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00:00On Beyond the Gates.
00:02I'm proud of you.
00:03And I forgive you.
00:05I've been diagnosed with breast cancer.
00:07Cancer picked the wrong damn family to mess with.
00:11Yeah.
00:12Joey, you're the one taking my dad's place.
00:17I've been secretly taking singing lessons for months.
00:21People act like you've never seen a miracle.
00:24How about we focus on what I want right now?
00:30These last few days with you have been unreal.
00:35Mm-hmm.
00:36Is this real?
00:39Or this?
00:43As real as it gets.
00:45I feel it too.
00:46In and out of bed.
00:48Same.
00:51But when the inevitable slowdown happens,
00:55no harm, no foul.
00:57Whoa.
00:58Where'd that come from?
01:00Are you trying to shut this down?
01:03Well, I'm just being realistic.
01:05When your big job at Banneker is heating up,
01:07like it'd be a lot less time for sneaky links.
01:10You're nobody's sneaky link.
01:12And this brother can chew gum and see the finest woman in the DMV at the same time.
01:16I can have a girlfriend and a career.
01:19Whoa.
01:21What did you just call me?
01:23I thought we were on the same page.
01:25Yeah, I thought so too,
01:26before you leapt off the couch like you were Simone Bowles.
01:29I mean, it's just that we've been hooking up, like getting to know each other better.
01:33All satisfaction, no strings.
01:36What if I'm okay with a few strings?
01:38Hi.
01:39Hello.
01:40How is your holiday?
01:41Good.
01:42I'm glad to be back at the club.
01:43Busy season.
01:44But what is this?
01:45No book, no case file, no tablets.
01:46Nope.
01:47Just lunch.
01:48I'm trying something new.
01:49Mind if I join you?
01:50Don't mind if you do.
01:51Good.
01:52Good.
01:53Good.
01:54Good.
01:55Good.
01:56Good.
01:57Good.
01:58Good.
01:59Good.
02:00Good.
02:01Son of a new house.
02:02Oh is this?
02:03No book, no case file, no tablets?
02:05Nope.
02:06Just lunch.
02:07I'm trying something new.
02:08Mind if I join you?
02:39Tables closed. You're interested in a game? Leave your number up front. Buy-in's 500.
02:50That low? I'd pay so much more for the pleasure of your company.
02:55There's nothing like going all in when you know that the deck is stacked against you.
03:01Mr. Armstrong. Leslie Thomas. We met at Doug McBride's memorial. Vanessa sold me the Jarvis property.
03:13Never forget a face or a name. What can I do for you?
03:18Actually, it's what I can do for you.
03:22I have a business proposal that you want to hear.
03:28Forget waiting for the new year. You fast-tracked to new you.
03:32Mocktails, married, and look at that holiday glow!
03:36Disruptive Dani is safely put away, and I am so thankful that I haven't needed her.
03:41But I want to hear about you. How are those babies? How are their holidays?
03:45They're good, all things considered. They even went on a ski trip with their friends.
03:50And Donnell has given me his blessing to move on with my life.
03:55And with Joey.
03:57It's a Christmas miracle! Joey's charmed the whole fam.
04:00I didn't need his permission, but I can breathe easier knowing one of my kids can accept Doug wasn't perfect.
04:07And it's okay for me to take a step forward.
04:10And Deanna? Where is she on the grief meter?
04:14We're all still dealing, but my girl, she's...
04:16Fragile.
04:17She is. She's always been the more sensitive of the two.
04:19She's seeing a counselor?
04:21Good.
04:23And, um, what does she have to say about Joey?
04:25There used to be a time where you'd tell one twin something, and the other one would know by osmosis.
04:30I don't want Donnell keeping a secret, but we agreed I have to ease into the Joey of it all with her.
04:36You know you're a good mom, right?
04:38Used to be my only absolute.
04:40It should still be.
04:43There's this lesson that sacrifice is the heart of mothering, but...
04:48Claiming space? For yourself?
04:51That's mothering, too.
04:52Do Nicole and I wish that you had chosen any other hot man in town?
04:58Yes, but your heart's set.
05:00Your begrudging support means the world.
05:03Now, enough me.
05:04Tell me all about the picture-perfect, decidedly un-messy Dupree family Christmas.
05:09You are talking about Dupree family Christmas's past.
05:11We are no longer mess-free.
05:13Oh, no.
05:14Did Rowena burn the dust?
05:15You know, Naomi, like every other Dupree woman before her, would not suffer a dud present from her husband.
05:24What did Jacob do?
05:28It's called a chengipo.
05:30Yeah, that's what he got for my daughter.
05:32Someone needs to teach that boy about foreplay.
05:34Fortunately, it was just the appetizer.
05:36The real gift was a trip to Mexico City, so, you know, he was just teasing her.
05:39And how did you and your new Mr. Fair at Chez Dupree?
05:44My hubby and I spent the most magical day of the year with the most magical couple in existence.
05:52VPs look good.
05:55Temperatures are normal.
05:58Dr. Bobo will be here any moment.
06:01Thank you for taking such good care of my bride.
06:05Senator and Mrs. Dupree, it's an honor.
06:09Poor thing, almost curtsied.
06:17Do you hate being recognized here?
06:20Oh, goodness, no.
06:22All I could hear was the word normal.
06:25Helps me believe that this is just some huge mistake.
06:29I know it doesn't work like that, but it doesn't stop my mind from playing tricks.
06:36How many friends' hands have we held with a diagnosis like these?
06:43Too many.
06:44But there are many success stories, too.
06:49Now it's my turn.
06:51And I just can't believe that there is an aggressive cancer growing inside me.
06:57I dig you.
07:12You dig me.
07:13It's simple.
07:14So what's the problem?
07:15I appreciate your confidence.
07:18But my life has been paved with very few sure things.
07:21Come on.
07:22You can't deny how good this is.
07:24I walk out of here, and the whole day I got you all over me.
07:27My body remembering what we just did.
07:30And my mind can't stop thinking about when I get to see you again.
07:33No one has ever said anything about me like that before.
07:37Then why bother with the will they or won't they be us?
07:40Okay, so we moved kind of sort of fast.
07:43So what?
07:43Yeah, like LeBron is kind of sort of good at playing basketball.
07:48And Octavia E. Butler is kind of sort of a literary genius.
07:53You read the book I gave you.
07:57A girl can't live on Carl Ivatty alone.
08:01Kindred is a masterpiece.
08:03Look at us rubbing off on each other in the best way.
08:07Stop searching for reasons that's slow to good, Eva.
08:10Lean in.
08:12Feel it out.
08:13And enjoy it.
08:17Thank you for the Christmas text.
08:19Thank you for responding.
08:21How's your mom doing, by the way?
08:23Mom is better.
08:24Still healing, you know.
08:26And your mom and dad?
08:27Couldn't be better.
08:29All right, paint the picture for me.
08:31Candles are lit.
08:32Eggnog is flowing.
08:33All the Dupree stockings dangling from the hearth.
08:36Pretty much exactly that.
08:38We definitely know how to do Christmas.
08:40And Danny and Andre's tree trimming party was a lovely addition.
08:44I am so happy that she has found this level of peace after such a hard year.
08:48And the best present is always mom and dad's on Christmas.
08:53It wasn't just magical.
08:54It was exactly what we all needed.
08:56Sounds like something out of a storybook.
08:59Except for the Omo scandal that would erect the holidays and the whole year after.
09:03Vernon Dupree, king among men, stepping out on Anita with one of her articulets.
09:09Sisters Ted seriously thought that was true?
09:11Or was he using it to get closer to the family by playing Nicole's hero?
09:15Your former brother-in-law's desperate enough to concoct a crazy story like that?
09:20I don't want the deep-bunk story getting into the wrong heads.
09:23Or worse, becoming a Shade Room headline.
09:26You still follow the Shade Room?
09:28You might just be cooler than me, and that's saying something else.
09:31OMG, do you remember when you thought Kiki was one of Chelsea's friends?
09:36Okay, that was a minor blip, which we swore to secrecy, remember?
09:41So, Daddy was actually doing the sweetest thing.
09:45He and Sharon were sneaking away so that Sharon could teach him to sing to Mother on Christmas.
09:50Oh, that is sweet.
09:52How did that even get misconstrued?
09:54Straight from the devil herself.
09:57Leslie Thomas.
09:58Don't just take my word for it.
09:59All that's good is right here in black and white.
10:09You want me to fund a free clinic with you.
10:14Why in a million years would I want to do that?
10:17Consider this an opportunity for reimagining.
10:21Rebirth.
10:22Just for you.
10:23Oh, did I die?
10:27Is this hell?
10:30Mr. Armstrong, we're both fine, rich, and sexy.
10:36But we're missing the exact same thing.
10:39A heart?
10:41Cute.
10:42The respect that comes with legitimacy.
10:45Miss Thomas, I have more zeros in my account than Fairmont Crest's finest.
10:53Do you see me imitating that life?
10:56No, you do not.
10:58I gave up looking for approval shortly after I left my mother's womb.
11:04And you would be a lot more interesting if you'd stop worrying about external validation.
11:09I've never been one to engage in magical thinking, but I find myself wishing and looking for signs.
11:19Like on the ride down here, did you hear that Articulet song playing from the car next to us?
11:25A part of me wanted to think it was telling me everything's going to be okay.
11:30Sweetheart, you've never been here before.
11:36However you respond, it's just your mind's way of protecting itself from the reality you're facing.
11:43Let's call it what it is, cancer.
11:47And it's moved into our lives.
11:49It's moved into my body, and it lives with us now.
11:52It's going to dictate what we do and when, filling our days with doctors and treatments and tests.
12:03For the first time in my life, something else is telling me when to jump and how high.
12:08Nothing rules Anita Dupree.
12:11Now who's magically thinking?
12:15Sweetheart, are you ready for this?
12:18Because I'm not sure I am.
12:22You're mistaken.
12:28I don't need validation.
12:30I just don't reject applause when it shows up.
12:34And tenacity doesn't always win the day.
12:37Now, these doors are closed to you because you'll forever be the woman who crashed into the Dupree dynasty.
12:45Why can't you torture yourself when they're never going to respect or accept you, no matter how many businesses you open?
12:52You don't care about respect, and you claim that legitimacy doesn't have a draw.
13:01Okay, maybe I read y'all wrong.
13:03But one thing I do know, you're curious.
13:06Why don't you tell me why you've really come here to honor me with opening a clinic with you?
13:23I read an article that said it takes half as long as a relationship lasts to get over it.
13:32And we all know everything on the internet is true.
13:34What's this about?
13:36Your half-sister's man, Tomas?
13:38Or it's about you and Yolanda.
13:40I mean, you were together for a while, right?
13:42In a committed relationship?
13:43Yeah, but we were also over long before you showed up.
13:46Maybe we took too long calling time of death, but let's be real.
13:50We were flat-lined long before that.
13:53Maybe.
13:54But it still hasn't been very long since you broke up.
13:57Can you honestly say this sudden burst of excitement about me has nothing to do with your ex?
14:04Go Senator Dupree.
14:06How'd he do vocal wires?
14:07He shocked us all.
14:12There were waterworks from Anita Dupree herself.
14:16I don't think I have ever seen her that moved.
14:19Beautiful.
14:21And you, sir?
14:23How did you spend your Christmas day?
14:25I FaceTimed with the folks to make sure they were settling in and enjoying the Christmas feast that I had delivered.
14:31Otherwise, business as usual.
14:33I wanted some of the doctors who have children to have some time off so they could enjoy the holiday, too.
14:39That was very noble of you.
14:41Hardly.
14:42Now I get to play hooky till after New Year's while they're grinded out.
14:47Correct me if I am wrong, but hooky doesn't exactly mean hitting the gym every day.
14:52It does if you happily sleep through your alarm for 5 a.m. laps in the pool.
14:56I am sure your body needed the rest.
14:59Well, my body was too busy enjoying the dream that I was having.
15:03About you.
15:10How's my girl?
15:12Couldn't be better.
15:14Ready to climb Mount Kilimanjaro after this.
15:18So we know your sense of humor is intact.
15:22Where on earth would I be?
15:25Except by your side.
15:27Oh, I don't know.
15:28Maybe out on the road with the articulates, with those newly trained vocals of yours.
15:34That was a one-night-only performance just for you.
15:39Never to happen again.
15:42Except if you make a really big case for it.
15:45Anita, do you realize that we have defied every single odd to have the life that we have now?
15:57Do you think we can't take on one more fight?
16:03How do I fight my own body?
16:06With science.
16:08And prayer.
16:10Will and love.
16:12And when you don't have anything left to give,
16:18we'll pull from reserves in my tank.
16:21Senator, Mr. Dupree.
16:31I'm Dr. Bauer, head of oncology.
16:34We're glad you're here.
16:36I understand Dr. Hahn went over the results with you.
16:38Yes, triple negative breast cancer.
16:41Which sounds positive, but it's not.
16:44I'm going to talk you through your options.
16:46Once you decide, we'll move forward.
16:48But I want you to understand we'll be moving with urgency.
16:51Because the cancer will be moving that way too.
16:54Triple negative.
16:55Metastasizes quicker than other cancers.
16:58Lucky me.
16:59Even my cancer's a thoroughbred.
17:01Only the best for Anita Dupree.
17:03You're lucky.
17:06The earlier the detection, the greater your odds.
17:09Bottom line it for me, doctor.
17:12Will any of these options save my life?
17:19Me hang gliding and running with the bulls?
17:22No doubt that was a dream.
17:24Technically, I was the one running with the bulls.
17:26Incomplete matador regalia.
17:28You were the one dressed as Eva Perón on the balcony.
17:31And I had to brave the bulls to rescue you.
17:34Did I at least sing, don't cry for me, Argentina?
17:36Oh, you hit all the high notes.
17:38It was one of those dreams you just don't want to wake up from.
17:43And don't do that thing where you ask me what it means just because I'm a therapist?
17:48I will not.
17:49I already analyzed it.
17:51And it means that you are more than capable of handling yourself.
17:56Glad you know.
17:57But since you are literally the woman of my dreams, you should know that I scaled walls,
18:05walked through fire, and fought the bulls just to get to you.
18:09Because you, Nicole Dupree, are worth fighting for.
18:19I came on fast because I like you.
18:22A lot.
18:23And I like you a lot.
18:25Which is why we need to talk about these things early so we don't flame out.
18:29Look, I don't want to skip ahead to relationship status and end up disappointed.
18:32I want to be wooed.
18:35Okay, Jada Pinkett.
18:37I can woo you.
18:38I can worship you, too.
18:40See?
18:41No.
18:41I want it to be a reciprocal wooing.
18:44A weeing.
18:45Whatever, okay?
18:46I just want it to be done right.
18:49I hear you.
18:51Really.
18:52Why don't we just keep getting to know each other and see where the chips fall?
18:57I like that.
19:02Good.
19:02Good.
19:06If only you weren't so irresistible.
19:07Irresistible.
19:32this is fashion you could rock this faux fur with nothing but your birthday suit and then boom
19:46drop it like it's hot joey has vision we like presents we can mutually enjoy so what'd you
19:51get for the man who has everything but can't tell you how he got it i found the exact right thing
19:56to light him up christmas morning a deck of cards once owned by al francesco the godfather of black
20:02jack it was the perfect gift if i must say so myself i'm glad you had a good christmas babe
20:08you deserve it thank you
20:12be still my married heart what oh be still indeed
20:20don't tell me you're saving that for later maybe but i'm also sending it to pamela
20:28two thumbs up she said he could be the next tyson beckford you want to doom that poor gorgeous man
20:35to a life without carbs do you think he'd be a better match for your side hustle he'd make good
20:40money eat what he wants and have fun while doing it like anyone would choose the escort life over
20:45being a model darling there's only one way to find out i bet i can get that barkeep on my payroll by
20:52the time i see the bottom of my glass i'll take that bet and then i'll take that fabulous coat
20:57so you would be the face of the clinic while i exist in the shadows
21:03i heard you like the shadows
21:07yeah that you're the strong silent type
21:12and i fit into this equation because
21:14with all the attention on me and my generous philanthropic efforts you can be in the background
21:22tidying up all the other revenue streams oh while you're replenishing your own golden goose
21:30right do me a favor joey think about it but don't take too long
21:38i'd hate to miss an opportunity for us to get to know each other better
21:47much better
21:49ciao
21:52i can't guarantee a survival rate but i can make sure that we're on the same page about the next steps in
22:01your treatment
22:02go ahead doctor
22:05we'll start by shrinking the tumor so we can make removal easier
22:10chemotherapy or radiation
22:13chemotherapy
22:15chemotherapy
22:17we won't know exactly how your body will tolerate it until you're undergoing the treatment
22:24but this approach has shown to be the most effective option
22:28especially when hormonal therapy or her two targeted treatments aren't applicable
22:32so what what is the process
22:37we'll place a port in your chest
22:39which will allow the chemotherapy to be administered directly into your bloodstream
22:44it'll stay in place for the duration of your treatment and be removed once therapy is complete
22:49a port
22:50a port is something you use with computers or ships or that sweet wine from portugal that you have with dessert
23:06not not something that makes a hole in my body to pour medicine
23:11you'll never get used to it mr. dupree
23:14but you'll learn to appreciate it as a tool to help you fight this thing
23:18now you can see here what it looks like as the tumor shrinks
23:27wow look at it go
23:29after the tumor has shrunk
23:37i'll see the scope of the cancer and what it will take to remove it
23:40a lumpectomy or mastectomy
23:44exactly
23:48i know it's a lot to take in
23:51how are you doing with this so far
23:54terrified
23:56that's completely understandable
23:58but we're here to guide you through each step
24:02i'll let you have a moment while we get your port placement scheduled
24:06no don't you do it i see that beautiful dank craning to get above this
24:22don't you dare try to shoulder it all on your own
24:27give it to me
24:36i lied when i said i didn't care if that nurse recognized me
24:43actually i savored it
24:46that she still saw me
24:48and nita dupree
24:51before the cancer and chemo devour everything
24:55we're not going to let that happen
24:57we've got a plan
24:59a plan is a shot in the dark not a guarantee
25:02we've made more of less
25:05i've always taken up space
25:10i learned to hone and honor what i think are the best parts of me
25:14my strength my confidence
25:16my passion my love
25:19and i passed that on to my children my grandchildren and all the people
25:23who came to see me perform
25:26but this disease takes vernon
25:30and who am i if i become a fragment of everything i've ever known
25:33who am i if i lose my voice and my dignity
25:36who are you you are always and forever anita dupree nothing can take that away
25:43you are the woman i vowed to love to cherish and to honor
25:48honor in sickness and health till death do us part
25:53and i swear for everything that's in me i am not gonna let death part us my love
25:59so what are your new year's plans
26:07wow i haven't had to plan a new year's in decades
26:12it was always ted and me and then us and the kids
26:18but now
26:22why don't we watch the ball drop together
26:26what's your name
26:28rick
26:29what a powerful virile name
26:32excuse me
26:33tell me rick have you ever thought about becoming a model
26:36oh i'm kind of awkward in front of the camera
26:38i own a modeling agency and i can help you get past that
26:41and connect you with the sports brand today
26:44could you
26:45i mean it's really more of a start-up when you say
26:47do you know who i am rick
26:49yes you're danny dupree
26:50i remember you from my dad's old sports illustrated mags from back in the day
26:54exactly
26:55a man like he was thinking current now immediate gratification which i can offer you vanessa mcbride
27:01offer in what way picture it you rolling in money and rolling in the company of beautiful voluptuous women
27:10are you talking about sex work
27:11think about dear old daddy ricky
27:13is that what he would want for his son
27:15it's an escort service not a brothel
27:18a heart attach provides companionship
27:20i don't have anything against sex work or modeling
27:23it's just that my fiance and i have goals of our own
27:27i'm in law school and she's studying to become a surgeon
27:29so i don't have much time for modeling
27:32lawyers doctors
27:34well can't blame a couple of girl bosses for trying can you rick
27:38thank you
27:42it was the name right i almost had him don't you dare change that name it's perfect
27:47you two having a good time we were
27:54far be it for me to come between thelma and her louise and whatever you've got cooking up
28:00we can link up later no no stay i've got to get going anyway drinks again soon yeah count on it
28:09kisses joseph danielle
28:12you want to tell me what you did to that bartender to make him look over here every five seconds
28:24we were scouting for new talent danny thought he had the bone structure of a model oh and you
28:29thought that he would leave the ladies of fairmont crest salivating right can you believe he turned us
28:35both down flat i can believe that you probably both hit on him hard and heavy and that scared
28:41the poor kid off which means he's not ready for that kind of spotlight anyway you always know how
28:46to work an angle don't you i'm nothing if not considerate
28:52leslie thomas came by the casino today that woman what did she want a backer for a non-profit clinic
29:01of all things oh i've heard all about the free clinic how so leslie and her daughter wanted me
29:08to help find a location for them what'd she want from you she sees me as a silent investor
29:15among other things that'd be brilliant i hope you told her yes
29:22that was amazing mind-blowing phenomenal all of the above
29:29yeah is it moving too fast to ask what you're doing new year's eve well hopefully spending time
29:34with you say less
29:46well hello dolly mama stop it hey i'll call you okay nice to see you miss thomas nice to be seen
29:59okay do you have a chill setting like ever get in here every time i see that man i cannot help but
30:07admire my daughter's excellent taste i'm so sorry sweetheart this isn't just happening to me
30:18how are you like you just trying to grasp it all i can imagine
30:25this life without you your voice is my favorite song and that song will continue whether the lord
30:35calls me home or not it lives on in our children our work our home and it's up to you to keep it
30:46alive vernon i want you to promise me that if it is my time
30:57you will hold yourself together for the sake of this family you know i will
31:03but i need you to promise me what is that
31:07that you will fight this monster with every ounce of strength and stubbornness you've got
31:16i promise i am nowhere near ready to leave the people i love
31:27good news i've moved some things around and we can get you scheduled port placement later this week
31:37you know i'm always grateful for a food drop-off but can you start giving me the heads up
31:45because you got a new man
31:48eva and isaiah sitting in the tree okay mama please stop it okay but also yeah kind of we're getting to
31:59know each other to know each other i bet you are i wanted to surprise you turns out i was the one who
32:07got surprised but good for you baby for locking down that fine man we are just friends
32:17well that friendship sure seems to come with grade a benefits
32:22so how is he uh yeah no absolutely not okay we're not going there boo what did you do today
32:33oh well i had a meeting with a potential partner for my new clinic your clinic yours mine our same
32:41thing all right your mama is making progress baby girl okay so who did you meet with oh no no i am not
32:49gonna jinx it until he signs on the bottom line all right but trust me whoo his pockets one deep
32:57mm-hmm philanthropy could be just what you need to change your public image you go from being feared
33:05to being celebrated she wants me as a silent partner remember like there are any secrets in
33:11this town your involvement would go public even if i had to leak it myself why does everyone assume
33:16then i give a damn about how i'm perceived fine do it for all the uninsured people in the dmv who
33:23genuinely benefit from the access you're trying to turn me into a regular robin hood aren't you
33:29just tapping into who i know you already are you know me too well
33:34so new year's eve i can't think of anybody i would rather ring in 2026 with it is a date i should
33:47go while i'm ahead don't want to give you a chance to change your mind uh if you leave you will miss
33:52the best part which is now you're ahead
34:12hey sissy what's shaking me i just kissed carlton oh lucky carlton that's becoming a regular thing
34:31and i told him that i would go out with him for new year's eve
34:35yes nicole is getting her groove back first with the handsome dr kyle and now with the equally
34:43charming dr carlton she chooses well is it too much you are asking me if my very single sister
34:52choosing to explore her options is too much honey it might not be enough
34:55i am enjoying my newfound freedom i do have a favor to ask though anything all of my clothes are
35:07reminiscent of new year's past i am a new woman damn straight you are i need new looks to celebrate
35:16then we will go shopping and find you the perfect dress for the perfect new year's eve
35:20something that's both flattering and easy to remove should the moment call for it
35:27i am so proud of us sissy me too things are looking bright for the dupree sisters
35:41later this week i thought i had a little more time before i went under the knife
35:46as i've said earlier this type of cancer is aggressive so we're going to be moving quickly
35:51i understand i'll have the nurse print out your paperwork thank you thank you
36:07it's time love we have to tell the kids
36:20you
36:33and
36:41do
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