04x10 - Do Not Be Afraid

[bunniefuu]

- ["Destination" by Nickel Creek playing]
- ♪ You don't owe me ♪

♪ One more minute of your wasted time ♪

♪ You act like it's all fine ♪

♪ It isn't hard to leave ♪

♪ Knowing that I'll be getting life
On track ♪

♪ I wanted to believe ♪

♪ I've gotta make a destination ♪

♪ Find where I belong ♪

♪ This time I've got no hesitation ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ To where I belong ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ Over the line I've drawn ♪

♪ I'm already gone ♪

[music fades]

[upbeat music playing]

- [Cal] Hey, gorgeous.
- [Maddie] Oh. [sighs]

Oh, did I do that?
Guess I'd better eat that one.

If you keep thieving,

I will be forced to take store-bought
to the Winter Festival,

and untold generations of
Vreeland's cookies will be shamed.

Besides, shouldn't you be outside
hanging lights in the trees?

I'm done.

Bless your heart.

How am I so far behind?

- You're not behind.
- [sighs]

But you might be distracted.

{\an8}By the million things that have to happen
in the week we have left before Christmas?

{\an8}By that juicy job offer.

[intriguing music playing]

Maddie.

- It's a great job.
- [exhales]

And you deserve it, and you'd be a star.

It is perfect.

Marketing and books combined.

There are days where I think
that I like marketing Princess Katie

more than I like writing it.

And it would be so fun to help
other authors get their book noticed.

And I'd be good at it.

So what's the problem?

I can't quite wrap my head around
moving to New York.

I completely understand.

New York would be a terrible place
for this family.

I mean, your children are
a musician, an actor, and a dancer.

Dancer/paleontologist.

She needs to see
the American Museum of Natural History,

even if she doesn't spend the night.

- My mother.
- Yes.

I understand your concern.

She's such a meek and sedentary woman,

and her boyfriend
only travels to New York... What?

Once a month? Twice.

I bet you Jimmy knows
every maître d' in the city.

What about you?

That's the real problem.
The Yankees didn't want me.

[Maddie chuckles]

And that hurt... for quite a while.

But I'm over it now,

and Erik and I can work out
an arrangement.

I'll pop up periodically.

- Still, it would be such a big change.
- [music fades]

We haven't even had our honeymoon yet.

It's just... It's not the right time.

It's never just the right time.

We make the best decisions we can...
and hope the timing works out.

- I'll give it more thought.
- Hmm.

[upbeat music playing]

[Maddie chuckles]

[music fades]

That interview go any better
than the others?

No candidate has met all our criteria,

but we are confident
the right person is out there.

- [Henrietta] Mmm.
- Somewhere.

But we can't hire her
until she follows town protocol

and submits her application.

Henrietta.

Are you asking me to apply?

I'm pretty sure we're begging you.

[Peggy] Through all this upheaval,
you have been steady

and insightful and even innovative.

You were... are key to our success.

- [Henrietta chuckles]
- You'd be a great town manager.

Never crossed my mind. [laughs]

I've been in this chair so many years.

We'll interview you the moment
you submit your paperwork.

And then hire you ten minutes later.

Well, who will be your assistant then?

I don't know.

Would you please interview
my sweet friend Zola in town planning?

Zola's wonderful.
She'd be an excellent candidate.

We'll post the job right away.

- [joyful music playing]
- [Helen laughs]

[music fades]

[Annie] Mom.

Dana Sue, we will figure this out.

[Annie] I know this school's
more expensive than we were planning on,

but I'll get a job, a scholarship.

No. No, no, no, no.

These are happy tears. [sniffles]

I've been worried, and I've been anxious,

and now that I know you're going,
I am so proud.

And we'll find a way.

Because we love each other,

and we have faith in each other's dreams.

Absolutely.

And what matters more
than seeing you every night at dinner

is seeing you happy.

Thank you both.

I love you.

[Dana Sue laughs]

We love you too, Annie.

Mmm.

[Annie exhales]

[music fades]

Slapping cranberries
and rosemary everywhere

is not the way to make food Christmassy.

Then peppermint and thyme.

[Erik sighs]

Our first customer of the day has arrived,

and he has a complaint
about a takeout order.

- No takeout orders have come in.
- You see why I'm puzzled.

[intriguing music playing]

Yes, sir? Bailey said
you had a takeout problem.

You haven't taken me out yet,
and that's a problem.

[all laughing]

If you had told me
you were coming back to town,

I could have made plans
and solved that problem.

I was trying to be spontaneous.

It's a very new concept for me.

To the point that I worked on this joke
for an hour and 45 minutes

of the two hours it took me to drive here.

It's a start. We can work on it.

The date. Not the joke.

The joke was pretty good.

["Jingle Bell Beat"
by Keith Mansfield playing]

I won't fall.

Yeah? Well, most people don't plan
to fall, but fall they do.

Yeah, well,
I fall for you anew every morning.

Mmm. Let's keep that up
for many mornings to come.

[Helen laughs]

[doorbell rings]

The door.

I don't care if Santa Claus himself
is at the front door.

We don't have to answer it.
He can squeeze down that chimney.

Really? He'll crush the candles.

And what if it's carolers or a package?

- A package. All right.
- [laughing]

[Erik] An elf?

I don't care.

- A reindeer.
- They can leave a message.

- A troll.
- Can move on.

[Erik] Might even be...

- [Helen gasps]
- [music ends]

- Mama!
- Surprise!

- [music resumes]
- [Helen exclaims]

[chuckling]

I told you she'd be surprised.

[chuckles] I think shocked is the word.

Erik!

Did you two plan this together?

Oh! Is... is this my something special
for Christmas?

I can't quite believe it! [laughing]

It took a little bit of bargaining
with Zeke, but Erik persevered.

You talked to my brother too.

Now we have to be in Tampa
for New Year's Eve, but it was worth it.

You'd best keep an eye on this one.
He can be very persuasive.

Oh, it's gonna be some kind of Christmas,
that's for sure.

[joyful music playing]

[Katie] Sit there.

Right in the middle.

Okay.

We have a presentation for you.

Kyle put it together, but we've added
some of our own thoughts.

[chuckling] Okay.

This presentation is entitled
"Why Maddie Should Take The Job."

[chuckles]

Mom, you have always encouraged me,

all of us, to seize opportunities
when they present themselves.

It would be a shame
to let this massive one,

which is so perfect for you, go by.

I raised you to have faith.

Know that we have faith in you.

So you need to have faith in us

and our ability
to take care of each other,

whatever city people are in.

You helped Beatriz realize
that hiding your talents is a waste.

That talents are meant to be used,

not just for yourself, but for others.

And you've demonstrated that over and over
for family and friends.

Why not do that for yourself now?

You're my inspiration, Mommy.

When I'm an adult,
I wanna have great adventures,

whether I work in New York with publishers

or go on paleontology digs in Argentina.

- [chuckles]
- And I know I'll be able to be brave.

'Cause you've always been brave.

Like when Daddy left,
or you started the recall,

or this new job.

So what do you say?

Well, I'm very worried.

No, this was supposed
to make you feel better.

But it was such
an effective marketing presentation.

I'm thinking... you all should get the job.

- [Paula] Oh! [laughing]
- [Kyle exhales]

Had me going there, Mom.

Thank you... so much

for the thought and love
that you put into this.

I guess I'll accept.

- Oh!
- [Katie chuckles]

[carolers] ♪ We wish you
A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And a Happy New Year ♪

[Annie gasps]

Merry Christmas, Annie!

You have five minutes to hug him,
kiss him, and tell him how great he looks,

and then I have to take him to his mother.
I will be in the truck.

[Annie] Thanks, Olivia.

Welcome home.

Thank you. [laughs]

Uh, you came here before you went home?

That is such a compliment,

but you aren't supposed to be here
until tomorrow.

- I can leave.
- No.

Liv and I decided it was worth driving
through the night to get home early

and surprise everyone.

Oh, I'm surprised and excited and happy
and can't wait to hear all about it.

I've been texting.

I still want to hear it all,
day by day, from you.

And I have a bunch of stuff to tell you.
Big stuff, great stuff.

Me too.

But you've gotta go.

- What? No. No, I just got here.
- Olivia's waiting.

And you wanna get home
to surprise your mom

before someone sees you and spoils it all.

This is Serenity, after all.

Besides, now that you're home,
we have nothing but time.

[gentle music playing]

I love you.

I love you too.

[gentle music builds]

[Annie chuckles]

[exhales]

[music fades]

This is amazing.
The first steps to our mobile clinic.

[Howie] And thank you again
for believing in this project,

as our friends, and as the Foundation.

- You'll do the Foundation proud.
- [Maddie] Mm-hmm.

I need to go one step further.

Thanks to all four of you
for helping me become the woman

I dreamed of being
when I first arrived in Serenity.

[Maddie] We are so happy for you, Noreen.

And for you, Howie.

[chuckles] Much appreciated.

And don't you worry, I will find someone
to fill the spa schedule,

especially since Carla might be
going back to the library,

since y'all are doing such a great job
getting that up and going.

[laughs] Yeah.
Well, we'd welcome your input.

We're just happy that you're still
gonna be with us part-time.

[Noreen laughs]

Thanks again. Talk to you soon.

- Bye.
- Bye.

We have such a gift for recognizing
and nurturing talent.

- We're gonna wind up short-staffed.
- [Helen laughing]

Especially because
I've been offered a job.

What?

At a publishing house.

- What?
- What?

In Manhattan.

[Helen exhales]

Manhattan, South Carolina?

[gentle music playing]

There's no Manhattan in South Carolina.

I know. I was just hoping.

[hesitating] How long
are you gonna be gone?

It's hard to say.

[hesitates] Will the whole family go
with you?

Um, I don't know.

The details of moving have been, um,
a little overwhelming,

and I... I wanted to talk to both of you

in person about the spa and everything.

I probably shouldn't take it.
[chuckles softly]

It was just... It was nice to be asked.

No. No, no, no.

You should take it.

Uh, what will you be doing for 'em?

Marketing.

Back to your degree?

- Yeah.
- [Dana Sue] Perfect.

Um,

I'm no longer at town hall,

so I... I can cover here
while we... we figure out a replacement.

No, no. No, I'll... I'll cover.

Ronnie and I have been talking about ways
to make everyone's dreams work.

I'm not limiting that to just my family.

The dreams of the people you love
should be

as important as your own dreams.

But you be prepared to spend
half your day on the phone with your job

and the other half on the phone with us.

[Dana Sue laughs]

Because we're going to need to know
every tiny detail

of every... [inhales]

of every big thing that happens.

[whispers] We're gonna miss you
something fierce.

[exhales]

God bless you both.

[music fades]

[footsteps approaching]

Oh, hi, baby girl.

Oh, no, no, no, no. Don't. Don't.

If you sit across from me,
you block my view of the kitchen.

[jazz music playing]

And here I thought
that you wanted to see the new decor

and sample the new menu.

[Bev clears throat]

It is my responsibility as your mother
to get a sense of this man.

Mama, I assure you that
I have checked Erik out pretty thoroughly.

[Bev laughs]

I don't care if you had him vetted
by the NSA.

[Helen chuckles]

A mother must be vigilant when it comes to
the happiness of her child.

And such vigilance
can only be construed as meddling

if it turns out that that mother is wrong.

- But when was the last time that happened?
- Mmm.

I don't think town records
go back that far.

[Bev laughing]

Mmm! His scores just keep climbing.

- Mmm, mmm, mmm.
- Mama!

[both laughing]

[jazz music ends]

Iris, I am so sorry.

I thought we had eggs in the fridge.

I hope
that the cookie dough won't... [gasps]

Hi, Mom!

[Maddie exclaiming]

[Paula laughing]

[Cal] Good thing we do have eggs.

I don't suppose we can make
Ty clean this up?

Oh! I am so glad you're home.

I am so happy to be back.

[Katie] Okay, now that that's done...

Katie, give them a moment.

We've been waiting for you to finish
the Christmas village.

[Ty] Hmm.

- Where's a good place?
- [Katie] Where it was last year.

It's okay if Ty changes things, remember?

It was in a good spot last year,
right in the heart of the village.

Katie, your hot cocoa's ready.

I am so proud of you.

Your first tour.

Bonus points
for coming home healthy and happy.

You are happy, aren't you?

Oh, so happy, and I have lots and lots
to tell you, all of you,

but I don't wanna start off
on the wrong foot with Princess Katie

and not get my house set up.

She didn't leave as much room in
the heart of town as she thinks she did.

Things change.

Stories change.

People have kept moving here too
while you were on the road.

That's something you have to get used to
if... touring's what you wanna do.

It is.

- It really is.
- Yeah?

And... this doesn't sound completely real,

but... we got an awesome offer
from a band we played with in Nashville.

They want us to tour with them.
Open for them.

How thrilling!

In Europe.

[exhales] I was, uh, I was expecting
you were gonna say New York.

Why?

Because I might have a job there.

- Go, Mom! Tell me!
- After dinner.

But what I wanna tell you
right this second is

it's fine that our stories are changing

because all that matters is
the people that love us, support us.

Everything else, details.

[music ends]

Isn't peace on earth and goodwill to all
a little vague?

[laughs] I already made a link.

That my mother, Miss Paula,
Miss Iris, and Miss Grace

all being out on the town together
does not end with a call for bail money.

[Dana Sue, Maddie laugh]

- Ooh!
- [Maddie] Yes!

Look at these.

- Pour it out.
- [Helen] Pour it out.

- [Maddie laughs]
- Beautiful.

Cheers.

[Dana Sue laughs]

And I made a link

wishing your teaching kitchen
comes to a quick fruition,

and one wishing Maddie
an excellent deal package

from her new job in New York.

Careful what you wish for others.

They just sent the deal memo over
a couple hours ago.

That's fantastic.

I wouldn't go that far.

It's not quite the dazzling offer
I'd allowed myself to imagine.

So I'm not sure it's worth the upheaval.

[Helen] How have we been friends
all these years,

and you are yet to learn
the power of a strong counteroffer? Hmm?

Hmm. May I see that proposed deal memo?
Come on.

No, I do not want business
to get in the way of

our tree-decorating margarita night.

- Oh dear. Is the offer that bad?
- Give it to me.

You need to know your worth, dear heart,
and make sure that these people do too.

So begin however you'd begin.

[footsteps approaching]

Not "thank you very much."
Just "thank you."

You don't wanna sound happy

when you tell them
they're not offering enough money.

But they're a small publisher.

[Helen] They're offering you 20% less
than they can afford,

knowing that we're gonna counter at 40,

so when they give you the 20,
they can feel like they've won.

Plus, New York's expensive.

Yeah. Look, know your worth.

We will also request
one long weekend per quarter

to accommodate visiting best friends
for Manhattan margarita nights.

Wouldn't that be great?

- Epic.
- [Helen laughs]

Now, read what I actually wrote.

It's such a delicious feeling,
claiming what you deserve.

Yeah, and you know why it's delicious?

Because we don't do it often enough.

This is wonderful, Helen.

Hit send.

[phone whooshes]

So am I going about
the teaching kitchen the wrong way?

I've been trying to find a corner
to tuck it into,

tuck myself into.

Maybe I should plant myself in town square
and make sure everyone understands

the value that...
that this could bring to Serenity.

Do it.

We could even create
a Magnolia Community Foundation building

with the teaching kitchen as part of it.

Ronnie's talked to...

Uh, Ronnie's talked to Alexander about

coming back to town... to help.

To... help. Just to help.

Dana Sue.

Helen.

May I... May I say...

Yeah.

How... how gracious it is...

[Dana Sue] Mm-hmm.

That you are worried about saying
Alexander's name in front of me?

[laughs] Did you miss the full-page ad

I took out in the Sentinel
proclaiming my love for Erik Whitley?

Oh, that's a great idea.

I still don't know
what I'm getting Cal for Christmas.

I want all of us,

and our darling men,

to... promise to go into this Christmas
like children.

Hearts and... and eyes wide open.

- Believing that anything is possible.
- [Maddie] Mm-hmm.

That we deserve
every good thing that we wish for.

No more... no more leaning away
from towering expectations

because we're afraid of heights.

Here's to believing
great things are possible

because we believe in each other.

Yeah.

[all] Cheers.

[gentle music playing]

[music fades]

You made this?

With a little coaching from Dad.

Annie, it's beautiful.

Really beautiful. Thank you.

You can use it for whatever you want,
but I was thinking lyrics.

Lyrics?

[laughs]

Okay.

[Annie] Ty,

it's beautiful.

We were wandering around Knoxville
and I walked into this antique shop,

and the guy there said
this was a really good camera for film

because, you know, I don't...

It's incredible.

And what's even more incredible is
how much you support me and my art.

Just like you do with me and my music.

[exhales] Which is why

I... am so excited to tell you

I got accepted into
Monterey Institute for the Arts.

Oh.

The huge art school I never thought
in a million years would accept me.

And even though it's way more expensive
than anywhere else I looked at,

my parents are helping me
figure out a way to go.

So I won't be home as often,

but maybe you can come to California.

Maybe you and the band
can do gigs in California.

Wouldn't that be awesome?

I'm sorry. I know it's a lot,

but I wanted to tell you face-to-face,
and it's been building up.

We'll make it work. I know we will.

I am so proud of you.

And I love you

so much.

We will make it work.

I love you too.

[Annie laughs]

["Margarita Christmas"
by Dylan Rysstad playing]

{\an8}♪ Even if there's no snow on the ground ♪

♪ It's still Christmas
So long as you're around ♪

Hi.

[indistinct chatter]

♪ There's nowhere that I'd rather be ♪

♪ Than spending Christmas... ♪

Big smile. Thank you.

Latkes fresh off the griddle.

Christmas cookies,
hot chocolate, cherry bounce.

Looking good, Bailey.

Thank you, Chef.
Got your order right here.

[Erik] Thank you.

Christmas cookies.

[sighs] I can't decide.

Well, good education lifts us all,

so why don't we just give it
to the school system?

Whoa, whoa. As an avid hiker,
I'd like to speak on behalf of the river.

Hey.

You can fill that jar up to the brim
and still not find anyone

to clean up the parks
for that kind of money.

Not the conversation
we need to be having right now, CJ.

Uh, are you Clayton Camp's boy?

Yes, ma'am.

Mmm. I thought I recognized
that cold curl of the lip.

Mama.

- You all talking about the parks?
- In a way.

Our group has been discussing
turning our avocation into a vocation.

Let Mayor Peggy know we'll put in a bid
on the park cleanup

for whatever is raised here.

That is so generous of you, Ali.

- Uh, here.
- Oh.

- Oh!
- [Helen laughs]

Thanks, Bev. Thank you.

Now that is how you do business,
young man. From the heart.

♪ A margarita Christmas with you ♪

♪ Another margarita Christmas with you ♪

All right? Almost there.
You're doing great.

[song ends]

Right.

Okay. Sit here.

It's the bench right behind you.

Trust me.

I do.

Or... I did.

Until you started dragging me
around town all day on this sweet,

but frankly
kind of demented scavenger hunt.

And while I appreciate the chance
to remember the first place we kissed,

and the first place
we stared at the moon together,

and the first place
I threatened to vanquish you in D&D,

all I want for Christmas is a day
where we can just focus on each other.

Why are you being so extra?
What's going on? Just tell me.

Sucks, I told you.

Sorry for going over the top.

[chuckles softly]

I'm all for a drama, Kyle,
but... this feels like something else.

Yeah.

It is.

It's nerves.

What? Why?

[exhales] You mean so much to me.

I wanna make
every moment we have together spectacular

so you'll have a thousand great memories

to sustain you
when you go away for college in the fall.

Maybe we can just start with
a thousand kisses.

[gentle music playing]

[Lily chuckles]

[Maddie] "The dragon replied,
'I wanna be important to you too.'"

"Princess Katie understood now."

"Perhaps there is something that we could
offer you that would make us all happy."

"The dragon replied,

'What I want most in the world
is friends to share stories with.'"

No, don't stop there.

We have to, Abigail.
The book isn't finished yet.

But you can pre-order it here,

and all of the proceeds will go to
the library when the book comes out.

[indistinct chatter]

- [Ty groans]
- [Annie] Ah.

[gentle music playing]

Wait, did you make a wish?

What?

Other than I hope I don't humiliate myself
with this throw, no.

Dad always told me
that ring toss is about wishing

and making a good throw
and seeing if your wish comes true.

Like birthday candles.

Like life.

[Isaac] So this is Serenity
at the holidays.

[Michael] It's wonderful.

Genuine, heartfelt, and...

so charming.

So I've been meaning to ask you,

do you cook at all?

Coming from a chef,
this has to be a trick question.

[laughing] Not a trick.

More a segue to a different conversation.

Where are you
on a scale of "I can boil water"

to "I can make baked Alaska from memory"?

- That's the scale?
- For the moment.

Um, oh, okay.

Truth.

I'm lucky to be at
the "I can boil water" level.

[laughs] That's fine. That's fine.

But do you like it?

Once the water finally starts boiling.

["This Christmas"
by Donny Hathaway playing on speaker]

[Isaac] Ooh.

Um...

It worked.

♪ Hang all the mistletoe... ♪

This is me being spontaneous.

Let's get this water boiling.

♪ This Christmas ♪

♪ And as we trim the tree ♪

♪ How much fun it's gonna be together ♪

♪ This Christmas ♪

♪ The fireside is blazing bright ♪

♪ We're caroling through the night ♪

♪ And this Christmas will be ♪

♪ A very special Christmas for me ♪

♪ Merry Christmas ♪

[song ends]

Mmm.

What do you think, Erik?

- Mmm.
- [Erik] Hmm.

What's wrong with them?

They're wonderful. What's wrong?

- They need to be a little...
- [Erik] Sweeter. Mm-hmm.

How did I agree to bake with experts?
They're plenty sweet.

Just a... Just a touch, sweetheart.

[Erik] Mmm. I have just the thing.

- Oh, ice. Ice is exactly what they need.
- Ice?

I'm gonna go to the dining room
and get the ice bucket.

Wait, you... you don't put ice on cookies.

[Erik] No, you don't.

You put it on the baker's hand.

[enchanting music playing]

But only if she accepts the invitation
to spend the rest of our lives

perfecting the recipe for love, joy,

and mutual respect.

I know.

It's fast.

Maybe even a little crazy.

But I cannot let another moment pass
without letting you know

how much I yearn for you to be my wife.

My partner.

My soulmate.

Forever.

[exhales] My hands...

[voice trembling] My hands are shaking,
and I... I don't wanna drop it.

And it's cold. I...

- Helen.
- [breath trembling]

- Will you...
- Yes.

[Helen chuckles]

[crying] Yes.

[laughing] Yes.

- [laughing] Yes.
- [laughs]

Yes.

[Erik laughing]

Yes.

Call Maddie and Dana Sue.

I can't. I can't.

I'm afraid if I share all this joy,
I'll explode, and then I'll shatter and...

Oh, um, oh! Hold on.

[Helen breathing heavily]

I... I know when I'll tell them,
but... but right now, um...

you need to open this.

[gentle music playing]

It's your vase that I so carelessly broke.

Naomi Webster was telling me about
stomping on the glass

at her wedding to Priya.

They said,

"May this be the last thing
that shatters between us."

- You mended it?
- [chuckles]

It's called kintsugi.

It's a Japanese process
the jeweler in Egret Falls does.

- The gold... reminds us that
- Mmm.

Things can be even more beautiful

after they're broken.

- We've been through hard things...
- [chuckles softly]

together and separately.

I have faith

that we can make each other stronger.

Hmm.

- For millennia.
- [chuckles]

Because you let me.

[both laughing]

[clears throat] Am I too early?

Oh, Mama. How long have you known?

[Bev laughs]

Ooh! Did you really think I came here
for an ordinary Christmas celebration?

Aw.

This beautiful man called me
and asked me if he could come to Tampa

so that I could interview him...
to bless this.

As though I still
don't have spies in Serenity

who keep me... up on the goings-on.

- What?
- What? [laughs]

But I told him that that call
was all I needed,

but that I had to be there
when it happened.

- [Helen] Hmm.
- [laughs] Mmm.

Listen, I know how precious love is

and how it can be taken away
from you too quickly,

and I'm glad that you're trusting
your hearts and each other.

["The First Noel" playing on guitar]

This is so beautiful.

My look?

Life.

[music continues]

What are you three up to?

[chuckles softly]

I know I just called last night.

No, she hasn't changed her mind.

I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas Eve
before we go to church.

Yes, church.

With Helen and her mother.

We will, Mom, soon.

We promise.

Thanks, Dad.

I love you both.

[phone chimes, locks]

What a gift.

Hey, I am, uh, not wearing my ring
to service.

I don't want to upstage June.

And on Christmas Eve of all nights.

Well, I'm sure she'll appreciate that.

Are we ready to go?

Yeah, just one more thing.

♪ Joy to the world ♪

- Yes, we're ready. I'm ready.
- [Erik laughing]

This is my favorite church service
of the year.

[June chuckles]

My favorite night of the year.

A night that symbolizes new beginnings.

A night built on faith and hope.

A night rooted... in love.

[Maddie] Hmm.

And... this is usually
my favorite sermon of the year. [chuckles]

But tonight...

[clears throat]

[intriguing music playing]

it's just not gonna happen.

June?

Are you all right?

Honey, I thought I could get through
the whole service,

but the contractions are now three... Ooh!

[moans]

I'll go help.

[June exhales]

[June] Mmm. Mmm.

Mm-mm.

In Luke, the angels tell us,
"Do not be afraid."

[exhales] "For behold,

I bring you good news of great joy,

which will be to all the people."

[exhales sharply]

If I skip the sermon,
I could probably finish the service.

June, the Lord rejoices in your devotion,
but he has stronger nerves than I do.

Can we please go?

But it's Christmas Eve.

June, you've taught us well,
and we know what to do.

Please, please go with David and Erik.

But, Helen... Ooh! Ooh!

That's not three minutes.

I might've lost count
while praying to make it through.

I'm not asking. I'm telling.

- We are going. Now.
- [June] But...

Come on.

- [chuckles]
- [music fades]

[Helen] Um...

♪ O come ♪

♪ All ye faithful ♪

♪ Joyful ♪

♪ And triumphant ♪

♪ O come ye ♪

♪ To Bethlehem ♪

♪ O come and behold him ♪

♪ Born the king of angels ♪

♪ O come, let us adore him ♪

♪ O come, let us adore him ♪

♪ O come, let us ♪

♪ Adore him ♪

♪ Christ ♪

♪ Our Lord ♪

♪ Christ, our Lord ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Yea, Lord ♪

♪ We greet thee ♪

♪ Born this happy morning ♪

♪ Oh, Jesus to thee ♪

♪ Be all ♪

♪ Glory given ♪

♪ Word of the father ♪

♪ Now in flesh appearing ♪

[Helen harmonizing]

[choir] ♪ O come, let us adore him ♪

[Helen, choir] ♪ O come
Let us adore him... ♪

♪ O come, let us ♪

♪ Adore him ♪

[Helen] ♪ Christ ♪

♪ Our Lord ♪

Here we go! This year's family portrait.

You have to be in it, sweetheart.

I'm setting the timer, Mom.

[all laugh]

[camera beeping]

"Merry Christmas" in three, two, one.

[all] Merry Christmas!

[camera shutter clicks]

[upbeat music playing]

I couldn't be more thrilled
that Jimmy and his friends

are looking for investment opportunities
here in Serenity.

Anything to keep him closer to home.

[Jimmy] Mm-hmm.

First thing, I'm talking to Alexander
about an idea I have.

So are we. I mean, early stages.
What are you planning, Jimmy?

A B&B.

- I love that.
- [Jimmy] Yeah?

My sister has to stay in Castlewood
when she visits.

It'd be so nice to have her stay closer.

Oh, I'm sorry Kathy's not here
for Christmas.

She stayed with Bonnie and Tripp.
They needed her more.

But I wanna circle back to you, Ronnie,
and your e-bike idea.

One of my kids is really into ecotourism

and could be the perfect investor

to help you and Jeremy
get this off the ground.

You okay if I set up a meeting
for right after the first of the year?

Very open to that. Yes, sir.

[Paula, Jimmy laugh]

I am hungry.

Anyone else?

Well, take me to your meatballs.

I will.

[joyful music playing]

Who knew Santa was a millionaire playboy
from Charleston?

This could be amazing, Dana Sue.

We may actually find a way
for everyone's dreams to come true.

[exhales]

Let's go find some mistletoe
and kiss under it.

[chuckles] Who needs
some weird little plant?

I got all the love and luck I need
right here in front of me.

I love you, Dana Sue.

♪ I've got two big wishes... ♪

[whispers] I love you.

♪ ...on my wishing list ♪

♪ And I hope I've been good enough
To get everything ♪

♪ I put all the lights up ♪

♪ Now I'm just waiting on you ♪

[music ends]

Is something wrong?

Olivia, Roxanne, and I got a new tour.

Opening for a great band...

Congratulations.

In Europe.

[gentle music playing]

This is a dream come true.

And you know what would make
this dream... even better?

A record deal?

Sharing it with you.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And I want us to experience it together.

You'll be able to take
incredible pictures.

We'll have a blast.

When?

This summer.

And into the fall.

I'm going to school.

Defer?

[music builds]

Annie, please.

I can't. Not a program like this.

You're an artist.

This tour will feed your art.

It's so perfect.

I want us to do this together.

Ty, no.

I'm not going to defer my dream
to chase yours.

And I can't pass up this tour.

Which means
we aren't gonna see each other...

You took 17 years to tell me you loved me.

If we can't last one more,
then maybe that's our answer.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Right there. Which one's your favorite?

[Maddie] If we're not interrupting,

Katie has something
she'd like to give to Bex.

How sweet.

Miss Kathy brought this
when she came for Daddy's funeral.

It's a Christmas present
he bought for Bex.

[gentle music playing]

I was hoping!

Yeah!

Now all the boys have pocket knives,
and us girls have charm bracelets.

Thank you, Katie.

Thank you.

It was Bill.

- May I take Bex to get a cookie?
- Oh!

That'd be sweet of you, Katie.

Cookie time.

{\an8}There you go, Bex.

What a beautiful family.

Thanks.

Speaking of...

"Wishing Noreen and Bex
will move in with me. In love."

- Yeah, yes.
- Yeah? [laughing]

Oh, there you go.

[dramatic music playing]

Go outside.

Ty.

[indistinct dialogue]

[music fades]

I don't think of Christmas
and champagne together... but I approve.

It's not really about Christmas.

I'm gonna tell you something,
as my friend.

My close, trusted friend.

Don't react.

Mm-mm. Even that much.

Helen and I are engaged.

She wants to tell Maddie
and Dana Sue first.

Now we're just prepping
for the celebration.

I owe you a hug and a shout
something along the lines of "hot damn."

[Erik laughs]

All right.
Everyone is being far too polite.

Eat. Drink.

h*, h*, h*.

Let's go in the café.
Let's go, go, go. [laughs]

Hey, sweet girl. Come on. Come on.

Hey. Hey. Uh-uh, uh-uh.

- Not you two. You wait right there.
- Oh.

[Maddie] Oh.

[Dana Sue] What?

[Maddie laughs]

Is everything okay with Annie?

Having all those "my last Christmas
before I leave home" emotions.

She'll be fine.

She just needs to focus
on what a great time

she's gonna have at school.

[Maddie] Mmm.

Before our friends and neighbors
start arriving, a toast.

[Maddie, Dana Sue gasp]

- Oh!
- Sweet baby Jesus in his manger.

[laughing]

- [Dana Sue laughing]
- Is that the star, or is it a diamond?

Tell us every last little thing.

I said, "Yes."

And?

Is there a date?

Well, no, not yet.

This happened fast.

We'll take the rest of it slowly.

And we'll make sure that you can
come down from New York, of course.

They accepted the counter?

Well, I got the email last night.
I was waiting. How did you know?

They would be stupid not to.

You gonna accept?

I think I'd be stupid not to.

[exhales] Lord have mercy.

Things are happening real fast.
I'm feeling dizzy.

[Dana Sue, Helen laugh]

And I've only had
two sips of my margarita.

Oh, well.

You know,

I made this earlier.

Our names are on the three links

to remind us that
whatever the new year may bring,

no matter how far from each other
we may be,

this... the three of us,

will always be strength,

will always be love,

will always be home.

[sniffles] I love you both so much.

I love you two too.

Me three.

- What a glorious Christmas.
- [Helen] Mmm.

What will the new year bring?

[Helen] Mmm.

And I never thought I'd say this,
but forget margaritas.

We need champagne.

- Oh!
- Oh!

That can be arranged.

Now, Erik!

- What?
- What?

[Helen, Dana Sue laughing]

[Maddie] Erik!

Congratulations.

["Margarita Christmas"
by Dylan Rysstad playing]

[Erik] Here you are.

Oh, look at them.

[Erik] Joy, yeah.

[Helen] Merry Christmas.

[all] Merry Christmas.

♪ A margarita Christmas with you ♪

[song fades]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]