03x06 - One of a Kind

[bunniefuu]

Really. Bye.

Gotta be an old boyfriend.

Yeah, no, not-not an old boyfriend.

Your first old boyfriend.

A romantic, slightly business lunch

or just a bittersweet, nostalgic reunion.

- Hi. - Well...hi.

- Do you wanna come along? - Really?

[Teddy] 'I mean, why not? The governor's a very laid back guy.'

I'm sure he won't mind.

What are you trying to say, Abby?

Daughter bags mom's old boyfriend.

It is pretty late.

Don't play mom now.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[Karen] 'It's tough, I'm not saying it isn't'

'our first Christmas without Sid.'

'At first I thought why deal with it?'

'Well, we'll just skip Christmas this year.'

'When you try it sometime, can't be ignored.'

'Christmas is everywhere.'

'So we're handling it head on.'

'I've even managed to get into the right spirit somehow.'

I-I heard myself the other day asking Abby and the kids

to, uh, stay this weekend

and spend some time with us for the holidays.

[rustling]

Time flies when you're having fun.

You call this fun?

[music continues]

No, really, I..

It's 11:30, I think you should go home.

Laura is gonna worry.

Nah, it's, Scooter's over there.

- 'Her boss.' - Yeah. His wife left him.

[Richard] 'She just didn't think he should be alone at Christmas.'

And he wasn't doing anything tonight.

So she asked him over to trim the tree.

Ah, and you didn't think I should be alone this week

so you came over here.

- It's not the same. - It's the same thing.

- It's the same. - No, no.

But I appreciate it, a lot..

[phone rings]

- Who on earth at this hour? - 'The kids?'

No, they're upstairs. Hello?

[music continues]

Yes.

Teddy?

Well, of course, I recognize..

No, no, i-it's not too late.

No, of course, but when? Where?

Yeah, great, okay.

Absolutely, I'll be there.

Yeah, me too.

Really.

Bye.

Your accountant?

No, it was Teddy.

Gotta be an old boyfriend.

Yeah, no, not-not an old boyfriend.

- Your first old boyfriend. - Well, first serious one.

The only serious one, till Sid.

[soft chuckle]

Teddy Becker.

We're having lunch tomorrow.

[music continues]

Imagine that.

[Karen smacks lips]

[chuckles]

Oh, Richard will thank you.

He hates decorating the tree.

Thinks the tree is out to get him.

[Scooter chuckles]

It's a unique kind of paranoia.

No, it isn't.

I've watched him decorate many, many Christmas trees.

And they are out to get him.

- Dadum! - Ah!

Oh, that's wonderful. Oh, that's beautiful.

[Richard] 'Hey-hey, look at that.'

Rockefeller Center.

[Scooter chuckles]

You know, you solve the icicle problem.

Every year, Laura and I have the same argument.

Icicles or no icicles.

I see icicles won this year.

I told Scooter that you would not mind

if he did the decorating.

Mind? I'm grateful. Ow.

Damn tree's out to get me.

[music continues]

Forgot the star.

No, Richie, we saved the finishing touch for you.

Are you kidding?

This tree would fling me to the ground

and stomp on me.

I'll do it, okay? I'll do it.

Well, I better be going.

Not on my account.

Look, I've-I've got to get up early.

Goodnight.

I'll be up in a little while, sweetie.

Take your time. Goodnight, Scooter.

Goodnight, Richard.

Richard's in, uh, good spirits.

- Yeah. - The holidays?

Well, no one reason.

He's excited that we're building a pool

and things are good at work.

Richard really surprises me sometimes.

Yeah.

Well, I-I don't know, really.

Like the way he's been with Karen since Sid died.

It's been really terrific.

He's taking care of the insurance, probate..

Well, what about the two of you?

[sighs] Has his good mood done away with all your problems?

We don't fight much, and he doesn't pick on me anymore.

Things could be worse.

[music continues]

You've been wonderful to me, Laura, through all this.

Look who's talking about being wonderful.

I'm really glad, Laura, that your marriage is better.

I'm not aiming for better, though.

I'm sh**ting for good.

Well, maybe you'll get good for Christmas.

- Do you wanna know something? - What?

Tried to picture you in California

but it's such an incongruous image.

- Look at this, Christmas time. - Yeah.

Sunshine, no snow, slush.

There's no challenge walking the streets of L.A.

Look no people around.

Oh, you New Yorkers all sound like a--

Oh, wait a minute, "You New Yorkers?" What is this?

When did it stop being we New Yorkers?

When'd you switch sides?

I just woke up one morning and decided I like it here.

That you did.

Suppose you're Republican now too.

Oh, you know me better than that.

I hope so.

[chuckles]

- Let me ask you a question. - sh**t.

I mean, you know, just so I know how to behave.

Did you or did you not tell your husband

that we were having lunch?

I mean it's no big deal or anything like that

but I, you know, just want to know if this is supposed to be

a romantic, slightly business lunch

or just a bittersweet, nostalgic reunion.

[bell ringing]

Sid died, Teddy.

Excuse, what?

Three months ago.

An automobile accident.

I'm sorry, my God, I didn't know.

I should have told you that.

I thought maybe you knew.

Sarah Kay always kept in touch with us.

Sarah Kay and I are divorced.

- You're kidding. - No.

About eight years ago, and she's remarried now.

She's living in, I don't know, Detroit, Omaha

some place like..

It's Detroit.

[soft chuckle]

I understand she's very happy.

[siren wails]

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

It's some reunion, huh?

[bell ringing]

- Are you okay? - More or less.

Mostly more, I think.

Oh, my. Now what is that supposed to be over there?

[Teddy] 'Well, whatever it is, I hope it's a lousy cause.'

[laughs]

In our day, you would have taken away their handbills

and sent them home in disgrace.

Madame, in our day, picketing was an art.

Oh, well, it's the 80s for you, right?

Yeah, right.

- Well, let's go eat. - Okay.

Wait a minute, I can't stand, I really can't stand that at all.

- What? - That. I mean, it's..

You know, need some outside agitating or something.

Do you mind just waiting here for a second?

- Here? Well, sure. - Yeah, please, alright.

Because it..

- Bothers you. - Yeah.

I need something, I don't..

[engine rustling]

Hi, folks, how you doing? Let me give you a little help.

Why don't you pick up these signs?

We can stop people coming around. Let's walk in a circle.

[Teddy] 'Why don't we say "Condos, no. We won't go."'

'And you have to hold them up high.'

You have to hold them up like this, see?

Hey, sir! Whoa, whoa, whoa!

[honking]

Come on, condos, no. We won't go.

'Condos, no. That's it, get them up high.'

Now, condos, no. We won't go.

[tires screeching]

'Take some of these.'

You know, we still could have had that lunch.

Oh, no, this is lunch enough.

There was a demonstration to organize.

I'm glad to see you still have your priorities straight.

I try. I'm trying.

[laughs]

- Tell you what? - What?

I'm making up to you at dinner tonight.

I can't.

Can't or, like, you won't?

Can't.

The kids aren't right now

with Christmas the day after tomorrow

it's, it's rough.

I wanna stick close to home, you know?

[stammers] How long will you be in town for?

I gotta go back tomorrow night.

Well, why don't you have dinner with us tonight?

I've got the governor's dinner at the Press Club.

That's what I was gonna take you to.

Oh, that's too bad.

I-I, I wish we could talk.

[honking]

- I'll skip the dinner. - Oh, you can't skip dinner.

Wait a minute, wait, wait, wait. Not-not the whole affair.

I'll just skip the dinner and go late.

- Well, can you do that? - Well, why not?

I'm sure your rubber chicken's every bit as good

as the governor's rubber chicken.

At least.

[laughs]

[cheerful music]

[birds chirping]

[keys rattle]

Lilimae?

[paper rustling]

Gary, you gave me such a start.

I thought you were Valene.

[chuckles] What you got there?

Valene's Christmas gift.

Yeah? What is it?

I've been working on it upstairs in pieces

but I wanted to stretch it out on the table

while I took out some pins.

I made it just like we make 'em down at home.

I mean, I got, I got worn out things from all the neighbors.

Well, here's a, here's a dress from Laura

And there's a pair of slacks from Abby.

And a scarf of Karen's,

oh, Karen even gave me a Tattersall shirt of poor Sid's

right here and here.

And that makes it so special.

I mean, bits and pieces of all her friends

in one wonderful present from her mama.

[chuckles]

God, is she's gonna love it.

[music continues]

I know.

I wanna do the icicles.

Icicles go last.

Hey, I'm hanging these on the tree.

Well, what can I do?

Whatever you do, kids, do it without fighting.

[rattling]

- I can't do this. - Brian, you're hopeless.

Well, at least I didn't break my dumb arm.

It's not broken, it's just sprained.

And the splint's coming off in a day or two.

- Which is why I never did. - Okay.

Now go back and repeat every word you said while I was gone.

- Okay? - Well I was explaining rather.

Some would say rationalizing..

...how a rabble-rousing leader of the 1960s

gets to be managing editor

of a relatively establishment orientated

foreign policy journal, or how I went from radical activism

to archaic pragmatism without losing too much of my soul.

You were always very practical.

- I was always very practical? - Mm-hmm.

You wanna see how practical I am? Watch this.

[shouting]

[laughs]

- You know what that's called? - What?

Practically cutting off one's finger.

[laughs]

Hi.

[instrumental music]

Well...hi.

Hi.

What?

Wong Shu Schramstein.

- Wong Shu.. - Wong..

You just eat it, you don't have to say it.

- Oh. - Thank you, honey.

Teddy, you do live the most glamorous life

I mean, traveling all over the world

meeting all those interesting people.

Aunt Abby, you sound like a star struck adolescent.

[Diana] 'It's just his job.'

Star struck or not, the next time you call me Aunt Abby

I'm going to break your kneecaps.

[laughs]

Makes me feel so old.

Well, you're no spring chicken, mom.

[soft chuckle]

- Did you ever meet The Stones? - The who?

No, not The Who, The Stones, The Rolling Stones.

This is beginning to sound like an Abbot and Costello routine.

No, I never met them, but I'm a big fan.

I can't do this.

Lift up the bowl like this

and then use the sticks, just scoop it in.

[chuckles] Get it up, yeah, that's it.

Gross.

No, it is pretty glamorous at first.

But then when I got to meet all those important people..

...I realized that they're just people.

A lot of them are awfully dull.

Most of them are interested only in one thing.

- Money. - Power.

- Themselves. - Bingo.

Took me years to learn that.

How'd you get so smart?

It's in her genes.

I bet it is at that.

I think I better be on my way.

- Oh. - Do you have to go?

Yeah, I have to go to the Press Club tonight.

The governor's dinner.

Only he skipped the dinner for us.

- Yeah. - You came out the winner.

- I thank you very much. - You're welcome.

You're gonna meet the governor?

Well, among others, in fact, the governor should be

one of the lesser personages there.

You are so casual about all this.

I get very excited around powerful people.

[Diana] 'Yeah, what does everybody talk about?'

Foreign arms sales, interest rates, human rights.

And which advertising agency is developing

the most powerful secret technique

to market the candidates for the next election.

Come on, it must be really stimulating.

To be honest, yeah.

Yeah, it is.

Oh, I mean, wow.

Of course, it's been pretty electric around here tonight,

I might add.

- Indeed, yeah, yes. - Yeah?

And I doubt that the governor's guests

are gonna top that at all.

[laughs]

Diana, do you wanna come along?

- 'Really?' - 'I mean, why not?'

The governor's a very laid-back guy. I'm sure he won't mind.

Come on, I mean,

why don't you slip into something statesman-like

and let's get going.

- Oh, great! - Karen?

Okay.

Okay, just give me ten seconds.

[laughs]

[rustling]

- You don't mind, do you? - Oh, no, not at all.

When I bring her home, uh, you and I can have that long talk.

Sure.

Great.

[clattering]

Cute guy.

- Huh? - Teddy.

- Very attractive. - Yeah, he always was.

I was flirting outrageously with him.

Of course you were, Abby.

But he was much more intrigued with Brian's chopsticks

than anything I had to offer.

Well, next time, don't be so subtle.

[paper rustling]

Diana on the other hand..

[soft thud]

Diana on the other hand, what?

Was more successful.

- At what? - Being intriguing.

Diana was just being Diana.

And Teddy was being intrigued.

What are you trying to say, Abby?

Nothing. It's just a cute story, that's all.

Daughter bags mom's old boyfriend.

It's been done, of course, on soap operas.

Yeah.

Well, um, your kids must be exhausted.

Thanks for coming over, and, um...I'll see you tomorrow.

[switch clicks]

[soft music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Diana] 'That argument was so insane.'

[Teddy] 'The congressman was insane. You got him pegged.'

[Diana] 'What about that other guy?'

'The one he was having the fight with?'

That was the famous James Weston.

The New York Times.

- Oh. - Hi.

Hi, mom, you should've been there.

Sparks were flying, we couldn't get away.

All those people and all with so much to say.

And everybody was so smart.

Well, I'm happy you enjoyed yourself, sweetie.

And tomorrow we're having lunch with these Japanese journalists.

I mean, if it's okay with you.

I thought she'd enjoy it there.

Contrast.

Of course, it's okay, right?

Oh, great. Goodnight.

- Night. - Night.

[chuckles] Sleep quick.

It is pretty late.

Hey, come on.

Don't play mom now.

She's a great kid with a terrific mind.

She had a great time tonight.

[Teddy] 'It was a good experience for her.'

Listen, um..

...what do you say we save that long talk for tomorrow?

We'll both feel brighter.

'I mean, I'm still in Eastern Time'

'my body thinks it's about 5:15 in the morning'

'you know what I mean?'

[chuckles]

Sure. I'll see you tomorrow.

[soft music]

- See you tomorrow. - Okay.

Night.

[door opens]

[insects chirping]

[door closes]

[music continues]

Diana.

Diana.

Oh, hi, mom.

- Hi. - Mom, it was so incredible.

Yeah, I know. Well, I mean, I, I can imagine.

He knows them all.

Journalists, senators, ambassadors

all of them ask his opinion.

And when he tells them, they listen to him so closely.

Yeah, he always had that knack. Holding people's attention.

Making them believe him and trust him.

Well, he hasn't lost it. Take my word.

Oh, and you wanna hear what happened?

- What? - 'This man comes up to us.'

And he says, "Teddy, I've never met your daughter."

And so, Teddy says, "This isn't my daughter."

And the man turns beet red

and starts saying, "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

And he's backing away and apologizing.

[chuckles] He was so embarrassed.

[music continues]

Did you like that?

Being, uh, mistaken for Teddy's girlfriend?

Yeah, it was great.

[soft chuckle]

Made me feel so grown up.

And I am, aren't I?

I mean, I really held my own out there tonight.

Teddy and I made a great pair.

[smacks lips] I believe that.

He's one of a kind.

And so are you.

[music continues]

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

[door closes]

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, look at that.

[laughs]

I need to get one more thing for Olivia.

You already got her that antique pendant.

Yeah, but I want to get something extra for her

something different.

And she's such a special little one.

You can't just get her anything.

Honey, you think you're gonna find it here?

[instrumental music]

Yeah, maybe.

Oh, aren't these pretty?

The trouble is, if you buy one

then you feel obligated to put something inside it.

And then that gets me right back to the same old problem.

No, it doesn't, put the pendant in it.

[bell rings]

What do you think about that?

Yes.

I'm gonna get it.

Um, I'd like to buy this box.

[bell rings]

[music continues]

- It's all done. - Huh, hey, you like it?

- Mm-hmm. Let's go. - What's the matter with it?

Probably nothing, I-I just hate patchwork, that's all.

- Why? - I just do, Gary, I hate it.

Come on, let's look for something for Olivia.

You just got her the box.

No, the box isn't the present.

It's just something to put the other present in.

[bell rings]

[birds chirping]

- Hi! - Teddy, we have to talk.

- I know, I thought after we-- - No-no, now.

[dog barks]

What's up?

What's up is I think Diana's falling in love with you.

- Come on, Karen. - No, I mean it.

- You probably do. So what? - What do you mean, "So what?"

Because it's a classic syndrome, that's "So what?"

Joseph Cotten and Jennifer Jones.

- Cary Grant and Shirley-- - Teddy.

She's too vulnerable now.

She can get hurt.

Ah, come on. What're you sayin'?

[Teddy] 'I'd take advantage of her because of the way she feels?'

- I don't know. - You, come on, what?

[sighs] Alright, maybe, maybe I shouldn't think that.

But...times have changed.

People change, I don't..

[sighs]

I'm still Teddy.

[birds chirping]

And I know why you've been so worried.

[Teddy] 'You don't have to worry anymore.'

I know.

You know?

What do you know?

I know that Diana's my daughter.

What?

Hi, come on, let's get going.

- Goodbye, mom. - Bye.

[dog barking]

Come on, Teddy.

[car door opens]

[engine ignites]

[instrumental music]

[soft music]

[birds chirping]

[engine whirring]

[tires screech]

[rattling]

Thanks, Scooter. One of these days, I've got to get a new car.

Oh, no, don't do that.

Every time your Jalopy breaks down

I get a chance to come to the rescue.

[chuckles]

You know that, um..

...that Christmas bonus is really extravagant.

That's just money, that's just business.

I, uh, got you something else, though.

I'd like to bring it by tomorrow, if that's okay.

Sure.

[birds chirping]

[engine whirring]

Well, I'll, uh, I'll see you tomorrow.

[car door opens]

Hi, Laura.

Hi, Diana.

[sighs]

[door opens]

- Hi. - Oh, hi.

- How'd it go? - Oh, it was terrific again.

Mr. Excitement, that's me.

Ah, Diana, I need you to get a couple of things

at the market, and they close early.

- Oh, mom, really? - Yeah.

- And boys go with her, okay? - Oh, but, mom--

- Do we really have to? - Yes, you really have to.

And say goodbye to Teddy 'cause he's got a plane to catch.

Oh, not anymore.

She talked me into staying until tomorrow.

So he could spend Christmas Day with us.

Oh. Okay, well get going. Boys.

[rattling]

[door closes]

[sighs]

What did you mean about Diana?

I guess I suspected all these years.

I couldn't be sure until I saw her.

[chuckles]

And what makes you so sure? She doesn't even look like you.

[paper rustling]

Felt it, I..

...I just know it.

You know it?

Yeah.

You and I went together for a long time, you know?

Yeah, so?

So, uh, when we broke up..

...you started seeing Sid very soon.

- Right away? - Yeah, right away.

And then when we had second thoughts about..

...about breaking up..

...we went to Atlantic City for a couple of days, you remember?

Mm-hmm.

But it...didn't work out, so, you went back home.

And back to Sid.

Karen...you were pregnant when you married him, weren't you?

[soft chuckle]

Yes, but this is silly, Teddy.

If there was any way the baby could've been yours

I would've known.

Then why not look it up? Check the dates?

This is not a court of law.

I don't have to prove my case, I know. That's it.

Take my word.

I know, she's my daughter.

She is not your child.

[soft music]

When I started seeing Sid, it was to spite you.

I know.

And when the spite was gone..

...I realized I was falling in love with him.

But at that time of my life..

[music continues]

...even up to the time I found out I was pregnant..

...I still wasn't sure I'd completely gotten over you.

Don't you think that in that state of mind..

...if there had been even the slightest chance

that you were the father, I would have come to you?

Honey...I don't know.

I mean, maybe it didn't occur to you.

Occur to me? Teddy! Teddy.

[music continues]

Remember who I was?

A scared a young girl

who had known exactly two men her whole life.

If there had been any possibility..

Then why not humor me?

I mean, if you're so certain.

What do you care what I think?

I do care.

I don't want you to think

that a child I had with Sid Fairgate is yours.

It isn't true.

And I resent you for thinking it.

[dramatic music]

♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la ♪

♪ Don we now our g*y apparel ♪

♪ Fa-la-la la-la-la la-la-la ♪

♪ Troll the ancient Yuletide carol ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la ♪

I love the holidays wherever I am.

But I do find myself pining at Christmas time for the country.

Don't you, Val?

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la ♪

♪ Strike the harp strike the harp ♪

I like it here.

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la ♪

[chuckles] So do I, sugar.

But I can't help but think back to some of those Christmases

we all had back in Tennessee.

Oh. Everybody all together.

Singing, praying.

And the presents.

♪ La-la-la-la ♪

Simple, humble.

Handmade mostly.

But they were wonderful and so personal.

I sometimes think they meant more to people.

While these cool, I'm going up and get ready.

And join the children singing carols.

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

I know it's Christmas

and I'm trying to keep love and generosity in my heart.

When I hear her talk about those dear, sweet Christmases

that never were, I just wanna throw up.

Why bring all that up now?

I'm not bringing that up, she's the one that's doing it.

♪ To ride in a one-horse open sleigh hey! ♪

♪ Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

There was that Christmas when daddy died.

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

I was with some neighbors.

And mama swore up and down

that she would come to Aunt June's to see me

if they could just get me there.

So, they carted me, 100 miles to Aunt June's..

...just to spend Christmas with mama.

♪ Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way ♪

She never came.

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh hey! ♪

Best she could do was send a patchwork quilt for me.

Store bought.

♪ To ride in a one-horse open sleigh ♪

I have hated patchwork ever since.

[children cheer]

[paper rustling]

[clattering]

♪ Holy night! ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round yon Virgin ♪

♪ Mother and child! ♪

♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace! ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace! ♪♪

[paper rustling]

♪ Came upon the midnight clear ♪

♪ That glorious song of old ♪

♪ From angels bending near the earth ♪

[sighs]

[laughs]

Honey...come here.

[paper rustling]

Come here.

♪ From heaven's all-gracious King ♪

♪ The world in solemn ♪

Look at her.

She doesn't look any older than the little ones, does she?

♪ To hear the angels sing ♪

You're right about that, she never grew up.

[chuckling]

Yeah, you know..

...a little country Peter Pan that married your daddy

when she was, what, 14?

Hmm.

♪ Still their heavenly music floats ♪

He was an old man already.

Hardly treated her like the little girl she was

until you came along.

Get to the point, Gary.

There's no point, I'm just speculating.

♪ They bend on hovering wing ♪

So, the little girl was replaced by a real little girl.

♪ Ever o'er ♪

You got all the attention she used to get, right?

♪ The blessed angels sing ♪

I don't know, I think if I'd been Lilimae

I might've looked for attention someplace else.

♪ Angel sing ♪

Maybe by singing.

If I thought I could sing.

♪ Touch their harps of gold ♪

♪ Peace on the earth good will to men ♪

♪ From heaven's all-gracious King ♪

♪ The world in solemn stillness lay ♪

♪ To hear the angels sing ♪

[paper rustling]

[smacks lips]

You want proof, Teddy?

Here's your proof.

[paper rustling]

I liked him, though.

I used to send my kids presents from this country every year.

There you go.

[laughs]

I didn't know you had kids.

Oh, yeah, two boys.



[rustling]

They live with their mother.

Do you ever take them with you on your trips?

No, no.

♪ Star with royal beauty bright ♪

Sarah Kay, my-my ex-wife..

...when she wanted to remarry and move away from New York, I..

[paper rustling]

...I didn't, I didn't think I had the right..

...to try and stop her.

And as much as I love the boys, so..

And I really didn't get to see them much after that.

♪ King forever ♪

When do you see them then?

Summers, holidays.

At first.

♪ Oh ♪

For a while.

♪ Star of wonder star of night ♪

♪ Star with royal beauty bright ♪

Late last summer, they, um..

♪ Still proceeding ♪

...flew into New York, both of them.

♪ Perfect light ♪

And when I met them at the airport, they said, um

[clears throat] "Dad, we need to talk."

I said, "Well, what good deal, okay."

So, we went to the, uh, airport lounge there, and..

[exhales sharply]

♪ Oh ♪

They're well prepared.

Presented a good case.

♪ Star with royal ♪

They said that their, uh..

...stepfather was a..

♪ Still proceeding ♪

...you know, terrific guy, and that's great

'cause I, you know, I was happy to hear that

and that, uh, you know, they got along real well.

♪ On Bethlehem's plain ♪

And since they, uh..

♪ Gold I bring to crown Him again ♪

...you know, hardly came to New York anymore and I didn't..

...you know, get a chance to get down there and see them

that uh..

...well, they said that, uh..

♪ Oh star ♪

...maybe it would be a good idea to..

♪ Star of night ♪

...to make a clean break.

♪ Royal beauty bright ♪

♪ Westward ♪

So, I, uh, I said, uh..

♪ Still proceeding ♪

♪ Guide us to thy perfect light ♪

..."Is this what you guys, you know, really want? For sure?"

♪ Star of night ♪

And they said, uh, "Yeah, it is."

♪ Westward leading ♪

Uh..

♪ Proceeding ♪

They said that their..

...their new dad wanted to adopt them legally.

I felt I had no choice.

♪ O little town of Bethlehem ♪

So, I said, um..

♪ How still we see ♪

..."Okay, you guys, if..

♪ Above thy ♪

...you know, if this is what you really want."

[breathes shakily]

Uh..

♪ The silent stars go by ♪

...they said, "Yeah, it is."

♪ Yet in thy dark streets shineth ♪

So, I just signed the papers and..

♪ The everlasting light ♪

[exhales sharply]

...haven't been able to see them since.

♪ Hopes and fears of all the years ♪

♪ Are met in thee ♪

I understand they're doing great.

♪ For Christ is born of Mary ♪

♪ And gathered all above ♪

♪ While mortals sleep the angels keep ♪

♪ Their watch of wondering love ♪

♪ O morning stars together ♪

♪ Proclaim thy holy birth ♪

♪ And praises sing to God the King ♪

♪ And peace to men on earth ♪♪

[birds chirping]

[rustling]

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

[music continues]

[gasps]

- Surprise! - Surprise!

[Laura] 'Oh, oh, Richard, oh, thank you!'

- Do you like it? - Oh, it's wonderful.

- It's wonderful. - Go on. Yeah, go on.

Take a closer look, look at the interior.

Oh, honey.

Now, if you don't like the color, I can change it.

- Oh.. No, no. - You know, red or something.

Alright, you got to show me how this works.

Well, it's one of these new models.

You have to turn the key.

- Cute. - Watch your skirt.

[engine ignites]

- Come on, hurry up. - Come on, Jason, let's get in.

If you're real good, your mother may let you drive this.

Oh, no.

[birds chirping]

[music continues]

Up, up and away.

There you go.

[engine whirring]

- Aw. - You like it?

- Thank you, honey. - I knew you needed one.

Now...yours, sugar.

- What? - Open this.

I've never seen such a big present.

[laughs]

[Valene] 'Oh, how am I gonna save the bow now?'

I need you to take off this..

Oh, come on, honey.

You like to k*ll a person with anxiety.

Time you get good.

[laughs]

Look! Isn't that something? I made it all myself.

[Lilimae] 'All from your neighbor's things.'

Here's Gary's old tie.

[laughs] And Olivia's jumper.

Come on, Gary, help me spread it out.

[paper rustling]

[laughs]

She's speechless.

[soft music]

Well, that's alright.

I understand it.

Feel how soft, sugar.

[sobbing]

[chuckles]

Thank you, mama.

I told you she'd love it.

[chuckles]

[engine whirring]

[music continues]

[laughing]

I love it. It is fabulous.

- Can I have my presents now? - Sure, honey.

[birds chirping]

[giggles]

- You like it, huh? - I love it, honey.

- Handle well? - Yep.

[engine whirring]

[tires rustling]

[brakes squealing]

- Hi, Laura, hi, Richard. - Hi.

- Merry Christmas. - Boy, Merry Christmas indeed.

Merry Christmas to you. This is some car.

Laura's new car.

[birds chirping]

Well, isn't anybody gonna say anything?

Well, it's beautiful. I mean, this is some gift.

- Honey, I like the.. - 'Don't be silly.'

I mean, this is an incredible gift,

Richard, I, you know, I didn't know the..

What are you apologizing for?

I mean, it's-it's-it's unbelievable.

I mean, come on, Laura, aren't you gonna take it for a ride?

Honey, I don't want it.

Don't want it? Don't be ridiculous.

Come on, take it for a ride, come on.

[birds chirping]

[cheerful music]

- Got you first. Got you first. - No, I got you first.

- You got me last. - Jason.

No, I got you first.

[indistinct chatter]

I'm Teddy Becker.

Karen Fairgate told me to come here.

Oh, I'm Laura Avery, come on in.

Thank you, thank you.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas to you too.

Come on, I'll introduce you to some people.

- You look nice. - Thank you.

This is Scooter Warren, Teddy Becker.

- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

This is my husband, Richard Avery, Teddy Becker.

Oh, you're Teddy? Oh, thank you.

Come on, I'll get you a drink. Oh, there's Karen.

Richard, you know, I would like you to understand something.

I always get that kind of car for my top man..

...uh, top person.

You know, when somebody sells five million a year--

What are you apologizing for? Will you stop apologizing?

- No, I'm not apologizing. - It's more than wonderful.

'Cause she did it all herself, I mean, she gathered the pieces

from everybody in the neighborhood.

- Even Erin Molly. - I know.

Lilimae used a piece of the baby's blanket.

Aw, you really surprised me with that one, mama.

Oh, honey.

I hope that's a clean eggnog.

- What do you mean by clean? - You know what?

Fifth amendment protects you from self-incrimination.

The fifth amendment protects her from the law

not from her mother.

I can go for one of those, but I'm always on a diet.

But are they fat or what?

Uh, no, I'll get one for you.

Do you want it clean or dirty?

Well, same as yours.

[instrumental music]

[whispers]

[chuckles]

- Use your own judgment. - Ha.

[chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

- So.. - So.

Oh, I, uh..

...got a little gift for you.

Oh, Teddy.

[laughs]

This is nice.

[paper rustling]

[music continues]

Thank you.

It's perfect.

Karen.

Did you do any thinking about what we talked about last night?

[indistinct chatter]

Uh-uh.

Well, a little.

And?

I don't know what you want me to say.

Just that it's possible.

[music continues]

It's possible.

Thanks.

Um, honey, I, um..

[glass clinks]

...I really don't want that car.

Don't be silly, you can't turn down the car Scooter gave you.

Oh, yes, I can.

Look, if you gave it up, I'd never be able to forget it.

[chattering]

If it stays in the driveway

it'll just fade into the landscape.

Just drop it, okay?

[indistinct laughter]

[music continues]

Merry Christmas, Laura.

Merry Christmas, Richard.

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

- Mom. - 'Oh, hi, honey.'

[rustling]

It was a nice Christmas, wasn't it?

I mean, you know.

Yeah, I know.

It's nicer than we thought it would be.

Sorry, I hugged Teddy.

He's your old boyfriend, he came to see you.

And I wound up taking up all of his time.

I'm glad you liked him.

But you never got to talk to each other or anything.

Well, don't worry about it.

[music continues]

Old boyfriends are scary, you know?

Just the thought of a reunion can..

...get you all queasy.

But that kind of scary is sexy too.

Not for me, not right now. Nope.

[inhale sharply] This is not a good time for a reunion.

It's too close.

I really only knew two men in my whole life.

[music continues]

Teddy was a huge influence on me when I was young.

But daddy was more than an influence.

He and I became one thing.

At any other time, seeing Teddy would've been exciting

but now anyone who isn't daddy..

...can't mean too much to me.

[music continues]

And, oh, boy, I would have hated for Teddy to feel that

feel that he didn't matter to me anymore.

That's why I'm glad you took him off my hands.

Made him feel good.

Who's that?

[paper rustling]

That is daddy's grandmother. Your great grandmother.

She got married not much older than you are now.

It's eerie, isn't it?

Except for the clothing, she could be you.

I never knew how much I look like daddy's side of the family.

[Karen] 'An exact duplicate.'

'Hey, maybe we should restore it.'

'Clean it up or something.'

[Diana] 'No, leave it where it is, it makes me kind of nervous.'

[chuckles]

[Karen] 'Anything you say.'

[music continues]

- 'Goodnight.' - 'Goodnight, sweetheart.'

[Karen] 'Merry Christmas.'

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round yon Virgin ♪

♪ Mother and child ♪

♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪♪

[instrumental music]