LORNA'S HOUSE/SAME NIGHT

There is pandemonium arising as LORNA and JENNA hug loudly, their voices ringing out with excitement over everyone else's. After they hug, CASS and MORGAN hug her. Finally, the hugs are over and FELICIA beams at the sight of Lorna and Jenna standing together. She reaches out and pulls HAYLEY to her.

FELICIA
Hayley...I want you to meet Jenna. Your sister.

Jenna and Hayley stare at one another, shy half-smiles on their faces. Hayley steps forward, her hand extended.

HAYLEY
It's really nice to finally meet you, Jenna. Felicia and Lorna have talked about you so much...and I can't wait to get to know you.

Jenna ignores her outstretched hand and pulls her into a short hug. Letting go, she holds Hayley at arm's length.

JENNA
(smiling)
We're sisters. Sisters don't shake hands.

Her words are warm, but her voice is slightly cold. Hayley doesn't notice the chill, although Felicia and Lorna do, and exchange a look.

HAYLEY
I have another sister...I'm just getting used to having a cool sister like Lorna...now I get another one?

JENNA
You're stuck with both of us. And Lorna can't stop talking about you. Neither can Felicia. So I trust their judgment. You and I have a lot to catch up on.

The group breaks off into smaller groups, Felicia, Jenna, Hayley, Tito, Lila, and Morgan, talking in one; Cass and Charlie in another. Lorna moves out to the kitchen, while Sergei makes a beeline for Gabrielle. Cass puts an arm around Charlie, kissing her on the forehead.

CASS
Merry Christmas, sweetheart. I'm really glad you're here with me.

CHARLIE
So am I, Dad. Still...

CASS
Still what?

CHARLIE
You know I love Lila...I love Lila a lot...

CASS
I know...but...you miss your mother, don't you?

CHARLIE
It just seems so much more obvious that she's not here on Christmas.

CASS
I know it does.

CHARLIE
Remember how she used to make us hot chocolate on Christmas Eve before bed while you'd read The Night Before Christmas to both of us?

CASS
Your mom might not be with us, honey, but that doesn't mean that we can't remember her traditions.

CHARLIE
I wish we had Jasmine tonight. Then we could start the tradition with her.

CASS
We'll continue the tradition tonight. Do you mind introducing Lila to the tradition?

Charlie thinks for a minute, then shakes her head, smiling.

CHARLIE
Of course not. And I don't think Mom would mind...I think she'd like that.

Cass and Charlie move back towards the group. Sergei stands by the tree with Gabrielle, pointing out individual ornaments to her.

SERGEI
This is the baby Jesus, Gabrielle...this is why we have this holiday.

GABRIELLE
Baby....

SERGEI
(smiling at her)
That's right...and his mama loved him just like your mama loves you.

Lorna comes out of the kitchen to hear him say this. She smiles at the sight.

SERGEI (cont'd)
You have a very special mama, little one.

LORNA
(coming up behind him)
Thank you, Sergei...(calling to everyone else)...hey, guys, dinner's ready! You can all go into the dining room now.

Everyone except for Lorna and Sergei move to the dining room. Lorna reaches for Gabrielle, lifting her from Sergei's arms.

LORNA(cont'd)
You're so wonderful with her, Sergei. And she adores you.

SERGEI
(shrugging)
Is not hard for baby to adore someone. Is harder for adult to adore me.

LORNA
You're pretty adored in this family. Now...I'm hungry. Are you about ready to eat?

SERGEI
I am famished....(he starts to follow her, but grabs her arm as they pass under a doorway and points upwards)...this...is this not toemistle?

LORNA
(laughing)
Mistletoe. And yes, it is, Sergei.

SERGEI
Is tradition, correct?

LORNA
Supposedly a tradition.

Sergei leans over and kisses her gently on the lips. She begins to kiss him back, but pulls away, shifting Gabrielle in her arms.

LORNA (cont'd)
(quietly)
Merry Christmas, Sergei.

As she walks back into the dining room, she brushes past Felicia, who's seen the whole thing. With a questioning glance to Sergei, Felicia follows Lorna back to the dining room.

CUT TO:

HUDSON FARM/SAME NIGHT

GREGORY cradles CJ in his arms. JOSIE, GARY, JOHN, and SHARLENE stand next to him with glasses of wine.

SHARLENE
So what are the plans for tomorrow?

GARY
We're going to stop by the Cory's tomorrow afternoon. We thought we'd take the baby over for Amanda to see, especially since she's so down in the dumps over Alli taking off.

SHARLENE
You're not working on that case for her, are you?

GARY
(shaking his head)
No...I recommended another PI for them. I want to be home with the baby right now. Frank's a good guy, though. If anyone can find Alli and Sean, it's him.

JOSIE
Actually, we thought we'd show CJ off a little tomorrow. We're going to stop by Vicky's, and Cass and Lila's...

SHARLENE
Felicia's?

JOSIE
That's a sticky situation...we sort of have an agreement with Felicia and Lorna now...we have to. They're going to come over to see him. It'd be too awkward to try and make sure Hayley wasn't around before we could stop by.

JOHN
Do you think it's going to be easy to avoid her?

GARY
We know it might be difficult. But we want to keep him away from her as much as for her sake as for ours.

SHARLENE
I think that's a good idea. I'm sure it would be more painful for her to see him again and have to leave him behind again.

JOSIE
Well, the most important thing is that CJ knows he's loved.

GREG
Does he usually stink when he knows he's loved?

Greg hands the baby gingerly over to Josie, who laughs.

JOSIE
Come on, Greg, don't you want to learn how to change a diaper?

GREG
No way...that's gross.

Josie sets the baby on the couch and begins to change his diaper. Gary gets the baby bag and sits next to her. The rest of the family watches, smiling.

CUT TO:

LUCKY LADY/SAME NIGHT

The group has finished eating and sits around the table with coffee. STEVEN and KIRKLAND have moved to the group of presents nearby and pass them back and forth, shaking them. ETTA MAE notices them.

ETTA MAE
All right, you boys...is this a hint that you want to open your presents soon?

STEVEN
Can we?

KIRKLAND
Yes! Mom and Jake won't let us open any at home until tomorrow morning.

MARLEY
I think it's a good time to open those gifts...why don't we let these boys off the hook already?

TYRONE stands up and holds up his hands.

TYRONE
Actually, I'd like to do something before we move over to opening the presents.

Everyone stares at him, and the boys drift back to their seats at the table.

TYRONE (cont'd)
When I came to Bay City a couple of years ago, I wasn't sure this was the place for me. But then I met someone who made me realize that I was in exactly the right place...I met Marley.

He steps away from his chair and stands next to Marley. As she blushes, he reaches in his pocket and kneels next to her.

TYRONE
Marley...you've made me see blue skies when there are rain clouds everywhere. You've taken me and made me believe that I can live for someone else with my whole heart, and I can do it unselfishly. I look at you and in your eyes, I can see my future...I can see my past...and I can see now. When you speak, I hear the voices of our children...of our grandchildren...and I can't imagine waking up tomorrow to know that you're not there.

He pulls a small velvet box from his pocket.

TYRONE (cont'd)
And because of this, I want to ask you something. Marley, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?

Marley's face streams with tears as everyone else beams at the two of them, waiting for Marley's response. They don't have to wait long. Marley reaches out and hugs Tyrone around the neck, quietly, and her response is whispered, almost inaudible.

MARLEY
Yes...I would love to marry you, Tyrone.

As they kiss, the room applauds lightly, and everyone is grinning broadly. Tyrone takes the ring from the box and puts it on Marley's finger, holding her hand. Finally, he lets go, and everyone offers their congratulations.

CUT TO:

CORY MANSION

Dinner is in full swing as we see various conversations going on. PAULINA is sympathetic to AMANDA's longing for ALLI.

PAULINA
You are something. If I were you, I couldn't hold up as nearly as well as you are.

AMANDA
(gives a forced laugh)
It's all a sham. I feel awful, Paulina! My baby is gone, as is Cam. I'm just tired. I'd give up any and all of those presents under the tree if I could just have Alli here with us.

Paulina wraps a sisterly arm around Amanda's shoulders.

PAULINA
I know it isn't the same, but I remember feeling lost without my daughter, too. And then, presto! Instant family. It's so good to know that someone loves you and depends on you; I'm sure Alli knows you'd do anything for her. It'll just take patience. Easier said than done, but it is true. Then you and Alli will come out of this stronger than before.

AMANDA
I don't know how much patience I have left.

As Paulina gives Amanda a hug, we contrast the sadness and see MATT cajoling food into JASMINE's mouth. He delights in her mess on the high chair tray. Meanwhile, CARL and RACHEL are seen also trying to deal with toddlers, but clearly enjoying themselves. As scenes of a busy holiday are panned from person to person, we

FADE OUT