Original subtitles

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

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

sleigh Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle

all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one

-horse open sleigh

Don't step on them.

Wow.

They really do look like angels.

Told you.

Do you believe in angels?

Of course.

You make that sound like you've seen them before.

Like, for real.

You don't have to see something to believe in it.

You don't see God, do you?

You cold?

Yeah.

Come on.

I think I lost my gloves again.

Do you know where they are?

We can share.

And put your other hand here.

I guess I should go back to my room.

Yeah, me too.

Wait, one more thing.

Nope. Wasn't ready. Okay.

Close your eyes.

Trust me.

Okay.

I'll see you tomorrow, okay?

What time do you open your presents?

As early as possible.

But let's get together right after that, okay?

Okay. Merry Christmas.

The best Christmas ever.

Best ever.

Mom? Dad?

I'm really sorry, but I lost my gloves again.

Mom?

Where's Dad?

He, um...

He left, honey.

But he's coming back.

Right?

Because it's Christmas Eve and... No.

No, Maggie. I'm so sorry.

There you go.

gonna be okay, Maggie.

Nothing's ever gonna be okay again.

Not ever.

Not even Christmas.

Let's get in the car, Maggie. It's time to go.

Maggie, come on.

Don't stop believing, Maggie.

Best Christmas ever.

Believe in that.

Hey, Lauren, this is Maggie.

I got your message.

You sounded a little upset, so I just wanted to call you. Excuse me. Sorry.

Sorry, I'm just leaving work right now.

I'm going to pick up Jordan after school, but I want to talk to you.

So call me.

I hope you're okay.

How's my guy?

Hey, where's Miss Klein?

I don't know, but I'm starving.

Well, you're supposed to be chaperoned. It's fine. The other kids do it. I don't

care what the other kids do. I have an agreement with the school.

Mom, I'm not a baby.

Oh, you think bad things only happen to babies?

Besides, it's fine. I'm, like, starving to death.

Jordan.

You're not like starving, okay? You're hungry, or you could be starving if you

want to be dramatic, but you're not like starving, okay? It doesn't make any

sense.

Come on.

No, this way.

Where are we going?

I want to have a word with Ms. Deeley.

Mom, don't do this.

What? I'm not going to do anything.

Just... We'll chat.

Maggie.

This is Deeley.

We had an agreement.

I can assure you, Miss Klein is very conscientious. Who knows what could

happen to him out there? Our students are perfectly safe.

But I'll have a word with her anyway.

I appreciate that. It's just, you can never be too careful.

I see that.

Well, thank you.

Before you go, I was going to call you about something. I wanted to ask you how

Jordan is doing at home.

What do you mean?

It's nothing terrible.

He's just not living up to his potential.

I thought you might consider a tutor.

A tutor?

Why would he need a tutor? He's falling behind a bit.

I mean, don't get me wrong, he's a smart boy.

He just seems a little distracted.

Many of our students benefit from more focused one-on-one. He doesn't need one

-on-one with a stranger.

This is yesterday's math test.

Here's the name of someone we've had some good success with.

You know, I just probably need to spend a little more time with him. That's all.

It was just a thought.

And in the meantime, I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Yeah, me too. Thank you.

So what do you want to do for Christmas break?

I don't know.

Well, I was thinking maybe I would take a few days off of work and maybe we

could go to a museum or a library.

The library?

Yes, the library.

You know, education does not stop just because of some holiday.

Every single day of your life is another step at forging your place in this

world. Don't be smart.

I can't help it. I'm so dizzy from the starvation.

Well, guess what? I have a surprise for you when we get home.

We're getting a real tree? No. No, they're a fire hazard.

You always say that.

Well, it's because it's always true.

Plus, they're dirty.

Guess again.

Dad's coming home, right?

No.

Baby Dad's not coming home. You know that.

But...

Gramps is coming into town.

What's that face for?

She's staying until Christmas?

Yeah, staying the whole two weeks.

Oh, I bet the first thing she's going to say when she sees me is, Look how much

you've grown.

So is what she's going to say.

Okay, buckle up.

Look how much you've grown.

My goodness, like a little weed.

A little weed?

Hey, Mom.

Hi, hon. Good to see you. I love you, too.

How was your trip in?

It wasn't exactly zippy.

Yeah, all that holiday craziness. Well, it gave me lots of time to look at all

the lights. I just love Christmas in the city.

Me, too.

With Christmas trees.

I heard that.

Oh, here you go. Did you think that you were going to the Arctic Circle?

We have heat. Well, it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

You know what?

I brought you something.

Now let me find it.

No.

Here we are.

A little San Diego Christmas for your tree.

Aw. Thank you.

Look at that. Santa's surfing.

How cool.

Did you put up a tree? Yeah.

A fake one.

Mom thinks the real ones are dirty.

Maggie, that is the silliest thing I've ever heard. You know what? Hey, baby,

will you find somewhere to put these, Mom?

I'm sure we should get you settled in, right?

I hope that you're exhausted.

Come on, what do you have in this thing?

Not much.

Okay, guys, thank you.

All right, so I need a couple days, maybe three. Is there anything you can

around? Well, you've got a meeting with the Blackwell's attorney later today.

Uh, yeah.

I think I can reschedule that.

That way, I can pick up Jordan after lunch.

But you've got the partner's meeting at four.

Oh, I forgot about that.

And you're in court every day the rest of the week. Are you kidding?

You have some open days after the first. That's not going to work.

Oh, and your friend Lauren has called twice.

Okay, all right.

Just call Lauren back and set up a meeting for whenever.

Okay, and you wanted me to remind you about the tutor.

Yes, yes, yes.

Thank you.

Oh, and Maggie, breathe.

Thanks.

Yes, sir.

All right, which tree can I interview?

All right.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. Merry Christmas.

Something like this.

It's one of a kind. It's made from antique linens that have been naturally

colored with flowers.

The yellow is from calendula, and the pink is from amaranth.

It's gorgeous.

Yeah. Take a look, and it's for a good cause. The women that make it, they run

a cancer clinic up in Vermont.

Merry Christmas.

Hi, I'm trying to reach Casey Cummins.

Sorry, it's really noisy in here.

I was actually trying to reach Mr. Cummins, the tutor.

That is me, and I tutor a number of kids at the Brownlee School. Yeah, that's

where my son Jordan goes.

He actually needs a little help with math.

Oh, okay, great. How old's Jordan?

Did you get credit cards?

Um, sorry, Maggie, was it? Maggie Wright.

Do you mind terribly if I call you back? It's just really hectic where I am.

Yeah, that's fine. In fact, you know what? Let me just call you back later.

Sure, yeah. You can call me.

Or if you prefer, you can stop by and meet me in person.

I have a diner. It's at 221 Maple Lane.

Okay. Well, then, Mr.

Cummins, I will call you back later. Okay. Bye.

I'm so sorry about that.

Want to buy it?

Great choice.

So how did he sound?

Distracted.

Definitely didn't sound like a tutor.

And what exactly does a tutor sound like?

I don't know. I think he owns some sort of a diner. Okay.

He's got two jobs.

He sounds enterprising.

I don't know.

Mom, I don't know. You know, if Jordan needs more attention, that's my job.

You know, what do I know about this guy? I have his number and address.

That's it.

I would send my kid off to some stranger.

How about this?

While you're at work tomorrow, I'll stop by his place and check him out.

Okay?

Sweetheart, you can't keep Jordan hermetically sealed.

You gotta trust something.

Why?

Honey, what's gotten into you?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. You know, it's just... Christmas.

That's okay. I'll call him. I'll call him again. All right?

Dear God, how does snow happen?

Can you read human words?

Jordan?

Baby, where are you?

Jordan?

Hey, little man.

It's time to go to bed.

I don't think so.

Oh, I think you do think so.

What if time just shifted?

What do you mean?

Like, what if something just happened out there and it's not the time they

really think it is?

Like daylight savings time.

Yeah, no, I'm not buying it. Sorry, kiddo.

I need you to get a good night's sleep because you and Grams are going to go on

a little adventure tomorrow.

A fun one or a boring one?

Because yesterday, she took me to the grocery store.

Boring. I can promise you it's not going to be boring.

It's going to be fun.

You're going to meet somebody new, and if you like him, then talk about it.

Talk about what?

About school and stuff.

That doesn't sound like an adventure.

In fact, that doesn't even sound like fun.

Do you know what being too smart for your own good is?

Because that's what you are.

Listen, I'll meet you upstairs. I'll tuck you in, okay?

Yeah. All right.

Three.

Can you make my mom like Christmas?

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King.

Merry Christmas.

Hey, morning Billy.

Morning Casey.

What did you do, sleep here? I would if I slept.

I had to restock everything, it's been so busy.

Hey, you want the usual? Yeah. Right.

Man, I love this time of year.

Maybe we should keep the pop-up open all year round.

That would kind of defeat the concept of pop-up, don't you think?

Besides, Christmas in July?

I'm not so sure. Hey, Christmas every day of the year? That's my kind of a

world. Yeah, that's a lot of work for us.

Yeah, you're probably right.

All right, here you go, brother.

Thank you. Yeah.

Morning, love.

I carry your heart.

Maggie. Hi, Tanner.

You got my message?

Uh, yeah. I left you a message when you were in court.

How did your settlement hearing go? Please, no.

You want to talk about the law, I want to talk about that perfume you're

wearing. You like it?

Like. A lot.

Well, you should because you bought it for me.

I love a generous man.

I should clone me.

Yeah, I think one of you is probably enough.

Hey, can I take you for dinner tonight?

You know what? My mom's in town. I can't.

I'll take her, too.

How about the whole family?

It's time I met Jordan, don't you think?

Yeah, how about I call you after lunch?

Okay. I'll be waiting.

Good idea getting hot chocolate. Yeah.

Hey, Gramps. When you were younger, did you have electricity or did you have to

light candles?

We had to light candles.

And sometimes it would scare the dinosaurs.

Yeah, right.

You know, I'm just kidding you.

Of course we have electricity.

So what do you want to be when you grow up?

I'm going to be an inventor.

Okay, that's a good thing to be.

Like my dad.

Well, your dad isn't exactly an inventor.

He represents inventors, like when they need a patent or they have to sue

someone.

He doesn't invent things.

So do you think about your dad often?

I don't know. I kind of forgot what he looks like.

You know, let's continue on our adventure, shall we?

I think we shall.

All right, there you go. Thank you.

Wow,

Christmas trees. Hey, wait for me.

Hey, how you guys doing?

Good. I got this big guy here. I got some more in the back. You guys are free

to take a look if you like.

Beautiful. Yeah.

Absolutely beautiful.

Excuse me, Maggie, your 11 o'clock is here. Yeah, thank you.

Lauren.

Oh, what's going on?

I need you to represent me.

It's Charlie.

He wants a divorce.

What?

Lauren, come on.

I can't believe it. Here, have a seat.

So, are you sure?

It hasn't been great for a while.

I'm shocked.

Has he hired a lawyer?

Okay, well, I need you to find out.

I mean, at least that'll let us know how serious he is.

And if he has someone on retainer, then I want to know who it is.

I just can't believe this is happening at Christmas.

Yeah.

I know how that feels.

Does it get better?

No, you know what? I am not going to sit here and lie to you.

Lauren, no, it doesn't get better.

It doesn't get easier.

Sometimes I think the most dangerous words you can hear a man say are, I

think I'm falling in love with you.

You know, because then it's like we let our guard down and we let hope in, and

then we see this perfect, happy little life all laid out in front of us.

And ten years later, you're sitting in an attorney's office asking for help.

Yeah.

Ugh.

Thanks for your help, buddy. No problem.

All right.

Uh-huh.

Oh, you, down this way, yes.

It was nice of you to let him help out.

Jordan's wild about Christmas trees.

We were more or less in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd stop in

and get to know you a bit.

My daughter called you about tutoring the other night. Oh, Maggie. Yes. I

remember, of course.

So you split your time between tutoring and all of this?

Oh, well, this is just a new thing we're trying this year. It's a sort of pop-up

Christmas thing. It's just temporary.

That's a fun idea.

My wife and I started a school a number of years ago.

A school?

Yeah, up in Vermont.

Some of our neighbors were quilters.

Oh, this is magnificent.

Is that a poem stitched into it?

Yeah.

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows.

Here is the root of the root, the bud of the bud, and the sky of the sky of a

tree called life.

I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.

E.E. Cummings.

I can't believe this hasn't sold.

Oh, uh, no, this was a... It's a wedding gift.

Anyway, we sold the school a number of years ago. I came down here to New York

and started tutoring.

I bought the diner as a way to make some extra cash, still stay flexible.

One thing led to another, and, well, here we are.

Would you excuse me for a minute? Yeah, sure.

Thanks.

Hey.

Look at you go.

Yeah, just throw that right there, Jordan.

Special delivery.

I wonder who here can help me unload some of these freshly cut Christmas

trees.

Can I? I mean, may I? I mean, please?

Better go ask the boss.

Okay.

Don't slip!

Gramps, Gramps, there's like 100,000 million trees outside.

Can I please help unload them? Please? Well, I don't know what you're going to

have to ask Casey.

Please? Well, it's okay with me. It might take a while, though, so I'm happy

to watch them if you want.

Be a chance for us to get to know each other a bit better?

Exactly. Well, maybe I'll go make some Christmas calls.

I'll be right around the corner. Okay.

Now, make sure you listen to Casey, okay?

Let's unload some trees. Let's go. Let's go.

All right, big guy.

Here's your first tree.

Put this in the pile with the furs.

Nice.

Oh, look at you. Okay, this one's a bit bigger.

All right, here it comes.

Got it?

Careful.

That

was

so cool.

It was like I was being swallowed by a tree.

Can we do it again?

No.

Hey,

did you hurt your arm?

Maybe. Oh.

All right.

That's enough trees for today. Yeah. Get out of here. Okay.

If there's a fly in a car that's going 50 miles per hour, is the fly also going

50? That is an excellent question. And Galileo asked himself the exact same

thing. Except, of course, they didn't have cars.

But when the car just stops, does the fly just run into the window like, bam?

Exactly.

Bam! That is the relativity principle.

But if they didn't have any cars, how did they get anywhere?

Well, um, they had horses, and they walked, and some of them even rode

camels. Camels? Mm-hmm.

Hey, baby, are you okay? I told you, it's just a little bruise. Did you know

there's a fly inside a car that's going 50 miles an hour? What fly?

One inside the car. What car?

You must be Maggie.

He was in a car?

No, we were discussing Galileo and... Hi, I'm Casey.

Hi. Are you sure you're okay? He's fine.

He's fine. It's just a little bruise. It was like I was being swallowed up by

Christmas trees. It was so cool.

What were you doing?

He was a really big help. We were unloading trees.

Weren't we, bud?

Exactly.

So, you must be Jordan.

I had to drive around the corner to find parking.

Um... Mom?

Jordan, this is Mr.

Ryan.

It's nice to finally meet you.

I'm Jordan.

Been looking forward to meeting you for a long time.

Um, nice place.

Tanner Ryan.

You are?

Uh, my friends call me Casey. Nice to meet you.

Right.

She fell on your arm, huh?

Mom was real worried.

No, I'm good. Well, I am famished.

Can you recommend a good place for us for dinner?

Um, there's a great Italian restaurant just down the way. Who's hungry?

Oh, come on, baby.

Bye.

See ya.

Bye.

Those are pretty cool, huh?

Yeah. Handmade by a local artist.

That one's my favorite.

Whew.

Jordan, baby, come on, or I'll wait on you.

Okay. It's freezing out there. Yeah.

Bye. Have a good dinner. Bye.

I mean, so much for fiduciary responsibility, right?

Son, I ask, how do you say see you in court in Mandarin?

It's really nice of you to take us all out, Tanner.

Oh, what can I say?

My mother raised a gentleman.

Yes, she did.

Thank you.

I thought it went pretty well.

No meeting Jordan and all.

Yeah.

I just feel like he was a little quiet tonight.

Kids get over that.

Your mom's a hoot.

Yeah. It was fun.

All night.

Very generous of you, per usual.

Maggie, early Christmas wish.

I want to spend as much time with you as possible.

Well, that's a good wish, right?

Yeah.

Good night, Tanner.

Night.

I didn't know you were seeing someone.

No, it's just, it's not really public yet.

What, and I'm the public?

No. Honey, you can talk to me. That's not what I meant, Mom. I just, I just

mean, like, I don't, I don't know how I feel, you know? In fact, I don't even

know how I'm supposed to feel anymore.

It's been so long.

Well, Tanner seems like a lovely man.

He's handsome, confident, and, uh, he certainly understands your world. No, I

know, I know. He's great.

It's just, I don't know. It's more like we work in the same building.

You know, maybe it's out of convenience.

I don't know.

Maybe I'm just gun-shy.

Honey, you don't want to live the rest of your life alone.

I mean, you can get back in the saddle.

You didn't after Dad left.

Honey, that's different.

How? We're not talking about me. You, on the other hand, can find love again.

You can be happy. You know, Mom, to be completely honest with you, the

last time I was really happy was when I was 13 years old.

And I remember it like it was yesterday.

It was when we were in Tahoe and I got my first kiss from that sweet boy

who gave me his glove.

I was really happy.

You know, I remember what that felt like in my heart, and it was real.

And I remember thinking to myself, maybe this is what love is, you know? Maybe

this is what it feels like.

Do you know I still remember his name? Really? Yes, I do. His name was Cade.

Cade? Yeah.

I don't know how or why I do, but I do.

And then Dad left.

That Christmas Eve.

And Randall left three years ago, a week before Christmas.

And I spend every single day of my life dealing with sad people whose romantic

vows have just blown up in their face.

Flaggies. And you know what? Listen, Mom, it's not just about me, okay? It's

about Jordan, too. I can't let him go through that again.

I'm fine. You know, I can deal with it, but I'm not going to put that on my boy.

Not again.

Just don't close yourself off, is all I'm asking.

You're still young.

Were you always obsessive with the folding, rolling, whatever that is?

What?

I have a system.

It works, which you're clearly not following.

I didn't know you were such a control freak.

I'm not a control... It's just... They don't wrinkle like this. Okay.

I'm not a control...

God, are all moms sad all the time?

She pretends she's not, but I know she is.

And what's the difference between being mad and being worried?

God, for Christmas, can you make my mom happy?

Did you make your bed?

Mm-hmm.

Good. Thank you.

You and Grams are going out today.

No, I'm going to the museum.

I know.

I know. Did you charge your phone?

Mm-hmm.

Mom?

Is Casey going to be my tutor?

What? I heard you and Grams talking.

Gotcha!

Morning, sweetheart.

Morning. Morning, Mom.

Here's some coffee. Thank you.

Gramps, is Casey gonna be my tutor?

Hey, eat your food.

Well, do you want him to be?

He seemed like a nice guy.

Yeah, I liked him. A lot.

He likes him.

Yeah, but I don't know anything about him.

Well, he and his wife are educators. They ran a school in Vermont, and he

comes highly recommended by Jordan's teacher.

Obviously, he's responsible.

Oh, he's obviously responsible?

Ten minutes alone with my son, and he's already injured.

You're being so dramatic.

Jordan was just doing what kids do. Yeah, please, Mom.

I mean, how often does a kid beg to have a tutor?

You guys are ganging up on me.

All right, I'll think about it.

Yeah, no yay.

Okay, I said I'd think about it.

I'm gonna leave you all these dishes, okay?

Yep.

Ho, ho, ho. Hey.

Hey. Thanks for lugging that thing up here.

You're doing me a favor.

Nobody but you would want this pitiful thing. Look at this thing.

Pitiful?

Don't you listen to him. You are beautiful and unique.

Talking to trees now.

That's not good.

Uh, you got this? Yeah, I got it. Go ahead.

Hello, this is Casey.

Hi, Casey.

This is Maggie again.

Is it a good time to talk now?

Oh, yeah. This is a great time.

Listen, I want to apologize again for alarming you the other night.

Oh, that's okay. He's doing better now.

Good. Glad to hear that.

Actually, I was just calling to see if we could find a time to meet up to talk

about tutoring Jordan.

Oh, yeah.

Of course. When's a good time to meet?

3.30 tomorrow?

Uh, unfortunately, I can't meet during the day, though. I'm sorry.

Oh, uh, why don't you come over for dinner?

7.30, I'll cook.

Yeah. Yeah, that actually, that works fine. Are you sure?

Yeah, of course. It's no big deal at all.

Okay.

All right, I'll see you then.

I'll text you my address.

Okay, bye.

So you invited her over for dinner.

Yeah, you know, she works all day and restaurants are so noisy, so I thought

I'd cook.

Guess you're making some of that fancy pasta yourself.

Yeah, maybe.

So in that case, can I come too?

No, you cannot.

That's what I thought. You got this? I got it.

Thanks for your help. Yeah, man.

Hi. Hi. Come on in. Thank you.

Excuse the mess.

I'd say it isn't always like this, but that would be a momentous lie.

Make yourself at home.

Just got something in the oven.

Wow, it smells amazing in here.

Oh, come on. You didn't have to go through all this trouble.

Oh, no trouble at all.

It's what I do.

Here, sit.

Thanks.

Do you chop?

No. Well, I can chop my way through a takeout container. Does that help?

What are you making?

Ah, pasta caponetta.

It's my mother-in-law's specialty.

How do you feel about spice?

What about that question makes me think it's a character test?

Here, have a taste.

Mmm, just a little more spice and you got it.

Just a little more spice.

It's really good.

How do you think children learn?

Well, I think most kids are natural learners.

They're too independent to be told what to do. I mean, sit down, stay still,

learn your multiplication tables. It's boring.

They know it, we know it.

The way I teach is more organic.

I like that.

And by the way, whatever you're doing, it's working because Jordan is still

talking about the fly inside the car.

The relativity principle.

He's a good kid.

Yeah, he is.

So I would love for you to start working with him if you could maybe over their

Christmas break Absolutely But it is the busiest time of year for us. So as long

as you are cool with him just hanging out with me there I mean making change

is a great way for him to learn math skills. Yeah, you're okay with that

great And what about your wife will she be working with him as well?

My wife Amy passed away three years ago

She had cancer.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

Life doesn't always follow a guidebook.

But the heart heals, right?

I mean, if it didn't, we'd never make it past the age of 13.

Or whatever age it is that we first have our hearts broken.

We move on.

So do you have your phone?

Yeah. And it's all charged?

Mm-hmm.

Casey's waiting for me.

Okay, go on, but your mom's picking you up at 3 o'clock, okay?

Okay.

Hey, Jordan?

Yeah? Be good.

Why do you always say that?

Because if I told you in the middle of all these people that I love you, you'd

get all embarrassed.

Gramps. I know it.

Hey, Billy.

Hi. Hey.

What's going on, my man? You good?

You're in good hands.

Yeah. Ready to work? Yeah. That's my man.

Okay, you ready to do some work?

I need to do some inventory.

So I got to figure out how many ornaments I've got.

So in each box, you count out the number of ornaments, and then we multiply that

number by the number of boxes for each unit.

Okay.

1, 2, page 4.

Hey, Casey.

Mm-hmm?

Does God read human words?

What's that?

Like human words.

Like prayer?

No, like if someone wrote him a letter, would he be able to understand it?

God would understand.

How many?

Uh, 27?

You sure?

28. There you go.

Oh.

And letters, then. Is it Mr. God or Dear God or... You know what? I don't think

God is that particular.

God must get a lot of letters.

Oh, yeah.

Uh, 16 year plus 28, 44.

Very good.

Well, how do you know he reads all of them? How do you know he doesn't lose

some? You just know.

That's what faith is.

I guess so.

Yeah. Time for threes.

Time for threes.

Sorry about this. I wanted to have a real lunch, but my schedule got all

squeezed together and I have to pick up Jordan at 3. Thank you, Martha.

Did I tell you I got him a tutor?

Yeah. Oh, is this okay?

Oh, fine.

It's all fine.

I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff.

That way I can save my energy for my life.

It is falling apart.

Come on, your life's not going to fall apart.

You have me.

By the way, did you find out if Charlie engaged a lawyer?

He has. Yeah? Did you find out who?

I just got a name, that's all.

Ryan.

Tanner Ryan.

He hired Tanner?

What does that mean?

That means scorched earth.

How could you do this?

Maggie, I work at a law firm. I take clients on.

Oh, come on, Tanner. You don't have to take every single client. And you knew

his wife was my friend. And you're going to represent her.

Against you?

Okay, and I know how you fight. You're going to have them hating each other,

and you're just going to drag it out forever.

Think of the billable hours.

Billable hours?

Tanner, these are people. They have kids.

I'm sorry. I was joking.

Not funny.

Come on. You're the toughest attorney I know. I don't know why you're being so

sentimental here. Think of how many divorces you've handled. This isn't

personal here. This is just business.

Tanner, these are people.

They're not billable hours.

Sometimes I wish I could live just right there, inside this little dome, where

everything is safe and quiet.

Oh, thank you.

These are wonderful.

What does this one say? Merry Christmas from the North Pole.

That's a good one.

Collecting these things for years.

Yeah? You're right, there's something about how...

The whole universe is just frozen in a globe.

You know, the first thing I ever bought was a snow globe. Really?

Still have it. You do?

Yeah.

It's not one of these.

No, it's at home in a box.

Too special.

Hey, thank you.

For what?

Jordan.

You know, in just a few days, you have made such a difference with that kid.

He's talking about percentages.

He's a good kid and he's asking me about Galileo. I don't know anything about

Galileo. What is it gravity?

No?

Not gravity. That's Newton.

See? See? That's why he needs you, not me.

Oh, I don't want to go back out there.

We might go back out and do a couple more trees. That's cool.

Okay. Would you be interested in joining me on the Christmas stroll?

Christmas stroll?

Yeah, it's a...

annual thing we do here on main street all the shops shut down and people

stroll we hand out cocoa and cider and jordan asked me

if i would ask you to come what's that yeah yeah that

kid telling he knows how to get what he wants well i mean it's a lot of fun

there's lights and christmas music yeah yeah we just we don't really make that

Make a deal at Christmas.

Because?

It's complicated.

Okay.

Well, it doesn't have to be a Christmas stroll. It can be... exercise.

Exercise.

And no caroling. No, no caroling. Mm-mm. Mm-hmm.

All right. Deal. Men.

And I'll teach you about Galileo.

Yes. Mm-hmm. I was hoping you'd say that.

Mm-hmm.

Okay,

so he was the father of science.

Yep, he was also the father of observational astronomy.

Thank you. And physics.

Galileo got around, huh?

Yep, he wrote about mathematics and engineering.

He invented the thermoscope. And he wrote about your favorite topic, the

relativity principle.

Ah, the fly inside the car.

See? I was listening. Yes, he discovered Jupiter's satellites and Saturn's rings.

And he wrote about the heliocentric universe, which is the idea that the

Earth rotates around the Sun and not the other way around.

It's crazy. I never knew any of this.

And for our next lesson, I will teach you all about Isaac Newton.

Oh. And what, might I ask, dear sir, do I owe for all these private lessons?

Hmm.

Home-cooked meal.

Oh, are you serious?

Well, how about as your cookie?

It's bad.

Gosh, I don't want to get sick.

Stop it. It's not that bad.

Hey, look.

Yeah.

It's good. I like it.

I like it.

It's kind of sweet.

So the Christmas store wasn't that bad idea, huh?

Yeah, not that bad of an idea.

So, dinner, your place?

Yes?

You're a brave man.

Brave man, Mr. Cummins.

Uh, well, I know it's around here somewhere, I just, uh, definitely not

there. Uh, I don't really cook that much, excuse me.

Cook it all ah There we go saucepan

Okay, this is a saute pan a saucepan

is This

is a saucepan they look exactly

like what's the difference?

Wow, you are a disaster.

Because you don't know the difference. I know the difference. Oh, and this

foreign object, my friend, is called a knife. I know what a knife is.

Okay, then you can mince this for me.

Of course, yeah, I can do that.

Excuse me. Yep.

What?

No, take your time. We can eat next week.

If you keep that up, you're not going to eat at all.

You just stay right there. I got this.

I know how to mince.

I don't know why I lost school.

I guess it just seemed like a good idea at the time.

You know, I wanted to believe that things made sense, you know, and that

laws created some sort of...

order in life, and that if you could understand the laws, then you could

understand human nature.

How's that working out for you?

Yeah, I know, right?

Thanks. Anyway, after a while, there was no turning back, and voila, here I am, a

lawyer.

Oh!

Perfect timing.

Jordan and my mom should be back any second.

All right.

Oh!

oh wow look at this

look at what i made well i mean look what i watched you make but i'm stealing

the credit steal away kitchen meet your first roast chicken

you're amazing

Hey, Peanut.

How's the movie?

Who made that?

Uh, your mom.

Oh. Well, I mean, you helped a little bit.

Hey, come here. Wow.

Okay. This looks amazing.

Shall we?

We shall.

And $0.30 change.

And your receipt.

That makes $0.30. Thank you. Hey.

You working hard, big guy?

Yes, boss. Oh, right. Great.

I think I have the perfect gift idea for your mother-in-law. Oh, great.

Yeah. It's over here.

Hey. Mom!

Mom, no PDA.

Okay, alright, I'm sorry.

That counts too.

Alright, I won't do anything else.

Hey, listen, Gran's is out in the car.

I'll meet you out there. Yeah. Oh, your jacket right there.

Thank you.

See you next time, buddy.

Yeah.

Hey. Hey.

So, how'd it go? He is doing great.

Doing percentages in his head, really getting confident.

What? Yeah.

Oh, thank you.

I just can't thank you enough.

Okay, well, I'll talk to you later.

Hey, um...

I'm gonna put myself out on a limb here a little bit, but I was wondering if

maybe you would be interested in a... I know this great place, and I thought

that maybe you would like to... Go on a date? Yes, a

date. I was going to get there eventually.

Are you free on Friday?

Oh, Friday night I have this office.

christmas party thing i would love to get out of it but i can't okay um

thursday night thursday i actually have a date yeah

it's um it's with this guy who owns a diner and uh his schedule has kind of

been all over the place but he did give my son a job so i was just thinking that

maybe wow you have a little mean streak in you don't you mean streak i prefer to

call it a playful streak playful yeah so thursday seven o'clock

Perfect. Great. I'll pick you up. Okay.

Here, let me... Thank you. You're welcome.

Amy loved Christmas.

She especially loved putting up decorations.

And every year she would go all out.

But eventually, Amy got too sick. Cancer spread.

So we decided to sell the school and move down here.

And we were ready to fight, and she fought and fought.

But sometimes you lose the fight.

I'm so sorry.

In the beginning, it was day by day.

Sometimes you can't breathe.

And then eventually... Do you know that expression?

Life's a river, and it carries you into your future, whether you want to go or

not.

And one day you look up and you realize years have passed and you are way, way

down the river.

And you see that the sun is shining and you go on.

You go on.

So that's my story and here I am.

Well, thank you for trusting me enough to share it with me.

And also, thank you for taking me to this place because it's beautiful.

Yeah.

The owners do something different every year. They never fail to impress.

I love these blue lights.

And this.

Look at this fire.

Can I just stay here?

Listen, you hear that?

Hear what?

The crackle.

You can tell the age and kind of wood by how it crackles.

What?

Really, listen.

I heard it.

Oh, sorry.

It's okay.

I should put this thing on mute.

Yeah, of course.

Tanner? I dropped him.

Your friend's husband.

Lauren? I told Charlie he needed to find another attorney.

Thank you, Tanner.

Thank you.

In fact, I told him he should consider taking a breather, not rush into things.

Give his marriage another chance.

I don't know what to say. I mean, what in the world made you... You did.

Maggie, you and me.

That's all that matters to me.

Tanner, I've got to call you back, okay?

All right.

I picked myself up from divorce, and right when I think I've got my bearings

and I think my life is going to be okay, another curveball is thrown at me, and

then I'm right back where I started.

Maggie, are you listening to any of this?

Yeah, yeah, of course I'm listening.

So what should I do?

Charlie says he wants to come back. He wants to try to give the marriage

another chance.

Can I believe him?

Should I take him back? I feel so... I know what it is.

I don't know if I trust my own judgment.

I don't know.

Well, that's helpful.

Look, all I'm saying is that...

We could sit and write all these facts down here on this legal pad, but what is

that going to tell us?

Okay, it's going to tell us that life is one big, giant roller coaster, and that

the most important decisions that we make are not even based on facts.

We're guided by the spaces in between the facts, you know?

Instinct and faith.

My best legal advice to you?

Not even legal at all.

What does your heart tell you to do?

And better yet, do you have the fortitude to take your chances on the

roller coaster?

Hey, you.

Hey.

I just... I wanted to say thank you.

I think I underestimated your... Humanity?

Well, yeah.

Ouch.

Well, the good news is, is they're giving their marriage another shot.

I'm happy for them.

That's bad for business.

You. Besides, you know I'd move a mountain for you.

Just ask.

I really do appreciate what you did.

Well, I have to get back to a very important conference. Go home?

I'll pick you up at 5 tonight?

You know, since the party's here at the office, why don't I just meet you here?

Me and my date.

And there's a surprise coming.

Tonight's a big night.

What surprise?

You'll see.

I'll pick you up at 5.

Okay.

Hey, Billy.

What a morning, huh?

Hey, thank you.

Ooh, man, give me another 60 degrees, some balmy island air, and then we'll

talk about good morning. I'll give you a little piece of advice. There's no such

thing as cold weather, just inadequate clothing.

Mm, I'll keep that in mind.

So, how was last night?

Big date?

I'm not gonna tell you about my private life.

You don't have to. It's written all over your face.

A little, uh... Honest observation?

I've never seen you like this.

Well, there is something about her.

Yeah, I see the way you guys look at each other.

So, you, uh, think you ready?

Ready for what?

Come on, man, you know what I mean.

This, this.

Well, it's been three years, and I'll never be over Amy, but I think I'm doing

okay.

You know, I can't tell you how to do this, but for your sake, before you grab

onto the future, you need to let go of the past.

Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah.

Excuse me while I steal this beautiful woman.

Excuse me, guys.

Yeah, what's going on?

In a minute, my boss over there is going to tell the same lame lawyer joke he

tells every year.

But then, it's going to announce that they want to make me partner in this

firm. What?

Tanner, congratulations.

That's incredible.

That's it's just sure it's a big deal and I've worked hard for it, but excuse

me ladies and gentlemen Excuse me on behalf of the other partners I just like

to thank you so much for coming out because I know you'd rather be with your

families, but okay joke time I guess I'm a minute off Be

with me Maggie I'm about to become partner in this firm, but All I want to

be is your partner What's the point of success if you don't have anyone to

share it with?

And you and me, we belong together.

We both know it. So let's make it official.

Just... This is all coming at me really fast.

Well, life happens fast, but... When you know it's right, you just... You grab

it.

Here.

Two tickets to Italy.

First class.

We leave next week. Just you and me.

We'll ring in the new year together.

The beginning of our beginning.

Tanner Ryan, where are you?

Going up here, Tanner.

Come on, Tanner, come on.

Come up here.

Tanner Ryan, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thanks for being here.

Thanks so much. Thanks, guys. Good high five.

Martha, can you just make sure that Taylor gets this back? Yeah, absolutely.

Thank you.

the night of our dear Savior's birth

long lay the world

in sin and error pining till

he appeared and the soul

I carry your heart.

I carry it in my heart.

Merry Christmas, Amy.

I know you'd want this.

Hello? Hi.

So, do you know the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas?

Yeah, of course. Why?

Well, did you know that if you add up all the presents from all the verses,

you get 364, which is all the days of the year minus Christmas.

Is the teacher trying to give me another tutorial?

No, I'm trying to tell you...

I would really like to see you tomorrow.

I'd like that.

Hey, buddy.

Yeah?

Got a surprise for you.

We're going out tonight.

And I thought you might like to know that your buddy Casey is going with us.

Really? Mm-hmm.

Yeah. Here.

Put your shoes on.

I'll meet you downstairs, okay?

Yeah. All right.

Jordan, stay close, okay?

It's okay. We can keep an eye on him. Look who he's talking to.

How did I miss that?

He's had his eye on her for the last ten minutes.

She hurts his feelings.

Well, you can't get anything you want unless you take a chance.

Take a chance.

The first Noel the angel did

say Was to certain poor shepherds in

fields as they lay It's two days till Christmas.

Not yet.

I think I'm falling in love with you.

Whoa, what is it?

Maggie, you can tell me. It's just Christmas. Maggie, what does that mean?

I need more than that.

Yeah.

Okay.

When I was 13 years old, I went to Lake Tahoe with my family.

And, um...

It was Christmas.

And it was beautiful.

I remember it was the happiest time.

I remember the snow.

And then out of the blue, my father leaves us.

Just like that, he just left.

And it broke my mother.

Maggie, that was a long time ago. It happened again with Jordan's dad.

At Christmas.

He just left us.

How dangerous it is for me to let hope in.

Maggie, you can't hold on to the past.

You see that little boy right there?

He's my world.

And I won't let anything hurt him ever again.

Maggie, miracles happen at Christmas.

Not to me they don't.

Hey, Jordan, baby. Come on.

Come on.

Dear God,

it's almost Christmas.

Please, make my mom happy again.

Can't you see that Casey makes her happy?

What makes a dad?

Can anybody be a dad?

Even if they don't have kids?

Please God, can you hear me?

Hey, sleepyhead. Oh, hey, Billy.

You want the usual?

Oh, no, I'm okay.

Hey, Earth to Casey.

Hey, Billy, can I ask you a big favor? I got a thing.

Can you look after the diner for a bit?

Yeah. Oh, well, hey. Oh, right.

Thanks. Yeah. I'll talk to you later.

Does Casey know you made him a scarf?

No, silly. It's a Christmas present.

We're going to go on another adventure with him, right?

Oh, I don't know. I don't think so.

But I'm still going to work with him, right?

Honey, you're going back to school soon.

We're just dropping off some presents.

I don't want to go to school.

Oh, come on.

Let's go see Casey, huh?

Hey. Hey.

Oh, thank you. What is this?

And Grandma made you a scarf.

Oh, Jordan.

So much for the surprise.

Thank you. Jordan, my main man.

Maggie hasn't told me what happened between the two of you yesterday, and

it's really none of my business. That's okay. If you just let her know that I'm

thinking of her.

I know you are.

I have some things for you guys as well.

We don't have to do that.

Hey, buddy.

These are for you and your family.

But... I'm not going to tell you what they are, so you're going to have to

wait until Christmas to open them. Come on.

You are a kind man, Casey.

Merry Christmas to you. Merry Christmas, Terry.

Jordan, honey, we've got to get going because I'm... double parked outside

okay okay hey casey yeah is fedex like a person or a machine or what

fedex yeah because this has to be somewhere okay well

there's no address on it who's it for uh god

do you think god cares if things are misspelled no

i don't think god cares

Okay, I have to go.

Bye. Come on, honey.

Bye-bye.

Maggie, this looks ridiculous without a real tree.

Mom, do you know how many houses burn down because of Christmas trees every

year? It's only when people are too lazy to take them down. I mean, this looks

silly.

grandma said we get to open a present because it's christmas eve do we please

yeah yes you can open one how about

casey's after dinner please

Whatever's spinning around that head of yours, maybe this will cheer it up.

Oh, thanks, man. Yeah.

Merry Christmas, brother.

Yep.

So, we did really good this season.

Sold all the cocoa.

All the trees are gone, except for the ugly one, but you took that one, so...

Hey, that tree's not ugly.

Man, you know what I hate?

Day after New Year's, and all the trees are piled up on the sidewalk, and I'm

like, hey, those are my kids.

You coming tonight, right?

You and your long face are invited.

Oh, I don't... Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh.

Maves made enough food to feed an army.

She making that spicy pork?

Yeah, yeah. It's tradition.

Okay, I'll be there. Oh, that's my man.

But first, I gotta... I gotta do something.

All right. If you don't get there by 8.30, I'm gonna eat all that spicy pork

myself. Okay.

Go ahead, kiddo. Dig into it.

Oh, what is it?

Casey, no, I like this. Oh, Jordan, that's nice.

Yeah. That's sweet.

Let's see what's in this.

Oh.

These are so cute.

Oh, he even knows my size.

Oh, he knows your style.

You gotta try them on. Honey, open yours.

Okay, which one is it? Let's see.

Is it this one, baby?

This one?

Okay.

It's kind of heavy.

Okay.

That's where we stayed.

His toe.

Well, how did he know?

I mentioned it to him.

He collects these. It's so sweet.

Well.

Well, that was very nice of K... What's wrong, baby?

I don't want Casey to be here.

Hey, hey, hold on.

Maggie, Maggie, just...

You have some space.

Honey?

An envelope was just left for you.

I heard the doorbell and it was just left at the front door.

Casey left it.

It's a letter. Jordan wrote it.

Dear God, how does snow happen?

Can you read human words?

Are trees really dirty?

Are all moms sad all the time?

And what's the difference between being mad and being worried?

What makes a dad?

Can anybody be a dad?

Even if they don't have kids?

It's almost Christmas.

Please, make my mom happy again.

Can't you see that Casey makes her happy?

When did he leave this?

Just now. Just when I woke you up.

I'll be back.

Maggie?

Maggie?

He was trying to tell me to be brave.

How did I get this so wrong?

You know, I've been trying to protect him, but all this time... He was trying

to protect you.

Yeah.

I have something else for you.

Stop with the gifts.

What? The wrapping. It's really cute. I like it.

What?

Nope. Wasn't ready. Okay.

Close your eyes.

Trust me.

Okay.

You're Kate?

Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't know.

Not until yesterday.

Oh my gosh.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

But what about your name? Did you change it? No.

No, I'm still Cade Cummins.

They started calling me Casey in high school, and it just sort of stuck.

Do you know how many years this little boy longed to be with this little girl?

Yeah, I do.

But never in a million years did I think that we would ever find each

other again.

Do you remember the snow angels?

I remember everything.

So you believe in Christmas miracles?

Yes. You got me. Yes, I do.

I've been so wrong about that.

Yeah.

You know what? Christmas is exactly when miracles happen.

I just... I feel so bad about Jordan. You know, I've just tried to protect

that kid all of my life, and I've been so afraid that life was gonna...

disappoint him.

I disappointed him.

And I don't... I don't want to do that this Christmas.

What are you thinking?

Can you call Billy?

Billy?

Yeah. I want to get him a tree.

Okay.

Okay.

Come on in.

She's still asleep.

I can't believe you found one. Yeah, it might be the last tree in the whole

city. And it's a beauty.

And we cleared out every box of decorations from the diner.

Can you two handle this? I gotta get back to my own kids before they wake up.

Sure. Thanks.

Thank you, Billy.

You got it. Merry Christmas, you two.

Merry Christmas.

Bye.

Best Christmas ever.

Okay, I think we're almost ready.

Got the lights? Yeah.

Ready? Yeah.

One, two, three.

It's beautiful.

Except for this. Hey, hey.

Yeah. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Mary.

And Casey?

Yeah, it looks like God answered your letter.

Oh, my.

Isn't this a sight to behold?

Merry Christmas, Mom. Oh, Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Terry.

Oh, look at the tree.

I know, I see it. How did it get here?

It must be a miracle.

Wait till you hear the rest of it.

Oh, I need a photo of this.

Jordan, come in the middle.

Okay. Hold on. Everybody ready?

Here we go.

Merry Christmas!

There it is.

Make it bigger.

Big one.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for watching.