Though we're not ready to say goodbye, how does Firefly Lane end?
Firefly Lane season 2 part 2, the finale of the book-turned-series, just hit Netflix on Thursday, April 27. It picks up with our favorite duo on rocky terrain, and we're still wondering if Kate forgives Tully. Though it seems we've reached the most challenging part of their friendship, things only get more difficult for the duo as their story comes to an end.
We'll get a sense of closure but don't expect this to be an easy ride. Like Kristin Hannah's Firefly Lane books, the TV adaptation is equally as emotional. Here's how it all wraps up.
*Warning: spoilers ahead*
How does 'Firefly Lane' end on Netflix?
Although the series does follow similar plot lines to the bestselling novels, fans can expect a few differences here and there.
“I think what’s cool is that: we changed just enough, so that readers who are watching the show—who haven’t seen it all—don’t know how it’s going to end because we’ve changed just enough,” showrunner Maggie Friedman told Netflix Tudum. "I like the idea that it’s going to unfold for them and they’ll still be guessing —and they’ll get to have that fresh experience with it."
And no, Firefly Lane did not get cancelled, but we shouldn't expect Firefly Lane season 3 because Kate and Tully's story is complete.
1. Kate and Tully make up
Thankfully, after a year of estrangement, our best friends eventually do find their way back to one another, but things are dire.
After Tully (Katherine Heigl) leaves Antarctica for a reporting trip in the Galapagos, she gets cell service back and finally receives many emotional messages from Kate (Sarah Chalke), which details her breast cancer diagnosis. Tully immediately drops what she's doing to be by her best friend's side, showing up at Kate's house at the end of episode 10.
And though their reconciliation is a bit awkward at first, with the BFFs having to relearn their rhythms and forgive each other after everything that's occurred, by the end of season two, our Firefly Lane girls are back.
2. Tully ends up with Danny
Our perpetual single lady finally settles down! When Tully's onetime coworker and sometimes ex Danny "Sports Man" Diaz (Ignacio Serricchio) returns to her life, things get a little complicated, to say the least, when he reveals he's actually engaged.
However, things don't work out between him and his fiancée, after the latter shockingly smooches Tully while at Kate and Johnny's wedding. After their breakup, Danny and Tully do reconnect, albeit slowly, with Sports Man standing by her side throughout Kate's diagnosis. Though we don't see a future wedding play out for Tully onscreen, we do get flashes of the broadcast journalist with her wedding ring.
3. Johnny and Kate get remarried
Speaking of nuptials, Johnny and Kate get remarried in a small backyard ceremony officiated by Tully in the present-day timeline. (Johnny and Co. even performed a sweet little rendition of Barry Manilow's "Mandy" for the bride.)
However, at this point, Kate has found out that her breast cancer has come back aggressively and, concerningly, has spread to other parts of her body, and later spreads to her brain. Shortly after their vows, her health takes a turn for the worse.
4. Kate passes away
Yes, as fans of the books suspected, Kate, unfortunately, does pass away by the end of Firefly Lane season 2, and Tully is left completely heartbroken.
After finding out that the cancer has spread to her brain, Kate decides to spend the rest of the time she has left at home with Tully, Johnny, Marah and her family and friends. It's while at home, overlooking the beauty of the Pacific Northwest from her backyard, that Kate peacefully passes, with Tully sadly discovering her after coming back outside with a refreshed cup of tea.
However, while Kate was planning her final days on Earth, she left Tully with a parting gift: a book titled Firefly Lane, about their lives, as well as a special gift that she leaves for Tully, correctly knowing that her best friend would not be able to emotionally handle attending her funeral. Instead, Johnny gives Tully a box from Kate that includes a joint, a photo of David Cassidy, and an iPod pre-packed with their favorite tunes. Obviously, that includes "Dancing Queen," which Tully dances to outside of the church in honor of her best friend.
5. Marah gets married
We've wondered for quite some time: who gets married in Firefly Lane? Although we had a few guesses about that shocking flash-forward that was tested throughout season two, the big day in question was actually Marah's, who marries a girl she first meets while playing soccer. Marah's godmother Tully takes the reins and steps in for Kate when the milestone finally approaches.
Ultimately, we're glad Kate and Tully found their way back to each other, but much like in real life, the ending was not what we were hoping for. Heigl, who plays Tully, seems to find comfort in the complexities of the story.
"Watching them love each other and struggle with each other, and then have all these fabulous memories and moments and time together, I think it speaks to all of us," she told People. "And that's what life is about, those relationships and those memories and those moments and how we deal with each other and how we continue to love each other despite disappointments and resentments and all of that."
Firefly Lane is now streaming in full on Netflix. Both Firefly Lane and Fly Away are available on Amazon.
