In a Holidaze

On Christmas Day, Mae goes to church with her family. During Mass, she realizes that her experiences have given her a new kind of faith: a sense that “the universe delivers us random acts of kindness, and it’s on us to decide what to do with them” (263). Mae tries to feel gratitude for the new sense of autonomy and freedom that she has gained in recent days, and she knows that she has the strength to determine her own future, even without Andrew. Mae’s mother notices her discomfort and tells her, “The only person whose expectations you have to live up to is yourself” (264). Mae decides to contrive a grand gesture for Andrew as an apology and a final confession of love.

After they return to the cabin, Mae’s mother silently signals to Mae that she is helping with the plan to make amends with Andrew. Miles takes Mae aside and tells her that Theo regrets his anger. Mae tells Miles that it is not his role to play intermediary. Miles is concerned that Ricky and Lisa will sell the cabin and suggests that their parents buy it instead. This inspires Mae to run inside, animated by new hope.

Mae finds Benny and asks him to go to the attic with her. She tells him that she wants to talk about the cabin and asks if it is true that he is now wealthy due to Spotify stock. Benny confirms this. Mae explains that she is willing to save the cabin with her own funds, as she has no living expenses and will soon find another job, if he is willing to co-sign on the sale. Benny asks if she truly needs to own the cabin, explaining that he already plans to buy it himself. He admits that he might not have taken the initiative without Mae telling him about the time loop. Mae hugs Benny, overjoyed.

Next, Mae goes to the basement to find Theo. He apologizes, explaining that he just needed time. Mae realizes that this would likely have been the case in the original timeline and is upset with herself for not trusting their friendship in that version of the holiday. Mae begins to cry in relief that their relationship is not as damaged as she feared. She decides that it would be unfair to burden him with the knowledge of their prior encounter.

Theo changes the subject, asking if it is true that she has always had feelings for his brother. Mae confirms this, and he is stunned that she has kept the secret for over a decade. Theo explains that part of his anger stemmed from how committed Andrew seemed, which led Theo to believe that the relationship had been secret for much longer. He tells Mae to keep fighting for the future of the relationship if she still wants to.

Mae completes her work on Andrew’s Christmas gift and takes it to the Boathouse. Andrew lets her in and confirms that he is leaving for Denver that night rather than staying longer. He tells Mae that he is not angry; he merely doubts his own judgment. Mae tells him that even the supernatural forces she has experienced pale beside her experience of being with him. She declares, “The most unbelievable part of all this is that I got to be with you” (279). Mae tells him that she cannot regret the authenticity she chose with him because she has never been this close to another person.

Mae crosses the room to hand him her gift, telling him that it is a depiction of happiness. She painted the two of them as an elderly people on a front porch, laughing at a joke and full of a lifetime of experiences together. She tells him that she painted it in hope but also as proof that he is “the only one who makes [her] that happy” (281). Mae leaves before she can reveal her heartbreak, assuming that she has been rejected. She goes for a walk, taking in the picturesque snow and neighboring homes. The winter landscape suggests that she needs to live somewhere with seasons. She realizes that the sense of self she found with Andrew can inspire the rest of her life, even if they never reunite.

Mae enters the cabin, and the others greet her brightly, piquing her curiosity. One of the twins tells her to go upstairs instead of to the basement. She finds a trail of her favorite peppermint Hershey’s kisses leading to Andrew’s bedroom closet, where he explains that he has been waiting for some time. Mae asks what this means. Andrew pulls her close and kisses her, and after some banter, she assures him that she loves him. Andrew tells her that he loves her and suggests that she go to Denver with him the next day.

Andrew jokes about the relief of a successful first disagreement. He is surprised when he realizes that Mae assumed that he was breaking up with her. She reminds him that her parents have never modeled healthy conflict and teasingly asks if they are a couple. She also asks if he believes her story of repeating the holiday. Andrew assures her that he does and catalogues all the mishaps that she saved everyone from experiencing. They kiss again after Mae proclaims herself his “time traveling girlfriend” (290).

The narrative resumes six months later, on the weekend of Independence Day. Mae and Andrew arrive at the cabin, coming from Denver, where they now live together. Benny warmly greets them and shows off all his successful remodeling. Andrew and Mae kiss in the closet, but Benny finds them and takes them outside. To Mae’s surprise, the Boathouse has been converted into a real cabin, with electricity, running water, and furniture. Andrew pulls her inside, and Mae sees that the walls are covered with pictures of their families. She turns to find Andrew kneeling and accepts his marriage proposal. They celebrate and have passionate sex.

Mae ignores Andrew’s suggestion that she brush her hair, and they return to the main house. Mae is shocked to see their families: another surprise in addition to the proposal. Mae tells Aaron about her new job doing graphic design for a brewery. Andrew says that her parents are also coming. Mae listens to Lisa and her mother plan their wedding, overjoyed at their integrated and harmonious lives. Andrew shows her a new photo, a photograph of the area from above. Mae reflects that “the center of [her] world is right where [she’s] standing” (304).