Snooty Ivy League English professor Kelly Novak literally falls for dashing fireman Doug Kelly while trying to stop her suicidal teaching assistant from jumping off a ledge. But hurdles await the happy couple—namely, the widower's four rambunctious kids.

Jealousy rears its ugly head atop a fire ladder as Doug spies on Kelly and her attractive former lover from Oxford during their collaboration in the rare book room of the university library. Meanwhile, Brian masterminds Sean's campaign for class president.