Christmas Project Reunion, The (2020)

[bunniefuu]

[bright Christmas music]

- [Narrator] Every Christmas,

our family would give anonymous
gifts to another family,

a tradition we called elving.

One Christmas, we
elved the Hagbarts.

Ugh, Finn Hagbart.

Where do I start?

He was my arch nemesis,
my mortal enemy.

But let's be honest ...

he bullied me good.

Yeah, I mean ...

real good.

But after that year's
Buckley, family tradition,

Finn and I came to a
truce, more or less.

Then, the Hagbarts moved away,

and I thought that
unpleasant chapter of my life

was closed for good.

Well, a few years later, the
Hagbarts moved back into town.

[bright Christmas music]

It was my junior
year of high school.

I was captain of
the basketball team.

Allen was my true compadre.

His sister, Juniper, and
I were kind of a thing.

Things are really looking up.

Well, maybe not so much
for my brother, Peter.

- Have a great day, Peter.

Thank you.

You left this on the bus.

- I am so sorry!

Oh, it's okay.

My mom made it.

- Your mom made it?

Did you just say your
mom made that project?

I just announced to
the entire student body

that you won the science
fair for that project!

- I'm sorry. I ...

- Principal Doyle ...

Has anyone ever told you

that you looked just
like Clint Eastwood?

- Go ahead. Make my day.

- It's the jawline.

Wait ...

No, it's the eyes.

Definitely the eyes.

[stuttering]

- Do you know ...

Feeb Hagbert?

- Peter Buckley, right?

- Yeah.

- The Hagberts just moved
into that big, beautiful house

on Westminster.

- That's our house!

Well, I mean ...

- It's the house we
were gonna buy, but ...

we couldn't afford it.

It's a cool house.

I'm gonna ...

- Here, let me help you.

- Clint Eastwood, huh?

♪ And a sweet baby
girl just for me ♪

- My little merry noel

Can I have a kiss?

[phone rings]

Hello?

Steve! Hi!

Oh no!

Yeah, of course! You
can stay here anytime.

You know that.

Uh-huh.

Is that my project?

- You mean my
project, right, mom?

- Pfft!

- Yeah.

All right. I can't
wait for you to come.

Oh, yes! All right.

Awesome, Steve.

All right. See you then.

Buh-bye, Steve.

- The Hagbarts moved again!

They bought that big
house on Westminster.

- Wait, the one
we were gonna get?

- There goes that dream.

- Hey!

We remodeled! And ...

I wanted the house so bad.

- Feeb Hagbart's
pretty cute now.

- Wait, how could
they afford that?

- You guys didn't hear this?

Oh my gosh.

Okay, so, Mr. Hagbart
invents some kind of,

it's a computer, it's
a gadget that ...

Simon, I don't know what it is.

- [Narrator] What mom
was struggling to explain

was that Mr. Hagbart
had made a small fortune

by putting store catalogs
on disk for retailers.

in an era before the
internet and online shopping

was really a thing, browsing
these catalogs was a pastime

Simon was particularly fond of.

- Simon!
- What?

- Now he's rich.

But we could still elf them.

- [Boys] No!

- Okay, okay! Gosh!

I'm trying to teach you good
will and make you good people.

Jeez.

- Okay, so what did
uncle Steve want?

- Uncle Steve has
mold in his apartment,

so he's gonna be staying
with us for the holidays!

[gasps]

And he said he's gonna help
coach your basketball team.

[chuckles]

- Our basketball team?

- Uncle Steve's
kind of out there.

- He is. It's okay.

- Who wants to say
the elving pledge?

All right, put your arms up.

- [All] We do hereby promise
to fulfill our elving duties

with honor and bravery.

We will never divulge our ...

Identities to the people we elf,

no matter what mayhem or Bedlam
might be inflicted upon us.

This is our solemn pledge!

- Steve!

- Ooh!

Sup, dude?

- [Narrator] Uncle Steve.

Mom says she practically
raised him by herself.

But if that's true, how
did he turn out so cool?

[grunting]

[squealing]

[laughing]

- Oh, now I see it.

- Hey, where's Simone?

- Oh, well he's working tonight.

And as you know, elving
waits for no man.

[chuckling]

- Who are we elving?

- Oh, okay, so, guys,
I'm thinking ...

Principal Doyle.

- Never in my lifetime.

- Yeah, we can't elf
him. He's too harsh.

- Harsh?

I mean, I'd be harsh
too if I had to deal

with smelly, hormonal
teenagers all the time.

Hey, wait a minute.
That's my life.

- Look, Principal Doyle,

he's raising those two
little girls all by himself.

His wife passed away.

And you know the school
doesn't pay him much.

- I'm a PE teacher. I get that.

- Yeah. I mean, maybe if we
elf him, he won't be so harsh.

- So, folks, Principal
Doyle? Hands up.

- All in favor?

- What's the deal with you two?

- Well, personally, I
feel I can't cast a vote

for someone I work
for, you know?

Isn't that like
unconstitutional?

- Okay, we'll call
that an abstention.

- I don't know what that means.

- [Dad] And you?

- [Narrator] It was then
I dropped the E b*mb.

- I'm not going
elving this year.

- I'm sorry, what?

[laughing]

- I thought I heard you just say

you weren't going
elving this year.

- No, I know what I heard.

Are you serious, man?

- Look, there's no snow, and
it's just stupid kid stuff!

- That's not kid stuff.

I mean, I'm older
than you Mateo.

Bro, look at all
these sad faces, man.

You don't wanna Scrooge
this thing over.

- [Narrator] Truth
is I didn't wanna go.

I was just tired of
being told what to do.

And as much as I hated
disappointing everybody,

especially Uncle
Steve, I'm a man now.

And so, you know, when a man
makes up his mind, it's done.

- Can I go to my bedroom?

- Yeah, I think you better.

So, Principal Doyle it is.

[sighs]

[knocks]

Can we talk?

Why? You gonna make
me go out elving?

- Well, I could do that, but ...

what would be the point
if your heart's not in it?

So, no, I'm not gonna make you.

- Thanks.

- Matthew, you need to
come up with your own plan

to serve others this season.

I mean, it's what
Christmas is all about.

It's the whole reason
that we go elving.

- Like what?

- I don't know.

You're gonna have to
figure that out yourself.

I mean, you're not a
little boy anymore, right?

- [Narrator] Figure it out?

I couldn't even figure out
this dumb Rubik's cube.

Maybe dad was right.

I had to come up with a plan?

[birds whistling]

[knocking]

- Hey, Steve-O!

- Oh hey, Pam.

- Oh! You decorated.

- Yeah, these are me.

- I know.

You signed it.

- Yeah. You gotta be
your number one fan, Pam.

- Absolutely.

So, do you remember this guy?

- Oh, yes.

- The concert?

- Oh yeah, baby.
- Memories?

- Yeah, memory lane.

This thing was literally
baptized by fire.

[laughing]

- It was.

- Hey ...

Matthew's just being
a punk, all right?

He's a lot like me.

It's nothing you haven't
been through before.

- Yeah. We used to
be really close.

- Yeah.

But you still have Simon.

- Yes, I still have Simon,
and the voice are great,

but, I mean, can you see
Matthew kinda pulling away?

- Yeah. I think he's being
more like a teenager.

You know, growing pains.

But, hey ...

Do you remember these?

- What?

- Ole, ole!

- Why are those in my house?

- Because we're gonna rock 'em.

Hey, let's go.

- What?

Okay, I ...

need these in a wallet size.

- [Steve] I got like 10 of 'em.

- Show me what you got, Steve!

[energetic music]

Woo!

Yeah, that's good.

You really know
how to work it out.

- Did you ask Jennifer to
the Christmas dance yet?

- No, not yet. What about you?

- Same, but ...

not Jennifer.

[chuckles]

Think it's ever
gonna snow this year?

Like, not just a flurry here
and there, but like a blizzard,

like the year we
elved the Hagbarts.

- Dude, don't remind me.

- They're filthy rich now.

- Yeah, no doy.

- And Finn's got a
really awesome car

and an indoor swimming pool.

- Yeah, I don't care.

I already told my family

that I'm not going
elving this year.

My parents Kirked out.

- Of course they
did. It's tradition.

Smooth move, Ex-Lax.

[loud music playing on radio]

- [Matthew] Is that my
sister with the Hagbarts?

- [Allen] Yup. It's Jennifer.

[laughing]

- Hey, Matthew.

Matthew, how you been?

- Fine.

Want my breakfast-

You want it?

- How could they name a
little puppy like you Farting?

Ooh, grindage!

- Eh! No food before
dinner, and no Farting.

- Okay.

Smells good.

Is that grandma Ruth's soup?

- You better believe it.

- Yeah, that's rad.

♪ Oh cabbage soup

- What's the occasion?

- Uh, well ...

We've been asked to chaperone
the Christmas dance.

And Mrs. Whitmore wants me to
be her personal assistance.

- Wow, Pam.

- Now, when you say we have
been asked, you mean that-

- Us.

- Yeah.

That's what I thought you meant.

- Oh, and, Steve,
you're gonna love this.

I got you on the
committee too. Yeah!

I had to pull some
strings, but you're in!

- Me?

- Mm-hm.

- Barf me out, Pam. As if.

- Oh, you wanna tell me
that one more time, Punk?

- Okay, okay! Fine,
fine, fine, fine!

Geez, I think I'm
bleeding, Ralph.

- Ugh, you're such a baby.
Just get out of my kitchen.

- It's snowing.

- What?

You ...

- [Steve] Coach needs the
energy dinners in two hours.

- Punk.

Dinner's in two hours.

- Just a dip.

Love you.

♪ Here we come a caroling
among the leaves so green ♪

[intense Christmas music]

- [Narrator] Well, that's
one way to enter a room.

Lucky shot, Larry Nerd.

- Looks like Juniper's friends
with the Hagbart sisters now.

- Hey, Matthew.

- Hey.

Saw you out in the
parking lot earlier.

- Yeah.

I was running late, so
Finn gave me a ride.

- [Finn] Watch
and learn, fellas.

- Now he thinks he's
the star of our team.

- [Finn] Think fast, Buckley!

[grunts]

- Thanks.

- Feeb Hagbart!

Are you kidding me?

[blows whistle]

- Gather round, boys!

- Um, where's coach Jackson?

- He had a family emergency.

- When's he coming back?

- He's not gonna be back
until after Christmas.

- Whoa, whoa, wait! We play
the wild cats next week!

We all need our coach!

- Which is why Mr. Wilson
has been so gracious

as to offer to coach our team.

until we can find a
decent replacements.

- Sup, fellas?

- And I ...

I am gonna be the
assistant coach.

[clanging]

Make it rain.

Not even close.

- Not here, James,

- My dad coached our
team to a championship

at my old school.

- Do you think he
would really do it?

- Yeah. He's he's
up for anything.

- Brilliant! That sounds
like a great idea.

- [Narrator] Yeah. So great.

- Why is that a great idea?

- Well, technically a
member of the coaching staff

has to be a member
of the faculty.

So you, my friend, have now
become the assistant coach.

And your dad is the head
coach, and I am outta here.

Parting is such
sweet sorrow, boys.

- What are you looking at?

Let's run some lines, fellas!

'Cause I'm your assistant coach,

and I'm your head coach today.

[blows whistle]

Magnificent.
- Whoa!

- Hello, Matthew.

These cookies are choice.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

- These look amazing!

- Oh, pries a block!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!

- Rumor has it you're gonna
take Feeb to the dance.

- Whoa! No! You can't take
a Hagbart to the dance!

- Says who?

- Says me!

- Hey guys.

Cookies!

- h*! Karate chop, Pam!

These are cookies for Mateo
to take to sweet babe-a-saurus

to the Christmas festivities.

- Festivities?

- Yeah, no.

- Can you check her
ear? Something's up.

- What's going on with it?

- Oh, man. In 10 minutes!

- That's cold, Pam. Cold.

- Cookies?

- Cookies.

He's always eating, dude.

[splashing]

[laughing]

- So, did you get your
dress for the dance yet?

Yeah. I've had it for months.

Yeah, but I haven't
been asked yet.

- What? That's crazy.

No one's invited us either.

But, man, Jennifer, that
really stinks. I'm sorry.

- It's okay.

- I thought you and
Matthew were a thing.

You are, aren't you?

[hands slapping]

- You let M&N fall asleep?

- Oh, no, no, no!

- Honey, normally you
want her to fall asleep.

- Not tonight! It's our
first not of elving.

- Okay. Listen, when
she's out, she's out.

Let's just start
earlier next time.

- We Can we can't
elf unless it's dark.

- Oh, you can if you're a ninja!

- Room for one more, Ralph?

- Yes.

- All right, let's
do it. Let's go!

- [Pam] I can't trust
you guys for one second.

- How are you gonna deliver
your invite to Juniper?

- Hey, once she's
out, she's out.

[upbeat music]

- [Narrator] Hm. How, indeed?

You know, dogs are
pretty responsible.

- Hey.

Popcorn, candy. Barbie?

She's all yours Farting.

- [Narrator] Okay, I
know this looks bad,

but as a teenager, you'll
do anything for a girl.

- [Pam] All right,
guys, stay low.

All right, John. Go for it.

- Hey.

- Can I do it, please?
Please, please, can I do it?

- Do as I do.

- 10-4, amigo.

Three, two, one.

[doorbell rings]

- Christmas stockings?

- Are they for us?
- I think so!

- [Girls] Daddy, Daddy!

- This is the best
part. Remember?

- Yeah. I remember.

Should we go?

- [Narrator] One
bite of my cookies,

and Juniper will have no
choice but to say yes!

Well, I guess her dog would
look good in the dress, too,

although I'm pretty
sure I'll skip out

on the kiss at the
end of the night.

- Hey!

Come join the party.

[crying]

Come on.

- Steve, can you just
take her upstairs?

- Sure.

- Thank you.
- I'll put her down.

- You left your baby
sister alone in the house.

- No, she was asleep.

- That is inexcusable, Matthew!

- Okay, I went across the
street for like a minute,

and Farting was watching her.

- Farting? Farting
was watching her?

The dog!

- I was gone for
like five minutes.

- Obviously, a lot can happen
in five minutes, Matthew.

Just go to bed.

[emotional music]

Why would he think
he could leave her?

Oh my gosh.

Where did we go wrong?

- He's a teenager.

You know, at least he's ...

he hasn't run off to Vegas
with a c*ck waitress.

- I mean, I guess we gave our
parents a run for their money?

- Well ...

heaven knows you did.

I long for those days.

- Don't choke.

- You're grounded. Christmas,
maybe even New Year's.

- Whoa! Okay-

- No, all right, I'm kidding.

But your mom and I are wondering
where the old Matthew is.

Have you seen him
around anywhere?

- Okay, I was gone five minutes.

- Matthew, you were
gone five minutes

and left your sister
alone in the house.

I mean, you've seen
Unsolved Mysteries.

You know anything can happen.

Have you thought about
what you want to do

to celebrate the Christmas
season this year?

You don't want to
go elving with us,

you don't want to spend
time with the family.

What do you want to do?

Could you think of maybe
something a little less selfish?

- Okay, well, are you
asking or telling?

- I'm suggesting.

- Okay.

- Suggesting straight A's.

Straight B's?

[sniffling]

- Are you okay?

- Yeah, it's just ...

Matthew reminds me of you

when you were in your "I
hate everything" phase.

- I was that bad, huh?

- You were actually worse,
if you can believe that.

- Yeah.

I was, and you still
loved me, right?

[chuckles]

- I just don't know where
I've gone wrong as his mom.

- Pam, you have
not gone as a mom.

You might be experiencing
that seasonal depression thing

or, I don't know, may be
having flashbacks of me.

- That could be true,
because you almost k*lled me.

[laughing]

- Yeah, I did.

And you never gave up on me.

- Nope.

Maybe you could talk to
him. He loves you so much.

- Yeah, maybe if
the time is right.

- I just ...

I just get really scared that
I'm becoming our parents.

- You are nothing
like our parents, Pam.

They barely even knew us.

Look, you are like the
greatest mom in the world.

I mean, these kids, they
absolutely adore you,

and I can see that clear as day.

- You think?

- Yes! You're like the
ultimate package, you know?

You're my sis.

You're my best friend

And in a lot of ways, you were
my perfect mother, you know?

[laughs]

- So you're saying I'm old?

- Maybe.

Your kids are amazing, Pam.

- They are.

[school bell ringing]

- Jeez, Allen, give
a guy some space!

- Sorry.

- Did Juniper get my invite yet?

- How should I know? I
know she tells me zero.

- Okay, well, try
and find out, okay?

- Okay.

Hey, I've been thinking
about the Hagbarts lately.

I think you should
give them a chance.

- To what?

- Well, Finn's really cool now.

And have you seen Fae?

- [Narrator] What?

What is going on?

First Juniper, then
Peter. Now Allen?

Things are really
getting out of hand.

[basketballs bouncing]

- Oh my gosh.

I'm such a klutz.

- It's all right.

- Um, are you
going to the dance?

- I hope so, but I
haven't been asked yet.

- [Narrator] Oh!
Watch out, Pete!

Coach Hagbart on your six.

- Everything good, Feeb?

- [Feeb] Yep.

- Ready to go?

- See you around.

- Oh, Dad, we could
use another player.

- Oh, honey, I've
got so much work,

- Please, Daddy.

- Oh, okay. Deal me in.

- Yes! Let's go!

- Ante up.

- Guess what.

Feev has a crush
on Peter Buckley.

[laughing]

- I do not!

- Really?

- He's such a geek.

- Well, maybe feed
thinks he's a zeek.

- What's a zeek?

- It's a frog that
turns into a prince?

- Did you just
call Peter a frog?

Dad, that's so cool!

[laughing]

- I don't think so.

What'd I say?

- You don't even know him!

- Wat do go.

- Why didn't you stop me?

- Whoa, wait. What
are you doing?

Stop.

Feeb Hagbart?

Wait!

You're trying to take
Feeb Hagbart to the dance?

You know she's older
than you, right?

Age is just a number.

- Okay, what about
the Buckley code?

You know? John's broken angel.

Oh, how about Simon's
broken glasses?

- Just grow up.

- [Narrator] Grow up?

Says the guy who wrote
the cheesiest poem ever!

[birds whistling]

[knocks]

Principal Doyle? Hey.

Here's that
paperwork you needed.

I guess it's official.

Coach, just for the
rest of this season.

All right.

- Uh, coach?

How do you do it? I mean, the
whole single parent thing?

You just ...

You seem to make
it look so easy.

[chuckles]

- Honest?

I really don't know.

I love 'em when they're good.

I ground 'em when they're not.

And I pray.

I pray a lot.

- Yeah.

Karen used to make
Christmas so magical.

I could never match that.

- Yeah. It's not the
easiest job in the world.

Especially when you're the
only one in the trenches.

- [Principal Doyle] Thank you.

- Sure.

And you know, this may
sound really corny,

but I found the best
present is to be present.

Be there for 'em.

That's what they
want for Christmas.

I'll see you out there.

[energetic music]

- Go to the paint!
Go, go, go, go, go!

There you go, there you go.

Let's go. Come on.

Come on!

[chattering]

Kick it out to John.

- Weak side. Weak side, Zack.

- John, two, two, two!

Set it!

- [Narrator] Oh, man!

No! You know what you did!

- All right, we're
done, we're done.

[blows whistle]

Everybody up.

Let's go, hustle.

Look, we've got our
first big game coming up,

and guys, we gotta
start jelling as a team.

Think like a team.
Play like a team.

The same team!

- Yeah, guys. Same team.

- Yeah, Dad.

- It's coach.

And I don't know what's
going on between you two.

- Nothing.

- Nothing.

- Huh.

Okay.

So why don't I make
Finn co-team captain

so that you two can
learn to work together?

- But Matthew's the captain.

- No, I'm really
digging this idea.

- Okay, good, so we agree.
We have two captains.

Hit the showers.

Let's go, fellas. Focus.

[clapping]

[curious music]

- You're a stone cold fox.

Hey!

I just helped Grandpa
George in the soup kitchen.

- And how'd it go with him?

- Uh ...

It was awkward, but, you
know, we got through it.

- Was he surprised to see you?

- Uh, yeah, to say the least.

Yeah.

But, hey, I could tell

that they could really
use some help, you know?

What do you think about me
dropping you off tonight?

- Tonight?

- [Steve] Yeah.

- No, no, no.

I was gonna go see if Juniper
wanted to catch a movie.

- Dude, come on.

- Or not.

- Love can wait, my man.

Absence makes the heart
grow fonder. Trust me.

You feel that?

- Yes, I feel that.

- Yeah, C's get degrees.
Go get 'em, tiger.

Don't tell your dad,
though. I didn't say that.

Pam! I need help with my hair!

- Eddie, do you ever wonder
about the meaning of life?

Eddie?

Eddie.

Eddie!

No!

- You ready for this?

- Yeah, I guess so.

So, you coming in with me?

- I'll probably pass.

Seeing him twice in one week

might be a little overkill
for the both of us.

- Yeah.

How long has it been
since you've seen him?

- Before yesterday, Probably
10, maybe 12 years, I guess.

- Well, what's he like?

- Stern.

Military stern,

Angry.

Sad.

I think that w*r really
messing him up, you know?

- Then should I not do this?

- No, you do this.

I mean, you never know how
much longer you have with him.

I mean, I could come in and
give you some moral support,

like Batman and Robin style.

- Nah. Nah, I got this.

- I know you do.

- Thanks for always
being so cool.

- Ditto, my man.

[soft music]

- [Narrator] Mom once
told me Grandpa George

was one of the bravest
man at Normandy on D-Day,

a true hero.

- Food's almost ready
in line. Get in line.

- Actually, I was gonna see
if I could help you, Grandpa.

[soft music]

- Matthew?

- Uncle Steve said you
guys could use some help.

- Steve said that?

Yeah, it's kinda tough
around here sometimes.

So, how's basketball practice?

- What, you know I play?

- I read about it in the papers.

I've even come to a game or two.

Shh.

- Really?

Well, how come you
never come by to say hi?

- I don't think your
mom wants to see me.

- Why not?

- I think I was a better
soldier than I was a father.

So, how did you end up here?

- Well, I didn't want
to go elving this year,

so if it wasn't elving,

I had to do something
nice for others,

and Steve said, I
should come here.

- You sound like a good kid.

I can see you got a
lot of your mom in you.

- Yeah, I guess.

[clanging]

- [Narrator] Loud noises
always petrified my grandpa.

I felt bad for him.

Well, Steve said that
I could help you.

So, what should I do?

- Yeah, well, come
on. Let me show you.

All right, let's go,
everybody! Kitchen's open!

Yeah, I'm talking
to you, kid. Feeb!

- Matthew?

- You know Feeb?

- Yeah, kinda.

- She's one of our best workers.

Do you mind if I hand
my grandson off to you?

- Sure.

- All right.

- So, what are you doing here?

- Penance.

- I get that.

This is gonna be fun
penance. I promise.

Okay. Aprons are in the back.

Grab one and come stand by me.

- Okay, boys. Ready, set, go!

Go, go, go, go, go!

[doorbell ringing]

- Do you think it's elves?

- I don't know.
What do you think?

I think it's elves.
And I think it's magic.

[gentle music]

- God bless you, son.

- [Narrator] No one had ever
said those words to me before.

It felt good.

As I watched Grandpa
with the little girl,

I realized that that's
about the age I was

the last time I saw him.

- Colonel.

- Steven.

- So, how did it go?

- [Narrator] Could
have been worse.

- He's a good,
disciplined worker.

Come back and help
me again sometime?

- Yeah, I'll think about it.

- Good. You do that.

- Thanks for the help, Matthew.

- Yeah, yeah.

Oh, Uncle Steve,
this is Feeb Hagbart.

Feeb, this is Uncle Steve.

- Nice to meet you.
- Hi.

Nice to meet you.

So, you need a ride home?

- Yeah, my brother was
supposed to pick me up,

but he's helping our neighbor
hang up Christmas lights.

- Oh my heart!

Okay.

So, this is a Hagbart.

Hey, let's go. I'll
give you a ride home.

- [Narrator] Everybody
seemed to be getting along

with the Hagbarts except me.

What was I missing?

I couldn't be the
problem, right?

You know, Uncle Steve
said that the w*r

really mess Grandpa up,
so I looked into that.

He was suffering from PTSD.

And with the history
I've had with Finn,

maybe I was suffering
from my own.

Look, I really wanted
to like this guy.

I mean, could I
trust Finn Hagbart?

Oh, incoming!

Okay! Now I know you
all saw that, right?

He just doesn't give
me much to work with.

[owl hooting]

- Hey! Hey, guys!

- [Pam] What?

- Get down here, quickly!

- Somebody left a
package on our porch!

- [Pam] Are you serious?

- Look at this.

- What? You've been elved?

- Right?

That is cool!

- [Narrator] Yeah. So cool.

- But we invented elving.

- Oh, we didn't
invent giving, did we?

- No, but-

Then we need to appreciate

when someone wants to
do something nice for us

like give us presents!

- Ooh, exciting!

- Oh my gosh! What is in here?

- Okay.

- Hold on, hold
on! Don't break it!

What if it's breakable?

[gasping]

- I love these as as a gift!

Soap on a rope!

- Soap?

- I bet it was the
Hagbarts who elved us.

- Why would they elf us?

- To steal our thunder.

- Oh!

- What's going on
with the Hagbarts?

- They're the family
that moved back here,

and the boys used to get in
little scuffles with them

when they were young.

- Oh, I'm sorry. That's right.

- [Narrator] Scuffles?

Mom was so naive.

- Okay, guys, we need
to turn in. It's late.

Pick up this mess, and Matthew,

your clothes are on the floor.

Hon, pick those up.

All right, I'll take those.

- Get the shower first!

Move it, move it!

- Your brother, he's
biting the heads off.

and putting 'em back again!

- [Narrator] Hm.

What might this be?

Ah, one of Pete's poems.

Wow!

Not bad, Pete.

You know, no matter what
was happening with me,

I had no right to
stand in Peter's way.

No reason both of us
should be miserable

on the night of the dance.

I had an idea.

[upbeat music]

I knew what I had to do.

♪ This Christmas
came a little early ♪

[timer ticking]

♪ The gift I've wanted
was always you ♪

- [Matthew] How many
sprinkles do you want?

- [Narrator] What a masterpiece.

Too bad Pete is gonna
be taking credit for it.

Packaged delivered,
mission accomplished.

♪ Sing hallelujah

- Back so soon?

- [Narrator] He knew?

How do they always know?

- [Matthew] Another one.

- I cleaned the kitchen.

- Thank you.

- Didn't do it for you.
Did it for your mom.

I bet you're wondering
why I'm not freaking out.

- Uh, yeah. Definitely
crossed my mind.

- Did I ever tell
you about the time

I asked your mom
to our first dance?

- Mm-mm. I must've
missed that one.

- Mm-hm. Yeah, well, she ...

she was quite a
looker back then.

[creaking]

Still is!

Very cute woman!

- I'm pretty sure she's asleep.

- Yeah. That's what
they want you to think.

But you never-

[creaking]

You can't be too careful.

They sneak up on you. Yeah.

I, on the other
hand, had been hit

pretty hard by the
teenage ugly stick.

Zits, smelly pits, the works.

I mean, puberty had not
been a friend to me.

And your mom was way,
way, way out of my league.

She was on another level,

another whole
planet, solar system.

And somehow I got it in my head

that I should serenade
her outside of her window.

- And what happened?
How'd that go?

- Oh, it was perfect.

She opened up the
window, and I started.

[singing opera]

I mean, I was full blast.

Full blast. It was ridiculous.

- So what'd she say?

- Nothing.

- Why?

- It wasn't her window.

It was her parents'.

Your grandpa threw a
bucket of water on me.

[chuckling]

I think it was water.

I don't know what he was
doing with a bucket of water

near his bed, but ...

it all worked out.

- Yeah.

- I hope she says yes.

- Yeah, me too.

- Okay.

You know, you should
probably hit the sack.

No more sneaking out?

- [Matthew] Yeah.

- Yeah.

[chuckles]

- Oh, girls! I think
you have a delivery.

- Looks like one of us has
been asked to the dance!

Let's go.

- Here we go again.

[curious music]

I know everybody's excited,
so let's see what we have.

- It looks like a
toddler made it.

[laughing]

- It's cute.

- Who's it for?

- We don't know yet.
I hope it's for me.

- Can I have a slice?

- After we find out who
it's for and who it's from.

- As long as it's not for
my little Francie, I'm okay.

- Ew, Dad! No way!

- All right, I'm going for it.

- Go for it.

I think that's more
than just a cake.

It looks like Feeb
is the lucky one.

- Of course it is.
Let's go Francie.

- I can't believe it's for me.

- Who's it from?

- Peter Buckley.

He wrote me a poem. Isn't
that the sweetest thing?

- Well, I don't
know. Can I read it?

- It's kinda private, Dad.

What?

- It's okay. [sniffles]

I'm just watching my
little girl grow up!

- Dad! I'll always
be your little girl.

- You better.

- Promise.

- Don't eat too
much of the cake.

[chuckling]

- Eddie?

- [Narrator] Honestly,
I didn't even know

the Guinea pig was missing.

- Somebody has got
to stop Farting, Pam,

- What did he do now?

- What did he not do?

He just ripped a big hole
in my favorite sweatpants!

- Steven!

Tell me how did Farting do that?

- It happened so fast.
Farting's so stealth.

- Stealth?

- Silent, deadly?

- Dude, you've got a
hole in your pants.

I don't know if you knew that.

- What happened to
her? Is that frosting?

- It could be.

I think she's been
sleepwalking again, probably.

- Hey, do either of you guys
want to go sculpting with me?

- You sculpt?

- Yeah, my bod,
bro. You know this

- No, Steve, I don't
want to sculpt your bod.

- You want to go with
me with me, Mateo?

- Mm-mm.

Actually, I've
gotta go to school,

work on that B grade average.

- That's a wall.

- Yeah, no duh.

- Is that funny? Is
that funny to you?

Huh.

Yeah, it's going to be funny

when you're living
in my basement at 30.

- So, I think I figured out who
I'm gonna take to the dance.

I was in my room the other day,

and I found a picture of
us helping the Hagbarts,

and I thought, "Hm,
what about one of them?"

But I can't figure out ...

- [Narrator] I
can't figure it out.

What is going on with Juniper?

I mean, she still
hasn't acknowledged

my invite to the dance.

At least tell me
no or something.

Anything.

Man, love is a b*ttlefield.

- Hey, dweeb, stop
gawking at my sister.

Earth to Matthew.

- Hey, sorry, you're asking
someone to do the dance?

- Yeah. Well, everyone else
is asking everyone else.

So, why not me?

- Who is she?

- I'm not gonna jinx
it by telling, duh.

[soft music]

- All right, here we go.

Like it, kid. Like it.

Let's hustle up.

Let's go, let's go, let's go.

Let's go, Cecil! Here we go.

- [Mr. Hagbart] Everything okay?

- Yeah.

Yeah, we're getting better.

- [Steve] Come on.
Hard, hard, hard!

- You know, I know you
and Finn had a history

when you were little kids,

but I'm hoping you can
put all that behind you

for the sake of the team.

You know, I had a
coach once tell me that

you get out what you're
willing to put in,

and leaders are never afraid
to make the first move.

That kinda stuck with me.

Maybe give it some thought.

Okay?

- Sure.

[whistle blows]

- [Narrator] You
know those moments

when you get the right
advice at the wrong time?

- I've looked everywhere!

- He's probably
nocturning somewhere.

- I can't go elving
until I find Eddie!

- [Peter] Fine, I'll
drive. John, we're leaving!

- Can I come too?

- [Narrator] Traitor!

- Is that okay with you?

- Yeah, sure. Why
wouldn't it be?

[bouncy Christmas music]

- [Allen] Wait up!

- What do you think, girl?

Should I go to the dance
with Peter Buckley?

I'll take that as a yes.

- Are you actually thinking
about going to the dance

with a Buckley?

- I'm not thinking
anymore. I'm going.

- You know this was written
by ward Byron centuries ago.

It's a classic.

- I know that, but he
personalized it just for me.

What guy does that?

- Okay. I'll admit, that's
a pretty cool invitation.

Want to see mine?

- You got one too?

- Mm-hm.

I mean, it's not as
romantic as yours,

but if you unroll
it all the way,

you can see the name of
my date at the bottom.

- Ingenious!

I love it!

- Yeah.

- Who's it from?

- It's a surprise.

- I'm so excited to go
to the dance with you!

- I know, me too! We
gotta find dresses.

- How are you
gonna do your hair?

- I have no idea.

- You should do it up.

- I haven't even
thought about it.

- I think it would
look really cute up.

[laughing]

[bouncy Christmas music]

[doorbell ringing]

- Allen! Come on!
- Allen!

- All right, just for
fun, by show of hands,

who had a good time at their
Christmas dance in high school?

- Could you define
a good time please?

- You had fun.

- Of course I did, Pam

- Behave.

- [Woman] Mr. Chamberlin
has agreed ...

- Do you remember Betsy Jones?

- Nope.

- She was a fox!

- Steve!

- Therefore we can keep
an eye on everybody.

It should be an amazing
night, you guys,

Our goal is to make
sure these kids

have the same memories we have.

- But in a more
chaperoned way, I assume?

- Exactly.

- Yeah, I actually just vote

that we have the dance
over by 10:00 p.m,

we get the kids to bed,
we just call it a night.

- Is he, for real?

- He thinks he is.

- You know, every
party I went to

didn't start until 10:00 p.m.

Am I right, my lady?

- We're not seriously
gonna take directions

from a guy that has
a mullet, are we?

- I think that 11:00
makes more sense.

- I think it makes
perfect sense too.

I second that emotion.
Do you feel that?

- 11:00 it is then.

- Amen.

- I failed to mention
that my brother here,

our very own Coach Steve,
will be deejaying the dance.

- I am a coach.

What? I will?

- Hazel can be your assistant.

- I like that idea a lot.

- [Pam] I knew you would.

- Yup. I spin my own music.

I have band. It's awesome.

- What's that?

- I looks like we
got elved again.

Dim-witted Hagbarts.

- I guess this is
Matthew's answer.

- All right, see you guys.

- See ya.

[soft music]

- Steve, these remind
me of our childhood.

- Really? Tubular.

- Where's Simon?

- He's looking for Eddie.

- Oh. Poor kid.

- I know.

- I can't believe
we've been elved again!

- I know! It's so sweet.

- [Narrator] Eh, I
still don't want to elf,

but I'll take the candy.

- [Ralph] What's this?

- Oh my gosh! Matthew!

I think this is Juniper's
answer to your invite!

Open it, open it!

- Right here?

- Open it! Yes, yes!

- Yeah. Let's go, man.

- Oh my gosh! Here.

I think I can solve this.
Oh, this is gonna be fun.

- You know, Matthew, you
don't have to do this

here in front of us.

You can solve it. We'll leave.

- Oh, that's true.

- [Narrator] Mom needed
this. I could tell.

- No, I think I need mom's help.

She's always been
the best at Scrabble.

- Yeah.

- She was actually the captain
of the JV Scrabble team.

- You made that up.

- I did.

[chuckling]

- Okay. Oh, I think I ...

- B here.

E, F.

- Oh, I think I got it.
- Here we go.

- Yeah, I got it.

Beef says yes.

Simple.

- It's not Beef.

Feeb says yes.

- That's real cool, Pete.

- Peter?

Peter, did you ask
a girl to the dance?

Your first dance!

And I'm gonna be
able to chaperone it.

- Mom! No!

- I won't do anything
awkward or interfere.

- Tone it down, Pam.

- Honey, that's our job.

- I know. I just love
this little baby!

[laughing]

Are you sure it didn't say beef?

[laughing]

- Clue me in.

- Hm?

- Look, I know it was you

who asked Feeb to
the dance for me?

I need to know how you did it

in case it comes
up in conversation.

I put one of your
sappy poems in a cake.

- Which poem?

- I don't know. I forget.

- Think, you noob!

- Gosh!

Something about sleeping beauty.

- Ah, she walks in beauty.
I knew she'd like that one.

- Alrighty. Get out.

- Thanks!

[soft music]

[bouncy Christmas music]

[clears throat]

- No.

Money doesn't grow on trees.

- Did you eat Eddie?

- What?

- You ate Rosie, remember?

- Rosie was a chicken.

You eat one family pet,

and then all of a
sudden you're a villain

for the rest of your life?

That is not fair,
young man. That is not.

Have you ever thought
about how much meat

is actually on a Guinea pig?

Very little.

- No!

- Look, Simon, this
is what you do.

Put a bowl of food and water
in every room in the house,

check the bowls every night,

and then, if one
of them is empty,

then you know that Eddie's
still alive and kicking.

He may be missing, but he's
still alive and kicking.

- And if the bowls are full?

- Then he isn't.

- Can you talk to this twerp?

He says he won't wear
a tux to the dance.

[chuckling]

- Suits me.

- But ...

It's his first dance, like ever.

- Thanks, Mom. Rub it in.

- Look, maybe
he'll start a trend

and save his parents a
heck of a lot of money.

- Yeah.

- Honey, I'm just thinking
you look so good in pink.

I'm thinking like a
hot pink cummerbund.

- I'm thinking you're
gonna be late for school.

You better hit it.

Yeah.

Hot pink?

- Did you eat Eddie?

- There's really not
much meat on a hamster!

Wouldn't be worth my time.

- [Simon] Guinea pig, Dad!

[students chattering]

- Guess who.

- Matthew?

- Not quite.

- Not Matthew. Okay.

- So, Fae told me you're not
going to the Christmas dance.

- Well, I haven't
been asked yet.

- Really?

Okay, well, I could take you.

- [Narrator] Well, I
guess that's my answer.

- I mean like just
as friends, right?

- Yeah. But just
as friends, right?

- Deal.

- Deal.

- Put her there.

[laughing]

- Keep up with him, buddy.

- [Narrator] Dude,
take a chill pill, man!

- Ball!

- [Narrator] Get off me!

- Oh, that's a travel.

- Box it out.

- [Narrator] Okay, you like
putting your hands on me?

How 'bout this?

[thump]

[shouting]

- We're not doing that!
We're not doing that!

Matthew!

- The heck, Buckley?

- Hey!

Everybody, hit the showers. Now!

Principal's office.

Now.

[emotional music]

- [Narrator] Back in
elementary school,

Finn and I were in
the principal's office
on a weekly basis.

But this was different.

This time, it was Finn's dad

that was gonna lower
the boom on usboth.

Finn and I were
improbable allies,

sitting, waiting
for the ax to fall.

- Okay.

The both of you,
let's go. Come on!

In a hurry to fight but not
in a hurry to get punishment.

Now, Listen up.

As much as I hated to
bring principal Doyle

back into school after
a full day's work,

I needed him here to help
decide both of your fates.

- Coach Hagbart has explained
the entire situation to me,

and I'd be lying to say

that I'm not extremely
disappointed in you boys.

[sighs]

But it is with that in
mind that the three of us

are in total agreement
about your punishment.

- After much thought,
I, we've decided ...

to bench you both for
the next two games.

- Not, but we're undefeated!

- And now you're accountable!

- No, you can't!

- Enough!

- I'm with these guys 100%.

- You can't do this.

This team needs Matthew to win.

Bench me, don't bench him.

- We're done here.

- Matthew, I'll give
you a ride home.

Just give me a second
to chat with these guys.

- No. I've got to
go talk to someone.

[emotional music]

Whoa. Looking good.

- It's all right.

- [Matthew] Just all right?

- I'm good with all right.

Park yourself.

So, what's the story?

- Hm?

- Tell me why you're here.

- Well, just ...

Please don't tell Dad.

- I don't have to.

'Cause you will.

- [Narrator] Ooh! Just
got dunked on by grandpa.

- Okay, well ...

I got into a fight
with a kid on my team.

Coach benched us for two games.

- Wise coach.

When are you gonna
tell your folks?

- I don't know,

- Picasso said only
put off until tomorrow

what you're willing to
die having left undone.

That's good.

- [Narrator] I have replayed
that conversation in my mind

over a thousand times.

- Ugh!

Finally. You got your stuff?

- Yes, sir.

Hey, Dad, can I talk to you?

- Yeah, I'm listening.

- I'm sorry.

- You know, it's it's
times like these I ...

really wish your mom were here.

She always had that
perfect thing to say

in a situation like this.

Finn, I know you
don't believe this,

but your mother loved you kids.

- They why'd she leave?

- Bud, you know
that's complicated.

You mother wasn't well.

Sometimes when
people aren't well,

they just get mad at
the world and they ...

they leave.

They run.

- Why did you stay?

- Because my kids are the
best reasons in my life.

Are you kidding?

I love you, Finn.

- I love you, dad.

- And I'm not going anywhere.

But we are going home.

And you're still
benched. [chuckles]

And he steals the
ball! [laughing]

A little one-on-one
with the old man.

- Eddie?

[rattling]

- Mom, he'll be home
soon. It's okay.

- He's been gone for hours.

- He's probably
just with Juniper.

- I'm so glad you haven't
discovered girls yet.

Where have you been?

I've been worried sick!

- Out with friends.

[sighs]

- Well, you could call. Nope!

This is for the Doyles.

- [Matthew] Sounds fun.

- Really?

'Cause, honey. we'd love
to have you come with us

if you want.

- [Matthew] Pass.

- No.

- Feeb's gonna love it.

What'd coach say?

Let me guess, you and Finn
have to clean the bathrooms

for a month.

- [Ralph] Peter!
Come get in the car!

- No, he benched
us for two games.

- He can't do that! We
can't win without you!

- Yeah, well, that's
exactly what Finn said.

[car honks]

- Finn Hagbart?

- Mm-hm.

- [Narrator] Yeah,
the one and only

[car honking]

- Are you sure you
don't want to come?

- [Ralph] Peter!

- Yeah.

- You're missing out.

[soft music]

- [Narrator] Maybe
Peter was right.

I was missing out on a lot.

But I didn't know how
to make it any better.

And I didn't know how to tell
my parents about the fight.

- I think they're onto us.

- No doy!

Simon, show Uncle
Steve how it's done.

- Simon Buckley,
the man, the legend.

- Uh-
- What's happening?

- Have you seen Eddie?

- Eddie ...

- Oh, my Guinea pig. I lost him.

Have you ...

Have you seen him?

- Little furry thing
running around?

- Yes.

- Black?

- No, he's Brown, so ...

- No, I've seen about
five or six black ones.

- No, any-

Well, thanks.

Thanks anyway!

[soft music]

[clears throat]

- Look, look, look what I got!

- Hey!

- And ...

I guess I just lost my head.

- [Narrator] Seeing
the disappointment
in my parents' eyes

was more than I could bear.

I was pushing away the
ones I loved the most

and I felt completely
lost without them.

I was just tired of
holding onto this pain.

I needed peace.

It was time for a change.

- I'm really sorry.

- So what's the
rest of the story?

- You know what Finn said
when his dad benched us?

He said, "We can't win
a game without Matthew."

- Finn said that?

- I've just hated
Finn for so long,

I just don't want to hate
him anymore, you know?

It just hurts too much, Dad.

I haven't been myself.

And the way that
I've treated you ...

[soft music]

- [Narrator] The next morning,

I woke up with a
different perspective.

I felt I needed guidance.

So I turned to the one mullet
I knew could show me the way.

[playing guitar]

- [Matthew] Uncle Steve?

- What's up, my man?

- [Matthew] Nice guitar.

- Yes. This puppy
is a '65 fender Jag.

- So why the change?

- [Steve] Change?

Yeah.

Like, you used to
be super violent,

like fights, juvie, jail.

- Did your mom send you?

- No. Mm-mm.

- Right.

- So, your mom and I
didn't exactly have

like a parental figure around.

Dad was military, so
he was gone a ton.

We moved a lot,
which was hard on me.

Mom worked double shifts
to make ends meet.

So you're sweet mom practically
raised me, bless her soul.

I had a lot of anger issues,
so I got in lots of fights.

I stole.

Just pretty much anything

that would give me
a rush, you know?

I didn't have any friends.

I honestly didn't deserve any.

And I was a punk to everybody.

- Everyone?

- Yeah.
- Including mom?

- Including your mom.

- So one December,
doorbell rings.

I opened the door
up, and some unknown

leaves me some
chocolate chip cookies.

And then the next night
it was Butterfingers.

And then every other day
it was something else.

- Oh, okay. So you
were getting elved.

- I was getting elved.

So I started going to school.

I'm looking around,
I'm thinking,

"Who on Earth would do
this to me of all people?"

So naturally I kinda just
started to be nice to people,

'cause I don't know
who's doing this, right?

I got a smile, which
I started to smile.

I made friends, started
playing sports, you know?

- [Matthew] That's cool.

- Yeah, man. It was cool.

And so, Christmas night,
doorbell rings ...

and this time it's the Jag.

- No way.

That's crazy.
- Yup, right on the doorstep.

And I played this thing,
man. I played it every day.

And a few months
later I got into ...

some serious trouble.

And your mom came in to help me.

And ...

I said some awful things to her.

So she leaves crying.

And when she left, I
went into her room,

so I could steal some cash.

And when I was in there,
I ended up finding this.

- You found this in mom's room?

Wait, this is ...

This is the receipt for the Jag.

- It was your mom.

Even when I treated her ...

so poorly ...

she kept on giving ...

kept on loving me.

She believed in me
when no one else would.

Matthew ...

you just never know what
somebody's going through

or what they've been through.

We all just gotta be kind to
each other, no matter what.

We never know what's ...

Life's just too short.

Your mom taught me that.

And now you know why she's
so crazy about elving.

That was the beginning
of my change.

- The beginning?

- Yes.

- You're definitely
still a work in progress.

[chuckles]

- Yes, I am a work in
progress, and so are you.

- Ooh!

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You're a good cookie,
man. I love you.

- Love you too.

- Check out this lick,
dude. It's like ...

[plays guitar]

It's so creamy, that is.

Oh, that's a bad one.

- [Narrator] That day I
couldn't stop thinking

about what Uncle
Steve had told me.

I had been worrying about things
that didn't really matter.

So I wasn't going to the dance.

I still had a lot
to be grateful for.

[owl hoots]

[gasping]

- Oh ...

my ...

goodness.

Look at you, look at you!

Okay, you got gas in the car.

- I'm only going three blocks.

- You never know.

[laughs]

I never thought
this day would come.

[soft music]

- Mom ...

I look rad!

- Yeah, and you're my son.

- Yeah.

- Oh!

You're my favorite.

- I know.

[doorbell rings]

- I got it!

Wow.

Wait, I got it.

Peter.

[gentle music]

- I bought you this corsage.

- It's so pretty!

Thanks.

- It's not as pretty as you are.

[clears throat]

Should we go?

- No, no. Wait
just a second dad.

- Dad!

- It's okay. Let
him have his moment.

- Are you crying, Dad?

- No.

No.

[camera clicks]

Not at all.

This is good.

[camera clicks]

Okay.

We're good. We're good.

Go, be gone, have fun.

I love you.

You kids get outta here.
Go, be gone, have fun.

- [Feeb] Bye, Dad.

- Go on.

I'm good.

I'm good.

I'm not good.

Not good.

[knocking]

- Ah, Finn. Come into
our humble abode.

- Thank you.

[chattering]

[sighs]

- [Narrator] Even
the dog stood me up.

- Hey, Finn?

Can you come out
here for a second?

- Sure.

- Stay right there.

I just found this.

This is Matthew's invitation
to Juniper. She never got it.

- He needs to see
this right now.

[girl giggling]

- Now go [snorts].

[stomping up stairs]

- Matthew!

- [Matthew] Nice suit.

- Thanks.

Look.

That's just behind a Christmas
decoration on our porch.

My dog must have
eaten all the cookies.

- So?

- So Juniper never
got your invite.

- So what you're
saying is your dog

is the cause of
all of my problems?

- Basically, yeah.

So come on, let's go!

- No. She's already
going with Finn.

- Finn sent me over
here to tell you!

- Tell me what?

- To get ready for the dance.

You're already making me
late to pick up my date!

So hurry up!

- Who's gonna watch M&N?

- [Allen] I'll get
Monica to do it.

[energetic dance music]

♪ If I'm ever gonna
get you back ♪

♪ I'm gonna need you to
accept my lies as truth ♪

♪ I was busy burning
every bridge ♪

♪ I'm retired I'm
obliged no longer ♪

♪ Till you'll see him
I'm so deceiving ♪

- For all you lovers out there,
it's time to slow it down,

if you know what I mean.

[slow dance music]

♪ You know it's hard for me

♪ To say I'm sorry

♪ 'Cause you're the
only one I want ♪

♪ Tonight and forever

♪ And though you're all I see

♪ Awake and dreaming

♪ But I need you to
believe I'm yours ♪

♪ Tonight and forever

♪ Tonight and forever

♪ Tonight and forever

- Hey! Thank yo for coming!

- Don't ruin my night.

- Can I borrow your keys?

- No!

- I want mommy.

- Say buh-bye.

- I want him.

- He's going to a dance.

- Wait!
- What are you doing here?

- Where M&N?

- The dog ate Juniper's
invite, so she didn't get it.

- Okay, but where's your sister?

- Monica's taking care of her.

[sighs]

- Let's look at you.

- Let's calm down.

All right, she's right over
there. Do you see here?

- Okay, looking good.

There she is.

- You want to dance?

[pulsing music]

♪ We found love

♪ Young love

♪ Yeah I know that
it sounds crazy ♪

♪ You had me from the start

♪ We found heart

♪ Two hearts

♪ You're beautifully amazing

- [Matthew] Look,
I've been a real jerk,

and I want you to
know I'm sorry, okay?

- It's okay.

♪ We were young

♪ And so lonely

- So Finn came over
to pick up Juniper,

and I saw some
cookies in the bushes,

and I realized that Juniper
never got Matthew's invite,

and I am so sorry I am late.

- Allen, it's fine.
You're totally good.

- How dare you pick up my
daughter late for the dance?

- I'm sorry, sir. I had
to help a friend to-

- Dad, will you-
- Up, bup, bup, bup.

Young lady.

He brought this on himself.

Let's just see
what we have here.

Huh.

Hm.

You know, I had a suit like
that when I was your age.

- Monica got it at the Goodwill.

- Dad, don't, please.
- Fae ...

May I please?

That's exactly where I got mine.

I like your style.

Sweetheart ...

your date is good.

[chuckles]

[camera clicks]

You guys look adorable.

Have fun.

Make sure you get
her home on time.

- Yes, sir.

- Bye, Dad.

- Have fun.

♪ Yeah I know that
it sounds crazy ♪

♪ But you had me
from the start ♪

♪ We found love

♪ Two hearts

- He's a great DJ.

- Yeah.

- Wanna dance?

- Yeah, sure.

♪ We found love

♪ Young love

♪ We found love

- Wow.

You're a knockout.

11 out of 10.

- Thanks. You too.

- I know

[energetic music]

- Merry Christmas!

To me.

[laughing]

- Thanks so much for
taking me to the dance.

- I'm glad you said yes.

♪ We found love

♪ Young love

♪ Yeah I know that
it sounds crazy ♪

- Excuse me, excuse me.

Stop that!

Thank you.

Can I get your name?

- Oh, yeah.

♪ Everything I want

♪ I can't wait to see you

♪ I can't stop
thinking about you ♪

♪ Truth is baby I
need you need you ♪

♪ Tell me this is love

♪ Feels like this is

[music distorts]

[chattering]

- They say all good things
must come to an end.

You know, I try to learn
something every day,

and I'm still learning,

but there is one thing
I do already know.

I have the best
students in the state!

[cheering]

- We love you Doyle!

- Thanks, kid!

And there's just one more thing.

There's someone in this room

who's been dropping off
Christmas treats to my home.

I just want to say
thank you so much.

It's meant everything
to my girls and I.

No detention for anyone
for a whole week!

[cheering]

♪ Tell me this is love

- [Narrator] That night,
for the first time ever,

Finn and I saw eye to eye.

And the walls came
tumbling down.

- There, awesome.

- [Narrator] After the
two game suspension,

we went on to win the
state championship.

[camera clicks]

And we couldn't have
done it without Finn.

- Here, you take him.

I found your rodent.

It was an M&N's doll house.

I'll grab my things.

[shrieking]

- That party was
bodacious! Am I right?

- Hey, guys, it's getting late,

and we still have to go elving.

- Oh, can I come with?

- Really?

- Yeah.

- Oh!

Who'll watch M&N?

- I actually have
that under control.

Look.

I'll stay here, okay?

And you kids have fun, okay?

It's gonna be great.

- But really, who's
going to watch M&N?

- Ralph.
- I will.

- She will.

Under control.

- Thank you.

- All right, have fun.

Mateo.

Let me show you my weight room.

Here we go.

- You can add this
to the elving.

Simon!
- Yeah?

- We're leaving!
- Okay!

- Get in the car!
- I'm coming!

I'll be right back.
Stay right here.

- [Narrator] Together
at last, the Buckleys.

What was I trying
to get away from?

This is my family.

This is home.

- Can I do this one?

- Yeah.

I don't know if
missing out on elving

was the right thing or not,
but I did learn something.

And after all was said and done,

I gained a far
greater appreciation

for our special,
crazy, wacky, silly,

beautiful Christmas tradition.

It's true.

Family is one of the most
important things in life.

And in the days leading
up to Christmas,

I figured out the
perfect gift for mine.

[doorbell rings]

- Hey, yo made it!

- Yeah.

- Dad?

- I just came by
to drop this off.

I figured somebody's
got elf you all

at least one Christmas, right?

- You kept this the whole time?

- Yeah, I did.

All right, well, I'll
let you get back to it.

- Dad ...

Stay,

- You sure?

- Come on.

- [Pam] Dad, come on.

- Guys, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

That's a big gift.

- Yeah, maybe you can help
put it together later.

Guys, this is your
grandpa George.

- Hey, guys.

- You've met John.

Peter, Simon.

- It's been a
while. Look at this.

- Right?

- You got a basketball team.

[laughing]

- [Narrator] Looking back
on that Christmas season,

that was when I finally
started to get it.

We're all just trying
to find our way.

Growing up takes time.

Especially for uncle Steve.

And me.

Dad.

Mom.

Even Grandpa.

All of us are
perfectly imperfect.

If, well, when, we fall down,

we can always reach out to those

who can put us back on our feet,

[gentle music]

- Hey, Matthew.

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- [Narrator] Now, I know it
might sound a bit cliche,

but I swear that kiss
happened just like that.

Or at least it's how
I like to remember it.

- I bought Christmas
hats for everybody.

And we need to do some
Buckley Christmas carols.

Ralph, hit it!

♪ Jingle jingle jingle jingle

♪ Dashing through the snow

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh

♪ O'er the fields we go

♪ Laughing all the way

♪ Bells on bobtails ring

♪ Making spirits bright

♪ What fun it is
to ride and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight

- All right, now.

♪ Oh jingle bells jingle bells

♪ Jingle all the way

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride

♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh hey ♪

♪ Jingle bells jingle bells

♪ Jingle all the way

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh

♪ Jingle jingle jingle jingle

♪ One-Horse open sleigh hey

[laughing]

[energetic music]

♪ This Christmas
came a little early ♪

♪ The gift I've wanted
was always you ♪

♪ I don't need presents
wrapped under the tree ♪

♪ When my hearts so
wrapped up in you ♪

♪ Let's watch the falling snow

♪ Under the mistletoe

♪ When I'm with you

♪ We're cool kids in
a teenage Christmas ♪

♪ Sing hallelujah

♪ Bells ring it's a
first-kiss Christmas ♪

♪ Tonight let's write
our Christmas story ♪

♪ One that involves
just me and you ♪

♪ Santa knows everything

♪ Knew you were what I needed

♪ Let's have ourselves
a merry Christmas ♪

♪ Let's watch the falling snow

♪ Under the mistletoe

♪ When I'm with you

♪ We're cool kids in
a teenage Christmas ♪

♪ Sing hallelujah

♪ Bells ring it's a
first-kiss Christmas ♪

♪ When I'm with you

♪ We're cool kids in
a teenage Christmas ♪

♪ Sing hallelujah

♪ Bells ring it's a
first-kiss Christmas ♪

♪ When I'm with you

♪ We're cool kids in
a teenage Christmas ♪

♪ Sing hallelujah

♪ Bells ring it's a
first-kiss Christmas ♪