JasonDíSpeech
Well-Known Member
At the Horton house, JJ has put on a record, one of Jack's favourites. Jennifer is glad, and an affected Abby walks in. Jennifer's glad to have a baby in the house. The bell rings, it's Julie and Doug with Claire. JJ talks about "an army of Hortons and a bunch of Horton wannabes" and worries it's too much for Abby.
Belle and Chad are having drinks at Club TBD, joking about Chad not doing actual work, and discussing Shawn-D and Belle's breakup, her desire to have Claire near family. She cheated, though they were both at fault. She's willing to deal with the "boatload of judgment" that accompanies Claire's being around her family. They discuss whether or not Chad's word as a DiMera is worth anything and whether or not he was complicit in Marlena's attack. She and Shawn-D need time apart, and Marlena needs Belle right now...because, Chad asserts, of what Sami did to Stefano. Belle's not biting, Chad lays it on thick about not feeling sorry for Stefano, knows he's not sulking, but plotting revenge. Chad vows to protect Belle, whom he declares his lawyer and his friend. He clasps her hand as Abby enters.
In the Square, Victor wants Maggie to hand out some cheques, Maggie says that's not personal. They spy Lucas, Victor says this must be hell for him. Maggie goes to talk to him, Victor is worried about being with the Hortons too long. Maggie talks to Lucas, who is trying to stay positive, but has seen a present he had planned to buy Will (a first edition Faulkner) this year. Talks about finding out Will was his son, taking him to Gran for the first time, bringing him to Christmas. He hopes Will's in a better place, but isn't ready to face the family, hang Will's ornament.
At the townhouse, John stops Marlena as she enters the room, has secretly hung mistletoe. They kiss; Marlena laughs, but is worried about Lucas missing them at the party. The Hortons have had some terrible losses, need people who love them around. John flashes back to his talk with Eduardo, and tells Doc he doesn't think that's a good idea. John levels with her, says there's danger if they go to the Hortons'. After the break, John has filled her in, as a flummoxed Marlena has learned that Winterthorne was an assassin-recruitment cover, and that John's digging into his past has upset "the Powers that Be" and put them in danger. They talk about Eduardo's warning, John feels Eduardo's on the level, wants out of the life, and is trying to stop the hit. John is sure Eduardo will do what it takes to get the hit stopped. Marlena is upset that she didn't get to go the Horton Christmas Eve because of the hit on John. (She still has the present she was carrying on her lap, even though in other parts of Salem, hours have passed.) She doesn't want to live behind closed doors. John agrees, but thinks it's best for tonight. Marlena realises there are worse things than spending the evening at home with the man you love. "It's a wonderful life," John quips, as Marlena cuddles up to him.
Eduardo is wandering the foggy Square, Kate spies him and enters pursuit. Later, she has followed him to a table, where Eduardo is trying to order Scotch. Kate snarks that champagne is more festive, then backtracks a bit, talks about the losses they've suffered. Kate's not backing down, not taking Eduardo's out, gets invited to sit down. Eduardo wonders why she's not with her family, she says "they're busy tonight, I'll see them tomorrow." She flirts with him, he informs her that he's leaving on an important business trip tomorrow. Kate gives him a key card to the "Skyward Club," a new hotspot in Titan Towers, where the Penthouse Grille used to be. He thanks her, she says he needs to be rubbing elbows with the power elite. Eduardo's not sure he belongs in that class, but she is; she kisses him. Eduardo thanks her, laments he didn't know he'd be spending Christmas Eve with "someone so remarkable."
At the Brady house, Chase and Ciara are playing on their phones/iPads, Hope wants them to get ready to go to Gran's, Ciara is unenthused. Hope reminds them of the importance of Christmas, family; she's lucky to have them both in her life.
Ciara, Chase, and Hope have arrived at the Horton house, Doug jokes as he lets them in. (Chase greets Doug, "Hello, sir.") Ciara goes to get donuts, Hope tells Doug about Ciara's reluctance to come. Later, Lucas arrives with Maggie, they hug Jen. Roman arrives before Jen closes the door, he needs to talk to Abby. Abby gives Jen the baby monitor, goes outside, and Roman asks her about her vandalism in the Square. She just wants to fix it, doesn't want to talk. Later, Abby and Roman are in the Square, apparently having smoothed things over. Roman offers to walk her home, but she's okay walking by herself. She thanks him, he wishes her a Merry Christmas with her little boy.
Lucas has stepped outside to look at a text from Sami. It's a picture from Allie that says, "Will may be in heaven, but you still have me. I love you, Daddy." He's holding back tears. Inside, Doug announces it's time, scoots Claire, Chase, and Ciara out of the living room. By the tree, Victor assures Hope that she and Ciara are safe, he's got an army of men trying to find out the truth about who set her up, and who did this to Bo.
Abby comes up to Chad and Belle, talks about how he was planning a future for them (Abby, Chad, and Thomas) just 24 hours ago, Chad is annoyed (but cold), tries to shoo her away. Abby rails, blames Stefano, André, etc. She sees that Chad is unaffected as she tries to figure out what's going on with him, this isn't like him, etc. Abby stalks off, leaving Chad and Belle staring at each other.
Julie laments the sad year the Hortons have had, Doug steps up, says, "This year, yes...this year we need this night more than ever. It's been a bumpy road. We've all been hit hard. We know we can't bring back those people we've lost. But decorating this tree is our way to celebrate our family. So tonight we stop and we remember who we are, where we came from. We tell all the stories. It's important that we continue to do this, all the Days of our Lives." He adds that he wants Abby and JJ to carry on this tradition, even if they're not in this house. JJ speaks up on behalf of him and the "unusually" quiet Abby, and accepts.
Later, Julie announces that it's time for the ornaments, with many new ones. Julie and Maggie begged, baked, and bribed to get "Mr Early" to finish Thomas' ornament on time. Abby thanks them. Hope talks about Gran and Grampa talking about how family means more than people with common ancestors. People who are "designated Hortons" who came into the family through love. Gets an ornament from the box, and has Ciara give it to the newest "designated Horton." She takes it to Chase, who doesn't know what to say. He gets a lot of hugs.
Ornament hanging: Hope hangs Bo's ornament, kisses her hand and touches the ornament. Zack's is on the tree; Ciara hangs hers, hugs Hope Chase hangs his; Claire hangs her ornament. Doug and Julie's are hung, as Julie hangs Addie's. Doug embraces her. Maggie hangs Janice's ornament next to Sarah's; Lucas hangs Will's next to Sonny's. (Jennifer's is on the tree, as well as Daniel, Parker, and Melanie.) Victor hangs his ornament below Maggie's. The montage then reverses time, as we see family members removing already-hung ornaments from their boxes, and we watch Jennifer hang her ornament. Lucas hangs Allie's high, then his own right by Will's. Maggie hangs hers and Mickey's (that is in the right order). Jennifer stands on a chair and hangs Tom and Alice's ornaments. Fade out on Tom and Alice's ornaments.
Later, Belle has stormed out, but Chad catches up with her in the bushy clearing. Abby is clearly not as "done" with Chad as Chad would like. Belle thinks that Chad's amusing, he has good taste in wine, but Abby confirmed everything she already knew: she has to be careful with him.
Julie thanks Doug for what he said to the kids, Alice would have loved it. They kiss. JJ plays guitar, and he and Claire sing a rockabilly version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Then an instrumental version plays as we see Eduardo and Kate stargazing, Belle come home to John & Marlena, Chad alone in DiManse, and Abby crying as she rocks Thomas. Back to the Hortons, where Claire and JJ are finishing up their song to modest applause. And again, up the tree to Tom & Alice's ornaments, and fade out.
Belle and Chad are having drinks at Club TBD, joking about Chad not doing actual work, and discussing Shawn-D and Belle's breakup, her desire to have Claire near family. She cheated, though they were both at fault. She's willing to deal with the "boatload of judgment" that accompanies Claire's being around her family. They discuss whether or not Chad's word as a DiMera is worth anything and whether or not he was complicit in Marlena's attack. She and Shawn-D need time apart, and Marlena needs Belle right now...because, Chad asserts, of what Sami did to Stefano. Belle's not biting, Chad lays it on thick about not feeling sorry for Stefano, knows he's not sulking, but plotting revenge. Chad vows to protect Belle, whom he declares his lawyer and his friend. He clasps her hand as Abby enters.
In the Square, Victor wants Maggie to hand out some cheques, Maggie says that's not personal. They spy Lucas, Victor says this must be hell for him. Maggie goes to talk to him, Victor is worried about being with the Hortons too long. Maggie talks to Lucas, who is trying to stay positive, but has seen a present he had planned to buy Will (a first edition Faulkner) this year. Talks about finding out Will was his son, taking him to Gran for the first time, bringing him to Christmas. He hopes Will's in a better place, but isn't ready to face the family, hang Will's ornament.
At the townhouse, John stops Marlena as she enters the room, has secretly hung mistletoe. They kiss; Marlena laughs, but is worried about Lucas missing them at the party. The Hortons have had some terrible losses, need people who love them around. John flashes back to his talk with Eduardo, and tells Doc he doesn't think that's a good idea. John levels with her, says there's danger if they go to the Hortons'. After the break, John has filled her in, as a flummoxed Marlena has learned that Winterthorne was an assassin-recruitment cover, and that John's digging into his past has upset "the Powers that Be" and put them in danger. They talk about Eduardo's warning, John feels Eduardo's on the level, wants out of the life, and is trying to stop the hit. John is sure Eduardo will do what it takes to get the hit stopped. Marlena is upset that she didn't get to go the Horton Christmas Eve because of the hit on John. (She still has the present she was carrying on her lap, even though in other parts of Salem, hours have passed.) She doesn't want to live behind closed doors. John agrees, but thinks it's best for tonight. Marlena realises there are worse things than spending the evening at home with the man you love. "It's a wonderful life," John quips, as Marlena cuddles up to him.
Eduardo is wandering the foggy Square, Kate spies him and enters pursuit. Later, she has followed him to a table, where Eduardo is trying to order Scotch. Kate snarks that champagne is more festive, then backtracks a bit, talks about the losses they've suffered. Kate's not backing down, not taking Eduardo's out, gets invited to sit down. Eduardo wonders why she's not with her family, she says "they're busy tonight, I'll see them tomorrow." She flirts with him, he informs her that he's leaving on an important business trip tomorrow. Kate gives him a key card to the "Skyward Club," a new hotspot in Titan Towers, where the Penthouse Grille used to be. He thanks her, she says he needs to be rubbing elbows with the power elite. Eduardo's not sure he belongs in that class, but she is; she kisses him. Eduardo thanks her, laments he didn't know he'd be spending Christmas Eve with "someone so remarkable."
At the Brady house, Chase and Ciara are playing on their phones/iPads, Hope wants them to get ready to go to Gran's, Ciara is unenthused. Hope reminds them of the importance of Christmas, family; she's lucky to have them both in her life.
Ciara, Chase, and Hope have arrived at the Horton house, Doug jokes as he lets them in. (Chase greets Doug, "Hello, sir.") Ciara goes to get donuts, Hope tells Doug about Ciara's reluctance to come. Later, Lucas arrives with Maggie, they hug Jen. Roman arrives before Jen closes the door, he needs to talk to Abby. Abby gives Jen the baby monitor, goes outside, and Roman asks her about her vandalism in the Square. She just wants to fix it, doesn't want to talk. Later, Abby and Roman are in the Square, apparently having smoothed things over. Roman offers to walk her home, but she's okay walking by herself. She thanks him, he wishes her a Merry Christmas with her little boy.
Lucas has stepped outside to look at a text from Sami. It's a picture from Allie that says, "Will may be in heaven, but you still have me. I love you, Daddy." He's holding back tears. Inside, Doug announces it's time, scoots Claire, Chase, and Ciara out of the living room. By the tree, Victor assures Hope that she and Ciara are safe, he's got an army of men trying to find out the truth about who set her up, and who did this to Bo.
Abby comes up to Chad and Belle, talks about how he was planning a future for them (Abby, Chad, and Thomas) just 24 hours ago, Chad is annoyed (but cold), tries to shoo her away. Abby rails, blames Stefano, André, etc. She sees that Chad is unaffected as she tries to figure out what's going on with him, this isn't like him, etc. Abby stalks off, leaving Chad and Belle staring at each other.
Julie laments the sad year the Hortons have had, Doug steps up, says, "This year, yes...this year we need this night more than ever. It's been a bumpy road. We've all been hit hard. We know we can't bring back those people we've lost. But decorating this tree is our way to celebrate our family. So tonight we stop and we remember who we are, where we came from. We tell all the stories. It's important that we continue to do this, all the Days of our Lives." He adds that he wants Abby and JJ to carry on this tradition, even if they're not in this house. JJ speaks up on behalf of him and the "unusually" quiet Abby, and accepts.
Later, Julie announces that it's time for the ornaments, with many new ones. Julie and Maggie begged, baked, and bribed to get "Mr Early" to finish Thomas' ornament on time. Abby thanks them. Hope talks about Gran and Grampa talking about how family means more than people with common ancestors. People who are "designated Hortons" who came into the family through love. Gets an ornament from the box, and has Ciara give it to the newest "designated Horton." She takes it to Chase, who doesn't know what to say. He gets a lot of hugs.
Ornament hanging: Hope hangs Bo's ornament, kisses her hand and touches the ornament. Zack's is on the tree; Ciara hangs hers, hugs Hope Chase hangs his; Claire hangs her ornament. Doug and Julie's are hung, as Julie hangs Addie's. Doug embraces her. Maggie hangs Janice's ornament next to Sarah's; Lucas hangs Will's next to Sonny's. (Jennifer's is on the tree, as well as Daniel, Parker, and Melanie.) Victor hangs his ornament below Maggie's. The montage then reverses time, as we see family members removing already-hung ornaments from their boxes, and we watch Jennifer hang her ornament. Lucas hangs Allie's high, then his own right by Will's. Maggie hangs hers and Mickey's (that is in the right order). Jennifer stands on a chair and hangs Tom and Alice's ornaments. Fade out on Tom and Alice's ornaments.
Later, Belle has stormed out, but Chad catches up with her in the bushy clearing. Abby is clearly not as "done" with Chad as Chad would like. Belle thinks that Chad's amusing, he has good taste in wine, but Abby confirmed everything she already knew: she has to be careful with him.
Julie thanks Doug for what he said to the kids, Alice would have loved it. They kiss. JJ plays guitar, and he and Claire sing a rockabilly version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Then an instrumental version plays as we see Eduardo and Kate stargazing, Belle come home to John & Marlena, Chad alone in DiManse, and Abby crying as she rocks Thomas. Back to the Hortons, where Claire and JJ are finishing up their song to modest applause. And again, up the tree to Tom & Alice's ornaments, and fade out.
