Original subtitles

All right, let's go over it one last time.

I don't chew gum or spit on the courtroom floor.

Call the judge, Your Honor.

Good. What else?

I answer all questions directly. I don't volunteer more information than is

asked for. And?

And I speak from the heart.

And I tell them why I want you to be my guardian.

Excellent. Just keep it simple.

So what do I tell the judge?

He flies chairman good, and instead of Miss Delmucci's bean casserole, he let

eat pizza seven days a week. Oh, yeah. Well, that'll convince him.

You own a dress?

No. Well, you're going to have to get one.

Whoever's spare cash I have goes into business.

It's my treat.

Why? So I can pretend to be someone I'm not?

It shows respect for the court and for yourself.

Now you sound like my mom.

I would have liked you, Mother.

You're a lot like her.

Inside.

Quintilda Grace?

That's me.

I'm Harry Clark.

You haven't returned my phone calls or answered my registered letters.

I've been busy. Well, that's no excuse.

Maybe you'd like to change your tone.

And who are you?

I'm a former employee.

Are you looking for a job?

Because I take possession of this hangar in two days.

When all this crap moved out of here by that time, Whatever's left will be sold

or thrown away.

I had a few problems with the business.

Why didn't you tell me?

So you'd think I was a screw -up?

So I could help.

I do things my way, Harm.

For better or worse.

You're 14, man.

15.

You had a birthday?

Yeah. When?

You could have told me.

Why? Gee, I don't know. Cake, presents, you know, the usual.

Hugs all around?

Not big into birthdays.

Dad, what if you told the whole world it was your birthday and you threw a big

party and nobody came?

Wow, Maddie, you've got to start having a little more faith in people.

People suck.

They always let you down.

Except for maybe you, and I'm still not sure about that.

You're not going to be trouble, are you?

Nothing you can't handle.

Look, why don't you take me through this from the beginning?

When I hired you, I was this close to closing up shop.

Then winter came.

No more crops to test.

Just a little brush clearing.

I asked the bank for a break on the hangar payments. They didn't get me.

My dad had taken out the loan.

The bank found out I was running the business, so they sold it at auction.

What about the house?

Still mine.

You own it outright?

The bank's got a note.

I can't lose this house, Harm.

It's all I got left of my mom, and she gave it to me.

We'll find a way to make the payments.

How old is this pizza, anyway?

Which topping?

Meatball was last Monday.

Anchovies were last week.

My God. Look, Maddie, get your jacket on.

Where are we going? We're going to get something decent to eat, and then we'll

talk about the house.

Yes, sir.

No, I understand, sir.

There's nothing you can do.

I understand.

Thank you, sir.

You okay?

No.

Maurice Chestnut is playing the Silver Legacy Resort and Casino in Reno, and

she's snowed in.

I need her in D .C. tomorrow because she has to fly out to Baghdad in two days.

Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center is in Pickle Meadow. That's close

to Reno. They can get her out.

Thank you, ma 'am.

Morning, Sergeant.

Good morning.

Oh, hey.

Why tell me that your father's performing the Christmas Eve ceremony

year? He is. The Admiral invited him.

There's bad news, Admiral. I just got off the phone with Worldwide Parcel

Service. One of their delivery trucks caught on fire while traversing the

autostrada between Rome and Bologna.

Meredith's present.

Burnt to a cinder, sir.

Worldwide will forward you a check for the full replacement amount. I want some

damn check. I want Meredith to open my gift on Christmas Day.

Perhaps you can call her, sir, and tell her what it was. It's too difficult to

describe something that personal.

I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to... Coats. It's a customized PDA.

Language aids, currency converter, highway maps of Italy, street maps of

with historical sites.

An excellent gift, sir.

But you... Disprove, sir?

No, sir. I have no opinion.

Do you think the gift is... Impersonal, sir?

I think a lot of women would find it useful, sir.

Useful?

Like a toaster or an iron or a sewing machine?

In that ballpark, sir.

Dismissed. Aye, aye, sir.

Sir, perhaps I can help.

There you are. What took you so long?

Babysitter was late again.

That's twice this week.

They just won't have that USO thing to worry about anymore.

Harriet? General Tillman wants me to wrangle talent for the Christmas show.

Harriet, I know... Bud, other than raising our kids, this is the most

thing I have ever, ever done, and I would really like your full support on

Sir, Chaplin Turner's here to see you.

Oh, good man.

Right this way.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, Admiral.

Hey, Jane and my friends.

Matthew to mine.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

Looking forward to the sermon.

You asked me in to give you a preview?

No.

Is this about my son?

No, I'm getting married.

Sturgis told me. He said you made an excellent choice.

Congratulations.

Thank you. I'd like for you to perform the ceremony.

Your pleasure, AJ. Just tell me when and where. May 14th, Naval Academy Chapel.

He must have friends in high places.

Well, on his eyes, yours.

When last I was at JAG, it seemed to me my son was struggling.

He'd hit a bit of a rough patch.

Is he out of that patch?

No.

He needs to stop expecting perfection.

You know, the old Zito saying, demand it of yourself and you'll always be

unsatisfied. Yeah, demand it of others and you'll always be disappointed.

What's a guardian ad litem, anyway?

They were appointed by the court to look into my suitability.

Why didn't she just ask me?

She will.

Good afternoon, Maddie. Ma 'am?

Commander Rabb.

I'm Donna Lemoine.

Pleasure to meet you, Miss Lemoine. Please come in.

The commander and I will need to talk in private.

Yes, ma 'am.

Have a seat, please.

I will start with a few simple questions.

Where will Maddie be living?

With me.

Social services will need to schedule a home inspection. They will contact you

directly.

Understood. Let's see.

What arrangements have you made for her schooling?

I'm still working on it.

I'll need to know before the custody hearing. Now, your pay grade allows you

assume the care of a minor child.

I can take care of Maddie.

Your work take you out of town?

Upon occasion.

Out of the country?

Yes. Well, what arrangements have you made for Maddie's care when you're

from the home?

I'm still working on that.

Is she mature enough to be home by herself?

She's lived alone here for the last six months.

That's not really an answer to my question, Commander.

Arrangements will be made, Miss Lemoyne. I'll not leave Maddie alone.

So you're still working on that also?

You can rest assured Maddie will be well taken care of.

Not your assurances I'm interested in, Commander.

Have you ever been married?

No. Do you have other children?

No. Do you have a significant other?

No. Are you gay?

No.

So you have no one in your life?

No.

I find that hard to believe.

I tell you, Miss Lemoyne, it confounds me at times, too.

Why do you want custody of this child?

Somebody needs to take care of this little girl, ma 'am.

She has a biological father.

We looked for him.

There are other relatives.

None that are in a position to take care of Maddie nor want to.

Besides, this is what she wants.

How long have you known Miss Gray?

A while.

A while.

How did you meet?

I worked for her. Doing what?

Crop dusting.

She was a good boss.

Is this a whim, Commander?

No. Are you doing this out of pity?

I'm doing this out of affection, ma 'am.

It's acceptable if you say love.

Get back to me when you finish making arrangements.

Social services will call to set up a home inspection.

Then I will need to speak with someone close to you who can vouch for your

suitability as a parent.

Good to meet you.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, lady officer.

Thank you, sir. You too.

Commander Turner's waiting for you in his office.

Thank you.

Sir, do you have a moment?

These are the results of my shopping trip. The Hermes scarf matches Dr.

Kavanaugh's coloring.

I know she wears Chanel No. 5.

As for the Portolano gloves, Dr. Kavanaugh and I are about the same size,

bought a pair that fit me.

And what woman wouldn't love a Louis Vuitton wallet?

You know, this just doesn't seem... Like Dr. Kavanaugh, sir?

Too fancy?

She's a... University professor, I know, sir. And a good one, which is why she's

in Bologna at the Shakespeare conference and not here.

Coat. Sir?

Let me finish my sentences.

Yes, sir.

What did you know about all this stuff?

These were items I used to boost, sir, during my delinquent years.

But don't worry, this time I put them on my credit card.

Pretty much maxed it out.

After work, I want you to return all this.

Go to an electronic store, order me a PDA, bill it directly to me. It's

regulations for you to use your credit card on my behalf.

Sorry, sir.

What are you doing for Christmas?

Working here with you, sir.

Do you have any family?

None that I care to see.

Friends?

Most of my old acquaintances are in jail, sir, or dead.

And, um...

Making new friends isn't really a priority.

This is my life now.

By the way, the Admiral asked me to perform the ceremony at his wedding.

Well, you know what they say, Dad.

Weddings are destiny, and hanging likewise.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm looking for Lieutenant Simmons.

I can take you right to her, Miss Chestnut.

It'll be just a minute, Dad?

I'll see you downstairs.

Great. Make his way.

So how did you know my name?

You're kidding.

Live at the Blue Note? I know it by heart.

And what's your favorite number?

Well, these days, let's blame it on my youth.

Or maybe everything happens to me.

Lieutenant Harriet Sims.

Sir? Farice Chestnut.

How nice to meet you, ma 'am. It's Farice. And thank you for getting me out

the snowdrift. I'd never ridden in a snowcat before.

No problem.

And, by the way, did you give this gentleman my bio and press kit? No, ma

So he's an honest man.

Commander Turner?

Sometimes to a fault.

I'm playing at the One Step Down tomorrow night, and I'm leaving your

the door.

It would be such a thrill if my dad could come along.

Sure. Another handsome man in the audience never hurt.

It's what my mother's hurt.

See you tomorrow night?

Yeah.

Reese, I have your itinerary right here. You'll be leaving out of Andrews Air

Force Base on a C -17.

Which is?

Military transport aircraft.

It's like a football field with wings.

You'll have to be able to carry your own luggage, and seating's pretty

primitive. Is there a bathroom?

They'll roll a comfort pallet on board.

It's port -a -potty.

This is worse than summer camp.

Okay.

Just when the fun is starting,

comes the time for

partying.

But let's be glad.

to send your father home in a cab.

That was his idea.

Oh.

So are you too close?

Yeah. Yeah, we are.

Until the last few months.

My father was a preacher, too.

Really? Mm -hmm. So you know what it's like.

Yes, to have to grow up to be perfect.

It wasn't just God's eye on the sparrow. You ever screw up?

Well, I didn't do any jail time, but, you know.

What did he say about your falling short of perfection?

Who, God or my father?

Your father.

Oh.

Well, he waited for the right time to tell me about his early troubles.

Sometime you should ask your father about the times he fell from grace.

He never did, Berita.

Soldier, scholar, horseman, he and all he did done perfectly, as though he had

but that one trade alone.

William Butler Yeats was thinking of my father when he wrote that.

I had a man for 15 years, give him his room and board.

Once he was like a Cadillac, now he's like an old worn -out Ford.

Bessie Smith had every man in mind when she sang that.

No man is perfect, Sturgis, and very few come close.

You know, maybe that's why I love jazz.

Because you start out with set notes, but then you go wherever you want.

And it's always different, and it's never perfect, never meant to be.

It's always in the process of becoming.

I'm a good listener, if you want to talk.

I'm tired of talking, Barice. I'm sick of myself.

You ever feel that way?

I really like who I am.

Good.

I'd like to talk about you.

You know everything there is to know about me, Sturgeon.

It's all in my song.

And you know almost my whole...

You

always go around kissing women you just met?

Been waiting for someone like you a long time, Maurice.

I need you to vouch for me.

In love or war?

As a family man.

Hmm. Well, when was the last time you called your mother?

I don't remember.

So we've established that you're a lousy son.

What kind of a parent do you think I'd make?

Well, I did once agree to your fathering my child, if you remember.

Yeah.

Neither of us had someone in five years, so... We're almost there.

Something's come up there.

Another woman?

A child.

I'm petitioning the state of Virginia for the custody of a minor. I need you

vouch for me with the court.

How long have you known you're going to do this?

A few months.

And this is the first I'm hearing about it?

Yeah, you moved on. I didn't think you'd be interested.

Of all the dumb things that you've said to me in eight years, that is by far the

dumbest. You don't deny it?

Mac, I don't want to argue about us right now. There is no us.

Well, yeah, you made sure of that.

You didn't fight me.

Look, there was a little girl who needs someone to watch over her.

So you decided to take that responsibility.

What, you got a problem with that? No, I have a problem with you cutting me out

of your life until you need something.

Forget about it.

It's too important for you to screw up.

I've purchased the PDA, sir.

If you tell me how you want it personalized, I'll do my best to see

done.

Why don't we go to plan B?

I believe we've moved on to plan C, sir. Well, whatever plan it is.

Let me know what your results are.

Aye, aye, sir.

So far, this is what we have established.

smoke detector, sufficient heat, adequate light, working telephone,

toilet.

Do you primarily survive on beer and tofu?

There's other things in there.

Mostly I order takeout.

Do you have a problem with alcohol?

No.

You know, Mr. Whatley, I'm a pretty good cook when I set my hand to it.

You have a child in the house, so you cook every day whether you feel like it

not.

Do you have a firearm in the house?

Yes, sir, but it's under lock and key.

You ever have cause to employ?

Once or twice in the line of duty.

Aren't you a lawyer, Commander Al?

I'm also a war veteran, a naval officer, and a qualified F -14 pilot.

Then there's the matter of the separate bedroom. How do you plan to deal with

that?

I don't know yet.

If you can't find a solution, you'll be required to move.

Look, Mr.

Watley, this is all happening very quickly, and I haven't had time to work

the fine points.

A bedroom for a child is not a fine point.

How long have you lived alone?

Since I was 17.

No roommates?

Not since the academy.

What kind of relationship did you have with your father?

I never really had a chance at once, sir. He went missing in action when I

five.

What do you know about raising children?

Honestly, not a lot.

I hope you have a better answer when you appear at the custody hearing.

I intend to.

Look, I'm playing catch -up right now, Mr. Wadley.

The adolescent girl, a study in pathology.

Between 16 and sex, raising a teenage girl.

You seem to be prepared for the worst.

I'm a fighter pilot, Mr. Watley. We prepare for the worst. That way we cut

our surprises.

Have you ever crashed?

Oh, yeah.

More than once?

Four times.

And you intend to keep flying, Commander?

Yes, I do.

I'll say this about you, Commander.

You are refreshingly candid.

Coats, I want you to know that I find you an asset as my legalman.

That was my expectation.

My hope, sir.

Of course, as you know, rules don't allow superiors and subordinates to

presents. Yes, sir. Also, no consumption of alcohol in government spaces or

untoward displays holiday affections.

Correct. Then, sir, how do I tell you how much all this means to me?

Just it.

Great. And that's taken care of.

May I speak personally, sir?

If you must.

When I first met Commander Rabb two years ago, I was almost a convicted

And now to have all of this, I'm just, I'm very grateful.

You know, I don't like to discuss personal matters with my staff.

Experience has taught me that, Admiral.

But you need to quit being so damn grateful all the time. It's a little

tiresome. Sir?

You're earning your keep. That's what matters.

Stop thanking everyone.

Are you going to be at the service tomorrow night?

No, sir, not unless you need me.

I don't.

That'll be all.

Yes, sir.

Sir, I have a surprise for you.

The first present I bought you burnt to a crisp.

So I went back and twice checked my list.

I still wanted to tell you of my love.

So I bought you a pair of gloves.

But that didn't seem right, so I stayed up all night.

The ideas I had went from bad to worse, so I decided to do this in verse.

I think of you day and night, and I want you back in my sight.

There will be many Christmases to come.

I just miss you this one.

Where'd you get this?

I wrote it myself, sir.

With a little help from the rhyming dictionary.

There's a performance of Romeo and Juliet in Bologna tonight.

Dr. Kavanaugh will be in the audience.

I've arranged for one of the actors to read it after the show.

I'll be damned.

I hope not, sir.

With your permission, sir, a question.

Are you happy?

Jennifer?

For the first time in years.

And there's hope.

Hope you don't have to wait as long as I did.

Maddie. Hi.

What are you doing here? I need to talk.

How did you get here? Drove myself.

Manny, it's one thing to drive that truck on back roads, but in D .C. My

came back.

When?

Earlier tonight.

Heard a knock on the door, and there he was.

He needed a place to stay, so I let him in.

I told him only one night.

I also told him about you, about how you're going to be my guardian.

And?

And he said he'd fight you in court.

Commander Rabb, you have petitioned the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to

become the guardian of Matilda Grace Johnson, a minor child.

I have, Your Honor. I have read the reports from Donna Lemoine, Guardian Ad

Litem, and the home inspection report of Morgan Watley.

Both reports raise questions, but both indicate a refreshing honesty and a

realistic appraisal of the challenge you face.

I would be glad to answer any questions the court has, Your Honor. And you will

have your chance.

However, this matter has become complicated due to the return of Thomas

Matilda Grace Johnson's biological father. Mr. Johnson, I understand at

time you wish to address the court.

I do, Your Honor. You need to convince me that you are willing and capable of

taking care of this child.

So before you speak your piece, I have a few questions for you.

Firstly...

Where have you been the last six months?

Well, I've been trying to get my life back together, Your Honor. And you left

Matilda on her own?

No, I left her with relatives.

She chose not to stay with them.

Maddie can be strong -willed.

And what's to say that you will not abandon this child a second time?

Well, ma 'am, I was a victim of a very unfortunate accident. You killed my

mother. Miss Johnson.

My name is Grace.

Maddie Grace.

Johnson is his name.

And he was drunk.

Maddie.

Sit here.

Your father has a right to be heard, and you need to respect his court.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

Apology accepted, Miss Grace.

Your Honor.

I wasn't always the way I am now.

Maddie might not remember. In fact, she might not want to remember. But I used

to be a good man.

And I was a good father.

See, her mama used to work nights and I'd make the dinner.

I used to read to her.

She seems to have forgotten all that now.

Fact is, Your Honor, I've made some mistakes.

Made some big ones.

Things I can never repent for, no matter how much I wish I could.

But I am trying to be a better man for Maddie.

And all I'm asking you is to give her the chance to get to know me the way

I am now.

May I say something, Your Honor?

This is your day, Maddie.

There is no way that this man can make it up to me.

He got behind the wheel when he was drunk.

I will never forgive him for that.

Commander Rabb has offered to make a place for me in his life.

I promised what he said.

I won't make any trouble for him.

Trouble is a part of life.

I am only interested in how Commander Rabb is going to handle that trouble.

Your Honor, I lost my father when I was young.

Not because he left, because he went missing in action in Vietnam.

I know it's like growing up without a father, and I don't take the

responsibility of fatherhood lightly.

I give my word to this court, Your Honor, that I will do my level best to

sure that Maddie gets everything she deserves.

I've given her my word that she will never be alone in this world again.

Yeah, well, there's only one problem with that. You're not her father.

Most impressed with Commander Rabb.

She believes he would make a very suitable guardian.

But doesn't a man have a right to be with his own child?

That is a primary consideration, Mr. Johnson.

However, this court must also consider what kind of father you will make.

And also, what kind of guardian Commander Rabb will make.

Your Honor, there's a character witness who would like to be heard.

Lieutenant Colonel McKenzie.

Your Honor, I've been a colleague of Commander Rapp's for eight years. I have

the highest level of respect for his honor and integrity.

What is your opinion of his suitability as a guardian for Mattie Grace?

Highly suitable, Your Honor.

And what do you base that opinion, Colonel?

Your Honor, I have seen the commander put his own life at risk to protect the

son of a fellow aviator who was killed in the line of duty.

The commander has always taken a personal interest in cases involving

Your Honor.

He's taken a child witness into his home and pulled strings to get medical

attention for a traumatized little girl after he made it his personal quest to

solve that little girl's sister's murder.

That does speak well of the commander.

What else can you give me?

I've given a lot of thought to the kind of man that I would want to be the

father of my children if I ever...

Commander Rabbit is that kind of man, Your Honor.

I can't prove it to you. I can only state without reservation that he is up

the job.

Thank you, Colonel.

You both...

Make compelling cases for custody.

Mr. Johnson, while you do share biology and a history with Maddie, it will be

very difficult for you to continue your recovery while caring for a minor child.

Commander Rapp, your lack of experience with children combined with your

professional responsibilities makes you equally questionable in my mind as a

suitable guardian.

I need to take this matter under submission to determine what is in

best interest.

In the meantime, Maddie, I'm going to temporarily place you into foster care.

Your Honor, why can't I just go home?

I'm sorry.

That is no longer an option.

Social services will find an appropriate temporary foster family for you to stay

with until I can sort through these issues. You do understand that you will

back in six months to hear my final decision.

we turn to God sometimes it is for consolation as Jesus said

Nazareth he has sent me to heal the broken hearted to preach deliverance to

captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are

bruised and sometimes it is for guidance yet a little while is the light

with you walk While ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.

For he that walketh in darkness knoweth not where he goeth.

What we find is that God has answers if we are just willing to listen.

But often what is lacking is our ability to hear what he's saying.

We are too busy in our own lives or too lost in our own misery.

We are deaf.

To the sweetest music there is.

And that is our loss.

Because God should not just be a Sunday thing.

Or somebody that we call on when we are afraid or in need.

He should inform every day of our lives.

He teaches us forgiveness.

For ourselves and for others.

That's his greatest gift to us.

To multiply our happiness here on earth.

Never forget that.

You won't forget me?

Are you kidding?

I don't want you to see me cry.

Maddie, I'm sorry.

You did your best.

I'm going to have to get used to being without you.

I'll send you the address of my new foster family.

Come visit sometime.

Mr. Johnson?

Colonel? May I speak with you?

Do you want me to get lost?

Might be best.

Why didn't you come inside?

Because last time I was inside a church, I was burying my wife.

Now I'm losing Maddie to a bunch of strangers.

I'm supposed to drop her off tonight.

I'd like to speak with you, sir.

As one alcoholic to another.

Another fine sermon, Chaplain.

Thank you, Admiral.

Reverend, I just want to say thank you so much for remembering our fighting men

and women in your prayers. Yes, thank you, Chaplain.

Dad spent five Christmases in the field.

It's hard being away from the family at Christmas.

You were always home in our hearts, Dad.

Thank you, son.

Thank you for your words inside tonight.

Something you've always known, Sturgis.

You've just forgotten it for a while.

Hey, I wonder how the USO tour's doing.

Why don't we find out?

January's cold.

February's colder.

March winds come along and wrap around my shoulder.

No silver bells that jingle.

How did you arrange this?

I called Armed Forces Television, sir, and asked for a live feed.

I'm afraid I used your name, sir, and I may have committed you to several

things, among them a Saturday morning call -in show.

You did such a great job, sweetie.

It was.

This is the nicest Christmas gift anyone's ever given me.

Thank you, Jennifer.

You're welcome, ma 'am.

I know a lot of us have loved ones at home.

Parents, husbands, and wives, and kids.

People we miss and who miss us. I know I have.

I want you to know that they are thinking about you tonight.

Sacrifices you are making to be here and who are so proud of you and grateful

You are not alone

What are you doing here?

You're my guardian.

Mac talked to my dad.

He agreed to step aside, so I won't have to go to the foster family.

How did you do that?

I convinced him that now that he's stopped drinking, he'll have to start

with life.

And he's not fit to take care of Maddie until I can take care of himself.

Mr. Johnson agreed to a full course of treatment.

And if he can pull his lap together, and if Maddie wants, then they'll give it a

shot.

Until then, I'm yours.

You can hug me, you know. I won't break.

Good night.

Where are you going?

I have a...

A date with Webb.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.