Reunited at Christmas

Nana, will you tell me a Christmas story now?

A story?

Yeah. One of your special Christmas stories.

I'm not sure our tree is quite finished yet.

There's one thing left…

The Christmas star!

This is a very special star.

It's been in our family for generations.

It's beautiful.

My parents let me put it up on the tree

when I was a little girl.

Your father put it on the tree when he was a boy.

Now you're old enough, it's your turn.

Really?

Someday, Samantha, you'll pass this on to your children.

Because it's a tradition.

And traditions are the stories that families write together.

So, are you ready?

Our tradition.

Yes, I'd like to confirm my reservation.

Samantha Murphy.

That's right!

The main lodge, for the week of Christmas.

Thank you so much.

I've always been partial to the star.

Oh, hi Samantha!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas.

I always have a tough time deciding.

Victoria's waiting for you.

I'll walk you in.

Great.

So, how are you?

I'm good.

Well, let me get right to it, Sam.

When we published your book last year,

we knew we'd found a talented new writer with her own voice,

and a lovely story to tell.

And, fortunately, our readers agreed.

Oh, that is so nice to hear.

Thank you.

Now, you know that every Christmas,

we publish a slate of holiday books.

These projects are very popular with our readers.

Obviously, we have to put together titles

a year in advance,

and this year, we'd like you

to write one of our Christmas books.

Your work has so much heart.

Your characters are so… authentic.

It's a perfect fit.

Well, I've…

I've never actually written a Christmas story before, so…

That's the best part.

We take your fresh voice,

add just the right touch of mistletoe and holly?

Our readers will love it.

And what better time to come up with ideas than now?

Everywhere you turn, it's Christmas!

Everywhere you turn.

You're a wonderful writer, Sam.

I really want this to work out.

For both of us.

Okay.

I'm in.

Good.

Well, you have yourself a holly, jolly Christmas

and get those creative juices flowing.

We'll talk again at the beginning of the year.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas.

Congratulations!

I mean, that seems like a great opportunity for you.

Simon, it is.

Writers wait years for a chance like this.

It's just… it's a Christmas book.

Ahh.

That's difficult.

Yeah.

It's just I write from a place of inspiration.

It has to feel real.

And how am I… how am I supposed to write about this

when Christmas hasn't felt like Christmas in years?

Before my parents divorced,

we would go to my Nana's house

and she had this list of traditions

we would all do as a family,

and we would check them off as we finished.

That's a great memory.

It was so great.

And… the holiday shuffle took over.

My sister and I were bouncing from mom and dad's.

I mean, we tried to I the traditions alive,

it just… it was never the same.

I know how much you miss your grandmother.

Especially now that the holidays are here.

Just… it won't feel like Christmas without her.

And now that dad's selling the house,

there'll just… there'll be nothing left to go back to.

That is why you and I are going to Aspen to celebrate Christmas.

It's going to be our first Christmas together,

and I intend to make it very special for the both of us.

Who knows?

It might spark some ideas for your book.

But what if I can't write it?

Or…

What if… you write a really great book?

You'll be famous, always on the road,

signing books, speaking to your hordes of adoring fans…

we'll never see each other…

You know what, you're right. Don't write it.

Terrible idea!

Don't write it at all.

Thank you for making me feel better.

I'm your biggest fan.

Oh.

One guess.

You're producer.

News never sleeps.

…and the most handsome newsman

in all of New York City is mine.

I'm just an in-the-field guy.

I'm gonna get that anchor job, and you, my dear,

are gonna write a great Christmas book.

Taxi!

Bye.

Bye.

Hi.

Here we go.

Now we're talkin'.

Hey, sis.

Hey! Am I interrupting?

Uh, nope.

Just..

Taking a little break.

How are you doing?

Great, you know.

Just trying to wrangle a class full of third graders

for story-time on the last day of school before Christmas break…

Have a good Christmas!

I can only imagine.

Yeah.

Did you, per chance, read your mail yet?

My mail?

No.

Why?

You're gonna want to read your mail.

Hey, Kiddo.

I thought I might hear from you today.

Hey dad.

So, what do you make of Nana's invite?

Yeah.

I talked to her lawyer, and uh,

looks like she set all this up in August

while he was there helping her to set up her estate.

She always had somethin' up her sleeve.

Well, you know your grandmother.

Yes, I do.

It won't be the same without Nana, but…

this'll be our last chance to spend Christmas at her house.

And I think it would mean a lot to your grandmother for us

to be together again.

Then I'll be there, dad.

Great.

Okay, sweetie, I love you.

See you soon.

Love you too.

those holiday treats

that you loved so much as a kid,

may be as close as your nearest street corner.

I'm Simon Baker in Manhattan

wishing you a very merry Christmas.

We're out.

That was pretty good.

Hey!

That was great.

Yeah? Thank you.

Yeah.

There have been a change of plans for the holidays.

Okay?

So, my Nana made arrangements for the whole family

to spend one last Christmas together at her house

in Cedar Ridge, so…

Wow.

Aspen will have to wait.

Well, one last Christmas at your grandmother's house,

that sounds great.

Yeah.

Colorado will always be there.

I think this is way more important.