Coming Home for Christmas Page #6

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I know,

but this is the fun part

of Christmas...

Mm.

And you could use

a little more fun, Mr. Marley.

Oh, is that so?

Mm.

Might I suggest clothes

where mud is welcome, sir?

Right.

I'll be back in five.

Okay.

Gerard, do you know

what you just did?

You called me Lizzie!

No "miss,"

no "richfield,"

not even

the full formal "Elizabeth."

Did I?

We're making

great progress.

Well, I'll go

see to Mr. Robert.

What do you say

we stop right here?

We can grab this tree

and call it a day, huh?

Not big enough.

We're trying to make

a statement with it.

What are we

trying to say?

[Heavy accent]

Welcome.

Is the tree Dracula?

Yeah, I don't know

what that accent was all about,

but the thing is,

it is the first thing

people see

when they walk in the door,

so we...

You know, let's...

Let's greet them properly.

But let's also sit

and see what Anna has

packed us for lunch.

Okay, you eat.

I'm going to look for a tree.

You have a vision, huh?

Yeah. I do.

You know, the last year

has been pretty rough for me.

I kept my head down,

and I got through it,

but then I came to ashford,

and I... looked up.

That is a very different effect

than ashford has on most people.

Most people?

Or you?

Before my parents died,

it was a happy place.

Afterwards, not so much.

Well, a home is all

about who fills it.

It must have felt

so empty without them.

Is that why

there's so much friction

between you and pippa?

I was 13

when my parents

passed away.

Kip and Sloane

were eight and six,

and...

Pippa was overwhelmed.

She had her hands full.

Because of that,

I probably wasn't

the easiest kid

to deal with.

They got very close,

and I became comfortable

being a stranger in my own home.

Perhaps because of that,

i, uh...

Became

a bit rough around the edges.

Well, I find that

hard to believe.

I mean, you know they all

call you Mr. warm and fuzzy

behind your back?

No, they don't.

No, they don't.

So, wait, I had a thought.

About?

That $20 date.

Come on, you said

it's a challenge,

and I never back down

from a challenge.

Okay, let's hear it.

Okay.

So, um...

To start off with, we...

My date and I...

We would go to the pond

behind ashford at dusk,

and from there,

we'd watch

the sun disappear

behind the mountains.

That would cost

nothing.

Then we'd listen to

my mom's favorite song

on the record player

in the library.

A record?

Yeah, you know,

an lp.

No, I know what it is.

I just...

Forget it.

Keep going.

Okay.

Then I'd plug the

Christmas lights in,

so that would be

the only light

illuminating us.

I'd twirl her around

a little bit.

So if we're talking

five senses,

that covers

sight and sound.

For taste,

I'd make her dinner

using only $20 worth

of ingredients.

Given that

it's the holidays,

perhaps a yule log.

That's my favorite entree.

Oh.

Then we'd walk

to the solarium,

and I'd pick her

a white Rose.

Smell.

Then we'd walk back,

and I'd take her hand.

Touch.

What was your mother's

favorite song?

Silver bells.

It always signified that

Christmas had arrived.

I had no idea

when I chose that theme.

I know,

but it's okay.

It's a good thing.

Well, you...

You certainly know

how to rise to a challenge.

Mm, it's a good challenge.

But I... I couldn't

help but notice

that it all takes place

at ashford,

which you seem so eager

to escape.

Hmm.

I know it was a sad place

for a long time,

but it's okay

to like it again.

You can...

Look up too.

Oh, there you are.

I should have known

you'd take her to the bench.

I had a rough night,

but I rallied.

I hope I didn't

let you down.

No, no, no.

We actually have not

found the tree yet.

What do you mean?

You walked right past it.

Look at this thing.

It's perfect.

I mean, we wanted

to make a statement, right?

Yeah...

you're right.

That's the one.

That's gorgeous.

Yeah!

It's a good thing

you came along when you did.

Yeah, it was a good thing.

Ah, here, big bro,

i will, uh...

Oh yeah...

Show you how it's done.

Can't wait.

Sorry, I didn't know

anyone was in here.

Oh no, I'm just wrapping

some gifts for the staff.

Do you want some help?

I'd love some.

Sloane,

are you okay?

[Tearful]

yeah.

[Sniffs]

Jackson didn't get this job

that looked promising...

And he really doesn't want

to come here for Christmas,

and he's stressing

about presents for the boys.

And what is it

that you want?

I don't even care

about presents.

I just want my family

together

in a place where we used

to celebrate Christmas

with my parents.

This is going to be our

last one ever at ashford.

The Christmas spirit

costs nothing.

You know what?

Homemade gifts are

even more special.

What matters is

being together.

Hey...

How about we put a moratorium

on store-bought gifts

this year?

Everything

must be homemade.

That could work.

Fight for your husband, Sloane.

I know you can come up

with a compromise.

You know, and i

can watch the boys

until you get back.

I worked my way through

college as a nanny.

And I'll help too.

[Both]:
you will?

Yes.

Why are you guys so shocked?

I can take care of kids.

Go back to D.C.,

and bring your husband home

for Christmas.

Okay.

I'm going to go look

at train schedules.

You know, don't worry.

I... I...

You know, I know

a little bit more about kids

than I do

about chopping down trees.

Oh yeah?

Just a little

bit more?

Just a little bit more.

Little more... yeah,

we're in big trouble.

[Laughing]

You guys have been so

good since your mom left.

I emailed Santa,

and guess what?

He's watching.

[Boy]:

you think so?

I know so.

You guys ready?

[Boys]:

yes!

-Ready for what?

-I don't know.

[Robert]:

um...

Ready for this!

I'm going to get you!

Ha ha!

Hey!

Oh no!

You know, I can email Santa

back, you know,

tell him you've changed

into a bunch of mean meanies.

She wouldn't dare.

She's bluffing!

Get her!

Yeah!

No, no!

Hey, what's going on here?

Oh, my god!

[Lizzie]:

look what you've created!

My monsters turned against me!

[Laughs]

You're not supposed

to hit me!

[Robert]:

oh no!

I'm sorry.

Oh, I got him. Yes!

[Cheering, yelling]

[Robert]:

he's a sharp-shooter.

Hey, hey, hey!

Don't gang up on me.

Ah!

[]

I'm going to write "daddy"

on the roof in candy.

[Laughs]

I think this is going

to be the best present

he's ever gotten.

And mine will be

the best too.

[They laugh]

Well, you can never have

too many gingerbread houses,

trust me.

I think I'm going

to go two stories.

Oh yeah?

Is that a challenge?

Because I can

go condo.

Mm.

Multi-unit gingerbread house

with a low h.O.A.

[Robert]:
so, guys,

when Lizzie gets back,

we're going to make

some necklaces for your mom

using some beads

we found

in your great-grandma's

sewing kit.

Cool.

Whoa, wow.

Aren't you and Lizzie

just the cleavers?

A snowman and craft kits

and now necklaces?

I'm helping out

our sister, kip.

That's all.

Oh, that's good.

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