The True Spirit of Christmas . . .
Abby Sinclair, talented financial consultant, had hoped going into work on December 24 would be a happy one for her… but with everyone celebrating what was coming the next day, her negative triggers are all firing at once. She is not looking forward to spending those two days with her family, but her mother already heard about the power outage at her apartment, so she has no excuse this time not to go home for the holidays, even though she is not ready to deal with all the drama. She’s tired of hearing about her older sister Rachel’s fancy job, her boyfriend Jake whom she had stolen from Abby, and the perfect life she lives. They actually celebrated Rachel’s happiness when she stole Abby’s cheating boyfriend after he and Abby had just looked at engagement rings, telling Abby to “just get over it”! Now a co-worker tells her the boss wants to talk to her -- the grouchy one who hates her. What did she do this time? Her coworkers already have bets on how soon she will be fired. She was even thinking about joining in on the betting. It already feels like work must have ended by now… but it’s only 9 a.m.
Mr. Barrington (“John”) asks Abby why she came in early… was she behind in her work? So she told him about the power outage and that she had been freezing in the dark since 3 a.m. And actually, she is ahead on her work schedule. She was surprised when he asked if she has a place to spend the holidays now since she has no heat or electricity. He dismisses her when she says she will be with her family. Huh, is that all he wanted to ask? But when she returns to her desk, her cat dashes out the door and climbs a Christmas tree which now has fallen to the floor, covering her in tinsel. Her boss chuckles and tells her to clean it up as he returns to his office, bemoaning the fact that despite having an MBA from Harvard, he just can’t seem to get over his crush and talk to Abby! And things can actually still get worse when Abby’s car dies in the parking lot on Christmas Eve. Since her parents’ house is on the way to his grandparents’, he offers her a ride. Although afraid to talk to her one-on-one, he can’t let her sit here in a snowstorm stranded and cold. They arrive at her parents and he insists on carrying her things inside as her mother calls to her father that Abby has arrived with her boyfriend! Abby is speechless, but her mother refers to them as lovebirds and ushers him in for cocoa. Abby whispers for him to leave, that she will explain to her parents. But he insists on staying with her. Even her cat would prefer not to be here, however! And when her dad asks how they got together, he made up a beautiful, romantic, sweet fictional story about the two of them -- claiming he knew right then Abby was the only one for him -- just as Rachel and Jake walked in. Rachel tried to embarrass John but he was in full control and brought up Abby’s impeccable professionalism. Her mother immediately tried to turn the “spotlight” on Rachel’s promotion. She brags, then tries to discuss the scandal his own relationship with her sister must have caused. But he deftly turns it around on her, effortlessly protecting Abby. While Abby is expected to prepare the food in the kitchen, Rachel continues to sit on the couch and brag about her endless qualities, over and over again. Then John joins Abby in the kitchen (having had enough of “The Rachel Show” as he calls it), asking if he can help with the food, and complimenting her on how amazing she is both here and at her job. And when Jake says to hurry up, they’re hungry, John offers to spill gravy on him! John and Abby head up for bed when Rachel and Jake become engaged and obnoxious. The cat growls when John sits too close to Abby, walks up to Abby and covers her with her scent, marking her ownership. When the cat then approaches John, he is stunned and apprehensive when Powerfluff sniffs his hand, butts her head against him, and purrs! This is a first, and they continue to share their favorite Christmas stories while settled on the bed. Will he take her to meet his grandparents where she would be accepted without hesitation as part of the family? Will she find out what love of family should truly be like? After all, Powerfluff has already shown them how easily it can happen!