No family follows the same path.
Every memeber of every family has their own unique adventure.
The road traveled requires faith in things unseen,
hope in the expectation of good,
and compassion, caring, and sacrifice of love.
Every Christmas memory has a story.
Vasquez, I don't know how you drink that stuff. It's so gross.
Okay, for the last time, it's called "Orchata."
Chicks love cuffs that drink.
Orchata.
Dude, you're married.
You sure you don't want some empanada?
No.
Why can't you get that done, Carla?
No, look, I hired you to win, not make excuses.
Okay, okay, Jake and Jenny will be there.
Call Emily, mobile.
Come on, Emily, answer your phone.
Rick.
Come on, get to the goods already.
Can you stop with the jingle bells? It's not even Thanksgiving yet.
Everybody knows jingle bells were written for Thanksgiving.
Fur breath?
Hey.
Okay, Izzy, you log in under Duffy, then use this password,
then you can see your grades.
Rad, so how do we change them?
You can't.
What good is this, then?
You're such a mommy's girl.
I don't need to change mine.
Because you're a brainiac.
I see it, I hear it, I know it.
I'm gonna be the greatest white hat hacker ever.
Jenny Braun.
Yes, ma'am.
I've told you before not to bring your computer out here.
Now come on, give it to me.
Respectfully, Mrs. Carlson.
No.
Jenny, stop. Don't make me call your mother.
Go ahead, she won't answer.
That was close, yeah.
To be honest with you, I don't really care.
The day I turn 18, I'm out of here.
What about us?
Think she's gonna call my mom?
Probably. She did last time.
Hey, hacker girl.
Hope you're a lot friendlier than your older brother.
Stay here.
Come on, don't be shy.
What's going on?
Hey, stay here.
Give us that computer.
Jenny, run.
What are you gonna do about a pretty boy?
I don't want to fight.
Well, that's too bad.
Stay away from my sister. Okay, okay.
Stop!
Freeze!
Don't shoot. Don't shoot.
Hands behind your back.
Got you.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
No, Mrs. Walters needs those tests now.
We will be ready after Thanksgiving.
After Thanksgiving?
No, I don't care what's holding up the insurance approval.
It's the holiday.
Just get them done now.
Dorothy, keep calling Emily, please.
I'm buried here. She needs to pick up the kids.
Vasquez, we're gonna get this to the lab ASAP.
You have a right to remain silent.
Anything that you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Call him.
Administration Mr. Brown's office.
Is my dad there?
Hang on, hon.
Jenny, on three.
Take a message. I'll call her back.
Sorry, hon. Your dad swamped.
I am trying to reach your mom to pick you up.
Can I give your dad a message?
Yeah, tell him I hate him.
She hates you.
Send a car.
He'll send a car.
All right, Harley. You can make this real easy on yourself
and just tell us where you found the fentanyl.
Or you can make it real hard to keep lying.
And we can stay in here for hours. It's up to you, man.
Why are we at the police station?
So tell us, where'd you find the fentanyl?
20 years is a long time, Harley.
Hey, Jake. Hey, Jenny.
That's it. We're gonna take a break.
Hey, where you guys going? Guys, you're not allowed back there.
Hey!
What are you guys doing here?
Payback.
Good morning, your honor.
Bring me the Harrison files and the Braun files.
Where's Emily and the kids?
Haven't seen them.
Judge, I'll see you now.
Just sit down right there.
Please be seated.
Good afternoon, Emily and Rick.
I've known you both for a long time.
And to put it mildly, what I've been hearing has been very disturbed.
In the manner of Emily Lou Braun versus Richard Earl Braun
for change of joint custody, sole custody of minor children,
Jennifer Braun and Jacob Braun,
I will speak privately with Jennifer and Jacob
before I rule on your petition.
Frank. Please show them out.
And please call in Ms. Jennifer Braun.
Are you kidding me? No.
Anything ou can do? No.
Alright, Ms. Jennifer Braun.
The judge will see you now.
Kind of scary in here.
Oh, don't worry.
We're just gonna talk a bit, okay?
Are you gonna tell my mom and dad what I say?
Nope.
This will only be between me and you.
Promise?
Promise.
Okay.
So, Jennifer.
How you doing?
Uh, surviving, I think.
And at home?
Okay, home.
Take your time.
Which one?
Ever since they sold their house,
going back and forth from mom's apartment to dad's apartment is stupid.
I never feel like I'm home.
I'm living out of my backpack.
It's just not fair.
I'm sorry.
How about your mom and dad?
Not so good, I guess.
Since we moved, I don't really get to see either of them,
unless it's to take me and Jake to school or
pick us up or take us where we stay that week.
Would you like to spend more time with your mom and dad?
No.
All they do is argue.
Where's the fun in that?
I'm sorry.
How's school?
Oh, school's great.
Sarcasm right?
Mm-hmm.
Is there anything else that you'd like to tell me?
Mm-mm.
Frank, please show Ms. Braun out and ask her brother Jacob to come in.
All right, Mr. Jacob Braun?
The judge will see you.
Hello, Jacob.
How you doing?
Not so good.
Well, I hope we can improve on that.
I doubt it.
So, how have things been at home and at school?
Is that a trick question?
No, it's not.
Home sucks. School sucks. Life sucks. Everything sucks.
I think that covers it.
Bag it out.
Tell me about home.
Which one?
It's like a horror movie without the blood.
What is that?
Yelling, screaming, running back and forth between my mom and dad's dungeons.
I'm sorry.
How is school?
Rather not be there.
Is there anything else that you'd like to share with me before you go?
Yeah.
Make my mom let my dad come to Thanksgiving dinner.
I'm sorry, little buddy. That's out of my jurisdiction.
Worth a shot.
Worth a shot. I'm sorry, Jacob. I can't.
Frank, recess.
[footsteps]
Hey so what did they say?
Ah, so...
I had some setbacks every time.
Court is in recess. You'll be called back shortly.
[indistinct chatter]
The judge is ready.
Oh, okay.
You know? Is that good?
Be seated.
[sighs]
Mrs. Braun.
I have a solution for your custody petition.
Now, Jenny and Jacob really hurt and angered
by the situation you both have put them in.
I hear the same things from most children of divorcing parents.
And frankly, I'm tired of it.
Listen to me both of you. Listen to me closely.
Because now it's time to put the children first.
Do you understand?
This will be best accomplished by moving them to neutral ground.
This is in order of the court.
Within 14 days, Jennifer and Jacob's residence
will be a property that you will buy, lease, rent, borrow, or steal.
Do you understand?
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter] Not another word.
Sit down.
Quiet.
You two created this mess.
Now it's time for you two to fix it.
Emily Lou Braun, Richard Orle Braun, you will,
on alternate weeks' travel from your residences
to the children's new custody home and reside with them.
After 90 days, permanent legal and physical custody
will be determined by the court.
Let me emphasize that.
It will be determined by the court.
Remember, you are still legally married
until I sign the divorce decree and the clerk files it.
Let me see.
You'll be back here in February for a view of the children's
living conditions and emotional state.
This may be your last chance to bring order to your family.
Focus your priorities on two people, and only two people, Jennifer and Jacob.
Be responsible, parents.
Act like adults.
Joint custody.
[indistinct chatter]
Hey.
I need you to shut that. I need to talk to you guys, because--
Take your sister to the car.
All right, I'll talk to you guys later.
What was that?
Hello, we're talking to you.
Why did you have to get us into this mess?
There was no need to change the custody agreement.
You're always finding something to--
Okay, so stop.
Yeah, if you can stop being so hot-headed--
There you go.
You're always criticizing me.
Everything I do--
You earned it.
Dude, it takes two people.
Have you been paying attention?
Okay, you know what?
I don't have time for this.
I'm gonna go to work.
Yeah, there you go.
Go to work.
Like you always do.
Pull that work card.
Well, at least I'm paying attention to you.
You're something you never do for me.
Paying attention to you?
Yeah.
You could stick around for a normal conversation.
Maybe I would.
Enough.
Thompson's gonna get the judge to postpone the order until after the holidays.
Well, thanks for telling me.
You're welcome.
Wow. You look like.
Cacahuatas .
I just got blindsided by the judge.
Did you get Harley booked?
Well, I was gonna book him,
but then a couple of DEA agents show up with warrants
and take him away.
Detective Braun.
Uh-huh.
Okay, got it.
All right, put down your fancy donut.
Okay, por la ultima vez.
It's called pandulze.
Paramedics just responded to a drug overdose
where they found several kilos of heroin laced with fentanyl.
They're taking the overdose victim to the hospital.
We gotta go.
Wait, hold on.
Hi.
Good news?
What?
Till January?
I gotta go.
Hey, we gotta tell the kids tonight.
Yes, I'm sure.
I just talked to my attorney.
Okay, I'm leaving now.
All right, I gotta go.
You gotta take care of the hospital.
Sorry, man.
Figures.
Mom's here.
First of all, we want you both to know
we love you very, very much.
And to share that love fairly
Come on save it for somebody who cares.
Just let him finish.
What's going on?
The judge's ordered that we have--
We have to find you guys a new place to live.
Wait, I don't--
Hey, we're gonna alternate weeks living there with--
I'm not moving to some new place.
No way.
We don't really have a choice.
My band, what about the band?
Stop it.
It's not up to us.
It's for the best.
Whoopi.
Jake.
I don't know what to say.
I'm really sorry that we got you into this mess.
And I'm sorry too.
Why can't you two just put things back the way they were?
Why are you being so hard headed?
This really sucks.
It's not that easy.
And where do you think you're going?
Joey's.
I'm gonna be back by 11.
Why?
There's nothing back.
11 o'clock, Jake.
I mean it.
We gotta dig in and find them a place to live.
We just need to find a realtor.
Does that interfere with your social life?
Or worse, your work?
You're so immature.
(footsteps)
I mean, it can have anything.
Yeah, Joey, you got anything for me?
Anything, I'll take whatever.
Anything?
One bedroom.
Anything, I don't care if it's small or whatever.
Face in.
Dump, whatever.
Okay, nothing.
(laughs) That's great, no, yeah.
Listen, Mr. Bronson, we got nothing.
Are you? Come on.
Nothing?
Absolutely zero, nothing.
Sorry.
Check it out.
Two bedroom, two bath?
Yeah, no, that's awful.
Keep going.
No.
Definitely no.
Okay, none of those are gonna work, man.
Hey, nerds.
Anyone know of a three bedroom house
around here for rent?
(clicks tongue)
This whole house thing is a major malfunction.
Hey, my dad grasses them with his regulars,
and we could even put a sign up in the window.
That would be great.
What are you doing for Thanksgiving tomorrow?
Probably watching Macy's parade,
and it reruns all day long with Mom and Jenny.
What about your dad?
Mom doesn't want him there.
Oh.
Guys, what's wrong?
Why aren't you eating?
Jenny, it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving.
Okay, um, then why don't we all say what we're thankful for?
I'm not playing that game.
You know what, Jake?
This is hard on everybody, not just you.
Oh, really?
Please don't leave.
It's Thanksgiving.
I don't feel good, I'm gonna go to bed.
You too?
Guys, it's Thanksgiving.
(sighs)
More coffee?
Anything else, Mr. Brown?
Yeah.
The woman with the two children?
Tell them Thanksgiving dinner's on the house.
Anything they want, just put it on my tab.
Okay.
Thanks, Sam.
Hey, before you pour yourself a cup, I have to warn you,
that coffee's been there for like four hours.
Why didn't you make a fresh pot?
I don't know how to use that thing.
Yeah, because Estella's not here to make it for you,
let's be honest.
Ha, ha, ha.
How was your Thanksgiving?
Mm, Rick's still alive.
So there you go.
How was yours?
Amazing.
We had tamales de pavo chicharron empanadas.
Hold on one second, hold on.
Hello?
This call called.
Jake was in a fight before the Thanksgiving break.
He didn't tell me anything about it.
Did he tell you? No.
He's waiting in the school office
for one of us to show up.
Right now?
Yeah, they're not letting him go to class.
Bottom line is, the principal's talking about expelling him.
Okay, I'll be right there.
I gotta go, Vasquez.
Besides resorting to violence,
to solve a misunderstanding,
it reflects badly on the culture of our campus.
We have a zero tolerance policy for violence.
But three bullies can attack a young girl
and just get away with it.
Jake was trying to defend his sister.
What was he supposed to do?
Just stand there and be their punching bag
while they attack his sister?
I didn't realize there were three.
One, two, three, doesn't matter how many.
We protect each other in our family
and nobody lays a hand on our girl.
Fighting is a very serious infraction.
You clearly didn't do any work on this.
Oh, wow.
There is a video online, everybody can see it.
And it shows that Jake was trying to defend his sister
and that they were the aggressors.
Well, I'll look into that.
You need to look into that.
You need to do a better job at your job.
You need to go find those punks
and don't ever let this happen again.
Or I'll come back here in a very, very bad mood
and trust me, you don't want that.
M-mm.
Jake, we're out of here.
Mom, thank you for standing up for me.
No problem.
How did you know it went down?
I'm a detective, that's what I do.
Those guys make me so angry.
Yeah, but you need to be careful
because that anger can cloud your focus.
Mom?
Yeah?
I know I've been a jerk to you and Dad.
I think I let my anger take control of me.
That's okay, sweetie, I've made some big mistakes too.
You know, I've let arguments turn into huge battles.
You just give up and call it quits?
You'd never let me do that.
Oh, you're right.
You need to tell Dad.
What?
Grow up and take a chance.
Okay, you're not pulling any punches today.
You need to do this for our family.
Where's this coming from?
You.
I think I found a place.
After some digging, calling all the realtors I know.
Just the bottom line.
There is one place available for a month of my rental.
We'll take it.
Do you wanna see it first?
Just get it.
Okay.
Oh.
Hey.
Hi.
It's got potential.
Potential for what?
Are you kidding me?
Oh, (sigh)
Where are the burners?
At least there's a fridge.
Oh.
(cough)
There's only one bedroom.
Where are we gonna sleep?
There's one bathroom?
What?
Rick, what have you gotten us into?
Mom, I can't live like this.
It smells like a sewer.
Okay, zip it and sit down.
Oh, there they are.
Rick, get over here.
(ugh)
Get over here, please.
Rick.
Oh.
Please.
Okay, so we're already on thin ice with the judge.
So either we make this work.
You two can change schools.
No, we're not doing that.
No, never.
Let me finish.
We have to move in by this Sunday.
If we don't make this work,
you two could end up in the system.
You think it's gonna be better
than the county's group home?
Rick, that's a little over the top.
Yeah.
Okay, well, it's not gonna take too much
to make this place ship-shape.
We'll work as a team.
We'll all pitch in.
Yeah.
And get a wrecking crew to level it.
(sighs)
Hey Dorothy, I'm here to see Mr. Braun.
Harriet is here to see you.
Send her in.
You can go in.
Wanted to see me?
Yes, Harriet.
First of all, I wanna say what an amazing job
that you've been doing as the chief nursing officer.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
And a, so the medical group
that is converting this hospital to an HMO,
they're bringing in a lot of their own staff
to fill some of the positions.
And I'm sorry, I wanted to wait till after January
to tell you, but your position is one of them.
Merry Christmas.
So sorry.
Consider this your two-week notice.
I am so sorry.
All things work for the good.
Hi, my name is Pam Miller, I'm meeting Mr. Braun.
He's right over there.
From the lab.
Thank you.
Nice trick.
Can you give this a radiology?
Thank you.
Pam Miller, Mr. Braun, nice to meet you.
It's a pleasure meeting you as well Ms. Miller.
Call me Pam, please.
May I call you Rick?
Please.
For a lot of good things about you,
supervising the transition to this hospital
must be a tough job.
Well, the key to converting a private hospital
smoothly to an HMO is by replacing some
of the current team, like the nurse you just terminated,
with the incoming HMO team.
I am surprised how well she took it.
Well, that's because you have a commanding presence.
You're the caliber of admin that we need
in our new hospital in San Diego.
San Diego?
Yes, there's an opening for a neonator administrator.
I would love to be considered for that position.
Please, go ahead and take it.
Hello?
I'm sorry, it's my daughter's school.
Go ahead, I'll circle back.
Okay, thanks.
Coffee, later?
Sounds good.
Yes.
No, I don't see any other drug overdose patients
admitted in at least the last three months.
Any emergency room patients with drug problems
that have been examined and released but not admitted?
No, anyone seen by your staff would be logged.
Okay.
Let me just check one thing though.
Hold on just a sec.
Sorry, it got held up.
I definitely needed to get away from that paperwork.
My eyes were starting to glaze over.
So you'd like to get out from underneath
the routine paperwork?
I would like some more challenges and responsibilities.
I'm hoping that'll be at your new hospital.
It's amazing.
All the latest equipment and the artwork in the lobby
is unbelievable.
Are you an art collector?
Well, I buy and sell a few pieces
and I collect a few things from time to time.
Emily. Don't.
Back to work.
Well, perhaps we can continue this conversation over lunch.
Lunch, that sounds good.
(sirens)
Emily, Emily, you don't wanna do this!
He's not here.
What is going on with that woman?
All right, I need to call you back.
Are you sleeping with her?
What are you talking about?
The woman in the hallway, she had her hand on you.
Emily, stop it.
We're still married.
Stop it, stop interrogating me like I'm a two bit thug.
She's my supervisor.
Oh, so you're dating your supervisor?
It's not like that.
She likes my work.
Oh, I'm sure she likes a lot more than that.
She's helping me secure an admin job in San Diego.
And you told her no, right?
No, it's not that simple.
Your family or your career?
How's it not that simple?
You never had to make that decision.
You want me out of the picture.
You want soul custody.
I have to make hard choices every single day.
Oh, yeah, like what?
You have no idea.
You know what?
If you just worked a little bit harder at being a wife
instead of a cop.
Worked at what?
Maybe we would still be together
and you wouldn't be worried about my supervisor.
You've never taken any responsibility,
made any sacrifices or tried to change, ever.
Oh, so your career is off limits,
but mine, I have to sacrifice.
Feel better?
(phone ringing)
Detective Braun.
Okay.
Not now, put it on my desk.
So Harley was carrying a pharmaceutical grade fentanyl.
What?
How do you get a pharma grade fentanyl in the streets?
You don't.
Huh.
It's about time.
We stopped at the Hardworf store in the drive-thru.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Mom, you never cry.
I guess I'm just really hungry and exhausted.
We got some great colors to brighten up Jake's dungeon.
What's going on?
Your not yelling.
All I want is for the kids to be happy.
They need role models.
What kind of foundation are we giving them?
Especially when you start to argue like that.
So is it my fault?
No, no, no, no, I'm not saying it's all your fault.
I guess I'm gonna blame as well.
You guess.
(sniffling)
I know this mess is frustrating.
I got it.
I'll take care of the heavy cleaning, okay?
You just make sure the kids get settled, okay?
I can't reach this hole.
Let me see.
We've gotta clean this out before we spackle.
Otherwise we're just covering up a problem
that will make a mess for our paint job.
Covering up a problem sounds familiar.
What do you mean?
Yeah, with mom.
What?
Covering up problems.
That's between me and mom.
Well, it affects me and Jake every day.
I'm sorry, sweetheart.
You're right.
It's open.
Oh, hey, sis.
Oh, hey, E.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm just exhausted.
Look at that, thank you.
I just got off duty, thought I'd pick up those towels.
Okay.
Makes me sad to see you packing up.
Yeah, I am.
There's nothing left here.
Well, moving the kids is a lot like starting over.
I wish I was starting over.
You have a lot to build on.
Really?
Like huge pile of trash and chaos?
Do you still have feelings for him?
I mean--
Come on, spit it out.
I can't get through to him.
It's not about getting through to him.
It's about hearing him.
Yeah, but he has to hear me too.
Well, if I recall, you were the one working all hours,
coming home late, leaving early.
Okay, whose side are you on?
Yours.
I just think he's a good guy.
Don't fight with him, fight for him.
Yeah, that's easier said than done.
I gotta run, the towels?
We're at the front door.
Okay.
Bye. Bye.
Love you.
Love you too.
(paper rustling)
It would be a Christmas merrycle.
And if it's not too much to ask,
I would like an angel snow globe
to help me dream about happy Christmas times.
What am I doing to you, Jenny?
Why are you picking us up?
Where's dad?
You'll see.
How was your day today?
Was, um, okay.
Any more run-ins with Mrs. Carlson?
Do you wanna lose your laptop for good?
You wanna talk about losing things?
It's not about losing things,
it's about respecting the rules.
Well, it's a stupid rule.
You know what?
There's a lot of things in life that are stupid,
that affect us all.
Like getting divorced?
We're not talking about that right now.
Why not?
Jenny, you are out of line.
No, you're out of line.
Dad's out of line.
Look, your dad and I have made a lot of mistakes,
but we love you and we just want you to grow up
to be a fine young woman.
So ripping our family apart
because you two can't solve your problems
is gonna help me grow up to be a fine young woman?
Jenny, we tried to work out our problems.
So you always tell me never give up.
Try and try again until the problem is solved.
Does that only apply to kids?
Right.
Okay, get the let out wise guy
and let's Oscar Mike with the boxes.
Now, move, let's go.
Mom, can we put up some Christmas decorations?
Well, let's get unpacked and settled in first
and then we'll talk about decorating.
Seems to be going pretty good
after you got out of drill sergeant mode.
At least Jenny seems to be okay.
Um, I feel like it's been harder on Jake.
His band helps.
It gives him a sense of belonging.
Yeah, a sense of family.
You know, I've been doing a lot of thinking.
Okay, I'm not ready for this right now.
I might still have feelings for you,
but there is a lot going on and...
I know I'm not perfect.
You're not perfect.
But you're perfect for me.
(footsteps)
Hi Jen, what's up?
Izzy, I need your help and your mom and dad's too.
Sure, anything.
I think there's a chance I can get my mom
and dad back together.
Okay.
Can you convince your parents to have us over
for dinner on Saturday?
I can do that.
I'll get my dad to come,
but your dad has got to get my mom to come.
No excuses.
And tell him not to mention that my dad will be there.
It's a surprise.
We love surprises.
Not a word.
Okay, not a word.
Thanks Izzy, you're the best.
And the food, I'm telling you, you have to come.
I don't know.
I might start working Saturday night shifts.
I mean that doesn't start until like what, next month?
No excuses, partner.
Come, have some food, a couple of laughs, you'd be great.
Okay, you forced me.
I'm telling Stella that you're coming.
And if you don't show up, I swear to you,
you will never hear the end of it.
Show slash your tires.
I'm not kidding.
Okay, okay, I'll come.
(Desk phone rings)
Vasquez.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay, got it.
What was that?
A patrol unit just found an abandoned car
in industrial park South of town
with fentanyl in the trunk.
That's ours.
Dad?
What are you doing Saturday?
Why?
Isabella wants me to come over
and hang out and have dinner.
Oh.
Yeah, and she said Jorge wants Jake to come too.
Mm-hmm, can your mom take you?
I don't think so.
She's gonna be on duty.
And Mrs. Vasquez wants you to come too.
She would love to see you.
It's just that the Vasquez family get together,
just tend to get a little involved.
Come on, please, it'll be fun.
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please.
Okay, okay.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I'll get it.
Hi Izzy
Hi.
Hi, Jake.
Glad you could come.
Jorge's in his room.
Hey, Isabella.
Hi, Mr. Braun.
So glad to see you.
Well, thanks for the invitation.
Yeah, my dad's in the kitchen.
Oh, thanks.
Estella!
Hey, Rick!
Merry Christmas.
Oh, Merry Christmas, thank you for coming.
Thanks for having me.
Of course, what's this?
You look amazing, by the way.
Oh, thank you, Mer-lo.
Ho-ho.
Hey, good to see you.
Merry Christmas.
Of course.
What can I do?
Oh, nothing, please, nothing at all.
Rick, you are a guest in our house,
and so I insist that you take a load of kickback
and have a Michelada.
Oh, you make the best Michelada.
You know I've been waiting for this.
Yeah.
Have a seat.
Thank you, thank you.
Yeah, make yourself comfortable.
Good enough?
No, I'll drink what I've got?
Who's sitting here?
Ummm...
Mr. Vasquez invited mom,
and I don't think she's coming.
She probably had to work.
Parentrap.
Sorry.
Well, this looks amazing.
Thank you, Jimmy.
Oh yes, of course.
Bless us, oh Lord, for these, that gifts
that we are about to receive from your bounty
through Christ our Lord, Amen.
[all] Amen.
And if I could make a toast?
To Estella and Jimmy, your love and warmth is inspiring.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
[all] Merry Christmas.
Well, this looks amazing, I can't wait to dig in.
Well, Rick, I am THE grill master, so.
And modest too, but it was my mother's spices
that saved your high, mi amor.
Si, cariño, your mother was amazing.
She loved Christmas, especially Buenanoche Christmas Eve,
when all of us kids would lead a procession into church
and we'd place this Christ child in the nativity, ugh.
She was so proud of us.
Sounds like a beautiful memory.
It really is.
[doorbell]
Oh, stay, I'll get it.
Hi. Hi.
Mom, you came.
Emily, this is a surprise.
Vasquez, I knew this was a setup, but I still had to come.
It's so nice to see you.
Your house is so warm and beautiful, thank you.
It's love, love's all around you.
Brings back such a flood of memories.
Just be open, just let your guard down.
Let love flow into your heart.
You have a chance to create some new,
beautiful, loving memories, some Christmas memories.
I can't do this, I'm sorry, I can't do this.
No. Emily, stay.
For the kids.
Emily, Emily.
Call Dawn home.
Calling Dawn home.
[phone ringing]
Hey, E.
Dawn,
I think I'm making a terrible mistake.
You okay?
I don't know.
I'll put some coffee on.
Okay.
I can't explain it, I just was
so overcome with emotion.
Maybe a wake up call.
It was more than that.
I like felt this
feeling washing over me, it was like love.
And at that moment, I knew that I'm the one that's been destroying my family.
I've been so bitter and angry.
Oh E, that's not who you are.
It's like I've been on this train with no rails like a huge train wreck.
Just open your heart to the love you felt tonight and show that love to Rick.
He's so different.
He's hardened.
Maybe you're the one who's hardened and he's just a reflection of that.
I spent so much more time at work and the more I worked the more I resented him.
And I just built this wall and I didn't
even see it until it was right in front of me.
I learned the hard way that relationships are
destroyed slowly and in so many unseen ways.
Doesn't happen overnight.
Same with rebuilding them.
But I've spent so many years being angry.
There's still time.
If you're honest with yourself and you're honest with Rick, the pain will heal.
But how will I know?
You'll know.
And no matter what happens, hold on to the love you felt tonight.
Don't ever let it go.
Okay.
Hey.
Here's your purse.
Thanks.
Why did you run away?
I don't want to talk about it right now.
Look, I know I haven't been there for you, but I'm here for you now.
Just stop.
Come in.
This just doesn't make sense.
The Fentanyl purchase receipts have the
scribble signature of Pam Miller and the department
allocation logs have the scribble signature of Paula Myers.
Who is Paula Myers?
Look at this.
The signatures of Paula Miers and Pam Miller are identical.
I can't tell the difference.
Thanks, Dorothy.
Mm-hmm.
Hope I don't regret this.
Hey, ah, I need to see you.
No, it's important.
Okay.
Please don't let me be an idiot when I get there.
[music and footsteps]
I'll have a Gim Martini, no olives.
He's getting too close.
I'll take care of it.
Hey, Jenny.
Hi.
Hey, do you think you can go to your room for a few minutes?
I need to talk to Mom.
I could.
Are you gonna argue?
Mom and I just have some business to discuss, so.
Go.
Jake's playing his guitar.
Now.
Do you want a glass of wine?
No, thanks.
Water, though.
Okay.
So I think I've stumbled on something really important here.
It just doesn't add up.
Okay.
Lay it all out.
I've been auditing these expenditures for the hospital, for the HMO.
Mm-hmm.
I found out half the fentanyl that's been delivered is missing.
There's no record of where it went.
Are you sure?
Because if that were to hit the streets, it could be deadly.
Yes, I'm sure.
You don't believe me.
No.
Do you have any hard evidence?
Any shipping logs or receipts?
Anything?
I shouldn't have told you.
I just thought I'd run this by you before I
started pulling the hospital receipts and delivery logs.
I'm glad you came.
And I'm glad you told me everything because it's really important.
I think I'll take that glass of wine now.
And you know what?
Vasquez and I will do some really hard digging tomorrow.
See what we can find.
And in the meantime, try to find some sort of paperwork.
And Rick, it's really important that you keep this between the two of us.
[Jake] I'm hungry.
Guess I'm making dinner.
Do you want to stay and eat with us?
No, I should get going.
But you just charged your glass of wine.
Guess it wouldn't hurt.
Okay.
Shuffle again, I got five of the same.
How?
What do you mean?
I miss our dishwasher.
Oh, we've still got one.
Hey, Jake.
Very funny.
Once.
What are you guys playing?
Hearts. Wanna play?
Oh, I don't know.
I haven't done that in a long time.
It's like riding a bike.
Come on, it'll be fun.
I don't know.
You will remember.
I remember Jake used to beat us all the time.
So.
Okay, so who's dealing?
Not dad.
Wise crack.
You deal.
How many?
Four?
Five?
Five.
Umm, so the bad news is Jake won.
And the good news is dad was the loser.
Well, she's going easy on you.
Actually, this wasn't so bad.
Almost fun.
Good night.
Good night, y'all.
Good night, Jenny.
Good night, loser.
Love you guys.
Love you.
So you want another glass of wine?
No.
Great wine.
You know I'm a lightweight.
Yeah, you are.
So you shouldn't drive.
You should just stay here with us tonight.
Well, Officer Braun.
Guess I couldn't walk in a straight line.
You might arrest me.
Okay, you're definitely not driving.
I guess I could stay in this chair.
Okay, so you can stay over.
But I'll sleep in this chair and you sleep on the couch.
On second thought, I think I should take a cab.
Okay.
I think I got everything you need.
Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna put it away.
Uh-huh, no.
Okay, you can come pick them up tomorrow.
Yep, okay, thanks, bye.
[Police siren]
[Unintelligible]
Good evening, sir.
License and registration, please.
Yeah, is there a problem?
I'm sorry, Mr. Braun.
I recognize you in the dark.
Well, both your taillights are out.
Oh, you're kidding.
No, could just be a loose connection.
Shall we take a look?
Sure.
Sometimes you put boxes and things in the trunk,
it can knock the wires around a bit.
Oh, okay.
Yeah.
[Police dog barking]
That's not mine.
Hey, it's gonna be okay.
'Kay, 'kay.
Good evening, Detective Braun.
Mr. Braun.
Hi, thanks for getting here so fast.
1,000 in cash and enough fentanyl to overdose several hundred people.
Did the arresting officer get a tip about a car with no taillights?
This is in the case that Dispatch got a call of a car with no taillights.
A canine unit responded?
That's all.
Yeah, so this is a setup.
Rick didn't do this.
He can prove it, so don't book him.
We've worked together for a long time.
So I'm gonna stick my neck out for you, Emily.
I won't take Rick into custody tonight.
I'll give you 48 hours to bring me proof.
I can do that.
Okay, Mr. Braun, you have till Friday.
Yeah, and I'll work with Miller tonight and see what I can dig up before-
Sorry, Detective, you're off this case.
Excuse me?
It's a conflict of interest.
What? You can't do that.
You'll stand down.
Are you sure you wanna do this?
Yeah, I gotta get those pharma logs in hand.
Okay.
I'll be right back.
[COUGHING]
Call Emily.
[Phone rings]
[Phone vibrates]
White powder, hazmat, hazmat.
[COUGHING]
1093.
Man down, notify hazmat, possible fentanyl exposure,
Rick Braun's hospital, third floor, man down, man down.
What happened to Dad?
Is he gonna be okay?
We don't know anything yet.
Um, Just sit down, okay?
Is he gonna be okay?
Please just level with me, just be honest.
Well, Mrs. Braun, his labs came back positive for fentanyl.
What?
Right now, your husband is unresponsive in a level 3 coma.
His blood pressure and his heart rate are both very low.
You need to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
We are doing everything we can right now.
You should take your family to the cafeteria and
explain his condition to them.
I'm, ah, I'm sorry.
So right now, Dad is asleep.
We don't know how long he's gonna be asleep for.
It could be a really long time.
So we're just gonna go to the cafeteria and have some food, okay?
Hey, Dawn?
Can you just take the kids for me please?
Yeah, sure.
[CRYING]
[PHONE VIBRATES]
Hello.
Hey, how is he?
He's, he's in a coma, not good.
And you?
I don't know.
Look, I told Estella she ah, she has her whole family praying for him.
Whole church, actually.
Thanks, partner.
Yeah.
[DARK MUSIC]
I'm glad you're here.
No, please, not right now.
Have faith.
This can't be happening.
Well, it is.
But you're here.
Faith can help you find the light and the darkness.
Right now, old man, things are really dark.
So have hope.
Hope will help your faith be stronger.
And your search for love.
My love has crashed and burned.
And I have done everything to destroy it.
Faith can help you find the light in the darkness.
Right now, old man, there's a lot of darkness.
Not a lot of light.
So have hope.
Hope will help your faith grow stronger and your search for love.
I've done everything I can.
I can see how you think that.
But there are three things that last forever.
Faith.
Hope.
And love.
And the greatest of these.
This love, Emily, my child.
I never asked you for anything.
If you could please help, Rick, please.
If you could please forgive me, please.
I never told you that I fell in love with you the day that we met.
All of our dreams, everything we cared about.
How did we get here?
You don't deserve this.
Rick?
Nurse, he's awake!
Nurse, nurse, he's awake!
Okay, please wait here.
'okay.
You can see him now.
Is he gonna be all right?
He's truly a miracle.
Oh my God.
I don't hate you.
I'm not a sweetheart.
Go and take Jake and Jenny home.
Get some sleep.
No, dad, we wanna stay.
Go on, that'll be fine.
Okay, let's clear out and give Dad some rest.
I'll check on you later.
Faith.
Hope.
And love.
What is going on?
You shouldn't be in here.
What a stay.
How's Rick?
Rick was framed, and what is she doing here?
Show her.
Like I said, he was framed.
We know.
Good day, Detective Braun.
Okay, what is going on?
I'm Fred Langston.
You've already met Agent Jefferson Smalley.
Detective.
We're from the DEA.
We're here to help you.
But you knew about her?
We've been trailing Miss Miller for quite a while.
We would have had her sooner, except you arrested me and you blew my cover.
Interpol alerted us to Miller's MO she used in Europe.
Seduction of a high-level employee at a
hospital to gain access to the pharmaceuticals.
She'd steal the narcotics, sell them,
launder the cash through her phony art business.
That's not true.
Hey.
Zip it.
Okay, let me get this straight.
You've known about her the entire time.
You almost got Rick killed.
We had to let it play out.
Sorry about that.
Ma'am, you're coming with me.
Easy.
And you knew about this?
Em.
How could you?
Thank you so much for your help.
I'm so sorry for what I did to you, but I'm gonna make it right.
I love my work.
I love my patience.
And I truly believe that love can heal.
Thank you so much.
[GUITAR STRUMMING]
Dad can't come home to this.
Jake, call the band.
Have them bring any Christmas decorations that aren't nailed down.
And tell them to hurry.
Izzy, I need your help.
I'm...
...so sorry for everything I put you through.
Oh, M.
I...
...I was so afraid that I'd lost you.
What you whispered to me in the hospital about faith, hope, and love,
it was that love that brought me back.
I wanna say,
I just can't find the words.
What?
Wow.
What is this?
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas guys. This is amazing!
Did you do this?
No, but I wish I had.
Oh, Emily, I have tried to say this in so many ways.
I have been such a selfish fool.
I am so sorry.
Instead of being there for you and caring and supportive, I pushed you away.
I'm so sorry.
I'm not complete without you.
I have loved you since the day I met you, and I will always love you.
I just can't let you have the last word.
Please forgive me because...
...I used work to escape and hide and
I didn't let you know how much I was really hurting.
But I've always loved you.
You're my knight in white and...
...this family is the most important thing to me.
I'm hungry.
Thanks for doing this.
Yeah.
Jenny made it happen.
But where did you guys get all this stuff?
Well, Santa will be surprised when there's no tree at Joey's house tonight.
And I'm pretty sure Mr. Vasquez already has an all points bulletin out for his presence.
So we definitely need to get them back in the morning.
Yes.
Will we see you tomorrow?
I don't know.
We'll see.
And sorry for lying to dad about dinner.
Thank you for answering our prayers and keeping my mom and dad safe...
...oh and Jake.
Thank you for protecting dad in the hospital.
And thank you for giving us such an amazing son and daughter...
..who have been so patient...
...because we have been so brainless.
Good night.
Love you.
You've had too much to drink tonight.
Yeah, water.
Can you pass a sobriety test?
What?
Walk a straight line.
Or I'll have to frisk you and arrest you.
Fail.
Looks like you're gonna have to sleep here tonight.
Oh, and you're not sleeping in the chair.
Well.
I guess I'll just have to sleep here too, Detective Braun.
I guess so.
Good night, my dear wife.
Good night, my sweet husband.
Uh, mom's sleeping.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Mom.
Dad!
Merry Christmas.
Dad, are you staying?
Yes.
Yeah.
This is the best Christmas ever.
Thank you.
The best present ever...
...family.
Mom, look.
To Emily from Santa.
What?
This is beautiful.
Did you do this?
It's a Christmas merrycle.
[LAUGH]
[PHONE RINGING]
You've reached the Braun family.
Jenny, Jake, Emily, and Rick.
Please leave a message.
[BEEP]
This is Judge Alonso.
Merry Christmas.