Frank, Daisy, and Rafe hoisted the American Flag, signifying the start of Independence Day. Rafe wondered if his mother would show up at the Bauer Barbecue. He told Frank that even if she did, it'd be weird because she'd be with Olivia.

Rick's guests began arriving at the barbecue, complaining about Rick's smoky grill. Rick claimed he never burned his Bauer Burgers. When Bill and Lizzie started smooching, Blake commented that she remembered the feeling. "I'm feeling it right now," Rick said, trying to kiss Blake. Blake called for Frank to save her, but wound up saving herself as Frank laughed.

Billy arrived with Mindy. While they had drinks, Mindy wondered if Billy might make Vanessa his wife again. Billy said that if he ever did remarry, Mindy would still always be his best girl; on the day Mindy had been born, Billy had known he'd never be alone.

Michelle, Robby, Hope, and Danny arrived from California, and Rick tried to put them to work. Michelle claimed she was just a guest, but Danny offered to do anything except wear the chef hat. Later, Rick found Blake and Frank, and asked if they could pick up a few things that he'd forgotten: ice, buns, napkins, forks, tin foil, hamburgers, hot dogs, and mustard. "That's the whole list!" Blake complained. Rick replied, "It said potluck on the invitation."

At the hospital, Phillip received his shot from Lillian. He said that Alan was taking James to the Caribbean, so it'd just be Phillip and his girls at the barbecue. Lillian felt that Phillip should tell his family about his condition, and stop Alan and James from taking off. Phillip really wanted to have his family around him at the event, but he didn't want to start a fight with Alan.

Lillian called Beth to say that Phillip needed his family at the cookout. Beth put James on the phone, and Lillian tried to convince him to go to the barbecue. James refused to pass up a chance to go to the Caribbean. After the call, Lillian dialed the airport, pretending to be Alan's employee, Janet. She told them that Alan had changed his mind about his trip, and advised them to give his pilot and backup pilots the day off.

At the mansion, Phillip approached James about the cookout. Alan stormed into the room, complaining, "Idiot pilot...Who the hell takes a vacation in July?" While Alan called Janet to find his backup pilot, Phillip asked if James and Alan were still flying off. "Not today," Alan replied. Phillip asked James to go to the barbecue, but James declined. Alan added that he wouldn't be going, either. "I didn't invite you," Phillip murmured, and exited.

Phillip went to Company, where Rafe and Daisy were getting more picnic supplies. Daisy cracked open a beer as Phillip asked her if she could convince James to attend the barbecue. Daisy didn't want to get in the middle of things, but Phillip said that James could use a friend after getting arrested. Daisy said she'd do her best. Phillip thanked her, and took her beer.

When Phillip arrived at the party, Blake stuck her hand out for some money, saying Rick had forgotten a few things-including his wallet. Phillip gave Blake some money, and Rick promised to pay Phillip back. Rick said that he wasn't so organized that year, but Phillip could help him plan the barbecue for the next year. Phillip sullenly replied that it would be fun.

Phillip strode over to Lillian to warn that her dire expression would ruin the party. "We just got you back," she said, choking back tears. Phillip encouraged her to celebrate the fact that they were all together. When Beth arrived, Billy took a picture of the Four Musketeers.

Phillip found Bill admiring Lizzie as she played with Emma. Bill said that Lizzie was beautiful, and everything she did was beautiful. Phillip was happy that Lizzie had someone who loved her so much. Lizzie approached, wondering if she should worry about their serious faces. Phillip kissed her forehead, and said she never had to worry again.

Phillip greeted Danny, and Michelle trotted off to talk to Bill. Phillip admitted that he'd been unsure of Michelle and Danny's marriage, but it had fared well. Danny said he'd learned to connect with people he loved. Danny ran off to chase Hope, who had gotten into the sparklers.

Natalia sat at home, looking at pregnancy brochures. When Olivia called her to express her and Emma's excitement about the cookout, Natalia said she was running late, and would meet them at the Bauers'. A disappointed Olivia had really wanted to talk to Emma before the barbecue, but agreed to meet Natalia at the event.

When Olivia and Emma arrived in the Bauer kitchen, Emma ran into Phillip's arms. He said that Emma had a great mother. He whispered that he never told Olivia that enough. Emma handed him a monster-sized crispy treat, and headed out. Phillip wondered if Olivia had told Emma about Natalia yet. Olivia said they were going to do it when Natalia arrived.

While running errands for Rick, Blake saw Natalia outside the mini-mart, looking peaked. Natalia insisted that she was okay, and wandered into the store. She grabbed a ginger ale bottle, and halted when she saw items in the baby aisle. "Natalia, are you okay?" Frank asked. Natalia looked up to see Frank in the next aisle, looking concerned.

Natalia claimed that she was fine. Stumbling for conversation, Frank said he thought Rafe was looking forward to seeing Natalia at the cookout. Frank offered her a ride, but she said she wasn't ready to go yet. Natalia thanked him for being a good man.

At the church, Father Ray was psyched that he was going to see his cousin, Danny, with his wife, Michelle, and their kids at the barbecue. Natalia sat alone in his pews. She shocked him, asking if it were a greater sin to love a woman or to have unmarried sex with a man. "I'm pregnant," Natalia said. She didn't know if God was punishing her, telling her that she should have married Frank, or both.

Father Ray's mouth fell open. He sat down, looking stunned. After he recovered, he said God wasn't punishing her. She said she didn't know how to tell Frank or Olivia the news. Father Ray suggested that she go away for a while to figure things out. Natalia thought that sounded like running away, but he disagreed, saying it was running toward something. Once she took some time to find a little peace, she'd know how to handle matters.

As a giddy Olivia served drinks later, partygoers noticed how elated she seemed. Rafe asked her if his mother would be there. Olivia said that she expected Natalia to arrive soon, and Rafe wandered off. Frank approached for some lemonade, and mentioned that he'd seen Natalia, who had said she was on her way. Frank wondered if there was an extra kick in the drink. Olivia replied that she was just happy to celebrate the holiday.

Later, Phillip and Olivia watched the festivities. Phillip said that he could stand there forever, watching everyone being happy. He asked if Natalia really made Olivia happy. Olivia said that for the first time, she couldn't wait for the next day to arrive.

At Company, Blake had just packed up the hot dogs when Alan strolled in for coffee. She said they were closed for the barbecue, but he insisted upon getting his drink. She poured coffee into a to-go cup, and shooed him out of the restaurant.

Daisy infiltrated the mansion, and found James playing video games. She invited him to the barbecue, but he said he liked to be alone, where he could be himself. He felt that he had to be someone different to every person in town. Daisy wondered if he were himself with her, because she liked that version of him. He said it was pretty close to the real him. Daisy replied that the James she knew was fun, and that was the James she wanted at the barbecue.

Daisy beat James's high score on the video game, and left the house. James tracked her to the patio, looking for a rematch. She advised him to compete against her at the cookout games, and left. Alan arrived home, and tossed a Frisbee with James. When Alan said Frisbees were a waste of time, James replied that some things were supposed to be a waste of time.

Daisy returned to the barbecue. Phillip asked her if she'd spoken to James. Daisy replied that she had tried, but she didn't know if James would show up.

Rick announced that it was time for the egg toss. "You're either grabbing a dog or you're grabbing an egg!" Rick said. As Daisy gathered her eggs, James wondered whom they were egging. Daisy looked up, surprised by his presence. Phillip noticed, and walked over with Emma to say that he was glad James was there. Phillip and Emma gathered eggs, and walked off.