All language subtitles for Fall.City_.2018.AMZN_.WEB-DL.DDP5_.1.H264-CMRG-en

(rain splashes)

- [Woman] Jon.

Jon.

Wake up.

Santa's here.

Come on, let's go see him.

(peaceful piano music)

- It's him.

- [Mother] Jon.

Jon.

(somber atmospheric music)

(Jon grunts)

(Jon groans)

(siren chirps)

- Shit.

(tires screech)

(muffled radio chatter)

- I'm on foot pursuit, northbound.

(steel clangs)

(glass smashes)
(steel clangs)

(vandals cheer)

(fire crackles)

(melancholic piano music)

(glass smashes)

(glass smashes)
(fire roars and crackles)

(footsteps approach)

(melancholic piano music)

- [Driver] Fall City, River Street.

(rain splashes)

- [Mother] Jon?

- Hi, Mom.

- It's been a long time.
- Yeah.

- How was your drive?

- Oh, it was fine.

Is Alex here?

- His deployment has been extended.

He won't be home for another six months.

- [Father] Jon.

- [Jon] Dad.

- So, where's your car?

- It's in the shop right now.

- I spoke with Eugene
down at the post office,

and you start tomorrow morning.

- Dad, look, I didn't come here to work.

- Oh, you have rent?

- I'm actually in-between
places right now.

- Oh, (chuckles) I see.

So, your uh, your car is
in the shop, you don't have

any place to live, and for
the first time in over a year,

you tell us you're comin'
home just for a holiday visit?

- Yes, Dad!

- You are welcome to be for Christmas,

but if you wanna stay any
longer, you'll need to pay rent.

(door slams)

(Jon sighs)

- [Woman] Lock your keys in?

- Um...

Uh, yes, yeah, yeah I did.

- Don't worry.

I come from a long line of car people.

So, I'm kind of a pro. (chuckles)

Tah-dah!

You can keep that.

- Thanks, um--

- Olivia.
- Olivia, Jon.

- Happy to help, Jon.

Have a good day, don't
lock the hanger in now.

- Thank you!

- [Man] Not open yet.

- Jon?

I should've known it was you.

What, you still can't read?

Or speak, for that matter.

What's it been, 10 years?

- What're you doing here?

- Looks more like 30.

I'm just here mindin' my business.

Good luck with the big words.

- Jon!

Well, if it isn't Jon Price.

- Hey, Gene.
- Come in, come in.

Don't be shy.

I can't tell you how
good it is to see you.

What's it been, about three years?

- Five.

- It's gonna be great havin'
another Price at the old USPS.

Followin' in your dad's footsteps?

- Look, I don't know what my
dad said, but I'm actually

going back to Spokane
in just a couple weeks,

right after Christmas.
- Oh.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

Well, I suppose we can
use you as seasonal help,

if that's what you need right now.

- Yeah, that'd be good.

- Good mornin', Eugene.

I was goin' over the P
routes from last week.

I noticed a couple of things--
- Derek.

I want you to meet our new hire.

- Jon.

- You know each other?

- High school.

- Well, that's great.

Derek, will you get Jon started?

And when you're done, come by my office.

I want to hear what you've been up to.

- Alright, come on.

I need you to start,

by cleaning and organizing
the storage room.

Look, it's not like there
was an opening here, alright?

Eugene gave you a job out of pity,

and we need to find
something for you to do.

And right now, that means
cleaning the storage room.

(light switch clicks)

(door slams)

(steel clatters)

(Jon sighs)

- Sorry, we're closed!

- Oh, no, I was just, hey.

- You son of a bitch!
(Jon groans)

What you doin' in my truck?
(Jon groans)

(Jon coughs)

Merry Christmas, Jon.

- Oh, my god!

Are you alright?

Let me help you.

Let me help you, okay, okay.

Hold on.

You stay here and I'll call the police.

- No, hey.

Look, I'll take care of that.

Really, I should just go, it's fine.

- Hold on.

(water runs)

What happened?

- Just the...

End to a really bad...

Year.

- I think with stolen cars,

the rate of return is pretty high.

Usually it's just some moron
who wants to take the stereo.

(chuckles)

- Yeah.
- And besides.

The year isn't over yet.

- Huh?

- Well, you said you've had a
bad year, it's not over yet.

(chuckles)

- Great.

- Okay, that sounded bad.

What I meant was, there's still
time for things to change.

I've been there.

Okay, I didn't get beat up
while my car was being stolen,

but, I mean...

Here it is.

It's Christmas, and I've
got a daughter at home,

and I'm right in the middle of a divorce.

- I'm sorry.

- (chuckles) It's okay.

At least I have a car. (laughs)

Oh, my gosh, that wasn't funny.

I'm so sorry, I was just--
- (laughs) No, it's okay.

It was funny.

It was.

(both chuckle)

- We're doing okay.

My daughter and I.

We're just holding onto
hope as best we can.

I mean, she's four, how was
she supposed to understand

her daddy not being around?

And to make things worse, I
can hardly be there for her.

She's with a sitter right now.

Oh.

(sighs) I have to go.

Okay.

I'm sorry to run out like this.

I'm sure my sitter's fallen asleep by now.

- Oh, no, it's okay.

(car engine struggles to start)

I thought you said your
family are car people?

- No.
- Sorry, that wasn't funny.

- No, I mean, it was.

It's just, it's my battery.

Can you push?

(Jon grunts)

They all own cars!

- What?

- My family, they all own cars!

That makes them car
people, right? (laughs)

(car engine starts)

(sighs) Woo, thank god!

- Or, thank Jon.

- I'd offer you a ride but--
- No, no, it's okay.

I don't live far.

- Why don't you come by tomorrow at five?

I can give you a thank-you
haircut, on the house.

- I will, five o'clock?

- Yeah.

- Alright.
- Okay.

Good luck with your truck and
the police and don't forget,

the year isn't over yet. (chuckles)

(bright acoustic guitar music)

- I'm goin' home.
- Not yet.

The lobby needs to be done, tonight.

- It really doesn't.

Unlike you, I have a life.

- It's the holidays at the post office.

You don't get a life here.

And you need to be in uniform.

(phone rings)

(phone rings)

- Hello.
(static crackles)

Hello.
(static crackles)

- Alex.
- Alex?

Hey!

How's it goin'?

- [Alex] You know, about
as good as the desert gets.

- Where are you now?
- Afghanistan.

I mentioned that in my last letter.

- Oh, yeah.
- So, where are you now?

Are you still in Spokane?

Are you back in school?
- Spokane?

No, I'm here, in Fall City.

Working at the post office.

- [Alex] Oh, dude, I'm
sorry, how's that going?

- Well, to be totally honest,

things have been pretty shitty lately.

I just, uh, I don't know.

- [Alex] Oh, that sucks, what's going on?

- [Jon] (groans) Well--

(phone bleeps)
- Oh, man, I'm out of minutes.

- Already? Dude, I haven't--
(phone bleeps)

- Sorry, man, can't call.
(phone bleeps)

Be there for Christmas.
(phone bleeps)

- You'll be here for Christmas?

- [Alex] Won't!

But I hope Santa knows--
(phone bleeps)

In Afghanistan. (laughs)

- Well, didn't Dad tell you?
Santa was killed in action.

(phone bleeps)

Hello?

Hello.

Alex.

Alex!

Piece of shit!

- [Girl] Santa died?

- Died?

It's actually worse than that.

Santa Claus isn't real.

He never was, it's just your parents.

You're better off knowing that now, kid.

- My mom said he was real.

- Well, she lied!

Everybody lies, including your mom!

- Excuse me?
(girl cries)

- Olivia, I, uh--

- I don't believe this.

I don't believe this, get in the car.

What makes you think
it's any of your business

to tell my daughter anything?

No, I have tried so hard,

so hard to make a nice Christmas
for her and you come along

and you take away her
childhood in two seconds!

You know what?

I'm glad that guy beat you up.

I just wish I could've helped!

(girl cries)

(car engine struggles to start)

No, no, you've done enough!

(car engine starts)

(rain splashes)

What do you want?

- I, uh...

Still need a haircut.

- Fine.

Sit.

So, what are we gonna do?

- I was hoping I could
talk to your daughter--

- No, about your hair.

What are we gonna do about your hair?

- Well, I like how it is, so
a little shorter, I guess?

So...

What's your daughter's name?

- Adiel.

- Adiel?

That's unique.

- She doesn't think
Santa is coming anymore.

- Yeah, about that.

- It was the worst possible
thing you could've told her.

I've been working really hard
to give her a nice Christmas

so that she can have something to trust,

and then you come along.

- Yeah, it wasn't a good day.
- Yeah, you made sure of that.

- There used to be a
barber shop near here.

I was probably just a
little older than Adiel.

And it was there that my dad decided

to tell me the truth about Santa Claus,

right before my grandpa's funeral.

My grandpa, (chuckles)

he used to dress up like
Santa Claus every year,

and he'd always be there
when my brother and I

would sneak out of our
room and we'd see him

putting toys under the Christmas tree.

I wish more kids could
be so lucky to see that.

It just made it that much more real.

And, all at once,

Santa was gone,

and so was the man who
made him real for us.

Look, I know none of this
explains what I did, but I just...

- [Olivia] Jon?

I just, uh...

Wanted to say I was sorry.

(somber music)
(rain splashes)

- Hey, son.

How was your day?

- It's fine, Mom.

- Do you wanna talk about it?

You know, sometimes it really helps to--

- Really.

I'm fine.

- Okay.

(door closes)

(Jon sighs)

(melancholic music)

(knocks)

- Come in.

John, what can I do for you?

- Hey, Eugene.

Do you know where this came from?

- Looks like the North Pole.

It must've been a treat, you
kids getting these each year.

We didn't get much feedback from it.

- It came from here?

- [Eugene] Sure!

This was probably written by your grandpa.

- What?

- Every year, Central
allows local volunteers to

take care of the letters to
Santa from their zip code.

Your grandpa used to come
to work with your dad

and write back.

- So, who does it now?

(Eugene chuckles)

- Let me show you.

I used to try to get to some when I could.

A few employees did, too, but
it's been hard to find people

or time in recent years.

- Oh, is he still living out there?

- Yeah, he is, he's
still got his farm going.

- Oh, hello there.

Shouldn't you be with your mom?

- Vegetables are boring.

- Yes, they are.

- [Adiel] I wanna find the candy canes.

- Do you remember me?

- Yeah, you're an asshole.

- You probably shouldn't say that.

- That's what my mom said, I
heard her talking on the phone.

- Well, I guess that's me, or Jon.

That's my name, Jon.

- What're you looking for?

- Well, that's a good question.

Very profound.

- What does that mean?
- It's a word that, hey, look.

I'm sorry for being an,
for being so mean to you.

All those things that I said,
I didn't mean them okay?

- Why did you say it
if you didn't mean it?

- Well, 'cause Santa isn't for adults.

Santa just brings toys to kids.

- Why isn't Santa for adults?

- Well, that's another good question.

Well, I guess you could say--
- Jon?

- She come up to me, I swear.

- [Adiel] You shouldn't swear.

- It's okay.

I'm glad it's you.

When I see Adiel talking to
strangers, it freaks me out.

- She's really smart.

- [Adiel] Mommy, can we
get some marshmallows?

- Listen, I wanted to thank
you for the car battery.

You really didn't have to do that.

Also, I'm sorry about your
hair, I can fix it anytime.

- [Adiel] Marshmallows, marshmallows.

- No, not today, sweetheart.

Anyway, we have to be going.

- Right, of course.
- Jon has marshmallows.

Can he make cookies with us?

- Well, I do have marshmallows.

(Olivia chuckles)

- [Olivia] Oh, your stars look beautiful.

- [Adiel] Pretty.

We have to have two for everyone.

Look at that, I did amazing!

Now can I do it in the middle?

- Now you can do it in
the middle, here you go.

Do you wanna trade with me?

I think it's ready, I
think you can decorate it.

And then just itsy-bitsy, oh,
that's too much, sweetheart.

- It's for keeping out the bad guys.

- Like this guy?

Charge!

(Adiel screams)

Charge, he's gonna get, oh, no!

(screams)

No!

(groans)

- Now I'm gonna attack you!

(grunts)
- Oh, Adiel!

- I'm so sorry.

(Olivia moans)

- It's past your bedtime.

It's okay.

(water sprays)

Oh, you don't need to do that.

- Sorry.

- No, I didn't mean...

Thank you.

Sorry to make you wait.
- Oh, that's okay.

- Have a seat.

- What?

(Olivia chuckles)

(peaceful music)

College didn't agree with me,

and I definitely didn't agree with it.

But I was expected to go,
supposed to find my path.

But that path just led
to academic probation,

so when a new semester came
around, I just didn't re-enroll.

- When I found out that
I was having Adiel,

I was completely in shock.

I thought I would have
time for so many things.

But now, I can't imagine
my life without her.

I never would have imagined

that the hardest moment in my life

would've led to some of the best.

There.

- Thanks for letting me come over.

- It was nice to see Adiel smiling again.

- Maybe I can come by again?

- Listen.

I'm not really looking for
a relationship right now.

I'm sorry if that's blunt,

but I just wanna be upfront with you.

Life's been so unstable lately,

and I'm still just trying
to figure it all out.

It was nice having an actual grownup

to talk to tonight, though.

I just don't wanna give
you the wrong idea.

- No, that's fine.

If a friend is what you need right now,

then that's what I'll be.

- I could definitely use a friend.

- So, I'll see you again?

Okay.

Goodnight.

Hey.

Tell Adiel to write a
letter to Santa Claus.

- What? (chuckles)

- Just address it to the North Pole.

I'll make sure she gets a response.

- Okay, I will.

- Alright.

- Goodnight.

(warm acoustic guitar music)

- "Dear Santa, thank you for
the Star Wars stuff last year.

"Does Rudolph have a red nose?

"This year, I want a
helicopter and some candy.

"Your best pal, Joshua."

Dear Joshua.

Helicopters are awesome.

I've been thinking maybe I could
do more than just cleaning.

- There's not a lot of
sense in training you

if you're leaving in a few weeks.

- Actually, I was thinking

I would stick around a while longer.

- Now, that's what I wanna hear.

- "Santa, I have been very good.

"Can Big Bird visit me
with Cookie Monster too?"

"Dear Santa, this year
if you bring presents

"that need batteries, please
bring batteries, Gabby."

- Derek, I'd like you to show Jon

the auto-sort system today.

Then I need you to get
him a key to the building.

- Dear Daniel.

Dear Megan.

Dear Gabby, I'll bring batteries.

- This is auto-sort, each stack
has an ad code next to it.

Punch that into the machine,
you run each one through.

- Jon, hey!

- Hey.

I was wondering if I, if you
could, wanted to eat lunch.

- Sure!

Just give me a second, okay?

- How's it goin', man?
- Good, how are you?

(Jon and Olivia laugh)

- [Olivia] Thursday
night is spaghetti night.

- [Olivia] Do you wanna come?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

- That'd be awesome.
- We even have salad.

- Okay.
- Okay!

- Salad.
(Olivia laughs)

- Gonna chop up your pasta?

Chop it up.

We'll help you chop the pasta.

Shh.

I'll be right back, okay?
- Okay.

- Okay.

(sighs)

Out like a light.

- You have a record player.

- Yeah.

It was my mom's.

- There's nothin' quite like 'em.

All the pops and scratches.

(light Christmas jazz music)

- Hmm, yeah.

Now, this is Christmas.

- I'm not seeing Chipmunks
Christmas in here.

- Chipmunks?

- No chipmunks?
- Shh!

- [Jon] I'm sorry.

- Chipmunks are fine,
but that's not Christmas.

- I don't think we can be friends anymore.

- Okay.

I have one that I bet you'll love.

♪ The snow is falling ♪

- Well?

- Yeah.

- This is a good one.

- We can still be friends.
(Olivia chuckles)

(Olivia laughs)

- It wasn't the best tent in the world.

I mean, just a little bit of
rain, we'd wake up in puddles!

But Alex insisted we do it
every night the entire summer.

And we didn't even sleep
on pads or anything.

I think my back is still out
of alignment from that summer.

(Olivia laughs)

- Oh, god, I can't
imagine having my brother

halfway around the world like that.

I thought my sister was far away,

and she's only in North Carolina.

- Do you have any family in Washington?

- No.

I came out here for school.

And then I met my husband.

And he's from here, so...

This is where I stayed.

- Do you mind if I ask what happened?

- It's a long story.

He wasn't taking things seriously.

I was the one working,
all through the pregnancy.

I told him if he didn't step
it up, that he needed to leave.

We've been doing counseling
sessions at my church, but,

they haven't been going very well.

The truth is, I don't
want Adiel growing up

without a father around.

Things have been so hard on her
lately and she still doesn't

fully believe that
Santa's coming this year.

I'm just trying to make ends meet,

let alone be there for Adiel.

And it just seems like,

no matter how hard I try,

everything just still falls apart.

- [Adiel] Mommy?

- Oh, sweetie, what's wrong?

- I had the spider dream, can
you read me a bedtime story?

- It's a little late for a bedtime story.

Here, let me get you a
drink of water, okay?

- Jon?

Will you read me a bedtime story?

- I don't know.

What kinda stories do you like?

- I like the frog and bird
one, it's right there.

- Okay.

"Once there was a frog
who lived in the swamp.

"Far below the leafy trees, he would swim,

"and warm himself in the sun.

"One day, the bird
called down to the frog.

"'From up here, I can touch the sky.'

"The frog replied, 'down here,
I can explore everything,

"'under the trees and in the water.'

"'You've got the land
and I've got the sky.

"'Together,' said the bird,
'we've got everything covered.'"

- [Adiel] Jon?

- Yeah?
- Are you spending the night?

- No, sweetie.

He can't.

- I'm gonna go.

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round yon virgin, mother and child ♪

- Oh, Jon, I wasn't
expecting you to be in here.

I just came to bring these in.

- My shift doesn't start
until eight, I was just, uh--

- It's okay, I was hoping
you'd do some of this.

That's quite a stack.

- I'm actually hoping
that we can get these

on the outgoing trucks
the morning of the 23rd.

That way, the kids could
have them by Christmas Eve.

- That will certainly make their day.

- Gene.

A few weeks ago, you mentioned that

there was an assistant position available.

- Yes?

You know Derek's interested
in that position, too?

- Sure.

- But you know, more than
experience, more than knowledge,

what I look for in that
position is strong character.

You keep up the good
work, we'll keep talkin'.

- Thanks.

"Dear Santa.

"Thank you for the presents
last year, I loved them a lot.

"This year, the only thing I want is a

"original Care Bear called Wish Bear.

"Adiel."

A Care Bear?

Oh, come on.

Hey, Mom, do you mind if borrow your car?

I've got a couple of
errands I need to run.

- Sure, I just need it back by tonight.

- Thanks.

(upbeat acoustic guitar music)

- Olivia, slow down and just give--

- No, I don't wanna stay here
and listen to him talk at me--

- Olivia, I tried to tell--
- [Jon] Derek.

- You're always telling me something,

and I'm tired of hearing it.
- What do you want from me?

- I want you to listen,

and stop talking over me all the time!

I don't wanna be here!

- Just give her a chance--
- Okay, Adam, please.

- [Olivia] No no no, I'm just
getting more groceries, okay?

I'm coming right back.

- Hey.

- Jon?

- Could I help?
- No, I've got it.

- I come bearing gifts.

- Jon, I'm not really up for
anything right now, okay?

I just need some time alone.

- Okay, yeah, maybe I can take Adiel to--

- No, Jon!

I mean we need time alone.

I just, I can't do this.

Not right now, things are too hard.

- I understand what you're going through.

- Dammit, Jon, will you
please listen to me?

You don't understand,
I don't wanna do this!

(melancholic piano music)

- [Man] It was a family
emergency in Oregon, I think.

- But Derek?

I guess the young were
bound to inherit the Earth.

- Wait, what?

What's Derek inheriting?

- Assistant Post Master for now.

- Eugene promoted him this morning.

- What?

- Jon?

I need to speak with you.

- Why is this door locked?

- Privately, if you don't mind.

Oh, nice, you think you own
the place already, don't you?

- Jon, have you ever been
convicted of a felony

or served time in prison?
- What does that have to...

That's none of your damn business.

- We have to let you go.

- You don't have the authority to do that.

- I do, actually.

- Oh, of course.

Mr. Assistant Post Master!

Congratulations, by the way,
on the promotion, I didn't

think you and your purple
car would last another week!

- Federal employees can't
have been to prison.

- [Jon] Where's Eugene?

- You need to get your things and leave.

- Where's Eugene?

- He had a family emergency,
he's in Oregon for two weeks.

He already knows, it was called
into Central this morning.

It's done.

Jon, you're not allowed back here anymore.

- Yeah what do you think I'm
gonna do, steal someone's mail?

- Jon, you're fired!

Now, get out of here
before I call the police.

- Oh, you're home, I thought
you had to work today?

- No.
- Well, good.

I could use your help.

I wanted to make some cookies
for friends at work tomorrow.

You're welcome to take some
to work, too, when we're done.

- I'm really not in the mood right now.

- Look, Jon.

I know you've been through
a lot recently, but,

it's Christmas, New Year,
it's time for new beginnings.

- New rent?
- Everybody pays rent, Jon.

- [Jon] Not to their parents.

You're supposed to be helping me.

- We're trying to help you,
trying to help you learn.

- I know how to learn,
I know how to pay rent.

That's not what I need right now.

- Then what? What, Jon, what do you need?

- I don't know, I just,
I need, maybe some--

- What, a break?
- Yes!

- You've been on a break for years!

- Yeah, I'm sorry, let me
just get right back to school.

- You're not in school because you quit!

- Oh, Mom.
- It's true!

You talk about life like it's
taken everything from you,

but you're the one who keeps
throwing everything away!

Blame it on academic probation,
blame it on whatever,

but you chose to stop going to classes.

You were fired from your job,

because you chose to
break into somebody's car!

You lost your apartment
because you lost your job.

These are your choices,
Jon, no one else's!

- Fine, Mom, yeah, fine!

I've made mistakes, I know!

But not everything is like that!

Some things are just gonna
fall apart no matter what.

Like life is gonna dangle something

right in front of your face and then

snatch it away without you
having done anything wrong.

Have I made crap choices?

Sure!

But everyone has.

But sometimes, life is just plain shit!

- That's true.

- Okay?

- Okay.

- Okay.

I'm gonna go for a walk.

(muffled sports commentary)

Come on.

Really?
- Whisky.

- You got anything you wanna
say before I kick your ass?

- Shut up, Jon.
- Unbelievable.

Unbelievable!

You have me mopping floors
and then you take a promotion

you didn't deserve and fire me with it.

Oh, you've got big balls or a death wish

to show your face around me right now.

- I didn't fire you.
- I'm sorry, what?

- I said, I didn't fire you!

And you shouldn't have been
hired in the first place.

So don't give me your pity story.

- You don't know me, you
don't know anything about me.

- Save it for a judge, Jon.

You should be comfortable
standing in front of one by now.

- [Bartender] Hey!

Relax.

- You don't know why I needed
that job, and it sure as hell

was a better reason than your shitty car.

- Drop the car.
- What?

You're mumbling again, I can't hear you.

- I sold the car, okay?

So, drop it.

- What?

- Been trying to for a month.

It's sold now, okay, it's gone.

I just, I needed the money.

- Needed the money?

For what?
- For life, Jon.

And I didn't take that promotion, okay?

Eugene gave it to me.
- No, he told me that--

- Yeah, he probably would
have given it to you.

He talked about you like you were family.

But then he found out about your felony.

He said a new start could
be a good thing for you.

Now you could really spread your wings.

(Jon chuckles)

- What about you?

- I have a family, Jon.

A wife and a little girl.

I wasn't providing.

I need that money.

I need it for my family.

(rain splashes)
(distant thunder rumbles)

(melancholic guitar music)

(knocks)

- Yeah.

- Hey.

Jon.

Do you have a minute?

- Sure.

- I, um, talked with Eugene the other day,

and he told me how you'd
been writing those letters

from Santa like Grandpa did.

Comin' in early and everything.

Got this, uh...

This box has a bunch of his
old things in it and I...

It seems like you might wanna see it.

- Thanks.

- You know, I realized today that,

I wasn't much older than
you are when Grandpa died.

It was hard.

I know it was for you,
but it was for me, too.

I'm sure I felt a lot like
you do now, a little lost.

(sighs) You see, when
you were first born, uh,

I was pretty scared, I, I
didn't know how to be a dad.

And with Grandpa around,
I relied on him a lot.

So, when he was gone, it was hard.

But you know, going through
this box, I realized that

he had his fair share of struggles, too.

In spite of those troubles, he was,

he was still the same old Grandpa.

He'd be proud of you, Jon.

Excited that you wrote
those letters like he did.

(door closes)

(warm piano music)

(bright atmospheric music)

- [Assistant] Can I
help you find anything?

- Yeah, actually, I'm
trying to do a really nice

Christmas dinner for a friend
of mine and her daughter.

- No, (chuckles) no.

Let's just put that right there.

This is a potato.

Until they're tender, you
stick a fork into it and it

can come out 15 minutes, the
same time as the cranberries.

These are parsnips.

They're kind of like carrots,
a little bit different.

- Okay.

- [Assistant] So, instead,

and it'll look really flashy and cool.

I have full confidence
you're gonna be alright.

Alright.
- Thanks so much.

- You're so welcome.

- Yeah, hold on.

- I know it's not the same
without Alex here, but,

I just thought, just for tonight,

we could pretend that
he's safe and with us.

- Thank you, dear.

- Thanks, Mom.

- Years ago, during my summers,
I worked as a deck hand

on a small coast skimmer
making logging runs and,

we'd come back into Seattle,
most of the time we were empty

but on this particular night,

Christmas Eve,

we carrying toys.

(Jon chuckles)
(peaceful piano music)

- With the radar out, I was
certain we were off course.

Now, I was worried, because
it was Christmas Eve,

and I knew our cargo was full of toys.

Then, I looked up from the wheelhouse,

and through the thickness of the fog,

I saw a small but bright
red light in the sky.

- Santa Claus.

- Well, I can't say for sure,
but that light guided us

all the way to the docks.

And after we moored, I
walked out onto the deck,

and I distinctly heard bells disappearing

with the red light into the fog.

(suspenseful music)

(distant creaks)

- [Officer] Yeah, I'm in.

Looks like the back door's been opened.

I'm checkin' the front now.

(music intensifies)

(distorted radio chatter)

- Suspect's exiting the back.

(distant siren wails)

(engine revs)

(tires screech)

(car horn honks)
(tires screech)

(van engine starts)

- No! (grunts)

No, no, no, no, no, no!

- Are you alright?

- Can you help?

Please!

- I gotta call the police.
- No!

I have to hurry.

(distant siren wails)

- You better run.

(suspenseful music)

(somber piano music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(melancholic piano music)
(Olivia sobs)

(siren chirps)
(suspenseful music)

- [Adiel] Mommy?

- He's goin' around back.

- It's Santa Claus!

(Jon pants)

- [Olivia Voiceover] Dear Derek.

I'm sorry for writing a letter.

It's sometime easier for me to
get my thoughts out this way.

I can't tell you how often
I wish I could go back

and change everything.

Change what happened and what I said.

But I know I can't.

I can only work on moving
forward and start again.

My pride got in the way and
I let it blind me to the fact

that you were working to do better.

Adiel's been struggling lately,

and I've recently been
reminded how important it is

to have a loving father around her.

I know saying sorry in
a letter isn't the same,

so I'd love to tell you in person.

If you're willing, I would
love to have you back

for Christmas with Adiel and I.

We'll be here on Christmas Eve.

I hope you will be as well.

I understand if you don't wanna come,

but know that a new beginning
is here waiting for you.

And for us.

Love, Olivia.

(melancholic guitar music)

(knocks)

- Hey.

Jon?

Where did you get this?

- Sorry, I shouldn't have taken it.

But just know that she wants you back.

They both do.

- How do you even know--
- Just...

Take care of them.

Okay?

(somber piano music)

- [Male Officer] Do you
think he jumped in the water?

- [Female Officer] Catch
hypothermia, if he did.

I'll bet he ran underneath
while we were comin' down.

(melancholic piano music)

(knocks)

(Jon chuckles)

(melancholic piano music)

(phone rings)

- Hello.
- What're you doin' sleepin'?

It's Christmas!
- Alex?

Hey, I thought you weren't
gonna be able to call?

- [Alex] They were able to
set up a satellite connection.

Just for today, I hope that's alright.

- No, that's great, that's great!

- [Alex] So, how is everything?

- Oh, geez!
(warm music)

Where do I start?

Yeah, uh-huh. (laughs)

Yeah.

Yeah, that Derek.

Yeah, so it turns out they
didn't even have a job

for me at all, so, I just
ended mopping floors all day.

And then it was right before
I talked to you last, yeah.

Uh-huh, (laughs) hold on.

And is if that isn't bad
enough, I have to work late,

so I miss her, okay, but it
does get worse than that.

They actually sent a letter to
the post office that morning.

Yeah, yeah.

No, it's okay.

Yeah, I was actually thinking that.

Yeah, maybe next semester.
- Oh, that would be great!

You totally should--
(phone beeps)

Jon?
- I know.

- It was nice talkin' to you.
- It was.

- Don't forget to write!
- I won't, I promise.

(phone bleeps)

Alex?

(bittersweet music)

- Yes, finally!

I got this!

Thank you, Dad.

- Are you so excited? We got
so many more presents to open!

- Jon?

It is you.

You look terrible.

Are you okay?

- Yeah.

Actually, I'm good.

- What is this?

- That's for Adiel.

- Adiel?
- Yeah.

That's what Adiel asked
Santa to bring her.

- Clever little girl.
(warm atmospheric music)

- What is it?

- Jon this is what I asked Santa
for when I was Adiel's age.

She must have remembered, I
told her that I asked for it,

and I never got one.

- So, it's for you.

Look, Olivia, I just hope you
got everything you wanted.

- I did.

- Good.

- And what about you?

- I will.

Someday.

I know I will.

I should go.

- Hey.

Merry Christmas, Jon.

(warm acoustic guitar music)

♪ Christmas day ♪

♪ It's coming fast ♪

♪ Bringing joy to the world at last ♪

♪ Joy ♪

♪ To the world ♪

♪ Maria ♪

(car engine revs)

♪ Oh, Prince of Peace ♪

♪ The world has changed ♪

♪ Still your truth and love remain ♪

♪ Truth ♪

♪ And love ♪

♪ Maria ♪

♪ Candles in the parlor ♪

♪ Light the way from friend to friend ♪

♪ The Christmas tree, the harmony ♪

♪ The fireplace to tend ♪

♪ The infant child ♪

♪ In the manger lays ♪

♪ He brings the gift of peaceful days ♪

♪ Peaceful days ♪

♪ Maria ♪

♪ The carolers are bundled up ♪

♪ In coat and scarf and hat ♪

♪ The ornaments and the memories ♪

♪ The spirit of Christmases past ♪

♪ The holy time ♪

♪ Once a year ♪

♪ The jingling bells, the midnight clear ♪

♪ Ave ♪

♪ Maria ♪

♪ Ave ♪

♪ Maria ♪