All language subtitles for Make20or20Bake20Christmas20202420Lifetime20540p20WEB-DL20x264-Poke_track3_eng[_23302]

[festive music]

Christmas,
a time for family, friends,

and those unforgettable feasts

that warms our hearts
and fills our tummies.

And it all begins
right here in the kitchen.

So, darlings,
as you all gather around

your tables this Christmas,

remember that holiday joy
is just one treat away.

Because when you're spending
your Christmas with Leslie Lake,

one bite tells a story.

Merry Christmas!

And we're clear.

Can someone please tell me
why my competitor's cookies

are on this plate?

-Ah...
-[Leslie] Huh?

Where's my operations manager?

Emma! Emma!

Yes, Leslie?

How many times
do I have to tell you?

-Uh, the art director said--
-[Leslie] Leslie Lake

is a household brand.

Do you know why?

Because my cookies
are actually pretty.

Look at this.

How do you expect
to get a promotion

when you can't even follow
the simplest detail?

I reminded them multiple times.

Walk with me, please.

[sighs]

[festive music]

[singer]
♪ Oh, the countdown is on

♪ Just a few more days
till Christmas comes ♪

♪ Got to decorate,
got a shopping left to do ♪

♪ Yeah. The countdown is on,
so move along ♪

♪ Got to get things right
for Christmas morning ♪

♪ Here he comes

♪ Here comes Santa Claus

So tell me, what would you do
if you were in my shoes?

[Emma] Eat the cookie?

Exactly.

See, you would allow everyone

in your employees
to just walk all over you.

Now, is that any way how to run
a multi-million dollar brand?

Well, I wouldn't say that.

Guess it's a good thing
we'll never find out?

-[woman] Ms. Lake?
-Yes.

[sighs] No.

No, no, no. No way.

Come back
when you get some taste.

[sighs] Now where were we?

Oh, yes, your epic fail.

Today is your lucky day, Emma,

because I have an opportunity
for you.

For a promotion?

No. To keep from getting fired.

Right.

All right. Oh, good.
Check this out.

[Emma] "Sweet D's Sugar Bakers?"

[Leslie] Uh-hmm.
Small family-owned company,

relatively successful,
loyal fan base,

and they have a limited run
product that is so popular.

Retailers can't even
keep it in stock.

I mean, it's no wonder.
Look at that cash flow.

They can barely afford
their own demand.

Exactly.

They can't.

Leslie Lake, on the other hand.

Ah, so you wanna acquire
a bakery?

No. Last thing I need
is another bakery.

What I want is acquire the name,
take it nationwide.

Your thoughts?

I think this sounds like a job
for Mergers and Acquisitions.

They already called the owner.

-[Emma] And?
-And I quote,

"It'll be a frosty day in July

before I ever sell
my family's legacy

to some highfalutin
big city corporation."

-[chuckles]
-You find that funny?

No. I mean, not really.

Because I need someone
to get in there,

find out their
operational weaknesses,

and convince Denise Sugarbaker
to sell me her company.

Wait, her name is actually
Sugarbaker?

Yeah.

It's so perfect,
you could almost puke, right?

[chuckles]

And what if this
Denise Sugarbaker won't sell?

That's where you come in.

You're uniquely qualified
to evaluate their operations

and help me strategize
an aggressive acquisition.

So you want me to go undercover?

Exactly.

Places like this,
they love seasonal employees.

That is...

unless you don't wanna keep
your job.

Leslie, it's Christmas.

Emma, you always work
on the holidays.

I told you, I promised my mom
I'd spend it with her.

Huh. Christmas is what,
two weeks away?

-Yes.
-So that'll be perfect.

You can finish this up

and then fly to Oklahoma
to see her on Christmas Eve.

-Indiana.
-Same thing.

Listen, the board gets together
first of the year.

I need this closed by then.

The thing is, I don't know
a thing about baking.

Oh, come on.
You work for Leslie Lake.

Does that mean you're gonna
give me some pointers?

Sure.
How about watch some of those

cooking videos on social media?

[rock Christmas music]

So, you don't think
you can bake?

Ha!

I'm about to prove you wrong.

I'm Butterfingers,

and we're gonna make
my legendary sugar cookies.

They're quick and easy.

All you need is two
well-sifted cups of flour.

Wham! Wham!

One cup of raw sugar,
it's my preference.

Wham!

Two free-range eggs.

You gotta be nice
to the chickadees.

One teaspoon of vanilla,

three or four shakes
of cinnamon.

And you mix that all up
until it gets nice and doughy.

And then you pluck that dough
off into these.

Wham! Ha ha.

Look at those babies.

They are all ready to go
into the oven.

And in 15 minutes, whoa!

Look at that!

Wham!

Ha! Are you ready to dig in?

Just give yourself
a pat on the back

and if you like this recipe,

just click the link below
and follow Butterfingers!

[singer]
♪ One horse open sleigh

[man over radio] And the market
jumped this morning

after reports that retail stores

are forecasting
very strong sales

for the upcoming
Christmas holiday.

And in other news,
several families

in a Southern California
neighborhood experienced a...

[upbeat music playing on radio]

Baby boy.

[singer]
♪ There's a chill in the air

♪ There's cheer everywhere

♪ It's all right

♪ Hmm, yeah

♪ People getting ready

♪ Christmas is about
to take flight ♪

♪ Ho, ho, ho, let it snow

♪ Christmas is about
to take flight ♪

Wow!

[rings bell]

Ooh.

Oh, I'll be.
I didn't even hear you sneak in.

Hi, I'm here about the...

Bless my heart,
where are my manners?

Welcome
to Sweet D's Sugar Bakers,

where our favorite ingredient
is family.

I'm Denise.

Oh, uh, Emma.

I got into a little kerfuffle

with a batch of scotcheroos
in the back. [laughs]

How can I help you?

Oh, uh,

I applied
for the job online, a...

-[Denise] Oh.
-...seasonal floater.

Oh, all right.

Let me--let me look.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Here you are.

Yeah, name, experience, whatnot.

What's wrong?

I never heard
of any of these bakeries.

Yes, they were just small
family businesses, you know.

So tell me,
how long have you been baking?

How long have I been baking?

Uh, a long time,
since I was a kid.

I used to bake with my mother
on Sundays.

My mom and I, we used to bake
checkerboard cookies

for the church every week.

What was your mother's
favorite recipe?

Oh, well.

We baked a lot,
I just couldn't tell you.

-There's so many.
-Hmm.

Uh-hmm, don't I know it?

Wait, so that's it?

Yeah. I can call about
the references later,

but you look like an honest,
hardworking employee to me.

You are honest, aren't you?

Yes, of course, definitely.

Well then, welcome
to Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

Oh, this bakery has been
in my family

for three generations,
founded by my mother, Eugenia,

way back in 1962.

My son, David, he pretty much
runs everything around here.

He got a fancy MBA.

Not that I need somebody
to tell me how to run my bakery,

but like my mama always said,
"We are Sugarbakers.

We got flour in our veins."

[laughs]

Speak of the devil.

-Good morning.
-[Denise] Morning.

-Good morning.
-Morning.

You two know each other already?

-Oh, no.
-No. No. No.

-Huh.
-Wait.

I thought I saw you earlier.

This is Emma,
our new seasonal floater.

Oh, welcome aboard
the Sugar Baker Express.

You wouldn't mind
showing her around, would you?

Those, uh, Sweet D' Sugar Baker
Butter Brownies,

they are not gonna bake
themselves.

Mmm, they would
if you would modernize,

like I told you.

Poppy doodle.

It was lovely to meet you.

[laughs] All right, come on.

Let me show you
how I prefer to run things.

-Okay.
-Come on.

[Emma] I heard Denise
liked Christmas,

but this is ridiculous.

-[indistinct chatter]
-[Emma] And amazing.

All right. Everybody, listen up.

This is our brand new
seasonal floater, Emma.

[Emma]
I'll be helping all of you out.

-Hey, Emma.
-Hi.

Emma, this is Sally,
our cake decorator.

This is Patti,
operations manager

who keeps everything humming.

Clark, our shipping clerk
who makes sure

everything gets to where
it's supposed to go,

and Maggie,
our longest running employee

and the best gift wrapper east
or west of the Mississippi.

The best,
and don't forget calligrapher.

Wait, you write all those
by hand?

Yes. And our custom cards.

Efficient.

Well, it's very nice
to meet you all.

I'm here to help,
so just let me know.

-Oh, uh, actually...
-Okay.

...could you go down
to the warehouse?

We just got an order
for 20 black forest cakes

for Julio's Market.

Wait, who is supposed to wrap

-all of those orders?
-Hold up, hold up.

I need some help
frosting the Christmas cookies

-for my daughter's school.
-No, no,

I need her help to make sure
we're fully stocked.

Remember last year
when all the butter spoiled?

-Remember, how could I forget?
-[Dave] It's bad.

You didn't let me live it down
for two weeks.

And that reminds me, Maggie,

did you talk to Jane
about her anniversary cake?

Jane, Jane, Jane Johnson

-or Jane Thomas?
-Jane Bullock.

Jane Bullock, Jane Bullock,
Jane Bullock.

Oh, oh, just wait.

Yes, got it. Got it.

Come on,
the storeroom's this way.

Guys, wait. Tell you what.

How about I go to the storeroom,

get what you need,
drop them off at the warehouse,

get the boxes,
get those wrapped,

and help you frost
those cookies?

Oh, you're an angel.

Thank you.

-Uh-hmm.
-[Sally] She's the best ever.

[Maggie] We were almost there.

I think we're in good hands.

Ugh. I would say so.

Okay. So, this is the kitchen

and it's also where
we usually need

the most help
during the holidays.

Uh-hmm.

And do you bake?

Well, you know, I dabble.

Um, you know,
like my mom always says,

-we Sugarbakers have...
-"Have flour in your veins?"

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

Um, you know, we still use

all the Grandma Eugenia's
original recipes.

And as far as her famous
gingerbread cookies go,

we've all been sworn
to secrecy, okay?

So, no one outside
the family ever.

Let me guess,
you also have a vault

with General Sanders' recipes?

Yeah.

And me and my mom
have the only key, so...

Wait, really?

No, no, no.

But that vault thing,
that's a good idea.

I mean, we should
look into that.

All right. Come on.
Let's continue.

[chuckles]

[dramatic music]

[Dave] So, you survived
your first day.

What were you expecting?

Oh, anxiety attack
or nervous breakdown?

-[chuckles]
-It was actually fun.

Oh, damn.

Gotta try harder tomorrow.

Relax. I got a good sense
of the bakery and how it works.

Good, because tomorrow,

you are actually
gonna start baking.

-Baking?
-Are we good?

Yeah. Is there a problem?

No. It's just that, you know,

your mom being the mastermind
and all, like--

That doesn't mean
she doesn't get overwhelmed.

Look, hey. Relax, okay?

I'm sure
it'll be a piece of cake

for someone
with your experience.

Piece of cake? Right.

[Dave] If there's anything
you're gonna learn here,

it's that we're all family.

And family takes care of family.

Besides, I'm sure that
you are a much better baker

than you're letting on.

You're not slick.

See you tomorrow.

[sirens wailing]

[cell phone vibrating]

[sighs] Hello?

Have you learned
their weaknesses?

[Emma] It's only my second day.

And what have you learned?

Besides the fact that
they're severely understaffed,

it's quite a charming place.

The people are really nice and--

Have you not learned
anything from me?

People are expendable.

Today, it's all about the IPs
and who controls more of it.

I don't think they're going
to share their family secrets.

Then you'll have
to make them interested.

You do know what's gonna happen
when they find out

I lied on my application, right?

Oh, please.

Small businesses never check
references.

But don't you worry.

You just, uh, put on your apron

and get in there
and shake a leg.

Gotta go.

[upbeat festive music]

[singer] ♪ Deck the halls
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.

Fa, la, la, la, la,
la, la, la, la.

Emma, look.
I wanted to talk to you about

your application,

specifically your references.

Uh, what about...

You don't think
that you have, like,

something explaining to do or...

Huh.

I just thought, um,

with understaffed
small businesses,

it would take more time
to check them.

Right. And you would be correct,

which is why
I was so happy to hear

from one of your former
employers this morning.

-Huh?
-Yeah. I mean, she had nothing

but wonderful things
to say about you.

In fact, she said
you were the best baker

since Leslie Lake.

[chuckles]

Oh, yeah. Of course, she did.

Which leads me to ask,

why in the world are you working
as a seasonal floater?

Um, I just think

that I wanted something to do
for the holidays and stuff.

Uh-huh.

Coffee?

Uh, no, I already got mine.

Well, that's because
you have not tried mine yet.

I'll have you know,

this right here,

Sugar Baker's
award-winning coffee.

Hmm. [sniffs]

Hmm. What's your secret?

Uh, six years studying
for college exams.

My turn.

Ooh. [chuckles]

Hmm.

Hmm. It's not bad.

[scoffs] Not bad?

What's your secret?

Find a demanding boss

who has issues
with work/life balance.

Hmm, small price to pay
for a great cup of coffee.

[both chuckle]

All right.
Ready to roll up your sleeves?

-Ready.
-[Dave] Good.

I'll holler at my mom
and she will get you going.

-Okay.
-[Dave] All right.

[chuckles]

[Denise]
We'll start off easy peasy.

Seven dozen gingerbread men.

You got the chops for that?

[Emma] Seven dozen is...

Eighty-four.

Gingerbread men.

That ain't a hitch, is it?

No, no hitch.

-Uh-hmm.
-[phone tings]

-[both sighs]
-Oh. Oh.

I'll kill Leslie.

What? What was that?

I'm excited to begin.

Hmm.

Ah!

Guard this with your life.

Is this the recipe?

Touched by the hand
of Mama Eugenia herself.

-Wow.
-Uh-hmm.

We only make these six weeks
out of the year,

mid-November through Christmas.

And then that bad boy
goes right back in the office.

Ooh, imagine a hullabaloo

if the competition
got their mitts on that bad boy.

-Ooh.
-Yeah, imagine. [chuckles]

Uh-hmm. Oh, you know what?

You can go in the kitchen
and start the mixer, okay?

-I'll be right back.
-Hmm.

[whimsical music]

What are you doing, Emma?

[festive music]

[hand mixer whirring]

Hmm.

Nice and slow.

You having trouble?

Nope, not at all.

Glad to hear.

[whimsical music]

Okay.

Okay. Twenty minutes
should be good, right?

[Dave] Uh-hmm.

Okay.

Ah.

[chuckles]

[Emma] Why do they need
all this stuff?

[Patti] Yeah, they sent bread
flour instead of cake flour

if you can believe that.

Emma.

What are you doing?

Uh...

I was taking a break,

letting the cookies cook.

Checking out our stock?

I was just getting familiar
with the inventory.

Learn anything interesting?

Yeah. Actually,
do you always cut

the expiration date so close?

I order based on projections.

And if others have trouble
meeting those projections,

-that's not my problem.
-Wait. Come on, Patti.

It's the holidays. Okay?

Dave, do you have issues
meeting those projections?

Okay. Look,

here's the thing you gotta learn
about my mom, okay?

She prizes quality
over quantity.

But it's quantity that makes
a business successful.

Yeah.

Wow, you are not like
other seasonal floaters.

Oh?

You know, usually
they're college students home

for the holidays, but...

-I better watch out.
-What do you mean?

'Cause you might be
after my job.

-Well, I--
-Hey. Do you... [sniffs]

Do you smell that?

-Oh, that's--
-Oh, my God.

-[gasps]
-Oh.

-[Denise coughs]
-Back off. Careful.

Ugh.

Oh.

Ooh. I've never seen
anything like this before.

Okay. Look, we'll clean her out

and have her back on track
in no time, all right?

Emma, are you sure
you followed the recipe exactly?

Yeah. I mean, I think so.

I guess maybe I mixed up
the ingredients.

Um, maybe too much baking soda,

powder, yeast fermentation.

Look, Emma, I'm not sure
how you did things

at those other bakeries,

but here at
Sweet D's Sugar Bakers,

we never improvise ever.

Truthfully, I...
I'm not really much of a baker.

I thought I was gonna be doing
operations.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.

No, honey,
this is not your fault.

Now baking,
it comes second nature to me.

And sometimes, I forget that
it's not the case for everybody.

So, let's go and find something
less destructive for you to do.

[sighs]

Well, I guess you're not gonna
lose your job after all.

[festive music]

[cell phone vibrating]

-Hi, Mom.
-[Mrs. Donovan] Do I need

to start making appointments
to talk to my own daughter?

[sighs] Sorry. I've been busy.

You tell that Leslie woman

I'd like to speak to my daughter
once in a while.

-Cute.
-[Mrs. Donovan chuckles]

What's she got you
doing this time?

Corporate espionage.

Oh.

Okay. That's, um,
not illegal, is it?

Oh, gosh, no.
I mean, I don't think so.

You know what? I swear sometimes
I think that Leslie woman

just needs to hear the word no.

From your lips to God's ears.

[scoffs] Just so long
as I get to see my daughter

for Christmas.

About that. I--

I'm really looking
forward to it.

Just the two of us together.

...will see what I can do.

[Mrs. Donovan] Just remember,

at the end of the day,

nobody ever said
they'd wish they spent more time

at the office.

Thanks, Mom.

I love you.

I love you too.

-Bye.
-[Emma] Bye, Mom.

-Uh-hmm. Hmm.
-[phone beeps]

[sighs]

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

-I know that look.
-What look?

A little bit of amusement,

a little bit of overwhelm-ness,
is that a word?

I don't know, but I know
exactly what you mean.

You'll get used to it. Trust me.

I just thought I was gonna be
working at a bakery,

not a Christmas emporium.

[laughs] Yeah.

Well, that is how
the business started

and baking is still the core
of everything we do.

But when Denise took over,
we really expanded.

I can tell. Everything you need
for Christmas is here.

I can't imagine
going anywhere else.

That's the idea.

I'm starting with Maggie today.

Well, good. You'll get to see

how each package is personalized

and beautifully wrapped.

Not the most efficient
use of time.

Maybe not. But it matters.

Year after year,
season after season,

our customers come back to us
because of the way

our gift packages
make them feel.

You really buy into all
of this, don't you?

You bet. And you will too.

Trust me.

Come on. Let's get back to work.

[laughter]

So welcome
to the wrapping paper area

that I like to call
the North Pole,

because I prefer to think of us

as Santa's little helpers,
don't you?

-[laughs]
-Oh, you were serious.

Well, yes.
Here at Sweet D's Sugar Bakers,

we believe
that a first rate product

deserve first rate presentation.

-Right? So look.
-Okay.

Someone hands you a box
of peppermint petit fours

and it's all wrapped up,

you know that a lot of care and
effort went into them, right?

I mean, don't get me wrong,
it's definitely first rate

but it's just really costly.

-Oh, my goodness.
-I mean, they're just gonna

rip it apart
and throw it out anyway.

Yes, but don't you see?

People,
they love our wrapping paper.

And it sets us apart
from our competitors.

It sets you apart all right.

[chuckles] Okay.

So I want you to watch
and learn.

See?

And perfection.

-Wow.
-[laughs] Okay.

Now, it is your turn.

Here you go.

Okay.

Good. Perfect.

Voila! What do you think?

Um, I think that the next one...

-will be easier.
-Uh, how many of these

-do we have to do?
-Oh, uh, today,

I believe we have 200.
[chuckles]

And you do them all by yourself?

Oh, gosh. Oh, gosh, no.

Of course not.

-That's why you're here.
-[clears throat]

-Here we go.
-Okay.

Yup.

Are we keeping you
from something?

-Oh, no, not at all.
-Hmm.

How's your day with Maggie?

Well, I've learned
everything there is to know

-about Christmas wrapping.
-Uh-hmm. Trust me.

By the time you're done, you'll
have a PhD in ribbon curling.

-[chuckles]
-Hungry?

Surrounded by all this?
Starving.

Good. Well then, you wouldn't
mind joining me for dinner.

It doesn't involve cookies,
does it?

No, no. Next best thing though.

-Okay.
-All right.

[Emma] I just have a couple
of things to finish up

in the kitchen
and I'll meet you there.

-[knock on door]
-Excuse me. Hi.

I came in the front door
but no one was there.

Oh, that's probably
because everyone left.

Um, can I help you
with something?

Well, I hope so. Adam Olson.
I'm a real estate broker.

My office is right down
the street just off June Way.

Emma Donovan, nice to meet you.

This is a nice piece
of property you have here.

Yes, it's very festive,
that's for sure.

Well, I'm not talking
about the store and the bakery,

-I'm talking about the property.
-The property?

The land. The site.

This...it's worth
a pretty penny.

-You're probably right.
-I am right. [chuckles]

I make it a point to know
the value of all these lots.

Might you be interested
in selling?

I think you'd be surprised at
what this place could bring in.

Oh, this isn't my store.
I just started here.

I'm not even
a fulltime employee.

Oh, I--I'm sorry,
I just figured,

you said since everyone
was gone that...

Oh, yeah,
and I should probably be, too,

I just had a few things
to finish up.

Well, can you tell me
who I should talk to then

at another time?

Denise Sugarbaker,
she's the owner.

You're pulling my leg.

Trust me.

I thought the same thing

-when I heard her name.
-[both laugh]

Well, that will give you a leg
up on the competition, I'm sure.

I mean, have you tried
her cookies?

-She doesn't need a gimmick.
-I have, actually.

Another broker had a box
in his office.

Hmm, delicious.

Oh, and it's not just
the cookies or the baked goods.

I mean, this a one-stop shop
for everything Christmas.

Uh-hmm. It is impressive.

Well, um, I won't keep you
any longer, just, uh,

give this to Denise,
if you wouldn't mind,

and tell her
to call me any time.

-Have a nice night.
-Will do.

Shoot.

[Christmas music]

[Emma] I've never had
an evergreen aperitif before.

So, go ahead.

Tell me what you think.

Uh-hmm.

-That's really good.
-I told you.

Look, my dad, like,
he would order one of these

-every single Christmas.
-Huh.

[chuckles] Yeah.

I wanted to ask you
about yesterday.

Oh, don't worry about that.
Um, handyman came by

this morning,
fixed the oven up, so, like--

Oh, no, no, not about that,
about meeting projections.

What about it?

You have a lot
of loyal customers

but it seems like
you're struggling.

Um, uh, things have gotten
better, you know,

since I came onboard. But yeah,

we're still stretched
pretty thin.

But you have more employees,
so doesn't that mean more sales?

Look, we are not one
of those big corporations

like Leslie Lake.

Like, the margins are thin.

Always. We've always kept
our overhead down.

Have you ever considered
joining forces

with a bigger company?

Do you mean selling the bakery?

Have you ever thought of it?

Sweet D's Sugar Bakers has been
in the family for generations.

-Right.
-Like my mom, you know her,

she would never hear that.

And do you?

[clicks tongue]

I respect my momma's wishes.

-Are we ready to order?
-[Dave] Ooh.

Let me guess...

-Never.
-Okay. Yeah.

Can we do two more of these?

-You got it.
-Appreciate it.

-Never.
-[both laugh]

Hmm.

-Really good.
-I'm telling you,

like, the best.

[phone vibrating]

Hello?

Hey. Any progress?

What if this isn't
the right company for you?

Have you ever tried their
famous gingerbread cookies?

-[Emma] Have you?
-I only eat my own products.

But everyone that
I've, uh, talked to

says that they're fabulous.

They're not wrong.

[Leslie]
Then this should be a cinch.

After all, they're just
a mom-and-pop bakery.

Actually, Pop's been out of the
picture for quite some time now.

Hmm, so it's just a mom bakery.

Even better.

Mom likes the way things are.

You know what mom
will like even better?

-I give up.
-That fat check

that I'm gonna write her
when I buy her company.

And what if I can't
make her interested?

Maybe your floater position
there will be more permanent.

-Right.
-[Leslie] Remember, Emma,

the sooner you finish,

the sooner you can get
to your mom in Illinois.

-Indiana.
-[Leslie] Same thing.

I've heard Illinois is better.

Gotta go.

[sighs]

[playful music]

Ooh, that looks good.

So how was dinner?

Oh, it was fine, Mom.

-Just fine?
-[laughs] Okay.

-I had a good time.
-I knew it!

Mom, can you stop?

I'm not judging you, honey.
You an adult.

-Uh-hmm.
-She's an adult.

Very attractive adult.

Don't think I don't know
what you're doing.

Oh, David James Sugarbaker,

what are you talking about?

Well, what is it?
What are you talk...what is it?

I don't know.
It's just...there's, like,

something about her.

Well, she might be
more experienced

than our other floaters.

But no, that's the thing though,

she's not experienced,

like at all.

Don't get me wrong.

She's smart and she's driven,

but, like,
why is she here, you know?

You know, all I hear every year
is how overworked everybody is.

Yeah. So you can believe
the last thing I'm gonna do

is look this gift reindeer
in the mouth, okay?

I hear you.

-Looks good, though.
-Fine, huh?

Okay. Just fine.

[instrumental music]

[sighs] You're going to be done
with this job and that's it.

Do not get distracted.

Do not!

Oh, good morning.

-Good morning.
-Uh-huh.

For you.

For me?

Well, you've been so patient
with me so I figured

I'd remind you
what real coffee tastes like.

Oh, wow.

-Thank you.
-Uh-hmm.

You know, I'm not gonna pretend

that I won't enjoy it.

[both chuckle]

Well, um,
Sally needs my help, so...

Yeah.

Hey, Emma?

Yeah.

Are you wearing makeup?

Well, a little, yeah.

Looks nice.

-Thank you.
-Yup.

[Sally] Now, I want you
to picture the cookie.

The icing, what are the colors?

What is that cookie
saying to you?

Uh, it's telling me
to stop looking at it.

-[both laugh]
-Okay.

Okay, now there are three
types of piping.

You have the dots,
you have the stars,

and then you have the lights.

-Okay?
-Okay.

So you just have to be patient,

and you're gonna outline first,

and then flood.

-Okay.
-Yeah, you try it

outline...and flood.

-Oh.
-[Emma] Oh.

Okay.

-Well, you said flood, so.
-I did. I did.

-Okay.
-[both laugh]

Look, your mother trusts you.

And the last thing
I wanna do is overstep.

I just don't understand
how we're supposed

to increase productivity
without real help.

Patti, my mom has run
the bakery for 30 years.

Have faith, all right?

It's not faith we need.

[Sally] All right. There we go.
All right, lightly.

Yes, you're getting
the hang of it.

Very good.

Do you have a daughter?

I do, yeah.
She's, uh, in fourth grade.

-Her name is Jackie.
-Oh.

What about you? Any kids?

No, not yet at least.

Well, mine is the center
of my world.

You know, I honestly don't know
what I would do

without Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

What do you mean?

Well, Jackie has severe asthma

and our insurance wasn't
covering her medical bills,

so Denise went ahead
and changed providers.

No questions asked.

Even though it cost
the company more money.

She really did that?

Yeah. Yeah, it's really special

to have a boss that cares
so much about her employees.

[exhales] Imagine that.

-Take it from here.
-Okay, I got it.

[dramatic music]

-Ooh, nice.
-You really think so?

Yeah, I mean, I've never seen
abstract impressionism

on a Christmas cookie before.

-Ha-ha.
-[laughs]

You know, you could buy
machines to do this.

It would be a lot faster
and more efficient.

And expensive.
Like, do you have any idea

how much equipment
like that would cost?

I mean, of course not,
you're a floater.

I'm so sorry
that came out so harsh.

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

Look, let's just say, it would
be more than we can afford.

Listen, Dave, I didn't mean
to overstep the other day.

[Dave scoffs]
Doesn't mean you're not right.

But in case you haven't noticed,

my mom is very old-fashioned
and stubborn. [chuckles]

Like sometimes
it feels like I'm trying

to keep this company together
with glue and popsicle sticks.

[Emma] I imagine
you're swimming in debt,

but the good thing
to focus on is your market,

position, and brand strength.

Have you been looking
at the company financials?

No, because that would be
ridiculous.

But if I were to look at
the financials, hypothetically,

I would imagine you have a lot
of room for expansion.

Well, then you are in luck.

How do you mean?

Because since apparently
you flunked

out of cookie decorating.

Tomorrow I'm gonna have you
shadow the corporate raiders.

That was--that was a joke.

Very funny.

What? I thought that was funny.

[sighs]

-You okay?
-What? Oh.

Yeah, of course.

Did Dave say something?

He can be tough,
but he has a good heart.

-[door opens]
-Hmm.

[Adam] Hello? Hi.

Oh, my gosh,
does it smell good in here?

I'm sorry, I just was in the
area, so I decided to pop in.

[Emma] Sally, this is...

-I'm sorry.
-Adam Olsen.

Sally.

Sally? Enchanté.

So, did you speak to the owner?

Sorry again,
it must have slipped my mind.

-Well, is she here now?
-Afraid not.

Is there anything
I can help you with?

[Adam] I might have stopped by
the other day

hoping to speak to the owner.

I don't know if you're aware,

but in this real estate market,

this property could be
extremely valuable

-to a developer.
-Our bakery and shop?

Oh, no, the land.

Whoever buys this will probably

tear down the bakery.

Oh, I'm sorry.
This business has been

in our owner's family
for generations.

If you two would excuse me.

Anyway, um, you'd be surprised.

About what?

Uh, well, I've seen
a lot of business owners

change their minds
once they get an offer.

You've never met Denise.

No chance, huh?

No chance, sorry.

Oh, well.

So, tell me about yourself.

[Sally] Oh, well, I don't even
own my own home, we rent.

You and your husband?

Me and my daughter.

Oh, um, how long
have you worked here?

[exhales] Forever.

[Adam] You live nearby?

-[Sally] Yeah, not far.
-You know, I'm surprised.

I haven't run into you
around town.

I mean, I just live
right over off Chalcer.

Well, between work
and my daughter,

I don't really get out much.

I get it. Uh, yeah, I also--

[Sally] You know,
I don't mean to be rude,

but it's Christmas season.

I have so much work to do.

No, no, no, no. I understand.

I just...
I talk so much in this job,

I rarely find somebody
I enjoy talking to.

Well, it was a pleasure, Sally.

Maybe I'll see you around town?

Yes, maybe.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Sally?

-What?
-[Emma] What?

He was totally into you!

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

He's just a good salesman.

Sally, wake up!

When was the last time
you've been on a date?

Oh.

You need to call him.

No, I--

Actually, I think
I still have his card.

No, you need to focus on work
and not my love life.

Come on.

[playful music]

So what you got?

My evaluation.

-Nice work.
-And the owner?

At that debt level,
she will have no choice.

The board won't wait
for our Chapter 11.

They may not need to.

Oh?

Denise owns the bakery,

but it's managed
by her son, Dave...id.

David.

[Leslie] Undergrad
from the University of Chicago,

MBA from Stanford.

He should be on Wall Street
or Silicon Valley,

not in his mother's kitchen.

He is loyal,
but he is practical.

Hmm.

Seems I may have
misjudged you, Emma.

Perhaps you are a promotion
material after all.

Wait, so does that mean
you're going to have mergers

and acquisitions
give them a call?

Why would I do that?

I've got my inside
woman right here.

Uh, don't you think that's
a little above my pay grade?

Above the pay grade
of my operations manager,

but not the pay grade of
my director of brand management.

Wait, are you offering me
a promotion?

Hmm, it depends.

You ready to earn it?

[dramatic music]

[Christmas music]

You know, I've been rattling
my noggin about the other day

and it hit me like a quail
of chocolate chips.

Baking is always been second
nature to me but sometimes

I forget it's not easy as pie
for everyone else.

So I figured today,
we try something simple.

Sugar cookies. Uh-hmm.

-Oh, great.
-Uh-hmm.

Milk, butter, sugar.

Now, we can't mess
that up now, can we?

-Right.
-[chuckles] Oh, okay.

So tell me, tell me, how did
you make them at your other job?

Oh, um, I just...

can you give me a second?

[rock music]

Are you ready for Butter
Finger's butter cookies? I am.

All it's gonna take
is two cups of flour.

Wham!

Of course,
we're gonna add the raw sugar,

but most important,

the butter!

[singer] ♪ Come on, Santa,
let's see a rock and roll ♪

♪ Whoa!

-Oh, there we go.
-Hmm.

-Oh, please, they can't be...
-[coughs]

-Oh, come on.
-...that bad.

Did you use the, um, white
container in the storage room?

Yes, it looked perfectly fine.

Oh, it is perfectly fine.
Perfectly fine salt.

They're unique though,
I'll give you that.

-Hey, this is not funny.
-I mean, it's a little funny.

No, we got the Edgemore Resort
that just ordered 75 boxes.

Okay. Um, why don't
we offer them 80 boxes

of our brand new salted caramel
cookies for the same price?

Um, we don't have
salted caramel cookies.

We do now.

Okay. Come on, let me show you
where the caramel's at.

[laughter]

[woman] Just make sure
it's caramel.

[telephone ringing]

Sally Martin.

[Adam] Sally, it's Adam.

Um, sorry, Adam, who?

Adam Olsen, the realtor
from the other day.

Oh, Adam, of course.

Sorry, I was distracted.
Can I help you with something?

Well, actually, yes.
Um, I was hoping for a date.

With me?

[chuckles] Who else?

Oh, well, I don't know.
What's the--

Oh, come on. What's the worst
that could happen?

You're not having fun,
I'll bring you home early.

Come on,
I usually don't have to beg.

I'll tell you what,
a bunch of us are going

to the watering hole tonight.

Why don't you join us?

You know, I know exactly
where that is and I'll be there.

Okay.

-And Sally?
-Yeah?

I'm looking forward to it.

See you then.

I could apologize again,

but I think I've used up
all your goodwill.

What? Emma, Clark says
he has not been able

to keep our brand new salted
caramel cookies in stock.

I mean, do you think
you could do it again

because we could use some

for our famous Christmas party
on the 23rd?

Ugh, I think I should stay away
from anything edible.

What are you doing right now?

Besides going home to hang
my head in shame, nothing.

Hmm. Today is Thursday.

♪ Do you know what that means?

Tomorrow's Friday?

Karaoke night.

Oh, no, no.

What? You really wanna
miss the opportunity

to celebrate
your culinary creation.

Listen, the caramel
is enough mess as it is.

I mean, I could put a boss card,
tell you it's mandatory.

Like, come on. I promise you,

none of us sing
nearly as good as we bake.

Especially Patti and Sally.

-Fine. Okay.
-Cool.

[both] ♪ Christmas is coming,
it's the time of year ♪

♪ For getting together
to share some cheer ♪

♪ I'm Santa, Santa,
and his 8th reindeer ♪

♪ 'Cause all I want
for Christmas ♪

-♪ Is to have you here
-Come on up here.

♪ Snow is fun, it's going down

[all] ♪ And good feelings
are all around ♪

♪ The fire's blowing
and you hear the sound ♪

Oh.

Getting' those
golden pipes ready?

-Denise, I wanted to apologize.
-[Denise] Uh-uh.

Karaoke is no place
to apologize.

Besides, I know what it's like
to be the new kid on the block.

Think I've been doing this
all my life.

Shoe store, bookstore,
drug store, you can name it.

I've probably been
fired from it.

Oh, you're serious?
I just assumed.

Uh-uh. Uh-uh. No.

Point is, baby, that
everybody is good at something.

Just you take the time
to find out what it is.

-Like karaoke?
-Oh, oh, no.

No, I'm definitely
no good at karaoke.

-God, me neither.
-[Denise] Good.

So you, you know,
you wouldn't mind picking one?

-Pick out a song.
-Oh, no, no, no.

I just...I just came to watch.

Nobody comes to karaoke
to watch.

But I'll embarrass myself.

I hope you do. [laughs]

Oh, hey, babe.

Oh, sorry, Emma. Hey, ma.

-[Denise] Hey.
-Christmas songs.

What's wrong
with Christmas songs?

Oh, Emma,
she don't like Christmas.

-Huh? [gasps]
-That is not true.

Really? Because I seem
to remember a certain someone

who didn't like that
I was playing Christmas music.

That...doesn't mean
I don't like the whole holiday.

Okay. Prove it.

And how am I supposed
to do that?

-[woman 1] We did it.
-[woman 2] Yeah.

[woman 1]
We did something all right.

-Challenge accepted. Come on.
-[woman] We did it, audience.

Hey, hey, all right. Give it up
for Sally, Maggie, and Patti.

Okay. Okay. All right.
All right. All right. All right.

So for our next vocalist,
she can absolutely just not wait

to share her favorite Christmas
song with you all tonight.

Emma Donovan, in the house.

[cheering and applause]

-[Dave] Look at that.
-[woman] Go, Emma.

All right.
You got this. Come on.

Okay, Emma, what song
will you be singing

-for us tonight?
-You'll see.

Ooh, okay,
then take it away, Emma.

[upbeat Christmas music]

Ooh.

You got this.

♪ When you feel
the seasons change ♪

Hey.

♪ And the people
are counting down the days ♪

♪ Snow is falling
to the ground ♪

♪ And that loving
feeling's all around ♪

[woman] Go, Emma.

-♪ Decorations on the trees
-[woman] Uh-huh.

♪ Share the love and joy
with friends and family ♪

♪ It should come
as no surprise ♪

[woman] Yeah.

♪ That what you're looking for

♪ Is right before your eyes

[both] ♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

♪ There's a magic in the air

[woman] Uh-uh.

♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

-[man] Woo.
-[woman] Yeah.

♪ You can see it everywhere

[man] Woo.

♪ When you get that feeling

♪ Nothing can compare, oh

♪ Anything can happen
in Christmas ♪

♪ Anything can happen
in Christmas ♪

♪ It's the time of the year

[cheering and applause]

-[Dave] Great.
-Fabulous. Fabulous.

[cheering and applause]

[laughter]

[Adam] Sally.

Hi.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

I had a showing.
It took forever.

Wow. A showing this late?

Well, unfortunately,

the holidays
are our busy season.

Well, that makes sense

with everyone off
of work and school.

Well, there's that
and then there's all that

end of the year optimism.

Everybody wants
a fresh start at something.

So I'm, you know,
I'm sorry I'm late.

-It's okay.
-Yeah, I tried to call

but I don't have
your cell phone number.

I just...I have
the number for the store.

And I figured you wouldn't
be there so what'd I miss?

Just a bunch of us
embarrassing ourselves

with karaoke.

Listen, um, I know it's late,

and I know
you probably wanna get home,

but can I take you
for a cup of coffee?

Sure.

[singer] ♪ Fresh warm clothes,
mistletoes ♪

-There you go.
-Thank you.

Uh-hmm.

You know, for someone

who doesn't like
Christmas music,

you did pretty good up there.

I never said
I didn't like Christmas music.

You never said you did.

Okay. Well, it's kinda hard
to get into the spirit

when you work long hours
for a demanding boss.

Well, previous boss.

Uh-huh.

-What's wrong?
-I'm just saying

like if they have
any pastries to go with these.

Have you ever thought
about selling our products

-at a place like this?
-Our products?

Well, you know what I mean,
at Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

Oh, no, no,
I know what you mean,

it's just like
the last time I checked

there was one Sugar Baker
sitting at this table so...

-It's just an idea.
-Uh-hmm.

You know, increase
more streams of revenue.

Yeah, but that is not
how we do things here.

Well, not how you do things now,

but what if the company
goes out of business?

What do you mean?

What would you do?

-Doesn't matter.
-Why?

Because I would never
let that happen.

I mean, the way you...
the way we run things,

the ingredients are overpriced,
the system's outdated,

and most of all,
that enormous warehouse

that's just too much overhead.

There you go again,
aiming for my job.

Aren't you worried?

About what?

Um, aggressive acquisition?

That's a big term
for a seasonal floater.

Well, it just so happens that
I have experience in business

because of the last place
I worked at, Cookies and Cakes.

Cream.

Huh?

You worked at Cookies and Cream.

Yes, right, of course.

Hey, Emma, can I...

can I ask you
a serious question?

How are you spending Christmas?

Uh, well, I was supposed
to spend it with my mother.

Where does she live at?

Indiana.

But?

But things may change.

Such as?

I may have to stay.

Like in town or...

At Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

That's the problem
with seasonal floaters.

Like they tend to be seasonal.

[Emma] They sure do.

Well, um, guess we better make
the most of the season.

Oh, and you better not leave

before Sweet D's Sugar Bakers'
famous Christmas party.

Oh, I wouldn't miss it
for the world.

Good.

Cheers to that.

You're late on that too.

[laughter]

[dramatic music]

[phone ringing]

Finally.

-Hey!
-Hey.

-You okay?
-Uh, I'm fine.

What's going on?

Well, I called you
a bunch of times last night.

Oh, yeah. Sorry, I was out.

Out? My director
of brand management

is supposed to be working.

Well, it turns out
I actually was working.

Rome wasn't built
in a day, you know?

[Leslie] No, it wasn't.

But it was built faster
than you're going.

Oh, hey, I gotta go. It's David.

[Leslie] Aha, David.

Okay.

-Who are you talking to?
-No one.

I heard someone talking.

-Oh, that was a podcast.
-Huh.

Hey, look.
Um, I got something serious

I wanna talk to you about
or ask you.

Oh?

Um, and I want you
to answer honestly.

Can you do that?

-Yeah.
-Cool.

How...what are you doing
for brunch tomorrow?

-Oh.
-[chuckling]

What'd you think
I was about to ask you?

I don't know.
That...I don't know.

Something to do with an oven.

Hmm. Right. 'Cause, I mean,
why would we ever need

one of those in a bakery, what?

[chuckles]

Why did you wanna ask me?

Just you wait and see.

[whimsical music]

[Emma] I didn't know
what to bring.

I hope you like mimosas.

Honey, I like champagne.
[chuckles]

Oh, my goodness.
That sweater is adorable.

Thank you. You know,
being the holidays and all.

And here my son was telling me
that you were a big Scrooge.

-[gasps]
-She's lying.

But I knew you were a softy.

Hey, don't you listen
to a word this woman says.

[chuckling]

Well, I hope
you brought an appetite.

-Sure did.
-Come on.

Okay.

You were right.
That brunch was delicious.

I'm telling you,
that woman was born

with a blanket in one hand
and a spatula in the other.

I've never had
a Christmas meatloaf before.

Ooh, just wait
until you try her eggnog.

-Homemade?
-Well, we don't go to cows

but...close enough.

Hmm.

[chuckles]

-And?
-It is pretty good.

Uh-hmm. I'm telling you,
we take Christmas

pretty serious around here.

Says the guy with the roasted
chestnuts and eggnog.

Don't you mean
like you have never done this

with your family before?

I've never even had a chestnut.

Okay.

It is like
a cooked sweet potato.

-You made that up.
-Did I?

What do you think?

I think it tastes
like a cooked sweet potato.

-[laughs]
-Uh-hmm. All right.

Okay. I will get us
some more, all right?

Oh, no, no. Next one's on me.

Been a long time since
he brought a lady friend around.

I can't believe that.

Not for my lack
of trying, of course.

Well, your favorite ingredient
is family.

You remembered.

Here's the thing about my son.

He's very particular.

-I noticed.
-[Denise] Not his fault.

He happens to come from
a long line of perfectionists.

My mother--

-Eugenia.
-Sweet as pie,

but one tough cookie.

Must be where he gets it from.

-[Denise] He's a tough cookie?
-Especially on himself.

What can I say?
He's married to the business.

I know the feeling.

Only problem is business ain't
gonna give me no grandkids.

Well, you do make
a lot of children happy,

so, in a way, you can say
you have a lot of grandchildren.

Hmm, I never quite thought
of it in that way.

You're a very
perceptive woman, Emma.

Now, I just have
one request for you.

Anything.

Make him happy.

[exhales]

[whimsical music]

[Dave] You know,
some astronomers believe that

the Star of Bethlehem,

like the one
the Three Wise Men saw,

was actually a comet
or a meteor.

Yeah, everybody
already knew that.

Okay. [chuckles]

So what were you and my mom
talking about earlier?

Uh, that you were particular.

And she wants grandkids.

Oh. [chuckles]

-From you?
-She wasn't really specific.

Then I guess
you're off the hook.

[sighs] Why has it been
such a long time

since you had a girlfriend?

Uh, no reason.

I just been busy, I guess.

Hmm.

Is that a mistletoe?

[Dave] Wow. [chuckles]

My mom has really thought
of everything, hasn't she?

Then we better not let her down.

What are you two doing?

-Oh.
-Uh, we should probably go--

-Yeah. We should go.
-Yeah. Right.

[whimsical music]

[indistinct chatter]

Hmm. What is going on
with those two?

I just work here.

[chuckles] Huh.

Excuse me.

What is going on
between you and Emma?

What...nothing, you know?

-Oh.
-Yup.

-[laughs] Come on.
-Okay. All right.

I invited her
to my mom's for brunch.

-Ah.
-Uh-hmm.

Did she have
the Christmas meatloaf?

-She did.
-Uh-huh.

-Uh-huh.
-[laughs]

-Okey-dokey. Spill it.
-What is to spill?

Oh, please. Everybody knows
that she is sweet on you.

It is a bakery.
Everything is sweet.

Please, that is a cop-out
and you know it.

It was just brunch.

And what happened after brunch?

[Dave] We ate roasted chestnuts.

Uh-huh.

And then we had my mom's eggnog.

-Uh-huh.
-[Dave] And then it got dark

-and we looked at the stars.
-Uh-huh.

And then there was
some mistletoe.

[gasps] Uh-huh.

[Dave] Okay...and no, no, no.
That was it.

-What? What do you mean?
-My mom...that was it.

My mom came out
and we called it a night.

Okay. Then there's still time
for us to fix this.

-Fix what exactly?
-[Maggie] This. This.

You need to go and tell her

-how you really feel.
-[sighs] Like right now?

-[Maggie] Now.
-Now?

-Go.
-Go? All right. Okay.

Kids. [sighs]

-Hey, it's me.
-Why are you whispering?

[Emma]
Because I'm in the storage room.

-What storage room?
-Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

Listen, I have
to make a confession.

-I may have crossed a line.
-[Leslie] What line?

-I almost kissed Dave.
-Denise's son?

[Emma] We were getting close.
We sang karaoke.

He invited me over
to his mother's brunch.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Get to the point.

The point is I can't let
my feelings cloud my judgment.

It's called greasing the skis.

[Emma] Actually, it's called
greasing the skids.

-Whatever. It's clever.
-It's wrong.

Hey, frankly, I didn't think
you had it in you.

I don't.

[Leslie]
Well, you could've fooled me.

Listen, this isn't about
the acquisition.

Well, of course it is.
You said that

Dave was the more practical one,
didn't you?

That he was more receptive
than his mother?

-Yes, but--
-Then it seems

like you've positioned
yourself perfectly.

But it's almost Christmas.

Well, didn't you say
you wanted to get out sooner

to go see your mom in Indiana?

I'm not going to do this.

[Leslie] I thought
you wanted the promotion?

You do want the promotion,
don't you?

I do. I think.

[Leslie]
Then what's the problem?

What if we didn't need
to buy the company?

Sweetie, I'm Leslie Lake.

-I don't "need" anything.
-[Emma] I know.

But what if
you could incorporate

their most popular products
without destroying the company?

-I'm listening.
-You said it yourself.

You just need IP,
not the people.

-And?
-I'll get the recipes.

All of the recipes?

If it means these people
can keep their jobs, then yes.

Actually, it means
I won't be the one firing them.

Once I launch my own line

of "Leslie Lake
Sugar Baker Treats,"

I doubt they'll have
a job to keep.

-Yeah.
-[sighs]

Whatever you decide to do,
just do it quick.

-Gotta go.
-Leslie. Leslie, wait!

Who's Leslie?

Oh. Um--

And why are you taking calls
in the storage room?

I just...uh, I needed
some privacy.

Hmm. Since when? And about what?

There is something
we need to talk about.

-Okay.
-There is no easy way

to say this, so I'll just--

I just got a call
from the school nurse.

Jackie had
another asthma attack.

-Do you mind if I leave?
-[Dave] No, of course.

You know, I'll drive you.

But I still have
all of those gift wraps

to do for the hospital.

I'll take care of it.

-Oh, thank you.
-Cool. Okay.

Uh, what were you about to say?

You should go.

Right. Okay.

[sighs]

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

[exhales]

[camera shutter clicks]

[dramatic music]

Wow. You are getting
pretty good at this.

Thank you.

How's Sally doing?

Um, Jackie just got home.

You know, she's tired
but she'll be fine.

Do you think they'll mind
if I visited?

I think she would love that.

How about we go together?

-Okay.
-Yeah.

[birds chirping]

Hi, sweetheart.

You remember my boss?

Mr. Sugarbaker.

Oh, it's just Dave, kiddo.

And this is Miss Emma.

We work together.

You decorate cakes too?

I try. How are you feeling?

I'm bored.

Oh, yeah,
she's definitely feeling better.

I brought you something.

Ooh.

Whoa!

[Sally]
Emma, that is really good.

Can I have it, Mom?

Of course. After dinner.

[chuckling]

That was really sweet of you.

Well, Jackie is part of
Sweet D's Sugar Bakers family,

and you always said
family takes care of family.

Hey, what's up?

I need to tell you something.

I should have told you earlier.

I wish I told you earlier

but I just didn't know
how to say it.

Okay.

I'm not a floater.
I mean, I am a floater.

That's what your mom
hired me for

but that's not why I'm here.

Okay. I'm lost.

I work for Leslie Lake.

Like the Leslie Lake?

I'm her operations manager.

Okay. Um, Emma,
I don't understand.

She wanted to take over
Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

But my mom said
that she already said no.

Yes, but Leslie doesn't
take no for an answer,

so she sent me her to--

To do what?

To spy on us?

To convince you.

You mean seduce me?

No.

So...

all of this
between me and you was what?

-It was strategy?
-No.

I mean, did any of this
mean anything to you?

-Of course, it did.
-Like how do you expect me

to trust you, Emma?

I don't.

[birds chirping]

[Dave] You're fired.

Dave, wait.

You haven't done
enough damage yet?

It's just...here.

[dramatic music]

Sorry.

[dramatic music]

Emma.

You've looked better.

I didn't sleep last night.

Ah. Spending a lot of time

on your special assignment?

More like regretting I took it
in the first place.

Well, if it was
supposed to be fun,

it wouldn't be called work.

I'm not doing it.

Doing what?

I told David everything.

When you say everything,
you mean--

Everything.
Your interest in the company,

my involvement,

and I gave him back the recipes.

You gave them back?

If you wanna destroy
a family-owned business,

leaving employees unemployed
for the holidays,

that's your decision,

but leave me out of it.

I see.

You do realize
that I'll have to fire you now.

You don't have to.

And why is that?

Because I quit the moment

I walked
through that front door.

[phone chimes]

[sighs]

[distant helicopter
blades whirring]

[cellphone vibrates]

-Hi, Mom.
-[Mrs. Donovan] Hi, baby.

I just wanted to find out

when you were coming home
for Christmas.

I don't know. I don't really
feel like celebrating right now.

Well, what happened
to your boss' espionage?

Ex-boss?

-Uh-oh.
-Yeah. And that's just

the least of it, believe me.

You know you can talk to me.

I know, but it doesn't
make it any easier.

[sighs] Try me.

Okay.

I met someone
under false pretenses

and when the truth came out,

they learned I wasn't
the person they thought I was.

Uh, uh, uh.

That is a pickle.

Really?
That's your words of wisdom?

Well, I suppose
the real question is,

are you the person
you thought you were

and is that the person
you want to be?

[mellow music]

[birds chirping]

[doorbell dings]

Well, dip me in honey
and call me a biscuit.

I need your help.

Okay.

Can I come in?

I guess Dave told you
what happened.

He did.

And you still decided
to sit down with me?

You try baking nonstop
for 48 hours straight

and you see how comfy
your feet feel.

Then I should
get out of your way.

Sit down. Sit down.

I suppose I should be flattered

that some big-time muckety-muck
like Leslie Lake

sent her operations manager
all the way down

to try and trick little ol' me.

What I did was a terrible thing.

[Denise] Let me guess.

She dangled some
kind of promotion

in front of your face?

Something like that.

Heck, if Leslie Lake
offered me a promotion,

I'd probably spy on me too.

Oh, trust me,
it's so not worth it.

Are you trying to tell me

that she ain't
all peaches and cream?

I am telling you she might
actually be the devil.

Shame. Hmm.

I really did like her show
on that cooking channel.

Listen, I appreciate you
taking time to talk with me,

but I just...

I don't think I deserve it.

Well, I suppose
that depends on your answer

to my next question.

Which is?

When you said that you
and your mother baked together,

now was that--

The truth?

Yes.

Although, I did more watching.

But a wise woman once said,
"Mama bakes best."

[Denise]
I don't know about that.

I wouldn't even be here
if it wasn't for you.

What do you mean?

Apparently,
a little birdie told my son

my bakery should sell
some of our products

in retail stores.

So I decided to give you
our very first shipment,

personally.

Our brand-new
salted caramel cookies.

You named this after me?

Of course. Gotta give credit
where credit is due.

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything,
sweetheart.

But you can RSVP.

RSVP for what?

The Annual Sweet D's Sugar
Bakers Christmas Party.

You didn't forget, did you?

Oh, of course not, but...

I mean, I'm not
an employee anymore.

Well, then I guess
you'll just have to come

as my guest.

No. Uh-uh. Don't you say no.

-Yes.
-Great.

See you tonight.

[upbeat music]

♪ The spirit of Christmas
is everywhere you go, whoa ♪

You've outdone yourself.

Thanks.

What's that sour look?

What sour look, Mom?

That sour look.

You think I don't know

when my own son
is down in the dumps?

[sighs] I don't know.
It's just...

it's been a hard year, you know?

You know what the best
part of a bad year is?

I give up.

There's always a new year
right around the corner.

[laughs]

Nothing ever gets you down,
does it?

You kidding?

Cold showers,

running out of gas
on the highway--

Someone messing with your oven.

Penelope.

[laughter]

I've forgotten about that one.

-Yeah, I didn't.
-[Denise] Uh-hmm.

You miss her?

She lied to us, Mom.

Uh-hmm.

Like she could have taken
all this away from you.

Yet she didn't.

Now why do you suppose that is?

Oh, your plus-one just arrived.

My plus-one?

[exhales]

Emma.

My mom said she didn't think
you were coming.

Well, I didn't think
I was coming either.

Come here.
I'll grab you a drink.

Excuse us. [chuckles]

[applause]

What are you doing here, Emma?

Your mother invited me.

Doesn't mean
you had to accept it?

No, I didn't.

Aren't you supposed to be,
um, going to see your mom?

I was.

But?

But she asked me
a good question.

Really?

She asked me if I thought
I was the person I was

and if that was the person
I wanted to be.

What was your answer?

At first, I didn't know.

And then I thought about it
and I realized...

I don't wanna be
that person anymore.

I don't wanna be the person
that wakes up 10 years from now

and the only thing
they have in their life

that has meaning
is their career.

That their only purpose

was to be someone else's tool.

For the first time in my life,

I found something that gives me
meaning the more I do it,

and I fell in love with it,

and I realized the old stuff
doesn't matter anymore.

Like Leslie Lake?

Especially Leslie Lake.

So she fired you?

I quit.

Really?

Now, I know I don't
deserve a second chance,

but maybe someday, one day,

we can go out to dinner
or sing karaoke.

Don't you already got plans
this week?

When I get back?

You know, we'd have to see

if it fits into your schedule.

What do you mean?

Well, you see,
someone had all these ideas

about how we can
maximize production

and expand distribution.

Did they?

And now I gotta
actually go out there

and hire someone
to manage all of it.

Imagine that.

What do you say?

I'd say the best ingredient
is family.

[laughter]

Yeah. Now, we just need
a job title for you.

Ooh.

Director of Brand Management
has a nice ring to it.

Hmm. You know,
I was thinking more of, uh...

Vice President
of Brand Management.

I can work with that.

[chuckles]

Is that what I think it is?

My mom has really thought
of everything, hasn't she?

Ooh.

Then we better not let her down.

-[all] Speech! Speech!
-Speech!

-[all] Speech! Speech!
-[cheers and applause]

-Go.
-[Denise] Yay.

[Jackie] Come on, Emma.

Here you go.

[sighs] Oh, okay.

[laughs]

Actually, can I?

Sure.

[clears throat]

I didn't mean
to deceive you all.

I was just doing my job,

or what I thought was my job.

You guys were so kind
and generous

and you made me feel like I was
a part of something special,

because Sweet D's Sugar Bakers
is something special.

When I was a kid,

I loved Christmas
more than anyone.

And then something happened
and I had to push it away.

But then I met someone
who showed me

the love and joy of the holiday.

He made me fall in love
with it again.

[upbeat music]

Ooh.

[Maggie] All right.

Come on, everybody.

-[Dave] Oh.
-Together.

[Dave] All right. Altogether.
Okay, okay, okay, okay.

[all] ♪ When you see
the seasons change ♪

♪ And the people are
counting down the days ♪

♪ Snow is falling
to the ground ♪

♪ And that loving feeling's
all around ♪

♪ Decorations on the trees

♪ Share the love and joy
right to family ♪

♪ It's just love,
it's no surprise ♪

♪ The love we're looking for
is right before our eyes ♪

♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

♪ And the magic is in the air

Woo!

[all] ♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

♪ You can see it everywhere

♪ When you get that feeling

♪ Nothing can compare

Oh.

[all] ♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

Hey.

[all] ♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

One more time. One more time.

[all] ♪ Anything can happen
at Christmas ♪

♪ Time of year

That was good.

It was.

[cheers and applause]

Okay.

[chuckles]

Hey.

Oh, my gosh.
Please, it's blinding.

-[laughs]
-The glare from your ring.

Let me get a closer look at it.

Oh, it's absolutely beautiful.
And who's this?

Well,
this is my daughter, Riley.

Hi.

She's gonna hang out
with Jackie.

Well, Jackie just got started
on the cookies inside,

if you wanna give her a hand.

Can I help her with the cookies?

Sure, pumpkin. Go have fun.

So how is everything
with you two?

-Great. [chuckles]
-I would say couldn't be better.

When's the wedding?

Uh, let's get through
this holiday season first.

It is very special

'cause it's our first
Christmas together.

Some would say that would be
a make-or-bake Christmas.

[laughter]

Nice.

Well, there is one thing though.

We're gonna need a good baker
for the wedding cake.

Oh, don't look at me.

Don't look at me.

You got this, girl.

Business is good.

-Uh-hmm.
-Uh-hmm. Better than good.

Hmm, my mother would be so proud

of what you have done.

Thank you both. [chuckles]

Well, you know what, partners,
I gotta get up out of here

and I'll see you all later
at the holiday party.

Oh, we would not miss that.

[Emma]
It is Christmas after all.

Is that Leslie Lake?

Leslie? What are you doing here?

Well, can't a girl
buy herself a box

of Emma's Caramel Crunchies?

Well, I thought you didn't buy
your competitor's merchandise.

That's normally because
my competitor's merchandise

isn't any good.

But you, Emma,

you really hit it
out of the park.

Or out of the bakery.

Hello, Dave.

Hey, Leslie.

Well, this one's for you.

On the house.

Thank you.

Emma, I realized
that I was hard on you

and that I sent you here
to do my dirty work.

And I want you to know that

I've seen everything
that you've accomplished

and I am proud
to be your mentor.

Thank you so much, Leslie.
That means a lot.

You're welcome.

Well, I better
get going before...

people see me buying
someone else's boxes,

and you know them,
they'll start talking.

-[chuckles]
-Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, darlings.

[singers] ♪ Merry Christmas

♪ The best time of the year

[classical music]