'Tis the Season for Love Page #7

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In Kern.

I want you

to stay, Beth.

I'm just worried.

About what?

About falling for you.

And then January first

comes around,

and you have to go.

So... maybe we just

shouldn't do this.

And what if I do?

What if you do what?

Stay...

In Kern.

That would make me really...

Really...

Happy.

[]

Jingle bells

jingle bells

jingle all the way

Oh, what fun

it is to ride

in a one-horse

open sleigh...

That was so perfect!

That was so good, you guys!

You didn't make one mistake,

you didn't miss one note.

You're going to be so great

for the festival.

I'm so proud of you.

I'm proud

of you!

Thanks, Frances.

We did it together, right?

Okay, I have a surprise for you.

In the hall, Mrs. Pratt made

gingerbread cookies.

Go get 'em.

[Kids chattering excitedly]

You are doing

such a great job

with the kids, Beth.

We're so lucky

that you came home

this year.

You're doing a great job.

The decorations

look fantastic.

Half the hall

looks fantastic.

At the rate we're going,

I'm starting to think

I might have to rope off

the other half

so no one can see it.

Do you need an extra set

of hands? I can help.

Yes. Please.

That would be great.

[Laughs] Okay.

You can start by helping

me hang this tinsel.

Yep. Absolutely.

Mm. You know...

Principal Hyde

asked me to work on you

to take that job.

But I had to break it to him

that we will be

once again losing you

to the glitz and the glamour

of New York.

Yeah... full

disclosure, Eileen?

My life in New York

is anything but glitzy

and glamorous.

It's actually been

a complete struggle

since day one.

I'm sorry

to hear that, Beth.

I know what the theater's

always meant to you.

You know, I thought it was

the only thing I was good at,

but I don't know.

Maybe I had it all wrong.

And maybe you have more gifts

than you know what to do with.

The way you are

with those kids...

I don't know, maybe we can

convince you to stay.

Maybe.

I would love that!

And I think I know someone else

who would really love that.

Ahem.

Thanks.

[]

[]

Morning.

Oh-ho-ho-ho!

Ah, no peeking!

Five days

until Christmas day!

Oh, I was thinking

about Christmas dinner,

and I'm going to make

your favorite--

glazed ham

and green bean casserole.

With the crunchy onions?

I cannot believe

you would even ask me that.

You can't make

that dish

without crispy onions!

It sounds great.

Can I invite Dean?

Of course.

You really like him,

don't you?

[Laughs] I do.

It's funny,

growing up,

it was always me and Barry.

I never really

saw Dean that way, but...

He makes me laugh.

All the time.

Makes my day to see you happy.

Makes my day

to see you happy.

Are you?

Of course I am!

Honey...

I love my life.

I raised

a sweet, compassionate daughter.

I get to bake

for the people of this town

on a daily basis.

And this year,

I get to have

a perfect Christmas

with my favorite girl.

What more could a lady ask for?

Well, what about a boyfriend?

Well, um... I-- I--

date.

What?

Well, uh, oh, occasionally, um,

principal Hyde

takes me out for a nice dinner

to the cobalt buffet.

[Gasps]

You never told me that!

You never asked!

I didn't... did I?

Honey.

That's going to change.

I promise.

So you...

And principal Hyde?

The man that wears

the same suit every day?

That is his work outfit.

He wears khakis

every time he takes me out.

[Both laughing hard]

They're very nice.

[Chiming]

Bill?

Beth! Got some

interesting news for you.

What's going on?

Well, I just

got off the phone

with the director

of the Mamet show.

It seems the star's understudy

slipped on some ice

and broke her ankle.

She's going to be off it

for eight weeks,

which means

you are on a plane tonight,

back to New York, baby!

Rehearsal starts

9:
00 A.M. tomorrow,

and the show opens

in four weeks,

so you've got to be ready.

You did it, Beth!

You got the part.

[Bill Laughs]

Merry Christmas!

[]

-So, what are you going to do?

-I don't know.

I don't know,

but I have to decide,

like, now, because they have me

on a flight in three hours.

What do you think?

It doesn't matter

what I think.

I have so much to do here--

the festival, the kids... you!

We had so many Christmas plans.

Dean-- I practically told Dean

that I'm staying in Kern.

This has always

been your dream, Beth.

It's Broadway!

I just feel like I am letting

so many people down.

Hey!

What have I always told you?

Don't you ever apologize

for following your dreams.

But maybe you do

need to ask yourself

if this is still

what you want.

I think I need

to go to New York

so I can be sure.

[]

-Hi.

-Hey.

Can we talk?

So for how long?

It's four weeks of rehearsal,

a six-month run,

with a possible

extension.

[Chuckles sadly]

You could

come to New York.

Like, live there?

No...

[Words catch, she sighs]

I don't know.

Yeah, I could come and visit,

Beth, but...

My life is here.

I have a town

that relies on me.

I can't just up and leave.

I know. I hate to even ask it

of you, Dean,

but I have to go.

This is it.

This is what I've been wanting

my whole life.

"Greatness."

You know,

call me crazy, Beth,

but I watch you

with those kids

and I see greatness every day.

What about them?

You could direct the show.

You've gone

to every rehearsal,

you are so good

with them.

They don't want me.

They want you.

You're the one that

inspires them to be great.

That is greatness.

They just want to perform.

They don't care who directs it.

I really think

that you're underestimating

they way these kids

are feeling about you, but...

I get it.

You have to go find out.

It doesn't mean

that this has to be the end.

I don't want

a weekend girlfriend, Beth.

I want to start

a life with someone,

a family, a home.

Not some long-distance

Skype relationship,

that goes on

for who knows how long,

with "a possible extension."

I know.

I'm sorry.

This is not

how I intended it to go.

I know.

Break a leg, Beth.

I hope you find that greatness

that you're looking for.

[]

[Nicole]:
Hey!

Now neither of us

will be alone for Christmas!

We'll be together!

You okay?

It was hard...

Leaving.

Dean?

The kids, my mom...

They'll be fine.

I came in and I wreaked havoc

on these people's lives,

and I just left.

I guess this is what I do.

That's not true.

I feel like

I'm letting a lot of people down

and I don't want to be

that person anymore.

You're doing

a Broadway show, Beth.

It's what you've always wanted.

Enjoy it.

You're right.

It's a Broadway show.

I'm going to try

to enjoy it.

Try?

[]

[Beth]:
If I'd never gone home

for Christmas...

[]

[Sighs]

[]

[Beth, reading]

"Home is where the heart is."

[Line ringing]

[Ringing]

[Beth]:
Hey, Mom.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

I just wanted to call

and see what your plans were

for the day.

Oh, I just finished

getting dressed

and doing my hair,

and I'm going to head over

to Marilyn Rowell's house

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