Previously
- Sonya being told she has stage four ovarian cancer
- The Rebecchis keeping Sonya's diagnosis a secret
- A social worker visiting the Rebecchis on Andrea's behalf
- Sonya deciding to visit Andrea in Tasmania
- Shane keeping Sonya's whereabouts a secret from Toadie
- Terese admitting to Paul that she said she needed him
- Leo believing that Paul's finally moved on from Terese
- Terese and Paul agreeing to try and forget their feelings for one another
Number 30
Toadie arrives home from work but is concerned when he can't find Sonya anywhere around the house.
Number 22 Backyard
Leo's worried that Terese looks stressed but Terese chalks it up to a work issue. She surprises Leo with a voucher for a weekend getaway to celebrate Valentine's Day. Although pleased, Leo's concerned about leaving Paul in the lurch in the middle of the Lassiters V-Day event. Eager to maintain her distance from Paul, Terese convinces Leo that everything will run smoothly without them there. Leo smiles and kisses her.
Number 32
Shane's full of guilt when Toadie drops by to ask if he's seen Sonya. Toadie's already tried calling her a bunch of times but her phone's off and he discovered there wasn't an AA meeting on today. When Toadie thinks about calling the hospital and the police in case Sonya's fainted somewhere, Shane caves and admits he knows where Sonya is.
Grovesdale Hospital
Andrea's stunned when Sonya enters her room, and even more so when Sonya calmly says she wants her to give Toadie full custody of Hugo. Andrea immediately says no but Sonya adds that Toadie doesn't need the constant threat of Andrea looming around causing trouble.
ANDREA: You'd love that, wouldn't you, having me out of the picture? Having my son all to yourself?
SONYA: It's not about that. And I might be out of the picture.
ANDREA: What, are you and Jarrod having problems?
SONYA: I've got cancer. So I've got no more time for you or your games.
Andrea digests this news and appears as though she has a genuine modicum of concern.
ANDREA: Is it serious?
SONYA: Very. I don't know what's going to happen.
ANDREA: Well, all the less reason to sign then. Hugo needs a mother.
SONYA: Not if it's you. You know I've beat myself up about the choices that I've made as a mother. But compared to you...
ANDREA: I never gave away a child.
SONYA: Because you're too selfish. When I stepped back from Callum it was for his own good. I put him first, which is something that you've never been able to do. I'm proud of the mother that I am, and I'm never going to stop fighting for my kids. All of them. And that's why I'm not leaving here until you sign.
Sonya, who has remained composed throughout the whole conversation, holds up the papers while Andrea glares at her.
Terese's Office
Terese breaks the news to Paul that she'll be away with Leo over the weekend. But Paul takes it well, telling Terese she deserves time to relax after all the hard work she put into the hotel even while she was recuperating. Terese thanks Paul for understanding but still looks uneasy.
Number 32
Toadie is angry with Shane for helping Sonya get to Tasmania, but Shane says Sonya was determined to go through with her plan regardless. Toadie's also stressed that Sonya telling Andrea about her cancer could backfire and they'll lose Hugo.
TOADIE: You're my brother; you should have been on my side.
SHANE: (frustrated) This isn't about sides! Sonya asked for my help and I reckon she would have done it anyway, so don't you think it was a better thing that I was there to make it a little less stressful for her?
TOADIE: Well I hope it works because if it doesn't we've given Andrea a whole new reason to take Hugo away from us!
Toadie remains livid while Shane looks at him in concern.
Grovesdale Hospital
Alone in her room, Andrea paces around while she tries to reach a decision.
Lassiters Complex
Leo calls on Piper for help in choosing a Valentine's gift for Terese. He says Terese has something big planned for them so he needs to up the ante - especially since it's his first gift for her since they got back together. Piper's shocked when Leo shows her diamond jewellery he's been eyeing and says her mum doesn't need something so extravagant, but Leo says he wants to show Terese how much he loves her.
Number 30
Toadie's waiting anxiously for Sonya when she arrives home from the airport looking quite exhausted. Sonya apologises for not telling him about seeing Andrea but she knows he wouldn't have agreed.
SONYA: This is bigger than you and me, Jarrod. This is about Hugo.
TOADIE: I don't understand. This is such a huge risk for Andrea to know about you.
Sonya takes the papers out of her handbag and passes them to Toadie - Andrea signed over custody to them. Sonya also made a deal with her to drop the fraud charges. Toadie's completely overwhelmed.
SONYA: Please don't be angry at me. Jarrod?
TOADIE: I'm not angry. I've just been so worried.
Toadie's in an emotionally drained state and tells Sonya he needs some air.
Ramsay Street
Sonya follows Toadie outside, concerned for her husband. Toadie tries to pull himself together.
TOADIE: Did Andrea have anything to say for herself?
SONYA: It was nothing worth repeating.
Sonya reminds Toadie that winning custody of Hugo is good news and that they don't have to worry about Andrea anymore. Toadie manages a small smile and says that he's grateful but Sonya knows he's still really worried about losing his wife.
SONYA: I thought telling Shane and Dipi would take the pressure off but it's clearly not enough. I think we need to tell everybody.
TOADIE: Are you sure?
SONYA: Yeah. We need their support with my treatment, there's just no point putting it off any longer.
They see Terese arrive home and Sonya calls out to her, asking if they can have a chat.
Number 22
Leo and Piper are worried when they see Terese arrive home in a distressed state. She gets as far as telling them she just spoke to Sonya and Toadie before clamming up and bolting back out the door.
Ramsay Street
Sonya and Toadie see Leo and Piper and assume Terese told them the news but have to deliver it again when they realise they have no idea. Leo and Piper are obviously rocked and Sonya gives Piper a big hug when she starts to cry. Piper feels bad for being so annoying to Toadie at work, but Toadie smiles and says she's been fine.
SONYA: I told him not to say anything to anybody.
LEO: Is that what you said to Terese as well? To keep it a secret?
SONYA: No, we're going to let everybody know now.
TOADIE: We encouraged her to talk to people actually because we thought it might bring up some memories of her diagnosis.
Leo takes this news in as the Rebecchis head to #24 to tell Mark.
Number 24
Aaron stands in the background while a shell-shocked Mark absorbs what Sonya and Toadie have just told him. Mark feels terrible he didn't realise sooner. He then clicks that Sonya's cancer was the reason Toadie pulled out of the hearing and feels extra awful about rubbing his good news in their faces. But Sonya and Toadie tell him he has nothing to feel bad about, he wasn't to know.
SONYA: We're not going to tell the kids.
TOADIE: Nell's too young and Callum...
SONYA: He's too far away, he'll panic.
Aaron says they'll support them in any way they can and gives Sonya a hug, telling her she's one of the most strongest, resilient people he's ever met. Sonya then hugs Mark before half-heartedly joking for them to wish her luck in telling Sheila. Mark looks gutted when they leave.
Lassiters Complex
Leo's talking to David about Sonya, saying how unfair it is that the Rebecchis are still having bad luck heaped upon them after everything they've been through. David asks how Terese took the news and Leo says she won't speak to him about it. He wants to be there for her but it's hard when she won't let him in. David assures his brother that he's doing all the right things.
LEO: I just have so much to make up for. She risked her life for me and everything I put her through with Delaney... I'm just so lucky to have this second chance now you can see how easily life can turn.
DAVID: Sonya's situation has put things in perspective for all of us. I understand you're feeling freaked out, but give Terese some space. Sometimes people need to deal with things on their own.
Leo tries to accept David's reassurances.
The Penthouse
Terese has gone straight to Paul to open up about Sonya's diagnosis. Paul's sad for the Rebecchis and Terese can't help crying as she thinks about not only poor Sonya, but memories of her own cancer battle. Terese doesn't want to be selfish but she can't stop thinking about her own mortality. Paul puts an arm around her to comfort her, but Terese soon realises they're too close and quickly leaves, saying she shouldn't have come over.
Lassiters Lake
Mark has been jogging to try and take his mind off Sonya and takes a quick break at the rotunda. Shane sees him and goes over to see if he's okay. He tells Mark that if he ever wants someone to talk to that's a little closer to the situation then he's all ears. Mark's clearly upset but tries to remain stoic and thanks Shane before jogging away.
The Waterhole
Amy tells Sonya if there's anything they need then to let her know, and Paul adds that anything at his disposal is hers. Sonya thanks them and hugs Amy while Paul goes to sit with Toadie and Nell. Karl watches them from the bar where he's picking up takeaway and is sad that Toadie is still shutting him out of everything. Leo and Terese are sitting at another table. Leo asks if Terese wants to join the Rebecchis but Terese doesn't think she can, so Leo suggests they take a stroll and get some air.
Lassiters Complex
Terese feels like she's acting in a ridiculous way and apologises, but Leo says she doesn't need to, he understands. Terese says that Toadie and Sonya are the most beautiful couple and hates that they have to go through this hell. Leo is listening, but also looking around in a thoughtful way at all the Valentine's decorations. They come to a stop in front of the giant heart made of red roses.
TERESE: I was so lucky the way things turned out for me. It could have been so much worse. I'm thankful every day.
LEO: I'm lucky too, to have you. I love you, Terese. I love you with all my heart and soul.
TERESE: I love you too.
She's beyond shocked, however, when Leo suddenly drops down on one knee for all and sundry to see - including David and Aaron in one corner, and Amy and a very pained looking Paul emerging from the pub.
LEO: You're it for me forever. Suddenly it's all so clear.
TERESE: Leo please, get up.
LEO: No, I'm sick of this, I'm sick of being sensible. I'm sick of waiting. Let's do this. Terese Willis, marry me!
Positively panic-stricken, Terese glances over at Paul and then back at Leo, who is beaming at her, waiting for her answer.