Beware the Night Nurse (2023) Movie Script
1
[grand orchestral music]
[dramatic music]
[tense music]
[Claire] Stop!
Please, no.
Stop!
[Claire panting]
He's not yours.
Don't hurt him.
Give him back, please.
[Kidnapper] No.
Please, don't hurt him.
[Claire] Yes, we're home.
Yes, you're such a good boy.
Hi.
Hi, yes.
Yes.
Hi, baby Owen.
That's your daddy, Zach.
That's your daddy right there.
That's your daddy right there.
Yes.
- All right.
- Yes.
Hi.
[car door slams]
[soft orchestral music]
Yes.
[Zach] All right.
We've wanted this for so long.
This is the first time
we're gonna step
It almost doesn't feel real.
Come on.
[soft orchestral music]
[both] Let's go see your room.
- Look at your room, baby Owen.
- [Owen cries]
Oh my goodness. [gasps]
Look at the nice
elephants and the llama.
Your daddy was so excited
to get it all ready for you.
Yes, he was.
So much.
- I love you, too.
- Oh, we love you.
Yes, we do.
[soft orchestral music]
[Owen crying]
[Claire sighs]
[Owen continues crying]
I fed him, rocked him
and sang to him.
I feel like I haven't
slept in a week.
- That's because we haven't.
- [Zach sighs]
I'll try.
No, let's see if he'll go down.
There's nothing more we
can do right now.
I've been like a zombie at work.
Yeah.
- [Owen crying]
- [soft piano music]
[soft acoustic music]
Liz.
- Hi.
- Hey, Claire.
He's napping right now,
but come in.
First I wanna show
you something.
[footsteps thudding]
[Claire] I meant to give
you yours last week.
[Liz] Thank you.
That was a really nice time.
It was.
But this summer with you nearly
ready to burst? [chuckles]
It was so special.
I don't mean it in a bad way,
but you look tired. [chuckles]
[Claire sighs]
Oh my gosh. I am.
Owen will still not
sleep through the night.
No matter.
Owen is a perfect baby.
No one has ever done anything
so kind for me before.
Oh, it hardly compares.
You didn't need my help
to become a paralegal.
And you could totally
go to law school
if you put your mind to it.
It's not just that.
It was the getting the
charge dropped.
I did need your help.
I mean, I was just...
A little lost.
I know.
[Owen whimpering on
baby monitor]
You wanna go see Owen now?
- Yes, please.
- [both chuckle]
He'll sleep occasionally
through the day,
and he's up all night,
every night.
It'll get better.
I think.
He's gonna have a good life
with you and Zach as parents.
No.
Definitely not.
[Liz sighs]
It's not fair that someone
like my mom gets to have a kid
when all she did was tear me
down and make me insecure.
And then there's people
like you and Zach
who will be perfect parents,
and you couldn't have
kids of your own.
I can't tell you how
grateful we are
for what you did for us.
It's funny.
All my mom ever wanted
was a boy, and she had me.
She couldn't have any
more kids after that.
And then here's Owen, a boy.
[soft music]
He's smiling in his sleep.
[chuckles]
[Owen crying]
- [soft piano music]
- [egg cracking]
[coffee pouring]
Here.
- Oh, wow.
- More trial prep today?
Yeah.
Actually, I wanted to
talk to you.
What do you think about
hiring a night nurse?
If we do that, what am I
taking maternity leave for?
You'd still be with Owen all day
and we'd be able to sleep.
I don't even know if it's
safe for you to be this tired.
[kiss smacks]
All right?
Think about it.
Please.
[Liz] Hi, this is Liz.
Leave a message.
- [answering machine beeps]
- Hi, Liz. It's Claire.
I thought you were
coming by today,
but just let me know if
something came up, okay?
- [Owen whining]
- Shh.
Yeah, hi.
- Yeah.
- [phone vibrating]
[Owen whining]
- Hi.
- [Liz sobbing]
Liz?
[Liz] Sorry...
Liz?
[Liz sobbing]
- [tense dramatic music]
- [phone beeping]
[Liz] Hi, this is Liz.
Leave a message.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [Owen crying]
It's okay, honey. It's okay,
honey.
Okay, okay, okay.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [footsteps thudding]
[footsteps thudding]
[knocking on door]
Claire, what are you doing here?
Why aren't you picking up
my phone calls?
You have to go. You
and Owen can't be here.
- What's wrong?
- Just please go.
- Did something happen?
- I mean it, Claire.
Get outta here.
No, I'm not going anywhere
until you tell me
what's going on.
[tense dramatic music]
Liz, take a deep breath
and tell me what's wrong.
Wait, was there anyone
outside when you came in?
What?
No.
- No!
- Okay, well, I'm leaving.
What? This is crazy.
Do you want me to
call the police?
I've tried that already.
They're not gonna do anything.
Okay, just don't come back
here and don't look for me.
I need to protect you and
I need to protect Owen.
- [Owen cries]
- Liz!
[Claire] Where are you going?
Stop!
Liz!
Liz!
[Owen continues crying]
She said Owen and I were
in danger, Zach.
Well, she said she
needed to protect us
and that we shouldn't
look for her.
It was the same thing.
But she never said danger,
though.
She was terrified of something.
It was like she'd seen a ghost.
You said that she looked
at Owen weird.
Do you think it could be
hard for her to see him?
I asked her last week
if she regretted
being our surrogate
and she said no.
There was no getting
through to her.
I tried everything.
What?
What could we say to them
that they could do
something about?
- We don't really know anything.
- [Claire sighs]
You're right.
But I'm scared, Zach.
I know, honey.
[Zach sighs]
I've been trying all
afternoon, but I'll call again.
[phone line beeps]
[Operator] We're, sorry.
Your call cannot be
completed as dialed.
[phone line beeping]
[Claire sighs]
Come here.
Okay.
- [Owen crying]
- Come on, come on.
- It's all right.
- [Owen screaming]
- It's okay, baby.
- [Owen crying]
It's okay.
Let me know if you hear
from Liz, all right?
I'll see you later tonight,
okay?
I will. Have a good day, okay?
- You, too.
- Okay.
[Police Officer] Excuse me.
- Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell?
- [tense music]
Yes?
Do you know a woman named
Elizabeth Chenoweth?
What makes you think
something happened?
My wife was speaking to
her yesterday.
Apparently she was a
little distraught.
What was your relationship
to Ms. Chenoweth.
Was?
She's a paralegal at
our law firm
and the surrogate
mother to our son.
We discovered a large amount
of calls from your number
to Ms. Chenoweth on
her cell, Ms. Mitchell.
Care to explain why?
Why do you have her phone?
Like Zach said, I saw
Liz yesterday afternoon.
She was supposed to come
over and visit,
so I went to her
apartment to check on her.
She was completely out of it.
She left somewhere in a
hurry, I don't know where,
and I was worried about her,
so I kept trying to reach her.
Now, can you please tell
us what happened?
I'm sorry, but we found
Ms. Chenoweth's car
abandoned in the woods
next to a quarry
that's used for
suicides in the past.
We believe that she took
her own life late last night
No.
That can't be.
Oh my god.
- I...
- It can't be that.
I should have done something.
- I should have stopped her.
- No, no, no, no.
No, no.
No.
You cannot think like that.
This isn't your fault.
[melancholy music]
[crickets chirping]
Let's just make it
through today, okay?
[Claire sighs]
I got him, okay?
Come on, bud.
- [melancholy music]
- [footsteps thudding]
[Claire] We can't take
him over there
if he won't stop crying, Zach.
No.
Oh, I feel like I'm going crazy,
Zach.
It's just sleep deprivation,
hon.
[Owen crying]
- [car door slams]
- No, it's not just that.
We talked about this.
You can't blame yourself.
Obviously Liz was more
tortured than we knew.
- Hello?
- Hi.
You knew Liz?
I'm Vera. I was Liz's
nanny when she was little.
I was walking over when
I heard your baby crying.
I'm Zach, and this is Claire,
and that's Owen with
the set of pipes.
I'll say.
Would you like me to try?
Crying babies is sort of
my world of expertise.
Oh, that's all right.
I see I've overstepped.
No, if you think you can help.
[Owen crying]
Yeah. Go ahead.
[Zach] You sure?
- [Owen crying]
- [car door slams]
Oh.
You do this professionally?
For 30 years.
But I don't have to if
you don't want me to.
No, go ahead.
Come here, little man.
That's right, yeah.
[Vera] Owen.
Hi, little man.
- Oh, you're so cute.
- [Zach] That's amazing.
This is the first time he
stopped crying in weeks.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
It's a gift.
I adore children.
You said you do this
professionally?
Are you available?
I mean, are you currently
free to work for us?
I just finished with another
client, so I am free.
Well, do you have someone
we could call? A reference?
I can give you the number of
the last family I worked for.
Please, don't take another job
Okay.
[Zach] All right.
Should we walk over?
I can hold Owen while you
two pay your respects.
That'd be amazing.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[soft music]
- Okay, let's go.
- Yeah.
- [eerie music]
- [car door slams]
[rain pattering]
Honey, we haven't had a
full night's sleep
or a moment of silence in weeks.
You see how she was
with Owen today.
I still wanna call
her reference.
Call 'em.
If she's anything like
she was today,
my guess is they're glowing.
Honey, this doesn't say
anything bad about you.
But we have to sleep.
My trial's coming up and I
need to be 100% prepared.
[sighs] You said it yourself.
We're going crazy.
- Okay.
- Okay?
I'll call the number
she gave us.
Hey.
You're gonna get a nanny.
Yeah.
[Woman] Hello?
I'm calling in reference to
your previous night nurse, Vera.
[Woman] Oh, Vera.
Oh, she's absolutely wonderful.
I'm telling you, when
she appeared
at our church's annual bake off,
I thought God himself
had sent her.
I just wanted to make sure
she's someone I can trust.
[Woman] Oh, I
understand completely.
Finding someone you
feel good about
of the hardest things
in the world.
But yeah, you can rest
assured with Vera.
She is excellent.
Our daughter sleeps
perfectly now.
Okay. Thanks for
taking the time.
I'm looking forward to
working with Vera.
[Woman] Absolutely. Oh,
please tell her I said hello.
[sighs] Yeah? You think so?
I do.
Hey, it's gonna be good.
- All right?
- Okay.
- [lips smacking]
- You better be right.
- I? m always right.
- [Claire and Zach laugh]
[insects chirping]
Everything you need is here
and formula's in the pantry.
Oh, you don't pump?
Oh, you couldn't conceive.
No.
That's very hard.
May I?
Oh, yes, please.
Go ahead.
Oh, look at you.
Oh, mm.
Does that ever make you
feel less than?
[suspenseful music]
Oh, it would be completely
natural if it did,
No, I look at you and I can
see how much you care for Owen,
how important he is to you.
Hmm.
Every mother worries they're
not doing a good enough job,
but no one's good at
anything right away, right?
You're right. [chuckles]
Yes, we are.
A proper heir.
We'd have been just as
happy with a little girl.
Really?
Of course.
Huh.
Well, you should get some sleep.
Yes, Zach and I are right
through there.
If there's any issues, don't
hesitate to wake us up.
The whole point is for you
to get a good night's sleep.
The little man and I
will be just fine.
Okay, but if you have
any problem...
Claire.
Don't worry, please.
- I promise.
- Okay.
Good night, baby Owen.
Good night, Claire.
[tense music]
[birds chirping]
[Zach] What time is it?
- It's eight.
- It's eight?
[soft acoustic music]
[utensil clanking]
Are you sure you don't
want any breakfast?
I put extra love in it
this morning.
No, I'm good, but it
looks delicious.
Oh, you know the formula you
have? It's not my favorite.
I'll text you the name
of the brand that I like.
Okay.
Zach and I haven't slept
through the night in weeks.
Oh, Owen just needed
his nana Vera, I guess.
Maybe tonight you can show
me what you do.
You know, teach me your secrets.
- I'd love to.
- Okay.
All right, I'm off. I'll
see you tonight.
My goodness.
Oh, I hadn't seen Liz in years.
Yes, she was.
Hm.
It's funny, Liz never
mentioned she had a nanny.
In fact, she always
sort of implied
she had a pretty
difficult upbringing.
Hm.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean
anything by that.
- That was rude.
- No, no, no, no.
Liz never talked about
her past much, honestly.
She wouldn't, no.
It was, uh, difficult.
She was difficult. [chuckles]
But that's a story
for another day.
Okay.
So I'll see you tonight, Claire.
- See you then.
- Okay.
- Thanks again, Vera.
- Oh, of course.
- [eerie music]
- [door slams]
Yes. [chuckles]
So you're glad we hired her?
- Thank you.
- You look so beautiful.
Thank you.
- I love you so, so much.
- I love you, too.
How's Owen?
Perfectly. [chuckles]
- Nothing.
- You hear it?
- Nothing.
- [both laughing]
for sleeping through the night,
Owen.
You let mommy and daddy
sleep finally.
Yes. We're so proud of you.
Yes, yes. He's such a good boy.
- Mommy will be right back, okay?
- [Owen whines]
Okay? Mommy will be right back.
Claire. Hi.
Grab that, would you?
[eerie music]
Hm.
This place could use a clean,
but I'll get to that later.
Where's my grandson?
Zach didn't tell me
you were coming.
Well, that's because
he didn't know.
I wanted to surprise you both
If you thought I was
waiting until Christmas
to meet my grandson, well,
you both had another
thing coming.
- You know where to find me.
- [tense music]
[luggage wheels clunking]
Hey.
You're perfect.
Just beautiful.
You look just like your
daddy when he was a baby.
I've waited 30 years for this.
You get to hold him
all the time.
It's my very first time, and
I'm never gonna let him go.
No, he's my little honey bunny.
Yes he is.
[vacuum whirring]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
I think you might want
to make this less public.
What?
I know in the end, you
had to use a surrogate,
but you might not want
to announce it
to every single guest
that enters your home.
[picture frame thuds]
I'll make Zach's favorite,
carbonara.
[tense music]
Dinner is served.
No.
It's not that hard.
Thanks for cleaning.
Mm.
Judy, how long are you
gonna be staying?
Oh, I don't know. I didn't
book a return flight.
[Claire coughs]
Two weeks, anyway.
You know when your baby
has a baby, you show up.
- Right?
- Come on, mom.
Excuse me for a moment.
Aren't you gonna eat all your
food? I made your favorite.
Claire, hon, everything okay?
You all right?
Yeah.
Just a little
overwhelmed is all.
How come?
We have a lot going on
right now, Zach.
I don't know that your
mom being our house guest
for the next two weeks is
the best idea.
I mean, I think she'll
be a big help, don't you?
She already cleaned the
house and made dinner.
She could help with Owen.
I love how much she loves you.
But?
She's just trying to help.
Today she took the
picture of me and Liz
out of the living room
because she thought
it'd send the wrong
message to guests.
Do you know how hurtful that is?
Look, I'll talk to her, okay?
But this is a good thing.
You'll see.
[knocking on door]
Yes, can I help you?
[Zach] It's okay, mom.
Nanny?
Hi, Vera.
Hello.
Yeah, hi.
I'll see to Owen.
Thanks, Vera. I'll be
right there.
So at what point were
you thinking
that it was okay to
have some stranger
looking after my grandson?
She comes at night. It
helps us sleep.
It'll help you sleep, too.
I can stay up with Owen.
Tell her to take the next
two weeks off,
and if you think you still
want her, then we'll...
This isn't your
decision to make.
I...
Claire's right, mom.
You'll have all day,
every day with Owen.
Vera's been great. I really
think you'll like her.
But if you think
that's what's best.
Yeah.
It is.
[tense music]
You drift off so fast.
Hi, Vera.
I'm so sorry about that.
Oh.
An overbearing woman, it seems.
[chuckles]
[gentle music]
Yeah, I met Liz initially
right out of law school.
And she'd been caught
shoplifting.
My goodness.
Well, Liz was very troubled.
Yeah, when I met her,
I could tell she was a young
woman having a hard time.
Yes, but stealing?
What a frivolous thing to take.
She was charged?
Mm-hm.
But I got her off and
the charges expunged.
Really?
I suppose so.
You know, Liz was always
getting into trouble as a child.
And no respect for authority.
She gave her mother a
very hard time.
And you too, then, I guess.
Well thankfully people grow up.
[chuckles]
Anyway, after the
charges were dropped,
I got her into some classes
to become a paralegal,
and when I moved over
to the private sector,
I made sure she was offered
a position at the firm.
That was kind of you.
Can I?
Oh, yes, of course.
[soft tense piano music]
Hi.
How did she come to be
your surrogate?
Well, Zach and I
tried for a year
before we went to the doctor,
and then I learned I
was never gonna be able
Liz and I had a lunch
on the books,
one of these regular catch ups
we do, and I almost canceled,
but in the end, I decided to go.
And thank God I did.
Well, at lunch I
broke down crying.
Liz asked me what was wrong,
and I don't know what came
over me, but I spilled my guts.
I told her everything.
She was very comforting.
And I didn't think
anything more of it,
but the next day she came
into my office
and told me she'd be our
surrogate if we wanted.
Goodness.
[Claire sighs]
Can you imagine growing a baby
inside of you for nine months
and then handing him off
to someone else?
I don't think I could ever
be so selfless.
- I did.
- [tense music]
That was taken at our
cottage this summer.
I took the last month off with
Liz and we lived up there.
It was such a
genuinely happy time.
Where's your cottage?
Gravenhurst, just
north of the city.
Oh.
That sounds lovely.
Thank you for being here, Vera.
We're lucky to have you.
I wouldn't dream of being
anywhere else.
- Oh, he's out cold.
- [Claire chuckles]
I mean that.
Oh, that face.
[tense dramatic music]
Good morning.
You're leaving?
I got it.
Well, he really can
be quite fussy.
Really, you're no
longer needed here.
Well, you're making it too hot.
Are you kidding?
- Give me...
- Stop.
What is going on?
You two are fighting like
children. This is ridiculous.
Please tell her we don't
need her here anymore.
Judy, we talked about this.
Vera being here isn't up to you.
I'm not comfortable with
her being around Owen.
- [Judy] Hm.
- Stop it, both of you.
I did.
Okay, Judy, you feed Owen.
- Vera, I'll walk you out.
- There's no need.
I can see my self out.
You see? That woman is unhinged.
You can't trust a stranger
with your baby, Claire.
I told you.
We need to report this
to the police.
Judy.
Let it be.
[tense music]
They were fighting over the
bottle like two year olds.
Vera tried to take it
from my mom.
Your mom was egging her on.
I think my mom was a little
suspicious of a stranger.
That's all.
[Claire scoffs]
I think it's jealousy.
Obviously cares a
lot about Owen.
Your mom doesn't like
competing with someone else
to be queen of the castle.
I think that's what's going on.
That's harsh.
Before things escalate.
Yes, both, together.
Make it clear that the incident
that happened this morning
doesn't happen again.
And whatever either of
them says, we stay unified.
Same page.
Okay?
Yeah.
Same page. Got it.
- Are you mad?
- No, I just...
I didn't think on the
second day of my mom's visit
I'd be sitting her down
for her talking to.
It's not the most comfortable
conversation in the world,
Claire.
I get that. But we need
to address this.
Now?
[tense music]
[crickets chirping]
Claire told me about
this morning.
Did she tell you
that this woman...
Mom, please. Just give
us a second here, okay?
Look, what happened this
morning isn't worth retreading,
but we don't want any
conflict around our son,
especially when it's
completely unnecessary.
You can both help take
care of Owen.
Do you both understand?
That's the most important thing,
isn't it?
Can't we at least come
together on that?
She's not family.
[Zach] Ugh.
You're mad that my bond with
Owen is stronger than yours.
- Oh, please.
- It's written all over your fa...
Enough. This is exactly
what I'm talking about.
Anymore of this, and Judy,
we'll have to ask you to leave.
And Vera, we'll have
to let you go.
[Zach] Can you say you're
sorry so we can move on?
Come on, mom.
Vera, how about you?
Sorry.
There.
Well, I'll put Owen down.
How about I make a fresh
pot of tea for everyone?
If that's okay?
Lovely.
[Vera] Come here, little man.
- [Claire] Thank you.
- [Vera] Mm-hm.
- Here we go.
- Thank you.
[Judy] Mm.
Mm-mm-mm.
A stranger with your baby.
Mom.
That's all I've got to say.
[tense music]
[liquid pouring]
I wanted to make you a
pot of my special tea.
It's really quite delightful.
A sort of apology, if you will.
That's very nice.
You're not having any?
But right now, I'm gonna get
back to Owen, so, sleep well.
Zach, don't.
What?
[Zach and Claire sigh]
It is really good.
Just smells a little too
sweet for me right now.
Really?
- Mm.
- Hm, I like it.
Oh, you're drinking that fast.
Yeah, it's too sweet for me.
[crickets chirping]
Look, I know it was
important out there
that we present a unified
front, I get that,
but I do think my mom's right.
She's family, Vera's not.
What?
Claire, no, that's
not what I mean.
That's why we just
talked to them both.
What I'm saying is that my mom's
Vera could quit tomorrow
for all we know.
- No, she wouldn't do that.
- You're ignoring my point.
Yeah?
Look, my mom can be a really
big help if you let her.
She just wants to feel
important and appreciated.
Give her that and
she'll be an angel.
Okay?
[Judy] You can't trust a
stranger with your baby.
Trust a stranger with
your baby... Baby...
[Liz] Don't come back here
and don't look for me.
[Judy] I'm serious. We need
to report this to the police.
[Claire] Judy.
[Liz] Don't come back here
and don't look for me.
I need to protect you and
I need to protect Owen.
[Claire] Liz, Liz...
- Li...
- [dramatic music]
[Judy] You can't trust a
stranger with your baby, Claire.
[tense dramatic music]
[Claire] Vera?
[tense dramatic music]
Vera?
Owen?
Vera?
[car engine ignites]
- Vera!
- [Owen crying]
Vera?
Vera, what are you doing?
What are you doing?
Open up!
Open...
Vera, what are you doing?
Owen couldn't sleep so I took
him for a short car ride.
It helps lull him to bed.
[Claire] Vera, you can't
just take him.
[Owen crying]
[Claire] Vera, you can't
just take him.
Don't get upset! This is
totally normal!
Your car? Why would you do that?
Claire, give the
little man to me.
I'll put him down and then we
can talk. You're distraught.
I think you need to leave.
Owen is scared, Claire.
- Stop.
- [Vera grunts]
- Ow!
- [dramatic music]
[Vera] I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to.
You need to leave or I'll
call the police.
All right, I'm leaving.
I'm leaving.
We can talk about this tomorrow.
This is all a big
misunderstanding.
- You need to leave now.
- I heard you, I heard you.
Are you two okay?
It's fine.
- And meet me in the kitchen.
- [tense music]
[Owen crying]
It's okay.
I'm sorry. Mommy didn't
mean to scare you.
- I'm so sorry.
- [soft dramatic music]
[phone whirrs]
[Claire sighs]
[Claire] Judy, it's fine.
Really.
[Judy] I told you this
would happen.
Maybe I overreacted.
But I panicked when I
couldn't find Owen.
She took him from his
house without asking.
There's no second chances
on something like this.
Are you seriously considering
letting her back in this house?
You have to fire her.
If you'd only listened
to me in the first place,
There's nothing we can do
tonight, anyway.
Well, I'm sleeping in
Owen's room.
But thanks.
Go back to bed.
[tense dramatic music]
[first aid kit clicking[
[tense dramatic music]
[Claire sighs]
It was an accident.
Vera was reaching for
Owen and I spun away.
That's not what my mom said.
I know.
I'm gonna call her right now.
I was knocked out.
I can't believe I
didn't wake up.
Yeah, you're not a
heavy sleeper.
I realize that I was the
one that pushed to hire her.
I'm fine if you
wanna let her go.
No.
- [Owen whines]
- No, your mom got in my head
about trusting Vera and
I panicked, that's all.
This whole thing got blown
way out of proportion.
But what if my mom is right?
Your mom is sticking her nose
in every part of our lives.
It's overwhelming and
it's throwing me off.
This is about whether we
can trust Vera.
I wanna talk to her and
decide for myself,
without your mom
harping in my ear.
She's great with Owen.
Over what could just be a
simple misunderstanding.
If that's what you
think is best.
[tense music]
[Claire] You can't take
Owen without talking
to me first ever again,
okay Vera?
And a car ride is a great
way to lull a baby to sleep.
We're not talking about
whether or not
I was just doing what
I thought was necessary
I didn't think it would
be a problem.
It was a problem.
You scratched me, Vera.
Claire, I feel very
close to Owen.
You are upset, he
was frightened.
Of course I was upset.
You understand that you crossed
a line last night, right?
I would never, ever let
anything happen to Owen.
I'm not sure you're
hearing me right now.
I'm talking about how what
you did was inappropriate.
I don't think you understand me,
Claire.
If I thought for a
second that anything
- was gonna happen to him...
- What do you mean bonded?
Well he spends every
night in my arms.
He's my little man.
I thought I'd call and
you'd apologize
and that would be it,
but it doesn't feel like
we're on the same
page at all here.
You're making me really
uncomfortable, Vera.
Maybe we should just take
a little break.
And I'll call you in a
couple of days, all right?
No, no, I don't think that's
a very good idea, Claire.
I'm telling you not to
come in tonight.
Is that clear, Vera?
[Claire] Are you there?
Vera?
I told her not to come
in for a couple of days.
- Couple of days?
- Yeah, a couple of days.
A step in the right direction,
I suppose.
- I'm glad you approve, Judy.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [eerie music]
- [insects buzzing]
[door clicks]
Vera? What are you doing here?
[Vera] Hello, Claire.
I told you not to come tonight.
And I told you Owen needs me.
[Claire] Everything's locked.
I had a key made.
From the spare.
I thought it would be
more helpful.
Did you tell her it's
okay to make a key?
No!
[Judy] I thought I
heard yelling.
You!
That's it, I'm
calling the police.
You should probably leave, Vera.
Just give Owen to me, Claire.
Come on.
What's wrong with you?!
I just want what's best
for Owen. That is all.
You need to leave right now.
Whatever you do, I will always
be a part of Owen's life.
- Did you hear me?
- Let's go.
Sleep well tonight
thinking about that.
[Zach] Walk.
[Zach] Get outta my house.
Oh, I'm sorry, baby Owen.
I'm sorry.
Shh.
Mommy didn't mean to scare you.
Oh.
Mommy didn't mean to scare you,
okay?
And you say you never
provided her with a spare key?
No, definitely not.
She had it made
without us knowing.
[Officer] But she did
work for you?
Tonight?
It seemed like an
accident at the time.
Vera Ivanov. You got an address?
You don't know where she lives?
No.
Bank account info?
She wanted to be paid in cash.
[Officer] License plate?
All right.
Did you find out anything
about her before she started?
She was our surrogate's
nanny growing up,
so we trusted her.
I didn't.
What's her name?
Liz Chenoweth, but she
died recently.
Vera gave us a reference
and I called them
before we hired her.
Maybe they know where she lives?
You're right.
Maybe.
- [cell phone ringing]
- [cell phone ringing]
[eerie music]
[cell phone continues ringing]
[dramatic tense music]
She was the reference.
I'll see what we can
do with this,
so I wouldn't hold
out much hope.
Besides that, you should
change your locks
and call us immediately
if she comes by again.
Aren't you going to
do something?
There's not much we can do,
ma'am.
She didn't take anything. She
didn't break in, technically.
You don't know anything about
her other than her name.
And with this fake
reference thing,
I'm guessing that's
not even real.
I'm sorry...
Try and be a little more careful
about who you hire
in the future.
[tense dramatic music]
This is the last of
your locks changed out.
There's your new key.
[lock clicks]
- Perfect.
- Great.
[tense dramatic music]
[phone chimes]
[soft tense piano music]
[Claire] She was our
surrogate's nanny growing up,
so we trusted her.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [birds chirping]
[tense dramatic music continues]
[door clicks]
[door slams]
[footsteps thudding]
[tense dramatic music continues]
[Liz] All my mom ever
wanted was a boy.
She had me.
She couldn't have any
more kids after that.
A boy.
[Claire] You said you
were her nanny?
[Claire] It's funny, Liz never
mentioned she had a nanny.
In fact, she always
sort of implied
she had a pretty
difficult upbringing.
[tense dramatic music]
Vera is Liz's mom.
His biological grandmother.
That's why she's so obsessed.
Yes, but it's 100% not true.
I think that's why she
killed Liz and stalked us.
I have an idea.
[insects chirping]
[eerie music continues]
[Judy] Do you think it'll work?
I hope so.
Mm.
Hey.
[tense dramatic music]
Oh, what I wouldn't give
to see her face.
[Judy] Of course I wouldn't
let you and Owen
come up here by yourselves.
Got him?
- Got it.
- Great.
[Claire] Thank you.
[tense dramatic music]
[insects chirping]
[gate clanks]
[gate squeaks]
[tense dramatic music continues]
[feet thud]
This time you're going away.
[Vera gasps]
[Zach] Owen's gone and you'll
never see him again.
[dramatic music]
[Claire gasps]
[Liz] Claire.
[indistinct police
radio chatter]
She'll be arraigned first thing.
Okay.
Good.
I'm in court tomorrow,
but just call my cell
if anything comes up.
I will.
The surveillance
footage will help.
That was my wife's idea.
Smart.
It was.
I should have explained.
I just...
That day you came to
my apartment
was the first time I had
seen my mom in years.
I thought I'd gotten away,
but she tracked me down.
She left right before
you got there.
You have no idea what
she's capable of.
- Oh, we do, actually.
- Boy, do we.
I should have told you.
The only thing on my
mind was run.
It was like I was 16 again,
back to the worst
time in my life.
What did she do to you, Liz?
I don't know.
The last time I saw her was
after I tried to wear a dress
She caught me and locked me
in my room for nine days.
She'd put a little bit
of food and tea inside.
First I drank it cause I
was so thirsty.
But she put
something in the tea.
Zach.
Oh.
I couldn't trust
anything after that.
So I just stopped
drinking, stopped eating.
Oh, Liz.
I pleaded with her
to let me out.
I swore I'd be good.
I ran away as soon as I
could after that.
All because you wore a dress?
She wanted a boy and she had me,
so she just treated me
like a boy, anyway.
If I tried to do anything
girly, she'd punish me.
That dress was the final straw
after a lot of other stuff.
What was her fixation on a boy?
It's how her parents raised her.
Heir to the family name,
that sort of thing.
In her family, her
brothers were everything
and she was nothing.
She never got any
approval. Never any love.
You'd hope she'd think
differently because of that,
right?
So that's why she was
so obsessed with Owen.
Exactly.
I thought maybe she
didn't know about him
and if I left right away,
she wouldn't even find out.
I remembered the cottage,
so I came up here.
So I abandoned it up on
the road by the quarry.
Thanks.
I never knew things were
that bad for you growing up.
That's awful.
Oh.
Zach?
It worked, hon.
She's in jail.
Oh, thank God.
Are you okay, Zach?
I'm just glad it's over.
Me, too.
I love you.
Us too.
Thanks.
I'm driving up right
after court.
I'll be there just after lunch.
[Zach] Can't wait. Good night,
honey.
Finally.
I hope they lock her
under the prison.
Any of this was gonna
happen, I...
Hey, Liz.
It's okay.
Yes.
Wow, look at that fire.
Are you excited daddy's
coming tomorrow?
Are you as excited as I am?
Yeah?
Yeah?
Did you have fun with
your grandma Judy today?
Yeah? Did you have fun?
Oh, you like the fire, huh?
- Yes, it's so nice.
- [Owen whines]
I know, it's so nice
and cozy in here.
He's good. I just put him
back down for a bit again.
Well, I know he's doing better
now that that crazy
lady is gone.
[Claire and Judy chuckle]
Judy, I just wanted to
say I'm sorry.
Oh, you don't have to, dear.
Well...
You're gonna be the best
grandma to Owen.
And, well, I appreciate
everything you've done for us.
Of course. It's been
my pleasure.
And I'm sorry, too.
And Zach and Owen are
so lucky to have you.
[mugs clink]
[Liz] Hey, ladies.
- Ready for lunch?
- Hey.
[Officer] Hi, Mr. Mitchell,
this is Officer McKinnon.
I'm sorry.
And since it was a
first time offense,
the judge set bail at
only five grand.
She was released on her
own recognizance.
No.
[phone ringing]
[Owen cries]
[tense dramatic music]
[cell phone vibrating]
- [phone ringing]
- Pick up. Pick up, pick up.
[Claire] Hi, you've
reached Claire Mitchell.
Please leave a me...
[tense dramatic music continues]
Mm.
Is there anything I
can do to help?
I just got Owen down.
Oh, no, Liz, you've
already done enough.
Besides, Judy and I got
it covered, don't we?
- We do.
- [all laugh]
[Claire] Hi, you've
reached Claire Mitchell.
Please leave a message.
Where are you, Claire?
I feel like this weight's
been lifted off my shoulders.
How long are you thinking
about staying?
Well, Zach has to be
back in on Monday,
but I'd stay here the
week if you two wanted?
And then Zach could come
back next weekend
and for a couple more nights?
Yeah, that sounds great to me.
Um...
[tense dramatic music]
I think another week here
would, would be lovely.
Mm.
Judy, are you okay?
[Liz gasps] The lemonade.
Judy, we're gonna get you
some help, okay?
[tense dramatic music continues]
Mom!
My baby's been kidnapped. Hello?
She must have parked
back on the road.
You head her off there, then
drive her back into the woods.
We both know them better
than she does.
You go that way, I'll
go this way.
[tense dramatic music continues]
Liz?
[tense dramatic music continues]
He's not yours!
Give him back, please!
No.
Mom!
Stop!
[Claire] Vera, don't
do anything stupid.
[Liz] Mom, just step away
from the edge.
Mom, please.
How could you?
I'm the only one who
really loves him.
You gave him away.
She doesn't even know what
to do with him.
We can figure this out. Don't
do anything stupid, okay?
Be quiet!
You'll never be able to
take care of him like I can.
You'll never be able to love
him just like the way I do.
[Vera] You're so pathetic.
You're not even fit to
be his mother.
I know what it's like to
not be able to have kids.
Don't you act like you and
I are the same.
No, I'm just saying.
I understand.
- Shut up!
- [Liz] Mom, please.
What?
You're the one scaring him.
No!
- No!
- [Vera gasps]
[Vera thuds]
[Liz] Mom!
Mom. [gasps]
[Zach] Congratulations, Liz.
You're gonna do fantastic.
I could never have done
it without you and Claire.
We owe you more than
you'll ever know.
Believe me.
[Claire chuckles]
Hey baby. Come to mama.
Come on.
Hi.
You're getting heavy.
[Zach] Smells great.
- Claire made it.
- With a little help.
Oh, yes.
Grandma's got you.
Yes.
Yes.
[soft upbeat music continues]
[dramatic music]
[dramatic music continues]
[dramatic music continues]
[grand orchestral music]
[dramatic music]
[tense music]
[Claire] Stop!
Please, no.
Stop!
[Claire panting]
He's not yours.
Don't hurt him.
Give him back, please.
[Kidnapper] No.
Please, don't hurt him.
[Claire] Yes, we're home.
Yes, you're such a good boy.
Hi.
Hi, yes.
Yes.
Hi, baby Owen.
That's your daddy, Zach.
That's your daddy right there.
That's your daddy right there.
Yes.
- All right.
- Yes.
Hi.
[car door slams]
[soft orchestral music]
Yes.
[Zach] All right.
We've wanted this for so long.
This is the first time
we're gonna step
It almost doesn't feel real.
Come on.
[soft orchestral music]
[both] Let's go see your room.
- Look at your room, baby Owen.
- [Owen cries]
Oh my goodness. [gasps]
Look at the nice
elephants and the llama.
Your daddy was so excited
to get it all ready for you.
Yes, he was.
So much.
- I love you, too.
- Oh, we love you.
Yes, we do.
[soft orchestral music]
[Owen crying]
[Claire sighs]
[Owen continues crying]
I fed him, rocked him
and sang to him.
I feel like I haven't
slept in a week.
- That's because we haven't.
- [Zach sighs]
I'll try.
No, let's see if he'll go down.
There's nothing more we
can do right now.
I've been like a zombie at work.
Yeah.
- [Owen crying]
- [soft piano music]
[soft acoustic music]
Liz.
- Hi.
- Hey, Claire.
He's napping right now,
but come in.
First I wanna show
you something.
[footsteps thudding]
[Claire] I meant to give
you yours last week.
[Liz] Thank you.
That was a really nice time.
It was.
But this summer with you nearly
ready to burst? [chuckles]
It was so special.
I don't mean it in a bad way,
but you look tired. [chuckles]
[Claire sighs]
Oh my gosh. I am.
Owen will still not
sleep through the night.
No matter.
Owen is a perfect baby.
No one has ever done anything
so kind for me before.
Oh, it hardly compares.
You didn't need my help
to become a paralegal.
And you could totally
go to law school
if you put your mind to it.
It's not just that.
It was the getting the
charge dropped.
I did need your help.
I mean, I was just...
A little lost.
I know.
[Owen whimpering on
baby monitor]
You wanna go see Owen now?
- Yes, please.
- [both chuckle]
He'll sleep occasionally
through the day,
and he's up all night,
every night.
It'll get better.
I think.
He's gonna have a good life
with you and Zach as parents.
No.
Definitely not.
[Liz sighs]
It's not fair that someone
like my mom gets to have a kid
when all she did was tear me
down and make me insecure.
And then there's people
like you and Zach
who will be perfect parents,
and you couldn't have
kids of your own.
I can't tell you how
grateful we are
for what you did for us.
It's funny.
All my mom ever wanted
was a boy, and she had me.
She couldn't have any
more kids after that.
And then here's Owen, a boy.
[soft music]
He's smiling in his sleep.
[chuckles]
[Owen crying]
- [soft piano music]
- [egg cracking]
[coffee pouring]
Here.
- Oh, wow.
- More trial prep today?
Yeah.
Actually, I wanted to
talk to you.
What do you think about
hiring a night nurse?
If we do that, what am I
taking maternity leave for?
You'd still be with Owen all day
and we'd be able to sleep.
I don't even know if it's
safe for you to be this tired.
[kiss smacks]
All right?
Think about it.
Please.
[Liz] Hi, this is Liz.
Leave a message.
- [answering machine beeps]
- Hi, Liz. It's Claire.
I thought you were
coming by today,
but just let me know if
something came up, okay?
- [Owen whining]
- Shh.
Yeah, hi.
- Yeah.
- [phone vibrating]
[Owen whining]
- Hi.
- [Liz sobbing]
Liz?
[Liz] Sorry...
Liz?
[Liz sobbing]
- [tense dramatic music]
- [phone beeping]
[Liz] Hi, this is Liz.
Leave a message.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [Owen crying]
It's okay, honey. It's okay,
honey.
Okay, okay, okay.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [footsteps thudding]
[footsteps thudding]
[knocking on door]
Claire, what are you doing here?
Why aren't you picking up
my phone calls?
You have to go. You
and Owen can't be here.
- What's wrong?
- Just please go.
- Did something happen?
- I mean it, Claire.
Get outta here.
No, I'm not going anywhere
until you tell me
what's going on.
[tense dramatic music]
Liz, take a deep breath
and tell me what's wrong.
Wait, was there anyone
outside when you came in?
What?
No.
- No!
- Okay, well, I'm leaving.
What? This is crazy.
Do you want me to
call the police?
I've tried that already.
They're not gonna do anything.
Okay, just don't come back
here and don't look for me.
I need to protect you and
I need to protect Owen.
- [Owen cries]
- Liz!
[Claire] Where are you going?
Stop!
Liz!
Liz!
[Owen continues crying]
She said Owen and I were
in danger, Zach.
Well, she said she
needed to protect us
and that we shouldn't
look for her.
It was the same thing.
But she never said danger,
though.
She was terrified of something.
It was like she'd seen a ghost.
You said that she looked
at Owen weird.
Do you think it could be
hard for her to see him?
I asked her last week
if she regretted
being our surrogate
and she said no.
There was no getting
through to her.
I tried everything.
What?
What could we say to them
that they could do
something about?
- We don't really know anything.
- [Claire sighs]
You're right.
But I'm scared, Zach.
I know, honey.
[Zach sighs]
I've been trying all
afternoon, but I'll call again.
[phone line beeps]
[Operator] We're, sorry.
Your call cannot be
completed as dialed.
[phone line beeping]
[Claire sighs]
Come here.
Okay.
- [Owen crying]
- Come on, come on.
- It's all right.
- [Owen screaming]
- It's okay, baby.
- [Owen crying]
It's okay.
Let me know if you hear
from Liz, all right?
I'll see you later tonight,
okay?
I will. Have a good day, okay?
- You, too.
- Okay.
[Police Officer] Excuse me.
- Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell?
- [tense music]
Yes?
Do you know a woman named
Elizabeth Chenoweth?
What makes you think
something happened?
My wife was speaking to
her yesterday.
Apparently she was a
little distraught.
What was your relationship
to Ms. Chenoweth.
Was?
She's a paralegal at
our law firm
and the surrogate
mother to our son.
We discovered a large amount
of calls from your number
to Ms. Chenoweth on
her cell, Ms. Mitchell.
Care to explain why?
Why do you have her phone?
Like Zach said, I saw
Liz yesterday afternoon.
She was supposed to come
over and visit,
so I went to her
apartment to check on her.
She was completely out of it.
She left somewhere in a
hurry, I don't know where,
and I was worried about her,
so I kept trying to reach her.
Now, can you please tell
us what happened?
I'm sorry, but we found
Ms. Chenoweth's car
abandoned in the woods
next to a quarry
that's used for
suicides in the past.
We believe that she took
her own life late last night
No.
That can't be.
Oh my god.
- I...
- It can't be that.
I should have done something.
- I should have stopped her.
- No, no, no, no.
No, no.
No.
You cannot think like that.
This isn't your fault.
[melancholy music]
[crickets chirping]
Let's just make it
through today, okay?
[Claire sighs]
I got him, okay?
Come on, bud.
- [melancholy music]
- [footsteps thudding]
[Claire] We can't take
him over there
if he won't stop crying, Zach.
No.
Oh, I feel like I'm going crazy,
Zach.
It's just sleep deprivation,
hon.
[Owen crying]
- [car door slams]
- No, it's not just that.
We talked about this.
You can't blame yourself.
Obviously Liz was more
tortured than we knew.
- Hello?
- Hi.
You knew Liz?
I'm Vera. I was Liz's
nanny when she was little.
I was walking over when
I heard your baby crying.
I'm Zach, and this is Claire,
and that's Owen with
the set of pipes.
I'll say.
Would you like me to try?
Crying babies is sort of
my world of expertise.
Oh, that's all right.
I see I've overstepped.
No, if you think you can help.
[Owen crying]
Yeah. Go ahead.
[Zach] You sure?
- [Owen crying]
- [car door slams]
Oh.
You do this professionally?
For 30 years.
But I don't have to if
you don't want me to.
No, go ahead.
Come here, little man.
That's right, yeah.
[Vera] Owen.
Hi, little man.
- Oh, you're so cute.
- [Zach] That's amazing.
This is the first time he
stopped crying in weeks.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
It's a gift.
I adore children.
You said you do this
professionally?
Are you available?
I mean, are you currently
free to work for us?
I just finished with another
client, so I am free.
Well, do you have someone
we could call? A reference?
I can give you the number of
the last family I worked for.
Please, don't take another job
Okay.
[Zach] All right.
Should we walk over?
I can hold Owen while you
two pay your respects.
That'd be amazing.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[soft music]
- Okay, let's go.
- Yeah.
- [eerie music]
- [car door slams]
[rain pattering]
Honey, we haven't had a
full night's sleep
or a moment of silence in weeks.
You see how she was
with Owen today.
I still wanna call
her reference.
Call 'em.
If she's anything like
she was today,
my guess is they're glowing.
Honey, this doesn't say
anything bad about you.
But we have to sleep.
My trial's coming up and I
need to be 100% prepared.
[sighs] You said it yourself.
We're going crazy.
- Okay.
- Okay?
I'll call the number
she gave us.
Hey.
You're gonna get a nanny.
Yeah.
[Woman] Hello?
I'm calling in reference to
your previous night nurse, Vera.
[Woman] Oh, Vera.
Oh, she's absolutely wonderful.
I'm telling you, when
she appeared
at our church's annual bake off,
I thought God himself
had sent her.
I just wanted to make sure
she's someone I can trust.
[Woman] Oh, I
understand completely.
Finding someone you
feel good about
of the hardest things
in the world.
But yeah, you can rest
assured with Vera.
She is excellent.
Our daughter sleeps
perfectly now.
Okay. Thanks for
taking the time.
I'm looking forward to
working with Vera.
[Woman] Absolutely. Oh,
please tell her I said hello.
[sighs] Yeah? You think so?
I do.
Hey, it's gonna be good.
- All right?
- Okay.
- [lips smacking]
- You better be right.
- I? m always right.
- [Claire and Zach laugh]
[insects chirping]
Everything you need is here
and formula's in the pantry.
Oh, you don't pump?
Oh, you couldn't conceive.
No.
That's very hard.
May I?
Oh, yes, please.
Go ahead.
Oh, look at you.
Oh, mm.
Does that ever make you
feel less than?
[suspenseful music]
Oh, it would be completely
natural if it did,
No, I look at you and I can
see how much you care for Owen,
how important he is to you.
Hmm.
Every mother worries they're
not doing a good enough job,
but no one's good at
anything right away, right?
You're right. [chuckles]
Yes, we are.
A proper heir.
We'd have been just as
happy with a little girl.
Really?
Of course.
Huh.
Well, you should get some sleep.
Yes, Zach and I are right
through there.
If there's any issues, don't
hesitate to wake us up.
The whole point is for you
to get a good night's sleep.
The little man and I
will be just fine.
Okay, but if you have
any problem...
Claire.
Don't worry, please.
- I promise.
- Okay.
Good night, baby Owen.
Good night, Claire.
[tense music]
[birds chirping]
[Zach] What time is it?
- It's eight.
- It's eight?
[soft acoustic music]
[utensil clanking]
Are you sure you don't
want any breakfast?
I put extra love in it
this morning.
No, I'm good, but it
looks delicious.
Oh, you know the formula you
have? It's not my favorite.
I'll text you the name
of the brand that I like.
Okay.
Zach and I haven't slept
through the night in weeks.
Oh, Owen just needed
his nana Vera, I guess.
Maybe tonight you can show
me what you do.
You know, teach me your secrets.
- I'd love to.
- Okay.
All right, I'm off. I'll
see you tonight.
My goodness.
Oh, I hadn't seen Liz in years.
Yes, she was.
Hm.
It's funny, Liz never
mentioned she had a nanny.
In fact, she always
sort of implied
she had a pretty
difficult upbringing.
Hm.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean
anything by that.
- That was rude.
- No, no, no, no.
Liz never talked about
her past much, honestly.
She wouldn't, no.
It was, uh, difficult.
She was difficult. [chuckles]
But that's a story
for another day.
Okay.
So I'll see you tonight, Claire.
- See you then.
- Okay.
- Thanks again, Vera.
- Oh, of course.
- [eerie music]
- [door slams]
Yes. [chuckles]
So you're glad we hired her?
- Thank you.
- You look so beautiful.
Thank you.
- I love you so, so much.
- I love you, too.
How's Owen?
Perfectly. [chuckles]
- Nothing.
- You hear it?
- Nothing.
- [both laughing]
for sleeping through the night,
Owen.
You let mommy and daddy
sleep finally.
Yes. We're so proud of you.
Yes, yes. He's such a good boy.
- Mommy will be right back, okay?
- [Owen whines]
Okay? Mommy will be right back.
Claire. Hi.
Grab that, would you?
[eerie music]
Hm.
This place could use a clean,
but I'll get to that later.
Where's my grandson?
Zach didn't tell me
you were coming.
Well, that's because
he didn't know.
I wanted to surprise you both
If you thought I was
waiting until Christmas
to meet my grandson, well,
you both had another
thing coming.
- You know where to find me.
- [tense music]
[luggage wheels clunking]
Hey.
You're perfect.
Just beautiful.
You look just like your
daddy when he was a baby.
I've waited 30 years for this.
You get to hold him
all the time.
It's my very first time, and
I'm never gonna let him go.
No, he's my little honey bunny.
Yes he is.
[vacuum whirring]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
I think you might want
to make this less public.
What?
I know in the end, you
had to use a surrogate,
but you might not want
to announce it
to every single guest
that enters your home.
[picture frame thuds]
I'll make Zach's favorite,
carbonara.
[tense music]
Dinner is served.
No.
It's not that hard.
Thanks for cleaning.
Mm.
Judy, how long are you
gonna be staying?
Oh, I don't know. I didn't
book a return flight.
[Claire coughs]
Two weeks, anyway.
You know when your baby
has a baby, you show up.
- Right?
- Come on, mom.
Excuse me for a moment.
Aren't you gonna eat all your
food? I made your favorite.
Claire, hon, everything okay?
You all right?
Yeah.
Just a little
overwhelmed is all.
How come?
We have a lot going on
right now, Zach.
I don't know that your
mom being our house guest
for the next two weeks is
the best idea.
I mean, I think she'll
be a big help, don't you?
She already cleaned the
house and made dinner.
She could help with Owen.
I love how much she loves you.
But?
She's just trying to help.
Today she took the
picture of me and Liz
out of the living room
because she thought
it'd send the wrong
message to guests.
Do you know how hurtful that is?
Look, I'll talk to her, okay?
But this is a good thing.
You'll see.
[knocking on door]
Yes, can I help you?
[Zach] It's okay, mom.
Nanny?
Hi, Vera.
Hello.
Yeah, hi.
I'll see to Owen.
Thanks, Vera. I'll be
right there.
So at what point were
you thinking
that it was okay to
have some stranger
looking after my grandson?
She comes at night. It
helps us sleep.
It'll help you sleep, too.
I can stay up with Owen.
Tell her to take the next
two weeks off,
and if you think you still
want her, then we'll...
This isn't your
decision to make.
I...
Claire's right, mom.
You'll have all day,
every day with Owen.
Vera's been great. I really
think you'll like her.
But if you think
that's what's best.
Yeah.
It is.
[tense music]
You drift off so fast.
Hi, Vera.
I'm so sorry about that.
Oh.
An overbearing woman, it seems.
[chuckles]
[gentle music]
Yeah, I met Liz initially
right out of law school.
And she'd been caught
shoplifting.
My goodness.
Well, Liz was very troubled.
Yeah, when I met her,
I could tell she was a young
woman having a hard time.
Yes, but stealing?
What a frivolous thing to take.
She was charged?
Mm-hm.
But I got her off and
the charges expunged.
Really?
I suppose so.
You know, Liz was always
getting into trouble as a child.
And no respect for authority.
She gave her mother a
very hard time.
And you too, then, I guess.
Well thankfully people grow up.
[chuckles]
Anyway, after the
charges were dropped,
I got her into some classes
to become a paralegal,
and when I moved over
to the private sector,
I made sure she was offered
a position at the firm.
That was kind of you.
Can I?
Oh, yes, of course.
[soft tense piano music]
Hi.
How did she come to be
your surrogate?
Well, Zach and I
tried for a year
before we went to the doctor,
and then I learned I
was never gonna be able
Liz and I had a lunch
on the books,
one of these regular catch ups
we do, and I almost canceled,
but in the end, I decided to go.
And thank God I did.
Well, at lunch I
broke down crying.
Liz asked me what was wrong,
and I don't know what came
over me, but I spilled my guts.
I told her everything.
She was very comforting.
And I didn't think
anything more of it,
but the next day she came
into my office
and told me she'd be our
surrogate if we wanted.
Goodness.
[Claire sighs]
Can you imagine growing a baby
inside of you for nine months
and then handing him off
to someone else?
I don't think I could ever
be so selfless.
- I did.
- [tense music]
That was taken at our
cottage this summer.
I took the last month off with
Liz and we lived up there.
It was such a
genuinely happy time.
Where's your cottage?
Gravenhurst, just
north of the city.
Oh.
That sounds lovely.
Thank you for being here, Vera.
We're lucky to have you.
I wouldn't dream of being
anywhere else.
- Oh, he's out cold.
- [Claire chuckles]
I mean that.
Oh, that face.
[tense dramatic music]
Good morning.
You're leaving?
I got it.
Well, he really can
be quite fussy.
Really, you're no
longer needed here.
Well, you're making it too hot.
Are you kidding?
- Give me...
- Stop.
What is going on?
You two are fighting like
children. This is ridiculous.
Please tell her we don't
need her here anymore.
Judy, we talked about this.
Vera being here isn't up to you.
I'm not comfortable with
her being around Owen.
- [Judy] Hm.
- Stop it, both of you.
I did.
Okay, Judy, you feed Owen.
- Vera, I'll walk you out.
- There's no need.
I can see my self out.
You see? That woman is unhinged.
You can't trust a stranger
with your baby, Claire.
I told you.
We need to report this
to the police.
Judy.
Let it be.
[tense music]
They were fighting over the
bottle like two year olds.
Vera tried to take it
from my mom.
Your mom was egging her on.
I think my mom was a little
suspicious of a stranger.
That's all.
[Claire scoffs]
I think it's jealousy.
Obviously cares a
lot about Owen.
Your mom doesn't like
competing with someone else
to be queen of the castle.
I think that's what's going on.
That's harsh.
Before things escalate.
Yes, both, together.
Make it clear that the incident
that happened this morning
doesn't happen again.
And whatever either of
them says, we stay unified.
Same page.
Okay?
Yeah.
Same page. Got it.
- Are you mad?
- No, I just...
I didn't think on the
second day of my mom's visit
I'd be sitting her down
for her talking to.
It's not the most comfortable
conversation in the world,
Claire.
I get that. But we need
to address this.
Now?
[tense music]
[crickets chirping]
Claire told me about
this morning.
Did she tell you
that this woman...
Mom, please. Just give
us a second here, okay?
Look, what happened this
morning isn't worth retreading,
but we don't want any
conflict around our son,
especially when it's
completely unnecessary.
You can both help take
care of Owen.
Do you both understand?
That's the most important thing,
isn't it?
Can't we at least come
together on that?
She's not family.
[Zach] Ugh.
You're mad that my bond with
Owen is stronger than yours.
- Oh, please.
- It's written all over your fa...
Enough. This is exactly
what I'm talking about.
Anymore of this, and Judy,
we'll have to ask you to leave.
And Vera, we'll have
to let you go.
[Zach] Can you say you're
sorry so we can move on?
Come on, mom.
Vera, how about you?
Sorry.
There.
Well, I'll put Owen down.
How about I make a fresh
pot of tea for everyone?
If that's okay?
Lovely.
[Vera] Come here, little man.
- [Claire] Thank you.
- [Vera] Mm-hm.
- Here we go.
- Thank you.
[Judy] Mm.
Mm-mm-mm.
A stranger with your baby.
Mom.
That's all I've got to say.
[tense music]
[liquid pouring]
I wanted to make you a
pot of my special tea.
It's really quite delightful.
A sort of apology, if you will.
That's very nice.
You're not having any?
But right now, I'm gonna get
back to Owen, so, sleep well.
Zach, don't.
What?
[Zach and Claire sigh]
It is really good.
Just smells a little too
sweet for me right now.
Really?
- Mm.
- Hm, I like it.
Oh, you're drinking that fast.
Yeah, it's too sweet for me.
[crickets chirping]
Look, I know it was
important out there
that we present a unified
front, I get that,
but I do think my mom's right.
She's family, Vera's not.
What?
Claire, no, that's
not what I mean.
That's why we just
talked to them both.
What I'm saying is that my mom's
Vera could quit tomorrow
for all we know.
- No, she wouldn't do that.
- You're ignoring my point.
Yeah?
Look, my mom can be a really
big help if you let her.
She just wants to feel
important and appreciated.
Give her that and
she'll be an angel.
Okay?
[Judy] You can't trust a
stranger with your baby.
Trust a stranger with
your baby... Baby...
[Liz] Don't come back here
and don't look for me.
[Judy] I'm serious. We need
to report this to the police.
[Claire] Judy.
[Liz] Don't come back here
and don't look for me.
I need to protect you and
I need to protect Owen.
[Claire] Liz, Liz...
- Li...
- [dramatic music]
[Judy] You can't trust a
stranger with your baby, Claire.
[tense dramatic music]
[Claire] Vera?
[tense dramatic music]
Vera?
Owen?
Vera?
[car engine ignites]
- Vera!
- [Owen crying]
Vera?
Vera, what are you doing?
What are you doing?
Open up!
Open...
Vera, what are you doing?
Owen couldn't sleep so I took
him for a short car ride.
It helps lull him to bed.
[Claire] Vera, you can't
just take him.
[Owen crying]
[Claire] Vera, you can't
just take him.
Don't get upset! This is
totally normal!
Your car? Why would you do that?
Claire, give the
little man to me.
I'll put him down and then we
can talk. You're distraught.
I think you need to leave.
Owen is scared, Claire.
- Stop.
- [Vera grunts]
- Ow!
- [dramatic music]
[Vera] I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to.
You need to leave or I'll
call the police.
All right, I'm leaving.
I'm leaving.
We can talk about this tomorrow.
This is all a big
misunderstanding.
- You need to leave now.
- I heard you, I heard you.
Are you two okay?
It's fine.
- And meet me in the kitchen.
- [tense music]
[Owen crying]
It's okay.
I'm sorry. Mommy didn't
mean to scare you.
- I'm so sorry.
- [soft dramatic music]
[phone whirrs]
[Claire sighs]
[Claire] Judy, it's fine.
Really.
[Judy] I told you this
would happen.
Maybe I overreacted.
But I panicked when I
couldn't find Owen.
She took him from his
house without asking.
There's no second chances
on something like this.
Are you seriously considering
letting her back in this house?
You have to fire her.
If you'd only listened
to me in the first place,
There's nothing we can do
tonight, anyway.
Well, I'm sleeping in
Owen's room.
But thanks.
Go back to bed.
[tense dramatic music]
[first aid kit clicking[
[tense dramatic music]
[Claire sighs]
It was an accident.
Vera was reaching for
Owen and I spun away.
That's not what my mom said.
I know.
I'm gonna call her right now.
I was knocked out.
I can't believe I
didn't wake up.
Yeah, you're not a
heavy sleeper.
I realize that I was the
one that pushed to hire her.
I'm fine if you
wanna let her go.
No.
- [Owen whines]
- No, your mom got in my head
about trusting Vera and
I panicked, that's all.
This whole thing got blown
way out of proportion.
But what if my mom is right?
Your mom is sticking her nose
in every part of our lives.
It's overwhelming and
it's throwing me off.
This is about whether we
can trust Vera.
I wanna talk to her and
decide for myself,
without your mom
harping in my ear.
She's great with Owen.
Over what could just be a
simple misunderstanding.
If that's what you
think is best.
[tense music]
[Claire] You can't take
Owen without talking
to me first ever again,
okay Vera?
And a car ride is a great
way to lull a baby to sleep.
We're not talking about
whether or not
I was just doing what
I thought was necessary
I didn't think it would
be a problem.
It was a problem.
You scratched me, Vera.
Claire, I feel very
close to Owen.
You are upset, he
was frightened.
Of course I was upset.
You understand that you crossed
a line last night, right?
I would never, ever let
anything happen to Owen.
I'm not sure you're
hearing me right now.
I'm talking about how what
you did was inappropriate.
I don't think you understand me,
Claire.
If I thought for a
second that anything
- was gonna happen to him...
- What do you mean bonded?
Well he spends every
night in my arms.
He's my little man.
I thought I'd call and
you'd apologize
and that would be it,
but it doesn't feel like
we're on the same
page at all here.
You're making me really
uncomfortable, Vera.
Maybe we should just take
a little break.
And I'll call you in a
couple of days, all right?
No, no, I don't think that's
a very good idea, Claire.
I'm telling you not to
come in tonight.
Is that clear, Vera?
[Claire] Are you there?
Vera?
I told her not to come
in for a couple of days.
- Couple of days?
- Yeah, a couple of days.
A step in the right direction,
I suppose.
- I'm glad you approve, Judy.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [eerie music]
- [insects buzzing]
[door clicks]
Vera? What are you doing here?
[Vera] Hello, Claire.
I told you not to come tonight.
And I told you Owen needs me.
[Claire] Everything's locked.
I had a key made.
From the spare.
I thought it would be
more helpful.
Did you tell her it's
okay to make a key?
No!
[Judy] I thought I
heard yelling.
You!
That's it, I'm
calling the police.
You should probably leave, Vera.
Just give Owen to me, Claire.
Come on.
What's wrong with you?!
I just want what's best
for Owen. That is all.
You need to leave right now.
Whatever you do, I will always
be a part of Owen's life.
- Did you hear me?
- Let's go.
Sleep well tonight
thinking about that.
[Zach] Walk.
[Zach] Get outta my house.
Oh, I'm sorry, baby Owen.
I'm sorry.
Shh.
Mommy didn't mean to scare you.
Oh.
Mommy didn't mean to scare you,
okay?
And you say you never
provided her with a spare key?
No, definitely not.
She had it made
without us knowing.
[Officer] But she did
work for you?
Tonight?
It seemed like an
accident at the time.
Vera Ivanov. You got an address?
You don't know where she lives?
No.
Bank account info?
She wanted to be paid in cash.
[Officer] License plate?
All right.
Did you find out anything
about her before she started?
She was our surrogate's
nanny growing up,
so we trusted her.
I didn't.
What's her name?
Liz Chenoweth, but she
died recently.
Vera gave us a reference
and I called them
before we hired her.
Maybe they know where she lives?
You're right.
Maybe.
- [cell phone ringing]
- [cell phone ringing]
[eerie music]
[cell phone continues ringing]
[dramatic tense music]
She was the reference.
I'll see what we can
do with this,
so I wouldn't hold
out much hope.
Besides that, you should
change your locks
and call us immediately
if she comes by again.
Aren't you going to
do something?
There's not much we can do,
ma'am.
She didn't take anything. She
didn't break in, technically.
You don't know anything about
her other than her name.
And with this fake
reference thing,
I'm guessing that's
not even real.
I'm sorry...
Try and be a little more careful
about who you hire
in the future.
[tense dramatic music]
This is the last of
your locks changed out.
There's your new key.
[lock clicks]
- Perfect.
- Great.
[tense dramatic music]
[phone chimes]
[soft tense piano music]
[Claire] She was our
surrogate's nanny growing up,
so we trusted her.
- [tense dramatic music]
- [birds chirping]
[tense dramatic music continues]
[door clicks]
[door slams]
[footsteps thudding]
[tense dramatic music continues]
[Liz] All my mom ever
wanted was a boy.
She had me.
She couldn't have any
more kids after that.
A boy.
[Claire] You said you
were her nanny?
[Claire] It's funny, Liz never
mentioned she had a nanny.
In fact, she always
sort of implied
she had a pretty
difficult upbringing.
[tense dramatic music]
Vera is Liz's mom.
His biological grandmother.
That's why she's so obsessed.
Yes, but it's 100% not true.
I think that's why she
killed Liz and stalked us.
I have an idea.
[insects chirping]
[eerie music continues]
[Judy] Do you think it'll work?
I hope so.
Mm.
Hey.
[tense dramatic music]
Oh, what I wouldn't give
to see her face.
[Judy] Of course I wouldn't
let you and Owen
come up here by yourselves.
Got him?
- Got it.
- Great.
[Claire] Thank you.
[tense dramatic music]
[insects chirping]
[gate clanks]
[gate squeaks]
[tense dramatic music continues]
[feet thud]
This time you're going away.
[Vera gasps]
[Zach] Owen's gone and you'll
never see him again.
[dramatic music]
[Claire gasps]
[Liz] Claire.
[indistinct police
radio chatter]
She'll be arraigned first thing.
Okay.
Good.
I'm in court tomorrow,
but just call my cell
if anything comes up.
I will.
The surveillance
footage will help.
That was my wife's idea.
Smart.
It was.
I should have explained.
I just...
That day you came to
my apartment
was the first time I had
seen my mom in years.
I thought I'd gotten away,
but she tracked me down.
She left right before
you got there.
You have no idea what
she's capable of.
- Oh, we do, actually.
- Boy, do we.
I should have told you.
The only thing on my
mind was run.
It was like I was 16 again,
back to the worst
time in my life.
What did she do to you, Liz?
I don't know.
The last time I saw her was
after I tried to wear a dress
She caught me and locked me
in my room for nine days.
She'd put a little bit
of food and tea inside.
First I drank it cause I
was so thirsty.
But she put
something in the tea.
Zach.
Oh.
I couldn't trust
anything after that.
So I just stopped
drinking, stopped eating.
Oh, Liz.
I pleaded with her
to let me out.
I swore I'd be good.
I ran away as soon as I
could after that.
All because you wore a dress?
She wanted a boy and she had me,
so she just treated me
like a boy, anyway.
If I tried to do anything
girly, she'd punish me.
That dress was the final straw
after a lot of other stuff.
What was her fixation on a boy?
It's how her parents raised her.
Heir to the family name,
that sort of thing.
In her family, her
brothers were everything
and she was nothing.
She never got any
approval. Never any love.
You'd hope she'd think
differently because of that,
right?
So that's why she was
so obsessed with Owen.
Exactly.
I thought maybe she
didn't know about him
and if I left right away,
she wouldn't even find out.
I remembered the cottage,
so I came up here.
So I abandoned it up on
the road by the quarry.
Thanks.
I never knew things were
that bad for you growing up.
That's awful.
Oh.
Zach?
It worked, hon.
She's in jail.
Oh, thank God.
Are you okay, Zach?
I'm just glad it's over.
Me, too.
I love you.
Us too.
Thanks.
I'm driving up right
after court.
I'll be there just after lunch.
[Zach] Can't wait. Good night,
honey.
Finally.
I hope they lock her
under the prison.
Any of this was gonna
happen, I...
Hey, Liz.
It's okay.
Yes.
Wow, look at that fire.
Are you excited daddy's
coming tomorrow?
Are you as excited as I am?
Yeah?
Yeah?
Did you have fun with
your grandma Judy today?
Yeah? Did you have fun?
Oh, you like the fire, huh?
- Yes, it's so nice.
- [Owen whines]
I know, it's so nice
and cozy in here.
He's good. I just put him
back down for a bit again.
Well, I know he's doing better
now that that crazy
lady is gone.
[Claire and Judy chuckle]
Judy, I just wanted to
say I'm sorry.
Oh, you don't have to, dear.
Well...
You're gonna be the best
grandma to Owen.
And, well, I appreciate
everything you've done for us.
Of course. It's been
my pleasure.
And I'm sorry, too.
And Zach and Owen are
so lucky to have you.
[mugs clink]
[Liz] Hey, ladies.
- Ready for lunch?
- Hey.
[Officer] Hi, Mr. Mitchell,
this is Officer McKinnon.
I'm sorry.
And since it was a
first time offense,
the judge set bail at
only five grand.
She was released on her
own recognizance.
No.
[phone ringing]
[Owen cries]
[tense dramatic music]
[cell phone vibrating]
- [phone ringing]
- Pick up. Pick up, pick up.
[Claire] Hi, you've
reached Claire Mitchell.
Please leave a me...
[tense dramatic music continues]
Mm.
Is there anything I
can do to help?
I just got Owen down.
Oh, no, Liz, you've
already done enough.
Besides, Judy and I got
it covered, don't we?
- We do.
- [all laugh]
[Claire] Hi, you've
reached Claire Mitchell.
Please leave a message.
Where are you, Claire?
I feel like this weight's
been lifted off my shoulders.
How long are you thinking
about staying?
Well, Zach has to be
back in on Monday,
but I'd stay here the
week if you two wanted?
And then Zach could come
back next weekend
and for a couple more nights?
Yeah, that sounds great to me.
Um...
[tense dramatic music]
I think another week here
would, would be lovely.
Mm.
Judy, are you okay?
[Liz gasps] The lemonade.
Judy, we're gonna get you
some help, okay?
[tense dramatic music continues]
Mom!
My baby's been kidnapped. Hello?
She must have parked
back on the road.
You head her off there, then
drive her back into the woods.
We both know them better
than she does.
You go that way, I'll
go this way.
[tense dramatic music continues]
Liz?
[tense dramatic music continues]
He's not yours!
Give him back, please!
No.
Mom!
Stop!
[Claire] Vera, don't
do anything stupid.
[Liz] Mom, just step away
from the edge.
Mom, please.
How could you?
I'm the only one who
really loves him.
You gave him away.
She doesn't even know what
to do with him.
We can figure this out. Don't
do anything stupid, okay?
Be quiet!
You'll never be able to
take care of him like I can.
You'll never be able to love
him just like the way I do.
[Vera] You're so pathetic.
You're not even fit to
be his mother.
I know what it's like to
not be able to have kids.
Don't you act like you and
I are the same.
No, I'm just saying.
I understand.
- Shut up!
- [Liz] Mom, please.
What?
You're the one scaring him.
No!
- No!
- [Vera gasps]
[Vera thuds]
[Liz] Mom!
Mom. [gasps]
[Zach] Congratulations, Liz.
You're gonna do fantastic.
I could never have done
it without you and Claire.
We owe you more than
you'll ever know.
Believe me.
[Claire chuckles]
Hey baby. Come to mama.
Come on.
Hi.
You're getting heavy.
[Zach] Smells great.
- Claire made it.
- With a little help.
Oh, yes.
Grandma's got you.
Yes.
Yes.
[soft upbeat music continues]
[dramatic music]
[dramatic music continues]
[dramatic music continues]