EPISODE 265
Written by: Bre L. Drew
December 4, 2023
Last Time on Town and Country
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Trying to come in between Will and Emma at Deirdre's behest, Jacques misconstrued the truth about Will and Emma's intimate interaction, causing Will to accuse Emma of sleeping with her ex-fiance.
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Meanwhile, Steven hadn't been keen on the distance he and Courtney have been facing since she was voted in as CEO of Covington when her father was outsted for his gaslighting of Jordan, in addition to her developing friendship with Jacques.
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Max and Shauna have been trying to adapt to their "new normal," but they were unable to have sex due to Max's impotence, which likely caused his paralysis.
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Jordan had been determined to maintain her marriage to Tommy and their family.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
While standing in the quaint kitchen of the Saunders household on Franklin Farm, Emma Covington hadn't expected to be confronted by her lover about sleeping with her ex-fiancé, even though nothing like that had happened.
"Whoa, whoa, back it up there, sailor," she instantly replies. "What in the hell are you talking about?"
Standing on the other side of her, Will has his arms folded tight, brewed with anger.
"I didn't stutter; you think I wouldn't find out that you slept with that son of a bitch!" he swears.
While visiting his momma at The Waterfall, Jacques invaded their conversation as they went back and forth until he dropped the bomb at him about how he had his hands all over her body. And Cousteau ain't made it a secret that he wants her back, considering him beneath his shoe.
Emma places her purse on the table and turns back around intently. "Where have you heard this information from, or do I even have to ask?"
She wouldn't be surprised if Jacques told him that since she knows firsthand how much flair he has for the dramatics.
THE CHATEAU
Classical music plays throughout the fine dining restaurant on this autumn evening. Clear lights are also neatly strewn throughout to mark the holiday season.
Over at the bar, Jacques Laurent awaits the takeaway he ordered from his hotel suite. At the moment, he is on the phone with his father, Pascal, reassuring him in English and their native French about giving him the funds needed to salvage the family shipping company in France.
"Papa, papa, comme je l’ai dit, l’argent sera sur le compte demain matin. You have my word. J’y travaille, mais je n’abandonnerai pas tant qu’ Emma ne sera pas à nouveau à moi. Faites-moi savoir quand l’argent arrive sur le compte. Au revoir, papa."
As he ends the call and places the phone back into the pocket of his cashmere overcoat, the twenty-something female bartender calls his name while lifting his takeout. Once he receives it, he reaches into his pocket and hands her a fifty-dollar bill.
"Thank you, sir," the humble bartender comments on her tip.
"Don't spend it all in one place, and happy holidays," he winks charismatically.
Having blackmailed Deirdre Covington with her past affair with Jimmy Saunders into giving him a payment to tie him and his family over couldn't make him happier on top of finding a way to come in between Emma and her ex-con lover, hoping soon enough Emma will be his again and will receive a bigger payout from Deirdre, who wanted him to break them up.
While heading out of the restaurant, he sees Steven Sullivan and Courtney Covington Sullivan, led by a male host to a table.
Now seated at their table, Steven and Courtney sit across from each other.
"I know I've been busy lately, but I want you to know, Steven, I have no intention of neglecting this marriage."
Steven had called her a few hours ago to ask her for a date night, which she agreed to. Since she had taken over as CEO of the Covington Group since her father's machinations against Jordan came to light, the two hadn't had much time to be together. And with the advice of Sean, of all people, Steven decided to take the initiative to show Courtney how much she meant to him.
Steven grabs ahold of the menu off the table. "That's good to know because I have no intention of letting you go."
Courtney smirks at that response, realizing there is still love between them.
But from the corner of Steven's eyes, he spots an unwanted presence heading towards them.
"This is just great," he murmurs.
Courtney is about to ask what he is saying until he sees Jacques at their table carrying his takeout bag.
"Hello Courtney, Steven." The French man greets the woman he's become acquainted with and her husband. "You two having dinner?"
"You didn't hear about The Chateau now offering breakfast all day? I'm thinking the Denver omelet." Steven sarcastically notes
"Steven," Courtney retorts.
"I let you two get back to your meal, but my offer still stands."
"I will let you know if I need it."
Steven doesn't hide his confusion as to what they're referring to. "We don't want to keep you from having dinner alone,"
Jacques realizes he's getting to the veterinarian. "Nice seeing you, Courtney," the shipping heir states. "You too, Steven," he says somewhat less enthusiastically. He proceeds to make his way out of the restaurant.
"What's that offer he's talking about, huh?" Steven asks while placing the menu down on the table.
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"I will tell you once we order."
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HOME FARM
Max Covington uses the lever of his electric wheelchair to get off the ramp of the hospital mobility transport van parked outside the mansion on the Home Farm estate. He had just arrived home from the hospital after having had another intense round of physical therapy. Since his paralysis, he's been having weekly PT sessions; nonetheless, it seems it's only strengthening some muscles in his arms instead of his legs, which don't work anymore due to the accident he got into along with his wife avoiding Jordan in the middle of the road, he swerved his Porsche into a ditch.
"Damn it!" he mumbles under his breath while trying to position himself to be able to pick it up; however, he still has difficulty on that front.
Another pair of hands from behind beat him into picking them up. And it doesn't take long to see who it is.
"I could've gotten it myself," Max says defensively.
"I know," Daniel Covington acknowledges. "But it is not anything wrong to help someone out."
Max tightly rolls his eyes as he waits on his father to use his key to unlock the door while observing the darkness outside even though it's before seven.
Soon, the father and son enter the house, where it is about ten degrees warmer than the crisped weather outdoors.
"I'm sure the trip back here to the hospital gets pretty long with having to drop the other patients off." Daniel hints. While driving back onto the property, he saw that vehicle leaving.
Max scratches behind his right ear. "Well, as long as it gets me from point a to point b, it's fine. And anyway, I don't want to keep being indebted to you."
He knows his father isn't pleased with him not wanting to continue riding the private van, he arranged to pick him up to take him to the hospital for appointments.
"Max, come on, does it have to be this way?" Daniel queries, joining his son in the luxuriant living room inside the home.
"If the house wasn't set up with everything I need to get around, Shauna and I would've moved out by now." Max tells him. "It's bad enough that every time I lay eyes on you, I'm reminded why I'm in this damn chair or the reason why my child is dead."
THE WATERFALL BAR
And I don't even think unless I think about you
That's the only time I get sentimental, yeah
That's the reason why, baby, I can't let go of you
Yeah, that's the only time I get sentimental
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The sounds of 90's R&B instantly hit Shauna Covington as Deborah Cox's "Sentimental" plays on the stereo system throughout the decently occupied bar, where she was predominately raised by her grandparents, who ran the establishment for many years side by side until her grandfather's death. And since it's just her grandmother, she decided to come check on her. It also gives her an excuse to get out of that house.
She wanders to the bar, where she spots her grandmother giving a customer their drink.
Mae Jackson also sees her granddaughter in her presence. "What did I do to deserve visits from members of my family in one day?" she says excitedly.
The two give each other a quick, warm embrace.
"Your uncle came through here earlier," she notifies her while she takes a seat on the stool.
"Oh," Shauna replies flatly. "What did he want?"
For years, she and Will never got along, in addition to his ex-cellmate kidnapping her out of revenge for a drug deal gone bad when they were in prison together. Despite rescuing her, she still partly blames him for the incident, as well as Jerome Hawkins.
"We were catching up until Jacques Laurent and him got into it. Then he left out of here like a bat out of hell. Whatever it is, that man provoked the situation."
Shauna gestures her body with some disagreement, yet she doesn't feel the need to convey it verbally.
Mae decides to change the subject. "So, how are you doing? And please don't tell me what I think I want to hear."
"Honestly, I don't even know how to answer that question, grandma."
Shauna recounts her latest crisis between caring for her husband and living with the man responsible for his paralysis and her miscarriage. But she decides to keep their intimate problems to herself, wanting to spare the awkwardness of discussing them with her own grandmother.
You are dealing with a lot; there's no doubt about that," Mae says vehemently.
"I know things could've been much worse, but I'm starting to feel like more of Max's caregiver than his wife right now. And I bet you think I'm selfish right now, don't you?"
"I don't," she replies gently. "It's never easy caring for someone, especially someone you love. Trust me; I know that more than anyone. Just remember, you two are going through this together. Besides, you have to take time out for you, or you will be no good to him or yourself."
Shauna exhales while placing her hand on her face. "And what would I do if I took time out for myself?"
"Well, you've said Max has been getting through his physical therapy sessions, so he probably is more self-sufficient now. How about you go back to work?'
Shauna chuckles while raising her head in refusal. "Do I want to be back at Covington after all that happened there?"
Mae pivots her head to weigh the options mentally. "You wouldn't have to worry about Daniel being there for starters, and I'm sure Courtney would let you come back there at least part-time. It would be a sin to waste that degree of yours, Shauna."
"Trying to think of an issue with that suggestion, Shauna nods. "Maybe, but I think I just need a drink right now."
"Strawberry daiquiri, coming up," Mae says naturally, instantly knowing her granddaughter's favorite cocktail.
POLKA DOT AT THE VILLAGE OF HUDSON LAKE
Another reminder of the Christmas season is approaching, with several children and their parents and guardians waiting in line at Polka Dot, the children's clothing store located within the open-air shopping center of The Village of Hudson Lake. The overall excitement and wander fill the room along with Bing Crosby's edition of "Winter Wonderland."
However, a few of the younger kids were fussy; one of them happened to be Jeremy Covington, who was waiting for his turn to take his photo with Santa Claus, who's currently taking one with identical twin girls not much older than the toddler.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Tommy Covington asks his wife and the mother of his son.
Jordan Covington has the growing boy on the side of her hip. "Would you stop saying that? Of course, it's a good idea; this is what millions of children do every year: take a photo with Santa. Even my parents did this with me and my brothers, anyway; it's time we started some of our own traditions with this little guy."
Despite his current mood, Tommy must admit that Jeremy looks adorable in his long-sleeve red shawl sweater with rows of snowflakes, Christmas trees, and candy canes, blue stretch jeans, and black lace-up boots.
"Next!" the young female employee dressed like an elf calls out.
"We're up," Jordan tells them while getting him to Santa while Tommy accompanies them.
Somehow, on cue, Jeremy starts crying somewhat loudly.
"It's okay, sweetie," she says, trying to reassure him.
The white guy is playing Santa. Tommy, who assumes he is in his late fifties in his traditional red suit, hat, and fake beard, has the toddler on his lap sitting in one of those large chairs as the other kids manage to ignore them, waiting for their turn. Jordan guesses he's either a store manager or related to one of the staff members.
"Yeah, buddy, it's okay," Tommy adds. "Don't you want to be a big boy and take the picture?"
"I'm a big boy!" he says in between crying, like he took offense at not being considered one.
Jeremy's cherubic cheeks are now flushed from wailing, which makes Jordan take out a wet wipe from her purse to wipe his face.
With a cloud of uncertainty upon them, Santa finally opens his mouth.
"What about you two getting in the picture with him? It'll make it all go faster, trust me," he advises.
"I don't know about that," Tommy says.
"Sure, no problem." Jordan then raises her eyebrows at him. "Remember, we're starting traditions as a family," she insists.
Tommy recalls that he married Jordan to protect her, so he silently complies, knowing he wants to be the kind of father who hasn't been to him.
The store elf directs the husband and wife to stand on opposite sides of Santa while Jeremy remains on his lap, sniffing, yet his face is dry.
"Okay, on the count, one, two, three!" the elf cheerfully exclaims while maintaining her finger on the flash on the camera.
The picture contains mainlysmiles, as Jeremy seems more content than he did prior.
THE CHATEAU
Now, with their food brought out to them, Steven had been anticipating what Jacques meant about the offer he made her.
"I see you are on the edge of your seat, so I might as well tell you what Jacques was referring to."
"I'm listening,"
"I ran into him at Jojo's the other day, and he told me if I needed help with Covington, he could assist in a business capacity."
Steven exhales while reaching for his beer mug, from which he takes a sip.
"What?" Courtney queries straightforwardly.
"I'm sure you were talking about business, but is that what that asshole had in mind?"
Courtney shakes her head, still in disbelief that he thinks there is something more between them.
"Every chance I get, I tell him I'm not interested in pursuing anything further than a sociable association, but it seems that is not enough for you."
Steven has a finger on his lip. "I dunno, maybe you're bored with me, and there is another guy who is worldly and rich, someone you have more in common with."
Courtney drops her fork onto her plate of spinach alfredo. "Oh my god! You think I'm attracted to Jacques?"
Steven remains silent, knowing the guy does like his wife in some way more than just a friend, even if he still has a thing for her aunt, who is also his aunt, due to the affair his grandfather and her mother had all those years ago. He swore to his mother that he wouldn't tell anyone, which he has struggled with but realizes would affect both families as well as Emma.
"I do admit, physically, that he is a beautiful man, but he is not the man I think of constantly throughout the day, whether I'm at the office or driving home, and after everything that has happened this year, we should not let Jacques Laurent or anything else come in our way, Steven."
Steven uses his hand to clasp hers, which makes her smile wholeheartedly. "I don't think I will ever be comfortable with your friendship with him. But that's on me, not you. Besides, if he tries anything, let me know, and I'll handle it."
"I don't think that will be necessary, but I'll keep that in mind," Courtney responds graciously. "So, should we order dessert?"
The waiter who brought them their entrees came over to them.
"Do you two need anything else?"
"We would like to order dessert to go," Steven responds while giving a suggestive wink to Courtney, who slyly nods.
HOME FARM
While taking a deep breath, he knew he would have to continue to deal with the fallout of his actions, which cost his family so much.
"I wish you never had to go in that chair and instead be on your two feet with your baby in your arms, experiencing those precious months of parenthood. And I know me saying this can never take your pain away, but I thought I was doing the right thing at the time."
"By gaslighting the mother of your grandson all because you felt she wasn't good enough for Tommy," Max spits out.
"And what did it cost you in the end, huh? Tommy and Jordan got married and made a family for Jeremy. Courtney hasn't been over since you made her feel this low about running Covington. And I don't have much right now, but Shauna."
He stops himself from continuing partly out of rage but knows his life with his wife hasn't been eventful, thinking about him being impotent.
Daniel crosses his arms onto his chest while being confronted.
"Maxmillian, this might not sound like much to you right now. But one day, when you become the head of this family and a father, you will learn there is nothing you will not do to protect them."
Max gives him a look of disgust. "God forbid I'll ever become anything like you."
He maneuvers himself from the area, having had enough of his father for one evening. While Daniel goes to the mini bar to pour himself a scotch,
On top of promising his mother with the Jacques Laurent situation with him blackmailing her over something happening in her personal life many years ago to get back in the good graces of children and somehow get control of the company again, Daniel takes a vigorous sip of the beverage as he knows he needs to get to work on all those tasks.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
"So let me get this straight. You're going by what Jacques told you because he's been so forthcoming with the truth before," Emma says while pivoting her head in confusion.
Will puts his hands in his coat pockets. "I'm never gonna call the man Honest Abe, but you ain't exactly been truthful in the past either, Emma."
The two were still going at it in the Saunders kitchen, which, in a small way, Emma began to find charming despite the current interaction.
"Let me explain to you what happened, okay?" She says softly. "A few months ago, I went to have a massage at the spa at the Miller Inn. At first, I thought I was receiving a typical one, but this masseuse was being too damn handsy."
"So?" Will remarks, clearly in the mood to hear this story.
"I turned around to tell him to stop, and it was Jacques. He paid off the massage therapist to try to seduce me, but nothing happened further because I got the hell out of there."
"Am I supposed to believe that?" Will asks her. "I mean, you kept that on top of him renting out The Chateau for you two to have dinner that one time."
"And like then, nothing happened, Will," Emma interjects. "You have to believe me."
The club manager shrugs his shoulders. "Why should I?"
The petite heiress caresses the right side of his face. "Damn it! Because you mean too much to me to hurt you like that."
She could see the pain, especially in his eyes, so she let go.
"You know," he scoffs. "I should've known it would never work out. I mean, a rich girl goin' out with a brotha who done time."
"Oh, come on, Will, you cannot think I'm like that; you're one of the few people who truly know me."
"Maybe I never did," he notes.
Emma grabs her purse off the table, turning to him. "When you come to your senses, you are going to realize all of this is not what it seems." Emma sincerely remarks.
As Will remains quiet, he watches her saunter out of the room.
When he hears the front door close behind her, he pounds his fist on the kitchen island, unsure where he and Emma stand.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
The Saunders women have uneasy run-ins.
Emma seeks advice from Deirdre.
Sean declares his love and devotion for the women in his life.
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