A Belle for Christmas

This big one.

No, no, she can't have that.

What is it, Phoebs?

What is it?

Excellent.

Did you want that?

Yes? Yes.

How does he know what you want?

You must have been such a good girl.

Did Santa get it right?

Yes.

Right, Elliot, anything for you, buddy?

Well, I think we might have one more.

Maybe, it might be this one.

This is what Santa gives you.

I love you. Thank you.

It's not me, it's Santa.

No. Really? Yes.

Is that the one we saw?

Come on, Dad, you promised we'd go to the festival.

Yeah, you promised.

Okay, okay. We'll go to the festival.

Yay! Yay!

Which one can I get for three bucks?

Well, how about, if you can convince your parents

to take one home today, I'll give you three bucks

to buy its first bag of puppy food.

Phoebe, no, forget it, Dad will never go for it.

Don't listen to him,

we'll take one puppy in a to-go box, please.

My dad won't mind. It's a surprise.

Phoebe, no, we're about to order

and Dad's already mad you came out here without permission.

Come on,

not even for the crazy-eyed spaz in the back corner?

Oh.

Looks like I'd be doing you the favor.

Oh.

That would... Oh, there they are!

What would my two most favorite customers like today?

How about a break from the baloney?

Fruit tarts for both of us please.

Okay.

Phoebe?

Now what did we all talk about last night?

How we should respect Daniela

because she's your new girlfriend.

Yes.

No, no, she's not my girlfriend.

Yet.

We've only gone out a couple of times.

Now look, she's trying really hard with you guys,

so I would appreciate it if you would be nice,

both of you.

Okay?

All righty, here we have two tarts for the two of you

and one yummy chocolate croissant for the handsome man.

Ooh.

I baked these fresh just for you and you.

Well, thank you, we appreciate it.

One piping hot pumpkin spiced latte to go.

Thank you. Kids, what do we say?

Thank you.

Thanks.

Oh, no problem.

So are we still on for tomorrow night?

Oh, I don't know.

I forgot to ask their grandmother if she could stay.

Oh, why don't I just come over and cook dinner for everybody?

How about that?

Yeah, that sounds... that's wonderful.

Okay, I'll see you at 7:00.

Okay. All right.

Bye.

You lucky lou.

What a hunky slab of pumpkin bread that is.

I know.

Oh, and you should see the house they live in,

it's beautiful.

It sounds almost perfect.

Too bad his kids are such snarky little tarts.

That doesn't faze me.

Nothing a little discipline can't fix.

Oh, it's you again.

Did your parents change their mind?

Did your parents change their mind about what?

Elliot, you did not tell this nice lady

that we were looking to adopt a dog, did you?

No, Dad, I didn't.

I just... Earlier Phoebe was over here and I...

Oh, I don't know what's gotten into her.

Oh.

It looks like she likes you.

Okay, she is very, very, very cute, okay,

but the Barrows family household

has a very strict no puppy policy.

Oh, are you allergic, Mr. Barrows?

No, no.

So may I ask why the policy?

Okay, fine, here's how this scenario unfolds.

Adopt lovely canine for the kids

and after a couple of weeks, kids lose interest

and Pops ends up taking care of said canine

for the next 10 to 12.

Is that how you guys see this scenario playing out?

No, ma'am.

'Cause it sounds like you've been skipping out on your chores

and leaving them for good old Pops, huh?

Well, no...

Well, sometimes when I say I dusted the mantel,

when I really just blew the surface,

but typically no.

Because, you know, this is a shepherd mix.

She's gonna eat a lot

and poop a lot and shed a lot.

Basically drive you crazy

for the first year or two that you have her.

But she's also gonna crack you up every day.

Oh, oops.

And she's gonna cuddle you like crazy

and basically love you unconditionally

till her last day on earth.

I promise you won't regret it.

That's a very, very good pitch, I will give you that.

I'm sorry, we just can't do it, not this year,

but I appreciate it.

Thank you. Come on, kids, let's go.

Daddy, please.

Honey, come on.

Hey, guys, will one of you get the door please?

Ah, my merry little mischief makers.

It's good to see you.

Grandma.

What's wrong, Elliot?

Are you not happy to see your wrinkly old granny?

He's crying because you called him mischief maker.

Mom called us that sometimes too.

Nuh-uh. I wasn't crying, Phoebe.

Grandma's perfume burned my eyes.

Well, did your mama never tell you

where that nickname came from?

She got it from herself.

Every Christmas Eve when she and Uncle Ted were your age,

they would sneak down the stairs

and try to unwrap every present under the tree

without tearing any of the wrapping paper.

One year, your mama even got a roll of scotch tape

and she tried to re-tape the things

that they'd accidentally torn

and I'll tell you what,

sly old Granny was waiting and watching.

I caught her red handed!

Gee, Mom sure was naughty,

must be where I get it from.

Maybe so.

But why call us that?

We never did anything to earn Mom's nickname.

Well, honey, never say never.

You don't know what mischief the holidays can bring.

I don't want Mom's nickname.

Oh, hey, Marnie, thank you so much for coming.

I really appreciate it.

I didn't even think about

needing a sitter, this being the first time since...

Don't mention it.

You know I love being here.

Should I feed them dinner too?

No, no, I should be done and back by 6:00, so...

Well, I'm already here.

I might as well fix them a proper meal.

I bet the kids are getting tired of rotisserie chicken

from the grocery store.

Oh, you know me too well, Marnie.

Thanks.

Actually, that lady friend that I told you about,

she was actually planning on coming by and cooking, so...

That's nice.

Maybe you can stay and you could meet her,

unless that would be weird.

Glenn, you know, I've told you a thousand times,

my Janey loved you.

She would want you to find somebody

to make you and the kids happy.

And, of course, you know I would want to meet her.

I love you like a son.

Now you get on out of here before it's too late.

Thank you.

See you, honey.

So that's what you think of the lady your daddy's seeing?

If I said out loud what I thought of her, Grandma,

Santa would surely skip bringing me presents this year.

Oh, that's really bad.

Hey, buddy.

Did you ask Malcolm if he wanted to ride bikes with you?

Elliot, I don't want to do anything

that makes you or your sister uncomfortable.

Okay, so if it's too early for all this stuff,

I'll just tell Dani that...

No, Dad, it's fine.

If you like her, I want you to be happy.