we love about working

with Lifetime is you often get to work

with female directors and you know

we were so fortunate to get to work with two on this series.

Linda Lisa directed the first two films

and then Jackie the next two,

and what was great on the first two

Linda Lisa really had a vision

for what she wanted the movies to look like,

and she really felt the emotion of these characters.

So that was a real pleasure

and she really embraced the kind of period element.

When Jackie came on for the next two movies

she inherited these characters

and she really embraced the insanity.

- I've been looking for both of you.

- Why? What's going on?

- Whenever you're dealing with something

that's intimate whether it's like a love scene

or it involves violence,

I think that you just have to make space for the actors

to find the performance

and the dynamic between the two people

so that they are able to communicate with each other.

- These stories by V.C. Andrews are books

that people grew up reading.

You could easily have died out there.

One person actually said that his mother

used to read it to him.

I went, really?

And so it's just natural that you wanna see it

because it's such a family saga.

- Where is she? (dramatic music)

(Dawn sobbing)