Original subtitles

♪ I still believe in Santa Claus ♪

♪ No rhyme or reason Just because ♪

♪ It's one of my Most favorite flaws ♪

♪ And I still believe in Santa Claus ♪

♪ All us grown-ups Have grown up too fast ♪

♪ Where's our imagination? ♪

♪ The mystical, magical Wide-eyed of wonder ♪

♪ Over yonder yesterday ♪

♪ He's flying on his sleigh ♪

[VOCALIZING]

♪ Yeah ♪

Welcome home, Eve!

Oh. Honey. Hi, Mom.

Great to see you, Eve. Hi, John. Yeah, you too.

Oh... You look wonderful.

NELLA: Just one bag!

Mom, I'm only staying three weeks. [SCOFFS]

Nella packs this much for a weekend.

Not true.

Oh, that is entirely true. Entirely true.

NELLA: Stop, no ganging up on Mom!

[ALL CHUCKLE]

[♪♪]

I drove through town on the way in.

You know, it really is picture-perfect.

Especially at Christmas.

I saw the town tree was up.

Have they had the lighting ceremony yet?

Oh, last weekend.

But you know they save the stars on top.

Yes, till Christmas Eve. I remember.

And I know how much you love to decorate,

so I did wait to buy a tree for the bakery

so we could go together. Mom, thank you.

You're very sweet.

Wait till you see the bakery at night all lit up.

Well, what can I say?

I like to celebrate all the holidays.

And Christmas is your favorite.

How could it not be?

Family comes together.

Ooh. Thank you.

[CHUCKLES] [SIGHS]

I have missed you guys. I'm so happy you're here.

[♪♪]

Abby! Mrs. Holden's going to be here any minute to pick you up.

Sorry, I was on the phone with Mom.

Okay. Did you pack a sweater?

Yeah, red one...

Uh, snowflakes. And a headband?

Two so you've got options. What about shoes?

What's wrong with the ones you're wearing?

They're snow boots. There's snow outside.

I have to take them off when I have a sleepover at Caroline's.

Okay, so take them off and show her

these awesome reindeer socks I got you.

Yeah? All right, get.

I'll be out in a sec.

I wish you could stay longer.

This is the longest I've stayed since your wedding.

That was almost four years ago. It feels like yesterday.

I think I might've been working in Kansas City at the time.

Where haven't you been by this point?

I like seeing the country.

You're just like your dad was.

Until he met you.

Is that what it'll take for you to settle down,

falling in love?

Wow, it took you an hour-and-a-half

to bring up my love life. You're slowing down on me.

Hush! [LAUGHING]

I am a little serious, though.

You always take these interim school superintendent jobs,

never anything permanent. I mean, I will one day.

Here in Franklin, maybe?

If they offer you a permanent position?

Mom, look...

[SIGHS] My contract is to get the school district out of the red

and then make it easier for the new school superintendent,

whomever that is.

Then, fingers crossed, I'm off to San Diego.

There's a six-month job there I would love to get.

California is so far away.

Or you could think of it like you have a daughter

next to the Pacific you could visit.

Oh, well, when you put it that way,

I suppose it's not so bad. See?

[CHUCKLES]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Hey, um, did the Murphys move?

NELLA: A couple years ago.

That's Liam and Abby.

They moved in after the Murphys.

Abby is just the sweetest girl.

[EVE CHUCKLES]

Yeah, with really good aim. [LAUGHS]

[GROANS]

LIAM: Okay, have fun. All right?

Bye. Don't stay up too late.

Or do, but just tell me cool stories.

ABBY: Bye.

[♪♪]

Oh. I-I'm sorry.

Whoa! My goodness.

Uh-oh, now they've gone and done it.

What?

Look at them, they bumped into each other

and spilled coffee.

Classic meet-cute.

It looks more messy than cute.

No, no, look at their body language.

They're intrigued.

And they'll try to fight it, but it's pointless.

Fate has intervened.

That could've been you, you know.

Yeah, well, I'm super glad it wasn't.

What if the, uh, suit guy was your one true love?

If suit guy was my one true love,

the universe would've made sure we spilled coffee on each other.

That is a very good point.

What makes you such a meet-cute expert?

A movie buff, son of a movie buff dad,

and my movie buff 11-year-old daughter

happens to love a love story.

Where, as it turns out,

people often spill drinks on each other.

And fall in love.

It's a thing, look it up.

I just might.

But first, I have to go meet my friend.

Yeah, me too.

Good luck keeping spill free.

Oh, it's not up to me. It's the universe. Mm-hm.

Oh, you're here! Hi!

DARCY: Oh! For longer than a weekend this time.

Yeah, but not by much. I'll take what I can get.

NELLA: Hi, honey. Hi, Mom.

Hi, Darcy. Hi, Nella.

Your favorite.

Thank you.

Enjoy. Thank you.

I love your mom.

She loves you. Aww.

Are you sure you're not giving up a showing to meet me?

It is Saturday. No! I sold a house last week,

and I got a commission check on a condo.

You're buying, then! Yeah, right?

I got your coffee. Thank you.

So now you can just launch into telling me who that guy was.

Uh...just someone I didn't bump into.

What does that mean?

[BOTH LAUGH]

Who is she?

My neighbor's daughter.

Forgot to get her name. RICK: You didn't ask her name?

No. Seriously, you're out of practice, my friend.

[CHUCKLES] I'm a single dad, full-time job, brain fully occupied.

Yeah, you can only use that excuse

for so many years before it expires.

Okay, how about this? Working nonstop

on the school's Christmas program.

How's that going? It's good.

We got a talented group of kids.

You're a good teacher. For now.

You hear any more rumors about this new superintendent?

Just that he or she is temporary.

Why temporary? My guess is the budget.

They're always brought in to do the dirty work.

There will be cuts. Arts programs

are always the first on the chopping block.

DARCY: Wow.

Your mom and stepdad are so cute.

How's it going with John, by the way?

What do you mean? Well, I mean

this will have been the most time you've spent with him?

Yeah, it is, and he's a really nice guy.

My mom's crazy about him, so.

Well, that's what's important. Yeah.

I'm just so glad that she's happy.

She was so sad for so long after dad.

Yeah. Well, you too.

Me? No. Yeah, I was there.

Yeah, well, it's not the same. No, no, it is not the same.

But it was hard on you.

Yeah.

I mean, you gave up music.

Well, that was for the best.

Mm. I disagree. You had a beautiful voice.

You have a beautiful voice if you would just let yourself.

Well, thank you, but what purpose does that serve

for a school superintendent?

Hmm?

[♪♪]

Thank you so much for meeting me here.

My husband's in bed with a cold, so I'm on skate duty.

No problem, Ms. Harris.

Penelope, please. This is just an informal meet

so that you're not left feeling alone.

Getting all the board members together at the same time

is like herding cats.

Well, I do appreciate your guidance.

You've looked over the budget? Normally, I would suggest taking

small cuts from everywhere-- We've already done that.

Yes, which doesn't leave us many options,

unless you have a pot of gold somewhere.

I wish. And getting people to step up for fundraising,

it's getting harder.

Parents feel like their donations just go into a void.

Yes, I have seen that in a lot of places.

I've also seen some of the districts

have success with shortening the school week to four days.

Parents would riot here. Well...

that leaves us with freezing all hiring

and eliminating all non-essential jobs and programs.

Music and art departments.

Across the district, all grades.

[SIGHS]

How on earth can you propose that?

It's not something I want to do.

But we have to prioritize, at this point,

and arts and music just aren't necessary.

[SCOFFS] I beg to differ.

And your dad would too.

Of course he would've, he was a musician.

So are you. No, I'm not.

And I haven't been for a long time.

But music was such a big part of your life

when you were growing up.

How can you now say it isn't important?

Because I'm the perfect example.

When it was time, I put away music

and I focused on my career.

That's not why you quit singing.

Mom. I'm just saying.

It's not a coincidence that you stopped after your dad passed.

[♪♪]

[STUDENTS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[CAR CHIRPS]

[♪♪]

Hi.

Hi, I'm Eve Morgan here to see Principal Stanley.

Thank you.

How can I help you, Miss Morgan?

Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.

I'm here to see the schools and meet the district's principals

and get your take on what you need and what you may not.

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

That was great, guys.

You are going to rock this year's Christmas program.

Faces are going to melt, tears are gonna flow.

This was our last rehearsal at school before break.

So I will let you all know when we're meeting.

Check your e-mails. Keep practicing.

Now get out of here, you're done!

[♪♪]

Thank you. Bye.

Hi, guys.

[CAR ALARM CHIRPS]

JOAN: I'll see if I can find Principal Watt.

It'd have helped if she knew you were coming.

Well, I was in the area.

[CLEARS THROAT] School superintendents

always just happen to be in the area

when they stop by unannounced.

I'll go look for her.

[CLEARS THROAT] Okay.

[CHUCKLES]

[IN UNISON] ♪ You and me ♪

♪ And Christmas ♪

Yes!

♪ You and me ♪

Whoa, with the ender and everything!

This one's my favorite of yours. Oh, yeah?

When are you going to write new songs?

You mean, in all of my spare time?

But you're good. You're my number one fan.

I'm your only fan, 'cause I'm the only one you'll play for.

[CHUCKLES] Exactly.

I quit while I was ahead.

But why quit?

Because I have other priorities now like you and my students.

Liam, have you seen Principal Watt?

Uh, no. Not lately.

The interim superintendent is here to see her.

Everything okay?

Yeah. Everything's fine.

Stay here, keep practicing.

I'll be back in a few. Okay?

[PLAYING PIANO]

[CLEARS THROAT]

[♪♪]

JOAN: She was here when I left.

I'm still looking for Jerry.

Hmm.

[CONTINUES PLAYING PIANO]

That is a very pretty tune.

Thanks. My dad made it up for me.

Ah, he must be very talented.

He is.

Aren't you a little too young for high school

or are you prodigy or something?

My dad's a teacher here. Oh...

Well, you play very beautifully.

Thanks. I kind of like singing better.

Really? Mm-hm.

I'm Eve.

Abby. Nice to meet you.

Do you play?

Not in a very long time.

Why'd you stop?

It was something I used to do with my dad.

He was a musician in a jazz band.

He played the trumpet, but he taught me how to play

and he taught me how to sing.

Want to play now?

How about I watch you play.

[CHUCKLES]

[PLAYING]

That's nice.

You?

Ha. You.

Liam. [CLEARS THROAT]

Eve.

And you are...

Abby's father.

The teacher. Yeah.

And you're Nella's daughter, right?

Yeah.

Miss Morgan, there you are.

Principal Watt is in her office

whenever you're ready. Thank you.

No... Yeah.

You're the... Interim school superintendent.

Okay.

Can I talk to you for a second?

Sure.

Everything okay?

Yeah. All good, pumpkin.

Just need to, um, go over some things with Miss Morgan.

So I guess you know why I'm here?

Everyone knows why you're here.

The only thing that travels faster

than small town school gossip is light.

How bad is it?

I absolutely cannot talk to you about this.

Okay. Will you nod if I guess right?

No, I will not!

Music departments?

I have to go.

Art departments? It was nice to meet you, Abby.

Is it all of the departments?

Goodbye, Liam.

Is this one of those conversations

kids that aren't supposed to ask about?

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

I can't believe she lives across the street.

She seemed nice. Should I not like her now?

No, you can like her.

It's just a long story.

That just means you don't want to tell me.

When did you get so smart? Always.

That's true.

Oh, don't forget we're supposed

to get our Christmas tree this week.

You forgot. No.

I just-- I have a lot on my mind.

Caroline already has hers up.

Well, Caroline is gonna shake in her shoes

when she sees how sick our Christmas tree's gonna be.

Don't worry, I'm gonna get it done.

I'm not, I know you're busy.

Hey... I am not so busy

that I cannot get us a Christmas tree, okay?

Tomorrow, you be here or you be square because we,

you and me, we're getting the greatest

Christmas tree of all time.

[GIGGLES] You're so weird.

I know, I'm the weirdest. [KNOCKING]

Who's there?

Hey. Am I interrupting?

Nope, you are right on time.

Come on in.

[♪♪]

[EVE LAUGHING]

Is that really you?

DARCY: It sure is, buddy.

You know, one day you two can grow up

to make questionable fashion choices.

Your hair is funny.

[BRAD LAUGHING] Is it? Oh!

Uh, do you want to see a photo of your dad's hair

when he was younger? Okay, bath time!

[LAUGHING] Do you need any help?

No. You guys are reminiscing, I got this.

Okay boys, upstairs. Bath!

No?

Wyatt, Tate,

go with Daddy and then we can add another present

to the family Christmas wish list later.

Ooh! Up and over!

Okay, guys...

You're a genius. [GROANS]

The family Christmas wish list?

[GROANS] It's Brad's latest invention.

He has created a website for all of the presents

we want for Christmas, including links,

to avoid leaving anything up to chance.

Like a bridal registry?

That's what happens when you marry a man in I.T.

[CHUCKLES]

I still cannot believe

you have two kids and a husband.

Me either.

I just feel so left out by comparison.

Oh, please, you're off adventuring

to the far corners of the country.

And I have the postcards to prove it.

Okay, so tell me how it went today.

Well...everybody hates me.

I don't hate you. Thanks.

Everybody not related to me by birth

or that grew up with me hates me.

Yeah, but you always say that when you come

into a new community.

Yeah, but I don't know.

It's different. It's Franklin.

Are you saying you have a soft spot for our home town?

I will sell you a house like that if you let me.

No. I mean... Sorry, yes.

Thank you. I do have a soft spot for Franklin.

I mean, you and your family are here

and Mom and John are here, and...

[SIGHS] I have so many fond memories of this place, but...

I don't know, it's...

I can't explain it.

Well, if you ever decide to stop being a tumbleweed

and you'd like to finally settle down, please....

let me know. I-- [THUDDING]

'Kay... Oh, wow.

That sounded really bad. I know.

Coming!

Go. Do your thing.

I'll be right back. Go.

Ugh!

BRAD: Honey!

DARCY: Oh! Oh, my...

[♪♪]

Hello, Eve. Hi, John.

Oh...Christmas cookies, my favorite!

Mmm. Nella doesn't want me

eating sugar after 8 at night, so enjoy

that little perk of youth while you can.

Oh, hey...

why were you at the Baileys?

Baileys? Yeah.

You know...Liam, Abby... Baileys.

I saw you coming back from there.

Yeah, just, you know, being neighborly.

Oh...okay.

I'll get this back to your mom.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

You got your gloomy face on.

Well, I have been going over this budget

for the millionth time, hoping for a miracle.

So far nada.

How'd you like doing something

I can guarantee is a whole lot more fun.

Such as?

Christmas tree shopping with your mom?

Okay.

I'll get my coat!

I haven't done this in so long.

It's right here every year.

Yes, Mom, I know. I'm glad.

You act like I never come home.

It's never enough for me.

Now, if I recall, you are awfully particular

about your Christmas trees. I am.

Balsam Fir, at least seven feet tall--

Mm-hmm. No gaps.

Okay.

No, it's a little short.

Ooh.

What do you think?

Just like this one.

[♪♪]

Oh, hi. Hi.

Hello there, you two. Hi, Miss Bell.

Uh, you both have met?

We have.

Earlier.

Hi, Eve. Hi, Abby.

We're finally getting our tree.

I'm letting Eve choose the one for the bakery.

Which is this one. Well, that's impossible,

because this one's ours, we just chose it.

So did I.

You would deny a child her chance at a tree?

Wow. Ahem. That's low.

But effective?

Fine. But only for Abby.

Thanks, Eve. EVE: You're welcome...

Abby.

Who wants some hot cocoa?

We still have to find our tree.

There's another one identical to this one right over there.

Well, why didn't you say something?

You two were too busy going at it!

Let's get some cocoa.

Well, you know, if you hadn't been there,

I think that would've been a knock-down drag-out fight.

Hey, I'm sorry if we got off on the wrong foot.

We got off on a great foot.

It was the second step that was the problem.

Hey, Mr. Bailey! Janelle, what's up?

Guys. Dwayne.

Hi, buddy. DWAYNE: Hi, Mr. Bailey.

Do we still have practice at your house tomorrow?

We do. Abby and I are making cookies.

DWAYNE: Yes! Nice.

Are you Mr. Bailey's girlfriend?

No. No. Guys, this is Miss Morgan.

She is the interim school superintendent.

Hi. JANELLE: I'll have you know,

Mr. Bailey is the best teacher ever,

and this year's program will be amazing!

All right, enough of the smooth talk.

You're all getting A's. I'll see you tomorrow.

Bye, Mr. Bailey. Bring your A-game.

DWAYNE: Bye, Mr. Bailey. Later, guys.

Program, huh? Yeah, the Christmas program.

Each school in the district

puts on a concert for the holiday.

It's not much, we barely break even,

but it's a good way to bring people together.

People like music this time of year.

And you run it for Franklin High?

I do.

So when did you start teaching?

I don't know-- Maybe nine, 10 years.

Abby was 1 when I started. Mm.

It's a lot more stable

than trying to make it in a rock band.

[CHUCKLES] A rock band?

Bingo Jones.

How did you come up with that name?

I know. It was my buddy Rick's dog's name.

Wow. Okay.

So, what instrument did you play?

Pretty much most of them. Piano, guitar, drums.

My parents owned a music shop when I was growing up,

so by the time I was 5, I pretty much learned them all.

What was your favorite? Piano.

Oh, and you write too?

Well, Abby was playing one of your songs when we met,

and it was really beautiful. Oh, okay.

What, is it not okay that I heard one of your songs?

No, of course. I just-- I haven't had someone

hear one of my songs in a long time.

Not since Abby.

Well, do you still write?

No. No, I don't.

Life kind of got in the way, you know?

Yeah. It has a way of doing that.

Enjoy your tree.

Thanks.

[♪♪]

Now, you are gonna help me

decorate the bakery tree tomorrow, right?

Uh...yeah.

[BOTH LAUGH]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Okay.

Go. Be neighborly.

Fine.

Come on. Let me help.

[SIGHS AND CHUCKLES]

I don't think I needed that much help.

You got it? Yes.

You had to pick the big tree.

You picked it too, you know? Mm-hmm.

Did you put the thing down? Yeah.

Okay, good. We may have to lift this a bit.

Hold on. Ooh!

[LAUGHING] Nice and easy.

Lift it up. Good thing I've never been

to the gym before in my life.

All right, we are done.

All right, you guys, be good to my tree.

Hey, now.

Here, sweetie, let me help you.

You pull like that.

When I was your age, decorating the tree

was my favorite part of Christmas.

You wanna decorate with us?

I don't know.

Dad, can't Eve help us?

You always say it's more fun with other people.

I don't say that. [CHUCKLES]

Okay, I do say that.

Please? It's kind of your tree too.

All right, well, when you put it that way.

All right, here we go.

So...

Thank you.

Let's see what we've got. One of these guys.

This needs to go right in here, it looks like.

You want to take this over? Yes.

[LAUGHING] All right, you're in charge.

Thank you.

That too high?

♪ ...with boughs of holly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ Don we now our gay apparel Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la ♪

I almost forgot, Mom sent an ornament from Chicago.

Well, go and get it.

♪ La-la-la-la-la ♪

So Abby lives with you most of the time?

Yeah, Rachel's a heart surgeon in Chicago.

During the school year, it makes sense for her to stay with me.

In the summer, she spends time with her mom.

Sounds like you have it figured out.

Yeah. Yeah, we do. We've had lots of time.

Rachel and I were just kids when we got married,

and then Abby came along.

Rachel's career took off,

and we realized that we had different priorities in life.

So Rachel followed her path, and I stayed here.

With Abby.

Yeah. With Abby.

Well, whatever you're doing, it's working

'cause Abby is pretty amazing.

[SIGHS]

I completely agree.

[CHUCKLES] I mean, she's mine, so...

[PHONE RINGS] Oh, um...

I'm sorry, I have to take this really quick.

Yeah. Go ahead, take it. Hello?

PENELOPE [ON PHONE]: Eve, hello.

It's Penelope Harris.

Is this a good time to talk?

Yes, of course. How are you?

About as well as can be expected,

given our discussion earlier this week.

Can you come in on Thursday to formally meet with everyone?

Yeah...sure.

Good.

We need to get our game plan before we tell everyone

we're doing away with the music and arts departments.

Right before Christmas.

[SIGHS]

I-- I will be there.

[♪♪]

CAROLERS: ♪ We wish you A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you A Merry Christmas ♪

EVE: I don't think I could feel any worse than I do right now.

DARCY [ON PHONE]: Well, at least he doesn't know yet.

Yeah, but he will when he loses his job because of me.

Darcy, I came here to do good, and this just doesn't feel good.

You've had to do things like this before.

Yeah, but--

But this just feels...personal.

You know what? Maybe that's not such a bad thing.

What do you mean? DARCY: Honey, honestly,

if you weren't my friend and I didn't know

you were in a tough spot, I would be furious!

Having 5-year-old twin boys is no joke.

I owe my sanity to Wyatt and Tate getting

into kindergarten music class.

It calmed them down, it helped them focus,

and for that, I will always be grateful.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel worse.

No, I know, you're just being honest.

Is there no other way you can raise that money?

EVE: Not that I've been able to find.

DARCY: I'm sorry, honey.

Yeah...me too.

[OBJECTS CRASH]

Ah, you scared me! I heard a thump,

and I thought the mice were too well fed.

I'm sorry. I was getting

Christmas decorations for the bakery tree.

Oh, very good.

[CHUCKLES] I haven't looked through that box in years.

Do you want me to stop? 'Cause I will.

No, no. I love remembering him.

[♪♪]

How he'd play this...

2:30 in the morning.

He was writing that for you.

Christmas was always your favorite time of the year.

He always used to say this to me...

[IMITATING DAD] "It's Christmas, Eve."

[CHUCKLES]

[NORMALLY] Like it was the funniest thing in the world.

You always laughed.

Always.

It doesn't look finished, though.

Well, he never could figure out how he wanted it to end.

Hey, Mom, can I keep this?

Of course, honey. It's yours.

[SIGHS] I miss him so much.

I miss him too.

Really?

Eve...

just because John and I got married

doesn't mean that I would ever forget your father.

For a million reasons.

Especially because you are so much like him.

You are talented and hardworking and smart.

And I'm not talking in math.

Oh, Mom, that part of me is so long gone.

I don't think so. I think it's still right here.

[PHONE CHIMES]

What is it?

Oh, John just likes to send me little text messages

throughout the day. Really?

Mm-hmm. Don't let the gruff, old fireman front fool you,

he's a bigger romantic than I am.

John? Oh, yeah.

Our four-year anniversary's coming up,

I know he's got something up his sleeve.

He can't hide anything.

Wait, wasn't that April?

We got married in April, but we met before Christmas.

You remember, there was a fire in the bakery's kitchen, and,

uh, John showed up with his fire crew to put it out.

[SIGHS] Yes, I remember. Your meet-cute.

What? Nothing.

I'm just glad he makes you happy.

I want that for you too. Yeah.

Maybe one day.

[♪♪]

[SIGHS]

ABBY: Hi.

JOHN: Hey, kid. ABBY: Good. How are you?

ABBY: Oh, hi, Eve. Hi. Can I come in?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thanks.

John, we're going to keep it really simple.

I think that's best. Okay, so we've got C.

C. F. C.

You know how to do that. Just F, quickly.

You take it. Okay.

Start-- Can I start on the G?

If you wanna start on G, start on G.

EVE: Oh...

[CLEARS THROAT]

I was just about to take Abby to an ice skating date.

I'll-- I'll lock up.

You stay as long as you like, all right? Thanks.

Liam, he lets me practice here, at his place,

to keep the surprise.

What surprise?

[CHUCKLES] Here's the thing...

I got an idea over Thanksgiving for my anniversary with Nella.

I want to write her a song.

I used to play in college, and I wasn't great,

but I mean, I wasn't terrible either.

And I know how much she loves music.

Yes, she does.

So I mean, I'm not a musician.

Your father, he was a musician.

I'm not pretending to be that.

I'm just...

Doing something really, really sweet for your wife.

Hopefully she'll remember it's the thought that counts.

I think you're safe with that,

and I am going to let you get back to practicing.

Oh, Eve...

I promise I won't say anything.

Oh, no, not that. Um...

Nella told me you used to sing and play music.

If you ever feel like giving any pointers...

I haven't played in a long time.

Uh...

yeah, you have Liam for that.

You're in good hands.

[♪♪]

CAROLERS: ♪ We won't know Until we get some ♪

♪ We won't know Until we get some ♪

♪ We won't know Until we get some ♪

♪ So bring some out here ♪

♪ We wish you A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And a Happy New Year ♪

♪ Good tidings we bring To you and your kin ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year ♪

♪ Now bring us A figgy pudding ♪

♪ Now bring us a figgy pudding Now bring-- ♪

[♪♪]

Bend your knees, honey. Yeah.

[PHONE RINGING] Good.

[PHONE BEEPS] Hello?

EVE [ON PHONE]: Hey, Liam, it's Eve.

What are you doing right now?

LIAM: I'm at the skating rink.

All right. Stay there then.

[CHUCKLES] I knew it.

The board meets the day after tomorrow

to finalize my recommendations.

That soon? Really?

That's why we have to move quickly.

Hey, sweetheart.

To do what?

Like you said, we're out of options.

No, conventional options.

John said something the other night

that really got me thinking. He was talking about

how small-town citizens come together

when they need to. That's what I want to do.

How?

I've met with all the schools in the district,

all the principals, no one wants to lose arts.

Of course not. Schools' arts programs have higher attendance,

they post better scores.

We just have to make people feel the importance of this.

Coffee or hot chocolate?

Don't judge me, but I could use some hot chocolate.

I'm only judging in the positive.

That makes two of us. With or without marshmallows?

I don't trust anyone that does it without marshmallows.

Same. So...

I'm guessing that you have a plan.

Yeah, the beginning of one. Which is?

I want to bring everyone together.

I want to get all the Christmas programs in the district

on one stage for a Christmas concert.

Christmas is in 10 days. Christmas Eve is in nine.

Are you thinking...

The tree topper lighting ceremony.

It's one of Franklin's most unique traditions.

I think we can use that as part of the draw.

Okay, wow. Well, even if we have the greatest concert,

it's practically impossible to cover that budget shortfall.

Probably, yes.

I think if people see the music program in action

then we can make an appeal for everyone

to be a part of the bigger solution.

Create a cause. I get it, I think it's great.

But Eve, to put something together

that you're talking about, in nine days...

What, you think it's impossible?

I think you don't lack for ambition, that's for sure.

What, you don't think we should try?

Oh, we're gonna try. We might fail,

but we're gonna go down fighting.

You're looking good, darling!

Skate circles around them!

Sorry.

So...

let's figure this thing out.

We have 10 schools in our district.

I was thinking I could put together a program

that highlights each school.

All right, I'll lead with that when you meet with the board.

[SIGHS] I just want this to jumpstart our ability to raise money.

I mean...

Franklin's ability to raise money. Right.

Because you won't be here. Look, Franklin is my home town.

This means a lot to me.

All right. Yeah.

You're right, I'm sorry.

I'm just tired. Running low on ideas.

You have great ideas.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah.

You too.

Thank you. You're welcome.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

You know, I really wish we could just tell people:

"Hey. What we really need is more clarinets."

Or more paint and paper for the art department.

Well, I hope we're on Santa's wish list.

Or bridal registry...

Pretty sure Santa doesn't have a bridal registry.

No, no, no, wait. I--

I think I'm actually onto a really good idea here.

We need a family Christmas wish list.

A what?

A family Christmas wish list.

Yeah, but for schools.

That way the donors aren't handing over money

and hoping it goes where they think the school needs it.

So they can target it, you know?

Remove the "what if?" factor. I am a genius!

[ALL CHUCKLE] Yes, dear.

We're hoping to announce this at the Christmas concert,

so if we get you all of the information,

do you think you could get the website up in eight days?

I'll make it happen.

All right, well... now all that's left to do

is get permission for the concert.

[♪♪]

At this late date, it's impossible.

I don't see how you could--

I don't mean to interrupt, but you're Dwayne Snodgrass aunt?

Is Dwayne one of your students?

Yes, ma'am, he is. Uh, the tuba...

best in the district. In fact,

he would be perfect for a featured solo.

Interesting. Go on.

Well, there will be press there.

Yes, and we're going to do a live feed...

Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat. I like that.

Mm-hmm.

[SIGHING] Okay.

There will be about 800 hoops you have to jump through

to pull this off, if you can.

But I'm willing to help.

And I'll take you up on your offer of a solo for Dwayne.

Of course. The boy is sweet as Christmas candy,

but doesn't know how to amplify his talents. I do.

That's great because I have a song that's perfect--

A vocal solo.

I'm sorry, what?

You heard me. I did.

But he-- Will be fantastic.

Thank you, Miss Mayor.

EVE: Well, can he sing? LIAM: Who knows.

In four years I've never heard Dwayne Snodgrass string

three words together, he may be the quietest kid I've met.

But he sure can play the tuba.

We don't have much of a choice.

We need the mayor's support.

Dwayne is our key. I'll make it work.

We need to come up with a name,

"Christmas program" is a little too generic.

Christmas Chorus?

Holiday Happenings? Mm.

Franklin Fa-la-la-la-la-la?

Really?

Just letting it flow. Okay.

[CLEARS THROAT]

[SNIFFS]

Whew.

You almost look like you're having fun.

[LAUGHS]

You know, I actually kind of am.

I feel I'm doing something productive for the first time

instead of just swooping in and swooping out.

Why don't you ever take a permanent position?

That way you can really make your mark.

I don't know.

I guess short term keeps me free.

That's what you want?

You know, it's funny, growing up here,

I never wanted to leave this place.

I had everything I wanted here.

I mean, I like traveling, don't get me wrong.

Mom says I take after my dad that way.

But he died when I was 16,

and everything seemed to change.

Franklin wasn't just my hometown anymore.

It was a painful reminder of what I'd lost.

I wanted to get as far away from here as possible.

So you did.

I did, yes.

Where's your next stop?

It's not set yet but San Diego.

I might not get it.

I bet you do.

If it's what the universe wants.

Is this the same universe that sends people

careening into one another?

The very same.

Always looking out for us.

Christmas Under the Stars.

I like that. Yeah?

Goes with the whole tree top we're lighting.

All right. Well, now all I have to do is convince the board

that we should do this. Good luck.

Thanks. You're welcome.

[♪♪]

There he is. I was about to put out a missing person's report.

I know, I'm sorry. What's got your dad all anxious?

ABBY: Eve's in a school board meeting.

I'm so surprised given your earlier assessment.

Well, I've spent time here since then,

and I realize that I was only looking at numbers.

Agreed.

You guys brought me here because you know my history

as a superintendent not afraid to make difficult choices.

And usually that means cuts,

but when you're dealing with people's lives

and children's futures, cuts should be the last resort.

And this wish list website

you're starting? We're hoping to launch it

the night of the concert for maximum exposure.

And it will remain up afterwards.

If this Christmas Under the Stars you have fails,

how big of an impact will it have on this year's budget.

Well, we're already in dire straits,

but it can lessen the blow to the overall budget.

But it could still be a blow.

Well, yeah, of course it could.

But it could also be a success,

and I do believe that is a chance worth taking.

So do I.

Penny, there are a lot

of open-ended questions left to the last second.

PENELOPE: Eve's right.

People are more than numbers.

Besides, it's Christmas.

MAN: I agree. I'm not about to ruin

the most important time of the year for our community

if we don't have to.

Yet.

Thank you, guys.

How'd it go?

Well, they weren't impressed with our odds

but they are gonna give us a chance.

Great. Yeah.

I can spread the word to small business owners.

Get a sponsorship. Great. This is Rick.

He owns a restaurant on Cedar Lane.

Ah. Hi, Eve Morgan.

Rick Bloom.

Wait, Rick as in your Bingo Jones days Rick?

Uh-oh. RICK: Wow.

Blast from the past.

Mm-hm. [LAUGHS]

I thought you liked to keep that grunge part of your life

What's grunge?

[EVE CHUCKLES] Starting to regret all this.

Let's go. [CHUCKLES]

All right, buddy. Yeah.

I'll call you soon. You bet.

["CHRISTMAS IS THAT TIME OF YEAR" PLAYING]

♪ Christmas is that time Of year ♪

♪ When we gather round To hear ♪

♪ Words of love And good cheer ♪

♪ From all the people... ♪

LIAM: I love it. Thank you.

Thank you, guys. Thank you.

Make sure to stop by and bring the kids.

We'll have a stand there.

This is not finalized yet,

but this is the idea. Any thoughts?

♪ Pour yourself A glass of wine ♪

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]

♪ Let us toast To a beautiful time... ♪

I was wondering if you might be able to donate your time.

If you'd be interested in bringing this cart by.

Awesome. Fantastic. Thank you so very much.

I wanna see you there. Don't forget.

♪ Love, love, love, love Love one another ♪

Okay, excellent.

We will get you the permits ASAP.

Thank you. Bye.

[STRUMMING GUITAR]

[JOHN EXHALES]

[SIGHS] Oh, hey. Sorry.

Hope I didn't bug you. No, not at all.

Our anniversary's tomorrow and I keep screwing up this one part.

Which part?

It's coming up to the barre chord.

I just can't get my fingers in place fast--

John, you're thinking way too much.

You're playing the pattern

and you're not playing feeling. Try it again.

You can do it.

[STRUMS DISCORDANTLY]

John. [SIGHS]

Play from here.

Breathe. [EXHALES]

[CHUCKLES] That was it. That was good.

Oh, thank you. Yeah, of course.

[♪♪]

Hi, um... Hi.

I know this is gonna sound really weird,

but can I borrow your piano?

Yeah. Of course. Come on in.

What is that you've got? Is that for the program?

Uh...

Actually my father wrote this.

I just found it,

and Mom and John don't have a piano,

so I was hoping that you could...

Sure. It's no problem.

Okay. Let's see.

Here we go.

[PLAYING PIANO]

LIAM: Hey, baby. You see the lyrics?

Mm-hm.

Give it a go.

BOTH: ♪ Well, it's Christmas, Eve ♪

♪ All your cares are free ♪

♪ You're right where your heart Longs to be ♪

♪ And you know that ♪

♪ These moments are ♪

♪ Like falling star ♪

Thank you.

Of course.

And thank you. You should be in Christmas Under the Stars too.

Ooh.

But this is only part of the song.

Well, what about the one your dad wrote?

I think we should just stick to the classics.

I want to sing your song, Dad.

It's my favorite. Yeah, of course it is

because you're my only fan in this world.

Well, yeah.

But it's a good song. She's right, it is.

Okay. When was the last time

you had your music performed in public?

Uh, before I started teaching. That was a long time ago.

Yeah, it was a long time ago.

I was just a child then and you were just a tiny little peanut.

Well, it sounds to me like you are due

for another performance.

What do you say, Abby?

I say yes.

[EXHALES]

[♪♪]

Okay.

[ABBY AND EVE CHUCKLE] We'll do it.

Wait. What if I get scared singing?

Sweetie, you are going to be amazing.

Do you wanna know something my dad taught me?

He taught me not to get distracted

by the whole picture from the start.

You just go line by line, note by note,

and before you know it you're at the end of the song.

If that doesn't work, close your eyes

and pretend you're somewhere else.

People will think you're really passionate.

Um, I should get going.

Yeah.

Wait. Do you have to go?

You could do cinema club with us.

Cinema club?

Remember how I told you I was a movie buff,

son of a movie buff with a movie buff daughter?

Yes.

Well, let's go.

Okay. [CHUCKLES]

[♪♪]

EVE: All right, we are watching a movie outside in December.

LIAM: Paid good money to do it. [EVE CHUCKLES]

ABBY: It's A Christmas Carol. I love this version.

EVE: How many versions have you seen?

ABBY: Sixteen.

LIAM: That's my movie buff daughter.

It's about to start. We've better get our seats

NARRATOR: Ebenezer Scrooge.

Ah, but he was a tightfisted hand

at the grindstone... We get blankets. That's you.

...a squeezing, wrenching...

You're gonna go green, okay?

...scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner.

And once upon a time,

of all the good days of the year,

one Christmas Eve...

[♪♪]

Merry Christmas, everyone!

BOB: Mr. Scrooge, I don't know how we can ever repay you.

[LAUGHING]

This is her idea.

[LAUGHS]

You weren't too cold, were you? No, um...

Actually I have a confession to make.

Oh, wow. Do tell. Mm.

Well, in the winter, I like to eat ice cream.

Ice cream. Peppermint.

[LAUGHS] I'll file that away up here.

All right, now it's your turn to tell me something.

What's that?

Why did you stop writing?

I already told you. No.

Not the "life got in the way" excuse.

The real reason.

I didn't have anyone in my corner.

It was just me.

Abby was little,

and Rachel was gone doing her thing,

chasing her dreams,

and I was here.

By myself.

And that didn't leave much time for me

to chase my own star.

So something had to give, you know.

After a while, it just became easier not to write.

Well, for someone who's been lucky enough

to hear one of your songs,

I promise you, you are really amazing.

Thank you.

[CHUCKLES]

What'd I miss?

[LAUGHING]

Just the whole movie, that's all.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Dad?

Yeah.

When is Eve leaving?

Uh...

Sometime after Christmas.

That's really close.

Yeah. It is.

If she was just superintendent, would she stay?

[EXHALES]

Uh...

I don't know, honey.

Good night. Night.

[♪♪]

[PLAYING PIANO]

[♪♪]

NELLA: Honey? Mm.

Can you zip me?

I don't know why I'm so nervous.

Why would you be nervous? Well, John's been sneaky lately

so I know he has something planned, but I can't think what.

You know something, don't you?

I'm not saying anything.

Am I gonna like it?

Wow, look at that.

I have to go.

Where are you going? You're not the only one

I'm helping tonight.

I am so glad the two of you are getting a chance

to spend some time together. Yeah, me too.

John is really, really sweet.

And I'm so happy that he makes you smile.

You have the most beautiful smile.

Honey.

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

Wow. Look at you.

Is this okay? I mean, it's the only suit I have.

Yes. Oh, I have a green tie

I could switch out.

No, no, no. Stick with the red. Hey, don't worry about this.

She's gonna love it. Maybe I shouldn't do the song.

You are absolutely doing the song.

You've rehearsed.

And it's important.

[♪♪]

[EXHALES]

I really appreciate your help, Eve.

No problem.

And thank you for loving my mom.

You got this, all right? Oh, yeah.

NELLA: Thanks, Liam.

[DOOR BELL RINGS]

[GASPS SOFTLY]

LIAM: Okay. Let's make our getaway.

Well, okay.

John?

[GUITAR PLAYING]

JOHN: ♪ Well, there's nothing ♪

♪ You could give me ♪

♪ Could compare ♪

♪ To the gift of your love ♪

♪ No star in the heaven ♪

♪ Not a diamond so rare ♪

♪ No light can compare ♪

♪ To the gift of your love ♪

EVE: ♪ So don't buy me anything ♪

♪ 'Cause all I ever need ♪

♪ Is for me to fall deeper Into you ♪

♪ And you deeper into me ♪

♪ I wouldn't know how To wish for ♪

♪ Heavenly love this rare ♪

♪ Nothing can compare ♪

♪ To the gift Of your love ♪

♪ I want you to know You saved me ♪

♪ Like only love can dare ♪

♪ Nothing can compare ♪

♪ To the gift Of your love ♪

♪ Every breath I breathe Is a prayer ♪

♪ For the gift Of your love ♪

Okay, so, Janelle, I'm gonna put you in charge

because you're my favorite. JANELLE: Mm-hm.

I didn't mean that. She's not. She is my favorite.

Okay, so look. We can stay warm in there.

For the most part, we're gonna be inside.

We're gonna come out when we do the performances,

but generally we're gonna be inside. Okay, guys?

Copy that? All right. Anybody excited for this?

Yeah, okay.

We got a few smiles.

EVE: We wanna make sure the students of Franklin

have every advantage they need to become smart,

well-rounded, successful adults.

And we believe that music and arts

are a crucial part of providing that type of education.

So tell all your friends about the concert,

come to see Christmas Under the Stars,

stay for the Christmas tree topper lighting,

and stay for what promises to be

a wonderful night for the whole family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[BOTH SIGH]

Looks awesome. Is that it for the interviews?

Until someone else calls. I'll do any interview needed.

Next year, we're gonna have to make sure...

Uh-- I mean...

Oh. Whoever's running this next year

will make sure they have a press secretary.

Yes. Well, hopefully there'll be an event.

And a fundraising program. How's Brad coming along with that?

Hmm. Brad. Brad. Yeah, I remember a guy named Brad.

Kind of cute, but he spent all of his spare time

helping my best friend on a special project, so...

I'm so sorry. Don't be.

He is so excited to be helping.

I'm so happy we get to work together like this.

I've missed that. I've missed you.

We talk all the time. I know,

but it's not the same as having you here.

It's hugging distance. [EXHALES]

[LAUGHS]

Go back inside, grab your stuff.

I'll see you back here in like five minutes.

Get out of here.

Duane, hang back, come here.

I wanted to check in with you

about the Christmas program. Mm-hm.

Uh...

Did you have a particular song in mind?

"Silent Night." Seriously?

[LAUGHS] That's appropriate.

Yeah, let's just hope he's not doing some interpretation

where he stands there silently for 30 minutes.

Hey, is that the...?

It's the coffee couple.

[INAUDIBLE]

[CHUCKLES]

Told you.

[♪♪]

Okay, folks, so both Taft and Franklin High School

will remain on stage throughout.

Teachers standing by.

As for the elementary groups,

I'll have somebody side stage to help you, okay?

EVE: How's it going?

Servers are ready to go.

As long as we survive the initial surge, we'll be okay.

Well, let's hope we have enough action to actually have a surge.

Hey, thank you so much.

We're all in this together.

All right, see you in a bit.

[CROWD CLAPPING]

Thank you.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen of Franklin.

As you know, this event is so special to our community.

Tonight is for you,

for our students and for our town.

The Franklin school district put out a call for help

and you answered.

Through your generous donations of time and resources

and by fully showing up with open hearts.

And we have another way that you can help.

Tonight, we're announcing the creation

of Santa's Wish List,

which is a way for everyone to help sponsor

specific school needs,

including within the music and arts departments,

which is the reason that we are here tonight.

Because in the end, we all want the same thing.

To give our children a strong, well-rounded education

for the best possible future.

All right.

That is enough business for you guys.

Let's get to the music and the tree lighting.

[CHEERING]

I would like to introduce our master of ceremonies,

Mayor Doria Snodgrass.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Are you ready? [WHOOPING]

Then let the countdown begin!

Starting at five...

ALL: Four, three,

two, one.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

♪ Deck the halls With boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la la-la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season... ♪

Hey. Hey.

How's it going for you?

It's good. Chaos, but good. So like we expected?

Pretty much. [CELL PHONE RINGING]

I, uh...

have to take this.

Of course. Take it.

Hello?

[♪♪]

What's wrong with his nose, huh?

Uh...

Wow, um, thank you.

There we go.

Put this on right. How's that? Snug?

Yeah. Great. I look forward to it.

There you go, big cat. You look cozy.

Bye-bye.

[CHEERING]

DORIA: And now the first graders

from Central Elementary.

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Oh, jingle bells Jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

[CHEERING]

Well, next up, our choirs have a real treat.

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

♪ We won't go Until we get some ♪

♪ We won't go Until we get some... ♪

[BEEPING]

It's happening.

[LAUGHING]

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year ♪

Our next act is near and dear to my heart.

[EXHALES] Please welcome...

my nephew, Duane.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

You did get to work on this, yeah?

Schedules never quite synced.

So he's... A complete unknown, yeah.

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪ [LAUGHS]

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round yon virgin ♪

[LAUGHS]

That worked out.

♪ Mother and child ♪

[♪♪]

Liam, we need you over at the piano for the next song.

♪ Holy infant So tender and mild ♪

Are you going to San Diego?

♪ Sleep in... ♪

Liam, I...

That's fine. It's what you wanted.

You never said otherwise.

It's just that I...

MAN: Liam, come on.

♪ Sleep in heavenly ♪

♪ Peace ♪

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

Do you know where Abby Bailey is?

She's next after the choir. Uh, I think she's over...

..."Joy to the World."

Let me go look for her. I'll be right back.

Do you know where Abby is?

[PIANO PLAYING "JOY TO THE WORLD"]

♪ Joy to the world The Lord is come ♪

♪ Let Earth Receive her king ♪

EVE: Hey, guys, have you seen Abby?

No? Okay, thanks. ♪ Prepare him room ♪

♪ Let heaven and nature sing ♪

♪ Let heaven and nature Sing ♪

♪ Let heaven Let heaven and nature sing... ♪

Oh, sweetie, there you are.

Hey. What's wrong?

I can't. I can't see step by step.

All right, look at me.

Take a deep breath.

Let it out slowly.

Okay. Look at my eyes.

You're not singing to that whole crowd.

I'm not? No.

You're singing to me.

Just me.

And if they happen to overhear, then great.

They're not your audience tonight.

You are. Yeah.

And we're in your living room

and your dad's playing the piano.

Okay?

♪ ...sing ♪

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

MAN: Yeah! DORIA: All right,

ladies and gentlemen, weren't they wonderful?

Up next, we have a real treat for you.

When they say out of the mouths of babes,

they could be talking about our next singer.

She's the 10-year-old daughter of Franklin High School's

own music teacher, Liam Bailey.

And she's going to be singing an original song

written by her father.

Oh, everyone.

Singing "You and Me and Christmas",

please give a hand in welcoming Abigail Bailey.

You're good. Go.

[CHEERING]

Are you okay, sweetheart? Yeah.

[♪♪]

Sing with me? Yeah?

Okay.

You and me.

All right.

Okay?

It's good.

You good?

[PIANO PLAYING]

Just sing to me.

♪ I've never seen Nothing more beautiful ♪

♪ Than lighting the tree ♪

♪ When we're standing there Together ♪

♪ The smell of cider On the carols playing ♪

♪ While we're hanging up Wreaths ♪

BOTH: ♪ Yeah Together's always better ♪

♪ Santa, keep the presents ♪

♪ Mother Nature You can melt all the snow ♪

♪ It never really mattered to me Anyway ♪

♪ As long as you are here And holding me close ♪

♪ I'm counting down the minutes 'Cause it's ♪

♪ You and me and Christmas ♪

♪ And we're dancing In the magic ♪

♪ Of you and me And Christmas ♪

♪ Like angels Started singing when it's ♪

♪ You and me and Christmas ♪

♪ The happiest of endings When it's ♪

♪ You and me and Christmas ♪

♪ You and me and Christmas ♪

♪ You and me and Christmas ♪

♪ Me and you, you and me And Christmas ♪

[CROWD CHEERING]

Bravo!

Take a bow.

Proud of you.

[♪♪]

Darcy's gonna be cranky. Why?

It's Christmas Eve. Gotta spend the night making sure

the website doesn't crash. What does that mean?

We got the surge. Oh. Thank you so much. Tell Darcy I love her.

Blame it on me. It's all my fault.

Gotta get back to making sure Santa's Wish List stays up

and tracking Santa's sleigh for the boys.

You are amazing. It's my pleasure.

You should probably take a look at this too.

Seriously?

It's more than we hoped.

Yeah, it's way more.

I'd call it a Christmas miracle. The town pulled together.

Imagine what we could do next year with a little more notice.

You guys are gonna do an amazing job.

I know you already have something lined up

in San Diego, and I'm sure the offer is generous,

but if you change your mind, call me.

You did a great job, Eve.

You showed incredible creativity and love of our town.

And that's exactly what we want here.

Permanently.

At least think about it?

Yeah, I will. Thank you.

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

[♪♪]

Honey.

Mm.

We are so proud of you.

It was really beautiful, Eve.

What's wrong? Wasn't there enough?

Uh, yeah. Actually, there was way more than enough,

and Brad's making sure the website stays up

because we got so much traffic.

Then what is it?

I got the job in San Diego.

Oh, right. Congratulations.

I'll go start the car. Did you still wanna come out with us?

No, please, go without me.

I'll see you later.

You want to talk about it?

Not right now.

Okay.

Let me just say this.

It's been such a joy having you home

these past couple of weeks.

Well, it is always good to have you here, but...

This time,

you felt more like the girl that you were

when you were growing up.

You seem happier.

And seeing you up there on that stage tonight,

singing like you used to,

I was glad John was there to hold on to.

I don't know what to do, Mom.

Oh, sweetheart.

Oh.

My beautiful girl.

You have a choice to make.

And when I'm in that situation...

I listen to my heart.

Because it always tells us what to do.

If we trust it.

[SOBS]

Sweetheart.

[♪♪]

LIAM: Eve,

I'm sorry I didn't get to meet your dad.

If he's anything like you, he must have been wonderful.

I only hope that this would have made him proud.

And thank you

for encouraging me to write again,

for being in my corner.

Merry Christmas.

Liam.

[♪♪]

Liam.

[EXHALES]

♪ Well, it's Christmas Eve ♪

[CLEARS THROAT]

♪ Hope you're carefree ♪

♪ And you're right Where your heart longs to be ♪

♪ And you know ♪

♪ That these moments are ♪

♪ Like falling stars ♪

♪ And blink They fade into the dark ♪

♪ So hold on tight ♪

♪ To Christmas Eve ♪

♪ And we go trust In time next year ♪

♪ Our worlds will realign ♪

♪ We'll dance and drink ♪

♪ And sing of memories ♪

♪ Oh, it's Christmas Eve ♪

♪ I may be naive ♪

[LAUGHS AND SNIFFLES]

♪ But you're right Where I hoped you would be ♪

♪ Here with me ♪

♪ Here with me ♪

♪ Oh, my ♪

♪ My Christmas ♪

[SNIFFLES]

♪ Eve ♪

["IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE" PLAYING]

♪ And for all The lucky ones ♪

♪ Who leave no "I love you" Undone ♪

♪ They'll see a hundred trips Around the sun ♪

♪ And know all That their dreams become ♪

♪ Oh, it's Christmas Eve ♪

♪ I may be naive ♪

♪ But you're right Where I hoped you would be ♪

♪ Here with me ♪

♪ Here with me ♪

♪ Oh, my ♪

♪ My Christmas... ♪

Eve.

I opened your Christmas gift.

I know I probably should've waited, but I couldn't, so...

I opened it, and it got me thinking...

Feeling so many things.

And I thought I'd come over and tell you all of them.

Like how beautiful that song is and how much it meant to me

that you would do something like that for me.

And I wanted you to know

that I turned down San Diego

and I plan on calling Penelope and the board

first thing after Christmas

to ask for the job here permanently.

[♪♪]

Wow.

And now seeing you like this, I just have one question.

Is that hot?

No, I...

[LAUGHS]

Finally.

I got sick of waiting on the universe.

Good.

You've had a long day.

You wanna come inside?

I'd love nothing more than that. Okay.

I need to change my shirt. Don't you dare.

ANNY: Merry Christmas, Eve.

EVE: Merry Christmas, sweetie.

["YOU AND ME AND CHRISTMAS" PLAYING]

♪ You and me And Christmas ♪

♪ We're dancing In the magic ♪

♪ Of you and me And Christmas ♪

♪ Like angels started singing When it's ♪

♪ You and me And Christmas ♪

♪ The happiest of endings When it's ♪

♪ You and me And Christmas ♪