Bridget Jones's life has taken a new turn as she now navigates motherhood with school-aged children, Billy and Mabel. After a long hiatus from socializing, Bridget gets ready to venture out again while her friend, Daniel Cleaver, babysits. The occasion for her outing is a heartfelt celebration of life for her late husband, Mark Darcy, who tragically passed away four years prior during a humanitarian mission in Sudan. The evening proves to be a challenging one for Bridget as she faces numerous condolences and the unavoidable pressure to start dating again.
Upon returning home, Bridget finds her children still awake. Mabel is enchanted by a mystical white owl that regularly visits their window at night. Caught in a moment of nostalgia, Bridget remembers Mark singing to the children and imagines his presence during those sweet memories. As her well-meaning friends and family offer a cacophony of advice, Bridget reflects on her father Colin's last wish for her to live fully, alongside Dr. Rawlings's encouragement to return to work. Inspired by these thoughts, she embarks on a journey of personal renewal by taking on the role of a show producer after a conversation with Miranda.
Just as Bridget begins to contemplate reentering the dating scene, she encounters a striking park ranger named Roxster McDuff on Tinder. Their flirty exchange leads to a date after several days of texting, much to the excitement of Bridget's friends, who are quick to offer their tips and tricks. As the summer progresses, the bond between Bridget and Roxster strengthens, and her children quickly embrace him, with Mabel affectionately calling him their "new daddy." However, Billy struggles with the idea, still processing the void left by his father's absence.
In a special event at Billy's school, Bridget is invited to share insights about her work as a television producer. She energizes the class by selecting a girl to play the producer while she takes the presenter role during an interview with Scott Walliker. However, the conversation takes a more profound turn, leading Bridget to inquire about whether living beings possess souls.
At a birthday bash for a colleague, Roxster makes a splashy entrance, leading to an enjoyable evening. Yet, an offhand remark about wishing for a time machine leads to unexpected consequences, causing Bridget to wake up alone the next day as Roxster vanishes unexpectedly.
In a surprising turn of events, the often self-centered Daniel reaches out to Bridget after a health scare. Feeling isolated, he shares how long it has been since he last saw his teenage son. Bridging their shared experiences of loss, Bridget encourages Daniel to reconnect with his son, echoing her feelings about family.
Roxster returns to apologize to Bridget, revealing that he panicked but is now ready to embrace a committed relationship with her and the kids. Despite his declaration, Bridget expresses her wish for a time machine to reconcile their past but ultimately decides to decline his renewed interest. As she sifts through cherished memories of Mark, she pens a touching note to him. On what would have been Mark's birthday, Bridget, Billy, and Mabel release balloons in the park with heartfelt messages attached.
While on a school trip to the scenic Lake District, Bridget shares a moment with Scott. He shares his own longing for fatherhood, which he never experienced. As Bridget steps away to comfort a child, Billy confides his fears about forgetting his father. Scott offers reassuring words, emphasizing that Billy's father will forever be a part of him.
During a winter holiday pageant at school, Billy performs "I'd Do Anything" in honor of Mark, and Bridget can't help but feel a sense of pride, knowing how proud Mark would be of their son. Grateful for [Scott]'s support and kindness to her family, she extends an invitation for him to join them at a pub following the event. When they arrive, Scott hesitates but eventually admits his feelings, leading to a tender kiss shared between them.
Fast forward a year later, Bridget organizes a lively New Year's Eve celebration at her home, welcoming family and friends, including Scott and an evidently changed Daniel, who has reconciled with his son Enzo. As Bridget tucks her children into bed after the festivities, they spot the owl soaring away, a moment that Scott witnesses too. In a warm, intimate moment, he helps Bridget unzip her dress, culminating in a romantic kiss, signaling a hopeful new chapter in her life.
