Holiday for Hire (2024) Movie Script

1
[bright cheerful music]
[Katie] Ah! One more.
[people excitedly chattering]
[Katie] Good job.
Okay. I m not a primate.
Put your hand down.
[Dean] Hi!
We just hit a million total
like on our post for the year!
Hey, a million likes.
Look at that.
I knew the BurgerBus
tweets were good, but
I didn t expect them to go viral
And sales are up nineteen
percent for the year.
We really crushed
that one, didn't we?
You know, we make
a pretty good team.
- Hmm.
- What a great year.
You know, I've got a
place with actual windows.
Windows are good.
- A million total likes.
- Wow.
And, of course...
[bright cheerful music]
[clears throat]
I met you.
Oh, yeah.
Right.
You know, we should
probably get going to the...
Oh, wait, wait,
wait. That s my mom.
- [phone vibrates]
- Hold on. Don t go nowhere.
Hey, Sweets.
Hey, Mom.
Guess who hit a
million total likes?
Good for you.
I knew that BurgerBus
talking hamburger was a winner.
What's going on over there?
Oh, your Dad is finishing
up the Christmas lights,
and I'm baking up a storm.
I hope Dean likes gingerbread.
Uh, speaking of.
[whispers indistinctly]
Still camera shy?
Um, doesn't matter.
You'll see him in
person tomorrow anyways.
It's been a long time
since you brought
someone home to meet us.
Well, it's been a long time
since I've had somebody
worth bringing.
I got him his own stocking.
I just finished sewing it.
Thanks, Mom.
You know, I really think
this could be the one.
[squeals excitedly]
Oh, both my girls with
beaus for the holidays.
It's gonna be the
perfect Christmas.
Speaking of, how is Julia?
[Mary] Oh, you know her.
She's buzzing around
putting up
decorations in between
snuggling up with Richard.
[Mary] They're like
newlyweds still those two.
- [bright cheerful music]
- [timer beeps]
Oh! My cookies.
I gotta run. [lips smack]
I'll see you
tomorrow, sweetheart.
All right, bye.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
So I don't think we should
stay too long tonight.
[Katie] I want to
get home and pack.
Yeah, about that.
Everyone is so
excited to meet you.
Well, I think we
should talk about...
Mom is baking up a storm.
I hope you like gingerbread.
Who doesn't like gingerbread?
And of course, I can't
forget my perfect sister
Julia, who has
been home all week
helping her get ready.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Sorry.
I know I m talking a lot.
I'm just really excited
to finally not be
the only single person
at Christmas this year.
So, when do you want
to hit the road?
Katie, I'm not gonna
be able to make it.
[laughs]
By "it" you mean...
I mean I can t come
to Christmas at your
parents house.
Why not?
Because I'm transferring
to San Francisco!
You're what?
When did this happen?
I've been talking about
it for a couple of weeks,
but just got finalized today.
[Dean] Start in January.
Okay, well, if it's in January,
we can still spend
Christmas with my parents.
We can even come
back the day after.
I can help you
pack, find a place.
Actually, I think
we should break up.
What?
[Dean grunts]
I don't want to do the
long distance thing.
Tried it before, it
just doesn t work.
Or maybe I could
get transferred too?
There s only one position open.
[gentle music]
And you took it.
Without even talking to me.
I thought we were
supposed to be partners.
We were...
Very successful partners.
And that means now we
have new opportunities.
This ll be great.
For both of us.
You'll see.
[gentle music continues]
[Katie] This was supposed
to be my first Christmas
not being the single sister.
You know Julia and Richard
are in their mid-twenties,
and their fourth wedding
anniversary is coming up?
I feel so single just
hearing all this.
I don't know what to do.
He's supposed to meet my
whole family tomorrow.
[Katie sniffles]
I can't show up
single and alone
again for Christmas.
They're your family.
They're not gonna
care about that.
Yeah, you haven't met Julia.
She's been competitive with
me since she could talk.
I mean, always a
few years ahead in
school, and dating,
and getting married.
I thought you were
the older sister?
I am.
- Oh.
- Sorry.
But, you didn t hear
how excited my Mom was.
[Katie] She said
it's a mother's dream
that both of her
kids have someone.
This is gonna crush her.
Don't worry about your
mother's feelings.
Worry about your own.
[Sarah] You have to
take care of yourself.
I am worried about
my own feelings.
I'm worried about
how I'm going to feel
when I show up without
a Dean. [sniffles]
[Sarah sighs]
Breathe.
[both inhale and exhale]
It's gonna be all right.
So what? You show up alone?
It's Christmas.
It's gonna be fun.
Forget about him.
I can t, my Mom sewed him
his own freaking stocking.
There's going to be a
Dean stocking and no Dean.
[both laughing]
[Katie sighs]
How could he do this to me?
[gentle music]
Have your parents or
anyone in your family
ever seen a picture
of Dean before?
[gentle music continues]
You know I think
posting your boyfriend
all over social media is cringe.
What, are you going
to dress up as Dean
and come home with
me for Christmas?
- [curious music]
- [both laughing]
No, not me.
[curious music continues]
[keyboard clicking]
[Katie] Work now dot com?
What is that?
It's this freelance website.
Sometimes I use
it for extra cash.
People post odd jobs
and you submit to them.
And so I literally just post,
"Seeking a man to
pretend to be my boyfriend
and come home with
me for Christmas
so I don't look like a
complete and total loser."
- Yes.
- No.
[curious music continues]
Wait, you're serious?
I see posts like
that all the time!
Okay, not all the
time, but still.
[keyboard clicking]
Urgently seeking fake
boyfriend for family holiday.
[sighs] After...
pathetically and unceremoniously
being dumped right
before Christmas.
- [curious music continues]
- [keyboard clicking]
You, Katie, thirties,
social media exec,
karaoke fiend.
Is that important?
- It doesn't hurt.
- [keyboard clicking]
Okay. Him.
Him. Thirties, handsome...
- Mmm.
- [Katie chuckles]
and available tomorrow night
to drive to the countryside
and spend three days
with me and my family.
- [keyboard clicking]
- [curious music continues]
Perfect.
Now we add a link to your
socials and a picture
so people know you're real
and not a total weirdo.
Submit ASAP.
We ll conduct interviews
first thing tomorrow.
Anything else?
Did I mention that
I am heartbroken
and will be in tears
the whole way home?
I think that's implied.
Then no. That s everything.
[curious music continues]
Thanks for cheering me up.
I ma my head to bed.
Good idea. Big day tomorrow.
- Good night.
- Good night.
[keyboard clicking]
[ringtone plays]
[ringtone plays]
Hello?
Who's this?
[inaudible chattering]
Dean? Um.
Where are you calling from?
It doesn't even matter. I
m so glad that you called.
[man] So I got the job?
You mean your promotion?
[man] Promotion? I haven
t even started yet.
Who is this?
[man] I can be your Dean!
Oh, no. No, no, no.
Sarah.
Why did I just get a call
from someone
claiming to be Dean?
What?
That doesn't make any sense.
I specifically said
no calls in the post.
You posted it?
[bright cheerful
music continues]
And the response has
been amazing! Look.
What are you thinking?
This was as a joke.
What? Katie, you
help me write it.
Look what I said. I
said I'm pathetic.
Well, technically, you
call getting dumped right
before Christmas pathetic,
and it kind of is.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
- Sarah - Okay.
Okay. I'm sorry.
Clearly, we had a
little miscommunication.
[Katie] Little?
But look, I've already started
sorting through top contenders.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Sarah.
Aren t you just a
little bit curious?
Look, you don t have to
leave until this afternoon,
and a bunch of these guys
are excited to meet you.
What can it hurt just
to do some interviews?
No, no, absolutely not.
No, no.
You sure, about doing this?
I mean, we still have
time to dip, so...
- let's just.
- [phone vibrates]
How about we just get started?
- [phone thuds]
- [upbeat music]
- [Harry] Katie?
- How's it going?
You don't look anything
like your photos.
- It's very nice to...
- Oh, sorry.
The holiday seasons
are primed for germs.
[upbeat music continues]
Sick job posting.
Oh. Oh, I feel like
I know you already.
Have a seat.
Okay.
[upbeat music continues]
So, um, what made you
apply to the post?
My girlfriend just
dumped me, too.
A few years ago.
Well, I m like in
between jobs right now.
And houses.
So, I kind of just,
like, need a place to crash
for the next few days.
I, I really love Christmas a lot
And people, of course, and,
people at Christmas and,
you know, Christmas music.
We get that,
right? [both laugh]
Do we have to leave tonight?
I'm still looking for
someone to watch my iguana.
[upbeat music continues]
Can you tell me,
is your parents
bedding hypoallergenic?
Your parents cool if like, a
couple people come through?
Christmas candles and,
Christmas trees and,
Christmas movies, of course.
I m allergic to most mattresses.
Also dogs, cats.
I do get carsick, so
I will have to ride
in the back.
Penicillin and shellfish.
Moms love me.
You know, the whole,
whole thing for...
Jolly old Saint Nick, you know.
Gluten, most gluten substitutes.
Dads, too.
Do they?
[upbeat music continues]
Pineapple, and dust.
Thank you so much.
We'll be in touch.
- [fingers snap]
- [table thuds]
I think we can consider
that a complete and total
humiliating bust.
Hey, we tried.
I don't know what
I was thinking.
There's no way I'm
going to be able
to find the perfect guy
right before Christmas.
[papers thud]
[gentle music]
Are you Katie?
I'm Josh.
I'm here for the interview.
Sorry I'm late.
Late?
Uh. Please have a seat.
Thanks.
[Josh] Hey.
- Hi.
- [Katie] Hi.
I'm Sarah.
I'm helping Katie
weed out the psychos.
Mmm. Oh, good.
Gotcha.
You're not a psycho, are you?
Um. Not that I know
of. [all laugh]
- [Josh inhales]
- [Katie clears throat]
So, uh, what made you
apply to my job post?
Honestly?
- [Katie] Yeah.
- [Josh chuckles]
I don't want this to
come off as, like,
a whole sob story, but I
don't really have any family.
Um, usually Christmas
is just me and my mom.
But she passed away this year.
I'm sorry to hear that.
[Josh] Thanks.
She really loved Christmas,
and we had all
these fun traditions
the two of us would do together.
[Josh] So, I don't know.
I guess I just
didn't want to be
alone this year.
I was browsing work now dot com
last night, and I saw your posts
and I thought it
sounded kind of fun,
pretending to be someone
else for a few days.
I thought I d at
least check it out.
Make sure you're not
a psycho. [all laugh]
Oh! [all laugh]
[Josh] Okay. Um. Yeah, so.
So what else do you
need to know about me?
[inhales] Oh, right. Um.
[papers shuffling] Um, this.
Social media.
My ex and I, Dean,
work together at a
social media company.
Are you familiar
with social media?
Just in case my family
asks. [Josh chuckles]
Okay, you can't
tell anybody this.
I'm a carpenter by trade,
but I run an account
for an anthropomorphic
football during football season.
- [bright cheerful music]
- Fredrick Football?
- You know it?
- [Katie] Know it?
I had a whole
conversation with it
as a talking hamburger.
Wait, are you Bus Burger?
Guilty as charged. [Josh laughs]
My ex and I are. Well, were.
Wow that, that s
a great account.
You're very funny.
So are you. [Josh laughs]
[Sarah clears throat]
How are you at charades?
Charades? Uh.
I guess I'm okay.
Why? Is that important?
Deadly important.
My family and I play
Christmas charades every year.
And it can get a
little bit cutthroat.
- Cutthroat charades?
- [Katie] Mhmm.
I guess I might need to
brush up a bit then. [laughs]
Can I ask you a few questions?
Sure.
[Josh] I'm just curious.
Why do you need someone
to pose as your ex
to your family?
[gentle music continues]
My ex broke up
with me yesterday,
and I already told
my entire family
that I was bringing
him home for Christmas.
Right, I saw that in your post.
But wouldn't the normal thing
be to just tell your family
that you broke up?
It would.
Um, but I just can't
face telling them that.
[Katie] I've been
the single sister
my entire life.
My younger sister, she s
been married for years now
and I've never
even brought a boyfriend
home for Christmas.
Ah. I see.
[lips smack] That's
quite the pressure.
Yeah. So, I just need to
get through the holidays.
One Christmas not being the sad
single sibling.
And after that?
Dean and I will have a
seasonally appropriate
break up mid-January.
You think I'm crazy, don't you?
Mmm. [chuckles]
But, hey, so am I.
I'm the weirdo who
responded to your post
and has no plans on Christmas.
Well, I guess we're both
a little psycho after all.
[all chuckling]
So, how fast can you pack?
You're picking me
to be your Dean?
Wow. I've never been picked
to be anybody's Dean before.
Uh, I can be ready in an hour.
I'll pick you up at two?
Perfect.
I'll text you my address,
and um, I can brief you in
the car on the way there.
We have a couple of
hours ahead of us.
Not including holiday
traffic, so. Yeah.
Looking forward to it.
[Josh laughs] Bye.
[bright cheerful music]
Oh, goodness.
Oh, shoot. Only
have a hour to pack.
- Oh.
- You gonna come help?
[both chuckle]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[Katie] He's kind of perfect.
Maybe even better
than the real Dean.
I think it's too soon
to say that, but so far,
he hasn't taken a promotion
across the country
and dumped me right
before Christmas, so.
You've got to give it to me.
My whole work now plan
was pretty genius.
Or you got lucky.
If Josh don't show up.
But he did.
I kind of feel bad
for him though.
First Christmas without his mom.
Well, if you have
to spend Christmas
without your mom,
there's no Christmas
like an Andrew's
family Christmas.
Well, you know, you
re always welcome
to come home with me.
I had a great time last year,
but I think you ve got
your hands full right now.
Okay.
You sure you're gonna be
okay here all by yourself?
Um, a week off with the place
to myself and a DVR
full of reality shows?
I'll manage.
- Aw.
- [bag zips]
- [both laughing]
- [bag zips]
- [Katie] All right.
- [bag thuds]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
- [Josh] Hey, there. [laughs]
- Hey.
[Josh] Let me get that for you.
Thank you.
- [bag drags]
- [Josh] Woo!
[both laughing]
Ready to go?
- Let's do this.
- Let s.
[upbeat music]
[Josh] So your sister is Julia.
She's married to her high school
sweetheart, Richard.
Your parents are Mr. And
Mrs. Andrews to start.
Your mom will probably say,
"That's silly. Call me Mary.
But your Dad may just
stick with Mr. Andrews.
Yes, but just in case,
his name is Anthony.
Sorry for the rehearsal.
I just want to make sure
that you're prepped.
It would be kind of weird if
my boyfriend of six months
didn't know anything
about my family.
- [upbeat music continues]
- So, what about us?
We met at the office.
Our first date was
a Red Sox game.
You had too many hot
dogs and got sick.
I don't think we have
to share that part.
[both laughing] But
other than that,
you're a pretty convincing Dean.
You've got nothing
to worry about.
Mmm, you haven't
met my family yet.
My sister's going to give
you the third degree.
- Your sister, Julie?
- [Katie] No, Julia.
You knew that. [both laughing]
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Ooh, this is a good
one. [Katie chuckles]
[upbeat music continues]
[Katie] It's that
one right there.
[Josh] Okay.
[upbeat music continues]
[Mary gasps] Hello! Hello!
- [Anthony] Oh, hi baby.
- [Katie] Hey Dad.
- [Anthony] Hey!
- Call me Mary!
So nice to meet
you. [all laughing]
- [Katie] Mom!
- [Mary] Oh, Katie baby!
- I missed you so much!
- I missed you, too.
Nice to finally meet
you, Dean. [laughs]
Katie told us
everything about you.
Well, not everything
about me I m sure.
[all laughing]
Come on in. Dinner will
be ready in 15 minutes.
- [Anthony] Yeah.
- [Mary] Come on.
Hey, you guys made
great time. [laughs]
- You okay with that?
- I m all set, thank you.
[Anthony] All right.
[Anthony] Come on
young man, right here.
- [Mary] Come on!
- [Josh] Okay.
[Anthony] All right.
- [Josh] Thank you, sir.
- [Anthony] Absolutely,
- absolutely.
- Woo! It s cold.
Let me get that
coat. Stay a while.
- Thank you.
- Put that scarf there.
- There we go.
- There we go, yes.
- Thank you.
- Oh, of course.
Wow! Your house looks
straight out of a
Christmas movie.
Oh, thank you.
Mom goes all out.
It's her favorite time of year.
[Anthony] It s all of our
favorite time of the year.
Except for the electric bills.
- [all laughing]
- Oh, stop it, you old Scrooge.
Ma! [all laughing]
Katie why don t you
take Dean to his room,
you get settled and then
come see Julia and Richard.
- [Katie] Sounds good.
- All right.
He's cuter than you
said. [all chuckling]
So, you get to crash
in my old room.
You don't wanna sleep here?
No, I'll take the
guest room upstairs.
It's, right next
door to my parents,
and my dad snores like
a freight train, so.
Man. You were really
into Boy Bands, huh?
[Katie] Yeah, they
were cool back then.
Was the color pink pretty
cool back then, too?
Are you done?
Actually, I think I m
just getting started.
[both laughing]
Who's this?
- That's me with Julia.
- [Josh] Aw.
Ooh, and what's this?
- Oh, careful that s...
- Oh. I am so sorry.
It s okay, it s
completely broken.
[Katie] It has been
since I was a kid.
It was a gift from
my grandmother,
and I just can't bear
to get rid of it.
Mmm. [sighs]
Yep. I can see it.
This is 100% you.
Yeah, I don t know
why my parents haven t
updated it yet.
[Katie] By the way, I hope
they're not being too much.
What? No, of course not.
They're great.
- Really?
- Yeah.
And the decorations
are out of this world.
[Josh] Honestly,
I'm so excited to be here.
Oh, I just realized
I didn't have time
to buy anyone gifts.
Don't worry about it.
I got it covered.
[bag ruffles]
A photography coffee
table book for Julia
- and Richard.
- [Josh] Hmm.
- [bag ruffles]
- [Katie] Ah.
[Katie] A Christmas
cookie cookbook for Mom.
- Wow.
- [Katie] And...
- a bottle of whiskey for Dad.
- [Josh laughs]
Expensive enough
that you don't look
cheap, but cheap enough
that you don't look
like a show off.
Wow. You really
thought of everything.
But what about your gift?
We ll just say that
you gave it to me
before we came.
Hmm. [chuckles]
[Mary] Katie, Dean. You
two ready for dinner?
Ready for this, Dean?
Dean was born
ready. [chuckles]
[footsteps clomping]
See what this Dean is all about.
Merry Christmas!
[Julia] Merry Christmas!
- Hi.
- Merry Christmas, Richard.
This is J...
Dean, just Dean. [laughs]
Dean, meet Julia and Richard.
- So nice to meet you both.
- [Richard laughing]
It's nice to meet you
too, Katie s been talking
nonstop about her
big city boyfriend.
You know, I was
starting to wonder
if you were even
real. [all laughing]
Well at least for the
next few days, I am.
- [all laughing]
- So, you and Katie
work together, Dean?
- Yeah, we sure do.
- [Julia] How is that?
Oh, well, Katie's amazing.
Not that I'm telling you
anything you don't
already know. [laughs]
So you two met at work?
Yes, we did.
And our first date
was a Red Sox game.
Though I'm not supposed to
tell you about the hot dogs.
- Oh, no.
- [all laughing]
- [Mary] Dinner's ready.
- [all clamoring]
[Anthony] Hope
you re all hungry!
[gentle music]
So I walk into the
conference room,
and there she is.
The most beautiful
girl I d ever seen.
[Josh] I walk up
to her, and I ask,
"Is this where the
10:30 meeting is?"
And she says...
do you remember this?
It's a little hazy,
actually. [both laughing]
She says, "Yes.
The 10:30 meeting
was in here...
at 10:30."
I had forgotten to change
my watch, so I missed it.
[all laughing]
[Josh] But Katie was so great.
She took me back to her office
and helped me get up to speed.
[Julia] Wait, office?
Katie, you didn t tell us
you have an office now.
Uh, I did, um...
it was when they were fumigating
the workspace. [chuckles]
- We had those pests.
- Mmm.
Pests?
- Pests.
- Yeah. [laughs]
I think you guys are just
perfect for each other.
Dean, did you know right away?
Oh, definitely.
It s amazing how time
flies when you're in love.
I know it s been
six months, but...
doesn t it sometimes feel
like just hours, Katie?
[stutters]
We can just go ahead and
start clearing the plates.
Do you want to give me a hand?
You might want to watch
the embellishment there.
Sorry.
I was just getting
into it. [laughs]
Why? How did you and
the real Dean meet?
He couldn't connect to the WiFi,
so I gave him the password.
Okay, my version is
way more romantic.
Okay, I'll grant you that.
But you still need
to be careful.
Careful about what?
- The using too much...
- Black ice
Using too much
salt on black ice.
You know, it only
takes a little bit
- to melt it.
- Right.
Well you can never
be too cautious.
Why don't you two
put on your pajamas?
We'll play charades in a minute.
- Okay.
- Dean.
[Mary] Do you know
how to play charades?
Absolutely. I love charades.
Okay, good. [chuckles]
That may have been
a bit of a fib.
I don't think I've
played since I was, what,
ten years old?
Movie, TV show, book, song?
Okay, I've already
memorized your whole
family and your dating history,
and now I have to
learn this, too?
[Josh] It's been a while,
but I'm sure I'll
get the hang of it.
- Mhmm.
- It s just charades, right?
[Anthony] Humpty Dumpty?
- [Josh grunts]
- Shark?
Uh, bear? [stutters]
- [Anthony] Barrel of monkeys?
- [Richard] Sharks?
- [Josh grunts]
- [Anthony] E.T.?
- [Richard] Shark?
- Eiffel Tower?
- [Julia] Time!
- [Anthony] Oh, crap!
- What was it?
- Elf.
- You call that an elf?
- [all clamoring]
Hey, it s not Dean s
fault. You guys can t guess
to save your life.
- [Anthony laughing]
- [all sigh]
This is really intense.
We like to think of
charades as a contact sport.
Katie, you're up.
- [Katie] All right.
- [Julia] Here we go.
- [Katie] Okay.
- [bright cheerful music]
[Mary] Ready?
- [Mary] Go!
- [table thuds]
[Julia] Movie. Three words.
- A Christmas Story.
- Yes! Yeah!
- Uh.
- [table thuds]
[Julia] Song. Three words.
O Christmas Tree.
Keep it going.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
- [Julia] Animal. Reindeer.
- [Katie squeals]
- Okay. Uh.
- [table thuds]
Movie. Four words.
[Julia] It s A Wonderful Life.
[people cheering]
- Wow.
- Conspiracy.
[all laughing]
- And that s how it s done.
- Really?
Don t worry. I have a lot
more practice than you do.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Great game of charades
out there, sis.
Don't get in the way
of the Andrews women.
[gentle music]
So, Dean seems great.
Not at charades but, generally.
He is.
It's nice to finally
see you with someone.
Well, not everyone can
find the love of their life
in high school.
[gentle music continues]
Did I tell you that Richard
got another promotion?
He s the youngest manager
at his company now.
Well, Dean got promoted,
too. He s moving to Sa...
Sandwiches.
No more burgers.
That's a promotion?
Yeah, you know,
more prestigious.
Let me get these
cookies in there.
[footsteps clomping]
[Anthony] Then like, he
s looking at me side eyed
[stutters] so I'm getting
a little bit nervous,
but I think if I get
in with a Mom here,
you know, Mom's,
cause I got some roses for,
you know, women like roses.
- [Josh] Of course.
- Cookie delivery.
Hey, you interrupt
my story there.
[Anthony] I was getting
to the good part.
[all laughing]
So, Dean.
Katie tells me
congratulations are in order.
They are?
[Julia] Your promotion?
Yup. Uh, Dean will be
covering sandwiches now.
- Oh.
- No more burgers.
- [Josh] That's right.
- That s a promotion?
It is. A really big one.
Yeah, I, I just wish
I didn't have to move.
Move?
Yeah, he has to move up a floor.
I thought you already
worked on the top floor?
[Josh] Yes, just
moving up the floor.
Down the hall, closer to Katie.
Oh, isn't that
nice? [all chuckle]
See I would think burgers
and sandwiches are kind
of the same thing?
You know, a lot of
people think that,
but there are actually
some key differences
from a social media standpoint.
Really? Like what?
Oh, you know. Shape. Toppings.
I'm sure Dean doesn't
want to talk about work
all night.
Let's talk about something else.
Well, tell us about
your family, Dean.
[Katie] Not that. Uh.
Dean is just, he's so sad.
This is his first
Christmas without,
his mother Harriet.
Dad, Eugene.
Sisters Andrea and Carrie,
and older brother Oliver.
Yes. It's my first
Christmas away from... them.
But I'm very happy to be here.
And we're really happy
you're here, Dean.
- So promotion...
- So what about another round
- of charades!
- Yeah, woo!
[all laughing]
Let s do it! [chuckles]
[gentle music]
[Katie] Thankfully, you're
a little bit better at
coming up with stories
on the fly than you
are playing charades.
That was something else.
She was really competitive.
She reminds me of you a little.
Really?
Yeah.
You both have a certain...
intensity.
Never noticed that.
[gentle music continues]
This is my roommate. Do
you mind if I take it?
- No, of course not.
- Alright.
[Katie] Girl.
Hey, how's it going?
[Katie] They love him so much.
It's insane.
Honestly, I think they might
even like him more than
they would have liked
the real Dean.
[bright cheerful music]
Hey Dean.
Hey, there.
I was just,
taking in all these decorations.
I just came to say
good night and tell you
how glad I am that you're here.
You make Katie really happy,
and that makes me
really happy. [laughs]
Thank you.
I'm very happy,
too. [chuckles]
I love being here.
We're glad you're here.
Shut up.
That's amazing.
Is it awkward all
being there with him?
Surprisingly, no.
He's a really nice guy.
I'm actually having
a lot of fun.
Fun?
How much fun?
I don't know. An
appropriate amount of fun?
Stop!
What if you two start dating?
Mmm, I don't think I can afford
the long term version of this.
Anyways, I m not ready
for another relationship.
You never know.
Um. Hey, I'll keep you posted.
- I got to go.
- You better!
Bye.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[both laughing]
[Katie] What's so funny?
We were just talking about Dad s
"A Christmas Carol" charade.
I, I still don't know
how Dean guessed it.
I think it was
his Tiny Tim impression
where it finally clicked.
- [both laughing]
- Look at that.
Anyway, I just came
to say good night.
You two have
everything you need?
- Think so.
- Think so.
If you get cold,
there's extra blankets
- in the hall closet.
- Mom, I think we're fine.
Thanks.
Good night, you two.
- [Katie] Good night.
- [Josh] Good night.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Everything okay
with your roommate?
Yeah, she just wanted to check
and see how things are going.
What d you tell her?
I said it's going perfectly.
I still can't believe
all these decorations.
It's epic in here.
Well get ready.
- Ready for what?
- For Christmas Eve.
That is when the
Andrews family Christmas
- really begins.
- Ooh.
I can't wait.
Really?
[Josh] I mean it.
I'm having a great
time here. [chuckles]
Seriously?
Yeah.
It's the best Christmas I've
had since my mom passed.
- [Katie] Sorry, Josh.
- [Josh] Oh, it s okay.
Honestly, this is a pretty
amazing distraction.
And she would have
loved all of this.
[Josh] Though we did
have one ironclad rule,
only homemade gifts.
- [Katie] Really?
- Mhmm.
We never had a lot
of money growing up,
and she would always say that
giving someone a handmade gift
was a chance to give them
a little piece of yourself.
That's really lovely.
So is she.
I really like your family.
You're really lucky.
I am.
[bright cheerful music]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[footsteps clomping]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[all laughing]
I still like me. You
do it! [all laughing]
Good morning.
Good morning sleepy head!
[Anthony] Morning.
We thought we d let
you sleep in a bit.
Thank you.
Want some breakfast, sweetie?
Uh, I m good with just coffee.
Most important meal of the day.
Your parents were
just telling me
all about you in kindergarten.
Not the paste story I
hope. [all laughing]
Oh sorry, Kate.
It s a classic.
[all laughing]
More eggs, Dean?
Oh, I don't know. I m so full.
You're going to need the
protein for football.
Football?
Yeah, we do
our annual Christmas
game after breakfast.
- Oh.
- Yeah, so you don t
want to eat too much.
You're playing, too?
[Katie] Every year.
Mom and I just sit on the deck
and drink hot chocolate.
Spiked hot chocolate.
[all chuckling]
[Josh] Ugh.
Two, forty-two, hike,
hike, hike. Hike!
[all clamoring]
- [all cheering]
- [bright cheerful music]
[all clamoring]
[Anthony] All right, here
we go, all right, all right.
Here we go.
Right. Here we go. Here we go.
All right!
Hickory, dickory, dock!
The mouse ran out
the clock and hike!
[all clamoring]
- Ow! Ow, ow, ow.
- Dad? Dad, Dad, are you okay?
- [all cheering]
- [Katie] Really?
- [Julia] Score! You did it!
- [all cheering]
[all clamoring]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
All right. Final score.
- Dean and Katie. 35.
- [all clamoring]
Dad and Richard. Six.
[all clamoring]
[Dean] Good game.
Good game, sir.
- [Dean] Oh!
- [Anthony] Sorry!
[Mary] All right, come on,
let s have hot chocolate.
[Mary] All right
let s get inside.
Richard, that was a
pretty impressive play you
came up with out there.
I have a little experience
of finding workarounds
for being terrible at
sports. [all laughing]
- [all laughing]
- Aw!
And Dad, your acting skills
really improved since
last night s charades.
[Anthony] Yeah, I was
really good, wasn t I?
- [all laughing]
- Broadway s calling!
Oh, honey.
You can't even remember
what you had for breakfast.
How re you going to
remember all those lines?
[all laughing]
[gentle piano music]
Sneaking away from the
madness for a minute?
- [Josh sighs]
- [Anthony chuckles]
Don't worry, I do it, too.
I was just admiring
your family photos.
This is Julia's first Christmas.
[Anthony] Ah, Katie was so
excited to be a big sister.
She started making
presents for Julia
before she was even born.
I think that s
supposed to be a boat.
Made out of an egg carton.
Well, Katie s not
much of an engineer.
What's this?
That is Katie's
first ballet recital.
She sprained her ankle
the night before,
but insisted on going on.
- [sighs] She's tough, Katie.
- [gentle music]
One of a kind.
Yeah, I think I'm
beginning to see that.
I hoped you might.
[gentle music continues]
You re good for her, I think.
You do?
Usually at Christmas,
she's so...
stressed...
worrying about making
sure everything's perfect.
I hadn't seen her this
happy and relaxed...
since...
[gentle music continues]
well.
We re happy you re here, Dean.
Thank you.
I'm happy to be here.
Actually,
I was wondering if I
might ask you a favor?
Dean and your dad seem
to be getting along.
Another day or two
he ll be asking him
to call him Anthony.
What? I don t even
call him Anthony.
- Oh.
- [Mary laughing]
Speaking of Dean and Dad, um.
Where are they?
Uh, in the garage.
Your Dad said they
had a project.
Maybe I should go see
if they need a hand?
[Julia] I'm sure
they're fine, Katie.
What, are you scared Dean s
gonna spill all your secrets?
[all laughing]
It's a good sign they re
spending time together.
I still remember that
first Christmas with
your dad's family.
Oh, I was so nervous.
Why? Dad's family loves you.
They may now,
but that first
Christmas was rough.
I was so anxious
to make a good
impression, I couldn't
even be myself.
I forgot all my Christmas gifts.
I sang off key in
the Christmas carols,
and I broke one
of Grandma Trudy s
antique Christmas ornaments.
[all laughing]
What d she do?
She sat down with me with
a bottle of super glue,
and the pieces of the ornament
and told me something
I have never forgotten.
"Mary" she said,
"in this house,
we don't throw things out
just because they're broken.
Every crack is just a piece
of the story of
something we love."
- Hmm.
- That's beautiful.
I was finally able to relax.
I, I realized things don't
have to be perfect
to be beautiful.
And if I was a little imperfect,
it didn't mean I didn't belong.
Still burnt the
dinner rolls, though.
[all laughing]
[trash bag crumpling]
[footsteps clomping]
[trash bag thuds]
[Katie] What are
you doing in there?
Just helping your
dad or something.
[Josh] Come on. It's
freezing out here.
[bright cheerful music]
[Josh] Thank you
for dinner, Mary.
I can't remember the
last time I had food
- this good.
- Nonsense.
I'm sure Katie cooks
for you all the time.
Well, I wouldn't
say all the time.
So what now?
Oh, how about dessert circle?
- Oh, yeah.
- What's dessert circle?
Oh, it's this little tradition
we picked up from
Richard's family.
Everybody goes around
and says what they're
most grateful for today.
Oh, that sounds lovely.
- Richard, you start.
- [Richard] Well,
the best part of my every day
is waking up next to Julia.
- Aw.
- And the best part of
my night is going to
bed next to Richard.
[all chuckling]
[Julia] How about you, Mom?
[Mary] I am just so grateful
to have both my girls
home for Christmas.
And that you're both with
someone you care about
so much.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
- I second that.
- [all laughing]
[Anthony] What about you, Dean?
Well, I'm very grateful
that you've all opened
your home to me.
I know that I don't know
you all very well yet, but
I'm grateful that um,
you've just made me feel
like a part of your family.
My first Christmas on my own.
And I'm especially
grateful that I met Katie.
- [Josh] She's the best.
- [all chuckling]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Oh, I um.
- Cheers!
- [Julia] Cheers.
- [all clamoring]
- [glasses clinking]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[gifts shuffling]
[gifts shuffling]
Sounds like peanut
brittle to me.
[chuckles]
May I?
[gift shuffling]
Yep. Definitely
peanut brittle.
- I'm just...
- [Josh] Trying to
guess what's under the tree?
Like a five year old?
- Guilty. [laughs]
- [gentle music]
I'm just trying to figure
out what Julia got me.
I want to make
sure that it's not
better than my gift for her.
Which is?
An engraved
calligraphy set for her
new side hustle.
Wow. That's very thoughtful.
Yeah, but she always
manages to do better.
Like last year, I got
her this designer purse
that I knew she really wanted.
[Katie] Guess what she got me?
A designer purse with
a matching wallet.
[chuckles] Impressive.
Sounds like she really
goes the extra mile.
When it comes to being
the golden child,
she always does.
[gentle music continues]
Thank you for
letting me be a part
of this Christmas
with your family.
I probably should be
the one thanking you.
[Josh] It s just,
It's nice to have somewhere
to belong, you know?
[gentle music continues]
- Good night, Katie.
- Good night.
[gentle music continues]
[footsteps clomping]
[door creaking]
[gentle music continues]
[chuckles]
[bright cheerful music]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[Josh] Katie?
There you are.
- Ready for breakfast?
- Just about! [chuckles]
Oh, uh.
[Josh] Did you see
a ring fall out?
It was my Mom's.
I was taking it
to get it cleaned.
Sorry.
Oh!
I, I saw it, and it
was just so beautiful.
I just wanted to try
it on, that s it.
As long as it's
safe. [chuckles]
- But it won't come off now.
- [Josh] Oh.
Um, here. Let me see that.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Oof, it s on there all right.
- Katie, will you...
- [Mary screaming]
- [Mary] I knew it!
- [Josh] Oh, um.
Mom, wait.
- [Josh] Uh.
- [Anthony grunting]
Welcome to the family,
son! [all laughing]
- [all clamoring]
- [Mary] Your sister s engaged!
- What?
- [all clamoring]
Uh.
Well.
[Richard] Congratulations!
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[all clamoring]
[Mary] Let me see!
Oh, it's beautiful.
- [Anthony] Aw.
- Vintage?
It's a family heirloom.
- Aw.
- Well, do you have a date?
[Josh] Not yet, no.
We'll have to reserve
a venue right away.
Oh, I have to call Martha.
She'll be over the moon!
[all laughing]
[Josh inhales and squeals]
- [Mary excitedly squeals]
- [Mary] Come here.
[all chattering]
So, do I get hazard pay for
faking an engagement?
I have to figure out
a way to stop this.
[Mary] What are you two
lovebirds whispering about?
- Nothing!
- Nothing!
[Mary] Ah-ha!
- I found them!
- [magazines thud]
I still have these from
your sister's wedding.
I mean, the fashion
changes a bit
but it'll get us started.
[Josh and Katie chuckle]
[Mary] Oh.
Oh, Katie. Wouldn t you
look lovely in a mermaid
gown?
Actually, we re
thinking about eloping.
But then we decided that
we definitely wanted
the full wedding experience
with all our family there.
Katie, we had no idea.
Neither did I.
When did you decide you were
were going to propose, Dean?
Oh, it was pretty last minute.
My mom always said to me,
she said, "Josh" ...
[Richard] Josh?
Uh, that was her
nickname for me.
Josh.
[Josh] Anyway,
"Josh" she said,
"when you know you've
found the one, don't wait.
Because you never know
what tomorrow brings."
And when I saw
Katie this morning,
the sunlight shining
on her in her pajamas,
I just knew that I couldn't
wait one more second.
Then here we are.
Oh, this is the
best Christmas ever!
[Josh] Aw.
I'm so happy for the two of you.
Some things are
just meant to be.
[all chuckling]
[Katie] Surprised you
don't already have these
on the tree.
[Julia] Well, we always
decorate the tree together.
You couldn't come till
right before Christmas
this year, but I
wanted to save at least
a few ornaments for you.
Thanks.
I can't believe you're engaged.
It feels so sudden.
Yep, it does. [chuckles]
Does he make you happy?
I think so.
Good.
I hope you find what
Richard and I have.
He's a good guy.
I'm glad you found him.
Well, now we both have something
to celebrate this Christmas.
- [Josh] Hey.
- Where were you?
- It's a secret. [laughs]
- Keeping secrets?
Just a few.
So, what's the plan
for the afternoon?
Well, I will be cooking all day
since we have Christmas
and an engagement to celebrate.
- [all chuckling]
- Do you need any help?
Julia can help me out.
- I don t mind.
- Oh, no. We got it.
You and Dean go celebrate
your engagement.
We've got this.
Richard and I are going
Christmas shopping.
But it's Christmas Eve.
Hey, no minute, like
the last minute.
Besides, I didn't
want to get Dean
- a gift before I met him.
- [all laughing]
Katie, why don t you
take Dean for a drive?
Show him around town?
Mom, I'm sure he
doesn't want to do that.
- Actually, I'd love to.
- [bright cheerful music]
You guys sure you
don't need any help?
We're fine. Go.
[Josh] Come on. [chuckles]
[Mary] Have fun.
Wanna help me with these?
[bright cheerful
music continues]
- [snow blower screeching]
- Well, you sure enjoyed that.
You know what?
I really did.
[both giggling]
Sorry again, that it stuck.
Guess that means you
re stuck with me.
[Katie giggles]
- [snow blower screeching]
- [car door slams]
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[car door slams]
So my old high
school is down there.
And this coffee shop is
where I had my first job.
Wow. A whole bunch of
new pieces of the puzzle
that is Katie Andrews,
my fiancee. [chuckles]
Sounds pretty great.
I guess.
What do you mean, you guess?
[bright cheerful
music continues]
I don't know.
Coming back here.
I moved away ten
years ago for school,
and I guess I just thought
I would have made it by now.
Made it?
[Katie] You know, uh.
A big job, uh.
My own place.
A real boyfriend that
I didn't hire off
the Internet.
Hmmm.
What?
I don't know.
Maybe you have more
than you realize.
What do you mean?
Well, your job for starters.
I thought you said you loved it?
- I do, but I...
- [Josh scoffs]
There s your
problem right there.
Where?
But, you love your job.
But, you have a great roommate.
But, you have a
family that loves you.
But. Why is it so hard
for you to just say
you have a lot of great
things in your life?
Not to mention a
handsome fiancee.
[gentle music]
Look, all I'm saying is,
I'm alone for the first
time this Christmas.
Do you have any
idea how much I wish
I had a family to go home to?
[Josh] Even if
they're not perfect?
[gentle music continues]
Wow. I knew I was paying
for a boyfriend...
[Josh] Fiancee.
Fiancee.
I didn't know
I was getting a personal
coaching session thrown in, too.
Sorry. [both laughing]
So what about you?
What about me?
I mean, this whole time
we've talked about me
and my family.
Barely know anything
about yours.
What did you and your mom
like to do for Christmas?
[gentle music continues]
Oh, my Mom loved
everything about Christmas.
Caroling, baking, just
sitting in front of
the tree, looking at the lights.
Why don't we do something?
Something that she
would have liked.
In her honor.
How do you feel about eggnog?
I think I might know a spot.
[Josh] Ooh.
[classy violin music]
I can t believe you got
me to come to Dudley s.
I have not been
here since college.
I'm honestly surprised
they're open on Christmas Eve.
What with business
booming like this?
- [both laughing]
- [gentle music]
Actually, my mom would have
really liked this place.
- Really?
- [Josh] Yeah.
She loved the fun
little hole in the wall
places where only the locals go.
She said it was the only way
to truly get to know a town.
Well, I'm glad we're here then.
So, why don't you tell me
more about your childhood?
Were you a rebellious teenager?
Mmm, nothing too much, you know.
Usual teenage antics.
But there was this one time
Julia and I got in trouble
for throwing a party.
You did?
Yeah. [both laughing]
My parents were out
of town overnight,
and Julia knew how bad I
wanted to have friends over,
so she promised not to tell.
Unfortunately,
the neighbors didn't
feel the same.
Oh, no.
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
My parents were so mad.
They grounded us
for a whole month.
Julia, too?
Yeah.
She could have thrown me
under the bus, but she didn't.
So she got a month, too.
- [gentle music continues]
- Huh.
What?
It's just the way you
talk about your sister.
I wouldn't have expected that.
What do you mean?
Well, you make it seem like
things are always competitive
between the two of you, but,
maybe that's not
always the case.
[violins screech]
Okay, enough about me.
What about you?
What kind of teenager were you?
Well, my mom got sick
while I was in high school,
so I actually spent a lot
of time taking care of her.
Not a lot of time
left for partying.
But we always had a lot
of fun at Christmas.
- Best time of year.
- [Josh] Mhmm.
[gentle music continues]
- I'll be right back.
- Sure.
[footsteps clomping]
Hey, what's up? Hi.
Hi! What's up
with me? Nothing.
What's going on with you?
I need the tea on
Dean, I m obsessed.
Is it still going well?
I would say so.
Uh, we're engaged.
What?!
It s a long story.
I knew you were sad about
being over Christmas,
but I had no idea you were
going to take it this far.
It's a huge
misunderstanding, um.
But my mom's already
planning the wedding
[Katie] and calling
all of the relatives.
So what are you gonna do?
[Katie] I mean, what can I do?
Just wait it out a
couple more days.
Try to get this
ring off my finger
and figure it out from there.
What if you two work out?
You have such an iconic
story of how you met.
Sarah, I don't think I
would call that iconic.
I think I would
call that desperate.
Don't say that!
I mean,
look,
even if he did like me,
it would never work.
[Katie] What do
I tell my family?
Ah-ha, just kidding.
This is not Dean.
This is actually Josh and
I hired him to pretend
to be Dean and pretend
to be my boyfriend.
Come home with me for Christmas
so I don't look
like a lonely loser.
[Katie] Oh, yeah, and by
the way, we accidentally
got engaged.
Hey, let me, I ll call you back.
Don't leave me hanging!
Dean.
Katie!
Hey, I, I've been
trying to call ya.
Yeah, maybe you should
have taken the hint.
Listen, we need to talk.
Yeah, I'm, I'm busy right now.
We can talk when I see you.
Okay, because...
Bye, Dean.
I'm in town.
Hello? Hey, oh.
[Dean sighs]
[Katie] So, what did I miss?
[Josh] Well, Bernie here was
telling me how he had to work
on Christmas Eve.
And unfortunately,
he s missing out
on watching Christmas
movies with his family.
Bummer.
It is.
[gentle music continues]
[Josh] You know,
one of the things my mom and
I loved to do on Christmas Eve
was find somebody
having a tough time
and try to bring them
a little Christmas cheer.
So what do you have in mind?
No. No way.
- [Josh] Oh, come on.
- No.
What happened to that
karaoke fiend from your ad?
She only comes out on Fridays
after a long night at the bar.
For my mom.
You are wearing her ring.
[gentle music continues]
For your mom.
Yeah!
Let s do this.
[footsteps clomping]
This goes out to
anyone who wishes
they were somewhere
else this Christmas.
- Hear, hear!
- [all chuckling]
[Josh clears throat]
On the first
day of Christmas
my friend Katie gave to me
a partner in karaoke
On the second day
of Christmas, my
fake Dean gave to me
Two eggnog
[Josh] And a
partner in karaoke
On the third
day of Christmas
my mean boss gave to me
[Bernie] Three lame shifts
Two eggnog
And a partner in karao ke
On the twelfth
day of Christmas
my true love gave to me
Twelve congratulations
Eleven Christmas cookies
Ten empty bar stools
Nine Bus Burger tweets
Eight perfect pancakes
Seven dollars in tips
Six bad charade clues
Five other things!
Four Christmas presents
[Bernie] Three lame shifts
Two eggnogs
And a partner in karaoke
- [all cheering]
- [Josh clapping]
Thanks, guys. That
really made my day.
[Josh] Hey, Bernie.
[Josh] Here you go.
No one should only make
seven dollars in tips
on Christmas Eve.
Thank you.
[Josh] You're welcome.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
[gentle music continues]
[bells jingle]
So, that's
how you and your mom
like to spend Christmas?
[chuckles] Well, part of it.
Mom always said,
"The best way to stop
feeling sorry for yourself
is to make someone
else's day better."
She sounds great.
I would have loved to meet her.
I think she would have
loved to meet you too.
[gentle music continues]
Oh, I didn't realize
how late it's getting.
We should head back home.
- Everyone will be waiting.
- Okay.
[car door slams]
Mom s baking. I can
smell it from here.
Me, too.
[Josh] It smells like.
Dean?
[Josh] Uh, that s not what
I was gonna say, but, okay.
What are you doing here?
Katie, I made a huge mistake.
Yeah, you did.
Showing up here.
Dean, what were you thinking?
Oh. So this is Dean.
Who s this?
- Uh.
- Everything okay?
[Josh] Oh, uh.
[Josh] Yeah, yeah, uh.
Who s that?
Uh, she just ran
into an old friend.
All right. Well,
don't stand out there
- in the cold too long.
- All right.
- You'll turn into an icicle.
- [Josh and Anthony grunting]
I have to get you
out of here now.
- Who, me?
- What?
Wait, you can't leave.
What am I supposed to do?
Uh.
Just, just stall for time.
Okay.
- [Josh exhales]
- [door slams]
[footsteps clomping]
[Julia] Where's Katie?
[Josh] Um.
Something came up.
[gentle music]
What are you doing here?
I told you, Katie.
[Dean] I made a mistake.
I miss you.
- You miss me?
- [Dean] Mhmm.
You dumped me 48 hours ago.
I thought you might
bring that up.
Classic Katie. Listen.
Breaking up with you was the
worst decision I ever made.
I recognize that now.
So you thought
crashing my family's
Christmas was a good
time to tell me that?
You invited me.
[gentle music]
[Katie] Dean,
you cannot stay here.
Well, I'm not leaving until
- we've had a chance to talk!
- [Katie] Stop!
Fine.
There's a, there s
a hotel downtown.
Starlight Inn.
Just go there and wait for me.
- Katie...
- Just go.
[Katie] I will call you.
I'll be waiting.
[gentle music continues]
[Josh] Uh, so she just
dropped me off while she went...
- There she is!
- [Josh and Katie chuckling]
I was just telling
Julia how you had to pick up
a last minute present.
[Katie] That s right, um.
Just got back with it.
[Julia] Wait.
So where is it?
Hmm?
The gift that you
just picked up.
- Uh, it s in my pocket.
- In the car.
In my pocket, in the
car, the car pocket.
For safekeeping.
You're a little weird
since you got engaged.
[footsteps clomping]
So what happened?
Nothing, I just
sent him to a hotel.
- What are you gonna do?
- [Katie] I don t know.
But, this is a disaster.
[gentle music]
I have to talk to Sarah.
- Maybe I should leave.
- [Katie] No.
Just, give me a chance
to get rid of Dean.
[footsteps clomping]
[door slams]
Last minute Christmas emergency?
You could say that.
[Sarah laughing]
[Sarah chewing]
- [phone ringing]
- [Sarah chewing]
Hey, engaged girl.
Admit it, my plan was genius.
Yeah, genius,
except for one part.
Dean's here.
Wasn't that the whole point?
To make your family
think Dean was there.
No, not Josh Dean, Dean Dean.
[Sarah gasps]
Oh, no.
Oh yes, and now he's saying
it was all a mistake,
and now he wants to
get back together.
Is that what you want?
- [Katie] No. Yes.
- [Sarah chewing]
Maybe. I don't know.
All I know is, I can not
let him meet my family.
Well, just tell
him to go back home
and wait for you.
Yeah, right.
That's a good idea. I'll
just, I'll send him back home.
And we can just talk
when I get back.
[sighs] This is, this just keeps
getting more complicated.
Just breathe, Katie.
[inhales and exhales]
It s gonna be okay.
[chuckles]
Yeah, easy for you to say,
[sighs]
[bright cheerful music]
[footsteps clomping]
[Mary] Katie?
[door slams]
[Mary] What are you doing?
Nothing, um.
I'm just going out
for a little bit.
But, you just got back.
[Katie] Right, I forgot my, um.
Something.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
- [Katie shrieks]
- [Dean] Katie.
[door slams]
- Katie!
- [Katie] Woo!
So cold outside.
[clears throat]
Aren't you gonna answer that?
That? No, no, it's
probably just carolers.
We have great Christmas
music playing anyway, so.
- Woo.
- [both chuckling]
Katie, what earth is going on he
[Mary] Hello!
Katie.
Who's this?
This?
Um, this is a
colleague from work.
Thought I told you
to wait for me.
Well, I had to see you.
A work colleague, well.
You must know Dean.
I am Dean.
[Dean] And you must be Mom.
Come here. So good
to finally meet you.
[Dean] Storm of the
century out there. [laughs]
Mmm. I smell cookies!
There you go. Woo!
[Katie chuckles]
So.
- [gentle music]
- You re Dean?
Mhmm.
These cookies are excellent.
[Dean] Is that
nutmeg? Excellent.
[Anthony] And you're not?
[gentle music continues]
I knew it.
[Anthony] This is
too much to wrap
our heads around right now.
I know! I just found out
there s another me. [chuckles]
Half-off version.
Katie.
I'm sorry.
Dean and I broke up,
and I didn't want to come
home alone for Christmas.
[gentle music continues]
I hired someone.
So you hired someone
to propose to you?
Wait. You're engaged?
No, we're not engaged.
It wasn't even a real proposal.
It was all just a
misunderstanding.
[Dean] [scoffs] Oh, good.
That s a relief,
because, actually,
I got a question for ya.
[gentle music continues]
[Dean grunts]
[Dean grunts] You
can have that back.
Will you marry me?
[gentle music continues]
Sorry, I need some
air. Excuse me.
- [Dean] Well.
- [ring box snaps]
[bells jingle]
- Katie.
- [bells jingle]
What are you doing out here?
It's freezing.
Just, trying to escape
the mess I made.
[gentle music continues]
I still don't understand.
[Mary] If you and,
Dean broke up.
Why didn't you just
come home alone?
Why did you go through
all the trouble
to hire a stranger?
Because you were so
excited to meet Dean.
I just didn't want to
ruin Christmas for you.
How could you ruin Christmas?
But you said it was a Mother's
dream for both of your kids
to have someone at the holidays.
It is.
I want both of
my children have someone
to share their lives with.
But I don't want you to feel
like you have to find
someone to make me proud.
You should find someone
cause he makes you happy.
[Mary] The way your
father makes me happy.
[Mary] And the way you do.
But Julia has
somebody and you're,
you're so proud of her
that she found the right
guy and got married.
Yes. She found the right guy.
That's what I want
for you, Katie.
[stammers]
I don't want you to just
find someone, but the one.
That's what I have
with your Dad.
That's what Julia
has with Richard.
And that's all I want for you.
I'm sorry if I made
you feel differently.
But what do I do now?
Everything is a mess.
How do I fix that?
[gentle music continues]
Well.
If there's one thing
I've learned in my life,
Katie, there s only
one way to fix a mess.
You just start cleaning up.
Now, can we go inside?
[Mary shivering]
It's a little overwhelming.
I m sure she ll be right back.
Cookie anyone?
[gentle music continues]
[door slams]
[Katie] Dean.
Sorry. Real Dean.
[body thuds]
- [Katie] Can we talk, please?
- Yeah.
[Dean] So good.
So, how much does
freelancing pay for
a gig like this?
I'm beginning to
think not enough.
[Dean] You're right, Katie.
Your family loves me.
So, I work things out
with the promotion,
and they're gonna
let me work remotely,
so we don't have to break up.
[gentle music]
You know, I realized
something, Katie.
We are partners.
I don t know what I'm
doing without you.
We re meant to be together.
[gentle music continues]
Dean.
You were right.
Not about us being
meant to be together.
Before, about us breaking up.
What?
I think I was just so excited
to find somebody
that I was blinded to
who that somebody was.
Wait, who are you talking about?
[Katie] You, Dean.
Us.
I mean, you proposed to me
without us ever even
talking about it.
Yeah, but I spent a lot
of money on the ring.
You took a job
across the country
without talking to me about it?
Yes, but I did talk
to you about it after.
You took a promotion
for yourself.
Without even thinking about me.
And we're supposed
to be partners.
I know.
And that was a mistake.
[gentle music continues]
This is the mistake.
But for the past
two days, I got to spend time
with somebody who actually
likes spending with me.
Not because he
needs me for work,
but because he likes me.
[stammers]
He asks me questions
about myself.
Like where I'm from
and what I like.
[Katie] But I think...
I already know what
you think, Kit-Kat.
Stop calling me that.
I can't stand that nickname.
And if that was true, you
wouldn t be here today.
Alright Katie, I don't
know about this Josh guy.
But I know about us.
We make sense together.
I want more from
our relationship
than it just to make sense.
[gentle music continues]
I want the one.
The one what?
- Goodbye, Dean.
- [claps legs]
But what about us?
There is no us anymore.
[footsteps clomping]
[gentle music continues]
Is Dean coming back in?
He seems lovely.
Actually we broke up.
Oh, thank goodness.
Oh, he was so awful.
[Mary] He was really awful.
I know.
Where s Josh?
He, he didn t
tell you? He left.
And he didn't say
where he was going?
He seemed really down.
He could be anywhere.
Should we all go out
and look for him?
Maybe he's close.
No, I don't blame
him for leaving.
This is my fault.
All of this is.
[gentle music continues]
Katie.
Your Dad let me use his tools.
It's not exactly handmade,
but I hope it counts.
Merry Christmas.
[gentle music continues]
- [sighs]
- [bed creaks]
[phone playing upbeat music]
Hey.
Put another one in the
the record books
for Katie Andrews.
The colossal mess.
I'm sure it's not that bad.
No, it's worse.
[Katie] Not only did
I humiliate myself,
dumped my boyfriend,
faked an engagement,
and ruined my entire
Christmas Eve with my family.
I chased off the first
nice guy I met in years.
Do you want me to come up?
Do you have a time machine?
[chuckles] Not on me.
[Katie] I know.
No point in disrupting
your Christmas plans, too.
Hang in there, Katie.
Things will turn around.
I promise.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas,
- [gentle music continues]
- [footsteps clomping]
[door knocking]
Julia.
Sorry Katie, I m not
interrupting anything, am I?
[Julia] I thought carbs
might help the situation.
Did you come to gloat?
[Julia] What are
you talking about?
I came up here to
check on my big sister.
You think I came
up here to gloat?
Why not?
Once again, you're
the golden child.
[Katie] And I am
an embarrassment
to the Andrews family.
Is that how you think I see you?
Katie, I don't look down on you.
I've always looked up to you.
What?
[Julia] You ve always
been the cool sister.
You moved to the big city.
You got your own place.
The amazing job.
You're living your dreams.
What about Richard?
[gentle music continues]
Richard s my dream, Katie.
Getting married
and settling down.
That's what we wanted.
That doesn't make
me the golden child.
- Last Christmas. The gift.
- [Julia] That bag.
I just got you that because
I don t know what else
to give you.
You got me exactly
what I wanted.
So, I gave you something
just like that.
[gentle music continues]
If this is how you
really feel then.
Why is it always so
competitive between us?
I don't know, I
guess I ve just...
I ve always tried
to keep up with you.
It's not easy being the younger
sister to your hero.
Can we make a Christmas promise?
[Katie] No more competition.
No more black sheep
or golden child.
Just sisters.
Okay, deal.
[both laughing]
[Julia] But I have to warn
you my present is still gonna
to blow yours out of the water.
I know. [both laughing]
[Julia] Okay, so now what
are we gonna do about Josh?
What do you mean?
[Julia] Come on.
Katie, I see the
way you look at him.
Even if you ve only
known the guy a
few days, you're
crazy about him.
[Julia] You got
fake engaged to him!
Okay. [both chuckling]
[gentle music continues]
Still not answering
his phone, huh?
No.
I really think I
brought him down.
I don't know where he could be.
[gentle music continues]
Um, I'll be right back.
[Katie] Tell Mom and
Dad I'll be right back.
- [Julia] What? Katie.
- [footsteps clomping]
It's Christmas Eve.
Nothing's open.
I know a place that is.
[footsteps clomping]
[gentle music continues]
- [glass thuds]
- [Josh] Ah.
[Josh] Hit me again, Bernie.
[Bernie] Are you sure?
That's a lot of eggnog.
You do know it's nonalcoholic?
- Yeah.
- [glasses thud]
- Thanks.
- Yeah.
[bells jingle]
One fake fiancee.
Was really, really really sorry.
Katie, what are you doing here?
I came to apologize.
I should have never pulled
you into all of this.
And, I've realized
that I probably should
have just told the truth.
Well.
If we re telling the truth now,
it's okay.
For what it's worth,
I actually had a
really nice time.
Sorry I came between
you and Dean.
Congratulations, by the way.
Josh, there is no
more me and Dean.
[gentle music]
I, I thought all you wanted
was your perfect
Christmas, at home
with your perfect boyfriend
or fiancee or whatever.
I did want all of that.
I mean, I still do.
But I realized that,
I think I had it all wrong.
[sighs] Dean wasn't
the perfect boyfriend.
I mean, he wasn't
the perfect anything.
[gentle music continues]
And...
[sighs] Josh, for
the last few days,
I got to spend it with
somebody who I actually like
and who actually likes me back.
And I think I might
have gotten a glimpse
of what perfect
actually looks like.
[gentle music continues]
Look, I know I've
embarrassed myself,
not to mention you,
and I don't expect you to
just forgive me like that.
But I do know that you don't
deserve to spend
Christmas alone.
And I know that my family
would never forgive me
if I didn't invite you
to spend Christmas with us.
They really like you.
I really like them.
Really?
Yeah.
Your family s the best.
They really made me
feel like I belong.
But, I m not gonna
stay here for them.
[gentle music continues]
[Josh] I would
stay here for you.
Look, Katie.
I don't care that you hired me.
And I don't care that
your awful ex showed up.
Or if your family
thinks you're crazy.
[Josh] You are the most amazing
person that I've ever met.
You're funny, you're smart,
you're thoughtful.
[chuckles] I mean, look at you,
you're beautiful.
I just have to keep seeing you.
[bright cheerful music]
So either I'm gonna
need a long term
extension on my contract or.
[lips smack]
Or we just make this official.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
[lips smack]
Best Christmas Eve ever.
[both laughing]
[Anthony] And last.
But certainly not least.
Aw. Thank you.
[wrapping paper tearing]
Oh, wow.
[laughs]
I didn't even notice
you taking this.
[bright cheerful
music continues]
Mom, I'm impressed. [chuckles]
There was just
something about you two
standing there that seemed real.
I think it is.
[bright cheerful
music continues]