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Original Airdate: 02/10/97
At school, Matt and John Hamilton asks John's sister, Keesha if she and Mary can take the kids to the movies that night so they can bring their dates over. Mary says no way because of her plans to have friends over to watch some videos. They come up with a plan where Mary and her friends can have the living room if Matt and John can have the den to entertain their dates. Mary agrees - but it all hinges on getting the younger kids out of the house. Lucy manages to take in $20 for volunteering to take the kids to the movies, with the provision that Jimmy Moon can come along as well.
Back at home, Ruthie is heartbroken at the thought of giving away Happy's puppies. Annie tries to comfort Ruthie, telling her it would be like Ruthie living at home when she is 30-years-old, which alarms Ruthie because it means she will someday move out. Annie tells Ruthie that Lucy's friend Dwight will make a good home for the puppies.
As Annie and Eric head out on their wilderness adventure, Annie tells Matt to keep an eye on Happy when the puppies are gone. Simon tell his dad not to worry at all about them tonight. Upstairs, Lucy calls Jimmy and tells him the plan for the night. Lucy comes up with a plan to take the kids to an animation retrospective while they go see a French film in a separate theatre. Jimmy agrees.
When Dwight and his mom arrive, Simon gathers up all the puppies and their favorite toys and puts them all in one basket. He follows Matt closely downstairs where Matt presents the basket to Dwight and his mom who immediately falls in love with them. When the kids are about to leave to go to the movies, Simon makes sure that Matt knows he has to watch Happy closely.
Matt and John later bring their dates home and surprised to find Mary and Keesha throwing a party in the living room. Not having any other option, they and their dates join in the festivities.
Out in the wilderness, Eric and Morgan Hamilton are complaining about being out in the middle of nowhere. Eric asks Morgan if he can borrow Morgan's sermon for Sunday, but upon hearing the subject matter he decides it may be a little too much for his congregation. In one of the big tents, Annie and Patricia Hamilton are going through the sexy lingerie they brought for the guys' benefit when Morgan's pager goes off. Morgan uses Eric's cell phone to call back and is surprised to hear Patricia's ex-husband on the line. The call puts a damper on the evening.
At the movies, the kids are enjoying the cartoons while in the next theater Lucy and Jimmy exchange Valentines. Lucy is shocked when she opens her card and reads, "If a pretty girl is like a melody... how come you're such a strain?" Jimmy says he was going for a light card since they are seeing a heavy movie, but Lucy is anything but amused.
Mary and Keesha scope out the boys at her party when some guys come to the house bringing beer. Matt tells them to knock off the drinking and then sees another guy move in on his girlfriend. Likewise, John's date does the same thing. A police officer eventually breaks up the party and tells Matt that Happy was hit by a car. A short while longer, after Simon gets thrown out of the movies, the kids arrive home and Matt tells Simon about Happy. Simon's heart sinks and he yells at Matt for not watching Happy, saying he hates Matt until he eventually holds his brother tight, crying in his arms.
Matt takes Simon to the vet, where Simon talks to an unconscious Happy that he will never leave her again. Matt calls back home to check on how things are going, and Mary says that their parents are on their way home. The whole family gathers at the vet to spend the night with Happy in the waiting room - except for Simon who sleeps on the examining table beside his pet. In the morning, Simon is awakened by Happy licking his face and Simon is filled with more joy than he has ever known. After Matt says he is sorry, Simon says that he will forgive Matt, but he's not sure if Happy will. We fade out on Simon and Happy hearing three words from Simon, "I love you."