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Husband, Father, k*ller: The Alyssa Pladl Story (2024)

Thanksgiving & Drama Movie Collection.
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Thanksgiving, Dramas Movie Collection.

Husband, Father, k*ller: The Alyssa Pladl Story (2024)

Post by bunniefuu »

[reporter]

We're reporting shocking news

from Dover Plains, New York,

tonight

of a series of crimes that

have left a family shattered.

[reporter #2]

...following reports

of a North Carolina arrest

on charges

of incest and adultery.

[reporter #3]

...that what they are looking at

is, by all appearances,

a triple m*rder and suicide.

[reporter #4]

There were stunning allegations

that a father

and his own daughter...

[Alyssa] In retrospect,

I see how I was manipulated--

how we all were.

I've asked myself

if there was something more

I could have done

to protect my family,

to protect myself.

Why would he do it?

All I can say

is that there is

real evil in the world.

[Alyssa] I'm just gonna close

the drapes, Detective.

Steven would k*ll me

if he knew

I was meeting with you.

[Detective] Alyssa, were you

always afraid of Steven?

[sighs]

[sighs]

Steven loved bragging about

sh**ting up his room with a .45

and covering the b*llet holes

with-with posters.

And you didn't see that

as a red flag?

No, I just thought...

it was cool.

It was bad-a*s.

How did you two

get together?

We met in a chatroom.

I was 15. He was 21.

I don't know, he just,

right from the start,

had my number.

He love-bombed me

from 2,000 miles away.

Pretty soon, we were just

talking on the phone for hours.

Do you, uh,

do you do puzzles?

Yeah, I've done jigsaw puzzles.

Okay, you know

when you're about

to finish a puzzle

and there's just that-that

one missing piece,

and, you know,

you-you just k*ll yourself

trying to find it,

and then,

out of nowhere

it pops up and...

[blows air]

...it's perfect?

Yeah?

[older Alyssa]

37-year-old me knows

he was just

pouring honey in my ear.

That's how I feel

now that I've met you.

[knocking at door]

I'll call you back!

Okay, yeah.

[bangs phone down]

[Alyssa] I wish I could

go back and tell myself

not to stop caring about

everything except Steven,

to not fall for his act,

to not let my grades go to hell,

to listen to my parents.

Everything they were saying

was right,

even when they forbade me

from ever talking to him again.

[exhaling deeply]

Well, you know...

Steven didn't like that.

He didn't take that so well.

[thumps desk]

[chair hits floor]

[raging, glass shatters]

[Alyssa] When he heard that,

nothing could stop him

from coming for me...

...and the crazy thing is,

I wanted him to.

Some girls

are just moths to the flame.

I guess

I was one of those girls.

[car door closing]

You're my baby.

Okay, let's go.

[Detective]

How did your parents react

after you left?

The second

my beautiful, perfect daughter,

Denise, was born,

my mom and dad came around.

[tearfully] And they were

trying to help, you know?

But Steven would say that--

that they were trying

to take the baby from us.

My baby was not even six months

before...

he moved us

2,000 miles away.

And that's when

his true colors came out.

You have to take it back!

[Steven]

No way! It's too late!

You've had it for two hours.

Just take it back--

Oh, so you want me to lie?

What kind of example is that

setting for my little girl?

Steven,

we need food for the baby!

Oh! Yeah, and all that

organic crap you buy--

no wonder we're broke!

You know, for once, once,

maybe you can get a job you

don't, like, lose right away!

I told you,

I will not lick boots!

[whirring]

[crashing]

What the hell?

That is not supposed to happen.

Stupid thing.

Does she ever shut up?

- [crying]

- It's okay--

Stop it!

She has to learn!

You coddle her!

You promised me never again--

you swore!

What are you doing?

[Steven]

Getting some peace and quiet!

[Alyssa] Please, Steven,

don't put her in the cooler!

Please, I promise,

I'll keep her quiet!

You say that every single day!

I don't want her to die!

Please!

[Alyssa] Sometimes,

Steven would pinch her

to get her to stop crying,

but that would only

make it worse,

or he'd put her in the cooler

so he wouldn't hear her scream.

I was too young.

I knew I couldn't protect her.

She would be safer

away from him.

[arguing, indistinct,

Denise crying]

When I told him

we had to put Denise

up for adoption,

he said yes.

He would say anything

not to lose me.

[adoption agent]

They're good people.

I'm sure

they'll do everything they can

to make her feel

safe and loved.

They did have

one request, though--

her name.

They'd like to give her

a new name for her new life,

if that's all right with you.

[Denise crying]

Th-That'll be fine.

They're her new parents now.

[]

[Alyssa] I told my parents

that Denise

was going to a good family

and they had good jobs,

and they had a nice house,

and they would love her.

They just couldn't understand

why I wanted to give her up.

I couldn't tell them

what Steven had done.

I didn't...

didn't...

didn't want to give her up.

[sighing]

In the back of my mind,

I'd always hoped to be reunited,

that I'd see Denise again...

...but not like this.

[mother and father]

Happy birthday to you

[all]

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday

Dear Katie

Happy birthday to you

Thank you, thank you,

thank you, thank you. Thank you.

Oh, wow.

Mm. Thanks, Mom.

Oh, my god!

[laughter]

Oh, my god,

it's like a thousand colors.

I'm actually gonna go crazy.

That's the best kind of crazy

to go.

It's pancakes and lots of bacon

as soon as you're dressed.

Come on.

Uh, Mom, Dad?

Yeah?

I'm-I'm ready to do it now.

It's... time.

To do what, honey?

Uh... sweetheart?

What? Why shouldn't I?

You... should,

if you want to.

Your birth parents

were good people.

They knew

what was right for you, but--

[deep breath]

...they were damaged,

and I'm sure

long since broken-up.

You don't know

what kind of chaos

you could be stepping into.

Maybe just wait a while longer,

until you have a little more

life under your feet.

Baby, if you're sure

now is the time...

N-No, I'm not,

but I want to anyway.

- Right after pancakes.

- Okay, good.

Okay.

- I love you.

- I love you.

[Alyssa]

Why does anyone stay in hell?

I don't know.

Where would I have gone?

I had no money,

and the girls,

they loved Steven.

He was more of a playmate

than a daddy,

and with Caroline having autism,

change is crazy tough for her.

I didn't want

to blow up her world.

Staying with him

became a habit,

something I got used to,

even when we were sleeping

in separate bedrooms.

[handle clunking]

[toothbrush hits jar]

[sighing]

[exhaling deeply with resolve]

[calling out] Steven?

[Steven] Surrender, earthlings!

The invaders from Zorgon

have overcome your defenses!

Surrender!

We will never surrender!

Oh, h*, h*, then Zorgon

will finish this...

the Zorgon way!

[Alyssa]

Always the Pied Piper.

He knew how to turn it on

for the whole world.

Oh, no! You're--

You're k*lling Zorgon!

The Earthlings

are too strong!

[he groans theatrically]

Can you please

go make us breakfast?

I need to talk to your dad.

You heard your mom.

Go rustle me up

some waffles.

Thank you.

Heavy on the syrup!

The water's off.

You swore

you were gonna pay for it.

Yeah, yeah,

I thought we were in the--

what do you call it--

grace period.

- You "thought"?

- Yeah.

[fidgeting with water g*n]

How can you let the girls

live like this?

Like what?

Look, I know where the box is

on the side of the house.

I'll grab my wrench,

have it on like that--

no problem.

- Mm-hmm. What if we get caught?

[snickers] Cops are gonna

come and arrest you?

You know what?

Just forget about it.

You know, I'll go downtown

and I'll talk to them,

and I'll work

four overtime shifts,

and I'll get it paid by Friday--

[mockingly] Ohh!

And get a start

on next month's rent.

Great, yeah.

Yeah. What happened

to your job at the shop?

Total jerks.

Waste of my time.

Providing for your family

is a waste of your time?

Don't worry about it.

Steven.

Steven, I'm done.

Good to know.

[water sloshing as he fidgets]

Stop!

Yeah, in a minute.

[water sloshing]

Now! Stop.

Don't touch me like that.

Well, you sure know how to stab

a knife in the back of fun,

don't you?

- You know what I can do?

- Hmm?

I can pawn something

to get out of this hole.

- Oh, yeah? What?

Something I should've done

a long time ago.

No.

Don't you joke about that.

Do you seriously want

to keep going around

this merry-go-round,

pretending that we're in

any kind of marriage?

That's the joke!

You can't

do that to me.

I actually can,

if I do it really fast

before I chicken out.

You can keep the house.

I will get a house

with the girls.

You're great mom.

You'd do that to Caroline?

You know the hell

she goes through

when things change.

She's the reason

that I've been here so long.

She's the reason

I'm here.

I'll be at peace...

finally.

Dad!

I can't find the waffle mix!

Dad?

Go.

Coming!

[exhales intensely]

[Steven] Did you look

in the cupboard?

[]

[Steven] Alyssa?

You have to see something.

What happened?

Nothing.

You just have to see it.

You ready

for your world to explode?

What--

[Steven] She, uh...

she tracked us down.

[laughs] She-she knows

everything about us.

She even wants to come

and meet us after she graduates

from high school in May.

It's our baby girl.

We get to see her again.

What?

Hey, what--

[thumps lid down]

What is your problem?

Why aren't you

excited about this?

Have you forgotten

why we gave her up?

The things you did

to that baby?

Oh, for god's sake.

You have no right

to be happy about seeing her.

You can't tell me how to feel.

I'm her dad,

and I did

what I thought was best.

I just wanted her

to stop screaming.

But did I ever, ever do that

to Caroline or Jenna?

No, I didn't.

So I have every right,

I think,

to feel whatever I want to

about our baby.

She's not our baby.

So, what are you gonna do?

You're just gonna tell her,

"No, you can't come meet us"?

I probably should.

Alyssa, but will you?

Could you actually do that?

No. No, you couldn't.

I-I couldn't.

So we're agreed,

and there is no problem.

And...

we can't exactly

break up now, right?

What are you talking about?

Well, what kind of

a welcome would that be?

"Hi. Great to meet you.

We're splitting up"?

You're just trying

to stop me from leaving.

Alyssa, but what about

Caroline and Jenna, huh?

Uh, "Hi, girls. Guess what?

"You have a big sister

we kind of forgot

to ever tell you about,

and, oh, yeah, by the way,

as of right now,

you come from a broken home."

I mean, y-you really want

to drop all of that

on your daughters

in-in one big... blammo?

Think of what

that would do to them.

I'm-I'm gonna write her back.

Thanks.

[sighs heavily]

Oh, my god.

[]

This looks like the address.

They're here!

[Mom] You feeling okay?

Mm-hmm. Yeah.

You call us anytime, okay?

Every day.

[Katie] Okay.

[door creaks]

[Mom]

Do you want me to get that?

I think I got it. Thanks.

I'll get the door.

Hi! Long drive?

[Katie] Yeah. [chuckles]

Okay.

[Steven] Hey.

Wow.

Hi.

Hi, I'm Kelly,

and this is Anthony.

Hey.

Good to meet you.

- Hey.

- Hi.

This is Katie.

Katie, this is...

Oh, Alyssa, Steven, and Jenna.

Jenna, please say hi

to Mr. and Mrs. Fusco.

Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Fusco.

Hi!

Are you my sister?

Yeah, I am.

[laughs] Yeah.

You're pretty.

Oh, thank you.

My other sister's inside--

she's on the spectrum,

so she's a little bit shy.

A little shy?

That's okay.

I'm-I'm a little bit shy, too,

so, I think we'll get along.

[laughter]

So nice to meet you.

[chuckling] "Katie".

Okay, well, you all must

be hungry after a long drive.

We're having a barbecue.

Backyard?

- Uh...

- Thank you.

Yeah, thanks, but we've got

a long drive to get back, so...

Oh!

All right. Yeah. Okay.

[claps his shoulder]

[Alyssa] All right, well,

thank you so much

for driving her down,

and, of course,

I'll keep you in the loop.

Great, thank you.

And yeah, me, too, obviously.

- [laughter]

- I know.

- Okay, bye, Mom.

- Okay, bye.

All right-- ding-ding,

hear that lunch bell ringing?

Bye, Dad.

- See you in two weeks!

- Bye.

- Have fun.

- I will.

- See you. Love you.

- Bye.

[Steven] Jenna, a hand, please?

Yeah, there you go. Oh.

[Alyssa]

When Katie first arrived,

I had that horrible feeling

you get

when you know things

are gonna go very bad.

I should have stopped it

right there.

[Detective] How could you have?

[Alyssa] I don't know.

I just should have.

Let's just go, okay?

How about you

go show her, okay?

You've gotta see your room.

We made it pretty for you.

[]

[Katie gasps]

Thank you.

It's wonderful.

Thank you.

Why are you, like, crying?

Oh. No, I'm not crying.

I'm just, um... [sniffling]

It'll be the first time

I've ever slept in my own room.

Yeah, in our trailer,

I had to share with my sister.

Trailer?

It's really nice!

It's bigger than a lot of homes.

[Steven] When did you move out?

Uh, we didn't.

We still live there.

Jenna, why don't you

go help her unpack, okay?

[Katie] You gonna help me?

Okay, come on.

[door closes]

Did you know about this?

[hushed] Talk over there.

Do you remember

what I remember?

A two-bedroom house?

[Alyssa]

It was better than our house!

[Steven] This whole idea

that she'd be raised by a family

who could give her a better life

is a load of crap!

Will you please just be quiet?

She's right next door!

Can you put a lid on it

for two weeks?

Please, for her sake?

Just...

[thumps door]

All right, Burger Express!

All aboard! Choo-choo!

I'm sorry.

[]

- [Katie] A little to the left.

- [Alyssa] This way?

[Katie] Yeah, so the light

falls on you.

[Alyssa] Okay.

- That's perfect. Perfect.

- All right.

Yeah, just hold that.

I'm sorry, I've never

done this before.

No, it's... it's perfect.

Can I talk?

Yeah, absolutely,

as long as you don't move.

Okay.

You know, I thought about you

every day.

Yeah, I prayed

that you were happy.

Mm. I was happy.

Yeah. Had an awesome life.

I, um... I mean, sometimes,

I wish I wasn't, like,

buried in a small town,

but, um...

you know, my parents

are good people.

They're like "the real deal,"

you know?

Yeah, I was, um...

felt completely, uh...

...loved, yeah, yeah.

Oh, that's beautiful.

So,

what do you think about

living in a small town?

Oh, no, I'm gone.

I'm already gone.

[laughs] I hear a plan.

- Okay. Um, community college--

- Okay?

...And then transfer

to SUNY to study art.

That's awesome.

Yeah. [laughs]

Yeah. Yeah, without art, I--

I don't even...

I don't even know

what life looks like.

I wish Chris got that.

Boyfriend?

Um... ish.

Ah! Let me guess--

he wants you to have three kids

before you're 20?

Kind of. I don't know.

I really like him!

I-- I do.

I-I don't know.

Listen.

I'm probably the last person

that should be giving advice,

but, you know, don't let anybody

come between you

and what you really want.

What did you really want

when you were my age?

You.

Beyond that,

I don't even know.

It was just so...

buried under so much stuff,

you know?

[chuckles sadly]

Sorry.

[softly] It's okay.

I carried you.

I breastfed you.

You were my baby.

It feels so good to hug you.

[]

[laughter]

[Katie] Oh, my god, like,

the look on his face!

Did you see it?

I actually died.

It was so funny.

[both laughing]

Hey, guys, does the whole class

get to hear the joke?

[both laughing]

You had to be there.

It was like...

I had the best time.

I know. Me too.

Let's do it again, okay?

Yeah.

Hey, Katie, would you please

go put the groceries inside,

please?

- Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

What?

Talk about not fair.

[Alyssa] What's not fair?

You monopolizing Katie.

I want to spend time

with her, too.

You can hang out

with her tomorrow.

I had today off.

Is that okay?

Since you have

nothing else to do.

[scoffs]

Why are you even home

right now?

Idiot foreman had it in for me

because he knew I could

do his job blindfolded.

It was only

a matter of time

before he found

some lame-a*s excuse to can me.

[door shuts]

Oh, wow.

I mean, look at this one.

It is...

a genius--

- [giggles]

- ...Out of my own blood.

No, I don't know

about genius.

I mean, yeah,

I have a lot to learn.

Yeah, you think

you're gonna get that

at Podunk Community College?

Well, yeah,

it's just till I transfer.

Pfft. Same difference.

Look, college is for losers

wasting their parents' money

while they figure out how to get

their thumbs out of their asses.

- It's true.

- What?

You're a mile ahead of that.

So, what?

I just, like...

Like, I don't go

to college at all?

Yeah.

[laughs] What else do I do?

Uh, get out of Podunk

and start being an artist

right now.

Richmond is the big city,

tons of art schools.

You can take classes.

You can live with us--

for free, in your own room--

and do all the art you want

all day long.

So, I-- you mean, like,

I just don't go home next week?

This is home.

[chuckles and sniffles]

Sorry.

What? What did I say?

[crying] I'm sorry.

Hey.

Why did you give me up?

I had nothing to do

with that.

[groans]

It is all this crap

your mom made up.

She said, "Oh, Steven,"

you know,

"she's gonna be raised by

a rich family with a big house.

She'll have

all these opportunities.

She'll travel the world."

I'm such an idiot

for falling for it.

No, no! You're not an idiot.

Like, I had a great childhood.

Yeah, but you could've had that

with your real parents,

plus your own room,

and two baby sisters

to worship you,

but you didn't.

And you know why?

All because

your quote-unquote mom

wasn't ready to give up

partying

and hanging out

with her friends.

That's why?

Hmm.

Hey, you've got

something right there.

It's okay.

[laughs] I'm okay.

Are you sure?

[laughing] Yeah.

No, it's... I'm happy.

- Me too.

- Yeah.

[Steven] Oh!

[laughing loudly]

You're kidding me!

Are you kidding me?

Here we go.

[Katie] Yeah, I'm ready.

[Steven] Oh, my god!

[Katie] That was so close.

[Steven] One, two, three...

Open your mouth!

Open your mouth!

You guys are getting on

like gangbusters.

Yeah, you know it.

Uh, hi, Katie.

[Katie] Hey.

What are you guys

doing for dinner?

Uh, we were gonna go out.

Yeah, yeah.

Finish the day off

with a little

father-daughter burger night.

Cool. Well, it sounds fun.

All right.

See you later, then.

Thanks.

- Yeah, thanks.

- Okay, ready?

- Oh, yeah, I am ready.

- Ready. This is the time.

- The question is, are you?

- This is my moment.

My-- Okay.

[laughing]

[rock music playing

in background]

[Steven] Thank you so much.

[]

Oh, sorry.

Whoa.

A strawberry margarita with...

a cute little umbrella.

What's the drinking age here?

21, why?

Then it's ill*gal.

[laughs] So?

No one's gonna card you!

My parents hate

when I drink alcohol,

even like half a beer.

Kelly and Anthony Fusco--

sworn enemies

of fun and excitement.

- [laughs]

- Who are they--

or anybody else on the planet,

to tell a tough,

incredibly talented,

amazing and totally awesome

young woman

what she can

and can't do?

- Right?

- Yeah!

- Who are they? Right?

- Yeah.

- Yeah!

- [laughs]

I mean, sure, yeah,

legally, it's a crime.

Riddle me this, Batman--

where's the harm?

[]

[clink]

[thumps glass down]

[muffled strains

of retching]

[Steven] Quiet.

Shh, shh, shh...

You're doing good.

Just get it all out.

Get it all out.

Oh, my god!

What did you feed her?

Oh, no, I believe

it's more a matter

of what she had to drink.

You got

your underage daughter drunk?

What is wrong with you?

Are you a monster?

Hey, a person's first

big drunken puke

is an important rite

of passage.

- [gagging]

- Ooh!

Just be glad

she's going through it

with a responsible adult

who cares for her,

and not some horny teenage boy.

You sound crazy!

And disgusting.

[slurring]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I should've stopped

at just one.

Baby, this is not

your fault, okay?

What happened?

[Alyssa]

Oh, don't worry. It's normal.

She just ate something bad.

It doesn't look normal to me.

Shh. Hey.

Are you all right?

You want to sleep it off?

Want to go to bed?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- We'll get you to bed, honey.

- Okay.

- Hold on.

[Steven laughing] Oh, no.

[Katie gags, Steven snickers]

Get out! Just get out!

[Steven laughing]

[Katie retches]

Oh, I got you.

I got you.

[birds singing]

[]

[Steven groans]

[grunts]

[Alyssa gasps anxiously]

Good morning.

[hushed]

You're sleeping in her room?

What planet is that normal on?

Okay, you know what?

I don't know what it is

about your voice,

but even your whispering

just makes me want to vomit.

Shh.

You should be in jail

for what you did last night.

What?

What do you mean, what?

[scoffs] Oh!

- What's wrong with you?

- Let me see.

I keep losing track.

Which excuse is this

to divorce me?

Hmm?

Number 687?

Oh, no! You know what?

I forgot.

You don't need any excuse.

No, no, no.

So long as it makes you feel

all good and righteous

about bailing

on your family again.

You know that's a lie.

Oh, yeah, yeah,

I-I-I keep forgetting.

Yeah, uh, Katie's been here

all along,

her name's still Denise,

and us losing her

for all these years

was just

an ugly, screaming nightmare.

[breath shaking]

You make it so easy

for me to just hate you.

Oh, that's good!

Now we're getting somewhere.

Go on, admit it.

You wish I was dead.

[sobs]

Oh, my god, Katie!

I'm so sorry.

[door slams]

- [Katie] Go away!

- Katie, I'm sorry!

[knocking]

Please, can you open up?

- Why?

- I just want to talk to you.

There's nothing to talk about.

It's fine. It's not a big deal.

What's not a big deal?

You walking out on Steven

and everyone else!

- What?

- It's fine.

- That's just what you do!

- No! Oh, my god.

- It's fine.

- Please!

Go away!

Please, can I just talk to you?

No, I actually don't care!

I actually don't care.

Please go away.

[Steven sighs]

There's something deeply

and seriously wrong with you.

Oh--

You telling her God knows what

about our past?

That's just gonna hurt her.

She has a right

to know her own history.

If it's the truth.

Try this...

keeping it together.

For Katie's sake.

For our girls.

And?

I can't even breathe

in the same room as you.

Stay.

I'll take the girls.

I'll get a new place.

And what about Katie?

Katie...

what she does

is her call.

Fine.

Smash us all to pieces.

Knock yourself out.

[]

[door opens and closes]

[Caroline]

Do you really hate Dad?

[Alyssa] Of course not.

He gave me

two beautiful babies.

I-I don't hate Dad.

But you said you did.

People say all kinds of things

when they're upset--

things they don't mean.

Then why do we have to move

to a different house?

Then why are you guys

breaking up?

We were kids, you know?

Now we're adults,

we go two different directions.

When can we see Daddy?

Honey, anytime you want, okay?

Mom?

Yeah?

Did you ever want

to give me and Jenna away

like you gave Katie away?

Oh, my god, no, baby.

No, no, no, no,

not in a million years.

Come here. Come here. No.

[swing creaking]

Hey.

You know

Steven and I breaking up

has nothing to do you, right?

It's been a long time coming.

Okay.

It's not your fault...

okay?

I want you to come with me

and the girls.

No, you don't.

I do.

You don't

really know Steven.

He isn't...

[deep breath]

I just, I-I...

You don't really know him,

and he's just--

Is what?

He's irresponsible.

I'm 18.

I don't need someone

to be responsible for me.

Yeah, I thought

the same thing, too.

You know,

whatever you say about him

is just your side of the story,

right?

I don't come with you...

[sighs shakily]

...do I still get to see

Jenna and Caroline?

Of course.

Then I'll stay.

I mean, I like it here.

I like my room.

I'll be fine.

I'm gonna help the girls pack.

[]

It's gonna be so great,

you guys.

You're gonna be

in a new neighborhood,

and you'll meet new friends,

and there's probably gonna be

new types of frogs in the yard,

and maybe a new place

to get ice cream.

It's exciting!

You'll get to paint

your room a new color.

Isn't that exciting?

Um, no.

No? Okay,

well, what about you, J?

What color are you gonna paint

your new room?

Um, peanut butter.

Peanut-- Peanut butter!

Okay. Um, right, right, right,

so are we going

crunchy or creamy?

- Crunchy!

- Crunchy. Got it.

Got it, got it.

Love you, baby. Mwah.

Sorry.

Oh!

[Steven chuckles]

Oh, goodbye,

my darling angel.

I'll see you real soon, okay?

Come over whenever you want--

day,

middle of the night--

[tearfully]

...it's your home, too, okay?

Come on, baby girl.

Let's go.

Hey, Caroline,

got a hug for your dad?

Yeah. Thanks.

Be good.

[Alyssa] I didn't

fight hard enough for her.

It's like I left a baby deer

in a lion's den

to fend for itself.

[crying softly]

Love you!

Bye!

[]

[shots firing]

Just like that.

You're up.

[laughs]

Right?

- Okay. Here, here, here.

- All right.

Hold it with both hands. Yeah.

Just like that. Good.

Now...

line up the notch

with the can.

Yeah. Take a deep breath...

...and pull the trigger.

[fires]

Yes!

- [laughs]

- Whoo!

[giggles and squeals]

[]

[mailbox claps shut]

[]

[chuckles]

[]

[Alyssa] That was my freedom

I was holding in my hands.

I couldn't sign

those divorce papers

fast enough.

[Steven] Is this good?

Yeah, move your shoulders

a little more to face me.

[chuckles] Like that?

Yeah, a little--

split the diff.

- Hold that.

- Okay.

Can I see it?

Just want to take a peek.

- I'm not done.

- Let me take a peek.

You did that already?

That is great!

[Katie laughs]

You never got that from me.

I'm lucky if I can figure out

how to draw a stick figure

for a game of hangman, you know?

Um, what about Alyssa?

Yeah.

Yeah, she's more

the artistic type.

I never saw her

pick up a brush, though.

Hmm.

Hey, wait, why don't--

why don't we do this more like

the real thing?

How about

if I take off my shirt?

Yeah?

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

How's that?

[]

[Alyssa] I'd been with

the same guy since I was 15,

and now, wow, I'm free--

totally free--

the whole world's out there.

But it was scary, too,

because I didn't know anything

about being free.

[sighs]

[]

Sometimes,

when I look at you,

I... feel like,

I don't know,

like I'm looking in a mirror.

Mm.

Look at this.

Oh, yeah, right here,

with the thumbs?

Yeah, same hand.

And how about this?

[laughs]

Same weird crooked toes!

Speak for yourself.

Same.

Same...

...same.

[Katie chuckles awkwardly]

But it all looks better on you.

[chuckles nervously]

[clapping]

[car approaching]

[calls out] Dad's here!

All right, here you go.

Come on, girls, let's go.

Hop in.

[snickers] What are you trying

to do with your hair?

What? You say that

like it's a bad thing.

You're not 16 anymore.

A guy shouldn't

look his best?

Can you just make sure

you give them more than candy

at the movies, please?

What do you take me for?

Yes.

Say goodbye to your mom.

[girls, jokingly]

"Goodbye to your mom."

[chuckles] Bye, girls.

Have fun.

[door rumbles and thuds]

[car engine starts]

[text alert chimes]

[]

Okay! Pladl-berry muffins!

Thank you.

Here.

[giggling] Give me it!

[chuckling]

[]

[giggling]

Dig in, guys.

[Katie keeps laughing]

[]

[man]

The very best they ever wrote?

Yes! In your humble opinion,

of course.

I-I don't know how humble,

but maybe...

"The grass ain't greener,

the wine ain't sweeter

either side of the hill"?

A truer word

was never spoken.

Okay, you.

Best Dead lyric ever.

Oh! Okay, no contest.

"If all you have to live for

is what you left behind--"

[both] "...Get yourself

a powder charge

and seal that silver mine."

You got it.

I love that song.

- Okay.

- Full disclosure--

I have

three beautiful daughters,

one's on the spectrum,

and the others just ask

too many questions,

and, um...

I have a psycho ex

that's the spawn of the devil,

and he has many g*ns.

Hmm.

[sighs]

Do your girls like fishing?

[laughs]

Yeah.

[clink]

[Jenna] Okay, okay.

So I hold it like this,

with my thumb here?

Yup. My god.

We've got ourselves a natural.

Ex-Exactly.

Now, don't think about

making it fly, right?

Just keep your thumb on here,

and then you just flick it,

and when you flick it,

that's when you let go.

Whoa!

- Yay!

- Look at you.

Good job, Jenna.

- I got it into the stream!

- You did get it in the stream.

Did you want to give it a try?

No? All right.

I don't think the fishes

are very hungry.

I don't know.

Maybe they already

had their breakfast,

and now they're just

hanging out.

Doing what?

Eh, not much,

just rolling with the day.

Kind of like we are right now?

Yeah.

Oh... I see your point.

Like, here we are just

enjoying the sunshine,

and what if

a giant hook just came

and snatched one of us up

into the sky,

and that would--

yeah, that would--

that would kind of take the fun

out of the day, wouldn't it?

- Pretty much.

- Yeah, yeah.

Okay, well, I have an idea.

What is your--

What's your favorite food?

Rocky road ice cream!

Oh, I love rocky road.

What about you, Caroline?

Blueberries.

Blueberries?

All right.

Well, what if, right now,

blueberries came

raining out of the sky,

coming down really hard,

and we got to eat

as much as we wanted

until our tongues turned purple?

How would you like that?

Really a lot.

Yeah? All right.

Well...

Well, fish aren't big

on blueberries,

but we have

the next best thing.

Here, can you get me

the bread, please?

You'll see. You will--

Thank you, love. Okay.

Now, this is really important.

We've gotta make

blueberry-sized pieces.

Okay, you take one.

Take one.

Very important.

Blueberry-sized pieces, okay?

[chuckling]

[Alyssa]

Eric, he's just...

he never judges anything.

He accepts me for who I am,

who the girls are.

- What?

With him,

I'm just, you know...

[]

I have to tell you something.

I've given birth

to three girls,

and I don't work out,

and Steven is the only one

that I ever...

You are perfect

just the way you are.

Really?

Really.

[]

[door thuds]

[Katie] What do you mean?

Just...

you know, the stuff

that comes bubbling up

from the deep,

in the dark of your soul,

when nobody's looking and...

keeps you awake at 3:00 A.M.

What is it,

for you?

Fear.

Yeah, fear I'm-- I'm never

gonna make it as an artist,

and the whole world

will think I'm a joke.

Well, there's a way to make

that noise in your head go away,

you know?

- I would love to know.

Well, you tell it

to go to hell.

Literally. Out loud.

I do it all the time.

You say,

"Screw you,

voices inside my head,

trying to tell me

what I should and shouldn't be

because I, Katie Pladl,

am the most amazing person

who ever lived."

[chuckles]

"Fusco," sorry.

It's okay.

It's the same difference,

though.

"I, Katie Fusco, kick a*s

no matter what I do,

so out of my head, now."

Yeah, I wish I believed that.

Well, you don't

have to believe it.

You just have to do it.

Go ahead.

- Right now?

- Yeah.

Loud as you can.

Scare the hell

out of those voices. Go!

I, Katie Fusco, kick a*s,

so get out of my head!

[laughing]

There. Done.

You'll never

hear from them again.

From your lips to God's ears.

You know that--

that feeling you get

when you do a, like,

a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle,

and you get it all done,

every bit of it,

but there's still

a piece missing?

And you look for it for days

and days,

and you finally give up,

you think you'll never find it,

and then...

out of the blue...

out of nowhere,

there it is...

it just turns up...

...and you put it back

in the puzzle, and...

...[exhales]

ohh...

the picture is complete.

Yeah.

That's how I feel right now.

Me too.

[]

Is this wrong?

Is what wrong?

I don't know, this--

you and me being, kind of--

I don't know.

Hey...

does it feel wrong?

[]

[Katie crying]

Hey, Katie, it's okay.

I'm here.

You're safe.

Nothing can hurt you.

[Katie panting]

[]

[Eric] So did your parents

ever forgive you

for giving up Katie?

Not entirely.

It's complicated.

Do you visit them often?

Uh... I haven't seen them

since Katie was Denise.

Yeah, because, you know,

travel's expensive, and...

but we do video call.

Wow.

Yeah, "wow."

Wow.

"Wow."

[gasps]

- What?

- I gotta go pick up the girls!

No, not right now.

Yes, no, I gotta go.

I gotta go.

Okay.

You see?

This is the upside

of split custody

nobody tells you about,

but I gotta go.

Oh, I'll be right here.

[laughs]

[Caroline] No!

What do you mean, no?

Are you too stupid

to know what "no" means?

[Steven]

Do not raise your voice at me!

[shouting] Caroline!

Do you want me

to break this door down?

Caroline,

you know the rules.

Everyone washes

their breakfast dishes.

Go away!

Caroline, open up the door!

Caroline, I will break

this door down, I swear,

unless you come out now

and wash those dishes.

You have three seconds.

One, two...

[car horn honking]

Hey, you get back here.

Get back here

and wash those dishes!

[roars] Caroline!

Bye, Katie.

Bye, Daddy.

See you next Wednesday.

[breath shaking]

Bye, sweetheart.

[pounding railing]

You'll never guess the big news

at the Pladl house.

What big news?

Oh, nothing.

Just the cat's

gonna have kittens.

What cat?

All right, come on, girls,

what's going on?

You two look guilty. Tell me.

Katie's pregnant.

Is Chris the dad?

Dad's the dad.

What did you just say?

Did you just say,

"Dad is the dad"?

I'm sorry.

Did you just say,

"Dad is the dad"?

No, she's just joking.

Chris is the daddy.

Caroline, please, come on.

Tell me the truth.

Chris is the dad.

Are you sure?

Is she okay?

She's fine.

She said

she feels really good.

Okay, honey. All right.

Why don't you guys go inside?

I have to make a phone call.

- [both laughing]

- I'm over here.

[phone buzzing]

Who is it?

Oh. [sighs]

[Katie] Hello?

Hey, um, I heard the news.

What news?

About the baby?

It's all right, Katie.

I was three years younger

than you are.

Have you told your parents?

Yeah.

What'd they say?

I don't know, not much.

Have you told Chris?

Um, I can't really

talk right now.

Do you have a doctor?

Um, I have to go. Bye.

[]

[]

Goodbye to you guys, too.

[Alyssa] Hey, kiddos!

Hey.

Good luck with Caroline.

She's been a real nightmare

at home.

That's weird. She's an angel

when she's with me.

Oh, so it's my fault again--

like always.

And you're Miss Most Perfect Mom

of All Time?

Okay, Steven.

Look, there's something

in Caroline's journal

you need to read.

Why are you

going through her things?

She keeps leaving it out.

I think she wants us

to see it.

Really? Well, what does it say?

Just read it,

and then we'll talk.

Call me!

[]

[Alyssa crying]

What's wrong?

Steven told me that I needed

to read Caroline's journal.

Okay.

"Daddy says him and Katie

feels like couples.

Did they get

a little too drunk that night?

My dad is a sl*t.

He's Satan.

My dad says

Katie's my stepmom.

He doesn't even want me

to call her 'sister' anymore."

- Read this!

- Oh, my god. What's--

Okay. "He'll go to hell,

but he won't be the one

getting tortured.

He'll be the one

torturing people.

Wait, one second--

if he's Satan

and Katie is a human,

then the baby

will be half-demon."

- What the h--

- He's the devil.

Why on Earth

is he showing you this?

Because he thinks that

he didn't do anything wrong!

Can you please

just watch the girls?

Of course, go.

Are you k--

Oh!

[sobbing]

[starts car]

[pounding on door]

[pounding]

Get outside, right now.

[door closes]

What is going on?

You made me

read that on purpose?

That you conquested

your daughter?

Are you evil?

You really are evil.

I thought you already knew.

- Oh, my god!

- Alyssa, it's not a secret.

Katie and I are in love.

We're planning to--

[shrieking in rage]

Get off of me!

It's ill*gal!

Are you crazy?

No law can tell me

who I can love.

It's incest!

[sobbing]

She's your daughter.

She's your daughter, my god!

Look, she loves me.

[shrieking]

Don't you ever touch her again!

Don't you touch her again!

It's over. You hear me?

It's over.

If I had a g*n...

I would k*ll you!

But I have daughters

that need me.

I would m*rder you!

Don't you--

Don't you ever touch her again.

[sobbing]

[Alyssa] With the new plan

automatically replacing

the grandfathered plan,

you're gonna get

a slight increase

in angry and a*usive callers,

right?

But... it's important

to maintain a calm tone.

[shrieking]

Okay? Stay calm.

[raging]

[Alyssa, echoing in rage]

Don't you ever

touch her again!

Whoa. Um...

[voice shaking]

I'm sorry, I can't do this.

Can you--

Can you take over for me?

Please?

Thank you.

[Alyssa hyperventilating]

[]

[Alyssa]

I remembered you

from when my car was stolen

last year,

and I just felt like--

like I could trust you.

[Detective]

I'm glad you called.

[exhaling deeply,

phone ringing]

[Alyssa] So you see why

he would k*ll me

if he knew you were here?

Yes. I can.

You've been through

something unimaginable.

It feels like

it's happening to someone else.

I wish it was happening

to someone else.

Katie and Steven have

absolutely committed

a crime

for which they can be arrested.

Both of them?

Yes.

But given Steven's

history of violence,

once he finds out

he's the object

of possible prosecution,

you and your younger daughters

may be in danger.

We're already in danger.

I believe that.

How fast can it all happen?

With the restraining order

preventing him

from seeing you and the girls,

almost immediately.

An arrest warrant

on charges of incest

is a bigger deal.

Okay.

Just act super-cool.

Pick up the girls

like everything was normal,

then take them someplace--

anywhere but home.

Someplace safe.

[breathes shakily]

- [both chuckling]

- I don't know. I mean...

- Yeah.

- I've got time now, right?

[Katie] Yeah, it's true.

Yeah.

I'm proud of you, though.

Yeah.

[car doors closing]

Are you expecting anyone?

[Katie]

Who would I be expecting?

[Detective] Steven Pladl?

Wait here.

I'm Detective St. James.

What is, uh,

all this about?

We're serving you

with a restraining order

preventing you from

approaching or contacting

your ex-wife

or minor children.

Appreciate you

bringing this by, Detective.

You have a good day now.

She thinks

she can do this to me?

She thinks she can keep me

from seeing my children?

Don't get upset.

Please, please,

it's gonna be okay.

No, she is gonna

pay so hard for this.

Steven, Steven,

don't think about that!

- [rages] So hard!

- Just think about our baby!

Honey, and us!

And our future, okay?

What Daddy's done with Katie

is wrong...

and it's against the law.

Why is it

against the law?

Because it is.

That's not a very good answer.

Okay, honey, look.

When one person is...

the parent,

and the other person

is the child,

and they get together--

which is not right--

the child isn't making

that decision on their own.

It's the parent's fault.

Does that help you

understand a little bit?

Kind of.

Okay.

You know how--

you know how Daddy

gets really angry sometimes?

[dryly] Uh... yeah.

He's gonna get so angry

when he finds out

I told the police

about what he did,

so angry

that he might do bad things

that he might regret.

So...

we can't stay home right now.

We have to find a place

where Daddy doesn't

know where we are.

Then where are we gonna go?

We'll figure that out.

Right now,

all I need you to do

is get your giraffe

and all your toys...

where's that smile?

[chuckles]

...And your favorite bag.

I got you.

Can you do that?

- Okay.

- Yeah?

Okay, come on.

[phone rings]

Hey.

[voice breaks] Hey.

Look.

Steven has

a restraining order now,

but the police,

they're saying that...

they're saying

that I can't stay home,

and you could totally say no--

Okay, l-listen, say no more.

Okay, l--

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

Good.

Okay, here's what

I want you to do.

I want you

to come over right now.

I'll leave

the garage door open.

Thank you, Eric.

Hey. Everything's gonna

be fine, I promise.

[]

[Detective]

Girls, can you explain to me

exactly what

your father told you?

Yes. My father said

Katie isn't our sister anymore.

She's our step-mom.

[Jenna]

Is Katie still our sister?

Yes, she is.

Then why did

Daddy say she isn't?

You girls have been great.

I'm just gonna go

speak to your mom.

[Alyssa] I should be out there.

No, look, they're gonna

be fine, all right?

It's their mom

I'm worried about.

- I'm fine.

- Yeah.

Hey, how were they?

They're fine.

- Yeah?

- Did you get anything helpful?

I did.

Okay, so when can

we arrest him?

Steven and Katie are on

their way to North Carolina,

to live near Steven's mother.

What? Okay,

so now it's interstate?

Yeah, that's right.

Big mess of red tape

to coordinate jurisdictions.

But how long? How long?

Months.

If we're lucky.

Hey, sweetheart.

Hi.

[forced cheer]

I'll be in touch.

When can we see Katie?

I don't know, honey,

but right now, we just have

to learn a big lesson,

and we have to stay strong

for one another.

Can you be strong for me?

Okay, but I don't wanna

learn a lesson.

[laughing]

I don't want

to learn any more either.

Hey! Yeah.

Well, you know,

it's an exciting time.

And obviously

I want you guys to be excited.

Look, it's, like--

...it's important to me,

and I want you guys to be there.

Uh, it's just...

It's just what?

It-It's a big thing

to take in.

Okay. Well...

I mean, getting married's

what people do

when they love each other.

Yeah, but it can't be legal!

Mm-hmm. So we have

different last names,

so we just don't

say we're related

on our application.

No one's gonna know.

You know,

it's not just about that.

What-- What is it about, then?

Like, Steven's mom is coming.

She's so happy for us,

and she wants us to be happy.

So do we! Always.

Well, why are you against it?

Like, you want

your grandchild to be raised

by two people

who love each other,

who are married to each other.

Hi, Anthony.

How's it going?

[sniffs]

Hi, Steven.

Listen, I know

you guys love your daughter,

and you care

about her happiness.

I don't doubt that

for a second.

Thank you.

[Steven] And I know you want

to be a part of her life,

just like you want

your grandchild

to be a part of yours, so--

[chuckles] ...I can't imagine

you not being there

on what ought to be

the happiest day of her life.

Yeah.

[Steven] So we're agreed?

Great.

- Well--

- Okay.

I gotta run.

We'll see you there.

Talk soon.

Love you.

- Okay. [chuckles]

- Bye.

Okay? All right.

I love you so much.

I love you.

Okay, I'll talk to you soon.

Bye.

[]

[]

[Caroline]

That is seriously weird.

I know, honey.

Why did Katie do it?

Um...

that's just something

that you're not gonna understand

until you're a little older.

Your dad, he, um...

he got into your sister's head

and just...

made her do things

that aren't right...

or legal.

Is the baby

gonna be born soon?

Yeah...

in a couple of months.

Will I get to meet

my baby brother or sister?

Or niece or nephew--

depending on how you look at it.

Um...

one day, yeah.

When?

Uh, I don't know, honey.

We're just gonna have

to wait and see, okay?

Eat up.

[smooch]

[whispers] I got you.

[]

[Katie] Steven, please, please.

I just want to hold him.

[Steven] No.

I just want-- Please, please.

I just want to hold my baby!

No!

I'm so tired. I just--

I just want to hold him!

This is for his sake!

A boy needs to learn how to get

through the hard stuff without

being coddled by his mother!

- What are you doing?

Maybe he's sick!

- Oh, he's fine!

- Will you just

get out of my way!

- Shut up!

Get-- Ow! Ow! Ow!

I will not

let you turn my son

into a sniveling

little mama's boy!

[baby crying]

[pounding on door]

[Katie] Get the door, Steven.

Just get the door!

Get the door!

[Steven roars] What the hell?

[baby crying]

- What?

- Steven Pladl and Katie Fusco?

Yeah.

[officer]

Mr. Pladl and Ms. Fusco,

you're under arrest

for charges of incest.

You have the right

to remain silent.

Anything you say can

and will

be used against you

in a court of law.

Ma'am,

can you step outside, please?

You have the right

to an attorney.

If you cannot

afford an attorney,

one will be appointed for you.

Um... um,

what about my baby?

This is Gloria Jimenez

with North Carolina Child

Protective Services.

She will make sure your child

is brought safely from here

to his grandmother,

Grace Pladl,

to be placed into her care.

No, you can't take my baby!

You can't take him!

You can't take him!

[Steven]

You can't fight it, Katie.

This is the state

in all their dark

and awesome powers.

[sobbing] What are they

gonna do to us?

Whatever they want.

[Steven]

What are you looking at?

[]

[reporter]

The mother of the child

has now been

released from jail on bond.

The father remains in custody.

The pair are forbidden to have

any contact with each other

or be unsupervised

with their son,

who has been placed in the care

of his paternal grandmother.

[crying]

All right, not a word.

[slams lid shut]

[forced cheer] Hey.

Did they get a snack?

Uh, no,

we did not have ice cream.

We had ice cream.

I got rocky road!

[Alyssa]

What? You had a rocky road?

[phone buzzing]

All right, girls, come on.

Upstairs,

homework on the double.

[overlapping] Yes, Mom.

[phone buzzing]

Hello?

I'm sorry, who is this?

I'm sorry--

[whispers] "The Outlook"?

Some tabloid thing on TV.

I'm sorry,

can you say that again?

No. No, no.

I'm not interested.

Thank you.

[sighing] Oh, geez.

They want to interview me...

about Katie

on TV.

[sighs]

How did

they even get my number?

They have their ways.

[]

[sighs]

[Katie] It's been weeks,

and they won't let me see him.

We're not even

in the same state.

Katie, you gotta

let the process play out.

He's a baby,

and he needs me. Like--

[sobs] I just...

I just need to see him.

[sighs shakily]

He's gonna think

I abandoned him.

I'm sure Steven's mother's

taking good care of him.

I'm his mother.

[phone buzzes]

[buzzing]

[sighs sadly]

[crying]

[Eric] Try her again.

I've already tried five times.

I'm the one

who blew up her life.

She's not gonna answer me.

Well, don't give up.

Hold on. Hold on.

I've got an idea.

Hi. Yeah, this is Alyssa Pladl.

Are you the person

I spoke to yesterday?

I want to do the interview.

[Alyssa] If I could

say something to Katie,

it would be that...

[deep breath]

...that I hope she realizes

how truly young she is,

and that she has a chance...

to start over,

and I hope to God

that she does.

And I want to let her know

that whatever Steven did

to her...

...was exactly what he did to me

when I was only 15.

All the attention,

um...

[sighing]

...saying that I was the most

amazing person in the world...

...drowning me

in whatever it is

he thinks love is.

And I would tell her

to protect her little baby

from him...

because of the things

he did to her

when she was little,

just to keep her from crying--

pinching her...

...putting her

inside of a cooler

with the lid on it.

And he doesn't have a heart--

not like she does.

[sobs] Katie,

if you're listening to me,

you have

such a beautiful heart.

[shouts]

Katie! Come here!

[Alyssa on TV]

And you're so strong.

And with the love

of your adoptive parents,

you can survive this,

and have the beautiful life

you deserve.

And I know you're angry at me--

and I'm sorry...

I truly am.

But I want you to know

that wherever you go,

whatever you do...

[sniffling]

...I will always love you.

Thank you for letting me

be just a little part

of your life.

[begins hyperventilating]

Daddy?

Yes?

Did I do something horrible?

Nothing we do for love

is horrible.

And I know you loved him.

You say that

in the past tense.

Well, maybe

because I hope it is.

Horrible or not,

you did

what he wanted you to do,

what he got you to do.

You're just

beginning your life...

...and it's all ahead of you.

No mistake

is too big

or too late to undo.

[]

[phone ringing]

Oh, whoa, whoa. [laughs]

Hey, hey!

I can't believe

I am looking at your face.

I'm literally just about

to walk in the door from jail.

Hi, Steven.

[laughs] I haven't even

called my mom yet.

How's our boy?

I don't know. I don't know.

I hear he's crying a lot.

He misses us.

Steven...

[Steven cackles]

Whoo! Katie, I love

that you called me.

You know what?

Screw them.

Screw the world

and all their stupid rules.

Nobody can keep us apart.

Well, jail sucked.

How was it for you?

It was okay. Steven--

Oh, hey, when-when

can I come see you?

Steven, will you

please listen to me?

I'm listening. What?

I don't think

you should come see me!

[snickers]

I'm sneaky.

They'll never know.

No, it's not that.

I just-- I think that--

You think--?

I think that maybe

they're right!

I think they-- I don't--

I don't think we should

see each other anymore.

Katie, you listen to me.

That is your parents talking.

They forced you to do this.

They have hated me

ever since

they took you away from me

when you were a baby.

It's not my parents.

Then who is it, hmm?

Did Alyssa get to you?

Have you talked to her?

No.

Then who?

Katie, do you love me?

Yes. Yes, I love you,

but I just--

I just--

I need to figure out--

Figure out what?

If you love me, then what

is there to figure out?

A lot!

I have a lot to figure out!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

No, no, no!

Do not hang up on me!

I'm sorry. I have to go now.

I love you. Goodbye.

[crying]

Katie!

Damn it!

[bag thumping deck]

[]

[Eric] Oh, my god!

The bubbles!

Look at them all. Stop!

Stop it!

Get him!

You're getting me all wet

with those bubbles!

Stop it, stop it!

Come here. Come here.

Come here, you.

Come here. Come here.

[grunts playfully]

Look at you.

[Alyssa chuckles]

[Eric] Look at them all.

Look at them all.

Oh, my goodness.

I'm gonna get you. Oh.

[]

I know you just got back here.

I'm sorry to just show up

like this, but...

[sighs] I wanted

to tell you in person.

Steven's been released.

Where is he?

He went home.

Bennett's with Steven's mother.

You need to protect you

and your family.

Thank you for telling me, okay?

Okay.

What's wrong, Mommy?

Oh, honey,

everything's okay, I promise.

Okay.

Hey.

I'm gonna take care

of you and the girls.

[Bennett cooing]

Hi.

Who's this?

Oop.

Toes in my nose!

[chuckles] Hi.

I know you like puppets.

Oh, hello!

Oh... hello.

Nice to meet you, too.

[deep voice]

Hey, do you know who I am?

[higher voice]

Oh, yes!

Yes, I know who you are!

[deep voice] No way.

Because if you knew who I was,

there's no way

you'd pull that crap with me.

[higher voice]

Oh, no, I'm sorry!

I'm sorry.

[deep voice]

No, it's too late for sorry.

No! Oh...

[makes hitting noises]

[pretends to cry]

[chuckles]

Yeah.

[]

[]

[wheezing]

[laughing deliriously]

[hyperventilating]

[racks cartridge]

[]

[sighing tensely]

[keys clacking]

[phone rings]

Hi. This is Alyssa.

This is Miss Fitchman

at the office at school.

Yeah?

We've gotten a call from

the police in North Carolina

that, um, your ex-husband's

mother called them.

Jenna and Caroline

may be in danger.

Wait! What do you mean?

Where are they?

Please, don't be alarmed.

They're here in the office

right now,

and we have

a police officer on campus.

Okay, I'll be there

in 10 minutes.

Great.

[slams receiver down]

[]

What's going on?

I'll let you know

on the way home, okay?

Why aren't we going

to Eric's house?

We are, honey.

All right, it's gonna be okay.

Just get in.

[garage door humming]

[]

Did you see anybody coming?

No.

Okay.

We're safe now.

Nobody can hurt us.

[shuts engine off]

[]

[car engine starts]

[car engine starts]

[]

[]

[brakes screeching]

[]

[Anthony] No! Steven!

[g*n fires]

[firing]

[horn starts blaring]

[horn blaring]

Oh, god!

[]

[]

[car engine shuts off]

[Steven weeping]

[slams steering wheel]

[wheezing and sobbing]

[g*n fires]

[Alyssa] No, no, no--

It's a little wet,

I'm just saying.

It's just a little wet.

Oh...

[Eric] I'm just saying,

and I like it.

[phone begins buzzing]

It's Detective St. James.

Hello?

Mm-hmm?

[gasping] Oh!

[wails]

Oh, my god, no!

Oh, my god!

No, please, don't tell me--

no!

[phone hits floor]

[screaming]

Katie's dead!

Katie's dead!

[]

[weeping]

Oh...

[Alyssa wailing]

Oh...

I can't tell them.

I don't know how.

[sniffling and sobbing]

[Alyssa, tearfully]

Hey, babies. Come sit.

I'll wait downstairs.

[sniffling]

There's something

that I have to tell you

that's really scary...

and that you may not

understand.

Your dad, uh...

he did something really bad--

something

that he can never undo.

And we won't see Daddy...

or Katie again.

What about Bennett?

[sniffling]

He's in Heaven with Katie.

I'm so sorry.

Come here.

[crying]

I'm sorry, babies.

[sobbing]

[]

[Alyssa]

It's starting to rain.

Yeah.

Mom?

Yeah?

Do you remember the time

where Dad made us

all hamburgers,

and he was really silly,

and we laughed a lot?

[sighs]

No, honey,

I don't remember that.

But I'm happy you do...

and I hope

you never forget that.

Is there a Heaven?

I hope so.

If there is,

is Dad there?

I don't think so, honey.

What about Katie?

Is... Is Katie there?

100%, Katie's there.

And you know where else

she'll always be?

Where?

In here...

and here...

forever.

Come here.

[Alyssa] Through everything,

Eric stayed by my side.

After all that

the girls and I went through,

it was hard to believe

that we could be so happy.

But we are.

This is our new life.