A Nutcracker Christmas Page #5

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I didn't trust his memory.

I don't know what I'm gonna tell

those other moms tomorrow.

I was really trying

to keep our relationship

and my dancing in the past.

Yeah, I'm sorry

about that.

No, it's...

it's my fault really.

I should have

just been upfront about it.

(Christmas music playing)

I guess I'll go

with the snowflake.

Semper fi.

Hi.

Sorry.

Sadie's running late,

she'll be down in three minutes.

- I have something to--

- I have something I wanted--

Uh, is it OK

if I go first?

- Sure.

- Yesterday,

the whole thing

with Juliette, I...

- I owe you an explanation.

- No, you don't owe me anything.

No, I-I do. Um,

Mark and I used to dance

in New York,

but it was a long time ago

and it's just something

I don't talk about anymore.

The thing is that Sharon

found this old photo online

of you and Mark

from back then,

and pretty clear you guys were

more than just dance partners.

We were.

The problem is now she's

telling everyone that Sadie got

the role of Clara because

you and Mark used to date.

What?!

No, listen, I know

that Sadie absolutely deserves

to be Clara. I mean,

I've seen the girl dance.

I just wanted you to know

what everyone was saying.

I don't understand. Did I do

something to offend Sharon?

There was a lot

of talk last year

that Sharon's daughter

would be cast as Clara,

but Mark really wanted to stick

with the guest-dancer tradition,

and so...

Sorry.

I'm ready.

Thank you.

(music of Silent Night playing)

(door chime)

Hey. What's going on?

Are you OK?

People are saying the

only reason Sadie got the role...

was because you and I used to date.

What?! We chose Sadie

because she was the best.

So you promise,

having her in this production

has nothing to do with me?

I'm not gonna tell you that

seeing you again isn't nice,

but honestly, if I had known

Sadie was your niece,

I probably wouldn't

have chosen her

because of what happened

to us in New York.

You mean, what you did

to us in New York.

I didn't mean to do anything,

but love you,

to watch out for you.

Lily, I thought

I was doing the right thing.

I believed in my heart

that you should go home

to your family.

Well, that wasn't

your decision to make.

You have no idea

how badly you hurt me.

You think you were the only one who

was hurt, whose life was changed?

My sister died.

I wanted to dance.

That was my choice,

no matter how crazy

you thought it might seem.

(gentle music)

I know how important

it was for you

to dance that night.

And I know whatever I decided

might hurt you,

might hurt us,

And you were in so much pain

and so vulnerable.

It was an impossible situation.

I've been struggling

with this forever.

You're right,

I should have

fought for you.

Your choice should have

been my choice.

Yesterday, when you were

working with Juliette...

(Lily sniffling)

...she could have hurt herself.

She almost did.

She was so upset.

That could have been me.

I couldn't see it

eight years ago,

but yesterday,

for the first time...

...I know you were

protecting me.

You shouldn't be the one

that's sorry. I'm sorry.

(cell phone dinging)

(cell phone dinging)

(chuckling and sniffling)

Oh! You should get that.

(Lily chuckling)

Juliette just quit

the company.

- Oh no!

- Yeah, I mean,

Suzanne's her understudy,

but she's got to get

up to speed right away.

I could probably do it

with a little help.

'Cause that went so well

the first time.

(both chuckling)

Thank you.

(soft Christmas music playing)

The other kids

are so mean.

I know it can be

really competitive.

You think?

Sometimes, it feels

a little cruel, doesn't it?

Yeah.

They're saying I only got

the part of Clara

because you and Mr. Anders

used to date.

You heard that?

(Lily sighing)

I just want them to know

that I'm a good dancer.

Oh, Sadie, sweetie,

I'm so sorry.

No. This is a professional

dance company;

you only dance

if you deserve to be there,

like you.

You just do your best,

and they'll know you belong.

I guess.

You know what your mom

used to say to me?

What?

(gentle guitar music)

"One pli at a time."

- Can you do that?

- I can try.

Good.

Do you ever wish

that you haven't given up dance?

Every now and then,

but everything happens

for a reason.

And if I'd stayed

in New York,

then I couldn't

have raised you.

- I love you, Aunt Lily.

- Oh,

I'm pretty crazy about you too.

- Alright. Let's decorate.

- OK.

- (Mark clapping twice)

- Alright. Listen up, guys.

I have some good news

and I have...

Let me rephrase that.

I have some news

and I have some other news.

What's the news?!

(laughing)

Juliette has left the company.

Wait, did you know

about that?

The good news

is that Suzanne Tyler will be

getting a well-deserved

opportunity to shine

as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Let's

hear it for Suzanne, come on!

(piano music playing)

Must be nice to get

an all-expense-paid trip

- to the big city.

- That's what happens

- when your mom dates the director.

- Ahem!

Either of you two

compete at the Regionals?

- I did.

- And?

I had a sinus infection

that weekend.

Sadie won the Regionals.

First place.

Just thought

you should know.

I like your turns.

- Thanks.

- Nice job.

Not a bad day after all.

Yeah, I saw how

you handled things with Sadie

and the other kids.

You were good.

Well, there's one thing

I'm really not good at.

- Christmas shopping.

- I'm great at it.

That's what I thought.

How would you guys like

to do me a favor

and show me how the pros shop?

- Sure!

- It's a date.

It's not a date.

- (Sadie laughing)

- Deck the halls

With boughs of holly

Falalalala lala lala

- 'Tis the season to be jolly

- Christmas carolers, guys!

Can we please sing?

Trust me, nobody wants

to hear me singing.

Haha! I'm still thawing out,

you go ahead.

- (Sadie):
Fine!

- Don we now our gay apparel

Falala lalala la la la

- Troll the ancient...

- She's good.

Yuletide carol

Falalalala lala lala

See the blazing yule

before us

Falalalala lala lala

(Mark laughing)

What?

Hold still. Hold still.

- Falalalala lala lala

- Oh, my goodness.

- Follow me in merry measure

- There.

Falala lalala lalala

While I tell of Yuletide

treasure, falalala

Was it better?

- What do you think?

- I-I still think

you need to bring your spot

upstage a little sooner.

- OK.

- Yeah. Good.

Keep working on that, please.

Thank you, Lily.

Alright, so we'll...

(piano music)

The sky opens wide

You close your eyes

And no one can find you

But still it begins

And so it is

Your eyes can't hide you

You build those castles

in the sand

And hope

with everything you have

The wind is calm tonight

Looking for answers

in the dark

You're searching

endless works of art

To find life inside of them

Oh, to find light

inside of them

The flying gets harder

As you fall

Gravity holds

no weight at all

Flying gets harder

As you fall

Gravity holds

no weight at all

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