All language subtitles for A.Boyfriend.For.Christmas.2004.720p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX] eng

[ Rock'in Christmas music ]

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YTS.MX

♪ Now It's Christmas ♪

♪ And I think about ♪

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♪ Having someone ♪

♪ I can dream about ♪

♪ Hopes and the gifts I wish ♪

♪ So I that I have it here ♪

♪ On Christmas Day ♪

♪ When I see my friends ♪

♪ I get so sad ♪

♪ Walking with their boyfriends♪
♪ Hand to hand ♪

♪ I wish I could be just ♪

♪ like them ♪

♪ To have someone
to call my own ♪

♪ Oh please make my
wish come true ♪

♪ So I won't feel so
sad and blue ♪

♪ One thing's all I need ♪

♪ Santa bring a
boyfriend to me ♪

[ Rock'in Christmas music ]

♪ It can be one that is ♪

♪ short or tall ♪

♪ Blue eyes, brown hair ♪

♪ I don't mind at all ♪

♪ As long as he cares ♪

♪ and love's me always ♪

♪ and meets me
under the Mistletoe ♪

♪ When he comes and gives
me just a kiss ♪

♪ I won't be lonely ♪

♪ Days that won't be missed ♪

♪ so I'll keep holding on ♪

♪ and dreaming ♪

♪ That he'll be here
on Christmas day ♪

♪ Oh please make my
wish come true ♪

♪ So I won't feel so
sad and blue ♪

♪ One thing's all I need ♪

♪ Santa bring a
boyfriend to me ♪
[fading out]

Anyway, my problem is I'm afraid
Brad won't give me anything in
return,

which will make me look
completely dorky.

'Cause even though I know he's
my boyfriend,

I'm not so sure he does.

- Well, Beth, once Brad accepts
your present, it's a done deal.

He's officially yours.

- And if he doesn't?

- Trust me. He will.

And that'll make him your
boyfriend

whether he
likes it or not.

- Well, I guess it's better to
have a boyfriend

that doesn't know he's
your boyfriend

than no boyfriend at all.

Sorry Holly.

- It's okay. Listening
to you two

makes me glad I don't have one.

- It's Phillip.
He's right over there.

He's probably just buying me a
Christmas present.

I hope he gets me something
cool. I mean...

- Nothing can happen. Come
on...

- No.

Let's follow him.

- Come on.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Need some help?

- I want to see Santa but.

- But you're a little
nervous, right?

Don't blame you.

- I just can't seem to get her
up there.

- Bye bye.

- Maybe I can help. What's your
name?
- Darcy.

- Well, Darcy, maybe I could
come along, if that's okay.

- Sure, I'll just wait here.

- C'mon

- Hello.
- Hi.

- I was wondering when you were
gonna come to see me.

Come on up here.

- Go on.

- So tell me what I can bring
you for Christmas.

- [whispers]

-(Santa LAUGH)

Is that your brother?

Why don't you just run on back
to him?

I can pretty well guarantee
you'll get what you ask for.

- Thank you, Santa.

- You're welcome. Thank you so
much.

- So what did she ask for?

- I can't tell you. That's
Santa/Client privilege.

And what about you? What would
you like for Christmas?

- I'm good.

- I wish the whole world could
say that.

- Thanks.

- Surely there must be
something that, uh,

I can get you.

- I'm too old for toys.

- That's okay. You don't have
to be a child to believe.

- I'd like, I'd like a
boyfriend for Christmas.

- Are you sure you're ready for
a boyfriend?

- I don't know. I
think so.

- Well, when you're really
ready, Holly, you'll know.

And I promise you that I'll send
you just the right one.

- Holly. Holly.
- I've got to go.

- I'm gonna leave you something
very special under the tree.

- Okay.

- Merry Christmas, my dear.
- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thank you.

[ quiet music continues ]

- A promised gift
will come, my dear.

A love that's true and steady.

Between now and the
end of the 20th year

when two
hearts are ready.

Twenty years?

Where are you, Hughes?

- Miss Grant. (CLEARS THROAT)
Are you ready?

Looking out for Santa's sleigh,
are we, Miss Grant?

- Yes, your honor.

I mean, no. I mean, I'm, I'm
sorry, your honor...

- You know that the court
is closing at noon today
for the holidays.

- I do.

- And you're here on behalf of
whom?

- I'm representing
the interests of Thomas
and Rebecca Denning.

- And you support the mother
Sheila Denning's petition

to have her children removed
from foster care,

and returned to her custody.

- Yes your honor. Miss Denning
has moved out of the shelter,

is now employed, and has secured
adequate housing requested by
the court.

- Who is your legal counsel,
Miss Denning?

- Ryan Hughes, your honor. He
was assigned to help me.

- Where is Mr. Hughes?

- We don't know. He was
supposed to be here.

- Well I'm afraid without
your lawyer present, I cannot
make a ruling.

- Your honor, Miss Denning was
hoping to have the children home
for Christmas.

- [sighs] All right. I
suppose we can give Mr. Hughes a
few more minutes.

This is the season
of giving, after all.

- I mean, really. I've offered
these people all I can.

- It's not just
about the money.

Not to the
tenants it's not.

- Mr. Rhodes, here, cannot tear
down the buildings

until the tenants are out. Now
cut to the chase, Hughes.

How can we move them?

- With a different kind of
incentive.

- Such as.

- These are low income
families.

In fact, I'm dealing with
one of them right now in a
pro bono case.

A woman named Sheila Denning.
She lives in your building.

She has two...
- Bottom line,
Ryan.

- What we have to do is assure
these people

that they're gonna be able to
move back in after
reconstruction.

And when they do there'll be a
park for the elderly,

day care center. Uh, maybe a
community center.

- Sell the idea like an
investment in their future.

- Exactly. Because, in essence
what you're doing is

you're offering them a chance
for a better life.

- You could redraw the plans, I
suppose, but will it still be
profitable?

- In the long run, Mr. Rhodes,

the increased costs will be
negligible against the potential
profits,

believe me.

- Hawker. You've
been dealing with the
tenants committee.

You think they'll
buy Hughes's idea?

- Well sir, yes, I, I think
they will.

- The tenants cooperate,

you boys may get your name
on the letterhead sooner than
you think.

- I mean, he should be ashamed
of himself.

You're still his client.

Just because Mr. Hughes isn't
getting paid

doesn't mean that he can blow
you off.

You know, there is something
called integrity.

- Miss Denning.
- Yes, your honor?

- I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't
wait any longer.

I'm going to have to
postpone the hearing.

- Your honor, please.

- You'll address the petition
in the new year.

[gavel]

- But you promised. You said
we'd have presents,

and a Christmas tree, and...

- I know, honey. I'm sorry, but
we'll be together again.

So.

- I'm sorry.

Okay. Hold the
elevator please.

- Oh. I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry.

- Miss Denning.

- I hope whatever kept you, Mr.
Hughes, was important.

- Hey, I thought you were
supposed to be here an hour ago.

- I had to take
Sheila Denning's kids back to
foster care.

- What? What happened?

- You know a guy named Ryan
Hughes?
- No.

- Me neither. He and I are
about to get acquainted.

Teresa, could I send a, a nasty,
yet formal letter, please?
- This came for you.

- I mean, what sort of
guy doesn't even bother to
show up in court

to prevent a family from being
together over Christmas.

I mean, what is that?

- What is that?

- Using both my psychic powers,
and the return address,

I'd say it's from the grant
committee.

- So you did go for the grant.

- For money to hire full time
lawyers.

- They're never gonna give us
the money.

- No more court appointed, I
could be making 500 an hour

if I wasn't stuck doing this,
lawyers.

- They're giving us the money.

- Oh great.

Well you two gotta
save your celebrating,

'cause you're already late.

- For what?

- Lunch with your mother.

- Oh, I'm too frazzled
after this morning to deal
with my mother.

- Come on.

Is she still pestering you about
not being married?

- Oh, here's the thing
with my mother.

Yeah, as far as my mother's
concerned,

you might as well be dead if
you're not married,

and my sister-in-law just adds
fuel to the fire.

- Oh, they just want you
to be happy.

- Yeah, they want me to be
them.

One husband, two cars,
two kids.

- Hey. I am one of them, too. I
have twins, remember?

- Not you. Plus, you have a
great guy in your life, which I
don't.

- And whose fault is that, I
wonder?

- The last thing I need to feel
fulfilled is a boyfriend.

Plus, I learned a long time ago
not to rely on Santa

to leave Mr. Right in my
Christmas stocking.

- Mm hmm.

So, chocolate chip, or peanut
butter?

Chocolate chip...

(overlapping dialog on desert
toppings)

Go for it.

To Holly. Thanks to her,

the kids we represent
are going to have

a staff lawyer to advise them,
instead of a volunteer.

(cheers)

- Good job, Holly.
That's wonderful.

- It's wonderful if we can find
a decent attorney

willing to work for peanuts.

- Well you should talk to Diane
about that.

I think she's managed to date
just about every lawyer in town.
Right?

- Meow.

- Whatever. Those days are
over. Now let's do an eye. Our
official. (LAUGH)

- I know you can't wait, so
come on. Let's see it.

- Am I gonna need sunglasses?

- You decide. Does anyone have
a crane to help me with this?

- Wow. You get carpel tunnel
with that thing.

- Good girl.

Okay, it's my turn. To Diane and
Holly.

Next year, may Holly get the
ring, and Diane get the grant.

- Mom, what kind of toast is
that?

- An honest one. It's my
Christmas wish.

Cheers.
- To your Christmas wish.

Cheers.
Thank you.

And I have just the news to make
your Christmas wish come true.

- I'm at the edge of my seat.

- You should be. It's big news.

Uh oh.

- I've heard this one before.
No more blind dates.

- No? Ted is back in town.

- What?

- Yes. Ian ran into him this
morning.

- I hope it was with the car.

- Oo. You're not getting older.
You're getting bitter.

I love it.

- It was at work. Ted is Ian's
new boss.

He moved back to town because

he's been named managing editor

of the Banner Chronicle.

- I wonder if his father being
publisher had anything to do
with it.

- He's still single, and he
wondered if Holly was, too.

Oh, that's fantastic.

- Mom, Mom. Before you start
naming our children,

I've neither seen nor heard from
Ted in two years.

- But you loved him.

- I dumped him. It's over.

A man with a wandering eye
cannot be trusted.

- Here, here.

- Mm hmm.

- Okay, fine. Enough with the
Ted subject.

- Great.
- For now.

- Let's order.

- Mister Hughes.

- Miss Denning, I just had to
come by

and apologize to you again for
what happened today at the
hearing.

- I can't really talk right
now. I promised Nick,

he's the old guy who plays Santa
at the shelter,

that I would help sell Christmas
trees.

- Well, my firm was able to
speak with Judge Edwards.

- And?
- I can't tell you.

Actually, let me let somebody
else tell you. One minute.

(whistles)
- Mommy, Mommy.

- Oh my goodness. You've got
presents.

- Holly gave them to us.

- Oh, well how nice of her.

(LAUGH) Oh, I know you've
already done so much for us, Mr.
Hughes.

- No, I know where the shelter
is. Let me take care of Santa.

Stay with your family.

- Thank you. We're all
together again. (LAUGH)

I couldn't ask for a better
Christmas present.

- Merry Christmas.
- Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.

- Bye. (LAUGH) Hi.

You are right.

They are worse than
a dating service.

Welcome to my world.

They don't understand how I
could choose

my career over having a family.

- Look what time it is. I still
have to get home and pack.

Christmas in Tahoe. (LAUGH)

What could be more romantic?
(LAUGH)

- I know. It's tough being
fabulous.

(LAUGH) Oh, good, here comes my
cab.

Holly, I keep
meaning to tell you.

I got you a little
something.

It should be delivered today.

- That's so sweet. What is it?

- All I can say is it's gonna
make your Christmas.

Mm, bye.

Bye, guys.
-Have a good time.

- Thank you.
- Bye.
- Drive safe. (LAUGH)

- Bye.

- You know what? I promised to
pick up a Christmas tree

for our office party.
You wanna come join me?

- Oh, will you drop
me off first?

I gotta get a letter off to that
Hughes guy before I cool down.

- You can have your tirade over
the phone while I get the tree.

- Ah. Okay. Thank you. Thank
you.

- Have a little Christmas
spirit. (LAUGH)

Alright?
- Alright, I'll try.

- Alrighty.
- Okay.

- (SINGING) Deck the halls with
boughs...

- Oh, singing.

- Hello, Ryan.

- How did you know my name?

- I met you a couple weeks ago
at the shelter.

You were with Sheila, I think.

I understand she's found a place
of her own.

- Actually, that's why I'm
here. She's, um,

not gonna be able to
help you sell trees tonight.

- Oh, that's too bad.

- She's at home with her kids.

- Really?
- Yeah. She was able to get
them back.

- Oh, that's great.

But we're short-handed, just
before Christmas, you know?

Busy time for me.

- (LAUGH) I guess so, huh,
Santa?

- I don't suppose you'd be
willing to fill in for her,
would you?

- Me? No, no. I'm afraid, uh...

- What's with the stick thing?

- They're all like, seven feet.
I mean, pick one, already.

- As you were saying?

- Well, I guess I can sell a
tree or two.

It's for a good cause, right?

- Right.

- Come on. We've seen every
tree twice.

- It has to be perfect.

- In a week, it's gonna be
perfect mulch.

- Make your phone call.
I'm just gonna take one more
spin around.

- Okay. Uh. (PHONE RINGS)

- Hello, oh, ho, Merry
Christmas.

Can I help you, uh, find a tree?

We've got miles and miles of
beautiful trees.

- No, thanks. I'm, I'm with my
friend.

- Well, I guess you have one
already then, huh?

- No, uh, I'm not really into
the whole holiday thing?

- What a coincidence. Me
neither.

- I can tell.

- What? This is my natural
look.

- Yes, you dress up like Santa
Claus to pick up women?

- Usually works.

- I'm sorry. I'm not really
into Christmas.

- Oh, that's too bad. Could be
a magical time of year.

(PHONE RINGS)

- Will you excuse me?

Hey, hi, Teresa.

I was just gonna call you.

Yeah, I wanna get a letter off
to that Hughes guy.

Yeah, his name is Ryan Hughes.
He's with Winslow, Summers and
Lamb.

Um, okay, you ready?

Dear Mr. Hughes, your not
showing up at Sheila Denning's
custody hearing

was an inconceivable
breach of trust.

Your callous disregard
for people counting on
you is shameful.

- It is the holiday season

and it is completely
unforgivable that your actions

have prevented a family from
being together.

If pro bono work is meant to
polish the greedy image of firms
like yours,

well, then, you have failed, at
least with me.

Truly yours, Holly Grant.

Yes! Of course, I want you to
send it.

Well, you know, I don't think
that this,

this Hughes guy is
really gonna care.

He probably doesn't even
have a conscience.

- Oh, excuse me.
You work here, right?

- Kind of.
- Could you give me a help,
please? (LAUGH)

Ah, thank you.

- You got it.
- Oh.

- Where are you?
- My car's, right here.

- Merry Christmas.

- Oh, I, I told the other guy.
I don't need the tree.

- I know, I overheard. You're
not into Christmas.

- Correct.

- That's disappointing.

- Excuse me?

- Well, I've never failed you,
see? Break my heart if I did.

- I don't understand.

- Oh, there's still time, my
dear. Perhaps you will.

- You know, I couldn't help
overhearing your friend on the
phone

and, uh, she sounded really
upset.

- She's just venting.
I mean, Holly's compelled to

stand up for people who are
struggling.

And she can't help herself.

- She's a real angel, huh?

- Holly believes in people, not
miracles.

At least, that's what she says.

Thanks.
- What's this?

- It's for the tree.

- Oh. (LAUGH) I'll make sure
Santa gets it.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

- I'm collecting for the
shelter. If you would like to
help?

- Sure.

- Oh, thank you. What can I get
for you, in return?

- Get me something?

- You know, I am Santa Claus.

- Oh, right, of course. Uh, I
don't need anything. I'm good.

- Course, the whole world could
say that.

Let me know if something comes
to mind.

- Sure. I will.

- Good.

- Still not moved by the
Christmas spirit, I see.

- Not for some time, no.
Hello, Ted.

- Having moved you up to the,
uh, corner office, I see.
(LAUGH)

- I know you think that
non-profit equals nonsense.

- Uh, whoa, come on, I didn't
come up here to pick a fight.

- Well, why exactly did you
come?

- Well, one of Santa's elves
told me

that you might need a date for a
certain New Year's Eve party.

- Would that be the elf in
Prada pumps,

or the elf whose husband writes
a column for you at the paper?

- Come on, come on, it was
great to see your sister-in-law
again,

and you did hear about
my new job.

- I did.
- And you didn't call to
congratulate me.

- I didn't.

- But a call. I know it's been
a little while, and,

you know, we didn't leave it
under the best circumstances...

- We didn't leave. You did.

- And you didn't follow me.
- Not without a commitment.

Now we both know you have a
problem in that arena.

- Had a problem. Not anymore.

- All grown up, are we. Guess
one woman is enough for you now,
huh?

- Oh. More grown up, anyway.
(LAUGH)

Listen, all kidding aside, I
love you,

and I want you to let me prove
that to you.

- I'm not looking for a
relationship right now,

especially not a recycled one.

- Well, listen, we can get
together

and talk over the
holidays. Okay?

- We'll see.

- Alright. That's all I need
for now.

I'll call.

Oh, hey, Beth.

- Ted?

Still bathing in
cologne, I smell. (LAUGH)

Come on, let's do
the decorations.

(SINGING) Dee-de-dee-de,
de-de-de-de.

- Alright, I got
cookies and donuts.

You guys already had, cookies
and donuts.

Anybody, you want some sugar?

There you go. Merry Christmas.

- There you are. This is for
you. Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- like this, you know, Merry
Christmas.

Nice for you to stay around and
help, Ryan.

- Mmm, this is the
best Christmas that I've had
in years.

- Now, how is that possible?

- Well, that's what you get
when you try to make partner

in a big law firm, Santa.

- Yeah, but does it make you
happy?

- Ryan? Could you give me a
hand in here?

- Yeah, sure, no problem.

- Go ahead. I can handle this
end of things.

- I'll bet you can.

- What's your name?

- Danny.

- Tell me again what you'd
like?

- I want a train set.

- Here you are. Merry
Christmas. There you go.

Well, hello.

- Hi. I stopped by to see
Sheila Denning.

I thought she
was working tonight.

- Sheila is home with her
children.
- Really?

- She was able to get them
back.

- When did this happen?

- Just a little while ago.

Judge found it in his heart to
change his decision.

People tend to do these sort of
things around this time of year.

- I can't believe it.

- So, did something
come to mind?

- What?

- You were gonna let me know if
something you needed came to
mind.

You can talk to me, Holly.

Santa/Client privilege,
remember?

- Have you and I had this
conversation before?

- Back when you still believed,
you mean?

What made you give up on
Christmas, my dear?

- You did.

- I?

- You promised you'd send me...

just the right boyfriend.

But you never did, never sent me
one that was right for me.

I think I'd better go.

- As I mentioned before,
this is an exceptionally
busy night for me.

I wonder, Ryan, if I might
prevail upon you

to help me to fulfill a
very old promise.

[ doorbell ]

- Go away.

[ rapid doorbell ]

Oh, ahh.

Who is it?

Who is it?

- Merry Christmas. Delivery
for Holly Grant.

- What's this all about.

- Special delivery from Santa
Claus.

- Santa?

Who are you and what
are you doing in my living room?

- Read the card.

- As promised, one boyfriend
for Christmas, Santa. (LAUGH)

You gotta be kidding me.

- You're Holly Grant, right?
- Yes.

- Then I'm not kidding.

- You look familiar. What's
your name?

- My name? My name's, uh,
Douglas, Doug, actually.

- Doug who?

- Doug, uh, Firwood. Doug
Firwood.

- Wait, wait. (LAUGH) You stay
right there.

You, (LAUGH) who are you,
really? (LAUGH)

- I told you, and honestly,
Santa did send me.

- Santa sends dolls and, and
train sets, not people.

- No, now, Santa makes
a promise, he keeps it,
no matter what.

Otherwise, people would stop
believing in him, right?

- Right.

- Do you want breakfast?

- Breakfast?

- Brought groceries?

- Are you some sort of serial
killer?

- With a red bow on my chest?

Look, let me whip something
up, and we'll talk about it
while we eat?

- I am kind of hungry. I didn't
have dinner last night.

Plus, I didn't hear anything
on the news about a
Christmas- bow killer.

- Should I start cooking?

- I guess.

Wait a minute.
Diane! Of course.

- Who?
- Diane told me that she was
gonna send me something

that would make my Christmas.
(LAUGH)

- (LAUGH) Hah.
- So what do we do?

- (COUGH) Well, I don't know.

What do, what do you usually do
with your boyfriends?

- I'm a little out-of-practice.

- Ahh
- Haven't had a boyfriend in a
while.

- I know the feeling.

- You haven't had a boyfriend?

- No, I mean, I haven't had a
girlfriend.

- So where did Diane find you
anyway?
- You mean, Santa?

- Oh, right, Santa. Where did
Santa find you? Some casting
service?

- Oh, come on. The old guy's
more creative than that.

- Oh, right, of course.
The boyfriend factory in the
North Pole.

- No, actually, it was a local
facility. Pots and pans?

(PHONE RINGS)
- Okay, hold on one second.

(PHONE RINGS) Oh, hold on a
second.
- Yeah?

- Just, just a minute, sweetie.

Mommy's gonna help you one
second. Hello?

- Hey, Beth.

- Hey, Holly. You sound very
chipper this morning.

- You won't believe what Diane
got me for Christmas.

You've gotta come over
and see him.

- Holly, my kids have been up
since dawn.

Santa gave them new skates

and they insisted on trying them
out this morning.

And then I'm meeting my parents
in an hour. See who?

- The tree is almost decorated,
madam.

- Diane gave you a man for
Christmas? Where was she when I
was single?

- After he cooked me breakfast,
he decorated a Christmas tree.

- A tree? You never have a
tree.

- He brought it with him, part
of the package, I guess.

- It is so amazing, what you
can order online.

So, I mean, do you have him for
the whole day or what?

- I don't know. Are you
sticking around all day?

- That's up to you.

- It's up to me.

- Well, what about, what about
your parents?

- Well, what about them?

- Well, aren't you spending
Christmas with them?

- Wait a minute.

- Holly, what are you thinking?

- My family is always on me to
be with someone.

This Christmas, I am.

- Holly?

- I'll talk to you later.

- (Football on TV) pass, good
protection,

Do you guys need any help?

No thanks, Dad.

Last year when you tried to set
up the electric train,

it would only go backwards.

- Oh, it's a good thing Santa
had a liberal return policy.

- Martin?
- Mm hmm?

- Have I got this stuffing
right? Try that.

Tell me what you think.

- Um...

- (Football on TV) There's the
snap and pitches to Johnson.

- You should have
hired a caterer.

- Oh.

- Do-do-dooo, do-do-dooo.

Honey, you look beautiful.

Thank you, ...
- Come on, come on, come on.

- (On TV) Go with the hurry-up
offense.

- That is late. I'm
gonna call Holly.

Oh, you know, she's bringing
Ted. Honey, did you talk to him?

- Uh, yeah, he said he stopped
in to see her.

- And?
- Oh, he said she was a bit
frosty.

- Sweetie, you need to talk to
her.

- Uh, Holly's love life is none
of my business.

- Yeah, but your job is your
business.

- What's that supposed to mean?

- Ian, think about it. If Ted
married Holly,

I'm sure that he'll have no
problem at all

helping his brother-in-law get
his column nationally
syndicated.

- Look, why don't you all just
leave Holly alone? She's fine.

- Aunt Holly's here, and she's
with some guy.

- Ohhh, she did bring Ted in.

- Ian's your brother. Carol is
his wife.

And it's, uh, Neil and Noel?

- Yeah.

- Hope I can remember
everything. I feel like I'm
cramming for an exam.

- Well, when did we meet?
How long have we been dating?
(LAUGH)

- Ted, I'm so glad you could,

you're not Ted.

- Hello, Carol.

- Hi. Uh, where's Ted?

Oh, nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.
- Uh, yeah,
where's Ted.

- Now it's Holly. Better get
festive here.

- Grandpa is Santa's elf.

- (LAUGH) Ho, ho, ho. (LAUGH)

- Hi honey, hi, hey.

- Merry Christmas, everyone.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry, merry
Christmas to you.

- Uh, I'd like you to meet...

- Doug Firwood.

- Doug Firwood. Doug Firwood.
(LAUGH) My boyfriend.

- I've heard so much about all
of you.

I, I feel like I know you
already.

Mr. Grant, it is, it's an honor
to meet you. (LAUGH)

- Boyfriend, huh?

- Yeah, yeah, and Mrs. Grant's
even lovelier than Holly said.

Merry Christmas.
- Why, thank you.

- And this guy over here has
gotta be Ian.

- Yep.
- Am I right?

- Holly's brother. How are you?
- Merry Christmas.

- And to you, uh, Doug?
- Doug, yeah.

- Uh, this is my wife, Carol,
who answered the door.

- Christmas, how are you?
- Oh, merry Christmas, good.

- Carol, that is a
knock- out dress.

- Oh, oh, thank you. (LAUGH)
Glad somebody noticed. (LAUGH)

I, I need to change. It's for
the New Year's party.

- Yeah, every year, the list of
invitees just grows and grows
and grows.

'Course, we have to get through
Christmas first, don't we?

- Noah and Neil. Am I right?

- You know anything about
racing sets?

- Uh, it just so happens that I
do.

- We could use some help with
ours.

(LAUGH)
- Boys...

- ...be gentle with him.
(LAUGH)

- Nice, he just got here.

- Well, I guess it's, uh, nice
meeting you all,

now (LAUGH) see you later.
(LAUGH)

- Wow, so...

- Yeah. (LAUGH)

Big turkey.

- Where have you been hiding
that boy?

- Dad, shouldn't you be
watching television?

I mean, won't you be going
through withdrawals or
something?

- Oh, football can wait. What's
the deal with the boyfriend?

- Yeah, who is he?
- Yeah, you didn't say anything
about him yesterday.

- I wanted to surprise you.

- How long have you been seeing
him?

- Where's he from?
- What's he do for a living?

- One question at a time.
What does he do? Uh,
he's, uh...

- Don't you know?

- Of, of course, I do. He's,
he's a firefighter.

- Huh.
- A firefighter?

- A firefighter. That's right.
He's a really sweet guy.

Uh, Mom, shouldn't we be getting
this in the oven.

Otherwise, we're not gonna eat
until midnight.

- He got our racing set to
work.

- Yeah, these kids just had
their wires crossed. (CLEARS
THROAT)

What's going on?

- Do you wanna taste my, my
mom's stuffing?

- Yeah, I'd love to.

- No, no, no, stop him before
(LAUGH) it's too late. (LAUGH)

- Let's see. (SMACKS LIPS) Ooh,
(COUGH), oh, yeah, this,

it's very good Mrs. Grant.
- Really?

- Yeah, really, could use a
little paprika, though,

or maybe a little, um, cumin?

- I've never thought of cumin.

- Probably how they do it down
at the firehouse, huh?

- Yeah?

- Exactly...
- Come on, come on.

- Come on, come on.

♪ (Christmas music) ♪

- You're right hand yellow...

- (LAUGHING, PLAYING TWISTER)

- (GAME ON TV, CHATTER)

- You , you guys got
the next game.

I, I just have to beat...

-Hey, hey.
- ...this guy, you know what I
mean?

Come get you.

- What color are you?
- Holly?

- ...right foot green.

- Oh.

- Oh, I need a left foot,
yellow.

- No, a right hand (LAUGH) .
- (LAUGH) Whoo-hoo. (LAUGH)

- (APPLAUSE)

- So Doug, uh, tell us about
your work.

- Oh, my work's not that
interesting.

- Oh, sure it is. You should be
proud of yourself, son.

- You think so?

- Yeah, you're part of a very
heroic profession.

- You know what? Not a lot of
people feel that way about
lawyers. (COUGH)

- Well, I was talking about
firefighters.

Holly (COUGH) told us that you
were a firefighter.

- (LAUGH) I'm sorry, honey.

I, I know I wasn't supposed to
tell them.

- Tell them what?

- That Doug is a lawyer and a
firefighter.

- Oh, okay.

- Wow.

Most attorneys work long hours.

How do you manage a second
career as a firefighter?

- Well, I mean, I only, uh,
fight fires part-time.

- Oh.
- Oh, volunteer firefighter.

- Exactly.
- The best. (LAUGH) Here you
are. Yes.

- I didn't know you can be a
fireman part-time.

- Oh, yeah.
- Everywhere.

- Well, we're a rare
breed.

Medium rare (LAUGH) we're, we're
not careful. (LAUGH)

- Well done. (LAUGH)

- Can I be excused? I wanna
show Doug my new fire truck.

- May I be excused?

- May I?
- You may, then.
- We'll call you for pie.

- Doug, I can't thank you
enough for your expertise in the
kitchen.

- Are you kidding me?
I hung out with Martin and
watched football like,

uh, two bums today.

You did a wonderful job.

- Hm.
- Wonderful. This Is
incredible.

- Well, it was fun to watch
with somebody that actually
enjoys the game.

My son here, the financial
wizard, thinks it's just,

you know, a bunch of fat guys
running around. (LAUGH)

- See, uh, Holly's the jock in
the family.

- Oh, yeah. A beautiful figure
skater.

- Dad.
- Oh, well, you came in second
in the state finals.

- When I was 12.

- You never told me you skated.

- The tights and sequins have
lost their allure. (LAUGH)

- Oh, come on.
- Ha ha.

- Yeah, you used to, um, skate
with Ted.

-That was a long
time ago.

- Doug, you know Ted Powell,
right?

- Um, no, no, I can't say that
I do.

- He's the new editor at the
Banner Chronicle.

And the only man Holly's ever
loved. Hee.

- The only man so far.

If my dad had caught us up here
when we were 15,

you'd probably still be
incarcerated. (LAUGH)

- Let's not take any chances.
Keep both feet on the floor, and
leave that door open.

He wasn't kidding. Look at all
these skating trophies.

I haven't seen one of these
since I was a little kid.

A promised gift will come my
dear, a love that's true and
steady,

between now and the end of the
20th year, when two hearts are
ready.

What's that mean?

- No idea.

- Nice hair.
- Oh. (LAUGH) I love my
hairspray. (LAUGH)

- I guess so.

- So what's a hot-shot lawyer
doing, taking time off

and spending Christmas with a
stranger and her family?

- A hot-shot?
- You drive a BMW, and you're
avoiding my question.

- Well, the first thing they
teach you in law school

is to avoid all direct
questions.

So who's Ted?

- Alright. I'll tell you about
Ted if you tell me about you.

- That's a deal.

- Uh, I met Ted about four
years ago. We dated for two and
then broke up.

- And that's it? That's all
you're gonna tell me?

- Yeah. (LAUGH)

- Why?
- Why what?

- Why did you break up?

- Commitment issues.

- Yours or his?

- Ted's father sent him to work
on one of the small papers

they published to cut his teeth
as an editor.

- And, uh, you weren't invited
to go?

- No, I was invited, to leave
my work, my friends and family,
to tag along.

- But not as Mrs. Ted.

- That wasn't the
worst of it, though.

What hurt the most was his lying
to me.

I mean, he knew about the job
for weeks before he told me.

I also think there
was someone else,

but I could never
really prove it.

I can forgive almost anything,
but not dishonesty.

- (LAUGH) If he, um, if he told
you the truth,

would, would you have
gone with him?

- I don't know.

- Well, it's his loss and, and
my good fortune.

- I guess.

- Dessert's on the table?

- Right.

- Thanks for putting up with my
crazy family.

- No, they're fun.

- They seemed to like you,
though.

- I'll tell you what. Carol
didn't like me too much.

- Don't mind her. You impressed
me. Kind of like a jack of all
trades.

You can cook. You know your
football.

You're a great racing set
repairman. (LAUGH)

- Well, Santa wouldn't send
just anyone.

- You know, it's, um, it's
still Christmas. You're still on
the clock.

You wanna build me a fire?

See if you, uh, turn into a toy
soldier at midnight?

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

(Christmas jazz piano continues)

I know this might sound corny,

but I can't remember a better
Christmas.

- Me neither.

♪♪

- Doug?

(DOORBELL)

Where'd you go?

I woke up and you were here and
wondering what,

Ted?

- Oh, nice bed here. Brings
back fond memories.

Wow, look at that tree. I didn't
know you did Christmas.

- Look.
- No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to bust in here like this,

but I, I couldn't sleep
thinking about us.

- There's you and there's me.
There, there is no us.

- No, that's what I wanna
change.

I, I, I know I made a horrible
mistake, uh,

handling things the way I
did before I left.

Well, I should have been more
upfront with you and I wasn't.

I acted like a complete jerk.

- I would have to agree.

- But I've changed.

I realized how much
time I've wasted

and how much I miss you being
part of my life.

- Why should I believe a single
word you say?

- You shouldn't, not until I
show you I mean every word.

(DOOR OPENS)

- I bought croissants. Not
enough for three.

- That's alright. You can just
leave them here.

- Doug, you don't
understand.

- No, no, no. No, it's
completely fine.

Christmas was yesterday, right?
On me.

- Hey, did you get chocolate?

I'll make us some coffee.

- Alright, so let me get this
straight.

A stranger shows
up at your house

dressed as a present from Santa.

He makes you breakfast. He
charms your family,
spends the night,

batters your (LAUGH)
ex-boyfriend with a bag of
donuts then disappears.

Is that it?
- Yeah, croissants, not donuts.

I mean, threw them at him.

- Hmm.
- There's just something about
him, though.

- Are you serious?
- I don't know.

I was dreaming the whole
perfect boyfriend fantasy,

and then Santa stepped in.
- And then Ted came back.

- Yeah, and now I'm more messed
up than ever. (LAUGH)

- Santa, huh?
- It's crazy. I know.

- Especially coming from you.
We are calling Diane. (PHONE
RINGS)

- Hello.

- Diane, ask her if she sent
the guy or not.

- Hi.
- Holly.

- How are you?

- Terrible.
- What's wrong?

- Well, yeah, you know, I wanna
go to the islands for the
holidays,

but Stu insisted on a ski trip.

Turns out it's the warmest
winter in 50 years.

- I'm sorry to hear that.
(LAUGH)

- Not as sorry as Stu. Hey, did
you get my gift?

- That's why I'm calling. Um, I
need his phone number.

- Whose number?
- Doug's.

- Doug who?

- Doug Firwood. (LAUGH)

- Stu, do you know a Doug
Firwood?

- Never heard of him.

- He's never heard of him.

- What do you mean? You didn't
send him?

- No, I sent you a very
expensive bottle of cognac.

- She sent me the booze.

- Oh.
- That's why you said it would
make my Christmas.

- I mean, hello? I know you
hate Christmas,

so I thought a nice, expensive
bottle of booze would get you
through it.

- Are you gonna play or talk?

- I'm gonna do whatever I darn
well please,

considering that you're the
idiot.

Hey, Hol, can I call
you right back?

(CHECKER JUMPS LOUD)

King me.

- Alright. So if Diane did not
send the guy. Who did?

- Yes, Virginia, there is a
Santa Claus.

- Who's my hero?

- I'm busy right now, Parker.

- Oh, too busy to hear about
how the tenant's meeting went?

They bit. Final votes denied,
but if it swings the way I think
it will,

you, my genius friend and I

can print up some
new business cards.

Heh, Winslow, Summers and Lane,
Ryan Hughes's partner.

(LAUGH)

Nice little ring to it,
don't you think?

- Did anyone tell you tell
you Christmas is over?

- (LAUGH) I was hoping you'd
stop by.

How'd it work out with Holly?

- Uh, great, until her old
boyfriend showed up.

- Boyfriend? Are you sure?

- Supposedly, they broke up,
but by the way he kissed her,

you never would have known it.

- Oh, there must be some
explanation.

- Frankly, I'm
not interested.
- Not interested?

- Nope, I came down here to
talk to you about something
else.

- Oh?
- My firm won't let me take on
any new pro bono work.

So, I thought on my own time I
might...

- You want to
volunteer?

I'm sure the center Director
would be delighted.

I know he's here. Why don't
you go inside and have a
chat with him?

- Okay, thanks.

- I'm sure Holly would be
delighted too.

- I don't think Holly would
care one way or the other.

- You're wrong about that.

Hello Holly.

- I wasn't sure if
you'd still be here.

- Just tying up some loose
ends.

- It's been 20 years
since I found this under my
Christmas tree.

- (LAUGH) Little late for an
exchange.

- (LAUGH) No kidding.

- (LAUGH)

- Did you...

- Did I what?

- Yesterday did you
happen to send me

a love that's true and steady?

- Well only you can
answer that my dear.

But I can tell you this, souls
meant to be together

cross paths when as the verse
says, two hearts are ready.

But if you fail to recognize the
magic of that moment it will
pass.

- I'm afraid I may have
already missed the moment.

- Don't give up
yet,

the twentieth year has three
more days.

Did you see the Director?

- Yeah, he said he's going to
make me a list.

(both) What are you doing here?

- You first.

- Uh, he came to see me.

He's going to, uh, volunteer
at the shelter.

- Really?

- Yeah. Your turn.

- I, uh, I came to
see Santa too.

To, um, ask him if my Christmas
boyfriend's

expiration date could be
extended.

And to thank Santa for keeping
his promise.

Even if it was only for the day
the boyfriend

you sent seemed absolutely
perfect.

- I think if I, uh, spoke to my
legal department they'd find
that the

warranty is actually good until
the first of the year.

- After that?

- Well, what about Ted?

- It wasn't what it seemed. Ted
and I are completely over.

- Well, if you put it that way
and you're absolutely sure

I think you might want to
consider extending the warranty.

- Tied up lose ends (LAUGH)

- I never knew this
place existed.

- My dad used to bring the
whole family up here

to watch fireworks on the Fourth
Of July.

- He must be proud of
you. Following in his
footsteps and all.

- Oh, I hope so.

Both he and my mother passed
away while I was in Law School.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- No, no, it's okay.

I think that's when I first
started letting work

become more important than
Christmas.

- Until this year.

- Until this year.

- Do you have any brothers and
sisters?

- One sister, Darcy.

- Darcy, that name sounds
familiar. You close?

- We talk. She lives overseas
with her husband.

You know, it's been really
nice spending time with you and
your family.

It's been a long time since I've
had that.

- (LAUGH)

- Oh good, the chairs.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE)

Are you're feet clean?

- Good. This way.

- Joanna. Oh, Holly honey,
where's your mom?

- She's out back. She's in
planting mode watch out.

- Oh boy. How come
Doug's not here?

- You like him, Dad?

- Yeah, sure.

- He said he might come by
later.

- Oh, um, I invited Ted to, uh,
to come over.

- Well, unfortunately you're
going to have to uninvite Ted.

- I can't, I mean, well I
didn't just invite him
for your benefit.

He's, he's, Ian's boss and
I think it's important that
they bond.

- Well, great, let them
bond and you tell me when
Doug gets here. Honey.

(ENGINE GUNNING LOUD)

(SIGHS)

- You're the lawyer
right?

Remind me, I owe you
for the croissants.

- That's right you're the, uh,
ex-boyfriend.

- Not for long. I have Holly's
family on my side. They love me.
(LAUGH)

(KNOCKING AND DOORBELL)

- (LAUGH) Hey Doug ...

- How you doing Martin?
- ...good to see you.

Hello Ted. Come on in.

- Ted, I'm so glad you could
come.

Holly has been dying to see you.

- Oh great you're here. Doug,
go to the kitchen help Holly
okay?

Ted, you and Carol come with me.
- Oh, but, but, but I...

- No buts. We've
got a lot of work to do.

- Hey, hey.

- Hey, I'm glad you're here.
I've missed you.

- You missed me? How can you
miss me, we practically spent

every waking hour of the past
three days together.

- I just do. Oh, I
should warn you,

Carol invited Ted
to come over.

- Uh, it's too late I already
ran into him out front.

- Oh.
- No, that's okay. We had a,
uh, friendly chat.

- Really?

- Actually, no.

- Where is he?

- Your mother put him to work.

What's going on, your mother
seems possessed.

- The New Year's Eve party
remember?

- Oh that's right.

- It's the highlight
of her year.

Practically the entire town is
invited, black tie, the works.

Every year since I was
a little girl.

I used to lie in bed and listen
to the music

and imagine myself dancing with
a handsome prince.
- (LAUGH)

- Naturally, I was in a
ball gown with a (LAUGH) tiara.

- Ted, I'm giving you a break

but I expect you to be back at
work in a half an hour.

- You look tired, thanks to
manual labor?

- He's an attorney Holly, you
better count that silver before
he leaves.

- Boys, play nice.

- Hi Doug, Grandpa said you
were here.

Put out any fires lately?

- I thought he was a lawyer.

- And a fireman.

Dad are you ready to rumble?

Yeah, I promised them
I'd play football

before Mom forces us
back to work.

- How about you?

- Uh, sure, I'll play
if Doug will.

- You bet.

(BIG BAND JAZZ and FOOTBALL
CHATTER)

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Over the fields we go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on bobtail ring ♪

♪ Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is to
laugh and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle All the Way ♪

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

(WHISTLE!)

- No, no, no, no, no.

That's 15 right there,
On you Ted.

♪ And soon Miss Fanny Bright ♪

♪ Was seated at my side ♪

♪ The horse was lean and lank ♪

♪ Misfortune seemed his lot ♪

♪ We got into a drifted bank ♪

♪ And then we got upset ♪

(WHISTLE)

- You guys okay? Come on you
all right?

- That was one sorry
display of testosterone.
- (ALL) Mm hmm.

- Great game though.

- I mean you should be ashamed
of yourselves,

grown men acting like children.

Come on Neil and Noel, let's get
some hot chocolate.

- This isn't over yet.
I'm going home to get out of
these clothes.

- (LAUGH) C-mon.

- I don't get it.

What happened to this family

it's like they've been sucked
into the,

the cult of Douglas.

Martin goes to him
for sports picks.

Joanna goes to him for recipes.
The kids think he's some
kind of hero.

Who is this guy anyway?
Is he for real or what?

- Well you were a reporter
before you were an editor.

- Yeah.
- Why don't you find out?

- Maybe I should.

- You think Holly really meant
what she said?

- Oh, Doug. In the
game of romance

I have discovered that what
Grant women say and

Grant women mean
rarely coincides.

But, if the prize is winning
their hearts then

it's a game well worth playing.

I like you.

Of course, Holly's a much
tougher critic than I am.

(LAUGH) Come on, don't worry
about it.

Holly's full of surprises. Take
care.

- Thanks Martin.
- You bet.

- That was a great tackle.
(LAUGH)

- Oh. (LAUGH) I, uh, I thought
you were mad at me.

- No, no, it was the only way I
could think to get rid of Ted.

Here, this is for you.

- Most valuable player. (LAUGH)

- No, most valuable present.

- Okay, I've got to get
something off my chest.

- Okay.

- I know that we're, we're just
getting to know each other,
but...

- I know what
you're going to say.
- You do?

- I feel it too. There's this
incredible bond between us,

it's like we've know each other
forever.

I mean, you, you feel
the bond too don't you?

- Yeah, yeah I do. But, um...

(TRUCK HORN)

- What? (LAUGH)

- Um...

- Doug, Doug.

- Yeah.
- Can you pull your car
back

so we can unload in the
driveway?

- Oh sure.
- Great.

- Can I see you later?

- I told my mom that I'd help
her. What about tomorrow?

- Yeah, tomorrow's good.

- Do, do you have a
pen and paper?

Meet me here at Noon.

- Where is this?
- It's a surprise.

(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPING)

- Hughes, Harrison Lane here.

Wanted to let you know the
tenants committee accepted your
plan, congratulations.

By the way, I know you asked for
a few days off

but I'm going to need you in
the morning to go over a
couple of details.

See you then.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

- Ted.

- Good morning.

Well, these are for you. Mind if
I come in?

- I actually do need to talk to
you but I was on my way out...

- This isn't
going to take long.

- Okay, come on in.

- (LAUGH) I know it's kind of
sudden but, uh,

well it's just my way of saying
that I'm serious this time.

- (LAUGH) Ah, yeah,
very serious.

- Well, listen, when we
split up before,

I, I still had some things to
prove to myself, to my father.

I'm passed that now. I want to
settle down.

I can't think of anybody I'd
rather do that with than you.
Only you.

- (MAKES NOISE) Look...

- No, no. Take
your time, think about it.

I'm just going to sit this right
here to help you make your
decision. (LAUGH)

- Mm.

(BACKGROUND OFFICE CHATTER AND
MUSIC)

Excuse me, I'm not very good at
ice skating would you be my
partner please?

You ready? Hold my hand. Here
you come. (LAUGH)

It's okay. (LAUGH) You're doing
really well.

- So, these are the last of the
tenant signatures?

- Yes sir, 100% of the tenants
have agreed to move out.

- Great, we'll start
demo after the new year.

The first office complex should
be ready to lease by summer.

- Office complex?
- That's right.

- Mr. Rhodes has changed his
mind about the direction of the
redevelopment.

- I can get a better return on
an industrial park

than on low income housing.

- But, you told the tenants...

- Exactly what I
was instructed to tell them.

- They'll sue.
- They'll lose.

- Either way, I'll get a bigger
payday.

- And so will the firm.

- These are people's lives
we're talking about.

- No, this is business we're
talking about.

-(WHISTLES)

- We're not
finished here Hughes.

- Maybe you're not.

- You're doing great.

Okay,
come forward.

(LAUGH)

I have faith in you.
You are fantastic, look at you.

I think you can go on
your own now.

Okay, keep skating and I'll
watch you, okay?

Good job.

(JAZZ MUSIC)

♪ ...Including the moon ♪

♪ for a Christmas
dance with you ♪

♪ I can't remember ♪

♪ A feeling like this ♪

( JAZZ MUSIC CONTINUES)

- Bud wasn't kidding, you could
have been a pro.

- (LAUGH) Thank you.

- I don't think I'll
be joining the NHL anytime soon.

- You look like a pro though.

- Just don't ask me to lift
you above my head okay.

- Okay, just hold
hands all right?

- Yeah. Oh it's easy.

- Yeah, right. Well if you fall
we both fall all right?

So we have to trust each other
all right?

- Talking about skating right?

- What else? All right
here we go.

You ever been married?

- No. You?

- No.

You think pets should be A,
in the yard, or B, on the
furniture?

- (LAUGH) A and B.

- Pizza?

- Pepperoni.

- Vacations?
- Warm.

- Kids?
- Lots.

- Do you believe in UFOs?
- No.

- God?
- Yes.

- Monogamy?

- Yes.

- Secrets?

- Yeah. What?

- Do you believe in
keeping secrets?

- Yeah. No, no, no, not
between each other.

Not between, you know
what I mean.

- Good, 'cause after what I've
been through with Ted

it would be impossible for me to
fall

for someone who wasn't
completely honest.

- Impossible?

- Yep.

Do you believe in love
at first sight?
- I do.

- Do you remember what I told
you about imagining myself

dancing at New Year's Eve?

- You mean with your prince?

- (LAUGH) Yeah.
- Yeah.

- Well I was, um, wondering if
you weren't busy tomorrow night.

- Mm hmm.

Yeah?

- Yeah, okay.
- You mean you want me to go.

- Yeah (LAUGH), Can you go?
- I'd love to.

- Okay. Good night.
- Good night.

See you tomorrow.
- Bye.

- Excuse me sir. Excuse me.

- Hi.
- Sorry to bother you,

but I'm not quite certain I have
the right address.

Does, uh, Douglas Firwood live
here?

- No.
- Uh, not upstairs?

- No, Ryan Hughes is upstairs.

- Uh, well, I'm confused then.
Uh, dark haired fellow,

attractive in kind of a scruffy
way, uh, drives a BMW?

- Well that sounds like Hughes
but...

- Lawyer right?
With, uh, oh, what's the name of
that firm?

- Well he's with, uh, Winslow,
Summers, and Lane.

Why don't you go knock on his
door? Uh, I think he's, uh, home
and...

- No, no, no, I
don't want to bother him.

I probably have the wrong
address anyway. Um, thank you,
anyway.

- Uh, good morning Hughes. Oh
by the way, Mr. Lane would like
to see you.

- That's good, I
want to see him too.

Do you know what Rhodes is
planning to do with that
property?

- What's the difference?

- The difference is that you
lied to those people.

You swindled them out
of their homes.

- We paid.

- That makes it all right?

- Oh come on Hughes,

you're about to be made a
partner here.

We have busted our butts for
years and it's finally paying
off.

You are this close to a corner
office, pal.

You will be certifiable if you
throw this all away

for some bogus crisis of
conscious. Completely
certifiable.

(GASPS)

- Excuse me, was that Ryan
Hughes?

- Yes it was, who are you?

- Well, I'm Ted Powell, Editor
of the Banner Chronicle.

- Oh.
- And you are?

- Russell Parker.

- Oh right, I have you on my
list as well.

We're doing a piece on up and
coming Attorneys.

Young Turks on the legal scene,
that sort of thing.

- Oh really?

- Yes, I'd love to be able to
talk to you if I could.

- Oh, absolutely, step this
way. You know, you might want to
wait

before you include Hughes in
that article though.

-And why's
that?

- Well, he's in with the Senior
Partner right now

committing professional suicide.

- Why?

- Off the record?

- Sure.

- I think he snapped his
wrapper.

- Really?

- Oh yeah, sad.
Nice cologne.

- Oh, thank you.

- Man on the floor.

- (LAUGH) Come in.

- Hi sweetheart.

You know I'm so glad that
your mom insisted that
you dress here.

Just reminds me of all
the old times, hmm.

You smell good.

(SIGHS)

- Dad?
- Mm hmm.

- Ted proposed to me.

- (HMM) Did you accept?

- There was a time that I
really loved him, but.

- You're not so
sure anymore, right?

This is 'cause of
Doug.

- We think alike, Doug and I.
He appreciates my work, he loves
kids.

He makes me look at the world
through fresh eyes

like when I was a little girl
and nothing was impossible.

I feel like I've known him my
entire life.

Actually, we haven't known each
other quite that long.

- Well, I've only known him,
uh, a couple of days myself.

But, (LAUGH) hmm, I have a good
feeling about him.

I know, what do I know, right?

But, from everything I've seen,

I think he may just be the one
you've been waiting for.

- Oh Noel, don't run
with that tray.

Mommy's got a new dress on
and you're going to get that

(SCREAMS)

oh no.

(GROANS)

(SCREAMS)

- Sorry Mommy.

- Ian.

- Uh, Joanna, we have a
problem.

- Yes honey, what is it?

(MAKES NOISE)

What did? Uh, all right,

come on boys let's get this mess
cleaned up.

- My dress. My beautiful dress.

- Oh, but the mauve and the
blue it goes with your eyes.

- Are you kidding? It's ruined,
and so is my entire New Years
Eve.

- No it isn't, we'll find you
something to wear.

Let me go look in my closet.

- Go.

- Great, mother in law couture.

- Carol, why don't you wear
this one?

- But that's your dress.

- I'll find something in
Mom's closet.

- You'll do that, for me?

- It's not a kidney, it's just
a dress.

- Oh, oh, oh, sorry.

- Now what?

- I have a been
a selfish idiot.

- What are you talking about?

- Ever since Christmas day
I could see how much you
liked Doug.

And still I did everything in my
power to discourage you.

To get you back with
Ted,

because I thought Ted could help
Ian's career and I didn't think
of you.

- It's fine. Here take the
dress.

- You, deserve to be with
somebody you love.

- And you deserve to get out of
that dress.

- Uh, I'm, I'm sorry about
the dress.

- I'm not, it's made me realize
how lucky I am to be a part of
this family.

Sorry

- She got that from
a ruined dress?

- Ryan.

- You know you got a funny way
of just showing up.

- Well, I was on my way to
a party, saw the ice,
couldn't resist.

Hey aren't you supposed to be
going to the Grants tonight?

- I was.
- But.

- Look if I go over there I'm
just going to get thrown out.

- Thrown out? Why? Oh, don't
tell me.

- I tried, I tried. I was going
to tell her tonight but...
- But what?

- Look, she said that she
could never fall for a guy who's
lied to her,

and I've lied to her so that's
it. It's done.

- Too late, she's already
falling for you Ryan.

You've got to tell her
everything.

Right now, tonight, there's not
much time left.

- What do you mean there's not
much time left?

- Your hearts are both ready
trust that go to her.

Set the record straight.

Don't let the moment escape you
Ryan, or you may regret it
forever.

Come on, we have a
party to attend.

(BACKGROUND MUSIC AND CHATTER)
- Hey Rose Bowl tomorrow.

- Oh you read my mind.
How about, um, yeah save you a
trip, thank you.

- Hey
- Who is that?

Here you go.
- Thank you.

- So, you girls on
your own tonight?

- My husband got the flue so he
offered to watch the kids

so I am enjoying my night of
freedom.

- Freedom.

- I can see that.

- Although be careful what you
wish for.

My fiancé and I broke up
over Christmas.

- I'm sorry to hear that.
- Yeah, well, it's all right,

the champagne is certainly
helping me through my grief
(LAUGH).

- Uh, it does tend to do that
doesn't it. Listen, you guys
seen Holly?

- She's in the house waiting
for the Christmas tree guy.

- Whoa, yeah.

- Santa.

- Happy New Year.

- I thought you were going to
stand me up.

- I believe I'll go mingle.

- You remember last night I
said I had to talk to you?

- Yes.

- Uh, Holly I haven't been
completely honest with you.

- Oh, there you are, Happy New
Year Doug.

- How you doing, Happy New Year
Martin.

- It's going to be a good one.

- Ted alert he just came in
through the back.

Carol tried to cut him off but
they're right behind me.

- Ted, please calm down.
Look, it's my fault,

I shouldn't have encouraged
you like that.
- You'll be glad you did

when you heard what I found out.

Holly, whether you and I are
meant to be or not,

there are some things you need
to know about this guy.

- What's everyone
doing in here?

- Exposing Douglas Firwood for
what he is a fraud and a liar.

- What are you talking about?

- Well for starters why
don't you tell us what your real
name is.

- Ryan Hughes.

- Ryan Hughes?

- The same Ryan Hughes that
Winslow, Summers and Lane fired
today.

- That's not true, I wasn't
fired, I quit.

- Apparently there was a
question of ethics.

- It wasn't my ethics, it was
theirs.

Uh, listen man don't twist
things around.

- Am I? Whose idea displaced
hundreds of low income families?

- It was my idea, but I'm not
the one...

- In one week, he
went from a high six figure
income

to volunteering at a Christmas
tree lot. Douglas Firwood, get
it?

- And all that business about
being a firefighter is, uh?

- I checked into that Martin.
That's another one of his lies.

- I, I made up
the firefighter story.

- What?
- Honey, why would you do that?

- Because you guys were asking
me all sorts of questions and

I, I didn't know Doug, I mean
Ryan, and...

- And what honey?

- I don't know what to say. I,
I...

- Are you two dating?

- He was my
Christmas present okay?

- Boy, you've been dating a
Christmas present?

- Yes, no, I mean, there's
more, there's more to it than
that...

- Of course there is, there's a
lot more to it than that.

What are you trying to prove?

- I'm just trying to protect
her from you.

- Stop it.
- No, no, no.

- Come on now, stop that.

- Is this some kind of
joke to you?

- This is no joke. I saw you at
the shelter on the night of
Christmas Eve.

- You overheard me
talking to Santa.

- I couldn't take my eyes off
you.

I overheard you talking to Nick,
and there was just something
about you

that made me think that, that I
had known you for a long time.

When he asked me to show up at
your house I immediately agreed.

I mean this is the most
irrational thing I've ever done
in my life.

It felt right.

- You must have thought
I was pathetic.

- You know that's not true.

- I don't need you,
or your pity.

Come on Mom let's get
back to our guests.

- I don't think I can help you
with this one.

- I'm really sorry I had to do
that.

- I bet you are. Come on Carol.

- Nice suit.
The holiday's over.

- Holly.

- It's all your fault.

- Ryan really cares about you.

- He stands for everything I'm
against.

- You know, he's the one who
was able get Shiela Denning's

children back to her.

- (Ted) Ladies and Gentleman if
I could have your attention
please.

- Holly, he's a good man and he
believes in many of the same
things you do.

You have to make a decision it's
nearly midnight.

The moment's about to pass but
before it does take this, Ryan
is there.

- (Ted) Now most of you all
know that,

(Ted) uh, Holly and I have been
seeing each other for quite a
while...

- Please, don't stop believing.

- (Ted) And uh...

- Yet. Remember,

the end of the twentieth year
when two hearts are ready.

- (Ted) ...rocky road, been a
bit of a roller coaster ride
but, uh,

(Ted) through it all I've never
stopped loving you.

-(background) Oh.

- (Ted) Now, I understand your
nonprofit work even though

(Ted) you don't make much money
at it.

(LAUGH)

I will cherish you with
all of my being.

I would like to make tonight not
just the start of a new year

but the start of a whole new
life together.

- (crowd) Oh.

- Holly,

- (background chatter and sighs)

will you marry me?

- (all) Oh.

- I,..

I can't.

- (all) Oh.

- I'm sorry.

- (radio) Eighteen minutes left
to say goodbye to the old and
hello to the new.

Eighteen minutes to grab
your sweetheart, get by
the television,

or better yet come on downtown
with us.

We're having a party like you've
never seen.

(SLOW MUSIC)

- Ryan.

- What are you doing here?

- He sent me.

You asked me about these words
and what they meant

and I told you I didn't know but
I do know finally.

Do you remember when
we first met?

- I was 13 and you offered to
help my little sister.

- Darcy, because she was
afraid.

- Then you
introduced her to Santa.

- When did you figure it out?

- I'm not exactly sure.

There was just something
so familiar about you at
the tree lot.

- I was thinking about that,
I don't remember seeing you
at the tree lot.

- (LAUGH) I guess you
don't recognize me without my
99 cent beard.

- That was you?

- Not the most brilliant
disguise in the world, but,

um, I was happy I had it when I
heard you dictating that letter.

- You heard that?

- And I deserved it. While it
hurt to hear how you felt,

(SIGHS) it made me
realize how unsatisfying my life
had become.

- How do you feel now?

- Much better.

Much better since I left the
law firm and met you.

- You know, I always wished
that I would meet the right guy

and he would immediately set my
heart on fire.

- And?

- I just never thought that

that guy would be my
Christmas present.

- You know I might be difficult
to exchange without a receipt.

- That's okay, I think I'll
keep you.

(FIREWORKS)

- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

♪♪