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♪
♪ You know the way to my heart ♪
♪ see the lights to the dark ♪
♪ I'ma put on my favorite sweater. ♪
♪ We will sing a song in the snow ♪
♪ Be the star of the show ♪
♪ warm me up in the winter weather ♪
♪ ' cause you know it's that time of year ♪
♪ And we both got to be together ♪
♪ underneath the mistletoe ♪
♪ It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, ♪
♪ Santa's coming the very best part of the year ♪
♪ It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, ♪
♪ Santa's coming the very best part of the year. ♪
♪ It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, ♪
♪
[barking]
Hey, hon.
Did you know the Mannings' house was for sale?
Oh, those look good.
No.
Those are for the Warrens' Christmas party tomorrow.
They're moving to Flagstaff to be closer to their grandkids.
The Warrens?
The Mannings.
Oh.
Why are the Warrens having a Christmas party already?
It's only December 2nd.
Your mom has holiday events lined up every day
between now and Christmas games.
Nice, mom.
Your father is an integral part
of our new event planning business.
Don't kid yourself, I'm just the retired help.
Oh, no, no. I'm very thankful.
Parental kissing alert.
Hey, hey, hey.
I can't believe the Mannings moved before Christmas.
Actually, it's a great time to get good deals on properties.
Huh.
I think Dad might be hinting
it's time for his two adult daughters to finally move out.
Both my daughters can stay forever as far as I'm concerned.
Careful, Sydney might take you up on it.
Says the sister who moved back in two years ago.
Temporarily.
Two years.
[clears throat]
Are you staying for dinner?
I'm making lasagna.
I'm in.
Me too.
After I go through the Casillas files.
I can't believe Luis is selling the bakery.
Yeah, his heart just isn't in it anymore.
Not after Julie passed.
It was your first real job when you turned 16.
I remember.
You used to pick me up every night
so I didn't have to walk home in the dark.
I also wanted Luis' nephew to know I was watching him.
Ha.
Alex Casillas was not interested in me like that.
He was too busy dating every other girl at school.
[laughs]
Don't kid a kidder.
I always knew he had a crush on you.
And you had one on him.
Yeah. Well, that never went anywhere.
♪
-Hey, Clara. -Oh, hi, Alex.
Hey, have you seen Walter?
He asked me to bring in this assessment
on Salo & Ojala first thing.
It's a law firm in Finland we're thinking about acquiring.
Walter's on his way to Aspen.
Ok, but he said it was urgent.
You know how the partners are, everything's urgent.
Just send it in an email, he'll get to it eventually.
Are you ok?
It's just... I was supposed to have dinner last night
with the woman I've been dating
and when Walter said he needed it right away...
-You cancelled. -Yeah.
I'm sorry, Alex.
I think Kim is mad at me because she never resp...
What is it?
The text never went through.
-Uh-oh. -Yeah.
Ok, thanks, Clara.
The tree looks great.
♪
I knew you were coming over.
A red briefcase.
Does this mean I get to make a wish?
Because, as the legend goes, a Casillas gingerbread cookie
is made specially for you...
Your wish comes true.
See?
Even Gabe knows, he's only been working here a month.
No, I've never seen it happen.
Wishes don't happen anymore,
and they haven't for a long time.
Which is part of why you're here today.
I'm always here.
I mean, why pay rent for an office
if you're gonna move eventually?
Besides, it's my favorite place in town.
Maya, we need to talk.
It's a big step, Luis.
I know.
But the magic is gone from the gingerbread,
from this place, from me.
It's not special anymore. And I see Julie everywhere.
Ok, I understand.
I can call my friend Latrice.
Maya, I want you to help me.
I'm a freelance contracts attorney, Luis.
Not a real estate agent.
You are somebody that I know and trust,
and that is the most important thing for me.
What about Alex? He's an attorney, too.
He's busy.
And he's in New York, and you're here and you can guide me.
Are you sure? About everything?
The Casillas Panadería has been a staple in the neighborhood
and in your family for decades.
I know.
But Alex is following his own dream
and there's nobody else to give it to.
Look, all I want is that whoever owns it next
loves it as much as I did.
I promise to find the perfect buyer for that.
Gracias, Maya.
I'm still gonna make a wish, though.
Do we get to know what it is?
Well, given how my last two years have gone,
I'll try... lead me where I'm supposed to be.
Mmm.
♪
[knocking]
Kim, hey. Listen, I'm so sorry.
I had to stay late and finish an assignment for Walter
and then I didn't realize that the text didn't come through
until this morning-
What's this?
It's your pre-birthday meal. It's a little cold.
Kim.
You cancelled last second again for work.
Wait, I can- I can make-
Hey. I've waited. Three months.
I thought we were compatible but we're not.
You can probably heat that up. Happy birthday.
Thank you.
A bakery?
Maya: The Casillas Panadería and Cafe, right off the square in Xavier.
Latrice: Oh, right. I remember seeing that.
I always meant to go in.
It's amazing.
Well, tell me some things that are amazing about it,
that'll help attract buyers to the listing.
Well, it's been around since the mid '50's
when Luis Casillas immigrated with his parents from Mexico.
Oh, and they make the most amazing gingerbread cookies.
The way Luis tells it, his parents took their recipe
for the marranitos and then they shaped them
into the more traditional American Christmas cookie.
They're a staple in town. I'll send you some.
I accept.
Oh, and then there are the wishes.
The wishes?
Yes. If a Casillas makes you a gingerbread cookie
specifically for you, you can make a wish on it.
Latrice: That sounds like a very specific bit of Christmas magic,
and I'm totally putting it in the write-up.
Great. We'll speak soon.
Latrice: Bye.
♪
-Hey, Brooke. -Hey.
Someone's hungry.
Ha.
I'm writing an article for the Xavier Daily Gazette
about the Panadería for Christmas
and Luis gave me samples so I'll say nice things.
Nice perk of the job.
Right?
Just ask him out already.
No way.
If he says no I'll never be able to face him.
Which would be unfortunate, since he's the only veterinarian
who's ever been able to handle Colonel Ginger Fluff.
[laughs]
-Oh, hi Ian. -Hey, Maya.
-Hi Dr. Lewis. -Miss Sherman.
Oh, please, you see me once a week with the Colonel.
It's Brooke.
Hey, Brooke. Are you staying for lunch?
Oh, I'm leaving.
Ah.
-Have a good day. -You too.
-Bye. -See ya.
Oh, I should have gone back in.
Ugh.
Well, I'm at least seeing you and Sydney on Saturday, right?
Yes, I'm looking forward to a girl's night.
Yeah.
Oh, hey, did you hear back from the Denver firm?
No, not yet.
Second interview should go out any day
so a glass of wine one way or the other couldn't hurt.
Exactly.
I'll see you Saturday.
Bye.
♪
[festive Mexican Christmas music plays] ♪
[message alert]
Voicemail: Hello. You have reached Panadería Casillas.
Please leave a message.
[beep]
Hey, Tío. It's Alex.
I tried you on your cell but no answer.
Give me a call when you get a chance.
Your ears must be burning.
I'm sorry?
I was just talking about my time working at the bakery
and of course your name came up.
Maya. Tío Luis told me you moved back.
How've you been?
Good. Good, yeah.
I've taken up residence in your uncle's bakery,
turned it into my own law office since I moved back from L.A.
It's your birthday soon, right?
Yeah, today actually. Good memory.
I think that's why my Tío was giving me a call earlier.
Right. Um, happy birthday.
And why you're calling back, I'm holding and monopolizing it.
I will get him for you.
Maya: Luis? Alex is on the phone.
Coming.
-Hey, Maya. -Yeah?
I wanted to say, it's nice to hear your voice again.
Yours, too.
Gracias, Maya.
Alejandro!
Feliz cumpleaños!
Hey, Tío. Gracias. Como vas?
I got your message.
Luis: I tried the color magenta on the living room wall.
Magenta?
Luis: That's what Becca at the paint store recommended.
If you ask me, it's like some kind of pink.
Well, I guess I'm just gonna have to see it in person
and be the tie-breaker.
[laughs]
Soon, I hope. It's been too long.
Alex: Yeah. Yeah, I know, Tío.
What's Maya Owens doing answering your phone?
Did you get her to come back and work for you again?
Uh, yes. In a way.
Really? I- I was just joking.
Isn't she still an attorney?
She is, that's how I hired her.
Is everything ok?
Uh, Maya is um, helping me.
Helping me sell the Panadería.
Sell?
Sell. It's time.
[message alert]
Where's Sydney? We have to go.
Oh, your sister is-
Right here.
Come on, slow poke.
We have a Christmas tree to buy
before all the good ones are gone.
You walked in three seconds ago.
It's the first Saturday of December.
It's like the Black Friday of Christmas trees.
Besides, I need to get back and study for my interview
before we go out with Brooke tonight.
Did I hear you say "interview"?
I did.
I don't understand why you're trying to join a law firm again.
You didn't like the one you worked at in Los Angeles.
And let's not even start on the one your ex-husband was in.
And you already have
all the freelance legal work you can handle.
Hmm, let me see. Steady pay?
I won't have to scramble for each case.
And I can wear my full fancy suits again,
not just the top half for business calls.
Besides, I'm older now,
I can be more discerning where I choose to join.
But Denver's an hour's drive away.
Which is why I would move to Denver,
and out of my parent's garage apartment
like the adult I once was and hope to be.
Please, let's go.
Hey, come on. Let's go.
Gabe, you're in charge.
Ok.
You think you can hold down the fort?
Oh yeah, no, I got it, Mr. Casillas.
Good. I'm off to the delivery and to get my tree.
I hope they still have my favorite-
Blue Spruce?
Alejandro! Que sorpresa!
Como estas, Tío?
What're you doing here?
I gotta see the magenta.
[laughs]
Come in, come in.
I'll tell you all about the magenta.
Oh, hey, are you available to shoot some photos
for me next week?
I'll pay.
Ooh, those last two words are two of my favorite words.
What am I shooting?
The Casillas Panadería.
I need some professional shots for the listing.
Cool.
-Well, I'm free Monday. -Perfect.
-This one's nice. -Yeah.
Hey, Dash. Dash, this way.
This is the last Christmas
the Panadería is going to be in the family and I wanted to be there for it.
And see you.
I'm so glad.
And I get you all through Christmas?
You do.
What about work? Everything ok there?
Uh, yeah, yeah.
They gave me permission to work remotely
to the rest of the year.
Which means I get to help mi Tío favorito
find the perfect blue spruce.
How about this one?
Do you think it's tall enough?
-That one's pretty good. -Oh, yeah.
This spruce looks pretty healthy.
Yeah, yeah. That one- that one's good.
You like it?
Yeah, yeah. Let's get that one.
Yeah. I'll get this one.
Perfect. What do you think?
I like it.
Oh, mom asked me to take a picture of the tree.
[barking]
Dasher!
I'll get Dash. Stay with the tree.
Dasher!
Dash!
Oh!
I'm so sorry.
Alex?
Maya.
Are- are you ok?
Yeah, yeah, I'm...
Yeah, yeah. I'm fine.
And you're here.
Yeah, I just- I just got in a few hours ago.
Uh, so was- was that your dog?
My parents', actually.
Sydney and I borrow Dash when we need a dog fix.
So Luis tells me you're helping him sell the Panadería?
I am.
Although we are currently in the "organize the office" stage.
Oh, yikes.
Yeah, good luck with that.
Yeah, no kidding.
So you're a real estate attorney?
Nope, contracts.
Oh.
Oh, what?
No, nothing. I just... I just assumed that you had
experience selling property, that's why he asked you.
Contracts are an important part of real estate.
Besides, the bakery is a straightforward sale.
Luis could do it solo if he wanted.
Oh, but I don't want to.
I want somebody with an eye for detail
that I can trust to help me.
Why didn't you just ask me? I'm an acquisitions attorney.
Who lives in another state.
Yeah, but I'm home now.
As of five minutes ago. And you said you'd be working.
It's nothing I can't handle.
-Wait, what are you asking? -I'm not saying anything.
-What are you implying? -I'm not implying.
Hinting?
I was hinting, yes.
What are you hinting at?
Uh-huh.
Ok, it's just a thought, just go with me on this for a sec-
Oh, no. No, no.
What? I haven't said anything yet.
I know that look.
What are you proposing?
What I'm proposing is that, since I'm home
and I have the free time and I'm family,
that I help find the buyer.
Can you give us a second?
Selling the bakery is barely a two-person job, let alone three.
And I already have Latrice Jolley as a real estate agent.
Ok, just think of me as a Casillas consultant.
My firm has lots of experience buying and selling other firms
so I do have some insight on how these things go.
Hmm. So you want me to do the work
and you wanna come in and give your opinion?
Come on, it'll be like old times.
Most of the time you won't even know I'm there, you'll see.
[barks]
See?
Magenta.
It's not gonna happen.
It's fun to see you and Maya together again.
When you two worked at the Panadería
you used to make your Aunt Julie laugh so much.
Except for that flour fight me and Maya got into that one time.
You know, when we took you in,
after your parents' accident, Julie used to say to me
"Luis, it's a good thing that we didn't have children of our own
"because that Alejandro, he takes all of my spare energy".
And that was before you became a teenager.
[message alert]
Ah.
Vanessa Owens sending us a sponsorship package on Monday
for the Christmas games.
You're gonna sponsor again this year?
Yes. Final one.
And last year I volunteered
the Panadería to host Las Posadas this Christmas.
That's gonna be a lot of work, Tío.
You gonna ask somebody to help out?
Don't worry about it.
The Panadería's not gonna sell before Christmas
and hosting Las Posadas is an honor.
Are you sure you wanna sell?
Yes.
I've thought about this for quite some time.
I promise.
By the way, can you fill in for me on Monday morning?
[laughs]
Ok, I see how it is. You just want free labor.
Only because you're so good at it.
You've been following me around and baking
since you were like this high.
And your mom and dad used to ask Julie and I to babysit you.
I still cook whenever I'm stressed.
My colleagues always put in requests
whenever I get a big case.
Alejandro, don't let them see you as a cook.
They may not take you serious.
And you're as good and as important a lawyer
as any one of them.
I know, Tío. I know.
Look, your Aunt Julie and I, we didn't work so hard
to put you through law school so that anybody would see you
as anything but their equal.
Yeah, sé, Tío.
I can't tell you how grateful I am for that.
Sydney: Alex Casillas?
When's the last time you two spoke?
The day he left for college and you spilled the beans
about Jean-Pierre.
Who are Alex and Jean-Pierre,
and what high school beans were spilled?
In my defense, I didn't know that Jean-Pierre
was being used as a pretend overseas boyfriend
to fake out Alex so he wouldn't know
Maya had been crushing on him for so long.
Jean-Pierre was a French boy I met the second half
of junior year when I left for a semester in Paris.
Who she then pretended was her true love in high school.
What? Why?
Because she was too chicken
to tell her real true love how she felt.
Alex was not my one true love.
Because you never told him.
Actually, that's not true.
What?
You never said anything.
It was humiliating.
What, so you did tell Alex you liked him?
[sighs]
Way worse.
I wrote this big passionate letter
with all my feelings laid out
like only a 17-year-old can.
-Oh, no. -Mmm-hmm. I did.
And then I put it in the pocket of his jacket
when we were working together at his uncle's bakery.
They day before I left for my semester in Paris.
What did he do? Did he contact you?
Not a single word.
It was devastating.
So I, in my teenage brilliance, concocted this story about Jean-Pierre
and how he swept me off my feet so that when I returned... Alex who?
Genius.
Except for the part where she forgot to tell me.
Yeah, who told Alex the truth about Jean-Pierre.
Innocently.
But then what happened with Alex?
Nothing.
Nothing has ever happened between me and Alex
and nothing ever will.
[festive music plays] ♪
Oh, Gabe. I made that one for you.
Oh, thanks.
My uncle tells me you play hockey.
Uh, yeah.
Mom says I was born in skates, so...
So you got any plans to play in college?
Uh, I'll try to walk on if I go, but it's not cheap.
What about scholarships?
Yeah, I've applied.
But there are a lot of guys around here
that are good at hockey, so...
Woah, woah, woah.
I made that cookie, not my uncle,
so I don't think any gingerbread wishes are gonna be happening.
Well, it couldn't hurt.
-Hey. -Hey.
You're awfully early.
I thought I'd get in some work before Sydney meets us.
Oh, for the photos. Right, yeah.
Um, can I get you anything in the meantime?
Huevos rancheros? Coming up.
I come here a lot.
Apparently.
[laughs] Oh, the rumors are true!
-Hey how is it going? -Good man, how are you?
Pretty good.
When did you get back into town?
Saturday. I'll be in through Christmas.
All right. Well, I gotta get to the clinic,
you know, back-to-back feline teeth cleanings await,
but consider this me putting in a reservation for your time.
Yeah, yeah. Absolutely.
Can't wait to hear what's new in the world with Dr. Ian Lewis.
Like I said, back-to-back feline teeth cleanings.
-Very exciting stuff. -Nice.
-Give me a call. -Ok.
-Hey, Syd. -Hi.
Oooh. Who is that?
Oh, hey.
That is Jacques Hubert, owner of Jacque's Patisserie.
He's one of the potential buyers Latrice sent over.
Sold.
A little more involved than that,
but your vote is noted.
Are there a ton of buyers?
We haven't listed it yet.
That's why you're here,
to take a ton of photos so we have many buyers.
Cool.
Though my vote is with Jacques.
Got it.
[camera snaps]
♪
-Okay. -That one's good.
♪
-This one right here. -That is amazing.
So good.
♪
-Look at these. -What are these?
These are the Panadería finances.
Casillas has earned a strong reputation over the decades.
And Luis made some great vendor deals.
He's always been a people person.
Plus, it helps that the family's owned the building for decades.
This property will go quick.
Bring it.
[festive music plays] ♪
No bakery chains.
Thanks.
What do you think?
She talked way too loud.
We'll be in touch.
He used "irregardless".
I don't know. His finances feel iffy to me.
Thanks for coming.
Nope. She littered before she walked in, I saw it.
-Really? -Thank you.
Reminds me of a guy I don't like.
So?
Uh, not him.
I think we made some good progress this week.
You said no for one reason or another
to eight potential buyers.
Just separating the wheat from the chaff.
Obstructionism.
Yeah, well, I prefer my perspective.
You always did.
You know, it's been years since we got to work together in here.
It kinda feels like no time has passed at all.
Really? It feels like an eternity since high school.
A lot's happened.
No, yeah, true.
Um... But I don't know, looking at you now
it feels like it could have been yesterday.
Hi. My name's Jacques Hubert.
I'm sorry to bother you but I happened to be
in the neighborhood.
Is the owner around?
Hi. Maya Owens. We exchanged emails.
Right. Of course.
-Hi. -Hi.
Oh, uh, this is-
Alejandro Casillas. You can just call me Alex.
So are you the owner?
No, my uncle owns it, actually.
He's consulting on the sale.
Wonderful.
Except for losing a part of my childhood-
It is wonderful. Yeah.
So did we have a meeting scheduled?
No, sorry, I'm being a little presumptuous.
It's just, uh, I was so impressed by those photos.
Especially the one with the hands.
My sister's the photographer.
She's really good.
Anyhow, I was over visiting some friends in Littleton
so I thought I'd swing by and see the place in person.
Where do you live?
Downtown Denver. So, not too far.
That's where my patisserie is.
Right.
Patisserie?
It's a French bakery.
No, I know- I know what it is.
Jacques owns Jacques' Patisserie.
They specialize in-
-French pastries.
But this is a Panadería, so it's a Mexican bakery.
No, I know, but a bakery is a bakery, right?
No. Not really.
Well, in the sense that all the equipment's already in place.
Yes, absolutely.
Can you excuse us for a second?
Of course.
What are you doing?
We can't sell to that guy.
Why?
He's too pretty.
That's ridiculous.
I'm telling you, Maya, I got a vibe.
Because he's gorgeous?
Oh, so you think he's gorgeous?
You just said he's too pretty.
Yeah, it's different when I say it.
It's irrelevant either way.
Look, I happen to know he has exceptional credit
and he's looking to get into a place asap
because his old landlord upped his rent.
What, did you memorize his files?
I'm doing my job, Alex.
Don't scare this one off.
I haven't scared anyone off.
Need I remind you about Gilbert Drysdale?
That guy wanted to turn this place
into a fondue restaurant, Maya.
Fondue!
Behave.
Come on.
Ok, I'm coming.
The Christmas Games. That is this weekend.
Yeah, the Panadería Casillas is sponsoring a booth.
I mean, my mom loves that sort of thing.
My mom's actually organizing the event.
She worked for an event company for years
and she recently started her own.
I didn't know she was on her own.
Yeah.
And the more attendees the better
so please feel free to bring your mom this weekend.
That's a great idea. Will you be there?
I will.
I'll actually be there, too.
The Panadería is making the gingerbread
for the obstacle course, so...
There's a gingerbread obstacle course?
Ok, now I have to bring my mom.
Great.
Well, listen, since I'm gonna be here this weekend now
is it ok if we do the full tour then?
That way Mom can come with me.
I really value her opinion.
That's lovely. Yeah, of course.
-Can I keep this? -Yeah.
I'll see you then.
Bye.
It's Jean-Pierre all over again.
Who?
Jean-Pierre, the fake French boyfriend
that Maya conjured up in high school.
I thought that guy was real.
Yeah, he was real. She just wasn't dating him.
Anyway, that's- that's not the point.
What's the point?
Jacques. He's Jean-Pierre.
The perfect guy that swoops in and steals Maya's attention.
I thought you said that she faked him.
She faked dating him
but I didn't know until it was too late in the game.
You don't even know if this Jacques guy wants to date Maya.
It's the timing.
Maya and I see each other again after all these years
and who comes into the picture? The perfect French guy.
Oh, he's French.
I don't know. His bakery is.
Look, this is exhausting. Just ask Maya out.
No. I can't.
Why not?
Because I don't live here,
and I'd probably just mess it up anyway.
My last two girlfriends both basically said
I put work first and them here.
Ok, well maybe you need to date someone
that makes you wanna take that to here.
Dr. Lewis?
-Brooke. Hey. -Hey.
Um, please just call me Ian.
It makes me feel so old when you call me Dr. Lewis.
Oh, well, you're definitely not that.
Thanks.
[clears throat]
Oh, uh, Brooke Sherman,
I want you to meet my old pal, Alex Casillas.
I've heard about you from...
from uh, an article I'm writing
about the sale of your uncle's bakery.
Yeah, I was actually just getting a look around
at the layout for the games.
Yeah, what do you think?
It looks great.
Ok. Well uh, bye Alex.
Nice to meet you.
Dr- Ian.
-See ya, Brooke. -See ya.
You gonna ask her out?
What makes you think-
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Because you clearly already put her here.
Ok.
And Alex is coming up with the most ridiculous reasons
to shut down potential buyers.
It's like he's doing it on purpose.
Maybe he is.
Not consciously, but big change can be scary.
I speak from experience.
And the bakery means a lot, to more than just Luis.
Alex spent a lot of time growing up there at the bakery,
even before he lost his parents.
That's so... reasonable.
Hey.
What's for dinner?
Whatever you two decide to order in.
Your father's getting some last-minute supplies
and I need to pick up some gingerbread houses
from the Casillas later.
You're working so hard, Mom.
Oh, yes.
But this time it's for myself, so it makes it so much easier.
Ok. We have two big events coming up.
The Christmas Games on Saturday
where we make the gingerbread houses, and Las Posadas.
Oh, what's a posada?
Posadas.
Posada means "inn".
It's a procession.
It sort of reenacts the journey Joseph and Mary took
when they were looking for shelter the night Jesus was born.
A group of pilgrims goes door to door singing songs
and asking for a place to rest, but they are denied.
Until the last place lets them in,
and that's when the party starts.
Cool.
Sacred Heart chose the Panadería
to host the Christmas Eve party this year
and we're gonna give them a real good one.
Tío, this is a lot to do.
Luckily I'm retiring when this is over.
Alex, can you help me with the boxes?
Yeah.
Are you gonna participate in the games?
The bakery has a booth.
You're not gonna hang out at the booth the whole time, are you?
You have to participate.
Wait, are you gonna participate?
Yeah. I came third in the obstacle course last year.
Oh, I'm sorry about that.
You think you can do better?
Uh, yeah, hello?
We make all the gingerbread houses, so...
Ok, but have you actually done the obstacle course?
No, I mean not since I was a kid, but-
Then I'm gonna sign you up, Mr. Casillas.
And you are going down.
[festive music plays] ♪
You're here awfully late for such a big day tomorrow.
It's because it's a big day tomorrow
that I have to be here late.
Work waits for no one.
Maybe it can wait for dinner?
I made some carne asada, you want some?
I'd love that.
This is delicious.
If you have any extra, let me know.
My mom and dad have been burning the candle at both ends
getting ready for the Christmas Games.
I'll make some more.
I'll even throw in a special gingerbread cookie.
You can tell your mom my uncle made it
in case she wants to make a wish.
I still don't know why you chose the legal route
instead of becoming a chef or a baker.
You're a natural.
Yeah, well, that's... that's not so easy for first
and second generation immigrants.
We become doctors or lawyers or engineers.
Not bakers.
No. That's a means to an end, not an end.
So do you have a new client?
Hmm?
Oh, no. I am studying for my second interview.
So, you're gonna stay around Denver.
I am. I like it here.
This could lead to a lot of possibilities.
But you keep saying you work all the time here.
I do, but that's freelance.
This would be like where you work or Devon.
Devon's your ex?
Yeah, he is.
We met at law school.
We talked about working together,
having a small office
where we could focus on work-life balance.
That didn't work out?
Devon got recruited by one of the biggest firms in L.A.
and he just couldn't say no.
It was only supposed to be for a couple years
until he got established, then he'd quit.
I'm guessing that didn't happen?
No.
Instead, uh, his career took off and he told me that mine
should take a back seat because his was more important.
Oh.
After we separated I joined a mid-level firm for a while,
but I wasn't in the right head space.
So you moved back here.
Alex, what if I can't do it?
What if I don't fit in at a big firm?
Hey, the Maya Owens I know could fit in wherever she chooses.
Big firms have their pluses and minuses, trust me.
But if that's where you truly want to be, you'll get it.
I think it is. No, no, it is.
One of the reasons I liked the firm so much
is in the first interview
they put such an emphasis on life balance.
Wow, that's rare.
I know.
Well, if you want, I can help you study.
Really?
That would be so helpful. Thank you.
Ok then. Let's talk about Denver's soon-to-be luckiest law firm.
[laughs]
What've you got?
Mrs. Owens, here's hoping the Christmas Games
are smooth sailing, Casillas Panadería.
Oh.
You think Luis made it?
No. He would call me Vanessa.
I bet Alex did. How thoughtful.
You're gonna make the wish, aren't you?
Yes, and don't judge.
Never.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
-Mmm. -Mmm.
Mmm-hmm.
Ready now?
Uh-hmm.
Let's do this.
[jazzy Christmas music plays] ♪
Eddie: Ladies and gentlemen,
the gingerbread obstacle course run is about to begin.
Participants should start heading over to the start line
in the next half hour.
Thank you.
So tell me more about the Christmas magic
and the gingerbread wishes.
Well, the lore of the magic started when my parents
came to Denver and mi papa built La Panadería Casillas
as a Christmas gift for my mom.
Now, my mother, she put all of her heart into everything
and she loved Christmas and baking,
and her favorite was their version of gingerbread cookies.
So each Christmas she would bake for each of the loved ones
a gingerbread cookie made specially for them.
Special how?
She would shape them into a form that will remind her of them.
Like I remember one year she baked for his dad
a pair of red gloves and the week after, he met his mom.
She dropped a red glove.
That's right.
So over time the gingerbread cookies were being made
not just for the inner circle of the family
but for good friends and special customers too.
What do you think the magic is?
My mom used to think it was love.
Not just the romantic kind.
Although I believe that's what sets the spark off.
But love for family, friends, neighbors,
and wanting to bring more kindness to the world.
The world can always use more kindness.
This is perfect. Thank you, Luis.
Thank you. A pleasure.
Here, I made you both something.
Wait, aren't you a lawyer?
Baking kinda runs in the family.
Oh.
Tío Luis gave me an apron cookie on my 16th birthday.
Then I gave him a real one and put him to work.
[laughs]
Oh, sweet. Mine's a camera.
Yeah, 'cause the photos you took of the Panadería were great, Syd.
-Really? -Really.
Several of the buyers have already asked about them.
Maybe something will come of it.
Is this Colonel Ginger Fluff?
It is. Ian mentioned him.
-He did? -Yeah.
Aww, thank you.
Mmm. I'm gonna go take a look around.
Mmm-hmm.
Can I get a few shots of you over here?
Of course.
I didn't know that story about your family.
But if for a Casillas gingerbread cookie,
I might not be here.
Do you think any of it is real? The wishing?
I don't know.
I think the important part is the people did.
It seems to me that wishing for something
is a way to figure out what your heart wants.
Jacques!
You made it.
No way I'd miss this. What a great event.
Your mom must be thrilled.
She is. Where is your mom?
Ah, she's somewhere.
This guy needs a warm up before I beat him.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Keep it up, Owens.
I make gingerbread houses in my sleep.
Uh-huh.
You guys are so cute.
How long have you been together?
Oh, no, we're not together, at all.
Why did you say it like that?
'Cause we're not together.
Well, I'd love to give this thing a go.
Has registration for the obstacle course closed?
-No. -Yes.
I'm sure we can get you in. Come on.
Eddie: Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the gingerbread obstacle course run.
The obstacle course run has three stages.
The Inflatable Down The Chimney slide,
the Reindeer Prance and the Yule Log Walk.
After that, our Christmas elves-
Say hello to our Christmas elves.
[cheers]
Will spin our contestants around five times
before the mad dash to the finish line.
We will start the competition with our first group.
Oh, and a reminder: our contestants
can only hold the cookie sheet with one hand,
and if a house hits the ground it is disqualified.
And remember, when the bell rings,
you must leave the table and move to the next event.
Are we ready?
First group, first pair. On your marks...
Are you ready to come in second, Owens?
In your dreams, Casillas.
Get ready, get set, go!
Brooke: Go Maya!
[cheering]
Maya Owens takes the lead up the slide
closely followed by Alex Casillas.
Closing in from the second group is Jacques Hubert
followed by a fourth contestant who's lagging behind.
[cheering]
Go Maya!
They'll have five seconds at the icing station
to determine who has the physical dexterity
to lay down a smooth line of icing.
They must decorate their gingerbread houses
before the bell or risk disqualification.
[laughs]
[bell rings]
There they go!
Maya and Alex are tied for the lead
but are now being challenged by Jacques,
who managed to close the gap at the icing station.
He is now pushing to challenge them for the lead.
At the second station they must carefully place decorations
on the icing.
It requires tremendous patience and skill.
Jacques has now caught up with the first group.
But who will lead after the bell?
[bell rings]
It's Maya Owens who pulls ahead.
It's quickly turning into a three-way challenge
at the finish line.
It's all up to the elves now to spin them.
Five times around is the rule.
Who can make it to the finish line after spinning in circles?
Oh, looks like Maya and Alex have taken an tumble.
Is this becoming our thing?
I sure hope not.
Are you both ok?
Only our pride is injured.
Well, let's finish this thing.
With their houses hitting the ground
I'm afraid they will be disqualified.
It will be Jacques Hubert
who will cross the finish line first.
You two all right? That was quite a fall.
Yeah, we're fine.
Mom.
Well done, Jacques. My son always shines.
Everyone, this is my mom, Marilyn Hubert.
Mom, this is Maya, Alex, and I'm guessing Luis Casillas?
That's right.
Luis, this is Jacques Hubert.
-The buyer. -Mmm-hmm.
Prospective buyer.
Alex is right.
We haven't had the full tour yet.
How about right now?
-Now works for me. -Perfect.
Alex, you don't have to come.
No, it's fine. I'll drive.
This is even more beautiful in person.
And the photos were impressive.
All of this patina wood gives it a warm, inviting feeling.
Thank you.
If you keep a building long enough
it's bound to be back in style at some point.
[laughs]
Luis, why don't you show them the outdoor seating?
I'm gonna speak with Alex in the kitchen.
Of course. This way, please.
I know, I know. I'm supposed to be all peppy
and help convince them.
But it's hard for you.
Yeah.
Way more than I anticipated.
I think it'd be difficult to watch
a piece of your childhood being sold.
When I was in Los Angeles I always found comfort
in knowing I could come home whenever I wanted to.
And then I did and they can't get rid of me.
Why don't you just ever rent someplace else?
It was only supposed to be for six months.
'Till I got on my feet after Devon.
It's the same reason I didn't lease an office.
You just used the bakery instead.
Six months has a sneaky way of turning into two years.
Very true.
Though I have a feeling
you're going to be making a very big change soon,
right after you rock that interview with Curtis & Lincoln.
-You didn't. -Didn't what?
You did.
No, hey, hey! I just did a little bit!
You shouldn't have done any.
Hey, ok. This is exactly how it all started
when Tía Julie got mad at us.
Uh, as I recall, you actually just threw a cup of flour on me
for no reason.
Oh, no, there was- there was definitely a reason.
And what reason was that?
[gasps]
[laughs]
To see that expression on your face.
No way!
Wait, wait, wait.
[laughing]
Luis: Hey.
The courtyard tour is over.
Coming.
Do I have any on my face?
[laughing]
The financials go back 20 years.
They show steady growth and you'll see that the Panadería
is quite a profitable business.
There's one thing that I wanted to ask.
The photos you used to list the Panadería were beautiful,
especially the black and white one
of the hands rolling the dough.
I love that one, too.
Now, Jacques says the photographer is your sister?
Yeah, Sydney.
She has talent.
It's still raw, but listen,
I curate a small photo gallery in Denver
and we are always on the lookout for new artists.
Do you think that might be something
your sister would be interested in?
Definitely. She's always wanted to pursue photography as art,
but it's a hard way to pay the bills.
I understand.
Oh, and I'd like to buy a print of the hands
if she's interested in selling.
I feel very confident that's a yes.
I'll actually be in downtown Denver on Thursday,
I could bring it by.
What's in downtown?
I have an interview with a law firm.
Which she's gonna ace.
Oh, unfortunately Maya, I'll be out of town on Thursday.
But I'll be around.
You could swing by my bakery and leave it with me.
And that way I can give you the tour.
-Great. -Great.
Great.
-We'll be in touch. -Thank you.
Seriously?
Yes. Again, seriously.
You just have to get me the print by this afternoon.
Done.
Thank you.
Extra blueberries.
Ah.
Yours is next.
Ok, thanks.
Did you uh, tell them the good news yet?
Because everything went so well at the Christmas Games
I actually have five new events to plan.
-Nice! -Yay, Mom!
Including the Posadas at the Casillas' Panadería.
-Really? -Yeah.
Christmas Eve is in a week.
Yeah, well, Luis said that he didn't want anything too fancy.
He wanted to keep it pretty simple.
She says now.
In fact, I already gave my associates
this time off for the holidays,
so I was thinking to ask you girls if you might...
-We'll help. -Totally.
Oh, thank you.
-Mom, I'm so proud of you. -Me too.
Thank you, oh.
Owen family hug.
[laughing]
[barking]
Dash!
[message alert]
What do you think?
I know Mrs. Hubert only wanted the print
but I think the frame makes it look better.
I made a second print too, just in case.
Syd, she already bought it.
I know.
Isn't that crazy?
No.
I've been telling you for years, you're really talented.
I know.
You've always encouraged me, especially when I doubt myself.
I appreciate that.
And I have always wanted
to find a way to take that next career step
but it's so hard when you don't know someone.
Well, now you do.
Thanks to you.
And my gingerbread wish, of course.
What?
This is what I wished for when Alex gave me that cookie
shaped like a camera.
And then, like, an hour later you meet Jacques' mom and voila.
Maybe you should make a wish.
Funny, I did, actually.
Luis made me a cookie shaped like my red briefcase
a couple weeks ago.
And? What'd you wish for?
For my life to get back on track.
Mmm. Is it working?
I don't know.
I did get a second interview.
And a date with super cute Jacques.
Not a date.
I'm just dropping off your print.
Mmm-hmm.
At his French bakery, after hours.
And he'll probably ask if you want to get dinner
once you're there, because it's a date.
Which you, big sister, totally deserve
after everything that happened with Devon.
I'm sorry if I've been sort of bratty towards you lately,
it's just... the idea of you moving out makes me sad.
Sad, why?
Because I'll miss you, silly.
Like I missed you when you went to college in L.A.
and didn't come back.
Until two years ago.
Which was fun.
I liked having my big sister here again.
I really like being here with you, too.
Really?
Yes. Oh, my gosh, of course.
If I get this job it's only an hour away.
It's a commute.
The garage is a shorter commute.
You sound like dad.
Oh.
I don't think I've been in your uncle's house
since before college.
Yeah, it hasn't changed much.
Hey, so Brooke and I are going ice skating this weekend.
Maya's going to come too. You should join.
Uh, I don't know.
Come on, why not?
Because she is meeting up with Jake or Jacques
or whatever his name is tomorrow after her interview.
Hmm.
And you're jealous.
I have no right to be.
Ok, what advice did you give me about Brooke?
Ask her out.
I know, I know, it's just...
You two live in the same town.
I live in New York and Maya's staying in Denver
and most likely on the verge of dating perfect Jacques.
Ok, fun fact.
None of those things has actually happened yet.
You know what? It's none of my business.
I need to just man up and not stand in the way
of the sale of the bakery or anything else.
What're you making there?
It is a peace-offering gingerbread cookie for Jacques.
Show him I can rise above.
Maybe you're being a little aggressive
with the dough there, buddy?
I mean, for a peace offering?
Yeah, you might be right.
This will be the peace offering.
It smells really nice.
♪
[knocking]
Come in.
-Alex, hey. -Hey.
So I made way too much tortilla soup,
I thought I'd stop by, see if you wanted some?
Yeah, come in.
You're a mind-reader.
I was just going through my ever-growing collection
of take away menus.
Thank you.
Wow, this is- this is nice.
What were you expecting?
I don't know. It's just every time you said
"garage apartment" I just sort of imagined
a bed wedged up next to a pool table or something.
Oh, no, no, no, that's just for you. I already ate.
I ate way too much.
Oh.
I also came by because there is a box in the bag, too.
It's a gingerbread cookie for Jacques.
Jacques?
Yeah, it took me four tries
but I thought I'd make the story about the wishes seem more real.
Sweeten the deal. Pun intended.
[laughs]
Figured maybe you can give it to him tomorrow
when you see him.
That's very thoughtful.
Well, I do have my moments.
More than moments.
I mean, you can be a pretty caring nephew
and great study partner.
And a good... friend.
A friend who needs to let you get back to studying.
Wish me luck.
I mean, I don't think you really need it, but...
Buena suerte, Maya.
-Good night. -Good night.
♪
Sorry, Miss Owens.
The partners will be in here in a few minutes.
Thank you.
It's so great you found the time to stop by.
I forgot. I have something for you.
What is it?
A famous Casillas gingerbread cookie.
I have to admit, most people don't make cookies for me.
This is a nice change of pace.
Are you gonna make a wish?
Huh?
Well, it's-
Oh, right. Sure.
I hope I get the bakery of my dreams.
Mmm. Interesting.
You know, it's not as sweet as most gingerbread.
Alex once told me there's more molasses
and not as much ginger and cinnamon.
I can taste that.
Would you like to have dinner with me before you head home?
You can tell me how your interview went.
I'd love to hear about it.
Sure. That sounds nice.
There's this wonderful Italian restaurant
just around the corner.
I'll just change my shirt.
Ok.
♪
Sounds like the interview went really well.
Honestly, it was the best one I've ever had.
The senior partners were great. They talked about creating
a holistic environment and emphasized life balance.
Excellent. And Jacques?
He's on board to buy the bakery.
We wound up having a lovely dinner.
All good news.
It is, isn't it?
Everything is falling into place so easily.
Yeah, I feel like you should be happier about that.
Ugh, I know.
What is wrong with me, Brooke?
I mean, suddenly after two years of basically treading water here
my career jump-starts.
This insanely gorgeous guy wants to buy the bakery
I'm working to sell.
Oh, and by the way, he wants to date me.
I mean, it's everything I should want.
Uh, Alex...
He's not part of the equation. He can't be.
No, I mean...
Oh, hi.
Hey.
Jacques liked the cookie you made him.
He make a wish?
He did.
So, it's coming true?
You don't know what he wished for.
I have a pretty good idea.
I didn't know you were coming skating.
Yeah, Ian invited me.
Hope that's ok.
Of course.
It's not Christmas without ice skating.
Pretty sure it would be.
Yeah, ok. Whatever.
When do you go back to New York?
A couple days after Christmas.
Pretty sure my sale consultation services aren't needed anymore,
brilliant as they may be.
They've been very much appreciated.
Did Luis tell you he hired my mom to help with the Posadas?
He did and I'm very grateful for that.
Because the menu alone is gonna take up all my time.
Are you doing all the cooking?
No. Tío Luis will help some but I want him
to have enough free time to enjoy the experience, too.
Plus, you love baking and cooking.
Plus I love baking and cooking.
How did you wind up being an acquisitions attorney?
The firm where I did my first internship had an emphasis
on mergers and acquisitions law and I just kinda liked
how it touches on so many different areas.
Helps to keep me from getting bored.
You don't get bored in the kitchen, do you?
No, no. Never.
But I can't go down that path, Maya.
My grandparents came here to give their sons a better life.
My dad became a pilot, so Tío Luis had to be the one
to take over the Panadería, so I gotta make him proud.
I hear what you're saying,
but I believe Luis would be proud if you were a baker.
It's whatever makes you happy.
Well, it's too late for that.
Woah!
-I got it! I got it! -You got what?
A scholarship to Oregon College. For hockey.
A video of me at last week's game where I almost scored
that double hat trick, it went viral and they saw it
and they- they sent me an offer.
Congratulations, Gabe.
Way to go. That's great, buddy.
It was my wish.
Ohhh!!
[laughs]
Are you ok?
I'm gonna have to write a follow-up article
just about Casillas Panadería
and the wishes coming true again.
Yeah, they won't be Casillas.
Ah, Jacques will have a tough act to follow.
Have you made a wish?
You know what, come to think of it, I have not,
and I believe I'm a little offended.
[laughing]
I think you're doing just fine, pal.
That's true. I don't need a wish.
What about you? Do you make wishes all the time?
No. No.
My abuelita always said that someone else
had to make the cookie for you.
Did you ever make a wish?
Once, on my 16th birthday.
Oh, when Luis gave you the cookie like the apron.
Yeah.
What did you wish for?
What any 16-year-old boy would wish for.
That the girl I liked would like me back.
-Did she? -She did.
But I didn't find out until it was too late.
After she wrote me a letter.
Maybe we should head inside now.
Yeah. We'll catch you guys later.
Yeah.
-You got the letter? -I did.
But only about a week before you got back from Paris.
But I was in Paris for six months. How-
You remember what Tío Luis's office was like
before we cleaned it up?
Yes, it's burned into my retinas.
Yeah. Well, my jacket got lost in there somehow,
for, I don't know, about five months and three weeks.
No.
Oh yeah. I was looking everywhere for that jacket.
I mean, I loved that jacket, and eventually I found it
inside a box at the bottom of a stack of boxes.
Do not ask me how it got there.
And then I found your letter.
I can't believe it.
The point is, I wasn't not responding to what you wrote.
-You weren't? -No.
I- I can't tell you how happy I was to read that.
All of it.
And I was gonna pour my heart out to you when you got back
but then I saw you and you just,
you kept going on and on and on...
Jean-Pierre.
So I figured...
[sighs]
You were over me, so I didn't say anything.
And then I found out the truth.
Thanks, Sydney.
Yeah, but I couldn't say anything then, either,
because I was about to go off to Columbia two hours later,
then you were heading off to Los Angeles after that,
so it just- it didn't make any sense.
I get it.
I mean, I might have just chickened out a little bit, too.
-We were 18. -Yeah.
What did we know?
[message alert]
Are you gonna get that?
No.
It's from Curtis & Lincoln. It's an offer letter.
Wow. That's great.
That's amazing.
I'm so proud of you, Maya.
[exhales]
We really do have the worst timing.
Yeah, we really do.
I wanna kiss you.
I wanna kiss you, too.
But we're going in different directions.
Yeah.
Shall we?
We at Curtis & Lincoln are pleased
to have you join our team.
I'm... I'm so... yeah, I'm um...
At a loss for words?
Yes, apparently.
Well, get them back as quickly as possible.
I'm told there's a tremendous backlog of work
to keep you busy as soon as you join us.
Oh?
We've been running low on contracts attorneys for a while.
Now, about your insurance forms...
Why have you had openings?
Well, not everyone can handle working 24/7.
They burn out.
I'm sorry, in the interviews,
the partners, they emphasized life balance.
And you will help bring them that balance by working 24/7.
[message alert]
Oh, so sorry. I'll have to call you back.
Minor emergency to deal with.
[sighs]
♪
[message alert]
It's Christmas Eve, Walter.
Have you seen the menu?
We're going to have to go jogging for a week
after Christmas is over.
Well, Ian has a trainer we can call.
Ah, here we go. Ian, Ian, Ian.
Don't be jelly.
I almost kissed Alex.
What?
How am I just hearing about this?
It happened a couple days ago. I am still processing.
How come it was almost?
Very good question.
What's the point?
Uh, I can think of a few reasons.
Starting with you like him.
Oh. My feelings have always run so much deeper than like.
I know he likes me.
I can feel it, but he's known how I felt for years
and he's never made any effort to try to date me.
Add to that Alex doesn't live anywhere near here.
And then there's Jacques, who shows up
and is basically perfect,
but it's not the same as what I feel for Alex.
Oh, and I'm about to start a new job
that is going to take up all of my time.
Wait, I thought you said you weren't going to do that.
That you were a grown up and you could choose.
I may have made the wrong choice.
Make another.
You're not obligated to join their firm.
I... I don't understand.
I... I made my wish and suddenly things started opening up
so easily like they haven't in years.
That can't be a coincidence.
Sure it can.
Or maybe what you thought was your wish coming true wasn't.
Yes. Maybe your wish will come true just in a different way.
I don't know.
Aww.
I don't know, I don't know.
It will be ok.
Are you working?
Uh, yeah, unfortunately.
It's Christmas Eve.
I know, I know. I'm almost done.
Can it wait?
Yeah, probably, but it won't.
Done.
Good.
All right, let's get cooking.
♪
These go over here?
Oh, that's great, hon.
This is looking so beautiful.
Thank you.
And thank you for your help.
I'm not sure I'd be able to pull this off without the family.
Oh, of course you could.
You've always been my inspiration.
Oh. You're my inspiration.
Me? How?
Oh, seeing the way that you've been able
to carve out your own job after leaving Los Angeles.
It's part of what inspired me
to take on this opportunity when it arose.
I didn't know that.
I should have told you sooner.
Although, really any of my job carving
has been out of necessity.
But you did it.
I mean, that's what counts.
It's hard to get a true perspective on something
when you're in the middle of it.
But I saw you strike out on your own and it got me thinking.
So, when this opportunity came up, I took it.
And now look. You inspired me.
Aww, that's sweet.
Now go get busy.
Yes, okay.
[chuckles]
This is so much fun.
What's so much fun about it?
The food.
I mean, good food always makes people happy.
You know maybe I can convince my mom
to make tamales next Passover.
Good luck with that one.
Well, maybe I'll just be a great cook, like you.
♪
You seem happier now.
The kitchen always makes me happy.
Julie was the same.
So have you thought about what you're gonna do
once the Panadería is sold?
Sleep in.
Go to Mexico for a while, see the cousins.
After that I don't know, something will happen.
Perhaps I'll descend on New York
and visit my big-time sobrino lawyer.
I'm not a big time lawyer, Tío.
I work at a big firm, yeah, but I mainly do research and reviews
which takes up all my time
and leaves no time for a relationship which is not good.
That will change.
After you meet the right person.
It was the same thing for your dad before he met your mom.
And for me until Julie found me.
Now, if you're bored where you work,
perhaps you should go someplace else.
A law firm's a law firm.
Who said anything about a law firm?
♪ Noche de paz, Noche de amor, ♪
♪ Todo duerme en derredor,
♪ Entre sus astros que esparacen su luz ♪
♪ Bella anunciado al niñito Jesus... ♪
♪
[door opens]
Oh, this is...
Welcome. Good to see you again.
Hi.
-Dear, will you take this for me? -Sure.
Hey. You're here.
Luis invited me and mom.
Well, it is gonna be your place soon.
Uh, is there a place I can put mom's purse?
Sure, I'll put it in the office.
Thanks.
Everyone, they've just left the second house.
So they should be here any minute.
[applause]
-Hey Alex. -Yeah.
Whose is this?
Oh, that's mine.
I had to do a quick doc review for work.
Wait, you have a red briefcase?
Yeah, I bought it as a birthday present to myself last year.
-Are you ok? -Mmm-hmm.
I think they'll be here any minute.
♪
[festive music] ♪
[laughing]
Good job.
So, I was saying that I was talking with Marilyn Hubert
about my career and she offered me a position at her gallery,
The Artistic Lens, as a kind of apprentice.
That way I can get a lot of photography experience
without going to grad school and having a lot of student loans.
That is so great, Syd.
So excited for you, honey.
So both of you are moving closer to Denver?
No.
-No? -No?
You aren't taking the job, are you?
I'm not.
I had this moment earlier while we were singing
and I felt this sense of peace,
and if I take the position at Curtis & Lincoln I'll lose that.
I don't wanna lose that.
Ok. So, let me get this straight.
You're moving to Denver. You're staying in Xavier,
but you're both moving out of the house?
Both: Yes.
[groans] Oh.
I was thinking about reaching out to Latrice
about the Mannings' house.
It could be the perfect dual home and office space.
And you'd be in the neighborhood.
If you can handle that.
Handle it?
I feel like I just opened the best Christmas present.
Are you sure about not taking this job?
I am.
I had a call with the head of the human resources department
and I could suddenly see my whole life.
It was like the Devon situation all over again
except for this time I was about to give up my quality of life.
Hmm.
Well, and you do have a good life if I do say so myself.
I really do.
You do.
Oh, and you were such a big help here, sweetheart.
You did it.
Thank you.
So what do you think of my idea? Are you mad?
Of course I'm not mad.
I'm disappointed in myself
for leading you to believe that you couldn't follow your heart.
No.
No, Tío. No.
You and Tía Julie always made me feel loved and safe.
I just wanted to make you proud of me.
Alejandro, we were always proud of you,
even before you came to live with us.
I have noticed that ever since you came back,
and you started making the gingerbread yourself,
the wishes are coming true again.
Probably just a coincidence.
No. There are no coincidences at Christmas.
My mom used to say that the wishes become true
because of all the love we put into them.
A romantic love is the spark.
What're you trying to say?
You know very well what I'm saying.
You've known it since you were 16.
The question is, what're you gonna do about it?
-Hi. -Hey.
You ok? You seem a bit distracted.
Oh, I'm just thinking.
This is a really special bakery.
It is.
Why do I feel like there's a "but" lingering there?
I got a call right before I came over here.
From?
The landlords from my current bakery.
They say they want me to renew my lease with them
at the same rate it used to be before it went up.
It's incentive for me not to move.
Wow. That's a great deal.
It's practically a miracle.
Basically everything I wished for, you know?
Having my dream bakery.
It just turns out it's the one I already have.
I'm learning that wishes aren't so straightforward.
I just don't want you or the Casillas'
to think I've been leading them on.
You don't have to worry about that.
I think we'll be ok with it.
Shouldn't we talk to Luis first?
No, because I was actually on my way to talk with Jacques
about halting the sale.
Halting it? Why?
Because I'd like to take it over.
Do you mean from New York?
From here.
You were right.
I know it took me a little longer to see it,
but this is where my heart's at.
At the Panadería?
In part.
Well, it sounds like it's working out for everyone.
Maybe there's some magic
in those gingerbread cookies after all.
I think there might be.
Thanks for understanding.
Pretty sure that's my line.
One of the many things we have in common.
Now, if you two will excuse me,
there's a Christmas Eve party going on inside
which now I can freely enjoy.
And I get the sense you two have more to discuss.
Merry Christmas.
So what're you thinking about?
The red briefcase.
-My red briefcase? -And mine.
Your uncle made me a gingerbread cookie a few weeks ago
in the shape of a red briefcase.
Ok.
And I made a wish.
For a while I thought it was coming true,
but it was all an illusion.
The job wasn't perfect and neither was Jacques.
At least not for me.
Well, as much as it pains me to admit it,
Jacques seems like a really great guy.
He really is, but I don't want to date him.
Just like I don't want the big job at the big law firm.
So did you, did you turn it down?
I did.
Something my mom said made me realize
that I already have the work-life balance
I've been searching for.
Wearing sweat pants and nice jackets for video calls
is a pretty sweet deal.
I like that I get to make my own hours and I'm my own boss.
It allows me to spend time with the people I care about.
That is important.
Ok, wait.
So does the fact that we both have a red briefcase
mean that you think I'm your gingerbread wish?
[laughs]
No, but I think that's what my heart wants it to mean.
What are you smiling about?
Nothing. I was just thinking I think this is the first time
since we were 16-years-old
that our romantic timing is actually in sync.
Are you sure about that?
Is there another Jean-Pierre?
[laughs]
No, definitely not.
Well, in that case, will you, Maya Owens,
go on a real, honest, and true romantic date with me?
♪
Yes, Alejandro Casillas.
I will go on a real, honest, and true romantic date with you.
What're you doing tomorrow?
It's Christmas.
I know.
No better time to start.
♪