02x01 - Secrets, Lies and School Supplies

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Chesapeake Shores...

Abby O'Brien!

Back in Chesapeake Shores.

Dad, surprised us with a family reunion.

To the O'Briens.

- I have news.

- You decided to move on.

I don't need a mother.

You lost your chance when you walk out of my life, I'm sorry.

I was when she left.

Why am I always considered the parent who left?

Because you did?

I thought to surprise you.

Surprise.

What are you looking at?

My ex-husband is talking to my ex-boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend is talking to Jess whose ex-boyfriend wants to be Bree's new boyfriend.

You both asking for full custidy.

Children will spend their summers in Chesapeake Shores, Maryland.

Hello.

Shh, shh.

Something happened to Kevin.

I came arround earlier and now I can't find you Call me.

What happened?

Look, I just want to get out of here.

I got to get to the hospital.

Trace...

I got a call from my mom.

That's why I left the way I did.

Something happened to my dad.

Is he okay?

I don't know.

All I know is that my mother called me from the back of the ambulance and I just spent eight hours in a jail cell.

Well, why were you arrested?

I got pulled over for speeding.

There was a warrant out for my arrest from Nashville.

What?

Why?

Are you serious?

I just bailed you out of jail.

The charges were filed after the accident.

Look, I don't have time to get into this right now.

- Really?

- Okay, and then I got an attorney.

I was hoping he could make it go away, but I guess he couldn't.

You told me it was just an accident.

I wasn't sleeping enough, and I got behind the wheel...

that's when John got hurt.

You know, for weeks I sat outside his hospital room through two surgeries.

You know, I wanted to be there for him, I wanted to tell him how sorry I am.

I never should've driven that night.

I should've stayed in Nashville, I should've been there for John.

Look, can you just drop me at the hospital please?

I can find my way back from there.

Of course, of course.

Mom.

You okay?

What happened?

It's his heart.

I'm so glad you're here.

♪ The miles are getting longer, it seems ♪ ♪ The closer I get to you ♪ ♪ So I'm going home, to the place where I belong ♪ ♪ Where your love has always been enough for me ♪ ♪ I'm not running from ♪ ♪ No, I think you got me all wrong ♪ ♪ I don't regret this life you chose for me ♪ ♪ I said these places and these faces are getting old ♪ ♪ So I'm going home ♪ ♪ I'm going home ♪ So this is the exciting part, okay?

The reason why we light the lanterns is because during the w*r of , when the British sent three ships up the Chesapeake...

Dad, the lanterns are about the end of summer.

A celebration.

Fun, you know?

For your information, Connor, I am the very definition of fun, okay?

So that night, there was a terrible storm, it was too dark to see, the ships were sinking...

Oh no.

I have to go into work early.

Girls, I am so sorry, but...

I'm not going to be able to take you back to school shopping today.

I hate work.

Me, too.

I know.

Sometimes, I do too.

You promised it'd be today.

I know, sweetie.

I was really looking forward to it.

This is why you moved home.

You are literally surrounded by a back-up plan.

I will take two of my favorite granddaughters shopping.

- We're your only granddaughters.

- What?

That's funny, I thought I saw a couple more here.

Wait a minute, let me see.

I thought I saw one behind you, right here.

Right there!

Do you even know what size they are?

Of course I know what size they are.

Well, how about this?

How about grandpa gets you started today and then I will take you on the weekend?

Okay, that'd be fun.

I love you guys so much.

Okay...

Jess is texting me again for the fourth time this morning.

Aww, the B&B is full for the first time.

She's probably a teensy bit overwhelmed.

Don't coddle her.

She's perfectly capable of running her own business.

Yeah, I know...

I let all of you fall down and scrape your knees.

You can't fix things for her, otherwise she's never gonna figure it out.

Okay, here is the shopping list.

There's not much...

Two dresses, a pair of... you know what?

I don't need a shopping list.

I raised five kids, I know how to back-to-school shop.

In fact, there's nothing more important in this life than...

[Cell phone ringing] Oh hey Sam, how are ya?

I'm glad you called back.

Listen, I wanted to talk to you about that deal.

Yeah, it's about the Simpson deal.

No no no, it's still viable...

Well I guess summer's over.

Back to being Dad.

So, you're definitely moving back to Chicago?

Writer in residence?

I mean, that's an amazing opportunity.

Guys, I get to mount my own play.

And I get to be paid to do it!

What?

What... no no no.

This has nothing to do with Martin, okay?

We are over.

It's so done.

Mostly, I think.

(Whispering) Not really. Well, that's cleared up.

Whoa, here's one: two bedroom, two bath, hardwood floors, utilities included and a balcony by the pool.

You guys are really gonna live together?

Of course we are.

We aren't.

Come on, it's a no-brainer.

- Oh really?

- I'll be working in Baltimore for the DA, and Kev is going back to med school at Johns Hopkins.

Don't you think you should see if you get the job first?

I will get the job, okay?

All that's left is the interview.

I'm great in a room, I'm a closer.

You went out pretty late last night.

Were you with Trace?

Who's Trace?

He's just a friend of Mommy's.

Uh girls, actually could you please run upstairs and brush your teeth and get changed for shopping?

Okay.

Thank you!

Hey hey hey, plates plates plates!

You can do it.

You haven't introduced them yet?

They have a new city, a new house, a new school.

I think they're good for right now.

Okay, fair enough.

About time!

I said it was a matter of life or death!

But you always say it's a matter of life and death.

What's wrong?

It's a disaster.

I'm overbooked and, I...

I have a full house.

Well call the last people who made a reservation and just tell them...

I can't!

I don't have phone numbers for them.

And there's a couple who brought their German Shepherd and another couple who only speaks French...

And the wi-fi is out.

And I put a red sock in with the sheets and towels.

That explains the pink.

Apprécierez les scones.

Il n'y a pas de levure.

Everyone loves him, he speaks French.

He's not who I thought he was.

Who is he?

I have no idea.

He's helpful, but confusing in multiple languages.

Well, confusing or not, you have bilingual help.

Which means I'm going to go to work, because I'm already late.

Abby, I can't do this.

I don't know why I thought I could.

Jess, you can do this, you're already doing it.

You just need to make a list and figure out what you need to do next.

Okay.

You're right, I can do this.

I just need to make a list, a long list.

What comes first?

First, you breathe.

[Alarm beeping] My sheets are dry.

Please let them be white again!

I never should've gotten behind the wheel...

I should've stopped for the night, but it was three o'clock in the morning, I just...

You know, I just lost focus for just a second.

Well they're charging you with Gross Negligence because you were behind the wheel, and you were responsible for all of them.

But it was an accident!

We were all tired.

We all decided to get in that car.

But John's the one who didn't walk away.

So what do we do now?

Well because you missed your arraignment, they're extraditing you back to Nashville without bail.

Is that really necessary?

Or you can go back on your own accord, plead to the judge who issued the warrant, and if you're lucky, she will grant you bail, and you fight the case.

Now the good news is you weren't doing anything illegal.

Kyle Hadden.

I went to law school with him.

I already let him know you'd be calling.

You found my favorite spot.

Yeah, it's like finding a phone booth.

These places don't exist anymore.

I know, isn't it wonderful?

Well, if you're looking for something completely obsolete, then yeah.

I mean, who buys books at a bookstore?

Well, I do.

I guess that sounds silly to you.

Eh, it's a bit silly, but you are a romantic.

Uh Martin, I'm really looking forward to going back to Chicago and doing the play, but umm...

It's just gonna be work, okay?

I'm not going back there to be with you, okay?

Yeah look, I get it, I hurt you.

I don't blame you for being mad at me, but I promise, I'm going to make it up to you.

Yeah, sure.

Oh, I made a few notes on your play.

It's not really a big deal.

I'll see you in Chicago.

Bree, you're a very talented writer.

But I just...

I want you to be a success.

Okay?

Okay.

So construction is back on track?

Yeah, we're back on schedule and onto the next project.

I believe that's the senior community north of Orlando.

- I can bring up...

- No, that one's next.

The O'Brien Family Trust?

acres across the bay.

I just found out my brother is looking for a loophole to turn it into a nature preserve.

Can he do that?

He can, but my father would've hated it.

That land is O'Brien land, now and forever.

Developing it will keep Thomas from being able to do anything with it.

Since you own the property together, can't he stop you?

No, he can't.

My dad made me the trustee.

Which brings me to a thought.

Why don't you get Wylie up there with his team to get the survey started right away.

If he didn't want to develop in the first place, why would he do this?

Because he's my brother.

And because he didn't think I'd find a partner with enough cash to get this going.

And now, I am going shopping.

Shopping?

Yes... with my granddaughters.

With your finance background, you're the only one here who can handle Fox Builders. I worked with Matt Fox years ago.

Yeah, I was told Fox appreciated your honesty.

I told him he was wrong and when he didn't believe me, I proved it.

You might be the only person alive who actually did.

Well I almost lost my job because of it.

Fox has his own team of analysts, but they just want an outside consultant to go through all his new real estate proposals.

Lucky me.

Abby, he's a New York client.

This is a huge deal for our office.

Yes but Del, going through all of these projects is going to take days...

Or even weeks...

Hey.

Trace?

How you feeling?

I'm fine.

Where's your mother?

I sent her home to get some sleep.

She's been here round the clock since they brought you in.

- Axel's with her.

- Oh... good.

They said it was a heart att*ck.

I heard.

You know, my father had one too.

I guess it runs in the family.

Looks like you're gonna have to take better care of yourself.

Looks like we both do.

Dad, I gotta make a quick trip to Nashville to take care of a few things, but I'll be back.

Okay, good...

and try not to miss the lantern festival.

The what?

The lantern festival?

I've never missed one...

until this year.

You kept going?

Every year.

And I kept them all.

It helped me remember...

the nice times.

Get some rest, Dad.

I'm sorry, we're completely booked up.

I'm not looking for a room.

I'm just... wait.

You're the cook, right?

Yes, the cook and the gardener, and...

just about anything else.

David Peck.

I've heard a lot about you from Bree and Jess.

Jess was very lucky to find you.

I'm her mom, Megan.

Remember, we met?

Right, yeah!

Nice to see you.

She's great, by the way.

And inside, if that's the way you're heading.

Yup, that's where I'm headed.

Hi.

What are you doing here?

I thought you went back to New York.

I did.

I was hoping that we can have lunch tomorrow.

I'm busy...

I'm booked.

In fact by tomorrow, I'm going to be overbooked.

Running a B&B is not easy.

Let me give you a hand.

Can we not do this right now?

I've got six loads of pink sheets and towels in the washer and dryer and I'm trying to bleach them back.

I just want to talk, Jess.

We don't...

We don't talk.

Well, maybe now we can.

What does that mean?

I'm moving back to Chesapeake.

Why now?

I guess now seems like the right time.

With all you kids home.

So you needed all of us to be here for you to decide it's time to be our mother?

It just feels like the right time for all of us to reconnect.

Well, I never left so I guess reconnecting with me wouldn't be enough?

Jess!

I never stopped being your mother, honey.

I love you.

I need a little help here, I want to make us right.

Okay, it's just...

I'm sorry, but I'm all grown up now and you're a little late.

[Alarm ringing] My towels are dry.

You know, she looks a lot like you.

Thanks.

Answer, answer, answer.

Hi, it's Abby, leave me a message. Please, please, please.

Hi, it's Abby, leave me a message. Abby, call me.

I need to talk to you.

I really, really, really need to talk to you.

So, what are we looking for?

I'm not sure exactly.

My dad said something about memories back at the hospital.

And then my mom said every year before the lantern festival, he'd come in here...

It's like stepping back in time.

Yeah.

You know, when I left for Nashville, all I wanted to do was forget the past, get as far away from Chesapeake as I could.

Then you realize you left behind what you needed the most.

Trace, your dad's gonna be okay.

What was that for?

I've made a lot of stupid mistakes in my life, but being with you is the best decision I ever made.

And that's why I made it twice.

Abby!

Abby!

Abby!

Jess, what're you doing?

You hate running...

Looking for you!

What is wrong with you?

I called you times and...

why're you in such good shape?

What's wrong?

I said it was important.

Well you always say it's important.

Yeah but this time, it actually was and I really needed you, and you didn't answer.

Okay okay, I'm sorry, Jess.

Are you okay?

Mom is moving home.

She bought a house and she's going to live here.

Oh.

You knew?

You knew about this and you didn't stop her?

I didn't know for sure.

She said that she was thinking about it...

Why would she do this?

Maybe because everyone else moved home and she wanted to, too?

Well it's a little late!

Jess, it's not just about you.

Her other kids live here, her grandchildren live here now.

I can't believe you're taking her side.

This is not about sides, okay?

I...

I have to get to work.

You have to get to work?

My work is drowning in pink sheets and bad wi-fi.

I'm overbooked which means tomorrow, people are going to show up and I'm going to have to throw them out on the street.

My first year in business and I'm failing fast.

Okay well maybe Mom could actually help you?

No, I don't need a mother.

I just need someone who answers my calls.

Jess!

Mr.

Riley, have you been briefed that the meeting here today is whether or not I'll grant you bail?

I have.

You're also aware that moving back to your home town doesn't explain why you missed your arraignment?

Your honor, if you give my client some latitude, I believe he can explain...

Your client has had months of latitude.

Moving out of state is no excuse for ignoring a court date.

Issuing a bench warrant is not something I take lightly.

Yes your honor, which is why Mr.

Riley returned to Nashville immediately on his own volition.

Noted.

Do you have anything to add, Mr.

Riley?

Yes, I do.

Look, I want you to know that I take full responsibility for what happened.

I never should've gotten behind the wheel.

I was no condition...

I think all my client means to say is that he is not a flight risk.

Arraignment is in two days.

We'll set up a time.

Mr. Hadden, please make sure your client shows up.

So the Bay was completely dark, and the three British ships were sinking.

Every single British sailor would've d*ed if not for the people of Chesapeake Shores, who all lit lanterns.

Oh, can we make lanterns, too?

I think that is a fine idea.

So, the people of Chesapeake took their lanterns to the shore, the British sailors saw the lanterns, and they all swam to safety.

So, the greatest battle of Chesapeake Shores never happened.

It was won by love, not by g*ns.

That's a nice story.

Oh, thanks.

So that's why, every summer, we celebrate the end of summer by making lanterns and put aside our differences to just be at peace, if only for one day.

I'm sorry, I don't think we've met.

Norm Fisher.

I work for your brother, Thomas.

Oh...

I thought you were for Illuminate the Bay.

No, mostly just to ask you why there are stakes in the ground inside the O'Brien Family Trust.

Stakes in the ground mean fire hydrants, fire hydrants mean development.

Or they just could be wooden stakes in the ground.

So that's what you want me to tell Thomas?

Well, I'm kind of a face-to-face kind of guy.

Thomas is litigating habitat destruction in the Everglades.

Oh, that's very impressive.

I'll have to talk to him about that when he gets back.

But right now we're making lanterns and celebrating a battle that never happened.

Except some battles are unavoidable.

That's true.

But today they are, and I'm with my granddaughters.

Say hello to Thomas for me.

I will.

- That man doesn't seem happy.

- No!

That's because he didn't get any ice cream before dinner like you guys are gonna get.

Yay!

So the positives about moving to Chicago are that I get to mount a play.

A play with my name on it.

I get to work with actors and I get to be paid to do what I love.

Which is like a million dollars a week, so that's good.

Good!

Good is good.

Okay, you're not listening.

I am listening, I'm just also trying to get work done.

But you're the multi-tasking queen.

This shouldn't be a problem.

I have a lot on my plate right now!

Well, don't worry.

It's not like I'm asking for help, okay?

It's not like I don't know what I have to do.

I know what I have to do, I just hate the answer.

Which is what?

He completely changed my play.

None of the words are mine anymore and he's going to be staging it, so I don't even know if it's worth it to go anymore.

Ugh, Jess!

Oh I'm so glad she's texting you for a change.

I tried the tough love approach.

It didn't work.

Told you.

b*mb!

Don't!

Okay, we're all here.

Sit down, let's get this over with.

Why are we here?

I'd like to whoop Kev one-on-one.

Like last time?

Hey, whoa whoa, I was coming back.

I needed to talk to all of you and I didn't want to do it in front of the girls or Dad.

Okay, just... it's okay.

Mom is moving home, she bought a house over on Elm St, and Jess is freaking out.

Why is Mom moving home now?

Isn't it a little late for that?

Exactly!

Thank you, Connor.

Can't we just give her a break?

We're all grown ups.

Mom's not going to change anything.

Yes, she is.

She'll be around all the time.

Jess, I love you but, don't you think maybe it's time for you to grow up a little?

I'm sorry, but it's true.

You cannot blame Mom for everything that goes wrong in your life.

That's unfair.

Jess, not everything in life is fair, okay?

I mean, just...

Sooner or later you're gonna have to figure out a way to make your life work with or without Mom.

And it doesn't help that everything is going wrong at the B&B.

Everything?

Well yeah, mostly everything.

I mean, I tried to do the reservations right, the laundry right, everything right, and everything's a mess.

So... do it wrong.

Okay no offense, but that's like really bad Connor advice.

Offense taken.

It's true.

Jess, I've spent my entire life doing things the right way, and you haven't.

You do things well, because you do it your way.

Really?

Worse comes to worse, you fail just as badly.

Okay.

You're right...

The wrong way...

it'll be fine.

So our Hemingway suite, with our special pink sheets and towels, is our most exclusive room, and a free upgrade because of the lantern festival.

In fact, our last guest was a famous Chicago playwright who enjoyed its spectacular views and creative energies...

Umm Jess?

Hi!

Can I have a moment?

Absolutely, okay.

What are you doing?

I'm renting out your room.

I'm sorry, I am overbooked and I need the space.

I don't think you can do that.

Like, legally?

No, like you should've asked me.

Well...

you didn't answer your phone.

And you're moving to Chicago!

I haven't moved yet, have I?

I'm right here, right now.

If it makes you feel better, I had to give up my room, too.

It's now officially known as the Founder's Suite.

Wrong is totally working out right.

Where is my stuff?

It's at Gran's!

One second.

Hey.

I thought you left for Chicago.

Uh, no, not yet.

But I might have to leave sooner now that I'm homeless.

She's doing a great job.

Great job stealing homes..

She almost cracked for a second there, especially when your mom showed up, but she managed to glue herself back together.

Will you show them how to work the shower?

Yeah.

So David's been amazing.

Oh that's interesting, he was just saying the same thing about you.

That's good, now you can finally find out if he's somebody you really like.

What, because you're out of the way?

I was never really in the way.

But okay, if you want to make it official you can have him.

You can't re-gift a man, can you?

I don't know, I think I just did.

Well anyway, I don't even want him.

Well, me neither.

Good, so neither of us want him.

Nope, not even a little.

Not even a little.

Well...

[Phone ringing] Hi, I was hoping you'd call.

How're you holding up?

I'm doing okay, but my lawyer's not too happy.

Why?

He wants me to keep my mouth shut and do the talking for me.

Well that's probably good advice.

I can't do it anymore.

You know, I gotta stop running from this, take full responsibility, and accept whatever comes.

Well, I'm proud of you.

Thanks.

All right, well uh, I'll talk to you later?

Okay, I miss you.

Miss you too. Well, this is perfect.

Even with Gran gone, we can gather together as a family and eat this wonderful...

What?

It's my famous mac and cheese with meatballs.

Where is this famous?

Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

Well, it looks wonderful.

So how was everyone's day?

Mine was perfect, spending it with my granddaughters.

Best day ever.

Ever!

Well, I had a great day.

I went to work and found a missing piece of a puzzle.

Oh, good for you.

My day was glorious until I rudely got kicked out of my house.

Hey, I solved about problems today doing exactly what Kevin told me to do.

You gave away my room, Jess.

I gave away my room, too.

Yeah, but I'm the one who gets to be angry about it.

I am choosing not to be angry.

Even though Mom moving home should make everyone angry.

Oh, I'm guessing she never told you either?

I'm honestly a bit stunned, Mr. Riley.

After all this time avoiding the charges, I thought you'd mount a better defense.

I don't have a defense, your honor.

I'm completely at fault for what happened to John.

But it was a mistake.

A mistake I have to live with for the rest of my life.

I only ask that the judge uses her discretion in the case, considering my client's history.

Mr. Riley has never been in trouble with the law.

Duly noted.

Frankly I'm inclined to impose a fine and some jail time.

But yesterday, I reached out to John Rawl, the injured party, and he sent me a note.

A man of few words.

Mr. Riley?

"Dear Judge Patrick.

What happened that night may have been Trace Riley's fault, but it could've been any one of us.

We were all pushing too hard, we all knew better, and it was his turn to drive.

If you blame him, you might as well blame all of us.

John".

Charges reduced to negligence.

$ fine, time served.

Does that work for you, Mr. Hadden?

Mr. Riley?

Absolutely, your honor.

Yes, ma'am.

Gentlemen.

Mr. Riley?

You should thank your friend.

Yeah.

Well, you could've warned me.

I was afraid you'd try and talk me out of it.

Why would I do that?

This isn't going to be a piece of cake, you know.

Do you want to come in?

No, it's late.

I just wanted to come by and say hello.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you first.

You don't have to tell me anything.

But you might want to think about why you came back.

Are you doing it for the kids, or...

are you doing it for yourself?

I thought you guys went to Baltimore to look at apartments.

- We were.

- We weren't.

But we decided that it would never work.

I realized that I couldn't live with Kevin.

Oh really?

Yeah, he's just too neat for me.

We decided to play ball instead.

What're you reading?

Bree's new script...

The Last Dress.

Catchy title.

Yeah, apparently that's all that Martin liked.

Hey!

You want to take on the winner?

Or are you gonna duck out again like you did last time?

No, I realized I haven't finished shopping yet.

Watch this.

Caitlyn, Carrie!

Shopping!

Yay! Oh!

Del.

I made it through all the domestic contracts.

There are some concerns with long term developments with adjustments that need to be made for inflation...

Well that's great, Abby.

So all of the projects looked okay going forward?

Everything except for one.

It's a solid deal, with Matt Fox taking on a business partner to develop a huge area of land.

acres on Chesapeake Bay...

With my dad.

Hey John.

Trace... what're you doing here?

I...

just wanted to thank you for that letter that you wrote to the judge.

It was the truth.

I heard your last surgery went well.

Yeah, I'm recovering nicely.

That's what my physical therapists say to me when I go there three times a week.

Look John, I really came by to tell you that...

I'm not accepting your apology.

I just thought after you wrote that letter to the judge...

I didn't write that letter for you, I wrote it for me.

Linda says that living in the past isn't healthy, it's time to move on.

Well, whether you want to hear it or not, I am sorry, John.

Doesn't matter to me.

You showed me who you are when you walked away from the band.

From your best friend...

left me with nothing.

And that's what you are to me now.

Nothing.

Does Gran know you're in her bed?

She's in Ireland.

h*m* milk, pure cane sugar, % butterfat, ice crystals and air.

Jess, what part of giving my room away do you think can be healed with ice cream?

You know what?

This is not gonna fix anything.

Right?

Are you still going back to Chicago?

I don't know.

I wanted to go to see my play produced, but look at it!

None of the words are mine anymore and I hate it.

Well at least if you go, you don't have to deal with Mom being home.

You know, your life doesn't have to change unless you want it to.

I know.

Oh, we should wake Abby.

We can't, it's late.

And she told me I need to grow up and take care of my own problems.

Well, this isn't a problem.

This is ice cream.

She needs her sleep and I need to leave her alone.

She's got kids and boyfriend and work and...

Are you eating ice cream without me?

We thought you were asleep, but we were just about to go wake you.

Well, I brought my own spoon.

Come on, get in here!

Did you bring your own pint?

No, I'm gonna have some of yours.

Okay, I have orange.

Oh, okay!

A little mint?

Oh, it's so good!

Here they are.

Hi!

Hi guys.

We had coffee.

Wow, aren't you lucky?

You have stuff all over your face.

Can you guys run upstairs and get ready for the festival?

- Okay.

- Okay, sure.

Wash your faces.

Dad?

It wasn't real coffee, it was just hot chocolate.

No, Dad.

The O'Brien Family Trust?

How'd you find out?

Because my firm has been hired to analyze it.

Well, that's good thinking on their part.

You'll have information that no one else can get.

You orchestrated it.

You made sure they came to us.

Oh, I can't tell people to what to do.

I just...

make suggestions here and there.

You said that you'd never develop that land.

I know...

things change.

Mommy!

Come look at the backpacks.

Wow!

Okay, I'll be right there.

I want to talk to you about this more.

Yes, ma'am.

Dad?

Coffee?

Thank you, honey.

You're welcome.

So I hear you're thinking about not going back to Chicago.

Yeah, I'm not going.

I think that would be a big mistake.

Why?

Because your voice is unique.

You tell the truth about people in your writing.

So...

I hope that this is helpful.

Dad!

Whoa!

I know that you love writing on that old typewriter, so this is just for traveling.

Why?

Honey, it doesn't matter whether you write on a typewriter, or a computer, or a pencil, or a crayon.

They're your words and only you can write them.

You should never forget that.

Well, thank you.

You're welcome, Bree O'Brien.

Do you know why I call you Bree O'Brien?

Um, because you like me as a friend?

When you were a little girl, you used to leave these notes around the house for me and your mom.

Sometime it was "I love you." Sometimes, "Don't yell at each other so much." And sometimes it was, "Please don't go to work today." Yeah, I was six.

I didn't know what I was doing.

Well, you did know what you were doing.

You had something to say, and you always signed your name Bree O'Brien because you wanted me to take you seriously.

Your words mattered then, and they matter now.

I can't do what you do, but I do know that life is more about rewriting than writing.

And if you don't like what's on the page, change it.

You'll always have a home to come back to, if you need a blank page to start again.

Jeez.

Oh, unless of course your sister rents out your room and then...

it's off.

[Laughter] All right family, running late!

Abby!

Bree!

Jess!

Kevin, Connor, let's go!

Come on guys, we're gonna be late.

Good good, the O'Brien's are complete if you guys hurry.

Come on, we gotta go.

Hi!

Oh my gosh, look who it is!

There's my family! Oh my babies!

Oh golly, oh sweet child.

You had to go back to your roots to find your roots?

Oh don't be a smart aleck, you!

I'm gonna walk with you, because I always have.

All righty.

Let's do it!

So did you find what you were looking for in Ireland, Mom?

I found in life there are many mixed blessings, son.

And that it's better to have enemies outside your home, than to have one within your home.

Thomas called you, didn't he?

And I'm not letting either one of you destroy our family.

Children!

Come!

Come be with your nana.

Jess and Bree O'Brien!

Aunt Mary?

Hi, how are you?

How's little Nell?

Oh, not so little.

She's getting married next week at the courthouse.

Oh, wow.

She and her fiance are only home for the weekend before they both have to leave.

Oh, is he in the Peace Corps, too?

Yeah!

So, why don't you set next Saturday aside...

Okay, wait.

Courthouse?

She needs a wedding.

Why don't we do it at my B&B?

Sweetheart, there's no time to plan a wedding.

Oh, no no!

Just leave everything to me, it'll be perfect.

Oh my!

I can't wait to call her.

She's going to faint.

Thanks Jess.

Of course!

So, you're going to give them the most special, most magical night of their lives?

Wait, what did I just do?

♪ Oh beautiful for spacious skies ♪ ♪ For amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties ♪ Abby!

Hey.

Hi!

Trace, what's up?

How you doing?

Good to see you.

Carrie, Caitlyn, I want you to meet my friend Trace.

Nice to meet you.

- Hi.

- Nice to meet you.

Is this your first lantern walk?

No.

My father used to take me all the time when I was a little boy.

Is he here?

Not this year.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, me too.

Would you like a lantern?

I'd love one, thank you.

♪ America!

America!

♪ ♪ God shed his grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ from sea to shining sea!

♪