Must Love Christmas (2022)

Christmas & New Years movies collection.

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Christmas & New Years movies collection.
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Must Love Christmas (2022)

Post by bunniefuu »

An entire year

had passed since Derek and Holly

rekindled

their childhood romance.

But her life was

in New York now,

and Derek's was here

in the town of Good Hope.

The plan was to wait a year

and if their feelings

were just as strong,

return to the spot where

they said their last goodbye.

But as the last passenger

departed the train,

Derek's hopes

were quickly fading...

until...

Holly! I knew you'd make it.

Wait, this isn't hello, is it?

You came back to say goodbye.

Holly tried to speak,

but the words wouldn't form.

No, don't...

do this. I love you.

I know you feel the same.I'm...

I'm scared, Derek.

What if love isn't enough? It has to be.

Holly, please.

Will you make my candy

cane wishes,

mistletoe dreams come true?

Marry me?

With her head

and heart still in a tug of w*r,

Holly threw caution to the wind

and followed her heart.

Yes! I'll marry you. Yes!

The moment their lips met

they knew it was their destiny

to spend their lives

blissfully in love.

The end.

Or, as this tired writer

likes to say...

finally finished.

Hey, baby. Hi.

Come here.

Oh, no. I know that look.

It's that "I'm looking at last

week's leftover meatloaf" look.

Interesting choice of words.Okay.

Okay, Gloria.

Are you gonna tell me

what you thought of it

as my editor or as my friend?

Editor. NATALIE: Cool.

Give it to me straight.

But first,

tell me what you loved.

The title.

Without even cracking

the binding

it sounds like a bestseller.

Your favorite part

was the title, okay.

Now tell me what you hated.

The last 30 pages.

"Candy cane wishes,

Mistletoe dreams?"

You are k*lling me.

Yes. I know that the dialogue

was a little clich

and maybe I reused

certain tropes

and perhaps the ending

is a little bit schmaltzy.

Oh, what am I doing?

You tell me.

It's a perfect storm where

crippling writer's block

meets a hard Christmas deadline.

Natalie, you are

the queen of Christmas romance

for a reason. But this isn't it.

Your problem is

you're stuck in a rut.

You're always holed up

in this apartment.

What? I don't like going out.

Your publicist

mentioned something

about an anniversary

book signing in Buffalo

to commemorate

your very first novel.

Yeah, no.

He's begging me to commit.

It's the first story

to carry my book,

but I'm not doing it. You used

to love doing book signings.

Yeah, that was before I realized

that selling a million copies

meant that

at least a million people

have read my book.

That's a million people.

A lot of people

who expect me to be

as clever and as witty

as my characters.

Not to mention the press

who expects me to be perfect

and I am not. GLORIA: Ryan said

there would only be

a handful of fans.

No publicity outside

the store itself.

Can't I just do it on Zoom? GLORIA: No!

Right now.

You are two cats shy

of becoming a total recluse.

I'm gonna push you out

of your comfort zone

until you turn this into

the next Natalie Wolfe classic.

Is there coffee?

I just wanted to remind you all

that "SHE" stands for:

She Has Everything.

Now, so far,

not one of these story pitches

is worthy enough

to be on the cover

of our holiday edition.

Well, what about my story?

About New York's hippest

new dating app

promising you a new boo

by New Year's.

Just 'cause you pitch it

to me twice

doesn't make me any more excited

about it, Nick.

Look, Tucker-Thomson Publishing

has us in their sites.

If we do not manage

to hold our own

this holiday season

and by that I mean substantially

boosting subscriptions,

they are going to merge us

with POV magazine

which means that half of you

will be gone and the other half

will be writing fluff pieces

for that monthly rag.

Fayennes want us

to find a white whale?

Exactly.

Uh, sorry, what's a white whale?

It's an exclusive, an almost

impossible to get scoop

that's gonna cut the knees off

of all our competition.

Yes, so,

scour the internet, okay?

Call every publicist,

every agent,

every department store, Santa,

you have in your contact list.

Otherwise...

you may find

someone else in your cubicle

in the New Year.

Back to work, people.

Yarr.

How did I get roped

into being your pet sitter?

Because you are the one

pushing me out

and I wouldn't ask,

but Blitzen's a little clingy

because he's used to me

being home, alone.

Well, that's the root

of your writer's block, honey.

What are you talking about?

You sit in here all day,

writing about

how to find the ideal man.

You're so busy creating

make-believe Mr. Rights

you can't even find one

for yourself.

I'm leaving it up to fate.

What's fate supposed to do?

Slip him under the door?

You haven't been

on a date in years.

You can't write any new ideas

because you don't have

any new experiences to draw on.

That's part of the block.

I don't know

what I'm looking for outside.

You're looking for someone

to fill your list.

What list? When I was your age,

my mother sat me down

and had me write down

five traits I was looking for

in a partner.

Five deal breakers

I couldn't live without.

So, I did what she said.

I wrote my list, tucked it away

to put it out to the universe.

About a year later,

I'm stuck in an elevator

with a complete stranger,

desperately trying

not to have a panic att*ck.

He's doing everything he can do

to try to calm me down.

Nothing works.

Until he starts telling me

corny jokes.

I couldn't stop laughing,

I completely forgot

about panicking.

Because he had a sense of humor.

First thing on my list.

Followed closely by compassion.

For the next four hours,

we sat there

waiting to be rescued.

We talked and he quickly checked

off everything else on my list.

And I married him.

That's how you met Manny?

It all started with the list.

So...

do you really think

we can find a cover story

big enough to save the magazine?

We've got to.

There's gotta be something

in the public zeitgeist

we can put a holiday spin on,

right?

Yeah.[

Hang on,

you read romance novels?

Oh. Uh, yeah.

David turned me onto them

when we first started going out.

By the time we broke up,

I was addicted.

I can't read that stuff.

I'm much more interested

in facts than fiction.

So, you've never read

Natalie Wolfe?

She is

gonna change your life, bro.

"The New York Times

declares Natalie Wolfe

the queen

of Christmas romance."

Wow. Is that the equivalent

of a People's Choice Award?

Joke all you want, Nick.

But with everything going on

in the world,

these books give us

a safe place to escape.

And what's wrong with that?

Okay.

Okay.

I really wish I didn't have

to drag you away

from everything

that you're doing

just so you can come up

to Buffalo to hold my hand.

Oh, your first time

out in public in six years?

I'm pretty sure you're gonna

be needing an emotional

support gay.

No journalists, right?

Just fans?

No journalists, just loyal fans.

And you have a fallback plan,

in case I have a panic att*ck?

Fallback plan is, we're gonna

have fun on this girls trip.

What's that?

Gloria's convinced the only way

to find my soulmate

is to write down the five things

I'm looking for.

Sounds a little old school

but I'll bite.

Couldn't be worse than

constantly being swiped left

under a sea of unanswered

power likes.

What do I do when I'm done?

Just put it under my pillow

and wait for the date fairy? No.

You, uh, put it away

and let the universe

run its course.Hmm.

How'd you get done so fast? I

know what I want. Your turn.

Ah, okay. Um...

Well, Gloria's first one

was sense of humor.

Everybody finds that attractive.

RYAN: Yeah, you'd think.

Not that it's done me any good

I'd trade humor for looks

any day of the week.

Looks fade.

It's what's inside that matters.

Yeah, and try explaining that

to a coffee date

who's asking why my profile

picture is 20 pounds old.

Keep going.

But don't rush me if I'm putting

this out into the universe

I want to get it right.

Two.

Compassion?

Was that Gloria's

second one, too?

Yeah. Come on.

These have to be your own.

If you're not gonna commit,

let the universe move on

to someone who's actually ready

to find true love.

Ah, it's...

That must be our car.

Let's go Buffalo.

I found our scoop!

Natalie Wolfe.

She's this generation's

Danielle Steel.

Only, platinum.

I know who she is, Nick.

But she's a recluse.

I know, I want to write

about that.

But she hardly ever leaves

her apartment

and she never grants interviews.

But if I could get to her,

it would be our white whale.

If you could get to her,

it would be our cover,

but you do understand

the word "recluse?"

So she is taking a rare trip

to Buffalo tomorrow

for a book signing.

I have an in at the bookstore.

I fly in.

I pour on a little

of that Nick Winters charm

and I use my journalistic

superpowers

to get her to open up.

This story needs someone

who understands fiction.

Her novels are all geared

towards hopeless romantics.

When it comes to matters

of the heart, Nick,

you're just hopeless.

I know, but I'm not writing

about her books.

I'm writing about her.

She's a mystery.

A recluse who writes about

strangers finding each other

and falling in love.

I mean, how does that work?

It's not a bad story. RYAN: Mm-hmm.

You'll never get it.

She won't talk to you.

I mean, did you see the article

The Journal ran on her

a few years ago?

"Queen of romance,

Dunce of Dating" I read it.

It's a takedown piece

and that is not my style.

I will get to her.

I am the most tenacious writer

you have on staff.

There's a fine line

between tenacious and annoying.

Look, Fan? Hmm?

You and I both know this

magazine's going down

without a Christmas miracle,

right?

Fine.

Nick, you get Natalie

to agree to be on our cover.

Or don't bother coming home.

Oh no! You okay?

You want me to see

if there's a back entrance

so you can avoid the fanfare?

No, isn't being

around the fanfare

the whole point of me

leaving my apartment?

Yeah.

I'm ready to meet the public.

You're a dork.

You know that? Yeah.

Okay, I'll head inside and make

sure they're ready for ya.

It's nice to see it's not just

women who love Natalie Wolfe.

No. I'm...

Actually, I'm a journalist,

working on a story about Natalie

for SHEmagazine.

But you're not a fan

of her novels?

I didn't say that,

I mean, I read, uh,

Bumped in Buffalolast night

and, yeah, I get the appeal.

Right? Her stories

are always so compelling.

Mm-hmm. She's like

the modern-day Emily Bronte.

I suppose.

You don't think her stories

are just a wee bit dated

for the modern world?

Dated? How?

You have to admit

that she perpetuates the myth

that a woman secretly desires

to be rescued by a man.

I don't believe that

to be true at all.

Yeah, neither do I.

OMG, you're Natalie Wolfe.

See you inside.

"Dylan's gaze slid over Paige

on that chilly Christmas Eve

like a veil of fire."

"Then, with one tender kiss,

they entwined their souls

for eternity."

"The end."

Thank you.

Now, before, uh,

Natalie starts signing books,

she would love to field

some questions.

No.She would love to.

Any questions?

Okay.Uh... yes?

Natalie, I always wondered

if real people

inspire your lead characters?

Natalie.

Yes. I think there's always

a part of me

in all of my heroines.

Only I'm, uh... maybe

12 percent as brave as Paige.

As for Caleb, he was based

on my first high school crush.

You mean Dylan?

Dylan. Yeah, Dylan.

I said Dylan,

didn't I say Dylan? Caleb.

Dylan was based on my first

high school crush, Caleb.

Oh, he sounds dreamy.

Did you ever go out with him?

Almost.

But uh, that is a story

I might share in the next book.

So, you know, look for it.

So has the Queen of romance

found her own

happily ever-after?

Let's... Let's raise hands

to ask questions.

No, I'll answer it.

I believe

that happily ever-after

is more of a journey

than a destination.

Aw.

Great. Okay.

Anybody have other questions?

Oh, here! WOMAN 2: Yeah, over here!

Thank you. WOMAN 3: Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Hi. Uh, Nick Winters.

Hi.Hi.

I really didn't mean anything

by my comment earlier.

My boss says

that I'm hopeless and annoying.

So far I agree

with the assessment.

Nick with a "K", right? NICK: Yes.

So, I... I'm a writer

with SHEmagazine

and I tried contacting

your publicist for an interview

but all I seem to get

is a runaround.

That's what I pay him for.

But surely your fans would love

to get a peek at the life

of America's favorite

romance novelist?

Been there, done that.

Still licking my wounds.

Look...

don't take this personally,

but I just don't talk

to journalists.

The truth is,

I'm a bit of a bore

and it's bad for business

to let the word out. Oh, I doubt that

and if you would just give me

a few minutes, I...

Sorry, Nick with a "K".

Nothing you could say

would change my mind.

So you'll think about it.Oh.

You were a huge hit.

Looked like you were having fun.

Oh, so much fun.

Mission accomplished.

Let's go home.

It turns out that's

gonna be a little tougher

than it ought to be.

Uh, there's a major blizzard

on the way into town

and the airport's

already been shut down

but, hey,

it's not all good news.

With the Buffalo wing

convention in town

there's not a hotel room

to be had for 30 miles.

Ryan, this is Nick Winters.

The journalist from SHEmagazine

who up until now,

you've successfully

managed to avoid.

Oh, right.

Always nice to put a face

to an unanswered voicemail.

Yeah. I cannot get stuck here.

I have a Christmas deadline,

remember? I...

Well, as fate would have it,

I have a roomy Sedan

with heated seats

and I really don't mind sharing

as I white-knuckle it

over the mountain pass

to avoid that blizzard.

Well, that is very generous,

Nick, but we rented our own SUV.

Well, in that case, would you

mind giving me a lift

back to the city,

'cause I really don't want

to white-knuckle it

over that mountain pass alone.

You really don't give up,

do you?

Hey, look, Natalie.

I respect that you

are a very private person.

But if you just give me

a chance,

you will see

that I will surprise you.

In a good way.

In a really, really, really,

really, really, really good way.

You know, there's a study

about first impressions

and it shows that they are

way overrated.

Really? NICK: Hmm.

How overrated are they?

Way. Wow.

All right.

If I take this card from you... NICK: Hm?

Will you walk away?

Are you kidding me?

I... I will gladly

take a foot in the door

over two in my mouth.

Okay.

Now let's get

over that mountain pass

before the storm hits. RYAN: Mm-hmm.

It's really starting

to come down, isn't it?

How much further to the pass?

I lost the signal on the GPS,

but using my uncanny

New Yorker sense of direction,

I can almost smell the dirty

water hot dogs on 47th.

Nick was right

about getting on the road.

Nick? You're not...

You're not seriously considering

granting him an interview?

Because People Magazine

is dying to sit down

with the Queen

of Christmas romance.

Right now, the Queen

remains mum on the subject.

Why is that always

your clever go-to line

anytime I try to do my job?'Cause it works.

I... I know you were stung by... Uh-huh.

No... by the unnamed

publication's article,

but that was years ago.

Yeah.Okay. Nick's not wrong in saying

it's time to give your fans

a glimpse of the real you.

I'm not sure I'm ready

to give them the glimpse

of the real me.

Do you know what Nick said?

He said my novels

perpetuate the myth

that a woman secretly desires

a man to rescue her.

What's wrong with that? You agree with him?

Uh, who doesn't want to be swept

away by a knight one day?

Of any size,

color, or denomination.

I just don't think

of my characters

as needing to be rescued.

They're more

like kindred spirits

who come together

despite all obstacles.

Well, your novels certainly

give us a sense of hope

that we all might find

our one and only.

You really mean that? Really, really.

Trust me,

there is absolutely no reason

for this damsel

to get distressed.

She said, she'd think about it.

Uh, yeah. Yeah.

Well, no, not exactly,

but that was the gist.

That sounds like a grade A

blow off to me, Nick.

Look, you know me.

I will find a way in

even if I have

to turn the charm up to 11.

Well, this is gonna take

more than just charm.

I mean, she was b*rned

by a journalist like you.

I know, and we'll make

that part of the story.

I... I'll tell her

that I'm not looking to write

some tell-all expos.

Well, let's try to remember

we are selling magazines here.

And I'm sure we can do that

if I show the world

what the true heart of their

Queen of Hearts looks like.

Well, good luck with that.

You'll have to talk

to her first.

Actually, first I have

to make it past this snowstorm.

Then I have to find her,

and then I have to talk to her.

Date, marry, k*ll. Go.

Oh, well, I'd date Ryan Gosling,

but not just any Ryan.

I want the Crazy Stupid Love

Ryan Gosling.

That's wildly specific. Marry?

Uh, Jake Gyllenhaal.

No brainer.

From? Brokeback Mountain.

It's the only Jake Gyllenhaal

I'd wanna marry.

"You can't quit me." Ryan! Watch out!

I don't have a signal!

Oh, I got a bar! Yeah?

Oh, wow. Maybe our luck

really is changing.

You have a signal? No, a single.

I... I got a power like

on my dating app

and he's totally my type. Dude!

I lost the signal.Ugh.

There's a tow truck. Hey! Oh, God.

Hi! Oh, thank you.

You folks having some trouble?

Yeah, something like that.

Natalie? Caleb?

Natalie! What...

I haven't seen you since... High school.

Oh, he's that Caleb?

What are you...

doing here?

Small world, huh? Yeah. Oh, yeah.

You look...

great.NATALIE: You look even better

than I remember.

Hey, I'm Ryan Turner.

Natalie's apparently

invisible publicist.

Hey!

Yeah, so the closest town

is Cranberry Falls.

It's just a few miles

over the pass.

It's clear on that side.

Why don't you two hop

in the warm cab

and I'll hitch you both

to safety.Okay.

Okay. CALEB: Okay?

Yeah.

Wow.

Right. Thank you so much.

So kind. RYAN: Just get in the car.

You're welcome.

Can't leave you out here.

Well, Miss Natalie.

This is truly a surprise

and an honor

to have an author

as famous as you,

staying here with us

at the St. Nicholas Inn.

Well, the honor is mine.

You're inn is incredible.

I believe you're the second

famous author

to grace our doors.

Charles Dickens stayed here

when the place was new.

Wow. Your literary hero.

I know,

I just got a little chill.

Hi.Hi.

Um, I'm gonna take your SUV

down to Mike's garage

and it should be fixed

by tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you.

You're a lifesaver.

I don't know

what we would have done

if you hadn't come along.

I guess we both got lucky.

Caleb, there

are three more in the pass.

What's your ETA? Well, duty calls.

Um, maybe we can catch up

while you're in town? Yes!

That would be good.

Okay, uh, Ms. Olivia,

she sets up quite the breakfast.

I could swing by around 8:00?Great.

It's a date.

It's not a date.

It's, uh, uh, breakfast.

Yes.Reunion.

Reunion.

See you tomorrow.

Hmm.

Okay. Now can we finally talk

about that juicy spark

I saw between you two

out on the road?

Juicy spark. First of all,

you didn't see anything,

it was a snowstorm.

Second of all, it wasn't a spark

it was shock at not having

seen each other for years.

Okay. Well, deny it all you want

but I know what I saw.

Well, I am going to get

into bed and pass out.

And try to forget this day

ever happened.

Fine.

I'm just down the hall.Okay.

Okay.

Oh, man.

Okay.

Natalie Wolfe?

Huh? Oh, no.

Oh.NATALIE: Wow, Nick.

What are you doing here?

Oh, well the storm

was just impossible

so I had to pull off

to the side of the road.

How 'bout you? Uh... we

got stuck in a snowbank

and had to be rescued.

Sounds like the start

to a good story.

Nope, not res...

Wrong choice of words.

We had to be...

Towed? NATALIE: Towed.

And it wasn't just me,

it was my publicist, male,

who was the one

who drove it off the road

and he had to be rescued.

Got it. NATALIE: Yeah.

Well, I'm glad you're okay.Thanks.

Why do you have my books?

Oh, you know...

doing my research.

Um, you said,

you'd think about it

so I'm just building

on that faith.

Well, I hope

you don't find them too dated

in the modern world.

Uh, yeah. See, about that,

I... I was... I'm tired.

I'm gonna go to bed.

And did I mention, uh...

I don't talk to journalists?

Okay?

The door is kind of tricky

with the cold.Yep.

The lock sometimes sticks.Mm-hmm. I get it.

Sure you don't need some help?

Nope, don't need to be rescued.

I got it.

Good night, Natalie.

NATALIE: Goodbye, Nick.

You look quite rested.

I trust you had

a good night's sleep?

Oh, Miss Olivia

I had a great one, actually.

I can't remember the last time

I woke up feeling so rested.

People say that all the time.Yeah.

I think there's something

special in the air here

in Cranberry Falls. NICK: Hmm.

Good morning, Miss Olivia.

Good morning. CALEB: Have you seen Natalie?

I'm meeting her for breakfast.

Not yet, Caleb.

But I'm sure

she'll be down shortly.

Caleb? Uh,

you're a friend of Natalie's?

We went to high school together.

Why? You a friend of hers?

Well I wouldn't be

a very good one

unless I invited you to sit

and have a cup of coffee with me

while we wait for her.

And you can tell me

how you met up again

after all these years.

Sure. It was a wild coincidence,

actually.

I found her stranded

on the side of the road

as I was passing by

in my tow truck.

Really?

What are the chances?

I've been saying that a lot.

And I... I bet

she was shocked to see you.

We both were, actually.

You know, I have to admit,

back in the day,

I had a bit of a crush on her. All right.

Do tell.

Uh, I... I'm sorry.

Just naturally curious.

Romance writer, old crush,

rescued from a snowbank.

I mean it sounds like something

from one of the stories

she writes.

I know, right?

I had no idea

how famous she actually was.

Until I looked her up last night

found out a few things.

Her social media is crazy.

Millions of followers

all over the world.

New York Times

bestselling author.

They don't call her

the Queen of Christmas romance

for nothing.

And I'm wondering

where all that started.

Um, what was she like

in high school?

Hmm. She was beautiful.

She was shy.

I was a grade ahead of her.

We talked a lot.

Hung out a bit. Did you ever ask her out?

You know, you do ask a lot

of questions.

I don't mean to pry,

it's just...

When you talk about Natalie...

you light up.

She was special.

But I dated a lot back then.

I was all over the place.

And then by the time college

came around

and I thought it was good

to settle down,

I made the mistake of marrying

the first girl I fell for.

Oh.

And after the split...

I started wondering

what life would have been like

if I had made

different decisions.

Caleb, there's a bull hauler

that needs a lift on two-seven.

Oh, looks like it wasn't meant

to be, so...

Uh... Well, I know

that she would love to see you

and she's just running

a few minutes late.

So, maybe you have a message

that I can pass along to her,

or your phone number?

8:30! Oh, no! No! No! No!

Please, take that to room-four.

Good morning, Ms. Natalie. Good morning.

I'm afraid you just missed him.

Caleb?

No, that Nick fellow.

He says you're gonna wanna

see him once you get a coffee.

He's in the drawing room.

Why would I want to see Nick?

He didn't say. He left shortly

after chatting with Caleb.

Thank you.

Hey! You're like gum on a shoe,

you know that?

Impossible to get rid of.

A little peanut butter

will take that gum right off.

Oh, does that work

on nosy journalists?

Not usually.

Although, this time it seems

like you've come to me.

I am only here to tell you

to stop poking around

in my personal life. I didn't poke.

Although, I do admit that

curiosity got the best of me

when I ran into a certain

someone named Caleb

this morning at breakfast.

What did you tell him?

NICK: I didn't say anything.

But he could not stop talking

about you.

Okay. I'll bite.

He kind of let it slip

that he had a thing

for you in high school. Yeah, yeah.

He didn't say that.

I swear, it's true.

He said that seeing you again

caused him to start wondering

how his life would be if he'd

only made different decisions.

Uh... why are you

telling me this?

Since you mentioned that he was

your inspiration

I just thought it was

the right thing to do.

Yeah, right.

What is your angle, Nick?

I really am just trying

to build good faith here.

I mean, think about it.

If we hadn't met in Buffalo,

and you hadn't accidentally

mentioned Caleb

and the three of us

hadn't accidentally ended up

in this sleepy little town,

then I wouldn't have been able

to give you this.

His cell number's on the back.

Who knows?

This might be the start

of a Christmas romance

of the Queen's own.

I really like this one...

NATALIE: Thank you, Nick.

See, I knew that

there was something there.

And Nick's conversation

with Caleb confirms it.

Yeah, see.

That's what's bothering me.

If I had just kept my mouth

shut in Buffalo,

none of this would be happening.

None of this?

Uh... you just found out

your old crush

still has a thing for you.

That should

give you butterflies.

The look on your face is

like you got a deadline due.

Well, there's that.

And the fact that you've got me

out in public.

Sitting in a tea shop, wondering

if some random journalist

is gonna put my whole life

on blast again.

Okay. We both know

this isn't about Nick

or you finishing your novel.

What's really going on?

I'm nervous about Caleb.

Back in high school,

he wasn't just a crush,

he actually kind of

broke my heart.

Kind of? Yep. And he may not

even know that.

Maybe that's what's bugging me?

Well, that was a long time ago.

I'm sure you've both changed

a lot since then.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

I'm acting

like a silly teenager.

I'm... I'm gonna call him.

It's no big deal.

We'll have a quick catch-up

and that'll be that.

Or, you'll discover

your old crush

is still the man of your dreams,

only slightly older,

and a whole lot hotter.

And I'm nervous again.

Just start dialing. Dial.

Random question,

but do you believe in fate?

I think that's the thing

that people like to credit

for when things work out.

But in the end we'll never

really know,

so I say why worry about it?

I'll drink to that. Why do you ask?

Mm.

I was supposed to meet a guy

here a half an hour ago

and I don't know

if it wasn't meant to be

or if he just plain old

stood me up.

Well, let's give the guy

the benefit of the doubt.

And the next drink's on me.

Oh, that's very nice, Sal.

Hey. Natalie.

Thank you. Hi, Nick. SAL:

Nick Winters for pickup?

So, drinking alone, huh?

Nope, I'm not alone. Sal's here

Hey, Sal, how do you wish

somebody good luck

on a first date?

It's not a date, Sal. Here's your to-go.

Oh, you hear that Nick?

It's time for you to go.

Third wheel rolling away.Mm-hmm.

You have fun.

Yes, Mr. Hansen.

Nick told me to expect you.

So, welcome

to the St. Nicholas Inn.

Your room is just up the stairs

and around the corner.

Oh, thanks.

I see Nick didn't waste

any time calling in the cavalry.

And you must be

Natalie's publicist.

Ryan, right? Lucas Hansen.

Staff photographer and a huge

fan of your client's...

Look, if Nick just sent you in

to butter me up,

tell him nice try. No, no, no, no.

I'm not trying to butter you up.

My passion's real.

My ex put me onto

Christmas Can Wait

and I've read it

like seven times.

Go ahead. Test me.

Okay. Uh,

at the end of the novel,

when Rich pulls Beth

into a surprise embrace

outside the Christmas tree

at Rockefeller Center,

what does he whisper

into her ear?

"I can't seem to remember

a moment before you."

"Or imagine another one

without you in it."

It's impressive.

And maybe you should be

the one interviewing Natalie.

She doesn't mind talking

to her fans.

Thanks.

I'll pass that on to Nick.

And I'll dog-ear all the

right pages for him to read.

Oh, sure. Everyone knows Caleb.

He's something of a local hero.

He works part-time

as a volunteer firefighter.

So he's a part-time firefighter.

Mm-hmm. Full-time hero. Wow.

Uh... how so? Oh, he started the toy drive

at the firehall for kids

and he's the one who started

the festival

to attract Christmas traffic

for the local businesses.

"The Dickens Festival."

Yeah, it started

as a regular Christmas market

and then he changed it

to the Dickens theme.

So they wander around

drinking mulled wine,

eating roasted chestnuts,

celebrating the day

that Charles himself

strode these very streets.

Really?

And Caleb came up with this

and the toy drive?

For the kids.

For the kids.

Natalie! Hey.

Sorry I'm late. I got hung up

at the fire station

with our upcoming toy drive.

That's okay.

Sal kept me company.

But first impressions

are everything.

They are, and I was the one

who overslept for breakfast,

so I guess we're even.

Even it is.

Hey, when were you gonna

tell me about this festival

and the toy drive?

Uh... this morning

at breakfast.

Right.

Well, do you want to tell me

what else you're famous for?

Me? Yeah.

How 'bout you?

Let's get a table.

We got a whole lifetime

to catch up on.

Okay.

Caleb started the festival

by canvassing local businesses

to become sponsors to the event

to promote tourism.

Smart, considering

the charm of the town.

Yeah, you'd think.

The years have gotten leaner.

We've all had to look

at creative ways

to keep the festival going

and no one works harder at that

than Caleb.

So he's a "never take no

for an answer" sort of guy?

Once he zeros

his sights on something,

just get out of his way.

Like the stunt

he pulled last year

to help promote sales.

The firefighters

of Cranberry Falls.

There's no lengths he won't go

to keep our festival on track

Wow, that's, uh, bold.

Yeah. So, how did he end up here?

Well, he moved here

with his girlfriend

looking for a fresh start

after his divorce.

And how long ago was that?

Uh, four years ago.

He started a towing company

and she started Trish's Pastry.Oh.

The relationship fizzled,

but he and Trish,

they still remain close.

That's a little unusual, but...

refreshing. Yeah, yeah.

I still see them out and about.Yeah.

I mean, it's impossible

not to like that guy.

Hm.

So, after a promising

football career

got sidelined

by several concussions,

I found myself...

at a job I didn't love

in a city I didn't want

to be in,

with a girl

I wasn't meant to marry.

I'm sorry. CALEB: Don't be.

My philosophy is, "Ever tried."

"Ever failed." "No matter."

"Try again." "Fail again."

"Fail better.""Fail better."

Samuel Beckett. Yeah.

When I read that quote

I thought to myself

that that's gonna be me.

And when you lose

your fear of failure,

your odds of success

instantly increase.

I wish

I could be more like that.

After the success

of my first novel,

I feel like I'm always

competing against myself.

Too busy to get married?

Uh... I'm writing all the time.

Plus, I kind of took

a break from people

after this horrible article

came out about me

with a bunch of stuff

taken way out of context

and it hurt my brand.

And it hurt me.

I guess, I'm just getting

back out into the world now.

Hmm. I'm sorry

that happened to you.

Thank you.

Hey, do you remember

that you once asked me out

on a date?

Uh, yeah.

It was to a dance or something.

Yeah.

I... Those years were

a bit of a blur to me.Yeah.

I probably came off

full of myself.

No. Oh, no. I would

never describe you as that.

Oh. So how would you

describe me?

If I was one of your characters?

Okay.

Um... Caleb had

an easygoing charm

that was like a hidden

superpower to those around him.

He had a smile that instantly

put everyone at ease.

Wow.

I like the sound of that guy.Yeah.

Keep going.No.

It's your turn. Describe me.

I'm not a writer. So?

Okay, I'll give it a sh*t.

Here it goes.

Everything about Natalie

is an understatement.

From her innocent gaze

to her shy smile.

She might not stop a party

when she enters a room,

but if she could see herself

through my eyes...

she'd know how truly special

she really is.

How'd I do?

Yeah. I wouldn't change a word.

He is a small-town

firefighter who is spearheading

the local Christmas festival

and a toy drive.

Well, sounds like he's the guy

who gets introduced

on page-two of every book

she's ever written.

Dude, totally.

She has found herself

a real-life hero

who is going to rescue her

out of her funk.

I'm telling you,

this story is so good

it's practically writing itself.

Yeah, it is.

If you can convince her

to let you tell it.

Quick, quick, quick, come on.

Come on! Bring it.

Get the camera.

I heard you were a swimmer.

I gotta be honest.

This is the most fun

I've had in a very long time.

Then why don't you stick around

Cranberry Falls?

Just for a few days,

until the Dickens Festival.

I gotta get home.

I'm chasing a Christmas

deadline.

Come on.

We just said hello.

Are you sure

you're ready to say goodbye?

Okay, this sh*t's for the cover.

Sorry.

Yep, it's Gloria, my editor.

She's calling

to sound the alarms. I...

Just tell me you'll stay.

You make it very difficult

to say no.

Oh.

Hi, Gloria. So?

How are we doing

with our rewrites?

Well, it's a work in progress.

But you will be happy to know

that I've started my list

of must-haves in a mate.

Oh, look at you

taking my advice.

What have you got so far? Oh.

Okay. Sense of humor is one.Copycat.

It's a good one.

Two,

he has to have a kind heart.

Always helpful.

And tonight I thought,

I have to be with someone

who isn't afraid

to be vulnerable.

That is a good one for you.

So it sounds like it was good

that you took the evening off.

But your time off be over now.

I am back at it.

And, uh, I've decided to stay

until I nail down

those last 30 pages.

I'm gonna turn this book into

the next Natalie Wolfe classic.

So much for our

big kiss goodnight.

Nick, come on.

This is the magic moment.

The smoldering gaze

in their eyes.

Their hands just

gently touching.

Yeah, I suppose, but...

no kiss.

You will never see on a cover

of a romance novel

the leads kissing.

But they almost kiss.

Now that's actually

more powerful

'cause it confirms

to the audience

that we're invested in them

getting together at the end.

Yeah.

The lines between real life

and fiction begin to blur.

That might be my way in.

Oh, hey. So how was your

big night out with Caleb?

Ugh!

Okay. But I can see the answer

written all over your face.

You don't have to tell me.

But, if you do want to tell me,

I'm all ears.

You are relentless,

you know that?

Look, I am trying

with everything I got here

but it's really not easy

with your whole

"hey, let's keep everybody

at arm's length" thing

you have going on. Not everybody. Just you.

Just give me five minutes,

talk to me

and if you still

really don't like me,

then you never have

to see me again, I promise.

Five minutes.

Tell me something, Nick.

Why does your boss

call you hopeless?

Uh...

Well, let's just say, uh,

my once upon a time

didn't exactly end

in a happily ever-after.

Oh, that's the story

I want to hear.

Okay.

Well, look, if you really

want to hear

the long dreaded tale

of love gone awry,

you're gonna have to ply me

with a little hot cocoa first.

Done.

Well, when I was growing up,

my dad worked at this train

museum in Brooklyn.

And every Christmas Eve,

the museum would host

this potluck

for those less fortunate.

I would always go down there

to help out...

and it was magical.

The lights,

the glittering decorations,

the smiles on everybody's faces.

But the real showstopper

was this old-fashioned

locomotive called The Hudson.

And it looked just like the

train from the Polar Express.

And as a kid, I was convinced

that if I just wished

hard enough,

at midnight on Christmas Eve,

that train,

it would take me

to the North Pole to meet Santa.

Aw. I love that.

Eventually, that boy

became a man.

A man, who in his senior year

of college

met and fell for the woman

of his dreams.Oh.

And she was so smart

and she was ambitious...

and for whatever reason

she seemed to love me too. Uh...

So, one Christmas Eve

I invited her to share

my favorite tradition.

Although, end of the night

I've got a surprise.

When everybody's gone,

I invite her back

to the Polar Express train.

I get down on one knee...

and I propose. And she turned you down?

If only it were that simple.

No, that is just the tip

of the proverbial iceberg

that sank my heart.

No, uh, as a matter of fact...

she was having an affair.

With my best friend.Ugh.

Nick, I am so sorry.

You must hate Christmas now.

That year? Yeah.Yeah.

But no. I love Christmas.

I really do.

I love everything about it.

And I even went back

the next year

to that train museum

and I've been back

every year since.

And I love to see the looks

on everybody's faces

when we make their Christmas Eve

just a little bit brighter.

Tell me something, Nick.

Do you think you could

tell my story with the same...

honesty as you told yours

just now?

We wouldn't be sitting here

if I didn't.

The real question is,

are you brave enough

to let me tell it?

It's better at night.

Talk to me, Holly.

What are you afraid of here?

Is it fear of the truth?

Is it fear

of getting hurt again?

What's missing?

What do I need you

to say, Holly?

Tell me, and we can all

walk away happy.

You're extending our stay

through the Dickens Festival

and you're giving Nick

an exclusive?

I take it last night's date

must have been off the charts.

It's hard to describe.

It wasn't that it went well

then it just felt so effortless.

It tends to happen when you

already know the guy's into you.

I guess.

Gosh, it's been so long

since I've had a date

I forgot some of them

could actually be fun.

Ah! I'm jealous.

I want one of those.

Oh, uh, Natalie,

this is Lucas Hansen.

The photographer for SHEmagazine

and your number one fan.

Oh.And I know fans.

I follow your blog every morning.

- Oh.

Starting with your daily

affirmations, of course.

Well, you actually have Ryan

to thank for that.

He handles all my social media.

Oh, wow. You must

really love what you do then.

Some of this stuff you come up

with is like this beacon of hope

to the recent members

of the lonely hearts club.

Really? I must have overshot.

Uh...

Well, uh, I'm off to Buffalo.

Nick's got me getting some

establishing sh*ts

for where it all began for you.

To create this sort of

once-upon-a-time theme.

It's a clever idea.

Why do I get the feeling

it was yours?

I can neither confirm

nor deny that.

But, if you're not too busy,

I'd love some company.

Oh, uh... Yeah, go.

I can handle the interview

on my own.

Well, it appears my day

has suddenly opened up.

Awesome. Just parked outside. RYAN: Sure.

This is huge.

Nick, our ad sales doubled

with the news

that Natalie Wolfe

is on our cover.

So, how did you manage to crown

the Queen of Christmas?

Well, I stopped

trying to get a story,

told one of my own.

Well, this could be a real

game changer for the magazine

and for you. I know. Classic no pressure.

Now, I just have

to get it right.

Then get it right, Nick.

Lagging ticket sales

spooked two of our top sponsors

and they've decided to pull out

of this year's festival.

Chief, pre-sales never determine

our final tally.

Let's just scale back the venue.

We only have half the vendors

that we had last year.

Wait, you're not thinking

about cancelling the festival?

The only way the festival

survives

is if we stir up interest.

Then let's contact the news

outlets in Buffalo.

Newspapers, radio. I've tried.

They're not interested.

To them, Cranberry Falls

is small potatoes.

I got an idea.

Of course, you do.

So, if you could go back in time

and give your 16-year-old self

just one piece of advice,

what would it be? I would tell her

to stop overthinking.

Huh. Yeah, and be more confident.

Thank you.

Be more confident, um...

Don't worry so much

about what other people think.

You know?

Find a work-life balance.

Oh, and stop procrastinating.

That's huge with me, even now.

It's a lot of advice

for your 16-year-old self.Mm-hmm.

She needed a lot of help.

Oh, I see.

The truth is though,

no matter what I told myself...

I probably wouldn't listen.

And see that's exactly

what I thought you'd say.

Oh right, because you did

your research. Right. NICK: Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. Okay, Mr. Research.

What was the one thing about me

that you found

the most surprising?

Hm.

That you've never actually

admitted to being in love

and yet have delivered

a seemingly endless treasure

trove of love stories.

You think I'm lying

about who I am?

Not at all, no.

From what I can tell,

deception is the trait

you loathe most in a person.

Trust for me is everything.

Hm.

You create a world

we wish exists,

just not necessarily

a reflection

of the world we live in.

Yeah.

Sorry.

Caleb, isn't it?

Telling you how much fun

he had last night.

Can't wait to see you again.

All good guesses.

He wants to show me around

the firehouse this afternoon.

You go. Um... you've been

more than generous

with your time. Yeah? Okay.

The problem is, what I really

should be doing

is getting back upstairs

to my computer

so that I can do the sit

and stare for hours.

Uh-oh, words not coming, huh?

Oh, no, they're coming.

They're just not any good.

I've got writer's block.

Ah, a problem I know

all too well.

Uh... hey, if...

if you want, I could show you

a tried and true method

that's guaranteed to chase

the creative blues away.

Oh? Yeah. If you want.

Okay, my turn.

Uh... "You pierce my soul."

"I am half agony, half hope."

"I have loved none but you."

You're trying to trick me.

That's not

one of Natalie's books.

That's Jane Austin's Persuasion.

I love that book. Oh, me too.

My David hated it

for some reason.

Ah, you're really k*lling

the spirit of the game,

bring your ex into it, again.

Oh, no. I'm sorry.

I'm turning

into one of those losers

that can't stop talking

about their ex.

How long's it been? Six months now.

Hm.Time to move on, right?

Oh, I really don't think

you should be asking me

for dating advice. What?

I can't imagine a guy

who can quote

all my favorite parts

of Jane Austin would be single

for any length of time.

Uh... Well, then you're

not imagining hard enough.

I've been on

so many bad coffee dates,

my dating profile should read,

"Save us the trouble

and just swipe left."

You know, I think dating apps

actually do more harm than good.

Yeah.

But to answer your question

about when to dip a toe

back in the dating pool...

you'll know

when you feel the spark.

I think that writer's block

is your subconscious

just telling you

to shake up your routine

and try something new. New

is being out in public.

New is coming to this town

and none of it is helping.

I'm pretty sure that your

routine is sitting in front

of a computer

and just making things up.

Okay. That's over-simplifying...

Hey, hey, look. We all do it.

For instance,

I ask questions for a living.

Yeah, I noticed that.

I ask questions and then people

give me answers

and then I sit

in front of a computer

and I spill it all out

and I hope it comes together

in some semi-cogent way.

Whereas I ask and answer

all the questions,

plus come up

with the characters,

the settings and the arcs.Yes. Exactly.

Quite literally everything.

And then, you make everything up

from all of that information

inside of your head.Yeah.

I have to come up

with new questions all the time.Exactly.

So, maybe you just need someone

new to ask you questions...

so you can focus

on some answers.

Okay. Fine. Have at it.

What's your story about?

It is a story about two former

high school sweethearts,

Holly and Derek, who years later

meet up by chance

and start to fall in love.

Okay, and what happened

when they first broke up?

Well, they are from a small town

and so she goes away to college

and he stays

and blah, blah, blah.

Stop it right there.

Your answer lies

in the "blah, blah, blah."

What happened

when they were teenagers?

Somebody broke

somebody's heart, right? Yes.

So, inevitably,

that is going to inform

how they get back together.

That is exactly

where my block is.

You're not gonna believe this.

My ending takes place

at a train station.

Trust the process.

Should we go try something new?

Absolutely. Come.

All aboard!

This is even better

than I imagined it in my book.

Okay. I want you

to stop thinking

about the work right now

and just imagine

what it would be like

to be on this platform

with your high school

sweetheart.

And all those old feelings

start to resurface.

I see what you're doing

and my book is not

about Caleb and me.

That is just a point

of reference.

What would you do?

What would I do?

I would...

have to let go

of a lot of hurt and...

learn to trust again.

And where does that hurt

come from?

Caleb was my first crush,

and I'm not even sure he knew.

So he broke your heart. My teenage heart.

And what broke it?

My junior year...

Caleb asked me to go

to the Christmas dance.

I was thrilled.

My mother went out

and got a new dress

and I did my hair

and I stood by the front door,

waiting for him to come get me.

And he never showed up?

He ended up taking someone else.

Ouch. Yeah.

Two days later, when I finally

got the courage

to ask him what happened...

he said,

he didn't remember asking

and he may not have.

I'm not even sure anymore,

but he was very apologetic

and he asked what he could do

to make it up to me,

blah, blah, blah. Now, you see

where the "blah, blah, blah"

comes from.

He was very, very sorry

and I did my best to let it go.

It takes a lot of strength

to do that.

I don't know about that.

It didn't feel strong.

It just felt like I was trying

to preserve the friendship.

He was such a good guy. NICK: No, no, no.

Don't you dare deflect that.

That takes real strength.

That is your strength.

Thank you.

Okay.

That in mind, back to the book.Okay.

Take that strength in. NATALIE: Mm-hmm.

And hand it to Holly.

An entire year had passed

since Derek and Holly rekindled

their childhood romance.

The plan was to wait a year

and if their feelings

were just as strong,

return to the spot where

they said their last goodbye.

Derek!

Holly. I knew you'd make it.

Wait, this isn't hello, is it?

I'm here to apologize.

Something I should have done

a long time ago.

Look, back when I left

for college,

we said that we would try

to keep a long distance

thing going

but then the calls became fewer

and the emails drifted off

and then you sent

that text saying,

"maybe it's time for us

to talk."

And you never called me back.

I couldn't do it.

I thought it was because

I was scared,

but now I know the truth.

And that's that I chose

not to call you back because...

I wasn't ready to let you go.

Holly...

what are you saying? Don't you see, Derek?

I have never stopped loving you.

And now fate

has given us this second chance

and this time,

I am not running away.

I am standing right here

and I am telling you...

that I am not letting you go.

Nick, you did it!

I... I have my ending!

Oh, my Gosh, thank you,

thank you, thank you!

You're welcome, you're welcome.

Okay. Well, I guess,

I gotta go to the firehouse.

All right, go.

Thank you!

You must be so excited

for the Dickens Festival.

I know I can't wait.

Actually, we just found out

that some of our sponsoring

businesses have backed out

and there's a chance that we'll

have to cancel the festival

unless we pull a rabbit

out of our hat.

Oh, no. I'm sorry.

How can I help?

Maybe I can make a donation?

That's very generous, Natalie.

I can't ask you for money.

What we need

is public awareness.

People don't know about us.

We're like New York state's

best kept secret.

I get it.

Why try to save the festival

if no one shows up

to support it.

Mm-hmm.

Maybe I can help.

I don't want to put you out,

but you certainly do have

a fanbase that could turn

this around in a hurry.

I can't make any promises,

but let's see if my publicist

can get the, uh,

snowball rolling.

Thank you! You're the best.

This is a pretty big favor

for Caleb to ask.

Given that you barely know

one another.

He didn't ask, I offered.

Well, if you really want

to make a splash

and take a giant leap

out of your comfort zone,

you'd speak directly

to your followers.

You mean like a live feed of me,

on camera to millions?

To millions of your hardcore

fans who love you.

Yeah, no. Just forget it.

I'll wave your magic wand

like I always do.

I'll get this festival trending

like a Christmas Kardashian.No.

I'll do it.

It's time for me to step out

of the shadows.

Really? NATALIE: Mm-hmm.

Wow, so you must really

like this guy.

This time, I'm not running away.

I'm standing here,

telling you...

that I'm not letting you go.

Hey guys, if you're looking

for true Christmas spirit,

check out the Dickens Festival

here in Cranberry Falls.

You'll be magically transported

into one of those

quaint Christmas towns

I'm always writing about

and you'll be helping to make...

so many

deserving children's holiday

a lot more special.

How did you get Natalie

to do this?

It was her idea.

I mean, we had to do something.

I'm just glad we didn't have

to cancel the festival.

When Buffalo news caught wind

of her post,

they ran a story and the phones

immediately began to ring.

Well, I guess my festival

isn't small potatoes anymore.

Holly throws Derek

a breathless gaze

and as he leans in to plant

a tender kiss on her lips,

soft Christmas snow

begins to fall all around them.

The...

end.

No. Okay...

There you go, Gloria.

Hi!

Hi.NATALIE: Hi.

Thank you.

You put the Dickens Festival

and Cranberry Falls on the map.

We're at full capacity. Wow, that was fast.

I want you to know, you made

a whole lot

of people's Christmases

a whole lot brighter.

Not to mention mine.

Hey, uh...

what do you like better

in terms of description?

Lingering or wistful?

Nick, look.

You totally surprised me.

I really don't know

how to thank you

or what to say...

other than

the other night...

I forgot to give you this.

Hey, uh, let's...

let's give them their privacy.

Really? Yeah. We don't need the kiss.

Thanks to you I am

a complete wreck.

Yay! Yay!

Now that

is a Natalie Wolfe ending.

I don't know where you got

these 30 pages from,

but it's like it came

straight from your heart.

You know Gloria,

it's this place.

There is something

about this place.

I love it.

I think it's the best thing

you've ever written.

Really?

It's authentic. It's heartfelt.

You really touched me.

And from your prose,

it seems like Natalie managed

to touch you, too.

Oh, yeah.

Well, I mean, if you were here

you'd have a hard time

not getting carried off

in the moment.

And I love the way you feathered

the whole theme

of the Dickens Festival

into the story.

It's just brilliant.

Welcome to Cranberry Falls.

Where real life and fiction

begin to blur.

Well, your article's

already sent to copy.

Lucas is sending sh*ts

of the festival tonight.

We'll embed them

as soon as possible

and hit the newsstands

first thing tomorrow morning.

Good.

Oh.

Hey. You must be Trish.

And you must be the writer

from SHEmagazine.

Mm-hmm. Caleb told me about you.

So, Dickens Festival.Hmm.

I understand you and Caleb

used to be an item.

Yeah. Who told you that?

Ben, down at the firehouse.

Well, to be honest,

Ben doesn't know

that Caleb and I still have an

on-again, off-again thing going.

Oh.

Let's just say

my Caleb has a hard time

resisting temptation.

Which shouldn't have come

as such a shock

since I was the girl

he cheated on his wife with.

Yeah.

Oh, no.

I am not letting you sneak out

of here without a look first.

Okay.

Very nice.

But you're missing something.

Your hat. Follow me.

And while I'm searching...

maybe you'll explain to me

the million mile away gaze

you have in your eyes.

Oh, uh...

It's that obvious, huh?

I guess, I'm a little worried

that someone might be falling

for a guy who's not exactly

all he's cracked up to be.

Someone you've come

to care about?

You know, I seem to have broken

the cardinal rule of journalism

by getting emotionally involved

with my subject.

And how did that happen?

This place. Uh...

Their chance meeting. Uh...

I guess I couldn't help myself.

I just don't want

to see her get hurt.

That really isn't in your power,

is it, Nick?

Found it.

What do I do?

Maybe it's time you trust

that thing inside your chest

that started b*ating again.

Oh, no.

Now what are you supposed

to be, an undertaker?

Uh, the ghost

of Christmas future.

I mean, I asked for

the Miss Havisham costume

but they only had it

in extra petite.

But, you'll be happy to know

because of you

my New Year's resolution

is me deleting my dating app.

Oh, wow.

Well, in that case,

what are you doing

Christmas Eve?

'Cause I would love

to take you out to dinner.

Maybe. If you agree to stop

whining about your ex.

Done. I will never mention

him again.

Well, then, of course,

I'll have dinner with you.

Now that we have so much more

to talk about.

Shall we? LUCAS: Absolutely.

Don't tell me, spirits.

What are you here to show me

the shadows of?

Christmas past? Maybe.

What do you think? You look great.

Of the festival?

Oh. It's, uh...

it's perfect. It's perfect.

I can't believe you brought

this whole festival to life.

Thanks. It's far from perfect

but you certainly helped make it

more than it could have been.

Caleb, we're ready for you.

Ah, yeah, and...

of course

the Chief is eager for me

to continue capitalizing

on the 15 minutes of fame

that you brought

to our little town.

Why don't you go wander?

I'll come find you.

Okay.

Hark the Herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn king

Hail, the Heav'n-born

Prince of Peace

Hail, the Son

Of Righteousness

Light and life

To all He brings

Hey.

Friends don't let friends

drink mulled wine alone.

Oh, hey, I'm just sitting here

toasting Christmas

Dickens style.

Cheers.

Hmm. What about you?

Where's Caleb?

He's busy for a sec

but I wanted to come by

and say thank you.

To say thank you for what?

For pushing me.

Well, I just hope

I didn't push too hard.

I'm glad you did.

I just think that

you're cautious

and that's not such a bad thing.

What's going on with you, Nick?

You look like Ebenezer

when he sees his tombstone.

Hey, Nick!

Oh, uh, it looks like...

Uh, yeah, Lucas is ready

to take some sh*ts.

Okay. Come on.

Okay.

Oh, that's the one. Yeah.

Perfect. Look at that.

Oh.Wow.

Thanks, Natalie.

Uh... how about just a few

with Caleb and Santa?

Yeah, sure. I don't mind.Yeah.

He's really something, isn't he?

Sorry? Caleb.

When you're in his company

it's like the whole world

suddenly vanishes, right?

That's a part of his charm.

I'm sorry, do I know you?

No. But I know you.

And why he broke up with me

three nights ago

for the fifth time.

I just want to let you know

that when Caleb grows bored

of his latest conquest,

he always comes back to me.

Trish?

Natalie,

whatever Trish said to you,

you have to know

that it's been over between us

for a long time. Three days ago?

Natalie, I meant everything

that I said to you.

Why should I believe you, Caleb?

You literally just tried

to lie to me.

Look, I'll admit, I'm no angel

but I'm not a bad guy.

No, but I'm not sure

you're a good guy either.

Ryan, can we go?

Natalie.

You just used her, didn't you?

You used her for her celebrity

and you used her for her

social media platform.

Just to help your festival.

You don't know me. NICK: Oh, I think I do.

And I know that you just blew

the best thing

to ever come back

into your life.

Trish! Baby, wait up!

Thank you. MISS OLIVIA:

I hope to see you again.

Natalie! I'm so sorry. You knew.

That's why you were acting

strange before.

Look, I had run into his

ex-girlfriend and she mentioned

that she was the woman

that he had had an affair with

when he was married

and that they had this weird

on again, off-again thing,

but I didn't know

if they were off or on.

I trusted you, Nick.

Why wouldn't you just

tell me that?

Especially, because the same

thing happened to you.

But I get it.

Why let a thing like that

stand in the way

of a good story.

Hey, um... RYAN: Yeah.

Joy to the World

The Lord is come

Let Earth receive her King

So you gonna join the party

or am I gonna bring

the party to you?

Prepare Him room

And heaven

And nature sing...

And heaven

And nature sing...

Look, bud, you gotta

stop kicking yourself.

You wrote what you thought

was happening at that time.

Yeah. But I could have told her.

It's not your job

to burst her balloon.

Also it wasn't my job

to fill it with air.

You wanted to believe

what we all thought

was unfolding

before our very eyes.

And Nick, all that means is

that you still believe in love.

Yeah, maybe.

But at Natalie's expense.

Okay. Hear me out.

'Cause I think your problem is,

is that you have feelings

for Natalie...

and you were afraid

that she might interpret it

as the reason why you weren't

telling her about Caleb.

No. She trusted me.

Yeah. She did.

And now you gotta go talk to her

and tell her the truth.

She doesn't want to talk to me.

Since when have you

let a little thing like that

hold you back?

Go get her.

I'm touched by the invitation

but what kind of first date

would it be

with me tagging along?

Well, it's gonna be

a memorable one.

Aw. I love that he bought

you flowers.

Oh, uh...

actually these aren't for me.

Nick asked me

to give these to you.

Round yon Virgin

Mother and Child

"Because of you,

I'll never stop believing...

Nick".

It wasn't about

getting the story, Natalie.

Nick really cares for you.

And I don't know,

being around you

somehow hit his reset button.

Did you see he signed it

with a red heart?

That's a lot for him.

You really don't see it, do you?

Do you know where he is?

I want to thank him for these

and wish him a Merry Christmas.

Yeah, he's volunteering at the

potluck for the less fortunate.

At the train museum.

That's his favorite part

about Christmas.

I can't believe I missed it.

Missed what?

The fifth thing I need

in a soulmate.

One, must have a sense of humor.

You know, there's a study

about first impressions

and it shows that they

are way overrated.

Really? NICK: Hmm.

How overrated are they?

Way. Wow.

Two, must be kind.

Takes a lot of strength

to do that.

It just felt like I was trying

to preserve the friendship.

He was such a good guy. NICK: No, no, no.

Don't you dare deflect that.

That takes real strength.

That is your strength.

Three, must be vulnerable.

I invite her back

to the Polar Express train,

I get down on one knee...

and I propose. And she turned you down?

If only it were that simple.

Four, must be trustworthy.

Do you think

you could tell my story

with the same...

honesty as you told yours

just now?

We wouldn't be sitting here

if I didn't.

And five...

I love Christmas.

I really do.

I love everything about it.

And I even went back

the next year

to that train museum

and I've been back

every year since.

And I love to see

the looks on everybody's faces

and we make their Christmas Eve

just a little bit brighter.

And five...

must love Christmas.

They seem pretty obvious to me.

Me too.

Why?

- Oh! Because I write Christmas...

- Yeah.

I have to go.

Have so much fun tonight.

Merry Christmas!

I don't care, I don't care

If I got it all

And no one to share

All the magic and mystery

Won't be the same

Without you with me

I can see Santa fly

I won't believe it if I try

Until you're here with me

Because you make it real

You make it real

All the magic and mystery

Won't be the same...

Wow, Nick.

This is everything

you said it would be.

Natalie? NATALIE: I couldn't sleep.

I figured I'd come

check it out in person and...

thank you for the flowers

and the card.

Yeah, you're welcome.

What did you mean

in the card about believing?

When I saw you and Caleb

come together

in Cranberry Falls,

it made me start to believe

that all those fairytale endings

you write could be real.

It really did feel like that,

didn't it?

And then when we found out

that he wasn't exactly the hero

that either one of us

wanted him to be,

well, I thought that would

change everything but it didn't.

It didn't? Because there was you.

Me?

The real story

was finding you, Natalie.

Look, ending up together

in Cranberry Falls,

that happened for a reason

and it wasn't because of Caleb

and it wasn't because

that you needed to be rescued.

It was me.

And me. I needed

to be pushed to go out.

To open up, to question

the way I was doing things.

NICK: It was me.

I needed to be reminded

of what it felt like

to fall in love.

Both of us needed

to be reminded of that, Nick.

I was hoping you'd say that.

It's Christmas.

Yeah.

The end.

Oh, no.

Natalie, you are not putting me

in one of your books.

I am totally putting this

in the book. This is gold! NICK: No!

Please, do not. No, no, no.

The story of us.

And it shall be called

Must Love Christmas.

Boom!
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