♪ 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 ♪
- Hey, gorgeous. - Oh.
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.
But you might be distracted.
By the million things that have to happen in the week we have left before Christmas?
By that juicy job offer.
Maddie.
It's a great job.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Through all this upheaval, you have been steady
and insightful and even innovative.
You were... are key to our success.
You'd be a great town manager.
Never crossed my mind.
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.
Mom.
Dana Sue, we will figure this out.
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.
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.
We love you too, Annie.
Mmm.
Slapping cranberries and rosemary everywhere
is not the way to make food Christmassy.
Then peppermint and thyme.
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.
Yes, sir? Bailey said you had a takeout problem.
You haven't taken me out yet, and that's a problem.
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.
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.
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.
An elf?
I don't care.
- A reindeer. - They can leave a message.
- A troll. - Can move on.
Might even be...
- Mama! - Surprise!
I told you she'd be surprised.
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!
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.
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.
Okay.
This presentation is entitled "Why Maddie Should Take The Job."
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.
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.
Oh!
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!
♪ We wish you A Merry Christmas ♪
♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a Happy New Year ♪
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.
Thanks, Olivia.
Welcome home.
Thank you.
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.
I love you.
I love you too.
This is amazing. The first steps to our mobile clinic.
And thank you again for believing in this project,
as our friends, and as the Foundation.
- You'll do the Foundation proud. - 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.
We are so happy for you, Noreen.
And for you, Howie.
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.
Yeah. Well, we'd welcome your input.
We're just happy that you're still gonna be with us part-time.
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.
Especially because I've been offered a job.
What?
At a publishing house.
- What? - What?
In Manhattan.
Manhattan, South Carolina?
There's no Manhattan in South Carolina.
I know. I was just hoping.
How long are you gonna be gone?
It's hard to say.
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.
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. - 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.
Because we're going to need to know every tiny detail
of every...
...of every big thing that happens.
We're gonna miss you something fierce.
God bless you both.
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.
And here I thought that you wanted to see the new decor
and sample the new menu.
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.
I don't care if you had him vetted by the NSA.
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.
Mmm! His scores just keep climbing.
- Mmm, mmm, mmm. - Mama!
Iris, I am so sorry.
I thought we had eggs in the fridge.
I hope that the cookie dough won't--
Hi, Mom!
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.
Okay, now that that's done...
Katie, give them a moment.
We've been waiting for you to finish the Christmas village.
Hmm.
- Where's a good place? - 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.
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.
Isn't peace on earth and goodwill to all a little vague?
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.
- Ooh! - Yes!
Look at these.
- Pour it out. - Pour it out.
Beautiful.
Cheers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Mm-hmm.
...that you are worried about saying Alexander's name in front of me?
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. - 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.
Cheers.
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?
Okay.
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.
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.
♪ Even if there's no snow on the ground ♪
♪ It's still Christmas So long as you're around ♪
Hi.
♪ 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.
Thank you.
Christmas cookies.
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!
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.
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.
I'm all for a drama, Kyle, but... this feels like something else.
Yeah.
It is.
It's nerves.
What? Why?
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.
"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.
Ah.
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.
So this is Serenity at the holidays.
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.
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.
That's fine. That's fine.
But do you like it?
Once the water finally starts boiling.
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 ♪
Mmm.
What do you think, Erik?
- Mmm. - Hmm.
What's wrong with them?
They're wonderful. What's wrong?
- They need to be a little-- - Sweeter. Mm-hmm.
How did I agree to bake with experts? They're plenty sweet.
Just a... Just a touch, sweetheart.
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.
No, you don't.
You put it on the baker's hand.
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.
My hands...
My hands are shaking, and I... I don't wanna drop it.
And it's cold. I...
Helen.
- Will you-- - Yes.
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.
I... I know when I'll tell them, but... but right now, um...
you need to open this.
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?
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...
...together and separately.
I have faith
that we can make each other stronger.
Hmm.
For millennia.
Because you let me.
Am I too early?
Oh, Mama. How long have you known?
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?
But I told him that that call was all I needed,
but that I had to be there when it happened.
- Hmm. - 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.
This is so beautiful.
My look?
Life.
What are you three up to?
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.
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.
This is my favorite church service of the year.
My favorite night of the year.
A night that symbolizes new beginnings.
A night built on faith and hope.
A night rooted... in love.
Hmm.
And... this is usually my favorite sermon of the year.
But tonight...
...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!
I'll go help.
Mmm. Mmm.
Mm-mm.
In Luke, the angels tell us, "Do not be afraid."
"For behold,
I bring you good news of great joy,
which will be to all the people."
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. - But...
Come on.
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 ♪
♪ 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 ♪
♪ O come, let us adore him ♪
♪ O come Let us adore him... ♪
♪ O come, let us ♪
♪ Adore him ♪
♪ Christ ♪
♪ Our Lord ♪
Here we go! This year's family portrait.
You have to be in it, sweetheart.
I'm setting the timer, Mom.
"Merry Christmas" in three, two, one.
Merry Christmas!
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.
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. - 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.
I am hungry.
Anyone else?
Well, take me to your meatballs.
I will.
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.
Let's go find some mistletoe and kiss under it.
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... ♪
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 ♪
Is something wrong?
Olivia, Roxanne, and I got a new tour.
Opening for a great band...
Congratulations.
...in Europe.
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?
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.
Right there. Which one's your favorite?
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.
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.
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?
Oh, there you go.
Go outside.
Ty.
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."
All right. Everyone is being far too polite.
Eat. Drink.
Ho, ho, ho.
Let's go in the café. Let's go, go, go.
Hey, sweet girl. Come on. Come on.
Hey. Hey. Uh-uh, uh-uh.
- Not you two. You wait right there. - Oh.
Oh.
What?
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.
Mmm.
Before our friends and neighbors start arriving, a toast.
- Oh! - Sweet baby Jesus in his manger.
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.
Lord have mercy.
Things are happening real fast. I'm feeling dizzy.
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.
I love you both so much.
I love you two too.
Me three.
- What a glorious Christmas. - Mmm.
What will the new year bring?
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?
Erik!
Congratulations.
Here you are.
Oh, look at them.
Joy, yeah.
Merry Christmas.
♪ A margarita Christmas with you ♪