As December 25 nears, Dr. Benton boils over with rage and frustration as his custody trial for his son Reese hits a critical stage -- and he must choose between his ER job and the child unless the cranky Dr. Romano agrees to custom-tailor his work schedule. Elsewhere, a busy Dr. Carter finds romance, receives some jolting news from his father who's visiting for the holidays and then ministers to a boy whose fall from a tree causes great concern among his tight-knit family; Dr. Weaver is perplexed by a pregnant woman who's ready to deliver her baby despite remaining in a coma for a year; a sobbing young mother accidentally shoots her son near the Christmas tree, and a curious Abby spies Dr. Kovac's elusive French girlfriend sneaking through the hospital.