Frank and Natalia bond while talking about Marina and Rafe. Max condition suddenly worsens and everyone gathers at the hospital, terrified for the baby. The doctors try to help the baby but hours later Mel tells a heartbroken family that Max is gone. Everyone grieves the death of baby Max.
08.01.08 Natalia Travels to L.A./Olivia Teams Up With Remy
Natalia travels to L.A. because of Alan’s vision and runs into Lizzie there. Lizzie insists that Alan’s visions are not real but Natalia can’t help but have faith. Olivia tells Bill that he will not take Max away from Ava and asks Remy for help.
07.31.08 Olivia Comes Home
Olivia returns and is furious with Jeffrey for sending Ava away. Jeffrey finally gets through to her explaining that their daughter needed help. Dinah tells Bill that Ava called and asked for Bill to stop fighting Remy and to allow for Remy to be part of Max’s life. Bill throws out Olivia’s and Ava’s stuff and tells Olivia that both Olivia and Ava are out of there.
07.28.08 Ava Leaves Springfield
Jeffrey visits Ava and finds her spirits very low. Reva finds Ava crying uncontrollably and realizes that Ava is going through a post-partum depression. As Ava continues to spiral deeper into depression, Jeffrey decides to send her to a clinic in Chicago. Bill and Remy deal with Ava’s departure.
07.25.08 The Fight For Max Begins
The fight for Max begins as Bill refuses to give up Max and Remy warns him not to stand in his way. Ava starts slipping into post-partum depression.
07.24.08 Everyone Meets Max
Max is born and to everyone’s shock, the child is black. Bill gets over the original surprise and starts falling in love with the baby. Remy sees the child and figures out that it’s his son.
07.23.08 Ava Goes Into Early Labour
Ava and Bill deal with the reporter who shows up asking for commentary on what Bill and Lizzie were doing together at the cabin. Remy shows up at the Spaulding mansion and tries to cheer Ava up. Remy and Ava go out for lunch at Towers and then are forced to try to escape when they see the reporter there. In the elevator, Ava and Remy begin to kiss when Ava suddenly feels the contractions. Ava is brought to the hospital where worried Bill is waiting for her and Ava is taken to the delivery room.
07.14.08 Ava’s Marriage Starts To Crumble
Ava shows up at Remy’s place in hopes of renewing their friendship. Bill and Lizzie meet at the cottage where Bill realizes that Lizzie assumed he bought the cottage to be their secret meeting place. Bill confesses that’s not the case and that he bought the place for Ava and Max. When distraught Lizzie tries to leave, Bill stops her and begs her to stay. Olivia is looking for Ava everywhere and becomes worried. She calls Bill and interrupts Bill and Lizzie in the middle of a passionate kiss. Bill finds Ava at Remy’s and lectures her for disappearing. At home, Bill and Ava have an argument about Remy. Olivia senses the tension between Bill and Ava as Ava becomes visibly disillusioned in her married life.
07.10.08 Secluded, Cozy, Perfect For a Family
Dinah and Olivia continue to spar over who calls the shots at the mansion. Bill admits to Olivia that he knows about the baby but chose to get past it. Ava is excited to discover a cabin Bill has recently purchased and assumes that it’s a surprise for her and Max. Lizzie finds the description of the cabin and begins to think Bill bought it for their secret meetings; Bill doesn’t correct her. Ava has a scare with the baby and Dinah takes her to the hospital. Olivia asks Lizzie to give Bill and Ava space so that they can have a chance at being a family. Later Lizzie makes a call to Bill asking him to meet her – he won’t regret it.
07.04.08 The 4th of July
Everyone gathers at Josh’s and Cassie’s farmhouse to celebrate the 4th of July. Natalia confesses to Alan that she feels out of place. Remy finds out from Lizzie about Ava going to a fertility clinic and later tells Ava how disappointed he is in her for lying.