As the seventh chapter of "Sullivan's Crossing" unfolds, Maggie (portrayed by Morgan Kohan) and Andrew step into the solemn ceremony honoring the passing of Roy. The air is thick with grief as they overhear Lola Gunderson (Amalia Williamson), her voice breaking, wondering aloud how she will cope without him. Andrew (Allan Hawco), sensing Maggie's turmoil, whispers that he'll be waiting outside should she seek solace. Frank (Tom Jackson), offering a compassionate shoulder, tells Maggie that Edna will require time to heal and expresses regret over the strained circumstances of her last encounter with Sully.
The scene transitions, and outside, Sully (Scott Patterson) approaches Maggie, acknowledging their shared disbelief at Roy's sudden decline. He expresses hope for mending fences and finding a moment to converse later. Maggie departs to comfort Edna (Andrea Menard), while Andrew engages Sully, who learns of their temporary quarters at a charming bed and breakfast. Andrew reveals his desire to be close to Maggie and deepen his bond with his fiancée. He confesses his proposal and optimism about her acceptance, acknowledging the legal cloud hovering over her mind as a distraction. He also shares news of their new house, thoughtfully equipped with an in-law suite for Sully's convenience.
Maggie conveys her unwavering support to Edna, echoing the latter's constant presence in her life. Edna, still reeling from the harrowing discovery of Roy, compares it to Frank's lonely demise in the wilderness, then decides to offer assistance to Rob. Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray) joins Maggie, struggling to grasp Roy's absence and voicing concern that Roy might have faced his end in fear. He admits to worrying when Maggie didn't reach out after their deposition, to which she confides a less-than-stellar outcome. Cal attempts to console her, but their conversation is abruptly cut short by Andrew's interruption. Sydney arrives, intrigued by Andrew's presence, and they exchange pleasantries until Finn (Zayn Maloney)'s altercation with another child necessitates her departure.
Connie (Lauren Hammersley) strikes up a conversation with Maggie and Andrew, casually mentioning the shooting incident. Andrew's memory jogged, he gently reminds Maggie of her omitted mention of it earlier. Maggie insists she tried calling him during a critical moment of his surgery. He probes delicately, wondering if there are more unspoken truths between them. Lola addresses the gathered crowd, highlighting Roy's newfound friendship with Cal and the positive impact of his visits. She expresses faith in their collective strength, including Sully, who has filled a paternal void in her life. Following the ceremony, Lola reveals the daunting pile of paperwork stemming from Roy's lack of a will, prompting Sully to suggest enlisting Cal's help in navigating it.
Andrew and Maggie find themselves amidst a gathering, the atmosphere charged with camaraderie and refreshments. Finn, however, continues his altercation with another young boy, shifting blame despite his own aggressive demeanor. Rob, also known as Reid Price, and Sydney intervene, attempting to calm the storm. Finn laments being pestered and expresses a longing to retreat to the sanctuary of his home. Sydney, sensing Rob's necessity to oversee the cleanup, volunteers to escort Finn back.
Maggie approaches Rob, her tone filled with admiration. She commends him on his compassion and nurturing towards Finn, revealing a wishful sigh that she had such a pillar of support during her own formative years. Rob, acknowledging his reliance, admits he'd be lost without Sydney's steady hand.
In a separate corner, Lola confronts Maggie, her tone tinged with suspicion. She questions Maggie's presence, pointing out her lack of closeness to Roy and her past aversion. Lola accuses Maggie of bringing harm to Sully whenever she sets foot in their world.
Elsewhere, Cal's mind drifts back to tender moments shared with his wife during her illness. She, in a poignant gesture, urges him to embark on a new journey, seeking happiness with someone who can accompany him post her demise. As they stroll through the tranquil woods, Maggie shares with Andrew her love for the locale, fulfilling his curiosity about what draws her heart here.
Rob stumbles upon Finn, indulging in cake at the café, a fleeting moment of joy amidst the chaos. In a private exchange, Sydney expresses concern about Finn's emotional turmoil upon their return. Rob, however, wonders if Sydney is inadvertently rewarding misbehavior. Sydney counters, arguing that bringing a grieving child to a wake, following the loss of his mother, was a misjudgment. She insists Finn needs quality time with his father.
Rob engages Finn in conversation while Rafe, Dakota Taylor, enters, seeking Sydney's attention. Worried by her silence to his texts, Rafe seeks Rob's counsel. Rob advises patience, suggesting that Sydney might respond better if Rafe gives her space, hinting that many women appreciate a challenge. Sydney then takes Finn to a nearby area to play ball.
Rafe turns back to Rob, seeking reassurance about his relationship with Sydney, who seems to be avoiding him. Rob encourages him to ease off and allow Sydney to come to him naturally.
Lola meets Cal, presenting him with a chessboard, a keepsake from Roy, who wanted Cal to have it. She opens up about her sense of loss and confusion. Cal, privy to Lola's hardships and resilience, reassures her of her strength, reminding her of Roy's admiration for her determination post her accident. Lola, who never saw herself as resilient, ponders over Cal's words. She reveals that the person who caused her accident remains at large, her memory of the incident lost in the fog of a coma. Cal offers to assist her with legal matters, despite acknowledging it's not his area of expertise.
Frank and Edna discuss preparations for the unforeseen, emphasizing the importance of family ties. Edna suggests Frank visit his cousins in Alberta to avoid solitude. Frank, seemingly open to the idea, nods in agreement.
Meanwhile, Maggie paints vivid stories for Andrew, weaving tales of her cherished spots during her tenure in the place they now stand.
He realizes that his proposal caught her off guard, perhaps suggesting it wasn't the most opportune moment to pop the question. Andrew, eager to embark on a shared life journey, views it as a golden opportunity to start a family, as the thought of having children has long lingered in his mind. He reassuringly adds that she can resume her career later, as many do. Meanwhile, Frank tries to persuade Sully to spend the day together, but Sully politely declines. Elsewhere, Tom joins Jackson for lunch at the cozy café, where they delve into the topic of their separation and Tom's mother. Tom mentions pulling a favor with a recruiter who has kindly agreed to assist in preparing Jackson's application. However, Jackson is contemplating taking another year-long break.
Upon returning, Andrew engages Frank in conversation about the waterfall. Frank is astonished that she chose to take him there, as it was a place she had always kept under wraps. He reminisces about Maggie returning home, covered in mud, which Andrew finds hard to believe given her aversion to dirt. Frank clarifies that she was always at ease and content during her time there, prompting Andrew to suggest that she might have undergone a significant transformation since then. Edna informs Maggie that she and Frank have spontaneously decided to embark on a last-minute vacation to Calgary, leaving Edna anxious about preparations. Edna proposes that Maggie stay behind to manage the store, but Maggie is bound for Boston. Their discussion shifts to the lawsuit and Maggie's heated confrontation with Sully.
At the bar, Andrew gleans more details about Frank's shooting incident. Rafe mentions that Cal and Maggie once attended a dance together. Andrew inquiries about Cal's reputation as a troublemaker, but Rafe assures him that Cal is well-liked and a stand-up guy. Maggie discusses Andrew with Cal, sensing his eagerness to return to Boston. Cal expresses hope that she'll keep him updated on her progress and requests a farewell before her departure. As Cal joins the others, Andrew suggests a friendly wager for some money, unaware that Cal is actually a lawyer. Frank confides in Sully about Andrew's proposal, prompting Sully to admit that Andrew reminds him too much of Walter. He ponders whether he should have fought harder to keep Phoebe in their town.
As the game progresses with lively energy, Lola greets Tom and Rafe with a cheerful hello at the bustling bar. Rafe, captivated by her charm, readily agrees to share a dance with her. Meanwhile, Tom pulls Connie aside, insisting they need a private conversation. Their discussion, heated and tense, revolves around Jackson's application to the academy. Connie stands firm, advocating for Jackson's autonomy in making his own decisions. Embarrassed by the public scrutiny, she urges Tom to continue their debate elsewhere. Tom reluctantly agrees, though he warns her that their talk is far from over.
Seeing Rafe's attention divided by Lola's presence, Sydney feels a pang of jealousy and decides to interrupt their dance. Lola then takes a seat beside Cal, who is engrossed in an intense game of chance with Andrew. When Cal emerges victorious, Andrew's frustration boils over, prompting him to order another scotch. Cal attempts to disengage gracefully, but Andrew persists, determined to reclaim his losses. Cal offers to refund his stake, but Andrew rejects it angrily, throwing the money back and declaring his intention to win it fair and square.
Maggie, sensing the escalating tension, steps in to inquire about the commotion. Before Cal can intervene, Andrew asserts his conviction that he understands the underlying dynamics perfectly. Maggie, desperate to defuse the situation, urges Andrew to return to their motel room. However, Andrew reveals that he has discovered incriminating texts on Cal's phone, leaving Maggie baffled and confused. Andrew laments his efforts to please Maggie, which she seemingly rejects at every turn. When he challenges her to declare her love, Maggie hesitates, prompting Andrew to interpret her silence as indecisiveness.
In a fit of pique, Andrew nearly knocks Maggie over as he storms out, then turns his rage on Cal, punching him unexpectedly. Immediately regretting his actions, Andrew apologizes hastily and宣布his departure. As he leaves, he informs Maggie that he's had enough, leaving her to ponder her own desires. Should she ever come to a decision, he tells her where to find him.
Heartbroken and seeking refuge, Maggie heads to Sully's house, requesting permission to stay. She unburdens her heart, detailing the night's events and Andrew's return to Boston. Learning that he has painted over a cherished mural, Maggie is devastated, her emotions overwhelmed by the destruction of something they both once cherished.
