A Christmas in Tennessee (2018) Movie Script

[♪]

Hey there.

Morning Mama.

Morning baby, kisses.

Those look pretty.

Morning Grammy.

Good morning Livi.

You all set for school?

- You got your lunch?

- Yeah.

Where's your jacket?

[laughs]

Knock, knock!

Good morning,

Mayor Paul.

Morning Allison, Martha.

Good morning.

Something smells great.

What are you baking back there,

a little slice of heaven?

You say that

every morning.

- The usual?

- Sounds good.

- Anything for me?

- Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

You know, Paul, you don't have

to bring us our mail every day.

I'm sure that you have more

important mayoral duties

than passing out our mail.

Well don't go telling

this to everyone,

but I don't hand

deliver to most people.

Of course, y'all

aren't most people.

Always with the

bills, Paul.

What am I gonna

do with you?

Mm, if I could have

kept them from coming,

I would have,

trust me.

Morning Mayor Paul.

Olivia, you are looking

bigger and bigger every day.

You too.

Okay, we got 30 minutes to

get to school, let's go.

Bye Grammy.

You have a wonderful

day at school, honey.

Bye.

Oh, and be nice

to the Keller boy.

I will.

Mm-mmm.

- Yummy?

- Mm-hmm.

You want to know what Miss

Lindsey told me yesterday?

Remember, even though

she's mommy's friend,

we have to call her Mrs.

McMillan at school.

Oh yeah, I know that.

Want to know

- what she said?

- What?

She said that this year's

Christmas pageant is gonna be

the best one in the history of

White Pine's Elementary School.

She said that?

- Uh-ha.

- Well, it's only 4 days

away, are you ready?

Yeah.

You want to know

- what else she said?

- What?

She said that I have the loudest

partridge in a pear tree

she's ever had.

[laughs]

I believe that, baby.

[school bell ringing]

And you have

- wonderful day, okay.

- Good morning, Olivia.

Good morning Miss, I

mean Miss McMillan.

- All right, bye.

- Bye.

Hey, Al, can I talk to

you for a quick sec?

Of course, what's up?

You know the kids wrote about

what they want for Christmas for

the school newsletter, I wanted

to show you this first to see if

maybe you'd like Olivia

to write something else.

For Christmas this year, I wish

Mommy wouldn't have to worry

about money

all the time?

I wish more people

would buy her cookies.

They are the best cookies

in the whole world.

If everyone came to eat her

cookies, we wouldn't need money.

Oh, Lins.

Just thought maybe you'd want to

change it, you know, before it

gets published and

everyone sees it.

I didn't know I even talked

about money in front of her.

I don't want her

worried about this.

You know how much they

listen at that age.

Okay, I will talk to her

tonight and I'll have her

write something else.

Thank you again,

I owe you.

Don't mention it.

Oh, expect a dozen macaroons

on your desk tomorrow.

Like the ones you

made for my wedding?

- You got it.

- Mmm.

[wind blowing]

[♪]

[paper rustling]

[♪]

One, nine, six, eight.

Hey darling,

you need a break?

Oh, no, I can't take

a break right now.

Anything I

can help with?

I'm just not good at this

stuff like daddy was.

Well, he wasn't good

at it either at first.

Kept this place

running for 30 years,

I'd say he did a

pretty good job.

I just don't have

his business sense.

I'm more like you,

Mom, I'm a baker.

No, you are a French

trained pastry chef.

Merci Mama, C'est Chez.

C'est très gentil.

C'est très gentil, see,

I'm already forgetting it.

But I'm not sure dropping

out of pastry school when

I got pregnant

really counts.

Of course, it counts.

There's no telling where

you'd be if your father

- hadn't gotten sick.

- Mom.

Making desserts for

the Queen of England.

For the last time,

I love it here.

I loved growing

up here,

and I love that Olivia

is growing up here.

The best thing I ever did was

move home when Daddy got sick.

The only thing I

would do differently

is to move back

here sooner.

Okay, all right, as

long as you're happy.

I will be very happy when I can

pay all these overdue bills.

It's gonna take a

miracle at this point.

Well, you remember what

your Dad used to always say;

No point in

wishing on a star

that don't do

- nothing but shine.

- That don't nothing

but shine, I know.

[♪]

Good morning.

- Martha.

- Sarah Grace, Rose.

- What did you bring?

- Croissants.

Oh.

I'm just gonna take

a little corner.

Oh, hi Martha,

how are ya?

Oh, thank you, Bill.

Oh, no, you

have candy.

Bill, I started one,

you finish that one.

I'm gonna have

one of these.

Oh, oh, that's heaven.

Thank you.

[♪]

Now who is that?

Oh, nice car.

Were you

expecting someone?

No, we were not.

Do you think

they're together?

That girl looks

rather young.

She's quite

beautiful though.

Him too.

Rose.

[laughs]

She's very preoccupied

with her phone.

We'll take any customer

we can get these days.

They look like

trouble to me, Bill.

[♪]

[doorbell ringing]

I can't believe you pack

all this luggage.

Oh, this is pretty nice.

Welcome to

White Pines.

Hello, thank you.

Thank you very much.

I'm Matthew Gilbert, and this

is my assistant, Rebecca.

Rebecca, Assistant

Account Manager.

Assistant Account Manager.

I'm Sarah Grace, this

is my husband Bill.

- How do you do?

- Those are my friends,

Martha, Rose.

- Hello.

Pleasure.

Well, I reckon you two

would like a room now.

Two rooms, please.

Well, you're in luck, I happen

to have two rooms available.

Matthew: Oh great.

May I ask what y'all are doing

here in White Pines, Matthew?

Yeah, of course.

We are on business.

And if you don't mind, I'm

gonna head up to my room.

Rebecca here

will check us in.

Oh, of course.

Bill.

Would you like a cookie

to take to your room?

They're from the best

bakery in the area.

Oh, no thank you, Sarah Grace,

watching my weight, no sugar.

After you, Bill.

Top of the stairs,

straight ahead.

Would like a cookie?

No, thank you,

I'm gluten free.

[laughs]

What?

[cell phone ringing]

Pete, just get me

those numbers, okay.

Matthew, it's Jeff.

Oh hey, Mr. Mulligan.

Have you arrived

into town yet?

Made any appointments?

Yes sir, just arrived,

and no sir, not yet.

Listen, you know I need you

to move quickly on this one.

I selected you over Carol,

it's because I believe you can

get this done given

the tight timeline.

We have to get that paperwork

through before the Board

leaves for their holiday.

Yes sir, I'll have this deal all

wrapped up before my mother can

finish making her famous honey

baked ham on Christmas Eve.

Good, good,

listen, Matthew,

I need you to hit a

home run on this one.

That VP slot is still open for

a reason and you got to give me

something to

bring back to Mike.

Yeah, yeah, you bet,

sir, absolutely.

You know, County Records office

can only give us so much over

the phone, so we're

gonna do a little digging

and see who's got the

deed to the property.

Yeah, that's fine,

that's fine, Matthew.

Do whatever it takes

to close this deal.

I want to start

construction in February.

Yeah, you bet, sir.

[click]

Hey, how's that

swing coming along?

Mr. Mulligan?

[cell phone beep]

[♪]

[doorbell jingling]

[♪]

Oh, hello.

Welcome to the

Rocky Top Bakery.

I'm Allison.

Oh, Allison, how

wonderful to meet you.

Are you just visiting

for the holidays?

I'm just passing through,

but when I heard about your

little bakery, I had

to give it a try.

Oh, of course, how

can I help you?

Do you have

any cookies?

My husband has quite a sweet

tooth when it comes to cookies.

Cookies, yes.

We have chocolate chip

and sugar cookies,

but we often have a lot

more kinds of cookies.

[♪]

[sniffing]

[crunching]

Mmm-mmm.

[laughs]

May I try it?

Of course.

How many do you

have of these?

Um, I believe we have

three dozen in total.

I will take all

of them to go.

Sure, but, well, just

make yourself at home.

Thank you.

[♪]

I remember when you were

just a little 6-year-old.

What?

Oh, never

mind me, dear.

[♪]

Well, here you go.

Oh, this should

cover it.

Thank you.

[♪]

It's just exactly

as I pictured it.

Merry Christmas!

[♪]

[doorbell ding dong]

Hi Rose, I have those

petit fours you wanted.

[smash]

Oh gees!

Hi.

I-I'm, I'm so sorry about this,

my, my jacket got caught on this

table and I knocked over

this garden gnome thingy.

Oh, I don't, I

don't work here.

I'm just looking for

the owner, Rose,

but, um, let me help

you clean it all up.

Oh, thank you.

So, you're not from

around here, are you?

Ha-ha, no, I'm staying

at the B&B next door.

One second I'm asking

for the WiFi password,

the next I'm being convinced

to buy all my Christmas gifts

at this antique shop.

That really doesn't

surprise me.

Well, maybe if you have a minute

you could help me find a gift.

Sure, what are

you looking for?

Well, she likes, um,

cooking, gardening, sewing.

- So, it's for your wife?

- Not my wife.

- Your girlfriend?

- No girlfriend, no.

It's, that's embarrassing,

it's for my Mom.

Oh, I think that's

really sweet.

I know Rose just

got in this.

It's actually an

antique sewing machine.

Wow.

You think she'd like it?

Yes, this is perfect.

She's gonna love this.

Thank you.

I'm Matthew, by the way.

- I'm Allison.

- Hi Allison, nice

to meet you.

How long are

you in town?

[doorbell ding dong]

Oh, um, hi Rose.

Hi Allison.

Treats for the

Book Club.

Oh, thanks dear.

Oh, what did you find?

It's great, isn't it?

Yeah, this is great.

She's gonna love it.

- For your wife?

- No wife.

- Girlfriend?

- No girlfriend, no.

My mom.

Well, maybe I, um,

I'll see you around.

Bye.

[♪]

So, how about for this

assignment you write about what

you want for Christmas, what

you want Santa to bring you?

But that is what I

want for Christmas.

I want everybody to love your

cookies, and I want you

and Grammy to sell lots.

And that is so

thoughtful,

but maybe you can write

about what toy you want.

Like that unicorn

doll that I wanted?

Yeah.

Can you write

about that, for me?

Okay.

And no more talking about

money, okay, we are fine,

we are more than fine.

You don't have to

worry about that.

Okay.

[♪]

[humming]

That's beautiful, Mom.

Is that for the

Christmas pageant?

No, this is for the

Christmas Eve service.

I'm trying to decide whether

to do it as a solo,

or have the choir sing it

like we did last year,

or, or just do another

song completely.

Why don't you sing it?

Honey, I'm, I'm the

Musical Director.

You can still

sing a solo.

You haven't done

that in a long time.

[laughs]

And, and this

is a soprano song.

I've gotten older now and

I'm kind of like a bass.

Mom, you have an

amazing voice.

Oh, look at the time.

I'm supposed to meet Rose

and Sarah Grace for tea.

Okay, well don't

gossip too much.

Ha-ha.

[cell phone ringing]

It's Mulligan.

So, you get it.

[cell phone ringing]

Hello.

Hi Mr. Mulligan.

It's Rebecca.

Yes, Matthew is

occupied at the moment.

Okay, all

right, okay.

Mr. Mulligan, hi.

Yeah, it's me.

Yes, yes sir, yeah, we went by

the County Records office today

and find that ordinance

you've been looking for.

Well, it's just like we thought,

the deed to the Town Square

belongs to the direct

descendants of the founders

of White Pines.

And I sent it to Legal.

And we sent it to Legal,

and good news,

they said we just

need one signature,

and then we can start sending

out relocation packages.

Yeah, thank you, sir.

Yeah, well I

appreciate that.

All right, we'll

speak soon.

Yeah, bye-bye.

That's nice.

Do you always have to

be carving that thing?

It helps me think.

Your shavings are

getting on my iPad.

[doorbell jingling]

Knock, knock.

Hi Paul.

- Hello Paul.

- Allison, Martha.

Got some mail.

Oh great, just leave

it right there.

Voila.

Oh, thank you.

I'll see you later at the

rehearsal for pageant, right?

Yes sir, and please bring your

toolbox, the kids built the set,

and we're gonna

need your help.

Okay.

Well, tell Olivia

I said hi.

Will do.

Bye Paul.

[doorbell jingling]

Huh, this is weird.

- What is it?

- There's no post mark.

[♪]

Wow!

Dear Allison, I want to thank

you for the delicious cookies

the other day, they were such a

hit with my husband we simply

must come again.

We would love to taste test

all of your glorious recipes.

After which, we will place a

large order for our party.

We will be able to stop by

your bakery this Sunday,

December 18th at two o'clock

in the afternoon.

See you then.

How wonderful!

Who is this from?

It must be from that sweet

woman who stopped by yesterday.

Well, how many do you

think we should prepare?

I think as many

as possible.

Do you want to grab

your old notebook?

Um, I've got to pick up Olivia,

but I'll start making a list.

Okay.

Wow.

Allison, hi.

Hello again.

Hi, I'm Allison.

I don't think

- I've met you.

- Rebecca.

I have flour all over

- my hands, I'm so sorry.

- Not a problem.

Do you have a minute to

discuss your business

and financial options?

My business in?

Are you guys

from the bank?

No, no, we're not

from the bank.

I probably should have

told you this before,

but we're consultants for a

real estate development firm,

and we just wanted to go

over a few things with you.

Oh, White Pines,

- Tennessee.

- White Pines, Tennessee.

- That's here.

- Yes.

These are beautiful.

Aren't they?

[♪]

What is this?

Wait a minute,

this is my bakery.

All-inclusive resort and spa,

5 star restaurant,

celebrity chef - TBD?

Yes, that's, that's what we

- wanted to talk to you about.

- It's very exciting.

You want to buy

- my bakery?

- Yes.

Well, there's a little, it's a

little more to it than that.

Um, we'd like to

discuss your options.

My options are that I'm

not interested in selling.

I live here.

- I live upstairs.

- We know that, yeah.

- This is my home.

- It's actually a great

opportunity for you

if you want to look

a little closer.

I have to actually

- pick up my daughter.

- Why don't you, just

for the weekend?

I don't need that,

but I'm picking up my

daughter from school.

She's in a Christmas pageant,

- so I've got to go pick her up.

- Okay, yeah, we

should probably go.

I hope you're enjoying

- your time in White Pines.

- Pageant?

- Thank you.

- We'll talk soon.

Okay, all

- right, goodbye.

- See you again soon.

All right.

Hew.

[♪ Instrumental ♪]

Hi.

Um...hi.

What, what are you?

It's festive in here.

Um, I want to apologize

for my assistant.

She's new.

And I, I don't feel like we

got off to a great start.

Oh, is that because you're

trying to turn my whole town

into a ski resort?

Pretty much, yeah.

Yeah.

Why don't we go

for dinner?

Wait, what?

But you eat

dinner, right?

Yeah, I do, technically

I eat dinner.

Okay, well great, I'll take

you through the deal and we'll

chitchat about how my Mom is

gonna love her Christmas gift,

thanks to you, and I'll tell

you some numbers, some plans,

I'll show you

some perks.

[laughs]

You are hilarious.

It'll be fun, right?

Honestly, I feel like there's

a pretty amazing opportunity

for you here.

Oh, you do, do you?

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, all of these

high-class resorts are gonna

have restaurants, and they're

gonna need pastry chefs, dessert

chefs, and if they find out that

one local baker happens to be

classically trained in French

pastry, you don't think they'd

want to hire that person?

I really don't know.

Well, especially if

it's in the contract.

Look.

Here's my card.

If you flip it over, it's the

estimate how much we'll purchase

your property for.

And you'll notice my name

and my number is there.

- Yeah, no, I see that.

- So, call me.

That's, that's

great to have.

Did you see me,

did you see me?

Hi, yes, I did, baby,

you were so good!

Whoa.

You FBI?

Ha-ha, no, I'm,

I'm a businessman.

A businessman, my Mom owns

a business, she could never

wear that to work, she

gets flour everywhere.

Okay, come on, kiddo.

Bye Mr., um?

Matthew.

Bye Mr. Matthew.

You're coming to

my pageant, right?

Um, maybe.

Do you like him?

I think he might

be handsome.

He looks like the

prince from my book.

Did you like

his outfit?

What were you just

talking about?

What you doing?

Just thinking.

You know, Lindsey asked me

again if you were singing

at the pageant.

Oh, stop, I'm just playing

piano, I don't want to sing.

Well, I remember how much

Dad used to love your voice.

[♪]

I know he would

want you to.

You know, Olivia told me that

you were with some nice man

at the rehearsal?

Mom, that's the developer I told

you about, he's trying to

shut down our business.

Besides, I'm not interested

in dating, you know that.

What a pair we

are, we don't date.

All right, I'll sing.

[wind blowing]

How are you doing,

Mr. Harris?

Just call me Clive.

You familiar with why we

scheduled this meeting?

No, I can't

say I am.

Our company represents... Our company represents...

...a large resort chain that's

interested in purchasing some

property here

in White Pines.

And we've come across this

interesting ordinance that

dictates only the descendants of

the founders of White Pines

have the authority to sign the

deed to the Town Square over.

As I'm sure you're aware,

you, you are that descendant.

The Brentley's as

well, just next door.

Oh yes, yeah, yeah, Allison

Brentley, we, we met with her

yesterday at the bakery.

She's very sweet.

And she's also a descendant

of the second founder

of White Pines.

But the ordinance does not

dictate that both signatures

are needed, just one.

So, we'd like to present to you

some of our company's plans and

give you an idea of what the

offer might look like once

the deed is signed over.

This is very exciting.

Ski chalets, condominiums,

restaurants,

an entire redevelopment

of the main street.

As you can see, Clive, our

company is willing to offer

several different

relocation packages.

Very generous.

They want me to move?

Well that's just one

of the packages.

It depends on what

you want to do.

You know, if you want to

continue to live in your house

behind the store, then you'd

have to rent from them,

just because they'd be

purchasing this entire property.

Hmm.

But most

importantly, Clive,

here's the offer to

purchase your property.

[♪]

Hello?

Lindsey, I brought

the eclairs.

Lindsey: I'm up here

in the storage closet!

[♪]

Hey, worker bee, oh!

[thunk]

Watch out for

that snowman,

that will lock you out

from the inside.

- Noted.

- Did I hear you

say eclairs?

- You did.

- You're the best,

I need a break.

Mmm, these are amazing.

I'm so glad you

love these,

they're the same

as always though.

I'm just trying

to butter you up.

You want to hear

something funny?

Mm-hmm.

So, you know how Andrew and I

weren't sure whether or not

we'd be in town this

year for Christmas,

well we decided to

host this year.

The kids are excited because

that means their Uncle Andrew's

brother, Ryan, will

be coming to town.

- Oh.

- He just moved

to Knoxville.

It's been two years since his

divorce, so I was wondering if

I could set

you guys up?

- Lindsey.

- Please don't say no,

you've never even met him.

I swear you'd

hit it off.

But I, mmm.

You don't have the whole

distance excuse anymore.

I can't, I have Olivia.

Listen, I know when Liv's father

left the picture it broke

your heart, but that

was five years ago,

you deserve to

be happy, Al.

He didn't just break my

heart, when he left,

he broke Olivia's

heart, too.

I, I can't do that

to her again.

Not everyone's

gonna leave.

Just think

about it, okay?

Don't we have a Christmas

Pageant to decorate for?

As soon as I finish

this last éclair.

Can I have one

- more bite?

- No!

- Yes!

- No, these are mine.

[♪]

Momma? What baby?

I can't find

the angel.

Well don't worry, I'll

look for it, we'll find it.

This is

looking great.

Oh look, I

found the angel!

I've got her!

[♪]

[footsteps on stairs]

[door bell jingling]

Come darling. Allison: Hi.

Hello. Welcome back!

Hello Allison.

This is my husband, Chris,

he is the cookie connoisseur.

Hi, I'm Allison.

Delighted to meet

you, Allison. I'm Martha.

- Lovely to meet you.

- Everyone calls

me Mrs. C.

Mrs. C.

Mrs. C., and look at these

gorgeous cookies!

Oh, these are

so beautiful!

Well, we have so many

for you to sample today.

We made chocolate chip, and then

we also made sugar cookies,

and we have snowmen

and we have... Martha: Snicker doodles.

...snicker doodles.

I really want to try

a snicker doodle.

I told him not unless

it's Friday night.

[laughing]

Oh, and look at

the snowflakes.

We love all of these, and we'd

like to order all of them.

Martha: Oh Great!

Allison: Wow, what a fun

party you must be having.

Mrs. C: Can we buy

them by the pound?

We're going to need

a lot of cookies,

I mean a lot, hundreds.

[♪]

Oh, can you believe it?

I never expected the

order to be this large.

Must be some party, huh?

And this shipping label, I have

never seen anything like this.

There's no

discernable location.

What language is that?

- Who knows.

- It's very fascinating.

Look, she left her

handkerchief behind.

Oh, we'll have to add it to

the cookies when we ship them

overnight on the 23rd.

Oh, I think somebody deserves

some celebratory hot chocolate.

Let's go, let's go,

let's go!

What do you think?

We've got a lot of

cookies to bake.

[♪]

Wow, that was

an exciting day.

Yeah.

I think it's time

to get to sleep.

Okay, good night.

I love you.

- Love you, too.

- Sleep well.

[♪]

[school bell ringing]

[children chatting]

[knocking]

Oh, hey Olivia.

Hi Mrs. Bucklin.

You're the teacher in charge

of the newsletter, right?

Yes.

Mrs. Mullin sent me and

she wants this to be in it.

You're in luck, I was just about

to start printing everything.

Okay, thank you!

[♪]

[doorbell jingling]

[♪]

Well, look, you're

still in town.

Well, I had to come see

what everyone is saying

is the best bakery in

the Smoky Mountains.

Wow, choices, hmm.

I'll have a

croissant, please.

Okay.

Oh, no, no,

it's to stay.

Lucky me.

[♪]

What's that?

- It's a Madeleine.

- Is it a cookie?

It's more like a cake.

Hmm.

What's this?

- Tuile.

- Twill?

Tuile.

It's like a

potato chip?

No, it's not a potato chip,

it's more like a wafer.

I guess that's where the whole

French pastry training comes in.

I guess it does.

You're really

passionate about this?

Yeah, I really am.

I can still make a mean brownie,

but I wanted to bring a part

of me to this place

when I took over.

[♪]

I know what you're

doing, by the way.

What's that?

This whole I'm a nice

good-looking guy, you should

trust me 'cause I'm

here to help you game.

You buy that croissant, then

you ask me questions like you

somehow care about my bakery

because you buy the croissant,

it's a guilt croissant,

you know what you're doing.

You think I'm

good-looking?

Seriously, that's what

you get from that?

What's a guilt

croissant?

Forget it.

Extra calories?

[♪]

Rose, hey, why is everyone

looking at me like that?

You haven't seen the school's

Christmas newsletter yet?

Have a look.

[♪]

Oh-oh.

Santa and Mrs. Claus came all

the way from the North Pole to

our bakery because my Mom's

cookies are his favorite.

They came to try all of our

cookie recipes and ordered

a bunch for a party

on Christmas Eve.

After he brings all the presents

to all the kids in the world,

he will be eating our Rocky

Top Bakery cookies.

Mrs. Claus even left

her hanky behind,

so I have proof

they were here.

Everyone should try to come

to our bakery and buy Santa's

favorite cookies, so that we can

have enough money to pay the

bills and make more cookies

for Santa and all the kids

of the world.

Oh, my gosh, Mom!

Definitely not

proof read.

What am I gonna do?

The whole town is gonna think

I asked my kid to write this

commercial basically

begging for money.

I don't think everyone's

gonna think that.

This is so embarrassing!

Well, Livi was

just excited.

But surely she doesn't

think that was really

Santa Claus, right?

I mean she has to know

that was just a nice man

with a white beard.

I don't want people to think she

just made up this whole story.

Livi believes

it was true.

Do you want to take

that away from her?

It is pretty cute.

Very cute.

Look at that elf.

[laughing]

Oh, sweet girl, what

have you done?

[♪]

I know that I mentioned

this at the Town Hall meeting,

but I didn't get into specifics,

'cause I wanted to speak with

you two, being the most

involved with all this.

But, what is it?

Well, they represent a large

construction company,

but they've been doing a lot

of work in nearby counties,

replacing small residential

towns with corporate

ski resorts, that

sort of thing.

They got approval from the

County of Hartford to purchase

our land, but thanks to an old

town ordinance, they cannot do

so without the property deeds

that belong to the descendants

of the founders,

and that's you two.

They can't buy our Town Square

without your signatures.

Well that's a, a good thing,

right, 'cause I'll never sign.

Well, they only

need one signature.

How is that legal?

I spoke to their lawyers today,

and the ordinance is vague,

it doesn't specify

it has to be two.

So, basically one of us signs

and the whole Town Square

is forced to sell?

Basically yeah.

Clive.

You're not actually

considering this, right?

I am.

I met with the two of

them the other day,

and they showed

me their offer.

I'm inclined

to say yes.

I'm old.

It's been time to retire

for a long while now.

I'm sorry.

Clive.

There must be something

we can do.

They can't, they can't buy the

Town Square just like that.

Legally, yeah,

legally they can.

[sigh]

[♪]

Come on, Clive, White

Pines is your home,

you raised your

family here,

you can't just sell

it off like this.

I've worked every day of my life

since I was 15 in this shop,

and I'd like to spend the rest

of my time with my grandkids

over in Nashville.

Well, Nashville

isn't that far.

Time is precious

- these days.

- Clive.

No, it's true, I haven't got

much time left on this earth,

and I'd like to

be with my family.

Now, I haven't had the money to

just abandon this place and get

up and move, so if someone wants

to buy it, I have to sell.

But this decision

- affects the whole town.

- I know.

White Pines as we know

it will no longer exist.

I can't spend my last years

shuffling snowboards around

this shop alone.

So, what can I do?

What can I do so you

don't sign this deal?

Buy my shop, I guess.

Okay, how much?

If you can pay me half what

they're offering, it's yours.

And you won't sign?

I won't.

How about a 10% deposit

before Christmas,

and you can pay the rest

in your own time.

Ten percent, huh?

Now, it's not

a easy feat.

I'll do it.

[♪]

[cell phone ringing]

Hey Mom.

Yeah.

Yeah, I was

just working.

What's going on?

Yes, Mom, I'll be home for

Christmas Eve dinner this year.

I promise.

All right, Mom, you

can count on me.

Bye-bye.

[beep]

[♪ The Twelve Days of

Christmas Instrumental ♪]

And don't forget, spread

the wings out and say...

♪ And a partridge

in a pear tree. ♪ ...and a partridge

in a pear tree. ♪

Perfect, you go

get 'em, girl.

- Yeah.

- All right.

[♪ Jingle Bells Instrumental ]

Ah, there's my

little partridge!

You look adorable!

These wings are fitting

- great, too, aren't they?

- Yeah.

Okay, can you

fly for me?

All right, go get

with your class.

Have fun!

Hey there.

- Hi.

Um, what, what are

you doing here?

Olivia told me to

come back here.

I heard you're trying to bribe

Clive into not signing over

the deed, and I'm working

on a timeline here.

Yeah, and I don't really

think this is the time.

Allison, could

- you help me out?

- Sure.

One of the stars on my

Christmas tree costume broke.

Can you go up and get

- me the other one?

- Sure.

- It's one of the boxes.

- Okay, I'm on it.

Thanks.

You know that wasn't

really Santa, right?

She just wants attention

because she's poor.

No!

Only babies still

believe in Santa, baby.

- I'm not a baby!

- Yeah, right,

you baby.

My Dad dresses up as Santa

every year at my house,

that's how I know

Santa's not real.

Right, but she doesn't have

a dad, and my mom told me.

- I do have a dad!

- Na-ah, that's why

your mom is so poor.

He just lives far away!

If she had a dad, he'd at

least tell her Santa's

not real by now.

He is real, I saw him.

What a baby.

[sobbing]

Hey, Olivia, you okay?

I saw him, I did.

He likes Mommy's cookies, and I

didn't make it up and I know

they won't believe me, but

I saw him, he was there.

Okay, you don't have to

listen to them, you know why?

'Cause I believe you.

You do?

Yeah, yeah, I

believe you.

And you know what?

Those kids, they're

on the naughty list.

- They are?

- Yeah, and anyone who's mean to

others is on the naughty list.

Okay?

All right, now

go get 'em!

Hello, star, star!

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

[♪]

Ah, found it, great.

Oh hey.

[thunk]

Don't let the door...

[door creaking shut]

...close!

What?

All right, now we're

locked in here.

Oh, we're locked

in here?

Hello!

[knocking]

Can anyone hear me?

[knocking]

My kid is performing.

[knocking]

Lindsey!

[knocking]

- Ow!

- Why don't we

just call her?

- Who?

- Lindsey.

Hello?

[knocking]

What's her number?

Can somebody hear me?

[knocking]

Oh, no service.

Hello?

[knocking]

- Nice work.

- Sorry.

Look...mistletoe.

- That's holly.

- It's mistletoe.

- No.

- It's red.

Holly is red,

mistletoe is white.

Mistletoe is white?

I feel like I've been

lied to my entire life.

I've been kissing girls

under holly for years.

Oh, I'm sure you have.

Lindsey!

[♪ Instrumental ♪]

Whoa, I can't believe I'm

missing Olivia's pageant.

She's gonna be

so mad at me.

She'll understand.

She does a solo.

You clearly

don't get it.

Okay, then why

don't you tell me.

Oh fun, you want to

have a conversation?

Do you forget you're trying

to shut down my business?

Well, did you know that my

boss is breathing down my neck

because of this pesky baker who

won't let me close this deal?

Ou, pesky baker,

I like that,

I'm adding it to

my business cards.

Can you just tell me why, why

you're trying so hard to sell

off my Town Square

piece by piece?

Okay, I'm not trying to sell

it piece by piece, it's a

development deal, and that's

what happens, it's my job.

But do you understand

that I grew up here?

That bakery has been in

my family for 30 years.

My parents, they poured

their heart and soul

into that business.

And that's not

gonna change.

It's not like we're trying

to bulldoze the place

and turn it into a

department store.

My dad though, he made all those

tables and chairs by hand.

I mean can't you imagine how

hard that would be just to have

it all thrown away?

Then why not

honor him?

Okay, you're selling it to a

resort chain that's gonna turn

it into a restaurant, it's not

so bad, and you're gonna walk

away with a chunk of change

to set your daughter up for

the future, there's

nothing wrong with that.

You are just trying

to make a sale.

You know, I saw you earlier

with Olivia, by the way.

She was so sad, I

didn't know what to say.

Yeah, well, that is the

power of a child's tears.

Oh, she comes to

me with that face,

how can you not give

her the world?

I don't know how you, you

don't spoil her rotten.

[laughs]

[♪]

What?

No, nothing, just seems like

you might have a heart in there

after all, Mr. Matthew.

Oh, ho-ho, high praise

from the pesky baker.

Maybe if I stick around here

long enough you'll give me

a real compliment,

or maybe that dinner.

Wow, you just cannot turn

this charm off, can you?

Oh, Lindsey, hi!

Oh, my gosh, I've been

looking for you everywhere.

Is the pageant

still going on?

Big finale left,

go, go, go, go!

Bring the star,

bring the star!

- Okay, yeah.

- Yeah, we need the

star, oh, got it, okay.

Here you go,

all right.

♪ ...Eight maids a milking

♪ Seven Swans a Swimming

♪ Six Geese a Laying

♪ Five Golden Rings

♪ Four Calling Birds

♪ Three French Hens

♪ Two Turtle Doves

♪ And a Partridge

in a Pear Tree ♪

[applause & cheering]

Thank you all so

much for coming.

Please join us for dancing and

refreshments and congratulate

all our amazing performers.

[applause]

[♪]

♪ Ring the bell, blow the

horn, let the music play. ♪

♪ School is out and you will

shout, know it's a holiday. ♪

♪ Decorating the

big pine tree... ♪

Livi, you were

so wonderful!

I was so proud of you.

Thank you, I did it

just like we practiced.

You were great,

too, mom.

- Wasn't she great?

- Yeah.

You were amazing.

You really think so?

Oh yeah, you

kicked butt.

You really

showed those guys.

High five, down low, too

slow, in space, in your face!

Okay, let's go get

- you some snacks.

- Okay.

Ah, good idea.

Oop.

You know Paul can't nail

a board to the floor.

He only volunteered

because of you.

- What?

- Yeah.

Oh no, Rose, I'm

not ready for that.

He's coming over,

act natural.

Rose, Martha, what would

this town do without ya?

- Oh, thank you, Paul.

Oh, you played

beautifully.

Oh, I didn't do very much,

it was Martha really.

And that little Olivia,

what a firecracker.

She's very talented.

Um, would, would

you care to dance?

It's one of

my favorites.

Just one?

Of course, Paul.

[♪]

Don't you think it was

really funny when the elves

did those things?

Um.

Yeah, when they bumped into

each other and the reindeer

had to help them up.

- The reindeer.

- Oh, that was

really funny, yeah.

I love a reindeer.

What else did you all

like about the play?

Uh, I mean I'm personally

gonna say the ending of it... The ending, yeah.

...it was great.

You were fantastic, as

we knew you would be.

♪ When I look into your eyes,

I realize that my love for

you, more than true. ♪

♪ Christmas time with you,

more than enough for me. ♪

[♪]

♪ Christmas time

with you... ♪

I'm sorry, Paul, I

just, I just can't.

[♪]

Oh, I got to go.

You were so great, Olivia.

Best Partridge in a pear

tree I've ever seen.

Bye guys.

Bye.

Lindsey's my

Mommy's best friend.

She's also your

- teacher, too, right?

- Yeah.

Well that's pretty cool.

Pretty cool.

Mommy, can Mr. Matthew

come to dinner?

Oh, I don't think... Dinner, huh?

...that he has

time for dinner.

Oh yeah, I got lots

of time for dinner.

Please,

please, please.

Okay.

Yea!

All right.

[♪]

So, you're coming

to dinner now.

What's on the menu?

Have you seen this dance

that all the kids

are doing these days?

That's my deal

closing dance.

[laughs]

[♪]

♪ Have yourself a holiday, a

happy day, merry Christmas. ♪

♪ Oh, am I a good

kid at Christmas? ♪

♪ How I love the

scent of pine ♪

♪ And snowy Christmas

postcards... ♪

[cell phone ringing]

Hello.

Matthew, how's it going?

It's going great.

I'm looking at the

contract right now.

Looks like we're gonna get

the signature and everything

finalized by December 23rd.

Really?

Because I had an interesting

conversation with your junior

manager today.

Rebecca?

Yes, she seems to think you

could have closed the deal

by now, but that

you're sitting on it.

I'm not sitting on

the deal, sir.

I'm just making sure

everyone's onboard

and that we're clear what

we're offering them.

I'm just being thorough.

Listen, Matthew, if you can't

close this deal by the 23rd.

What, you're gonna give this

account to my assistant?

I didn't say that.

Just close the deal.

I got a meeting with Mike

on the 23rd at four o'clock.

Now you give me something good

to bring back to him or...

Or what?

Just get it done.

Yes sir.

[♪]

So, Matthew,

where you from?

I'm from Vermont.

That's lovely.

Is your family

still there?

Yes, yeah, my Mom is a

nurse and my brother owns

a custom furniture shop.

Do you make furniture

with your brother?

Not anymore, I

live in Miami now.

What do you

do in Miami?

I am a consultant for a real

estate development firm.

What the heck is

a consultant?

I help property owners sell

to businesses that want

to buy their properties.

What do you make?

Not everyone makes

things, Livs.

Actually, I do

make some things.

Here, I'm

working on this.

What is it?

I don't know yet.

I figure it

out as I go.

My Dad taught my brother and

I to carve when we were

about your age.

So, it's gonna be like

a toy or something?

Yeah, whatever

you want it to be.

You just slowly carve

away at it until it

becomes something great.

Patience is key, that's

what my Dad used to say,

it's all in the

quality of the work.

Back then, my brother and I, we

got asked by all kinds of people

to make furniture.

Oh, like tables and chairs

and things like that?

Oh yeah, tables

and chairs.

We could use some new

tables and chairs.

Could you now?

You're still doing

that down in Miami?

No, no, I haven't made

anything in a long time.

Why not?

I've just been too busy.

Do you have a wife?

Olivia.

What?

No, I don't

- have a wife.

- Why not?

It's kind of a

sad story, Olivia.

I was gonna get married four

years ago, and my fiancée

passed away in

an accident.

Oh, Matthew, I'm so

sorry for your loss.

Thanks Martha.

How did she die?

Allison: Okay, let's eat.

[♪]

[water running]

Here you go.

Thank you.

You wash, I dry?

Sure.

Hey, sorry about Olivia

and all of those questions.

It's not a problem, she's a

kid, it's what they do, right?

She is a curious one.

I can't believe that you guys

know Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Shut up.

And I can't believe that

they're fans of your cookies.

Rudolph is a huge fan.

If they're anything

your guilt croissant,

then it would make

me a believer.

I mean I'd make the trip

from the North Pole.

You know, Prancer is a huge

fan of the guilt croissant.

I wonder what

Cupid eats.

Cupid never

flies here.

Cupid, yeah, a different

holiday, right?

Isn't that a reindeer?

Dasher and Cupid

and Blitzen.

Blitzen, Donner, Cupid

and Blitz, yeah, Cupid,

yeah, yeah, yeah.

I thought there

- was a Cupid.

- It's, that's you're

my phone a friend.

[♪ Instrumental ♪]

[♪ Silent Night Instrumental ]

[Martha humming]

[♪ Silent Night Instrumental ]

[doorbell jingling]

[♪ Silent Night Instrumental ]

Hi.

Yeah, we'll just set up

right over here, I think.

Can I help you?

Yes, are you the owner,

Allison Brentley?

I am.

Are you willing to do

an interview on camera?

Um, right now?

Yeah, just come

on over this way.

Right, we'll film this and

we'll do the intro later.

Is, where are you from?

Just look right

- into the camera.

- Just the camera?

Just right at the

- camera, there you go.

- Okay.

I'm here with Allison Brentley,

owner of the Rocky Top Bakery

in White Pines, Tennessee,

who claims to have

Santa's favorite cookies.

Tell us about the

experience, Allison.

Were Santa's cheeks as rosy

as they're famed to be?

Your daughter, Olivia, made a

statement that you were visited

by Santa and Mrs.

Claus not too long ago.

They sampled all sorts of

cookies, is this correct?

Um, yes, my daughter saw a very

sweet couple that came here, um,

to sample some cookies

for a Christmas party.

A party?

Yes, a party they're

having on Christmas Day.

At the North Pole,

I assume.

I don't think it's

at the North Pole.

Tell me how did Santa come

to stumble upon this small

and charming town?

His wife came in first

and bought some cookies.

Oh, Mrs. Claus

found it, of course.

Now tell me, how did you come

to run this establishment

that makes Santa's

favorite cookies?

Well, my father grew up here,

and then when my grandfather

passed away, he turned

it into this bakery.

And why a bakery?

My Mom, who is back there,

is an amazing baker,

so he did it for her.

Fascinating stuff here

at the Rocky Top Bakery.

You may come for Santa's

favorite cookies,

but you'll leave with just about

everything in the display case.

I'm Josie Andelman wishing

you all a very happy holiday.

That should work.

Can you get a few

establishers outside

and we'll be good to wrap?

Um, can I ask how you knew

about Olivia's letter?

Buzz News posted an article

about it yesterday, it already

has about three million

impressions on social media.

Wait, what?

Yeah, you know how these viral

things go, people watch a cute

uplifting story about a little

girl who thinks her Mommy makes

Santa's favorite cookies, and

people just keep sharing it.

I expect business

will pick up.

[doorbell jingling]

Santa's favorite

cookies.

Three million.

[laughs]

Wow!

[♪]

News: White Pines is

going crazy for Rocky Top

Bakery's cookies.

They're the talk of Tennessee.

Better get some

while they last.

Thank you so much!

[♪]

Kentucky, sure

we could do that.

Canada?

[♪]

Merry Christmas!

Japan?

[♪]

[knocking]

Well, hello, what's

going on in here?

Just reminding Clive

of his options.

His options, right.

Well, here's half the deposit,

and I'll have the rest for you

on Christmas Day.

Sounds good to me.

Thanks Allison.

Of course.

Don't you need that money to

pay for your overdue bills

or something?

With all the

business coming in,

I am actually all

caught up on my bills.

Thank you so

much for asking.

Have a wonderful day.

Bye Clive!

Bye.

[♪]

Thank you again.

- Merry Christmas!

I hope you love your cookies

and have a great holiday!

Oh!

[♪]

Oh!

Hey there, everybody.

Hi.

Hi Mr. Matthew.

Hi.

Um, I just wanted to see if

I could get your autograph.

Did you know that we got

an order today from Japan?

Well it doesn't

surprise me.

Can I help you

with something?

I want to know if I can get

one of those famous cookies.

We are actually

all sold out.

Oh!

Momma, listen, listen.

News: That's right, folks, the

tiny town of White Pines is now

being dubbed White Pines, home

of Santa's favorite cookies.

Internet sensational started

with a little girl named

Olivia, spotting Santa and

- Mrs. Claus in their bakery.

- That's you!

Did you know that

Santa's favorite cookie

is chocolate chip?

No kidding now.

Up next, we got a foot tapping

holiday song and some more of

your favorite

Christmas classics.

Did you hear them

say my name?

[laughing]

Come on, come

on, come on.

I'm not really

a dancer.

You're gonna

have to now.

Okay, okay, fine.

All right, all right,

all right, all right.

[♪]

I think that's

pretty good.

Momma, come on.

Okay.

[♪ Jingle Bells Instrumental ]

Did you ever dance with

- a little lamb before?

- Never.

[♪ Jingle Bells Instrumental ]

Okay, my little lamb,

I think we've got to

get you ready for bed.

Ah, Momma, can't you read me The

Night Before Christmas again?

I told you, Grammy's gonna

tuck you in bed tonight,

so Momma can make all

those cookies, okay.

- Go ask her.

- Okay.

- Good night.

[♪]

Momma, did you

ever find the angel?

Oh, our angel, I'm so sorry,

baby, but I think our angel

may be just lost or

in a different box.

But Granddad

- bought me that.

- I know.

It goes right there.

He said that the angel was the

one who told the shepherds

where to go, and how are they

supposed to find their way

without an angel?

I tell you what, I'm gonna

keep looking for it, okay.

Good night.

Okay, good night.

I love you.

- Love you, too.

- Good night.

He said good night.

I said good night.

Good night.

[laughs]

Well.

Maybe I should go.

[clears throat]

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Um, unless... I don't know, um,

you want to stay and help me

bake these cookies.

We have a huge order

that just came in.

Yeah.

Okay.

I don't really know

what I'm doing.

Well, I'll get

- you an apron.

- Okay.

- Come on in.

- All right.

[♪]

So, we're gonna

add some baking soda.

- Okay, okay.

- And a pinch of salt.

- Yeah.

- What is that?

Oh, my gosh.

In band camp.

No, that's good.

- It's good?

- That's good,

that's good.

There you go.

[♪]

We got a pin.

[♪]

We're just gonna roll it

into a little ball, very nice.

Yeah?

[♪]

[laughs]

No, ba-ba-ba-ba, no

eating the cookie dough.

Why not?

People buy this

and they eat it.

They sell cookie

dough ice cream.

That's a

gingerbread man.

[♪]

High five!

[♪]

Good evening,

Rebecca.

Good evening, Bill.

Well, have a

good night.

You too.

[♪]

They still need

five more minutes.

Uh, oh, my gosh, this first

batch is unbelievable.

Good.

Mm, you know what would

make it better though?

Oh-oh, what's that?

A glass of milk.

Are you saying my cookies aren't

good enough on their own?

No, I'm not saying that, come

on, it's an unbelievable cookie.

But, you know, you add a

glass of milk and some things

are just better together.

Well, okay then.

Here you go.

Thank you very much.

I can't believe I helped

you make cookies for Santa.

[laughing]

Don't make fun

of my kid.

I'm not, I'm not, it's amazing,

it's the best marketing ploy

I've ever seen.

No town have ever sold and has

ever thought to claim Santa

as a way to bring

in business.

[laughs]

What?

Nothing.

You just confuse

me, I think.

How's that?

One minute you're trying to

evict me and then the next

you're dancing with my kid and

you're looking at me like that.

Well, I keep this up and I won't

be getting that promotion.

A promotion, huh?

Oh yeah, if I don't make this

sale, then I'm getting fired.

It's a gut feeling.

How can you care so much about a

job when they clearly don't care

anything about you?

Well, it's a little more

complicated than that.

How is that?

Well, I moved to Miami about

four years ago, and I kind of

became obsessed with work, every

sale was a challenge, you know,

how to, how to sell the fastest,

how to earn the most money,

how to attract the best

clients, just helped.

It helped?

Yeah, it helped move

forward from the accident.

Oh.

I think work's

my girlfriend.

I got to break

up with work.

So, what are you

gonna tell it?

I think I might go with the

classic it's not you, it's me.

It's solid.

Yeah, or maybe I'll try, I need

to focus on my career right now.

But won't that confuse work if

you use work as the excuse

to break up with work?

[crack]

- Oh!

Are you okay?

You're okay.

[laughing]

I'm okay.

You're fine.

Wow, that's embarrassing.

It just broke.

This is one of the

chairs your Dad built?

Well, it was, yes.

[laughing]

You know, what you've done

here is pretty impressive,

it's inspiring.

I bet you say that

to all the bakers.

Just the pesky ones.

Seriously though, you

travel around all the time,

you're so handsome, you must

have all kinds of girls.

There's no girls,

not since Laura.

You know, I used to think that,

um, I had my one true love,

had my shot, I'll never

get that again.

Yeah, I understand that.

When Olivia's Dad left,

I kind of decided I was

done with love, too.

Olivia is my life now, so

she gets all my heart,

and if I don't let anyone

else in, no one can leave us.

How could anyone

leave you two?

I haven't talked

about this.

In a long time.

Yeah.

[♪]

You just, ah.

Thank you.

[♪]

[ding]

Well.

Round two.

I'll just, I'll

go get them, yeah.

[♪]

News: A white

Christmas indeed.

If you're just tuning in,

it looks like the snowfall...

Good morning, it's

a white Christmas.

Yeah.

The storm is estimated to

begin around 10:00 a.m.,

and the torrential snow, ice

and wind will not stop until

into tomorrow afternoon,

Christmas Eve.

So, what's going on?

They're canceling flights,

closing down the airports.

So?

The order.

We need to get to

the post office.

[car horn honking]

Hey, do you know what

that honking is?

Isn't it for you?

Matthew Gilbert?

- Yeah.

- Dude, where's

your stuff?

What are you

- talking about?

- Your flight leaves in one

hour and we have to drive

to Knoxville first.

- My flight?

- Just go get your stuff,

I'll be out here.

The airport is about to shut

down, we have to leave now,

just go get your stuff.

Hey, do you know

where Rebecca is?

She checked out this

morning, don't you know?

What, she checked out?

She said she was going to the

airport to try and get a flight

back to Miami.

[phone ringing]

Answering machine: Hi,

you've reached Rebecca Roe.

Leave a message.

[beeping]

[phone ringing]

Matthew, I'm glad you called,

I was just about to.

Why didn't you tell me that

Rebecca was leaving early?

It's done, Matthew.

Rebecca closed the

deal this morning.

What?

She did what you didn't

have the courage to do.

The car should be there by now,

I booked you on the last flight

out of Knoxville.

Why didn't you

tell me about this?

Haven't you been

checking your email?

My assistant booked everything

last night after we heard

about the storm.

I, I can't leave right

now, there's still,

there's still a lot

left I have to do.

Matthew, go home to Vermont,

think about some things.

We'll discuss this mess after

the New Year, and maybe then you

can tell me if you're really

dedicated to this position.

[beep]

Mr. Mulligan, I mean

I am dedicated.

We, Mr. Mulligan?

You keep hanging up on me.

[car horn honking]

I have to go find

someone, okay.

No, no, no, the highway

is about to close.

Unless you want to spend

Christmas in White Pines,

we got to go.

Okay, wait, give

- me my jacket.

- You won't need

your jacket.

No, I need my jacket.

Just a second, okay.

What's going on?

Just tell Allison I'll

fix everything, okay.

- Fix what?

- Just tell her

I'll fix it.

Tell her, please!

Okay, okay.

[♪]

Last box, let's get

to the post office.

Okay.

[doorbell jingling]

Paul, hey, we were

just coming to you,

we've got to get

these boxes out today.

I'm sorry,

Allison.

Oh no.

They're not doing pick ups

today 'cause of the storm.

Well, can't we just drive

somewhere and drop them off?

Well, no, all the courier

flights have been grounded.

Paul, we have, like, a

hundred pounds of cookies.

The Governor is about to

shut down the highways.

It's too dangerous

to go anywhere.

There's no deliveries coming

in or out of White Pines,

and on Christmas Day

there's no post.

I'm sorry.

Well, we were counting

on that money

to get the deposit

to Clive.

All right, well if you need

me, I will be upstairs,

eating my feelings.

[♪]

Martha, there's more.

[cell phone buzzing]

Pick up, pick

up, pick up.

[cell phone ringing]

[sigh]

[cell phone ringing]

[beep]

[♪]

[cell phone ringing]

Hi Mom.

Yeah, I'm on my way to

the airport right now.

Yeah, it looks

like I'll make it,

coming home for

Christmas this year.

Well, I made a promise,

Mom, and I won't break it.

I'm excited, too.

Yeah, I'll, I'll

see ya soon.

All right, I love you.

I love you, too, Mom.

All right, bye-bye.

Yeah, we can talk about

it then, Mom, okay.

Bye-bye.

[beep]

[♪]

[sigh]

[♪]

[cell phone ringing]

[cell phone buzzing]

Mommy, why are you

eating Santa's cookies?

Well, you know how it's

snowing really hard?

[♪]

[cell phone ringing]

Hey Mom, have you

seen my phone?

No, honey.

There it is.

- Allison?

- Yeah.

Can I speak to

you for a minute?

I need to tell

you something.

You okay?

Sometime late last

night, Clive signed.

They filed the papers and they

left a copy in the post office.

Paul saw it

when he got in.

Signed, like?

It's done.

They are sending out a sales

contract for our property.

We have two

months to get out.

No, no, no, no,

no, that can't.

I, I've got to go

talk to Matthew.

No, no, no, no, honey,

honey, they are gone.

A car came and, and then

picked them up this morning.

Sarah Grace saw them

leaving the B&B.

They must have gotten one

of the last flights out

before the storm

shut everything down.

[♪]

Wait, so he just left?

Are you sure?

I'm so sorry.

[♪]

Okay, we're gonna

figure this out.

[♪]

Are you asleep?

[♪ Dance of the Sugar Plum

Fairy instrumental ♪]

[cell phone buzzing]

I don't want to talk

about it, Mom.

He could be calling

to explain himself.

It doesn't matter.

He got what he wanted

and then he left.

Trust me, I've been here before,

he's feeling guilty now

and he's just trying to

make himself feel better.

He'll stop calling

eventually.

It's best not

to answer.

[♪]

Mom, Mom, I'm home!

Matthew, oh,

you made it!

Of course, I made it, I told

you I was gonna make it.

You knew I would, Mom.

Come on, dinner's

gonna get cold.

All right.

[♪]

[humming]

I like that song.

O Holy Night, it's

my favorite, too.

I can't wait to hear

Alicia sing it tonight.

Merry Christmas

Eve morning, Momma!

Merry Christmas

Eve morning.

It's always so, so cold.[cell phone ringing]

Hello.

Oh, hi Alicia.

What?

Oh no.

No, no, no, no, that's

okay, don't worry.

We're fine, don't

worry about it.

No, no, no,

Merry Christmas.

Oh no, I just

lost my soloist.

Alicia is snowed in, apparently

their car is covered,

there's no way they're

gonna make it in for

the Christmas

Eve service tonight.

Well, why don't

you sing it?

Oh, it's O Holy Night,

I can't sing that high.

Then sing

something else.

Honey, I haven't sung in

years, I can't do that.

Mom, I know.

Mom, I need you

to sing, please.

[♪]

Okay.

Grandma's gonna sing!

Grandma's gonna sing,

No more sugar for you.

Grandma's gonna sing,

Grandma's gonna sing.

[♪]

Martha, there is

nothing I can do.

Paul, White Pines has been my

home for over 40 years,

you are the Mayor, you can't

let them do this to us.

They got the

signature they need.

There must be

something you can do!

If you can't find

a way, I will!

You want to read all the

fine print in a hundred

and thirty-page document?

I've read it, I've

read it twice.

Martha, look, I'm sorry, I'm

sorry, um, I'll read it again.

I will figure it out.

I'll find a way!

No, no, Paul, I'm not sorry, but

I, I'm just not ready to.

I'm sorry, I'm just, I'm not

ready to let go of this place!

I'm not ready

to let go.

Yeah.

But I, I would like...

...I would like to try if

you can be patient with me,

I would like to

try with you.

I can be patient.

Okay.

[♪]

♪ Come on weatherman, give

us a forecast snowy white. ♪

♪ Can't you hear the

prayers of every childlike

heart tonight? ♪

♪ Rockies are calling,

Denver snow falling,

somebody said it's

four feet deep. ♪

♪ But it doesn't matter,

give me the laughter,

I'm gonna choose to keep another

tender Tennessee Christmas. ♪

♪ The only Christmas for me.

♪ Where the love

circles around us,

like the gifts

around our tree. ♪

♪ Well, I know there's

no snow up in Colorado,

the might of we'll ever see. ♪

♪ But a tender

Tennessee Christmas

is the only

Christmas for me. ♪

♪ A tender Tennessee Christmas

is the only Christmas for me. ♪

[♪]

Unicorn slippers,

thank you!

Knock, knock, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Paul!

I got unicorn

slippers!

Beautiful.

And Olivia,

this is for you.

Thank you.

I got you all a

little something.

You didn't have

to do that.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Oh my.

Ohhh.

What is that?

Know what it is?

Backpack bunny!

[laughing]

Thank you.

Oh, sweetie,

Merry Christmas.

[doorbell jingling]

Who could that be?

I don't know.

[♪]

Merry Christmas,

Allison!

[♪]

How, how did you?

When we got wind

of the storm,

we knew we had to

come in person.

I am so sorry we couldn't get

the boxes out in this storm.

Oh, don't be sorry, we knew that

you couldn't ship the order

out to us, so

we came to you.

And we did run

across the nicest man

who was also coming

to White Pines.

He said he had to

take care of something,

but he wanted me to give

this to you, Allison.

What is it?

[♪]

I think it's

from Matthew.

[♪]

It's an angel.

Now the shepherds

know where to go!

[♪]

What, what is that?

Um, it's an option to

terminate a contract.

And where did this

beautiful chair come from?

[♪]

This will look

great in here.

Would you like some help

taking these boxes of cookies

to your car?

Mr. Claus: Oh, we didn't drive,

not in these snowy

road conditions.

[♪]

[horse neighing]

[♪]

[horse neighing]

[♪]

- Best of luck.

- Thanks so much, Clive.

Matthew?

Thank you, Matthew.

Hey, Allison.

Hi.

Let me explain

everything.

Rebecca, she convinced

Clive to sign.

She told him that you signed

off, I mean she even forged your

signature on the copy to

make him believe that you

were giving up.

Wait, what?

He thought he might as well

sell to us for more money

if you had given up.

Rebecca's trick almost worked,

but she spelt your name wrong.

I knew that you

would never sign.

Matthew.

It's not everything.

I know you promised Clive

you'd buy his shop,

but that, that

can't happen anymore.

Well, why not?

Well, because...

I bought it.

Gilbert and Sons Custom

Furniture just got a new branch.

Did you like

the chair?

Yeah.

Olivia, thank you.

When I first came here, I

couldn't remember what was

really important in my

life until I met you.

Your passion for, for your

family, for what you do, for

this town and the legacy of

this place, it's inspired me,

it's inspired me to want

to build something.

I don't mean

just furniture,

I mean I want to build

something with you.

You do?

Oh yeah, I do.

Stack 'em up

good, ho-ho-ho-ho.

I drove all night to get here,

and the roads were closed

a couple of miles back and

this couple picked me up

in their sleigh.

I swear they

look just like...

[♪]

I want to build

something with you, too.

Mrs. Claus: Hey love birds!

[♪]

Thanks for the lift!

Merry Christmas!

- Merry Christmas!

Ho-ho-ho-ho.

Allison: Merry Christmas!

Matthew: Merry Christmas!

Bye!

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy your

cookies!

All: Merry Christmas!

Bye.

Here comes

a reindeer.

Well look at you,

you're flying.

Yeah, you're

flying, too.

Woo-hoo!

My little

angel!

[♪]

A Christmas in Tennessee (2018) - full transcript