Eric quotes from 7th Heaven

Annie

I'm dead. You're looking at a dead woman. You're looking at a dead woman, and a stupid woman. A stupid, dead woman!

Eric

Bad day, honey?

Matt

It's a mistake, Dad. A big mistake. I mean, I love you, but if you don't show up at my wedding, I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you.

Eric

And, if you convert tomorrow, I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you.

Matt

So, we're at an impasse, both of us refusing to give in to the other. I wonder which one of us will win, or if we'll both lose.

Eric

You still planning on getting married?

Matt

Yes, are you still planning on not being there?

Matt

Sarah's father has worked it out so that tomorrow, before Sarah and I get married, I can convert, and I'm gonna do it.

Eric

What? I thought you weren't going to address this issue until later--maybe when you and Sarah had children, or after I was dead.

Matt

Look, I have my reasons, and I'm ready to do this.

Eric

You can't seriously think that in less than four months, you've studied and researched Judiasm, a religion that's thousands of years old. Well enough to convert!

Matt

Well, I've been going to temple with Sarah and her family every Saturday since Sarah and I got engaged, and I've been attending conversion classes, and--

Eric

[sarcastically] Oh, why, I didn't know that you've been to temple 15 times and taken some classes. Well, why didn't you say so? Of course you're ready to convert! [pauses] Just for your information, converting just for marriage is wrong.

Matt

You can't call off my wedding, and you can't stop me from converting. Dad, you have to let me live my life.

Eric

Okay, live your life. Get married. Just don't convert.

Matt

I know this is not about religion. This is about you not wanting to let me grow up, but...

Eric

Oh, no, this is about religion. I don't want you to convert! And just so you know, it's not because you want to convert to Judiasm. If you wanted to be any other religion, I'd have the same reaction, and not because I think that our religion is better, but because you can't make a decision as big as changing your faith this quickly! And if you weren't getting married, you wouldn't be thinking about it, would you?

Matt

Dad, you can't stop me.

Eric

Are you really gonna do this tomorrow? Convert?

Matt

Yes.

Eric

Then it'll have to be without me.

Matt

I'm sorry, but I think I just heard you tell me you weren't coming to my wedding.

Eric

Maybe if I don't go, it'll give you some pause, and you'll rethink your decision.

Matt

I can't believe you'd do this to me.

Eric

Someday you'll thank me.

Matt

You're assuming that someday, I'll be talking to you again.

How do you think I felt when you rejected the Marines?

Eric

I didn't reject the Marines. I...

Chose a different path? Took a different road? When you came to me and said you were not going to enlist in the Marine Corps and indeed had already enrolled in Seminary, I felt you were rejecting me and my whole way of life. At that time, that was unbearable. And then I realized that you weren't rejecting the Marines or me. You were choosing something else, following your own heart, as is Matt. Matt may leave your house, Eric, and he may leave your church, but he can never leave behind what you taught him. What makes him, him is you. You raised him. He'll always be your son, and as long as he goes out into the world and does some good, does it really make any difference whether he's Christian or Jewish, as long as he's still Matt? That, I eventually had to realize about you. You may not be a Marine, but by heaven, you are my son, and up until now, you've always done the right thing and made me proud. Do the right thing, and make me proud.

Do I understand that you are not going to the wedding?

Eric

I have my reasons for not going, and they're not up for discussion or debate.

Who do you think you're talking to? Some friend who stopped by for coffee? I'm your father, and Matt's grandfather, and I've just flown 2,000 miles to attend this wedding. Whether you want to or not, you're gonna tell me what the devil is going on here!

Eric

Matt plans to convert.

Who cares?

Eric

I care, and obviously, you don't understand, and that's why I don't want to talk about this!

You feel that you raised Matt in a certain way--your way. And now, as an adult, he's choosing his own path, and you feel that he's rejecting you, or rejecting the road you thought he'd take in life, the road you picked for him to take life. And now you're hurt because you can't understand why he doesn't want to take your road.

Eric

Okay, maybe you do understand.

Eric

Well that was a long drive to the airport.

Mary

Say what you want to say.

Eric

He's too old for you, way too old for you.

Mary

I am an adult, I have a job, I pay my bills, I'm responsible around here and I'm responsible when I'm not around here and I'm in Buffalo, so I think that who I go out with should be left up to me. You are my dad and I love you, but I'm over 21 now and I think I have to decide who I wanna be with for the rest of my life.

Eric

Rest of your life?

Eric

Simon! Kitchen! Now!

Annie

What's going on?

Simon

I think Dad wants to see me in the kitchen.

Eric

You'd consider leaving your family in order to be with this low-life sky jockey who's got a daughter your own age?

Mary

I really have to go now! Would you please get out of my car!?

Eric

I hope that every time that you even think about kissing him you think about kissing your father! And for anyone who's listening, that came out completely wrong!

Eric

I'm ready to talk.

Annie

Oh, really? Because I'm not talking to you.

Eric

You were right. There's something going on, and I need to tell you what it is. I'm going to tell the kids tomorrow, but you should know first. I have to have open heart surgery. A bypass. A double bypass.

Annie

I knew you were going to say that. [cries and hugs him]

[about his daughter Katelyn] She was symptomatic from birth. She had a lot of lung infections and poor weight gain, but she wasn't diagnosed until age two. We just have to be diligent with the meds, and even then, we have the occasional trips to the hospital.

Eric

What about you? How are you?

[points to his chest] When I first found out, I had a lot of numbness right here. Then the numbness wore off, and I felt extreme pain. My heart broke in a million pieces. But over time, the pieces got put back together again, and I'm stronger than ever. I realized that I don't have time for pity, and she doesn't want it, so I spend my days being grateful for the opportunity to know such an inspiring young woman. (looks at Katelyn, smiling and laughing with Ruthie) Just look at her. Isn't she great?

Ruthie

So, tell me the truth. Are you gonna join all my friends' parents and get a divorce?

Eric

A divorce? Why would you think that?

Ruthie

Ben told me.

Eric

He what?

Annie

I called him and he agreed not to give any of our kids any more advice without consulting us first. (turns to Ruthie) Therapy can help people when they want the help.

Eric

Uh, and then I pronounce you husband and wife. Then I tell you, Kevin that you may kiss the bride. And you may. And then, as I present you to the church, everyone stands, and you take his arm, Lucy, and then I nod to Ruthie and she returns your flowers to you, and then Lucy and Kevin will proceed back down the aisle, and this time Ruthie and Simon follows you hopefully along with Matt and Mary, Oh and Uh, Kevin's sister uh, Patty Mary, and your brother Ben

Kevin

Sounds good to me

Lucy

What if the storm keeps Matt and Mary and your mom and Patty Mary, and Ben from getting here?

Kevin

The airport will open up tomorrow

Lucy

It has to. And if it doesn't?

Ruthie

Yeah, what if it's just us? What if none of his family gets here?

Kevin

As of tomorrow, my family is Lucy and me

Lucy

I feel like the luckiest woman in the entire world

Eric

Yes you are. I think you're both...very lucky to have found each other

Annie

It is so good. To see you back in your church again.

Lucy

So, are we really gonna do this? I'm gonna be Mrs. Kevin Kinkirk?

Kevin

Are you still having doubts about me? Even now?

Lucy

Promise me you'll be here. Promise me that you won't leave me standing at the altar. Promise me that nothing will keep you from marrying me. That neither rain nor snow nor heat nor...gloom of night will keep you from your appointed rounds

Kevin

I promise

Is it too late?

Eric

T-Too late? Uh...n-n...for the wedding, no. We just finished the rehearsal

The colonel sent me -- they're not gonna make it. I'm here to help in any way I can

Annie

I'm sorry you had to drive all the way from here from...wherever you drove, but I-I-I don't think there's anything you can do, Gabrielle. You're welcome to come to the wedding...of course

Well not unless I can make some sort of contribution. I insist on helping

Eric

Well, r-really we're happy to have you, Gabrielle, uh, but I don't know aside from showing us tomorrow night at 7:30 and having a good time, there's nothing you can do

I'll call the colonel and let him know

Lucy

[knocks] Kevin it's me. Kevin, we have to talk

Eric

I'm awake; I heard her

Lucy

Kevin?

Kevin

Lucy?

Lucy

Hi

Kevin

Hi yourself. Can't wait until tomorrow night?

Lucy

I'm scared

Kevin

It's going to be fine. I love you

Lucy

What if no one makes it?

Kevin

Are you talking about the wedding?

Lucy

Yes, what did you think I was talking about?

Kevin

The wedding night

Lucy

You think I'm scared of...you> No, I can't wait, believe me

Eric

[whispering] Did she say anything to you?

Ruthie

No

Simon

You think she'll call it off?

Annie

No

Ruthie

Then what are they doing in there?

Lucy

Shh

Kevin

What did you think, I was going to be wearing my pajamas and a smoking jacket? I didn't know you were gonna wake me up in the middle of the night

Lucy

Put something on, and I'll step out into the hall

Lucy

[whispering] What are you doing here?

Eric

We might ask you the same thing

Lucy

I wanted to talk to Kevin about whether or not we should go through the wedding considering no one can get here and it's still storming

Kevin

I didn't realize everyone was waiting for me

Lucy

They're not -- they're going to bed

Ruthie

Without knowing whether or not you're calling pf the wedding? I don't think so

Kevin

We're not calling of the wedding

Lucy

But even if the airport opens, it's been closed for over 24 hours. The flights are gonna be backed up

Kevin

Do you mind?

Kevin

As much as I want my mom and Ben and Patty Mary to be at my wedding, if they're not there, I'll be okay

Lucy

I want my grandparents and Matt and Mary to be there

Lucy

[groans} It's just that...I want everything to be perfect, and yet, I know life's not perfect.

Kevin

No, it's not [they kiss] But parts of it are very, very good [kiss again]