Joy meets up with Michelino, Max's little brother, the mascot of the group. Soon after, Ettore, the attorney, happens by.

Max and Alice have a conversation and it is clear that she is trying to tell him something without coming out and saying it. Joy goes home and her mother asks her where she has been.

We begin a new episode and this time the conversation at the breakfast table comes around to Maria's upcoming birthday. Lele still thinks of Maria as his little girl, so he is a bit surprised at her request.

The cooking contest begins. Joy isn't quite her usually buoyant self, however. The kids on team "the Best" have already planned on cheating.

Libero is looking for a birthday present for Maria. Giacinto, trying to be helpful, stops by with a friend who has a briefcase full of jewelry from Russia to sell. Will Libero have learned his lesson after the pillow affair?

The principal and the teacher taste the four dishes and decide on the grades.

Lele is asked by a fellow doctor to have a look at a patient who might not be telling the truth about what happened to her. Maria and Rebi are planning the guest list for the party. Cettina is listening and commenting as she works in the kitchen.

Libero is still trying to think of what to get Maria for her birthday and talks to Alice about it. At the health center, Lele talks to his colleague about Maria's party wishes. The woman who had "fallen down the stairs" comes back.

It's Cettina's day off, and nobody seems to have the time to help with the dishes, but at least, Maria and her father get some alone time.

Maria's grandparents have found a gift for her, but Libero hasn't yet. At the health center, someone told Giorgi that Laura hadn't gone to the police about the battered woman.

At the health center, Lele has to deal with an angry Mr. Corati who has come looking for his wife. Back home, Lele gives Annuccia her bath, wondering why Maria doesn't talk to him like she used to. Alice, who is there too, tries to explain it to him.

The neighbors arrive to talk about the moped they saw going into Lele's garage. Enrica doesn't back down. Later on, Libero resumes negotiations for a watch for Maria.

Alice stops by the house and is able to give some support to Maria who is really missing her mother. At the clinic, Renata and her husband meet with the doctors.

Finally, it is Maria's birthday and the grandparents bring out their gifts.

Before the party, Lele gives his daughter her birthday present. As the dancing begins, Maria and Rebi are not exactly at ease.