Original subtitles

No, I realize it's hard to place a new health care aid around the holidays, but

anything you have, really anything at all, I would appreciate it.

Yes. Thank you so much.

Coming.

Scout. Homework. After this chapter.

Hi. Hi.

A little fair trial? Yes.

Registered mail. Oh, thank you.

Buddy, I'm serious.

Efride Sam's best friend's dog was kidnapped.

And it's not the first one in the neighborhood.

What in the world?

What's that?

Notice to Bene... Beneficiaries and claimants.

What does that mean?

Mr. Conrad left me something in his will.

After he died?

What does he leave?

A hundred thousand dollars?

Who is this person?

Her name is Willa Fairchild.

She was Dad's nurse during his last few months.

And he left her a hundred grand and left us... Something much more valuable than

money.

Finn.

Finn.

Dear Willa, I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me. You and

Scout are very lucky to have each other.

You made the right decision to put your family first. You gave your son a second

chance. Now it's your turn.

This has to be a mistake.

Finn!

Leaving us when we were kids wasn't enough, huh?

Never calling, never reaching out, and now this?

Look, I get it, okay? He didn't call when he was sick. He didn't reach out.

didn't want us to know.

Or maybe she kept him from reaching out. The nurse.

He drew up a brand new will days before he died and he left the entire estate to

her? Come on, you hear about these caregivers taking advantage of their

all the time. Finn, I... What other explanation could there be?

That we were never in the will.

And we were never going to be.

Look, Finn, there's something else you need to know.

It appears that our father arranged for this nurse to have an all -spent paid

vacation to a bed and breakfast called Bramble House in Oregon.

Two weeks over Christmas.

No.

No. No.

Don't wait till it's too late like I did to figure out what you want in life.

Be Scout's example.

Promise me.

What does that mean?

It means that he's an incredibly thoughtful man.

What if... What if I'm not all the way better yet?

Okay. So the doctor said you could do anything you want now, right?

So we will just take it at your speed.

Look, maybe Mr.

Conrad is right.

We both got a second chance, and we shouldn't waste it.

Maybe this can be the Christmas we deserve after everything we've been

the last two years.

What do you say?

Yeah?

Yeah, so I talked to the lawyer, and she said that if we want to contest the

will, that we need to prove that the nurse used undue influence or deception

to get the money, and we need to do it before the end of the year, December

31st. How would we do that?

Well, I'm having her draw up an injunction to stop the will from getting

out, and I'm going to go confront this nurse.

and tell her to back off, or we will take her to court, and we will win.

Do you really want to do that?

He's still our father. I mean, don't we have to find out if this woman was

taking advantage of him?

I can't rest unless I look her in the eye and find out the truth.

How exciting.

Hey, buddy, I don't think that you have looked up since we left the airport.

Why don't you check out your window?

Look at the sky.

Look how clear the air is.

Pretty different than the city, huh?

Scout, isn't it beautiful?

No. Look at all the light.

The light.

Hello? Oh, um, can we help you with that? I'm fine, thank you. Please, we

four hands.

Oh, are you Willa and Scout?

Yes.

Oh, hi, I'm Mabel. Mabel Bramble, your host.

Welcome. Please, come in.

This is the worst time of year to be on the injured list.

How did you do it? Horseback riding.

It's just not Christmas until the tree is trimmed.

Really? I think it looks beautiful.

You know, we can help. You can just put us to work.

My mom loves to decorate.

Absolutely not.

You're my guest.

Find this register, and then I'll give you the tour.

My family's lived here for 130 years.

It'll be you, our town, Santa, and then just one other guest.

Those pictures?

They're of my relatives who founded Bramble after Oregon was settled.

Did they all live in the South?

They sure did.

All right, let's continue.

We have games for those extra snowy days.

We have skates in lots of sizes for the rink that's just down the road.

In the afternoons, I leave treats, hot chocolate, cookies.

Welcome to Bramble.

This is magic.

Definitely.

I read that there's a hike that starts right out in back of Bramble House.

What do you think?

Hey, buddy.

I love how much you read, but we came somewhere entirely new.

So let's get outside and have some adventures, okay?

What do you think if we go get some marshmallows and roast them in the

fire pit?

Marshmallows? Mm -hmm.

It's so good. Mm -hmm.

Hey, Mom.

We're starting to know we're here.

Yes, I wrote him a letter.

You know, I'm fine with just his presence this year.

You don't have to get me extra.

Why do you say that?

Well, you don't have a job right now, so... You don't need to worry about

okay? Everything is going to be fine.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere

you go Take a look at the five and ten

Listening once again With candy canes and silver lanes that glow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Toys in every store But the prettiest sight to see

Is the holly that will be On your old front door

And the thing that'll make them ring Is the carol that you sing Right

within your heart Hello? Oh, hey.

Sorry, I'm so late. I couldn't find a gas station, and then I lost my GPS

out on those back roads.

This is Bramble House, right? And you're Mabel?

No, I'm Willa.

I'm just a guest. I'm Willa Fairchild. Mabel, I think, already went to bed, but

I can figure out how to check you in.

Your will a fair job. She probably left you a key right here.

Although she probably wouldn't want me just handing it to a stranger.

Let me make sure that she has your name in the book.

What is your name?

It's Finn. Finn Knightley.

You're right here.

Then you are who you say you are.

I'll show you up. Actually, I need to...

I need to ask you a question.

Okay, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to answer it.

No, I think you can. I think, Miss Fairchild, you...

Mom?

Oh.

Sweetheart, I woke up and I couldn't find you.

I'm so sorry. You were in a strange place all by yourself.

I'm sorry.

Can I take you back to bed?

Okay.

This is Finn.

He's a new guest at Bramble House. Can you say hi?

Okay, let's go.

Grab your stuff. I'll show you your room.

Out.

I didn't want to turn on the light and wake you up.

But, Mom, was that guy from last night, was his full name

Finn Knightley?

Yeah. He's the illustrator of Everyday Sam.

He's staying here. Can we ask him about his next book?

Maybe he'll be at breakfast. Come on.

Scout. Pajamas.

Mom, look.

Whoa, hi there.

Mabel said the town Santa was staying here. Hi. Hi. I'm Willa, and this is my

son, Scout. Well, hiya, Scout. Nice to meet you. You know, my real name is Ken.

Did you know that Santa had helpers all over the world collecting Christmas

wishes from kids?

Oh. Well, my favorite thing in the whole world to do is hear those wishes.

You got yours yet? My Christmas wish already came true.

Really? But maybe there's a few toys I could add in?

Sure thing, and I'll get them to the big guy.

But here's my question.

Does anyone else smell bacon?

Let's go get some.

Mabel, let me help you with that. No, no, no, no. I'm fine.

Thank you for asking.

Well, this is amazing. Everything looks delicious.

Can I get anybody coffee, tea?

Marshmallows?

We roasted some last night, and... Did you put the garland on the step, too?

I couldn't sleep.

Fixing things up relaxed me.

I do the decorations.

And the dessert.

What you did was very thoughtful.

Don't do it again.

Yes, ma 'am.

She's tough.

Not too tough.

We grew up together.

I've been living in Portland for the last 20 years, but I always come back to

Bramble to be Santa.

She's just mad that she hurt herself ice skating.

Ice skating? She told me horseback riding.

Oh, she's always been a slippery one.

Hi. Good morning. I'm Ken. Hey, Finn. Morning.

Good morning.

My son has discovered that you are the illustrator of one of his favorite

He's a huge Everyday Sam fan.

Is that so?

I've read the first ten books twice, and I'm on the eleventh.

Are you here working on the next one?

I am.

Actually, the one that comes out next Christmas.

Yeah. I'm doing some sketching later today in the park.

If you'd like to check it out.

Oh, thank you. But no, we're planning a mellow day.

You guys don't want to miss the Christmas stroll.

The Christmas stroll?

Mr. Conrad said it was awesome.

Yes, and it starts today.

And I can always use help with a stand -in for Sam.

When I'm drawing, you'd actually be doing me a huge favor.

I get to be Sam?

Well, I guess we'll be joining you.

Right.

This place will be great for your book, right?

Yeah, it's beautiful.

What should I do?

Um... Why don't you go stand with those carolers over there? Pretend you're

singing. Is it all right?

As long as you stay where I can see you.

Perfect.

I'm sorry.

I don't mean to disturb you. Oh, no, no, no. Not at all. Please, have a seat.

I'm just roughing it out. Really? Yeah, yeah. Come. Chat.

You have a great job getting to go to beautiful places and always having a way

to record them.

Yeah, it is.

What about you? What do you do?

It's nothing as glamorous as that. I've been working as a health aide.

A nurse?

Not quite.

I did all the coursework, but just... But you didn't want to finish?

It's complicated.

Yeah. I'm sorry. I don't know your situation, so it must be... You must

some pretty interesting characters along the way, huh?

Mm -hmm.

Any that stick out?

I'm sorry. I can't really talk about my patient.

Oh, yeah, no, of course. I was just thinking that, you know, they must

depend on you and open up.

It's kind of like that.

Mr. Knightley.

Finn, please. And, yeah, I know I'm being nosy, but it's kind of part of my

description to kind of hear people's stories so I can portray them in my

And you do something I don't know anything about, so.

It is sort of.

like that um everyone has a story and when people are are

laid up or they're hurting and and you get them one -on -one they they do tend

to open up what kind of stuff do they say i

know okay i heard it um well i just think that you seem like the

kind of person that uh

A lot of people would like to touch.

There's a chocolate shop over there. And Mr. Conrad says they have the best hot

chocolate here.

They do?

Well, then let's go get some.

It was really nice talking with you.

And you.

Mr. Knightley's not coming?

Oh, no. Call me Finn, please.

Well,

I would...

I'd love a hot chocolate if it's okay with... Yeah, please, come with us.

Just let me... I'll be right there.

So, who's Mr. Conrad?

He's one of my mom's patients.

What?

He was really nice.

There were a few days when my child care fell through, and he was very

understanding. We played cards, and he taught me how to bet in poker.

We also watched skating on TV.

He loved speed skating.

He loved skating.

He did, huh?

He wanted to teach me. He taught his son when he was my age.

And he's the one that recommended this place.

He spent his first five Christmases here, and he had very fond memories.

He's the one who gave us this dress.

It was a surprise for me, too.

Scout has always wanted to learn how to skate.

I could teach him.

Oh, I'm sorry. That wasn't what I was saying.

I just... No, no, both of you.

Yeah, I mean, I think I saw a rink by Bramble House, and I'm pretty sure Mabel

loans out skates, so... Could we?

Well, if Mr... If Finn has the time.

Yes, I'd be happy to.

Yes.

Hey, I'm Sage. I'm the owner.

Nice to meet you. You do amazing work. This is delicious.

Oh, thank you. Well, we just love it when families come into town.

Oh, we're not.

No, he belongs to me.

Yeah, I'm just tagging along for the sugar rush.

Well, hey, while you're here, you've got to try a sample of our famous chocolate

truffles they are to die for.

Can I?

Yes.

Come with me.

You know, Scout has really loved your everyday fan books.

A hero in everyday life.

That's a great gift to some kids.

Wow, thank you.

It's nothing like the hard work you do.

Patients must be very grateful.

Do all of them give you gifts like this?

Like this? No, no, never.

Why do you think Mr. Conrad did?

Well, because we connected.

We shared things about our life.

We were close.

I don't know. Maybe I should have turned it down.

Why did you take it?

Honestly, because it's been a very difficult couple of years.

And because I promised him I would take every chance I was given.

What did the family think?

You know, they never reached out.

I really wish they had. I could tell them quite a lot, but I'm not sure they

cared.

We don't really know them.

Do you?

No, you're right. I don't.

I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have opened that door, and that's on me.

No, no.

I get it. I've been...

Yeah. Sorry.

I, yeah, I should go finish up some work. I will see you back at Grandma's

house. Ben, did I say something to offend you? No, no, no, no, no. It's all

good. I just, I should finish up these drawings, and I will see you later.

So you didn't tell her about the injection?

You didn't confront her?

Well, her son stumbled out of bed last night when I was about to, and he's been

with her ever since.

She's a mom?

A single mom, by the looks of it.

You know, her kids met Dad, too.

I mean, they watched skating together.

Played cards.

It was so hard for me to hear.

So when are you going to tell her about the injunction?

We're less than two weeks out. If we confront her with the papers too soon,

she's going to shut down, and then we won't get the answers we need.

We need a confession.

I will talk to the owner and see if I can get an extra day or two and then

down this road.

Miles, don't worry. I got this.

Hi. Could I buy a small box of those chocolate truffles?

Oh, of course. I want to get a gift as a thank you for the owner of Bramble

House. Oh, you two are staying at Bramble House. That's my aunt's place.

Mabel, is your aunt?

Mm -hmm.

Well, I was thinking of getting her some ornaments.

Oh, oh, she won't like that at all.

She's a little controlling.

Well, I'll say she likes everything just the way she likes it.

Is she still mad she hurt herself sledding?

Sledding. Now, you know, I think I like your aunt more and more every day.

You know, my daughter and I were headed out to do some errands. She's about your

son's age.

You want some company?

That'd be nice.

Oh, hey, Finn.

Hey. Did I hear that you're a children's book illustrator?

Yeah, that's right. Because every Christmas Eve, I do a reading for the

town the night before Christmas, and we try to get a special guest for them.

Interested in that? Oh, thanks, but I'm not going to be here through Christmas

Eve, home for the holidays, family. Right, of course. Well, maybe another

Sure.

What about Bramble House? Has it always been a B &B?

Actually, it was a family home for generations.

Mabel was living there until the recession hit.

They almost put it up for sale. She single -handedly saved it by turning it

a B &B.

I honestly don't know how she does it all alone.

Mom, look, it's Finn's book.

Can I go in and show Savannah?

Of course, sure.

He likes that thing.

And you, you guys seem pretty friendly.

Oh, sorry, just kick me. I blurt things out.

Look, that's my friend.

Really? Yeah, and he keeps writing a new book.

You're the opposite.

Private?

I used to be.

I'm trying not to anymore.

I don't want to miss the world.

These are so beautiful.

You know

what? I think we're going to try a little homemade magic.

Hey, Scout.

Come here.

No.

Look at all those presents.

Yeah. I bet Mabel is going to try to get all of them in herself, too.

You should help.

Good idea.

What are you doing?

Helping. We saw these sitting in your trunk and thought we would help out by

bringing them in. I just dropped off a batch and then was going to head back

out. Oh, okay. Well, I'm so sorry. I should have asked first.

That was my mistake. But since they're all inside now... Yep.

Right there under the tree.

If you ever need anything else or want anything else, just feel free to ask us.

Never mind.

We love you.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Can we make gingerbread houses now?

As long as Mabel doesn't leave.

Hey, Ben, want to make gingerbread houses with us?

No, that's okay. We don't want to disturb you.

No.

Actually, I would love to.

But I got to warn you, I'm a gingerbread house champion.

Are you really?

Yep. Well, we will see about that because I think you may have met your

Is that so?

Well, game on, good sir.

Mom, isn't this one great?

You guys are amazing. You see, this is what happens when you put two

experts together.

It is. Mine, on the other hand, is having some trouble.

Can I give you a hand? I think I see the problem. Yes, please.

Oh, it just keeps sliding. Extra icing on top of there.

There you go.

That's what I did. No, I know, but you want to hold it up at the top.

Okay,

thank you.

Yeah.

Sorry I left so abruptly earlier. I'm the one who invited you into town.

No, it was nice. I'm glad we came.

Good. And so you two are staying through Christmas?

New Year's, and then it's back to reality.

What's reality?

Scout goes back to school, and hopefully I have a new job by then because money

has been tight.

I thought you just finished a job.

Well, we've had some extra expenses this year.

What kind?

I know.

I'm sorry.

I'll tell you what. Why don't you ask me anything, and I will answer. What's the

new plot of the Everyday Sam book?

That's that.

I am sworn to secrecy. But I'll tell you what. The town carriage ride starts in

an hour, and I actually need to draw Sam near horses, because he rides a horse

in the next book. So I was wondering if you would want another modeling gig?

Are you?

Mom, we're going on a carriage ride right now.

If it's all right.

I guess we're going on a carriage ride.

Oh,

Christmas

tree. Oh, Christmas tree.

Your leaves are so unchanged.

We're next.

I can't wait. This is going to be so much fun. Can I go say hi?

Yeah, just stay with Savannah and stay right where I can see you, okay?

Don't worry, Mom. I got this.

He's a great kid.

He's really over the moon that you've taken an interest.

Well, I like him.

Have you ever seen anything like this town?

You're up, bud.

Scout, look around you and then close your eyes.

Okay, put everything you just saw into your brain like a picture.

That way you can keep it even after we've gone.

Okay, now open them.

It belongs to you now.

It's been so long since I've seen Scout having such a wonderful time.

Now you're drawing a custom portrait of him with Santa?

Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas!

I doubt we'd lose his mind if some version of that ended up in everyday

Can I tell you my wish?

No, because then it won't come true.

That's only birthdays.

I wish for... No, no, no, no, no, no.

Can I tell you then?

Yeah, sure, why not?

I want to see him.

Oh.

Okay, well, now I want to know.

Too late.

Now tell me yours.

Oh, well, I haven't made a Christmas wish for quite some time.

Well, you are going to have to get started on that soon.

That's what Christmas is for.

It's a reminder that wishes can come true.

So, skating tomorrow?

And maybe make a snowman?

What? You want to do all of that in one day?

I want to do everything now. The doctor said go at my speed.

Maybe my speed is changing.

It's really cool that Finn Knightley wants to teach me how to skate.

He's really, really nice, isn't he?

He really, really is.

Okay, get some sleep.

When am I supposed to sleep now?

I'm going to be right across the hall in the library, okay?

Hey, buddy, are you sure you don't want to tell me what your Christmas wish was?

I want to stay here longer.

For as long as we can.

It is pretty great, right?

It's the best place they ever came to.

I love you, Scout.

Good night.

Good night.

You look cozy.

Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was just going to, uh... Do you mind?

Of course.

Job market.

Slim pickings. Yeah.

Do you ever think about going back and finishing your degree?

Yeah, I just don't think that'd be right for me.

Right, yeah. I guess managing school and work would be pretty hard, huh? And I

guess... Scott's dad isn't in the picture.

Well, we divorced a few years ago, and now he's a birthday and Christmas card

kind of dad.

You said that you and your dad weren't close.

Was he in your life?

He was until I was 10, and then he disappeared two days after Christmas one

year.

The end.

And you never saw him again?

That's sad.

Is that kind of what happened with Scout's dad?

He was more gradual.

I'm just still trying to figure out how to help Scout through it.

If you don't mind, what helped you?

Oh, my mom, my sister, yeah.

A decent stepdad.

And, uh... Oh, my art.

You do what you love.

You don't love your job?

I love the people I've met.

Really, it was Mr. Conrad who affected me the most, because he showed me that

it's okay to want a rewarding life for myself.

He said that?

He said so many things.

I think the thing that...

stuck with me the most is that I'm Scout's example of how to live.

And he encouraged me to do a better job of it than he did with his own children.

Oh, look at that.

It's snowing.

It's beautiful.

Let's go grab our coats.

Can I ask?

Why do you keep asking about Mr.

Conrad and my work?

Am I?

I just feel like you want to hear something bad about it or about me. Oh,

no. I think I'm just all out of sorts with what's going on in my

own life. I really wanted to say some things to my dad,

and I just really wish...

Yeah, now it's too late.

I could listen to what you wanted to say.

That can be very healing.

I'm here.

Wow, that's... No wonder people open up to you.

Tell you their secrets.

I mean, being there for people, that's what you love.

I don't know if it's that simple.

What if it is?

It's yours to choose. What's holding you back?

Gout might wake up and wonder where I am. You need to work. I'm sorry if I

the wrong thing.

Oh, you didn't. You didn't. You said incredibly nice things.

Look, if you meant it about...

teaching Scout how to skate and me.

I'd like that.

I would be happy to.

Tomorrow morning?

And you.

Okay.

Night then.

Good night.

That's right.

Excuse me.

I'm not here to help or anything. Don't worry.

You said there were ice skates.

So if you could just tell me where they are, then of course you can't just tell

me.

Okay. If you tell me your sizes, then I can find them for you. I can take it

from here.

There she is.

So maybe we're still on for that catch -up over coffee?

Oh.

I'm sorry, I can't.

I have the dishes, I have recycling, and I have a handyman coming at 11.

Actually, Scout can handle the recycling, and we will be done skating

I can wait for the handyman.

Look, I know you like to do everything yourself, but you have to admit that

I have helped, it's been useful. So why not let me do it? I'm fine. Really. Ms.

Bramble, I have had half a dozen patients who won't admit they need time

recover. They sound just like you.

I think that you should go and have coffee with the man who has been coming

for 22 years, and I'm paid through the end of the week, so you can't throw me

out for saying all that.

Fine.

Fine? That's it? Yes. Okay, then. Well, go get ready.

No more ordering around.

Quick. Go before she changes her mind.

Thank you. What are Christmas wishes for?

Found him.

Pretty cool ring, huh?

Like nighttime during the day.

Okay, here we go.

Shoulders back and relax.

Just sitting there. Bend those knees.

Gorilla. Yeah, loosen it up.

What are you laughing at? You're up next, Gorilla.

Just teach one beginner at a time.

Uh -uh, we're all in this together.

So, make the pizza for me.

And we're going to go pizza, pizza, glide.

French fries.

All right?

Step, step, glide.

There you go. Good.

You got it.

Scout, are you okay?

That was amazing.

Kids are natural.

Lesson one of ice skating, falling down.

Lesson number two, getting back up. There you go, buddy. All right, give me

pizza, pizza, french fries.

Push, push, glide.

Okay, okay. Now the fun part. All right. You got this.

Hold on tight. Okay.

All right.

Okay. And then just push. Mm -hmm. Go.

Push. Oh!

Okay. There you go. I got it. Oh!

Come on. You got this.

Okay. That's great.

Nice. Oh, there we go. Yeah.

Nice. Okay, it's done.

I know. Look at you.

Olympics, here you come.

There's your new job.

Olympics, there I go.

Yeah, you okay?

You got a little, uh... Sorry, my hands

are cold.

Look at me! I'm flying!

You're amazing!

Go, go, go!

Oh,

do you know what time it is?

I promised Mabel I would be back at the house by 11 for the handyman.

Honey, we gotta go, okay?

Now? Please, Mom, can I stay?

Look, I'll stay.

No. No, I'd like to.

Yeah, we'll skate around for a bit, and then I'll take him through town. You

take some time for yourself.

A mom's vacation you don't get.

Go. Okay.

Yeah? Yeah. Great. Yay!

Yeah!

There you go.

Look at this.

Look at your mom.

Pretty good, huh?

Thank you.

Where's Aunt Mabel?

She's in town. What are you doing here?

She forgot about the cookie bake?

Well, it's our annual tradition to make cookies for the book reading on

Christmas Eve.

It's also our tradition to eat several dozen while we make them.

But no Mabel.

That's on me. I sent her off to have her annual coffee with Ken.

Santa can, huh?

Okay, wait.

You see it, too? He's had a crush on my aunt for 20 years.

She has no idea?

I don't think Ken's ever worked a nerve up to tell her.

Or maybe your aunt's too scary.

Savannah's coming over later. Where's Scout?

With Finn. In fact, they are probably at your chocolate shop right now.

With Finn, huh?

How do you draw all those things in the books?

How do I draw all those things in the books? Well, I learned a few secrets a

long time ago from a very special teacher. Basically, all it is is

shapes. Okay, so if I'm doing a face, we start off with like a nice, just rough

in an oval like that. Two little ovals for the eyes and then an open triangle

for the nose.

And then a little line for the mouth. And then you kind of just go all crazy

the hair like that. And then there it is.

Give it a title.

Every piece of art has a title or a caption, so what do you think it should

called?

Don't Love Chocolate?

Don't Love Chocolate.

Truth in Art.

Sounds perfect.

There you go. All done.

There you go.

For me?

You bet.

Can you do another one? Sure. What would you like to see?

How about...

Me skating.

You skating. Sounds good.

Why did you want to learn about skating? Was it because of talking to Mr.

Conrad? Well, I've always wanted to learn, but he told me a lot about it.

And he was really smart.

And he told me funny stories.

Yeah? What kind of stories?

About places he went, people he met, and funny things his kids did when they

were my age.

Yeah, like what? What kind of things?

He showed me some ornaments they made.

But I think Christmas made him sad.

Yeah? Why do you think that is? Do you know?

Because even though they were growing up, I think he wanted to have another

Christmas with them.

Okay, I think...

One very last boost. I've got to get in there.

I've just been so focused on Scout these last few years, I barely even remember

what it's like to have a conversation with a man, let alone date one.

Then it's time.

Why are we even talking about this? Nothing's happened.

Except you're thinking about it.

I had a patient who gave me an extraordinary gift.

He challenged me to live the life I dream of.

So? The problem is I don't remember what my dreams are.

And I don't want to just get by.

But what do you do when you've been given a second chance at life and you

know what to do with it?

What if you just took one step, and then another, and then another?

All you have to do is ask yourself, what's step one?

Scout? Scout loves skating.

Scout loves skating. Okay, the Scout Love Series, we'll call it.

You, I'm our new copywriter.

Done. Maybe I could put these together, like a present for my mom.

Your drawings and my captions.

I could also write a story around them.

Or we don't have to.

I could do something else. No, no, I'm sure she would love it.

And maybe someday you'll even write your own book.

Me? Write a book? Why not? You've read so many. I bet you'd make a great

Is that what you want to be when you grow up?

I... I didn't... I was really sick the last few years.

I thought I might die.

So everyone stopped asking what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I had this operation on my heart last May.

It was a new kind of operation that they didn't have before, so...

I was real lucky.

Yeah, that's, um... Wow. I had...

That's amazing.

My mom says we both got a second chance.

So, maybe I could be a writer.

All right, one sec.

Maybe that's your... Yep. What is it? Oh, your mom says...

that she and Sage are making a lot of cookies. Really?

Yeah. Let's go. Let's go. I agree.

You know, we have a lot in common. We both like skating and everyday stuff.

And our fathers weren't here for Christmas.

Want to help decorate?

Here, let me get these off.

Welcome back.

Hey, um, Willa, can I talk to you for a second?

Of course.

Let's decorate.

Hey,

is everything okay?

Stout wasn't a problem, was he?

No, no, no. He's amazing.

He's an incredible kid.

Thanks.

So is there anything wrong?

He almost died.

What did he tell you?

He told me he had a heart operation and that for two years... For two years,

we weren't sure he was going to make it.

But now he's just a regular kid.

That's what you've been doing for the last two years.

Mm -hmm.

And your dad?

Well, he doesn't really pitch in.

So as the medical bills mounted, Scout and I had to live week to

week. And so this holiday is... This holiday, this is a dream,

given what we've been through.

And your Mr.

Conrad, he knew that.

And it's more than that.

He left us enough money to pay all of Scout's medical bills.

$100 ,000.

For the operation?

And I don't know how I can ever repay that, except to make sure that Scout has

the best life he possibly can, and to take this chance to find what I'm meant

be doing, too.

incredible gift i just wish i could tell his children what he's done you know

how much he changed at the end of his life when he was younger he worked hard

but he felt it was a constant source of disappointment to his family and for

some reason thought they would be better off without him that if he left his

wife could find someone else to love her and raise his kids the way he thought

they deserved but then in the end Well, at the end of his life, he felt it was

the biggest mistake he'd ever made.

It was too late to change it.

Leaving his children was the biggest regret of his life.

Mr. Conrad, his family,

they are so lucky that you were there for him.

Anybody would be lucky to have you in their life.

I mean, it's no wonder.

It's no wonder he wanted you to thrive, to have a second chance. Willa.

I need to tell you something, and I should have told you when we first met.

What is happening in my house?

What is it? Can you hear me?

Okay. Yeah.

Okay.

I know this looks bad. You're cooking in my kitchen?

Sage, you're my own niece. How could you?

Oh, to heck with all that, Mabel. Did you have an accident? Did you hurt your

foot? Yes.

Right. So can you do all of this by yourself?

No. Then either you have to let people help you or nothing's going to get done.

Your choice.

Are you really that stubborn that you'd rather not have a full Christmas around

here? Yes.

These people care for you.

If you're incapable of seeing that, I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Wait.

I'm going for a drive.

Oh, you're angry.

No, I'm not.

I just don't understand people who can't see what's right in front of them.

So I was being a tyrant.

And I'm sorry.

says this place should be so much Christmas here by now, and I just didn't

how to accomplish that on my own. So if you amazing people would like to help me

with that, I would welcome that.

What can we do?

Oh, thank you.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Let your heart be...

Should we show Maple now?

I think she said she went shopping.

Let's show it to her when it's perfect, huh?

From now on

I brought you something. You did?

Oh, my goodness.

What is this?

Early Christmas present.

You remembered.

Oh, it's incredible.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Look at what you did.

No, this is what we did. And hats off to your aunt for letting us.

Hats off to you. She's been different since you came.

Someone else has changed, too.

He's wonderful with go.

You do seem pretty cozy. You still thinking about all that?

My head knows it's crazy, but I'm trying to do what I promised.

You know, follow my heart, embrace my life, take a chance.

There you go.

I went a little crazy and bought all sorts of treats for all of you.

was to pay for medical bills?

Seriously? She's a health care aide with a kid and a mountain of bills

struggling to get by. Dad gave her a way out. She's lying to you.

It was the son that told me. Wait, sorry, so now you're bonding with her

Mom, listen.

Look, I don't know what's going on there, but it sounds to me like she's

turned around like she did Dad.

It's not what you think.

Dad opened up to her.

regretted so much what he had done to us and in his own mind he thought at the

time that he was helping mom so she could get married so that there would be

someone there for her for us or she's on to you and she knows exactly what to

say to push your buttons she's not like that all right and this was never about

the money money which we don't need by the way now it's time

to let all of this go

I'm not sure under the injunction.

I'm not going to pursue it, and neither should you.

So what, that's it?

You're just going to come back to Seattle for Christmas and forget about

I'm going to stay here for Christmas. I'll see you at New Year's in Seattle.

We'll raise a glass for Dad and think of the good times we did have with him.

All right?

You have a good Christmas.

I'll call you.

Finn, you...

Okay, you can stop.

You've done enough.

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve. I want it all to be perfect for you.

You know you act like you like doing this?

I do. Is that completely crazy? Yes.

Now, come on.

Come have some of this.

No, I really shouldn't.

Three different kinds of chocolate?

Okay, if you insist.

We'll, uh... Thank you.

I don't know how you do this.

Oh, it's just an old family recipe.

I mean, running the place single -handedly, even before you broke your

how do you do it alone?

Can I tell you a secret?

Mm -hmm.

I didn't break my ankle horseback riding.

No. That's just what I've been saying.

Mm.

I did it walking down the stairs holding laundry while on the phone with a

prospective guest.

So you know it's too much. Yeah.

I just didn't know what to do about it or how to ask for help.

Ken was right.

Okay. Can I be completely inappropriate?

Mm -hmm.

Ken likes you. Oh, I know.

known since high school. Well, do you like him back?

I do.

Then what's the problem? What if he uproots his life and then it doesn't

out?

No. I'd rather just bury myself in so much work that I couldn't possibly be

to a relationship and that way it won't happen and no one gets hurt.

Or bury yourself in caring for your child.

Scout's been very sick the last two years.

He's better now, but I think I've used it as an excuse to not join the world.

And the truth is, I'm starting to feel that there is a bigger picture for me,

and I just don't know how to get at it. You know, maybe you're just looking at

this the wrong way.

You're not a nurse.

You're a caretaker.

I mean, just look what you've done around here.

It's not a job to you. It's who you are.

You, you're a caretaker.

Okay. Okay.

Do you want to have a cup of tea?

Sure. Good.

This would be the one I'd write.

Coming off. We need to let go of some of that control.

Find perfect harmonies.

Bring it on.

So long.

Hey, buddy.

Let me talk to you for a minute.

What do you think if maybe I didn't look for another health care job?

What kind of job would you get?

Maybe something completely different.

Maybe something not in Minneapolis.

Do you think you would miss the city if that happened?

Could we move here?

Is that what you want?

If I could live at a place like this, I wouldn't miss Minneapolis at all.

Oh, hey, Ken.

Yeah. You know how you told me about the book reading on Christmas Eve? Well, it

looks like I'll be available now, so if there's still an opening.

Absolutely. We'd love to have you. Great. Yeah.

Hi. I'll be downstairs in a bit.

Oh, actually, I'm here for Scout.

What do you need Scout for?

Um, would you mind if we didn't tell you?

Where will you be?

We'll be in the craft room, but we'd really appreciate it if you didn't come

So many Christmas secrets.

Okay, go ahead.

How long will you have him?

Don't worry about it. I got this. You take some time for you.

Do something that will make you happy.

wanted to put all these drawings together for your mom, right?

So I did a few more, but you know what they need.

Captions? You wouldn't happen to know any good writers, would you?

Scout loves his mom.

Sure does.

Perfect. I was thinking about doing a back page that says Merry Christmas.

What do you think?

I think... What?

Mm -hmm.

Whoa.

I'm never going to get to the Olympics if I don't practice.

Tighten your skates.

You might as well learn how to skate if this is going to be our rink.

Your rink?

Mom's taking a job here at Bramble House. No, I never said that.

Well, what about all those questions?

Moving out of Minneapolis?

Taking a new job?

Come on, Mom.

Is he right?

Well, what if this is where I'm supposed to be?

What if this is who I'm supposed to be? And what if...

Anything is possible.

Come on. Hurry up.

There we go.

You're doing so great.

Yeah, I'm doing it.

Okay, go.

Bend those knees. Bend those knees. Keep bent.

Whoa.

Nice.

If I do stay, I think you're going to have to come back and give me more

lessons. Because otherwise, I'll never keep up with that kid.

Well, then I guess I'll just have to stay.

I'll keep up with him.

Here we go.

I'm going for you.

Best week ever.

I thought that was for me.

Not yet.

You didn't get to that point. I didn't get that yet.

Feel those ankles yet?

You did great.

I'm proud of you.

What are you doing here?

Me?

You're the one who's off on some sort of family adventure with the woman who

stole from our father. She didn't steal from us. I told you.

Well, I got here just in the nick of time, didn't I?

What? Okay, would you stop? What are you going to do?

I'm going to do what you couldn't do.

Confront her.

Okay, please.

Just stop. Listen.

I have feelings for this person. No, okay, I know, but please, really, I

that I could... Okay, what if you're wrong, huh?

Well, then why don't we just tell her the truth and see what she says?

What, that I came here to find out if she stole from us, that I've been lying

her?

She trusts me now.

She's opened up to me. I've... I've opened up to her, and...

Except for the fact, Finn, that you've been lying about who you are this whole

time.

Look, we have a week, and then we will never be able to contest this again.

If you let this go, you will regret it.

Okay, fine. But just let me do it in my own way, on my own time, all right? And

then we will both get our answers.

What are we buying?

Well, we made so many new friends this week, I didn't even think to pack gifts.

So, something for Mabel and Sage and Savannah and Finn.

And Ken.

What? We're going to get something for Santa?

I bet no one else thinks of that.

I think you're right.

So, which one should we work on first?

Finn. Okay, then let's do Mabel.

And then Ken's and Sage's. And then Ken's and Sage's. Hey, there. I need to

you back at Bramble House.

Well, I figured you would be busy with your sister.

Well, yeah, she's just resting back in her room. I thought you were going to

Seattle to see her for Christmas.

Well, I was, and then there's just a little change in plans.

Because you wanted to stay here with us longer?

Um, here is a display I wanted to go look at in the store.

Can I see it?

Uh, sure.

Okay.

Hey, is everything okay?

No, yeah, I just really enjoyed our time together, Willa.

Yeah, me too.

And I don't want it to end.

I mean, if you felt the same way too.

I do.

And I don't really know what that would look like or how that would work. But

you would want to if we could.

You know, I can work from anywhere.

Not that I'm...

Later, can we meet up in the library?

Sure. Yeah. Yeah. There's a poster with Ken on it in the store window. Really?

What are you two?

We should get back and get ready.

Ready for what? I don't know. Oh, all right. I won't ask any questions. Move

along.

Come in.

I started the ball rolling.

What does that mean?

Wow, you didn't say anything.

Finn. I'm going to tell her just after this thing tonight, okay?

Just let me get through this before she hates me and never wants to speak to me

again.

Why don't you come with me?

Meet Willa, talk to her, talk to Scout. I think you'll see what I see.

You threw the papers out?

You better tell her.

Tonight.

Because if you don't, I will.

Did you know that this book, The Night Before Christmas, was a gift from the

writer to his daughter?

After we read the poem, we'll celebrate the holiday with homemade Christmas

cooking.

And there's one more extra special treat we have with us tonight. The

illustrator from the Everyday Sam books, Mr. Finn Knightley.

Shall we get started?

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was

stern, not even.

A mouse.

So I think what everyday Sam shows us is that any kid can be a hero in their own

life. And right here in Bramble, I met a hero of my own. And his name is Scout

Fairchild. Scout, can you stand up, please?

Scout here has a very special gift that he would like to share with us

tonight.

And it is his very first book.

I had a great time in Bramble this week because my mom brought me here.

So, Merry Christmas, Mom. You're the best.

There you go.

Get your milk.

There you are.

You make a good team.

We do.

Maybe I could help you clean up.

Maybe I'd be okay with that.

Really?

Maybe I should have said that a long time ago.

Well, better late than never.

And afterwards, all these kids came up to me to see Finn's drawing.

Can you believe it? I saw that. It was an incredible gift.

And now it is time to go straight to bed.

It's Christmas Eve.

Can I open one present? No, because you had a big night and because Santa still

has to come. Real Santa?

Real Santa.

Excuse me.

Go ahead. Go get your toothbrush.

Okay. Okay.

We didn't get to officially meet earlier, and your brother has been so

me and my son.

I'm Willa Fairchild.

I know who you are.

My full name is Molly Conrad.

And Finn's full name is Gregory Finnegan Conrad Jr.

Knightley's just his professional name.

We're both great Conrad's children.

So you're Molly, and Finn is Greg Jr.? Well, why wouldn't you tell me

that? Because he wanted to find out the truth about what you did to our father.

What I did to him?

Conning him into leaving you $100 ,000.

You think I conned him?

Finn thinks I conned him? He had a lawyer draw up an injunction to file

you.

No. Finn wouldn't... Molly, stop.

Willa.

Did you see this?

No, Molly... You thought I stole from you? So you came here to... To what? To

get close to me and then... No.

I told Molly that you didn't do anything wrong.

I understand that now.

Now?

So it's true.

You came here to expose me as a... As a fraud, as a fake. No.

Okay, it started like that, but after... It started like that.

What about Scout?

You would do this to a nine -year -old? Of course not.

Look, let me explain. You know what?

I am sorry to disappoint you both, but I am not interested in your money.

Okay, you can keep it.

If you want to know what I did, I listened to him.

Everything that he did, from staying away after he left your mother to

the ornaments that you made for him, he did because he loved you. And maybe he

made a mistake, but he loved you both so much.

And that's the truth.

Excuse me. Wait. Goodbye, Finn.

So congratulations.

You got what you wanted.

Finn, I...

There

she is.

Willa, Mabel. No, me first.

I just want to be clear.

I really do want you to come and work with me here.

I admit that I just can't do this by myself, and you're exactly the... Oh,

I take it all back if it's going to make you cry.

No, that's not what's making me cry. Well, then what is?

It's how badly I want to say yes to your offer.

And how sad I am to tell you that Scout and I are leaving.

Right now.

Tonight.

I'm so sorry.

What happened?

Oh, hi there. What can I do for you?

My father lived here for a short while.

Your father?

Greg Conrad.

We used to play together.

He spent Christmases here.

In fact, don't go away. One minute.

Harriet?

Greg? Conrad, that is just unbelievable.

Whatever happened to him?

Any chance he's going to be coming here to meet with you and Finn?

No.

He passed away a few weeks ago.

Oh, I am so sorry.

Thank you.

You never picture your parent being a kid at Christmas.

Is that why you came here?

I came, um... I think Finn and I came...

I'm sorry.

Can I borrow this, please? Yes.

Thank you.

Is there anything else I can do?

I need to find Willa.

Yeah?

I can't believe that's Dad. He looks so happy.

Yeah. That's why he wanted Willa to come here.

He wanted to give her and her son a Christmas memory like he had.

And that's why he saved those ornaments.

Because that was his last Christmas with us, too.

I was just so mad at everything I thought I had lost.

Willa and Scout, they... They brought Dad back to me.

After you left, I got so angry.

But it is not their fault.

No, it's no one's fault.

Then Willa and Scout left for the airport.

I don't understand.

Why did we have to leave? I told you already, Scout. It just... It didn't

out at Bramble House.

But it's Christmas.

We didn't even get to say goodbye.

I'm sorry, baby. I'm really sorry.

See the tree one last time.

Okay.

Just for a few minutes.

So what's your plan?

I'm going to stop her playing. That's my plan.

Oh, wait, wait, wait. Hold on. Pull over. Pull over, please.

Just stop. Just stop.

That's them. By the tree.

Always have beautiful memories of this place.

And that's what Mr. Conrad wanted.

Hey.

Mom, Finn.

Please, just hear me out.

I'm begging you.

Look, Willa, I made a terrible mistake.

So please, don't blame him for what I did. And hear him out.

My name is Molly. I'm Finn's older sister.

Will you show me the Christmas tree? Mm -hmm.

I did everything wrong.

I should have told you the truth from the beginning.

But you have to believe me. The only lie I really told you was why I came to

Bramble. Everything else, this was real.

I trust you. What did you do? I know.

I hadn't done that with anyone.

I was just so blinded by what had happened, and I couldn't see through it,

you opened my eyes, and if nothing comes from this, I will always

be grateful to you for that.

Hey, but Willa, let me make it up to you.

Let me make this the best Christmas for you ever, for you and Scout.

And the best New Year's. And the best Valentine's Day. And the best Arbor Day.

National Ice Cream Day, if that's a thing. Just any day that you will

let me make special for you.

Stay in Bramble.

It's where you belong.

You told me that my dad gave you a second chance.

All I'm asking is that you give me one too.

Okay?

You okay?

Oh, I can see.

Hi there.

Hey, buddy.

What do you think about staying at Bramble?

The three of us.

Really?

Oh, Scout.

Thanks, Molls, for making my Christmas wish come true.

It's true.

Well, that's what Christmas is all about.

To remind you that wishes can come true.

Let's go see the tree.

Christmas

magic

is a tradition here at Bramble House, but this year happens to be even more

special. I bet you say that every year.

Yes, I do.

But this time I mean it because I found love.

a new business partner.

A new friend.

Absolutely. So here's to an unforgettable Christmas.

And a joyous new year.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Merry Christmas.

Can we open presents now?

Yes.

Merry

Christmas.

To everyone, a happy new year.

I hope you enjoyed A Bramble House Christmas.

I adore this movie, and now I want to go ice skating. You wouldn't know it, but

Autumn Reesler couldn't skate a bit before making this movie. But her co

David Hayden Jones, is a pro. He showed up early on set every day.