A Merry Little Ex-Mas

Kate and Everett fall in love and leave their separate ambitions behind, moving to Everett's small hometown of Winterlight. He becomes a doctor while Kate pursues environmental causes, but over the years their differences strain their relationship. Their once-shared life slowly frays as their priorities diverge.

With the kids growing older, Kate and Everett realize their marriage can't hold under their incompatible priorities. They decide to divorce but agree to celebrate one final Christmas in their home with the children before parting. The holiday becomes a tense test of whether they can still care for each other.

Sienna comes home from college for the holidays, bringing her Harry Potter-obsessed boyfriend Nigel. The family readies for Christmas, and old tensions simmer beneath the surface. The holiday atmosphere becomes a crucible for their unresolved issues.

During dinner, Nigel casually reveals that Everett is dating someone new. The room reacts with shock as Kate processes the news. Everett confirms, and Tess is introduced to the family, and he suggests they have dinner at his place.

Kate tries to establish new traditions by going tree shopping with the kids without Everett. The kids resist and prefer sticking with what they know. While shopping, Kate meets Chet, a much younger man who stirs a complicated attraction.

Everett and Tess take the kids sledding, so Kate brings Chet along to crash the party. Kate injures herself, Everett tends to her, and the moment rekindles an intimate connection between them that unsettles the family.

Tess confronts Kate about her relationship with Everett and asks how she let him get away. Kate explains grievances about Everett's work and neglect of the family. Tess and Chet privately reflect that someone else's loss is their gain.

A few days before Christmas, the family gathers for the annual gingerbread contest. Everett apologizes for spending too much time at work and explains how being the son of gay dads made him feel he had to prove himself, turning him into a workaholic. Kate is moved but also furious when he hints at future plans and she reveals she'll sell the house and move to Boston.

On Christmas Eve, Kate gives Everett a new indoor grill, and he gifts her handmade perfume; Tess is visibly upset by the contrast between their gifts and the unspoken history. The exchange underscores the widening rift and the awkwardness among the present relationships.

A fire breaks out and Chet strips to help put it out; Gabriel locates a fire extinguisher and handles the situation. Tess sees the chaos as a red flag and storms out. Kate thanks Chet for his kindness but rejects him.

That night, Kate and the kids cuddle on the couch as Everett arrives, having closed the clinic to be with them. They read the family scrapbook together as their feet touch, reinforcing their bonds. The moment signals a potential path back to each other.

A snowstorm knocks out the power, but Kate's solar-powered house keeps lights and heat for the town. Tess departs, and Chet picks up her suitcase, while the family welcomes everyone from town to stay and celebrate at Kate's home. The house becomes a beacon of shared warmth despite the outage.

On the balcony, Everett declares he does not want a divorce and would quit being a doctor to be with Kate. She admits she does not want to move to Boston, and they discard the divorce papers and kiss. The moment seals their commitment to stay together.

A year later, the whole family comes together to celebrate another Christmas and reaffirm their sense of home in Winterlight. They’ve grown closer and embraced their shared life, strengthening the bonds that endured the turmoil. The town and their home remain the center of their renewed family bond.