Plot

Two single adults become caregivers to an orphaned girl when their mutual best friends die in an accident.

Holly and Eric were set up on a blind date by their married friends Peter and Allison, but it didn't go well. After Peter and Allison are killed in an accident, Holly and Eric learn that they have been named as the guardian of their late friends' infant daughter Sophie, so they move into their house and try their best to honor their friends' wishes. But raising a child cramps their style--and they still don't exactly get along.—[email protected]

Based in Atlanta, Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is single and runs a bakery. Her friend Allison Novak, who is married to Peter, makes Holly the godmother of their newborn daughter Sophie; Peter names his friend Eric Messer as godfather. Allison and Peter had tried to get Holly and Eric together--unsuccessfully. Holly is attracted to Dr. Sam (Josh Lucas) and hopes to date him. Allison and Peter suddenly die in an automobile accident, and their lawyer informs Holly and Eric are Sophie's legal guardians. Watch what impact this news has on the hapless duo.—rAjOo ([email protected])

In 2007, Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is the owner of a small Atlanta bakery, and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel), known as "Messer", is a promising television technical sports director for the Atlanta Hawks. Their best friends Peter (Hayes MacArthur), an attorney, and Alison (Christina Hendricks) set them up on a blind date that goes horribly wrong, and results in both hating each other. Eric was an hour late and came to pick up Holly on his bike (she was wearing a dress). Holly ends up driving her own car, but Eric had made no reservations. Holly learns that Eric had made plans to meet another girl, after having dinner with her. As the years go by, Peter and Alison get married, and have a baby girl named Sophie Christina Novak, and select Holly and Eric as godparents of Sophie. But Holly and Eric still don't get along and only put up with each other for their god daughter's sake.

Sophie's first birthday is celebrated by Peter and Alison in a grand party which brings Holly and Eric together under the same roof. They still cannot stand each other. A few months later, Peter and Alison die in a car crash. Holly and Messer learn that in their friends' wills, they both were named Sophie's joint guardians. They find that Sophie has been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS). The lawyer informs them that unless Holly and Eric can convince CPS that they can provide a wholesome family environment for Sophie, she would be put into foster care. The house that Peter and Alison lived in, is all paid for, but there isn't anything else in the way of investments that can provide an income source to meet Sophie's expenses.

Holly and Messer must put their differences aside and move into Sophie's home to care for her. However, living together proves to be a struggle. Eric is worried about the expenses related to the upkeep of the house and says that Peter was a junior partner at a law firm, and Eric simply doesn't have that kind of cash. Eric says that he and Holly are not the best choice for Sophie, but Holly is adamant that Peter and Alison chose them, and she is committed to Sophie. The neighbors pitch in with friendly advise on how to bring up kids and the basic dos and don'ts. One night, Holly leaves Sophie with Messer while she covers an important catering job - the same night that he is given the opportunity to direct a big basketball game. Messer takes Sophie to the game, but she constantly distracts him with her crying. When they get home, Messer and Holly argue, but later they make up.

Holly meets Sam (Josh Lucas), Sophie's pediatrician when she finds a lump near Sophie's stomach and finds herself attracted to him. The lump turns out to be nothing though and Sam tells Holly that she is doing a great job with Sophie under the circumstances. They arrange a date, which is cut short when Messer calls to tell Sam that Sophie has a high fever. Sam and Holly go to the hospital, and Messer sees Holly kiss Sam.

As the two guardians continue to care for Sophie, they discover that raising a child is much more expensive than they had expected, and Holly can no longer afford to implement her plans to expand her business. Messer offers to invest in her company, and eventually Holly agrees. To cement the new relationship, they decide to go on a date. They end up having sex and begin to develop feelings for each other. Their Child Protective Services caseworker Janine (Sarah Burns), who has previously advised them against getting involved, tells them they must make a firm commitment either to stay together, or break up.

Anything in between would be bad for Sophie. Messer is offered a job in Phoenix, Arizona, and he seriously considers taking it up, as it has been his dream for several years. He does not, however, discuss it with Holly. When she finds out, an upset Holly tells him to go to Phoenix and accuses him of looking for a way out of raising Sophie and tells him to take the job. Messer goes to Phoenix. Time passes.

At Thanksgiving Messer returns to Atlanta, hoping to patch things up with Holly (who is hosting a big dinner for neighbors and friends), but finds her in a relationship with "Doctor Love" (Sam). Messer and Holly argue, because Sam mentions Holly is planning to sell the house soon, since it is too expensive to keep up. Messer insists it was Peter and Alison's wish that Sophie be raised in their home, by them together. Holly consistently accuses Messer of deserting her and Sophie, while Messer points out how quickly she 'replaced' him. Messer tells her he loves her, but leaves the dinner, planning to return to Phoenix. Once alone with Holly, Sam says that if he and his ex-wife had fought in the way that Messer and Holly did, they would still be together. He tells Holly it is obvious she needs to work out her feelings for Messer, and leaves. That night, Sophie calls Holly "Mama" for the first time.

The next morning, the caseworker comes for the last appointment to determine whether Holly and Messer are fit parents for Sophie. Holly realizes that she can't take care of Sophie without Messer, and that she loves him. She and Sophie drive to the airport with the caseworker. Holly rushes to buy tickets for all three of them to gain access to the departure gate, but on arriving at the gate, finds that they have missed Messer's flight, which has departed. She returns to the house disappointed. To her surprise, she finds him sitting inside. He tells her he has realized that Peter and Alison chose them to be Sophie's guardians because, together, they are a family.

The film ends with Sophie's second birthday party, with neighbors and friends in attendance. Holly has made an elaborate cupcake display for Sophie, as well as another cake with the number 1 on it. When Messer asks what the cake is for, she says, "It's for us, because we made it a year." They kiss. The closing scene has all of the guests singing 'Happy Birthday' to Sophie.