All language subtitles for Exes Of Christmas Past 2025 1080p WEB-DL HEVC x265 5.1 BONE_track3_[eng]

♪ It's that time
of year again ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Presents by the tree ♪

♪ My heart full of glee ♪

♪ I'll go to Santa
for one thing ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Under the mistletoe ♪

♪ That's where I long to go ♪

♪ Oh the snow is
falling down around me ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ There's magic in the air ♪

♪ I can't wait to see
my boy this Christmas ♪

♪ Like I did the year before ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ He's been gone away
since last December ♪

♪ But it's just made
me want him more ♪

Thank you so much for
staying with us and Happy Holidays.

Thank you for calling
Crabtree Hotel.

This is Nadia speaking.

Hi, I'd
like to make a reservation.

I can absolutely
help you with that.

Thank you.

Hey, Nadia, I need you.

Three nights, two adults,

one child.

Do you
have a room with two beds?

Actually, I might need to
place you on a brief hold.

I can take care
of that for you.

Here you go.

All right, Merry Christmas.

Oh, you must be the Walshes.

We are so happy to have
you staying here with us.

And hello, you.

Charlie, would you mind
showing our young guest

the train set under
the Christmas tree?

He knows the trick to make
steam come out of the smokestack.

It's really cool, have fun.

Let's get you checked in.

Marco, I will send Nadia
as soon as she's available.

Okay, let's see where
we have you staying.

A premium suite with an
adjoining room, enjoy your stay.

The window displays on
Michigan Ave are incredible,

but you really don't wanna
miss the Christkindlmarket.

Just as seasonal, but
with a quirky specificity

that is tailor-made
for Instagram stories.

Oh, I think that's
your taxi now.

- Thanks.
- Bye.

Merry Christmas.

How are you feeling?

Better now that you're here.

You were doing great.

Sometimes everything
just stacks up at once.

I don't want you to worry
about a thing while you're away.

I have your lists and
your instructions.

And you have my cell.

You call me if anything.

I will, but I won't have to.

Are you ready to go home?

I am.

It feels weird to be leaving
in the middle of everything,

but I haven't been home
for Christmas in years.

I miss it.

Promise me you won't
call every five minutes.

Like, you've made this place
into a well-oiled machine.

Promise.

I promise.

I'll just text you every
five minutes instead.

Text me all you
want as your friend,

but no shop talk unless it's
absolutely necessary, okay?

Tough but fair.

Bye.

♪ The trees and the
grass are frosting up ♪

♪ There's something
in the air ♪

♪ Yes, everyone wants
to make the most ♪

♪ Of this magic time of year ♪

♪ The Christmas
bells are ringing ♪

♪ The Christmas
bells are ringing ♪

♪ The Christmas bells
are ringing once again ♪

No reindeer?

No sleigh?

Guess Dad's knee surgery
really did take it out of--

Oh.

- Mrs. Bramm?
- Josie.

Oh my word, I'm so sorry.

Did you just throw
a snowball at me?

I never would have.

I have this thing with
the DoorDash guys.

They've been here a lot
since your father's surgery.

The DoorDash guys made
you a snowball sniper?

It's just a fun little...

Look at you.

Aren't you so lovely?

It's good to see
you, Mrs. Bramm.

May I request a truce
while I get my suitcase?

'Tis the season
of peace after all.

It sure is. Goodnight.

Oh, Santas.

Oh, Graham, she's
here! She's home!

- Hi.
- Oh, you're home.

Oh, gosh, oh.

- Oh.
- The place looks great.

Oh, hey, every year
we find a new ornament

for the collection.

Maybe it's too much.

No, I think it's wonderful.

And how many years
ago did you take

Santa's hand in marriage?

Isn't it perfect?

Your dad and I like
to dress up sometimes

for milk and cookie hours
during Christmas week.

- Aww.
- Joey.

Dad.

Oh, how's the knee?

Ho, ho, horrible?

Ho, ho, ho'kay.

I'm finally part man
and part machine.

- So that's a bonus.
- Oh, okay,

I don't know if
your mom mentioned--

Yeah, milk and cookie hour.

I love that you two
are still doing that.

- Yeah.
- Is it still

in the family room?

Well...

What?

Oh, no Christmas tree?

Oh, well, we're a
little behind on decorating.

There's a few things I
haven't been able to manage

since the knee replacement.

It's a good thing I got
here just in time, huh?

You already
work all the time.

You're home now, you don't
have to worry about any of that.

Dad, this is what I do.

Accommodations management,
attention to detail,

part-time elf for
Santas in need.

I will get the milk
and cookies ready.

How about you start the fire?

I'm just glad you're home.

Oh, me too, Dad, me too.

I can't wait to see what
you did with my room.

Oh, speaking of which, we
got a last minute reservation,

so we're all booked
up through Christmas.

- And it's funny--
- That's totally fine.

I have no problem sleeping

on the very comfy couch.

Oh, I can take the couch.

You can bunk with Mom.

Oh yeah, I'm sure your
knee would love that.

I am taking the couch.

And besides, it wouldn't
feel like coming home

without surrendering
my room to a guest.

And about those guests--

Oh, the tolling of
the clock announces

the arrival of
a bedtime snack.

And I can hear the ghosts
of Christmas present,

or shall I say the guests
of Christmas present,

- drawing nigh.
- Oh.

Hon'?

We should have warned her.

I kept trying,
but you heard her.

She's an unstoppable
talking machine

of positivity and light.

- Just like her mom.
- Oh, stop it.

Okay,

and...

this one.

Oh, hello.

Who are you?

I'm Josie, and who are you?

I'm Trudy. Do
you need any help?

Nice to meet you, Trudy.

You know what?

I would actually
love some help.

Do you know anything about
Christmas cookie presentation?

So the way I like to do it is

I take the pretty cookies
and I put them up front

and then I hide
any imperfections

by stacking them
like this. See?

Hey, Trudy Fruity, did
you remember to... Josie.

- Miles.
- Hi.

Hi.

Wow, does this adorable
little Christmas angel

belong to you?

Women are not property.

Good looking out, kiddo.

But she did come
to live at my house

shortly after my wife
gave birth to her, so...

And she's been
there ever since?

That's where she
gets her mail, yeah.

I didn't know you were
getting in tonight.

Yeah, look at
you all grown up.

Yeah, both of us.

Of course, you
haven't aged a day.

And I look like the Grinch
who stole Christmas.

You know, pre-heart thing.

Are you two getting
in the way here?

No, actually
quite the opposite.

Trudy here is taking the
reins on milk and cookie hour.

This is Josie.

Oh, hi, so nice to meet you.

- You too.
- I understand I have

you to thank for this man
being single when I met him.

I'm pretty sure
you broke up with me.

Who can remember?

- Cookies are served.
- Oh!

Beautiful.

Look what I found
in the kitchen.

Well, we tried to tell you,

but you were just
being too helpful.

No, it's a
wonderful surprise.

I just, you didn't wanna
stay with your parents?

They moved to Arizona.

Yeah, we've been doing
Christmases with them,

but they had other
plans this year

so I thought I'd come back
to the place that feels

the most like Christmas to me.

And crash with your high
school girlfriend's parents.

I wanted to stay at the
best B&B in Mill Creek,

right on the
Christmas Crawl route.

The best hospitality
in the biz.

- Oh.
- Hear, hear.

Oh, and there's one other
thing that I wanted to mention.

- Ellis.
- Is what I wanted to mention.

Hi, it's so good to see you.

Yeah, you too.

Hey.

- Miles.
- Hey, man.

You staying here too?

- I am.
- Nice.

And I thought
high school reunions

just took place in
hotel ballrooms.

And I thought milk
and cookie hour was

supposed to be
a pajama affair.

Oh, it's not
mandatory, but it's fun.

- Sure is.
- Didn't you guys used

to date too?

- Yep.
- Mm-hmm.

I get it, I'm single.

This is not a setup.

- I'm not single.
- See?

Great.

Two of my high
school exes are here.

Well, if that's not hometown
vibes, I don't know what is.

Oh no, not here in town,

no, no, here at the B&B.

That is very local.

But how do they look?

They look great.

Where are you right now, am
I interrupting something?

I was supposed to
meet someone for dinner,

but so far it's just me
romancing this cheese.

Wait, is this the
one from the app?

You started with
a romantic dinner?

Yeah, well, now that
I am solo fonduing,

it does seem kind of sus.

- Nadia?
- Marco.

- Hey.
- Hey.

What are you doing here?

Wait, Marco, our
Marco, chef Marco?

Full disclosure,
Josie is also here.

Oh! Hey Josie.

Aren't you supposed
to be on vacation?

I am.

This is a personal call,
not business, okay?

Two of her exes are staying
at the same B&B as her.

Whoa.

Yeah.

What are
you doing here?

I know the chef here.

He asked me to come
and give an opinion

on some stuff he's testing.

Would you wanna join me?

Oh wait, are you on a date?

Pretty sure I'm
not on a date.

Yeah, taste test sounds fun.

Josie, it seems
like the universe is

serving you up some tasty exes

like sashimi at a
rotating sushi bar.

You've been working too
much to have a social life.

So pick an ex, any ex.

Oh, no, no.

None of them are single.

It's just me.

Just me.

Are you sure you're
all right waiting up

for our late check-in?

I don't know, I still
got one high school ex

you haven't booked
to stay here yet.

It's not him, is it?

It's some corporate account.

I, we really didn't mean
to spring this on you.

I'm just kidding.

You go get some
sleep, I'll be okay.

I'm so glad you're home.

Me too.

- Night.
- Night.

Sam?

Hi.

Of course.

I didn't know you
were gonna be here.

Same.

The reservation said
QuantumCipher Core something.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

They always book me under
the corporate account.

- Ah.
- They try to find me

nice alternatives to hotels.

I didn't know it was
gonna be your house

until I got in the rental car.

Cool.

You run the place?

No, I manage a
hotel in the city.

I just got in tonight.

Oh.

I'm glad.

Me too.

Is it just you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, it's just me.

Is it just you too?

Oh.

Sorry.

No, it's okay.

My parents are here.

But if you're asking
if I'm single?

I never learned subtlety.

They didn't
offer that course

in any of your fancy
computer schools?

Shocking, right?

Clearly, some of us
could have used it.

Yeah, it is just me.

I should get you checked
in, right up here.

Oh, thanks.

Your room.

You remembered.

Of course.

Taking down your
Josh Hartnett poster

and replacing it with
a landscape photo,

doesn't fool me.

Ah, the joys of
shared history.

Do I still need to keep the
door open a ruler's length?

That rule only applies
if we're both in here

and are 17.

I think since you're
a paying customer,

my parents will be okay
if you close the door.

I'll be downstairs
if you need anything.

- Thanks.
- Okay.

Wow.

Yo.

All three of my high
school exes are here.

Ooh, Merry Exmas, baby.

How's this one look?

Incredible.

Is he single?

Seems like it.

The best Christmas presents
are the ones you least expect.

You have a pimple
patch on your head.

Cool.

Goodnight, babes.

Goodnight, babes.

And Christmas tree
pancakes for Trudy

with a side of sprinkles.

Anyone else care to partake?

I am very much used to
doing the serving myself.

Well, I figured I'd
make myself useful.

Sam!

Were you our late check-in?

I promise
I didn't know.

It's okay, Mom.

Mr. And Mrs. Fletcher, hi.

Hey.

Wow, the whole gang is here.

- Hey, man.
- Sam.

Hey.

So you were our
corporate reservation?

Yeah, that was me.

How lovely.

I heard you sold your company.

Wow, word travels fast.

Oh, when someone from
town makes a sale that big,

word's gonna get around.

What's the company?

QuantumCipher, it's
data encryption solutions.

- Oh, congrats, man.
- Yeah.

How long are
you in town for?

Just Christmas.

My sister's house
was full of family,

so I thought I'd grab a room.

So did you date Josie too?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Okay.

Oh, that's weird, right?

After me, before you.

- Mm, after me.
- Senior year

and some college,
long distance.

This is a complete
coincidence.

I think it's great.

So, what are
everyone's plans?

Well, we still
have a lot to do

to get ready for
the Christmas Crawl.

Oh, action items, great,
I can take care of that.

What's a Christmas Crawl?

Well, it's actually a
big part of the reason

why we're here, kiddo.

Every Christmas Eve, a bunch
of the businesses in town

put up Christmas stations

and everybody goes
from place to place

getting treats
and doing crafts.

We're the cocoa house.

One of three.

The best cocoa house.

So what are
everyone else's plans?

I think I'm gonna
head over to my sister's

and check in with everyone.

Yeah, we're gonna
take Trudy around town.

Mm, you're gonna take
her by the community center

and show her the Battle
of the Bands photo?

What are you doing?

Have you seen your
dad's mohawk era?

Excuse me?

- Good memory.
- They won

two years in a row.

I wanted to book them
for the homecoming dance,

but administration thought
they were too punk.

Punk, you say?

Okay, your dad
was cool, all right?

What about you?

Swim team and student
council, right?

Did you end up in politics?

- Teacher.
- Nice.

Can we talk about
our relationship?

Sure, what about it?

It was good, right?

It was great.

So why did we break up?

We were 16.

- Who needs reasons?
- I do.

I'm not trying to
re-litigate the past,

but it's become
increasingly clear

that there is a pattern
to my relationships

and it was already in place
when we dated in high school.

Oh, okay.

How can I help?

Do you like true
crime podcasts?

I know of them.

Think of this as
a crime in progress

that can only be avoided
by solving a cold case.

We are that cold case.

Can you help?

- I will try.
- Thank you.

Can we maybe
defrost this cold case

over coffee later today?

Yes, of course.

Great.

Okay, yard display, Christmas
tree, cocoa, cocoa stand.

- Yeah.
- Okay, no problem.

Oh, Dad, I actually wanted to
talk to you about the cocoa.

We always do cocoa.

We're the cocoa house.

I know, and I
don't wanna get rid

of any of the
traditional elements,

but I do have an idea for how
we could plus it up this year.

Really?

Yes.

So at the hotel, we had an
artisanal bakery demonstration

and a big part of it was

making these trays of
handmade marshmallows.

So I was thinking

we could do a marshmallow
roasting station

right here at our fireplace.

- That's fantastic.
- Right?

It adds an activity element
to our spot on the crawl.

And everybody loves a
complimentary offering,

but they always remember an
activity even more fondly.

You've really been honing
your customer service out there.

Well, I learned
from the best.

Only three more days
until Christmas Eve.

So, leave the list to me.

All right.

Set up yard display.

- Reindeer.
- Hey Josie,

you got a minute?

Yeah.

Great.

So, I'm in a bit of a pickle.

See, Christmas Eve is
Clare and my anniversary.

Oh, a Christmas Eve wedding.

Yeah, 15 years.

- Adorable, congratulations.
- Thank you.

It's a big one and I'm a
notoriously bad gift giver.

I just, I really don't wanna
disappoint her this year.

Well, lucky for you
there is a system in place

for anniversary gifts.

We get plenty of desperate
husbands at the hotel

so I have all the
big ones memorized.

It's wood, paper,
tin, crystal.

15 years is crystal.

Okay, great, crystal.

So, like

- witchcraft?
- Oh wow.

Would you please help
me find something in town?

Yes, okay.

You head into town and
start getting some ideas.

I'm gonna meet up
with Ellis for coffee

and I will check in
with you after that.

You're a
lifesaver, thank you.

Of course.

Witchcraft?

Okay, for the tree.

Don't you go anywhere,
I'm coming back for you.

Where is the?

There you are.

All right, let's get
you out to the yard.

Winston.

Need a hand?

Feel like decking the halls?

How was your sister's?

Chaos.

Between my sister's family

and aunts and uncles and
cousins and their kids,

it's like 18 people
in that house.

- Whoa.
- Yeah, everybody's everywhere

running into each other.

It's a total
systems nightmare.

I'd be over there trying to
get the whole thing in order.

I don't even think Stevie
sees it as overwhelming.

She's like totally zen
about the whole thing,

just the liveliness
of the holidays.

- Huh.
- She could tell

that I was
overstimulated though,

and told me to take
off until dinner.

Just my luck.

Yeah, mine too.

So

you live in Chicago?

- Yeah, and you're in?
- New York.

Ah, two pizzas both
alike in dignity.

Oh, whoa, there is plenty,
plenty, plenty of room

for all pizzas.

We'll see.

So do you like
living in New York?

It's a beautiful place,

but it's always kind of felt,

well, a little like
Stevie's house today.

Everybody is everywhere.

I don't know, I've
always felt more at home

in a place like Mill Creek.

Do you miss it?

- Mill Creek?
- Yeah.

No, I mean, I miss
my parents obviously,

events like the
Christmas Crawl,

adorable neighbors like
Mrs. Bramm, hold please.

Oh, hey.

Whoa, what are you doing?

That one's for
DoorDash, Mrs. Bramm.

You don't know what you're
getting into, Josie Fletcher.

You started this.

When you least
expect it, my dear.

What is going on?

When you least expect it.

She knows what she did.

I don't.

So why do you
stay in New York

if it doesn't feel like home?

It's where I raised the
startup capital for my company

and it just kept growing
and growing from there.

But you're right, I
guess I don't have

anything tying
me there anymore.

So what are
you gonna do now?

I have no idea.

Well, from the glisten
in my father's eyes

when he was talking about
the size of your sale,

sounds like you don't
really have to do anything.

Oh yeah, well, I
can't do nothing.

Hmm.

Well, if you're looking
for something to do,

I'm sure you could
help out anywhere.

I mean, 'tis the season
for part-time employment.

There are help wanted signs
in half the shops in town.

Hey, you know, I never
did get one of those jobs

that everybody gets
in high school.

I just started getting paid
to help people with websites

and computers before
I got the chance.

Could be fun.

Hmm.

Wow.

Well. how will I
know it's Christmas

without the cozy
lingering jitters

of a peppermint mocha?

What's going on, Ellis?

Can you tell me your version
of what happened with us?

Oh, easy peasy.

After junior prom,
you stopped liking me.

No, nope.

It lines up pretty cleanly.

You broke up with me.

Yeah, after weeks of
you not talking to me.

I didn't
stop liking you.

We stopped hanging out.

My Razr Sidekick went
conspicuously silent.

You avoided all of our spots.

I finally had to break
up with you over MySpace

because I couldn't find you.

Ah, see,

this is my issue.

And it keeps happening,
it has not changed.

And I need it to
change, Josie.

I need it to.

What happened
at junior prom?

It was a great night,
you looked amazing.

Everything was perfect.

- Until?
- Dinner.

Dinner was amazing.

It was all of our friends,
Catie and Joe, Christie and Leo.

It was five
couples making plans,

trips with each
other's families,

coordinating class schedules,
applying to the same colleges.

And all of a sudden,
I couldn't breathe.

Ah.

Are you all right?

See, this is how I react

when I remember other
people's high school plans.

You should see what
happens when someone talks

about moving in together.

- Oh?
- I've even gone so far

as renting a room in a B&B
in the same town I live in

so she can't find
me at my place.

- Oh.
- Yeah.

Her name's Darcy.

We've been together
for a year and a half.

She's the best.

And you haven't
spoken to Darcy in?

- Four days.
- Ellis.

Right, it's
nutso-cuckoo-sauce.

Is this some sort of
afraid of commitment thing?

I don't wanna be with
anyone else, I love her.

I can't explain it, we
basically live together anyway.

Her place, my place,
it doesn't matter.

But whenever I think about
that next step, I just shut down.

I'm hoping you can get me
back in the same room with her

before I blow Christmas.

- Oh boy.
- I know,

you were just always
the best communicator.

I'm hoping you can roadmap
a conversation for me

where I tell her
this isn't about her.

And I'm trying to work on it.

Okay, okay, that's a
really clear action item.

We can role play.

I could be Darcy
and you can be you.

Oh, okay.

Where have you been?

Whoa, I immediately
hate this.

- Too angry?
- I hope so.

You think she's
gonna be that angry?

Well, I was
trying to go for a

"I've been so worried
about you" type of vibe.

- Mm-mm.
- I might need

to think about this
a little longer.

And I also have to get a
Christmas tree for the B&B.

Can we reconvene after milk
and cookie hour, try again?

Yeah, yeah, of course.

Thanks for trying to help.

Hey, we're gonna
figure this out.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Sorry.

- Sam?
- Hey.

Are you tree shopping?

Tree selling, I got a job.

- Wow.
- Doing trees.

That was fast.

But I guess your resume
speaks for itself.

You know, they didn't
even ask me for it.

My sister, she
knows the lot owner,

and she told me
they needed help.

Well, welcome to
seasonal employment.

How's the tree lot
life treating you?

Great, yeah.

I sold one whole tree,
gave it a fresh cut,

tied it to the car
and everything.

Yeah, you having fun?

Yeah.

Hey, did you know that there's

more than one type
of Christmas tree?

I thought a Christmas
tree was a Christmas tree.

But there's pines
and balsams and firs,

and people have their opinions

and I can't tell
the difference.

Oh, actually, I think I have
a mnemonic device for that.

P is for pines and packets.

The needles come in packets?

Why on earth would you have

a mnemonic device for
different types of trees?

Well, it's like you
said, people have opinions.

The more I know,
the more I can help.

Is there anything
you don't know?

Oh, there's plenty.

But you'll never catch
me copping to it.

You'll just have to find
that out for yourself.

I look forward to it.

Right.

Well, I need to get
a tree for the B&B.

Do you wanna use your
newfound expertise

to help me find
the perfect one?

Hey, I'm your man.

But first,

wanna get some
shopping gelato?

What, now?

You can't take a break.

Didn't you just start
like a half hour ago?

Come on, we'll
be right back.

Sam.

Did your family always
have a real Christmas tree?

Oh, absolutely.

I love that smell.

My family always
had a fake one.

- Really?
- Yeah,

but it was always an event.

Every year we would pop
on a Christmas movie

and pull the tree
outta storage,

pop the branches
back into place.

Huh, and that always
felt just as special?

Oh, for sure, yeah, yeah.

I always loved

that trip to the tree
lot every year, though.

It's like its own
special sub-tradition,

all the kids bundled
up imagining their Christmas mornings.

The occasional handsome
Christmas tree salesman.

Oh, goes without saying.

Okay, I think you're
taking that one for granted.

You gotta get
lucky for that one.

No, but the anticipation
of walking through the trees,

it's like you have this idea

of what the perfect
one is gonna look like

so you just hunt and
hunt and hunt to find it.

Yeah, the hunt can be fun,

but I think there's
something to be said

knowing that you've already
found the perfect one

and it's waiting for
you right at home.

You sell artificial
trees over there, Sam?

Nope, sure don't,
let's go hunt.

- Okay.
- Okay.

So were you a
white lights family

or a rainbow lights family?

Oh, rainbow
lights all the way.

Hmm.

Big, old 1950s style bulbs
or modern-day cuties?

Modern-day cuties.

Plus, had a lot of
handmade ornaments.

Stevie always had a
real knack for 'em.

I love that.

My hotel's all white lights,
which is very elegant,

but we've always been a
rainbow lights family.

There's just something
so cozy about them.

And even though we've
always been a B&B,

my parents always
wanted to make sure

it still felt like a home.

Was it weird
growing up in a place

where there was always random
people popping in and out?

I didn't know any different.

But you get really
good at figuring out

what people want
from you right away.

Some people wanna tell
you their problems.

Some people wanna chat.

And some people don't
wanna engage at all.

But with all of them,

you can always
tell immediately,

right when you
look in their eyes.

Well, maybe you can,

but I definitely cannot.

I need people to tell
me what they want.

I bet you're better
at it than you think.

No, I'm not.

Hmm, okay.

Look at me.

What do I want?

You...

want...

a Christmas tree.

- Ah, look at you.
- All right.

Context clues kind of
gave that one away.

What do I want?

Hmm, okay.

You want...

to find what you've
been missing.

Sharp spruce.

If the needles are sharp
and stiff, it's a spruce,

fluffy and friendly,
it's a fir.

Yes, great, and
which mnemonic are

we in the mood for today?

Well, as a professional,
what is your recommendation?

You sure you don't want me
to take that back with me?

I'll bring it
back when I'm done.

Okay, well, thanks
for your help.

Well, thank you for
being my second ever sale.

All right, I'll
see you later.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Well, I see your
problem, Miles.

You're in a hardware store.

They have some other stuff.

Miles.

I told you I needed help.

Crystal, buddy, crystal.

They have a sign
that says crystal.

Copper, bronze, crystal.

Those are fixtures, Miles.

The woman wants to feel loved.

She's not redoing
her bathroom sink.

Of course, I mean it's
obvious they mean fixtures

when someone with a functional
brain points it out.

I don't know, it's this
whole gift giving thing.

It's like I short circuit.

Well, maybe you should
be in a jewelry store.

Seriously?

You wanna send a blind soldier

onto the biggest
minefield of all time?

Okay.

It's easy.

Clare likes jewelry that
is simple and elegant.

Like this morning
at breakfast,

she was wearing these
adorable silver danglies

and a delicate
herringbone chain.

- She was?
- Yes.

It's like I don't
see that stuff.

When I look at Clare,
I see the woman I love.

I see the possibility
of us in her eyes

on the day we met,

her smiling at me as she
walked down the aisle

on our wedding day,

her squeezing my hand
the day Trudy was born.

I see an entire lifetime I
can't imagine without her.

That's beautiful.

All this other stuff,
it's just window dressing.

I see the hot dog,
not the condiments.

Okay, that's less beautiful.

If you're gonna send
me into a jewelry store,

I need you standing
like right next to me

or else I'll end up, I don't
know, redoing her sink.

Okay, well, we can't go now.

I have to get everything
ready to decorate the tree.

Yeah, I promised
Clare and Trudy I'd

meet them for dinner.

Okay.

- Hey, Josie?
- Yeah.

Should I get the hot stuff
oven mitt just in case?

No, absolutely not.

- You sure?
- I am sure.

- It's so cool.
- Put it down, Miles.

Fine.

You know, I haven't
put a tree up in years.

Sam.

That's so sad.

I was living alone and it
just always felt kind of lonely.

Hmm.

Well, I live alone

and I put up a
tree every year.

This is more fun, though.

Are you single, Sam?

I'm, uh,

married to the job.

People say that,

but I think it represents a
pretty dim view of marriage.

- No, no, I mean that--
- I know it communicates

that you're a busy person,

but jobs demand that

you meet them on their terms.

They boil you down to a very
specific version of yourself.

Well, I kind of
like that, though.

There's something nice about
knowing what's expected.

It could be a very
fulfilling part of life,

especially if
you're good at it,

which you clearly both are,

but that's all it is,

a part of life.

A marriage is a life.

It doesn't ask for one
little part of you.

- It wants the whole thing.
- Mm-hmm.

It's two people
bringing all of themselves

to one life every day.

Nothing feels
better than that.

If you find
the right person.

And I did.

But you two got
to combine the two.

This B&B, it's such a
reflection of your lives together.

- It is.
- Well, have you ever thought

about streamlining
any of your processes?

I see that all the
guests still sign

themselves into a logbook.

Oh, well, it's
all on the computer.

We just don't have
it on public display.

- Oh?
- Yeah.

B&B clientele want to step
into an older stay experience.

You know, they wanna check
in on an old leather book

and be handed physical keys.

I keep trying to convince
them to get old doors

so we can give our guests
the old skeleton keys.

That's a great idea.

Doesn't it seem
kind of theatrical?

I would feel silly.

Well, you know
what else is silly?

The phrase cha-ching.

♪ Felt like a long
time but it's here ♪

♪ So let the good
vibes roll in ♪

♪ When we're together ♪

♪ Together, it's
Christmas time ♪

♪ There's nothing better ♪

♪ When everything
just feels so right ♪

♪ This magic weather ♪

♪ We'll live and learn
together at Christmas time ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together at Christmas time ♪

Get and decorate
Christmas tree, check.

It's perfect.

Oh, I miss putting
up the tree with you.

Me too, Mom.

But this is exactly
the kind of thing

that milk and cookie
hour could use.

Just something new each night

to give everyone a
reason to attend.

And it doesn't have to be
as big as putting up a tree,

but, you know, a new
snack or activity or game.

I'll think on it.

You know, you have a lot of
great ideas for this place.

Well, hospitality
is my game.

I mean, I definitely learned
a lot running the hotel,

but growing up here really
laid the groundwork.

I just love creating
the perfect atmosphere,

turning people's experiences
into something magical.

Sounds like it doesn't
give you a lot of time

to focus on yourself.

It's worth it.

You ever feel like you're

missing out on something?

I love my dad's perspective,

but I don't think
hospitality boils me down

into a tiny version of myself.

I mean, it's problem solving
and attention to detail,

it's compassion and 1,000
points of human interaction.

It engages all of me.

Running QuantumCipher
gave me the same thing.

As we grew, I had
to split my time

between the system
that we were building

and the people who were
helping me get there.

I engaged with so many lives

and provided so
many livelihoods

that it just became

crystal clear what I
was missing out on.

What's that?

Why'd you stopped calling
me our freshman year?

Did you find somebody else?

No.

Then why?

I wanted to see how long
it would take you to call me.

But you were the one
that always called.

Yeah.

It started to feel
a little one-sided.

I would text
you all the time.

That started to feel
like passing notes,

bite-sized check-ins
between things,

as opposed to spending
real time on the phone

at the end of the night.

No, I loved
those phone calls.

Those phone calls, they were
the best hour of my day.

Three weeks.

Took you three
weeks to call me.

Remember when I did you were

distant and

distracted.

I had had three weeks of
feeling like you didn't care.

I guess I just
wanted you to have

a taste of your own medicine.

And you stopped responding
to my text messages so often

and then kind of stopped
responding at all.

A textbook breakdown
in communication.

I was very much 18 years old.

I missed you.

So much.

I missed you too.

I should have kissed him.

Ugh, definitely.

How's everything
at the Crabtree?

Falling apart at the seams?

Nope, it's too well sewn.

French seams, even.

Couldn't fray if it wanted to.

And how's prep going for
the Christmas Eve high tea?

Oh, it's going so good.

Marco was just running me
through the final menu.

He made these
gluten-free cupcakes

that are just nom,
nom, nom, nom, nom.

Ooh, delicious.

Oh, and did someone
double check

that we got everything we
ordered from the rental place?

They're usually pretty good,

but every now and then
they miss a piece.

Beep, beep.

You have exceeded your
work question limit.

Beep, cannot compute.

No, no, I'm sorry, I just
can't turn my brain off.

Mm-hmm.

This robot will talk to
you again later. Beep.

Over and out.

Over and out.

Sorry, Mom, I got a little
bit of a late start today.

Late night?

Just catching
up on old times.

That's funny, I had
a late night as well,

waiting for someone to
workshop something with me.

Got a bit of a Christmas
deadline looming.

Oh, shoot, Ellis,
I am so sorry.

It completely slipped my mind.

Can we workshop
after breakfast?

Wait, weren't
we gonna go to...

Didn't you need
my help in town?

You know, for the
Christmas Crawl?

Yes, I do.

What about sledding?

You and Mom head
straight for the hill

and I'll join you with
some hot chocolate

after helping Josie in town.

And I will be back by
1:00 to help you work

towards your goal.

Well, if you need
a hand in town,

I'm more than
happy to pitch in.

Oh, perfect.

It's gotta be Miles.

- Oh?
- Yes.

Because Miles used to work
at the market in town,

and so he's gonna
help me get a deal

on all of the things we need
for the Christmas Crawl.

I didn't know you
ever worked at a market.

Oh yeah, high school job.

Restocking shelves,
running the register,

you know...

vegetables.

A mohawk and a market man.

I'm learning so
much about you.

Josie, if there's too
much to do on that list

to get it done by tomorrow,

your dad and I can
take care of it.

Oh, no, it's not a problem.

I can do all the things,
that's what I do.

And I can get them all
at a better price point

thanks to Miles.

But I'll be quick and
I'll be back by 1:00.

All right, what
are your instincts?

Well, my first instinct
is to head towards the exit.

Okay, don't do that.

Look, I know it's overwhelming

and there's a lot
to choose from.

So let's just narrow
it down, okay?

We can peruse.

Try again, trust
your instinct.

That looks fancy.

It does, 'cause it is.

It's too fancy.

See, Clare feels like
the kind of woman

who wants to wear her jewelry.

You keep that thing in a safe.

Just looks like the
kind of thing women like.

Okay, no, forget
about womenkind,

we are only
shopping for Clare.

That's the key to gift
giving, specificity.

It should communicate
that you put time

into thinking about
what she would enjoy.

Trust me, I've gotten
plenty of generic gifts

that have communicated
to me my boyfriend knew

how to Google "Top 10
lady gifts of the year."

Hey, we're not just shopping

for any old pack of hot dogs.

We're shopping for
your special hot dog.

Right.

I've also gotten
plenty of gifts

that have been way
more about the giver,

ostensibly so we could
spend more time together,

but really geared more towards
their interests than mine.

Skis that came with lessons,

because I've never
gone skiing before.

It's the gift that says,

hey, all this time we've
been spending together has

really shown me how
much I miss skiing.

Oh, I've done one of those.

Of course you have.

Yeah, I got her a wine
of the month membership

to hopefully find out
the one that she loves.

Let me guess, you
love wine, she doesn't.

She thinks it's okay.

I just thought be a fun
project to do together.

And a project is a
great idea for a gift

as long as it's something you
both enjoy doing together.

Or if it's something
she enjoys more,

that's even better.

That's the gift that says,

"Hey, I know you like
this more than me,

but I'm willing
to devote my time

into experiencing it with you

because you're special to me."

Right.

Well, that's a
lot to process.

So you need to get
to the sledding hill

and I have to get
to the market.

But I think we're
making progress.

Yeah, me too.

Okay.

Josie.

Ellis, hi.

You want a hand
with those groceries?

Oh, I was just
coming to see you.

Thought I'd meet
you, get some air.

- Gimme that.
- Oh, thank you.

- You're crazy.
- Well, you know,

someone's gotta do it.

Yeah, I guess so.

So how'd
you and Darcy meet?

App.

Ah, the apps.

Yeah, I haven't had a
lot of luck with those.

I hadn't
either until I did.

It only takes one.

You recognize this?

Of course I
do, it's your old house.

You spend your entire
childhood in the house

and you think it's gonna
feel like home forever,

but it doesn't.

My folks sold it 10 years ago.

Thought it'd be weird to
pass by it all the time,

see another family living
in there, but it's not.

That intimate feeling
of connection is gone.

It's like seeing an ex.

Well, it seems like they're
taking good care of it.

It looks great.

But now it's just a memory.

The one place I was sure
would feel permanent.

You move out and you live
in apartments for a while,

you know that's not permanent.

You finally buy a place

and you think that home
feeling is gonna come back,

but it doesn't.

It's home, but it's not

home.

I think you only ever get one
place that feels like that

and it's the place
where you grew up.

That's what they mean when
they say you can't go home again.

You might not have
that problem, though,

if whoever your parents
sell to keep it a B&B.

You'll always be
able to go back home

as long as there's a vacancy.

Did they say something
about selling it?

No, but you
know, eventually.

Right.

You wanna see if they'll
let you take a look around?

Nah, I'm just gonna
remember it the way it was.

Looks great, though.

Love the decorations.

Coming.

All right, I'm
gonna need to be

working on these
marshmallows while we chat,

if that's all right.

Maybe the reason
you ditched me is

because you're juggling
too many things.

Okay, you're
right and I'm sorry,

but the only way
out is through.

You could ask for help.

It's all right, I got it.

Would you like me to help?

Yes, please.

So where were we?

You were terrifying me

with a hopefully inaccurate
depiction of Darcy's anger.

Right.

Ellis, what's the goal?

You don't wanna break
up with Darcy, right?

No! No, absolutely
not, I love Darcy.

Okay, I'm gonna say
something a little hard, all right?

The actions that you
are taking right now is

you passively breaking
up with Darcy.

You're ghosting, dude.

I know.

- I hate it.
- Okay,

so you don't wanna break up,

but your actions are
leading down that path.

The question is, are you
willing to try the other path?

The one where your and
Darcy's relationship goes

somewhere new.

I want to be able to.

Okay, well, there is someone
far more qualified than me

to discuss your relationship.

I will find a therapist
after the New Year.

I mean Darcy.

I think you need to be willing
to try and ask her for help.

That's, like, really direct.

It's okay.

I will help you get all of
your talking points in order,

but we know that you want one
outcome more than the other.

So screw your courage
to the sticking place

and we'll not fail.

Okay, period three English
with Mrs. Staranowicz.

You got it.

Have you come to
oversee assembly?

We've put that up
together ever since you were

seven years old.

I may not be much help,

but I couldn't pass
up the opportunity.

Well, how about a
little role reversal?

You can hold the corners
and I'll screw 'em in.

Here we go.

Okay, that should do it.

Okay.

I can't believe
you let me hand paint

all this stuff on the front.

What do you mean,
it's the best part.

Well, I could have
used some stencils,

gotten these lines
a little cleaner.

Oh, Joey, you were 10
when you painted these.

Every time I put up the arch,

I can see your
determined little face,

trying to get every
detail perfect.

- Trying to.
- Ah, Joey,

you were 10.

I don't know if you
remember it now,

but after you painted these,

all the families that
came into this lobby would

ooh and ah over how
pretty you made the arch

and you beamed.

It always made the event
so much more special.

You started acting embarrassed

about it by the
time you were 14.

But I could still see that
10-year-old pride peeking out.

I still can.

When everybody appreciated

what you and Sam did
with the Christmas tree

the other night.

I saw my 10-year-
old Joey again.

You've always had a knack for
making things feel special.

Well, you and Mom always
made me feel I could.

Eh, we just got
outta your way.

You paved the way.

I grew up watching
how much care

you and Mom put
into this place,

the way you always
wanted to make sure

every guest felt
completely at home.

Well, looks like you made
Sam feel pretty much at home.

- Dad.
- Oh, speaking of.

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

Promise me you will not
say anything like that

- when he's here.
- No promises.

Dad, I know you
think it's funny,

but it's really
not funny, okay?

I haven't
seen you act like this

since you were a teenager.

Just no smoochie
smoochie talk.

I will die, I will
actually physically die.

- Hello.
- Hey.

Hey, Sam, we were
just talking about you.

- Oh really?
- Yeah, yeah.

I'm not as much help as I
usually am with the arch,

so I thought you'd make a
good second set of hands.

My pleasure.

Well, it's actually
pretty much assembled,

but you can stick around and
help spruce it up if you want.

Spruce it up?

Yeah, you gotta get in on
that cottagecore game, Dad.

Cottagecore?

You have to create
a visual moment

that is so picturesque

that guests can't help
but wanna post pictures

of themselves in there.

That's some of that
social media stuff, huh?

Well, it's all about
the socials, my man.

Advertising you don't
have to pay for.

I don't know how to break
this to you, Joey, but I'm old.

We're already doing it, Dad.

People are definitely
gonna wanna take pictures

of their kids toasting
their homemade marshmallows

in our fireplace.

Oh, you know what
we should do?

Add some more twinkle lights

and whatever else we can find

so that people have no choice
but to want a selfie here.

Whatever you say.

Okay, we've done the
house, we've done the tree,

the front display is set.

So, anything we have
left is fair game.

Got it.

Did you check in with
the tree lot today?

Oh, Mr. Harrison
said he had it covered.

Told him to call me if anybody
needed a break the cold.

You know, I've never had

one of those kind of
jobs before either.

I've always just worked here.

Yeah, it's my first
time working directly with the public.

Ah, it's the best.

Really?

Even when they get mad
at you for tying a tree

to their car a different
way than they would?

Like, yeah, it's tough.

But even when they're upset,

if you just hold their
eyes long enough,

they're forced to look
at you as a person,

not just a functionary.

At the end of the day, people
just wanna feel taken care of.

Who takes care of you?

I take care of myself.

Does that ever get lonely?

Twinkle lights.

See, it's already looking
so much more festive.

Just a few more
snowy pine bundles

and our selfie snare
will be complete.

- What?
- You've only been here

a few days and I've
already seen you introduce

so many innovations
to the B&B.

Just imagine what you could do

if you rolled your sleeves up.

Well, everything we've
been doing is pretty simple.

Anyone could do it.

Yeah, but they
didn't, you did.

You should stay.

See how far you can take it.

I have to get back to
the hotel after Christmas.

You have to?

That's where
my life is, Sam.

Just like yours
is in New York.

Just one version of life.

Imagine pouring all of
your passion and talents

into something with
no chain of command

and no corporate guidelines,

into a company that
you would actually own.

I don't own this place.

My parents do.

For now.

I can't imagine anyone

who could modernize
the B&B experience

while still preserving
the traditional charm.

You can make this
place better than ever.

All that stuff takes money.

I have money.

Sam, what are you doing?

What?

I'm just really enjoying
spending time with you.

I think

you're a little
confused right now.

Selling that company was
a big, big change for you,

and it's all just
a huge adjustment.

No, I am not
confused about you.

You haven't
known me in years.

You're still the same
Josie that I've always known.

You've got the same drive

- and charm and ambition.
- Sam.

The only difference is

you're more beautiful
now than ever.

- Sam.
- What?

Are we talking about
the B&B or us right now?

I'm talking about all of it.

Well, all of it is a lot.

Okay, yeah,
no, you're right.

All of it, that's a lot.

All of it's a lot.

And, um, we...

should break it up into parts.

So, part one: Business.

When I see the opportunity
to get into a new marketplace

with someone who is
uniquely talented,

I get excited, okay?

That makes business
sense to me.

Number two:

Us.

I haven't felt
connected to anyone

the way that we
felt in high school.

And I've been spending
the last 20 years

chalking it up to some insane
emotional teenage high.

But the second that I
walked through that door

and I saw you, something
lit up inside of me.

And that's not about youth.

It's about

realizing

where you belong.

And I feel like,

I feel like I'm coming home.

Are you not feeling
what I'm feeling?

I have a whole
life in the city.

It is a life that
I am proud of,

that I've worked
really hard on.

And everything that you just
said, as beautiful as it is,

asks me to turn
my back on things

I have been working
on for decades.

No, no, no, no, no.

And the stall
is not finished,

and I have to get
back to the fireplace

and the marshmallows
and processing

a beautiful confession of love
is not on my to-do list, Sam.

So I'm just gonna
need a minute.

Okay, can we add
it to the list?

As soon
as I find a pen.

Okay.

Hey, Josie, I think
I got the perfect--

- Not now, Miles.
- Understood.

- Sam, I.
- Oh! Gah!

- Mom, sorry.
- Cracking ice, Josie.

What are you doing in here?

I just needed some
space from things.

What are you doing here?

I just came to get the
marshmallow roasting rods,

get 'em washed
up for tomorrow.

Oh, I can get that for you.

No, one less thing for
you to have to worry about.

You're already
juggling so much,

and that's not how we wanted
you to spend your time at home.

Oh, Mom.

Oh, oh, honey.

What?

Oh, shh.

I just left him
standing there

holding the Christmas lights.

I mean, what do you say to
somebody who tells you all that?

Yeah, it's a lot
to think about,

but I will also say

that it sounds like
a nice thing to hear.

It's not like
I haven't thought

about relationships.

I've had plenty
of relationships.

Maybe Sam's right.

I haven't felt this way
about anyone since him.

Since I hadn't felt
anything close,

I guess I just
started to think

it wasn't in the plan for me.

Oh, sweetie.

You could plan and
plan all you want.

There's always gonna
be something that pops up unexpectedly.

Sometimes it's rough,
like a bum knee

that shows you it might
be time to shift gears,

or it might be something
really beautiful

like someone carrying
you in their heart

for their whole life.

The question isn't
whether or not

there are gonna be surprises.

It's whether or not
you want to make room

in your plan for them.

Can you believe this
whole thing about us

taking over the B&B,

as if you and Dad would
ever give this place up.

- Well.
- Mom?

We have started talking

about the possibility
of selling.

- What?
- Yeah.

- To who?
- Well, no one in particular.

- Oh, good.
- There are a few options.

- Mom.
- Well,

your father's surgery
popped up unexpectedly

to show us a few things.

And we're trying
to rework our plan

around that new information.

But a B&B is like a
retirement business model.

It's like the
textbook definition

of a business for
retired people.

It's a lot of upkeep and
we've been doing it a long time.

We love this place
with all our hearts,

but we always knew that
eventually it would go

to somebody else.

But you weren't
counting on me

to be the one to
come and run it?

Oh, Josie, no.

No, we knew you were
staying in the city.

Every time we visit you,

it's clear what a wonderful
home you've made there.

But this is home.

This has always been home.

Do you think Sam would
still be interested in buying

the place even if you
weren't the one to run it?

Mom!

Well...

You okay?

I am getting unbelievable
information overload tonight.

It turns out that things
that I thought were

just in the past are very
much a part of the present.

And things that I thought
of as permanent are

not only temporary,

but already in a
state of transition.

I need time to process.

Now, where are
those roasting rods?

You're late.

I've almost made it
to the last batch.

You kept going.

Yeah, it's not like I
was trying to busy work

my way through an
emotional crisis.

I could use a little bit
of that myself right now.

Grab an apron.

♪ I light a candle, put the
presents 'round the tree ♪

♪ The sound of carols
fills the air ♪

♪ Outside, the
snow is falling ♪

♪ I hear the
children calling ♪

♪ The way it
always used to be ♪

♪ I still remember how we
loved this time of year ♪

♪ We kissed beneath
the mistletoe ♪

♪ And as I hung the ivy ♪

♪ I felt two arms around me ♪

♪ Wishing you were
here for Christmas ♪

Mm, perfection.

Mm, I think it could
use one more ingredient.

- Eh?
- Ooh, yes please.

Not for the Christmas Crawl,

but just for a
couple of grownups

who have had a very long day.

Okay.

Much better.

We'll try again.

A toast.

There are good
ships and wood ships

and ships that sail the sea,

but the best ships
be friendships.

May they always be.

Hear, hear.

- Mm.
- Ooh.

- Uh-huh.
- Mm-hmm.

- Yeah.
- Yeah, I felt that.

You got a little.

Oh, really, okay?

And, ah.

Yeah, whatever, all right.

Laugh away.

- Eggnog?
- Mm.

Josie's idea?

Something different
every night.

Do you think she's
gonna join us tonight?

She needs to finish making
the marshmallows for tomorrow.

Oh, why don't I go help her?

Maybe not tonight.

She told you.

You gave her a lot
to think about, Sam.

Josie processes
things out loud.

You think she's
gonna tell everyone?

I'm sure she just needs
time for introspection now.

Yeah.

Do you want to be with Sam?

I'd love to try.

But how?

Drop everything and move here?

Dive headlong into
a relationship

and a business partnership
at the same time?

That sounds like a simple
solution to modern living.

See, it's hard
when out of the blue,

someone wants to redefine
aspects of who you are.

- Yep.
- And I've had a lot of time

to think about Darcy

while making huge,
igloo block-sized bricks

of artisanal marshmallows.

Give it to me.

It's not that I don't
wanna live together,

but right now we have
something truly wonderful

that totally works.

Every subsequent
change that we make is

an opportunity for her
to find out something

she doesn't like about me.

Oh.

I want things to
be this good forever.

So you're not
afraid of commitment.

You're afraid of
her finding out

she's afraid of commitment
once you've already committed.

- Bingo bango.
- Breakthrough.

You've done the work.

Now you gotta say
all that to her.

- Can I text it?
- No, you may not.

I'll call her
tomorrow morning

and invite her to
the Christmas Crawl.

Now this is what we
call cocoa courage.

- What?
- I know.

Too much, too fast.

I don't care how cute he is.

Thank you.

Is someone there with you?

Don't worry about it.

Am I interrupting something?

So Marco and I
just got off work

and now we're hanging out.

And I've just been
babbling, I am so sorry.

Hi, Marco.

Wait...

Is this a date?

- Yes.
- No.

Yes.

Maybe.

Ooh.

Josie, I think this
guy sounds really nice.

Yeah, of course
he sounds nice.

That's not what we're talking
about right now, Marco.

Okay, well why'd you
break up in the first place?

I guess technically
we didn't ever break up.

We just stopped talking.

So maybe this isn't
coming out of nowhere.

Maybe we've just been

in this completely silent,
non-monogamous relationship

for the past 20 years.

Like two computers
set to sleep mode

and he finally decided to
hit the space bar tonight.

Is that him?

Show me.

Okay, he is kind of cute.

So does everyone know?

Know what?

So, it's Christmas Eve.

I know we have the
Christmas Crawl later,

but what's everyone's
plans until then?

Well, there's still a lot of
setup to do before the crawl,

so I will be busy doing that.

Ah, so I guess that means

Trudy and I will
see you tonight.

What?

Well, I just assumed
that today will be

like every other day.

- Clare.
- This whole trip was

supposed to be
about family time,

but you're choosing to
spend it helping Josie

with whatever she needs.

I... Right, okay,
look, I know I said that.

No, you're right.

I have been taking up way
too much of Miles's time.

I'm sorry.

- You don't have to do that.
- No, Josie,

this is not about
you, you're so sweet.

This is about Miles and
how he set the expectations

for this trip versus
how he's choosing

to actually spend his time.

Hey, look, it's
not really her fault.

It was her simply
doing me a favor.

While she was
doing you this favor

were you also elbows
deep in marshmallow mix?

The only way I could get
her to listen to me was

through hours of manual labor.

I didn't tell you to keep
making the marshmallows.

I said I needed to
make them while we talk

and then you just kept going.

Hey, Ellis, after
she was listening to you,

did she go around and tell
everyone exactly what you said?

What's all this?

The eggs are really
good this morning, Dad.

Yeah, yeah, they're okay.

There seems to be
something going on here

that I don't have access to.

Oh, there is someone
that you didn't tell.

Tell me what?

It, nothing,
it's not important.

Not important?

Oh, well, it was
important to me.

No, I was just trying to
move the conversation along

before I ended up
telling somebody else,

which I'm already gathering is

something you're not a fan of,

but it sounds like you
wanna tell him, so tell him.

- Let's tell him.
- I'll tell him.

Mom!

It seems that Sam here has

taken a particular interest...

- Okay, Mom.
- In our B&B.

- Oh.
- He figured we were

starting to think
about retiring

and expressed an interest
in taking the property

to the next phase.

Why is everyone
getting so upset?

I don't think that should
be some sort of big secret.

Yeah, I think
that's great, Sam.

Wait, that's
what you told them?

I thought we
were talking about

the whole confession
of love thing.

- See?
- No, okay, all right.

You know what?

The Christmas Crawl is in
just a few hours so I need

everybody to keep it
together so we can provide

these families with a
magical Christmas experience.

- Think of the children.
- Seriously.

♪ Are you ready, ready ♪

♪ Are you ready ♪

♪ Are you ready
for Christmas ♪

♪ Are you decking the halls ♪

♪ Are you ready
for Christmas ♪

♪ We'll be having a ball ♪

♪ Are you ready
for Christmas ♪

♪ Are you having some fun ♪

♪ Are you ready
for Christmas ♪

♪ It's only just begun ♪

♪ It's only just begun ♪

- Oh.
- Oh, what?

Good shot, Mrs. Bramm.

Extra cups.

Oh, these
turned out great.

- Hmm.
- Those aren't for you.

Nothing for Santa?

Okay, Trudy, you're gonna be

what a con artist
would call a shill,

but what we in the hospitality
industry would prefer to call

a carrot.

Any kid who sees you
toasting a marshmallow is

gonna have to do it too.

So just look like
you're having fun.

I am having fun.

The perfect carrot.

Thanks for helping out.

Of course.

Miles is once again
unaccounted for.

His heart's in the
right place, you'll see.

I'm sorry I dragged
you into it at breakfast.

Oh, no, it's okay.

Me too.

I don't really think

you tricked me into
making marshmallows.

I'm just nervous
about seeing Darcy.

I know you're juggling
more than you expected.

Thanks.

Has anyone seen Sam?

Not since breakfast.

Ho, ho, ho.

Merry Christmas, Laurie.

Here they come, look alive.

Mommy, Mommy, look
at my marshmallow.

I'm doing it.

Such a pro.

There you go, enjoy.

This is perfect, Josie.

You took our favorite thing,
you made it even better.

It's my favorite thing too,
here you go, happy roasting.

Good to see you,
Merry Christmas.

About last night, I didn't
mean that you don't belong here.

I mean, look at this.

You're better at running
this place than we are.

No, that's not
true, I could never.

You went and
did your own thing

and we couldn't be prouder
of the life you've made

for yourself,

and we didn't want you
to end up back here

out of some sense
of obligation.

It just never occurred to me

that there would
ever come a day

that you and Dad would
stop running the B&B.

I think I took for granted

that I could always
come running home

and cozy up in your warm,
little Christmas world

you've created.

I just thought it
would last forever.

It doesn't have to be
forever to be special.

I love you, Mom.

Oh, Josie, I
love you always.

- Family hug.
- Oh.

I love you, Dad.

I love you, Joey.

Aww.

Merry Christmas.

Don't forget a stick.

Hi, Merry
Christmas, come on in.

Oh, this here, enjoy.

Yeah, take those,
you're gonna need 'em.

Hey guys.

- Oh, hello there.
- Taste this.

Mm, that's perfect,
did you make that?

- Yep.
- It's amazing.

Hey, can I borrow
Mom for a minute?

I'm so sorry I
kept disappearing.

I have spent the
entire week obsessing

over what would make
you feel special,

and it's had the
complete opposite result.

We just want to
spend time with you.

See, I love that, I do.

I just wanted to get
you something that shows

you how special you are to me.

Happy anniversary.

Oh.

Oh.

That was the day that
you changed my life,

the day we started building
our own traditions year by year.

And we could see it in
every Christmas tree

we put up together.

The ornaments from
our childhoods,

hanging next to the
ones we found together,

and all the ones that Trudy
made when she was little.

It gets more beautiful
and meaningful

every year we spend together.

Dad, come toast
a marshmallow.

I'd love to.

Ellis.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

Well, aren't you in witness
protection or something?

Well, this can't
possibly be safe.

You'll blow your cover.

I'm really sorry

I've been avoiding you.

Hold on, if you are in fact
not in witness protection,

you must be
breaking up with me.

No, I'm not.

You said we should
move in together

and I couldn't.

It's okay, Ellis,
we don't have to.

No, no. I want...

I haven't been able
to talk about this

and I need to

'cause I...

I love you.

- Okay.
- The times I'm happiest are

when I'm with you.

But what if we
move in together

and suddenly you realize
that you can't stand

the sound of me eating?

What if you immediately
wanna break up with me

and we just signed a lease?

I already know
what you sound like

when you're eating, Ellis.

I know that you are a
heavy night breather.

I know what you look
like when you have a cold

and you have that tissue
perma-lodged in your nose.

And I asked you to
move in together

already knowing all of that.

But I get it, it's big.

And from my perspective,
it's worth the risk.

And I like our odds.

The question is whether
you trust me enough

to take the risk with me.

Because I trust you.

I'm coming home.

You freaked me out.

You wanna toast
some marshmallows?

- Sure.
- I made them.

What?

Yeah, I've been staying here

with my high school
ex-girlfriend's parents

and I learned to make gourmet
homemade marshmallows.

Ah, I think maybe you need
to start from the beginning.

Okay, so...

So cute.

Oh.

- Hi.
- Hi.

You remember my sister?

Oh, of course. Hi, Stevie.

Hi, Josie, welcome home.

I hope it hasn't
been too stressful.

No.

Oh, you got a whole
group here, huh?

- Yeah.
- Do you guys wanna

toast some marshmallows?

They're homemade.

Do you have a
second to talk?

Yes, she does.

Mom, I can speak for myself.

I just meant that
we could handle this.

Yes, I do.

So I spoke to my
sister and I get it now.

Yeah?

Yeah, it's good
to speak to someone

outside of our situation
to get some perspective.

I didn't mean
to embarrass you.

I am so sorry.

I know the perspective I
got is that I'm bad at this.

- No.
- No, I am,

I'm very bad at this.

I think about things
like I'm an entrepreneur

and when you get a gut
feeling about something,

you're supposed to
pursue it right away.

And the truth is, with the
B&B and you running it,

it seems like a really
great investment.

And I bundled all that up
with my feelings towards you

into some all-or-
nothing package

because I'm bad at this.

So forget the B&B.

I'm interested in you.

And I don't need to
live in New York,

I don't need live
in Mill Creek,

I would just...

I would like

to be close to you.

Well, I am also bad at this.

And the reason that I walked
away last night is because

I do feel the same
things as you.

But that meant I had
a lot to think about.

I should have just talked to
you instead of running away.

Well, if you
have any interest

in seeing if we still
work as a couple,

I could get a
place in Chicago.

Well, I actually know

of a pretty nice hotel
with extended stay options.

Yeah?

And you're sure
management would be okay

with me staying there?

In a highly unusual move,

I think management
would like to kiss you.

- Oh yeah.
- Way to go.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

Hey, where are you?

Oh, same old, same old.

It's just me and
the Crabtree, baby.

Speaking of that,

how would you feel about
training a takeover for me?

No, Josie.

Whatever you have, we'll
find a cure, I promise.

I appreciate the sentiment.

But I think it's time

and I think you're ready.

How did it go with Marco?

It was great.

We have like a date
date on Monday.

Nadia, that is so great.

I'm so happy for you.

I never saw it coming.

Well, you're not
the only one, babes.

Oh, Merry Christmas.

I have one more
present, actually.

It's for both of you.

Oh.

What is this?

It's my letter of
resignation from the hotel.

- What?
- In a year.

If you can wait
one year to retire,

I'd love to come
home and take over.

I've found a wonderful
business partner

who I understand can make
you a very attractive offer.

And I think I have all
of the things that I--

Josie,

your whole life's in the city.

This place
can't not be here.

And I don't want
someone to come

and change everything you've
built beyond recognition.

This is what I do.

And I wanna preserve
what you've created

and make sure we always
have a place here.

This is my home.

And if I want it
to stay that way,

I have to take
responsibility for it.

And what better
place for me to do

what I do best

than with the people who
first taught me how to do it?

♪ Nothing says the
holidays quite like this ♪

♪ Ringing the Yuletide
season in with exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪

♪ Decking all the halls
and doing our thang ♪

♪ Taking a stroll down
memory lane with exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪

♪ This is gonna
be one December ♪

♪ No doubt I'll
always remember ♪

♪ As the chaos and the
romance come to pass ♪

♪ So crank the
joy on up to 10 ♪

♪ Looks like it's gonna be
time well spent with exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪

♪ Christmas Crawl
is coming up soon ♪

♪ Gotta pull it off
and make it through ♪

♪ With exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪

♪ I've heard it said
that three's a crowd ♪

♪ I finally understand
what that means now ♪

♪ This is gonna
be one December ♪

♪ No doubt I'll
always remember ♪

♪ As the chaos and the
romance come to pass ♪

♪ So crank the
joy on up to 10 ♪

♪ Look like it's gonna
be time well spent ♪

♪ With exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪

♪ Yeah, here's to exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪

♪ Here's to exes ♪

♪ of Christmas past ♪