Army Wives (2007–2013): Season 7, Episode 1 - Ashes to Ashes - full transcript

Previously on Army Wives...

Kevin's humvee flipped in

Afghanistan. He's in
critical condition.

- I'm not getting any better.
- Not yet.

- Not ever.
- Hey, babe.

What are you doing
home at this hour?

My orders came in. We report
to Tacoma in 30 days.

It's never gonna be
the same, you know?

I'll never find a better bunch
of friends than the ones I'm

looking at right now.
You changed my life.

Brigade! Attention!



You'll be leading First
Brigade back in action.

Wish Claudia Joy could be here.

Well, it's not every day the
First Lady asks you to go on a

tour of military bases
around the world.

Soldiers of First Brigade,
once again, you have answered

- your country's call.
- I'm going where I'm needed.

To replace a commander who
was killed by an IED.

- That's the job.
- You stay safe, Hector.

Well, it's not really
your problem anymore.

Hey, just because we're getting
divorced doesn't mean I

- don't care about you.
- You take good care of your

- mom for me, okay?
- I wish you a safe journey and

- a successful mission.
- ♪ And they could never ♪

♪ ever ♪
♪ ever ♪



♪ tear us apart ♪

General Holden.

What?

- Oh, my God.
- And now,

the season premiere
event of Army Wives.

What is it? Did something
happen to Frank?

Michael?

She's gone.

What?

Claudia Joy... she's gone.

I just talked to
her this morning.

She was in Germany. She was...

coming... home tomorrow.

What happened?

Uh, she spent the morning
at an elementary school.

In the afternoon, she
and the first lady

went to visit wounded
soldiers in Landstuhl.

And when they got
back to the hotel,

Claudia Joy said she was tired.

She went upstairs for a nap.

When she didn't come
down to dinner,

they went to her room.

She was lying on the bed.

The doctor said it
was heart failure.

It must have been the...

diabetes, the...
transplant surgery.

Her body was just worn out.

I should've never let
her go on that trip.

Oh, don't say that.

No, it was too hard on her.

Could've happened anywhere.

Michael, she wanted to go.
You know her.

You couldn't have stopped her.

You told Emmalin?

I came right here.

She needs to know, Michael.

Hey, kiddo.

I know it's late, but
I have got some...

bad news.

I don't know what to say.

I know.

She looked so healthy after
the transplant, but...

the doctors cleared her
for travel, right?

Her heart just gave out.

I can't believe this.

Thank you.

Ohh. Okay. I'm okay.

How's Michael?

Um... you know, he, uh...

he talked to Emmalin
for over an hour.

I could hear her sobbing
through the phone.

And then he stayed talking
with me till after 3:00.

God, he... he's just so
lost without her, you know?

Claudia Joy was his...
his anchor,

um, and mine and...

God, I can't imagine a world
without Claudia Joy in it.

God.

All right, we... We
have a lot to do.

Michael's in... in no
shape to do any of it,

and he's gotta watch
out for Emmalin.

What can I do to help?

You can make some calls,
if you're up for it.

Just let people know
what's happened.

Uh, I made a list.

Of course you did.

It's what you do when
you can't sleep.

I get it.

Uh, what about the
funeral arrangements?

I have to call the American
consul in Frankfurt.

There's a lot of
paperwork involved

in getting Claudia
Joy's body back.

You up for that?

You do what you gotta do.

Michael asked me to help.

Daddy, I'm hungry.

We'd like for you all
to meet our daughter...

- Aww.
- Sara Elizabeth.

It was my grandmother's name.

I like it.

Hello, Sara Elizabeth.

Come here, baby girl,

and let's get you
some breakfast.

Yeah.

I miss mommy.

She misses you, too.

Come here.

It's so strange to
be here without mom.

I know.

She's never gonna be here again.

Hey. Hey, hey, hey.

Oh, kiddo.

I feel so bad.

I can't imagine what the Holdens
are going through right now.

Which is why we need to
do what we can to help.

Right.

Sorry. I'm just a puddle.

Oh, we all are, honey.

Did, uh, you reach
Roxy or Pamela?

Yeah, Pamela's flying in,

and Roxy can't make it.

Really?

Yeah, she's got her whole family

stuffed into a van east
of Nashville right now,

and Trevor has to report to
Lewis-McChord right away.

That's too bad.

Yeah.

I'll... I'll take
one of those, too.

Thanks.

Yeah.

It just kind of hits you

when you least expect it.

You spoke to Protocol?

They'll handle the,
uh, the day to day

with the Holdens.

But I-I circulated
a-a sign-up sheet

through the FRG to...

make sure their
meals are covered

for the next two weeks.

Oh, will you let everyone know

that Emmalin's a-a vegetarian?

Right.

The news is getting out.

I've already seen some
stuff on the internet.

I-I could talk to
Public Affairs,

be sure that they...
They issue a statement.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Okay, I-I should go.

I told Michael I would
be there about now.

Here I'd been planning a
homecoming for Claudia Joy.

Now... it's a funeral.

Denise.

Why don't we sit down?

I don't know where to start.

Uh... I know her life
insurance policy

is in our safe deposit box.

I'll need to get to the bank.

Y-you don't have to
worry about that today.

I don't want anything
falling through the cracks.

It won't.

And I know we need to
cancel her bank account

and her credit cards.

I, um, I made a list, Michael.

It'll all get done.

What about her computer?

I just realized Claudia Joy
has all this information

stored on her laptop.

I don't even know the password.

"Amandalin."

What?

Her password? It's "Amandalin."

"Amanda" and "Emmalin."

Oh.

You didn't know that?

Maybe we should... talk
about the funeral,

if you're up for it.

Have you chosen a mortuary?

Swinton's did Jeremy's funeral.

They were very respectful.

Whatever you think best.

Would you like me to
make the arrangements?

Please.

You okay, dad?

Have you thought about,

uh, what type of
service you'd like?

There's not gonna be a
traditional service.

What?

Your mother and I actually had
the chance to discuss it,

the night before her
kidney transplant.

I didn't want to,
but she insisted.

And then there's,
uh, there's this.

"Advanced directives"?

Yeah, power of attorney,
my living will,

that sort of thing.

Michael, you need
to know what I want

if something goes wrong.

Nothing's gonna go wrong.

But if it does...

I've been doing this for you

every time you've deployed
for the last 23 years.

You can do it this once.

I know.

This is different.

Read.

And what did she say?

She said that she had been
to too many funerals.

She wanted a small gathering
of family and friends

to celebrate her life

and scatter her ashes.

Ashes?

She wanted to be cremated.

- No.
- Emmalin...

No. She's gonna be
buried next to Amanda.

I wasn't comfortable with
it either, not at first.

But your mother and I
talked about it...

I don't care.

It's what she wanted, kiddo. She
was very spiritual about it.

Your mother knew

that we weren't gonna be
assigned to Charleston forever.

By releasing her ashes
into the world,

- she said that she would

always be where we are. - No.

Emmalin.

Let her go.

It's a lot to absorb.

Um, sorry.

It's Frank.

Huh? Ah, of... Yeah, of course.

Excuse me.

- Frank.
- Oh, hey, baby.

Look, I am sorry

that I couldn't call sooner,

but, um, well, we
made it in one piece,

though... it wasn't easy.

Boy, I gotta tell you,

I... much prefer jumping
out of airplanes

instead of flying in 'em.

Oh, Frank.

What is it, baby?

Baby, what's wrong?

It's Claudia Joy.

She's gone.

What?

She's gone.

_

Have you spoken with
General Holden?

Nah. I thought I'd wait.

Denise says things
are a bit emotional

at the house right now.

You know...

our families brace themselves
for bad news from the field,

but we just don't
expect to get it

from the other direction.

How's Denise?

She's broken up.

You know, Claudia Joy was her
best friend in the world.

Hell, Claudia Joy was
everybody's friend.

Morning, Frank.

Oh, morning. Oh, here.

- Oh, thanks.
- Let me get that.

Yeah, I, uh, did a
little straightening.

Dishwasher's running, okay?

Thank you.

I've tried to clean
up several times,

but Denise keeps saying
she's gonna do it herself.

And I'm sure she will.

She hasn't left the house
since the funeral.

It takes time, I know.

How are you holding up?

Well, you know... it's hard.

Frank, I'm here if
you need anything.

Thank you.

You know, if you want
to call your husband,

this can wait, Joan.

I appreciate it, but
right now, how I feel,

if I dwell on it, I don't think
I could reel myself back in.

Roger that.

All right, then our
first priority

is gonna be resupplying
combat outpost Kansas

and firebase Reno.

Would you look again, please?

My information is that
the death certificate

has already been recorded.

Thank you.

Um, vase?

Oh, uh, lower left corner.

Yes, I'm here.

Good. And the body will be
on the next available flight

to bring air force base?

Yeah, would you copy me
on that confirmation?

Thank you.

You've been really helpful.

That didn't sound good.

Hmm?

- The phone call.
- Oh, uh, yeah.

A little delay in
Germany, that's all.

They can't find the
death certificate.

Claudia Joy's body can't be
put on a plane without it.

Who would've thought

we'd ever be talking about
something like that?

It still doesn't... seem real.

- Hmm.
- What are you looking for?

Kitchen shears.

Oh.

Thanks.

You know this kitchen
really well.

Like my own.

Can we call a truce, please?

I miss my best friend.

Me, too.

I don't know how
things got this bad.

Well, yeah, I do.
It's all my fault.

I never should've
talked to Jackie

about Michael's retirement.

That was an accident.

Still, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too.

Jackie's an important
friend to you,

and I was letting it get to me.

I promise, when she
gets back from DC,

I'll make a fresh start.

That would mean so much to me.

Let's never let
this happen again.

Deal.

That must be more flowers.

I'll get it.

Roxy.

Hi.

Hey.

Oh.

What are you doing here?

After you called, I talked
it over with Trevor,

rented a car, put the
babies in the back,

and hauled ass.

I'm so glad.

Is it okay that I'm here?
I don't want to intrude.

Of course. Come on in.

- Okay.
- Here, let me help you.

Thanks. Here.

Okay.

Aw.

What can I do?

Oh, plenty.

Guests don't arrive
for another hour.

Where are you staying?

I haven't figured that out yet.

Okay. Then you're
staying with me.

Denise... It's settled.

Dad.

Roxy Leblanc is here.

I thought you'd like to know.

Sure. Thanks.

Thanks for stopping by.

Uh, Jack and Alana Tyler.
He's city councilman.

Thank you. Councilman Tyler.

Alana.

So sorry for your loss, General.

Thank you.

She was a treasure.

I believe that Claudia
Joy did as much

for the Charleston community
as she did for Fort Marshall.

That's very nice of you to say.

Natalie Cummings.
Uh, FRG leader.

Her husband is Captain
William Cummings,

currently deployed.

Natalie, thanks for stopping by.

I know it would mean a
lot to Claudia Joy.

I couldn't get my
benefits reinstated.

My buddy at the VA says, "You
talk to Claudia Joy Holden."

She didn't know me from Adam,

but I'm telling you, she
fought for my rights.

I'd be on the street today
if it wasn't for her.

I'd like to tell the General.

I'll be happy to introduce you.

Your mother was a saint.

Such a loss for everyone.

She died much too young.

- But at least she went peacefully.
- She didn't suffer.

She's in a much better place
now, dear, with your sister.

If you'll excuse me...

Put your hands up touching mine.

You don't have to do this.

Yes, I do. I want to.

Your right hand is the gas.

Your left hand is the clutch.

There are two options for you...

To push in or to pull out.

The easier part is
pushing on the gas.

You can hear it revving.

But what's really
important is the clutch.

It's silent.

You have to trust it more.

Until you trust, you
can't move forward.

Hmm?

Is this how you taught Amanda?

Mm-hmm.

It is.

And it's how my
mother taught me.

And I hope one day

it's how you teach
your little girl.

Hey, you.

Pamela.

Oh, let me get, uh,
Denise and Roland.

I said hello to everybody.
I'm so glad you're here.

I couldn't get through
this without you.

I know. Me, too.

I was bawling my eyes out
the whole plane ride.

You haven't seen
Emmalin, have you?

No, why?

Uh, no one's seen
her in a while.

I just talked to
some people outside.

They saw Emmalin drive away
about ten minutes ago.

Okay, um, keep an
eye on Michael.

This is the last thing
he needs to worry about.

- Of course.
- Where you going?

I think I know where she is.

_

This isn't fair.

No, it isn't.

First my sister... now my mom.

This woman said that my
mom died peacefully.

How does she know that?

How does anybody...
know anything?

My mom was alone when she died.

Nobody was with her.

"She's in a better place"?

Why do people say that?
It's so stupid.

Her place is here with me...
and my dad...

and everybody who loved her.

She won't be at my graduation.

She... she won't
be at my wedding.

She will never meet
her grandkids.

Why did she have to die?

I wish I was home with you.

So do I.

- Do the kids know?
- No.

David's been on a
field trip all day.

He came home exhausted.
I'll talk to him tomorrow.

What about Sara Elizabeth?

You think she's old
enough to understand?

Not entirely. I'm gonna wait.

I don't want her forgetting
about Claudia Joy.

No, we won't let that happen.
When she's old enough,

we'll tell her all
about her godmother.

I can't believe she's gone.

None of us can.

When's the service?

Not gonna be one.

Not a church service anyway.

Really?

Yeah, just family and
a few close friends

scattering her ashes...
at Middleton place.

Oh.

That'll be lovely.

Uh, and we're not supposed
to wear any black.

Claudia Joy wanted us
to celebrate her life.

Call it whatever you want,

there's gonna be a lot of tears.

Yeah.

Sir?

Oh, sorry, Joe.

What's up?

Sir, I have Colonel Sherwood
from Bagram on the line.

He says it's personal.
Do you want to take it?

Yeah.

Thanks.

Hello, Frank.

Oh, good evening, sir.

Look, sir, I just wanted to say

how sorry I am.

We're all gonna
miss her terribly.

I-I know I will.

Thank you.

You and Claudia Joy were
such a tremendous help to us

when we lost Jeremy.

I just... I just wish I
could be there for you now.

And I appreciate it.

But under the circumstances,
what you can do for me

is focus on the mission.

Bring your brigade home safe.
Yeah?

Will do, sir.

But, sir, please know that
you are in my prayers,

and Emmalin.

And, uh...

well, good night, sir.

Godspeed, Frank.

Everything all right?

Yeah.

We have dinner waiting
in the kitchen.

Denise and Jackie wouldn't
let me do a thing.

Okay.

How do you do that?

My superpowers.

Now close your eyes.

You need to learn to breathe.

Actually, I've been
breathing on my own

for quite some time now.

Michael, come on.
You said you'd try.

Okay.

Be serious. Focus.

Are you even aware
the army's using

yoga and meditation
to treat soldiers

with post-traumatic stress now?

What I am aware of is
that your breathing...

The Breath of Fire.

Is causing a great
deal of stress

in my body right now.

That's because the
Breath of Fire

is charging your nervous system,

'causing sexual fluids to
release into the blood stream,

creating a rather
indescribable feeling

- of bliss.
- Mm.

It feels like old times.

Yeah, except we never
pushed strollers together.

Yeah, except that.

And your husband
was in the army,

not some cushy security
job in California.

And Claudia Joy was around.

That one's gonna take
some getting used to.

That one we're never
gonna get used to.

Hey.

Promise me something, Rox.

Phone calls... once a
week, no matter what.

And we visit each
other every year,

even if it's just for a weekend.

No excuses, ever.

Deal.

It goes by so fast.

Oh.

What is it?

Did you pull your blanket down?

Aw.

They're really precious, Rox.

You want to take one home?

Hell, no.

Some friend you are.

I like sleeping
through the night.

- You've gone soft.
- Absolutely.

These are the visitors
from yesterday.

Michael's aide has a copy,
but I thought you might want

to follow up with him next week.

Great idea. And what's that?

Oh, uh, this is the
food in my freezer.

People brought so much,

there wasn't enough
room at Claudia Joy's.

Just let me know
when you need me

to bring more over.

You're doing a
great job, Jackie.

I hope so.

I'm... I'm... I'm really
gonna miss her, too.

Hello.

Yes, this is she.

Thanks.

The mortuary.

Claudia Joy's come home.

How are you ever gonna
get through all these?

No idea.

How you doing, kiddo?

Pretty crappy.

Yeah, me, too.

She looked pretty, didn't she?

Yes, she did.

I just kept... expecting
her to wake up.

Anything you need help with
on the ceremony tomorrow?

Oh, no. There's not
much left to do.

It's all taken care of.

It's just gonna be
Michael and Emmalin

and the four of us.

Right.

- Who wants wine?
- I do.

- I'm in.
- Thanks.

Roxy?

I don't think so.

Oh, come on. You just
finished feeding.

The guys are good for the night.

Alcohol will be out
of your system

- before tomorrow.
- Really?

Mm-hmm. Almost.

From one mom to another,
I give you permission.

Okay. Just one. A little.

Good.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

To Claudia Joy.

It feels strange, doesn't it?

Her not being here with us.

Not being in her living room.

She's the one who
got us together.

Well, she's the one
who kept us together.

But it was Pamela, actually,
who got us all together,

delivering twins
on a pool table.

Well, actually, the, uh,

this little adventure started
in Claudia Joy's backyard

because she believed in hosting

both enlisted and
officers' wives.

True.

I didn't know enough

to be intimidated
by her back then.

Me, a private's wife

being invited to a
colonel's house.

I had to learn what a
big deal that was.

Oh, I knew. Believe me.

But I was such a mess back then.

The kids were driving me nuts,
my marriage was falling apart.

Really?

Pamela exaggerates occasionally,

in case you haven't noticed.

Whatever.

Chase was being a total jerk
and spending too much money,

which is why I
became a surrogate

in the first place.

Hmm. What I remember is,
when the twins were born,

you didn't want
to take 'em home.

Yeah, but how could I?

I mean... what was I supposed
to tell my own kids?

The plan was to hand
the babies over

to their real parents, but
they were out of town

'cause they thought they had
another couple of weeks.

That's right.

So Claudia Joy took the babies.

Yeah.

One minute, I was in recovery,

and the next thing I know,

a colonel's wife is
folding my laundry.

You really don't
have to do this.

I've given birth, too, remember?

Forget the flowers,
the stuffed animals.

The greatest gift
anyone ever gave me

was folding my laundry
and doing my dishes.

Please don't do my dishes, Mrs.
Holden.

Claudia Joy.

- Okay?
- Yeah.

Pamela, I-I know I don't
know you that well.

Or Roxy, for that matter.

I don't even know
Roland that well

except his wife served
with my husband.

But we were all there
when you gave birth,

an experience we
will never forget.

You know that was...

the first time I ever
called her Claudia Joy?

It took me a while to figure out

just how great she was.

And when I did,

it was my turn to
be embarrassed.

What are you talking about?

It was right after Jeremy

got into that fight
at the hump bar.

General Holden declared the hump

off-limits to soldiers.

I remember.

Things were... tight at home.

And Trevor decided
to deliver pizzas

to bring in more money.

- You never told me that.
- Yeah, it didn't last long.

Why not?

Trevor took an order

for a high-school
party off post,

and Emmalin answered the door.

What?

This is the first I'm
hearing that story.

And of course, I ran
in to Claudia Joy

the next day at the PX.

It always goes like
that, doesn't it?

I was so embarrassed.

I assumed she knew all about it.

She didn't.

This isn't like you, to
be embarrassed like this.

Hey, I get embarrassed.

Roxy, the first time I met you,

you were walking out
of a bathroom stall

wearing only a thong.

That's what I admire about you.

You don't care what
other people think.

Well... I didn't know you then.

It made it a lot
easier not to care.

I think you're an
amazing woman...

Fierce, funny, loyal,

unique, and completely nuts

if you think something as silly

as Trevor moonlighting could
affect our friendship.

Okay, okay.

But think about it.

You're the general's wife.

I am the pizza guy's wife.

I wasn't always the
general's wife.

When Michael and I
first got married,

we had tough times, too.

Really?

Yes.

I felt like I could
tell her anything.

And you could.

Gosh, she was the best
listener I ever knew.

She was pretty good at
giving advice, too...

even when you didn't
want to hear it.

Honestly, I don't know if I
would even be here today

if it wasn't for Claudia Joy.

After we lost Jeremy, she, uh...

was the one that
pulled me through.

I brought the girls here
once for spring break.

Michael was away and, uh...

I thought it'd be fun,
just the three of us.

I remember Amanda

got cotton candy
stuck in her hair.

It's true what they
say, isn't it?

What's that?

Parents aren't supposed
to bury their children.

How do you do it?

How do you... get out
of bed every day?

You just do.

I'm not as strong as
you, Claudia Joy.

You find the strength you need.

And if you can't?

You just, uh... you
hang on until you can.

Think of all the things
you have to live for.

How are we gonna get
through tomorrow?

The same way we always do...
together.

For Michael and Emmalin.

For Claudia Joy.