When Judy discovers that Bill is an excellent cook, she welcomes his help with the meals. But when he gets fussy about the cooking, Judy begins to think that maybe she preferred it when Bill spent all his time on the couch.

When Bill gets a clean bill of health and Judy is advised that her cholesterol is through the roof, Judy writes a beautiful letter to Bill conveying things he should know when she passes on. She begs him to do the same, but Bill finds that he needs someone else to inspire him. Meanwhile, Linda borrows Tina in an effort to help her fiancé, Perry, become more comfortable with children.

When Judy tells Bill to take her mother to the eye doctor, her mother convinces Bill to take a gamble and disobey that order and go to a casino instead. When Judy finds out, Bill asks Judy if her insistence about the appointment is the result of her own fear of getting old, as her 40th birthday is just days away. Meanwhile, the kids are at a loss as to what to get their mom for her birthday.