Mike smiles with joy after seeing Molly's advance check after she returned home from an eight week writing shop telling him she's been published.

Molly has writer’s block, and she might lose her big advance if she doesn’t cure it fast

Mike promises Molly he will be home in time for dinner on Christmas Eve--until he and Carl find themselves in the back of a stolen truck; Molly is upset with Vince for trying to alter Christmas traditions.

Mike thinks Carl is out of line when he invites Victoria to go on what is supposed to be a men-only fishing trip.

When Molly starts writing multiple drafts of her book, she starts to irritate Mike and the rest of the family.

Guilt sets in for Mike when he flirts with a rookie cop and she reciprocates.

Samuel contemplates moving back to Africa when he receives a letter from his parents saying they’re struggling financially.

Molly faces a dilemma when her publisher asks her to make a provocative change to her book.

Mike is forced to arrest Joyce for a DUI after she refuses to take a breathalyzer at a checkpoint.

Mike and Molly are excited to finally have the house to themselves for the whole weekend.

Molly plans a party after hearing that Peggy is suddenly retiring.

Molly’s excited her book is finally out and available for purchase, but worries obsessively that no one will buy it.

Peggy makes Molly do chores in exchange for sharing tantalizing stories from her past for Molly’s second book.

When Mike reaches a weight-loss goal -- his personal best -- he decides to celebrate by indulging in a slice of pie.

Molly is nervous about Mike attending a celebratory party her publisher puts on for her and Peggy.

Molly surprises Peggy by reuniting her with her estranged sister, Rosemary, when they take a road trip to Peggy’s hometown of Mudlick. Also, Vince and Mike experience father-son bonding when they work together to fix the water heater.

When a despondent Kay returns to town, Peggy is thrilled to welcome her back to coexist in her mundane existence. However, Molly is determined to find a way to restore Kay’s joie de vivre. Also, Mike and Carl work crowd control at a rally for public breast feeding

Mike meets his Aunt Rosemary for the first time and is instantly smitten by her warmth and positive attitude – which is the polar opposite of his mother

Molly gets angry at Mike for not listening to her vent about writing with Peggy and they go their separate ways for a day.

After Carl has a near-death experience while on duty, he tells Mike he’s going to propose to Victoria.

Mike is forced to uninvited Carl to his anniversary cruise after Carl’s nasty break-up with Victoria.