Episode 73 - The Morning After Christmas

Despite her exhaustion, Shayna awoke early on the Arrendale's couch. Not wanting to face Lawrence or his children in the early hours of the morning, she slipped out at the first sounds of stirring from upstairs.

As she walked home in her clothes from the night before, she felt like she was doing the walk of shame. Nothing had happened after Lawrence left her in the living room, but she knew how this must look. She hoped that it was still early enough that no one would see her leaving his house.

When she approached her driveway, she was glad to see that Amanda's car was gone. She wasn't entirely convinced that Ben hadn't taken the car and left Amanda behind, but she hoped that meant that Amanda was gone too.

After quietly letting herself into the house, she peeked into the guest room to find it empty before heading to the main bedroom. Andrew was asleep in their bed, thankfully alone, when she opened the door.

Episode 72 - Stay

Shayna had expected to leave her mother's house furious about being lied to, but instead, their talk had given her a lot to think about. And since her mother had insisted that Julian spend a few days with her, Shayna had the long drive home alone to spend thinking.

All this time she had been comparing her life to a life she thought she had been entitled to, but denied. She could look at Lucy, who grew up in a mansion with servants and think about how that could have been her life if her father had accepted her too. She imagined all the things she could have done if she had had Lucy's upbringing. She would tell herself that if she had grown up with those advantages she would have never taken them for granted. She could look at the choices that Lucy had made and tell herself that she could have done better if she had only been given the chance. But it never could have been her life, because Clifford Stuart never was her father.

She had spent so much time and effort trying to be perfect to show what she was capable of and to try to make up for the mistakes she had made in the past. She hated to admit when she was wrong.

Episode 71 - How to Feel

"Merry Christmas!" Blaine greeted Reese as she opened the front door. "Is Natalie around? I brought her a Christmas present."

"You're just in time," Reese said as she walked with Blaine into the living room. "She was just getting ready to meet with her friends."

"If it's not a good time, I can come by later," Blaine offered.

"No, it's fine. I know she will be glad to see you."

Episode 70 - Maternal Advice

Harriet was awoken from her slumber by someone pounding on her door. She groggily looked at her bedside clock to see that it was the early hours of the morning long before dawn. She tried to ignore the person at the door hoping that they would give up and leave, but the knocking continued.

Reluctantly, she got out of bed, grabbing an umbrella for defense as she made her way to the door. She cautiously peered out the window at her doorstep to see who was disturbing her sleep. When she saw her daughter and grandson outside, she breathed a sigh of relief and unlocked the door.

Episode 69 - Familial Connections

"Are you sure?" Maura gasped as Judith relayed what she had seen the night before. "I can't believe it."

"I can't either, but I know what I saw. My mom and Mr. Clark were kissing. And before you ask, no, I couldn't have misinterpreted the situation. I know what I saw," Judith said distressed.

"I'm so sorry," Maura said. She wished there was an innocent explanation that would ease her friend's mind. "I never would have guessed your mom would have an affair," she practically whispered the last word as if she didn't even dare to speak it.

"My parents have been doing a lot of things lately that I don't understand. I was already mad at them both for going against Vince and your family and now this. I just can't stand either one of them right now."

"What are you going to do? Are you going to say anything to them about it?"