Previously in “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Caitlin and Aidan coach the girls of Ballykissangel to a championship. A girl on the team, Katie, is living in an abusive household. Concerned, Caitlin gets her out of the dangerous situation. Aidan and Caitlin become closer.
 

INT:   Orla is behind the counter with Niamh serving dishes of food.  Caitlin walks inside and sits down next to Father Mac.  He seems to be in a bad mood.

CAITLIN:
Hello, Father Mac.  How are you this evening?

FRANK: [a little upset]
Fine, thank you.  It seems as though it’s going to snow tomorrow.

CAITLIN: [smiling]
That would be lovely, don’t you think?

FRANK:
I hate snow.

He stands up and leaves the pub.  Caitlin wonders at his mood and shrugs.

ORLA:
Hey.  What can I get you?

CAITLIN:
I’ll have a pint.

ORLA: [shocked]
Are you serious?

CAITLIN: [smiling]
Trying to get into the holiday spirit.

Orla winks at her and hands over a pint. Caitlin is taking a sip when Aidan walks in and sits down next to her. Orla hands him a pint.

AIDAN:
The play is coming along nicely.

ORLA:
What play?

AIDAN:
The church youth group Christmas play.

ORLA:
A Christmas Carol?

AIDAN:
Something a bit more religious, Orla.  It’s the story of the birth of Christ.

ORLA:
Well, I’m out of the conversation.

[She goes to serve another customer]

CAITLIN:
I can’t believe Christmas is two days away!  I don’t even have a tree yet.

AIDAN:
You’ve got time.

CAITLIN:
It’ll be nice to have Christmas in the country this year.  Usually, it’s so hectic in the city.

AIDAN:
It’s my favorite time of the year.

CAITLIN:
Yes, it is quite nice.  I hope it snows.

AIDAN:
A white Christmas would be even better.

CAITLIN: [raising her glass]
I’ll drink to that!

INT:  The priest house.  Aidan is sitting in the living room, holding an old picture of Caitlin.  He is clearly troubled.

INT:  A field by Caitlin’s house.  Liam and Donal have set up a Christmas tree stand.  Caitlin walks towards them.

CAITLIN:
Hello, Liam.  I’d like a tree.

LIAM:
Great!  How big?

CAITLIN:
As big as you have.

DONAL:
Right this way.

They lead her to a large, seven-foot tree.  Caitlin smiles and takes out her wallet.  Liam and Donal look at each other, pleased.

CAITLIN:
It’s a great tree.  Can you move it to my house for me?

DONAL:
Well…we don’t move trees.

CAITLIN:
For ten quid will you?

LIAM: [speaking quickly]
That’ll do.  Let’s go.

INT:  The local auditorium.

[Aidan is working with the kids. Practice has just ended and all the kids jump down from the stage and leave. Aidan sits down, tired. Caitlin walks in]

CAITLIN:
How’s it coming along, Aidan?

[She hands him a thermos]

AIDAN:
What’s this?

CAITLIN:
Some coffee.  Thought you might want some after being in this cold auditorium all day.

AIDAN:
Thanks.

CAITLIN:
Are you guys ready for tomorrow’s performance?

AIDAN:
I hope so.

CAITLIN:
I can’t tell you how happy this Christmas is going to be.  I have a wonderful feeling about it.

AIDAN:
What do you mean?

CAITLIN:
Well, this year I’ve got so many special people to share the holidays with.

[She innocently takes his hand and squeezes it warmly.]

With so many friends near, how could I be unhappy?

INT:  Fitzgerald’s.  Niamh and Ambrose are decorating their Christmas tree in the pub with the help of Kieran.

NIAMH: [placing the star at the top]
There, that should do it.

AMBROSE:
It looks great.

He takes Niamh’s hand. She looks up, almost surprised at his display of affection. Smiling, she kisses him on the check and then picks up Kieran.

NIAMH:
I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever!

INT:  Fitzgerald’s. The next day, Christmas Eve. Orla is putting up decorations around the bar. Everyone is gathered together for a party.

NIAMH: [raising a glass]
I want to just say that I’m so happy to be in the company of all of our friends and I wish everyone much luck and success in the future.

AIDAN:
And I hope everyone will come to Christmas Mass tomorrow…

BRENDAN:
Father, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

[Everyone bursts out laughing and the party starts. A little bit later, Caitlin sits by the fireplace, chatting with Orla. Aidan comes over and Orla leaves. He sits down on the chair opposite her]

AIDAN:
I hope you’re enjoying yourself.

CAITLIN:
Yes.  This is so nice.  I wish I had moved out here earlier.

AIDAN:
Well, better late than never, is what they say I believe.

CAITLIN:
That’s very true.

AIDAN:
Did you get your tree set up?

CAITLIN:
Yes.  It looks lovely.

[He nods his head and seems as though he wants to say something, but is afraid. Eventually, he manages to spit out a few words]

AIDAN:
Caitlin, I have a gift for you.

CAITLIN: [surprised]
Aidan…

AIDAN: [motioning his head]
It’s at my house.

CAITLIN:
Oh.

[They get up to leave. No one notices but Father Mac, but he is too busy talking to Brian to do anything]

EXT:  The street. Aidan and Caitlin are walking to the priest house. It is snowing and already a foot of snow is on the ground.  They reach the house.

INT:  The priest house. Aidan and Caitlin walk inside and dust the snow off. Aidan’s small plastic tree is in the corner, lit and sparkling.

AIDAN:
Okay, turn around and hide your eyes.

CAITLIN:
Aidan…

AIDAN:
Come on, now.

[She shakes her head but turns around and hides her eyes with her hands. Aidan sneaks to the desk and takes out a small box].

AIDAN:
Okay, you can look.

[She turns around, sees the box, and looks puzzled]

CAITLIN:
Aidan, you really didn’t have to…

AIDAN:
Quiet you.  Here, open it.

[She takes the box and opens it slowly.  She opens the box to find an antique claddagh].

CAITLIN:
Aidan, this is beautiful.

AIDAN:
It was my mother’s ring.  I want you to have it.

CAITLIN:
I can’t accept this.  Aidan, do you understand…

[Aidan takes the ring and places it on her ring finger, with the crown pointing towards her. He takes her hands in his]

AIDAN:
Caitlin, when you came to BallyK, I…was so shocked to see you.

CAITLIN:
So was I.

AIDAN:
But I’m glad that you came here.  When I left for the seminary, I was in love with you.

CAITLIN: [shocked]
Then why did you leave?

AIDAN:
I had already decided on the priesthood. Besides, I couldn’t turn away and being so young, I didn’t know what to do. I was so confused.

CAITLIN:
When I left for university, I thought that I would never see you again.

AIDAN:
I’m so sorry.  I should have kept in touch, but we just seemed to have lost touch…I mean, if I had…

CAITLIN:
Aidan, that was a long time ago.

[She places her hands on his shoulders and kisses him gently. He takes her in his arms]

AIDAN:
What am I going to do now?

CAITLIN:
I don’t know.

AIDAN:
I have to leave.  Father Mac will be so angry…

CAITLIN:
We can talk about that later. It’s Christmas Eve. We have each other. That counts for something.

AIDAN:
Yes, yes it does.

[He kisses her forehead].

EXT:  Outside the priest house.  It is snowing quite heavily.  It snows four feet.

INT:  The priest house a few moments later. They are holding each other, standing in front of the window watching the snow fall.

CAITLIN: [pulling away from him]
I should go.

AIDAN:
Right.

[She approaches the door and tries to open it, but it’s stuck.  She pushes but it won’t budge]

CAITLIN:
Um, your door is stuck, Aidan.

AIDAN:
What?

[He goes over and tries but it is futile]

AIDAN:
I can’t imagine why it’s stuck.

INT:  Fitzgerald’s.  Father Mac gets ready to leave, but as he opens the door, it’s stuck.

FRANK:
Niamh, your door is stuck.

[Ambrose comes over to open the door. He tries with all his might to open the door, but it won’t budge. Brendan looks out the window.]

BRENDAN:
Looks like we’ve been snowed in.

FRANK:
Oh, wonderful.

AMBROSE:
We have to find a way to open this door.

BRENDAN:
From the looks of it, there’s five feet of snow outside!

[Niamh and Orla come over to look out the window]

NIAMH:
Well, at least we have a white Christmas.  Where’s Caitlin?

ORLA:
She was um, tired, so she left early, I think.

NIAMH:
I hope she’s all right.

ORLA: [smiling]
I’m sure she’s fine.

INT:  The priest house.  Caitlin plops down on the sofa.

CAITLIN:
I can’t believe we’re stuck in here!

AIDAN:
I think I have a shovel in the back…

[He goes to look while Caitlin goes into the kitchen to make some tea. He comes out, unsuccessful. Caitlin hands him a beaker of tea]

AIDAN:
Thanks.

CAITLIN:
Will you make Christmas Mass tomorrow?

AIDAN:
I didn’t even think of that…Oh this is bad…

CAITLIN:
I’m sure you can dig your way out tomorrow morning when some of the snow has melted.

AIDAN:
This is terrible.

CAITLIN:
I wonder how everyone else is doing.

INT: Fitzgerald’s. Liam and Donal try their hand at opening the door. They are successful, but all the snow falls in.

NIAMH:
You’ll have to clean that up now.

LIAM:
What did we do? It’s not our fault the snow was there.

NIAMH:
Get a shovel from the back and start shoveling!

DONAL:
Niamh, it’s Christmas Eve…

NIAMH:
Now!

[Liam and Donal drag themselves to the back of the kitchen, where they produce two shovels and start hacking away at the snow]

EXT:  The bridge, the next day.  The snow is still there.  Liam is driving a plow through the streets.  The area around St. Joseph’s is cleared.

INT:  The priest house. Caitlin is on the sofa, sleeping. She has a blanket wrapped around her. Her head is on Aidan’s shoulder. Suddenly, there is a banging at the door. Aidan jumps up and opens it. It is Father Mac.

FRANK:
Father O’Connell, have you forgotten your duties?

AIDAN: [realizing he’s late]
Oh no…

FRANK:
Just because it snows doesn’t mean you ignore Christmas Mass!

AIDAN:
I’m so…

FRANK: [suddenly noticing Caitlin from behind Aidan]
What is she doing here?

AIDAN:
It’s…it’s not what it seems.  We were snowed in yesterday.

FRANK: [angry]
We will discuss this later.  Get to the church, now!

AIDAN:
Right.

[Father Mac slams the door and makes his way through the snow.   Aidan runs upstairs]

INT:  St. Joseph’s. A while later. Aidan is at the altar. Caitlin steps in the back and quietly sits down. Aidan sees her, pauses a bit, and smiles at her.

INT:  St. Joseph’s. Mass is over. Everyone has left. Aidan walks outside, only to be hit by a snowball from Caitlin. He shakes his head, smiling.

AIDAN:
I shall have to speak to Father Mac soon.

CAITLIN:
Not today.  It’s Christmas.  It will be so stressful for him.

AIDAN:
You’re right.

CAITLIN:
Come on, let’s surprise him.

AIDAN:
What do you mean?

[She lifts up a basket]

CAITLIN:
It isn’t pleasant to spend Christmas alone.  Believe me, I know.

AIDAN: [touching her cheek gently]
You are so kind.

INT:  Father Mac’s house in Cilldargan. There is a knock on his living room door. Father Aidan and Caitlin enter.

FRANK:
What can I do for you, Father, Caitlin?

AIDAN:
We wanted to surprise you.

CAITLIN:
Merry Christmas, Father.

[She takes the basket from behind her and puts it on the coffee table]

Where would I find the plates?

FRANK: [a little startled by their kindness]
They’re…in the kitchen, in the back.

CAITLIN: [smiling at Aidan]
I’ll get them.

[Caitlin leaves.  Father Aidan sits down next to Father Mac and opens the basket]

FRANK:
I know what you’re thinking.

AIDAN:
Father?

FRANK:
I was in your position twenty years ago, on this very day actually.

AIDAN:
I don’t understand…

FRANK:
Seeing her brings back all the memories.

AIDAN:
Caitlin?

FRANK:
Caitlin’s grandmother, Keeley, lived in Ballyk when I first became a priest.

AIDAN:
I still don’t…

FRANK: [quietly]
She was the most beautiful woman I had ever known. She understood me perfectly. We loved each other very much. Unfortunately, the church and God was more important to me. I broke her poor heart. And I let her get away…

[He turns away and looks out distantly]

AIDAN:
Why didn’t you do something?

FRANK:
Because the Church is the Church, Father Aidan.  You know that.

[Caitlin comes back in with plates, utensils, and wine glasses]

CAITLIN:
Come now, why you two look so serious?  It’s Christmas!  Cheer up!

[She sits down with Father Mac between them and starts to open up the packages from the basket]

FRANK: [taking Aidan’s right hand and Caitlin’s left hand]
Go on.  Don’t make the same mistake I made.

AIDAN:
Father…

FRANK:
That’s an order, Father Aidan.

CAITLIN: [confused]
What’s going on?

AIDAN: [standing up]
Caitlin, let’s see if Fitzgerald’s is open.

CAITLIN: [standing up]
What about our…?

FRANK:
Go on you two.  I prefer the solitude.

CAITLIN:
Are you sure, Father?

FRANK:
Quite.  Come on now, don’t waste your time with me.

[Caitlin goes over and kisses Father Mac on the cheek.  He takes her hand and squeezes it affectionately.  She leaves the room, closing the door behind her quietly.  Aidan extends his hand out to Father Mac. Father Mac embraces him warmly]

AIDAN:
Thank you, Father.

FRANK:
There’s no need to thank me.  I don’t want anyone else to make my mistakes.

AIDAN:
Merry Christmas, Father.

FRANK:
Merry Christmas.

[Aidan leaves quietly, closing the door behind him. Father Mac sighs and walks over to the side table. He slowly opens the drawer, searching through the pile of papers. He pulls out an old black and white photo of a beautiful young woman. He touches her face gingerly]

EXT:  The Ballykissangel Cemetary. Father Mac gets out of his car, the snow gently falling. He walks over to the headstone.  It reads, “Keeley Mulcahy” and has a small cross above her name with nothing else. He bends down and gently kisses the top of the headstone]

FRANK: [whispering]
Merry Christmas, my love.

THE END

This is the last part of the series. If you would like to send in fan fictions
extending the story line, please do!