Christmas Under Wraps

• Drink from Empty Coffee Cups
• Santa look-a-like that might really be Santa
• Poinsettias
• Elf Sighting
• Gingerbread House Sighting
• Decorate Christmas Tree
• Star on Top of Christmas tree
• No Exes Involved

Director

• Peter Sullivan

Producers

• Barry Barnholtz
• Candace Cameron Bure
• Bart Fisher

Cast

• Candace Cameron Bure
• Joyce Cohen
• Darren Ewing
• Bryce Fernelius
• James Gaisford
• Jacque Gray
• James Jamison
• Julie-Anne Liechty
• Brian Doyle-Murray
• Kendra Mylnechuk
• David O'Donnell
• Page Petrucka
• Robert Pine

NURSES"Hey, Lauren, where are you going?" Oh, I applied to Charlestown Memorial in Boston. "The general surgery fellowship? That's the best in the country." My father was a fellow there. I knew before I even applied to med school that I'd follow in his footsteps. "What if you don't get in?" Well, that's just not part of the plan. Luckily, my Dad has a friend at Charlestown, and he's keeping an eye on the application process. He said I'm a shoo-in.

NURSES"What's Scott going to do when you go all the way to Boston?" Well... "No way! Do you think he's going to propose?" I think so! We've talked about what I see for my future, and, I see him. Plus, there's lots of law firms in Boston where he could work. Everything's coming together.

LAUREN"And Dr. Johnson let me do the entire procedure! It was amazing. "Amazing, right." Scott, is everything OK? "Well, it's just I've been thinking a lot lately about you and me and your career..." Yes. "And about the last eight months." Which I've been so great. "And I was thinking that we should..." I think we should get married too!

SCOTT"You thought I was proposing?" I mean, if we're going to be together in Boston, shouldn't we be fully committed? "Actually, and I'm sorry, Lauren, but I think we should break up." But we discussed our future. "No, you discussed the future. You planned our future Lauren, you. You plan everything." I don't plan everything. "Come on." Okay. I have goals. "And that's my favorite thing about you. You're dedicated, your reliable, you're so good at what you do. But I feel you're checking off a to-do list. That's not what love is Lauren. Love is inconvenient. It's all encompassing. I want to feel that with someone... and I want you to have it too."

LAUREN'S MOM"Lauren? Hi honey. I wasn't expecting you tonight. Can I warm you up something to eat?" No, I just came from dinner with Scott. "Is something wrong?" LAREN'S DAD: "Is that Lauren? Ah Lauren, it's good you're here. Um, I was just about to call you. I talked to Richard at Charlestown Memorial." Yeah? "And, uh, you were edged out at the last minute by another candidate. "What? No! I did everything that I could. My resume was impeccable! "I know. This other fellow did Doctors Without Borders and the committee like that out of the box thinking. Honey, I have friends and colleagues at every major hospital in the country. I'll make some calls and we'll find you a fellowship that's worthy of your talents."

LAUREN'S MOM"Your Dad is right. Surely there are other fellowships. You don't have to do exactly what your father did." Uh, I'm gonna go. I can't have this conversation after the night I just had... LAREN'S DAD: "What's so wrong about our daughter following in her old man's footsteps? I'm proud of her. LAUREN'S MOM: So am I. But I want her to live her life Henry, not yours.

LAUREN'S MOM"Lauren..." Mom, I just need to be alone. "I know, but I want to make sure you're okay." OK? Yeah, I'm great! Everything I've worked for my entire life is gone. "Maybe missing out on this fellowship will open you up to some new interesting possibilities. Perhaps you've planned things in your life a little too much." That's what Scott said to me right before he broke up with me. "Oh, Lauren." I just wish that you and Scott could understand how important all this is to me like Dad does. "Sweetie believe me, I understand. But there are other things in life and how will you ever discover them if you're unwilling to look outside your original plan? Remember what Grandma always used to tell me? 'You can listen to your mind, but you have to follow your heart.'" thanks Mom.

LAUREN'S DAD"Your mother is worried about you, you know." Why is it that she was able to be so supportive of your career for all these years, but when it comes to me, she just doesn't get it? "You're her baby girl." But I'm not a baby. I am a grown woman and a Doctor and I have a career to get on with. What am I going to do Dad? "I'm not ready to accept that the door is closed at Charlestown. I know too many people over there. Meanwhile, I started to make calls to other programs." Thanks, I appreciate it, but I just can't sit around and wait. "Where are you going?" There's gotta be another option.

LAURENSo as you can see there, I was at the top of my class. "And Golden Gate is an exemplary residency program. I'm surprised you weren't offered more than one fellowship?" Well, I only applied to one. So what can I do now? "Well I won't sugarcoat it. Deadlines have passed. Candidates with less impressive credentials than yours have filled slots. You would have easily gotten if you would've applied a few months ago. There's nothing left. What you're gonna have to do is get a job to bide your time until you can apply for next year's fellowships... that's strange. There is one open fellowship slot after all. It appears to have just become available." Garland, Alaska? "It's adjacent to Anchorage. You'd be running the whole program so it'd be a great opportunity to shine." But this is in general medicine, not general surgery "There's always a need for family doctors. You'd never be out of work. I know, small town, Alaska isn't what you had in mind. Most people can't imagine a life in a less traditional out of the box environment." Wait. A small town hospital in Alaska would be an out of the box experience. "Yes, I think it would." Then I'd like to apply.

BILLIE"Hello. "Dr. Lauren Brunell?" Yes? "Hi, good morning. I'm Billie, the Hospital Administrator at Garland General in Alaska." Oh wow, that was fast. "We received your very impressive application and couldn't let another moment pass without offering you the position." Wow, that's very flattering. "And since you're coming from out of state, it would be our pleasure to arrange for and pay for your travel and accommodations here in town. What do you say? We could use a Doctor with your talents here." Garland's a unique place isn't it? "It absolutely is." Well, then, yes, I accept. "Wonderful Dr. Brunelle! Okay, let me get some of your information.

LAUREN'S DAD"I'll have you out of Alaska in a matter of weeks." Well, if you think a couple of weeks in an out of the box environment is enough to bulk up my resume than great. "Your resume is perfect just the way it is." LAUREN'S MOM: "Lauren try to have an open mind about this. For the first time in a long time, you are trying something new and unexpected. That is exciting. Oh! And we have to take you shopping for winter clothes." Mom I leave in less than a week. I have way too much to do. I'll just, I'll get everything I need when I get there. LAUREN'S DAD: "Don't buy too much because you'll be back here very soon." LAUREN'S MOM: "Henry, try to support her in this. I think it's good for her. It's good for both of you." Okay, Mom! Alaska's awesome! LAUREN'S DAD: "Yeah, Alaska is the best 49th state we have." LAUREN'S MOM: "You two are impossible!"

ANDY"Welcome to Alaska. I'm Andy. I'm your ride to Garland. Uh, can I take these?" Yes. How far is the car? "300 miles due north." From here? "Yep. I guess Garland isn't as adjacent to Anchorage as you thought huh?" That's because adjacent means a train or car ride away OK? I mean, this is not what I signed up for! "Well, that's Garland for you." What's that supposed to mean? "Just that when you grow up here, you learned that making plans is a waste of time." That's amazing. You've dismissed my entire life philosophy five minutes after meeting me. "Well that certainly wasn't my intention. Shall we get ourselves a little more adjacent to Garland? Just think of the plane like a bus or a train car. Your commuting." Except if I change my mind at home, I can just get off at the next stop. "Well I wouldn't recommend getting out now but no one's stopping you... and here we are!" That came out of nowhere.

ANDY"That's Hattie's Diner. Best restaurant in town. Uh, that's the Garland General Store, where you can get anything from toothpaste to canned goods and clothing." It's very... quaint. "I like to think of it as cozy. We have enough of what we need. We don't worry about anything beyond that." What is that? It's not small. "That is Holiday Shipping. Provides a lot of jobs in town." Look at it all. I would've loved those decorations as a kid. "Only as a kid? I always thought Christmas was supposed to bring out the kid in all of us, even when we're adults. "Well I guess the kid in me has been too busy being an adult to get overly excited about Christmas. But you guys take it very seriously. Very festive. "That's Garland for you." Of course it is.

ANDY"And here we are." So this is where I'm staying? "This is it. It's cozy, convenient, and in walking distance of everything. Welcome to Garland, Dr. Brunelle. See ya.

HATTIE'S DINER"Good morning! How may I help you?" Hi, can I have a large, non-fat, sugar-free, vanilla latte? I'm not gonna get that here am I? "We have plenty of coffee." Okay, then I'll have a large to go with nonfat milk... and do you have any natural, non-sugar sweeteners? "Well, we have one size, cream, good old, white sugar, and I could probably rustle up some whole milk and honey in the back." Oh no. That's fine. Thank you.

SANTA LOOK A LIKE FRANK"Don't be afraid of a little cream and sugar. It'll fatten you up, keep you warm up here." Oh, thanks. You know, has anyone ever told you that you look just like Santa Claus? "Well, thank you! I guess that's why they elect me to head up the Christmas Eve Festival every year. Frank Holliday, president and CEO of Holiday Shipping." Holiday. Of course. I'm Dr. Lauren Brunell. "Welcome Doctor. We're thrilled you've come to help us out. How do you like Garland so far?" ANDY: "She wasn't thrilled with the trip into town. I can tell you that much." FRANK: "Son, be polite." You're his father? "Andy is a fourth generation Garlander. There's a monument to my Great Grandfather in Garland Square. He was one of the original town founders.

ANDY"So how was the first day?" Ugh, I mean, I felt good about what I did, but there's just too many patients, not enough hands, not enough time. You know I'm supposed to work at a big hospital not a little clinic like this. "Well it sounds like you did a lot of good today. I mean, Mrs. Alvarez had that cough for a month, and Clay would've ignored that foot until he went crippled if you hadn't helped." Wow word really travels fast through this place. "Yeah well, small town, new doctor. If it makes you feel any better, everybody's really glad you're here Doc."

ANDY"I'm sorry you had to listen to me and my Dad argue." Yeah, what was that all about? "The family business. He's always wanted me to take it over and I just wanted to do something for myself for once you know? And now that I'm back, I'm not completely sure." Funny I think I was 10 when I decided I was gonna be a doctor just like my Dad. "I wish I could've given that to my Dad. It's all he ever wanted." And don't feel bad about being your own person. Frank should be happy you're pursuing your dreams. Then again I don't think my Mom understands what I want either. "Wait, your Mom is not happy that you're a doctor? But you save lives." No, she's happy. It's just, I think she just wants me to stop and smell the roses more. She thinks I plan my life instead of living it. "Well you'll get plenty of time to smell the roses here."

PATIENT"Excuse me. Are you the doctor?" ANDY: "Oh, Nate! That's a good one. How'd you do that?" "Just a little accident at work." Yeah, let me take a look at that. Can you tell me how this happened? "Uh, I hit my hand with a, a hammer?" A hammer? This is a hammer? "Well, Kinda. It's a toy making tool." A toy making tool? You make toys at a shipping company? "I guess you could say we really embrace the whole Christmas spirit?" Clearly. Okay, let's get you inside.

BILLIE"I have a date tonight." A date? Could it possibly be Wyatt? Did he finally ask you out? "Actually, I asked him out." Wow, bold move. "Well I decided to take your advice." What advice? "You know about listening to your mind, but following your heart?" Oh, right, of course!

LAURENThis is Rudy? This is Rudy, a reindeer? You expect me to help an injured reindeer? FRANK: "He sprained his ankle." How would you know a wild animal sprained its ankle? ANDY: "Well, he's not exactly a wild animal, exactly." He's not? What, is Frank running a reindeer farm in addition to a shipping company? "Rudy is a town mascot of sorts. Everyone in town is really attached to him. But don't let the whole reindeer thing fool you. I bet you didn't know that reindeer is just another word for caribou." Oh, well, in that case, no problem. I mean, I might not have studied reindeer, but my caribou rotation was right in between surgery and emergency medicine. FRANK: "Dr. Brunell..." I know you keep things very simple in Garland, one handyman, one doctor, but medical school and veterinary school are too very different things... and I've already been kept very busy with all the humans. I can't add a menagerie to my patient load. FRANK: "Dr. Brunell, you are our only hope."

LAURENANDY: You're really good with animals." It was never on the radar. The only pets I ever had were goldfish and they never lived more than a couple months. But I guess when it comes down to it a patient is a patient. Okay. So Frank, can Rudy rest here so he stays off his feet? I'm going to do some research to make sure that we handled this properly but I think Rudy will be okay. FRANK: "Will this heal by the 24th doctor?" You're asking me if Rudy the Reindeer is gonna heal by Christmas Eve? "Well of course, for the Christmas Eve Festival." WYATT: "Right, because Rudy's in the festival." FRANK: "That's how he got hurt actually, we were practicing, uh, for the festival."

LAURENLet's talk about the reindeer. "Caribou." Either way. Most people don't keep them as pets. "Oh no, no, no he's not our pet." Or mascots. I mean, seriously, we're talking about Rudy the reindeer who has to be healed by December 24th, as requested by the guy who looks like Santa, who either has elves running around his barn or, you know, I'm just slowly going mad. I mean, come on. You didn't think I was gonna have questions about this? "We answered all your questions. The Christmas Eve festival is a really big deal around here." Oh, come on! Is this place for real? "That's Garland for you." Oh, would you stop saying that? "Oh, quit being such a grump! So Garland's a little unconventional. Is that such a bad thing? I saw you out there. You were enjoying yourself. "Yes, it is definitely a unique experience here, one that I would never have in San Francisco or Boston. "And so what if we don't have fancy restaurants or shopping malls or public transportation or coffee chains with ridiculously sounding drinks." Wow, you really know how to talk up Garland. "But we do have something right?" Yes, I agree with that. "Do you know what else we have? Midnight picnics." Hmm, midnight picnics in Alaska. Sounds cold. "True, but, um, you trust me, right, Doc?" Yes, I trust you. "Good. I'll pick you up at 10."

LAURENHi, is anything wrong? "Oh, quite the opposite actually. After the morning that you had, I thought you deserved to have your coffee delivered right to your door with nonfat milk. But first this is a little thank you from me to you. It's one of those pashmina scarves that you like so much, but I made this one out of wool." Wow! Really, Hattie? "Well, in Alaska, if a scarf is not made of wool, it's probably not a scarf you should be wearing." I absolutely love it. Thank you Hattie. "It's the least I could do. Better get back to work. Bye!"

LAURENRoses! "I know that this isn't an original idea. I mean pretty much everyone in town gave you flowers today for fixing Rudy." They kind of did. "But, I checked with Wyatt and he said that no one gave you a dozen roses... and since we were talking about, smelling the roses more..." Thank you! They're beautiful.

LAURENYou weren't kidding! It's amazing out there. Look at all the stars. "I'm glad you like it, but unfortunately, this isn't our picnic spot." We're flying?

LAUREN"Do you see the big dipper?" See it? I feel like we're in it! "There's no place quite like Garland." But you liked Seattle. "I did. It was a big change, it was interesting and challenging and I loved architecture school, and I worked for a couple of years at a big firm too." So why did you leave? "Seattle was fun, but Garland is my home, and in my heart, I always knew I belonged here... and you know how Frank feels about it!" But don't you miss being an architect? "Sometimes, but I gotta tell you I love being the town handyman. The work is always changing, I get to see lots of different people, and I get to really enjoy the moment. Must be something about Garland because you seem to really be enjoying the moment yourself." I am actually.

LAURENHey Andy, when are we going to get there? Are you going to tell me where we are going? "We're here!" Oh! Wow! "It's the Northern Lights." Wow! They are beautiful! "Are you OK?" Yeah. Better than I've been in a while. I'm just really, really appreciating the moment I'm in.

ANDYI think Lauren can handle it Dad. "That's not the point Son." Fine. The point is that I really want to share this with her. I'm really starting to care about this woman Dad. She's really special. "Of course she's special but that doesn't mean she's the right person for you Andrew." Come on Dad. "Think this through Son. What if she doesn't take the news well, or she decides to leave? You said yourself she's planning to get back to the city. She doesn't like it here!" But she does! "Well then what happens? I'll tell you what. You'll leave with her. You just got back from Seattle as it is." You know I'm really sorry it scared you when I left Garland to try something new. But I don't regret it. I'm glad I did it. But if I'm going to choose Garland, I'm gonna need a reason besides my family and just this town. "I understand that Son, but I think you're being rash." See, I think I'm being happy. I don't want to argue with you anymore Dad. I'm gonna go.

ANDY"Lauren?" Andy. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I just came to examine your Dad. A house call., or, office call. "Oh, sorry he's uh, he's in a mood. I'm glad to see you though." Yeah Andy I... "You know what I was thinking we should do? We should go get your Christmas tree together." Like a real Christmas tree? "Yes." I've never had a Christmas tree that didn't fit on a table top. "That is unacceptable. You're fired. Okay good, so tomorrow then." Okay. "OK cool. Thanks for checking on the big guy." Oh yeah, my pleasure.

LAURENWell, Frank, I think you have stress related symptoms. "Stress? What kind of a medical diagnosis is that?" A diagnosis based on the fact that you're frequently tired, have an appallingly bad diet, high blood pressure, and you're easily agitated and moody. This may seem trivial to you Frank, but if not dealt with it could lead to heart disease, diabetes, migraines, and... "Goodness, there's more than all that? I've heard enough. Okay, okay. I'll try to slow down, but it's just that this is my busiest season! I can't take a break." Well can Andy help maybe? Oh, I get it. Well, I'm just gonna put you on some supplements for now. They should help you relax and sleep better... and you must start eating well. No more cookies! "GRRRR!"

ANDYSo Andy, will you shoot straight with me about what really goes on at Holiday Shipping? "Uh, well I could see how you'd be curious about that. Dad's pretty private about what he does in the town... and if you still plan to leave, do you still plan to leave? "I don't know Andy. "I know. I get it. I get it. I do." You know, I love that tree topper. You just don't see them with so many colors like that. "Yeah it's meant to remind you of the Northern Lights. Something special from Alaska." Well, I think you're pretty special and from Alaska. "I'm glad that you think so. I wanted you to have something you really loved and I wanted it to bring out that kid in you who is always too busy to celebrate Christmas." Well thank you. Well, whatever happens this is the best Christmas I've ever had... and it's definitely the most Christmas I've had in a long time. Just with work, I just don't take the time to enjoy everything else. Like, the best things in life. "Good night Doc." Good night Andy.

LAURENDad, you'll never guess what I did today. "I know what you're doing tomorrow. You're getting on a plane to Boston. "What? "The Doctor who beat you out of that fellowship? He backed out, and now you're their first choice." But I'd have to go tomorrow? I don't know if I can do that that. "Sweetie, there are dozens of people behind you on the wait list. You have 24 hours or they're going to go to the next candidate.

ANDY"Hey good morning." Morning, can we talk? "So I guess this is gonna be the shortest relationship ever." Andy. "Lauren I thought we had fun. Last night was..." Amazing. It was absolutely amazing. But after you left, I got some news. That fellowship in Boston? It's mine. If I want it. "Do you want it?" It's been my plan for half my life. It's everything I've worked for. "You didn't answer my question. Andy, I can't abandon years of hard work and preparation just for... "Just for me? You know deep down I always knew Garland wasn't going to be good enough for you. One Doctor, one handyman." Andy, please understand. "I do. I really do. I'm glad everything is working out for you Doc. Just like you planned.

FRANK"You're watching me sleep? I'm not that bad off Son." I know Dad. Thankfully, but let's keep it that way. Okay? "Deal." Listen, I know I complain that you work too much. That's because you don't have a lot of help. So I'd like to, I'd like to take more responsibility with the business. I mean, if you're so dead set on me staying in Garland, you might as well give me a reason to be here, right?" It's a fair point. But are you sure you really want to be here? If Lauren leaves, I, I just want you to be happy." Thanks, Dad! But I wish it were that easy. Sometimes what you want and who you want are not the same thing. Don't worry about me and Lauren and Dad. Just take care of yourself for once. Okay? "Fine... and how about you? You gonna take care of me?" Absolutely. What do you need? "A couple of Hattie's famous Christmas cookies!" I don't know Dad. I don't think those are on your approved diet but I could probably rustle up some carrot sticks or an apple. "Ohhh!"

LAUREN'S PARENTS"Hi honey, how's Boston?" Well, I wouldn't know. I'm still in Garland. "Oh? Well, what happened?" Somebody in town needed my help. "Well did you call Richard? I'm sure Charlestown would understand given the circumstances." I will call Dr. Lehman... to tell him that I'm turning down the fellowship. "Well, why on earth would you do that?" Because, going to Boston will make me successful, but I think staying in Garland will make me happy. MOM: "I think that's wonderful news. DAD: "I don't understand." Dad I'm sorry to disappoint you. I know that we both would've been Charlestown Memorial fellows. "I don't care about that, sweetheart. But you've worked so hard and for so long to suddenly give up your dream. Are you sure you want this?" Yeah, I'm sure, and just because I'm not going to be a surgeon doesn't mean I'm giving up my dream of being a doctor. I work harder in Garland than I ever have. "Well I'm happy to hear that." I finally understand what Mom was telling me before I came out to Alaska. "Oh, what's that?" That I've always listened to my mind, and this time I'm following my heart... "Kiddo, you live wherever you want, but you better come home to visit." I promise! And you guys better come out to Garland. Maybe in the spring? "That sounds good! Yeah, we'll be there." I gotta go, but I'll talk to you guys soon. Merry Christmas! I love you. "We love you too, sweetie! Merry Christmas!

LAURENHi Frank. How are you feeling after a good nights rest and some healthy food? "I feel better!" Oh, well I'm so sorry about that. "I know you're right about all this Doctor I really do. But this is my busy..." Busy time? "I know I've said it all before but tonight is my busiest time." Christmas Eve? "Yes!" Hmm, that's funny. Most people have tonight off... and the thing is there's only one other guy I know who works that hard on this particular night. "Oh?" Yeah. It's too bad Frank that you can't have the night off with your condition at all. "I promise if you let me go home I will rest tomorrow... and the next day. Days! Weeks! And I'll get some extra help at work... and I'll eat oatmeal for breakfast every day without brown sugar or maple syrup or anything!" Okay. Okay, I'll discharge you. Consider it my gift. Merry Christmas. "Thanks Doc!" Don't thank me too much... and don't eat too many cookies OK?

LAURENHey do you happen to know where Andy is? "He's setting up the stages and the booths for the festival. You shouldn't miss it!

LAURENMust be exhausting being the only handyman in town. "I'd say it's almost as demanding as being the only doctor in town. I didn't expect to see you here." Well, you know I had to come see what everyone was talking about, and I wanted to ask you if you would be my date for New Year's Eve. "Really?" Yeah... and Valentine's Day. "But I thought you were going to Boston." Everything I need is right here in Garland. What was it that you said? We have everything we need here and we don't worry about anything beyond that... "Yeah. I used to believe that was true." You don't anymore? "No. Garland doesn't have everything I need when you're not here.

FRANK"Ho, ho, ho!" LAUREN: Now I see why you needed to work tonight Frank! "Have a seat for a moment try out the sleigh." Okay! Hey Rudy, glad to see you on your feet! "I don't mean to rush you, but I've got a job to do!" Of course! "Come on Rudy! Let's get this show underway!

ANDY"Lauren, you know how bad I want you to stay but I feel like you should know the full story about Garland first." Oh? "My Dad's mysterious shipping business, the employees sneaking around, the sleigh, Rudy..." That's Garland for you.

FRANKHo, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!

LOOK-A-LIKE:Main guy looks like McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy

• [https://www.eatlife.net/vips/david-odonnell.php]

TRIVIA:

Shoo-in

An easy win. It's spelled shoo-in like Shooing flies away. Not Shoe-in. It started out as a horse racing term where the jockeys would cheat by holding back and shooing in a slower horse across the finish line. A horse that was guaranteed to win a fixed race was known as a shoo-in.