Magical Christmas Ornaments (2017)

[bunniefuu]

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ On a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ O'er the fields we go
laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on bobtails ring ♪

♪ Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is
to laugh and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

♪ Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh ♪

Marie, my agent/editor,
did you enjoy the meal?

Oh, so delicious, Chef Marcel.

Thank you so much
for the VIP treatment.

Thank you for making my cookbook
a bestseller.

Look.
We are featured on Epicurious.

Oh, amazing.
Bravo.

I will send over coffee
and dessert.

You will love it.

Merry Christmas.
Thank you.

Well, you certainly made
his Christmas wish come true.

One of the perks of being
an editor for nonfiction.

You get to eat at New York
City's hottest pop-up. Cheers.

Here I thought
you were buttering me up

so you could bail
on my Christmas party.

Once upon a time,
you were the Christmas queen.

Do you remember
that one year

you made
the doorman cry?

I think
he had allergies.

You made him his late mother's
Christmas strudel.

He was full-on
bawling.

My point is, you loved Christmas

and you made it magical
for everyone.

Uh, the last Christmas
I tried to make magical,

I foolishly assumed that
the love of my life

was proposing to me,
and then he broke my heart.

So, I learnt the hard way.

Magic only exists in
fairy tales; not in real life.

Clark was four years ago.

I think it's time

you put a little Christmas magic
back into your life.

Are you conspiring
with my mother?

What?

She's been texting me
all day. Look at this.

Every Christmas tree lot
in the entire city.

Well, maybe you should
get a tree.

It might restore
your faith in Christmas.

Hmm. I had faith that nonfiction
was temporary.

A few months, tops.

And here I am, two years later

with a successful
Christmas cookbook.

I have a hard time thinking
that Henry will ever let me

be in charge of fiction again.

Fiction is
your forte,

and deep down,
Henry knows that, too.

You found the great
J.P. Presley.

It's your passion.

Yeah. Well, my passion
is running on empty.

You have to chase
a dream, right?

Yeah, but...

Well, now is your chance.
Behind you.

Andi and Marie, huh?
Hi.

Isn't this place fantastic?

Cookbook is a success.
Sales are soaring.

Don't you just love Christmas?

Oh, we do.

In fact, Marie
was just telling me

about a great new idea
she has.

Uh, it's just a strategic idea
for next quarter,

but we can talk
about it tomorrow.
Okay, great.

We'll have a meeting
in the morning.

Have a wonderful
evening, ladies.

Thank you.

Could you have been
any more vague?

I need time to prepare
and besides,

I feel like I'm setting
myself up for disappointment.

Ask him by Christmas.
That gives you two weeks

to muster up
the courage.

And then,
you can buy a tree.

Think of it

like a giant
air freshener.

Peace on Earth,
aromatherapy.

[laughing]

Here you are.
It's a sign.

And for you.
Enjoy.

Thank you.
Thanks.

Henry, as you know,

I have put my heart and soul
into this company,

and I love writing

more than anything,

and I want to be
put back onto fiction.

I feel like
that is

my strong suit,
and...

Already
getting gifts?

Santa must like you.

Oh.
Santa is my mom.

Cool.
No, not literally.

Like, she sent me
presents.

How long have you
been standing here?

Not long.
I'm Nate.

Marie.

I've seen you around,

so it's nice to finally put
a name to the face.

Nice to meet you.

This is my first Christmas
in New York.

You from here?

Uh, yeah.
Albany.

My parents
still live there.

Yeah, I'm from Florida.

See, my town decorates palm
trees instead of pine trees.

Well, there's practically

a Christmas tree
on every corner here.

Welcome to New York.

I was hoping for more
blankets of snow and slush.

I've always wanted
a white Christmas.

Every year,
I would ask Santa for snow,

but the closest I ever got
was one of those

Snoopy
sno-cone makers.

What about you?

What do you want?

What do I want?

For Christmas.

Honestly, if I could have
my neighbour turn down

that corny Christmas music,

I would be
really grateful.

And do you know your neighbours?

Not really.
It's a big building.

That's one thing I miss
about small towns.

You know,
I consider Sinatra

to be classy and classic,
not corny.

You must have some
pretty high standards.

I'm sorry.
I just, um...

The walls are thin,
and I...

Not a fan of Christmas music?

I mean, it just all
starts sounding the same.

Maybe switch it up
a little,

with a song
from this decade?

Well, if you have
any more special requests,

you can just put them
on my door.

[laughing]
Okay.

Hi, Sammy.

Oh, I missed you, buddy.

I owe you a treat.

Come here.

Good boy.

Here you go.

Ugh.
Seriously?

[phone ringing]

Oh, hi, honey.

Hi, Mom.
Can you
see me?

I can.
You can stop waving.

Oh, good.
Did you get the mail?

I did, yeah. Thanks for
the early Christmas gift.

Open it.

Shouldn't I wait for Christmas?

No, no, no.
This is important.

Okay. I'm going to put you down
for a sec, all right?

Okay, honey.

All right.

She's going to
open it now.
Okay.

She looks nice.
I think she was out.

Oh.

Fingers crossed
she was on a date.

Not a date.
Sorry to disappoint.

Oh. Uh, your father
was just asking...

That's what I thought.

Did you open it?

This is why you wanted me
to get a tree?

To hang one ornament?

Read the note.

Okay.

[sighing]

"An angel from Christmas past.

Hang her high to receive
the magic that she casts."

That's Aurora, remember?

When you were young,
you always made sure

she was
the first decoration

on the tree.

You swore she was the other one
who could cast Christmas magic.

Yeah. That's because
I imagined that

she was responsible
for the northern lights.

Oh, you were always
so creative.

Oh, come on, honey.
Don't ruin the fun.

Give her a chance.

Do it because
you love your mother.

And father.

Yeah.
For us.

Okay, fine.

I'll put her up on
the shelf.

Okay.
That's fine for now.

Oh, honey?
I've got to go.

It's a Wonderful Life
is starting.

I love you.

All right.
I love you.

Bye-bye.
Okay.
Bye.

Bye.
Okay.

[sighing]

So,
what do you think?

[whining]

I mean, she'll never
stop nagging us

if we don't put her up
somewhere.

She is beautiful.

[sighing]

Okay, Aurora.

If you still have some magic
left in you,

how about convincing Henry
for that transfer?

Oh, and could you send me a sign
that happy endings still exist,

not just in fairy tales,
but in real life, too?

And if you could help me
with that,

that would be great.

Come on. Let's go.
Good night.

Night-night.

Oh. Hey, Marie.

I was just going to drop this
at your door.

It says "fragile."
Not much room in the box.

Merry Christmas.

Thanks.

We'll see
about that.

Oh.

Thank you.

These numbers
are fantastic.

We actually went up
in hardback sales,

which is a miracle
in this e-book age.

Thank you.

I included
a note area

and page markers
in the cookbook.

Purists love it.

That's why you're our best.

[laughing]
I owe you one.

Henry, I've been thinking,
and, um...

I want out of nonfiction.

Come again?

The last two years,
I've worked really hard

to relaunch
the nonfiction department.

The numbers show
that I've succeeded.

But finding great stories and
developing brilliant authors,

that is what my passion is.

J.P. Presley's book
is still in the top sellers,

and I championed him
when everybody else passed.

I need a challenge,
and that's not happening

with books like

Better Business with Bickwin.

Well?
Did you ask?

He said yes.
That's great!

Under one condition...
I'm the story editor

for our next nonfictional book,
not the department.

I mean, he agrees
I'm a valuable team player

and he supports me,
but I can't abandon nonfiction.

Not yet.
I've got to prove myself, again.

One book today,

the department tomorrow.

What's important is that you're
moving in the right direction.

I'm so proud of you.

Yeah.

It's like something pushed me.

What?

Nothing.
Nothing.

You're right.
Let's go celebrate.

Do you want to go
grab lunch?

Oh, I wish I could.

We're partnering
with St. Ambrose

in their toy drive this winter.

So, I have to go take pictures
in the pediatric ward

for the press release.

Okay.

Christmas presents?

I know. It's courtesy
of my mother.

Well, it's definitely not
a Christmas tree.

What does Linda have in store
for you

to bring you back into
the Christmas spirit?

I don't know.

It's definitely
festive.

Kind of weird.

"Remember when Santa didn't miss
us despite your broken wrist?

"Thanks to a pinch
of Christmas cheer,

we happily celebrated
another year."

So, when I was
a little girl,

my cousin and I
were playing

out in the snow
on Christmas Eve,

and I slipped
and broke my wrist.

And I spent the entire night
in the ER,

and we were so scared

that Santa
would forget about us

and not come to our home

because we weren't
in our bed.

The nurses
made me this.

They said if you sprinkled
some Christmas cheer

and hung the ornament
on the tree,

that Santa would remember
to come back

and deliver our gifts.

That was a long time ago.

It's like a prescription
for Christmas magic.

Yeah. Something silly
like that.

Wait.
This is a sign.

Hear me out.

I'm going to the hospital.
You should come with.

And sit in the ER?

It's not enough
talking about

my Christmas past;
you want me to relive it?

No. Visit the
pediatric ward with me.

We're coordinating
the toy drive.

You've been in
the kids' shoes before.

Maybe your story
will give them some hope

that Santa Claus always
remembers a Christmas wish.

[sighing]

Well, when you put it
like that...

For the record,

I'm only going
for the kids.

Proof that Santa
always delivers.

Right this way,
ladies.

Thank you.

And feel free to take
all the photos you need.

Great.
Thanks.
Sure.

Do you mind if I
take a look inside?

Be my guest.

Hey.

What are you reading?

A Wrinkle in Time.

Oh. That's one of
my favourites.
Mine, too.

I've read it four times.

Four? Wow.
You really are a fan.

I love to read.
It helps me forget about things.

I love to read, too.

Hi.
I'm Marie.

Skylar.

What's that
on your hands?

Oh.

It's a little
Christmas cheer

from my ornament.

See?

You know Santa?

Uh, yeah.
Sort of.

If I told you
my Christmas wish,

could you make sure
Santa gets it?

I'd do it myself,

but it's not easy
getting around.

Well, when do you
get to go home?

Not sure.

I tore my leg pretty bad
in gymnastics.

What do you want
for Christmas?

I wish I had
more books.

Done.

I will deliver
the message myself.

Could you ask Santa if he could
get me a race car?

Uh, sure.

[laughing]

Are there any other
Christmas wishes?

Oh.

Hey. Where'd you
disappear to?

I was just chatting
with some kids.

Hmm.

I have an idea.
What if we made ornaments

with the kids' pictures
on them

and wrote their Christmas
wishes on the back?

That's a great idea.

Then we could hang them on
the company's Christmas tree,

and the staff will know
exactly what to donate.

We can call it
the giving tree.

[giggling]

You have perfected
the toy drive.

What, did the kids spark

a little Christmas magic
in you?

I just don't want them
to miss out

'cause they're in
the hospital, that's all.

And besides, we are
conducting a toy drive.

We might as well give them
exactly what they want, right?

Right.

Listen. I need to take
some more pictures.

Can you keep writing down
wishes for Santa?

Yep.

Although you might need
a notepad.

Yeah.

Excuse me?

♪ Join in the carols ♪

Well,
hello, neighbour.

Hi.

Sorry, but I have control
over the music here.

I deserve that.

What are you doing
at our hospital?

You just come here
to yell, "Bah, humbug"?

Hmm. Good one.

No. Actually, I came here
to bring gifts.

I work at
Lionsrun Publishing.

So, you're coordinating
the toy drive?

Oh, wow.

I can hardly notice
the shock in your eyes.

I'm actually making
a list for Santa,

a list that's a little too
long for this piece of paper.

Allow me.

Here.

Perfect.
Thanks.

Uh, I noticed that
the bookshelves

in the rec room
are a little sparse.

Yeah. I've put in some
requests for more books,

but they just don't seem
to have it in the budget.

Got all the pictures
for the ornaments.

Oh, am I interrupting?

No. I was just chatting
with my neighbour, Nate.

He lives
down the hall.

Oh, hi.
I'm Andi.

Hey.
Did you just
move in?

No. I moved here
six months ago.

I came here
for work.
Oh.

Wait. Six months ago?
How have we never met?

Yeah. You should probably
look up from your phone

every now and then.

[chuckling]

So, you're
making ornaments?

Each ornament will have
a picture on the front

and a wish list on the back.
Marie's idea.

Show him
your ornament.

Come on.

Oh.
[laughing]

[giggling]

This is cute.

Her mom is sending her ornaments
from Christmas past

to, uh, get her back into
the holiday spirit

and hopefully get a tree.

What, you don't
have a tree?
No.

Not yet.
No.

It's Christmas.
How can you not have a tree?

See? He gets it.

Okay, you know that complex
across our street?

They just put up a massive tree,

and the lights glare
through my window.

So, I see Christmas every time
I look up. I'm good.

Point made.
Not a fan of the holiday.

Someone must have
really rained on

your Christmas parade, huh?

Blue team to ICU, please.

Uh, that's me,
so I should get going.

Bye.

[exhaling sharply]

Come on.
Don't hold it against him.

He didn't know.
He seems really sweet.

You should
get to know him better.

No. I can't date
a neighbour.

Besides,
if it didn't work out,

how awkward would it be
around the mailbox?

Or even worse, the elevator?
I would have to move.

Love is worth
the risk.

Not when you're
in rent control.

Besides, he's a bit
too idealistic for me.

Exactly.

No.

Okay.

Hey.
I was going to leave you a note.

Look. I'm really sorry
if I offended you earlier.

You bought me a tree?

Peace offering.

And I read in a medical journal

that ornaments filled with
Christmas cheer

need pine branches to work.

Well, a wreath would have
been a lot more practical.

Yeah, but there's no fun
in practical.

So, I suppose
I have to keep this?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Well, my mother
is going to be thrilled.

Good, but I hope
it brings you

a little Christmas magic
as well.

Well, thank you.

I can...

No, I'm good. Got it.

Good night.

Good night.

[door hinge squeaking,
Sammy barking]

[growling]

Sammy, Sammy.

No, that's not for you.

[whining]

[sighing]
Okay.

Fine.

Oh, my Mom will k*ll me
if I break this.

Here we go.

[barking]

Don't worry.

It's not going to be like the
monstrosity across the street.

[whining]

Ugh.

Those lights.

It's fine. It's only going to be
for a few weeks.

[sighing]

Another package.

Thanks.

"Dad would read poems
by the fire,

"and hope and dreams
he would inspire.

"Remember your
favourite quote by Emily,

and always dwell
in possibility."

Oh!
So sweet.

My dad gave me
that ornament

when I was in college.

Emily Dickinson
is still my favourite.

Mom is really going for it, huh?

Well, you have to admit,

she's really tugging at
those heartstrings.

I'm getting a little
emotional here.

I apologize if I'm interrupting,
but I was in the neighbourhood.

Are you kidding?
Come in.

Ah.
Oh!

It's so nice
to see you, J.P.

Yes.

Uh, I'll leave so
you two can catch up.

Oh, I didn't mean to run you
off.

No, no, no. I have
office manager duties

of planning the
Lionsrun Christmas party.

Oh, good.
I am coming this year.

Amazing.

That's fantastic.
We'll see you there.

Okay, bye.

Sit.
Come in.

So, are you in the city
for Christmas?

Ah, yes, yes.

LA feels like summer,

and I prefer snow
at Christmas.

And nobody celebrates
like New York,

and my wife loves the shopping.

Okay.
Here's some news.

I'm officially moving back
to fiction.

I mean, it's still
in the process.

It's one book at a time,
but...

That is wonderful.

So, for my next book,
you'll be my editor?

Well, you have to
finish it first.

Well, what can I say?

The TV show
keeps me busy.

Well, you can't forget
your literary roots.

Never, never.

But I have been thinking,
you know,

about different ideas,
new directions.

Anything
you want to share?

Maybe later.

[laughing]

Ah, I see.

So, you haven't given up
on Christmas?

It's my mother's attempt
at pulling me back in.

She keeps sending me
these ornaments.

It's like a journey down
memory lane.

That's good.

Memories build the bridge
between our minds and heart,

and they should be preserved
like treasured keepsakes.

That's good.

You need to remember that
for your next book.

[sighing]

You loved Christmas.

Marie, why do you keep
turning your back on it?

I mean, you know why.

The NYU fellow?

The one whose podcast
you forbid me to go on?

Unfortunately,
Christmas spirit

can't heal
a broken heart.

And besides,
I find it so much easier

to not get caught up in
Christmas drama.

I just can't get past
how he made me feel.

You must let go.

Use that energy
for something positive.

I don't think
that's possible.

"The possible's slow fuse
is lit

by the imagination."

Emily Dickinson.

[chuckling]

I mean, it looks kind of weird
without the lights,

but baby steps, right?

[phone ringing]

Hi, honey.

Hi, Mom.

Did you get
the packages?

I did, yes.

You really don't have to
keep sending these things.

So, when are you
going to get a tree?

Oh!
Oh, you already did.

Alex, come and see
the tree.

I can't see anything.

Okay.
Hold on.

Can you see it?

Oh.

Why is it so bare?

Because I have, like,
three ornaments.

Didn't you get the box?

What box?

Alex, where did you
send the box?

To her apartment.

Honey, obviously
it's not there.

You had one job.

I mean, I wrote
the address perfectly.

[knocking on door]

Okay. I got to go.
Mom, why don't you call me?

Actually, no. You know what?
Text me when you find it, okay?

All right.

Love you. Bye.

Delivery man
got the wrong apartment.

I hope you don't mind,
but I signed for it.

I figured
it'd just be easier

if I brought it over
myself.

You just saved my father
an earful from my mom.

Always happy to be
the hero.

I suspect that that is
more ornaments?

Hero and detective. You're
just a jack of all trades.

Yeah. You know, you kind of
have to be in my line of work.

[both laughing]

How's the, uh, tree?

It's good.

Do you want to come in
and see it?

Sure.

Who's this little buddy?

Oh, that's Sam.
I call him Sammy.

My dog growing up,
his name was Sam.

Really?

Yeah. All the best friends are.
Just ask Frodo Baggins.

You read
fantasy novels?

Not so much of a big reader,
but I love movies and shows.

You know, put on a
Lord of the Rings marathon

and a big tub of popcorn.
I'm all in.

Did I interrupt your decorating?

Uh, no.
I'm actually done.

[chuckling]
All right.

Well, maybe this
will add something.

All right. Let's see
what we have in here.

"A Christmas Carol
was your first favourite book.

You loved it so much,
you read it in June."

That is my favourite book, too.

I thought you just said
you weren't much of a reader.

No, but my grandfather would
read us A Christmas Carol

every year.

I loved it.
Tiny Tim was my favourite.

He actually inspired me
to pursue medicine

to help people.

Listen. I've got extra lights
and garland at my place.

If you want,
I can help you decorate.

Right now?

Yeah, sure. Why not?

Believe me, decorating solo
is not as much fun as it seems.

Come on.

Okay.

Ha.

♪ O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree ♪

♪ Your leaves
are so unchanging ♪

♪ O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree ♪

♪ Your leaves
are so unchanging ♪

♪ Not only green
when summer is here ♪

♪ But also
winter's cold and drear ♪

♪ O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree ♪

♪ Your leaves
are so unchanging ♪

Oh.
We almost forgot.

Here.

Oh.

Well, you should hang Tiny Tim
because he's your favourite.

You want to know
a secret?

Sure.

At the end of
A Christmas Carol,

my grandfather
would always let me say

Tiny Tim's famous line.

Even if my cousins begged,
he'd always give it to me.

That's my favourite
Christmas memory.

Well, go on.
Say it.

Uh, now?

Yeah.

[clearing throat]

No, no, no. Sorry. My performing
days, they're past.

Come on.

No.
What about you?

Any
Christmas secrets?

No.

Uh, that tree

I'm still not sure
how I feel about it.

Have you always been
a self-proclaimed Scrooge?

No. I used to really
get into the holiday.

Okay.
So, what happened?

I don't know.

I guess I lost
my Christmas spirit.

Bad breakup?

Look.
We've all been there.

Maybe not at Christmas, but,
you know, you move on.

Can't let it spoil
an entire season.

Coming from the man who
obviously

has never had his heart broken.

Ha.
Yeah, I have.

With my last serious girlfriend
back in Florida, actually.

I don't blame her, though.

I dove into my career
and I didn't really leave time

for anything else.
Who wants an absentee boyfriend?

Is that why you moved
to New York?

Partially. St. Ambrose
leads the nation in pediatrics,

so I jumped at the opportunity.

So, your career
won again.

No.
No, because I promised myself

that if I made the move, I would
make my life more balanced.

Try new things.
Have more fun.

Say yes to something
other than a double shift.

Yeah? Well,
how's that going for you?

I'm still working out
the details.

Breakups aren't easy.

They hurt.

But you can't use pain as
a shield for your entire life,

because then you end up blocking
everything that's good.

I should probably get going.

Right.

Today was fun.

Yeah, it was.

Thank you for
the decorations.

Yeah.

Could I treat you to coffee,
or maybe some new music?

[laughing]

How about ice-skating?

I haven't been since I was
a kid.

There's a rink two blocks
from here.

Would you want to?

Full warning, there might be
Christmas music there.

Well, that's normally
a deal-breaker,

but I think
I can make an exception.

I will knock at around 6:00.

Okay.

Hey, what are you doing?

[growling]

Stop.
What are you doing?

"Your father took me for
pancakes on our first date,

"first kissed me on ice skates

"and proposed to me
at the lighthouse.

Love can find you anywhere."

[barking]

[whining]

It's not a "date" date.

We're just going ice-skating.

[whining]

Ooh, hey, Marie.

Another package.

Thanks.

Oh, and, um, Merry Christmas.

Right back at you.

Huh.

Merry Christmas.

"From our summer vacations
in the sun and sand

"you'd look for buried treasure
in the land.

But the greatest treasure is
always carried in your heart."

Well, if this is really
Christmas magic,

do you think we'll find
a buried treasure?

[whimpering]

I hope so.

Ah, these are perfect.

I can't get
all the ornaments up

because people keep trying
to sneak peeks.

I think
there's something happening

with those ornaments.

Like what?

Like, something magical.

Well, it's Christmas.
It makes everyone feel magical.

No.
This is different.

First, the pill container
and the hospital.

Then yesterday,
J.P. quoted Emily Dickinson,

and this last one?

I get an ice-skate ornament
and last night,

Nate asked me to
go ice-skating.
Well, you going to go?

Well, I mean, it would be rude
if I didn't.

He got me a tree.

It's not a date.

It's neighbours hanging out
in the neighbourhood.

Okay. My point is, is this
just one big coincidence?

No. It's serendipity.
It's fate.

Embrace it.

Did you get
an ornament today?

I got
a treasure chest.

I doubt I'm going to find buried
treasure underneath the tree.

Well, keep an open mind.
Anything is possible.

[phone ringing,
beeping phone on]

Hello, Marie?
Hi. How are you?

Hi. I'm well.
I'm excellent, actually,

because I'm holding The
Christmas Treasure Adventure

in my hands right now.

Do you like it?

I told you I had
some new ideas.
I love it.

It's such a sweet story,

and so serendipitous.

Well, it is my Christmas present
to you.

Now, I know it's
a totally different genre,

but I trust that you will know
what to do with it.

Thank you.

I promise you
I won't let you down.

You never do.

Talk to you soon.

Bye.

[beeping phone off]

Hey. I was just about
to call you.

Good news.

This is J.P. Presley's
next bestseller.

What better way for me to step
back into the fiction world,

right?

Yeah. Well, I appreciate
that J.P. brought us

his latest passion project,

but we've moved away
from children's publishing.

Well, do you think we could make
an exception?

I promise you,
I am willing to put in the work.

Yeah.
It's not about the work.

The numbers just don't add up
for us.

Don't worry.
I've got your fiction author.

He's an English professor
at NYU.

This is his first novel,
but he has published

quite a few short stories,
so he's not a novice.

But he has
a wildly popular podcast

that my daughter and her friends
absolutely love.

Oh. So, he already
has a built-in audience.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
He has celebrity status.

Hence the bidding w*r.

What's his name?

Well, there he is right now.
Go on. I'll introduce you.

Clark Hausman.

Henry.

How are you?
Good.

Hello.

[exhaling sharply]

So, you'd think
a massive structure

like Machu Picchu
would stand out.

Our tour guide
takes a wrong turn

and suddenly, we're
totally lost in the Andes.

No.

I'm starting to see
spiders the size of cats.

And I'm thinking, I
don't want to go out like this.

So, I pull out my compass
from my Boy Scout days

and within 10 minutes,

we're right in front of
the city gates.

Our tour guide was so happy
he offered me his best llama.

Too bad I couldn't get it
through security.

[laughing]

[laughing]

Well, that was
a really great story.

Did your trip give you
any inspiration for your novel?

Uh, no, no.

But maybe for
the next one, huh?

Clark has promised
that his novel is inspired

by his personal endeavours,
similar to his podcasts.

Well, as much as I have enjoyed
your adventures

and your little
zip-lining videos,

I'm really curious about
your book.

Like, what's it about?

Love.

Love?

Do you care to elaborate?

Um, I thought this was
a meet-and-greet.

I didn't really prepare
a pitch or anything.

Oh, that's okay.
No worries, no worries.

I mean, you're obviously
a gifted storyteller,

so Marie will set up
a follow-up meeting.

Only if you bring pages,
and by that, I mean chapters,

not transcripts
of your podcasts.

This is what I love
about Marie... Her tenacity.

A go-getter.
I like to be pushed.

Well, I've envisioned
pushing you in many ways, Clark.

Probably off a cliff.
Am I right?

Uh-huh.

Um, have you two met?

Uh...

College sweethearts,
and then some.

And obviously, not anymore.

Is this going to, uh,
complicate the novel?

No, no.
That was four years ago,

before I came to Lionsrun.

The past is the past.

See you soon. Henry?
Great seeing you.

You, too, man.

See you in
a couple of weeks.
Absolutely.

Okay.
Bye.

Did I just see...

Clark.
Yeah.

Apparently, my road
back to fiction

is on
the Hausman Express.

So, how does he just sneak
back into your life?

I feel like there should
have been a sign or something.

There were.
I did this.

How?

The ornaments. I told you
there's magic to them.

Today, I got a treasure chest.

Uh-huh?

J.P. sends me his book.

It's called A Christmas
Treasure Adventure.

So, how does Clark just
magically appear in your life?

My mom sent me
this lighthouse ornament.

My father proposed to her
at one in Maine.

It's always been our family's
favourite vacation spot.

And?

And? And it was always
this symbol of love.

Clark and I spent our
last Christmas there together.

I was insistent,
he was hesitant,

and that's where he...

Broke your heart.

Oh, I knew it! I shouldn't
have hung it on the tree.

Okay. Let's look at the signs.

So, you got the lighthouse
and the ice-skate ornaments

at the same time, right?

And the pancakes.

Do you have a connection
to pancakes?

I mean, it was my parents'
first date.

The lighthouse is a sign
that true love exists,

and the ice-skates are gliding
in Nate as your true love.

Okay, let's not get
too far ahead of ourselves.

Okay.
Stay focused on the positive.

It can mean something else.

Maybe it's a metaphor, uh,
to light your way.

Or maybe it's a foghorn
trying to warn me.

The lighthouse,

it's special to
your family, right?

Since it's a special memory,
let's try and assume

that it's guiding you
in the right direction.

We did have amazing
family vacations there.

See?
That's all that matters.

Come here.

♪ We've hung the ornaments ♪

♪ With care ♪

♪ It's Christmastime, my dear ♪

You good?

Yeah.

All right.
Let's just take this slow.

It's been a long time
since I've done this.

You're going to be fine.

It's just like
riding a bike.

You good?

Yeah, yeah.

I just need to channel
my inner 12-year-old.

I got this.

You just got to
stay centred.

I got this.
Good.

Oh, no.
No, no, no.
What?

I forgot how to turn!

Oh, my God, no.

You okay?
Yep.

It's okay.
Not a lot of people saw that.

Oop!
Whoa!

Okay.

Okay?
My hero.

Hardly. I just saved you
from so much embarrassment.

Yeah, well, that still counts.

Okay. Just... Yeah.
Hold my hand.

We can take it slow.
Here.

Just right, left, right.
You're doing so good.

You're doing
so much better.

Yes.

[giggling]

[both laughing]

Woo!

Okay.

Huh? What do you think of that?

Uh, a six?

Six?

I mean, your pivot could be
a little tighter.

Okay, but if I get a seven
on this one,

we go out to dinner.

Well, if you get
an eight,

I'll let you choose
the restaurant.
Whoa. Okay.

Whoa!

What do you
give that?

Where do you want to eat?

All right.

So?
What do you think?

It's very classic.

So, what's good?

Cheeseburgers,

but I'm a breakfast-for-dinner
kind of guy,

so I'll be having
Santa's flapjacks

with eggnog syrup.

Pancakes?

Too much
Christmas for you?

I'll have
Santa's flapjacks, please.

Marie?

Ah, what the heck.
I'll have the same.

Okay.

So, why nursing?

Well, I planned on being
a doctor,

and I passed my MCATs
and I was ready for med school,

and then my grandfather
got sick.

Cancer.

I'm sorry.

It was a battle.

I stayed with him every
day through his treatment,

and as much as I appreciate
everything that the doctors did,

it was really the
nurses that gave him...

Us the strength
to keep on fighting.

You know, they held
his hand through everything,

and they cheered for him

when he rang the bell
for his last chemo treatment.

They made sure
that we never felt alone.

[sighing]

I'm sure he's
alive today because of it.

And you can't
write a prescription

for that kind of support.

No, you can't.

Then, when I went
to thank the head nurse,

she told me,
"That's the way it works."

Right there, I found my calling.
Never looked back.

Wow, I wish I had
that kind of courage.

What do you mean?
You're living your dream.

Ugh, I voluntarily have been
in this non-fiction purgatory

for the last two years.

I'd hardly call
it a dream come true.

Why?

I got stuck.

I didn't want
to disappoint my boss.

He praised my success.
He promoted me.

I thought that would
be enough, but it isn't,

and I feel guilty for that.

You should never feel
guilty about being unhappy.

Just think of it as a
road sign that's telling you

you need to go
in a different direction.

[chuckling]
Well, I'm in that process.

We just hired a
new fiction writer,

and I'm the story editor.

That's great!

Yeah, it is a step
in the right direction.

Do you like him?

He's not my first choice,
but my boss really likes him

and wants the novel
to be a huge success.

And what do you want?

The same.

Sounds like maybe your heart
wants something different?

My heart and joy is success.

Yeah, of course, but,
I mean, what's your big dream?

The one that
comes from your heart.

Honestly?

I...

would love to open up my
own boutique publishing house

and discover inspiring writers.

Find diamonds in the rough

and develop
incredible, great stories

that connect
through the imagination.

Okay, that's it.

You promise me that
you'll go after that dream,

your own publishing house.

People would think I was crazy.

It doesn't
matter what people think.

It matters what we do.
That's what the world remembers.

[chuckling]

Okay, I promise.

Whoo!
Ooh, thank you!

All right.

♪ It's getting mighty close ♪

Is everything okay?

Yeah, I'm just getting updates
from Leslie at the hospital.

Skylar needs another MRI.

Oh, no, is she okay?

She may have torn
another ligament during rehab.

They're not sure.
Poor kid.

Sorry, it's like I said before.

I never leave work.

Come on.

I have an idea.

Oh, Nate.
I was just about to text you.

About Skylar's MRI, how'd it go?

Yeah, it's good.

Uh, this is Marie.
Marie, Leslie.

Hi, I'm his neighbour.

Do you think that
we could go see her?

Oh, yeah.
She'd love to see you.

Thanks.

[knocking]

I know it's
after visiting hours,

but are you up for some company?

Yes, come in!

So, heard the good news.

Doc said no surgery.
Mom's calling everyone.

And now maybe I can go home.

Yeah, you bet.

We'll do
everything possible, kiddo.

In the meantime... we brought
you an early Christmas gift.

I haven't read this one!

I've only seen the movies.

Well, then you're in for a treat

because no one tells a story
better than Charles Dickens.

Boy:
Could I listen too?

[giggling]
Yeah, come in!

Here.

Chapter one, "Marley's Ghost."

Thank you for
going ice skating with me.

I actually had a lot of fun.

Yeah, me too.

And thank you
for A Christmas Carol.

That was a very nice touch.

Well, I'm sorry
the kids fell asleep

before you got
to say your big line.

[giggling]

Hey, you know what?

My friend Andi is hosting
this holiday party on Saturday,

and I don't usually
go to these sorts of things,

but tonight kind of
got me in the spirit.

Would you want
to be my plus one?

Ah, I usually
pick up extra shifts

at the hospital on Saturday.
Right, right.

It's just, I'm the new guy,

and I feel like I
need to prove myself.

I get it.
I totally get it.

I've worked at
Lionsrun for years

and I'm still
trying to prove myself.

For what it's worth,

tonight was the most fun
that I've had in New York.

Thanks, again.

You made it a
special night for all of us.

[barking]

Sammy.

[chuckling]
Did you miss me?

Aw.

I should probably get going.

Got an early
shift in the morning.

Right, okay.

Goodnight.

What is happening?

Clark:
So, what do you think?

You're a natural
at creating a story,

but I always
knew that about you.

You know, you're the
reason I pursued writing.

You were always my best critic,

and you're why
I signed on with Lionsrun.

So, how's your book coming?

I thought we agreed

that you would hand
in your chapters today.

Let me just do
a few more tweaks,

and then I'll... I'll bring it by
your house this weekend, okay?

Yeah... yeah, no.

I-I have a
Christmas party this weekend.

Why do you just,
uh, sh**t me an e-mail?

Okay.
In the meantime,

do you wanna, uh, give
me a rundown of the story?

Uh, wait.

That's... that's JP's new book.

Yeah.

I was hoping to relaunch the
children's department with it,

but Henry... doesn't
see the point.

That was always your dream.

"Inspiring the future, today."

Wasn't that your tagline?

You... you remember that?

[beeping]

Receptionist:
Nate Thomas is here for you.

Um, I-I gotta go check on that.

Okay.
I will be right back.

Sure.

What a pleasant surprise.

A parent donated
a huge box of books,

so I figured we could
add them to the toy drive,

maybe surprise the kids

with a new hospital library.

Marie:
Of course.
I love it.

The ornaments.

It really worked.

[chuckling]

I should probably
let you get back to work.

Yeah, I probably
have to get back.

Oh, hey!

Andi's Christmas party tomorrow.

You still need a plus one?

Don't you have to work?

I did promise
myself that I would say yes

to more than just double shifts.

It's important
to keep your promises.

Unless you already
have a plus one.

No, nobody.
No one.

You're the one.
The plus one.

The "in addition to."

[Nate chuckling]

Okay.

Marie:
Okay.

♪ O come, all ye faithful ♪

♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪

[all laughing]
[all chattering]

And our finalists are

Nate and Marie
against Lucy and Bryan!

All right!
All right.

Yes!
Whoo!

And whoever wins gets one
of these mystery gift bags!

That's us, for sure.

Oh, that's us.
We got this.

We're playing for keeps.
Yes!

All right, so, our final
categories are Christmas food

and Christmas activities.

Oh, foods.
Totes foods, right, babe?

Food.
We got this, babe!

Bryan:
We gonna do food!

We got the food!

Good luck.

Okay, this does
not look good for us.

She's four eggnogs deep,

so I think we
have a very good chance.

[unclear]?
Was that too loud?

Oh, took it!

Okay, ooh, ooh, ooh!

Okay, um, they're red and
they're white and they're mint...

Candy canes!

Bryan:
Yes!

Um, uh, ooh.
Okay, hmm.

It's a place.

Manhattan.
Singapore.

Bryan:
Oh, you know, it's also a dog!

It's like a dog.
It's like Mrs. Chen's dog.

The little... Snuffles!
Snuffles, the little tiny...

A Yorkie!

Yes!

You have ten seconds!

Okay, okay.
Ooh, ooh, babe.

Come on.
Gobble, gobble.

Turkey, turkey!

No, no, no, no, no.

Gobble, gobble,
quack, quack, cluck, cluck.

Turkey, duck, chicken.

Yes!
Like, put them all together!

Gobble, gobble, quack, quack!

Time!
[buzzing]

Oh, babe!
Sorry, guys.

It's turducken.

Ew, who eats that?
Nate, Marie, you're up.

Marie:
Okay!

Andi:
And you only need three to win.

Okay, three.
Three, three.

We can do this.
We can do this.

All right, we got this.
That was good.

Good luck.
Break a leg out there.

Nice try.

All right, okay.
So, are we ready?

Looks like I'm gonna
do a deep lunge first!

What are you doing?

All right!

All right, ready?
Nate:
Yeah.

You got this?

Marie:
We got this!

[buzzing]
Go!

Marie:
Okay!

Uh, okay,
it's a... Santa did this.

He does this
every Christmas Eve!

Uh, delivers presents!

No, because he's
up on the rooftop!

Oh, he lands with his sleigh!

No, no, it's... it's how
he gets inside the house!

Down the chimneys.
Chimneys, chimneys!

Yes, yes, yes, yes!
Chimneys, chimneys, chimneys!!

Uh, oh, oh!
We did this the other night.

Uh... oh, ice skating!
Ice skating!

Yes, yes!
Okay, good, good!

Uh, um... okay.
Living room, living room!

Oh, uh... living room.
Andi: Ten seconds.

Uh, living room,
tree, decorating!

Yeah, yeah, but it's
what you put on the tree!

It's the... Tiny Tim!
Hanging ornaments!

Yes!
[cheering]

Ah, you won!
I made it!

You won!

Go, team!

And now for your prize.

I hope you like them.
I picked them out myself.

Thank you.

Oh, what?
I love it.

Oh!
Oh, this is... oh, my goodness.

Thank you.
I knew you would love it.

Thank you so much.

Bryan:
Those are amazing.

Lucy:
They are!

It's so cute.

Andi:
I know you'll wear it well.

[indistinct chattering]

[giggling]

I see you're enjoying
the spoils of victory.

Well, that's because
winning has never looked better.

Okay.
Aw.

[cell phone vibrating]
Oh!

This is work.
I should probably take this.

Hey, Leslie.
What's up?

Oh, yeah...

You two seem to
have a good connection.

Uh, yeah.
We're becoming good friends.

Uh, friends?

He's like the
only guy helping us.

You think that's
because he loves cleaning?

You like him.
Admit it.

He's charming.
And handsome.

That's not a bad thing.

It's not Clark, is it?
You guys are not...

No, absolutely not.

I mean, it's
weird working with him,

and it makes me think about the
past and the mistakes I made,

but, no.

Nate is not Clark.

I-I know he's not.
It's just...

I mean, this girl
named Leslie just called him.

They work together.
She's very pretty.

I just don't
want to assume anything.

Andi:
It looks like a work call.

I don't think you
have anything to worry about.

I know.
I just don't want to assume,

and I don't want to get
caught up in the Christmas magic

and project my idea of romance

and make this
into something it's not.

Whoa, did you
just say Christmas magic?

Yeah, I don't know
what's wrong with me.

I don't know!

Look.

Okay, I know
this might sound crazy,

but let's say
those ornaments are magical.

What happens after Christmas?

Does this all go away?
Does he go away?

I just... I need a
definite sign from the universe

that this is real.

That's what Christmas
is about, believing.

Just follow your heart.

[scoffing]

Uh, I should have put
a mistletoe in that bag.

Wait, do you have any?

Maybe!

Nate:
Yeah, no, I'm
lucky that it fits.

It's perfect.

Yeah, no.
It's great.

[indistinct chattering]

Can you turn your
sweater off, please?

Nate:
No chance.

I had a good time tonight.
Your friends were fun.

I don't think Bryan's ever
gonna forgive you for that loss.

Well, I-I sent
him a Christmas playlist,

so he's warming up to me.

Really?
You sent him your playlist?

Some people
still like the classics.

Would you want to go

to a gingerbread
baking class with me?

Wait, are you being serious?

All of the nurses got passes,

and I know it
sounds a little bit silly,

and that's what I
thought at first too,

but then I thought,
"Maybe I should have more fun."

And I was wondering if
maybe you might want to.

Anyways, it's the day
after the Lionsrun party,

so I know that might be
a lot of Christmas for you.

I'd love to.

Yeah?
Mm-hmm.

No more bah, humbug?

Well, I've learned that
if you Scrooge, you lose.

That was so corny.

It was... it was funny.

No, you didn't!

[telephone ringing]

Hey, sorry I'm late.

Last week before Christmas.

All the festivities.

So, how was your,
uh... how was your party?

[papers slamming]

So, you read the chapters.

Are you serious?

You wrote about
our entire relationship.

Everything!

What can I say?
You're my muse.

Ugh, I'm not doing this!

I'm not reliving
the past with you.

Marie, you're the
perfect person to edit this.

You know this story!

Look, I want to capture
all the emotions of first love.

You know, wonder and pain...

And the broken promises?

Look, when you're young,

promises are easier
to make than to keep.

You know?
And we're older now.

We're wiser.

You made a fool out of me.

You practically promised
that you were gonna propose.

I know, and I'm sorry.

Look, I didn't mean to break
up with you on Christmas Eve.

What, you wanted to
wait 'til Christmas morning?

No.
No, I don't know.

Look, when's a
good time to break up?

[sighing]

You're the one who insisted
we went to the lighthouse.

Oh, it's my fault.

No, but it...

It was obvious your
heart was set on marriage,

and you wanted a
ring for Christmas,

and I was not ready.

Because you met somebody else.

Marie, I was young.

I didn't know what I had,
and I was easily distracted.

It's like I always knew.
I just didn't want to see it.

Listen.

[sighing]
I did not cheat on you.

The world...
The world is a big place.

It was meant to be explored,

and we owed it to
each other to do that.

That boy in that book...

Loved you very, very much.

I want to write
this book with you.

Let's just make it a happy
ending, even if it's fiction.

Fine.

Hey, I have your mail for you.

Oh, thanks.

What magic does Mom
have in store for you today?

Ah, this one's
actually from my dad.

Oh.
Handwriting.

The last time
he was on mail duty,

the package
ended up down the hall.

Ah, that's why
he sent it to work.

Better safe than sorry.

Are... aren't you gonna open it?

Uh, yeah.
I'll check it later.

Where are you rushing off to?

I'm gonna surprise Nate
at the hospital for lunch.

Mm.
Just friends, huh?

Sure.

[telephone ringing]

[indistinct chattering]

Hey.

Hi, is Nate around?

Oh, he's with a patient.
Is he expecting you?

No, but I'll wait.

Oh, could be awhile.

Actually, can I
go say hi to Skylar?

Yeah, she's in the rec room.
Thanks.

Skylar:
"'Remove me from this place.'"

"'I told you, these were shadows
of things that had been, '

said the ghost."

Marie!

I was in the neighbourhood,

so I figured I
would stop by and say hi!

Did you talk to Santa?

[giggling]

I did, and he has
all of your wishes,

including some new
books for your library.

Did Santa bring you that?

[chuckling]

Uh, no, my... my
dad sent it to me.

Open it!

Do you want to open it?

It came with a note!

Marie:
You can read it.

"Chapters close and begin,

but the story of
you will never end."

"Keep marching forward

and rolling boulders will
turn into stepping stones."

What does that mean?

It means with
storms, come rainbows.

And you just gotta believe.

Hi.

[sighing]

Chapter closed.

♪

[indistinct chattering]

Oh, thank you!

Look at all
the donations we got!

It's too bad Nate's
not here to see this.

I know.
He had to work a double.

Oh!

I'm new to the Lionsrun family,

but I thought
I would contribute.

Oh.

Wow.

I... thank you.

This is very generous.

It's my pleasure.

Would it be too much
if I ask you for a dance?

As friends.

Let's show
Henry we can play nice, hmm?

Sure.
Yeah?

Yeah.
Okay.

♪ Holy night ♪

You're stunning.

♪ All is calm ♪

Just as lovely as
the first time I saw you.

I e-mailed you notes.

Yeah, I got 'em.

♪ Round yon virgin
mother and child ♪

I'm thinking about
changing the end of the story.

Oh, really?

Yeah, them
breaking up's just too sad.

That's the reality.

In the end, when
the guy finds his fortune,

he goes back for her,
and tells her what a fool he was

and then sweeps
her off her feet.

♪ Heavenly peace ♪

I guess we'll see
how the story evolves.

[clearing throat]

So, um, that guy in scrubs,

the one you were talking
to in the lobby the other day,

delivered a box?

♪ Silent night ♪

You're not together, right?

Maybe.

Why?
I don't know.

Just saw him in the
garage the other day,

leaving with
a pretty blonde girl.

Oh, was she in scrubs too?

Mm-hmm.
That's Leslie.

They're co-workers.

Oh, okay.

They seemed pretty
close for co-workers.

Almost like a couple, so...

I'm sorry to interrupt.

I'd just like
to steal Clark away.

Uh, our board would
like to meet our newest star.

Oh, okay.

All right?
Excuse me.

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

Clark:
Hello, everyone.

Henry:
Here's the star.

Woman:
Nice to meet you.

Man:
Big Pete.

Man 2:
Tom.

[chuckling]

Ah, you both look beautiful!

My wife loves
shopping for the kids.

Thank you.

We have two more
giant bags out in the car.

Oh, those are so great!

Ah, I wish I could give them
a published copy of your book,

but I think Henry's gonna need
a little bit more convincing.

But it's okay.
I'm committed to this.

I promise.

Well, you know, I've
been approached by Clark,

and he pitched me the idea

of launching the
children's collection

with established authors

and he said he
sold the idea to Henry.

I'll be right back.

Look, I can write
a children's book in my sleep.

Yeah, we can hire ghostwriters
if the authors are too busy.

The key is to lock in
readers when they're young

so we have them for life.

Inspiring the future, today.

I like it.
Gold mine.

I like it.

First you steal my idea...
Excuse me.

And now you're
stealing my tagline, really?

Look, you wanted me
to sell Henry on the idea.

I did that.

This is exactly
what you wanted.

I'm giving it to you.

All you see are dollar signs.
It's not a money grab!

Children deserve
stories with imagination,

not ones that you
just write in your sleep.

It's real to them.

Okay, we can do that later,
but Henry cares about sales.

I speak his language.

That's why we make a good team.
Just go with it.

No, I'm not gonna let you
taint this with profit margins!

Tell him the truth!

Uh-uh.
Guys, guys.

Tell him.

Guys, it's a party, all right?
What's the problem, Marie?

Marie wasn't expecting me

to pitch the children's
collection so soon, hmm?

Henry, that's not true...

I've given you an early
Christmas present here, Marie.

No, not like this.

Marie!

♪ We

♪ We wish you
a merry Christmas! ♪

Season's greetings!
Welcome to Santa's Kitchen.

We're just about to get started.

Is there a bathroom?

I just wanna wash my hands.

Oh, oh, oh.
I like responsible elves.

Just down the hall.

Uh, you okay?

Uh, yeah.
It's just work stuff.

'Cause we don't have to stay.

No, I'm fine.

I've always wanted
to be a responsible elf.

Go find us a station?

♪ Now bring us
some figgy pudding ♪

[cell phone ringing]
[sighing]

Oh, hey, Leslie.

Marie, hi!

What are you doing here?

Uh, Nate invited me.

Oh, great.
Well, I'll see you in class.

[indistinct conversation]

Okay, let's raise our
Christmas spirit, everyone!

It's time to
build gingerbread houses!

Nate:
I don't know what
you're talking about.

That's so cute.

What?
You are.

Hey.

Hey.

[giggling]
Here, start.

All right, all
right, move, move.

Is this gonna work?
Yeah, it's good, yeah.

Wait, it keeps falling.

There.
See?

There!

Actually looks pretty good.

It actually does, doesn't it?

Ooh, my, my.
You're missing your candy canes.

Oh!

Here, Nate.
I have extra.

I owe ya one.

Leslie:
One day, I'm gonna take you up
on all those favours you owe me.

[chuckling]
All right.

Here, here.

There.
Now we're even.

Nice.
[chuckling sarcastically]

Ow!
Oh!

It's... ouch, ouch, ouch!

You okay?
Let me see.

Yeah.
No, I'm fine.

I just burnt myself.

Let me take a look at it.

Ow.

Here.

I hope she's okay.

Here.
Does that feel better?

You gotta be careful.

Even the sweetest
things can burn you.

I need some air.

♪ Too cold to
stand all alone ♪

♪ At Christmas time,
we remember ♪

Hey, hey, hey!
What's going on?

I don't know what we're doing.

I thought we were
baking gingerbread houses.

Right.
I should go.

Okay, wait, why?

Because everything
is so new in your life.

Your career... your everything,
it's just about to take off,

and I am just a neighbour
who doesn't even like Christmas.

You don't really believe that.

It's the truth.

Okay, look.

I know that you've
had your heart broken before,

but that doesn't mean
that you need to be scared.

You think I'm scared?
Yeah, because I am!

But at least I'm willing to try.

Okay, can I ask you something?

Was Leslie with you
when you dropped off the books?

At Lionsrun?
Yeah, so?

Oh, she was helping me.
That's what friends do.

I can't do this.

Not again.

I can't risk getting burned
because it hurts too much.

Wait, wait, wait.
Marie, please.

No, don't go.
Don't go, okay?

Why don't we just
go out, the two of us?

No distractions.

The problem is is
there's always distractions.

I just... I think it's best
that we just close this chapter

before we break our hearts.

So, you're just gonna give up?

It'll be for the best.

[sniffling]

[knocking]

[barking]

[sighing]

I called you!

Oh, I know.
I watched it ring.

You knew I'd drive down here.

I guess I could
use some real FaceTime.

Aw, come on, honey.

Tell me your troubles.

Thank you.

So, that's the story.

So, you sabotaged your career,

then your new relationship
with your handsome neighbour,

and then you come
home and dismantle the tree.

You know I believed that
those ornaments were magical?

Like, every time I
hung one on the tree,

something wonderful
would pop into my life,

reminding me that
happy endings do exist.

Honey, there is
always magic in Christmas.

Your father gave this
to me when we first got married.

[sighing]
Oh, my God.

Hmm?
It's beautiful, right?

A simple, open heart.

Or hollow.

It could be hollow.

Oh, now that's
the beauty of life.

It changes based
on our perspective.

If you walk around and
think of it as a hollow heart,

and life's gonna
keep passing you by.

But if you allow
it to be an open heart,

oh, you'll be surprised not
just by how much love comes in,

but by how much you give back.

That's what dreams are made of.

Like magic.

Magic doesn't exist.

It does if you believe it does.

[scoffing]

[sighing]

Good morning.

Good morning.

That was quite the
scene the other night.

[door closing]

I'm sorry.

Clark and I
have our differences,

but I should
have never confronted him

at the Christmas party.

I think it's best to
take you off the book.

But Clark won't have it.

Says that you're the best story
editor he's ever worked with,

that you have a
passion for the craft

and the ability to
encourage writers, and I agree.

We have three
days until Christmas,

so I expect you to work
out your issues with Clark

and get back in the ballgame.

I appreciate his kind words,

but I want to relaunch
the Christmas department

with JP's book.

It is something so special.

Children's books
are off the table.

Okay?
I checked the numbers.

They're not a good
investment for us right now.

Well, we don't even
have to do a full collection.

We could just start with JP's.
He's already signed with us.

Do you want to run
the fiction department?

Yes or no?
Yes.

Then focus on Clark's book.

If JP ever
finishes his adult novel,

then you can
go and work on that.

Marie, are we okay?

No.

I'm resigning.

Oh.

Consider this my
two weeks' notice.

Marie.

Thank you so
much for everything.

I've learned a lot.

Oh, come on.

It's time for me
to go follow my heart.

Okay.
Okay.

Clark.
Marie.

Look, I've been
trying you all weekend.

About the party?
Don't worry, I...

I spoke to Henry.

And?

And I resigned.

[scoffing]

It's all my fault.

No, it was actually my decision.

I'm so sorry for everything.

Ruining Christmas again.

Nobody can ruin my Christmas.

Dare I ask for
any last-minute notes?

Yeah, the woman in your book?
She doesn't need saving.

She saves herself, and
it's a much happier ending.

Merry Christmas, Clark.

So, what are you gonna do now?

It's Christmas.

Gonna go spread
some Christmas magic.

[tinkling]

Marie:
We'll need room for presents.

And so, this is the
room we use for meetings.

Oh!

Is it available?

Yes, nothing's on
the schedule until January.

It's perfect.

Nate:
"Much they saw,
and far they went,

and many homes they visited,
but always with a happy end."

"The Spirit stood beside sick
beds, and they were cheerful;

on foreign lands,
and they were close at home;

by struggling men, and they were
patient in their greater hope;

by poverty, and it was rich."

"In alms-house, hospital, and
jail, in misery's every refuge,

where vain man in
his little brief authority

had not made fast the door,
and barred the Spirit out..."

♪ Joy to the world ♪

♪ The Lord has come ♪

♪ Let earth receive her King ♪

Hey.

Hey.

♪ Let every heart
prepare Him room ♪

I was just admiring
the beautiful Christmas tree

across the street.

Yeah, it really is beautiful.

♪ And heaven and nature sing ♪

So, are you going to work?

No, just doing some
last-minute Christmas shopping

for my family.

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve.
Are you just gonna overnight it?

No, I booked a 9:00 a.m.
flight for tomorrow morning.

♪ Joy to the world ♪

What about your white Christmas?

Maybe next year.

♪ Let men their songs employ ♪

I don't know.

I guess I'm gonna trading
snow for white, sandy beaches.

It'll still be festive, though.

My family, they throw a big
dinner party at the restaurant.

Local lighthouse
shines red and green.

It's kind of like that tree.

♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪

Did you just say, "lighthouse"?

Yeah, grew up on Sanibel Island.

Lighthouse is our pride and joy.

My parents even named
the restaurant after it.

[horn honking]

Oh.

My ride's here.

Merry Christmas, Marie.

Merry... Merry Christmas.

[door closing]

Okay.

Please have some magic left.

"Dear Nate,
I'm sorry I'm scared."

"Dear Nate, broken
hearts are often lost hearts."

"It takes a
special light to guide them

back against the fear
that was trying to sink them."

[sighing]

[elevator dinging]

Oh, hey, Marie!

You looking for your mail?

Uh, no.
I'm looking for Nate Thomas.

Have you seen him?

He left a few minutes ago.

He's spending
Christmas in Florida.

Lucky guy.
[chuckling]

Oh!
[sighing]

♪ Noel, the angel did say ♪

♪ Was to certain
poor shepherds ♪

♪ In fields where they lay ♪

Marie, I'm sorry if I'm late!
Oh, no, it's fine.

My dad, AKA Santa
is around the corner,

just about make
his entrance with the kids.

Okay!

♪ On a cold winter's night ♪

Hey, did you invite Nate?

Yeah, he's going to Florida.

Oh, is that where he's from?

Yeah, Sanibel Island.

His family owns a restaurant
called The Lighthouse.

Nate is the lighthouse?

And now it's too late.

Hey, don't worry about it.
It's Christmas time.

Nothing bad can happen.

[door opening]

Ready?

Yeah.

Yup.

Come on in, kids.

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

Go open your gifts.

Welcome to your
own Christmas wonderland.

Oh, it's so cute.

Did Santa bring all of this?

Why don't you go ask him?

h*, h*, h*!

Merry Christmas!

No way!

It's Santa.

SANTA:
Merry Christmas!

Marie:
"The children tuck into their
beds, and before falling asleep,

the boy asked
one more question."

"Promise we do
it again next year?"

"The majestic star
twirled and gently whispered,

'I promise.'"

Oh!

Where can we get that book?

Hopefully from me.

I'm opening my
own publishing company,

and with JP's permission,

I'd like The
Christmas Treasure Adventure

to be my very first book.

[giggling]
Yes, yes, but...

But only if all these adorable
little faces get their own copy.

Absolutely.

[cheering, applause]

Great!

Aw.

When did you come up
with this wonderful idea,

and what took you so long?

Well, someone once reminded
me that the possible slow fuse

is lit by the imagination.

[knocking]

I thought you
were going to Florida.

I was, and then I got this.

I'm so sorry
for the way I acted.

I was completely in the wrong.

I really hope
you can forgive me.

Somewhere between
Christmas past and present,

I realized what I
want for my future.

It's for you.

Tiny Tim always
lived in hope, not fear,

and I now know
how important that is.

My heart is open
because of you.

After our class, our fight,

I almost lost
hope in you, in us.

Almost.

You know the
first time we met,

you asked me what
I wanted for Christmas?

And I know the answer.

It's you.

Well, that's the greatest
present anyone can ever give me.

Kids:
Whoo!

[chuckling]

So, does this mean you're
gonna spend Christmas with me?

Yeah, I would love to.

What are you thinking about?

Just that happy
endings really do exist.

♪