Original subtitles

I never believed in angels and fairy tales.

No matter how much I wanted it, nothing I ever really wished for came true.

But I never stopped wishing.

Maybe this Christmas would be different.

Atlanta?

Coming. Okay.

I'm so sorry. I always hate that, right? The door's trying to close.

Could you hit three, please?

That's the maternity ward.

My first grandchild.

Congratulations.

Well, isn't that a perfect way to start the day? A girl. Eight pounds, four

ounces.

Are you getting out?

No, not this floor.

Hi, we're here to see Barry Thompson.

Thank you.

You both keep holding your mama while you're visiting real tight, okay?

She's not our mother.

Okay. Here you go.

Come on.

Did you bring me something?

Yeah.

Your mom needs a smoke.

That's a good girl.

That's a really great thing to teach her. Don't you start with me.

I got enough of these cops, doctors.

Don't even get me started. Well, they saved your life, so you could be a

nicer. This is a jail, Emily.

Okay? I'm in jail.

Still carrying around your baseball glove?

So what do you hear from your lawyer?

Nobody tells me anything.

I mean, do you know when you're going to get out again?

What? What? What?

You keep asking me questions. You keep asking me questions. I don't know,

I don't know.

You know what?

You've got to get this together because we've gone through this over and over.

I know.

I am going to get it together this time.

So give me a break.

I'm going to do it for real.

I can't do this anymore.

I don't know how many times I've heard you say that.

I mean, how many times have I dropped everything?

Driven all this way to take care of the kids, to bail you out. All right, fine.

If it's a problem, just tell me, okay?

Yeah. And then what?

Who's going to take care of them?

If it's not me, who?

I don't feel so hot now.

I'm just going to go get buried.

Well, I'm sorry.

Yeah, I'm sorry too, okay? We're both sorry.

You guys hang tough.

Eat something, all right? Yeah.

You look really thin.

Yeah.

Hey, Lanny.

Tell Jack I'm here, okay?

Don't forget.

Come here.

Who's Jack?

Nobody. Your boyfriend?

He brings us drugs.

Okay. You two go stand over there with that nice lady, okay?

What? When are you going to get it?

You almost OD'd this time.

You were dying when they found you. Your own kids.

Don't you dare lecture me.

I don't need you to save me. If you've got a problem with this, go back to

Atlanta. This is my life. No, this is not your life.

This is their life.

You have any idea what this is doing to them? Yeah, yeah.

Yeah? We survived, didn't we?

We've been locked out of the apartment.

Did you know that?

You haven't paid the rent in six months.

Times are tough.

Or haven't you noticed?

Where do you suggest we stay tonight?

I mean, where should we go to sleep?

You're their mother.

Give me a break.

You're okay.

We'll be back tomorrow, sis.

And how old are you now, JT?

He's almost six.

There's something I can do for you. Oh, Miss Thompson. Emily Thompson?

Yes. Ruth Doyle, child services.

She's scaring JT.

Honey, there's nothing to be scared of. He's afraid she's going to take us away.

That's not going to happen.

Look, the last 24 hours have really... Let's talk privately for a moment, shall

we? Miss Russell can watch the children for us. Miss Russell, would you watch

Alanna and JT for a minute?

Come on.

Foster care is in their best interest, and right now my concern is for the

children. They've missed school, unhealthy living conditions, evictions,

abandonment. There's a history of neglect here that borders on child

We feel that a foster home would be a safer environment. But I'm their aunt,

I'm here to take care of them.

Miss Thompson, I'm sure that you mean well, but you have no job here.

I'm going to get one. I'm going back to school to be a nurse.

I'm going to do that. I'm sure that you will.

But right now you have no permanent address, you have no bank account, no

savings account.

Well, that's because I've given everything I had to try to help these

Yeah, and your sister spent it all on boyfriends and drugs.

Are you saying it would be better if I didn't try to help? That's not what I'm

saying.

Look,

what I'm saying to you is we're dealing with a Rhode Island jurisdiction and you

have no history with us.

Well, I have a history with those children.

Isn't that more important?

Miss Doyle, Ruth, you can't give these kids to strangers when I'm here now

to do what needs to be done. I'd really like to help you.

Then do it.

Well, if you can find a job, open a bank account, establish yourself.

All right, that takes time.

Exactly my point. Until then, I have superiors I have to report to and

guidelines that I have to work with. Yeah, I know this system. Barry and I

raised in it, and that is why I am begging you.

That little boy, he doesn't even talk anymore except to his sister.

If you split them up, he does not have a chance. He needs his family. We make

every attempt to keep the siblings together.

But you can't promise.

No. No, I can't.

Miss Doyle, do you have a minute? I'm a treated surgeon.

Look, for now, this is the best choice for everybody.

If you'd like to take the time to explain this to them yourself, maybe the

transition would be easier.

We'll be right back.

Take your brother's hand. Come on. Come with me.

Let's go.

JT was right about the lady, wasn't he?

Keep walking, honey.

Where are we going? I don't know. Just get in the car. Come on.

Not now.

Are we going to Atlanta?

Right now, it's anybody's guy.

Bethlehem. Well, it couldn't be that long.

Okay, here's the thing. We've got $60 and some change. It's going to take us

nights to get to Atlanta from here.

Will we have to sleep in the car?

The car?

How many times have you guys had to sleep in a car?

Some. It's okay for me, but JT gets cold.

Oh, there'll be no car camping tonight, I'll say.

The temperature's dropping like a barrel over Niagara.

Hi, Summer.

In the better place in the world to sleep than a 1950 DeSoto Sportsman.

Parked high on a bluff, windows down, sweet breezes blowing in.

I used to be an adventurer when I was your age.

What's it a photo?

It's a car, sweetheart.

A honey of a car.

Do you know of a place we might get a room for the night?

Oh, there's Holly McBride's Inn over on Fielder's.

Big rooms, fireplaces, four posters.

We just need something, a symbol, a motel.

Oh, closest one is way out on the highway, 40 or 50 miles back road to get

there. And even if you do,

they'll probably be full up.

But if you're going to head in that direction, you'll go right past the town

square.

You might want to check out the old Pierce house.

Oh, great Victorian thing.

Town's really proud of it. It's right across from the angel statue.

Is there really an angel?

Of course there's an angel.

Don't you know there are angels everywhere?

This one watches over that house.

It's been empty ever since Miriam Pierce died, oh, seven years ago. She left the

whole thing to her niece.

Never came to claim it.

Sorry, it's getting late. We've got to get on the road.

But keep the change.

Oh, thanks.

Thank you. Come on, kid, let's go.

Drive safely.

And don't forget to check out the Pierce house.

Oh, excuse me.

Come on.

Maeve.

Maeve.

Maeve, can I get a cup of coffee here?

All right.

Can you just keep your shirt on?

First coffee on the way.

Unloaded high octane. High octane. All right.

Please.

Please, sir.

Where are we going to sleep tonight?

I'm not sure, but we'll figure something.

You there?

Everything's going to be fine. We've got to get through the night because things

always get better in the morning, right?

It's going to be okay.

It's going to be okay.

I can hardly see the room.

It's an angel, just like she said.

What are you doing?

Stay here I'll be right back.

Look what I found.

A key to our room for the night.

They'll arrest us.

Alana, look.

We can't afford the inn. We're running on fumes, and it's freezing.

Nobody's going to know. It's just one night.

And things will look better in the morning?

They just about have to, don't they?

And when your mom and I were little?

We'd sleep like that.

Like, boom.

And we'd hold hands so we wouldn't get lost in the dark.

Were you scared?

Sometimes, yeah.

So we'd pretend that all the bad things around us were just dreams.

And then we'd make up stories about what it was like in our real life.

What kind of stories did Mama make up?

Hmm.

One time your mom pretended she was a dog catcher.

Who'd round up all the sad dogs who didn't have anyone.

And she'd drive them to this special park.

This beautiful green place where people would go for picnics.

She just let them go free.

So they could live happily ever after.

Leftover ham sandwiches.

I wish there was a park like that for sad people.

Well, we don't need that park, Lanny.

We got each other.

And I'm going to work it so we stay together no matter what.

I knew it was too early.

We're so sorry to disturb you. We saw the car and the smoke from the chimney.

After all these years, we're just about giving up hope you'd ever come back.

It was my worrywart sister who insisted on seeing you first thing, Pumpkin. She

thought you'd appreciate some water and gas.

You turned on the water and gas?

That was nothing.

Corinna put in our new laundry room all by herself.

Me? I'm not so handy, but I do bake.

And I brought you some breakfast rolls just out of the oven. She bakes like

all the time.

It's a wonder I'm not 300 pounds and in a carnival side shop.

They're cinnamon.

You used to love them.

Well, of course I did.

And just look how you have grown. I mean, the last time we saw you, you were

only six or seven, so it's not surprising.

But pretty as a picture.

You haven't even had time to uncover the furniture yet. Let us help you. Don't

worry about that. I'll do that later. You don't even remember us, do you?

Agatha and Corinna, your Aunt Mary's friends from across the street?

Of course I do.

I used to come over for these cinnamon rolls.

That is so sweet of you.

You know, I would ask you to stay for a while, but actually I... Oh, we

understand. You have to get settled.

And you'll need Gerald Foster, say so, to get the electric on.

Ma 'am's attorney?

Mr. Foster, yes.

He's on vacation, but he'll be so excited to see you again when he gets

When do you think that might be?

Could be any time.

But don't you worry. We won't let him surprise you the way we did. As soon as

hear from him, we'll let you know.

Please.

Of course. He came to see you when dear Miriam died, didn't he? So he won't be

at all surprised how pretty you are now.

You know, you could call Jimmy Kilgore over at Power and Light as soon as they

open. Jimmy Kilgore. I taught him third grade and passed him.

So he owes me big time.

Now, you may think we're losing our minds, but we can't remember your name.

We always called you pumpkin, but we guess you're a little grown up for that

now.

It's Emily,

Emily Thompson.

Emily. I knew that all along.

Well, it's been a long time.

Welcome to Bethlehem, Emily, and welcome back.

And when you get a breath, you come on over and we'll catch up over my mince

pie.

I will, yes.

Thanks again for the roll.

Oh, you're welcome, dear.

Watch the ice there, Agatha.

I'm slipping with toast.

Okay.

The water's on.

You two can go wash up. Put everything back like it was.

And we will get on the road before someone else comes by, okay? Come on.

on. Grab it and go.

Go, go, go.

Okay, you guys be really quiet, right?

Just look forward.

Good morning.

Hello.

Car trouble.

How's your antifreeze?

Oh, I think it's more than that. The engine's been acting up for a while.

Pop the hood, I'll take a look. No, really, I couldn't ask you to.

You don't have to ask.

It's all part of the job, you know.

Kittens and trees.

Flat tires.

Full life.

Saw you at the diner last night, didn't I?

Yes. We got into town late.

Wow.

I think your spark plugs are probably shot.

Spark plug? You think that might be it?

Well, uh, with an engine that's, um, old.

I don't know. It could be bad points. Your timing might be off. You might have

oil in your combustion chamber.

You know what? Why don't we just get Mitch over at the garage and take a look

him?

You weren't leaving town, were you?

No. We were just going to the market because there's nothing in the house.

I'd be more than glad to give you a lift.

I'm Nathan.

Nathan Blair. I'm sort of the long arm of the law here in Bethlehem.

Emily. Thompson, right?

Uh, your neighbors, the two sisters?

Yeah. They called me.

Explained the whole thing to me. They're sort of our local information

superhighway.

But they didn't get to meet the kids.

Yeah, those are my kids.

Yeah, I didn't think they came with a car.

Right.

Tell you what.

Why don't you gather the kids together, and I'll call Mitch, and he'll be over

here by noon.

Great.

Thank you, officer.

This is really, really important, okay?

We need to think of this as a game until I can get the car fixed.

What kind of game?

A game of pretend.

I want you to pretend that I'm your mom, okay? So you call me mom, and if

anybody asks you anything, you just say, your mom doesn't let you talk to

strangers, okay?

Now look, I know it's really bad that I'm asking you to fib, but I don't think

we have a choice right now.

It's okay. Everybody lies.

No, everybody doesn't lie.

And as soon as we get through this, we won't either, okay?

What do you say?

Can we play this game and play it really, really well?

Yeah.

These kids are about the quietest kids I've ever met.

Mom says we can't talk to strangers.

I'd say you've got a very smart mom.

You'll find this town's a little more trusting than Rome. Yeah.

Where are you all from, anyway?

We're from Providence.

With the Georgia plate?

Well, I... We used to live in Atlanta, moving back and forth.

Complicated.

Hey, JT, what do you got there?

You a baseball fan?

JT Snow?

That's a great infielder.

Came with the Yankees, 92.

Is that where you got your nickname?

It's his real name.

His dad gave it to him.

Your husband's a big fan then, huh?

Did anyone ever tell you to ask a lot of questions?

Occupational answer.

Sorry. It's okay.

Where did grocery shopping fall into that job description, George? Is that

car repair below pet rescue?

All right, you think I'm kidding, but not.

This place has been a nice change for me. Back home, I was... You're not from

here? No.

Born in Illinois.

High school, college, eight years on the force in Chicago.

About seven years too many, so when this job opened up, I ran for it.

Can we get a kick, Emily?

Sorry.

Well, um, Mom doesn't like it when I call her that, but I do because it makes

feel older.

But...

She thinks it makes me sound fresh.

You know what? I tried it with my dad once, and he didn't like it any more

your mom does.

It's okay, Lanny. Hey, cheer up.

Your eyes are too pretty to look sad.

What do you say we get that cake?

My treat.

Absolutely not.

You've done enough for us already.

Hey. The cake you wanted.

I didn't buy it.

It was probably him.

Do you want to tell me what's bothering you?

Do you do not like Officer Blair?

Is that true about JT's father?

Did he really name him?

Well, your mom did.

But apparently it was his idea.

She thought it would keep him around.

So, that's what she called him.

What about Michael?

Did he name me?

Let's not get into this right now.

No, we want to know.

Well, I don't know, Lanny.

I don't think he even, uh...

I don't think he even met you.

But you cut your eyes from him.

And they're really pretty.

Just like Officer Blair said.

You can't believe anything a policeman says anyway.

It'll take you 50?

It depends on what I find.

I ought to know something by this evening.

It doesn't have to be perfect. You just have to start and go.

There's a lot that goes into that start and go business. Yeah.

Don't worry.

If it's going to take a while, I got a loaner I can let you have.

Not too stylish, but it gets it out.

Thanks.

I'm only asking you for the good of the children. But you don't know what's good

for my kids. Nobody around here knows what's good for us. Oh, they know what

they're doing around here.

Oh, really?

Well, I wish I had your faith.

And I wish that you would tell me what your sister did with Alana and JT.

If I knew, which I don't, I wouldn't tell you.

Because they're better off with her than anything you people have to offer.

Barring. What about relatives?

We don't have any. We told you.

Okay, we're alone. It's me and my sister. Check your records.

You don't get it.

They're already with the best person for him.

I guess we'll have to alert the police. Have them start a search.

We'll have to pull a photo from the Atlanta DMV.

Thompson, T -H -O -M -P -S -O -N, Emily.

I hate to bother you again, but since you don't have a phone as yet, Mitch at

the garage called our house.

Yes, yes, please come in out of the cold.

Power's still at 100.

Jimmy hasn't turned that on yet. I should have flunked him when I had the

chance. Well, hello.

I guess you haven't met. Your children, Alana and JT.

You've been talking to Officer Blair. He was right about them. They're adorable

and so handsome.

So you said Mitch called.

He said you have a crack in something called an engine block. Is that bad?

I don't know exactly, but it's not good.

He said it'd probably be easier to buy a new car.

A new car?

Now, that's not so bad.

A car loan would be a snap.

You've got this house for collateral.

Yeah, I wish it were that simple.

Well, if you're really attached to it, Mitch will fix it.

He said it would cost about $800.

Hmm.

Is that a problem?

Right now, it...

Might as well be 8 ,000.

Good afternoon. It is as cold as can be.

Yeah, weather must have affected our fax machine. We haven't got a fax in two

days, and that can't be right.

Anybody see an instruction book?

Not me.

Oh, Sadie, is there any coffee?

We've had this little talk.

I don't do coffee.

I'm liberated.

I know, I know, and I wasn't asking you to make it.

I just wanted to know if there was any already made.

Oh.

No.

Here's the problem.

There's no paper in the fact, Sadie. We're out of paper.

I'll need a requisition form for that.

What's this?

License and registration information for Emily Thompson, Atlanta, Georgia.

Not so much as a parking ticket.

That's good.

Is that Miriam's niece?

What? That wasn't a good enough reference for you?

Well, you can take a cop out of Chicago.

It's up to feeling.

Right. Jeannie over at the market said she saw that feeling firsthand.

The woman is new in town. I'm just helping out.

Mm -hmm.

When you're ready to talk, you know where to find me.

Couldn't we just take the owner's car? He could keep ours.

As long as the attorney isn't in town, our secret is safe.

And we're not hurting anyone by staying here, but taking someone else's car...

No, we can't do that to someone.

So what are we going to do?

Well, I'm going to get a job, earn the money, and pay for the repairs. That

could take forever.

We're going to get caught. The police are probably already looking for us.

is why I think it's better that we stay here rather than out on the road.

No one knows we're here.

We'll be really careful, okay?

I'm not moving.

I think Agatha and Corinna happened.

And you know what this means?

What? We don't need a fire.

It's going to be warm enough to sleep in a bedroom tonight.

Our own bedroom?

Why not? We got seven to choose from.

Woo -hoo! Wait for me!

Please let this...

Oh, I'm looking for Officer Blair.

Oh, he doesn't come into work till noon today.

Um, you must be Emily.

I know everyone else in town.

Sadie Miller.

Hi.

Fresh coffee in about five minutes if you'd like a cup.

I only fix it when the boys aren't here.

So now's your chance.

I don't know what they do to it.

Thanks, but I just came by to see if he might know of a job opening for a woman

who needs to make $800 in a hurry.

Oh, the car.

Oh, I heard.

You know, if it's a job you want, two of Holly McBride's best people ran off

to Elope, and this is the end's busiest season till spring. That's where I'd

start. Well, check it out.

Into the street, and you just take a left, and you tell Holly.

That I sent you.

Thank you so much.

Oh.

Your little girl would like that, I bet.

Alana, isn't it? Yes, she would.

You know, we're having an open house here at the station Christmas Eve.

Everybody just kind of drops by.

Nathan's playing Santa this year.

Oh, I bet he loves that.

I hope so.

He doesn't know yet.

Can I tell him you stopped by?

Yeah, sure.

Great.

This thing is going to be the death of me.

I don't know how Santa does it year after year.

I was saying that you're some kind of lucky charm walking in here today.

That's a first.

I don't think anyone's ever thought of me as lucky before.

When can you start?

Start?

Don't you need references or an application or something? You're a

Nathan's, and I'm a desperate woman.

Who elopes these days?

People in love, I guess.

Wonderful for them, but I've got a business to run. So if you don't mind

beds and wrestling with that flu from time to time... No, no, don't mind at

Anything.

So I start first thing tomorrow morning. You sure don't waste any time. And why

would she? She counts some hard -working Yankee stock, just like her Aunt

Miriam. Miriam never worked a day in her life. Wouldn't know a lug wrench from a

crescent if her life depended on it.

You will let us watch the children while you work, won't you? They're upstairs

now, coloring away, and they're such a joy.

Oh, I really appreciate that, actually. They're such good company, and they can

come here every day after school.

Have you talked to Principal Blevins at the elementary yet? That's my old

school.

Oh, no, I actually hadn't even thought about it.

Come right on in, dear. We were just congratulating the newest member of

Bethlehem's workforce.

Hey, hey, you got the job at Holly's. That's great.

Sadie said you wanted to see me. We did? Yeah. Oh, right, we did. She said it

was urgent. Yes, yes, we needed to see you because, well,

I guess my mind's going south for the winter.

Agatha?

Because I made extra jars of that vegetable soup you like so much.

Agatha's soup?

The soup was urgent.

It was hot at the time.

I'll get it.

It'll make a fine dinner. Of course, there's quite a lot of it.

Enough for two, at least.

Carilla, dear, I'm not sure I can do this by myself.

Oh, well, perhaps you could show Emily where the school is.

Oh,

you're getting the kids set up at school.

You're putting down Ruth.

I like the sound of that. Yeah, I don't know. There's a lot to do before I can

really... Oh, you need their birth certificates and school records.

Yeah, if I can find them. This move has been really confusing. Just have their

old school. Send them here. Was that Providence or Atlanta?

You know what? With the car and the job and I just don't think I can really

think about it. I'll come by. I'll pick up you and the kids in the morning and

we'll get the whole thing done by noon.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anybody here?

Can I help you?

Didn't mean to startle you.

I was in the powder room.

No, I just, um, I saw the light and Hank's usually got everything locked up

tight by now.

Yes, well, Mr. Harrison doesn't have my workload.

No.

You're new here.

Yes.

Hey, um, where is Hank, Mr. Harrison?

At home, I suppose.

While I'm here tidying up.

Trying to get things organized.

Everything in its place.

Can I get you something?

Oh, no. No, thanks.

Yes.

Could you look up an old deed for me? The Pierce house.

Miriam's place.

That's an easy one.

In fact, I was just about to put that book in its file.

There it is. M through T.

I hear her niece finally came back.

There you go.

Miriam Pierce.

It's not good for a house like that to be empty.

It should be filled with life.

Family.

It doesn't mention anything about a niece.

Oh, that would be in the probate amendment at Gerald Foster's law office.

He's still on vacation, you know. Right. Well, I'll drop by his office in the

morning. Maybe they can look it up for me. Now, we might get lucky.

And there might just be a copy of it right here.

Emily Thompson.

I love that.

It says Emily Thompson.

I love that it says that.

Oh, it doesn't take much to make you happy, does it?

Just a little ink on a page.

Don't work too late tonight.

In fact, I think you should go home and enjoy yourself.

I'd just like to do that.

Oh, hey, I just wanted to say, um, welcome to...

Bethlehem.

Hi.

Did you win the lottery or something?

Better.

Here.

For us?

Yeah. I'm feeling Christmassy all of a sudden.

Come in.

Thanks.

Is it something in the water here?

I mean, doesn't anyone get a little cranky? No.

Cranky's illegal here in Bethlehem. It's right up there with jaywalking and

cheating at Scrabble. I think, in fact, we have the toughest Scrabble laws in

the country.

Alana? J .T., come look.

What's that?

It's a wreath.

You put it on the door.

Did you ever see a Christmas wreath before?

I've seen them.

I just never had one before.

Well, you know what?

I've got something else for both of you.

Come here.

J .T., why don't you open this one?

We want you to open it.

Okay.

I guess I can do that.

It's an angel.

If you tell her your wishes, she can help make them come true.

You, uh, you put her on your tree.

Oh, well, we never had a tree, either.

Never.

We, uh, moved around a lot, so, you know, a tree is... Yeah.

Come on, J .D.

Well, maybe that could be your first wish.

A tree.

Come here, J .D.

To Angel, Annie.

That was, uh, almost impossibly kind.

I wish there was something I could, uh, some way to... No, I don't.

You know, I've got a couple more deliveries to make before... before it

late.

Good night. Yes, thank you.

One box of all supplies.

Pens?

Pencils, notepads, paper clips, paper for the facts.

Now we'll see what we've been missing.

Probably the usual notices.

Garage sales, apartments for rent.

So, what's the latest on you and the niece?

No latest. We're just friends.

You forget who you're talking to.

You can fool Howie, and you maybe can even fool yourself, but I know what's

going on.

Care to tell me what that might be? Ooh, I think you know.

Sadie, I'm not going to play.

I've got work.

And we've got faxes coming through.

We've got just two dozen of them. Garage sale?

No. Lost a dog.

Hey, I know this pooch.

Well, Howie, you just know everyone.

I've got a fire hydrant in front of my house. Well, that explains it.

Bethlehem Police Department.

Can I help you?

Yeah, that'll be here Christmas Eve.

Call the principal and tell him your records were being sent.

He won't ask again until we've left, so you don't have anything to worry about,

okay?

Now, I'm not going to be able to pick you guys up from school today, so he'll

to the sister straight away, and I'll come get you after I'm done with work.

You got that?

Now, if anybody asks you a question...

Meet up. I'll be right back.

Come on.

I think you've been expecting me.

Mr.

Foster, attorney at law?

Did I call at a bad time?

No, no, no, no, Mr. Foster. I have been expecting you. Actually, you look a lot

younger than I'd imagined.

Imagined? Well, we did meet once as children.

I think, but my uncle, Gerald Foster, he took care of all the paperwork and all,

so... And your... Sorry, Alexander.

Alexander Foster.

Alexander.

Not Gerald.

Of course. Please, come in.

Don't worry.

Thank you.

Oh, and children.

You've got all sorts of surprises for us, don't you?

Alana, JT.

Mr. Foster.

Say hello.

Hello. Hi.

Oh, well, that's a beautiful tree. And this house, it's been empty for so long.

I'd forgotten what life was like inside it. I drop by to tell you that Uncle

Gerald is anxious to see you again. But I'm afraid it'll be another two weeks.

You see...

He's found himself on a warm beach somewhere and can't pry himself away.

But he will be back Christmas Eve, just in time for the town's open house.

Uncle Gerald, he thinks they can't do it without him.

You know Uncle Gerald? Oh, yes, I know Uncle Gerald.

So we have two whole weeks.

That's just wonderful.

So wonderful.

Knowing he'll be back so soon. Two weeks.

Thank you.

Oh, well, you are eager to see him again, aren't you?

Don't you ever take a break?

Hey.

Now, this is one of the places looking especially festive this year to keep up

with the Addison's down the street.

This whole neighborhood decorating competition has gotten completely out of

hand. If you ask me.

You do want to? Sure.

But nobody does.

Does Miriam have any lights? I mean, does she used to decorate the house?

what I've heard, she must have had a couple of miles of lights hidden up

somewhere. Really?

Hey, before I pick up the kids, would you mind helping me look for them?

I, uh, you know, I just don't want to disappoint them.

Yeah, sure.

Thank you.

That's a lot of lights.

That's about enough to cause a statewide blackout.

You know, I think there are more lights in this box. Could you check those? I'm

going to try to put some of these in.

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

It doesn't feel right. You can throw all that stuff.

Well, you act like it isn't yours.

Well, no, it isn't.

It was Miriam.

I just inherited it.

I don't think that woman ever threw anything away.

Oh, oh, I think some of these were yours. Want to dig through them? Relive

memories? No.

My past isn't something I'm particularly proud of.

I really want to go dig right now. Okay.

Sorry. Didn't mean to. You know, Brian. I know.

Okay.

Oh.

Look at that.

Well, she's a beauty.

I wanted to be a ballerina when I was a kid.

You know, I think that's the first truly personal thing you said to me.

Well, I took three lessons and then we moved.

And it didn't happen.

Nothing else to tell.

You know, I don't believe it. I think there is more to tell.

I think there's a lot to tell.

And I know for sure there's a lot I'd like to hear about you.

Kids are probably wondering what happened to me.

You're doing it again.

No, you're pulling away, and I just don't think you want to. I think you

be close, and it's like you're afraid.

Nothing. Don't say it's nothing. Say it's none of my business.

Don't say it's nothing, because I know better.

on my mind all the time really i find myself smiling just thinking about you i

mean you are so beautiful and you're so real you're so good with your kids it's

true really i've waited my whole life to feel this way about somebody yeah

you don't know no i do know i know how i feel and i know that i trust you do you

know that i'm leaving what in two weeks

Why? Because JT, he needs to go to a special school. I mean, they both do.

know, Lana has reading problems.

Wait, when did you decide to do this?

I know exactly how you feel.

Because I feel the same way.

But it's not possible.

No, please.

Please don't make it more difficult than it already is.

Okay, you're determined to leave. I hear you.

But give me the two weeks.

That's crazy.

Probably. But I want you to give us a chance.

Maybe, I don't know, maybe you'll change your mind.

Maybe I'll change it for you. I don't know. Anything can happen. I just want

two weeks with you.

If that's all it is, at least we had that.

Gorgeous.

Just gorgeous.

What do you think?

It's like an apartment store, isn't it, J .T.? I'm so happy.

It's like the old days when Miriam lived here. This house has been dark far too

long.

It's incredible.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.

Sadie, did you just file these faxes without even looking at them? You're the

fax man, Howie. I figured you'd get around to the job sooner or later.

I've got a job for you, too.

Oh, what's in the box?

Well, you know, Mr. Dearborn moved to California with his nephew.

Did you know there was a winter carnival in Marshall last week?

Yes, but what does that have to do with this?

Well, remember, every Christmas Eve, he used to be our Santa here at the

station. Right.

No. No. Yes. Yes. Oh, no.

Yes, please.

Come on, we'll get you some padding. We'll glue on a beard.

No one will ever guess.

Sadie, I... Don't you think Santa's more of a... more of a Howie thing? I'm

allergic to the fur, big guy.

Sadie, I can't. No.

No, no, no.

I got it. Forget the coffee and concentrate on the names of your

The kids accept that sort of thing.

Repeat after me.

Dasher. Dasher.

Dancer. Dancer. Prancer.

Prancer.

Comet.

Cupid.

That land police department.

Oh, Barry.

I'm so sorry.

I have five years.

You know the crazy thing? I don't even blame them.

Man, I have blown it.

I have trashed my life.

My kids hate me, don't they?

No, they don't.

They talk about you every day.

They're doing good.

JT is talking more.

Not just to Lanny?

No, you should hear him.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it like that.

Take good care of him, okay?

Yeah, you know I will.

Hey, I love you.

And I love them, you know?

I don't doubt that for a minute.

I just keep telling myself that all of this, I'm missing them.

It's a surprise I gotta pay for messing up, you know?

One minute.

Hey, I gotta go, Em.

Listen, you've got to be careful because they've been asking about you. I told

them I have no idea where you are, which is true, so it's good that I don't,

but... Be safe, okay?

Okay.

Do me a favor?

Sure.

Will you give them a kiss tonight and tell them it's from me?

Yeah, of course I will.

Did you get through okay?

Fine, thanks.

I've got 200 more for you.

The rest will be coming soon.

I wasn't worried.

Me and the car sort of bonded throughout it.

By the time I'm finished, she'll do more than start and go for you. She'll purr

when you need her back.

Oh, well, we're leaving in a week, so any time before that.

If I were to hear it happen, we were kind of hoping the town would grow on

But you got to do what you got to do, huh?

Yeah.

I love that.

Oh, yeah.

Thing is possible.

Anything's possible.

It's not true.

Why do you say that?

I just know.

Well, this book is about things that weren't possible and only happened after

all.

You know, when I was your age, I went to Mars. Did you know that?

No, you didn't. I took a submarine ride to the bottom of the sea, and I joined a

pirate crew on a hunt for buried treasure, just like the treasure hunt

on that brought you here. And I did it all in books.

Because in books... Anything is possible.

When... Mary Lemick was sent to the master of

Mitchell's Wake and looked as many of them had never seen him. And by his

with his head up in the air and his eyes full of laughter, walked as strongly

and steadily as any boy in Yorkshire.

Master Colin.

That's fantastic.

Proud of you.

Just beautiful, just beautiful.

Agatha, it's only a story.

She cried at supermarket openings.

This is the best book I ever read.

Yep, and there are plenty more where that came from.

Nathan said Santa might give me a book of my own when we see him Christmas Eve.

Well, I'm sure if you want a book for Christmas, you'll get one. But, you

we won't be here then.

We're leaving the day after tomorrow, remember?

No.

Atlanta, you know we have to go.

No! You promised her Santa on Christmas Eve.

How could you give her that hope?

You hadn't said anything more about leaving. I thought maybe... We talked

it. We had a deal.

Emily. I'm going to get my daughter.

I'll come with you. No, please.

Don't make us go.

Don't make us go.

But that's what you wanted.

Not what I want anymore.

I want to stay here, where it's nice and people like me.

And we have a bedroom and a house. A house that's not ours.

I mean, Mr. Foster's going to come back, and he knows we have no right to it.

But maybe we could fool him, too.

What if we could? I mean, what kind of life would that be, you know?

It'd be better than what we had.

Running all the time, sleeping in shelters.

Nathan's nights.

You could marry him and we could be a family.

Maybe you could adopt us.

It's not possible.

Anything is possible.

Nathan said so.

It was without a snowstorm.

I've never seen the likes of it here.

Ten miles out, snow as deep as a blue ox.

And here in Bethlehem?

Go figure, Maeve.

Go figure's right.

It doesn't make sense, Emily.

The kids are both doing fine here. They're doing better. They're fine.

fine here.

We agreed it would be two weeks. I know what we said, but tell me.

Tell me nothing has happened in that time to make you change your mind.

Oh.

No, a lot has happened.

And I've never felt as loved as you've made me feel.

You're running away.

You're running away to save yourself from maybe getting hurt. Now, that does

make sense.

Tell Timmy it does.

I'm sorry to hear you're leaving in the morning.

See, I was hoping to introduce you to the local historical society.

And my uncle was really looking forward to saying hello again.

Yeah, I know we're just missing him, but, you know, we really have to... No,

no. We're not just missing him, didn't you hear? The Boston airport was snowed

in last night.

So he's not coming home for Christmas?

Not unless it's by dog sled. This is really good coffee.

Have another cup.

You know what? Have the whole pot if you like.

Mr. Foster, I think I love you.

So, I wanted to tell you that I know two kids that are going to get to meet

Santa tomorrow.

You! No, here.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes! Yes!

You will tomorrow. You and he are going to be the best of friends.

Skip all that. Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'll tell you what, young man. You write out

that list, mail it to me at the North Pole, and I'll see what I can do.

But Christmas is tomorrow morning.

Yes. And that's why we should always plan ahead. Merry Christmas.

Oh, yes.

Hello, young man.

Oh, I think I know you.

You can't await your turn.

Well. Who do we have here?

A couple kids who've waited all their lives to see you, Santa. And a woman

as happy as a kid. Can I go first?

Yes, of course. Get up there.

Sit right up here.

I love you.

Kids are going through these things like they're candy.

What you got there?

It's a book.

It's about a horse.

And the horse wrote it himself.

I guess anything's possible, right?

Merry Christmas, Alana.

Thank you.

Your turn. Go. You come up and see me, young man.

What do you want Santa to bring to you, Aunt JT?

The secret, and I can't tell.

Oh, you can tell Santa.

Oh, isn't Nathan adorable? I have to get a picture of him with the kids.

Excuse me. I've got a picture for you, but not the one you want.

Tell me there's been some mistake.

I know. I can explain. Please, you have to believe me.

Please, please, just tear it up, and I will tell you everything, okay?

I want to see my mama for the first time.

Well, that's an easy one.

She's right over there.

Where are the kids?

Do they know what happened?

The pictures are taking care of them until the social worker from Providence

gets here. It should be within the hour.

You can't do this to them.

How long did you think you could hide here?

From what I've heard about your Aunt Miriam, she was still alive today to see

what you've become. I made a mistake.

I lied. I misled you.

But I did not have a choice.

Everybody has a choice.

No. Not everybody has that luxury.

killed me to lie.

But if it meant keeping those kids safe, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I never lied about my feelings for you.

Not one word.

Please, you have to believe that.

Gerald Foster is here.

Do you believe me?

Maybe you'll have better luck with your attorney.

Send men, please.

Mr. Foster.

We're going to need that suit.

Seems I got here just in time.

I hear Miriam's niece has gotten into some trouble.

Well, ask her yourself.

Well, where is she here?

Oh, don't tell me you put her behind bars.

I can explain that to you.

That imposter has been living in Miriam's house all this time.

He said she was the niece and the name on the probate amendment.

Well, it wasn't Emily Thompson, I can tell you that. I saw the name, Mr.

with my own eyes. The new clerk, the woman over there, showed me the records

herself. What new clerk?

She's tank like it's always been.

Sounds like it's all part of the beer scam.

They probably stripped the house of everything of value.

I gotta get a move on.

The line of kids stretching halfway to Peterman's Hardware.

Foster, it's really a deal.

You up to it?

Might as well get it over with.

Alexander? I came to help.

To help me?

Yeah, seems like you need someone in your corner right about now.

Oh, I do.

But your uncle is... My uncle... We go to the same family dinners, but that's

where the resemblance ends. You know, me... I like to know all the facts

I take sides.

Hmm.

I'm glad.

You won't find anything missing, Gerald.

Where's Miriam's good silver?

In the pantry, where it's always been.

Well? Now, she lied to us. She lied to all of us. You, me, the whole town.

Did you ask her why?

It doesn't matter.

The ends don't justify the means.

Not in the eyes of the law, perhaps, but still.

She and those kids brought more life to this house than it's known for years.

She brought life to you, too.

My life was just fine before she got to Bethlehem. Oh, yes, of course. You had

your work.

And you had us.

And you had your work.

It was enough.

Then you're too easily satisfied.

Now, don't argue with me because I know these things.

You need someone to love who loves you right back.

And you can't tell me that's not Emily.

I've got to check on Corinna and the children.

They're starting to wonder about their mother.

About Emily.

Did you find the silver?

What about her good jewelry?

In her dresser. Bottom drawer.

where it's always been.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this is not the way I imagined my

Christmas Eve.

I appreciate you making yourself available to us, Jessica.

I'd like to settle this matter and get the children back to Providence tonight.

And I'd like an all -expense -paid trip to Bermuda. That is not likely to

happen. Now, I've, uh... Looked over these charges. I've read your report.

yes, you'll see that I've included the history of neglect and the request for

state custody.

What part of I read your report did you not understand, Ms. Doyle?

Oh, Ms.

Thompson. Seems to me like you've been a very busy woman.

Objection, Your Honor. The charges against my client are only alleged.

Overruled.

This isn't a file, but I like saying that.

before I remember what a pain you were to babysit.

May I say something?

Well, never found a way to stop you. Go ahead.

Nathan Blair, the arresting officer, can verify each and every charge against

the defendant.

Nathan, oh, finally, a voice of reason. Where is he?

He intends to be here, Your Honor.

And I intend to get back to my dinner before midnight.

So, anyone got anything relevant to say?

I... I do, Your Honor.

You have something to say, say it.

Think before you speak, Alexander. Well, I would like to cite the case

of Sheffield v. Lewis, 1972.

You see, in this case, it's very clear that there's this man, woman, named

Mrs.

Lewis.

It's not going to drink itself.

Something on your mind tonight?

A woman, I bet.

How'd you guess?

It's a bar.

The odds are with me.

Everybody looks like somebody.

You want to tell me about it?

Not particularly.

You fell in love?

You know, you're very good at this.

Did she love you back?

I thought so.

She was just making a fool out of me.

It's complicated.

That drink will only complicate it more.

Okay.

You're the expert.

What do you think will help?

She made a mistake.

I'd say.

Forgive her.

I wish it were that easy.

You never made a mistake.

Not like this one.

Well, I'd hope you'd be more original.

All of us make our own mistakes in our own ways.

But in every case, the solution is the same.

I forgive you.

in those three little words. They can change the world.

They have.

But it's impossible.

As a wise man once said, anything is possible.

Yes, she told us to lie and she said it was a game. And how did you feel about

that, Alana?

Well, at least we got food to eat and a place to sleep.

Is that how she got you to lie?

Miss Doyle, if you want to interrupt me, I suggest you get your own courtroom.

Did she let you go hungry, child?

No, I never... No, not in Emily, no.

But before, my mom, my real mom, she ran out of money.

And we'd get so hungry, me and my brother.

But she didn't care as long as she had her drugs.

I know she couldn't help it, but... Your Honor, please don't make her go through

this. Do what you want with me, but these kids, they have gone through so

already.

Do you mind going on, sweetheart?

It's important.

Once, my brother, he cried so hard.

He started to choke, and I didn't know what to do.

And I tried to wake Mom up, but she was too.

I couldn't wake her up, and there was nobody around to help my brother, and I

thought he was going to die, and I didn't know what to do.

Don't cry, Lani. I'm okay.

All we want is to stay together in one place.

With someone who loves us.

Someone who talks soft to us when we're scared and says that everything's going

to be okay.

Like Aunt Emily does.

She loves us.

Please don't make her go to jail. She doesn't belong there.

I know.

Because my real mom does.

I understand why you feel like that now.

Your mother needs help, and she's getting that.

Things will get better with time.

Someday, you and your brother will be able to love her again.

I'm sure we all agree that this child has suffered enough, and I'm sure that

Miss Thompson means well, but her actions... Your Honor, could I have a

words here?

Hey, can you guys go outside with Sadie?

Just a little bit?

Your Honor, Mr. Blair knows more than anyone how Miss Thompson operates.

How she lied repeatedly and how she impersonated another woman in order to

deceive this whole town.

Nathan.

That's true, Your Honor.

I'm convinced this woman would do or say just about anything to get what she

wanted. So you see, Judge... What she wanted was to give those children a

at a decent life.

Well, she lied to put a roof over their heads.

And in a world that wanted to pull that family apart, she lied to keep them

together. Now, I'm not saying that lying's ever right, but... But

in her position?

I'd like to think I'd do the same thing.

Emily Thompson is the most loving woman.

She's the best mother I've ever seen.

And all she needed was a support system that worked for her. Your Honor, I have

to pretend.

But he's your witness, Ms. Doyle.

Now she's got one.

If she'll accept it.

She belonged here in Bethlehem.

The kids belong with her.

She doesn't even have a place to live.

Yes, she does.

She can live with me.

If she'll forgive me.

And if she'll have me.

Because the truth is, I love her.

And I want to marry her.

happening? I don't know. I can't hear them.

I think we should let them handle this alone for now. Come on.

She took the children without any authorization.

What about the breaking of interest?

She used the house without permission.

Get a sample of some water here.

I've come to a decision.

Kids, please stop talking.

You know what?

I think we can go in now.

Court is adjourned.

Congratulations.

Thank you. Congratulations. By the way, I also do weddings.

Thank you.

So this was our miracle.

This is how it happened for us.

It was the most perfect Christmas. The best holiday ever.

And it was just beginning.

Whenever we talked about it later, Emily always said that that season was a

special season.

A season for miracles.

From the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. Feels good to be home,

Yeah.

She's gonna get well.

Why couldn't it have been me? It's never too early.

Say, would it be possible for me to choose a Christmas tree? If I can put a

smile on that family's face, I'm gonna do it. To celebrate Christmas.

Let's just say you'll be better by the time we have our first baby. Come on.

Sam Elliott, John Corbett, and Sarah Paulson. November Christmas. Coming up

on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.