THE EWING HOME:

Gary sits on the couch, remote control in hand, and absently flips back and forth between a baseball game and the sports news. Betsy comes down the stairs and hesitates, looking over her father’s shoulder with a mixture of concern and guilt shadowing her face.

“Is that you, Betsy?” Lilimae calls out, emerging from the kitchen with two large platters. “Sweetpea, would you bring these over to the Mackenzies for me?”

“Sure, Gumma.”

“Mack just insisted I make my special potato salad, and it’s been years since I cooked up a tray of hush puppies,” Lilimae says in an exaggerated tone, making sure Gary can hear her. “You run along and let everyone know I’ll be right there with a basket of chicken.”

“OK,” Betsy agrees, heading out the door.

Lilimae remains focused on Gary, putting one hand on her hip and cocking her head. “So, when can I tell Mack and Karen to expect you?” she asks.

He looks back at her again tiredly.

“I already told them—and you—that I’m not going.”

“All your friends are going to be there. And your children. It’s been quite a while since we all got together like this.”

“We’re not ALL together,” he corrects her. “I know you mean well, but I’m just not up for a party.”

“She’ll be back, you know,” Lilimae says knowingly.

“What?”

“She couldn’t stay away from you if she tried. Never could since you were both teen-agers,” she replies. “But I don’t have to tell you that. Whatever she’s doing out there and whatever she’s going through, when she’s done her road will lead back to the only man she’s ever really loved.”

“Maybe I won’t be here waiting when that happens,” he informs her, getting up and going up the stairs.

Lilimae watches him go and shakes her head. “Oh, Valene. What have you gone and done this time?”

NEXT DOOR, AT THE MACKENZIES’:

Betsy balances the two platters carefully as she approaches the driveway. Up against the garage backboard, Mack, Daniel and Keith are playing defense against a determined Michael, Bobby and Harvey in a heated game of basketball.

“Watch out, Avery!” Mack shouts as Bobby makes an attempt to take the ball that Daniel’s dribbling. “Pass to the left!”

Daniel nods, ducking Bobby’s offensive move and bouncing the ball to Keith.

“That’s it, that’s it!” Mack calls out as Keith aims for the basket, scoring for his team. “Yesss!”

“That was weak, boys,” Harvey sighs.

Daniel tosses him the ball, then notices Betsy heading his way and hesitates. “Time out, guys,” he orders, jogging over to her. “Need a hand with those?”

“Actually, yeah,” Betsy replies, and he takes one of the platters from her. “If I dropped one of those, Gumma’d have my head.”

“Yo, Danny, come on,” Bobby calls out, wiping a drink of water from his chin.

“Oh, take a break, butthead. It won’t kill you,” Meg orders him as she gets her own at the cooler.

Bobby smiles and throws his sweaty towel back at her.

“Eww! You’re going to pay for that one.”

At the opposite end of the driveway, Keith dribbles the ball absently. Michael approaches him, smiling.

“I’m glad you decided to come,” he remarks.

“Mmm-hmm,” Keith replies, looking around the group. “And look! No one’s condemned you for having your boyfriend to a nice little picnic with the family. Your issues are in your head, man.”

“I know they are,” Michael replies. “But that doesn’t make them go away. Just give me the time, OK? I might surprise you.”

“You always do, cutie,” Keith says with a grin, tossing him the ball.

“How come the baby’s sleeping?” Holly asks innocently, seated on the lawn next to Olivia, who is cradling her baby in her arms.

“Because he’s tired.”

“But it’s not bedtime yet,” she says, confused.

“Babies don’t sleep like little girls do,” Olivia replies. “They sleep when they want to and they wake up when they want to. Sometimes at 3 in the morning, like last night.”

“And 4:30 and 5:45,” Harvey groans.

“OK, let’s get back to it,” Daniel says anxiously, returning to the driveway as Betsy takes a seat next to Meg.

“So, you’re not grounded?” Meg asks in surprise.

“Well, kind of,” Betsy responds. “But this doesn’t count. Besides, Dad’s got other things on his mind besides me and Bobby.”

“Mack Mackenzie, I don’t smell any charcoal burning,” Lilimae calls out as she approaches the house. “Those steaks we marinated all day aren’t going to cook themselves.”

“All right, all right,” Mack agrees, walking off the driveway.

“Hey, we’re in the middle of a game here,” Michael says.

“You wanna argue with her?” Mack asks, as Lilimae rouses Betsy and Meg to their feet and to work at the picnic table. Mack goes to the side of the garage where the grill is and picks up his apron. He ties it in the back and turns to the others, proudly displaying his well-worn “Kiss the Cook” emblem. He doesn’t notice Karen approaching from her house, a grin on her face as a feeling of nostalgia washes over her.

“Hey, Lilimae, there’s Mom. She can take over here at Party Central,” Meg announces gratefully.

Lilimae peers in Karen’s direction. “Karen! I’m glad to see you. I haven’t even had a chance to start the rolls.”

“Then I guess I got here just in time,” Karen says with a wide smile. She looks again in Mack’s direction. He returns the smile and winks at her before turning to light the grill. In the street, a black Hummer pulls up at the foot of the driveway.

“No way!” Bobby declares as the driver jumps out. “Cousin Jack, you’ve GOT to let me drive that.”

“I got dibs,” Janice informs him, throwing open the passenger door. “Now if I can just get out of the damn thing.”

She jumps to the ground, almost slipping on her heel. Losing her balance momentarily, she teeters but recovers before taking a fall. She straightens up as a round of applause sounds up from the crowd.

“Thank you, thank you,” she says proudly, taking an exaggerated bow.

“The picture of womanly grace,” Jack remarks as he comes around to join her. She flashes him a snarky look as they walk up the driveway.

“Hey, Jack, jump in the game. We’re down a man,” Bobby requests.

“Count me in,” he agrees, taking off his shirt and tossing it aside. “How about you?”

“I think NOT,” Janice responds, sitting down next to Olivia. She looks at her and shrugs. “Some guys will do anything to get you to take your shirt off.”

“Some people don’t need that much encouragement,” Olivia replies with a laugh. She looks up to see Abby pull in to the driveway next door. “And speaking of my mother …”

“I didn’t think Abby Ewing was the type to do the barbecue-in-the-’burbs thing,” Janice remarks.

“She isn’t. But it’s kind of eerie. This kid here has brought out this weird motherly side of her. I don’t know whether to be heart-warmed or creeped out,” Olivia explains.

“Take your blessings where you can get them, Liv,” she suggests as they watch Abby get out of her convertible in a casual but sporty sweater and khaki pant ensemble. She walks across the cul-de-sac toward them. The players on the driveway hesitate as they see her approach.

“Hello, everyone,” Abby calls out pleasantly. “Michael, it’s so nice to have you back where you belong.”

“Thanks, Aunt Abby,” he replies. He looks at Keith and shrugs as Abby walks past them and approaches Olivia.

“Hi, honey. How’s our little guy?”

“He’s just wonderful,” Olivia gushes. “He fell asleep in my arms a few minutes ago. Just like a little angel.”

“Babies sleep when they want to. And they get up when they want to,” Holly informs her grandaunt.

Abby looks at her and smiles. “Holly, you’ve gotten so big. We’re so happy to have you home in California.”

“I like being with my daddy,” the girl announces. “But I miss my mommy.”

“Yes, I missed your mommy once, too,” Abby says with a smile. “If I hadn’t, things might have turned out much differently.”

“We prefer to look forward,” Karen asserts, approaching the group and taking Holly’s hand. She peers at Abby with a cautious eye before turning to look down at her granddaughter. “I’d bet you’d like some juice.”

“Uh-huh,” Holly replies.

“You mean “yes, please.” Karen leads her away.

“Olivia, do you think we could have a moment alone,” Abby requests.

Janice looks at her and nods. “No, no, allow me,” she says, getting up. “I could use some juice myself.”

“Thank you, Janice,” Abby says with her trademark patronizing smile. She turns back to her daughter. “Did Brian call?”

“Nope, not a word. I’m going with the ‘no news is good news’ policy.”

“I just hope he isn’t headed for another disappointment. Kate’s left him in the lurch before—” Abby begins.

“Abby, LOOK OUT!” a voice yells. She spins around as the basketball comes flying directly at her head. Instinctively, her hand snaps up and she catches the ball before it can hit her.

“Nice save, Abs,” Greg’s voice calls out. “If anyone knows how to protect their head, it’s you.”

“You know me, full of surprises,” she replies as Greg and Paige get out of their car.

“Tell me about it,” Jack says bitterly. Abby gives him a disapproving look as all eyes turn to fall on Paige.

“Hey everyone, hope we’re not too late,” Paige announces cheerfully. “If I’d just have let Carlos make the pasta salad instead of insisting on doing it myself, we’d have been here an hour ago.”

“Nonsense, honey,” Karen says warmly, walking up to them and putting her arm around Paige. “You’re right on time.”

“So what, boss, you up for a game?” Jack asks.

“Jackson, this mug’s much too pretty to chance getting roughed up with you yahoos. I think me and the missus will sit this one out,” Greg responds. He spies Meg at the picnic table and grins. “Besides, I get to see your mug every day at the office. But that redheaded beauty over there is someone I can’t ever get enough of.”

“Well, I have been using highlights, but I wouldn’t call it red,” Janice quips as Greg walks past her.

“Gladstone,” he says with a nod, leaning in to whisper. “Not in front of the wife. She’s the jealous type.”

“Puh-leeze,” she responds, looking to Paige for a laugh. But Paige is transfixed, her eyes glued to the baby cradled in Olivia’s arms. All the bravado and cheer has washed out of her face, leaving the pain and loss to show for all to see. Karen looks at her with concern, and Abby watches the scene carefully.

“Olivia,” Paige says finally, walking slowly toward her. “He’s beautiful. A boy, right?”

“Yeah,” she replies, smiling and finding herself feeling guilty for the joy that fills her heart.

“Oh, he’s so precious,” Paige coos, kneeling to look into the baby’s face. “Hi there, baby. Hi.”

Greg looks back, not sure whether to go to her side. From his post at the grill, Mack also watches sadly. Even the basketball game has stopped again as everyone takes in the heartbreaking scene.

“Paige, do you …” Olivia begins, hesitating for a moment and looking to her aunt for assurance. Karen nods hesitantly. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Can I?” she asks gratefully. Olivia nods and hands the baby to a woman who she has called rival more than friend since they’ve known each other. But in this moment, all that is forgotten as she hopes to share a piece of her happiness to help heal Paige’s pain.

Paige reaches out and takes the baby gently into her arms. She smiles and looks into the baby’s face again. “Olivia, he’s wonderful. Oh, look, he’s waking up.”

“I think he likes you,” she says reassuringly as the baby’s eyes open and look up into Paige’s. Olivia reaches to the tiny hand as it grasps her finger while Paige rocks him gently.

“Thank you,” Paige whispers, pulling the baby closer to her chest. A tear rolls down her cheek, but no one can tell if it’s one of joy or sorrow.

“YO! Dan-NY!” a voice calls out from across the street. The surprised crowd looks up to see the handsome face of Jason Avery standing next to the driver’s door of his rental car.

“Jace! Dude!” Daniel calls out excitedly. The group looks closer to get a better look at the man most of them have not seen since he was a child. But then their eyes are drawn to the passenger door as it slowly opens.

As if in slow motion, the passenger emerges … long legs turning and touching the ground as the woman gets out and stands beside the car. At first all they can see is her red hair … but as she turns, with each second passing like minutes, they see a face that is all too familiar. The face of Laura Avery Sumner looks back at them tentatively. An audible gasp is heard from the gathered.

“Oh. My. God,” Meg says aloud, the first to speak.

“It can’t be. SHE can’t be,” Paige murmurs.

“So who the hell was Ava?” Janice says in confusion. Silence again overcomes them.

“This has gotten ridiculous,” Karen says finally, striding toward the car. “I’m getting some answers.”

The group starts to move as one as a slightly overwhelmed Laura watches them warily. Still standing in place, Greg watches her intently, his head shaking in disbelief.

“Red?” he says aloud, as we ... FADE OUT ... END EPISODE 64.