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Previously...

• Growing infuriated when Braden called her 'crazy', Kimberly picked up a vase and hurled it in Braden's direction. While she had come clean about her true identity, she was still showing signs of desperation- most notably in winning the heart of the charming Braden McCullough.
  
  
• Desperate to exact her revenge upon Diane, Emily decided to use Braden as her pawn and convinced him to seduce Diane for her. He agreed to do anything for her and Emily was left elated when realizing how humiliated Diane would eventually feel.   
   
  
  For a printable version of this episode, click here.
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  Scene: The Davison Estate.  

With a look of apprehension, Jason slowly raises his right hand to meet the door. He knocks a few times and begins to look towards the ground for a moment. He is here to see his sister, Ashley, although he didn't make plans to stop by. Instead, he was in the area and thought to drop in to tell her about his experience at the support group. He doesn't see his mother's vehicle in the driveway, and hopes that Diane is out for the day. Always growing suspicious that something is going on with him, the last thing he needed was a nosy Davison woman in his face.

To his surprise, when the door swung open that is exactly what he got.

"Jason, my dear. What a pleasant surprise!" Helen greets him and ushers him to come inside.

"Grandma...It's good to see you as well," Jason replies with a half-hearted smile. He can only imagine how much she was going to try and pry this evening.

"Sit down. I just baked some cookies. I'll bring you some milk as well to wash them down with."

"Thanks, Gram. Is Ashley here? I saw her car was in the driveway."

"No, she's not," Helen yells from inside the kitchen. "Joe picked her up not too long ago. I think they went out to dinner or something."

"Oh" Jason mutters, knowing he should have called before he stopped by. Not that he didn't love Helen, but he knew that she could be even worse than his mother at times.

"You seem disappointed. Did you just come to see her?" Helen inquires, setting the tray of cookies in front of him.

"Oh, no...I just wanted to visit. I'm glad you're here."

"Well, I'm thrilled you stopped by! So what's new in my grandson's life?"

"I've just been getting ready for the new school year which starts next week."

"It's already that time again, eh? I thought you weren't too pleased with how things were being run at the school? Did you have a change of heart?"

"Yeah, I suppose. As angry as I might get at some things, I love the children. They can be quite the inspiration and they really get me through the hard times."

"I'm glad to hear that. I never did well with youngsters myself, but I think I've changed in the last few years. I think I'm turning into a pretty hip grandma."

"Hip?" Jason smiles.

"Well, you know I listen to that Brinana girl and Lady Googoo."

"You mean Rihanna and Lady Gaga?" Jason laughs, trying his best not to put Helen down- as comical as her answer was.

"Oh yes, whatever. I love that new hit about riding a disco stick."

"Grandma, please...don't ever say those words aloud again."

"Alright, alright" Helen smiles.

"So what's new with you?" Jason inquires, trying his best to turn the attention on her.

"Oh, we're still talking about you, my dear. There's something much bigger going on in your life- and you need to be honest with me."

Jason freezes for a moment and looks at her dead in the eyes. Is there an actual possibility that Helen knows?

"What do you mean?"

"You can stop playing, Jason. I know exactly what you're hiding...and I think it's about time the rest of the family should know as well."

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Scene: Chez Rendezvous. Northern Heights District. 

Joe sips his glass of wine; all the while Ashley sits there and looks at him playfully. "You're just teasing me, aren't you? You know I'm a wine lover and I can't have a single drop."

"I know." Joe smiles. "It's absolutely the best glass of wine I've ever had as well. I feel so bad that you can't have any."

"I'm so sure. Soon enough....one more month and the baby is due. It's going to come before we know it."

"It is indeed- and I can't wait until our little boy is born."

"Or girl." Ashley emphasizes, "we agreed that we wouldn't find out until he or she was born and then we would be surprised."

"I know, I know...I still can't wait though."

"You can't? I'm the one who has been carrying this child for all this time- going through the sickness, dizziness, and everything else accompanied with a pregnancy- including the wine withdrawals."

"Something tells me you'll live." Joe cracks a smile.

"I'll be fine. I just want the child to be healthy and safe. That's all I care about."

"I agree. We're doing everything right," Joe comments. "I know we'll be great parents together."

There's an awkward silence that cuts through the room for a moment. There's just over one month until the baby is due, and Ashley and Joe are still living in separate houses and have not even discussed marriage.

"Together, eh?" Ashley smiles, finally breaking the silence.

"Yes, together."

Joe trails off and clears his throat as he drops to one knee. Others who are dining around them turn their focus to Joe and Ashley's table.

"What are you doing?" Ashley's face turns a lighter shade.

"I've done a lot of thinking, Ash. I really love you with all my heart and I know that we've had our ups and downs, but we've gotten through them and we have this great miracle to celebrate. I want this child to grow up with a real family. With two loving parents who make each other happy...Ashley, will you marry me?"

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Scenes 1-2 | Scenes 3-4 | Scenes 5-6