(jazzy music) ♪
♪
♪ I'm so happy that Santa's on his way ♪
♪ Been waiting all year long for Christmas Day ♪
♪ I feel alive when I look up to the sky ♪
(Cadence) All right. Let's see what's on tap for today.
Oh! Ah! Lucky girl.
Turkey and cheese, cucumbers, pretzels and grapes.
Mom? Can I have a cream cheese
and strawberry jelly sandwich instead?
Ummm...
You mean, Saturday's 'weekend celebration'
cream cheese and jelly sandwich?
That's the one.
Sure. Yeah.
I can just switch the two, so you'll just have
Saturday's lunch today and today's lunch on Saturday.
And I really don't need to re-label the bag
because that would be crazy.
Thank you Mommy! You're the bestest.
(cell phone notification rings)
EVENT: CHRISTMAS PLAY PARENT VOLUNTEER MEETING
Oh! We got to get a move on.
I need to get to the school for the first meeting for
the Christmas play, before I head to work.
Time to organize and prioritize.
Mom, I think you'll do great.
You look like the most beautiful elf mommy ever.
A beautiful elf mommy?
I'll take it!
This year our theme is the Elf Express:
The North Pole Gift Train.
And we're focusing on the magic of community
during this holiday season.
On behalf of Redbird Falls Elementary
we are so grateful to you parents for volunteering.
(Henry) Excuse me, sorry.
Sorry. So sorry I'm late.
It's okay.
We've divided you up into pairs according to skill sets
in order to achieve the best results possible
on this short timeline.
Oh, she means business.
I'm trying to...
All right. Sorry.
Bonnie and Eric, you're doing costumes.
Bailey and Jeff, you're on ticket sales and refreshments.
And Cadence...
You're doing backdrops and set design with Henry Harrison.
(Ms Lynda) Let's get to it!
All right. Cadence, huh?
Yeah.
Well, nice to meet you, partner!
Hey. Henry, right?
-Yeah. -Great.
So. Elf Village.
I already have some ideas brewing.
Great! Me too.
(Henry) Oh boy.
Your brew is farther along than mine.
Okay. So if you look at Section A
on the diagram right here, the entrance to the elf train
will be stage left.
Ah...
So...
Center stage will be where all the elves
are packaging the toys.
So we'll need approximately five feet of scaffolding
just to set up all of the props.
Then over here above where the train is
we will have the Elf Village.
As you can see here on Section C.
Now access will be pretty tight for the kids,
but I think with rehearsal and proper blocking
it should just work perfectly.
What do you think?
I, umm...
Oh and this is my checklist, right here.
Did you want me to print a copy for you?
Did I miss a meeting?
No.
Did I miss like ten meetings?
When did you do this blueprint?
I mean it's even color-coded.
Well, I, ah, I helped out with the play last year,
and I got a little sneak peak at the theme
from Ms Lynda last week. So I just dove right in.
I see that.
-Good job. -Thank you!
Is there anything better than a good checklist?
You know, actually, what's better than a good checklist
is checking things off.
I mean, right?
Hey, I got an idea.
How about we just feel out the space. Huh?
Feel it out?
Yeah. Just, kind of, listen to the space.
See what it wants us to do with it.
Okay.
This space seems shy.
(laughs)
I don't know.
Okay.
I'm just saying that maybe we should brainstorm some ideas.
Together.
Ah. Yeah, yeah okay.
I mean, we could definitely like...
Add that to the list.
Brainstorming.
I, I am flexible. So...
Yeah, I see that.
Hey, what's your kid's name?
Mary. She's seven.
Yours?
Ruthie. She's six.
Very excited to be an elf.
Yeah, so is Mary.
Looks like we both have elves for kids.
Yeah. Yeah, so, you know what?
This is the space that our elves
are going to help out the big guy.
Yes. Yes.
And an Elf Village is built on community.
And so is an elf train, for that matter.
A community that's filled with the Christmas spirit and magic.
Yeah. Yeah.
Joy!
Joy.
The foundation is joy!
A railway built on the joy of Christmas. Huh?
You know.
Joy. Joy sounds great.
We just need to make sure that the joy isn't
too expensive for our budget and fits within our timeline.
(Cadence's cell phone rings)
Oh, you know, I have to take this.
Sorry, just give me one sec.
Avery. Hi.
Hi, Cadence.
I just wanted to see if we could move up our meeting to
eleven o'clock today, instead of next week.
Umm, yeah. Absolutely.
Yeah, that works.
Oh, and my mom is going to be joining us.
Millie? That's great.
I haven't seen her in a while.
Is everything okay?
Oh, absolutely!
We just wanted to talk about all the wedding plans and
make sure we're all on the same page.
It's getting really close!
Yes, it is.
The wedding countdown has officially started.
All right. I'm just going to wrap up here
and I will see you at eleven.
Okay.
Okay. I'm sorry about that.
No worries. Congratulations.
Huh?
Your wedding.
My...? Oh.
No, I plan weddings.
I love weddings.
I even had a wedding but he was less into the idea of
"forever" than I was.
But I love creating the wedding experience
for other people.
You get all the joy without any of the possible conflict
or potential heartache.
Well, not all marriages have conflict.
Heartache's a different story.
Did you want me to leave my notes for you to review?
No, I'm, I'm good, I'm good.
All right. Great.
You know what would go great for the play?
A sleigh.
A sleigh?
Yeah. What better to bring joy and magic
at Christmas than a sleigh.
We can put it right over here.
Um. I, I wish we could,
but we're not really budgeted for a "magical" sleigh.
Oh come on. It'll be great!
Do you happen to have any extra sleighs lying around?
As a matter of fact, I do.
I have a few at the warehouse.
And I have no problem letting Redbird Falls
Elementary Theater department borrow one.
Sorry, warehouse?
What do you do, if you don't mind my asking?
I work in Christmas.
I'm sure you have plans this weekend, but if you wanna
stop by the warehouse tomorrow morning, you could
look at the sleighs, see if there's one you like.
Hey. Bring Mary, your elf.
I bet she loves Christmas.
I'm pretty sure all little kids love Christmas.
It's the most special, hope-filled,
magical time of year.
Um, yeah. Okay.
I can come by early. I'll bring Mary.
And some coffee for you and your wife.
No wife. Just me and Ruthie.
Oh, I'm sorry I didn't...
Don't worry about it. Coffee sounds great.
Great. Great.
I will see you tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
After the vows are exchanged overlooking
the majestic and serene waterfront,
your guests will be escorted to the champagne fountain
on their way to the reception ballroom,
where you will be introduced for the first time
as Mr. And Mrs. Laurel.
The Lakeview Lodge is elegant.
It is majestic. It's perfect.
Just like your wedding will be.
Amazing! I love it!
Cadence, how did you get so good at this?
I mean, you were always great at planning
our college events, but this is a whole different level!
I just, I love it.
Seriously, when we got engaged, I didn't even tell
them we were friends, and every vendor I talked to
said you were the best wedding planner in the state.
Really?
Give me their names and addresses.
I'm going to be sending them
flowers and chocolates immediately.
She's right, Cadence.
You have really found your calling.
And I love that the two of you are reconnecting
through this wedding.
Yes, I know.
I always want to come through for my clients,
but this one is special.
You two deserve it.
You've always been the real deal.
Cadence, this is all unbelievable.
If you can pull this off...
"If, if..." isn't a problem.
But "when" might be. Right, Avery?
I know this is already a really quick turn around with us
wanting our wedding date the Saturday after Christmas.
But it's a good thing that we already booked
the Lakeview Lodge for that weekend.
Because everything else is going to fall into place.
Don't worry.
Well, Sam and I talked more, and we both knew if we
didn't get married on Christmas Eve,
we'd regret it for the rest of our lives together.
We know that's highly improbable,
but we just needed to see if it might be possible.
If anyone could do it, it's you.
Cadence, my husband and I just want Avery and Sam's
dream wedding to become a reality.
You're up for it. Right Cadence?
Absolutely!
Consider your Christmas Eve wedding taken care of.
(Lex) Come on. They're here.
(Lex and Henry) Let's go.
(Kim) How did you do this?
It's even more beautiful than we discussed!
Ah. Thanks, Kim.
(Twinkle laughs)
Wait til you see when we power it up.
(Kids) Twinkle!
Hey. Now, this is where I need you guys.
Do you think you can help us?
(Kids together) Yes!
So we're going to countdown... 3, 2, 1, Magic!
And you're going to plug it in
and your yard is going to come to life. All right?
(Lex) Do you guys think you can do that for us.
(Kids together) Yes!
(Lex) All right. Let's go.
(Henry) You take that. You take that.
(Lex) Here we go.
(All together) Three, two, one...
Magic!
(bells ringing)
(electricity crackling)
(laughter)
(creaking)
(train bell ringing)
It's amazing!
Hey kids, I want you to check out your tree house.
Because a little elf may or may not have turned it into
a Christmas gift factory.
And there might be some hidden candy canes in there.
Go! Run!
(everyone laughs)
Ah, thank you.
(Cadence) Don't run off, Mary. Wait for me.
I can't mom! This is too exciting!
The North Pole is next door!
Hi Mrs Donaldson!
Where are Toby and Adelaide?
They're in the tree house out back.
Thanks! Love what you've done with the place.
(Cadence) Kim!
Hey Cadence!
Hi! This is amazing! How did you...
Cadence!
Henry!
Did you do all this?
Yeah. Me and my family, yeah.
(Cadence) Wow!
I'm going to go check on the kids.
-Okay. -I'll be right back.
This is my mother.
Hello. I'm Twinkle.
Oh, that's... I love that name. Twinkle.
Well my father, my dad, thought I had a twinkle in my eye
from the day that I was born.
And this is my brother, Lex.
Hi. It's nice to meet you.
Hi.
Cadence and I, we're, we're working
on the school play together.
Oh, oh. That's, that's wonderful.
Yeah, so far so good.
I mean, it's nothing like this.
What do I need to do to make this happen for the play?
To make this happen?
Well you need somebody who is a genius
with electricity, a consummate professional,
who lives and breathes organization.
But I'm booked.
Henry's not bad with a paintbrush, though.
I'm organized. Don't worry, I'm organized.
It's all about balance, Lex.
It is.
It's been so nice to meet you, Cadence,
but I have to finish packing up.
I'll go with you. I'll help you.
Great.
I'm excited to see the warehouse tomorrow.
Oh!
Henry invited you to the warehouse?
Yeah for the...
To check out the props for the Christmas play that...
-That we're doing. -That we're doing.
-Uh huh. -Yeah.
Oh.
-We should go. -Okay.
-Let's go Mom. -All right.
Bye.
They're amazing.
Yeah, they are.
A little nosy, but they're amazing.
If you want to check out the North Pole, it's this way.
Ah, you know what.
I would really love to but I have to get Mary to bed,
so I should probably go.
Yeah. And I have to pick up Ruthie from the sitter.
But, I'll see you at the warehouse bright and early.
You know...
It's pretty cool.
What is?
The whole time that I was working here,
you were right next door.
It's like a sign.
A sign?
We're going to make a great team.
Like, it was meant to be.
Okay.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Looking forward to it.
(Cadence) Mary! Come on. We got to go.
All right.
I got the mouse, I got the fox, and I got the green guy
who wants to steal Christmas.
Green guy, please.
Of course.
All right. Scooch over.
Mom, what's your favorite part of Christmas?
You are.
Mom! I'm serious.
So am I!
Mom. What gives you Christmasbumps?
I think you mean goose bumps?
(Mary giggles)
Goose bumps, hey.
-No? -No.
No, goose bumps are regular.
Christmasbumps are goose bumps you get from something
Christmas-sy and magical.
Ruthie told me about them.
Well, I can't wait to see you up on that stage as an elf.
I get Christmasbumps just thinking about it.
(Mary giggles)
All right. Let's read, little lady.
Green guy stealing Christmas.
Let's go.
No Christmasbumps tonight.
Ruthie, are we in a ponytail mood
or a pigtail mood?
Side pony, please.
Okay for you, anything.
This batch is a little less burned,
but who doesn't like a little char on their flapjacks, huh?
Me!
I don't.
Hey! Just put a little extra syrup on it.
You won't know the difference.
Hey Ruthie, guess who's coming by the warehouse today?
Your friend Mary from school and her mommy.
Wow! Mary is such a good elf.
I should prepare!
Dad, can you make two p b and j's?
One for me and one for Mary.
And put on grape jelly please.
And spread it to the edges. You know, like mom used to.
You bet, Ruthie Ruthie Snaggletoothie.
(door opens and closes)
(Ruthie) Hi Uncle Lex!
(Lex) Well good morning family!
Who let this Christmas elf in here? Mowah!
Hello, relief pitcher!
-Good morning. -Good morning.
(Henry) Are you hungry?
No.
Hey!
Well we've got a big week ahead of us, boys.
Okay. Pancakes and business and...
a sandwich to stress over now.
(giggles)
The Donaldson family loves our North Pole.
And, what's up next,
the Bryan family wants the Candyland theme.
-Hmm. -Awesome!
-We're on it. -Yeah.
And?
Yeah, and?
No.
I'm sorry guys, nothing yet on the Sutton House.
But she's having a Garden Club later today.
And she's having it at her house.
So I'm going to send in some feelers.
I'm going to try to find out
if she wants to go ahead with this.
Yeah, we just really need this Sutton gig.
I mean that would make Twinkle All The Way
the go-to decorating company for the whole tri-state area.
(Henry) I just want to get my hands on that yard.
Can you imagine what we could do with that space?
It would be the most amazing Christmas spectacle ever.
Daddy, are you excited for doing the play with me?
I am so excited to make you
the most authentic elf village ever.
♪
(knocking at door)
Oh. Hello!
We brought coffee because it's the nice thing to do.
Oh Mary!
Oh well, thank you.
No, it is a nice thing to do.
Mary! Hi! We made p b and j snacks!
Yay!
(Mary) I love p b and j's.
Peppermint mocha?
Yay!
Mary, why don't you let your parents check out
the sleighs and we can go to candy cane forest,
through tinsel tunnel, up the stairs
and have some more p b & j's. What do you think?
(together) Yeah!
Okay, let's go!
All right.
Let's go find a sleigh.
Okay, which one do you like best?
Let's see.
Got the tape measure, huh?
Yeah.
(Henry) All right.
Okay. That's good.
Okay, let's see. This one.
Uh huh.
That one's probably the same.
Yeah. Just need to check on here.
Yeah. I think they're all going to fit in that alcove.
The question is which is the right one.
This one is very elegant, conveying an understated yet
classic theme to our Christmas.
Rockwell, if you will.
I will.
And this one is more sleek and vibrant,
a bit more modern, if you will.
I will.
And this one is just like a child's dream,
it's colorful and playful.
It's...
More fun.
Okay! This is the one.
Oh no. No no no no no.
I haven't made a decision yet.
Tell you what.
How about you see...
If it feels right?
Feels right?
Okay.
Where did you get this sleigh?
Where did you get all of this stuff, actually?
My brother and I, we've been collecting Christmas items
since we were little.
And it's all because of our mom.
Lex, Twinkle and I, we've been decorating houses
for Christmas since I can remember.
She made it into an official business a few years ago.
Wait. So you do Christmas all year round?
No. No I wish.
I'm a painter.
I actually paint houses by day,
but I've been creating art my whole life.
It helps out with the props.
Yeah, I bet.
How do Lex and Twinkle fit into the whole thing?
Lex is an electrician, Twinkle she does the accounting.
But when our forces combine...!
(they both laugh)
You sound like a great team.
I'm pretty lucky to have the family I do.
You know, when my wife passed away, Lex and Twinkle,
they just put everything aside and made sure that
Ruthie and I got back on our feet.
I'm so sorry.
Yeah, my wife, she was the one who had the whole
parenting thing down.
I had no idea how hard it was until...
Well until she was gone.
I just want to make sure that Ruthie doesn't feel
like she's missing anything.
(choir of sleigh bells)
Is that the doorbell?
No.
That's, that's the business phone.
(laughing) Of course it is.
Hey, sorry about all that.
What, no. Are you kidding?
I know all about being a single parent.
It's no joke.
Well, I think this is the sleigh.
Are you sure you don't mind?
I'll drop it off in a couple of days.
Great. The alcove is accounted for.
So, that was Sue Sutton on the phone.
Yeah. I heard the tolling of the bells.
I guess I'm not going to have to follow up with her
at the Garden Club.
Oh no.
She's in!
-What? -Yes!
Yeah!
All right!
Wow! Congratulations. Who is Sue Sutton?
Oh, she is an icon, a huge socialite.
Her family owns Redbird Falls Chronicle.
This is the biggest get of our company.
Okay. She wants you and Lex to go over there today
after the Garden Club so that you can,
you know, discuss everything.
So, I'm going to call Lex so guys can prepare. Okay.
Okay, miss ma'am, I think it's time for us to go
finish our errands for the day.
We'll walk you out.
Great.
(Henry) Okay.
(Lex) Ready?
(Henry) All right.
Yeah.
(knocking at door)
(indistinct talking in background)
Hi!
You must be Twinkle's boys I've heard so much about!
Come in and warm up.
Thank you.
Millie is just wrapping up. Take off your coats.
(indistinct talking in background)
But an angel inspired her to gather some weeds from the
roadside and bring them and put them in front of the
church's altar.
And that is the story on how poinsettias became
associated with Christmas.
(polite clapping)
Thank you so much for having us.
Your home is stunning.
(Sue) Oh, thank you. Please have a seat.
It's such a pleasure to meet you.
And you.
Listen, your mother talks about you two all the time,
I really feel like I already know you.
All good things I hope.
Great things.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have handed over my party to you.
(Lex laughs nervously)
I've overseen and planned every last detail of every
Christmas Eve Party we've ever had for the last 30 years.
Last year our theme was Twelve Days of Christmas and
although it was fabulous there was just something missing.
No shortage of poinsettias, I'm sure. Ha ha.
Because all the poinsettias...
Go on.
I decided that it would be smart to outsource
the decorations and spectacle.
I want my guests to experience something
completely unexpected.
Hmm. Well, we are definitely the company to help you with that.
Yeah.
I feel like you are also.
And we are going to find out sooner than later.
(nervous laughter)
You know, my husband and I invite nearly
all of Redbird Falls.
And we usually have quite the guest list, so if you
two play your cards right, this could be a great
opportunity for a company such as yours.
Well. We will not let you down.
No.
So we'll do 20 rounds of 10, crystal stemware,
overflowing floral centerpieces,
delicate little tea lights on every table.
Have you chosen the color for your linens yet?
Oh, I think Cadence said they were cream.
Right, Cadence?
Well, the lodge offers white or cream.
So it's up to you.
Thank you.
I just want to make sure all the details are perfect for Avery.
Mom, it will be beautiful.
We both know Cadence has it all figured out.
Plus, I keep telling you, Sam and I don't care about
all that little stuff.
This room will be breathtaking,
and most importantly, it will be filled with love.
Let me show you what I have planned
for the cake-cutting. Come on.
So, after we pass the champagne fountain, and the stage.
This will be the center piece of the room.
(Cadence) Now just imagine.
Your gorgeous four-tiered wedding cake
framed by this perfect view while the snow falls gently
behind you on the lake.
(Cadence) Now that is something your guests won't forget.
I love the idea of me and Sam cutting our wedding cake
with this background.
It really sounds like you
put it all together perfectly, Cadence.
How do you do it?
I just organize and prioritize.
(cell phone rings)
(Cadence chuckles)
You miss me already?
(Avery) This wedding is going to be amazing.
We're only six miles out of town and it feels like
we are on another continent.
I love this lodge and I love you.
I love you too.
Okay, look. We got to decorate this bridge.
It is the only way in and out of the lodge,
so let's make it sparkle.
I am picturing a horse-mounted greeter. What do you think?
(Avery) Ahhh! You think of everything.
Good morning, Cadence.
Hey, where do you want this thing?
Yeah. Yes.
We just need to make sure that the caterers are there by three.
No later.
Hey Cadence, this thing weighs a ton.
Great.
Yeah, great because it's sturdy, but really,
it's super heavy.
Here. You know what?
Just put it down up here.
To the right.
Here here here.
I'll go find out.
Yes that's exactly what we talked about.
I just wanted to make sure that...
(Cadence) Uh huh. That should be fine.
Hey Cadence.
Woo!
Sorry! I'm...
Yeah, it, it's just paint.
No no. That sorry was for somebody else.
Actually...
Thank you. Yes. Thank you so much.
I'm looking forward to seeing your revised proposal.
Thank you. Thank you.
Hi!
I'm sorry guys. I didn't see you or hear you come in.
(Lex) No worries.
It was worth it to watch you paint Henry.
Listen. I will you now with our creative genius
for a couple of hours, but Henry, we really need
to get to work on those crystal reindeer for the Sutton House.
Do they have to be crystal?
Henry!
Got it. Crystal it is.
I'll see you soon.
Have fun.
Should we get started?
Painting? You bet.
I took the liberty of picking out some paint colors
I thought would work really well for the Elf Village.
And I also sharpened a bunch of pencils so you could
sketch it out before you start painting.
Before we start painting.
Ha. No. No no no.
I'm good with priming, I'm good with designing.
I am not an artist.
I don't believe you.
So what did you have in mind for the corner,
right over there?
I had that designated as a forest area.
So I was thinking trees and some snow...
(Henry) That's perfect.
Go ahead. Get started.
No, I told you I can't.
I told you you can.
It's just paint.
If you screw it up, we'll do it over.
No I really can't.
We don't have time or the budget to just do it over.
Okay. Hold this.
Okay.
Whaaaat are you...
You are going to practice on this.
You want me to paint on your shirt again?
It's just an old flannel.
Plus, you put a perfect swipe of snow on there.
Just build off of that.
I don't even...
Well here. Let me help you.
Hold this like that.
Well, hello there, perfect little evergreen.
You're a natural.
Try on your own.
Well watch out Henry Harrison.
There's a new artist in town.
Yeah, there is.
I should start painting before every wedding I plan.
Pretty stressed out?
I don't know what possessed me
to agree to a wedding on Christmas Eve.
A wedding on Christmas Eve?
Yeah. Of all nights.
Love and Christmas on the same night?
Does it get more magical than that?
I guess that's one way to look at it.
Okay Picasso.
Come here. Time for the real deal. Come here.
(Cadence) Ah, okay.
Do like some little branches.
Okay.
♪
(Twinkle) I love Danny's cooking.
It's delish.
I am stuffed, Danny. What's your secret?
He's married to me.
(everyone chuckles)
I'm cooking next time. Pasghetti and jelly beans.
Are you kidding me?
That is my absolute favorite.
(Lex) I will bring the jelly beans.
(Twinkle) All right.
I'm going to help Ruthie with her books.
Come on. Let's go.
Give me a kiss.
Mowah!
I love you daddy.
I love you too honey. Go get ready for bed.
I'll be up to read in a minute.
Okay.
(Twinkle) Let's go little girl.
So Henry, how's the school play going?
It's great.
But they paired me with this mom
who has these charts and blueprints and graphs.
Lex tells me her name is Cadence.
And apparently she is quite stunning.
You have to agree, Henry?
Yeah.
She's great, but she's just so, umm...
Polar opposite of you.
Yes. She is polar opposite of me, Danny.
But we've been having fun with it.
Listen, Henry.
You're such a great dad.
And I know for a fact that Melissa would be just so,
so proud of you.
Thank you, Lex.
(Lex) Listen losing her was a blow to all of us.
But since then, you've just been running around,
taking care of everybody else except yourself.
So if you are starting to feel a spark again for somebody new.
Which is totally normal.
(Lex) Which is why I want you to know that that's okay.
Come on, Henry, you, more than anybody,
deserve to feel that kind of love again.
Listen, I won the lottery with Melissa.
How many people get to win the lottery once,
let alone twice in their life?
Besides, I got my hands full anyway.
I've got the Sutton gig, I got the Christmas show...
As your business partner, I am telling you
it's okay to play the lottery again.
Isn't it worth taking a risk?
Yeah, you can't win if you don't play.
And Cadence is just so organized. And sweet.
She's sweet.
So I guess I'm saying, as your brother, go for it.
Be brave, Henry.
And as your business partner?
The Sutton House better be the talk of the town.
(chuckles)
(Ms Lynda) Okay, big smiles everyone.
I want all my elves to bring Mr and Mrs Claus
over to the sleigh.
And whoever has a present, drop it off here.
And then for the choir finale, I want us to go upstage.
Perfect.
Everyone except for Mary and Ruthie who will be downstage.
And this is when the music will begin.
And the cue for the music is Mary's line to Ruthie.
Tomorrow is the big night and it's all coming together!
(Ms Lynda) Okay.
Ruthie?
All of the elves know now...
Umm...
The true meaning of...
Christmas. Uh...
(Ms Lynda) Thanks to...
Oh right. You.
Okay, now Mary's line.
Don't thank me! We're all part of the same elf team!
(Children singing) ♪ Dashing through the snow, ♪
♪ in a one horse open sleigh, ♪
♪ over the hills we go, laughing all the way. ♪
♪ Ha ha ha! ♪
You did such a great job in rehearsal honey.
-Daddy? -Yeah?
What if I forget all my elf lines tomorrow at the real play?
I might freeze when all those people are in their seats.
You won't!
It could be a Christmas disaster.
You know what, Ruthie, as someone whose entire job it is
to prevent little disasters, I am telling you,
you are going to be great.
I will?
Yeah. Have you been practicing your lines?
Every single night!
And have you been practicing your moves?
Yeah. In front of my mirror!
We'll see. You're going to be great.
And honey, if you ever forget your lines,
you can always look for Ms Lynda or find me in the audience,
and we'll help you find your way.
Yeah. I can always ask for help.
That's right.
Hey Ruthie.
You want to have a hot chocolate playdate tonight?
Do I? Yes!
Daddy, please can I have a hot chocolate playdate? Please!
Well, I'm okay with it but we'll have to ask Mary's mom.
(Mary) Mom, please.
I really need to have a hot chocolate playdate with Ruthie!
Please!
Maybe we think about another night?
(both girls together) Tonight!
I guess we're doing it tonight.
Tonight.
(both girls together) Yay!
(Cadence and Mary chanting) ♪ They're here. They're here. ♪
♪ They're here. They're here. They're here. They're here. ♪
(Henry chanting) ♪ We're here. We're here. ♪
♪ We're here. ♪
We could hear your chant through the door.
(Cadence) Well, welcome to Clark cottage.
Mom, can I go show Ruthie my room?
Yeah. Go ahead.
(Mary) Come on Ruthie.
Bye daddy.
We'll let you know when the hot chocolate's ready.
Come on in.
All right.
Wow, I love the place.
Thank you.
What is that?
Oh. Um...
It's nothing, really. It's just, ah...
It's nothing. Nothing.
You know, why don't you just open it.
That's for me?
Yeah it's for you.
I know you said you didn't really paint,
so I thought your first landscape should be
acknowledged and preserved.
Henry, this is, this is so thoughtful.
I love it.
Really?
Yeah.
Good.
I ummm...
I also ran by the store and grabbed some hot chocolate
just in case you didn't have any.
Great. Is this your favorite kind?
Well, it's okay for store bought,
but it's not homemade or anything.
The last time my parents came to visit, my mom
brought me her old recipe book, which has this
incredible recipe for homemade hot chocolate.
I haven't made it since I was a kid,
but I do remember it being this like...
Creamy, dreamy, Christmas delicacy.
Let's do the creamy dreamy one. (laughs)
Okay.
Yes, here it is.
Did I just hear that box jingle?
Yeah, yeah.
My mom gave me this whole box of Christmas stuff
from when I was little.
(bells jingle)
My mom and I used to go to these antique shops and
collect these little bells.
Cadence, you have been holding out on me.
These are awesome.
I forgot about them until right now.
We can use them for the play if you want.
I don't know how, but...
Leave it to me. I'll figure it out.
(bells jingle)
Okay, hot chocolate.
Yeah, hot chocolate.
Whoa! Sorry.
I got a little chocolate on your list.
I know how you love those things.
I really do. I can't help it.
When my ex left I just felt so overwhelmed with everything.
I started scheduling every detail of my life
just to stay on top of it.
My mantra has become "organize and prioritize".
Organize and prioritize.
Being a single mom, running my own company,
just juggling all these balls, it's exhausting.
But I find that these schedules and lists just
help me be the best I can be for Mary.
I totally get it.
One of the most important things that I've learned is that
sometimes asking for help isn't a weakness.
Sometimes it's the strongest thing you can do.
Maybe I'll have to work on that.
You have given me a lot to think about, Henry Harrison.
Henry.
Yeah?
I think, ah, I think the hot chocolate is ready. So...
We should call the elves down.
Yeah, we should go get them.
Hey girls, hot chocolate's ready.
(Mary) We need seven more minutes!
Why?
(Ruthie) We're making a surprise for you and daddy!
Okay.
Seven minutes it is.
Seven minutes.
Do you think we could make it to the North Pole
and back in seven minutes?
What?
You know, the tree house toy factory thing
that I didn't get to see the other day.
Ken basically invited the whole neighborhood over.
Whenever. So is that enough time?
Clock's ticking.
(Cadence) This really is incredible.
And look at all your detail.
The look on your face is why I do this.
To bring people back to when they were a kid at Christmas
when anything is possible.
You know, I'm kind of like that with my weddings too.
I want all of my clients to truly feel
like anything is possible.
And I do love it when they see it all come together,
knowing that I've helped make their dream a reality.
-Right? -Yeah.
This is incredible.
You designed this?
Yeah. Well, me and a couple of elves.
Okay. This is how it works.
Okay.
You are going to pull the candy cane lever.
And then a box is going to just drop
right into that Santa bag.
Uh huh.
It's going to down through my toy factory
and out is going to pop a perfectly wrapped present.
(Cadence) Do you want me to try right now?
-Yeah. -Okay. All right.
What?
Ha!
Okay the kids must love this.
I love this.
See.
At no matter what age you are it makes you feel
that magic deep inside.
It gives that feeling...
Oh, how do I explain it?
Like Christmasbumps.
Yeah.
Christmasbumps.
You know they're contagious?
Are they now?
(both girls together) We're ready!
(Ruthie) Come on you two!
We should probably get back in there.
We've got a surprise waiting for us.
Yeah.
It's very quiet.
I'm a little nervous.
(knocking)
Girls?
We're outside the door. We got the goods.
We're ready to come in!
(Cadence) Oh hi.
Hi.
Daddy, we're going to do our reveal thing, okay?
Cadence, I want you to say three,two, one, Magic!
And then you can open the door. Got it?
Got it.
-Ready? -Yes.
(all together) Three, two, one, Magic!
Oh my gosh! I can't believe it.
Girls! This is amazing. I love it!
Oh wow.
When do I get to move into this magical Christmas fort?
Right now! Quick, get inside the Christmas igloo.
A snowstorm is about to start. Quick!
Oh no!
Mom, bring the hot chocolate!
Okay.
Let's go.
-Quick everyone! -Scoot over.
Take a sip of your magical hot cocoa
to protect you from the cold. And the storm.
Ah...
This is the best hot chocolate I've ever, ever...
Ever!
(Henry) Ever... -Ever.
Ever tasted!
It's just how I remembered it.
It's like a creamy, dreamy, Christmas delicacy. (laughs)
It is. I told you.
(Ruthie) I made that.
(Mary) I helped Ruthie do it.
(Cadence) You did?
(Ruthie) I didn't know how to do it,
because I can't use scissors.
Man, that yard is a lot bigger than I remember.
Really? I thought it was smaller.
Okay. So.
Wait a sec. Henry...
I think you put the light tunnel where
the ice skating rink is supposed to go.
No I didn't.
Did I?
We've already ordered the materials for the light tunnel.
If we measured the wrong area,
we might not have enough to complete it.
Wait, we're just going to have to order more.
The light tunnel is supposed to go from here to the fountain.
Yeah but what about the snowflake forest?
That's supposed to go right next to the fountain too.
Okay. Totally my screw up.
Okay, we're just going to have to figure out what to move...
Oh hi Mrs Sutton!
Hey boys.
I figured I would come by and share
two of the newest RSVP's we just received.
-Oh good. -Okay.
Who's that?
The Mayor and his wife.
And our Redbird Falls Chronicle has just
said that they are considering this party for
the cover of their Annual Christmas Day social edition.
Wooo, wooo, woo.
Ah man.
Right! What if we make the cover?
What if?
Wow. I can't wait to tell Twinkle.
She's going to be so thrilled that so many people
are going to see Twinkle All the Way's work.
Absolutely. And keep up the great work.
I can't wait to see how this all looks!
We can't either. (both fake laughs)
We have to figure this out.
Grab the blueprints.
I'll get the tape measure and we will make this right.
Okay. Okay.
(knocking)
Come in.
Good morning, Twinkle.
Good morning, Cadence!
To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?
Henry left his scarf at my house last night.
I figured I'd just drop it off for him.
Or, ah...
Oh that's so sweet.
Come sit down.
Well, I...
Oh, come on, come on, come on.
Just for a minute.
Okay.
(bells jingle)
I'm hearing a jingling following you.
Just tell me you're hearing that too?
Yes, I am.
I also brought these bells that Henry thought
he could use for the show.
Oh...
So...
How was last night?
It was amazing, actually.
I found my mom's old recipe for homemade hot chocolate,
which was...
How was the playdate?
That was amazing too.
The girls get along so well.
And it was just nice to have some adult conversation
that didn't revolve around wedding planning.
I'm glad to hear that.
Henry rarely connects with other parents.
Really?
Yeah. Some people find his exuberance overwhelming.
That's my favorite part about him.
I mean, I don't know him that well but I just,
I find his joy to be pretty contagious.
So do I.
Oh!
I didn't offer you anything.
How about a glass of water, or how about a cup of coffee?
From one single mother to another,
I know the value of a good cup of coffee.
Sure. I'd love a cup.
Okay. Okay. Great.
Whoo!
Woo! (glasses smash)
Oh Twinkle! Are you okay?
Yes, I'm okay.
Oh!
Okay, all right. Let's take a seat.
I don't feel well.
I'm going to get you some help here, okay?
I feel very dizzy...
Here Twinkle. This will make you feel better.
No. No no no no no. No!
I'll do it. Thanks.
Really?
Henry. Please.
There are twenty-something's that get dehydrated too.
It's not a thing.
I can go back to work.
No. Not so fast. You have to rest.
Mom... No more warehouse for a while,
no more stressing out about anything. Okay?
You must really mean business
if you're calling me Mom.
Well, I'm serious.
I'm telling you. I love you both, but I'm fine.
Really.
I'm just glad you were there.
Are you kidding me? So am I.
It'll take a lot more than this to slow her down.
(everyone chuckles)
Hello, Twinkle.
-Oh! -Hello doc.
Hi.
I'm happy to say, I'm sending you home.
Ah! See!
So she's okay?
She'll be just fine.
Plenty of fluids and plenty of rest
for the next couple of days.
Doc, I think I know the answer,
but any chance that she can go to a play tonight?
I wouldn't push it for tonight.
But she's fine to rest at home by herself
for a few hours.
Oh guys. I'm sorry.
This is terrible timing.
No, nonsense.
Hey, they can make a recording
and you can watch it later.
I'm not just talking about Ruthie's show.
Oh, the Sutton house.
Lex and I, we have that under control.
We were over there today, measuring and prepping.
It's going to be great. It's perfect.
Yeah. Totally. You can rest easy Twinkle.
Well, I'm going to get going.
I'll walk you out. Just let me talk to the doc.
Come here. My hero in heels.
Please, stop.
No really Cadence. Thank you. Thank you.
It's really funny how a cup of coffee can turn into this.
It was unexpected. That's for sure
Yeah. Sometimes it's bad.
Sometimes it's good.
It's the unexpected that makes life great.
I will see you soon.
And raincheck on that coffee date? Please.
Yes, absolutely.
-Rest well. -I will.
(Lex) But Henry, come on.
We just need to focus right now.
Especially with Twinkle healing,
you and I, we have to step up.
We haven't given the Sutton House
the attention that it needs.
And there is just so much riding on this,
we have to get our act together.
Today was my fault.
We can't afford a mistake like that again.
(Lex) Look, I went into the office to get Twinkle's things,
and the accounting book was open, and...
We just need to make sure that this party is perfect
so we can get the word out.
I know. I know. We will.
I just need to, um...
I just need to organize and prioritize.
I promise. No more hot chocolate playdates.
That is not what I mean, Henry. Come on.
Sorry to interrupt.
Ah, Henry this is yours.
Oh, thanks.
I got to go.
Maybe I'll see you tonight.
Maybe?
Hold on. Wait up.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
I'm not getting the "everything's okay" vibe.
Henry, I've been having a great time
getting to know you and Ruthie.
Same.
But I just got so much going on right now.
But so do I, but I want to make room for this.
I know. I wish we could.
I wish we had time.
We'll make time.
Look, I know you think there's something magical
about love and Christmas together.
But I don't know if I'm even the kind of person
who gets Christmasbumps!
For me, love has just always been more work,
more things for me to check off my list.
Your list?
My plate.
I'm just used to doing things on my own.
Okay?
But you don't have to do things on your own.
I can help you with your list.
(Cadence's phone rings) Sorry. I have to take this.
I'll see you tonight.
Hey Avery! Hi.
(applause)
There she is.
All the elves know now
the true meaning of Christmas, thanks to you.
Don't thank me! We're all part of the same elf team!
(music starts, children sing "Jingle Bells")
♪ Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ over the hills we go, laughing all the way ♪
♪ Ha ha ha ♪
♪ Bells and bobtails ring, making spirits bright ♪
♪ what fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight ♪
♪ Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ Hey! ♪
♪ Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ Hey! ♪
(applause and cheering)
Ruthie!
Mary!
(Lex) Cadence. That set!
You and Henry should be designing for Broadway!
Oh stop.
This is Danny.
Hi.
-Nice to finally meet you. -Nice to meet you.
You did great.
Yeah, so did you.
-Okay. We're going to go. -What?
We're going.
-Bye. -Bye.
See you later.
So Ms Lynda said we don't need to take down any of the sets
or move anything until after the holiday.
The school is going to be locked so...
One less thing to worry about.
Great. Um...
Yeah, well I guess I'll see you after Christmas.
Hi! Everything was so amazing.
♪ (song begins "Over & Over") ♪
♪ Over and over again ♪
♪
♪ I try but I can't get you out of my head ♪
♪ You're all that I want and you're all I can't have ♪
♪ Just like a ghost that keeps coming back ♪
♪ Over and over again ♪
♪
♪ Ooh Ooh ♪
♪ Haunted by the memories of you ♪
♪
♪ Going through my whole life blue ♪
♪
♪ Every day I walk away and come back ♪
♪
♪ Over and over again ♪
(Lex) These aren't, these aren't the red bows.
♪ Over and over again ♪
(Lex) Well these are... Did we order these?
(song ends)
y! Mommy!
Hey good morning.
You've got to see this.
It's snowing!
Big, fluffy snowflakes are pouring out of the sky.
Like... a lot!
Oh no. This is awful.
Call Lakeview Lodge!
(phone keeps ringing)
Mom?
Why is snow bad?
Huh?
(phone keeps ringing)
No! No. It's not bad.
It's not bad not when it's not a blizzard and not the
same day as the most important wedding of my career!
(answering machine) Lakeview Lodge. We're not here...
This is bad.
(phone rings)
Avery! Hi!
Cadence, I'm freaking out.
Don't worry! Don't worry. It's going to be fine.
Hey, remember that time in college when we thought
the English building was locked and we weren't going to be able
to turn in our final exams on time?
Yes. Why?
Well, we did. And it was fine.
And we were just worrying over nothing.
This is probably the same thing.
But there's already four feet of snow on the ground.
And they're saying it's gonna snow
nonstop all day and all night.
Avery, Avery.
You are getting married today. I promise you.
I'm still at home.
My wedding dress and makeup are in the car.
Sam is waiting on my word.
I mean, we're literally ready to go.
What if they close the bridge to Lakeview Lodge?
I am going to make sure that they don't do that!
I'm heading there right now. Okay, just stay put.
I'm on it!
How about we head over to Kim's and see if she could
start watching you a little earlier than we thought.
I get to go to the North Pole?
-Count me in! -Let's go!
(truck door opens and closes)
(Cadence) Excuse me!
Excuse me sir.
This bridge, it can't close!
I'm sorry, miss.
The bridge isn't safe, and the weather isn't getting better.
But I'm hosting a wedding at the lodge tonight.
Please. So much is riding on this wedding.
I made a promise.
Please don't make me break that promise.
The city is closing the lodge as well.
What?
I'm sorry but the storm is just too much and it's not safe.
Merry Christmas.
(truck door opens and closes)
(tires spinning)
No!
(tires spinning)
Ah! You've got to be kidding me!
(phone rings)
Avery. Hi.
(Avery) Well?
It's closed. Both the bridge and the lodge.
And for the literal icing on the cake,
I am stuck on the side of the road.
(Avery) What are we going to do?
Okay. Give me just a couple of minutes for me to get
unstuck and I will call you back. Okay?
(Lex) Phew! Okay!
We are on schedule and great for tonight!
Neither sleet, nor snow nor blizzard will keep us from
making this the most memorable Christmas Eve ever.
Sue's guests will not believe their eyes.
If she has any guests.
I mean, this weather is nasty,
and it's heading right for the center of our town.
(Henry's phone rings)
Hi Cadence.
Hey. Um...
I was just wondering how the Sutton house was going?
It's good. We're about to head over now.
Great.
Yeah, we got some weather but we're dealing with it.
I bet you're knee-deep in your wedding checklist about now?
Four feet deep actually.
Listen, I know today is a huge day
for you and Twinkle All The Way.
It is. I actually have to go because we have to head out.
(Cadence) Wait!
Life is full of so many big moments,
and it might be nice to share them with someone again.
(Cadence) And, um, I am stuck on the side of the road
by the Lakeview Lodge, so I just...
I thought that I would share that with you.
Someone told me I should ask for help more often.
So... here I am.
Lakeview Lodge. I'll be right there.
Hey, I need the truck.
Are you kidding me? We got to go set up.
It's Cadence. She's in trouble.
I'll meet you at the Sutton House.
Okay. All right. You be careful.
Yeah.
Hey Ruthie!
I'll see you soon okay?
Go get her, dad!
(playing on radio "We Wish You A Merry Christmas")
(knocking)
♪
Hi.
I can get you a set of tire chains
for your car when this clears up.
My car is the least of my worries right now.
This wedding was a huge deal for my company.
Plus, I made promises to Avery.
A beautiful four-tiered wedding cake in front of an even more
beautiful A-frame window at the lodge.
With snow gently falling behind her onto the lake.
Gently, gently falling!
Not this crazy blizzard!
What are you going to tell her?
I have never broken a promise like this before.
And the first time I do it, I will be crushing my friend's
dream of a perfect wedding.
(radio announcer) Attention. All residents of Redbird Falls.
Due to the hazardous weather conditions and city-wide
power outage, please report to your designated storm shelter
at the Redbird Falls Elementary School immediately.
-(Cadence's phone rings) -(Henry's phone rings)
Avery, hi.
Hey Lex. Yeah I just heard.
Yeah, the school. I heard.
Well, what are we going to do about the event?
Hang on.
Kim?
Yes, I will meet you and Mary there. Thank you so much.
Well we can't cancel and we can't reschedule.
What does Twinkle think?
Avery?
Okay. Hey Lex, Ruthie and Twinkle,
they're going to meet us at the school.
Hang on a sec.
Sue Sutton and half her guest list
are going to be there too.
-What? -I don't know.
You know what?
Just bring everything and I'll meet you at the school.
I'll meet you at the school.
I guess we're going to the school.
(indistinct chattering)
(Cadence) Avery.
I'm so sorry.
I don't know what to say.
We planned for everything.
Just not a snow blizzard?
Yeah. Not a snow blizzard.
It's okay, Cadence.
I know. You're so disappointed honey.
So am I.
You really did plan a beautiful
Christmas Eve wedding, Cadence.
Thank you.
(Avery) When this all clears up, I'm going to marry you.
We waited this long, what's a more few days, right?
The last time we were in this gym, I was wearing a tux.
Sixth grade dance.
You were the only boy in a tuxedo.
How could I not fall for you.
(Cadence) Wait, wait. Hang on.
I knew you guys met in elementary school,
but I didn't know it was this elementary school.
Yeah. We were both in the band.
He asked me out by the lockers in Red Hall.
Down that hallway to the left, third row of lockers.
In those days, locker notes were considered romantic.
(Cadence) Sorry. Excuse me.
Can I talk to you for a second?
Yeah.
(Cadence) Okay.
So, you may have opened the floodgates with the whole
"help" card because I'm about to ask you for a whole lot more.
Okay. You really need to get snow tires.
(Cadence chuckles) Okay.
So. This might sound crazy, but...
I really want to fulfill my promise to Avery and Sam.
And if you help me, I think we can still give them
an incredible Christmas Eve wedding...
Right here.
Here?
Yeah. Well, in the auditorium, to be exact.
The Christmas sets are still up.
I think you got to let this one go.
No. No no no no no no.
I can organize and prioritize this wedding into existence.
I know I can.
But I cannot do it without you.
I need your help to make it special.
Okay, okay. I'm in.
Oh! Thank you!
Avery.
Do you have your dress? And your make up?
In the car, why?
Hey guys.
I think we can make a little Christmas magic
happen here tonight.
What do you mean?
Well, Cadence wants to have the wedding here.
How?
With our help.
Sue, I know this is a special night
for you and your family.
But I think we can give you a little taste of the event
that we had planned, and at the same time, given this bride,
and all the people here, especially your guests,
a Christmas event they will never forget.
Well, I've certainly never had a wedding
at one of my Christmas events.
Henry, look at you.
Really elevating a Sutton party.
(Cadence) Avery's in.
So are we.
(Cadence) Awesome, okay.
So the first thing we need is an officiant.
Oh, not a problem.
I'm ordained.
(laughter)
Twinkle, what don't you do?
I would like to help.
My trunk is full of poinsettias.
So is mine!
Amazing.
The Garden Club is the real deal.
Yes it is.
Let's bring it in. Let's bring it all in.
Let's see what Twinkle All The Way can do.
What's better than love and Christmas, right?
Okay, so where is this happening?
(together) The auditorium.
(Twinkle) What about the power outage?
Well, the school is running on generator power,
but I think I can try to re-route the power to there.
Where did you park the truck?
♪
I love you, mom.
I love you too.
Henry asked me to hand these out.
He made sure everybody knew to follow your cue.
My cue?
Yes.
You're the mother of the bride.
You'll know when it's time.
Okay Avery.
This is your moment. Are you ready?
-Yeah. -Yeah.
Oh my goodness.
Here we go.
♪ (band begins playing "Pachelbel's Canon in D") ♪
♪
Cadence.
It's perfect.
♪ (band continues playing "Pachelbel's Canon in D") ♪
♪
What a day!
Am I right?
(everyone chuckles)
Tonight, we have all been brought together
for a very special reason.
To witness the love of these two beautiful souls,
Avery Rachel Abbott and Samuel William Laurel.
Life is never what you expect it to be.
Can we all attest to that?
(chuckles)
(Twinkle) Whether it's a day of sunshine...
(whispering) Where's Henry?
(whispering) Last I saw he was backstage.
(Twinkle) Or you're waking up to a snowstorm.
But you two can weather everything
life brings your way, if you do it together.
There is something so beautiful about the unexpected.
♪
It's my view.
It's her view.
♪
That was a nice touch.
That wasn't me.
Henry really outdid himself with this one.
Now, let's get you two married.
(Twinkle) All right. This is for you.
Thank you.
And this is for you.
Thank you.
Sam, do you take Avery as your lawfully-wedded wife,
in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer,
in sunshine or snowstorms.
(everyone chuckles)
As long as you both shall live?
I do.
And do you, Avery...
I do.
Always.
Well, with the power vested in me,
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride.
Three, two, one...
(softly) Magic.
(bell rings)
Wait.
(bell ringing)
(bells ringing)
My bells!
(bells ringing)
(Twinkle) Ladies and gentlemen.
Introducing Mr and Mrs Laurel.
(everyone clapping)
What!
Where did he find a four-tier wedding cake?
Cadence, this is Henry.
♪
♪ (band plays "O Holy Night") ♪
♪
(music continues, clapping)
♪
How did you...?
The cafeteria was stocked with ice cream sandwiches.
The view...?
It's not Lakeview Lodge but I did the best...
(clapping and cheering)
I think I finally got them.
Got what?
Christmasbumps.
I told you they're contagious.
(happy, indistinct chattering, laughing)
This is the best most magical Christmas ever.
Oh. Why is that?
Because...
It just feels right.
Yup. Exactly.
Let's go check out the presents.
Okay.
Oh!
Mwah!
♪
♪ I remember Christmas ♪
♪ The holiday that lifts us. ♪
♪ The star upon our tree ♪
♪ shining so bright.♪
♪ I know I'll keep♪
♪ on reminiscing. ♪
♪ Oh, but I can't help ♪
♪ from missing ♪
♪ that Christmas I remember ♪
♪ with you. ♪
♪ Christmas with you. ♪