Episode 6784

Extended Summary

Ash and Tori are walking along the beach. Ash is wary of trusting VJ with Luc when he had a meltdown looking after her before. Tori says it’s different now, Billie had just died and Luc was sick, and thinks he would cope but that doesn’t mean they should do it. Ash protests it’s not fair having to give up Luc in order to be there for his own baby and it also affects Tori, since they were meant to be a family in New Zealand and now he’s having a child with someone else. Tori tells him to focus on Luc. Meanwhile, VJ finds Leah in one of the bedrooms. She apologises for storming out. VJ understands: She’s now losing both him and Luc but there’s no choice. Leah protests that he’ll be a single father in another country. VJ says sometimes he thinks she gets it and sometimes she doesn’t: He might not be Luc’s biological father but it feels right.

Willow turns up at the Morgan house in answer to a summons from Justin and happily greets Buddy. Justin tells her about Boyd’s visit and says they need to go to the police. Willow says they can’t: The police know about the gun and card skimmer and if they trace those to her she’ll be in trouble. She insists she’ll sort it, although she’s less than forthcoming as to how. Later, she comes back and tells him he’s off the hook: She’s bought herself an extra week and kept Justin out of it by agreeing to do a job for Boyd. Justin says she’s digging herself a deeper hole and she admits she’s freaking out. Justin convinces her to stay for dinner so they can try and sort something out.

VJ joins Ash in the porch area with beers. Ash asks if Leah talked sense into him and VJ says it was the opposite. Ash challenges VJ to convince him that he should let him take Luc away from any connection to Billie. VJ says he won’t let Mick have Luc and will do anything to protect her, and won’t let her lose touch with Billie’s family. Alf, Irene, Leah and Tori are sat inside, worrying about what’s going to happen. Ash and VJ come back in and Ash says they’d better sort out the tickets and guardianship papers. They make plans for VJ to fly to Cyprus from the city the next day, where relatives can meet him. Ash and Tori leave with Luc, reminding them it has to be business as usual to stop Mick finding out.

Roo and Ryder are walking along the beach having been shopping in Yabbie Creek. Roo comments on Ryder’s better mood and Ryder says the mood swings are just him and she should ask Quinn when she turns up in two weeks. Further down the beach, Irene is chatting to Hunter and Olivia, who have got a text from VJ about his departure. She reminds them to keep it quiet and they head off to see him. Mick watches from near the Diner, also seeing Irene talking to Roo and Ryder. He bombards her with questions when she arrives at the Diner, asking about the suitcases and thinking Ash and Tori are taking Luc away. Irene says Leah and VJ are going to the city for a bit and continues to be against the idea of him taking a baby away from her family. Mick insists he has rights and doesn’t trust any of them anymore.

Hunter and Olivia are chatting to VJ and he explains that Alf and Leah are taking him to the city at midday, he’s flying out in the afternoon and Leah’s staying with Alex for a few days. Roo checks Leah is okay while Ryder tries to put himself forward as VJ’s replacement. Olivia thinks they should have a farewell party. Alf says a party’s out of the question but they can stay for dinner. Meanwhile, Justin serves Willow egg and bacon roll, the only thing either of them could manage. Justin says his brother’s the chef and Willow says her dad did the cooking until he got ill, since which she’s survived on toast and takeaways. Justin suggests he could do up her car and she could sell it to make the $15,000 but Willow says the car means too much to her. Justin tells her to think about it overnight and offers her the granny flat to stay in.

Ash and Tori are trying to feed Luc at Salt; she isn’t keen on the vegetables Ash offers (or “trees” as he calls them) so they decide to go straight to ice cream. They reflect on it being their last night with her. Ash suddenly gets a phone call and they head to the police station. Mick is there and demands Stevenson arrest them, saying they’re taking Luc away. They both deny it and Stevenson says he can’t arrest them for something they may or may not be planning to do, especially when Mick isn’t Luc’s legal guardian. Mick says he’s going to call his lawyer.

At the caravan park house, Leah serves dinner to Alf, VJ, Roo, Ryder, Hunter and Olivia. Olivia comments that VJ was her first friend in the Bay and VJ quips she was just stringing him along until she met Hunter. They give him the bracelet he bought from the pawn shop, which they have engraved with the co-ordinates of Summer Bay. Alf gives a speech, saying VJ’s grown up well despite not having a father, partly down to Leah but mainly down to his strength of character: He’s kind, loyal, brave and selfless and that’s why he’s doing what he’s doing. He says it’s been an honour and proposes a toast. Leah leaves upset and VJ goes after her, saying he understands and will Skype her every day. Leah gives him Vinnie’s wedding ring: She planned to give it to him on his 21st but he won’t have a traditional one now. VJ says wherever he is they’ll spend it together.

Justin and Willow are sat together in the living room. Justin asks if she’s decided yet. Willow reminds him she was meant to have overnight but either way she won’t agree. Tori arrives home with her cases and Justin wonders why she isn’t in New Zealand, also introducing Willow and explaining she’s staying. Tori says there was a change of plan. Willow turns in, leaving them to talk.

Next morning, Irene hugs VJ goodbye, apologising for her part in Mick being there, and has a last cuddle with Luc. As Alf and Leah are getting the bags ready, Ash gets a phone call: Mick’s lawyer is sorting out an injunction to keep Luc in the country and it’ll be ready by midday. Tori says VJ could be stopped at customs. VJ wonders if they could get an earlier flight but Leah says there’s no way to get to the city on time. Alf says he has an idea.

Irene meets Mick on the headland. Mick says she won’t change his mind but Irene says she’s not going to: She’s going to tell him what happens next. As they talk, Alf, Leah, VJ, Ash and Luc are by the seaplane on the wharf, which VJ and Luc are boarding with VJ having a permission letter from Ash. Leah hugs VJ and Ash gives Luc a goodbye kiss. Irene tells Mick he’ll never get Luc and needs to know that. Mick says he doesn’t have time for this and has to meet his lawyer. Seeing the plane has taken off, Irene sombrely tells him to do his best and walks away, bursting into tears when Mick can’t see. Alf, Leah and Ash watch the plane from the wharf; Leah and Ash both look teary.