(gentle holiday orchestral music)

(lively holiday orchestral music)

(lively music) (horns honking)

- Yes, I'll hold.

(phone ringing)

I'm on hold, Beth.

- But-

(phone ringing)

- Not now!

- Mr. Ackerman?

- I'm on the phone.

- [Beth] I know.

Your mother has called 11 times this morning.

- 11?

- 11.

She said it's an emergency and she needs to speak with you.

- About?

- I don't know.

- Fine.

Pick up line one for me.

Reschedule that call whenever they finally pick up.

- Yes, sir.

- Oh.

(light upbeat music)

(phone ringing)

Mom, what's wrong?

- (sighs) Is that any way to greet your mother?

- Mom! Are you okay?

What's the emergency?

- The emergency is I haven't heard from my only son

in nearly a week.

- Yeah, sorry, Ma, it's just busy time of year.

- Never be too busy for family, Christian.

- I know. You're right.

(sighs) It's nice to hear your voice, Mom.

- That's more like it.

How are you, honey?

- Busy. Very busy.

We're going from Black Friday

right into our holiday campaign.

- That's not what I asked.

How are you?

(Chris sighing)

- I'm okay.

(sighs) I really miss Grandpa,

so I've just been throwing myself into my work.

Keep picking up the phone to call him.

- Yeah, me too, babe.

Which is why I'm calling.

- Really?

What's up?

- Well, the reading of Grandpa's will was today.

- Oh, yeah, he's splitting everything

between you, Aunt Jean, and Uncle Jack, right?

- Almost.

He left some surprises for the grandkids.

- Really?

- Emma got his pocket watch and some of Grandma's jewelry.

Jack, Jr. got his car.

Clint got the boat.

And he opened some small trust funds for the littler ones.

And you-

- It's okay, Mom, I don't need anything.

- You were his favorite, Chris.

- Yeah, I know I was.

- He left you the Lake House.

- In Maine?

- [Renee] Yes.

- Really?

- Really.

His lawyers are gonna get in touch with you.

- I can't believe this!

I love that house.

- (chuckles) Well, there is a stipulation.

- Stipulation?

- Yes.

In order for you to get the house,

you have to host Christmas like Grandpa used to do.

Chris, are you there?

- Yeah, I'm here.

Just surprised is all.

- Yeah, I know you're really busy, honey...

- Yeah, I'll find a way.

- Okay, are you sure?

- Absolutely.

Grandpa wanted it this way.

I will figure it out.

- Christmas is a month away.

- I know.

I'm on it.

- Okay, let me know if you need any help.

- I will.

- I love you.

- Love you too, Mom.

- Bye.

- Goodbye.

(Chris sighs)

(Chris chuckles)

(upbeat guitar music)

Hey, Beth.

- Yes, Mr. Ackerman?

- Is Larry around?

- Yes, Mr. Link just returned from lunch.

- Great.

Let him know I'm on my way up, please.

- Yes, sir. - Thanks.

(light knocking)

(light guitar music)

(loud knocking)

- Chris, come in!

- [Chris] Thanks.

- Have a seat.

Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?

- I did, thank you.

I watched the parade, I had some dinner.

You?

- Oh, it was great.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Being around the family it's good for us.

- Yeah, it was just me this year.

You know, we had my grandfather's funeral a few weeks ago

and I had a lot to catch up on.

- Well, you shoulda joined me and Loretta.

There is nothing like a Link family Thanksgiving

and you were the missing link.

(both chuckling)

- Thank you. I really appreciate that.

But, you know, I just had too much to do for Black Friday.

- And you did a great job too, Chris.

I'm going through the numbers right now

and our sales are up 17% from last year.

- That's all?

- That's all?

We set ourselves a goal of a 5% increase.

You knocked that one out of the park!

- Yeah.

Yeah, but I was hoping for 20.

- 20?

(laughing) You're a machine.

You need to take some time off.

- It's funny you should say that, uh...

- Oh.

You're not going to leave me for the holidays, are you?

- Not exactly.

My grandfather, he left me his house in Maine

and I have to host Christmas up there.

Do you mind if I work remotely until the new year?

I will start the new year fresh in my office.

- No, you don't have to come back

exactly on New Year's Day, Chris.

- Well, yeah, we'll see.

- Do whatever you need to do, Chris.

Just keep up the good work.

- Thank you. Thanks, Larry, I really appreciate it.

Merry Christmas.

- You too.

(gentle guitar music)

- Oh, Mr. Ackerman, (phone ringing)

I have a few messages for you.

Mr. Carter called-

- Don't worry about it, Beth.

Do me a favor, reschedule my phone calls

for today and tomorrow till Wednesday.

- Yes, sir.

- Oh and get me a list of the five best event planners

and decorators in Christmas Cove, Maine.

- Christmas Cove?

- Well, South Bristol, actually.

My house is in Christmas Cove.

- I'm sorry, Mr. Ackerman, you're confusing me.

You have a house in Maine?

- Apparently.

It's a long story.

Just get me that info, reschedule my appointments.

You can have the rest of the day off.

- Really?

- [Chris] Yes and come in around 11 tomorrow.

I'll be telecommuting until the new year.

- I, I don't know what to say. (laughing)

- Well, neither do I, Beth.

This is all a bit sudden for me.

(Beth chuckles)