EPISODE 330
Written by: Bre L Drew
January 31, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Emma secretly donates bone marrow to Lenny, with only Will aware of her identity. She tells Jacques she's going for a minor procedure while grappling with the truth of her parentage.
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Courtney assigns Tommy to work with Jacques at the Covington Group, but Tommy refuses to help Daniel oust Jacques from the company.
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In a bid to give Lenny hope during her health struggles, Elijah proposes to her on Christmas Eve, and she joyfully accepts.
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Fearing Lenny's mortality, Sean avoids visiting the hospital on Christmas Eve. Tricia pushes him to go, giving him the encouragement he needed to support Louise and their family.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
Warm water cascades over the dishes, filling the kitchen of the main house on Franklin Farm with noise. Will Jackson stands at the sink, his hands immersed in sudsy water washing the breakfast dishes. He has volunteered to clean up, giving the rest of the family the chance to head down to the hospital. Today is the day Lenny is getting the bone marrow transplant she so desperately needs to live.
But what no one knew was that the donor wasn't just anyone—it was Emma. And it had been Will who had encouraged her to go through with it, even though it meant facing the truth she had overheard not long before: she was the product of Deirdre's affair with Jimmy Saunders.
Despite their breakup, Will still cares about Emma even though he doesn't understand at times why she still does.
Once the last dish was dried, Will turned off the faucet and wiped his hands. He grabbed his iPhone from the counter and dialed a number, hearing three short rings before a voice answered.
"Hi, how you doin'? I want to know how Emma Cov... I mean Laurent is doin’?"
The nurse on the other end spoke with the trademark Southern dialect he'd heard most of his life. "Are you a relative of the patient?"
Will clears his throat briefly before the words leave his mouth.
"I’m her husband," he lies expertly.
There was a pause, and then the nurse responded, her tone professional. "Well, the procedure is complete, and she’s in the recovery room right now."
Will let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thanks," he said quietly, ending the call.
​
Esther Saunders stood in the living room, her tone firm and sure. "Well, according to Louise, the donor doesn't want to be identified, but I’ll betcha bottom dollar it’s Emma," she declares
Steven Sullivan, who had just walked in, perched himself on the couch's armrest, folding his arms in a relaxed but thoughtful manner. "I admit I don’t know Emma all that well, but she doesn’t seem like the type to not take credit for something like this. And besides, we don’t even know it’s her for sure, do we?"
Esther’s face shifts into an expression of doubt. "Look, I get where you’re coming from, darling. I really do. But what’s next? Are you gonna tell me that people donate bone marrow every day in a place like Radcliffe, Kentucky? Population five thousand and something? And one more thing... Deirdre wouldn't reveal Emma’s connection to the family—even to her own daughter."
Steven could feel the weight of his mother’s words. He pivots, a slight unease creeping over his face as the reality of the situation begins to settle also recalling how he has kept this from his wife.
Make that as you will," Esther remarks.
Just as the tension in the room began to hang heavy, the kitchen door creaked open, and Will stepped into the room. He gave a nod to Esther and Steven, his mellow demeanor in contrast to the significance of the conversation they’d just been having.
"Since we’re all heading to the hospital, do you want to ride with us?" Steven asks his voice breaking the silence as he turns to Will.
Will scratches the back of his neck." Nah, that’s alright," he said. "I’ll take my car. But thanks for askin man’."
As Will heads toward the door, the atmosphere in the room shifts once again. Steven and Esther exchange a glance, one filled with unspoken understanding. The truth, it seemed, was waiting to be revealed—one way or another.
COVINGTON GROUP
At the Covington Group, on the twentieth floor of the Covington Tower in downtown Radcliffe, Jacques Laurent sat behind his desk, his gaze shifting toward the window. The expansive view revealed a mix of Radcliffe's rural stretches and the growing city structures.
Tommy Covington burst into the office, his anger observable. "I can't believe you already sent in the bid for the project we were working on together," He paces across from his aunt's husband. "You didn’t even consult me!"
The suave businessman behind the desk gives him a small glare. “Note to self, I need to find a permanent assistant,” he mutters under his breath, his thoughts motioning briefly to how none of his temporary assistants stick around after his first one retired. He brings his focus back to Tommy, his expression indistinct. “Whatever are you referring to?” he asked, his voice smooth, a touch of impatience hidden beneath the calm exterior.
Tommy shakes his head while folding his arms across his chest. "When were you going to tell me that you submitted the bid?"
He had found out via email that without warning, Jacques had sent in the figures for a prospective project that his sister wanted them to work on together even though neither man was too keen on it.
Jacques remains calm, leaning back in his chair with his hands folded. "Welcome to the business world, Thomas," he said coolly, in his French accent. "Sometimes, decisions need to be made quickly; besides it only makes sense that I take the lead on these things with your lack of experience."
Tommy's disbelief only deepens as he shook his head.
"Don't worry, Thomas," Jacques said, his voice almost dismissive but tinged with a hint of amusement. "I promise to make sure you receive participation points when the bid is accepted."
Without another word, he storms out, slamming the door behind him.
Jacques smirks devilishly, feeling not only like he is going to be successful with the bid but also like pissing off Daniel Covington's youngest son is just the icing on the cake.
​
Jacques's thoughts hover away from the heated exchange, his mind turning to Emma. He had offered to drive her to her medical procedure this morning, but she had insisted she would manage on her own. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he should be there with her.
Tommy steps into the expansive office suite, his gaze catching on Courtney Covington Sullivan who sits at her desk, reading over some files with a pen in her hand wearing a dark sweater dress that clung to her petite frame.
“I don’t know how much longer I can take it,” Tommy discloses
The tension in his voice makes Courtney pause and eventually glance up. "Take what?" she notes. “Okay, what is going on, Tommy?”
"Oh, where do I even start?" Tommy expresses exasperatedly.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
The waiting room at Radcliffe Receiving Hospital was otherwise quiet, the only sound being the low vibration of the flat-screen TV on the wall, playing one of those HGTV shows that no one really watched unless they were a home renovation fan. The tension in the room was observable, with each person lost in their own thoughts as they waited for news about Lenny’s bone marrow transplant.
Elijah Barker, Lenny’s fiancé, stares at his phone, his mind on a word puzzle, trying desperately to find any kind of distraction from the anxiety pressing down on him. Across the room, Tanner Lockhart, Lenny’s fraternal twin sister, was pacing up and down, her footsteps quick and uneven as she tried to work off her own worry.
Lenny’s aunt and grandmother had stepped out for a moment, off to the cafeteria for food and drinks for everyone, leaving the immediate family to wait in silence. Sean Lockhart and Louise Saunders Lockhart, Lenny’s parents, stood near the wall, moving almost in sync as they kept an eye on the door, hoping for any sign of good news.
Sean moves awkwardly, looking over at Louise with a mixture of regret and guilt. “Louise… I—I need to apologize again. For Christmas Eve.” His voice was subdued, almost hesitant.
She waves a hand dismissively, her eyes not leaving the door but her face softening in response to his words. “Sean, you don’t need to apologize. Whatever happened that day… it doesn’t matter now. You’re here, and that’s what counts. Everything will work out. It has to.” she adds.
​
“Yeah, but what got me here—what made me finally come to my senses that night—wasn't exactly what you think."
Louise, now turning to him, raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Who got you here?”
Sean took a deep breath, and the admission was clearly difficult. “Tricia,"
Louise froze for a moment, her gaze sharpening slightly. “Tricia?”
Sean nods at the mention of his ex-wife's name. “Yeah. She’s the one who told me to get my head out of my ass. We ran into each other at The Waterfall. I was spiraling, and she just said what I needed to hear."
Louise’s expression shifted, the weight of the name landing between them. For a second, she didn’t speak, just held his gaze, her lips press tight as she absorbs the information. She wasn’t surprised, but the mention of Tricia still stung. "Well, I do appreciate you being upfront, Sean,”
She pauses for a moment, her shoulders unwinding a little as she let the words hang in the air. “You being here—by her side—it means a lot to me. And when this is over… when we get through this, we’ll get back to us.”
Sean steps a little closer, his eyes searching hers. “You mean…?”
Louise met his gaze, and for the first time in a while, there was something in her eyes that wasn’t just concern or exhaustion—it was something else. Something warmer, softer. “Yeah,” she said quietly, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I’m talking about us, Sean. Not just being together for Lenny. But us—dedicating time to us. All of us. Including…” She hesitated, her voice dropping just a little …you know, all the things that come with it.”
The declaration hanging in the air between them. He met her gaze, the tension that had built between them over the past few months finally starting to feel like it could break, like they were moving forward in a way they hadn’t in a long time.
“I think I can handle that,” he says meaningfully
Tanner walks over to Elijah, who was still focused on his phone. She sat down beside him, her presence steady, but her eyes soft with concern.
"Hey, got a moment for your future sister-in-law?" she asks quietly.
Elijah looks up, his expression lightening with a teasing grin. "I think I can fit you in," he said
Tanner studied him for a second, the unease in his eyes unmistakable. She leaned in a little, her tone shifting as she spoke. "How are you holding up?"
Elijah sighs, his grip tightening around his phone. "Full of what-ifs," he muttered, his eyes flicking to the floor. "What if the transplant works? What if it works then it stops? Or... what if not at all?" He pauses, catching himself, and then gave her a quick, apologetic look. "Sorry," he added, his voice faltering a little. "I didn’t mean to—"
"I get it," she said, her voice calm but understanding. "You can try to stay positive, but that nagging feeling is still there, isn’t it? No matter how hard you push it away."
Elijah nods, the weight of his own thoughts pressing on him. "Yeah. It's tough."
She could see how much it was weighing on him, but there was something else in his tone, a shift. "Anyway," he said, looking at her more intently now. "How are you doing?"
Tanner hesitated, her mind briefly wandering. She knew the answer wasn’t simple. Presley is a great guy, and yet, the shadow of her past—the ex who cheated on her with their best friend—still lingered, unresolved feelings she couldn’t seem to shake. But this wasn’t about her. Not now.
"I’m all right,"
Tanner pushes her own feelings aside, reminding herself it wasn’t the time for them. Lenny needed everyone’s focus, and that had to come first. Her personal issues could wait. Right now, it was about being there for her.
COVINGTON GROUP
By now, Tommy had filled Courtney in on how he was essentially cut out from contributing to the overall bid. His frustration was clear, but Courtney mostly offered nods and general reassurances, her focus on keeping the conversation calm rather than addressing his deeper concerns.
Tommy stood, pacing in the small space, his hands clenched into loose fists. “It’s like I’m not even part of the process," he said, his voice low but evident of irritation. “I’m just supposed to sit back and watch.”
Courtney stood up then, her movements slow and deliberate as she tucked a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear.
She turned to face him, her expression steady. “I get why you’re upset,” she said, her tone neutral. “But Jacques is a good businessman. You can learn from him. That’s all I’m trying to say.”
Tommy stops pacing, exhaling sharply as he meets her gaze. “I’m not trying to learn from him, Court. I’m just asking to be involved. I want to contribute, but all he gives a damn about is making a name for himself here."
Courtney’s face softens just a little, but her voice remained calm. “It’s not about excluding you, Tommy. It’s about getting the job done. If the bid doesn’t go through, you’ll have the satisfaction of saying you told me so, and we’ll move on."
Tommy shook his head, frustration still simmering. “So, we just let it go if things fall apart? That’s the plan?”
Courtney sighs, almost gradually. “No, Tommy. But right now, I need to take care of a few things before I head to the hospital. Do you want to come?"
“You know your best friend Elijah’s fiancée, Lenny, is having her bone marrow transplant today,” Courtney reminds Tommy
“Damn,” Tommy murmurs, the reminder hitting him like whiplash. He hadn’t meant to forget about it, but everything with the bid, the tension with Jacques—his mind had been completely consumed, pushing this important moment aside.
For a moment, he stood still, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Elijah, his best friend, was going through this intense experience with Lenny.
His thoughts move to Lenny’s sister, Tanner. Despite being married to Jordan, those old feelings for her never fully went away. He didn’t want to think about it now, especially not with everything else going on. But the past always had a way of creeping up when things felt uncertain.
“I’ll head over there later,”
“And Tommy,” Courtney calls out as he reaches the door. He pauses, turning back toward her. “Despite everything, you're doing good work here.”
“Thanks,” he says, his voice a little more strained than intended.
He steps out of the office, the door clicking softly behind him. His mind quickly drifts back to Tanner. He knows she’ll be at the hospital today, along with Elijah and the rest of Lenny’s family. They’ll be gathered together, hoping for the best as
Lenny faces her bone marrow transplant.
But as he walks down the hallway, his thoughts divert back to Jacques, making him start to reconsider everything his father has said.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
Emma Covington Laurent notices the fluorescent lights above her a stark contrast to the soft murmur of the recovery room. Her body felt sore, but the dull ache was nothing compared to the weight of the decision she had made. She’d donated bone marrow to a great-niece she’d only just discovered days ago, a stranger now bound by blood.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and a nurse stepped in, checking the IV and making a few notes on her chart. "How are you feeling, Mrs. Laurent?" she asked, her voice calm and professional.
"Sore, but I’m sure I’ll be fine."
"Good to hear. Let me know if you need anything before, you're discharged, okay."
After the nurse left, Emma tried to rest. But just as she did, the door pulled open again, and she didn’t expect the familiar voice that followed.
"Emma," Will said softly, entering the room with a cautious smile.
Her eyes flutter open, surprised. "Will? What are you doing here?"
The heiress did not want anyone else close to her to know, as she is still grappling with the fact that she is biologically a Saunders due to her mother's affair with Jimmy Saunders.
He stood somewhat awkwardly at the edge of the bed, his hands in his pockets. "Came by to check in on you," he explained, his voice quiet but genuine. "How are you feeling?"
Emma shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the past suddenly pressing down on her. "I’m fine. Just... sore." She paused, then gave a small smile. "I appreciate you stopping by, but I’ll be okay. I’ll just call a cab to take me home."
Will raised an eyebrow, stepping a little closer. "You sure? I can give you a ride."
"No, it’s okay," Emma said quickly. She lowers her gaze, feeling a sudden surge of emotions she didn’t want to face. "I don’t deserve your kindness, Will."
He moves closer, placing a hand gently on the edge of her bed. "You deserve more than that," he said quietly. "You always have."
Before Emma could respond, Will gave her one last glance and then turned to leave. As he stepped out into the hallway, Emma couldn’t shake the odd feeling in her chest.
Meanwhile, Jacques Laurent, her husband, was just arriving at the front desk, his sharp suit a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the hospital. He approached the clerk, his brow furrowed as he asked,
"Excuse me, I’m looking for my wife, Emma Laurent."
The clerk looked up, her expression apologetic. "I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t give out that information."
Jacques leans in slightly, his voice firm but calm. "She’s, my wife."
The clerk hesitates for a moment before nodding. "Well, your wife’s already been seen to, actually. She’s in recovery right now."
"What do you mean, already seen to?"
"Someone else was here to check in on her, too."
"Someone else?"
As if on cue, he caught a glimpse of Will walking out of Emma’s room, their brief exchange drawing his attention. At the sight, and for a moment, a surge of anger rose in him. But he stopped himself. He didn’t want to confront Will here, not now. Instead, he stood still, watching as Will disappeared around the corner, a knot of unease tightening in his chest.
What is going on? Jacques thought, shaking his head as he tried to steady his thoughts.
Back in Emma’s room, she stood gingerly as she walked to the restroom, feeling the soreness from the donation still lingering. As she steps back out, the faint noise stirring nearby. She thought it will return, maybe offering that ride once again.
"Will?" she calls softly, but as she steps around the corner, she froze.
It wasn’t him.
Standing by the door was Jacques, his arms crossed.
Emma stares at her husband, taken aback at the sight of him, wondering, what is he doing here?
Sarah Lynn Saunders moved around the room, passing out drinks and snacks to her family, then her eyes landed on Esther Saunders and Steven Sullivan sitting in the corner, she froze for a moment, surprised. She hadn’t realized they’d come upstairs.
"I can go back downstairs if you need anything," Sarah Lynn offered quickly, already turning to leave.
Steven shook his head, offering a gentle smile. "We're fine Aunt Sarah Lynn. We can get something later." He glances over at Esther, who nods her agreement.
Sarah Lynn stood still for a moment, the anxiety twisting in her chest. "I just… I feel like I need to be doing something.
Until we hear anything about Lenny, I don’t know how to sit still."
Esther, noticing her sister-in-law’s apprehension, reached out to her with a soft touch on the arm. "It’s okay to be anxious. We all are. But we just have to hold on for a little longer."
Sarah Lynn sighs, taking a seat next to Esther, trying to steady her breath. "I know. I just… It’s hard, Esther."
Across the room, Courtney sidled up to her husband, Steven, who was deep in thought, clearly still unsettled by the situation with Will earlier. He looked up as she approached, and they exchanged a quiet glance.
"Everything all right?" Courtney said softly,
Steven gave a small nod, his fingers reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "Things like this make you grateful for the people in your life."
"It does, doesn't it?" Courtney says in agreement.
As they stood together, the soft shuffle of footsteps echo through the waiting room, and everyone turned toward the door. Dr. Saddleman, a towering black man in his sixties with salt-and-pepper hair and thick glasses, entered the waiting room.
"The procedure is done," he said, his voice deep and steady. "So far, so good. But I have to caution you—it’s too early to say for sure. We won’t know if she will reject the transplant until we give it more time." Dr. Saddleman continues, "That’s why we’re keeping her in isolation for now. Only one visitor is allowed at a time, and they’ll have to wear protective gear. She’s vulnerable to infections, especially after the complications last time."
A collective sigh of relief waved through the waiting room, their shoulders slumping with the weight of the news. The major hurdle had been crossed, but they knew the road ahead still had its challenges. Elijah, standing nearby trying to process the news. The good part, the transplant, was over.
"We’re not out of the woods yet," Dr. Saddleman added, his gaze sweeping the room. "But we’re in a better place than we were this morning. I’ll keep you all updated as we know more."
As he finished speaking and moves toward the door, the family shared a quiet moment of relief, though the uncertainty lingers.
END OF EPISODE
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Jacques makes an admission.
Max is determined to locate Shauna.
Presley confides in Jordan.
​
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