Original subtitles

Dashing through the snow, our one horse open sleigh.

All the fields we go, laughing all the way.

Bells on bob tails ring, making spirits bright.

What fun it is to laugh and sing, playing songs tonight.

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.

Oh, what fun it is to ride in one horse open sleigh.

Marie, my angel editor, did you enjoy the meal? Oh, so delicious, Chef Marcel.

Thank you so much for the VIP treatment. Thank you for making my cookbook a

bestseller. Look, we are featured on Epicurious.

Amazing.

Bravo. I will send over coffee and dessert. You will love it.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

Well, you certainly made his Christmas wish come true. One of the perks of

an editor for nonfiction.

You get to eat at New York City's hottest pop -up. Cheers.

Here, I thought you were buttering me up so you could bail on my Christmas

party.

Once upon a time, you were the Christmas queen.

Do you remember that one year you made the doorman cry? I think he had

allergies. You made him his late mother's Christmas strudel. He was full

bawling.

The point is, he loved Christmas.

You made it magical for everyone.

The last Christmas I tried to make magical, I foolishly assumed that the

my life was proposing to me, and then he broke my heart, so I learned the hard

way.

Magic only exists in fairy tales, not in real life.

Clark was four years ago.

I think it's time you put a little Christmas magic back into your life. Are

conspiring with my mother?

What? You've been texting me all day. Look at this.

Every Christmas tree lot...

In the entire city.

Well, maybe you should get a treat.

It might restore your faith in Christmas.

I had faith that non -fiction was temporary.

A few months tops, and here I am two years later.

With a successful Christmas cookbook, I have a hard time thinking that Henry

will ever let me be in charge of fiction again.

Fiction is your forte, and deep down, Henry knows that, too.

You found the great J .P. Presley. It's your passion.

Yeah, well, my passion is running on empty.

You have to chase a dream, right?

Yeah, but then there's your chance behind you.

Andy and Marie.

Isn't this place fantastic?

Cookbook is a success.

Sales are soaring. Don't you just love Christmas?

Oh, we do.

In fact, Marie was just telling me about a great new idea she has.

It's just a strategic...

idea for next quarter, but I can talk about it tomorrow.

Okay, great. We'll have a meeting in the morning.

Have a wonderful evening, ladies. Thank you.

Could you have been any more vague? I need time to prepare.

And besides, I feel like I'm setting myself up for disappointment.

Ask him by Christmas. That gives you two weeks to muster up the courage.

And then you can buy a tree.

Think of it like a giant air freshener.

Peace on Earth aromatherapy.

Here you are.

It's a sign.

One for you.

Enjoy. Thank you. Thanks.

Henry, as you know, I have put my heart and soul into this company, and I love

writing more than anything.

And I want to be put back on fiction.

I feel like that is my strong suit.

Already getting gifts.

Santa must like you.

Oh, Santa's my mom.

Cool. No, not literally. Like, she sent me presents. How long have you been

standing here?

Not long.

I'm Nate.

Marie. I've seen you around, so it's nice to finally put a name to the face.

Nice to meet you.

It's my first Christmas in New York.

You from here?

Uh, yeah.

Albany. I mean, my parents still live there. I'm from Florida. See, my town

decorates palm trees instead of pine trees.

Well, there's practically a Christmas tree on every corner here.

Welcome to New York.

I was hoping for more blanks. No, the blush.

I've always wanted a white Christmas. Every year I would ask Santa for snow.

closest I ever got was one of those Snoopy snow cone makers.

What about you? What do you want?

What do I want?

For Christmas.

Honestly, if I could have my neighbor turn down that corny Christmas music, I

would be really grateful.

And do you know your neighbor?

Not really. It's a big building.

I've got something in the midst of a small town. You know...

I consider Sinatra to be classy and classic, not corny.

You must have some pretty high standards.

I'm sorry. I just, um... The walls are thin, and I... You're not a fan of

Christmas music?

I mean, I just... I'll start sounding the same.

Maybe switch it up a little?

With a song from this decade?

Well, if you have any more special requests, you can just put them on my

Okay.

Hi, Sammy.

Oh, I missed you, buddy.

I owe you a treat.

Here you go.

Seriously?

Hi, honey.

Hi, Mom.

Can you see me?

I can. You can stop waving.

Oh, good.

Did you get the mail?

I did, yeah. Thanks for the early Christmas gifts. Open it.

Shouldn't I wait for Christmas? No, no, no. This is important.

Okay. All right. I'm going to put you down for a sec, all right?

Okay, honey.

All right.

She's going to open it now. Okay.

She looks nice. I think she would, though. Oh.

Fingers crossed. Not a date.

Not a date. Sorry to disappoint.

Oh, your father was just asking.

What? I thought.

Did you open it?

This is why you wanted me to get a tree to hang one ornament.

An angel from Christmas past, hang her high to receive the magic that she cast.

That's Aurora, remember?

When you were young, you always made sure she was the first decoration on the

tree. You swore she was the only one who could cast Christmas magic.

Yeah, that's because I imagined that she was responsible for the Northern

Lights. You were always so creative.

Oh, come on, honey, don't ruin the fun.

Give her a chance.

Do it because you love your mother.

And father.

Yeah, for us.

Okay, fine.

I'll put her up on the shelf.

Okay, that's fine for now.

Oh, honey, I've got to go.

It's a Wonderful Life is starting. I love you. All right, I love you.

Bye -bye. Okay, bye.

Bye. Bye.

So what do you think?

I mean, she'll never stop nagging us if we don't put her up somewhere.

See you as beautiful.

Okay, Aurora.

If you still have the magic left in you, how about convincing Henry for that

transfer?

Oh, and could you send me a sign that happy endings still exist, not just in

fairy tales, but in real life, too?

And if you could help me with that...

That would be great.

Come on.

Let's go. Good night.

Good night, night.

Oh,

hey, Marie. I was just going to drop this at your door. It says fragile. Not

much room in the box.

Merry Christmas. Thanks.

See you about that.

These numbers are fantastic.

We actually went up in hardback sales, which is a miracle in this eBook age.

Thank you.

I included a note area and page markers in the cookbook.

Cheers, love it.

That's why you're our bet.

Henry,

I've been thinking, and I want out of nonfiction.

Come again? The last two years, I've worked really hard to relaunch the

nonfiction department.

The numbers show that I've succeeded.

But finding great stories and developing brilliant authors, that is what my

passion is.

J .P. Presley's book is still in the top sellers, and I championed him when

everybody else passed.

I needed talent, and that's not happening with books like Better

Bitcoin.

Well, did you ask?

He said yes.

Great.

Under one condition.

I'm the story editor for our next non -fictional book, not the department.

I mean, he agrees I'm a valuable team player and he supports me, but I can't

abandon non -fiction. Not yet. I've got to prove myself.

Again. One book today, department tomorrow.

What's important is that you're moving in the right direction.

I'm so proud of you.

Yeah.

Something pushed me.

What?

Nothing. Nothing.

You're right. Let's go celebrate. Do you want to go grab lunch?

I wish I could. We're partnering with St. Ambrose and their toy drive this

winter.

So I have to go take pictures in the pediatric ward for the press release.

Christmas presents?

I know.

I have a key of my mother.

Definitely not a Christmas tree.

What does Linda have in store for you to bring you back into the Christmas

spirit?

I don't know.

Definitely festive.

Kind of weird.

Remember when Santa didn't miss us despite your broken wrist?

Thanks to a pinch of Christmas cheer, we happily celebrated another year.

When I was a little girl, my cousin and I were playing out in the snow on

Christmas Eve, and I slipped and broke my wrist.

And I spent the entire night in the ER, and we were so scared that Santa would

forget about us and not come to our home because we weren't in our bed.

The nurses made me this.

That if you sprinkled some Christmas cheer and hung the ornament on the tree,

that Santa would remember to come back and deliver our gift.

That was a long time ago.

It's like a prescription for Christmas magic.

Yeah, something silly like that.

Wait, this is a sign.

Hear me out.

I'm going to the hospital. You should come with.

And sit in the ER?

It's not enough talking about my Christmas past. You want me to relive

Visit the pediatric ward with me. We're coordinating the toy drive.

You've been in the kids' shoes before.

Maybe your story will give them some hope that Anna Claus...

Always remembers a Christmas wish.

When you put it like that... For the record, I'm

only going for the kid.

Group that Santa always delivered.

Thank you.

And feel free to take all the photos you need. Great. Thanks. Sure.

Do you mind if I take a look inside?

Be my guest.

Hey.

What are you reading?

A Wrinkle in Time.

Oh, that's... One of my favorites.

Mine, too.

I've read it four times.

Four? Wow, you really are a fan. I love to read.

It helps me forget about things.

I love to read, too.

Hi, I'm Marie.

Skylar, what's that on your hand?

Oh, it's a little Christmas cheer for my ornament.

See?

You know Santa?

Uh, yeah.

Sort of. If I told you my Christmas wish, could you make sure Santa gets it?

I'd do it myself, but it's not easy getting around.

When do you get to go home?

Not sure.

I tore my leg pretty bad in gymnastics.

What do you want for Christmas?

I wish I had more books.

Done. I will deliver the message myself.

Could you ask Vince if he could get me a race car?

Uh, sure.

Are there any other Christmas wishes?

Oh.

Hey, where'd you disappear to?

I was just chatting with some kids.

I have an idea.

What if we made ornaments with the kids' pictures on them and wrote their

Christmas wishes on the back? That's a great idea.

Then we could hang them on the company's Christmas tree and the staff will know

exactly what to donate.

We can call it the giving tree.

You have perfected the toy drive.

What, did the kids spark a little Christmas magic in you?

I just don't want them to miss out because they're in the hospital. That's

And besides, we are conducting a toy drive. We might as well give them

what they want. Ready?

Right.

Listen, I need to take some more pictures. Can you keep writing down

Santa? Yeah.

Well, you might need a notepad.

Yeah.

Excuse me?

Well, hello, neighbor.

Hi. Sorry, but I have no control over the music here.

I deserve that.

And what are you doing at our hostel? You just come here to yell bah humbug?

Mm, good one.

No, actually, I came here to bring gifts.

I work at Lions Run Publishing.

So you're coordinating the toy drive?

Oh, wow, I can hardly notice the shock in your eyes.

I'm actually making a list for Santa. A list that's a little too long for this

piece of paper.

Well, me.

Here.

Perfect, thanks.

I noticed that the bookshelves in the rec room are a little sparse.

Yeah, I've put in some requests for more books, but they just don't seem to have

it in the budget.

Got all the pictures for the ornaments.

Oh, am I interrupting?

Oh, no. I was just chatting with my neighbor, Nate. He lives down the hall.

Oh, hi.

I'm Andy.

Hey. Did you just move in? No, I moved here six months ago. Came here for work.

Oh. Wait, six months ago?

How have we never met?

Yeah, you should probably look up from your phone every now and then.

So, you're making ornaments?

Each ornament will have a picture on the front and a wish list on the back.

Great idea.

Show me your ornament.

This is cute.

Your mom is sending her ornaments from Christmas past to get her back into the

holiday spirit and hopefully get a tree.

Wait, you don't have a tree?

No, not yet. Christmas, how can you not have a tree? See, he gets it. Okay, you

know that complex across our street.

They just put up a massive tree and the lights glare through my window, so I see

Christmas every time I look up. I'm good.

Point made?

Not a fan of the holiday?

Then it must have really rained on your Christmas parade, huh?

That's me.

So, I should get going.

Bye.

Come on, don't hold it against him. He didn't know.

He seems really sweet.

You should get to know him better. No, I can't date a neighbor.

Besides... If it didn't work out, how awkward would it be around the mailbox?

Or even where it's the elevator. I would have to move.

Love is worth the risk.

Not when you're in my control.

Besides, he's a bit too idealistic for me.

Exactly.

No.

Hey, I was going to leave you a note.

I'm really sorry if I offended you earlier.

You bought me a tree?

Peace offering.

And I read in a medical journal that ornaments filled with Christmas cheer

pine branches to work.

Well, a wreath would have been a lot more practical.

Yeah, but there's no fun in practical.

So, I suppose I have to keep this?

Yes, ma 'am.

Okay.

Well, my mother's going to be thrilled.

Good. But I hope it brings you a little Christmas magic as well.

Well, thank you.

Good night. No, I'm good. Got it.

Good night.

Good night.

Nope, that's not for you.

Okay. Fine.

My mom will kill me if I break this.

Don't worry. It's not gonna be like the monstrosity across the street

It's

fine only gonna be for a few weeks

Another package.

Thanks.

Dad would read poems by the fire and hope and dreams he would inspire.

Remember your favorite quote by Emily and always dwell in possibility.

My dad gave me that ornament when I was in college.

Emily Dickinson is still my favorite.

Mom's really going for it, huh?

I have to admit, she's really tugging at those heartstrings.

I'm getting a little emotional here.

I apologize if I'm interrupting, but I was in the neighborhood.

Are you kidding?

Come in.

So nice to see you, JP.

I'll leave so you two can catch up. No, I didn't mean to run you off. No, no,

no. I have office manager duties. I'm planning the Lions Run Christmas party.

Oh, good. I am coming this year.

Amazing.

Fantastic. We'll see you there.

Okay.

Sit.

Come in.

So, are you in the city for Christmas?

Yes. Michelle A. feels like summer, and I prefer snow at Christmas.

Nobody celebrates like New York. My wife loves the shopping.

Okay, here's the news.

I'm officially moving back to fiction.

I mean, it's still in the process. It's one book at a time, but... That is

wonderful. So...

For my next book, you'll be my editor?

Well, you have to finish it first.

Well, what can I say? The TV show keeps me busy.

Well, you can't forget your literary roots. Never, never. But I have been

thinking, you know, about different ideas, new directions.

Anything you want to share?

Maybe later.

Ah, I see. So you haven't...

Given up on Christmas?

My mother's attempt at pulling me back in.

She keeps sending me these ornaments. It's like a journey down memory lane.

That's good. Memories build the bridge between our minds and heart. And they

should be preserved, like treasured keepsakes.

That's good. You need to remember that. It's written like a book.

You love Christmas.

Marie, why do you keep turning your back on it?

I mean, you know why.

The NYU fellow, the one whose podcast you forbid me to go.

Unfortunately, Christmas spirit can't heal a broken heart.

Besides, I find it so much easier to not get caught up in the Christmas drama.

I just can't get past how you made me feel.

Just let go.

Use that energy for something positive.

I don't think it's possible.

The possible slow fuse.

is lit by the imagination.

Emily Dickinson.

I mean, it looks kind of weird without the lights, but

baby steps, right?

Hi, Mom.

Did you get the packages?

I did, yeah.

You really don't have to keep telling me things.

So when are you going to get a tree?

Oh, oh, you already did.

Alex, come and see the tree.

I can't see anything.

Okay, hold on.

Can you see it? Why is it so bare?

Because I have, like, three ornaments.

Well, didn't you get the box?

What box?

Alex.

Where did you send the box?

To her apartment.

Honey, obviously it's not there.

You had one job.

I mean, I wrote the address in perfect pitch. Okay, I gotta go. Mom, why don't

you call me? Actually, no, you know what? Text me when you find it, okay?

All right. Okay, love you. Bye.

Delivery man got the wrong apartment.

I hope you don't mind, but I signed for it. I figured it would just be easier if

I brought it over myself.

You just saved my father an earful for my mom.

Always happy to be the hero.

I suspect that that is more ornaments.

Hero and detective, you're just a jack -of -all -trades.

Yeah, you know, you kind of have to be in my line of work.

That's the tree.

That's good.

Do you want to come in and see?

Sure.

Who's this little buddy?

That's Sam.

I call him Sammy.

My dog growing up. Name was Sam.

Really?

Yeah, all the best friends are.

Just that's Roto -Baggins.

You read fantasy novels?

Not so much of a big reader, but I love movies and shows.

You know, put on a Lord of the Rings marathon, big tub of popcorn.

I'm all in.

Did I interrupt your decorating?

Uh, no. I'm actually done.

All right, well, maybe this will add something.

All right, let's see what we have in here.

A Christmas Carol was your first favorite book. You loved it so much, you

it in June.

That is my favorite book, too.

I thought you just said you weren't much of a reader.

No, but my grandfather would read us A Christmas Carol every year.

I loved it. Tiny Tim was my favorite.

He actually inspired me to pursue medicine, to help people.

Listen, I've got extra lights and garland at my place. If you want, I can

you decorate.

Right now? Yeah, sure.

Why not? Believe me, decorating Solo is not as much fun as it seems.

Come on.

Okay.

Ha.

Oh, Christmas tree. Oh, Christmas tree. That leaves us all one changing.

Oh, Christmas tree. Oh, Christmas tree.

That leaves us all unchanging.

I don't agree when summer's here.

But also when it's cold and dreary. Oh, Christmas tree.

Oh, Christmas tree.

That leaves us all unchanging.

Yeah!

Oh, we almost forgot.

Well, you should hang Tiny Tim's because he's your favorite.

You want to know a secret?

Sure. At the end of the Christmas carol, my grandfather would always let me see

Tiny Tim's famous line. Even if my cousins begged, he'd always give it to

It's my favorite Christmas memory.

Well, go on. Say it.

Uh, now?

Yeah. Uh, no,

no, no. Sorry, my performing days.

They're tough.

Come on. No.

What about you?

Any Christmas secrets?

No.

Uh, that tree.

I'm still not sure how I feel about it.

Have you always been a self -proclaimed Scrooge?

No, I used to really get into the holiday.

Okay, so what happened?

I don't know. I guess I've lost my Christmas spirit.

Bad breakup?

We've all been there.

Maybe not at Christmas, but...

You know, you move on.

Can't let it spoil the entire season.

Coming from the man who obviously has never had his heart broken. Yeah, I

My last serious girlfriend back in Florida, actually.

I don't blame her, though. I dove into my career, and I didn't really leave

for anything else. Who wants an absentee boyfriend?

Is that why you moved to New York?

Partially. St. Ambrose leads the nation in pediatrics, so I jumped at the

opportunity.

So your career went again.

No. No, because I promised myself that if I made the move, I would make my life

more balanced.

Try new things, have more fun.

Say yes to something other than a double shift.

Yeah? Well, how's that going for you?

I'm still working out the details.

Breakups aren't easy.

They hurt.

But you can't use pain as a shield for your entire life because then you end up

blocking everything that's good.

Today was fun.

Yeah, it was.

Thank you for the decorations.

Yeah.

Can I treat you to coffee?

Or maybe some new music?

How about ice skating?

I haven't been since I was a kid. There's a rink two blocks from here.

Would you want to?

Full warning, they're...

Might be Christmas music there. Well, that's normally a deal breaker.

But I think I can make an exception.

I will not get around sick.

Okay.

Hey, what are you doing?

Stop. What are you doing?

Your father took me for pancakes on our first date, first kissed me on ice

skates, and proposed to me at the lighthouse.

Love can find you anywhere.

It's not a date date.

We're just going ice skating.

Oh, hey, Marie.

Another package.

Thanks. Oh, and Merry Christmas.

Right back at you.

Merry Christmas.

From our summer vacations in the sun and sand, you'd look for buried treasure in

the land. But the greatest treasure is always carried in your heart.

Well, if this is really Christmas magic, do you think we'll find a buried

treasure?

I hope so.

These are perfect.

Can't get all the ornaments up because people keep trying to sneak peeks.

I think there's something happening with those ornaments.

Like what?

Like something magical.

Well, Christmas makes everyone feel magical.

No, this is different. First, the pill container and the hospital.

Then yesterday, JP quoted Emily Dickinson.

And this last one, I get an ice skate ornament.

And last night, Nate asked me to go ice skating. Are you going to go?

Well, I mean, it would be rude if I didn't. He got me a tree.

It's not a date. It's neighbors hanging out in the neighborhood.

Okay, my point is... Is this one big coincidence?

No, it's serendipity. It's fate.

Embrace it.

Did you get an ornament today?

I got a treasure chest.

I doubt I'm going to find buried treasure underneath the tree. Keep an

mind. Anything is possible.

Hello, Marie.

Hi, how are you?

Hi, I'm well.

Excellent, actually, because I'm holding the Christmas treasure adventure in my

hands right now.

Do you like it? I told you I had some new ideas. I love it.

It's such a sweet story and so serendipitous.

Well, it is my Christmas present to you.

Now, I know it's a totally different genre, but I trust that you will know

to do with it.

Thank you.

I promise you, I won't let you down. You never do.

Talk to you soon.

Bye.

Hello?

So you think a massive structure like Machu Picchu would stand out.

Our tour guide takes a wrong turn. And suddenly...

We're totally lost in the Andes. Oh, no.

Yeah, I'm starting to see spiders the size of cats.

And I'm thinking, I don't want to go out like that. So I pull out my compass for

my Boy Scout days.

And within ten minutes, we're right in front of the city gate.

Our tour guide was so happy, he offered me his best llama.

Too bad I couldn't get it through security.

Well,

that was a really great story.

Did your trip give you any inspiration for your novel?

Uh, no, no, but, um, maybe for the next one, huh?

Clark's promised that his novel's inspired by his personal endeavors,

his podcast.

Well, as much as I've enjoyed your adventures and your little zip -lining

videos, I'm really curious about your book.

Like, what's it about?

Love.

Love?

Do you care to elaborate?

Um,

I thought this was a mean greet. I didn't really prepare a pitch or

Oh, that's okay. No worries. No worries. I mean, you're obviously a gifted

storyteller, so Marie will set up a follow -up meeting.

Only if you bring pages.

And by that, I mean chapters, not transcripts of your podcast.

This is what I love about Marie.

Her tenacity. A go -getter.

I like to be pushed.

Well, I've envisioned pushing you in many ways, Clark.

Probably off the cliff, am I right?

Uh -huh.

Have you two met?

Call it a sweetheart.

And that's all. And obviously, not anymore.

Is this going to complicate the novel?

No, no. That was four years ago, before I came to Lion's Run.

The past is the past.

See you soon.

Great seeing you. See you in a couple weeks. Absolutely. Bye.

Did I just see... Clark.

Yes. Apparently my road back to fiction is on the Houseman Express.

How does he just sneak back into your life? I feel like there should have been

sign or something. There were.

I did this.

How?

The ornaments.

I told you there's magic to them.

Today, I got a treasure chest.

JP sends me his book. It's called A Christmas Treasure Adventure.

So how did Clark just magically appear in your life?

My mom sent me this lighthouse ornament.

My father proposed to her at one in Maine.

It's always been our family's favorite vacation spot.

And?

And, and it was always this symbol of love.

Clark and I spent our last Christmas there together.

I was insistent, he was hesitant, and that's where he broke your heart.

Oh, I knew it. I shouldn't have hung it on the tree.

Okay, let's look at the signs.

So, you got the lighthouse and the ice skate ornaments at the same time, right?

And the pancakes.

Do you have a connection to pancakes?

I mean, it was my parents' birth date.

The lighthouse is a sign that true love exists, and the ice skates are gliding

in Nate as your true love.

Okay, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Okay, let's stay focused on the positive. It can mean something else.

Maybe it's a metaphor to light your way.

Or maybe...

It's a foghorn trying to warn me.

The lighthouse. It's special to your family, right?

Since it's a special memory, let's try and assume that it's guiding you in the

right direction.

We did have amazing family vacations there.

See? That's all that matters.

Come here.

You good?

Yeah.

All right, let's just take this blow.

It's been a long time since I've done this.

You're going to be fine. It's just like riding a bike.

You good? Yeah, yeah. I just need to channel my 112 wheels. I got this.

You just got to stay centered.

I got this.

Good. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. What? I forgot how to turn.

It's okay.

Not a lot of people saw that.

Oh, okay.

My hero.

I just saved you from so much embarrassment.

Yeah, well, that's okay.

Okay, hold my hand.

We can take it slow. Here.

Right, left, right. You're doing so good.

You're doing so much better.

little tighter okay but if I get a seven on this one we go out to dinner well

you get an eight I'll let you choose the restaurant what

do you give that

where do you want to eat all right

so what do you think it's very

So what's good?

Cheeseburger.

But I'm a breakfast -for -dinner kind of guy, so I'll be having Santa's

Flapjacks with eggnog syrup.

Pancakes?

Too much Christmas for you?

I'd love Santa's Flapjacks, please.

Marie? Uh, what the heck, I'll have the same. Hey.

So, why nursing?

Well, I planned on being a doctor, and I passed my MCAT when I was ready for med

school.

And then my grandfather got sick.

Cancer. I'm sorry.

It was a battle.

I stayed with him every day through his treatment.

And as much as I appreciate everything that the doctors did, it was really the

nurses that gave him the strength to keep on fighting.

You know, they held his hand through everything.

And they cheered for him when he rang the bell for his last chemo treatment.

They made sure that we never felt alone.

I'm sure he's alive today because of it. You can't write a prescription for that

kind of support.

No, you can't.

Then I went to thank the head nurse. She told me that's the way it works.

Right there, I found my calling, never looked back.

Wow, I wish I had that kind of courage.

What do you mean? You're living your dream.

I voluntarily have been in this non -fiction purgatory for the last two

I hardly call it a dream come true.

Why?

I got stuck.

I didn't want to disappoint my boss.

He praised my success. He promoted me.

I thought that would be enough.

But it isn't. And I feel guilty for that.

You should never feel guilty about being unhappy.

Just think of it as a road sign.

Telling you you need to go a different direction.

Well, I'm in that process. We just hired a new fiction writer, and I'm the story

editor. That's great.

Yeah, it is a step in the right direction.

Do you like him?

He's not my first choice, but my boss really likes him and wants the novel to

a huge success.

What do you want?

The same.

Sounds like maybe your heart wants something different. My heart enjoys

Yeah, of course.

But, I mean, what's your big dream, the one that comes from your heart?

Honestly, I would love to open up my own boutique publishing

house and discover inspiring writers, find diamonds in the rough,

and develop incredible, great stories that connect through the imagination.

Okay, that's it.

You promised me that you'll go after that dream, your own publishing house.

People would think I was crazy. It doesn't matter what people think. It

what we do.

That's what the world remembers.

Okay.

I promise.

Thank you.

All right.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, I'm just getting updates from Leslie at the hospital.

I'd rather need another MRI.

No, is she okay?

She may have torn another ligament during rehab.

I'm not sure, poor kid.

Sorry. Like I said before, I never leave work.

Come on.

I have an idea.

Oh, Nate, I was just about to text you.

About Scott's MRI?

How'd it go? Yeah, good.

This is Marie.

Marie Leslie.

Hi. I'm his neighbor.

Do you think that we could go see her? Yeah, she'd love to see you.

Thanks.

I know it's after visiting hours, but are you up for some company?

Yes, come in.

Oh, heard the good news.

Talk said no surgery.

Mom's calling everyone.

Now maybe I can go home.

Yeah, you bet. We'll do everything possible, kiddo.

In the meantime, we brought you an early Christmas gift.

I haven't read this one.

I've only seen the movies.

Well, then you're in for a treat because no one tells a story better than

Charles Dickens.

Could I listen too?

Yeah. Come in.

Here.

Chapter one,

Marley's Ghost.

Thank you for going ice skating with me.

I actually had a lot of fun. Yeah, me too.

And thank you for Christmas, Carol. That was a very nice touch.

Well, I'm sorry the kids fell asleep before you got to say your big line.

Hey, you know what?

My friend Andy is hosting this holiday party on Saturday, and I don't usually

to these sorts of things, but tonight kind of got me in the spirit.

Would you want to be my plus one?

I usually pick up extra shifts at the hospital on Saturday.

It's just I'm the new guy, and I feel like I need to prove myself. I get it. I

totally get it.

I've worked at Lion's Run for years, and I'm still trying to prove myself.

For what it's worth, tonight was the most fun that I've had in New York.

Thanks again.

You made it a special night for all of us.

Did you miss me?

I should probably get going. Early shift in the morning.

Great. Okay.

Good night.

What is happening?

So, what do you think?

You're naturally creating a story, but...

I always knew that about you.

You know, you're the reason I pursued writing.

You're always my best critic.

And you're why I signed on with Lion's Run.

So how's your book coming?

I thought we agreed that you would hand in your chapters today.

Let me just do a few more tweaks, and then I'll bring it by your house this

weekend, okay?

Yeah, no. I have a Christmas party this weekend. Why don't you just shoot me an

email?

Okay.

In the meantime, do you want to give me a rundown of the story?

Oh.

Wait, that's JP's new book?

Yeah. I was hoping to relaunch the children's department with it, but Henry

doesn't see the point.

That was always your dream.

Inspiring the future today.

Wasn't that your tagline?

You remember that?

Nate Thomas is here for you.

Um, I gotta go check on that. Okay. I will be right back. Sure.

What a pleasant surprise.

A parent donated a huge box of books, but figured we could add them to the toy

drive. Maybe surprise the kids with a new hospital library.

Of course, I love it.

The ornament.

It really worked.

I should probably let you get back to work.

Yeah, I probably should get back.

Oh, hey.

Andy's Christmas party tomorrow.

He's still in plus one.

Don't you have to work?

I did promise myself that I would say yes to more than just double shift.

It's important to keep your promises.

Unless you already have a plus one. No, nobody.

No one. You're the one.

The plus one.

In addition to.

Okay.

Okay.

Get one of these mystery gift bags.

All right, so our final categories are Christmas food and Christmas activities.

Oh, foods. Toad's foods, right? Food.

We got this, babe.

Okay,

this does not look good for us. She's four eggnogs deep, so I think we have a

very good chance.

Go!

Okay,

ooh, ooh, ooh. Okay, they're red and they're white and they're mint. Candy

Ooh.

Okay. It's a plane?

Manhattan.

Singapore. Oh, it's also a dog. It's like a dog. It's like a Mrs. Chen dog.

The little snuffle. Snuffle the little tiny... You have money!

You have ten seconds!

Okay, okay. Ooh, ooh, babe.

Come on. Gobble, gobble.

Turkey! Turkey! No, no, no, no, no.

Gobble, gobble.

Quack, quack.

Cluck, cluck.

Turkey, duck, chicken. Yes! Put them all together. Gobble, gobble, quack.

Good luck. Break a leg out there.

All right.

Okay. You ready?

Do a deep lunge first. What are you doing?

All right.

All right. Ready? Got this?

We got this.

Go. Okay.

Okay. Santa did this. He does this every Christmas Eve.

Deliver his present. No, because he's up on the rooftop.

He lands with his sleigh right here? How he gets inside the house. Jimmy, Jimmy,

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. Oh, we did this the other day.

winning has never looked better.

This is work. I should probably take this.

You two seem to have a good connection.

Yeah, we're becoming good friends.

Friends? You feel like the only guy helping us. You think that's because he

loves cleaning?

You like him. Admit it.

He's charming. And handsome.

Not a bad thing.

It's not Clark, is it? You guys are not... No, absolutely not.

I mean, it's weird working with them, and it makes me think about the past and

the mistakes I made, but no.

Nate is not Clark.

I know he's not. It's just... I mean, this girl named Leslie just called him.

They work together. She's very pretty. I just don't want to assume anything.

It looks like a work call.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

And I just don't want to assume, and I don't want to get caught up in the

Christmas magic and project my idea of romance and make this into something

not. Whoa.

Did you just say Christmas magic?

Yeah, I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know.

Look, okay, I know this might sound crazy, but let's say those ornaments are

magical.

What happens?

After Christmas, does this all go away? Does he go away? I just... I need a

definite sign from the universe that this is real.

Let's know Christmas is about leaving.

Just... Follow your heart.

I should have put a mistletoe in that bag.

Wait, do you have any?

Maybe?

Yeah,

I know. I'm lucky that fits.

It's perfect.

Yeah, no, it's great.

Can

you

turn your sweater off, please?

No chance.

Had a good time tonight. Your friends were fun.

I don't think Brian's ever going to forgive you for that lie.

Well, I sent him my Christmas playlist, so he's warming up to me.

Really? You sent him your playlist?

Some people still like the classics.

Would you want to go to a gingerbread baking class with me?

Wait, are you being serious?

All of the nurses got passes, and I know it sounds a little bit silly, and

that's what I thought at first too, but then I thought maybe I should have more

fun, and I was wondering if maybe you might want to.

Anyway, it's the day after the lion's doing parties, but I know that might be

lot of Christmas for you.

I'd love to.

Yeah? No more bah humbug?

Well, I've learned that if you screw it, you lose.

That was so corny.

No, you didn't.

No.

Hey. Sorry I'm late. Last week, before Christmas, all the festivities.

So, how was your, uh, how was your party?

So you read the chapters? Are you serious?

He wrote about our entire relationship.

Everything. What can I say? You're my muse.

I'm not doing this. I'm not reliving the past with you.

Marie, you're the perfect person to edit this. You know this story.

Look, I want to capture all the emotions of first love.

You know, wonder and pain.

And the broken promises?

Look, when you're young.

Promises are easier to make than to keep. And we're older now.

We're wiser. You made a fool out of me.

You practically promised that you were going to propose.

I know.

And I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to break up with you on Christmas Eve.

What? You wanted to wait until Christmas morning?

No. No, I don't know.

Look, when's a good time to break up?

You're the one who insisted we went to the lighthouse. Oh, it's my fault. No,

but...

It was obvious your heart was set on marriage. You wanted a ring for

and I was not ready.

Because you met somebody else?

I was young.

I didn't know what I had.

And I was easily distracted.

It's like I always knew, I just didn't want to see it.

I did not cheat on you.

Big place.

It was meant to be explored and we owed it to each other to do that.

That boy in that book loved you very, very much.

I'm going to write this book with you.

This will make it a happy ending, even if it's fiction.

Hey, I have your mail for you.

Oh, thanks.

What magic does Mom have in store for you today?

Uh, this one's actually from my dad.

Oh. Handwriting.

The last time he was on mail duty, the package ended up down the hall.

Ah, that's why you sent it to work. Better safe than sorry.

Aren't you going to open it?

Uh, yeah. I'll check it later.

Where are you rushing off to?

I'm going to surprise Nate at the hospital for lunch.

Mmm. Just friends, huh?

Sure.

Hi. Is Nate around?

Oh, he's with a patient. Is he expecting you?

No. I'll wait.

Oh, it could be a while.

Actually, can I go say hi to Skylar?

Yeah, she's in the rec room.

Thanks. Remove me from this place.

I told you.

These were shadows of things that have been.

And the ghost?

I was in the neighborhood, so I figured I'd stop by and say hi.

Did you talk to Santa?

I did. He has all of your wishes, including some new books for your

Did Santa bring you that?

No, my dad sent it for me. Open it.

Do you want to open it?

It came with a note.

You can read it.

Chapters close and begin, but the story of you will never end.

Keep marching forward, and rolling boulders will turn into stepping stones.

What does that mean?

It means that storms come rainbows.

You just gotta believe.

Thank you.

Look at all the donations we got.

I bet Nate's not here to see this.

I know. He has to work a double.

I'm new to the Lions Run family, but I thought I would contribute.

Wow.

Thank you.

Very generous.

It's my pleasure.

Would it be too much if I asked you for a dance?

That's Brent.

Let's show Henry we can play nice.

Sure. Yeah?

Yeah.

You're stunning.

Just as lovely as the first time I saw you.

I emailed you notes.

Yeah, I got them.

I'm thinking about changing the end of the story.

Oh, really?

Yeah. I'm breaking up, see?

Too sad.

That's the reality.

In the end, when the guy finds his fortune, he goes back for her and tells

what a fool you are. And then he sweeps her off her feet.

I guess we'll see how the story evolves.

So, um, that guy in scrubs, the one you were talking to in the lobby the other

day, delivered a box.

You aren't together, right?

Maybe.

Why?

Oh.

Just went in the garage the other day, leaving with a pretty blonde girl.

Oh, she and Scrubs, too?

That's Leslie.

They're co -workers.

Oh, okay.

Pretty close for co -workers. Almost like a couple.

I'm sorry to interrupt. I'd just like to feel a part of the way.

I'd more like to meet our newest star.

Oh, okay. All right. Excuse me.

Ah,

you both look beautiful.

My wife loves shopping for the kids. Thank you.

We have two more giant bags out in the car.

Oh, those are so great.

I wish I could give them a published copy of your book, but I think Henry is

going to need a little bit more convincing.

But it's okay.

I'm committed to this, I promise.

You know what, I've been approached by Clark, and he pitched me the idea of

launching the children's collection with established authors, and he said he

sold the idea to Henry.

I'll be right back.

Look, I can write a children's book in my sleep.

We can hire ghost writers if the authors are too busy. The key is to lock in

readers when they're young so we have them for life.

Inspiring the future today.

I like it. Goldmine.

I like it. First you steal my idea, now you're stealing my tagline. Really?

Look, you wanted me to sell Henry on the idea.

I did that.

That's exactly what you wanted. I'm giving it to you.

All you see are dollar signs. It's not a money grab.

Children deserve stories with imagination.

Not ones that you just write in your sleep. It's real to them. Okay, we can

that later, but Henry cares about sales.

I speak his language.

So we're going to make a good team. Just go with it. No, I'm not going to let

you taint this with profit margins.

Tell him the truth.

Guys, guys, guys, it's a party.

What's the problem, Marie?

Marie wasn't expecting me to pitch the children's collection so soon.

Henry,

that's not true.

I'm getting an early Christmas present here, Marie.

No.

Not like this.

Marie.

We wish you a Merry Christmas.

We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Season's greetings.

Welcome to Santa's Kitchen. We're just about to get started.

Is there a bathroom? I just want to wash my hands.

Oh, oh, oh, I like responsible elves. Just down the hall.

Uh, you okay?

Uh, yeah.

Works fine.

We don't have to today.

No, I'm fine.

I've always wanted to be a responsible elf.

Go find us a station.

Oh, hey, Leslie.

Marie, hi.

What are you doing here?

Nate invited me.

Oh, great.

We'll see you in class.

Oh, Katie.

What? Let's raise our Christmas spirit, everyone. It's time to build gingerbread

houses. I don't know what you're talking about.

It's so cute.

What? You are.

Hey. Hey.

I'm sorry. All right, move.

Move. It's good, yeah. It keeps falling.

See? There.

Actually looks pretty good. It actually does, doesn't it?

Oh, my, my.

You're missing your candy cane.

Oh. Here, Nate. I have extra.

I owe you one.

One day I'm going to take you up on all those favors you owe me.

All right.

Here, here.

There. Now we're even.

Nice.

Ouch. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

You okay? Let me see.

Yeah, no, I'm fine. I just burnt myself.

Let me take a look at it.

Oh.

Yeah.

Does it feel better?

You've got to be careful. Even the sweetest things can burn you.

I need some air.

Hey, hey, hey. What's going on?

I don't know what we're doing.

I thought we were baking gingerbread houses.

Right. I should go.

Okay, wait. Why?

Because everything is so new in your life.

Your career, your... Everything is about to take off, and I am just a neighbor

who doesn't even like Christmas.

You don't really believe that. It's the truth.

Okay, look.

I know that you've had your heart broken before, but that doesn't mean that you

need to be scared.

You think I'm scared? Yeah.

Because I am.

But at least... I'm willing to try.

Okay, can I ask you something?

Was Leslie with you when you dropped off the books?

That lion's run? Yeah, so?

She was helping me. That's what friends do.

I can't do this.

Not again. I can't risk getting burned because it hurts too much.

Wait, wait, wait. Please, no, don't go. Don't go, okay?

Why don't we just go out, the two of us?

No distraction.

The problem is that there's always distraction.

I just, I think it's best that we just close the chapter before we break our

hearts.

So you're just going to give up?

It'll be for the best.

cold you.

I know. I watched it rain.

You knew I'd drive down here.

I guess I could use some real face time.

Oh, come on, honey.

Tell me your troubles.

Thank you.

So that's the story.

So you sabotaged your career, then your new relationship with your handsome

neighbor, and then you come home and dismantle the tree.

You know, I believe that those ornaments were magical.

Like every time I hung one on the tree, something wonderful would pop into my

life.

Reminding me that happy endings do exist.

Honey, there is always magic in Christmas.

Your father gave this to me when we first got married.

It's beautiful, right?

A simple open heart or hollow.

Now,

that's the beauty of life. It changes based on our perspective. You walk

and think of it as a hollow heart and life's going to keep passing you by.

But if you'll allow it to be an open heart, you'll be surprised not just by

much love comes in, but by how much you give back.

That's what dreams are made of.

Like magic.

Magic doesn't exist.

It does if you believe it does.

Good morning.

Good morning.

That was quite the thing the other night.

I'm sorry.

Clark and I have our differences, but I should have never confronted him at the

Christmas party.

I think it's best to take it off the book.

But Clark won't have it.

Says that you're the best story editor he's ever worked with, that you have a

passion for the craft, an ability to encourage writers, and I agree.

We have three days until Christmas, so I expect you to work out your issues with

Clark and get back in the ballgame.

I appreciate his kind words, but I want to relaunch the children's department.

Or J .P.'s book. It is something so special. Children's books are off the

Okay? Check the numbers. They're not a good investment for us right now. Well,

we don't even have to do a full collection. We could just start with J

He's already signed with us. Do you want to run the fiction department?

Yes or no?

Yeah. Then focus on Clark's book.

If J .P. ever finishes his adult novel, then you can go and work on that.

No. I'm resigning.

Consider this my two -week notice.

Marie.

Thank you so much for everything. I've learned a lot. Oh, God.

It's time for me to go follow my heart.

Marie, I've been trying you all weekend.

About the party, don't worry. I spoke to Henry.

And? And I resigned.

It's all my fault.

No, it was actually my decision.

I'm so sorry for everything.

Ruining Christmas.

Again.

Nobody can ruin my Christmas.

Dare I ask for any last -minute notes?

Yeah.

The woman in your book, she doesn't need saving.

She saves herself, and it's a much happier ending.

Merry Christmas, Clark.

So what are you going to do now?

Christmas.

Going to go spread some Christmas magic.

We'll need room for peasants.

And so this is the room we use for meetings.

Is it available?

Yes. Nothing's on the schedule until January.

It's perfect.

Spirit stood beside sickbed, and they were cheerful, on foreign

lands, and they were close at home by struggling men, and they were patient in

their greater hope by poverty, and it was rich.

In almshouse, hospital, and jail, in misery's every refuge, where vain man

his little brief authority had not made fast redemption.

Joy

to the

world, the Lord has come.

Let us receive her King.

Hey.

Hey. I was just admiring the beautiful Christmas tree across the street.

Yeah, it really is beautiful.

So are you going to work?

No, just doing some last -minute Christmas shopping for my family.

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve. Are you just going to overnight it?

No, I booked a 9 a .m. flight for tomorrow morning.

What about your white Christmas?

Maybe next year.

I don't know. I guess I'm going to be trading snow for white sandy beaches.

It'll still be festive, though. My family, they throw a big dinner party at

restaurant. Local lighthouse shines red and green, kind of like that tree.

Did you just say lighthouse?

Yeah. Grew up on Sanibel Island.

Lighthouse is our pride and joy.

My parents even named the restaurant after it.

Oh.

My ride's here.

Merry Christmas, Marie.

Merry Christmas.

Please have some magic left.

Dear Nate, I'm sorry.

I'm scared.

Dear Nate, broken heart.

are often lost hearts.

It takes a special light to guide them back against the fear that was trying to

sink them.

Oh, hey, Marie. You looking for your mail?

No, I'm looking for Nate Thomas.

Have you seen him? He left a few minutes ago, spending Christmas in Florida.

Lucky guy.

Marie.

I am sorry if I'm late. Oh, no, it's fine. My dad, a .k .a. Santa, is around

corner, just about to make his entrance with the kids.

Okay.

Hey, did you invite Nate?

Yeah, he's going to Florida.

Oh, is that where he's from?

Yeah, Sanibel Island.

His family owns a restaurant called The Lighthouse.

Nate? Is the light out?

No, it's too late.

Hey, don't worry about it.

It's Christmas time. Nothing bad can happen.

Ready?

Come on in, kids.

Merry Christmas!

Go open your gift.

Welcome to your own Christmas wonderland.

Can Santa bring all of it?

Why don't you go ask him?

Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas!

No way!

It's Santa!

Merry Christmas!

The children tuck into their beds. And before falling asleep, the boy asked one

more question.

Promise we do it again next year?

The majestic star twirled and gently whispered.

Where can we get that book?

Hopefully from me.

I'm opening my own publishing company.

And with J .P.'s permission, I'd like The Christmas Treasure Adventure to be

very first book.

Yes. Yes, but only if all these adorable little faces get their own copy.

Absolutely.

When did you come up with this wonderful idea, and what took you so long?

Well, someone once reminded me that the possible slow fuse is lit by the

imagination.

I

thought

you were going to Florida.

I was.

And then I got there.

I'm so sorry for the way I acted. I was completely in the wrong.

I really hope you can forgive me.

Somewhere between Christmas past and present, I realized what I want for my

future.

It's for you.

Tiny Tim always lived in hope, not fear, and I now know how important that is.

My heart is open because of you.

After our class, our fight, I almost lost hope in you.

In us.

Almost.

You know the first time we met, you asked me what I wanted for Christmas?

And I know the answer.

It's you.

Well, that's the greatest present anyone could ever give me.

So does this mean you're going to spend Christmas with me? Yeah, I would love

to.

What are you thinking about?

Does that happy endings really do exist?

I just landed a part in the production of A Christmas Carol at the Grand.

The role of a lifetime.

Who is the director?

That would be me.

Will become the Christmas triumph.

The production of A Christmas Carol this season is going to be the final

performance. They'll never forget.

What can we do? Something inspiring.

Maggie Lawson.

We need a Christmas miracle.

Ren and Emily. I believe in you. One of the 12 most wonderful movies of

Christmas. Christmas on Call.

Premieres Saturday at 9.

On Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.