01x128 - Episode 128

[bunniefuu]

BILL:
This seat taken?

That depends.

Where is your persistent wife?

Persistent?

Like a rash, fever.

Infection. It was the nicest
word I could think of.

Well, to answer your question,
she's at home.

I had a meeting with a client.

Then you may join me.

You're, um...

practically glowing.

Like you returned from battle...

...victorious and unafraid.

It's my aftermath attire.

Yeah, I am well acquainted.

You know, we've gone to battle
together a time or two.

It was always more fun
when we were on the same team.

Two of us against the world.

Like we were
when Chelsea was missing.

What a relief--

we can put all that behind us
now and go back to normal.

All right,
a new iteration of normal.

We got our baby home again.

-God is good.
-Yeah, yeah, but...

You know, seeing Chelsea
like that, it's...

-I can't imagine
what it must've been like.
-Yeah.

Held hostage by that lunatic.

What she must've gone through,

not just physically,
but emotionally.

Yeah.

Well, whatever she needs,
we'll get it.

Hey.

Once she feels safe again,
she will regain her confidence,

and then she'll go back to
taking over the fashion world.

Now, you know
I threw down at breakfast,

and I don't cook
like that for everyone.

It smelled delicious.
I'm just not hungry yet.

You understand?

Of course.
There's no pressure from me.

Now, we get to go
to the fun part.

The semi-annual
wardrobe purge for charity.

-Now, Naomi...
-What?

I can't help that I have

a personal closet curator
of my own.

You know exactly what I should
keep and what should go.

And you know that
you don't need me for this,

but I appreciate
what you're doing.

Your heart's just
not in it, huh?

I'm sorry, I just feel off.

Like... like,
I can't shake the feeling

that something awful
is about to happen.

Healing from
a traumatic experience...

It takes time. I know, I know.

And, unfortunately,
there are no shortcuts.

So what do I do?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

You have a whole team of Duprees
here to hold you up

till you're back to yourself.

Or some new,
tougher version of me.

Whoever you are
at the end of all of this,

you'll always have us.

-How's Chelsea doing?
-The same.

I wish there was something I
could do to make things better.

But having Madison there,
so steady, reassuring...

Here's to the type of love
that doesn't need a filter.

Purely, simply there
for each other, no matter what.

Like us.

Challenging?

What fun would it be
if everything was easy?

Slaying dragons,
exploring new territories?

Sign me up.

When you're going
where no man has gone before...

Tomas.

...you got to be ready
for a few unexpected detours.

And I am definitely
enjoying the journey.

So am I.

I'm glad to hear you say that,

because I'm not giving up
on blowing your mind.

Been thinking of some moves,
some different scenarios.

You know,
I might even ask for a do-over.

Me losing my virginity
for a second time?

Yeah, I'm not sure
that's a thing.

Then we'll make it a thing.

Because when I find
that special combination

that makes you purr...

Mmm, my...

You're in trouble.

Wow. Could my timing
be any worse?

I am willing to bet it could.

But it's probably important.

-Right?
-And it really can't wait.

♪ ♪

Come on in.
Put your stuff wherever.

Nice place. This all yours?

Well, not entirely.

I work for my cousin's
purse company,

and this is our headquarters.

Guess you can say
it's my office.

Yeah. I've been seeing
your posts about that.

You're looking good.

You are not blushing.

No, I'm not.

Sure are doing a lot of smiling.

Uh, I'm... I'm just excited
about, you know,

getting a jump
on the English project.

It's that good girl fever.
I get it.

Got to be the first,
the best, the hottest.

I don't, I don't know
about all that.

I just... I don't know.
I thought that we should have

a little extra time
before school,

and since I knew
the office would be free...

Thought we should
get it started.

The-the project.

You got your projects and...

I've got mine.

Hey.

How are things in your rodeo?

You know how it is.
Once you get saddled up,

you just kind of
hold on tight, right?

We're figuring it out.

Well, Derek's lucky to have you.

You know, that's what
I keep trying to tell him.

So still no prognosis
or anything?

I know with injuries like his,
it's prob...

It's hard to know what
his future's gonna look like.

At least he has you there
to help out.

That must be
a really good feeling.

It is.

It's good to be there
for the people we care about.

Like how you were there for Dani
when Chelsea went missing.

She's lucky you were a free man.

What do you mean?

Just that if it wasn't for
our silly misunderstanding...

...you and I might've been
a couple right now.

If you'll just give me a minute,
I know you'll want to hear this.

What I want
is for you to disappear.

We were just talking about
how important family is, right?

And she's technically
part of that.

It's too much, Tomas.

She's right.
I shouldn't have interrupted.

Thanks for trying.

Seriously?

Okay, whatever. Spill it.

What intriguing bit of news
just cannot wait?

The floor is yours, drama queen.

Listen, something devastating
happened to you.

It's your choice
what you do next.

But that's the problem. I don't
even know what my options are.

But there's no rush, right?

Take your time.
You will figure it out.

I just hate
the not knowing part.

Yeah.

You've never been cool about

chilling out
in the cocoon phase.

You know, where everything's
gooey and shapeless.

You always wanted to burst out

as a fully formed butterfly
in your eye-popping glory.

Well, that's the thing.

I'm just not sure I'll be happy

being the center
of attention anymore.

But you're an influencer,
and a damn good one.

Yeah, and so good
that I attracted

the attention of a sociopath.

She's been out there
for years obsessing

over every detail of my life.

Naomi, she knew
what kind of food I liked.

She knew my shoe size.
I just want my privacy back.

I get it...

But?

But it just might be too soon

to make this big of a decision.

Try to be a cocoon
for a little while.

You know, see what comes out.

You could be a luna moth

or some kind of
k*ller butterfly, you know?

What if I just stay
a goo-filled pod,

unsure of what I'll become?

Well, then at least you won't
have to face a court case

depending on how
that woman pleads.

If I have to see her
in a courtroom...

I ran into her
at the police station.

You did? And what happened?

She asked me to be her attorney.

I mean, can you
even believe that?

Well, I hope you told her yes.

BILL:
I said what I said.

My daughters are my priority,
and they always have been.

Mm?

Okay, well, if Chelsea
wasn't aware before,

then she damn sure knows now.

-Unconditionally, unequivocally.
-That's right.

Mm-hmm. Mm.

Thought I'd have issue
with her loving

whomever she chooses to love.
Who does she think I am?

So you accept anyone?

Well, now, I-I never said that.

-Because if memory serves...
-Look, hell yes,

I opposed of those clowns
she brought around

in high school,
and I'd do it again.

But you do approve of Madison?

Well, I mean, yeah, you know.

I'd be a fool not to, you know?

I mean, she's the neurologist
responsible for my care

and healing after my stroke.

You know,
it's a no-brainer for me there.

You know, Madison's a genius,
and she's kind.

She clearly cares about Chelsea.

-She really does.
-Yeah.

You sure you don't want to do
a background check

on her family just to make sure
her father's up to par?

Come on now.
I'm not that elitist.

When Naomi started dating Jacob,
a lowly cop

walking the beat on the mean
streets of Chocolate City...

All right. Whatever. Okay. Now,
that was a long time ago, Dani.

-I was a different man.
-It wasn't until you found out

-his father was
chief of police that...
-Okay.

The point is,
I'm capable of change.

-Yes, you are.
-Yeah.

You, sir, held me together
through a crisis.

Well, old patterns die hard.

Good ones never do.

I guess it was fate.

When I thought you were lying
about breaking up with Dani.

ANDRE:
I wouldn't go that far.

ASHLEY:
I mean, if that
hadn't happened...

Then I'd be feeding you
breakfast in bed right now.

What? I can't even say it?

No, because if we had been
a couple right now

and Derek had his accident,
then he'd be all alone.

Oh, God, could you imagine

what that would've
been like for him?

Yeah, I'm sure it
would've been difficult.

Maybe everything really does
happen for a reason.

As awful as this has been,

you've been right there
by his side.

Yeah, we've reconnected in a way
I never thought was possible.

It reminded me why

I fell in love with him
in the first place.

See? Exactly.

-Yeah.
-Take Dani and me.

Being that shoulder for her

during Chelsea's whole ordeal,

it made us connect
on a deeper level, too.

Life has a funny way
of doing that.

-Yeah, I guess so.
-Yeah.

Yeah.

Hey, I hope Derek makes
a full recovery. I really do.

He has the golden nurse
on his side already.

Thank you, Andre.

We're taking it day by day.

You've inspired me, you know.

You've inspired me to look
outside of myself

and consider
the needs of others.

You make me want to be
a better person, Ashley Morgan.

You have completely changed
my perspective on life.

You've shown me there is
so much more to experience.

Yeah, um, well, maybe
I should get out of here.

Um...

I'll see you around.

I'll see you around.

Yeah.

If you'll talk
about Nella Larsen,

I'll do the part
about Zora Neale Hurston.

Cool, cool, cool. I wanted
to talk to you about that.

I haven't started
on the research yet.

Oh, well, here's my notes,

and, uh, I'll do the slideshow
for the both of us.

And, you know, just,
you can make changes,

but run them by me, of course.

Hold up, what's the due date?

Next Thursday.

Why does it sound like
you finished my part and yours?

I guess I just got carried away.

I mean, you know, they're both
such incredible writers,

and I couldn't choose, so...

But you can totally
make changes if you want.

Are you crazy?
I'm not changing a thing.

You're my secret weapon now.

I'll have to find some way
to show my appreciation

for you doing all the hard work.

It's no sweat, really.

I got it. Me and my brother,
we got this side hustle going.

Event planning.

Oh, wow, that sounds exciting.

Yeah, we rent a house,
do a cover charge,

get the refreshments popping.
It's hella exclusive.

That sounds so lit.

So, you got me thinking,
having a model on site,

and she's an actual Dupree?

That's next level. Iconic.

People are gonna be talking
about us for months.

You're just saying that.

Nah, for real.
You should come through,

and don't worry
about the cover charge.

I got you.

You really want me
to be at your party?

You will be the party.

Special guest. VIP treatment.

And it'll give us
a chance to hang out

in a different environment.

I'd like that.

Go ahead, Eva,

since you thought this was
the perfect time for an ambush.

What is so important?

I just wanted to say I'm sorry
that my mom's plan

to buy a house near your family
has created so much tension.

And what would she do without
you running interference?

Being her champion?

Maybe she will shrivel up
and blow away.

Then we can all get some peace.

Eva's trying to explain...

How she's sucking up to my dad

while doing her mom's bidding
at the same time?

Kat, you're not being fair.

At least I'm clear.

Two feet firmly planted

on not trusting anything
this one has to say.

Oh, my gosh. I have
apologized and apologized.

"Sorry" is not an eraser.

No amount of DNA
can erase what you did.

Forget this.
I don't even know why I try.

Oh, just like her mother.

Loves to play for an audience.

Wow, you've really locked in

on this whole mean girl era,
haven't you?

I was hoping
you were on this morning.

You are always at the top
of my list,

whether I'm working or not.

You look like
you got some good news.

Did things go well
in physical therapy?

About the same.

Loads of time to think
about how I'm the luckiest guy

in the world, though.

Yeah. Why is that?

I got you. Great hospital.

Anything's possible.

I used to think there was
no way I could love you more.

-Oh, stop.
-I mean it.

You're completely selfless.

You can look at
a total disaster like me

and not throw in the towel.

You are not a disaster, Derek.

It's just...

This accident has...

It's made me realize
what's important.

Me, too.

None of that
trivial stuff matters.

Sucks that it takes me
wiping out on a triathlon

for us to realize that.

Hey, but it brought us
back together.

Maybe even closer
than we were before, right?

Feels weird to call it
a blessing in disguise.

It was a revelation.

Mm.

There were some unexpected
silver linings, for sure.

Seems like we're evolving.

Mature, logical conversation
between exes.

[both laugh]

And that smile tells me
it's coming to an end.

What are you dying to say?

I get the feeling
that you are using me

to keep from going home.

Why would I do that?

I may or may not have
overheard you telling Hayley

to stay out of family business
when Chelsea was missing.

No, that was heat of the moment.

Hear me and hear me good.

Flowers are pretty.
Jewelry's forever.

Is it too early to drink?

I just had a flashback.

If it doesn't cost as much
as a week's salary...

BOTH:
The apology wasn't sincere.

Yeah. Yeah, I remember.

Still sends shockwaves
through my wallet.

Hey, you hurt a girl's feelings,

she's entitled to compensation.

And isn't jewelry
or a luxury vacation

a small price to pay
for peace everlasting?

-You're ruthless.
-I'm pragmatic.

No, you're a dangerous woman
is what you are.

What's up, man?
Uh, you're in my seat.

So you're the...

missing breakfast companion,
I presume?

Yeah, guilty as charged.

And Nicole recently
brought me up to speed.

Seems like I have a lot
to learn and process

about the women in my life.

Ooh, is that what I am?

Whatever makes you happy, Dani.

Look how well I've trained him.

Still avoiding an argument,

even when he doesn't
have to pay in rubies.

My private life
is no longer your business.

Oh, and yet you feel the need
to comment on mine?

I'm sorry. Um, am I
interrupting something?

-Actually, bro--
-Of course not.

We're finished here.

Bill's already had breakfast.

Right.

Always a pleasure.

Andre.

Okay, maybe it's time
we had the ex chat.

Do you believe in fate?

Or... do you think there are
other universes out there?

[Derek chuckles]

What is so funny?

You're asking me
about other worlds, and...

I still can't figure you out
in this one.

You really never think about it?

Middle of the night "what ifs"?

A-Ash, I-I don't think of
any other existence because...

...I don't want a world
without you in it.

That's why I do what I do.

Handle emergencies,
keep life safe.

For my one and only.

Your what?

Ashley...

...this is the only world
I care about,

because this...

it's where I know
we're together.

At least for a little while.

Uh... too much?

Never.

-I got to get back to work.
-Okay.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Why would you want me
to represent

the woman who kidnapped you?

Because you'd be making sure
she's going to prison for life.

You want me to intentionally
throw the case?

That's exactly why no judge
would ever allow that.

But what if she pleads insanity
and the judge agrees?

Then she'll be sent to a mental
facility, and given the charges,

she'll be there
for a very long time.

But as far
as your other concern...

other stalkers...

unfortunately, that's
the danger of being a woman

and walking the planet.

There are millions
of women right now

being stalked
and harassed online.

Happens to so many of us,
on and offline.

What can I do?

You can't go back to being
the person you were before,

but before you know it,

you'll be a whole new version
of yourself.

You'll have
a different perspective.

And I, for one,
cannot wait to meet her.

Yeah, me, either.

But if you're giving up on being
an influencer because of fear,

if you are turning your back
on the millions of people

who follow you
because you're scared...

...will that make you happier?

Safer?

I'd be giving Allison the power
over me that she wanted

and giving up on work that
is genuinely so important to me.

Exactly.

I'm not gonna pretend
that this didn't rock me,

but you're right.

That b*tch took all
she'll ever take from me.

My future has to be my decision.

And as far as my mean girl era,

remind me, which one
is the wrecking ball

and who's the one
standing in the rubble?

Okay, what can she do
to prove herself to you?

Emancipate herself.

But she won't.

Because they're one
and the same, so it's moot.

And when a pariah
becomes a parasite,

living not only off my family
but in our community,

on our street,
mooching off of my father...

-He's her father, too.
-Oh, my God, Tomas.

What is it about
little Evil Adjacent

that's turned you and my dad?

Do downtrodden women appeal
to your Captain Save-A-h*

instincts or something?

Come on. She's just looking
for a family, that's all.

Where are you going? We haven't
even finished breakfast.

You want to save the world,
and I applaud you,

but you're wasting
that empathy and care on someone

who helped to destroy my family.

-She is your family.
-Which makes it worse.

So take your pity
for that basic b*tch

and choke on it.

You're safe, probably.

What about you? Everything okay?

I'll be fine.
I do owe you an answer

about representing
your mother, though.

Are you serious?

If you took my mom on
as a client,

you'd be looking for another job

and another girlfriend
before sundown.

Okay? That girl does not play.

I don't know.
I do like a challenge.

She's fun. We get along,
you know.

Until you don't.

It's like as soon as something
doesn't go her way,

or she-she's not
in complete control...

What are you gonna do?

I don't know.

But people like us,
we're used to life lifing.

There's peaks and valleys
and you just got to learn

to roll with all of it.

We learn that lesson early on.

Can I just be real
with you for a second?

Of course.

Being with someone
who lets their triggers

turn them into
a whole nother person?

It kind of starts to wear on you
after a while.

So, it's settled,
you're coming to the party.

I am so glad that Dr. Babb made
us partners on this project.

Not surprised.

She probably thought your good
influence would rub off on me.

What if your bad influence

rubbed off on me?

Wonder how close
I got to get to, uh,

turn you into a bad girl.

Samantha,
you better start talking.

Aunt Kat,
it's not what it looks like.

It looks like you're entirely
out of your league,

and this boy needs to leave now.

♪ ♪

-Hey. Thanks for coming over.
-It sounded urgent.

-What is going on?
-Uh, it's Derek.

Versus Andre.

Did you just make me
drop everything at work

so we could debrief the boys?

Mom, I only have a short break.
I need you.

Go ahead.

Okay, so Andre and I
had this thing going,

and then I pushed him away

because we had
a misunderstanding.

-Okay.
-We got that clear

right as Derek had his accident,

which brought Derek and me
so much closer together,

and it's like I forgot

why we even broke up
in the first place.

I made a vow to myself
to be there for him.

But you still think about Andre.

Every time I'm with him,

something inside of me
comes alive.

It's electric,
like anything's possible.

I mean, should I be feeling
something like this?

You are hardly the first to have
butterflies over the edgy guy.

Am I being foolish?

I thought I was making
the right decision,

but now I'm not sure.

Help.

Talking about exes
before coffee?

What's to discuss?

So you want me to pretend that
I didn't just interrupt

something between
you and Bill, then?

We were discussing his desire
to be more present

in Chelsea and Naomi's lives.

Yeah. I see. So, co-parenting

your adult children
is challenging.

Interesting.

It is when the parents
are at each other's throats.

-The girls and I...
-You're tight.

We are,

and Bill doesn't want
to turn into

some fixture in the background.
That's it.

-Mmm.
-Now, your turn.

Which ex has inspired this talk?

I ran into Ashley.

Oh, she's been elevated
to an ex, even though

you were never more than
just friends. How precious.

She talked about Derek

and how she's been taking care
of him since he got injured.

He's a lucky guy.

Crazy how locked in
she is, though.

She doesn't know if Derek
will ever walk again or

what this does for her life, but
she's committed to being there.

Yeah. Crisis like that
can make you re-evaluate.

Establish new perspectives.

It's like you realize
how much your happiness

depends on the people
around you.

Yeah. It was a good talk.

I think we both
got some closure.

Talking.

It's so exhausting sometimes.

Yeah, breakfast is the most
overrated meal of the day.

Why are we still here, then?

[clears throat]

One man offers stability,

and the other
is the embodiment of the thrill.

No. Okay,
it's not just that, Mom.

Andre represents
the possibilities.

He makes me consider a future
I've never even imagined.

Well, what have you imagined?

Exactly what I have now.

For as long as I can remember,
Derek is everything

I thought I wanted.

You know, he's-he's dependable,

he's genuine, he's a great guy.

Mm-hmm.

Whose stories
could you listen to

a million times
and never get bored?

Who do you want
to have breakfast with

for the next 50 years?

And who can you trust
will hang on

even when the sun isn't out?

Mm.

Because when everything
goes pear-shaped,

and the landscape is nothing
like you expected...

And whose eyes always come home

to you

no matter how many sparkly
distractions swirl around?

You need a soft place to land.

And your guy...

is that guy.

A sure thing.

Versus potential that

sets my mind on fire.

It's a big decision.

What are you gonna do?

It must be Try Kat Day,
'cause what in the world

were you thinking
having a boy in here?

You betrayed our trust.

You gave me a key.

You said that I could come by
whenever I wanted.

To work, not to bring in
some random

who only has one thing
on his mind.

But nothing even happened.

It was, it was literally
just a kiss.

A kiss is not nothing.

I'm sorry, Aunt Kat, okay?

We were just working
on a project, I swear.

Okay? I'm sorry. I will never
even talk to a boy again.

Just please don't rat me out.

If you want to have
a friend over,

you need to do that at your
house with proper supervision.

I know. I just...

I wanted to spare him
the parental interrogation.

I couldn't even date
until recently,

even though all of my friends
have boyfriends.

You know how everybody gets.

Just... please, don't tell.

I won't say anything,
but I mean it.

This can never happen again,
okay?

And you need to come clean
to your dads on your own.

I promise.

I really like him, Aunt Kat,

and you just reminded me
of how Pop can get sometimes.

BILL:
There we go.

NAOMI:
Are you sure
you're comfortable, Dad?

Uh, yeah. Yeah.

Look, wherever
my brilliant daughters are,

that's where I'm happiest.

-Unless I'm in the way.
-No, Dad, you're not.

-You're not in the way.
-Okay.

You didn't have
to track us down.

I'm here, I'm safe,
and I love you.

Well, I love you, too,

but there's
no ulterior motive here.

I'm just checking on
both my girls.

So...

Uh... Naomi,
what's new in your life?

You know? Tell me everything.

Well, I've been busy
with the new case.

Uh, there's this
unhoused woman, June.

I've been helping her
get on her feet.

Oh, good for you.

But the kicker is,

she is Tyrell and Samantha's
biological mother.

-Wow.
-NAOMI: Yeah.

That's, um...

That's incredible.
Did you know about this?

I work with Samantha.

Meeting your mom isn't something
you really keep a secret.

That was a closed adoption.

Do Martin and Smitty
need a protective order,

like, yesterday?

I'm sure they can't be happy
about it.

Actually, the kids said they're
good with the status quo.

So, life goes on as normal.

Not ours.

Because from this moment on,
if it's important to you,

it's important to me, okay?

I don't want to miss
another thing from your lives.

Listen, I'm going to be
so involved

that you're gonna be
begging me for space.

Yeah?

Thanks for coming back.

I wasn't sure you were
gonna text me back.

Are you crazy?

I had to make sure
she didn't send you to juvie.

-You okay?
-Yeah, I'm fine.

I-- My aunt was having
a bad day. You know how it is.

Actually, no,

'cause I was having
a very good time with you.

Remind me what we were doing
before we got interrupted.

I've never had anyone who
stands up for me like you do.

It's admirable...

but you should stop.

What Kat fails to realize
is that,

if you weren't in Leslie's life,
keeping her in check,

they'd be in way more danger.

But your girl won't listen.

You deserve more credit
than you get.

You're a good person, Eva.

Kat doesn't see it...

but I do.

I really appreciate
you saying that.

Deserves to be said.

Well, um, I better go
find my dad.

Yeah, I'm glad
we ran into each other.

Me, too.

Good luck, and I hope
you and Kat work things out.

I was just about to buzz you.
You're never gonna believe this.

Hold that thought.
I don't mean to be rude,

but there's something I need to
say before I forget how it goes.

Okay...

When you first moved in,

I treated you
like an invasive species.

I wanted you to adapt to
my ecosystem, my way of living

the second you arrived,
which was totally unfair.

I should've been more welcoming
and-and patient

and we should've
figured out a way

to occupy the space together.

No one wants to live
with a Neanderthal,

no matter how handsome he is.

You joke, but....

everything always
leads me back to you.

I think I just
needed to remember that.

You are where I belong, Derek.

You're home.

What are you saying, Ashley?

We could build
a life together, Derek.

A beautiful, meaningful life

that is as solid
as you have always been.

That's what I want.

And you said that I was
your one and only, so...

I guess that brings me to just

one single question.

Don't you dare get on one knee.

Derek Baldwin...

...will you marry me?

[Derek breathes deeply]

♪ ♪

♪ I need deliverance♪

♪ If you want to come♪

♪ And set me free♪

♪ There's no forgiveness♪

♪ For the way
you're touching me♪

♪ I've been waiting♪

♪ My body's aching.♪

You still haven't told me
where we're going, lover boy.

Place A. Place B. Choose.

Okay, let's go with A.

ANDRE:
Vegas, baby.

-Life goes boom.
-We go boom.

And just now, it was...

it was like old times.

Like the man
I fell in love with.

But it's not enough, is it?

Never seen this side
of you before.

I like it.

Come on over here
and help me with this.

To knocking down that scheme
and praying that Leslie

hasn't already thought of
another idea to screw with us.

Wakey, wakey, Teddy Bear.