At a seemingly ordinary regional airport, time appears to stand still on Leap Day, bringing an unexpected reunion between Wilhelmina "Willa" Davis (Meg Ryan) and William "Bill" Davis (David Duchovny). While they wait at the gate for their respective flights to Boston and Austin, Willa and Bill engage in a heartfelt conversation that unravels the complexities of their intertwined past.
What begins as casual small talk soon reveals the depth of their relationship, woven with layers of regret, longing, and unfulfilled love. Bill shares that he and his wife Beth-Anne are "going through a thing," hinting at the underlying strains in their marriage. Likewise, Willa opens up about her own hardships, recounting tales of heartbreaks and personal losses that have shaped her life.
As the hours pass, the weight of their unresolved feelings becomes evident. Willa is particularly burdened by the memory of her past miscarriage, a poignant testament to the fragile nature of life and love. At the same time, Bill grapples with his concerns regarding his daughter Rose's newfound passion for dance, reflecting a deeper anxieties about his roles as both a father and a husband.
In this intimate airport setting, where strangers momentarily become friends, Willa and Bill delve into nostalgic reminiscences of their shared past. The fact that they both bear the name "W. Davis" serves as a deep reminder of their connected experiences, even as they navigate their individual struggles.
As a storm outside escalates into a bomb cyclone, threatening to disrupt their travel plans, Willa and Bill's discussions become increasingly frank. They touch upon Willa's friend Ginny, who is in the midst of a challenging divorce, while Bill's own marriage faces significant hurdles.
A pivotal moment arises when Willa offers to upgrade her ticket to ensure that Bill can attend his daughter Rose's recital without any worries. This generous act further underscores the strength of their bond, though Bill politely declines, maintaining his characteristic sense of reserve. Just when it seems they are destined to part ways, an airport announcement halts all outbound flights, leaving Willa and Bill suspended in time, their destinies forever intertwined by their shared past.
As Rose's determination grows from Bill's encouragement, she recalls an earlier moment when his doubts about her aspirations to become a professional dancer had left her disheartened. Meanwhile, Willa faces an emotional whirlwind as she prepares to meet her 20-year-old daughter, Maggie, who wishes to connect with her mother after an earlier text exchange. Initially hesitant, Willa's heart begins to soften under Maggie's persistent nudging to "just try."
With the arrival of the next day, an urgent announcement indicates that all outbound flights are about to depart. Amid the tumult, Willa gifts Bill her cherished rainstick as a token of appreciation, and Bill, in turn, presents her with an old card inscribed with his promise to share his phone number. As they prepare to part, their feelings surge into a tender kiss, each wishing the other well as they board their respective flights.
Turning over Bill's card, Willa discovers a poignant note that simply reads "just try." The significance of those words resonates deeply within her as she gazes at the contrails left by their planes, which have miraculously formed a heart shape in the sky. In this fleeting moment, Willa and Bill exchange bittersweet gestures through the windows of their aircraft, as they embark on their journeys toward separate futures.
