Christmas Princess (2017) - full transcript

[♪♪♪]

[humming "O, Christmas Tree"]

[♪♪♪]

[car horn honking]

Bye!

Donaly?

[door shuts]

Thank you.

Cheers!

To the first day
of senior year.

Yes!



Ahh!

[♪♪♪]

[quiet hallway chatter]

[♪♪♪]

Oh, my... Is that...

[chuckles]

"Little Trent?"

Not so little
anymore!

Can someone grow
a whole foot over summer?

Apparently.

Hey.

Uh, hi. Who
are you again?

I know, my mom is mad

because she had to buy me
all new clothes twice this year,



and somehow
it's my dad's fault.

[laughs]

[♪♪♪]

[quiet exchange]

Okay.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[class bell rings]

Are you gonna try out?

Totally.
How about you?

Mm. I don't know.

Not like
they're gonna pick me.

Well, not with
that attitude.

Hello, ladies.

My name is Sharon,

and as I'm sure you've guessed,

I'm with the Tournament
of Roses Committee.

Now, is there a girl in Pasadena

who hasn't dreamed

of sitting atop the float
on New Year's Day?

The crowds,
the excitement,

the television audience?

It is a special event.

But that's not all there is
to being on "The Royal Court."

Who knows how many events

a Rose Princess
would be asked to attend?

10?

20?

Try over a hundred.

Now, you will
not only be representing

this year's tournament,

but you would be representing

all the young ladies
and all the tournaments,

past and present.

But first...
you need to be chosen.

This is not a beauty contest.

This is about your talents...

your communication skills,
your values.

There will by four rounds
of questions,

where the judges
will be assessing you

on your poise,

personality,

your intelligence,

your inner beauty,

and your strength of character.

You will be the ambassadors
of our community,

reaching out to people
of all walks of life.

People who look forward to,
every year,

meeting
the next seven young women

who will be part of
a 98-year-old tradition

of being role models

and inspiring
the next generation.

And I promise,

it is
the experience of a lifetime.

Now...

if any of you think
you have what it takes...

[chuckles]

...to be a part of
this wondrous tradition

I look forward
to meeting you next week,

at Round One.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[Sharon]: Hi!

I'm Sharon.

Oh, no. You can actually
just pay for that over there.

Five, please.

All proceeds go directly
to the homeless outreach.

Hey.

I've got to get
home for dinner.

Okay.

Hey, we're running low
on fives and quarters,

so we'll need some
for tomorrow.

Cool.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[laughing hysterically]

Donaly?

Are you okay?
What's going on?

Uh, yeah, I'm okay.

You look like
you've seen a ghost.

No. I'm okay.
Let's go.

[♪♪♪]

[exhales shakily]

She can't get to you.

She can't get to you.
She can't get to you.

She can't get to you.

[takes a shaky breath]

[Emily sighs]

Why is my life
so hard?

What?

See?

No one listens to me.

It's the fate of being
the youngest sister.

What?

Do you ever think about
before we got here?

Why would I want to do that?

You were too little.

You're not gonna...

are you?

There was a presentation
at school.

You don't think
I should?

Well, only if you want
to be disappointed.

They don't pick girls like us.

[♪♪♪]

[Ignacio]:
Okay, let's bow our heads.

Bless us, oh, Lord,

for these gifts
that you lay at our table,

and please extend
your graces over each one of us.

We ask this in your name.

Amen.

[overlapping]: Amen.

So, who wants
to go first,

telling me about

their first day
of school?

Abraham.

Ms. Tomanski
already assigned homework

and it's only the first day.

I think that's rude.

Well, you did it,
though, right?

Uh, not yet.

Oh. Okay.

You know the rules.

Hand it over.

[weary sigh]

No phone until
you do all your homework.

Thank you.

My big mouth.

[chuckling]

All right, who's next?

Donaly's got
something to say.

Shut up!

We don't say shut up.

She's gonna try out
to be a Rose Princess.

No.

What do you mean, no?

It's a simple word.

I believe
you're all familiar with it.

Why?

No father wants to see
his daughter go through that.

Besides...

you are all already
my princesses.

[Abraham]: Uh!

I don't want to be a princess!

Especially you.

Wha...?

[Emily chuckling]

-No!
-Eat.

I'm not a princess!

[knocking]

You okay?

You know your dad's just
being overprotective...

about the Rose Princess
tryouts.

I know.
It's not that.

Well, then what is it?

You seem...

lost in thought.

Do you believe in destiny?

I believe we...

control our decisions,

which creates our destiny.

What about DNA and stuff?

Well, that just controls
whether you're tall or short,

or if you wear glasses,

or if you have bad knees.

But not if you're good
or kind...

or successful.

There's a new psychologist
at school.

And I was wondering
if I could talk with her.

Why?

Is something wrong?

No. No. It's, um...

I'm just
in my senior year,

and I just want to talk
to her about stuff.

Not bad stuff,
just stuff.

I understand, honey.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's okay.

"Stuff"?

Teenage stuff.

Therapists are for poor people
with big problems

or rich people
with little problems,

and we're neither
of those things.

Besides,

what's the point of adoption

if you can't talk
to your parents about things?

Honey, I think
you've forgotten

what it's like
to be a teenager.

What does that mean?

It means
that most kids her age

would rather
have a root canal

than talk to their parents
about anything.

[chuckles softly]

Well, Donaly...

Donaly, Emily,
and Abraham...

have gone through
more than most.

Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

[bangs door shut]

[giggling deliriously]

[panicking
and hyperventilating]

[♪♪♪]

[woman on TV]:
You and the Royal Court

will have many wonderful
and magical experiences.

[♪♪♪]

You know,
you don't have to talk,

if you don't want to.

Do you want to tell me
what's going on in school?

I'm thinking about trying out
for the Royal Court.

Oh?

I'm not expecting anything.

Why's that?

They wouldn't pick me.
I'm a foster kid.

But you've been with
the Marquez family

for a few years,

and they've adopted you.

Yeah,
but I was a foster kid first.

I was teased about that a lot
when I was younger.

And that sticks with you.

I get that.

Are you glad
that you were adopted?

My sister, Emily,
and my younger brother, Abraham,

they were really glad,
they really wanted it.

But not you?

No, I did.

I'm... grateful.

They're really good people.
It's...

just, in my experience,

it's not a good idea
to get too attached.

"The second shoe always drops,"
you know?

What I know

is that
when we spend our lives

waiting for second shoes
to drop,

they always do,

every time.

Maybe we could work on
you being a little bit more open

and not always waiting
for something bad to happen.

[school bell rings]

Did Ignacio give you
a green light for tryouts?

Working on it.

Which means no.

It's a process.

Well, you better
hurry that process up!

Tryouts
are almost here.

Hey, Donaly!
Think fast!

[laughs] Hey.

Are you
looking at Trent?

What? No.

Don't be weird.

We've known him
since the fourth grade.

Thank you
for helping me out.

I've been meaning to clean out
this closet for ages.

Ahh!

Donaly, look!

It's your tree.

Do you remember?

When you first came to us,
it was near Christmastime.

You used to carry this drawing
with you all the time

and say it was
your Christmas tree.

[quiet chuckle]

Roberta wouldn't
let us have a real one.

She said it was
for "other people."

Christmas is for everyone.

I never understood
what these things were...

Roses.

I was watching
the Rose Parade.

Everyone was
so pretty and happy.

They made me happy.

Do you want to try out?

I can talk to your dad.

Seriously?

Yeah, I'm...
I'm still concerned.

I mean, it's a lot
of responsibil...

Yeah!

Okay... [laughing]

[Abraham]: What is wrong
with you, weirdo?

Oh, that might be
"Princess Weirdo" to you.

[shrieking, laughing]

Oh, thank you!

[continues laughing]

Is that really
your final position?

I have nothing to wear.

What about
that purple one?

She'll look
like an eggplant.

Someone told me that
you should find a dress

that you can wear
to every round

so that they remember you,

so, it should be
a real good dress.

Well, I don't even have
a "meh" dress, so...

Have you thought about what
you're gonna say to the judges?

No.

Well, you only get 15 seconds
to sum up your whole life

and separate yourself
from thousands of other girls,

so it better be good.

Great. Like I wasn't feeling
any pressure before now.

Thanks, Chloe.

You're welcome.

For?

Oh! But that's
your Madrid dress.

I know. Lucky for you,
we're the same size,

'cause you're
such a shrimp.

You'd let me wear
your Madrid dress?

Well, not just
for anything!

Are you
getting emotional?

What? No.

Ugh!

Emotions.

[laughs]

[♪♪♪]

We have a winner!

Hey, wait! You haven't
done your makeup yet.

Oh, that's fine.

Chloe's saving me
a spot in line.

Are you
super-nervous?

Uh... yeah.

You'll be fine.

You're wearing
my lucky dress.

Hey. Remember what
Mom always says.

Right?

Trust in God.

Through whom all
things are possible.

Exactly.

Got it.

Go get ready!

Okay!

[both laughing]

[buzzing chatter]

[♪♪♪]

Hi. I'm Donaly,

and I just started
my senior year.

Hi. My name's Donaly
and I'm a senior.

Hi there!

Oh. Anything but the...

[♪♪♪]

At least
we'll be done early.

I'm so nervous.

Do you know what
you're gonna say?

I have no clue
what I'm gonna say.

My mind's blank.

Like, I may forget my own name.

"Monique Groves."

Thank goodness,
I told you!

This is
my best friend, Donaly.

Hi, Donaly.

-Hey.
-Monique is from Missouri.

Yeah, well,

that was before I moved out here
a couple years ago,

to live with my aunt.

I should not have eaten
those blueberry pancakes.

Did you guys eat?

Uh, we're gonna grab
a bite after this.

Wise. I wish
I'd done that.

I hope I don't
throw up.

15 seconds!

What can you possibly
say in 15 seconds

that will leave
a lasting impression?

Apart from throwing up.

Don't do that.

I know!
Bad impression.

It just means
so much, you know?

Aren't you
from Missouri?

Well, originally,
but my mom's from Pasadena

and she used to tell us about

how she tried out
for the Royal Court

and made it all the way
to the finals,

but didn't get picked,
but still loved

watching the parade

and she'd make sure
we all watched it

together every year
before she...

Oh. And, well, you want
to do this for her.

Yeah.

Well, I think you should
just say that to the judges.

Just like that.

Yeah. You're right.

Speak from the heart.

Yeah.

And don't throw up.

[laughs]

...And it was always
important to her

that we watch together,
so...

I'm doing this
in her memory.

Time's up, number 21.
Thank you very much for coming.

Thank you.

Good luck.

[♪♪♪]

Most kids look forward
to the holidays

because they get
lots of presents,

but before
I was put in a foster home,

and before I was adopted,

I never got any,

and my mother was barely around.

But what I did look forward to
during the holidays

was watching The Rose Parade

and seeing The Royal Court
Princesses on their float.

That made me really happy
and hopeful

in a time
that I really needed to be.

Why I really want to do this

is because I know there are
kids out there watching

like I was,

and I want to reach out to them

and make them happy
and hopeful, too.

Time's up, number 22.
Thank you so much for coming.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

Hey, Donaly. Wait up.

Hey.

How'd it go?

I'm not sure, but it's done.

I'm sure you did great.

So, the Event Committee's
meeting tonight.

Right.

Are you going?

You were so good at it
last year.

The Christmas Dance
totally rocked.

I think I'm still getting
red glitter out of my hair.

Rejected!

[mimics being shot]

Single tear.

I'm sorry, Chloe.

For what?

The Rose
Princess, duh.

Did you
hear back yet?

Not yet.

They've bn sending
e-mails all day.

Well, I guess
it wasn't meant to be.

They'd be lucky
to have you.

[chuckles]

[♪♪♪]

[phone alert chimes]

I have to go.

[♪♪♪]

Ingrid Caseras's cousin
got her email an hour ago.

She's in the next round.

[Donaly]: Okay.

I told her
you would be, too,

so don't make me a liar.

My lucky dress must go on.

[laughs]

[phone alert chimes]

Is it them?

Open it!

[♪♪♪]

Well?

I'm having trouble
reading it.

I don't know.

What does it say?

[gasps and squeals]

[all laughing]

I am so proud of you!

Take that,
Ingrid Caseras!

My sister, Donaly Marquez,
is going into Round Two

of the Rose Princess
Tryouts!

Whoo!

[♪♪♪]

Hey.

Hey.

You said it was
only one round.

Well, there was over
a thousand girls there.

Yeah, but
Donaly's different.

We're not
gonna stop her now.

And I wouldn't want to.

She'd be heartbroken.

And it's
our responsibility

to support
our children's goals.

But the farther
this thing goes,

the harder it's gonna get.

For all of us.

When the time comes,
we'll be there to comfort her.

Oh...

You don't think
she's gonna make it.

That's just it.

I think she is.

And then what happens?

Things will change.

Things always change.

[♪♪♪]

That's awesome!

Congrats!

I mean, there's still, like,
more than 200 other girls.

Well, whatever.
You'll totally toast them.

How's your dad
dealing?

Uh, my mom is
smoothing it over.

Mm, well, that's
what moms are for.

Oh, I'm such a jerk.
I didn't even...

Uh, no, no, no. Don't.
Don't even.

Just be proud and happy
that you're moving on.

Are you sure?

Yeah. I mean, it would've
been cool, I guess,

but I probably would've
had to give up my job,

and I can't really
afford that, and...

plus, it's not really me.

Well, it's not really me,
either.

It totally is! You're, like,
sweetness and cheerful.

Well, I wish
you were coming with me.

I'll be there in spirit.

Come on.

[♪♪♪]

Welcome, number 22.

There will be one minute
of questions,

beginning with...

If we were to look in
on your social media,

what would we find?

What's your favorite movie?

Who's your favorite singer?

What's your
favorite flower?

And describe yourself
in one word.

Pictures of food, mostly pizza,
because I love pizza.

And I've always wanted
to try shrimp fettuccine.

The Blind Side.

Beyonce. Always Beyonce.

Roses, naturally.

And...

"independent."

Why independent?

My birth mother taught me that,

to only rely on myself,
no matter what.

But what about others?

Friends? Your family?
Can't you count on them?

[timer beeps]

Time's up, number 22.
Thank you so much for coming.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

Look, Mama.

For Santa.

[turns faucet on]

[exhaling deeply]

Don't expect them
to get full anytime soon.

I don't.

Sure you do.

[dry chuckle]

You think Mama gonna
give you everything.

Well...

life don't work like that.

Best you learn that lesson now.

Life don't give you anything,
even if it's Christmas.

What'd I say?

Life don't
give you anything.

Even...?

Even if it's Christmas.

[♪♪♪]

Hey, Princess.

Don't jinx me.

Nah. You're jinx-proof.

Well, now
I'm really jinxed.

Impossible.

Thank you.

What's the deal
with you and Trent?

Nothing. No deal.

We are deal-free.

But you guys
like each other, right?

What? No. He's...

He's our friend.

Who's suddenly kind of hot.

[♪♪♪]

Others have
noticed, too.

Boyfriends
are overrated.

Right.

[♪♪♪]

[bottles rattling
on fridge door]

[♪♪♪]

[text alert chimes]

[laughs]

[laughing]

[♪♪♪]

Are you mad at me?

I'm not mad at you.

I'm trying
to protect you.

It's what dads do.

It's not like
I'm going to win.

Why not?

Someone's got to win.

I thought you didn't
want me to win.

No. I want you to be happy.

And safe.

Mostly safe.

Hand me
the ratchet, please.

Really?

[laughs]

Didn't I
teach you anything?

Ah-hah! There we go.

Some kind of princess.

-I knew that.
-Did you?

Yeah, I was just
testing you.

-You sure?
-Yeah.

Click-wrench
is what that is.

[laughs]

[♪♪♪]

I mean, I'm the last one

from our school
to be in the running.

And that's good... right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, Donaly,
I gotta tell you,

I find it very odd

that you're doing well
in school,

you've got a good family,
you've got good friends,

and now you're in
the third round

of this amazing competition,

and yet you're focusing
on the negative.

Why is that?

I'm just feeling
a lot of pressure, you know?

Like, what if I can't do this?

But you are doing it.

I mean, this,
right here,

thisis "doing it".

And all those other girls
who were princesses before you,

they felt exactly
what you're feeling.

Does this have anything
to do with your past?

Or with your biological mother?

What do you mean?

Well, we never talk about her,

so I'm curious,
if what you're feeling is...

It doesn't.

Okay.

Are you in contact with her?

No, and I don't want
to talk about her.

Okay.
That's okay.

Maybe another time.

But, listen.

Whether it's the Royal Court
or whatever else,

it doesn't matter
where you came from.

You can do anything
that put your mind to.

But, Donaly...

sometimes, you are gonna
have to fight for it.

[♪♪♪]

Hey.

Did you just come out of
that counselor's office?

Uh, yeah.

She just was curious
about the Royal Court.

Like everyone.

You know you can tell me
anything, right?

We've been friends
since the second grade.

You already know everything.

Just in the BFF
job description.

[chuckling]

Are you ready for next round?

Uh, yeah.

I gotta run.

See ya.

[awkwardly]: Bye.

[♪♪♪]

And I'm no different.

I guess was afraid at first.

Not of standing here
talking to you,

but that my past
as a foster child

would keep you
from seeing the real me,

or that maybe
you would see the real me,

and what that means.

[♪♪♪]

Times up, number 22.

Thank you so much
for coming.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[quiet murmuring]

[hyperventilating]

[♪♪♪]

[text alert chimes]

[quiet gasp]

[doorbell chimes]

Mr. Jordan gave us
a folder for suggestions

for the Christmas dance.

-Here.
-Thanks.

I'm making some tea.
Do you want some?

Yeah.

What's goin' on, D?

Seems like everyone
wants to know

what's going on with me.

Yeah, you're right.

I hate it when people
care about me.

So annoying.

I made it
to the Finals.

That's great!

So why am I the only
one celebrating?

Because I'm not
a princess yet.

Yeah, but,
you're, like, close.

I'm really close.

Just don't tell anyone, okay?

Don't?

I don't get it.

It's kind of hard to explain
what happened before.

Maybe you'll
tell me someday.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[crowd applauding]

Welcome.

[cell phone rings]

We just got our seats.

Can you see the stage?

Perfect view.

Welcome to the beautiful
Tournament House

for this year's
official selection

of the Tournament of Roses
Royal Court.

[applauding]

What's going on?

[hushed]:
The tournament lady is talking.

And for the seven names
I will read,

their lives are about
to change forever

as they are initiated
into a sisterhood like no other.

So... without further ado,

let's get started.

When I call
your name and number,

please step forward
and form a line.

For the audience,

this will be the order
in which they will stand

from here on out.

We call this

"Court Order."

[laughter]

Now...

for our first selection...

Number 178.

They called a number
higher than hers.

Do they call in order?

I can't tell.

Number 21,
Monique Groves.

[applause and cheering]

[♪♪♪]

And finally...

Number 22,
Donaly Marquez.

[applauding and cheering]

She did it! She won!

She's a princess.

[chuckling]

[♪♪♪]

Ladies and gentlemen,

it is with my great pleasure

that I give to you
the Tournament of Roses'

Royal Court.

[crowd applauding]

[♪♪♪]

[crowd applauding]

[♪♪♪]

Oh!

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[shutter snapping]

This feels like a dream.

Yeah. I just wish
my Mom was here to see it.

She's looking down
on you right now.

Ladies, can I have
your attention?

Well...

You are now part of
an elite group of women

that dates back to 1890,

and no matter where you go
in life,

you will always be
a "Princess."

And nothing, and no one,
can ever take that from you,

so congratulations again.

You are about to embark

on a journey
that is going to take your life

in directions
that are big and small...

in ways
you may not even realize yet,

until further down the line,

when you've had time
take a breath,

and reflect on
just how far you've come...

Thank you.

...And how big the changes
really have been...

"Princess Donaly's mother."

...But I promise you...

the best is yet to come.

You did it.

I'm so glad you're here.

I am so proud of you.

My friends think
you're cool.

Yes!

[♪♪♪]

Thank you.

Thank you.

Don't forget,

you have to make
your Facebook account private.

Already done.

And your Twitter account...

And my Snapchat
and my Instagram.

-Right.
-But why?

The Committee
recommends it.

"Strongly" recommends it.

Because
she's so famous!

Well, she's about to be,
and we have to be careful.

You know,
anyone can find you now.

[♪♪♪]

Aww...

[kisses her]

I knew you would win.

But don't forget...

you were our princess first.

Hi.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[both chuckling]

[phone vibrating]

Hey! This is Donaly.
Please leave a message.

[beep]

[♪♪♪]

Hello, Donaly.

Mom.

It was you.

I thought I saw you
a while back.

But you didn't bother
to find out for sure?

I did.

You have a minute?
To talk?

I should stick
with the group.

They're pretty
strict on rules.

Just a minute... for me.

I'll ask.

I...

um...

Are you okay?

Does it involve...

that woman?

[takes a shaky breath]

She's my...
birth mother.

Oh.

Yeah, I haven't seen her
in a really long time.

Do you want
to see her now?

I should talk to her.

I'll wait here for you,

and if you need anything,
you just wave.

Okay?

Thanks.

So...

You're a princess now.

You've come a long way.

How are you doing?

Well, I'm not
a princess...

I'm doing okay.

How's Abraham
and Emily?

Good.

Good?

Taller.
Especially Abraham.

His daddy was tall.

Emily went to Madrid
over the summer.

Where?

Spain.

She saved up
her babysitting money,

and she walked almost all
the dogs in the neighborhood.

She saved up, like, $1,000,

and Mom and Dad said...

What'd they say?

They said that,
if she saved up that much,

they'd pay for
the rest of the trip.

Must be nice.

Mom and Dad say
it's important to see the world,

and "Find Your Adventure"

is the theme of
this year's Rose Parade, so...

that's what I want to do,
see everything.

Looks like all my kids
are living the fine life.

That's the goal, isn't it?

I suppose.

As long as you don't forget.

Forget?

Where you come from...

And you come from me.

That was
a long time ago.

From where I stand,

it feels
like yesterday.

I remember everything.

Do you?

Yeah, I was in
a bad spot then,

but...

I'm doing okay now.

I'm doing just fine.

You always did think
you were better than me,

even when
you were little.

Acting like a mommy.

Someone had to!

[scoffs]

You haven't changed.

I thought
you might, but...

I know.

I know
who you are.

You're my daughter.

My flesh,

my blood.

You come from me,

so don't go thinking
you're better, Princess.

You can wear
those fancy dresses...

Is that what
you came here to tell me?

Maybe!

Maybe I just wanted
to get a look at you,

and you get a look at me.

Be a reminder

you can't get cozy
in that little world,

hear me?

Everything looks all good,

and your family's good to you,

paying for trips,

buying you clothes...

making you feel safe.

But that's when
the other shoe drops.

And it always does.

And then what?

I gotta go.

[choking up]: Donaly, wait.

This isn't
how I wanted it to...

I didn't mean...

[♪♪♪]

[sobs]

[♪♪♪]

[Abraham crying]

[♪♪♪]

I have last block free
and so does Claire,

so we can meet
at the study hall then,

and we can just go over
the practice exams.

Chloe!

Hey, I need
to talk to you.

Can't. We're talking
about the upcoming test

for, you know, school.

Oh.

He always puts the questions
on the practice test

on the real test,

so I think
if we nail it, right,

we'll be fine.

It'll be good.

Don't act like that.
You're never around anymore.

That's not my fault.

Never said it was,

but the rest of us
have lives, too.

Chloe.

What, Donaly?

I need to talk
to my best friend.

[♪♪♪]

Come on.

Wow...

Your birth mom.

How do you
feel about it?

Kind of numb.

She didn't
feel like my mom.

She felt like...

who she always was,

not like my real mom.

You haven't told
your parents?

Not yet.

Donaly!

I didn't know what to say.

I mean, they've been afraid

something like this
would happen.

Thanks for listening.

I'm sorry I've been
such a bad friend lately.

You have
a lot going on.

Like, way more
than me.

That's not true.

It is, and it's fine.

I mean, we've been friends

since I found you
blubbering at recess

in second grade.

And we always will be.

I was not blubbering!

You totally were.

Stacey Hicks cut my hair!

Whatever!
It grew back.

I miss you.

Miss you, too.

Now give me
all the details!

How many girls can
say their best friend

is a princess?

[knocking]

Come in.

I need
to tell you something.

Okay.

[sniffling]

See?

This is why I was worried
about that princess stuff.

Why didn't you
tell us sooner?

I don't know.

I guess I was trying
to sort it out.

You're supposed
to sort it out with us,

your family.

Is she gonna
contact you again?

No, she said she wouldn't.

But you didn't know

she was going to contact you
in the first place.

What makes you trust that
she's not gonna do it again?

Because I know her,
she's my mother!

[♪♪♪]

She's your mother.

She's the one
who's taken care of you.

Your whole life!

When you were sick
or you were sad,

when you got to go to school,

or this thing
or the other thing,

or you're gonna
try something new.

She's happy when you're happy.

I didn't mean it like that.
I just...

I appreciate everything
you guys have done for me.

Well, I wonder sometimes.

You're our daughter, Donaly.

You're part of this family,
just like everyone else.

I really hope
you believe that one day.

[♪♪♪]

[exhales] That's intense.

Yeah.

Well, at the risk

of sounding
like a therapist,

how did it make you feel
to see her again?

Well, once I got over
the shock...

freaked.

I mean...

she was basically
like she was before.

Older, yeah,

and I think she got clean,
but...

She still felt the same.

And that scared me a little.

Scared you? Why?

Well, it's hard to explain.

I mean, she just gets
in my head, you know?

How?

Well, everyone keeps saying

that I'm, like, cheerful
and bubbly all the time,

but I'm not.

Well, nobody can be
all the time.

I mean,
that would be exhausting.

[laughs]

What if I wind up like her?

I mean, she kept saying
how I "came from her."

What if she's right?

Donaly, your biological mother
is where she is in life

because of the choices
that she made,

and, it sounds like
is continuing to make.

You're not her.

You are not making
those same choices.

Yet.

Just because you share DNA
with a person

does not mean you'll make
the same choices as them.

Come to Thanksgiving dinner
with my family...

trust me,
you'll see that I'm right.

You're going through a lot of
changes right now, Donaly.

You're almost 18,
it's your senior year,

and now you're a Rose Princess.

I mean, it's pretty natural

that these issues
and these fears

are gonna come up for you.

But I know that you're going
to find a way to let that go.

You're the architect
of your own future,

nobody else.

You get to decide
if it's made of joy or not.

[♪♪♪]

Heavenly Father,

we thank You
for the many blessings

You give us
each and every day,

for this food,

for keeping
our circle of faith strong.

And we hope to know

how much each of us
means to each other...

now and always.

We remain ever thankful,
in Jesus' name.

Amen.

[others]: Amen.

And I just want
to take a moment

to let everyone know
how thankful I am

for each of you,

my family,

and the love we share,

since the moment
you came into our lives

and made our lives complete.

I'm so grateful.

[♪♪♪]

Don't say I never got you
anything for Christmas.

[chuckles]

I'll go get
Emily and Abraham.

What does it feel like
to be so rich?

[laughs] We're not
rich, honey.

Does Santa come here?

Well, of course!

Why do you ask?

He never came before.

You don't have to worry
about that anymore.

He's always going
to find you here.

[♪♪♪]

[Ignacio]:
All right, let's eat.

-Here you go.
-Here, give me your plate.

[♪♪♪]

[brakes screech]

[bustling chatter]

Thank you.

Sharon?

I looked at the schedule
and saw that we added

Hillside Home for the Girls
in a couple weeks.

That's right.

Now I hope that's not going
to be too hard for you.

No. No, it's fine.
Really. I...

I hear it's nice there.

I just wanted to say that
I'm really glad we're going.

Good.

[cell phone ringing]

Hola.

What?

Which hospital?

Yeah, no. I'm coming right now!

Yeah.

[background buzz and chatter]

All right, just a second.

Honey, you have
a phone call.

Hello?

I got to go.
My mom is in the hospital.

Come on.

[♪♪♪]

Where are you going?

There's a vending machine
at the end of the hall.

I'm not being disrespectful.
I'm just hungry.

Don't eat junk.

I won't.

I don't believe you.
Here. Gimme.

I'm going to get you
the good option.

Flaming-hot Cheetos?

Granola bar
or nuts.

[♪♪♪]

[Ignacio]:
It's going to be okay.

[Doctor]: But the ligaments
in your ankle are badly torn.

This compromises the blood flow
to the rest of your foot.

The nerve damage
is extensive.

[Ignacio]:
So what are you saying?

This is going
to be a long process.

How soon before
I can go back to work?

Well, not for a very long time.

Your convalescence must take
priority over everything else.

But...

it's Christmas.

And you're lucky
to be celebrating it.

[♪♪♪]

[Sara]: Now what do we do?

What'd you get me?

Nothing.
It was broken.

[♪♪♪]

What are those?

Christmas shopping
your mom was doing.

[♪♪♪]

[phone vibrates]

Hello?

Oh, Donaly.

Of course, we understand.

Yeah, if you need anything,
you just let us know. All right?

Okay, darling. Bye-bye.

[♪♪♪]

[phone chimes]

[sighing]

[phone vibrates]

[door opens downstairs]

[Ignacio]:
Yeah, we'll figure it out.

If she can't work,
it's gonna hurt.

I know.

Well, no, that's...

I don't know
what to do about the kids.

Yeah.

Well, listen,
I got to get changed,

and head back to the hospital.

Okay.

[♪♪♪]

[heavy sigh]

[♪♪♪]

What are you doing?

Things are changing
and we need to be ready.

I'm always gonna be here,
though.

[♪♪♪]

[quiet conversations,
indistinct]

Hey. Have you
talked to Donaly?

I've tried,

but she's not answering
my texts or calls.

Yeah...

I think she's gone into

her whole protective
"Ninja Turtle" mode.

She does that
when she's scared.

I'm gonna make her talk.

And I know who
to bring for back-up.

[♪♪♪]

Hey! No!

What do you mean, no?

You can't be having
this much sugar

right before bed.

Stop acting
like my mom!

Who do you think
took care of you

when you were little?

I'm not little anymore,
and I have a mom.

Who's in the hospital.

Look. We need to take
care of each other, okay?

Ugh!

[knocking at door]

[surprised chuckle]

Coffee
or hot chocolate?

Hot chocolate.

[♪♪♪]

I can't believe
you both came.

Chloe called,
so I came.

I knew I'd need reinforcements
so you wouldn't be too gloomy.

I'm not gloomy.

Yes, you are,
right beneath

that perpetually-perky
thing you've got going.

Now, let's get real.

How is she?

She'll be home
in a few days,

and then, after that,
a lot of time to recover.

I know how scary
this all is.

I know
your life got upended.

I think mine
is about to be, too.

What do you mean?

This reminds me

of when I got taken
from my birth mom

and put into foster care.

Roberta was right.

What are you
talking about?

The other shoe...

it dropped.

[♪♪♪]

Oh...

Thank you, honey.

Come here.

How are your Royal Court
events going?

They're fine.

How are you doing?

I'm okay.

I'm sorry we can't drive around
and see the lights this year.

Maybe next year we will.

Sure.

Do you know where

I keep the presents,
the ones I bought?

Dad put them
in the front closet.

Well, maybe you can bring them
to me later,

so I can wrap them.

I can wrap them
for you, Mom.

No, I can wrap
the presents.

It was my foot,
not my hands.

[♪♪♪]

Hey.

Hey.

So I got your text.

Thank you

for checking in with me.

I really appreciate it.

Are you okay?

I don't know.

Do you...

Do you want to talk?

Donaly, you're not
a foster kid anymore.

You're adopted.

Adopted kids get sent back.

Especially after something
like this happens.

Come on, Donaly.

Trent, you grew up

in the perfect two-parent,
both-doctors house.

I didn't.

I've seen this happen before.

I've...

I've lived with this before.

Tell me about it.

Growing up, my bio mom was...

the polite word is "troubled."

And we were taken away.

[Abraham crying]

[continues crying]

[hushed exchange]

Eventually, we got lucky

and we were placed with
a really nice foster family,

and that was the first time
I ever had my own bed.

But we couldn't stay...
the mother got sick,

and we had to go.

And you think
that's gonna happen again now?

I always expected it,

even after Sara and Ignacio
adopted us, but...

well, here it is.

I mean, they're good people,
and I know that...

But we're in the way now.

D, you need to talk
to your parents, ask them.

One way or the other,
you'll know.

No more guessing.

And if you are staying...

I'd really like to take you
to the Christmas Dance.

As a date.

[chuckles]

[♪♪♪]

I figured I'd
wrap them for her.

I've been keeping track
of which is which,

so she can tell me
who gets what.

Hmm.

This one
I figured out on my own.

It's a safe bet.

Yeah.

It's okay, you know.

We're packed and ready.

And me, Emily, and Abraham,

we all really appreciate
everything you've done for us,

and we're never gonna forget it.

But I understand.

It's gonna take her a long time
to recover,

and bills are gonna pile up,

and who knows how long
she won't be able to work for.

It'll be so much easier
without us.

It won't be easier with you...

because we'd be heartbroken
without you.

[sniffles]

Donaly...

[sighs heavily]

Oh, you're a lot like me.

Stubborn...

...And always want to take care
of those you love.

I thought I could
keep everyone safe

by controlling things.

I kept them so that if I saw
something awful coming,

I could get in front of it.

But life doesn't work like that.

I was worried

something bad
was gonna happen to you

if you became a Rose Princess,

so I didn't want you to do it.

But think of
all these good things

you would've missed out on.

And then that happens
to your mamma

while she's... shopping.

Shopping!

[laughing]

How am I gonna protect anyone
from shopping?

[laughs]

That's life.

And we can't guard ourselves
from life.

So, you want to take care.

I want to take care.

But, what I think is...

maybe instead worrying about
what we shoulddo,

we should just trust

that we can all
get through anything, together.

And let God take care of us.

Keep our hearts open.

[♪♪♪]

You're not going anywhere,
Donaly.

That's not how families work.

You...

deserve a family.

Don't let anyone

ever

take that away from you.

Anyone.

Okay?

[tearfully]: Okay.

Okay.

[sniffs]

That's the most
you've ever said.

Ever.

Yeah. I probably won't
talk that much again.

[laughing]

So what's next?

This! [laughs]

Ah. Please tell me
that's for Abraham.

No, it's yours.
No returns.

Hey! Thank you very much.

Can I have
the football?

No! [cracking up]

[♪♪♪]

[quiet chatter]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

Hi.

Merry Christmas.

I'm Princess Donaly, and...

I just wanted
you all to know that...

I came from a place
just like this,

a group home.

And it might be hard
to believe, but...

I'm just like you.

I'm exactly like you.

And...

well, it might not seem
like it right now,

but I promise you
that things will get better.

I didn't believe that either.

I used to think
that where I came from

would determine
where I was going, and...

that scared me.

A lot.

Before all of this,

you might think
that I was chill

and didn't have
a care in the world,

but, deep down...

there was a lot of doubt.

It took

the Royal Court Tryouts...

...to bring up the fears
that I had been ignoring,

and that is a really good thing,

because I had to face them
to beat them.

And it also made me realize
that...

I can count on my family
and my loved ones,

and my friends,
who have become my family...

[laughs]

...to love
and to support me.

I deserve that family.

You all deserve that family.

What I really wanted
to tell you guys

is that you can do anything
you want to do...

As long as
you set your mind to it.

You can decide
who you want to be

and what you want to become.

You just gotta have some faith
and some trust

and a lot of love.

[laughs] Thank you
and Merry Christmas.

[applauding]

[♪♪♪]

[Emily whispering]:
You get this one!

[shushing]

They're coming, they're coming.

[laughing]

[Sara]:
Ignacio, what are you doing?

[chuckles]

Where are you taking me?

You'll see.

[Sara gasps]

Wow!

[still gasping]

[laughter]

We figured that,
since you couldn't

go see the lights...

We'd bring
the lights to you.

It was Donaly's idea.

Thank you, honey!

-I helped!
-Me, too.

Yes.

Hey...

your dad told me
about your talk.

I don't ever want you
to be afraid again,

not even for a second,
you understand?

You are my beautiful daughter...

myprincess.

Now and forever.

I know.

You guys are my family...

and even
if I wasn't born from you,

I was born from your hearts.

That's right.

Hey.

Open one present.
It's Christmas Eve.

Come on.

Tah-dah!

Uh, I didn't
wrap this one.

[laughs]

[♪♪♪]

[quiet chuckle]

[♪♪♪]

It really is.

It really is.

[Sara]: Come on, kids!

You each get to open
one present. It's Christmas Eve.

Christmas
cookies, anybody?

That's cool.

Ladies first.

Uh...

And the boys
will eat the rest.

Too slow.

[♪♪♪]