Bring out your boxes of tissues, everyone: the Call the Midwife Season 13 finale is upon us. Filled with touching surprises and heartwarming moments, you won’t want to miss what’s in store.

Last week, Trixie, as well as the rest of us, were sucker-punched in the stomach following Matthew and Jonty’s departure to New York. Now that Trixie is alone, how will she cope? And more importantly, will she decide to join her husband and son… or stay in Poplar?

Similarly distressing, Joyce finds herself in a predicament with her abusive husband, Sylvester. She’s willing to pay him for his silence, but at any moment, he could easily disclose to the world her true identity.

How will the midwives fare against the turmoil? Read below to find out.

Poplar’s Mother of the Year Award

Where would we be without the wonderful mothers and women in our lives? In fairness, there’s no concise answer to that question, but it’s safe to say the world would certainly look a whole lot bleaker.

At a weekly “Pram Pushers” service at St. Oswald’s Church, Nurse Crane, Miss Higgins, and the cubs give a presentation on firework safety. Following their presentation, Reverend Connell announces this year’s “Poplar’s Mother of the Year” competition. Children are responsible for submitting votes and tributes, and the woman who receives the most votes is awarded a fully automatic washing machine. Hurrah!

As the young cubs disperse to the arms of their parents, Nurse Crane walks over to Beryl Walker, an expectant mother currently caring for both her and her sister’s children. The mum-to-be apologizes for missing her clinic appointment yesterday – her hands are quite full – but asks Nurse Crane if she could give her a culture sample. Because she doesn’t have the proper equipment on her, Nurse Crane politely declines but tells the mother she’ll have someone check in on her tomorrow.

The next day, Nancy stops by and tells Beryl she needs to take better care of herself; if the responsibility of caring for all of the young ones gets to be too much, then she needs to let Nancy know.

Fireworks Galore

It’s a fireworks and sparklers extravaganza in Poplar — though, not everyone is getting in on the fun. Geoffrey arrives on the scene to cheer up his dear sister Trixie, but she doesn’t wish to participate in the festivities. Even when Geoffrey offers his company for later, he’s not able to get much of an enthusiastic response from her. There’s clearly a lot going on in her mind.

Meanwhile, Joyce’s night of fun is cut short when Sylvester surprisingly turns up. His presence is unnerving to her – for good reason – and only further highlights his fervent determination to keep Joyce in a difficult situation

A Visit from the Past

Needles and threads in hand, Nurse Crane and Miss Higgins take up a quiet night in, patching up some of their cub members’ uniforms.

But the evening of tranquility is cut short following a knock at the door. When Miss Higgins goes to the doorway to meet the visitor, she meets a woman who introduces herself as the wife of Victor Chopra. At the mention of this name, Miss Higgins’ face falls. Soon after, Nurse Crane steps outside to give some privacy to Miss Higgins and her unexpected guest.

Through the two women’s conversation, we learn that Victor is Miss Higgins’ long-lost son. He’s made a good life for himself and is in England for two weeks…

After seeing Mrs. Chopra off, Miss Higgins is at a visible loss for words. Fortunately, Nurse Crane is on standby to console her friend. It turns out that when Miss Higgins was in her early twenties, she lived in India, working at a private lending library. It was there she met a tutor named Krishnan. The two fell in love, resulting in Millicent giving birth to her son, Victor. Arrangements were made quickly after he was born for him to be adopted.

Victor is only in England for two weeks, but he is eager to meet Miss Higgins if she’s open to it.

Meanwhile, the Turners have received some stressful news of their own regarding the update of May’s situation. Esther Tang, May’s mother, has requested to push up their previously scheduled meeting due to changed circumstances (it appears she’s recently gotten married).

Instead, the conversation will now be conducted over an international phone call… and May is now to be present. The Turners are left to wonder what this could mean for May’s future – will she be taken away? What does Esther want?

Sister Julienne, Designated Peacemaker

Contemplating her relationship with religion, Rosalind turns to her wise colleague, Sister Julienne. But before she can deliver much guidance, Sister Veronica comes barging into Sister Julienne’s office with a pleading call: She and Sister Monica Joan have gotten into a bit of a tiff and need immediate intervention.

Keeping her calm objectivity, Sister Julienne helps her two colleagues come to a mutual, apologetic understanding. Yet not long after putting out the fire, Shelagh also requests assistance from Sister Julienne.

Sister Julienne and Shelagh then approach Sister Veronica as she once worked in the same Hong Kong maternity home where Esther Tang gave birth. Sister Julienne asks Sister Veronica to send a telegram of inquiry to Sister Margery at the Hong Kong branch to discern Esther’s situation. Perhaps they will be able to ascertain more clarity.

A Reunion Over Tea

The much-anticipated occasion is finally here: Miss Higgins’ reunion with her son, Victor. Leading up to the interaction, both mother and son are struck by the emotional intensity of the moment, but they are grateful to share it.

After a heartfelt hug, Miss Higgins and Nurse Crane treat Victor and Mrs. Chopra to see some tea. To Miss Higgins’ delight, she learns she has a grandson, Harry, who is currently studying dentistry in London. She can hardly contain her excitement and pride upon hearing the news.

But while Miss Higgins is distracted by the elation of seeing her son, Nurse Crane manages to spot something peculiar with Victor’s calves: they’re swollen. Very swollen. Later on, Nurse Crane catches a moment with Mrs. Chopra where she asks the wife about Victor’s condition. It turns out Victor has been ill for a pretty long time… with Bright’s disease, more familiarly known as kidney disease.

Sylvester’s Blackmailing Continues

More bad news plagues the midwives as Sylvester ceases to leave Joyce alone. And even worse, he’s now demanding to have her monthly wages.

In a back alley, out of plain sight, Joyce hands over her payment envelope to him. Once again, he reminds her that he can take everything from her, simply by telling her colleagues who she really is. According to him, their current arrangement is just “the start.” Joyce’s options feel limited – what does she do?

A Walk Along the Thames

Chopin or Brahms? Rear Window or Spartacus?

Reunited mother and son stroll arm-in-arm along the River Thames, wasting no time to catch the other up on their favorite composers, films, and novels.

But while the two of them are enjoying a lovely conversation, things suddenly turn south when Mr. Chopra begins to experience sudden, intense chest pains. Dr. Turner soon examines him, and remarks to the patient that kidney disease is very difficult to live with. Based on Mr. Chopra’s exhibited symptoms, both his heart and kidneys are failing.

Undeterred, Miss Higgins scrambles to research the best dialysis specialists and options to treat her son. When she shows Dr. Turner the list she’s compiled, he tells her that he will do all he can for him, but it may be too late to do very much for him. Miss Higgins naturally pushes back against this statement – she won’t give up hope.

Later on, Miss Higgins brings Victor to her cottage to rest as they’ve agreed an overnight stay in the hospital would pose limited visiting hours. All they can do for now is cherish their time together and hope for Victor’s recovered health.

Trixie Struggling

As shown earlier in the episode, Trixie has (understandably) not been coping well since Matthew and Jonty left for the United States. In order to sleep at night, she’s been taking her prescribed sleeping pills in addition to caffeine pills to get her through the workday. Not a great mixture, though, she’s somehow managed to avoid getting caught so far.

However, when Trixie tests a patient’s urine sample, she accidentally ends up setting her apron on fire. Fortunately, Sister Julienne is quick to put out the flame and minimize the burns on Trixie’s legs.

But Trixie can no longer conceal her secret. She confesses to Sister Julienne that she’s been taking caffeine tablets all day and is overall unwell. Rather than reprimanding her, Sister Julienne lends a compassionate hand and asks Trixie if there’s anyone she should fetch or telephone to help… for instance, Geoffrey.

A Call with May’s Mum

The day for the Turners’ and Esther Tang’s conversation has arrived. On the way to the foster agency, Shelagh learns from Sister Veronica that Esther has just lost her job and has additionally given birth to a baby boy.

The mood in the office is tense as the family waits to be connected to Hong Kong, with Sister Veronica stepping in as a translator. When it’s time for May to talk, Esther asks her daughter how she finds her life in England and what she thinks of her foster family. While Patrick and Shelagh anxiously watch on, Esther finally poses the paramount question to May: Would she want to live with the Turners permanently? May replies with an emphatic “yes.”

And just like that, relief is restored at the Turner household. Patrick and Shelagh are overjoyed to have May as an “official” part of the family, and they all celebrate the news with Angela, Timothy, and Teddy at home.

Geoffrey Intervenes

Following her hazardous incident at the office, Geoffrey takes Trixie to her home… and doesn’t hold back in giving her tough love. He throws out her stash of tablets, much to Trixie’s protest, and asks her the last time she went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

After role-playing a hypothetical AA meeting, Trixie admits she’s petrified of dealing with messes and wonders if that's what's troubling her. Geoffrey tells her that if she has to “run” and stay in a “perpetual panicked motion,” she ought to run towards Matthew. She shouldn’t flee from love, even if it may frighten her.

Bus Stop Delivery

A baby delivery on the bus? Didn’t have that one written in the books.

En route to visit her sister at the hospital, Beryl begins to experience sudden contractions. An ambulance is quickly called, but fortunately, Violet and Nancy are quick to the scene to offer assistance. After a minor complication with the cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, Nancy helps Beryl give birth to a baby boy.

Meanwhile, Miss Higgins is paid a visit from her grandson, Harry. It’s a relief the two are united in the face of Victor’s deteriorating health.

Revelations at Church

Continuing with her religious exploration, Rosalind drops in on one of Cyril’s sermons. While there, she notices Sylvester is also in attendance. At one point, Joyce’s husband is called up to the stage to share a few words where, in his hands, he proudly waves the envelope of Joyce’s monthly wages.

Concerned and curious, Rosalind confronts Sylvester after the service and questions what he is doing with a wage packet from Nonnatus House. He only replies with a cryptic answer and instead tells her she should take up her questions with Joyce.

When it’s made clear to Joyce her secret is almost out, she begins to hastily pack up her belongings. Rosalind and Nancy ask Joyce if she can tell them the whole story. With nothing to lose now, Joyce confesses to them the truth – that her real name is Claudine and that Sylvester is her husband. She left her home and her husband in search of a better life, but now everything that she has since accomplished is being ripped from her.

Yet, rather than let Joyce leave in a hurry, Nancy tells her that they will turn to Sister Julienne for help… which turns out to be the right decision. Sister Julienne immediately understands Joyce’s situation and tells the midwife that they will report Sylvester to the police for blackmail and making demands with menace.

Victor Passes Away

After spending his last days surrounded by family, Victor passes away in his sleep. As a tribute to her son’s life, Miss Higgins and Harry walk along the Thames and float flowers along the river.

While she didn’t get nearly as much time as she would have wished with Victor, Miss Higgins at least has some solace now knowing that they parted on loving, warm terms.

New Paths Forged Ahead

Trixie, after receiving the much-needed support from Geoffrey, finally calls up Matthew on the phone. Both husband and wife seem relieved to hear each other’s voices again. He reassures Trixie that once things are more settled in New York, he’ll be able to manage things back home in Poplar in three or four months.

But Trixie has other ideas in mind: She intends to join him and Jonty in the U.S. Matthew is overjoyed with the news and reminds her their time there in New York won’t be forever. Nevertheless, the news seems to be the right move at the moment.

Some other good news? Joyce stands up to Sylvester’s final attempt to manipulate her life once again. She won’t be going with him anywhere – he is finally out of the picture. Good riddance, forever.

A Triumphant Mother’s Day

Balloons, banners, and flowers are all in attendance as the community gathers for the “Poplar’s Mother of the Year” ceremony. While the children take turns giving shout-outs to their mothers on the stage, Sister Monica Joan and the other midwives of Nonnatus House have a special announcement in store.

For the Mother of the Year award, the honor goes to none other than Sister Julienne who time and time again always offers love, compassion, and warmth to those around her. Could the honor not be more fitting?

The past few weeks have certainly held their share of highs and lows – from tetanus scares and near drownings to mayoral victories and Moon landings. But all in all, it’s been a season to remember and we can't wait to see what Season 14 delivers.

Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 13, Episode 7 Recap.