All language subtitles for Christmas.by.Starlight.2020.1080p.WEBRip.x265-RARBG

This program is rated G

and is suitable for
general audiences.

(lively music)

(festive music)

- Regarding Mark
and Jennifer Taylor,

The state of Illinois
confirms that your application

for the legal adoption
of Alison Gene Brenner

has been approved.

- Does that mean?
- Yeah.

Oh, merry Christmas you two.

Oh, you are officially parents.

- Thank you Annie
for everything.

Can't I tell you
how grateful we are.

- I think we convinced ourselves

that it just wasn't meant to be.

And what you managed
to do for us.

- So happy for you both.

Now go home, celebrate,
you deserve it.

- Thank you.

- Congratulations.

♪ Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is
to laugh and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

♪ Yeah what fun it is
to laugh and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

(rock music)

- Oh yeah.

Now we're talking.

♪ Out of all the reindeer, you
know you're the mastermind ♪

♪ Run, run Rudolph, Randalph
ain't too far behind ♪

♪ Run, run Rudolph ♪

What are you guys doing here?

- We're on our way
back from the cafe

and heard the commotion

and thought maybe you were?

- Being danced to death?

- I told you mother
the knock first.

- Thank you, dad.

- You said open door policy.

- Yeah, open door
policy doesn't mean

walk through the door policy.

What if I was--

- Dancing with your dog
wearing your Christmas pajamas?

- Yeah.
- We're happy you're safe

and now we're leaving.

- Thank you.

See you in the morning.

(bouncy music)

- [Pat] Those two
must be thrilled.

They have been trying
to adopt for years.

- I remember those days
sitting by the phone,

wondering if we'd
ever get the call.

- It's heart wrenching.

And then one day,
there you were.

- Just a perfect little angel.

- Yes who liked to stay
up all hours of the night

performing dance
routines for her dolls.

- And drawing murals with
her mother's lipstick

on the living room walls.

- [Annie] Are you saying
that it was difficult?

- Not at all.

You were just you.

- Okay.
- And we loved

every single second of it.

- Gene, the back stove's
doing that thing again

with the smoke.

One of these days, it's going
to set off the fire sprinklers

and then, pshh,

and I'm not cleaning it up.

- Thank you, Helen.

I'll have a look.

- Okay, wow.

These look so good.

Chelsea, beautiful.

I love the colors.

- Thanks.
- Need a jelly bean refill?

Dad, jelly bean emergency.

Okay.

And maybe these.

(slow intense music)

When were you gonna
tell me about this?

- We wanted to wait
until after the holidays.

We didn't wanna
spoil your Christmas.

- We knew you'd be--

- What, upset, devastated?

How was this even possible?

- The owners have wanted
to tear this building down

and redevelop it for years.

- This cafe is your life.

I was practically raised here
with half the neighborhood.

I mean, how can they do this?

This is our home.

- Annie, where as
upset as you are.

- It doesn't really
seem like it.

- We've just had a little
more time to digest it.

Our hands are tied.

- We've tried to negotiate.

They will not renew the lease.

- No, first it
was Sunrise Books,

then it was the deli,
Mary's is shutting down,

half the stores on
this block are vacant.

This Holt Enterprises,

they just picked a fight
with the wrong family.

And I'm about to
show them right now.

- Annie.

- What?

- Pants.

- Right.

("Deck the Halls")

- Meeting with the sales team
at two and a call at three.

We've already pushed that once,

so I think we should
really make sure that we--

- Bah!

(laughs)

You sure you don't
want in on this?

I'll give you a 10 point lead.

- How about 10
minutes of your time

to go over the new bylaws

from the City
Planning Commission?

- [Jim] William.

- And when you get a sec,
let's go over the new bylaws

from the City
Planning Commission.

- Took the words
right out of my mouth.

- Dad looking
sharp, new haircut?

- No, you missed
the investor meeting

for the Waterfront
proposal on Friday.

- For what it's worth,

I did make it to my
afternoon drinks meeting.

As for a proposal,

not really sure she's the one.

Come on, the deal's gonna close.

And even if it doesn't,
does Chicago really need

another faceless
glass office tower?

I'm kidding.
- Will,

we face two lawsuits this year

because of your carelessness.

And now, this complaint from
the Preservation Society.

- Oh, the complaint from the
Preservation Society is--

- A sign that you're not paying

enough attention to your job.

Enough is enough.

Now you start to show some
real leadership and commitment

or when it comes time

for me to step aside
from this company,

I'll sell it.

- You wouldn't.

- In the meantime,

I've arranged for
general counsel

to work alongside you directly

so that we can avoid more of
these costly legal oversights.

In fact, the
candidates are waiting

right out of the
hall as we speak.

- So you're hiring
me a babysitter.

- No, of course not.

I'm expecting you to.

Now you can get back
to your, your game.

Lyle.
- Mr. Holt.

- Someone to watch
my every move?

That's what I got you for.

- That's what I do, but it's
not actually what I'm for.

And I can't do the legal stuff.

- How bad is it out there?

- [Lyle] It's pretty bad.

- Yip, that's pretty bad.
- Yeah.

Where are you going?
- I don't know.

Grab a coffee and then
direct flight to the Bahamas.

- Will.
- Lyle, I'm not a child.

I don't need a chaperone.

What I need is a minute
to figure this out.

(festive music)

- Mr. Holt?
- Grabbing a coffee,

I'll send a postcard.

- Mr. Holt, I'm
Annie Park, I'm--

- I know what you are, fine.

Let's get this over with.

- Get one over with?

- Please, I know
why you're here.

You're some hot shot lawyer

and you're here to tell
me, do this, don't do that.

- I don't know about hot shot.

I mean, I am pretty good.

Wait, how do you know
that I'm a lawyer?

- Look, I'll listen
to your pitch,

but this is not a done deal.

I still get the final
say, are we clear?

- No, not really.

Listen, if I could just have--

- Sorry, single occupancy.

- What?

Mr. Holt.

- [Will] Wow, you don't quit.

- [Annie] Listen,
I'm not just a--

- [Will] Lawyer, I get it.

Advisor, counselor, play squash?

- No.
- Oh, that's too bad.

You definitely have
the reach for it.

- [Annie] Listen, Mr. Holt,

if you could just
give me two minutes,

I think you would--
- All right, sell me.

What do you got?

- Sell you?

Okay, the Starlight.

Cute little cafe
on 5th and Broad,

voted best waffles in the city

14 years in a row.

Well, technically 13,

but that was only because they
left the category off there.

Anyway, you can't tear it down.

I mean you could,

I live in that part
of town, Mr. Holt.

These people, they are
tired of being pushed around

and pushed out and this cafe,

it is the heartbeat
of the community.

If you take it away,
there will be a revolt.

- Wow, that was a lot of words.

What firm did you
say you're from?

- I didn't.

Annie Park: Family Law.

- Family law, why would
you want to work at a place

like Holt Enterprises?

- Why would anyone wanna
work at Holt Enterprises?

- You're not here for a job?

- No, you're tearing
down my parents' cafe.

I came to tell you--

- Will, Will, what on
earth are you doing here?

You've got a half
a dozen lawyers

waiting for you up
in the, who's this?

- This is, this is Allie.

- Annie.
- Annie.

She's a lawyer.

She's a good one, very good.

A lot of passionate things
to say about our company.

Anyway, we're gonna
keep chatting here.

So thanks for checking in.

I'll let you know how it goes.

- So like I said--
- Work of me.

- What?
- Work for me.

My father, that very
serious man just there

thinks that I need a lawyer
looking after me full-time

and I happen think differently.

You wouldn't have to do
any actual legal work.

You just have to
shadow me and you know,

look like a lawyer.

Yeah, like that.

- I wouldn't work for you
for a million dollars.

- How about two?

- Really?
- No, no.

Actually I wasn't
gonna pay you anything.

- Then why would I do it?

- Because you need my help

saving your little bakery or.

- Cafe.
- Even better, I love coffee.

- You want me to pretend
to be your lawyer until?

- Christmas, I'll figure
it out beyond that.

- And then you'll
save my parents' cafe?

Why would I trust you?

- I'm a man of my word.

Is that a yes?

- I.

- Great, I'll see
you at 8:00 a.m.

Thank you.

Oh, and a, wear business attire.

(festive music)

- [Pat] Hey, so what happened?

What'd they say?

- Ah, well it was
strange actually.

He offered me a job.

- A job?
- Well, not a real job.

I just have to do it for a week.

- So you took it?

- Do exactly what for a week?

- Pretend to be his lawyer.

- You are a lawyer.

- No, I know.

Not that kind of a lawyer,
like a different kind

of lawyer.
- A different kind,

wait, look, I am so confused.

- He's having some kind
of an issue with his dad.

He needs me to play
his lawyer for a week

and in return he's agreed
to save the Starlight.

I know it's insane, but
it's all we have right now.

So game on.

(slow lively music)

- Punctual, I like that.

- Let me just start by saying,

I think this whole
thing is insane.

And before I lift a finger,

I just need you to, I need--
- Hold that thought.

- Proofs for the ribbon
cutting photo boards.

You need to choose one.

- Great, Lyle,
Annie, Annie, Lyle.

Lyle's my, what's
your official title?

- I don't have one.

But man we duties include
personal assistants,

life coach, style consultant
and generally being younger,

smarter and better looking.

- Younger maybe.

I don't know,
rugged and charming

or career focused
but emotionally
available and charming.

Either, they're identical

- Hmm.

In that one, your
right eyelid is tensed.

Makes you look like
you're hiding something,

which let's be honest,
you probably are,

but that's not necessarily
something you wanna broadcast.

- The less sketchy one it is.

We're leaving.

- Oh right.

So, where are we going?

- You've heard of the SPHL?

- Society for Preservation
of Historical Landmarks,

of course.

- Well they're
threatening to sue me.

- For what?
- I don't know,

historical bush or something.

- A historical bush?

- Apparently we built a
parking garage on top of it.

- What?

Oh, they should be
suing you for a lot

and you need a lawyer in there

who specializes in business law.

- Nah, these people
are harmless.

I'll just give them a little bit

of the old Holt
razzle and dazzle.

- I can't believe
he just said that.

Whatever, I'm not even
gonna talk in there.

- Probably for the best.

- It wasn't just a bush.

That bonsai tree was a gift
from the Japanese prime minister

as a symbol of
peace after the war.

The tree was almost
400 years old.

- You're upset understandably
and I apologize.

But let's be honest, 400
years is a pretty decent life.

- I think what Mr. Holt means

is that he understands
the importance

of protecting and preserving

the rich legacies
of our communities

and in effort to
make this right,

he is hosting a Christmas
fundraising gala

where all of the
proceeds are gonna go

directly to your foundation

and Holt Enterprises is going
to match those donations

dollar for dollar.

(lively music)

- What happened to
letting me do the talking?

- Oh, and how is that going?

Didn't really seem
like they were feeling

the razzle or the dazzle.

- Oh I can't wait to
hear what my father

has to say about this.

- Probably something like,
brilliant idea, Annie.

You're the best lawyer William
has ever pretended to hire.

(intense bouncy music)

- Just drive.

- A Christmas fundraiser
in one week's time

and this was your idea?

And from a legal standpoint?

Smart, brilliant actually.

The lawsuit goes away at
relatively little cost

and the press eats it up.

It'll have to be
done properly though.

There'll be a lot of eyes on us.

- Great, I'll put a team on it.

- Actually Will, no.

I think I'd like you
on this personally.

Big responsibility, high
profile, lots of moving parts.

- Dad.
- Sort of like

running a company.

Where will you hold it?

Might be near impossible
to find a prime venue

this late in the game.

- We already have
it, the Starlight.

- Yeah, it's perfect.

Only the best.

- That's right.
- Okay.

- Well, I think that went well.

- Which part, the
part where I went

from managing half a billion
dollars in real estate

development to planning
a Christmas party?

- Fundraiser and I think you're
gonna have fun with this.

- Oh no, no, no, no.

I already have a job.

This is all you.

- I have no idea how
to plan a fundraiser.

- Well, maybe you
shouldn't be running around

handing out like party favors.

- Deal, I will plan
your fundraiser.

- Your fundraiser.

- And I will pull this off.

And when I do,

you have to promise to renew
the lease on my parents' cafe.

Say the words.

- The cafe is saved.

- Well, I better get to--
- No.

We're needing a
conference from three.

You're still my
lawyer for the week.

That was the agrgreement.

Hustle up.

- Jelly beans.

Annie, jelly beans.

- Oh, sorry.

- Are you all right?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

I'm just thinking
about the fundraiser.

- Yeah, it's a lot
the whole thing.

And I know you wanna throw
yourself headlong into this.

- Dad, I've got it.

- It's not you I'm
concerned about.

This is a big corporation
with lots of money involved

and I just hope your
expectations are realistic.

- Have you met me?

- I'll never forget when you
first took up ice skating.

- Oh here we go.
- You were cute as a button,

but man, oh man.

- You were hopeless.

You could barely stand,

yet you made us buy you skates

that were three sizes too big.

- You were determined by
the time you grew into them,

that you'd be able
to do a proper twirl.

- And I did, didn't I?

Landed the first one.

- Well, the first one you
landed on your backside.

The second time you were close

but by the third
time, you were flying.

- By the skates, land the twirl.

- You've always had
this amazing ability

to accomplish whatever
you set in your mind.

- We're here for you, honey.

Do you need anything?

- There is one little thing.

This is beautiful by the way.

I said we would host
it at the Starlight.

- Fine with us.
- Great.

(festive music)

- Christmas trees?

- Yep.

- Okay, well, I have a meeting
downtown in 45 minutes.

- And I have an event plan

that I have no idea how to plan

and all I know is we need a
big, beautiful Christmas tree.

So here we are.

Buy the skates, land the twirl.

- What?

- If you build it,
they will come.

- Oh I see, so you think if
you buy a Christmas tree,

the rest of the party will
magically just fall into place.

- Girl can dream.

This doesn't remind you
of when you were a kid?

- Honestly no.

- You never picked
a Christmas tree?

- I mean we had one,

but I didn't set it up.

I would get home from school
one day and there it was.

- Even decorations?

- Christmas was more of
a look but don't touch

holiday in our house.

Dad always hire people for that.

Probably afraid I
would mess it up.

And let's be honest,
he was probably right.

- In that case, a lesson

in the art of picking
Christmas trees.

- Okay.
- There are three

main criteria.
- Oh.

- One color, fullness,

smell.
- Okay.

- Come on, try it.

Okay, that was pathetic.

You gotta get in there.

Like really get in there.

- All right.

Oh!

(crash)

(laughs)

- [will] Oh, that's funny.

Oh, you enjoying yourself?

- I'm sorry.

- Now there's nearly
600,000 square feet

of usable ground-level
on this block.

Are you thinking
commercial, residential?

- Actually we're considering

more of a high-end outdoor
shopping experience.

(disproving scoff)

- Walk me through
the limitations

if we wanna go vertical

depending on the
city zoning bylaws

when we actually consider
adding tower to the project.

(bell rings)

What are we doing in here?

- What do you think?

- Cute, it might be a
little snug on you though.

- Not for me, for Charles.

- Your baby?

- No.

- Miniature boyfriend?

- No, my dog.

- Charles, after the prince?

- Charles after Charles Dickens.

I read "Great Expectations"
in the 9th grade

and it destroyed me.

- I loved her against promise,

against reason, against hope,

against all discouragement
that could be.

You scoffed when I mentioned
the shopping mall, why?

- Oh am I allowed to talk?

I don't know.

Just seems a little tone deaf.

Cost of living is already high,

people are already struggling.

You put a mall across the street

and all of these shops along
this strip go out of business,

including this one.

And that's on you.

(calm music)

- I'd go with a Santa suit.

- I'm gonna go with both.

- Appreciate you sitting
down with me, Ted.

You're a tough guy to
get an audience with.

- [Ted] Well, there's
lots of people lined up

hoping to get in
business with me.

- I'd be lying if I said
I wasn't one of them.

- [ted] I'm familiar
with your company.

Mainly commercial,
high rise, residential,

that sort of thing.

- Among other things.

Actually, we just looked at a
big lot in Norwood park area

I think you might be--
- Well as long

as it's not a hotel or a
shopping mall or something.

The last thing the city needs
is another one of those.

- Agree.

No, the property

we're looking at developing is--

- Everything all
right over there?

- Yeah, fine ,yeah.

It's just the menu's
all in French.

- It's a French restaurant.

- I realized that.

I just don't know what any
of this, this Frencheses.

- Nobody does.

(laughs)

- It's okay, I'll
just bring the usual.

- Oh no.

- [Will] Please.

- Wow.

What is this?

- It's Fois gras.

Duck liver.

(bouncy music)

- Any chance you get
one of those for me?

Thank you.

- Okay, I gotta
show you this one.

You're gonna.
- Okay, okay.

- Look, look at him
in his little PJs.

- [Ted] This is Charlie?

- Yeah.

- Awe, and a terrier to boot,

you're kidding me.
- Yeah.

- Well my Gigi and I
have three of them,

all rescues as well.

- No, get outta here.

- He has three of them.
- Yeah, you get out of her.

- Can you believe that?

Wait, you are.
- What, what?

- He's gonna.

Wait for it.

- What?

- Get out of here.

Well, that's just about
the cutest darn thing

I've ever seen.
- I know.

It's yours.

- Oh no, no, no, no,
- yeah, no, no,

no, no, no, no.
- I couldn't.

- You take it.
- No, I couldn't.

- Yes, it's yours.

You keep it.

- Are you sure?
- Yes, yes.

- Well, Gigi's gonna flip out.

You two would get
along like gangbusters.

You know, we're having
a little Christmas party

at the house Friday evening.

I'd be honored if you join us.

You have got to come.

- I would love to, thank you.

Well, maybe Will could come.

I have been talking your
ear off this entire lunch

and Will hear, he's
got some great ideas

that he'd love to pass by you.

- Well sure, why not?

- I mean.

- Always time to chat
a little business.

- There you go.

He's so nice.

- Well, he sure
took a shine to you.

Course here I am peddling
the same corporate.

- Oh, tree got
delivered to the office.

- The office?

- Yeah, they weren't ready
for it at the Starlight,

so I had it delivered
to the office.

- Whose office?

- [Annie] What are we missing?

- I don't know.

Kind of hard to see with
the giant tree in the way.

- Oh relax, it's not that big.

- Whoa, big tree.

Noble spruce, king of
the conifers, nice.

- Did you need something, Lyle?

- Not really.

Heard there was a tree in here
and wanted to see for myself.

Do we all get one next year?
- Lyle.

- Fine, actually Yes.

All the invitations
have gone out

and I already have
a number of RSVPs.

- Great, that's really great.

We officially have people
coming to a fundraiser

which now solely consists
of a Christmas tree.

- Well, buy the
skates, land the twirl.

- [Annie] Where are you going?

- Oh, I have drinks.

- Drinks right now?

- Did you need something?

- No.

- Great, I'll see you tomorrow
at the ribbon cutting.

You have Lyle if
you need anything.

- You're gonna need
photographer, music,

hosting stuff, gift
bags, oh and a theme.

Every great party has a theme.

- A theme.

- And any day we get to
celebrate the opening

of a new building is a great
day for Holt Enterprises.

And I'm sure there
are warmer places

you would all like to be.

So I'll keep it at that.

Let's get this ribbon cut

and get the show on the road.

(applause)

- It's an impressive building.

How many mom and pop shops
did you have to tear down

to build that one?

- None, it was an orphanage.

You really think I'm
that big a monster?

- You really want
me to answer that?

- You know, I don't wake up
in the morning and think,

boy, today I'd really like to
build a 55 story office tower.

- No, you're more of a
luxury resort kind of guy.

Do you need me anymore today?

- Not specifically.

Got somewhere to be?

Yeah, I've got an
errand I'd like to run.

Actually, it's
not far from here.

I can take a cab.

- No, no, no, no,
don't be silly.

We'll drive you.

(lively music)

Buckle up.

Toy store?

We're planning a fundraiser,
not a kids party.

- I need a theme.

- I though Christmas
was the theme.

- Christmas is the season.

The theme is going to
make the night memorable.

I just don't know
what it is yet.

- I'd be lying if I said I
wasn't a little impresses.

- Christmas didn't
even start in our house

until we'd been to Conrad's.

This doesn't bring
out the kid in you,

then we need to have
your heart check.

Wait, you do have a heart?

- No way, is this free?

Chocolate or strawberry?

Wait, I know this one.

- You will refuse the granola
bar because it's not organic,

but you will eat ice cream

that's meant for
children before lunch?

- Ice cream is for anyone,

at any time, at any place.

- Anything but vanilla.

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- So you come here every year?

- At least once

The first time was
when I was four.

- And you still remember it?

- Like it was yesterday.

It was with my parents,
my new parents.

I was adopted a couple of
weeks before Christmas.

Sort of became a
tradition ever since.

- Wow.

Really regretting that
orphanage comment from earlier.

- Yeah.

They also said I could pick out
anything I wanted that year.

- Man, it's not an
experience I ever got.

My dad's secretary
did all the shopping.

Tell me you went with

giant plastic elephant.

- Real one.

- Really?
- No.

Wow.

(laughs)

It was just a simple snow globe.

But when I saw it, I
knew that I had to have.

It was one of those things that,

you know you just felt like
it had always belonged to you.

It's a little Christmas magic.

- Why not that for the
theme, Christmas magic?

- Christmas magic.

It's all the things
that transport you

to a world where
anything is possible.

Yes, I like it.

There's hope for you
yet, William Holt.

- You feel like
grabbing some lunch?

- Yeah, but I get to
pick the place this time.

(lively music)

See, this is how
normal people eat.

- Oh, I've seen the commercials.

You know, I actually
went to private school

not too far from here.

- I can picture
you in high school.

- Oh, do tell.

Super popular, captain
of the whatever team,

definitely prom
king, definitely.

- Is that what you think?

- Well, yeah that's
the story you give off.

Am I wrong?

- Okay, no one has
ever seen this, ever,

aside from Lyle who I'm
pretty sure stole a copy

in case he needed a
blackmail me one day.

I give you William
Holt, heartbreaker.

Definitely not prom King.

I didn't even go.

- That's you?
- That's me.

- No.

I mean, he's cute, you're cute.

Nerdy definitely, but cute.

- Okay, show me yours.

- No.
- Come on,

come on.
- No, nobody gets to see that.

Nobody, not the grad photo.

Okay, I'm sure I have
something else, something.

- Give me the goods.
- It's only fair.

- Okay.

- [Annie] Oh yeah, there it is.

- Were you an
administrative assistant

to a circus company?

(laughs)

- No, it was figure skating
and I took it very seriously.

- I can tell.
- I mean I tried.

Yeah, I.
- It's very charming.

You've come a long way.

- So have you.

Hard to believe that

that guy has been hiding out
inside there all this time.

- Yeah.

(slow festive music)

- The magic of Christmas.

That's perfect.

Well, of course it is.

It's you were talking about.

- Well, actually that
one wasn't me at all.

That was will.

Yep, his one contribution
to this entire thing.

At least it was a good one.

- Well it sure sounds
like the two of you

are getting along well.

- Is this the guy?

- Yep.

- Whoa, handsome.
- Annie.

Oh my gosh, he looks like
a charmer, doesn't he?

- All right, all right,
- Look at his jaw.

- Blue eyes.
- Anyway the fundraiser,

hi, it's coming along well.

Got the photographer booked,

the music is all set.

- What about food?

- Food.

Food, how did I
forget about the food?

I just figured because
we were a restaurant,

I didn't even think
about the food.

I knew that we
would have it here.

- Annie, we make breakfast.

I mean, we can handle
the desserts but.

- What am I gonna do?

What am I going to
serve for dinner?

- Not waffles.

- Thank you, Helen.

Lyle, where's Will?

- It's Friday.

He plays squash with
his father on Fridays.

- Well of course he does.

Yeah, why would he
fill me in on that?

You know, why am I even here?

It's not like I have
a fundraiser to plan

in four days time

and every time I try
to make a decision,

you know I tumble head
forward into a rabbit hole

full of bigger and
bigger problems

threatening to choke the
life right out of me.

- Okay, you're coming with me.

- Lyle, sorry, I don't
have time for this.

- Annie, trust Me.

You don't have a choice.

Come on, we're leaving.

(bouncy music)

No caterer?
- I know.

- [Lyle] It's $1000
a plate dinner.

- Yeah I know.
- The dinner part

is right in the name.

- I don't know, I
don't do this thing.

I'm not thrilled
with myself either.

- Oh um, the Dalai Lama?

- Close enough.

- Hi.
- Michael, you must be Annie.

- Yes, nice to meet you.

- Perfect timing,
she needs your help.

This man could write
his own food blog.

Can't cook to save his life,

but he knows all about it.

- How can I be of service?

- Oh, it's fine.

Thank you, that's very kind.

It's just, I'm fine.

I need a caterer like yesterday.

What do you even serve at $1000
dollar a plate fundraiser?

- It could be whatever you want.

What kind of things
do you like to eat?

- Sliders, mac and
cheese, chicken fingers.

- For Chicago's
wealthiest elite,

not a children's birthday party.

- I know.

- Let's try this.

What would Will approve of?

- Golden Crested deck liver.

I don't know, I'd ask him,

but he's playing
squash with his father.

Who knows what he wants.

He has the whole world in front
of him on a silver platter

and half the time, he acts
like he wants to tip it over.

- Sometimes when people
feel pushed or boxed in,

they do things that seem
wildly out of reason.

- Boxed into what?

Being handed a billion
dollar corporation?

- That's what his father wants,

but it's that what he wants?

I think if you look
beyond the fois gras

and the tailored
suits, you'll find that

he's really just chicken
finger guy at heart.

- Being married to a
psychologist has the
occasional upside.

- Speaking of, that
little Italian place

that Will sent us to
on our anniversary,

is just down the street,

yeah?
- Yeah.

- I'm sure the cater.

- Then it's Will approve.

- It's worth the shot.

- Yeah

- Awe, that was great
gentlemen, thank you.

We will be in touch.

- See you.
- Okay, thanks.

(laughs)

- Yes and he tripped
right into it

and I was just like
right under the table.

It was the worst
thing that I ever,

I'm not, I'm not even.

- Looks like I missed a party.

- Hi, hi, yeah.

Well we just, we
had a lunch thing

and then it turned into
a food tasting thing.

- Oh then it turned
into a buffet.

I think I had 30 of those
little ravioli things.

- With the truffles?

I know, I should've
pocketed some for later.

- You should have.
- That's okay,

I'm smart, I did.

Thank you so much for
your help, Michael.

- So glad we got
the catering sorted.

- [Annie] Oh me too, thank you.

- I'll see you again soon.
- Okay, yes.

Bye.
- Bye-bye.

- Well, it's like you
had a productive morning.

You know, my afternoon
is actually pretty open

if you need anything.

- Nope, I think I'm
all good, thanks.

- Good.

- Will you be my services
at all this afternoon?

- No, no, I don't think so.

- Okay, well I guess I'll see
you at Ted's Christmas party.

- Yes, okay.

- Okay.

- Oh, dress code?

- It's a Christmas
party, casual.

- Casual, casual, okay.

(lively festive music)

- Hi.

- Hi.

- You look.

No, no, no.

What is this, what
is this sweater?

- What do you mean
what is this sweater?

You said casual.

- I said casual, I meant
like, you know, nice casual,

not bingo night at the Legion.

- Well, there you are.

Welcome, come on in.

I'm so glad you came.

- Well, thank you so
much for having us.

- May I take your coats?

- Yep.

- Annie?

- Oh no, that's okay.

It's cold outside and I don't
wanna cause you any trouble.

- Oh it's no trouble at all.

Besides, it tends to get
a little warm in here.

- Yep.

- Gigi, this is Annie I
was telling you about.

- Oh my.

- I know he said
it was casual so--

- I have the exact same sweater.

I haven't worn it years.

Ted, we have to dig
those out tonight.

I have a whole
trunk full, how fun.

Let me introduce
you to everyone.

Starting with Karlie.

- Oh, the Santa suit.

Hello Karlie.
- That's Karlie.

- Look at the Santa suit.
- Love the Santa suit.

- [Ted] This way son.

(people chatting)

♪ The angel did sing ♪

- Ted tells me you're working
on some sort of fund raiser.

Anything we can do to help?

- Oh, I think we have it.

Yeah, I mean I'm not so sure

about the fundraising
parts, but.

- Well that's the easy part.

Leave that to me.

I'll sell some plates for you.

Beg pardon,

I'd just grab your
attention for one second.

My friend Annie here
is hosting a fundraiser

for the Preservation Society
this Tuesday evening.

I would consider
it a personal favor

if each and every one of you

would joined Gigi
and I in attending.

- Ah, I wondered
why it felt like

all the life had left the party.

Here you are standing outside.

What's up?

- Yip, tiny, teensy problem.

It was really nice of Ted to
invite all those people, but.

- [Will] But?

- Well, the Starlight
cafe only holds 95 max

and we're already at that limit,

so.
- 95 what?

95 tables?

- No Will, people.

And there were at
least another 50

of them here at the party.

It's a cafe, it's not
Madison Square Garden.

- Are you serious right now?

Goodnight, we'll
see you on Tuesday.

Do you have any idea how
bad this is gonna look?

- Well, not as bad as you
almost tearing down a building

you clearly know nothing about.

- We can't just go inside
and uninvite everybody.

- Hi.
- Hi, it's very nice

to meet you.

What are we gonna do?

- We aren't gonna do
anything, all right?

This is a me thing, Will.

So you can go back to your
drinks and your squash

and whatever it is you do
to remain blissfully unaware

because that's what you do.

It's nothing to you.

This is a game, but
it's not to me, Will.

This is my life,

this is my family,
this is my history.

So I am gonna go home
and try to fix this

because that's what I do,

that's who I am.

The only person I can trust
to show up for me is me

and I'm okay with that.

(sad music)

Oh and the sweater,

it's a big hit.

(bouncy music)

(crash)

Will, What are you doing?

- I was just coming down
the walk and I didn't see--

- No, what are you doing here?

It's Saturday morning.

I'm sure you didn't
come to shovel my walk.

- No.

Truth is last night, you
said some things to me

that weren't
entirely flattering.

And while I don't agree
with some of them,

you did make a few comments
that had some truth.

- Will.
- I wanna help.

(crash)

- [Pat] Annie, what's
going on down there?

- It's just a friend, mom.

- Mom?

- Hi.

Do you two wanna come up?

We had just made breakfast
if you're hungry.

- Oh no, he can't.

- I would love that.

More waffles?

- No, thank you.
- All right.

- What brings you out this way
on a Saturday morning, Will?

- Well Gene, your daughter
and I find ourselves

in a bit of a pickle.

- So we here.

- I wanna help.

These are unbelievable,
what do you put in here?

- Oh, it's an old family secret.

I could tell you, but
then I'd have a to--

- Agave, is it agave syrup?

Uh-oh, does that mean
you still have to?

'Cause I do not wanna be
buried in these shoes.

(laughs)

- You are right,
he is so charming.

- Mom, I did not say that.

- You said he was
handsome and charming.

- No, I didn't.

Helen said he was handsome.

- Oh, I like Helen.
- And then you said charming.

- You said he was charming.

I didn't say anything.

I definitely didn't
say you were charming.

- What else did you
definitely not say?

- Will, this has been fun.

I have a crisis to handle.

So I am gonna go
to the Starlight.

Will, thank you so much
for this unannounced visit

and I'll talk to you
tomorrow or the next day

or maybe never.

- I'll come with you.

- I'm okay, that's fine.

- Why, I wanna help?

- Why not, he can come.

- He wants to
help, let him come.

- Fine, I'm gonna
go get dressed.

Will, just don't anything.

- She's always been--

- Fiercely independent.

- Yeah, ever since
she was little.

- Likes to handle
things herself.

But when she says she's
gonna do something.

- She had full well is going
to get that thing done.

- Boy, you better
not get in the away.

- 95 people, even that
feels like a stretch.

Unless you're gonna put
some of them on the roof.

Is that the plan,
you're gonna put

a few of them on the roof?

- Okay Will, I am
literally this close.

(calm music)

- That you on the horse?

- Yeah.

- A lot of history here.

You know this place,

it's not what I
thought it would be

in a good way.

- I know.

- And the toy drive,
is that all you?

- Yeah, it's something
we do every Christmas.

Sometimes even just
an extra present

or two under the
Christmas tree helps.

- Thoughts, ideas, solutions?

Rent an excavator,
blow out some walls,

save you some trouble
down the road.

- I don't know, I don't
see how we can do it here.

There's gotta be
somewhere close.

Maybe we go to the
high school gymnasium.

- Bow ties and ballgowns
and a giant box

just smells like sweat.

- It sounds like my prom.

- Maybe it's for the
best I didn't go.

- Maybe we put them
all into the bookstore.

- That's actually
not a half bad idea.

This whole building used to
be one big general store.

Shortly after the
second World War

right before my family
opened the cafe,

it was divided in half.

This other half
became Sunrise Books.

- Dad, I was just kidding.

The bookstore has
been closed for years.

- [Will] Why did it shut down?

- I don't know, you'll
have to ask the guy

who owns the building.

- [Gene] All right.

(door scrapes)

- Perfect.

Nothing to it.

Okay, we've got Marco's
moving truck confirmed,

a bunch of volunteers,

tomorrow might
not be impossible.

- Well I can get
Carl to help out.

- Oh, that's good.

- No, not so much in a
commercial application

because on a house like this,

the overhang, you
paying attention?

You writing this down?

Is of particular importance

because if the snow slides off

when you're walking
out the door,

you get hit in the
head with snow,

suddenly your whole
day is ruined.

- Expected him to
be a little more,

I dunno, shark like.

I don't love that he's
ripping marshmallows

off the gingerbread village,

but over all,

he seems like a
pretty decent guy.

- That's pretty
good, watch this.

Oh, you like that one?

- Will, thank you so
much for your help today.

I think we can--
- Are you sticking around

for the show tonight?

Live music, only happens once
a year at Christmas time.

- He's busy, you're busy.

- I'm wide open.

I'd love to.

- Great, we'll see you at seven.

- All right, see you then, Gene.

Well, that sounds fun.

- Okay.

Well I'm gonna go
home and change

and feed Charles, so.

- You mind if I tag along?

I feel like I kind of just
be getting in the way here.

- I.

- Great.

- Maybe you should
just hang back here.

Sometimes he's
skittish new people

and I don't want to--
- Who, this guy?

Nah, he's not skittish.

He's a good boy.

- Okay, I'll just go.
- Oh, he's a good boy.

He loves it when you
scratch his belly.

- Okay.
- Oh, look at that face.

That's pure love right there.

Oh yeah.

You got lucky with
that one, pal.

She's one of the good ones.

You know that, right?

(Charles whines)

All right, don't need to shout.

What do yous say, feel
like giving me the tour?

(Charles barks)

(calm music)

- So.

- You look nice.

- I just threw on whatever
was dirty, wasn't dirty.

(bouncy music)

- Is this the?

- Yeah, that's it.

- Mind if I?
- Sure.

It's the crushed pearls that
make it shimmer like that.

- It's beautiful.

- It used to have a key
that in the back here

that you would wind it up with

and she'd sort of
twirl in the snow.

- What happened to it?

- Not really sure.

I used to wear the key
on a chain around my neck

and one day I looked
down and it was gone.

I cried for days.

My dad looked everywhere for it.

I'm not sure who was more
disappointed, him or me.

It's been a long time
since she's danced.

Well, I will go feed Charles

and then we should probably
head back over there

because we don't
wanna miss the show.

- Hey everyone.

It is so special for me to be
here at Starlight Christmas.

I remember the first time
that had ever written a song,

I performed it here
and I was 10 years old

and I was so nervous.

But knowing that there'd
be waffles back there

waiting for me after,

it reminded me that
everything was gonna be okay.

This song is one of my favorites
and I hope you enjoy it.

(calm guitar music)

♪ Silent night, holy nigh ♪

- What time should
I be here tomorrow?

- What?

- For the helping out with
the bookstore and what not.

What time we starting?

- Oh, Will, you don't have to.

- I know, Annie.

I know we don't have to.

I wanna help if you'll let me.

- Eight.
- Eighth.

- Be here at eight.
- Okay.

♪ In heavenly peace ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

sic)

(bouncy music)

- Hey, I was just wondering
if you were still.

- [Will] Handsome and charming?

- Sorry, I didn't
see you pull up.

I thought that maybe.

- You thought that I
bailed, that I flaked.

- No.

I mean maybe you
had a drink date or.

- Yeah.

For the record, that drinks
day was with my accountant.

- I didn't give it
a second thought.

- Oh, so you did give
it a first thought?

- Open the door, please.

Thank you.

(calm music)

- There's something you
don't see every day.

- Just when you think
you know someone,

life is full of surprises.

(giggles)

- There's food if you're hungry.

- Oh great.

Grab some when I'm finished.

Feet, feet, feet, feet, feet.
- Oh yeah, of course, yeah.

I was just in the cafe.

There's there's a
lot of history there.

- Yeah.

- And Annie's parents,
they're really great.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- Lyle?

- I know about your agreement.

I just hope that you can

or they at least
you've thought about

how you can hold
up your end of it.

I just don't wanna see
you get hurt, that's all.

- Yeah.

- Good, good.

I'm gonna grab a plate.

- Great, grab a bag as well.

(bag crinkles)

- Okay.

(phone rings)

- Hi.

Yes, thank you so much
for calling me back.

They canceled.

- Who?
- The caterers.

They literally just canceled.

I called them to tell them
there are gonna be more people

and they said they
couldn't accommodate.

- Wow.

What?

It's delicious.

- Oh I let the meat soak 'em in.

- Hi Eddie.

- Annie, it's good to see you.

- It's good to se you.

Do you cater?

- Not usually, but for you,

I could bend the
rules a little bit.

- For how many?

- 100 give or take.

- I've done 100 before,
but not with all the truck.

- Are you free Tuesday?

- Free as a bird.

(laughs)

- Hi, sorry.

Are you actually suggesting
we serve our guests

rib made from a trailer
idling outside of the curve?

No offense.
- yeah.

I am and I'm gonna
park it out front

and feed them from there.

Any objections?
- Nice.

- Good.

Consider yourself booked.

Problem solved.

- Done and done.

You gotta try some of this, bro.

- All right.

Hard to believe we got
all that done in one day.

- That is the
power of community.

Well, I should get back

and take care of some
of these, the details.

- Or actually I know
this little place

that's not too far from here.

It's pretty cool.

We could check it out?

- You know a place?

- Why, you got somewhere to be?

- No, but I mean, I.

- But, but, come on.

It's okay to color outside
the lines once in a while.

It'll be fun, trust me.

(giggles)

Good, let's go.

I'm driving.
- All right.

Okay.
- All right, watch your step.

- [Annie] Where are we?

Feels like the North pole.

- All right, easy.
- Okay.

- [Will] Okay.

Can I open them?
- Yeah.

(light boom)

("Joy to the World")

- Oh.

- Said you liked figure skating.

So.
- Wow.

Oh my, look at this,

- It's what I thought.

- [Annie] Oh my.

(calm music)

- [Will] Ready to
show me how it's done?

- Okay, well,

full disclosure,
it's been a while.

Like a long while.
- Okay.

♪ Holy night ♪

- Wow, all right, all right.

Whoa!

Nope, nope.

- You own an ice skating rink

and you don't know how to skate.

- I own a pulp mill,

don't know how to
make paper either.

So what's your move, hot shot?

- I don't have to move.

- Oh, come on.

I know you have a move.

- I don't know have a move.
- What's your move,

what's your move?

What was your finisher?

- Okay, fine.

I have a move,

but I need a partner and.

You?
- Try me.

I'm a quick study.

- Okay.

All right.

Here, put your
hands on my waist.

I'm gonna count back from three

and when I do, you
are gonna lift me.

- What?
- Yeah.

Ready, don't drop me.

Promise?
- Okay, yeah.

- Okay, three, two, one.

(laughs)

- I wrecked your move.

- Did the trick.

(calm music)

Thank you, that was unexpected.

I just have to grab a few things

and I'm okay to walk.

- Are you hungry?

I don't think I've
eaten all day.

- Yeah.

I know a place, and he cooks.

- I may not be able to
ice skate to save my life,

but I whip up a pretty average
grilled cheese sandwich.

- Thank you, it's perfect.

- Not bad.

- Pretty good.

- On the off chance that
I haven't said this yet,

you've done an
incredible job this week.

I'm serious.

I think we both know that if I
was planning this fundraiser,

it would just be a bowl pretzels

and a couple of folding tables.

You know, if the law
thing ever falls through.

- Oh yeah.

I we'll keep that in mind.

- I bet you will.

- I am pretty happy
where I am though.

- Was that always
the plan, family law?

- Law was.

Yeah, I always knew that
I wanted to help people.

Family law seemed
like a natural fit,

especially through adoption.

I mean, it can be
a tough process

but it's really rewarding.

- And you were four
when you were adopted?

- Yeah, yup.

You know it's strange,

most things at that
age are a blur,

but that day,

that day I remember
like it was yesterday.

So many mixed emotions.

Was just really happy
to have been chosen,

driving home to my actual home

and yet feeling like
none of it was real.

I'd spent so much time wanting
that sense of security,

that that feeling of home,
I think it was hard for me

to believe that it was
actually happening.

I always had this
sinking feeling

like it would all just go
away in a single breath.

- That's a lot for
a four year old.

That's a lot for anybody.

- Yeah but at the same time,

it gave me this
feeling of gratitude

for every day that I had
with them after that.

I think it's why I
love Christmas so much.

It brings me back to
that time, you know?

At the beginning of us,

sort of brings us full
circle, doesn't it?

The magic of Christmas.

- And how's that fear now,

of all of it just slipping away?

- Present.

- It doesn't have to be.

- So walk me through this again.

You wanna take the two
or so million dollars

we spent developing this project

and just what, throw
it in the trash?

We're already slated
for it demolition.

- I just feel we need
to rethink our strategy.

Dad, that cafe is an integral
part of that neighborhood.

- We already ran a
local impact study.

- I know, I know,
but I've been there

and I've seen it for myself.

What Andy's parents have done

with that cafe for
that community--

- Hold, hold on, who's Annie?

- Annie, my lawyer.

- And her parents have
an interest in that cafe?

Well, that sounds to me

like a pretty serious
conflict of interest.

- It would be,

but Annie is not my lawyer.

She is a lawyer, but she
specializes in family law.

- Well then why is she
working for our company?

- She's not, technically.

We, I made an agreement with her

that she would shadow
me until Christmas

and appear as my
lawyer so you would.

- I get the gist.

And in exchange for?

- I said that I would take
another look at the project.

But dad, this is not
about some agreement

or some favor for a friend.

- Who is planning
this fundraiser?

- Annie did a lot of
the work initially,

but I've been helping.

I spent the entire

day yesterday--
- You've been helping

with the project that I put
you solely in charge of?

- All right, I
know it sounds bad.

- No, it doesn't.

In fact, it doesn't surprise me.

Just sounds like
the same old story.

If you'll excuse me, I've
gotta get back to work.

I have a company to run.

(sad music)

(camera lens shutters)

- Last night was special.

(gasps)

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no,

delete, delete, delete, delete,

what did I just do?

(phone vibrates)

- Bet you're happy to finally
see that thing out the door.

- Kind of got used to it.

What?
- Don't what me.

What did you do?

- I didn't do anything,
that's the problem.

And I don't think I can.

(calm music)

- Hi.
- Hi.

I need to talk to you.

- Me first.

Okay.

I know that at your
house, Christmas time,

it was sort of a look
but don't touch holiday.

But in mine, it was both.

So I saved this tree for last.

I thought maybe you'd like
to help me decorate it.

- Annie, I--
- Will, I have waited

all week to do this, please?

Can you just,

can you give this to me?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

Open it.

(chuckles)

- It's a snow globe.

- Seemed only fitting.

(serene music)

William Holt is
about to decorate his
first Christmas tree.

Really is a world where
anything is possible.

Go ahead, it doesn't
have to be perfect

- Pressure.

Ta-da.

- How did that feel?

- Pretty good.

- Yeah, you wanna
do another one?

- I do.
- Great, 'cause I have

about 300.
- Okay.

(bouncy music)

Not bad for a rookie.

That's it, that's everything.

We're done.

- Yep.
- Place looks great.

- Yeah.

Guess this is it.

- Yeah.
- End of a week.

- Yeah, went fast.

- Yeah it did.

Best fake job I ever had.

- Annie, I...

Thank you for this.

- Yeah.

- But really, see you tomorrow.

(soft music)

- [Gene] Have a good night.

- [Will] All right
careful now, careful.

Easy, okay, here we go.

("Joy to the World")

This way, good.

Right through here, right there.

)

♪ Just hear those
sleigh bells jingling ♪

♪ Ring tingle tingling too ♪

♪ Come on, it's lovely weather ♪

♪ For a sleigh ride
together with you ♪

- Greg, how are you?

Good to see you, thank
you so much for coming.

You look great.

Hi guys, thank you for coming.

Oh that looks good.

Oh wow, hey.

♪ Giddy up, giddy up,
giddy up, let's go ♪

♪ Just look at the show ♪

♪ We're riding in a
wonderland of snow ♪

- Hi.

♪ Just holding your hand ♪

- Wow.

Excuse me.

You look stunning.

- Thank you.

You look.

(laughs)

- What?
- No.

- You said casual.

- It's perfect,
you look perfect.

- I have a little
surprise for you.

Close your eyes.

Come on.

(people talking)

Almost, almost.

- Okay.
- Stop.

Open.

Ta-da.

- Oh my.

Will, you did this

for me?

- It's just a little
Christmas magic.

- Yeah, oh.

- You didn't come all
this way looking like that

to stand in the doorway.

Shall we?

- I would like to thank
everyone once again

for joining us this evening

and supporting what we believe
to be a very noble cause.

So eat, drink, dance.

(applause)

(slow guitar music)

♪ Oh holy night ♪

♪ The stars are
brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night of
our dear saviors birth ♪

- You did it.

- We did it.

I have to thank you.

- For what?

- Well for a lot of
things, actually.

(giggles)

For your sweater for one,

(giggles)

for reminding me how
good it feels to laugh

until my face hurts,

for showing up for me,

but mostly for

making me feel.

- Annie, that that dress.

Are you kidding me?
- Wow.

- [Michael] Where
did you get it?

- So sorry, are we?

- Heck of a job here, son.

These things are
always so stuffy

and whoever came
up with this idea.

- Genius, I love brisket.

- I agree, I'll let
the genius know.

- And this space, it's gorgeous.

- Oh, a lot of history here.

In fact, I think the old railway

used to run right
down the street.

- No kidding?

- Your dad filled us in
on the development plans

for this place.

He says you just slated
demolition for early January.

The best of luck.

Though I hate to see
a place like this go.

♪ Oh night divine ♪

- Annie, Annie.

Hey Annie, oh, hi.

It's very good to
see you, sorry.

Annie, Annie, I tried.

- Did you?

Did you really?

Because when I make a
promise to someone, Will,

I keep it, I follow through.

I trusted you.

I trusted you

and you broke that.
- Annie.

- There is a reason
people don't color

outside of the lines, Will.

Just makes everything messy.

(sad music)

(slow bouncy music)

I just feel so stupid.

I mean, how could I trust him?

I knew what he stood for.

I knew how he did business.

Why would that exclude me?

And now everything in
just one single breath,

all of it just gone.

- Not everything, I'm here,

your mom's here.

We're not going anywhere.

- I'm so sorry.

I thought I could save it, dad.

I really did.

- No.
- I thought I could.

I failed.
- No, no, you didn't,

you didn't.

It was never your job.

I should never have let you try.

I'm supposed to be the guy
that comes in and saves things.

I'm dad, that's my job.

And I'm sorry I didn't.

- All of our beginnings,

all of our memories,
all of our traditions

all of them are their dad

and once it's gone, it's just.

- I know.

But what is it really?

A roof, four walls.

And if those walls come down,

who we are and what we are
doesn't disappear with them.

It lives with us wherever
we go, whatever we do.

It's right here

and no one can ever
take that away from us.

As far as I'm concerned,
walls are pretty overrated.

- No, they keep you safe.

- They can, but if
we're talking about

what I think we're
really talking about,

they cause more harm than good.

Anni, a heart that
doesn't know pain

also doesn't know love

and all the wonderful
things that come with it.

We are so proud of you, honey.

Nothing you do or don't
do could ever change that.

- Even dancing around in
my living room with my dog?

- That was pushing it.

(chuckles)

I love you, kiddo.

- I love you.

- Annie left this year
for you the other day.

(paper rustles)

(slow music)

- I know.
- Do you?

- I don't own the company, Lyle.

- Will, I'm gonna say
he says your friend.

Your entire life, you've
had someone around

to break your fall

or to pick up the
pieces for you.

This time you don't,
you're on your own, okay?

So you need to dig deep and
figure out how to fix this

or that woman will
never forgive you.

And if that happens,

I guarantee you'll
never forgive yourself.

- Lyle, bring me
everything we have

on the Starlight,
print and digital,

please.

(dramatic lively music)

Ted, hey, William Holt.

Listen.

Yeah, no, it really was.

Listen, I'd love to get your
opinion on something actually.

What do you know about
historical designation?

- Oh Will look,

I know we didn't get a,

well, much of a chance
to chat last night

but I really have
to hand it to you--

- We're not tearing
it down, the cafe.

I filed a petition with the city

to have it granted
historical designation

and I know it's a long shot

but until that's
formally reviewed,

we are prohibited from
any further development.

- Son, listen to me.

- No, dad, you can
talk all you want

about bottom lines,

impact studies,
none of it matters.

It's people and communities.

It's honoring their
history and their legacies,

not stepping on them
to inflate our own.

We could build 1000
shopping malls dad,

and not have as much impact

as that one little cafe.

You wanted me to start showing
leadership, here it is.

I won't move forward with the
Starlight or any other project

until we start putting
the people first

because dad that's what matters.

Even if it costs me my
future with the company.

- What are you proposing?

(bouncy music)

- Helen, Helen.

I'm looking for Annie.

- You have some nerve.

This is William Holt,

the guy who's tearing
this place down.

- Yeah, she's right.

I am William Holt and wow,

that's the first
time in my life.

I haven't been
proud to admit that.

A couple of weeks ago,

I wouldn't have given
a second thought

to tearing in a
place like this down,

and that's what we do.

But then I met a pretty
extraordinary woman,

your daughter who opened my eyes

to some things.

Among them, the
importance of community,

history and family.

Thing is I'm an idiot.

- You're right about that.

- And I made a pretty big
mess of things with this woman

who, if I'm being honest,

I probably don't deserve
in the first place.

She's the only
person who ever truly

saw me for me and thought

that was enough.

And I broke broke her trust.

And I may never be
able to repair that,

but I can keep my word.

This cafe will not
be torn down ever.

I promise you that.

- Will.

- Annie.
- Okay.

Did you meet all of that?

Because I'm feeling a
lot of things right now

and I really wanna trust you

I'm worried you
might've just said that

'cause you think that
that's what I wanna hear

and I don't know why
you would do that,

but maybe you would do that.

I don't know.

And you know,

I'm just terrified
that you're not real

and then all this could go away.

Imagining a life
without you in it,

just it really makes me sad.

- Wow.

That was, was a lot of words.

(romantic music)

(upbeat music)

- You weren't kidding.
- You know I don't

kid about food.

- And Marco makes amazing piaya.

You have to make it for her.

- Oh stop it.
- I think I have something

here for someone
and it's an Alison.

- Wow, thank you.

- [Annie] Merry Christmas.

- [Alison's Mother] Merry
Christmas, let me see.

- I love how the
brick transitions
right into the glass.

- [Gene] Really tells
the story of generations,

truly inspired.

- And it's something I expect
to see a lot more next year

when the Will takes over
the helm of the company.

- Are you serious?

- I am.

After lengthy consultations
with your legal counsel,

we both agreed that you would
make an extraordinary leader,

if that's what you want.

- On one condition.

Lyle.

- Yeah?

- What's your official title?

- Oh, don't have one.

- How does chief
operating officer sound?

- I.

- That's a yes.

- [Jim] Son.

- Thanks dad.

- Now, if somebody
could please tell me

where I can find some
of those amazing waffles

that I keep hearing about?

- Right this way.

- Now it's your turn.

- My turn?

What is this?

- It's a little something.

(paper rustles)

My snow glob.

Is that my?

- The one you lost?

No.

(laughs)

I'm not that good, but it fits.

(calm music)

She's dancing again.

- Yeah, she is.

- Merry Christmas, Annie.

- Merry Christmas, Will.

(lively festive music)