Toying with the Holidays (2021)

[bunniefuu]

There we go.
Thank you!

Hi!

Hey, you!
Merry Christmas!

We have something special
for all the staff,

thanks to all your hard
work this year.

Care to do the honours?

Merry Christmas.
- Oh, Merry Christmas!

- Merry Christmas.

- All right, little elf,

let's go spread some
more Christmas cheer.

- Morning, Ms. Prescott.
Merry almost Christmas.

- Same to you, Cindy.
Any calls?

- Nothing urgent.

But Mr. Logan said he
might be stopping by.

- Oh.

- I snuck this out of
the candy jar.

Just between us.

So, Paul, you must
be pretty excited, you get to

spend Christmas with your
grandmother this year.

- I guess.
I just hope she has good Wi-Fi.

- Hey, I thought we agreed

we weren't going to share
our time with the computers.

We're going to be too busy
having so much fun

doing Christmas-y
things in Holly Pines.

- Like?

- Making gingerbread houses,
decorating a Christmas tree,

and there's
a Christmas festival!

Oh, and there's an old-fashioned
Holiday Train too.

- I've never heard you talk
about the Holiday Train before.

Come to think of it,

I don't think you've been
back home for Christmas

in the five years
I've worked for you.

- It's always so tricky
getting away in December.

There's all these
end-of-the-year deadlines,

and it just
sneaks up on me.

But I made a promise to my mom
that I would make it happen.

- Well, hopefully all that
hard work will pay off with

the Senior Designer promotion!

- I hope so.

I promised this guy we'd look
into getting a house

so that we can finally
get a D-O-G.

- You know I can spell, right?

- I must have missed
the memo, Danielle.

Was today "“bring your son
to work"” day?

Paul,
you remember my boss, Mr. Logan.

- Bet you're excited to find out

what Santa's
bringing you this year?

- He's not the only one.

- If these designs of yours

of the Springfield Airport
are any indication,

I bet you'll find something
special

in your stocking this year.

Oh, almost forgot.

I need you to get a jump
on the presentation

for the McKinley Hotel
over the Christmas break.

- Oh...

Well, I wasn't planning on
working over the holidays...

But I'm sure I could
work something out.

- Good!
I like a team player.

- Absolutely.

Go team!

Look Paul, we're home!

Isn't Chicago home?

- Well, it is for us but
this is where Mommy grew up.

You know, the last time
you were here,

you were about two years old,

and all you wanted to do

was take the decorations
off Nana's tree.

We are so close,

I can almost smell
the oatmeal cookies.

- I like sugar cookies better.

- Well, don't worry.

Because if I know Nana,
she's got you covered.

Listen, Paul, I know you
don't remember much

about Holly Pines,
but trust me,

you are going to
have so much fun.

This is going to be
a Christmas to remember.

For both of us.
- Promise?

- Promise.

Starting with a tiny mission
before we get to Nana's.

Come on.

My dad had a rule that you
couldn't put up the tree

until after the first
December snowfall.

- Why?

- Because he thought there
was something magical

about the first snowfall.

And then he would let me
pick the most majestic tree

in the whole lot.

It's a pretty big
responsibility.

Think you're up for it?

- Mom, I'm nine.

- Okay, go on and find the tree
you think is the most special.

- Wait a minute--

This is it!

This is the one.

- Okay...

Are you sure?

- Positive.
- All right.

Let's go see the guy.

Excuse me, sir?

Do you think we could get
a hand when you get a moment?

- Mom!
- Oh, hold on, Paul.

We found a tree
that we would love to buy.

- But it's getting away!
- What?

Oh, uh, excuse me.

Uh, sir!
Sir! Please!

- Stop! Hey! Wait!
- Sir! Hey! Hey!

Wha--

I'm sorry, buddy.

We'll get another one.

Maybe there
really is something

to the magic of the first
December snow--

I mean, your Christmas
tree just vanished!

- More like stolen.

- Yeah, that guy was super rude.
He totally ignored me!

- It's just a tree, guys.

- But it's the principle.

And it's the one
Paul picked out.

- Like I said,
it's just a tree,

and I'm really glad
to have you here safely.

It is such a treat
to have you home.

You work too hard, darling.

- Her boss gave her homework.

No!
- Over the holidays!

- No!
- Don't worry.

It's nothing I can't handle.

- No, that's what you
always told your father,

and he still worried
about you all the time.

- Yeah.

Not a day goes by
I don't regret

not coming that last Christmas.

- Well, how were you to know?

How were any of us
to know, right?

- I would give anything to
ride the Holiday Train

at the festival
one last time with him.

I was telling Paul
all about it.

- Oh, he would have loved it.

It used to bring such joy
to all the children in town.

- What do you mean used to?

- Sweetie, the Holiday Train

fell by the wayside
a few years back.

I mean, your father
was the driving force

behind making sure that train
was up and going every year.

And now with the, well,
the bridge renovations

and lower tourism, the town
council can barely afford

to keep the Christmas
Festival going.

I had to convince them that
I should host a holiday auction

to help raise funds
and keep it alive.

I mean, we'll still have vendors
and we'll have booths.

The choir, they will perform,
but...

I'm sorry, honey, no train.

You know, I'm afraid
it's just not going to be

what it used to be but
we are doing the best we can.

- Sounds like fun.

- I promised Paul
a Christmas to remember.

- Well, who's to say
it won't be?

- Yeah.
- Hey, Nana?

Do you know the Wi-Fi password?

- The Wi-Fi password?
- Mm-hm.

- Aha.

Well, I don't know

what the first tree
you picked out looked like

but I would say

that we have made this one
look pretty special.

- Me too.

- I've not seen that
look in your eyes

since you were little.

- Well, I found these
hiding in the attic

behind the other
Christmas decorations.

- They weren't hiding.

They've been up there since
you went away to college.

- What is it?

- Well, seeing as
the Holiday Train

has been derailed,
I found us the next best thing.

This is the electric train set
that my dad and I would set up

every year under
the Christmas tree.

- Wow, these are really old.
- They are!

You know, your great-grandfather
gave that to my dad

when he was your age.

And it never felt like Christmas
until it was under the tree.

- You both worked
until you were bleary-eyed

to make sure it was done.

- What's this?

- Oh...

I drew this!

- I remember when you gave
that to your father.

Even then, we could tell
you had a gift.

- Dad always dreamed
that one day we would

board the Sunset Limited

and ride all the way
to California, together.

- Yeah.
- Never did make that happen.

I wonder how that got in there.

- Oh, I think he probably
tucked it in for safe keeping.

- He always did have
a tough time

getting rid of things,
didn't he?

- Nuh-uh. For him, everything
had sentimental value.

- Yeah.

Oh, a -cent
ticket for a ride

on the "“North Pole Express"”!

- The "“North Pole Express"”?

- That's the name
of the Holiday Train

that rides at
the Christmas Festival.

And your granddad
was the conductor.

Hey, Mom, what happened to the
train cars once they retired?

- Oh, by then I think they were
probably all pretty worn out.

I mean, I wouldn't be surprised
if they went to the trash heap.

I mean, maybe one of the
train enthusiasts in town

would know where to find them.

- Hey, Mom, can we set your toy
train under the tree

like when you were a kid?

- I guess we could...

if you really want to.

- Oh no!
- Oh! Okay.

Well, I'm a little worried
these have been

in that musty attic too long.

It might need
a bit of a tune up.

- You know the hobby shop
on Main Street?

It's still in business.
I bet they could help you out.

That used to be
your dad's go-to spot.

- Huh.

- What do you think?

Pretty nice, huh?
- Yeah.

It should be close.

Huh, there it is.

Come on, Paul.
Let's go.

Hello?
I wonder if anyone's here.

Do you see where the model
railroads are?

- No, but I bet there's
all sorts of cool stuff

buried under this mess.

This place is awesome.
- More like a disaster.

Uh, well, the sign
says it's open.

There's got to be a bell
in here somewhere.

- I think they need
a bigger bell.

- You stay here,
I'll poke my head in the back,

see if there's anybody.

And don't touch anything.

Hey, Paul, look!
There's a train.

- Whoa.

Hello?

Hell--

Hello, sir?

Hi.
-

- Uh, I'm so sorry.
I...

- What are you doing back here?

- I-I was trying to get
some help.

- By taking it out on my
poor, defenseless nutcracker?

Gosh!

- I rang the bell twice,

but clearly you didn't hear me.

- Clearly.

I'm sorry, I like to listen
to Christmas tunes

while I'm working.

It puts me in the spirit.

- Well, maybe you could
put a sign out front

for your customers?

- Maybe.

- Hey... Kevin!

You're Kevin Vaughn.

You work here?

- Uh, I own the place.

I'm sorry, do we know
each other?

- Danielle Prescott.
We went to high school together?

We were lab partners
in tenth grade chemistry.

- Now I remember.
Dani Prescott!

- Actually, you're the reason
I got a B minus.

- Ah, so what is this, payback?

I'm pretty sure
the statute of limitations

has run out on
your grudge-holding.

- I didn't mean
to break your doll.

- It's not a doll.

- It's just that it's
so cluttered in here

I'm surprised people don't
break things all the time.

Have you seen it?

- It's not cluttered.
- What would you call it then?

- Mess-adjacent.

- Hm. Okay.

- I can tell you
where each and...

almost everything
in here is hiding.

Okay, look, it's not
a perfect system, all right?

But it works for me.

Hey, Mom!
How do you turn this train on?

- Paul, I told you
not to touch anything!

- Wow!

This is the locomotive

from the Holly Steamer
collection.

There's not many
more of these in existence.

- We've had it as
long as I can remember.

It was my dad's.

- Are you Walter's daughter?

- Yeah, you knew him?

Yeah.

He was a friend of my dad's.

He used to come here all the
time, buy parts, talk shop.

The train community's
pretty... tight-knit.

Used to talk about his old
steamer all the time.

I mean, I'd never
seen it before though.

- So, do you think
you can fix it?

- If the parts exist...
it can be fixed.

- How long has it been since
it was set up and running?

- Since I went to college.

My, uh, dad's the one
that used to fix it.

- Yeah.
I'm sorry about your dad.

He was a good guy.

- Thanks.
He was.

- You know, buddy,
it's really interesting.

Most people think
these trains are just toys.

However...

they truly are...

works of art.

So many man-hours of work
that go into these.

Did you know the first miniature
train set was created in ,

but it was never intended
to be a toy?

- Then what did they
use them for?

- Back then, there wasn't
commercial airlines, right?

So people travelled by... train.

They would use these
miniature train sets

in store-front displays,
etcetera, etcetera,

things like that.

Especially popular during
the Christmas holiday season

when people were travelling
home by... you guessed it...

train.

- Wow, you know a lot
about trains.

- Yeah, kinda goes
with the territory.

I inherited this
place from my grandfather.

He taught me how to tinker.

My dad got me hooked.

- Cool.
- There you go.

- Paul and I would love
to get our train

back on track for Christmas.

- Well, I was about to head into
the city for some parts.

So, today's your lucky day.

I'll just load these up in my
truck, and we'll be good to go.

- Wait a minute.
That's your pick-up truck?

- Uh, yeah.

I know she's not much
to look at, but...

she's been with me a long time.

- You ran away with our
Christmas tree yesterday.

Paul picked it out,

but, by the time I got
someone to help us out,

you'd already thrown it
in the back of your pick-up.

- Yeah, we tried calling to you.

- It felt like you
were ignoring us,

but I guess the headphones
were the culprit.

- Sorry, pal.
Innocent mistake.

Forgive me.

Sort of like you...
and my nutcracker.

Why don't you say
we call it even?

- How 'bout this?

If you get our locomotive
to work,

we'll call it even.

- Deal.

Nice.

Coming!

- Sorry, sorry I'm late!
- Come on in.

I got held up with
another client.

Chasing year-ends is a
never-ending task for us CPAs.

- It's okay, it's okay.

All right, lay it out for me.
How we lookin'?

- Yeah, well...

Income took a sharp decline
in the fourth quarter.

Any idea why?

- Uh, well, I'm in the hobby
business,

and, as you know,
it's an ebb and flow.

The holiday season usually gives
us the shot in the arm we need.

- Well, you better hope so,

otherwise, there's not going
to be a lot to cover bills,

much less draw a salary
from come spring.

- Are you serious?
I didn't know it was that bad.

- Kevin, I keep telling you,
you need to create a spreadsheet

of all of your inventory.

You can't sell what
you don't know you have.

- You're right, you're right,
you're right.

I just...
I haven't gotten around to it.

- Oh, I hope
I'm not interrupting.

- No, no, Jackie,
you're... it's okay.

This is my accountant, Dylan.

- Jackie owns
the flower shop next door.

- Nice to meet you.
- Hi, I-I'm Jackie.

You're Jackie.

- Uh, I hate to bother you,

but I'm having a hard
time locking my door.

I was hoping you might come
help me with it.

- Yeah, sure.

All right, Dylan.
I'll be right back.

- Um...
- See ya.

- Okay.
- Hope to see you again!

- I should really just get
a locksmith to look at it.

- Ah, it's just cold out.
This ought to do it.

There you go.

All right, go ahead.
Give it a shot.

- Uh-huh...

Hm.

- It's probably just stuck.

There we go.

Here.

Have a good night, Jack.

- Someone's burning
the midnight oil.

Whatcha working on?

- The lobby design
of the McKinley Hotel.

- And... we're not excited
about it because...?

- The developers tore down
this really cool old building

to make another luxury hotel.

I don't know,
my heart's just not in it.

And it's Christmas.

But I'm up for a big promotion,

and my boss is making me
do backflips to get it.

Mr. Logan loves a "team player".

- Well, if this Mr. Logan
does not appreciate

what he's got in you,
then he does not deserve you.

- You sound just like Dad.

Especially holding
his coffee mug.

- Ah...
Well...

it's the little things like
this that make me feel...

closer to him somehow.

I know.
I know it's silly.

- No, Mom.
It's not.

It's sweet.

- What is that?
- Ah!

It's your father's.

I found it buried in there,
after...

Anyway, Paul got so excited
about the train set

that I wanted to show it to him.

- Well, I want to see it too!
- I thought you might!

Have a look.

Fabulous, aren't they?

Pictures of you
when you were little.

I've never seen
that photo before.

- That's the Holly Pines
Rail Fans.

Train enthusiasts around town.

They used to get the North Pole
Express up and going

every year under Dad's charge.

- Hey, who's this guy?
On the left?

- That's Mr. Vaughn, he was
the ringleader of the group.

This whole group of guys,
they were a really close bunch.

They loved trains.

Who knows, maybe Paul will
inherit the love of trains,

and make memories of his own.

You think?
- I hope so.

- Hm, me too.

Oh, look!
- Aw!

- You loved sitting up front
while Dad played conductor.

- I just assumed
the festival and the train

would always be around.

I guess I took that
for granted too.

- Aw, Dani.

Your father was so proud of you.

He just wanted you
to find balance.

- I've been trying to find
balance my whole life.

- You know, you're more like
your father than you think.

You too could be
a force of nature.

When you set your mind
to something,

I pity the person
who gets in your way.

- Oh, please.

- It's true.

Let me show you another
one of these.

- Mm-hm...

- Yes?
- Mrs. Prescott?

Hi, I'm Kevin Vaughn.
I own Vaughn's Treasure Chest.

- Oh, Kevin Vaughn!
- Yeah.

- Hi!
- Dani came by.

She dropped off these
old Lionel trains.

I fixed them up,
thought I'd drop them off.

- Kevin, that was so thoughtful,

please come on in
out of the cold.

- Thank you.

- Come on in.

Just there would be perfect,
thank you.

- Perfect.

Hey, Kevin!
- Hey, buddy.

- Have you heard of
the Shanghai Maglev?

- Of course! It's only the
fastest train in the world.

Do you know how fast it can go?

- Over miles an hour!

- Two hundred and sixty-seven
to be exact.

It can take passengers miles
from the airport to the city

in -- just count 'em --
seven minutes.

It uses magnetic
levitation to do the trick.

- Levitation?
That's awesome!

- I know.

Guess who was fixed
and ready to go?

- Oh, Dani will be so pleased.
- Is she around?

- She had a little work to do,
so she went into town,

but I'll let her know
that you stopped by.

- Thank you.

Enjoy this, buddy.
I'll see you soon.

- Wait, you can't leave!

You still have to help
set up the train!

- Wai--

- Sorry.
- I'm on it.

- Hey, Mom.
Everything okay?

I'm just about finished here.

- Well, I've got good news
about Dad's train set.

- Kevin fixed it?

Wow, that was fast.

I'll head over to the shop
and pick it up.

- You know, I wouldn't do that.
- Why not?

- Because Kevin's here, at the
house, setting it up with Paul.

And I'm not sure which one
of them's having a better time.

- Oh! Boom!
Finished.

Can I get my cheque, please?

- Oh! Here you go.
- Ah, thank you.

Honey...

- Kevin, I don't know what
to say. This is incredible.

- I'm just doin' my job.

The important thing
is to keep these cars tuned.

They'll last forever.

If you have any problems
with the train,

just give me a call, or...

feel free to come
by the shop any time.

- Uh, we will.

- All right.

Take care.
- See you. Bye.

- Uh, Kevin!
Wait.

I, uh... I haven't
paid you yet.

I have to admit, I've never
met a hobby shop owner

who makes house calls.

So, uh, what do I owe you?

- Nah, I thought we were
going to call it even.

- No, seriously, Kevin.

- Okay, I know it was
a long time ago,

but I have a confession to make.

-
- I am fully aware

I am responsible for
your chemistry grade.

I chose you as my partner
because I knew

I needed the class brainiac
in order to pass.

I should have spent more
time on my studies.

I didn't.
And I'm sorry.

- You don't have to apologize.
We were kids!

- I'd just like to help you
like you helped me back then.

So I figured, you know,
fixing your train

would be a nice do-over.

- A do-over, huh?

- Yeah, you know, a way to
right a wrong from the past.

- Hmph.
I wish I had a do-over.

- For what?
- Ever since I came back

to Holly Pines
I've been feeling guilty

for all the years
I've been away.

- Don't beat yourself up.

I'm sure you've made up
for lost time now.

- If only it were that easy.

- Hm, right.
Been there.

You know, my dad...

he always used to say,

"There's nothing you can do
to change the past,

but you can... right
the present."

- I like that.

I'm starting to understand
why our dads were friends.

- Hm.

- Say, Kevin...

you wouldn't happen to know
what happened to

the old kiddie train that
ran at the Christmas Festival,

would you?

- The North Pole Express?

- Why?
- Eh, just curious.

- Well, you know,
as the...

resident train guy...
- Hm...

- I can make a few calls.

See what I can find out.

I have an idea where to start.

- Thanks, that would mean a lot.

And thanks again for
fixing up the train, and...

- Dani, remember.

You earned it.

Tenth grade chemistry.
Tenth grade!

In just a few days,
this whole park

is going to be transformed
for the Christmas Festival.

And you can help me choose
where to set up the booths.

And then, after you
finish that drink,

try your luck on that hill,
right there.

How's the cider?

- Delicious!
And it's keeping my hands warm.

Bonus!

- You know, you're pretty
special, kiddo.

Ooh, you've gotten so tall!

How's school?
You still like being in Chicago?

- School's fine, I guess.
Chicago too.

But I like being here more.

- Oh? Why's that?

- Because I get to spend
a lot of time with my mom.

Back home, she's always working.

She doesn't really have time
for tubing or trains.

She's a lot more fun here.

- Yeah, I like spending time
with your mom too.

Thank you, Mr. Logan.

I am so glad to hear
that you like the renderings.

Uh...

Yes, sir.
- I'll get it.

- Uh, I'm actually
spending the holidays...

- Oh, hi, Kevin!
Come on in.

She's right in there, okay?

- Uh... Well, thanks for
calling with the good news.

Merry Christmas!

- What's the good news?

- I [scoffs]...
I'm up for a big promotion.

And... it seems I'm wowing
my boss.

Yeah, he says I exceeded
his expectations.

- Obviously.
Congratulations.

- Thanks!
Uh, so, why are you here?

I'm pretty sure I only
gave you one train to fix.

- Uh, that's true.

However, you left me
with a task.

If you have time
to go for a ride,

I found a guy who knows
what happened to the old

kiddie train at
the Christmas Festival.

- Really?
- Mm-hm.

- That's great!
Uh, now?

- This a bad time?
- Well, I have a few emails

I need to send and I-I...

And I'm sure that will
all be waiting for me

when I get back,
so I'm just gonna...

get my purse.

And, uh, my jacket.
And I'll be all set.

- Ooh, Dani, let me
get that door for you.

It can be a bit temperamental.

- Temperamental, huh?

You sure you're not
trying to be chivalrous?

- Go ahead.
Give it a shot.

- Hm...

Now, can I give you a hand?
- Please.

-
For the record,

I was trying to be chivalrous.

Maid's day off.

- Are you sure she's not
hiding under all your stuff?

- Ha, ha...

Can I give you a hand?
- No!

I got this.

- Stubborn.
- Ugh!

- Gee!

Thank you.

- Oh! I got it.

- So, do you like
model trains or...?

- Ah, it was my dad's thing,
and he taught me to love it,

so, I guess I do!

What is this?

- Oh, uh, the guy
we're going to meet,

uh, Eric, used to be
a friend of my dad's.

Actually, Eric's the one who
helped me keep this place afloat

when my dad died.
- Oh.

- Anyway, he's been looking
for this style of water tower

for his layout, so I'm going
to trade him a few things

for the parts I need
for my nutcrackers.

- A good old-fashioned
barter, huh?

- Surprise, that's how we
do things in Holly Pines.

- Ah, well, it's nice to know
some things haven't changed.

And other things have!

- Uh...

So, uh... I've been
meaning to ask.

There's you and Paul,
but, um...

I mean...
is his father...?

- Oh, uh,
we're divorced.

Almost five years.

Yeah, it's just mostly
Paul and I.

So I've had my hands full.

- I'll bet.

- Paul gets to see him
during the summer,

and has spent a few
Christmases with him too, but...

- Ah. You ever think
about remarrying?

- Oh, I...
I don't know.

I've been pretty busy
with work, and...

of course Paul...

Anyone I date needs to know

that he and I come
as a package deal.

Gotta be all in.

- Absolutely.

- What about you?
You ever been married?

- Oh, uh...
No, but, uh, I was...

I was this close once.

- Case of cold feet?

- On her part.
Yeah, right?

But that didn't bother me.

Not as much as
the constant arguing.

We would not have
been good lab partners.

♪The First Noel ♪

♪ The Angel did say ♪

♪ Was to certain
poor shepherds ♪

♪ In fields as they lay ♪

♪ In fields where they lay ♪

♪ Keeping their sheep ♪

♪ On a cold winter's night ♪

♪ That was so deep ♪

Eric! Hey!

- Oh, hey, sorry about that!
Wow.

This is impressive.
- Uh-huh.

See, Eric here,
he's a real train expert.

Real Amtrak Joe.

- Well, I rode the train
a lot when I was young.

I saw the world
from their windows.

- And he used to work
for Union Pacific.

- Oh, that's so cool!
- Twenty-five years.

Yeah. It was a good run,
but I needed a change.

Now I spend most of my time
restoring these old-timers.

And keeping Kevin
out of trouble.

- Ah, yeah, yeah, watch it now.

Guess who this is.

Dani Prescott.
Walter's daughter.

- I thought you looked familiar!

You have his eyes, mm-hm.

Oh, old Walt, ah. He was
quite the rail fan.

He'd always rally the troops,
Christmas time.

- You'd be happy to know

we got Walter's old
Lionel back on track.

- That is quite
the collector's item.

You know you could make
a small fortune from that

if you ever wanted to sell it.

- Thanks, but that train
means more to me than anything.

- Well, as you can see,

there's plenty here that I
can't bear to part with myself.

- Uh, Kevin said you
might be able to help us

find the North Pole Express.

I'd love to see it
one more time.

- Follow me.

- Oh!
- Look familiar?

- You have it?
I can't believe this.

- Yeah, the city
sold it to me at auction.

I've been tinkering with a few
of the cars for a little while.

Now there are too many
key parts missing,

and I got so busy
with the smaller trains,

I couldn't give it
the TLC it deserved.

- Any idea what it would take
to get it up and running again?

I think this is the key to
saving the Christmas festival.

- Dani, Dani, Dani,
come on, that's unrealistic.

It's five days
till the festival.

This train's been sitting here,
untouched for years.

- Mm-hm.

Yeah, it's going to take a lot
more than spit and polish

to get this thing running.

Yeah, I'm afraid
that would take, uh...

oh, a Christmas miracle.

- You know, you haven't said
two words the entire way home.

You okay?

- I'm okay.

Just disappointed.

- Look, I get it, Dani.
I do.

I'm sure back in the city,
you just...

you want anything done,
it's just...

snap of your fingers, but...

around here, things
are a little different.

Maybe if we had more time.

But Eric and I, we both have
businesses to run,

and he's quite a private
guy in general, right?

So I'm just not sure

he's up for a crusade to
bring back the Holiday Train.

- I get that.

It's just that I come from a

"Where there's a will,
there's a way."

- Let me get that for you.

- Like I said, determined.

- That's beautiful up there.

- Wow, those look great.

- Nana let me do the icing,
and took me tubing.

- What? Really!
You and Nana, huh?

- Oh, this old dog's still got
a few new tricks left in her.

It's just so... great
spending time together.

- Yeah.
- For us too, right, Mom?

- Absolutely.

In fact, I promise that we will
make more time to come up here.

- Good! I just may have
to use Paul as a witness.

- Guess what!
- Uh-huh.

- Kevin and I found the guy

who owns the old
North Pole Express.

His name is Eric,
he's a train enthusiast,

and he knew Dad.

I was hoping we might be able
to set it up one last time

for the Christmas Festival,

but my hopes were dashed
with a dose of reality.

It's beyond repair.

I think his exact words were,

"It would take
a Christmas miracle."

- What kind of miracle?

- Well, I don't know.

But I think something that is
truly wonderful and unexpected

that can only happen
at this time of year.

- I hope we get one.

- You and me both, kiddo.
You and me both.

And they
heard him exclaim

as he drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all,
and to all, a good night."

- One more story,
then I'll go to sleep, please?

- All right, but then
it's lights out, okay?

Deal?
- Deal.

- Okay, here we go.

Alright.

This is such a good book,
you are going to love it.

It was one of your
mom's favourites.

"Once upon a time,
on Christmas..."

Oof! Well, he almost made it

to the Ghost of Christmas Past
before he passed out.

- Hm.
- Oh. He's such a special kid.

Hey, what's on your mind,
sweetheart?

- It just feels like everything
that's been a constant for me

is slipping away.

Somehow, the idea of
bringing back the train

was like bringing back
a piece of Dad.

He would have done anything
to save the Holiday Train.

- It's true.

He'd move mountains,
wouldn't he? Hm.

- Then don't I owe it
to him to do the same?

- I've got something for you.

- Dad's conductor jacket?

I can't believe that
you still have this!

- I thought about donating it,

but I just couldn't bear
to part with it.

Every child had to get
their tickets punched.

- He wanted every experience
to be as real as possible.

And I think it's time

that this old coat...

found a new owner.

Your dad would have
wanted you to have it.

- Really?

This means the world to me.

- I just wish I could find
the hat that went with it.

- I'm going to
cherish this forever.

- I know, sweetheart.

Well, I don't know about you,

but this nana is ready
for a long winter's nap.

- I'm going to stay up
for a little bit.

Burn more of that midnight oil.

I'm suddenly feeling inspired.

- Really?
- Thanks, Mom.

- You're welcome.
- I love you.

- I love you too, Dani.

So much.

Good night.
- Good night.

- Oh, you're up early.

- Believe it or not,
I never went to bed.

- What?
What got into you?

- Something about the way
folks do business in Holly Pines

gave me an idea, and I decided
it was time to freelance.

I'm going to go take a shower
and meet with a client.

- Dani, you must be exhausted.

At least let me
make you something
a little more nutritious than...

hot cocoa and candy canes.

- Are you kidding me?
After all the work
I got done last night,

I'd call that
the Breakfast of Champions.

See you soon!

- Ah, alright.

- This is a really cool
vintage Lionel train.

Your nephew
takes good care of it.

It'll do nothing
but go up in value.

- Hmm. Okay.

Thanks for the information.
Let... let me think about it.

- You got it. Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

- Oh, after you.

I just wanted to stop by
and drop off a little something
for helping me the other night.

- Uh...

Jackie...
this really wasn't necessary.

- Look at it as more of a...
peace offering.

After all the ups and downs
of our relationship.

I miss what we had, Kevin.

- Jackie, I--
- I'm not saying we go back
to the way things were, but...

maybe we deserve a chance
to start over?

- Alright, so...

Hey... Dani. Um...

Jackie...
you remember Dani Prescott.

- Oh, of course.
When did you get back to town?

I haven't seen you around here
in a while.

- Uh, just a few days ago.
You look great, Jackie.

- Thanks. Uh, well,
I'll give you two a minute.

See you around, Dani.

- Oh.
- See ya.

- You know, for some reason,
I don't believe her.

- And why do you say that?

- Eh, she wasn't exactly the
nicest to me in high school.

Or to anyone, really.

- Eh, high school
was a long time ago.

People...

change, Dani.

For instance...

...look at me.
Look how well I turned out.

- I have to admit,
I'm pleasantly surprised.

- Alright, what's up?

- I have a proposition
to discuss with you and Eric.

- This is about restoring
the Holiday Train.

- I know, I know, but I think
I can change your mind

when I make you a deal
you can't refuse,
Holly Pines-style!

- Uh, no.
- Oh, come on! Okay.

So let me just start off
by saying...

gentlemen,
I have come up with a plan

that I think
will make everyone happy

and expand your businesses
exponentially

without a single dollar
investment on your end.

- Well, this I gotta hear.
- Last night,
I looked at your website,

if that's what you want
to call it,

and, Eric,
you don't even have one.

- I'm not very tech-savvy.
I still carry a flip phone.

- Hm, well, lucky for you, I am.

- Last night, I created
a website with the potential

to tap into
your entire inventories,

which would open your
hobby shops to online sales.

Okay, say you're looking
for the Sunset Cruiser.

Okay, you would just type it
into the search bar here,

and...

voila!

- That's impressive.
- This could really help
my business.

- Part of my job as a designer
is to work

with brick-and-mortar businesses
to get them online.

And sometimes that means
helping them with a new look.

- I liked my website.
- This one's way better.

- And sometimes not only
do I get them a new look,

but new innovations.
Okay, for example,

instead of Eric
picking up the phone to see
if you have a part in stock,

this redesign
would detect it immediately.

And not just for folks
in Holly Pines.

This site would be national,

for any hobby enthusiast to
have access to your merchandise.

The only problem is,
with a project
of this magnitude,

you need to put
a spotlight on it.

- How big a spotlight?
- Well, I'm sure there are
a lot of model railroaders

who would love to display
their creations.

They just need a place
to do it.

I thought the Christmas Festival
could use a little...

tune-up?

We rebrand the whole thing.

The Festival of Trains.

Something to bring in
new clients,

the next generation
of rail fans!

Kevin, your dad brought
people together.
I know you can, too.

- What exactly do we have to do
to pull off this feat?

- Well, you just need
to get the North Pole Express

up and running
for Christmas Eve,

and I will do the rest.

- Even if we wanted
to get the old Express
up and running again,

there's no way, it's impossible
with that deadline.

- Well, my dad used to say
nothing is impossible
if you put your mind to it.

- Have you always been this--
- Passionate?
- Sure, let's go with that.

- Well, only when I really
believe in something.

So what do you say?

You in?

- Ooh!
- I know, it's cold!

- Wow! Mom, this looks great!

Look at everything
you've done already.

- I know. I just hope
that we've got enough

to raise all the money
that we need.

Come here.
Oh, this is wonderful.

- Uh, about that.

I had an idea of something
we could donate.

- Oh?
- But it's not my choice
to make.

It needs to be
a family decision.

Of course,
you're gonna do it!

This could be, like,
that shot in the arm
that you keep talking about.

It could save this place.

- Maybe.

Or maybe she'll have me
spinning my wheels on...

Impossible,
I don't know.

- What's holding you back,
Kevin?

Are you worried what will happen
if you fail,

or are you scared what might
happen if you succeed?

- Probably a little bit of both.

- You know what I think?

- No, but I have a feeling
you're about to tell me.

- I think...

living in your dad's shadow
is intimidating.

And you don't want to admit
that Dani's right,

that you could use her help.

- You know...

If this accounting thing
doesn't work out...

...you'd make a great therapist.

- Oh man, that's a real
funky-lookin' doll.

- It's a Nutcracker, Dylan.

It's a Nutcracker.

- Kevin, hi.

- Hey, uh, can I come in?

- Uh, yeah.

There you go.

- Thank you.

So... Eric and I looked over
your proposal
and we've come to a decision.

- You're gonna do it.
- See, that...

that, that right there,
is why I'm worried
about working with you again.

- Again?!

- Tenth-grade chemistry?

I remember you being
a bit of a control freak.

- And I remember you
being way too casual.

That's why I think we would make
a good team this time around.

We know each other's
strengths...

and weaknesses.

- Hmm.

How'd you know my business
was in trouble?

- I... didn't.

As a designer, I like to look
at things as a work in progress.

I checked out your website,
and it was okay,

but I like to think
that there's always room
for a little improvement.

- Improvement, huh?

- Okay, look.
Don't get me wrong.

I truly do appreciate
all the work you put

into creating this website,
but I--

- You would've liked
to have been consulted.

- Yes, exactly!
That's what I'm talking about.

For this partnership to work,
I want you to promise

that you're not gonna go
fixing things unless we both
agree that they're broken.

- I can do that.

So... you in?

- I'm in.
- Yes!
- But...

...for us to pull this off,
I'm gonna need some help
with the shop.

Eric and I are both working
on the train cars.

- I'm your gal.
- Alright.

Your nephew is gonna
love this, come Christmas
morning.

- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.

Oh! Um, we're holding
a holiday auction
at the community centre tonight.

The funds support
the Christmas Festival.

- Ah, that sounds great.
I'll check it out.

- Okay, Merry Christmas!
- Thank you. Merry Christmas.

How you doing?
- Hey.

Dani!
Hey, what are you doing here?

- Uh, working, actually.

Well, I'm covering
the cash for Kevin
while he works elsewhere.

- You two seem to be spending
a lot of time together.
- Oh, he's been a lifesaver.

I don't know what I would've
done without him
the last few days.

- Right. Um, the thing is...

...Kevin and I have been talking
about getting back together.

- Oh! I-I didn't know
you two were a thing.

- He didn't tell you?
- Oh, we've been so focused
on work, it never came up.

Kevin and I are just friends,
Jackie. Nothing more.

- I hope you don't mind me
saying something.

I just didn't want things
to get awkward.

- Yeah.

- Oh, uh, I almost forgot.
Your mom asked if I could donate
a Christmas arrangement

to the auction,
but I never called back.

What a surprise.
- Excuse me?

- Uh, well, I mean
that she didn't call again.

My mom can be persistent.

- Tell her I'd love
to put something together.

- Alright, well, I just replaced
a busted circuit breaker
in the main transformer.

I'm hoping that's all she needs.

Here goes nothin'.

Ah.
- Hey! There you go.

- That's a relief.

- Yeah, one small step, right?
- Yeah, with many more
to follow.

So if we manage
to pull this off,

you think Dani's plan
is gonna do for our businesses
what she says it's gonna do?

- I don't know.

But if she believes, I believe.

- Well, she certainly has
managed to push a reset button
inside of you.

- What do you mean?
- She's got you excited
about this stuff again.

It's good to see.

- Hi, sweetheart!
- Hey!

- We're making grab bags for all
the kids at the auction tonight.
Five-dollar stocking stuffers.

- That's a great way
to warm up the crowd.
- I know, it's fantastic.

- Uh, so I invited Kevin
to come earlier tonight.
- Nice, okay.

- There's something
that we want to present
to the council.

- Uh-huh.
- You know, a fresh take
on the Christmas Festival.

What?

- Nothing, I just...
can't remember the last time
you looked so relaxed.

- Really?

I feel like
I can barely keep up.

- That's because you're enjoying
what you're doing.
Makes all the difference.

- I guess I never really
thought of it that way.

- How's things
at the hobby shop?

- Uh, well,
they're still very cluttered,

but I promised Kevin
I wouldn't take over.

- Oh, how's that going?

- I am trying
really, really hard.

Uh, so where's Paul?

- I think you will
find him conducting...

the Holiday Steamer's
final victory lap around
the Christmas tree, in there.

- Hey there, kiddo!
You havin' fun?

- Wanna take the controls?
- Sure, I think I remember
how to work 'em.

Okay, all aboard!

Sounds like that cattle car
is carrying some loose change.

A key?
What does it open?

- I think I know.

Come. Come, come, come.

I wondered where this key was.
I looked everywhere!

- Dad's old desk?
- Dad's old desk.

- Oh!
- Open it up.

Here we are.

- Oh.

Dad's secret stash.

- What's this?
- Oh...

That's the town square.

I remember this.

Dad and I created a plan
to make a miniature train
of Holly Pines.

This is what made me want
to become a designer.

"Remember to follow
your dreams, Dani,
for they know the way.

Dad."

- Oh, wow. Such a shame...

...you two never ended
making this a reality.

- Yeah, we never made the time.

- Well, what about all the stuff
at Kevin's shop?
He has everything.

- I guess we could,
couldn't we?

I am technically
a part-time employee.

Hey, what do you say
we make this our special
Christmas project?

- Way better than Wi-Fi.

- Sorry, sorry, sorry!
I had to rinse off,

then I realized
I had nothing to wear,
so I had to iron this out and--

- Kevin, it's okay.

You look great.
Don't be nervous.

Just speak from your heart
and you'll win them over.

- My dad, he was the one
that was always so good at this.

Confident, charismatic.
It was easy for him.

- Well, your dad
would be proud of you.

- Ah...
- And remember,
you're not alone up there, okay?

Come on! You got this!

We don't want to change
the festival,

but instead, build on what
everyone already loves.

Presenting the Holly Pines
Christmas Festival of Trains.

With the resurrection
of the Holiday Train,

it seemed like a fitting theme.

And Kevin has been working
day and night to make sure

that our beloved train
is up and running
come Christmas Eve.

- Uh, that's right, Dani.

Um, you know, look,

as... as a veteran owner
of a hobby shop,

I gotta tell you,
all the train lovers,

young and old,
will come from miles around
to see this.

You gotta trust me on this one.
With your blessing,

we will call in the troops
and let each and every one
of them know.

- And they've...
they've assured me
that this change

won't cost any more
than what's already
in the current budget.

So whatever we raise tonight
will be enough to bring...

this to life.
So...

All those in favour,
raise your hands.

Raise your hands.

Well, then!
Oh, I guess that's settled.

Very excited.

One pair of vintage
Nutcrackers, sold!

For $ !

Now, the next item up for sale
is a glorious Christmas
arrangement

donated by
Jackie's Village Florist.

So why don't we start
the bidding at $ . $ !

- One-hundred!
- One-hundred?! Wow, okay!

Do I hear ?

Sold! One-hundred dollars to...?

- Dylan Byers.
- Congratulations, Dylan.

Now, the last item

up for sale tonight

is the complete ...

Lionel train set
known as the Holiday Steamer.

Now, these are very rare
in this condition, so...

why don't we start the bidding
at $ ?

Wow.
- Five-hundred dollars.
Do I hear ?

Five-hundred!
- Five-hundred!
I hear ! Do I hear six?

Six-hundred dollars?
Six-hundred?

Six-fifty!
- Six-fifty, I've got .
Do I have seven?

Let's have $
for this beautiful se...
Hang on one sec.

What?!

Oh, my.

Um...

we've just received a very
generous silent bid for...

...$ , .

I've got $ , !
Do I hear , , ?

- Oh.
- Well, in that case,

the Holiday Steamer is sold
for $ , !

Yahoo!

That concludes this year's
holiday auction.

Thanks so much, everybody,
for coming. It's wonderful.
Hang on. What? What?

Hold on, h*-hold on!

I've got one final announcement
to make.

Thanks to all the money
raised here tonight,

I am thrilled to announce
that the Christmas Festival
will go ahead as planned!

Yeah,
I need three axle brushes,

one auxiliary inverter
and one voltage controller.

Completely out of stock?

Of all of it?

Have you checked?

- Without that voltage
controller,
we're just spinning our wheels.

- What if we refurbished
the one we got?

- Nah, that's more work
than it's worth.

The belt assembly's fried
and the thermal coil is toast.

- Gotta be another way.
Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah,
no, I'm sorry about that.

Just hold everything you have
for Kevin Vaughn.

I'll be down within the hour.
Alright, thanks.

- So what do you want to do now?

Should we ask Santa to bring us
a voltage controller?

- Huh.
- We're scheduled to launch
in two days.

- Where there's a will,
there's a way.

We call each and every supply
chain up and down the coast.

There's bound to be someone
with the part with need, right?

I'm gonna go, head to the shop,
check things out,

then I'm gonna hit the road,
see if I get lucky.

- Better hope.
'Cause otherwise,

this train is not leaving
the station.

- Come on, Eric.

Think positive. Be positive.

- Hey, Kevin.
- Hey, buddy.

- Hey!
- Putting the kid to work, huh?
- Ha-ha, very funny.

We've got a lot of work to do,
but it's a start.

I've been trying
to keep an inventory

in an online database,
so it's up-to-date.

- You are amazing.

Well, the job that you...

This is amazing,
all the work you're doing.

- Well, thank you.

So, uh, how's the restoration
coming along at Eric's?

- Uh, we are gonna
be cuttin' it real close.

I actually gotta run out
and grab a few items.

- Well, remember,
slow and steady wins the race.

Fast and steady. Yeah.

- I'll be back in a few hours.
- Okay. Oh! Uh...
Paul and I were hoping

that we could use one
of your trains to put on display
at the festival

in our recreation
of Holly Pines.
What do you think?

- It's a good idea.

- It'd be a great advertisement
for the shop. Uh...

Christmas Concord.
Perfect set for the job.

- That's what I said!
I'll go grab it.

- Uh, look at this guy.
He knows his stuff.

Oh, uh...

what are you doing
after we close up shop?

- My mom's taking Paul
to the movies,

and I was gonna
do some work here. Why?

- What would you think
about a working dinner?

So you could run me through
the logistics of the website
and stuff, you know.

- Uh... I'm free!
- Great.

Then it's a date.

Working date.

- Right, of course, yeah.

- I'll see you then.
- Okay.

Not only do you have
a product database,

but I also created a page
for your restoration work,

and designed a new logo
for your shop.

This isn't me being controlling.

These are all
just preliminary designs.

And I want your honest feedback.

- Wow.

Just wow.
That's my honest feedback.

How did you get so much work
done in such little time?

- It's funny, though.

To be honest, uh...
doesn't really feel like work.

- Well,

"You do what you love
and you'll never work
a day in your life."

- If only life were like that.

- What are you talking about?
I thought you loved
being a designer.

- I do.
But work and life in Chicago
is a far cry from Holly Pines.

Sometimes I feel
like I'm treading water.

- You ever think
about moving back here?
Paul seems to love it here.

- I know. And my mom would be
over the moon about it.

- She's not the only one.

- Oh, I-I'm sorry,
I don't think we ordered these.

- I did.
- Oh.

- We're celebrating.

- Oh?
- I might have...

might have pulled off
a little Christmas miracle.

Okay, I found one last
supply chain in Albany

that can overnight the part we
need for the North Pole Express
to get it on track by Christmas.

- Talk about burying
the headline! Kevin!

I can't believe you did that.

- You know, I'd like
to take all the credit.
I would.

But, uh, it was a team effort.

- You have no idea
how much this means to me.

- Is this the do-over
you were looking for?
- I think it might be.

- Your dad would be proud.

You found the way.

- Your dad would be proud, too.

I wish they could see this.

- They can.

We have their memory
in our hearts.

They're always here.

You know what?

To our dads.

- And to the Holiday Train.

Don't, uh,
think I didn't notice.

Tell your maid I say nice job.

- Ah... I'll tell him.

You know, I think
there's an outside chance
you might be rubbin' off on me.

- Well, I hope
that's a good thing.

- Yeah.

I had a really nice time
tonight.

- Me, too.

- I'd love to do it again.
Maybe next time, uh...

...take the "working"
out of working date.

- What about Jackie?
She told me you two
were getting back together.

- We broke up over a year ago.

She's still holding out hope,
but I have...

absolutely no interest in
getting back together with her.

- Well,
why don't you tell her that?

- It's complicated, right?

We're still friends, okay?
I-I don't want to hurt her.

- Well, that's not fair.

You need to tell her
so that she can move on.

- Ah... you're right,
you're right, you're right,
you're right, you're right.

I know, I know, I know.
I will tell her.

I will be firm and steadfast
in my email.

- Hey!
- I'm kidding!

In person.

Tomorrow.

- Well, I should get going.
- Let me get your door.

Ah, dut-dut-dut-dut...

- Ah. Oof. Uh.

Milady.

- Maybe I'll be less determined
from now on.

- Huh.

- Well, I... should get going.

- You never answered
my question.

- Yeah. Let's go on a date.

A real one this time.

- Alright.

G'night.

- G'night.

Hello, this is Dani.

Dani?
Since when do you go by that?

- Oh, uh, Mr. Logan.
I'm so sorry.

That's what people call me here
in Holly Pines.

- Well, you're gonna have
to start calling me Ted

after you hear the news
I have in store for you.

The company's expanding
operations,

and we decided to open offices
in Los Angeles
come the new year.

- I had no idea.

- Frankly, with what
you've been delivering
and your good work ethic,

I believe you're the only
candidate qualified
to oversee things there.

- I beg your pardon?

- Los Angeles.
That's a long way from Chicago.

- And Holly Pines.
- And Holly Pines.

Well, if it's what you want,
Dani.

- That's just it.

I don't know
what I want anymore.

Being here has made me
question everything.

I just need to weigh
the pros and cons
and talk to Paul about it.

I mean, this is a big move
for both of us.

This promotion is everything
I wished for, Mom,

so why don't I feel happy?

- A job can't give you that,
sweetie.

Happiness...

...starts there.

Come on.

- You always know what to say.
- Oh, honey.

You know you're gonna be fine.

Mama's promise.
Come on, let's have tea.

- What time
is that voltage controller
supposed to get to the shop?

- Late this afternoon.
- Hopefully,
without any hiccups,

we'll be able to get installed
and running in about an hour.

- All I gotta say is,
by hook or by crook,

that train is leaving
the station tomorrow.

- Think positive, be positive.

You sound like Dani.

- All I gotta say is...
if I wasn't for her,

I don't know if I could keep
this shop going.

- Can't argue with that.

- You got this?
I gotta go talk to Jackie
for a minute.

- Sure thing.

We'll put
all the food vendors
along this side over here,

and we'll put the photo booth
over there by the toys.

Okay? Thanks so much.
That'd be just great.

- You Prescott women
are really amazing.
- Oh!

- Is there anything
you're not in charge of?
- Oh, Eric.

Well, Dani and I aren't
very good at waiting.

When we see a problem,
we just go after it,
for better or for worse.

- Oh, I'd say for better.
Definitely for better.
- Thank you.

- We have a very special
delivery for Dani
that she's gonna want to see.

- Alright, you know,
let's not tell her
that it's here.

It'll be a surprise.
But can you show me
where you set it up?

- Absolutely. Right this way.
- Thank you.

- That carousel looks great!

Okay, let me see
the design again.

Let's put some more people
along the water here.

- Alright.
- And I'll put some more trees

to make it a little bit
more festive.

- Hey, Mom, how far is
Holly Pines from Chicago again?

- Uh, by car,
just about four hours. Why?

- Nana said it's only
two-and-a-half by train.

Maybe next time
we could take the train here?

- That would be fun.
You really like it here,
don't you?

- Yeah, it seems like it would
be a pretty cool place
to grow up here as a kid.

- It was.

You know,

I looked forward
to every season here.

In the winter,
all the kids would gather,

and we'd go sledding down
Chestnut Hill.

And I remember one time...

I went right into this tree.
But don't worry, I was okay.

And then, in the spring,
there was the annual
Easter Egg Hunt.

And when I was in fifth grade,
I found the golden egg,

right near the hardware store.
It was a pretty big deal.

And then, in the summertime,
we would picnic
along the lake here,

and wait for the fireworks.
That was the best view in town.

- Wow, I wish I lived
in a town like this.

- Hey, come here, buddy.

You did it!

I-I-I don't know what to say.
This is...

This is so incredible.
Eric, thank you so much.
Kevin...

- So she starting to look
the way you remember?

- It's even better.

- Well, you know,
if you really want
to make it up to me,

how about dinner tonight?

After we finish up.
But not our date. You know,

with Paul.

- I think he'd like that.

I'm guessing
you talked to Jackie?

- I did, I did.

And, uh, I gotta be honest,

it feels good
to get that off my chest,
so thank you.

- You're welcome.
I'll see you later.

- Alright.

- Something brewing
between you two.

- What are you talking about?
- Oh, I don't know
what I'm talking about.

- Yeah, that's right. You don't.

- Oh!

- That'll be $ . Thank you.

Feel free to look around
while I get you your bow.

- Ah, the sound
of that cash register
is like music to my ears.

- Isn't it wonderful?
Are you in for some last-minute
Christmas shopping?

- Uh, more like to say thank you
for helping my client
overhaul his website.

How did you manage
to convince him of that?

- A simple barter agreement.
Holly Pines-style.

- Ah, yes, yes.
Kevin told me about that.

- I take it
you're not from here?

- No, not originally, no.
Boston, born and raised.

My parents used to take
summer vacations here
when we were kids.

- Well.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.

- So what made you decide
to move here?

- I grew tired of being chained
to my desk in the city,

so... I was burnt out.

So I talked to my boss
and convinced him

to let me try
working remotely for six months
to see if that would work out.

Three years later,
and I never looked back!

- Do you have a thing
for Jackie?

I hear she's single.

- Is it that obvious?
- Mm.

Well, sadly, I don't even think
I'm on her radar,
or maybe even in her league.

Maybe a combination of both.

- Hey, that's nonsense.

If you want Jackie
to notice you,

you need to give her
a reason to.

Embrace who you are.

And don't be afraid
to put yourself out there.

If she doesn't like you for you,
she doesn't deserve you.

- Yeah, you're right.
You're right!

Now I just have to figure out
which side of me to embrace.

- Oh, that one.
- This one?

- Oh, for sure, yeah.
Bye.

- Hey, hey, hey!
- I come bearing gifts.

One voltage controller.

- The Holy Grail. Alright.
- Yeah!

- Cross your fingers...
and your toes.

Alright.

- Oh, I hope this works.
- Oh, I got a good feeling
about this.

Alright.
- That it?

- Yep.
- Alright.

- So hit the power and
give her a minute to warm up,

and then let's see
what she's got.

Alright. Hit the power?

- Fingers and toes crossed
first, right? Okay.
- Yeah. We're good.

Okay, lights on, good sign.
Alright, now...

hit the throttle.

There we go!
Keep it goin', keep it goin'!

- There we go!
- Keep goin', keep goin'!
What's goin' on?

- Nothing.
- What...?

It's supposed to regulate
the power from the transformer,
not k*ll it.

- No! Okay, so what do we do?

- What...?

- What do we do?
- There's nothing
that we can do.

Parts for these things haven't
been manufactured in years,

and when you buy refurbished,
it's just a roll of the dice.

And we lost.
- Eric...

I promised Dani.
We're gonna find a way.

- This is not something that
you can will into existence!

It's not working.
You're gonna have to tell her
we tried our best,

but we couldn't do it,
it just can't be done.

- You tell her.
I'm not telling her.
She never quit on me.

I won't quit on her.

- Hey, Paul, why don't you go
get your stuff?

Kevin will be here soon.
- Okay.

- I haven't seen Kevin's
shop look like this in... years.

I can tell he really enjoys
having you around.

- Jackie, I'm sorry--

- I knew deep down it was over.
He wasn't saying it, but...

I'm sorry for accusing you
of getting in the middle
of something that wasn't there.

He deserves to be happy.

I want that for him.

- I want that for him, too.
- I know.

Have a good night.

- Good night.

Hey.

Eric. Uh...

What's happening?
Wh-what's wrong?

- I'm afraid
I've got some bad news.

The Holiday Train
won't be running tomorrow night.

The part we were waiting for
was a dud and...
with our limited time frame,

we just...
- Well, where's Kevin?

- I dunno. He got in the truck
and he just left.

He didn't tell me
where he was going.

I thought I'd find him here.

I'm sorry.

- It's snowing! Hurry, Nana!
I want to make snow angels
with the fresh powder!

- I'm hurrying! I'm hurrying!
- Come on, Mom!

- Merry Christmas Eve, you two.
- Hi, Mom! Bye, Mom!

- Merry Christmas Eve
to you too, darling.

How you doing this morning?

- Eh, I've been better.
But it's okay. I'm just happy
to see Paul smiling.

- Mom, Nana, look at this.

The card says it's for me.

- Here. Read it and see.

- "To Paul from Santa"?

"I think someone special
wanted you to have this."

- Well, go ahead, buddy,
open it!

- No way!

It's a Holiday Steamer!
Just like Grandpa's!

Do you know what this is?
A Christmas miracle!

- Uh, I think you're right.
- Come on, Mom! Come on, Nana!

- See you outside.

- I'm just gonna get
my jacket and my boots
and some coffee!

I really miss you, Daddy.

I'm so sorry I didn't come visit
the last Christmas.

I tried to get the Holiday Train
back on track for you, but...

...I guess
there's always next year, right?

I have a really big decision
to make, Daddy.

And I'd give anything...
to get to talk to you about it.

I know you'd probably say...

"Stop thinking with your head,
Dani.

Start listening to your heart."

It's never been easy for me.

But I'm getting better.

♪ Deck the halls
with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Tis the season... ♪

Ah, it really feels...
like Christmas now.

Thanks for making tonight
so special.

The town really needed this.

- I needed this.
And so did this guy.

- Yeah.

- I wish we could've gone
on the train one last time.

- It's okay.
We know you tried, Mom.
- Aw, thanks, buddy.

- Enjoy.

- Hey, Jackie.
I was wondering...

...if you could help me
pick out some flowers
for a girl that I like.

- I see.
- Yeah.

- Someone you've known
for a long time?

- Not really, but, uh, I want
to make a good impression.

- Oh, I get it,
someone you've admired
from afar.

- Exactly.

- Then I'd recommend
something understated.

Like these.

- Poinsettias.
These... these are great.
These are great.

Now I just have, uh, the card.

- Okay. Uh...
what do you want it to say?

- Uh, "My Christmas wish is...

that the most gorgeous girl
in Holly Pines sit beside me
on the North Pole Express.

Can you make my wish come true?
I'm sorry they didn't have
white roses."

- Well, if that doesn't melt
her heart, nothing will.

But I don't think
the train's running.

Wait, is she here?

Maybe you can get her some
hot chocolate and flowers?

Okay, chocolate and flowers,
it's cliché, but it works.
Trust me.

- Okay.

Marshmallows,
or no marshmallows?

- Excuse me?
- How do you like
your hot chocolate?

- Uh... marshmallows.

And a sprinkle of cinnamon.

- Okay. Also...

...these are for you.

- And poinsettias.
- Poinsettias.

- Oh!

How cool does it feel
to know that we built this?

- Really cool.
- Hmm.

- Oh, Dani, it's spectacular.

Dad would've been so pleased.

- Mom, we, uh,
got you a little something.

We were gonna
give it to you tomorrow,
but we can't wait.

- Oh.

- It's long overdue.

- Oh...

Oh, honey.

- I want you to know
how much I appreciate
everything you do for me, Mom.

For us.

And... I want you to know
that I've made a decision.

- Oh?
- I told my boss that I'm not
ready to go to the West Coast.

That it's not right
for my family,

or for me.

- How'd he take the news?

- Uh, he was surprised.

But I told him if he wants me
to stay with the firm, that...

he'll have to let me do it
remotely.

- Remotely?

- I mean, everything I'm doing
in Chicago I can do right here.

And I want to see if Paul and I
can make this our home.

- Then you have made me
so happy, I could cry.

- I love you, Mom.

- And I love you.

And you.

- What?

- Hey, everyone!

Alright,
take it around the loop,

check that all the switches
are open.

- I can't believe it.
You guys fixed it!

- I had nothing to do with it.

Kevin called every seasoned
train enthusiast and mechanic
he could.

When he couldn't find
the spare part that he needed,
he did the next best thing.

He rebuilt it.
With help from a few other guys.

He was, uh...

- Determined.
- More than I've ever seen.
- He didn't even tell you!

- I don't think he wanted
to hear me tell him
it was gonna be impossible,

because clearly it wasn't.

- Oh!
- Yep, he believed.

- Whoo!!!

Yay, Kevin! Whoo!

Kevin!

- All aboard!

- Yeah!
- How would you like
to give me a guided tour?

- I would love to.
- Thank you.

- Hoo... Milady.

- Is this why you stood me up?

- Well, I figured you couldn't
stay mad at me for too long.

And besides, I made a promise.

- Mom, this is so cool!
- Just the guy I'm looking for.

- I can keep it?! Really?!
- Of course.

Every Holly Pines rail fan
needs an engineer's hat.

Now just promise me
you'll take good care of it.
- I promise.

- Now, get to the back
of the train,
sit in the caboose.

Best seat on the train.

Would you like to go for a ride?
- I'd love to.

- Come on, sweetheart.
- Hey, hey, hey.

- Hop on board.
- Nice hat!
- Thanks! Kevin gave it to me.

- Kevin gave it to you.
Suits you.

- Come on aboard, folks.
Grab a seat.

- Hey, did my Christmas wish
just come true?

- It was you, wasn't it?
- Eh?

- At the auction?
The Holiday Steamer for Paul?

- I don't know
what you're talking about.

- Mm-hmm.
- Eric and I...

...we decided that...

we wanted to make sure
it stayed in the family.

One more little surprise
for you.

- This was my dad's.

Where did you...?

- Your mom.
She found it in the study.

I offered to clean it up
and asked if I could give it
to you tonight as a gift.

Your father left a note
in the hat.

I found it when
I was re-enforcing the brim.

- "Dearest Dani,
I knew you'd come back
to our train one day,

which is why I hid little
treasures for you to discover.

"I'm so proud of you
and I hope you always find
what you're looking for.

Love, Dad."

- I don't know about you,
but...

...I'm pretty sure I found
what I'm looking for.

- I did, too.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

All aboard
the North Pole Express!

Ready when you are, boss. Ahem.

- Alright! Take us home!

Oh, yeah.

Whoo! Let's go!