A Cherry Pie Christmas (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Hi, Mom.

Hey, honey.

You busy?

I'm up to my elbows and icing.

I won't keep you too long.

I just wanted to see if you know when you

might be coming up.

We cannot wait to see you.

Mom, I just saw you at Thanksgiving.

I know.

We miss you.

You miss me or my morning croissants?

You make a good point there.

Hey, in other baked good news,

I signed up for the cherry pie bake-off.

Oh, great.

You got my reminder.

Reminders, plural.

You are a shoe-in to win, honey.

Yeah, we'll see.

I probably won't be able to get out of

here till the weekend.

The holiday rush has been crazy.

Okay.

Okay, but hurry home.

But drive safely.

You know, well, hurry safely.

I love you.

Bye.

Oh, those crinkles look great.

Thanks.

Hey, you got my email, right?

Uh, the special orders?

Yes.

Okay, so Christmas is all set.

You just have to handle New Year's and a

last-minute wedding on the 30th.

Classic white fondant, gold leaf,

shell piping.

Classic white fondant, gold leaf,

shell piping.

It's all in the email.

You're going to be great.

You're a pro.

That's why I hired you.

Yeah, thanks.

You excited to add up to Door County?

Uh, yeah.

Oof.

Look, I don't want to tell your parents

you said that.

No, it... I love my parents.

And Door County is great.

It's adorable.

I mean, it's like stepping into an elf's

Pinterest board.

Christmas capital of the Midwest.

It's just that my parents are really

excited.

They're, like, aggressively excited.

Ah, so that's where you get it from.

Please, my mom puts me to shame.

Any word on the new job?

Nope, not yet.

Who knows if it'll even happen.

Okay.

That's gonna happen.

Mark my words.

You want to split a fritter?

Oh, obviously.

Wow.

My fancy city slicker daughter is home for

Christmas.

You thank you so much and you come back

again soon, okay?

Don't let all the friendliness and fresh

air overwhelm you now, honey.

How you doing?

You look tired.

You want a coffee that doesn't cost you

seven dollars?

Come on, your mom and I set up a new

station.

Dad, did it ever occur to you that I might

actually like living in Chicago?

Yes, but nobody likes Chicago more than

Door County.

Especially when you're back in it.

Thank you.

How's mom?

Oh, she's good.

She's been cooking

since noon, of course,

preparing for the

prodigal daughter's return.

She's so excited to see you.

Yeah, she's acting like she hasn't seen me

in years.

Well, we miss you, honey.

Everybody in town misses you.

I'm pretty sure everyone's doing just

fine.

Hey, would you mind restocking the cooler

for me?

We're just a little short-staffed around

here.

Sure.

Why?

What's up?

Well, you know how it is in the off

season.

Most places just shut down.

Yeah, but not us.

We're Parker Orchards.

We're open for business.

Hey, you and mom need some help.

You guys can't run this place by yourself.

Yeah, we're doing fine.

Are you sure?

There's a couple half-gallon crates of

cherry juice out back in the walk-in.

Thank you.

Hey, hey.

Whoa.

Now Christmas can begin.

It's just not the same without you here.

Mom, I live in Chicago, not Paris.

You see me all the time.

Not all the time.

Actually, I have been meaning to tell you

I'm up for a new job.

What?

Executive pastry chef at La Panache in New

York City.

New York?

Wow.

I mean, you never said... I know.

It was kind of a long

shot, but I made their

short list, so it's actually

kind of a big deal.

Well, congratulations, honey.

Thanks, mom.

Mmm.

Guess who I ran into the other day when I

was dropping off a holiday gift basket?

Who?

Mitch Henriksen.

Really?

Wow.

What's he doing back?

He moved back to Door County to help his

family with the fishery.

Yeah, I talked to Everett yesterday.

He says business is really booming over

there.

That's interesting.

He was always so vocal about wanting to

get out of here.

It's important to the Henriksens to keep

the business and the family.

He's single, you know.

Mom, what?

Sally, is that our love life, please?

Come on.

I'm just saying.

No, it's not even my love life.

We were teenagers.

We broke up, like, 15 years ago.

Okay.

They looked very handsome in that little

baseball cap of his.

Okay, I'm changing the subject.

I still need to find Grandma Ethel's

recipe for the cherry pie bake-off.

I pulled some boxes in the attic.

You can have a look through those.

Thanks.

It would be a Christmas dream come true if

you won that prize, Emma.

Yeah, Midwest Living

magazine is going to do a

feature on the winner,

and it would be great.

Hi, are you a chef?

Yeah.

What's your specialty?

Grilled cheese.

Impressive.

Are you a chef?

I'm a baker.

I make desserts.

Just came here to check out some new

recipes.

Christmas cookies?

Yeah.

You know Santa told me that my cookies are

his favorite ones.

That's so cool.

You get to eat them.

Yeah, all the time.

That's the best part about being an adult.

Wow, I cannot wait to be an adult.

Max, your hot chocolate is ready.

Come get it before it gets cold.

Over.

Thanks, grandma.

Over.

That's my grandma.

She got me a treat next door because I'm

still on the nice list.

So I should go.

Yeah, staying off the naughty list is very

important.

Thanks.

Bye.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Mitch Henriksen.

I thought that was you.

It is I.

I mean, it's me.

Were you trying to avoid me?

No, no way.

I wouldn't.

Why would I do that?

No, no, not at all.

I heard that you were back.

You're working at

the... The fishery.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I thought you were in Massachusetts.

Yeah, I was.

And a bunch of stuff came up.

And reeled you back in?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, so to speak.

I've lived a lot of life since then.

Oh, I saw your mom the other day.

She came by the fish market.

She said you're a big fancy ritzy pastry

chef these days.

Oh, no, she lied.

I'm a very unpretentious pastry chef in

Chicago.

But actually, I am up for a job that would

make me incredibly ritzy.

So you're onto something.

Wow.

Good for you, Parker.

You did it.

Not quite, but I'm trying.

If anyone can do it, it's you.

You're basing that on some very dated

information, but I appreciate it.

Some things never change.

Yeah.

Okay, well, I'll see you around,

hopefully.

Yeah, I hope so.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Okay, so what exactly did you say to him?

He said, I thought that was you and I

said, it is I.

Huh, which is bad

because from what I know of

you, you're not a

knight of the round table.

Right, I'm not a knight.

So yeah.

Yikes.

I mean, he looks good though, right?

So good.

That's scruff.

Listen, that man would be on my Christmas

list if I were you.

Jen, remember when you

guys were king and queen

of the prom and you

rolled up in his Harley?

It was his dad's Harley.

It wasn't... Whatever.

I mean, I went with Jimmy Tubers.

He brought SAT vocab flashcards in case

things got weird.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

How's the cheese biz?

Oh, thriving.

I mean, you know how it is.

December rolls around and suddenly everyone's

pulling out their charcuterie boards.

Oh yeah, most wonderful time of the year.

I mean, for you and me, yeah.

This is the season of cheese and desserts.

Oh, I hope you signed up for the cherry

pie bake-off.

Yeah, I really want to win it for my mom.

I was going to use Grandma

Ethel's recipe, but a piece of

the recipe card is torn off and

I'm missing a key ingredient.

I mean, if you ever want to add some

cheese.

Well yeah, I was thinking that actually.

Do you have any recommendations?

Well, nothing more

delicious than a wedge of

Wisconsin cheddar alongside

a slice of pie to die for.

I'm trying to think of something more

subtle.

Let me put some thought into that and I'll

get back to you.

What would the Renard's cheese empire do

without you?

I don't know, but it would not be Gouda.

Wow.

Cheesy pun, don't you think?

Oh, well Parmesan, eh?

Well, pardon me.

Yeah, no, I got it.

Yeah, I just want to make sure.

Your grandpa and I used to walk the

orchards every winter burning these trees.

He just knew what they needed.

Like he could see the fruit before it even

grew.

He spent every day out here, rain or

shine.

And he loved this place.

Dad, are you okay?

Yeah.

It's just that you and mom have been acting

really strange ever since I got here.

Oh, we just, we just caught a little off

guard by your new job prospect.

Never thought you'd end up in New York.

I thought you'd be happy for me.

Well, no, we are.

Of course we are.

All right, dad, what is it?

What makes you happy, Em?

I don't know.

Making delicious treats that thousands of

people enjoy makes me pretty happy.

I can see that.

That's wonderful.

Yeah, it is.

You could have that here, you know.

There isn't even a kitchen in the farm

stand.

That could change.

If I get this job, I'd want to take it.

It'd mean a lot to have your support.

Your mom and I just thought at some point

you'd come back.

Well, my life's in the city now.

But your roots are here in Door County.

Dad, you're not thinking about selling,

are you?

Okay, you just focus on winning that

cherry pie contest.

Best Christmas present you could ever give

your mother.

I'll make a great pie, dad.

I know you will.

Believing wishes can all come true.

Everyone's laughing and dancing.

The mistletoe's hung for romancing.

There's no better place in the world to be

than here at home with you.

So let's light a light.

Once the snow is over your head,

Christmas time is here.

Tiny snowflakes falling

like stars, yummy cupcakes

and peppermint ba*ls

playing Christmas and singing.

All of the Carols we know.

Everyone's shaking their presents.

Okay, you guys need to be honest.

This is grandma's recipe as best as I

could make it.

That's amazing.

Always, always honest.

Oh wow, is that good.

Oh boy.

That is delicious.

Absolutely delicious.

It tastes like Christmas.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

Something's not right.

Tastes exactly like grandma Ethel's.

No, it's missing something.

The missing ingredient.

I gotta try again.

Right now?

Yeah.

I gotta figure this out.

I wonder who that could be.

Mitch!

What a surprise.

Come on in.

Hi Sally.

Hi Mitch.

Nice to see you.

Good to see you.

Hey Mitch.

Brian.

Hey.

How's it going?

Good, good to see you.

Good to see you.

Hey Emma.

Oh, this is for you guys.

Henriksen's holiday gift basket.

Oh, thank you.

Mitch, your family is so sweet.

Your family's the one who gifted us those

delicious chocolate covered cherries.

Smells like dessert.

Emma is practicing her pie recipe for the

cherry pie contest.

Oh really?

How'd it turn out?

Oh, incredible.

Perfect.

It needs work.

What's going on?

Oh, just thought we could take a little

ride down memory Lane.

My buddy AJ hooked me up.

Thought maybe we could tour Door County in

style.

Wow.

Aww.

You know, I was sort of surprised to hear

you moved back.

Just because you were the one who always

wanted to get out of here.

Yeah, it's kind of funny, huh?

So what changed?

It seemed like my family needed me.

You happy to be back?

Yeah.

Seems like we lost you though.

Big time pastry chef with big city dreams.

Well, I mean, you're the one who

encouraged me to do it.

Me?

Yeah, you know that.

You said it right before you...

What?

No, nothing.

Emma what?

Right before you broke up with me.

You were so ambitious back then.

You wanted more and pushed me to want

more.

And now I'm glad you did.

I'm really happy for you, Parker.

That's great.

Thanks.

You think our names are still there?

Let's go see.

There it is.

Now it's Christmas Eve 2009.

Oh, nine!

Can I show you something?

Sure.

What is it?

You still have it.

Yeah, of course I do.

You gave it to me that night.

Yeah, I did.

Come on, let me show you something else.

Do you remember sneaking in here after

dark and climbing the tower?

I sure do.

Why do you think I invited you here?

Tell me the truth.

Did my parents put you up to this?

What?

Having to visit the new eagle tower?

No, the whole thing.

Visiting all these places, the trolley.

No!

I just thought it would be fun.

I'm not sure I believe you.

Never gets old, does it?

It's really great to see you.

It's been too long.

It's great to see you too.

Do you remember when we were kids?

Going to the Christmas parade, the

tree lighting, and now it's freaking back?

Yeah, I look forward to it all year round.

Yeah, me too.

Just to count down the days.

You ever...

consider moving back?

Not you too.

What?

What'd I say?

Nothing, it's just my parents have been

guilt tripping me.

Really?

Yeah, I think the idea of me moving to New

York is making them spiral a little.

And I think they're considering selling

the orchard, which would just k*ll me.

Yeah, I think I might have had something

to do with that.

What do you mean?

A buddy of mine from business school

started a development firm here last year.

He's been looking at properties,

and I introduced him to your parents.

For what?

Housing projects.

This guy wants to put condos where the

orchards are?

Well, hold on.

Hold on, don't panic yet, okay?

Nothing's been decided.

And he's a great guy.

You should meet him.

The fact that he'll be at the Chamber of

Commerce holiday party Friday night,

you should come.

Emma?

Oh, you're still up here.

I was gonna close up the ladder.

Yeah, I'm looking for grandma's missing

ingredient.

I thought maybe she wrote the recipe down

somewhere else.

Okay, well, just remember, sweetie, whatever

you make, it's going to be wonderful.

Thanks, Mom.

I want it to be special.

Good luck.

Love you.

I really appreciate your help.

You know, I have a feeling the

Chamber of Commerce would

revoke my membership if I

showed up tonight without a tree.

I'm sure the Door County Chamber takes its

Christmas very seriously.

When I was little, I used to think that

this was the most magical place on earth.

I'm 34, and I still think that.

My mom used to tell me

that these upside down

trees were just for

kids on the naughty list.

You know, that's to display the ornaments

better, actually, right?

Oh, that's brilliant.

What are those?

Oh, those are kissing ba*ls.

It's a Scandinavian tradition.

It is.

It's like mistletoe, but fancier.

Okay, Mr. Christmas, anything else you'd

like to enlighten me on?

Oh, absolutely.

Come on.

Have you ever seen so much Christmas?

It's amazing.

Perfect.

You should get it.

Clara, Sally, I was hoping I'd see you

here.

Oh, your parents.

Hey, Brian.

Everett.

Good to see you, buddy.

Emma.

Oh, my gosh.

What a great surprise.

Oh, my goodness.

Emma, look at you.

Good to see you.

Mitch told me you'd be in town for

Christmas.

He did, did he?

Yeah, the guy can't shut up about you.

Y'all know Calvin Russo?

Calvin, this is Emma Parker.

Emma, Calvin.

Emma Parker.

Finally.

Feels like I already know you.

Oh, really?

Why is that?

Well, your dad and I have had a few

conversations.

We were discussing the orchards.

Beautiful property.

Yeah, we think so.

We're still scheduled to talk at the end

of the week?

Oh, yeah.

Stella.

Great.

Well, it was nice seeing you all.

I'm grabbing a drink.

I think we'll join you.

Dad, what does Calvin want to do with our

orchards?

Emma, can we just do this?

Just...

Did you know that 38% of people feel an

elevated level of stress around the holidays?

I thought it would be higher.

Dad, you told me that you weren't going to

sell the orchards.

No, no, no.

We said we don't know what we're doing

yet.

It's just a conversation.

Yeah, but, Emma, your father and I have to

think about retirement.

What?

So it's my fault?

No, no, that's not what we're saying.

Yes, it is.

No, it isn't.

Yes, it is.

You're saying either I step in and run

the orchards or they bulldoze them, right?

Emma, it's a lot.

Look around.

Yeah, but you can afford to hire help.

I don't understand.

It's about keeping the orchard in the

family.

It's been in my family for 150 years.

Then why are we suddenly having this

conversation for the first time?

Emma.

We always assumed you'd want to come back

someday.

Like Mitch with the fishery.

Family businesses are the Door County way.

Guys, this is not fair.

I love what I do.

I want to take the job in New York.

I'm sorry we are not trying to pressure

you.

But you are.

She's not trying to be like that.

I don't think you have any idea what it's

like.

Okay, stop.

Please.

Can we just enjoy this Christmas?

We are lucky that we have each other.

That we have this time together.

Okay?

Please?

Hey there.

Hi.

I brought you a coffee.

Wow.

You're a life saver.

Successful morning?

Yeah, not too bad.

Just stocking up for the holiday fish

boil.

Oh, you guys still do that?

Yeah, every single Christmas.

People drive for miles around for Santa's

Whitefish.

Your dad still dresses up as Santa?

Oh yeah.

Sometimes even when it's not Christmas.

It's getting weird.

I guess I'll have to be there.

I guess you will.

Maybe after we get these loaded up,

you and I can grab some breakfast.

Sounds great.

All right.

Thank you.

Will, want to help me load these?

So what time did you get out there this

morning?

5 A.M.

The best time to be out there.

Quiet stillness.

The eyelash freezing soul crushing cold.

You get used to it.

You should come out with me sometime.

Well, we'll see.

So, what did you think of Calvin?

Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you

about.

Do you ever regret moving back?

She's considering it.

I don't know.

Do I regret it?

No.

Was it a compromise?

Yeah.

I liked venture capital.

I liked helping companies get their ideas

off the ground.

I was good at it.

And that meant something to me.

So why'd you leave?

Because it was profit over people.

The thing is...

I felt like I had value.

I meant no purpose.

And I realized one day those are not the

same.

Back here, I have purpose.

If you want to go do the grind in New

York, you should.

You totally should.

You'll work hard, you'll become super

successful, and people will love you for it.

Because how could they not?

I mean, because you're super talented.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

And welcome to our annual holiday fish

boil.

This is a beloved tradition

here at Henriksen's

fishery, and we're thrilled

to have you with us.

Yeah!

Back in the 1800s,

the early settlers in Door

County had a whole lot of

hungry lumbermen to feed.

What do they have plenty of?

Fish.

That's right, fish.

What kind of fish?

White fish.

What kind of white fish?

Michigan white fish?

That's right, Lake Michigan white fish.

So in celebration,

Santa, here, and his trusty

elf went out and caught

some fresh this morning.

Now here in a second, I'm gonna goose the

fire with a little kerosene.

And when that happens, the kettle's gonna

boil over, washing away all the fish oil

that floats to the top.

Sound good?

All right.

I need everybody to take a big step back.

Three, two, one.

These lovely gentlemen are gonna grab the

fish.

They're gonna take it inside.

And as they pass through,

you can follow them in,

grab a seat, and we will

serve up your fish shortly.

Yeah!

Hey, you are the grilled she-chef,

aren't you?

You're the dessert lady.

Yeah.

What are you doing here?

Waiting for my dad.

Oh, where's he?

Right over there.

That was awesome, dad.

Oh, thanks, buddy.

Max, this is my old friend, Emma.

We've already met.

Oh, how's that?

At the bookstore.

Ah, of course.

Yeah, bookstore.

I'll tell you what, I'll let you run on

inside, okay?

I'll be in there in a minute.

Okay.

Thanks.

Bye, Emma.

Bye, Max.

I'm so confused.

Is that the elf hat?

I'm kidding, bad joke.

You have a son?

I do.

How did I not know this?

How did no one think to tell me this?

It's complicated.

Yeah, I'll say it is.

Why does it bother you so much?

It doesn't.

I just think it's really weird that you

never mentioned it until now.

Yeah.

You're right.

I'm sorry I should have mentioned it.

I think I was just nervous too.

Why?

Because I...

What?

Yeah, my dad really needs my help in

there.

Can we talk later?

Yeah, sure.

Thanks.

So what's the story?

It's actually really sweet.

I mean, it's tragic, but sweet.

Um, Max isn't Mitch's biological son.

Oh, yeah.

Before Mitch moved back from Boston,

he was engaged to a woman named Maria.

Maria had Max from a

previous relationship, and his

biological father wanted

nothing to do with him.

So Maria got sole

custody, and Mitch, well,

he's been in Max's life

since he was a baby.

He basically raised him.

What happened to Maria?

Ovarian cancer.

Oh.

She didn't know until it was too late.

She passed away weeks before their

wedding.

Wow, that's terrible.

Since Maria didn't have much family, Mitch

petitioned to adopt Max after she died.

So he's Mitch's son now, and everywhere

that matters.

So I've been thinking about your pie.

Thank you.

Enjoy.

You wanted to give the recipe your own fun

twist.

Yeah, exactly.

Right.

So these are some classic Wisconsin

cheddars.

This is our old-fashioned hoop cheddar.

This is our new world cheddar.

But this, this is the one I want you to

try.

Okay, what's so great about this?

Okay, this is Renard's Cherry Cheddar,

a Wisconsin legend.

A cheese lover's dream, aged six months.

It's buttery, complex, sweet,

and savory, tangy, dynamic,

and made with real Door County

cherries from Parker Orchards.

They better be from Parker Orchards.

I love this cheese more than my husband,

and soon you'll see why.

Oh, oh, wow.

Right.

Is that, is there vanilla in there?

No, it's, it's a natural reaction between

the cheese and the cherries.

It's incredible, right?

I mean, you could grate this cheese right

into your pie crust.

That's a great idea.

Hey.

Hey, Mitch.

Um, well, isn't this a small town moment?

Yeah, I guess so.

I called you last night

after the... I know.

Yeah.

Awesome.

I actually need to check on a high

priority mascarpone shipment.

Um, I'll see you lovebirds later.

I should have told you about Max.

It's okay.

Really, it just took me by surprise.

I, I just didn't know how.

Max is, uh, he's not my, he's not my

bylaw.

I know, I know.

Jen told me everything.

Max is really lucky to have you.

And I'm, I'm really sorry about Maria.

Thank you.

You would have liked her.

I'm sure I would have.

Mitch, I'm so sorry.

When you said that you lived a lot of life

before, I never imagined.

Yeah, can you

understand why it's not the

first thing I want to tell

people about myself?

Of course.

But adopting Max is the most selfless

thing that I've ever heard.

Not really.

He's the biggest joy in my life.

Hey, I've got some practice pies that I've

got to bake later on.

Do Max want to come by and be the official

taste testers?

Really?

Yeah.

It would be our honor.

Great.

Um, you want to say five o'clock?

Five is perfect.

See you.

Are you excited to do this?

Yep.

What?

Merry Christmas.

Oh my gosh, is that for me?

Yep.

We wanted to wait, but we thought now

would be the perfect time.

Oh my gosh, I love it.

This is so cute.

Did you make this?

Yep.

You'll have to break it in though.

That one looks like it's got a few pies

under its belt.

Oh, well, this one was my grandmother's.

Thank you for noticing.

But obviously I have to wear the new one.

Obviously.

Oh, I got it.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

We're not sure that it'll be up to famous

chef standards, but we had to try.

Well, luckily I'm not a famous chef.

Not yet.

Okay, okay, let's start.

What do I have to do?

Okay, first things first.

I need you both to swear yourselves to

secrecy.

This recipe is classified.

Oh.

Scout's honor, right Max?

The crust makes the pie.

And the trick to a delicious pie crust is

cold, cold, cold butter and ice water.

No exceptions.

Why does it have to be so cold?

That's what makes the pie crust flaky.

Can we grab the butter from the fridge?

Yes, ma'am.

Now, some people add sugar to their pie

crust, but I don't think it needs it.

You can just add it right in.

Okay, great.

So you're going to take

these little pieces of butter and

you're just going to squish

them with your fingertips.

Just like that.

The flour's kind of soft.

Yeah?

Good job.

Oh, this one is big.

Oh yeah.

Get it.

Smash it a couple times.

Yeah.

Okay, you keep doing that and I'm gonna go

get the secret ingredient.

Wisconsin cherry cheddar cheese with

Parker orchard cherries.

Ooh.

Wanna try a piece?

Sounds good.

Yum.

Yeah?

You like it?

Very good.

I'm gonna add it right into the pie crust.

It's our secret.

You cannot tell a single soul,

okay?

My lips are sealed.

Max?

Max.

First bites in three, two, one.

Super wall.

Wall, wall, wall.

Emma, this is it.

This is the pie.

What?

What's wrong?

It's good.

It's just not exactly what I want.

More for me.

Emma, I'm telling you, this is a winner.

It's good.

It's just not as good as grandma's.

Come on, I find that hard to believe.

I'm sure she was a good teacher.

Yeah, she was.

Did you see that picture?

That was the last year she won the bake

off.

No way, really?

She looks really happy.

Yeah.

To her, baking wasn't just about the food.

It was about the people.

That's why she liked Christmas so much.

She was surrounded by family.

She was competitive.

The cherry pie bake-off meant the world to

her.

Really?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

She used to tell me that we'd have a

bakery together someday.

Be part of the farm stand.

And we'd daydream about all the recipes

that we'd make.

How we'd decorate it.

That sounds really great.

Yeah.

It's weird.

It's late.

Hello?

Oh, Serena.

Hi.

Uh, Merry Christmas.

Yeah.

Hey, were you by chance able to...

Oh.

Oh my gosh, really?

Wow.

Wow.

Oh, that's amazing.

Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.

Yeah, please send it over.

Thank you.

Really, thank you.

Yes, yeah, I'll talk to you soon.

Bye.

Good news?

It looks like the job at La Penache is

happening.

For real?

Executive pastry chef.

I know that's great.

Thanks.

Nobody deserves more than you.

Um, we should probably go.

Oh, are you sure?

Yeah, yeah, it's getting late.

Wait.

Santa's watching.

Even though you're spot on the nice list,

pretty solid.

You don't want to push it, okay?

Okay.

Thanks for decorating the barn with me,

sweetheart.

Of course.

Oh, that's pretty, right?

It's a kissing ball.

A what?

Kissing ball?

You don't know about these either?

It's a combination of a wreath and a

mistletoe.

It's a Scandinavian tradition.

Oh, so you kiss underneath it?

That's the idea.

It's cute.

You better watch out if Mitch comes

around.

Okay, I'm sorry.

I just...

I love you two together.

Hey, you know that he is the one who broke

up with me, right?

You remember that?

Of course I do.

But that was years ago when everybody

breaks up before they go to college.

Hey, so, uh, I got the job at La Panache.

Wow.

When did you...

I found out last night.

Oh, honey, that's...

That's, um... Congratulations.

You don't have to do that.

Do what?

That thing where you pretend to be excited

for me, but actually you're disappointed.

I am excited for you.

Really.

It's just... Mom, I can't have the kind of

career that I want and run the orchards.

Can't you guys just wait a couple years?

Maybe you'll get a better offer.

Or maybe, maybe I'll be ready by then.

Honestly, I don't know if your dad and I

have another year in us.

What does that mean?

It means you should take the job in New

York.

And your dad and I will figure it out.

Thing is, if a sale's going to happen,

I need to know soon.

How soon?

By the end of the year.

That's not much time at all.

Can't you give us a couple of months?

Unfortunately not.

With the building

season approaching this

spring, we need to put

things in motion now.

The orchard's next chapter will honor what

you built.

No big box stores, strip malls,

we develop housing that fits here.

Homes that feel like they belong.

Well, okay, I guess we'll let you know.

Soon.

Yeah, soon.

What are you making, Max?

A Christmas fish.

Oh, a Christmas fish, of course.

Why not?

Yeah, why not?

Yeah.

So this is a family tradition?

It sure is.

My mom convinced us years ago

that making homemade Christmas

cards and homemade ornaments

was that a lot more mean.

Wait, all of those are homemade?

Yeah.

Well, most of them.

I might have gotten a few at craft stores

or Kris Kendall marked.

Wanna see the angel?

Made that in fifth grade?

Pretty impressive, huh?

Yes.

Well, the one-eyed snowman.

That's Max's.

I ran out of glue.

I hate it when that happens.

Can't find a gym like that at a store now,

can you?

Hey, look.

That's a hot chocolate guy.

Yeah.

Can we get one, Dad?

Of course.

Want to see one too?

No, I'm all right.

I'll see you in a bit.

Okay, all right.

See you later, alligator.

Bye.

All right, let's go.

Hi, you're Emma Parker, right?

Hi.

I just wanted to introduce myself.

I'm Theresa Brown from Midwest Living

magazine.

I was just talking to your dad over at

your booth.

Nice.

Your dad says you might have the winning

cherry pie recipe.

Did he say that?

He is a big fan.

He's also a bit biased.

But the Parkers do have a winning history.

I'm writing a piece on the

Kris Kindle market and all the

Christmas traditions up here,

including the cherry pie bake-off.

Can you tell me about your pie?

Yeah, it's a take on my grandmother's

award-winning recipe, but with my own twist.

Can you give me any recipe secrets?

Unfortunately, no.

Legally binding family oath.

Do you work in the family business?

No, I don't actually.

I'm actually a pastry chef at Le Panache

in New York.

Le Panache!

I know that place.

Oh, quite impressive.

He must have quite a knack in the kitchen.

Yeah, well, we'll see if the judges agree.

Well, I'm sure we'll talk soon.

I'm gonna go check on some of the other

contestants.

Good luck in the bake-off.

Emma, can you cover the booth?

Gotta go find your mom.

Yeah, sure, no problem.

Enjoy!

Hey, don't you look like a perfect little

Christmas card in there?

Don't feel like it.

Yeah, the Mitch Conundrum.

Have you told them how you feel yet?

Why?

So we can both be sad and confused when I

leave?

I don't trust that Calvin guy.

I feel like he's pressuring my parents.

I need to talk to him myself.

Be assertive.

Emma, hey.

Hey, Calvin.

Thanks for your time.

I'm happy to.

Have a seat.

So, what's going on?

Well, I'd like to know how you convinced

my parents to sell you their orchard.

Convinced them?

I didn't convince them.

They approached me.

They approached you?

Yeah, through Mitch.

Well, I think technically Mitch's parents

talked to your parents, and then your

parents talked to Mitch, and then he put

us in touch.

Okay.

Well, why do they have to sell right now?

What's the rush?

They love that place.

Emma, from what I understand, they may not

want to sell it, but they need to.

What do you mean?

They're strained, financially.

No, they're not.

That's what I was told.

They thought that things

might improve if you stepped

in, but it doesn't sound

like that's happening.

Emma, look, I'm not the bad guy here.

I'm just trying to do my job and help your

parents.

I thought that you knew.

No, I didn't.

I may have overstepped.

No, you didn't.

Thank you for telling me.

Thank you for your time.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Hi, sweetie.

Where were you?

You wanted Tom and Jerry?

I went to talk to Calvin.

And why?

Why didn't you tell me you were having a

financial problem?

Ah, we didn't want you to worry about our

financial situation.

Worry?

I could have helped.

I would have helped.

Well, honey, there's nothing that you

could have done.

Well, you don't know that because you

never even bothered to ask.

We wanted you to come back because you

wanted to, not out of some guilt.

And you thought I would feel less guilty

by finding out like this?

We only did what we thought was best for

you.

How long have you been sitting on this?

A couple years.

Years?

We were going to tell you this trip.

And then we found out about your job and

we asked Mitch.

You... You asked Mitch what?

We asked him what he thought and...

We wanted to know if he thought there was

a chance that you'd stay.

What did he say?

He said it wasn't even a question,

that you had to take that job.

I gotta go.

Emma!

Mitch!

Just in time for Christmas, huh?

I just stopped by to tell you that I'm

leaving.

I'm going back to Chicago after the bake

off.

Well, I knew you'd be heading back,

but not before Christmas.

You lied to me.

Lied to you?

You knew that my parents were struggling.

You didn't even think I deserved to know.

It wasn't my place to tell you,

Emma.

You were waiting for the right time.

Oh, yeah, the right time.

When, Mitch?

Next Christmas?

When I come back to find a housing

development where our orchard used to be?

I didn't want you to feel trapped.

Trapped?

Yep.

I knew if they told you, you'd think you

had to stay, and you don't.

You have this incredible opportunity.

You couldn't even pretend like you wanted

me to stay?

What?

You didn't even hesitate.

You just told them that I should go,

like it wasn't even a question.

Yeah, because this is what you've always

wanted.

It was your dream.

Emma, I didn't tell them you should go

because that's what I wanted.

I told them you should go because I

thought that's what you wanted.

You didn't even ask me.

Will you bring Max by the bake-off

tomorrow so I can say goodbye?

Merry Christmas, huh?

Yeah.

Sit with me.

You went to see Mitch?

Yeah.

This orchard's been in my family for 150

years.

And now,

five generations later, I'm the one who

can't keep it alive.

No, Dad, there were a lot of factors.

It's not... There were.

It's still hard.

I felt a lot of...

pride in keeping it a family operation.

Mother and I should have hired help years

ago.

I think I was...

I...

I know how hard you worked for your

career.

I'm sorry.

I just...

I love my job, and I'm really good at it,

and I want to pursue it.

No, if you're not interested, that's fine.

But we just have to learn to let go of

what's not serving us anymore.

What if I go win that pie contest?

Get you all that great PR?

Then I hope whoever

reads about it tracks you

down in New York and

gives you a ton of business.

Your mother would love that, though.

We just...

We just want you to be happy, Em.

That's all you ever wanted, Em.

I know, Dad.

Hey, I thought you were going to make it

in the morning.

I am, but I wanted to try something first.

Yeah?

What's that?

Cardamom!

Of course!

How can we forget that?

I know.

You know the recipe was in the apron the

entire time?

You're kidding.

The little piece fell out when I was

cleaning up.

So... so you made Grandma's exact recipe?

No, I still put my twist on it.

But now it's both of hers.

Can I try a piece?

Yeah, I was hoping you'd ask.

Oh!

How is.

It?

Emma, it is wonderful.

Honey, Grandma would be so proud of you.

We all are.

Thanks, Mom.

Hi, this is a mascarpone whipped cream

topper.

Can you make sure that the judges get a

dollop on their pie?

Thanks.

Good morning, Emma.

Hi, Theresa.

I can't wait to try your pie.

Could be a big day for Parker Orchards.

I hope so.

Good luck.

Emma!

Hey, buddy.

We came to cheer you on.

Thank you.

Max also has something for you.

Oh, yeah.

Did you make this yourself?

It's a Christmas card.

That helped a little.

Homemade Christmas cards are the very best

kind.

I'll read it later, okay?

Okay.

Bye, Emma.

Bye.

We'll see you after.

Welcome, everyone.

I'm Theresa Brown from Midwest Living

magazine.

And I'm thrilled to

be your host for this

year's Door County

Christmas Cherry Pie Contest.

I have to say, I just love it up here.

I mean, look at this.

Look at this Christkindl Market.

Oh, beautiful.

As you know, the

winning pie will be featured

in next month's issue

of Midwest Living.

So let's hear it for our contestants.

It's time for the judges to do their

thing.

But first, I want to introduce you to our

very special celebrity guest judge,

Green Bay Packers legend, Amon Green.

Judges, are you ready?

All right.

Taste away.

Thank you, Amon.

Our judges have made their decisions.

In third place, pie number six from

Sequist Farms, Kristin Sequist.

Congratulations, Kristin.

In second place, pie number two from

Scaturro Baking Co., Rob Scaturro.

Congratulations.

All right, here we go.

Congratulations, Rob.

And here we go.

The winner of this year's Door County

Christmas Cherry Pie Bake-Off is...

pie number five from Parker Cherry

Orchards, Emma Parker.

Emma!

Who's here?

Where is she?

Well,

this is unexpected.

Sally, Brian, would

you like to come up and

accept the award on

behalf of Parker Orchards?

Come on.

Everyone, Sally and Brian Parker.

On behalf of Parker Orchards,

our daughter, Emma, and

her incredible cherry pie,

we humbly accept this prize.

Thank you.

I.

Need to talk to you.

I am really glad you're here, Clara.

Are you kidding?

We wouldn't miss it.

Still no word from Emma?

Nothing.

I have called, I've texted.

I just... I wish we

handled this differently.

You know, she seemed better last night.

I just didn't realize... Well, you were

just trying to do the right thing for her.

I mean, it's not a mistake.

That's...

That's being a good parent.

Thank you.

Let's get the food.

All right.

Ha!

There it is.

Triple six for 18.

That closes me up.

Nailed it.

Okay, Mitch, you're up.

Let's see what you can do.

Nah, I'm good.

What?

Don't think you can beat your old man,

huh?

Come on.

Hey, you want to give me a hand bringing

that cooler out back inside?

Yeah, sure, Brian.

I'll be right out.

Hey, uh, I just wanted

to say that even if she's

upset right now, I know

what you were trying to do.

Um, I believe that one day she's going to

be grateful for it.

Yeah.

Maybe.

You guys are over there?

Okay.

This all looks so delicious, Sally.

Where's dad?

Oh, I think he's going to be here in a

minute.

Merry Christmas.

Emma!

Sorry we're late.

And, um, I brought a friend with me.

I hope you don't mind.

We were so worried about you.

Where did you go?

To the orchard.

And then I talked to Calvin.

Because I decided I'm not going to take

the job in New York.

What?

You're going...

I'm going to stay here, and

I'm ready to take over the

family business as soon as

you're ready to give me the reins.

Oh, there you are.

But hold on, I don't understand what's

going on.

I know what.

Well, when I won the bake-off,

I thought I had to choose.

And I realized maybe I don't.

And that's where I come in.

Emma and I talked.

Instead of buying the orchard,

I'd like to invest in them.

Calvin's going to finance a

new state-of -the-art bakery

as part of the newly renovated

Parker Orchard Farmstand.

Is this real?

Yeah, I don't have to go anywhere,

Mom.

I can stay here and we can build something

together.

Grandma, F.O.

would have loved this.

Yeah, I think so, too.

Merry Christmas, Emma.

Merry Christmas, Pops.

I'm so glad you're gonna stay.

Me too, buddy.

Do you know what?

What?

Your card had something to do with it.

Is that my card that I gave you?

Yep.

Wow, that's my card.

Where's Mitch?

Hey.

Hi.

Were you planning on spending Christmas

Eve out here by yourself?

What happened?

Where'd you go after the contest?

I just needed some time to think.

I owe you an apology.

No, you don't, Emma.

I owe you an apology.

I should have told you about the orchard.

You were right.

You deserve to know.

I just didn't want anything to hold you

back.

Not your parents, not this place.

Not me.

You just seem so certain.

It didn't seem fair for me to tell you

what I wanted.

What's that?

For you to stay.

That's what I've always wanted.

Did you buy a kissing ball?

Interesting.

It's all Scandinavian tradition.

And we can't argue with tradition,

can we?

And we.

Can't argue with tradition, can we?

Premiering next Saturday at 8,

Shea Robbins and Christopher Russell.

What you working on?

Our teacher wanted us to write down a list

of prayers instead of a toilet.

I wanted to feel like God isn't listening

because one of her prayers aren't answered.

This list is very interesting.

Everywhere in town sold out.

I can guarantee a great spot that will

have a treat.

This has been the best Christmas I've had

in a long time.

I feel the same way.