Previously, on Chesapeake Shores...
You've been running this place in absentia.
From now on, we do it my way.
Contracts are open for interpretation.
I will not resign.
You didn't fire me, because you can't.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
will be filing suit against you next week.
You have a new client. She requested you personally.
Oh.
You might know her as "Ms. Marvel."
What would you say if I took a job in Philadelphia?
What?
You gave me the manuscript to read first,
but I can't give you my blessings on it...
not before you show it to your mother.
Don't worry.
Even if the building inspector finds something,
it's not gonna be a big deal.
I know, I know, it's no big deal at all.
It's a small deal.
Authority figures make me nervous.
I'm sorry.
Have you noticed frass anywhere in the house?
I might have missed the frass.
I don't know what "frass" is.
Is frass good or is frass bad?
Is something wrong?
It looks like you have termites.
Termites?
How bad?
It's difficult to know
until we bring in a termite thermographer.
To...?
To assess the infestation.
I'm sorry, but an inn once quoted
by the legendary travel writer Kenneth Shane
as being a "home away from home"
would not have infestations.
Would scones this delicious
be made at an infested inn?
Okay, well, termites aren't so bad, right?
I mean, we can deal with termites.
Yeah! No problem. Knock on wood.
On second thought, maybe not such a good idea.
♪ The miles are getting longer It seems ♪
♪ The closer I get to you ♪
♪ So I'm going home ♪
♪ To the place where I belong ♪
♪ And where your love has Always been enough for me ♪
♪ I'm not running from you ♪
♪ No, I think You got me all wrong ♪
♪ I don't regret This life I chose for me ♪
♪ But these places And these faces ♪
♪ Are getting old ♪
♪ So I'm goin' home ♪
♪ I'm goin' home ♪
Oh! It's our honored guest!
-Ow-ooh!
Ah! That's the way it should be
when I enter a room.
Except that was actually for me,
and graduating is not a big deal.
Of course it is, Kevin!
Congratulations.
It's time for the big ceremony.
No, I already told you. There's not gon--
Ah, forget it.
Well, Nell and I are throwing
a dinner party to celebrate.
-Yes. -Everybody in?
-Yeah. -Great!
Yes.
Oh, early start, huh?
Oh, yes. I have an early-morning
meeting with Terri Ingram.
Is that Ms. Marvel?
-Mm-hmm. -Why?
Because she has work for the firm
and she has requested me.
Well, how do you feel about that?
It's fine! It's great! I mean, she's perfect.
Why would perfect bother me?
Bye.
Ah. Well...
If anybody wants to find me this afternoon,
I'll be at Sally's,
where Danielle Clayman is treating me to lunch.
Really?
Actually, I think she just wants to yell at me
for absolutely destroying her case.
Well, don't be too smug...
Well, Gran, he who laughs last...
...Laughs alone?
That's a good point.
-See ya! -Bye, Baby.
Kevin, are you, uh, free later this afternoon?
Well, I'm gonna be meeting Sarah this morning,
but we can meet up after that.
-Good. -All right.
-Bye. -Love you.
Uh, you know, I-I think I need to really go get
some more decorations for the party,
so, if you ladies will just... excuse me.
Bye, Gran.
Mom, is something wrong?
I read your book.
And...?
So, you'll see the new schedule
with employee workflow and productivity,
and menu selections have been standardized.
Good. And how often will we be getting these reports?
Nightly, and bookkeeping will be accessible
with 256-bit, double-key protection.
Good. Good.
How's it all look to you?
Uh, not--not great.
You know, you've cut the afternoon hours in half.
They aren't profitable.
Yeah, but the lunch shift makes the Bridge a place
where people can come and de-stress from work,
listen to some great country music.
And it taxes
staffing and scheduling and vendor accessibility.
Well, I'm sure there's room for compromise.
With all due respect,
Chris has no idea what the Bridge is about.
This is a country music venue, first and foremost.
Look, I know you do the music thing here,
and I appreciate your knowledge,
but I've gone over your receipts,
and the bands you bring in are expensive
and don't generate sales.
The acts you're booking--
they're not even right for the club.
Well, they all track well in similar, small-town venues--
increasing revenue during performances.
Have you actually listened to them?
Because I know about half these bands,
and they're terrible.
It's the kind of music
you'd listen to in a waffle house.
Look, Chris is just
giving us a starting point.
The important thing is,
I need someone I can trust
running the business of this club.
Yeah, well, having someone I can trust
might be a good place to start, too.
Congratulations, paramedic.
So do you feel any different?
Well, seeing how I just finished yesterday,
not particularly.
Hey, did you take the New York Fire job?
Not yet.
I got my start date for Philly.
It's a week from tomorrow.
So, you're going?
Yeah.
Yeah, I guess so.
And if you take New York,
it's not that far.
Two hours.
So we can take turns commuting.
Yeah.
Yeah, we'll just have to organize
day shifts, night shifts,
schedules,
vacations.
It won't be that hard.
No. No.
Shouldn't be too hard.
Well, congratulations.
Yay.
So Stewart & Stuart want to buy into your blog
and expand the "Ms. Marvel" brand?
Correct, and we're well into negotiations.
Wes wants me to do it,
I want to do it,
but I--I thought I should get a second opinion.
That's a wise decision, Ms. Ingram.
Well, if you're looking
for us to analyze the numbers,
there's no need.
Hunter, Drew & Associates is an excellent firm.
I know.
But I don't want the numbers.
To everyone in the world, this is who I am.
Ms. Marvel is me.
I want to make sure I'm making the right decision.
You know, if you're waiting for an apology,
we may be here for a while.
Are you kidding?
You played me!
And I...
kind of enjoyed it.
However,
our managing partner wasn't so happy.
He doesn't like to lose,
especially to a lawyer
from the O'Brien Foundation.
Ah.
You're not in trouble, are you?
No, but I did have to spend
a couple hours explaining how and why it happened,
which is why I'm here.
Well, you're still not getting an apology.
Good!
My firm wants to hire you.
Well, you do know that I only work for the good guys.
Right? You know, the...
the fish, the water,
the plants.
And you do know that we work both sides.
Well, whoever's paying.
And in this case, it's a fishery
that happens to be next to an abandoned steel mill.
Sparrow's Cove?
Yeah! You know it?
I came across it in my research.
The fishery wants the area cleaned up,
and rightfully so.
So you think your firm could loan you out for a bit?
We'd, of course,
cover your hours and expenses.
Uh, uh, yeah.
I mean, I'd have to discuss it with Thomas, but...
I think that can be arranged.
So...
w-we're okay, though, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
That is,
if your firm is picking up the check.
Oh, of course.
Good! All right.
Then I'm gonna order dessert.
Get two!
Will do. Sally!
Well, if it isn't Captain Ahab.
Then I guess that makes you Ishmael.
Who else knows about this?
Well, Thomas, Connor, your mom, and now you.
Saving the best for last, huh?
Come on aboard.
Yeah.
So what are your plans now?
Ah... I don't know. I'm thinking NYFD.
I'm not too sure.
Ah, New York's bravest.
That's what they keep telling me.
But... I don't know.
I still haven't decided.
So that would put you and Sarah
about four hours apart?
Actually, two.
She's transferring
to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
To be closer to her family?
Yeah.
So, what's there to figure out?
Do you think that
there's just one person out there for everyone?
I don't know.
Why?
Well, when I was with Georgia,
I wondered about it.
But now that I'm with Sarah,
I kinda think it's true.
Well, that's kind of a nice feeling to have, isn't it?
Yeah.
Plus, it scares me about letting her go.
I don't suppose it'll help
if I told you it's all gonna work out.
Not really.
Well, what I believe
is that if you two want something badly enough,
you'll make it happen.
So they're gonna start off with
the all-purpose cleaner, and then if that sells,
they'll move on to other products.
That's what they say.
And the all-purpose cleaner, you developed?
Well, that was a long time ago.
My first husband had just left,
and my daughter's skin broke out.
And that's why you started the blog?
I don't know, I just felt like
I had something to say to other single parents,
that we're all in the same boat.
Hmm. Well, Caitlyn's allergic to everything,
and Wes and I have to be careful, it's...
But, of course, you know that.
I do.
And with the blog being as big as it is,
Stewart & Stuart approached me
to license my name.
They are a reputable company.
And Wes suggested I come to you.
I know this must be weird,
but he said no one is as honest as you.
So...
what do you think?
Honestly, I can't-- I can't give you that yet,
but this is
your company, and...
Ms. Marvel doesn't exist without you.
Hi.
Um, Gran asked me to get some decorations for the party,
so I got this banner.
Mom?
You write beautifully, Bree.
Okay, um...
Mom, the book isn't about the family.
Okay, fine.
Um...
I didn't intend for it to be...
If that's how you see me,
then you don't know me at all.
Absolutely.
The Abby Room is available this weekend.
Uh, wonderful.
It's--It's perfect timing.
Okay, great, we'll see you then.
Hi.
I heard the news. How bad is it?
I don't know yet.
Hoping we're not gonna have to shut down.
The infestation's worse than expected.
Hey, Mick.
Hey, Michele.
So what do you think?
You think we're gonna have to tent?
Unfortunately, there's nothing left to tent.
The joists, trusses, and support beams
have all been severely eaten away.
Oh, no.
So what are you saying?
It's a miracle the entire house hasn't collapsed.
So, how do I fix this?
There's nothing left to fix.
I'm sorry.
It's pretty much a tear-down.
Um...
Okay, a tear-down isn't that big a deal, right?
I mean, we just have to...
we just have to bulldoze the house,
and start over... from nothing.
That's no biggie.
Oh, Jess, I'm so sorry.
Dad, I can't lose the inn.
I just can't!
It's gonna be okay, sweetheart.
Dad, this--I don't think it will, this time.
Dad, this was me.
This was my chance at being the better Jess.
This was my chance at being successful,
like everyone else
in this family...
now, this is me.
Messing up again.
You're not messing up, sweetie-pie.
You're not messing up.
It's gonna be okay.
-You're gonna be fine. -I can't believe it.
And it's not just about the food.
Although, that's part of it.
Right.
It's the whole thing, the experience.
And every time I push back,
the Waffle King starts making everything about the numbers.
Mm, yields and statistical analysis.
If only life were that simple.
But it never is.
Today, I had a meeting
with Terri Ingram.
Why? What's wrong?
Was it about Carrie and Caitlyn?
No. No, um, business.
She wants advice,
and I'm just having trouble
separating Ms. Marvel from Ms. Ingram.
Yeah, or Chris from his waffles.
You know what?
It's gonna fine.
I'm just going to be professional
and do my job.
Yes, yes. And I'm going to try
to get Chris to compromise.
That's good to hear.
You hungry?
Yeah. What are you thinking?
Mm... Waffles.
-Oh, really? -Yeah.
So that's how it is, huh?
No!
Oh, my gosh. Ah!
So listen, my mom is throwing
this dinner party for me on Friday night
and I was wondering if you might want to come.
Thought you didn't want to celebrate?
I don't, and it's really not a big deal, but...
Of course, I'll be there.
So what would happen if you didn't go?
To your party?
Didn't you just invite me?
No... to Philly.
Wait. I don't understand.
What would happen
if you just stayed here and worked?
But you'd be in New York.
No, I wouldn't. I could stay.
And do what?
Look, I don't know, okay?
I don't care.
I just...
I don't want to lose you.
And it wouldn't be forever.
I'd eventually get a paramedic job.
Kevin, you can't do that with your career.
You're a paramedic,
and you're going to be a great one.
I'm not letting you
give that up, not even for a moment.
What if I don't want to give you up?
Not even for a moment?
Listen, we'll find a way to make it work.
So, I'll go to New York.
And it'll be fun, right?
We can take turns visiting.
You'll love Philly.
My brother, Paulie, runs a great restaurant,
and they have the best fries.
Even better than Sally's.
Look. I--
I want to be respectful here,
you know, and I appreciate
everything you're trying to do,
so, hopefully, we can find some common ground.
I'd like that.
Now, I'm okay with compromising on the menus,
but the Bridge has its own vibe,
you know, its own sound.
And I've gone back
for three months with your bookings
and cross-referenced them to receipts,
and the bands I'm gonna book
have a significantly bigger draw.
I mean,
connecting the music and sales,
especially during lunch,
is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?
You know, besides,
music is an experience, it's not a statistic.
We're pretty sure of our numbers.
Okay. Well, let's at least let's talk about open-mic night,
which we created to support local bands.
It's a no-go.
People are coming in to listen to their friends
and aren't spending money.
This isn't a charity.
Wow.
I mean, you're not even taking in what I'm saying,
are you?
I'm just doing the job that Mick hired me to do,
but thanks for your input, Trace.
Oh... and we're thinking of serving waffles.
Hey.
I thought you were done with the book.
Not with the fallout.
Mom read it.
Oh, no...
It didn't go well?
No, she made it all about her,
even though it's not about her, at all.
It's not directly about her.
She managed to make it that way.
And she said that I was wrong.
She said that this isn't the truth.
Maybe... it isn't the truth.
Connor.
It is.
Think about it this way.
In court...
Witnesses are never completely reliable,
and it's not because they're lying,
it's because we don't remember memories,
we... we rebuild them.
So I might be wrong?
No, no. Not necessarily,
What we think we remember
may not be exactly...
exactly what happened.
We don't--we don't know the full truth.
Okay, um...
What do you remember?
Uh...
I remember
Mom wouldn't get out of bed...
for, like... forever.
And then all of a sudden, she was gone.
I don't really remember the fighting all that much...
But I do remember
hiding in the bushes with Jess.
Like, a lot.
That's what I remember.
Come here.
You know, these guys aren't--aren't that bad.
Okay, they're really bad.
So are you gonna recommend Terri do this branding thing?
Mm. I don't know.
What would you do?
I think she should protect her brand,
because once you lose control,
it's all downhill from there.
Jess...
Jess.
Jess! Wait!
Let me-- Let me help!
I've got it. I'm fine.
You're not fine!
Here, can we talk about this at least?
Why?
Because I work here!
No, you worked here,
but you're free to file unemployment,
which you'd get if I had paid you,
which I didn't, sorry.
I'm a horrible boss, you can leave me now.
So, what, you're firing me?
No! I'm letting you off the hook.
You don't have to feel sorry for me, or this inn,
or the pink towels
which are probably still in there,
being used as bedding for the termites.
You can go back to being busy
and important and...
remember me fondly after I'm gone.
Jess, you're not dying.
Well, who knows?
Maybe I'll be condemned next!
I'm sorry, I know, I'm spiraling.
I just--I didn't plan for any of this.
Well, neither did I.
But an inn is just an inn.
That's not what's important to me.
It was to me.
I had plans.
Not just for the inn but for us and the inn.
You know?
Cooking classes and...
themed weekends.
Christmas!
I would have loved
to have done Christmas with you.
We could've had a tree
and stockings and...
...Mistletoe!
-Lots of mistletoe. -Mistletoe everywhere.
But knowing my luck,
it'd probably be eaten by termites, too.
Jess...
Excuse me.
Jess!
So what are my odds?
Well, hard to say.
No contract is foolproof.
Whoever tipped you off to the vulnerabilities
has a pretty good eye.
Is it worth pursuing?
Ah, I can't say one way or the other,
but if you win,
and get control back,
you'll likely...
Burn a bridge?
Something like that.
The worst of it--
Bree wasn't wrong.
I did leave.
But it was so much more complicated
than what she made it out to be.
Well, darling...
she doesn't know the whole story.
I've tried to talk to her, Nell.
Well, now you're going to have to,
and she's going to have to talk to you as well,
because the past-- it isn't sitting still.
I know.
Don't forget-- everyone has their own past,
and their own way of seeing it--
and rarely--
rarely is it the same for anyone.
But how do I explain what happened?
How I saw things?
Aw, Megan, you're going to tell her how you felt,
and you're going to tell her how you feel now,
because that is the truth,
and that is the only truth.
What if it doesn't help?
Well, then you're going to try again.
She just came in, she's not on your schedule.
No, I asked her to.
Celebrating?
Not quite.
-Hi! -Hi.
Thanks for coming.
-Of course. -Come on in.
So... Terri.
Pretend that we're friends.
Okay.
Just forget that you're Terri Ingram,
and I'm Abby O'Brien Winters,
and imagine that we are just two women
having a glass of wine in the middle of the day.
Works for me.
Great.
So...
I heard you're using a new cleaning product.
I am!
It is non-toxic, all organic,
and eco-friendly.
Wow! But how do you know that?
It's by the Ms. Marvel brand.
Oh, I love her blog.
So do I. I swear by it.
That's great.
But tell me,
what do you think of her shampoo?
And her body lotion?
And her laundry detergent?
I'm sorry?
Does Ms. Marvel make those too?
No...
They would be made
by the chemists at Stewart & Stuart,
along with all of their other products.
And I won't have a say in it.
Terri,
this is a wonderful deal,
financially,
but, personally...
I...
I don't think that's why you're doing this.
Ms. Marvel is about
quality and integrity and...
helping people who feel helpless.
And...
that's not what you're gonna be selling.
And you need to decide if you're okay with that.
So the original factory closed in 1975.
It was owned by Pennsylvania Steel
and sold to-- who was it sold to?
Hopkins Steel,
who ran the ironworks for another 10 years.
Right. Giving each company an excuse
not to institute a full clean-up
which means that, while both sides argue,
the fish, the plants,
the water, they all suffer.
I mean, I was thinking
we could drop Wakefield vs. Pascal on them.
Hmm. I was thinking Banks vs. Lowry,
but I like that, that's good.
Although...
What?
I don't know. What-- What if...
What if...?
Well, what if we get the feds involved
and go after them on criminal charges?
Oh, you really think that would fly?
It's worth a try!
Okay, Connor, this is really smart.
I mean, on our end alone,
there'll be thousands of billable hours--
Right?
And on their end,
bad publicity for both sides.
That is a great place to start.
Hey!
Where are you playing tonight?
Charlottesville.
Long drive?
Three there, three back, shouldn't be too bad.
How long do you think you can keep that up?
What's this?
It's our Bridge contract.
If you re-look at section 3A, fourth line from the top...
you'll see you don't necessarily have operational control.
You don't want to do this.
I don't have a choice, Mick.
But you know how it is...
It's just business.
I can't believe the inn is gone.
I can't believe Sarah is moving to Philly.
I can't believe Danielle is back.
I can't believe I'm becoming friends with Ms. Marvel.
And I can't believe I wrote about the entire family
in my very first novel.
Yes. I admit it.
And now everybody thinks I'm the villain.
Well, except Simon, oh, and Dad,
but that's because he hasn't read it yet.
I haven't read it either, so we're still good,
assuming I'm a superhero with super-strength.
Tsk.
Been nice knowing you.
I have nowhere to live.
Or work.
I guess I'll have to stay with Bree forever.
No. No.
Well, hey. At least...
things can't get any worse.
Oh, never say never.
Termites strike without warning.
Sarah's brother, Paulie, has a restaurant in Philly.
Maybe I could just go work there.
No.
You are a paramedic now, that is what you do.
You're going to New York.
Yeah. If you're not happy with your life,
you're never gonna make her happy either.
Whoa! That sounded eerily grown-up.
Yeah, have you been channeling Abby?
Something like that.
Well, that was good even for me.
Yeah, except that means
that I...
am going to New York.
Hey.
So how's the party planning going?
It's like all O'Brien affairs--
complicated.
Why?
Well, let's see. Uh...
Philly, termites,
Ms. Marvel,
a novel,
and you.
Me?
How did I get involved in all this?
Well, you kinda hired me.
I did, didn't I?
Yeah.
So, Kevin got a job in Philly?
Uh, no, Sarah did,
and Kevin's going to New York.
Oh...
That's sad.
I know.
And they really are made for one another.
Yeah.
I mean, it's hard finding the right person
at the right time, isn't it?
Yeah.
Timing is...
is everything.
Yeah, it is.
So, uh...
how are you and...
um...
"Davis."
Davis.
It wasn't the right time.
Oh.
If you're ready to sign,
We will have the paperwork sent over
to Hunter, Drew & Associates.
Oh...
You know, after we talked,
I told Wes what you said,
and he agreed.
He also thought the wine was a nice touch.
So did I.
Well...
it was probably a Ms. Marvel idea.
Oh, no. I think that was all you.
You're right.
I can't do this deal.
I want to help people,
but not at the risk of hurting them.
I can't put my name on a product I can't fully back.
Wow.
That is...
very brave, Terri.
I can't believe
I am turning down this much money.
Well...
I am pretty sure
you will find another deal that you can stand behind.
Thank you, Abby.
Of course.
Do you think, if circumstances were different,
we could be friends?
Terri, I think that...
we are friends.
You know, I think you're right.
Well, good.
Let's go, then.
Hi.
You look pretty busy.
-Ah-- -Need a hand?
Nah. I got this covered.
I was hoping we could talk.
Yeah.
I know.
In your book...
wasn't as easy as what you made it seem.
For me, I mean.
Well...
you didn't have to leave.
I know that...
but I couldn't stay either.
Why?
Why couldn't you?
You made a choice to become our mother,
and I just don't understand
how you could change your mind about that.
I didn't!
'Kay.
I wasn't well, Bree.
I...
If I'd stayed,
I would've brought you all down with me.
After I had Jess,
something just...
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't get out of bed.
And I couldn't show you,
and I couldn't tell you, and...
I had no one to talk to.
Your father and I were...
not in a good place.
I just wanted you to have a better life,
without...
...everything that was going wrong.
So you needed to get help...
But then you got help...
and you didn't come home.
I mean, if you truly loved us...
Mom, where were you?
I wanted you to come to New York,
all of you, to live with me, Bree,
but your dad refused,
and, honey,
you had your life here,
You had your friends here.
You had... Gran here.
But all we wanted was you.
Hey.
Um, are you busy?
For you?
Never.
Um, I need you to talk to Mom.
Because?
Well, um...
She read my manuscript,
and, um, we talked.
And it didn't go well.
Well, then, I really shouldn't get involved, should I?
Well...
I mean, Dad, you always supported my writing.
You told me my words matter...
Yes.
...That I write the truth.
So...
Okay.
Let me see what I can do.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Good luck.
What is going on?
Almost there. Keep 'em closed.
Okay...
Okay. You can open.
What...
in the world...?
Merry Christmas.
Oh!
I'm not attached to places,
but I know how important this is for you,
so if you want to have Christmas at the inn,
we'll have Christmas at the inn,
and next Christmas
will be just as special
no matter where we are...
because we'll be together.
Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Mistletoe.
I love you.
I-- I mean...
Sort of.
Not really.
Guys should say it first.
You should open your card.
"I love you.
Love, David."
Okay, so you did say it first.
Twice, actually.
I love you, Jess.
I love you, too.
What's in the stockings?
Ah, probably termites.
Thank you.
Hey.
You hiding on purpose?
You didn't see me.
Everybody?
Today, we celebrate
the graduation of our eldest son.
And I just want to let you all know
how grateful I am to be here
with all of you...
...To share this family milestone.
To Kevin!
To Kevin.
Hey.
So... um...
did you talk to Mom?
You can't publish this.
Why?
It's the truth.
No, it's your truth, not the family's.
What?
Bree...
we all did the best we could,
but there's no guidebook on how to parent or...
how to handle a marriage or family that's falling apart.
I know that.
That's why I wrote this.
I wanted to try to understand what happened.
Yeah, but instead,
you opened a gaping wound
and decided to share it with the world.
I'm...
I don't understand you.