Love After Holidays (2025) Movie Script
1
[dramatic music]
[graphic whooshing]
[electricity crackling]
[brooding music]
[screen whooshes]
[suspenseful music]
[dramatic music]
[heart pounding] [ominous music]
[Janeen groans]
[siren wailing]
[police radio chattering] [sirens wailing]
[car door clicking]
[birds chirping] [cop sighs]
[car door bangs] [police radio chattering]
Ma'am, are you hurt?
I'm fine.
Sky, Sky!
Sky baby, are you okay?
Yes, Mommy.
My head just hurts.
Come here and give me your hand.
I'm here, okay?
We're gonna be okay.
All right, all right.
We're gonna get you
outta here, all right?
We're gonna get you and
your mother out of here.
-Ma'am.
-Sir, you can't
-go over here.
-That's my family
-in that car.
-I know,
but you can't go over there.
Please, can you tell me something?
-Are they okay?
-There's been an accident.
We're trying to assess
their, their condition now.
Just give us a minute.
Sky, baby.
Sky, are you okay?
-Daddy's here.
-Try to calm down.
I know you're concerned.
Try to calm down.
-Ma'am, tell me something.
-Let us just,
let us do our investigation
and you can go over there shortly.
Ma'am, were you drinking?
[brooding music]
Step out the car.
[car door clicks] [Janeen grunts]
Step out the vehicle.
Why?
I didn't even do anything, sir.
Step outta the vehicle, ma'am.
Stand right here, please.
Janeen, don't tell me you were drinking
and driving with Sky in the car.
Stand over here.
I cannot believe you.
[Cop] Follow my finger.
Don't move your head.
This is unacceptable.
You need help.
And until you get help,
you will not see Sky
without my supervision.
What, what does that mean?
What are you about to do?
-You wanna go see your dad?
-What's he doing?
[Cop 2] That's the father
of your child, correct?
[Janeen] What?
No, sorry.
No, that's my daughter.
Stephan, wait, no, no!
-Sky that's my daughter too.
-No, no, no.
-Wait.
-No.
[Janeen] Stephan, what you doing?
-No.
-Ma'am.
That's my daughter.
[body thuds]
Stay still.
Stephan, please.
I'm gonna pat you down.
Do you have anything
that I should know about?
No, no.
[siren wailing]
Please.
[police radio chattering]
[crying] Please, ma'am, please.
Stephan, I'm just saying no.
[police radio chattering]
[upbeat festive music]
[graphic chiming]
[traffic humming]
You know, whatever you're staring at,
it's not gonna make
your problems go away
unless you face them head on.
[lid rattling]
Seriously?
Relax, just a little sip.
Not even drunk.
You know what I'd appreciate?
If you're gonna come here,
don't ever bring that again.
If you're serious.
[lid clanking]
[bottle thuds]
Happy?
You know, you don't
have to let this accident
destroy your entire life.
I just want my daughter back.
That's the only reason
why we're doing this,
is because of my stupid ex-husband
why I'm even in here.
Hmm?
So is he the only person
you're gonna refer to?
What's referring to?
He ruined my life.
I worked hard to get to where I'm at.
He's trying to ruin that.
Hmm.
This will be the first
holiday without my child,
the first holiday without my child.
Do you know why you're here?
Because this one stupid accident,
he continues to punish me.
That's the only reason.
That's the reason why you got divorced.
Is that the reason why you don't get
to spend time with your daughter?
[Janeen panting]
[traffic humming]
My God.
[group chattering]
-Morning, Shanice.
-Morning, Ms. Lawrence.
We're a bit behind, but I have
everything prepped for you.
Is Minerva here?
Yes.
Did you get much sleep?
Yes, yes.
Uh, notes, notes, notes.
Yes, here.
Okay, just a quick reminder that we have
that big special interview
coming up in two weeks.
Going to be a major
boost for the networks.
They created a huge
marketing budget for this,
so there's a lot riding on it.
[exhales] Are we done?
Yes, I will let Taylor know
you're ready for hair and makeup.
Hair and makeup, gotcha, gotcha.
Welcome to "Love After".
-I'm Janeen.
-Hey, Janeen.
-Yeah.
-Need you miced up
-in 20 minutes.
-Okay.
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
You okay?
I'm fine, Morris.
It's just one of those days.
Remember, you're the face of this show.
Own it.
Thanks.
I appreciate it.
Yes, I'm the face.
[Morris] All right, let's go, people.
Places everyone.
We got a show put on.
Okay, everything's
looking good back here.
All right, let's clear the stage.
Okay, stage is clear.
Lacey, Lacey, let's get
the talent on stage.
-You can.
-Look alive, everybody.
All right, somebody cue the music.
And let's go in three, two, one.
[upbeat music]
Welcome, welcome to "Love After".
I'm your host, Janeen Lawrence,
and I'm here to help reach, teach,
restore, and inspire.
This is our how you lovin' segment.
And your love guru is here
to help you find the solution
you need to level up.
Now, we have selected two
lucky members from our audience
for our how you lovin' segment.
So let's get started.
Hey, queen, state your
name and where you're from.
Hey, Janeen.
-My name is Belinda.
-Hey.
Hey.
And I'm from Dallas.
So I finally started dating again
after a big bad back breakup
-about a, about a year ago.
-Okay.
And it's just been so nerve-wracking,
just trying to get back out there.
I don't wanna ask the wrong questions
and I don't wanna say
too much too soon.
-Mm.
-So it's.
Okay, okay,
Well, Belinda, first of all,
it's just natural dating jitters, right?
-Have a natural conversation.
-She looks good.
Excellent, excellent eye contact.
And most importantly, have fun.
Have fun, girl.
And remember, let me hear it.
Not every connection is a...
[Group] Romantic connection.
Yes, girl, have fun.
Let your hair down.
And you're beautiful.
-Okay.
-Thank you, queen.
Okay, introduce yourself.
Hi, I'm Carolyn.
-I'm from Philly.
-Hello.
Hi.
And I just was wondering,
how are you holding up?
I mean, with your
ex-husband divorcing you
and airing out all your dirty laundry.
I mean, it's not really
a good look, Janeen.
What the hells going on here?
Well, I don't know.
What, what's she doing?
What is she saying?
Excuse me.
You heard me.
I mean, you get on television
and you preach to all of us
like your life is so perfect,
but we all know honey, that's a front.
You need to fix your life.
[audience chattering]
Okay, what is your question?
Who is your husband banging?
[audience gasps]
Janeen, don't answer that.
No, it's fine.
-I'll answer.
-Yeah, let her answer.
-Carolyn.
-Jean, what are you doing?
You're absolutely correct.
Am my broken and flawed
like everybody else?
Yes.
Did I feel like giving up?
Yes.
It's hard being a mother, a wife,
having a career and
everything in between.
So yes, that's why I'm the perfect person
to host my show.
You may have this audience fooled,
but honey, you not fooling me.
I can see right through you.
Hot tamale.
Hot tamale, move!
-That was not in the script.
-All right, cut.
I mean, you can't even take
care of your own daughter.
What kind of mother are you?
You can't even take care
of your own daughter.
What kind of mother are
you? [Voice echoing]
What kind of mother?
Carolyn.
Cut to commercial.
Cut to commercial.
-Calm down.
-That is the red one.
-Calm down.
-Oh my God.
They all turn red when you press them.
She got me all messed up.
Ooh.
Who she thinks she's talking
to me like that, Morris?
She don't know nothing about me.
I should went over
there and slap the, ooh!
Janeen, you need to come down.
And then she got the nerve
to talk about my daughter,
my child, Morris.
[Janeen sighs]
[Minerva] Janeen, where you at?
Oh, here we go.
Get out.
What just happened out there?
Minerva, she just.
Save it.
It's bad enough that you came late again.
But then to have an audience member
call you out on your own show.
Look, I just, I just
got a little caught up.
Janeen, you know the rules.
We do not engage with the
audience in that matter.
Oh, and you're gonna love this.
This was sent in by a top blog spot.
You, wait, wait, what is this?
I was hoping you were able to tell me.
It says that you're an
unfit mother, an alcoholic,
and you can't take care of your child.
Minerva, someone is trying
to ruin my reputation.
You know, you can't believe
everything from the blogs.
Why would someone go to
this extent to hurt you?
And you're an alcoholic.
You can't be serious.
Very.
People see this and
they see that it's you.
Partying, drinking,
this is career suicide.
Not to mention what it does to the brand.
You see, you millennials the problem is,
is that you don't
understand the consequences
and you do not take accountability.
Minerva, I'm sorry.
I'll get to the bottom of this.
I promise.
You better because if
you don't bad reviews,
bad ratings and hello unemployment.
That's you.
Fix it.
Minerva.
[gentle music]
[Janeen scoffs]
[birds chirping]
Hi, Mommy.
[Janeen groans]
Let's have some tea.
Janeen, what's wrong with you?
Mommy, why you always
think something is wrong?
Because Jane, you always vex
and puffing up your face.
Mommy, me all right.
Please.
See I make some tea for you.
Come drink some tea with mama.
Bush tea.
Mama bush tea.
You don't cook no food,
no oxtail, curry chicken,
rice and peas something.
Me come all the way
from work for bush tea.
Girl, bush tea help bust the gas.
It help with the chest
pain, the belly pain.
Bush tea fix everything.
Okay, Mommy, I will drink the bush tea.
You should have put some liquor in it too.
That's why I always try to
take care of you, my child.
[Janeen chuckles]
There we go, all right.
It is time.
Hold on.
It's time to do our affirmations.
Are you ready?
Yes.
All right, I am.
Smart.
I am brave.
I am fierce.
I am loved.
I am.
[Sky and Stephan]
Powerful beyond measure.
Yes, you are baby girl.
Come here.
Father God, we thank you for
all that you have done doing
and about to do in our lives.
Father God, we ask that you continue
to watch over our family
as we lay to sleep.
We pray for your peace, your joy,
your love, and your strength.
We love you Lord.
-Amen.
-Amen.
All right.
All right, here you go.
Are you all right, baby girl?
What's wrong?
Daddy, how's Mommy doing?
She's doing much better, okay?
And she loves you very, very much.
And she will be by to
see you soon, okay?
Okay.
All right, give me a hug.
Come here.
[birds chirping]
I hate see you like this.
I don't want anything to
happen to my only child.
What am I supposed to do, Mama?
I don't understand.
Why is everything happening to me?
I'm gonna say something to you.
Don't be vex with me.
What?
I think Stephan is still in love with you.
He is still hurt from the
accident with you and Sky.
Mom, please.
I don't want to talk about it.
He just want to help you.
You never get over it.
You can't keep numbing it like this.
Mommy, please leave it alone.
I don't want to talk about it.
That's the only way you're going to heal.
No, I have to go.
Janeen, Janeen.
What's wrong with this pickney?
God, watch over her.
[insects chirping]
-Hmm.
-Something coming up next
that has to do with your health.
Right.
[Reporter] This is a very important item.
[remote clicks]
[phone whooshes]
Oh.
[gentle music] [Janeen laughs]
-Hi, Mommy.
-Hi, baby.
I miss you.
Are we still gonna have our
special lunch date tomorrow?
Of course.
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Yay.
I can't wait.
I can wear my special outfit.
You know I have mine picked out.
You're gonna be cute. [Chuckles]
You gonna look so cute, Mommy.
I love you, Mommy.
I love you too, baby.
See you soon.
Bye.
Bye.
I know she lost her daughter so.
She did, she did.
Hopefully she'll talk about it.
And just keep it calm, empathetic.
-You know kind issue.
-Hey ladies.
Ms. Ainsworth has just gotten
out hair and makeup.
So we have about two minutes
until we get started, okay?
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
So wait, what?
-Nothing.
-What?
I see the way you look at him.
You like him, don't you?
Okay, that is none
of your business, nosy.
We need to pay attention to your job.
Well, I say you should go for it.
You never know what could happen.
You apparently have a
lot to say, Miss Nosy.
[Janeen chuckles]
But did see him looking at me?
Yes, all the time.
And I'm not nosy, I just pay attention.
Honestly, you give me hope.
[Morris] 30 seconds.
[upbeat music]
Hello, my beautiful kings and queens,
and welcome to "Love After".
Today we have a special
guest for you guys.
She is the author of
the New York number one
bestselling award-winning novel.
"How to Discover Your Inner Star".
Please help me welcome the
one and only Janice Ainsworth.
[audience clapping]
-Woo.
-Hey.
You look good, girl.
Oh, thank you.
You look good too.
Thank you for having me.
I love your show.
I do, I do.
It's so insightful.
I enjoy it.
Oh my goodness.
First I have to start off by saying,
you are such an amazing
author, so inspirational.
Like you tour so many
countries to empower the masses
with three books under your belt.
Wow, that's amazing.
Thank you.
But if I'm honest, I didn't believe any
of this was possible
for somebody like me.
-Really?
-No, because I doubted myself
and my worth.
I was so afraid to live in my truth
and share my story until
I shifted my mindset.
Until I made that shift,
I started to live in my purpose,
but through my pain.
Live in my purpose through the pain.
Okay, I love that.
Look, you are so empowering
girl to so many women,
including myself.
Well, thank you, thank you.
Look, I am here to serve
and to pay it forward,
to help others to heal.
I've had to overcome my own grief,
especially during the holiday season.
Wow, now so many people are grieving,
and during the holiday is hard.
-Mm-hmm.
-Now I know that time
of year is personal for you.
Do you mind, for those
who don't know your story,
do you mind sharing briefly?
I don't.
I lost my daughter to brain cancer
three years ago on Christmas.
And it was difficult for us.
We tried everything from
chemotherapy treatments
to various medicines,
to meeting with some
of the best doctors and it wasn't enough.
It wasn't.
And eventually the doctors told us
that the cancer had
started to spread rapidly.
Ooh, um, so a few days later,
she passed away and it hit us hard.
Hard.
I felt lifeless.
I had to figure out how move
forward without Candace.
My daughter meant everything to me.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing that.
And I'm a mother, so I don't know
what I would do if I lost my daughter Sky.
Okay, listen to me.
Hold on to every precious moment
and spend quality time with her
because tomorrow is not promised.
Yes, that's true.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Thank you.
[sighs] Girl, look, you
have our full support here
and we would love to, you know,
offer our help, contribution.
Please let us know
how can we contribute
to your foundation.
Absolutely.
The Candace Foundation
raises awareness
and offers necessary resources
for cancer treatment.
So if you would like to make a donation,
you can visit candacefoundation.org.
Thank you, thank you
so much again for coming.
-Love you too.
-And to our studio audience,
you all are going to
be getting a free copy
of Janice's newly released book.
Please be sure to grab
a copy on your way out.
And give it up one more time
for the one and only Janice Ainsworth.
Thank you so much, Janice.
-You gotta come back.
-Absolutely.
You have got to be the
busiest woman on earth.
Why don't you take a break
and let's go get something to eat.
Oh, Morris, I wish I could.
I have a date with my daughter so.
Okay, okay.
You got your cute mommy
and daughter date.
I love that, I love that.
Well, y'all have fun and
we'll catch up tomorrow.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
Ah.
Ooh.
[birds chirping]
[Janeen and Sky] Cheers.
Ah. [Laughs]
Gotta teach you my language Patois.
Say. [Speaking in foreign language]
[Sky speaking in foreign language]
Did I say it right?
That was good, mama. [Laughs]
So Christmas is coming up.
What do you want for Christmas?
Mm.
Mommy, I don't want anything too fancy.
What?
No, no cars, no dresses,
no doll, no nothing.
No, Mommy.
All I want for Christmas
is you to come back home
and feel better.
Okay, baby.
[upbeat music]
Yeah. [Laughs]
Here.
Say thank you.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Another one.
Hello.
Thank you.
Good job, good job.
Big one, oh.
Ooh, here we go.
Thank you.
Oh my God, it's really you.
-Hi.
-It's Janeen
from the "Love After Show".
I'm such a huge fan.
Aw, thank you, thank you.
God, it's amazing to see
a woman of color on TV.
I wanna be just like you.
Thank you guys.
Aw, thank you.
-Take a picture?
-Absolutely.
[camera clicks]
-Ah.
-Thank you.
You guys are absolutely beautiful.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
-Here girl.
-Thank you.
You're such a beautiful soul.
-Thank you.
-Good job.
Say next in line.
Next in line.
[Stephan] What's up, baby girl?
Hi, Daddy.
Hi Samantha.
-Hey.
-Oh, Janeen,
this is Samantha.
Samantha, this is Janeen, Sky's mom.
Hi, it's so nice to meet you.
I heard so much about you.
Also brought some stuff for the drive.
-There you go.
-Thanks.
I, I hope it helps.
Wow, you got a such a cute family.
Can I take a picture of you together?
Uh, yeah, sure.
Can I take a picture
of just Mommy and Daddy?
Okay.
[camera snaps]
[Photographer] Okay, great.
Thank you.
All right, baby girl, I
am so proud of you.
You keep up the good work.
-Okay.
-You're doing a lot
of good work right now, okay?
Stephan.
Sky, be right back.
Can I please have a word?
Yeah.
Who is this girl you
have around my daughter?
Oh, that's Samantha.
We've seen each other
for a couple months now.
She is so good with Sky.
You got a woman around my daughter
without introducing her to me first?
You tripping.
No.
We need to talk about this.
Since tomorrow's Saturday,
can Sky spend the rest
of the weekend with me?
No.
We've already got an agreement
and we're sticking to it.
Stephan, that's not enough time.
She's already with me.
Janeen, this is not the, it's
not the time nor the place.
Plus, Samantha and I
got this huge weekend
already planned for Sky.
You'll get her next week.
Have a good day.
All right, baby girl.
Daddy loves you so much.
Keep up the good work, okay?
-Okay.
-I love you.
Love you.
Bye.
[traffic humming]
The nerve of this man.
The ink barely dried
on our divorce papers.
He already got another woman
around Sky and our loved ones.
Well, everybody moves
at their own pace.
He could have at least
allowed me to meet her
before allowing her to meet Sky, right?
I mean, come on.
At least show me that little respect.
But that too is outside of your control.
Then what am I supposed to do?
I just don't want Sky growing up thinking
that I'm a horrible mother
and I don't want this woman
raising my daughter neither.
Okay, you're not a horrible mother.
Okay.
But today's session is
about focusing on Janeen.
What are the things that you can do
that are gonna make you
the best version of you?
Right?
What are those things that
are gonna make you happy?
We know you love your work.
You love Sky, right?
But you, what are
those things you can do
to make you the best version of you?
What are those things that
are gonna make you happy?
I don't know.
That's good.
At least we have some place to go, right?
You don't have to know everything.
That's why you're here.
So, let's talk about growing up.
What was it like with your parents?
What was your childhood like?
I wish I had more time with my father.
You know, when we're children
and we don't really have a lot of control,
and we wanna spend
time with our parents,
and we can't, when we become parents,
then we're gonna fight for that, right?
So everything you're doing is normal,
fighting to be with your child,
and that's the connection.
You did good work today.
Look at me.
Should be proud of yourself.
This is what we call a breakthrough.
[insects chirping]
[Janeen exhales]
[phone ringing]
[phone whooshes]
Hello?
Hey, uh, you got a minute to talk?
Sure.
Is, is everything okay with Sky?
Yeah, no, no worries.
Sky's fine.
I, I've just been thinking
a lot about what you said,
and I'm gonna let Sky stay the weekend
with you if that's still fine.
Uh, yes, yes I would, I would love that.
Yeah, of course.
So I will get all her stuff together
and I'll bring her to you
first thing in the morning.
If you could though, drop her off
and pick her up from school on Monday,
that would be amazing
because I'm working late.
Yes, yes, Stephan, I
would, I would love that.
Thank you.
Look, I really need this, so thank you.
I appreciate this.
Of course.
See you in the morning.
Bye.
[upbeat music]
Ooh. [Giggles]
Ooh, attagirl.
Go straight down.
Yes.
Yes, girl.
Boom, boom.
[Janeen] Come back.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, am I doing it right?
You gotta coach me.
What do I need to do?
Pose, you pose.
Pose.
Ooh, get it girl.
Oh, oh, yes.
Yes, honey, yes.
Sky.
Oh, Sky.
You're it. [Laughs]
Ah! [Laughing]
Ah, ah, uh-oh.
[Group] Surprise!
What is happening?
Congratulations to our fearless leader.
"Love After" just got
renewed for season three
and we're going prime time.
-Yes.
-Yes.
Oh my gosh.
We did it, y'all.
Yes, we did.
-Yes we did.
-Yes.
Okay, that's enough.
Let go my bestie.
Move over, move it over to the left now.
[Janeen laughs]
Girl, you about to be on top! [Laughs]
I want a Lambo real bad.
-You know, nothing crazy.
-Right.
Just a Lambo.
And a house right next
to the beach, you know?
-Nothing crazy.
-Right.
Okay, that's enough.
You can move back now. [Laughs]
We did it, y'all!
Yes you did!
Oh, my God!
I just want to say that
I'm very proud of you.
We believed in you and you got it done.
Yes.
All right, well let's raise
a glass to Ms. Lawrence!
Yeah
Hey, let's go!
-You got that beat.
-Yeah.
-Let's dance.
-Yeah.
Do it.
Go Janeen.
Season three.
Go Janeen.
-Season three.
-Hey.
Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh
Funny.
Get off me.
We got a season three coming up.
Look at this.
Look at this.
Wow
You're doing.
[Taylor laughs]
Yeah
Check it, mm
Ah!
She's always so hands on.
I can't take her.
-Ow.
-Go.
Congratulations season three.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
[Shanice] Oh, my god.
[group cheering]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
-Oh, you wanna go again.
-Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh
[phone buzzing]
[phone ringing]
Hey, Ms. Lawrence.
Ms. Lawrence.
[phone buzzing]
Hey, your phone is blowing up.
I think you might need to take this.
Oh, wait, wait.
I'm sorry, gimme, gimme a minute.
-Hello?
-Hi.
Hi, Ms. Dalton.
I'm so sorry I got caught up at work.
I'm on my way, okay?
-[Ms. Dalton] You know Ms.
-Lawrence, Sky is still here
and she's been crying.
I know I'm so sorry, I'm
so sorry, but I'm on my way.
[Ms. Dalton] Hey, how are you?
Yeah, I'll be right with you.
Actually, you know what? Nevermind.
Ms. Lawrence, her guardian just arrived.
Oh, her dad.
Perfect.
Stephan.
Yeah, thank you, thank you.
[Ms. Dalton] No, a young
woman is here to pick her up.
Whoa, whoa, young woman?
Who's picking up my daughter
without my permission?
[Ms. Dalton] The young
woman's name is Samantha.
She is listed as an emergency contact.
What?
[insects chirping]
Babe, look who's here.
Why you got your little
girlfriend picking up my daughter?
Excuse me.
[brooding music] [Stephan scoffs]
Janeen, where were you?
Stephan, I was only five minutes late.
- I wasn't-
- What excuse are you
gonna give me for not picking up Sky?
I was at work, I got a little wrapped up.
But I'm saying I was only five.
It's always the same excuse with you.
You just don't have time.
If you let me explain.
No, Janeen, I was in
the middle of working
with a client when I got the call
that Samantha had picked
up Sky from school.
What if they couldn't get ahold of her?
I should have known better
than to let her stay with you.
But here I am giving you
the benefit of the doubt.
Stephan, you know how much
my daughter means to me.
I love Sky.
How could you even say
something like that?
What kind of mother abandons
her daughter at school,
let alone miss her recital.
I'm sorry, baby.
I don't mean to overstep.
But you needs to prioritize and
show Stephan some appreciation
because he does a lot.
Excuse you.
[Samantha] You heard me.
It is time you put your
daughter first for a change.
-What?
-No.
[Samantha] You better get outta my face.
Get your girl.
Get, no, she out of pocket.
I'm out of pocket.
You in our house.
-Your girl.
-You better control her.
- She's-
- Outta pocket.
-Please, I got this.
-Okay.
I got this.
Who you talking to?
[Stephan sighs]
Really?
You are something else.
Janeen.
You know what, Stephan?
Where's Sky?
They said she was crying.
Where's Sky?
I need to see her.
Janeen, Sky's asleep.
You need to leave now.
Matching pajamas.
Mama bear, papa. [Scoffs]
Oh.
No, Mommy, he was really pissed.
Like I messed up big time.
I had one job, one job to
get Sky from school on time,
and I couldn't even get that right.
And now girlfriend thinks
that she can say
whatever she want anytime
because she's around my
daughter more than me.
Jan, everything will be okay.
Give yourself some grace.
Mommy, I wish it was that simple.
Surrender everything to God.
Allow him to fight your battle for you.
Just trust in him.
I know.
Oh, I just need to let it go.
Let it go, let it go.
You're right, I'll figure it out.
You're stronger than you think.
You are so strong.
Just leave everything
in the hands of God.
Allow him to fight it for you.
Relax, drink some tea.
[birds chirping]
[knuckles tapping]
[door clicks]
Hi, how may I help you?
[Messenger] Hi, are
you Janeen Lawrence?
Yes.
[Messenger] These are for you.
You've been served.
Been served?
[knuckles pounding]
[door clicks]
-Hi.
-Get out my way.
Where's Stephan?
Hi, Janeen, is everything all right?
Don't talk to me.
Janeen, why are you screaming?
Get down here right now!
[Stephan sighs]
Yeah, come downstairs.
What do you want?
[papers slap]
How dare you?
I see you got these early, huh?
That's it.
That's all you gotta say.
You can't even be man enough
to handle this between us.
You had to drag the courts in too.
I see what this is.
You two are trying to erase me.
You're trying to erase me
so you can get full custody
for child support.
Child support?
I don't need your money.
Janeen, you tied my hands.
So now I have to do what's best for Sky
because she's my priority.
Stephan, you had many
options and you chose this.
[Stephan sighs]
You know you got some nerve.
You gonna stand here
and act all clueless.
What are you talking about?
-What am I talking?
-Yeah.
After what you did,
do you really think you
deserve custody of Sky?
[scoffs] I mean, you can't even take care
of yourself right now.
And I have given you
chance after chance,
after chance to make things right.
You just can't get your shit together.
Stephan, okay, she's my daughter too.
Please.
But were you thinking about that
when you were driving drunk
with our daughter in the backseat?
Huh?
You gonna keep bringing that.
Mommy, Mommy.
-Baby.
-Mommy.
-Hi.
-Hi, Mommy.
Am I going home with you today?
No, baby girl.
I'm sorry, not today.
But you promised.
I know.
Next week though, okay?
Samantha, you think you can
take Sky upstairs, please?
Okay.
-Bye.
-Love you.
Love you, Mommy.
-I love you.
-I love you.
Hey baby girl.
How about we go upstairs
and play your favorite game?
-Okay.
-Yeah.
Come on, let's go.
-Love you.
-Bye baby.
[Sky] Bye, Mommy.
-Love you.
-I love you too, Sky.
[Janeen crying]
Stephan, please, please don't do this.
Janeen, you need to
get your life in order.
I cannot keep exposing Sky to things
that are gonna traumatize her.
Exposing to things like her mother.
Stephan, you will not do this,
and you will hear from my lawyer.
All right.
With your record, see you in court.
[brooding music] [traffic humming]
[insects chirping] [group chattering]
Mm.
Mm.
Janeen, you're not driving
home tonight, are you?
Greg, leave me alone.
Give, gimme another.
Why do we always go through this?
I tell you what, I'm
just go grab your Uber.
Keep 'em coming, Greg.
Gimme another one.
Ah.
[Patron] Are you Janeen?
Janeen Lawrence?
-Who's asking?
-I'm a big fan.
I watch you on TV all the time.
You're better than this.
Don't drink your life away.
Ma'am, that's all real deep.
Mind your business.
Mind your business.
Back business.
Give me another one.
[insects chirping]
[Janeen snoring]
[phone ringing]
[Janeen groans]
[phone whooshes]
Hello?
Morris, what, what, what?
The interview!
Morris, Morris, Morris,
look, I'm on my way.
Morris, Morris, look.
Hello.
Morris, look, I'm on my way.
Tell her I'm ready.
What do you mean she handled it?
Hello?
Hello?
No he didn't.
[Janeen panting]
Ah.
[perfume spraying]
Welcome to "The Love After Show".
Today is gonna be a very special show,
so we're gonna switch things up a bit.
Unfortunately, Janeen will
not be joining us tonight.
But no need to worry
because we have the one
and only Kimberly Washington,
one of the top celebrity hosts
with the number one show
"Tea Time with Kim".
Thank you so much,
Minerva, for having me.
Well today, guys,
we have a special holiday
segment in store for you.
[audience chattering]
Uh, uh-uh.
Whoa.
Janeen, what are you doing?
We're on a live taping.
So?
I'm here.
So I don't need makeup.
It's raw, it's real.
I don't need filters.
Matter of fact, I showed up.
-Janeen.
-Taylor.
Where's Taylor?
She can put my makeup on real quick.
I'm here.
- Minerva-
- No, I'm going.
What is going on here?
I'm not used to working like this.
You either sort this out or I'm walking.
-No, Kimberly.
-This is crazy.
We need you.
Stay.
-The show must go on you.
-Need you?
You just gonna have me
walk out here like that.
[audience chattering]
You gonna choose Kimberly over me.
I sacrificed everything to
make the show a success.
I sacrificed my family,
my marriage, my life.
And for what?
Janeen, you need to leave.
You need to leave.
Security.
Get her outta here.
No.
Minerva, really?
That's what we doing.
-Janeen.
-Get your hands off of me!
Janeen.
Well, guys, we are live.
And you never know
what's gonna happen.
If you know someone
struggling with alcoholism,
please make sure that they
call the prevention line
on the bottom of the screen.
We'll be back right after
this commercial break.
What the?
I don't know.
This is absurd.
This is absurd.
No, Kimberly, we need you.
I need you to stay.
Come, Kimberly.
[melancholic music]
This is what I get.
Where were you?
[Janeen exhaling]
You supposed to have my back.
I lost everything.
I am the face, I am the face.
Welcome to "Love After".
Janeen Lawrence, Lawrence.
[Janeen groans]
[crying] Please.
[crying] Why?
Why?
Why?
This is not fair.
[Janeen crying]
I'm the face. [Cries]
Welcome.
[Janeen crying]
[Janeen gaging]
[Janeen retching]
[Janeen crying]
[Janeen retching]
Lost him, just Sky. [Crying]
I'm coming.
I'll be right there.
Mommy, mommy's tired.
Mm-hmm.
[Janeen coughing]
[crying] I lost everything.
I lost everything!
[Janeen crying]
[birds chirping]
Oh my.
Just what?
How did I get?
What?
Oh, my, oh.
Gotta stop drinking.
How did?
[phone ringing]
[Janeen sighs]
-Hi, Mommy.
-Janeen.
Why are the neighbor calling me,
telling me you're sleeping in the bushes?
What's going on with you?
Mommy, I'm sorry.
I just, I need help.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
[Paulette] Please, baby.
I can't bear to lose you.
Losing you will kill me.
Mommy, I just, I know,
I know I need help.
I just don't know what to do.
Where do I?
I don't know, I don't know.
[Paulette] Janeen, I know a woman
by the name of Dr. Baker.
She can help you.
Please, if you don't do it for me,
can you please do it for Sky?
Okay.
Yeah, I'll do whatever.
Yeah.
[Paulette] I will set up
the appointment for you.
Baby, just remember, Mommy loves you.
I love you too, Mom.
[door clicks]
[traffic humming]
Welcome to our inpatient
treatment program.
We're also glad that you decided
to take the first step
in your recovery journey.
Now, I'm Dr. Baker,
and I'll be your therapist
during your stay here.
Now, I had an opportunity
review your medical history.
And it appears that you were
recently in a car accident,
which led you to voluntarily seek
treatment for alcohol addiction.
Is that correct?
Yeah, yeah.
Well, over 75% of our
patients have been able
to maintain their sobriety while
after leaving our facility.
Our goal here is not just
to help you overcome your addiction,
but it's also to teach you skills
and strategies so that you
can maintain your sobriety
well after you leave our program.
Now, I know that this experience
can be very difficult and challenging,
but I want you to know
that you're not alone.
Me and my team are here
to support you every step of the way.
So how does everything
that I said sound?
Are you ready to start on Wednesday?
Mm, yeah, yeah.
I'm as ready as I'm gonna be.
[Dr. Baker] Okay good.
[man vocalizing]
Yeah
This is the love after
I fell in love with you, with you
Can't nobody make my
heart beat, my heart beat
The way you do, do
This is the love after the hurt
The rain, heartache
The pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This is the love after the peace
That came and you're to blame
Yeah, yeah
Tell me how to love again
When you can need
your love yourself
Never would I let you in
That's why I show love to myself
You couldn't even love me
when I gave you everything
So how can you love me
now while I got everything
Oh, this is the love after
Welcome everyone.
My name is Dr. Danielle Baker,
and welcome to Baker's Retreat Center.
Now I'll be assisting you
on your journey to sobriety.
My mission in starting this facility was
because of my relationship with alcohol.
I lost my job, my family, my house,
all because I was more
connected to the bottle
and it ruined my entire life.
And I hit rock bottom.
And I remember asking, God,
if you can please pull me out of this,
I promise to dedicate my
life to assisting others
who are also struggling with addiction.
Now, I know many of you here
have gone through stages
of trauma, hurt, betrayal,
and some of you have even
suffered with depression
that you feel like you can't
pull yourself from out of.
But I'm here to let you
know at this facility,
this is where we peel back
the layers of hopelessness,
of fear, of anxiety and depression.
And I want you to know
you're not gonna go
through this alone because
we're all in this together.
Okay?
All right, well, let's
welcome our first guest.
Please introduce yourself.
Uh, hello everyone.
My name is Janeen Lawrence
and I'm an alcoholic.
[Group] Hi, Janeen.
And I allowed alcohol to control my life.
It alienated me.
And like you, Dr. Baker,
I lost my marriage,
my career, and now I'm on the
verge of losing my daughter.
I don't get to see her like I used to.
And I'm not gonna lie,
it's been very hard.
I just wanna, I just
want my baby girl back.
But I had to realize that
I had to find me first.
And it took my baby girl
reminded me that I needed
to surrender everything
to God in order to heal.
[Dr. Baker] Yes.
And now I'm finally ready.
Yeah.
Thank you so much for sharing, Janeen.
[traffic humming]
So how did you like it?
Like the yoga?
-I liked it.
-Yeah.
[Attendee] How about yourself?
I like it too.
This is my first time doing it
so I was like feeling a little awkward,
but I was like, oh, okay, this is fun.
-Yeah.
-It's your first time.
[Attendee] Yeah, it
was a good experience.
Yeah, it was my first time.
Wow.
You did good though.
-Yeah.
-Wait.
Hold one second.
-Talk to you later.
-Okay.
Hi, baby.
Hi, Mommy.
-I miss you.
-I miss you too.
How you like it there?
Good.
Guess what?
I let my fears go
and I told my story to everyone
and I opened up to everyone
and told my story and it felt good.
It felt really good.
I'm so happy for you, Mommy.
I wish I was spending
Christmas with you.
I know, baby.
But you'll be with your dad this holiday
and I'll get next holiday
since we're rotating.
But I get to spend New Year's with you.
Yay.
I can't wait, Mommy.
Me too.
I love you.
I love you too, Mommy.
I know many of you
have come in here broken,
but before you leave,
we're gonna put those
pieces back together.
We're gonna heal those inner childs.
We're gonna heal those wounds
because each and every
one of you are a queen.
Repeat after me.
I am a queen.
[Group] I am a queen.
I am powerful.
[Group] I am powerful.
God loves me.
[Group] God loves me.
[Dr. Baker] Amen.
[Group] Amen.
Goddess pose.
One, two, three, four, five.
Switch, deep.
One more time, and warrior two.
Feel that exact position.
Reverse.
[man vocalizing]
And forward.
And lean and back to mountain pose.
Reach.
[man vocalizing]
[man vocalizing]
Well, Janeen, here we are.
You made it to the last
day of the program.
I just wanted to let you
know how proud I am of you.
You came in here in pieces,
but you're leaving whole.
And you did the work.
And I have no doubt that
you're gonna leave here
and do some amazing things in your life.
How do you feel?
I feel great.
I feel real good.
You know, I came in,
broken, broke. [Laughs]
Was ready to just throw in
the towel, ready to give up
but you, Dr. Baker, gave me hope.
And I can't thank you enough.
And it feels good to know that,
I'm leaving out of this
place a new Janeen,
a new woman, just restored, evolved,
and just ready to keep rising,
shift to my new identity.
And I thank you.
Yes, well, congratulations
on a job well done.
And because of that, I
have something special
that I want to share with you.
What?
You see, this, that I wear, this bindi.
It's symbolic.
And it's to keep you
centered, to keep you whole
and for you to remember who you are.
And I have one for you.
I would love to present you with one.
Would that be okay?
-Yes.
-Okay.
All right.
[man vocalizing]
[birds chirping]
Close your eyes.
I have surprise for you.
-Close your eyes.
-All right.
Close your eyes.
-Watch your step.
-Okay.
Now?
Okay.
Stand right there.
-Okay.
-And close your eyes.
Okay.
Open your eyes.
[Group] Surprise!
[group laughing]
-Girl, we got you.
-Oh, you guys.
I did not expect this.
Wow, wow, wow, wow.
We love you and there is more.
-Okay.
-More surprise for you.
[Janeen] Close my eyes again?
-Close your eyes.
-Okay.
Come on in.
-Uh-oh.
-No peeking.
No peeking.
Open your eyes and turn around.
Okay. [Chuckles]
Daddy.
Hello Jan Jan.
It's been a long time.
Daddy.
Mother called.
She told me what had happened.
I caught the first flight here.
You guys.
Thank you.
Daddy, oh my God.
I was not, I was not expecting this.
I was not expecting this.
Thank you.
You came a long way.
-Yeah.
-Mm-hmm.
I'm so proud of you.
-Thank you.
-Yes.
Thank you.
I was not expecting this at all.
You guys I'm so grateful.
I'm humbled, I'm honored
that I have loved ones
who truly cares about me.
And you guys have been there
through the ups, the downs,
the good, the bad, the struggles.
It has been very hard but I'm here.
I'm doing it and I'm grateful.
-Thank you.
-We're here.
-You did it.
-Mm-hmm.
We're all here for you.
Love you, girl! [Laughs]
[lips smack] [insects chirping]
What your mother did for you was nice.
[laughs] Mommy is the best.
She's something else. [Laughs]
Listen, Jan, I know I'm
not father of the year
and I don't deserve to be in your life.
But I feel responsible for
what has happened to you
and your attitude towards love.
Jan, the first time
a woman knows love is her father's.
And I have failed at that.
But there is nothing in this
world I wouldn't do to make up
for those times.
It's okay, it's okay, Daddy.
I forgive you.
I forgive you.
New beginning, fresh start, right?
The most beautiful
princess I've ever seen.
The one, the only.
[Both] Princess Janeen.
You remember that?
Yes.
I love you, baby.
Thank you.
Thank you, Dad.
[lips smack]
[Janeen laughs]
Drink up to mom's tea.
[both laughing]
Well, she hasn't lost her touch.
But don't tell her I said that.
I, I won't.
[Janeen laughs] [phone buzzing]
Hmm?
Everything all right?
Yeah, I think the night
just got even more special.
[gentle music]
So tell me now with
the Jamaica, what part,
what part you said did you move to?
Listen, when are you coming?
You have to come home.
Yes, I wanna go home.
-Right.
-Yes.
Right, and bring the little one.
Yes, yes, oh, she would love it.
Sky, Sky.
[Sky] Mommy.
Oh my baby.
Sky, I miss you.
[Sky] I miss you too, Mommy.
These are for you.
These are beautiful.
Follow me.
Follow you.
Okay.
Oh.
Stephan. [Chuckles]
Janeen.
Surprise.
This is for you.
Merry Christmas.
What's it?
Listen, open it later.
-Okay.
-Okay.
But I wanted to tell you that I spoke
to your mom and I heard
about all the progress
that you're making with getting help
and wow, I'm proud of you, okay?
And no more custody.
We can deal with this
just between me and you.
We don't, we don't have to bring
the courts into this, okay?
I just wanted to tell you that.
Yes.
Okay?
-Thank you.
-Merry Christmas.
I am so, so sorry for everything.
I know, I know, you said I
needed help a long time ago
and I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for all the hurt
and the pain that I've caused you
as a wife and as a mother.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
But listen, let's move forward, okay?
The most important
thing is you're healthy
and you're focused.
So just keep working the steps.
[Janeen] Thank you.
[Stephan] Huh?
I didn't know I was gonna
see you for the holidays.
This is crazy.
[Janeen and Stephan laughing]
Wow.
-Huh, we got her.
-Oh.
We wanted it to be a surprise.
-Yes.
-You know?
And what better present than
your daughter, you know?
And there's been some talk of,
you know, me and Samantha
going away for the holidays.
So, I mean, if you want Sky for the week.
For the week, like the whole week.
[Sky] Yay!
Oh, thank you, thank you.
Yeah.
-I'm so sorry.
-It's okay.
Wow, I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
It's all right.
-Okay.
-All right.
Mm-hmm.
Don't worry about it.
-Okay.
-All right.
Uh, just let me say,
let me say goodbye to my.
-Okay.
-To my little princess.
[Janeen] Yes.
Baby girl, I want you
to take really good care
of your mommy, okay?
[Sky] Okay.
[Stephan] And I'm gonna miss you.
I miss you too, Daddy.
Come, give me big hugs.
All right.
Mm, okay, I'm gonna
get outta here, okay?
Okay.
All right, all right, I gotta take off.
Uh.
I'm sorry again, okay?
Merry Christmas, okay?
-Merry Christmas.
-All right.
-Stephan.
-All right.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
All right, okay.
[Janeen crying] [upbeat festive music]
Oh, just me and you. [Laughs]
Oh baby, I love you.
I love you too, Mommy.
And I missed you.
I missed you too.
What are we having for dinner?
I didn't cook.
You didn't cook?
Why not?
I don't know how to cook.
You don't know how to cook.
Daddy didn't teach you?
[laughs] Give me a hug.
[Janeen laughs]
You look like you are glowing.
It's the holiday season.
Let me take your coat.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
-No, no, you.
-Hmm.
I don't need a gift.
It's the least I could do.
For what I do.
Please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.
Just I'm, I'm in a great space.
You know, just things are looking up
and I've been attending
my weekly AA meetings
to maintain my recovery so I feel great.
-Proud of you.
-Thank you.
That's, that's big.
You know, it's one step at a time, right?
Yeah, yeah.
- Just-
- Baby steps.
Yes, journey of thousand
miles begins with one step.
-Yeah.
-That's a great first step.
Thank you.
I needed to just face
my problems head on.
Just stop running and just do the work.
Do the work.
I proud of you.
And great news.
I got to spend Christmas with Sky
and my father came from Jamaica.
All, wow.
-All the way.
-All the way.
-In the cold.
-In the cold.
Wow, that, that deserves,
that deserves a celebration.
-Yeah.
-Maybe some egg nog.
-I like that.
-What do Jamaicans
drink for Christmas?
-What is that?
-Egg nog.
Egg nog, no alcohol.
-Alcohol free.
-Alcohol free.
-Alcohol free.
-Of course.
I feel overstand that
Nothin' can keep you down
You're powerful and the way bound
Me say nothin' can keep you down
You I feel overstand that
Nothin' can keep you down
Nothin' can keep you down
You are for rise up, yeah
There is love after the hurt
You are for rise up, yeah
There is love after the pain
You are for rise up, yeah
There is love after the migraine
You are for rise up, yeah
And take your rightful place
You are for rise up
You are for rise up
Rise up
Yeah, yeah
You are for rise up, yeah
[dramatic music]
[graphic whooshing]
[electricity crackling]
[brooding music]
[graphic whooshing]
[suspenseful music]
[dramatic music]
[dramatic music]
[graphic whooshing]
[electricity crackling]
[brooding music]
[screen whooshes]
[suspenseful music]
[dramatic music]
[heart pounding] [ominous music]
[Janeen groans]
[siren wailing]
[police radio chattering] [sirens wailing]
[car door clicking]
[birds chirping] [cop sighs]
[car door bangs] [police radio chattering]
Ma'am, are you hurt?
I'm fine.
Sky, Sky!
Sky baby, are you okay?
Yes, Mommy.
My head just hurts.
Come here and give me your hand.
I'm here, okay?
We're gonna be okay.
All right, all right.
We're gonna get you
outta here, all right?
We're gonna get you and
your mother out of here.
-Ma'am.
-Sir, you can't
-go over here.
-That's my family
-in that car.
-I know,
but you can't go over there.
Please, can you tell me something?
-Are they okay?
-There's been an accident.
We're trying to assess
their, their condition now.
Just give us a minute.
Sky, baby.
Sky, are you okay?
-Daddy's here.
-Try to calm down.
I know you're concerned.
Try to calm down.
-Ma'am, tell me something.
-Let us just,
let us do our investigation
and you can go over there shortly.
Ma'am, were you drinking?
[brooding music]
Step out the car.
[car door clicks] [Janeen grunts]
Step out the vehicle.
Why?
I didn't even do anything, sir.
Step outta the vehicle, ma'am.
Stand right here, please.
Janeen, don't tell me you were drinking
and driving with Sky in the car.
Stand over here.
I cannot believe you.
[Cop] Follow my finger.
Don't move your head.
This is unacceptable.
You need help.
And until you get help,
you will not see Sky
without my supervision.
What, what does that mean?
What are you about to do?
-You wanna go see your dad?
-What's he doing?
[Cop 2] That's the father
of your child, correct?
[Janeen] What?
No, sorry.
No, that's my daughter.
Stephan, wait, no, no!
-Sky that's my daughter too.
-No, no, no.
-Wait.
-No.
[Janeen] Stephan, what you doing?
-No.
-Ma'am.
That's my daughter.
[body thuds]
Stay still.
Stephan, please.
I'm gonna pat you down.
Do you have anything
that I should know about?
No, no.
[siren wailing]
Please.
[police radio chattering]
[crying] Please, ma'am, please.
Stephan, I'm just saying no.
[police radio chattering]
[upbeat festive music]
[graphic chiming]
[traffic humming]
You know, whatever you're staring at,
it's not gonna make
your problems go away
unless you face them head on.
[lid rattling]
Seriously?
Relax, just a little sip.
Not even drunk.
You know what I'd appreciate?
If you're gonna come here,
don't ever bring that again.
If you're serious.
[lid clanking]
[bottle thuds]
Happy?
You know, you don't
have to let this accident
destroy your entire life.
I just want my daughter back.
That's the only reason
why we're doing this,
is because of my stupid ex-husband
why I'm even in here.
Hmm?
So is he the only person
you're gonna refer to?
What's referring to?
He ruined my life.
I worked hard to get to where I'm at.
He's trying to ruin that.
Hmm.
This will be the first
holiday without my child,
the first holiday without my child.
Do you know why you're here?
Because this one stupid accident,
he continues to punish me.
That's the only reason.
That's the reason why you got divorced.
Is that the reason why you don't get
to spend time with your daughter?
[Janeen panting]
[traffic humming]
My God.
[group chattering]
-Morning, Shanice.
-Morning, Ms. Lawrence.
We're a bit behind, but I have
everything prepped for you.
Is Minerva here?
Yes.
Did you get much sleep?
Yes, yes.
Uh, notes, notes, notes.
Yes, here.
Okay, just a quick reminder that we have
that big special interview
coming up in two weeks.
Going to be a major
boost for the networks.
They created a huge
marketing budget for this,
so there's a lot riding on it.
[exhales] Are we done?
Yes, I will let Taylor know
you're ready for hair and makeup.
Hair and makeup, gotcha, gotcha.
Welcome to "Love After".
-I'm Janeen.
-Hey, Janeen.
-Yeah.
-Need you miced up
-in 20 minutes.
-Okay.
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
You okay?
I'm fine, Morris.
It's just one of those days.
Remember, you're the face of this show.
Own it.
Thanks.
I appreciate it.
Yes, I'm the face.
[Morris] All right, let's go, people.
Places everyone.
We got a show put on.
Okay, everything's
looking good back here.
All right, let's clear the stage.
Okay, stage is clear.
Lacey, Lacey, let's get
the talent on stage.
-You can.
-Look alive, everybody.
All right, somebody cue the music.
And let's go in three, two, one.
[upbeat music]
Welcome, welcome to "Love After".
I'm your host, Janeen Lawrence,
and I'm here to help reach, teach,
restore, and inspire.
This is our how you lovin' segment.
And your love guru is here
to help you find the solution
you need to level up.
Now, we have selected two
lucky members from our audience
for our how you lovin' segment.
So let's get started.
Hey, queen, state your
name and where you're from.
Hey, Janeen.
-My name is Belinda.
-Hey.
Hey.
And I'm from Dallas.
So I finally started dating again
after a big bad back breakup
-about a, about a year ago.
-Okay.
And it's just been so nerve-wracking,
just trying to get back out there.
I don't wanna ask the wrong questions
and I don't wanna say
too much too soon.
-Mm.
-So it's.
Okay, okay,
Well, Belinda, first of all,
it's just natural dating jitters, right?
-Have a natural conversation.
-She looks good.
Excellent, excellent eye contact.
And most importantly, have fun.
Have fun, girl.
And remember, let me hear it.
Not every connection is a...
[Group] Romantic connection.
Yes, girl, have fun.
Let your hair down.
And you're beautiful.
-Okay.
-Thank you, queen.
Okay, introduce yourself.
Hi, I'm Carolyn.
-I'm from Philly.
-Hello.
Hi.
And I just was wondering,
how are you holding up?
I mean, with your
ex-husband divorcing you
and airing out all your dirty laundry.
I mean, it's not really
a good look, Janeen.
What the hells going on here?
Well, I don't know.
What, what's she doing?
What is she saying?
Excuse me.
You heard me.
I mean, you get on television
and you preach to all of us
like your life is so perfect,
but we all know honey, that's a front.
You need to fix your life.
[audience chattering]
Okay, what is your question?
Who is your husband banging?
[audience gasps]
Janeen, don't answer that.
No, it's fine.
-I'll answer.
-Yeah, let her answer.
-Carolyn.
-Jean, what are you doing?
You're absolutely correct.
Am my broken and flawed
like everybody else?
Yes.
Did I feel like giving up?
Yes.
It's hard being a mother, a wife,
having a career and
everything in between.
So yes, that's why I'm the perfect person
to host my show.
You may have this audience fooled,
but honey, you not fooling me.
I can see right through you.
Hot tamale.
Hot tamale, move!
-That was not in the script.
-All right, cut.
I mean, you can't even take
care of your own daughter.
What kind of mother are you?
You can't even take care
of your own daughter.
What kind of mother are
you? [Voice echoing]
What kind of mother?
Carolyn.
Cut to commercial.
Cut to commercial.
-Calm down.
-That is the red one.
-Calm down.
-Oh my God.
They all turn red when you press them.
She got me all messed up.
Ooh.
Who she thinks she's talking
to me like that, Morris?
She don't know nothing about me.
I should went over
there and slap the, ooh!
Janeen, you need to come down.
And then she got the nerve
to talk about my daughter,
my child, Morris.
[Janeen sighs]
[Minerva] Janeen, where you at?
Oh, here we go.
Get out.
What just happened out there?
Minerva, she just.
Save it.
It's bad enough that you came late again.
But then to have an audience member
call you out on your own show.
Look, I just, I just
got a little caught up.
Janeen, you know the rules.
We do not engage with the
audience in that matter.
Oh, and you're gonna love this.
This was sent in by a top blog spot.
You, wait, wait, what is this?
I was hoping you were able to tell me.
It says that you're an
unfit mother, an alcoholic,
and you can't take care of your child.
Minerva, someone is trying
to ruin my reputation.
You know, you can't believe
everything from the blogs.
Why would someone go to
this extent to hurt you?
And you're an alcoholic.
You can't be serious.
Very.
People see this and
they see that it's you.
Partying, drinking,
this is career suicide.
Not to mention what it does to the brand.
You see, you millennials the problem is,
is that you don't
understand the consequences
and you do not take accountability.
Minerva, I'm sorry.
I'll get to the bottom of this.
I promise.
You better because if
you don't bad reviews,
bad ratings and hello unemployment.
That's you.
Fix it.
Minerva.
[gentle music]
[Janeen scoffs]
[birds chirping]
Hi, Mommy.
[Janeen groans]
Let's have some tea.
Janeen, what's wrong with you?
Mommy, why you always
think something is wrong?
Because Jane, you always vex
and puffing up your face.
Mommy, me all right.
Please.
See I make some tea for you.
Come drink some tea with mama.
Bush tea.
Mama bush tea.
You don't cook no food,
no oxtail, curry chicken,
rice and peas something.
Me come all the way
from work for bush tea.
Girl, bush tea help bust the gas.
It help with the chest
pain, the belly pain.
Bush tea fix everything.
Okay, Mommy, I will drink the bush tea.
You should have put some liquor in it too.
That's why I always try to
take care of you, my child.
[Janeen chuckles]
There we go, all right.
It is time.
Hold on.
It's time to do our affirmations.
Are you ready?
Yes.
All right, I am.
Smart.
I am brave.
I am fierce.
I am loved.
I am.
[Sky and Stephan]
Powerful beyond measure.
Yes, you are baby girl.
Come here.
Father God, we thank you for
all that you have done doing
and about to do in our lives.
Father God, we ask that you continue
to watch over our family
as we lay to sleep.
We pray for your peace, your joy,
your love, and your strength.
We love you Lord.
-Amen.
-Amen.
All right.
All right, here you go.
Are you all right, baby girl?
What's wrong?
Daddy, how's Mommy doing?
She's doing much better, okay?
And she loves you very, very much.
And she will be by to
see you soon, okay?
Okay.
All right, give me a hug.
Come here.
[birds chirping]
I hate see you like this.
I don't want anything to
happen to my only child.
What am I supposed to do, Mama?
I don't understand.
Why is everything happening to me?
I'm gonna say something to you.
Don't be vex with me.
What?
I think Stephan is still in love with you.
He is still hurt from the
accident with you and Sky.
Mom, please.
I don't want to talk about it.
He just want to help you.
You never get over it.
You can't keep numbing it like this.
Mommy, please leave it alone.
I don't want to talk about it.
That's the only way you're going to heal.
No, I have to go.
Janeen, Janeen.
What's wrong with this pickney?
God, watch over her.
[insects chirping]
-Hmm.
-Something coming up next
that has to do with your health.
Right.
[Reporter] This is a very important item.
[remote clicks]
[phone whooshes]
Oh.
[gentle music] [Janeen laughs]
-Hi, Mommy.
-Hi, baby.
I miss you.
Are we still gonna have our
special lunch date tomorrow?
Of course.
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Yay.
I can't wait.
I can wear my special outfit.
You know I have mine picked out.
You're gonna be cute. [Chuckles]
You gonna look so cute, Mommy.
I love you, Mommy.
I love you too, baby.
See you soon.
Bye.
Bye.
I know she lost her daughter so.
She did, she did.
Hopefully she'll talk about it.
And just keep it calm, empathetic.
-You know kind issue.
-Hey ladies.
Ms. Ainsworth has just gotten
out hair and makeup.
So we have about two minutes
until we get started, okay?
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
So wait, what?
-Nothing.
-What?
I see the way you look at him.
You like him, don't you?
Okay, that is none
of your business, nosy.
We need to pay attention to your job.
Well, I say you should go for it.
You never know what could happen.
You apparently have a
lot to say, Miss Nosy.
[Janeen chuckles]
But did see him looking at me?
Yes, all the time.
And I'm not nosy, I just pay attention.
Honestly, you give me hope.
[Morris] 30 seconds.
[upbeat music]
Hello, my beautiful kings and queens,
and welcome to "Love After".
Today we have a special
guest for you guys.
She is the author of
the New York number one
bestselling award-winning novel.
"How to Discover Your Inner Star".
Please help me welcome the
one and only Janice Ainsworth.
[audience clapping]
-Woo.
-Hey.
You look good, girl.
Oh, thank you.
You look good too.
Thank you for having me.
I love your show.
I do, I do.
It's so insightful.
I enjoy it.
Oh my goodness.
First I have to start off by saying,
you are such an amazing
author, so inspirational.
Like you tour so many
countries to empower the masses
with three books under your belt.
Wow, that's amazing.
Thank you.
But if I'm honest, I didn't believe any
of this was possible
for somebody like me.
-Really?
-No, because I doubted myself
and my worth.
I was so afraid to live in my truth
and share my story until
I shifted my mindset.
Until I made that shift,
I started to live in my purpose,
but through my pain.
Live in my purpose through the pain.
Okay, I love that.
Look, you are so empowering
girl to so many women,
including myself.
Well, thank you, thank you.
Look, I am here to serve
and to pay it forward,
to help others to heal.
I've had to overcome my own grief,
especially during the holiday season.
Wow, now so many people are grieving,
and during the holiday is hard.
-Mm-hmm.
-Now I know that time
of year is personal for you.
Do you mind, for those
who don't know your story,
do you mind sharing briefly?
I don't.
I lost my daughter to brain cancer
three years ago on Christmas.
And it was difficult for us.
We tried everything from
chemotherapy treatments
to various medicines,
to meeting with some
of the best doctors and it wasn't enough.
It wasn't.
And eventually the doctors told us
that the cancer had
started to spread rapidly.
Ooh, um, so a few days later,
she passed away and it hit us hard.
Hard.
I felt lifeless.
I had to figure out how move
forward without Candace.
My daughter meant everything to me.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing that.
And I'm a mother, so I don't know
what I would do if I lost my daughter Sky.
Okay, listen to me.
Hold on to every precious moment
and spend quality time with her
because tomorrow is not promised.
Yes, that's true.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Thank you.
[sighs] Girl, look, you
have our full support here
and we would love to, you know,
offer our help, contribution.
Please let us know
how can we contribute
to your foundation.
Absolutely.
The Candace Foundation
raises awareness
and offers necessary resources
for cancer treatment.
So if you would like to make a donation,
you can visit candacefoundation.org.
Thank you, thank you
so much again for coming.
-Love you too.
-And to our studio audience,
you all are going to
be getting a free copy
of Janice's newly released book.
Please be sure to grab
a copy on your way out.
And give it up one more time
for the one and only Janice Ainsworth.
Thank you so much, Janice.
-You gotta come back.
-Absolutely.
You have got to be the
busiest woman on earth.
Why don't you take a break
and let's go get something to eat.
Oh, Morris, I wish I could.
I have a date with my daughter so.
Okay, okay.
You got your cute mommy
and daughter date.
I love that, I love that.
Well, y'all have fun and
we'll catch up tomorrow.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
Ah.
Ooh.
[birds chirping]
[Janeen and Sky] Cheers.
Ah. [Laughs]
Gotta teach you my language Patois.
Say. [Speaking in foreign language]
[Sky speaking in foreign language]
Did I say it right?
That was good, mama. [Laughs]
So Christmas is coming up.
What do you want for Christmas?
Mm.
Mommy, I don't want anything too fancy.
What?
No, no cars, no dresses,
no doll, no nothing.
No, Mommy.
All I want for Christmas
is you to come back home
and feel better.
Okay, baby.
[upbeat music]
Yeah. [Laughs]
Here.
Say thank you.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Another one.
Hello.
Thank you.
Good job, good job.
Big one, oh.
Ooh, here we go.
Thank you.
Oh my God, it's really you.
-Hi.
-It's Janeen
from the "Love After Show".
I'm such a huge fan.
Aw, thank you, thank you.
God, it's amazing to see
a woman of color on TV.
I wanna be just like you.
Thank you guys.
Aw, thank you.
-Take a picture?
-Absolutely.
[camera clicks]
-Ah.
-Thank you.
You guys are absolutely beautiful.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
-Here girl.
-Thank you.
You're such a beautiful soul.
-Thank you.
-Good job.
Say next in line.
Next in line.
[Stephan] What's up, baby girl?
Hi, Daddy.
Hi Samantha.
-Hey.
-Oh, Janeen,
this is Samantha.
Samantha, this is Janeen, Sky's mom.
Hi, it's so nice to meet you.
I heard so much about you.
Also brought some stuff for the drive.
-There you go.
-Thanks.
I, I hope it helps.
Wow, you got a such a cute family.
Can I take a picture of you together?
Uh, yeah, sure.
Can I take a picture
of just Mommy and Daddy?
Okay.
[camera snaps]
[Photographer] Okay, great.
Thank you.
All right, baby girl, I
am so proud of you.
You keep up the good work.
-Okay.
-You're doing a lot
of good work right now, okay?
Stephan.
Sky, be right back.
Can I please have a word?
Yeah.
Who is this girl you
have around my daughter?
Oh, that's Samantha.
We've seen each other
for a couple months now.
She is so good with Sky.
You got a woman around my daughter
without introducing her to me first?
You tripping.
No.
We need to talk about this.
Since tomorrow's Saturday,
can Sky spend the rest
of the weekend with me?
No.
We've already got an agreement
and we're sticking to it.
Stephan, that's not enough time.
She's already with me.
Janeen, this is not the, it's
not the time nor the place.
Plus, Samantha and I
got this huge weekend
already planned for Sky.
You'll get her next week.
Have a good day.
All right, baby girl.
Daddy loves you so much.
Keep up the good work, okay?
-Okay.
-I love you.
Love you.
Bye.
[traffic humming]
The nerve of this man.
The ink barely dried
on our divorce papers.
He already got another woman
around Sky and our loved ones.
Well, everybody moves
at their own pace.
He could have at least
allowed me to meet her
before allowing her to meet Sky, right?
I mean, come on.
At least show me that little respect.
But that too is outside of your control.
Then what am I supposed to do?
I just don't want Sky growing up thinking
that I'm a horrible mother
and I don't want this woman
raising my daughter neither.
Okay, you're not a horrible mother.
Okay.
But today's session is
about focusing on Janeen.
What are the things that you can do
that are gonna make you
the best version of you?
Right?
What are those things that
are gonna make you happy?
We know you love your work.
You love Sky, right?
But you, what are
those things you can do
to make you the best version of you?
What are those things that
are gonna make you happy?
I don't know.
That's good.
At least we have some place to go, right?
You don't have to know everything.
That's why you're here.
So, let's talk about growing up.
What was it like with your parents?
What was your childhood like?
I wish I had more time with my father.
You know, when we're children
and we don't really have a lot of control,
and we wanna spend
time with our parents,
and we can't, when we become parents,
then we're gonna fight for that, right?
So everything you're doing is normal,
fighting to be with your child,
and that's the connection.
You did good work today.
Look at me.
Should be proud of yourself.
This is what we call a breakthrough.
[insects chirping]
[Janeen exhales]
[phone ringing]
[phone whooshes]
Hello?
Hey, uh, you got a minute to talk?
Sure.
Is, is everything okay with Sky?
Yeah, no, no worries.
Sky's fine.
I, I've just been thinking
a lot about what you said,
and I'm gonna let Sky stay the weekend
with you if that's still fine.
Uh, yes, yes I would, I would love that.
Yeah, of course.
So I will get all her stuff together
and I'll bring her to you
first thing in the morning.
If you could though, drop her off
and pick her up from school on Monday,
that would be amazing
because I'm working late.
Yes, yes, Stephan, I
would, I would love that.
Thank you.
Look, I really need this, so thank you.
I appreciate this.
Of course.
See you in the morning.
Bye.
[upbeat music]
Ooh. [Giggles]
Ooh, attagirl.
Go straight down.
Yes.
Yes, girl.
Boom, boom.
[Janeen] Come back.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, am I doing it right?
You gotta coach me.
What do I need to do?
Pose, you pose.
Pose.
Ooh, get it girl.
Oh, oh, yes.
Yes, honey, yes.
Sky.
Oh, Sky.
You're it. [Laughs]
Ah! [Laughing]
Ah, ah, uh-oh.
[Group] Surprise!
What is happening?
Congratulations to our fearless leader.
"Love After" just got
renewed for season three
and we're going prime time.
-Yes.
-Yes.
Oh my gosh.
We did it, y'all.
Yes, we did.
-Yes we did.
-Yes.
Okay, that's enough.
Let go my bestie.
Move over, move it over to the left now.
[Janeen laughs]
Girl, you about to be on top! [Laughs]
I want a Lambo real bad.
-You know, nothing crazy.
-Right.
Just a Lambo.
And a house right next
to the beach, you know?
-Nothing crazy.
-Right.
Okay, that's enough.
You can move back now. [Laughs]
We did it, y'all!
Yes you did!
Oh, my God!
I just want to say that
I'm very proud of you.
We believed in you and you got it done.
Yes.
All right, well let's raise
a glass to Ms. Lawrence!
Yeah
Hey, let's go!
-You got that beat.
-Yeah.
-Let's dance.
-Yeah.
Do it.
Go Janeen.
Season three.
Go Janeen.
-Season three.
-Hey.
Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh
Funny.
Get off me.
We got a season three coming up.
Look at this.
Look at this.
Wow
You're doing.
[Taylor laughs]
Yeah
Check it, mm
Ah!
She's always so hands on.
I can't take her.
-Ow.
-Go.
Congratulations season three.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
[Shanice] Oh, my god.
[group cheering]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
-Oh, you wanna go again.
-Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh
[phone buzzing]
[phone ringing]
Hey, Ms. Lawrence.
Ms. Lawrence.
[phone buzzing]
Hey, your phone is blowing up.
I think you might need to take this.
Oh, wait, wait.
I'm sorry, gimme, gimme a minute.
-Hello?
-Hi.
Hi, Ms. Dalton.
I'm so sorry I got caught up at work.
I'm on my way, okay?
-[Ms. Dalton] You know Ms.
-Lawrence, Sky is still here
and she's been crying.
I know I'm so sorry, I'm
so sorry, but I'm on my way.
[Ms. Dalton] Hey, how are you?
Yeah, I'll be right with you.
Actually, you know what? Nevermind.
Ms. Lawrence, her guardian just arrived.
Oh, her dad.
Perfect.
Stephan.
Yeah, thank you, thank you.
[Ms. Dalton] No, a young
woman is here to pick her up.
Whoa, whoa, young woman?
Who's picking up my daughter
without my permission?
[Ms. Dalton] The young
woman's name is Samantha.
She is listed as an emergency contact.
What?
[insects chirping]
Babe, look who's here.
Why you got your little
girlfriend picking up my daughter?
Excuse me.
[brooding music] [Stephan scoffs]
Janeen, where were you?
Stephan, I was only five minutes late.
- I wasn't-
- What excuse are you
gonna give me for not picking up Sky?
I was at work, I got a little wrapped up.
But I'm saying I was only five.
It's always the same excuse with you.
You just don't have time.
If you let me explain.
No, Janeen, I was in
the middle of working
with a client when I got the call
that Samantha had picked
up Sky from school.
What if they couldn't get ahold of her?
I should have known better
than to let her stay with you.
But here I am giving you
the benefit of the doubt.
Stephan, you know how much
my daughter means to me.
I love Sky.
How could you even say
something like that?
What kind of mother abandons
her daughter at school,
let alone miss her recital.
I'm sorry, baby.
I don't mean to overstep.
But you needs to prioritize and
show Stephan some appreciation
because he does a lot.
Excuse you.
[Samantha] You heard me.
It is time you put your
daughter first for a change.
-What?
-No.
[Samantha] You better get outta my face.
Get your girl.
Get, no, she out of pocket.
I'm out of pocket.
You in our house.
-Your girl.
-You better control her.
- She's-
- Outta pocket.
-Please, I got this.
-Okay.
I got this.
Who you talking to?
[Stephan sighs]
Really?
You are something else.
Janeen.
You know what, Stephan?
Where's Sky?
They said she was crying.
Where's Sky?
I need to see her.
Janeen, Sky's asleep.
You need to leave now.
Matching pajamas.
Mama bear, papa. [Scoffs]
Oh.
No, Mommy, he was really pissed.
Like I messed up big time.
I had one job, one job to
get Sky from school on time,
and I couldn't even get that right.
And now girlfriend thinks
that she can say
whatever she want anytime
because she's around my
daughter more than me.
Jan, everything will be okay.
Give yourself some grace.
Mommy, I wish it was that simple.
Surrender everything to God.
Allow him to fight your battle for you.
Just trust in him.
I know.
Oh, I just need to let it go.
Let it go, let it go.
You're right, I'll figure it out.
You're stronger than you think.
You are so strong.
Just leave everything
in the hands of God.
Allow him to fight it for you.
Relax, drink some tea.
[birds chirping]
[knuckles tapping]
[door clicks]
Hi, how may I help you?
[Messenger] Hi, are
you Janeen Lawrence?
Yes.
[Messenger] These are for you.
You've been served.
Been served?
[knuckles pounding]
[door clicks]
-Hi.
-Get out my way.
Where's Stephan?
Hi, Janeen, is everything all right?
Don't talk to me.
Janeen, why are you screaming?
Get down here right now!
[Stephan sighs]
Yeah, come downstairs.
What do you want?
[papers slap]
How dare you?
I see you got these early, huh?
That's it.
That's all you gotta say.
You can't even be man enough
to handle this between us.
You had to drag the courts in too.
I see what this is.
You two are trying to erase me.
You're trying to erase me
so you can get full custody
for child support.
Child support?
I don't need your money.
Janeen, you tied my hands.
So now I have to do what's best for Sky
because she's my priority.
Stephan, you had many
options and you chose this.
[Stephan sighs]
You know you got some nerve.
You gonna stand here
and act all clueless.
What are you talking about?
-What am I talking?
-Yeah.
After what you did,
do you really think you
deserve custody of Sky?
[scoffs] I mean, you can't even take care
of yourself right now.
And I have given you
chance after chance,
after chance to make things right.
You just can't get your shit together.
Stephan, okay, she's my daughter too.
Please.
But were you thinking about that
when you were driving drunk
with our daughter in the backseat?
Huh?
You gonna keep bringing that.
Mommy, Mommy.
-Baby.
-Mommy.
-Hi.
-Hi, Mommy.
Am I going home with you today?
No, baby girl.
I'm sorry, not today.
But you promised.
I know.
Next week though, okay?
Samantha, you think you can
take Sky upstairs, please?
Okay.
-Bye.
-Love you.
Love you, Mommy.
-I love you.
-I love you.
Hey baby girl.
How about we go upstairs
and play your favorite game?
-Okay.
-Yeah.
Come on, let's go.
-Love you.
-Bye baby.
[Sky] Bye, Mommy.
-Love you.
-I love you too, Sky.
[Janeen crying]
Stephan, please, please don't do this.
Janeen, you need to
get your life in order.
I cannot keep exposing Sky to things
that are gonna traumatize her.
Exposing to things like her mother.
Stephan, you will not do this,
and you will hear from my lawyer.
All right.
With your record, see you in court.
[brooding music] [traffic humming]
[insects chirping] [group chattering]
Mm.
Mm.
Janeen, you're not driving
home tonight, are you?
Greg, leave me alone.
Give, gimme another.
Why do we always go through this?
I tell you what, I'm
just go grab your Uber.
Keep 'em coming, Greg.
Gimme another one.
Ah.
[Patron] Are you Janeen?
Janeen Lawrence?
-Who's asking?
-I'm a big fan.
I watch you on TV all the time.
You're better than this.
Don't drink your life away.
Ma'am, that's all real deep.
Mind your business.
Mind your business.
Back business.
Give me another one.
[insects chirping]
[Janeen snoring]
[phone ringing]
[Janeen groans]
[phone whooshes]
Hello?
Morris, what, what, what?
The interview!
Morris, Morris, Morris,
look, I'm on my way.
Morris, Morris, look.
Hello.
Morris, look, I'm on my way.
Tell her I'm ready.
What do you mean she handled it?
Hello?
Hello?
No he didn't.
[Janeen panting]
Ah.
[perfume spraying]
Welcome to "The Love After Show".
Today is gonna be a very special show,
so we're gonna switch things up a bit.
Unfortunately, Janeen will
not be joining us tonight.
But no need to worry
because we have the one
and only Kimberly Washington,
one of the top celebrity hosts
with the number one show
"Tea Time with Kim".
Thank you so much,
Minerva, for having me.
Well today, guys,
we have a special holiday
segment in store for you.
[audience chattering]
Uh, uh-uh.
Whoa.
Janeen, what are you doing?
We're on a live taping.
So?
I'm here.
So I don't need makeup.
It's raw, it's real.
I don't need filters.
Matter of fact, I showed up.
-Janeen.
-Taylor.
Where's Taylor?
She can put my makeup on real quick.
I'm here.
- Minerva-
- No, I'm going.
What is going on here?
I'm not used to working like this.
You either sort this out or I'm walking.
-No, Kimberly.
-This is crazy.
We need you.
Stay.
-The show must go on you.
-Need you?
You just gonna have me
walk out here like that.
[audience chattering]
You gonna choose Kimberly over me.
I sacrificed everything to
make the show a success.
I sacrificed my family,
my marriage, my life.
And for what?
Janeen, you need to leave.
You need to leave.
Security.
Get her outta here.
No.
Minerva, really?
That's what we doing.
-Janeen.
-Get your hands off of me!
Janeen.
Well, guys, we are live.
And you never know
what's gonna happen.
If you know someone
struggling with alcoholism,
please make sure that they
call the prevention line
on the bottom of the screen.
We'll be back right after
this commercial break.
What the?
I don't know.
This is absurd.
This is absurd.
No, Kimberly, we need you.
I need you to stay.
Come, Kimberly.
[melancholic music]
This is what I get.
Where were you?
[Janeen exhaling]
You supposed to have my back.
I lost everything.
I am the face, I am the face.
Welcome to "Love After".
Janeen Lawrence, Lawrence.
[Janeen groans]
[crying] Please.
[crying] Why?
Why?
Why?
This is not fair.
[Janeen crying]
I'm the face. [Cries]
Welcome.
[Janeen crying]
[Janeen gaging]
[Janeen retching]
[Janeen crying]
[Janeen retching]
Lost him, just Sky. [Crying]
I'm coming.
I'll be right there.
Mommy, mommy's tired.
Mm-hmm.
[Janeen coughing]
[crying] I lost everything.
I lost everything!
[Janeen crying]
[birds chirping]
Oh my.
Just what?
How did I get?
What?
Oh, my, oh.
Gotta stop drinking.
How did?
[phone ringing]
[Janeen sighs]
-Hi, Mommy.
-Janeen.
Why are the neighbor calling me,
telling me you're sleeping in the bushes?
What's going on with you?
Mommy, I'm sorry.
I just, I need help.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
[Paulette] Please, baby.
I can't bear to lose you.
Losing you will kill me.
Mommy, I just, I know,
I know I need help.
I just don't know what to do.
Where do I?
I don't know, I don't know.
[Paulette] Janeen, I know a woman
by the name of Dr. Baker.
She can help you.
Please, if you don't do it for me,
can you please do it for Sky?
Okay.
Yeah, I'll do whatever.
Yeah.
[Paulette] I will set up
the appointment for you.
Baby, just remember, Mommy loves you.
I love you too, Mom.
[door clicks]
[traffic humming]
Welcome to our inpatient
treatment program.
We're also glad that you decided
to take the first step
in your recovery journey.
Now, I'm Dr. Baker,
and I'll be your therapist
during your stay here.
Now, I had an opportunity
review your medical history.
And it appears that you were
recently in a car accident,
which led you to voluntarily seek
treatment for alcohol addiction.
Is that correct?
Yeah, yeah.
Well, over 75% of our
patients have been able
to maintain their sobriety while
after leaving our facility.
Our goal here is not just
to help you overcome your addiction,
but it's also to teach you skills
and strategies so that you
can maintain your sobriety
well after you leave our program.
Now, I know that this experience
can be very difficult and challenging,
but I want you to know
that you're not alone.
Me and my team are here
to support you every step of the way.
So how does everything
that I said sound?
Are you ready to start on Wednesday?
Mm, yeah, yeah.
I'm as ready as I'm gonna be.
[Dr. Baker] Okay good.
[man vocalizing]
Yeah
This is the love after
I fell in love with you, with you
Can't nobody make my
heart beat, my heart beat
The way you do, do
This is the love after the hurt
The rain, heartache
The pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This is the love after the peace
That came and you're to blame
Yeah, yeah
Tell me how to love again
When you can need
your love yourself
Never would I let you in
That's why I show love to myself
You couldn't even love me
when I gave you everything
So how can you love me
now while I got everything
Oh, this is the love after
Welcome everyone.
My name is Dr. Danielle Baker,
and welcome to Baker's Retreat Center.
Now I'll be assisting you
on your journey to sobriety.
My mission in starting this facility was
because of my relationship with alcohol.
I lost my job, my family, my house,
all because I was more
connected to the bottle
and it ruined my entire life.
And I hit rock bottom.
And I remember asking, God,
if you can please pull me out of this,
I promise to dedicate my
life to assisting others
who are also struggling with addiction.
Now, I know many of you here
have gone through stages
of trauma, hurt, betrayal,
and some of you have even
suffered with depression
that you feel like you can't
pull yourself from out of.
But I'm here to let you
know at this facility,
this is where we peel back
the layers of hopelessness,
of fear, of anxiety and depression.
And I want you to know
you're not gonna go
through this alone because
we're all in this together.
Okay?
All right, well, let's
welcome our first guest.
Please introduce yourself.
Uh, hello everyone.
My name is Janeen Lawrence
and I'm an alcoholic.
[Group] Hi, Janeen.
And I allowed alcohol to control my life.
It alienated me.
And like you, Dr. Baker,
I lost my marriage,
my career, and now I'm on the
verge of losing my daughter.
I don't get to see her like I used to.
And I'm not gonna lie,
it's been very hard.
I just wanna, I just
want my baby girl back.
But I had to realize that
I had to find me first.
And it took my baby girl
reminded me that I needed
to surrender everything
to God in order to heal.
[Dr. Baker] Yes.
And now I'm finally ready.
Yeah.
Thank you so much for sharing, Janeen.
[traffic humming]
So how did you like it?
Like the yoga?
-I liked it.
-Yeah.
[Attendee] How about yourself?
I like it too.
This is my first time doing it
so I was like feeling a little awkward,
but I was like, oh, okay, this is fun.
-Yeah.
-It's your first time.
[Attendee] Yeah, it
was a good experience.
Yeah, it was my first time.
Wow.
You did good though.
-Yeah.
-Wait.
Hold one second.
-Talk to you later.
-Okay.
Hi, baby.
Hi, Mommy.
-I miss you.
-I miss you too.
How you like it there?
Good.
Guess what?
I let my fears go
and I told my story to everyone
and I opened up to everyone
and told my story and it felt good.
It felt really good.
I'm so happy for you, Mommy.
I wish I was spending
Christmas with you.
I know, baby.
But you'll be with your dad this holiday
and I'll get next holiday
since we're rotating.
But I get to spend New Year's with you.
Yay.
I can't wait, Mommy.
Me too.
I love you.
I love you too, Mommy.
I know many of you
have come in here broken,
but before you leave,
we're gonna put those
pieces back together.
We're gonna heal those inner childs.
We're gonna heal those wounds
because each and every
one of you are a queen.
Repeat after me.
I am a queen.
[Group] I am a queen.
I am powerful.
[Group] I am powerful.
God loves me.
[Group] God loves me.
[Dr. Baker] Amen.
[Group] Amen.
Goddess pose.
One, two, three, four, five.
Switch, deep.
One more time, and warrior two.
Feel that exact position.
Reverse.
[man vocalizing]
And forward.
And lean and back to mountain pose.
Reach.
[man vocalizing]
[man vocalizing]
Well, Janeen, here we are.
You made it to the last
day of the program.
I just wanted to let you
know how proud I am of you.
You came in here in pieces,
but you're leaving whole.
And you did the work.
And I have no doubt that
you're gonna leave here
and do some amazing things in your life.
How do you feel?
I feel great.
I feel real good.
You know, I came in,
broken, broke. [Laughs]
Was ready to just throw in
the towel, ready to give up
but you, Dr. Baker, gave me hope.
And I can't thank you enough.
And it feels good to know that,
I'm leaving out of this
place a new Janeen,
a new woman, just restored, evolved,
and just ready to keep rising,
shift to my new identity.
And I thank you.
Yes, well, congratulations
on a job well done.
And because of that, I
have something special
that I want to share with you.
What?
You see, this, that I wear, this bindi.
It's symbolic.
And it's to keep you
centered, to keep you whole
and for you to remember who you are.
And I have one for you.
I would love to present you with one.
Would that be okay?
-Yes.
-Okay.
All right.
[man vocalizing]
[birds chirping]
Close your eyes.
I have surprise for you.
-Close your eyes.
-All right.
Close your eyes.
-Watch your step.
-Okay.
Now?
Okay.
Stand right there.
-Okay.
-And close your eyes.
Okay.
Open your eyes.
[Group] Surprise!
[group laughing]
-Girl, we got you.
-Oh, you guys.
I did not expect this.
Wow, wow, wow, wow.
We love you and there is more.
-Okay.
-More surprise for you.
[Janeen] Close my eyes again?
-Close your eyes.
-Okay.
Come on in.
-Uh-oh.
-No peeking.
No peeking.
Open your eyes and turn around.
Okay. [Chuckles]
Daddy.
Hello Jan Jan.
It's been a long time.
Daddy.
Mother called.
She told me what had happened.
I caught the first flight here.
You guys.
Thank you.
Daddy, oh my God.
I was not, I was not expecting this.
I was not expecting this.
Thank you.
You came a long way.
-Yeah.
-Mm-hmm.
I'm so proud of you.
-Thank you.
-Yes.
Thank you.
I was not expecting this at all.
You guys I'm so grateful.
I'm humbled, I'm honored
that I have loved ones
who truly cares about me.
And you guys have been there
through the ups, the downs,
the good, the bad, the struggles.
It has been very hard but I'm here.
I'm doing it and I'm grateful.
-Thank you.
-We're here.
-You did it.
-Mm-hmm.
We're all here for you.
Love you, girl! [Laughs]
[lips smack] [insects chirping]
What your mother did for you was nice.
[laughs] Mommy is the best.
She's something else. [Laughs]
Listen, Jan, I know I'm
not father of the year
and I don't deserve to be in your life.
But I feel responsible for
what has happened to you
and your attitude towards love.
Jan, the first time
a woman knows love is her father's.
And I have failed at that.
But there is nothing in this
world I wouldn't do to make up
for those times.
It's okay, it's okay, Daddy.
I forgive you.
I forgive you.
New beginning, fresh start, right?
The most beautiful
princess I've ever seen.
The one, the only.
[Both] Princess Janeen.
You remember that?
Yes.
I love you, baby.
Thank you.
Thank you, Dad.
[lips smack]
[Janeen laughs]
Drink up to mom's tea.
[both laughing]
Well, she hasn't lost her touch.
But don't tell her I said that.
I, I won't.
[Janeen laughs] [phone buzzing]
Hmm?
Everything all right?
Yeah, I think the night
just got even more special.
[gentle music]
So tell me now with
the Jamaica, what part,
what part you said did you move to?
Listen, when are you coming?
You have to come home.
Yes, I wanna go home.
-Right.
-Yes.
Right, and bring the little one.
Yes, yes, oh, she would love it.
Sky, Sky.
[Sky] Mommy.
Oh my baby.
Sky, I miss you.
[Sky] I miss you too, Mommy.
These are for you.
These are beautiful.
Follow me.
Follow you.
Okay.
Oh.
Stephan. [Chuckles]
Janeen.
Surprise.
This is for you.
Merry Christmas.
What's it?
Listen, open it later.
-Okay.
-Okay.
But I wanted to tell you that I spoke
to your mom and I heard
about all the progress
that you're making with getting help
and wow, I'm proud of you, okay?
And no more custody.
We can deal with this
just between me and you.
We don't, we don't have to bring
the courts into this, okay?
I just wanted to tell you that.
Yes.
Okay?
-Thank you.
-Merry Christmas.
I am so, so sorry for everything.
I know, I know, you said I
needed help a long time ago
and I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for all the hurt
and the pain that I've caused you
as a wife and as a mother.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
But listen, let's move forward, okay?
The most important
thing is you're healthy
and you're focused.
So just keep working the steps.
[Janeen] Thank you.
[Stephan] Huh?
I didn't know I was gonna
see you for the holidays.
This is crazy.
[Janeen and Stephan laughing]
Wow.
-Huh, we got her.
-Oh.
We wanted it to be a surprise.
-Yes.
-You know?
And what better present than
your daughter, you know?
And there's been some talk of,
you know, me and Samantha
going away for the holidays.
So, I mean, if you want Sky for the week.
For the week, like the whole week.
[Sky] Yay!
Oh, thank you, thank you.
Yeah.
-I'm so sorry.
-It's okay.
Wow, I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
It's all right.
-Okay.
-All right.
Mm-hmm.
Don't worry about it.
-Okay.
-All right.
Uh, just let me say,
let me say goodbye to my.
-Okay.
-To my little princess.
[Janeen] Yes.
Baby girl, I want you
to take really good care
of your mommy, okay?
[Sky] Okay.
[Stephan] And I'm gonna miss you.
I miss you too, Daddy.
Come, give me big hugs.
All right.
Mm, okay, I'm gonna
get outta here, okay?
Okay.
All right, all right, I gotta take off.
Uh.
I'm sorry again, okay?
Merry Christmas, okay?
-Merry Christmas.
-All right.
-Stephan.
-All right.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
All right, okay.
[Janeen crying] [upbeat festive music]
Oh, just me and you. [Laughs]
Oh baby, I love you.
I love you too, Mommy.
And I missed you.
I missed you too.
What are we having for dinner?
I didn't cook.
You didn't cook?
Why not?
I don't know how to cook.
You don't know how to cook.
Daddy didn't teach you?
[laughs] Give me a hug.
[Janeen laughs]
You look like you are glowing.
It's the holiday season.
Let me take your coat.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
-No, no, you.
-Hmm.
I don't need a gift.
It's the least I could do.
For what I do.
Please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.
Just I'm, I'm in a great space.
You know, just things are looking up
and I've been attending
my weekly AA meetings
to maintain my recovery so I feel great.
-Proud of you.
-Thank you.
That's, that's big.
You know, it's one step at a time, right?
Yeah, yeah.
- Just-
- Baby steps.
Yes, journey of thousand
miles begins with one step.
-Yeah.
-That's a great first step.
Thank you.
I needed to just face
my problems head on.
Just stop running and just do the work.
Do the work.
I proud of you.
And great news.
I got to spend Christmas with Sky
and my father came from Jamaica.
All, wow.
-All the way.
-All the way.
-In the cold.
-In the cold.
Wow, that, that deserves,
that deserves a celebration.
-Yeah.
-Maybe some egg nog.
-I like that.
-What do Jamaicans
drink for Christmas?
-What is that?
-Egg nog.
Egg nog, no alcohol.
-Alcohol free.
-Alcohol free.
-Alcohol free.
-Of course.
I feel overstand that
Nothin' can keep you down
You're powerful and the way bound
Me say nothin' can keep you down
You I feel overstand that
Nothin' can keep you down
Nothin' can keep you down
You are for rise up, yeah
There is love after the hurt
You are for rise up, yeah
There is love after the pain
You are for rise up, yeah
There is love after the migraine
You are for rise up, yeah
And take your rightful place
You are for rise up
You are for rise up
Rise up
Yeah, yeah
You are for rise up, yeah
[dramatic music]
[graphic whooshing]
[electricity crackling]
[brooding music]
[graphic whooshing]
[suspenseful music]
[dramatic music]