In this installment of 'The Pratts', the family copes with the departure of Mimi, their former housekeeper and friend, leading to feelings of loss and adjustment, especially for Spencer and Gwendolyn. Candy begins the search for a new live-in housekeeper, meeting a potential candidate, Sarah, while also planning a birthday celebration for Gwendolyn, who grapples with her identity amidst the changes. The story ends with Gwendolyn reflecting on her situation as she transitions into her teenage years, feeling a mix of emotions about her past and the future.

1. The Pratts (part 8): Sunset Valley

2. Spencer’s bond with Mimi was not as strong as his bond with Ms Evangeline, his late nanny. He’ll miss Mimi, but not nearly as much as his mother or Gwendolyn will.

3. After saying his goodbyes, he plays a sci-fi game with the gaming goggles.

4. Mimi was not only a great friend, but she was also a terrific cook and house keeper. Candy calls a housekeeping service to have them send over a daily maid until she is able to find a new live-in house keeper and cook.

5. Candy sets everything up. The housekeeping service promises to send a maid in as soon as possible.

6. Candy, already missing Mimi, decides to get to bed a bit early. She has a long day ahead of her tomorrow with work and the search for a new live-in housekeeper and cook.

7. Spencer realizes that he will miss Mimi’s great cooking as he grabs some of her left-overs from the refrigerator.

8. Candy tells Gwendolyn that Mimi has moved out as soon as Gwendolyn gets home. Just as Candy predicted, Gwendolyn is upset that she wasn’t here to say goodbye to Mimi.

9. Candy, suddenly not feeling very sleepy turns on the TV to catch a late night movie.

10. Gwendolyn is feeling abandoned once again in her life. Mimi was the first to make her feel welcomed when she moved in with the Pratts.

11. The next morning, the Pratt family try to get adjusted to life without Mimi. Now that Mimi is not here to cook one of her delicious breakfasts, Spencer resorts to a microwave meal.

12. Gwendolyn, missing Mimi’s always happy face and hearty ‘good morning’, searches the refrigerator for something to eat. While Spencer sits and tries to enjoy his breakfast which suddenly tastes a lot like rubber when compared to Mimi’s pancakes, waffles and fruit parfait.

13. Although Spencer has not gone out of his way to make fun of Gwendolyn lately, she makes sure to steer clear of him just in case. Especially since Mimi is not here to give him ‘the eye’ like she did whenever she caught him being rude.

14. Candy is also at a loss for what to eat for breakfast this morning.

15. Gwendolyn, in need of companionship considers going to visit Nakida, but…

16. …after seeing Mimi’s new address written down on a pad, she has a better idea.

17. Gwendolyn decides to skip school this morning and go and visit Mimi at her new home.

18. Mimi is happy to see Gwendolyn. “There you are! I didn’t get to say goodbye to you last night,” Mimi says in her cheerful voice.

19. Gwendolyn thinks about how lonely she’s going to be without Mimi around. “Isn’t it time for school?” Mimi asks when she realizes the time. Gwendolyn tells Mimi how much she missed her this morning.

20. Mimi invites Gwendolyn in to see her new place. Gwendolyn loves Mimi’s cozy home.

21. Gwendolyn and Mimi chat for a while before Mimi tells Gwendolyn that she should get to school.

22. Gwendolyn does not want to leave, but she knows that Mimi is right. It would not be smart to miss school today.

23. Gwendolyn hops on her bike and gets to school as quickly as possible.

24. Gwendolyn is already an hour late. Hopefully she won’t get into too much trouble.

25. Technically Candy has a day off from work today, but she knows that she’ll end up spending it working anyway. She is happy to see that the agency has sent over a maid temporarily, but it reminds her that she needs to begin searching for a new live-in housekeeper and cook.

26. Candy searches wanted ads for potential live-ins. She sees one ad that has promise. The lady’s name is Sarah Plain, she just moved to town and is willing to serve as a live-in housekeeper and cook. Candy decides to give Sarah a call.

27. On the phone, Sarah agrees to meet with Candy right away. Candy meets Sarah at her home.

28. Candy’s first impression is that Sarah is very shy and not very talk-a-tive.

29. Candy tells Sarah about her newly adopted daughter Gwendolyn. Sarah does not mind working in a household with children. She doesn’t have any of her own, but used to work as a part-time nanny.

30. Candy also tells Sarah that she has a teenage son named Spencer. Candy reveals that Spencer is heir of her estate and if anything was to ever happen to her, Sarah would end up working for him.

31. Sarah says that she would probably be ok with that, but of course she wants time to think about it before they make any final arrangements.

32. Candy assures Sarah that Spencer is a great kid and probably won’t cause her any problems. She agrees to allow Sarah time to decide if the Pratts are a family that she may potentially want to work for.

33. Sarah likes that Candy is so understanding.

34. Candy tells Sarah that she is welcome to come over and meet the family and see the house when she is ready.

35. Candy returns to her car. Sarah is no Mimi, but she is sure that Sarah will fit in with the family just fine.

36. Spencer arrives home from school and gets his homework out of the way.

37. As soon as Gwendolyn gets home, Candy apologizes for forgetting to wish her a happy birthday. Gwendolyn has no idea what Candy is talking about until she checks the calendar and sees that it is in fact her birthday.

38. Candy orders everyone to get dressed. She decides to take them out to the family restaurant, Pratt Bistro, to celebrate Gwendolyn’s birthday.

39. Gwendolyn is happy that Candy wants to celebrate her birthday. Even Spencer is acting civil towards her.

40. The Pratts enjoy a nice meal at the bistro. For once, Spencer and Gwendolyn actually behave like siblings. Candy is pleased.

41. The Pratts finish up their dinner and arrive home to a mess. There are clothes thrown around upstairs, downstairs and…

42. …all over.

43. Candy is not happy about it. She longs for a clean house again. She really hopes that Sarah decides to move in and work as their live-in soon.

44. In the meantime, Gwendolyn has aged up. All of her years of being in the foster care system and frequently being treated as an outsider has taken it’s toll. She has picked up the kleptomaniac trait.

45. Candy celebrates Gwendolyn.

46. Gwendolyn is not as excited. Her mind is elsewhere.

47. Gwendolyn heads upstairs, changes into pajamas and goes to bed feeling that tomorrow is just another day. She feels no different now that she’s a teen.