Original subtitles

[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]