05x12 - Father Christmas

[bunniefuu]

["White Christmas" jazz cover playing]

♪ I'm dreaming ♪

♪ Of a white Christmas... ♪

[turns off engine]

[exhales]

There it is.

[clears throat]

You know what you're gonna say?

[sighs]

"Hi, I'm Mel. I'm your daughter."

- Stick with the facts.
- Right.

And then ease into the deeper questions.

You know?

And if all else fails, we can talk about
our mutual love of cabins. [laughs]

Maybe it's genetic.

[Mel] I don't know.
Maybe this is a mistake.

I mean, it's a lot to spring on someone
on Christmas Eve.

You know? Or at all. [inhales deeply]

Maybe I should just leave
the past in the past.

You can.

I can stick the car in reverse right now
and get out of here if you want.

Or maybe...

maybe I'm just nervous
and I should stay the course.

[inhales deeply]

Well, you, uh, might wanna
figure out what you're gonna say

because he is now
standing in the doorway staring at us.

[gentle music playing]

- Okay. Okay.
- [seatbelt clicks open]

[exhales, clears throat]

[Mel] Hi!

You missed the "no solicitors" sign?

Um, no. Uh, we... we saw it.

[laughs] Uh, do you get
a lot of solicitors all the way out here?

No, because of the sign.

Right. That makes sense.

If you're not selling something,
what do you want?

[clears throat] Uh...

Well, I... I guess that depends.
Are you Everett Reid?

Who's asking?

His daughter.

I'm Mel Monroe.

Um...

[inhales deeply] I found some love letters
addressed to my mother, Sarah Jensen,

from years ago, and...

I wanna talk to the man who wrote them.

Well, I wish I could help you,
but I'm not the man you're looking for.

Oh, um...

Okay.

Do... Do you know him?

Do you know
where I might be able to find him?

Sadly, I do not.

Okay.

- Well, um...
- [alarm ringing]

- Would you excuse me just a second?
- [Mel] Yeah, sure. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

[sighs]

[pensive music playing]

[Everett] I'm braising a rabbit.

Leave it a minute too long,
the meat turns to rubber.

Right.

Is there something else you need?

[sighs] I'm fine.

Yeah. Thanks.

Um...

I'm sorry I can't help you
find what you're looking for.

It's okay.

Merry Christmas.

[music continues]

[Mel exhales]

[door closes]

[sighs]

So?

Was that him?

Yeah.

Yeah.

But he wanted
absolutely nothing to do with me.

{an }[theme music playing]

[Jack exhales]

You sure you're all right?

- Yeah.
- Mm-hmm.

You know, he...
he didn't exist two days ago.

It's not like I was
lacking a father my entire life.

You know, it's okay
if you're feeling upset.

[Mel] Yeah, I am. I am.

[laughs dryly] I mean, obviously.

At least I got some clarity, though.

What?

Well, before,
I didn't know if I wanted him in my life,

and now I know I definitely don't.

Look, he may still come around.

- You could write him a letter.
- I am done with letters.

- Postcard?
- [laughing] Seriously, Jack.

I just... [breathes deeply]

I want to have
an extraordinary Christmas with you

and our families
who actually wanna be in our lives.

- Okay?
- Okay.

Oh, um...

Can we go ice skating later?

I just...

[exhales] I always used to go ice skating
with my mom when I was little.

And I wanted to go yesterday,

but we were on
the wild dad chase and everything, so...

- Yeah, let's do that.
- [phone ringing]

- [Mel] Yeah? Okay.
- Yeah.

[Mel inhales deeply]

Hey, Charmaine.

- Hey, Mel, I'm really sorry to bother you.
- [Mel] It's totally fine. What's up?

Well, I... I just had to leave work early

'cause I keep having these
Braxton Hicks contractions.

And I'm wondering
if maybe you can take a look. I just...

I don't wanna spend
Christmas Eve in the ER.

Yes, absolutely. Um, I'm gonna leave now,
and I'll meet you at the clinic.

Great. Thank you. I've... I've got something
for you and Jack for Christmas.

So I'll bring that.

Uh, all right. Well, I'll see you...
I'll see you in a little bit.

- [Charmaine] Okay. Bye.
- Okay, bye.

Everything okay?

Um, yeah! Yeah, we just have to...

We have to get Charmaine a Christmas gift.
Yeah?

[uplifting music playing]

[Hope] Hey! [scoffs]

I made Christmas shapes for everyone.
And now I don't have enough elves.

- Sorry, I'm a nervous eater.
- [Hope] Your mom didn't text you back yet?

No. I feel like I'm stalking her now.
I've called and texted so many times.

Maybe you should go over
to Connie's to talk to her.

- I can come with you if you want.
- That's okay.

I can go on my own.
You guys should focus on the competition.

You have to start loading in soon.

- [Doc sighs]
- How we looking, Vernon?

Well, we have a slight technical issue.

Apparently, Lizzie's Mom
isn't the only one who blew a fuse.

- The Nutcracker did as well.
- Oh no!

- It's okay.
- Do we have a spare?

We're gonna find one!

After breakfast,
Denny and I are gonna scour the house.

[Doc sighs]

[Hope] I thought you were
heading over to Connie's.

I am!

I was just gonna
finish breakfast first, but...

I'm stalling again, aren't I?

I have weenies in the fridge.

I'm gonna make you
a pancake burrito to go.

- Wow, lucky you.
- [Lizzie chuckles]

[water sloshing]

- [Kaia] Whoo! Whoo!
- [Preacher] God! Oh! Oh my God!

- [Kaia] That is so cold!
- Oh, I cannot believe you made me do that!

- [Kaia] I can't believe you did it.
- Oh, you were just lucky that I love you.

- [shivers]
- What did you just say?

[Preacher exhales]

Robes first, answer second.

Yeah, uh, you know what? I said nothing.

You heard nothing because I said nothing.

Oh no. That is one thing
in life you can't unhear.

Did you mean it?

Yeah. I, uh...

I do mean it. I...

I... I didn't mean to say it, but, uh...

- I know you're in the middle of divorce...
- Hey, no, listen, it's okay.

It was nice to hear.

I just... I can't promise anything
to anyone yet.

And, to me, "I love you" is a promise.

Hey, you know, I, uh... [sniffles]

I get it.

I get it,
but all that matters is that right here,

right now is exactly where you wanna be.

No. No, it's not.

I wanna be in front of a fireplace
because I'm freezing. [laughs]

I just...

I wanna be
in front of that fireplace with you.

- [clicks tongue] Let's get out of here.
- Let's go.

Whoo!

[both shivering] Whoo!

[Charmaine exhales heavily]

[Mel] Charmaine?

Hey.

Oh gosh. Hey, are you okay?
What's going on?

Ugh, my contractions got worse.

Oh, I... I forgot your gift.

- [Mel] Oh, honey, it's okay.
- Oh, and the twins' father is here.

[exhales heavily]

Hello, Mel.

Calvin.

Ugh, he cornered me by my car,
and my contractions instantly got worse.

I took her keys. I didn't think
it was safe for her to drive.

Well, no, it wasn't safe
for her to drive. You were right.

But you could have caused
her contractions to escalate.

[Charmaine sighs] See?

So if you're really worried about me,
you can get the hell out of here.

I have a right to be here.
Those are my boys too.

Yeah, and Charmaine is my patient.

So if she doesn't want you here,

I don't care if you're the biological
father or not. You need to go. Now.

[pensive music playing]

This discussion isn't over, Charmaine.

[Charmaine exhales and chuckles]

All right. [grunts]

Well... now you know why I lied. [sighs]

- Now I know. Okay, here, let's...
- [wincing]

Come on, let's...
let's get you in the exam room,

and make sure you don't
have babies on Christmas Eve, okay?

- Ahh!
- [water splashing]

- [Mel] Okay. Oh!
- [Charmaine] Oh! [exhales]

Change of plans.

- [exhales]
- You're gonna be fine.

- Okay.
- Okay.

We are really disappointed in you.

We had a whole weekend planned
for all of us to be together.

I promised Mel a big family Christmas
and you're ruining it.

What do you two
have to say for yourselves?

Well, I have to say
I think your father's being petty.

I am not being petty!

I'm simply not gonna spend Christmas
with your boyfriend.

- You can't stand to see me happy.
- I have no problem with you being happy.

I have a problem
when you rub it in my face.

- Guys...
- So, what? So you want to see me suffer?

Well, do you want me to?

- Guys...
- [Amelia] That's your choice!

[Sam] Not if he's here!
You're insane if you think otherwise.

Guys!

First of all, Dad, "insane"? Really?

Second of all, Mom, Dad's request
is not wholly out of line.

Well, what would you have me do?
Pretend to be miserable?

I'd have you send him home.

- Jack said it's a family Christmas, yes?
- Yes.

And if things keep going the way they are,

Javier will be
part of this family soon enough.

Okay. We're not sending Javi home.

Is that clear?

So why don't we look at it this way,
when we were kids,

you always stressed
the importance of family

and how special it was
to be together for the holidays.

Well, guess what, guys?

This is the first of many Christmases
that we are gonna have together.

And I am not gonna
shuffle my kids, your grandkids,

between houses
because you two couldn't figure out

how to be civil
around each other for hours.

Not to mention I have a wedding coming up.
Would you like to be invited?

- [Amelia] Yes, we would.
- [Sam] Of course.

Oh, that's great! I'm gonna tell you the
same thing you told us when we were kids.

You two are not to leave this room
until you've worked this out.

[gentle music playing]

- [inhales sharply]
- [tuts]

- [music continues]
- [birds chirping]

[footsteps approach]

[knock on door]

Hi.

Can I come in?

It's your room.

I know. I was just trying to be
respectful of your space

while also invading it by showing up.

I wish you had been respectful enough
to tell me about your pregnancy.

While you still had
a decision to make about it.

And if you think
I'm breaking the news to your father...

I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

But I didn't need your help
making this decision.

I would like your support,
though, if that's possible.

You're still a teenager, Lizzie.
This is a lifelong commitment.

I know that.

Denny does too.

But we won't be doing this alone.

They say it takes
a village to raise a child.

We have a whole town.

I just don't see why
you couldn't have waited.

[laughs] We didn't plan this.

But if we have this baby now,

Denny can see his child
grow up into an adult.

If we waited, he'd...

he'd miss out on so much.

I am truly sorry about his condition.

[voice breaks] But you're my little girl.

And I don't wanna see
you sacrifice your whole life for him...

[inhales deeply] ...or for a baby.

I know it might seem weird to you

because you were so focused
on having a career at my age.

But I'm not seeing this as a sacrifice.

I'm going to keep working. I love my job.

But I'm more excited
about being a mom than anything.

And I want you to be a part of it.

So...

can you please get on board?

[gentle music playing]

If this is what you want...

I am gonna try and support you.

Can you also try to be a little excited?

- [laughs]
- You're gonna be a grandma.

No. I am too young to be a grandma.

[both chuckle]

I'm gonna need a cuter name. Hmm?

I think that can be arranged.

[music continues]

[inhales deeply]

Oh, I think I found it.

Grandpa?

- Ah! No, I'm just, uh...
- [Denny] What is it?

Uh...

This is Hope's and my wedding album.

[Doc chuckles]

- Can I see it?
- Yeah. Yeah. [chuckles]

Yeah.

[Doc sighs]

Best... day of my life.

You know, that could be you and Lizzie
one day, if you both want it to be.

I think we do.

Just wanna make sure
we're really ready for that commitment.

You know, we're signing up
to take care of a child,

but Lizzie would be signing up
to take care of me one day too, and...

I just want her
to sit with that for a while.

But you sign up for that
with any marriage.

Yeah, Lizzie said as much
when we talked about it, but...

I still think we need time
to work it all through.

Yeah.

Well, you got a good heart,
so just listen to it.

You'll know when the time is right.

[sentimental music playing]

- That does look amazing, getting married.
- [Doc chuckling]

Ah...

It was the perfect day.

I would give anything
just to do it all over again.

Why don't you?

You and Hope were saying
you were planning a vow renewal.

Oh. Yeah, well, it was a while ago, and...

And there was Hope's accident,
and my diagnosis, so...

Well, I'm certain that
you will know when the time is right.

[laughs]

- [phone chiming]
- Oh, uh...

Oh, Mel needs me
to come down to the clinic.

Uh, so could you take this fuse
to, uh... to Hope in the village

and... and help her and Lizzie
set things up?

- And I'll be there as soon as I can.
- Right, absolutely.

All right? Yeah. [grunts]

That yule log's as good as yours.

Ours.

Oh, and I got, uh...

Lizzie's lab results
with the sex of the baby.

Now, I was gonna wrap it up,

but I thought that you two
might wanna open it in private.

It's up to you.

Thank you.

[uplifting music playing]

[exhales]

[chuckles softly]

- [breathing heavily]
- All right, Doc is gonna be here soon.

I guess I won't be the first patient
at that new birthing center.

We can do everything
that we would do there here.

Like this bouncing ball thing.
Does this really work?

It really does!

It allows the baby
to move down the birth canal

to make your labor quicker.

And if you rotate
in a circle like a Hula-Hoop...

There you go.

...it'll help take
the stress off your lower back.

- There you go.
- [groaning]

I don't think anything is gonna
alleviate my stress right now.

[groaning]

I just don't want
the boys to end up like him.

You are gonna raise these boys, okay?
That's what matters.

Well, he has...
he has rights as their father.

- Well, his rights aren't absolute.
- [Charmaine laughs]

[Mel] Shouldn't he be in jail?

Uh...

Yeah, well,
the FBI dropped all the charges

because he was cooperating, and...

[groans] ...helping them
with Melissa Montgomery.

And then she tried to k*ll him.

And then they put him
into witness protection.

[groaning]

[exhales deeply]

Charmaine, I'm really sorry.

- Hmm.
- How did you get mixed up with him?

[laughs]

Uh, like how all mistakes are made.

A mixture of sadness, anger,
and copious amounts of alcohol.

- And I was mad at Jack. [laughs]
- [door opens]

[Jack] Mel, you here?

- Please keep this between us.
- Absolutely.

[Jack] Okay,
my parents are working things out.

So I'm here to salvage the day,
take you ice... skating.

- What's...
- [both] Hey.

Charmaine, what... Whatcha doin' there?

Oh, I'm just, you know,
twerking my way through labor. [laughs]

Okay, uh, great. I'm gonna...

- I'm gonna go.
- Okay.

Um, hey, good luck!

I don't need luck. I've got Mel.

- I'll keep you posted, okay?
- [breathing heavily]

[exclaims] Hey, everybody.
Hey, Jack. You thinking of scrubbing in?

Ah! No, I'm, uh...
gonna leave that to you professionals.

- Merry Christmas.
- Yeah.

How we doing?

Well, she's almost eight centimeters.

- Oof.
- She's doing great.

Great, yeah. Would you say...
Would you say that?

Really? Would you say that I'm great?

- Oh, I think you look great.
- [laughing]

I think you look great.

[exhaling] What's wrong?

I've seen that face before.
Something's wrong.

Uh, your blood pressure is a little bit
higher than I would like it to be.

- What does that mean?
- It could be nothing.

It could be preeclampsia.

And if that is the case,

that means your babies
are possibly not getting enough oxygen.

So we should just go ahead
and get you up on the exam table,

and that way,
we can give you an antihypertensive IV...

- [exhaling]
- ...to bring your blood pressure down.

That's good. Okay?
And keep those babies safe, all right?

- [Charmaine wincing]
- Right?

[groaning]

[Muriel] Good luck, Hope.

Thank you, Muriel. You too.

I'm so relieved you and your mom are okay.

Takes a huge load off.

I know. I feel a hundred times lighter.

- Despite the pancake burrito.
- [Hope giggles]

She even promised to come tonight
and vote for our display.

Well, in that case, she and I
are destined to be good friends.

Hi, Hope. Where's your better half?

He had an emergency at the clinic.
Where's yours?

Oh, very funny. I hope you can
keep your sense of humor tonight,

after you suffer a crushing defeat.

You two may be reigning champs,
but this year, victory will be mine.

- And Vernon's, but mostly mine.
- [Nick laughs]

Well, good luck. And, uh, remember,
no shame in second place.

[upbeat music playing]

[Denny] Hi.

Hey, I got the fuse.

Oh, thank goodness.
Now get up here and give me a hand.

- We got a lot of work to do.
- [Denny] All righty. Goodness.

[Hope] Look. I took these. I got...
So many of these that are missing.

[Denny] Does it have an end to it?

So was it weird
to see her in labor with the twins?

- [chuckling] Yeah! It was very weird.
- [chuckles]

But I do wish her well, you know?

I was really glad to see her happy.

I mean, despite the labor pains,
of course.

Speaking of pains, how do you think
it's going with Mom and Dad?

- I don't know. Maybe no news is good news.
- [Brie] Mmm...

I mean, if we get them
to sit around this table tomorrow,

we will have pulled off
a Christmas miracle.

I was really hoping that they would be
with us tonight for the tree competition.

You know, we could all be together,
rally around Mel a little.

Well, maybe I'm being too optimistic.

I support your family goals,
but I gotta say...

I mean, taking Mel out of it,
I'm sort of shocked you care so much

about having a big ol' family Christmas.

What are you talking about? Why?

Well, you were the first one
to bail on our family Christmas.

Well, yeah. I was the oldest.
I was the first to fly the coop.

I also went to w*r.

Yeah, I get that.

But you could have come back after.
You didn't.

I mean, I know...
I know you had issues with Dad,

you know, and everything
that happened after the w*r, but...

I don't know, we all missed you.

And I kinda think it gave Donna
permission to follow your lead.

Come on. Are you really blaming me
for our family Christmases falling apart?

Yeah, totally.
In fact, come to think of it,

that was probably the beginning
of the end of Mom and Dad too.

- Oh, you're funny.
- [Brie laughing]

Well, I don't know,
maybe there's some truth to it, you know?

I mean, everything changes
when kids grow up.

They move out, start their own families,

traditions get broken. [inhales deeply]

But I do know the more that Mel and I
are talking about starting our own family,

the more I do miss our family Christmases.

Well, you know what they say.

Home is a place
you grow up wanting to leave

and grow old wanting to get back to.

Yeah, I guess that's true.

[somber music playing]

Well, it definitely feels
more like home now that you're here.

I mean it. It means a lot to me.

It means a lot to me too.

And I love that we're creating
new traditions together.

- Yeah, look at us. Like the grown-ups.
- [Brie giggling]

Inviting Mom and Dad
and our sisters to take part in it,

even if they don't show up for us.

Well, I don't know, I think if...

we still show up for each other,
we're gonna be okay.

Yeah.

Definitely. [chuckles]

You're the best.

Do you remember
when we were kids, and I did that?

- Oh God!
- [both yelling]

[groaning]

Okay. We ready to do this?

- [Charmaine] Okay.
- Okay.

On your next contraction,
give me a big push. Ready? Okay.

Ahh!

Okay. Good job.

Yeah. Yeah, last blood pressure
was... was very good.

I'm... I'm getting a little occasional
deceleration on the fetal heart rate.

- What?
- [Mel] No, no, it's all right.

It's perfectly normal

as the babies
make their way down the birth canal.

[Doc] Mel's right.
Yeah, we'll just keep our eye on it.

Next contraction, same thing. All right?

[wincing]

[screaming]

Okay! Okay!

- [screaming]
- [Doc] Oh!

- [Mel] Okay.
- [baby babbling]

Oh, Charmaine, he's beautiful!

- [Charmaine crying and laughing]
- [baby crying]

- [Doc] That's a boy. Yes.
- [baby crying]

Okay, now just take a little rest,
and we're gonna do this all again.

[crying] I don't think I can.

Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Listen to me, okay?

The second one is a lot easier, I promise.

- Okay?
- Okay.

- And your first baby is here.
- [crying]

And I'm here, and Doc's here. We got you.

- Okay? Okay.
- Okay. I just wish my mom was here too.

Well, she's here. I could swear
I was looking at her just now.

[sobbing] Thank you.

Okay, this little guy
wants you to meet his brother.

[laughs weakly]

- [Mel] Okay. Are you ready?
- Okay.

The other one's ready.

- Are you ready?
- [Charmaine] Ahh...

Okay, you've got this.

- [baby crying]
- [screaming]

[Mel] Okay.

- Oh, hi!
- [baby crying]

- [Doc] Oh, yeah.
- [Mel] Hi!

- [crying and laughing]
- [Mel] You did it! You did it!

[both exclaiming]

["Silent Night" playing]

- [baby crying]
- [Doc] That's a boy.

[crying continues]

You wanna see him?

[crying] Yeah, I wanna see him.

- [Charmaine exclaims]
- There you are, sweetheart.

- [Charmaine] Hi, baby.
- [Mel] Hello.

Here's number two!

You did it.
- ["Silent Night" continues playing]

I've waited so long to meet you.

I'm so proud of you, Charmaine.
And I know your mama is too.

- Thank you! [shushing]
- [babies crying]

- [Mel] Aw!
- [Doc] Yeah.

They're beautiful.

Good job.

[song fades]

- [Muriel] Hey.
- [Cameron] Hi.

Wow!

This looks beautiful.

- Thank you.
- And I love the pom-poms.

Yeah. They hang just as well
as they did years ago.

[Cameron laughs]

- Is that for me?
- Yeah.

Thank you.

So, what's happening?
Everything okay at the clinic?

Actually, I, uh... I wasn't at the clinic.

Oh? Where were you?

Uh, my ex-fiancée, Michelle,
showed up at the play last night.

Asked me to talk this morning.

I should have told you,
but I wasn't sure what she'd have to say.

Well, what did she have to say?

Apparently, she's sober.

She wants to give us another chance.
Start a family.

Build a life together.

I see.

What did you say?

I told her I have a life...

here...

with you.

[sighs]

Okay, look, um...

I know this hasn't come up yet, but...

I don't want children.

I mean, I did once upon a time.

That time has passed.

I... I wasn't sure, but I just...

I want you to know that

I am good with a family of two.

You're all I need.

[sweet music playing]

All right, can we get to work?

You can help me
with these finishing touches, please,

because this tree
is not going to yule hygge itself.

[laughs] Um, all right.

- Now, what can I do?
- Uh...

Start with that.

[sweet music continues]

[birds chirping]

- [Mel] Hey.
- Hey.

[Mel] They're resting.

Charmaine's aunt is, uh, on her way.
Thank you.

- [Doc] Yeah.
- You were great in there.

Mmm. Thanks.

- You were too. [chuckling]
- Mmm.

You know, sometimes,
when I'm working with you,

I feel like a proud father.

Sorry, uh, I had a really...

I had a really rough morning.

I found my biological father, and, uh...

he flat-out rejected me.

I... I thought
your... your father had passed away.

Yeah, the one that raised me did,
but I just...

found out that my mother had an affair.

Anyways, it just...
it wasn't worth looking for him.

[Doc] Yeah.

I think I was trying to fill a void.

[inhales deeply]

[sighs] Which seems crazy now. [scoffs]

Hey.

I may not be your father,
biological or otherwise, but, uh...

I am always here for you.

And I consider myself lucky to be.

And if this guy doesn't, he's a fool.

[laughing] And he is the one
who is missing out.

Oh...

You're right. He is missing out.

- Yeah.
- [laughs] Yeah.

[sniffles]

But, um, there's actually someone else

that I wanted to walk me
down the aisle anyway.

I would be honored.

- You did mean me, right? Yeah, okay.
- [laughs] Yes, of course I meant you.

Really?

- Thank you.
- Aw.

[sighs]

I just hope I can see
the look on Jack's face.

You will.

You will.
The clinical trial is gonna work.

It had better because
I also hope to see you deliver my

great-grandbaby this spring.

You...

- Oh, my God! Is Lizzie pregnant?
- [laughs] Yeah!

She finally got
the courage to tell her mother,

so she said it's okay for me
to share it with you now.

Congratulations!

- Thanks.
- [Mel] You must be thrilled!

- And Hope must be thrilled!
- [Doc] Uh-huh.

- Oh my gosh!
- [Doc laughs]

- Oh, what a perfect Christmas. [chuckles]
- Yeah.

And if we can win
this tree competition tonight,

that'd be the icing
on the sugar cookie. [laughs]

- Yeah. That would be amazing. [laughing]
- Oh, yeah.

Damn near perfect.

Would you mind staying with Charmaine
until the ambulance gets here?

'Cause there's something
I need to do for Hope tonight.

Sure.

- I'll see you there. Alrighty.
- [Doc] Yeah. Thanks.

[uplifting music playing]

Denny. Uh, are... are you at...
at the village?

[laughs]

Listen, I...
I need your help with something.

No problem, Grandpa. I'm on it.

[Kaia] So I know
Christmas isn't until tomorrow,

but I was hoping
I could give you your gift early.

- Do you mind? I have it with me.
- Hmm.

What would Jesus do?

[laughing]

Um, okay, look. I...

was thinking about
what you said yesterday.

And with the job that I took
to stay here ending soon, I...

I wanted to assure you
that right here is where I wanna be.

So you're looking at
the new Virgin River fire chief.

Wait! Since when?

A few hours ago. I knew Hope was looking.

I told her I was interested
and she gave me the job on the spot.

- So you're here for good.
- [Kaia] I am.

Ah, which means I won't be giving you
the gift of missing me

like I planned, but, uh...

[sighs] I hope you won't
get sick of me too fast.

Not a chance.

[Kaia laughing]

- So just to be clear, though.
- Mm-hmm.

You're staying for the job?

No.

I'm staying for you.

Oh!

I have no idea
how I'm gonna b*at this gift.

- Oh, I'm sure you'll think of something.
- Oh!

- [Jack] Ah! You made it.
- Hey!

- Yeah.
- The rink just closed.

Aw, I figured. That's okay.

[Jack] How's Charmaine?

Oh gosh. She's in love with her boys.

- [Jack] Aw.
- Yeah.

They're on their way to Grace Valley
right now just to stay overnight,

but they're... they're fine.

- Good.
- [Mel] Yeah.

Oh! And she absolutely loved
the fruitcake we gave her.

- She did not.
- She did.

Yeah. Well, I'm glad
that went to good use.

- I know.
- [both laugh]

So how are your parents?

Ah, no idea!

- Oh.
- Yeah, I haven't heard from 'em.

I don't know if they're
gonna show tonight or tomorrow.

Well, we have a running theme then,
because Joey just called me, and, uh...

- Morgan has the stomach bug.
- Oh, come on.

Yeah. They're gonna
ride it out in the B&B tonight.

- [exhales]
- But fingers crossed for tomorrow.

I'm sorry.

Aw, I feel like our big plans
for an extraordinary Christmas just

didn't work out, huh?

Ah, I don't know about that.

- Well, yeah, sure, people bailed.
- Mm-hmm.

- I was rejected by my biological father.
- [Jack] There's that.

And we didn't get to skate.

But, I mean, we're here now

in this beautiful place
with our chosen family.

- [Jack] Mmm.
- And I think that's pretty extraordinary.

- Really?
- [Mel] Yeah!

The best people in my life
are the ones who choose to be in it.

And I think that's something to celebrate.

And, hopefully, something our children
will be able to celebrate too one day.

- I'm sure.
- [Mel] Hmm.

- Oh!
- Merry Christmas Eve.

- Aw! Merry Christmas Eve.
- [Jack] Merry Christmas Eve.

- Yes!
- There you are, Vernon. Okay, you guys.

Obviously, the winner
is decided by secret ballot,

- but I know both your handwriting.
- [Jack] Okay. [laughs]

So if we don't win, I'm putting you on
my naughty list. Come on, we gotta go.

- [Doc] Okay.
- [Mel] Okay.

[uplifting music playing]

Welcome to the th annual Virgin River
Christmas tree decorating competition!

[crowd cheering]

Now let's light these puppies up
and silently judge our friends and family.

All right? You ready? Let's do this.

- In five, four, three, two, one.
- [crowd counting along]

[Bert] Merry Christmas!

["It's Beginning To Look
A Lot Like Christmas" cover playing]

[crowd cheering]

♪ Everywhere you go ♪

Looks nice. All right, this one wins.
I haven't seen the rest, but...

♪ It's glistening once again ♪

♪ With candy canes
And silver lanes that glow ♪

♪ It's beginning to look
A lot like Christmas ♪

- Oh!
- [train tooting]

Oh, Jo, it's great!

I know! It's so much fun.

♪ But the prettiest sight to see
Is the holly that will be ♪

♪ On your own front door ♪

♪ A pair of Hopalong boots
And a p*stol that sh**t... ♪

I've always loved The Nutcracker.

Well, we have that in common.

- [chuckling]
- Lizzie was a big help, as always.

[inhales deeply]
I didn't expect her to grow up so quickly.

I feel like I blinked,
and I missed it, and...

now I don't know
where I fit in. [chuckles]

Especially given how close
you two have become.

Once Lizzie has the baby,

she's gonna come to you for
all sorts of things I can't help her with.

- Breastfeeding tips.
- She was bottle-fed.

Sleep training.

We had a night nanny.
That woman was a godsend.

Well, you get my point, Deidre.
She's gonna need you.

I'm a part of her village,
but I'm not her mom.

[Lizzie] Hey.

I'm...

I'm glad you're both together, because...

we have some news.

[happy music playing]

- It's a girl!
- [exclaims]

[Hope] See? A girl!
She's in for a world of trouble.

That I can help her with.

- [Hope laughs]
- [squeals]

[Hope] Congratulations, Dad.

- Oh no. Oh my gosh.
- [laughing]

- [Denny] Hi.
- [Deidre] Congratulations.

[Denny] Thank you.

[Hope] Aw, it's a girl.

[gentle music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Heya.

- Oh! Heya yourself.
- [laughs]

Is this twice in two days? Are you...

- Are you following me?
- [Brie] No.

- No?
- I did not expect to see you here.

Well, I didn't expect to be here.

- Did Lark and Hazel drag you out?
- No.

No, they're at Lark's mom's place tonight.

[inhales deeply] I was actually
just sitting at home alone thinking,

"I need a little Christmas
right this very minute."

- [both laugh]
- I can't get the song out of my head!

[inhales deeply] Yeah, neither can I.

[both laughs]

So, um...

How's your holidays going?

- They're a mess.
- [Brady laughs]

My dad cannot accept
my mom's new boyfriend.

Um, and having him here
is not helping things.

So your mom brought
her new boyfriend to Christmas?

- Wow.
- [laughs] Yeah.

So Jack and I
locked her in the house with my dad

- until they could work things out.
- [Brady] Bold.

But I'm not so sure
he's gonna come around.

No, I get it.

You know, it's hard watching
someone you love move on.

No matter how happy you are for them.

- [wistful music playing]
- Yeah.

Yeah, it really is.

[wistful music continues]

[both chuckle]

[Jack] Hey, guys.

- [Brady] Hey, Jack.
- [Brie] Hey.

Merry Christmas.

Yeah, Merry Christmas. Uh...

- Mom and Dad are here.
- [Brie] Oh!

- Oh!
- [Brady] Yup!

- Sorry.
- Mom and Dad.

- Merry Christmas.
- [Jack] Yup!

- [Jack] Merry Christmas.
- [Brie] Merry Christmas.

["We Wish You A Merry Christmas" playing]

[chuckles]

- [Amelia] Well...
- [Sam] We did what we were supposed to do.

- We settled it.
- [Jack clears throat]

We're sorry we're late,
but we had an awful lot to talk about.

About our marriage.

How we drifted apart.

How we let our family drift apart.

Well, that was on me too.

No, it's not. It's on us.
Which means it's on us to fix it.

You were right, Jack.

We may not be married anymore,
but we are still a family.

And we should be able to be together
even as our family grows.

- So you didn't send Javi home.
- [Amelia] Quite the contrary.

After your father and I talked,

he spoke with Javi,
and the two of them really hit it off.

Turns out they actually have
quite a lot in common.

Like our taste in women.

- [Jack and Sam laughing]
- [Brie] No.

That won't ever be funny.

It's quite funny.

The point is, we are ready to spend
Christmas together if we're still invited.

[Brie] Ugh.

I don't know. What do you think?

Wow! I mean, it's a... it's a big ask.

- [Brie] Yeah. No, I know.
- [Jack] Yeah.

I mean, you know what Mom always says,
though, the more, the merrier, right?

[quietly] Right?

- Okay, yeah, you can come.
- [laughs]

[Jack and Brie laughing]

[Brie] Dad, I'm proud of you. Come here.

[all laughing]

- That's the Christmas spirit.
- [Sam] Thank you.

- [Jack] And that was funny.
- [Sam] It was funny.

[Brie] All right, so Javi's staying?

- Mom!
- [Amelia] I know.

[Muriel] I cannot get over just how
magnetic you were on stage last night.

And how adorable you were with Hazel.

[Cameron] She was adorable.
A real star was born.

Cameron, I know that you said

you could be happy
with just the two of us, but...

- I didn't just say that. I meant it.
- [exhales sharply]

Yeah, but there's gonna be some things
that you're gonna miss out on.

I mean, you're not gonna be able
to put out any milk and cookies for Santa.

- I don't have to have a kid to do that.
- [chuckles]

Look... [sighs]

I don't wanna wake up one day and realize

that you resent me
for never having been a father.

Wait, what are you saying?

[Muriel] What I'm saying is,

losing you now would break my heart.

But knowing that I was the reason
you missed out on all those things

you wanted from your life,
that would just...

That would just break it even more.

All I want for Christmas
is for you to think this through.

Okay? Can you do that for me?

Yes, I can.

[uplifting music playing]

Good.

[Mel] What made you
choose the Nutcracker theme?

Vernon took me to see The Nutcracker
on our very first Christmas together.

It might not be
the most inventive tree here,

but it's the most meaningful to us.

You know, actually, I, uh...
I forgot to light up one element

- that would make this very unique.
- What?

Ta-da!

- [Jack] Oh, come on.
- [Doc] Uh...

I have seen
so many wonderful things in my life.

And I hope that I'm lucky enough

to see many, many more in the days ahead.

Whatever happens, I know

that you will be my guiding light,

as you have always been.

So while I still can,

I want to look you in the eyes
and marry you all over again, Hope McCrea.

- God, I love you.
- I love you.

["I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"
playing]

- [all cheering]
- ♪ I heard the bells on Christmas day ♪

♪ Their old, familiar carols play ♪

Oh!

♪ And mild and sweet their words repeat ♪

♪ Of peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

["I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"
continues playing]

[Mel] Okay.

[laughing] Are you okay?

I'm good.

- You think it's funny?
- Yeah, I do. [laughs]

'Cause I finally found something
that Jack Sheridan isn't good at.

[both laugh]

[laughing] Best Christmas ever.

♪ A voice, a chime, a chant sublime ♪

♪ Of peace on Earth, good will to men... ♪

Hey, you.

Thank you.

I think I b*at your gift.

Hmm?

[song continues]

[Brady] Can you catch a snowflake
on your tongue? That's it.

♪ The world revolved from night to day ♪

♪ A voice, a chime ♪

- ♪ A chant sublime ♪
- [mouthing]

♪ Of peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

- [Doc] Oh!
- [all laugh]

- [all laughing]
- "Glamma." That's great.

♪ Then pealed the bells
More loud and deep ♪

♪ Oh, God is not dead and not asleep ♪

- [indistinct chatter]
- ♪ The wrong shall fail ♪

♪ The right prevail ♪

♪ With peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

♪ Peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

[Sam] That's good.

- [indistinct chatter]
- ♪ Peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

♪ Peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

♪ Peace on Earth, good will to men ♪

- [song fades]
- No, no, no. Stop.

[both chuckling]

Babe, you really outdid yourself
with these earrings.

I love them so much.

- [Jack] Good.
- Thank you.

You're welcome.

I'm not done yet.

- What?
- Mm-hmm!

- What do you mean?
- [tuts]

- [Mel tuts]
- Just... just never you mind.

[Mel] Okay.

Should I close my eyes, or...

[Jack] Mmm, I think you might
wanna keep them open for this.

Okay.

[festive music playing]

Oh my...

- You didn't!
- I did.

- Oh my gosh, you got me a Pony.
- I got you a Pony.

- [laughing]
- [Mel exclaims]

Hey, you! Oh my gosh.

Hi, sweetie. Hello.

[Jack] Merry Christmas.

[both laugh]

And this one is mine.

[laughs]

[Hazel] Um...

- Oh no!
- He could've got you there too.

[phone ringing]

- Uh, hey, I gotta take this.
- Yeah, sure.

Okay, it is my turn.

Uh-uh! [chuckles]

Hello?

[man] How's our little girl doing?

[laughs] Hazel's doing good.

[Lark] She had a pretty magical Christmas.

[gate buzzing]

What about Brady?

[sinister music playing]

He doesn't suspect a thing.

[chuckles]

[phone ringing]

- [Preacher] Hey, Mike.
- [Mike] I hate to bother you on Christmas.

The state ME identified the body.
They know it's Wes Logan.

So how much trouble are we in?

[Mike] This thing is about to blow up.

[Preacher] Okay.

- Thanks for letting me know.
- [Mike] Yeah, man.

[line disconnects]

- What happened?
- [tense music playing]

[Preacher sighs heavily]

Can you tell me anything?

- What are you looking for?
- [laughs]

You looking for another treat?

- Oh, look at him!
- [exclaiming] Oh, sweetheart.

- You're better than jewelry, huh?
- Yeah.

[vehicle approaching]

[Mel] Um, here.

- You'll be all right?
- Yeah.

[vehicle door opens]

- You sure?
- [sighs] Yeah.

[vehicle door closes]

[Mel] Hey.

Is there something I can help you with?

I'm looking for Mel Monroe.

Who's asking?

Her father.

[sentimental music playing]

You look so much like your mom.

Seeing you just
broke my heart all over again.

I didn't know what to say.

So you lied?

[Everett] I didn't lie.

I'm not the man who wrote those letters.

Not anymore anyway.

Not since your mom d*ed.

I suppose you feel that, too, in some way.

Well, look, I...

[grunts] I don't know
what you wanted to say to me

or what you wanted me to say back.

I don't know
if you wanted me in your life, or...

you just wanted
to ask me for a kidney or something.

[laughs]

[Everett] But either way...

I am your father.

And I'm here now.

I brought you something.

[clears throat]

I just thought you might wanna...
hear your Mom's voice one more time.

[voice breaking] Thank you.

Also,

I've got something
important I need to tell you.

["Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
playing]

♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas ♪

♪ Make the Yuletide gay ♪

♪ From now on
Our troubles will be miles away ♪

♪ Here we are, as in olden days ♪

♪ Happy golden days of yore ♪

♪ Faithful friends who are dear to us ♪

♪ Gather near to us once more ♪

♪ Have yourself ♪

♪ A merry little Christmas now ♪

[song fading]