All hands are on deck for the baby's arrival. Howard and Dick work together and just in time, the midwife arrives. As the night wears on, anticipation builds. Will what has been the worst week of their lives turn into the best one yet for Howard and Mel?

Cassie has kidnapped Mel, under threat of killing her. She wants Howard to bring the vicar and marry her within the hour.

With Ben unconscious, Howard has to find another best man, which proves difficult. And then Ben's parents make an impression when they arrive to meet the Cooks. Meanwhile, Cassie is still determined to stop the wedding.

Howard's misery resumes when his crazy would be-fiancée's dad Barry Turner turns up, begging to give her a chance by postponing his wedding with Mel. By now, her dad is rather partisan to the idea, and even Mel gets ever more suspicious. Her uncle Fraser, a vet, insists he should be entrusted with wedding security.

After the adventures of the night, Howard is excused from the day's special occasion — instead opting to prepare a celebratory meal. With extra company in the shape of Uncle Fraser and problems from work still tugging at Howard's heels, can the evening for once be a pleasant one?

Christmas Day arrives and so begins a day of friends, food, fun and the odd potentially fatal occurance. Will Howard step in and save the day?

Howard and mother-to-be Mel begin the week by moving into the cottage bequeathed to them in Granny's will, but their upheaval coincides with the funeral. When one of the pallbearers takes ill, Dick finds it difficult to entrust the job to the new member of the family.

Howard's Christmas isn't off to a festive start, when events at the office party ripple out to affect the in-laws' holiday gathering party and his dignity.

Mel's sister Sophe promises to keep quiet about the locked-up dog when Howard offers relational advice, but that backfires. Meanwhile, Dick proves remarkably understanding after confessions and discoveries.

It's Christmas Eve and as the preparations build so do Howard's troubles. Perhaps taking Baby Emily to visit Santa will provide some much needed festive fun?