Famous director/producer in the New York City Theatre community, Terrence Applewhite took the biggest leap in his life when he decided to come out of the closet to his wife of thirty years, Emma, and his two grown children Rodney and Fiona. Rodney and Fiona were more accepting than Terrence could have ever hoped for. They loved their father and wanted him to be true to himself. Emma was not so understanding, and immediately left town, sent Terrence divorce papers and wasn't heard from again, even a year later. While Rod and Fiona supported Terrence, they loved their mother and wished more than anything for her happiness -- and even for her return.
When Terrence called his children together again, near the year anniversary of their mother's departure, planning an announcement, Rod and Fiona were secretly hoping for news that their mother was returning to New York City. The news was quite different -- Terrence had taken a lover and fallen in love -- with Christian Avery Field, who just happened to be 24 years old... and just happened to be an aspiring actor!
Rod and Fiona were livid to meet one of their father's gay lovers, and couldn't believe that Christian wasn't with Terrence for financial and professional gain. Terrence believed in Christian's love, and wouldn't allow any of Rod's sniping or snide comments. It was clear Christian was going to create a divide in the Applewhite family that they had never before experienced, but Rod was determined not to allow Christian to get whatever it was he wanted.
Fiona was always the peacemaker of the Applewhite family, and urged Rod to give Christian the benefit of the doubt, but Rod wouldn't hear of it. Fiona had a busy schedule, interning at the Royale & Klein law offices, attending school to get her law degree, and trying to build a relationship with handsome young executive Leo Von Stadt when all either of them really had time for were text messages!
Rod and Fiona bristled when Christian moved into the Applewhite home on the one-year anniversary of the day their mother Emma moved out and was never seen again. Terrence hadn't realized the coincidence and apologized fto his kids for his insensitivity.
Rod decided that the only way to be certain about Christian's intentions toward Rod's father was to hire a private investigator. Rod found the best in the business, fiercely determined Private Investigator Rachel Marks, and hired her to investigate exactly where Christian Avery Field came from. Rachel ran a background check on Christian and learned he had been shuffled through several adoption agencies and foster homes throughout the years, until he was 18, and his adoption records were sealed. Rod was intrigued by this information and immediately believed Christian had something to hide. Rod connected Rachel to his sister Fiona, hoping Fiona could use some connections at the Royale & Klein law offices to open up Christian's sealed adoption records. Fortunately, Fiona is a talented performer as well, and one well placed phone call managed to open up just what information Rod wanted to know.
Rachel informed Rod that Christian was placed with the Fields at 13 years old and spent three years as their foster son. As soon as the formal adoption went through, the Fields died in a mysterious auto accident. Rod jumped to the conclusion that Christian was waiting until he was a viable heir to whatever money they might have had, and somehow killed them!
Rod took the initiative to plan the Applewhite family's Thanksgiving dinner and did his best to make Christian feel welcome for his first Applewhite family holiday. Rod invited Crystal, and once Crystal learned Rebecca was dining with the Baldwin family, Crystal invited her mother Eleanor to the Applewhite Thanksgiving. Christian shared his hopes with Terrence that his children might end up accepting their relationship after all. Halfway through Thanksgiving dinner, Rod begins asking probing questions about Christian's family, which Christian's not too forthcoming about. Christian will only share that he didn't have the most ideal childhood and wants to focus on the family he's been welcomed into now. Terrence intervenes and asks that Rod respect Christian's privacy. Rod wished he could, but wouldn't be comfortable not letting Terrence know that Christian's adoptive parents were mysteriously killed in a car crash. Christian was obviously affected by the reveal, but puts Rod in his place. Christian revealed that being formally adopted by the Fields was the happiest day of his life, and that's the day he chose to come out of the closet to his new parents. Unfortunately, the Fields were so unprepared for the news that they lost control of the car and were tragically killed. The day Christian felt closest to his family, the day he felt like he was a part of someone's life, he lost them. He was to blame, but it wasn't murder.
Terrence revealed that he knew about the Fields' deaths already, and was so hurt that Rod would go to such lengths to try to force Christian out of his life, when Rod knew how happy Christian made him. Crystal and Eleanor were horrified that Rod chose Thanksgiving dinner to make a spectacle of his father's lover. Rod felt remorse for what he had done because Christian's story seemed genuine, but still didn't quite trust Christian's motives with Terrence. Terrence issued Rod an ultimatum -- Either accept Terrence and Christian's relationship or move out! Rod was shocked at his father's ultimatum, and even more shocked when Christian stepped in to call a truce. Christian knew that Terrence's children would have a tough time accepting the relationship and didn't want Terrence to be forced to choose between love and family. Christian offered to move out, but Terrence wouldn't hear of it. Terrence held Christian up as an example of selfless love, versus Rod's display of selfish love. Terrence forced Rod to agree to try harder to accept Christian, while Christian promised to prove to Rod and Fiona that he was worthy of Terrence's love.
Rodney Applewhite was just finishing a long, hot shower, and stepped out while Christian was coming into the bathroom! Catching full glimpse of Rod, Christian appeared not to be bothered with what he saw. Rod was embarrassed and furious, accusing Christian of their accidental run-in not being such an accident. Christian thinks Rod's mind is too suspicious, and Rod shouldn't worry, especially since Rod obviously has nothing to be embarrassed about. Rod couldn't help but think the shower surprise was planned and wondered exactly how devoted Christian was to Rod's father Terrence.
After finally seeing how much work Rod had been handling at The Redeye while Eleanor was dealing with her husband's death, Eleanor decided to refocus on her work, and offered Rod an opportunity to make money at the job he'd already been doing -- managing a bar. Rod wasn't sure he could manage Large Bar, given that it was a gay establishment. Eleanor offered to still be the general manager and involved in the dealings, but Rod would be the main presence at Large Bar, but would still bartend and oversee all orders and deliveries, and day to day running. He would make a great deal more money for his added responsibility. Rod had to think about it, but once he realized how often his father and Christian go out to Large Bar, Rod saw the greater opportunity in Eleanor's offer. Claiming to Terrence that he wants to express his support of his father's lifestyle, and "get a better understanding of who Christian is," Rod revealed he would be transferring to Large Bar full time. Crystal was devastated that she wouldn't be able to work side-by-side at Redeye with Rod anymore, and hoped not too many men would be flirting with her man.
Rod, meanwhile, experienced a true initiation into Large Bar, and wasn't used to seeing so much of gay lifestyle, the public displays of affection, and especially the flirting from customers. Chatting with Rolo, who worked there as a barback, Rolo advised Rod to embrace it and turn it to his advantage. The customers didn't need to know for sure if the staff was straight or gay, but the tips are a lot better if they can believe the staff is gay.
Rod's transition to Large Bar continued to be a bumpy one, when during one of her weekly strip show contests, Aurora Borealis lured Rod into the show, and got him to take it all off! An awkward stripper at the start of his performance, the strong reaction from the lusty crowd slowly wore Rod down into submission and he ended up enjoying himself and working the crowd! Down to his underwear, Rod won the strip show contest, had quite a few dollars tucked into the waistband of his undies, and Terrence and Christian seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show. Terrence thanked Rod for choosing to really embrace Terrence's lifestyle and it shows more support and love than Terrence could have hoped for from his son. Privately, Christian teased Rod about his dancing, and Rod was actually surprised to share his first non-hostile moment with Christian.
Slowly becoming more comfortable in the gay scene, Rod worked behind the bar shirtless sometimes. On one of the nights that Christian went to Large Bar without Terrence, Rod spied Christian being social with strangers all around the bar, but in one of the conversations that Rod was able to overhear, Christian turned down a man's advances because he said he was seeing someone he was very serious about. Rod was surprised and wondered if he was wrong to question Christian's devotion to his father.
With Christmastime approaching quickly, Terrence worked quickly to arrange a surprise for Christian. Over a romantic dinner, Terrence surprised Christian with a gift box. Curious, as December 25th was more than a week away, Christian tore into the present impatiently, and discovered it was a personalized Christmas tree ornament. Terrence explained that everyone in the Applewhite family has one of their own personalized ornaments, and it wouldn't have felt right to Terrence if their tree didn't hold an ornament for Christian. Overwhelmed to receive the token practically welcoming him as a part of the family, Christian became emotional and expressed his gratitude to Terrence for all that Terrence has added to Christian's life.
Rod and Fiona were eager to begin the Applewhites' yearly ceremony of trimming the family Christmas tree, and Terrence was all the more excited to share the ceremony with Christian. Rod and Fiona, for the sake of the holiday, kept mum about their reservations over their father's relationship, but couldn't stay silent when Terrence offered to not hang their mother Emma's personal ornament from the tree this year, for fear of offending Christian. Seeing how upset the notion made Terrence's offspring, Christian played it generously, and acknowledged that Emma was and is an important part of the Applewhite family, and he isn't threatened by reminders of her. The tree-trimming ceremony grew even more tense when Emma called while the family was hanging ornaments, and Christian was the one who answered the phone!
Emma had an obvious bad reaction to learning about Christian, Terrence's new live-in lover, and Fiona jumped on the phone to try to calm her absentee mother. Emma got off the phone before speaking with Rod, so Rod had a renewed feeling of hostility over losing his mother. Terrence apologized for how he hurt Emma but didn't regret finally being true to himself and especially since it gave him the chance to meet Christian.
Crystal joined the Applewhite family for Christmas and primarily had to focus on keeping Rod calm and in the holiday spirit, even though Rod's mind was on Christian and the fact he didn't know where his mother was staying during the holidays.
Eleanor and Rod had brainstormed a big New Years Eve bash for Large Bar, which Rod was managing and Aurora Borealis was hosting. As all the gays gathered at Large Bar for the New Year festivities, the drinks flowed and true colors emerged. With Redeye closed for New Years Eve, Crystal was able to sneak over to Large Bar, hoping to snag a New Years Kiss from Rod. As the clock struck twelve at Large Bar, Crystal expected a passionate kiss from Rod, only for him to be more caught up in his father's New Years kiss with Christian! Crystal misses out on her own New Years kiss, and Rod breaks his champagne glass that he's holding as he watches the Terrence/Christian kiss.
Rod had trouble witnessing the New Years kiss between Christian and his father, but even worse was the news that Christian was going to have a starring role in Terrence's upcoming 2008 play, Angels in America! Crystal and Fiona try to calm Rod. Rod's suspicions that Christian is using his father to further his career and reputation are renewed and Rod is further infuriated when Crystal and Fiona try to give Christian the benefit of the doubt. Rod was insistent that Christian had a plan, and it was working.
Terrence stopped home early to overhear another discussion between Rod and Fiona about Christian's new role in Terrence's next play. Terrence is offended that Rod thinks his father is being played for a fool and confronts his son. Terrence swears he gave Christian the role because he's a talented actor. Rod doesn't doubt that Christian is a talented actor, but he doubts that Christian is ever NOT acting. Terrence accuses Rod of not accepting the fact that his father is gay. Rod admits it took time to come to terms with it, but he did. It's Christian he doesn't trust. Terrence tells Rod to get over it, or get out.
Rod's remarks weighing heavy on Terrence's mind, he asks Fiona what she thinks of Christian. Fiona honestly doesn't know. For Fiona, their age difference is alarming, but age is just a number, and she's witnessed no solid reason to doubt Christian. Fiona tells her father to trust his gut and if he's got doubts, he needs to explore them. Terrence decides to invite Christian out to dinner.
Leo invited Fiona to Jenna Baldwin's party, and Fiona thought to invite her family, in order to get a better handle on Christian and his mysterious motives. Rod went as Crystal's date, even though she was busy professionally, hosting the party. Jenna meets Terrence and mentions that she did some acting in college. Christian and Jenna get a big kick out of each other, which completely offends Crystal Halperin, who Jenna has had no problems treating like "the help" all night. Rebecca definitely sympathizes with her sister Crystal, since Jenna treated Rebecca like an underling at Thanksgiving dinner. Jenna wears a Jenna Baldwin Original to the party, and the dress is a smash hit. Terrence Applewhite asks if she'd be interested in designing the costumes for his upcoming play. Flattered, Jenna agrees to think about it, if she has any time, but warns Terrence she'll be so busy launching her label! Walking off, past James, Jenna privately jokes that she'd never bother with the costuming of some "little play." Discovering Rod is a writer, Jenna wondered if they should set up a meeting, to see if he is any good at ad slogans for her line. Crystal continues to feel overshadowed as "the help", as Jenna keeps handing Crystal all her empty champagne glasses throughout the night!
Christian was charmed when Terrence took him to a romantic dinner at The Redeye. But soon realized Terrence was looking for reassurance, to reaffirm his relationship with Christian. Terrence opened up about his fears that there's no reason Christian should love him out of all the younger, hotter, more sculpted options he has out there in the gay community. "I don't care about flings, with pretty young things," Christian assured him, "I love you, Terrence, because you see me more accurately than anyone ever has. You support me... believe in me... and you've provided me with unconditional security and support. It's something that I haven't had in my lifetime, Terrence. You make me feel safe and confident and loved. You don't see how I should love you for that?" Terrence felt immensely better and more secure about their deepening relationship after Christian opened up.
Rehearsals begin for Angels in America, and Rod hopes the strain of living and working together will prove overwhelming to Terrence and Christian's relationship. Unfortunately it has the opposite effect and they are brought closer together.
Rod learns Christian and Terrence are planning a romantic Valentines Day getaway at the secluded Applewhite cabin. Rod is furious, so he invites Crystal to the cabin, pretending not to know Terrence and Christian were planning the trip there as well. Rod whisks Crystal away to be at the cabin before Christian and Terrence arrive. Christian learns from drag queen Aurora Borealis that Rod took Crystal to the cabin and Christian then develops a plan. Christian and Terrence drive up to the cabin but run out of gas and are stranded in a snowstorm. Christian and Terrence have a romantic Valentines night picnic inside the car.
Rod can't relax as he anticipates Terrence and Christian's arrival to the cabin. Crystal urges him to let go and enjoy himself and their time together, and she's determined to get his mind off Christian and Rod's father's troubles. Rod assumes that Christian and Terrence canceled their trip since they hadn't yet arrived, and gives into Crystal's romantic overtures. That night, Rod makes mad, passionate, animalistic love to Crystal on a bearskin rug in the middle of the living room. In the heat of passion, Rod mistakenly calls out CHRISTIAN'S name instead of "Crystal", just as Terrence and Christian come through the door and catch them in the act! Terrence was embarrassed to catch his son in the act, Christian got an eyeful and was shocked to hear Rod calling out his name during sex. Crystal was mortified to be seen by Terrence and Christian and had no idea why Rod was shouting Christian's name in bed. Rod had to make sense of his freudian slip.
The snowstorm gets worse and strands all the lovers at the Applewhite cabin. Rod covers with Crystal that he said Christian's name because he saw him coming through the door. Crystal was sure the name was called BEFORE Christian came through the door. Crystal tried to put it out of her mind. Rod tried to rekindle again that night but Crystal claimed she was tired and froze Rod out. Terrence went to bed as well. Shirtless Rod was sitting in the dark living room remembering his name mix-up and Christian confronts Rod calmly and quietly, telling him he knows Rod booked his getaway intending to ruin Christian and Terrence's Valentines Day. But they arrived late because Christian wouldn't let Rod ruin it for them. Christian challenged Rod to examine why he's so consumed with ending his father's relationship and why Christian is on Rod's mind so much. There is thick tension in the room that just might be sexual.
Once the Applewhite party returns to NYC from the cabin, Rod demands more from Rachel Marks on her investigation into Christian. Spotting Rod and Rachel together, Crystal confronts Rachel about her interest in Rod. Rod doesn't want Crystal to know he's still investigating Christian. Rachel plays along that she does have an interest in Rod, but Rod reaffirms his commitment to Crystal, and she's secure.
Crystal is concerned when Rod misses her mother Eleanor's court date. But Rod is actually stuck at Large Bar with Christian in a robbery! Henry Von Stadt has sent two masked thugs to hold up Large Bar, looking for something in Eleanor's safe!
