Chapter 14: The Party
SCENE: LOCKER ROOM
(Amber stands in front of mirror applying her mascara wearing a black long sleeved body con dress with only Sam and Dahlia sitting on the bench)
Sam: How come you get to go to this party? I mean you weren't the one who cut into Dr. Fox's spine and saved her life.
Amber: No but I am the one who helped Richard, Dr. Fox's husband, with his groundbreaking path pen so I was invited out of courtesy. Plus, my boyfriend played blue's music with Richard and was invited out of friendship. How do I look? Like ready for a fancy party good?
Dahlia: You look great. Really sophisticated.
Amber: Great, that's just what I was going for. Nothing and I mean nothing in my life has prepared me for a party in a sweet ass loft owned by a guy richer than God. What do I do?
Sam: Okay um from what I learned in Downton Abbey, don't drink past two drinks, don't speak with food in your mouth and avoid using crude words like sweet ass.
Amber: Dully noted.
(Andrew appears in the door ready for the party)
Andrew: Hey ready to go?
Amber: Yeah. Let's go.
Dahlia: Have fun.
(Andrew and Amber stop by Alex's office and see him also getting ready)
Amber: Hey.
Alex: Hey I'm just about to head out.
Amber: Okay we'll meet you over there.
Alex: Thanks, and DeLuca?
Andrew: Yeah?
Alex: Don't drive her there by motorcycle.
Andrew: She never wants to ride it sir.
Amber: Its true and he doesn't ask me so that's a plus.
(Taryn walks in)
Taryn: Chief, Mrs. Karev wants to see you.
Alex: All right tell her I'll see her at the party. And its Dr. Karev, Helm.
Taryn: Oh. Right. Sorry.
Amber: Yeah, tell her I will also be there and that I'll save some eggrolls for her.
LATER AT THE LOBBY
(Taryn informs Helen Karev of what Alex and Amber told her)
Taryn: They said they'll meet you at the party.
Helen: Oh.
(Taryn walks away leaving a confused Helen)
LATER AT JACKSONS APARTMENT
(Jackson opens the door to find Andrew and Amber on the other side)
Jackson: Hey.
Amber: Hey. I hope were not too early.
Jackson: Oh no we just started serving the egg rolls. Alex is already here come on in.
Andrew: Thanks.
Amber: Oh, is Jo here too?
Jackson: No Alex said she would be here in a little bit; he's checking out the ping pong table.
Amber: (Gasps) There's ping pong? Oh, I am going over there right now come on Andrew.
(Andrew chuckles as they head in the outside porch where they find Alex hanging by the ping pong table)
Amber: Oh my god, I'm never gonna leave. I loved playing this in my dorm in college I practically dominated the table, I even sent a few freshmen crying.
Alex: (Chuckles) Nice. Wanna play?
Amber: Oh yeah. You serve.
(Alex serves first and they swing the ball back and forth for a few seconds before Amber makes a quick backhand sending the ball so fast that Alex misses it)
Amber: Yes! No rust on me baby!
Alex: Yeah, it was a lucky shot. Again. You serve.
(Amber serves and Alex works harder. They swing the ball back and forth for a few moments before Alex makes the win)
Amber: Damn it!
Alex: (Laughs) You snooze you lose. DeLuca what's the tally?
Andrew: Uh it's a tie 1-1.
Amber: Best two out of three?
Alex: You're on.
(Alex and Amber play again with Andrew sipping his drink as he observes the heated competition)
MEANWHILE AT GREY SLOAN
(Jo walks in the lobby with Taryn as she gets ready to leave for the party)
Jo: There is an MRI pending for Mr. Evans in ICU. And can you check all the labs for the 11 p.m. draw and get back to me if there's anything I should know?
(Jo sees Helen Karev in the lobby knitting surprising her)
Jo: Mrs. Karev.
Taryn: It's Doctor.
Jo: Wait. What? (Heads to Helen) Hi. Mrs. Karev. Hi. You're in Seattle.
Helen: (Laughs) Jo. Hi. Surprise!
Jo: Um, is everything okay? Do Alex and Amber know that you're here?
Helen: Oh, yeah. But they told me to meet them at a party?
Jo: Oh. Uh... okay. Um... Uh, we must have got our wires crossed. Um... great. I-I can give you a ride there.
Helen: Wonderful.
(Jo gives a concerned look as Helen puts her stuff away)
LATER AT THE PARTY
(Alex and Amber are at their 16th game as some of the partygoers gather and make bets)
Richard: Hey what's the score?
Andrew: Uh it's a tie 15-15.
Maggie: How long have they been at this?
Andrew: 47 minutes.
Richard: Oh Lord. Five bucks on the senior Karev.
Maggie: Oh, please Amber may look sweet but she is an absolute beast. Right Andrew?
Andrew: (Chuckles) Oh yeah totally I placed twenty on her.
Maggie: (To Richard) A hundred bucks on Amber.
Richard: You're on.
(They watch as Amber makes the winning swing causing cheers on her side and groans from Alex's)
Amber: Yes!
Alex: Damn it!
(Maggie chuckles as Richard winces)
Amber: (Laughs) Suck it, Karev.
Alex: Watch it She-Karev. What's the score?
Andrew: 15-16 Amber takes the lead.
Amber: Your damn right baby! Just admit defeat bro and walk away with the little dignity you have left.
Jackson: Yes, please some of the guests actually want to play so let's call it off.
Richard: Hold on son. Two more games and we'll call it, come on Karev! Are you really gonna let a teenager beat you?
Amber: Hey! I'm standing right here.
Jackson: (Sighs) Fine two more games and that is it.
Maggie: Come on Amber!
(Amber stretches her neck and serves first. Her phone rings next to Andrew whose eyes are glued to the game)
MEANWHILE AT Jo's CAR
(Jo calls Amber's phone but she doesn't pick up)
Amber's voicemail: You've reached Dr. Amber Karev, leave a message after the (Beep)
Jo: Hey Amber it's me again. And your mom on the way to Jackson's. See you soon.
(Jo ends the call and turns her attention to Helen)
Jo: Did you fly here, or-
Helen: Oh, a bus and a train and another bus. I-I thought flying might be a little overwhelming.
Jo: Yes. It can be.
Helen: You know, I, uh I read this book recently, uh, about the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Jo: Mm-hmm.
Helen: And they encountered so many hardships making almost the same journey that I just did. So, I thought, if they could do that on horseback, fighting disease, then why couldn't I?
(Jo chuckles awkwardly and continues to drive them to the party)
LATER AT THE PARTY
(Alex and Amber are in their final game tied having played it for five minutes straight)
Andrew: Come on honey! You got this!
Maggie: Yeah, come on honey!
Richard: Come on Alex!
(Alex and Amber play furiously until Alex makes an unexpected twirl distracting Amber as he hits the ball past her winning the game. Alex and Richard cheer as Amber groans)
Jackson: Okay Alex Karev wins! Now both of you get inside so this table can be clear now!
Amber: Fine.
Alex: (Laughs) Looks like I dominate the table now sis.
Amber: (Mockingly laughs) Shut up.
Andrew: Hey you did good baby. You fought hard and that's what matters.
Amber: (Chuckles) You shut up too.
(Andrew grins and Amber kisses him)
Amber: I need a drink or maybe just some water I'm thirsty.
Andrew: Come on.
(Andrew leads Amber to the bar. Jackson answers the door and sees Jo and Helen)
Jo: Oh. Hey.
Jackson: Hey. Have you seen my mom?
Jo: Not your mom. Uh, A-are Alex and Amber here? Do you mind grabbing them for me?
Jackson: Can I grab...Um, yeah. Yeah, sure.
(Jackson heads inside and heads to the bar where Alex and Amber drink their water)
Jackson: Hey uh Jo's outside. She says she wants to talk to you both.
Amber: Both of us why?
Jackson: I'm not sure it sounded pretty urgent.
Alex: Yeah, okay come on.
Amber: I'll be right back.
Andrew: Okay.
(Alex and Amber head to the door and are shocked by their mom outside with Jo)
Alex and Amber: Mom?
(Helen smiles and pulls Alex for a hug)
Alex: What's wrong? Hey, Jo, what's wrong?
Helen: Nothing's wrong. (To Amber) Hi honey.
Amber: (Mouth gaping) Um hi.
(Amber and Helen hug)
Amber: What are you doing here?
Jo: W-You didn't tell her to meet you here?
Amber: No, I didn't Alex?
Alex: Uh, no.
Helen: No, it was-it was the other doctor. Not Alex.
Alex: Uh, wait, w-what doctor? What-What doctor are you talking-Jo, what's she-
Jo: I don't know.
Helen: She didn't give me her name.
(Amber scratches her forehead at the situation)
Alex: All right. Mom, could you, um, could you give us a sec, please?
(The three of them huddle away from her to talk)
Jo: She was in the lobby.
Alex: Of the hospital?
Jo: Yeah, to surprise you. You didn't say for her to meet you here?
Alex: No.
Jo: (Gasps) Do you think the other doctor's in her head?
Amber: Why didn't you call us?
Jo: You didn't pick up your phones!
Alex: We were playing ping-pong.
Jo: Catherine's party has ping-pong?
Amber: Jo! Focus.
Alex: How did she seem? Did she seem hyper? Um, you know, seeing things?
Jo: She was, um she was talking a lot for her. Or, at least, I think. I...
Alex: About what?
Jo: Lewis and Clark.
Amber: What?
Alex: Huh? All right. Look, um... I'm-I'm just gonna get her back to our place, all right?
Jo: Perfect.
Amber: I really need a drink.
(They turn around and see that Helen is gone)
Alex: Uh, Mom?
Amber: Mom?
Jo: No.
Alex: Mom?
Jo: No!
(Jo runs off to find Helen while Alex and Amber hurriedly approach Jackson talking to Webber)
Alex: Hey. Hey! How many ways are there out of here?
Jackson: Why?
Alex: (Worried) Look, just-Are-Is there, like, panic rooms or any place somewhere someone could hide?
Jackson: (Thinks he's joking) Very funny, Karev. The place is not that big.
Amber: (Spiraling) Just tell us!
Jackson: Front door. Or the fire exit upstairs.
Alex: (To Amber) All right, I'll check down here, you check upstairs.
Amber: Got it.
(Amber runs upstairs, Andrew notices and follows her)
Andrew: Hey, what happened? Are you okay?
Amber: No, my mom is here.
Andrew: (Confused) Your mom is here? In Seattle?
Amber: At this party.
Andrew: What-What is she doing here?
Amber: (Freaking out) I don't know something about Louie and Claire? I don't know. All I know is that I turned my back for two seconds and she was gone. I don't know where she is or if she's even on her meds right now oh God!
Andrew: Hey, hey, hey. It's gonna be okay all right. I'll help you look for her do you have a picture of her?
Amber: (Snorts) I haven't taken a picture with my mother in years. Uh she likes to knit everywhere even at work and she looks like me if I was 40 years older if that helps.
Andrew: Okay I'm gonna search for her at the patio you cover the rooms up here.
Amber: Okay thank you so much.
Andrew: Yeah, no problem.
(Andrew heads downstair to head to the patio when he spots a woman in her 60's knitting by the stairs. Andrew gingerly approaches her)
Andrew: Mrs. Karev?
Helen: (Stops knitting) Hi do I know you?
Andrew: Um not exactly I'm um I'm dating your daughter Amber. I'm Andrew DeLuca I work at the hospital with her and Alex. It's nice to finally meet you.
Helen: Oh, hi it's nice to meet you too. Would you like to sit down?
Andrew: Sure.
(Andrew sits down)
Andrew: Um so what brings you to Seattle?
Helen: I just wanted to take a trip and see how it felt. I was inspired after reading about Lewis and Clark's expedition. I thought if those two could overcome disease in pursuit of greater adventures, then why can't I? I thought that seeing my children after so long would also help with it so that's why I came here.
Andrew: Huh I-I guess that makes sense. I mean my mom did the same thing, she moved us here from Italy after her and my dad divorced. It was…it was a rough adjustment but we adjusted.
Helen: (Nods) How long have you and Amber been dating? If you don't mind me asking.
Andrew: No, I don't mind. We've been seeing each other for a few months now since last fall.
Helen: (Surprised) Oh. That's uh that's surprising for my daughter.
Andrew: Why would it be surprising?
Helen: I mean I'm aware of her pansexuality and I follow her on social media. I see all these pictures of her kissing people while out on dates most of them were girls so I assumed that she would enter a serious relationship with one. Its nothing against you its just…I thought she leaned more towards girls.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Yeah, my sister is bisexual so it's more weird seeing her with guys than with girls because I'm so used to walking in on her doing my ex-girlfriend instead of one of my guy friends.
Helen: Oh…she sounds lovely. Is she at this party?
Andrew: Um no she had to go to Italy to attend to our papa.
Helen: Oh I'm so sorry, is he ill?
Andrew: No, I mean yes, I mean…he has an untreated mental illness and he has manic episodes. My sister is pretty much his warden so she goes when he's in trouble to try to fix it.
(Andrew discretely texts Amber that he found Helen)
Helen: I'm so sorry to hear that. For the longest time I left my illness untreated, it cost me my job and my children. I would feel ashamed having my youngest clean up after me when I should've been the one cleaning up after her.
Andrew: At least you got treatment that's a good thing for you and for your family. I mean my father hasn't even been to a doctor so we don't know if he actually has bipolar disorder like my sister thinks.
Helen: You know historians believe that Meriwether Lewis had bipolar disorder, but in the early 19th century, they called it, um, "melancholy."
Andrew: Mm. So, you're a psychologist?
Helen: Librarian.
Andrew: Oh.
(Amber runs downstairs and exhales at the sight of her mother with Andrew)
Amber: Thank God. Alex!
(Alex hears her and heads to them)
Alex: (Exhales) Mom.
Helen: What?
Alex: (Panting) Look, uh, DeLuca, thanks.
Andrew: Yeah.
(Andrew stands up and rubs Amber's back soothing her worries)
Helen: Your boyfriend is very nice Amber.
Amber: (Chuckles nervously) Yeah.
Jo: Oh, thank God.
Helen: (Realizing) Oh, I worried you.
Alex: Yeah, you had us worried.
Amber: You can't just run off like that mom.
Helen: I am doing well. I feel sturdy.
Jo: How about I give you three a minute? Andrew, do you want to join me?
Andrew: Um…
(Andrew looks at Amber questioningly who nods)
Andrew: Sure.
(Andrew and Jo leave the scene as Alex and Amber sit next to their mother)
Helen: I made something for you.
(Helen pulls out several knitted scarves out of her purse)
Helen: When you were a little boy, green was your favorite color, but it could have changed by now, so you can just pick.
(Alex and Amber look at the pile in confusion)
Helen: Yeah, it's, uh it's not much of a wedding gift. Uh, y-you don't have to take one. That's okay.
Alex: No, no, no. Green is good. It's-It's-It's great. It's...It's lovely.
Helen: Okay, what about you honey?
Amber: Um I don't really have a preference so anything is good.
Helen: Okay and what about Jo?
Alex: Blue.
Helen: Okay.
(Amber and Alex look at each other worryingly)
MEANWHILE AT THE BAR
(Jo and Andrew stand by and drink while discreetly observing the Karev's)
Andrew: (Whispering) What do you think's going on over there?
Jo: (Whispering) I don't know, can you read their lips?
Andrew: (Sarcastically) Yes Jo I'm just choosing not to read their lips and spy on them just like you.
Jo: (Whispering) I can do without the sarcasm.
Tom: (Whispering) Why are we whispering?
Jo: (Groans) Go away we're in crisis mode.
Andrew: We don't know if it's a crisis.
Jo: The Karev's are practically magnets for crisis so it's a crisis.
Teddy: Can someone fill me in please?
Tom: Yeah, and me this sounds juicy so talk.
Andrew: (Sighs) Alex and Amber's mom is here.
Teddy: Oh, that doesn't sound so bad.
Jo: If you knew the whole story you would jump to bad in a millisecond.
Tom: Really? Do tell.
Andrew: She's coming! Act natural!
(Amber gets up with a red knitted scarf around her neck and heads to the bar. Andrew and Jo turn and act natural)
Amber: I need a drink.
(Andrew quickly pours Amber a glass of scotch)
Tom: So, a little birdy told me your mother is in town.
Amber: Better make it a double.
(Andrew pours more and Amber takes her phone out calling Dr. Lummis but is led to voicemail)
Amber: Hi Dr. Lummis its Amber Karev, Helen Karev's daughter. I need you to call me back as soon as you can it's very urgent. (Hangs up)
Andrew: He's probably asleep by now and won't get your message till the morning.
Amber: Damn it. (Downs drink in one gulp)
Tom: Whoa. Nobody can down a glass of scotch in one take unless they really need to get hammered. What's wrong?
Amber: Nothing just go away.
Teddy: (Concerned) Amber, what's wrong?
Amber: (Sighs) My mother has kept a rigid schedule for a few years now to cope with her schizophrenia. She takes her meds, goes to work and comes home that is all she does on an average day which is every day.
Tom: Hmm sounds boring.
Amber: It is but her boring routine is what has kept her calm and sane…until now. She-She doesn't travel at all so seeing her here has me thinking that she forgot to take her meds or-or she's on the verge of a psychotic break in the form of knitting and talking about Luna and Cliff.
Andrew and Jo: Lewis and Clark.
Amber: Whatever!
(Amber takes a swig from the scotch bottle)
Teddy: For what's worth it's a really nice scarf she made you.
Amber: (Shakes her head) She shouldn't have needles.
Andrew: Look babe I talked to her and she seems okay, I think. Maybe she really is just here to visit you like any regular mom, have you thought about that?
Amber: No because my mom is not a regular mom. My mom visits me for the first time and I have to worry if it's a sign that she's having a psychotic break. I-I need a distraction, I need to do something.
Tom: I think that's what DeLuca is for.
Andrew: (Scoffs) Nice.
Amber: I'm gonna go upstairs hopefully Dr. Avery has a sedative in his medicine cabinet for me and my mom.
(Amber rushes off upstairs with the bottle of scotch causing Andrew concern)
Andrew: Oh boy can you-
Jo: Go I got Alex.
(Andrew goes upstairs where he finds Amber taking another swig by the rail)
Andrew: Come on I think you've had enough.
Amber: (Stressed) I haven't I'm not even halfway done.
Andrew: (Tries to calm her down) Okay let's take this away from you before you pass out and fall over this railing.
(Andrew gently takes the bottle and sets it on the console table)
Andrew: Listen I know your-
(They plaster on a smile as Bokhee and her husband walk by)
Andrew: Hi Bokhee, Jae.
Bokhee: (In Korean) He loves her.
(Bokhee and her husband walk by them)
Andrew: Look I know your worried about your mom but you said so yourself that she's been good for years now.
Amber: Yeah, and she was also 'good' for five months when I was eight after she was found in the streets throwing garbage at people. My mom does this she-she gives me and my brothers hope that she can overcome her illness and actually be a mom but then the meds become too much for her so she stops taking them. I don't-I don't even know why I put up with it then and why I should put up with it now.
Andrew: I talked to her for a little bit she told me she felt bad for putting you and your brothers through that.
Amber: Great she feels bad for putting me through hell. She stood by and did nothing while my brother tried to murder me but she feels bad so it's all good.
Andrew: Stop it okay. Amber, I get where you're coming from, I do but-
Amber: No, you don't. You don't know the pain I went through you say you do but your lying to me and yourself.
(Andrew looks at her with a pained look)
Amber: You grew up with a wonderful caring mom while your sister had to deal with your dad who was probably as much of a nightmare as my mother. You didn't have to shove pills down your mom's throat or-or hide in a closet when she had an episode, I did. I have to carry the scars and the emotional trauma that comes with growing up the way I did. That woman ruined my life so don't think for one second you can understand that.
Andrew: You think I don't feel angry at my dad for leaving me and Carina with his legacy? I do. I feel like I could've had a dad if he just went to see a damn doctor like your mom did. The fact that you think I can't understand where my girlfriend is coming from is insulting. Your right I didn't grow up the way you did but that doesn't mean I can't try to understand your pain and try to mend it. Just talk to me please, help me understand.
Amber: …I-I can't be here right now, excuse me.
(Amber walks past Andrew and heads downstairs)
LATER AT THE PATIO
(Alex tries to call Dr. Lummis with Jo by his side as Helen knits in the living room)
Alex: Hey, uh, Dr. Lummis, this is Alex Karev, uh, Helen Karev's son. If you could, uh, give me a call back as soon as you can, it's pretty urgent. Please.
Jo: They're two hours ahead. You're not gonna hear from them until tomorrow.
Alex: Right. I should probably text, too.
Jo: Hey. Here. Come here. Come sit down. Come here. She seems okay. The doctor will call. And then we will find out what's going on.
Alex: My mom comes for a visit, and I have to worry if it's a sign she's gonna split from reality.
Jo: Isn't that how it's always been?
Alex: Well, yeah. Growing up. But then, you could tell when things were getting bad. I knew the signs. I mean, now that she's doing fine, I d-I don't know what a split looks like. I want to trust it. I want to trust it so much that she's fine. I really do. I swear, Jo.
Jo: I know. (Touches scarf) These are really nice.
Alex: She shouldn't have needles
LATER AT THE KITCHEN
(Amber eats her sixth eggroll on the kitchen island. Andrew walks in with a drink in his hand)
Andrew: Hey.
Amber: Hi. I just I couldn't be out there with all of that I just wanted some peace and quiet. Plus, they have more eggrolls here.
Andrew: Okay. Are you ready to talk now?
Amber: First let me apologize for being a bitch to you earlier. I know your dad put you and your family through hell and to have me of all people diminish it is…I'm sorry.
Andrew: It's okay, you obviously have a lot on your mind. So, talk to me, I talked to you about my messed-up family in that elevator I thought you could return the favor.
Amber: (Sighs) …You know I helped her get her job back? She got fired about a decade ago because she was scaring people there. She needed character references from her doctors and family members. She didn't want to call Alex and Aaron wasn't exactly a good candidate so that left me, the daughter she screwed over again and again.
Andrew: But you still helped her, you helped her get her job back.
Amber: Yeah, I did even though I had a different plan in the beginning. (Sighs) I was gonna tell the board that she shouldn't be trusted with a key let alone a job or a child. I hated her so much back then, I told her to her face before I left for college that I wish Aaron had stabbed her that night instead of me. I wanted to make her suffer like she made me suffer.
Andrew: If you felt that way then, why did you still help her?
Amber: I…had some problems in med school and the counselor recommended a therapist.
Andrew: Really? You don't seem like a therapy person.
Amber: (Chuckles) Yeah that's what he said too. I told him about my mom and what I planned to do to her and he completely psycho analyzed me. He told me that if I destroyed my mom's chance of getting better, I would feel worse than I already did. He said that the only way for me to move forward is to help her be the person I wanted her to be growing up. I…I didn't want to but I did because I looked at this one picture of me and my mom. I was seven I had just danced the nutcracker at my elementary Christmas dance, she was beside me smiling like she was so proud of me and I was smiling too. In that moment…I had a mother and I loved her.
Andrew: You realized you would destroy the mom you had that night and you would hate yourself for it.
Amber: Yeah. I went back to Iowa and helped make sure she got a job. I-I think I felt a little bit better I'm not sure I don't do a lot of self-evaluating.
Andrew: I think it did because you would not be as composed now if you didn't feel a little bit better.
Amber: Are you a psychologist now?
(Amber sees a chef putting cold eggrolls in a pan and decides to help)
Amber: I got these thanks.
(Amber grabs the tongs and puts the eggrolls in the pan)
Andrew: What are you doing?
Amber: I just feel like doing something while I word vomit about my tragic family. Can you get the oven?
Andrew: Um okay.
(Andrew opens the oven, Amber puts the pan inside and turns the knob)
Andrew: Do you feel better?
Amber: I don't know. We should head back out there though.
(Andrew and Amber head back to the living room where they see Helen knitting on the couch)
Amber: You know what the kitchen had better lighting lets go back.
Andrew: (Sternly) Amber. Just talk to her.
Amber: (Sighs) Why couldn't I have dated a guy who's not interested in my well-being? Fine I will talk to her. But first I need a sip of that. What is it?
Andrew: Um rum and coke.
(Amber takes Andrew's drink from his hand and finishes it in a few seconds)
Andrew: (Surprised by her drinking) Whoa.
Amber: (Exhales) I hate rum.
(Amber hands the glass back to Andrew and she and Alex head to the couch)
Alex: Hi. You want something to eat?
Amber: The eggrolls are really good here.
Helen: I'm okay thank you.
Alex: (Sighs) I'm happy to see you. It's just, uh, it threw me. I mean, uh I mean, it really means a lot for Amber and me both.
Helen: (Strange look on her face) Tires. No. Tennis shoes. Melting tennis shoes.
Alex: What?
Helen: Don't you smell that?
Alex: No.
Amber: I don't either.
(Helen starts to panic)
Amber: Mom it's okay.
Alex: All right, t-take it easy. Take it easy.
Helen: (Stammers) The... The shoes... The shoes you had in high school, the red ones. Remember? They were on sale. But they're burning. The shoe-Alex, we are really high up. Honestly, everybody needs to get out of here right now.
Alex: But, Mom, there is no fire.
Helen: (Stands up) Yes, there is! There is!
(Andrew notices this and looks at Amber who closes her eyes in despair and embarrassment)
Alex: Mom, come on. Just stop. Just calm down. Come on. Sit down. Come on. Please?
(Amber gently sits Helen down as Alex tries to calm her)
Alex: It's gonna be all right.
Amber: I'm uh I'm gonna get you a drink.
(Amber quickly leaves to go to Andrew who has a worried look on his face)
Amber: (Voice breaking) I cannot believe this is happening again.
Andrew: Come on I'll take you home, our coats are in the closet.
Amber: Thank you.
(They quickly grab their jackets and see Jackson and Catherine at the door)
Andrew: Avery do you mind we really need to go.
Jackson: Look just wait until after the toast, okay?
(Amber sighs and reluctantly stays. Andrew rubs her back to comfort her. Jackson leads his mother to the center)
Jackson: Mom, come on over. All right, folks, over here.
(The partygoer's applause as Tom and Owen argue)
Owen: She's seven months pregnant, Tom, so why don't you just do the right thing?
Tom: So, what-what, we're on a first-name basis now? Because I barely know you. Wait. What was it again? It was Oliver? Ollie?
Owen: No, no, I know you. Because any man who would prey on a vulnerable pregnant woman.
Tom: Okay, okay, this was a blast, but I shouldn't keep my public waiting.
Owen: And I will tell you another thing, Tom. If you think you're gonna be around my kid, then you have another thing coming. 'Cause you may be many things, but a father isn't one of them!
Teddy: Owen!
(Tom punches Owen causing the guests to gasp and shout. Owen tries to punch Tom but Teddy stands in front of him)
Teddy: Owen, he is a father! All right, if you're gonna punch him, you're gonna have to go through a pregnant woman.
Tom: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I-
Teddy: Oh, don't be. All right.
(Tom and Teddy walk to the front)
Andrew: (Whispering) Well at least your family isn't being stared at.
(Amber glares at Andrew. Tom puts his hand in a bucket of ice)
Tom: Million-dollar hand. Sorry, Avery, proceed.
Jackson: Yeah. Um, anyway, as you can see, I am so happy to be standing here with-
Helen: (Gasps) Fire!
(Amber turns to the kitchen where she and the others see smoke)
Alex: It's a fire. It's a real fire!
(The smoke alarm beeps as the guests panic)
Amber: (Happy tone) There's an actual fire!
Andrew: Wrong tone Amber, come on let's go.
(They all head to the door as Jackson tries to get them out orderly)
Alex: (Happy tone) Come on, everybody. It's a real fire! Come on, Mom.
(Amber and Alex smile to themselves as they leave the smoke-filled apartment)
LATER OUTSIDE THE BUILDING
(Andrew rubs Amber's arms as they wait for the firefighters to come outside)
Andrew: At least it wasn't boring.
Amber: (Chuckles) After this I'll take a boring party anytime.
(Ben walks out of the building in his uniform)
Ben: If I could get everyone's attention, please, the building is cleared for re-entry. Everyone except the penthouse level. The fumes are still pretty bad up there, and it should really air out for a few days.
Jackson: Ben.
Ben: (Holding up a burnt piece) Plastic in the oven. See it all the time. Bad smoke but no fire.
Jackson: Who put plastic in the oven?
(Amber widens her eyes and looks at Andrew who also widens his eyes)
Ben: Sometimes the trays look like metal. Think it might've been egg rolls.
Amber: We don't know that that was us.
Andrew: We're pretty sure it was.
Amber: Should I say something?
Andrew: It's probably best if we don't and I think we should get out of here while we still can.
Amber: Yeah, good call.
(Andrew and Amber walk to the car and head back to Andrew's place)
LATER AT ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Amber and Andrew exit the car and get ready to head inside)
Andrew: Where's your mom?
Amber: Alex and Jo's, she's sleeping on the couch. (Laughs)
Andrew: What?
Amber: All this craziness tonight and I didn't realize that you were the first person I dated who actually met my mom.
Andrew: (Touched) Really? Wow, that makes me feel special.
Amber: (Smiles) Yeah?
Andrew: Yeah.
(Amber kisses Andrew as a bright light from a car hits them)
Andrew: Hey, do you mind?
(Carina pops her head out of the window)
Carina: Why you didn't answer the phone?
(The car turns off and Carina comes out)
Andrew: What? (Looks at Amber who appears confused) Why-What are you doing back?
(Carina and Andrew converse in Italian for a few moments as Amber looks at them with a questioning look before an older Italian man comes out of the car)
Vincenzo: Andrea.
Carina: I tried to warn you.
Vincenzo: Ciao!
(Vincenzo pulls a startled Andrew in for a hug as Amber finally understands what's happening)
Vincenzo: Ciao. Ciao.
(The two men stop hugging)
Andrew: Um…A-Amber, this is, um, my dad. Dad this is my girlfriend, Amber.
(Amber keeps her shock to herself as she grins at DeLuca senior)
Vincenzo: Oh. (Takes off hat) Buona sera.
Amber: Hi.
(Amber looks at Andrew who is still in shock over his father's arrival)