Christmas Beneath the Stars (2021) - full transcript

Hannah! Ooh, it is so
good to see you!

And I see you have
outdone yourself.

The place looks amazing.

And you're going to make
it look even better.

Well, I'll try to do it justice.

Half the magic is how
you capture it.

So you really think we
can pull this off?

Four years in a row
sounds like it must be

some kind of record, huh?

It would be. I can see it now.

Sacramento Christmas Home
Decorating Champions.



Got a nice ring to it.

Sounds good to me!

Oh, sorry. Agent.

Oh.

Hey, Oscar.

Hannah Reid, great news.

I have a new sign up for
the Christmas Guru.

Remember I'm at my
Aunt Lucy's so I can't...

You may work anonymously,

but you are the Anthony Bourdain
of holiday reviews,

and it's Christmas time.

What is it?

Picture this,
Christmas World in Alaska.

I'll send you in as a tourist.



As always, no one will know
why you're there.

Who is the client?

Ironically also prefers
to remain anonymous.

Okay, I'm intrigued.

Killer. Check out the inbox,

pack your bags, you leave
tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Oh, um...

Take it.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Problem?

No, no problem.

Okay, talk to you soon.

Come on, let's go inside.
We'll get the rest

of your gear later.

Okay.

I missed you!

Oh, I missed you too.

Wow, there are some
winning photos in here.

Too bad.

Wait, too bad? What do
you mean, too bad?

Too bad because I'm skipping
the competition this year.

What?

Why?

Because I am going
to Alaska with you.

Really?

Oh, Aunt Lucy,
I would love that.

But are you sure?

I'm sure.

I enjoy decorating, but spending
time with you is half the fun.

I feel the same way.

Besides, you didn't think
I would let you celebrate

the holidays all by yourself?

Even if you are the
Christmas Guru.

Not for a minute.

Is this where we're going?

Yes, it is. Okay.

Nestled in the heart of the
Alaskan wilderness,

Christmas World is a true fairy
tale if there ever was one.

Let's read some reviews.

No, I never read reviews,
not before I write one.

I don't want it to influence me.

You're good.

Okay, escape to a magical land
where Santa comes every year,

and a helpful elf is around
every corner.

Submerge yourself in this
idyllic winter paradise

for a Christmas you'll
never forget.

Let's go.

- I'm ready.
- I'm ready.

♪♪♪

Lucy, I just realized
that this is our first

almost white Christmas together.

I mean, there's not
that much snow,

but more than Sacramento.

Honey, anywhere has more
snow than Sacramento.

Very true.

I'm really glad you're
here with me.

Me too.

Oh, I almost forgot.
I got you something.

Lucy, this is literally my
favorite photography magazine.

I know.

Wow.

Oh, okay, this
is Catherine Moore.

Uh-huh.

It is every photographer's
dream to work with her.

I mean, she is just...

You know, she worked her way
up from the mailroom

at Discovery Wild all
the way to the top.

Impressive.

Right?

Okay, it says here she has a
passion for the Aurora Borealis.

Hmm.

Maybe if I have some free time,
I'll see if they can be seen

from Christmas World.

Or maybe if you have
some free time,

you could meet a handsome guy.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Where are the lights
and decorations?

And people, for that matter?

At least it's picturesque.

♪♪♪

Ah.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Yes, exactly.

Yes, the joy and warm fuzziness
of Christmas can be felt

all year round here.

You can feed the reindeer,

but singular, just the...

I can't believe you're here!

Ben Locke!

What's it been, three years?

Yeah, yeah, it's been a while.

Hey, does your dad
know you're here?

No, I want it to be a surprise.

That's why I'm staying
here at the hotel

instead of at the house.

Yeah, got it. Makes total sense.

Yeah.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to...

I haven't seen him
for a while, so...

You're from here?

Yeah, I was deployed overseas.

Welcome home! I'm Lucy, and
this is my niece, Hannah.

Hi.

Hi. Ben. Nice to meet you both.

Can I ask you a question, Ben?

Sure.

Is this place sort of missing
some of its Christmas?

Yeah, I was wondering
the same thing myself.

It may be best if you
talk to your dad.

Right.

So, apparently, ladies, I'll
have to get back to you on that.

But in the meantime, let me
just finish up here,

and you can get checked in.

Hmm.

Sounds good.

Alright, you're all set, Ben.

And I upgraded you to the suite.

Oh! That's... Thanks, man.

Let's catch up some time, huh?

Okay.

Right.

Enjoy your stay.

Thanks.

Hi, a reservation should
be under Hannah Reid.

Reid for a double.

Oh no, I actually
upgraded to a suite.

You did?

Yeah, I wanted it
to be a surprise.

I'm sorry...

What do you mean, you're sorry?

This suite has been booked.

You mean you just gave
our suite to your friend.

I'm so sorry.

Okay, well, are there other
suites available?

No, we don't have another suite.

All I have for you
is the double.

The double is fine.

It's okay, Hannah.
Thanks for the thought.

Thank you for choosing
Christmas World.

Enjoy your stay.

Okay, this is not
what I was expecting

based on the website.

That is an understatement.

And the bathroom's
down the hall.

Hmm.

No television either, huh?

You know what? I mean, there's
probably plenty to do.

We won't even need a TV, right?

Right.

And he got the suite.

I'm glad he got the suite.

It's been over a year since you
broke up with Henry, Hannah.

And I didn't see any ring on
that handsome soldier's finger.

You are impossible!

I just want you to find someone
so you don't feel

like you have to spend every
Christmas with me.

But I love spending
Christmas with you.

You'll end up an
old maid like me.

I heard that!

I only do the review
when I feel that I can be

completely fair but when
a place looks like this,

impartiality is a tough
thing to come by.

Alright, I've got our famous
hot chocolates.

Lovely.

And our holiday special.

This looks fabulous.

There you go.

This is without a doubt the best
thing about Christmas World.

Oh, you're very kind. I hope
you enjoy your stay.

How long are you here for?

We're not sure actually.

Ben.

Huh, him again.

I don't understand you.
When I was your age,

I'd be all over that.

Lucy!

What? I'm old, not dead.

It's good to see you.
How are you?

Do you think they were an item?

Can we get back to our
discussion please?

Yes, sorry. Um... Let me think.

You're here.

Yeah, it's amazing.

What the...

So much for my surprise.

Hi, Dad.

Three years.

Believe me, it's
still a surprise.

Hey, why don't you
guys get some coffee

and catch up on
everything, yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Come.

Can I see the photos you
took on the way over to town

from the hotel?

Sure.

Um...

Here.

Nothing too cheery Christmasy
yet, just some decorations

and stuff. Kind of just
a warm up.

How many photos do
you need typically?

Depending on the layout,
maybe six to eight.

Hmm.

Why?

Just wondering.

Wondering?

Wondering about looking past
the sad stuff to the potential.

You remember what my house
used to look like

before we started on our
decorating ideas.

I know, but it wasn't this...

Well, it wasn't this.

It was pretty bad
that first year.

And yet we made it work.

In fact, we won.

We won because of creatively
framed photography.

♪♪♪

Here? Lucy, there's not
much to work with.

Okay, but maybe there's a half
frozen pond somewhere

that we could make look like
an ice skating rink.

Or we could build
tiny, little snowmen

under a canopy of trees
in the forest.

It could work.

You'll have your photos and
be true to yourself

no matter what you write.

Lucy, you are a genius.

I know.

♪♪♪

You know, now I can't wait
to get started.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Is Paul still managing?

No, Paul retired.

His son, Mark, he came to
help a couple years ago.

Mark did a lot to help us
compete with all the brand new

places that are competition
these days.

So what, Mark tried to implement
these new ideas

but they didn't work?

Right.

And then he let go of staff
to cut costs,

turned off the electricity early
to reduce expenses.

And he raised rent on some
of the retail spaces,

but folks just moved out.

What was he thinking?

He was just trying to make
it profitable again.

Again?

It's been a while.

Wish you'd told me.

Maybe I could have come
back in earlier.

That's exactly why
I didn't tell you.

You have your own life.

It doesn't include being dragged
down by Christmas World.

This was your mother's
dream, and mine.

Not yours.

♪♪♪

I could have helped.

♪♪♪

I walked around when
I first arrived.

There's so little Christmas
left here, Dad.

I know.

♪♪♪

But we have an option.

An option?

♪♪♪

Give it a read.

♪♪♪

Later.

♪♪♪

Alright.

We can talk in the morning.

If that's what you want.

I remember what you
always wanted.

Yeah? What's that.

Pecan pie.

♪♪♪

Why don't we grab a slice?

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Huh.

That sounds like fun.

Uh-huh.

Oh, okay.

My fingers are positively
itching to fix and decorate.

Okay, let's start with something
a little less daunting, okay?

Huh.

Welcome to Christmas World.

You really get around, huh?

Yeah.

Information elf at your service.
How can I help you?

Uh... How can we get
out and about?

Out and about? This is it.

Outside of town?

Why would you want to do that?

I don't mean to eavesdrop.

Hi, I'm Mark, I'm manager
of Christmas World.

Oh.

You must be Hannah Reid.

Hmm.

And you're the sunny aunt.

I'm sorry, do we know you?

No, I saw your name
and information

on the reservation list.

Guests are a little bit
scarce around here.

Hmm.

We noticed.

I'm working on it, I promise.

Good to hear.

Anyway, if you go to the
south side of town

there's a lovely walking path.

It will take you to the most
picturesque parts of the forest.

Great, thank you.

No problem.

You ladies enjoy your stay. Let
me know if you need anything.

Thanks.

Alaska sure does know
how to make 'em.

Lucy!

What?

Focus!

What do you think about
the walking path?

I'm game if you are.

Did I mention that I adore you?

Feel free to mention it
as much as you like.

♪♪♪

This offer is half the
value of the land.

And Astra Resorts is going to
raze everything to the ground.

How could you even
consider that?

Of course it's not what
the land is really worth.

But this might turn things
around for us.

You could go wherever
you wanted to go,

do whatever you want.

I don't want to go anywhere.

It feels good to
finally be home.

I can retire.

And do what?

Well, I could travel.

You hate traveling.

This, this is your dream,
you and mom.

Why would you give that up now?

I'm not but...

This could be our only
chance to get out.

Look...

I thought about this for days,

weeks before I travelled
back home.

♪♪♪

Even knowing what we're
up against now,

I want to stay and take over
Christmas World.

♪♪♪

I don't know, Ben.

♪♪♪

Your dream has become mine.

This is all I've thought
about overseas.

These memories...

They kept me going.

Please, Dad.

Just give me a chance.

♪♪♪

This offer has an
expiration date.

Two weeks is not a lot of time.

I know.

But I'll figure it out,
make it work.

♪♪♪

I promise.

♪♪♪

This is breathtaking.
I mean, Christmas World

is kind of a mess, but this?
This is incredible.

Thanks for making those adorable
snowmen, by the way.

They're going to make
great pictures.

My pleasure.

Though I was a little worried
about veering off that path.

What's next on the photo agenda?

I'm not sure. I think
I'm going to take

some nature landscapes.

Take your time.

I can definitely use
these nature shots.

Why don't we see if there's
anything we can create

in town too, huh?

Hmm, brave woman.

You do know how to get
us back, don't you?

Yes, absolutely.

♪♪♪

Still no sign of town?

No! I don't understand,
it should be right here.

No service, of course.

How did we get so turned around?

I don't know, but we'll find
our way back, don't worry.

I'm not worried. Who's worried?

♪♪♪

We're lost.

We're not lost, we're just
taking the scenic route.

My butt distinctly
remembers that rock.

And over here...

Lucy! Lucy! Lucy!

Lucy! Oh my God!

Ow!

Ah! My leg! Ow!

Ow!

Lucy! Lucy! Lucy! Are you okay?

Lucy!

♪♪♪

Oh my God.

♪♪♪

Ow!

Oh.

Oh my gosh! Oh, thank God.

Lucy.

Ow!

How are you feeling?

Like I got hit with
a baseball bat.

What happened?

You fell and hit your
head on the rocks.

You look like you tripped too.

I'm okay, I'm just worried
about you.

I'll be right as rain.

Okay, it looks like we should
have at least enough water

to last us a few hours.

That's something, I guess.

I'm so glad your mother made
you go to Girl Scout camp.

Ow.

I am so sorry that I got
us lost, Aunt Lucy.

It's not your fault.

I probably should have marked
the trail as we went.

Especially when we left the
path to do your photos.

Yeah, I agree.

Just... What are we
going to do now?

Here, take this.
It's getting colder.

No, no -

No arguments.

Did you hear something?

A horse?

Help!

Hello?

Somebody help us!

Help! We're over here!

Over here!

Help!

Help!

♪♪♪

Help! Over here!

- Help!
- Somebody help us!

Please!

♪♪♪

Thank God you saw us.

We got a little lost.

♪♪♪

I can see that.

Ben! Oh, is it ever
good to see you!

You all okay?

Much better now
that you're here.

How did you even know
where to find us?

Mark mentioned in town that he
let you know about the trail,

so when you didn't come back
after a few hours

we figured you'd ventured
off the path

and decided to send
the rescue team.

Thank God for that.

Rescue team, huh?

Yeah, well, me. I used to help
out when I lived here.

Tourists used to get
stuck in the snow.

Well, everything was going fine.

I mean, I was getting
great pictures,

but then all of a sudden we got
turned around, and... Ah!

Whoa! Whoa! You okay?

You are hurt.

No, I'm... It's nothing.
I'm fine.

She needs to see a doctor.

Can you twist it for me?

Doesn't sound like
nothing to me.

What about you, Lucy?

I don't know, I think I'm okay.

No, she's not. She fell and
hit her head on a rock,

and she was out for a while.
She definitely needs

to get checked too.

Can you hold this for a second?

Oh, yeah, sure, keep them...

Just put your arm around me.

In my bag, or...

Yeah. Oh, look! An owl.

Oh, what?

Ben!

Photographer, right?

Yeah.

♪♪♪

I got this.

Yes, ma'am.

♪♪♪

What? I was an equestrian
pole bending champ

when I was younger.

Okay, how am I just
learning this now?

Didn't seem relevant until now.

Fair warning, it will be a
little chilly on the way back

to town since I have to walk us.

You aren't riding with us?

Too heavy with three people.

Yeah, and I don't think either
of you should be walking

right now, so...

♪♪♪

What's his name?

Licorice.

Someone's got a
sweet tooth, huh?

Yeah.

My dad's been taking care of him
for me at the boarding facility

while I've been gone. Didn't
realized how much I missed him.

Well, he's beautiful.

Ah, thanks. He's
beautiful inside too,

which is of course the
most important part.

I may melt right off this horse.

♪♪♪

Nothing broken, it's just a
sprain, and a pretty bad one.

Some of the ligaments
are partially torn.

You're going to need to have
your foot immobilized

in a supportive brace
for at least a week.

A week?

I'll give you some
stretching exercises,

but you should try to stay off
your foot as much as possible.

Dr. Morgan, isn't there
I don't know, any way

we could speed up the process?

I mean, I have to
be able to walk.

I'm sorry, you young people

always want to rush.

But there's no rushing
your body.

You need to be patient.

Not easy for you, huh?

Very observant, doctor.

And you, young lady, while
everything seems fine,

I think we should keep you on
observation over night

just to make sure there's
no concussion.

I'm fine.

Aunt Lucy.

Alright. If you think it's best.

I do.

And if it makes you feel any
better, I believe we have

better rooms than the hotel.

Unfortunately, that's
not hard to do.

I know. Things are not what they
used to be around here.

That's... Very true.

Thanks for everything, Abner.
Much appreciated.

Glad you're back, Ben.

Good to be back.

Why don't you two grab
a bite to eat, huh?

Oh, but we should...

I'm fine, just tired. Honestly.

Then let's get
you settled in a room.

If you get hungry later,
there's plenty of food

in the main kitchen here,
or you can ring me

on the button near the bed.

I'm just in the cabin out back.

Thank you.

Well, I am kind of hungry.

Go on, enjoy yourself.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay, yeah.

You're...

Yeah.

Fine with that?

Yeah, that sounds great.

♪♪♪

Let me take that boot for you.

Oh, thanks.

♪♪♪

That's mine.

Thank you.

There you go.

Thank you.

Okay.

♪♪♪

You two can have
this table here.

Thank you.

♪♪♪

Oh, yeah.

Get the bags.

There we go.

♪♪♪

So Gretta, my friend Hannah here
has had quite the ordeal today

and could use some comfort food.

Your friend?

Oh, Ben's being modest.

He rescued my aunt and I today.

I don't know what would have
happened if he didn't come.

Well, I will be right back with
one of your favorites

very soon.

Thanks.

She seems lovely.

Yeah. Gretta and I
grew up together.

Her family's been in this area
for over a hundred years.

This café is their
legacy of sorts.

And she's alone, or...

Yeah. I mean, we were almost...

Oh.

It's complicated.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.

No, it's fine. Ancient history.

Thanks.

Thank you for doing
this, Gretta.

My pleasure. I just wish there
were more people here.

This last year it's been
really, really slow.

This is not the Christmas World
I remember, Hannah,

not at all.

You should have seen this
place, it was magical.

My parents bought the land and
they turned it into their dream.

Mm-hmm.

My mother, when she passed...

I'm sorry, you don't need
to hear this from me.

No, no, no, no, don't be silly.

You can tell me.

It's just...

I want so badly to recreate the
amazing holiday memories

I have for others, but besides
hanging up a few lights

I just don't know
where to begin.

Here we are.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

Here you are.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Hannah?

Hmm?

Is everything okay?

I...

I might have an idea.

Okay, hear me out.
So there's this woman

named Catherine Moore,
and her magazine,

Discovery Wild, and that's...

Sorry, you don't need
to know that.

But I mean, what I'm trying to
say is I really want to get

beautiful pictures of the
Northern Lights.

Okay, but you lost me.
What does that have to do

with Christmas World?

Well, did I mention that
Lucy and I are Sacramento

Christmas Home
Decoration champs,

and if we weren't here, we'd
probably be back there

winning our fourth trophy?

Really?

Yeah.

And I'm really good
at marketing.

Lucy has the skill set to help
you restore Christmas World

to its former glory, and I
can take pictures

of the transformation
and help promote it.

You'd do that?

Yes, yes, of course.

On one condition. You have
to help me capture

the Auroras at least once.

♪♪♪

I don't know what to say.

♪♪♪

Of course I do. Hannah Reid,
you have yourself a deal.

Hmm.

♪♪♪

It's too late to back out now,
but just for the record,

I would have taken you to see
the Auroras without the deal.

♪♪♪

Watch your step there.

Thanks.

Now you may have talked me
into walking over here,

but Dr. Morgan's going
to have my hide.

Ah, ah, ah, ah!

You wait here, I'm going
to go get Licorice,

take you back to
the hotel, okay?

No, no, wait, please.

Let's just walk a bit more.
I mean, the boot he gave me

is fine, and it's a
beautiful night.

Okay, okay, but only for
a few minutes, okay?

Okay.

Oh, thank you.

Snowball throw somewhere,

or like even a s'mores station.

Oh! You came up
with all this already?

Well, yeah.

Amazing. I think that's enough
walking for one day.

Yeah, okay.

Huh.

What?

That's odd for Mark
to be working tonight.

Do you mind if we go in?

No, not at all. In fact, I think
he might want to help

once he hears what
we're planning.

Ah.

Working late?

Well, somebody's got
to do something.

You know how this place is.

We're going to turn Christmas
World back into the way

it used to be.

How?

Well, we're still
working on that.

Yeah.

We?

Ben, you haven't been
here in years.

I know.

No offense, I've been
working my butt off

to keep this place alive.

You think you can
suddenly come back

and do better than me?

No, no, of course not.
We want to work with you.

Don't you want Christmas World
to be what it used to be?

Of course.

It'd just take a miracle to turn
this place around.

I think it's possible.

Yeah.

So, will you help us?

Absolutely. Just let me know
what you need.

I'm in.

Whoa.

♪♪♪

Okay, just kick...

Swing your leg over.

Like that.

Come on.

Okay, move my bag.

Ready?

Ooh.

There you go.

♪♪♪

Thanks.

Yeah.

Yeah.

♪♪♪

Hannah?

Yes.

♪♪♪

I...

♪♪♪

I'll... I'll see you tomorrow.

Yeah, tomorrow.

♪♪♪

Good night, Hannah Reed.

♪♪♪

Good night, Ben Locke.

♪♪♪

Out kind of late,
aren't you, son?

I'm not a teenager, Dad.

So why are you sneaking
in the house

like it's past your curfew?

I thought you'd be in bed.

Bed, no. I want to hear
about your day.

Dad.

I wouldn't be doing my fatherly
duties if I didn't grill you.

The rescue turned out to
be for two women

I met at the hotel
the other day.

Turns out they're Christmas
decoration champions

and have marketing experience.

They're going to help us.

A few more lights aren't going
to change anything, son.

It's not about the lights, Dad,
it's about what they represent.

Festive decorations will get
people into the holiday spirit,

brighten the town square,
bring some hope.

It's a start. Who knows
where it may lead?

What's this going to cost us?

Nothing. Not really.

Hannah is a photographer
as well,

and all she wants is for me to
take her to the Auroras.

The Auroras?

Sounds like you got the
best end of that deal.

I did.

Hannah, huh?

It's not what you think.
I mean... I don't know.

I think so. It's, uh... Maybe.

I like her, Dad.

Oh.

Hmm.

Well, time to hit the sack.

The clock's still ticking, son.

I know.

Well, you'll need this.

Nice catch.

♪♪♪

Remind me what we're
doing here again?

Just keep your eyes
closed, okay?

♪♪♪

Keep them closed.

They're closed.

Alright.

Ah! No peeking!

I'm not peeking.

None. You look like a peeker.

What does that even mean?

It means that you're sneaky.

What are you up to?

♪♪♪

I can't see anything.

Okay, well, keep
your eyes closed.

Okay, they're closed.

In you go, in you go,
in you go, in you go.

Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn.

Here?

Right there, okay. Ready?

Mm-hmm.

Okay, open them.

♪♪♪

What do you think?

It used to be my... My mom's
little workshop

before it got turned into just
Christmas storage.

♪♪♪

Wow. I'm...

This is...

♪♪♪

I think Lucy is going to lose
her mind over this.

I have got to get
my camera. This is...

Wow! Oh my God.

We're going to need people to
help us get all this sorted.

I can definitely talk
to the townspeople,

but I haven't been around
for three years

so I can't promise that I'll
be able to sway everyone.

You swayed me.

I thought you swayed me.

I actually have a surprise
for you tonight.

Another surprise?

Yup, I'm full of surprises.

I'll pick you up at the hotel
at sundown, okay?

Yeah, it's a date.

Not a date as in date-date,
but as a...

You know what I'm trying...

I'm going to go get
my camera, so...

Christmas World 2.0.

Does a physical transformation
make or break a holiday?

♪♪♪

Whoa.

♪♪♪

Well, Licorice is
ready. Are you?

Absolutely.

Here, let me take that.

Oh, thank you.

♪♪♪

Okay.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

The number of stars here
is just so stunning.

Yeah.

How long have you been
into photography?

My dad gave me my first camera.

Oh, nice!

When I was ten, yeah.

And I was hooked.

I just...

There's something about being
able to just capture

that moment, you know?

That flicker of a second
where the magic happens.

Makes sense to me.

You mean like this?

Oh my God! Oh my God!
That's the Northern Lights!

I did promise.

Oh my God!

How are you this calm?
This is amazing!

I've seen the Auroras
many times, Hannah.

♪♪♪

It never gets old though.

♪♪♪

Oh!

♪♪♪

I will never forget this.

Never.

♪♪♪

Could you imagine seeing
this all the time?

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

I've never seen anything so
beautiful in my entire life.

♪♪♪

Me either.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Does it take a village
to make a world of Christmas?

Take it easy. Bring it down.

It's got to look as it
did years ago, right?

It's got to be sincere,
and old fashioned,

from the heart.

People just know fake
when they see it.

Got it.

Oh God.

I am so sorry.

It's okay, I think
we have others.

I'll get a broom.
I'll clean this up.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Oh man, I don't know
what's wrong with me.

I'm so sorry.

Do you want me to get
you another can?

It's fine, don't worry about it.

I'll just finish with what's
left in the can.

Okay. Again...

It looks great! Maybe just
a little more here.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Does anybody need
a little bit of...

Oh, oh!

Hi. I'm Lucy, Hannah's aunt.

Well hello, Lucy, Hannah's aunt.
I'm Warren Locke.

Thank you, Warren.

Nice catch, Dad.

I'm going to go fix the lights.

Alright, great.

This place looks terrific.
How did you get...

It's all the help.

Oh.

This...

This is Hannah.

Lovely to meet you, Mr. Locke.

Same here.

So there'll be a
s'mores station,

we're doing a new ice rink
just over the hill,

and oh, there's so much more.

It looks amazing
already. What can I do to help?

Well, I'm just about to decorate
this beautiful tree.

Well, I can do that. We had
a tree every Christmas.

Sometimes we went a
little crazy with decorations.

I can attest to that. Mom used
to say it looked like

Christmas threw up on the tree.

I think you could never have too
much festive on a tree.

And I could use the extra hands.

Then these are at your disposal.

Oh, wow.

That's beautiful.

Oh, but...

No!

Great.

I can't believe it.

Tired of these lights.

I'm on it, I'm on it.

Yeah.

What are you always
writing in that thing?

Oh! Just, just taking
some notes.

You know, just stuff
I don't want to forget.

How's the ankle?
How you holding up?

Yeah, it's good.

How are you feeling?

Grateful, inspired, humbled.

It's crazy how many problems
we've been having.

Yeah.

Mark and I just finished
fixing the fixture

before the darn thing fell.

I'm just glad no one's
been hurt.

Yeah, me too.

Let me just finish up here, and
then we'll get you some food.

Sounds like a plan.

♪♪♪

I'm doing my magic trick.

Oh God, not the magic act!

I want to see it.

Okay, just let me borrow this.

Sure.

Yeah, okay.

Okay.

Perfect.

Square. And this, ready?

Uh-oh.

Ta-da! Ho!

Never gets old.

Oh, it gets old.

Oh, come on!

Okay, Lucy, are you seeing
what I'm seeing right now?

It couldn't be more perfect.

Right?

Perfect for...

Warren, chuckle again.

Oh!

I'm Santa Claus!

How did I not see that before?

Another piece of the
puzzle in place.

I love it.

Night cap, anyone?

Sure.

Not for me.

You kids go ahead and enjoy.

And I would like to ask Lucy
to look at the stars.

I thought you'd never ask.

Oh!

Well, I am asking.

So much for seventy, huh?

At that age, why waste time?

Yeah.

Right, I'll be back.

Why don't you go get
comfortable on the couch

in the living room, by the fire,

and I'll being in the drinks.

Perfect.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Oh.

Oh man, what a mess.

♪♪♪

Oh, this is great.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Here are the drinks.

Don't tell my dad I stole it
from the secret stash.

Oh, you know what? I'm actually
feeling kind of tired right now.

I hope you don't mind.

Oh, okay, yeah, no worries.
I'll just put these down,

and grab my jacket, and take
you back to the hotel.

No, that's okay, I don't
want to be a bother.

Just let my aunt know that
I'll see her there.

You're not a bother.
Hannah, don't be silly.

What about your foot?

I'm okay. Thank you.

♪♪♪

What a wonderful evening.

Warren said...

Sorry.

You're working on the
Christmas Guru review?

Yeah.

Are you feeling alright?

Yeah.

Hannah Reed, I know you.

What's wrong?

What did I miss?

Never mind. I don't want
to talk about it.

I mean, he lied to us.

♪♪♪

Why would he do that,
pretend that he wanted

to turn things around, I mean,
wasting everyone's time?

Hannah, slow down.
You've lost me.

I found a sales agreement in
Ben's bag for Ashtor Resorts.

What did he say when you
asked him about it?

Well, I didn't ask
him about it, I...

So you're telling me you're all
worked up over a document

you saw, but really don't
know why it was there

in the first place?

♪♪♪

Yeah.

Don't you think you
should talk to Ben

to see what he has to
say about it at least?

Yeah. Yes, yeah.
I guess you're right.

Talk to him first thing
in the morning.

Warren told me they always
breakfast at the café early.

It would be a shame
to ruin a good thing

over what could turn out
to be nothing, hmm?

Hannah!

Hey! Ben's inside.

He's still eating, but I'm sure
he'd like some company.

Ah.

I just desert him to go and
get my morning paper.

I was actually just on
my way to talk to him.

Oh, great.

We were talking about after
the tree lighting ceremony,

we thought maybe we
could go celebrate

down in Wisher. It's not far.

You know, I'm not sure
that I'll still be there,

here then, but...

I thought you were both staying
till after Christmas.

Well, you know, we haven't
finalized our plans yet, so...

I thought after all the
hard work you'd put in

you'd want to see it
come to fruition.

You know, we couldn't have
done it without you.

You know, Ben was hoping
something would happen

to change things, a Christmas
miracle or sorts.

It was granted. It was you.

You know, Hannah, I haven't
known you for long,

but it's obvious
something's wrong.

Did Ben do something?

I found the sales agreement to
Ashtor for Christmas World.

Oh.

You knew about it? Then why?

Why have us come and fix up the
place, to drive up the price?

I don't understand.

♪♪♪

And I need to explain.
Come and sit down, please.

Please.

♪♪♪

Little more?

Thanks, Gretta.

Sure.

Hmm, it's been so good
having you home, Ben.

Feels good to be home.

So do you think your makeover
plan is going to work?

Yeah, I do think so. I think
we just need a strong

marketing push, you know?

Don't you?

There are some things that
you don't know, Ben.

What do you mean?

If you're going to be
upset with someone,

you should be mad at me.

You, but...?

I'm the one that gave
the agreement to Ben.

I thought we should take it.

But that was before.

I assure you, Ben has no
intention of selling this place.

In fact, he begged me for
the chance to save it.

He did?

Yeah, he did.

After seeing how you and Lucy,
and everyone else

is so invested in the
village's success,

I don't want to sell
it now either.

I think I just forgot how
special this place is.

I'm sorry.

I guess I should probably
go talk to Ben.

Yeah.

Thank you.

You know, ever since
we were kids,

we always said we were going
to run this place together.

Yeah, yeah, I know we did
say that, didn't we?

We could finally make that
dream happen now.

And I could help you.

Gretta.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Gretta.

I'm sorry, we talked about
this years ago when I left.

I know, but I think that now...

No, I don't feel the
same way about you.

I thought I made that clear.

Uh...

So, so you're choosing
her over me?

I'm sorry.

You know, you're...
You're a fool, Ben.

Why don't you just
do us all a favor

and sell out to Ashtor, okay?

Gretta, no! Hey! Gretta!

Morning, sunshine.
How did it go?

What did Ben say?

You know, I didn't get a
chance to talk to him.

He was busy.

Busy? Too busy to talk to you?

Yeah. Listen, Lucy, I don't
think I can stay.

You're leaving?

Now?

Yeah, now, I think.

What about your review?

You know, I already started it,
I think I'm just going

to finish the rest on the plane.

We still have lots to do, and I
promised Warren that we would...

I know.

You know what, you should stay?

Yeah, you should stay, and...
I mean, we have the room

until New Years, right?
It's already paid for.

You should stay and
decorate the town

if that's what you want to do.
But I, I just think...

I just think...

♪♪♪

I don't know what
I was thinking.

I'm...

♪♪♪

Hannah, what happened?

I can't talk about it.

I want to help.

♪♪♪

You can't help. Not with this.

♪♪♪

He's moving ahead with
his grand reopening plans.

Without you?

With Hannah.

I thought that might be
the case. I'm sorry.

Yeah, you know, I really thought
that once he came back, and...

I need to get some air.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Does he know?

♪♪♪

I don't think so.

It's going to be
quite the shock.

♪♪♪

You are going to sign
the papers, right?

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Ah, did you fix things
with Hannah?

Fix things?

You two didn't have a chat?

No, I haven't seen her yet.

I saw her outside the café,
she said she was going

to talk to you.

No, I never saw her there.
I was there working, and...

What? What is it?

♪♪♪

Gretta. She kissed me.

Oh, that girl's never
gotten over you.

What if Hannah saw?

She saw more than that. She
saw the Ashtor agreement

in your bag last night.

That explains it!

Oh Ben, I've made
so many mistakes.

I've got to go talk to her.

I'm coming with you!

Fine.

♪♪♪

Lucy.

You alright?

She's gone.

Gone?

You have a lot of
explaining to do.

It's just a misunderstanding,
I promise.

When did she leave?

♪♪♪

About 20 minutes ago.

Take my car.
I'll stay with Lucy.

♪♪♪

Talk to you later.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Where do you think
you're going, young lady?

Leaving us already?

♪♪♪

Ah.

♪♪♪

Please, Hannah,
let me give you a ride

to the airport.

You won't have to
wait for the van.

I promise not to pry. You
look like you could use

some company.

♪♪♪

Okay, thank you.

♪♪♪

I'm sorry you're leaving.

I asked my friend to come and
see the wonderful work

Lucy and you did here.

At least let me introduce
you. I'm sure she'd be

very impressed with you.

Abner!

Pardon me a moment.

The restrooms in the station
are bigger than your place

in Manhattan, am I right?

Abner! Oh!

This is the first laugh I've
had in months, I think.

Then I'm glad you're here.

Me too!

Best bagels in New York.

You remembered.
Oh, I've missed you.

Same here. But I can't
believe you got me

to do this crazy trek again.

You know it makes me sad
every time I visit,

seeing the town decline.

I think you'll be very
surprised this year.

Well, I hope so, old friend.

Now, let me introduce you to the
very impressive young woman

responsible for the
transformation with her aunt.

She's unfortunately
leaving us too soon.

Hi, I'm Hannah Reed.

Very nice to meet you,
Hannah. I'm Catherine.

Wait, Catherine Moore?

Yes, last I checked.

As in the Catherine Moore
of Discovery Wild?

Yes. You're right, Abner,
she is impressive.

Is that Nikon? Are you
a photographer?

Ben said you were an
avid photographer.

Yeah, I am a photographer.

You know, I actually just
captured a series

of the Auroras here. I really
think you'd love them.

You're right, I would. I have a
passion for those beauties.

Unfortunately, Hannah
has a flight to catch.

Oh, that's too bad.
I love getting to know

new photographers' work.

If you stay a bit longer, maybe
we could all grab lunch.

What do you say, Hannah?

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

What else have you been shooting

while you've been here?

Well, I just downloaded
this card.

It should have some Christmas
World renovation shots

on it if you want to see.

May I?

Yeah, of course.

Oh, wait a second.
Can you go back?

Yeah, sure.

♪♪♪

Sorry, go ahead.

Something wrong?

I'm not sure.
You can keep going.

♪♪♪

Wait, can you stop on that one?

♪♪♪

Are you okay?

Um... Yeah, sorry.
Please continue.

I'm just thinking.

♪♪♪

Oh my.

What?

♪♪♪

But I... I didn't...

Ben must have.

That's a picture from
a man in love.

♪♪♪

No, no, you're wrong.

I'm never wrong.

Abner.

What?

Gretta.

Look, I know that you and Ben
have a long history together,

and I don't...

♪♪♪

I saw him kiss you.

♪♪♪

No, actually, I kissed him.

♪♪♪

And he rejected me.

♪♪♪

I always thought we
were meant to be together,

but, but with all your
Christmas magic,

you've bewitched him.

♪♪♪

You know, you
come here and you think

you can spend a few days,
and put up a few lights,

and save Christmas World.

♪♪♪

But you can't. It's too late.

Too late?

♪♪♪

Then the other guy's
wearing a trench coat.

Yeah.

And trench coat turns to him and
says, "Drop the monkey."

Hannah! I thought you left.

It's a long story, Lucy.

Gretta, why did you
say it's too late?

What's the matter, Warren?

You've both been fooled
this entire time.

Aren't you going to say
anything, Mr. Locke?

♪♪♪

I didn't know how to tell
him, or how to tell you.

Tell us what?

He took out a loan and
used Christmas World

as collateral just
to stay afloat.

It's time to pay up,
and if he doesn't,

Ashtor's going to purchase
it from the bank

for pennies on the dollar.

♪♪♪

When were you going
to tell me, Dad?

♪♪♪

How much?

♪♪♪

How much, Dad?

He owes $100,000, paid
in full by Saturday.

♪♪♪

All the land beneath
Christmas World is mine.

Well, belongs to Ashtor,
but he's my cousin, so...

That's why you were
sabotaging our plans.

Sabotaging?

I found proof in my pictures.

He's in the background messing
with the electrical,

with the fixture that fell.

Why, Mark?

Money, custody battle.
Look, I set up a nice deal

with Ashtor so your dad
wouldn't lose everything.

Everything was going according
to plan until you.

You just had to do your job,
and write one bad review.

I thought once I showed you the
place, it'd be an easy sell.

What are you talking about?

It was you, the
anonymous client.

You were writing a review?

I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you,
but I have to stay anonymous

to get an unbiased review.

It's not just any
review, Ben, no.

No, she is the Christmas Guru,
the make or break

of holiday places.

I only found out because Oscar
accidentally left her name

on an email he forwarded me,
telling me the review

was ready.

Stupid agents.

I didn't even have
to read the piece.

The title said it all, "The
Magic of Christmas World 2.0."

It was for you, the best
kind of marketing.

That review was supposed
to be the final nail

in the coffin for
Christmas World.

No, every year I just keep
thinking this place

is going to die, and every year
it just keeps on eking by

because certain folks
can't seem to let it go.

Stupid saps.

You sign the paperwork?

♪♪♪

What paperwork?

♪♪♪

Ashtor's going to buy
the restaurant.

But doesn't Warren
own all the land here?

Not this parcel, it's been in
her family for generations.

Gretta, don't do this.

If Christmas World goes down,
the café can't survive.

Mark made me an honest offer,
and with that money

I can start over somewhere
else comfortably.

This place is your
family's legacy.

Your cooking is the heart
of Christmas World.

You can't leave.

Ben, what part of "you lost'
don't you understand?"

Your dad has to come up with
$100,000 by tomorrow

to save this place. Come on.

♪♪♪

Well, I have some money
saved up that I could invest.

It's not a ton, Warren,
but it's yours.

Oh Lucy, are you sure you
want to get into business

with a fool like me?

You must know by now how much
I love Christmas, Warren.

And I could not live with myself
if I let your Christmas World go

and there was something
I could do to help.

I have some saved up too.

♪♪♪

So do I, Dad.

♪♪♪

Count me in.
I didn't retire here

to live near an Ashtor Resort.

I'll gladly invest in
Christmas World.

Believe me, a little
more than enough.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Mark, it's time for
you to leave town.

Or I'll call my big New York
lawyers on speed dial.

I'm sure they'd love to
see the photo evidence

Hannah has before filing suit.

♪♪♪

You heard my dad,
get out of here. Now.

♪♪♪

Are you all out of your minds?

You could have been,
you could have been rich.

You could have all been rich!

You're going to regret this.
I promise you,

you're all going to regret this.

♪♪♪

You're going to be sorry.

♪♪♪

Somehow I don't think so.

♪♪♪

Thank you.

Christmas World is
your legacy too.

And I do want to
be a part of it.

♪♪♪

I think maybe we should give you
two some time to catch up.

♪♪♪

We'll join you.

We will?

Of course.

Of course we will.

You have some explaining to do.

I do. So do you.

♪♪♪

Definitely.

♪♪♪

I am so thankful
you didn't leave.

♪♪♪

Me too.

♪♪♪

I think it's time we had
a nice, long chat.

Yeah.

And then it's time for
Christmas World to shine.

♪♪♪

Here goes nothing.

Welcome to the tree
lighting ceremony

at the all new Christmas World.

I want to thank all those
who participated

in helping revive this place
to the magical land

it once was. Now I'm going
to turn the stage over

to the man of the hour, the man
who needs no introduction,

Santa Claus.

Ho-ho-ho-ho!

Merry Christmas!

Let our inaugural
Christmas World

tree lighting ceremony begin!

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Hey, come on, come on. Let's go.

♪♪♪

Now the new Christmas World
is officially open.

♪♪♪

Hannah.

I haven't had a chance to tell
you that I absolutely

loved your review, and obviously
it did a lot of good.

Thank you so much.
I've never been happier

to be the Christmas Guru.

Best marketing in the world.

Agreed. Oh, and when
you get a chance,

I would love to talk to you
about publishing

those beautiful Aurora Borealis
photos you took

in our next issue.

Yeah, yeah, that would
be amazing.

Y'all can talk about
this tomorrow.

Lots of people to
meet and greet.

See you, Abner.

Walk?

Thought you'd never ask.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Have you decided?

Decided?

Okay, you're killing me here.

♪♪♪

I'm falling in love with you,
Hannah. I think you know that.

♪♪♪

I just want to make sure I
understand what you're offering.

The chance to stay at a place
where it's Christmas every day,

shooting pictures of the most
incredible starry skies,

all with a man that
I am crazy in love with.

Is that about right?

Does that mean...

I'm staying.

♪♪♪

Ben Locke, you have
yourself a deal.

♪♪♪

It's too late to back out now,
but for the record

I would have taken you
without the rest.

♪♪♪

Hannah.

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas!

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

♪♪♪