- 8 minutes ago
Eliza, a world traveler and writer for travel magazines and websites, has returned to her small hometown after an absence. Despite the passage of time, not much has changed in the town, and her family continues to participate in the same traditions such as wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, singing at the local care center, and baking cookies. Through these activities, Eliza is reunited with Will, a former heartthrob, who helps her rediscover the significance and beauty of these unique family traditions and her hometown.
Director: Nathan Steve Smith
Writer: Jennifer Newman Kofford, Bob Conder
Cast: Krystin Arroyo, James Gaisford
Director: Nathan Steve Smith
Writer: Jennifer Newman Kofford, Bob Conder
Cast: Krystin Arroyo, James Gaisford
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00I can divide my life into before and after, before the Christmas that my parents got the
00:00:19book and after when my life would never be the same.
00:00:23The book was called The 100 Wonders of the World, and from the moment I cracked it open
00:00:28for the first time that Christmas morning, I was obsessed.
00:00:32Machu Picchu, Mostar Bridge, the Terracotta Warriors, everything was exotic, everything
00:00:40was fascinating.
00:00:43I made a promise to myself I would see them all, and I started counting the days when I'd
00:00:47break out of my teeny tiny little town, because seeing pictures in the book wasn't good enough.
00:00:57After high school, I had my chance.
00:00:59I left Maryville to see the world, and I haven't looked back.
00:01:06Stepping out to experience the wonders with my own eyes was more incredible than I had
00:01:11even imagined.
00:01:13Eventually I landed my dream job, allowing me to share my adventures with aspiring travelers
00:01:18across the globe.
00:01:33Eliza, you're home!
00:01:34Hi!
00:01:35I thought you wouldn't be back till next week.
00:01:37Ugh.
00:01:38There's only so much you can write about some places.
00:01:41I convinced my editor that two months in the Serengeti wasn't.
00:01:47In the what?
00:01:49Serengeti?
00:01:50Tanzania?
00:01:51Wildlife?
00:01:52Perp?
00:01:53Oh!
00:01:54Africa!
00:01:55Did you share an Airbnb with the animals?
00:01:56No, but it smells like they moved in here with you.
00:01:57How big was the party?
00:01:58Let's see.
00:01:59It was just Fran from work, a couple of her friends, and the newbies in 210.
00:02:16Just your standard-sized shindig.
00:02:18Charlie, please tell me tonight's a rare night off from your social life.
00:02:22Well, nothing's planned yet, but the night is young.
00:02:26How long's your next assignment?
00:02:29In a couple of days, I'm doing a piece on European Christmas markets.
00:02:37But right now, I'm going to work on sleeping off this jet lag.
00:02:42Fine.
00:02:43See you in the morning.
00:02:46Good night.
00:02:47Wait, did you see zebras?
00:02:50Oh, Mom called.
00:03:04Hi honey, it's Mom.
00:03:06I thought this was the perfect time for, you guessed it, my annual holiday voicemail to officially invite you home for Christmas.
00:03:14Austin finished the cafe remodel.
00:03:16It would be great if you came home to see what he has done with the place.
00:03:20I love you.
00:03:21I'm so proud of you every day.
00:03:23I miss her.
00:03:25Georgina, hi.
00:03:26Hey, Eliza.
00:03:27Outline and proposal for the Serengeti story look great.
00:03:28Consider them approved.
00:03:29One more thing.
00:03:30Just got word that we're pivoting on the European Christmas markers piece, so you're off the hook.
00:03:44Oh, I was really looking forward to that.
00:03:45Um, so what else do you have for me for the holidays?
00:03:47Nothing actually.
00:03:48I don't think I've ever said this to you before, but enjoy the holidays.
00:03:49Not for too long though.
00:03:50Greece is still a go right after the new year.
00:03:51Talk soon.
00:03:52Okay, yeah, I'll talk to you later.
00:03:53Bye.
00:03:54Looks like I'm not going to Europe for Christmas after all.
00:04:05Oh, well, where are you going then?
00:04:08Okay, I'll take it to you later.
00:04:11Bye.
00:04:13Looks like I'm not going to Europe for Christmas after all.
00:04:17Oh, well, where are you going then?
00:04:20christmas after all oh well where are you going then you're always somewhere exotic for christmas
00:04:29hey what about that little hometown of yours maybe you could go there for the holidays
00:04:34yeah right wait yeah right i could you really could imagine your mom's face after all these
00:04:43years of turning down her holiday invitations you could finally take her up on it you know what
00:04:48i think i'm gonna do it
00:05:05colin anderson go hey it's eliza well this is a nice surprise yeah i'll make this quick i know you're
00:05:13busy with the merger and i just landed oh you left already i thought you still had a couple of days
00:05:19in the city yeah the christmas markets thing got cancelled so surprise again i am in the last
00:05:24place i thought i'd be for the holidays should i guess where don't laugh it's maryville wow really
00:05:35please tell me it's for an assignment uh nope it's just the first time i don't have somewhere else to
00:05:40be you mean that you get to be somewhere else yeah that's a better way of putting it um anyways i
00:05:47figured i have no more excuses this time so i just thought i'd go home for a few days and that would
00:05:53buy me a few more years of spending the holidays anywhere but my hometown well if only i weren't
00:05:59buried in this merger i'd be able to save you i think i can manage a few days let's just um get
00:06:05together in the new year when i'm back in town okay it's a plan i'll have my assistant get us a
00:06:11reservation somewhere talk soon wish me luck you're gonna need it bye bye bye yes
00:06:22hi mom i'm so excited to have you finally home for the holidays i knew one day my phone calls would
00:06:34work it's good to see you hi dad it's good to see you too retirement looks good on you is that my
00:06:41retirement let's get your luggage in the car okay oh wow cute i knew you would love it
00:06:55wow this town's a lot smaller than i remember really well with all of your globe trotting and big
00:07:17city living you know what they say you can take the girl out of the country but you can always guilt trip
00:07:23her into coming back mom we aren't even country people anyway well well well look who decided to
00:07:29finally grace us with her presence hi sis thanks so good to see you oh my gosh oh my goodness you look
00:07:42wonderful i can't wait to just chill and relax i can't remember the last time i didn't have a
00:07:59jam-packed itinerary does anyone want to binge some of those holiday rom-coms while i sit here and bench
00:08:05for a while eliza we don't have time for that you may not have an itinerary but we do we have people
00:08:11arriving here soon arriving for what the annual gardner family ugly sweater christmas party the agfuscp
00:08:18it's a family tradition you guys still do that i thought that fizzled out years ago heavens no it
00:08:24is bigger and better than ever before you'll like it you'll love it i promise i swear i asked kate to
00:08:30pick out an ugly sweater for you upstairs unless of course you brought one of your own you didn't okay
00:08:35okay kate ugly sweater 9-1-1 jim ah roomies again yeah just like the good old days here we have a small
00:08:52collection of uglies for you to choose from oh boy these really are ugly so first things first tell me
00:09:04more about your man carter connor it's colin yeah um where do i start well first of all uh he's not
00:09:15really my man we're just kind of talking oh you're talking got nice for you he's definitely your man
00:09:26it's basically all we can do text sometimes call he's busy i'm hardly ever even in the same zip code
00:09:36we're taking things slow is is he you're quite the catch
00:09:43i don't think there's any other way we can take it between my work schedule and his
00:09:49it's like we're in a long distance relationship well i think we should meet him sometime we can
00:09:55decide for you now there's an idea hey mom needs to get downstairs right now she needs you okay
00:10:03okay dude it's christmas well hurry up and get ready it's time for your reintroduction to the
00:10:09evil society
00:10:24Tis the season, it's the time
00:10:41When lights are bright inside
00:10:43We've got a train of time, we've got a car, we've got
00:10:48No worries, no worries, no worries
00:10:51Eliza, last time I saw you, you were yay high
00:10:59Oh, you have really grown up, oh my gosh, how long has it been?
00:11:05Years, many years
00:11:07I see you still have great taste in sweaters
00:11:12I wear it once a year for this party, I look forward to it all year
00:11:17Where have you been?
00:11:19Traveling all around the world, I understand
00:11:21What is it you do again?
00:11:24I travel a lot, write a little, and take tons of pictures
00:11:29And that's a job?
00:11:31Yep, they pay me and everything
00:11:34Wow
00:11:35I need a job like that
00:11:37Oh, high town sounds like a lovely city, town, village
00:11:53I'll have to add that to my list
00:11:57Um, yeah, how long has your granddaughter been there?
00:12:01Oh, two years, two days
00:12:02Two
00:12:03I see you escaped the ugly wool party
00:12:11Barely, I've talked more about myself in the last hour than I have in the last decade
00:12:17Hmm, that's because you're the most famous person in all of Maryville
00:12:21And the most interesting?
00:12:24What do you think, Will?
00:12:25I mean, she has been somewhere else at a 20-mile radius of this town
00:12:29Oh, good point
00:12:29Well
00:12:30Oh, I see you're still wearing my sweater
00:12:34Oh my gosh, you're still in love with him
00:12:37I mean, everyone knows if you wear a guy's sweater, you're in love with him
00:12:41True
00:12:42You borrowed it the last time you were in town for the Christmas sweater party
00:12:46Oh my gosh, was it that long ago?
00:12:48Well, this is embarrassing
00:12:50Uh, I didn't realize it was yours when I put it on
00:12:54And I just got here and didn't have one
00:12:56So I'm just gonna go change and give it back to you
00:12:58It's okay, look
00:12:59I'll let you hang on to it for a while longer
00:13:01Plus, I'm still waiting for you to fix it
00:13:03Like you promised
00:13:05You okay, Eliza?
00:13:09That's such an ugly sweater
00:13:11Go next year
00:13:13Okay, I'm gonna go
00:13:16Already, Will?
00:13:18You just got here
00:13:19And Eliza's here, too
00:13:21You remember Eliza
00:13:22Yes, I remember Eliza very well
00:13:24In fact, she just promised to fix my sweater
00:13:27Again
00:13:29Okay, I gotta head out
00:13:32My pops is waiting for me
00:13:33I'll see you guys
00:13:34See you later, Will
00:13:36See you tomorrow, Will
00:13:38Take care, man
00:13:39What was that?
00:13:43What?
00:13:43That was horrifying
00:13:44Will's right, you are still in love with him
00:13:47I am not
00:13:48I mean
00:13:50I was
00:13:52Used to be
00:13:54Everyone was
00:13:56Didn't you and your friends used to like
00:13:59Used to walk back and forth in front of the hardware store
00:14:05Pretending to be interested in drills and fasteners
00:14:08Maybe catch a glimpse of him through the window
00:14:12Yeah, we did
00:14:14So embarrassing
00:14:16But effective
00:14:18I still can't believe he pretended like I didn't exist back then
00:14:27I walked back and forth so many times
00:14:30Why didn't you just like talk to him?
00:14:33I mean, he was also his homeboy
00:14:34You could have like
00:14:35I don't know
00:14:36Dialed it down and been friends
00:14:38Yeah, that's definitely far too logical for the teenage mind to grasp
00:14:42Besides
00:14:44I don't think he ever could have been interested in me
00:14:47I was always just his best friend's little sister
00:14:50You know
00:14:51Off limits
00:14:52Well
00:14:54Good thing you don't have to worry about that anymore
00:14:57You've got
00:14:58Um
00:14:58What's his name?
00:15:01Carter
00:15:01Corbin
00:15:02Wait, don't tell me
00:15:03Colin
00:15:04Yeah, I've got Colin
00:15:09You're right
00:15:11I don't need to worry about Will Matthews
00:15:14At all
00:15:15Ever again
00:15:28Up and out, girls
00:15:31Rise and shine
00:15:32We've got things to do and people to see
00:15:34I'm a grown woman
00:15:36Why my mother still hollers at me to get up like I'm five
00:15:39Why are we getting up already?
00:15:43Day after the ugly party
00:15:44It's cookies and carols at the care center
00:15:47We should be sleeping in
00:15:50Come on
00:15:52Mom's not gonna give up
00:15:54Literally, it's the same plan every year
00:15:56Since Grandma lived there before she died
00:15:58I forgot about that
00:16:03Those were some of the best times of the holidays
00:16:07Are Bev and Harold still there?
00:16:11Still there and still a hoot and a holler
00:16:13Well
00:16:22Looks like we're about there
00:16:24Okay
00:16:24Thank you
00:16:26And here's your daily paycheck
00:16:27Best hot chocolate in town
00:16:29I'll take it
00:16:30Okay
00:16:32Looks like the last thing we have is the light switch covers
00:16:35If you have them, I'll install them real quick
00:16:37Uh, light switch covers
00:16:40Light switch covers
00:16:41Shoot, I forgot them at home
00:16:43And I don't have time to go grab them before we open
00:16:47Do you by any chance have a few extra minutes to go grab them for me?
00:16:50Yeah, for sure, for sure
00:16:51Is Eliza gonna be at the house?
00:16:57Yeah, yeah, she should be
00:16:58Why?
00:17:00No reason
00:17:00I...
00:17:01Hmm
00:17:03Hmm
00:17:04Look, she just...
00:17:06She seems different
00:17:08Okay, yeah, different
00:17:10And, uh, in what way?
00:17:13Like she's just not your little sister anymore
00:17:16Technically she'll always be my little sister
00:17:18Come on, man, you know what I'm saying
00:17:19Listen
00:17:21I can put in a good word for you, you know
00:17:24No
00:17:24No, I can't
00:17:25No, don't do that
00:17:26I got this
00:17:28Okay?
00:17:29Okay
00:17:30The boy's gonna need all the help you can get
00:17:35Good morning, my loves
00:17:38Hello
00:17:39Come over, I need your help
00:17:41Mom, it smells so good
00:17:43There's nothing in the world like your sugar cookies
00:17:46You should open a cafe or something
00:17:48Ha ha ha ha
00:17:50I'm leaving the rest of this for you two to finish up
00:17:53We have a very busy morning
00:17:55Now, if you gals wouldn't mind
00:17:58Doing your decorating magic
00:17:59Just like the good old days
00:18:01We will be back later this afternoon
00:18:03And we can go to the care center together
00:18:05Okie dokie
00:18:07Hey, honey, you ready to go?
00:18:09Ready
00:18:10And I have another family craft idea
00:18:12Wonderful
00:18:13Now don't make a mess
00:18:16Bye, Mom
00:18:18Feels like the perfect time for Millie
00:18:25Malakalikimaka
00:18:26What?
00:18:29Malakalikimaka
00:18:29Merry Christmas
00:18:31That's how they say it in Hawaii
00:18:33I know what it means
00:18:34I just did not understand you
00:18:36Oh, another fun fact
00:18:38In Ghana, they have four wise men
00:18:40In their nativity scene
00:18:42Interesting
00:18:43Here's my fun fact
00:18:46In this house, we eat cookies and drink wassail
00:18:50Oh, a really fun one is in Bali
00:18:53They light sparklers and firecrackers
00:18:56Now that's what I'm talking about
00:18:59I guess you learned something out there
00:19:00We should put firecrackers in the brownies
00:19:04Hey, Eliza
00:19:09Yeah?
00:19:10Millie, clicky, maca
00:19:11Do you need help?
00:19:20Um
00:19:20Probably
00:19:22I'm sorry, you're
00:19:25I can't see a thing
00:19:27Um, it's probably a good thing
00:19:29Because you look ridiculous
00:19:32Thanks
00:19:34This is so embarrassing
00:19:36Um, Austin's out here, by the way
00:19:42Oh, yeah, I know
00:19:44He's at the cafe
00:19:45He sent me over here to pick up a package
00:19:47Oh, yeah
00:19:49I can't wait to see it
00:19:50I know he's been working nearly 24-7 on it
00:19:53Um, has he roped you into helping out?
00:19:57I mean, a little
00:19:58Well, a lot, actually
00:19:59But, um
00:20:00You should come by and see it
00:20:01You know, we could, uh
00:20:03Go together before you leave town
00:20:06Yeah
00:20:07That sounds fun
00:20:09Well, it's, uh, it's a date
00:20:13Okay
00:20:17Well, I better go get that package
00:20:19Okay, yeah, see ya
00:20:21Wait
00:20:24Did he just say date?
00:20:29Oh, shit
00:20:33Clara
00:20:34Hey
00:20:35Oh, hey
00:20:36We made it
00:20:37Yeah
00:20:37We almost had a riot on our hands
00:20:39Oh, boy
00:20:40Can I help you with these?
00:20:41Hold on
00:20:42Clara, you've met everybody in the family
00:20:43Except for Eliza
00:20:45Eliza, this is Clara
00:20:46Oh, Eliza, it is so nice to meet you
00:20:50Hi
00:20:50I've heard so much about you
00:20:53Really?
00:20:54Mm-hmm
00:20:54Yikes
00:20:55Good things, I hope
00:20:57Oh, only good things, I promise
00:20:59Uh, you must be so happy to be home
00:21:03Austin tells me it's been quite some time
00:21:05Well, there is no place quite like Maryville
00:21:10I've only been here a few months
00:21:12But it's already starting to feel like home to me, too
00:21:14Well, hopefully this guy is helping with that
00:21:18Dad
00:21:18He definitely is
00:21:21He's quite charming, this guy
00:21:23Thanks
00:21:24Charming
00:21:25Austin
00:21:26This Austin
00:21:28Yeah, that's me
00:21:29I can be charming
00:21:30Sometimes
00:21:31Okay, okay, okay
00:21:33Let's just get these cookies over to the table
00:21:35Is that alright?
00:21:35Okay
00:21:36So, what's the story with those two?
00:21:43I haven't heard anything about her
00:21:45Claire is an interior designer
00:21:47And she moved here to live with her aunt
00:21:50Austin needed help with the cafe's remodel
00:21:53And she was the one
00:21:54They hit it off immediately
00:21:57We all love her
00:21:58Aw, who would have thought?
00:22:01Our little Austin
00:22:02I'm happy for him
00:22:05But it is weird to see him like this
00:22:07Oh, believe me, for us, too
00:22:09But we're getting used to it
00:22:11Thank you so much for bringing the cookies
00:22:15Of course
00:22:15Oh, what time is it?
00:22:18Okay, it's showtime
00:22:20Should we get ready?
00:22:21Yep
00:22:21Okay
00:22:22Hello, everyone
00:22:28If we could please take a seat
00:22:30And turn this way
00:22:31It is my privilege
00:22:33To introduce
00:22:34For the 15th year in a row
00:22:36One of our
00:22:37Maryville Care Center
00:22:39Favorite Christmas traditions
00:22:40The Gardner Family Singers
00:22:43We didn't even practice
00:22:44We never do
00:22:45And they never care
00:22:47Thank you
00:22:52Okay
00:22:54Dashing through the snow
00:22:59In a one horse open sleigh
00:23:01O'er the fields we go
00:23:03Laughing all the way
00:23:05Ha ha ha
00:23:05Bells on bog-tails ring
00:23:07Making spirits bright
00:23:09What fun it is to ride
00:23:11And sing the sleighing song tonight
00:23:13Oh
00:23:14Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
00:23:17Oh, what fun it is to ride
00:23:20One horse open sleigh
00:23:24Hey!
00:23:28Up on the house stop
00:23:30Reindeer paws
00:23:31Out jumps good old Santa Claus
00:23:34Up on the house stop
00:23:36Down through the chimney
00:23:39Sleep in heavenly peace
00:23:50Sleep in heavenly peace
00:23:57Your performance was lovely
00:24:12Thank you
00:24:12Oh, thank you
00:24:14Oh, Christmas carols
00:24:16Always remind me
00:24:17Of my late wife Margaret
00:24:18Oh, she could sing like an angel
00:24:22Sounds like you loved her very much
00:24:25Hey, Pops
00:24:26I got you a
00:24:27Eliza
00:24:28Um
00:24:30I see you've met my Pops
00:24:33Uh, Pops
00:24:35This is Eliza
00:24:36It's Austin's little sister
00:24:37Pleasure to make your acquaintance
00:24:40Is she the one you were telling me about?
00:24:42Um
00:24:43Yeah
00:24:44I was telling you about
00:24:44All of the gardeners
00:24:46All of them
00:24:46Now, as I recall
00:24:48You said
00:24:50How did you put that?
00:24:52She has a
00:24:53Very nice frame
00:24:55Um
00:24:57Yeah, I said that
00:24:59Thanks for that reminder, Pops
00:25:01Anything for you, Will?
00:25:04Pops
00:25:05It's been a pleasure
00:25:07Later, Will
00:25:09Up and out, girls
00:25:19Rise and shine
00:25:21We have got things to do
00:25:22And people to see
00:25:23Does this all happen every morning?
00:25:30Yep
00:25:30Every morning
00:25:32She's especially chipper
00:25:34During the holidays
00:25:35We can't have Christmas without a tree
00:25:40That's why we waited until you came home
00:25:42So we could pick it out together
00:25:43Come on
00:25:44Time's a-wasting
00:25:46Hey, see you downstairs in a few
00:25:50Bus leaves in ten
00:25:51Hey
00:25:57Oh, hey, you missed breakfast
00:26:00Well, there's fruit in the bowl
00:26:01Where's Will and Clara?
00:26:03Wait, Will's coming?
00:26:05Oh, so Clara had a last-minute client consultation
00:26:08But she'll be back over to help with some decorations
00:26:10And Will's gonna be meeting us over at the tree lot
00:26:13Yeah, he'll be, uh
00:26:14Looking for one for Pops
00:26:16Are you okay there, E?
00:26:19I need a minute
00:26:20Where's my lipgloss?
00:26:22I didn't touch it
00:26:23Lipgloss?
00:26:25It's a city thing, Mom
00:26:27I still can't believe they waited so long to get the tree
00:26:35What?
00:26:38I mean, this is tradition
00:26:40The Gardner family always pick out a tree together
00:26:43I mean, I understand doing them all when you were kids
00:26:47It was, you know, to make Christmas magical
00:26:49And it always was
00:26:50But now that we're adults
00:26:53Why still do them all?
00:26:55Some of them seem kind of silly
00:26:58Silly?
00:27:01I mean, it may be silly to you, but
00:27:03I mean, for your mom?
00:27:06It probably reminds her of all the past Christmases
00:27:08You know, all the magic, the love
00:27:11I don't know, I just always felt lucky to be included
00:27:14So, have you decided which one's perfect for Pops?
00:27:20This one's a strong contender
00:27:22I don't know, I just
00:27:24It's his first year in the care center
00:27:27I really want to make it special
00:27:29It won't matter which one you choose
00:27:33If I know you, you'll make it look amazing
00:27:35He's lucky to have you
00:27:40Thanks
00:27:42But, I mean, you should really lower your expectations
00:27:47No one can match your mom's decorating skills
00:27:50You're 100% right
00:27:52No one can
00:27:53Eliza, over here!
00:27:56We need your vote!
00:27:57Duty calls
00:27:58Perfecto
00:28:08Alright, Mom
00:28:09I think my decorating duties are complete
00:28:10Wow, great job on the wreath, Austin
00:28:13Now it smells like Christmas
00:28:16Thanks, Mom
00:28:17Will, you can fill this box up with anything you like to decorate Pops' tree
00:28:22Are you sure?
00:28:23Of course, we have plenty
00:28:25Wow, thank you
00:28:29Okay, I'm going to resume my position on the couch
00:28:33Kate, I'm going to supervise from here
00:28:36Keep up the good work, you two
00:28:37Nice try, buddy
00:28:39But you have to put the star on top of the tree
00:28:42Mm-mm
00:28:43Yes, you are the tallest one here, so you need to do it
00:28:46Hey
00:28:47Plus, it's not going to pass Mom's tree test
00:28:49until all the ornaments are evenly distributed
00:28:51Or mine
00:28:52You can do this
00:28:54I was about nine when I made these
00:28:58I'd forgotten all about them
00:29:01You know, there might be some of my masterpieces in here
00:29:05I think you're right
00:29:07Mom never passed up a chance to have someone make an ornament for her tree
00:29:11Oh, yeah, yeah, I remember this one
00:29:15This one's one of mine
00:29:16Well, that's the thing about them
00:29:19They all had meaning
00:29:20They were all special and beautiful in their own way
00:29:25Even this one?
00:29:28Especially that one
00:29:32All these little things are flooding back to me
00:29:37It was out of sight, out of mind for so long
00:29:40I didn't even really miss it
00:29:43But the more I'm here, the more I realize
00:29:46I don't know, I do kind of miss it
00:29:49It's weird
00:29:50Yeah, I get that
00:29:52I remember it was kind of the same for me
00:29:55When I moved back for Pops
00:29:57I mean, the big things are important
00:29:59But really, I think the small things are what anchor us to our past
00:30:04Remind us of who we are
00:30:06You know, no matter where we've been
00:30:10I'm so glad to have Eliza home for Christmas
00:30:16Me too
00:30:17This house hasn't felt this full in years
00:30:25Who's up for some wassail?
00:30:27Wait, but first, for the big moment
00:30:31Alright
00:30:33Ready
00:30:37I think that's my best one yet
00:30:39It's definitely the best one
00:30:46Morning, Dad
00:30:56Well, you're up early
00:30:58Any big plans today?
00:31:00Um...
00:31:01No, nothing planned
00:31:03I just thought I'd go into town
00:31:05See what's new
00:31:06You know, like I do when I travel
00:31:08After all, this is an exotic and distant location for me
00:31:12Hey listen, before you head out on this grand local adventure
00:31:18I wanted to talk to you about this Colin fellow
00:31:21Would I like him?
00:31:22Dad, you never like anyone
00:31:25That's true
00:31:26I just want to make sure whoever it is
00:31:28Deserves my little girl
00:31:31And let's be honest
00:31:32There are very few who measure up to you
00:31:35Well, there might be someone who comes close
00:31:38I'm still getting to know Colin
00:31:40But so far, he might be a good candidate
00:31:43He's successful
00:31:45Hardworking
00:31:47As long as you're happy
00:31:48That's what matters
00:31:50And whoever makes you happy
00:31:52Makes me happy
00:31:54Oh, Dad
00:31:55Listen, kiddo
00:31:56You better head out before your mom
00:31:57As you're making angels out of toilet paper rolls
00:32:01Thanks for the heads up
00:32:02You better watch out too
00:32:03No one's safe
00:32:05Have fun out there
00:32:06I will
00:32:07Love you, Dad
00:32:08Love you
00:32:10Great news
00:32:11I found more toilet paper rolls
00:32:12Great news
00:32:13I found more toilet paper rolls
00:32:14If you don't put a twinkle in both of your eyes
00:32:17Light you up and make you shine
00:32:20Oh, baby
00:32:21It ain't Christmas
00:32:23If you don't put a twinkle in both of your eyes
00:32:26Light you up and make you shine
00:32:28Oh, baby
00:32:29It ain't Christmas
00:32:30If you don't make you jingle bells ring the ring
00:32:43Or give your heart a reason to sing
00:32:45Oh, baby
00:32:47oh i'm so sorry i didn't see you eliza hi hi i'm sorry i didn't see you i it's okay i didn't see
00:33:01you there either um sorry that my frame got in your way yeah yeah uh i'm sorry i was just i was
00:33:12talking to pops and and he's he's kind of old-fashioned and it just kind of it's really
00:33:17okay what is that that smells really good well it was hot chocolate but um it's the best in town but
00:33:27of course you know that already why would i know that it's from your family's cafe
00:33:34have you still not been i i um well is now an okay time to take you up on that offer
00:33:44to show me around if you have a minute we could go over together yeah i have a few minutes let's
00:33:52let's go here
00:33:53yeah yeah okay
00:33:57here you are can i get you anything else all right let me know if you need anything thanks for coming
00:34:03thank you hey welcome welcome welcome boston i'm impressed the pictures don't do it justice
00:34:12this is amazing yes well that's uh that's really high praise coming from somebody who's been all over
00:34:19the world and seen every charming little cafe thank you yeah i uh i did it myself well i may have had a
00:34:27little bit of help clara may have pitched in an idea or two but or hundred okay she did everything
00:34:33i'm gonna be honest but i was really good at supervising and writing checks and that's about it
00:34:39will here on the other hand got in on the action hey i mean when your best friend is remodeling the
00:34:44family business an architecture degree comes in handy clara here hardest project manager i've ever
00:34:51worked for well i think they did okay so uh you two walked in together huh uh uh no we yeah we we did
00:35:03we didn't like plan to come together we just sort of ran into each other literally we outside the
00:35:10bookshop and decided to uh come check out the new place and try some of the famous fancy hot chocolate
00:35:18i've been hearing about all over town wait really like all over town yeah well just told me about it
00:35:24on the way over that's basically all over town okay good enough for me two cafe on maine's famous hot
00:35:30chocolate's coming right up an architect huh that seems so professional and mature
00:35:39why do you sound so surprised i just remember a guy hanging out with my brother and getting into
00:35:46trouble i don't know what you're talking about okay we were pretty good at that and look at you though
00:35:54big shot travel writer i mean that's everyone's dream job and you have it i still can't believe it
00:36:01actually happened i dreamed about it and worked really hard and here i am i know i'm lucky
00:36:10but it's not as glamorous as it sounds it it is work i mean sounds and looks pretty amazing
00:36:19looks i may follow you really look you're quite popular okay people love your work
00:36:29well so i what about you why why are you still here well i i left right after high school i moved
00:36:39out to chicago and got my degree and actually got my dream firm but later that year grams wasn't
00:36:49doing so well she got sick and uh so i moved back then she passed so i didn't realize all that was
00:36:58going on i'm really sorry about grams i know she meant a lot to you yeah today pops does too
00:37:08he tried living on his own for a bit but
00:37:11yeah you know even with my help it's not enough so we decided on the care center
00:37:19but you know my firm's been great they are allowing me to work remotely and
00:37:25they say they're ready for me to come back whenever i am
00:37:28so you are the adventurous type after all okay a little bit not as much as you
00:37:36voila this is on the house so generous thank you you're welcome all right
00:37:46okay well this has been a great conversation really thrilling uh but uh i've got to get to the more
00:37:57important matter of wooing a lady doesn't seem like much wooing is needed
00:38:03austin she's into you all you have to do now is not screw it up
00:38:08oh but for some reason that's the hard part isn't it
00:38:12but she's cool though right she's very cool
00:38:15not that my opinion matters or anything but so far
00:38:19i approve
00:38:19now listen your opinion matters more to me than you think
00:38:23oh are we having a moment austin we sure are
00:38:26yours matters to me too okay well if that's the case then
00:38:30i approve of this
00:38:33it's nothing it's nothing
00:38:37right okay well hope you enjoy the hot chocolate and uh please leave a five-star review
00:38:44on the website website yeah the website you're not the only one in the family with an online presence
00:38:50i'm modern
00:38:51hey
00:38:55now that you've had the famous cafe on main hot chocolate what do you think
00:39:01you think you're up for another family tradition
00:39:03ah uh i might be
00:39:06what is it gingerbread houses with pops
00:39:11oh one of yours i've been so caught up in my family stuff i haven't even stopped to think about
00:39:17what anyone else does has the matthews family always done gingerbread houses for christmas
00:39:22yep grahams and pops have always made sure that we've done it
00:39:25i love that maybe that explains why you're such a successful architect
00:39:30hmm you know i never thought about it but you might be right
00:39:34anyways i should get going but uh pick you up in a couple of hours
00:39:42can't wait
00:39:44are you okay i'm fine i'm fine fine fine because you're acting weird i'm not acting weird
00:40:12just in a hurry hurry for what this is the one night mom has nothing on the calendar
00:40:19well my calendar has the care center on it i'm going to decorate gingerbread houses with pops
00:40:26oh and uh anyone else and will what is going on with you and will
00:40:34uh we're just friends and i'm having a good time getting to know him again
00:40:39apparently he is too
00:40:41and uh colin remember him
00:40:45yeah i remember him and as far as i know
00:40:49we're friends too
00:40:51okay gotta go um don't wait up
00:40:59you're telling me everything the second you get home
00:41:01bye
00:41:02i have to say i did not quite expect this
00:41:12you've got blueprints
00:41:15i've only ever made gingerbread houses with graham crackers
00:41:18oh this is serious business
00:41:21pops and i are the christmas festival reigning champs
00:41:25yeah we're hoping for a repeat this year
00:41:26well you've got a professional architect on your team
00:41:31of course you'll win
00:41:32you'd be surprised the competition is fierce
00:41:35but i like our chances
00:41:38i think eliza's our lucky charm
00:41:41i'm just following your lead
00:41:43i think the um
00:41:44the millwork
00:41:46yep the millwork
00:41:47yes i think is what's going to give us the edge
00:41:49i think you might be right
00:41:51pops
00:41:51months of planning might pay off
00:41:54so
00:41:56how close is gingerbread design and construction to your real job
00:42:00oh it's it's pretty much the exact same
00:42:04lots of frosting long hours
00:42:05you know
00:42:06okay better question
00:42:09um
00:42:10what do you love about your job
00:42:12because if it's anything like this gingerbread house i can only imagine how much heart and soul you put into your actual work
00:42:18i mean
00:42:19i'd like to think so
00:42:21um
00:42:23i don't know i kind of like everything
00:42:25you know the creativity
00:42:27the
00:42:27the challenge
00:42:28i mean even the budget
00:42:30if i had to pick my favorite
00:42:33um
00:42:33maybe the end result
00:42:35just because i love creating something
00:42:38you know a space that people love
00:42:40that's kind of beautiful
00:42:43and i mean you have quite the portfolio already between the gingerbread house and the cafe remodel
00:42:50i think i've seen enough
00:42:52next time i build a real house or gingerbread house
00:42:56you're my architect
00:42:57well i would be honored
00:42:58i think we're gonna have a winner
00:43:03yeah me too
00:43:06it's you need more frosting
00:43:11i've never done this before
00:43:13i just love what austin's done with the place it's so modern and homey
00:43:22oh and the hot chocolate is amazing
00:43:26a little hungry today
00:43:30let her be
00:43:32come on
00:43:33it's just so good
00:43:35i can't remember the last time i had homemade waffles
00:43:37oh don't forget tonight is the maryville christmas festival
00:43:42it's the biggest show in town
00:43:43we're all going together
00:43:44kate's tree is going to be performing
00:43:46it's
00:43:47we know
00:43:48tradition
00:43:49tradition
00:43:49how did they know i was going to say that
00:43:52it's a mystery
00:43:54it's not really your style is it
00:44:05oh no not for me
00:44:07um my mom has a shelf full of these
00:44:09i just thought it'd be nice to add to the collection
00:44:12well i mean
00:44:13the shape and the size
00:44:16the
00:44:16the finish it's really just immaculate
00:44:19it's
00:44:19it's also really pricey for such a little thing
00:44:26yeah it's kind of a makeup gift for all the years i've missed
00:44:29well in that case maybe you should get three or four
00:44:32okay i'm kidding
00:44:35just two
00:44:36let's see what we got
00:44:40we got my fair lady
00:44:42we got wing golden baby
00:44:48that's a front runner for sure
00:44:50tree head gnome
00:44:53bella
00:44:54there's a mini
00:44:57that's adorable
00:44:58but what about
00:45:03this one
00:45:05yeah because you know her so well
00:45:07well it's not a bad idea
00:45:14yeah i'll take it
00:45:20and i fell in love with the world and found the perfect job to see it
00:45:27well
00:45:28most of it anyway
00:45:29you know most people only dream of traveling the world
00:45:33you've done it
00:45:34so how does a small town girl dream of all these big ideas
00:45:39well it started with a book i got one year for christmas when i was nine
00:45:43the 100 wonders of the world
00:45:46that's right
00:45:46that's the one you always carried around with you
00:45:48yeah i
00:45:49wait
00:45:50you remember me doing that
00:45:53yeah of course
00:45:55i mean you barely came up for air from that thing
00:45:59come on
00:46:02so when you're not out in the world
00:46:09where are you
00:46:10oh i'm a big city girl
00:46:13that's where the magazine is
00:46:15and i live with my roommate
00:46:17who is a classic social butterfly
00:46:20knows everyone and is always down for a party
00:46:23partier
00:46:24huh
00:46:25i mean i kind of thought that
00:46:27after all that travel you might want some peace and quiet
00:46:30i don't mind it really
00:46:32i'm hardly ever there and
00:46:34i meet a lot of interesting people because of charlie
00:46:36uh charlie
00:46:39my roommate
00:46:40oh
00:46:42oh no no no
00:46:46charlie is short for charlotte
00:46:50who's my best friend
00:46:52and a girl
00:46:54she's just trying to find herself in this world
00:46:57well
00:46:58she
00:46:59sounds like a lot of fun
00:47:00oh
00:47:02oh we gotta
00:47:03hey it's christmas festival time let's get down there
00:47:06already
00:47:07yeah yeah yeah yeah
00:47:09uh claire's just helping me close
00:47:10so we'll meet you up front
00:47:11okay
00:47:12let's do this
00:47:13all right you ready
00:47:16oh hey
00:47:17what
00:47:17gotta hang this on the tree
00:47:18oh
00:47:19this has been great
00:47:23you know i don't usually get the opportunity to shop for figurines so
00:47:26thanks
00:47:27yeah it was fun i didn't think that was how my day was gonna go
00:47:32but i'm glad it did
00:47:35and i'm glad it's not over yet
00:47:38oh
00:47:43oh hey you guys are still here you waiting for us
00:47:45yeah
00:47:46uh i'm waiting for you guys
00:47:48well let's get going
00:47:49miss
00:47:50Hey, do you guys want to go see Santa really quick?
00:48:03We have a few minutes before Kate's trio performs.
00:48:06See who's been naughty or nice, yeah?
00:48:08Yeah, let's do it.
00:48:09I think I've been pretty nice.
00:48:11I think so.
00:48:12Eliza, come on.
00:48:13What?
00:48:14This way.
00:48:15Where are we going?
00:48:16We're going to the North Pole.
00:48:17Okay.
00:48:18Ready, over here.
00:48:18One, two, three.
00:48:20One, two, three.
00:48:22Okay.
00:48:23Merry Christmas.
00:48:24Good one.
00:48:28Merry Christmas, Kiddles.
00:48:29Merry Christmas.
00:48:30That's the moment.
00:48:32Oh, my goodness.
00:48:37They look so cute, don't they?
00:48:39No, but a little bit tight again.
00:48:43Hey, I want to see you.
00:48:45We dance while our favorite carols play
00:48:48Getting cozy by the fireplace
00:48:51Stay in a place
00:48:54So let it snow, snow, snow
00:48:58So we can stay home, home, home
00:49:02I've got the tree, you string the lights
00:49:05You bring the naughty, I've got the nice
00:49:08I'll hang the mess so you bring the kisses
00:49:12Baby, you'll be marrying every Christmas
00:49:15At the top of my wish list
00:49:17Hey, hey, hey
00:49:19You're the happy in my heart today
00:49:23Thank you so much
00:49:27So let it snow, snow, snow
00:49:31There it is!
00:49:41And look, you won first place
00:49:44We won
00:49:44Pops is going to be so proud
00:49:46I think a speech is in order
00:49:48Right
00:49:49Maryville, this is the highest of honors
00:49:55None of which would be possible without one person
00:49:58Eliza Gardner, your understanding of millwork and weight-bearing structures is unparalleled
00:50:04Well done
00:50:05I'm so flattered
00:50:07All right, let's get it
00:50:09That's the verdict
00:50:11Well, I give my first Maryville Christmas Festival five stars
00:50:17Wow, wow, wow
00:50:18Well, it's not over yet
00:50:19The grand finale's just about to start
00:50:21You ready?
00:50:22Yeah, let's go see
00:50:25Be right there
00:50:30Hey Charlie
00:50:32Still alive?
00:50:32I haven't heard from you in a few days
00:50:34I thought maybe you fell into a deep Christmas movie marathon or something
00:50:38Alive and well, I think
00:50:40Oh, I'm going to send you something
00:50:42Oh, I'm going to send you something
00:50:49All right, girl, details
00:50:51Spill
00:50:52Hat guy is hot guy
00:50:54It's too many
00:50:55I'll tell you when I get back
00:50:57Oh, I can't wait
00:50:58I sure miss your face
00:51:00Get back soon
00:51:01Oh, I miss your face too
00:51:03And you're more than a month's rent Miracle Face Serum
00:51:07I knew you were using it
00:51:09I gotta go
00:51:11Wait, we need to talk about this
00:51:13You're breaking up, it must be a bad connect
00:51:15There's only one of us who can actually afford this stuff
00:51:19And it's not me
00:51:27As your mayor, I want to officially welcome you to the annual Maryville Christmas Festival
00:51:32As we all know, Maryville is a magical place
00:51:38Where we never lose our small town charm
00:51:40Where neighbors help neighbors
00:51:42And where everyone you meet is a friend
00:51:44Let's get this show started
00:51:46We have a wonderful night
00:51:48And our first number is Joy to the World
00:51:52Go Kate!
00:51:54Yeah!
00:51:56Sorry, that's my sister
00:52:02Joy to the World
00:52:04The Lord is come
00:52:06Let earth receive her King
00:52:12Let every heart prepare Him and rule
00:52:18And saints and angels sing
00:52:20And saints and angels sing
00:52:22And saints and angels sing
00:52:24And saints and saints and angels sing
00:52:30And saints and angels sing
00:52:31And Christ
00:52:35It's amazing
00:52:36Well, on behalf of Kate and her estate
00:52:38I'd like to say thank you very much
00:52:40Hey babe
00:52:42What are you doing here?
00:52:48Surprise.
00:52:51This is a big surprise.
00:52:55Everyone, this is Colin.
00:52:59Um, Colin, this is my dad, Jim.
00:53:02Good to meet you, Colin.
00:53:04Nice to meet you.
00:53:05This is my mom, Nora.
00:53:07Hello.
00:53:08This is my big brother, Austin.
00:53:10Uh...
00:53:12My, uh, his girlfriend, Clara.
00:53:15And this, this is...
00:53:19Uh, I'm Will.
00:53:21I'm sorry, I'm an old family friend.
00:53:24Who are you?
00:53:25Colin.
00:53:28Right.
00:53:31I, you know what, I better get going.
00:53:33Um, I should go check on Pops.
00:53:38We'll see you tomorrow at the house, right?
00:53:40Uh, you're coming over, Will, for Christmas Eve?
00:53:43Yeah.
00:53:44Yeah.
00:53:45Maybe.
00:53:46See you, Will.
00:53:47Bye, Will.
00:53:52Well, I bet you two have a lot to catch up on.
00:53:57It was such a pleasure to meet you, Colin.
00:54:00You as well.
00:54:01See ya.
00:54:03See ya.
00:54:04See ya.
00:54:08So, what are you doing here?
00:54:11Just drove into town and followed the sounds of the hoots and hollers.
00:54:18This is a small town.
00:54:21Like, an incredibly small town.
00:54:24What happened to the big deal you were working on?
00:54:27I thought I was gonna take you the rest of the holiday.
00:54:30Out of nowhere, the bigwigs decided to take a couple of days off.
00:54:34So, inspired by the lovely Eliza, that's you,
00:54:39I thought I'd drop in on my family for a spontaneous hometown holiday celebration.
00:54:44It had been a while for me, too, and since I was going to be traveling anyway,
00:54:52I worked in a little layover here with you.
00:54:55A layover in Maryville, huh?
00:54:58It was right on my way.
00:55:02Do you wanna go see if somewhere's open?
00:55:05We could get a late dinner?
00:55:09I'd better not.
00:55:10I'd got plans and, um...
00:55:14But tomorrow, you should come tomorrow and spend the day with the family.
00:55:18And what exactly does one do at the Gardiner Family Estate on Christmas Eve?
00:55:23Ha, you'll just have to wait and see.
00:55:28Uh, yeah, so I'll see you tomorrow?
00:55:31Okay.
00:55:32Up and out of girls, rise and shine, we have got things to do and people to see.
00:55:47And I need your help with brunch.
00:55:49Her secret weapon.
00:55:55Cinnamon rolls.
00:55:57Ugh, that woman is evil.
00:56:00I'd literally do anything for her cinnamon rolls.
00:56:04Give up state secrets.
00:56:06Yup.
00:56:08Give up ten years of your life.
00:56:11A thousand percent.
00:56:13Give Austin a foot massage.
00:56:15I have my limits.
00:56:17What?
00:56:24So, I guess I'll address the elephant in the room.
00:56:29Colin.
00:56:30Here.
00:56:31Out of nowhere.
00:56:33Oh, elephants.
00:56:34I love elephants.
00:56:36Have I told you about the herd I saw in Tanzania?
00:56:39I'm sure they were amazing and I'd love to hear about them later, but the elephant I want to talk about now is Colin.
00:56:45I think he'd be pretty offended if you just called him an elephant.
00:56:50Ha ha, come on.
00:56:52Spill the tea.
00:56:53Why didn't you tell us he was coming?
00:56:55Cause I didn't know he was coming.
00:56:57He just showed up.
00:57:00That seems pretty romantic.
00:57:02That's big gesture, I'm in this for real kind of stuff.
00:57:05Yeah, he's a go big kind of guy.
00:57:10Especially when it's something that he wants.
00:57:13Which brings me to elephant number two.
00:57:17Will.
00:57:18What about Will?
00:57:19He's cool, amazing, we're friends.
00:57:28Oh, I'm his best friend's little sister.
00:57:31Eliza, I think we can all tell it's a lot more than that.
00:57:35Really?
00:57:36Looks like I have two really big elephants.
00:57:42Yep, two very handsome, very eligible elephants.
00:57:47Sounds like a problem only a cinnamon roll could fix.
00:57:50Or it doesn't.
00:57:54Alright everyone, we are here, let's get this party started, shall we?
00:57:57Ooh, not so fast, we still have people coming.
00:58:00And you're ruining the arrangement.
00:58:03How can I help?
00:58:04Can you finish up with the cinnamon rolls and keep this guy, Austin, out of trouble?
00:58:09Thanks mom.
00:58:21I'll get it.
00:58:28Merry Christmas Eve, you two.
00:58:33Thanks babe, lovely to see you today.
00:58:38Yeah, thanks babe.
00:58:49Hello, hello!
00:58:52May I?
00:58:57Hey!
00:58:58Hi!
00:58:59Hey!
00:59:00Everything looks and smells amazing.
00:59:03So glad you came.
00:59:04Thanks.
00:59:08Please take a seat, Carter.
00:59:10It's Colin.
00:59:12Colin!
00:59:17Before we dig into this amazing meal, can I just say how great it is to have you all here in our beautiful, festive home.
00:59:26Thank you, Nora.
00:59:28I'm so happy to have my sweet Eliza home.
00:59:31It's not often that we get to be together as a family.
00:59:35And when we do, it just feels good.
00:59:40Dear Lord, as we gather together to celebrate the birth of thy son, may we have gratitude in our hearts for the wonderful blessings we enjoy.
00:59:50We thank thee for this bounteous meal and ask that those that have traveled to be with us today may be safe in their journeys.
01:00:00Amen.
01:00:01What's the matter?
01:00:03I'm sure there's more for everybody else.
01:00:05Have a good night.
01:00:07You're so funny.
01:00:08Yeah, absolutely.
01:00:10So Carlos, big city guy.
01:00:12It's actually Colin.
01:00:13Oh, so sorry.
01:00:15What do you do out there?
01:00:17Banking.
01:00:18Banking?
01:00:19Uh, no, banking.
01:00:21Banking?
01:00:22Banking.
01:00:23Oh.
01:00:24Oh.
01:00:33I'm crazy about Christmas.
01:00:36It's the best time of the year.
01:00:39I love toasting marshmallows in the fire and jolly cups of cheese.
01:00:45I'm crazy about Christmas.
01:00:47Let these bells ring loud and clear.
01:00:50Oh, I can't wait for Christmas.
01:00:54Santa be my witness.
01:00:57I can't wait for Christmas this year.
01:01:02I love gifts to grant baking ginger snacks.
01:01:06Put the angels in the snow.
01:01:09Writing letters to Santa Claus.
01:01:11Everybody knows I'm crazy about Christmas.
01:01:16But this new bells ring loud and clear.
01:01:20Oh, I can't wait for Christmas.
01:01:23Santa be my witness.
01:01:26I can't wait for Christmas this year.
01:01:30Footloose, singing in the rain.
01:01:31Singing in the rain.
01:01:32I think you should leave.
01:01:34Oh, Rudolph.
01:01:36While you were sleeping.
01:01:37Alice in Wonderland.
01:01:38Who?
01:01:39Brother Bear.
01:01:40Doctor Who.
01:01:41Silence.
01:01:42Quantum Leap.
01:01:43It's a wonderful life.
01:01:45Oh.
01:01:46Oh, man.
01:01:47Black and white.
01:01:48That was close.
01:01:49Good job, Kate.
01:01:50Okay.
01:01:51Colin, it's your turn.
01:01:53Woo!
01:01:54Colin!
01:01:55Colin!
01:01:56Colin!
01:01:57Colin!
01:02:00I really must get going.
01:02:03Early flight in the morning.
01:02:05Oh.
01:02:06But thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality.
01:02:09It was delightful to have you here.
01:02:13Nice to meet you.
01:02:14Nice to meet you.
01:02:15Merry Christmas.
01:02:16Have a good time in New York.
01:02:18I didn't tell you before, but this is a rescue mission.
01:02:30A what?
01:02:31A rescue mission.
01:02:34I'm busting you out of this nightmare.
01:02:37You said you'd rather be anywhere else but here for Christmas.
01:02:39So here I am.
01:02:40Like a wee little elf granting your Christmas wish.
01:02:44You can't be serious.
01:02:47Are you?
01:02:49Very.
01:02:50We'll be at my parents' house in Boston by noon.
01:02:53Having a proper Christmas.
01:02:55Together.
01:02:56But...
01:02:58I am glad I took this little detour to get a look here for myself instead of taking your word for it.
01:03:03It really is as awful as you said.
01:03:08I...
01:03:09I never said awful.
01:03:11Maybe you never said awful, but over the past year I believe I've heard you describe it as...
01:03:16Backwater.
01:03:18Podunk.
01:03:19Uninspiring.
01:03:21Unrefined.
01:03:22And...
01:03:23Pedestrian.
01:03:25And, uh...
01:03:26I think you also said...
01:03:28Just stringing up a few strands of twinkle lights in the middle of Nowhere USA doesn't make it charming.
01:03:35It's still nowhere.
01:03:37You're absolutely right.
01:03:39Go get your stuff packed.
01:03:41I'll be back here bright and early to get you.
01:03:44Flight leaves at seven.
01:03:46Okay, now what? Time for another... game.
01:04:09The door...
01:04:13was open.
01:04:16I'm gonna leave.
01:04:17Sounds good.
01:04:20See you, Will.
01:04:30You heard.
01:04:33Everything.
01:04:35Out and clear.
01:04:37Sorry to embarrass you.
01:04:38Good night, guys.
01:04:39Good night, guys.
01:04:47Lucky kiddo.
01:04:48Mom.
01:04:49You could've told us the truth about why you never came home.
01:05:03It would've hurt.
01:05:05But it would've hurt a lot less than you...
01:05:07You lied to us all these years.
01:05:12We've been nothing but supportive of you and your dreams.
01:05:18Our lives and dreams are here.
01:05:20Our lives and dreams are here.
01:05:23The least you could've done was return the favor.
01:05:26Help me.
01:05:28A god.
01:05:29Yes.
01:05:31That's a good thing.
01:05:33I'll do the favor.
01:05:35Thank god.
01:05:37Yes.
01:05:39Mr.
01:05:40I don't know.
01:06:10Hey, babe. Where's your bag?
01:06:18I'm not going.
01:06:21What's that?
01:06:23I'm staying. I'm choosing to spend Christmas here in this wonderful, magical, heartwarming, teensy, tiny, middle-of-nowhere town.
01:06:38You sure?
01:06:40Positive.
01:06:43Alrighty. Suit yourself.
01:06:46Give me a call when you get home, when you've gotten all this out of your system.
01:06:50I am home, and I don't think I'm going to be calling you or getting anything out of my system for that matter.
01:06:58What are you saying?
01:06:59I'm saying, I think you're a great guy. I just, I don't think this is going to work.
01:07:08The girl you've been talking to, it was me. It just wasn't the complete me.
01:07:16This here in Maryville. This is the real me, and I don't think it's what you're looking for.
01:07:25If you really mean that, Eliza. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree.
01:07:34I think we're best as friends.
01:07:37The friend zone. Ouch.
01:07:43Not where I thought I'd end up, but I appreciate the honesty.
01:07:48If you do ever decide to leave here, give me a call.
01:07:54I still owe you the insider info on the best French pastries in the city.
01:07:59Like I promised. Deal.
01:08:03Goodbye, Eliza Gardner.
01:08:10Good luck.
01:08:29Hey, Kate.
01:08:59Hey, wait until you open that one up. I want to see you do it.
01:09:18Kate, when are you going to learn?
01:09:20Sorry, it's mine.
01:09:24My stars, you scared me.
01:09:26I'm sorry.
01:09:27What are you doing here?
01:09:29We all thought you left up and at them, girl, rise and shine.
01:09:33Please don't say it, Mom.
01:09:35I've literally got nothing to do, and I know people do not want to see me right now
01:09:41after everything that happened last night.
01:09:44Oh, sweetie.
01:09:48Mom, I really messed up everything.
01:09:52He certainly made some mistakes, but it's pretty hard to mess up everything.
01:09:58I broke things off with Colin, whatever that was.
01:10:06I hurt and betrayed the most important people in my life by saying some really stupid things.
01:10:13I think what I did was the worst will.
01:10:20Mom, I'm at a loss, honestly.
01:10:27I've traveled everywhere.
01:10:33I've lived on my own thinking it's made me mature.
01:10:37But now I realize I know so little.
01:10:40When did you learn to do all this?
01:10:47How to be good at life?
01:10:51Never.
01:10:53You never really figure it out.
01:10:55You never feel like you know what you're doing.
01:10:58That's reassuring.
01:11:00Welcome to adulting.
01:11:01It's the secret no one ever tells you.
01:11:03I've been so confused ever since I've been back.
01:11:09It's like there's two versions of me.
01:11:11The world traveler, big city me.
01:11:15And the me that grew up here and left here behind.
01:11:20Maybe I've been running away for so long that I just don't even know who I am anymore.
01:11:30Maybe I shouldn't have come back.
01:11:31That's exactly what I've been afraid of.
01:11:35That you would never come back home again.
01:11:40When you left here, you made it quite clear that this house, this town, this place was too small for you.
01:11:48And I agree.
01:11:49It was.
01:11:51I'm so proud of you for leaving the nest, flying, soaring.
01:11:58You're amazing.
01:12:03But it's really hard not to see you.
01:12:08I miss you terribly.
01:12:09It's been so great for all of us to be together.
01:12:15It's been magical.
01:12:17And maybe I've been trying to bottle all this magic up and cookies and carols and Christmas trees.
01:12:25Toilet paper rolls.
01:12:26We never got to that.
01:12:28You're right.
01:12:30And every other celebration and tradition I can think of.
01:12:33Because I'm so afraid it won't happen again.
01:12:37I want you to chase your dreams and live your life.
01:12:44And I also want you to come home.
01:12:48Sometimes.
01:12:49I will, Mom.
01:12:50Of course I will.
01:12:51I better get back down there.
01:12:57I want to give this gift to your dad.
01:13:00They're going to think that I got lost up here.
01:13:04It's a ratchet set.
01:13:05It's been on your dad's wish list for months.
01:13:09Oh, how romantic.
01:13:11It's another secret about adulting.
01:13:13The older you get, the increasingly more practical the gifts become.
01:13:18Now, come on.
01:13:19Get up.
01:13:20Come on down.
01:13:21Mom.
01:13:23I don't think I can go down there.
01:13:26I wouldn't know what to say.
01:13:28And I think my being there would just ruin Christmas for everyone.
01:13:33No one knows I'm here, right?
01:13:35Yeah.
01:13:36They all think that you left with Colin this morning.
01:13:41You've missed so many Christmas mornings already.
01:13:45It would be a shame to miss another one.
01:13:47Mom!
01:13:49Today?
01:13:50Dad's losing his mind.
01:13:53Did you forget where you put it?
01:13:54I just found it.
01:13:56I'll be right down.
01:13:59All right.
01:14:00Well, we'll see you down there.
01:14:03Okay?
01:14:03Okay.
01:14:13Merry Christmas.
01:14:15Merry Christmas.
01:14:45You're welcome.
01:14:46Merry Christmas.
01:14:47Opened my gift yet?
01:14:48Just did.
01:14:50Cost more than a month's rent face serum.
01:14:52You shouldn't have.
01:14:54Oh, wait.
01:14:54You totally should have.
01:14:55You used half of mine.
01:14:57How's Smallville anyway?
01:14:58Uh, Maryville has been unexpectedly action-packed.
01:15:03And the plot's still unfolding.
01:15:06Hmm.
01:15:06I'm intrigued.
01:15:08Hope it involves hat guy.
01:15:10I bet you do.
01:15:12I just wanted to call and let you know that I'll be staying here a little bit longer.
01:15:16I have to see how this all plays out.
01:15:19Okay, but don't be too long.
01:15:21It's not the same without you occasionally here.
01:15:24Okay.
01:15:25Talk to you later.
01:15:26Wish me luck.
01:15:26I think I need a Christmas miracle.
01:15:28Good luck.
01:15:29Good luck.
01:15:29Hey, you guys.
01:15:53Eliza's new article just got posted.
01:15:55Listen to this.
01:15:59Wonder.
01:16:00It's a good theme for a Christmas Day post, especially since it's what I write about.
01:16:06Usually, when you read these articles, you're seeing overwater bungalows in the Maldives
01:16:11or the Northern Lights in Iceland.
01:16:14This one looks a little different, but I promise it's still me.
01:16:18It's the new improved me.
01:16:20For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to see the world.
01:16:23To break free, to go everywhere, to do everything.
01:16:27As long as it was anywhere but my small hometown.
01:16:31Luckily for me, I've been able to live out my wildest dreams with all of you along for
01:16:35the ride as my faithful travel companions.
01:16:38But while I was expanding my vision of the exotic and far-flung, I lost sight of the wonders
01:16:43in my own world.
01:16:44The past few days have shown me how much I've missed and how much I need those wonders to
01:17:02be part of my life, my dreams, and my checklists, too.
01:17:06I will always be a wanderer.
01:17:08I will keep exploring and discovering the wonders of this big, beautiful world.
01:17:14But now I know that you don't always have to travel far and wide to find them.
01:17:18They're all around you, and most of the time, have been right in front of you all along.
01:17:23Maybe even where you least expect.
01:17:26I'll keep chasing the big ones until I get to all 100 and far beyond.
01:17:30But from now on, I'm not going to miss the little wonders along the way.
01:17:39Oh, what's up!
01:17:41What are you doing here?
01:17:44We thought you left.
01:17:45I couldn't miss Christmas with the family again.
01:17:48I've done that enough already.
01:17:50Have you guys done the Christmas mornings at the top of the stairs pic?
01:17:53Did I miss it?
01:17:55We haven't done that in years.
01:17:56Well, come on, Mom.
01:17:59Time to start it up again.
01:18:00Up and at them.
01:18:01It's tradition.
01:18:03Okay.
01:18:07Yeah.
01:18:08Good.
01:18:15Wow.
01:18:17Whoa.
01:18:19Clara.
01:18:20Oh, thank you.
01:18:23Thanks, sis.
01:18:24I love you, mine.
01:18:27Dad.
01:18:29For you.
01:18:30This one had very nice of that.
01:18:32So cool.
01:18:33I love you.
01:18:36I love you.
01:18:41I love this.
01:18:43It's like, uh, oh, it's so cool.
01:18:51How did you know this?
01:18:52Now we're going to get it.
01:18:53I'll buy this one first.
01:19:00Oh, it's so pretty.
01:19:16What are you working on, E?
01:19:19Oh, just a project that's been years in the making.
01:19:22It's something I should have done a long time ago.
01:19:25Hmm, I'm intrigued.
01:19:28I can't wait to see how it turns out.
01:19:31Yeah, I can't either.
01:19:52Pops.
01:19:55Oh, Eliza, it's a pleasure seeing you again. Merry Christmas.
01:19:59Merry Christmas. I'm sorry to barge in on you.
01:20:02No apology necessary. What brings you here today? Are you singing again?
01:20:06No, not today.
01:20:08Um, I was hoping to run into Will. I checked by his place and I thought I'd come here too.
01:20:14Just trying to track him down.
01:20:16Well, he was here. We opened some presents together, but he left. He said he had somewhere he needed to go.
01:20:23Well, I can tell him you stopped by.
01:20:25Would you please?
01:20:26You bet.
01:20:27Uh, you want to play some Christmas bingo? It starts in five minutes.
01:20:31I wish I could, but there's something I really have to do.
01:20:35Well, Merry Christmas.
01:20:36Merry Christmas.
01:20:37Oh! I'm so sorry I didn't see where I was going and I just...
01:20:48Uh, you...
01:20:51It's for you, actually.
01:20:54Uh, really?
01:20:58Well, it's a good thing we bumped into each other. Again.
01:21:05Seemed to be getting good at that.
01:21:11I was actually looking for you.
01:21:13You were?
01:21:15Yeah.
01:21:17I was.
01:21:18Well, you found me.
01:21:24Are you gonna open it?
01:21:26Yeah.
01:21:38I love it.
01:21:40You never cease to surprise me.
01:21:43And you fixed it.
01:21:48I-I read your article, by the way.
01:21:50Oh, yeah?
01:21:52What'd you think?
01:21:54It's your best one yet.
01:21:55And I meant every word.
01:21:59I'm really sorry about everything that happened the last couple of days.
01:22:03Because I just got so caught up with everything in my family and then it was also unexpectedly magical and then I fell in love with this town.
01:22:12I realized you were right about what you said at the party.
01:22:19I-I am still in love with you.
01:22:20I-I am still in love with you.
01:22:24I-I am still in love with you as a gardener.
01:22:27I-I am still in love with you as a gardener.
01:22:31I-I am still in love with you as a gardener.
01:22:34I've always been in love with you. Where's the card?
01:22:39Wait, wait, wait, wait.
01:22:41Am I still competing with...
01:22:44Chris?
01:22:45Clyde Clark?
01:22:47It's Colin.
01:22:49Oh, Colin.
01:22:51We realized that we weren't quite right for each other.
01:22:56Because I think there's someone else who might be...
01:22:59Do I know him, or...?
01:23:04It would use my life to break out all the rules.
01:23:09Here is folks who thoughtless or not.
01:23:14Don't reveal where you're only off OK.
01:23:19It's donkey's dest導.
01:23:23What was it?
01:23:27Almost half an hour.
01:23:29ahí
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