Army Wives

Claudia Joy is floating in water. In a voiceover, she says, "To rejoin life is to accept what's happened. But I can't accept it. I can't move forward. I can't turn back. So, I hold my breath living in a suspended state of existence."

Trevor is in Iraq. He sets his rifle down and gets out a pen and paper. In a voiceover, he says, "Well, what do you do when you're told no mail can go out for a week due to security concerns? You get out a pen and paper anyway. Dear Roxy, I'm here; and by the time you get this letter, I might be somewhere else. But right now, Iraq has got to be the driest place on earth."

Trevor is drinking water and pouring it on his head. He offers the bottle to a fellow soldier.

Trevor's voiceover continues. "Baby, there's no preparing for this. No books. No pictures. No training. Just the reality."

The rain wakes Roxy up. She gets out of bed to close the window.

Trevor's voiceover continues. "It makes me wonder sometimes if you'd be better off if I never brought you into this crazy life."

Claudia Joy's voiceover continues. "Everything that was familiar is now unfamiliar. What's light is now dark. And the world is a vast and unfriendly place."

We are shown various shots in Iraq. Trevor's voiceover continues. "Death is everywhere here – in what you smell, hear, see, feel. And somehow you're just supposed to put it all away. Forget you saw it. Move on. Is this hell?"

Roxy closes the window.

Claudia Joy's voiceover continues. "Or is hell never to live again?" Claudia Joy sits up in the bathtub.

Joan and Roland are having breakfast. As she pours more juice, Roland steals the toast from her plate. When Joan looks up and notices Roland staring at her, smiling. She asks, "What?" He tells her she glows. Joan doesn't believe him. Roland says, "It's true. It's just like they say – pregnant women glow." Joan replies, "What they don't say is that your breasts feel like someone pounded them with a meat tenderizer!" Roland says, "Which is only slightly less poetic!"

Roland asks Joan if she has a doctor's appointment coming up soon. She says she does. She knows they need to talk about the pregnancy; however, she avoids the issue by changing the subject to Roland stealing her toast. Joan comments on the fact that they've been in 'perfect marital bliss' for the past three weeks and she doesn't want anything to jeopardize it. Roland tells her they will not. Roland does not want to beat around the bush. They need to get right down to the meat of things.

Joan begins. She asks Roland about Northwestern. She wants to know what his plans are. He tells Joan he called them and declined their offer. When asked why, Roland said it was because his wife said she wants him. He claims they understood completely. Roland says he's trying to get his old job back at Mercer (Army Hospital), but has run into a few glitches. Joan says, "Uh, like crutches and recent recovery from a bomb blast?" Roland says it's something like that.
Roland's turn now. He gets right to the heart of it. He asks if she wants to keep the baby. Answering honestly, she tells Roland she doesn't know. She knows he wants to. Roland wants the baby more now than ever in light of the current events. Joan understands that. She tells Roland it may sound selfish, but she is on the fast track and she does not want to lose the momentum. Roland tells her she is looking at it wrong. He says rather than considering the baby to be a detriment, she should consider the baby as another member on her team.

At the Moran residence, Pamela is brushing her teeth. Katie and Lucas are fighting, calling each other names and saying they hate each other. Pamela hollers at them, "No haters! And no unmade beds and no clothes on the floor and get out here and put your pajamas in the hamper like civilized human beings!" Lucas tells her that he found dirty underwear under his bed. He asks if she wants that, too. Pamela says, "That would be lovely." Lucas throws the underwear, but misses. Pamela has to pick it up and put it in the hamper for him. She goes back to the bathroom to finish up. As she closes the medicine cabinet, she sees Chase in the mirror.

Pamela and the kids run over to greet him. Chase hugs and kisses Pamela. He apologizes for not being able to get home sooner. Pamela backs up when she realizes the kids are late for school and have not had breakfast yet. She sends them to the kitchen for cereal. After the kids leave, Chase says he knows about the bombing, C.I.D., everything. Chase tells her it must have been hell for her. It was. He says he's there now. Pamela knows. She says, "But I needed you then and I couldn't even call you." Pamela backs away telling Chase she has to get the kids to school and go to the PX.

At the Holden residence, Claudia Joy is getting plates out for breakfast. Without thinking, she sets four plates. Michael comes in and sees this. He takes the fourth plate from her. Claudia Joy questions why she had grabbed the extra plate. She knows Amanda is gone. Michael tells her they will get through this – they have to. He says they have to be strong.

At the PX, Roxy and Pamela are talking. Pamela asks Roxy if she has heard from Trevor. Roxy says not yet. She hasn't told him about the bombing or Amanda's funeral. No phone calls. No e-mails. She tells Pamela, "I'm lonelier married to him than when I was single." Pamela tells Roxy Chase is home. Roxy asks if she's high. Pamela says, "No, I'm pissed! Trevor will call you and write you. When Chase is gone, he's just gone. And this time, my kids were scared and they wanted their dad and he just shows up when he feels like it!" Roxy says it's his job.

Denise, Claudia Joy and Emmalin are at the PX. Emmalin goes to get a shopping cart. Denise asks Claudia Joy if she's sure she's up for this trip to the PX. Claudia Joy says she has too much to do – return phone calls, thank you notes to write, forms to fill out, etc. Denise offers to help and attempts to put her arm around Claudia Joy, but Claudia Joy shrugs it off. Emmalin has the cart. She volunteers to push it. Claudia Joy puts her purse in it, takes the cart from Emmalin and snaps, "I can push a cart!" Shocked, Emmalin just looks at Claudia Joy. Neither Denise nor Emmalin say a word and fall in behind Claudia Joy.

In the PX, a woman greets them and asks to see their IDs. Denise and Emmalin get theirs out and show them to her. Claudia Joy is rifling through her wallet, but cannot find hers. The woman tells her it's ok because she knows whom Claudia Joy is. The woman offers her condolences. Claudia Joy thanks her. As they shop, Denise tells Claudia Joy that she, Pamela and Roxy are putting together a cooking and cleaning schedule. Claudia Joy tells her it's unnecessary. Denise says, "Before you fight me on this, I think you should know that the FRG is threatening to put together a Holden Family Team. So, who do you want in your house all day, us or them?" Claudia Joy sighs, "Point well taken." Claudia Joy is looking for thank you cards, but only sees a few. Denise offers to get someone to help them. Claudia Joy's hand shakes as she looks at the card she is holding. Denise returns with Ashley, a customer service representative. Claudia Joy asks about the thank you cards. Ashley tells her they will receive more with the next shipment. Ashley says it will arrive next week. Beginning to panic, Claudia Joy says, "Next week? That's not soon enough! Too much time has already gone by since…Uh…People have been so kind and I need some thank you cards to…" Claudia Joy looks around frantically and asks where Emmalin is. Denise doesn't know, she says that she was jus there. Claudia Joy elevates to a full-blown panic attack. She races around the PX calling out for Emmalin. She finds her a few aisles over. She grabs Emmalin and demands to know why she didn't answer her. Emmalin asks Claudia Joy to let her go because she was hurting her. Many people, including Roxy and Pamela, witness Claudia Joy's panic attack. Denise puts her arm around Claudia Joy and then escorts her home.

In Iraq, Trevor's voiceover continues. "No matter what I do, I can't get any rest - mostly because of the mortars. Sometimes, just because. But worse than not sleeping, is not being able to dream of you. That's the only thing that keeps me going. Knowing that one day it will be over – that one day I'll wake up back with you and the boys. And all this is just temporary." Trevor has a flashback to the day he left and the sadness they all felt.

Roxy, TJ and Finn are visiting Betty. Roxy says the boys picked flowers for her because they might cheer her up. Betty tells her only if they are cancer-curing flowers. Roxy reminds her she has Stage 1 cancer, not Stage 4. She's in the hospital because of the bombing, not because she has breast cancer. Betty tells her she's unemployed, uninsured and probably terminal. She wants to know what the point is if she can't be negative now. TJ and Finn are messing around with a monitor when something starts beeping. Betty hollers at the boys, "Hey! Watch it! Pull the wrong plug and I'll die!" Roxy tells the boys that they just received their first warning. They go to the other side of the room. Roxy wants to know when Betty will be leaving the hospital. Betty tells her it will probably be in a couple of days. Roxy thinks it's too soon. Betty says she's not getting out of the hospital – she's just getting out of this hospital. Betty explains she's not Army so she can't stay. She will be transferred to County Hospital along with the other civilians. Roxy doesn't like that. Betty tells Roxy that Betty's not her problem. The boys start fighting. This upsets Betty. She says, "There is your problem! Two boys who are about to lose their heads!" Roxy tells the boys Betty doesn't mean it. She's a little cranky because she doesn't feel well. Betty says, "Bull. I always hated kids!"

Roxy runs into Roland and Joan as they head to Joan's doctor appointment. She calls Roland by his name and starts to say 'Joan' but catches herself and calls her 'Colonel'. Roxy asks Joan how far along she is and if she's 'puking her guts out' yet. Upset, Joan looks at Roland, "You told her?" Roland starts to say something but Joan storms off. Roxy tries telling Joan she won't tell anyone. Roxy turns to Roland. He tells her it's ok and chases after Joan. When Roland catches up to Joan, she asks if they all know. She says, "Why would you do that, Roland? You have compromised my position with the Army!" Roland tries telling her no one will say anything. She tells him it's her responsibility to tell her superior about her pregnancy. She says she's not sure she will keep the baby. It has gone from a personal issue to official business. Joan walks away.

In the exam room, the doctor tells Joan she's 11 weeks along. She is surprised Joan hasn't come in sooner. Joan says the pregnancy was a surprise. They weren't trying. She tells the doctor she took the test a few days before the bombing and the bombing pretty much took over their lives. Joan confirms she's still in the first trimester. The doctor tells them once the heart starts beating; the odds for a successful pregnancy are much greater. They get to listen to the baby's heartbeat. This brings a gigantic smile to Roland's face! Joan's face reveals her conflicting emotions.

At the Holden residence, Claudia Joy is in bed resting. Denise comes in carrying a tray with tea. Denise asks how she's feeling. Claudia Joy says she's better, and then asks where Michael is. She's told Michael is still at work and Emmalin is in her room. Claudia Joy reminisces about all the F.R.G. calls she and Denise have gone on. She says they used to leave thinking that they had said just the right thing to make the widow feel better. Denise tells Claudia Joy she feels very inept with her. She thinks everything she says sounds silly or wrong. Denise misses Amanda, too. Claudia Joy just lies there holding her tea and looking at Denise. An awkward silence ensues. Denise asks Claudia Joy if she's warm enough. Before she can answer, Roxy comes in the room telling them she just clocked in downstairs. Denise says she's going to leave. Claudia Joy tells Denise that she does say and do the right things. She asks if Denise would check on Emmalin before she leaves. Denise says she will.

At the headquarters building, Lieutenant Colonel Burton is waiting to give Brigadier General Holden a budgetary meeting report. She assumed he wanted her to cover it when he left early. He did. Brigadier General Holden tells Lieutenant Colonel Burton he appreciates her picking up the slack while he was on bereavement. She tells him it was an honor and he should not feel compelled to rush back. He says it helps to keep busy. He asks if there is something else going on – something he should know about. Apprehensively, Lieutenant Colonel Burton says, "Sir?" Brigadier General Holden tells her she has her beret in hand and asks where she's going. Relieved, she says she's going to talk to the 412th on issues of security. He tells her to see him afterward because they have a lot of work ahead of them. She watches as he walks away. A soldier comes in and tells her she should hurry because it looks like rain. Joan puts on her beret and steps outside.

Over at the Holden residence, Claudia Joy and Pamela Moran are sitting on the front porch swing talking about Claudia Joy's panic attack. Pamela tells her it's ok. She says who cares that it happened at the PX! Her heart is broken. Claudia Joy asks Pamela whom she lost. Pamela says she lost her brother. He was seven. Pamela was fifteen. They were buying Twinkies at the gas station. The bullet was meant for the clerk, but hit her brother instead. Claudia Joy says, "He was so young." Pamela says, "And the dying is hard enough. But when it happens out of order like – like that…" Claudia Joy asks, "What do you do? How do you get past it?" Pamela tells her, "There are no shortcuts. You never get over it. You just learn to live with it. But, you have love in your life. Use it."

Later that night, Michael is on his way to bed when he notices the light on and door open in Amanda's room. He walks over and pushes the door open wider. Claudia Joy is sitting at Amanda's vanity table holding her brush and thinking. Michael asks if she's all right. Claudia Joy tells him not really. Michael tells her it probably isn't a good idea for her to be in there with all the reminders. Claudia Joy says she wants to be in there. She talks about knowing Michael wants her to be strong, having to be strong for her husband and child. Michael says that isn't what he meant. Claudia Joy asks, "Why are we trying to be strong? I mean, at the end of the day, what does being strong get you?" Michael tells her he heard what had happened at the PX.

Claudia Joy angrily says, "Yeah. Breaking down in public is just not gonna do it for the General's wife, is it?" Michael, equally upset, says, "Damn it, Claudia Joy! That's – I don't care about that! They said you had a panic attack." Claudia Joy yells, "I didn't have a panic attack, Michael! My daughter just died!" Michael says, "OUR daughter. And I know that because I was standing there. I stood there by her bed and I watched our little girl die. AND THERE WASN'T A DAMN THING I COULD DO ABOUT IT!" Emmalin comes in the room crying. She tells them to stop fighting. She says, "It is bad enough as it is and you're just making everything worse." She leaves. Michael and Claudia Joy say nothing. Michael takes a deep breath and leaves. Claudia Joy reaches out to him, but he just walks away.

The next morning, Emmalin is sitting at the counter in the kitchen. Claudia Joy comes in and sits down next to her. She reaches over to touch Emmalin. Emmalin backs away. Claudia Joy apologizes for the night before. She tells her it must be confusing for her. Michael walks into the room. Emmalin tells Claudia Joy she knows she's having a hard time. She asks Claudia Joy if Denise would let her stay there for a few days. This surprises both Michael and Claudia Joy. Michael asks Emmalin why she wants to stay with Denise. Emmalin says it's so that the two of them to can work things out. It's too hard for her to be at home. She tells them she needs a break, too.

At the Burton home, Joan is looking at herself in her full-length mirror. She's looking at her stomach. She grabs a pillow and stuffs it into her t-shirt. She looks at her side profile. Joan puts on her camouflage blouse. She checks out her side profile again. She faces front and starts to salute her reflection. Feeling foolish, she waves it off, takes the pillow out, and then leaves for work.

In Iraq, Trevor is watching as a deceased soldier is being covered. A sergeant asks if it is his first time seeing casualties. Trevor says yes. He tells the sergeant he had just met the deceased soldier the day before. The sergeant says, "Specialist, this is your life now. Remember your training. Stay focused. That's how you get through this."

Brigadier General Holden and Lieutenant Colonel Burton are walking out of the headquarters building. Joan tells Michael she needs to brief him on a personal matter. She tells him she's pregnant. Michael looks at her for a couple of seconds. He congratulates her, telling her it's 'fantastic' news. Michael says, "You're having a child. Nothing like it. Nothing." Joan thanks him, especially with what he is currently going through. Michael tells her, "And I'd do it again in a heartbeat even if I knew this was gonna be the outcome." He asks what her due date is because he needs to begin interviewing candidates for her temporary replacement while she's on maternity leave. He says not to worry; her job will be waiting for her when she returns. Joan says it's good to know. Then, she drops a bombshell. She says, "This is hard to say under the circumstances, but, Sir, I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it." Stunned, Michael asks, "You're not going to keep it?" Joan tells him she doesn't think so.

At the hospital, Roxy walks up to Denise and tells her she needs to help Betty. Denise says she thought Betty was getting better. Roxy says she is and that's the problem. Betty is being transferred to County Hospital. Roxy went to see the hospital. She tells Denise that Betty will get worse there. Roxy says, "She's already half way down the road to Who Gives A Damn." Military policy dictates Betty can only stay until she is healthy enough to be transferred. Roxy thinks it's ridiculous. She asks who would be able to make an exception. Denise says the hospital administrator, but it would be unlikely. Roxy tells her that's perfect, thanks her and leaves.

At the Moran home, Katie and Lucas are running around. Chase is sitting in a chair drinking a beer and watching television. Pamela has just gotten home. Chase asks where she's been. Pamela tells him she was at the Holden's. Chase asks how they are doing. Pamela says horrible because their family has been torn apart. She asks Chase if the kids have had their baths. Chase says they were going to. Pamela cuts him off and tells him she'll take care of it. Chase asks if she's going to ignore him all day. Pamela says she has a lot to do – because he isn't around to help her. Chase tells her their conversation is going nowhere. Pamela apologizes, says she'll put the kids to bed, and then they'll talk.

Over at the Burton residence, Joan is sitting at the table, working on her laptop. Right before Roland walks through the door, Joan vomits into a trashcan. Roland comes in apologizing for being late and tells her he brought take out for dinner. Joan says, "I've already had dinner – it's in the trashcan!" Roland says, "I see." He sets the food on the table next to Joan. Joan puts her hand up, turns her head away saying, "Oh Baby, whatever that is, it's – it's not welcome here!" Roland quickly grabs the food and sets it outside. He asks if she's ok now. She replies, "My body's being invaded. I'm no longer a person. I'm a host!" Roland asks if peanut butter and jelly are still safe. She tells him they are about to find out. Joan apologizes for getting so angry with him earlier. He tells her she had every right to be and he was out of line for saying anything. He says they're his friends and they will not betray his trust. Joan tells Roland she told Brigadier General Holden she was pregnant because she couldn't risk him finding out from someone else. Roland does not want Joan to feel forced into keeping the baby. Joan is worried Roland will leave her if she does not keep the baby. Roland pauses before answering. He has thought about it – how he would feel if she didn't keep the baby. He tells her the past few weeks have been better than he could have ever anticipated. He says, "And, as much as I want to be a father, as much as I want to have a baby with you, I don't want to lose what we have, either. So, regardless of your decision, I'm not going anywhere." Joan is visibly relieved.

Chase and Pamela are getting ready for bed. Chase walks up behind Pamela and starts kissing her neck. He asks if she's still mad at him. Unconvincingly, she says she is. Chase tells her she knows he has to leave, but he always comes back to her. While he kisses her neck and caresses her arms, Pamela says, "We need to do this better." Chase says, "It helps when your partner is a little more responsive, you know." Pamela laughs and tells Chase they do that very well. Pamela says, "And that's part of the problem. That's not all we are. We're a family. And we need to be a family when you're gone, too." Pamela talks about the Hump Bar bombing, Marilyn and Amanda dying and says he has no idea what she went through. Chase tells her she has no idea what he went through. Pamela looks at him, questioningly. He says, "We got word right after the Hump Bar explosion. And they told me your car was there, but the preliminary list of the dead wasn't complete, yet. And, for the first time, I thought, Pamela, uh, God, is this what you go through all the time – this not knowing? I am used to you not being able to call me. I control that time line. But, I am not at all comfortable with not being able to call you. I was terrified. So, you are not alone in this, Pamela. As much as you think you are, you're not." Pamela says nothing. She just starts kissing him.

At the hospital, Roxy knocks on the Hospital Administrator's door. She tells Colonel Conley she has a 'kind of' hospital emergency and she was told he was the one who is able to help her. Colonel Conley tells her he's in the middle of a meeting with his staff. Roxy looks at them and says, "Hello, Staff. This will take just a minute. See, here's the thing. There's this lady downstairs and she means the world to me and you're about to ship her out because she's not Army." Colonel Conley wants to know why the civilian is in his hospital. Roxy tells him it is Betty Camden, owner of the Hump Bar. Colonel Conley says they have to follow protocol if she's medically stable now. He tells Roxy that there's no way they can continue civilian care at Army expense. Roxy says, "Y'all keep saying she's not Army, but her business, her home and her heart's been destroyed by one of our own. That means the Army. So, we got to make it right." Colonel Conley lets out a sigh.

Emmalin and Claudia Joy have just arrived at Denise's house. Emmalin goes into the house. Denise and Claudia Joy remain outside to talk. Denise tells Claudia Joy she'll bring Emmalin home if it's too hard. Claudia Joy wants it to be Emmalin's decision. She can't be there for right now, but Denise can. Claudia Joy tells Denise she's very lucky to have her and thanks her. Denise says, "Claudia Joy, we're the lucky ones. We've always relied on you. It's your strength that kept us together. I know you, Claudia Joy. You're not very good at letting other people be there for you. So, if you can, just – just let us help you now." Claudia Joy nods her head, but cannot say anything because she is holding back tears.

In Iraq, Trevor is playing cards with three other soldiers. Trevor's voiceover continues. "Despite it all, I'm surrounded by friends here. Good people who have my back. Feels like I've known some of them for years, even though we just met. But that doesn't mean I don't miss you, because I miss you so much."

Claudia Joy is at the cemetery. She is standing before Amanda's headstone. The headstone reads, "Amanda Joy Holden 1990-2008 We had the world, when we had you." Claudia Joy looks down, fighting her tears. She kneels as if trying to be closer to Amanda.

Denise and Emmalin are walking and talking. Emmalin asks Denise if she thinks she looks like Amanda. She tells Denise she sometimes thinks she does and that it makes it hard for Claudia Joy. Denise tells Emmalin her mother loves her very much. Emmalin says Claudia Joy loved Amanda more and everyone knew that. Denise says, "That's not true, Emmalin. Don't ever think that! It's just not true!" Then, she wraps her arms around Emmalin, giving her a reassuring hug.

At the Moran home, Pamela has just gotten home. When she walks through the door, she sees the house straightened up and Katie and Lucas sitting at the table. The look on her face says she thinks she has entered the wrong house! She asks the kids what's going on. Lucas says, "Dinner." Chase comes into view, stirring something in a pan, tells her to have a seat, dinner is almost ready. He claims he is a man of many skills. Pamela walks over to the table. Lucas gets up and pulls her chair out for her. Pamela sits down. Chase brings out the plates and sets them in front of everyone. Pamela comments that everything looks fantastic. Katie says, "It's like real food, Mommy!" Pamela laughs and tells her not to ruin it with insults. After Chase sits down, they join hands to say Grace. Pamela says, "Thank you for this multi-colored food. Thank you for my gorgeous husband and our amazing kids. Thank you for this love."

At the Sherwood home, Denise is preparing for bed. The phone rings. It's Frank. Denise says it's good to hear his voice and she misses him. Frank says the whole battalion was out of range. Denise asks if Trevor has been with him. Frank asks, "LeBlanc?" Denise confirms. She tells him Roxy is desperate to talk to Trevor. Frank will see what he can do. Frank tells Denise he's been very worried about her. He asks how the Holden's are holding up. They're doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. She tells him Emmalin is staying at their house for a few days. Denise wants to know what she can do to make this better for them. Frank tells her to do what she always does – love them. Frank asks how Jeremy is taking it. Denise says, "Hard. He loved Amanda so much." Denise tells Frank Jeremy has returned to Fort Benning because his emergency leave was up. Frank says it's tearing him up knowing Jeremy has to carry all that around while he's in Basic Training. Frank wishes he were home so he could help Jeremy get through this. Denise wishes he were there, too. Frank has to go. He says, "You know I love you, D." Denise says she loves him more. Frank hangs up the phone and rests his head in his hand. Denise holds the phone to her heart and looks up toward Heaven.

The next morning, Joan is at the hospital. She's in a hospital gown. Her doctor comes in and asks if she's ready to do this. She asks if Roland would be joining them. Joan tells her he will not be. The doctor puts on gloves. Joan is holding her dog tags. She takes a deep breath, squeezes the dog tags and leans back

In Iraq, Trevor is sitting on the hood of a HumVee. He is looking at a picture of Roxy and the boys. He's feeling homesick and misses them a lot. Trevor's voiceover continues. "I think this letter's about full-up now. So, I'm sending it just as it is. I'm not going to re-read it because I don't want to polish any of the truth out of it, because you're brave, Roxy, braver than me in some ways. So I know you can handle it, even if it upsets you."

At home, TJ and Finn come running into the house yelling that they have a letter from Daddy. Roxy takes the envelope from them, gets the letter out and begins to read, "Dear Roxy, I sure do miss you and the boys. I hope you're all doing ok and that everyone's being good. Things aren't as bad as I thought they'd be here. Everyone has each other's back and once in awhile, we get to eat something that resembles food! As for the weather, I don't mind it. It never rains - none of that South Carolina humidity. Really, everything's ok here. It's just not home. I've been pretty busy but managed to pickup a souvenir!" Trevor takes over reading the letter in a voiceover, "Authentic Iraqi sand for our 'Sands of the World' collection. Let's hope the next time I have some to add to it will be when we are altogether in Hawaii."

Roxy walks into Betty's hospital room. She tells Betty she hopes she likes the view. Betty asks grumpily, what she's talking about. Roxy tells her she's not going to County because Roxy got another week. Betty asks Roxy what she did. Roxy says, "I took my shirt off." After the week is up, Betty will be moving in with Roxy and the boys. Betty replies, "The hell I am!" Roxy shushes her. She says it'll only be until Betty gets things figured out. Roxy claims she needs the company with Trevor gone. Betty asks what it's going to cost her. Roxy tells her half the rent and that it makes Roxy her landlord. Betty thought on-post housing is free. It is, but food isn't – especially since Roxy is unemployed. Betty contemplates for a moment, then says, "Half the rent, huh? Well, it's better than taking my shirt off!" Both women laugh at that.

Joan is sitting on her couch. Roland comes downstairs. She stands up and says, "I went to the doctor this morning to terminate the pregnancy." Roland looks at her, saying nothing. Joan continues, "But then I remembered you - your strength, your steadiness, and your love. One thing I do know is you will be a wonderful father. " She picks up the TV remote and plays a recording of her ultrasound – showing the baby and hearing the heartbeat. Joan smiles, "So, even if I'm no good at this, our baby will still have you." Roland, speechless, continues looking at their baby on TV while moving closer to Joan. He reaches for her hand. They stand very close together overwhelmed with emotion and just watch their baby.

Claudia Joy is gardening. She turns around and finds Emmalin standing there. Emmalin tells Claudia Joy she thought she could cry at the Sherwood's, but she couldn't. Claudia Joy draws Emmalin into her arms. Emmalin cries. She says she misses 'here' and she wants to come home. Claudia Joy just holds her tighter.

Later, Michael and Claudia Joy are in the kitchen getting things ready for dinner. Michael walks over and stands behind Claudia Joy. He wraps his arms around her and says, "Feels good having people over. It's not a cure, but it helps." Emmalin walks around the corner. She smiles when she sees that her parents have worked things out.

Seated at the Holden dining room table are Joan and Roland Burton, Pamela and Chase Moran, Roxy LeBlanc, Denise Sherwood, Michael, Claudia Joy, and Emmalin Holden. They are having dinner and enjoying quiet conversation. Claudia Joy picks up her water glass. She looks at the liquid inside, thinking. In a voiceover, she says, "I keep looking for you, Amanda. Everywhere. In every face, even though I know you're gone. Even though I know you can't come back. But I have to take one small step forward. I have to appreciate the new life I have here. I can picture you nodding in agreement, telling me it's going to be ok."