A Grandpa for Christmas

Bert O'Riley is a retired Hollywood actor who has been estranged from his ex-wife Brenda and daughter Marie for decades. He keeps busy with friends from show business and spends his days playing chess with his former agent and lifelong best friend, Karl Sugarman, and catching up over coffee with Karl, Adam, Jack, and Roxie. He keeps an emotional distance that will soon be tested as Becca enters his life.

Marie relocates back to Los Angeles with her ten-year-old daughter Becca, whom Bert has never met. Bert remains unaware of their return as his days revolve around his friends and routines. The new arrivals unsettle the quiet rhythm of his life and spark the chance of reconciliation.

Social Services places Becca in Bert's care after Marie's return. Becca, told by her grandmother that Bert walked out on the family, resents him and doubts his intentions. Bert tries earnestly to connect and prove he can be a positive presence.

During a frightening thunderstorm, Bert comforts the scared Becca and sings her a Welsh lullaby, which helps her calm and drift to sleep. The moment reveals Bert's tenderness that Becca has been told he lacks. This warmth starts to soften Becca's initial resentment.

Roxie encourages Becca to audition for the school Christmas pageant and offers to help with singing. Becca agrees and considers asking Bert for help as well. This sets Becca on a path where Bert's talents could help her shine.

While playing chess with Kurt and Bert, Kurt reveals that Bert used to teach drama at Glendale College and directed many successful musicals. Becca realizes the stories she had been told about Bert were wrong. She decides to ask Bert for help with dancing.

Becca, encouraged by the unfolding truth about Bert's talents, asks him to help her with dancing. Bert agrees and they begin preparing for the audition and eventual performance. The bond between them slowly strengthens as they work together.

After a successful audition, Becca earns a part in the school musical, including a solo. The achievement begins to repair the rift with both Becca and Marie as Marie witnesses Becca's enthusiasm and Bert's guidance. The family dynamics start shifting toward reconciliation.

Marie wakes up from her coma and asks to see Bert, thanking him for taking care of Becca. The moment highlights the complexity of their relationship, as their bond remains strained by past hurts. The scene sets the stage for a fragile thaw in the family.

Karl suggests that Bert tell Marie and Becca the truth about what happened with Brenda, but Bert resists so as not to ruin Brenda's memory. The tension between protecting Brenda's image and revealing the past grows. This unresolved issue shadows the family's Christmas plans.

As an early Christmas present, Bert gives Becca an iPod Nano, something her friend Heather had given her before. Becca is thrilled and calls him 'grandpa' for the first time. The gift becomes a tangible sign of their growing bond.

The pageant director must leave for a family matter, and Becca suggests Bert direct the production. Bert, with Roxie and Adam's help, spends several days training the students and refining their performances. Becca's confidence grows as rehearsals progress.

Bert suffers a sudden heart attack, sending him to the hospital. While he is hospitalized, Karl finally tells Marie the truth about Brenda leaving for a director and taking Marie to San Francisco after Christmas Eve. Marie remains skeptical, but the truth begins to surface just as the family faces Christmas.

Bert checks out of the hospital early to see Becca's performance, despite doctors warning him it could jeopardize his heart. He insists that his heart would be broken if he missed the moment. Becca overcomes stage fright and delivers a successful performance with Bert's steady presence in the audience.

Back at Bert's home, Marie says she wants to move in so they can recover together, and she calls Bert 'dad' for the first time. The trio joins a small Christmas celebration, signaling a renewed family bond after years apart. Bert looks forward to spending his first Christmas with Marie and Becca in decades.