All language subtitles for Good.American.Family.S01E01.1080p.WEB.H264-SuccessfulCrab

It was 2019.

I was at the top of my game.

We'd finally put the
hard times behind us.

Wait till you hear the story
of the mom they said, "worked a miracle."

Everybody's
favorite Hoosier...

- Hey!
- ...Kristine Barnett.

Kristine
Barnett, Indiana's own...

With me today is
bestselling author Kristine Barnett.

And I can assure you,
every parent out there today...

Kristine Barnett, it's
such a thrill to have you here...

So,
you saved your son.

Please
welcome Indiana's own super mom,

Kristine Barnett.

Whoo! Gosh.

It still is such a trip

to find myself in front
of crowds like you all.

Just a regular mom

who's trying to keep the wheels
from careening off the bus.

So, you see, I may have
written a book on parenting,

but I don't have
it all figured out.

There's a new
challenge every day.

It's a lesson I learned when
my oldest, Jake there, was two.

He suddenly stopped
talking. He stopped playing.

He stopped making eye contact.

Autism.

The experts told me he
might never learn to read

or tie his shoes again.

He'd never wrap his arms around
my neck and tell me he loves me.

That I might never
hear his voice again.

I was devastated...
for about a minute,

until I realized those
experts were wrong.

I was the expert on my son,

and I sure as heck wasn't
gonna give up on him.

Because I don't give up
on the people that I love.

Call it Mom's intuition,
but I knew Jake had gifts.

And a few years ago, at just 15,
he began a PhD in quantum gravity.

So I wrote The Spark
because over the years,

I've worked with hundreds
of kids with autism.

Like Jake, each has a spark.

And if we just learn
to listen to our kids,

they will reveal to us
who they really are.

Standard autism therapy

pushes kids to focus
on normal tasks...

...instead of their everyday...

...fixations, instead of
their unique fixations.

But I found that the
opposite works better.

With my Spark Method, I immerse kids
in things they're naturally drawn to,

whether that's
algebra or animals.

Well, gosh, parenting 911,
what's your emergency?

You Kristine Barnett?

Kristine Barnett, you're under
arrest for child neglect,

the abandonment of a dependent,
and conspiracy to commit neglect.

- You have the right to remain silent.
- What? My boys are right there.

- Should we call Dad?
- No, this is his fault.

- You have a right to an attorney.
- Call Grammy.

If you cannot afford one,
one will be provided for you.

Do you understand these rights
as I've read them to you?

You don't understand.
Do you know who I am?

The families that I've helped?

Do you know how many
children I saved?

You're arresting
the wrong person.

She's not who she
says she is. Ow!

That bitch tried to kill me!

- Bye, Miss Kris.
- Bye-bye, I'll see you tomorrow.

This was the fall of 2010.

I didn't want to admit at the time
that my husband and I were struggling.

We'd been on the path to adopting
a little girl named Blanca,

but it fell through.

And I'd been thinking lately
how if that hadn't happened,

I wouldn't be
sitting here today.

Oh! At her last school, I
couldn't get her in the door.

With you, I can't get her out.

Now, if you don't let go, how
am I gonna go to the junk store

and get us a radio to take apart?

Speaking of, how much do we owe you
for all that extra one-on-one time?

- Oh, no.
- Kristine, you charge barely half

of what that other school
cost, and they did nothing.

With you, Shawn's reading.

"Don't put
crayons in your nose."

Yeah, it has been a bit of an epidemic.

You're so sweet, Val, but I
don't charge for those sessions

because I don't want the families
who can't afford extra to miss out.

It's official, you're a literal saint.

Okay, honey, come on.

Okay, how about this?

How about I make a donation
for the rec center?

- Oh, come on, I just want to help.
- Will you stop?

I don't need the help.

Oh, God, o-of
course. I'm so sorry.

I-I just didn't wanna brag,

but I got a grant from the
Christian Community Fund,

so that, plus what I've
saved, almost ready to open.

Kris, congratulations!

Hold on, honey, I
got it, I got it.

On top of everything you
two have been through,

how are you and Mike holding up?

Oh, we're hanging in.

Having the new space to focus
on has been our saving grace.

Honestly, I think
it's all God's will.

He just wanted me to
get my behind in gear.

Mom?

What's up, bud?

It-It's too quiet
in the living room.

Would you sit with me?

Sure, just, uh, let me
freshen up a little bit

before Daddy gets home, okay?

Do me a favor and
take this down.

I'll be down in a jiff, okay?

Hi, babe. How was inventory?

Long.

The boys didn't call
and say goodnight.

Oh, I'm
sorry. I did try.

There was some sort
of Lego crisis.

But you could go peek in now.

Yeah, well...

they're asleep.

And why are you still up, sir?

- The dreaded string theory.
- Hm.

It's gettin' pretty late, pal.

You know, even college kids
need to chillax at some point,

so what do you
say?

Wanna call it a night, play a
little Xbox with the old man?

I think I got some
Pop-Tarts in there.

Dad, would you
please stop talking?

What are those?

Oh! I just packed a few things
up to take over to the rec center.

You're
getting rid of her stuff?

I'm just trying to pay it forward.
I-I didn't want it to go to waste.

And you weren't gonna ask me?

Could you guys talk about
this somewhere else, please?

You're right, bud.
This is parent talk.

Can I use the windows?

He's, he's 12, he
should be in bed.

If I stop now,

I'll lose everything
that I just figured out.

He was on a roll.

Yeah.

Good luck, bud.

Turn out the lights
when you're done.

You're okay. You're okay.

You're okay.

So, where do you
propose I sleep now?

How about right where you are?

Is that why you let him stay up?

Gonna force me to
sleep in here tonight?

- Michael.
- You spoil that kid.

Says the man who bribes his son
with video games and Pop-Tarts.

I wanted time with him.

I just worked a 12-hour shift

to provide for a family that
I don't even get to see.

And now, on top of that,
I have nowhere to sleep.

For Pete's sake, Michael,

if sleeping with your
wife is so repellent,

there's a whole other
bedroom down the hall

that no one is using.

So, are you really
just over her?

Is that honestly what you think?

I think I'm gonna
sleep on the floor.

Mike, I'm trying to sleep.

I told you this would
happen if you married that man.

You told
me I'd catch him spilling seed

on the floor of our room?

Well, not verbatim.

It's just a phase,
Mother. He's depressed.

And it's my job to help
him find his joy again.

Well,
you know best, I suppose.

If you ask me, that life
was never right for you.

Just come home.

I'm making soft meat.

Will you stop?
Michael's my soulmate.

Well, whatever cranks
your tractor, I suppose.

I don't even know
what that means.

It means
what it means.

I have to go, Mother. I'm here.

Think
about what I said.

♪ Meet me in the
middle of the night ♪

♪ Let me hear you say
everything's alright ♪

♪ Let me smell the
moon in your perfume ♪

♪ Oh, Gods and years
will rise and fall ♪

♪ And there's always
something more ♪

♪ Lost in talk, I waste my time
and it's all been said before ♪

♪ While further down
behind the masquerade ♪

♪ The tears are there ♪

♪ I don't ask for
all that much ♪

♪ I just want someone to care ♪

♪ Answer right now ♪

♪ Meet me in the middle of the day,
let me hear you say everything's okay ♪

♪ Come on out beneath
the shining sun ♪

♪ Meet me in the
middle of the night ♪

♪ Let me hear you say
everything's alright ♪

♪ Sneak on out... ♪

Hi, babe, it's me.

You're okay.

Just calling to
say I'm sorry about her stuff.

I should have asked you first.

You're okay.

It's just that I think that...

Oh, maybe this is you.

Hi, I was just
leaving you a message.

Uh,
hi, is this Mrs. Barnett?

Uh, my name is Sandy Mosley,

down here at First Path
Adoptions in Myrtle Beach.

Oh. Gosh, I thought
you were my husband.

Oh, no.

Well, no, like I said,
this is, uh, Sandy Mosley,

and, uh, I'm sorry to
call out of the blue.

But I got your name from,
uh, Secure Children Indiana.

Uh, and, well, I understand,
uh, your family was fostering

a little girl earlier this year.

Yeah. Yes, is, is Blanca okay?

Oh, yes.
I mean, I assume.

But I'm actually
calling because,

uh, I see you were on
the path to adopting her.

Yes, until her aunt showed
up and the state insisted

she'd be better with
biological family.

Great, because we have a little
girl here who I think you will love.

She is seven,

uh, born in Ukraine.

She has dwarfism, and
is as sweet as can be.

Now, the only hiccup is we're...
we're in a little bit of a pinch.

Uh, you see, her current
situation didn't work out.

So, if we can't find a
family for her in 24 hours,

she's gonna be sent
to a group home.

Ooh, gracious, poor thing.

What happened with
the other family?

I'm afraid this happens more
than you'd care to think.

Not everyone's heart

is big enough to hold a
child with special needs.

That's why we called you.

Actually, the preferred
term is disabled.

All kids are special.

Absolutely.
Absolutely.

That's why when your
file came across my desk

describing your
daycare and your son,

I just, I cried.

I think you're the light
that this little girl needs.

- I'd have to talk to my husband.
- Of course, of cour...

Absolutely, I, I
know this is fast.

And what's her name?

Natalia.

Natalia Grace.

Natalia Grace.
That is beautiful.

- Almost like a prayer.
- Amen.

As soon as I got the
call, I knew what we had to do.

I mean, this isn't like
getting a dog from the pound

and realizing you
can't take care of it.

We're talkin' about a little girl here.

It's awful, Kris.

But that doesn't mean that w...

Jen, would you mind taking that
out back or something, please?

I'm sorry for the
girl, okay? I am.

But Kristine, I'm...

we're barely holding
it together as is.

Because of what
happened with Blanca.

- No.
- Yes.

We were fine before that.

Because I needed time to grieve. And
you just forgot about her immediately.

That's not fair. I was
just raised not to wallow.

Kris, she was supposed
to be our daughter.

Maybe she wasn't. Maybe
this little girl is.

And who says the same thing isn't
gonna happen all over again, Kristine?

How do we know? How
do we know that?

Well, because Michael, she needs
us. She doesn't have anybody.

And if we don't take her, they're
gonna put her in a group home.

Do you know what happens to
disabled kids in a group home?

Kris, come on, please.

I know things have been rocky
between us this last little bit.

I know you've been sad.

But this is the little girl
that you've always wanted.

A daughter to dance
with at her wedding.

Everything you've always
said and talked about.

I have to get back to work.

Maybe we're not being called
to save this little girl.

Maybe she's being
called to save us.

Hi.

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Hey, soul sister ♪

♪ Ain't that Mr. Mister
on the radio, stereo ♪

♪ The way you move
ain't fair, you know ♪

♪ Hey, soul sister,
I don't wanna miss ♪

♪ A single thing you do ♪

♪ Tonight ♪

- Hey, guys.
- Oh, boo, Mom, boo!

- Hey, guys.
- What?

I want us all to be prepared

that it may take Natalia a
little while to warm up to us.

So, we need to be
patient with her.

- That's right.
- Even if she hits us?

She's not gonna hit you. She
just may not hug you right away.

I don't want her to
hug me. She's a girl.

Boys rule and girls drool.

Might wanna try a different
opening line there, Wes.

It's not how the expression
goes anyway. It's the reverse.

- What?
- No way, I don't drool.

- Huh?
- Anyhoo,

the other thing I want
us all to remember is

that even though Natalia's small,
she's the same age as Ethan.

- She's not a baby.
- How small is she?

Like a G.I. Joe?

No, dummy. Mommy
said she's a little person.

Yes, a little person is another way
to refer to someone with dwarfism.

The point is that
Natalia is seven.

- Yeah.
- Well, I hope you guys got all that,

because we are here.

This can't
be the right place.

Mm, GPS says it is.

Welcome to
Myrtle Beach.

Come on in, there you go.

That's it, right this way.

Now, your princess is saying
goodbye to her previous family,

um, so you all can just wait right
here in our Forever Family Room.

Okay. Will there be a chance for
us to speak with the other family?

Not in a closed adoption. Mm-mm.

But you all have fun, and
we'll be in shortly, alright?

- Thank you.
- Okay.

They're really not gonna say hi?

I mean, I don't know. Would
you want to say hi to us?

They're probably embarrassed.

- When's she gonna be here?
- Soon, soon.

Whoo, okay. Should we
check out the toys?

They have The Game of Life.

Oh.

- Ugh.
- Okay, well...

- Hm.
- ...how about a game on my phone?

Yes!

Thank you.

Okay.

- What was that?
- Someone sounds mad.

Ooh. It's probably nothing.

You want me to go
see what's going on?

No, no, I think you should
give that some space.

Okay.

Sorry
that took a minute.

Oh, what was that?
Is everything okay?

Oh, just a little
hustle and bustle.

Uh...

- But this is...
- Natalia!

Hi!

Are you gonna be
my mommy and daddy?

Well, um...

We sure would love
that, if you'll have us.

I will, I will.

We got you this. We squeezed
it the whole way here.

We filled it up with all
the hugs we've been missing

for the last seven years.

Mm. Aw.

- Hi, Daddy. Hi, Mommy.
- Sweetheart.

Guys, come on, meet your
sister. Get over here.

- I'm Ethan.
- I'm Wesley.

- Jacob.
- Hi.

- And we just need your signatures here.
- Okay.

Now, on the phone, they didn't
mention Natalia's walker.

It's fine, of course, but
our house isn't accessible,

so it'll need work.

Well, there's no
financial assistance.

No, no, I just meant that
we'll need time to do the work,

and I, I don't wanna
get dinged for that

- on home visits.
- Oh!

Oh, no,
don't worry about that.

No, we have your home
study from before,

and this is technically
an independent adoption.

So, the state doesn't require
post-placement visits.

Oh, which state? South
Carolina or Indiana?

Uh, neither.

Great, that'll just help smooth
the transition, don't you think?

We find that it does.

Does she have
any other health concerns?

Oh, well, just a few surgeries to
help with the hip and foot pain.

But she got a clean bill of
health at her last checkup.

Well, she sure seems
like a spitfire.

Yeah.

Look out for that one.

Oh, and, uh, speaking
of her surgeries,

we usually just add the
past medical expenses

onto the other fees,
if that works for you.

I'm sorry, what?

To reimburse the, uh, previous
family for accrued medical expenses.

We have to pay
for her surgeries?

None of that was in
anything they sent.

Well, there are HIPAA
restrictions on what we can email.

- Well...
- Well, how much is it then?

- Y-Yeah?
- Not a lot.

- Uh, her family had great insurance.
- Okay...

Uh, it was just shy of seven grand.

I'm... Seven th... W-We...

- We don't have $7,000 just lying around.
- Okay, okay, okay.

- We-we're not that kind of family, so...
- No, no, I... So...

So none of this was mentioned,

so I think we should
speak to a lawyer.

- Yeah.
- Absolutely.

Mm, of course.

Mm. We're...

We're gonna have to put her in a
home until you sort things through.

No, I just... I think
we just need a minute.

- Give us a minute.
- Mm-hmm.

Okay.

I will figure this out.

How, how, how, possibly?

We, we maxed out our credit card
just to get down here, Kristine.

I know, but what
are we gonna do?

We're just gonna let
them dispose of her?

- Daddy and Mommy?
- Hi, hi. Hi, sweetheart.

Hercules ran out of hugs.

Oh, did he, already?

"She," she did.

Hercules is a girl.

Of course,
of course, my mistake.

Well, let's fill
Lady Hercules up.

Okay, okay, okay.

That ought to hold her.

Um...

Uh, could I get a refill too?

- Sweetheart, yes.
- Yes.

- Yes.
- Of course.

Oh, excuse me.

- Oh. What was that?
- I didn't have breakfast.

- What?
- They didn't give you breakfast?

No, it's... it's okay. I'm,
I'm more of a lunch girl.

It's not okay, Natalia.

Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day.

That's right.

Tell Jacob to dig around
in the blue backpack

and look for a granola
bar to tide you over.

And we'll stop for lunch on
the way back to the motel.

- Okay.
- Okay?

- Thanks, Mommy.
- Okay.

Oh.

I'm okay.

What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?

- Okay.
- We can't... we can't just...

We'll use the rest of
the rec center money.

That ought to do it.

Wh-What? Don't you need
that to finish it up?

No, it's okay, we'll cut corners
at home until we pay it back.

That money is there to
help disabled kids, right?

Are you sure?

My grandpa always said
when God has a job for you,

he gives you everything
you need to get it done.

I'm gonna go get my checkbook.

Okay!

Okay.

- Little syrup for you.
- Thank you, Daddy.

You know, I saw on the Food
Network that in the Ukraine,

they eat pancakes
with fish eggs.

- Ew!
- Would you like some help?

- Thank you, Mommy.
- Did you used to eat fish eggs, Natalia?

Nah. I like fish
brains better.

- Ew!
- Ugh!

- Watch out, I'm gonna puke.
- Not on me.

- You're making a joke, aren't you?
- Of course!

Who puts fish on pancakes?

But I do like to, um, do this.

I'm just gonna... so
I put this on here.

And then... and then I
roll it, and then, ta-da!

Pancake burrito.

We have a chef, you guys.

I could see fish
eggs being good on it too.

No, no, no, no.

Thank you.

Uh, how come you
aren't eating, Mommy?

You said breakfast was the
most important meal of the day.

It is. I'm just not
that hungry right now.

You can have some
of mine, Mommy.

My tummy's telling me it's full.

I'm full too. Can we
go down to the water?

Please, Mom?

- Can we? Can we?
- Please, please, Mom?

That's a great idea.

Go wear yourselves
out before the flight.

Okay.

Last one
there's a rotten egg!

Don't mind if I do.

Oh, man, look how
much fun he's having.

- Oh, I love seeing him like this.
- Yeah.

I wanna go too.
Will you carry me?

- The sand is hard for my walker.
- Yes, ladybug.

Just let Daddy and I pick up these
scraps, and we'll take you down.

I thought you're not hungry.

Waste not, want not.

But how come the boys
didn't have to wait?

- It's not fair.
- You know what? It's okay.

- I'll take her.
- No, you should eat.

Natalia, in a family,
we have to be patient.

But it's not fair.

Fair isn't always equal.

I wanna go down to the
beach, too, it's not fair.

It's not fair!

- Maybe someone's still hungry.
- I wanna go to the beach now!

Maybe should just... we
should just let her go...

No, now, now, now, now!

I wanna go to the beach now!

- Natalia.
- I wanna go to the beach now!

- Have some more pan...
- No, Mommy!

- Have some more pancakes.
- No, I don't want pancakes!

Natalia! That's enough.

Look, I
get the tantrum,

but the whole running thing,
I mean, what was that?

Do you think she's faking
not being able to walk?

No, I don't think she's faking.

Michael, she's a kid.

She didn't just go
out and buy a walker.

A doctor prescribed it.

I mean, look, there are
real skeletal concerns

with dwarfism that
would cause pain.

It's not that she can't walk.
It's just that it hurts to walk.

Could you
get Hercules, please?

And this morning, she wanted
to go down to the beach so bad

- that the pain didn't matter.
- Hm.

I think we just have another
very stubborn kid on our hands.

Here we go.

- No peeking, okay?
- I'm not.

- Are you ready, Natalia?
- I am!

Okay!

- Oh.
- Don't you like it?

It's a little baby-ish.

Oh.

Um, that's not kind, Natalia.

Daddy worked so hard putting
this together for you.

Oh, I thought you did it.

I didn't mean to hurt
your feelings, Daddy.

I just thought I
should be honest.

The whole princess thing
isn't really my jam.

Well, okay. Well,
what is your jam?

Black, or rocker.

Rock and roll.

Well, I can dig that.

You know, I played in
a band for a while.

Whoa, I have a cool dad.

I know.

Well...

Okay,
hold on a second.

We did a pretty jacked-up cover
of I Would Do Anything for Love.

♪ I
would do anything for love ♪

♪ I would do anything for love ♪

Look at you, you are a rocker.

And you know what?

It is okay if you don't like the
room. We'll just redecorate it.

It'll be our little
daddy-daughter project, cool?

What do you think? Huh?

Aw.

No, no, thank you.

And the more we
get the word out,

the more kids we
can help, right?

That's the goal, yes.

Okay, we'll see you there.

- See you soon.
- Great.

- Bye-bye.
- Bye.

You guys,

The Star is gonna do a piece on
the rec center opening next week.

Yes!

Natalia, Mommy is about to open
a community center and school

for kids with autism.

We're very proud of her.

Now, can we talk about why
Natalia got to watch TV

- and we didn't?
- Oh, really?

Well, it
was just this once.

- It's her first night home, guys.
- Yeah.

And fair isn't always equal.

Eat up, sweet pea.

- Do you want something else, honey?
- Can I have something else too?

No. You get what you get,

- and you don't get upset.
- Exactly.

Of course.

Tastes a lot better
with a big squirt of ketchup.

I loved every bite.

Okay, Mr. Clean Plate.
You may be excused.

Go do your homework.

- Would you sit with me, Mom?
- Absolutely.

I'll give your sister a bath
and I'll be right there.

- I want Daddy to give me a bath.
- Aw.

Maybe Daddy can do
bath tomorrow night.

Tonight he's on dish duty.

Do you like toys in the bath, or
are you more of an in-and-out kid?

- I don't know.
- I'll take that as in-and-out.

Do you wanna start
getting your clothes off?

I hate baths. It's gross
just sitting in dirt soup.

I get that.

But you didn't take a bath at the motel.

And we need to get those
airplane germs off.

You can't tell me what to
do. You're not my real mom.

How about a bird bath?

You can just stand in the tub

- and I can wash your...
- I said no!

It's polite to ask how
someone is when they're hurt.

Mommy, I'm so sorry.
Mommy, I'm so sorry.

Mommy, I'm sorry!
I'm sorry, Mommy!

- Oh, it's okay.
- I'm sorry, please don't mad, Mommy.

- It's fine.
- I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, Mommy.
Please don't be mad.

- We'll skip the bath tonight.
- I'm so sorry.

It's okay. I'm
gonna go get some ice.

Well, I had to read her
about a dozen books,

but she is finally asleep.

How's your side?

- It'll be sore tomorrow...
- Mm-hmm.

...but I'll be okay.

Okay, I'm sorry you had
a rough first night,

but I just know you
guys are gonna be great.

I see many a mother-daughter
pedicure in your future.

I'm not worried, Michael. It's the
first night, for heaven's sake.

Well, good. That's great.

Look, 'cause I know, believe
me, how hard it is when a child

is favoring the other parent.

And for what it's worth, you
know, I, I find Natalia to be

kinda like a little
cat, you know?

You just gotta... gotta wait
for her to just come to you.

Oh, is that what
you've been doing?

Never mind, I just...

Ignore it if it's not helpful.

Anyway...

S-Scoot over?

Hey, Mama.

You know, I really
was in the mood,

but it just... it hurts so bad.

Yeah.

Morning.

Good morning.

Mom!

Mom, come here. Mom!

- Mom.
- What is it, baby?

Wes or Ethan wouldn't do this.

Natalia Grace.

Come in here.

- Did you do this?
- Well, uh...

- Don't you like it?
- We don't draw on the windows, Natalia.

We draw on paper.

- But Jake did, I thought I could.
- Well, you can't.

Jake does that when his equations
get too big for his notebook,

so he does it on the windows.

- It's for school.
- I-I didn't know.

- Are you mad at me?
- Oh, no.

No one's mad at you, honey.

- It was just a mistake.
- This wasn't a mistake.

She did it because I caught her
sneaking Cheetos last night,

and threatened to tell.

No, no, why would I sneak Cheetos
when I had Pop-Tarts with Daddy?

Is that true?

- We...
- Did you give her Pop-Tarts

after she didn't eat her dinner?

No, no, no, don't
be mad at Daddy.

Playing Xbox just
made me hungry.

Was that before or
after the 10 books?

Okay, we played for maybe 20
minutes. It's not a big deal.

If it wasn't a big deal, then
why didn't you mention it?

- We're supposed to be on the same team.
- Don't do that.

We are on the same team. Which
is why I was trying to help.

I was just trying
to put her to bed.

Doesn't sound like you were
trying to get her to bed.

You weren't there, so
you don't really know.

- I don't know why...
- Will you guys please just stop?

You're right, honey, sorry.

Let's focus on how do we fix it.

Do you wanna talk it out again?

Dr. Joglekar has office hours
today. I wanna talk to him.

Okay.

Well, I can take you

because I have to, uh, go
by the rec center anyway.

Dad can take me on
his way to work.

It's more efficient.

Okay.

Let's get some breakfast.

Natalia, can you
stop that, please?

I like the sound.

Well, it's really making
Mommy's head hurt.

This is Kristine Barnett.

You guys, this is too
much. Oh boy, hold on.

Here we go.

Hang on, one second.

- Babe, are you in on this too?
- In on what?

The team just surprised
me with a new Daddy party.

They got me drinking soda
out of a baby bottle.

Walmart won't install the hoops
because the payment didn't go through.

I ordered it ages ago, and I
thought the check had cleared

before we paid for
that other thing.

It's almost the end of the month. Why
don't we wait till I get my paycheck

- and just put a down payment?
- No.

I need it for the opening next week.

I have
a reporter coming,

and part of my grant is showing that
I have a range of physical activities.

And how the heck am I supposed
to explain that I don't?

Michael, are you
listening to me?

I need help.

Boys, be careful.

I think we just have to wait till
we have the money. I'm sorry.

Fine, I'll figure it out myself.

So, I have to fess up.

I was excited for
you to meet Natalia,

but the real reason
I popped by is,

you know I've been working like
crazy to get the rec center open.

Then I realized today that we are
just a wee bit short on funds and...

Oh, my God, hell yes. I
would be thrilled to help.

- How much do you need?
- Oh gosh.

- Val, I...
- Would 1,000 to start help?

It would, Val. It would be...

And I will pay you back.

It is not a loan,
you nut. It's a donation.

You pay me back by letting
me be a part of something.

So, I'm dying to
hear about Natalia.

I didn't know you
were still trying.

Well, it's a tragedy, really. I mean,
we're her second adopted family.

- First one gave her back.
- My God, why?

No idea why. She's
the sweetest thing.

She just ran right up
and gave us a big hug

and called us Mommy and Daddy.

Almost like it was fate.

How is she getting
along with Mike?

Honestly,
it's been a godsend,

because, you know, he was
having such a hard time

since things with
Blanca fell through.

So, I've just been trying to stay
back and give them space to bond.

You really
are a miracle worker,

you know that, right?

And we had such a tough
time at the beginning.

Really? How so?

Jaden was
just so hot and cold.

One minute, he was sweet as pie,

and then the next, he was
throwing screaming tantrums

and crying until he threw up.

He would say that I wasn't his
real mom, or he didn't want me.

Oof. That must have hurt a lot.

I just didn't
know what to do.

I mean, who wants to go to
the social worker and admit,

you know, "Oh, I don't know, maybe
my new kid just doesn't like me"?

So, when did things turn
around for you guys?

Um, I guess
after a few months.

I mean, it was
gradual, of course.

I remember there was this one night
he had strep, and he was so sick.

You know, just this little mush.

He crawled into bed with us
like we were a safe place.

I guess that's, that's when I knew
that everything would be okay.

Hey. How did
it go with Dr. Joglekar?

I don't know. He was like
that the whole way home.

Can I come in?

I'd love to hear about your day.

Come on, little man.

Don't close up now.

You've gotten so good at
talking about your feelings.

I'm not not talking to
you because of autism.

I'm not talking to you
because I'm mad at you.

You said you'd
sit with me last night,

but you stayed with Natalia.

- You lied.
- I didn't lie.

- I was hurt and I was tired.
- You're never tired.

I'm always tired.

And last night, I was
feeling a little sad.

How come?

I guess I'm...

I guess I'm worried Natalia
doesn't like me very much.

But you said it would take a
while for her to warm up to us.

It took a while for me
to warm up too, right?

Yeah, it did.

And that was definitely
worth the wait.

You know you're one of my
favorite people to talk to, right?

I know.

I've always
considered myself blessed.

How many folks spend their whole
lives searching for their purpose?

But me, I've known I was put
on this earth to help children,

ever since I was a child myself.

More than anything, I've
wanted to build a world

where all kids can feel safe
just being who they are.

And that's what the
safe center will be.

Safe center. Safe... center.

Safe space.

Our space. Our house.

- Hi, Mommy.
- Our... Oh, sweetie.

You need to hop to
it and get ready.

People are gonna be here
sooner than I care to think.

That dress is funny-looking.

Oh, well, that was
mine when I was little.

So, you should understand.

Natalia, today is
very important for me.

I would like it if everyone
tried to look nice.

You don't think I look nice?

That's not what I meant.

If that's what you're
comfy in, fine.

Why are you being so mean? I
came in 'cause I wanted to help.

I would love your help.
You can fold the napkins.

I wanna cut veggies.

No. Natalia, put
that knife down.

- I don't want you to hurt yourself.
- I won't.

Drop
the knife, please.

That's a knife for grown-ups.
Now, put that down.

No, you can't tell me what to
do. You're not my real mom.

Leave me alone.

- Natalia, put the knife down.
- No, I wanna cut veggies.

- Drop that knife right now.
- No!

- Drop it, Natalia!
- You're not my real mom.

You can't tell me what to do!

Natalia, drop it.

Natalia, drop it now!

Hey, what's going on?

Natalia, what is it?

Sweetie, what is it?

Mommy is mad at me!

W-What is happening?

I... She... She wanted to help,

and she wanted to cut vegetables

and I wouldn't let her,
and I grabbed her arm.

Wait, you grabbed her arm?

Michael, I felt like
she wanted to hurt me.

- What?
- I was scared.

I'm telling you, I was scared.

Kristine, she's...
she's just a little girl.

- What do you...
- Hello?

- Are we the first ones here?
- No, no, no.

- The place looks amazing!
- Michael, I'm not ready.

I-I'm not ready
for this right now.

Nothing is ready.
Nothing is ready.

I don't have a name
for this place.

- Nothing back here is ready.
- Okay, calm down.

You got this.

- Okay.
- It's fine.

- Okay.
- You got this.

Michael...

- I can do this.
- Yes, you can do this.

- Okay.
- Yeah, you are.

- I'm fine.
- Yeah, you are.

I'm gonna do this, and
you are gonna go out there

and make sure
everything is okay.

Make sure Natalia is okay, okay?

I need everything to go
smoothly today, okay?

Okay, I will, I will
see what I can do.

- Okay, I need you.
- Okay. You're...

- You're good, you're good.
- Okay. Okay.

There's somebody
here to see you.

Oh, don't
get old, Natalia.

So, you giving me back, too?

What? No!

Honey, no, of course not.

- But she hates me.
- She... Who, Kristine?

She does not hate you, no.

If anything, I think she's
worried that you might hate her.

She thinks I hate her?

Well, not 'cause
of anything you've done.

It's just, Kristine
wants to be close to you.

And if there's anything
that Kristine does hate,

it's not being able to help
the people she cares about.

- I don't hate her.
- I know that, honey, I know.

Look, my dad,

your grandpa, I
guess, that's funny...

he was a, he was a pretty mean
guy, especially to his kids.

And when I met Kris, I...

didn't think I deserved to be loved,
because I wasn't really used to that.

And so, sometimes, I
would behave in ways

that, um, made it harder
for her to love me,

so I wouldn't get hurt in
case she changed her mind

and, and realized I was no good.

- Does that make sense?
- Not really.

Okay, I'm sorry.

Look, I, I... I just
want you to know

that in this family, we
love unconditionally.

And that means we love
you for who you are

no matter what.

Even Kristine?

Oh, sweetheart,
especially Kristine.

So, what are you
studying exactly, Jake?

Um, mostly
quantum physics.

And what
does that entail?

Well, I've been focusing a lot
on PT symmetric lattice systems.

Don't worry, I have no idea
what that means either.

Oh, good, I'm not alone.

Well, I, I gotta say, if
what you've done with Jacob

is any indication of the scope
that this place can have,

I think you're gonna
have a major impact.

For so long,
it's been a dream of mine

to build a place where kids on the
autism spectrum can come and play,

and make art, and watch movies.

Most of all, a place where
no one tries to change them.

A place where our kids feel
free to just be who they are.

I've decided to name our
center Jacob's Place,

because it's been
in raising Jacob

that I've realized how
important it is for all kids

- to have a safe haven.
- Mommy?

- Mommy.
- To learn, to play...

...to be themselves.

And even though it's
called Jacob's Place,

I hope that everybody feels
like this is their place.

- Mommy!
- We are a community.

Hi, Mommy.

- Sweetheart, what can I do for you?
- No, Daddy, I want Mommy.

I hope everybody
feels welcomed...

- Daddy, stop it. Daddy!
- ...and so we are open to anyone...

- Mommy?
- Yes.

- The zipper is so tricky.
- Okay, okay.

For those of you who haven't
met our new daughter,

this is Natalia Grace.

I took off my dress to go eat because
I didn't want it to get messy,

but now I can't put it back on.

Okay, sweetheart.

No, Mommy, Mommy.

I'm
sorry about before.

I'm sorry
too, baby. It's okay.

You don't hate me?

No, of course not.

I could never hate you.

Aww.

Did you know we got two
teams' worth of kids

signed up for basketball today?

Honey, I am so proud of you.

But you... you were
the real hero today.

Whatever you said to
Natalia, you just...

you really saved the day.

- You wanna know what I said to her?
- Yeah.

That you were the one who
taught me how to love.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

And that I couldn't
have helped her...

if you hadn't helped me first.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Yeah.
- Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy, are you awake?

Oh.

Hi, sweet pea.

Did you have a bad dream?

Do you wanna get in and cuddle?

No.

It's not time yet.

♪ From in the shadow she calls ♪

♪ And in the shadow
she finds a way ♪

♪ Finds a way ♪

♪ She's been everybody
else's girl ♪

♪ Maybe one day
she'll be her own ♪

♪ Everybody else's girl ♪

♪ Maybe one day
she'll be her own ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ And in the doorway they stay ♪

♪ And laugh as violins
fill with water... ♪