The holidays are all about family, and nowhere is that truer than in Virgin River. After the chaos of yesterday, everyone is slowing down and spending Christmas Eve with the ones they love best.

Mel is standing on her maybe daddy’s porch getting cooking tips.

Calvin (you definitely remember him) is anxiously awaiting the birth of his twin boys. (Nice that he is alive for this moment… that boat explosion was just for funsies!)

And Charmaine is crushing it at finally, finally, FINALLY giving birth. (Reminder, she has been pregnant since season one of this show. Season ONE.)

What this episode really drives home though is that family is something you choose. So, choose carefully. Because sometimes revenge sex with a criminal can be a mistake.

Sometimes choosing not to have kids is more complicated than just saying:

Sometimes accepting a new job means you’re probably going to end up investigating the guy you’re sleeping with who makes your sandwiches.

But, it’s not always that complicated. Sometimes you’ll choose a good friend who’ll help you cover up a crime.

WES!!!!!

Sometimes, your ex and your new boyfriend end up having a lot in common.

And the same sense of humor.

Sometimes, even though you’re an on-call nurse trying to start a birthing center in a town with three medical professionals (one of whom is going blind), your restaurant owner/ proprietor of a glamping site that’s being investigated by the FBI fiancee picks THE PERFECT GIFT for two people are never home.

It’s not all giggles and puppies, sadly. Sometimes the formerly homeless pot dealer? addict? enthusiast? single mom whose daughter you rescued (#hero!) is catfishing you.

We remember this guy, right?

And mostly, the more family you have, the more problems you’re going to have.

Unless you can afford to hire help.

So, consider the wise words of Denny (who is really a lot smarter again in this ep…):

(This makes sense because marriages are famously FOREVER whereas having babies is entirely temporary.)

And think twice about who you let stand under the mistletoe with you this Christmas!