Ralph is a retired police officer who has worked as a New York cop for over 38 years. He plans on visiting his niece Jennifer in Chicago for the holidays. Jennifer is a successful businesswoman and the single mother of her young son Brian. She grew up all her life mostly at Ralph's, as her mother was constantly traveling and her father died when she was very young. Since then, she has lost her Christmas spirit. At the airport, Ralph has no idea where he has to be and he is helped by co-traveler Morgan Derby, a 30-year-old chef who has trouble accepting his age. When it turns out his second flight to Denver is canceled, Ralph offers Morgan to a place to stay at Jennifer's house.