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Honey, you not driving up to see us this year is one thing,
but why are you still at work on Christmas Eve?
It's just like any other day to me.
Come on, you? The Grinch who loves Christmas?
Since when did you start spending Christmas in the city?
Does everybody think that Los Angeles
becomes some apocalyptic wasteland during the holidays?
Of course not. LA's like that all year long.
( laughs ) Ali...
nobody tees up those one-liners for me like you do.
Anytime, Dad.
Now, now, listen, seriously, with you staying down there all year,
does that mean I won't get to see you till spring?
I miss you, too, Dad,
but it's just like six weeks.
I'll be back before you know it.
Yeah, spoken like a daughter who's never been a father.
Someday.
All right, I should get back at it.
I'll give you guys a call tomorrow.
All right, great. Oh, listen,
Mom and I sent you a little care package,
and I'm hoping it gets to you on time.
Thanks.
I love you.
I love you, too, Alison.
Merry Christmas, sweetie.
Merry Christmas...
Daddy.
( woman giggles ) Exactly.
( giggles )
Last chance to join us at the cabin
for wine, hot-tubbing, and Jay's famous baby back ribs.
Ribs in a hot tub?
Completely eliminates the need for moist toilettes.
- Genius, right? - Close. You're insane.
So you're coming?
I think the two of you will have a better time
without me watching you pollute the hot tub.
Jay could always call a buddy.
Ah, that sounds awesome.
- Right? - For Jay's buddy.
Ali, the thought of you staying here
- in town for Christmas is just depressing. - Do I look depressed?
The thought of you staying here alone is depressing me.
Alone? There are four million people in this city.
It's the worst kind of alone, alone and surrounded.
It's Los Angeles, where everybody spends
Christmas together, just separate.
Go peddle that someplace else.
You're not celebrating Christmas. You're skipping it.
No, and I'm treating myself to a deep-tissue massage
by a burly, yet caring professional,
and I'm gonna binge watch
every season of "The Botox Ex-wives of Boston."
Oh, that sounds so much better than soggy ribs.
Aren't you supposed to be talking me out of this?
I lost focus at "burly professional."
( laughs )
You know what the best part is?
is that no one'll be judging me
or incessantly asking if I'm seeing anybody.
- Are you? - Cherise.
It's been a whole year, Al.
I'm so not having this conversation.
Fine. I'm all done
trying to talk sense into you.
Finally, the quitter attitude I was counting on.
Well, thank you, for, you know,
staying and helping me with the Doyle project.
I know you were on your way home for Christmas.
And I bought the coffee.
- That, too. - ( laughs )
Nicest Christmas bonus, I think, I ever got.
Well, Ali, it was the least I could do.
I mean, you were the only person working Christmas Eve
other than me, and I own the joint.
( laughs )
Not that working Christmas Eve
and Christmas Day is-- is weird or bad
or a desperate cry for help.
Nope, none of the above, Mark.
I just-- I wanted some distraction-free work time.
You are amazing.
At least say you'll have dinner
with Doris and the boys and me tonight.
Christmas Eve.
Oh, I can't.
It's because of my mistake, isn't it,
what happened at the Halloween office party?
- No. - I said I was sorry.
Come on. I mean, who hasn't
had a little too much to drink and just...
overreached? ( scoffs )
That's what I told Doris.
Now she has me seeing a professional.
Oh. Fingers crossed.
Yeah. It's not going well.
- Oh. - No.
Listen, you want to get out of here
and just have a cocktail somewhere?
Um...
I was kidding. I was totally kidding.
- ( laughs ) - Did I get you?
- Yeah. I mean, yeah. - Tempting, isn't it?
Um, look it. Thank you,
but I already have a date actually for Christmas Eve.
- Wow. - Yeah.
Lucky guy
( laughs )
Well, hug Timmy and Malcolm for me.
I would, except now they're teenagers.
They don't hug anymore.
They don't talk. They don't hug.
They just want money and the keys to your car.
Right.
But kids are great. You know what I mean?
So I will tweet them your regards.
- There you go. - Okay.
- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.
You two have a great time on that date.
Yeah.
I'm a little bit jealous!
I'm kidding.
( both laugh )
Oh. ( sighs )
Yeah, I have a date
with a Dutch chocolate cake.
( gasps )
Ohh!
Man: Yeah, you'll love Aspen.
It has a super easy vibe.
( sighs ) Can't wait.
Ali? Is that you?
Cam, hey.
Merry Christmas.
Wow. How long has it been?
A year, exactly a year.
You know, roughly.
( woman chuckles )
Uh, Samantha, this is Alison.
Alison and I used to, uh--
Yeah, I-- I cracked the code.
Nice to meet you.
Hey.
Ali, how have you been?
Good, totally good.
Yeah, no, really, really good.
So do you live here...
in the park?
Me? What? Here?
Uh, I figured you would probably be headed up north
to your folks by now for the obligatory
Pennebaker family Christmases.
No. You know, I decided
I was just gonna stay here and do some work.
Ah, work through the holidays, huh? That's dedication.
Can you go down memory lane another time?
Kind of running late.
We're, um-- we're headed to Aspen.
Oh! Enjoy.
Nice to meet you.
Likewise.
You-- you have a lovely park.
Honey.
Wow, I don't know what happened to her.
She clearly lost you, then lost her mind.
But who wouldn't?
I assume anywhere is fine?
Yeah. No. Afraid not.
No shoes, no shirt, no service.
- Seriously? - Hey, I don't make the rules.
I just get paid an insulting amount to enforce them.
I bet you wouldn't be such a stickler for the rules if I took my shirt off.
- Please don't. - I wasn't really going to.
Oh, no, no, no. I'm sure you weren't.
You don't seem like the desperate type at all.
Both of 'em.
So, we good?
Anywhere you like, sweetie.
( sighs )
Big juicy burgers,
exactly the Christmas Eve feast I need.
The roast beef sandwich is to die for.
I'm sorry?
Roast beef sandwich. Trust me.
And get the fries, not the cop-out side salad.
It's Christmas Eve.
You don't mind, do you?
On holidays, a lady should never eat alone.
Who says I'm alone?
I'm talking about me.
Oh.
Sure, I guess.
French fries. No one will know
except you and me and the mean waiter.
Wait. Didn't you used to--
Used to be over there, yes. Now I'm over here.
No separate checks.
What, another rule?
Would you like to see the whole book?
Two roast beef sandwiches with fries.
- Burn 'em. - Okay.
Um, actually, I'll have your juicy burger, well done.
You might as well order a shoe.
- She'll have that medium. - What?
I'm begging you here.
( sighs ) Medium.
Thank you.
Don't mind him. His wife left him
for a short-order cook at a nicer diner,
which wouldn't take much. I'm Ginny, by the way.
Ali.
So what twisted reason do you have
for eating fat and carbs alone on Christmas Eve?
I was working.
I didn't feel like traveling to see my family this year.
No guy or girl or whatever?
So what? You think I need a guy or a whatever?
No, but you do.
One guy in particular, I'm guessing,
who's still messing with your head.
There is a picture of him on your desk,
and sometimes you talk to it.
Um, I did, actually,
break up with my boyfriend exactly a year ago.
Yes! I still got it!
Oh, I'm sorry. Please continue.
Well, we were living together,
um, and he was dropping hint after hint,
or, you know, at least I thought he was.
So when the engagement ring
that I was so sure was in that little box
turned out to be earrings,
I overreacted.
Overreacted like stuck a fork
- in his hand overreacted? - No.
Planted drugs on him and called the cops overreacted?
No.
I broke up with him the next morning.
That's it?
You know, I just got caught up
in the whole so-called magic of Christmas thing,
and I was a child.
There is no magic. There is just life.
Excuse me. There is magic.
Okay, you're one of those.
One of those what?
One of those "Magic is everywhere,
you just have to go off your meds" people.
Magic isn't everywhere, not even everywhen.
It's just at Christmas.
( sighs ) That's kind of even worse.
I'm just saying, if all this grief
is about one overreaction, hey, undo that reaction.
Oh, okay, yeah, and I'll just undo his girlfriend while I'm at it.
Listen, if you could do last Christmas over again, would you?
Well, that's impossible, obviously,
but if I could do that moment over again,
yeah, I would.
Enjoy, meat eaters.
You want my roast beef, don't you?
What? No. My burger looks awesome.
Yes, the burger does look awesome,
but that doesn't alter the fact that you want the roast beef.
No.
Okay, kind of.
Yes.
See? I ordered your juicy burger medium
because Mama likes a little juice.
Mm-hmm. ( giggles )
- Mmm. - ( laughs )
Mmm.
You're right. This is amazing.
You would've been so unhappy with this.
See? Sometimes people do get second chances.
Mm, would you be okay
with half a roast beef sandwich?
Don't even think about it.
Well, that's not the Christmas spirit, McScrooge.
( laughs )
So thanks for the company.
That was fun.
Fun. Ooh.
Pace yourself.
I mean it. We should do this again sometime.
Here. Let me give you my information.
Oh, I already have your information, silly.
I'm sure I'll see you soon.
Well, how do I find you?
Oh, I'll be around.
( cackles )
Here you go, miss.
Uh...
hey, who served you without shoes?
Seriously, what is with you guys and shoes?
Fine. Go ahead. Kick us out.
Oh, wait. We're leaving.
And by "we," you mean?
Merry Christmas, ma'am,
to you and your imaginary friend.
When crazy's in town, it eats here.
Yeah, copy that.
Man on TV: Shaking up the Earthquake State
with their usual ratings-grabbing shenanigans,
fighting, cursing, drinking,
running around naked, and playing with dogs,
but center stage this season
seems to be unfiltered Brandy.
Who's a big, fat pig.
But Ms. Glanville is a lover...
To Christmas Eve from now on.
...with new cast member Carlton Jebiah,
and Carlton is one special lady.
Yes, I'm a witch.
Are you sure you mean "witch"?
( bleep ) you.
When you go home tonight, watch out.
And with powerful new friends...
Woman: Rise and shine, sleepyhead.
Mom? What are you doing here?
What am I doing where?
I'm in the guest room?
Okay.
Oh, yes, you're in the guest room without Cam.
I know. You lived together. I get it.
But maybe after you're engaged.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up.
Cam's here?
Yeah. He's downstairs with your dad
fixing breakfast, God help us all.
So it didn't happen yet.
Or has it happened?
Ohh!
You're still as clumsy as ever.
( both laugh )
What's the rush?
Rush? Um...
I'm starving.
Well, that's no surprise. You ate zero dinner last night,
and then you finished off half a box of my Christmas cookies.
Last night.
Race you downstairs.
( laughs )
( thumps )
- Ali: Ohh! - Honey?
- I'm okay. - I'm telling you,
you get your coordination from your father.
Good morning, my Ali.
How did you sleep, honey?
Slept great.
Yeah, it's so good to have you home, sweetie.
Morning, baby.
See? That's why they're sleeping in separate rooms.
What? Come on.
Hey, no, no, Brian.
Actually, it's no big deal.
We have the rest of our lives to spend together.
Now, that's a wonderful thing about him, Ali.
That is one of many, many, many, many, many things.
So did you two actually cook
something we can have for breakfast?
Yeah, bacon and eggs.
- We're ready to roll. - All right.
Yum.
Heavy on the eggs, light on the bacon.
This guy here started eating early.
Oh, way to rat me out, sir.
Trying to get on my good side again, I can tell.
- What can I say? - Mm.
So what's on the agenda for today?
Well, we're gonna get Jason from the airport,
uh, the Christmas toy wrap at the club,
and then we're gonna go for Christmas Eve dinner there
with the Spivaks from across the street,
and that was all on the activity sheet
that I slipped under everybody's door.
Right. Sorry.
Just a little spacey this morning.
Yeah, you don't seem terribly excited about all of it.
You've always loved coming home for Christmas.
Yeah, I did. I do.
Mom, this is gonna be the best Christmas Eve ever.
You have no idea.
Yeah, all right, gang.
Shake a leg.
The stagecoach pulls out in five
with or without you. Come on. Let's go.
He's been saying it exactly like that since we were kids.
Is there actually a stagecoach,
and if you don't shake a leg, will the thing leave without you?
Good point.
Let's not find out, huh?
Come on.
Brian: Let's go. Come on.
I'm coming! I'm coming!
Oh!
Come on, come on, come on.
Everybody, let's go. Let's pile in.
We don't want to be late.
Jason can wait five minutes, Dad.
Honey, with all your schedules,
your mom and I only get to spend
five minutes with you every three years,
so, you know, we have to make the most of it.
Ali, come on, hon. We gotta go.
Thank you, darling. Thank you so much.
Let's get in the car. Come on.
This is another unscheduled hug,
and it's throwing us off schedule.
Get in the car. Thank you so much.
Don't make up time the way you usually do,
ignoring pedestrians in the crosswalk.
( laughs )
- Hi. - ( laughs )
My folks said you were coming back this year.
Yeah.
Hey.
Yeah, Cam and I have been traveling
the last few Christmases, so...
Yeah, if you haven't been to Vienna
to see the professional holiday displays there,
you should. It's amazing.
I'll keep that in mind.
So you're coming to the club later, right?
Uh, yes, definitely, and Jason, too.
We're actually on the way to get him from the airport right now.
- Jason. - Yeah.
God I haven't seen that kid in-- since I don't know when.
That makes two of us.
What part of the world's he working these days?
Uh, Singapore, I believe, and then Sydney next.
I don't know how he keeps it all straight.
Me either.
Well, I better get back. My dad's so old-school,
he loves to wait till Christmas Eve to put all those up.
But I'll see you later, right?
Yes, absolutely.
So you really dated that guy in high school, huh?
What? No.
Why would you think that?
Oh, I-- no, I mean, you live
across the street from him. I figured maybe--
No.
No, Nick's always felt just as much
like a brother to me as Jason.
Just checking.
Radio: ♪ Deck the hall with boughs of holly ♪
♪ Fa la la, la la, la la, la la ♪
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa la la, la la, la la, la la ♪
- ♪ Don we now... ♪ - You know, Dad,
I could've gotten to your place from the airport.
They have these things now called cabs.
That is a waste of money.
Come on. You know how much a taxi would cost out here.
Dad, you think everything's a waste of money.
No, that's not true. Your father likes nice things.
He just wants to pay as little as possible for them.
♪ And join the chorus... ♪
That's just a diplomatic way
to admit that he's cheap.
( laughs )
Yeah, Dad's Scotch-Canadian.
In the world of cheapness, that's a blackjack.
( laughs )
I heard that.
Good, than we won't have to say it again.
You know, Jason, if you'd taken a cab,
you might've missed the toy drive.
You know, you could've just written a check.
Now, where is the fun in that?
Oh, first fun thing just happened.
Can't feel my butt.
- Thank you. - Oh, thank you, sir.
All right. Same bet as every year.
He or she who wraps the fewest gifts
gets to wash the Christmas dinner dishes
tomorrow at our house. This could be great.
I don't like that bet. I never have.
That's 'cause you're a perfectionist.
If you'd just cut out that nonsense,
you would stop losing every year.
You know what? I like pretty wrappings,
and I refuse to rush the process.
Okay, Mom, these presents are the only ones
these kids are gonna get.
I don't think they're gonna notice the wrappings.
Yeah, but I would.
Yes, and civilization as we know it would end.
Oh, I'd pipe down if I were you, Mr. Giggles.
Next to Mom, you're the absolute
worst gift wrapper in this group.
Dad, think about that bet.
I don't own a single dish.
Do you really want me washing yours?
Uh, let me answer that for you.
No.
( chuckles )
These gifts, these are for needy children, right?
Yes.
Okay, so if you're a needy kid,
do you need a doll?
Why not a useful gift instead?
Each kid gets a toy and something useful,
like you said, shoes or clothes.
Okay, so why the toy at all?
That's all I'm saying.
Why not two useful gifts?
You were a child at one point, right?
Heh.
I mean besides this moment right now.
I'm just saying it seems like a big waste.
Well, you know what?
I doubt there's much magic in their lives.
You know, when your whole life is about need,
it's probably a welcome distraction
to have something frivolous.
Aha! You admit it's frivolous.
See?
Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I know you love Christmas.
I just-- I've never caught the whole
magic of the season fever.
Just always seemed a bit ridiculous to me.
I'm starting to see things a little more your way.
Hold on a second.
Last night, you are wearing antlers
and literally chasing me
around the house with mistletoe.
This morning, you're gonna wake up,
and all of a sudden, you give up
on the holiday spirit altogether?
I've not given up on it.
I just-- I think I've been focusing on it too much.
You know, it doesn't matter that it's Christmas.
What matters is that some little girl
is gonna get a nice doll
that we wrapped
and that we get to spend time with the people that we love.
Like me?
Of course.
Come here.
Mmm.
Eggnog for my darling girl,
and sparkling water for my darling guy.
And if it turns out to be champagne,
whoops, my bad.
We're out of paper.
I'm gonna go get some more.
Okay.
Does Ali seem a bit weird to you today?
Oh, Ali's always a little weird.
It's part of her charm. ( chuckles )
Oh, these are all gonna have to be redone.
Excuse me. I need some more wrapping paper.
Sure thing, doll. Anything in particular?
What are you doing here?
What aren't I doing here?
I'm the wrapping manager.
Getting no help!
( sighs )
So I really get to redo Christmas Eve with Cam?
You said that was the part you wanted to do over.
You got your wish.
But how?
And why me?
Okay, did you see "Men in Black"?
Yes.
This is nothing like that.
Did you see "Back to the Future"?
Yes.
It's nothing like that.
Okay, look, you brought me here.
Well, maybe,
but from here on out,
you're on your own, chickadee.
I'm just here in case you need any further guidance,
which you will.
Yeah. Well, okay,
give me some further guidance on this.
Cam just told me
that he's never understood Christmas.
So you claim neither do you anymore.
Right, but that's-- that's not the point.
The point is that he's never said that.
He never said it a year ago.
He's never said it ever.
And...
Well, isn't this supposed to be all like déjà vuish?
Aren't people supposed to be saying
the same things they said last year,
and then I get a chance to respond differently and fix things?
Okay.
I see the problem here.
What we need is a basic physics lesson
before we proceed with your Christmas redo.
Physics?
Yes.
It's something called
the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle,
which says that the very act of observing something
inherently changes it.
( gasps ) Okay.
So I can't violate the laws of physics,
other than time travel.
You got it. Heh heh heh.
Okay, but so how am I supposed to know what's gonna happen next
if everything is happening differently
than I remember it the first time?
I know, right?
Those guys in "Groundhog Day" had it easy.
( chuckles )
( sighs )
Come on!
$5 for whoever can catch me.
You'll never catch me.
♪ I'm the king of toys, I'm the king of toys ♪
- ♪ Can't catch me. ♪ - ( giggling )
Sorry, Cam. I got distracted.
Oh, hey, uh...
- Sorry. - Let me help you.
Ali, look...
( sighs ) I know...
that you are a big stickler
for holiday tradition, okay? Yes.
But I was just wanting to give you
your big present, um, early,
not Christmas morning, but instead tonight.
Before you say anything,
I just feel like it would be
a lot more romantic that way.
Big present.
I'm not answering any questions,
not giving you any hints.
Sure.
Whenever you want.
Whenever I want?
Did I-- this is coming
from the girl who last Christmas, I was eating,
remember, the 11th day of Christmas chocolate
on the ninth day of Christmas,
and you got so upset with me?
I didn't get upset.
I believe your exact words were,
"You wrecked Christmas."
Yeah, okay, that rings a bell.
You know what? But this is the new and improved,
more flexible Ali.
Well, I-- I like this new Ali.
You should keep her around.
That's the plan.
Oh, I'm thinking strawberries
and gorgonzola for the salad tomorrow.
Why don't we throw in some sunflower seeds, give it a little texture?
Ooh, I love that.
So how are things going at work, kitten?
Dad, I'm 30. I'm not a kitten anymore.
You'll always be my kitten.
You're gonna have to deal with that.
( laughs )
- Things are good. - Good.
Oh, I got a promotion.
I- I'm up for a promotion for project manager,
- which I'm gonna get. - Of course you are.
You're the strongest architect they got.
Spoken like a true brother.
So, Jason, how are things going in Singapore
and Taipei and Guatemala?
The same as always.
I'm living out of a hotel,
eating at restaurants every night.
( sighs ) Sounds like heaven, actually.
Well, after a few years, it wouldn't.
Want to bet?
I have rarely seen two people
that excited about fruit.
Oh, I can't take it anymore. I'm hiding.
I'm waiting for Dad and Jason to get back from their bourbon run.
A likely story. You're a jukebox junkie.
I'm here to intervene.
Heh heh. Picking up food for the family?
Ah, for me.
I just live a healthy walk from here.
Oh, wow. When you said you weren't gonna
leave the neighborhood, you meant it literally.
I leave, sometimes.
My gym, it's all the way across town.
( laughs )
And I like this neighborhood.
It was good enough for us to grow up in.
Dad said that you have
the biggest contracting company around these days.
We're doing okay.
Got 20 employees, twice as many when we're busy.
Why? You looking for work?
You know what? I'm actually really handy with a lug wrench.
Yeah?
What is a lug wrench?
Ohh! I was hopeful for a sec.
- Mm. - Actually, we do a lot
of decorating for the holidays.
You would be stunned how much sane people will spend
on a little professional Christmas cheer.
Oh, I live with Cam.
I got over the shock of what fools spend a long time ago.
Well, you'll see some of my work at the club tonight.
- Yeah? - I would love your opinion.
If I can pass the Ali "Miss Christmas" Pennebaker test,
I'll know I've made it.
Mmm. What'd I miss so far?
Ah, we were just discussing Ali's skills with a lug wrench.
Mm. The only tool that Ali really is familiar with is me.
Little hard on yourself there.
Tell me you weren't already thinking it, though.
Can't do that.
Nick was just telling me about his business.
Mm, construction, right?
You build houses and stuff.
Actually I was just telling Ali
that big chunk of our work right now
is decorating for the holidays.
Quite the picture, huh?
Bunch of big, burly construction guys
hanging tinsel for the holidays.
It's cute.
Big, burly construction guys like Christmas
just as much as the next guy.
Brian: Hey, everyone!
Sorry it took us so long,
but we settled on the Wibberly's.
It's the bourbon of kings,
really, really cheap kings.
Well, I didn't hear you offer to pay for it.
- No, you didn't. - No.
Okay, finally. Come on. Take these.
- Really? Really? - We gotta go.
Let's get the groceries home.
So we'll find you at the club in a couple hours, yes?
Just follow the tinsel.
The little black dress was invented for you.
Heh. Yeah. I wish.
Quiet now.
I know what I'm talking about.
Oh, God.
( sighs ) I've missed this so much.
What, since yesterday?
( chuckles )
Okay, I-- damn, I guess I'm that good.
No arguments here.
You know, it's really a shame
that you look this beautiful tonight.
It's gonna be really rough on Nick.
What are you talking about?
Nick doesn't care what I'm wearing.
Clearly the guy has a thing for you.
Cam, you think everybody has a thing for me.
Most of them do. I can't blame them,
but don't tell me that you can't see the way he looks at you
with those pathetic little puppy-dog eyes.
Oh, come on.
That's so mean
and not even true.
Okay. All right, I'm off base then.
Yes!
Growing up across the street from each other,
our parents best friends,
Nick was like a second brother.
Got it.
Seriously, I don't even think
he thinks of me as a girl.
I think that dress will do the trick.
( sighs )
Should I change?
I think I've got some shapeless footsie pajamas
somewhere around here.
Deflecting with humor,
you do that. Should I feel jealous now?
Whoa. Suddenly I'm in charge of your feelings?
I was just asking you a question.
If I weren't in the picture,
would you be interested in the, uh, local handyman?
( sighs ) Why are we even talking
about hypothetical questions?
Why are you dodging my hypothetical questions?
No! Okay?
The answer is no.
I am here with you,
where I have dreamed about being for the last--
for a very long time.
Whatever would have happened with me and Nick
would have happened or wouldn't have happened a long time ago,
so seriously, you need to let this go, okay?
We all have options. That's all I'm saying, okay?
I-- I could have patched things back up with Antoinette.
- Your ex? - She dropped her rebound guy
a month after you and I got together.
I could have looked her up, I could have called her,
but I didn't want to be rude to you.
Rude to me?
So good manners is what kept you
from dumping me for your ex-girlfriend?
You know that's not what I meant.
Well, is Antoinette still on the market? You should call her up,
wish her a merry fricking Christmas for all I care.
I'm gonna walk away
before I say something I regret.
Before?
It sounds like Cam is having an important phone call.
( sighs ) I, uh--
I gather you two had words.
Why can't he just be calling his mom? It's Christmas Eve.
Uh, honey, it sounded like he said, "This was a train wreck,"
but it could have been, "Merry Christmas." I...
( laughs ) I don't eavesdrop
as well as I used to. Sorry.
( sighs ) He's jealous of Nick.
Nick? Talented, successful,
nicest guy you could meet.
Heck, I'm even jealous of Nick, so...
No, Dad, this was different.
This was a part of Cam that I don't recognize from before.
From before what?
Okay, look, Cam has a jealous streak. Most guys do.
But over a person I've never even dated?
Honey, jealousy is not unusual
and unheard of in a relationship. You know that.
Usually it just-- it just passes.
I know. I just can't figure out why now
and why Nick.
Because you and Nick have a history that Cam wasn't a part of,
and he's never met this Ali,
and he's not sure what to expect from her.
How can he not know what to expect?
We've dated for five years.
I know, I know, but I've always had the feeling
that Cam's been a little insecure around here in your world,
and maybe this is just a part of that.
Hmm. It's hard to imagine Cameron
feeling insecure about anything.
He's only human, sweetheart.
I mean, we all go squirrelly about something, right?
Even you?
Oh, yeah, especially me.
Come on. Help me cheat on my diet.
- No, Dad... - Hmm?
you don't understand.
Cam and I never had this fight.
Honey, just because he hasn't said it out loud
doesn't mean he hasn't been thinking of it.
Just, you know, be honest with him.
I mean, Nick's never been on your romantic radar. Simple.
I'm scared to even say Nick's name
- at this point. - Oh.
Have you guys seen Cam out there
having some kind of emotional meltdown on the phone?
Jason, this is not the time, okay?
He's really got his undies in a bunch.
Oh, wait. Bet he wears a thong.
You're one to judge, Mr...
Giorgio Armani.
Al, I wear nice suits to work.
I don't feel the urge to match my skinny jeans
to my vintage chambray shirt with retro timepiece.
I--I don't know what most of those words mean, so...
We know, Dad.
You know what? I think I finally understand
why you and Cam don't get along.
You guys are so much alike.
If I ever turn into that guy, somebody smack me
until you get tired of smacking me,
and then switch hands, and keep on smacking.
( laughs )
All right, are we finally all ready to go?
We've been ready for a while now, Mom.
You know, when you're young,
you could just wash your face and throw some clothes on.
At my age, it takes a little more finesse to look this good.
Well, the finesse is worth the effort.
- You look great, Mom. - Oh, thank you, honey,
but I didn't get you the Tesla this year again.
What?
That's it. I'm running away from home.
( laughing )
You think you're so funny.
Because I am funny. Mom, ask around.
Oh, and I saw Cam out there. What's happened to him?
Oh, he got in a fight with Al, and now he's out there
crying on the phone to his mommy.
I wonder if she'll fly out here and burp him for us.
Alison, what did you do to the boy?
What did I do?
Well, I know how you get,
and he's very sweet.
Mom, have you actually met
Al's boyfriend Cameron?
I'll introduce you when he's done snivel--
Just finishing up some business.
Don't we have a party to get to?
♪ ...the hills we go, laughing all the way ♪
♪ Bells on bobtails ring ♪
♪ Making spirits bright ♪
♪ What fun it is to ride and sing ♪
♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪
♪ Jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh ♪
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪
♪ Jingle all the way... ♪
Oh, I see the Laemmles.
Oh, yeah.
And I see the bar.
Dad, how 'bout I buy the first round?
Well, music to my ears, sir. Lead the way.
We need to talk.
Let's just get through this here,
and we'll talk about it back home later.
Just promise me that I'm not gonna have to hang out
with your buddy Nick all night.
Well, that might be tough,
because my family sits with his, too,
always have.
Wonderful.
I'm gonna go get a drink.
♪ See the blazing Yule before us... ♪
Two thirsty gentlemen,
apparently have some catching up to do.
Cameron, can my son buy you a drink, sir?
Excuse me?
Clearly my father's generosity
exceeds his judgment.
♪ While I tell of Yuletide treasure ♪
♪ Fa la la, la la, la la, la la ♪
If I were Cam, I would not leave my girlfriend alone
at a party full of eligible bachelors.
Oh, eligible bachelors, you say.
If you can find another man here,
besides you, who is under 50,
single, and not twice divorced,
I'll give you a hundred bucks.
Hey, being over 50 and divorced a couple times
is not gonna stop them hitting on you.
Many still have enough money to give 50% of their stuff
to a third future ex-wife.
Oh, gosh, you make it sound so romantic.
Hi. I'm Samantha. I'll be your bartender.
I'm Jason. I'll be your designated drinker.
- Ah, good one. - Thanks.
And Mom thinks I'm not funny.
Hmm, imagine that. Heh heh.
Actually, I was just being polite.
I get that designated drinker line
about three times a shift.
( Brian laughs )
You got me. I'm a hack.
So you want to just get out of here?
You're cute.
( both laugh )
When you can steal a sec,
I'll have a elderflower martini, please.
Ha! Not here, you won't.
Okay.
Uh, how 'bout something local then,
shot and a beer.
You got it, Harvard.
Cameron, so nice of you
to climb off your high horse
to join us simple folk down here.
Tell me something, Jason.
What is it that is bothering you so much about me?
What, do you want a list, telegraph, PowerPoint presentation?
I want to take you for a little walk,
just you and me. How 'bout that?
Boys, don't make me come over there.
I see Cam is finally bonding with the Pennebaker men.
You don't hate Cam, do you?
I don't hate anyone, Al.
- I don't want to date him. - Well, that's not what I meant.
Or hang out with him or really talk to him
- ever again. - Okay, question withdrawn.
( laughs )
Well, what about you?
Last time I talked to my parents,
they said you were dating a yoga instructor.
Pilates. Um, no,
we broke up around Halloween.
Well, any eligible bachelorettes here tonight?
I'm actually hiding from my parents,
who are desperate to introduce me to Lila, the local veterinarian.
Ooh, family fix-ups.
I'm sure Lila's fine,
but I'm at the point where I want there
to be the possibility of it going somewhere,
and I want it to be undeniable on both sides.
Yeah, but even still, how can you be sure?
I don't know, but suddenly
I don't want to waste any more time.
I know that seems weird to someone like you.
Don't be so sure.
I'm rehabbing this old house at the edge of the old neighborhood,
big backyard and a basketball hoop in the driveway,
and it just hit me.
I'm ready for the person who's ready for that.
That sounds nice, Nick, truly.
Al, where do you find these guys?
Cam just ordered a elderflower martini, elderflower.
Yeah, but have you ever had an elderflower martini?
I'm sorry. I'm still reeling from someone
who's more pretentious about alcohol than myself.
It's good to see you, Jase.
Good to see you, too.
This place looks amazing. This is great.
Thank you. I charged them plenty for it, trust me.
Oh, and we're still doing our same deal, right?
Everything is split 50/50?
Hey, send me an invoice. Just don't hold your breath.
Ha ha. I see a party foul.
Those hands are empty,
Let's fill 'em up with some drinks.
Right this way, sir.
You heard the man.
Have fun.
( laughing )
It's Christmas. What can I say?
Pardon me. May I have this dance?
Oh, what a nice offer.
- Oh, yes. Whoops! - Why don't you spin?
Hey, hey, hey.
I'm gonna take you this way.
( laughing )
Now if I could only romance your daughter the way that I can you.
I know.
I feel like I'm pretty charming.
You are charming, I think.
( music playing )
I didn't mean to ruin your night.
I know how much you love Christmas Eve.
I don't care that it's Christmas Eve.
I just don't like it when we fight.
Everybody fights sometimes, Ali.
You know, in 30 years,
I've never seen my parents fight once.
( laughs )
Yeah, well, they fight, all right,
They were just going at it this morning about how your mom
wants to turn the den into a professional pottery studio.
What, Mom does pottery?
Not yet, but if she had the studio...
( sighs )
I'm sorry that I overreacted, Ali.
There's nothing between me and Nick.
I know.
You're my present
and, I hope, my future.
I don't know what it is about that guy.
Just I see the two of you together,
and it just bugs me.
And I know I shouldn't feel insecure or threatened
by the bricklayer who wants 3.2 kids
and a tacky aboveground pool in his backyard.
Basketball hoop.
I know you're not interested in changing diapers
and baking brownies for the PTA meetings, so...
What does that mean?
I just--That's what those women are all about.
You know, they revolve around school lunches and carpooling
and driving the snot-nosed kids to and from field trips.
Wait. You don't want--
You don't like kids?
I didn't say that.
I--I don't dislike kids.
I just, uh--
I like my handwoven eggshell rug, right.
How long's that gonna hold up
with grubby little baby fingers?
But we agreed--I mean, I thought we agreed
that we would wait five years and then have kids?
We agreed that we would talk about a change
if we were bored with our lifestyle
and the travel and everything.
Oh, I thought that we would wait five years
and then have kids, not just talk about it.
Alison, I thought we were on the same page about this.
I--I didn't think you were cut out for this kind of thing.
Not cut out?
Yeah, look, you have one life that you live,
and you're gonna waste it raising babies?
I mean, that's-- that's not who we are. We're adventurers.
We get out.
We want to be wandering down La Rambla at 4 A.M.
That's-- That's who we are.
Okay, La Rambla, that was an amazing vacation,
but, Cameron, at some point--
Look, let's talk about this later, all right?
Let's--Your mom sent me out here
to let you know that they're gonna be serving dinner,
and I wanted to come out here and just--
just tell you I'm not mad anymore.
I mean, I know it's--
it's been a rotten night so far,
but I promise you
there's a cute little present with your name on it
in your very near future,
and it's--it's gonna fix everything.
All right, well, um, just--
I'll meet you at the table, okay?
I just need a second.
You're up, sister.
If I were you,
I'd light a match in there.
Not good.
You're one of the carolers?
Two years of voice at Juilliard.
Had to drop out 'cause this gig wasn't covering my tuition.
Stop it. Ginny, this is terrible.
Tell me about it.
The tall one's only moving her lips!
You did not come back in time to sing "Deck the Halls"
at my parents' country club.
I'm trying to convince them
to turn me loose on "Good King Wenceslas,"
something with some bite!
( singing "Good King Wenceslas" )
♪ King Good Wenceslas on a throne ♪
♪ On a crisping evening ♪
Okay, clearly I'm doing something wrong
for you to be back so soon.
I didn't show up 'cause you messed up.
I'm just trying to help you stay on task here.
Well, some task.
That's life, though.
You push down one lumpy section of eggshell rug,
another pops right back up.
Cam doesn't want kids.
Not everyone does.
Preferring to sleep in Sundays
on thousand-thread-count sheets instead of coaching soccer
doesn't make him a bad guy.
I know. You're right.
But if you want kids and he doesn't,
now that's a problem
even nongrubby little hands won't fix.
( sighs )
Really?
You've been together five years.
You didn't discuss wanting kids earlier?
Well, I don't know. I guess we just talked around it.
I mean, I always knew I wanted kids.
I just assumed that Cam did, too.
Right, 'cause we know all good relationships
are based on assumptions, not communicating.
Hey, we talk plenty, okay?
We've just been more concerned with business-class upgrades
and gastropubs,
p-parasailing.
So, why suddenly bring up children?
I don't know.
I guess just talking to Nick.
Nick does seem to be causing a lot of romance trouble
for someone who you think of as a brother.
I thought this was about my overreaction to some stupid present.
Ali, think.
Would the chance to travel in time
and redo the past
be wasted on something as simple as that?
( strings playing "Jingle Bells" )
- ( taps glass ) - Oh, I'm loving it.
Tonight I have a very special gift
for a very special woman.
No, not you, Robin,
although you are very special,
and I do have a gift for you, but--
Oh, never a doubt.
( laughs )
Want to guess what it is?
Framed photo of yourself?
No, you'd never go for one that small.
Jason.
Open it. Open it.
They're boarding passes.
First-class, Aspen.
Wait. These say that we leave tomorrow morning.
- Mm-hmm. - Christmas morning.
Mom, did you know about this?
Are you okay with this?
Well, Cam asked before he booked it,
and--and I gave him our blessing.
Honey, we always love having you with us,
but we wouldn't want to hold you back
from a fabulous trip like this.
- Our blessing. Hmm. - Mine, ours, same difference.
We--We agreed
that since this was the first Christmas
that my brother could make it back for in years,
that we'd spend it with my family.
Well, we have.
Uh, I mean, and it's been fantastic.
It--It really has.
But this gives us an opportunity to go on
another vacation for Christmas
together just you and I.
I know how--how you all have a tradition
where you exchange gifts the morning.
I do know you,
and I know you don't like surprises,
so this gives you an opportunity to pack.
Instead of spending Christmas Eve with my family
or sleeping.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy, tiger. It's--
It's Aspen. It's gonna be fun.
It's got a supereasy vibe.
You'll see. You'll like it.
To be honest, I have no idea
how we haven't made it out there
and seen the Rockies by now anyway.
Oh, just too many other places, I guess.
Well, I've always wanted to see Aspen.
Heh heh.
So, anybody want some coffee, tea, dessert?
( laughing )
So just so you know, I tried to fit in
a walk to Santa's Corner today,
but our agenda was a little bit too busy.
And since you're going to Aspen tomorrow morning,
we are not gonna have time
to see the Christmas clock reset this year.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
That's okay. It's silly it took me
this long to outgrow that tradition anyway.
Uh-uh. Uh-uh. It's not silly.
No, I love it that you always wanted to go there
the day after Christmas to see the clock reset.
You always said it made you feel good
knowing that even though the holiday was over,
it was only 364 days left until it came back around.
I was such a dork as a kid.
But an adorable one. Heh heh.
There's nothing wrong with embracing
your inner dork as an adult.
Dork chic was so two years ago, Dad.
Uh-uh. Mm-mm.
Oh, also, Nick's, uh, company
is taking over the decorations this year,
so I thought you'd want to check it out.
I'm sure it's gonna be amazing.
I'm sorry I have to miss it.
Yeah? Yeah, you sure about that?
'Cause I don't think you're all that interested
in the whole holiday thing this year.
Is it that obvious?
Hey, I'm your dad.
Cam and I, we're fine.
Wait a second, I didn't ask how you and Cam were.
I guess I'm just starting to see things differently.
Mm, okay. All right.
Well, not too differently, I hope,
because my Al, you are made
of the best stuff in the world.
There's so much food.
You get that Cam and I aren't gonna be here to eat it all, right?
Well, that's why I switched the Christmas brunch
to a Christmas breakfast with everybody instead of brunch.
Oh, great, so this doesn't work on any level.
Is there anything else I can do to help
before I turn in for the night?
No, I think Ali and I have everything handled.
Yeah. You've been a peach.
Okay. Well, I guess I'll go to bed.
It's gonna be an exciting day tomorrow.
( chuckles ) Mm-hmm.
Night.
Good night.
I just think the world of that guy.
I know you do, Mom.
Yeah, I look at him, and I just see
this bright, shiny future for the two of you.
Mom, Cam doesn't want kids.
Yeah, that doesn't surprise me.
You're not disappointed?
I mean, Jason's not gonna stay in one place
long enough to have a family.
Aren't you worried you won't have grandkids?
Well, I don't know if you know this, honey,
but having kids is a giant pain in the rear.
Mom.
No, no, don't get me wrong.
I mean, you guys weren't that much trouble.
Oh, gee, thanks.
No, it's just that there's a lot of drudgery,
and--and it's kind of boring,
and Cam is not into boring.
Well, that's true.
Yeah, I mean, some people
are just made for a brighter, shinier life,
and you and your brother have always been on that track.
You never thought I'd have kids?
Not really, no. When you were 18,
you headed out of town for the big city and never looked back,
and I was proud.
I was happy you weren't gonna settle down
with a local like Nick and have babies.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. What's wrong with Nick?
Well, Nick's a very sweet guy, and he'll find
a meek, sweet, little girl, but that's not you.
- Well, I know. I-- - I mean, that's why when he came to me
during your senior year and he asked me
if I thought you'd go out with him if he mentioned that, and I said no.
I'm sorry. What?
Well, I said that you didn't think of him that way,
and he thanked me and said
please don't mention that we had the conversation.
And you're mentioning it now because?
Because it doesn't matter anymore.
You've got Cam, and you're happy,
and besides, you didn't think of Nick that way anyway.
Mom, I don't know. Maybe I would've
if I knew that he thought of me like that.
And watch you derail all your plans?
- ( laughs ) - Okay, I know.
I know everyone says parents shouldn't meddle in things,
but I couldn't help it.
Well, that's terrible.
That's parenting, Ali.
Those are the tough decisions we make
because we think we know what's best for our kids.
Well, don't you think I had a right to know how he felt about me?
Do you really think you would've been happy
stuck in this town, the wife of a contractor?
Well, I guess we'll never know, will we?
But don't we?
( laughs )
( sighs )
So you're really going to Aspen in the morning?
Cam spent a lot of money on this trip,
and you heard Mom and Dad. They want me to go.
That's not what they said, Al.
It is. I was listening.
Mom said she gave Cam permission to bail early.
Doesn't mean anyone's glad to see you go.
And who's gonna do our tradition
of taking shots of peppermint schnapps at midnight?
What are you talking about? That's not a tradition.
Well, I was planning on making it one,
but fine.
Deprive Mom of another holiday tradition
to stress her out.
Can't you just admit that you don't want to go?
What are you talking about?
Of course I want to go.
It's Aspen.
Throwing clothes around the room. Slamming suitcases.
My mistake.
You seem overjoyed.
Shh. Cam might hear you.
Trust me, a Michael Bay movie
could be playing in here,
and he wouldn't be able to hear it
through his solar-powered hot-mist humidifier
and industrial-grade earplugs. Ooh.
Ooh.
Why do you make fun of him all the time?
Because I don't think he's right for you.
I never have.
Well, what do you know?
I see you, like, twice a year for a few days,
and the other times, you're sending me
weird-flavored potato chips and...
- ( laughs ) - some gelatinous thing
that was not delicious, by the way.
Oh, you weren't supposed to eat that.
Why? What was it?
It is so good that you don't know.
( laughing )
Also, thank you for not pointing out
that my advice-giving credentials
include me not dating anyone for an entire year.
Well, I still might. It depends on your advice.
I really lowered the bar on what I consider a date.
At this point,
a pat-down from airport security counts.
But I--I know a bad relationship when I see one.
I've had enough of 'em.
You don't like Cam, but everybody else
thinks that we're pretty perfect together.
You don't.
I mean, sure, you and Cam like a lot of the same things,
but when he looks at you,
sometimes I wonder if--if he sees you
or just another one of his things.
Yeah, you're not the only one
in this room who's wondering.
Traveling, I meet a lot of people like Cam.
He's not a bad guy. He just--
He wants to spend his life eating wild boar and drinking expensive wines
at a party that never ends.
And he just moved the party to Aspen.
There you go.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing, but that's his whole life,
all of it, uh, not a part of,
and there's just not room for much else.
He said it earlier.
He would consider the life I have heaven.
And, Al, the life I have on the road traveling
is--is shallow and lonely,
because the people I love the most aren't in it.
I miss you, too, Jason.
That's why it was so huge for me to come back this year.
You know, earlier,
when you and Cam had that argument,
I was really hoping he'd do something idiotic like break up with you.
That's not nice.
I just-- I want you to be free
to experience that real kind of love in your life.
I mean, at least one of us should.
Well, yeah. What you need is a job
that keeps you in one place for longer than six months.
Glad you think so.
What?
Can you keep a secret?
( scoffs ) No.
All right, well, keep this one.
I just put my notice in at work.
What?
In two weeks,
I will officially be among the unemployed.
Get out of here.
Yeah, just goofing around with those kids at the club,
uh, for the first time, I saw so clear
the life I've been looking for,
and I'm never gonna get that
unless I jump off this hamster wheel I've been on.
Wow, that's huge.
I'm so proud of you.
What are you gonna do?
Have fun. Have a life.
I don't--I don't know.
I haven't figured it out yet, but I will.
So will you.
- ( gasps ) - Oh, Ali.
You scared the hell out of me.
I didn't know Santa scared so easily on Christmas Eve.
Well, that time at the North Pole just messes with your brain.
What's up? Is everything okay over there?
Yeah, sure. I just wanted to come talk,
saw you were still up.
Well, if we stay here, my folks are gonna
invite you in and make hot chocolate.
- Kind of sounds nice. - No, no,
that hot chocolate comes with a side of guilt-trip.
And they don't even tip a little rum in it to take the edge off.
( both laugh )
Let's get out of here.
I was surprised to see you up at 2 A.M.
I always loved waking up there on Christmas morning.
You know, my parents worked so hard
to bring Santa to me as a kid,
so I just-- I don't...
I like to do the same to them as an adult.
Well, bringing Christmas magic is your day job.
You do know I'm not actually Santa, right?
So, uh, what time do you fly tomorrow?
Actually, later today.
Let me be the first to officially wish you a Merry Christmas.
Back at you.
Al, it was tough to see you so sad tonight,
especially on what's always been
your favorite night of the year.
It's not sadness, really.
It's--
I don't know what it is.
Well, whatever you call it,
you want to see something that should make it feel all better?
Yes.
All right, follow me.
You all set?
I've been set. Hit it.
( "Joy to the World" plays )
What do you think?
It's fantastic.
It's like you were born to do this.
What, born to decorate?
Is that a compliment?
Definitely.
My dad was right. This is amazing.
The local kids must've freaked.
Well, it's one of the bonuses of the job,
that and the wads of cash.
So now that I have improved the lighting,
how 'bout telling me why you came looking for me tonight?
I didn't come looking for you. I just--
I saw you across the street bringing in the presents, and...
Well, you didn't come across the street
to talk to me in the middle of the night
on Christmas Eve without a reason.
Do friends need reasons?
Well, Al, we haven't really been friends for years.
I mean, we're not even fake Facebook friends.
Yeah.
So, no, while not everyone
would need a reason, I think you would.
I guess I wanted to see if it was true
that you wanted to ask me out senior year.
Ho. Your mom told you.
Yep, she finally dragged it out of herself.
Yeah, I had it pretty bad for you back then.
Everybody knew.
Not me.
What my mom said was true.
I thought of you like a brother.
Ouch. ( laughs )
I mean, I appreciate that you use past tense,
but that doesn't make that any easier to hear.
I get that.
Is that what this is about, you coming to find me?
Honestly, I don't know.
No idea about--about Cam?
About any of it.
I thought he was it,
but after I broke up with him--
Wait. You broke up?
We broke up, like, a year ago, okay?
And I thought that I made this huge mistake,
that I threw away something great.
So you took him back?
Well, went back.
Right.
So now you're the happy couple I saw tonight,
which is why we're standing here at 2 A.M.
You know, and then my mom starts talking about senior year,
and I start thinking about roads not taken.
Don't you want to go back to a time
when things were just simpler,
you know, when we knew what was gonna happen next?
We didn't know what was gonna happen.
We were just young and stupid enough to think we did.
Ali, I don't think the answer you're looking for
has much to do with me.
What?
I'd like to think that I'm more than just a distraction
and some tool for you to figure out what you really want.
Wow, okay,
that's not harsh.
Okay, tell me it's not true.
So what, Nick, am I the only one
feeling this connection here?
Well, we're not gonna figure it out
while you're still so unsure about everything
and definitely not while you're living with a guy
that you're not even sure you like.
Wow, okay. No, you're right.
I guess whatever I thought we had was just in my head.
No, that's-- that's not what I meant.
You know what? I should get some sleep.
Ali, I'm sorry that sounded harsh.
No, Nick, it sounded real.
You should go on that family fix-up.
Lila? How did she come into this?
Good night.
Well, hold on.
I have to power down the display.
You know what? I'll be fine. I'm gonna walk.
( crying )
Ginny.
Ginny, I need you.
Some help, you are.
Big day today, huh?
You believe that this time tomorrow,
we're gonna be strapping on skis?
Now that, that is a Christmas vacation.
So what's this been?
This? Uh,
obligatory family visit, I guess.
I mean, I--I get it.
You gotta keep the folks happy, blah-blah-blah,
but I got the get out of jail free card.
Okay, yeah, see, I--
Cam, I wanted to be here,
not because I feel obligated,
but because I love these people,
and I don't get to see enough of them.
And that's how I'm playing it, too.
Now, come on. Let's go get through breakfast,
and we'll get our stuff and get out of here.
I don't want to go with you, Cam.
Of course you do.
We're practically the same person,
basically share the same brain.
We like to travel. That's what we do.
I've been waiting months
to be in one place with my whole family,
and if you can't see that,
then we're definitely not the same person,
not even close.
Is this about our fight last night?
Because I said I was sorry.
No, you said you weren't mad anymore.
There's a difference?
Alison, just talk to me.
I thought you were gonna propose, all right?
What? When?
Last night at the club, the little box,
the one that was supposed to fix everything,
I thought it was gonna be an engagement ring,
not a plane ticket out of here.
I had no idea that you thought that.
I know you didn't, Cameron.
That's the problem.
So don't say you're sorry,
because I'm not looking for an apology. I'm just--
I'm trying to give you a sense of where we are here.
No, let me get a sense of something here.
You and marriage,
a futile alliance of two families.
Okay, so let me make sure I understand this.
First, you don't want to have children,
and now you don't believe in marriage?
Of course I believe in it. I believe it exists,
It's been around since the dawn of mankind.
I mean, cavemen were just as nuts as the modern man.
That's not what I'm saying. You know what I'm saying.
My point is, is that you don't want to get married.
I don't want a piece of paper dictating our relationship.
It's a commitment, a partnership,
It's-- It's a promise of love.
Human beings are serial monogamous, okay?
This happily-ever-after scam
is a bill of goods sold to us by society.
Cameron, stop coming up with lame,
pseudointellectual reasons for everything.
Just be honest.
You do not want to get married.
You do not want children.
I do not, okay?
I don't see a need for it,
but if it's something that is important to you, Alison,
of course I'd be willing to consider it.
I mean, I guess I could see us
with a couple of kids maybe backpacking through Peru, sure.
Do you even hear yourself?
I don't want you to be willing to have a kid with me.
And you can't just drag a toddler all the way around the world.
Yeah, there's a law against that somewhere?
I don't even know what you're saying anymore.
Will you just talk to me?
This isn't gonna work, is it?
This, meaning us?
Yes.
You're breaking up with me?
Am I?
I--I guess I am.
Wow, this is rich.
I was considering doing the same thing,
but I didn't.
No, I got us tickets to Aspen
as a last-ditch effort to save this relationship.
What was so broken about it that you couldn't talk to me?
Talk to you? When am I gonna talk to you?
All you ever do is work.
Yes, okay, I've been working more hours,
but I'm not always there, and I'm sorry.
I can't just walk out the door in the middle of the afternoon
when the New York market closes like you do.
Work to live, not live to work--
that's what you and I always said.
No, that's what you always said.
I just didn't disagree. I happen to love my job.
Yeah, you love your job so much
that you choose that and this--
this pie-in-the-sky relationship
antiquated ideal instead of me.
That's the thing, Cameron.
I shouldn't have to choose.
We should support each other's wants and needs.
Cam, do you love me?
Yeah.
"Yeah."
There's a sexy, confidence-inspiring word
every girl wants to hear.
Okay, all right, stop.
I'm gonna go inside, I'm gonna get my things,
and I'm gonna go to the airport,
and you can come with me, and if you don't,
then I guess this relationship can't be fixed.
Finally we agree on something.
You're just gonna throw it all away, is that it?
All the great years that we had for some holiday tinsel?
You really don't get me, do you?
Guess I don't.
I'm gonna go finish packing.
Oh, Ali, will you go tell Cam we're just about ready,
or your father is going to eat all the bacon.
- Stop. - I am not.
Mom, I--I don't think Cam--
( doorbell rings )
Who on Earth drops in on Christmas morning
when I'm putting breakfast on? Good heavens.
♪ Happy holidays to you ♪
♪ Merry Christmas from the zoo ♪
♪ To you and you and you and you ♪
♪ Happy holidays-- ♪
I'm sorry. I--I don't think we ordered an ape.
Gorilla-gram for Ali.
It's a Christmas present from her boss.
Wow, Ali, your boss is a freak.
Uh, honey, I--I don't want to interrupt your--your present,
but just a reminder. We need to get you
to the airport in about an hour.
Cam's going to Aspen by himself.
What?
I'll be right back.
God, I hope she lets me tell Cam.
Where were you last night?
It was Christmas Eve.
I crashed a party. I'm here now.
In a gorilla suit?
A singing Christmas card? Really?
I'm running out of ways to keep people from asking me
questions I'm not allowed to answer.
Whatever, Ginny.
I needed you last night.
You wanted my help last night,
but you didn't need my help. Semantics.
( sighs ) You sound like Cam.
Lord, I hope not.
Okeydokey, you got an ex-boyfriend
that I need to take off your hands,
and I'm just the gorilla for the job.
Hold on.
My mother's gonna freak.
Look, it's gonna be okay, slugger.
The hard part's over.
Okay, look,
you brought me here to unmake this huge mistake,
and all I've done is make it worse.
What if breaking up with Cam
wasn't the thing you're back here to fix?
Yeah, I thought about Nick.
He's not interested.
That's not what he said.
I wanted Nick to fight for me,
not tell me that nothing is gonna happen.
Doll, he as much as told you that he has feelings for you.
You know what? What if I don't care how this turns out?
What if I just want to see where my life might take me?
Now, that's deep.
Now we can proceed.
Let's go.
Yeah, the gorilla suit,
it's not helping me in there.
Alison,
honey, I don't understand what's going on.
Mom, I think the problem is you do.
You know what? I think you kids
just need to turn down the volume here, have breakfast.
Whatever's wrong, you can talk it out.
Okay, there's nothing wrong, Mom.
Cam and I, we just want different lives.
No, no, you don't!
You want adventure and romance!
Honey, did you say something
about turning down the volume, yeah?
( door opens )
Ali, don't go to Aspen.
I mean, I blew it last night,
and I want to answer your question again.
Nick, dear, this is not the ideal time for a drop-in.
Trust me. This is exactly the right time.
Right, and exactly the right time for us to butt out.
- But she needs to talk-- - Go, dear. Go, dear. Go.
Oh, Lord, will this Christmas never end?
Um, look, you-- you asked me last night
how I felt about you, and, I mean,
I wanted to explain so perfectly after all these years.
- No, you did. - No, I didn't,
because you ran off, and you were convinced
that I didn't have feelings for you.
Alison, I did then, and I do now,
and it's definitely not like a brother.
Um, I mean, I'm over there, right,
and I'm driving myself nuts.
And then it hits me.
This is about us.
I could care less about stepping between you and Cam.
Good news.
Now you don't have to.
Well, it's like she's 14 again,
you know, instead of an adult
whose life is finally starting to fit together.
Honey, you said it yourself.
They're not kids anymore.
They can make their own decisions.
Mm, the wrong ones?
( sighs ) Wrong for who, you?
Mm, yeah.
The kids were little.
I wasn't sure it was the right thing.
I mean, who knows, really?
What I know is that that's what made us us.
You know, we could've-- we could've blown out of this town years ago,
taken the jobs in the big city.
I would go anyplace on this Earth with you.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Try me, baby.
( chuckles )
How 'bout Aspen?
Think about that.
Oh, okay.
So guess I will see you back in the city
once I get back from Colorado?
Take your time.
I promise I'll be out by the time you get back.
Perfect.
No reason not to be civilized about this, right?
Take care, Cam.
I mean that.
You, too.
Good-bye, Ali.
Hey, don't.
No, you deserve a guy who knows that Aspen
is the last place you want to be on Christmas than with your family.
I know. It's just--
( sighs ) Why didn't my mom just tell me
you had feelings for me in high school?
It wouldn't have mattered.
I mean, back then, you probably would've
thought my life was kind of boring.
I was a stupid teenager.
Well, you're not a teenager now.
What do you want?
I want to get to know you as adults.
Man, am I glad I rolled the dice and came over here.
Me, too.
Here's to second chances.
Oh, it's a human candy cane.
Oh, give it a rest.
Oh, good morning, sunshine.
You said I could change things.
You promised.
No, I didn't.
I said sometimes people get second chances.
Yeah, well, I went back last night,
and I did everything differently.
And you broke up with Cam a second time.
I know, remember?
I was there, really cute gorilla suit.
You said that maybe that wasn't the point of the redo,
that maybe my mistake, it wasn't the breakup,
it was not noticing Nick.
It's your redo, Ali, not mine.
You tell me.
Well, I chose the right guy this time.
I chose the guy that was gonna make me happy.
I chose the guy who really knows who I am
and wants the same life that I do.
What went wrong?
Maybe nothing.
Maybe all of those things are still true.
But they're not.
I just got a Christmas card from Nick,
from Nick and Lila.
Yeah, the girl he wasn't interested in,
the girl that I told him to date.
I even screwed that up.
( groans )
Should I call a coroner?
Oh, she's not dead.
Can you get me some ketchup?
Sure.
Thanks, sexy.
Nick. Nick.
( sighs ) Stupid Lila.
Hey, Al.
- Nick. - There you are.
Where were you?
I ran out to get you a Christmas latte.
Oh, thank God.
Well, it's just a grande.
It's not a venti.
But you're...
so thoughtful.
No, I just know what you're like
before you get your coffee.
Here. Come on. We gotta hustle up
if we're gonna make it to the old neighborhood
in time to wrap presents at the club.
Right.
Sorry. It's been a weird morning.
Well, maybe you can tell me about it
on that long ride up to your parents' place.
And, you know how I hate when you go out without your ring.
Men hit on you. Boys hit you.
Babies hit on you.
I saw this sitting on the sink
by the dishes on my way out,
so I thought I'd just take it for safekeeping.
Boy, I never get tired of doing that.
Merry Christmas, Al.
Merry Christmas, Nick.
Yo, shake a leg.
Stagecoach leaves now with or without you.
Ali, he's your brother.
Now tell me is there an off switch someplace?
Uh, no.
You're welcome to check, though.
I will.
All right, come on. Let's go.
( laughs )
( calypso music playing )