When Alan asked his wife what she’d like for Christmas, Elizabeth suggested he block off some of the extra office space at Spaulding Enterprises as a photographic darkroom for her.  Alan was hostile to the idea, but eventually consented to her request.

Elizabeth dreamed of a career as professional photographer.  Alan couldn’t understand why a pampered woman like Elizabeth would want to work, but he decided to support her dream.  Alan secretly made a large donation to the Springfield Ecological Society in exchange for Elizabeth being hired as a staff photographer.  Elizabeth loved her new job, but quit when she discovered Alan had bought the job for her.  She was later hired on her own merits as a photographer for the Springfield Journal.

Elizabeth began to grow concerned that Phillip’s nanny, Diane Ballard, was trying to undermine her at home and was even flirting with her husband.  Elizabeth politely told Diane that Phillip had outgrown the need for a nanny, and it was time to let her go.  Diane refused to accept Elizabeth’s authority.  Alan hired her and only he can fire her.

Elizabeth made it clear to her husband that Diane was no longer needed, and Alan agreed.  Alan told Diane that while her services were no longer required in the Spaulding household, they could be used at Spaulding Enterprises.  Diane readily accepted Alan's offer, an offer that left Elizabeth greatly upset.

Alan had planned a surprise weekend family ski vacation in Aspen.  Elizabeth would’ve been happy to go skiing any other weekend.  But that weekend was her first big photography assignment for the newspaper.  She pleaded with her husband postpone the trip for another weekend.  If she cancelled this assignment, she could jeopardize her entire career at the newspaper.

Alan refused to change his plans and told his wife that she has to make a choice between her job and her family.  Since she already made a commitment to her boss, Elizabeth sadly watched Alan and Phillip leave without her.

When Elizabeth called her husband and son to see how their weekend was going, she was shocked to discover Diane was with them.  Alan explained to an angry Elizabeth that since she couldn’t come with them, he brought Diane along to take care of Phillip.

The Spaulding marriage continued to crumble as Alan and Elizabeth entertained friends and business associates in their home.  Alan spent the evening belittling his wife’s career as being silly and inconsequential, and chastised her for wearing what he felt was an ugly and inappropriate evening gown.  But worst of all, he accused her of shamelessly flirting with his attorney, Mike Bauer, in front of everyone!

Later that night as she got ready for bed, her mind in turmoil over her eroding marriage, Elizabeth took a sleeping pill.  Alan noticed her taking the pill and belittled her for that too.  Unable to take it anymore, Elizabeth decided to sleep downstairs.  Enraged that his wife would leave their bedroom, Alan left the house to go get a newspaper without telling anyone.

Just then, Phillip woke up from a terrible nightmare in which Alan and Elizabeth had left him all alone.  He rushed into his parents’ bedroom for reassurance to find them both gone.  Not knowing where they were and clad only in his pajamas, the young boy ventured out into the stormy night to search for them.

When Alan returned home and discovered Phillip was gone, he angrily woke Elizabeth, demanding to know where their son was.  Elizabeth was sleeping so soundly due to the sleeping pill that she had no idea Phillip was gone.  Fearing he may have been kidnapped, Alan called the police and then went out to look for Phillip himself.  After finding the boy out in the woods soaking wet and unable to walk, Alan carried Phillip home and called the doctor.

After the police arrived, Alan accused Elizabeth of mixing alcohol and sleeping pills and that she was stone drunk.  He claimed that he told Elizabeth where he was going and asked her to stay with Phillip.  Unable to take any more of Alan’s lies, Elizabeth packed her bags and informed her husband that she was moving to a hotel.

When Alan later tracked her at the hotel, Elizabeth thought he came to apologize and ask her to come back home.  But Alan's concern was only for Phillip, not her.  He wanted to make sure she really was staying at a hotel.  And with that said, he abruptly left her hotel room.