On her day off near Christmas at the Coronado Golf and Tennis Club, Frankie becomes suddenly nauseated and rushes to the restroom to vomit. Suspecting pregnancy despite being on the pill, she returns to the table where Bette McGrath quickly discerns what might be happening and arranges for a same-day doctor visit.

At Dr. Arnold Massie’s office, a physical exam suggests that Frankie is about two months pregnant; he mentions adoption as an option and alludes to the shame faced by unwed mothers. Frankie recalls local stories of hidden pregnancies and a rumored fatal illegal abortion, recognizes she wants motherhood but not alone, and leaves conflicted about her future.

Over the next four days, as Massie’s tests confirm the pregnancy, Frankie avoids calls from her mother and says nothing to Henry, functioning at work while anxiety mounts. During an operation, she notes the young age and Vietnam service of a cancer patient, which sharpens her awareness of fragility and her own early pregnancy aches.

On her twenty-seventh birthday, Frankie resolves to tell Henry. She returns home to find he has cooked dinner for a celebration. She blurts out the news, and Henry immediately proposes marriage, pledging commitment and a shared family; though unsure and not in love, Frankie recognizes his steadiness and says yes.

They walk to her parents’ house to share the news. Henry privately asks Connor McGrath for permission to marry Frankie, and Connor enthusiastically agrees. Bette is overjoyed at the prospect of a wedding and grandchild, and champagne is requested.

In the afterglow, Frankie wonders about a quiet civil ceremony, but Henry insists on a proper wedding to celebrate their “miracle” and articulates hopes for their future child and life together. Buoyed by his love and certainty, Frankie allows herself to feel hope about motherhood and a new beginning.