Babe.
I brought you that special blend you've been loving.
Thought you could use a little pick-me-up.
Well, aren't you just the devoted wife?
Sorry to disappoint, but your husband isn't here.
Oh, where is he?
Garland Memorial.
The hospital? Why didn't anybody notify me?
Well, you would have been if you came to work on time
or checked your messages.
I had a lot going on this morning.
Isn't that most mornings for you, Hayley?
Apologies, that's just deadline stress.
Uh...
Bill's appointment was scheduled for next month,
but they called about a cancellation.
He jumped at the chance to get it over with.
I'm his wife.
If anything health-related is going on,
I should be informed directly.
You're right.
Thank you.
Is he really okay?
It's just routine follow-up labs
from his stroke-- EKG, blood work.
Nothing to get stressed about.
Well, if it isn't Bill Hamilton
pacing like a CEO in purgatory.
Anita. It's good to see you, too.
Everything okay?
No need for concern.
Dr. Ahn just insisted I come in for what she calls
my 50,000-mile tune-up.
Checking all the systems, kicking the tires,
making sure nothing's going to break down anytime soon.
Okay, well, I hope the diagnostics were all favorable.
So far, so good.
Yesterday was my mammogram, today it's vision screening.
Hm, you still 20/20?
Not bad for a woman my age, wouldn't you say?
Yeah, yeah, you're fortunate
to still be able to see things so clearly.
You know, Bill,
clarity is not only about physical vision.
Shall I tell you what I see when I look at you?
♪ ♪
Please, be my guest.
Let's hear what the great Anita Dupree has to say.
When I look at you,
I see a man who had the world on a string.
A beautiful, brilliant wife
who adored him with blind devotion.
Two daughters that thought he strung
the stars and the moon just for them.
And in-laws who welcomed him into a legacy
that most men would kill for.
And then, I look at that same man
who took all that precious cargo and threw it overboard.
For what? A midlife crisis?
Lust?
Pleasure with a PYT young enough to be his daughter?
That's ancient history, Anita. We've all moved on.
Have we?
Because I see the way you look at my daughter
when you think no one is watching.
And that look tells a completely different story.
What you see is two people who once cared for each other
who are trying to find something, anything,
to hold on to for the sake of their children.
Look, I never claimed to be the perfect husband.
Understatement of the millennium.
Yeah, but I love my girls.
Fiercely. And whatever else you think of me,
you cannot argue with that.
And that's why we're having this civilized conversation
instead of me telling you where to go
and drawing a map to show you how to get there.
Anita, I am trying my best to keep the peace here, okay?
And if last night's WinterFest proved anything,
it's that maybe, just maybe,
it's possible.
You know, there was a time when you and Vernon
were more than in-laws to me.
You both were like my real parents, Vernon especially.
You know, he was the first man that ever
showed me what a good father looked like.
Too bad he didn't show you what a good husband looked like.
All the years that we have been together,
that man has never once made me question
where he was laying his head at night.
That's cutting it close.
Anita left the house early this morning,
but the staff are all gone.
We could do it right here in the living room.
I know, I know.
Yes, hurry.
I've been waiting for this anxiously.
See you soon.
Surprise!
Dani! Don't sneak up on your old man like that.
Come on. This-this tired heart can only take so much.
Well, next time I'll bang a gong to announce myself.
Though, come to think of it,
I think that might be more startling.
You could ring the doorbell.
In the house I grew up in?
The house where I lost my first tooth
and faked my first sick day?
Where I learned to forge your signature
on school permission slips? Never.
To what do I owe the pleasure of this unannounced visit?
Can't a daughter just drop by
to see her beloved father without an ulterior motive?
No.
Very well. Andre and I are going to have lunch
at the club, and I thought it would be nice
for you and Mother to join us.
Last night at WinterFest was so magical,
but we barely got two minutes with either of you.
Oh, that's such a lovely offer, but I'm afraid
I've got to take a rain check.
Your mother's out on an appointment,
and I don't know when she's gonna come back.
Oh, phooey. Well, promise me
we'll have a proper double date soon.
I really want you and Mother to love Andre as much as I do.
We have already welcomed Andre into this family
with open arms. And truthfully,
he fits a little better than Bill ever did.
I know that Vernon is the ideal husband, right?
And I am long past measuring up to that.
All I want now, Anita,
is for you to accept me as Dani's ex-husband
and the father of your grandchildren.
Well, since Dani
has given you grace, I suppose I can as well.
And Lord knows I have needed my share
of second chances in this life.
Well, I appreciate that, Anita.
But I suspect that Dani's change of heart has more to do
with her new marital status than any spiritual revelation.
I mean, come on, you know she's always more agreeable
when she's happy.
And Dani is happy. Make no mistake about that.
I haven't seen her this happy since before--
Well, we both know what happened.
And, you know, a lot of the credit goes to Andre.
Yeah, it is an interesting pairing.
I was actually surprised to hear that you and Vernon approved.
Well, it's not the union one would expect, but it works.
Now, if only Nicole could find someone to make her happy,
I would sleep a lot better at night.
Yeah.
You know, I always thought Nicole
and Ted made a great couple.
But, hey, even in the best marriages, things happen.
Things happen?
Are you equating infidelity with some kind of weather pattern?
My point is life is messy, okay?
Listen, I genuinely hope that Nicole
finds someone who makes her as happy as Hayley makes me.
It's... I like to be there for these things.
Accept my apology for snapping earlier.
Of course.
In the meantime,
no need for letting a perfectly good tea go to waste.
I had a late night-- I could use a pick-me-up.
Oh.
Hey.
There's more in the break room.
This one's for me.
Of course.
I'll leave you to it.
Give me a second.
Hey, Cookie, what's going on?
No, I'm just here with Joey,
going over some spreadsheet drama, what's happening?
HAYLEY: I need to see you now.
Are you good?
Do I sound good?
Come quick. I'll text you the location.
All right, I'm on my way.
I got to run out for a minute.
My, uh, lady friend Cookie, she needs my help.
You know, car trouble. You know how it is.
Tell Mrs. Hamilton I said hello.
Oh. You've been on my mind.
Ted got you home from the WinterFest okay, I take it?
Well, if you hadn't stood me up,
there would be no need to ask, since it would have been you.
But that would require being seen with me.
I didn't stand you up.
But what do I have to do to make you understand?
You can start by not making decisions for me.
The only one who decides what's for my good is me.
But you get to decide for me?
-That's not what I'm doing. -The moment we are seen
together at a social event,
the country club starts whispering,
the charity groups start questioning
and red flags start going up
that could put everything that we've-- actually,
scratch that, because this predates my having met you--
everything that I've worked for in jeopardy.
You're a public person.
You're not shy about lunching at the club
or renting out Uptown for the night.
There's nothing about going to that event
that would have been subtle or casual
or easily explained. That would have made a statement
Loud and clear. That we're serious.
And, obviously, that's what you're trying to avoid.
-Vanessa... -Well, I am done
being Joey Armstrong's dirty little secret.
I never asked you to save me.
Fine, I'll stop trying.
But you should bear in mind that orange jumpsuits
don't come with designer labels.
And prison commissaries don't stock champagne.
You're just trying to scare me with worst-case scenarios.
No, I'm trying to help you avoid catastrophe,
something I learned the hard way.
You know, I've been the boogeyman of the DMV
longer than I can remember, but you?
You live the kind of life people dream about.
Your name will open doors. Your children respect you.
Do you respect me?
More than you know.
I'm not trying to control you.
I'm just trying to protect what you've built, what I've built.
And what we're building together.
While not being seen together?
I'm fine with people seeing me on your arm,
because I'm not ashamed of this thing between us.
I have nothing to hide.
Except all the money that's being laundered
through your real estate company.
The paper trail
that connects you to me
in ways that will blow all of this up.
Which is exactly why you should have come last night.
If we're parading around together in public,
people will focus on your legit businesses,
and not the rumored ones.
Don't leave it to me to tell you how to do your job,
but it's basic misdirection.
Oh, look at the time-- maybe you should run along.
You don't want to keep Andre waiting.
Daddy, are you trying to get rid of me?
Of course not.
I just know how I feel when
your mother keeps me waiting all alone at our table at the club,
which happens some more often these days.
Well, maybe she's busy making herself beautiful for you.
[plays a tune]
Perfecting perfection?
Which that was not.
She often runs late because she's busy changing the world.
That woman was a star long before she met me.
She never needed my approval to know her worth.
I am just reminding you she doesn't take you for granted.
Mom's the one who told me all those stories
about all the women
back in the day who had their eye on
Vernon Dupree--
including other Articulettes.
You make me sound like a Motown heartthrob.
You were.
Brain of Baldwin and the style of Belafonte.
You were the eligible bachelor.
Never doubt it.
My mother appreciates her man,
even if she doesn't have to worry about
some wild woman luring him away.
No, she certainly doesn't have to worry about that.
Tell me, Bill, how does your wife feel
about you taking such an interest in all things Dani?
We have daughters.
Hayley understands that Dani and I will never be
entirely out of each other's lives
because of Naomi and Chelsea.
Mm.
You sure that's all it is?
It's better for the girls that we get along, right?
That's what matters.
You don't fool me, Bill Hamilton.
And neither does this
"whatever it takes to keep the peace" routine.
Just remember.
I see y...
You. About damn time.
I've been standing here having a panic attack.
All right, take a breath, coz, I got here as fast as I could.
So, what's going on? You look like you just caught a case.
Not yet.
But we have a problem. A big one.
Okay, what is it?
Bill's at Garland Memorial having
comprehensive blood work done.
Our whole plan is about to go up in smoke.
I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me,
Dr. Montgomery.
Now, you know that's not true.
Why aren't you in the exam room?
I'm fielding calls from my office.
There's better reception out here.
Well, I have the results to your blood work here.
Let's go talk in private.
You don't see the problem here?
What if they find this in his system?
Okay, they won't.
Oh, so you're clairvoyant now?
No, but I am a damn good listener.
And what you asked for was clear:
tasteless, odorless, slow,
undetectable.
I know damn well what I said,
but this isn't the same batch.
For all we know, your guy could have switched up
the recipe or cut corners.
It's the same stuff, I guarantee it.
-And your guy swears by that? -He better.
The man knows in my world,
it's not just your rep that dies slow.
I told him I needed something that won't show up
in an autopsy, which means it won't show up
in a blood test either.
Don't tell me you're getting scared now.
Man, you can miss me with all that.
I've been solid since day one.
And as long as everything you just said is true,
then we good.
Is there a problem, Doctor?
Should there be?
I don't know, you're combing through that chart
like you're looking for buried treasure.
Well, I like to be thorough.
Especially given your history of ignoring warning signs.
I see what you did there, the low-level shade.
-Hmm. -What is it?
You see something?
I do.
You're healthy.
Glucose normal, so is your red blood cell
and platelet count.
Electrolytes right where we want them.
All things we look at after a patient has had a stroke.
-Everything looks great. -Hey, excellent.
If anything concerning shows up in the additional labs,
we'll either call you directly or upload the results
to your online health portal.
Okay, so I'm done here.
Uh, almost.
How are you otherwise?
Are you able to accomplish
your normal activities?
You mean other than when I'm here wasting billable hours?
Any functional limitations? Issues with speech or memory?
No, I'm fine.
Carrying a full caseload,
which I'd love to get back to, by the way.
As well as my family,
who I promised to carve out more time for.
So, um...
Did you and Chelsea have a good Thanksgiving?
Did your whole family get to come out?
Mr. Hamilton.
I'd like to keep things professional.
At the moment, you are my patient.
Not my girlfriend's father.
Of course. Do your thing.
Good. Now that I'm done...
Thanksgiving was a disaster.
Oh.
Your daughter and I aren't even speaking.
KAT: Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.
Correction: it's afternoon.
Are you feeling better?
Did you peep your mentions yet?
Everyone was asking where the fashion queen
of Fairmont Crest was last night.
I take it that's a no.
Here, I got you some green juice.
It's that kale, lemon, ginger concoction you like.
Thanks, coz, you're a lifesaver.
Mm-hmm, and there's some broth
and jasmine rice in the fridge from Uptown.
You were completely conked out last night when
I brought it home for you.
I don't have much of an appetite right now,
but I'll try to eat later.
Instead, you can fill me in on yesterday.
My mentions claimed that you weren't
at WinterFest either.
Watching my dad parade his do-over daughter around
wasn't my idea of holiday cheer.
So I skipped it to spend a little alone time with Tomas.
Oh, skipping family obligations for bae?
Sounds promising.
Yeah, I thought that too.
-Didn't turn out so well. -What happened?
Tomas asked me to move in with him.
And that's bad?
I turned him down.
Why?
Last time I saw you two, you both were going on and on
about how you were on cloud nine after your romantic weekend.
While Madison and I were on the hot mess express,
it seemed like you two couldn't get enough of each other.
What changed?
So let me get this straight.
You're the one who wanted Donnell to go right
back to college right after his father's funeral...
...so he wouldn't get wind of our situation,
and now you want to go public?
Makes perfect sense to me.
As you just said, Donnell's away at school.
So is Deanna-- they don't have to know anything about this.
It's almost Christmastime.
They're bound to come visit, aren't they?
Actually,
they won't, because they're going away
on a ski trip with friends.
Well, they'll come home sometime.
And when they do, how do you think they're going to feel
about their mother being involved with me?
Or anyone so soon after their father's death?
I would wager
they wouldn't feel too good about it.
Or anyone else in this town, for that matter.
I don't care.
I mean it, Joey.
I spent so many years trying to tamp down my true desires.
Sublimating my passion by hiring escorts.
Having flings with personal trainers.
Do you know what it's like to live in a gilded cage?
To attend charity events
and country club dinners with a husband
who hasn't truly seen you in years?
I wasted so many years hiding, I...
I don't want to hide anymore.
I understand how you feel.
I do.
But I still think it's a bad idea.
We should keep things the way they are right now.
Or maybe we should just hit pause
on our personal relationship.
Seems extreme.
It's how I feel.
Okay, then, that's what we'll do.
Vernon, are you home?
Dr. Ahn says I am good to go,
so you are stuck with me for another...
Oh, my God.
-Vernon? -Perfect timing.
Are you ready for a feast, my dear beautiful lady?
I took the liberty of making reservations for two.
What is all of this?
Something smells divine.
What is... Is that...
is that gumbo?
Your senses are not betraying you.
I had the entire meal flown in from Dooky Chase's.
First class, dry ice-- the works.
Oh, my...
You know that is one of my favorite
restaurants in all the world. I love Dooky Chase.
Do you remember how we'd go there
every time you performed in New Orleans?
You were already a fixture by then.
All those meetings with your coalition brothers upstairs,
planning to change the world over shrimp and grits.
Yeah, we called it soul fuel.
What did I do to deserve this?
You exist.
You and our love should be celebrated every day.
Now that WinterFest is over,
we have a small window of opportunity for some alone time
before we get inundated with Christmas craziness.
So are your parents coming?
Apparently, they had other plans.
Daddy was being very mysterious.
He had that look that he gets in his eye
when he's planning something for mother.
Yeah, your father's still
romancing his queen after all these years.
I respect that.
Though I'm not complaining
that I get to have my wife all to myself.
WinterFest was amazing, wasn't it?
Yeah, your family knows how to throw down.
I think my best part was feeling like
I was really a part of the family.
It was nice to be surrounded by all of that love again.
All kinds of love.
What do you mean?
How was it seeing Ashley last night?
I'm not teasing, I'm genuinely curious.
Any twinges?
Sure.
I could see her sadness,
which made me feel bad because she's such a...
...she's such a good person.
Ashley thought she had her whole life figured out
and then it just blew up all around her.
I know what that feels like.
You do have a knack for seeing beauty that other people miss
because they're just not paying attention.
Photography has made you so observant.
Kind of a superpower.
I would have picked something way cooler, like teleporting
or x-ray vision.
You're a good person.
Naughty, but good.
-However, I must warn you. -Okay.
Do not become
Ashley's shoulder to cry on.
You are my man,
and I'm not sharing you.
Woman, you don't ever have to worry about that.
-Okay. -Come here.
Vanessa.
-Anastasia. -Day drinking alone?
How very last husband of you.
You are an absolutely vile woman.
Don't you have something better to do?
Escorts to order? Botox appointments to cry through?
Oh, sweetheart.
Don't project.
You're the one who could use some of that special TLC
that you've been peddling to all the ladies around here.
Remember when you used to hold court at this bar?
Now you can't even hold a man's attention. Hm.
"Hm..."
Are you really gonna make me drag it out of you?
Come on, what's the tea on why you curved
your Puerto Rican corazón when he asked you to move in?
I'm so into Tomas, it's embarrassing.
I do want to build a life with him.
-But? -But...
I want to do it on my terms.
I can't just slide into moving in together
because it's the logical next step.
I-I need to know we're doing this
because we're genuinely ready
to build something beautiful together,
not just trying to check a box.
You're protecting your peace and thinking about your future.
That is perfectly reasonable.
But, real talk,
you love him. And the way he looks at you--
I mean, even I can tell
that he genuinely cares about you.
He does. That's what makes it so complicated.
I completely understand.
I figured you would
since you're in the same boat with Madison.
I specifically warned Chelsea not to fall for my mother's act.
I told her exactly what would happen, but the minute we walked
through the door, Chelsea was like a convert
at the altar,
embracing all my mom's new age theories
about healing crystals and magic herbs.
And when I tried to redirect the conversation to anywhere else,
Chelsea kept encouraging my mom to tell her more.
And God, does my mom love an audience.
And there was Chelsea, just happy to give it to her.
Hey, look, I don't know,
maybe my daughter was just trying to be polite, you know?
It was her first time meeting your family.
It was more than that.
Things went from uncomfortable to unbearable.
Yeah, I know the feeling.
Coz, different batch, same secret sauce.
Okay? Completely untraceable.
Look, when Bill finally checks out,
every doctor from here to Georgetown
is gonna chalk it up as natural causes,
just like we planned it.
But what if the test shows traces of...
Coz, the test ain't gonna show nothing,
'cause there ain't nothing to show.
Okay? This ain't my guy's first rodeo.
I want to believe it, Randy, but if something goes wrong, I...
Coz, believe it, okay? But more than that,
why don't you believe me?
Look, you are this close
to getting your hands on a serious bag.
A ten million dollar life insurance policy.
However much money is sitting in that college fund,
you can cash out that black card plus a house on St. Barts.
Come on, coz.
I need you.
Don't let your nerves mess up
the biggest come-up of your life.
I'm so sorry I have to cut our lunch short.
I need to see if Chelsea's feeling better.
Okay, go. Handle your business, babe.
I'll stay here and I'll sign the bill. It's cool.
-Always the gentleman. -Of course.
-Mind if I join you? -Hey, Vanessa.
Something wrong?
No, no, nothing another drink won't fix.
Vanessa, sweetheart, what happened?
You can trust Andre.
I tell him everything, anyway.
It's about Joey.
Should I speed this up?
I can think of ten million answers to that.
There you are, baby.
How was your checkup?
Caroline told me.
You know I would have gone with you.
Baby, I didn't want to worry you unnecessarily.
But I passed it with flying colors.
Dr. Montgomery says everything looks perfect.
Better than perfect, actually.
That's a relief. Tea?
Oh, no, not now, baby.
I still have to prepare for my meeting
with that prospective client.
That wasn't a question.
Look, if you want to keep up
those A+ examinations, drink up.
Wife's orders.
You're right.
Here's to you, baby, for always looking out for my health.
Mm.
She basically said that I was self-centered and inconsiderate.
Well, she didn't use those exact words,
but she was way more diplomatic.
That's Gran for you.
Brutally honest, but makes it sound elegant.
She told me the story about her and granddad's
first Christmas, how she tried to connect
with his Aunt Melba despite knowing
that he had problems with her,
which made him feel completely disrespected.
And that got me to realize that I did
the exact same thing to Madison.
So much for being the perfect girlfriend.
I was so thirsty to show her that I can handle
her family drama I completely steamrolled over her boundaries.
I wonder if she'll ever forgive me.
Well, here's your chance to find out.
-Hey. -Hey.
I figured you were working.
I just saw my last patient for the day-- your dad.
-It's not another stroke, is it? -It was just
a checkup, he's fine.
But I'm afraid I gave him an earful about us.
Oh?
After he left, I realized I should probably
be talking to you instead.
And that's my cue.
I should probably check on those fabric samples.
You don't have to leave your own space, coz.
You want to go for a walk?
What about your cold? Your sinuses sound congested.
I could use some air.
And then we could clear things up?
I would like that.
Joey didn't even try to stop me.
He-he just stood there like some marble statue
while I stormed away,
like-like I wasn't worth the effort.
Maybe it's fate trying to step in.
Joey leaving you might be the best thing for you.
It absolutely is not!
Uh, maybe you should get some food.
It might actually help you feel better.
I am tired of playing the perfect grieving widow.
Through living my life according to everyone's expectations.
Dear, dear.
The club frowns upon loud voices in the dining room, Vanessa.
If you're on the verge of a nervous collapse,
might I suggest the ladies lounge?
I believe they have smelling salts on hand
just for this type of episode.
Oh, perhaps you should take them yourself,
Anastasia, and blow them up your...
All right, all right. Vanessa?
Let's go home.
Dani's right.
You are making a scene.
Joey?
What are you doing here?
Making a scene.
Well, that was delicious.
Absolutely delicious.
And I am so glad I had my cholesterol checked
before that indulgence,
or I would never hear the end of it from Dr. Ahn.
Oh. Well, I hope I didn't put you in the doghouse.
-Did I? -No, you didn't.
And what the doctor doesn't know won't hurt her.
Thank you so much for this...
incredibly thoughtful gesture.
You know, most men would have to be in the doghouse themselves
before they'd do something like this.
But you, sir-- it's just any other day.
I wanted the memory of this afternoon
to stand like a lighthouse
on the edge of this year,
guiding us safely
into the harbor of the next.
Well, you have succeeded.
And if you keep this up in 2026,
it is going to be the best year ever.
Amen to that.
I'm the one who
gave Rowena the... the night off, so, uh,
let me clear the plates.
-Thank you, sweetheart. -Mm-hmm.
[phone vibrates]
Hello, Dr. Ahn.
Your ears must have been burning.
I was just talking about you.
What?
What do you mean, more tests?
-I was thinking... -Hm?
Maybe we do something different
for Christmas this year.
Different how?
Maybe...
St. Barts. Our new place should be ready by then.
Hm.
Mm. Mmm.
Mm...
Okay. Whatever you want, baby.
Would you like a refill?
No, no thanks. If I have any more,
I'll be floating to that meeting.
[grunts loudly]
And besides,
I need to get back to the research for the...
Hayley.
Baby, I don't...
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