At the tire store, Ruben continues to grapple with Georgie's emerging authority, a challenge unalleviated by Jim's scheme. Jim, bound for an out-of-town tire convention, intends to entrust Georgie with the reins during his absence. Yet, the allure of gaining industry insight through a passion-driven experience proves irresistible to Georgie. Desperate to attend, he persists in pestering Jim, albeit to no avail initially. It isn't until they return home and Mandy endorses the idea, recognizing its merit for Georgie, that Jim, reluctantly, reverses his decision. Overjoyed, Georgie dives headfirst into studying new tires, his excitement palpable, even picking up a smattering of Korean during a phone call with Sheldon.
Just as they embark on their journey, Jim drops a bombshell: they're not headed to a tire convention at all. This annual fib, spun to Audrey, enables him to indulge in casino gambling unencumbered. Georgie is livid, insisting they cannot deceive Mandy about their true destination. Jim argues necessity, claiming Mandy would spill the beans to Audrey, spelling disaster for him.
Meanwhile, Audrey confessionally reveals to Mandy her awareness of Jim's deception. When Mandy inquires why she tolerates it, Audrey reasons that she cherishes her solitary weekends and retains leverage against Jim in case of severe disputes. Mandy assumes Georgie will immediately confess the truth to her, to which Audrey responds by offering to take her shopping.
By the time Georgie and Jim arrive at the motel, Georgie is beside himself with frustration. Jim defends their actions as a "white lie" rather than an outright deception, while Georgie demands precise fictional details. He calls Mandy to assure her of their safe arrival, adopting Jim's charade and holding his narrative together.
Mandy is hurt by Georgie's direct lie to her, while Audrey feigns ignorance of Mandy's expectations. The situation unravels as a complex web of secrets and misunderstandings, each character navigating their own brand of truth and compromise.
To divert Mandy's troubled thoughts, Audrey proposes an evening out for drinks—an activity they've never officially embarked on together. Mandy nods in agreement, and Audrey proceeds to consume beers as if there were no limits to the night. As the drinks flow more freely, the two find themselves in a rare vulnerable light, a state they've seldom witnessed in each other, fostering an unexpected candor.
Mandy, still seething over Georgie's deceit, hears Audrey defend him as a stand-up husband. Mandy counters, insisting she'd never utter such sentiments unless significantly inebriated, to which Audrey playfully replies that with just one more full glass, she'd be performing acrobatics on the tabletops.
Back at the motel, Georgie finds himself on a winning streak at Blackjack, leaving Jim utterly astounded by his prowess. As Jim prepares himself for the evening, Georgie attempts to reach Mandy to confess the truth. Instead, he connects with Connor, who fills him in on Audrey and Mandy's unexpected night out.
A short time later, Mandy is struggling to carry an incapacitated Audrey back, her friend's words rambling incoherently and her shoes missing, much to Connor's bewilderment. Later in the night, a drunk Audrey phones Jim, detailing the evening's unexpected escapades.
In the ninth episode of "Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage," titled "Stepping Up," Connor shines brightly while Audrey and Mandy are away. With Georgie and Jim preparing to step out, Connor volunteers to step up, offering his assistance in caring for Cece. Later, when Mandy and Audrey plan their own outing, Connor readily repeats his offer, demonstrating a genuine eagerness to support the family.
As the scene shifts back to Connor and Cece, a delightful picture unfolds: Cece bounces joyfully in her chair while Connor, ever the creative soul, improvises a whimsical tune dedicated to the two of them. His ease and comfort in this newfound role are palpable, even if Mandy and Georgie remain somewhat skeptical of his parenting prowess.
Upon Georgie and Jim's return, the quartet perpetuates their agreed-upon charade with convincing ease. Jim amuses Audrey by pretending she had called him in a tipsy state, a claim she finds hard to believe until Jim reveals the telltale absence of her shoes as proof.
Elsewhere, following Jim's advice, Georgie surprises Mandy with a gift—dazzling diamond earrings. Jim then casually mentions that Audrey had supposedly pleaded with him not to get her anything, subtly shifting Mandy's perspective on their covert weekend getaway, hinting at its unexpected perks.
The episode concludes on a humorous note as Audrey ventures back to the bar to retrieve her shoes, only to discover an unexpected embarrassment: her bra has inadvertently been left behind the bar as well, adding a touch of levity to an otherwise drama-filled chapter in their lives.
