A Gettysburg Christmas

Hyah.

I can't believe I got talked into this.

Now, Ronald, don't start. We all agreed.

I got pushed into it by the both of you.

And now I'm driving through a blizzard.

Dad, it's a little snowstorm. Do you want me to drive?

No.

We're almost there.

I think it's lovely.

If this doesn't get everyone

in the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will.

Emily, can I ask you a personal question?

Of course.

Why aren't you spending Christmas with your family?

Ron!

Wha-- It's a fair question.

I mean, we're all happy you've joined us,

but won't your family miss you?

That's enough!

No, it's okay.

The last few Christmases at my house have been...

uneasy.

Not long after my father died, my mom remarried.

I just thought it was way too soon.

Christmas just hasn't been the same.

I'm sorry, Emily.

It takes a load off, not having to spend this Christmas with the two of them.

Ah, I see.

Dad, stop.

What? I understand how she feels.

Besides, I needed a change of menu.

Excuse me?

Well, my mom stopped making traditional Christmas dinner

and just started ordering Chinese takeout.

That actually sounds like a lot of fun.

But really, I'm just glad to be spending Christmas with Ryan

and getting to know you all.

Well, it's probably a good idea since you're going to be part of this family at some point.

Well, I think it's going to be good for all of us.

Well, my daughter ruined Christmas for the whole family two years ago!

Never apologized, and I've never heard from her again.

And now here we are driving through a blizzard to make amends!

You know what darling,

there's plenty of blame to go around for the both of you.

Caroline.

I'm telling you, this is a bad idea.

This should be interesting.

I can't believe I agreed to this.

I feel I should get a hotel.

What? Absolutely not!

I can't believe this.

We haven't had a word between us in two years

and all of a sudden I'm staying in her house!

She is your daughter!

Do you not want to see her after all this time?

Of course I do! Just not like this.

It is not fair for either one of us.

It...it makes for a lot of undue pressure.

This will make it easier for everyone.

Honey, please don't do this.

I'm sorry, Caroline.

Let's just see how things go, okay? Maybe...

Maybe we can meet up later.

And where are you going to stay?

What if everything is all booked up?

I'm sure that there's...there's something still available.

There's a of couple places right out here on the Square.

Have it your way.

Wow! And I thought I was escaping the uneasy holiday family tensions.

I'm sorry, Mom.

The two of them are going to have to figure this out.

At least we got 'em both in the same town.

Hmm.

What?

I don't know... I feel like, maybe I shouldn't have come after all.

Aw, Em, don't say that.

Aw, Emily, please don't feel that way.

I'm glad you came and you're a delight to be around.

Thanks.

These past few Christmases

have been void of cheer to say the least.

After Hope and Dad's major blow up,

Christmas just hasn't been that fun.

Dad seems to get angrier each year,

waiting for that phone call that will never come.

And neither one of them will make the first move.

Because they are so hardheaded.

So, you guys decided to make the move for them.

Well, that's one way of looking at it.

Wow, so this Christmas could be a train wreck, just like at my house.

Oh, no, no, no. We're going to enjoy Christmas with or without them.

That's right.

Here we go.

Welcome!

Hello darlin', Merry Christmas.

Aw, thank you.

Look at you.

- Hey, good to see you, little brother.

-You look good. -Thank you

What's up? He decided not to come?

Um, he's going to stay in town.

Figures.

Hmm.

Hello. You must be Emily.

Oh, I'm sorry. Emily. Hope. My twin sister,

and even though she's born three minutes before me,

she still insists on calling me her little brother.

Well, you are.

-Hmm. -Mmm.

Welcome to Gettysburg, Emily.

Thank you.

Mom, let me help.

Well, how you doin'?

Come on.

No, I got this. You ladies go inside.

Okay, come here.

So what happened between your dad and Hope?

Well...

This place is gorgeous.

-I'm glad you're finally getting to see it. -Oh.

-Honey, I've missed you so much. -Aw.

She was supposed to take over his law firm and quit after a year.

Mmm.

She told him she didn't want to be a lawyer anymore.

She broke the news to all of us on Christmas Eve.

Great timing.

Yeah, timing wasn't always her strong suit.

We all told her she was making a rash decision,

but her fiancé broke it off with her last minute.

Yikes.

She was pretty devastated.

Come on, we'll come back for the rest.

Look at this place. It's gorgeous.

This is charming.

-Thank you. -Look at this.

Hope Denise Kelly! You don't even have a tree!

Yeah, I hate Christmas.

You used to love Christmas!

That was a long time ago.

Oh, well just because you have a problem

with Christmas doesn't mean we do.

Mom, I love you, but what did you think was going to happen?

Some elusive Christmas Magic that everyone talks about?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. And still do! Now...

You're going to fix this.

I want you to go to the store, and get some decorations...

I have money, put that back. Thank you.

-Oh Wow! Sis, this is great! -Thanks.

Uh the bedrooms are upstairs. Here, I'll show you.

Oh, my.

Uh, yeah, they came with the house.

What a lovely room... of death...

-Wow. -There are three bedrooms, just take your pick.

-Dead animals? -Yeah, Mom.

Oh, Ryan. After you dump the bags,

I want you and Emily to go with your sister into town.

We need decorations and a tree.

Okay, Mom.

And guys, I want this to be

a Christmas we'll never forget.

I'm already trying to forget it.

Okay, Emily.

Ha-ha, I am now holding you personally responsible for these two.

Do not disappoint me!

I'm sorry if I disappointed you Mom.

Come here, you've never disappointed me.

You've been a little pain in my neck, sometimes, but...

You gonna be okay here all alone?

Oh, I'm not alone.

Fair enough.

-I really love the place. It's really nice. -Who is that?

No way! He made it!

Who's he?

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you.

That's my old army buddy, Nick. He lives up in Maryland.

I told him we were going to be in Gettysburg for the holidays.

-So you invited him? -Yeah.

Great, more awkwardness to this holiday. Thanks, bro.

No, no. He's good people.

Nick, my man!

Oh!

Nick, it's so good to see you, my man!

Such a pleasure, brother!

Oh, my girlfriend, Emily,

and my sister Hope. Ladies...

Nice to meet you.

-Welcome. -Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

I've heard a lot about you two.

It's nice to finally meet you.

Man, I can't believe you made it!

Oh, man, I'm so grateful to be here.

I was supposed to be with my parents in Palm Springs 100 degrees on Christmas

just sounds awful. So, thank you for getting in touch with me.

Of course, of course, actually, we're about to head into town.

Do you want to come with?

Sure.

Oh hey look, there's Dad. Let's go say hello.

No, Ryan! No! Please keep going!

Hey, Dad!