Original subtitles

There are plenty of girls out there who are looking to go out with a guy like

me, right?

So why can't I find them? Or better yet, why can't they find me?

Why am I talking to you?

What does that mean?

You don't have a girlfriend.

We need girlfriends.

I think it's best for my game if I don't have a girlfriend. But you should go

for it, if that's what you want.

Of course, Pam just dumped you, so you may want to give it a few weeks.

If I wait, then people will start to think that she dumped me.

On the other hand, if I go out with someone right away, it'll appear as if I

dumped Pam.

Who cares?

I care.

Now, will you help me, please?

Okay. What about Christina Miller? I tried. Not only did she laugh when I

her out, but she told me in front of everybody else that I needed to lower my

standards a little. What about, uh, Lisa Keller?

She's already gone out with, like, every other guy on the team.

There's no mystery.

How about Dana Cruz?

She's a freshman.

I don't see the problem.

Lots of juniors go out with freshmen. She's only a couple years younger. Big

deal.

I have to go to a doctor's appointment with Lucy, but I'll be back in an hour

so. You're going with Lucy to a doctor's appointment?

Yes. You do that when you're having a baby.

You're not having a baby.

What do you do at these appointments?

I learn stuff.

What kind of stuff?

Baby stuff.

What kind of baby stuff?

Like how the baby's developing, what to expect in the coming weeks, things like

that. Can't Lucy just tell you that stuff?

Well, she could, but we're kind of in this together.

Kind of, but not really.

I like going, okay?

I'm there to support Lucy, and it makes me feel like part of the process.

But you're not.

Yes, I am.

Ask her if I can come. What?

Why would you want to do that?

I'm the uncle.

No, forget about it. It would be completely inappropriate, and Lucy would

agree to it in a million years.

Come on, let me go.

Ask me what?

Nothing. Can I go with you guys to the doctor?

Um, I guess. I mean, you can't come into the room with us, but you can sit in

the waiting room if you want.

Thanks.

Why'd you do that?

I don't know.

He's the uncle.

I'm gonna stay in my pajamas all day.

I am, too.

Me, too.

Are you going to wear your pajamas to work?

No, I don't have to work today. It's the first Saturday I've had off in a long,

long time, so I'm going to spend it with you guys all day, the three of us, in

our pajamas if we want.

You're too old.

I don't think Mommy will like it.

No, why not?

Because old men can't wear pajamas all day unless they're sick.

I'm not old.

And I can wear my pajamas all day if I want to because... I'm just going to

all day with you guys, and Mommy will love that. You can't play all day. You

have to go to work.

No, not today.

Today I'm taking the day off so I can spend some time with my guys.

Us? Yeah, two of you.

I'll just be a second.

No cheating.

We're not cheating.

We're just finishing before you go to work. I'm not going to work, you'll see.

Hey, Charlie.

How's it going?

How's Leanne? How's the baby?

You have to help me.

I can't be a father.

I can't.

Seven Heavens. I know there's no greater feeling than the love of family.

Where can you go when the world don't treat

you right? The answer is home.

That's the one place that you'll find.

Seven Heavens.

Bye. Bye.

Well? Wow.

Where'd you learn to do that?

Years of watching Mary and Lucy.

Ah.

Well, I have to say, you look good.

Thanks. Any special reason why you're wearing makeup?

I just wanted to look good. Well, you look good with or without makeup.

Thanks. Okay, well, I have some errands to run.

The market, the dry cleaners, shoe repair.

I might even go to the mall. You want to come?

No, thanks.

You don't want to go to a mall?

No, I don't really need anything.

But your dad's going to hang out with the boys, and this is our chance to hang

out with each other, just the two of us in a mall.

But this is your chance for a day by yourself.

How often do you get that chance?

Never. Still, are you sure there's no reason why you're wearing makeup?

Do I need a reason?

It's a guy, isn't it?

Not really.

You want to tell me about him?

It's no big deal.

Did you meet him in detention?

No. Come on, tell me who he is.

It's not someone I want to go out with.

I'm giving up on boys, remember?

It's just someone I want to hang out with, Martin and Mac.

Well, are you interested in Martin or Mac or both of them? I'm just interested

in hanging out with them, if they ask me to hang out with them. Well, what makes

you think they're going to ask you to hang out with them?

They don't have girlfriends right now, so they're just hanging out as opposed

dating. So would it be okay if they asked me if I could hang out with them?

We could go for pizza or to the movies or something like that, couldn't we? If

they ask me to go.

No, no, no, no. Stand up.

Don't make this serious. It's not a sit -down.

It's just me hanging out with Martin and Mac.

if they decide to include me. Ruthie, I don't think it's a good idea for a 14

-year -old young lady to be hanging out with 17 -year -old guys. Now, tell me

honestly, are you interested in going out with Mac, like going out on a date

with a guy that could potentially be a boyfriend?

It wouldn't be a date.

Lots of kids in high school don't date.

They just hang out in groups.

All I'm asking is to be allowed to hang out with the two of them if the

situation ever comes up.

That's all.

Well, did Martin and Mac ask you to hang out with them? No, but they might.

And if they do, I don't want to have to run upstairs to ask my mommy and daddy

like a baby.

If it were Simon and a friend, and they invited me to go with them for pizza or

to the movies, I could go, right?

Right. Well, Martin's like a big brother, and Mac's his friend, right?

Right.

So why couldn't I go? Because you wouldn't be putting makeup on to go out

Simon and his friend, which makes me think that you are interested in Mac.

If Mac ever wanted to go on a real date with me, and I wanted to go, then I'd

ask you and Dad. But Mac doesn't want to date me, and I don't want to date him.

I just want to hang out with him and Martin. If you are being completely

with me, then I guess it's perfectly all right for you to hang out with Martin

and Mac if they ask you.

But if you're not being completely honest, then go and think about it, and

we'll talk again.

Thanks, Mom.

Hey! Hey!

I said one cookie, not a bag of cookies.

But that was a long time ago, and we got hungry.

Why are you still in your pajamas?

We told you Mommy wouldn't like it.

Because it was my intention to play with the boys all day, but now I have

someone in my office.

Steve, we told you you work every day.

You can't play with us. And you can't wear pajamas.

I can play with them all day, and I intend to stay in my pajamas.

Because? Because it's fun, and we're going to have some fun just as soon as

finished here.

With?

Just a minor problem. You should go out for the day, just as you planned. Well,

I can take the boys with me. No, no, no. This is my day with the boys.

All right. Have fun. Okay.

All right, set up the board again. By the time you're finished with your first

game, I'll be done here.

By the way, does Leanne know you're here?

No.

I'm supposed to be out getting diapers.

But Leanne doesn't understand.

I've got school.

I've got a job at the school, and I'm on scholarship. I don't have time to get

diapers. I mean, I love Ty, but... You named the baby after your dad?

Yeah.

But we can't keep the baby.

We can't. It's too hard.

I mean, I haven't had any sleep in two weeks.

Leanne hasn't had any sleep in two weeks.

My mom hasn't had any sleep. My dad hasn't had any sleep. We're exhausted,

of us.

Even the dog.

You have no idea what it's like.

I have seven children from five to 25. I know what it's like.

It's tough. It can be overwhelming at first, but I know you can do it. No.

Oh, I'm telling you I can't do it. You have to explain that to Leanne and my

and my dad and her mom.

You got me into this. You have to get me out. I didn't exactly get you into

this. I know where babies come from, but honestly, I never thought this would

ever happen to me.

I don't want to be a father.

I mean, think about it. We've spent altogether maybe 10, 12 hours at the

over a few months' time, and now I'm stuck with this.

responsibility for the rest of my life?

I mean, he's nothing like that flower sack baby we had in biology to carry

around with for two weeks. He's so needy. The first few weeks are the

It does get easier, I promise.

feel too good. Another bag of cookies?

Happy ate them.

Now he doesn't feel too good.

So you said.

When does it get easier?

Was it great?

No. Are you kidding me?

What happened? Nothing happened. We saw a new doctor and I just don't like the

new doctor.

Because she's a woman?

She's single?

Would you stay out of this?

Okay. I do not want to switch doctors midstream. I'm used to the other doctor.

like him. This one was so obnoxious, a complete know -it -all. Maybe that's

because she's a doctor and a woman with children. So when it comes to babies,

she does know -it -all. She talked to you as if I wasn't even in the room. No,

she didn't.

You were in the room?

Remind me, why did you come here?

Because I'm the uncle.

Kevin, glad I caught you.

I've written down some books I think you should read.

You're not doing very much reading, are you?

Yes, I'm doing much reading whenever I have time, thank you.

Is that a Cockney accent?

It is not.

Oh, come on, it's your Beatles.

It's a British accent, Uncle Ignorant.

Thank you for the reading with Dr. Pearson. It was very nice meeting you,

hope you're the doctor on duty when I go into labor. I feel so comfortable with

you.

Me too.

Anything for the uncle to read?

Perhaps Dickens.

What is that?

That was another insult.

Luce, we can't have her deliver our baby. We have a plan. We use the other

doctor, the one who likes me.

Of course, the decision is ultimately yours, but... Thanks.

Fatherhood's turning you into a girl.

After practice, I want to hang out wherever women are hanging out.

They're usually hanging out wherever we're practicing.

Hey, guys.

Hey, Ruthie. Hi.

You look funny.

No, I don't.

You look good.

Thanks. So you guys want to grab a pizza or anything?

Mom's out, so we have to make her own lunch.

Or we could go get lunch.

We have practice.

Yeah, pizza sounds good, though.

Maybe later.

Yeah, maybe later.

It's just that if you were supposed to be out getting diapers, then Leanne

probably needs diapers, so go get the diapers.

The kind of thing my father would say to me.

I need you to say something like a minister would say to me, like, God will

forgive me if I don't go through with this.

I'm going to help you as a minister and a father and a man, and I'm going to get

someone to help you who I think you can relate to. You're not going to send

someone to my house, are you?

Because I don't want anyone to know that I'm trying to get out of this. Well,

could you tell Leanne that you need to talk to me, and you dropped by, and

that's why you were late with the diapers, and that you really need to

hour or so this evening and come back? I think she'll understand.

She won't.

She won't understand.

Because she knows in her heart that I'm not capable of doing what I promised her

I would do.

I think you are.

Well, if I am, I don't want to.

I just don't want to.

Around six.

Six. No jumping on the bed.

Running for gym is all day wasn't any fun.

I thought it would be fun, but it wasn't. I agree. I feel much better

and dressed.

What are we going to do now?

Something outside.

We're going to clean up the picnic table and anything else in the backyard that

needs cleaning. We already cleaned up the poop.

I cleaned it up.

And if you feed Happy a bag of cookies again, you'll get to clean it up.

Yeah, my feelings exactly.

What's going on?

What? Well, don't you look nice?

Beautiful, even.

And many years older.

Thanks.

You going somewhere?

Maybe later. I might go hang out with Martin and Mac.

Get a pizza or something.

Oh.

Martin and Mac.

You interested in Martin or Mac?

Martin is practically my brother, and Mac is Mac.

They just mentioned earlier that they might want to go get a pizza, so I might

go. Oh. Did you talk to your mom about this?

About what?

About hanging out with Martin and Mac.

Yeah, we talked about it.

And? And it's a non -issue. Oh.

A non -issue.

You want to clean up the backyard with us?

It's Rick, but it's going to be fun because we're doing it with Daddy.

Honey, Mom, is Mom here?

Dad's here. Will I do? You're busy with us.

Hey, nice job with the makeup.

Thanks for the offer, but no.

Well, in that case, come on.

Is it a guy?

What a guy?

The new look.

No, I'm just experimenting.

So what's up? Why do you need Mom?

Oh, Kevin doesn't like the doctor that we had today, but Ben and I like her.

Ben who?

You know, Ben. Kevin's brother, Ben.

What does Ben have to do with this? I don't know.

He's the uncle.

I know. I guess what he really has to do with it is he's on my side.

You have nothing to do with this. I'm the father.

I'm the uncle!

So what? Are you going to be there when the baby's born, or am I? I thought we'd

both be there.

No, we won't. And if you want a wife and a baby, get your own. You know how I

blame for that.

For what?

Not having a wife and baby of my own.

Let me guess.

Not yourself, but someone else.

Right. Who? Who could possibly be responsible for you not having a wife

baby other than you?

That Wilson guy.

Who? You know that jerk Mary was going out with when I met her? If it hadn't

been for him, I'd be married to Mary right now, and we'd have a baby, and I'd

living with the Camdens, too.

You weren't in love with Mary Camden.

Actually, I was. I just didn't realize it at the time.

So it's your fault.

No, it's Wilson's fault.

He got her so confused, she didn't know what she wanted, and she ran off and

married that Carlos guy, and now they have the baby that I should have.

So who confused you?

Confuse me?

If Wilson confused Mary, then who confused you so much that you didn't

were in love with Mary at the time? Aren't you listening?

Wilson. He confused Mary, and she confused me because she was confused by

Wilson. Forget about Wilson, will you?

Look, all you had to do today was tell Lucy that you thought the doctor was

rude, and then maybe she wouldn't have decided that that was the doctor we have

to have.

I thought she was hot.

She's an arrogant, condescending, man -hating witch.

Okay, Dad, Uncle Ben will fix this for you, I promise.

Thank you.

You guys are really good workers. Mommy's going to be so happy we cleaned

up. She's been asking me to do this all week.

Thanks for helping me out.

You're welcome.

You're a good daddy.

Yeah. Thank you. You do nice things for Mommy.

I like doing things for Mommy because Mommy does so many nice things for us.

They're not going to show up. Do you want to bet?

You need some help with the table? Uh, no, we got it.

Maybe we should help them up.

No, I'm sure you should spend some time with the boys.

I wish my dad would spend some time with me like that.

Like, washing down the picnic table?

Yeah, or just hanging out.

What's going on?

Eh, you know, the usual.

I don't think he's been to a game since I've been in, like, third grade. He says

he doesn't want to run into my mom, but she hasn't been to a game either.

Well, they divorced, and I lost them both.

Well, when it comes to baseball, anyways.

You never said anything about them before. I didn't know they were

I just thought they were busy.

Well, your dad's in Iraq.

I didn't want to whine about my dad being across town.

I don't think so.

Besides, Ali needs a woman anyway.

Yeah, right.

So, how did practice go?

Oh, good.

We're starving. I'm just gonna check my email. Then we're gonna go get pizza.

Great. I'm starving, too.

I'm going for pizza with you.

Remember? Uh, no, I don't remember.

I'm the one who asked you guys if you wanted to go for pizza.

You said maybe later.

It's later.

Fine.

Do you want something to drink?

Sure. Maybe a water.

I mean, if Kevin's not comfortable with this doctor, then he won't be

comfortable with you in the birthing room, and then you're not going to be

comfortable. I'm not going to be comfortable anyway.

Again, think about it. You know, you just met her because she was filling in

today. You like your other doctor, and so does Kevin. And he's seen Kevin pass

out before, so it won't come as a big shock if Kevin passes out again.

Thanks, Mom.

Sure.

Chocolate chip or sugar wafers? You pick.

I'd pick fruit.

Okay, chocolate chip.

Hi, Mac.

Guess I'll go talk to my husband.

Have fun.

Remember me?

The uncle.

Oh, so you do remember.

What can I do for you?

You were a little tough on me and my brother today, don't you think?

If you've come here just to start a row.

A what?

A fight.

If you want a fight, I'll call security and you can fight with me. Whoa, whoa,

whoa. I just came to see if you'll have dinner with me.

Fish and chips?

Why?

Why would you want to take me for fish and chips?

You're British, aren't you?

Yes. What I meant was, why would you take me out?

You're hot.

Oh, you think so?

Yes, I do.

And that's your only reason for asking me out?

My brother and I lost our father when we were in high school, and then Kevin's

really nervous about being a father and not knowing what to do, pretty much from

now until the kid has grown. So I just wanted to ask you to go easy on him. You

wouldn't say that.

Just to make me feel badly about the way I acted today, would you?

Thanks for the dinner offer, but it's really not necessary.

I'll call Kevin next week and make things right.

I could have been nicer to your brother.

And to you.

I'm sorry.

And I'm sorry about your father.

So...

It's just fish and chips?

We could get something better if you want. I don't know what your people eat.

mean, other than fish and chips.

You're not a cop, too, are you?

No. Or one of those other high -testosterone professionals? A

I don't do very well with those types.

I like artists, musicians, creative types.

I'm a flutist.

A flutist?

I play the flute in an orchestra.

Is that...

Safe enough for you? Your brother and sister -in -law think you're a

firefighter. Huh.

Come on, Uncle Ben. We have to pick up my children.

Children. Right.

Right.

wanted to go either.

Good instincts.

We men like to protect the women in the family.

Then why don't we?

Well, after many generations of men protecting women, it turns out women can

protect themselves.

Sometimes we just have to be there for them.

And sometimes we just have to be there for each other. That's what makes us a

family.

And sometimes our family...

can help other families, and that's what makes us all part of a larger family,

part of a community, even part of the world.

It's a big idea. You may not understand it until you're bigger.

Wilson!

Reverend Camden, I'm glad you called.

I need your help.

Hey, what kind of pizza do you like?

I like the one with everything on it, including the anchovies.

Hey, my kind of woman.

Thanks.

So, Mac, where's Pam tonight?

Do you have a date later?

No, she dumped me.

Oh, that's too bad.

You know, it's really tough finding someone to go out with.

Harry and I broke up, you know?

No, I didn't know.

How old are you?

Where do you work?

At Crawford University in the business department.

Where do you live?

Near here, with my wife and her mom.

It's her mom's house.

We don't remember you.

You never met me. I was around before you guys were born.

I used to date your sister Mary.

Our Mary?

Wilson.

This is Charlie nice to meet you I'm gonna cook some hot dogs on the grill

the boys. You guys should feel free to join it if you want Come on

So,

how are you Reverend Camden

tells me you're a new father Not that great.

I Don't want to be a new father

My father wants me to be a father.

My mother wants me to be a father. My girlfriend wants me to be a father,

You left off the most important one.

Your son wants you to be a father.

I think we can get him a better father.

And a better mother.

Leanne and I weren't ready for this.

There's lots of other couples out there waiting to adopt.

I know.

My wife and I are one of them. We want to adopt.

Is that why Reverend Camden wanted us to meet?

No. He wanted us to meet because I had a baby with my high school girlfriend.

She died from complications when the baby was born. It was a really horrible

situation. Her parents, of course, blame me and wouldn't have anything to do

with me or my son, and they still don't. You kept the baby?

You raised him all on your own?

Not all on my own. My parents helped out a lot, but...

When I went to college, I took my son with me, and then it was pretty much on

own. I got through college, I got a job, and I fell in love with a woman who had

had a similar experience.

She had a baby in high school. Her mom helped her out until she went to

Then she went to college with her daughter in tow, graduated, got a job,

married me.

Even in the best of situations, the first few weeks can be overwhelming.

But the baby needs you.

And the baby's mom needs you, and they're always going to need you.

And you are going to need your family and some friends.

And I can be a friend to you.

Why would you want to be a friend to me?

You don't even know me.

Because I feel very strongly that children need their fathers.

And if children have their fathers in their lives, they're better off.

Therefore, we're all better off.

I was lucky that my father stood behind me and supported me.

And I know your dad's doing the same.

You're lucky, Charlie, that you grew up with a mom and a dad.

And your son will be lucky if he can grow up with a mom and a dad.

Hey, you guys want a hot dog?

Sure.

Have you seen Ben?

Uh, no, but I'll throw in a few extra dogs just in case he shows up.

I wonder where it went off to.

You didn't get in an argument or anything, did you?

Uh, no.

Did you and Ben get in an argument?

No. Didn't he come over to the house to talk to you today?

No. Then who made you be nicer to me?

No one made me be nicer to you.

You came back from the house nicer to me. Nicer than you've been all day.

Don't make me look bad in front of my dad, okay?

I'm sorry about the doctor appointment and... Did you say something to me?

No.

I was nicer to you because my mom told me to be nicer to you. And she's right.

should be nicer to you.

Because?

Because you're my husband and the father of my baby.

Oh. Kip is inside talking to Charlie.

Who's Charlie?

Leanne's boyfriend.

Leanne. The young woman who was going to give her baby up for adoption and she

changed her mind at the last minute and had me go find her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend, Charlie.

Oh, yeah.

Who's Charlie talking to?

Wilson West.

Wilson?

That's not good.

Can I have the check?

What, are you in a hurry?

No. Well, take your time. Let's not rush. This place is just getting busy.

Yeah, all right. Hey, Mac, you want to get me another soda at the counter?

Why can't the waiter get it?

I either have to have another drink right now, or I have to get out of here.

All right? All right.

I think I know what's going on here, Ruthie.

Are you friends having pizza?

You're not interested in Mac, are you? I mean, like, interested in going out

with him?

I don't know.

Is he interested in going out with me?

Hey, look who showed up.

Oh, who is this?

Is this your little sister?

No, that's Ruthie Camden, but she's like a little sister.

Hello? Where are you?

I'm at the promenade.

I felt like some fish and chips.

We're cooking hot dogs. You want a hot dog?

Uh, no thanks.

You don't eat fish.

When you said you were going to fix everything, I thought you were going to

to Lucy.

Really? Who are you talking to, Mr. Fish and Chips?

Please tell me you're not talking to that doctor.

What doctor?

Why is your brother talking to our doctor?

Why are you talking to our doctor?

Because I'm the uncle.

Because he's the uncle.

I think you and your brother should spend more time with my father.

Because? Because as much as I love you and as much as you love me and as much

we're in this pregnancy together, fatherhood might best be explained by a

father. I don't want him to think that I don't know what I'm doing.

Because? Because I'm a man and I'm supposed to know what I'm doing.

Ruthie? Wow, you are all grown up.

Shut up.

I'm fine.

Okay. I saw you run across the backyard and you didn't look fine.

Did Martin say something?

I didn't stop to talk to Martin.

May I come in?

You can if you want. It's your house.

Pizza didn't go well?

Pizza was fine. Mac and Martin were fine.

She thinks I'm like a little sister.

You're not talking about Martin, are you?

No.

I knew his friend Mac was too old for me.

I knew he wasn't even interested in me.

And yet, like an idiot, I thought I could get him interested in me by

more makeup and looking older.

But he still just thinks I'm like a little sister.

That's what he said when he introduced me to these...

two girls that showed up to meet him and Martin there, who I didn't even know

were going to be there. He said, this is Ruthie Camden.

She's like a little sister.

I didn't mean to lie to you.

I was just lying to myself, and it spilled out to you and Mom.

I thought if I could just hang out, he would get to know me and see how mature

was. I thought I looked so much older with makeup on, he might even ask me

And then I could ask you if I could go, and I'd feel all important because some

17 -year -old asked me out, even if you said I couldn't go.

But you are important.

Yeah, to my family.

Yeah, to all of us.

And I think all of us would agree that you look beautiful without makeup.

But you look beautiful with makeup. I think you kind of shocked us.

We had no idea that you have skills in the makeup area.

I mean, you might feel like you wasted it on Mac today,

but there's no reason why you can't do that for yourself whenever you feel like

it.

It's very interesting the way you've changed your face.

You know, from its own...

natural beauty to a more sophisticated look.

You think I look sophisticated?

Too sophisticated for Mac.

I mean, I like him, but even if you were your age or you were his age, he'd

probably end up wanting someone who has more in common with you.

Someone who goes to church. Someone who doesn't drive.

Someone I can completely intimidate and control.

Growing up was tough business.

Yeah.

I thought you gave up on boys.

Sorry. That was just another lie I told myself.

I love you, Ruthie.

I know, but I want a guy to love me.

You think you and Leanne will get married?

Maybe.

But we're just 18.

Do you love her?

I've loved her since we were in grade school.

But if we didn't have a baby, I don't think I'd want to get married till I get

out of college.

But you do have a baby.

And being married would make it easier for you to be with your son every day.

It's more likely that he would be healthier and do better in school if you

married to his mother.

That's a lot to take on.

I'm still adjusting to the idea of just being a father.

It's just something to think about.

I mean, when guys get married, they focus on their wife and children. It

us to have fuller lives, happier lives.

Isn't it enough that you've made me feel a little more confident about being a

father? Do you have to push marriage on me, too?

I imagine once everyone gets some sleep, they'll start pressuring me.

You're right.

I can't do it all in one night, but...

Call me. We'll talk whenever you want.

I'm going to say goodnight to Reverend Candace. Tell him I'll call him. All

right.

Wilson? It's Ben, right?

You ruined my life.

Because of Mary?

Yeah, because of Mary.

It's funny, because of everything that happened, I ended up meeting and

a woman that I love, having the family that I always dreamed of, and I got a

great job.

I mean, of course, you get to hang out with the Camdens anytime you want, so it

can't be that bad, can it?

Yeah, well, Camdens or not, it's still the booby prize.

Good night.

Good to see you.

So? Really don't like fish.

Even when it's fried.

But, learned a lot about childbirth and babies, and you are in for a wild ride,

my friend.

Great.

Do me a favor.

If Mac is clueless as to what happened, just let him remain clueless. Ruthie's

request. He's clueless.

And I don't want to make excuses for him, but...

I never knew until today that his parents are divorced.

His dad lives around here, but he doesn't see him that often.

I think I have a better relationship with my dad than he's halfway around the

world. How is your dad?

He's alive.

And he's doing his job. I mean, I understand who he is and why he has to

he does.

You're a good man, Martin.

So is your dad.

Thank you, sir.

Good night.

I love you too.

It makes it tough finding a guy when you have a dad like Dad.

How's that?

I'm not going to be able to settle for any guy who's less than that.

You shouldn't have to settle for any guy less than that.

I know I didn't.

Oh, I didn't know I was going to be so late.

So how did Ruthie's hanging out with Martin and Mac go?

I mean, she did hang out with him, didn't she?

Yeah, and it didn't go that well.

I knew it wouldn't.

I knew she was only kidding herself about not being interested in Mac.

Did he hurt her feelings?

Yeah, but he has no idea he hurt her feelings, and Ruthie doesn't want him to

know. She's okay. I talked to her.

Well, I'll talk to her, too, while you go talk to Kevin.

Lucy's upstairs with Ruthie.

How is she?

Oh, she's okay. She'll be fine.

So how are you?

Fine. Nervous about the baby, but excited.

Yeah.

Even when the boys were born, I was nervous.

Well... Not nervous.

Terrified.

Of? Of something going wrong with Annie or the boys or both.

Me too.

But you know, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it all goes okay,

right?

I'm going to be there for Lucy and the baby.

Yeah, I'm sure of that.

You're going to make a good father.

I'll try, but I don't know a lot about it.

I don't know anything about it other than what I read in the books.

Books help, of course, but books can't really relay the miracle of childbirth

and all the feelings you have.

When the baby's born.

Books can tell you about each stage of development in a child, but every

different. Every day with every child is different.

It's just that I don't want to make any mistakes.

And yet, I have no idea what to do, really. You're going to make mistakes.

I've made plenty of mistakes.

You? I don't think so.

Oh, I probably made a mistake tonight, letting Ruthie hang out with Martin and

Mac.

It all ended up okay.

The most important thing you can do as a father is be good to your wife, which

you already are, and just be there for your daughter. Spend time with her. Be

involved in her life from day one.

Have I ever told you how proud and happy I am to have you in the family?

I bet your dad is proud of you, too.

Thank you so much.