Christmas Ever After

Lost in the picturesque Alps,

Catarina clutches on to Desmond

feeling his strong arms around her.

Ugh. This is so bad.

2 a.m.?

Hey, Mila, it's me.

Obviously, you're sleeping because you're a normal person,

but I just wanted to let you know

that I'm not quite there yet.

I mean I'm close-ish, close adjacent,

but you'll have the new draft in your inbox when you wake up.

That's the plan.

Caffeine, check.

Lucky sweater, checkity check-check.

Ready to go, check. Didn't have to put that check there.

Nothing like a good night's sleep in your bed.

Well, that's gonna have to do it.

So here's the thing. The ending isn't working.

But I think it may be indicative of a larger problem.

- Desmond Ranes is... - Absolutely perfect?

But now he's almost too perfect.

You've built him

into an unrealistic concept of a hero.

I have a theory,

but, um, I'm not sure if I should say it.

Well, you can't say that and not say it.

Maybe, just maybe,

being a romance novelist

who's too picky to ever go on a second date

is starting to become a problem.

Well, what's wrong with having high standards?

You have impossible standards.

Okay, look, I'm just saying,

if you stopped looking for Desmond and started looking...

- I have an idea. - Okay. Great.

I go away for a week to Silver Springs

for Christmas as always, and then I'll come back

recharged and ready to rewrite the end of my book.

Sounds fun,

but, no can do.

Izzi, your holiday-themed book

was supposed to be available for the holidays.

You're gonna make me work through Christmas?

That is so Ebenezer of you.

I'm sorry.

The only reason I fought so hard to get you this third deadline

is because you're my most successful author

and my best friend.

Which means you're kind of okay.

And you're not that bad yourself.

Good morning. Antler Lodge.

Hey, Bob. It's Izzi.

Izzi! Great to hear from you.

I'll be seeing you in a few hours, yes?

Unfortunately no.

Oh, no. Did something happen? Are you okay?

No, I'm fine. It's just some work stuff came up.

Well, why don't you come up and work from here?

I mean, you can write anywhere, right?

I can, but my editor said I need to rework my book.

Izzi, I understand,

but it's just, it wouldn't be Christmas without ya.

I know. I work so hard all year.

Antler Lodge is my favorite place on Earth.

Sorry for the pity party. I'll see you next year.

Actually...

there is something I should tell you.

- Bob is retiring! - Who?

The owner of the B&B, this could be the last time

I get to stay in my room.

And by my room, I mean my room.

What does this have to do with you finishing your rewrite?

I have to enjoy Antler Lodge while I still can.

What if the new owner changes everything?

You know I don't like change.

And by "Don't like change"

you mean stuck in your own ways?

You know I've gone to Silver Springs every year

since my parents moved to Florida.

It's more than a vacation for me. It's my Christmas home.

Okay. I can tell how important it is to you.

Good, 'cause I'm already on my way.

Okay, you just have to promise me

you're going to focus.

This trip will be completely and totally

about me and Desmond.

That almost sounds romantic.

Don't I wish? I'm kidding.

He's a fictional character I created.

Okay, now that that's cleared up,

I'm gonna say goodbye, and happy writing.

Thanks, Mila. I won't let you down.

Okay. Bye.

Oh, ho-ho-ho!

Show some Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Ho-ho-ho!

Oh, I'm gonna get a hot chocolate.

Ow. Ah.

Oh, man. Okay.

Wait. There's no way.

Oh.

Careful. All right.

I'm sorry.

Mila, you have to call me back.

You're not gonna believe what just happened.

"Antler Chalet?"

What the...

Izzi? - Bob!

Ah...

- You're here! - I made it.

How many years have you been coming up here now, nine?

- Ten. - Ten?

So I saw the new sign. When did you change the name?

About a month ago, but I still catch myself saying

Antler Lodge every now and again.

Hey, let me check you in.

- Hm. - Here we go.

All right, we have Izzi Simmons

checking into room four as always.

- For six nights? - Yeah.

I'll be leaving the day after Christmas.

Okay.

- Just you? - Yes, Bob. Like always.

Oh, I was hoping maybe you would've

brought someone with you this time.

- Just Desmond Ranes. - Hm?

- The character from my books. - Oh.

I have a rewrite due the 25th, so this trip'll be more business

than a nonstop Christmas celebration, unfortunately.

Oh, that's too bad.

Well, in case you find some free time,

I know you know these by heart,

but here's an itinerary of the activities this week.

It's gonna be fun.

Thanks, Bob. These look great.

Hm.

All right, Desmond, it's just you and me.

Let's make you more real.

Though maybe you're more real than I thought.

You look a lot like the guy I almost ran over.

Uh, what happened to the squeaky floor?

Okay, we'll see you then. Bye-bye.

Izzi. What do I owe the pleasure again?

I just have a quick question.

Let me guess. You saw the remodeled aesthetics.

About that. Um, my floors...

I mean, your floors, technically,

they used to have a distinct squeak.

But the thing is, now the squeak is gone

and there's a carpet over the floorboards.

I'm sensing you don't like the carpet.

Was this your idea?

No, it was, uh, his.

Meet the new owner of the B&B, my son.

He just moved back from Seattle.

- Desmond? - Uh, actually, no. It's, uh...

It's Matt.

- Matt? - Yup. Matt.

- Your name is Matt? - Yeah.

Like, short for Matthew.

You look exactly like...

You know what, um, never mind. This is, this is so...

This is something, this is confusing and confounding

and a little bit exciting.

Uh, okay.

Well, to answer your question,

uh, you're not hearing that squeak

'cause I fixed the floorboards.

It's actually very simple, you just sprinkle a little

baby powder over the squeaky floorboard,

work it into the seams.

Lubricates the wood, keeps the boards

from rubbing together.

- Neat. That's, like, so neat. - Yeah, well.

I realized it's only a temporary solution.

- So, uh, we went carpeted. - No, you went carpeted.

We went squeaky floors, right, Bob?

Oh, I'm going Switzerland on this one.

- Are you? - I'm gonna go out of this room.

Um, I have to leave, um, my editor is calling

and I have to take this in my room.

Your phone didn't ring or buzz.

Um, I meant, I have to call her.

- You know how editors are. - No. Not really. How are they?

They need to be called back.

Well, you better call her back then.

That's what I'm gonna do. Bye!

Come on, pick up, pick up, pick up!

-Hi, Izzi. Finally you answer.

Guess what? Desmond Ranes is here!

Whoo-hoo! Guess that fresh mountain air inspired you, huh?

Inspired? No. Desmond is here.

- Like, in Silver Springs. - Like, physically?

I mean, it's Matt, not Desmond.

But, still, this is crazy, right?

Are you sure you're not the one going crazy?

What do you think this means, do you think this is like a sign

from the universe?

I think if this is some sort of fake freak-out