Christmas Everlasting (2018) - full transcript

♪ Christmas bells are ringing

♪ Caroling, caroling now we go

♪ Christmas bells are ringing

♪ Caroling, caroling
through the snow ♪

♪ Christmas bells are ringing

♪ Ding, dong, ding, dong

♪ Christmas bells are ringing

- Are you sitting down?

Because I've got
good news for you.

- Uh huh.

- The city council has
approved your development.



- Wow.

- Yes, without any changes.

- That's great.

- The homeowner's association
couldn't convince the judge

that your new mixed-use
facility would cause

any negative impact at all.

That's amazing.

- So I need you
to look at these contracts

and get right back to me.

- Will do.

- Now, I'll be staying in
the city for the holidays.

- Uh huh.

- So I'll be available any
time to consult on this

- Do you
know that it's Christmas?



- Yes, I know it's Christmas,
but this is a very big deal,

and I wanna make
it happen for you.

- Got it.

- I will do whatever it takes.

- Thank you.

Merry Christmas to you.

- You're welcome.

Merry Christmas to you, too.

- Making people's
dreams come true again?

- It's what I do.

Karen.

- Yeah.

- I need to reschedule my
tomorrow with the seaport people

from 10:30 to 11:30 if possible.

- Okay.

- And I also need you see
if you can change that lunch

with Ben Harrington and his
attorney to drinks instead.

Let's say 5:30.

No, let's make it 5:15.

I'll show up at 5:30 so
they can worry a bit.

- 10:30 to
11:30, lunch to drinks,

make 'em worry, got it.

The famous Lucy
Toomey power play.

- I'm sure I have no idea
what you're talking about.

- Oh, wait.

The courier dropped this
at the front desk for you.

- Yes!

- What is it?

- My tickets to the
Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.

- Oh, nice.

Who's the lucky guy?

- Actually it's my sister.

Alice lives back
where we grew up

in Nilson's Bay, in Wisconsin.

- Huh, let me guess.

She's older, right?

- How do you know that?

- Ha, you totally have
little sister syndrome.

- What?

- Luce, you're a
complete overachiever.

You knock yourself out on
every single case you take.

Alice must have been
a tough act to follow.

- Just because she
got a full scholarship

to veterinary college,
and was first chair violin

in school orchestra,
and Homecoming Queen?

- Oh, see what I mean?

Hey, maybe we can hit up some
clubs when she's in town.

You know, show her
how New Yorkers like

to party at Christmas.

- Oh, that's really
sweet of you, Karen.

Uh, the thing is, uh,
Alice has some challenges.

- Okay.

- Uh, she was in a car accident
when she was in college,

and she got a pretty
bad head injury.

- Lucy, I'm so sorry.

I didn't know.

- She does pretty well, though.

And she loves the Nutcracker.

She comes here to see it
with me every Christmas.

- Well, I can't
wait to meet her.

Oh my goodness.

Okay, uh, the office
party is in three hours,

and I haven't done my hair,
so, see see ya tonight?

- Yeah.

Okbye.

- Hi, Alice, it's me.

- Hi, Lucy.

- I just
booked your flight.

- That's
great, thank you.

- I texted you all the details.

I also emailed them to your
office at the animal shelter.

If you have any questions,
you just call me, okay?

- Okay.

- I'm so glad
you're coming to visit me.

- I'm
excited to see you.

- I love you.

- I love you too.

Bye.

- More champagne, please.

That's good.

Hi!

Anne from accounting
brought her brother again.

He was asking about you.

- No, no.

- If you wanna let a perfectly
good man go to waste,

then I'll take him for you.

- Having fun, Lucy?

- Oh,

Hi, Mr. Feeney, yes I am.

It's a great party.

- You had an amazing year,
thanks to these people.

And you.

- Thank you, Mr. Feeney.

- Could I speak with you
for a moment, in private.

- Sure.

Junior partner?

- Why not?

You've certainly earned it.

- I, I don't know what
to say, Mr. Feeney.

- Well, you can start
by calling me Joe.

- Thank you, Joe.

- We'll talk later,
but congratulations.

- Alice, you are not gonna
believe what just happened!

Uncle Barney, what are you
doing with Alice's phone?

What?

No, no.

- Don't worry about a
thing here at the office, Lucy.

If there's anything I can do,

please don't hesitate to ask.

- Thank you, Joe.

- Take care, Lucy.

- I'll help you.

- Thanks, Alice.

- What are sisters for?

- Your sister's very good.

Do you play?

- Um, no, I don't.

- Lucy!

Where are you going?

- To Peter's.

I'm gonna help him
decorate the tree.

- Well we haven't
had a chance to talk

since I got home from school.

- We can catch up tomorrow.

Relax, we've got lots of time.

- There's something I
need to tell you, and I'm,

- Alice, can't it
wait until tomorrow?

Besides, your audience
wants another song.

- You were great
in there, Alice.

You played beautiful.

- Thank you, Peter.

- Ready to go?

- Yes.

- Lucy!

It's important.

- All right, fine.

Pick me up from Peter's at 10.

And can talk then, okay?

- Thank you.

- Lucy?

You here?

- I'm here, Uncle Barney.

- Hi, honey.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

It was sudden.

The doctor said there
wasn't any pain.

It was one of her heart valves.

They didn't even
know it was there.

Said it could have
ruptured at any moment.

- I can't believe
she's really gone.

I just talked to her last week.

She was fine.

- Hasn't quite hit
me yet, either.

Seems like we were just
putting up Christmas lights

the other day.

You know how she loved that.

It's good to see you, Lucy.

How long you planning to stay?

- I have to leave right
after the funeral.

The day after tomorrow.

- That soon?

- You know, I wish
I could stay longer.

- We haven't seen you up here,

well, since your folks
died, 10 or 11 years ago.

- I'm a corporate
lawyer, Uncle Barney.

You know my time isn't my own.

- I get it.

Time moves pretty
fast these days.

- Uncle Barney, thank
you for doing all this.

- Oh, baby.

I haven't done everything.

There's still Alice's estate
you have to deal with.

- Me?

- Yeah, you're the next of kin.

She probably left
this place to you.

I guess you've got
some decisions to make.

- Merry Christmas, Alice.

- The kids were grown,
and Harold was gone,

and I was just all
alone in that house.

And then one day there's
a knock at my door,

and your sister is standing
there with a kitten.

Alice was always so
good with animals.

She was studying to be a
veterinarian before her...

before.

- I am glad she ended up
at the animal shelter,

because I never I
never even thought

of having a cat, but
it was like she knew

what I needed before I did.

I'll betcha half the people
in this room would tell

you the same thing.

Your sister changed my life.

- Thank you.

I had no idea Alice
knew so many people.

- Your sister was a very
big part of this town.

When she started working
for the animal shelter,

she turned that place around.

- And I don't remember them
ever letting pets into church.

- That was Alice, too.

She thought it was unfair
that people had to leave

their pets home alone
on Sunday mornings,

so she put together a petition,

and she went door to door,
and got enough signatures

to make City Hall
change the bylaw.

- She did that?

- {Barney] Um hmm.

- All by herself?

- Well she had a little
help from the FOA.

- The FOA?

- Lucy?

- Hello, um.

Oh, um.

- Your sister was such a bright
light in all of our lives.

Thank you, um.

- Oh, I'm, I'm sorry.

I'm Daphne.

This is Celia and Rinda.

I imagine that Alice
told you about us.

- Well, um.

- We're the friends of Alice.

- The FOA.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- Um hmm.

- We just wanted to let you
know that if need anything,

or if we can do anything,
you can call us anytime.

Really, anytime.

- Thank you, all of you, um.

It means a lot.

- Your sister, she used
to call us, day or night,

whenever she needed anything.

We were always there for her.

- Well, like I said, thank you.

I, I really appreciate...

If you would excuse
me please, um,

I just need to get
some fresh air.

- Hello.

Oh, hi, Mrs. Toomey.

It's for you, Lucy.

It's about your sister.

- I was
afraid you'd left.

- Hi.

- Hi.

Lucy, I'm so sorry about Alice.

She was such a wonderful woman,

and I know she
loved you very much.

- Thank you.

It's good to see you.

- You too.

It's a nice service.

- Yes, it was.

- If you get any time tomorrow,

maybe we could go grab
some coffee or something.

- I can't, I'm leaving tomorrow.

- Oh, you're not
gonna stick around

for the tree lighting
ceremony next week?

You know it was one of
Alice's favorite events.

- I can't, I'm sorry.

I booked my flight for right
after the lawyer comes by

with the will.

- Um, well actually,

- It was good
to see you, Peter.

Goodbye.

We are just waiting for
the lawyer to show up.

Of course he's late.

I'll be on the 5:30
flight out of Milwaukee,

and I'll be in the
office first thing

in the morning, so reschedule
that lunch with Harrington.

Karen, I will call you
back from the airport.

Bye.

- I'll see ya tonight.

- Finally!

- I guess you forgot the
difference between real

time and Nilson Bay time.

- Yeah, well if this
guy worked at my firm,

he'd be fired in
a New York minute.

What are you doing here?

- I tried to tell you yesterday.

I'm handling your
sister's estate.

I'm Alice's lawyer.

- This
doesn't make sense.

Why would Alice leave this
place to the animal shelter

instead of her own
flesh and blood?

- Well, that's not
exactly what she did.

She merely stipulated
that Lucy has

to fulfill certain
requirements in order

to inherit this property.

- Like?

- I have to stay here.

I have to live in this house.

For four weeks?

- Exactly.

Otherwise, ownership
of the property will

then be transferred to the
Nilson's Bay Animal Rescue.

- On the bright side, that
takes you through New Year's.

So you can spend Christmas here.

- No I won't.

- Why not?

- Because I'm not
staying here, that's why.

There has got to be some
loophole in this thing.

- I'm afraid not.

I drew it up myself.

And Alice was very specific
about what she wanted.

- But why would she do this?

She knew I lived in New York.

Why would she want
me to stay here?

- Well you know Alice.

She must have had her reasons.

- And besides, it's
only four weeks.

- Peter, I can't just uproot
my life for an entire month.

I have a job.

I have responsibilities.

- Okay, well,

I can draw up the
de-transfer for you,

and you can sign over the
property before you go.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Lucy, your
grandparents built it.

It's been in the
family for decades.

You sure you just
wanna give it away?

- A month?

Oh, I didn't realize it
would take that long.

- I know, this is completely
out of left field,

but I can handle
my cases from here.

And I can be available for
videoconferencing anytime

day or night.

- And what happens after
this four weeks is up?

- I take ownership of the
house and put it on the market.

- You're going to sell it?

- Absolutely.

Trust me, Joe, I
have no intention

of moving back to Nilson's Bay.

- Joy to da world.

- Okay, well scan the
signature pages and send

them on to her, and
CC me on everything.

Yes, I am not coming
back until the new year.

- I remember you.

- Lucy, did I lose you?

Lucy?

- Uh, listen, I'll call
you back later if I think

of anything, okay?

- Which one
do you wanna try?

- That one.

- Hello, girls, what
can I getcha today?

- Two gingerbread men, please.

- Oh, 'fraid there's
only one left.

- We'll take it.

- Okay.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thank you.

- You can have it.

- Now we both can.

- May I help you?

- What?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Just daydreaming, I guess.

Hi, I met you the other day.

You're one of Alice's friends.

- Rinda.

- Rinda, right.

I'm Lucy.

- I know.

- I can't believe
McHenry's still puts on

the Taste of Christmas party.

- Every year for the last 75.

- It was always
Alice's favorite night.

- I'm surprised
you remember that.

- I just need to
pick up a few things.

- So you stickin'
around for a while?

- Yeah, just until after
Christmas, actually.

- And then
back to New York?

- Yeah, back to New York.

Oh, it's Alice.

- Yeah, she put out
a can every Christmas

to raise money for
the animal shelter.

Guess she never
mentioned that to you.

Or maybe you didn't ask.

- Oh, she loved her
animals, that's for sure.

- I was very fond
of your sister.

We all were

- Well Alice was a
very special person.

- I hope you appreciated
having her in your life

as much as we did.

Well I have to get
my recipes together

for A Taste of Christmas.

Excuse me.

al music)

- Excuse me,
are you Miss Toomey?

- Uh, yes.

How can I help you girls?

- Mom said to bring
back Miss Alice's cat.

- Well, I'm not staying.

Merry Christmas.

- Great, and now I have a cat.

Okay, okay, I hear you.

All right, okay, I know.

Um, yeah.

All right.

Okay.

Well, come on out, and let's
get to know each other.

Well it was nice
to meet you too.

Hello.

Cat.

Kitty.

Kitty.

Cat.

Come on.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- I, uh, got this for Alice.

It was kind of a
tradition with us.

And I already have mine, so I
thought maybe you'd like it.

- Um, actually I wasn't
planning on putting up a tree.

- You do know that in Nilson's
Bay it's a misdemeanor

not to have a tree?

I mean, you should see
my office.

I'm just tryin' to keep
you out of trouble.

Please don't make me
take it all the way

back home again, please.

- Okay.

- Okay, good.

Okay, look out.

Careful, careful!

- All right, okay!

- Watch yourself.
- Okay.

- Here we go.

- It's a beautiful tree.

- It has to be.

Alice was very specific
about her Christmas trees.

- You guys really kept
in touch all these years?

- Sure, Alice was a
really great friend.

And in a way,

she kind of, you know,

kept me in touch with

- Hey!

- Oh, wait a second!
- Okay.

- Ah, I got it.

- Okay.

- I was sayin' that, in
a way, it kind of kept me

in touch with you too.

- Me?

- She talked about
you a lot.

And she told me about
your life, your work,

when you got your hair cut,
what you had for lunch.

- Sorry.

- Hey, will you
hold this for a sec?

You got it?

- Uh hmm.

- I'll just
take this stuff off.

You know, she was my
very first client.

- Really?

- Yeah, she paid me
$100 and a goldfish.

All right.

I'm gonna pick this
up, slide it in there.

- Okay.

- Just make sure
it goes in there.

- Got it.

- Okay.

Good, funny how we both
became lawyers, huh?

- Yeah, funny.

Why did you do it?

- Guess I always just wanted
to fight for the little guy,

you know, make sure
justice was served.

You?

- Yeah, not exactly the same.

I write contracts to help
big property development

companies acquire real
estate and get even bigger.

- You like it?

- I'm good at it.

- Objection.

That's not really what I asked.

- Sometimes I do.

- And the other times?

- I don't know anyone who's
100% happy at their job.

- I am.

And that looks pretty good.

- Do you know
anything about cats?

- I see you met Mr. Freckles.

- Mr. Freckles.

- That's his name.

Daphne told me she was
bringing him back to you.

- Well I wish she had told him.

He took off like a
shot as soon as we came

through the door.

- I think I know
where to find him.

Meow!

And voila.

- Oh, there you are.

- He always goes under here
whenever there's a stranger

in the house.

- I'm not a stranger.

I'm his Aunt Lucy.

- Yeah, but he
doesn't know that yet.

- Mr. Freckles, here!

I've got some delicious
creamed liver surprise.

Oh.

Mow.

- No, it's meorw.

- Mow.

- Work on it.

- I can't believe I'm
being rejected by a cat.

- Ah, it may him awhile,
but he'll come around.

Remember, we're not the
only ones who lost somebody.

Ah, hey.

Ah, they didn't finish it.

- They?

- Yeah, the friends of Alice.

They were also sort of a
quilting bee with your sister.

- Um, do you know who Maeve is?

- Hmm?

- Here, "For Maeve."

Who is that?

- Ah, I can't say.

- It must have been
someone special to her.

- Yeah, I'm sure they were,

so, do want some help
decorating the tree?

- Right now?

- Why not?

Christmas is coming.

- Peter, I found these upstairs.

I can't believe she kept
them all these years.

- Excellent.

And I found some music to put us

in the tree decorating mood.
♪ Chestnuts roasting

♪ On an open fire

- Oh, that was my
parents' favorite album.

- Did you know it
was Alice's, too?

- I know Peter.

♪ Yule-tide carols

I know that was her
favorite.

- Oh, hey, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean anything.

It's just, you've
been gone a while.

- Alice understood.

- I'm sure she did.

- I helped her out a lot, okay,

anything she needed.

And when our
parents passed away,

I offered to bring
her to the city,

but she didn't wanna leave.

- Why would she?

This was her home,

yours too, until she...

It was an
accident, Lucy.

You know that, right?

- Of course I do.

- So what happened?

We were so close, but you
barely spoke to me after that.

- I barely spoke to a
lot of people after that.

- Yeah, but you avoided
me the entire last year

of high school.

And that was some trick,
considering there were

only 47 people in
our graduating class.

♪ To you

- The record's over.

- Um, I just remembered,
I gotta catch up

on some work at the office.

- Oh, okay.

- Yeah, I better go.

- Thanks for the tree.

- You gonna be okay with
all those decorations?

- Well if I have any trouble,

I could just ask Mr.
Freckles for help.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- This one's for you.

- It's so pretty.

Thank you, Alice.

- Your sister was
a wonderful lady.

You know, she's the reason
why I got my first dog.

- Really?

- I met her at
McHenry's one year,

at the Taste of Christmas,
and before I knew it,

she'd talked me into
a dachshund.

Best thing that's
ever happened to me.

I got three of em now.

- Oh.

- So you told me on the
phone that you were looking

to sell Alice's house.

- Yes, yes, Mr. Glaser,

- Oh, please, Ed.

May I call you Lucy?

- Sure, Ed.

My Uncle Barney recommended you

as the best real
estate agent in town.

- Well, I'd certainly
like to think so.

And Nilson's Bay is
a seller's market.

We have several developers
that are very interested

in the area, and you
have enough acreage there

to put at least three
decent sized pre-fab homes,

maybe even a condo building.

- Wait, um.

You're saying they'd
wanna tear down our house?

- Well, Miss Toomey,
it's lakefront property.

One of the last parcels
to be developed.

- I hadn't really
thought about that.

- I understand,
it's a cute house.

But the comps in that area are

in the half a
million dollar range,

and I'm certain we could
get you at least that,

maybe even a bit more.

- I don't know.

I'm not sure how I
feel about having

my family home torn down.

- It's just a
house, Miss Toomey.

You could always buy
another one.

At these prices, you
could probably buy two.

- Well, uh, I have
to think about it.

Uh, thank you for your time, Ed.

- I'd advise you not
to think too long.

It's like I always say, when
opportunity comes callin,

you better answer
on the first knock.

- Look at
the tree, girls!

- I like
when it sparkles.

- Yeah, me too.

- Daphne, right?

- Oh, hi!

Yes, and these are my girls.

This is Ophelia, and Portia.

- The cat delivery service,

right?
- Yes.

- Hi.

- Hi, Miss Toomey.

- Hi, Miss Toomey.

- How are things goin
with Mr. Freckles?

- Actually, I don't think
he likes me.

- Oh, well he will.

It just takes time.

- Daphne, did you ever hear
her mention the name Maeve?

- Maeve, uh, no, not
that I can remember, why?

- I found a name tag
on some quilt pieces

she was working on.

- Well I can tell you
who those belong to.

They're ours.

- Yours?

- Yeah, Alice, Celia,
Rinda, and mine.

We were making our annual
Christmas friendship quilt,

and we'd get together
once a week to work on it.

- You're welcome to come
by and get it if you want.

- The thing about a
friendship quilt is

you have to finish
it in the same home

that you started it in.

It's kind of a tradition.

- Oh.

- Well, you don't
mind if we finish

it in your house, do you?

- Oh.

- It won't take long,
maybe a couple hours,

and we won't make
a mess, I promise.

- I actually have a
lot of work to do.

- So Thursday in the
afternoon, say, five-ish?

I'll bring the cookies.

- This Thursday?

- Okay, great.

Well, we'll see you then.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Bye.
- Oh, bye!

- Uh, huh.

Yeah, right.

Well, that would be unfortunate.

I will tell him.

Bye, bye.

Lucy, hi, you're still in town.

- Still here.

I'm looking for Peter Swinson.

- I take it you don't know Mr.
Swinson real well.

- Why do you say that?

It's 12:30 on a Wednesday.

There's really only one
place you're gonna find him.

- Hi.

- What are you doin' here?

- I, I need some advice.

- Personal or professional?

- A bit of both, I guess.

- Okay, but it'll
have to be on the ice.

- What?

- I'm in the middle of class.

- Come on, Mr. Swinson!

- Give me a second!

Well?

Whatta you say?

- It's been a long time
since I was on skates.

- They say you never
forget how to do it.

It's like riding a bike.

- It's been a long time
since I rode a bike, too.

- I won't let you fall.

- Sounds like Ed can
get you a lot of money

of the property, but...

- But?

- Well I mean, the Toomeys
have had that house

since before I was born.

You sure you're ready
to say goodbye to it?

- I guess I'll have to be.

You can't hold on to the past.

- Whoa, comin
through, Mr. Swinson.

- How long have you
been doing this?

- Oh, couple years.

Alice was a volunteer
at the community center,

and she drafted me to teach
the kids how to skate.

- I'm starting to think
there wasn't anything

in this town she
wasn't involved in.

- Yeah, she
definitely made a difference

in Nilson's Bay.

- Do you think that's why
she wanted me to be here

for the month?

- What do you mean?

- Maybe she wanted me to
see how important she was?

- Or maybe she wanted you
to slow down for a minute.

Stop running from things.

- I'm not running from anything.

- Sure you are.

You ran away from this town,
away from these people,

away from us.

- Woo, Mr. Swinson.

- All right, that's it.

Guys, that's it for today.

Everybody off the ice.

Hot cocoa's on me.

- Yes!

- I'm not running
from anything, Peter.

I just don't wanna
live in the past.

- You may not be living
in the past, Lucy,

but I think the past is
still kinda living in you.

- I've arranged
for an extension

on the Harrington case.

- Joe, you didn't
have to do that.

I've been keeping up with
things from this end, and,

- I understand, but the client
needs a face-to-face meeting

before he'll proceed,
so you're due back here,

on, what is it now, three weeks?

- Uh, huh.

- You know, we could
challenge your sister's

will in court.

I still don't understand
why she needed you to stay

in the house this long.

- Uh, I'm not sure either.

Wow.

Uh, I'm going to have
to call you back.

I'll call you later.

- Goodbye.

- There you are.

So now you wanna play?

I guess not.

What are these, Alice?

Self portraits?

- Hi, I brought
the cookies, whoo.

- I didn't think we were
gonna make it up that hill.

- I mean, Rinda, if you
would just put the chains

on those tires.

- My tires are perfectly fine.

- Oooh.

- It's the ice on the roads.

They don't use enough salt.

- They can't use that much salt.

It's bad for the deer.

- Oh, so because of the deer,

you have to drive off the road.

- That's why you
need the chains.

- I like deer.

- Wow, it's Thursday already?

- How are we gonna do this?

- We just pick up where
we left off, don't we?

- She means how are we
gonna do this without Alice.

- It just doesn't feel right,

making a quilt without her.

- Okay, I hope you
all like Earl Grey.

It's the only thing I
could find in the cupboard.

And, Daphne, I
couldn't help myself.

I snuck one of those
Christmas cookies,

and they are umm.

- Lucy, have you
ever quilted before?

- Me?

Oh, I, I can't sew
a button on a shirt.

- Oh, we've always
had four people

in our quilting group, Lucy.

With Alice gone, it
just, it feels...

- It feels like
someone's missing.

- Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

- It would mean a lot
if you would help us.

- I am sorry.

I would really love to help,
but I don't know anything

about making a quilt.

- Oh, Rinda taught
me in like an hour.

- I mean, yeah.

- It's no problem, Lucy.

Don't worry about it.

We'll be okay on our own.

I mean, no one is gonna
judge you, just because

you don't wanna help us
finish this very special quilt

that Alice helped make.

- Hand me a needle.

- You're probably gonna
be really good at this.

♪ It's the most wonderful
time of the year ♪

♪ Ding, dong, ding, dong

♪ With those holiday greetings

♪ And gay happy meetings

♪ When friends come to call

♪ It's the hap happiest
season of all ♪

♪ Ding, dong, ding, dong

♪ There'll be
parties for hosting ♪

♪ Marshmallows for toasting

♪ And caroling out in the snow

♪ There'll be scary
ghost stories ♪

♪ And tales of the glories

♪ Of Christmases
long, long ago ♪

♪ It's the most wonderful
time of the year ♪

- I was having a hard
time financially,

so I went to McHenry's to see
if they had a job opening.

And there wasn't.

But Alice was there, and
she overheard my story.

She moved me into
the guest room here

that same night.

- Wait, you lived here?

- Yeah, for three months.

- I think everybody in
town's got a story like that.

You know when my husband,
Earl, was driving trucks,

I'd be alone for
weeks at a time.

And Alice noticed me sitting
by myself at Sunday service.

And she just started
sittin' with me.

She didn't really give me
much choice in the matter.

- That sounds like Alice.

- Oh, well there you are.

- How do you do that?

He runs away every
time I try to pet him.

- Don't worry.

He'll warm up to you.

It's just like I
said the other day.

It's gonna take time.

I think he still misses Alice.

- What was she like, Lucy?

We all knew her
after the accident.

It's just, she never, she
never talked about that day.

- Um, she was funny.

And kind, I mean she'd just
about do anything for you.

- I guess in a lot of
ways that really matter

she was the same.

- Maybe, but before the
accident, everything was

so effortless for Alice.

I think that was
the hardest part,

watching her
struggle with things

like buttoning a shirt,

or playing her violin.

I, I, I think I'm
done for tonight.

- Yeah, yeah we can, we'll
pick this up another day.

- Oh, it's okay, I'm not tired.

- Oh.

- Oh, wow, yeah,
look at the time.

- You should go.
- You should go.

- Will you call us
if you need anything?

- Thanks for having us.

Pretty soon we're gonna
have to make a quilt

for the baby, yeah.

Thank you.

- Oh, don't forget
to hide those squares

from Mr. Freckles.

I saw him eyeing
them all night long.

- I will, promise.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Thank you for tonight.

I guess I really needed this.

- We had a lotta nights
like this with Alice.

A lotta fun.

She always said she wished
you could have been here.

Bye, Lucy.

- Goodnight.

- I knew Alice took art
classes as part of her therapy,

but I didn't know she
was this artistic.

Who do you think this is?

- Well, they're all self
portraits, aren't they?

- I don't think so.

The hair's different, and
there's something in the eyes.

- Uncle Barney,

- Yeah.

- Do you know
somebody named Maeve?

- Maeve, Maeve, no.

Can't say that I do.

Why?

- I found some beautiful
Christmas quilts

in a trunk upstairs.

And they all have a
tag with the name Maeve

embroidered on them.

I thought maybe Alice had
made them for somebody

in the family?

- Name doesn't ring a bell.

But like I told you, a
lot of people knew Alice.

What are your plans
for Christmas?

- Actually, I wasn't
gonna make any.

I thought I'd just stay
in and get some work done.

- Well that's ridiculous.

Whatta you say, I'll put
together a little dinner

for the both of us?

Which would you like?

Ham or Turkey?

- No, really.

- I'll put in an order for both.

That's a nice tree.

Where'd it come from?

- Peter Swinson
bought it for Alice?

- Well, now, I haven't
heard you say that name

in a long time.

Whatta you say we invite him
over for Christmas dinner?

It's be nice to see you two
getting back together again.

- We're not getting back
together again, Uncle Barney.

He just helped with the tree.

- Okay, whatever you say.

You know he was Alice's lawyer.

Did you ask him about
this Maeve person?

- He said he didn't
know anything about it.

- It's a small town.

Maybe he can help you find her.

- Mr. Swinson is not in
the office right now,

may I take a message?

- Hi, Carla, it's Lucy Toomey.

I tried him on his cell,
but I couldn't reach him.

- Hi, Lucy, yeah, yeah, that's
because he's on the ice.

- Oh, he's at the rink?

- Oh, no, not that ice.

The blue ice.

He's fishin'.

Now you cannot miss
Mr. Swinson's hut.

Look for all the Christmas.

- Peter!

- Lucy, what are you doin' here?

- You know I was
in the neighborhood,

so I thought I'd stop by.

- What?

- It's cold.

- Hey, hey.

- Oh, I love what you've
done with the place.

- Thanks.

Be careful there.

- Oh.

- Sorry for the mess.

I don't get any guests.

I think yoghbe the first.

Have a seat.

- Thanks

How's the fishing?

- Don't ask.

I've changed the lures twice.

But I think they're on to me.

May I offer you a specialty
of the house, hot apple cider?

- Yes, I would like that.

Thank you.

- So what brings you
all the way out here?

- You remember that quilt
with the name Maeve on it?

- Uh, huh.

- I found a trunk-full
in Alice's room,

all with the same
name on the tags.

Are you sure Alice
didn't mention her?

- Not that I can tell you.

- Well I've been looking
for her on the internet,

but I haven't found anything.

I thought maybe
you could help me.

Ask around?

Check out the town records?

- Yeah, without a last
name, I'm not sure

how far we'd get.

Sounds like it's really
important to you, isn't it?

- In a way, yes.

I feel like I wanna do
something for Alice.

- You came here for Christmas,
maybe that's enough.

Oh, yes!
- You got something!

- Ha!

Gimme the net!
- Okay, okay.

- It's right
there up on the wall.

- Where, where?

- On the wall!

Hurry up, bring it over here!

- Don't yell at me!
- I'm not yelling!

- Wait!

Here!

So much for dinner.

- Well, that's all right.

I got a better idea.

♪ Deck the halls with
boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa, la, la, la,
la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly

- Thank you.

- Ooh, thank you.

That looks good.

- Are you sure kringles
qualify as dinner?

- Only in Wisconsin, and
only in Christmas time.

- Mmmm.

- So, do you like
living in New York?

- Like might not
quite be the word.

It's crazy.

It's fast-paced,
exciting, scary.

- Sounds fun.

- Seeing anyone?

- No, not really.

Work keeps me pretty busy.

- Oh.

- Seems like there's never
enough time.

How 'bout you?

- Me? Ah, well, you know the
Nilson's Bay social scene.

It's been non-stop.

I went out with Tanya
Beaumont a couple years ago.

- Tanya from trig?

- Um hmm.

- The one with the hair?

How did that go?

- She's married
now with two kids.

- Oh.

I'm sorry.

- That's okay.

It was never gonna work anyway.

I guess I've always just
had this picture in my head

of my perfect match, you know.

No one's ever been able
to live up to that.

- What does this
picture look like?

- Like you.

- Peter.

- I thought I'd
forgotten how this felt,

and then you showed up.

And it all came back.

- Good evening, everybody!

Welcome to the Nilson's Bay
annual tree lighting ceremony.

Without any further ado,
let's start the count down.

- Five!

Four!

Three!

Two!

One!

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ Jingle all the way

h fun it is to ride
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh, hey ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ Jingle all the way

♪ Oh what fun, it is to ride

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh

♪ Dashing through the snow

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh

♪ O'er the fields we go

♪ Laughing all the way

♪ Bells on bob-tails ring

♪ Making spirits bright

♪ What fun it is to

- I'm starving.

- What, that
kringle didn't fill you up?

- Ah, thanks, Rinda.

- Hey, all set for the
Taste of Christmas?

- I guess I better be,
since it's the last

one we're every gonna have.

- Whatta you mean?

- Ed Glaser convinced
McHenry to sell this place

to a developer.

- What?

- They're closin
after New Year's.

Word is they're gonna
tear the place down

and turn it into
a bunch of condos

and a frozen yogurt shop.

No more McHenry's,
and I'm out of a job.

Nice merry Christmas.

- Been hearing rumblings

that Mr. McHenry's been
trying to sell for a while.

- But McHenry's is a part of
the fabric of this town, Peter.

We can't just let
them tear it down.

- You're pretty
fired up about this.

- Well, it means a
lot to people here.

When we were kids,

it meant a lot to Alice and me.

- Wait, aren't you
the one who told me

that we can't live in the past?

- That's why we have
to save McHenry's.

We can't let it become
part of the past, Peter.

We have to do something.

- Okay, then.

- Nah, I haven't even started
my Christmas shopping yet.

I'm thinking gift cards.

Harry, let me give
you a call back.

Lucy, hello!

Let me guess, you've
made your decision?

- Yes, I've made my decision.

You're not getting our house.

- What?

- In fact, nobody is,
because I'm not selling.

And as for McHenry's,
I'm gonna do whatever

I can to stop them
from selling, too.

- Well you're a
bit late with that.

We closed escrow this morning,

and the development
company's already taking

bids on demolition.

- Well, you better tell
them they're in for a fight.

- Rinda, these are amazing.

- So good.

- I figure, if this is
the end of McHenry's,

might as well out in style.

- It doesn't have to be the end.

I wanna help.

McHenry's is more than a store.

This is a Christmas tradition,

one that means something
to a lot of people

in this town.

I think we owe it to
then, to ourselves,

to keep that tradition alive.

- Do you think we can
stop them from tearin

this place down?

- I know we should try.

- Yes.

- Yes.

Yes, we should.

- Step one, we're going
to start a petition.

We need to get as many
signatures as we can,

show them the town
is behind our cause.

- That shouldn't be hard.

I mean, everyone
loves McHenry's.

- Daphne, you write a
letter to the local paper.

I'll start a page
on the town website.

And, Celia, you're in
charge of research.

We need some
statistics on our side.

- Got it.

Wha, what kind of statistics?

- The developer'll say that
it'll increase the tax base.

We need some
evidence to show that

it will have negative
impact on the community

as a whole.

Look for comparable situations
in other small towns

across the state.

- Got it.

- Oh, look who it is.

- Well it's about time.

- So how do you
know all this stuff?

- Well actually it's
what I do for a living.

Just on the other side.

At my law firm, we help
clients buy up properties

in small towns and
redevelop them.

But sometimes the
communities fight back.

- That's what we're
gonna do, fight back!

- But we need to build
awareness in town about this.

It has to be a community effort.

- Why?

- Because it only works
if it's their cause.

Whadda ya think?

- I think it's time
to get to work.

♪ Can you feel the air changin

♪ You feel it in your soul

♪ Light the fire,
stuff the ki♪

♪ Hang the mistletoe

♪ Lights are draped
around the mantel ♪

♪ Twinkle little star

♪ Reconnect with
friends and family ♪

♪ No matter near or far

♪ It only comes
one time a year ♪

♪ Don't let it pass you by

♪ Whoa-o ah, it's Christmas

♪ Just sing along
your favorite song ♪

♪ Don't let it pass you by

♪ Oh, oh, oh, it's
Christmastime ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, it's
Christmastime ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, it's
Christmastime ♪

- We've had over a
dozen signatures here

in the office alone,
how 'bout you?

- Well, we've already
gone through three pens.

It feels like the
whole town is with us.

- Well how 'bout
celebrating with me?

My mom's annual Cookiemas
party is at the house tonight.

I'm sure she'd love to see you.

- Your mom still does that?

- Thanks.

Well you know my
family and tradition.

Why don't you bring your
Uncle Barney with you.

- Okay, we'll be there.

- Great, come around six.

Oh and, Lucy, you know
what you have to wear.

- Oh, no.

Please.

Look, I didn't
bring one of those.

- Just check the closet.

Alice has a whole collection.

See ya tonight.

- Thank you.

- Okay, Mr. Swinson.

I am going going to lunch.

Mr. Swinson, is everything okay?

- I don't know, Carla.

- You sure everybody's
wearing these?

- They'd better be.

- Oh, my Christmas!

Look who's here!

- Mrs. Swinson.

- Hey, Sweetie, I'm so
glad you could make it.

We've missed you around here.

Hello, Barney.

- Mrs. Swinson.

- Welcome to Cookiemas.

- What's a Cookiemas?

- You'll see.

- I see.

- One bow,
and that's all, that's it.

- Incoming!

This is hot.

Ready for another batch.

- We got another
batch right here, Dad.

- All right.

Let's keep these cookies coming.

- Yes, sir.

- Uncle Barney, I think
you know everybody here.

Everybody, Uncle Barney,

- Hey, hey.
- And his niece Lucy.

Lucy's from Nilson's Bay,

but right now she's
a big-time lawyer

in New York City.

- Uh, not that big.

- That's not what Peter says.

He said you're making
waves in Nilson's Bay, too.

What is this about a
petition going around?

- Lucy's trying
to save McHenry's

from the wrecking ball.

- Oh, really?

Is there anything
I could do to help?

- Actually, yes there is.

- Oh, girl, look at
you makin a difference.

Your sister would
be so proud of you.

And having you here tonight
is like having a piece

of her with us also.

- Thank you, Mrs. Swinson.

That's just about the
nicest thing anyone's

ever said to me.

- Now just what do you do
with all these cookies?

- We take them down to
the retirement home,

just something to
brighten up their holiday.

- And all the grandkids,
they visit on cookie day.

But this year, we need
a new Santa Claus.

Would you be up for it?

- I think after a few
of these snickerdoodles,

I just might be.

- Good, good.

- Hey!

- Hey.
- I see you found one.

- Kind of hard to miss.

I opened up the closet
door and it yelled at me.

Yeah.
- Hey, um,

I gotta talk to
you for a minute.

- Okay.

- Okay.

Excuse us.

- You know, I forgot how
much fun this all was.

Nobody does Cookiemas
like your mom.

What's wrong?

- This came to me
in the mail today.

I wasn't sure
whether I should show

it to you or not, but...

- It's from Maeve.

You found out who she is.

- I've known all along.

She's Alice's daughter.

Lucy, Maeve is your niece.

Lucy, Lucy, wait!

- Why didn't you tell me?

- Alice wasn't just my friend,

she was also my client.

She didn't want anybody to know,

and I had to
respect her privacy.

- But, why?

Why would she keep it a secret?

- She had her reasons.

She had the baby just before
coming home from college.

She wasn't sure how to
break it to your family.

There were so many expectations,

about her future, and
she just didn't want

to disappoint your parents.

- This is what she
wanted to tell me.

The night of the accident.

But I wouldn't listen.

- Don't run away from
me, Lucy, please.

Not again!

- Do you know how hard it
was for to to leave, Peter?

To leave this place?

To leave you?

- So why'd you do it?

- Because it was my fault!

Alice's accident
happened because I wanted

to be with you.

If she hadn't come to
get me that night...

Every time I saw you, it
reminded me of what happened.

Everything in this
town reminds me

that I ruined my sister's life.

- Lucy, Alice had a good life.

Maybe not the one that
she expected to have,

or the one that your
parents planned for her,

but she was happy.

She had friends who loved her.

She had a meaningful
job that fulfilled her.

And she made a
difference in the lives

of so many people.

And maybe it wasn't like yours.

Maybe it wasn't
like other people's.

But it was her very own.

And for her, it was perfect.

- Alice was my big sister.

You know, she took care of me,

and I, I wasn't there for her.

I haven't been for long time.

- Don't blame yourself.

Alice never did.

She was so proud of you,
of everything you've done,

of everything you are.

- Now she's gone.

You know I can never
make it up to her.

- Well, there's one way.

Alice loved Christmas.

And Christmas is the
time for forgiving.

So why don't you give
her one last gift, hey?

Forgive yourself.

- I don't know how!

- Maybe this'll help.

I talked to Maeve.

I told her about you, and
she wants to meet you.

- Peter.

- She's your niece.

She's your family.

- I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry,

but I can't.

- Lucy.
- Look, no, I can't do that!

- Lucy!

- Hi!

Here we are!

Lucy!

- Hi, honey, you been crying?

What's wrong?

- I thought they
were self-portraits.

But she was drawing
Maeve, imagining the girl

she grew up to be.

- Alice had a daughter,
and none of us knew?

- I was a horrible sister.

- That's ridiculous, Lucy.

- Alice loved you.

She was always
talking about you,

about everything
that you did for her.

- For her, not with her.

I should've been here more.

- No, you couldn't.

You had your own
life to live, too.

- You know, I thought I
had everything organized,

and everything in its place.

And now I just feel like,

my whole world is falling
into pieces.

- Well then there's
only one thing to do.

You've gotta put it
back together again.

Lucy, life is like this quilt.

It's pieces of everything,

some joy, some sadness,
some laughter, some tears.

All of us are just stitchin'
it together, you know.

- I might not make a
whole lotta sense now,

but it will when you're done.

- And sometimes not even then.

- But if you do it with love,

it will turn out to
be a beautiful thing.

- Alice was so lucky to have
the three of you as friends.

- We were so lucky to have her.

- And we're lucky
to have you too.

Yeah.

- Now, whatta you say
we finish that quilt?

- Yes.

Oh, and some tea?

Would you drink tea?
- Yeah.

- Come on.

- I can't believe
it's finally done.

- Not quite.

Finishing touch.

- Oh!

- You see, I told you.

It's just a matter of time.

- Freckles, hello.

- Hello.
- It's good to say hi.

- Hi.

- Do you like the quilts?

- Good boy.

Yeah.

- I was just going over
the documents, and I,

Merry Christmas, have
a great Christmas.

And we need to
revisit the contract

because it's not by right.

- Joe, something just came up.

Uh, I'll call you back later.

- Lucy, this is a
very important client.

We need to make
sure he's compliant

with the...
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I know, but I gotta go.

Merry Christmas, Joe.

Mr. Freckles!

Enjoy your lunch.

I have an errand to run.

It's not by right.

- By right?

- Use by right.

Only certain businesses
are permitted to operate

in certain parts of the town.

This is the building
permit application

the developer filed
with the town clerk.

See the office buildings
they wanna put here?

They're not by right.

- So what does that mean for us?

- They'll need to get a
variance from the town council.

The developer has to go in
front of the planning board.

- Which means an open hearing
in front of the whole town.

- Where it can be denied.

- And with all the
signatures we got,

and the flyers we posted,
everybody in Nilson's Bay

will be on our side.

- In the meantime,
I'll files a cease

and desist order, and oh,

except I can't.

- Why not?

You're a lawyer.

- From out of state.

I'm not licensed for Wisconsin.

But I know somebody who is.

- Hi.

- Hi, can we talk?

- You were right.

You got em.

- So you think we have a case?

- I know we do.

I'll file it in the morning.

Nice work, counselor.

- Thank you, counselor.

And I'm sorry.

- No need to be.

You had every right
to be upset yesterday.

I should have told you before.

- No.

You did the right thing.

Now it's up to me.

I wanna meet my niece.

No, no.

Does this tree look a
little crooked to you?

- The tree is perfect.

Everything is perfect.

- I just want everything
to be really nice

for her, you know?

- Lucy, honey, she's
gonna love you.

- Oh!

Oh, my.

- Lucy Toomey, meet Maeve Guy.

Maeve, this is your aunt.

- Hello.

- Hello, it's so
good to meet you.

This is Uncle Barney.

- Hello, Maeve.

Welcome to the family, darling.

- Thank you.

It's so good to be here.

- You look like your mom.

- Hey, Pete, can you
help me out for a second?

- Sure.

- Come in, come in.

Would you like some tea?

Or how bout some hot cocoa?

Yeah, let's get some hot cocoa.

Come on.

So your parents kept your name.

- They thought it was pretty.

- It is.

- I think so, too.

I'm sorry, I'm kinda nervous.

- Me too.

- This is a beautiful house.

- Thank you.

Alice, your Mom, she
kept it up nicely.

- Hi, who are you?

- That's Mr. Freckles.

Don't worry about him.

He doesn't like anybody.

- I love animals.

- So did your mom.

- Is that her?

- Uh, huh, that's Alice.

- What was she like?

- I have an idea.

- That's you and Mom?

- She loved Christmas,

ever since she was little.

That was her

first performance.

at the church at Christmas.

She was so nervous.

- She's so good.

- First chair.

- Always wondered who she was,

ever since my parents
told me I was adopted.

I had a million questions.

What was her favorite song?

What did her laugh sound like?

And did she ever think of me?

- You stay right there.

I know it's not
quite Christmas, yet,

but I think she'd understand.

- What is this?

- It's a gift from your mom.

She made this for you.

- She made this?

- With a little help
from some friends.

- For Maeve.

- She made one for you.

For every Christmas she missed.

- I'm sorry.

This is a lot.

- Um, are you up for a drive?

- To where?

- It's a surprise.

Do you like gingerbread?

- Wow.

- Your mom and I used to
come here every Christmas

when we were kids.

Oh, come on, there's some
people I want you to meet.

- You made it.

- Hi.

This is Alice's daughter.

And my niece.

This is Maeve.

This is Daphne,
Celia, and Rinda.

They were your
mom's best friends.

- It's very nice to meet you.

- The pleasure is
all ours, Maeve.

- You have her eyes.

- I think I'm gonna cry.

- Maeve has been asking
questions about Alice's life

here in Nilson's Bay.

I thought maybe you could
share some stories with her.

- Yes, that we can do.
- Of course.

- Come sit.

- Hey.

Hey, psst.

How's it goin?

- Peter, she's wonderful.

She's so much like Alice.

But she's her own person too.

- Yep, she's her mother's
daughter, that's for sure.

Hey, I filed that
cease and desist.

- And?

- The developer's legal
department called me

about 15 minutes
later, in a panic.

- Hmm, and did they say?

- I don't know.

I let it go to voice mail.

It's Christmas.

- I like how you
work, Mr. Swinson.

- Why thank you, Miss Toomey.

You know, I'm lookin for
a partner in my firm,

preferably somebody
with big-city experience

but who understands
small town life.

You know anybody like that?

- Are you suggesting that
I leave my corporate job

and start fighting
for the little guy?

- Why not?

I think we'd make a good team.

- Go on.

- What is it, Maeve?

- I was just wondering,
if it's okay,

could my family and
I come for Christmas?

- Oh, I think that...

- That would be wonderful.

Tell me, do your folks
like turkey or ham?

Because we're gonna have both.

I just wanna know so I know
just how much to order.

- Both.

- Good, that was simple.

- Peter,
you were gonna go check

out the gingerbread houses

- Oh, yeah, I checked them out.

- Rinda's gingerbread houses.

You should have a bite.

- The ginger,

I'm checking out the
gingerbread houses.

- Right.

Well I was wondering if it's
time for us to change our name.

From FOA to FOL.

- Friends of Lucy.

- I like that.

- Me too.

- Yes, me too!

- Yes!
- Yes!

- The best Christmas.

- FOL!

- Come in, come in!

- Aunt Lucy, these
are my parents.

- Hi, I'm Grant Guy.

Nice to meet you.

- Hello.

- Hi, Jane, how do you do?

- It is so wonderful
to meet you both.

- Thank you for having us.
- Thank you.

- Please, give me your coats.

- Yeah.

- But the really good
news is Peter managed

to get the developers
to agree that

any new construction would have

to include the original
McHenry's, untouched.

- So you're gonna
get to keep your job?

- It is a merry
Christmas after all.

- Oh!

- Hey, you guys
are just in time!

Excuse me for one second,

I'm gonna grab some ice.

- Okay, let me introduce
you to everybody.

Come on in.

- Well here you are.

Maeve, why don't
you help me pick

out the next Christmas record.

What do you think,
Nat King Cole?

- Who?

- Who?

Maeve, I think you
and I are gonna have

to have a long talk about music.

- Hi, how have you been?

- This way.

- It's so
nice to meet you.

- Beautiful tie.

- Thank you.

- Rented dress.

- Christmas dinner is ready.

- Hope you're all hungry.

We have enough food
for the whole town.

Come on!

- Oh, wow.

♪ Chestnuts roasting
- Ooh, it smells good.

♪ On an open fire
- Look at this.

♪ Jack frost nipping
at your nose ♪

♪ Yuletide carols
being sung by a choir ♪

♪ And folks
- You okay?

♪ Dressed up like Eskimos

- Uh huh.

♪ Everybody knows

- Remember when
you said Christmas

was as time for forgiveness?

- Yeah.

- Then can you forgive me?

- What for?

- Everything.

That night.

The last 20 years.

It was unfair to you.

To us.

I wasted so much time
avoiding the people I love,

have always loved.

- We have the rest of
our lives ahead of us.

We can catch it up.

- I'd like that
very much, Peter.

- Good.

- How do you feel
about traditions?

- Well, isn't that kind of
like living in the past?

- I was thinking more
about the future.

- Ah.

♪ And so I'm offering

♪ The simple phrase

- Work on it.

♪ Kids from one to 92

♪ Although it's been said
many times, many ways ♪

♪ Merry Christmas to you

- Thank
you for joining us

for Christmas Everlasting.

It's so good to meet you.

Welcome to the family darling.

Thank you,

DVDs of Hallmark Hall of Fame
presentations are available

We have enough food
for the whole town.

Hallmark Hall of Fame is
brought to you by Hallmark.

Be nice seeing you
two together again.

Hallmark, when you care
enough to send the very best.