08x28 - Parental Guidance

[bunniefuu]

Anne told me you're Paige's father.

I know you've been seeing a lot of Peter Hollister.

Yes, and I might have a surprise for you.

What would you think of Peter Hollister as Mack's son-in-law?

Peter's mother gave me a letter and said if anything suspicious

were to happen to her, I should give it to Gary.

After all the planning and the precautions that we've been through,

you're not going to let those kids go outside?

[theme music plays]

Sumner's Paige's father.

Anne told you that?

I-I can't believe Paige isn't your daughter.

She stood there and told me that.

And you believe her?

I, uh...

-I don't know what to believe. -Mack, look, maybe...

Maybe she's just upset about what happened at dinner.

Karen, come on.

Upset enough to tell me something like that?

She's hurt, Mack.

She's just trying to hurt you.

-Don't you know her by now? -No, I don't.

You know, the more time I spend with Anne,

the more I realize I don't know her at all.

[sentimental music plays]

Mack, she staged her own suicide. She's...

She's unstable.

She's-She's feeling rejected,

and she's trying to get back at you.

She didn't tell Paige about Sumner.

Yeah, but, you know.

She never told Paige about me, you know?

And, uh...

You know, just suppose...

Just suppose that it's true.

If it's true,

then I suppose...

we'll have to tell Paige.

[Greg] Just try to relax and keep breathing.

I can't relax. I am breathing. God.

Why am I going through this? I already have two kids.

Well, you wanted to have one that looked like me.

[soft chuckle] Did I? Really? Oh, boy.

-Did you call the doctor? -Yes, I called the doctor.

I told you. He's playing racquetball.

He said, go ahead and start without him.

And that he felt that I was qualified.

You're not qualified. You didn't even want this kid.

Oh, come on. I did, too. I was just testing you.

Oh, God. You guys, you think you know it all, you know?

You've got it so easy.

I'm carrying the suitcase, aren't I?

Thanks, Ace.

[Abby] Oh, there you are.

It's late, honey. I was getting worried.

I'm sorry.

I'm tired. I just want to get to bed.

[Abby] Hey.

Do I get my good night hug?

-[Olivia softly sobbing] -[Abby] Shhh. Hey, shhh.

It's okay. It's okay.

What's the matter, huh?

Come on. Come on.

It's all right.

Shhh.

-What? -[Olivia sighing]

[sniffling]

I wasn't gonna smoke it.

I don't even know why I got it.

It's all right. It's okay.

Oh, shh. It's okay.

Shhh. Honey.

Honey, whatever the problem is, we'll work it out together.

I love you, baby.

-I love Peter. -[Abby] I know.

The only reason I forbid you to see him is I wanted to protect you.

I didn't want you to get hurt.

It's not just Peter.

It's Paige.

-Paige? -[Olivia] Peter is seeing Paige.

I went there tonight to see him, and he wouldn't let me in.

Well, what does that have to do with Paige?

Paige was in his apartment.

I saw her through the door. Coming out of the shower.

She was supposed to be my best friend.

She knew how I felt about Peter!

I hate her!

And I hate him.

Honey, why did you go there when I told you you couldn't see him?

Peter's mother gave me a letter

and said if anything strange were to happen, I should give it to Gary.

But I told them both about it.

I went there to give Peter the letter tonight.

I wanted him to know how much I loved him.

Oh, honey.

You've been through so much.

So much.

[tense music plays]

What did you do with the letter?

[sighing] I mailed it to Gary.

I don't know if I did the right thing.

I am so confused.

[shushing]

Honey, it's all right.

You did do the right thing.

You did what Sylvia asked you to do.

You kept your promise.

And I promise you that everything's gonna work out for the best.

Don't worry.

None of this is gonna be easy on Paige.

Well, she's an adult, and if it's true, we'll just--

We'll both help her deal with it.

I don't want to say anything to her until I'm absolutely sure.

Maybe when Anne comes down, I'll get to the bottom of this.

Oh, my God.

Did you know Paige was dating Peter Hollister?

They're dating?

[Abby] Michael says they're seeing a lot of each other.

His brother.

She's dating Greg Sumner's brother.

[Paige] I could be the perfect wife for the rising politician.

[chuckling] You're sure, are you?

Well, why not?

Oh, I'm pretty,

but don't intimidate other women.

Rich, but not too rich to embarrass the middle class.

Well-read, properly schooled, and always au courant.

I have traveled enough to help you overseas,

and I have great luggage.

[chuckling]

-[Gary] Hello? -Gary.

[sighing] You're a late caller.

I'm sorry.

I needed to talk to you about Olivia.

What about her?

[sighing] She brought home a joint tonight.

She gave it to me right away, but...

I don't know. She's going to her meetings.

I think this might have something to do with

Peter Hollister.

Yeah. She told me about him.

She said she's in love with him and that he's in love with her.

I just found out about it tonight, and,

of course, I forbid her to see him.

-And don't worry, I'll take care of Peter. -I'll bet you will.

Olivia's got some other problems, though, Gary.

You know, she's still upset about our divorce.

Well, I'll talk to her.

All marriages don't have to be like ours.

I'll explain it to her again. Good night.

[Abby] Gary?

There's something you could do that would help her a lot.

She wrote you a... an angry letter.

She's embarrassed by it.

She asked me to ask you not to read it.

So why don't you just, when you get it,

send it back to me, and I'll tell her I destroyed it.

Um... Okay.

-Good night. -Good night.

[Gary hanging up]

[phone ringing]

-Hello. -Mack, this is Greg.

-Laura just had a little girl. -Hey, congratulations, man.

I'm really happy for you.

-How's Laura? -Oh, she's fine.

She wanted Karen to be the first to know.

It weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces.

Oh, that's terrific.

Yeah. I'll talk to you later. I gotta go help the doctors.

-Laura had her little girl, huh? -Yeah.

Yeah, 8 pounds.

I guess you couldn't talk to Greg about Anne.

No, I wouldn't at a time like this, no.

-[sighing heavily] -Maybe you should go and see him, Mack.

There I was, just getting used to Paige being my daughter.

You gotta know for sure.

Talk to him.

[Peter] Come on, Abby. It's no big deal.

-It's just a schoolgirl crush! -You expect me to forgive you

when you took advantage of my daughter?

I think you're seeing this from the wrong perspective.

The funeral was a very bad day for me.

Olivia was sympathetic. She kissed me.

I may be guilty for not cutting her off soon enough,

but, Abby, that's all it was.

-An innocent kiss. -Come on, Peter. I know you!

You were toying with that poor child's emotions

just to get your mother's letter back from her.

I'm telling you the truth.

Really? Then why didn't you ask me for the letter?

Because I thought you were hiding it.

Why would I do a thing like that?

I don't know.

-Well, Paige sort of implied it. -Paige?

She's the one who told me Olivia had the letter.

[knocking]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.

-Senator Hollister? -Paige.

I have some receipts from the club.

But I can drop by later, or you can call me.

So, Paige just happened to tell you about the letter, just like that?

No. No.

-She's interested in me. -Interested?

I think she wants to be Mrs. Senator Hollister.

And what do you want?

You.

Still ambitious, aren't you?

[Peter] I only want the best.

So do I.

Only you may not be the best anymore.

Olivia sent the letter to Gary, and if he reads it,

your little secret's gonna be out in the open.

[tense music plays]

[Peter] You're as involved in this as I am,

whether you like it or not.

No. You leave me out of this.

I already know far more than I want to know!

No, you don't.

Our darling mother, before she died,

wrote a letter detailing our entire plan.

That letter is on its way to Gary.

Sent by its custodian, Olivia.

[exasperated sigh] So Gary's gonna know that you're not Greg Sumner's brother.

And you're not a Galveston, and Sylvia's not our mother.

[Jill] Peter, I don't know why I ever let you

get me into this ridiculous scheme in the first place!

Oh, yes, I remember.

It's because Galveston ruined our family.

Oh, Peter, that was water over the dam at the time.

The complications don't end.

Now, I don't want Gary involved.

It's not just Gary who can be hurt by this.

You were managing his campaign against me without

publicly acknowledging we were brother and sister.

Also, you knew I wasn't Sumner's brother.

I would look lousy in the press.

And I don't think Gary would be too happy about it either.

Peter, that sounds like a threat.

You can be finished professionally.

As an officer of the court,

as a member of the governor's special investigative staff.

You could be disbarred.

Now, forget about me. Forget about Gary.

And protect yourself, big sister,

and get that letter before Gary sees it.

[Abby] Hello.

Hi.

It's interesting to see which items you're moving on the menu.

Might be interesting to Karen. I, uh...

I prefer the bottom line, however.

Oh, well, I gave, uh, Karen a copy as well.

Paige, you and Olivia are friends, aren't you?

Oh, absolutely.

Have you told her about you and Peter?

I don't recall.

I wanted her to enjoy her infatuation.

Everyone should suffer through a schoolgirl crush,

don't you think?

Sure.

-But what about now? -Now?

Well, you and Peter intend to be married, don't you?

Well, uh... I don't know.

[Abby] Don't worry, Paige.

My relationship with Peter is very... special.

You and I aren't in competition.

As a matter of fact, I wish you...

all the happiness you deserve.

Thank you.

Maybe when you two set the date,

we can even have the reception right here at Lotus Point.

[soft chuckle]

[clearing throat]

[cackling] Yo, Mack!

Can you believe it? Eight pounds and three ounces?

My other daughter, Mary-Frances, she didn't weigh half that much.

-Have a cigar. -And Paige?

-Paige? -Isn't Paige your daughter, too?

Paige, my daughter?

-Are you serious? -Yeah.

Anne told me you're Paige's father.

-Anne told you? Anne told you? -Yeah, why would she lie?

Why would she lie? Because she's Anne, that's why.

-[phone ringing] -Hello.

Yeah! Yeah!

Well, thanks.

Eight pounds, six ounces.

Yeah. It's great.

All right, I'll tell her you called.

Thanks. Bye.

-You talked to Anne? -I haven't spoken to that woman in 20 years.

I just met the daughter once.

Look, you call her, and while you're standing here, I'll talk to her.

-She's gone. -[phone ringing]

[Greg] Hello.

Oh, thanks.

Thanks. That's great!

Thanks.

Yeah, eight pounds, eight ounces.

Of course she's a big girl!

Yeah, she's at St. Agnes.

All right, I'll tell her you called.

Thanks. Bye-bye.

What happened 20 years ago?

Whatever happened doesn't make babies.

[gloomy music plays]

Look, Greg, I've got to know.

What are you talking about?

I was the chauffeur. Remember?

I picked her up at her house, and I drove her over to your house.

-That's it? That's all? -That's it. That's all.

You'll take a blood test?

No, I'm not gonna take a blood test.

Are you nuts? I am not taking any blood tests.

Why don't you get out of here?

I'm a happy man today.

One daughter a day is enough.

Yeah. Yeah.

Marsha, can you give these plans for phase three to, uh, Teddy in landscaping?

I think they're for the children's play park.

I think we're gonna need some shrubs out here

when the construction is finished.

-Anything else? -Yeah, call Peter Hollister.

Give him the arrangements for the opening ceremonies.

-He promised to cut the ribbon. -Okay, I'll--

Pick me up in ten minutes, all right?

-Ten minutes? -Yeah, buckle up!

[Paige] Karen! Hi.

I've been looking all over for you.

Now, I left a copy of the club report on your desk.

[Karen] Good. Thank you.

Um, Paige, look, I know you didn't come home last night,

-so you could've-- -Karen, I'm a big girl.

No, I'm not gonna ask you where you were.

I just have... something to tell you.

Scoot over.

Sounds serious.

Paige, your mother left early this morning

to go back to Long Island.

She didn't say good-bye to Mack or me.

Sounds like Mother.

Did she say anything to you before she left?

[Paige] Uh, no.

Same as you. No goodbyes.

Paige...

I know you've been seeing Peter Hollister.

Yes. And I might have a surprise for you.

What would you think of Peter Hollister

as Mack's son-in-law?

[melodramatic music plays]

[door opening and closing]

-Gary, are you home? -Yeah, I'm in the music room.

Uh, anything interesting in the mail?

Free trip to Acapulco or anything?

[Gary] I don't know.

I haven't been through it all yet.

But if, uh, we win the sweepstakes or a free trip to paradise,

I can't think of anybody I'd rather share it with.

Well, I have had the worst day.

Is there anything that you can think of

that you could do right now to make me feel better?

[Gary] Hmm. [chuckling slyly]

Hold that thought.

How about, um, how about we turn off

the phones and turn on the sauna?

-Mm-hm. -And, uh, I'll barbecue a couple of steaks,

chill you a bottle of, uh, whatever, and we can sit here by the fire.

-And... -Yeah, that too.

I'm convinced.

God, you're hard to get along with.

You should come home like this more often after a hard day.

-[Gary] Want a salad? -Yeah, great.

[Gary] Uh, New York or filet?

I'm in your hands.

[Gary] Will you come on?

Coming.

[tinkling ice cream truck]

[Lilimae] Hey, listen to that!

Now Gooma's gonna let you choose the ice cream,

but you can't eat it till after supper.

Come on.

-[Val] Oh, Mama. -Huh?

Get a pint of something for our dessert too, okay?

Oh, I'm already deep in the decision-making process.

-[Ben] Shut that door! -Huh?

Are you crazy?

-What's the matter? -[Ben] Are you crazy?

After all the planning and the precautions that we've been through?

You're not gonna let those kids go outside!

Has absolutely none of this registered in your minds,

or are you just completely out of your minds?

-Ben-- -We were just gonna get some ice cream.

Yeah.

Okay?

Oh, my God. What am I saying?

Oh, no...

This can't go on.

I'll get the kids some ice cream.

-Go on. -Go on. Go with Daddy.

Here's some money.

Ben, here's some money.

Go on, kids. Go with Daddy.

[gentle music plays]

[Val] What did you do?

What do you have there, Bobby?

Oh, ice cream before dinner.

Come on. Come on inside. Come on. We'll take it inside.

Daddy shouldn't have done that.

-Ice cream. -[Val] I know. Ice cream inside.

Here you go.

Go see Gooma, okay? Go see Gooma.

[birds chirping]

[Ben sighing]

Do you remember the English officer in the story of The Bridge over the River Kwai?

Alec Guinness played him in the movie.

Mm-hmm.

Well, do you remember how obsessed

he was with building his bridge?

I mean, so obsessed that when the allies

tried to destroy it, he defended it.

In spite of the fact that he built it as a prisoner

of w*r for the Japanese who were the enemy?

Mm-hmm.

I think he ended up k*lling one of his own men.

Yeah, and it took that for him to stop and realize,

and he said, "Oh, my God, what have I done?"

Well, that was me just now in the house.

Obsessed with protecting my family.

I wasn't obsessed. I was maniacal about it.

And I stopped and looked in your faces,

and I realized, "Oh, my God, what have I done?"

I wasn't protecting my family.

I was ruining it.

I think you're being too hard on yourself.

[scoffing]

Okay, maybe just a little too hard.

Tomorrow I am going to get up, and I'm going to put on my

tweediest outfit and stick a pipe in my mouth

and go out and visit some of my old journalist buddies.

Does that mean you're going to go job hunting?

Job or assignment or something.

All I know is that I have to go to work for a crusty old

alcoholic journalist and not work for Abby Ewing

and Gregory Sumner and Peter Hollister and--

Oh! I'm glad to hear that.

Whoo! The old boy is back.

Listen, Mack just pulled in, and I want to talk to him.

-I'll be in in a minute, okay? -Okay.

[peaceful guitar music plays]

[Ben] Mack!

-What's up? -Work, maybe.

Oh, yeah?

Reporting, writing, you know, doing what I do best.

-Great. -Won't know till tomorrow.

Listen, if I do get the assignment, I may have to leave

the country for a few days, maybe even a week or so.

And what with the family's been through lately...

Hey, take the job, go. Don't worry about them.

-I'll keep an eye on them. -You will?

Yeah. Morning, noon and night, I'll watch them.

I gotta get inside. Don't worry about that.

Good luck on your interview.

[phone ringing]

I thought you turned those off.

I thought I did too. Hmm.

[romantic music plays]

[phone ringing continues]

[sighing] Before this spoils the mood,

I will answer it.

-Hello? -Jill.

-Hi. -Did you get the letter yet?

No, I haven't received the file back yet.

But when I do, I will make you a copy and send you one.

Bye-bye.

Work.

[knocking]

[knocking continues]

Good evening.

Did, uh, Gary get the letter yet?

No, not yet.

Well, you're going to have to work fast if you

want to get it before he does.

I'm working on it.

Need any help?

If I do, I'll let you know.

What are you doing here?

Well, I decided maybe I, uh, overreacted about Olivia.

You were probably right.

It was nothing more than a schoolgirl crush.

And I thought you might need some company.

To help you relax.

What with all the, uh, tension in your life.

[slow melodramatic music plays]

Relaxed?

Uh-huh.

I, um...

I've heard a rumor going around that, uh,

you and Paige have set a wedding date.

Where'd you hear that?

Around.

She's not a bad catch.

Pretty, rich, from a good family.

All the right things politically for the young senator.

I'm not in love with her.

Oh. Pity.

There's only one woman I want to marry.

And you know it.

-Come on, Peter. -I mean it.

How would that look for the senator?

Older woman, twice married.

Why me?

I don't give a hoot about image.

How reckless.

You're the only woman I've ever wanted.

No one else.

What about the rumor?

I can put a stop to it.

Tell Paige to take a hike.

You'd do that?

If you marry me.

Tell Paige to take a hike.

[birds chirping]

[gentle music plays]

[Val] You're serious, aren't you?

About looking for a job?

About looking tweedy.

You used to like it.

-I still do. -[Ben chuckling]

Ooh! It itches. [giggling]

Where to first?

Oh, every city editor, every foreign desk,

every wire service, every magazine, every journal in town.

You know, with print journalism in the shape it's in,

I'll probably be back by lunch.

Oh. Well...

-Knock 'em dead. -Watch me.

Go.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Are Mack and Karen up?

Yeah, they got up early and went jogging.

Oh. When do you expect them back?

I don't know.

Michael.

I'd really like for us to be friends.

Although it didn't work out between us,

I-I really enjoyed being with you.

-Thanks. -[Paige] I mean it.

Part of it was because of Peter.

-I know. -[Paige] No, you don't know.

It's not just a thing.

We're getting married.

-When? -Well, I don't know exactly.

But I hope soon.

Well, I guess congratulations are in order.

Well, thank you. And be happy for me.

All right, I've got a million things to do. I've got to run.

-But, uh, well, I'll see you later, okay? -Okay.

-Bye. -Bye.

[sighing]

[engine roaring]

[file grating]

Here you go, Jim. Thanks a lot.

-Ben, how are you? -Good.

-Do you have a minute? -Sure.

Uh, I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you? For what?

For backing away from your involvement with the kids.

I kind of didn't have much choice.

Oh, yeah, you did. You had a choice,

and you stepped aside so that I could be their father.

Well, I did it for the twins' sake.

You put their interests ahead of yours,

and I really appreciate that.

I know it was hard for you, and I just want you to know that

it's made me feel a lot more secure.

Secure?

You know, it's kind of nice to know that there's, uh,

somebody that feels responsible enough for

your kids to take over.

I mean, that's the kind of insurance that money can't buy.

And I want to thank you.

Yeah, you're welcome.

Uh, Ben.

What's going on?

Oh, nothing. Thank you.

-Ooh! -[Mack] It's getting cold.

Tell you what.

Suppose I start one of those old-fashioned breakfasts.

-What do you say? -Sounds great! -I've already eaten.

I bet I can tempt you into my fabulous blueberry pancakes.

-I don't think so. -Why not?

You take a shower first, and by that time I'll have everything

laid out on the table, and you can change your mind.

-Paige is moving out. -What?

-Did you see her this morning? -Yeah. She just left.

I wanted to talk to her.

Yeah, well, she says she has a lot of errands to run.

She's getting married! To Peter Hollister.

[melodramatic music plays]

Good afternoon.

Come on, it's lunchtime, and I'm buying.

Now, you bring your date book?

What for?

Well, we have to make a date, silly.

I think you're rushing things.

Peter, it takes months of preparations to plan a big wedding.

It also takes two to agree.

Aww, poor Peter. Are you feeling pressured?

Paige.

I don't want to marry you.

-But I thought-- -You thought? You wanted.

And you're so spoiled, you think that wanting something

automatically makes it yours.

I didn't realize that I was pushing you.

Look, we don't have to move so fast--

I don't want to move at all!

Look, I don't understand what you're doing.

Paige...

Take a hike.

Simple enough for you?

[cheerful music plays]

[Val singing] Ride a horse to Boston to get a loaf of bread.

[giggling]

Ride a horse home again. Now the horse is dead!

I'm home! [blowing noisemaker]

-Look at this! Daddy's home! -Yes, he is.

[Val] What is this? Is this a celebration?

-Could be. -Oh!

No, no, no, no, no. That's living room food.

Oh, well, I'll get the drinks anyway.

-You've got a job? -I've got an assignment.

[squealing with joy] Is it a good one?

It's an assignment, but that's not the important thing.

The important thing is this is the end of the craziness.

There's no more paranoia, no more temper tantrums.

It's a brand-new me.

-No, it's the old you, now, welcome-- -[noisemaker squeaking]

[laughing] Stop it!

-Welcome home. -[Ben] You bet.

[crickets chirping]

[phone ringing]

-Hello? -Jill, did you get the letter?

-Yes. -[sighing with relief] Great!

Thank you, thank you.

Big sister, I owe you one.

I won't forget this.

Peter, this is the last time I'm covering for you.

Do you understand? This is the last time!

[melodramatic music plays]

-Hi. -Hi.

How are you?

-I've been better. -Yeah?

-Want to dance? -Yeah.

Oh, why did I ever take a computer class?

It'll be a breeze once you learn it.

I had a hard time at first, too.

Remember to read the screen.

[doorbell ringing]

Just keep trying it. You'll get it.

-Hi. -[Abby] Hi.

Is everything all right with Olivia?

Yes, she's fine.

Well, maybe I can see you later tonight.

No, not tonight.

I told Paige to take that hike.

Oh, Peter, how brave.

I thought that would make you happy.

Oh, but I'm sure it made Paige very unhappy.

I know she cares a great deal for you.

She was...

[sighing]...making plans for our wedding.

Oh... She must be so hurt.

I-I don't care.

I know.

Just the way you didn't care about Olivia's feelings.

[melodramatic music plays]

So now you can take a hike.

You know, you never asked me where I'm going.

Well...

I figured you'd get around to telling me.

South America.

It's South America, not Central America.

I'm not going to El Salvador or Guatemala,

so it won't be like last time.

I'm chasing after an ex-Sandinista trying to get an interview.

If he's still in Chile or...

Maybe Ecuador or Peru.

It's okay, Ben.

What?

It's okay.

I can't say I like your going away.

Because I don't.

I don't like the time apart.

Of course, I worry about the danger.

But I understand that...

This is what you do.

It's who you are.

And since I happen to love who you are...

-I love you. -I know you do.

-[Mack sighing] -Well, what is it?

I'm having a...

a hard time telling you this,

probably because, um...

I'm finding it tough to accept myself.

It's about Anne, your mother.

Well, I know. Karen told me she left.

We'll hear from her eventually.

I'm not your father.

What?

Anne told me that...

That Greg Sumner is your father.

-Do you believe her? -I don't know.

[Karen] Your mother was...

Well, maybe she was seeing Greg when...

She was dating Mack.

Does Sumner know anything about this?

Yeah, I...

Yeah, I went to him as soon as I heard.

He denies it.

[emotional music plays]

We can't believe Mother.

She just said it to be vindictive.

[Karen] We hope so, honey.

Because...

Well, you've been dating Peter Hollister.

They're brothers.

Are you aware of what that could mean?

He must have found out, too.

Who?

Peter.

He must have known.

That's why he refused to marry me.

[exhales sharply]

[sobbing]

[birds chirping]

[gentle music plays]

-They still asleep? -Mm-hmm.

-Say goodbye for Daddy. -I will.

Call me.

Every night at 9 o'clock.

Every night at 9 o'clock. I'll be waiting.

[Ben] Love you.

[engine starting]

You call me.

[theme music plays]