EPISODE 170
Written by: Bre L. Drew
February 7, 2022
Last Time On Town and Country
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A heated confrontation between the Covington's and the McKnight's occurred over baby Jeremy as well as Tommy and Jordan.
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Will and Emma are getting closer personally and professionally, much to the chagrin of those around them.
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Thora suggested a christening for Jeremy, much to Tommy's reluctance. But decided to go along with it in order his son to have a connection to the maternal side of his family.
FIRST STREET METHODIST CHURCH
Thora McKnight couldn't believe the day had finally arrived. The christening of her grandson, Jeremy,
She is currently speaking with Reverend Friendly about today's blessed event.
"Joel, I wanted to thank you again for making yourself available to christen my grandson," she tells him with gratitude.
She had known Reverend Friendly on a first-name basis since they attended school together as children.
"There isn't anywhere else I would want to be than here to be part of your family member's journey of faith," he says. " And it seems the bishop is sending a new pastor to work beside me here at the church."
"Really? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Reverend Friendly sees Ernest McKnight walking in and then turns to Thora. "Too soon to tell, I don't even know their name. But they will be arriving in a few weeks or so."
"How are you doing, Joel?" The police chief greets the reverend respectably.
"Good to see you, Ernest,"
Thora rolls her eyes, still upset about him going to Tommy to confront him about their daughter the other day.
The reverend could sense the tension between the spouses.
"I better go make sure things are just right before the ceremony begins. Excuse me."
Ernest turns his focus on his wife. "I promise I will be on my best behavior today."
Thora shakes her head. "I guess this is the day for miracles,"
She soon spots her grandson, along with his father and his nanny, Lillith, coming down the aisle. Thora throws her husband a look to mean what he said.
"Hope we are not too late," Tommy Covington tells his son's maternal grandmother. "Jeremy had a late-night, so I don't know how long he is going to be up for."
"That's no problem. You aren't late at all. I'm glad we were able to all come together for this little boy," Thora says wisely.
"This is what today is about, our grandson," Ernest says out of the blue.
Tommy quietly scoffs at him, which Ernest was about to engage, but remembers what he told Thora.
"About what my grandmother said, you know, you are always able to visit Jeremy."
Deirdre had forbidden her to see the baby the other day due to Ernest's angrily confronting Tommy.
Thora nods gratefully. "I'm glad to hear that." Well, let's get him into his christening gown; it's been in the family since EJ was a baby," Thora says, almost getting choked up at the thought of her late son. She adds.
She also sees the same grievous expression on his face anytime he is mentioned.
"Come on, sweetheart," Thora continues as she ushers them to the changing room.
***
By now, an organ hymn is playing when Tanner and Lynn Lockhart, Elijah Barker, and Aaliyah Gupta all enter the church. Tanner takes a deep breath, which gets both her twin sister and best friend to realize why she is doing that.
"You know, it's not too late to get out of here," Aaliyah vocalizes courteously.
Lenny tucks a few loose strands of her long blonde hair behind her right ear. "Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't want to be at the baptism of the child my ex had with another girl anyway." Lynn states unequivocally. "We can get out of here and go to a movie or get something to eat."
Tanner has had some misgivings about attending the event because of what her sister said.
"I'm good, you guys," she somewhat lies. "Besides, I'm moving on with my life, and I told Tommy I would come."
Elijah and Lynn exchange a glance between them, knowing Jordan was pregnant with the baby before Tanner did and hadn't told her.
"I think we can all agree that Jeremy is innocent of all the mistakes that were made," Elijah replies.
"I hate it when he is right," Lynn says half-jokingly.
Tanner smiles. "I'm so grateful to you guys. I just wish Lorenzo could be here."
Their friend Lorenzo had to work at the store today.
Aaliyah takes her gloves off her hands. "Well, he said he should be at the reception later on," she says of her boyfriend.
Once again, the door opens; this time, the twins' father, Sean Lockhart, and his wife, Tricia, make their way inside from the wintery outdoors.
"Perfect," Lenny mutters at the sight of her stepmother.
"Godfather duties await," Elijah says as he and Aaliyah leave, knowing his friends needed a moment with their father and stepmother.
"I don't want any more problems between us," Tricia says pleasingly. "I know what I did was wrong, but your father and I are working through it."
Lynn folds her arms across her chest. "She almost sounds like she means it, doesn't she Tan?"
The girls had found out that Tricia kissed Samuel despite being married to their father. And not to mention, she is pregnant too, which surprised them both since they both thought she wasn't the mothering type.
Sean exhales before saying what he has to say.
"Lynn, Tanner, this isn't the time or place to do this,"
"Then where and when?" Lynn boldly asks.
Tricia puts her arm around her husband. "I know what I say will never be enough for you but know this: I love your father very much, and we are a family no matter how much you hate me."
"I will talk to you two later," their father tells them.
The twins watch them move past them into the sanctuary.
Lynn shakes her head at what just occurred. "Unfreakinbelievable,"
Tanner gazes at her sister. "Is it too late for that movie?"
THE CHATEAU
Light classical music plays throughout the fine dining establishment this late morning. The waitress serves Will Jackson and his mother Mae their brunch entrees before dashing off to another table.
Mae picks up the fork to dig into the omelet on her plate. "I appreciate this time together with you, baby."
Will takes a sip of his iced tea. "Well, I thought it was about time since we hadn't seen much of each other since Christmas."
"I'm so glad that you dropped by. I know that with everything that has happened, it was good that you and Antoine were able to be civil with one another."
Will had been upset at Mae for taking sides with Antoine despite his not being in any relation to him except for Shauna's friend, whom she took in because his mother had been unable to care for him when he was a teenager.
"To be upfront with ya, it wasn't easy," he admits.
On Christmas day, Will came by the bar to spend time with his mother and have dinner in the apartment.
Mae wipes her mouth with a linen napkin. "I know by now not to expect you two to be tight, but it really made it feel like I had my family together again."
He sits there for a moment, feeling good about bringing his mother a piece of clarity.
"So, how are things going at the club?" Mae inquires. "Or am I allowed to ask?"
"No, it's cool. The Cliffe is bringing in the business. And Emma and I ain't killed one another, so that's going good for us."
"Well, don't let Deirdre hear you say that." Mae warns him.
He waves his hand somewhat dismissively. "I'm not scared of that lady. Besides, what she's gonna do, that hasn't happened to me before."
The Jackson matriarch lays her for onto her plate. "You and Emma getting closer isn't a bad thing. But remember that at the end of the day, she is in a position of power as your boss,"
"What's that supposed to mean, momma?"
"Just be careful, that's all," she replies meaningfully. "I don't want us to go without months of talking to each other, so that's all I'm saying on the matter."
Will and Mae continue to eat in silence while he knows that what his mother said to him does hold merit.
FIRST STREET METHODIST CHURCH
Inside the sanctuary, Courtney Covington Sullivan walks down the aisle once again. This time she wasn't a bride or had hundreds of friends and family watching her take her vows with her husband on Christmas Eve. She takes a seat in the front pew, remembering her wedding fondly.
Now she and her husband Steven were fighting over whether or not they should live in a home her father had purchased for them both.
Even though she isn't particularly religious, Courtney says a silent prayer for clarity.
She then sees her big brother, Max Covington, standing near her.
"Hi,"
​
"Hey," he greets her. "I know that looks like you have something on your mind. What is it?" Max responds
"Where do I begin?" she asks.
​
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***
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As her husband is off elsewhere in the church, Shauna Covington ventures into the restroom to touch up her makeup. Standing in the mirror, she reaches for her compact in her clutch bag.
Lifting her head, she sees Emma Covington coming into the room.
"I think this is the most number of times I've been in a church in all of my life,"
Shauna gives a brisk chortle to her aunt-in-law. "I love your dress, by the way."
Emma looks down at the mint floral print gown she is wearing. "Oh, thank you; it's from Badgley Mischka's newest collection."
Shauna applies lipstick to her lips. "How is it going between you and my uncle?"
"If you mean if we're still involved, then yes, we are good."
Shauna places her lipstick in her bag and turns to the other woman. "Just watch your back. My uncle might talk a good game. But he will always choose himself when it comes down to it."
"Well, for your information, what happens between Will, and I is our business, not yours or anyone else's. Get it, got it, good! "
With that, the petite heiress marches out of the room, leaving Shauna bewildered.
Emma has enough of people telling her what to do, especially when it comes to Will. She didn't care about his past mistakes, like everyone in this small-minded town seemed to be.
​
***
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Daniel and Deirdre Covington walk down the hall of the building as the ceremony is about to start.
"I must say that Thomas is being quite generous this afternoon," Deirdre says to her son about his youngest son.
"Why is that mother?"
"Because he is letting Jeremy wear something that probably came out of mothballs to appease Thora."
Daniel puts both his hands behind his back. "Well, he will be out of it before you know it."
The two of them then see Steven Sullivan entering the church.
Steven doesn't hide his contempt at seeing his wife's father and grandmother, knowing they aren't about to ask him about the weather.
"Mother, if you don't mind, I need a moment with my son-in-law. "
Deirdre glares at her granddaughter's husband cautiously before heading into the sanctuary.
"Look, Daniel, I know what you're about to say, and I don't need to hear how I'm being selfish. But we're fine at the farm for now."
Daniel nods at the slightly younger man. "I gave you two a home, and instead of making memories in it with my daughter, you're arguing with me because your pride is wounded."
"My pride is fine, thank you very much; did you ever think I wanted to be the one to give us our first home together?"
Daniel himself silently concedes he isn't solely being unfair to Courtney.
"If it means anything, which I know it might not be due to our track record, the cottage does not come with any strings attached, I promise."
Recognizing the time is drawing near, the businessman goes into the sanctuary, leaving Steven alone.
​
***
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Friends and family are inside the sanctum as Reverend Friendly greets them from the altar.
Then he goes over to where Tommy is holding the baby in his christening gown. Beside them are the godparents, Elijah and Tricia.
Tommy locks eyes with Tanner, sitting in the second row next to her sister and Aaliyah. He knows how uncomfortable this is for her but is glad that she decided to come anyway.
The Reverend takes the holy water in his hands. "Name this child,"
"Jeremy Ernest Covington," Tommy recites clearly.
Thora is touched to hear her grandson carry the family name, as Ernest is somewhat taken aback by hearing his grandson's full name for the first time.
The reverend sprinkles the water on the head of the infant. "Jeremy Ernest, we welcome you into this community in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit." He looks over at Elijah and Tricia. "Will you two, as godparents, be there for him throughout his life with faith and guidance?"
"We will," they both say in unison.
"Now, is there anything you want to pass onto him?"
"Wisdom," Elijah replies.
"Strength," Tricia answers.
Lynn rolls her eyes at her stepmother, trying to sound pristine.
"All good characteristics of a person," the reverend says. "Now, let us pray."
The congregation bows their heads.
"Father God, we pray that you look over Jeremy Ernest as he navigates life with your loving guidance and protection. In your name, we pray amen."
"Amen," everyone repeats.
Tommy lifts his head and opens his eyes. He is instantly blindsided at the mere presence, and at first, he thought he was seeing things, but the indications from Tricia and Elijah tell him what is true while he maintains his grasp of his son.
Unsure of the surprise on their faces, Thora and Ernest turn around.
In addition, Tanner, Lynn, Aaliyah, Sean, Deirdre, Daniel, Steven, Courtney, Max, Shauna, and Emma all turn to see what is behind them too.
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"Jordan!" Thora calls out to her daughter.
.
Jordan McKnight is standing at the back of the church.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Jordan's return leads to plenty of drama across the canvas.
Emma and Will become passionate.
Esther dwells on the past.
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