23rd December comes too soon for Steve and not soon enough for Catherine. Steve's still not sure about spending Christmas with Catherine's family, but he agreed to it and has no heart to tell her he doesn't really want to go, now. Catherine decides not to go into the subject again, for fear of him using it as an opening to plead with her, regarding their plans. They've known each other for many years, but haven't seen or spoken to one another in many months, with the added complication of their past dating history, so Catherine doesn't really know how comfortable Steve is with the idea of Christmas at casa Rollins. But she knows that he will feel much worse if he stays behind in Montana, alone. He's blinded by grief and all he wants is to isolate himself from the world; Catherine figures he'll benefit from some company and a distraction to the latest developments in his life.
By mid-morning, they're ready to leave the ranch and head to the airport. Catherine continues to sense some hesitation on Steve's part, as she catches him looking at her beseechingly, but decides not to acknowledge it. He has nothing to gain from staying at the ranch, by himself. By the time they leave the airport, Jimmy, one of Catherine's brothers, has called ahead and let her know he will be picking them up; Steve is struck by how happy Catherine and her brother seem to be, when he spots them coming out of baggage claim. He knows Catherine's brothers from the few times they met at her parent's house; they're a tight nit family and he has always enjoyed their company. Unfortunately, they never got the chance to really get to know one another, since Catherine and Steve were always coming or going, in between deployments, when her brothers were also able to come home. As they greet each other, Steve wonders if Catherine hasn't warned them ahead of time, regarding what happened, but he is too nervous to linger on that thought. Catherine's parents are expecting them, and he's really starting to regret not having told her a vehement 'NO'. Too late to back off, now.
The car ride takes about 30 minutes, fully occupied by Jimmy grilling his sister on what she's been up to in the last 4 months of not having seen her. They laugh and exchange innocent jabs, under Steve's quiet and amused eye. He notices that Catherine avoids her brother's more detailed questions, and he doesn't seem to mind, making Steve wonder how much he exactly knows about her work life, these days. As they get to the house, Steve has a feeling of déjà vu: he's in the car with Catherine - and the fact that he isn't the one driving hasn't escaped his notice- and they're both coming home to see her parents. He has mixed feelings about this; he really likes her parents, but these are strange circumstances, as he wonders what, exactly, they know about their breakup. It's almost as though he feels the need to justify his presence to them, now that he is no longer dating their daughter, but not only that – since he was the one to throw an ultimatum at her face. He so wishes he could be back in Montana, right now.
Catherine's parents welcome their children and Steve home. Her father, Admiral Michael Rollins, is a well-respected Navy officer and her mother, Elizabeth, is a successful psychotherapist. They are both elated at finally having their daughter home, and welcome Steve with great warmth, seeming genuinely happy to see him after so long. Catherine definitely called ahead and explained.
"Steve, how nice to see you again, welcome."
"Mrs. Rollins, it's very nice to see you again. Thank you having me, especially at Christmas."
"Oh, nonsense, we're very happy to have you, it's been too long! And I told you before, call me Elizabeth," she replies, with a wonderful smile gracing her features. Then suddenly, growing serious, she adds: "I was so sorry to hear of the death of Commander White, he was a very good man."
"Thank you. That he was." He then turns to Catherine's father, saluting him. "Admiral."
"Steve, very nice to see you. No need for salutes, we're both off duty. Welcome," Catherine's father replies, seemingly happy to see him. He's becoming more and more curious about what Catherine told her family regarding their breakup. He expected a few surreptitious looks of distrust, at least.
They all go inside and, as Jimmy takes Steve to the guest room, mentioning that he, too, is sorry about Commander White, Elizabeth Rollins accompanies her daughter to her old room, speaking non-stop.
"Honey, I'm so happy you came. Nothing makes me happier than having you here. Now, if only I could see happiness in those eyes..."
Catherine stops unpacking and sighs, annoyed that her mother hasn't waited 10 minutes before deciding to go for the jugular. But she'll give her a run for her money.
"Mom... what are you talking about? Where is this coming from?"
"Catherine, you've been my daughter for 38 years, honey...," she starts, smiling angelically. "I can read you like an open book. I know when you're happy or sad. And lately, whenever you come home, you look sad. Your eyes lost their sparkle. But today you seem… I don't know, perkier. Livelier eyes. Does this have anything to do with Steve?"
"Steve? How so?" Catherine deflects masterfully, turning to her mother with a sharp questioning glance, defiant.
"Are you two back together?" Elizabeth Rollins asks, always direct, ignoring her daughter's challenge.
"What? Back together? No! Whatever brought this on, mom? I told you, we're in the middle of planning a mission, Commander Joe White died and I couldn't leave him alone in Montana during the Holidays. He's my friend. That's all," and while she's saying it, she wonders if her denial wasn't a tad too vehement. Lately, she doesn't really know how to react around or about Steve, anymore.
"I know that, honey, and I'm really glad you brought him. I always liked Steve. Always hoped...," Elizabeth says, looking away.
Catherine reaches for her mother's hand and squeezes it, trying to comfort her. "Mom, Steve lives in Hawai'i, he has his own life. And a girlfriend. I live in Washington, and have my own life. We're just friends."
"Are you sure, honey?"
"What brought this on, mom? Yes, I am," Catherine reiterates, suddenly remembering Montana, and feeling a discharge of adrenaline, cheeks getting warm. "Can we please change the subject? I want to enjoy the Holiday, stuff myself with chocolates and open presents. Speaking of which, I think we need to go shopping."
"OK, honey, I'll let it go, for now," Elizabeth Rollins counters. "Let's go."