Family for Christmas (2015) - full transcript

Passengers, please remember

not to leave baggage unattended.

Hey.

Hi.

I grabbed you a couple
things at the newsstand.

I figured,
for your first day,

you might want to brush up
on your current events.

Ben, that
is so sweet.

I got you
the Times, The Journal,

U.S.A. Today,
Atlantic,

couple of fan magazines
I know you hate,



but you never know what
they're gonna want you to write.

It's an internship.
I'll probably be

making coffee
and answering phones.

Are you kidding?

Hanna, they're not bringing
you to San Francisco

to make coffee.

They're lucky to have you.

Thank you.

Oh! I got you
a little something...

Ben...

Open it.

It's a key...
to my heart.

Okay, that sounded
a lot better

when I was
practicing.



Oh, this is beautiful.
Thank you.

Passengers,
please proceed to the gate.

I love you.

I love you, too.

I have to go.

Yeah.

Here, I'll hold these.

Thank you.

Sure you got
everything?

Yeah.
I'm all set.

Don't forget to call me
as soon as you land.

I-- I promise.

The shuttle's
gonna be waiting

right outside
of baggage claim.

If it's not there--

I'm not even
gonna say it, Ben.

I'm just gonna
get on the plane

and pretend that
I'm gonna see you tomorrow.

- Good plan.
- You know, it's six months.

We can do this.

Absolutely.

Right? Okay.

This will be great.

I mean, this is what
we both wanted, right?

I mean, this is
for both of us.

You can have time
to finish your novel, and...

Thank God you're leaving.

I can finally
get some work done.

I'll get back,

and it'll be like
I was never gone.

We'll be together,

and it'll be so great.

It's already
pretty great.

I love you, Ben.

I love you so much.

Nothing'll
ever change that.

Bye.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you.
Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

This is incredible.

I can't believe

how much information
there is on this guy.

That's great, Hanna,

and as much
as I like these stakeouts,

I am freezing.

Look at this.

Ray Campbell was run out of
Miami, Tulsa, Las Vegas--

same scam,
always during the holidays.

Can I turn
on the heater?

I can't feel
my fingers.

How many times have we
been through this?

Thanks.

What are you doing
for Christmas?

Got a lot of work
to catch up on.

I'm gonna go visit
my folks in Wisconsin.

They love Christmas,
always make a big deal.

When I was
growing up--

Carl.

Go.

Excuse me, Ray Campbell?

Hanna Dunbar,
Channel 8 News.

Would you care
to respond to allegations

that your charity
is actually a sham,

and you pocket
donations yourself?

Charity?

What're you talking about?

You solicit for something

called
"The Christmas Stocking Fund."

You got the wrong guy, lady.
I'm in the catering business.

My investigation shows
that phone calls and e-mails

have all been traced back
to this warehouse,

which is leased in your name.

Wait a minute,
I know you.

You're on all the buses.

I got nothing to say.

Mr. Campbell,
doesn't it bother you

to exploit the generosity of
so many good-hearted people?

I said, we're done here.
Turn off the camera.

Hey, hey!
You can't come in here!

Shut it down!
Shut it down.

Shut it down!

While most people
celebrate Christmas

as a time of giving,

others exploit that generosity
for their own gain.

With so many people in need,

it's important we do what we can
to help others,

but it's also just as important
we remain vigilant

about where our donations go.

So, if someone calls you

from the "Christmas
Stocking Fund,"

make the donation
that will say the most--

a lump of coal.

This is Hanna Dunbar reporting.
Channel 8 News.

Is it true?

What?

I was talking to Carl,

he said
you were winging it,

that wrap-up was off
the top of your head.

How'd it play?

Are you kidding?
Through the roof.

People are calling,
texting, tweeting.

Everybody wants to know
the right places to donate.

Okay. Which is exactly
what we do for a follow-up.

Show 'em the other
side of the coin.

Show 'em the places
they can trust--

uh, donations,
volunteer work.

I like it.
Let's do it.

Okay.

In the meantime,

how about we celebrate
over dinner tonight?

I can't.
What about tomorrow night?

It's the office Christmas party
tomorrow night, remember?

Remind me again
why we have a party

with the same people
we work with every day?

Because it's
Christmas, Hanna.

And because
the corporate hot shots

like hanging out
with their star reporter.

Of course, that's just
your news director talking.

Really? Well,
what does my handsome

and charming boyfriend
have to say?

I saw we cut out early

and have a little
romantic dinner at Martello's.

And that's what I like to hear.

And let's pull
that list of charities together

right away, Carrie,
'cause Grant's onboard.

I think we could have
the follow-up on air

by tomorrow.

I've already started
vetting a few places.

Good people.
They could use the plug.

Okay, good. You know,
I really want play up

the whole Christmas thing.

Dogs and kids and bake sales
and reindeers on rooftops--

whatever they've got.

All that warm and fuzzy stuff
you love this time of year?

Hey, I got nothing
against Christmas,

as long as it looks good
on camera.

I'll see what I can do.

Great. Anything else?

There was
one quick thing.

What's up?

I had this idea
for a Christmas story.

There's a family
shelter downtown,

they've been around
for, like, 20 years--

Carrie, I would love
to hear all about it,

but I just don't have time

to give it my full attention
right now.

Oh. Oh, sure.

In the meantime, why don't you
put your pitch in an e-mail,

and I'll look at it
as soon as I can.

Okay?

Thanks.

I will be out here
when you need me.

You always are.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you, sir.
Merry Christmas.

I just feel
it's time, Harold.

I mean, I love this place,

but we both know
I'm ready for this.

We've been doing this dance
for weeks now, Harold.

I don't know what else
I can say to convince you.

You don't have to.

What?

I just wanted
to see your face

when I told you
that the Board

has agreed
to your request.

They have?

Congratulations.

As of the new year,

you'll be
our Special News Correspondent

for the New York bureau.

Thank you!

This is...

I just--

Thank you so much!

Merry Christmas.

Looks like someone's all full
of Christmas spirit.

As a matter of fact,
it's been a pretty good day.

Well, you deserve it.

That was
a wonderful story

you reported
on the news earlier today.

Oh. Thank you so much.

Can I ask you
something?

- Actually, I really need--
- No, no, no. It's just...

How do you know
which stories are real

and which ones aren't?

You just have to...
trust your instincts.

It's really the best way
to make the right choice.

"Instincts."

Hmm.

Merry Christmas!

Nice idea, Carrie.

All right, let's settle,
everyone.

I know
we're all in holiday mode,

but we still have
the news to do.

First up,
I would like to congratulate

our own intrepid Hanna Dunbar

for once again
going for the jugular.

Come on, you guys.
Fish in a barrel.

Now, Hanna is working
on a follow-up,

to let our audience know

the right places for them
to make their donations.

Actually, there's a different
idea I want to run by you.

Okay.

And Carrie deserves
some credit on this.

She was a big help
pulling it together.

I like how you're
bringing her along.

Let's hear it.

There's a family
shelter downtown

that's been there
for nearly 20 years.

The woman who runs it,
Helen Sander,

was actually living
on the streets herself

for a time.

And that's where she was,
Christmas Eve,

nearly 20 years ago...

Ahh! I just heard
the great news!

We got the green light
for the shelter story!

Grant loved the idea.

Oh, that is so cool.

Okay. So, what happens now?
I mean, how do we do this?

Let's get
an interview set up

with Helen Sander
right away.

I want to do it at the shelter,

but find out if she has

an office,
someplace quiet,

where I can really talk to her.

Oh. Um... I thought--

What's wrong?

N-- No.

I mean, I just, um...

I thought,
when I pitched you the story--

And you did a fine job,

but I had to put
my own spin on it,

that's what sold
Grant on the story.

Right.

Carrie--

Listen,
I know it's hard,

but you're not ready
to step in front of the camera,

not yet,
but you'll get there.

Trust me.
Don't worry.

You just have to be patient.

You're right.

And in the meantime,
I think we make a great team.

So I'm counting on you

to keep doing all of
the great things you do here,

so I can do what I do

and, together,

we can make this story
another win for the team.

That sound good?

Absolutely.

I'll get that interview
set up right away.

Thank you, Carrie.

Hello?

Oh, thank you, Stuart.

Let me know
when the car gets here.

Ben?

Yes?

Okay, I'll be right down.

I caught your story
yesterday, Ms. Dunbar.

That was
really nice work.

Thank you, Stuart.

You have fun tonight.
You deserve it.

- I'll try.
- Okay.

So? Have you been
a good girl this year?

Well, if being at
this party counts.

If I didn't know better,

I'd swear you were
having a good time.

Tell me
something, Grant.

If...

If someone
from your past

contacts you
on the Internet,

and it's really
out of the blue,

what do you do?

Well, it depends on what
we're talking about here.

Is this someone
who owes you money,

or an old flame?

Well, he doesn't
owe me money.

Easy. Block him.

Really?

Oh, yeah.
Been there, done that.

I mean, not everyone's
a stalker.

Okay.

Let me ask you this--

you're a famous journalist,

you have an amazing place
and you make great money.

What possible ulterior motive
could he have?

Right?

Yeah.

Good evening, everyone.

If I could have your attention
for a moment.

I just wanted take a moment
to offer Season's Greetings,

and to thank you all

for another great year
at Channel 8.

I also have one announcement

that falls in the category
of "bittersweet."

I'm pleased to tell you

that our good friend
and colleague Hanna Dunbar

has accepted the position

of Special News Correspondent
in our New York Bureau.

I'm sure you'll all agree
when I say

our loss
is New York's gain.

Thank you.

New York?

I'm so sorry.

I-I-- I didn't know
Harold was gonna do that.

I wanted to tell you
over dinner.

I know that we have
a lot to talk about.

Hanna.
Congratulations.

You're not upset?

Are you kidding?
It's killing me!

I'd love to work in New York.

I mean, about...
about us.

Oh!

Yeah. Yeah. Of course.

I mean, this has
been really great.

I'm really
gonna miss you,

but...

we both knew one of us was
gonna move on sooner or later.

Yeah--
no, of course, that's...

I mean, this happens
all the time, but--

Let's face it, Hanna.

People like you and I,

the only thing
we're ever really in love with

is our career.

That's why
we're so good.

Congratulations.

Oh, ho, ho!

This is not the lunch room.

Uh, back the way you came,
two lefts, then a right.

Hey! Look who!

Oh...

You were on the corner.

And you're having
another great day!

New York, huh?
Congratulations.

Thank you.

Why aren't you celebrating?

I'm not exactly what you would
call a Christmas person.

Oh, I don't know.

Looks to me
like you might have

a Christmas wish
on your mind.

I've got everything I need,
thanks.

Oh, no.

A "Christmas wish"

isn't about what you need...

it's about what you want.

And I have everything I want.

And just for the record,
I didn't get it by wishing.

I worked very hard
to get where I am.

And by trusting your instincts
to make the right choices?

Um, this is...

I'm not-- I can't believe
we're having this conversation.

I don't even know you.

Sure you do.

Oh, no!
A "Christmas wish"

isn't about what you need,
it's about what you want.

Wake up, Mommy!
Mommy, wake up!

Wake up, Mommy!
Mommy, wake up!

Daddy!

Mommy's awake!

Mommy's awake
and we want pancakes!

Mommy's awake
and we want pancakes!

Pancakes are ready!

Yay!
Pancakes! I want pancakes!

Yay! Come on, Toby!

What is happening?

What--
Where are my clothes?

Ben?

Hanna!
Pancakes are getting cold!

The suburbs?

Hanna?

Here you go.

Oh, yeah. Perfect.

These are delicious!

Chow down.

Bon appetit.

Perfect.

Hopefully,
Mommy will like them.

Oh, yeah.
She'll love them.

Married?

I'm married!

Morning, honey.

I thought you might've
gone back to bed.

Hi, Mommy!

Sorry. I asked them
to wake you gently,

but it's Pancake Sunday,
and we just go crazy! Whoo!

Hey. Are you okay?

Excuse me.

Hanna?

Ah!

Brr! So cold!

You have got to be kidding me.

Ah! Cold.

Honey?
What are you doing?

Can I borrow these?

They're your boots.

This is mine, too?

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

A mini-van?

Hanna, what's going on?

I'll bring it back.

Hanna?

Hanna?

What are you doing?

Come on.

Hanna?

Come on.

Stuart,

you would not believe
the morning I'm having.

Excuse me?

Visitors
have to check in.

I have to call you up.

What are you talking about?

Stuart, it's me.

Look, I don't know
how you know my name,

but you're not going anywhere
unless I call you up first.

But I-I live here.

It's Hanna Dunbar, 8-B?

Lady, I've never laid eyes
on you before in my life.

And I'm pretty sure
I'd remember those pajamas.

Hi, I left my key card,

and I need to get into
my office.

You work here?

Of course. Hanna Dunbar.

Sorry.

Hanna Dunbar.
News division.

There's no Hanna Dunbar.

Have a nice day.

Is Grant Walker in his office?

He's not here.
It's Sunday.

Right.

Okay, well, could you please
call him at home?

Tell him it's me,

and he needs to get
down here right away.

You've got to be kidding me.

No, it's all right, I promise.

Are you wearing pajamas?

Listen, I really
don't want to be

that person,

but I have won
a number of national awards,

including three Emmys
for my reporting.

My ratings are the highest
in this station's history.

You know what, wait,
call my assistant.

Ask her to come down.

Her name is Carrie Garrett.

Your assistant
is Carrie Garrett?

Yes.

Please call her.

That Carrie Garrett?

No. No, no, no, this is my job!

This is my job!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you.

Hi.

Uh...

Do you know me?

I think what
you're really asking, Hanna,

is do I know
what's going on?

You do know me.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

I thought
I was losing my mind.

You're not
losing your mind.

I don't understand, though.

What is going on?
What is happening to me?

I have no idea.

What?

Sorry. Not a clue.

What... what are you
talking about?

This can't just happen.

I woke up this morning,
and my life was gone.

Yeah, I know. Weird, right?

No, not weird,

impossible!

People don't just wake up

and find themselves leading
completely different lives.

And yet, here we stand.

Will you just
stop that, please?

Thanks.

Listen, this is
unacceptable, okay?

I'm starting a great new job,
and I just want my life back.

Please tell me
what I am supposed do.

How should I know?

This is your wish.

Wish? What...
What wish?

Remember?

At the party,

I said, "It looks like
someone in here

might have a Christmas wish
on their mind."

And I said, "No."

Are you sure?

Well...

Are you saying that I...
I did this?

All I know is that eventually

we all have a moment
in our lives when we wonder,

"What if?"

What if I'd gone left
instead of right?

What if I'd said yes
instead of no?

What if I'd waited

just five more minutes?

What if?

But how could
that change everything?

Well, now and then,
somebody wonders so hard,

that they turn it into a wish
without even knowing it.

And trust me,

a Christmas wish

can be a very powerful thing.

Okay, so, what am
I supposed to do now, hmm?

My advice?

Just go easy.

One step at a time.

It'll sort itself out.

And how long
is that gonna take?

Good question.

Probably as long
as it takes for you

to figure out why it happened
in the first place.

That's great, thanks.

In 50 yards,
take a left on Smith Street.

Please keep walking.

Just keep
walking...

Just keep walking...

Hanna!

Hanna!

Hey!

I was gonna call you
when I got home.

Door's locked.

Time for a cool-down anyway.

I'm up to three miles a day,
can you believe it?

Oh.

I mean, it's killing me,
but it's worth it.

And like you said,

it's not a sprint,
it's a marathon.

What are you
doing out here?

Oh. You know.

Yeah, I know.

This time of year,
it never stops.

You need to take
a little down-time.

I'm just surprised, you know.

I mean, with tonight
and everything?

Tonight?

Well, that's why
I was gonna call you.

I was planning to make
my sweet potato pie,

like I do every year.

Suddenly, Rob's like,

"Tammy, make something else
for a change."

And I was wondering,
what do you think?

Do you think everyone's sick
of the same old thing?

Because we're friends.

Tammy.

Right?
That's why you're asking?

Well, yeah.

Because you come to me,
and I can come to you...

So you think Rob's right?

No, no,
I'm just saying,

that after
all these years,

we can talk
about anything.

Well, I guess.

Sure.

We talk about how
you're married to... Rob?

And how I'm...

I'm married to Ben.

And live in this house
with two daughters.

Aw, Caitlin and Hallie
are such great girls.

Caitlin and Hallie--

yes, they are great kids.

They're wonderful kids,
Caitlin and Hallie,

they're wonderful kids,

with names that just
really stick with you

when you say them enough.

Caitlin and Hallie.
Caitlin and Hallie...

You know what,
and then there's my job?

When did you get a job?

Not a job!

Not a job-job.

Just I'm...
I'm a stay-at-home mom.

My family is my job?

Yeah, like you'd have time
for anything else,

with the PTA,
and the booster club,

and the neighborhood watch,

and running after the girls
every which way.

I don't know
how you keep up as it is.

Really makes you wonder
how I got here.

Honey, are you okay?

Um... I'm just kind of
having an off day.

Huh, well, I read somewhere

almost half the people
in this country

dread the holidays.

That is the least
of my problems.

Is everything
okay at home?

I'm not sure.

Did you and Ben have a fight?

No, I never
had a fight with Ben.

That's what I mean,
if you two can't get along,

what hope is there
for the rest of us?

But sometimes, people change.

Not you two.

Oh, I gotta scoot.

See you tonight.

Tammy, um,

why are you bringing
sweet potato pie?

You know what?

You're right.

It is time for a change.

Thanks, Hanna.

No. No, she hasn't
been gone that long.

I was just wondering if she--

maybe she went over
to your place

to work on the pageant
or something.

No, no, I'm sure she's fine.

Hi.

Hi.

Never mind.
She's here.

Thanks.

You look great,
by the way.

Are you all right?

You know,
I've had better days.

You left without
your phone and your purse.

I had no idea where you were.

And the way
you ran out of here...

Yeah, sorry about that.

I've been
calling everybody.

What's going on?
Where've you been?

I went into the city.

The city?

That's where I live.

Come on, Hanna,
this isn't funny.

I was really worried.

How do you think I feel?

I went to bed,

and the next thing I know,

I wake up in the suburbs--

with two kids and a dog?

Whoa, what are you
talking about?

We talked about this
when we got married,

and I got the job offer
in San Francisco.

We decided to move here,

and raise our family.

And I, for one, have been
very happy

over the last 10 years.

Wow.

Um, okay, I don't even know
how to say this, Ben,

but there's really been

some sort of, like,
cosmic mash-up.

I didn't wish for this.

I know it's not exactly
what we planned--

Ben, that's what
I'm trying to tell you.

I am not your wife,
and this is not my house,

and I am not anybody's "Mommy."

But they seem like
nice kids.

Look, I don't know
where this is coming from,

but, you and me,
we could always talk.

When you're ready to tell me
what's really going on,

we'll figure it out.

Okay.

You look like
I haven't kissed you in years.

Can I take a shower?

You don't need
permission.

Right.

Of course, because I...

Yeah, I live here.

This is Hanna Dunbar reporting.
Channel 8 news.

Don't--

What are you--
What are you doing?

I was just getting
a Band-aid for Hallie.

What are you doing?

Since when are you so shy?

I'm not shy,

just a little "me" time
would be nice.

"Me Time."

I remember that, back
before we had kids.

Do you need
anything from the store?

You're leaving?

Yeah, we need ice
for the party.

Party?

Oh, no, no,
I can't go to a party.

Then I guess it's a good thing
we're having it here.

Don't forget
about the mushrooms.

Mushrooms?

Mushrooms...

Ah-hah.

Mushrooms.

Thank you...

Caitlin.

Wow, we certainly do
a lot of cooking.

Ooh, look at this.

"Mushrooms Neptune."

And would you just look
at all those ingredients.

This looks so...
so complicated.

It's Daddy's
favorite.

I know.

Do you know what would
really surprise Daddy?

Hi, guys, I'm back.

Do I smell mushrooms?

Surprise!

They wanted
to make it themselves.

Yum. Now, who's
going to clean this mess up?

You.

Hi.

Hi.

Merry Christmas.

Hanna, did you see
that e-mail

that Caitlin's
coach sent out?

Oh, yeah...

Next season,
he wants the girls

to try out
for their positions.

To have the best
starting line-up.

So they can
win a few games?

Beats losing.

Our girls aren't
there to win.

They just
want to have fun.

And competing
against your friends?

I think that sends the wrong
message to the girls,

don't you?

No, I think he has a point.

What?

You know what it's
like out there.

Everybody scrambling around
to get their piece of the pie.

A little competition
at their age--

I don't think
that's a bad thing.

But... they just look so cute

in those little uniforms,
don't they?

So adorable.

Excuse me.

Oh, Tammy!

Look who's here.

Everybody, Tammy's here.

No running
in the house.

Sorry we're late.

Don't try a new recipe
when you're in a hurry.

No, no, it's okay.

I'm just so happy to see
a familiar face.

You must be Rob.

Has it been that long?

Hey, Hanna.

Where's Ben?

Uh, he's
in the kitchen with...

those people that are
in the kitchen.

So, what
do you think?

That looks great.

I mean, the guy
owns the company,

he's paying me to come up
with an ad campaign

to sell more hot tubs.

The thing is,

not only does he want to
be his own spokesman--

You write advertising.

That's what
I keep telling myself.

Nine years,
I've been doing this.

Nine years.

Wow.

So, uh, anyway,

I called the guy,
I said, listen...

I mean, this job is the whole
reason we moved here.

Be right back.

You're leaving?

He's smart,

but he hasn't learned
to walk himself.

Come on.
Come on, Toby.

Come on, let's go.
Good job.

So, this is
how it's gonna be?

Then you just
have to figure it out.

That's what he said, right?

Figure out why it happened
in the first place,

before you can
change anything back.

I can do this.

I hope.

What?

You left in the things.

What things?

Well, if you don't like
the fruit,

why did you pick the cereal?

I like the cereal.

I like the fruit.

So, you like the fruit
but not the cereal,

and you like the cereal
but not the fruit?

Are you guys
messing with me?

Morning.

You left in the things?

I lost my head.

I will see
everybody tonight.

Wait, you're leaving?

I know it's early,

but I'm supposed to have
a breakfast meeting

with those
drugstore guys.

Could be
a big account for us.

I'll call you later.

You guys,

have a great day
at school, okay?

Okay.

Bye.

Bye!

School...

I mean, how hard could it be
to figure out her password?

Oh. Oh, hi.
Hi there.

Okay, great,

all set.

Um, listen, do you guys
happen to know

if I keep the school's address
on my phone?

Why are you
acting so weird?

Weird? What?

Are you okay?

Oh, yeah, no, yes.

No, I'm fine.

I'm just a little...
not myself these days.

My teacher says Christmas
does that to people.

Christmas.
Exactly.

Christmas.

It's the most wonderful time
of the year, but...

but it definitely
does that to people.

So, are you
gonna be okay?

Absolutely,

and I don't want
you guys to worry,

okay?

'Cause this is
strictly temporary,

and as soon as I get
to the bottom of it,

everything goes back
to the way it was.

In the meantime,
though,

you two can help me.

What do you mean?

I mean, you can help
keep me on the ball.

Keep me focused.

You know, help
remind me of stuff

if I get too weird
or distracted,

or, I don't know, lost?

So you can think more
about Christmas?

Exactly.

Yes, you handle the details,

and I'll think about Christmas.

How does that sound?

We know how to
get to school.

Have you guys ever noticed

how all the streets
look the same?

Turn here.

See, that was a test,

and... that was good.

Now, who remembers
what we do after school?

You have to pick us up
right after school

or I'll be late
for ballet.

Then you take Hallie
to gymnastics.

Don't forget
to bring us a snack.

Okay, so ballet,
gymnastics, snack, got it.

You have to
make something

for our class
Christmas parties, too.

What, like stuffed mushrooms?

No. Cookies.

We saw a raccoon!

Okay, honey,
that's a little off-topic.

No, she means
that's where you turn.

Where you saw a raccoon
is where you turn? What?

Yeah, here.

Just, uh...

a little more heads-up
next time, okay?

You have to
pick me up first,

then you go back
for Hallie.

We usually have dinner
right when Dad gets home.

Dinner. Okay.

And we still need to help
get ready for the pageant.

Wait, wait.
Wait, wait, pageant?

There it is.

There you go.

Got your backpack...

All right, well, group hug?

Okay? Yeah?

Okay, you guys have a great day.

Okay. Bye.

Bye.

"Family."

All upper-case.
Exclamation point.

What?

The password on your phone.

Thank you.

This place is a mess.

Dream on, dog.

Okay, hold up...

Okay...

Okay, come here, come here.

Phew!
All right, listen to me,

you've got five minutes, okay?

Deal?

I mean, technically, it's mine.

Doctor...

School, doctor.

Ballet, veterinarian.

Ben, school, Ben's office.

Gymnastics, poison control...

Wow, you have got to
get out more.

Oh, you don't know
where that's been.

Put that down,
and not on me.

That is disgusting.

Oh...

Ew.

What a sweetie.

You just want to play,
don't you, boy?

Yeah...

Aw, what's his name?

Hmm?

His name,

what do you call him?

Yeah. Oh, I was just,
you know...

We just...

He does have a name?

Of course.

Of course, he has a name.

I mean, why wouldn't he
have a name?

That would just be crazy.

I mean,
who wouldn't name their dog?

Um... you know.

Uh, what would you call him,

if you didn't
name your dog?

It would just be,
like, "Dog."

"Hey, Dog!" Dog...

Oh! Toby!

Toby!

Your name is Toby.
His name's Toby.

We call him Toby, yeah.

Just Toby, Toby, Toby.

Gold old Toby, that's right.

We are not taking
that ball home,

that is disgusting.

Clearly, Toby, we have
to be more careful

around the Christmas tree

so it doesn't tip over.

So I suggest
we wipe the slate clean

and start over.

Does that sound good to you?

Was that so hard?

I never got on the plane.

In his statement,

the governor denied
any knowledge

of the department's actions,

and promised
a full investigation...

That's my story.

This is Carrie Garrett
reporting, Channel 8 News.

I don't believe this.

Thank you, thank you.

This is such an honor.

I really don't know what to say.

I know what to say.

That's my award.

That's my life.

Oh, no.

I'm sorry.

I'm really
sorry, you guys.

I lost track of time,

and then
I couldn't find the place

where we saw the raccoon,

so I didn't know where to turn.

Whoever's late for ballet
has to be last in line.

That seems harsh.

I promise,
it won't happen again, okay?

Oh, and
the good news is,

I got all kinds of cookies
for your class party.

At the store?

Well, I didn't know

what kind your class likes,

so I got a little bit
of everything.

You were supposed
to bake cookies.

They're kind of
quiet tonight.

Everything okay?

We had kind of a rocky day.

Ah, that explains
the pizza.

What?

Since we only have pizza

on birthdays
and family movie nights,

I figured something was up.

How was, uh, your day?

Not bad.

What?

We got
the drugstore account.

Oh, good.

Yeah, that was pretty much
the consensus at the office.

Landing our
biggest account ever

is definitely a step
in the right direction.

I'm sorry, that's...

Congratulations.

Do you like working there?

At the ad agency?

Yeah, I do.

I mean, it's a small shop,
but we're getting there.

You know what
I was thinking about today?

Your novel.

What?

You're such
a talented writer, Ben.

I was just thinking about it.

Um... I'm sorry.

No, you're right,
one of these days.

Definitely.

Yeah.

I'm gonna go
check on the girls.

There.

Morning.

- Hey.
- Morning.

Is that oatmeal?

Just the way you like it.

I haven't had that
since college.

Well, it's
still good for you.

Hmm.

Thanks.

Mm, I gotta go.

I'm sorry.

That's all right,
no problem.

Have a great day
at school, guys.

Okay.

See you tonight, okay?

Bye!

Ben...

Do you want to have lunch?

What?

You know, lunch.

We used to do it
all the time.

We also used to
have the time.

What's going on?

I just feel like
I haven't talked to you in

a really long time.

Sure.

Swing by the office.
We'll grab a sandwich.

Bye.

Bye.

Okay, hop out.

You guys, how long

are you going to give me
the silent treatment?

How long are you gonna
keep acting like this?

Come on, you guys, I'm trying.

You have to
try harder.

Being a mom is
an important job.

What am I supposed to do?

Hanna!

Hey.

Mary Beth's
gonna be late tonight,

so Sheila said she could
pick up the paint

if you don't mind
coming early and opening up?

The Christmas
pageant?

We need to
help decorate.

How could you forget that?

I've got a lot on my mind,
remember?

You said that you would
think more about Christmas.

That was the deal.

You know what,

you're swamped.

I'll get it.

See you soon.

All right,
it's all taken care of. See?

You're really
not gonna help?

You guys, please,
give me a break.

I don't know the first thing
about Christmas pageants.

You don't know anything
about anything important!

Come on.

This isn't
even my real life.

This is just a... a "what if."

Yeah, strictly hypothetical
and temporary.

I know the difference.

If I can't tell
the difference. Please...

I can feel the difference,
and it feels...

It feels...

I mean, it's just cookies.

This is nice.

It's like we're on a date.

You smell like cookies.

I smell like
burnt cookies.

I forgot
to set the timer.

You?

You say that like
I've never done it before.

You haven't.

Oh.

Well, it's just the holidays.

What do you mean?

I'm not a big fan of Christmas.

What? You love
Christmas, Hanna.

You always have.

You can't wait
to put the tree up,

you finished your
shopping weeks ago.

Yeah, I know, I just...

Sometimes, you just,
you look around,

and you can't help thinking...

Are we in
some kind of trouble here?

Is that what this whole lunch
is about?

What? No.

Because the last
few days,

it's like
you haven't been yourself,

and I'm starting to get worried.

I'm sorry, I've had
a lot on my mind lately.

Like my book?

You're a great writer, Ben.

Yeah, well, writing copy
may not be great literature,

but at least
it pays the bills.

But haven't you ever wondered
"what if"?

What if you'd
kept writing?

What if you'd
finished the book?

What if...

What if we never
had Caitlin?

What if we never
had Hallie?

No. There is
no "what if's."

I love you.
I love the girls.

I love every sleepless night,
every leaky faucet,

every month we just scraped by.

I wouldn't
change a thing.

You really mean that.

What about you?

You ever wondered, "what if"?

What if you'd gotten
on that plane?

I already know
what would have happened.

You sound pretty sure.

You turn left instead of right.

You say "yes" instead of "no."

It changes everything.

Not everything.

Hey.

Hi.

I'm, uh, I'm just gonna
run over to the school,

to help with
the decorations, okay?

So, I'll be back
in a couple hours.

Did you guys want to go?

Yay!

Hey! Hanna!

Over here!

That's beautiful.

Good job.

I'm sure it's perfect.

How did you do that?

Like always.

That was really fun
last night.

It was really fun last night.

I'm glad you guys
enjoyed it.

I thought it was
pretty awesome.

Morning.

Good morning.

Oh.

Thanks.

Sure.

Have a great day
at school, guys.

I'll see you tonight.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Bye.

Bye.

Better.

Morning!

Bye.

Bye.

Merry Christmas!

There he is!
There's Santa!

- Get in line.
- All right, guys.

Merry Christmas!

All right, who's next?

You girls look beautiful.
Go ahead.

Have fun,
you guys.

And what are
your names?

- Caitlin.
- Hallie.

And what would you like
for Christmas?

A pony.

A bike.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Look over here.

You know, a Christmas wish
is a powerful thing,

and sometimes, it can come true
right before your eyes.

Ho, ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas!

Off you go.

Ho, ho, ho!

- Bye.
- Bye.

Good job.

Who's next?

Did you see that?

See what?

Santa winked at you.

What?

Like he knew you.

That's just because

I've been a really
good girl this year.

What's going on
up there?

What?

Thank you.

Grant hires make-up
for a remote now?

Are we getting a glare
off those presents?

Really?

Uh... naw, we're good.

- Carl?
- Let's do this.

And... rolling.

It's a long way

from living on the streets
of San Francisco to the--

You okay?

Excuse me.

Excuse me.
Carrie, are you okay?

Are you okay?
Are you okay?

Yeah.

I'm fine, I'm fine,
just help me up.

Keep rolling, Carl.

It's a long way

from living on the streets
of San Francisco

to the Christmas Fair
in the heart of suburbia.

But not too far

for Helen Sander
to find her way here,

where, brick by brick,

she would build
the foundation

for a family shelter

that is a true
Christmas miracle.

This is
Hanna Matthews reporting,

Channel 8 news.

This is
Hanna Matthews reporting,

Channel 8 News.

It's a long way from living on
the streets of San Francisco

to the Christmas--

What are
you girls watching?

All right, okay, let's see it.

It's a long way from
the streets of San Francisco

to the Christmas Fair
in the heart of suburbia.

But not too far for Helen Sander
to find her way here...

You look good.

...she would
build the foundation

for a family shelter

that is a true
Christmas miracle.

You guys have
the best day, okay?

Thanks.

Thanks, Mom!

Bye!

Oh.

Hello?

I'm calling for Hanna Matthews?

Speaking.

Please hold for Mr. Walker.

Mrs. Matthews.
Hello. Grant Walker.

I'm the news director
at Channel 8 News.

Grant?

Hi! How are you?

Um... fine.

Thank you.
How are you?

Oh, I'm-I'm great.

I'm... Yeah, I'm doing great.

Well, great.

Listen, the reason I called--

No, like I don't know

you're a big fan of those
fish-out-of-water stories?

Excuse me?

You want to
interview me, right?

About my stand-up
at the mall last night?

Mrs. Matthews, have we met?

Uh... no.

No, no, I just...

I watch your channel
all the time.

Well, thank you.

As a matter of fact,

yes, I would like to talk to you
about an interview.

The hits on your YOUTUBE video

just keep climbing.

I saw that.

So what do you say,

can you get away for lunch
in the city tomorrow?

I-I... Yeah, yeah,
I can get away.

Wonderful.

I'll get my assistant
to call you back

with all the details.

I'm looking forward to it.

Me too. Thank you.

Sorry.

Sorry.

I'll have the Atlantic salmon
with the leek and apple sauteed,

but instead of potato,

could I have a caprese salad,

very little olive oil, please?

- Of course.
- Thank you.

That sounds amazing.
Make it two.

Thanks, Jeffrey.

Thanks.

Well, so much for

my attempt
at impressing you.

What?

Well, you've
been here before.

You didn't even
look at the menu.

Oh.

I just, um,
I looked at it before, on-line,

because I wanted to impress you.

I have to say,
Mrs. Matthews,

you are not
what I expected.

Oh, well,
you can call me Hanna,

but what were you expecting?

A high-energy,
over-scheduled soccer Mom

who took one Communication
course in college,

and just happened to be

in the right place
at the right time.

Which is
a perfect local story

to wrap up the 5:00 hour

and lead strong
into the national news.

Wow, you really do
watch our show.

Can I be completely frank?

Please.

We could do the interview
you brought me here to discuss,

and I'm sure your audience
would get a good chuckle

out of my antics

before hearing about

the problems of the world.

That's usually the idea.

Or you and Harold
could take another look

at the numbers
on my video.

How do you know Harold?

Channel 8 has the opportunity

to do something different
than anyone's tried before.

Which is?

To get that younger demographic
interested in the local news.

Not in this lifetime.

No, not if we do it

the same way
everyone else does,

the same way we always did.

"We"?

Think of it as
a different side of the news.

A better side.

For 90 seconds
each night,

people get to feel
better about themselves.

And how
do we do that?

You hire me

as a Special
Correspondent.

Okay...

You use the mall video

as a way to introduce
a new segment.

We could call it,
I don't know, uh...

"You Gotta See This."

And we get online,

and we track the videos
that are popular,

that have
that local connection,

and we broadcast them,

but it's not about the videos.

Because we could
see those online anytime.

Exactly.

It's about the people.

It's about the grandmas
and the kids,

and the proud new parents,

and all of the wonderful moments
that they want to share.

It's about the lives they lead

and how all of these same things
matter to all of us.

I know these people.

They're my friends,
they're my neighbors,

and I just never realized
before...

I never realized
how important they are.

How important family is.

I mean, that's...

That's what makes the world
a better place.

Who wouldn't
want to watch that?

Who wouldn't want to watch
a part of the news

that just makes you
feel better about yourself?

Hi! I'm home!

In here.

How'd it go?

Great.

Wow. Look at you.

Thanks.

I needed something
to wear to the city.

That's something,
all right.

Where are the girls?

Dress rehearsal, remember?

Pageant's tomorrow night.

I'm just taking them
some dinner.

Well, I wanted to tell everyone
the big news together,

but I can't wait.

You got the interview?

He offered m

A job?

I mean, it's not official yet,

because I still have to meet
with his boss.

Whoa, whoa, Hanna.

A job in the city?

You should've seen me, Ben.

It was like, all of a sudden,
I could see it.

It was just right there
in front of me,

and all I had to do
was reach out and grab it.

And I didn't let go
until he said yes.

I was on fire.

Wow, I...

I've never heard you
sound like this before.

I know, I'm so excited.
Isn't this exciting?

Yeah.

Yeah, no, I mean, it's great,

but, um, don't you think
we need to talk about this?

Oh, absolutely, of course.

I know this is a lot
to take in at once.

You could say that.

I just have such
a good feeling

about this job.

I think this is a...

It's like a whole
new beginning for us.

I didn't know
we needed a new beginning.

Oh, well, you know what I mean.

And what about the girls?

What do you mean?

Working in the city,
with traffic,

it's over an hour each way.
When are you gonna see them?

I'll see them all the time.

You'll leave
before they wake up,

get home after they're in bed.

No, it's not
going to be like that,

and I'm going to be home
on the weekends.

The weekends?

You say something
like that, Hanna,

and it's like
I don't even know you.

You're right,
you're right, I'm sorry.

It's-- Okay, fine,

you know what,
I won't do the commute.

I won't do the commute,
and we'll just, we'll move.

Move? Wow.

What? Why not?

San Francisco is
an amazing city.

I mean, there's so much
for the girls to see and do,

and there's better schools,

and there's
so many opportunities.

Just like that?

Take them
out of their school,

ask them to leave
all their friends,

say goodbye to the only home
they've ever known,

the home where
we have become a family?

And that sounds okay to you?

We'll still be a family.

This is...

This could be so great for us.

It's already pretty great--

or so I thought.

The girls are
gonna be hungry.

Is that me?

Yeah, on your first Christmas.

But not mine.

No, you're right.

It would've been
your third Christmas.

Do you remember

all the Christmases
we've ever had?

I know I'll remember
this one best of all.

Oh...

Look how cute.

Oh, I love that one.

Whoa.

Look how tiny
you guys were.

They're asleep.

I had this crazy idea

that we'd raise our family
in this house,

grow old together,

share a lifetime
of memories.

Ben...

I love you, Hanna.

Nothing's ever
gonna change that.

And it's a lot
more important

than the address
on our door.

So if you need this...

really need it,

we'll figure out a way.

How did you know
how to do that thing on TV?

I was actually
a Broadcasting major

in college.

You know, I thought about
becoming a TV reporter.

You would have been good.

Aw, thanks.

All right,
that should do it.

Let's have a look.

Okie dokie.

Okay, everybody twirl.

You call that twirling,
that's not twirling.

Now, this...

this is twirling.

And this is twirling!

Hi, it's Hanna.
Leave a message.

Hanna, hi. Grant Walker.

Great news.

I ran your idea by Harold,
and he loves it.

He wants the three of us
to talk over dinner,

but it has to be tonight.

He's on a plane in the morning,

and he'll be in Montana
for the holidays

for three weeks.

All you have to do
is pitch him the way you did me,

and the job is yours.

This could be the start
of something great.

I've got a feeling
about you and me.

I think we're gonna make
an amazing team.

Just one word of advice--

in this business,

the only thing
you can really love

is your career.

Sorry.

Hi.

How did it go?

I told him
I wasn't interested.

Did you like it?

I loved it.

Oh, you were both
so wonderful.

I'm glad you came.

I wouldn't have missed it
for the world.

Now go to sleep.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Thank you.

What?

Let's remember this, okay?

Okay.

No, I mean really remember.

Are you all right?

Just promise me, okay?

That you'll remember?

I promise.

Good morning.

Oh, no.

Oh, no...

Oh, no.

Hello?

Can I help you?

Is Ben here?

Who?

Ben Matthews.
This is his house.

This is my house.
There's no Ben here.

Caitlin! Hallie!

Hey, come on--

What are you doing?
This is my house!

No, no, no, this is the house.

They have to be here.

Are you okay?

No.

No. I'm not.

Hey, Tammy!

Tammy, it's me.
It's Hanna.

What?

It's Hanna.

Tammy, look at me,
please tell me you know me.

I'm sorry.

You power-walk
three miles a day,

you make sweet potato pie

for Christmas every year.

How do you know all that?

Because we're friends.

We tell each other everything.

I, uh, I have to go.

But, Tammy, it's me!

It's Hanna.

It's... It's Hanna.

Hello?

You are not gonna
believe this.

Grant?

That story about Ray Campbell
and the Christmas stocking fund?

It got people so riled up,

there's a crowd
outside the warehouse.

They say they won't let him out

until he gives
all the money back.

Wait. What?

Carl and Carrie
are on their way.

We're going to go live.

How fast can you get there?

Give it to somebody else.

What are you talking about?

We couldn't have written
a better follow-up.

Harold's dancing around
like a schoolgirl.

My advice,

if I had a job
waiting for me in New York,

I'd get over there, pronto.

Great, you're here.

Okay,
Campbell's inside.

The police are
staying out of it

as long as the crowd
stays peaceful.

They don't want to come off
looking like Scrooge either.

Here's
your mic, Hanna.

Okay, and I've got
his cell phone number,

so I'm going to get him
on the line while we're live.

Hanna?

Hanna, are you
listening?

I'll be right back.

What? No, Hanna!

Oh, thank goodness.

Please, I want to go back.

Hanna!

I understand now.

What you were
telling me, I get it.

It's not about
trusting your instincts.

Sometimes, the only way
to know what's real

is just to trust your heart.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

I want my old life back.

I want to go back,

to my other life.

That's my wish,
that's what I want.

Please. The girls.

I'm sorry, Hanna.

I can't bring that life back.

What?

I can't change the choices
you've made in the past.

Then what was the point?

I mean, why let me see that?

Why put me through this
if I can't change anything?

No, it was never
about changing the past.

It's about changing the future.

The future.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

Carrie, it's okay.

Hanna? Hanna,
what are you doing?

We are live
in 30 seconds.

You do it.

What? No.

Trust me.

You've been ready for this
for a long time.

And the shelter story?

That's yours, too.

Oh, but one piece of advice--

watch out
for falling candy canes.

Candy canes?

Look at you.

Hi.

I, uh, I hope
this wasn't too weird.

No, not at all.

I had to be
in the city,

and I knew
you lived here.

I can't really
explain it.

You've been on my mind
a lot lately.

I've been thinking
about you a lot, too.

I, uh, I was sure
you'd be busy Christmas Eve.

Here I am.

Then again,

the holidays were never
your favorite time of year.

Actually, I like Christmas.

Do you, um, do you want to get
a cup of coffee?

Yeah. I'd love that.

Merry Christmas.