JAG (1995–2005): Season 9, Episode 11 - A Merry Little Christmas - full transcript

RABB: 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?



You fly a Stearman good,

and instead of Mrs. Del
Mucci's bean casserole,

you let me eat pizza
seven days a week?

Oh, yeah, well,
that'll convince 'em.

You own a dress?

No.

Well, you're going
to have to get one.

Whatever spare cash I
have goes into the 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.

Well, I would've
liked your mother.

You're a lot like her... inside.



Matilda 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.

I want all this crap moved
out of here by that time.

Whatever's left will
be sold or thrown away.

(door opens, wind whistles)

MATTIE: I had a few
problems with the business.

RABB: 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, Mattie.

Fifteen.

You had a birthday?

Yeah.

When?

You could've told me.

Why?

Gee, I don't know.

Cake, presents,
you know, the usual.

Hugs all around?

I'm not big into birthdays.

Besides, what if you
told the whole world

it was your birthday,
and you threw a big party,

and nobody came?

Wow, Mattie, you've
got to start having

a little more faith in people.

Well, 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 dust.

Just a little brush clearing.

I asked the bank for a break
on the hangar payments.

I didn't get any.

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?

Bank's got a note.

I can't lose this house, Harm.

It's all I've 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?

Uh... Uh, meatball
was last Monday.

Anchovies were
last week sometime.

My God.

Look, Mattie, 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.

SIMS: Yes, sir.

No, I understand, sir.

There was nothing you could do.

I understand. Thank you, sir.

You okay?

No.

Varese 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, Sturgis. Good morning.

Oh, hey, Bud told me that
your father's performing

the Christmas Eve
ceremony again this year.

He is. The admiral invited him.

COATES: 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 don't want some damned check.

I want Meredith to open
my gift on Christmas day.

Perhaps you can call her,
sir, and-and tell her what it was.

It's too difficult to describe
something that personal.

I'm sorry, sir. I
didn't mean to...

Coates,

it's a customized PDA

with language aids,
currency converter,

highway maps of Italy,

street maps of Bologna
with historical sites...

An excellent gift, sir.

But you...?

Disapprove, sir?

No, sir. I have no opinion.

Do you... do you
think the gift is, uh...?

Impersonal, sir?

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

Useful...

like a toaster, or an iron,

or sewing machine?

In that ballpark, sir.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Sir, perhaps I can help.

SIMS: There you are.

What took you so long?

Babysitter was late again.

That's twice this week.

Well, at least we 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 most important
thing I have ever, ever done,

and I would really like
your full support on this.

COATES: Sir, Chaplain
Turner's here to see you.

Oh, send him in.

Right this way, sir.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, Admiral.

A.J. to my friends.

Well, Matthew to mine.

(chuckles) Have a seat.

Oh, thank you.

Looking forward to the sermon.

You asked me in to,
uh, give you a preview?

No, no.

Is this about my son?

No, I'm getting married.

Sturgis told me.

Said you made
an excellent choice.

Congratulations.

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

Be a pleasure, A.J. Just
tell me when and where.

May 14, Naval Academy Chapel.

You must have
friends in high places.

Well, not as high as yours.

When last I was at JAG,

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, uh,

"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?

Uh, they're
appointed by the court

to look into my suitability.

Why doesn't she just ask me?

She will.

Good afternoon, Mattie.

Ma'am.

Commander Rabb,
I'm Donna LeMoyne.

Pleasure to meet
you, Ms. LeMoyne.

Please come in.

Uh, 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 Mattie be living?

Uh, 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

to assume the care
of a minor child?

Oh, I can take care of Mattie.

Your work take you out of town?

Upon occasion.

LEMOYNE: Out
of the country? Yes.

Well, what arrangements
have you made

for Mattie's care when
you're absent from the home?

I'm still working on that.

Is she mature enough
to be home by herself?

Well, she's lived alone
here for the last six months.

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

Arrangements will be
made, Ms. LeMoyne.

I'll not leave Mattie alone.

So, you're still
working on that, also?

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

It's 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.

Well, I'll tell you,
Ms. 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
Mattie, nor want to.

Uh, besides, this
is what she wants.

How long have you
known Ms. Grace?

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.

CHAPLAIN TURNER:
Merry Christmas, Petty 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 Hermès scarf matches
Dr. Cavanaugh's coloring.

I know she wears
Chanel Number Five.

As for the Portolano gloves,

Dr. Cavanaugh and I
are about the same size,

so I 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. Cavanaugh, 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.

Coates? Sir?

Let me finish my sentences.

Yes, sir.

How did you know
about all this stuff?

These were items
I used to boost, sir,

during my delinquent years.

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 against regulations for you

to use your credit
card on my behalf.

Sorry, sir.

What are you
doing for Christmas?

Working here with you, sir.

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.

CHAPLAIN TURNER: By
the way, the admiral asked me

to perform the
ceremony at his wedding.

Yeah? Well, you know
what they say, Dad.

Weddings are destiny,
and hanging likewise.

(laughing)

(elevator bell dings)

CHAPLAIN TURNER: Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm looking for Lieutenant Sims.

I can take you right
to her, Ms. Chestnut.

It'll be just a minute, Dad?

I'll see you downstairs.

Great. Right this 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?

Yeah, well, these days,
it's "Blame It On My Youth."

Or maybe, uh, "Everything
Happens to Me."

Lieutenant Harriet Sims.

Sir?

Varese Chestnut.

So nice to meet you, ma'am.

It's Varese.

And thank you for getting
me out of the snowdrifts.

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'am.

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
name at 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 won my mother's heart.

Hmm.

See you tomorrow night.

Yeah.

Varese, I have your
itinerary right here.

You'll be leaving

out of Andrews Air
Force Base on a C-17.

Which is?

A 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
palate on board.

It's a Porta-Potty.

(laughs)

This is worse than summer camp.

Okay.

(jazz playing on piano)

♪ Just when the
fun is starting ♪

♪ Comes the time for parting ♪

♪ But let's be glad ♪

♪ For what we've had ♪

♪ And what's... ♪

♪ To come ♪

♪ There's so much
more embracing ♪

♪ Still to be done ♪

♪ But time is racing ♪

♪ Oh, well ♪

♪ We'll catch up ♪

♪ Some other ♪

♪ Time... ♪

(song ends, cheering)

MAN: Varese!

Beautiful!

You didn't have

to send your father
home in a cab.

That was his idea.

Oh.

So are you two 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.

Uh, 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.

(laughs): Well...

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, Varese.

"Soldier, scholar, horseman, he,

"and all he did done perfectly.

As though he had but
that one trait 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, Varese.

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, Sturgis.

It's all in my songs.

And you know almost my whole...

Mm.

You always go around

kissing women you just met?

Been waiting for
someone like you

a long time, Varese.

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-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, if neither of us had
someone in five years...

Mm. We're almost there.

Something's come up, Mac.

Another woman?

A child.

I'm petitioning
the state of Virginia

for the custody of a minor.

I need you to vouch
for me with the court.

How long have you known
you were going to do this?

A few months.

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

Hey, you moved on.

I-I-I didn't think
you'd be interested.

Well, of all the dumb things

that you have said to me

in eight years, that
is by far the dumbest.

You don't deny it?

(sighs)

Mac, I don't want to
argue about us right now.

There is no us.

Well, yeah, you
made sure of that.

Well, you didn't fight me.

Look, there is a little girl

who needs someone
to watch over her.

So, you've 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.

COATES: I
purchased the PDA, sir.

If you tell me how you
want it personalized,

I'll do my best to
see that it gets done.

Why don't, uh, we
go to, uh, Plan B?

I believe we've
moved on to Plan C, sir.

Well, whatever plan it is, um...

let me know what
your results are.

Aye, aye, sir.

MAN: So far this is what
we have established.

Smoke detector, sufficient heat,

adequate light, working
telephone, working toilet.

Do you primarily
survive on beer and tofu?

There-there's
other things in there.

Mostly I order takeout.

Do you have a
problem with alcohol?

No.

You know, Mr. Watley, I'm...

I'm a pretty good cook
when I set my hand to it.

Mm-hmm. You have
a child in the house,

so you cook every day

whether you feel like it or not.

Do you have a
firearm in the house?

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

You ever have
cause to employ it?

Once or twice,
in the line of duty.

Aren't you a lawyer,
Commander Rabb?

Well, 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, uh, Mr. Watley,

this is all happening
very quickly

and I haven't had time
to work out 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 one, sir.

He went missing in
action when I was 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. Watley.

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
down on our surprises.

Mm-hmm. 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.

CHEGWIDDEN: Coates,
I want you to know

that I find you an
asset as my legalman.

It was my expectation,
my hope, sir.

Of course, as you
know, the rules don't allow

uh, superiors and subordinates
to exchange presents.

Yes, sir.

Also, no consumption of
alcohol in government spaces

or untoward displays
of holiday affection.

Correct.

Then, sir, how do I tell you

how much all this means to me?

You just did.

Great, then 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 felon,

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, um,

you need to quit being so
damn grateful all the time.

It gets a little tiresome.

Sir?

You're earning your
keep, that's what matters.

Stop thanking everyone.

You going to be at the
service tomorrow night?

No, sir, not unless you need me.

I don't.

That will be all.

Yes, sir.

Sir, I have a surprise for you.

"The first present I
bought you burnt to a crisp."

(chuckles)

"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. Cavanaugh 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.

Then there's hope.

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

(chuckling)

(knocking)

(knocking)

Mattie.

Hi.

What are you doing here?

I need to talk.

Well, how did you get here?

I drove myself.

Mattie, it's one thing to
drive that truck on back roads,

but in D.C.?

My father came back.

When?

Earlier tonight.

I 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.

WOMAN: 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
LeMoyne, the 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 Johnson,

Matilda Grace Johnson's
biological father.

Mr. Johnson, I
understand at this 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... 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.

Mattie can be,
uh, strong-willed.

And what's to say
that you will not

abandon this child
a second time?

Well, ma'am, I-I was the victim

of a very unfortunate accident.

You killed my mother.

Miss Johnson.

My name is Grace. Mattie Grace.

Johnson is his name.

And he was drunk.

RABB: Mattie.

Sit down.

Your father has a
right to be heard,

and you need to
respect this court.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

Apology accepted...

Miss Grace.

Your Honor...

I wasn't always
the way I am now.

Mattie 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.

The 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 Mattie.

And all I'm asking you
is to give her the chance

to get to know me

the way that I am now.

May I say something, Your Honor?

This is your day, Mattie.

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 promise to do what he says.

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,

but because he went
missing in action in Vietnam.

I know what it's like to
grow 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 be sure that Mattie

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.

Donna LeMoyne was 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.

(door opening)

Your Honor, there's
a character witness

who would like to be heard.

A Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie.

Your Honor, I've
been a colleague

of Commander
Rabb'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.

On 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
children, 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 Rabb is that
kind of man, Your Honor.

I can't prove it to you.

I can only state
without reservation

that he is up to the job.

Thank you, Colonel.

You both make compelling
cases for custody.

Mr. Johnson, while
you do share biology

and a history with Mattie,

it will be very
difficult for you

to continue your recovery

while caring for a minor child.

Commander Rabb,

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 Mattie's best interest.

In the meantime, Mattie,

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 be back in six months
to hear my final decision.

♪ In fields where they lay ♪

♪ Keeping their sheep ♪

♪ On a cold winter's night ♪

♪ That was so deep ♪

♪ Noel, noel ♪

♪ Noel, noel ♪

♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪

♪ Noel, noel ♪

♪ Noel, noel ♪

♪ Born is the King of Israel. ♪

There are many
reasons we turn to God.

Sometimes it is for consolation.

As Jesus said in
Nazareth, "He hath sent me

"to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach

"deliverance to the
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 the 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.

♪ Joy to the world,
the Lord is come ♪

♪ Let Earth receive her king ♪

♪ Let every heart
prepare him room ♪

♪ And heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing ♪

♪ And heaven, and
heaven and nature sing... ♪

You won't forget me?

Are you kidding?

I don't want you to see me cry.

Mattie, I... 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.

(knocking on
window): 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 Mattie
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.

SIMS: 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.

It's something you've
always known, Sturgis.

You'd just forgotten
it for a while.

Hey, I wonder how
the USO tour is 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.

♪ In May, I smell the roses ♪

♪ June, the sun is hot ♪

♪ It burns our
cheeks and noses ♪

♪ No joyous Christmas carols ♪

♪ To reach to Heaven
loud and strong ♪

♪ I'm wishing it
were Christmas ♪

♪ All year long ♪

♪ Some year we
really ought to try ♪

♪ A Christmas in July ♪

♪ For that I'd be ♪

♪ The first in line ♪

♪ And though August
and September ♪

♪ Are hotter than an ember ♪

♪ From a Yuletide fire ♪

♪ I'm burning with desire ♪

♪ For October's turning leaves ♪

♪ That drift into November ♪

♪ I've waited all year through ♪

♪ To finally reach December ♪

♪ 'Cause that's when
we're reminded ♪

♪ That love is still
alive and strong ♪

♪ I'm wishing it
were Christmas ♪

♪ All year long ♪

♪ There's just no
time like Christmas ♪

♪ So how could I be wrong? ♪

♪ Oh, wishing it
were Christmas ♪

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ All ♪

♪ Year ♪

♪ Long... ♪

(cheering)

Thank you.

Don't miss your chance, son.

I don't intend to.

SIMS: 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.

(whistling and cheering)
And so are people

you've never met.

People who know the sacrifices
you are making to be here,

and who are so proud
of you, and grateful.

You are not alone tonight.

(cheering and applause) Whoo!

Merry Christmas!

MATTIE: Harm.

Hi.

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
dealing with life,

and he's not fit to
take care of Mattie

until he can take
care of himself.

Mr. Johnson agreed to
a full course of treatment.

And if he can pull
his life together,

and if Mattie wants,

then they'll give it a shot.

Until then I'm yours.

You can hug me, you know.

I-I won't break.

Good night.

Where are you going?

I have a... a date with Webb.

Merry Christmas.

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ All ♪

♪ Year ♪

♪ Long... ♪