[Cajun fiddle playing]
♪ ♪
It wouldn't be the Sugarcane Christmas Festival
without the selection of our beloved
Mr. and Miss Christmas.
[applause]
Hey...
Shh. I can't hear the speech.
It's the same speech every year.
"Two high school seniors who have shown exemplary character
and a passion for the values of the season."
What else is there to listen to?
The announcement, for one thing.
Because you think you're going to win?
No.
Because I think we're going to win.
Who would be Mr. Christmas besides you?
Freddy Decourt?
[chuckles]
Yeah, that's a fair point.
Besides, winning is kind of a Winter family tradition.
Don't forget, my grandmother and--
Yeah, Sarah, I know, I know.
Your grandmother and grandfather
were the first Mr. and Mrs. Christmas,
they fell in love and have been together ever since.
What are you rolling your eyes for?
It's romantic.
Don't you ever see us getting married?
Well, I'm sure your family does.
What do you mean by that?
Um...
I just mean that, like...
[mayor] Miss Sarah Winter-Ross
and Mr. Luke Abshire.
-[applauding] -[inaudible]
This is an especially momentous crowning,
since Sarah is the third Miss Christmas in their family.
These two young folk embody the best
of what this town has to offer.
Luke and Sarah, New Iberia is proud to call you our own.
Would you like to say a few words?
[sighs] I just want to say
what an honor it is to be here
carrying on my family tradition.
And having my best friend here with me
just makes it even better.
I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
[applause]
-[camera clicks] -[feedback squeals]
Sarah, I think we should break up.
[audience groans]
[indistinct chattering]
[camera shutters click]
[car horns honk]
[Sarah] No, we're not settling.
We are going to trial,
and that's the end of story.
Well, I don't see any reason why--
[all] ♪ Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪
-[whispering] Go, go, go. -[Sarah] Sorry about that.
No. No. Get. Get.
Thank you. So I hear.
[chuckles] Yes.
I understand it's Christmas, trust me.
But justice does not wait on Santa Claus, Roger.
[mouthing] Thank you.
Mm-hm. Right, well, look,
I'm sure we'll both have our hands full the next few weeks.
I know I will. But I just hope for your sake,
you're prepared to see us in the new year.
And a Merry Christmas to you too.
-Whoo. -Glad I came when I did.
You definitely need some Christmas cheer.
Oh, don't you worry. In the next 24 hours,
I will have nothing but Christmas cheer
when I'm back home in Louisiana.
You want to carol with us?
Thanks for the invite,
but I have got a million emails to answer
-before I leave town. -Please tell me
you are not taking all of those with you.
Only the essentials.
Just in case.
Hand it over.
I'll walk you down.
-Okay. -Oh, Sarah, almost forgot.
This came in the mail for you.
Oh.
[sighs]
-Is that...? -My Miss Christmas pin.
In all its former glory.
-Hmm. -Better pack this. All right.
I'm going to need some cookies for the road.
So does this mean I have to call you Your Highness?
[laughs] No.
It's not a pageant thing. It's just a title.
Although, the year after I won,
the token for Miss Christmas
was this giant rhinestone Christmas tree crown,
so maybe I have to call her Your Highness.
Well, I think a pin is much more elegant than a crown.
-[chuckles] -How did you break it in the first place?
I threw it at my high school boyfriend.
Your Mr. Christmas?
Like, the one who dumped you in front of the entire town?
Yup. That's the one.
Well, when was the last time you saw him?
A few years ago.
We ran into each other.
Just kept it cordial.
But I don't keep tabs on Luke Abshire anymore.
No, no. That seems to be my grandmother's job.
She's convinced I'm still single
because we're meant to be together.
-Well, what do you think? -She's got way too much time,
and Luke and I are ancient history.
So if you happen to run into him this year...
Oh, no, no, no. To Gran's dismay,
Luke spends Christmas with his mom in Texas.
And it's a good thing too,
because it's the 50th anniversary
of the festival's founding, so all of the former
Mister and Misses have been invited back
and will be paired up throughout the week.
So not having Luke there will keep the focus
where it should be: on Christmas.
And is he still single?
I don't know.
You'll have to ask my gran.
Well, what's her number?
["Up On The Housetop" Cajun fiddles plays]
[cell phone vibrating]
♪ [fiddles end]
Merry Christmas.
Aw.
[laughing] Hey, Rudolph.
My little Rudolph, who do you belong to?
[Luke] Ace.
Ace. I'm so sorry, Miss.
Luke?
Sarah. Hi.
Wow. What are you doing here?
Just volunteering Ace for some Christmas pictures.
Santa needed a reindeer.
Okay, but what are you doing,
like, here, in-- in town?
-I live here, remember? -Yeah.
I thought you were going to be in Texas visiting your family.
Yeah. I leave tonight, but your gran asked me to stay the day
and have Ace here take some pictures with the kids.
Didn't she, Ace?
Wait, this is Ace?
Oh, buddy, I remember you when you were a puppy.
[gasps]
Oh, he got so big.
Oh, look at those grays.
But, you know, puppies tend to get bigger after 15 years.
Ha.
Seems to be the only thing that's changed around here.
You know. Same old Christmas festival.
Same old smart-aleck Luke.
A lot of things have changed.
You're wearing your pin again, for one.
Hmm. Once a Miss Christmas, always a Miss Christmas.
And you came home for the holidays.
Nothing could keep me away the spirit.
It's too important.
Which is why I don't want to complicate things.
The big anniversary has everyone here very nostalgic.
-And to them, we're-- -We're still 18.
Right. So enjoy your time with your family.
From this moment on, consider me officially out of the picture.
Merry Christmas, Sarah.
Merry Christmas, Luke.
[sighs] Ace. C'mon. Let's go.
[gasps] Oh, my sweet wassail.
Sarah Winter-Ross.
As I live and breathe. Where have you been?
Boston. I'm a lawyer there, remember?
Oh, I know that.
I mean, you're a whole seven minutes late.
Your grandmother was ready to call out the National Guard
to find you. [chuckles]
Well, please lead the way.
Come on.
[nervous exhale]
[playing "Old St. Nick."]
As the head of the planning committee,
yours truly has organized
simply the most spectacular Christmas festival
this town has ever seen.
On top of the anniversary, my niece, Carol,
is in the running for Miss Christmas this year,
so everything has to be perfect.
We've got the boat parade, the winter dance,
cookies with Santa, the gingerbread competition.
We even have an app. Did you download the app?
Oh, and, of course,
50 years of Mr. and Miss Christmases coming home.
The re-pinning ceremony.
And you'll be right there in the thick of it,
just like old times.
The re-pinning ceremony?
Didn't your grandmother tell you?
I thought it would be a fun twist
to have the selection committee choose a past Mr. and Miss
who have continued to live out the values of the season
in honor of the 50th year.
I was hoping to see you up on that stage again,
but with Luke not being here...
And that's okay,
because Christmas is not about old flames.
You're right. It's about family.
And yours is just over here.
The whole darn thing goes out if one tiny little bulb is shot.
I swear, it's like looking for a black cat in a coal cellar.
Mom, you can just use another strand.
Oh, no, I'm going to find this sucker.
[Clara] Ladies, look who I found.
Oh, sweetheart!
Oh! You're here!
I'm so happy. Charlotte, my turn.
-Gran! -Oh!
So good to see you. Oh, baby.
I cannot tell you how excited we are that you are here.
Me too. Oh!
And you'll never guess who I ran into on the way in.
Luke Abshire.
Oh. Is he still in town?
I know that was you're doing, Gran.
Oh, what if it was? Times have changed.
I was just wondering if you and Luke had changed with them.
Well, I'll tell you what. I want to change
into a pair of stretchy pants
and grab a bowl of Mom's Christmas stew.
-How does that sound? -Oh, like heaven.
-Oh! -Yay!
I can't believe you haven't decorated the tree yet.
Well, this is a special occasion, you know.
It's not every year we get to celebrate
our family's Christmas legacy.
And we didn't want you to miss one minute.
Speaking of which, where is that grandfather of yours?
Well, he's your husband, Gran.
Oh, no. When he's late, he belongs to one of you two.
Oh, no.
[Timothy] Where's my Sarah? Huh?
-[Sarah] Gramps! -[Timothy] Where is she?
-Whoo! -I don't see her anywhere.
-Oh. -[laughing]
[Timothy] Oh, there you are, honey.
What? Am I late? I'm so sorry.
You know, we were busy, busy, busy.
We were building those decorations for that dance
that you ordered and everything.
Mm. Were you building them at the fishing pond?
Well, we did check to see if the fish were biting.
Uh-huh.
-Go wash up. -Okay.
-I see nothing has changed. -Mm-mm.
Oh, wait. Wait, wait, wait.
Before I forget, look what I found.
Aw, look.
Ta-da.
You look just as pretty as you did in 1969.
[sighs]
Oh, go wash up.
Okay. I will.
[all laugh]
You got to wear a sash. Oh, I've never been so lucky
to have this cute little pin.
I think the two of you got off real easy.
I don't know if you remember that big, obnoxious corsage
I had to wear.
It was...ugh!
Like this?
-Oh, no, Mom! -[laughs] Yes.
You do not expect me to wear this again, do you?
Mm-hmm.
But, Mom, it looks so good on you.
You only have to wear it for one little picture.
-A picture? -[Charlotte] Yeah.
The former Misters and Misses
are getting their pictures taken tomorrow.
-9:00 a.m. sharp. -Oh!
They're going all out for this anniversary thing.
Well, you have to honor the past.
How else will you know how you got to today?
This is just so ugly.
[laughs]
Where should this one go? Here?
There is a hole right there.
-Oh, yeah? -Yeah.
Oh, that's nice.
Huh. Something's on your mind.
Huh? Something's on your mind. I can tell.
You just hung an old ornament with Luke's face on it.
-[Sarah chuckles] -Whoops.
[chuckles]
I'm gonna take that one off the tree.
You know, I know this festival can stir up
some not-so-fond memories, but--
It's fine, Grandpa. Really. I have...I have moved on.
How is that going for you so far?
Well, I am-- I'm doing really well at my job.
And I have a good apartment.
Hmm.
-Great friends. -That's good.
And, right now,
I am exactly where I want to be.
And your heart? How's that doing?
It's just that-- just that Gran...
Gran can push a little too far sometimes.
-[chuckles] -But, you know,
your gran just wants you to be happy.
But she also wants to have a perfect festival,
so we got to help her get that, right?
-Right. -You know,
you don't have to throw out
the good memories with the bad ones.
Why don't you see this year as a way to start over,
create some new memories.
[Doris] You two done yet?
Just putting on the finishing touches.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, I'm going to turn in for the night.
-I'm right behind you, baby. -Okay.
-Love you. -Love you.
Mm-hm.
Hey, thanks.
[laughs]
-I'll see you later. -Okay.
You're a good girl.
Thanks, Grandpa.
Later, gator.
After a while, crocodile.
-Yeah! -[laughs]
Why not?
[generic carol]
[indistinct chattering]
It's just so heavy. You know what?
If you can go get some hairspray to maybe hold that--
I think Miss Clara has some.
I'm just going to go, see if I can find out--
Oh, I'm so sorry.
[chuckles] No. No, it's okay.
You had your hands full.
Yeah, well, you know what they say:
the higher the Christmas tree tiara, the closer to God.
[laughs]
I'm so sorry.
Where are my manners?
I am Mark.
And you are... Miss Christmas 1989.
Oh, yeah.
Charlotte Winter.
And I guess that you are the photographer.
No. I just really like carrying cameras around.
[both chuckle]
You wouldn't happen to be the Charlotte Winter, daughter of--
New Iberia's first Mr. and Miss Christmas, yup.
That is me.
I'm actually a photojournalist,
and I'm doing a big piece on New Iberia.
And I'm highlighting the 50th anniversary of the festival.
Would you happen to know where I might find them?
Yeah, they're just right over there.
[Mark] Ah.
[Mark] Your family has quite
the Christmas pedigree.
Oh, and that's my daughter over by the refreshment table.
She is a Miss Christmas herself.
And she is checking her e-mail
when she promised me that she would not touch her phone
-unless there was an emergency. -[laughs]
I was really hoping I could chat with your mom.
Maybe get some stories about the very first festival,
and what it's like after all these years.
Do you think she--?
Oh, she would love it.
There is nothing we Winters love more
than talking about Christmas.
And you?
I mean, maybe I could get a few minutes with you.
Yeah, we can arrange that. Yeah.
Great.
[Clara] Five minutes, everyone!
Well, I should probably get set here.
Looks like they're almost ready.
I look forward to our chat, Charlotte Winter.
I do as well, Mark the photographer.
[laughs]
Will you hold still? I'm almost done.
What would I do without you?
I thought we discussed the phone.
I know.
Another Christmas, and both our girls are still alone.
Doris, you said you wouldn't meddle.
If I didn't meddle, nothing would get done around here.
[laughs] Can you believe
that it has been 50 years
since we had our first picture taken together?
Yes.
And I've been straightening your ties
and meddling in your life ever since.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Me either.
Are you going to put the phone away
or am I going to take it away like in high school?
[chuckles] No. I'm done. I'm done.
Sorry.
Is everything all right at work?
Yeah. Honestly, I'm just trying to keep busy
so no one asks me about Luke.
Oh, sweetheart.
Look, everyone here is so proud of everything that you've done.
No one cares about an old high school relationship.
It's just such a shame that Luke Abshire couldn't make it.
But not everyone's Mr. and Mrs. could make it.
So we'll put Sarah alone in the center near her family.
so she balances out the photo.
-That sounds great. -Oh, great.
Okay.
Okay, most people don't care
about an old high school relationship.
[sighs]
Wow.
That is a lot of Mr. and Miss Christmases.
Can I get my Winter family on stage, please?
-[Timothy] We're over here. -Oh, good!
Yes. Yes.
[laughs]
[Clara] ...and Charlotte.
Okay. One more. There you go.
And right on the side of your mom.
And Sarah, of course, in the center with her pin.
The pièce de résistance.
That's my girls.
Okay, everybody ready?
One, two...
[Luke] Wait. Wait. There's one more.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
-Excuse me. -Hi, Luke.
Mr. Winter.
Hey, it's just like old times, huh?
Yeah.
Okay, everybody, on three, say "Christmas."
One, two, three.
[all] Christmas!
[Clara] Luke Abshire
and Sarah Winter-Ross together again.
Oh, this is Mark.
He's doing a story on the festival.
And I would just love to get a picture
of just the two of you for the article.
Oh, I actually have to get going.
-One picture and you're free. -Promise I'll be quick.
Move a little closer there. Thank you.
Now, lean into each other, please.
One, two, three.
[camera shutters click]
Got it.
Wow, I swear, you two haven't aged at all.
You look exactly the same as you did in high school.
Isn't that right, Doris?
Yes, they are a fine-looking pair.
All right, thanks, y'all. I got to get going.
[Clara] Don't forget to download the app.
-Doing it now. -Sarah. Sarah, wait.
Sarah, wait.
Oh, so you can lie to me again?
-I didn't lie. -Really?
Because yesterday you told me
you'd be officially out of the picture,
but yet today it seems like you found yourself
-front and center. -Oh, my plans changed.
I had a problem with my property.
A permit issue. I couldn't just leave.
Property?
I bought the old general store on St. Peter Street.
I'm turning it into my veterinary clinic.
You bought the building where we had our first kiss?
Well, no one else wanted to buy.
After we broke up,
everyone thought that building was cursed.
Very funny.
When your gran heard it through the grapevine
that I was still here, she asked me to come.
You know how hard it is to say no to your gran.
Oh, I know. Trust me.
Believe it or not, this festival,
it means a lot to me too.
And I thought that maybe I could just help you
through this whole Christmas thing.
As a friend.
Thanks, but, uh...
I'm fine on my own.
Okay.
I just thought I'd ask.
[Doris] And then the boat sank.
[all laugh]
No, but, really,
I think the best thing about this tradition
is its power to bring people together.
My granddaughter, for example.
She's a totally independent spirit.
But this festival has brought her home.
And that's some pretty powerful stuff.
That's why this festival means so much to me,
even after 50 years.
It just reminds me
that we're better and stronger and happier
when we're together than when we're apart.
I get a lot of attention around here.
[Mark chuckles]
But I'm stronger because my Timothy is by my side.
My Mr. Christmas.
[Mark] That's terrific. Thank you.
[applause]
[slow waltz with strings playing]
-[Sarah] Luke, wait up. -Oh, now you want to talk to me?
More like need to talk to you. Would you please slow down?
I can't. I'm heading to the Christmas market.
I got to get Ace some presents too.
-Okay, then I'll come with you. -You weren't invited.
It's a free country, and I am Christmas royalty,
so I get diplomatic immunity.
Okay, see, this is the banter that you missed out on
when you were determined to hate me back then.
[no audible dialogue]
I don't hate you.
I'd understand if you did.
I did accidentally broadcast our breakup to the entire town.
Well, I admit, I haven't always been your biggest fan,
but, you know, I could never hate you.
There was some pretty good memories there too.
Well, that's a start.
So, what is it that you needed to talk to me about?
Well, I just...
you know, I just thought maybe we could call a truce.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
I mean, you know...
Christmas is about people coming together in the community...
-And? -And it's clear
we're both not going anywhere,
so we might as well make the best of it.
-And? -Okay, and I may need your help.
My help? Did Sarah Winter-Ross just admit she needs help?
Okay, I said I may need your help.
It's just that Miss Clara has signed me up for everything,
from boat parade decorating, baking, HQ shifts.
And I just--I really want this week to be perfect
for my grandparents, you know?
Gran believes that Christmas is about people coming together
and miracles, so--
So you came to Mr. Christmas in your time of need?
[sighs] You're so full of yourself.
-I'm confident. -Arrogant.
Oh, these look good-- But hey.
So I seen, what's mine is still yours after all these years.
Mm-hmm.
So do we have a truce?
I don't know.
Well, if it's a Christmas miracle that you're after,
I think you're asking the wrong guy.
Better ask him.
[chuckles] Oh.
I'm not asking Santa for your help.
Besides, he's got more important things to do.
Okay. Okay, wait.
Santa says we're good. We're good.
Truce?
Truce.
Well, all right.
Now that we're officially paired up, you're going to need this.
Why do I need an apron?
Because your first task is helping me survive
cookies with Santa, and I am a terrible cook.
[woman] All right, so that's the last of it...
[exhales]
Uh...
Oh, Charlotte!
Thank goodness.
Mark. Hi. I want to tell you
that Doris had the best time speaking with you.
Oh, and I wanted to thank you for getting me that interview.
Your family has got an amazing story.
I think my readers are really going to love it.
Hey, listen...
You're lost, aren't you?
-I am. -[chuckles]
Do you know how to get to Old Mount Carmel...?
Academy on Bridge Street.
Come on. Walk with me.
You know, I lived in this town my whole life?
So I know every street and every bridge and, yes,
every cup of gumbo.
-Really? -Mm-hmm.
Preservation is the place you want to go.
Yeah, it is the best place to get gumbo
that isn't my mom's kitchen.
I'm going to add it to my list.
[chuckles]
All right, so if you keep heading down this road,
you make the next right, and then make your first left.
Got it. I'm interviewing the docent, and I'm late.
-So, thank you. -Okay.
Oh, I have been looking for somebody to show me around.
You know, get a feel for the place.
I want to give my story authenticity.
You seem like an expert. What do you say?
Um, yeah.
I mean, I'll be busy with the festival later in the week,
but I could do tomorrow morning.
Say, 10:00 a.m. we meet here.
Great. It's a date.
All right.
A date. Yeah.
Wait, what?
-Okay. -[laughs]
Oh, I think we've lost a little weight since last year.
Really? Because you haven't fed me since last year.
Oh! You know that's not true.
-[Sarah] I'm getting-- -[Luke] You started it.
-[Sarah] Did not. -[Luke] Okay.
'Cause the apron was like the hat...
[both laugh]
Oh, those two seem to be having a pretty good time together
all of a sudden.
[Timothy humming]
Mrs. Claus, we talked about the meddling.
-What? -What?
You think it's my fault that they got put on icing duty?
And my fault that they have to finish Cookies for Santa
in our kitchen?
As a matter of fact, I do think it's your fault.
[both laugh]
Oh, yeah.
I think this is my favorite one so far.
Yeah.
[both laugh]
Okay, we're leaving, you two.
Those cookies better be delivered on time,
or you'll have nothing but coal on those stockings, you hear?
[Sarah] Yes, ma'am.
-[Doris] All right, let's go. -[Timothy] Come on.
Ho, ho, ho. No. Ho, ho, ho!
I can't believe we lucked out on icing duty,
and those poor suckers at the HQ had to bake all of them.
[laughs] Yeah.
I think it's because Gran told them
about the time that I almost burned the house down
making microwave ramen.
-Yeah. -[laughs] Yeah.
Yeah, this is definitely more my speed.
Is your speed molasses?
Well, I would rather go slowly
than make cookies that look like that.
By the way, is that a snowman or a Picasso?
[both laugh]
This is so weird.
The way you're decorating that cookie?
Oh, yes. I agree. Very weird.
No.
Being here with you.
Well, I don't think we're ever going
to get through these cookies if you don't pick up the pace.
[laughs] I would.
It's just this piping bag is not working very well.
It's almost like...
Come on, let me try. Don't worry.
After all of these years working with Miss Clara
on her Christmas schemes,
I'm pretty much a pro.
Oh!
-Ooh. -I'm sorry.
-[laughs] -Uh, you were saying?
Now we have matching beards.
Now, that's pretty good icing.
Try again, please.
I'm sorry.
[laughs]
Yeah, yeah, that's more like it.
[laughs]
That's kind of cute.
Uh-huh. Yeah.
Yup. There.
-Oh, nice. -Now we're even.
Even?
Oh, no. This means war.
[Sarah] What? No.
[screams and laughs]
Oh!
-Whoa! -Do you surrender?
-Never. -[screams] Oh!
-What about now? -Oh.
Okay. Fine.
But only because it's Christmas.
Agreed. [laughs]
-Truce. -Truce.
Oh, my gosh, can we also agree
to never let my mom know what we did to her kitchen?
-Agree. -Oh, my God.
-[cell phone vibrates] -Do you need to get that?
Oh, snap.
Uh, yes. It is work. Sorry.
They said they'd only call if it was an emergency.
-I got to get this. -Okay. I'll start cleaning up.
Okay. Thanks.
[operator] Video call connecting.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Sarah, are you there?
Hi, Mr. Gardner.
Yes, I am here.
Do you have something on your face?
Yes. Sorry, sir. This is icing.
I'm decorating cookies, you know, for a holiday party.
I...I like to go big.
[Gardner] As I was saying...
Sarah, your gran's asked me some ornaments...
Mr. Collins, Mr. Gardner,
this is my new intern, Luke Abshire.
I...I thought he should hear this.
Luke, welcome.
So Judge Lacy broke his leg skiing in Vail.
He'll be in rehab for several months.
And it looks like we may be getting Judge Casey.
Great.
[sighs]
What's so bad about Casey?
He doesn't pull any punches.
[Luke] Well, neither does Sarah.
She's the smartest person I know.
We're betting on it.
We'll let you know if anything else changes.
We just wanted to give you an update.
Luke, I expect you'll offer any support she needs.
Absolutely. We make a good team.
We'll be in touch. Stay focused.
And happy holidays.
Happy holidays.
-[sighs] -Whoo!
-So I'm an intern now, huh? -I am so sorry.
I didn't really know what to say.
It just happened kind of fast.
Oh, I think it all went pretty well, because...
[both laugh]
Yeah. Thank you for not blowing my cover.
I meant what I said.
I'm on your team.
Always.
So, what kind of law do I practice?
-[laughs] -I just think I should know,
now that we're on the same team.
I was just so sure he was not going to be here,
and now we're literally spending the entire week together.
[Rachel, on phone] And remind me why that's a bad thing.
It's not a bad thing, I guess.
It's just a little awkward.
Well, it was your idea to team up together.
Yeah, because it was inevitable.
Look, you think anyone's going to let me forget
that Luke Abshire is my Mr. Christmas?
And besides, I needed help with all the festive stuff.
I mean, this week has got to be perfect for my grans.
Yeah, but of all the people you could have picked,
like, I don't know, your mother,
you pick the guy who bought the place
where you had your first kiss.
No! Not you too. Come on.
You know what I think?
No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.
I don't think this is about Luke.
I think this is about David, and Oscar, and Julio...
[chuckles]
...and all the other guys you've dated since I've known you.
The ones you dumped before they could get a chance.
And you are not giving Luke a chance either.
This is not about one embarrassing breakup.
This is about how scared you really are to let someone in.
[scoffs]
Wow.
That was a lot. And totally not true.
I let you into my life.
Maybe a little too much.
[scoffs]
You love me.
[chuckles] Look,
neither of you can change the past,
but what happens this week is completely up to you.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
Maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world
to have my best friend back in my life.
Hey, now, I thought I was your best friend.
[laughs]
Come on, you know what I mean.
-[oven beeps] -Oh, you know what?
My cookies are ready. I can't let them burn.
I'll talk to you later, girl.
Okay. Bye.
Hmm.
[sighs]
Mom, are you okay?
Oh, yeah. Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?
Well, you are the best present wrapper I know,
and somehow that very simple box seems to be defeating you.
Oh, God.
Yeah, it's--
-It's that Mark guy. -The photographer?
I saw him in town today,
and he asked if I wanted to take him on a tour,
and I said yes, and then he was like,
"Well, it's a date." And then I was like...
Mom. Mom, deep breaths, okay?
Just think of warm cookies and eggnog.
-It's okay. -I just--
I haven't been on a date since your father, you know?
I'm so out of practice.
You'll be great.
I mean, just, you know,
be yourself and he'll love you.
I'm just so nervous. I can't even wrap this gift.
I feel like a teenager again.
There seems to be a lot of that going on around here.
How are things with you and Luke?
[sighs]
It's strange.
But, yeah, no, it's good. It's...
I'm actually on my way to go meet him right now.
We're going to work at the carriage rides.
Right. I forgot the carriage rides were starting tonight.
-Yeah. -Oh, you guys have fun.
Not as much fun as you'll be having with Mark
on your date!
Oh, just even the sound of that word makes me cringe.
I wish you could just go with me and break the ice.
That's not a bad idea.
No, sweetheart, I was only kidding.
I don't want you to be a third wheel.
Well, what if I wasn't alone?
Hey, good morning.
Oh, good morning.
I hope that you don't mind,
but my daughter Sarah, and her Mr. Christmas, Luke,
-are going to tag along. -That sounds great.
I'm glad we're starting on our double date with spying.
[Sarah] This is not a date, and it's not spying, okay?
This is wing-manning, and nothing else.
So I think once they get here,
we should maybe go down to Steamboat House.
-[camera shutters click] -Check it out down there and...
-What are you doing? -Checking the camera settings.
-It's routine. -Oh, really,
I'm not a very good subject.
That's not true. You're perfect.
You have to show that to me.
-No. -Yeah.
I mean, look at my mom.
How could I let her chicken out when she looks like that?
Were we ever that happy?
That smitten?
Yeah.
Yeah, I think we were.
All right, let's make a move before we get caught.
Sorry we're late.
-Hey. -Hi.
So glad you guys could make it.
So, are you guys ready?
Yes, let's do it.
[playing Cajun fiddle]
[Mark] It's beautiful.
[laughs]
[all laughing]
-Way down there. -Uh-huh.
[Charlotte and Mark giggling]
[Mark] That's awesome.
[indistinct chattering]
[Sarah] On one two, three.
[all] Merry Christmas!
[Charlotte] Preservation's gumbo.
You cannot come to New Iberia without trying it.
-I'm excited. -[chuckles]
-Yeah, well, cheers. -Cheers.
[laughs]
-It's good? -It's good.
See? I told you. I was right.
Mm-hmm.
You must think I'm such a terrible reporter,
not knowing much about this town.
Hey, I'm not here to judge.
The truth is, I was actually supposed to be covering
a Christmas festival on the East Coast,
and then winter storm Meghan rolled in
and my editor rerouted me here.
Oh.
Well, then it must be fate.
I guess it must be.
So...
there's a, um...
this museum on Main Street.
Might be something you want to go check out.
-Yeah. Haven't been to it. -Okay.
-That'd be great. -Mm-hmm.
[Luke] Anything like this up in Boston?
Nothing's ever like home.
I remember we used to hang these lights
every Saturday in November.
How many years did we do that?
Five. Please don't remind me.
I think my back still hurts from it.
[both laugh]
Thanks for coming today, by the way.
I...
I know it meant a lot to my mom.
It meant a lot to me too.
As much as I hate to admit it, you're still a really good date.
-[laughs] So this is a date? -Figure of speech,
and I'm sure it's not even that much of a compliment.
I'm sure you get plenty of practice dating.
What makes you think that?
Oh, come on.
A handsome, smart vet in a small town?
You've got to be pretty popular.
So you think I'm handsome and smart?
This is a night full of revelations.
[chuckles]
For your information,
I have plenty of practice dating.
Just haven't found the right one yet.
-You want to join the carolers? -Hard pass!
Haven't sung in public since seventh grade.
Ah, the infamous "Silent Night" incident.
Who could forget that?
Oh, I had stage fright so bad during that solo,
you had to come up and save me.
We sang a mean duet, though.
Yeah.
-You okay? -Yeah. I just--
I always forget how cold it gets here at night.
Oh, no, I don't want your jacket.
Just hold still.
Your grandmother would kill me
if I let you catch pneumonia out here.
How's that? Is that better?
Yeah.
It's perfect.
Mom, slow down.
Where's the fire?
[Charlotte] It's just been a long day, that's all.
I'm just ready to be home, because I am tired.
And where have you two been all day?
I didn't see you at the festival headquarters,
and I know you both had free time.
Luke Abshire, you had better not be distracting my girls.
Oh, no, ma'am.
If anything, I'd say that they were distracting me.
All right, you three, come on in.
I got a pot of jambalaya on the stove,
and I'm sure I can talk one of you
into telling me what's really going on here.
So we're going to have to go in there
before she starts asking more questions.
-Yup, let's go. -Yeah, let's do it.
[sighs]
That jambalaya, man, it defeated me.
[laughs]
Many men have tried to eat a whole pot of my jambalaya.
-They have all failed. -[Luke laughs]
Don't be so hard on yourself, kid.
[Timothy] Hey, Luke, could you give me a hand back here, please?
[Luke] Yes, sir.
As soon as I can roll myself
back in there to you.
-[laughs] -[grunts]
[Timothy] Let's go.
So, girls, have we had a productive day?
Oh, Mom, don't start.
Oh, I know you, you're not going to tell me a thing
about you and the photographer, but, Sarah...
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
Look, there's nothing going on between me and Luke.
I'm not going to believe that for a second.
You still have his jacket on, for heaven's sake.
Luke and I are just friends.
Ladies, your presence is requested in the study.
Our presence?
[Timothy] Yes, you heard the man.
Please, this way, ladies.
This way.
-Anything for you, Grandpa. -All right, come on.
Let's go.
Right this way.
[Charlotte] Oh, why, thank you, kind sir.
-There we go. -[Charlotte] Very nice of you.
[gasps] Oh.
What in the name of Rudolph are you up to, Timothy Winter?
Did you drag that old thing in from the spare room,
you crazy old man?
Well, I think, at my age,
I'm entitled to a few eccentricities
and sentimentalities.
So if you'll indulge me.
-Hmm? -Oh, yes. That's a yes.
[sighs]
You know, when I was a kid,
after we'd have a family meal at Christmas,
we'd all gather around this old girl
and we'd sing carols, right?
Now, you all know I cannot carry a tune in a bucket.
No, but it's not about the singing.
It's about the coming together,
and blending all the different voices
to celebrate the joy and the wonder of the season.
Now, I'd like you all to sing with me, if you will.
Sounds great, Dad.
Come on.
[clears throat]
[groans]
Oh, Luke, because you are a guest,
you get to choose the first song.
All right.
"Silent Night."
It's been my favorite since seventh grade.
[Timothy] Okay.
Good choice.
[playing "Silent Night"]
♪ Silent night ♪
♪ Holy night ♪
♪ All is calm ♪
♪ All is bright ♪
♪ Round yon Virgin ♪
♪ Mother and child ♪
♪ Holy infant ♪
♪ So tender and mild ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly ♪
♪ Peace ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪
[Charlotte] Oh, just a few more of these, and we will be home free.
We have to get them to the shelter by 10:00.
And Luke needs some help
organizing everything over there.
Sarah, can you go lend a hand?
Gran, sorry, I have so much work to do.
I thought you said you were free for the season,
unless there was an emergency?
There was. Our old judge hurt his leg.
Well, what are you going to do, perform surgery on your laptop?
Can I please may be excused from this lovely conversation?
You know, if you're trying to avoid Luke,
you might as well forget it.
He just pulled up the driveway.
-Oops! -No!
Honey, you both ran track in the Louisiana summers.
I think he's seen you looking way worse than this.
Just saying.
Good morning, ladies.
[Doris] Good morning.
-Very festive. -[Sarah sighs]
What are you doing here?
Picking up the presents. Want to help us bring them over?
I have so much work to do. I--
[Luke] We can go to Victor's.
Grab some coffee and some breakfast.
You know, just like we used to.
[chuckles]
Okay. Fine. Yes. I just--
-I just need to-- -Change?
-Yes. -Well,
you have about as much time as it takes
to get that pile of presents into my truck.
Come on.
Kids are waiting.
She is warming up to you.
I don't deserve a second chance, Miss Doris.
Maybe not.
But you got one.
So don't let it slip away.
[Mark] Ronnie, I can't thank you enough
for letting me talk to those kids.
They're amazing, as is the work you do here.
And we appreciate all the love. Every little bit helps.
-Thank you. -Hey, Luke!
-Good to see you, man! -Merry Christmas, Ronnie.
I got quite the haul for you today.
I see, man.
This is amazing. Thank you so much.
Hey, Ronnie, this is Sarah Winter-Ross.
-Hi. -She's an old friend of mine.
[Ronnie] Thank you so much.
You have no idea how much
this is going to mean to our kids.
Well, I'm really happy to help.
Luke, Ronnie's been telling me
what a blessing you are to this place.
I do what I can.
Believe me, the kids here,
they give me way more than I could give them.
How about we take the rest of these to the back?
All right.
Thank you, guys.
Mark, I want to say thank you and Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
And, just so you know, this here is my good side.
[both laugh]
[camera clicks]
-Hi. -Oh, hi.
I was just going to come over to HQ and see if I could find you.
You were?
Yeah, let me help you with that.
No, that's-- it's all right.
I'm just dropping off some last-minute donations,
then just going to head on over
and start setting up for the winter dance.
Well, I have got some time to kill today.
So, what do you say I grab a couple of hot chocolates
and lend a hand?
My way of saying thank you
for spending the day with me yesterday.
Oh, that was nothing, really.
And we have a whole team down there,
so we should be all right.
Right.
Of course.
Yeah. Okay. I guess I'll see you around.
Yeah.
See you around.
Okay, y'all, just a little bit more to the left.
Keep going.
Left! That's it. Perfect.
Mom, what are you doing?
It's called supervising.
[chuckles]
You know, the older you get,
the better the jobs they give you.
So have you been tour-guiding today?
I'm telling you, I could show that Mark around for a day.
Mom, it was nothing.
Who says it has to be nothing?
You know, if he makes you happy and you make him happy,
you should be happy together.
I mean, there's nothing too tricky about that math.
Look, I got married when I was young.
The whole dating, flirting thing,
I don't remember how to do it.
I made a fool out of myself yesterday.
Come here.
You mean to tell me
that you're never going to try at love again?
Mom.
Charlotte Anne Winter.
What if Sarah were standing here,
and wondering if she should give Luke another chance,
would you be telling her never to try for love again?
Of course not.
Well, then, why on earth are you telling yourself that?
Because it's all happening so fast.
Fast is good.
It doesn't let you overthink everything.
I swear, you and Sarah, you want to get so logical about romance.
I don't know where you get it from.
All right, Mom, stop the therapizing.
How about you help me with these lights?
-[scoffs] -You know,
I think they'll be a lot easier to untangle
than my love life.
Maybe.
[laughs]
All right. Here we go.
One, two, say, "Christmas."
[camera shutters click]
There we go.
The kids at the shelter were precious.
And Ace, you were such a big hit, boy.
Oh, Sarah and Luke?
-Hey, Freddy. -Never thought I'd see the day
that you two would be walking through town together again.
Freddy. Freddy Decourt?
In the flesh.
-You're the mayor now? -Just barely.
Special election last month, you know?
Got me in by the skin of my teeth.
But you know what? The joke is on everybody
in our senior class who gave me that "class clown" superlative.
I-I can't believe it.
But, congratulations. I think the last time
I saw you in high school, you were...
Making paper airplanes.
Pulling people's ponytails.
Ditching detention.
Pretty much all of the above.
Well, it just goes to show you anyone can change.
Yeah, they can.
Hey, did you see that right there, Sarah?
You can add your face to the big Christmas tree.
-That's a really good idea. -Thank you.
Five dollars. You know what?
Why don't you, you and the dog hop in here?
Oh...
Come on, it's for charity.
Five bucks.
Come on, Ace.
One, two, say, "Christmas."
Christmas.
[Sarah] You know, it was nice of him to give us a do-over.
And... I think I like this one better than the one on the tree.
Yeah, we take a mean picture,
even when you're being attacked by a wild animal.
[laughs]
Do you want to come inside?
I'm sure there are some treats or--
Oh, maybe even some leftover jambalaya.
No, that's okay. I need to get Ace home.
But I'll see you tomorrow for some boat decorating.
I'll be there.
Have a good night.
You, too.
Hey, you sure you don't want to take this home?
I don't have a Christmas tree right now
with all the construction, so... you keep it.
Okay.
Good night, Sarah.
Good night, Luke.
[door closes]
You were all just spying on me, weren't you?
No.
It was the women's idea.
I told them not to.
Thanks a lot, Dad.
[Doris sighs]
Well, did you have a nice time, dear?
[Sarah] Yeah.
Yeah, I did.
[laughs]
-Good night. -[all] Good night.
[Doris] Sleep tight.
[gasps] Mom!
[Doris] Oh, my gosh, look at this.
-Oh, they are so cute. -Oh.
Hi.
Your mom told me I could find you here.
Did I overstep?
No.
Oh, no.
Look, I want to apologize.
I had a really nice time the other day with you,
and I think I just read too much into everything.
And I was surprised.
It's been a long time since I've...
[laughs]
It's been a long time for me, too.
And just so you know, you didn't read too much into everything.
How about we start over?
Dinner tonight, just you and me.
No camera, no story.
I'd like that, yeah.
You remember that time we stole a dinghy,
and we rowed out to the middle of the water?
Yeah, I remember not wanting to row anymore,
because you were getting us too close to the fireworks.
Just trying to give you the best view in town.
Who knows?
Maybe we'll end up on the finale float this year.
You know, to re-pin Mr. and Miss, get to ride on.
Think we have a shot?
Yeah. I think we do.
[sighs]
She's looking pretty good.
You know what? Maybe I should recruit this team
to decorate my building when we're done.
"Your building."
It still sounds so weird to hear you say that.
You should come over. Come see it.
Right now?
I was thinking more like 7:00.
You know, for dinner?
Sure.
Seven sounds good.
Cool.
I'll cook you the finest Chinese takeout you've ever eaten.
[both laugh]
Gee, thanks.
[mumbling]
Oh, I got one!
Are you sure?
Where do you think you're going?
I am going to dinner with Mark.
-Oh. -Who?
The photographer. We talked about this.
Oh, yeah. Oh, the handsome one.
[Doris] Yeah. Oh, well,
and I don't need three guesses
about where you're going tonight.
Luke just wanted to show me the building he's working on.
Mother/daughter date night.
I'm feeling left out.
Oh, how about if I take you on an ever-so-romantic date,
and finish putting up the decorations
for the dance tonight, hmm?
Be still, my heart.
Oh, don't worry, Gran. Look mine is not a date, so...
Mine either.
I'm just calling it like I see it, girls.
-Good night. I love you. -See you later.
-Bye. -Love you.
[knocks]
Luke?
Hey.
-Hey. -Glad you made it.
-Me too. -What is that?
You said you didn't have a Christmas tree.
No self-respecting Mr. Christmas should go without one.
Well, let's light it up then.
-Okay. -All right.
You look great.
I mean it, it looks great.
[laughs]
I mean, you look great and it is great.
Luke Abshire, at a loss for words.
Never thought I'd see the day.
Aw. Hey, Ace.
How are you, buddy?
Hey, are you going to give me a tour?
[Luke] Right. The tour.
Well, this is it.
I mean, it's not "it-it',
there's still a lot of work to be done.
But, come on, let me show you around.
Okay. Okay.
So this is the waiting room.
I want it to be warm and inviting, though, you know?
Not boring and sterile.
So I'm thinking maybe some plants.
You know, all types of free treats.
You know, a coffee station. I got to have a coffee station.
And this is our reception desk.
If you'll follow me,
down this imaginary small hallway,
you'll see that in here, we'll have three exam rooms.
It's a work in progress, but we'll have one here.
One in the corner.
And finally, in the back, we'll have a space
where we can board the animals, so I'll work over here,
and Ace and I will live out back over that way.
And this little place will be our happy little home.
But don't worry.
As soon as all the construction is finished,
I'll have a Christmas tree every single year.
[laughs]
I mean, this is-- this is really great, Luke.
I just...I don't know. I just have one question.
Anything.
Why here?
This building has happy memories.
And it's the only place downtown in my price range.
No, why New Iberia?
Why stay in our little old town?
The people.
The food. The warmth.
The way they make it feel like Christmas all year round.
Even when the decorations go back to the boxes.
And, I don't know.
Maybe I was hoping that one day,
somebody I lost a long time ago would come back.
[knock on door]
That must be dinner.
I did promise you some of the finest Chinese takeout
-you've ever had. -[laughs]
Yeah, well, there'd better be some extra fried rice in there.
Don't worry.
I know it's your favorite.
Not going to lie, I didn't know you'd go for the whole
dessert-before-dinner idea.
Well, clearly, you have a lot to learn about me.
I look forward to it.
That is just so good, isn't it?
I used to get that all the time when I was a kid.
Does it taste as good as you remember?
Mm. It's better.
I find that most things get better with age.
Yeah, like Christmas.
How so?
I know, like, when you're a kid, of course,
it's all about the presents.
-Mm-hmm. -But when you get older,
it's more about the moments
that you spend with the people that you care the most about.
Well, I'm glad you're spending some of your time with me.
An old bachelor, alone at Christmastime.
[chuckles]
You know what else is great about Christmas?
Hmm?
No one is a stranger this time of year.
That's true.
When you and I bumped into each other,
it was like meeting an old friend.
I knew right away I wanted to see you again.
And my asking you out was way more of a gamble
than I usually take.
But in the words of my daughter,
"Dad, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Well, she's a very wise daughter.
Yeah.
Hey, what do you say we forget about dinner
and double up on dessert?
I've been hearing about this bakery in town.
Guidry's on Main, yeah.
It's heaven.
You up for it?
-Oh, yeah. -Let's do it.
All right.
[Timothy] Wow, looks like it's just you and me.
Well, how come we get the last shift?
We're the oldest ones here.
Well, I think because I told everybody to go home.
What?
[Recording of Timothy] ♪ Let me call you sweetheart ♪
Timothy Winter.
[recording continues]
Do you remember the first time that we danced here?
I remember you were scared to get too close to me.
I wasn't too scared.
-[scoffs] -No, I was--
I was savoring the moment. I was just taking it slow.
You were the one who had different ideas.
I was cold.
And I pulled too close so I'd be warm.
So you say.
[chuckles]
♪ Let me call you sweetheart ♪
♪ I'm in love ♪
♪ With you ♪
[song fades out]
Take a bite. All right, time for the best part of the meal.
-Not so fast. -Hey.
Got to leave a little bit up to fate.
What are you doing?
You got to pick one.
[sighs] Okay.
-That one. -You sure? That one?
-Yes. -My left hand could be good.
-Give me the cookie. -It could be good.
[laughs]
Let's see what we got.
"A new beginning lies in your future."
-Hm. -Yeah.
A new beginning?
-Huh? [laughs] -Just one.
"Take the chance while you still have the choice."
[scoffs]
Who writes these things?
When did you become such a cynic?
Oh! Hmm.
Probably around the time the guy I loved more than anything
broke my heart in front of the entire town.
Yeah.
I never meant to hurt you, Sarah.
[sighs]
I know. It's just...
I mean, we were best friends.
Together for four years.
And then it was just over, like that.
I was confused, and I...
I missed you in my life.
I was afraid.
Everything was happening so fast.
I knew we weren't going to get married at 18
or anything like that,
but it just felt like our whole lives
had been planned out for us.
I just needed time to figure out
if that's what I wanted.
I didn't have it all figured out like you did.
I was a scared, stupid kid.
And I'm really sorry.
Well, I forgive you.
But just so you know, I didn't--
I didn't have it all figured out.
I mean, I still don't have it all figured out.
I ran away instead of facing what happened.
Instead of facing you.
And now that you have?
[cell phone rings]
-Ugh! -Where is that coming from?
It's my phone.
Miss Clara made me download this app for the festival.
[Luke] There's an app?
Yeah.
Reminder to be at the ceremony tomorrow
for the new Mr. and Miss Christmas.
Oh, that's right. That is tomorrow, huh?
Yeah.
You know, I...
I should get going with the dance and everything tomorrow.
It's going to be a long one.
Would you want to go with me?
Well, who else would I go with?
You're my Mr. Christmas.
Yes, I am.
[chuckles]
Have a good night.
You too.
[door opens and closes]
[sighs and chuckles]
Okay, eat them while they're ho-ho-hot.
Ha-ha!
-Oh, those look great, Dad. -So good.
[Timothy] I want you to eat one. Not just fruit.
Okay, ladies.
So how were your dates last night?
Oh, you do not waste any time, do you?
I waited until the pancakes were out.
You first, Mom.
Well, we had a nice time. He's a really nice guy.
Oh, a guy so nice she said it twice.
[laughs]
You know, this is really awkward, right? This is awkward?
No, it's not.
There is nothing awkward about love.
You either like somebody or you don't.
It's just simple as that.
[sighs]
So, do you like him?
Yeah. I do.
-[laughs] -She likes him.
In fact, we're going to the dance together.
[all chatter excitedly]
That's amazing. Come on, tell us more.
-What's he like? -[Doris] Oh, no.
You're not getting away that easy.
You spill.
His place is fantastic.
He's got a lot of work to do,
but he's really excited about it.
And, yeah, it was...
it was cute.
Oh. Cute.
-[Doris] You're cute. -[Timothy] I'm cute?
Sarah, isn't this so exciting?
It's the big day.
You haven't seen my Carol around anywhere, have you?
I haven't. No.
If she's anything like I was, she's probably a nervous wreck.
So, don't worry. She's going to show up.
-Okay. -Breathe.
[inhales and exhales]
-Okay. -Okay.
I'm going to get some more programs.
Oh, Carol, your aunt was just...
Oh, are you okay?
I think my boyfriend's going to break up with me.
Oh.
I really don't know for sure.
He's just been acting weird and distant.
I know it's high school stuff, and I shouldn't...
you're Sarah Winter-Ross.
[laughs]
That's me.
Then you're the perfect person to talk to.
How do I avoid a Luke Abshire situation?
I see my reputation precedes me.
I'm sorry. That came out wrong.
It's just my Aunt Clara talks about you all the time.
And I love Eric.
I don't want to lose him.
Okay, well, then take if from someone who's been there before.
Look, sometimes, you lose the people that you love.
That's not what I was hoping to hear.
But if it's meant to be,
you'll find your way back to them.
Is that what's happening with you and Luke Abshire?
I mean, the whole town's been talking about it.
I don't know.
I like him. I always have.
But our first heartbreak's hard to forget.
You're right.
I'm just going to make Eric love me again.
I don't want to still be in love with him when I'm 40.
Thank you, Miss Sarah. You're a real friend.
That...that's not what I meant.
Do I look 40?
-[both laughing] -Whoo-hoo!
-[imitates explosion] -Tinsel.
All right, ladies and gentlemen.
The moment you've all been waiting for.
Miss Clara, please join me on the stage with those pins.
[Clara] Okay.
Thought you'd be up front in the middle of the action.
Oh, no.
Thought I'd get a better view from back here.
[laughing]
And the 2019 Miss and Mr. Christmas are...
Drumroll.
...Carol Alleman and Eric Price!
-Yay! -[applause]
They look cute together.
And they remind me of us.
Yeah.
They kind of do.
You know, I wouldn't change a thing that happened.
No, not when I'm here with you right now.
-You big sap. -[laughs]
So you ready to dance the night away, Miss Christmas?
Oh, I am ready, Mr. Christmas.
[both laugh]
[applause and cheering]
[gasps] Oh, there they are.
Mr. and Miss of the evening.
[laughs]
Besides my Carol, of course.
[Doris] Oh.
[Clara] You both look fabulous.
Let me show you to your reserved table.
Oh, wow, this place is beautiful.
[festive holiday jazz playing]
Sarah. Charlotte.
Mark.
Would you mind terribly
if I stole her away for a dance?
Steal away.
You two have fun.
Wow.
Well, don't you clean up nice.
I was just thinking the same thing about you.
-[chuckles] -Shall we?
Yeah.
[big band jazz playing, "Oh, Christmas Tree"]
[cheering and applause]
Good evening, everyone. Gather around.
It's the moment that we've all been waiting for.
The re-pinning ceremony
of one lucky former Mr. and Miss Christmas,
who have continued to live out the values of the season
after all these years.
Now, our committee has been watching,
and we feel like they have picked the perfect pair.
Who looks best together? Side by side.
Pi has all those numbers.
We don't need all those numbers.
We just need two numbers, right?
One and two, and we've picked the perfect pair.
And now, it is our pleasure
to announce the 50th anniversary Mr. and Miss Christmas...
Timothy Winter and Doris Winter.
[cheering and applause]
Give it up.
Timothy, my man.
Look at that, huh?
I hope that's us one day.
[Doris] What a beautiful honor.
Thank you all so, so very much.
But my husband and I always thought this award
was about the future,
and about who is going to carry on the legacy
of this town, and Christmas.
So we would like to pass on this award...
to Mr. Luke Abshire
and to my granddaughter, Sarah Winter-Ross.
[applause]
Luke, Sarah, you bring out the best in each other.
You always have.
We're so proud of you.
So, what do you say? You want to take the floor
and share this special Mr. and Ms. Christmas dance
with all of us?
Absolutely.
Let's get out there.
[sighs]
I'm sorry. I can't do this.
[murmuring]
Sarah!
Sarah. Sarah.
Sarah, please wait.
Please, wait.
Is this about the dance?
If this is about the dance,
we don't have to be Mr. and Miss Christmas again.
This isn't about those traditions.
Then what? Tell me what's wrong?
Listen, everybody's inside waiting for us.
Can we just go back inside?
Oh, you don't get it? I can't go back.
I thought I could, but I-I can't.
I only have one heart, Luke, and I have to protect it.
I am sorry.
Sarah. Sarah.
[sighs]
[Doris humming]
Quit lurking in the doorway, dear.
Sorry. I didn't know anyone else was awake.
Well, your grandfather is the king of finding presents,
so I have to wrap them in secret every year.
Why are you still standing there? Come on in.
There's plenty of cocoa.
Oh, I do not think I deserve any hot cocoa right now.
Everybody deserves hot cocoa.
Yeah, but I ruined your festival.
Again.
I know how much it means to you, yet I still manage to ruin it.
Go figure.
Sweetheart, you actually think I care more
about some silly tradition
than I care about my own granddaughter's feelings?
You know, contrary to popular belief,
I'm actually a pretty good listener.
[laughs]
Okay.
I still love him.
Well, that's easy.
Go be with him. Problem solved.
We can both go back to bed.
It's not that simple.
You have an opportunity to be with a smart,
kind, funny man who loves you like you hung the moon.
But instead, you choose to be alone
on the off-chance that he repeats the same mistake
that he has regretted for the last 15 years.
It wouldn't even work out anyways, you know?
My life is in Boston.
Okay, I am not trying to sway you one way or the other.
But I will tell you this.
If you don't follow your heart,
you will regret it.
[sighs]
Okay.
I'm going to go to bed.
I...I moved my flight up to tomorrow,
and I really just want to be well-rested, so...
Oh, no. No.
You're going to miss the big boat parade and Christmas.
I know. I had the most incredible time with all of you.
But I...
I just really need to get back home.
Okay.
Good night, Gran.
Good night, sweetheart.
I love you.
[Sarah] All right, well, I should probably head out.
Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?
I'm good, but thanks, Mom.
All right, well, listen,
I packed some extra cookies in your carry-on,
-in case you get hungry. -Thank you.
[Charlotte] I love you, sweetheart.
[Sarah] I love you too.
Well, another year for the books.
Don't work too hard, and take some time for yourself.
Later, gator.
After while, crocodile.
[both laugh]
Okay, so...
here's one last little present for you, Sarah.
-Oh. -Nothing big.
Just something to remind you of who you are.
[Sarah] Oh, Gran.
Oh.
This is perfect.
Thank you.
No, you...
you know, I'm not very good at goodbyes.
Now I know where I get it from.
[sighs]
We're always here for you.
I know, Gran.
All right, well, got to make that flight.
Make sure you text when you land, okay?
Okay. I love you, guys.
[all] Love you.
[all sigh]
[chuckles]
Luke, where you off to?
Mr. Tim.
Beautiful. You shouldn't have.
-[laughs] -No. These are for Doris.
Christmas Eve is a very special time for us.
That's the day you fell in love, right?
-Yeah. -I know the story well.
That's still a story worth telling
all these years later.
Your story, how's that gonna end?
-I'm afraid the story's over. -No.
I'm going to head over to the boat parade.
Hopefully start fresh.
You should go after her. You can still catch up to her.
I tried to go after her. She didn't want me.
I just want your granddaughter to be happy, sir.
And if this is what makes her happy,
then I just got to let her go.
Are you going be all right?
I miss her already.
I do too, Luke.
[sighs]
[Cajun music playing]
[chattering]
-Whoa. Hey. -Oh, that's good.
-So happy to have you here. -Great to be here.
All right, Santa, you're on boat number two.
-Okay, everybody. -[man] Watch your step.
Permission to come aboard?
[laughs]
-Oh! -Merry Christmas.
-Thank you. -[indistinct chattering]
Hey.
You getting any good stuff?
Actually, I think I've eaten more food
than I photographed.
Where's the family?
Mom and Dad decided to take a walk before the parade,
and Sarah's actually on her way to Boston.
-Oh. -It's all right.
I know I'm technically supposed to be working tonight,
but I'd love to watch the parade with you, if that's okay.
I'd like that.
You know, it gets cold down by the river,
so it'd be nice to have someone to snuggle with.
Oh, before I forget, this is for you.
It's a day early, I know,
but I figured tomorrow you'll probably be with your family,
so it's just a little something I thought you should have.
You just look so beautiful there.
Thank you.
I love it.
I'm glad.
Shall we?
Oh, yeah.
[woman on P.A.] This is final boarding for Flight 209 to Boston.
[cell phone rings]
I am so sorry. I...
[attendant] Ma'am, are you boarding?
Yeah.
All right. Here we go. Keep them closed. Don't cheat.
If you're going to push me in the water,
I'm pulling you in after me.
Well, I believe you would do that.
-[both laugh] -Okay. Hold on.
All right, here we are. Open your eyes.
[Doris] Oh.
Our tree.
Oh.
But I don't remember this being here.
Oh. No.
It's new.
-Hm. -Well, take a seat.
Probably the best view of the town, huh?
[Doris] Mm-hm.
What's this?
Oh. I don't know.
Why don't you read it.
"To the first Miss Christmas of New Iberia,
"and the only woman I've ever loved.
"Doris Winter. Fifty years strong.
Forever by your side. Your Timothy."
Oh, honey. This is incredible.
I'm-I'm speechless.
That's a first.
-Hey! -"Hey!"
[laughs]
Hey.
[gasps] Oh, Luke! You made it!
Good to see you. Boat number seven.
All right. Thank you, Miss Clara.
You're welcome.
Well, there he is. The man of the hour.
Freddy, Merry Christmas, man.
Good to see you. Merry Christmas.
Where's Sarah?
Everything okay after last night?
She's not coming,
so Ace is going to fill in here.
I'm sorry, man.
It was great seeing you guys back together this week.
You know, I was rooting for you.
Thanks, man. I was too.
And hey, let's get you on that boat.
-Come on, Ace. -Hello, Ace.
Hey, how you doing.
Ah, Christmas.
[indistinct chattering]
-Hi. -[Timothy] Hey.
You have room for two more?
-You remember Mark? -Sure. Hi.
So glad y'all are seeing each other.
And you're just in time.
It's about ready to start.
[clears throat]
I am sorry about her.
Is she wrong?
Sounds pretty good to me.
Me too.
[chuckles]
On the count of three,
launch those boats!
One, two, three!
[cheering and applause]
Showtime.
Hey, boy.
I know we both thought this would turn out differently,
but we gave it our best shot.
[motor cranks]
I know, I miss her too.
[Sarah] Luke!
Luke, wait.
Sarah.
Come on, you can make it. Stop the boat. Stop.
[motor turns off]
-[both laughing] -Jump.
I thought I was too late.
[sighs] Never.
But what are you doing here?
I thought you were going back to Boston?
Yeah, I know.
Look, Gran says I think too much,
especially when it comes to love.
I couldn't go and leave my heart here with you.
I love you, Luke.
I love you.
I never stopped loving you, Sarah.
Hey, can we get this show on the road?
We got to catch up with the parade.
[both laughing]
-Yeah. -All right.
Yeah. Full speed ahead.
[motor cranks and whirs]
All right, hold on and don't let go.
I don't plan on it.
[Cajun music playing]
There you go.
Oh, look at that.
[indistinct chattering]
[cheers and applause]
Look at that. Oh.
-Mom, that's your favorite. -Yeah, the sleigh.
-I love the sleigh. -[indistinct chatter]
Oh, there's Luke.
-[Timothy] Uh, honey? -[Doris] Not now.
I'm trying to watch the parade.
Who...
Who is that on the boat with Luke?
Is that Clara?
["Auld Lang Syne" plays throughout]
Oh, my gosh. She came back.
Like I said, our Sarah's going to be just fine.
-Hmm? -That's my girl.
Sarah!
Whoo, baby!
♪ Should auld acquaintance Be forgot ♪
♪ And never brought to mind ♪
Merry Christmas, Sarah.
Merry Christmas, Luke.
♪ And auld lang syne ♪
[fireworks whistling]
["Up On The Housetop" fiddle instrumental plays]