A Christmas to Remember

Christmas is supposed to be a time when families come together

and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

But, as we know, through time,

Christmas has evolved to be something totally different.

Most people spend their time spending all of their money to buy each other gifts.

Gifts, that for many, are delivered in the mail,

but lack the true meaning of Christmas.

In my family, things are no different.

I'm Lauren, the baby of the Ford family.

I'm in my second year at the prestigious Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

I thought this Christmas would be just like all the others.

Me, my mama, and Christmas music.

See, my family has never been big on Christmas,

since my father died five years ago.

My mama's not even put up one decoration.

All we do is listen to music on Christmas Eve alone.

Although, things are changing this year.

Hi.

What's cooking, good-looking?

Oh, whatever you get in that kitchen and make.

Well, I guess, I better get to it then.

I guess you had better. Make it happen, captain. Hey.

My mother found her a new man, and she is in love.

Out of all the men in Atlanta,

mama fell in love with Mr. Shepherd.

The problem is, my family have been enemies with the Shepherds forever.

All I know is that my four brothers and sisters can't stand them.

And Mr. Shepherd's kids, can't stand us.

Well, all except for Reid.

Mm mm mm.

Look at my future baby mama.

That must be honey bunny dose, right?

Funny.

Reid and I are both the babies of the family and we get along just fine.

Mama said we were too young when everything happened.

Now, my mom is one of the most loving women I know,

but, even she didn't like the Shepherds,

at least until a few months ago.

See, Mr. Shepherd's wife died a year ago,

and Mr. Shepherd can't cook one bit.

Oh, who are you talking to?

You see, this whole love here started when Reid

got tired of starving and started to come over to our house for dinner.

My mom, feeling sorry for him, started sending plates over.

Now, everybody knows that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Anyway, to make a long story short,

Mr. Shepherd shows up with Reid,

so he could at least say, "Thank you."

After one dinner together, the Ford-Shepherd feud was over.

Hmm.

So it's been a few months now and mama has convinced Mr. Shepherd

that they should get the families together for the holidays.

See, Mr. Shepherd fell in love with mama and asked her to marry him.

So she said, only if they can get the families together and be cordial.

Reid doesn't think it's possible.

See, when I say that our families hated one another.

I mean it.

You would've thought that with all the fighting that somebody would've up and moved.

But Mr. Shepherd and daddy were a lot alike.

Both way too stubborn to give in.

I think differently. Like, I know that my family is a loving family,

and they miss our Ford Christmases, just as much as I do.

All we gotta do is get everybody here.

Dad!

You know you real bold, right?

Stealin' the damn man woman.

Now, you know Mr. Ford turnin' over his grave right now.

What do you think Mrs. Shepherd is doing?

I know my Sammy.

All he ever cared about was my happiness.

As long as I'm happy, he has a smile on his face.

And Rachael was the same way.

Y'all can believe that if y'all want to

But, I know for a fact that that man ain't smiling.

Any guy that's kissing on his woman.

You got another thing coming, Dad.

Matter of fact, you better hope

he don't take one of God's lightning bolts and start flingin' 'em down on you.

Ah, I'll just move out of the way.

You so silly.

You surely will be on TV one day.

No.

No son of mine will pursue some comedic dream.

Now, Reid has one semester off and it's back to school

to become a doctor, like his brother Joey.

Speaking of Joey, have you spoken to him about Christmas yet?

Ah, no, actually I haven't yet, sweetheart.

Joseph Jacob Shepherd, you promised me.

Don't make me slide this ring back to you.

Mom! Have you talked to your kids about Christmas yet?

Yeah, what about that?

Honey, would you like some corn?

Yeah. Wait.

How about we just do this right now?

I think between the four of us, we can get everybody here.

You obviously don't know the Shepherds, I mean, we never celebrated Christmas.

What?

We just look at Christmas like a regular old day.

Won't you just stop being so negative? Just help me call.

I'm just saying.

I'm gonna call Antoinette.

She loves Christmas, and is dying to come home.

There's some chicken, Lauren. Okay.

Lauren! Hi, baby sis, What's up?

Hey, Antoinette.

Things could be a little better.

Why? What's going on?

Are you pregnant?

No, no, it's not me, it's mom.

Is everything okay?

Ah, mom went to the doctor the other day

but she won't say what's wrong.

What? Yes, she's just,

you know, been really sad lately,

and laying in the bed, not really doing anything.

All I know is she said that

she wanted all of her kids here for Christmas.

Oh, my God! Does anybody else know?

No. Everybody was just too busy.

Okay, hold on a sec.

Conference the Ford family.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hey, mama's sick.

I don't know what you have planned for Christmas but you got to be home.

But I have...

Stacey, is it more important than your mother's health?

No, I guess not.

Travis, look I know you got your trip planned but reschedule.

Oh, and you can bring that ratty girlfriend of yours, too.

We talked about this.

But I rather hoist for Christmas.

Ew, first of all, hop off that tramp?

I can hear her nasty ass in the background.

As for the boys, bring them.

The last time they saw mama was when that gold-digger divorced you.

Anyway, I'll see you next week.

Oh, and, don't let your mother down.

Thanks, 'Nette, I cannot wait

to see you and the family, it's been so long.

Yeah, Robert and the kids will be excited to see everybody.

Anyway, I'll see you next week. Love you.

Okay, I'll talk to you later.

Dang, Mr. Ford, you must be putting in some work.

Not too much. He was only in there for five minutes.

Yo, Principal Robinson, you need to get with a thug like me.

I can go for hours.

Boy, give me that phone, Y'all move along to class.

Yo, Principal Robinson, holla at me.

You know where to find me.

She wants a real man.

You're no real man, Junk.

Get the...

Get up. Come here.

We have to stop doing this.

We'll get a divorce, and then we can.

Lauren Ford, what am I supposed to tell them is wrong with me, when they get here?

I don't know, tell them you're pregnant.

Very funny.

I don't know what you laughing for. You the baby daddy.

Get on the phone, and do what Lauren did.

You guys are on in five. Thank you.

What are you doing for the holidays?

I'm taking Alexa on a cruise.

Trying not to be the world's worst father again this year.

Come on, you're not that bad.

The divorce played a key role in all of that.

Look, I know that. I wish someone would tell her that, though.

She just sees me as a workaholic.

Okay.

Excuse me, I have to take this.

Okay.

What's good, little bro?

I'm about to go live, so make it quick.

Jacob. Oh, man, I got some terrible news.

See...

Dad needs a new heart,

and... they say he's only got a week to live.

What? Yeah, I know.

All he asked for,

is that his family come home for Christmas