Mm.
oh, thank god
you brought food.
barely enough to feed
this house anymore.
where's Daphne?
she's in
the living room.
she's kind of a...Mess.
is Diana sleeping?
I just put her down,
and she's taking a nap,
but, uh, Charlie,
should I serve dinner?
'cause there's a lot
of hungry people
around here
all of a sudden.
claud, it's
not going to work,
ok?
no amount of
good deeds is going
to fix what you did.
no, Charlie,
that's not what--
now, if you want
to make it right,
you should
get on the phone
and call Hanover
and beg them
to take you back
after Christmas.
forget it, Charlie.
I'm not going
back there, so...
if you want to be mad
at me till the millennium,
that's fine.
what are you
talking about,
a lot of people?
we're not
a lot of people.
Oh, you're home. Um--
it's ok.
i--i got the baby.
just relax.
go out, do whatever
you want. I mean,
if you're not
up to it,
you're not up to it.
this came off the chair
from your room.
les thought it was
a recliner, so we...
forced it a little.
oh.
chairs ought
to have a label
or something
so this
don't happen
to people.
mom! You better not
have been unpacking.
I told you
not to unpack until
I talked to Charlie.
you're...you're
Daphne's mom?
I'm--I'm
Charlie salinger.
Doreen jablonsky.
such a pleasure.
and this is
Lester perch, my...
well,
my very good friend.
nice to
meet you.
how are you?
good.
if I can just get
that remote there,
little lady.
thank you.
they don't have
to stay, you know.
we didn't invite them
or anything.
as soon as I heard
that Diana was born,
I just--i just had
to get over here
and meet my little
grandchild.
they just
sort of showed up
out of nowhere.
are you kidding me?
it's Christmas, Daphne,
and she's your mother
and your family.
of course they'll stay--
fine.
then they can stay
in the attic
or the garage.
they'll stay
in our room.
we'll--we'll
sleep with the baby.
such a gentleman.
you know what?
this is the way
it should be.
the holidays.
really. Grandparents,
grandkids, I mean,
a house full of family...
I mean...
isn't this the way
it should be?
♪ Everybody wants to live ♪
♪ like they wanna live ♪
♪ and everybody
wants to love ♪
♪ like they wanna love ♪
♪ everybody wants to be ♪
♪ closer to free-ee-ee ♪
♪ closer to free ♪
Christmas is
10 days, Julia.
10 days.
wow.
ned, but we
can see each other
over the break.
the drive's, what,
only 40, 50 minutes.
you're going to
want to be at home
with your sister
and the baby
and everyone.
I mean, the dorm,
they've already
turned off the heat.
you're not going
to want to visit.
wait.
you mean here?
you're not
going home?
I thought you knew that.
my poli sci paper
was due, like, yesterday,
and it's 5 points off
for every day late.
man...
so...
once I've missed Christmas,
I might as well stay
and start cramming
for finals.
ned, that's
so depressing.
well...
it's mainly
that I'm missing you
that bums me.
mm...
ok, you know what?
I don't care
if it bothers you.
I am calling you
every other minute,
day and night,
so you better never
leave the phone.
sure.
that's great.
never.
oh, gosh, grandma
to a great big new family!
what a hoot!
whoo! (Claps)
remember how you
used to love the zoo?
I hated the zoo, mom.
I used to cry
and beg you to leave.
you know,
les is a big softie.
wherever we go
anywhere,
first thing he wants
to do is just find
the baboons, you know,
and then just
laugh while they do
their business.
she's not nearly
old enough to go
to the zoo yet.
she's barely seeing colors.
well, what
about the snaps?
next year's Christmas card.
besides, I already
promised les.
mom!
I told you
a hundred times
not to light up
in front
of the baby!
what's the matter with me?
I forgot les' foamer.
I promised him a game beer
half a quarter ago,
and here I am,
babbling like a monkey.
you know what?
I'll get it.
no, no, I can get--
no, you two
stay and talk.
no, you--
I got it.
isn't he nice?
Listen, Charlie,
I know you're
still pissed about
the Claudia thing,
and I sort of
can't help but hear
from the shed
when you give her
hell.
well, try,
'cause it's really
none of your business.
if you'd have
just heard
what it was like
for her there, man,
maybe you would've--
no, I wouldn't.
I wouldn't have
just yanked her out
without telling anybody.
because now
the school is pissed,
and they might not
release her transcript,
which means that she might
have to take
the whole year
over again.
really?
yeah. Really.
so please don't tell me
when I can
or can't be mad
or how I should be
taking care of
my little sister,
'cause you know what,
Griffin?
you sleep here,
and you get your mail here,
but your sharing an address
doesn't make you family.
(Knock on door)
oh, man, it's cold
in here!
I think
it's actually colder
than it is outside.
Julia, I really, uh,
i--i can't right now.
if I could
just trouble you
for a kiss good-bye.
I'm in the middle
of something.
ok.
are you all right?
I'm fine.
I'm in trouble here.
what, w-with poli sci?
ned, come on,
if you get a "b",
that's 85 points
minus 10 for being late.
which brings me
to a "d" overall
when you average in
the midterm,
which makes
my g.P.A. 1.9,
which puts me on
academic probation.
wait...why did I...
I thought
you were doing ok.
I know. I just...
ah, I don't know
how to multitask
like you.
I mean, you spend
all this time
with me and...
then cram
and pull off as,
and me, I just...
I can't.
but, listen, go.
you know, I mean,
you--you should go.
no, i-I'm not.
I'm going to, uh--
you know what
I'm going to do?
I'm going to...
blow off dinner at home,
and I'm going
to spend the night
with you here,
and I'm
going to work
on your paper.
Julia, no.
and you're going to get
an "a," and you're going
to stay off probation,
and we're both
going to get to go home
and have Christmas.
I don't want you
to do this.
and I'm just going to
ask you for one thing.
in the future, don't
use me as an excuse
for not working,
'cause...
i--i don't want to...
feel guilty for spending
time with you.
ok?
and one more thing.
I'm going to insist
that we get a room
somewhere,
'cause icelandians
couldn't study
in this cold.
ok, so I don't want
to gloat or anything,
but this pencil holder
that I'm making
is actually going to be able
to hold pencils.
nice.
hey.
what's the matter,
owe?
you're not done with
Charlie's present yet.
yes, I am.
but it's
barely even...
it's not...
whatever it's
supposed to be.
is exactly what it is.
'cause, you know,
there is no good or bad
when you're making
a present,
so if Owen says
that it's done,
then it's done.
ok.
so what'd
you make there...
for Charlie?
what's your pile
of Clay
supposed to be?
a pile of Clay.
which is
completely fine.
because you made it
especially for
your brother,
and you had a lot
of fun doing it, right?
I know what
everyone's doing.
ok?
everyone's pretending.
like me staying over,
like it's all
some special treat.
but I know
why I'm still here.
it's 'cause
they don't want me back.
because of the baby.
that's all.
if she says "my oogie boogie
bastard grandchild"
one more time, I'm--
shh...
she can hear you.
good. I hope she does.
I hope
she hears me--
the baby.
and starts
packing-- you're going
to wake up
the baby.
and could you not
use your knees
for emphasis?
that's kind of a
tricky area there.
this is--
ow.
this is serious,
Charlie.
you don't know
what this does to me.
all this "I want
to be a family" crap?
since when?
since the last time
she called me, like,
half a year ago?
ok, so...
it's painful. I get that.
but you know what?
she's all we got.
I mean,
we haven't had a parent
or a grandparent
in this house
for, what...
6 years?
Charlie, she's just--oh.
she's not...
oh.
you know my first memory
of Christmas Eve as a kid?
I, uh...
I snuck downstairs
really late,
and I saw
this gray-haired guy
stuffing stockings,
and, uh,
for a second,
I thought for sure
he was Santa.
and then he turned around,
and of course
he was my dad's old man.
but...
I was almost as happy
that it was him,
because that's what
the holidays are about.
they're about
family getting together
and doing stuff
for each other.
and...
I want that for Diana.
you don't know her,
Charlie.
Daphne, she's here.
she exists, and she
wants to be here.
which...
frankly, we could
use some of that
around here.
Ok. Quick, while
he's in the bathroom,
let me show you.
Sarah, what are you
doing? We're late
for his rehearsal.
look, I know I said
whatever he made
for Charlie
was going to be fine,
but then I thought, why not
something nice instead?
so I stayed up and
I turned his pile of Clay
into an amazing
painted tree frog--
oh, my god...
is that
all the stuff...
how did...
did Owen...
Bailey, what
are you going to do?
I mean, you have to
say something to him.
you have to talk to him.
now?
when probably
the only reason
he did this
is because
he thinks his family
hates him?
maybe he needs it.
you know, maybe
he needs the attention.
no, not like this.
not on Christmas Eve.
there's got to be--
Bailey...
you want to say anything?
hey, champ.
you ready
for that rehearsal?
well, then wait for me
to get there, claud.
or get Charlie
to help you out.
I know. I miss you, too,
but I'll be there
soon, ok?
ok. Bye.
come here.
read this.
ok.
"world war ii was only that
after propaganda wars
were first..."
no, no, no.
if you want to Ace
this thing,
you got to--you
got to say something
more original.
like, um...
like the reason
isolationists lost
was because they...
followed their own
philosophy and
isolated themselves,
or--or something.
no. No, that's good.
that's perfect.
type that
before you forget it.
ok, start
pulling quotes.
and put down
the remote. No more
pay-per-view porno
till we're done.
hey, it's only soft-core,
and we never would've
stayed awake last night
without it.
ok, but I'm about
to write Stalin
into a 3-way,
so not now.
hey,
listen, um,
I just want you to know
that whatever
you're missing
at home right now...
you're saving my life.
ned, stop saying that.
'cause, really,
you're practically
doing me a favor.
day before Christmas,
swarming shopping malls
and tangled tree lights,
you know,
who needs that?
I'd much rather
relive world war ii.
hey, hey, hey,
come on,
wait, wait--
n-n-no--
no, we have to work.
Oh. Hi.
did you have something
to wash? I'm about
to run a load of whites.
you got it right there.
les' work pants.
try and fold it
on the crease.
right.
sorry.
do you mind if I ask you
a question, Charlie?
do you love
my little girl?
really?
yeah.
I do.
I definitely...
then why don't you
marry her?
give the girl a ring.
we kind of have
an understanding,
and, um...
it's complicated,
but it--
Kirsten: Charlie...
you have got to see
what she's doing.
you blow on her mouth
just a little,
and she makes
this most amazing
little fish face.
(chuckling)
hey. Have you seen
those old Christmas lights?
these are, like, dead.
they're over there
in the chest.
what are you
looking for?
some bike parts,
a new guitar
or something?
a new apartment,
actually.
what?
you mean...
Griffin.
well...
I think my job
is done here.
now that I've ruined
Julia's life and yours.
ruined?
look, Charlie told me
that you may be
having to stay back.
that is such bull.
I mean, I'd have to
write them a letter
saying
why I left and--
and how sorry I am.
I mean, it's--
I can't believe
he told you that.
I mean, he actually...
I'm going
to go find him
and talk to him--
Claudia, no,
don't. Please.
'cause you know what?
Charlie's right.
he, uh, he is.
I mean, what am I
doing here, really?
I mean, besides
saving money on rent.
I'm...
I'm not in this family.
Griffin--
this is
a good thing.
it is, because...
you know,
somebody had
to give me a push.
I mean, Julia,
she moved on.
so should I.
I mean, I should.
uh, how's that tail
coming back there?
I'm having
a lot of trouble
with the squiggle.
it won't stay
stuck out.
ok, kids?
could everyone
gather around, please,
for just a minute?
I first want to say
you guys are doing
a great job with your lines.
you are.
but we need to work on
what we're feeling
when you're
saying them,
ok?
he's the reason
Christmas spirit
is about giving
and about love.
that's why
we celebrate
the day this baby
was born.
you getting
this, bud?
can I go?
my costume's done.
the day this special
baby came,
the whole world changed.
you know what, Bailey?
you may want to--
no, no, no.
he should
hear this,
about this
special baby.
no! Let go!
ok, everybody back
in their places.
back in your places.
what was that?
Bailey,
a special baby?
one that changes
the world for people?
who does that
remind you of
if you're Owen?
oh, no...
this stupid spirit
of Christmas.
ned, turn it off.
I'm begging you.
why? You're on
the conclusion.
ohh...just mute it.
"so...
"therefore,
it denied...
the breast--"
"best."
"best nature of man,
a nature
that no mere border
could caress--"
nnnn...
"undress."
"repress."
there. We're finished.
ok, you can turn
the volume back
if you want--ha!
mm. Thank you.
merry Christmas.
oh, my god!
Christmas Eve!
my family.
what--i thought
you wanted--
uh, you wanted
to miss it.
are you kidding me?
if I get back now,
I can maybe avoid
my brother's
"all we have
is each other,
Julia" speech.
ok. Um, ok.
so, let me just
print this out,
then I'll catch
a ride back to
campus with you.
ok. Just hurry up.
hey, if I hit
the drugstore
on my way home,
how many personal hygiene
items would it take to equal,
like,
a normal present?
and draft mode
is fine, and...
ned?
enter.
enter. Damn!
what's wrong?
the printer.
it--it...
it's not responding.
it must've gotten
bumped in the move,
or it's...
it's...totally...
it's cooked!
wait. Then--
then--uh...
no. No.
forget it.
go home.
I'll find
a printer tomorrow
and do it then.
whatever grade
I get,
that's life.
no! You know what?
I didn't pull
an all-nighter
for you to get a "d."
no way.
we're finding
a printer now,
and we're turning
this thing in...
right now.
oh, king of kings,
be thou...
(whispering)
"merely a child."
merely a child,
still
I worship thee.
rise, good friend
from the east,
for...
um...
"though my son
be a king."
though my son
be a king,
he bids no man
kneel before him,
but...
"but loves
every man
the same."
but...
but loves every man
the same, Gina.
but...
but look!
what?
I don't...
where's the baby?
everybody please
look for the baby.
I hope nobody
took this baby.
we've got a show to do
here, people.
he couldn't have.
who took him?
does somebody
have the baby?
he couldn't have.
oh, mom, there you are.
I was, uh--
Claudia told me you were
talking to Kirsten,
and now
I can't find her.
that's because
I sent her home.
she said she was going to
stick around till dinner
'cause I have all this...
wrapping--what?
this supposed to be
a family Christmas,
right?
and, I mean,
the way I take it is
she came
mighty close, but...
in the end...
why did you
tell her to go away?
I need her tonight.
do I have to spell
it out, darling?
ha ha! Do I need to
write it in the sky?
she's a fox
in the hen's house.
that woman
is after your man!
mom!
she's married!
I know
what I saw, girl.
and two people
that friendly?
well...
looks to me like
they have got to be--
best friends!
she's his best friend!
and she's the reason
why I've made it
half this far.
and you just sent her away?
you asked me
to be here for you.
so I try.
god! I see Kirsten,
she's, like,
my salvation!
and you, you just see--
you see man trap,
and it's, like...
that's how
it always is with you!
I mean, whatever stands
between you and your man,
get rid of it, right?
even if it's
your own kid, right?
the little brat
hides your drunk date's
liquor...
or she--she calls
your car thief boyfriend
a car thief
to his face...
well, we know
who's got to go.
(flicks lighter)
No, no, no!
wait, sir,
you can't.
you've got to stay open
one more second.
it's 8:00.
we're closed.
but you don't understand.
we've been everywhere.
you're the only print shop
open in the city.
yeah. Except...
we're closed.
no, no, no...
Julia, Julia, wait.
you got to be open!
hold on.
you got to be open!
take it easy!
take it easy.
maybe--maybe
we don't have
to do this now.
maybe we can
just go home,
to the motel.
we can get a little
room service...
take a bath...
I mean, would
that be so terrible?
your family
will understand.
hey! You in there!
don't you know
what day it is?
I see you in there!
you can open this door
for 5 extra minutes
when it's the season
for giving!
how about
a little good will
towards men?
how about
a little peace on earth?!
ok. Ok.
ok.
god.
thank you.
merry Christmas.
for 3 1/2 months,
all I thought about
was home.
Owen playing
in the yard,
playing catch,
Diana smiling
and gurgling and...
Owen is at Bailey's,
and Julia's a ghost.
I mean, they
can't even get it
together
to show up
for Christmas Eve
dinner.
well.
over at my house...
we were lucky if my, uh,
my old man
didn't shove one of us
into the Christmas tree...
or could go a whole hour
without, you know,
cursing my mom's memory.
I should just
shut up and deal.
no.
I was just...
I was thinking.
man, I'm--
I'm going to
miss this place.
ok, why are we doing this
when we know who did it?
I mean, I am ruining
a perfectly good pair
of stockings.
because we don't
know who did it.
not for sure.
Bailey,
look at him.
Sarah, if he says
he didn't do it
and we can't prove
that he did it,
then what's it get me
to accuse him?
I don't know.
the truth?
no. You're wrong.
you're wrong.
all it gets me
is a nasty fight
where he says that
he didn't do it,
and I say
he's lying,
and pretty soon
he's crying
because that means
that means that
I don't trust him,
and frankly,
at this point,
the way he's feeling
about this family,
I'd rather give him
the benefit
of the doubt.
even if it makes us
later and later for dinner
to look for a doll
that he probably
threw in the trash
an hour ago?
the trash.
that's a good idea.
the trash.
I'm smoking
outdoors, ok?
or is the greenery
going to get
leaf cancer?
mom, I didn't come
out here to...
les is packing
upstairs.
is that...
what's going on,
is he leaving?
we're on the 10:20 bus.
both of us.
hold on.
you're leaving?
back to abilene?
les was missing home,
and...
I'm not feeling
quite so welcome
as I thought I'd be.
look, I'm sorry
I yelled at you,
ok, mom?
but this
is Christmas Eve.
tomorrow
is Christmas day.
what was the point
of you even coming
if you're not
going to be here
Christmas day?
well, that's
what I thought.
but then I...
I made everyone
so unhappy.
look, mom, don't
put this on me, ok?
you're the one
who showed up
on my front porch
unannounced
saying,
"let's be a family."
and, what, the
first time I look
at you cross-eyed,
i-it's over?
oh, it's not
the first time, doll.
or the tenth.
it's every time.
I told you
how to help me, mom.
I told you
what it's like here
with this baby.
when did you ever see me
change a diaper
or give a kid a bath?
you did it for me,
didn't you?
that's
what I need, mom.
that is what I need
from you.
well, I'm sorry
if I wasn't put
on this earth
to serve you, doll,
but I wasn't.
I didn't get you pregnant.
you did that
all by yourself.
and as for
the rest of it...
I never blamed you
for being born.
so don't blame me
for everything
that came after.
Hello?!
in here!
hey, we're here.
we're sorry,
but we're here.
having a few minor
behavior issues.
not so minor.
hey, buddy.
you need a hug?
let go!
I want to see Griffin.
that's, uh, that's what
I'm talking about.
he's been a little--
I can guess.
keeping him away
all this time
during Christmas.
he's gotta be ready
to kill me.
well...
not kill, exactly.
oh. Thank god
someone's here.
you know, let's just--
let's just start
without Julia.
last time she called
she was still an hour away.
really, claud?
you don't want to wait
for Julia?
ok, you know what?
we could just, uh--
yeah, we could wait forever.
yeah, we'll have Christmas
sometime around easter.
you know, since no one
has time for the tree,
no one has time
for the meal,
and, oh, I'm sure
we'll all come up with
real good excuses
when it comes time
for stockings,
so why don't we, you know,
just spare ourselves
the point of pretending
and just blow
the whole thing off, ok?
oh, you know what?
instead of that,
while we're waiting
on Julia,
who I'm sure is coming,
in our house
on Christmas Eve
we always got to open
one present each.
ok, great.
yes, let's do that.
so what if my Turkey's aging
like the portrait
of Dorian gray.
Is there one for me?
not so fast, buddy,
you and me have
to have a little...
whoa! 2 packages!
and one's batteries.
claud, looks like
a sweater for you.
well, could you
at least let me
unwrap it first?
Sarah.
really?
one for me? Yeah.
bay.
thanks.
and...daphne.
where's daph?
I think I saw her
go upstairs.
well, you get one, too,
Charlie.
what, you can't
find one over there?
Claudia, didn't you get
your brother a present?
didn't you?
it's ok. Something
will turn up tomorrow.
no. Come on, there's
gotta be something.
oh, wait.
here's something.
it's from Griffin.
Yeah, it's right here.
building 115.
you just leave it
in the box?
how's he gonna know
when it came in?
he said he was gonna check
the box before midnight.
on Christmas Eve?
why would he--
is this memo--
did you see this note?
it's for your class.
yeah. Forget it, jule.
I mean, the paper's in.
let's--
why don't you let me
drive you home?
it says late papers
will get
a 2-day grace period
over the holidays.
I could stay at
my parents' house tonight
and maybe drop by
your place tomorrow.
how could you not
have seen this, ned?
it's dated a week ago.
what? I mean,
what's the problem?
well, I stayed an extra
day to save your
grade point average.
it would've been nice
to know if--if...
what?
you knew about this,
didn't you?
Julia, come on.
you kept saying
don't leave.
don't leave, but you
fixed it so I wouldn't.
I had to write
the paper, Julia.
did you make
the rest up, too?
like the printing place,
the way you said
you called all around
and they were closed,
but when we found one
and it was open,
you didn't even try
to get in.
so I wasn't ready to
break the door down.
so what?
and what about
all the other stuff?
your printer breaking.
you're like
Joe computer.
that time you hacked
on to my machine?
but tonight, you gave up
in half a second...
because you--
you didn't want
to finish, did you?
did you?!
jul--
god! What is the matter
with you, ned?!
did you think you
were being romantic
or something?
did you think this
was what I wanted?
'cause I have brothers
and sisters at home,
and for the last day
and a half,
you've just been sitting
there watching me--
no, making me--
lie to them!
oh...
Bailey, no!
sit down.
Owen. Owen, sit down.
why?
tell me what this is.
I'm busy.
no. You're not busy.
you're talking
to me now.
you stole this
from the church,
and then you lied
about it,
and those are
very bad things.
Owen, very bad.
why? It's just
a stupid plastic baby.
because this baby
matters to people.
and if it doesn't
matter to you,
that's no excuse.
you respect what matters
to other people,
because you're not
the only person
in this world.
do you understand that?
now, we're going
to call that church,
and we're going
to tell them that
you took this baby.
Bailey, no!
yes! Yes!
and then tomorrow,
you're going
to go back there in
the morning with me
and you're going
no! To say you're sorry
to their faces.
no, I don't want to, Bailey.
please don't make me.
and then we're going
to talk about what's
going on with you.
listen to me!
all this junk
you've been pulling.
that stuff of Sarah's
that you broke?
you think because
there's another baby
in this family
that you could do
whatever you want?
you think because
you're not getting
enough attention
you can get away
with anything?
well, you're wrong.
so, you'd better
start behaving,
Owen,
because I am going
to be watching
everything you do.
you hear me?
(crying)
do you?
What was it like back then
when I was Diana's age?
was it hard for you
to go to work every day?
did you miss me
when I wasn't there?
what are you--why are
you asking me this?
because I'm curious.
I want to know
how you felt...
when you went to work or
when you went out at night.
look, uh, I don't want
to talk anymore about
how it's all my fault.
because I want to know
if it's the same way
that I feel...
about Diana.
I want to know if it was
as easy for you to leave
as it is for me.
I don't know.
'cause...
when I look at...
my baby
and I wonder
what would happen
if something were
to take her away from me,
or if I'd have to live
the rest of my life
without her, and...
I would be ok.
I would actually be ok.
so, I've been thinking
that maybe that's why...
I am so mad at you.
because...we're really
no different from one another,
which is exactly--
I mean, that is how
it happens.
a person, a parent...
who doesn't love their kids,
they have kids
who grow up the same...
and so on and so on.
and that feels bad, mom,
to be a part of that.
that feels really,
really bad.
So, what's going on?
what's going on is he's
up there crying his eyes out.
he won't even let me in.
he won't even talk to me.
Bailey, somebody
had to tell him.
no. No. It was
the wrong thing to do,
because now he's up there
bawling,
and his Christmas is ruined.
and he was doing ok
before I talked to him.
he was doing much better,
just being home with everyone.
he wasn't doing anything
wrong or anything.
look, Bailey, I
shouldn't have told you.
I mean...God, I am
definitely not a mother.
I don't know how to
handle these things.
he won't even speak to me.
it was a mistake.
Doreen. Can I say something?
give us a sec, Lester?
all right.
listen, sweetheart,
you really should
save your breath.
I can't.
I can't. I--because
when you showed up here
and you said,
let's be a family,
I believed that.
so, please, don't--
don't go.
talk to my daughter,
Charlie.
no. I don't care about
what happened in the past.
I care about right now.
I care about having someone
in this house for my daughter.
she needs that,
and she doesn't have that
because her mom...
Daphne's having trouble
feeling--
Charlie, i--
no. I know the two
of you are mad. I know that,
but when we get mad
in my family,
we have this rule,
which is,
"go ahead, stay mad
if you want, but just stay."
you know?
is one of you
gonna drive us
to the bus stop,
or am I gonna have
to call a cab?
well...duh. 3 extra hours
in the oven. I knew it.
ah, I bet you could bounce
ball bearings on my potatoes.
look, it's not the end
of the world, claud.
no! It's just the end
of this dinner.
well, maybe it's
for the best...
if we just call
this whole thing off.
what?
oh, no.
no, no, no, no.
we will not call this off.
when this family
has the opportunity
to sit around a table
like we used to
once a week?
I mean, Christmas Eve,
a proper Christmas Eve
means stockings and
the night before Christmas,
and a cookie
on the hearth for Santa.
and we are going to do
this one thing right
or just die trying!
so, I'm going to go out
and buy our Christmas Eve
dinner.
even if it's Turkey jerky
from the minimart.
Claudia, that's very--
it's very moving,
but I'm way too beat
to sit around here
and wait anymore.
and besides, I gotta
be up at dawn.
the restaurant's having
this holiday brunch,
so...i have to get home.
have to get home.
we'll see ya.
I can't--i can't
believe you're doing
this for Christmas.
claud, we're gonna
be back for breakfast
in like an hour.
Owen: Bailey!
Owen.
hey.
you ok?
we're gonna go now, but
we'll be back tomorrow, ok?
I'm coming with you.
whoa.
no, no, no.
you should stay here.
we're gonna be back
in the morning. It's ok.
but I want to come
with you.
hey, buddy, you can
stay here. It's ok.
we'll get up
in the morning together
and open stockings
like we always do.
I want to stay
with Bailey.
I'm gonna get
my stuff,
and I'm gonna go
with Bailey.
He's just a little off,
you know,
with all the excitement
and everything.
you don't have
to explain it.
I get it.
he's gonna be begging
to come back here.
soon as you're ready
to take him.
yeah. I know.
soon.
Yeah.
Sorry. Just...
saw a light on.
don't sweat it.
it's your house.
can I, uh, come in
for a minute?
(baby cries)
shh, shh, shh.
hello!
is everybody in the--
kitchen?
Charlie?
Bailey?
claud?
Santa?
I just wanted to thank you
for the scrapbook. I, uh...
spent, like, an hour,
and I haven't...
gotten to the end yet.
really?
yeah.
that biopsy
you put in there,
the one that--
that cleared me?
it just reminded me that...
when that happened, I...
I wanted out of here
so bad.
just, uh...
hit the road
and start my life
over again, but...
I'm a family man.
and, um...
all I keep thinking
is that...
you don't have that.
you're as free
as a bird,
but you...Stay anyway.
so the...
the only two people
who actually
want to be here
are you and Claudia,
and I'm, like...
pushing you away.
and everyone else,
the people who are
supposed to be family,
who actually share
my daughter's blood...
they can't wait to leave.
it just makes me think
that...
if you're not family,
I don't know who is.
If you ever get out
to abilene...
I'll call you.
so...
be happy, doll.
Yeah, you, too.
Window's right over there.
huh?
if you want to buy
a ticket.
are you buying a ticket?
Hey.
Julia.
what are you, uh,
what are you
doing back?
I drove to my house,
and...
I ran up the stairs...
and I went inside,
but nobody was there.
but then i--i started
looking around, and...
everything that I saw...
it reminded me
of all this stuff.
the--the cancer
and--and all this...
stuff we went through.
and I love them all,
and...
it's nobody's fault,
but...
I don't want to go back
to all that stuff.
look, Julia--
I'm not forgiving you,
ned.
'cause I'm still
really mad at you,
so don't try to--
no.
'cause
I didn't come here
to forgive you.
I came here to...
what you did was so...
no one's ever worked...
so hard
to keep me around.
and, I mean,
I ha--i...
I hate how you did it.
and I don't ever want you
to pull a move like that
again, ever.
but...
thank you.
give me those egg rolls.
I am starving.
somebody opened them
already.
oh. Yeah.
sorry.
gross.
hey, get Griffin
a present.
ok.
no way.
oh. My hands--
they're so greasy.
thank you.
just a little gift.
♪ this Christmas ♪
♪ Santa come home ♪
♪ for once Mrs. claus ♪
♪ won't spend it alone ♪