Original subtitles

Things weren't going well.

Surprise!

Can we make snow angels when we get to the cabin?

At the pace we're going, it'll be dark by the time we get there.

So no idiot we can't.

Alexander!

Why would you call her that?

Yeah, who's calling who an idiot anyway?

Whom?

Who's calling whom an idiot?

Could you be more annoying?

Alexander!

Please!

Try to have some Christmas spirit.

Yeah, I'm just providing a public service.

Good Grammar's on the verge of extinction.

If you really want to provide a public service,

you put a bag over your head and shut up.

Alex!

Hey!

Dad, can I please put on my headphones so I don't have to listen to him?

No.

Remember, no headphones.

This is a family holiday.

We're just gonna enjoy each other's company.

Let's have pleasant conversation.

I haven't heard many pleasant conversations coming from you and Mom lately.

Okay, watch it.

You know what?

The weather's getting worse.

Check the weather station.

Didn't you check it before we left?

And weather continues to deteriorate across

the state as the storm moves in from the west.

Meteorologists believe this may be the fiercest storm to hit in the past 15

years, forcing officials to close down all mountain passes within the next hour.

Do you think maybe we should turn back?

Judith, you heard the report.

The storm's coming from behind us.

If we turn around, we're gonna drive straight into it.

Great.

This is just great.

They said the pass is open for another hour.

We're gonna be half an hour, so we're gonna be fine.

Everything's gonna be fine.

We're on our way there.

You're gonna love it.

Yes!

You guys, we're going on a Christmas vacation and we don't have to turn back!

This is gonna be so much fun!

We're here, kids.

Yes!

Wow.

Only the finest materials we use.

This is awesome.

Whoa!

This is huge, Daddy!

Come on, hurry!

Okay, okay.

It's spectacular.

Sick!

So, uh, Dad?

Where's the TV?

Oh, there's no TV.

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!

Look at the Christmas tree!

So?

What do you think?

It's so grand.

Grand?

Well, I was expecting...

I don't know.

You said a cabin in the woods.

You don't like it?

No, I... No, no, I do.

It's gorgeous.

I've never seen anything so beautiful.

It's a wonderful surprise.

Thank you.

Well, I had the decorator stock it with absolutely everything that we'd need,

from snowshoes to aspirin, so if you need anything, it's here.

I, uh, thought we were gonna pick a tree from the woods and cut it down ourselves.

With the storm coming in, I don't think we'll be able to get one anyway,

so... Can we decorate the Christmas tree today?

I don't see why not, honey.

Let's unload the car.

Okay.

Where are the boxes of ornaments?

I don't know.

Charles, where are the ornaments?

I don't know where they are.

Why would I know?

You put them in the car, didn't you?

Why would I put them in the car?

Because I asked you to.

They were all ready to go.

No.

No, I don't remember you saying anything about ornaments.

Yes, I did.

I absolutely did.

Dad, it doesn't matter.

The lights look pretty enough all by themselves.

Don't you think?

We don't even need ornaments.

Yes, Emily.

And you're right.

The tree does the good all by itself.

Who needs ornaments?

Listen, why don't you go to your room and go check it out, okay?

Is our family ever fun?

I have these dim memories.

I'm just not sure if I imagine them.

Well, yeah, I guess when we were kids.

What happened?

You know what happened.

That storm is really picking up.

Looks like the weatherman was right.

I could use a warm drink.

How about you?

I'm gonna go unpack my stuff.

Mom, when the storm's over, can we build a great big snowman?

Daddy can help you.

Yes, I can help you.

I love building snowmen.

Mom, I'm gonna need a carrot for Frosty's nose.

And Dad, don't worry if your black buttons are missing.

It's for a good cause.

Frosty's eyes.

Right.

Oh, it's Ben.

I gotta take this.

It's Ben.

I thought you said no business calls while we were here.

I told him not to call me unless it was an emergency.

Excuse me, everyone.

I'll be right back.

No.

Explain it.

What?

Well,

that didn't take long at all.

Went well.

Thanks for asking.

Pam?

Honey?

Can you turn off the game, please?

Alexander?

Turn off the tablet.

Jennifer?

Let's close the laptop.

Okay, new holiday.

Holiday rule.

From now on, no electronic devices for the rest of the trip.

What?

Are you crazy?

What else are we gonna do when we're stuck inside?

Well, it's Christmas.

Read a book.

Tell a story.

Talk to each other.

Maybe you can bake something with your mother.

There are plenty of things you can do.

You gonna turn your phone off?

I need my phone for business purposes, son.

If I'm not on top of things, it can be catastrophic.

Sure it can.

You know, your attitude is getting very old.

Charles, I need to talk to you.

What is it, Judith?

Huh?

You don't like my plan?

These kids have absolutely no appreciation for what they have.

Their heads are buried in those devices all the time.

What do you expect?

You're on your phone every five seconds.

I have important issues to deal with.

I know.

Of course you do.

Oh, I can't help it that all hell breaks loose the moment I leave town.

Hell is always breaking loose in your office.

I'm surprised you don't rename it Brimstone Development.

None of this would have happened if you had been ready on time.

Are you kidding me?

If you hadn't gotten in the car on time, you'd put us all in a bad mood.

You're yelling at everyone.

I wasn't yelling at anyone.

I didn't want to tell you.

We're this close.

This close to losing everything.

You are always on the verge of losing everything.

Don't you realize that?

Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if we lost everything.

Then we could live in our house on Waverly.

Like when we were happy.

Oh, that's...

belittle my success.

Make it sound like a bad thing that I provide for everybody.

I've given you everything.

But you don't give me anything I need.

Don't you understand that?

Mom?

Dad?

Yeah, Em.

Yes?

Mom, I forgot to tell you.

Benjamin at school said you're the prettiest mother of all the mothers in our class.

Oh, that's really sweet of you to pass on all the nice compliments.

Listen, it's really late, sweetheart, and I want you to get to bed, okay?

Okay.

Let's go.

Goodnight, Em.

I'm tired of the charade.

What charade is that?

It's like we're strangers living together.

We pass each other in the halls and we both pull back and

we're doing everything we can not to touch each other.

You said this Christmas was gonna be different.

You said this house was gonna be a sanctuary.

It was a chance for all of us to get to know each other once again.

But now I realize that I'm a fool to think that anything would be different.

Judith.

Do you want to keep living like this?

Because I don't.

Well...

Judith...

What are you saying?

I think you know what I'm saying.

I thought everything would be different when we got to

the cabin, but everything was turning out to be the same.

I pray that my parents don't get a divorce.

What is that?

I don't know.

Check the security cameras.

There's people at our front door.

We gotta let them in.

It must be freezing.

Hello!

You must be freezing.

Here, come by the fire.

Follow me.

Thank you.

Our van went off the road and hit a tree.

We had to abandon it.

We saw your lights and we've been walking against the wind for the last hour.

We were headed to White Plain to go skiing.

We thought we could get over the pass.

We're the Tuckers from Greensburg.

My name's Joe.

My wife Amy.

I'm Emily.

My mate.

My daughter Lucy, 15.

Robbie, 16.

My brother Alexander is 15.

And my sister Jennifer is 14.

And my mom Judith is 39.

And my dad Charles is 50.

Listen, you need to get out of those ski clothes.

Listen, you need to get out of those ski clothes.

Ugh, we were dressed to ski.

Unfortunately, the rest of our clothes are back at the van.

Oh, that's okay.

We have plenty of clothes.

It'll work out.

It's no problem.

It's so generous of you.

The guest rooms are down the hall on the right.

Just make yourselves at home.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I can show them to their rooms.

Oh, hey!

I'm gonna get you some clothes.

Okay, Alexander and Jennifer, help me get some clothes for the kids.

You don't expect me to share my clothes with a stranger, do you?

I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that.

I suppose you're gonna make us share our computers, too.

Yes, and our food and our beds and our towels and anything else they might need.

Hurry up!

Your house is amazing.

Oh.

Thanks.

I'm glad you like it.

Joe.

Yeah.

Yeah, I built it as a surprise for my wife, but she doesn't like it.

She thinks it's too grand.

Okay.

Here, I've got some clothes for you.

The bathrooms have shampoo and soap, anything you need.

Just help yourself, okay?

Thank you.

Sorry to inconvenience you, especially during Christmas time.

Oh, it's fine.

I gave him your brown sweater.

I hope that's okay.

I'm gonna make some waffles.

Breakfast is ready.

Perfect timing.

Oh, well, you're feeling a little bit better.

A little less frozen.

Oh, I can't tell you how much.

I couldn't feel my feet when we first arrived.

So we only dressed and packed for a day of skiing, so

we threw on every blanket and rag we had in the van.

I got a towel around my neck under my hoodie.

I could look for you.

The brother and sister actually like each other.

I'd like you more if you looked like that.

Why don't the two of you join us at the table?

Thanks.

Why don't you have any decorations on your tree?

We forgot the ornaments at home.

But it looks pretty with just the light.

Uh, no.

It looks naked, sad, lonely, and depressed.

Then let's make some ornaments for the poor thing.

With what?

We could start with stringing these together.

Any chance you have popcorn?

Yeah, I can check the pantry.

Come on.

We could, uh, we could make sugar cookie ornaments.

Yes!

Yes!

Snow problem, snow worries Snow problem, snow worries We'll forecast there'll be

flurries We'll be surrounded by mountains of white Snow issue, snow reason Snow

question, tis the season When everything gets so festive and bright

Let's get snowed in together Let the cold winds blow Let's blame it on the weather

Bring on the snow After we finished making the decorations, Jennifer, Alexander,

and I agreed to share our gifts with the Tuckers so they wouldn't feel left out.

You guys, I have a great idea.

We should change the tags and give them to the Tuckers.

What do you think?

Yeah, okay.

Yeah, let's do it.

Mom helped us change the gift tags.

Robbie got the t-shirt Alexander asked for.

And Lucy got the necklace that matched Jennifer's earrings.

When Robbie opened his gift, Alexander was actually

happy for him even though he really wanted that t-shirt.

I consider this a Christmas miracle.

Dad!

Mom!

It's so pretty!

I'm the one who turned the popcorn.

Look at the Christmas tree!

Look!

Mom!

Mom!

I forgot something.

I'll be right back.

Okay.

Did she really bring it?

I'm afraid she did.

The pinwheel?

It's okay.

How am I gonna get the angel on top of the tree?

Um...

Oh, don't look at me.

I can't get up there.

You know what?

I think I can help you.

Oh, thank you.

Well,

it is a tradition in our family that on Christmas Eve each kid gets to open one gift.

And I'd like to share that tradition with you.

Alright?

For me?

Yes.

It was during that cold, snowy night that I finally started

understanding what the spirit of giving is all about.

Oh, Christmas!

Santa bringing Christmas wishes to all children.

So cute!

Come on!

That's awesome!

That's awesome!

Our gift exchange was the most fun ever.

That was beautiful!

I wish I could play an instrument.

It's not that hard.

Here, let me show you.

Really, two chords.

You just gotta play this.

And this.

See?

It's not that hard.

How'd you learn to play?

When I was in music class at school.

Maybe I should have taken music or singing instead of public speaking.

Please, you hurt my ears enough as it is, thank you very much.

Haha, very funny.

Alexandra, I've heard Jennifer sing in the shower.

She sings good.

Well, I sing well.

For seminar, we had to pick a topic for independent

studying, so I chose common grammar mistakes.

I made a blog about it.

Yeah, she's got three whole followers.

One of them's her mom.

I have 38 followers and I only started last week.

That's awesome, Jennifer.

I'll follow you, so make that 39 followers.

Did you know that correct grammar can save lives?

For example, let's eat grandma, which basically means let's cannibalize

grandma, can be changed with the addition of a single comma to let's eat grandma.

Now it means that grandma's invited to share a meal with them.

Yeah, I had Mrs. Donnelly for English, too.

She's been using the same example for about 50 years now.

Why are you always trying to put me down?

That's what big brothers are for.

Not in my house.

Thanks, sis.

Hey, Robbie!

What's up?

Who wants to play Monopoly?

Me!

Dad, when we played last week, we took all

your money and hotels, leaving you dirt poor.

That's because I love you kids, and I let you win.

You're right, Dad.

Teach these kids some respect.

Game on.

I get to be the car.

You can be the cat.

You can be the thimble.

I'll be the race car.

Let's do it.

Okay, I'm ready.

I hate to

brag, but I have a knack for Monopoly.

I'm really good at collecting rent, so basically I dominated.

Whenever I ask my dad why he's not paying attention to us, he says he's multitasking.

Dad was multitasking a lot this Christmas.

Oh, no.

That's not what we agreed on.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh!

Hey there.

Hm?

Oh.

I thought you could use some company.

Yeah, sure.

Oh, thank you.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

You know, Joe, he's so good with the kids.

Yes, he is.

Joe was a high school teacher with a passion for U.S.

history.

He believed kids should have one eye open to the past and the other to the future.

What about you?

I was a nurse.

I loved my patients.

Was?

Hm.

I said was, didn't I?

Interesting.

Making some life changes?

Let's just say some changes have recently been made.

Hm.

How about you?

Oh, I was a fashion editor before I got married.

Oh.

Yeah.

I had this great job in New York.

Hm.

But I really loved my work.

And then Charles came along and swept me off my feet and I gave it all up for him.

Oh.

I used to say it was the best decision I ever made.

Used to say?

Don't get me wrong.

I love my kids.

It's just that

just things haven't been very good between us for a very long time.

I understand he designed this house and had

it built as a surprise for you and the kids.

Hm.

I wouldn't say it was a surprise.

It certainly isn't for me and the kids.

Hm.

It's just all for business.

I'm just gonna bring clients here and impress them and it's all for show.

Hm.

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm venting all my personal problems on you.

Oh.

I'm happy to listen.

Oh.

I'm here for you.

Thank you.

Thanks for the tea.

So tell me more about you.

Oh.

Where should I begin?

Um.

Joe and I met in college.

Hm.

And then after that we traveled and finally settled down.

Take John Adams and his son for example.

Now they would write these long beautifully composed letters to one another.

Even though they knew the letters may take months to be delivered.

But nowadays how do fathers and sons communicate?

I mean well sure a father can get a text in lightning

speed but all it will say is something like Hey Dad.

What's up?

Ha.

You probably wouldn't even have the Hey Dad.

Probably just say What's up?

Yeah so Dad makes me write him letters now.

Hm.

And he writes beautiful letters.

Hm.

I just copy them out of the John Adams files.

I never thought I'd see the day where our kids

were having a conversation about John Adams.

Maybe we should start having more conversations with our children.

And now he composes these thoughtful letters about issues in his life.

Like how to get his female fans to give him some space?

She's making it up.

I'm not.

Girls text him day and night.

He puts a picture on Instagram and he gets 400 likes in half an hour.

Definitely not true.

I bet it is.

You're so hot.

You must have that problem too, Alexander.

Too many female admirers?

Well... No, he doesn't have any girl admirers.

He's socially awkward.

Shut up.

You sure use a lot of big words for a little girl.

I do.

I'm gifted.

I try to add a new word to my vocabulary every day.

Yesterday I learned the word iatrogenic means when the side effects of the cure

are worse than the symptoms of the disease.

Well...

You two are the kind of girls I like.

Brains and beauty.

Stop.

Man, I'm sorry my sisters have glommed to you all day.

You don't have to be so nice to them, you know.

You're just going to encourage them.

What are you talking about, Nicole?

The storm's knocking trees down.

One of them almost hit the house.

Is our house going to rip apart?

I'm scared.

Don't you worry, honey.

The way your dad built this house, it'll handle anything that storm will throw at us.

Really?

I promise.

Okay.

Come on up here.

Look at that.

So, we're not allowed to be online or the cell

phones, and look at him down there, just glued to it.

It's ridiculous.

Come on, let's go over here.

Okay.

I...

Okay.

This is what I have chosen for my seminar project.

This guy right here is the infamous Humboldt squid, also

known as Diablo Rojo, which in Spanish means the Red Devil.

They have dozens of tentacles with these tiny little teeth coming out the end.

There have been tales of Mexican fishermen being pulled from their boats to the

bottom of the ocean and ripped apart by a gang of these beasts.

Like, could you imagine that?

One minute you're a fisherman sitting in your boat, doing your own business,

and the next minute you're at the bottom of the ocean, you

are being ripped apart by those tiny little teeth right there.

How can you be obsessed by such horrible creatures?

No, no, no, I'm not obsessed.

I had to pick a topic for my research project.

You know, the deal, it was the deadline, I had nothing to show for it, so I pick up

a random nature book, flip to a page, and there it is, the Humboldt squid.

Not so different from us, though.

Those fishermen.

What, that we don't get eaten by squid?

No.

I mean the one minute you're here, one minute you're not part.

Um, so what's your thing?

My thing?

Yeah, yeah, your thing.

I had to pick a seminar topic.

What would it be?

Well, I'd never make it to a seminar, but if I did, I think I'd have to say cookies.

Cookies?

I bake everything.

Cakes, pies, brownies.

Pretty much anything where the main ingredients are sugar and butter.

Cool.

Can you think of a better subject worthy of research?

No.

No.

Actually, no, I can't.

That sounds pretty awesome.

Here, let me show you a couple more of these guys.

Malaise.

M-A-L-A-I-S-E.

M's a double letter plus a triple word score.

That's 36 points.

I win.

Never heard of that word before, but I'm gonna take your word for it.

It's a real word.

It means a vague sense of things not being right.

Like how we feel when we look out the window at the storm?

Yeah, you could say that.

So, how old are you again?

I'm almost 15.

Yeah, you act way older.

Robbie, guess what?

I can name all the presidents in order.

You can?

Yes, I can!

No, Robbie, I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Next she's gonna name all the rivers in North America.

Can I recite them for you?

Sure.

I can warn you.

Washington Adams Jefferson Madison Monroe John Quincy Adams Jackson Van Buren

Harrison Tyler Polk Taylor Fillmore Pierce Buchanan

Lincoln Johnson Grant Hayes Garfield Chester A.

Arthur Harrison Cleveland Harrison McKinley Teddy Roosevelt Taft Wilson

Hardin Cooley-Truber Roosevelt Truman Eisenhower Kennedy Johnson Nixon Ford

Carter Reagan Bush Clinton Bush Obama Good job!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Did you see that?

I got them all right and in order!

Good for you, honey.

Just a minute.

Emily!

Smile!

I want one of you this time!

Look this way!

Smile!

Three, two, one!

Alright, Lucy!

Time for what?

Time to put our Christmas stockings up, of course!

Oh, come on, everyone!

Let's go!

Alright!

Hurry, hurry!

Alright!

We're coming!

Putting up the Christmas stockings is a

Montgomery family tradition every Christmas Eve.

I'll share mine with you, Robbie.

Alexander, you share yours with Lucy.

Okay.

Oh, we better put in a note so that Santa doesn't get confused.

Good idea.

Let's do it.

Okay.

Those look great.

Wow.

Looks great.

Good job, guys.

I have one more thing in the bag.

I made this one for baby Bella.

Oh, honey.

Thank you for remembering Bella this Christmas.

Thank you for remembering Bella this Christmas.

Such a sweet stocking.

Baby Bella?

She's my little sister, but she's in heaven now.

We lost her three years ago.

I'm so sorry.

She had blonde hair and blue eyes and rosy cheeks.

She looked like Cinderella.

I'm sure she was very beautiful.

I have pictures of her if you want to see them.

Sure, we'd love to.

This is her when she was only one month old.

And this is her first bath.

Oh, and this is when Alexander made her taste a pickle.

She hated it.

And this is Emily holding her.

She was a really good baby.

Charlie ever cried?

As opposed to Emily who cried nonstop.

I was a diva, baby.

Oh, and this is just after Bella had been born

and mom was carrying her out of the hospital.

You weren't in any of the photos, Dad.

How come?

He was probably at work.

No, I wasn't at work.

I wasn't in the photos because I took most of the photos.

Dad?

Yeah, Jan?

The Tuckers want us to do something that they do, the Christmas tradition.

Okay, honey, I'll be right there.

Okay.

Now that we're all here, it's called Passing the Christmas Candle.

It's a tradition passed down by my great-grandmother, and we do it every Christmas.

How do you play?

Well, it's not a game, Emily.

It's a chance for you to say what it is you're grateful for.

We pass around the candle, and when it's your turn, you say a little something.

You know, what your goals are, what you're thankful for.

You know, something like that.

Yeah.

Okay?

I'll go first.

You know, they say that the best gift a father

can give to his children is to love their mother.

Well, I want to thank you, Amy, for making that so easy.

Every day I've spent with you has been a little bit of heaven.

I'm sure there's days that I haven't treasured as much as I should have, though.

You know, if I could give you all one bit of advice, it

would be to treasure each moment that life gives you.

Because each moment is just so precious.

All right.

I want to say that I'm thankful for the Montgomery family for taking us in.

And for making it so much fun to be snowbound.

Alexander, Jennifer, Emily.

Pulling on you guys for a short time, but it already feels like we're best friends.

I'll never forget you.

Mom?

I, too, am thankful we had the chance to meet the Montgomery's.

Not just because they gave us shelter, but

I, too, feel like we're already old friends.

Because you gave us the opportunity to feel the Christmas spirit.

I want to thank them for being so good to us.

Their generosity is something you don't see very often.

Life goes quickly, but kindness lasts forever.

Okay, well, um... I'm not really used to doing things like this.

So I guess I'll just say that I'm grateful the blizzard hasn't killed us all yet.

I am thankful for the Humboldt squid.

Well, I am thankful for the delicious cookies.

Lucy's going to bake for us tomorrow.

I want to help bake them!

You can also go next.

I am thankful that my mommy made her cookies.

She made her homemade buttermilk waffles this morning.

I'm also thankful that the Takkers came so we could

see what a family that really loves each other is like.

Daddy, your turn.

Okay, uh...

I'm thankful for...

Okay, I'm thankful...

for the fact that business has been good this year.

And...

if things continue...

in a positive direction, and that's a big if, we'll

get through this and we'll have a successful year.

Excuse me, I'm gonna go lie down.

Judith?

May I come in?

I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

He grew up in a family...

where there was no communication.

You know, his mother went to his father and asked him if he loved her.

And he said, I told you I loved you the day we got married.

If anything changes, I'll let you know.

That's no excuse, is it?

To shut out your family?

To talk about business?

When he had a perfect opportunity to say something nice about...

me and the kids?

He thinks the way that'd make me happy is...

to throw things at me.

Like...

jewelry and...

houses and...

cars.

I don't want any of that.

None of that.

None of that makes me happy.

All I want...

is for him to look at me...

the same way Joel looks at you.

This...

may sound sappy, so I apologize ahead of time.

But sometimes it's the hardest roads that lead to the best places.

But sometimes it's the hardest roads that lead to the best places.

What happened?

I don't know.

Hold on.

Okay.

All right.

Come on.

Okay.

Charles, what happened?

Well, the storm has knocked out the power, but don't worry.

We have a backup generator.

How are we gonna bake cookies tomorrow if the electricity's off?

Well, when the electricity comes back on, you make all the cookies you want.

How long till the generator turns on?

The guy that put it in told me it should take five seconds.

Five elephants, four elephants, three elephants, two elephants, one elephant.

I don't understand.

It should have been on right away.

Where's the generator?

It's been waiting for the five elephants.

Okay, honey.

It's all right.

It's out in the shed.

All right.

You know what?

Let's go take a look.

Okay.

Okay.

Here.

Come here.

Don't worry, hon.

I'm coming with you guys.

Jennifer, stay with your sister.

I'm gonna go get some flashlight.

I'll go find more candles.

I'll be back in a minute.

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God.

Joe?

Joe?

Joe.

Oh my God.

Oh, my God.

Joe?

All right.

Check the fuel.

It's full, Joe.

It's full.

All right.

So we've got fuel.

We have air.

We got a spark.

There's no reason it shouldn't work.

That's right, Joe.

There's no reason.

There's no reason at all!

Oh, Charles.

Oh, Charles.

Charles!

I'm gonna sue.

That was a waste of money.

That generator.

They find us all dead.

Frozen on this floor.

I'm suing that company.

It's gonna be pretty hard to sue them when you're dead.

Are we gonna freeze to death?

Oh, no, honey.

Don't worry.

Everything's gonna be fine.

Don't worry.

No one's gonna freeze to death, okay?

We can all camp around the fireplace and stay warm.

Like a big slumber party!

Yeah, kids, why don't you go to your rooms and get some pillows and blankets,

stuffed animals, whatever you want, okay?

Go get it now.

Okay.

Unbelievable.

What was that?

Sounds like the shingles are blowing off your roof.

Joe!

Joe!

Thanks, Joe.

Sometimes my friends and I, we play this game and we meet new

people, and we ask them to describe themselves with one word.

So let me ask you, what one word would you use to describe yourself?

Oh, um...

You go first.

Chill.

Like, laid back?

Chill?

Yeah.

Okay.

Um...

I got three words coming to mind.

I can't figure out which one to use.

What are the three?

Okay, well, there's fantastic, there's magnificent, unbelievable is one of them.

Robbie!

Robbie!

I have a question.

What's your question?

Will you take me to my prom?

What?

I'm serious.

That's at least seven years away.

So?

So I doubt you'll still want me to take you in seven years.

I have a feeling you will have changed your mind by then.

I'll never change my mind.

I know I won't.

Please?

Please?

Promise me?

The thing is...

I can't make promises I might not be able to keep.

Why won't you be able to keep it?

Why?

Let me put it this way.

I would if I could.

I mean that.

You mean you will if you can?

Okay.

I will if I can.

Well then I want you to take me to my prom too.

Ha ha.

Alright.

I never want this blizzard to end.

Why?

Because I don't want the Tuckers to leave.

I don't want them to leave either.

Aww.

She's even more adorable when she's asleep.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Thank you.

So, um...

Can you tell us how you two met?

Ha ha.

Wow.

Wow, I remember that like it was yesterday.

Ha ha ha.

It was fall semester, my senior year.

I saw this vision walking across the quad and she was wearing a white dress.

Ha ha.

And the sun was setting and there was a soft light around her.

And as she walked by, I said, Hey, beautiful.

What are you doing for the rest of your life?

Ha ha.

What did you say back?

Oh, well.

I turned to him and I looked over my shoulder

and I said, Spending it with you, obviously.

Ha ha ha.

Just like that.

Ha ha ha.

Hmm.

Hmm.

I bet you wouldn't remember what I was wearing the first day we met.

Not in a million years.

What was that?

What was that?

Megan, it's scary.

It looks like the trees are going to break in, too.

I can't believe what you got.

They said it was the worst storm in ten years.

I can't believe what you got.

What?

Are you okay?

I have a horrible headache and you said there was aspirin.

Where is it?

I'm sorry about Christmas and the way this is all going.

It's not what I had planned.

This storm and the power and...

No, honey.

You have to understand.

I am sorry.

I am under so much pressure right now.

And every time I speak to Ben about business, I... Oh, Charles.

Do you know where the aspirin is or not?

Can we talk?

About business?

No, thank you.

No, no.

About us.

Every time I talk to you, you don't listen.

And when you do listen, you don't hear anything I say.

I'll just...

Okay?

What am I not hearing?

Where do I begin?

Just begin.

Are you kidding me?

It's the middle of the night.

Ben is dealing with the Japanese.

It's morning there.

We just need to run a few numbers before the negotiation and... No!

It'll take one minute.

I said no.

The only talking I want to do is right now.

I want you to listen to me.

As soon as this blizzard's over, and the Tuckers leave, I'm hiring a car.

And I am taking the kids home without you.

I mean it.

So where should I go?

Why don't you ask Ben?

Wake

up!

Finally we got power.

Way to go, Dad.

Dad?

Hey Mom, where's Dad?

I don't know.

How about you?

Mom, let's look for him.

Okay.

Check upstairs, okay?

I'll go this way.

And check this way.

And check this way.

Do you like cookies?

I like cookies.

I think that sounds like a good plan.

Yeah, I couldn't find him up here.

Yeah, I know.

I couldn't find him either.

I'll just go down this way.

Okay.

Daddy, are you okay?

Charles!

Oh my gosh, someone help

me!

Daddy!

I got him.

Easy, get in there.

Easy with his neck.

Daddy, wake up, Daddy!

Pupils aren't dilated, that's a good sign.

I'm not feeling any swelling.

His breathing isn't obstructed.

I think his neck is fine.

Is he going to be okay?

There's a chance that he may have a concussion.

But we won't know until he's fully awake.

Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

We should get him to a hospital.

No, no, no, not in these conditions.

The hospital is 20 miles away, we'll never get there.

The roads will be closed.

We should move him to your bedroom.

Okay, alright.

Are you okay?

You're kind of scared about your dad, aren't you?

I'm afraid he's going to die.

Your dad is going to be fine.

How do you know?

I set a prayer for him.

And my mom's a nurse.

She'll take good care of him.

I wish you could be my sister.

I can be.

We can be soul sisters.

Here, give me your pinky.

Soul sisters forever.

How is he?

Oh, I just wish he'd wake up.

I'm just going to check on him.

Still not dilated.

That's good.

People can be unconscious for hours.

Then wake up and be perfectly fine.

Don't worry.

Joe and I are here for you.

Shout if you need anything.

It's okay.

Your dad's going to be fine.

How do you know that?

I just know.

When you think about it, Mr. J, we were all just strangers.

Charles.

What happened to me?

You had...

a little accident.

The lights are on.

Yeah.

I guess the generator must have kicked in.

Amy thinks you have a concussion, so be careful.

I just remember...

lying out there, thinking about you and the kids.

Why were you out in the store?

Because of what you said earlier.

I was thinking about you leaving.

Nothing's changed.

Judith.

Judith.

For real.

Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

You're awake!

You all be careful, honey.

Hi.

Hi.

Mom.

We're glad you're not dead.

So am I.

Alexander was actually the one that noticed you were missing, and he found you.

He saved your life.

And I owe you, son.

It was nothing.

No.

I'd say it's about as big a deal as they come.

I'm gonna go get some water.

Oh.

And we're really glad that you're gonna be okay.

Thanks.

Hey.

Sit down.

Come on.

Now listen to me.

I realize I have not been very good at communicating with you kids.

That means telling you how I feel.

And I should be telling you every single day just how much I love you.

Each one of you.

So I'm going to make you a promise.

I promise to change.

To be a better dad.

You haven't been horrible.

I mean, you've given us a feeling of malaise once in a while.

But that's not so bad.

Well, I'm promising you that I will change.

And I'm going to start today.

Now come in here.

Give your dad a hug.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Here we go.

Oh, no.

Oh, God.

Oh.

Sorry.

Merry Christmas.

Come on.

The storm is over.

Well, what are you kids doing just standing here?

Go put on your snow clothes and get out there and have some fun.

Okay.

Oh.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Mommy, I've been thinking.

I don't think we should open our presents in front of the talkers.

Do you?

Oh, that's so thoughtful of you, sweetheart.

Yeah, I don't think so either.

Let's wait until after they leave.

Plus, it doesn't look like anybody wants to open any presents right now anyway.

Oh, I love you.

Mommy, I'm going to go get dressed and play with the other kids outside.

Come on.

Hey!

I

have made hot chocolate and lots of snacks.

They'll be on the counter in the kitchen when you're ready to come and get them.

Woo!

Come on, come on.

No way!

No way!

One, two, three!

You're up.

It looks like Emily finally got to make her snow angels.

Yes.

Let's take a selfie.

Just give me a second.

There we go.

Wow, those are beautiful snow angels.

Two, three, four, five, six, seven.

Yeah, I like yours.

I like yours.

Oh, there we go.

Yeah!

Got it.

Okay, you know what, guys?

I don't know about you, but I am too cold.

I'm going inside to get warm.

No, no, no!

Oh, my gosh!

Get him!

Get him!

Hey, I'm not done!

No!

No!

No!

Oh!

Oh!

Come on!

No, no, no!

What are you doing out of bed?

Excuse me.

Your wife gave me the all-clear.

Hi.

I just wanted to thank you for helping out with my family while I was down.

Yeah, well, you know, I'm glad we could do it.

You're looking good, so we should probably get going.

Robbie!

Lucy!

Time for us to go, kids!

No!

Don't go!

Were you planning on having us live with you forever?

Yes, if you could!

You know what?

It is time for us to get out of your parents' hair.

But my parents love you in their hair!

Don't you, Dad?

See, the thing is, Emily, you know what they say about fish and visitors.

No, what?

Em?

I think the Tuckers want to go skiing, and the conditions are perfect today.

Yeah.

Dad, do we have to go?

We've imposed on the Montgomery's long enough.

Just...

Daddy, Daddy, no!

I don't want to go!

I don't want to go!

It's time for us to move on, kids.

You know what I mean, right?

Joe?

Can I see you for some...

Honey, go play with the kids.

Hey, it's okay.

Joe, I wonder if I could ask a favor.

Yeah, go ahead, in your name.

Okay.

I wondered if, uh, you might consider staying one more day.

It would be a great help to me.

Okay, how would that help?

Well, Judith has told me that once you and the family go, she's leaving.

With the kids.

And she doesn't want me to come.

I just think if you could stay one more day, I might have a chance to change things.

Just one day, Joe.

What do you say?

Yeah.

Yeah, I think I can help you with that.

Thank you, Joe.

Robbie, Lucy!

Never mind.

We're gonna stay another day.

Yeah!

Another day!

Thank you, Joe.

Alright!

I'm gonna take a walk.

Just, uh, not too far, huh?

Right, I'll keep my head up.

Hey, Charles!

Yeah, Joe?

Enjoy your life.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Where were you?

I was starting to get worried.

I just took a walk up to the road.

I had to think.

Judith?

Did you really mean it the other night?

When you said that you wished we could live in our little house in Waverly again?

Yes.

You know, I've always worked so hard just to

try to provide you and the kids with everything.

Everything you need.

Everything you deserve.

When are you gonna get it?

I don't want money.

I don't want big houses.

I don't want fancy cars.

I didn't marry you for what you had.

I married you for who you were.

Who was I?

The guy that made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt.

I haven't seen that guy for a long time.

Neither have I.

There's something that I have to tell you.

The reason I went out in that storm last night was to get something out of the car.

Something I just had to have.

And hold in my hand.

I don't know why.

It was as if my life depended on it.

What are you talking about?

That's the only picture that I have of just Bella and me.

And I keep it with me.

And I take it wherever I go.

Judith and I, Bella died.

I didn't check on her.

It's my fault.

No.

It was when I turned that night and I didn't go in, Judith.

I think I didn't go in and I think the blanket was too high or she turned.

Or something.

And I know if I had have gone in I could have seen it.

Do you remember what the doctor said?

She died early in the morning.

It doesn't matter.

No, I could have saved her.

I could have saved her.

You can't talk like that.

I miss her so much.

You have no idea how much you mean to me.

And it's not your fault because I never tell you.

A red dress, a silver belt, and long silver earrings.

What?

A red dress, a silver belt, and long silver earrings.

That's what you were wearing the night that we met.

I love you.

I love you too.

Thank you

for letting the Christmas tree have dinner with us.

That's so cute.

Judith, this has been one of the nicest Christmas dinners I can remember.

Thank you so much.

Oh, we have loved having you here.

Yeah, we sure have.

Listen, I, Joe, I was wondering, can I have a second

chance at the passing of the Christmas candle?

Dad, it's may I have a second chance?

Absolutely, Charles.

You may have a second chance.

All right, now pay close attention, everyone,

because I know that this is gonna be really good.

No pressure, Charles.

Well, first of all, I'm thankful that we met the Tucker family who came to our door

needing our help, but showed us through their love and respect for each other that

it just might have been our family that needed their help.

And I'm especially thankful that they agreed to stay an extra day.

I'm thankful for my children, my magnificent, marvelous kids, who ask

nothing more from me for their unconditional love than that I offer them

some guidance and pay some attention to their lives.

I love you.

I appreciate you.

Each of you.

And Judith, you are the love of my life.

I've always loved you and I always will.

And I'm going to try very hard to be the guy that makes you laugh.

Like you said, so hard your stomach hurt.

That's what I'm thankful for.

That and for whoever invented dessert.

Dad's toast was perfect.

It made us all feel really good.

And as I looked around the table at everyone laughing and talking,

I started thinking that maybe we were going to be like the Tuckers after all.

A family that really loved each other.

Wow, so, we're all set.

Kids are waiting outside, so I guess, I guess that's it.

Joe, if you just wait a couple hours, the plows will

have the roads cleared and Charles will be fine.

Really.

Are you sure he knows which way to go?

Why don't you lead?

Thank you so much again for taking us in.

Thank you for bringing the Christmas spirit into our home.

I hope we see you again.

Absolutely.

Aww.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Good.

Thanks, Joe.

Thank you.

Alright.

Bye, Amy.

We'll walk you out.

Come on.

We're gonna miss you, too.

We're gonna miss you.

Bye, guys.

Bye.

Bye.

Come on.

Judith, what were we thinking?

We should have never let them go.

I've got to check on them.

I'm coming with you.

Me, too.

If you're going, we're all going.

Alright, let's grab our snow gear.

Okay.

What is that?

I don't know.

A family we all knew around here died in the blizzard.

We're having a memorial in their favorite spot.

Oh.

What happened?

We didn't stand a chance.

The Tuckers, they visited our community so often

that they really became part of the local family.

Probably one of the best families that I had ever had the privilege of knowing.

Daddy!

That's the Tuckers!

No.

No, no.

Wait, wait.

There's been a mistake.

The Tuckers were with us an hour ago.

I don't know if that were only the case.

It is the case.

This is crazy.

They were with us through the whole blizzard.

They're fine.

Yeah.

They told us that the van went off the road.

They came to our door.

That's not possible.

I helped pull the bodies out of the wreckage.

I've known the Tuckers for fifteen years.

It was them.

There's no mistake.

It is a mistake.

We were with them just an hour ago.

Look, no.

I can prove it to you.

I took a picture with Robbie myself just yesterday.

What's the matter, honey?

He's not there.

Robbie's not there.

This can't be happening.

He's sleeping.

Kids, let's go home.

Let's go home.

Thank you.

Yeah.

No problem.

Take care.

Mommy, is it possible that that was the Tuckers?

No.

Not at all.

Judith, you okay?

It just doesn't make sense.

They were with us the whole time.

We weren't imagining it.

You guys, look!

Why?

There are only three snow angels.

Jennifer's, mine, and Alexander's.

The ones that the Tuckers made aren't there.

And I know why.

Why, Emily?

Because they were real angels.

I prayed that you and Daddy wouldn't get a divorce, and then they came.

It all made sense.

The Tuckers arriving after I prayed for help.

Lucy saying we could be soul sisters.

Robbie not wanting to make promises he couldn't keep.

Robbie missing from the photo.

And the Tuckers snow angels disappearing.

I don't need this.

I don't need this.

Daddy!

This was the best Christmas anyone could ask for.

And my little sister, baby Bella, we could feel she was here with us.

I will remember this Christmas forever and ever.

And ever.

And ever.