Christmas Under the Northern Lights (2024) Movie Script
1
Merry Christmas.
- Hi!
- I come bearing gifts.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, no, no, no, open it now.
- Now?
- Yeah.
Okay...
It's beautiful.
- You like it?
- I love it.
Oh, thank you.
You're welcome.
It's gorgeous.
I knew that you were
decorating your tree and uh,
I just wanted to get it to you
on time, you know?
This writer respects deadlines.
So, speaking of deadlines...
Oh, uh... right.
Um... ahem.
Hmm.
An outline?
Uh, okay, here we go.
Now we are cookin'.
Okay.
Wait a minute.
We can't send this in.
Well, I know that
it's written out longhand.
We'll just get someone
to type it up. It's okay.
No, no, no, it... it's not
that, it's just that um...
oh, it's really bad.
You're always too hard
on yourself.
No, I mean, I wrote this
and I fell asleep reading it.
Well, it... I mean, it's the outline.
It's not the book.
I don't know,
it's... it's wrong.
"The Forgotten History
of L.A. Urbanization"?
I mean, who am I kidding?
Well, I mean, you made
"The Forgotten History
of Boston Streets" work.
Well, because I...
I live in Boston.
I'm connected to this place.
But Los Angeles?
It's just gonna be...
a bunch of research, you know?
There's no... heart to that.
It's not a good idea
to reinvent the wheel.
I know, but
what if no one likes it?
And I'm telling you,
I am telling you,
if this is my second book,
I will not have a third.
Well, so, what do we do?
I'll just find something
I'm passionate about
and write about it.
Okay, well...
if we pitch them a new idea
right after New Year's
then we stand a chance.
Otherwise, we might
lose the deal.
Right after this New Year's.
- Yeah.
- All right.
All right, well, that's...
fine.
I can do that.
Uh, I'll just, I'll work
through Christmas and um,
get you something... let's say,
January 2nd.
Hey, if anyone can do it,
you can.
Well, I apologize
for not making you dinner
but I didn't realize
I was gonna be this busy.
Well, you have a deadline.
I get it.
Any new book ideas?
No.
Well, I have an idea for you.
Might help to keep your mind off
the book with a little adventure.
Dad, what are you talking
about?
I can't go on an adventure.
Hear your old man out.
How about we...
take a little Christmas trip
together, on me.
Oh.
Dad, I wish I could.
But it's just the wrong timing,
you know?
I'm so busy with this new book
idea and I'm just...
I've gotta be honest with you,
I am stuck.
Maybe that's the thing.
Maybe a change of scenery is just
what you need to get you unstuck.
And I have the perfect place.
Where?
Aurora.
- Your hometown?
- Yeah.
Why so surprised?
Well, just...
we haven't been back there
in forever.
All the more reason to go.
We had a great time up there
when you were little.
Hmm.
I remember.
Sort of.
Yeah.
I do remember
Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Are you still renting
that place out?
Yeah, and that's the thing.
Last week, I get a call
from my real estate guy.
He says that he has got
a very serious buyer interested
and that now might be the time
to let it go.
Okay.
Well, I'm telling you right now,
that's not gonna be easy for me.
There's too many memories.
So, that's why
you want me to come.
Moral support.
Yes.
Christmas in Aurora
is something very special.
And it's the perfect place
to see the northern lights.
After all, they've named
the whole town
after the aurora borealis.
I mean, I have to admit,
it would be pretty cool
to see those lights,
as an adult.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, but Dad, I am so busy.
I have so much work to do.
No, I'll give you plenty of
time to do that. I promise you.
Trust your old man, huh?
If I tell you it's Christmas...
You can hang your stocking.
Okay.
Aurora, here we come.
That looks incredible!
I know,
look at all the colors.
Okay, where is this town
of Aurora exactly?
It's in the Northwest
Territories.
Oh, Canada.
Oh, geez.
Sounds cold.
- Colder than here?
- Yeah.
And like something
out of an old Western,
like a one-street town with nothin'
but tumbleweeds and a saloon.
Marlene, it's not that tiny.
Look.
I mean, got nice hotels.
Got these big,
fancy luxury tour buses.
Look at this.
Heated glamping tents.
Okay, I can actually look at
the northern lights from my bed.
Okay, okay.
You know, a trip to get
the creative juices flowing
is a good idea.
I think so.
I just thought you'd pick
somewhere... warmer?
Well, I mean I didn't pick
this place
but it's gonna make my dad happy
so I'm gonna go.
- Okay.
- Plus...
I am ready for the cold.
Yeah, you think those boots
will be warm enough up north?
Oh!
With what I paid
for these boots,
they'd better keep me warm
in outer space.
Okay, let's see some more.
Oh!
The northern lights are so cool.
Ugh!
Ooh!
Ha, okay.
All right, Dad, let's get
our rental and get some heat on.
Yeah.
Actually, I, uh...
I couldn't find us a car.
What?
Peak season.
By the time I tried,
they were all out.
- Oh, Dad!
- Not to worry, not to worry.
Our tour guide offered
to pick us up.
Ugh, okay.
Well, uh, which one are they?
Uh, none of them.
What?
Yeah, Trevor said
he'd text us when he arrives.
But I cannot seem
to get a signal.
Oh, Dad, please tell me
that you looked online
and that this tour company
had some good reviews.
Oh, I didn't bother
with all that.
Dad, you have to because
these tours are expensive.
Look, this one's run
by a family I have known
from way back.
They are simply the best.
So, there's nothing
to worry about, okay?
Except this...
this phone situation.
Okay, look, hold on.
Just, why don't...
why don't you just go inside
and try to...
get a better Wi-Fi signal
and I will, I don't know,
I'll try to figure out
if anyone can help us.
Okay, good idea.
Good idea.
Where...
Uh, ma'am, would you like me
to put that on for you?
Oh, no.
N-no, sorry, I'm just looking
for my tour guide.
Oh, uh, what's their name?
- Their name?
- Yeah.
Their name is uh...
Gregor.
Gregor.
- Gregor?
- Yeah.
I know all the guides here.
I don't think there's a Gregor.
- No?
- No.
Okay, uh, well, what tour
company are you with?
Oh, I don't recall.
No, that's okay. Did you get
a confirmation email?
My dad would have that.
I'm actually with him.
Oh!
Uh, he's here.
- Yeah.
- Where is he?
Well, he's actually in the airport
trying to get a Wi-Fi signal.
We're on this father-daughter
trip
and I come here there's
no Wi-Fi, there's no car rental.
He's taking me on some tour.
Didn't even check the reviews,
so I bet that's gonna be...
ooh, that's us.
Wait, that is you.
Okay.
- Yep.
- Well...
- Gregor?
- No. Trevor.
- Trevor.
- Trevor Crane, at your service.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Uh, my name's Erin.
Erin. Nice to meet you, Erin.
Welcome to Aurora.
Yeah, thanks.
Are you warm enough?
Well, uh, not gonna lie,
it feels like it's 10 below
out here.
Actually 20.
That's fine, though.
Who's counting, right?
Yeah.
First pro tip,
ignore the thermometer.
Yes. Listen, you're gonna have
a great time, okay?
You are guaranteed to have a
Northwest Christmas experience.
All right? Now, I've got
all kinds of things planned.
We've got local food,
we've got hikes, snowshoeing.
Whatever you need.
Yeah.
And the... the lights.
- Oh, absolutely the lights.
- Yeah.
I mean, it is called Aurora.
Right.
There is more
to the town of Aurora
than the aurora borealis, okay?
Just so you know.
But we just wanna keep those lights
at the top of that list, right?
Yes, ma'am. Absolutely.
Well, now, looks like
you two found each other.
- Hi, Dad.
- Oh, there he is.
Wow!
Hey.
Mr. Barnes, it's a pleasure
to meet you.
It's... thank you so much
for your email by the way.
It's actually really exciting
to get to kinda host
a friend of my Uncle Cyrus.
You know, he was a tour guide
around here
when this wasn't
such a big business.
Yeah, uh, he was best
in the Northwest Territory.
- Yep.
- Taught me everything I know and handed over the reins.
- Heh.
- Well, shall we go?
Yeah, let's do it.:
Okay, let me grab this.
Thank you.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Is... isn't that...
No, this is not my bus.
That's not your bus?
Ah, there's my bus
right there.
Ha, ha!
I call her Sugar Plum.
Yeah, named after my mom's
favorite ballet, The Nutcracker.
Anyway, all aboard!
Come on!
Yeah, at Christmas,
I like to customize my horn
for my customers, you know. Just give
them the full, seasonal experience.
So, uh, what hotel are
you folks staying at?
Actually, all
the hotels are booked up.
We're staying
at a bed and breakfast.
- We are?
- Yeah.
The uh... Duncan B&B?
Yeah. Ah, they're fantastic
over there.
Listen, Nancy Duncan, oh, she
makes these waffles, gingerbread.
Ooh! It's worth the price
of the room alone.
Well, better
yet, they had rooms.
Okay, well,
here we are.
I'll be back at 8 p.m. for your
first northern light tour, okay?
Okay. All right.
Okay, thank you, Trevor,
and we will see you tonight.
See you soon.
Warm up!
All right, one more
block to go
and then we get to Sugar Plum,
and then off we go, westward ho.
Oh, don't you mean
eastward ho?
No, no, westward. There's
a lookout point over there.
+lt's gonna be a great spot
for us to catch the lights.
Uh... okay.
Because my Aurora Tracker app actually says
- The what?
- The Aurora Tracker app.
- What?
Yeah.
You don't use it?
- No.
- Oh!
It's awesome.
Yeah, it has like,
visibilities, probability.
Best place to see the lights.
Yeah!
Wow, look at that.
I gotta be honest
with you, okay?
The only app I've ever
needed is right here.
Yeah, my Uncle Cyrus,
he taught me how to just read
the night sky.
You know, how to sense the air.
How to use the intuition.
I don't know, the northern
lights, they speak to ya.
You just gotta listen.
Okay, but the app
says that you...
Erin, um, you know,
people around here
have been viewing the northern
lights for hundreds of years.
And... and Trevor's our guide.
Let's... let's let him guide us.
Right?
You're right, Dad.
Of course.
All right.
Guide on.
I'd love to.
All right.
Come on.
- All right.
- Whew!
Right this way.
Oh, this is beautiful!
It's cold but beautiful.
Okay.
All right, here we are.
All right.
Where are we supposed
to look for the lights?
Yeah.
Well, that's not
why I pulled over.
- Huh?
- Yeah.
Uh, what I need you both to do is
actually just look right out there.
Okay?
Now, do you see how the moon
is hitting that ice?
Yeah.
- That's a frozen lake. Okay?
What I need you to do now
is close your eyes.
What?
Yeah, you're gonna close
your eyes and listen, okay?
What are we...
what are we listening for?
Yeah, you just gotta be
really quiet.
You'll hear it.
Yeah, I hear it.
I hear it too.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Is that...
That's the ice.
It's cracking.
You know, kinda feels like
it's alive, right?
Like it's talking to you?
Yeah.
Yes, I hear it.
Yeah, my uncle always
told me, you know,
it's better to make sure that your
guests have a unique experience.
It's not about chasing
the northern lights,
it's about showing
why they exist.
Right?
Little miracles
like this, right?
Just another one of the wonders
of God's creation.
You know, and then
that all circles back to the...
the true light of the season.
Right?
Yeah.
Okay, I gotta give it to you.
This was pretty amazing.
I mean, I still wanna see
the lights but...
this is neat, yeah.
Trevor, is it at all possible
that we could...
get a shot at seeing the lights tonight?
What are the odds?
Ha. Well, listen,
you're my guests
and I wanna make sure you're
happy. I'm gonna do my best.
Okay?
Yeah.
Speaking of happy,
here is something
I offer my guests.
Let's see.
Ah, here we go.
- Cookie?
- Ooh, yes.
Uh, no. No, thank you.
- I baked 'em.
- Yeah.
- Erin.
- Homemade.
You really have to taste this.
- Okay, okay.
- Sweetheart, you're gonna love this.
Okay, all right.
Hmm?
You baked those?
Yes, ma'am. Yeah.
Just a little hobby.
Something I like
to do on the side.
This is really good.
Wow.
- Woo!
- Oh, wow.
- Very good.
- Good.
Oh.
Oh.
Northeasterly wind moving in.
That means the lights are
gonna take the night off.
You know what? I'll have to give
you guys a ride back tonight.
But hey, we'll try again
tomorrow, okay?
Wait. Wait, wait.
We just got out here.
I know. I mean, I could keep
driving you around,
but trust me, not gonna see
the lights tonight.
Come on, sweetheart.
Let's go back.
We've had a very long day.
We need the rest.
Hmm?
Yeah, I mean, you're right.
You're right.
We've got the real estate
meeting tomorrow
and it is our first night,
so all right.
Okay.
Okay, back to Sugar Plum.
Warm up.
Yeah?
Grandma
and Granpa's old house.
Mm-hmm.
I do remember it.
Yeah, isn't this place
over 100 years old?
Mm-hmm.
There's a lot of Barnes family
history right here.
Come on.
Mr. Barnes.
- Oh.
Hey, you must be Mike.
Yeah, great to finally
meet you in person, Doug.
Welcome back.
This is my daughter, Erin.
- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Pleasure.
Why don't we get out
of this cold, huh?
The buyer's agent should
be here any minute. Good.
Thanks.
Oh, look at this place.
Wow.
Huh.
Yeah, it was Mike's idea
to frame
all the old family photos.
You know, to help with the um...
what do you call it?
- Staging.
- Oh, yeah.
I like that.
And I love that
you decorated for Christmas.
Well, thanks. I thought it would
make it feel more welcoming.
Yeah.
Your great-grandfather and his
brothers built this place in 1912.
Felt a lot bigger
when I was a lot smaller.
That window...
some nights I actually saw
the northern lights from it.
Yeah, very special way
to grow up.
- Hello?
- Ah, there she is.
Doug, I'd like to you meet
the buyer's agent.
She's the best in the business.
Laura Michaels?
Is that really you?
Doug Barnes, oh, my goodness.
- You know each other!
- Well, um...
When we were kids, we were
neighbors, on this very block.
We used to go
to Sunday School together.
You... you haven't changed
a bit!
Oh, well, I definitely have,
but you're very kind to say.
- Dad.
- Huh?
- Hi.
- Oh!
My daughter, Erin.
- Oh, nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Oh, I was hoping I'd see you
over the years but no such luck.
- Well.
- So... about the sale.
Oh, sorry.
I have an all-cash offer
and my client is very motivated.
So, they really love
the house.
Yes.
But more so the land.
I think they wanna build something
bigger, maybe more modern.
It's not really my taste
but they're the client.
Well... it's the way
of the world nowadays, huh?
More modern.
I've got all the paperwork
back at my office.
So, how long are you
in town for?
Well, we're supposed to leave
the day after Christmas.
I hope that's enough time
to wrap it up.
Oh, I don't know why not.
But hey, you'll be here
for the Borealis Ball.
Do they still do that?
- 75 years and counting.
- Oh.
And you're talking to the
chair of the planning committee.
Oh, whoa.
It's not really a formal ball
but the night
before Christmas Eve,
the whole town comes together
to raise money for charity.
It's loads of fun.
Yeah, I bet it is.
Yeah.
You know, I'd love to catch up
properly
if you had some free time.
I'd like that.
Well, I mean, you know,
you guys could do that right now
because I was planning
on taking a little walk anyway.
Are you sure, hon?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's fine.
I need the exercise.
And plus, I have to get
some warmer gear, so.
Oh, you should try
Nordic Outfitters on Pine Ridge.
They have everything.
- Pine Ridge?
- Mm-hmm.
All right, thank you.
Uh, okay, well,
you guys have fun.
- Yeah.
- It was nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.
- See ya.
48 Pine Ridge.
48 Pine Ridge.
This is not it.
Okay.
- Hey.
- Good morning.
- Whoa! Oh! Oh, sorry.
- Oh, wow!
- Hey!
- Hey! Hi!
Using an app to get around, huh?
Yeah. Yeah.
Well, those apps will get you hurt.
No, very funny.
No, I was... I was looking
for 48 Pine Ridge and this is it
but it's not Nordic Outfitters.
Ah.
No, this is 48
Pine Ridge Street.
- Uh-huh.
- You're looking for 48 Pine Ridge Place
which is three blocks that way.
Oh, okay.
Three very cold blocks.
It gets warmer as you go that way.
I can give you a ride,
if you want.
No, no, that's fine.
I can brave the cold.
I actually know
a place that's better.
It's about half a block down.
I can take you
if you wanna see it.
Oh.
Uh... no,
I'm sure you've got
more important things to do.
Well, you're my guest in town.
What's more important than you?
Well, uh,
that's very kind of you.
Uh, sure.
I could use the company.
- Okay, right this way.
- Okay.
What about Cyrus?
Is he still stubborn as ever?
Oh, he hasn't changed a bit.
But that's why we love him.
So, when are you two
going to get together?
Uh, I'm not quite sure.
He told me he was gonna try
to get back early from his trip.
- Oh. I hope he does.
- Yeah.
I mean, you're only here
until right after Christmas.
That gives you four days
for the perfect homecoming?
Hmm, yeah.
So, is it just
you and Erin on this trip?
Yeah.
Father and daughter trip.
Hmm.
Yeah, my wife... um, Elise...
passed away
almost five years ago.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
What about you, married?
Have kids?
Oh no, but I have
lots of nieces and nephews
and some grand-nephews,
so they keep me busy.
- I bet they do.
- Yeah.
But me, I...
just never met
the right person, I guess.
Maybe I'm too picky.
Hmm. Yeah.
- Okay, let me get that.
- Okay. Sorry.
Woo!
Wow, I think you bought
out the whole store.
Gah.
You can't do that to me.
You can't take me in there
with all that cute stuff.
No way.
And by the way, is it winter?
'Cause I can't tell.
Well, that's good.
I'm glad you feel better.
All these clothes are made out
of material that we've been using
to survive in subzero
temperatures for a very long time.
- Nice.
- Yeah.
Oh, and thank you
for the "Trevor discount."
Hey, anytime.
You know, you're shopping local.
They like that.
So do I.
You really love it here,
don't you?
Yep.
Yeah, my roots go pretty deep
here with my family.
So, it probably sounds
kinda corny.
It's an occupational hazard.
No, no.
I actually think
it sounds refreshing.
I can't imagine being
from a place like this, really.
And I guess Boston is my home.
I mean, it's where I spent
most of my adult life.
My uh, my mom was
in the military
so we moved around a lot.
And I know my dad's
from here, right?
But just...
I don't know, I don't really get
a sense of my roots.
Much less my history.
Well, I mean,
everybody has a history, right?
You just haven't
found yours yet.
Yeah, maybe.
And besides, I mean, you got
all these new, fancy clothes.
You're ready for the weather.
And it is lunchtime,
so you hungry?
Yeah.
Yeah, but I was just gonna go
back to my bed and breakfast
and get some room service.
Wait a minute, does a bed and
breakfast have room service?
No.
Oh, if only you had
your very own personal guide
who knew every great spot
in this town.
Hmm.
Know anybody I can call?
Yeah.
Yeah, I have an idea.
Speaking of which,
what do you do for work?
- I'm a writer.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- That's cool.
What do you write?
No, wait.
No, I'm gonna guess.
Okay, uh...
Mysteries?
- No. No.
- No?
Okay, romance?
No.
No, it's nothing that exciting.
Um, I'm an urban historian.
- Oh, so you write about cities.
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, what cities
have you written about?
Well, so far I've only written
one book
about the history
of the streets of Boston.
Okay.
But my publisher is
currently pushing me
for a second book idea
and I am completely stuck.
Yep, have
no idea what to write about.
How'd you come up with
the idea for your first book?
I was sitting in Boston
traffic, if you can believe it.
Yeah, at a standstill.
And I was looking around,
and I thought to myself,
you know, this cannot be
what the founders of this city
had envisioned for its future,
you know?
Because the decisions that
they make way back then
affect me, you,
millions of people, right?
Yeah.
So, I don't know,
I was just interested in it.
So, I started digging and
before you know it, had a book.
Didn't even feel like work.
Wow.
Sounds like it just kinda
came out of your own curiosity.
- Yeah.
- Hmm.
Well, maybe you just need
another question to ask, huh?
Or actually you just need
to find out what's nagging you.
Like, traffic.
Huh.
Well, the only thing that's
nagging me right now is...
I don't know
what to write about.
Hmm.
Oh.
All right, Pop, I'm ready to go.
Well, look at you.
Well, aren't you the height
of outdoor fashion.
Ha! Well, Trevor helped me
pick out all this stuff.
Ah.
Trevor?
Stop.
Okay, I just got a little lost
downtown and I ran into him,
and so, he took me to a place
where all the locals shop.
And um, and then
we went to lunch.
Lunch?
Oh, good evening,
you two.
- Hi.
- Hey.
You know, I uh, I wish you
would've gotten me something here.
I feel very underdressed.
You look great, okay?
What's not so great...
I don't think we'll be able
to see the lights this evening.
Too overcast.
Oh.
Oh no.
Well, that's a shame.
Yeah.
Well, better luck
tomorrow, huh?
- Yeah, okay.
- I like that attitude.
And hey, you know what?
As an alternative,
we have a Christmas market.
We could go there.
I think you'll love it.
Yeah.
Yeah, what do you think?
Yeah.
Yeah?
Yeah, actually,
that does sound fun. So, yeah.
Yeah. Maybe I could, uh,
I could invite Laura.
Would that be okay with you?
Yeah.
Yeah, Dad.
- Yeah.
- That's a good idea.
Okay. Well, hey, the more
the merrier, right?
Can I grab that for you?
Sure, thanks.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
All right.
Oh, smile!
You're with Santa!
See you at the ball.
Save me a dance!
By the way, Laura,
speaking of... of dancing,
I would like to know if my dad
was a good dancer back in the day?
Or was he just a big, old nerd
that just stood up
against the wall?
Ah, he was smart.
But...
way too cute to fit
in the nerd category.
Oh.
I wish I'd have known that then.
You know, Laura here,
she was exactly what you expect.
You know, feisty girl next door that
almost all the boys had a crush on.
Almost all the boys?
I plead the fifth.
Okay, everybody,
let's give Santa a little break
and start our annual caroling
open mic.
Remember,
it's for the church charity.
Just five dollars per song.
So, come on up,
help your neighbors and uh,
spread that Christmas cheer.
Okay, all right.
All right, so I'm gonna make
the donation
and you're gonna pick the song.
Huh?
You want me to sing?
Yeah.
No, no, I... I don't sing.
Oh, come on!
It's for charity.
Well, I don't mind donating.
Actually, I'll even
cheer for you.
Woo!
But uh, no, you don't
wanna hear me sing.
None of you do, trust me. I'm gonna
ruin all these folks' Christmas.
You're not gonna
ruin Christmas.
But you can be a bah humbug.
Fine.
Oh.
- Dad.
- No.
You sure?
- No!
Ugh.
Laura?
Oh, I can't.
I've been banned.
I tend to get carried away.
Okay, fine.
I will be right back.
Okay.
All right.
We have our first performer.
- Welcome!
- Hi.
There you go.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Hi, everybody.
Merry Christmas.
I am just gonna sing
the first verse of a...
of a lovely Christmas carol
that just happens to be
my mom's favorite, so.
Silent Night.
Okay, thank you.
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon Virgin
Mother and Child
Holy infant,
so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
So lovely.
- Wow.
- Wonderful.
Hey, Dad.
So, I found us
this really great hike.
It's got four stars.
Hon, a bit of a curveball.
- Huh?
- Mike, the real estate agent,
called and he needs me
to come down to the office
and look over the offer.
Oh, okay, well, we'll just
stop by there on the way.
You don't have to come.
Well, Dad, I wanna come.
This isn't an easy thing,
you selling your house.
Look, it's gonna be okay.
It means more to me that
you have a very fun day.
Hmm?
Oh.
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure.
Well, okay.
All right, I'll just catch
a cab to the trailhead then.
No, uh... look.
I um...
I didn't like the idea of you traipsing
off to the wilderness by yourself.
So, if you don't mind,
I made some arrangements.
Hmm?
You called Trevor?
Yeah.
He promised me
that he would give you
a unique wilderness experience.
Dad, you didn't ask me.
Well, if I had, I'm pretty
sure you would've said no.
- Exactly.
- Hmm.
Try and have fun.
- Goodbye, Dad.
- Goodbye.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Christmas cookie of the day.
Those are really cute, uh,
but I'm not really
a morning cookie type person.
Okay, that's all right.
Listen, your, uh, dad tells me that
you're up for an adventure today.
I am, yes, and I've been
doing a little research.
- Yeah?
- And there's this trail that I found online.
- Prospector Trail.
- Yeah.
Yeah. It's pretty popular
amongst the tourists.
Nah, I think we can do better.
Uh... well, are you sure?
Because it's probably popular
for a reason.
No, I'm positive.
Okay, all right.
Well, what'd you have in mind?
It's a surprise.
Don't really like surprises.
Okay, well, listen,
if you don't like it,
we'll go hike Prospector Trail.
Twice.
Deal?
Deal.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Oh.
Thank you.
All right.
Right this way.
Wow!
Silver Lake.
It's one of my favorite spots.
So quiet out here.
Won't get that in the city.
No, you do not.
That's a gift, really.
Just all the peace and quiet.
Allows you
to just really listen.
Hmm.
All right, follow me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on.
Out there?
Yeah.
We're just gonna walk across.
- Isn't that a lake?
- Yeah.
Okay, but that's just a bunch
of snow covering the ice.
Yes.
No, it's safe, okay?
It's really thick actually.
I usually drive across it this time
of year. You wanna drive instead?
No, no, no.
No, I don't wanna drive,
I don't wanna walk.
I'm not... not going out there.
You... okay.
No, that's fine. If you're
more comfortable here,
I mean, that's fine.
I mean, we can probably still
see them from here.
See... who?
Who are we looking for?
Huh?
Shh.
It's a surprise.
Okay.
I don't see anything.
There they are.
Okay, just look through those.
Little to the left.
Uh-huh.
Okay, there's a clearing
in the trees.
- I don't see anything.
- There's a bit of a clearing.
Once you see that...
Oh no! I see them.
- You got 'em?
- Yeah.
Oh, what are they?
Caribou.
Like, reindeer?
- Yeah.
- Ah!
They come through here quite often so I was
really hoping you'd get a chance to see them.
You know, in person.
I mean not
in some guidebook or...
definitely won't see them
on another tour.
My dad used to bring me
out here all the time.
Used to tell me that
those were Santa's reindeer.
You know, and they were scoping out
a landing site for Christmas Eve.
That's good.
Yeah.
Oh, wow.
Gorgeous.
Never seen anything like it.
I mean, in real life anyway.
You did good.
This was cool.
Yeah.
All right.
All right, well,
on to what's next.
- What's that?
- It's a saw.
I know it's a saw
but what's it for?
It's for the ice. You brought
your bathing suit, right?
- What?
- We can come back tomorrow.
We'll prep the space today and
then hit a cold plunge tomorrow.
You're kidding, right?
No.
I'm not gonna go do some
polar bear plunge with you.
- No?
- No!
I am not your girl for that.
- Like, that's a hard no?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- No.
No, that's a hard no.
No.
You sure?
It's really cold.
I mean, it's invigorating.
It's good for your mood.
Great for your circulation,
endorphins.
Okay, my-my mood and
my circulation are so good.
I'm really happy
with those things.
Okay.
Well, go to Plan B.
Follow me.
Timber!
You weren't actually gonna
go swimming, were you?
Hey, if you would've went in,
I would've went with you.
Okay, so now I need a tree.
Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
My place is pretty small.
Wait a minute.
Then what was that?
Oh, that one's for my uncle.
Uh, what do you think of this?
Um... hmm.
Hmm.
No?
I mean, well, I mean,
it's just kind of ordinary.
- Oh.
- And you're not ordinary.
Okay.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Can I ask you
a personal question?
Yes.
I mean, aside from your...
mountain man-esque
kind of fashion
and your total unwillingness
to accept modern technology,
you seem like a nice,
normal guy.
You know, and I'm sure you meet
women from all around the world
with your job, so
why are you single?
Hold on, hold on.
Let me guess.
You're the picky type.
Hmm?
I might be, just a little.
I knew it.
- Well, and I have a rule.
- Hmm?
Well, I keep my relations with
my guests purely professional.
Hmm.
Even if I may be tempted
to act otherwise.
That's...
that's a solid rule, yeah.
Hey.
- You like this one?
- Yeah.
Look, I mean, it's like...
it's screaming you.
It's like if... it's like
if you were a Christmas tree.
That's... what you'd look like.
What do you think?
Hmm?
Well, the magic
of a Christmas tree.
Star on top for all to see.
We all bring gifts
on bended knee
to remember the coming
of the newborn king.
That's nice.
Is that Robert Frost?
Ms. Sadler's 8th Grade
English class, Trevor Crane.
Oh, really?
You wrote that?
- Yeah.
- Oh, that's great.
Look at you, you poet.
How I remember that,
I have no idea.
But you know what?
I'm gonna keep my day job.
I'll leave the writing
up to you, okay? Oh.
Hey, speaking of which, you have
a book to come up with, right?
- Ugh.
- So, listen, I can take you back,
leave you alone for a while.
No. No, no, no.
No. Um...
I... I can do that later
before you pick me up tonight.
But right now, I think
that uh, this is your guy.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Oh, how do you know
that's a guy?
Well, it's clearly a guy.
It's tall, handsome,
and feel like he's gonna be
kinda stubborn.
Okay, there it is.
Well, we'll see. Hmm?
Let's get you on the bus.
Let's get you warmed up.
We've got some complimentary hot
chocolate, some really fun surprises.
I promised you
the night of a life time.
Ah, there he is.
- Hey, buddy.
All right, so when
I say I know a guy?
- Hmm?
- Noah,
this is a client of mine
and friend, Erin Barnes.
- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Hi, nice to meet you.
Are you enjoying your vacation?
I am.
Yeah, I am.
That's great.
- Uh, I'll be right back.
- Yeah.
- Hey, Dad.
- Hey. - Hey...
This could be you, buddy.
Job's yours if you want it.
Go get on your bus.
Oh, come... all right,
well, you have fun, okay?
Yeah. Good, I'll tell
you about it on the drive.
Okay.
- Okay, ready to go.
- Ha, ha.
I'm, uh, I'm real sorry.
Not gonna see the lights
tonight.
Well, I don't understand.
The... where are all
those people going?
Uh... I don't know.
There's not a cloud
in the sky.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know.
- Well, let me guess.
You know something they don't?
Can't explain it.
Uh... okay, well, can you try?
Yeah.
Yeah, I could try.
Um, so... if the northern lights
are imminent, right,
and there's a slight
atmospheric shift,
that's a change in pressure,
then it...
I guess I can't explain it.
Okay.
All I can say is I've been
doing this a really long time
and it's just something you feel
in the air, okay?
It's not... it's not physical,
it's like a gut feeling you get.
Okay. Uh...
okay, uh, well, Trevor,
my dad and I have been here
what, three nights. Right?
- Mm-hmm.
- We haven't seen the lights yet.
So, how about just for...
just for one night,
we just ignore
your little gut feeling
and we follow my Aurora Tracker
app, which says, by the way,
there's a 28 percent chance
that we'll see them tonight.
So...
Erin, I get it.
Okay? It's a natural phenomenon.
You wanna see it, right?
Look, you wanna catch it and
you'll do whatever it takes.
Trust me, that app,
it has an algorithm.
Takes its best guess,
but that's all it is.
It's a guess.
Okay?
It doesn't have human intuition.
It doesn't...
look, honestly, I don't wanna
waste your time, okay?
I don't wanna drive you
all the way out there
and bring you all the way back
just for nothing.
There's no chance?
No.
Listen, how about I make it up
to you tomorrow morning, okay?
Take you out on a... just a
special, one of a kind outing.
Okay?
Yeah.
Okay. You win.
- Yeah.
- Again.
Just trying
to be a good guy.
Okay, thank you for trusting me.
Really.
Well, listen, why don't you two
go inside and warm up, okay?
- Sounds good.
- Good night.
- Good night, buddy.
- Good night.
He... he actually thought
I was gonna jump in that lake.
I can't imagine you doing
a polar bear swim.
Never.
But I'm glad
you had a fun day.
I did.
I had a lot of fun, in fact.
- Hmm.
- Yeah.
Once again, I am so sorry,
ladies and gentlemen.
Sometimes the weather just
doesn't wanna behave itself.
Yeah.
- But we will prevail.
Tomorrow.
And hey, let's look
at the bright side.
The hour each way on the bus
just gave me the opportunity
to acquaint you all
with my full range of spoken
word Christmas carol repertoire.
Oh, heard it.
Thanks again.
And um... have a good night.
Dad, that could have been us.
You owe somebody an apology.
Yeah.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Hey, stranger!
Ha, Cyrus, you made it!
I told you I would.
Ah!
Is that Erin?
You weren't so tall
the last time I saw you.
Uncle Cyrus, hey, you're back!
Ah, yeah. I need to borrow
one of your clients for a bit.
Sorry to interrupt your tour.
No, no. No worries.
Um...
why don't I catch up
with you two later.
What do you think?
Huh?
Okay, sure. Sure, Dad.
Yes, go have fun.
Ha!
Uh, I guess
it's just the two of us.
I guess so.
Uh, hey, by the way,
I just wanna apologize
because you had a natural instinct
about the lights last night
and I wanted to listen
to some app,
and I was wrong.
So, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Appreciate that.
Well.
Well, here we are.
This land belongs to my family.
In the spring we make
maple syrup over here.
And as you can see,
these are the bells
that you were hearing.
Yeah, what are they for?
Well,
actually, generations ago,
we started this family tradition
where everybody comes out at
Christmas and hangs up a bell.
Started with my great-grandma
and I don't know, apparently
her favorite carol was
"I Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day." Hmm.
I mean, if you've never heard
the song before,
it's all about how peace
prevails on earth.
So, I guess that was just
really inspirational for her
and she came out here
and started hanging up bells
just so that everyone could hear
the same message.
I love that.
Yeah, it wasn't long after that,
the whole family got on board.
Everyone was coming out
during the holidays
to hang up a bell
to represent themselves.
It's beautiful.
I mean, you have the most unique
family tradition.
It's...
it's special.
Yeah. It is.
Hey, you hungry?
Yeah, I could eat.
Well, I packed a lunch.
- You have food?
- Yeah.
I'm... I'm a guy.
Of course I have food.
Let's see, what do we have here?
Okay, bannock.
Now, this is
a traditional bread.
What goes nicely with that,
you ask?
Well, some wild berry jam
that I made myself.
- You made that?
- Yes, ma'am.
Now, I also have
some caribou jerky.
And last but not least,
some Northwest Salmon.
That's really good.
Do you do this
for all your clients?
I mean, do what?
This.
Everything.
The... the reindeer,
the gourmet food, the bells.
Not the bells.
The bells are just for you.
Oh.
That is...
that is the
most beautiful sound.
It's like they're in sync.
That's the mystery
of it all, huh?
Lost my parents when I was 15
but I mean,
every time I come out here,
since both of them hung
a bell up at Christmas,
just...
it's kinda like I get to spend
a little time with them.
Yeah.
I guess you could say
that's the...
gift from God.
Yeah.
We're close.
We're almost there.
Ooh, ooh.
Hold on, hold on.
Are you gonna shop
for Christmas ornaments?
- I am.
- Really?
Oh.
For you.
- What?
- Yeah.
Said you wanna decorate your
tree tonight, so it's on me.
Okay, you don't
have to do that.
I know I don't have
to but want to.
'Cause you know what?
You have gone above and beyond
and I haven't exactly been...
gracious.
So.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Oh, hold on.
- Oh, here.
- Can you hold those?
- Yeah.
- Sorry. Ugh!
Oh, it's my dad.
Hey.
Are you at a party?
No, not a party.
Just a little
spontaneous mini reunion.
Okay, well, let me guess,
you're not going
on the tour tonight.
I'm... I'm sorry.
Some other old friends
came by to see me and...
One of those friends
happen to be Laura?
Yes.
Yes, she's here.
All right, well, you have fun.
Thank you for understanding,
sweetheart.
Oh, and Cyrus says he thinks
the northern lights
will be out in full force
tonight.
The lights are supposed
to be out tonight.
So, take some pictures for me.
Okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, for sure, I will.
Okay. Bye.
Ah, so your dad's out?
Ah.
He's out.
Power of romance overshadows
the power of nature, huh?
I guess so.
It's okay though 'cause this...
this whole trip is for him
anyway.
So, just makes it extra special.
Well, I'll have to make sure that
your evening's extra special as well.
Well, I mean, you've been...
been doing an adequate job.
Oh.
Okay.
I guess I'll have to step up
my A-game then.
Guess you will.
No northern lights
for you tonight?
I am beginning to think this
is the real reason I'm here.
Thank you for getting
everyone together.
Who, me?
I just told a few folks
that I ran into.
The Aurora gossip mill
took care of the rest.
Oh.
Thank you anyway.
Ooh!
It's like holding
a piece of ice.
Yeah, I bet.
You almost done?
Yeah. Yeah, I think I got it.
Oh, thanks.
Okay, you ready?
Here.
All right, go.
Put it in.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Okay, so uh...
what do we do now?
Well, now we wait.
Hey, I was wondering, um...
are there any tickets left
for the Borealis Ball?
Oh, well, they are going fast.
But I think for a couple
of special visiting guests,
I could grab a pair.
Well, I can't speak
for my daughter,
but I would really like to come.
Wonderful.
You can be my date.
It would be my pleasure.
You sure
this is the right spot?
I mean...
we've been sitting here
for over an hour.
Well, when you're trying to...
look at a natural phenomenon, I
have found that you're always tested
in your patience.
Hmm.
Well, I don't know about that
because all these people
on the tour have seen it.
That's not bad.
- Not bad? - Yeah.
- It's amazing!
Hey, you can't trust
those guides, okay?
Some of them are pretty tricky.
Those pictures; probably
not even taken today.
In fact, I know
they're not taken today.
Okay, but these are selfies.
Not from today.
Just don't think you like
to admit you're wrong.
It's 'cause I'm not wrong.
Hey, I know I've lost some business
to these big tour companies, okay?
But I'm not gonna stoop
to that level.
Well, I didn't say
stoop to that level.
I just... I just meant that
maybe you could...
pick up a few tricks.
Hmm?
Play the game a little more.
What?
Play the game?
Yeah.
This isn't a game for me.
This is...
I don't know, doing what I love.
Okay, and I understand that
I have bills to pay, all right?
So, on one hand I've got money
and on the other hand,
I've got my heart.
And you know what?
My heart's telling me
that God doesn't wanna just show
you a picture on social media. Okay?
He wants to bring you out here
'cause he's gonna show you something
that he wants to paint for you
in real life,
in real time,
right before your eyes.
There's no app to track that.
Look, I know that, okay?
And I appreciate
the way you think. I do.
But...
I've actually been thinking
about your situation
a little bit. Trevor,
you see the world
in such a beautiful
and unique way.
You really do.
And that's a gift.
I mean, if you combine the way
you see everything
with the knowledge
and the insight that you have,
you could create an app
for your business
that would let people see
this town through your eyes.
Uh...
Trevor, I'm just
trying to help you.
You know,
you're running a business.
You need to think
like a businessman.
- A businessman?
- Yeah.
Well, I don't think
that works for me.
And if you're being honest, I don't
think it works for you either.
What are you talking about?
Well, just think about it,
right?
I mean, maybe that's why you haven't
gotten the idea for your next book yet,
because you're too busy spending
time trying to think
of what's gonna sell instead of
what really matters to you.
I mean, my roots are
important to me.
It's... it's who I am.
Can you say the same?
My roots are important
to me, yes.
Okay, well, then,
maybe you should just take
a little a more time
to consider that.
Look into it.
Like figure out what...
what moves you inside,
instead of spending so much time
trying to, I don't know,
get a picture of the northern lights to put
online to show your friends or whatever.
Come on, that's not
why I'm here.
Well, I...
I don't think you know
why you're here.
You know, I just...
Erin...
All of a sudden
got really cold.
Um...
You know, I think
I'm gonna call it a night.
Um... if you don't mind.
Ah, I just feel bad
about what happened.
Well, I'm sure he feels worse.
Hmm.
Hey. We've only got
two more days left.
You wanna try
and get on another tour?
Hmm, I don't know.
- You don't?
- Oh.
Well, there's just something
that Trevor said that's just...
I don't know,
it's sticking with me.
You know, ever since I got here,
all I've been focusing on is
seeing the lights.
- Mm-hmm.
- And I've completely ignored
my own connection to this place.
I mean, Dad, you're from here.
Yeah.
I should've been focusing on
my own family history
instead of...
worrying about checking off
some bucket list box.
Oh, come on.
Stop being so hard on yourself.
Yes, you did come to see
the lights
but you're learning there's
a lot more to this place now.
It's all good.
Believe me.
Hmm?
Yeah.
So, uh, did you sell the house?
I haven't signed anything yet.
Don't really know that I can.
You know, when I was 18
I used to sit up
and look out my bedroom window
at the stars for hours.
Hmm.
Wondering if they'd be as
beautiful from my college dorm,
or if I should just stay here.
Well, I decided to take a chance
if I ever really wanted
to live a truly full life.
I left my friends and my family,
and just went away.
Hmm.
And you met Mom.
Best thing
that ever happened to me.
I know.
But ever since
we've come here,
this place has been
calling me back.
Does that make any sense?
Yeah.
Yeah, Dad, it does.
I mean, these are your roots.
Your people.
Your people, too.
Come here.
Sweetheart, there's something
I wanna tell ya.
Mm-hmm.
I have been thinking
about staying here for a while.
- Really?
- Yeah.
What do you think?
Well, I think that...
whatever decision you choose to
make is gonna be the right one.
I just want you happy.
Me too.
So, come on. What do you wanna
do with this day, huh?
Uh, well,
I was thinking, Dad, maybe
I could go over
to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
That is a good idea.
I'm gonna go along then.
Well, if you don't mind,
I'd like to go alone.
- Oh.
- Just to...
I don't know, maybe sit there
and maybe I'll find a little
inspiration for my book.
That's a good idea.
I say go for it.
Okay.
Looks like Dad.
Hmm.
I got a good feeling
about tonight.
It's gonna happen for us.
Thank you.
All right? Yeah.
Go on in, make yourself
comfortable.
Fingers crossed.
- Hey, Erin, right?
- Yeah.
- Hey.
Hi.
Okay, I gotta ask,
you seen the lights yet?
Uh... no.
See, Trevor mentioned that.
So, we've had
some spots open up.
You wanna see 'em tonight?
Uh...
What do you got to lose?
We are leaving right now.
- Yeah. Okay.
- Yeah, good.
Come on.
All right.
Good evening, everybody.
Welcome to Northern
Horizon Tours!
Yeah.
Yeah, we have got a great
evening for you guys tonight.
Because according to our aurora
tracking technology,
it's gonna be a great night
to see the aurora borealis,
colloquially known
as the northern lights.
If you wanna upload any photos
to our social media,
you can do so
using our complimentary Wi-Fi.
Just don't forget to tag
Northern Horizon Tours
on all your social media
accounts
for your chance to win a free
Northern Horizons t-shirt.
Yeah. I know.
Now, before we go, I've got
a special treat for ya.
I've arranged a little stop
so you can get some Aurora
souvenirs before we hit the road.
All right.
What do you say?
Take us to that gift shop
there, old buddy.
Hey.
Hey, come on in. We're giving a 10
percent discount to all our clients.
Erin!
- Hmm.
- Hey, coming in?
Uh...
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm... I'm okay.
Hey, Noah, can I ask you
a question?
- Sure.
- You like your job?
Yeah! Yes.
I love my job.
What do you like about it?
- Honestly?
- Yeah.
It's the tips.
I mean, I make enough
every season
to pay for six months' surfing
in Costa Rica.
Every year.
Doesn't get better than that.
You know what?
I... I think I'm gonna pass
on the tour tonight.
- Really?
- Yeah.
You know this is supposed to be
the best sighting of the week.
Yeah, I know, I know,
but uh...
maybe I'll catch it next year.
But thank you so much
for the offer.
Yeah.
You know where to find us.
Yeah.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
You've reached
Aurora Excursions,
the Northwest Territories'
one of a kind tour company.
I can't take your call right now
but please leave me a message.
Hey.
Erin.
Hi.
Hi.
What are you doing here?
Um... uh...
I just wanted to come by and...
and see how you are.
Okay.
Did you walk this whole way?
I mean, that's pretty far
from your bed and breakfast.
Yeah. It's a bit of hike,
I'm not gonna lie.
Okay.
But uh, you know, you helped
me get these great boots, so...
wanted to put 'em to the test.
It's good to see you.
I do have a cab on the way,
though,
so I'm not sure
how much time I have.
What's wrong with your van?
Uh nothing, I just...
you know,
didn't think it'd be good form if
I showed up to my new job in it.
What... what do you mean?
Noah's been asking me to...
go over to Northern Horizon, you
know, for a couple months now.
And I figured, well,
if you can't beat 'em...
Wow.
Um, huh.
Sorry, it's just a surprise.
Gotta face the facts, right?
Been what, a year?
And I have been competing
with these larger companies.
Just taking all the money I'm making
and putting it back into my own company.
None of it works.
At least it doesn't appear
to be.
My bookings are dropping and my
bank account's dropping. So...
My uncle gave me a business
and I failed him.
Not failing.
Sure feels that way, yeah.
Also wanted to refund you
your trip
because you didn't get
to see the lights.
No, no, I don't, I don't
want any money back, okay?
I just... I want you to keep
your business open.
Look, I went on Noah's tour and
- You saw the lights?
Well, no, actually, I didn't.
Uh, because I left.
Why?
I went on his bus and yes,
it's fancy
and it has all the technology
that you think that I would love
but I...
I didn't.
I didn't like it at all.
Because all I could think about
was how great your tour was
and how much you put into it.
All the heart.
You care so much
and it's really...
Erin, I...
I'm thankful that you...
you see that.
Okay?
But the big machine doesn't.
To be honest, I'm just tired
of swimming upstream.
There's my ride.
Don't want to be late
on my first big day.
It was good seeing you.
Hey, Trevor.
Huh?
Sure you wanna do this?
What choice do I have?
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Come in.
I'm not interrupting, am I?
No! No, I'm just trying
to get a little work done.
What's up?
Oh, I just came
to check on you.
I'm fine.
So, you're sure you don't
wanna come to the ball tonight?
Oh, Dad, it does sound fun,
but um...
I think I'm gonna pass.
Maybe Trevor will be there.
Hmm.
I doubt it.
Look, it's our last night
in Aurora
and I am so sorry the trip didn't
turn out the way you'd hoped
but don't spend the end of it
alone in here.
It's Christmas.
I really want you to come.
Please?
I can never say no to you.
Okay, okay, I'll go.
Ah, that's my girl.
Well, glad I bought
those two tickets anyway.
Dad.
What?
Well, wait a minute. I don't
even have anything to wear.
Well, Cyrus is lending me
a suit.
Does he happen to have
a dress I could wear?
No.
But I think I know someone
who can help you.
Santa never forgets.
Well, hello.
Oh, wow!
My niece was right.
You look fabulous in her dress.
Thank you.
Thank you. By the way,
this place looks amazing.
You did a really good job.
Oh, thank you.
But I had some help.
Oh, I was just a pair
of extra hands.
She was the one
who did all the work.
Oh, thank you.
But I have to say,
it's the first time
I've ever thrown a combination
Christmas charity
and farewell party.
It's a little sad, actually.
Yeah, we finally get together
after all these years,
only to watch you
disappear again, huh?
Uh, about that, Cyrus. Um...
I've decided not to sell.
Oh.
- I can't do it. I'm sorry.
Oh, I couldn't bear the thought of
someone tearing down that beautiful house.
Your beautiful house.
And also I was...
I was kind of thinking, um...
that I'm gonna hang around here
a little while longer.
Are you all right with that?
Well, let me think about it.
Yes!
Took you two long enough.
Um...
What about you?
I mean, are you gonna be okay
going home alone, sweetheart?
Well, there's been a little
bit of change on my end, Dad.
Uh, you know when I went over
to Grandma and Grandpa's house
the other day?
Mmhmm.
I actually came up
with my new book idea.
- No!
- Yeah.
Yeah, I wanna do
a history of Aurora,
specifically focused
on my great-great-grandfather.
- Gerald Barnes?
- Mm-hmm.
That's a great idea.
Well, my agent thinks so, too.
I am gonna need to do
a lot of hands-on research.
So, I think I'm gonna
stick around a little while.
Well, is that the only reason?
- Yes.
- Excuse me, ma'am.
I was wondering if you'd be
interested in a tour of Aurora.
And this is
when I steal your dad.
I'm going to snag
some more Christmas punch.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I thought you were working.
Yeah, I was, yeah.
And then uh, I quit.
Just... yeah, walked off.
Came to my senses.
About what?
Well, I was standing on that big
tour bus looking around at everyone
and I thought to myself,
I'm never gonna know the first
names of any of these people.
That's one of the main things I love about
my job right now is I get to know people.
You get to take them out and show
them a very unique experience,
and not this big, like,
here you go, stand there,
take a picture, we're done.
So, Aurora Excursions
back in business?
I think so.
Yeah.
Well, I decided to take some advice
from a friend of mine, she's a writer.
And all the critics say
she's not too bad.
Not too bad.
Yeah, I think I know her, yeah.
Yeah, you might.
So, I'm gonna take your advice
and incorporate a little more
technology into my company.
Now, I'm hoping to bring in
a steadier stream of clientele
and I still wanna do what I do.
Take them out and just give them
a more unique experience
of a personal touch, you know.
I think that's gonna work
for you.
I really do.
Well, I hope so.
I'm glad you came.
Yeah, me too.
Nowhere else I'd rather be.
You look stunning, by the way.
Oh, it's a borrowed dress.
- It fits perfectly.
- Thanks.
And you look
extremely good in a suit.
For a mountain man, anyway.
Thank you.
Ahem.
Uh, could I interest you
in a dance?
I thought you had a rule?
Well, you're the exception
to the rule.
Can I make a confession?
Oh.
Oh no, what'd you do?
Every time I took you out,
I was like, okay, is she gonna
chicken out or give up?
You never did.
Hmm.
You've got some northern grit.
I like that.
You don't know
how true that is.
- Huh?
- Yeah, I do.
I did a little research
and I found out that my roots go back
to the founding fathers of this place.
- What?
- Yeah!
- Really?
- Yes.
And so, I guess you could say
that is why I'm here,
to learn my history.
And it was you that inspired me
to think outside the confines
of dollar signs and book deals.
So, thank you.
Thank you.
You know, you showed me that
it's okay to roll with the times
and yet you could still be yourself.
Mmhmm.
Need a little more push
back like that in my life.
Yes, you do.
You can be stubborn.
Well, maybe.
Wish we had a little
more time together.
What?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Nothing's wrong.
It's right.
We gotta go.
- Go where?
- Right now.
- Oh.
- Let's go.
- What?
- Yep, now.
- Oh, what?
- Come on!
Why are you
bringing me back here?
- Ah, you'll see.
- Ah.
Oh, it's so pretty at night.
Look at this place.
Well, you know what?
I almost bought you
a bell last night.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Well, when I got off the bus
tonight,
I was walking through town
and, uh...
Oh.
That's the same bell
I was gonna get you.
- No.
- Yes.
Oh.
Well, I mean, you just...
I don't know, you said how much
you liked it here
and I got you that.
Just you could take it back
to Boston with you and...
it'll remind you of here.
And me.
I don't need a bell
to remember you.
But this is sweet.
And since I'm sticking around
for a little longer, I...
Wait, what?
Yeah.
Really?
Yes.
Yes. It was actually from
something that you said. It just...
it made me think about a question
that I wanted to answer in my own life
and that actually led me
to my new book idea.
Okay, which is?
Which is,
uh, well, I found out that
my great-great-grandfather
actually was one of the first
settlers of this town
and he has a fascinating story.
And I'd like to explore it
in my new book.
Okay.
Well, I mean, that sounds
like a bestseller to me.
Yeah, I... I hope so.
And I'm glad you're staying.
Me too.
You wanna hang that up?
Here?
Yeah.
Where's your bell?
Come on, I'll show you.
I hung my bell
when I was nine years old.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Which one is it?
Right there.
Okay.
Here's to finding my roots,
my history,
and my home.
I really wanna kiss you
right now but...
But what?
You really need to see this.
Hey.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
- Hi!
- I come bearing gifts.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, no, no, no, open it now.
- Now?
- Yeah.
Okay...
It's beautiful.
- You like it?
- I love it.
Oh, thank you.
You're welcome.
It's gorgeous.
I knew that you were
decorating your tree and uh,
I just wanted to get it to you
on time, you know?
This writer respects deadlines.
So, speaking of deadlines...
Oh, uh... right.
Um... ahem.
Hmm.
An outline?
Uh, okay, here we go.
Now we are cookin'.
Okay.
Wait a minute.
We can't send this in.
Well, I know that
it's written out longhand.
We'll just get someone
to type it up. It's okay.
No, no, no, it... it's not
that, it's just that um...
oh, it's really bad.
You're always too hard
on yourself.
No, I mean, I wrote this
and I fell asleep reading it.
Well, it... I mean, it's the outline.
It's not the book.
I don't know,
it's... it's wrong.
"The Forgotten History
of L.A. Urbanization"?
I mean, who am I kidding?
Well, I mean, you made
"The Forgotten History
of Boston Streets" work.
Well, because I...
I live in Boston.
I'm connected to this place.
But Los Angeles?
It's just gonna be...
a bunch of research, you know?
There's no... heart to that.
It's not a good idea
to reinvent the wheel.
I know, but
what if no one likes it?
And I'm telling you,
I am telling you,
if this is my second book,
I will not have a third.
Well, so, what do we do?
I'll just find something
I'm passionate about
and write about it.
Okay, well...
if we pitch them a new idea
right after New Year's
then we stand a chance.
Otherwise, we might
lose the deal.
Right after this New Year's.
- Yeah.
- All right.
All right, well, that's...
fine.
I can do that.
Uh, I'll just, I'll work
through Christmas and um,
get you something... let's say,
January 2nd.
Hey, if anyone can do it,
you can.
Well, I apologize
for not making you dinner
but I didn't realize
I was gonna be this busy.
Well, you have a deadline.
I get it.
Any new book ideas?
No.
Well, I have an idea for you.
Might help to keep your mind off
the book with a little adventure.
Dad, what are you talking
about?
I can't go on an adventure.
Hear your old man out.
How about we...
take a little Christmas trip
together, on me.
Oh.
Dad, I wish I could.
But it's just the wrong timing,
you know?
I'm so busy with this new book
idea and I'm just...
I've gotta be honest with you,
I am stuck.
Maybe that's the thing.
Maybe a change of scenery is just
what you need to get you unstuck.
And I have the perfect place.
Where?
Aurora.
- Your hometown?
- Yeah.
Why so surprised?
Well, just...
we haven't been back there
in forever.
All the more reason to go.
We had a great time up there
when you were little.
Hmm.
I remember.
Sort of.
Yeah.
I do remember
Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Are you still renting
that place out?
Yeah, and that's the thing.
Last week, I get a call
from my real estate guy.
He says that he has got
a very serious buyer interested
and that now might be the time
to let it go.
Okay.
Well, I'm telling you right now,
that's not gonna be easy for me.
There's too many memories.
So, that's why
you want me to come.
Moral support.
Yes.
Christmas in Aurora
is something very special.
And it's the perfect place
to see the northern lights.
After all, they've named
the whole town
after the aurora borealis.
I mean, I have to admit,
it would be pretty cool
to see those lights,
as an adult.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, but Dad, I am so busy.
I have so much work to do.
No, I'll give you plenty of
time to do that. I promise you.
Trust your old man, huh?
If I tell you it's Christmas...
You can hang your stocking.
Okay.
Aurora, here we come.
That looks incredible!
I know,
look at all the colors.
Okay, where is this town
of Aurora exactly?
It's in the Northwest
Territories.
Oh, Canada.
Oh, geez.
Sounds cold.
- Colder than here?
- Yeah.
And like something
out of an old Western,
like a one-street town with nothin'
but tumbleweeds and a saloon.
Marlene, it's not that tiny.
Look.
I mean, got nice hotels.
Got these big,
fancy luxury tour buses.
Look at this.
Heated glamping tents.
Okay, I can actually look at
the northern lights from my bed.
Okay, okay.
You know, a trip to get
the creative juices flowing
is a good idea.
I think so.
I just thought you'd pick
somewhere... warmer?
Well, I mean I didn't pick
this place
but it's gonna make my dad happy
so I'm gonna go.
- Okay.
- Plus...
I am ready for the cold.
Yeah, you think those boots
will be warm enough up north?
Oh!
With what I paid
for these boots,
they'd better keep me warm
in outer space.
Okay, let's see some more.
Oh!
The northern lights are so cool.
Ugh!
Ooh!
Ha, okay.
All right, Dad, let's get
our rental and get some heat on.
Yeah.
Actually, I, uh...
I couldn't find us a car.
What?
Peak season.
By the time I tried,
they were all out.
- Oh, Dad!
- Not to worry, not to worry.
Our tour guide offered
to pick us up.
Ugh, okay.
Well, uh, which one are they?
Uh, none of them.
What?
Yeah, Trevor said
he'd text us when he arrives.
But I cannot seem
to get a signal.
Oh, Dad, please tell me
that you looked online
and that this tour company
had some good reviews.
Oh, I didn't bother
with all that.
Dad, you have to because
these tours are expensive.
Look, this one's run
by a family I have known
from way back.
They are simply the best.
So, there's nothing
to worry about, okay?
Except this...
this phone situation.
Okay, look, hold on.
Just, why don't...
why don't you just go inside
and try to...
get a better Wi-Fi signal
and I will, I don't know,
I'll try to figure out
if anyone can help us.
Okay, good idea.
Good idea.
Where...
Uh, ma'am, would you like me
to put that on for you?
Oh, no.
N-no, sorry, I'm just looking
for my tour guide.
Oh, uh, what's their name?
- Their name?
- Yeah.
Their name is uh...
Gregor.
Gregor.
- Gregor?
- Yeah.
I know all the guides here.
I don't think there's a Gregor.
- No?
- No.
Okay, uh, well, what tour
company are you with?
Oh, I don't recall.
No, that's okay. Did you get
a confirmation email?
My dad would have that.
I'm actually with him.
Oh!
Uh, he's here.
- Yeah.
- Where is he?
Well, he's actually in the airport
trying to get a Wi-Fi signal.
We're on this father-daughter
trip
and I come here there's
no Wi-Fi, there's no car rental.
He's taking me on some tour.
Didn't even check the reviews,
so I bet that's gonna be...
ooh, that's us.
Wait, that is you.
Okay.
- Yep.
- Well...
- Gregor?
- No. Trevor.
- Trevor.
- Trevor Crane, at your service.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Uh, my name's Erin.
Erin. Nice to meet you, Erin.
Welcome to Aurora.
Yeah, thanks.
Are you warm enough?
Well, uh, not gonna lie,
it feels like it's 10 below
out here.
Actually 20.
That's fine, though.
Who's counting, right?
Yeah.
First pro tip,
ignore the thermometer.
Yes. Listen, you're gonna have
a great time, okay?
You are guaranteed to have a
Northwest Christmas experience.
All right? Now, I've got
all kinds of things planned.
We've got local food,
we've got hikes, snowshoeing.
Whatever you need.
Yeah.
And the... the lights.
- Oh, absolutely the lights.
- Yeah.
I mean, it is called Aurora.
Right.
There is more
to the town of Aurora
than the aurora borealis, okay?
Just so you know.
But we just wanna keep those lights
at the top of that list, right?
Yes, ma'am. Absolutely.
Well, now, looks like
you two found each other.
- Hi, Dad.
- Oh, there he is.
Wow!
Hey.
Mr. Barnes, it's a pleasure
to meet you.
It's... thank you so much
for your email by the way.
It's actually really exciting
to get to kinda host
a friend of my Uncle Cyrus.
You know, he was a tour guide
around here
when this wasn't
such a big business.
Yeah, uh, he was best
in the Northwest Territory.
- Yep.
- Taught me everything I know and handed over the reins.
- Heh.
- Well, shall we go?
Yeah, let's do it.:
Okay, let me grab this.
Thank you.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Is... isn't that...
No, this is not my bus.
That's not your bus?
Ah, there's my bus
right there.
Ha, ha!
I call her Sugar Plum.
Yeah, named after my mom's
favorite ballet, The Nutcracker.
Anyway, all aboard!
Come on!
Yeah, at Christmas,
I like to customize my horn
for my customers, you know. Just give
them the full, seasonal experience.
So, uh, what hotel are
you folks staying at?
Actually, all
the hotels are booked up.
We're staying
at a bed and breakfast.
- We are?
- Yeah.
The uh... Duncan B&B?
Yeah. Ah, they're fantastic
over there.
Listen, Nancy Duncan, oh, she
makes these waffles, gingerbread.
Ooh! It's worth the price
of the room alone.
Well, better
yet, they had rooms.
Okay, well,
here we are.
I'll be back at 8 p.m. for your
first northern light tour, okay?
Okay. All right.
Okay, thank you, Trevor,
and we will see you tonight.
See you soon.
Warm up!
All right, one more
block to go
and then we get to Sugar Plum,
and then off we go, westward ho.
Oh, don't you mean
eastward ho?
No, no, westward. There's
a lookout point over there.
+lt's gonna be a great spot
for us to catch the lights.
Uh... okay.
Because my Aurora Tracker app actually says
- The what?
- The Aurora Tracker app.
- What?
Yeah.
You don't use it?
- No.
- Oh!
It's awesome.
Yeah, it has like,
visibilities, probability.
Best place to see the lights.
Yeah!
Wow, look at that.
I gotta be honest
with you, okay?
The only app I've ever
needed is right here.
Yeah, my Uncle Cyrus,
he taught me how to just read
the night sky.
You know, how to sense the air.
How to use the intuition.
I don't know, the northern
lights, they speak to ya.
You just gotta listen.
Okay, but the app
says that you...
Erin, um, you know,
people around here
have been viewing the northern
lights for hundreds of years.
And... and Trevor's our guide.
Let's... let's let him guide us.
Right?
You're right, Dad.
Of course.
All right.
Guide on.
I'd love to.
All right.
Come on.
- All right.
- Whew!
Right this way.
Oh, this is beautiful!
It's cold but beautiful.
Okay.
All right, here we are.
All right.
Where are we supposed
to look for the lights?
Yeah.
Well, that's not
why I pulled over.
- Huh?
- Yeah.
Uh, what I need you both to do is
actually just look right out there.
Okay?
Now, do you see how the moon
is hitting that ice?
Yeah.
- That's a frozen lake. Okay?
What I need you to do now
is close your eyes.
What?
Yeah, you're gonna close
your eyes and listen, okay?
What are we...
what are we listening for?
Yeah, you just gotta be
really quiet.
You'll hear it.
Yeah, I hear it.
I hear it too.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Is that...
That's the ice.
It's cracking.
You know, kinda feels like
it's alive, right?
Like it's talking to you?
Yeah.
Yes, I hear it.
Yeah, my uncle always
told me, you know,
it's better to make sure that your
guests have a unique experience.
It's not about chasing
the northern lights,
it's about showing
why they exist.
Right?
Little miracles
like this, right?
Just another one of the wonders
of God's creation.
You know, and then
that all circles back to the...
the true light of the season.
Right?
Yeah.
Okay, I gotta give it to you.
This was pretty amazing.
I mean, I still wanna see
the lights but...
this is neat, yeah.
Trevor, is it at all possible
that we could...
get a shot at seeing the lights tonight?
What are the odds?
Ha. Well, listen,
you're my guests
and I wanna make sure you're
happy. I'm gonna do my best.
Okay?
Yeah.
Speaking of happy,
here is something
I offer my guests.
Let's see.
Ah, here we go.
- Cookie?
- Ooh, yes.
Uh, no. No, thank you.
- I baked 'em.
- Yeah.
- Erin.
- Homemade.
You really have to taste this.
- Okay, okay.
- Sweetheart, you're gonna love this.
Okay, all right.
Hmm?
You baked those?
Yes, ma'am. Yeah.
Just a little hobby.
Something I like
to do on the side.
This is really good.
Wow.
- Woo!
- Oh, wow.
- Very good.
- Good.
Oh.
Oh.
Northeasterly wind moving in.
That means the lights are
gonna take the night off.
You know what? I'll have to give
you guys a ride back tonight.
But hey, we'll try again
tomorrow, okay?
Wait. Wait, wait.
We just got out here.
I know. I mean, I could keep
driving you around,
but trust me, not gonna see
the lights tonight.
Come on, sweetheart.
Let's go back.
We've had a very long day.
We need the rest.
Hmm?
Yeah, I mean, you're right.
You're right.
We've got the real estate
meeting tomorrow
and it is our first night,
so all right.
Okay.
Okay, back to Sugar Plum.
Warm up.
Yeah?
Grandma
and Granpa's old house.
Mm-hmm.
I do remember it.
Yeah, isn't this place
over 100 years old?
Mm-hmm.
There's a lot of Barnes family
history right here.
Come on.
Mr. Barnes.
- Oh.
Hey, you must be Mike.
Yeah, great to finally
meet you in person, Doug.
Welcome back.
This is my daughter, Erin.
- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Pleasure.
Why don't we get out
of this cold, huh?
The buyer's agent should
be here any minute. Good.
Thanks.
Oh, look at this place.
Wow.
Huh.
Yeah, it was Mike's idea
to frame
all the old family photos.
You know, to help with the um...
what do you call it?
- Staging.
- Oh, yeah.
I like that.
And I love that
you decorated for Christmas.
Well, thanks. I thought it would
make it feel more welcoming.
Yeah.
Your great-grandfather and his
brothers built this place in 1912.
Felt a lot bigger
when I was a lot smaller.
That window...
some nights I actually saw
the northern lights from it.
Yeah, very special way
to grow up.
- Hello?
- Ah, there she is.
Doug, I'd like to you meet
the buyer's agent.
She's the best in the business.
Laura Michaels?
Is that really you?
Doug Barnes, oh, my goodness.
- You know each other!
- Well, um...
When we were kids, we were
neighbors, on this very block.
We used to go
to Sunday School together.
You... you haven't changed
a bit!
Oh, well, I definitely have,
but you're very kind to say.
- Dad.
- Huh?
- Hi.
- Oh!
My daughter, Erin.
- Oh, nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Oh, I was hoping I'd see you
over the years but no such luck.
- Well.
- So... about the sale.
Oh, sorry.
I have an all-cash offer
and my client is very motivated.
So, they really love
the house.
Yes.
But more so the land.
I think they wanna build something
bigger, maybe more modern.
It's not really my taste
but they're the client.
Well... it's the way
of the world nowadays, huh?
More modern.
I've got all the paperwork
back at my office.
So, how long are you
in town for?
Well, we're supposed to leave
the day after Christmas.
I hope that's enough time
to wrap it up.
Oh, I don't know why not.
But hey, you'll be here
for the Borealis Ball.
Do they still do that?
- 75 years and counting.
- Oh.
And you're talking to the
chair of the planning committee.
Oh, whoa.
It's not really a formal ball
but the night
before Christmas Eve,
the whole town comes together
to raise money for charity.
It's loads of fun.
Yeah, I bet it is.
Yeah.
You know, I'd love to catch up
properly
if you had some free time.
I'd like that.
Well, I mean, you know,
you guys could do that right now
because I was planning
on taking a little walk anyway.
Are you sure, hon?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's fine.
I need the exercise.
And plus, I have to get
some warmer gear, so.
Oh, you should try
Nordic Outfitters on Pine Ridge.
They have everything.
- Pine Ridge?
- Mm-hmm.
All right, thank you.
Uh, okay, well,
you guys have fun.
- Yeah.
- It was nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.
- See ya.
48 Pine Ridge.
48 Pine Ridge.
This is not it.
Okay.
- Hey.
- Good morning.
- Whoa! Oh! Oh, sorry.
- Oh, wow!
- Hey!
- Hey! Hi!
Using an app to get around, huh?
Yeah. Yeah.
Well, those apps will get you hurt.
No, very funny.
No, I was... I was looking
for 48 Pine Ridge and this is it
but it's not Nordic Outfitters.
Ah.
No, this is 48
Pine Ridge Street.
- Uh-huh.
- You're looking for 48 Pine Ridge Place
which is three blocks that way.
Oh, okay.
Three very cold blocks.
It gets warmer as you go that way.
I can give you a ride,
if you want.
No, no, that's fine.
I can brave the cold.
I actually know
a place that's better.
It's about half a block down.
I can take you
if you wanna see it.
Oh.
Uh... no,
I'm sure you've got
more important things to do.
Well, you're my guest in town.
What's more important than you?
Well, uh,
that's very kind of you.
Uh, sure.
I could use the company.
- Okay, right this way.
- Okay.
What about Cyrus?
Is he still stubborn as ever?
Oh, he hasn't changed a bit.
But that's why we love him.
So, when are you two
going to get together?
Uh, I'm not quite sure.
He told me he was gonna try
to get back early from his trip.
- Oh. I hope he does.
- Yeah.
I mean, you're only here
until right after Christmas.
That gives you four days
for the perfect homecoming?
Hmm, yeah.
So, is it just
you and Erin on this trip?
Yeah.
Father and daughter trip.
Hmm.
Yeah, my wife... um, Elise...
passed away
almost five years ago.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
What about you, married?
Have kids?
Oh no, but I have
lots of nieces and nephews
and some grand-nephews,
so they keep me busy.
- I bet they do.
- Yeah.
But me, I...
just never met
the right person, I guess.
Maybe I'm too picky.
Hmm. Yeah.
- Okay, let me get that.
- Okay. Sorry.
Woo!
Wow, I think you bought
out the whole store.
Gah.
You can't do that to me.
You can't take me in there
with all that cute stuff.
No way.
And by the way, is it winter?
'Cause I can't tell.
Well, that's good.
I'm glad you feel better.
All these clothes are made out
of material that we've been using
to survive in subzero
temperatures for a very long time.
- Nice.
- Yeah.
Oh, and thank you
for the "Trevor discount."
Hey, anytime.
You know, you're shopping local.
They like that.
So do I.
You really love it here,
don't you?
Yep.
Yeah, my roots go pretty deep
here with my family.
So, it probably sounds
kinda corny.
It's an occupational hazard.
No, no.
I actually think
it sounds refreshing.
I can't imagine being
from a place like this, really.
And I guess Boston is my home.
I mean, it's where I spent
most of my adult life.
My uh, my mom was
in the military
so we moved around a lot.
And I know my dad's
from here, right?
But just...
I don't know, I don't really get
a sense of my roots.
Much less my history.
Well, I mean,
everybody has a history, right?
You just haven't
found yours yet.
Yeah, maybe.
And besides, I mean, you got
all these new, fancy clothes.
You're ready for the weather.
And it is lunchtime,
so you hungry?
Yeah.
Yeah, but I was just gonna go
back to my bed and breakfast
and get some room service.
Wait a minute, does a bed and
breakfast have room service?
No.
Oh, if only you had
your very own personal guide
who knew every great spot
in this town.
Hmm.
Know anybody I can call?
Yeah.
Yeah, I have an idea.
Speaking of which,
what do you do for work?
- I'm a writer.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- That's cool.
What do you write?
No, wait.
No, I'm gonna guess.
Okay, uh...
Mysteries?
- No. No.
- No?
Okay, romance?
No.
No, it's nothing that exciting.
Um, I'm an urban historian.
- Oh, so you write about cities.
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, what cities
have you written about?
Well, so far I've only written
one book
about the history
of the streets of Boston.
Okay.
But my publisher is
currently pushing me
for a second book idea
and I am completely stuck.
Yep, have
no idea what to write about.
How'd you come up with
the idea for your first book?
I was sitting in Boston
traffic, if you can believe it.
Yeah, at a standstill.
And I was looking around,
and I thought to myself,
you know, this cannot be
what the founders of this city
had envisioned for its future,
you know?
Because the decisions that
they make way back then
affect me, you,
millions of people, right?
Yeah.
So, I don't know,
I was just interested in it.
So, I started digging and
before you know it, had a book.
Didn't even feel like work.
Wow.
Sounds like it just kinda
came out of your own curiosity.
- Yeah.
- Hmm.
Well, maybe you just need
another question to ask, huh?
Or actually you just need
to find out what's nagging you.
Like, traffic.
Huh.
Well, the only thing that's
nagging me right now is...
I don't know
what to write about.
Hmm.
Oh.
All right, Pop, I'm ready to go.
Well, look at you.
Well, aren't you the height
of outdoor fashion.
Ha! Well, Trevor helped me
pick out all this stuff.
Ah.
Trevor?
Stop.
Okay, I just got a little lost
downtown and I ran into him,
and so, he took me to a place
where all the locals shop.
And um, and then
we went to lunch.
Lunch?
Oh, good evening,
you two.
- Hi.
- Hey.
You know, I uh, I wish you
would've gotten me something here.
I feel very underdressed.
You look great, okay?
What's not so great...
I don't think we'll be able
to see the lights this evening.
Too overcast.
Oh.
Oh no.
Well, that's a shame.
Yeah.
Well, better luck
tomorrow, huh?
- Yeah, okay.
- I like that attitude.
And hey, you know what?
As an alternative,
we have a Christmas market.
We could go there.
I think you'll love it.
Yeah.
Yeah, what do you think?
Yeah.
Yeah?
Yeah, actually,
that does sound fun. So, yeah.
Yeah. Maybe I could, uh,
I could invite Laura.
Would that be okay with you?
Yeah.
Yeah, Dad.
- Yeah.
- That's a good idea.
Okay. Well, hey, the more
the merrier, right?
Can I grab that for you?
Sure, thanks.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
All right.
Oh, smile!
You're with Santa!
See you at the ball.
Save me a dance!
By the way, Laura,
speaking of... of dancing,
I would like to know if my dad
was a good dancer back in the day?
Or was he just a big, old nerd
that just stood up
against the wall?
Ah, he was smart.
But...
way too cute to fit
in the nerd category.
Oh.
I wish I'd have known that then.
You know, Laura here,
she was exactly what you expect.
You know, feisty girl next door that
almost all the boys had a crush on.
Almost all the boys?
I plead the fifth.
Okay, everybody,
let's give Santa a little break
and start our annual caroling
open mic.
Remember,
it's for the church charity.
Just five dollars per song.
So, come on up,
help your neighbors and uh,
spread that Christmas cheer.
Okay, all right.
All right, so I'm gonna make
the donation
and you're gonna pick the song.
Huh?
You want me to sing?
Yeah.
No, no, I... I don't sing.
Oh, come on!
It's for charity.
Well, I don't mind donating.
Actually, I'll even
cheer for you.
Woo!
But uh, no, you don't
wanna hear me sing.
None of you do, trust me. I'm gonna
ruin all these folks' Christmas.
You're not gonna
ruin Christmas.
But you can be a bah humbug.
Fine.
Oh.
- Dad.
- No.
You sure?
- No!
Ugh.
Laura?
Oh, I can't.
I've been banned.
I tend to get carried away.
Okay, fine.
I will be right back.
Okay.
All right.
We have our first performer.
- Welcome!
- Hi.
There you go.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Hi, everybody.
Merry Christmas.
I am just gonna sing
the first verse of a...
of a lovely Christmas carol
that just happens to be
my mom's favorite, so.
Silent Night.
Okay, thank you.
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon Virgin
Mother and Child
Holy infant,
so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
So lovely.
- Wow.
- Wonderful.
Hey, Dad.
So, I found us
this really great hike.
It's got four stars.
Hon, a bit of a curveball.
- Huh?
- Mike, the real estate agent,
called and he needs me
to come down to the office
and look over the offer.
Oh, okay, well, we'll just
stop by there on the way.
You don't have to come.
Well, Dad, I wanna come.
This isn't an easy thing,
you selling your house.
Look, it's gonna be okay.
It means more to me that
you have a very fun day.
Hmm?
Oh.
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure.
Well, okay.
All right, I'll just catch
a cab to the trailhead then.
No, uh... look.
I um...
I didn't like the idea of you traipsing
off to the wilderness by yourself.
So, if you don't mind,
I made some arrangements.
Hmm?
You called Trevor?
Yeah.
He promised me
that he would give you
a unique wilderness experience.
Dad, you didn't ask me.
Well, if I had, I'm pretty
sure you would've said no.
- Exactly.
- Hmm.
Try and have fun.
- Goodbye, Dad.
- Goodbye.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Christmas cookie of the day.
Those are really cute, uh,
but I'm not really
a morning cookie type person.
Okay, that's all right.
Listen, your, uh, dad tells me that
you're up for an adventure today.
I am, yes, and I've been
doing a little research.
- Yeah?
- And there's this trail that I found online.
- Prospector Trail.
- Yeah.
Yeah. It's pretty popular
amongst the tourists.
Nah, I think we can do better.
Uh... well, are you sure?
Because it's probably popular
for a reason.
No, I'm positive.
Okay, all right.
Well, what'd you have in mind?
It's a surprise.
Don't really like surprises.
Okay, well, listen,
if you don't like it,
we'll go hike Prospector Trail.
Twice.
Deal?
Deal.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Oh.
Thank you.
All right.
Right this way.
Wow!
Silver Lake.
It's one of my favorite spots.
So quiet out here.
Won't get that in the city.
No, you do not.
That's a gift, really.
Just all the peace and quiet.
Allows you
to just really listen.
Hmm.
All right, follow me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on.
Out there?
Yeah.
We're just gonna walk across.
- Isn't that a lake?
- Yeah.
Okay, but that's just a bunch
of snow covering the ice.
Yes.
No, it's safe, okay?
It's really thick actually.
I usually drive across it this time
of year. You wanna drive instead?
No, no, no.
No, I don't wanna drive,
I don't wanna walk.
I'm not... not going out there.
You... okay.
No, that's fine. If you're
more comfortable here,
I mean, that's fine.
I mean, we can probably still
see them from here.
See... who?
Who are we looking for?
Huh?
Shh.
It's a surprise.
Okay.
I don't see anything.
There they are.
Okay, just look through those.
Little to the left.
Uh-huh.
Okay, there's a clearing
in the trees.
- I don't see anything.
- There's a bit of a clearing.
Once you see that...
Oh no! I see them.
- You got 'em?
- Yeah.
Oh, what are they?
Caribou.
Like, reindeer?
- Yeah.
- Ah!
They come through here quite often so I was
really hoping you'd get a chance to see them.
You know, in person.
I mean not
in some guidebook or...
definitely won't see them
on another tour.
My dad used to bring me
out here all the time.
Used to tell me that
those were Santa's reindeer.
You know, and they were scoping out
a landing site for Christmas Eve.
That's good.
Yeah.
Oh, wow.
Gorgeous.
Never seen anything like it.
I mean, in real life anyway.
You did good.
This was cool.
Yeah.
All right.
All right, well,
on to what's next.
- What's that?
- It's a saw.
I know it's a saw
but what's it for?
It's for the ice. You brought
your bathing suit, right?
- What?
- We can come back tomorrow.
We'll prep the space today and
then hit a cold plunge tomorrow.
You're kidding, right?
No.
I'm not gonna go do some
polar bear plunge with you.
- No?
- No!
I am not your girl for that.
- Like, that's a hard no?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- No.
No, that's a hard no.
No.
You sure?
It's really cold.
I mean, it's invigorating.
It's good for your mood.
Great for your circulation,
endorphins.
Okay, my-my mood and
my circulation are so good.
I'm really happy
with those things.
Okay.
Well, go to Plan B.
Follow me.
Timber!
You weren't actually gonna
go swimming, were you?
Hey, if you would've went in,
I would've went with you.
Okay, so now I need a tree.
Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
My place is pretty small.
Wait a minute.
Then what was that?
Oh, that one's for my uncle.
Uh, what do you think of this?
Um... hmm.
Hmm.
No?
I mean, well, I mean,
it's just kind of ordinary.
- Oh.
- And you're not ordinary.
Okay.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Can I ask you
a personal question?
Yes.
I mean, aside from your...
mountain man-esque
kind of fashion
and your total unwillingness
to accept modern technology,
you seem like a nice,
normal guy.
You know, and I'm sure you meet
women from all around the world
with your job, so
why are you single?
Hold on, hold on.
Let me guess.
You're the picky type.
Hmm?
I might be, just a little.
I knew it.
- Well, and I have a rule.
- Hmm?
Well, I keep my relations with
my guests purely professional.
Hmm.
Even if I may be tempted
to act otherwise.
That's...
that's a solid rule, yeah.
Hey.
- You like this one?
- Yeah.
Look, I mean, it's like...
it's screaming you.
It's like if... it's like
if you were a Christmas tree.
That's... what you'd look like.
What do you think?
Hmm?
Well, the magic
of a Christmas tree.
Star on top for all to see.
We all bring gifts
on bended knee
to remember the coming
of the newborn king.
That's nice.
Is that Robert Frost?
Ms. Sadler's 8th Grade
English class, Trevor Crane.
Oh, really?
You wrote that?
- Yeah.
- Oh, that's great.
Look at you, you poet.
How I remember that,
I have no idea.
But you know what?
I'm gonna keep my day job.
I'll leave the writing
up to you, okay? Oh.
Hey, speaking of which, you have
a book to come up with, right?
- Ugh.
- So, listen, I can take you back,
leave you alone for a while.
No. No, no, no.
No. Um...
I... I can do that later
before you pick me up tonight.
But right now, I think
that uh, this is your guy.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Oh, how do you know
that's a guy?
Well, it's clearly a guy.
It's tall, handsome,
and feel like he's gonna be
kinda stubborn.
Okay, there it is.
Well, we'll see. Hmm?
Let's get you on the bus.
Let's get you warmed up.
We've got some complimentary hot
chocolate, some really fun surprises.
I promised you
the night of a life time.
Ah, there he is.
- Hey, buddy.
All right, so when
I say I know a guy?
- Hmm?
- Noah,
this is a client of mine
and friend, Erin Barnes.
- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Hi, nice to meet you.
Are you enjoying your vacation?
I am.
Yeah, I am.
That's great.
- Uh, I'll be right back.
- Yeah.
- Hey, Dad.
- Hey. - Hey...
This could be you, buddy.
Job's yours if you want it.
Go get on your bus.
Oh, come... all right,
well, you have fun, okay?
Yeah. Good, I'll tell
you about it on the drive.
Okay.
- Okay, ready to go.
- Ha, ha.
I'm, uh, I'm real sorry.
Not gonna see the lights
tonight.
Well, I don't understand.
The... where are all
those people going?
Uh... I don't know.
There's not a cloud
in the sky.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know.
- Well, let me guess.
You know something they don't?
Can't explain it.
Uh... okay, well, can you try?
Yeah.
Yeah, I could try.
Um, so... if the northern lights
are imminent, right,
and there's a slight
atmospheric shift,
that's a change in pressure,
then it...
I guess I can't explain it.
Okay.
All I can say is I've been
doing this a really long time
and it's just something you feel
in the air, okay?
It's not... it's not physical,
it's like a gut feeling you get.
Okay. Uh...
okay, uh, well, Trevor,
my dad and I have been here
what, three nights. Right?
- Mm-hmm.
- We haven't seen the lights yet.
So, how about just for...
just for one night,
we just ignore
your little gut feeling
and we follow my Aurora Tracker
app, which says, by the way,
there's a 28 percent chance
that we'll see them tonight.
So...
Erin, I get it.
Okay? It's a natural phenomenon.
You wanna see it, right?
Look, you wanna catch it and
you'll do whatever it takes.
Trust me, that app,
it has an algorithm.
Takes its best guess,
but that's all it is.
It's a guess.
Okay?
It doesn't have human intuition.
It doesn't...
look, honestly, I don't wanna
waste your time, okay?
I don't wanna drive you
all the way out there
and bring you all the way back
just for nothing.
There's no chance?
No.
Listen, how about I make it up
to you tomorrow morning, okay?
Take you out on a... just a
special, one of a kind outing.
Okay?
Yeah.
Okay. You win.
- Yeah.
- Again.
Just trying
to be a good guy.
Okay, thank you for trusting me.
Really.
Well, listen, why don't you two
go inside and warm up, okay?
- Sounds good.
- Good night.
- Good night, buddy.
- Good night.
He... he actually thought
I was gonna jump in that lake.
I can't imagine you doing
a polar bear swim.
Never.
But I'm glad
you had a fun day.
I did.
I had a lot of fun, in fact.
- Hmm.
- Yeah.
Once again, I am so sorry,
ladies and gentlemen.
Sometimes the weather just
doesn't wanna behave itself.
Yeah.
- But we will prevail.
Tomorrow.
And hey, let's look
at the bright side.
The hour each way on the bus
just gave me the opportunity
to acquaint you all
with my full range of spoken
word Christmas carol repertoire.
Oh, heard it.
Thanks again.
And um... have a good night.
Dad, that could have been us.
You owe somebody an apology.
Yeah.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Hey, stranger!
Ha, Cyrus, you made it!
I told you I would.
Ah!
Is that Erin?
You weren't so tall
the last time I saw you.
Uncle Cyrus, hey, you're back!
Ah, yeah. I need to borrow
one of your clients for a bit.
Sorry to interrupt your tour.
No, no. No worries.
Um...
why don't I catch up
with you two later.
What do you think?
Huh?
Okay, sure. Sure, Dad.
Yes, go have fun.
Ha!
Uh, I guess
it's just the two of us.
I guess so.
Uh, hey, by the way,
I just wanna apologize
because you had a natural instinct
about the lights last night
and I wanted to listen
to some app,
and I was wrong.
So, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Appreciate that.
Well.
Well, here we are.
This land belongs to my family.
In the spring we make
maple syrup over here.
And as you can see,
these are the bells
that you were hearing.
Yeah, what are they for?
Well,
actually, generations ago,
we started this family tradition
where everybody comes out at
Christmas and hangs up a bell.
Started with my great-grandma
and I don't know, apparently
her favorite carol was
"I Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day." Hmm.
I mean, if you've never heard
the song before,
it's all about how peace
prevails on earth.
So, I guess that was just
really inspirational for her
and she came out here
and started hanging up bells
just so that everyone could hear
the same message.
I love that.
Yeah, it wasn't long after that,
the whole family got on board.
Everyone was coming out
during the holidays
to hang up a bell
to represent themselves.
It's beautiful.
I mean, you have the most unique
family tradition.
It's...
it's special.
Yeah. It is.
Hey, you hungry?
Yeah, I could eat.
Well, I packed a lunch.
- You have food?
- Yeah.
I'm... I'm a guy.
Of course I have food.
Let's see, what do we have here?
Okay, bannock.
Now, this is
a traditional bread.
What goes nicely with that,
you ask?
Well, some wild berry jam
that I made myself.
- You made that?
- Yes, ma'am.
Now, I also have
some caribou jerky.
And last but not least,
some Northwest Salmon.
That's really good.
Do you do this
for all your clients?
I mean, do what?
This.
Everything.
The... the reindeer,
the gourmet food, the bells.
Not the bells.
The bells are just for you.
Oh.
That is...
that is the
most beautiful sound.
It's like they're in sync.
That's the mystery
of it all, huh?
Lost my parents when I was 15
but I mean,
every time I come out here,
since both of them hung
a bell up at Christmas,
just...
it's kinda like I get to spend
a little time with them.
Yeah.
I guess you could say
that's the...
gift from God.
Yeah.
We're close.
We're almost there.
Ooh, ooh.
Hold on, hold on.
Are you gonna shop
for Christmas ornaments?
- I am.
- Really?
Oh.
For you.
- What?
- Yeah.
Said you wanna decorate your
tree tonight, so it's on me.
Okay, you don't
have to do that.
I know I don't have
to but want to.
'Cause you know what?
You have gone above and beyond
and I haven't exactly been...
gracious.
So.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Oh, hold on.
- Oh, here.
- Can you hold those?
- Yeah.
- Sorry. Ugh!
Oh, it's my dad.
Hey.
Are you at a party?
No, not a party.
Just a little
spontaneous mini reunion.
Okay, well, let me guess,
you're not going
on the tour tonight.
I'm... I'm sorry.
Some other old friends
came by to see me and...
One of those friends
happen to be Laura?
Yes.
Yes, she's here.
All right, well, you have fun.
Thank you for understanding,
sweetheart.
Oh, and Cyrus says he thinks
the northern lights
will be out in full force
tonight.
The lights are supposed
to be out tonight.
So, take some pictures for me.
Okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, for sure, I will.
Okay. Bye.
Ah, so your dad's out?
Ah.
He's out.
Power of romance overshadows
the power of nature, huh?
I guess so.
It's okay though 'cause this...
this whole trip is for him
anyway.
So, just makes it extra special.
Well, I'll have to make sure that
your evening's extra special as well.
Well, I mean, you've been...
been doing an adequate job.
Oh.
Okay.
I guess I'll have to step up
my A-game then.
Guess you will.
No northern lights
for you tonight?
I am beginning to think this
is the real reason I'm here.
Thank you for getting
everyone together.
Who, me?
I just told a few folks
that I ran into.
The Aurora gossip mill
took care of the rest.
Oh.
Thank you anyway.
Ooh!
It's like holding
a piece of ice.
Yeah, I bet.
You almost done?
Yeah. Yeah, I think I got it.
Oh, thanks.
Okay, you ready?
Here.
All right, go.
Put it in.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Okay, so uh...
what do we do now?
Well, now we wait.
Hey, I was wondering, um...
are there any tickets left
for the Borealis Ball?
Oh, well, they are going fast.
But I think for a couple
of special visiting guests,
I could grab a pair.
Well, I can't speak
for my daughter,
but I would really like to come.
Wonderful.
You can be my date.
It would be my pleasure.
You sure
this is the right spot?
I mean...
we've been sitting here
for over an hour.
Well, when you're trying to...
look at a natural phenomenon, I
have found that you're always tested
in your patience.
Hmm.
Well, I don't know about that
because all these people
on the tour have seen it.
That's not bad.
- Not bad? - Yeah.
- It's amazing!
Hey, you can't trust
those guides, okay?
Some of them are pretty tricky.
Those pictures; probably
not even taken today.
In fact, I know
they're not taken today.
Okay, but these are selfies.
Not from today.
Just don't think you like
to admit you're wrong.
It's 'cause I'm not wrong.
Hey, I know I've lost some business
to these big tour companies, okay?
But I'm not gonna stoop
to that level.
Well, I didn't say
stoop to that level.
I just... I just meant that
maybe you could...
pick up a few tricks.
Hmm?
Play the game a little more.
What?
Play the game?
Yeah.
This isn't a game for me.
This is...
I don't know, doing what I love.
Okay, and I understand that
I have bills to pay, all right?
So, on one hand I've got money
and on the other hand,
I've got my heart.
And you know what?
My heart's telling me
that God doesn't wanna just show
you a picture on social media. Okay?
He wants to bring you out here
'cause he's gonna show you something
that he wants to paint for you
in real life,
in real time,
right before your eyes.
There's no app to track that.
Look, I know that, okay?
And I appreciate
the way you think. I do.
But...
I've actually been thinking
about your situation
a little bit. Trevor,
you see the world
in such a beautiful
and unique way.
You really do.
And that's a gift.
I mean, if you combine the way
you see everything
with the knowledge
and the insight that you have,
you could create an app
for your business
that would let people see
this town through your eyes.
Uh...
Trevor, I'm just
trying to help you.
You know,
you're running a business.
You need to think
like a businessman.
- A businessman?
- Yeah.
Well, I don't think
that works for me.
And if you're being honest, I don't
think it works for you either.
What are you talking about?
Well, just think about it,
right?
I mean, maybe that's why you haven't
gotten the idea for your next book yet,
because you're too busy spending
time trying to think
of what's gonna sell instead of
what really matters to you.
I mean, my roots are
important to me.
It's... it's who I am.
Can you say the same?
My roots are important
to me, yes.
Okay, well, then,
maybe you should just take
a little a more time
to consider that.
Look into it.
Like figure out what...
what moves you inside,
instead of spending so much time
trying to, I don't know,
get a picture of the northern lights to put
online to show your friends or whatever.
Come on, that's not
why I'm here.
Well, I...
I don't think you know
why you're here.
You know, I just...
Erin...
All of a sudden
got really cold.
Um...
You know, I think
I'm gonna call it a night.
Um... if you don't mind.
Ah, I just feel bad
about what happened.
Well, I'm sure he feels worse.
Hmm.
Hey. We've only got
two more days left.
You wanna try
and get on another tour?
Hmm, I don't know.
- You don't?
- Oh.
Well, there's just something
that Trevor said that's just...
I don't know,
it's sticking with me.
You know, ever since I got here,
all I've been focusing on is
seeing the lights.
- Mm-hmm.
- And I've completely ignored
my own connection to this place.
I mean, Dad, you're from here.
Yeah.
I should've been focusing on
my own family history
instead of...
worrying about checking off
some bucket list box.
Oh, come on.
Stop being so hard on yourself.
Yes, you did come to see
the lights
but you're learning there's
a lot more to this place now.
It's all good.
Believe me.
Hmm?
Yeah.
So, uh, did you sell the house?
I haven't signed anything yet.
Don't really know that I can.
You know, when I was 18
I used to sit up
and look out my bedroom window
at the stars for hours.
Hmm.
Wondering if they'd be as
beautiful from my college dorm,
or if I should just stay here.
Well, I decided to take a chance
if I ever really wanted
to live a truly full life.
I left my friends and my family,
and just went away.
Hmm.
And you met Mom.
Best thing
that ever happened to me.
I know.
But ever since
we've come here,
this place has been
calling me back.
Does that make any sense?
Yeah.
Yeah, Dad, it does.
I mean, these are your roots.
Your people.
Your people, too.
Come here.
Sweetheart, there's something
I wanna tell ya.
Mm-hmm.
I have been thinking
about staying here for a while.
- Really?
- Yeah.
What do you think?
Well, I think that...
whatever decision you choose to
make is gonna be the right one.
I just want you happy.
Me too.
So, come on. What do you wanna
do with this day, huh?
Uh, well,
I was thinking, Dad, maybe
I could go over
to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
That is a good idea.
I'm gonna go along then.
Well, if you don't mind,
I'd like to go alone.
- Oh.
- Just to...
I don't know, maybe sit there
and maybe I'll find a little
inspiration for my book.
That's a good idea.
I say go for it.
Okay.
Looks like Dad.
Hmm.
I got a good feeling
about tonight.
It's gonna happen for us.
Thank you.
All right? Yeah.
Go on in, make yourself
comfortable.
Fingers crossed.
- Hey, Erin, right?
- Yeah.
- Hey.
Hi.
Okay, I gotta ask,
you seen the lights yet?
Uh... no.
See, Trevor mentioned that.
So, we've had
some spots open up.
You wanna see 'em tonight?
Uh...
What do you got to lose?
We are leaving right now.
- Yeah. Okay.
- Yeah, good.
Come on.
All right.
Good evening, everybody.
Welcome to Northern
Horizon Tours!
Yeah.
Yeah, we have got a great
evening for you guys tonight.
Because according to our aurora
tracking technology,
it's gonna be a great night
to see the aurora borealis,
colloquially known
as the northern lights.
If you wanna upload any photos
to our social media,
you can do so
using our complimentary Wi-Fi.
Just don't forget to tag
Northern Horizon Tours
on all your social media
accounts
for your chance to win a free
Northern Horizons t-shirt.
Yeah. I know.
Now, before we go, I've got
a special treat for ya.
I've arranged a little stop
so you can get some Aurora
souvenirs before we hit the road.
All right.
What do you say?
Take us to that gift shop
there, old buddy.
Hey.
Hey, come on in. We're giving a 10
percent discount to all our clients.
Erin!
- Hmm.
- Hey, coming in?
Uh...
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm... I'm okay.
Hey, Noah, can I ask you
a question?
- Sure.
- You like your job?
Yeah! Yes.
I love my job.
What do you like about it?
- Honestly?
- Yeah.
It's the tips.
I mean, I make enough
every season
to pay for six months' surfing
in Costa Rica.
Every year.
Doesn't get better than that.
You know what?
I... I think I'm gonna pass
on the tour tonight.
- Really?
- Yeah.
You know this is supposed to be
the best sighting of the week.
Yeah, I know, I know,
but uh...
maybe I'll catch it next year.
But thank you so much
for the offer.
Yeah.
You know where to find us.
Yeah.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
You've reached
Aurora Excursions,
the Northwest Territories'
one of a kind tour company.
I can't take your call right now
but please leave me a message.
Hey.
Erin.
Hi.
Hi.
What are you doing here?
Um... uh...
I just wanted to come by and...
and see how you are.
Okay.
Did you walk this whole way?
I mean, that's pretty far
from your bed and breakfast.
Yeah. It's a bit of hike,
I'm not gonna lie.
Okay.
But uh, you know, you helped
me get these great boots, so...
wanted to put 'em to the test.
It's good to see you.
I do have a cab on the way,
though,
so I'm not sure
how much time I have.
What's wrong with your van?
Uh nothing, I just...
you know,
didn't think it'd be good form if
I showed up to my new job in it.
What... what do you mean?
Noah's been asking me to...
go over to Northern Horizon, you
know, for a couple months now.
And I figured, well,
if you can't beat 'em...
Wow.
Um, huh.
Sorry, it's just a surprise.
Gotta face the facts, right?
Been what, a year?
And I have been competing
with these larger companies.
Just taking all the money I'm making
and putting it back into my own company.
None of it works.
At least it doesn't appear
to be.
My bookings are dropping and my
bank account's dropping. So...
My uncle gave me a business
and I failed him.
Not failing.
Sure feels that way, yeah.
Also wanted to refund you
your trip
because you didn't get
to see the lights.
No, no, I don't, I don't
want any money back, okay?
I just... I want you to keep
your business open.
Look, I went on Noah's tour and
- You saw the lights?
Well, no, actually, I didn't.
Uh, because I left.
Why?
I went on his bus and yes,
it's fancy
and it has all the technology
that you think that I would love
but I...
I didn't.
I didn't like it at all.
Because all I could think about
was how great your tour was
and how much you put into it.
All the heart.
You care so much
and it's really...
Erin, I...
I'm thankful that you...
you see that.
Okay?
But the big machine doesn't.
To be honest, I'm just tired
of swimming upstream.
There's my ride.
Don't want to be late
on my first big day.
It was good seeing you.
Hey, Trevor.
Huh?
Sure you wanna do this?
What choice do I have?
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Come in.
I'm not interrupting, am I?
No! No, I'm just trying
to get a little work done.
What's up?
Oh, I just came
to check on you.
I'm fine.
So, you're sure you don't
wanna come to the ball tonight?
Oh, Dad, it does sound fun,
but um...
I think I'm gonna pass.
Maybe Trevor will be there.
Hmm.
I doubt it.
Look, it's our last night
in Aurora
and I am so sorry the trip didn't
turn out the way you'd hoped
but don't spend the end of it
alone in here.
It's Christmas.
I really want you to come.
Please?
I can never say no to you.
Okay, okay, I'll go.
Ah, that's my girl.
Well, glad I bought
those two tickets anyway.
Dad.
What?
Well, wait a minute. I don't
even have anything to wear.
Well, Cyrus is lending me
a suit.
Does he happen to have
a dress I could wear?
No.
But I think I know someone
who can help you.
Santa never forgets.
Well, hello.
Oh, wow!
My niece was right.
You look fabulous in her dress.
Thank you.
Thank you. By the way,
this place looks amazing.
You did a really good job.
Oh, thank you.
But I had some help.
Oh, I was just a pair
of extra hands.
She was the one
who did all the work.
Oh, thank you.
But I have to say,
it's the first time
I've ever thrown a combination
Christmas charity
and farewell party.
It's a little sad, actually.
Yeah, we finally get together
after all these years,
only to watch you
disappear again, huh?
Uh, about that, Cyrus. Um...
I've decided not to sell.
Oh.
- I can't do it. I'm sorry.
Oh, I couldn't bear the thought of
someone tearing down that beautiful house.
Your beautiful house.
And also I was...
I was kind of thinking, um...
that I'm gonna hang around here
a little while longer.
Are you all right with that?
Well, let me think about it.
Yes!
Took you two long enough.
Um...
What about you?
I mean, are you gonna be okay
going home alone, sweetheart?
Well, there's been a little
bit of change on my end, Dad.
Uh, you know when I went over
to Grandma and Grandpa's house
the other day?
Mmhmm.
I actually came up
with my new book idea.
- No!
- Yeah.
Yeah, I wanna do
a history of Aurora,
specifically focused
on my great-great-grandfather.
- Gerald Barnes?
- Mm-hmm.
That's a great idea.
Well, my agent thinks so, too.
I am gonna need to do
a lot of hands-on research.
So, I think I'm gonna
stick around a little while.
Well, is that the only reason?
- Yes.
- Excuse me, ma'am.
I was wondering if you'd be
interested in a tour of Aurora.
And this is
when I steal your dad.
I'm going to snag
some more Christmas punch.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I thought you were working.
Yeah, I was, yeah.
And then uh, I quit.
Just... yeah, walked off.
Came to my senses.
About what?
Well, I was standing on that big
tour bus looking around at everyone
and I thought to myself,
I'm never gonna know the first
names of any of these people.
That's one of the main things I love about
my job right now is I get to know people.
You get to take them out and show
them a very unique experience,
and not this big, like,
here you go, stand there,
take a picture, we're done.
So, Aurora Excursions
back in business?
I think so.
Yeah.
Well, I decided to take some advice
from a friend of mine, she's a writer.
And all the critics say
she's not too bad.
Not too bad.
Yeah, I think I know her, yeah.
Yeah, you might.
So, I'm gonna take your advice
and incorporate a little more
technology into my company.
Now, I'm hoping to bring in
a steadier stream of clientele
and I still wanna do what I do.
Take them out and just give them
a more unique experience
of a personal touch, you know.
I think that's gonna work
for you.
I really do.
Well, I hope so.
I'm glad you came.
Yeah, me too.
Nowhere else I'd rather be.
You look stunning, by the way.
Oh, it's a borrowed dress.
- It fits perfectly.
- Thanks.
And you look
extremely good in a suit.
For a mountain man, anyway.
Thank you.
Ahem.
Uh, could I interest you
in a dance?
I thought you had a rule?
Well, you're the exception
to the rule.
Can I make a confession?
Oh.
Oh no, what'd you do?
Every time I took you out,
I was like, okay, is she gonna
chicken out or give up?
You never did.
Hmm.
You've got some northern grit.
I like that.
You don't know
how true that is.
- Huh?
- Yeah, I do.
I did a little research
and I found out that my roots go back
to the founding fathers of this place.
- What?
- Yeah!
- Really?
- Yes.
And so, I guess you could say
that is why I'm here,
to learn my history.
And it was you that inspired me
to think outside the confines
of dollar signs and book deals.
So, thank you.
Thank you.
You know, you showed me that
it's okay to roll with the times
and yet you could still be yourself.
Mmhmm.
Need a little more push
back like that in my life.
Yes, you do.
You can be stubborn.
Well, maybe.
Wish we had a little
more time together.
What?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Nothing's wrong.
It's right.
We gotta go.
- Go where?
- Right now.
- Oh.
- Let's go.
- What?
- Yep, now.
- Oh, what?
- Come on!
Why are you
bringing me back here?
- Ah, you'll see.
- Ah.
Oh, it's so pretty at night.
Look at this place.
Well, you know what?
I almost bought you
a bell last night.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Well, when I got off the bus
tonight,
I was walking through town
and, uh...
Oh.
That's the same bell
I was gonna get you.
- No.
- Yes.
Oh.
Well, I mean, you just...
I don't know, you said how much
you liked it here
and I got you that.
Just you could take it back
to Boston with you and...
it'll remind you of here.
And me.
I don't need a bell
to remember you.
But this is sweet.
And since I'm sticking around
for a little longer, I...
Wait, what?
Yeah.
Really?
Yes.
Yes. It was actually from
something that you said. It just...
it made me think about a question
that I wanted to answer in my own life
and that actually led me
to my new book idea.
Okay, which is?
Which is,
uh, well, I found out that
my great-great-grandfather
actually was one of the first
settlers of this town
and he has a fascinating story.
And I'd like to explore it
in my new book.
Okay.
Well, I mean, that sounds
like a bestseller to me.
Yeah, I... I hope so.
And I'm glad you're staying.
Me too.
You wanna hang that up?
Here?
Yeah.
Where's your bell?
Come on, I'll show you.
I hung my bell
when I was nine years old.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Which one is it?
Right there.
Okay.
Here's to finding my roots,
my history,
and my home.
I really wanna kiss you
right now but...
But what?
You really need to see this.
Hey.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you.