Original subtitles

I hear the silver bells

Cousin Rashad.

Howdy. Here's your cousin Junior here.

Ooh, and your cousin Aretha Hayden here. Will you be quiet, Aretha? I can't think

with all that yapping you keep on doing.

All right, all right, all right. Carry on.

Thank you.

Anyways, how you been?

We ain't seen you since that disaster of a wedding last Christmas.

With that being said, Aretha and I'd like to invite you down to our house

here in good old... Douglas, Georgia, to spend Christmas holidays with your

kinfolk.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Love, your cousin Junior.

I mean, who even writes letters anymore?

He could have texted or emailed us.

I think it's sweet. I mean, he put all that time and effort and energy into

writing this tune. It just shows you how much he really wants you to come spend

the holidays with him.

I don't know, Annie.

I still need to finish the next draft of my book and get it in to the editors.

Carlin has been hounding me to meet this deadline.

Which is exactly why spending the holidays with your cousins might be a

good idea.

I mean, new scenery might spark some new and fresh ideas.

I guess.

I mean, besides, what can go wrong?

Oh, plenty.

Look, if anything goes awry, I'll be right there by your side.

I love you, Annie.

I love you too, Rashad.

Rita, what in the Sam Hill are you doing?

I'm trying to get dressed.

Oh, now, I know, Junior, but, you know, I was thinking we could have us a little

fun. Now, no, you know Chardon will be here in a minute.

I'm just asking for something quick. You know you're good at that. Hey, now, that

only happened once. Don't be saying that. I'm putting that out for them to

hear.

Them? Who the hell is them, Junior?

Who the hell is them? Them.

The world.

Oh, you are so silly. Now, listen.

What I need you to do is make me feel like Halle Berry in that damn movie and

make me feel good.

Can you make me feel good, Junior?

Aretha! What is going on with you?

It's just... Say it. It's just today is the day, okay?

And I can feel it. So let me feel on you and let your swimmers get the gold for

playing with me.

Aretha, stop it now. Stop it.

Junior, you don't have me in here begging like he sweat?

Aretha.

Okay, where the hell are they?

Calm down, Rashad.

No, no.

See, we need to get up out of here.

That is a clear reason why we should have stayed at a hotel.

No. Look, your cousins invited us to stay, so we're going to stay.

Anyway, I'm sure they're in there trying to make sure everything's perfect.

Because, you know, they want to impress you. You're a family member, and you're

a New York Times best-selling author.

So just relax, okay?

Okay. I hear you.

Good.

Hey, I know you hear us. Open this door.

Well, howdy, cousin.

Hey, y'all.

Hey, y'all.

You know, me and Junior was just sitting there getting busy. I mean, we was

getting ready.

We was getting ready for you.

That's enough.

Can we come in now? Oh, yeah! Come on in!

Hurry up.

I can't believe we actually got the best-selling author sitting right here

on that couch.

And ain't he just so happy to be here?

Man, I'm happier than a haunting slop on a fat Tuesday.

What he's trying to say is that we're just so proud, Rochelle. We're so proud.

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

And the book is doing really well, which is why there's so much pressure to get

the next one done.

Stop! Well, no, sirree. That ain't nothing for you to worry about right

now. No, no, no. Let me explain something to you.

Between teaching those kids, promoting this book,

shot to shot, you're about to rest and relax, and we're going to make sure you

do just that, okay?

You know, I kind of agree with him. I think you need some rest and relaxation,

and it might help spark some inspiration.

You know, there's actual magic here. You know, I just feel it. Oh, I do. I like

to. Oh, shawty, shawty, you got you a nice one here. You know better than I

do. Oh, don't you start.

You're right.

You're right.

Positive vibes only.

Exactly. And I am extremely happy.

And Annie has a lot to do with that.

Oh, you got you a good one here, shawty, shawty. I should know.

Do a little background check on it.

What? Excuse me?

No offense.

But after the last little thing. Oh, we just had to be sure.

Annabella Denise Nichols.

Daughter of Ernest and Patricia Nichols.

Third of four children.

Graduate of Davidson Fine Arts in Augusta and...

Georgia State University.

She ain't got no kids, alerted to shellfish, no known illnesses, and guess

what? She got a B-positive blood type. Don't play with me.

Dang it.

Hey, hey, hey, that's Marita. When she wants something, she's like a dog with a

bone. You know you got the only bone that I want, daddy. Stop it. Stop it.

Stop it.

They still here?

Speaking of marriage, though.

Who said anything about marriage?

I mean, come on now. When are you going to make an honest woman out of this

pretty little lady here and get her hitched?

I mean, it's not like we're in a rush or anything.

Me and Annie are good.

We're good, right, Annie?

Yeah, right. Yeah, of course. Of course, we're really good. We're really good.

You know, like, yeah, one day I do want to get married.

But, you know, it's not something we're in a rush about. You know, all these

things, they come.

in time when they're supposed to.

Exactly. Oh, I see. I don't know about that. You see, she over there itching

and playing with that little finger there.

Looked like she ready to be somebody's wife.

Oh, I thought she was trying to hide the ash on her face.

Anyway,

what's going on with you two?

Well, now that you ask, we've been trying to put a little bun in this here

oven.

That's right, cousin.

We're working on creating the next generation of William Kitten folks. We

already got the names picked out. Check it out. If it's a boy, I'm going to name

him Junior, Junior, Junior.

I don't think it works like that.

And Junior letter, if it's a girl. I came up with that myself. Ain't it

pretty?

It's just something, man.

But now that we're talking about this, if I can just be honest, you know, it's

been hard.

than we thought it was going to be.

Oh, y'all, I done did this thing.

We done did this thing. All kinds of ways. All kinds of different positions

and stuff. You know what I'm saying? That's, that's, uh, that's your mind.

No, no, it's all right. It's okay. You're family. Go on, Aretha. Thank you.

Let me tell you something. We done did it front ways.

We done did it backwards.

Oh, Lord, I done been up that damn.

Wait wait on every piece of furniture Does

that include this couch

I think I hear my alarm going off.

Junior, let's go!

See,

I told you we should've got a hotel room.

I know.

Another negative.

Another negative pregnancy test, Junior.

Hey, well, listen.

We literally just got done doing it. I'm sure it takes a little more time than

that.

I mean, but how much time are we talking about here, Junior?

I mean, we've been doing it and doing it and doing it well every single day.

Something has had to happen by now, right?

Something. I mean...

Maybe something maybe something is wrong too. No, no, maybe no

Positive thoughts

You're right

Absolutely right. I know that's why you love

Look at this

away

At least we get to keep trying.

You know I like to keep trying with you.

I'm telling you.

We are a phone call away from staying in a deluxe suite of your dreams.

I'm sure we're going to be fine, Rashad.

Besides, I'm sure they were just joking earlier.

Well, the joke's on them, because that ain't funny.

Hi.

Maybe she can hear me.

I said hi.

Hey.

Hello.

Do you not unders...

You remember my cousin Rashad and his girlfriend Annie?

You remember the cousin I told you was the best-selling author?

She's a little shy around new people.

I see.

Oh, Junior, don't you think you ought to be hurrying up? Don't you got this

appointment to get to?

That's right, baby.

Come on, cuz, you coming with?

Let's give these women folks some time to burn.

Where are we going?

My pee-pee.

Your pee-pee?

And what the hell am I doing here anyway?

Moral support.

Yeah, Junior.

Everything looks good, man.

Nothing irregular.

All right.

So let's take a look at these lab results.

Yeah, everything looks normal, man. Nothing to be concerned about. So why

can't me and the missus get pregnant?

Junior, these things save time sometimes.

All right, just gotta be patient.

Enjoy the process.

It'll happen when it's supposed to.

Oh, trust.

We enjoy the process.

That's good.

Keep enjoying it. You have a baby in no time.

I sure hope so, Doc, because Aretha really wants kids, and, well, so do I.

Be patient. It'll happen.

It's good to have the Mr. Rashad Williams in my exam room.

I'm a big fan, brother.

Thank you. I appreciate it. So, when's the next book coming out?

Well, I'm working on it. Right after.

Enjoy some family time for the holidays.

Well, when it does, I would love to get my hands on a copy.

You and Doug Salone?

No, no, no. Actually, I brought my girlfriend, Annie.

Yeah, I think I seen you two in a couple publications together.

Gotta love strong black love.

You two look good together.

Hey, you know what? I appreciate that. Annie is a wonderful woman.

I'm just blessed to have her in my life, man.

I bet.

So, Doc, what are you doing for the holidays?

My sister and her husband are out of town, and my parents are on one of those

holiday cruises.

So, it'll be me and my frozen Dennis.

Nonsense!

Aretha would have a bit if she heard that. Hey.

I'm inviting you over to our house to spend the holidays with us.

Rita's going to be cooking a huge spread all the way up until Christmas Day.

Nah, I couldn't impose.

You're not imposing?

We'd love to have you.

Hey, you're my PP.

That's my penis position.

Oh, you've got to stop saying that.

In that case, I'll be on it.

Great! Can't wait for you to stop by.

Me too.

We interrupt this broadcast with some breaking news.

According to authorities, two people have just been arrested after being

accused of embezzlement.

Investigators say Lauren Collins and Kyle Adams were arrested after being

caught stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from several local charities

intended to service underprivileged families during the holiday season.

Authorities say Collins and Adams have been embezzling funds from these non

-profit organizations for months.

how did i know you were gonna call me you know i had to i cannot believe that

those two were stealing from the less fortunate and during christmas yeah sad

and after what they tried to do to me i didn't think those two could stoop any

lower you know what i'm just glad that those two low down dirty thieves are

finally getting what's coming to them exactly and you know what they say about

karma and she finally came and slapped them in the face I just wish I could do

it myself.

No, what you need to do is focus on a healthy delivery, Faye.

Hey, and that's what I've been telling her too, bro.

Hey, what's good, Richard?

Elijah.

The big day is coming soon.

You ready, bro?

About as ready as I'm ever be. I can't wait to be a father.

Again.

He's going to be great because he's already a great father.

Oh, thank you, girl.

All right. All right. That's enough. That's enough. That's why y'all in this

position now.

And it's a great place to be, my brother.

Now, what about you and Annie, huh?

How are you two doing? Are we going to be hearing any wedding bells soon?

Well, actually.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Who is that?

since last year's bro, you know, during the holidays.

Oh, you're pregnant.

Hey, girl.

Yes, I am.

Our bundle of joy is due any day now.

No, you're like, um... You're like pregnant.

Pregnant. Like, you're... You're huge.

Trust me.

I am reminded of that every single time I try to get up and go somewhere, okay?

Aretha.

That wasn't cool.

I'm sorry.

Y'all excuse me for a minute, okay?

Is everything okay?

Well... when it comes to my cousins that's a hard question to answer

look i'm uh i'm gonna go and try to do some writing

and i'll talk to y'all later all right man be easy bye

So, have you talked to Desiree?

Yep, I was on the phone with her just before I came in here. She's on her way

to the house to drop off Gabrielle to us.

Oh, good.

Baby, I'm so glad that you get to spend time with your daughter during the

holidays this year.

Thank you, baby. Thank you for welcoming her.

Of course.

Look, she's my daughter too.

And I'm going to love her just as much as I'm going to love this new baby that

we now share.

Oh, baby.

I'm so ready to make this family a three, a family a four.

I can't wait. I'm so excited.

I love you so much, Elijah.

I love you too, baby.

I love you more than I loved you when I first saw you.

You know, back when you used to call me Lumpy.

Used to.

Oh, no, you are still lumpy to me.

Especially since now all the lumps are in all the right places.

Girl, you better stop. That's how you got pregnant the first time.

Hey,

baby, you all right?

No.

I literally just made a complete ass of myself.

Well, what else is new?

Okay, I'm just kidding, sweetheart.

I'm just kidding.

Mm-hmm.

What did the doctor say, Junior?

Dr. Hart said everything was fine.

Everything is functioning like it's supposed to be.

So then why can't we get pregnant, Junior?

Do you think... Do you think something's wrong with me?

No. No, no, no.

No reason.

There's nothing wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with me. We're both

perfectly fine.

We're just gonna have to trust God and just let nature take its course.

Okay.

I guess she knows best.

That's right.

Junior knows best.

Oh, God. Ooh.

Got a nice little ring to it.

Junior knows best. That sounds like a TV show, don't it?

goodbye okay who in the world is tuning in to see you on some tv all right

Okay, then Hey

wreath is about to start dinner shortly

Absolutely

right

I don't get it.

Sean.

Thank you.

What's up, brother? How you doing, man? How you doing? Happy holidays,

everybody.

Hey, hey, sorry I'm late, everybody.

Sorry I didn't pick something up after I left the office. Oh, no, you ain't late,

dawg. We just getting started.

Hey!

Y'all have... I got to stop saying that.

Jabari Wilson-Fyce. How you doing, Aretha? Oh, baby, I'm fine. But listen,

you know I be going better when you get these beans jumping, jumping.

Like I told your husband, all right? Be patient. It's going to happen.

Just give it a little time.

Yeah, I really do wish the best of luck to you both, for real.

That's why I got to stop you, Rashad.

See, I don't believe in luck.

I believe in destiny.

And I believe you two are destined to be great parents.

Just give it some time.

It may happen sooner than you think.

Ugh.

Sure hope so.

Me too.

Hey, I just need help for dinner. I can make my mom's famous sweet potato

souffle.

Jabari.

Hey, Annie.

Hey,

you two know each other?

Yeah, we do.

Yeah, it's funny.

We used to date.

Uh-oh.

And how long ago was that?

Oh, it was like a long, long time ago. We were high school sweethearts. Oh,

damn.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

So you're trying to tell me, shawty shawty's girlfriend.

And my hubby's pee-pee.

Excuse me, doctor.

Used to be girlfriend and boyfriend back in the day? Oh, you gotta be kidding me.

It's a small world.

Yeah.

Too small.

Well, she wasn't my girlfriend.

She was the love of my life.

And still is.

All right, then, doc.

I believe it's time for you to go ahead and go. What about dinner, man? It's

been canceled.

Can I get my wine?

No, forget the souffle.

I want to know more about this relationship with doctor about to get

his ass kicked.

Hold on, hold on.

All I think we need to do, how about this?

How about we just sing us a little song together? Hey, hey, great idea.

Great idea. It's Christmas. Let's sing a song, okay?

No, I don't feel like singing.

Well, guess what?

It wasn't a damn suggestion.

Come on, Drilla.

Get your ass over here. Let's come on, y'all.

Hit it, Junior!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love told me.

I got it, I got it.

Make us all your needs. That's it!

On the second day of Christmas, my true love told me.

Two bottles of wine and make the stallion knees. On the fourth day

of Christmas, my true love gave to me.

See, we ain't got time for that shit. Go.

Three still in his chest. Two bottles of wine and make the stallion knees.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.

Come on, Rashad.

You better say something.

You better say something. I'll let you do that thing.

Hi,

um, are you Junior Williams?

Yes, I am. And who might you be?

Well, my name is, uh, my name is Tristan Hampton, and... Junior, who we got out

here at the door?

Hello, Sugar Plum.

Listen, we just in here having this nice little family holiday time.

Now, I'm not trying to be rude, but whatever it is you're selling, we ain't

buying, okay? That's it.

Wait, wait.

Stop.

Did you say your name was Tristan Hampton?

Yeah, and Virginia Hampton was my mother, and I...

I... I believe you're my father.

He's definitely gonna feel that.

Junior. Junior, wake up now. Where is my water? Can I have a damn water? Here it

is.

Wake

up,

Junior.

Wake up, Junior.

Damn.

I'm up.

What the hell is going on?

Why does my face hurt so much?

That's because a wife hit you harder than a- Don't!

Babe, I had the craziest dream.

I dreamt some boy came to our doorstep saying that I was his daddy.

Now ain't that funny.

Guess what, Junior?

What? Ain't no damn dream.

My mother mentioned you a few times.

She said that y'all went to prom together.

Yeah.

Junior and senior prom.

She's the one that had to tell me that the junior prom wasn't named after her.

Shit ain't funny or cute.

She said that she found out she was pregnant after y'all had graduated from

high school.

By that time,

You two had already decided to go your separate ways.

You wanted to stay here in Douglas, and she decided to move to Charlotte.

I never knew she was pregnant.

Why didn't she tell?

Well, she said that she didn't want to disrupt your life, and so she did what

she thought was best.

It wasn't until recently that I had found my picture with my birth

certificate in a storage bin.

Oh, I see.

And where's the home record now?

Well, technically, she's not a home wrecker considering she was with Junior

before you... Uh-uh. Uh-uh.

See, this little incident we got going on right now is messing up my home.

So technically, that makes her a home wrecker. My, uh... My mother died

of ovarian cancer earlier this year.

God bless the dead.

I'm so sorry to hear that about Virginia.

Thanks.

She had been sick for a while, but now she's home with the Lord.

She's no longer in pain and resting in God's presence.

It wasn't until recently that I had realized I'd be spending Christmas

alone, and that's what motivated me to look for my birth father, to look for

you.

No, you found me.

Hold up.

Hold the hell up.

Listen, dear heart.

I'm truly, extremely sorry for your loss.

But how do we know that Junior is the one that got her pregnant?

Hell, it could have been anybody.

I'm just saying, Junior.

How can we be... 100% sure that you're this boy's father.

You trying to be duped like Rashad last Christmas?

Hey, hey, hey.

Can we agree to let this go?

Besides, I wasn't even duped.

Um, you know, your ex-fiance and your ex-manager were trying to steal all your

money while getting busy behind your back.

I mean, honey, you were duped.

Gee. Thanks, my dear.

Besides, this is not about me.

This is about y'all.

Now you got it right.

This is about us.

And so since I'm included in this, I demand that we get a paternity test.

Rita, there is no need.

Junior, I have spoken.

Okay, then how do you pray tell we get one done over holidays?

Not hurt.

Hey, sorry Bobby.

That's what you're apologizing for?

You talking about that little pushing out the house thing?

We were just playing with you. You know, it's just like a little version of tag.

It's like tag, you're it, push.

What do you want, Aretha?

Listen, I was wondering, could we do a paternity test?

And if we could...

How long would it take for us to get the results back?

Look, look, I'm sure I can administer a test, but I mean, it takes about 24

hours to get the results, but it's the holidays.

I'm not even sure if I can make that Christmas magic happen.

Uh-huh, but you can get it done, right?

Maybe, but what's in it for me?

You want to talk to Annie, huh?

Really? Look, I would love to, but I'm going to leave that up to fate, all

right? If it's meant for us to reconnect, then we're going to

reconnect.

And as far as a paternity test goes,

I'll see what I can do, all right? I'll let you know as soon as possible.

Thanks, Doc. You're the best.

Yeah.

Dr. Hart gonna hook us on up.

Yeah, at the expense of you trying to pimp out my girlfriend.

No, shoddy shod. At the expense of getting the truth.

And just like the good book said, the truth shall set us free, baby. But I

don't even think that that was what that was talking about. Junior!

Ha ha!

I've spoken.

And I'm walking away.

get dinner or no?

What? My brother's starving.

Welcome to Aretha's Playhouse, where you can have it any way you like.

I'll have you saying ba-da-ba-ba-ba.

I'm loving it.

I mean, come on, Junior.

My oven is hot.

My eggs need to be flipped.

Junior, tonight's the day to make this here, baby. What you doing?

Not tonight, Rita.

And why not?

Rita, my son just came to my doorstep looking for me.

Our doorstep.

And how the hell we know he's actually your son, Junior? Trust me, he's mine.

How do you know, Junior? How do you know? Because Virginia was a virgin the

night we made love.

I was her first.

She was mine.

And so what does that mean for you and me and what we trying to do?

Everything.

I got 20 something years to make up for in Tristan's life.

I got to learn how to be a father to that boy.

I'm the last immediate family he has left.

Which means you no longer want to create a family with me?

Your wife?

No, Rita.

That is not what that means. Forget it, Junior.

Just forget it!

Get the hell out!

Have a good night.

You too, fella.

I'm gonna try.

I just awkwardly ran into Junior and Aretha in the hallway.

I think she put them out of the room.

Ooh, sounds like they're going through something.

They're not the only ones.

I got you a water. Oh, thanks.

How come you didn't tell me about Jabari?

Because I didn't think it was a big deal.

He was your high school sweetheart.

And according to him, you were the love of his life.

I think that's a big deal.

He was an ex I didn't tell you about. It's not like I asked you about all your

exes. I mean, I'm sure you don't want to have that conversation, do you, Rashad?

Okay, whatever.

Come on.

Let's have this talk.

Okay, look.

Jabari... We dated all throughout high school, and then we decided

to both go to the same college, even though at the time, I just kind of knew,

you know, in my head and my heart, that it really wasn't going anywhere.

And then one night, we were walking around the promenade, he asked me to

marry him, and I said no.

Why?

Was it because you weren't ready?

Well, I mean there was that and You know on top of that like I just didn't have

that feeling That feeling You

know the the feeling like That

one feeling when you first wake up in the morning you see that good morning

message or that good morning text or

that nice feeling when they just pop in your head all of a sudden or even it's

kind of like like you're anxious but it's not the scary one it's the more

like you're excited because you get to spend the day with this person or like

fireworks when you kiss or that nice warm amazing feeling after you make love

you know it's just

Sounds like a fairy tale.

Yeah. I guess, you know, falling in love is kind of like a fairy tale to me.

I see.

Rashad, do you want to marry me?

Wait, are you proposing to me right now? Oh, no, no, no.

I'm just asking, like, in the future, would you want to marry me?

I mean...

I guess.

Eventually.

Oh, well, that's just such a nice, strong answer right there.

Annie, where is this coming from?

It's coming from, I don't know, I guess the way you were acting when Aretha

asked you about marriage. I mean, you kind of started flipping out and stuff.

Look, you were there.

The life I thought I had exploded right in front of me that night last year.

Ever since then, I just, I don't know.

Lauren and I, we were good.

Like, really good before we got engaged.

I don't even know if she was playing me the whole time or if it was good until a

certain point.

But in my mind, we were good until we weren't.

I know I don't talk about this a lot, but... that moment traumatized me,

Annie.

And yes, I did move on with you.

But that moment... I'm just

afraid that... that I'll never get over that moment.

I understand.

I do thank you for being honest with me.

I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

Yeah.

Night, Rashad.

You know I'm not her, right?

I'm not Lauren.

And I hope you understand and realize that before it's too late.

Annie, could you please tell Junior to pass the toast?

I think it hurts you.

Could you just ask him?

Please.

Hey, cuz.

Can you ask Aretha to pass the salt, please?

Junior, I'm sure she... Could you just be like the shoe and do it, please?

Aretha, could you...

Well, Annie, could you please let Junior know that, you know, salt is a little

unhealthy for him?

Ah, well, sure. Could you let Aretha know if she would have seasoned my food

right the first time, I wouldn't need to add any extra salt.

Annie, could you let Junior know that?

Please forgive me for giving a damn about his salt intake.

Even though it's the number one killer of men, you know, because it causes high

blood pressure, high cholesterol, all that good stuff. Forgive me.

Well, Rashawn, could you let Ritha know that she ain't got to worry about the

damn salt killing me because all her nagging and shit carrying on is going to

take me out first.

I'm going to hate you.

Why don't we just breathe?

Hello? Yes.

Okay, thank you very much. I'll be right there.

That was my VB specialist.

Wait, VB specialist?

Voluptuous vagina specialist.

Duh.

I gotta stop asking these questions.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever.

She said it's Christmas Eve, but she gonna see me anyway, so I'm gonna go on

and get up here and go see about it. Okay, but baby, what about the paternity

test with Dr.

Hart?

It look like it's your seed.

Your problem.

What?

Hey, so, just spoke with Dr. Hart. He's going to put a rush on the test, so we

should have some results by tomorrow.

Okay, cool, cool, cool.

You know, all this seems kind of unrealistic with it being the holidays

and all. Hey, it feels like we're living in a movie almost, man.

Yeah, well, I'm hoping we get a happy ending.

Hey, me too, son.

Me too.

Well? You want to spend some time together, you know, hang out maybe?

Sure.

Have you eaten?

I have, but I can always eat some more.

Yeah, you my kid, boy. Come on, boy.

I'm going for a walk.

Okay, I can go with you. No, that's okay. I just want some alone time.

Okay.

Yeah, I mean, well, thank you for taking me to the hotel to change clothes and

showing me around Douglas.

It's crazy.

Hey, it's a beautiful day, you know. It's just,

hey.

But, you know, I always knew, you know, college wasn't for me. You know, I just

decided to take up a trade and, you know, build a home here in Douglas.

I like to think I'm doing pretty good, you know.

Life is good.

But why Douglas, though?

This is where my family... This is where our family is from.

This is where our roots are here, man.

Douglas is home.

I see.

So, what about you? Tell me something about you.

Well, um... I was valedictorian in high school.

Oh! I got a smart boy.

Okay. And I, um, I attended and graduated from Howard University.

O-K-H-U? You know?

Yeah, and, uh, then I got accepted into the master's program at Georgia Tech,

where I was gonna study mechanical engineering.

Oh, man.

But then my mom got sick, and so I decided to go back to Charlotte to take

care of her.

And, um, now we're here.

Damn, son.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Did you ever thought about going back to college?

I don't know.

I'm starting to think my life has started to head down a different road, a

different path.

I do know one thing, though. Life has a way of teaching us that God is truly the

author and finisher of our faith.

So everything, even the bad, is going to come to work together for our good.

Amen, son.

Amen.

Speaking of the bad stuff, I hope my being here didn't cause any problems

between you and your wife.

No, no, no, no, no.

Don't worry about that. Me and Rita are going to be just fine.

In fact, let me call her and see if she'd like to join us. I'm sure she'd

like to get to know you just like I am.

Why, God?

Huh?

Why me?

Me?

I knew you'd be here.

You scared me.

What are you doing here?

Well, I knew that you liked parks, and this is one of the best in Douglas, so I

figured I'd meet you here.

You know, that sounds a little stalkerish.

Maybe, maybe, maybe, but some would say it's romantic.

Um, what... What do you want, Jabari?

Isn't it obvious?

I want you.

I want our destiny.

Okay, well, that can't and won't happen because I'm with Rashad.

That's what your lips are saying.

But, Annie, what is your heart saying?

It says I'm with Rashad.

Annie, don't you see the symbolism here?

We're in nature, in God's great creation.

It's me, it's you, just like old times.

Let's just do what's natural.

Okay, what does that even mean?

Annie.

Will you follow our destiny and marry me?

Oh, God.

What the hell are you doing?

Okay, get up.

Get up! What?

Get up, because the answer is no. I won't marry you.

But it's our destiny.

No, no, no.

At one time, you were my first love. Yes.

But I wasn't in love with you then, just like I'm not in love with you now.

I see.

Maybe this will change your mind.

What the hell?

Have you lost your mind?

I'm sorry. I thought you were... What? What? You thought you could just kiss me

and what, I'd fall in love and magically want to run away with you? Pretty much.

No.

For the last time, I love Rashad and I want to be with Rashad.

Okay, I'm sorry, Annie.

Yeah.

Move.

Move.

You lost your whole mind.

You know what? You need Jesus, Mary and Joseph and all their carpenter friends.

What is wrong with you?

Rich, what's wrong? What's going on?

We're not having a baby, Junior.

Listen, listen.

About last night.

I'm sorry.

Okay. Me wanting to develop a relationship with Tristan, that doesn't

change the fact that I still want to have a baby with you.

I love you.

I want to show the world my love that I have for you through this child.

Well, we might have to show that love a little differently now, Junior.

What you mean?

My doctor says I'm showing signs of PCOS.

PCOS? Mm-hmm.

Polycystic ovary syndrome.

There's a lot that comes with it or whatever, but basically,

It's a hormone issue that could very well be the reason I'm not getting

pregnant. And if I do get pregnant, it's highly unlikely that I'll be able to

even carry this baby full term, Junior.

Baby.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

What are you apologizing for?

I can't give you... What Virginia gave you.

I can't give you a child, Junior. I can't carry a thing. I am broken,

Junior.

Baby, listen to me.

Listen to me.

You are the most well-put-together person I know.

Thank you for saying that.

Listen to me. I don't care if you have 100 kids or zero kids.

I know this process is going to be rough.

I know it's going to be hard.

But I can tell you this.

I'm going to be right here with you.

Every step of the way.

I'm not going nowhere.

You promise?

There's a grizzly shit in the woods.

I just really wish I could carry this baby for you, Junior.

I really do.

You carry much, much more than that.

You carry my heart.

Face it, gal.

You stuck with me.

Forever.

Hey.

Hey.

I guess the cat's out of the bag.

What are you talking about?

I saw the whole damn thing, Annie.

I saw your ex-boyfriend down on one knee proposing to you in the park.

So you're following me now?

Yes, I followed you because we needed to talk, Annie.

But little did I know I was going to see your ex-boyfriend proposing to you in

the park.

Oh, excuse me.

The love of your life. You know what? Just stop because you sound ridiculous.

And all you're doing is deflecting.

Yeah? How so?

You're letting what happened to you last year with Lauren interfere with now. You

are letting her and the past interfere with what could be our future.

I went to the part.

to try and think and try and see things from your point of view.

And then Jabari just so happened to show up. He proposed to me.

I said no.

And then he tried to kiss me. What?

I'm going to kill him. No, because I handled it.

I told him he was wrong and that I was in love with you and I wanted to be with

you.

Now I get you're still hurt from everything that happened last year and

and I'm willing to wait because I love you But I don't deserve to have to wait

forever So I need to know that this love is going somewhere So Rashad,

where?

Where are we going?

But I do know what Jabari feels and what he wants.

I know how I feel and what I want.

But I need you to figure out what you really want.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, saying, Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news and great joy to all people.

The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born in Bethlehem, the

city of David.

And you will recognize him by this sign.

You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothing, lying in a manger.

And suddenly an angel was jointed by a vast host of others praising God,

saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards

all.

The shepherds then hurried to the village where they found Mary and

Joseph, and there was baby Jesus lying in the manger.

That's a good story, Dad.

Yes, it was, baby.

You know the most beautiful part about it? What?

It's all true.

God loved us so much that he gave his only son so that we could be saved.

I love you, Dad. Oh, I love you, too.

Thank you, baby.

You have a good night, Gabrielle.

Good night.

Let's get you all straight there, okay?

Good, good. Stay.

Good night, Dad.

Goodnight, baby.

Alright.

Hello?

Hey, I didn't catch you at a bad time, did I?

Nah, nah, just getting everybody down to sleep.

What's up, man? You all right?

Man, I think I done messed up everything with Annie.

Uh-oh.

What'd you do?

Okay, so Annie's ex just so happens to live in Douglas.

He's professing his love and proposing, and she's telling him no, she wants to

be with me, and the subject of marriage keeps coming up, and I'm just...

Breathe.

Tell me, what's really going on with you?

I love her.

I love Annie.

And I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

I'm just afraid.

I'm just afraid that things are going to get messed up and my heart gets

shattered.

And I just can't... I can't go through that again.

I understand.

You know, what happened to you is...

Definitely cause for you to put up permanent shields and walls to protect

your heart. But look at you, man.

You bounced back better than you were before.

And you found love.

True love.

Just trust and believe in that.

And then allow love to move you to stepping out of fear and stepping into

faith.

Have faith and love between each one of you.

And most importantly,

Have faith in God that is the center of your love.

And don't let fear keep you from what it is that you really want.

Shot.

Trust me.

If I would have let that happen, I

wouldn't be where I am today.

Elijah.

Elijah.

Elijah, wake up!

Merry Christmas, honey.

Merry Christmas, baby.

Yeah, I think it's time for you to unwrap one of your gifts.

Oh?

What is it?

My water just broke.

Let's just get another one.

Your water just broke? My water just broke.

Oh, that means the baby.

Oh, shit. The baby. Oh. The baby.

We got to get to the hospital.

Yes, come on. We got to go.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on, come on, come on. All right, come

on. Yep, gotta get the mama. Okay.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, how'd it go? Let's go. You good? Yeah.

Could you smile? It's Christmas.

Let her be her. Girl, be so simple.

And now we're talking. Come on. Let me see.

Smile.

Listen,

y'all. It's Christmas morning. Guess what?

Breakfast is almost ready.

And yes, yes, I seasoned it just right.

Well, I know you did.

Let's go. You prove perfection.

All right, all right, all right, all right. That's good.

We are.

We are.

I got it. I got it.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, son.

I invited Tristan over for the holidays.

I hope he don't mind. No, no, no, no. I don't mind.

He's family.

Test or no test, you come on in here and you make yourself at home, you hear me?

All right, all right.

I got you two something. What are you doing?

I'm gonna

cherish

this for the rest of my life.

Thank you, son. You're welcome.

Thank you, Tristan.

This was very special.

Very sweet.

I'll get it. I'll get it.

Dr. Hart.

Hey. Hey, Doc.

How y'all doing? Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Come on in.

So, hey, listen, I was able to work my Christmas magic as I promised.

Paternity test results.

Told you, son. Like we living in a movie.

All right, listen, so let y'all have a good day. Merry Christmas again.

I'm going to get on out of here, all right? No, no, no.

My doc, you going to stay for the results now, ain't you? My goodness, and

breakfast. We have breakfast.

Nah, listen.

I got to get out of here. I'm volunteering at the hospital today. I

want to give some of my doctors some time off.

So I'm going to let y'all enjoy your Christmas day.

I'll see y'all later, all right? That's just so sweet.

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Doc. Merry Christmas, Jabari.

See you later.

So, ready to open it?

Been ready.

The probability of eternity in the case of Junior Williams and Tristan Hampton

is 99.99% not excluded as the biological father.

Which means that you're my father and I'm your son.

And I didn't need a doggone test to tell me that. Come here, boy.

Come on, let me in there. Let me in there.

I'm just a hard-working everyday man, but you deserve

everything During this time

Can you get the door

Yep.

Gabrielle, thank you, dear.

Thank you, princess. Here we go.

Everybody bumping up?

Okay,

all right.

you for this time.

We thank you for friendly reminders of what this holiday season is all about.

We thank you for loving us the way you do.

We thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ.

We thank you for the love we have amongst each other.

And now, Lord, we want to thank you for this food we're about to receive.

Bless the precious hands that prepared it.

It's in Jesus' name we pray.

Amen. Amen.

Amen. Okay. Dig in. Dig in. Come on. Let's go, man.

Oh, I want to see you eat it. Come on. Come on.

You're supposed to have this breathing. Go ahead, son.

Annie,

I'm very excited about you.

It's popping, spreading love up in the air. Family all around, good vibes, I

swear. Making more memories, spreading this cheer. It's Christmas time, time,

time.

It's all good vibes on this Christmas year.

Family all around, having fun, I swear, on Christmas.

It's that time of year.

Bells ringing, all the kids singing.

Snow ain't...

I just want to share a few words. My heart is so

full right now.

I got my...

Favorite cousin here with me.

Oh You know this time last year we were hey We

gonna talk about that right now

Well rudeness What I was

trying to say was This time last year. We were all together for something that

turned out not to be so good and

I, for one, thank God that it happened.

Because if not, you never would have found the love of your life.

To Annie, thank you for spending the holidays with us.

And may your light continue to shine as bright as the sun.

Thank you.

Shaw's a lucky man to have you.

And I hope he realizes that.

I do.

I really do.

Chandrila!

You just keep on being you, okay?

That's good.

You're my lovely wife.

My partner.

My eternal love.

There's no one.

No one that I'd rather do this thing called life other than you

Last

but

certainly not least Trish You

Are the blessing that I never knew I needed and

I thank God for placing you

at our doorstep.

You're the best gift I could receive this Christmas.

But you know, I'm gonna try to top that.

Eagles.

What is it?

That bear ring belonged to my great grandpappy.

Who passed it down to my grandpappy.

Who then passed it down to my pappy.

And now, I'm gonna pass it to you.

Merry Christmas, son.

Merry Christmas, dad.

Um, Tristan, I, um, I too wanted to get you something for Christmas.

Junior.

Even though you didn't come from my womb,

I want you to know that I'm still going to love you like my own.

Merry Christmas, son.

Merry Christmas, Mama.

Can I call you Mama?

Oh, you better.

This moment is a bittersweet for

me.

No one knows but my junior.

Yesterday, my doctor let me know that I have PCOS.

Oh, Arisa, I'm sorry.

Yeah.

She told me that

it's going to be kind of hard for me to get pregnant naturally, y'all.

Okay?

And if I do get pregnant, that it's going to be even harder for me to

conceive and keep it to full term.

Oh, but that's okay.

I gave him a piece of death.

He gave Junior and I.

And oh yeah,

Junior and I are still gonna have our baby.

We just have to do it another way.

And that's okay too.

That's okay too.

Yeah, it is.

Adoption is always an option.

Adoption is not bad.

There's a lot of kids that can use a great home.

What about surrogacy?

I don't know, Eddie. Now you might be going a little too far. I don't know if

I want no stranger just carrying me and you and your baby now, girl. Wait a

minute.

Eddie.

Oh, boy.

You don't have to.

I'll do it.

I'll be on Saturday.

You sure?

I'm gonna say it again.

I'm surprised you said anything at all.

Chandrila. Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Of course.

You and Julian deserve this.

Besides, y'all are my favorite cousins.

Even if I am twice removed.

Just love me some of you. Come here now. Give me a hug. Just love your crazy self

so much.

Get over here. Oh, Sandra.

Thank you so much. Oh, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Come here, guys.

Oh, Merry Christmas.

Oh, y'all got me on my tippy toes.

Oh, I just love y'all.

This is the story.

Rashad, what's going on?

I remember the first time we kissed, it was under a mistletoe.

But I knew right then that you were my one, my partner,

the love of my life.

A good friend of mine told me that don't let fear get in the way of what you

want, who you want.

And who I truly want now is you.

I know you say that you don't want to get engaged or married today or

tomorrow, but I cannot wait to spend the rest of my

life with you.

As husband and wife.

Rashad.

I know you think this is some knee-jerk reaction for what that fool did in the

park yesterday.

And the truth is, you're right.

It is.

But that also woke my ass up.

And it made me realize that I don't want to lose the best thing that ever

happened to me.

I love you, Annie, and I need you forever.

Now, I know you gotta go through the process of marital counseling and get a

marriage certificate and have a whole big wedding and invite a whole bunch of

family and friends, but we can just have one brief

moment so that we can Love and commit to each other with just us.

Sort of like a little romantic fairytale.

There it is.

What?

That feeling.

Yes.

The one in... One of these beer shots.

Good.

And with that said, will

you, Annabella Denise Nichols, take

me, Rashad, as your husband to have and to hold, to love and to

cherish, for better, for worse, through good times and bad times,

for richer, or for poor, through sickness and in health,

till death do us part.

And do you, Rashad Quincy Williams, take me

in?

to happen to hold and love and cherish through good times and

bad, and better or worse, richer or poorer, and sickness and health.

That's all you have to do is pray.

I do.

Forever.

I now pronounce us husband

And wife.

Do you think this is the part where you're supposed to kiss me?

And I don't need a mistletoe to do it.

Merry Christmas y'all. Merry Christmas.

You remember when we used to just hang out and talk all night?

Like, we didn't have phones. It was just all about the quality of time, just me

and you.

And that's real love.

Let's talk about it.

There's nothing greater than a melody From the hearts

fluttering From the sound that lovers bring I can't

see the world without love Where would we be without

feelings That make us feel special Let's talk about love

Let's talk about love

Writing letters about how you feel.

Talking all night long on the phone.

Going out to spend some time. What a beautiful

feeling that make us feel special.

Let's talk about love.