same.
- Except this year...
No Dad.
Right. That's the one thing
that's different.
Why can't you just
get back together?
Honey, we're just gonna have to let that go.
That's a no, right?
It means some things are
just out of our control.
I know you miss your dad.
And he loves me very much.
You both do, and it has
nothing to do with me.
- Did he tell you that?
- I'm nine years old. I watch a lot of TV.
Did he leave
because of me?
No. Of course not.
I knew it. It was Buzz and Megan.
Oh, it wasn't anyone...
or any one thing.
Then what was it?
That's not easy to explain.
But, uh, sometimes when...
people are married for a long time,
they get into kind of a rut.
- You know what a rut is?
- Yeah. Like, when people
aren't having any fun...
and they're really bored.
Kind of like that.
Now, will you
come downstairs?
When you're ready.
Hey!
Wait a second.
- Kevin, come in here.
- Hurry, you've gotta see this!
Ow! Hey! Hey!
- You always fall for that.
- Let me up, zit-face!
- Lamebrain. When are you gonna learn?
- Get off your brother.
And shouldn't you be rehearsing?
- How are you getting to the teen center?
- Ashley's mom's picking me up.
Can I please go to the movies?
No. I told you.
You're watching Kevin.
- Please let him go. I'll stay home alone.
- No.
- I've done it before.
- Don't remind me.
You loused up
my whole night.
And if I'm gonna be miserable,
you're gonna be miserable.
Mom!
- Hello. It's me.
- Dad!
- Dad!
- Hey, big guy.
I didn't know you were coming tonight.
- Oh, I thought I'd surprise you.
- Hey, Dad.
Hey, Buzz.
Oh, Kate. Gosh,
the place looks great.
Really nice decorations.
- Same as every year.
- So, um...
Dad, why'd you
come tonight?
Actually, I want to talk to your mom
about something.
Privately.
- Do you think he wants to come home?
- Aw, Kev.
- What?
- No "Hello, how are ya?"
Sorry. I have a business appointment, Peter.
What do you want?
Okay, gosh.
I wasn't gonna jump right into it, but--
Well, you know Natalie
and I are living together, and, uh...
well, when our divorce is final,
I'm gonna marry her.
Really?
You're getting married again.
Wow. That's, uh--
That--
Wow.
We've only been separated eight months.
Yeah, I-- It just happened real quickly,
and-- Listen, Kate...
I really want the kids to spend
a little time with me over the holidays.
You want the kids for Christmas?
Just a couple of days.
I want them to get to know Natalie better.
Oh, because she's gonna be
their, uh, stepmother.
Yeah.
Well, you're gonna
have to ask them.
I know.
- How am I supposed to see my friends?
- It's only a few days.
Well, duh, but that's just long enough
for me to fall out of the loop.
- Yeah, you can't expect us
to give up our vacation.
- Well, Kevin?
There's a royal family
coming to visit.
They have a son around your age. You might
have a chance to play with a crown prince.
- A crown prince?
- Wouldn't that be cool?
- Yeah, way cool.
- And you guys wouldn't believe the room...
that Natalie has
set up for you.
What do you say?
I think I'm gonna pass.
It just wouldn't be right
leaving the family at Christmas.
- I'm sure you understand.
- Yeah. Yeah, I do.
Well, it's-- it's
an open invitation, hmm?
And I won't be
back too late.
Since you're staying home,
it wouldn't hurt to do some of your chores.
Yes, ma'am.
I'll make sure they get done.
Clean it, cheese-face.
Ow!
Oops.
My fault.
Hello, I'm home.
Hey.
- How'd it go?
- Awful.
I hate Buzz. I never want to be stuck
home alone with him as long as I live.
Oh, honey.
I know he picks on you.
Picks on me?
Humiliates me, tortures me.
I'm sick of being everyone's
favorite joke around here.
Yeah. Yeah,
it's hard to be the youngest.
Well, I hate Buzz.
I wish I didn't have a brother or a sister.
- You don't mean that.
- Yes, I do!
I wish I was
an only child!
Well, I'm sorry that
you're so unhappy.
Maybe you should go to your room