(Kirsten, Jimmy and Julie are sitting at a table out on the deck)
Julie: So, Kirsten, why all the secrecy? What's going on?
Jimmy: Is everything okay?
Kirsten: Guess it depends how you look at it. (She says dryly. Looks at Jimmy & Julie and sighs. Looks at her hands ands starts speaking) You know when I was 18, and I went away to college in the west for nine months, then transferred to Berkley?
Jimmy: Yeah… (Looks confused)
Kirsten: Well. I didn't actually go to College. I… I went away. To have a baby. Our baby, Jimmy. You have a daughter. We… We have a daughter.
Jimmy: What? (Kirsten smiles wryly at him. Julie looks shocked and a little angry). Why… Why didn't you tell me when you found out you were pregnant? We could have worked something out…
Kirsten: I didn't tell anyone. You know if my dad had found out he would have been furious, and made me have an abortion, or marry you. Neither of us was ready for marriage, Jimmy, and I couldn't kill an innocent child because of my own mistakes. So I told everyone I was going to college in the west; no one questioned it because it was what I had always planned. When I came back, my dad was so glad I was here that he didn't ask questions. I've kept it a secret all these years. I… I didn't know what to do, Jimmy. I thought if I left it for a while, it would be easier to tell everyone, because, you know, it would be done with, but… it just got harder as time went by. I should have told you before now Jimmy, and… I'm sorry. (Julie looks at Jimmy, the look of anger on her face intensifying. He looks at Kirsten, an almost… happy look on his face. He smiles at Kirsten)
Jimmy: It's okay. I understand.
Julie: (Bursts out suddenly) You UNDERSTAND? (Her voice is shrill, and she is positively spitting with rage) What do you MEAN, you UNDERSTAND? She kept a child from you for TWENTY-FIVE YEARS and now you say you UNDERSTAND? This is because you're still in love with her, isn't it?
Jimmy: Julie…
Julie: Oh no, don't Julie me, and don't even TRY to deny it because I know you are, have been since the day I met you. What, do you think this child is the missing link or something? That she's going to realize she loves you, and that you're destined to be together?
Jimmy: Julie, calm down…
Kirsten: It's not like that, I…
Julie: You know what? Forget it. Why don't you just get married already! (She shouts this last bit. With one last glare at Kirsten she goes inside. Moments later you hear a door slam. Jimmy looks at Kirsten and sighs. Kirsten looks down at her hands again).
Jimmy: I'm sorry, about her…
Kirsten: No, it's okay.
Jimmy: I better go and, um… (Kirsten nods, showing she understands. Jimmy gets up and walks into the house).
Kirsten: (Sighs) I'll let myself out.
(Camera pans to Sandy sitting in his office, reviewing some documents. He looks up as the front door slams and Kirsten walks upstairs. She walks into his office and leans against the doorframe)
Sandy: How'd it go?
Kirsten: Jimmy took it surprisingly well. Julie… not so well. She completely flew off the handle. (Sandy looks back down at his documents)
Sandy: Can't say I blame her.
Kirsten: (Starting to sound a little angry) Look, I've said I'm sorry! I should have told you! What more do you want? I only didn't tell you because I was afraid of your reaction, afraid of what you'd think of me!
Sandy: Yeah, and I think so much more of you finding out like this!
(Camera switches to Rachel lying on the bed in the guest bedroom next door. She sighs as she hears Kirsten and Sandy arguing again.)
Rachel: (Thinking) I never meant to cause so much mess… All I wanted was to get to know my mom. (Sighs to herself) Oh well, I guess I just gotta give it time. (She cringes as Kirsten and Sandy's argument gets louder and more heated). But until then, I think I need to get out of here. Maybe a walk on the beach. I'll leave a note in case someone comes looking for me. (She sighs to herself again). Not that they will. (Writes a note and leaves it on the dresser, then walks out and pulls the door of the guest bedroom shut. She tiptoes downstairs, so as not to disturb Sandy and Kirsten.)
(Camera pans to Seth lying on his bed. He is thinking about his conversation with Ryan earlier)
Seth: (thinking) Ryan was right. I've been acting like a jerk. Poor mom… I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for her… and here I am having a go at her about it. Maybe I should go talk to her. Apologize. Let her know I'm here for her. Yeah. (He gets up and sees the bowl of cereal still sitting on the desk. His stomach rumbles.) Right after I eat this bowl of cereal.
(Camera switches to show Kirsten stomping downstairs. She walks quickly into the kitchen, tears blurring her eyes. She pulls a bottle of vodka out of the freezer and grabs a glass out of the cupboard. Stands looking at it for a second, then puts the glass away, grabs the bottle of vodka and takes it upstairs. When she gets to the bedroom, she sits on her bed and pulls the bedside door open. In it is a bottle of sleeping pills. She picks them up and looks at them, still holding the bottle of vodka in the other hand. Camera switches again to the Cooper house. Jimmy is sitting on the couch and Marissa walks in)
Marissa: (calling out to him as she walks past) Hey Dad!
Jimmy: Hey, Kido. What are you up to? (She walks back to the lounge)
Marissa: I was just gonna head over to…
(At that moment, a door slams, and Julie walks past)
Jimmy: Jules? Where are you going?
Julie: (Calls from the front door) I'm going to Kirsten's.
Jimmy: Do you think that's such a good idea? (The front door slams in answer)
Marissa: (Looking at the door through which Julie just exited, and then looks back at her dad) What's up with her?
Jimmy: (Sighs) Don't ask.
(Camera switches back to the Cohen house. Kirsten is still sitting holding the bottle of vodka and sleeping pills when there's a knock on the door. Seth enters)
Seth: Hey, Mom, can I talk to you for a sec? (He sees her holding the vodka and sleeping pills. She quickly tries to hide the sleeping pills) What are you…? Are those sleeping pills? Mom, what's…? (Just then the doorbell rings)
Kirsten: Seth, get the door.
Seth: But…
Kirsten: Seth. Door. Now. (Seth stares at her. The doorbell rings again and he looks at her one last time before going downstairs to answer the door).
Seth: (Mumbling to himself) That's probably Trey. Or Oliver. Or Grandpa. Or… (He pulls open the door) Julie! (Mumbles to himself again) Just as bad…
Julie: Seth! Is Kirsten here?
Seth: Yeah, she's upstairs. Let me just go get her. (He runs upstairs and knocks on Kirsten's bedroom door) Mom? Julie's here. (No answer. Then…)
Kirsten: I'll be out in a minute. (Seth shakes his head and goes back into his bedroom. Kirsten opens the door and wipes her eyes before going downstairs. She walks into the kitchen to find Julie pouring herself some coffee. Julie turns around and sees Kirsten)
Julie: Oh! Kirsten! I just helped myself to some coffee, I hope you don't mind.
(Kirsten doesn't look surprised by Julie's sudden change of attitude, just tired, like she's sick of everything).
Kirsten: Julie, what are you doing here? (Julie realizes Kirsten's in no mood for small talk. She puts down her cup of coffee)
Julie: Well, I came here to apologize. I kind of overreacted before and I'm sorry. You've been there for me through a lot – The whole porn debacle, for one – and I owe it to you to help you through this. You're the best friend I've got Kiki, and I don't wanna lose you. (She walks up to Kirsten and hugs her. Kirsten looks surprised, then hugs her back. Julie pulls away)
Julie: Now, you look like you could use a little fresh air, some time away from everything. I know this really cute little café down by the pier where they make the best mochachino's… (She grabs Kirsten's arm and pulls her out of the kitchen).
(The camera changes to the beach. Ryan is walking along, kicking at the sand. He looks up and sees Rachel sitting on the lifeguard stand. He goes over and sits next to her).
Ryan: Hey.
Rachel: Hey. (Awkward silence)
Ryan: How… How are you?
Rachel: (Looks at him, thinking) Okay, I guess. Considering the circumstances. (Ryan nods). I just feel like I've caused so much stress for everybody. I wonder if I should have just… stayed away. All I wanted was to get to know my family. (Ryan stares out at the ocean, saying nothing, then…)
Ryan: You could have done worse.
Rachel: (Snorts) Yeah? How?
Ryan: You could've burnt down a house.
Rachel: (Turns to look at him) You burnt down their house?
Ryan: It's a long story. (She looks at him, clearly wanting to know more. He sighs). Look. It's not so bad. I burnt down their house, and they still adopted me. You just showed up. I think you have better chances than I did at being accepted into the family. Just… just give them some time. A lot has happened in the past year, and this is gonna take some getting used to. It'll work out though; you'll see. (Rachel is looking at him with an almost admiring look on her face. Ryan's watch beeps)
Ryan: (Looking at his watch) Oh, I gotta go meet my girlfriend. You wanna come? Actually, you guys are kinda related, considering her dad is…
Rachel: Ugh. I don't even want to think about it right now. I think I'll just go home. (She stands up)
Ryan: Actually, that's probably a better idea. Anyway, I better get going. (He turns to leave)
Rachel: Ryan, wait. (He turns around to look at her) Thank you. (She leans in and kisses him, a long, passionate kiss. Finally, she pulls away, and looks at him one last time before hurrying away up the beach.)