All language subtitles for A Carpenter Christmas Romance (2024).eng

Welcome back.

Next up we have a guest that

I am personally very
excited to speak to.

As is every woman everywhere,
I think, Vanessa.

Christmas is
just right around

the corner and I have
a gift for you.

Here we go...

We can officially
announce exclusively

on this show
that the final book

in the Smash hit
Romance Fantasy series

Broken Arrow is in the works!

It's in the works, people.

And now we have the author,

Andrea Metcalf
in the studio with us.

- Welcome Andrea!
- Thank you so much.

You know, you were only
20 years old

when you wrote the first book,
Broken Arrow Genesis

on the New York Times
bestseller list

for 82 consecutive weeks.
That's incredible.

Well, I mean, honestly,
my biggest challenge has been

trying to keep up with my
audience's appetite for more.

So the final manuscript
goes to print when?

Um, about a week.
Christmas Eve, I believe.

Okay. So the book will be
released in the new year,

but there is already some
online speculation that

you're gonna kill off someone
very dear to the audience.

Is there any truth
to that rumor?

Well, I am so glad that
my fans are so passionate.

That's all you're gonna give me?

That's all I can give you,
Vanessa.

You know what? I tried.

All right? I tried.

We will have more
with Andrea Metcalf

when we are back
from the break.

"I got my hands
on an early copy

of Broken Arrow
The Final Sacrifice,

and Andrea Metcalf proves to be

absolutely heartless
in her callous killing off

of fan favorites,
in this case, the ultimate one.

If you are looking for a happy
ending, this is not it."

What? Let me see that.

What?

Oh. They posted the last page
of the book,

which, as you know,
highly implies Lucian's death.

How? How did they get this?

- I don't understand.
- I don't know.

I'm gonna get to
the bottom of it.

Let's just get you home.

- And inside.
- What the...?

Oh, my God.

- Let's go. Keep your head down.
- Ella...

I mean, there is
a literal demon fawn

in my front yard with
a "Justice for Lucian" sign.

Well, I didn't see that one.

Gosh, the Mhyrrinners
are really out in full force.

I mean, what are we
gonna do about this, Ella?

Well, we're gonna get you
out of here,

so you better go pack a bag.

- And go where?
- Hang on.

I'm gonna text
the family thread.

No, I don't wanna go to
mom and dad's.

No, mom is already upset
with the ending, and dad's

gonna give me that "consequences
are part of life" spiel.

Okay, well, they're
on their cruise already,

so you don't have to worry
about that.

No, I'm thinking
grandpa's farmhouse.

- Is it even available?
- I just texted.

I mean, I think they're only
doing weddings up there now,

but sometimes Aunt Rosie likes
to spend the holidays there

so checking.

Didn't you always want to
get married there?

- Come on.
- Oh, yes.

Aunt Rosie responded.

It looks like she and the twins

are going to be in Paris
for Christmas.

That must be nice.

So the farmhouse is wide open.

Okay. Wildwood it is.

Man, I haven't been
back in years.

Do you remember that sweet
little Christmas market

they had with the artisanal
foods and the crafts...

And the Festival of Lights.

Oh, you love those lights
as a kid.

I really did.

And not to mention the farmhouse

is the perfect place
to finish your edits

and to stay off the Internet,

so, hello,
why aren't you packing?

Well, what are you gonna do?

Oh, well, I have a few work
events that I have

to go to up here
and then I'll just

come down to you
for a couple days.

- Okay.
- Okay?

Thank you. I love you.

- I'd be lost without you.
- Oh, I'm aware of it.

Don't worry.
All right, now go pack.

Perfect.

Can I help you?

Where did you come from?

Seth?

Andie?

Well, it's Andrea now,
but, yeah. Hi.

You gonna hit me with that pan?

Are you gonna
put some clothes on?

Yeah.

Sorry I surprised you.

Yeah. Rosie lets me use
the barn as my studio.

Really?

Yeah, and she lets me use
the washer, dryer

and shower while my new
place is going up.

I didn't know anyone
was gonna be here.

It was a last minute thing.

Oh, yeah? Are you on the lam?

I'm kidding. I can't imagine
you breaking any kind of law.

I-I know that's not your style.

Definitely didn't used
to be back in the day.

You don't know
what my style is now.

No, I guess I don't.

You look good, Andie...
Sorry, Andrea.

You too.

- You still writing?
- Always.

I see you putting my desk
to good use.

- You built that?
- Yeah.

Rosie wanted me to build
something special

for the house last year, so...

I always thought a desk
would go great there.

It's beautiful.

It's the perfect place
for a desk.

That used to be your little
reading spot, wasn't it?

Yeah.

Are you in town
through Christmas?

Yeah, um... Ella's coming, too.

Nice.

If you want to catch up
or anything

while you're here, just...

Yeah, maybe.

Just... let me know
the next time

you wanna do laundry
or shower or whatever.

Will do.

- Have a good night.
- You too.

Hi. Um, are you in charge?

Or is there someone in charge
that I can speak to?

- Uhh, yeah boss man?
- Yeah.

- Right over there.
- Thanks.

You're boss man?

Andrea. Hey.

You said that you were using
the barn for a wood studio.

You didn't say that you had
a full blown construction site.

Yeah, well, there's a few
leaks in the roof

got some wood rot over there

and honestly,

this whole barn just needs
some preventative maintenance.

So you're fixing it?

Yeah, Rosie hired me.

I'm sorry.
I'm still trying to catch up.

- My aunt hired you?
- Yes.

- As a carpenter?
- Yeah, with my dad.

Okay.

- Hi.
- Andrea Metcalf!

- Hello!
- Oh, my God.

Hi. So good to see you,
Mr. Ferguson.

No, you call me William.

And I know I'm a little

worse for wear than the last
time you saw me.

- Not at all.
- But you! My goodness gracious.

You have blossomed into
one of the prettiest girls

this town's ever seen.

You are too kind. Um, I...

I am a morning mess.

And I hear your books
are all the rage.

I haven't had a chance
to read one yet,

but I wasn't surprised,
seeing how you're smart

is the only reason this guy
graduated his senior year.

Thanks for that, dad.

Okay, um, well, I...

I need to wake up
and-and have some coffee.

Actually, do you guys want
some coffee or anything?

- Nah.
- We're fine.

Don't let us keep you.

Um, oh, also...

when do you think you guys
are gonna be done?

My aunt didn't tell me that
there was any construction,

and I'm-I'm trying
to finish my edit.

Well, we're hoping to be
finished by Christmas Eve,

but I'll tell you,
this whole town's been feeling

like a construction zone
ever since fire.

My parents told me about that,

but I didn't realize
it was that bad.

My aunt never mentioned it.

Yeah, Damn near flattened this

whole side of town
five years ago.

Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.

I can't imagine.

Well, we better get back to it

so we can finish up
and get out of your hair.

It is nice having you back
in town, Andrea.

You give me a holler
if you need anything.

- You bet.
- All right.

Um, I...

I'm gonna wake up
and have that coffee.

How's the peaceful life?
Are you decompressing?

Uh, not really.

Ella, you will not believe this.

- I told you not to go online.
- Why? What's online?

I don't-I don't know
why I said that.

You tell me your thing.

You know the fire that
came through here?

Mr. Ferguson said that it
took out half the town.

- Did you know that?
- What?

No. That's so heartbreaking.

Yeah, I know.
I'm still in shock.

Hang on. You saw, Mr. Ferguson?

Yeah.

You know who else is working
out in the barn

in flannel and practically
sparkling with sawdust?

Ooo! Man glitter?

Wait, was it Seth Ferguson?

Your very own Jordan Catalano?
For real?

- Yeah, that one.
- Oh, is he still hot?

Yeah, he's, he's fine.
He's whatever.

Okay, so that's a yes.
And he's a carpenter?

- Yes.
- Oh, my gosh. Stop it.

Is there, like,
a boiler room

you two can go make out in?

Ha ha!

I mean, you loved him the summer
before your senior year

and before your junior year

and probably the summer
before sophomore year.

I did not love him.
I was addicted to him.

- Those are very different.
- Mm-hmm.

He knew it too.

I was his nerdy
little kept secret.

He was such a jerk
to me in public.

Yeah, but I bet his lips

were super soft in private.

- Hey, I know that look.
- What look?

You need to focus on your edit
and not Mr. Man Glitter.

Please.

He wasn't actually into me
then, and he's not into me now.

Babe, you are a sexy, confident,
wildly successful

New York Times best-selling
author now.

Whatever. You can do
whatever you want.

I just need you
to finish your edit first.

And, like, try not to break
his heart.

I make no promises.

Oh, wait, I almost forgot.

I need you to do a book
signing tomorrow

at the Wildwood book shop.

Oh, I love that.

I've never done a reading here.

That was like
a literal dream for me

when we were kids
visiting for Christmas.

Yeah, that should drum up
some goodwill for us.

Wait, why do I need to
drum up goodwill?

So 10 a.m. tomorrow.
It's all set.

I'll meet you there
and um, I gotta run.

I love you, though. All right.
Okay, bye.

Earplugs, earplugs...

Come on, earplugs, earplugs...

- Hi.
- Oh, hi.

- It's one of my favorites.
- It's beautiful.

I love how it's shattered,
yet whole.

It's called Kintsugi.

It's an ancient
Japanese practice

which means "joined with gold".

It's a reminder to celebrate
the mistakes and flaws in life

because the broken bits always
lead to something good

I love that.
You are so talented.

Oh...

Have you always used
this technique?

No, actually, uh,
I lost my studio in the fire.

And when we went back
to recover what we could,

there was this one vase
I'd made that was still

so vibrant,
but broken into pieces.

That was the first piece
I made using Kintsugi.

And I just haven't stopped.

It's part of
the grieving process.

Yeah.

Well, I'd-I'd love
to take these, too.

Oh, of course.
I'll wrap them up for you.

Thanks.

- Here you go. Yeah.
- Oh, thank you so much.

Oh, um, do you know when
the Festival of Lights start?

I grew up coming here
for summers and Christmases,

and it was my favorite
holiday tradition.

We haven't done that
since the fire.

- Really?
- Yeah.

The fire took the Wildwood Inn
and all the surrounding trees

and that's where
it was hosted, so,

yeah, we haven't done it
since then.

The Wildwood Inn, as in
the Ferguson Family Inn?

- It burned down?
- That's where the fire started.

Generator got struck
by lightning.

Do you know them?

I knew...

I know Seth.

Oh, he's a good one.

Yeah, they lost everything,

but you wouldn't know it with
how generous they've been.

A bunch of us actually live
on their property in RVs

waiting for our homes to go up.

Seth won't take a dime
from any of us.

Oh...

- I knew him a long time ago.
- Oh.

I heard he was a big
star athlete back then.

Probably a class favorite
as well, huh?

I didn't go to school with him,
but I can imagine

that he was some people's
favorite. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. Here you go.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

Hey, guys, come here.

Oh...

- Do it again. Again.
- My turn, my turn.

- Don't wear him out, guys.
- Ah, no, it's fine.

You guys are getting way
too heavy for this, though.

How is the most beautiful,

and smartest girl
in all of Wildwood?

Swing me.

Yeah, that's all I'm good for.

Hey!

All right. Go play.

How is everything?

Kids getting what they want
from Santa

or is there anything
I can help with?

You have done more than enough.

But... I hate to ask.

You can ask me for anything.

Stupid RV's shower's
broke again.

I can't get the water
to stay hot.

Well, that's not good.
Let me go take a Look.

Hey, Seth, come have
a beer with us.

Hey, Hector. Yes,
but give me a second, will you?

I gotta go check on something.

If now's not
a good time...

Oh, no, it's totally fine.

I can't have the prettiest
and smartest girls

in all of Wildwood
taking cold showers.

- No way!
- No way!

Come on.

"Elowehan stood
with her head held high,

drawing strength from all
of the Mhyrrin Fae

who had come before her.

She knew this was the end.

The masked executioner asked,

"Will you pardon me,
sweet lady?"

Was her mind playing
tricks on her?

Or was this the voice
she'd been aching

to hear these many months?

It couldn't be.

Her eyes darted up to his,

and recognition flooded
her body.

Then, in a whisper
only she could hear.

"Are you ready, my love?"

Lucian.

Her Lucian
was standing beside her.

In one swift move,
the ropes that

bound her wrists
fell to the ground.

And she knew at last that
all was not lost."

Thank you.

It's fine. He was always
a master at disappearing.

So, I guess it's kind of
comforting knowing

that some things never change.

Well, look, there is a group
of locals over here

that are dying to meet you

because you're a goddess.

I just want to have a merry
Sethless Christmas

with my sister. Sound good?

I love that for us.

- Let's go.
- Okay.

Here. Don't forget
about the little guy.

- Remember, he does a little...
- You can keep that one.

Yeah, I lied.
I don't know about that.

I'm gonna put him in your room.

I think you picked
that one out.

Of course I did.

He's the same height as me.

Seriously?

This outlet isn't working.

Oh, I think I saw a handyman
posted on the refrigerator.

Hold on.

"Handyman needs,
text this number."

There is also no white wine
in this house,

so I'm gonna go out
and grab some.

I might pick up some takeout
while I'm not doing anything.

Um, I trust you.

All right. Okay.

- All right.
- Love you.

Love you.

Okay.

What took you so long?

- Hi.
- Hi.

Sorry. I was expecting
my sister.

- I'm not your sister.
- No, you're not.

She just went into town
to grab a couple of things.

Care for another shower?

- Did you need something?
- You texted.

I texted the handyman.

You're the handyman.

I'm the handyman.

Right. Come in.

- What outlet is it?
- The one by the mantel.

I'm really sorry about
the Inn, Seth.

- I can't imagine.
- Mm.

I don't know why I didn't
put it together before.

Yeah, it's been a journey,
but...

we're all just trying
to figure it out.

Yep, your outlet's busted
and you need a new plate.

Can... you hand me that bag?

Sure.

Thank you.

So, you're a carpenter,

furniture maker,

handyman now?

Landlord too. Yeah.

That's a lot of jobs.

Not everyone could be
a New York Times

best-selling author.

Well...

Can you actually hand me
the wire strippers real quick?

Seriously, though,
Andrea, that's incredible.

I always knew
you'd change the world.

I don't think writing romance
fantasy is changing the world.

What are you talking about?

It's giving people a safe space

to take a journey
and feel their feelings.

Or it's an escape

from... life

or... a bookstore.

Sometimes an escape is
what people need the most.

You should be proud.

All right.

Done.

Still need a new outlet pipe,

but this should work
for the time being.

Let's try it out.

Well, it's not
the Wildwood Festival of Lights,

but it'll do.

Yeah, I miss that festival
a lot.

It was my favorite
Christmas tradition.

I know. Mine too.

My mother lit up every year
planning it.

Her "Love letter to
the community" she always said.

She was amazing.

Yeah... she really was.

I wrote you a card.

I don't know
if you got it, but...

I did. Uh...

That was really nice,
well written too.

Sorry, one second.

Everything okay, Aiko?

Um, yeah, sure.

What time will you be home?

No problem.

One of my tenants
got held up at work.

Gotta go pick up her kids.

Is that a normal landlord duty?

We're all just... trying to help
each other out.

I'll bring you that new
outlet plate when I can.

Thanks, Seth.

Anytime.

♪ Thy leaves
are so unchanging ♪

♪ Not only green
when summer's here ♪

♪ But also when it's cold
and drear ♪

♪ O Christmas tree

♪ Thy leaves are
so unchanging ♪

It's beautiful.

I'll take it.

Yeah.

No, absolutely.

No. I hear you. And I'm-I'm
gonna talk to her about it.

Yeah.

Bye.

Everything okay?

Okay, I don't want you to
freak out.

Well, now I'm freaking out.

It's just that this
whole leak situation,

I mean, it has been not great.

Okay.

I mean, we still don't know

who leaked the page,
but there's over

a thousand diatribes all over
social media.

I mean, the fans are demanding
a new ending to the book.

Well, that's not gonna
happen, so...

But it kind of has to.

Over a thousand?

I just had to turn off
all the comments

on your social accounts.

I mean, they're calling
for a boycott, babe.

A boycott?

Is it really that serious?

We don't need to freak out yet,
but it's just...

Let's go put this in the car,
load up on some carbs,

we'll go home, we'll get cozy,
we'll-we'll brainstorm.

Well,
I'm not really sure

what I'm supposed to do
with that information,

because I am not rewriting
the ending.

I'm not rewriting the ending.

Or you could?

Absolutely not. No.

That is garbage.

- Sorry, I have to get this.
- Ella.

You're not my only client,
you know.

So sorry to interrupt.

We were at your
book signing yesterday.

We're, like,
the biggest Mhyrrinners ever.

Thank you.
Yeah.

I even run a fan account
that has, like,

- 23, 000 followers.
- Whoa.

I can give you the handle
if you want to check it out.

Yes, please, yeah.

We were too nervous
to ask yesterday

but can we get a picture
with you?

- Oh, absolutely. Yeah.
- You want me to take it?

Sure. Thanks.

- Thank you so much.
- Yeah, of course.

It was really lovely
meeting you both.

- Thank you.
- Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Does that happen a lot?

I mean... not a lot a lot,
but, yeah.

You're a pretty big deal,
Andrea Metcalf.

Not anymore.

Apparently, I pissed off
a majority of my audience

because I wrote an ending
they don't like,

so they're boycotting my book.

And me, I guess.

So vacation's going great.

It's wonderful.

You done for the day?

On the barn, yeah.

I'll probably go back
and work on

some personal stuff later.

Okay.

Well, I am gonna go bang
my head against a wall

and try and not look
at the Internet.

Yeah, have fun with that.

I believe in you, Andrea.

You might be the only one.

Seriously? Now the publisher
wants me to change it?

There's five days
till Christmas, Ella.

Even if I wanted to change
the ending, I don't have time.

It doesn't have to be
this massive rewrite.

It could literally...

It could just be a
paragraph at the end

that has him like gasping this
breath of life

rather than his final breath.

That cheapens
the whole thing, Ella!

I want people to feel the loss.

Why? There is enough loss
in life as it is.

Exactly. I just...

- I want it to feel real.
- Well, that's extremely cynical.

I'm just asking that you
give it some thought.

What are people saying online?

It's not...

Just don't look.

Okay. I'm gonna
get out of your hair,

go upstairs and let you
get into the zone. All right?

I mean it.
Don't Google yourself.

Geez.

- I'm so sorry.
- Andie...

Sorry, Andrea, it's...

God, it's hard
to get used to that.

You can call me Andie.

It, uh, feels weird for you
to call me anything else.

I couldn't sleep
and the light was on, so...

Yeah. What time is it?

After midnight.

Lose track of time?

I always do out here.

You solve that book drama
situation yet?

Nope.

I stared at my computer
for a couple hours...

wrote about 100 sentences,
and then deleted them.

Uh, but good news,
I did Google myself,

and it turns out everybody
does think I actually suck.

Sounds productive.

Yeah. I'm on fire.

I don't know
what I'm doing here.

You want to get
your mind off everything?

Well, contrary
to our history together,

making out doesn't actually
solve any problems.

Not sure I totally agree
with that.

But that's not what I was
talking about. Come here.

Looks lovely.

It's for my painter, Hector.

His wife is due with
their first baby next year.

It's beautiful.

Did you know that woodworking
reduces cortisol levels

in your body by 75%?

I did not know that, no.

Yeah, when I got back
from deployment,

I was battling some pretty
serious PTSD.

I had a therapist suggest this.

Apparently, there's all these
studies and it's--

Hang on. Deployment?

Long story for another day.

Okay, so, it's almost ready
to be stained.

We just gotta hit it with one
final bit of sanding.

- You wanna try?
- No, I-I don't wanna ruin that.

You won't.

I won't let you.

All right, so you wanna go
with the grain, like this

in long, soft, swipes.

I can see why you like it.

Quiets everything down, right?

Yeah.

So, is it true
you killed Lucian?

I may have done a bit
of Googling myself.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter
now the ending is leaked.

So why did you kill him?

There was no way for there to
be peace in Mhyrrin

without his sacrifice.

Come on. I don't buy that.

- Great. Not you, too.
- I'm sorry, I just...

I'm trying to understand
your thinking.

Well...

I just couldn't... see a way
forward for them.

If we had that attitude in
Wildwood after the fire...

there wouldn't be a town
here anymore.

What do you mean by that?

I guess you can respond to
something horrible

by shutting down or you could
hunt for the light.

Find something even better
than what you had before.

I'm just saying, there's...
always a way forward...

if you're looking for it.

I love my ending.
It's aching and painful--

And so, so sad
for so many people.

What's so bad about letting
Elowehan and Lucian

find a way forward?

Seth said the same thing
last night.

- Well, Seth's a smart guy.
- You didn't think so yesterday.

Well, I think so now.

Now he's a genius.
Hang on.

La-last night?
What happened last night?

Ella, you were on board
with Lucian's death.

It is beautifully written...

- But?
- The fans have a point.

You spent four books
building this epic,

complicated love story
to, to kill it in the end.

I don't know, it feels
a little bit like it's for you

and not for the audience.

What is that supposed to mean?

Uh, that you've broken off

every relationship
you've ever had.

Because I haven't found
the right guy.

Or because you shut down

the minute somebody
gets close to you.

Because reality couldn't
possibly live up

to the fantasy that you've
built in your head.

So you ice them out
and you end it

because you're afraid
of being disappointed.

It's too early
for sister therapy.

Oh, please. It's 2 p.m.

This "final sacrifice" ending,

it just feels a bit like
art imitating life.

Your life in particular
and I just think

that's a little unfair
to the fans.

Oh. Seth. Hi.

Hey, I brought
your new outlet plate.

Are you just getting up?

Yeah.

I was up all night writing.

Oh, yeah? You found your flow?

Yeah.

I was inspired by something you
said last night, actually.

Nice.

You know, could you give us
a second, Jordan?

- Just stay right there.
- Ella, it's Seth.

Ignore her.

What is going on?
What happened last night?

- Nothing.
- Oh, okay.

Well, you two are undressing
each other with

your eyeballs
and your face is a tomato.

Oh, my God. Seriously?

- Wait. This is perfect.
- What are you doing?

Hey, could you do us
a huge favor?

You have a truck, right?

- Um, yeah.
- Amazing.

Okay, so we were going to get
a Christmas tree tonight,

but I'm just, like,
so buried with work.

Is there any chance you could
take Andrea to get one?

Yeah, sure.

Could I put this outlet cover
on first?

Oh, yes. Oh, my gosh.
Thank you.

You are a huge help.
Such a lifesaver. Come on in.

She's gonna get ready right now.

What the actual...

I said "Sethless Christmas,"
remember?

Yet here you are, beaming,
blushing and gushing.

And there he is in the other
room, looking all...

gorgeous and-and strong.

And completely confused, Ella!

Oh, he's fine.

Look, you need a distraction.

Honestly, I can use more break
from you. So, you're going.

Can I get you some coffee, Seth?

Yeah, sure.
That'd be great.

So...

deployment, huh?

Yeah.

Last time I saw you,
you were on the college

baseball scholarship
track, so...

I was. And it was
your summer tutoring

that kept me from failing out.

- So... thank you for that.
- Welcome.

But unfortunately,
that couldn't prevent me

from that torn rotator cuff.
So, no more scholarship.

Grades weren't good enough to
get anywhere

without baseball, and mom died
and I sort of had a...

"Who the hell am ?"
dark night of the soul moment.

And I thought...

why not join the army.

So, I served for four years,
came home and worked with dad

while I was in the reserve
for six more.

And then the fire.

And then the fire.

Geez, Seth. That's a lot.

- I'm really sorry.
- No, no, don't.

I know how it all sounds,
but... life is good.

It really is.

It sounds crazy,
but... there's something that

happens when you lose
a lot, all at once.

You got a choice to make.

You can buckle, disappear,
or you can find your purpose.

I found my purpose.

And I'm really grateful for it.

You're different
than I remember.

God, I hope so.

Why do you say it like that?

You don't like who you were?

What? You were everything.

Popular, charismatic...

Childish, self-absorbed...

unkind to you, Andie.

We were kids.

Yeah, well... not anymore.

I can see that.

Is this one of yours?

Sure is.

And this bench too.

Wow, it's beautiful.

This man right here has
brought this town back to life.

And that's God's honest truth.

I don't think he's taken a day
off since the fire.

Our Seth.

So, let's find you
something great.

Okay, let's do it.

♪ Holding you closer to me

♪ It's getting colder...

So, you were up
all night working?

Yeah.

Mostly research, but...

I think I'm onto something.

Say more.

Something that you said...

about there always
being a way forward,

no matter
how dark the situation.

I was doing some research
on the Festival of Lights.

Every tradition somehow points
to renewal after disaster.

The light breaking through...

beginning again.

And you...

working so hard for the
community to find the light.

It's beautiful.

Compelling.

I think
there's something there.

So...

does this mean you're gonna
spare Lucian's life after all?

No.

I don't know.

No, this is for something else.
This is... a new book.

Why can't you give them
a happy ending?

They're perfect for each other.

Oh?

She needs him to help release
her control over everything

and he needs her
to show him the light.

It's the perfectly
constructed love story.

They're fighting
for good together.

Have you read
the Broken Arrow series?

- I, I...
- No.

was interested to see
what you're up to.

So you read four
700 page romantasy novels?

They're really,
very good, Andie.

Oh, my God.

Don't make fun of me
for liking your stuff.

Sorry, it's just, um...

you're not
our target demographic.

Oh, believe me...

I'm aware.

You know...

you could have
just reached out...

instead of reading my books.

You could have reached out
and I would have told you

what I was up to.

Yeah, I...

I didn't think
you wanted to hear from me.

I did.

Thought about you a lot
after that summer.

Andie, I--

Seth!

- Hey, guys.
- Whoa.

Can I have some?

Hmm...

Hi.

Who are you?
Why are you holding hands?

This is my friend Andrea.

I'm Pearl.
And this is my Seth.

Okay, gotcha.
It's nice to meet you.

Do you know Santa's coming
in four days?

- What?
- Well, five.

But today's almost over,
so basically four days away.

- That's true.
- Fair point.

Can I have some? I want some.

And this is Aiden.
Where is your mother?

Oh, sorry.

They saw your truck outside

and were just begging me
to come say hi.

Oh, hi.
I remember you from the market.

You bought a couple of my mugs.
Aiko.

Aiko? Seth's tenant, Aiko.

It's nice to see you.
I'm Andrea.

Nice to see you.

They were holding hands.

Because we're friends, silly.
Friends hold hands.

- Can we sit with you?
- Please?

Oh, no, no, honey.

I think we're
interrupting a date.

Are you on a date?

No, not a date.

Andrea and I are
just old friends.

Yeah, we're just old friends.

Okay. Well, come on, kids.

That peppermint dream
isn't gonna eat itself.

Will you come over later?

We'll see.

Come on.

Um...

thank you for the other night.

Everything's working
perfectly now.

Yeah. Of course.
Anytime.

So, uh...

What were we talking about?

You know what?

I think that all-nighter's, um,
catching up with me.

Oh, uh, okay.

You want to go?

All right.

Just pretend I'm not here.

Where do you want it?

- Right over there is fine.
- All right.

Andie.

What's going on?
Something's wrong.

Nothing's wrong.

Come on.

You don't even believe the words
coming out of your mouth.

- I know you.
- You don't actually.

You know a version of me that
I was with you 13 years ago.

I'm not her anymore.

And I don't owe you
an explanation.

Andie, wha...

What the hell? I thought
we were having a fun day.

We were.
Thanks for the help today.

If I need anything else
related to the house, I'll...

I'll let you know.

Oh, my God.

Seth!

Are you okay?

I just...

- Yeah, that...
- What the hell happened?

I-I just lost
focus for a second.

Got a little electrocuted.

A little electrocuted?
Where?

Yeah, that tool uses
electricity to burn the wood.

Please don't get close to that.

You're using electricity
to burn wood?

After everything
that you've been through

do you have a death wish?

I know what I'm doing.

I know how to use this.

Damn it, Seth.
You gave me a heart attack.

I'm sorry for scaring you.

Hey, hey, hey.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You're an idiot.

I know. I'm sorry.

I'm glad you were awake.

I'm gonna sit back down.

What the hell even is this?

Oh, wow. It kind of looks like
your mom's tree from the inn.

That's, that's what
I was going for.

It is her tree.

And the door?

It was the door
to her garden-shed.

Seth.

I found it in the wreckage
after the fire.

Was almost completely intact.

Might have some charring, but...

thinking about turning
it into a dining room table

for my dad for the new build.

Christmas gift.

Something from the past to bring
into our future.

He's gonna love it.

Ah...

I don't know. I'm...

I'm worried it might
traumatize him or something.

Why? Because you practically
used lightning to make it?

Yeah.

It's beauty from the ashes.

It's moving.

How do you do it?

Oh, so now you want to see
how it works?

Two seconds ago,
you were giving me

a hard time
about being reckless.

Yeah, well, now I'm curious.

All right.

Come here so I can show you but,
just stay back a little bit.

Okay.

You just...

press into the wood like this
and uh...

starts torching.

Wow.
It's like magic.

It's cool, right?

It's called fractal burning.

Started messing around with this
technique a few years ago.

Are all those pieces
from the wreckage?

Have you shown these
to anyone?

No, not yet. It's...

mostly just been
cathartic for me.

I don't want to trigger
anyone else's trauma with it.

If it's cathartic for you,
it'll be cathartic for them.

- You think so?
- I know so.

I mean, I, I was thinking about
setting up a booth

at the Christmas market
or something.

Christmas market?
These need to be in a gallery.

I'm not trying to be an artist.

But you are one.

They deserve to be seen.

Well, I have to build
a gallery for us,

and then, uh,
we'll go from there.

Don't brush it off, Seth.

It's beautiful.

You're really talented.

Why couldn't you sleep?

It doesn't matter.

Okay, well, uh, try not to
lose focus again, all right?

Hey, can you,
Can you stay with me?

What?

Just in case there's any...

post shock complications, I...

I think I should stay
awake and...

I think
I should be with someone.

For medical reasons.

Yeah, medical reasons.

We could go for a walk.

I could show you the new build,
if you like.

If you're interested in
checking it out, of course.

I mean, what kind of friend
would I be

if I refused
a medical emergency.

Right?

The house is really
lovely, Seth.

I can still see your mom's tree
over here, all lit up.

Yeah, the centerpiece
of the Festival of Lights.

I really wish there was a way
that we could...

do it this year.

Yeah.

Me too.

But...

the inn is gone,

the trees are gone.

Where would we hang the lights?

Plus, it's just so much work
and it's expensive. I...

I-I just...

don't have the capacity
to make it happen anymore.

Your tenants live here?

Yep.

Why couldn't you sleep?
Please tell me what I did wrong.

You're not gonna
let this go, are you?

I'm not.

Yesterday was fake date
gate all over again.

Fake date gate. Wha...

What?

Do you remember when I finally
had the courage

to ask you to take me
on a real date?

In public, not just
make out sessions

during tutoring, but like...
a real date?

Yeah. I remember it being nice.

We went to dinner.

Two towns over.

Thirty-five minutes away.

I remember thinking,

give him
the benefit of the doubt.

It's a nice restaurant
that he wants to take you to

for your first real date.

Couldn't possibly be because
he's still trying to hide you.

I don't, that's--

And then we left the restaurant

and you took my hand.

Then some acquaintance,

some nobody saw us
in the parking lot.

You dropped my hand
like it was on fire.

Didn't introduce me, and...

just carried on
like nothing happened.

- Andie, I--
- Do you know how stupid that is?

How much I hate that
that still affects me?

It was ten years ago. Over that.

And I just...

I don't know. It-it still hurts.

And I just did...
the same thing

at the diner
with Aiko and the kids.

Look...

we're not dating.

You have no reason
to call me anything

other than an old friend.

You didn't do anything wrong.

Not this time anyway.

Guess it's just, um,
old wounds.

First of all,

there's nothing
between Aiko and I.

I need you to know that.
I just help her out.

And second of all...

I was such a moron
back in the day.

I-I still don't know
what you saw in me.

I hate that I hurt you. I...

You were my...

you were my lifeline, my...

oxygen, I'm...

I'm so sorry.

Come on.

Let me get you a blanket.

I'm just gonna
get some candles lit.

Is this yours?

Yeah.

This is my closet
till the flooring arrives.

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

Yeah, my dad built something
similar for my mother, so...

it inspired me
to make this one.

What were they like together?

Best friends first.

Also... really hard working.

- In what way?
- Just, love takes effort.

It's listening and responding.

It's sticking with it
when it gets hard.

I don't think
I truly appreciated

how much they taught me
until she passed.

Whenever
I'm building something,

it feels like love in action.

I'm always thinking about
who I'm making it for

and how it ties
into their world.

If I come across a knot or
an imperfection in the wood...

I don't sand it down

or try to erase it.

I use it, and...

something beautiful emerges.

Oh, like, beauty from the ashes,
like you said.

I really wish you would
have called back then.

Would you have answered?

Probably.

I was addicted to you.

And I took advantage of that?

Yeah, you did.

I really was the worst.

Not always.

Sometimes you were the best.

We had some fun times.

Yeah.

I remember one particular
game of sardines

that was a fun time.

They never did find us,
did they?

No, they did not.

Hey.

Yeah.

I like you.

You like me?

Do you like-like me?

I like-like you.

Why were you ashamed of us
when we were kids?

No, I...

I wasn't ashamed of us.

I just...

I didn't know
how to be who I was.

With you, out in the world,
with everyone else.

What do you mean by that?

I don't know. I just...

I fell apart on you.

I cried in your arms
a few times.

Your mom was
diagnosed with cancer.

Of course you did.

I felt like I just had this...

stupid reputation to uphold.

To win championships,

make people laugh.

That sounds exhausting.

It was.

I really wish
you would have told me that.

I didn't even know how to
articulate that back in the day.

Well, for the record...

I never felt closer to you

than when you fell apart on me.

I liked that version
of you a lot.

I like this version
of you a lot.

Oh, my God, Andrea.
I know.

He likes you.

He like-likes me.

Oh, my God.

Was it good?

Oh, my God, I hate you.

And you're welcome.

I mean, you needed that.

It's not just that, though.

He's...

kind and tender and so talented.

He's basically
a saint in this town.

Okay, hang on.
This doesn't sound like a fling.

I don't know if it is.

I like-like him too.

I mean, he was your first love.

Is this what I've been
chasing for 13 years?

I mean, chasing,

running away from,
writing about.

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

♪ Take me higher

♪ Than I've ever been

♪ Contactile on my lips

♪ Do do do do do do do

♪ Do do do do do do

♪ My head spins
when you look at me ♪

♪ I lose control so easily

♪ And my mind
just comes unwell ♪

♪ You take me higher
than I've ever been ♪

♪ Contactile on my lips

♪ When you kiss me
the way you just did ♪

♪ You take me higher
with all the love you give ♪

♪ Make my heart
start tingling ♪

♪ Take me higher
with all the love you give ♪

♪ Make my heart
start tingling ♪

♪ When I feel like a feather
that can't get lighter ♪

♪ You take me higher

♪ Do do do do do do do do do

♪ Do do do do do do

♪ Ohh

So, Andrea Metcalf...

What's next?

What's next?

For four time

New York Times
best-selling author,

Andrea Metcalf?

Inquiring minds want to know.

You just want to know
if I've changed the ending.

I want to know if Lucian
and Elowehan get a happy ending.

Yes.

Why do you care so much, huh?

Because Lucian finally
found redemption

after four books
of trying and failing.

He'd finally
won Elowehan's heart.

His life finally
meant something good.

Just...

wanna see him enjoy it, I guess.

I know I sound like

one of your middle aged
mom readers.

No.

I love how invested you are.

Makes me feel like
I did a good job.

Yeah, your work
speaks for itself.

You don't need me to tell you
you've done a good job.

I care about what you think.

So does this mean
you're gonna change the ending?

I don't know.

But you have given me
a lot of things to think about.

I'm your muse?

Shut up.

When do you go back to LA?

I was actually thinking
of sticking around

for a little bit.

I do have somebody
watching my plants, so...

Really?

Yeah. I mean...

I can write from anywhere.

And...

we never really got
to give this a shot, so.

Maybe this is--

An-Andrea, but you can't just...

Or not.

Am I crazy?

Who's calling you so late?

Oh, it doesn't matter.

Who's knocking at 1 am?

It's probably a tenant.

Hang on.

Sorry for coming by so late.
Um...

Uh, it's fine. Aiko.
What do you need?

I, um...

I had a really triggering
day and...

Can I come in?

Uh...

Actually,
now is not a good time.

Um...

Oh, I'm sorry.

Aiko, wait...

Can I, can I get you something?

Some tea maybe?

Do you have anything stronger?

I don't think
that's a good idea, um...

- Give me a sec.
- I miss you, Seth.

- Whoa.
- Oh, my God.

- What is she doing here?
- That is a great question.

- What the hell am I doing?
- Andie, Aiko just came by--

You said you were just friends.

You did say that, didn't you?
Yeah.

What am I to you, Seth?
I'd love to know.

You're...

I... don't know,
we haven't discussed that.

Oh, my God. Okay.
That's all I needed to hear.

- Andie, hang on.
- I've been such an idiot.

Andie.

Andie, stop. Let me explain.

So everything that you said
about me being your lifeline

and-and your oxygen,
that was just, what, a lie?

No. Andie,
please let me explain--

Don't call me that.
It's Andrea.

You said that nothing was
going on between you two.

And that is the truth.

Are you and Aiko
together? Am I a homewrecker?

Because I did not
sign up for that.

Aiko and I just have a
complicated history.

- That is not a no. Seth.
- No, it is a no, Andrea.

I was deployed with her husband.
He was my best friend.

He died three years ago
when the kids were small.

And I just...

helped her out and...

things happened.

But we ended it because we were
in it for the wrong reasons.

Well, somebody needs
to clarify that for her,

because she is clearly
still in love with you.

She's not in love
with me, she just...

She just needs me.

Oh.

- You're her hero.
- What?

You take care of her, just like
everybody in this town.

No, I am nobody's hero.

Yes, you are. You built
your entire identity on that.

That couldn't be further
from the truth.

With the tenants you don't
charge, with the furniture that

you build for people. Seth
Ferguson, savior of Wildwood!

It was my fault.

What are you talking about?

Dad was getting on me

for weeks to fix the generator.

There was some live wires
and it was extremely dangerous.

And I kept saying that I would
do it, but I kept putting it

off, just screwing around.

That generator was
a freaking lightning rod.

This entire town is flattened
because of me.

Dad, Aiko, they have nothing
because of me.

Seth, that...

I am no hero, Andrea.

I'm the villain.

You've been doing penance
all these years?

I don't know.

Seth, you can't
possibly believe

that lightning striking the inn
was your fault.

No one would
blame you for that.

They don't blame me for it

because they don't know
it was me.

The only people that know
was my dad and now...

you.

Aiko.

Seth...

I have nothing to offer you,
Andrea.

I am clearly still that same
screw up I used to be.

I know what you mean to me,
Andrea. Believe me.

You... may not see it,

but you will realize that I will
never mean the same to you.

And that...

that'll break me.

So...

I'm, I'm bowing out.

He just decided
how I feel about it.

He's just protecting himself.

From what?

I basically told him
that I love him.

I mean, in not so many words,
but I laid it all out there.

Oh, Andrea.

I think a small part of me
has always loved him.

But you don't need anything from
him. Not like back then.

And if-if he needs to be the
hero in order to feel loved,

then he needs
a damsel in distress.

And I am not that.

No, babe,
you are not.

It just kills me
because he doesn't understand

how incredible he is.

He's just buried in
guilt and shame

over something
he had no control over.

Okay, but where does
that leave you?

Hey, Andrea.

- I...
- Hi.

Seth's not here.

I'm not here for Seth.

Okay.

I-I just wanted
to apologize for last night.

You don't need to.
It's not your fault.

I need to explain.

Seth already did.

I was having
a moment last night,

and I didn't know
about you two.

Aiko, I don't even live here.

We have a history together,

but he's not interested
in pursuing anything, so.

He's in love with you, Andrea.

I can see that now.

And if anyone deserves
to be happy, it's him.

So if you even feel
slightly the same--

He shut me out, Aiko.

He thinks he's a villain.

Nobody blames him for the fire.

People know about the generator.
They've always known.

I didn't realize how responsible
he felt, but we love him.

He fully led the charge
to bringing us back to life.

Our community has
never been closer.

Have you told him that?

He won't hear it from me.

Seems like he won't
hear it from anyone.

But maybe if we show him.

Come on.

Oh, my God. Seth made this?

This needs to be seen.

I have an idea, but I think I'm
gonna need some help.

Whatever it is, I'm in.

Hi, William, it's Andrea.

I need your help
with something.

Dad.

What are we doing here?

What is this?

Andrea?

Thank you all for joining me

for a very different
Festival of Lights.

Okay, watch your step.

The Wildwood Festival
of Lights tradition

began by Becca Ferguson
years ago

was my favorite
part of Christmas here.

A love letter
to this community.

Seth Ferguson, out of an
abundance of gratitude

for all that you've done
to bring this town back to life,

your community has written
a love letter back to you.

The Festival of Lights is about
light breaking through darkness.

Restoration after disaster.

Beauty from the ashes.

When I spoke to you, Seth,

about having
a festival this Christmas,

you said,
"The trees are gone,

the inn is gone.
Where would we hold the lights?"

Well...

for the past five years,

you have faithfully
made that your job...

along with everybody here.

You are the light holders...

the light bringers.

In the midst of your pain,
you have been relentless

in your determination to shine.

And you've emerged
from the wreckage together

to make something incredible.

A broken bowl mended
with gold made by Aiko.

A brilliant flower

emerging from the ashes,
made by Frank.

A blanket of fireweed

covers a meadow, made by Carmen.

And Becca's tree...

made by the guest of honor
himself, Seth Ferguson.

The fire may have
burned the branches,

but the roots of this town
run deep.

They're connected and alive,
ready for whatever's to come.

Ready to begin again.

Merry Christmas, Wildwood.

How...

How did you, uh...

It wasn't just me.

Everyone showed up, Seth.

Because they love you.

Because you have loved them.

And you just needed to see it
to believe it.

Andie--

And if you say that you have
nothing to offer me,

I will punch you in the face.

That's...

That's aggressive.

I don't need a hero.

I don't need saving.

But I want you, Seth Ferguson.

You're kind and generous

and tender and smart and funny.

So talented.

Incredibly sexy.

And I love you.

And you cannot tell me

how I will or will not
feel about it, okay?

Okay.

Do I get to talk now?

Yeah, I guess you could talk.

Actually, I don't wanna talk.

I have one more gift for you.

It's the new final page
of your book?

Yeah.

Lucian lives?

Lucian lives!

What made you change your mind?

You did.

For 13 years,
I've been chasing the way

that I felt with you
that summer.

In my writing, in my life.

I think I killed Lucian
because I'd given up hope

that that was real.

And I wanted my writing to
reflect truth and not fantasy.

And now?

It might not be
fantasy after all.

I love you, Andrea Metcalf.

I always have.

I always will.

You can call me Andie.

Are you sure about that?

I mean, you've been pretty
back and forth.

- I mean...
- Shut up and kiss me.

♪ It's Christmas time

♪ And there's still no sign

♪ That you are coming
home to me ♪

I am here again with one
of my favorite guests,

mega hit author Andrea Metcalf.

This time in her new home.

Thank you so much for joining me
here on Christmas Eve.

You know,
people primarily know you

from your fantasy
romance series, Broken Arrow,

which is currently
being made into a TV series.

- Am I right about that?
- Yeah. Yeah.

Filming is underway
in New Zealand.

But we are not here to talk
about Broken Arrow, now, are we?

Not this time.

Now, you have
a brand-new book out.

It's already at the top

of the New York Times
bestseller list,

and it's only been
out for one week.

Yeah, Fragments of Light.

The first installment in a new
fantasy romance series, right?

That is true. Yeah.

It's set in
a fantastical world,

but it's grounded in truth,

filled with very real people
in a very real place

with a very real love story.

- Your love story, I'm told.
- You're right.

Which began here.

- Am I right about that? Okay.
- Yes, that is true.

Now, this love story
inspired you

to pour all of your earnings
from your last

Broken Arrow book
into this town.

So tell me, where are we?

We are in Wildwood's
first official art gallery.

So, six years ago,
the Wildwood fire

almost wiped out
this entire community.

And when I was visiting
last Christmas,

I was just so inspired

by their resilience
and their fight

and the way that their pain
and pursuit of the light

poured into their art.
I knew that...

I needed them to have
a place to display

their work that
was worthy of them.

And you started a foundation.

Yeah, I-I just...

I wanted to speed up the
process and get these families

into their new homes
as fast as possible.

This town is lucky to have you.

No, it's the other way around.

I found a love
that I thought I'd lost

and a community that
I didn't know that I needed.

I'm the luckiest one of all.

How are you?

Oh, there you are.

Gift for my poor eyes.

You fix up well.

I learned from the best.

♪ Christmas time

♪ Christmas time

So how does it feel

when you're in Wildwood?

You still happy
with your choice?

Is that even a real question?

♪ Almost gave up on love

♪ I was close to my end

♪ Had a life of my own

♪ No more need to pretend

♪ Once there was a fire

♪ But that flame had dimmed

♪ No more second chances

♪ No more giving in

♪ But you were worth the wait

♪ Worth the pain

♪ Worth the time

♪ Worth the trades

♪ The trace of faith

♪ And you hold me down

♪ And you be around