Original subtitles

[ Rock'in Christmas music ]

Downloaded from YTS.MX

♪ Now It's Christmas ♪

♪ And I think about ♪

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

♪ Having someone ♪

♪ I can dream about ♪

♪ Hopes and the gifts I wish ♪

♪ So I that I have it here ♪

♪ On Christmas Day ♪

♪ When I see my friends ♪

♪ I get so sad ♪

♪ Walking with their boyfriends♪ ♪ Hand to hand ♪

♪ I wish I could be just ♪

♪ like them ♪

♪ To have someone to call my own ♪

♪ Oh please make my wish come true ♪

♪ So I won't feel so sad and blue ♪

♪ One thing's all I need ♪

♪ Santa bring a boyfriend to me ♪

[ Rock'in Christmas music ]

♪ It can be one that is ♪

♪ short or tall ♪

♪ Blue eyes, brown hair ♪

♪ I don't mind at all ♪

♪ As long as he cares ♪

♪ and love's me always ♪

♪ and meets me under the Mistletoe ♪

♪ When he comes and gives me just a kiss ♪

♪ I won't be lonely ♪

♪ Days that won't be missed ♪

♪ so I'll keep holding on ♪

♪ and dreaming ♪

♪ That he'll be here on Christmas day ♪

♪ Oh please make my wish come true ♪

♪ So I won't feel so sad and blue ♪

♪ One thing's all I need ♪

♪ Santa bring a boyfriend to me ♪ [fading out]

Anyway, my problem is I'm afraid Brad won't give me anything in return,

which will make me look completely dorky.

'Cause even though I know he's my boyfriend,

I'm not so sure he does.

- Well, Beth, once Brad accepts your present, it's a done deal.

He's officially yours.

- And if he doesn't?

- Trust me. He will.

And that'll make him your boyfriend

whether he likes it or not.

- Well, I guess it's better to have a boyfriend

that doesn't know he's your boyfriend

than no boyfriend at all.

Sorry Holly.

- It's okay. Listening to you two

makes me glad I don't have one.

- It's Phillip. He's right over there.

He's probably just buying me a Christmas present.

I hope he gets me something cool. I mean...

- Nothing can happen. Come on...

- No.

Let's follow him.

- Come on.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Need some help?

- I want to see Santa but.

- But you're a little nervous, right?

Don't blame you.

- I just can't seem to get her up there.

- Bye bye.

- Maybe I can help. What's your name? - Darcy.

- Well, Darcy, maybe I could come along, if that's okay.

- Sure, I'll just wait here.

- C'mon

- Hello. - Hi.

- I was wondering when you were gonna come to see me.

Come on up here.

- Go on.

- So tell me what I can bring you for Christmas.

- [whispers]

-(Santa LAUGH)

Is that your brother?

Why don't you just run on back to him?

I can pretty well guarantee you'll get what you ask for.

- Thank you, Santa.

- You're welcome. Thank you so much.

- So what did she ask for?

- I can't tell you. That's Santa/Client privilege.

And what about you? What would you like for Christmas?

- I'm good.

- I wish the whole world could say that.

- Thanks.

- Surely there must be something that, uh,

I can get you.

- I'm too old for toys.

- That's okay. You don't have to be a child to believe.

- I'd like, I'd like a boyfriend for Christmas.

- Are you sure you're ready for a boyfriend?

- I don't know. I think so.

- Well, when you're really ready, Holly, you'll know.

And I promise you that I'll send you just the right one.

- Holly. Holly. - I've got to go.

- I'm gonna leave you something very special under the tree.

- Okay.

- Merry Christmas, my dear. - Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thank you.

[ quiet music continues ]

- A promised gift will come, my dear.

A love that's true and steady.

Between now and the end of the 20th year

when two hearts are ready.

Twenty years?

Where are you, Hughes?

- Miss Grant. (CLEARS THROAT) Are you ready?

Looking out for Santa's sleigh, are we, Miss Grant?

- Yes, your honor.

I mean, no. I mean, I'm, I'm sorry, your honor...

- You know that the court is closing at noon today for the holidays.

- I do.

- And you're here on behalf of whom?

- I'm representing the interests of Thomas and Rebecca Denning.

- And you support the mother Sheila Denning's petition

to have her children removed from foster care,

and returned to her custody.

- Yes your honor. Miss Denning has moved out of the shelter,

is now employed, and has secured adequate housing requested by the court.

- Who is your legal counsel, Miss Denning?

- Ryan Hughes, your honor. He was assigned to help me.

- Where is Mr. Hughes?

- We don't know. He was supposed to be here.

- Well I'm afraid without your lawyer present, I cannot make a ruling.

- Your honor, Miss Denning was hoping to have the children home for Christmas.

- [sighs] All right. I suppose we can give Mr. Hughes a few more minutes.

This is the season of giving, after all.

- I mean, really. I've offered these people all I can.

- It's not just about the money.

Not to the tenants it's not.

- Mr. Rhodes, here, cannot tear down the buildings

until the tenants are out. Now cut to the chase, Hughes.

How can we move them?

- With a different kind of incentive.

- Such as.

- These are low income families.

In fact, I'm dealing with one of them right now in a pro bono case.

A woman named Sheila Denning. She lives in your building.

She has two... - Bottom line, Ryan.

- What we have to do is assure these people

that they're gonna be able to move back in after reconstruction.

And when they do there'll be a park for the elderly,

day care center. Uh, maybe a community center.

- Sell the idea like an investment in their future.

- Exactly. Because, in essence what you're doing is

you're offering them a chance for a better life.

- You could redraw the plans, I suppose, but will it still be profitable?

- In the long run, Mr. Rhodes,

the increased costs will be negligible against the potential profits,

believe me.

- Hawker. You've been dealing with the tenants committee.

You think they'll buy Hughes's idea?

- Well sir, yes, I, I think they will.

- The tenants cooperate,

you boys may get your name on the letterhead sooner than you think.

- I mean, he should be ashamed of himself.

You're still his client.

Just because Mr. Hughes isn't getting paid

doesn't mean that he can blow you off.

You know, there is something called integrity.

- Miss Denning. - Yes, your honor?

- I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't wait any longer.

I'm going to have to postpone the hearing.

- Your honor, please.

- You'll address the petition in the new year.

[gavel]

- But you promised. You said we'd have presents,

and a Christmas tree, and...

- I know, honey. I'm sorry, but we'll be together again.

So.

- I'm sorry.

Okay. Hold the elevator please.

- Oh. I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry.

- Miss Denning.

- I hope whatever kept you, Mr. Hughes, was important.

- Hey, I thought you were supposed to be here an hour ago.

- I had to take Sheila Denning's kids back to foster care.

- What? What happened?

- You know a guy named Ryan Hughes? - No.

- Me neither. He and I are about to get acquainted.

Teresa, could I send a, a nasty, yet formal letter, please? - This came for you.

- I mean, what sort of guy doesn't even bother to show up in court

to prevent a family from being together over Christmas.

I mean, what is that?

- What is that?

- Using both my psychic powers, and the return address,

I'd say it's from the grant committee.

- So you did go for the grant.

- For money to hire full time lawyers.

- They're never gonna give us the money.

- No more court appointed, I could be making 500 an hour

if I wasn't stuck doing this, lawyers.

- They're giving us the money.

- Oh great.

Well you two gotta save your celebrating,

'cause you're already late.

- For what?

- Lunch with your mother.

- Oh, I'm too frazzled after this morning to deal with my mother.

- Come on.

Is she still pestering you about not being married?

- Oh, here's the thing with my mother.

Yeah, as far as my mother's concerned,

you might as well be dead if you're not married,

and my sister-in-law just adds fuel to the fire.

- Oh, they just want you to be happy.

- Yeah, they want me to be them.

One husband, two cars, two kids.

- Hey. I am one of them, too. I have twins, remember?

- Not you. Plus, you have a great guy in your life, which I don't.

- And whose fault is that, I wonder?

- The last thing I need to feel fulfilled is a boyfriend.

Plus, I learned a long time ago not to rely on Santa

to leave Mr. Right in my Christmas stocking.

- Mm hmm.

So, chocolate chip, or peanut butter?

Chocolate chip...

(overlapping dialog on desert toppings)

Go for it.

To Holly. Thanks to her,

the kids we represent are going to have

a staff lawyer to advise them, instead of a volunteer.

(cheers)

- Good job, Holly. That's wonderful.

- It's wonderful if we can find a decent attorney

willing to work for peanuts.

- Well you should talk to Diane about that.

I think she's managed to date just about every lawyer in town. Right?

- Meow.

- Whatever. Those days are over. Now let's do an eye. Our official. (LAUGH)

- I know you can't wait, so come on. Let's see it.

- Am I gonna need sunglasses?

- You decide. Does anyone have a crane to help me with this?

- Wow. You get carpel tunnel with that thing.

- Good girl.

Okay, it's my turn. To Diane and Holly.

Next year, may Holly get the ring, and Diane get the grant.

- Mom, what kind of toast is that?

- An honest one. It's my Christmas wish.

Cheers. - To your Christmas wish.

Cheers. Thank you.

And I have just the news to make your Christmas wish come true.

- I'm at the edge of my seat.

- You should be. It's big news.

Uh oh.

- I've heard this one before. No more blind dates.

- No? Ted is back in town.

- What?

- Yes. Ian ran into him this morning.

- I hope it was with the car.

- Oo. You're not getting older. You're getting bitter.

I love it.

- It was at work. Ted is Ian's new boss.

He moved back to town because

he's been named managing editor

of the Banner Chronicle.

- I wonder if his father being publisher had anything to do with it.

- He's still single, and he wondered if Holly was, too.

Oh, that's fantastic.

- Mom, Mom. Before you start naming our children,

I've neither seen nor heard from Ted in two years.

- But you loved him.

- I dumped him. It's over.

A man with a wandering eye cannot be trusted.

- Here, here.

- Mm hmm.

- Okay, fine. Enough with the Ted subject.

- Great. - For now.

- Let's order.

- Mister Hughes.

- Miss Denning, I just had to come by

and apologize to you again for what happened today at the hearing.

- I can't really talk right now. I promised Nick,

he's the old guy who plays Santa at the shelter,

that I would help sell Christmas trees.

- Well, my firm was able to speak with Judge Edwards.

- And? - I can't tell you.

Actually, let me let somebody else tell you. One minute.

(whistles) - Mommy, Mommy.

- Oh my goodness. You've got presents.

- Holly gave them to us.

- Oh, well how nice of her.

(LAUGH) Oh, I know you've already done so much for us, Mr. Hughes.

- No, I know where the shelter is. Let me take care of Santa.

Stay with your family.

- Thank you. We're all together again. (LAUGH)

I couldn't ask for a better Christmas present.

- Merry Christmas. - Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.

- Bye. (LAUGH) Hi.

You are right.

They are worse than a dating service.

Welcome to my world.

They don't understand how I could choose

my career over having a family.

- Look what time it is. I still have to get home and pack.

Christmas in Tahoe. (LAUGH)

What could be more romantic? (LAUGH)

- I know. It's tough being fabulous.

(LAUGH) Oh, good, here comes my cab.

Holly, I keep meaning to tell you.

I got you a little something.

It should be delivered today.

- That's so sweet. What is it?

- All I can say is it's gonna make your Christmas.

Mm, bye.

Bye, guys. -Have a good time.

- Thank you. - Bye. - Drive safe. (LAUGH)

- Bye.

- You know what? I promised to pick up a Christmas tree

for our office party. You wanna come join me?

- Oh, will you drop me off first?

I gotta get a letter off to that Hughes guy before I cool down.

- You can have your tirade over the phone while I get the tree.

- Ah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

- Have a little Christmas spirit. (LAUGH)

Alright? - Alright, I'll try.

- Alrighty. - Okay.

- (SINGING) Deck the halls with boughs...

- Oh, singing.

- Hello, Ryan.

- How did you know my name?

- I met you a couple weeks ago at the shelter.

You were with Sheila, I think.

I understand she's found a place of her own.

- Actually, that's why I'm here. She's, um,

not gonna be able to help you sell trees tonight.

- Oh, that's too bad.

- She's at home with her kids.

- Really? - Yeah. She was able to get them back.

- Oh, that's great.

But we're short-handed, just before Christmas, you know?

Busy time for me.

- (LAUGH) I guess so, huh, Santa?

- I don't suppose you'd be willing to fill in for her, would you?

- Me? No, no. I'm afraid, uh...

- What's with the stick thing?

- They're all like, seven feet. I mean, pick one, already.

- As you were saying?

- Well, I guess I can sell a tree or two.

It's for a good cause, right?

- Right.

- Come on. We've seen every tree twice.

- It has to be perfect.

- In a week, it's gonna be perfect mulch.

- Make your phone call. I'm just gonna take one more spin around.

- Okay. Uh. (PHONE RINGS)

- Hello, oh, ho, Merry Christmas.

Can I help you, uh, find a tree?

We've got miles and miles of beautiful trees.

- No, thanks. I'm, I'm with my friend.

- Well, I guess you have one already then, huh?

- No, uh, I'm not really into the whole holiday thing?

- What a coincidence. Me neither.

- I can tell.

- What? This is my natural look.

- Yes, you dress up like Santa Claus to pick up women?

- Usually works.

- I'm sorry. I'm not really into Christmas.

- Oh, that's too bad. Could be a magical time of year.

(PHONE RINGS)

- Will you excuse me?

Hey, hi, Teresa.

I was just gonna call you.

Yeah, I wanna get a letter off to that Hughes guy.

Yeah, his name is Ryan Hughes. He's with Winslow, Summers and Lamb.

Um, okay, you ready?

Dear Mr. Hughes, your not showing up at Sheila Denning's custody hearing

was an inconceivable breach of trust.

Your callous disregard for people counting on you is shameful.

- It is the holiday season

and it is completely unforgivable that your actions

have prevented a family from being together.

If pro bono work is meant to polish the greedy image of firms like yours,

well, then, you have failed, at least with me.

Truly yours, Holly Grant.

Yes! Of course, I want you to send it.

Well, you know, I don't think that this,

this Hughes guy is really gonna care.

He probably doesn't even have a conscience.

- Oh, excuse me. You work here, right?

- Kind of. - Could you give me a help, please? (LAUGH)

Ah, thank you.

- You got it. - Oh.

- Where are you? - My car's, right here.

- Merry Christmas.

- Oh, I, I told the other guy. I don't need the tree.

- I know, I overheard. You're not into Christmas.

- Correct.

- That's disappointing.

- Excuse me?

- Well, I've never failed you, see? Break my heart if I did.

- I don't understand.

- Oh, there's still time, my dear. Perhaps you will.

- You know, I couldn't help overhearing your friend on the phone

and, uh, she sounded really upset.

- She's just venting. I mean, Holly's compelled to

stand up for people who are struggling.

And she can't help herself.

- She's a real angel, huh?

- Holly believes in people, not miracles.

At least, that's what she says.

Thanks. - What's this?

- It's for the tree.

- Oh. (LAUGH) I'll make sure Santa gets it.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

- I'm collecting for the shelter. If you would like to help?

- Sure.

- Oh, thank you. What can I get for you, in return?

- Get me something?

- You know, I am Santa Claus.

- Oh, right, of course. Uh, I don't need anything. I'm good.

- Course, the whole world could say that.

Let me know if something comes to mind.

- Sure. I will.

- Good.

- Still not moved by the Christmas spirit, I see.

- Not for some time, no. Hello, Ted.

- Having moved you up to the, uh, corner office, I see. (LAUGH)

- I know you think that non-profit equals nonsense.

- Uh, whoa, come on, I didn't come up here to pick a fight.

- Well, why exactly did you come?

- Well, one of Santa's elves told me

that you might need a date for a certain New Year's Eve party.

- Would that be the elf in Prada pumps,

or the elf whose husband writes a column for you at the paper?

- Come on, come on, it was great to see your sister-in-law again,

and you did hear about my new job.

- I did. - And you didn't call to congratulate me.

- I didn't.

- But a call. I know it's been a little while, and,

you know, we didn't leave it under the best circumstances...

- We didn't leave. You did.

- And you didn't follow me. - Not without a commitment.

Now we both know you have a problem in that arena.

- Had a problem. Not anymore.

- All grown up, are we. Guess one woman is enough for you now, huh?

- Oh. More grown up, anyway. (LAUGH)

Listen, all kidding aside, I love you,

and I want you to let me prove that to you.

- I'm not looking for a relationship right now,

especially not a recycled one.

- Well, listen, we can get together

and talk over the holidays. Okay?

- We'll see.

- Alright. That's all I need for now.

I'll call.

Oh, hey, Beth.

- Ted?

Still bathing in cologne, I smell. (LAUGH)

Come on, let's do the decorations.

(SINGING) Dee-de-dee-de, de-de-de-de.

- Alright, I got cookies and donuts.

You guys already had, cookies and donuts.

Anybody, you want some sugar?

There you go. Merry Christmas.

- There you are. This is for you. Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- like this, you know, Merry Christmas.

Nice for you to stay around and help, Ryan.

- Mmm, this is the best Christmas that I've had in years.

- Now, how is that possible?

- Well, that's what you get when you try to make partner

in a big law firm, Santa.

- Yeah, but does it make you happy?

- Ryan? Could you give me a hand in here?

- Yeah, sure, no problem.

- Go ahead. I can handle this end of things.

- I'll bet you can.

- What's your name?

- Danny.

- Tell me again what you'd like?

- I want a train set.

- Here you are. Merry Christmas. There you go.

Well, hello.

- Hi. I stopped by to see Sheila Denning.

I thought she was working tonight.

- Sheila is home with her children. - Really?

- She was able to get them back.

- When did this happen?

- Just a little while ago.

Judge found it in his heart to change his decision.

People tend to do these sort of things around this time of year.

- I can't believe it.

- So, did something come to mind?

- What?

- You were gonna let me know if something you needed came to mind.

You can talk to me, Holly.

Santa/Client privilege, remember?

- Have you and I had this conversation before?

- Back when you still believed, you mean?

What made you give up on Christmas, my dear?

- You did.

- I?

- You promised you'd send me...

just the right boyfriend.

But you never did, never sent me one that was right for me.

I think I'd better go.

- As I mentioned before, this is an exceptionally busy night for me.

I wonder, Ryan, if I might prevail upon you

to help me to fulfill a very old promise.

[ doorbell ]

- Go away.

[ rapid doorbell ]

Oh, ahh.

Who is it?

Who is it?

- Merry Christmas. Delivery for Holly Grant.

- What's this all about.

- Special delivery from Santa Claus.

- Santa?

Who are you and what are you doing in my living room?

- Read the card.

- As promised, one boyfriend for Christmas, Santa. (LAUGH)

You gotta be kidding me.

- You're Holly Grant, right? - Yes.

- Then I'm not kidding.

- You look familiar. What's your name?

- My name? My name's, uh, Douglas, Doug, actually.

- Doug who?

- Doug, uh, Firwood. Doug Firwood.

- Wait, wait. (LAUGH) You stay right there.

You, (LAUGH) who are you, really? (LAUGH)

- I told you, and honestly, Santa did send me.

- Santa sends dolls and, and train sets, not people.

- No, now, Santa makes a promise, he keeps it, no matter what.

Otherwise, people would stop believing in him, right?

- Right.

- Do you want breakfast?

- Breakfast?

- Brought groceries?

- Are you some sort of serial killer?

- With a red bow on my chest?

Look, let me whip something up, and we'll talk about it while we eat?

- I am kind of hungry. I didn't have dinner last night.

Plus, I didn't hear anything on the news about a Christmas- bow killer.

- Should I start cooking?

- I guess.

Wait a minute. Diane! Of course.

- Who? - Diane told me that she was gonna send me something

that would make my Christmas. (LAUGH)

- (LAUGH) Hah. - So what do we do?

- (COUGH) Well, I don't know.

What do, what do you usually do with your boyfriends?

- I'm a little out-of-practice.

- Ahh - Haven't had a boyfriend in a while.

- I know the feeling.

- You haven't had a boyfriend?

- No, I mean, I haven't had a girlfriend.

- So where did Diane find you anyway? - You mean, Santa?

- Oh, right, Santa. Where did Santa find you? Some casting service?

- Oh, come on. The old guy's more creative than that.

- Oh, right, of course. The boyfriend factory in the North Pole.

- No, actually, it was a local facility. Pots and pans?

(PHONE RINGS) - Okay, hold on one second.

(PHONE RINGS) Oh, hold on a second. - Yeah?

- Just, just a minute, sweetie.

Mommy's gonna help you one second. Hello?

- Hey, Beth.

- Hey, Holly. You sound very chipper this morning.

- You won't believe what Diane got me for Christmas.

You've gotta come over and see him.

- Holly, my kids have been up since dawn.

Santa gave them new skates

and they insisted on trying them out this morning.

And then I'm meeting my parents in an hour. See who?

- The tree is almost decorated, madam.

- Diane gave you a man for Christmas? Where was she when I was single?

- After he cooked me breakfast, he decorated a Christmas tree.

- A tree? You never have a tree.

- He brought it with him, part of the package, I guess.

- It is so amazing, what you can order online.

So, I mean, do you have him for the whole day or what?

- I don't know. Are you sticking around all day?

- That's up to you.

- It's up to me.

- Well, what about, what about your parents?

- Well, what about them?

- Well, aren't you spending Christmas with them?

- Wait a minute.

- Holly, what are you thinking?

- My family is always on me to be with someone.

This Christmas, I am.

- Holly?

- I'll talk to you later.

- (Football on TV) pass, good protection,

Do you guys need any help?

No thanks, Dad.

Last year when you tried to set up the electric train,

it would only go backwards.

- Oh, it's a good thing Santa had a liberal return policy.

- Martin? - Mm hmm?

- Have I got this stuffing right? Try that.

Tell me what you think.

- Um...

- (Football on TV) There's the snap and pitches to Johnson.

- You should have hired a caterer.

- Oh.

- Do-do-dooo, do-do-dooo.

Honey, you look beautiful.

Thank you, ... - Come on, come on, come on.

- (On TV) Go with the hurry-up offense.

- That is late. I'm gonna call Holly.

Oh, you know, she's bringing Ted. Honey, did you talk to him?

- Uh, yeah, he said he stopped in to see her.

- And? - Oh, he said she was a bit frosty.

- Sweetie, you need to talk to her.

- Uh, Holly's love life is none of my business.

- Yeah, but your job is your business.

- What's that supposed to mean?

- Ian, think about it. If Ted married Holly,

I'm sure that he'll have no problem at all

helping his brother-in-law get his column nationally syndicated.

- Look, why don't you all just leave Holly alone? She's fine.

- Aunt Holly's here, and she's with some guy.

- Ohhh, she did bring Ted in.

- Ian's your brother. Carol is his wife.

And it's, uh, Neil and Noel?

- Yeah.

- Hope I can remember everything. I feel like I'm cramming for an exam.

- Well, when did we meet? How long have we been dating? (LAUGH)

- Ted, I'm so glad you could,

you're not Ted.

- Hello, Carol.

- Hi. Uh, where's Ted?

Oh, nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you. - Uh, yeah, where's Ted.

- Now it's Holly. Better get festive here.

- Grandpa is Santa's elf.

- (LAUGH) Ho, ho, ho. (LAUGH)

- Hi honey, hi, hey.

- Merry Christmas, everyone.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry, merry Christmas to you.

- Uh, I'd like you to meet...

- Doug Firwood.

- Doug Firwood. Doug Firwood. (LAUGH) My boyfriend.

- I've heard so much about all of you.

I, I feel like I know you already.

Mr. Grant, it is, it's an honor to meet you. (LAUGH)

- Boyfriend, huh?

- Yeah, yeah, and Mrs. Grant's even lovelier than Holly said.

Merry Christmas. - Why, thank you.

- And this guy over here has gotta be Ian.

- Yep. - Am I right?

- Holly's brother. How are you? - Merry Christmas.

- And to you, uh, Doug? - Doug, yeah.

- Uh, this is my wife, Carol, who answered the door.

- Christmas, how are you? - Oh, merry Christmas, good.

- Carol, that is a knock- out dress.

- Oh, oh, thank you. (LAUGH) Glad somebody noticed. (LAUGH)

I, I need to change. It's for the New Year's party.

- Yeah, every year, the list of invitees just grows and grows and grows.

'Course, we have to get through Christmas first, don't we?

- Noah and Neil. Am I right?

- You know anything about racing sets?

- Uh, it just so happens that I do.

- We could use some help with ours.

(LAUGH) - Boys...

- ...be gentle with him. (LAUGH)

- Nice, he just got here.

- Well, I guess it's, uh, nice meeting you all,

now (LAUGH) see you later. (LAUGH)

- Wow, so...

- Yeah. (LAUGH)

Big turkey.

- Where have you been hiding that boy?

- Dad, shouldn't you be watching television?

I mean, won't you be going through withdrawals or something?

- Oh, football can wait. What's the deal with the boyfriend?

- Yeah, who is he? - Yeah, you didn't say anything about him yesterday.

- I wanted to surprise you.

- How long have you been seeing him?

- Where's he from? - What's he do for a living?

- One question at a time. What does he do? Uh, he's, uh...

- Don't you know?

- Of, of course, I do. He's, he's a firefighter.

- Huh. - A firefighter?

- A firefighter. That's right. He's a really sweet guy.

Uh, Mom, shouldn't we be getting this in the oven.

Otherwise, we're not gonna eat until midnight.

- He got our racing set to work.

- Yeah, these kids just had their wires crossed. (CLEARS THROAT)

What's going on?

- Do you wanna taste my, my mom's stuffing?

- Yeah, I'd love to.

- No, no, no, stop him before (LAUGH) it's too late. (LAUGH)

- Let's see. (SMACKS LIPS) Ooh, (COUGH), oh, yeah, this,

it's very good Mrs. Grant. - Really?

- Yeah, really, could use a little paprika, though,

or maybe a little, um, cumin?

- I've never thought of cumin.

- Probably how they do it down at the firehouse, huh?

- Yeah?

- Exactly... - Come on, come on.

- Come on, come on.

♪ (Christmas music) ♪

- You're right hand yellow...

- (LAUGHING, PLAYING TWISTER)

- (GAME ON TV, CHATTER)

- You , you guys got the next game.

I, I just have to beat...

-Hey, hey. - ...this guy, you know what I mean?

Come get you.

- What color are you? - Holly?

- ...right foot green.

- Oh.

- Oh, I need a left foot, yellow.

- No, a right hand (LAUGH) . - (LAUGH) Whoo-hoo. (LAUGH)

- (APPLAUSE)

- So Doug, uh, tell us about your work.

- Oh, my work's not that interesting.

- Oh, sure it is. You should be proud of yourself, son.

- You think so?

- Yeah, you're part of a very heroic profession.

- You know what? Not a lot of people feel that way about lawyers. (COUGH)

- Well, I was talking about firefighters.

Holly (COUGH) told us that you were a firefighter.

- (LAUGH) I'm sorry, honey.

I, I know I wasn't supposed to tell them.

- Tell them what?

- That Doug is a lawyer and a firefighter.

- Oh, okay.

- Wow.

Most attorneys work long hours.

How do you manage a second career as a firefighter?

- Well, I mean, I only, uh, fight fires part-time.

- Oh. - Oh, volunteer firefighter.

- Exactly. - The best. (LAUGH) Here you are. Yes.

- I didn't know you can be a fireman part-time.

- Oh, yeah. - Everywhere.

- Well, we're a rare breed.

Medium rare (LAUGH) we're, we're not careful. (LAUGH)

- Well done. (LAUGH)

- Can I be excused? I wanna show Doug my new fire truck.

- May I be excused?

- May I? - You may, then. - We'll call you for pie.

- Doug, I can't thank you enough for your expertise in the kitchen.

- Are you kidding me? I hung out with Martin and watched football like,

uh, two bums today.

You did a wonderful job.

- Hm. - Wonderful. This Is incredible.

- Well, it was fun to watch with somebody that actually enjoys the game.

My son here, the financial wizard, thinks it's just,

you know, a bunch of fat guys running around. (LAUGH)

- See, uh, Holly's the jock in the family.

- Oh, yeah. A beautiful figure skater.

- Dad. - Oh, well, you came in second in the state finals.

- When I was 12.

- You never told me you skated.

- The tights and sequins have lost their allure. (LAUGH)

- Oh, come on. - Ha ha.

- Yeah, you used to, um, skate with Ted.

-That was a long time ago.

- Doug, you know Ted Powell, right?

- Um, no, no, I can't say that I do.

- He's the new editor at the Banner Chronicle.

And the only man Holly's ever loved. Hee.

- The only man so far.

If my dad had caught us up here when we were 15,

you'd probably still be incarcerated. (LAUGH)

- Let's not take any chances. Keep both feet on the floor, and leave that door open.

He wasn't kidding. Look at all these skating trophies.

I haven't seen one of these since I was a little kid.

A promised gift will come my dear, a love that's true and steady,

between now and the end of the 20th year, when two hearts are ready.

What's that mean?

- No idea.

- Nice hair. - Oh. (LAUGH) I love my hairspray. (LAUGH)

- I guess so.

- So what's a hot-shot lawyer doing, taking time off

and spending Christmas with a stranger and her family?

- A hot-shot? - You drive a BMW, and you're avoiding my question.

- Well, the first thing they teach you in law school

is to avoid all direct questions.

So who's Ted?

- Alright. I'll tell you about Ted if you tell me about you.

- That's a deal.

- Uh, I met Ted about four years ago. We dated for two and then broke up.

- And that's it? That's all you're gonna tell me?

- Yeah. (LAUGH)

- Why? - Why what?

- Why did you break up?

- Commitment issues.

- Yours or his?

- Ted's father sent him to work on one of the small papers

they published to cut his teeth as an editor.

- And, uh, you weren't invited to go?

- No, I was invited, to leave my work, my friends and family, to tag along.

- But not as Mrs. Ted.

- That wasn't the worst of it, though.

What hurt the most was his lying to me.

I mean, he knew about the job for weeks before he told me.

I also think there was someone else,

but I could never really prove it.

I can forgive almost anything, but not dishonesty.

- (LAUGH) If he, um, if he told you the truth,

would, would you have gone with him?

- I don't know.

- Well, it's his loss and, and my good fortune.

- I guess.

- Dessert's on the table?

- Right.

- Thanks for putting up with my crazy family.

- No, they're fun.

- They seemed to like you, though.

- I'll tell you what. Carol didn't like me too much.

- Don't mind her. You impressed me. Kind of like a jack of all trades.

You can cook. You know your football.

You're a great racing set repairman. (LAUGH)

- Well, Santa wouldn't send just anyone.

- You know, it's, um, it's still Christmas. You're still on the clock.

You wanna build me a fire?

See if you, uh, turn into a toy soldier at midnight?

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

(Christmas jazz piano continues)

I know this might sound corny,

but I can't remember a better Christmas.

- Me neither.

♪♪

- Doug?

(DOORBELL)

Where'd you go?

I woke up and you were here and wondering what,

Ted?

- Oh, nice bed here. Brings back fond memories.

Wow, look at that tree. I didn't know you did Christmas.

- Look. - No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bust in here like this,

but I, I couldn't sleep thinking about us.

- There's you and there's me. There, there is no us.

- No, that's what I wanna change.

I, I, I know I made a horrible mistake, uh,

handling things the way I did before I left.

Well, I should have been more upfront with you and I wasn't.

I acted like a complete jerk.

- I would have to agree.

- But I've changed.

I realized how much time I've wasted

and how much I miss you being part of my life.

- Why should I believe a single word you say?

- You shouldn't, not until I show you I mean every word.

(DOOR OPENS)

- I bought croissants. Not enough for three.

- That's alright. You can just leave them here.

- Doug, you don't understand.

- No, no, no. No, it's completely fine.

Christmas was yesterday, right? On me.

- Hey, did you get chocolate?

I'll make us some coffee.

- Alright, so let me get this straight.

A stranger shows up at your house

dressed as a present from Santa.

He makes you breakfast. He charms your family, spends the night,

batters your (LAUGH) ex-boyfriend with a bag of donuts then disappears.

Is that it? - Yeah, croissants, not donuts.

I mean, threw them at him.

- Hmm. - There's just something about him, though.

- Are you serious? - I don't know.

I was dreaming the whole perfect boyfriend fantasy,

and then Santa stepped in. - And then Ted came back.

- Yeah, and now I'm more messed up than ever. (LAUGH)

- Santa, huh? - It's crazy. I know.

- Especially coming from you. We are calling Diane. (PHONE RINGS)

- Hello.

- Diane, ask her if she sent the guy or not.

- Hi. - Holly.

- How are you?

- Terrible. - What's wrong?

- Well, yeah, you know, I wanna go to the islands for the holidays,

but Stu insisted on a ski trip.

Turns out it's the warmest winter in 50 years.

- I'm sorry to hear that. (LAUGH)

- Not as sorry as Stu. Hey, did you get my gift?

- That's why I'm calling. Um, I need his phone number.

- Whose number? - Doug's.

- Doug who?

- Doug Firwood. (LAUGH)

- Stu, do you know a Doug Firwood?

- Never heard of him.

- He's never heard of him.

- What do you mean? You didn't send him?

- No, I sent you a very expensive bottle of cognac.

- She sent me the booze.

- Oh. - That's why you said it would make my Christmas.

- I mean, hello? I know you hate Christmas,

so I thought a nice, expensive bottle of booze would get you through it.

- Are you gonna play or talk?

- I'm gonna do whatever I darn well please,

considering that you're the idiot.

Hey, Hol, can I call you right back?

(CHECKER JUMPS LOUD)

King me.

- Alright. So if Diane did not send the guy. Who did?

- Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

- Who's my hero?

- I'm busy right now, Parker.

- Oh, too busy to hear about how the tenant's meeting went?

They bit. Final votes denied, but if it swings the way I think it will,

you, my genius friend and I

can print up some new business cards.

Heh, Winslow, Summers and Lane, Ryan Hughes's partner.

(LAUGH)

Nice little ring to it, don't you think?

- Did anyone tell you tell you Christmas is over?

- (LAUGH) I was hoping you'd stop by.

How'd it work out with Holly?

- Uh, great, until her old boyfriend showed up.

- Boyfriend? Are you sure?

- Supposedly, they broke up, but by the way he kissed her,

you never would have known it.

- Oh, there must be some explanation.

- Frankly, I'm not interested. - Not interested?

- Nope, I came down here to talk to you about something else.

- Oh? - My firm won't let me take on any new pro bono work.

So, I thought on my own time I might...

- You want to volunteer?

I'm sure the center Director would be delighted.

I know he's here. Why don't you go inside and have a chat with him?

- Okay, thanks.

- I'm sure Holly would be delighted too.

- I don't think Holly would care one way or the other.

- You're wrong about that.

Hello Holly.

- I wasn't sure if you'd still be here.

- Just tying up some loose ends.

- It's been 20 years since I found this under my Christmas tree.

- (LAUGH) Little late for an exchange.

- (LAUGH) No kidding.

- (LAUGH)

- Did you...

- Did I what?

- Yesterday did you happen to send me

a love that's true and steady?

- Well only you can answer that my dear.

But I can tell you this, souls meant to be together

cross paths when as the verse says, two hearts are ready.

But if you fail to recognize the magic of that moment it will pass.

- I'm afraid I may have already missed the moment.

- Don't give up yet,

the twentieth year has three more days.

Did you see the Director?

- Yeah, he said he's going to make me a list.

(both) What are you doing here?

- You first.

- Uh, he came to see me.

He's going to, uh, volunteer at the shelter.

- Really?

- Yeah. Your turn.

- I, uh, I came to see Santa too.

To, um, ask him if my Christmas boyfriend's

expiration date could be extended.

And to thank Santa for keeping his promise.

Even if it was only for the day the boyfriend

you sent seemed absolutely perfect.

- I think if I, uh, spoke to my legal department they'd find that the

warranty is actually good until the first of the year.

- After that?

- Well, what about Ted?

- It wasn't what it seemed. Ted and I are completely over.

- Well, if you put it that way and you're absolutely sure

I think you might want to consider extending the warranty.

- Tied up lose ends (LAUGH)

- I never knew this place existed.

- My dad used to bring the whole family up here

to watch fireworks on the Fourth Of July.

- He must be proud of you. Following in his footsteps and all.

- Oh, I hope so.

Both he and my mother passed away while I was in Law School.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- No, no, it's okay.

I think that's when I first started letting work

become more important than Christmas.

- Until this year.

- Until this year.

- Do you have any brothers and sisters?

- One sister, Darcy.

- Darcy, that name sounds familiar. You close?

- We talk. She lives overseas with her husband.

You know, it's been really nice spending time with you and your family.

It's been a long time since I've had that.

- (LAUGH)

- Oh good, the chairs. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

Are you're feet clean?

- Good. This way.

- Joanna. Oh, Holly honey, where's your mom?

- She's out back. She's in planting mode watch out.

- Oh boy. How come Doug's not here?

- You like him, Dad?

- Yeah, sure.

- He said he might come by later.

- Oh, um, I invited Ted to, uh, to come over.

- Well, unfortunately you're going to have to uninvite Ted.

- I can't, I mean, well I didn't just invite him for your benefit.

He's, he's, Ian's boss and I think it's important that they bond.

- Well, great, let them bond and you tell me when Doug gets here. Honey.

(ENGINE GUNNING LOUD)

(SIGHS)

- You're the lawyer right?

Remind me, I owe you for the croissants.

- That's right you're the, uh, ex-boyfriend.

- Not for long. I have Holly's family on my side. They love me. (LAUGH)

(KNOCKING AND DOORBELL)

- (LAUGH) Hey Doug ...

- How you doing Martin? - ...good to see you.

Hello Ted. Come on in.

- Ted, I'm so glad you could come.

Holly has been dying to see you.

- Oh great you're here. Doug, go to the kitchen help Holly okay?

Ted, you and Carol come with me. - Oh, but, but, but I...

- No buts. We've got a lot of work to do.

- Hey, hey.

- Hey, I'm glad you're here. I've missed you.

- You missed me? How can you miss me, we practically spent

every waking hour of the past three days together.

- I just do. Oh, I should warn you,

Carol invited Ted to come over.

- Uh, it's too late I already ran into him out front.

- Oh. - No, that's okay. We had a, uh, friendly chat.

- Really?

- Actually, no.

- Where is he?

- Your mother put him to work.

What's going on, your mother seems possessed.

- The New Year's Eve party remember?

- Oh that's right.

- It's the highlight of her year.

Practically the entire town is invited, black tie, the works.

Every year since I was a little girl.

I used to lie in bed and listen to the music

and imagine myself dancing with a handsome prince. - (LAUGH)

- Naturally, I was in a ball gown with a (LAUGH) tiara.

- Ted, I'm giving you a break

but I expect you to be back at work in a half an hour.

- You look tired, thanks to manual labor?

- He's an attorney Holly, you better count that silver before he leaves.

- Boys, play nice.

- Hi Doug, Grandpa said you were here.

Put out any fires lately?

- I thought he was a lawyer.

- And a fireman.

Dad are you ready to rumble?

Yeah, I promised them I'd play football

before Mom forces us back to work.

- How about you?

- Uh, sure, I'll play if Doug will.

- You bet.

(BIG BAND JAZZ and FOOTBALL CHATTER)

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Over the fields we go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on bobtail ring ♪

♪ Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is to laugh and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle All the Way ♪

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle Bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

(WHISTLE!)

- No, no, no, no, no.

That's 15 right there, On you Ted.

♪ And soon Miss Fanny Bright ♪

♪ Was seated at my side ♪

♪ The horse was lean and lank ♪

♪ Misfortune seemed his lot ♪

♪ We got into a drifted bank ♪

♪ And then we got upset ♪

(WHISTLE)

- You guys okay? Come on you all right?

- That was one sorry display of testosterone. - (ALL) Mm hmm.

- Great game though.

- I mean you should be ashamed of yourselves,

grown men acting like children.

Come on Neil and Noel, let's get some hot chocolate.

- This isn't over yet. I'm going home to get out of these clothes.

- (LAUGH) C-mon.

- I don't get it.

What happened to this family

it's like they've been sucked into the,

the cult of Douglas.

Martin goes to him for sports picks.

Joanna goes to him for recipes. The kids think he's some kind of hero.

Who is this guy anyway? Is he for real or what?

- Well you were a reporter before you were an editor.

- Yeah. - Why don't you find out?

- Maybe I should.

- You think Holly really meant what she said?

- Oh, Doug. In the game of romance

I have discovered that what Grant women say and

Grant women mean rarely coincides.

But, if the prize is winning their hearts then

it's a game well worth playing.

I like you.

Of course, Holly's a much tougher critic than I am.

(LAUGH) Come on, don't worry about it.

Holly's full of surprises. Take care.

- Thanks Martin. - You bet.

- That was a great tackle. (LAUGH)

- Oh. (LAUGH) I, uh, I thought you were mad at me.

- No, no, it was the only way I could think to get rid of Ted.

Here, this is for you.

- Most valuable player. (LAUGH)

- No, most valuable present.

- Okay, I've got to get something off my chest.

- Okay.

- I know that we're, we're just getting to know each other, but...

- I know what you're going to say. - You do?

- I feel it too. There's this incredible bond between us,

it's like we've know each other forever.

I mean, you, you feel the bond too don't you?

- Yeah, yeah I do. But, um...

(TRUCK HORN)

- What? (LAUGH)

- Um...

- Doug, Doug.

- Yeah. - Can you pull your car back

so we can unload in the driveway?

- Oh sure. - Great.

- Can I see you later?

- I told my mom that I'd help her. What about tomorrow?

- Yeah, tomorrow's good.

- Do, do you have a pen and paper?

Meet me here at Noon.

- Where is this? - It's a surprise.

(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPING)

- Hughes, Harrison Lane here.

Wanted to let you know the tenants committee accepted your plan, congratulations.

By the way, I know you asked for a few days off

but I'm going to need you in the morning to go over a couple of details.

See you then.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

- Ted.

- Good morning.

Well, these are for you. Mind if I come in?

- I actually do need to talk to you but I was on my way out...

- This isn't going to take long.

- Okay, come on in.

- (LAUGH) I know it's kind of sudden but, uh,

well it's just my way of saying that I'm serious this time.

- (LAUGH) Ah, yeah, very serious.

- Well, listen, when we split up before,

I, I still had some things to prove to myself, to my father.

I'm passed that now. I want to settle down.

I can't think of anybody I'd rather do that with than you. Only you.

- (MAKES NOISE) Look...

- No, no. Take your time, think about it.

I'm just going to sit this right here to help you make your decision. (LAUGH)

- Mm.

(BACKGROUND OFFICE CHATTER AND MUSIC)

Excuse me, I'm not very good at ice skating would you be my partner please?

You ready? Hold my hand. Here you come. (LAUGH)

It's okay. (LAUGH) You're doing really well.

- So, these are the last of the tenant signatures?

- Yes sir, 100% of the tenants have agreed to move out.

- Great, we'll start demo after the new year.

The first office complex should be ready to lease by summer.

- Office complex? - That's right.

- Mr. Rhodes has changed his mind about the direction of the redevelopment.

- I can get a better return on an industrial park

than on low income housing.

- But, you told the tenants...

- Exactly what I was instructed to tell them.

- They'll sue. - They'll lose.

- Either way, I'll get a bigger payday.

- And so will the firm.

- These are people's lives we're talking about.

- No, this is business we're talking about.

-(WHISTLES)

- We're not finished here Hughes.

- Maybe you're not.

- You're doing great.

Okay, come forward.

(LAUGH)

I have faith in you. You are fantastic, look at you.

I think you can go on your own now.

Okay, keep skating and I'll watch you, okay?

Good job.

(JAZZ MUSIC)

♪ ...Including the moon ♪

♪ for a Christmas dance with you ♪

♪ I can't remember ♪

♪ A feeling like this ♪

( JAZZ MUSIC CONTINUES)

- Bud wasn't kidding, you could have been a pro.

- (LAUGH) Thank you.

- I don't think I'll be joining the NHL anytime soon.

- You look like a pro though.

- Just don't ask me to lift you above my head okay.

- Okay, just hold hands all right?

- Yeah. Oh it's easy.

- Yeah, right. Well if you fall we both fall all right?

So we have to trust each other all right?

- Talking about skating right?

- What else? All right here we go.

You ever been married?

- No. You?

- No.

You think pets should be A, in the yard, or B, on the furniture?

- (LAUGH) A and B.

- Pizza?

- Pepperoni.

- Vacations? - Warm.

- Kids? - Lots.

- Do you believe in UFOs? - No.

- God? - Yes.

- Monogamy?

- Yes.

- Secrets?

- Yeah. What?

- Do you believe in keeping secrets?

- Yeah. No, no, no, not between each other.

Not between, you know what I mean.

- Good, 'cause after what I've been through with Ted

it would be impossible for me to fall

for someone who wasn't completely honest.

- Impossible?

- Yep.

Do you believe in love at first sight? - I do.

- Do you remember what I told you about imagining myself

dancing at New Year's Eve?

- You mean with your prince?

- (LAUGH) Yeah. - Yeah.

- Well I was, um, wondering if you weren't busy tomorrow night.

- Mm hmm.

Yeah?

- Yeah, okay. - You mean you want me to go.

- Yeah (LAUGH), Can you go? - I'd love to.

- Okay. Good night. - Good night.

See you tomorrow. - Bye.

- Excuse me sir. Excuse me.

- Hi. - Sorry to bother you,

but I'm not quite certain I have the right address.

Does, uh, Douglas Firwood live here?

- No. - Uh, not upstairs?

- No, Ryan Hughes is upstairs.

- Uh, well, I'm confused then. Uh, dark haired fellow,

attractive in kind of a scruffy way, uh, drives a BMW?

- Well that sounds like Hughes but...

- Lawyer right? With, uh, oh, what's the name of that firm?

- Well he's with, uh, Winslow, Summers, and Lane.

Why don't you go knock on his door? Uh, I think he's, uh, home and...

- No, no, no, I don't want to bother him.

I probably have the wrong address anyway. Um, thank you, anyway.

- Uh, good morning Hughes. Oh by the way, Mr. Lane would like to see you.

- That's good, I want to see him too.

Do you know what Rhodes is planning to do with that property?

- What's the difference?

- The difference is that you lied to those people.

You swindled them out of their homes.

- We paid.

- That makes it all right?

- Oh come on Hughes,

you're about to be made a partner here.

We have busted our butts for years and it's finally paying off.

You are this close to a corner office, pal.

You will be certifiable if you throw this all away

for some bogus crisis of conscious. Completely certifiable.

(GASPS)

- Excuse me, was that Ryan Hughes?

- Yes it was, who are you?

- Well, I'm Ted Powell, Editor of the Banner Chronicle.

- Oh. - And you are?

- Russell Parker.

- Oh right, I have you on my list as well.

We're doing a piece on up and coming Attorneys.

Young Turks on the legal scene, that sort of thing.

- Oh really?

- Yes, I'd love to be able to talk to you if I could.

- Oh, absolutely, step this way. You know, you might want to wait

before you include Hughes in that article though.

-And why's that?

- Well, he's in with the Senior Partner right now

committing professional suicide.

- Why?

- Off the record?

- Sure.

- I think he snapped his wrapper.

- Really?

- Oh yeah, sad. Nice cologne.

- Oh, thank you.

- Man on the floor.

- (LAUGH) Come in.

- Hi sweetheart.

You know I'm so glad that your mom insisted that you dress here.

Just reminds me of all the old times, hmm.

You smell good.

(SIGHS)

- Dad? - Mm hmm.

- Ted proposed to me.

- (HMM) Did you accept?

- There was a time that I really loved him, but.

- You're not so sure anymore, right?

This is 'cause of Doug.

- We think alike, Doug and I. He appreciates my work, he loves kids.

He makes me look at the world through fresh eyes

like when I was a little girl and nothing was impossible.

I feel like I've known him my entire life.

Actually, we haven't known each other quite that long.

- Well, I've only known him, uh, a couple of days myself.

But, (LAUGH) hmm, I have a good feeling about him.

I know, what do I know, right?

But, from everything I've seen,

I think he may just be the one you've been waiting for.

- Oh Noel, don't run with that tray.

Mommy's got a new dress on and you're going to get that

(SCREAMS)

oh no.

(GROANS)

(SCREAMS)

- Sorry Mommy.

- Ian.

- Uh, Joanna, we have a problem.

- Yes honey, what is it?

(MAKES NOISE)

What did? Uh, all right,

come on boys let's get this mess cleaned up.

- My dress. My beautiful dress.

- Oh, but the mauve and the blue it goes with your eyes.

- Are you kidding? It's ruined, and so is my entire New Years Eve.

- No it isn't, we'll find you something to wear.

Let me go look in my closet.

- Go.

- Great, mother in law couture.

- Carol, why don't you wear this one?

- But that's your dress.

- I'll find something in Mom's closet.

- You'll do that, for me?

- It's not a kidney, it's just a dress.

- Oh, oh, oh, sorry.

- Now what?

- I have a been a selfish idiot.

- What are you talking about?

- Ever since Christmas day I could see how much you liked Doug.

And still I did everything in my power to discourage you.

To get you back with Ted,

because I thought Ted could help Ian's career and I didn't think of you.

- It's fine. Here take the dress.

- You, deserve to be with somebody you love.

- And you deserve to get out of that dress.

- Uh, I'm, I'm sorry about the dress.

- I'm not, it's made me realize how lucky I am to be a part of this family.

Sorry

- She got that from a ruined dress?

- Ryan.

- You know you got a funny way of just showing up.

- Well, I was on my way to a party, saw the ice, couldn't resist.

Hey aren't you supposed to be going to the Grants tonight?

- I was. - But.

- Look if I go over there I'm just going to get thrown out.

- Thrown out? Why? Oh, don't tell me.

- I tried, I tried. I was going to tell her tonight but... - But what?

- Look, she said that she could never fall for a guy who's lied to her,

and I've lied to her so that's it. It's done.

- Too late, she's already falling for you Ryan.

You've got to tell her everything.

Right now, tonight, there's not much time left.

- What do you mean there's not much time left?

- Your hearts are both ready trust that go to her.

Set the record straight.

Don't let the moment escape you Ryan, or you may regret it forever.

Come on, we have a party to attend.

(BACKGROUND MUSIC AND CHATTER) - Hey Rose Bowl tomorrow.

- Oh you read my mind. How about, um, yeah save you a trip, thank you.

- Hey - Who is that?

Here you go. - Thank you.

- So, you girls on your own tonight?

- My husband got the flue so he offered to watch the kids

so I am enjoying my night of freedom.

- Freedom.

- I can see that.

- Although be careful what you wish for.

My fiancé and I broke up over Christmas.

- I'm sorry to hear that. - Yeah, well, it's all right,

the champagne is certainly helping me through my grief (LAUGH).

- Uh, it does tend to do that doesn't it. Listen, you guys seen Holly?

- She's in the house waiting for the Christmas tree guy.

- Whoa, yeah.

- Santa.

- Happy New Year.

- I thought you were going to stand me up.

- I believe I'll go mingle.

- You remember last night I said I had to talk to you?

- Yes.

- Uh, Holly I haven't been completely honest with you.

- Oh, there you are, Happy New Year Doug.

- How you doing, Happy New Year Martin.

- It's going to be a good one.

- Ted alert he just came in through the back.

Carol tried to cut him off but they're right behind me.

- Ted, please calm down. Look, it's my fault,

I shouldn't have encouraged you like that. - You'll be glad you did

when you heard what I found out.

Holly, whether you and I are meant to be or not,

there are some things you need to know about this guy.

- What's everyone doing in here?

- Exposing Douglas Firwood for what he is a fraud and a liar.

- What are you talking about?

- Well for starters why don't you tell us what your real name is.

- Ryan Hughes.

- Ryan Hughes?

- The same Ryan Hughes that Winslow, Summers and Lane fired today.

- That's not true, I wasn't fired, I quit.

- Apparently there was a question of ethics.

- It wasn't my ethics, it was theirs.

Uh, listen man don't twist things around.

- Am I? Whose idea displaced hundreds of low income families?

- It was my idea, but I'm not the one...

- In one week, he went from a high six figure income

to volunteering at a Christmas tree lot. Douglas Firwood, get it?

- And all that business about being a firefighter is, uh?

- I checked into that Martin. That's another one of his lies.

- I, I made up the firefighter story.

- What? - Honey, why would you do that?

- Because you guys were asking me all sorts of questions and

I, I didn't know Doug, I mean Ryan, and...

- And what honey?

- I don't know what to say. I, I...

- Are you two dating?

- He was my Christmas present okay?

- Boy, you've been dating a Christmas present?

- Yes, no, I mean, there's more, there's more to it than that...

- Of course there is, there's a lot more to it than that.

What are you trying to prove?

- I'm just trying to protect her from you.

- Stop it. - No, no, no.

- Come on now, stop that.

- Is this some kind of joke to you?

- This is no joke. I saw you at the shelter on the night of Christmas Eve.

- You overheard me talking to Santa.

- I couldn't take my eyes off you.

I overheard you talking to Nick, and there was just something about you

that made me think that, that I had known you for a long time.

When he asked me to show up at your house I immediately agreed.

I mean this is the most irrational thing I've ever done in my life.

It felt right.

- You must have thought I was pathetic.

- You know that's not true.

- I don't need you, or your pity.

Come on Mom let's get back to our guests.

- I don't think I can help you with this one.

- I'm really sorry I had to do that.

- I bet you are. Come on Carol.

- Nice suit. The holiday's over.

- Holly.

- It's all your fault.

- Ryan really cares about you.

- He stands for everything I'm against.

- You know, he's the one who was able get Shiela Denning's

children back to her.

- (Ted) Ladies and Gentleman if I could have your attention please.

- Holly, he's a good man and he believes in many of the same things you do.

You have to make a decision it's nearly midnight.

The moment's about to pass but before it does take this, Ryan is there.

- (Ted) Now most of you all know that,

(Ted) uh, Holly and I have been seeing each other for quite a while...

- Please, don't stop believing.

- (Ted) And uh...

- Yet. Remember,

the end of the twentieth year when two hearts are ready.

- (Ted) ...rocky road, been a bit of a roller coaster ride but, uh,

(Ted) through it all I've never stopped loving you.

-(background) Oh.

- (Ted) Now, I understand your nonprofit work even though

(Ted) you don't make much money at it.

(LAUGH)

I will cherish you with all of my being.

I would like to make tonight not just the start of a new year

but the start of a whole new life together.

- (crowd) Oh.

- Holly,

- (background chatter and sighs)

will you marry me?

- (all) Oh.

- I,..

I can't.

- (all) Oh.

- I'm sorry.

- (radio) Eighteen minutes left to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.

Eighteen minutes to grab your sweetheart, get by the television,

or better yet come on downtown with us.

We're having a party like you've never seen.

(SLOW MUSIC)

- Ryan.

- What are you doing here?

- He sent me.

You asked me about these words and what they meant

and I told you I didn't know but I do know finally.

Do you remember when we first met?

- I was 13 and you offered to help my little sister.

- Darcy, because she was afraid.

- Then you introduced her to Santa.

- When did you figure it out?

- I'm not exactly sure.

There was just something so familiar about you at the tree lot.

- I was thinking about that, I don't remember seeing you at the tree lot.

- (LAUGH) I guess you don't recognize me without my 99 cent beard.

- That was you?

- Not the most brilliant disguise in the world, but,

um, I was happy I had it when I heard you dictating that letter.

- You heard that?

- And I deserved it. While it hurt to hear how you felt,

(SIGHS) it made me realize how unsatisfying my life had become.

- How do you feel now?

- Much better.

Much better since I left the law firm and met you.

- You know, I always wished that I would meet the right guy

and he would immediately set my heart on fire.

- And?

- I just never thought that

that guy would be my Christmas present.

- You know I might be difficult to exchange without a receipt.

- That's okay, I think I'll keep you.

(FIREWORKS)

- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

♪♪