EPISODE 327
Written by: Bre L Drew
January 6, 2024
Last Time on Town and Country
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Emma confides in Will with the knowledge of her being the product of her mother's affair with Jimmy Saunders as he also gets her to consider getting a test to be a possible donor for Lenny.
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The Saunders family decided to celebrate Christmas Eve together at the hospital as Elijah proceeded to propose to Lenny, which she accepted as the family observed.
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Max becomes frustrated as it had been months since Shauna abruptly left him, but unbeknownst to him, she is staying on his yacht, hiding the fact that she is pregnant with Antoine's child.
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Daniel makes it known to Jacques that he isn't going to stand for him to
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Tanner felt conflicted between Tommy and Presley.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
Lenny Lockhart had never been one to care about designer clothes, perfumes, or flashy jewelry, but she couldn’t stop admiring the white gold band on her finger, adorned with diamond baguettes. The engagement ring had belonged to her grandmother, gifted by her grandfather over fifty years ago. Now it was hers, thanks to Elijah, who had proposed to her earlier that Christmas Eve. Despite her battle with acute myeloid leukemia and the slim chances of finding a donor match, the moment filled her with joy.
Lying in her hospital bed, the IV delivering medicine into her veins made her feel drowsy, but she fought the fatigue to savor the memory of Elijah’s proposal.
Elijah Barker, dressed in protective hospital gear, stood at her bedside, grinning. “So, did your man deliver, or did he deliver?”
Lenny smirks. “Oh, he delivered alright.”
Her acceptance had lifted Elijah’s spirits. Despite the challenges ahead, he believed this gesture could bring Lenny hope and strength until she got the transplant he was convinced would come.
As she stifles a yawn, Elijah leans down, kissing her forehead gently. “Get some rest. I’ll be back before visiting hours are over.”
“Okay,” she murmurs, her voice faint with exhaustion.
“I love you,” she whispers as her eyes flutter shut.
“I love you too,” he replied before leaving the room.
Outside, Elijah disposed of his protective gear and turned to see Sean Lockhart approaching.
“Let me be the first to congratulate you,” Sean said, extending his hand.
Elijah shook it, nodding. “Thanks, Mr. Lockhart. I appreciate everything you and Mrs. Saunders have done for Lenny and I. But to be honest, I was going to ask her regardless. But that's probably not what you wanted to hear.”
Sean chuckles lightly. “As long as you make my little girl happy, that’s all that matters.”
“I will. My proposal is sincere, and I’ll stand by her no matter what. I just wish my parents felt the same.”
Elijah’s parents had expressed concerns about his sobriety if something happened to Lenny.
“Maybe they’ll come around. If not, you’ve got us,” Sean said, clapping Elijah on the shoulder.
“I won't hold my breath” Elijah replies. "But thanks again for your support, Mr. Lockhart. I truly appreciate it."
In the hospital cafeteria, the Saunders family along with close friends gathered for dinner, their spirits subdued but grateful. Mae Jackson and Gus Hewitt had brought in a feast catered from The Waterfall, knowing the family wouldn’t be spending Christmas at the farm this year—a tradition that had endured for over a century.
Esther Saunders stood with Mae and Gus, her voice warm but weary as she thanked them. “I can’t tell you how much this means to us. Truly.”
Mae, the owner of The Waterfall, waved it off with a gentle smile. “Come on, Esther. If the roles were reversed, I know you’d be here for me without a second thought.”
Mae’s words were sincere, but they stirred an unease in Esther’s chest. Mae didn’t know what she had done—confessing to Deirdre about Emma’s true parentage, a secret she had buried for years, never intending for it to emerge. Yet, with Lenny running out of time and Emma potentially being the key to saving her life, Esther felt she had no choice.
Gus studies her expression closely. “You all right?”
The question caught Esther off guard. She hesitated, forcing a quick reply.
“Oh, it’s nothing, darling,” she said, shaking her head. Her hands start to herself a small plate from the spread Mae had brought, though she had no appetite.
Gus doesn't push further, though his glare suggests he wasn’t entirely convinced. Mae, noticing the tension, gave Esther a gentle pat on the shoulder.
“Hey,” Mae said softly, her tone reassuring. “If you or anyone in the family needs anything, I’m just a phone call away.”
Esther nods, managing a small smile for her best friend. “Thanks, Mae. That means a lot.”
Still, the weight of her actions lingered. Esther could only hope Deirdre would succeed in convincing Emma to step up as a potential donor. Deep down, though, she knew it might be a long shot.
"Ah! Congratulations!" Tanner Lockhart exclaims as she pulls Elijah into a warm embrace near the entrance of the cafeteria.
Like the rest of the family, she had been outside her fraternal twin sister’s hospital room when Elijah proposed, the moment had brought much-needed joy to them all, a rare and precious thing in light of Lenny’s prognosis.
Elijah grins, his voice teasing. "So, is this part of me being officially welcomed into the family?"
Tanner pulls back, tossing her hands at him playfully. "Elijah, you’ve always been part of this family. But now, it’ll be official."
Elijah crosses his fingers with a hopeful smile, a silent wish to see his promise through.
Just then, Tommy Covington approaches, heading toward to the elevator to get to Lenny’s room. Though he hadn’t been particularly close to his ex's twin sister over the years, the weight of her illness had brought him here. But the sight of his best friend and first love standing together gets his attention.
“Wait—what’s going on?” Tommy asks
Tanner glances at her ex whom the other day tried to kiss her even though she's with Presley and he's married to Presley's sister as they both know he still loves her.
“Elijah and Lenny are getting married,” Tanner announces happily.
Tommy blinks in surprise before a small smile spreads across his face. “Well, congratulations, man.” He claps Elijah on the shoulder.
"Thanks, man," Elijah replied, clapping Tommy on the back.
Tommy smirks. "Another one of the gang is getting hitched, huh?"
"Well, at least they’ll actually know what they’re getting into," Tanner quips, her tone sharper than anticipated.
Tommy and Elijah exchanges a glance, the unspoken tension clear. Tanner's remark was a pointed jab at Tommy’s impulsive decision to marry Jordan—a move he made to keep her from leaving town with their son Jeremy after his father’s manipulative schemes came to light. The fact that Tommy wasn’t in love with Jordan only made it hurt more.
Not to mention, Tanner is currently involved with his brother-in-law.
Tommy shot Tanner a mock glare, though a flicker of guilt crossed his face. Deep down, he knew he’d earned the dig.
"Well, I’d better grab something to eat," Elijah interjects, sensing the growing tension. He gestured toward the cafeteria. "Excuse me."
As Elijah disappears inside, Tommy and Tanner are left alone amidst the bustle of visitors and hospital staff moving through the atmosphere.
Tommy turned to Tanner, his expression softening. “How’s she doing?”
Tanner’s emotions start surfacing. “She’s... hanging in there,” she said, her voice thick with uncertainty. “But with everything going on, it’s hard to say, we’re hoping for a miracle.”
Tommy nods, sensing the weight she carries. “She’s lucky to have you,” he offers.
"I just wish I could do more,” she admits candidly
They stood in silence for a moment, sharing an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the situation.
THE CLIFFE
Emma Covington Laurent felt the weight of her revelations pressing down on her. Learning the truth about her paternity was overwhelming enough, but now Will Jackson was urging her to get tested as a bone marrow donor for Lenny Saunders. Lenny’s leukemia had progressed rapidly, and without a match, his chances of survival were slim.
In The Cliffe, her nightclub, Emma tried to push the conversation aside. “Do you think we’ll get a full house tonight, even though it’s Christmas Eve?” she asks, avoiding his regard.
Behind the bar, Will crosses his arms and refusing to let it go. “Emma, C'mon. You could at least consider getting tested.”
Sighing, Emma sank into a chair opposite Will, her frustration spilling over. “Why should I? Look, I sympathize with what Lenny’s going through—I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But finding out my father isn’t who I thought he was? That’s already too much for me to handle. And now you and Esther expect me to just set all of that aside so I can be the one to possibly save her life?”
Will leans forward, his tone calm but firm. “I get that you’re pissed at your momma and Esther, and you’ve got every right to be. But Lenny doesn’t deserve to suffer for something she didn’t know about. Can you live with yourself if you could’ve done something and didn’t?”
Will, who had been close to the Saunders family for years, living with them on their farm, knew better than most just how they care about one another. The thought of losing Lenny would shatter them.
The petite heiress looks away, tucking a strand of her shoulder-length brown hair behind her ear. “Will, I know I haven’t made life easy for you this past year,” she admitted softly. “You’ve got every reason to say no, but… can I ask you to do something for me?”
Will studies her intently, waiting for her to continue.
HOME FARM
The sprawling Home Farm estate was bathed in the soft glow of Christmas lights, with its towering tree standing as the centerpiece of the Laurents’ grand living room. Festive decor adorned every corner, but Jacques Laurent’s attention was far from holiday cheer. Despite indulging in a few drinks earlier at The Chateau, he made his way to the mini-bar, pouring himself a generous scotch.
As he sips, a sly smile playing on his lips. Marrying Emma to avoid deportation had been a calculated move, but becoming a rising force at Covington was the true jewel of his success. His self-satisfaction, however, wavered when his eyes landed on a document lying on the coffee table. Intrigued, he set his glass down and picked it up.
“Oh, what do we have here?” he murmured in his thick French accent, a smirk forming.
Scanning the paper, Jacques’ brow furrows, then lifted in amusement as he read its contents. The DNA results confirmed what he had long suspected after glimpsing Emma’s birth certificate months ago and recalling her mother’s affair with farmer Jimmy Saunders.
A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. Could Emma have found this? Was that why she was absent tonight despite coming home just the night before? As he pondered, the sound of the front door closing followed by approaching footsteps jolted him. Quickly, he slipped the document into his blazer pocket.
Moments later, Daniel Covington’s booming voice echoed through the hall. “I thought I’d come home to some peace, but then I remembered you’re here. So much for that.”
Earlier that day, tensions between Jacques and Daniel had already simmered over during an encounter at The Chateau.
Jacques chuckles, raising his glass. “Ah, Daniel, you should know by now—I’m not so easily rid of.”
Daniel pours himself a club soda, his disdain barely concealed. “Keep thinking that way.”
The slightly older man had plans of his own—plans to oust Jacques from the company and reclaim the CEO seat from his daughter, Courtney. But for now, he played along.
Jacques lifts his glass. “Come now, Daniel. It’s the holiday season. Shall we call a truce until the new year?”
Daniel eyes him with thinly veiled contempt before shrugging. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Both men sip their drinks, their cordial exchange masking their true agendas.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
Max Covington stepped out of the hospital gift shop, a bouquet of fresh lilies in hand. Though his original reason for coming here was to find Martha and ask about his wife, Shauna, who had abruptly left him months ago, he also wanted to offer his support to the Saunders family. Lenny’s diagnosis had hit everyone hard, and for Max, it brought back painful memories of losing his mother to cancer. She had been older, but the sense of loss felt no different. He fervently hoped Lenny's outcome wouldn’t mirror his mother’s.
The overhead speaker buzzes, calling for a nurse to the ER. As Max glanced around, his eyes lands on Antoine Hall stepping out of the cafeteria, dressed in a camo hoodie and dark jeans.
Max hesitates. He and Antoine will never be friends, but before he could stop himself, he found his feet moving toward the taller man.
“Hi,” Max said rigidly, gripping the bouquet.
“Hey, how’s it goin'?” Antoine replied, his tone unreadable. The thought of him and Shauna sleeping together months ago creeps in, but he shakes it off, remembering his promise to never tell, even though he's still in love with her.
Max wasn’t sure if Antoine was being genuine or mocking, but he decided now wasn’t the time for a confrontation. “I’d be doing better if I knew how my wife was doing the day before Christmas.”
Antoine gave him a measured look, then sighed. “I might as well tell you—I heard from Shauna earlier.”
Max’s eyes widen in surprise. “You did? How is she? Did she tell you where she is?”
Antoine exhales slowly, clearly reluctant. “She didn’t say where she was, just that she was okay. But I know there’s more to it than that.”
The thought of his wife reaching out and the insufficient admission makes him even more frustrated.
Antoine continues, “She called Mae, and she handed me the phone to talk to her.”
Max frustration builds. “I don’t know what else to do to bring her home.” Then, as if remembering why he’d come, he asked, “Have you seen Martha? I need to talk to her.”
Antoine folds his arms across his broad chest. “You just missed her about twenty minutes ago. SJ wanted to get the carrots for the reindeer milk and cookies ready for Santa, so they called it a night.”
“Damn it,” Max mutters
Antoine shrugs. “If you wanna bring Shauna home, then do it. Use those things y'all rich people have ... connections or whatever."
Max grimaces at the bluntness but knew Antoine had a point. He held out the flowers. “Can you make sure Lenny gets these?”
Antoine accepts the bouquet with a nod. “Yeah, I got it.”
“Thanks,” Max said.
“Have a good Christmas,” Antoine offers.
“You too,” Max replies, turning toward the exit. For once, the exchange between them had been civil—a rare occurrence.
As Max steps into the cold night, determination settles over him. If it took every resource he had, he would find Shauna and bring her home. No matter what it cost him.
After witnessing her beloved granddaughter’s engagement to the young man she loves, Sarah Lynn Saunders retreated to the modestly decorated hospital chapel. On any other Christmas Eve, she would be home, surrounded by family traditions. But with Lenny hospitalized, there was nowhere else she’d rather be. She sat quietly, gazing at the ceiling, the weight of another absence pressing heavily on her heart.
“Oh, Peter,” she whispers, her voice steady. “Not a second goes by that I don’t think of you. I wish you were still here with me. Our family could use you more than ever. I don’t know what kind of pull you have up there, but Lenny needs all the strength you can send her way.”
The soft sound of footsteps makes Sarah Lynn turned to see her eldest daughter, Louise Saunders Lockhart, slipping into the pew beside her.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Louise said, her voice low.
Sarah Lynn shook her head, offering a faint smile. “No, I could use the company,” she replied. “I was just talking to your father.”
Louise exhales, her expression bittersweet. “I miss him too. Even when we didn’t always see eye to eye.”
“That’s how it is when you lose someone you love,” Sarah Lynn said, her voice steady but pained. “I just pray we don’t have to face another loss anytime soon.” Her tone softened as she added, “You know, your father would have plenty to say about you and Sean finding your way back to each other.”
Louise let out a quiet laugh, brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face. “Oh, I can hear him now. ‘About time you came to your senses,’” she said, imitating his familiar southern drawl.
Sarah Lynn chuckled, a warm glimmer in her eyes. “He would’ve been pleased, eventually. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that mattered to him.”
“Well,” Louise admits, “I wasn’t sure at first, but Sean’s showing me he’s really changing. I just hope it sticks.”
“Amen to that,” Sarah Lynn said, wrapping her arm around her daughter, the embrace speaking the words they both couldn’t say.
Elijah stands outside the hospital room window, staring at Lenny sleeping peacefully in her bed. His thoughts are interrupted when he spots two familiar figures through the glass: his parents, Nathaniel and Brynn Barker.
His jaw tightens as they approach. By the time they step into the room, he’s already bracing himself.
“If you’ve come to warn me about marrying Lenny, it’s too late,” Elijah says, his voice quiet but firm. “I proposed, and she accepted.”
Nathaniel holds up his hand, a gesture of peace. “That’s not why we’re here, son.”
Brynn steps closer, her expression softer than Elijah remembers. “We came to explain,” she begins, her voice calm but earnest. “Yes, we had our concerns in the beginning. But not because we don’t care about you, or Lynn”
Elijah crosses his arms. “Really? It felt like you didn’t approve of her—especially you, Mom.”
Brynn sighs, glancing at Nathaniel before continuing. “It wasn’t Lynn herself, Elijah. It was… the timing, the challenges we saw you both facing. We were afraid it would distract you from your goals, especially with you just starting law school at Sampson. You’ve worked so hard for this.”
Nathaniel nods. “But that’s on us. We didn’t give you enough credit for knowing what’s best for your own life.”
Elijah’s posture relaxes slightly, though his gaze remains skeptical. “And now? What changed?”
“It’s Christmas,” Brynn says simply, stepping closer. “And we see how much you love her. That’s what matters. If Lenny makes you happy, then we’ll support you, no matter what.”
Elijah hesitates, emotion flickering across his face. “I know Lenny hasn’t always been easy to understand. Her rebellious streak back when her parents split… it made things complicated.”
Brynn shakes her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Everyone has their struggles, Elijah. But if you see the best in her, then so will we.”
Nathaniel places a hand on his son’s shoulder. “We just want you to know we’re here for you. For both of you.”
Elijah glances back at Lenny, sleeping soundly, and then at his parents. “Thank you,” he says softly.
Sarah Lynn and Louise exit the chapel, their conversation quiet but comforting. As they step into the hallway, Presley McKnight approaches them, his face tense with urgency.
“Do either of you know where Tanner is?” he asks
Louise glances at Sarah Lynn, then shakes her head. “I’m not sure but check the cafeteria.”
“Thanks,” Presley says quickly before heading in that direction.
In the cafeteria, Tanner sits at a corner table with her head bowed and her exhaustion apparent. Tommy sits across from her, his concern etched into his features.
“I’m trying to stay strong for everyone,” Tanner admits, her voice breaking slightly. “But I’m so tired, Tommy. I don’t know how much more I can take.”
Tommy reaches across the table, his hand brushing hers. “It’s okay to feel that way, Tanner. You’ve been carrying so much.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and she lets out a shaky breath. “I deferred going to vet school because of all of this. I thought, maybe if I stayed, I could make a difference. But now... I don’t want my sister to die.”
Tommy moves to her side, pulling her into a comforting hug. “You’re doing everything you can. It’s okay to let someone know how you're feeling."
Unbeknownst to them, Presley stands near the cafeteria entrance while watching them, Jordan’s words echo in his mind, warning him about the closeness between Tanner and Tommy.
“Excuse me,” the reverend says gently, breaking the moment.
Tanner looks up, wiping her eyes quickly. “Presley,” she calls softly, noticing him for the first time pulling away from Tommy.
“Everything okay?” Presley asks, his voice steady but guarded as he joins them.
Tanner nods and quickly explains the latest update about Lenny.
Tommy, sensing the tension, steps back. “I’ll let you two talk,” he says, giving Tanner a brief squeeze on her shoulder before leaving.
Presley watches him go, his emotions conflicted as Tanner leans intohis embrace for comfort.
Will spots his mother, Gus, and Esther seated together in the cafeteria.
"Got room for one more?” Will asks, his gaze primarily fixed on his mother.
She smiles warmly and stands to embrace him. “I'm so happy to see you.”
He hugs her tightly before straightening, his expression hardening slightly as his eyes shift to Gus.
“Gus,” Will says, nodding stiffly.
Gus returns the nod, clearly sensing the tension but choosing not to address it. Will's relationship with his mother’s partner had always been complicated; no one, in Will’s eyes, could ever measure up to his late father.
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"So, what brings you down here?" Mae asks.
"Well, I wanted to see how y'all were holdin' up—and to be here for a friend, too," Will says, his tone casual but vague. He turns his attention to Esther, his gaze lingering for a moment, though he's not sure if she knows who he's talking about.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the hospital, Emma sits in a sterile testing room. The holiday season was never meant to bring her here—to a hospital she hadn’t anticipated visiting, for a great-niece she hadn’t even known existed until two days ago. She hadn’t even told Jacques, unsure of how to explain it all.
The lab technician steps in, preparing the necessary materials. “You’re here to be tested for a potential match?” the technician confirms.
Emma nods, her calm exterior masking the whirlwind of emotions beneath. “How long will it take?” she asks, her tone firm but tinged with worry.
The technician checks the file. “Ms. Lockhart’s case is being rushed. We should receive the results sometime tomorrow.”
Before they proceed, Emma hesitates, then speaks. “There’s one thing, else” she says quietly, leaning forward slightly. “I’d like this… kept private."
The technician writes a note on the chart. “Understood.”
Emma exhales as the swab brushes her cheek, her composure briefly faltering. The reality of what she’s doing hits her—it’s a one-in-a-million chance, but maybe, she could save a life.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
The donor test results are in.
Deirdre threatens Jacques.
Presley questions where he stands with Tanner.
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