At the hospital, Callum and Evelyn have no new information for Kate. Callum assures her he’s there for her. Moments later, the doctor arrives and tells Kate her dad is fine; he suffered a panic attack, not a heart issue. He stresses that Mac needs to take better care of his mental health. Kate promises they’ll handle it together.
Outside, she shares the good news with Callum and Evelyn. Callum is visibly relieved but his expression darkens when he sees Richard comforting Kate.
Later, in the bakery, Evelyn and Callum take out their shared anxiety on a batch of pastry dough. Evelyn admits that caring for someone always brings fear.
At work, Kate’s boss praises her recent designs and says she’s assigning her a high-profile client…her mother.
Kate visits Delilah and is shocked to learn she’s bought a house in town. Delilah wants Kate to design the interior. Kate, unsurprised her mother made a big decision without consulting her, reacts coldly. Delilah meets her daughter’s frustration with tough love, saying she’ll be there when Kate’s ready to let her.
When Kate returns home, she finds Callum in Mac’s workshop. His mood is sharp. Kate calls him out, saying if he has something to say, he should say it. Callum finally explodes: he was supposed to be her final date in the 12 Dates program, but she skipped it to meet Richard. He’s tried to tell her how he feels, he says, but it never seems to matter.
Kate fires back that she doesn’t believe him; she doesn’t trust his feelings for her. Callum, defeated, says he doesn’t even know what she’s looking for.
Kate later vents to Laura about the fight. She admits things with Richard feel easy, predictable. Laura doesn’t buy it, insisting Callum is the one who truly sees her. Still, Kate sticks to her plan. She’ll go on her final date with Richard.
Meanwhile, Evelyn visits Mac to check on him. She confides that being in the hospital stirred emotions she hadn’t faced in years. Mac apologizes for worrying her, and they agree to take things slowly and figure it out together.
That night, Kate dresses to perfection for the 12 Dates finale, an elegant evening with Richard. They dance, laugh, and share an easy connection.
Elsewhere, Callum and Evelyn help Mac hang his collection of birdhouses at The Pear Tree. When the last one’s up, Mac and Evelyn share a soft kiss.
At the event, Kate’s friend Marjorie breaks down in tears. She’s fallen for someone she met through the program, but he turned out to be Richard. Shocked and furious, Kate confronts him. She accuses him of treating Marjorie exactly as he treated her, with the same gestures, the same words, the same jewelry.
Richard tries to charm his way out of it, claiming she’s overreacting. When she demands to know why he chose her, he smirks and says, “Because it’s a great story.” He admits the 12 Dates experience was just a fantasy. For Kate, it was never pretend. She tells him she wants something real, someone who actually sees her and walks out, leaving him alone on the dance floor.
Heartbroken, Kate goes home and collapses into her father’s arms. She calls herself foolish, but Mac tells her she was brave for opening her heart. He gently urges her to take the next step toward what truly matters.
Soon after, Nicola meets with Kate and tells her she’s ready to launch her own label. She credits Kate’s designs as the inspiration, and Kate is deeply grateful.
Kate then visits her mom. This time, the tone is different. She tells Delilah it’s nice having her nearby and finally says the words her mother’s waited years to hear: “I love you.”
On Christmas Day, the world of Blexford feels whole again. Delilah joins Mac and Kate for dinner. Callum spends the holiday with Evelyn, and Laura celebrates with her family.
Later, Kate and Laura catch up. Kate admits she’s grateful for the 12 Dates experience as it forced her to face herself. Laura beams and shares her own big news: she’s leaving the firm to start her own practice. Before Kate can respond, Laura hands her a small gift from Callum.
Inside is a framed napkin Kate designed fifteen years ago, the first sketch that started her creative journey. Kate is speechless.
Without a word, she runs out into the snow. She finds Callum at The Pear Tree.
Out of breath, she blurts out that she’s scared but she loves him. She wants to take a chance on something real.
Callum smiles and flips a switch. The patio lights come on, illuminating the spot where they first kissed. They step closer, and the world fades around them as they kiss again, this time certain.
Later, everyone seems exactly where they’re meant to be. Kate and Callum are together. Mac and Evelyn share quiet laughter. Delilah has found companionship of her own.
Kate and Mac share a warm father-daughter moment. She tells him she finally trusts him to make his own decisions.
As Mac and Evelyn prepare to ride off on his motorbike, Kate assures Callum she’s drained all the gas so he can’t go anywhere.
And for the first time in years, Kate’s world feels perfectly at peace.