Unexpected Christmas (2025) Movie Script

Did you say your favorite color blue?
Well, it is for tonight
I'm not finna play with you
Hurry home tonight
Sending you a preview,
got you hypnotized
Oh, no, she even did
the "boop!" [ Laughs ]
- You ain't going nowhere.
- Mm.
You never told me
what you wanted for Christmas.
Mm.
I mean, having you here
is good enough for me.
- Seriously?
- Yeah. Seriously.
You know, nobody's ever made
me feel like I was enough.
Yeah?
Wait, are you running game on me?
[ Laughing, muttering ]
- No, no, no, no!
- Don't tickle me, I go crazy.
Okay. I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry.
I'm serious.
Mm... all I want is you.
[ Smooching ]
That's so sweet of you, baby.
Um...
I, um...
I have a question for you.
Well, hold on, don't... don't ask yet.
Let me put my glasses on.
I gotta be focused.
Now shoot. Go ahead. Ask me whatever
- you want to ask me, baby.
- Okay. Um...
Richard, what are we doing?
I mean, just put my glasses on
so I could really hear...
Nah, not that, silly.
I mean us.
You know?
Like, what are we?
Yep...
Okay, here we go. I knew this was...
I mean, Richard, it's been three months.
So...
- Yes, it has been three months.
- Mm-hmm.
And... And it's like...
I just feel like
we've been dating for a while,
and I like you.
[ Smooches ]
And I know you like me.
So it's like, what are we doing?
Right?
- You know what we are?
- Hm?
We are having fun.
It's just fun.
It's not defined by anything.
This is just a good... We're having fun.
We're enjoying each other's company.
Right?
- Right.
- Right?
I mean...
Look, babe. Babe.
Marissa, I like you a lot.
And you know what
I really like about you,
huh, is that you never
pressured me to do anything
I'm not ready for.
I got you.
- You get me?
- Yeah.
Baby, that's what make you amazing.
- I love us being good.
- I love us being good.
- Yeah.
- Come here.
Both: Mwah!
See? Nothing to worry about, baby.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Well, let me go ahead
and use this bathroom.
Got that egg nog here
running through me.
You know what I mean?
[ Laughing ] It running through me!
Please, go!
Hurry back!
Mm-hmm.
[ Door opens, closes ]
[ Cellphone vibrates ]
- [ Cellphone clatters ]
- Oh, shoot.
[ Gentle music playing ]



[ Door opens ]

[ Both vocalizing, laughing ]
Uh-huh!
- Oh!
- I love this.
Oh, Richard, I love this.
- Told you we good.
- Yes.
We are good.
We are good!
[ Laughs ]
Mmm.
[ "What Christmas Means to Me"
playing ]

Oh, yeah
Candles burnin' low
Lots of mistletoe
Lots of snow and ice
Everywhere we go
Choir singin' carols
Right outside my door
All these things and more, babe
All these things and more
That's what Christmas means
to me, my love
Ohhh
Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And you know what I mean
I see your smilin' face
Like I've never seen before
Even though I love you madly
It seems I love you more
And the little cards you give me
Touch my heart for sure
All these things and more
All these things and more
That's what Christmas means
to me, my love
Let's take it to the bridge
Oh, baby, I feel like running wild
[ Music fades ]
Okay.
Uh-huh.
Okay. Oh.
I believe you're looking for this.
[ Gasps ]
Where did you find that, Willie?
Upstairs in the summer boxes.
Oh!
What would I do without you, Willie?
Well, lucky for you,
you won't have to find out.
- Oh! [ Laughs ]
- Come here.
[ Sultry music plays ]
Yeah, you, you been on my mind
But there's so much left unsaid
I just wish I would've did it
I've been seeking your commitment
Paint a picture with you in it
Hope my message is convincing
Hey, baby.
Hey.
As much as I want to,
I'm a little too tired tonight.
Alright?
Again?
It's been a long day. Gimme a kiss.
[ Sighs ]
Come on, let's go to bed.
I got you tomorrow.
It's just been a really long day.
Right. [ Scoffs ]
Fine.
Good night.
Love you.
Love you, too.
[ Sighs ]



Oh come on, girl, it can't be that bad.
You have no idea.
My mother is a Christmas fanatic.
And every year we're all together, no fail,
we have to hang up
these darn ornaments
that piece together our family tree.
Ornaments? It's Christmas.
Yeah, but whatever.
And each year,
my sister and I are reminded
that we are holding up
the growth of that tree
'cause neither one of us
are in relationships.
Hey, that changes this year, right?
Ahh!
[ Both laugh ]
Oh, God, Michael...
He's unlike anything
I've ever experienced.
Okay, come on!
[ Both chattering indistinctly, laughing ]
- He's smart.
- Okay.
- He's stoic.
- Mm.
And surprisingly good at creating
homemade first-aid kits.
That's weird, right?
What he look like?
Um...
He's got this warm smile
and kind eyes that draws me in.
It's something special about him that
makes my heart skip a beat
every time I see him.
It's almost too good to be true.
Uh-oh. Why you say that?
'Cause men like that never choose me.
I'm always second best.
It's always about Kerry.
She's got the looks, she got the smarts,
she get the men.
Well, you'd actually have the look, too,
if you did something
to that head of yours
instead of that tired ponytail.
That's just the thing, Michael.
He loves my plain-Jane hair.
- Really?!
- Yes.
He loves my simple clothes.
He loves the fact
that I'm a business owner.
It's like... It's like I can
be myself around him.
And get this.
What?
I think he's gonna propose to me.
Tonight!
What you mean, propose?
I saw a ring in his backpack last night.
Oh, Marissa...
Mnh-mnh. No, no, no, no, no!
It was an engagement ring.
You should have seen the way
he was looking at me last night.
He seemed nervous.
[ Laughs ] It's happening!
I'm getting engaged. That's unreal, right?
Yeah, it's unreal.
Also, the fact that you only
known the man for five minutes.
- Three months.
- Okay, 5 1/2 minutes.
- [ Sighs ] Michael...
- Look.
I'm just trying to look out for you, alright?
I know this man may seem
like Prince Charming and all,
but you don't know this man.
- And he's older than you.
- Oh!
- Come on.
- Come on, Michael.
What? Only by like a few years.
And he ain't met
your family yet, let alone me.
You going out of town in a few
minutes, so there's that.
And your family?
So, I was thinking that I was
going to bring him home with me
this year for the holidays.
Is that crazy?
It's a bit much for me,
but, hey, if you happy, I'm happy.
I don't trust your judgment,
but I trust you.
Michael,
that makes absolutely no sense.
Look, I'm pulling
support from my ass right now,
- so take what you get.
- Alright, now!
Now go on and catch a flight,
'fore you miss it.
Now Momma can calm down
'cause you gonna have a man
on your arms this year.
And that sister of yours? Whew!
You gonna be the belle of the ball.
- For once.
- I'll see you later.
Call me if you need me. I'm a flight away.
- Okay.
- Alright. Love you.
- Love you.
- Do something to that head.
Richard loves my hair.
So, Kerry, I know it's the holidays,
but I really need everybody's
hands on deck.
I've got a project
that I've hit a roadblock with.
Of course. I had plans
to visit my family this weekend,
but they can be changed.
- What's the project?
- Alamo Ridge Business District.
We finally got the green light
to partner with CZN Industries.
But we have to move fast.
The area we're eyeing
is prime real estate.
Perfect location.
The issue?
The people.
There's a church there
that still refuses to sell.
Something about legacy.
We have to change their minds
by Christmas
or this deal is off the table.
Well, I can sell water to a whale
and get a fish to rent a swimming pool.
So a church is light work.
And that is why I put you on it.
This deal could be
a game-changer for our firm.
And if you can pull this off,
consider that principal role yours.
Well, let's get out
the celebratory champagne.
Oh, by the way, where is this?
Texas.
Oh, that's where my family is.
That's perfect. The church?
Prosperous Spirit Baptist.
Prosperous Spirit on Dudley?
Yes. I take it you're familiar?
Yes. Yes, I am.
This isn't gonna be a problem, is it?
No, not at all.
They'll sign on the dotted line
by Christmas.
[ Somber music plays ]
[ Sighs ]
Oh, gosh.
[ Exhales sharply ]
[ Cellphone vibrating ]

So, now you want to call me?
Seriously, it took all this time
for me to cross your mind?
Look, I thought
we were having a good time,
and then you just disappeared.
It makes me think
that we don't want the same things.
Okay, so now you know how I feel.
How serious are you for us?
Okay, look,
I don't have time to play games.
I know what I want. If you don't, then...
Well, I don't know.
How am I supposed to know
you won't just disappear again?
I love you, too, but...
Fine.
I don't leave for a few days, so
we can talk about this
when I get to Texas.
I love you, too.
[ Sighs ]


Right on time.
I'm coming!
Hello, hello.
Come on in. Come on in.
Just getting this together.
Are you hungry?
Um...
I actually won't be sticking
around too long today, so...
You're going somewhere?
Yeah. Um...
I-I got a flight to catch in a few hours.
Oh, you're...
Um...
You... You going somewhere
for the holidays?
Um... yeah, something like that.
Okay. Um...
When will you be back?
Um... I-I don't know.
You don't know?
Richard, what is going on?
I've been feeling out of sync lately.
I-I don't know if you noticed. I just...
[ Sighs ] I just feel like I need some time
to kind of put my finger
on what's going on with me.
Matter of fact,
I was thinking maybe if I go
visit family for the holidays,
it'll... it'll help me get back
on track, you know?
Okay.
So, I'll just call you when you get there,
and then we can just FaceTime
or whatever.
Well, I planned on taking a break, so...
Taking a break from me?
A break from everything.
Um, phones, emails, all of it.
This... This doesn't have
anything to do with
the conversation from last night, does it?
I-I just, I just need to clear my head
and... and get some perspective.
Well, Richard, this is very sudden.
Yeah. It's, um...
Yeah, it is. It is sudden.
And, um...
Um...
I'm really sorry.

Happy holidays. [ Smooches ]


[ Door closes ]


The snow's falling down
Heated the fireplace for you just now
I remember springtime flowers
in bloom
Been counting down the days
since the beginning of June
Mm. That's good.
- Hey, cheers. You already know.
- Mm!
I don't think
it's gonna be any potatoes left
for the potato salad if you two keep it up.
- It's good.
- [ Both laugh ]
Mmm! Ain't nothing like
waking up to a house
full of the smell of intestines.
[ Laughing ] Oh!
Well, maybe this year
you will finally try some.
You know, they are good over rice.
- Hey, I'm trying to tell you.
- Tastes just like chicken, bro.
- Mm-hmm.
- I'll pass.
And I'm with you, Willie.
Absolutely not.
- They still at it?
- Oh, yes.
They are adamant about buying up
this property around here,
including the church.
- Buy the church?
- What they want to do that for?
They want, uh, to build a-a shopping mall
or a business park or...
Listen, Prosperous Spirit Baptist Church
has been in this family for many years.
I refuse to sell it. Okay?
I don't care
how much money they offer me.
- Well, come on now.
- How much is the offer?
Uh, well, the latest offer was 1.1.
1.1 what?
- Million.
- Million?!
Where is the paperwork?
- Where do we sign at?
- Exactly.
- What are we waiting on?
- Hey, hey, hey.
Y'all heard what she said, right?
I'm just saying, for that kind of money,
you can buy new church.
- Or a new house.
- Uh, excuse me.
It is not up for discussion. Thank you.
- Y'all trippin'.
- Mm-hmm.
Y'all trippin'.
Them kids coming this year, Marie?
- Yes, they are.
- Everybody will be here tomorrow.
Way too long.
I mean, Kerry is always working.
We're not gonna even get on
Miss Marissa.
Yeah, you mean no-man-having Marissa.
Uh, would you leave my baby alone?
She is gonna find love when it's time.
- Yeah. Okay.
- Mm-hmm, you know,
them girls ain't never
brought nobody home.
You know, I'm starting to get
a little worried about it.
Well, listen, I don't know
why people make this big thing
about bringing people home.
Personally, I don't like a lot
of strange people in my house.
Says the woman who will fix a
plate for anybody who is hungry.
Well, that's true, now. That's true.
With the exception of Marissa's man.
Because he don't exist.
- Oh, Earl!
- Stop it!
I really don't think you need
to worry about Marissa, okay?
She is very happy, and she's fine.
- You'll see.
- Mm. We gon' see.
- Yes.
- Very happy.
Boy's a fool.

[ Alarm beeping ]
[ Groans ]
- [ Object clatters ]
- [ Beeping stops ]
[ Cellphone rings ]
[ Weakly] M-Michael?
Oh, no. It's worse than I thought.
How you feeling, baby?
Who just does that, Michael?
Like, who just rips your heart
out of your chest like that,
and then you just twist it
and pound it and turn it?
Marissa!
[ Sighs ]
It's just the audacity, Michael.
Do you know what I'm saying?
Okay, I'm flying home
to be there with you, alright?
- Oh, no no no. No no no no no.
- Don't do that.
Let me just cry it out for a little bit,
and then I'm gonna be okay,
because I do not need
Nico getting upset at me
for stealing you, girl.
Girl, forget Nico. Nico will live, alright?
But I'm staying by my phone
in case you need me.
I'm just a flight away.
Take care of yourself.
I love you, baby.
Okay, bye.



Alright...
[ Cellphone vibrating ]
What are you doing?
Oh, yeah? What part?

Good.


Christmas just ain't Christmas
Without the one you love
You might as well
make me a plate right now,
'cause it smells good!
You are finally home!
- Oh! I missed you.
- I missed you too, Momma.
Oh, my... Oh, let me turn this off.
- Okay. Um...
- What you need me to do to help?
Do you want me to, um...
You want me to make my famous
banana pudding for Christmas?
- Banana pudding?
- Yeah.
- No.
- Come on, Momma.
Everything do not have to be traditional.
- [ Doorbell rings ]
- Mm. Ah!
That must be your sister.
Go open the door for me.
- No, I don't live here.
- Uh?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, look at what the cat drug... in...
[ Dramatic music plays ]

[ Mouthing words ]

I cannot believe you did this to me!
You gon' two-time me with my sister?!
[ Grunting ]
Oh, what's up? What's up, Richard?
Aah! What's up, sis?
Aah!
Crip walk like this...
- Aah!
- Marissa!
This is not funny. These bags are heavy.
Will you move?
Hello.
Are you okay?
I'm splendid.
Who's he?
Who are you to her?
Girl, will you move?
Where's Momma?
Come on, Richard!


Hi.
Hey.

[ Gasping ]
That mother...

Oh, beautiful as ever!
- Hello, Momma!
- [ Both laughing ]
Oh, my God. And who is this?
Momma, meet Richard, my boyfriend.
- Boyfriend?!
- Boyfriend?!
- [ Cellphone clatters ]
- Oh.
These slippery phones. Um...
I'll... I'll be right back.
Yes, I'm... I'm the boyfriend.
- So nice to meet...
- Oh, no, no, no.
- We hug in this family.
- Oh, I didn't know...
- Come here. Oh!
- Oh, okay.
[ Laughter ]
Wow! What a nice surprise.
- Oh!
- Well, look. I'm serious.
It's so nice to meet you.
- Happy holidays.
- Yes.
I can't wait to meet the rest of the family.
Oh, honey, not unless
you want to get scared.
You got to be careful what you wish for.
Hm.
[ Laughter ]
See, he's funny. Isn't he funny?
Yeah. A boyfriend.
- [ Chuckles ]
- Mm-hmm.

Michael.
About you only being a flight away?
I may need to take you up on that offer.
Call me back. Hurry up. Call me back.
[ Muffled squeal ]
Okay. Calm down.

Thank you.
Oh, man.

Um...
[ Exhales sharply ]
Um...
Um... [ Scoffs ]
Look, I didn't... I didn't
expect to... to see you.
- [ Footsteps ]
- I don't know what this is?
- Hey!
- Hey!
Hey, you found the bathroom.
Yeah. Uh...
It's... it's all yours.
- So, it's...
- Thank you.
Excuse me.

She's always been like that. Trust me.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
It's so cold outside
The wind cuts too deep
Want some more potato salad...
[ Indistinct conversations ]
Let me give you some of
my Momma's famous potato salad.
Excuse me.
We have to wait for your brother Kyle.
[ All groan ]
- Oh, mercy.
- [ Clears throat ]
So, Marissa
you still selling that store-bought coffee?
Mm. That depends.
Are you still gentrifying neighborhoods?
I am still doing my part
to help underdeveloped
communities succeed, yes.
And I am curing cancer,
one coffee bean at a time.
- Ah!
- Look at my babies.
They are kicking butt and taking names.
Thank you, Dad.
Oh, so how did you two meet?
Yeah, that's what I want to know.
Yes! Share!
So, Richard and I actually met
in LA at a coffee shop,
if you can believe that.
- Oh, at a coffee shop?
- You don't even like coffee.
Oh, talk about a chance meeting.
Yeah. She don't like coffee at all.
Uh, but that's what started
the conversation, or debate,
you know, 'cause she like to argue.
Alright. My friends made me go in there.
I refused to order anything.
And then Richard came up
and ordered for me.
Oh!
He was also tired
of waiting on all of us, too.
[ Laughter ]
So, what did you order?
Oh, yeah, I got her a...
Cafe au lait, I'm sure.
Wow. How did you know?
Lucky guess. [ Chuckles ]
Um... so...
So, what is it that you do, Richard?
Well, Richard is
an emergency physician,
and he has plans to take over
the family, uh, business
once his father retires.
Isn't that right, baby?
Uh, dang, girl.
Can the man speak for himself?
I mean, come on.
Go ahead, baby, you tell us
what you want to tell us that you do.
- Debbie.
- What? You know I'm right.
Please forgive my cousin.
Forgive me? Is he Jesus?
Are you Jesus?
[ Laughter ]
Well, she did say he was a doctor.
Oh, Earl! Take off that hat!
He's... he's right. S-She's right.
I-I am a doctor.
I would love to tell you more about that,
but honestly, I've really
got to get up out of here.
This is nice. Thanks for the food.
- You... You... You leaving?
- Yeah.
I-I want to make sure I get a hotel room
before they all sold out.
You know, it's the holiday season.
Oh, no, no, no, no, Richard.
You can stay here.
We have plenty of room.
Ah, taking in strays again.
Oh, no, no, no, Momma.
I-I'm sure that, um,
Ronald would be
way more comfortable in a hotel.
It's Richard, actually.
Oh, girl. I know.
You...
You said it already. Remember?
Uh, R-Richard, you are staying
here this entire weekend.
Sit down.
I don't want to be no trouble.
No, no, no trouble, baby. Sit down.
- Oh!
- Hey!
- Thank you.
- What's going on, family?
Wow. We were waiting for you.
Sorry we're late. Traffic.
Yeah.
[ Indistinct chatter ]
- Momma.
- You're a little late, now.
- I know. We didn't...
- Alright, come on now.
We're waiting here. Yeah.
[ Indistinct chatter ]
- How you doing?
- Hey.
When y'all gonna
make me some babies?
- Uh, Willie...
- What?
You don't leave these children alone.
When the time is right, it will happen.
- [ Cellphone vibrating ]
- Oh, whoa, whoa!
Hold on, hold on, y'all,
I have to take this call.
Huh?
Hey, hey, did you get my message?
Say less.
I'm gonna send a car to get you.
Thank you, friend.
Okay.
Okay. Sorry.
Look at you, sneaking off
making phone calls.
Do I detect a boyfriend?
- [ Giggles ]
- Ooh!
For Marissa? Yeah, right.
Actually, Kyle, yes.
- [ Gasps ]
- My boyfriend.
- Oh!
- Michael.
Oh! Michael!
- Oh!
- Okay!
- Um, so you...
- so you have a boyfriend, huh?
What, Rontel?
What, do... do I not look good
enough to have a boyfriend?
It's Richard, actually.
Why...
Look at my two girls,
finding love at the same time.
Oh, my God. So, wait a minute, now.
When am I gonna meet this,
uh, this man who captured
my baby's heart?
Tomorrow, actually, Momma.
Oh!
His flight comes in around 10:00.
Oh, my gosh, I really have to
make some more room now.
Make some big room!
- Ohhh!
- Oh! Oh!
- Big, big, big. Oh!
- We don't wanna her all that. That's too much.
Yeah, I'm still stuck on the boyfriend part.
Yeah, I thought she was...
LBGD.
No, no. It's LGBT.
Actually, it's... it's LGBTQ I.
- No, "A." It's definitely "A."
- They added the "A" on...
- A, B, C, D, E, F, I, J, K.
- I thought she was that.
But I'm not.
And if I were?
- That'd be your business.
- [ Indistinct chatter ]
You know what?
It wouldn't make me a bit
of a damn difference.
You know why?
'Cause I like women, too.
- Oh, Lord. Earl.
- You know what?
Y'all done already made y'all plates.
We gonna go ahead and make ours
too, right, babe?
Buh-buh-buh-buh!
Excuse me.
We did not say our grace yet.
Ohh...



- [ Knock on door ]
- Come in.
Yo, yo, yo, yo.
Brother, brother! Hey!
- What's up?
- What's going on?
You good?
Yeah.
You sure? Didn't seem
like yourself tonight.
I'm just tired, you know?
Flight's kind of gotten to me.
Alright. You know
I can pull out them gloves.
Whoa, whoa, heavyweight champion.
No, no, no. I'm good.
I'm fine. Thank you.
- Alright.
- Enough about me, though.
How are you? I miss my little brother.
Good. I'm good. No complaints.
You and Alicia okay?
We will be.
You will be?
- No prying.
- No prying.
- Nah.
- I respect that.
Check this, though.
Looks like there's gonna
be some good news this weekend.
Why? Why you say that?
Old boy about to propose to Kerry.
- Yeah.
- Wait, what?
When?
Christmas.
She said she just got this gut feeling.
Looks like we about to have
a brother-in-law.
We turning up this weekend, alright?
- Okay.
- Get you some rest.
Alright. Bye, Kyle.
[ Sighs ]
I gotta break up this engagement.
The fuck?
- I'm ready. Here we go.
- Whoo!
I'm excited about this run! [ Chuckles ]
Oh, let me see.
[ Sighs ]
Seriously? Those emails can't wait?
Actually, these emails can't wait, babe.
I know you remember
what we talked about.
Work-life balance. Any of that ring a bell?
Look, relax. Alright? I didn't forget.
I just have to answer this one email,
and then I'll get right back to you.
Sure.
Hm.
Hey. I'm glad I finally got you alone.
- Look who now wants to talk.
- Yes, I do want to talk.
What's this about you
having a boyfriend?
What is this about you dating my sister?!
I didn't know that was your sister.
- Oh...
- No, I didn't!
Y'all don't have no pictures together.
Y'all got different last names.
You live on different sides of the country.
- How I'm supposed to know?
- How long, Richard?
Tell me, did I not mean anything to you?
- What were you...
- Hey!
What are you guys up to?
- Uh, nothing. I'm just...
- just getting to know the family.
- That's it.
- Alright.
Well, Michael
should be pulling up shortly.
Oh, look at that!



[ Squealing ] Michael!
Michael!
- Ohh!
- [ Both laughing ]
I missed you.
I missed you, too.
Hey, I'm Michael, Marissa's...
Boyfriend!
Uh... my dear boyfriend.
- Boyfriend.
- Yeah. Hey.
How you doing, boyfriend?
I'm... I'm Richard.
Richard. Oh, nice to meet you.
- Good to meet you too.
- Alright.
- Oh!
- [ Clears throat ]
Well, Richard is my boyfriend,
who I love dearly also.
Hi. How are you?
I'm Kerry, Marissa's sister.
Nice to meet you.
I've heard so much. It's a pleasure.
- Oh, man...
- Oh, alright.
Well, come on, let's go meet the fam.
We gotta wash your hands, too.
- Are you kidding me?
- I was completely ambushed.
What? I told you I had a plan.
You didn't say I was part of it.
[ Forced laughter ]
Oh! [ Laughs ]
Ahh.
Look, it's only for the weekend.
I need you.
How do you know
this is even going to work?
Well, I had to think of something!
And it looks like it's working,
because he's jealous.
He'll realize he made
a mistake soon enough.
Right, so just follow my lead
and act like you love me,
damn it!
Fine. But, girl, I'm not sleeping with you.
Do not try me.
That's where I draw the line.
Oh, please.
You will not be in my room or in me.
Now just come on.
I got a proposal to break up.
- [ Hand slaps ]
- Ow!
Well, ho ho ho!
Coming, honey!
Look who's here.

Oh. Marissa?
- Yes.
- This is Michael?
- Yes.
- How come you didn't tell me
he was so handsome?
I can't look at him without blushing.
Marissa didn't tell me
she had a supermodel for a mom.
Ohh! [ Laughs ]
Let me see you.
- Hey!
- Oh.
Okay, enough of the lovefest.
- Still standing here.
- Hello!
Hey, Michael! Just in time.
- Hey, y'all up for some spades?
- Oh!
- I'll take your luggage.
- What an intro to the family.
- Okay.
- Mm!
- Yeah, yeah. I'm...
- I'm up for some spades too.
I'll be ready.
[ Sultry R&B music plays ]
Okay, you know something?
Let me go get changed.
I'm sorry, babe. We have to do
the run another time.
Okay, baby.
- Game on. I'll be back.
- Ooh!
- So, Momma.
- What?
How's the church going?
- Sounds like a lot of upkeep.
- Oh. It is.
And sometimes it gets to be
a little much.
But then I remember why I do it,
and I keep going.
- [ Laughs ]
- Well, why do you do it, Momma?
I mean, membership is dwindling.
It seems like such a hassle
at this point in time.
You should consider selling.
Why you always trying to get
somebody to sell something?
- [ Laughing ] Yeah!
- She sounds like the, what,
the CZN Industries, the ones calling me
and bothering me all the time.
- Exactly.
- Yes.
Well, Momma,
have you even heard them out?
Because the amount of money
they're probably gonna give you.
Momma, you and Daddy
could travel the world
and not be bogged down by a home.
- Okay...
- You should consider it.
Let me just tell you something.
As long as I am living,
Prosperous Spirit Baptist Church
will stay on that land.
Okay? Now, that's the end of that.
That's that!
Alright, now you hush up too, okay?
Help me with these boxes
so I can do my tree.
Yeah. Come on.
- Kerry, you coming?
- Yeah.
Yeah, baby. I'll be right there.
Okay. Alright.
[ Sighs ]
Hello! Hi! Sorry I missed your call.
I've just been... It's been hectic here.
How much longer?
I'm working on it.
We've got a lot riding on this, Kerry.
And so do you. You've got two days.
I know, I'll figure something out.
You'd better.
[ Sighs ]

Alright, y'all boys ready
for another round of lessons?
Oh, we learning.
But clearly, no one's paying attention.
Mm. [ Chuckles ]
- So, Mike.
- Yeah.
- What you want me to call you?
- Mike, Michael?
Big Mike.
Not gonna call you Big Mike.
You don't have to. It's cool.
So, what you over there doing, huh?
Just, uh
planning your next big move?
Oh, I'm always two moves ahead, Dick.
But don't worry.
I got time to handle some small matters.
When you refer to small, you talking...?
You're not talking about me, are you?
Nah, nah. Caught an angle. That's fine.
Mikey.
Are we still playing spades?
'Cause this seems a little personal.
It's not personal at all. This is...
This is just real talk.
You know what I mean?
Sometimes people, you know,
you gotta help put them in their place.
You know, some of us
know how to play the game,
and some of us
tend to overextend ourselves.
But some people like to play it safe
until they realize they've
been outplayed from the start.
- Oh!
- [ Laughs ]
What do we have here?
[ Laughter ]
Speaking of confident, Mikey,
how's it feel playing catch-up?
Just let me know how it feels
to be, uh, trailing behind.
[ Laughter ]
It feels like...
- Mikey, right? Mikey?
- Mm-hmm.
Just won twice.
[ Laughter ]
- Well, I taught one of you well.
- That's another round.
Y'all want to go again, or
do you two wanna
arm wrestle this one out?
I'm not arm wrestling this man.
- [ Chuckles ]
- Waste of time.
Oh, Mom, here's Aunt Luanne.
Mm!
Yeah. I have Auntie Barbara.
Oh! Aunt Luanne and Barbara.
Luanne was always going at it
with Barbara.
These two remind me a lot of them.
- Mm!
- Uh, our situation
is different, I'm sure.
Uh, surprisingly, no.
Luanne and Barbara had the same
daddy, but different mothers.
And they were always going
at each other's throats.
Poor Barbara never understood
why Luanne just didn't like her.
Truth be told, neither did we. Ha ha ha!
I'd just look at both of them
like they lost their mind.
They did.
So, did they ever resolve their issues?
Unfortunately, no.
No. Barbara fell sick.
And by the time Luanne gave in,
went and checked on her,
Barbara was gone.
And the guilt got so bad,
short time after, Luanne died.
I'm saying that to say...
Mm! Family is everything.
No matter how it comes about,
just love on each other
as much as you can.
'Cause holding all these grudges
don't hurt nobody but yourselves.
- Mm-hmm. You right.
- [ Doorbell rings ]
I'll get it.
About time you made yourself useful.
Uh, did you not hear one thing I said?
I'mma be right back.
This eggnog is running right on through.
I bet it is. You want a match?
- Full of jokes, Deb.
- You are just full of jokes.
Y'all know she about to go
blow that bathroom up, right?
- You better not say that.
- But you know she...
[ Dramatic music plays ]
Um, I think you may have
the wrong house.
Um, no.
Earl told me to meet him here.
We got a date tonight, date tonight.
Mm! Is he here?
Earl? You talking about my uncle Earl?
I mean... I guess.
Is that your uncle?
Um...
Where are my manners?
Yeah. Come on in.
He should be here any minute.
Ooh! It sure is nice in here.
- Yeah, and we got cameras.
- Wait. Huh?
- I'm just playin', girl.
- Oh.
- [ Both laugh ]
- Come on in.
Whoo!
[ Laughter ]
- Oh.
- Mom, everyone, this is Imani.
- Oh!
- Hi!
Earl's girlfriend.
- Oh. Earl's girlfriend?
- Yes, ma'am.
Oh, nice to meet you, Imani.
- So nice to meet you.
- Mm. Mm-hmm.
Uh, Earl didn't tell me
you were going to stop by.
Oh, leave it up to Earl,
always surprising folks.
[ Laughter ]
I'm still kind of stuck on
the girlfriend part.
So, what y'all got going on over here?
[ Gasps ]
I ain't never seen no tree
done up like this before.
Is this like a real-life family tree?
[ Laughing ] Yeah.
Well, we've been doing this for years.
It's a tradition now.
We kind of name the ornaments
and place them in the right place
so that you know
how everybody's connected
and how the family is growing.
Oh, that's so beautiful.
Mm, some people enjoy it
more than others.
- I'm others.
- Oh. I heard that.
Okay, just give me
my last ornament, please,
of Miss Bobby Jo.
Okay.
Wait a minute. Bobby Jo?
Now, that wouldn't be
Barbara Jolene Dixon, would it?
Well, yes, it is.
Oh, wow!
That's my auntie from my daddy's side.
- No! Stop that!
- Yes, ma'am.
Now, she didn't really
come around that much.
- Uh-huh?
- She did get married once.
And she ended up getting a divorce
because she cheated on him
with his brother.
And then she started
messing with his friend
or something like that.
I don't really remember.
She wasn't around that much.
Oh. Wow.
Now, Imani, how did
you and Earl meet, again?
[ Laughs ] Oh, well...
- Well?
- Well?
Uh...
[ Cellphone vibrating ]
[ Somber music plays ]

[ Exhales shakily ]


Yeah. Silver fox in the house.
- [ Laughter ]
- Who won?
Don't even ask.
[ Laughter ]
We gon' get it together
Get it together, babe
Hey, look who finally decided to return.
Hey, look, don't be keeping
track of my whereabouts
like you the damn police.
- Might not want to do that.
- [ Laughter ]
- Might not.
- Well, it's been a long day.
I think I'm about to wind down
'cause I got a lot to do
at the church tomorrow.
Uh, Marissa, could
you show Michael to his room?
And, ladies, please
don't stay up talking too late
'cause you have to be to the
church with me tomorrow early.
- Okay.
- Imani, will you be
staying with us tonight?
Uh... oh, no, ma'am.
But I will be back for Christmas dinner.
- Oh!
- [ Murmurs ]
[ Laughter ]
What was that all about?
Don't even ask.
Yeah, there's a little something nasty
- going on over there, child.
- Right?!
[ Laughter ]

- [ Knock on door ]
- Marissa?
- Coming!
- Marissa...
Why you knockin' on my door?
- Hey.
- Hey.
Hey. How are you?
How's your room?
Your Momma got some very
exquisite taste.
That's the word.
It's the smallest bedroom
in the house with a twin bed.
It's the simple things for me.
- I can't with you.
- That's why we're best friends.
- Exactly.
- Or should I say lovers?
- Okay. That was gross.
- Let's go back to family.
- Not so fast.
- You got some explaining to do.
What you mean?
How is it that Richard
didn't know you had a sister
and that he was dating your sister?
- Wishful thinking.
- Wishful thinking?
That sounds bizarre. And crazy.
It's crazy, yes,
but Kerry and I just aren't close.
We... We don't talk to
or about each other.
You're probably
the only person in New York
who I've even mentioned her name to.
But why is that? She seems cool.
And her fashion's on point.
She's dope. What's the beef?
Come on.
So...
My dad was my best friend.
I swear, I was like his little shadow.
Mm.
When he passed
things were a bit different for me.
Like, I loved my mom,
but she wasn't my dad.
She had turned so cold for a minute.
Distant, even.
About five months later,
Mr. Willie comes in the picture
and he has this daughter that is
around the same age as me.
- Kerry?
- Yeah.
- Got it.
- Oh, my Momma was
loving on her so much.
She was
always telling her how beautiful she was
and how she can be anything
she wanted to be,
and she never told me those things.
Mm. Hence the beef.
- Exactly.
- Okay.
Mr. Willie and my mom got married,
and soon after, I... I just lost it.
We just treat each other like
one another doesn't exist.
She moved to LA. I moved to New York.
We don't talk unless we back here.
- That's deep.
- Yeah.
- And crazy.
- Mm.
Oh, but that explains why your last name
is Dudley instead of Scott.
You want the story? There it is.
[ Sighs ] You got yourself
into a big pickle, my friend.
Mm. Well, Kerry's won at a lot of things.
She's won my mother's heart.
Successful career.
But, Richard?
She won't win at that one.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Ah! I got you.
Oh, don't forget to text me your suit sizes
for Momma's Christmas photo shoot.
You got suit money?
Let's just say my credit score
is gonna take one for the team.
So I got you.
- Gucci.
- Boy, please.
Not on your worst day. Or your best day.
- Oh, then I'm going home.
- No, no, no, no, no.

I'm telling you, babe,
you should have seen it.
I mean, you would
have thought one was cheating
with the other's girl
the way they were going at it.
[ Forced chuckles ]
Mm.
You okay?
Yep. I am great.
Can you please stop asking me that?
Okay.
[ Sighs ]


- Are you sure you okay?
- Yeah.
I'm fine. Just chipper.
Good night.

Oh! [ Spluttering ]
Baby, we're not gonna have no tape left
to wrap all the rest of the gifts
if you keep using it like that.
I'm not good at this stuff.
- I know. I know.
- If it was up to me,
I'd just leave 'em in the box they came in.
I bet you would.
Oh. Ooh! Yeah.
So, how was that card game today?
- Mm.
- It was that bad?
No, it wasn't bad necessarily.
But listen, at least you
got to know them better, right?
Listen, this is the first time we've heard
or seen either one of them
talking about a boyfriend,
and now they bringing the men home.
- I was shocked too.
- Yes.
- They're both nice young men.
- Uh-huh.
Uh, the shorter one,
I think his name is Richard.
- Richard. Yeah.
- Uh, he practicing medicine,
- so I ain't mad at that.
- [ Laughing ]
I think it's something
to do with his family.
- His family. Yeah.
- Okay. And Michael?
Michael, um...
I mean, he... he's a nice young man.
- Uh, big boy.
- Yes.
Big boy. Built like a linebacker.
But he's smart, and he's got
a nice head on his shoulder.
- Yeah.
- But, um...
But, but, but, but...?
But... I don't know. It's...
It's just something different.
Oh. Something different?
- I can't put my finger on it.
- Oh.
Wish you'd take your finger off that tape.
- Okay.
- You gonna let me...
You gonna let me do this
or you gonna do this?
You do it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Hey, babe.
Whew. Okay.
- There you go again.
- You know how I do.
Seriously?
So just all work, no play?
No. I prefer driven and focused.
Speaking of focused,
have you talked to your father
about taking over his practice?
Kerry, not that again.
It is just too good
of an opportunity to pass up.
I hear you.
And like I told you a million times before,
I have my own path, thank you.
Yes, and being an ER doctor
is admirable, babe,
but the hours and the stress,
I mean, is it even worth it?
I mean, picture this...
Your name on a building.
People under you.
Me owning my own brokerage firm.
I mean, it is a recipe for a power couple,
and we are right there.
- Can we change the subject now?
- Is that fine with you?
- All right, fine.
- Okay, good.
Look, I got a perfect subject
we could talk about,
and it's something
I'm really interested in it.
Okay, this whole sister thing.
Okay, when were you going to
tell me about it?
You got a sister?
I do. And, babe, it is a long story.
I got all the time.
- Richard.
- Kerry.
Yes. Let's talk about it.
You might as well just spill it.
- Come on.
- [ Sighs ]
Okay.
You may not know this,
but my life has not always been
as put together as it is now.
My father was in the military,
so he was gone a lot.
And I was with my mom most times.
They weren't married.
Long story short,
my mom had a problem with drugs
and I don't know for how long or,
or even when it started.
But what I do know is that it got bad.
It was... It was very traumatic.
Wow. I didn't...
I didn't know any of that, actually.
Yeah, well, it's not a story
that I like telling.
Fortunately, when my father
caught wind of things, he, uh...
He came for me around the time
where he was supposed
to renew his contract,
and he got custody of me.
Unfortunately, by the time he did that,
my mother had a heart attack,
and she died.
[ Sighs ] But soon after that,
he met Momma Scott,
and they fell in love.
And they got married.
And Momma Scott immediately
gave me the motherly love
that I'd never had.
And she just made me feel
so good about myself.
I owe who I am today
to my father and to Momma Scott.
[ Both sigh ]
Wow. That's a lot to take in.
- [ Sighs ]
- Mm.
Look, Kerry, I want to talk to you about...
Baby, I am so sorry.
My boss just e-mailed me,
and I have to e-mail her back.
Hold on, babe, it'll take one second.
Um...
Look, I-I'm-a just go down to the kitchen
and see if I can find a snack.
Marissa.
Marissa.
Marissa, I know you hear me.
Marissa.
Marissa, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Look, I owe you an apology.
That we can agree on.
I deserve that.
And I deserve an explanation.
You do. You do deserve an explanation.
I'm willing to give you one if
you're willing to hear me out.
Please.


Look, as you know,
I come from a family of doctors,
which means there wasn't
too many career options for me.
Go to medical school,
settle down, start a family.
That was the game plan for me.
And I bought into it
for a while, you know?
I went to medical school,
worked my ass off.
While I was in medical school,
I met someone amazing
that checked off all the boxes.
That someone was and is Kerry.

You know, everything was going
pretty smooth
until my dad announced his retirement.
And when he retired,
he wanted me to take over
the family business.
He wanted me to run the practice.
Everybody else was excited about it.
I wasn't.
What none of them knew
was that I had one foot in
and one foot out.
I was gonna step away
from the medical field.
Just started weighing on me.
Couldn't take it no more, so I left.
Came to New York.
Felt like the perfect situation.
No one knew who I was
or my family or any of my background.
I was able to come there and
really start clearing my head
and try to figure things out.
The plan was only
to do that for a few months
and something happened.
I met someone.
I met someone really special.
So I'm special.
Yeah.
I'm the special one. Okay.
You were. I mean, no, you are.
Everybody else just only knew me
as doctor.
When I met you,
you didn't see any of that.
You just saw me.
When I met you
- me and Kerry was on a break.
- Ugh.
No. Wait, wait, wait. Hey, hey, hey, wait.
Seeing you here has been
so confusing to me
because it's brought up
all these old feelings
I thought were gone.
I thought the day I left your apartment,
I could just move on.
And yet, here you are with Kerry.
Yes, I'm here with Kerry,
and you're here with Michael.
But none of that matters.
All I can think about is you.
Really?
Marissa, I care so much about you.
Really?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
- [ Vocalizing ]
- Get down. Get down.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yow
- Hey
- We gonna get into here...
Hey, s-sir.
What you doing?
I was... I was...
You act like you live here now.
I was looking for a snack.
And...
Get you a fruit cup, why don't you?
You know what?
Let me tell you something.
Don't be walking around here
like you live here.
This ain't your house.
You got my robe on from sixth grade.
Uh, no, I brought this.
You know what? I'll be right back.
Don't be down here stealing nothing.

Whoa, whoa, whoa,
don't... don't... don't leave.
Are you crazy?
I can't be caught down here with you.
Hey, hey, hey.
Richard!
When they get in again
You still here?
[ Sighs ] Yeah, man.
Hold up.
Let me find out
you got a habit you can't kick.
I don't know what you're on.
If this KitchenAid come up missing,
I'm snitching.



Mr. Walker, let me put a
little extra gravy on the side
like you like it.
You're always so kind to me, Marie.
Oh, I can't even fathom any other way.
You know, I, um,
I almost gave up,
and I thought about you
and how much you do
for all of us, and, uh,
I don't know, it kept me
pushing to another day.
Oh, well, I am so glad
that you found the strength
that was surely in you.
God didn't say go yet, now.
[ Chuckles ] Not yet. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Walker.
Well, what was that all about?
It's called doing God's work.
Don't you ever get overwhelmed
with all of this?
I think you really need to reconsider
that offer they gave you.
Take some time for yourself.
To do what, wake up
without an alarm clock?
Go and come as I please?
Baby, I do that now.
You know what I mean.
I know what you mean.
I just have trouble
understanding why you mean it.
You see Miss Doris down there?
She lost her entire family in a fire.
No insurance, no savings, no skills.
She became homeless.
Or Mr... Mr. Banks down there.
He fought for this country so many years
to come back home to what, nothing?
In the world, they're nobody.
But they walk through those doors,
they are seen.
That street out there, Dudley Street,
was named after
my late husband's grandfather.
He marched up and down this block
for our freedom and equality.
He saved so many souls
in this very building, honey.
There is so many memories
and legacies around here.
You can't put no price tag on that.
Everyone has a price.
Yeah.
And everything has a cost.
You just got to be careful
what you got to give to get.
Mama needs a new pair of shoes.
Come on now.
Oh! Undefeated, baby.
Beer this time of morning?
Hey, it's 5:00 somewhere.
Now, Unc, you know you
need to pace yourself.
You got that photo shoot tonight.
Hey, you know how these women
are about their holidays.
Yeah, well, you know what?
This is actually cutting into my
personal time with my old lady.
I ain't feeling that.
Well, we have no choice.
It is what it is.
Exactly.
And as the saying goes,
happy wife, happy life.
- Yeah, fellas, but look, look.
- What about us, though, huh?
What about you?
Look, all I'm saying is,
yes, we always say
the happy wife and happy life.
And nobody ever say
happy husband, happy life.
Nobody ever think about us.
Don't... Don't... Don't we deserve to, like
to get our needs met too?
You know what? You one of
them new-school cats.
You be in the salon and spas,
getting your feet done, taking pics.
Look, we all have needs
and we deserve
to have those needs met.
- That's all I'm saying.
- You think that.
But you still choose to be with Kerry.
Hey, hey, leave my daughter out of this.
- Tell him, Pops.
- Hey, man.
Look, ain't nothing wrong
with communicating and bonding.
The bottom line, fellas,
if you're not doing this the right way,
you put it down.
When you do this...
[ Laughs ]
Hey, you do all that stuff,
I'm telling you, dude,
Your girl will be completely satisfied.
Let me... Let me drop a little knowledge
on these young heads, okay?
A lot of times in a relationship,
what's not said says the most.
You can learn a woman's triggers.
What makes her smile
and what pisses her off,
when she wants some loving
and when she wants to just be left alone.
You will never miss
an anniversary or a birthday,
and you'll do all those things
that mean so much to her,
but you don't even think about.
How many of y'all
done seen some wealthy man
buys all kind of gifts for his lady,
but then she still goes and cheats on him
with a broke trainer because
he's paying attention to her.
But it's the attention that seduces her.
Now tell me I'm lying.
- You know what?
- You said some things earlier
that didn't make a damn bit of sense,
but that I agree with it.
I agree with that too.
But wait, wait, wait.
I mean, we see it in reverse
with men too.
A man can have
a successful, independent woman,
but leave her for a woman
that listens to him,
doesn't try to change who he is.
I'm just saying that if you
want your relationship to last,
pay attention.
And do this.
[ All groan ]


Marissa, are you okay?
I'm fine.
Look, Marissa, I know we haven't always
seen eye to eye, but I'm trying.
I know.
I'm sorry.
I am tired of losing everything
that I care about.
If CZN Industries gets its way,
they're going to destroy
every single thing
that my father has worked for.
Uproot everything,
even what's left of him.
And for what?
Some fancy retail stores
and luxury apartments
nobody in the community can afford?
So much for Christmas.

[ Sighs ]
[ Cellphone vibrates ]
[ Sighs ]

The photographer
will be here in a few hours
to take our photographs.
Oh, for the family photo, I forgot.
Well, Marissa, please don't
come down here with no ponytail.
Thank you.
Momma,
what is wrong with my ponytail?
Well, at least seeing
that boyfriend of yours
in that suit will make it worth it.
Ohhh.
[ Knock on door ] Come in.
Enjoy giving hope to the despaired?
Who birthed you?
I like to think
an angel with Herculean sperm.
But that's not why I came up here.
You never said anything about
this whole family photo thing.
Ugh, my mom makes us
do this every now and then
because we don't have enough
pictures with each other, so.
Mm.
Well, you know what that means.
What?
- Hmm?
- No.
- Hmm?
- Unh-unh, no.
- Yes.
- I'm good. I'm good.
- No.
- Let's go.


Uh...

What is this?
I don't know. I didn't even know I had it.
Yeah! Easter Sunday.
Let's get it.
- Okay. You look so nice, babe.
- Thank you.
- Should I button this up?
- Yes, go ahead and button it up.
This color really brings out your eyes.
[ Chuckles ]
Where's Marissa?
Michael, that's your girl.
- Oh, she coming.
- Okay.
Probably upstairs playing
with that ponytail
so I don't notice.
- Wow.
- Excuse me?
Oh, my God.
- Ohh.
- Baby.
You are stunning.








Earl.
- Earl!
- Hey, babe.
You remember Barbara Jo?
Barbara Jo?
Yeah, hon, I remember Barbara Jo.
That's from cousin Essie and them.
Yeah, that's the one.
Okay.
You know that's Imani's aunt.
- [ Coughs ]
- Oh.
Oh! Excuse me. Wait. Hold on. [ Burps ]
- Oh.
- Um, yeah.
Who told you that?
Imani.
Whoa! [ Laughs ]
Oh, boy. Uh, yeah, okay.
She told you, too, huh?
Yeah.
So, what are you trying to say?
You know what I'm trying to say.
Imani is your cousin.
No. Hell, no. No.
I wouldn't do something like that.
You can't... No, no, no.
Hell, no. That is not my cousin.
Uh-huh.
- Absolutely not.
- You're nasty.
[ Chuckles ]
You all right?
Mm-hmm. I'm fine, Kyle. Just fine.
Uh, so, Richard are you looking
forward to getting back
to saving lives?
Um, [Clears throat] I actually
decided not to go back.
Oh.
You're taking your father up on his offer?
No, not exactly. I'm...
I'm quitting medicine.
That's right, I put
my notice in this afternoon.
Wait, what?
Look, uh,
I was only being a doctor
because that was expected of me.
You know, I learned
something these past few months.
It's that, um...
You got to do
whatever makes you happy.
- I saw that.
- I respect that.
It takes a lot of guts to walk
away from everything you know
- to try something new.
- You know something,
I appreciate that, Kyle. I really do, bro.
- All right, not too fast.
- Let's not be rash, okay?
We'll talk about this later.
- No, we won't.
- There's nothing else to discuss.
I've made my mind up.
I said we will talk about this later.
Oh, well, let me check on dessert.
I got my famous...
Christmas cookies.
- Marissa.
- Hmm?
- You want to help me?
- Oh, no, Momma.
I think I'm gonna take a walk.
It's so pretty outside.
- I'm gonna come with you.
- Okay.
Okay.

It's later if y'all want to talk about it.
You looked amazing tonight.
Yeah, I think you wowed
the intended party.
Seems like there may be
some trouble in Paradise.
You think so? Mission accomplished.
- Yeah, you can say that again.
- Mm-hmm.
- Marissa.
- Yeah?
Are you sure about this?
What do you mean?
Marissa, you deserve somebody
who's going to be 100% about you.
You're too beautiful to
just settle for anything less.
Come on, Michael, let's
not do this right now, you know?
Not now. It's been a good night.
I look good, I feel good, I did good.
Let me just sit in that for a minute.
You've been sitting in it for months.
- It's time to get up.
- Oh, my God.
Look, I'm just saying, be careful.
How you get 'em is usually
how you lose them.
And what's the point of winning
if you're gonna lose more
than you can gain?

Come on, let's keep walking.
You're trying to change the subject.
I'm not. It's cold.
It is. These sweaters are horrible.
- They're thin.
- Yeah.
Got to keep going.
Who is she?
Who?
Don't play with me. You know who.
The one who's been texting you
all weekend.
The one who you've been entertaining
more than your own wife, that's who.
Alicia, have you lost your mind?
And keep your voice down.
My parents are downstairs.
I don't care who's downstairs.
You need to answer me.
Alicia, I'm warning you.
- You're warning me?
- Ha! You're warning me?
And what is that supposed to do, huh?
- I'm not dealing with this.
- You're not dealing with this?
No, yes, you're dealing with it right now.
How could you make a decision like that
- without talking to me first?
- Forgive me.
I didn't know I had to consult with you
about what's best for my life.
I thought you wanted to make this work.
Or was that a lie?
No, it wasn't a lie, okay?
What does my career
have to do with us?
This is my life, not yours.
You can't control everything, Kerry.
What is going on in here?
Momma, what's going on
is I thought I met a man
who was ambitious.
I guess I was wrong.
Some of us know there's more
to life than just work.
But no, excuse me, that's...
that's all you do.
All you do is run.
You're never going to make
anything of yourself
with a work ethic like that.
Oh, you want to talk ethics?
That's the word you want to use
is ethics, for real?
Oh, this is coming from
the same woman
the same woman
that's not being honest at all.
Be honest with your family.
Let them know you're working for
the very company
that's looking to steal the land right now
that they own from right up under them.
Wait, baby, what is he talking about?
Come on, Kerry, tell them the truth.
Tell them about CZN Industries.
That's right, yeah,
I read the text message
when you was in the shower.
But yeah, you want to judge me.
All right.
- Is this true?
- [ Crying ]
Yes, Daddy.
I'm so sorry.
This is a new low,
even for you, Richard.
Low was leaving New York
knowing that I hurt her.
Marissa, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I didn't appreciate
a woman who truly had my back.
Somebody that really wanted me
to be my own man.
Instead, I...
Instead, I chose you.
I was going to propose to you.
I won't be making that mistake.
Wait, what?
Marissa, what is he talking about?
- Go ahead and tell me, Kyle.
- Tell me who she is.
Because I know you're sleeping
with somebody else.
You don't have to run away, Kyle.
You can literally just tell me the truth.
Not that you feel anything.
You need to stop tripping, I'm telling you.
If you're not sleeping with me,
then you must be sleeping
with somebody else.
Alicia, you're tripping and I'm
not gonna tell you that anymore.
No, I'm not, Kyle, 'cause you
ain't slept with me in months.
So if you're not sleeping with your wife,
why do you, of all people, need
to be horny as a goddamn goat?
I told you, I'm not sleeping with anyone.
Lies! Who is Rachel?
- Hmm?
- Rachel is my therapist, Alicia.
Oh, sure she is. How convenient.
She's your therapist. Stop lying to me.
I'm not lying.
She's been helping me
with my stress levels.
I'm talking to anybody that'll talk to me,
I'll take anything that I can
take because I got ED, okay?
Not ED. Lord.
Oh, well, wait a minute, baby.
No, that happens to everybody.
No, it don't happen to me.
Yeah, not... Me neither. I never got that.
Mm.
Thank you.
You've officially embarrassed
the hell out of me
in front of my family.
I hope you're happy. I'm out of here.
Kyle, wait. I'm not done talking to you.
Wait.
Didn't you say you used to a cold bed?
Another night shouldn't hurt you.
- I'm going to a hotel.
- Oh, Kyle, baby, come here.
You don't have to leave. Kyle.
Oh, now that's enough.
Lord, you all managed to turn
this evening into a circus.
Let me just get this straight.
Richard wants to marry you,
but he was dating her.
Well, who's dating him?
Well, I'm just her gay best friend.
- Oh, Lord.
- Didn't I tell you?
I told you. Something was off.
You dating your own damn cousin.
- Yeah, but, Momma...
- Oh, no. Stop!
I do not want to hear it.
I will not deal with this tonight.
Oh, my God, your poor father's
probably turning over
- in his grave right now.
- Oh, Momma. Please.
You mean he ain't already doing that
when you done up
and married another man
before his body even cold in the ground?
Mm.
Y'all might want to start thinking about
calling it a night.
Lately I've been wandering
These lonely streets
Searching for a better me
I've come to the conclusion
That life without you
been tearing me apart
Yeah
I'm a lost soul with a broken heart
Mm
I may not know much
But I know
when I've done wrong, baby
Oh
And deep in my heart
I know I don't wanna be alone
Because it's so cold outside
And all I want is you
Don't know what I'll do
It's Christmas without you
Are you okay?
I'm just fine, thank you.
Mm-hmm.
You think my kids resent me?
Now that's crazy talk.
Those kids love you.
It just seems that
they suffered for my sin.
Maybe I did move on too fast.
Now don't go blaming yourself
for being happy.
Me being a part of your life now
doesn't take away
any love you had for him.
God rest his soul.
You deserve the right to be happy.
And he would have wanted that for you.
I just wanted everything to be perfect.
And now Christmas is ruined.
Ruin Chris... You can't ruin Christmas.
It's about enjoying each other
and remembering
the true reason of the season.
It's gonna be all right.
- From your lips to God's ears.
- [ Chuckles ]
[ Gasps ]
- Where are you going?
- I forgot to put the pies up.
You know what?
Not now, Michael.
No, don't "Michael" me right now.
Why would you talk to your mama
like that?
The person I saw back there,
that wasn't the Marissa I know.
So what, you gonna judge me now, too?
No, I'm not judging you.
But right is right, and wrong is wrong.
And what you did was wrong.
You had no regards of her feelings at all.
What about my feelings, Michael?
Everybody's worried about Kyle.
Everybody's worried about Kerry.
Everybody's worried about my mom.
Who is worried about me?
- Marissa...
- No, stop.
Listen. When my father passed, nobody,
not my mama,
nobody asked me how I was doing.
Here I am, crying myself
to sleep every single night,
scared, and the only thing
my family have to tell me is,
"Come on, 'Rissa.
You know you got to stay
strong for your mom."
For my mom. Who was strong for me?
I'm sorry.
But you do realize she lost her husband.
And I lost my dad.
She can go out there
and get another husband.
- I can't get another father.
- And she found another one.
And you mad at her about that, too?
Whose side are you on?
I'm on your side.
But, baby girl, do you see
how crazy this sounds?
You are too amazing
to be walking around here
with a decade-old grudge
like somebody stole something from you.
Willie didn't take your daddy from you.
Your sister didn't take Richard from you.
But yet you don't want your mama
or your sister happy. Why?
Because you're not happy?
It sounds like an inside job.
You're better than this.
Okay.
I'm-a go to bed.
I got some things to fix with Niko.
May I interrupt?
- I did the best I could.
- Momma, ple...
No, no, no. No.
I need to say this to you.
You deserve the truth.
I was, um...
I was about your age
when your father suddenly died.
I didn't realize that I depended
on him for everything.
I almost lost my mind.
I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep.
I honestly did not want to live.
But I realized I had two
children I had to take care of.
When I met Willie, I was a mess.
But he was so...
He was so patient and kind.
Not just to me,
but to you and your brother.
I felt safe again.
I could breathe.
There were so many times
that I felt guilty for having
those feelings for another man.
Willie assured me that I didn't
have to stop loving your father,
that I had enough love inside of me
that I could love them both.
And you and Kyle
seemed so happy, and,
and you were striving
and you were strong.
I thought you were okay.
I failed you.
But even... even a good mother
doesn't see all
the broken parts of her babies.
I am so sorry, Marissa.

Good night.








Hey, Daddy.
I don't know if you can hear me,
but I hope you're having
a merry Christmas.
Well, you're actually with Christ,
so I'm sure you're probably
over there turning up in heaven.
I know that I probably
disappointed you all last night.
I went way too far with Mom.
If I can be completely honest
with myself,
I've been out of pocket with everybody
for a very long time now.
Maybe that's why you sent
Willie to do just that.
Because truthfully, Daddy,
he has taken very good care of
us since you've been gone.
I've never wanted for anything
but attention.
But how could I even want that
when I kept pushing it away?
I've been holding on to this pain
for a very long time, and I just...
I think that it's just time.
It's time that I just let it go.
[ Crying ]
I love you, Daddy.




[ Cellphone vibrating ]
Merry Christmas, ma'am.
I do.
[ Sighs ]
There won't be a sale of.
Prosperous Spirit Baptist Church.
Quite frankly,
they didn't want to sell
their soul for some money.
And I don't either.
Consider this my notice.
[ Cellphone beeps ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Sighs ]
Um, can I?
I'm sorry.
- Seriously?
- No, I am.
Like, really, really, I am.
Look, Kerry my beef with you
has never really been about you.
It was more so about me.
Like, my father just died,
and then here comes you
and your dad and I just...
I didn't have time to process that.
The closer you all got,
the more alone I felt.
And I was just angry, hurt, jealous even.
I was used to getting all of that attention.
And then that changed.
You know, I never knew that.
I lost my mom to drugs,
so I never had that sense of family
until my dad left the military,
got custody of me.
And then he met your mom.
It all... It all happened so fast.
Momma Scott is an amazing woman.
- Yes, she is.
- And she took me in,
and I never had a sister,
so I thought I hit the jackpot.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah, right.
And then you officially met my wrath.
Exactly.
You know, we really could have
been unstoppable.
We still could.
Yeah, maybe.
I broke up with Richard.
Oh, yeah, Kerry. About that...
You know what? You don't...
You don't have to do that.
He told me everything.
Okay.
You know, I didn't know
that he had a girlfriend.
Hell, I thought he lived in New York.
Right?
Yeah, he pulled off quite the coup.
You know, here I am,
I'm just some simple girl
living in my own simple world,
running my own shop.
Hair always tied to the back,
a real jeans-and-tees kind of gal.
Wow. Then there's you.
You're just so successful
and fashionable.
And I was honestly crazy
to think that a guy like that
would ever choose me, so I don't know.
- [ Chuckles ]
- Are you kidding?
Marissa, he was lucky to have you.
But when he spoke of you,
he had a sparkle in his eye
that he never had with me.
- Really?
- Yeah.
And look, I want you to know
that I don't plan on standing in your way.
If you guys want to be together,
I'll accept that.
Wow.
This has been a weekend of surprises.
Tell me about it.
Thank you for the offer,
but I'm gonna decline.
You know, I like what we had,
but, man, this,
you and me as sisters,
I love that way more.
There'll be plenty of chances
to find love down the line.
- Not even tripping.
- You're right.
And I would take building
a sisterhood with you
over Richard any day.
Same. Same.
No, I sure am gonna miss
his special talent stuff.
- Ah!
- Oh, too soon?
Yes, it is too soon.
And come on, it's getting late.
We got to get back to the house.
Come on.
Okay, let me just call my ride.
- Uh, no. Nonsense.
- You're riding with me.
- Oh. Okay.
- All right.

Merry Christmas, everybody.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Ohh. How did you sleep last night?
Not that good, but I'll be all right.
Mm.
- Have you, um...
- Have you heard from Kyle?
No, I haven't.
I was going to ask you the same thing.
Mnh-mnh.
Guess I really messed up this time, huh?
Listen, every marriage has its moments,
and some more extreme than others,
but, uh, you just hold tight
and you shut out all that noise,
you gonna get to the other side.
Listen, you're a good woman.
Kyle is a good man.
Y'all gonna be just fine.
- Yeah. Please.
- Don't feel like it.
Did Michael and Marissa leave?
I didn't see them upstairs this morning.
What about Kerry and old lover boy?
Oh, girl. [ Laughter ]
Yeah, I didn't see them up there either.
Oh, well, I guess it just might be us.
And if that's the case, that'll be fine too.
- Yes, yes. Yeah, yeah.
- Exactly right.
Well, you want me to set the table?
Yeah, I-I guess there's
no reason for us to wait.
Come on. Yeah. Set the table.
- I'll take this out.
- Yeah.
I'll be right back.
And put those napkins on the plate.
You're quiet today, huh?

- Hey, hey. Hey, Imani. Hey.
- How you doing?
Merry Christmas. Yeah. I love you, too.
Look, uh, my sister's stove,
uh, it went out this morning.
Yeah. It's broke. Yeah. Just exploded.
We don't know what happened.
Pies, flames everywhere. It just...
It was a mess.
So, uh, Christmas dinner is canceled.
Yeah. No, no, no, no, no, no,
no, we don't... we don't...
We good over here.
Please don't bring nothing.
We good over here.
Matter of fact, uh, we're going to fast.
Something we should have did
a long time ago as a family.
No, no, do not call me.
I'm gonna call you.
As a matter of fact, if you
call me, I'm-a get mad.
I'm-a get upset. So please don't do that.
Hello?
[ Sighs ]
Now you are ready.
I've been drinking all night.
[ Laughs ]

This might be it, huh?
- And that's all right.
- That's all right.
Yes. Everybody's here
that's supposed to be here.
- That's right.
- Okay, baby, you didn't have to.
Yes, I did, yes, I did.
- Ohh.
- So it's just us.
That's okay, that's okay. It's all right.
- Oh!
- Oh, my goodness, Kyle.
Oh, my God, baby,
I am so happy to see you.
I am so sorry. I spoke with Dr. Rachel.
She explained everything.
I'm sorry, babe.
I'm sorry.
I should have been honest with you.
I just I didn't know how to say it.
I only want you. Nobody else.
Me too. We're gonna get through this.
We are.
- Together.
- Together. I love you.
- I love you, too.
- [ Laughs ]
Excuse me. I know the jig is up,
but I was wondering
if I could stay for dinner.
If you don't stop. Come over here.
- Sit down.
- A woman of my own heart.
Thank you.
Hi, everybody. Sorry we're late.
Hell has frozen over.
Whoa!
- All right.
- Yeah. Ooh.
Thank you.
- Momma, I owe you an apology.
- Oh, no no, no.
Come on. All is forgiven.
I need to apologize to you.
All these years,
I never knew you felt like that.
I mean, I love all my children equally.
But you,
you were my first born.
My heart beats with yours.
If I never said it before,
I must say it now.
I love you, I love you, I love you.
I love you.
I love you, my family.
Willie. Thank you.
Thank you for all
that you have done for us.
You have been an amazing,
amazing father to me.
And I'm sorry that I just...
I wasn't ready to appreciate that.
No, baby, there is no need
for you to apologize.
You know I love you, too.
And always have, always will.
That's what I'm talking about.
I love that.
It's a beautiful thing. It is.
That's why I love my family.
I quit my job.
- Oh.
- What? You loved that job.
I did love that job.
But not enough to sell my soul for it.
And, Momma, I don't know what
CZN Industries is going to do,
but what I can tell you
is that I'm not going to have
any part of it.
I'm going with family on this one.
Proud of you, sis.
- Now, that's all right.
- That's what I like to hear.
Family is everything.
I mean, you... you're
really nothing without it.
It's not often that we get a chance to all
be in the same room,
fellowship with each other,
and y'all making it home this year,
it not only meant a lot to your mother,
but it meant a lot to me.
And your mother's right.
Family is everything under God.
And it's not about perfection.
It's about love.
Love of God, love of... of... of yourselves.
Love of each other.
And with love,
we can get through anything.
Just like we got through
this crazy weekend.
And I... I pray that we have many more.
And, um...
Y'all... Y'all ain't gonna make me cry.
So let's just toast to the... to
this, um, unexpected Christmas
that has been the best Christmas
we've ever had.
Oh.
So to... to the unexpected Christmas.
- Unexpected Christmas.
- Unexpected Christmas.
You are too much.
- Can we eat?
- Ooh! All right.
- Wow.
- Uh, excuse me.
We forgot to bless the table.
You and this tradition.
- Don't worry about it.
- I got it, I got it, I got it.
- Okay. Okay.
- Yeah. Come on.
God is great, and God is good.
Let us thank him for this food.
- Amen.
- Amen.
- Okay. That's it, that's it.
- That's all we need.
- Works for me.
- Pass that macaroni and cheese.

Show me a family that prays together
I'll show you a family
that stays together
Through the ups and downs,
the smiles and the frowns
Lift you out of water
right before you drown
So raise your glass to the memories
We're here
where we're supposed to be
Singing all our favorite songs
Turn on the TV, "Martin's" on, yeah
Now we're gathered around the TV
Oh, I do remember
when life like this was easy
When things get hectic,
we get misdirected
Add some kismet,
get a Christmas unexpected
But family is just what we do
It doesn't matter what we go through
When things get hectic,
we get misdirected
Add some kismet,
get a Christmas unexpected
But family is just what we do
It doesn't matter what we go through
Ain't one single dish
up in this house missing
And grandma made
her famous fried chicken
The kids are running
round the house
You 'bout to get cussed out
For playin' 'round
the food in Mama's kitchen
Yeah, in the end we always
end up with affection
Love will always win
despite our imperfection
Family is just what we do
Oh, yeah, yeah
In my heart I'll always hold you
When things get hectic.
We get misdirected
Add some kismet,
get a Christmas unexpected
But family is just what we do
It doesn't matter what we go through
When things get hectic,
we get misdirected
Add some kismet,
get a Christmas unexpected
But family is just what we do
No, no. No.
No, no, no.
Cousin Jimmy...
I ain't seen him in a while.
Nah.
Cuz.
[ Shudders ]