Finding Father Christmas Page #6

since I was a boy.

I always felt like

I could see things

more clearly from up here.

'It's a good place to think.'

I made up my mind, Ian.

I have to go.

But you still don't even know--

I saw Peter

at the theater earlier.

And he told me.

He's the little boy

in the photo.

And he's sitting on James' lap.

Father Christmas is his father.

My father.

You're sure?

There really isn't

any other explanation.

I mean, they had

to have met during that play.

Who else could have given her

the bracelet?

And then when it was time for

James to go back to his family

my mother wanted something

to remember him by

and so she took the picture.

Okay, even if you're right..

...even if that is the truth

it-it still doesn't mean

you have to go.

Ian, if I stay

and they find out

the real reason I'm here..

...nothing would ever

be the same for that family.

Everything that James

ever was or did

everything he meant to them

all these years..

...they would question.

Doubt..

...and lose.

Whatever happened

between my mother and James

I know now she was right

to keep it a secret.

Even if it means never being

a part of that family.

It's better than hurting

so many good people.

Okay.

- So we don't say anything.

- Ian..

No, what about

what's right for you?

You said so yourself

you don't have anyone in Seattle

to have Christmas with.

So..

...have Christmas with us.

With me.

I have wanted to do that since

the first time I saw you.

I made reservations to fly out

of Boston tomorrow morning.

I'm leaving, Ian. I-I have to.

[horse neighs]

Well, um, I'll drive the cart

back to the stable

and get Prancer bedded down.

I think I'm gonna take a walk.

See the town one more time

before I go.

Really? It's, it's pretty cold.

Guess I'm getting used to it.

[cell phone ringing]

Yeah. Uh, excuse me.

Hello?

Peter?

What? What happened?

I'll be right there.

Is everything alright, Ian?

It's my father.

They rushed him to the hospital.

(Dr. Colter)

'Mrs. McKendrick?'

- Yes?

- I'm Dr. Colter.

Andrew is resting comfortably.

He's tired,

but he's gonna be just fine.

Oh, thank goodness.

What happened, doctor?

We've been running some

preliminary tests

and it appears that Andrew

had a mild heart attack.

What exactly does mild mean?

His ECG didn't show any signs

of permanent damage

to his heart.

- Oh, thank God.

- But this is a warning.

Andrew's in good shape, but

we need to take a closer look

at his diet and his schedule

to make sure

this doesn't happen again.

Okay. Absolutely. Of course.

Right now,

what he needs most is rest.

I'd like to keep him overnight

for observation

and then, for the next

couple of weeks

he's gonna have

to slow things down.

- Take things very easy.

- Okay.

- Hey.

- Hey.

What are the two of you

looking so glum about?

I just got a little dizzy,

that's all.

No, that's not what

the doctor said.

Oh, what does he know?

There's nothing wrong with me

that a good night's sleep

wouldn't cure.

I-I told them,

I need to get out of here.

We've got that show

tomorrow night.

Andrew, no.

That is absolutely not possible.

What are you talking about?

You've been overdoing it

for weeks, dad.

You need to rest up.

Take better care of yourself.

Those are the doctors orders.

Oh, what about the show?

Can't do "A Christmas Carol"

without Scrooge.

And I can't imagine

getting through

one single day without you.

[instrumental music]

Thirty years.

We've never missed

a performance.

Just won't seem like Christmas

around here without it.

Well, it's a small

sacrifice for us

to make sure that Scrooge

is back to do the show

for many more years.

[music continues]

As long as Andrew's gonna be

okay, that's all it matters.

Well, but he's so disappointed.

He didn't wanna let

everybody down.

Not after all these years.

Well, can we do the show anyway?

I-I don't see how, Ellie.

I mean,

all the lines and the blocking.

It's too much for someone

to learn in one day.

I'm afraid Katherine's right.

We have to cancel.

But there must be something

we can do.

I mean, Peter, the show meant

too much to your father.

It's too important.

We don't have a choice, Miranda.

Sorry.

I'm stayin' at the hospital

with dad tonight.

Gonna give mom a rest.

I have an early flight, so I

probably won't see you again.

No.

- So..

- Yeah.

[instrumental music]

Thank you for everything.

Take care, Miranda.

If you're ever

in the northwest..

Sure.

Bye.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Looks like they were right.

We're havin' a white Christmas.

I've never seen anything

like it before.

Yeah, feels like home.

Shouldn't you be

with your dad?

Uh, my mom went to the hospital

first thing this morning.

She's with him now.

How's he doing?

Better.

I'm glad.

Please say goodbye for me.

- I'd rather not.

- Ian..

Look, you've told me

all the reasons

why you should leave.

But you're ignoring the one

reason why you should stay.

You've had to be strong

your entire life..

...with no one to depend on.

I-I can't even imagine

how hard that's been.

But coming here to find

the answer to who you are..

...that has to be the hardest

thing you've ever done.

But if you leave now..

...nothing changes.

Yeah, but I didn't come here

to change anything, Ian.

I came here to see if this might

be a place where--

A place where you could belong.

A place that you could

call home.

With people you could depend on.

Who care about you.

Who could love you...if you

let them.

[chuckles]

Believe me,

I know how that sounds.

People don't just do this.

They don't just meet

and suddenly everything fits.

Except..

Tell me you don't feel

the exact same way.

And we can say goodbye

right now.

You can, you can

get on that plane.

You can go on with your life.

And nothing changes.

Stay.

[instrumental music]

Is that a yes?

Yeah.

I've wanted this

for my whole life.

But you have to promise

me something.

Can you promise me you won't say

anything to anyone?

'Cause no one can know

why I came here.

I promise.

Thank you.

I have to ask you

for something too.

Yeah, what is it?

[sighs]

Can you help me with my lines?

[laughs]

Are you serious?

[chuckles]

My dad was so disappointed

so, I-I actually said

that I would play Scrooge.

- What?

- I mean, I-I know the play.

I-I've been around it

since I was a kid.

But I still

only have one day, so..

- It's crazy, huh?

- Yeah.

It's wonderful,

are you kidding?

- So, you'll help me?

- Of course.

Good, because I've got

a long way to go.

We better get started.

[instrumental music]

You sure you're okay to be back

in the theatre again?

Yeah. I actually kinda miss it.

- Ian.

- Peter.

Hi. Hello, Mrs. Whitcomb.

Hello, Ian.

How is your father?

- He's better, thank you.

- Oh, I'm so glad.

Well, Peter told me

what you've been doing.

Stepping in at the last minute.

James would be

very, very pleased.

- Thank you.

- I'm happy to do it.

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