Forgotten Holiday (2026) Movie Script
1
I don't want
nothin' melancholy
Just a little eggnog
and holly
On this holiday with you
So, hurry up,
don't keep me waitin'
I'm in the mood
for celebratin'
I just want
a holiday for two
As long as I'm with you
I don't care what we do
A cozy fire
or snowflakes under the moon
Grab some candy canes,
we'll go ice fishing
As long as we're together,
we can only win
When you're around
It's Christmas
the whole year through
Oh, I don't want
nothin' melancholy
Just a little eggnog
and holly
On this holiday...
$4,000.
$4,000?
It's gonna need
that much in repairs.
$2,000.
I'll pay $4,000.
-Oh, now we're talking.
-Wait wait wait. Wait a second.
Are you gonna pay $4,000?
No, but...
Sold to the lady in the red coat.
I have a client,
New Rochelle Classic Cinema.
They're looking to authenticate
their movie going experience
and this projector is exactly
what they had in mind.
Thank you.
Who's that?
Kathryn Liu of Liu Antiques.
And she just swiped
your projector.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hi, I'd like one large hot cocoa,
two shots of peppermint,
one shot of vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon,
and no foam creamer.
Thank you.
A lady that knows
what she wants and gets it.
Like the film projector.
-For your client.
-Who will be so happy.
Once it's repaired.
There is that.
Rob Ashford, vintage mechanical
restoration specialist.
I've heard about you.
You're actually who
I was intending to call
about repairing the Simplex XL.
Then this must be fate.
-Oh, must it?
-It must!
Well, I have your card,
Rob Ashford.
I will be in touch
about working together.
Or, you know, maybe we could
discuss over coffee.
Coffee.
Or dinner.
Or coffee or just...
We can keep it at a phone call
or never see each other again,
he says, feeling
suddenly awkward.
Whatever you prefer.
I like dinner.
Yeah?
I'll give you a call.
Okay.
I'm nervous.
You never get nervous.
Which is making me more nervous.
Do you like him?
I mean, I'm going
on a date with him.
I mean, do you
like him, like him?
You're gorgeous and successful,
and you get asked out a ton,
but you never get nervous.
I don't know.
Maybe.
It's not like I've had
any luck with dating.
Okay, you were married one time.
Like, 15 years ago.
I know, but it's, you know,
it's not just me.
It's all the Lius.
We're romantically jinxed.
-Hi, Dad.
-Kathryn.
Find anything exciting
at the antiques fair?
She's trying to figure that out.
Uh... that's girl talk, Dad.
Well, you don't need me for that.
Your dad is always fastest
when he's running away
from anything with feels.
Welcome to my childhood.
Oh, I'd love to, but I'm
delivering a Wedgewood stove
to Philly that day.
And I have estate sales
in Maine through the 19th,
and then I'm back for a few days,
and then I fly out to Vail
for a ski trip
right after Christmas.
How does the 20th work for you?
Oh... I have a thing.
You have a thing?
Yeah, okay, so here's the deal.
Every year my family
get together,
we do a cookie baking night.
Family and friends,
you know, come over.
We bake, like,
900 Christmas cookies.
900 Christmas cookies?
Are you starting a side business?
It's for charities
my parents support, and...
Mom was a district judge,
Dad was a D.A.
So, between the two of them,
they know every charity
in the five boroughs.
Well, that's kind of awesome.
Yeah, it's, like, my favorite
night of the year, actually.
But, uh,
clearly not a first date setting.
No.
What about the 21st?
I'm full time at the shop
until after Christmas.
Oh, well, maybe we're not
gonna be able to see each other
until after the new year.
Yeah, it sounds like it.
-Unless...
-Unless?
Okay, this might sound
kinda crazy.
Crazy? I just told you
I'm making 900 Christmas cookies.
Um. What if I joined you?
You'd do that?
Well, you said that people
besides your family
would be there, right?
Yeah. That's right.
I mean, you know,
people come around every year.
It's super fun.
It's, like, ten people baseline.
Ten? Okay, that's not so scary.
And that way we wouldn't
have to wait weeks.
Well, I'm really
on board with this.
I mean, you get to see me
in my best element.
Christmas time
with my family, it's...
it's kinda my jam.
Okay, well, if it's your jam,
I'll see you on the 20th.
Can't wait.
[jazzy instrumental music plays]
[knocks on door]
-Hi!
-Hi.
You made it.
Come in, come in.
Ah, I did, I did.
Although, you know,
if I had gotten lost,
all I would've had
to do is, um...
-Oh. Here.
-Oh, thank you.
Just follow the smell of cookies.
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Pretty, uh, fantastic. Right?
Oh.
This her?
Yes, Dad, this is Kathryn.
Dave Ashford.
It's great to finally meet you.
-Oh, finally.
-Uh...
it's been less than three days.
Fewer. Hi, Kathryn.
-Hi.
-I'm Amy.
I am Rob's older
and wiser sister.
And I'm gonna take Dad here
back into the kitchen
so that you can have
a moment's breathing space
before you dive into the madness.
-Thank you. Bye-bye.
-Come on, Dad.
-[Amy] Bye-bye.
-Bye-bye.
Uh, welcome.
Another Christmas sweater.
This is my cookie making sweater.
Oh.
Um, is everybody wearing
a Christmas sweater?
Well...
Maybe, but it's not required.
Oh.
-Come on, this is gonna be fun.
-Okay.
Wow. It's so perfect.
[Amy] Last year, that was you.
Oh, there you are.
I'm almost ready for you.
-Coming?
-Yeah.
[Dave] Leah, let's get those
outta the oven.
[Woman] It smells
so good in here.
Family!
-[group] Rob!
-There's Rob again, hey.
Everyone, this is Kathryn.
She's a friend of Rob's.
She's just now realizing
what she got herself into.
So, let's just put her
on icing duty.
Yeah. Thanks, Amy.
Uh, this is, uh,
my brother-in-law, Craig.
Rob, I don't know what
you're talking about.
She's not funny looking at all.
Oh, that's so funny.
Uh, and the greatest, cutest,
niece and nephew
in the whole wide world.
So, um, 900 cookies.
Yeah. Give or take.
Kathryn, uh...
this is my mom.
Judge Ashford.
Retired now, like my husband.
Meryl is fine.
Nice of you
to help us out tonight.
Of course.
Thank you for having me.
Uh, this is for you.
Oh, that's so sweet of you.
-Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay, well, we've got a lot
to do and we're already behind,
-So... excuse me.
-Okay.
-Um...
-I got that.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
Here we go.
You'll be rolling out the dough.
Prep it for cutting.
Then you can pass it to Dave.
He'll handle the oven.
-Okay.
-All right.
-Wow.
-Good luck.
Hmm. Willy Wonka
did Christmas cookies?
[upbeat swing music plays]
And you're up.
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Perfect!
So, where do all these go to?
Churches, schools, shelters.
When we were growing up,
Mom and Dad taught us that
uh, Christmas isn't just about
what you receive,
but about giving to others.
Yeah. I think that's the real
meaning of the season.
It's wonderful.
[Meryl] So, Kathryn,
what does your family do
for Christmas tradition-wise?
Um...
we didn't have a lot
of traditions growing up.
Um, except...
my dad and I always went out
for Christmas Eve pancakes
at Lucy's Diner in the Bronx.
Well, we still do.
-Um... oops.
-Just the two of you?
Yeah. My parents, um,
they divorced
when I was really young.
Um, my mom, she remarried
and moved to Portland.
And my dad,
he remarried twice,
and now he's dating Susan.
She's really nice.
Don't worry, honey. Let me.
Not my first cookie bake.
[Amy] All right. Ready?
[Amy] Wanna press it?
Give it a good press.
Okay, you wanna wiggle it
and then pull it out.
[Amy] Absolutely perfect.
Wow.
-Oof!
-Ah!
Uh, I'm guessing skiing's gonna
be pretty easy after tonight.
I may have underestimated
what I was signing up for.
It's my fault, I probably
should've warned you better.
No, no, I volunteered.
But I do appreciate
your family's creativity,
especially around Christmas.
Well, it's the one time of year
that my two workaholic parents
had time off simultaneously,
and we could all be together.
Aww. I envy that.
You know, having traditions,
especially around the holidays.
Yeah.
You know, if it wasn't
so close to Christmas,
I'd give you the full
Rob Ashford Christmas experience.
Uh. Hey, Kathryn.
-Yeah.
-Uh...
I'm just gonna
put this out there.
I'd love to see you again.
When you, when you get back.
If you want.
I would like to see you
again as well.
Although maybe this time
we just do dinner.
-Yes! Dinner.
-Yeah.
I'm so in.
But this-this time
I'll take you somewhere fancy.
You know, like a proper date.
A proper date.
Yeah.
Okay. Bye!
Make sure
the chimney is clear
Time to get hummin'
Santa is comin'
I love this time of the year
I'll set the tree
by the mantle
-Good morning.
-Hi.
Cocoa. Two shots of peppermint,
one shot vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon.
No foam creamer.
You remembered!
Well, that's my job...
as your boyfriend to remember
everything about you,
and I take my job very seriously.
[Rob sighs]
Aww, you're so perfect.
Stop it.
-You are.
-No, I'm not.
Brilliant. Gorgeous.
Successful. Talented. Funny.
Just...
Perfect. You're perfect.
Does this mean
what I think it does?
'Tis December 1st.
And yes, and as promised,
it is time for the full
Rob Ashford Christmas experience.
I have so many things
planned, babe.
And you should see the house.
Full Griswold.
Oh, your neighbors
must love that.
Well, just as long as you do.
I aim to pass the Kathryn test.
What does that mean?
Well, you know, Christmas dates
that don't remind you
of last year's
cookie making experience.
Okay, to be fair,
it was our first date,
and your mother was there.
True, but she won't be
at my place tonight
for our special date.
Don't forget.
I never forget.
Have a good day.
Perfect!
Bye.
Oh my gosh.
Oh, Rob, this is gorgeous.
-When did you...
-Two months ago.
I've been waiting
for December to get here.
This way we can spend
Christmas together
newly engaged.
You're 100% sure about this.
No, I know,
I know that you adore her,
and I really like her too, but...
you've known each other
less than a year.
So what?
You can know someone forever
and never really
know them at all.
I knew Kathryn was the one
for me the second I saw her.
She's perfect, Amy.
Careful...
putting someone up
on a pedestal because
you can't stand beside someone
if you got them above you.
Doo-doo-doo
Why am I so nervous?
[phone pings]
Okay.
Okay.
Will you marry me?
Oh.
-Hi.
-Hi. Come in.
-Uh, okay.
-Wo... uh...
-Wow.
-Yeah.
-Oh.
-Um...
Come and stand right here.
-Okay.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay. So.
Well, as you know,
uh, I have a lot of plans
this Christmas.
Sleigh ride. Nutcracker.
Walking through
the Christmas market together.
Big list.
But everything on the list,
it only matters 'cause...
'cause you're gonna be there.
It's the thing that I've been
most looking forward to
from last year,
if I'm being completely honest.
And, um, you're just amazing.
Ah!
Oh. I'm sorry.
Okay. [exhales]
I had this big speech planned,
but it all just comes down
to one thing.
I love you, Kathryn Liu.
I loved you
from-from the moment
that I saw you
stealing my projector.
I knew right then
that you
were the person
that I've been waiting for.
You're...
you're perfect.
And I want this,
I want all of this.
Every Christmas.
-Starting right now.
-Rob.
-What?
-Rob, I am...
-What?
-I think, I think...
that we should stop.
-Stop?
-Stop. Stop.
-Yeah, stop. Stop.
-What?
Because this is
coming out wrong. But, um...
you are too good for...
and I just...
Wait, what are you saying?
I'm so sorry. I have to go.
Ka... Kathryn?
[door slams]
[car engine starts]
[phone vibrates]
So?
She, uh...
ran away.
Oh, no.
Come over.
[Amy] Rob?
Come over.
[brakes squeal]
[loud crash]
[sirens in the distance]
[phone vibrates]
Hi, Amy.
[sound of sirens]
Wha...
I think he's gonna be okay.
We're just...
waiting to hear
what they have to say.
-I know.
-Oh, here she is.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Hi. No, he's okay.
He's gonna be okay.
Uh, we haven't seen him
yet, though.
Yeah, he got really lucky.
The neighbors heard the crash,
called it in almost immediately.
Doctor Fisher said
his scans are clean.
There's no broken bones,
no internal bleeding,
not even a concussion.
Oh, thank God.
Oh, uh, I'll take that.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
Just check that everything is...
here, it's just...
[Meryl] Um. Wha...
[Dave] Is that
what I think it is?
Um...
This is a heck of a way to get
welcomed into the family, kiddo.
-Yeah, I, um...
-[Doctor] Good news.
You can see him now.
-[Craig] Great.
-[Amy] Okay.
-[Amy] Mom.
-[Craig] Go ahead.
Hey, congrats.
-Hey. Hi.
-[Meryl] Oh...
[Dave] How you feeling, buddy?
Uh... [sighs]
A little weird, but, uh.
I'm okay.
You had us all scared, son.
I'll be fine, Dad, I just, uh...
I don't, I don't
really remember what happened.
It's just...
Hi, Rob.
Hi.
Hey.
Who's that?
Who's who?
The woman that just said hi.
That's Kathryn.
A friend of yours?
She's looking at me
like she knows me.
Well, of course
she knows you, Rob.
That's Kathryn.
She's...
your fiance.
Good one, Dad.
You'll be fine.
You'll be fine. Get the doctor.
Yeah, I'm gonna go.
Lacunar amnesia, also known as,
uh, selective amnesia.
Not entirely surprising,
considering the trauma
of the crash.
But he still knows who we are.
That's the unusual
specificity of his case.
Um...
he appears to have lost events
of approximately the past year,
more or less.
Um...
when will he get
his memories back?
That's difficult to predict.
Condition typically resolves
when a patient rests
and returns to his,
uh, normal routine.
Could be days or weeks.
Could be longer.
We really don't know.
What causes it?
That's the interesting part here.
Uh, there's
no biological explanation.
Rob's scans are clear,
which suggests the cause
is psychological,
rather than physical.
Well, how do we help him
get his memories back?
Familiar context exposure.
Get him back in his environment,
surrounded by things he knows.
Uh, his home.
He just bought a new house.
Yeah, but he's just
done it up for Christmas,
and Rob loves Christmas.
He should remember that,
at least.
That may work.
However, um...
given the specific nature
of what he's forgotten,
my instinct is the best
approach is direct exposure
to experiences of the past year.
Something in that context
could trigger the return of his
overall missing memories.
Well, he spent
most of his time with me.
Uh, they're engaged.
Rob still had the ring.
Ah, po-tayto, po-tahto.
They're practically engaged.
Sounds like you're
who should be shepherding
Rob through this, Miss Liu.
You can reintroduce
the conversations you've had,
the places you've gone,
things you two did
during this time.
But keep it low pressure.
Don't, uh...
push the memories.
Let them surface naturally.
Wait wait wait.
I'm sorry.
Are you, are you saying
that I should
re-date Rob?
Essentially, yes.
Okay.
I thought we were
getting cookies.
-What happened last night?
-You know?
I know that the proposal
didn't go as planned,
and that's why Rob
was on his way to my place
when the accident happened.
He... he started to propose,
and then I just said...
Said no.
Not exactly.
It's a yes or no question.
I panicked, and I ran.
Look, I'm not going to ask why.
That is not my business.
Do you want me to leave?
I want my brother
to get his memories back.
And according to Doctor Fisher,
you may be the key.
Or the reason that
he's lost them altogether.
I mean, that whole time frame
that's wiped out,
that's all to do with me.
All the more reason to do
as the doctor suggests.
Re-date him.
I know.
It's a big ask.
I mean, he'll hate me
if he remembers.
Rob would never hate you.
Will you just consider it?
Please?
Are you gonna tell your family
that we're not engaged?
No.
No, that is not my story to tell.
Plus, my mom is very intense.
Wait, wait.
Sam Darnold won a Super Bowl?
Yup. And you know what?
Don't tell your dad I said this,
but turns out you just have to
leave the Jets to have
a successful career.
[laughs sarcastically]
What else happened?
What else, what else?
Oh, yeah.
No big deal but you, uh,
you bought a house.
Why would I do that?
Uh, I love the space
behind my workshop.
No, no, you still have
your workshop.
Still full of all the things.
But, um, yeah. Last spring,
you just became hyper-focused
on buying a real house.
It's actually quite nice.
Well that's good.
Yeah, yeah,
I think you'll like it.
And of course, there's...
Kathryn.
Man...
uh, I wish I remembered her.
Kinda seems out of my league.
Oh, my friend, she is
absolutely out of your league.
And, you know, I may have
mentioned that to you
a few times, actually.
Bet you did.
You know what?
I did bring a few things
to, uh, get you outta here.
Mainly...
-this guy.
-That's mine?
Yeah, this is your Christmas
cookie making sweater
from last year.
Were there no other
options? Or...
No.
Trust me, you...
you love this sweater.
Rob loves this sweater.
Dude, it's super cheesy.
Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's...
that's kinda the whole point
of a Christmas sweater
there, pal.
Ah, there you are.
What's wrong?
Oh, sorry.
That's a foolish question.
What are you going to do about
Doctor Fisher's suggestion?
Well, I'll help Rob, of course.
Thank you.
-I wanted...
-Uh, hon?
I'm, uh, gonna go out
and get the car warmed up
and ready to go.
All right,
I'll get the discharge papers.
-Okay.
-I'll, uh, I'll go talk to Rob.
-Kathryn Liu.
-That's me.
-Hi.
-Hi.
I, uh...
I like that sweater.
Yeah. Thanks. Uh.
Apparently, it, uh, lights up.
Yes, it does.
I got you your, um,
favorite Christmas tea.
It's gingerbread spice.
And, um, your mom is just getting
the final information
on your discharge.
Gotcha. Thanks.
So, um...
how'd you sleep?
Uh...
Truthfully, I'm just
dying to get home.
Though...
probably not gonna recognize it.
Right.
Have you, have you been
to the new pla...
Of course you have.
Sorry. This...
this is kinda weird.
With you on that one.
Okay. You're good to go.
Doctor Fisher said he spoke
with you this morning?
He did, yeah. Yeah.
About us, uh...
re-dating.
And showing you things
that you did in the past year
or talked about.
And what's your take?
I think you deserve
the chance to remember.
So do I.
Okay.
Guess we're re-dating.
I guess we are.
But first things first,
I'm-I'm gonna need a ride home.
-Oh, well, Dave's just...
-Oh, well, my car's just...
It's okay. What if, uh,
if we're gonna do this,
maybe we should just get started.
Follow me.
Okay.
I gotta say,
it's a whole lotta Christmas.
Oh, wait 'til you see the inside.
[Kathryn] Oh.
Okay.
Wow.
Is this you?
No, all you.
[Kathryn sighs] Gosh. Okay.
Let's see here.
It's, uh,
it's from my dad.
I told him what happened,
and he wanted
to send you a care package.
Well, that's nice.
I guess he likes me.
Let's see what we got here.
We've got...
Chicken noodle soup.
Nice. It's my favorite.
And...
Chocolate chip cookies. Classic.
We baked about a gazillion
of these together last year.
All right.
These go first.
Maybe I'll take a bite,
get my memories back.
Speaking of memories,
um...
what's the plan?
You know, for our first re-date?
Uh, well, our first dinner
was the private room
at Chez Florence,
so I thought we'd do that again.
What? You picked it.
I chose it?
Oh.
It's so pretentious.
Oh. Um.
Well, we can go somewhere else
if you want.
No, no, no.
It's fine, you know.
If that's where
we had our first date,
we should, we should
do that again.
Okay.
Uh, well, if you need me at all,
don't hesitate to reach out.
Listen, Kathryn.
I know this has gotta be
pretty hard for you,
so I just wanna say,
I really appreciate your help.
Well, you deserve
to have your memories.
I'll text you
about our first date.
Second first date.
-Second first date.
-Great.
-Okay.
-Okay.
So much Christmas.
Rob was supposed to come over
to my place this weekend
to help me decorate.
He had a whole plan for it.
But now it's like...
Rob has forgotten
his love of Christmas,
which feels so wrong.
On top of everything else
that already feels wrong.
You'll get there.
How can you be so sure?
[phone rings]
Excuse me.
Are you gonna help Rob
with the memories?
Like the doctor wanted?
Yeah.
Our first re-date is Friday.
Is this, like, a guilt thing?
Probably a little bit.
Over the disaster proposal?
Thanks.
I bolted, Zoe.
Why did you bolt?
I don't know, maybe because
of what the proposal meant.
If I had said yes
and then it goes wrong again.
It might go right.
My entire family
thought that too,
up until they didn't.
And Rob is so perfect
and his whole family is too.
I...
I don't wanna be the one
that ruins that.
Well, how do you think Rob
would react if he
remembers,
you know?
That I will deal with
when it happens.
Well, hello there.
Oh, wow.
Well, at least
this feels the same.
Ooh. Oh, I-I got that.
Oh.
-Thank you.
-Of course.
And sorry about the,
uh, the-the dress code,
I-I just forgot.
Oh, no worries, sir.
We always keep some jackets
and ties on hand.
Ah.
-All the way over there.
-Oh...
Thanks.
Guess she's getting the jacket.
Uh...
-[Kathryn laughs]
-Well, uh...
Oh.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Hi.
So, uh,
how have you been feeling?
Fine. Yeah.
And thanks for checking in
on me so often.
And for reminding me where
the peppermint creamer was.
Yeah, I educated you
that it needed to be
refrigerated after opened.
Makes total sense.
Well, that's what you said,
actually, when I...
Sorry, I will try
not to do that so much.
No. It's, uh, it's okay.
I mean, we're just
we're figuring this out
as we go along.
Yeah.
-Here you go, sir.
-Ah.
Thank you.
Oh.
It's, uh, it's a perfect fit.
Sorry, I-I should've told you
about the dress code again.
I should've mentioned it.
Fine, I should've remembered.
I mean, we can go somewhere else.
No, no, no. Defeats
the whole purpose of re-dating.
Plus...
-I've already learned something.
-What?
That last year me was trying
really hard to impress you.
Well, isn't the whole
purpose of dating
to impress the other person?
Kinda. Yeah.
But it's also, I think
about just being yourself.
Showing the other person
what they're getting into.
Hmm.
Well, I had a pretty good
hint of who you were
when we came here the first time.
This wasn't exactly
our first date.
What was?
Your family's charity
cookie baking night.
No.
I took you to that?
Wow!
Well, in your defense,
you did warn me.
And you said you wanted me
to see you at your best
and that your best was
Christmas time with your family.
That's true.
And it worked.
I mean, we're, uh...
engaged or together or what?
Oh, hi.
Thank you.
-Oh.
-[Rob] It's all happening.
-Oh. Thank you.
-[Rob] Yep.
Yeah.
-Uh, bread?
-Sure.
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
So, uh...
Can you tell me
about your family?
I-I don't really know anything
about you anymore.
Right, right. Well, um...
my dad and I, we run
an antique shop in Manhattan.
His parents started it,
and I kinda grew up there.
Which would explain why I can't
think of doing anything else.
Although working with one's dad
presents certain challenges.
What challenges?
The kind where
your business partner thinks
they know everything about you
'cause they've known you
since birth.
Mmm.
My mom lives in Seattle.
They divorced when I was seven.
And they both remarried
and remarried.
So, not exactly the Ashfords.
No, I...
I'm definitely lucky
in some ways.
Yeah. You are.
[Rob] Well, that was... fun.
Admit it, you'd rather
have a hot dog.
-At Yankee Stadium.
-Mm-hmm.
So, um, you, um...
you mentioned ideas
for Christmas dates
before the, uh...
the accident, and...
you were really
excited about them,
so I thought maybe
we could try some of those.
Right.
This would've been our first
full Christmas together.
That was the plan.
Yeah. Okay.
Well, let's do it.
All the things.
Who knows?
Maybe some of this
Christmas stuff
will jog my memories loose.
Explain why I forgot them
in the first place.
Yeah.
Well, good night.
Good night.
This fire is nice
I don't know what
they put in it but it's good.
Mmm!
Oh, cool.
Look at this, this is
a 1954 Schuco German.
Look at this gear mechanism here.
But that northern star
Oh.
-Sorry.
-Okay.
Shall we?
Your looks are evergreen
Sweet as the angels
What are we supposed
to be looking at?
Ah, that explains it.
So good
You and the mistletoe and me
So nice
You are my sunshine
over a field of snow
And I love to watch you glow
Come on!
You're at the top of my list
Followed up
with your caramel kiss
[applause]
Nothing could ever compare
To this feeling in the air
You look good in the light
of my Christmas tree
So good
Okay.
So, how you doing?
Adjusting.
You know.
Slowly but surely.
Been working on this beauty.
Wurlitzer jukebox.
Though I...
I have no idea who the client is.
You were restoring it to donate
to Mom's charity auction
on Christmas Eve.
Oh.
Thanks.
Yeah.
Better pick up the pace.
Um, what's, um...
what's this stuff?
Oh, just, uh...
It's Christmas decorations.
I'm not gonna use them.
I got way too many.
Take 'em.
Uh...
Since when have you ever
thought you had
too many Christmas decorations?
Since I bought a giant new house
filled wall to wall Yuletide.
Five bedrooms?
You know, I said
the same thing, but, um,
you said you wanted
a place to grow into.
Did anyone push me into this?
Why do you ask that?
Well...
buying a new house, that house.
Feels like it's outta nowhere.
Well, from where
I'm sitting now, which...
a year ago and then...
I don't know,
I-I loved where I was.
And then, what?
Six months later,
I'm house hunting?
I know it feels
a little fast, but...
you know,
love can do that to a person.
Make you see things
from a new perspective,
change your priorities.
Yeah, and Kathryn,
she didn't push you into this,
if that's what you're wondering.
This was all your idea.
But obviously
your feelings for her
were part of the equation.
Okay, so, uh...
in six months,
I fell in love,
and I bought a ginormous house.
-Pretty much.
-You...
You said that you fell in love
at first sight.
Then why didn't I
at second sight?
What's next on the re-date list?
A sleigh ride from my home.
You hate those things.
I so do.
And we didn't do it last year,
so it's not technically
a re-date, but...
Rob had the idea that
he wanted to do it last year
before, you know, um...
I just thought it'd be nice
to honor his vision.
You act like
they're different people.
Well, sometimes they don't feel
like the same person.
My Rob loved Christmas and
was so excited to show me
all these cheesy
Christmas dates he had planned.
I don't know, new Rob
kinda feels like he's
lost his passion for this season.
I'm gonna channel
my Psych 101 class
and say that it's probably
subconscious protection from...
Me. Yeah.
I'm aware.
Hi. Just a coffee, please.
Thank you.
[singing] Over the fields we go,
-laughing all the way.
-Oh.
Making spirits bright...
-Hello.
-Hi.
Beautiful day
for a Christmas carriage ride.
You guys picked a good one.
Great.
Now, if you don't mind,
we're gonna take
a couple minutes here because...
Dudley here needs some snacks.
Snack away, Dudley.
-Okay.
-Okay.
-Ooh!
-Oh.
-Oh.
-Here we go.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
Oh.
-Ah!
-Yeah.
So... how long have you two
lovely people been together?
Uh, about a year.
How'd you meet?
How did we meet?
-Oh.
-You don't remember?
It's a long story.
At an antiques fair.
Week before Christmas.
Well, I do love an antiques fair.
Yes, you do.
Then what happened?
I outbid you for a 35mm
Simplex XL film projector.
My client at the Classic Cinema
wanted it.
Impressive.
You were impressed.
I bet I was.
Well, enough to follow me
and try to get me to hire you
as an excuse to ask me out.
I'm impressed.
Sir, so sorry.
This song is great,
but do you mind
just turning it down?
It's a classic, but okay.
So, tell me more.
Um.
Well, I could tell
you were nervous,
despite being chipper.
But that didn't scare you away.
No, no, I was
very much interested.
Um.
Was it, uh...
love at first sight for you?
I was, I was told it was for me.
Um.
Sorry.
Is that none of my business?
No, no, of course it is.
Uh, it's just, I...
I don't believe
in love at first sight.
Well, me either.
I mean, this me.
Maybe I did before, but.
So, uh, why don't you?
I was married.
15 years ago, in college.
It didn't even last a year.
And...
I stopped believing
in happily ever afters.
Did you tell me
you didn't believe
in happily ever afters after?
Actually, no.
[Driver] Alrighty then.
Let's start heading out.
-Giddy up, Dudley!
-Oh!
You, uh, you okay over there?
That, that bench was, like,
-lacking some...
-Padding?
-Right. Yeah, exactly.
-Yeah.
It's just for decoration or what?
Oh, and I'm pretty sure
I'm gonna smell
like Dudley all night.
But honestly,
I had a really good time.
Me too.
Do you, do you want to...
you wanna get something to eat?
I know this really cool place
just around the corner.
They do really delicious
Christmas kebabs.
You know,
red, green peppers, mozzarella.
You know, uh, Christmassy.
-It's delicious.
-[phone rings]
Actually, I don't know
if it's open, let me just check.
Oh, I just...
I just got a text
from my old neighbor.
Oh, I know Mr. Shipley.
Right, right.
Of course. Yeah, he's...
Yeah, his stove's just gone out
in the middle
of his holiday bake.
He's got a family
get-together tomorrow.
He's asked if I could go fix it.
Oh well, let's go,
let's go fix it.
We can get some food after.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
Okay, cool.
Um.
Kinda deviating pretty majorly
from the re-dating plan, though.
I think we can handle it.
I think we can too.
-Okay.
-Okay.
-Shall we?
-We shall.
Let's go.
But why antiques?
I mean, it doesn't seem like
a career for a young person.
It was a family
business, actually.
My grandparents opened the shop
in the 1950s.
And before that,
it was a kind of pawn shop.
And it sort of expanded
throughout the years
into what it is today.
Why did you choose it?
I mean, you didn't have to.
I felt comfortable there.
When I was a kid, I was
always moving around a lot,
going from one parent's house
to the other, and...
Plus I was always losing my toys
and things that meant
something to me.
You know, leaving them behind.
Oh, that had to have been hard.
It was what it was.
But I would go to the shop
and I got to play with
the toys there, as long as
they weren't too fragile.
My, uh, my dad, he would
hold some back for me
and I just loved them so much.
I probably put a little bit
too much projection
on the things there, but...
Which is childish, but,
you know, I was a child.
[laughing]
I don't think that's childish.
Well, you're my boyfriend.
You have to say that.
No, I'm just saying it
'cause it's true.
Well, thanks.
You know what?
I'm feeling pretty hungry.
We can get Christmas kebabs
another time.
Anyone for pizza?
-I vote yes.
-Seconded.
Motion for pizza passed.
-Yes!
-I'll get the menus.
That was good,
I just ate too much of it.
So, uh, last month you mentioned
a pop-up igloo restaurant
that was back
on a rooftop in Midtown...
Yeah, you know what?
Can I just stop you there
for a second?
Yeah. Is everything okay?
Yeah, yeah, it's just...
these re-dates
we've been going on,
they feel kind of forced.
Not your fault at all.
It's just, like...
Pop-up igloo restaurant.
A tree museum thing.
It's not really me.
Oh, okay.
But, um, Doctor Fisher's idea
to have you regain
your memories was to have you
re-experience things
that you did last year,
you talked about, and...
Yeah, but you were with me
for that year, right?
So...
as long as you're with me
going forward,
we're following doctor's orders.
Fair enough.
Fair enough. Uh, so what
did you have in mind?
I don't know.
I don't know, but...
It's gonna be better
if I'm my actual self
instead of whoever
I was pretending to be.
So, did you make the reservation
for Christmas Eve pancakes?
Always do.
What?
It's where I met Rob.
Uh, how's he doing?
Uh, no change yet.
That must be hard
on him and on you.
It is, but...
Rob's worth it.
Hey, um, how's Susan doing?
You haven't mentioned her much.
She's in Albuquerque.
Oh, I thought,
I thought you two were
spending the holidays together.
She's visiting her sister
for the holidays.
[Zoe] Guys, guys!
I just found a French Empire
and ebonized gilt bronze
mantle clock.
It's like Christmas morning.
-Where?
-Over here.
[Meryl] Christmas auction
venue... locked.
Aunt Josie's caterers
just confirmed for the 22nd.
Excellent. The Steinway
and the Norwegian sleigh
are scheduled for delivery
the day before the auction.
Well, that's two days
after our cookie night.
I should be recovered
in time to be there for that.
Maybe.
Oh. [chuckles]
Oh.
The only outstanding item
is the jukebox.
Rob said he's close.
Well, we need photos
for the website.
Okay, I will go over there
and take those.
Good. Though...
Let's be prepared if the jukebox
doesn't arrive on time.
I don't wanna force Rob,
given everything
he's gone through.
I mean, he was fine
when we saw him last week.
Though he's still off
about Christmas.
He gave Craig and me
his extra holiday decorations
because he thought
he had too much.
There's something more
going on with him.
I can feel it.
For-for Rob to have lost
all his memories
of his time with Kathryn,
and his love for Christmas?
That's not a coincidence.
[Amy] I don't know.
Hmm?
I had fun, though.
Yeah, I have fun with you
all the time.
You know what I mean.
Wait.
What are you up to?
Well, you're just gonna
have to wait and see.
Come on. Come on.
After you.
[Rob] Whoa.
I don't know
what it looked like before,
but it sure looks good now.
You outdid yourself.
The client was thrilled.
So was I.
I'm flattered.
I wish I remember what it was
like working on this.
[door opens]
Hey, the show's about to start.
Uh, should we
head to the theater?
Actually, could we watch
from up here?
Uh...
The bosses say you're VIP,
so I'm good.
As long as you stay
out of my bubble.
-Okay.
-Ooh! Chairs.
Oh, yeah.
-Perfect.
-Great.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
So, why didn't you wanna
watch from downstairs?
Well, you and I used to watch
a lot of movies together.
It's kind of our thing.
And I always wanted
to watch from up here.
It just feels...
Romantic.
Mhm.
I'd like you for Christmas
Please make my wish
come true
'Cause I'd trim trees
And deck the hallways
If I knew you'd be mine
For always
I won't be blue on Christmas
If old Saint Nick
comes through
Okay, Wonderful Christmas Time.
Christmas Wrapping.
This Christmas. Nice.
Are you only putting
Christmas music in there?
Apparently.
Oh, this one's good.
Whatcha got there?
It's a surprise.
[music plays]
[vocalizing]
I still believe
in summer days
The seasons always change
And life will find a way
I'll be your
harvester of light
And send it out tonight
So we can start again
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
This is my winter song
December never felt so wrong
'Cause you're not
where you belong
Are you okay?
Inside my arms
Yeah, I...
Oh.
I guess I can tell Mom
that the jukebox is ready
for the Christmas auction.
Uh, almost. Still, um...
got a few things to do.
Uh, credit system collaboration.
-Fuse and safety check.
-Okay.
Can I still take pics?
Yeah, sure.
Mom needs them for the auction.
Oh, uh, she asked me
to pick up her cardamom order
from her favorite
spice shop on Mercer.
But I have a last minute
meeting now at school.
Oh, I gotta work on the jukebox,
and we have plans later.
Well, I can pick it up
on my way home
and drop it off to her.
You are a lifesaver.
Thank you.
It is for cookie night,
and we all know how she gets.
Uh, the...
Do you have the description for
the jukebox that you wrote up?
Yes.
Can you grab it?
-Yes.
-Thank you.
[Rob groans playfully]
Don't.
I didn't say anything.
You were thinking it.
I was.
It looked fun.
-It was.
-[Amy chuckles]
[camera snaps]
Okay. I am going
to say something now.
Okay.
Rob.
He has wanted to get married
ever since he was,
like, 12 years old.
And not just to anyone,
he was very specific about that.
Even as a kid, he used to say
that he would rather be alone
than settle, and he meant it.
And he's been on plenty
of dates over the years,
and he has walked away
from all of them,
without even looking back.
But he didn't walk away from you.
If Rob proposed to you,
you're it for him. Okay?
And I guess
what I'm wondering is...
Is he it for you?
[Rob exhales]
Here, let me know if that works.
Good enough.
Good enough.
-Bye.
-See ya.
Where were we?
Oh, yeah. More dancing.
Kathryn.
Cardamom?
Oh. Thank you, dear.
Please come in.
How is he?
Um... getting there.
He's more himself every day.
But no memories.
Not yet.
That I can tell.
I've been keeping it safe.
Does it fit?
I don't know.
Because you never put it on,
did you?
-But he proposed.
-He did.
And you...
Panicked.
And ran off.
Oh.
I see.
Should I...
Do you want me to stop
with the re-dates?
Um...
No, dear, I think this is...
I think this is the right
course of action for now.
Okay. Chocolate chip cookies.
Let's keep the party going.
Yeah.
All right.
Where is the remote?
Uh, I...
Ah. Thank you.
Now, what movie
would you like to watch?
-Oh.
-Oh.
Whoa.
It's really coming down
out there.
I don't think you can
drive home in this.
Huh.
Looks like you're staying.
-So...
-Mm-hmm.
I have nearly
finished the jukebox.
Ooh! How do you feel?
Hmm.
I'm a little sad,
if I'm being honest.
You know, I put my heart
and soul into it,
spent every day on it,
and now I've just gotta
let it go.
I've made some
really nice memories.
So.
Big Ashford family cookie
baking night tomorrow night.
What are the chances
you're coming with me?
Pretty good. You know,
I did survive last year.
Thank you.
Yeah, barely.
According to Amy.
She's... right.
I... I did feel a little bit
like Sarah Jessica Parker
in The Family Stone.
Just completely out of sync
with everybody else.
Well, that's probably
why I took you
to such a fancy place after.
To be clear, I do like
all sorts of places.
But my favorite nights
were always our movie nights.
No agenda.
Nobody trying
to impress the other person.
Just kinda like tonight.
Okay.
Let me get this straight.
We met at an antiques fair.
Then I took you to my family's
cookie baking night.
Then we went to Chez Florence.
And then we were dating
for a year.
That pretty much sums it up.
Big question.
When was our first kiss?
Uh, well, it was the night
I got back from skiing.
I was getting ready for bed and
then I heard a sound outside.
I went to go check it out,
I opened the door
and you were standing
on my porch,
leaving a gift at my doorstep,
trying to be all stealth
and so not succeeding.
What was the gift?
It was a small,
plastic snow globe
with the figure of a man
pulling the woman on the sled
through the snow.
We'd talked about
sledding before.
And you just said,
I was in the neighborhood,
at midnight,
with a fully wrapped gift,
with a bow and everything.
Oh.
I'm a terrible liar.
Yeah, you are.
You really are.
And, um,
you were so caught
and so cute.
And I just
pulled you by your jacket
and pulled you in.
You kissed me first?
I had to.
It was beyond my control.
And you went home
and we texted until 3:00 AM,
and then you took me to dinner.
And just like that, dating.
Well, I like this story better
than the movie we didn't watch.
I do love you.
-Hey.
-Hey.
The power come back on?
Yeah, just now and, uh,
-I have Wi-Fi again, so.
-Mm-hm.
What time is it?
It's very early o'clock.
-I should, uh...
-No.
You don't have to go.
Well, I should
change, get back to the shop.
Just, um...
Don't forget
cookie night tonight.
Oh, I will be ready this time.
Okay.
Thank you for letting me
crash here last night.
Yeah. Of course.
Yeah. Um.
Even if you did beat me
in every hand of cards.
I warned you I was a shark.
Well, you just wait
till the rematch.
It won't do you any good.
Um.
Um. So.
6:00 PM.
Yeah. 6:00 PM.
-I'll see you there.
-Mm-hmm.
Hey.
-Hey.
-Any chance we can move
Christmas Eve pancakes
to tomorrow?
Sure. Is everything okay?
It's fine.
We'll talk more then.
Okay.
Cryptic much?
As ever.
-Here.
-Oh, thanks.
Oh, and for the record,
if this goes sideways,
I am not taking you
to Chez Florence again.
Once a year's enough.
Well, that's okay, because you
still owe me Christmas kebabs.
Oh, that's on the agenda
whatever way this goes.
Good.
-Hey, family.
-[Amy] Oh!
[all] Rob!
Hey. Hey.
Finally.
She's back for round two!
And I'm all warmed up.
Oh. Sounds like we have to
up our goal by
couple of hundred?
Easy there now, Dad.
[Dave] Welcome, welcome.
-[Rob] All right.
-Glad you're here.
[Dave] All right.
Who wants to do the honors?
-Not it! Not me.
-No, no, no.
[overlapping chatter]
-I'll take it.
-Oh! We got a taker.
[Craig] Take a bite.
[all chanting] Take a bite!
[all chanting] Take a bite!
-[Dave] Ah!
-[Craig] Oh, whoa!
-[Meryl] Well done.
-[Craig] Well done.
[Amy] Okay.
This is my station.
You're there.
-We gotta melt the snowmen.
-[Dave] That looks good.
Hey, can you focus?
-What?
-Get to work.
-Okay.
-Yeah.
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la,
la-la-la
Troll the ancient
yuletide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
See the blazing
yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Strike the harp
and join the chorus
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa-la-la, la-la-la,
la-la-la
While I tell
of yuletide treasure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Okay, this is the last of it.
Dave and I will
take our batches to Grandview
and the Harbor Lighthouse.
We have the schools covered.
Honey? Thank you.
-[Rob] Yes! High five.
-Okay.
-[Rob] High five.
-Jets game Sunday?
-Yes. Definitely.
-[Amy] Okay. Bye.
-Good job, kiddo.
-Thank you.
-Rob.
-Dad.
-Drive safe.
-Bye-bye.
-Thank you, dear.
-Thank you.
Don't work too hard.
Okay. Bye.
Okay.
Wanna get some fresh air first?
Yeah. Yeah.
-Good.
-I really do.
I had a memory the other day.
You were laughing
and
you looked really beautiful.
In that moment, I remembered
being in love with you.
What else do you remember?
Impressions.
Smells. Sounds. Feelings.
Kathryn?
Yeah?
I really wanted
to kiss you this morning.
This me.
The man that met you
three weeks ago.
I, um,
I really wanted to kiss you, too.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Want me to make you
something warm to drink?
Okay.
Okay.
I'll be right back.
Mm-hmm.
-I'm leaving now.
-Okay.
-Any second. Just...
-All right.
Don't move.
Two shots of peppermint,
one shot of vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon,
no foam creamer.
Hi. I'd like one large
hot cocoa,
two shots of peppermint,
one shot of vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon,
and no foam creamer.
Once it's repaired.
[laughing]
A proper date.
I love you, Kathryn Liu.
And I want this. With you.
Every Christmas.
I'm sorry.
[brakes squeal]
[loud crash]
[Kathryn] Rob?
Rob.
Rob.
Uh.
Why'd you do this?
What do you mean?
These past three weeks.
All of it.
Be with me.
Let everyone believe
you're my fiance,
when we both know you weren't.
Aren't.
I just wanted to help you
get your memories back.
That's what
Doctor Fisher said, so...
I remember
what Doctor Fisher said.
I remember everything.
You trying to hurt me?
No! Never.
Because it's...
it's what it feels like.
No.
I just wanted to help you
be you again.
I proposed to you.
And you left.
You-you ran away
like you couldn't
get away fast enough for me.
Oh, and, uh,
turn around and pretend
you said yes.
To me.
To my friends.
My family.
Uh, I'm not really in a place
to talk right now, actually.
Rob. Come on.
It's okay.
I'll just, uh.
I'll get a ride home later.
So, all in all, to sum it up,
I guess I'm just
not good at dating.
Maybe that's partly my fault.
How is that your fault?
I should've been
a better example.
Been more consistent
and been more
transparent with you.
Mhm.
I didn't tell you, but...
Susan and I broke up a month ago.
What?
Dad, I thought you two were good.
We were.
But it was time for me
to step up, and I didn't.
Why didn't you tell me
this sooner?
Because I wasn't ready
to admit it yet.
And I didn't want it to be true.
That I messed up again.
Susan went to Albuquerque to be
with her sister for Christmas.
I'm sorry, Dad.
Normally, I'd let that
be that, but...
I'm old enough now to know
my own patterns, and...
I wanna fix them while I can.
You know, I don't think of you
as somebody who doesn't step up.
Honey.
I've been running away
my whole adult life.
I simply got good at hiding it.
Like I did with your mom.
I gave up too easily
when things got hard.
That's my biggest regret.
And a habit I have to break.
You've... you've never
told me that.
Some wisdom takes longer
to figure out.
And some I chose not to see.
And that's the thing, Kathryn.
The Liu's bad luck
in relationships
isn't fate
or being romantically jinxed.
It's about choices.
You were a starry-eyed kid
when you married the first time.
Before I learned anything
useful to share with you.
And when your marriage
didn't work out,
you went so far
in the other direction,
you stopped letting anyone in.
Until Rob.
Well...
I colossally messed things up
with Rob.
Here's what I see.
For weeks you've been
fighting for him, stepped up,
even when you knew it'd cost you.
But that's, that's different.
Is it?
Because watching you fight for
him like that made me realize
I've never done the same.
Not really.
Which was my own choice.
But I can choose
to do different now.
And so can you.
I don't think so, Dad.
Is he dating someone else?
No.
Married?
No.
Moving to the other side
of the country?
No.
Then it's not too late.
Not if you really wanna try.
Hmm.
You either.
I know.
That's why I moved
Christmas pancakes to today.
I'm going to Albuquerque tomorrow
to do the grand gesture.
Maybe you should try
something like that, too.
But first,
eat your pancakes
before they get cold.
[Rob] What are you
talking about? You...
you had something
to do with this?
Yes, yes.
I encouraged her to re-date you,
but she was gonna do it anyway,
Rob, I could tell.
-Oh, you could tell?
-Yeah.
I guess guilt's
a powerful motivator.
Guilt doesn't make someone
dance with you in your workshop
or endure a second night of
making a seriously crazy amount
of cookies with your family.
She wasn't phoning it in.
I don't know.
I can't get over the image of
of reaching for the ring
and Kathryn just...
running away.
Do you even know
why she did that?
I don't have a clue.
Maybe it's time you find out.
Ask her.
[knock at door]
-Hi.
-Hi.
I was wondering if we could talk.
Yeah. Of course.
Um, can I get you some tea?
Maybe some gingerbread spice?
No. No, I'm okay.
Thanks for seeing me.
-Of course.
-No, not of course. Uh.
I was off last night,
and we didn't get to talk.
Well, you were
experiencing a lot.
I was.
But I'm okay now.
Or I'm getting there.
I have questions.
Okay.
Ask them.
Why'd you run away that night?
From the proposal. From me.
Well, at the time
that it happened, I...
I didn't really know why.
Although I've been thinking
about it nonstop ever since.
And?
You always called me perfect.
And I'm so not.
You know, I always felt like
my family had this
terrible track record
when it comes to love.
My-my parents, my marriage.
My dad, twice over.
And I just, in a way,
I've spent my entire adult life
just waiting for the thing that
I love the most to disappear.
And in that moment
when you're proposing
and it's about to
suddenly become very real
and very permanent,
something in me
just seized because...
in my experience,
permanent things break.
You didn't want us to break?
But we did anyhow.
And you re-dated me because...
You deserve
to have your memories.
Oh, so you were just being kind.
I couldn't walk away
from you, Rob.
Even though I probably should've.
I owe you an apology.
For what?
For putting you on a pedestal
without ever asking
if you wanted to be there.
I thought it was a compliment.
It wasn't. It was pressure.
And I think some part
of you knew that what I was
in love with was
a version of you that
I'd built in my head.
You were just
waiting for me
to figure that out.
Yeah, but I should've
said something.
It's a pretty hard subject
to bring up.
But I know you,
you would've said something
eventually if I didn't
push the proposal on you.
I...
Are you still angry with me?
No.
I'm just sad.
Feels like I lost you twice.
But I'm also really grateful.
Grateful?
You did the hard thing
in taking care of me.
You stepped up.
You could've just
left it with my family.
Rob, you mean so much to me.
I need you to know that.
I do know that.
And I also know that I wasn't
fully showing up as myself.
Not until after the accident.
I did notice you were
more comfortable being you.
When you forgot
you were in love with me.
I mean, don't we deserve to be
with the person who brings out
the truest version of ourselves?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Good morning.
Meryl. Hi.
Not expecting me, I get it.
But I was on my way
to run a few quick errands
for the Christmas
auction tonight,
and, um...
one of them is this.
Uh, I recognize this is
embarrassingly last minute,
but to be fair,
I assumed you would be
going with Rob.
No.
Which means you'll simply
have to attend solo.
I don't think that's wise.
Isn't it?
Kathryn.
Did you know that
before Dave and I got engaged,
he proposed to me three times.
Three?
-That surprises you.
-Yeah.
I just always envisioned you two
being perfect from the start.
Oh, honey.
No one is perfect.
And I didn't hesitate with Dave
because I didn't love him.
I did love him.
I simply...
I simply needed to feel
safe enough to say yes.
Which is my own story.
The point is...
some people need an extra beat.
Or two.
Regardless of their reason.
And there is nothing
wrong with that.
Christmas is here
It's time for fun
People dressed up
And parties everywhere
To share with the family
and friends this year
Thank you all for coming.
Thank you very much.
It's good to see you.
Hey! Hello.
So, uh, how's it going here?
-All good, Dad.
-Good.
It's just... memories.
Yeah.
You're looking sharp.
Thanks.
Is this on?
Hello, hello!
Thank you all
for being here this evening.
As a reminder,
every item you bid on tonight,
all the proceeds will go
directly towards the new
children's wing
at Grandview General Hospital.
So, I encourage you
to bid generously.
[laughter]
And with that,
let the auction commence.
[cheers and applause]
Our first item this evening
is a Norwegian Christmas sleigh
circa 1890.
And now the final item
of the evening,
and one of my favorites.
A fully refurbished
1946 Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox.
Restored by local craftsman
Robert Ashford,
and donated by his mother,
tonight's co-chairwoman,
Meryl Ashford.
[applause]
I think we can all agree
this one's a real beauty, and...
it's full of Christmas songs.
Let's start the bidding
at $10,000.
Do I have $10,000?
I got $10,000.
I got $10,000. Do I have 12?
I need $12,000.
I got $12,000.
Number six... 14.
Thank you very much.
How about 15? Anyone here?
$15,000? 15. Excellent.
Great work, everyone.
All goes to charity.
Are you sure about this?
-Positive.
-I've got $15,000.
Now I need 16. Anyone at 16...
I got $16,000.
Thank you, everyone.
$17,000. Thank you, sir.
We've got $17,000.
All I need is $18,000.
Who's got 18? $18,000?
Thank you very much, ma'am.
How about 19?
Anyone over for 19?
Come on, everyone,
this is for the kids.
We've got 19. Sure.
We have $19,000.
$19,000. Thank you, sir.
Now, let's see if we can
take things up a notch.
Who here wants
to push things past 19?
Maybe we could take it to 20.
$25,000.
[crowd murmurs]
$25,000. Anyone else?
[gavel clacks]
Sold to the lady
in the green dress!
[cheers and applause]
Go. Rob, go!
[Craig] Oh. Hey, hey.
-So, did you find her?
-No. It's like she vanished.
Did she at least leave a note
or a glass slipper this time
or something?
-Craig.
-I don't get it.
I don't get why she outbid me
for the jukebox.
-Doesn't make sense.
-The auction card.
She requested that the jukebox
be delivered to your house.
She just left.
You left before I could
ask you to dance.
Look at you,
remembering your love
of Christmas.
I remember all my loves.
Even the ones that just, uh,
swiped my jukebox,
like they swiped my projector.
I had to.
You put yourself
into everything you restore.
But especially this one.
It had to be yours.
It's my Christmas gift to you.
Although I won't be able
to wrap it and leave it
on your porch by midnight.
It's okay.
Maybe you can come over.
Help me find a place to put it.
And maybe we can have that dance?
I'd love that.
Here's the thing, Kathryn.
I've fallen in love
with you twice now.
First time I thought I knew you.
Second time I really did.
And...
I know it's complicated.
I know we've been through a lot.
And I know you might wanna
steer clear of me.
But if you're up for it
and you're not doing
anything else tonight...
I'd really like to take you
on a third first date.
Well, here's the thing.
And it's super important.
I love you, too, Rob Ashford.
Every part of you.
And I always will.
So, I guess that's a yes
to the date.
It's a yes to everything.
I'd give anything
this Christmas
Anything this Christmas
I'd give anything
this Christmas
To have you here
I don't know
if I told you, but...
I know this place that does
great Christmas kebabs.
You think they're open?
I don't know.
Let's find out.
I'd give all the love
this time of year
[Rob] Hey. I love you.
I'd give anything
this Christmas
To have you here
It's Christmas
A Christmas dream
It's Christmas
A Christmas dream
It's Christmas
A Christmas dream
I don't want
nothin' melancholy
Just a little eggnog
and holly
On this holiday with you
So, hurry up,
don't keep me waitin'
I'm in the mood
for celebratin'
I just want
a holiday for two
As long as I'm with you
I don't care what we do
A cozy fire
or snowflakes under the moon
Grab some candy canes,
we'll go ice fishing
As long as we're together,
we can only win
When you're around
It's Christmas
the whole year through
Oh, I don't want
nothin' melancholy
Just a little eggnog
and holly
On this holiday...
$4,000.
$4,000?
It's gonna need
that much in repairs.
$2,000.
I'll pay $4,000.
-Oh, now we're talking.
-Wait wait wait. Wait a second.
Are you gonna pay $4,000?
No, but...
Sold to the lady in the red coat.
I have a client,
New Rochelle Classic Cinema.
They're looking to authenticate
their movie going experience
and this projector is exactly
what they had in mind.
Thank you.
Who's that?
Kathryn Liu of Liu Antiques.
And she just swiped
your projector.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hi, I'd like one large hot cocoa,
two shots of peppermint,
one shot of vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon,
and no foam creamer.
Thank you.
A lady that knows
what she wants and gets it.
Like the film projector.
-For your client.
-Who will be so happy.
Once it's repaired.
There is that.
Rob Ashford, vintage mechanical
restoration specialist.
I've heard about you.
You're actually who
I was intending to call
about repairing the Simplex XL.
Then this must be fate.
-Oh, must it?
-It must!
Well, I have your card,
Rob Ashford.
I will be in touch
about working together.
Or, you know, maybe we could
discuss over coffee.
Coffee.
Or dinner.
Or coffee or just...
We can keep it at a phone call
or never see each other again,
he says, feeling
suddenly awkward.
Whatever you prefer.
I like dinner.
Yeah?
I'll give you a call.
Okay.
I'm nervous.
You never get nervous.
Which is making me more nervous.
Do you like him?
I mean, I'm going
on a date with him.
I mean, do you
like him, like him?
You're gorgeous and successful,
and you get asked out a ton,
but you never get nervous.
I don't know.
Maybe.
It's not like I've had
any luck with dating.
Okay, you were married one time.
Like, 15 years ago.
I know, but it's, you know,
it's not just me.
It's all the Lius.
We're romantically jinxed.
-Hi, Dad.
-Kathryn.
Find anything exciting
at the antiques fair?
She's trying to figure that out.
Uh... that's girl talk, Dad.
Well, you don't need me for that.
Your dad is always fastest
when he's running away
from anything with feels.
Welcome to my childhood.
Oh, I'd love to, but I'm
delivering a Wedgewood stove
to Philly that day.
And I have estate sales
in Maine through the 19th,
and then I'm back for a few days,
and then I fly out to Vail
for a ski trip
right after Christmas.
How does the 20th work for you?
Oh... I have a thing.
You have a thing?
Yeah, okay, so here's the deal.
Every year my family
get together,
we do a cookie baking night.
Family and friends,
you know, come over.
We bake, like,
900 Christmas cookies.
900 Christmas cookies?
Are you starting a side business?
It's for charities
my parents support, and...
Mom was a district judge,
Dad was a D.A.
So, between the two of them,
they know every charity
in the five boroughs.
Well, that's kind of awesome.
Yeah, it's, like, my favorite
night of the year, actually.
But, uh,
clearly not a first date setting.
No.
What about the 21st?
I'm full time at the shop
until after Christmas.
Oh, well, maybe we're not
gonna be able to see each other
until after the new year.
Yeah, it sounds like it.
-Unless...
-Unless?
Okay, this might sound
kinda crazy.
Crazy? I just told you
I'm making 900 Christmas cookies.
Um. What if I joined you?
You'd do that?
Well, you said that people
besides your family
would be there, right?
Yeah. That's right.
I mean, you know,
people come around every year.
It's super fun.
It's, like, ten people baseline.
Ten? Okay, that's not so scary.
And that way we wouldn't
have to wait weeks.
Well, I'm really
on board with this.
I mean, you get to see me
in my best element.
Christmas time
with my family, it's...
it's kinda my jam.
Okay, well, if it's your jam,
I'll see you on the 20th.
Can't wait.
[jazzy instrumental music plays]
[knocks on door]
-Hi!
-Hi.
You made it.
Come in, come in.
Ah, I did, I did.
Although, you know,
if I had gotten lost,
all I would've had
to do is, um...
-Oh. Here.
-Oh, thank you.
Just follow the smell of cookies.
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Pretty, uh, fantastic. Right?
Oh.
This her?
Yes, Dad, this is Kathryn.
Dave Ashford.
It's great to finally meet you.
-Oh, finally.
-Uh...
it's been less than three days.
Fewer. Hi, Kathryn.
-Hi.
-I'm Amy.
I am Rob's older
and wiser sister.
And I'm gonna take Dad here
back into the kitchen
so that you can have
a moment's breathing space
before you dive into the madness.
-Thank you. Bye-bye.
-Come on, Dad.
-[Amy] Bye-bye.
-Bye-bye.
Uh, welcome.
Another Christmas sweater.
This is my cookie making sweater.
Oh.
Um, is everybody wearing
a Christmas sweater?
Well...
Maybe, but it's not required.
Oh.
-Come on, this is gonna be fun.
-Okay.
Wow. It's so perfect.
[Amy] Last year, that was you.
Oh, there you are.
I'm almost ready for you.
-Coming?
-Yeah.
[Dave] Leah, let's get those
outta the oven.
[Woman] It smells
so good in here.
Family!
-[group] Rob!
-There's Rob again, hey.
Everyone, this is Kathryn.
She's a friend of Rob's.
She's just now realizing
what she got herself into.
So, let's just put her
on icing duty.
Yeah. Thanks, Amy.
Uh, this is, uh,
my brother-in-law, Craig.
Rob, I don't know what
you're talking about.
She's not funny looking at all.
Oh, that's so funny.
Uh, and the greatest, cutest,
niece and nephew
in the whole wide world.
So, um, 900 cookies.
Yeah. Give or take.
Kathryn, uh...
this is my mom.
Judge Ashford.
Retired now, like my husband.
Meryl is fine.
Nice of you
to help us out tonight.
Of course.
Thank you for having me.
Uh, this is for you.
Oh, that's so sweet of you.
-Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay, well, we've got a lot
to do and we're already behind,
-So... excuse me.
-Okay.
-Um...
-I got that.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
Here we go.
You'll be rolling out the dough.
Prep it for cutting.
Then you can pass it to Dave.
He'll handle the oven.
-Okay.
-All right.
-Wow.
-Good luck.
Hmm. Willy Wonka
did Christmas cookies?
[upbeat swing music plays]
And you're up.
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Perfect!
So, where do all these go to?
Churches, schools, shelters.
When we were growing up,
Mom and Dad taught us that
uh, Christmas isn't just about
what you receive,
but about giving to others.
Yeah. I think that's the real
meaning of the season.
It's wonderful.
[Meryl] So, Kathryn,
what does your family do
for Christmas tradition-wise?
Um...
we didn't have a lot
of traditions growing up.
Um, except...
my dad and I always went out
for Christmas Eve pancakes
at Lucy's Diner in the Bronx.
Well, we still do.
-Um... oops.
-Just the two of you?
Yeah. My parents, um,
they divorced
when I was really young.
Um, my mom, she remarried
and moved to Portland.
And my dad,
he remarried twice,
and now he's dating Susan.
She's really nice.
Don't worry, honey. Let me.
Not my first cookie bake.
[Amy] All right. Ready?
[Amy] Wanna press it?
Give it a good press.
Okay, you wanna wiggle it
and then pull it out.
[Amy] Absolutely perfect.
Wow.
-Oof!
-Ah!
Uh, I'm guessing skiing's gonna
be pretty easy after tonight.
I may have underestimated
what I was signing up for.
It's my fault, I probably
should've warned you better.
No, no, I volunteered.
But I do appreciate
your family's creativity,
especially around Christmas.
Well, it's the one time of year
that my two workaholic parents
had time off simultaneously,
and we could all be together.
Aww. I envy that.
You know, having traditions,
especially around the holidays.
Yeah.
You know, if it wasn't
so close to Christmas,
I'd give you the full
Rob Ashford Christmas experience.
Uh. Hey, Kathryn.
-Yeah.
-Uh...
I'm just gonna
put this out there.
I'd love to see you again.
When you, when you get back.
If you want.
I would like to see you
again as well.
Although maybe this time
we just do dinner.
-Yes! Dinner.
-Yeah.
I'm so in.
But this-this time
I'll take you somewhere fancy.
You know, like a proper date.
A proper date.
Yeah.
Okay. Bye!
Make sure
the chimney is clear
Time to get hummin'
Santa is comin'
I love this time of the year
I'll set the tree
by the mantle
-Good morning.
-Hi.
Cocoa. Two shots of peppermint,
one shot vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon.
No foam creamer.
You remembered!
Well, that's my job...
as your boyfriend to remember
everything about you,
and I take my job very seriously.
[Rob sighs]
Aww, you're so perfect.
Stop it.
-You are.
-No, I'm not.
Brilliant. Gorgeous.
Successful. Talented. Funny.
Just...
Perfect. You're perfect.
Does this mean
what I think it does?
'Tis December 1st.
And yes, and as promised,
it is time for the full
Rob Ashford Christmas experience.
I have so many things
planned, babe.
And you should see the house.
Full Griswold.
Oh, your neighbors
must love that.
Well, just as long as you do.
I aim to pass the Kathryn test.
What does that mean?
Well, you know, Christmas dates
that don't remind you
of last year's
cookie making experience.
Okay, to be fair,
it was our first date,
and your mother was there.
True, but she won't be
at my place tonight
for our special date.
Don't forget.
I never forget.
Have a good day.
Perfect!
Bye.
Oh my gosh.
Oh, Rob, this is gorgeous.
-When did you...
-Two months ago.
I've been waiting
for December to get here.
This way we can spend
Christmas together
newly engaged.
You're 100% sure about this.
No, I know,
I know that you adore her,
and I really like her too, but...
you've known each other
less than a year.
So what?
You can know someone forever
and never really
know them at all.
I knew Kathryn was the one
for me the second I saw her.
She's perfect, Amy.
Careful...
putting someone up
on a pedestal because
you can't stand beside someone
if you got them above you.
Doo-doo-doo
Why am I so nervous?
[phone pings]
Okay.
Okay.
Will you marry me?
Oh.
-Hi.
-Hi. Come in.
-Uh, okay.
-Wo... uh...
-Wow.
-Yeah.
-Oh.
-Um...
Come and stand right here.
-Okay.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay. So.
Well, as you know,
uh, I have a lot of plans
this Christmas.
Sleigh ride. Nutcracker.
Walking through
the Christmas market together.
Big list.
But everything on the list,
it only matters 'cause...
'cause you're gonna be there.
It's the thing that I've been
most looking forward to
from last year,
if I'm being completely honest.
And, um, you're just amazing.
Ah!
Oh. I'm sorry.
Okay. [exhales]
I had this big speech planned,
but it all just comes down
to one thing.
I love you, Kathryn Liu.
I loved you
from-from the moment
that I saw you
stealing my projector.
I knew right then
that you
were the person
that I've been waiting for.
You're...
you're perfect.
And I want this,
I want all of this.
Every Christmas.
-Starting right now.
-Rob.
-What?
-Rob, I am...
-What?
-I think, I think...
that we should stop.
-Stop?
-Stop. Stop.
-Yeah, stop. Stop.
-What?
Because this is
coming out wrong. But, um...
you are too good for...
and I just...
Wait, what are you saying?
I'm so sorry. I have to go.
Ka... Kathryn?
[door slams]
[car engine starts]
[phone vibrates]
So?
She, uh...
ran away.
Oh, no.
Come over.
[Amy] Rob?
Come over.
[brakes squeal]
[loud crash]
[sirens in the distance]
[phone vibrates]
Hi, Amy.
[sound of sirens]
Wha...
I think he's gonna be okay.
We're just...
waiting to hear
what they have to say.
-I know.
-Oh, here she is.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Hi. No, he's okay.
He's gonna be okay.
Uh, we haven't seen him
yet, though.
Yeah, he got really lucky.
The neighbors heard the crash,
called it in almost immediately.
Doctor Fisher said
his scans are clean.
There's no broken bones,
no internal bleeding,
not even a concussion.
Oh, thank God.
Oh, uh, I'll take that.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
Just check that everything is...
here, it's just...
[Meryl] Um. Wha...
[Dave] Is that
what I think it is?
Um...
This is a heck of a way to get
welcomed into the family, kiddo.
-Yeah, I, um...
-[Doctor] Good news.
You can see him now.
-[Craig] Great.
-[Amy] Okay.
-[Amy] Mom.
-[Craig] Go ahead.
Hey, congrats.
-Hey. Hi.
-[Meryl] Oh...
[Dave] How you feeling, buddy?
Uh... [sighs]
A little weird, but, uh.
I'm okay.
You had us all scared, son.
I'll be fine, Dad, I just, uh...
I don't, I don't
really remember what happened.
It's just...
Hi, Rob.
Hi.
Hey.
Who's that?
Who's who?
The woman that just said hi.
That's Kathryn.
A friend of yours?
She's looking at me
like she knows me.
Well, of course
she knows you, Rob.
That's Kathryn.
She's...
your fiance.
Good one, Dad.
You'll be fine.
You'll be fine. Get the doctor.
Yeah, I'm gonna go.
Lacunar amnesia, also known as,
uh, selective amnesia.
Not entirely surprising,
considering the trauma
of the crash.
But he still knows who we are.
That's the unusual
specificity of his case.
Um...
he appears to have lost events
of approximately the past year,
more or less.
Um...
when will he get
his memories back?
That's difficult to predict.
Condition typically resolves
when a patient rests
and returns to his,
uh, normal routine.
Could be days or weeks.
Could be longer.
We really don't know.
What causes it?
That's the interesting part here.
Uh, there's
no biological explanation.
Rob's scans are clear,
which suggests the cause
is psychological,
rather than physical.
Well, how do we help him
get his memories back?
Familiar context exposure.
Get him back in his environment,
surrounded by things he knows.
Uh, his home.
He just bought a new house.
Yeah, but he's just
done it up for Christmas,
and Rob loves Christmas.
He should remember that,
at least.
That may work.
However, um...
given the specific nature
of what he's forgotten,
my instinct is the best
approach is direct exposure
to experiences of the past year.
Something in that context
could trigger the return of his
overall missing memories.
Well, he spent
most of his time with me.
Uh, they're engaged.
Rob still had the ring.
Ah, po-tayto, po-tahto.
They're practically engaged.
Sounds like you're
who should be shepherding
Rob through this, Miss Liu.
You can reintroduce
the conversations you've had,
the places you've gone,
things you two did
during this time.
But keep it low pressure.
Don't, uh...
push the memories.
Let them surface naturally.
Wait wait wait.
I'm sorry.
Are you, are you saying
that I should
re-date Rob?
Essentially, yes.
Okay.
I thought we were
getting cookies.
-What happened last night?
-You know?
I know that the proposal
didn't go as planned,
and that's why Rob
was on his way to my place
when the accident happened.
He... he started to propose,
and then I just said...
Said no.
Not exactly.
It's a yes or no question.
I panicked, and I ran.
Look, I'm not going to ask why.
That is not my business.
Do you want me to leave?
I want my brother
to get his memories back.
And according to Doctor Fisher,
you may be the key.
Or the reason that
he's lost them altogether.
I mean, that whole time frame
that's wiped out,
that's all to do with me.
All the more reason to do
as the doctor suggests.
Re-date him.
I know.
It's a big ask.
I mean, he'll hate me
if he remembers.
Rob would never hate you.
Will you just consider it?
Please?
Are you gonna tell your family
that we're not engaged?
No.
No, that is not my story to tell.
Plus, my mom is very intense.
Wait, wait.
Sam Darnold won a Super Bowl?
Yup. And you know what?
Don't tell your dad I said this,
but turns out you just have to
leave the Jets to have
a successful career.
[laughs sarcastically]
What else happened?
What else, what else?
Oh, yeah.
No big deal but you, uh,
you bought a house.
Why would I do that?
Uh, I love the space
behind my workshop.
No, no, you still have
your workshop.
Still full of all the things.
But, um, yeah. Last spring,
you just became hyper-focused
on buying a real house.
It's actually quite nice.
Well that's good.
Yeah, yeah,
I think you'll like it.
And of course, there's...
Kathryn.
Man...
uh, I wish I remembered her.
Kinda seems out of my league.
Oh, my friend, she is
absolutely out of your league.
And, you know, I may have
mentioned that to you
a few times, actually.
Bet you did.
You know what?
I did bring a few things
to, uh, get you outta here.
Mainly...
-this guy.
-That's mine?
Yeah, this is your Christmas
cookie making sweater
from last year.
Were there no other
options? Or...
No.
Trust me, you...
you love this sweater.
Rob loves this sweater.
Dude, it's super cheesy.
Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's...
that's kinda the whole point
of a Christmas sweater
there, pal.
Ah, there you are.
What's wrong?
Oh, sorry.
That's a foolish question.
What are you going to do about
Doctor Fisher's suggestion?
Well, I'll help Rob, of course.
Thank you.
-I wanted...
-Uh, hon?
I'm, uh, gonna go out
and get the car warmed up
and ready to go.
All right,
I'll get the discharge papers.
-Okay.
-I'll, uh, I'll go talk to Rob.
-Kathryn Liu.
-That's me.
-Hi.
-Hi.
I, uh...
I like that sweater.
Yeah. Thanks. Uh.
Apparently, it, uh, lights up.
Yes, it does.
I got you your, um,
favorite Christmas tea.
It's gingerbread spice.
And, um, your mom is just getting
the final information
on your discharge.
Gotcha. Thanks.
So, um...
how'd you sleep?
Uh...
Truthfully, I'm just
dying to get home.
Though...
probably not gonna recognize it.
Right.
Have you, have you been
to the new pla...
Of course you have.
Sorry. This...
this is kinda weird.
With you on that one.
Okay. You're good to go.
Doctor Fisher said he spoke
with you this morning?
He did, yeah. Yeah.
About us, uh...
re-dating.
And showing you things
that you did in the past year
or talked about.
And what's your take?
I think you deserve
the chance to remember.
So do I.
Okay.
Guess we're re-dating.
I guess we are.
But first things first,
I'm-I'm gonna need a ride home.
-Oh, well, Dave's just...
-Oh, well, my car's just...
It's okay. What if, uh,
if we're gonna do this,
maybe we should just get started.
Follow me.
Okay.
I gotta say,
it's a whole lotta Christmas.
Oh, wait 'til you see the inside.
[Kathryn] Oh.
Okay.
Wow.
Is this you?
No, all you.
[Kathryn sighs] Gosh. Okay.
Let's see here.
It's, uh,
it's from my dad.
I told him what happened,
and he wanted
to send you a care package.
Well, that's nice.
I guess he likes me.
Let's see what we got here.
We've got...
Chicken noodle soup.
Nice. It's my favorite.
And...
Chocolate chip cookies. Classic.
We baked about a gazillion
of these together last year.
All right.
These go first.
Maybe I'll take a bite,
get my memories back.
Speaking of memories,
um...
what's the plan?
You know, for our first re-date?
Uh, well, our first dinner
was the private room
at Chez Florence,
so I thought we'd do that again.
What? You picked it.
I chose it?
Oh.
It's so pretentious.
Oh. Um.
Well, we can go somewhere else
if you want.
No, no, no.
It's fine, you know.
If that's where
we had our first date,
we should, we should
do that again.
Okay.
Uh, well, if you need me at all,
don't hesitate to reach out.
Listen, Kathryn.
I know this has gotta be
pretty hard for you,
so I just wanna say,
I really appreciate your help.
Well, you deserve
to have your memories.
I'll text you
about our first date.
Second first date.
-Second first date.
-Great.
-Okay.
-Okay.
So much Christmas.
Rob was supposed to come over
to my place this weekend
to help me decorate.
He had a whole plan for it.
But now it's like...
Rob has forgotten
his love of Christmas,
which feels so wrong.
On top of everything else
that already feels wrong.
You'll get there.
How can you be so sure?
[phone rings]
Excuse me.
Are you gonna help Rob
with the memories?
Like the doctor wanted?
Yeah.
Our first re-date is Friday.
Is this, like, a guilt thing?
Probably a little bit.
Over the disaster proposal?
Thanks.
I bolted, Zoe.
Why did you bolt?
I don't know, maybe because
of what the proposal meant.
If I had said yes
and then it goes wrong again.
It might go right.
My entire family
thought that too,
up until they didn't.
And Rob is so perfect
and his whole family is too.
I...
I don't wanna be the one
that ruins that.
Well, how do you think Rob
would react if he
remembers,
you know?
That I will deal with
when it happens.
Well, hello there.
Oh, wow.
Well, at least
this feels the same.
Ooh. Oh, I-I got that.
Oh.
-Thank you.
-Of course.
And sorry about the,
uh, the-the dress code,
I-I just forgot.
Oh, no worries, sir.
We always keep some jackets
and ties on hand.
Ah.
-All the way over there.
-Oh...
Thanks.
Guess she's getting the jacket.
Uh...
-[Kathryn laughs]
-Well, uh...
Oh.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Hi.
So, uh,
how have you been feeling?
Fine. Yeah.
And thanks for checking in
on me so often.
And for reminding me where
the peppermint creamer was.
Yeah, I educated you
that it needed to be
refrigerated after opened.
Makes total sense.
Well, that's what you said,
actually, when I...
Sorry, I will try
not to do that so much.
No. It's, uh, it's okay.
I mean, we're just
we're figuring this out
as we go along.
Yeah.
-Here you go, sir.
-Ah.
Thank you.
Oh.
It's, uh, it's a perfect fit.
Sorry, I-I should've told you
about the dress code again.
I should've mentioned it.
Fine, I should've remembered.
I mean, we can go somewhere else.
No, no, no. Defeats
the whole purpose of re-dating.
Plus...
-I've already learned something.
-What?
That last year me was trying
really hard to impress you.
Well, isn't the whole
purpose of dating
to impress the other person?
Kinda. Yeah.
But it's also, I think
about just being yourself.
Showing the other person
what they're getting into.
Hmm.
Well, I had a pretty good
hint of who you were
when we came here the first time.
This wasn't exactly
our first date.
What was?
Your family's charity
cookie baking night.
No.
I took you to that?
Wow!
Well, in your defense,
you did warn me.
And you said you wanted me
to see you at your best
and that your best was
Christmas time with your family.
That's true.
And it worked.
I mean, we're, uh...
engaged or together or what?
Oh, hi.
Thank you.
-Oh.
-[Rob] It's all happening.
-Oh. Thank you.
-[Rob] Yep.
Yeah.
-Uh, bread?
-Sure.
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
So, uh...
Can you tell me
about your family?
I-I don't really know anything
about you anymore.
Right, right. Well, um...
my dad and I, we run
an antique shop in Manhattan.
His parents started it,
and I kinda grew up there.
Which would explain why I can't
think of doing anything else.
Although working with one's dad
presents certain challenges.
What challenges?
The kind where
your business partner thinks
they know everything about you
'cause they've known you
since birth.
Mmm.
My mom lives in Seattle.
They divorced when I was seven.
And they both remarried
and remarried.
So, not exactly the Ashfords.
No, I...
I'm definitely lucky
in some ways.
Yeah. You are.
[Rob] Well, that was... fun.
Admit it, you'd rather
have a hot dog.
-At Yankee Stadium.
-Mm-hmm.
So, um, you, um...
you mentioned ideas
for Christmas dates
before the, uh...
the accident, and...
you were really
excited about them,
so I thought maybe
we could try some of those.
Right.
This would've been our first
full Christmas together.
That was the plan.
Yeah. Okay.
Well, let's do it.
All the things.
Who knows?
Maybe some of this
Christmas stuff
will jog my memories loose.
Explain why I forgot them
in the first place.
Yeah.
Well, good night.
Good night.
This fire is nice
I don't know what
they put in it but it's good.
Mmm!
Oh, cool.
Look at this, this is
a 1954 Schuco German.
Look at this gear mechanism here.
But that northern star
Oh.
-Sorry.
-Okay.
Shall we?
Your looks are evergreen
Sweet as the angels
What are we supposed
to be looking at?
Ah, that explains it.
So good
You and the mistletoe and me
So nice
You are my sunshine
over a field of snow
And I love to watch you glow
Come on!
You're at the top of my list
Followed up
with your caramel kiss
[applause]
Nothing could ever compare
To this feeling in the air
You look good in the light
of my Christmas tree
So good
Okay.
So, how you doing?
Adjusting.
You know.
Slowly but surely.
Been working on this beauty.
Wurlitzer jukebox.
Though I...
I have no idea who the client is.
You were restoring it to donate
to Mom's charity auction
on Christmas Eve.
Oh.
Thanks.
Yeah.
Better pick up the pace.
Um, what's, um...
what's this stuff?
Oh, just, uh...
It's Christmas decorations.
I'm not gonna use them.
I got way too many.
Take 'em.
Uh...
Since when have you ever
thought you had
too many Christmas decorations?
Since I bought a giant new house
filled wall to wall Yuletide.
Five bedrooms?
You know, I said
the same thing, but, um,
you said you wanted
a place to grow into.
Did anyone push me into this?
Why do you ask that?
Well...
buying a new house, that house.
Feels like it's outta nowhere.
Well, from where
I'm sitting now, which...
a year ago and then...
I don't know,
I-I loved where I was.
And then, what?
Six months later,
I'm house hunting?
I know it feels
a little fast, but...
you know,
love can do that to a person.
Make you see things
from a new perspective,
change your priorities.
Yeah, and Kathryn,
she didn't push you into this,
if that's what you're wondering.
This was all your idea.
But obviously
your feelings for her
were part of the equation.
Okay, so, uh...
in six months,
I fell in love,
and I bought a ginormous house.
-Pretty much.
-You...
You said that you fell in love
at first sight.
Then why didn't I
at second sight?
What's next on the re-date list?
A sleigh ride from my home.
You hate those things.
I so do.
And we didn't do it last year,
so it's not technically
a re-date, but...
Rob had the idea that
he wanted to do it last year
before, you know, um...
I just thought it'd be nice
to honor his vision.
You act like
they're different people.
Well, sometimes they don't feel
like the same person.
My Rob loved Christmas and
was so excited to show me
all these cheesy
Christmas dates he had planned.
I don't know, new Rob
kinda feels like he's
lost his passion for this season.
I'm gonna channel
my Psych 101 class
and say that it's probably
subconscious protection from...
Me. Yeah.
I'm aware.
Hi. Just a coffee, please.
Thank you.
[singing] Over the fields we go,
-laughing all the way.
-Oh.
Making spirits bright...
-Hello.
-Hi.
Beautiful day
for a Christmas carriage ride.
You guys picked a good one.
Great.
Now, if you don't mind,
we're gonna take
a couple minutes here because...
Dudley here needs some snacks.
Snack away, Dudley.
-Okay.
-Okay.
-Ooh!
-Oh.
-Oh.
-Here we go.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
Oh.
-Ah!
-Yeah.
So... how long have you two
lovely people been together?
Uh, about a year.
How'd you meet?
How did we meet?
-Oh.
-You don't remember?
It's a long story.
At an antiques fair.
Week before Christmas.
Well, I do love an antiques fair.
Yes, you do.
Then what happened?
I outbid you for a 35mm
Simplex XL film projector.
My client at the Classic Cinema
wanted it.
Impressive.
You were impressed.
I bet I was.
Well, enough to follow me
and try to get me to hire you
as an excuse to ask me out.
I'm impressed.
Sir, so sorry.
This song is great,
but do you mind
just turning it down?
It's a classic, but okay.
So, tell me more.
Um.
Well, I could tell
you were nervous,
despite being chipper.
But that didn't scare you away.
No, no, I was
very much interested.
Um.
Was it, uh...
love at first sight for you?
I was, I was told it was for me.
Um.
Sorry.
Is that none of my business?
No, no, of course it is.
Uh, it's just, I...
I don't believe
in love at first sight.
Well, me either.
I mean, this me.
Maybe I did before, but.
So, uh, why don't you?
I was married.
15 years ago, in college.
It didn't even last a year.
And...
I stopped believing
in happily ever afters.
Did you tell me
you didn't believe
in happily ever afters after?
Actually, no.
[Driver] Alrighty then.
Let's start heading out.
-Giddy up, Dudley!
-Oh!
You, uh, you okay over there?
That, that bench was, like,
-lacking some...
-Padding?
-Right. Yeah, exactly.
-Yeah.
It's just for decoration or what?
Oh, and I'm pretty sure
I'm gonna smell
like Dudley all night.
But honestly,
I had a really good time.
Me too.
Do you, do you want to...
you wanna get something to eat?
I know this really cool place
just around the corner.
They do really delicious
Christmas kebabs.
You know,
red, green peppers, mozzarella.
You know, uh, Christmassy.
-It's delicious.
-[phone rings]
Actually, I don't know
if it's open, let me just check.
Oh, I just...
I just got a text
from my old neighbor.
Oh, I know Mr. Shipley.
Right, right.
Of course. Yeah, he's...
Yeah, his stove's just gone out
in the middle
of his holiday bake.
He's got a family
get-together tomorrow.
He's asked if I could go fix it.
Oh well, let's go,
let's go fix it.
We can get some food after.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
Okay, cool.
Um.
Kinda deviating pretty majorly
from the re-dating plan, though.
I think we can handle it.
I think we can too.
-Okay.
-Okay.
-Shall we?
-We shall.
Let's go.
But why antiques?
I mean, it doesn't seem like
a career for a young person.
It was a family
business, actually.
My grandparents opened the shop
in the 1950s.
And before that,
it was a kind of pawn shop.
And it sort of expanded
throughout the years
into what it is today.
Why did you choose it?
I mean, you didn't have to.
I felt comfortable there.
When I was a kid, I was
always moving around a lot,
going from one parent's house
to the other, and...
Plus I was always losing my toys
and things that meant
something to me.
You know, leaving them behind.
Oh, that had to have been hard.
It was what it was.
But I would go to the shop
and I got to play with
the toys there, as long as
they weren't too fragile.
My, uh, my dad, he would
hold some back for me
and I just loved them so much.
I probably put a little bit
too much projection
on the things there, but...
Which is childish, but,
you know, I was a child.
[laughing]
I don't think that's childish.
Well, you're my boyfriend.
You have to say that.
No, I'm just saying it
'cause it's true.
Well, thanks.
You know what?
I'm feeling pretty hungry.
We can get Christmas kebabs
another time.
Anyone for pizza?
-I vote yes.
-Seconded.
Motion for pizza passed.
-Yes!
-I'll get the menus.
That was good,
I just ate too much of it.
So, uh, last month you mentioned
a pop-up igloo restaurant
that was back
on a rooftop in Midtown...
Yeah, you know what?
Can I just stop you there
for a second?
Yeah. Is everything okay?
Yeah, yeah, it's just...
these re-dates
we've been going on,
they feel kind of forced.
Not your fault at all.
It's just, like...
Pop-up igloo restaurant.
A tree museum thing.
It's not really me.
Oh, okay.
But, um, Doctor Fisher's idea
to have you regain
your memories was to have you
re-experience things
that you did last year,
you talked about, and...
Yeah, but you were with me
for that year, right?
So...
as long as you're with me
going forward,
we're following doctor's orders.
Fair enough.
Fair enough. Uh, so what
did you have in mind?
I don't know.
I don't know, but...
It's gonna be better
if I'm my actual self
instead of whoever
I was pretending to be.
So, did you make the reservation
for Christmas Eve pancakes?
Always do.
What?
It's where I met Rob.
Uh, how's he doing?
Uh, no change yet.
That must be hard
on him and on you.
It is, but...
Rob's worth it.
Hey, um, how's Susan doing?
You haven't mentioned her much.
She's in Albuquerque.
Oh, I thought,
I thought you two were
spending the holidays together.
She's visiting her sister
for the holidays.
[Zoe] Guys, guys!
I just found a French Empire
and ebonized gilt bronze
mantle clock.
It's like Christmas morning.
-Where?
-Over here.
[Meryl] Christmas auction
venue... locked.
Aunt Josie's caterers
just confirmed for the 22nd.
Excellent. The Steinway
and the Norwegian sleigh
are scheduled for delivery
the day before the auction.
Well, that's two days
after our cookie night.
I should be recovered
in time to be there for that.
Maybe.
Oh. [chuckles]
Oh.
The only outstanding item
is the jukebox.
Rob said he's close.
Well, we need photos
for the website.
Okay, I will go over there
and take those.
Good. Though...
Let's be prepared if the jukebox
doesn't arrive on time.
I don't wanna force Rob,
given everything
he's gone through.
I mean, he was fine
when we saw him last week.
Though he's still off
about Christmas.
He gave Craig and me
his extra holiday decorations
because he thought
he had too much.
There's something more
going on with him.
I can feel it.
For-for Rob to have lost
all his memories
of his time with Kathryn,
and his love for Christmas?
That's not a coincidence.
[Amy] I don't know.
Hmm?
I had fun, though.
Yeah, I have fun with you
all the time.
You know what I mean.
Wait.
What are you up to?
Well, you're just gonna
have to wait and see.
Come on. Come on.
After you.
[Rob] Whoa.
I don't know
what it looked like before,
but it sure looks good now.
You outdid yourself.
The client was thrilled.
So was I.
I'm flattered.
I wish I remember what it was
like working on this.
[door opens]
Hey, the show's about to start.
Uh, should we
head to the theater?
Actually, could we watch
from up here?
Uh...
The bosses say you're VIP,
so I'm good.
As long as you stay
out of my bubble.
-Okay.
-Ooh! Chairs.
Oh, yeah.
-Perfect.
-Great.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
So, why didn't you wanna
watch from downstairs?
Well, you and I used to watch
a lot of movies together.
It's kind of our thing.
And I always wanted
to watch from up here.
It just feels...
Romantic.
Mhm.
I'd like you for Christmas
Please make my wish
come true
'Cause I'd trim trees
And deck the hallways
If I knew you'd be mine
For always
I won't be blue on Christmas
If old Saint Nick
comes through
Okay, Wonderful Christmas Time.
Christmas Wrapping.
This Christmas. Nice.
Are you only putting
Christmas music in there?
Apparently.
Oh, this one's good.
Whatcha got there?
It's a surprise.
[music plays]
[vocalizing]
I still believe
in summer days
The seasons always change
And life will find a way
I'll be your
harvester of light
And send it out tonight
So we can start again
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
This is my winter song
December never felt so wrong
'Cause you're not
where you belong
Are you okay?
Inside my arms
Yeah, I...
Oh.
I guess I can tell Mom
that the jukebox is ready
for the Christmas auction.
Uh, almost. Still, um...
got a few things to do.
Uh, credit system collaboration.
-Fuse and safety check.
-Okay.
Can I still take pics?
Yeah, sure.
Mom needs them for the auction.
Oh, uh, she asked me
to pick up her cardamom order
from her favorite
spice shop on Mercer.
But I have a last minute
meeting now at school.
Oh, I gotta work on the jukebox,
and we have plans later.
Well, I can pick it up
on my way home
and drop it off to her.
You are a lifesaver.
Thank you.
It is for cookie night,
and we all know how she gets.
Uh, the...
Do you have the description for
the jukebox that you wrote up?
Yes.
Can you grab it?
-Yes.
-Thank you.
[Rob groans playfully]
Don't.
I didn't say anything.
You were thinking it.
I was.
It looked fun.
-It was.
-[Amy chuckles]
[camera snaps]
Okay. I am going
to say something now.
Okay.
Rob.
He has wanted to get married
ever since he was,
like, 12 years old.
And not just to anyone,
he was very specific about that.
Even as a kid, he used to say
that he would rather be alone
than settle, and he meant it.
And he's been on plenty
of dates over the years,
and he has walked away
from all of them,
without even looking back.
But he didn't walk away from you.
If Rob proposed to you,
you're it for him. Okay?
And I guess
what I'm wondering is...
Is he it for you?
[Rob exhales]
Here, let me know if that works.
Good enough.
Good enough.
-Bye.
-See ya.
Where were we?
Oh, yeah. More dancing.
Kathryn.
Cardamom?
Oh. Thank you, dear.
Please come in.
How is he?
Um... getting there.
He's more himself every day.
But no memories.
Not yet.
That I can tell.
I've been keeping it safe.
Does it fit?
I don't know.
Because you never put it on,
did you?
-But he proposed.
-He did.
And you...
Panicked.
And ran off.
Oh.
I see.
Should I...
Do you want me to stop
with the re-dates?
Um...
No, dear, I think this is...
I think this is the right
course of action for now.
Okay. Chocolate chip cookies.
Let's keep the party going.
Yeah.
All right.
Where is the remote?
Uh, I...
Ah. Thank you.
Now, what movie
would you like to watch?
-Oh.
-Oh.
Whoa.
It's really coming down
out there.
I don't think you can
drive home in this.
Huh.
Looks like you're staying.
-So...
-Mm-hmm.
I have nearly
finished the jukebox.
Ooh! How do you feel?
Hmm.
I'm a little sad,
if I'm being honest.
You know, I put my heart
and soul into it,
spent every day on it,
and now I've just gotta
let it go.
I've made some
really nice memories.
So.
Big Ashford family cookie
baking night tomorrow night.
What are the chances
you're coming with me?
Pretty good. You know,
I did survive last year.
Thank you.
Yeah, barely.
According to Amy.
She's... right.
I... I did feel a little bit
like Sarah Jessica Parker
in The Family Stone.
Just completely out of sync
with everybody else.
Well, that's probably
why I took you
to such a fancy place after.
To be clear, I do like
all sorts of places.
But my favorite nights
were always our movie nights.
No agenda.
Nobody trying
to impress the other person.
Just kinda like tonight.
Okay.
Let me get this straight.
We met at an antiques fair.
Then I took you to my family's
cookie baking night.
Then we went to Chez Florence.
And then we were dating
for a year.
That pretty much sums it up.
Big question.
When was our first kiss?
Uh, well, it was the night
I got back from skiing.
I was getting ready for bed and
then I heard a sound outside.
I went to go check it out,
I opened the door
and you were standing
on my porch,
leaving a gift at my doorstep,
trying to be all stealth
and so not succeeding.
What was the gift?
It was a small,
plastic snow globe
with the figure of a man
pulling the woman on the sled
through the snow.
We'd talked about
sledding before.
And you just said,
I was in the neighborhood,
at midnight,
with a fully wrapped gift,
with a bow and everything.
Oh.
I'm a terrible liar.
Yeah, you are.
You really are.
And, um,
you were so caught
and so cute.
And I just
pulled you by your jacket
and pulled you in.
You kissed me first?
I had to.
It was beyond my control.
And you went home
and we texted until 3:00 AM,
and then you took me to dinner.
And just like that, dating.
Well, I like this story better
than the movie we didn't watch.
I do love you.
-Hey.
-Hey.
The power come back on?
Yeah, just now and, uh,
-I have Wi-Fi again, so.
-Mm-hm.
What time is it?
It's very early o'clock.
-I should, uh...
-No.
You don't have to go.
Well, I should
change, get back to the shop.
Just, um...
Don't forget
cookie night tonight.
Oh, I will be ready this time.
Okay.
Thank you for letting me
crash here last night.
Yeah. Of course.
Yeah. Um.
Even if you did beat me
in every hand of cards.
I warned you I was a shark.
Well, you just wait
till the rematch.
It won't do you any good.
Um.
Um. So.
6:00 PM.
Yeah. 6:00 PM.
-I'll see you there.
-Mm-hmm.
Hey.
-Hey.
-Any chance we can move
Christmas Eve pancakes
to tomorrow?
Sure. Is everything okay?
It's fine.
We'll talk more then.
Okay.
Cryptic much?
As ever.
-Here.
-Oh, thanks.
Oh, and for the record,
if this goes sideways,
I am not taking you
to Chez Florence again.
Once a year's enough.
Well, that's okay, because you
still owe me Christmas kebabs.
Oh, that's on the agenda
whatever way this goes.
Good.
-Hey, family.
-[Amy] Oh!
[all] Rob!
Hey. Hey.
Finally.
She's back for round two!
And I'm all warmed up.
Oh. Sounds like we have to
up our goal by
couple of hundred?
Easy there now, Dad.
[Dave] Welcome, welcome.
-[Rob] All right.
-Glad you're here.
[Dave] All right.
Who wants to do the honors?
-Not it! Not me.
-No, no, no.
[overlapping chatter]
-I'll take it.
-Oh! We got a taker.
[Craig] Take a bite.
[all chanting] Take a bite!
[all chanting] Take a bite!
-[Dave] Ah!
-[Craig] Oh, whoa!
-[Meryl] Well done.
-[Craig] Well done.
[Amy] Okay.
This is my station.
You're there.
-We gotta melt the snowmen.
-[Dave] That looks good.
Hey, can you focus?
-What?
-Get to work.
-Okay.
-Yeah.
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la,
la-la-la
Troll the ancient
yuletide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
See the blazing
yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Strike the harp
and join the chorus
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa-la-la, la-la-la,
la-la-la
While I tell
of yuletide treasure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Okay, this is the last of it.
Dave and I will
take our batches to Grandview
and the Harbor Lighthouse.
We have the schools covered.
Honey? Thank you.
-[Rob] Yes! High five.
-Okay.
-[Rob] High five.
-Jets game Sunday?
-Yes. Definitely.
-[Amy] Okay. Bye.
-Good job, kiddo.
-Thank you.
-Rob.
-Dad.
-Drive safe.
-Bye-bye.
-Thank you, dear.
-Thank you.
Don't work too hard.
Okay. Bye.
Okay.
Wanna get some fresh air first?
Yeah. Yeah.
-Good.
-I really do.
I had a memory the other day.
You were laughing
and
you looked really beautiful.
In that moment, I remembered
being in love with you.
What else do you remember?
Impressions.
Smells. Sounds. Feelings.
Kathryn?
Yeah?
I really wanted
to kiss you this morning.
This me.
The man that met you
three weeks ago.
I, um,
I really wanted to kiss you, too.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Want me to make you
something warm to drink?
Okay.
Okay.
I'll be right back.
Mm-hmm.
-I'm leaving now.
-Okay.
-Any second. Just...
-All right.
Don't move.
Two shots of peppermint,
one shot of vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon,
no foam creamer.
Hi. I'd like one large
hot cocoa,
two shots of peppermint,
one shot of vanilla,
three shakes of cinnamon,
and no foam creamer.
Once it's repaired.
[laughing]
A proper date.
I love you, Kathryn Liu.
And I want this. With you.
Every Christmas.
I'm sorry.
[brakes squeal]
[loud crash]
[Kathryn] Rob?
Rob.
Rob.
Uh.
Why'd you do this?
What do you mean?
These past three weeks.
All of it.
Be with me.
Let everyone believe
you're my fiance,
when we both know you weren't.
Aren't.
I just wanted to help you
get your memories back.
That's what
Doctor Fisher said, so...
I remember
what Doctor Fisher said.
I remember everything.
You trying to hurt me?
No! Never.
Because it's...
it's what it feels like.
No.
I just wanted to help you
be you again.
I proposed to you.
And you left.
You-you ran away
like you couldn't
get away fast enough for me.
Oh, and, uh,
turn around and pretend
you said yes.
To me.
To my friends.
My family.
Uh, I'm not really in a place
to talk right now, actually.
Rob. Come on.
It's okay.
I'll just, uh.
I'll get a ride home later.
So, all in all, to sum it up,
I guess I'm just
not good at dating.
Maybe that's partly my fault.
How is that your fault?
I should've been
a better example.
Been more consistent
and been more
transparent with you.
Mhm.
I didn't tell you, but...
Susan and I broke up a month ago.
What?
Dad, I thought you two were good.
We were.
But it was time for me
to step up, and I didn't.
Why didn't you tell me
this sooner?
Because I wasn't ready
to admit it yet.
And I didn't want it to be true.
That I messed up again.
Susan went to Albuquerque to be
with her sister for Christmas.
I'm sorry, Dad.
Normally, I'd let that
be that, but...
I'm old enough now to know
my own patterns, and...
I wanna fix them while I can.
You know, I don't think of you
as somebody who doesn't step up.
Honey.
I've been running away
my whole adult life.
I simply got good at hiding it.
Like I did with your mom.
I gave up too easily
when things got hard.
That's my biggest regret.
And a habit I have to break.
You've... you've never
told me that.
Some wisdom takes longer
to figure out.
And some I chose not to see.
And that's the thing, Kathryn.
The Liu's bad luck
in relationships
isn't fate
or being romantically jinxed.
It's about choices.
You were a starry-eyed kid
when you married the first time.
Before I learned anything
useful to share with you.
And when your marriage
didn't work out,
you went so far
in the other direction,
you stopped letting anyone in.
Until Rob.
Well...
I colossally messed things up
with Rob.
Here's what I see.
For weeks you've been
fighting for him, stepped up,
even when you knew it'd cost you.
But that's, that's different.
Is it?
Because watching you fight for
him like that made me realize
I've never done the same.
Not really.
Which was my own choice.
But I can choose
to do different now.
And so can you.
I don't think so, Dad.
Is he dating someone else?
No.
Married?
No.
Moving to the other side
of the country?
No.
Then it's not too late.
Not if you really wanna try.
Hmm.
You either.
I know.
That's why I moved
Christmas pancakes to today.
I'm going to Albuquerque tomorrow
to do the grand gesture.
Maybe you should try
something like that, too.
But first,
eat your pancakes
before they get cold.
[Rob] What are you
talking about? You...
you had something
to do with this?
Yes, yes.
I encouraged her to re-date you,
but she was gonna do it anyway,
Rob, I could tell.
-Oh, you could tell?
-Yeah.
I guess guilt's
a powerful motivator.
Guilt doesn't make someone
dance with you in your workshop
or endure a second night of
making a seriously crazy amount
of cookies with your family.
She wasn't phoning it in.
I don't know.
I can't get over the image of
of reaching for the ring
and Kathryn just...
running away.
Do you even know
why she did that?
I don't have a clue.
Maybe it's time you find out.
Ask her.
[knock at door]
-Hi.
-Hi.
I was wondering if we could talk.
Yeah. Of course.
Um, can I get you some tea?
Maybe some gingerbread spice?
No. No, I'm okay.
Thanks for seeing me.
-Of course.
-No, not of course. Uh.
I was off last night,
and we didn't get to talk.
Well, you were
experiencing a lot.
I was.
But I'm okay now.
Or I'm getting there.
I have questions.
Okay.
Ask them.
Why'd you run away that night?
From the proposal. From me.
Well, at the time
that it happened, I...
I didn't really know why.
Although I've been thinking
about it nonstop ever since.
And?
You always called me perfect.
And I'm so not.
You know, I always felt like
my family had this
terrible track record
when it comes to love.
My-my parents, my marriage.
My dad, twice over.
And I just, in a way,
I've spent my entire adult life
just waiting for the thing that
I love the most to disappear.
And in that moment
when you're proposing
and it's about to
suddenly become very real
and very permanent,
something in me
just seized because...
in my experience,
permanent things break.
You didn't want us to break?
But we did anyhow.
And you re-dated me because...
You deserve
to have your memories.
Oh, so you were just being kind.
I couldn't walk away
from you, Rob.
Even though I probably should've.
I owe you an apology.
For what?
For putting you on a pedestal
without ever asking
if you wanted to be there.
I thought it was a compliment.
It wasn't. It was pressure.
And I think some part
of you knew that what I was
in love with was
a version of you that
I'd built in my head.
You were just
waiting for me
to figure that out.
Yeah, but I should've
said something.
It's a pretty hard subject
to bring up.
But I know you,
you would've said something
eventually if I didn't
push the proposal on you.
I...
Are you still angry with me?
No.
I'm just sad.
Feels like I lost you twice.
But I'm also really grateful.
Grateful?
You did the hard thing
in taking care of me.
You stepped up.
You could've just
left it with my family.
Rob, you mean so much to me.
I need you to know that.
I do know that.
And I also know that I wasn't
fully showing up as myself.
Not until after the accident.
I did notice you were
more comfortable being you.
When you forgot
you were in love with me.
I mean, don't we deserve to be
with the person who brings out
the truest version of ourselves?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Good morning.
Meryl. Hi.
Not expecting me, I get it.
But I was on my way
to run a few quick errands
for the Christmas
auction tonight,
and, um...
one of them is this.
Uh, I recognize this is
embarrassingly last minute,
but to be fair,
I assumed you would be
going with Rob.
No.
Which means you'll simply
have to attend solo.
I don't think that's wise.
Isn't it?
Kathryn.
Did you know that
before Dave and I got engaged,
he proposed to me three times.
Three?
-That surprises you.
-Yeah.
I just always envisioned you two
being perfect from the start.
Oh, honey.
No one is perfect.
And I didn't hesitate with Dave
because I didn't love him.
I did love him.
I simply...
I simply needed to feel
safe enough to say yes.
Which is my own story.
The point is...
some people need an extra beat.
Or two.
Regardless of their reason.
And there is nothing
wrong with that.
Christmas is here
It's time for fun
People dressed up
And parties everywhere
To share with the family
and friends this year
Thank you all for coming.
Thank you very much.
It's good to see you.
Hey! Hello.
So, uh, how's it going here?
-All good, Dad.
-Good.
It's just... memories.
Yeah.
You're looking sharp.
Thanks.
Is this on?
Hello, hello!
Thank you all
for being here this evening.
As a reminder,
every item you bid on tonight,
all the proceeds will go
directly towards the new
children's wing
at Grandview General Hospital.
So, I encourage you
to bid generously.
[laughter]
And with that,
let the auction commence.
[cheers and applause]
Our first item this evening
is a Norwegian Christmas sleigh
circa 1890.
And now the final item
of the evening,
and one of my favorites.
A fully refurbished
1946 Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox.
Restored by local craftsman
Robert Ashford,
and donated by his mother,
tonight's co-chairwoman,
Meryl Ashford.
[applause]
I think we can all agree
this one's a real beauty, and...
it's full of Christmas songs.
Let's start the bidding
at $10,000.
Do I have $10,000?
I got $10,000.
I got $10,000. Do I have 12?
I need $12,000.
I got $12,000.
Number six... 14.
Thank you very much.
How about 15? Anyone here?
$15,000? 15. Excellent.
Great work, everyone.
All goes to charity.
Are you sure about this?
-Positive.
-I've got $15,000.
Now I need 16. Anyone at 16...
I got $16,000.
Thank you, everyone.
$17,000. Thank you, sir.
We've got $17,000.
All I need is $18,000.
Who's got 18? $18,000?
Thank you very much, ma'am.
How about 19?
Anyone over for 19?
Come on, everyone,
this is for the kids.
We've got 19. Sure.
We have $19,000.
$19,000. Thank you, sir.
Now, let's see if we can
take things up a notch.
Who here wants
to push things past 19?
Maybe we could take it to 20.
$25,000.
[crowd murmurs]
$25,000. Anyone else?
[gavel clacks]
Sold to the lady
in the green dress!
[cheers and applause]
Go. Rob, go!
[Craig] Oh. Hey, hey.
-So, did you find her?
-No. It's like she vanished.
Did she at least leave a note
or a glass slipper this time
or something?
-Craig.
-I don't get it.
I don't get why she outbid me
for the jukebox.
-Doesn't make sense.
-The auction card.
She requested that the jukebox
be delivered to your house.
She just left.
You left before I could
ask you to dance.
Look at you,
remembering your love
of Christmas.
I remember all my loves.
Even the ones that just, uh,
swiped my jukebox,
like they swiped my projector.
I had to.
You put yourself
into everything you restore.
But especially this one.
It had to be yours.
It's my Christmas gift to you.
Although I won't be able
to wrap it and leave it
on your porch by midnight.
It's okay.
Maybe you can come over.
Help me find a place to put it.
And maybe we can have that dance?
I'd love that.
Here's the thing, Kathryn.
I've fallen in love
with you twice now.
First time I thought I knew you.
Second time I really did.
And...
I know it's complicated.
I know we've been through a lot.
And I know you might wanna
steer clear of me.
But if you're up for it
and you're not doing
anything else tonight...
I'd really like to take you
on a third first date.
Well, here's the thing.
And it's super important.
I love you, too, Rob Ashford.
Every part of you.
And I always will.
So, I guess that's a yes
to the date.
It's a yes to everything.
I'd give anything
this Christmas
Anything this Christmas
I'd give anything
this Christmas
To have you here
I don't know
if I told you, but...
I know this place that does
great Christmas kebabs.
You think they're open?
I don't know.
Let's find out.
I'd give all the love
this time of year
[Rob] Hey. I love you.
I'd give anything
this Christmas
To have you here
It's Christmas
A Christmas dream
It's Christmas
A Christmas dream
It's Christmas
A Christmas dream