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(festive music)

(people chattering)

- It's not a bribe, Ethan.

It's a contingency plan,
in case council member Hume

needs convincing to
put Bellingham at
the top of the list

of development contenders.

- I'm just not
comfortable with it, Sean.

- Ethan, I know
you're still new here,

but making donations
to reelection campaigns

is part of the
development business.

A part you better
get comfortable with,

or you're gonna get left behind.

Now, I'm going up.

We're early for this meeting,
so you have some time

to think about
this, but not much.

Make the right choice, Ethan.

- I can't.

(bell ringing)

- Hey.

Are you coming up?

- Thanks.

(bell ringing)

- Are you listening to me?

- Huh?

- I said it will be 20
years Christmas Eve.

We should do something
to celebrate.

- 20 Years?

What's 20 years?

- Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.

Of course.

- You forgot, didn't you?

- What, that we
met in an elevator

and got stuck for four
hours while you tried

not to hyperventilate?

How could I?

- Just saying we should do
something special that night.

- We can't, it's the same night

as the company Christmas party.

- Oh, right.

Who throws an office Christmas
party on Christmas Eve?

- Well, I think
Sean convinced Rona

that it was more festive.

- More like Sean
doesn't have anybody

to spend Christmas with,
so it never occurs to him

that other people might.

- Probably.

Come on, kids, we gotta go!

Colin, Trisha!

Let's go!

- Mom, please tell
Tricia that she's

not driving down to the train
station or us to school.

- Mom, Dad, please remind
Colin that I do have

my learner's permit now.

- Colin, Trisha has her
learner's permit now.

Tricia, Colin is driving
because your dad is late

and he might miss his
train, and we need

an experienced
driver at the wheel.

- Dad?

- What your mom said.

- Stop running, no
running or fighting!

- Okay, I gotta go.

- Wait, hold on, hold on.

- Oh.

- Oh, well thanks, honey, but
don't forget these cookies.

Colin made them.

- Colin?
- Yeah.

I told you.

Half the varsity football
team took a cooking class

last semester and
Colin loves it.

- Oh, I forgot, that's right.

He's baking.

Thank you, bye.

Let's go!

- Dad, can you help me fill
out my scholarship application

for the summer
soccer camp tonight?

It's almost sold out.

- It's December.

- It's for the Red Stars and
everyone's gonna be there.

Please.

- You know what, ask
your mom about that.

She's so much better at
those things than I am.

("Deck the Halls")

Morning.

- Aww.

Now it's Christmas.

I love Joyce's cookies.

- Actually, Colin made
these, he's going through

a baking phase is.

- If this cookie
is any indication,

he made the right choice.

- True.

It's cheaper than
the doctor phase

he went through last spring.

- I overheard Rona talking.

Leon Lloyd got a job
at Cahill Partners.

He's already left, so
there's a VP opening.

- Yeah, well good luck
to whoever gets it.

- You're not gonna try?

- I've been Charlie
Brown to that football

one time too many.

If Rona were gonna promote me
out of project manager status,

she would have done it by now.

- No, just tell them
that's the best offer

they're gonna get from us.

Okay.

- He Sean.

- Sugar cleanse.

See you up there.

Ted.

- Guys.

- Rona.

Good morning.

- Sean, Ted, Ethan.

- Rona.
- Oh.

Thank you.

- Here you go, Miss Bellingham.

- Thanks.

- So how's the Bixby
Center Project going?

- We break ground next month.

Right on schedule.

- Lottie Feldman
accepted our offer?

- It's a done deal.

- I didn't think she would.

This is a big one, Sean.

Be sure you have
the press there.

- They'll be everywhere.
- Okay.

- Oh, and Ethan.

What is it you're
working on again?

- The refresh of the
Jove Sports Complex.

- Cute.

(light music)

(Joyce sighs)

- Radiator again?

- Yeah.

- There's some
antifreeze in storage.

I promise that's not
your Christmas present.

You go on inside,
focus on the toy drive.

They're waiting for you.
- Okay.

- I'll take care of this.

- Thanks, Sonja.
- Yeah.

- You might need those

You're the best.

(phone ringing)

- Hey, honey.

- Hey.

Radiator broke again.

- That's the third time, Ethan.

- Well, can you get home safely?

- Yeah.

Sonja gave me some
radiator fluid.

- Sonja?

- Sonja, you know, the
head of the youth center?

Where I've been doing
the Christmas toy drive

for the last month?

- Right, right, of
course, I'm sorry.

- Anyhow.

I'm gonna be okay, but I'm
not sure the radiator is.

I was thinking.

You know, let's just
get Christmas presents

for the kids this year.

Not for us, okay?

- Ethan, got a sec?

Need a favor, my office.

- Honey, I gotta go.

I'm sorry.

- You know, I'd do it
myself, but I'm swamped.

- But you told Rona you
were breaking ground

on Bixby next month.

- Lottie Feldman got cold feet.

- Didn't you say
it was a done deal?

- I thought it was, then I
double-checked and it isn't.

- Who is Lottie Feldman?

- She's the last
holdout on Bixby.

- What's her issue?

- Probably the
same as everything.

Money.

She's a third generation
news stand lady, so.

You know she's not
making much these days.

All you gotta do is
get her to vacate.

Just throw words like
lawsuit and financial ruin.

- That's not how I operate.

- You heard about the VP
position that opened up, right?

- Yeah, I've already
been down that road.

- Not with my recommendation.

A move up the executive
ranks changes things.

Makes them easier, and
you don't have to keep

rotating the same five suits.

- So all I have to do is get
this Lottie Feldman to leave.

- Yep.

Vacated.

Then the project's on time.

I continue to look like a
rockstar for Rona, and you-

- Get a recommendation?

- [Sean] Win-win.

Make me proud, Ethan.

- It just feels like I
have a real shot this time.

I mean, a recommendation
from Sean would mean VP

is not out of reach.

- Well, I don't trust that guy.

He's had years to recommend you.

- I know.

- And you work twice
as hard as him,

because he cuts corners.

- Yeah, well, maybe I should.

- Don't say that.

- I'm just saying that Sean's
been a big star at Bellingham

ever since he scored
that Janice project,

and he did it by cutting a
deal with a council member.

Now he gets driven to work
by a chauffer, not his son.

- He doesn't have a son.

- And technically I only drive
you to the train station.

- See, I don't even get
driven the whole way.

- What, you don't
like your life?

- I never said that.

- Bet Mr. Doyle doesn't
make Christmas cupcakes.

- Hey, these are for
my football team.

- I'm quality control.

- Admit it, Joyce,
wouldn't it be nice

to have nice things, not
the car that overheats

every third time you drive it?

- Or a Ferrari.

- Something in
between those two.

And not have to
worry about tuition

for Colin to go to Winslow.

- I don't want to go
to Winslow University.

I'm kind of thinking the
Cordon Bleu, in Paris?

- I want Stanford.

They have the best
college soccer team.

- Well then, where did the
Winslow brochure come from?

- I just thought with
Colin going off to college

and Trisha now a sophomore,
I'll have more time on my hands

and I can finally go back
and get my law degree.

You know, like I
used to talk about,

before I switched
gears into teaching.

- Well, are you just
afraid that you're gonna be

bored when Colin leaves?

Because law school is a
heck of a lot more expensive

than a radiator,
particularly if we're

already paying for his school.

- I'm very aware.

Thanks for your support, honey.

- Of course I support you.

If this is about more
income, you don't

have to worry about
that, especially if I get

this new position.

We're so close to a
real bump in income.

- So...

What are you gonna do with
this Lottie Feldman person?

- I haven't figured
that out yet.

Gonna stop by her
news stand tomorrow

on the way to the
Christmas party,

which you can still attend,
if you change your mind.

- No offense.

I think 20 office Christmas
parties is kind of my limit.

- Fair enough.

- You'll figure out
what to do with Lottie.

I have faith, and it won't
be by cutting corners.

(gentle music)

- Thank you.

(gentle music)

- You must be with the
property development group.

- How could you tell?

- What you got?

- Cinnamon tea
and hot chocolate.

- Chocolate.

Always.

You here to pressure me
to sign like the rest?

- Nope.

I was hoping we would
find some middle ground.

- Me being in the
middle of the ground

you want is the problem.

- You know, my family's
sold here since 1952.

This is the Feldman spot.

- Wonder if we could
keep it your spot.

- I'm listening.

- Lottie agreed?

Oh, that's such good news.

- I know, we should celebrate.

- Well, we should
probably wait until

you actually get the promotion.

- Okay, okay, okay, when I get
back from the party tonight,

we'll celebrate the promotion
and our meet-versary.

- I would love that.

And Ethan.
- Yeah?

- I'm proud of you.

- Thank you Gus.

- Pick you up at nine.

- Oh, don't you have dinner
with Anita's parents tonight?

- Excellent memory,
Miss Bellingham.

- I can find another way home.

You go help your lovely
wife entertain her parents.

- Thank you.

Merry Christmas,
Miss Bellingham.

- Merry Christmas, Gus.

- Allow me.

("Jingle Bells")
(people chattering)

- You did what?

- I offered to transfer
the remaining three years

on Lottie's lease
to the new complex

once construction's complete.

- Why, why would you do that?

- I solved your
problem like you asked.

- No, I asked you to
get her to vacate,

not come back later and
take up expensive space.

- But space was her
motivation, not money.

She only cares about the
legacy of the location.

- Which wasn't an option.

Ethan, we could have
charged four times

what the existing
Feldman lease goes for.

- Which you more than
makeup by not delaying

demo and construction right now.

- You just, you don't get it.

This isn't what Rona thought
was already happening,

which means I now have to
explain the change to her,

which also means she's
gonna know I messed up,

which is what I wanted to
avoid in the first place.

- Sean-

- It's about appearances, Ethan.

And you're making
me look bad to her.

- I don't think Rona
will see it that way.

- Of course you don't.

Because you see everything
from a good guy's perspective.

Just like the Janice
project all those years ago.

You know, we never would
have secured that bid

had we done things your way.

And that job saved
Bellingham from being

mired in mediocrity.

Oh, this couldn't
come at a worst time.

- Why?

- I think Rona's
gonna retire soon.

And I plan on being in position

to take over when that happens.

I was hoping to bring someone
like you up with me, too.

- Why me?

- Because honestly, you're
the best project manager

this company's ever had.

- Okay.

Just give me a
second chance, okay?

I'll go talk to Lottie.

I'll do whatever it takes.

- Smart.

- Hey.

I'm sorry.

♪ The stars are
brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night of the dear ♪

It's the only way I'll
get the promotion.

- Then don't take the promotion.

We've always gotten by.

- I don't want to just get by.

I'd like to have the
same kinds of comforts,

and frankly, basic
conveniences as other people.

- Then I'll get my law degree
and I'll start practicing

and I'll bring in more income.

- And where's the money gonna
come from for law school?

That's expensive.

- And worth it.

- You know what I mean.

- Do I?

- Look, I've gotta go.

I'm about to get on the train
and go to Lottie's news stand.

- Tonight?

- It's Christmas Eve!

- Sean wants it handled ASAP.

- Oh, and Sean always gets
what Sean wants, doesn't he?

♪ On your knees ♪

(solemn music)

- Hello.

- Here we go.

Just what I need.

Isn't this supposed
to be your busy night?

- Time is relative in my job.

- Must be nice.

In my line of work it
just keeps slipping away.

- Don't mind my saying so, you
seem to be having a bad day.

- That's one way to put it.

Bad career choices
would be another.

- How so?

- I've spent 20 years
in the same company,

giving it everything I
have, being a good guy,

being a team player,
and for what?

- You supported
yourself, your family.

- I could have
supported 'em more.

I could have done more,
I could have been more.

Instead of just always
being good guy Ethan.

You know, if I had just
gotten in another elevator

with Sean way back when, I
wouldn't be in this mess today.

I wish I'd done that.

You really mean that?

(gentle music)

- Oh, everything would
be so much better.

- Okay then.

- Oh, oh no.

Oh no.

Where's Joyce?

- Mr. Holt.

Mr. Holt.

I have the car waiting.

If we hurry now,
you won't be late

for your first of
the month meeting.

- Aren't you Rona
Bellingham's driver?

- No, sir, Miss
Bellingham retired.

- Retired?

- Yes, sir, I drive you now.

You told me to come
here and pick you up,

take you to the office.

- On Christmas Day?

I don't think so.

- It's December 1st.

And you told me to come
here to pick you up

to take you to work.

- Look, I don't know what
kind of prank you're pulling,

but I just gotta
get to my office.

That's only about a
hundred yards away,

so I can get to a
phone and call my wife,

because something really
weird's happening.

I don't know, I can't get any
calls to go through to her

on this phone.
- Yeah, but sir...

("Deck the Halls")

But sir, you're
not even married.

- I won't be, if I
don't explain to Joyce

where I was last night.

- Excuse me, excuse me.

Wait, what?

(phone ringing)

- Oh, sir, that's just
me, that's just me.

Hi, Mr. Holt.

Sir, I am so sorry.

I tried to call to warn you.

- About what?

- She showed up out of the blue

to talk to our
legal team, and I...

- Who?

- Mr. Holt.

- Joyce Hollander.

- - [Ethan] Hollander?

- Yeah.

- I'm so sorry, honey.

- Oh, "honey."

Do not call me honey.

- Right, right, I'm sorry.

I don't know what
happened last night.

I must've fallen asleep
at the train station,

and there was this
really odd Santa.

- What are you babbling about?

- Why I didn't call
you last night.

- Well, you can't call
me, Mr. Holt, at night.

I'm your opposing counsel.

(Ethan laughs)

- Opposing what?

- The destruction of the
Chester Youth Center?

Do you just destroy
so many buildings

that you can't even
keep track of them all?

- Wait, I don't understand.

- Oh, apparently that's a yes.

All right, well, let
me be perfectly clear.

As I told your attorneys,
my firm is prepared

to continue fighting Doyle
and Holt in all possible ways.

You may have purchased the
youth center's properties,

but you have yet to receive
approval from the zoning board

to build another one of
your tacky high rises.

- Tacky?
- Oh yeah, tacky.

And I am here to make
sure that you never do.

Do you understand now?

- No.

But I'm starting to believe
that maybe that's on my end.

- Well, I'm sure you'll figure
it out soon enough, Mr. Holt.

Have a good day.

Honey.

(briefcase thuds)

- Hey, Joe.

- Are you feeling
all right, sir?

- Honestly, I'm not sure.

I gotta be dreaming.

You think I'm dreaming?

- No.

I don't think you are.

- Stop by my desk.

No, I just need to...

- Mr. Holt.

- Where's my...

- Come on.

This way.

- This is my office.
- Mm-hmm.

- This is nicer than Sean's.

- Mr. Doyle's is at the
other end of the hallway.

- Is it as nice as this one?

- They're comparable, Mr. Holt.

Now you have a meeting
right now, and-

- Oh, look at all this.

I met all these people?

I'm famous.

Hey, got a fireplace
in my office!

- Are you sure you're
all right, sir?

- I think I'm better
than all right.

Look, you can change
the color of the flames.

- There you are, Ethan.

- Hey Sean, did you
know you can change

the color of the flames?

- Fascinating.

We're all waiting for you
in the conference room.

- Who's all?

- Company's executives.

- Which includes me.

- As co-owner and
president, yeah.

- Co-owner, huh, with you?

- That's why it's
Doyle and Holt.

Are you okay?

Is he okay?

- I'm great.

Let's go.

- Wanna take your coat off?

- Ah, sure.

Whoa.

This is a nice suit.

Shall we?

- Does he need to lie down?

- Maybe.

- So, Rona retired.

Guess you called that one.

- Hey, Akari.

Did you make sure they included
extra special this time?

- Yes, sir.

And I've rescheduled your
lunch with Senator Hume

and the Wall Street Journal
wants to talk to both of you

about the company
going public next year.

- Oh, we're going public?

- What?
- What?

No, I just like
saying it out loud.

We're going public.

- The IPO roadshow begins.

Coordinate with Ted about Times.

- Hey, I just had a run-in with
Joyce Hollander downstairs,

and she seems really
upset with us.

You know why?

- Because she's been
hired to represent

the Chester Youth Center.

- That we're renovating?

- Yeah, that's one
way to describe

transforming their
former space into

a multi-billion dollar
real estate project.

- Ah.

No wonder she hates us.

- Listen to me, Ethan.

People like her are
nothing but do-gooders.

They never understand
the steps necessary

to make a company successful.

Gentlemen.

Ma'am.

Hi, good to see you again.

- Hi.
- Hi.

(light music)

- You should've seen him.

He was trying to pretend
like he didn't know

what was going on.

I straightened him out.

- Will it do any good?

- Well, we'll find out.

- I appreciate the effort.

We all do.

- Well, you know how much
this place means to me.

It's too important
to let it slip away

so Ethan Holt and
Sean Doyle can put

more money in their pocket.

- Well, maybe we'll get
lucky and he'll realize

money isn't everything.

- Maybe.

- Wow.

I live here?

- Yes.

- Hey, I'm sorry again for not
recognizing you this morning.

- Oh, it's okay.

Said you were in a funny mood.

- Amazing.

Oh, that's a lot of wine.

- Well, you are a member of
the Wine of the Month Club.

- Starting to think maybe we
can pause that subscription.

(horn honks)

- Ah, your car's here.

(horn honks)

- Thanks.

Wow!

Is that-
- Your Ferrari.

The dealership just
brought it back

from its yearly maintenance.

- I own a Ferrari.

Trisha's gonna love that.

- Who's Trishia?

- My daughter.

- You have a daughter?

- Thanks again so much
for the ride home, Gus.

- No problem, it's kinda my job.

- What time should I be
ready in the morning?

- Anytime you want, Mr. Holt.

Your usual time's eight.

Great, I'll be ready then.

Thank you.

- Hello.

- You.

You did all this, didn't you?

- No, you did.

When you wished that you had
taken the other elevator.

- Oh, wait, wait, wait.

Hang on, hang on.

Are you saying-

- This is your life
if you had done

that one thing differently.

- Then I was right!

Being a good guy is what's
been holding me back

my whole life.

- Have you truly been
held back, Ethan?

- Look around you!

I mean, look at what
I've accomplished!

So now all I have to do
is take that attitude

back to my real life
and I can give my family

everything they've ever
wanted, it's perfect.

- That's not why
you're here, Ethan.

- Then why am I here?

- That's for you to find out.

- Where's my family?

- They're here.

But they aren't your family.

You never got stuck in
that elevator with Joyce,

you never fell in love,
you never got married,

and you never adopted
Colin and Trisha.

- Are Colin and Trisha okay?

- Oh yes, yes, they're together
with their foster family.

- They weren't adopted.

- Not yet, no, but
these Shermans are

looking into the possibility.

- Can't you just do some
magic and make 'em mine?

While you're at it, maybe make
Joyce not hate me so much?

- It doesn't work
that way, Ethan.

A Christmas wish is
a powerful force.

- What does that mean?

- It means that you
need to figure out

why you're here to know how
to get your family back.

And understand this, Ethan.

You need to figure
it out by Christmas,

because if you don't by
then, this will become

your new life.

You'll lose all memory
of who you used to be,

who you used to love,
and your Christmas wish

will become permanent.

- Can I at least
get some hints about

what I'm supposed to do?

- Everything you
need is already here.

- Can I have better hints?

- Merry Christmas, Ethan.

♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen ♪

♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪

♪ Remember Christ our savior ♪

♪ Was born on Christmas Day ♪

♪ To save us all
from Satan's power ♪

♪ When he was gone astray ♪

♪ Oh, tidings of
comfort and joy ♪

♪ Comfort and joy ♪

♪ Oh, tidings of
comfort and joy ♪

- Impressive.

- [Machine] Good
morning, Mr. Holt.

- Hello, coffee machine.

- [Machine] Would you like
an espresso this morning?

- No, thank you.

Just regular coffee is fine.

- [Machine] Italian,
French, Kona,

Colombia, hazelnut, mocha?

- Italian.
- Coming right up, Mr. Holt.

- Don't suppose you know
where I keep the sugar?

- How's your morning, Mr. Holt?

- Well, I made friends
with a coffee maker,

and please, call me Ethan.

- You got it.

Ethan.

Are you okay?

- What?

Oh, yeah, I just, I'm trying
to figure something out,

and I don't even
know where to begin.

- Well, I usually find
when that happens to me,

it helps to talk
about it with someone.

- And what do you
do if the problem

makes you look certifiable?

- Well, in that case,
I talk to my wife.

We've been together
since high school

and she's heard all
sorts, all sorts,

but you know, I trust her.

Trust her more than anyone.

I'm guessing you can't do that.

- Actually, Gus...

Maybe I can.

Hey, Ted.

I need you to do a
couple things for me.

- Of course, sir.

- Did we ever do a
community impact study

on the Chester Youth Center?

- Not that I'm aware of.

- Let's do that.

- You want to commission an
impact study on a property

we owned for a
billion dollar project

already months in the works?
- Yep.

Also, I need Joyce Hollander's
contact info, ASAP.

Thanks.

And you know what?

We need to change out these
Christmas decorations.

I mean, it's beautiful, but
let's get some personality.

Hey, and maybe order
some for my house.

That place is awesome, but it
needs a little holiday cheer.

- Okay.

(people chattering)

- Well, okay.

You have a call from Ethan Holt.

- Really.

Ask him what he wants.

- May I tell her what
this is in regards to?

Okay, one second.

He says it's personal.

- Tell him I'm out, and hang up.

- Miss Hollander is
unavailable right now,

but I'll convey your call.

Good day.

So what was that about?

- I think he's trying
for some sort of angle

on the youth center case,
trying to get me to back down,

but it's not gonna work.

(cheerful music)

- She's being stubborn.

She can get that way sometimes.

- I was unaware you
knew Miss Hollander.

- Oh, we met a long time ago.

She was the one that got away.

Send her some flowers,
not roses, it's too soon.

♪ So Santa ♪

Poinsettias.

She loves those.

♪ Have you lost the way ♪

- This is getting ridiculous.

- Do you want me
to send them back?

- No.

I love poinsettias.

We just won't acknowledge.

And I'll spread the
rest around the office.

- Sounds good.

♪ Yeah, I cut in line,
but I'm losing time ♪

♪ And I need you ♪

♪ 'Cause she is the
only thing on my list ♪

♪ She's got the lips
I can't wait to kiss ♪

♪ I would owe you one, just
tell me what you want me to do ♪

♪ So Santa, won't you make
my Christmas wish come ♪

- This is my favorite
hot chocolate.

- We're not sending
it back though, right?

- No.

But we're not-
- Acknowledging.

- That man is ruthless.

♪ Santa, won't you make my
Christmas wish come true ♪

- Hey, any response from Joyce?

- None.

- Hmm.

What day is it today?

- Friday.

- Perfect.

I know exactly where she'll be.

(gentle music)

- [Crowd] Three!

Two!

One!

(crowd applauding)

- Ah. (chuckles)

- Hi.

Your favorite.

- How did you know that?

How did you know where I'd be?

You know, don't answer that.

Rich guys like you
always have resources.

It doesn't matter.

Whatever this is, you
can forget about it.

But thanks for this.

- Look, I know this is a
little bit presumptuous.

- A little?

- I only need five
minutes of your time.

- Well, that's five minutes
more than I want to give you.

- Please, I need
to ask you a favor.

- Why on Earth would you think
I would do anything for you?

I mean, even if the youth
center hadn't hired me,

I would represent them,
because Doyle and Holt

doesn't care what
their development
does to the community.

You just tear down
things of real value

and put up unnecessary and
overpriced office space.

- You forgot tacky.

- Mm.

Yes, tacky.

- Okay, right.

Now that we got
that out of the way,

I've got two reasons why
you might want to help me.

And the first is, I'm
gonna help you stop

the destruction of
the youth center.

- Ha!

Yeah right.

- I will.

I promise.

- Oh, well, that's not
a convincing argument.

Next?

- Well, the second
is I'm gonna give you

a huge piece of
leverage over me,

and as a result,
over Doyle and Holt.

- How?

- By telling you my whole story,

which will make everybody
question my sanity.

- Please continue.

- Before I do, I just
have one question.

Do you have someone
waiting for you at home?

- What does that have
to do with anything?

- Logistics.

I'm just wondering
how you're gonna get

that tree into your house.

Unless you're
having it delivered.

- Well, I can do it by myself.

- Oh, I'm not doubting
your capabilities at all.

I'm just saying I'm
willing to help.

Purely above board.

- And then you'll
explain your insanity?

- Yep.

- Okay, fine.

My place is close.

Where's your car?

- It's the red one.

- Oh, come on.

- I know.

But it sure is fun to drive.

- Whatever, Mr. Holt.

- Ethan.

- Mr. Holt.

Follow me.

(festive music)

Thanks for your
help with the tree.

I will admit it was
easier with someone else.

- Most things are.

This place is great.

It fits you.

I mean, you know...

Energetically.

- I like it.

- Winslow University Law School.

Congratulations.

- Well, it was a long
time ago, but thank you.

Was always a dream
to be an attorney.

Fight the good fight,
right the wrongs.

- Slay the dragon?

- All of it.

You do realize that you're
the dragon in this scenario.

- Of course I am.

- Which brings me
to reason number two

why I'm gonna help you with this

unexpected favor
you're about to ask?

- Okay, just remember, I
told you this was gonna

make you question my sanity.

- Oh, I'm counting on it.

- Yeah, right.

I have this problem
that I have to solve,

but I need somebody to talk
with, somebody that I trust.

You.

- We don't know each other.

- About that.

I'm not the Ethan Holt
that you think I am.

It's a long story, but it all
started just a few days ago

when I met Santa
in a train station.

Told ya.

- Hey, you can't possibly think

that I would believe all of it.

- No, not without proof.

- What proof could you provide?

- You.
- Me?

- Details about you.

I mean, nothing after the
point where you got stuck

in an elevator on
Christmas Eve, obviously.

- You know about that?

- That's where we met.

Where I met my Joyce.

- Okay, so I was alone
in that awful elevator.

- That's because this
time I took the other one,

and you and I weren't
stuck together

for four hours on the 18th
floor of the Harris building.

And I didn't to charm you
with my terrible jokes

that calmed you down when you
were about to hyperventilate.

- How did you know the floor?

Now, there's no way.

I mean, no, no way.

No, no, no.

- I didn't expect you to
believe me right away.

In fact, I expected
basically the reaction

you're having right now.

- Then why come to me at all?

- I don't have anybody else.

Joyce, you are the one
person that I trust

the most in the world.

Well, the other you.

But I have to bet that
some of those qualities

are also in you, this you.

- This is insanity.

- Just look at it as a bargain.

Hey, you have my help in
saving the youth center,

I have somebody to help me
sort this whole thing out.

- The Santa didn't
tell you how to do it?

I cannot believe those words
just came out of my mouth.

- No, he didn't.

And I only have until
Christmas to figure out

whatever it is I'm
supposed to figure out,

or I have to stay here, forever.

And I lose all the
memories of my other life.

(Joyce sighs)

- Okay, at what point?

Christmas Eve going
into Christmas, or
Christmas Day itself?

- That's really good question.

I should have asked that.

- That's why I'm here.

- You believe me?

- Not remotely.

But I do want to stop
you from destroying

a vital resource
in our community.

And you're right, that
is enough of a reason

for me to go along with
whatever it is you're spewing.

If you'll excuse me, I
have a tree to decorate.

We can get into the
specifics on Monday.

- Thank you, thank
you, thank you.

- Oh, trust me.

This is just a bargain.

- I trust you.

It's the whole reason I came.

Oh, and for the record, I didn't
use any rich guy resources

to know you'd be
at that tree lot.

- Oh.

How did you know I'd be there?

- Because we go there every year

on the first Friday of December.

You also went
there with your mom

and your grandparents
when you were a little kid

for the tree lighting.

And Fraser firs were
always your favorite.

- There's no way this isn't
gonna be weird, is there?

- Probably not.

(gentle music)

- Good night, coffee machine.

- [Machine] Good night, Ethan.

- And when it's
not winter break,

local residents will
volunteer to help

tutor kids after school.

Since the center
started that program,

many of the students'
average scores

have increased
significantly, and the center

provides a safe place for
the kids to play sports, oh!

And blow off a little steam.

And afterschool childcare for
the families that need that.

- Wow.

Place looks pretty good,
but looks can be deceiving.

We know it needs a new roof,
a lot of the wiring's bad.

- Looking for a reason
the back out already, huh?

- No, I'm just trying to get a
handle on potential problems.

Do you know if the
plumbing's been upgraded?

- If the leak in the
basement is any indication,

probably not.

- Yeah, I didn't think so.

And a building this size,
needs a complete overhaul.

My gut says a million bucks
probably, for all of it.

- Well, better a youth
center in need of repair

than no youth center it all.

You may not know, Mr. Holt.

To many of the children,
a youth center,

regardless of its condition,
is like a second home.

- Actually, I do know.

My mom died when I
was 12, my dad spent

most of his time on
construction sites.

So I was lucky enough
to have a center

almost just like this to
give me a place to go.

- Sort of like me.

- Yeah, Brenda was a single
mom working two jobs.

It's one of the first
things we talked about

when we were stuck
in the elevator.

- When you weren't
telling me jokes.

- Yeah.

Knock knock.

- Who's there?
- Anita.

- Anita who?

- Anita get out
of this elevator.

(Ethan laughs)

Come on.

- [Colin] Hi Miss Hollander.

- Colin.

Are you responsible for those
delicious baking smells?

- You know it.

Christmas cupcakes
for my football team.

- It's so pretty!
- Thanks.

Gotta make use of
the double oven

before they shut the
place down for good.

- You'd better have made extra.

- In your dreams, Abby Wambach.

- What?

She's retired.

I'm Kristen Press, thank you.

- Colin, Trisha,
this is Mr. Holt.

- Hi.
- Hello.

- Are you okay?

- We adopted 'em together,
when he was three

and she was almost one.

- Colin is a good kid.

I mean, they both are.

- Do you know 'em well?

- No, no, just
since I was hired.

But I mean, I see
Colin sometimes

helping tutor the younger kids.

- That's not a surprise, he
helps Trisha with her geometry.

She loves soccer, but
studying not so much.

And she just asked me
to help her fill out

an application for soccer
camp, and I was too busy.

Wait.

Do you have children?

- No.

No, my ex-husband
didn't want them

and I guess I convinced
myself that I didn't either.

I don't know, lately, I-

- Well, I can tell
you from experience,

you'd be a great mom.

- From experience, huh?

- I know you don't believe me.

- Listen, I believe
that you believe.

(gentle music)

(train rattling)

- I'm going to fix this.

Hey, Ted.

I need your help.

- Certainly, Mr. Holt.

- Yeah, about that.

Just call me Ethan.

This Mr. Holt, sir,
it makes me feel like-

- You're the co-owner
and president

of a large
multinational company?

- Exactly.

What I need is a
list of undeveloped
properties that we own

in the same area as the
Chester Youth Center.

- Certainly.

- Thanks.

- Oh, and it turns out there
was a community impact study

for the Chester Youth Center.

- So Sean had one done.

And he didn't share
it with our office.

Interesting.

Good work.

(gentle music)

- Did he tell you how
he plans on pulling off

saving the center?

- We're meeting tonight
to go over some ideas.

- Do you think he's trustworthy?

- I don't know.

- Two weeks ago, your
answer would have been

a very clear no.

- I know. (laughs)

It's weird.

I probably shouldn't.

- And yet.

- I think we should at
least give him a chance.

- Is this everything?

- Yes, sir.

Ethan.

- The Bixby project.

We're not doing
anything with this land?

- No, Mr. Doyle
ultimately decided he was

developing it for residential.

He's holding out
for a better deal.

- He leveled the
whole thing on spec.

Do you know what
happened to the woman

that ran that news stand?

Lottie Feldman.

(gentle music)

- Oh, hey, Miss H.

- Colin.

Hi.

What are you doing here
in the middle of the day?

Shouldn't you be in school?

- Teachers' meeting.

Last one before Christmas break.

- Ah.

- And my sister has
soccer practice, so.

- Gotcha.

What are you making this time?

- Christmas cookies, mainly
sugar and shortbread.

I was thinking about
gingerbread too.

Our foster parents have been
super busy this holiday season,

so I thought I'd make them some
for them to bring into work.

They're doctors over
at Mercy Hospital.

- That's so thoughtful of you.

- Thanks.

- Is that an extra apron?

- Yeah.

- Do you want some help?

- That'd be awesome,
Miss H, thanks.

(gentle music)

- It is prime real
estate, but you have yet

to do anything with it.

That is a shame.

- Rona, what are you doing here?

- Oh, I live nearby.

Good to see you.

Oh, this is where I
sometimes got my paper

and a coffee over
at Taylor's Cafe.

Would you care to join me?

For a coffee now, not a paper.

- Sure.

(gentle music)
- Good.

- Thank you, Merry Christmas.

- Thanks.

- So what brought you
around here today?

- I was curious about a
woman who used to have

a newsstand in this spot.

- Oh, Lottie.

- You knew her?

- Well, we weren't
great friends,

but we'd chat some when
I'd pick up my paper.

She was a real character.

- Where is she now?

- Mississippi with her
son and grandchildren.

- Why'd she move there?

- Because you sued her
when she wouldn't quietly

vacate the premises so that
you could tear down her place.

In theory because you were
gonna do something with it.

So are you?

- No, not at this point.

Apparently Sean just
likes to collect property

and then develop it later.

- I remember.

It's one of the many
things I didn't care for.

- I didn't know you ever
had an issue with Sean.

Honestly, I thought
he was your favorite.

- People like Sean Doyle are
the reason I decided to retire.

They give property
development a bad name,

and it doesn't have
to be like that.

My grandfather started
Bellingham Development,

and it was very different
when I took over.

- How so?

- Well, Granddad believed in
working with the community,

you know, in a partnership, and
I initially had other ideas.

But over time, I
came to see things

more from his point of view.

Can't only be about money.

Otherwise you lose your soul.

- Someone I knew, know,
feels the same way.

We're working together
to try to keep

the Chester Youth Center
from being torn down.

- By Doyle and Holt?

- I'm afraid we'll
just knock it down

and then do nothing, like we
did with the Bixby project

and Lottie's news stand.

- You're not like Sean.

Not deep down.

I know the two of you have
worked together for a long time,

but I always hoped that you
would have someone in your life

who could balance
out his influence.

I think that someone
would be good for you.

- This is an ambitious proposal.

When do you tell Sean?

- Morning.

- And what are the
chances he goes along

with what you're thinking?

- He'll resist.

But I'll do my best
to persuade him.

- Why?

A week ago, you were
ready to tear it down,

and don't give me
the whole spiel

about Santa and
the train station.

- For all the reasons
we talked about

when you gave me the tour.

And for Colin and Trisha,
and all the kids like 'em.

- I can't quite figure
you out, Mister...

Ethan.

But I hope you pull this off.

- We.

We pull this off.

- We pull this off.

- [Sean] I'm sorry.

What are you proposing?

- How's Mr. Doyle
taking the idea?

Not well.

- That's absurd, Ethan.

Absolutely absurd.

- Just the opposite.

If you'll hear me out.

If Miss Hollander
files an injunction

to delay demolition
of that youth center,

which she's planning
to do, we're looking at

a potential PR disaster,
which you and I both know

is not helpful right
before you go public.

- So what, your
solution is to donate

the youth center back
to the community?

- It's the right thing to do.

Which this report you
commissioned states
pretty clearly.

The entire community uses
that center all year round

for dozens of
important activities.

- Have you seen the place?

- I toured it a week ago.

- So you know it's on
the verge of collapse.

- Hardly.

Okay, you're right.

It needs some
upgrades and repair.

- Which costs money
they don't have.

- We get it for 'em.

- We get it for them?

- That's what I'm proposing.

That Doyle and Holt
co-sponsor a charity

called Holiday Hope
Builders to try

to save the youth center.

- Holiday Hope Builders.

- Okay, it's a
little on the nose,

but we didn't have time to
come up with anything else.

- Okay, so what if your little
fundraising venture succeeds?

What do we tell
potential investors?

Sorry, we just have to toss
away a billion dollars.

Be realistic.

- No, we tell 'em we're
shifting the plans

to another property we already
own, like the Bixby project.

It's just a few blocks
away, it's comparable

in square footage, and all
the research we did on it

dovetails perfectly
with the youth center.

- Okay.

So what if your
Holiday Hope Builders

fails to come up
with the projected

million dollars necessary?

- I have faith.

- You're gonna need
more than that.

You have until Christmas
to come up with

the necessary funds
for the renovation.

Otherwise we go ahead with
the project as planned.

- Go, go, go.

- How's it going?

- We just got another 200.

- Oh!

So good.

- Okay.

- Yeah, of course.

All right.

- This is amazing, Joyce,

How did you pull this
all together so quickly?

- Oh, I had a lot of help.

Once the word got out,
people were so eager

to be a part of it.

- Was this part of
Ethan Holt's plan?

- Our plan together.

- Looks like your instincts
were right in trusting him.

- Oh my gosh, I'm
so sorry about that.

- It's okay, there's no problem.

You know, my daughter
loves soccer too.

- What position does she play?

- That's really a good question.

What do you play?
- Forward.

- Yeah.

I think that's her position too.

Do you have plans for
any camps this summer?

- I wish.

- I heard that the Red
Stars might have one.

- Really?

- Mm-hmm.

- Thank you so much.

I'm gonna go ask my dad.

- Got $200 here.
- Oh, that's so great.

- $300.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Hi.

I thought I would stop by
and see how things are going?

- Really well.

We've made a lot of phone calls,

we got a bare bones
website put up,

and we have a lot of volunteers,
like a Dr. Anita Sherman,

Dr. Will Sherman.

These are Colin and
Trisha's foster parents.

Nina, Will, this is Ethan Holt.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- He is leading the
charge to save the center.

- It's nice to meet you both.

And thank you.

But I have to say that
Joyce here is in charge,

of everything.

- Thank you for helping, Ethan.

Will and I are so
grateful for all

the center's helped us
with over the years.

For all the kids we
fostered, but especially

Colin and Trisha.

- Thank you so much, Nina.

- Oh, Dad.

Mr. Holt said the Red Stars
have a summer soccer camp.

Do you think you can help
me fill out an application?

- Of course, sweetie.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- They're a nice couple.

- Yeah, I can tell.

- Let's grab dinner.

And tell me how
it went with Sean.

We can brainstorm ideas
about fundraising.

(gentle music)

- Take it. (laughing)

I could not possibly
eat another bite.

What do you think
about a cocktail party?

We could have the volunteers
from the fundraising call

help out.

- I like it.

And we can have it in my house.

Certainly big enough.

- Well, I would
expect nothing less

from a real estate developer.

Okay, why do you have that
expression on your face?

- Because it's not home.

It's just not what I'm used to.

- Your place, that's a home.

Anyway.

Ted just gave me a list
of potential donors

for our client base.

We can invite all of them
and anybody you can think of.

- Oh, my clients are all
low income or pro bono.

I mean, yours are gonna be
much wealthier than mine.

- Pro bono.

That fits.

You've always been a giver.

- Hmm.

- But not a lawyer in your...

- History teacher.
- Really?

Wow.

Okay.

I mean, like teaching,
but how did that happen?

- Well, we got married.

- You made me quit my career?

- No.

No.

Actually, your mom
was in a car accident.

- What?
- Brenda's fine.

She's married to Nolan,
and they're in Orlando.

- Oh, okay.

I mean, that's good.

- But you spent at least a
year helping her recover.

After that, you were
pretty wiped out,

as was a big chunk
of our savings.

So you decided that
the prudent thing to do

was take a job teaching at
St. Mary's Middle School,

then we get a break on
tuition for the kids.

- I see.

And I never wanted
to go back to law?

I did.

Didn't I?

- You mentioned thinking about
maybe getting your degree.

- And how did you
feel about that?

- In hindsight, I
wasn't very supportive.

And in my defense,
you really underplayed

how important it was.

- Well, if...

When you go back...

Maybe you will have
a different attitude.

- Oh, I give you my word.

I will.

- You know, a month ago, that
wouldn't have been worth much.

- But now?

- I think I'm
happy for other me.

- I have to say, Sean,
the idea of Doyle and Holt

going public is very exciting.

- Oh, it really is, Anna.

I mean, Ethan and I have
been talking about this day

for quite a few years.

- [Anna] Even back
when Rona Billingham

was running the company?

- Even then.

- Don't think I didn't know it.

- I mean, we just feel it's
time to broaden our horizons.

And that includes increasing
our charitable imprint.

For instance, Doyle
and Holt is working

with the Chester Youth
Center to fundraise

for some much needed
repairs to get that center

back in good condition
to be the best resource

for the community.

We're calling the project
Holiday Hope Builders,

and we're hoping to reach
as many people as we can

before our Christmas deadline.

So if your viewers could
just go to the website

on the screen and maybe
help us out with donations.

- Well, considering the
deadline, how confident are you

that you'll be able
to reach your goal?

- It's Christmas.

We have faith.

(gentle music)

(Joyce sighs)

- Thanks, guys.

- Thank you.

- Hey.

Hey.

What were you doing?

- Giving us some good
PR, like we talked about.

- Are you gonna
check in with Trisha?

See what she thought?

You did tell her you were
gonna be on television,

didn't you?
- Who's Tricia.

- Your daughter.

The one that likes Ferraris.

- I don't have a daughter.

- Oh.

I must-
- Ethan.

Ethan.

Ethan.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Trisha Jane Holt, she
was born June ninth

15 and a half years ago,
she likes soccer and K-pop

and she likes braiding her hair.

- It's all right.

- How'd I forget that?

- It's okay, it's okay.

I think you need to lie down.

- No.

No, I need Joyce.

- How long did it last?

- Just a few seconds, but I
couldn't remember her face.

It was like Trisha
was part of a dream.

- But you remember her now.

And not as Trisha Sherman?

- I remember everything
now, but for how long?

Christmas is in three days.

And that's when I'm supposed
to forget everything.

- Do you want to postpone
tonight's cocktail party?

- Oh no, I'll be fine for that.

- Hi.

I help out here sometimes.

- As part of your pro bono work?

- Yeah.

About 10 years ago, the
city tried to shut it down.

Actually, they were gonna
sell the whole block

to a developer to build
yet another high rise.

- Doyle and Holt?

- Kemp-Reeves.
- Oh.

They are terrible.
- They are.

But I managed to
convince the city council

of the importance of this place.

I mean, food pantries,
they're about

so much more than
providing meals.

They offer relief and hope
to the people that need them.

And then that provides
social cohesion.

It's just all connected.

That was the beginning of my
second career as a crusader.

- You really are meant for this.

I don't think I fully
understood that.

- Now you know.

(gentle music)

("Jingle Bells")

This is so helpful.

So great, thank you so much.

- Is the lovely lady
in the red dress

the reason behind your sudden
interest in the youth center?

- She is.

- Well done.

There's hope for you yet.

- It is so great to see.

Enjoy your evening.

- [Ethan] How much?

- A little over 20,000.

- These people spend
more than that on brunch.

How much did we bring
in from the TV appeal?

- 30,000.

- I really thought we'd have
more than that by this point.

- Excuse me, you're
Miss Hollander, right?

- Correct. Mr. Doyle.

- I've heard so much about you.

- Mm.

Likewise.

- It's a nice turnout.

- Aww, thank you.

Let's hope it translates
into even nicer donations.

- I guess Ethan's
plan is working.

- Plan?

- Sure.

I mean, it's no secret.

We're taking the
company public soon

and real estate development
tends to get such a bad rap.

- Or earns one.

- Now it's just that attitude
that needs addressing.

And I think Ethan's TV
appearance earlier today

helped nicely, it's a
good thing you came along.

- What do you mean?

- Holiday Hope Builders.

Saving the youth
center at Christmas?

Couldn't come up with
a better PR stunt,

except maybe saving puppies.

Investors love this stuff.

Excuse me.

- Joyce, you okay?

- No.

No, I'm not.

Stupid.

- Joyce.

- Sean told me
that your interest

in the Chester Youth
Centerq was just

some PR stunt for
your public offering.

- Oh, Sean can say
whatever he wants.

It doesn't make it true.

Plus I'm pretty sure
he has his own agenda.

I shouldn't have invited him.

- Why do you say that?

- Well, I just talked
with Ted and Akari

and the donations from tonight
aren't what we had hoped.

And they saw Sean
talking with a number

of our would-be donors.

- So you think he was talking
people out of donating to us?

- I think Sean would much
rather have the property

from the youth center than
any PR saving it might bring.

- And causing a rift between us-

- Would make that
much more likely.

- And that makes sense.

Because otherwise,
your grand PR scheme

involved convincing me of
some magic Santa story.

Which seems ill-advised.

- It does, doesn't it?

- Look, this is really
random, and very last minute.

But my company Christmas
party is in two days.

- Christmas Eve?

Who has an office Christmas
party on Christmas Eve?

- Doyle and Holt, apparently.

Guess Sean does anybody else
to spend the holidays with.

- Christmas Eve is
also your deadline.

Not that I believe you.

- No, of course not.

But it is big reason that I'd
really like to have you there.

With me.

- Then I will be.

♪ Like a shook-up snow globe ♪

♪ The kids and the presents
here all wrapped up ♪

♪ It's the one day it's
okay to make a fuss ♪

♪ Fantastic ♪

♪ You're better
than Christmas Day ♪

(phone ringing)

♪ Ooh ♪

- Wo.

- Thank you.

- I've never seen you
look more beautiful.

- Boy, you are firing on
all cylinders tonight.

- It's a special night.

- I got Ted and Akari's email.

I thought we'd get at
least a little closer.

- Well, I still have hope.

It's not Christmas yet.

- But it is Christmas Eve.

How are you feeling?

- I'm not sure how I'm feeling.

I mean, I know
tonight's important,

but I don't know if
that's because of

all this stuff I've
been going through

or because I get to
arrive with you on my arm.

- Oh.

(upbeat music)

- Well, you can tell that
Sean is fully in charge

of this Christmas party.

A lot fancier than the last one.

- Where was the last one?

- At a restaurant, not that
I got to stay very long.

- Why not?

- I messed up one
of Sean's deals.

- Messed up how?

- By not being ruthless enough.

- Ooh, that sounds like
you didn't mess up at all.

- Not yet, but I was just
about to go do it his way.

- Mm.

- Look at you two.

You make a great couple.

- Oh, that's too bad,
'cause we're just

using each other for the PR.

- Oh. (chuckling)

Rona, how nice.

You haven't been to one
of our Christmas parties

since you retired.

- Oh, well, what can I say?

I was inspired by the
Doyle and Holt effort

to save the Chester
Youth Center.

- I'm so sorry that
didn't work out.

- Hey, now, we
have one day left.

- That's the spirit.

- And only nine-tenths
of your goal to go, so.

- You'll never believe this.

Holiday Hope Builders just
received an anonymous donation

of $2 million.

- What?
- Seriously?

- What?

No.

- Did you do this?
- No.

- I forgot I have money.

Rona?

- Money isn't as
important as people.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Make it one to remember.

- We did it!

- We did it! (laughing)

(gentle music)

You're so beautiful.

Now that the youth
center's safe,

I don't think we have to worry
about a conflict of interest.

- Conflict of interest?

- If we date.

Did I misread this?

- Misread what?

- This.

Tonight.

Everything, all of it.

Joyce, the first time
I saw you, I felt like

I'd known you my whole life.

Probably sounds crazy.

- You've sounded crazier.

- When?

- Like when you said that you
were married in another life.

- What are you talking about?

I never said that.

Certainly never been married.

- Oh no.

- What?

- Come with me.

This can't be happening.

This can't be happening.
- What?

- It's not even Christmas yet.

- What are you talking about?

I know you're in there, Ethan.

- I'm right here, Joyce.

- What's my favorite
kind of Christmas tree?

- No clue.

- Okay, how old were your
children when you adopted them?

- I don't have any children.

- What floor did our
elevator get stuck on?

- I've never been
stuck in an elevator.

- That's just it!

You have been, we both were.

That's where we met.

In another place.

And you have Colin and
Trisha and your wife

and they love you.

And you love them so much
that you've been trying

to figure out how
to get back to them,

because you're a
good man, Ethan Holt.

You deserve to be
back with your family.

Oh god.

I got you.

I got you.

- Joyce.
- I'm here.

I'm here.

- I forgot 'em.

- I know.

- All of 'em.

- I saw.

- And it wasn't a
dream this time.

They were just gone.

- I'm so sorry.

- No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

No, I can't just lose them.

No, they're everything to me.

I don't care about
the job or the money

or all the stuff
that comes with it.

I'm glad I got in
right elevator,

where I fell in love with you,

and we got married and
raising two amazing kids.

It's all I want.

Just only them,
nothing else matters.

- Hello.

Are you sure you know
what you need now?

- Completely.

I want my family, and
I just, I want to be

a good man for them.

- Is this your wish?

- Yeah.

Yes.

- Merry Christmas, Ethan.

Joyce.

- I totally believed
you the whole time.

- Everything's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay.
- Yeah.

- Thank you.

Thank you for everything.

- You should go.

I'm waiting.

♪ Tis the season to be ♪

- Hey, Santa.

Oh.

Sorry.

Sorry.

♪ Fa la la, la la la, la la la ♪

(gentle music)

(people chattering)

Hey, have either
of you seen Sean?

- Yeah, he was talking
with Miss Bellingham.

- Great.

Oh, and Ted, Akari.

I just want to say thanks
for everything you do,

both of you.

I just, I don't think you
get told that often enough,

and all of your hard work
is really appreciated.

- Thanks, Mr. Holt.

- Yeah.

It's Ethan.

- Hmm.

Wow.

- Sean.

- So how'd it go?

- It didn't, and it won't.

At least not by me.

It's not right, Sean.

- Oh, great.

You're doing the
same thing you did

back with the Janice project.

- Yep.

I am.

I was tempted, I admit it.

But I'm glad I didn't
follow your lead then,

and I'm not going to now.

There is no reason for
us not to go through

with that offer
that I made Lottie.

It's fair and we can
certainly afford it.

- And Rona will
know I messed up.

- Just tell her, own it.

- This, this right here
is why you never moved up.

- Well, if I have to lie
and cheat and hurt people

to move up, up is not
where I want to be.

- She's just an old
news stand lady, Ethan.

She doesn't mean anything.

- [Rona] Excuse me?

- Rona.

- Actually, Lottie
means a great deal

to her family, her friends,
her long-time customers.

You didn't secure
her deal, did you?

Like you said you did.

- I would have, if Ethan
had just threatened her

with legal action,
like I told him to.

Instead, he offered
her a better deal

once the project is built.

- And compensation for lost
income during construction.

- Unbelievable.

- You lied to me.

- I can fix it, Rona.

I'll have her gone
within the hour.

- No, I want you gone, now.

- What?

- This is not how I want to
do business, hurting people.

I've let it go on too long.

This ends now.

- You can't be serious.

- Do I look like I'm kidding?

- Yeah, yeah.

- I've made a lot of mistakes,
letting him have free reign,

but lately, I
- It's gotten to you?

- It has.

Maybe it's because of age.

- And experience.

And with that in mind, I
really need to get home.

- Oh yes, understood, but
Ethan, after the holidays,

please come to my office.

I mean, we have openings
now at Bellingham,

and I think you'd
be perfect for them.

- I appreciate it.

But you know, getting promoted,

it's just not that
important to me anymore.

Especially if it takes
me away from my family.

- Which is why you are exactly
the kind of person I need.

- Are you sure?

- Quite.

Merry Christmas, Ethan.

(Ethan laughs)

- Merry Christmas,
Rona! (laughs)

(festive music)

Here you go.

Thanks.

Joyce!

Hello?

- There you are.

Do you know how late it is?

(Ethan laughs)

Mm, mm.

Wow.

- I cannot tell you how
good it is to see you.

- I wasn't sure you'd feel
that way after our call.

- No, no, it was exactly
what I needed to hear.

So thank you.

- How did it go with Lottie?

- It didn't, because
you were right.

It would have been
the wrong decision.

- 'Cause you don't cut corners.

- No.

Not with you by my side.

- Oh, well, I guess I'll
always have to be by your side.

- Mm-hmm.

- Oh.

Law school.

I want to do everything
I can to support you

going back and
getting your degree.

- What?

- Yes, passing the bar and
becoming that kind of lawyer

that fights the
good fights and then

the rights all the wrongs and-

- Slays the dragons?

- Yes.

- How do you know what kind
of lawyer I want to be?

- Because I know you,

And I love you.

With all my heart.

- Hey, what's going on?

- Come here!

I missed you.

I love you guys so much.

- We love you too.
- Is Dad okay?

- I think he's just
emotional at Christmas.

- Tomorrow morning
after we open presents,

I would love to
help you fill out

that application
for soccer camp.

I mean, if you still want to go,

- Yes, thank you.

- And you.

I don't think I told
you, but those cookies

that I took to work,
everybody loved them.

They were fantastic.

I think you're really talented.

- Really?

Awesome.

I'll make more for them.
- Yes, you should.

- I feel like you've had
a really interesting day.

- Yeah.

Yeah, I have.

- Why don't I make
us some hot chocolate

and you can tell
us all about it.

(gentle music)

(people chattering)

(dramatic music)