When George sends Tessa to NY for a Christmas excursion with her mom, he assumes that he's given her the best present ever. Tessa soon learns to be careful what you wish for, and she finds herself missing George and Chatswin. Meanwhile Ryan finds out that he was adopted -- throwing the Shay family in turmoil -- and Carly asks for Carmen for Christmas.

When Tessa has her wisdom teeth removed, George struggles to manage both her recovery and the hysterics of their neighbor, Fred Shay, who has taken up residence in their basement after a career set-back. Sheila suspects George of harboring rats, and Dallas feels insecure about her relationship with George.