EPISODE 163
Written by : Bre L. Drew
December 19, 2021
Last Time On Town and Country
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A wrench was thrown into Steven and Courtney's wedding day when the ballroom they planned to have their reception was flooded. With help from Shauna, Steven came up with the idea of turning the old barn on the farm into a place fit for their reception.
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Tommy allowed Jeremy access to his maternal grandmother, Thora McKnight.
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Emma and Will were getting closer, as she still recalls them sleeping together on Halloween night.
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Every year, the Saunders family gathers to celebrate Christmas with the annual tree-trimming celebration.
FRANKLIN FARM : MAIN HOUSE
Inside the Saunders home on Franklin Farm, on this December day, laughter, good cheer, and conversation can be heard as Brenda Lee's holiday anthem, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," plays.
The annual tree-trimming celebration was in full swing as Sarah Lynn, Esther Saunders, and Steven Sullivan were decorating the seven-foot tree.
"I must say you did a good job picking the tree this year. Your uncle would've been proud," Esther says to her son.
"He sure would," Sarah Lynn says, melancholy.
​
The three take a few seconds to remember their husband, brother, and uncle, who always looked forward to the holidays.
Their silence is broken when Evan Sullivan runs out of the kitchen. "Aunt Sarah Lynn, when are those cookies going to be done?"
Sarah Lynn goes over to see her great-nephew, who reminds her so much of Steven when he was a kid. "They will be done soon. Don't worry, "
Evan is here for his father's wedding. He came to town from Orlando, all by himself, on the airplane as an unaccompanied minor.
As Steven attaches a bulb to the tree, he gazes down at his watch, taken aback by the time. "I've got to go pick up dad from the airport."
​
Esther says of her first husband, "Knowing your father; he probably got on that plane at the last minute,"
Steven puts his hands together as he goes to his son. "Hey, big man, do you want to go with me to get your grandpa?"
Evan shakes his head. "I wanna stay here with grandma,"
"Oh baby, you don't know how happy that makes me," Esther remarks to her eight-year-old grandson.
"All right," Steven says. "Don't forget you're putting the angel on top of the tree later."
He gets his coat off the rack and then opens the door, where he digs out his keys from his pocket. But when he looks up, he is shocked to see the face staring back at him.
"This place never changes, doesn't it?" Roy Sullivan comments.
"Dad," Steven says.
The two give each other a vigorous hug.
Steven lets go of his father. "I was on my way to come to get you at the airport."
The seventy-five-year-old, still very handsome man smirks at him. "I got on an earlier flight, went to the hotel to drop my things off, and got a cab out here."
'Where is Cybil? Is she back at the hotel getting some rest?"
Cybil is Roy's wife of nearly twenty years. The two live on a ranch in Oklahoma.
Roy scratches underneath his chin. "Uh, she told me to tell you she sent her regards, but she didn't feel up to making the trip."
"That's too bad."
Steven realizes the two have been talking through the threshold, so he lets him into the house.
"Look who I found on the doorstep!" Steven surprisingly exclaims
Evan runs to his grandfather in which Roy picks him up into his arms.
"Roy," Esther says
"Hey, Esther, long time, isn't it?" Roy answers
Esther still hates that he can still make her feel like she is that twenty-one-year-old who first became attracted to the young rodeo cowboy.
THE CLIFFE
"Does my office hold a special place for you?" Emma Covington says from the doorway of her office inside The Cliffe, the new nightclub she owns. It seems he is always in her office more than she is.
At her desk, Will Jackson crack a grin at her. "I was just going over inventory."
Emma walks into the room. "And how is that going?"
"We're ace,"
"Good to hear," she says.
She still thinks about them having sex in this very room on Halloween. Though, she knows it's crazy that they would carry on anything like that again.
"Do you need the desk?"
​
Emma shakes her head. "Actually, I'm on my way home. My mother is in town for my niece's wedding. And if I don't put in an appearance to welcome her. She will probably find a way to make my life hell."
"You got my sympathy."
Emma grabs her Michael Kors purse out of the lower drawer of her desk. "Thanks,"
Will knows she and her mother don't get along. Nor did he and Deirdre either, since she found out he served time in prison, as well as being somewhat responsible for having Shauna kidnapped. Even, if he risked his life to save her from his ex-cellmate, half the town, including his own niece, treats him like he's the scum of the earth.
"I thought you got invited to the Christmas thing at the farm with the Clampett's," Emma says. Managing to insult the Saunders family,
He licks his lips. "I do; hey, you wanna come? I bet Sarah Lynn wouldn't mind, and it would give you more time before facing your momma." Will says invitingly.
​
Will is about to head out the door when Emma calls his name.
That makes him turn around to face her.
"Want to be my plus one at Courtney and Steven's wedding? I know we aren't exactly together. But it will be fun as hell if you come with me. I promise, even if it's not, the two of us will find laughter."
"Is it an open bar?" he asks jokingly. "Yes, I'll join you."
"And by the way, it's formal attire, so bring out your best suit." Emma winks.
FRANKLIN FARM
Shauna Covington is supervising the work going into the old barn on Franklin Farm that will hopefully be the space for the wedding reception for Steven and Courtney's Christmas Eve wedding. She had to admit she was surprised when she got the call from Steven saying he needed her help as an interior decorator, not only because the ballroom got flooded at the Miller Inn. But that he trusted her even though she and her sister-in-law aren't quite close, since she still blames her for ruining her engagement party on the Fourth of July because she got drunk.
Her best friend, Martha Saunders, who had been helping her out with the cleaning, stopped beside her. "I have worked up an appetite."
"Just got a text from Burgess stating he is on his way."
"That's sweet that he is delivering the food."
"It is,"
Every year, the Saunders family and their guests have takeout from The Waterfall; for the tree-trimming festivities.
"And it's also sweet that you're doing this for Steven and Courtney, even though she isn't your favorite person," Martha says
​
While sighing, Shauna puts a few loose strands of her dark brown hair behind her ear. "That's true, but even she deserves a nice setting for her reception."
"Anyway, how are you doing?"
"Do you really want to know how I'm doing? Let me see, I'm getting over your uncle, who is now together with your husband's aunt." Martha chuckled at what she said. "Sometimes I think we all belong as guests on Maury."
Shauna also laughs, while putting an arm around her best friend. "I will always have time for you, no matter what."
JOJO'S CAFE
The starting notes of Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree" play on SiriusXM inside Jojo's Cafe this afternoon when Tommy Covington makes his way to the table from the line where he received two mugs of coffee in his hands. He casually takes in the holiday decor, which includes a large red JoJo's Cafe monogram mug full of candy canes on the counter, in addition to stockings on the mantel in the lounge area.
He arrives at the table near the large front window overlooking the partly cloudy winter day.
As Tommy takes a seat at the table, she passes one of the cups to the person sitting across from him.
"Thanks; for the coffee," says Thora McKnight.
Jeremy's maternal grandmother is across from him, wearing a black and white mock-neck long-sleeve pullover sweater and black pants. Her coat is on the back of her chair.
​
"I bet you are wondering why I wanted to speak with you."
"Does it have to do with Jeremy?" he asks curiously.
"It does, and you can say no if you want, but I wanted to know if you're planning to have Jeremy christened?"
Tommy lifts his cup, pondering the question; he hadn't expected. "No, I hadn't planned on it. I wasn't really raised with observing any specific religion."
Thora sips some of her coffee while the tendrils of steam rise above the mug. "It's just that in my family, it's customary for the children to be christened at First Street Methodist -- you know what, don't worry about it."
​
Tommy isn't sure why he feels bad for this woman. Maybe it has to do with the fact her son died, or that her husband pays her little attention, or the fact her daughter hasn't been seen or heard from since July.
"How about I get back to you after I think it over." Tommy proposes
Tommy takes one taste of his coffee before standing up. "I need to get back to campus. I've got one last final to take. "
"Well, good luck on your test, and please kiss that lovely little boy for me, okay?" Tricia says.
Heading outside to his car, Tommy thinks about the lie he told her. In fact, he had already completed all of his finals this morning. However, he needed an excuse to make the visit brief. True, she hadn't caused any harm, nor had her husband, whom he had forbidden from seeing Jeremy despite being his grandfather. Somehow, he feels that his son is being used as a replacement for one of her children.
​
Concurrently, in Jojo's, Thora puts her near-empty mug on the table. She had decided to stay here a little longer since it had been some time since she had been alone out in public. A chime comes from her iPhone, which is beside her purse on the table, making her skim the screen; she nearly does a double take when she sees that the sender of the text is Jordan.
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I'm Okay!
Thora rapidly texts back.
How are you? When are you coming home to see your son?
She initially notices the bubbles on the screen, meaning her daughter is responding to her. She then notices the image is gone.
Thora roughly sighs, not knowing when she is going to hear from Jordan next.
​
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FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
As The Drifters' rendition of "White Christmas" plays on the Spotify Christmas music playlist on the flat-screen TV, Sarah Lynn hangs an ornament on the tree. "I do hope Will knows he is welcome here today."
Her daughter, Louise Saunders Lockhart, steps back to examine her handy work thus far. "Mom, I'm sure he knows that he is."
For months, Will has been living here, and Sarah Lynn had invited him to be part of the celebration today.
"You like having him around, don't you?" Louise says.
Sarah Lynn slowly nods. "I do." I guess it is because soon Steven will be moving out, and this house will become a little emptier."
"Mom, I think today shows that this house never will truly be empty."
The doorbell rings.
"My point exactly," Louise says. "It's open!" she yells.
"Hello everyone," Jai Gupta greets in his casual-sounding British accent. The grocer is carrying two bags.
Louise strolls over as she enters his arms. The two give each other a quick kiss on the lips.
"Thanks for inviting me," he tells her.
"You're welcome. Um, what's in the bags?"
Jai glances at the bags and then back at her. "My mother always instilled in me that when you come somewhere, you don't come empty-handed."
"Remind me to thank your mother for teaching you that," Louise says flirtatiously. "Let me introduce you to everyone."
Sarah Lynn looks around to realize that perhaps her eldest daughter is right; regarding the house being full of life, as she sees Evan teaching SJ to play a game on his iPad on the couch. Then she can hear muttered conversations coming from the kitchen when her twin granddaughters, Lynn and Tanner Lockhart, are laughing over something, each with a plate of cookies and other baked goods on small paper plates. She then turns to see a photo on the mantel of herself and Peter that was taken at Louise's graduation at Sampson University twenty-five years ago.
"You should be here," she says of her late husband. "I hope you're watching over us down here,"
HOME FARM
"Gabriella, has my mother arrived yet?" Daniel Covington queries
The successful businessman enters the mansion, handing his overcoat to her.
Before the longtime family housekeeper can answer, the sound of footsteps descending the staircase in a black bodice and capelet jumpsuit grabs both of their attention.
"Hello, Daniel," Deirdre Covington greeted her son warmly. The widow socialite goes to her eldest child, putting her arms around him in a hug. She lets go, taking him in as only a mother could.
"That'll be it, Gabriella," Deirdre says dismissively.
Gabriella gives her employer an expression of empathy before taking off back into the kitchen.
The company from Hudson Lake, which specializes in decorating commercial and residential property, once again did the interior and exterior of the estate.
The 8-foot pine Christmas tree with coordinating ornaments and a star on top, which takes center stage in the room,
"It's good to see you, mother, but I thought you were arriving from Manhattan around 5."
"I decided to come a little early to beat out the riffraff riding in coach. Dee then places her hands on her hips. "How is everything going?"
Daniel leads his mother onto the couch, where they both sit nearby.
"The company is doing well, and the kids are all doing well, and wait to see you, Jeremy. He has grown so much since you last were here."
"Good to hear; I take it your sister's little passion project is doing okay,"
​
Daniel nods. "I heard it's doing well. I guess a lot of young people around here are keeping it afloat. "
Dee turns to face her son with concern. "So, she is still in association with that former prisoner?"
Both mother and son had strong misgivings regarding Emma's getting involved in a business with Will Jackson. And despite being the sole owner of the nightclub, they knew of his past.
"You've got to make your sister see some sense," Dee commands.
​
Both mother and son had strong misgivings regarding Emma's getting involved in a business with Will Jackson. And despite being the sole owner of the nightclub, they knew of his past.
"Mother, I don't know if you are aware, but Emma is a grown woman, so I can't boss her around or tell her what to do.
The only thing I can do is to keep an eye on her business and private finances."
For now, Deirdre gestures with her hands that she will accept that option for now.
He asks his mother if she wants a drink, which she does, so Daniel goes over to the minibar to fix two glasses of merlot.
"Did you hear about Saffy?" Deirdre asks
Saffy Merriwether is Daniel's eldest goddaughter. Her parents, John and Heather Merriwether, were his oldest friends from the years of living in New York City.
​
Daniel moves his head while passing his mother her glass of red wine. "Yes, I did, John told me over the phone. He and Heather are devastated once again."
"It's a shame,"
As Deirdre takes her sip of the wine, she sees her much-talked-about daughter entering the home, taking off her fur coat, revealing a Prada silver-studded chiffon top and black dress slacks.
Emma places the coat in the closet by the front door. She does her best to keep an inoffensive expression on her face despite wanting to hightail it out of the mansion when she sees her mother.
She proceeds to hug her mother in a quick embrace.
"Let me guess, you two were talking about moi?" Emma assumes
Daniel takes a drink of merlot from his glass. "No, we were talking about Saffy and how she won't be able to attend Courtney's wedding."
Emma decides to hold back her thoughts of wishing she wasn't attending the wedding herself since she isn't particularly close to the bride or the groom.
"This time, she is away in Malibu," Deirdre informs her.
Emma saunters to the bar to fix herself a vodka soda. "So, we're finally able to acknowledge that Saffron is addicted to the booger sugar after all."
Both Daniel and Deirdre exchange a look at Emma disclosing their family friend's drug addiction,
The Covington heiress takes a sip of her cocktail. "What I said is what we have all been knowing for years."
​
FRANKLIN FARM : MAIN HOUSE
"I take it this spiked apple cider is all your doing," Roy said.
He and Esther were occupying the kitchen. The exes were doing their catch-up since it had been some time since they had seen each other in person.
"I'm glad you noticed," she responds to him. "As long as it doesn't involve me using a stove, then you know I'm your gal." Esther takes a sip of her beverage. "Be honest with me,"
"I always am,"
She launches him with a similar look she used to give him when she knew he was approaching the lying territory with her.
"Why isn't Cybil really isn't here?" she finally queries
Roy puts down his cup and puts his arms together. I didn't want to tell Steven, at least not yet, but, uh, me and Cybil separated six months ago,"
"I'm sorry to hear that,"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I am."
Roy chuckles. "Well, you would be the expert on divorces."
Esther picks up a dishtowel from the counter and swats him with it playfully. "You think you're so funny, don't you, cowboy?"
His taller frame inches closer to her. "Cowboy, I haven't heard that in a long time," Roy says
Cowboy was Esther's nickname for him when they were together.
The sound of the backdoor renders both of them out of closeness when Steven and Courtney enter the room.
"I hope Shauna can get that barn done on time," Courtney says
"I'm sure if anyone can do it, then it is her," Steven tells her.
​
"Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a bridezilla. I just want this wedding to go off without a hitch." It's bad enough that the ballroom is currently polluted with water. And now, I'm down one bridesmaid too.
This morning, her youngest godsister, Bekah Merriwether, contacted her to tell her that her sister Saffy wouldn't be able to make it to the wedding to serve as a bridesmaid.
The ceremony will be attended by the rest of the Merriwether family, including Bekah and her parents, John and Heather, a well-known magazine editor and television actress who came from New York City and are Courtney's godparents.
"And it will," he says in a guaranteeing manner. Well, I see you two haven't killed each other, so that's a good sign, "he adds.
Both of his parents' stare at one another, knowing they were caught up in a moment they both knew perhaps they shouldn't be in.
​
"Has anyone told you, Courtney, that you're the spitting image of your grandmother when she was young," Roy mentions to the bride-to-be.
Esther rolls her eyes at that comment, knowing it is bad enough on Christmas Eve. Through marriage, Deirdre will become linked to their family.
"I don't get that a lot, but I forgot you knew my grandmother from all those years ago."
Steven could swear he could hear his mother mumbling something under her breath regarding Deirdre.
"It's time to put the angel on top of the tree! " Lenny calls out from the living room.
"I think that's our cue," Steven motions.
The thought of talking more about the woman in this house where Esther is aware she used to have sex with her late father was an image she didn't need to think about, especially today.
The four of them march out of the kitchen into the next room to join their friends and family.
​
***
By now, Martha's soulful rock cover of "Jingle Bell Rock" can be heard in the living room of the house. She did the cover with her band in the basement of one of her bandmates.
The room is full of friends and family as Sarah Lynn is giving the speech before the placement of the angel.
"I'm so glad to see everyone here today. My Peter would always have the perfect thing to say on any occasion. But I think he would want me to tell you all that life is short and precious, and we must live it to its fullest. I was also reminded by my oldest daughter, Louise, that even though whoever comes in and out of this house will never be empty, Because of all of you who are here and the ones who can't make it today."
Simultaneously, Will sets foot into the house where he and Sarah Lynn see each other, glad for the other's presence.
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"Now, Evan will take part in the tradition of placing the angel." Sarah Lynn continues.
Evan gets picked up by Steven, who notices how much bigger he has gotten since the last time he visited him. He carefully aims him over the top of the tree where he places the angel.
As he gets back on the ground, claps and cheers our given,
Sarah Lynn flips on the lights on the tree; filling the atmosphere with joy for everyone.
END OF EPISODE
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
On Christmas Eve, Friends and family gather for the wedding of Steven and Courtney.
Nathaniel and Brynn's visit with Elijah in rehab doesn't go as expected.
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