[♪]
[Christie] I can't believe I'm going to be 16.
It's hard to believe Mom was only a year older
when she had me.
She runs Cutler's Cove like clockwork.
The hotel, me,
my brother, Jefferson, and my stepdad, Jimmy,
are her whole world.
She seems happy.
[♪]
She doesn't like to talk about her past,
like how she had wanted to be a singer on Broadway.
[♪]
I want to make her proud.
I will play at Carnegie Hall one day.
It will be me who becomes a star.
[♪]
[Dawn] Sweetheart?
Christie...
Brunch has been served.
Can I have 20 more minutes, please?
Come on, your audition for the showcase is in a month.
Your birthday brunch is right now,
and we don't mess with family tradition.
Okay...
Okay.
Aunt Betty and the twins are here
to help set up for the party.
-Happy birthday! -Happy birthday!
Thank you!
-Oh, man, Christie. -What?
-Just your fingers are-- -What?
They're turning into piano keys, I think.
Daddy, stop.
Dad.
Look what I have here.
The cake.
[Christie] That is so beautiful.
Thank you so much.
Can we eat it now?
Not yet. A toast first, Jeffers.
Yes!
Really?
A toast,
then we celebrate your Sweet Sixteen.
Her what?
A celebration of your sister's coming of age,
and the bright future she has ahead of her.
Cheers to that.
-Cheers! -Cheers!
Pay attention.
Important guests will be arriving soon.
Your job to ensure their every need is met.
Ah, here comes Bronson Alcott.
His wife, Laura Jean, Dawn's mother,
recently passed away from a stroke.
Tell room service he prefers our best bourbon.
Welcome back, Mr. Alcott.
Trisha Wilson,
Mrs. Longchamp's best friend from her New York days.
Also a dancer on Broadway.
Tell the cook she eats no red meat
and prefers half a grapefruit and dry toast for breakfast.
[motorcycle purring]
Gavin Longchamp, Mr. Jimmy's half brother.
He'll be staying in the family house.
We're also expecting his sister, Fern,
who is a handful.
Tell the valet to park the motorcycle around back,
out of sight.
[♪]
We need more chairs over here.
Okay, put some more pink balloons
on each table, please.
I hate pink.
I wanna help.
No, you can't.
You're too stupid to help us.
[♪]
Your mother wants you back at the house
to get ready, hmm?
[♪]
[Betty Anne] What are you hiding, Philip?
You nervous?
No, I know the music by heart.
Not about the song.
We practiced that to death.
This is your coming-out party.
It's exciting.
Coming out.
What does that even mean?
You've come of age,
and...
now that you're grown,
I think it's time that I--
I tell you a few things about our family.
Oh, don't worry, Mom.
Fern told me all about the crazy Cutler family.
No, that-- that's the problem.
You're getting bits of gossip here and there,
but I need you to hear the truth from me.
What about my birth father?
I don't even know his name.
Michael Sutton.
You actually met him once.
Really? I don't remember.
Yeah.
He wanted to see you.
He thought you were wonderful.
He was my vocal coach,
and he swept me off my feet.
What was he like?
He was handsome,
charming,
smart, funny.
He... he was everything...
...until he wasn't.
He left me pregnant and alone,
and...
then things got pretty awful.
Your great-grandmother, Lillian,
wasn't going to have me at Cutler's Cove
pregnant and unmarried,
so she banished me to a place called The Meadows,
where I stayed with my aunts, Charlotte and Emily.
We don't have to talk about this right now.
No, no, please. Please, just...
let me finish.
While I was at The Meadows,
I learned about the curse that taints our family.
Bad things have happened to us,
unspeakable things.
Why are you telling me this?
Because you're almost grown,
and...
as much as I want to, I can't protect you forever.
And I know it sounds crazy,
but I need you to be aware...
and careful of your decisions.
Mom...
all this doom-and-gloom.
Let's go downstairs and have a party.
Okay, ladies, be honest.
What do you think of this suit?
Do I look like a monkey?
My dashing husband. Wow.
Except the tie. It's crooked.
Okay, you two. Go.
Get the party started!
-May I have the pleasure? -You may.
["Beautiful Dreamer" being sung by Dawn]
♪ List while I woo thee with soft melody ♪
♪ Gone are the cares of life's busy throng ♪
♪ Beautiful dreamer awake unto me... ♪
♪ Beautiful dreamer awake unto me ♪
[applause]
Thank you, everyone.
I am just so proud
of my beautiful daughter, Christie.
May all her dreams come true.
And now, her father, Jimmy,
will lead her in her first dance.
[♪]
♪ I'll be yours...
♪ If you ask me to...
I'm so proud of you.
For what?
Turning 16?
It's no big deal, honestly.
It's the way you carry yourself.
-Mm-hmm. -You know?
Look at all you've accomplished.
[Christie] Now, that's a work in progress.
[Jimmy] You'll get there.
[Christie] You're a really great dad.
You've always stood by me.
And I always will.
♪ How can I survive...
You know, my dad...
he used to say,
"Family together, family forever."
♪ ...I'll be yours each and every day ♪
♪ I'll make sure...
-Dance with me? -Not now, Philip.
My daughter is dancing with her father.
All the more reason.
Uh-oh.
♪ ...And every beat inside your... ♪
Finally, I've got you all to myself.
Behave yourself.
Don't I always?
You look as beautiful
as the first day I set eyes on you.
Stop it.
Betty Anne, your wife, is standing right there!
My true beauty.
What's up with Uncle Philip?
He's practically pawing Mother.
♪ ...Just one kiss I take your breath away... ♪
Philip!
♪ Words cannot describe the change in you... ♪
♪ ...But soon that day will come my way... ♪
I guess family really is everything...
good and bad.
-♪ ...And I'll know... -Yeah.
[♪]
[shrieking angrily]
[shrieking]
[♪]
Christie...
congratulations.
It's a beautiful party.
How are you doing?
Good. Good.
Uh, yeah, business took a bit of a hit
during your grandmother's illness,
but I'm reconnecting to the art world,
which is keeping me busy.
Well, keeping busy is one way to not feel lonely.
I never could get away with anything around you,
could I?
Grandma always said we were two peas in a pod.
Yeah, too stubborn to give up till we get what we want.
All right, birthday girl, give it up!
Hi.
[laughing] Hi!
So, is this the birthday party to end all birthday parties,
or what?
Absolutely.
My drunk uncle has fallen all over my mother,
and I am waiting on my toes to see what drama unfolds next.
Hey, I hear you're quite the pianist.
You know, I, um, I do know people at Juilliard.
Are you serious?
I'm practicing for a showcase this summer.
If I place, it'll help my chances getting in.
Oh, you have to come to New York,
and I'll introduce you around,
and you can stay with me anytime you want.
Come dance with me!
Oh!
Hi!
Oh, my god, this party is amazing.
Yeah, my Sweet Sixteen was at Billy Bob's Waffle House.
This is unreal.
Yeah, they really went all out for this one.
Whoa.
Who's that? Prince Charming?
That's Gavin.
That's my step-dad's brother.
Yeah, are you two an item?
Because if not...
We grew up together,
and we started hanging out last summer.
[Fern] Christie?
Christie?
[Christie] Ugh, Fern.
Isn't that your step-sister?
Actually, she's my step-aunt.
Happy birthday, princess.
Yes, I think everyone saw that.
Well, someone has to get this party started.
You know, they wouldn't let me put Ecstasy in the punch.
There's little kids here, Fern.
It was a joke.
Chill out.
Oh, well. Let's go dance.
Hold on, sis.
She's dancing with me.
So, uh, what's your guys' deal?
Aren't you like brother and sister?
Or is it, uh, niece and nephew?
I always get that confused.
You're such a troublemaker.
We're related by name only.
[♪]
♪ You know you've got my heart ♪
♪ Locked down, locked down locked down ♪
♪ I've got you, honey
♪ You've got me...
Every time I see her, she's either high or drunk.
She's had a tough time, Gav.
We all have.
It's no longer an excuse, it's a problem.
If I were you, I'd be careful.
She's been fixating on you lately.
-What? -Yeah.
She thinks you're the star of the family
and she's not.
It makes her want to take you down a notch.
Given the chance,
she'll ruin this night for you, guaranteed.
Nothing's going to ruin tonight.
[♪]
Trisha said she knows people at Juilliard.
Can you believe that?
Once you get to New York,
you're going to realize what a backward guy I am.
You don't think I know who you are?
I think about you every day, Gavin.
[♪]
Tell Arthur to grab another case of champagne
from the cellar, please.
Yes, bring it up and we'll, uh, drink a toast.
I'd say you've had enough bubbly tonight.
Oh, we are just getting started.
Why don't you take a seat for a bit,
take a breather?
Let's go. I wanna dance with you.
No, I've got a party to manage.
Come on. We'll show 'em how it's done.
No, Philip.
Come on.
[Dawn] No! Let go of me! Go find your wife!
You didn't hear her?
Hey, we're just, uh--
She said no.
Hey, we're just having fun here.
-Right, Dawn? -Step away from my wife.
Now.
Your brother is a piece of work.
I could've handled that, you know.
I know.
Come on, dance with me.
[♪]
I have a party to manage.
I think you're managing it.
[♪]
There you go.
Thank you.
Oh, boy, I could use another day off.
That's resort life.
Never off the clock.
We pulled that party off, though.
Mm-hmm.
Except for crazy families, of course.
Maybe that's what makes us so compatible.
Oh, I think it's more than that.
Do you?
[Christie] Good morning, beautiful people.
Whoa.
Here's what I'm thinking, Christie.
Mm-hmm.
I think it's your last day of school.
Mm-hmm.
I think you don't need to be there.
And I think you should hang out with me today.
Mm, you kidding?
And miss the post-party wrap-up?
There's no chance.
-That's fair. -No chance.
[phone rings]
Hello?
Okay, yeah.
I'll be right down.
The boiler's broken again.
The hotel guests aren't going to have any hot water.
Don't worry.
I can fix it.
You're my hero.
[Christie] Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh.
Okay.
[♪]
[Betty Anne] Poor Philip,
did somebody touch your pictures?
How did you get in here?
How?
You think this room is a secret?
Everybody sees you slobbering all over her.
Dawn will never leave Jimmy for you.
You did this?
I will kill you.
You sure it's me who did this?
Huh?
[♪]
[Jimmy] Philip?
[Philip] She was mine.
You have no idea.
[Jimmy] Hey, hey, stop.
Take a step back.
[Philip] I'm done waiting for her!
[Jimmy] Philip, what are you doing?
[Philip] Dawn's mine!
[Jimmy] Hey, stop!
Philip!
Get the hell away from me, man! You're crazy!
[Philip] You have no idea!
[men struggling]
[loud thump]
[gas hissing]
Can you smell that?
Is that gas?
Okay, we need to get everyone out.
Start alerting the guests. Get the staff to help.
Jimmy's fixing the boiler.
[gas hissing]
Hey, Jimmy?
Jimmy?
[gas hissing]
[♪]
Jimmy?
Jimmy, wake up!
Hi.
You're going to be okay.
I love you, Dawn.
[gas hissing]
[explosion]
[sirens wailing]
Aunt Bets?
Where's Mom and Dad?
The twins. Where are the twins?
They're-- they're in the limo.
Did they make it out?
Did our parents make it out? Aunt Bets?
Come on, let's go find them. Come on.
[fireman] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Where are you going? No. You can't be here now.
My parents-- I think they might be inside.
Both of them work here. Come on, Jefferson.
-It's not safe here. -Christie!
Take these kids. Help them find their parents.
[Christie] Jefferson, it's fine.
-Jefferson. -Go with him.
Uncle Philip.
[Christie] Uncle Philip.
What happened to you?
Where's Mom and Dad?
It was all a mistake.
What?
It was my fault.
What are you saying?
I think Dawn's in there with him.
[explosion]
[♪]
[minister] Take comfort with the knowledge
James and Dawn died together...
...embraced in their deep love for each other.
Let the earth receive their bodies
as the Creator will surely receive their souls.
God bless them both.
[laughing]
To help heal us from this terrible loss,
please share your remembrances with us.
I'm sure you're all feeling what I am right now.
Losing Jimmy and Dawn
is an unexpected and terrible tragedy.
They were two people
who lived passionately and loved fiercely,
each other and everyone around them...
...especially their children.
[♪]
You seem to be holding up.
By a thread.
-I should be in there. -Don't.
Aunt Bets is already in there, soaking up all the sympathy.
She's telling everyone
that they're leaving the rental and moving in here, with you.
Look at it this way.
Once the hotel is rebuilt, they'll move back out.
They'll never move back out.
I know it.
You've got two years before you leave for college.
You can handle that.
Or you can just leave.
-Me? -Sure.
If you don't like it, go.
You'll figure something out.
I know you will.
Ahem. What are you two doing?
You're supposed to be out there helping the guests,
not in here kissing your boyfriend.
You want me to go cry in front of everyone?
Is that it?
[sighs]
You're upset.
I understand.
But you're moving into my family home--
without asking.
Did your uncle not speak with you?
We're your legal guardians now.
The lawyers are drawing up the paperwork as we speak.
I have no say in this?
Sweetheart, we had to do something.
You can't live in this house with your brother alone,
and we need somewhere to go,
so it worked out perfectly.
I want Jefferson and I to live with Bronson.
He's a very busy man, Christie.
He can't take care of two kids.
Oh, no, no, this is time
for us to pull together as a family,
and you just can't have everything you want.
Hmm?
[♪]
My mother started to tell me something
on my birthday
about...
a curse looming over the Cutlers.
She tried telling me, but I...
I thought it was silly.
I was more concerned about my party.
Hey, all families have their problems.
This is different.
It's generational.
The fire, my parents' death,
and now...
Philip and his family moving in...
I'm starting to believe it's real.
I've been saying the same thing for years.
You know, let's face it, we're all doomed,
but the Cutlers get an extra helping.
Come on. One day, you'll inherit this place
and be richer than a rock star,
and what do I get, huh?
Unbelievable.
We just buried our brother,
and all you can do is tally the scorecard
between you and Christie?
Hey, if she's the princess, I'm the daughter of an ex-con.
Knock it off, Fern!
This is a wake, not your personal bitch session.
How I grieve is my own business, bro.
My advice?
Party on now
before the family curse catches up to you.
As recent events have shown,
it's a nasty one,
so...
your days might be numbered.
[Christie] What are you doing?
Those are Jefferson's things.
Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Longchamp.
Mrs. Cutler packed these things up
and told me to put them in storage.
Don't do anything.
I'll be right back.
[♪]
-[Christie] What are you doing? -[gasps]
Oh, my goodness, you scared me.
These belonged to my mother.
What are you doing with her stuff?
Just saving you the grief of going through them.
I'm packing them up, is all.
Well, also, apparently,
you're moving Jefferson out of his room?
Of course not.
Don't be silly.
It's just time that we take out his little-kid books and toys.
He's growing up.
Shouldn't that be his choice?
Especially right now?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Did your Uncle Philip not run this by you?
He's so consumed with rebuilding the hotel,
he just-- he keeps forgetting everything.
I know this has been a tough time.
You lost your parents,
and we lost the hotel and everything we own...
...but we need to support each other, you and I.
I'll tell you what,
I promise I will come directly to you next time.
We won't even talk to Uncle Philip, okay?
This is a box of her things.
You can pick what you'd like to keep,
and we'll just get rid of the rest.
[♪]
Wonderful. Our first dinner together.
Dig in, everyone.
And how did the move go?
Well, this place was very messy.
I had to disinfect everything.
Look how Jeffers stuffs his mouth,
and the way he holds a fork.
He looks silly.
It's not very polite to shove food in your mouth,
and you should hold your fork like this.
Is it necessary right now?
Our first family dinner together?
He has to learn manners sometime.
Don't worry, there's always a period of adjustment.
"Raised by hillbillies,"
just like you said, Mother.
[Richard] No, she never said that.
She called them "white trash".
-I think you should apologize. -I never said that.
Our parents were
the most wonderful people in the entire world,
and nothing you say will ever change that.
Excuse us.
We'll finish our dinner upstairs.
Let's go, Jefferson.
What I'd like to know is
when you'll adjust to us, Aunt Bets.
Come on, let's go.
I wanted you to apologize.
Why do you always side with her?
[playing piano]
[♪]
[stops playing piano]
[Philip] You play as beautifully as she sang.
Everything about you reminds me of your mother.
You are just as captivating as she was.
Maybe more so.
Funny...
everyone says Christie looks just like me.
Can you imagine?
Someone even thought I was her sister.
All this practicing.
Didn't you miss your music event,
or audition, or whatever?
Yes.
It was the day of the funeral.
Oh, that's too bad.
But didn't I hear
of this school in Richmond for music?
It's supposed to be amazing.
Maybe you could try out
and spend the rest of high school there.
And leave Jefferson? No way.
It's only been two weeks. He hasn't been adjusting well.
I admit, I've been a harsh mistress
getting this house shipshape,
but Jefferson's a big boy.
He'll get used to us.
I'm pretty sure
he wouldn't want to stand in the way of your dreams.
[♪]
[branch snapping]
[♪]
Oh, Dawn, my darling,
we wasted so much time playing stupid games.
Please, I never meant for it to happen this way.
I'll watch after Christie, I promise.
[Betty Anne] And what do you think you're doing?
Don't you walk away from me.
You snuck out, didn't you?
I went for a walk.
When I can't sleep, it calms my nerves.
Is that a big problem?
So you were with a boy,
just like the little tramp you are.
What?
One of us has to protect the Cutler name,
and I will not have trash under my roof.
Your roof?
Yeah, my roof.
You will not leave this house past 8:00 p.m.
without my permission.
This isn't about me.
This is about your drunk husband blathering on about my mother.
It would drive anybody--
Don't you ever talk to me like that again.
What is going on?
Ask your wife.
[♪]
-Uncle Philip? -Shh...
I just couldn't have you going to bed unhappy.
I know Auntie Bets can be harsh sometimes,
but I'll talk to her.
I'll make it right.
Please go away.
We have to love and help each other
despite our faults.
My heart was broken when Dawn died,
but now you're the only one I can talk to.
We can talk tomorrow,
but right now you need to leave.
Just like Dawn,
always pushing away the inevitable.
What does that mean?
Well, you're just so much--
so much older for your age.
I want to feel you under me.
Stop! Stop!
Stop!
[Philip grunts]
Help! Help!
[Philip] Christie! Come back!
[banging on door]
[Philip] Christie...
sweetie...
come out of there.
Look, we need to talk.
I meant everything that I said.
I only want you.
[banging on door]
I have to get us out of here.
[♪]
Why do we have to go to New York?
To meet my father.
I don't get it.
Well...
Jimmy was my stepfather,
and Michael Sutton is my birth father.
Why do we have to go now?
I can't stay there anymore.
Do you want to live with Aunt Bets and the twins
without me?
No. No, no.
[announcement] Bus #29 for New York City arriving now.
[♪]
This place is creepy.
I don't want to go.
Hey, hey, Jeffers,
can you do this for me, please?
Thank you.
Come on.
What do you want?
Does Michael Sutton live here?
Lessons don't start till noon.
We're not here for lessons.
Is Michael Sutton here?
I really need to speak to him.
Please.
Hey, Michael,
there's some kids here to see ya.
[toilet flushing]
[Michael groans]
You're Michael?
The one and only.
And you are?
Christie?
You look just like her.
Stella, can you believe it?
This is my daughter.
Go figure.
So, uh...
how is your mom?
As beautiful as ever, I'm sure.
She and my step-dad died recently.
My god.
What-- What happened?
The resort burned down.
They died in the fire.
Oh, my god.
I'm so sorry.
I-- I only have the best memories of your mom.
Thank you.
What a horrible, horrible tragedy,
and now you and your brother are orphans?
Well, not completely.
So, um...
what are your plans?
Well, I'm a pianist.
I-- I hope to go to Juilliard after I graduate.
Juilliard.
I-I'm-I'm impressed.
[chuckles softly]
Uh, it's expensive, the tuition,
but I remember your mom inheriting half the resort
when her grandmother died.
Yes, that's right, I think.
Well...
family can be treacherous,
especially when there's money involved.
You're gonna need someone to have your back.
A lot of shysters out there, believe me.
I've played them all on stage.
[chuckles]
[Christie] Yes, I guess so.
I don't think I'll see the money until I'm at least 18,
maybe even 21.
You...
you weren't expecting to stay here.
Look at this place.
I can barely fit in here myself,
and your mom made me sign over all my parental rights,
so I could get arrested for something like that.
Of course not.
No, we, um, we just got off the bus,
and I-- I wanted to meet you.
That's all.
I don't want anything from you.
We're actually, um, staying with friends,
right, Jeffers?
Which, um...
They're actually waiting for us,
so we should probably get going.
Come on.
Let's go, bud.
Here, um, take some, uh, take some pocket money.
No, that's okay. We're fine.
I'll take it.
Look,
New York is a rough town.
It's not safe for you two.
Take my advice.
Go back home,
make peace with whatever brought you here,
before it's too late.
Was that really your dad?
He's not who I thought he was going to be,
not at all.
I feel sorry for him.
Where are we going to stay?
I have an idea,
but we need to find a phone booth.
Hi, this is Trisha.
I'm on tour in Europe right now,
checking messages when I can.
For work, call my agent, Jerry Reed.
Otherwise, see you in September!
I'm hungry.
We're going to get some food,
but I have one more call to make, okay?
Gavin? It's me.
Christie, where are you?
I'm stuck in New York.
New York? What are you doing there?
What happened between you and Philip?
Remember you said if I didn't like it there,
I could leave.
Well, I did.
It was a big mistake.
Everything's falling apart.
What happened?
[operator] Please deposit 50 cents
for the next three minutes.
Oh, my god. I'm broke!
[Gavin] Where are you?
I'm outside the Port Authority in the city.
Okay, I'm coming. Don't move before I get there.
He's coming.
[♪]
[inhales deeply]
Dawn.
[♪]
[Gavin] Christie!
I can't believe you're here.
Neither can I.
Glad to see me?
I'd be gladder with something to eat.
We'll get you a snack.
My parents have no idea where I am.
I hope you have a plan, because I don't.
I had a plan, and it fell apart,
and now I dragged you into this.
I'm a Longchamp.
Trouble's a part of my DNA,
but you've gotta tell me why we're here.
I looked up my birth father in New York.
I thought he could help us. He can't.
Philip came to my house looking for you.
Why?
You don't need to tell me
if you're not ready to talk about it.
Look,
if you're smart,
you'll run away.
Everything this family touches turns rotten.
-Don't think like that. -It's true.
Momma warned me.
I can't go back there.
Not now.
You're right.
We need to find a safe place to stay.
There's The Meadows.
We could stay there till Bronson comes back.
Philip will never find us.
There's enough here to get the three of us there,
just barely.
Thank you.
[♪]
Did you tell them we were coming?
There's no telephone. How could I?
[gun clicking] Don't move,
or I'll scatter you to the wind.
Luther?
It's Christie, Dawn's daughter.
Well, I'll be.
Dawn Cutler's daughter.
You look just like her.
What you all doing outside in the middle of the night?
Where's your Momma?
Can we come in?
[chuckles]
Let there be light!
What?
We have electricity now.
You know, I'll never get over the fact
that I can just flip a switch...
and make light.
Anyhow, y'all kids just make yourself comfortable.
I'll go get your Aunt Charlotte.
Wow, look at this.
[Gavin] Definitely weird.
[Christie] Looks like
a gang of preschoolers had their way with the ancestors.
I think it's cool.
You like it?
I did it myself.
These grim old folks needed some cheering up,
wouldn't you say?
Well, there she is--
Christie Longchamp!
Looks like you stepped out of a movie magazine.
And this must be your brother, Jefferson.
And who's this handsome lad?
I'm Gavin.
[Charlotte] It's nice to finally meet you.
Welcome, all of you.
[clock chimes]
Where are my manners?
You've been traveling a long time.
You must be starving?
Is there something in the icebox for these hungry lions?
I'll see what I can find.
I like the horns.
[Charlotte laughs]
Thank you.
-I like your bunny. -Thank you.
They found Mom and Dad in the basement.
She died trying to save him.
Oh, dear.
How terribly sad for you.
Sad for all of us.
Charlotte and I always wanted the best for Dawn.
She had a rough time here.
There'll be no sadness here.
After Emily died, we shut the door on sadness.
From now on, we have nothing but fun!
Now, does anyone know you're here?
Um...
we had a tough time...
after the fire.
After Uncle Philip and his family moved in,
he started drinking full-time.
Oh, my.
Taking after Grandpa Booth, is he?
Yeah, and Aunt Bets and the twins
are so mean to me.
We needed a break,
so we decided to come here.
I hope that's okay.
Of course.
You came to the right place--
the house of fun.
Luther and I, we had our dark days, too.
You children stay as long as you can stand it.
We have a big tomorrow, so it's time to get some sleep.
But I don't have any PJs.
We had to leave quickly.
We can go up in the attic tomorrow.
There's trunks of clothes dating way back.
We'll play dress-up.
Do you think Luther would give me a ride
on the tractor?
If you ask him nice, I think he might.
-Goodnight. -Goodnight.
[♪]
What you did for us meant so much.
I don't know what I would have done.
What are you doing?
I'm pouring my heart out to you--
Your nightgown.
You can wear my T-shirt.
Thanks.
[♪]
[screams]
Christie...
put that down!
What are you doing?
I saw someone in the window.
I don't see anyone.
We're all on edge.
It's probably just a shadow
from a branch blowing in the wind.
No, Gavin, that shadow had a face.
Okay.
I'll take care of the gun.
Fine.
I don't know how much more of this I can handle.
I think you can handle anything...
...but right now you need to sleep.
Yeah.
[♪]
[rooster crowing]
Good morning!
Where's Jeffers?
[Charlotte] He's helping Luther feed the chickens.
You two slept in late.
Yeah, I didn't sleep well.
I saw one of your ghosts in my window.
That was no ghost.
That was Homer.
I told you someone was out there.
Who's Homer?
Our neighbor's child.
He must've seen the lights on
and came to see what all the fuss was about.
He likes to climb the trees and peek in.
Homer practically lives here,
so he's a bit protective of us.
Is he okay?
Oh, heavens yes.
Our neighbors found him as a baby,
abandoned in the middle of their fields.
That's Georgia and Captain Booth,
my mother and father.
I never knew Momma.
She died giving birth to me.
They say she was a kind soul,
but when my sister, Eugenia, passed on,
it broke her heart.
That's really sad.
What was your father like?
The Captain?
I barely knew him.
Did you know he lost The Meadows
in a poker game?
When the farm fell on hard times,
he gambled--
and he already drank too much.
But we must have won it all back,
otherwise we wouldn't be here.
It was a horse trade.
He swapped your great-grandma, Lillian,
for the farm.
That's how your great-grandpa, William Cutler,
married Lillian
and whisked her off to Cutler's Cove.
They always said she was a tough lady.
Now it makes sense.
[Charlotte] I never knew Lillian very well.
She left when I was a baby.
Come with me.
I'll show you the Bad Room.
[door creaking]
This looks like a prison cell.
This is where your Momma birthed you.
[♪]
[wailing]
Grandpa Booth locked her in here?
Hell, no.
He was long gone by then.
It was your Aunt Emily who locked her up.
I did time here, too.
Emily locked me up
because she said the devil put a baby in my belly.
[baby cries]
A little boy.
I'll show you the nursery.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Come on.
Take a look.
When the devil took my baby,
I couldn't stop crying,
so Emily gave me little Ruby here.
She's my baby now.
I'm sorry you lost your baby.
He had the mark of the devil on him...
...a goat's head...
...right here.
Now Ruby keeps me company.
Isn't she sweet?
Yeah, she is.
You want to hold her?
[creaking]
There's somebody out there!
[creaking]
[Charlotte] That looks real pretty on you.
It fits perfectly.
I love the material.
They say Momma always bought the best for Lillian.
Not Emily?
No.
Emily hated fancy clothes.
She thought they were the devil's deception.
I can see why they didn't get along.
You pick out whatever you want,
and for Jeffers and Gavin, too.
I still don't understand.
Why did Lillian have my mother locked up here?
Auntie...
I need to know.
Everything.
Mind you, this is all second-hand.
Lillian could not stand the sight of Dawn.
She reminded her of things
she preferred not to think about.
You know your mother was the child of Laura Jean,
your grandmother.
Yeah, and Grandpa Randolf.
No.
Bill Cutler was Dawn's father.
You mean my great-grandfather?
Yes.
Lillian caught her husband in bed violating Laura Jean.
Oh, my god.
His own daughter-in-law.
-You're upset. -No.
Yes. I'm...
I'm just...
trying to understand all of this.
Honey...
the curse goes way back to slave days
and the wrongs this family wrought on the innocent.
It's divine justice, plain and simple,
and high time we face up to it,
or it's gonna keep on festering.
It's better to face the truth than live in the shadows.
Amen,
and only by living the gospel truth
will this curse be done.
[Luther] Charlotte!
Where are you?
It's time for tea.
You go on and look around.
[♪]
Homer?
My name's Christie.
[♪]
[Charlotte] Homer!
Come on, meet everyone.
Nice to meet you, Homer.
I'm... I'm Gavin.
And this is Jefferson.
Do you know how to drive a tractor?
I, uh, I reckon I do.
Can you take me for a ride?
He sure can.
This boy knows his way around a farm.
Let's all sit and have some tea.
All right.
[♪]
I'm getting used to farm life.
Last week was fresh peas.
Now the strawberries are ripe.
How much longer are you planning to stay?
My grandfather returns from Europe
by the end of next week...
...but honestly, I don't--
I don't know if I want to go back home.
Charlotte showed me the nursery...
...and then I saw...
the birthmark on Homer's neck,
and I realized that he's Charlotte's son.
He's your son, too, isn't he?
I've been in love with Miss Charlotte
since forever,
but we had to keep it quiet.
Back then, there were laws
against me and Charlotte being together,
and Miss Emily threatened to tell.
So you didn't raise him?
Come home one day
to find Charlotte beside herself with grief.
I would've killed Emily
if she didn't let me know where that boy got to,
but it was too late.
Couple of weeks later,
I heard about the neighbors
finding a half-starved newborn out in the field.
Well, why didn't you go get him?
We were dirt poor,
and the neighbor's farm was successful.
It just made sense at the time.
Now Homer's set to inherit the place,
and he's the best farmer in the whole damn county.
[chuckles]
How could Emily be so cruel?
The story of The Meadows is like a nest of vipers.
You poke around long enough,
you're gonna get bit.
[Luther] Yeah, cuts and scrapes happen all the time.
Yeah.
There you go.
Fixed you up, right as rain.
That's a bad nail.
No, no. Keep it.
Remind you to be more careful next time.
Can we go back on the tractor?
[Luther chuckles]
Remember last summer?
We'd sneak out at night.
Yeah.
I remember everything.
[gasps]
It's Andromeda.
[Gavin] Yeah.
Poseidon was mad at Andromeda's mother,
Cassiopeia,
so he chained her to a rock
in hopes that she would be eaten by a sea monster,
and do you know who saved her
by turning that monster into stone?
Who?
It was Gavin.
No, it wasn't.
It was Perseus.
And by the way?
I don't need saving.
Well, but the point is,
they fell in love,
and Athena named the constellation after her.
You can't turn the monster into stone.
He's still in my head.
Christie, we've been here for three weeks.
You can't hide forever.
Bronson will be home soon,
and he'll help me deal with Philip.
And...
what can I do?
Just be here for me.
Always.
[♪]
Tell me.
-I haven't finished it yet. -You should stop.
I haven't finished it yet.
Philip's here.
-Philip's here. -No, it's not his car.
Yes, it is.
No, it's--
Hey, I got you.
Okay?
Okay. Okay.
It's been such a joy having them visit,
and they work so hard.
Morton, have you ever worked on a farm before?
God, no. No.
Where have you been, princess?
So much for a warm family reunion.
[Luther] Who are those people?
Aunt Fern, Gavin's half-sister,
and her latest boyfriend.
Seems like she's mad at the world, that one.
You think so?
Kinda got that feeling.
What feeling is that?
The feeling that it's time for me to leave.
What are you doing here?
Uncle Philip showed up at my dorm looking for you.
He even offered me money to tell him where you were.
I can't say I wasn't tempted.
After he treated me like dirt for years.
You know, it was enjoyable
watching that pompous jerk beg for my help.
Ugh.
I took a wild guess and came here.
We were on our way to Morty's beach house anyways.
You can't stay here.
I can't?
I can...
tell Uncle Philip where you are,
make a little money on the side, or...
Or what?
I'm broke. I don't have anything to give you.
Hmm.
All right, tell you what.
Morty and I could use a little R&R,
a day of pampering.
You do what I say,
and then we'll decide what I tell Uncle Philip.
Plus, one more thing.
Why did you run away?
Hit a nerve there.
I like that.
Why are you doing this?
Why not?
I like to watch you squirm.
[♪]
You're late.
Yeah, here.
Start with a massage.
Harder, princess.
Put your anger to work.
[exhales contentedly]
What exactly makes Princess run from the golden spoon
and end up at the haunted mansion?
Uncle Philip drove all the way to my dorm,
when he could have just called.
He was a nut for Dawn.
Dawn and Christie, Christie and Dawn.
Oh, my God,
he put the moves on you, didn't he?
I was joking.
Sounds like you have good reason to be angry.
You could have told me.
And trust you?
[laughs]
Well, that's the spirit.
Get mean.
Mommy's-good-little-girl routine isn't gonna work anymore.
It's a cold world out there.
What's the matter, princess?
Still think you're better than me?
Pink or red?
Miss Fern ordered roast chicken for dinner.
Got us all running around
like a chicken with his head cut off.
[chuckles]
I guess she's, uh, she's got something on you, huh?
All this commotion is working Charlotte's nerves.
I don't know if she can take this anymore.
Fern said she's leaving tomorrow.
Well, she'd better, or I'm kicking her out.
[Charlotte screaming]
Back off, or I'll drop it.
Bang!
[gasps mockingly] No more baby.
Please give me my Ruby!
You're scaring her.
[Christie] Fern, stop it!
Give her her baby!
You know what?
You're right.
I'm sorry.
Here.
[Charlotte wails]
Come and get it!
[wails]
"Hi, I'm Ruby.
Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah."
[thudding]
[Fern gasping]
I'm going to take the baby.
I'm gonna give her to Charlotte, okay?
Call the police.
Homer, let her go.
It's all over.
[Homer] No.
She's bad.
She has to go.
[gun clicks]
Homer...
you can let her go now.
Jeffers is waiting for you in the barn.
Now go. Go on, now.
You two,
I want both of y'all outta here by tomorrow,
you understand?
No more nonsense.
[Fern] What is wrong with you people?
I told you to call the police.
This guy's psycho.
Morton!
Let's just get the hell outta here,
go to the beach house.
Great plan.
No!
We'll stay for dinner,
and Christie'll put on a concert for us,
and then we'll go.
[Christie playing piano]
[♪]
[applause]
[Morton] That was fantastic.
I'm in awe.
[Fern] Family money.
She got lessons from the best.
No amount of money can buy that talent.
Shut up, Mort.
Have you seen Jefferson? I haven't seen him.
No.
Okay, I'm gonna go check on him.
Not so fast, princess.
I promised Morty some fun and games.
One last bit of fun for the road.
I'll go.
[Gavin] Jeffers?
Jeffers?
You're burning up.
Ta-dah!
Looks like we lose, princess.
We both have to take off three pieces of clothing.
I'm not doing that.
Christie!
Jefferson's burning up.
He's got a wound on his leg that looks infected.
We need to get him to a doctor.
No!
Just give him some aspirin. We'll deal you in.
Back off!
This happened on the tractor?
No, no, he rammed it on a rusty nail at the barn.
I thought we cleaned it up all right.
It might be tetanus.
Watched a cousin die from it, real quick.
Tell Fern and Mort we're going to the hospital.
They're gone.
[♪]
Why is this taking so long?
All the craziness with Fern...
I didn't even know he was hurt.
Why didn't he tell me?
I...
I broke my wrist playing football
and didn't tell my parents for a week
because I promised I wouldn't get hurt.
[doctor] Christie Longchamp?
Yeah.
Your brother's responding well to his treatment.
I'm hopeful he'll make a full recovery.
We'll know more in a few hours.
Can I see him?
He's resting,
and best you do the same.
Thank you.
See?
The kid has spunk.
I knew he'd pull through.
[♪]
-Christie! -Gavin!
Stop!
Listen, okay?
Jefferson will be airlifted to our local hospital
as soon as his fever breaks, okay?
I'm just so glad that you're okay.
I mean, thank God, Fern called me.
I mean, our whole family, we've just been worried sick.
And you dragged Jefferson into this?
You're lucky that I insisted you're a decent girl...
...otherwise you'd be in juvenile hall right now.
Okay? But don't worry, I'll straighten this out. Okay?
I will.
You'll be forgiven.
Do not touch me...
ever.
Get in the car,
or I'll make sure you never see your brother again.
[♪]
The hospital called.
Jefferson died.
[Melanie] That's not funny, Richard.
Don't listen to him.
Jefferson is okay.
Are you happy now?
Christie!
What you have put us through these past few weeks,
dragging our name through the mud,
disappearing with Gavin, your uncle,
I can barely hold my head up in town.
Don't touch me.
Don't pretend with me!
The night Philip came into my room,
I know you heard me screaming,
and you did nothing to stop it.
Your own husband assaulted me and you let it happen!
How are you going to hold your head up
when that story gets out?
[♪]
[locking door]
[door knob rattling]
Hey, don't lock me in!
[♪]
[door knob rattling]
[Philip] Christie?
Please tell me Jefferson's okay.
[Philip] He's fine.
The doctor called
and they're flying him in tonight.
I can take you to see your brother.
I'm sorry this happened.
I promised Dawn
I'd look after you and your brother...
in case anything happened to her.
Let me keep my promise to your mother.
Please?
What's going on?
I... I wanted us to have a special night together.
Where's Aunt Bets?
Oh, I sent her and the children away.
[♪]
I need to go to the hospital.
Remember what you promised me?
You said you'd take care of me and Jeffers.
It's what Dawn wanted.
[laughs]
I am just...
I am so proud to be your boyfriend.
Are you out of your mind?
Well...
I mean, yes.
I'll admit that I am crazy.
Uncle Philip,
I need you to take me to go see Jeffers.
Please, Uncle Philip,
please take me to the hospital.
I'm crazy about you, Dawn.
I'm not Dawn.
I'm Christie.
Oh...
[screams]
[♪]
[Philip] Dawn...
[banging on door]
[Christie crying]
Christie?
Christie, what happened?
Are you ready for this?
No.
Look, Christie, I'm sorry.
If I had known Philip was threatening you,
there's no way I would have left.
I would have canceled my trip.
I should have been there for you and Jefferson.
You and your brother will always have a home with me.
I'll take care of you as long as you need me.
Thank you, Bronson.
Come here.
This is outrageous. You need to leave.
Ma'am, as I explained already,
we're here because there's been a complaint against Mr. Cutler
about an aggravated assault.
[Betty Anne] Mr. Cutler is my husband.
I can vouch for him.
I'm Bronson Alcott.
This is Christie Longchamp.
Christie, can you tell me
if this is the man who has assaulted you?
Honey, we are going to get you through this, okay?
She can't do this to us. You tell them.
He was home with me.
You can't trust anything she says.
She's a liar, like her mother.
Oh, Dawn,
you came back to me!
You came back to me.
He's the one.
Are you certain?
I'm positive.
He's my uncle,
and he assaulted me twice in this house,
and he assaulted me last night.
Oh, you can't trust anything she says.
Tell them.
Tell them we love each other.
Tell them I didn't hurt you.
Just-- just make this all go away.
-We can be-- -Shut up!
-We can be together. -Shut up!
I'm so sick of you ruining everything--
our marriage,
the hotel,
the fire at the resort,
all because of her!
What are you saying?
Dawn and Jimmy are dead because of him.
She's lying!
[Betty Anne] I'm not lying.
-She is! -I was there.
He and Jimmy got in a fight in the boiler room
and Jimmy was hurt.
I could smell the gas,
and I...
No. No, no, no.
Mrs. Boston said that Dawn went down to get Jimmy...
and they didn't make it out,
and I am so sorry.
I was there...
and I did nothing.
None of this matters.
None of you understand, okay?
Dawn and I are in love!
We're in love!
She's mine forever!
Nothing will ever change that.
We're in love!
Right? You're mine forever.
Dawn, just tell them that we love each other.
Right, Dawn?
We're in love!
[♪]
Thank you.
Oh!
I will see you in New York.
We are going to have so much fun
completely disrupting your music studies.
Oh, let me take this.
Thank you.
I'm so proud of you.
Marvelous.
An absolute triumph.
I just wish your mother was here to see you.
It's what she would have wanted.
Thank you.
Hi!
Oh, my gosh!
I'm so happy for you!
You're gonna do amazing.
Thank you.
[♪]
I'm so happy for you.
How can I be so happy and sad at the same time?
We're gonna make this work.
I'm here for you, Christie Longchamp.
I'm here for you.
Always.
Hi!
Can you play one last song?
For you?
Of course.
[plays "Beautiful Dreamer"]
[♪]
- I've got you all to myself.
- Behave yourself.
- Don't I always?
You look as beautiful as the first day I set eyes-
- Philip is devil may care, charming,
very popular guy in school.
Sort of gets what he wants.
So as soon as Philip lays eyes on Dawn,
there's something about her
that he just can't quite understand
but he knows he wants to be with her.
I think it's almost like love at first sight
type of attraction.
As that proceeds we encounter a few things
that Philip didn't anticipate
but it doesn't necessarily stop him along the way.
- Look at us, we look exactly the same.
- Oh, well both blondes I guess.
- It's only because you got me to dye my hair,
but my goodness.
- Philip was a character who was a little bit clueless
and also just deeply infatuated with Dawn.
When Dawn over and over tells him
that she has no interest in him,
he just, he can't accept it.
- Everybody sees you slobbering all over her,
Dawn will never leave Jimmy for you.
- Philip's rather persistent with things.
His love takes him along some, maybe some dark turns
along the way and almost a bit obsessive at times.
- You play as beautifully as you sing.
Everything about you reminds me of your mother.
You are just as captivating as she was.
Maybe more so.
- It is important to not judge our characters
that we're playing, but Philip's choices along the way
make it very hard for me to sort of consider him
a good person.
- There will be no sadness here.
After Emily died, we shut the door on sadness.
- Charlotte is a childlike woman
who's had a very, very hard life.
She has been under the domineering world
of her sister, Emily.
I live in the Meadows and it's a rundown mansion.
I had a child at one point that I was made to give up
and I think that deeply hurt me.
I have quite a sad life, but I do have the love of my life,
Luther, who also lives there.
- Luther and I, we had our dark days too.
- Charlotte is so beautifully played by Bronwyn
because even though Charlotte's scary,
you can see that she has this kindness and this kind heart.
Later, Emily is finally gone and she can be with Luther.
Dawn tells them that they can be at the Meadows
in perpetuity and she actually offers the money
and they refuse it.
They don't need money, they just need each other.
They just need peace and quiet.
They just need their love.
- Well you came to the right place, the house of fun.
- That loving relationship makes the Meadows
a completely different place.
So while it was a prison for Dawn in Secrets of the Morning,
it's a refuge for Christie.
And in fact when she has nowhere else to go
she realizes I'm gonna go to the Meadows
and she's welcome there by Luther and Charlotte.
- So we decided to come here.
I hope that's okay.
- Of course.
You two can stay as long as you can stand it.
- Right at the beginning of Midnight Whispers,
Dawn tries to protect her daughter.
She tries to tell her daughter, this family's cursed.
This is what happened to me and you've gotta be careful.
Right After Dawn warns her of this curse,
Cutler's Cove literally goes up in flames,
killing Dawn and Jimmy.
Christie thinks my mom tried to warn me.
- I need to know everything.
- One of the more satisfying revelations of Midnight
is that Christie begins to explore her family's past.
She has a conversation with Charlotte
where she talks about all of the lies and the secrets
and it's Charlotte who says
you bring those out into the light.
It's time.
It's time this family stop hiding and lying.
- I always think Lifetime is willing to go
to edgier elements of life.
(thud)
(click)
- [Director] And, action!
- This has been probably the most meaningful set
I've worked on in terms of the cast and crew.
A lot of love, a lot of jokes.
Everyone feels very comfortable with each other
and it's nice when in between takes and stuff like that,
there's banter and we're being silly.
- The actors themselves really grew
to sort of respect each other
and respected each other's talent.
There's an intensive time period
where you're making four movies in a short period of time
so they're with each other a lot for work.
I know Breck and Corey are really close as friends now.
I love that story that like the best friends in the movie
became like kind of best friends in real life.
V.C. Andrews and like
all of these books,
they really speak to women,
really speaks to families,
really speaks to drama, just trying to survive.
There's always an element of romance.
There's always an element of wish fulfillment
and these things that are just out of reach
of sort of the regular person.
- That's all stuff that happens
in V.C. Andrew's stories and how it affects people
in their emotional lives
are all stuff that happens on Lifetime too.
(dramatic music)