Episode 8468

Extended Summary

Mali and Abigail are messing about on the beach. Kirby calls them over and says she has amazing news: She heard back from Tempo Overload about the day in the life series and the journo’s coming today to shadow her. Mali thinks she should have run it by him first but Kirby says it’s a guy with a notebook and they’ll barely notice him. However, she does want to talk about reshuffling things.

At the hospital, Dana runs into Mackenzie, who she thought had gone. Mackenzie says Harper needs to change her mind. Dana says it’s Harper’s choice but Mackenzie refuses to accept it. Dana goes back in to where Harper has been feeding Archie and says that Mackenzie’s gone. Harper says Dana knows why she’s doing this. Dana points out Tane ended up being there for the birth and overnight but Harper says nothing’s changed.

Tane sees a text message from Nikau wishing him luck for today. Cash comes through and offers to shout him breakfast, and comments that Harper’s operation is today. Tane says actually Archie was born yesterday and Harper’s all right, although it was touch and go. Cash realises Tane was there for the birth. Eden loiters out of view as Tane explains he thought he and Harper were good but then she told him to leave and he doesn’t know when he’ll see Archie again. After he’s gone, Cash asks Eden to keep an eye on Tane while he goes and sees Harper.

Cash turns up to join Harper and Dana at the hospital and meet Archie. He asks how Harper is and she says she feels like she was hit by a truck, but that’s normal after giving birth. Dana adds that she also had another surgery. Dana decides to go and get Harper’s hospital bag. Harper offers to let Cash hold Archie and he notes he’s never held a baby that’s only a day old before. Harper asks how Tane is and Cash says he’s not good.

Eden nervously bangs on Tane’s door, suggesting he come out and sit by the pool. Tane calls back that he’s all right. Eden retreats. Soon after, Mackenzie arrives and Eden explains about Tane being shut in his room. Mackenzie wants to stay with him and asks Eden to cover at Salt, which Eden readily agrees to. Mackenzie tells Tane she’s coming in if he’s not coming out, and opens the door after giving a countdown. Tane says he misses Archie.

Outside the surf club, Kirby tells Mali and Abigail she’s going to do all the lessons today. Mali is bemused but agrees. The journalist, Sebastian, arrives and notes he normally only gets out of bed this early for established artists, before asking where he can get a macchiato. As Kirby leads him away, Abigail wonders if all journalists are up themselves and Mali notes he’s got the day off.

Mackenzie suggests that Harper might say yes tomorrow. Tane points out how she was this morning and wonders if he’s going to have to go to court and fight to see his kid. He gives Mackenzie a wrapped box that he says is a present for Archie and asks her to give it to Harper. At the hospital, Cash notes Harper has always thought things through and wonders what her thinking was behind sending Tane away. Harper admits she didn’t think that through: She called him when she was in trouble and didn’t think any more about it until she woke up and saw him there with Archie and found it unbearable. She says they look like a normal family from the outside but it’s fake. Mackenzie turns up with Tane’s gift. Harper thanks her but says she’s tired. Cash puts Archie back in the bassinet. Mackenzie adds that Tane said it had to be opened today.

Sebastian isn’t too impressed with Kirby doing lessons. She says she writes lyrics between lessons and adds that she gets inspiration from surfing. Sebastian asks to see that. Kirby tells Mali that he needs to take the lessons after all and rushes off. Watching from the balcony, Eden and Abigail comment that Kirby is doing Mali’s head in. Eden asks how things are going between them and, with a bit of pushing, Abigail admits he said he loved her and she said it back.

Dana has returned and tells Harper to put Archie in the onesie she bought him to take him home. She notices the unopened present from Tane and Harper asks her to open it for her. Dana shows her the contents: A small korowoi and a letter. Dana reads the letter, in which Tane says the korowoi connects Archie to his whanau and that Harper will unfold him in love and protect him just as it does.

Kirby and Sebastian are having a coffee in Salt. Sebastian asks if Kirby normally falls off that often. Kirby laughs, then realises he isn’t, and says the swell wasn’t good so she let some of the waves go. Mali and Abigail watch them from the counter. Mali isn’t happy about Kirby having a coffee while she’s meant to be working.

Outside, Cash tells Eden that he wishes Mackenzie could see it from Harper’s side and they know what it’s like to see your future blow up. He apologises but Eden doesn’t mind. She asks about the baby and Cash says he’s small. He gets a text about the River Boys and has to rush off to work, briefly returning to tell her he loves her.

Tane turns up at the hospital and tells Dana that Harper asked him to come in. Dana says she knows. Tane goes into the room and finds Archie is now wearing the korowoi. Harper apologises and says that Tane is Archie’s dad and should be there: Archie needs him and they’re a family, just not the one they thought they’d be. Tane happily lifts Archie up.

At the board shop, Kirby is showing Sebastian her lyric book. He notices the surf boards and asks if she designs them as well. Mali comes up behind her as she says she’s done some and that the job is a stopgap that she doesn’t find fulfilling. Mali says that’s enough: He’s fed up with her taking the place for granted, so she can forget about serving her notice and leave now. Abigail watches from nearby.

Mali and Abigail head home where Mali says Kirby has been songwriting at work and pushing him around, and now she’s trash-talked his business and taken credit for his work. Abigail wonders if getting rid of Kirby early is right for Mali but he says he doesn’t care.

Eden is lying on Cash’s bed, looking restless. She gets up and checks a drawer, finding the engagement ring and putting it on. Cash appears in the doorway and asks what she’s doing.