[Alexa] Christmas is my favorite time of year.
Especially Christmas Eve when we go to the Christmas festival,
but every year gets more and more hectic.
That's why my mom and I called a pre-Christmas meeting last week.
Everyone needs to stay focused and on schedule.
We are exchanging gifts, then gonna have dinner at the Christmas festival.
Now, last year, we almost missed it, and that cannot happen again.
I am not missing ice skating with Santa!
One time, he fell and said a bad word!
And I have a way to simplify the Mendoza-Cooper gift exchange.
Oh, don't say donations.
Jack!
Where are you going with this, Laurie?
Everybody's going to pick a name, and you only get a gift for that person.
That sounds so nice! And so much less expensive.
All right.
Oh, I got Katie!
-Oh, I got Dave! -Oh, I got you!
What do you want more: new socks, or a comb?
I got Jennifer.
I got Alexa.
Oh, I got Laurie. [chuckles] This won't be hard at all.
Lucas! [chuckles]
I mean, I... I think it was Lucas. [giggles]
Yeah, I guess it was.
[audience laughing]
I lost my paper. Who did I have again?
-Jennifer. -No, you have her.
-Somebody better have me. -You have me, Jack.
-Does anyone wanna trade with me? -I mean, I would but...
-[indistinct chattering] -I love Christmas!
[Alexa] So we are all set to have a great Christmas and not miss the festival.
There is just one more thing to do.
Hmm. Christmas Eve has officially started.
Wait.
[bells jingle]
Now it's started.
♪ I've got you ♪
♪ When I can't take it any longer ♪
♪ You make me feel stronger ♪
♪ I've got you ♪
♪ When I can't take it You make it so much better ♪
♪ We'll do this together ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh We'll do this together ♪
♪ I've got you ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ We'll do this together ♪
Gingerbread walls look good, just need a little time to cool.
Then construction begins.
There is no way Nicole Morgan is winning the Gingerbread House contest this year.
Honey, she's 87, just let her have it.
[audience laughing]
I love the Christmas festival.
[chuckles] It's where I had my first kiss.
Oh, yeah, your lips got stuck to the ice sculpture princess.
I was six. And thirsty.
Found our skates!
Oh, hey!
And an angry family of possums.
That will be a January project...
for Lucas.
Yeah, I'm booked until March.
Whoa, that's a big gift you got me!
Yeah, you're gonna love it!
I hope it wasn't too expensive.
Oh, it's really expensive!
[audience laughing]
All I got him was a small model airplane.
-It's the thought that counts. -Kids can't play with thoughts, Laurie!
[audience laughing]
Oh, and my mom's working on your gift.
She says it's perfect, and she's going to win Christmas.
[chuckles] It's not a competition. She said "perfect"?
Mom, don't ask. It's part of the fun of Christmas!
-Like wearing your Christmas sweater. -Well, it wouldn't fit over my cast.
Well I have one that'll work.
Okay, I'm thinking... snowflakes. Ooh!
Maybe a cat with antlers.
Just no elves.
That's my thing.
Okay, I won't wear elves.
Hey, I'm gonna wear elves.
Look. [clears throat]
I don't know what Jennifer got me, but it sounds like she went all out.
So you better have gotten her something really good.
I had Jennifer?
Lucas! Really?
I forgot.
That's why we called the family meeting, so Christmas would stay on track.
In my defense...
Doesn't saying that get people off the hook?
Okay, we're exchanging gifts in a couple of hours.
Okay? You're going out right now and getting her something good.
I'm coming with you. I've gotta add to Jack's present.
[sighs] I should have seen this coming.
The boy looks up to me.
Which one says "9-year-old boy with a broken arm"?
This one!
I am finally done with Lucas's present.
Is that Bunny?
The last time I saw him, he was in a pile of rags in the Goodwill box.
I know! I couldn't believe your mom was giving away Lucas's...
beloved childhood friend.
So, I grabbed Bunny and repaired him,
knowing one day there would be a perfect opportunity
to give him back to Lucas. Hmm.
That's so thoughtful...
and only a little creepy.
You just focus on my gift.
Oh, what's that?
It's my bag from when I was first in the hospital.
I didn't even know I still had this.
Yeah, it seems like... forever ago.
Yeah.
Okay, so... so should I wrap Bunny?
Or is he a gift-bag bunny?
[Katie] Or is he a bow-around-the-neck kind of guy?
[Katie's voice faints] Or should I say it's a combo?
You get it, you get it.
[Alexa flashbacks]
I don't understand.
Was it something I did?
-Honey, it's nothing you did. -I know it's overwhelming, but trust me.
You are getting the best possible treatment.
Now that we know the type of leukemia you have,
we're gonna keep you here for a few weeks while you get a high dose of chemo.
Unfortunately, it's going to make you feel pretty lousy,
but it's also going to kill your leukemia cells.
It's gonna be tough, sweetie, but you can do this.
The goal is to get you to remission.
We'll check your blood daily and eventually we'll...
we'll schedule another bone marrow aspiration to monitor your progress.
[medical equipment beeping]
[Katie] You know what?
I'm just gonna wrap him.
It... it doesn't really matter,
it just has to be good.
That's all. [chuckles]
[line rings then a chime]
Megan, Merry Christmas!
Alexa, I'm so glad it's you.
My grandma got an iPhone and has been butt dialing me, all day.
[chuckles] Happy to see you, too.
I RSVPed for your Sweet 16.
I don't know if I'm more excited about the photo booth or the dessert bar.
Or seeing me?
-Yes, by the dessert bar. -[Alexa laughs]
So...
I found my old hospital bag in my closet and it brought me right back.
Ugh, I hate when that happens.
It's like cancer's jumping out from under your bed and saying "Boo!"
Exactly.
And now I'm thinking about it and it's hard to not think about it.
Well, don't.
Don't you have some old lady to crush in a Gingerbread House contest?
Yeah, I do.
Just... put cancer back under the bed and get your Christmas on.
You're right.
That's exactly what I'm gonna do.
-Thank you. -Anytime.
All right, bye, Megan.
[sighs]
All right, Christmas, we're doing this.
"En route"?
You've been en route for two hours!
What does "en route" mean?
It's French for "awful."
First... first I get Laurie, which was a nightmare.
Then, I find a beautiful and cheap rocking chair online. Amazing.
And now it doesn't arrive!
Nightmare!
This is how I'm rewarded for shopping ahead of time?
Didn't you order it two days ago?
Yeah, thank you.
You see, this is why I spend so much time and attention on my gift for Lucas.
Potato!
No, no, no! Bad Potato, bad Potato!
I think I forgot to feed Potato.
Jack, check it out!
-Huh, it's a Christmas miracle! -I told you you needed a sweater.
[Jack grunts]
My gift for Lucas is... ruined.
No. no, no. No one is losing their Christmas spirit on my watch.
You can still fix it.
Did Rudolph give up when all the reindeer laughed and called him names?
He did. He was pretty upset.
I meant at the end, Jack!
-C'mon. -[doorbell rings]
Ah, finally! Yes!
I have been waiting all day! [chuckles]
Oh, Ryan.
Merry Christmas! Just dropping off a gift for Katie.
-Oh, that's so sweet. -Yeah, it's nothing.
Oh, it's not nothing! It's something. I wouldn't put nothing in a bag!
Oh, c'mon in.
Move, move! It's UPS.
[giggles] Oh!
Um, oh, this can't be my package. Ugh!
I'm gonna leave this for Katie. Merry Christmas!
To you and your whole... Yeah.
No.
They sent me the wrong package! I ordered a rocking chair.
[sighs]
Customer service.
Cus-to-mer ser-vice!
Uh, Mom?
What in the North Pole is that?
Oh, Laurie's gonna think this is so funny!
It's supposed to be a rocking chair that she can enjoy on her patio!
Oh, then this is really disappointing.
[audience laughing]
See? He's better already.
Gift good, back on track.
I wouldn't let anything spoil Christmas.
Yeah, I was there when you yelled at the mall Santa
for not being jolly enough.
Hey, if I'm getting a Christmas photo with you, you better "Ho Ho Ho" it up.
Okay, the ear is back on.
You hang in there, Bunny. We are almost done...
Almost done.
-[Alexa flashbacks] -[Laurie] Almost done.
Almost done.
[sighs] I don't want it.
-Honey, just a little more. -You have to keep your strength up.
[exhales] I don't feel good.
[Alexa breathing heavily]
-Should I get someone? -She's okay.
-She'll be okay. -[Alexa huffs]
[Alexa takes a deep breath]
[Katie] Check it out.
Huh?
The bunny is done-y.
Oh, I heard it in my head, and...
I said it anyway.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, he's gonna love it.
[chuckles] Thanks. You know I can't wait to see what you got me.
Oh my gosh! I still have to wrap your gift.
And work on my gingerbread house. I have a lot to do.
Keep walking, Potato.
I'm glad we decided to eat dinner at the Festival this year.
Who needs a meal cooked with love and care
when we can slurp dinner off a paper plate?
I'm gonna bring our silverware.
Hey. Honey... you're frosting your shoulder.
Oh, shoot. [hawks softly]
-[Laurie] Mmm. Hey! -Hey.
Uh, the mall was so packed. So we hit the drugstore.
-What'd you get? -So much stuff.
-Uh, hair gel, cologne, body wash-- -I meant for Jennifer.
What did you get for Jennifer?
We're opening gifts soon!
I still have to wrap Katie's present!
[sweater bells jingle]
Dave, that is too much for Jack!
You need to find something for Jennifer.
-A family photo of the Mendozas? -No!
Oh! A thing holding a thing.
Lucas!
Don't worry. I'll think of something.
[Laurie huffs]
No!
[audience laughing]
You could say it's a footrest for a one-legged pirate.
Or a place for a candle to relax.
Okay, Bunny is fixed... and safely hidden from Potato.
You have really put a lot of thought into Lucas's gift.
What's this?
Oh, Ryan dropped that off earlier.
Oh my gosh!
Uh, these... these are my flowers from Romeo and Juliet.
I mean, he must have saved them for me.
Ryan really put a lot of thought into that gift.
Yeah.
Yeah, he did. [chuckles]
Oh! It is so pretty.
Any chance I can give this to Laurie?
Okay, I've got to thank him.
Um... I...
I don't know what to say.
[dog growls]
No! Potato! Uh.
You know what?
I should have just left Bunny in that Goodwill box
with Dave's old overalls,
and Laurie's lace-up jeans.
[Jennifer] You can fix him!
Hey, at least he's not a tiny rocking chair!
[Alexa flashbacks]
Here you go, honey.
-Take it slow, hon. -[Alexa exhales]
I'm so happy to see my own bed.
Do you need any water? I can make it room temp,
-cold, slightly iced-- -No, thanks.
I just want to find a plain spot on the wall to focus on
until the room stops spinning.
Like you did at the hospital.
Okay, well, if you need anything, I put a bell on your nightstand
and my phone is fully charged. Oh, and your dad installed a generator.
You're letting me out of your sight?
I figured you'd be camping out at the foot of my bed.
What? [laughs] No!
No. Don't be ridiculous.
[sighs]
-Mom? -Yeah, what do you need?
You're blocking my spot.
Oh, right.
[Laurie] Alexa!
We're about to open gifts!
What? Already?
[Jennifer giggles] Oh. Ah, well...
-Here's your gift! -[Laurie chuckles]
Ooh! It's my name.
Spelled with pieces of a tiny rocking chair.
Thanks.
That reminds me I need to get a rocking chair for my antique doll. Hmm.
Okay.
My turn!
[clears throat then chuckles]
Hope you like it.
It's Bunny!
Yes, it is. I stitched him up.
Potato!
It's okay.
He loves it.
Uh, um, yeah.
Thanks, Katie. I don't know what to say.
What an incredibly thoughtful gift. [giggles]
[audience laughing]
[typing on cell-phone]
Oh! Can't wait to see what I got from Jack. [sighs]
It's a bomber jacket.
It's my bomber jacket.
Yeah. Right after I got your name, I took it from your closet.
Last week you were talking about how it was missing and how you loved it.
And I knew I got you the perfect gift.
[audience laughing]
Here's yours.
Whoa! You got me so many presents!
Ooh! Slinky, Apple gift card! Silly Putty!
Ooh, People magazine?
Loofah! Oh!
Hey, aren't you going to try on your jacket?
I know it fits. Give me that loofah.
Merry Christmas, Jennifer.
Coupons and bonus bucks?
You basically gave me money. Oh!
Alexa, you're up.
Your gift for Katie.
Oh no, I forgot to wrap your gift!
Hurry! The festival starts in ten minutes.
But I still need to finish my gingerbread house.
Honey, you've had all day.
Yeah, we've gotta make it to the Christmas Festival.
You called the family meeting.
Fine, then just go without me.
Whoa. What's going on?
Alexa!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Whoa! A model airplane!
You know, that would have been enough, Dave.
[audience laughing]
[knock on door]
Sorry. I just need a minute.
What's wrong?
It's stupid.
[Laurie] Honey, tell us.
I keep thinking about when I first got sick.
What?
I found my old hospital bag in my closet and it completely caught me off-guard.
Why didn't you tell us?
Or... me?
I was trying not to think about it.
Are you worried? All your checkups have been great.
No, it's not that.
It's just...
sometimes when you get reminded,
it can take over, and it brings you right back there,
feeling everything all over again.
I was so caught up in that dumb bunny.
There's no way that you could have known.
It's been a long time since I've been sick, but...
there are days I just can't seem to get away from it.
Even in my own room.
[Dave] The wall.
The spot you used to stare at when you thought you were going to get sick.
[tsks] Honey, I'm so sorry you're going through this.
I'm sorry I didn't know.
Yeah, me too. That must feel lonely.
Sometimes.
[tsks] You know, you've been keeping in a lot lately.
You didn't even want to talk about Dylan.
Or how you were nervous about your doctor's appointment.
Well, sweetie, we're always here.
But your mom and I have been thinking...
it might help you to talk with a therapist.
Maybe.
Thanks.
Now let's go,
because I don't wanna be the reason we missed the Christmas Festival.
Actually, I have a better idea.
["Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" playing]
Oh, this was a great idea.
Thanks, you guys.
I know this isn't our typical Christmas Eve.
Hmm? We're all together.
There's music playing.
[chuckles] Feels like Christmas to me.
I like this new tradition.
Next year, let's do my laundry room.
[Dave chuckles]
Looking good. [sighs]
Just one more spot.
Alexa, do you want to do the honors?
What do you think?
I've never been sick in this room.
SDH created by: Chiranjib Sahoo