Spencer arrives home as Rena teaches Chelsea to walk.
He is right on time to see her take a few independent steps. Just witnessing this small milestone warms his heart.
Gwen arrives home from school. “Gwen! How was your last day of school?” Spencer asks before she has a chance to disappear to another part of the house.
“It was OK,” she answers in a flat affect.
“Are you sure you don’t want to celebrate your birthday? It’s not too late to invite a few people over or go out to dinner.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to celebrate your birthday? It’s not too late to invite a few people over or go out to dinner.”
“No sorry…I have to work,” Gwen says, relieved to have a good excuse to avoid having any unnecessary attention on her.
“Oh…OK,” Spencer says clearly disappointed.
His expression almost makes Gwen feel bad…
…but not for long. She heads outside for a swim. Tonight she’ll be free of the Pratt household and that’s all she cares about.
She enters the swimming pool; experiencing the isolation that she’s looking for.
For years, isolation bothered her as she longed for friends and belonging, but now she welcomes it.
Spencer sits at the computer, but his mind is not on his tasks. He cannot shake the feeling that Gwen cares more about moving out than anything else. He feels that his mother’s efforts in giving Spencer a sibling was in vain. Gwen and Spencer were never able to develop a true relationship.
Chelsea is upstairs amusing herself with Spencer’s old block table…
…and Rena is at her sketch table when she feels her stomach tighten into its first mild contraction.
Rena knows that she doesn’t have to worry about going to the hospital until her contractions are at least five minutes apart, so she ignores them and finishes her sketch.
By the time she enters the hallway a few minutes later, her contractions are coming hard and fast.
She calls Spencer and heads toward the car.
Spencer hears her cries and runs to take her to the hospital.
Sarah begins preparing a turkey for Gwen’s birthday as Rena and Spencer head to the hospital. She wants it to be ready by the time Gwen returns from work.
Meanwhile, Gwen finishes her shift and begins to age up while still at the cemetery.
While not the idea place for a person to age up, Gwen is just happy that she is becoming an adult.
All she can think about is moving out on her own while her age transition takes place.
She smiles as she thinks about her next move.
Sarah places the turkey in the oven; hoping that the Pratts will be pleased with this special meal. It’s a new recipe that she’s just learned.
She is putting the finishing touches on the meal, just as Gwen arrives home.
But celebrating with the family is the last thing on Gwen’s mind. In preparation for her birthday, Gwen has slowly been moving her furniture out of the house. Finally her room is empty.
She takes a final look around the room.
Just as Rena and Spencer welcome their new daughter into the world…
Gwen makes final arrangements on her move. She has already decided on a career. Rather than fight her urges to steal, she decides to make it a profession, by taking a job in the criminal field. She answers a questionable ad in the newspaper. A quick phone call later, she has her first criminal assignment, scheduled for first thing the next morning.
Before Rena and Spencer can even make it home; Gwen walks out the door with a smile on her face. She is free to live her life the way she sees fit.
Spencer is the first to cross the threshold with a proud smile on his face.
Rena is right behind him, pleased to be holding their newest addition to the family…
…Candy Pratt, named after her late grandmother.
As the newest member of the Pratt family sees her new home for the first time; another member of the Pratt family is seeing it for what may be the last. Gwen Pratt drives off quietly like a thief in the night…
