Greyson Towers
Pierce is shocked to find Chloe with Ebony's wedding dress; she hurriedly puts it back in the box, saying he's not supposed to see it before the big day.

CHLOE: I'm on an errand for Ebony, and I was just heading out; I couldn't resist a peek.

Pierce says he wanted to check in on how the decorating was going, but is surprised to find that it looks pretty finished, despite what Ebony has been saying. Chloe says Ebony probably wanted to surprise him, and awkwardly rushes off, saying she won't tell Ebony Pierce was here. Pierce looks suspicious as she goes.

No 26
In the garden, Amy and Gary continue their conversation about having a baby.

AMY: Doesn't this seem like the next logical step for us?
GARY: ... This is the first time we've talked about it.
AMY: Yeah. But I've always loved the idea of another baby - if the timing was right. I mean, Jimmy was the best thing I ever did. But his dad wasn't around, and that... I mean, it wasn't easy.
GARY: Is it ever?
AMY: Things are different. We're in a great relationship. And we're both in the perfect place to be parents.

Gary laughs, half-pretending he's into the idea.

GARY: Yeah.
AMY: I think we'd do a great job. And I mean, we'd have a little Canning family. David and Aaron would have a cousin down the street. I mean, I really think this is Meant To Be™.
GARY: ... Wow!
AMY: 'Wow' as in, me too, or 'wow' as in, get me out of here?

But before Gary can reply, he's relieved to be interrupted by Sheila, asking him to give her a hand with the dinner. He's super-quick to abandon the conversation with Amy and head indoors.

Lassiter's
Chloe arrives at Ebony's office, and gives Ebony some things that Crystal left at the house by accident. Chloe admits that Pierce found her in the house, and says she explained away the finished décor by saying it was a surprise; relieved, Ebony says she can run with that.

CHLOE: But seriously - bigger picture here, this whole situation is getting out of hand.
EBONY: It's fine now, Chloe. Crystal's settled, all thanks to you.
CHLOE: You're gonna get caught out, and Pierce is gonna be heartbroken.
EBONY: I'll tell him - I'll tell him when we're settled. I'll tell him when we've tied the knot, and when we've moved into our house. And I'm sorry, but what the hell were you doing in my wedding dress anyways?
CHLOE: Does that matter right now? (...) You just, you have to tell Pierce before the wedding.
EBONY: What, and spoil it for him? Come on, Chloe. He's looking forward to it just as much as I am.

Lassiter's Complex
Terese and Pierce are having a meeting outside the hotel, about his newly-bought shares in Lassiter's; Terese explains that Paul has taken the contract over to Pierce's lawyers. Terese also wants to chat about the upcoming Live at Lassiter's music festival, but Pierce is distracted by the sight of Chloe talking to Mark across the courtyard...

We cut across to Mark and Chloe's conversation. Mark isn't happy that Chloe is still keeping secrets for Ebony. Chloe isn't convinced that Ebony is going to be true to her word and tell Pierce the truth.

MARK: You need to stop protecting her!
CHLOE: I'm more interested in protecting Pierce.
MARK: It's a little too late for that, isn't it?

No 32
Kyle is at the dining table watching some sports match on his phone, when Gary turns up. Kyle couldn't look less pleased to see him. Once the small-talk's over...

GARY: So, umm, are you leaving?
KYLE: Yeah, about that -
GARY: We should probably talk about how and when we break the news to Karl.
KYLE: Well, the thing is -
GARY: I mean, technically, he hired us as a team, so we need to negotiate the fact that you'll be -
KYLE: Except I'm not leaving. Changed my mind.
GARY: ... Why?
KYLE: Opportunities like the tram don't fall from the sky. I'd be mad not to give it a red hot go.
GARY: ... Great (!) So, yeah. It's, umm, business as usual, then...

Kyle responds by turning up the volume on the match...

No 26
Amy is just finishing up a phone call to Jimmy, when Gary comes in. He apologises for reacting to her baby suggestion 'like a stunned mullet'.

GARY: Now I've had time to get my head around the idea, you know what? I'm up for it.
AMY: Are you sure?
GARY: Ames, if you can hear the patter of tiny Canning feet, then so can I!

They both laugh somewhat labouredly.

AMY: Oh, you have no idea how happy you make me!
GARY: What did you expect me to say?
AMY: The way you took off... I'm sorry if I put you on the spot.
GARY: Nah, not at all!
AMY: I know how it feels after the surprise wedding and everything.
GARY: Well, unlike that debacle, this is a welcome surprise.

They kiss, just as Sheila and Clive come in. Sheila remarks that she can't keep up with Amy and Gary; one minute they're fighting, the next it's 'rainbows and unicorns'. Gary explains they're celebrating; they've decided to have a baby.

SHEILA: Don't tell me you're pregnant!
AMY: He means we're gonna try for one after the wedding.

Clive says they'll make terrific parents, but despite her best efforts, Sheila seems less enthused!

Lassiter's Complex
Pierce accosts Mark outside the police station, and asks him if Chloe has said anything about Ebony to him.

PIERCE: It's just, I get this sense that she's getting a little too interested in my relationship.
MARK: Well, I mean, she does work for your fiancée. So if it seems like she's up in your business, it's probably because she is.

Pierce mentions about the background check Chloe suggested he do on Ebony, and about finding her with Ebony's wedding dress.

PIERCE: Chloe's been a great friend since I got here, and I just want her to be happy for me.
MARK: Look, maybe you should take Chloe's advice.
PIERCE: What's that supposed to mean?
MARK: Go and talk to Ebony. Good luck.

Lassiter's Complex
Terese reports to Paul that Pierce's lawyer has been in touch; he'll be signing the contract ASAP. Paul says they can concentrate on Live at Lassiter's now.

Amy turns up, and Paul asks how things are with her and Gary, after the argument he witnessed in the street the other day. Amy says things couldn't be better, and gloatingly tells a horrified Paul that she and Gary are trying for baby.

AMY: You can keep your smart remarks to yourself, because I couldn't be more excited.

Amy walks off, and Terese looks pleased at the news. Paul looks at her disapprovingly!

No 26
Sheila tells Clive she's concerned that the baby idea is being used as a way to fix Gary and Amy's relationship. Clive suggests she talk to Gary. Sheila takes his advice, and joins Gary in the living room.

SHEILA: Is this what you really want, love?
GARY: It's what Amy wants. That's enough for me.
SHEILA: Keeping in mind you're no spring chicken.
GARY: Yay, thanks Mum (!) Luckily that doesn't seem to bother Amy.

Gary insists he's 'raring to go', albeit somewhat unconvincingly.

GARY: I'm not fooling anyone, am I?
SHEILA: Nah.
GARY: Yeah, you're right, Mum. The idea of starting a new family now at my age (...) struggling under a mountain of debt, trying to get this new business up and running. I was happy being done with kids.

Sheila points out that Gary seemed happy when he was with Terese and thought she was pregnant.

GARY: I'm not sure it's the idea of the actual baby that had me excited, or the thought it might be the glue that could keep us together.
SHEILA: Easy to see in retrospect now, love.

Hanging in the air is the implication that the same thing is happening now with Amy...

Lassiter's
Ebony is in her office when Chloe comes in, and announces she's going to tell Pierce everything. Ebony begs her not to; Chloe suggests Ebony should tell him herself, but she says she needs more time.

CHLOE: Time shouldn't make any difference; you love each other. Sure, Pierce might be angry at first, but there's no reason why you can't work things out.
EBONY: ... Let me be the one to tell him, then.

But at that moment, Pierce walks in, looking unimpressed.

PIERCE: No time like the present.

Chloe leaves them to talk.

The Waterhole
Sheila and Clive come in, and Paul takes them to task about Gary and Amy's baby plans. He complains that marrying Gary is one thing; but a baby will tie Amy to him forever.

CLIVE: Well, you are the expert. I mean, how many wives and kids have you racked up now?
PAUL: Enough to see the pitfalls.
CLIVE: Well, it's not your choice. It's none of ours.
PAUL: You know, I give advice to Amy, I put her offside - but if I say nothing, I have to stand by and watch her ruin her life?
CLIVE: Yeah, well, you may not be the only parent that feels that way.

Clive kisses Sheila and leaves. At this point, Sheila admits that, while she doesn't like agreeing with Paul, this time she does. She says it's the hypothetical child they need to think of.

PAUL: You know, if you and I were to work together on this...
SHEILA: Are you saying you want me to help you break them up?
PAUL: ...
SHEILA: Oh, there are two big differences between you and I. One, you have more money than you know what to do with. Second, I am not a sociopath.
PAUL: Oh, it's not sociopathic to care about a child's welfare!
SHEILA: Look, read my lips, Bags - forget it. No way. Not gonna happen. Those two are grown up enough to figure things out for themselves.
PAUL: Well, I hope for the sake of our possible future grandchild that you are right.

Lassiter's Complex
Mark admits to Chloe that Pierce had been asking questions about her and Ebony, so he sent Pierce to get the truth from Ebony. Chloe spots Pierce coming out of the hotel nearby, and goes to speak to him.

PIERCE: Before you say anything - yes, you told me so.
CHLOE: She only ever used your money to help her family.
PIERCE: She and I were gonna start our lives together. How am I gonna know if anyone actually wants to be with me, or they just see dollar signs?
CHLOE: Pierce, you're a very loveable man. Please, come on - give her another chance.

The Waterhole
Toadie is in the pub with Hugo, chatting to Kyle about the tram. Toadie gets a work call, and Kyle offers to take Hugo off his hands while he deals with it.

KYLE (to Hugo): I'm your uncle Kyle! Did you know that I'm your big sister's godfather? Yeah, that's right. Can you say Kyle?

Sheila approaches and says that the baby looks good on Kyle. He admits he always wanted to be a dad, but Sheila recalls how Georgia decided against having kids following her miscarriage.

KYLE (to Hugo): Still, how anyone doesn't want one of you is beyond me! Did you say 'dead right, Kyle'? Dead right, dude!

Lassiter's
Ebony is packing up her office when Pierce comes in. She says staying would only prolong the misery.

PIERCE: Why didn't you just ask me to help with your family?
EBONY: Because you're right. When we met at that charity event, I did see you as a meal ticket to a better life. But whether you believe it or not, by the way, I fell in love with you, Pierce, not what you could do for me, okay?
PIERCE: Why didn't you just be honest with me?
EBONY: Because I was scared! I was scared I'd lose you if you knew that we were from different worlds. And so when Crystal needed help, I just...
PIERCE: Just decided to steal from me.
EBONY: Oh, you have no idea what it's like. You don't know what it's like to live from pay cheque to pay cheque with three kids to feed.
PIERCE: You're right. I don't.
EBONY: Anyway, doesn't matter now. I know that it's over.
PIERCE: So, it's easier just to run away, is it?
EBONY: Well, I know that it's over!
PIERCE: ... Whether or not we break up depends on you. I want to give you a chance to start over.

Ebony calms down and takes a seat.

EBONY: How?
PIERCE: By signing an agreement. One where you commit to our marriage, without profiting financially. Or, I'll give you 250 grand and you walk away.

Shortly afterwards, Chloe sees Ebony walking towards the exit with her possessions in a box. Chloe calls after her, and asks what's going on. Ebony explains about Pierce's ultimatum. Chloe reminds Ebony that she said she loved Pierce.

EBONY: I do love him. I'm just scared that he won't love me back now, you know?
CHLOE: I don't think he'd be this upset if he didn't love you.

Pierce himself then emerges, and asks Ebony for her decision.

EBONY: ... I'll sign anything you want. Let's get married.

They kiss, as Chloe watches - but she looks upset, and walks away.

The Waterhole
Amy approaches Kyle, and they have a bit of back-and-forth. He admits he's had second thoughts about leaving, and Amy looks concerned.

KYLE: I thought you'd be more excited than that.
AMY: I'm just trying to keep up... Hey, me and Gary have also made a big decision.
KYLE: Oh yeah? What's that?
AMY: We're gonna try for a baby. David and Aaron were planning one, and it made us think about what's next for us, you know?

Kyle is devastated, and makes an excuse to leave quickly. On the way out, Sheila asks where he's going; Kyle says he's going to look up flights to New York.

KYLE: Once the tram's finished, I'm out of here.

Sheila starts to try and talk him out of it, but...

KYLE: No, don't even try it, Gran.

He walks off, leaving her looking frustrated.

Lassiter's Complex
Outside the pub, Pierce thanks Mark and Chloe for their intervention with Ebony; it's meant they can now start their relationship afresh. Chloe makes out she's happy for Pierce; but once he's gone, Mark notes that Chloe doesn't look very happy.

CHLOE: I just worry that maybe Ebony was right. Can you really build a relationship based on a lie?
MARK: You sure that's not jealousy talking?
CHLOE: Why does everyone keep saying that? Pierce is my friend; I'm just looking out for him!

The Waterhole
Amy is at a table looking glum. Gary joins her with drinks, and starts talking about the 'rugrat' they're going to make. Amy couldn't look more nauseated. Gary suggests they pin down the wedding date too, and Amy meekly agrees, suggesting November. Gary seems on board with this.

Meanwhile, at the bar, Terese taunts Paul about being a grandpa again and having to change nappies for Amy and Gary's baby.

PAUL: Not gonna happen. And with any luck, neither is the child.
TERESE: Oh, come on, Paul. Your foolish attempts to get between them have not worked. You need to let go and get on board.

Terese goes to join the 'happy' couple; and Sheila, who has been earwigging, approaches Paul about his plan to collaborate on splitting up Amy and Gary.

SHEILA: Say that I was to agree... What would that entail?
PAUL: Are you telling me you're willing to embrace your inner sociopath?
SHEILA: Oh, no, no, no. I am not stooping to your level. But if I did, what would that mean that I would have to do?
PAUL: Well, we simply highlight the problems that are already there. And then once they accept that it's never gonna work long-term, then they avoid a long and painful life.
SHEILA: Gary really doesn't want another child. No amount of kidding himself is gonna change that.
PAUL: Is that right? Well, in that case, he's setting both of them and a child up for disaster. Look, if Amy does want another child, she needs to do it with somebody who wants one.
SHEILA: Oh. Like Kyle (!)
PAUL: Yeah, if that's what she wants.
SHEILA: Well, whether that happens or not, I just want Kyle to stick around.
PAUL: Well, this may be your only chance to keep your precious little family together.
SHEILA: Okay. I'm in.
PAUL: Welcome aboard, Sheila.

But Sheila rushes away groaning, disgusted with herself already!

Coming up on Neighbours
- HE HAS BEEN FOOLED BEFORE, reads a caption
- Toadie asks if he's really about to see Dee again
- Outdoors somewhere, Andrea is on a bench looking contemplative
- WILL HE BE FOOLED AGAIN? asks the caption
- Someone else has approached Andrea and the bench, just out of shot. Andrea smiles menacingly
- Giant letters spell out, OMG DEE!
- Andrea appears to be scuffling with someone in a dress
- A close up of Andrea's eyes, then a distant shot of two women struggling on the cliff
- A woman screams as one appears to begin to fall over the cliff