LORNA'S HOUSE/SAME NIGHT

LORNA walks from the hallway leading from the bedroom, GABRIELLE trailing behind her. She's putting an earring in, dressed in a deep-red, long sleeved velvet dress. She swings Gabrielle up into her arms, and calls to Hayley, who's still in one of the bedrooms.

LORNA
Hayley! Hurry up! I want you to open something before everyone else gets here!

HAYLEY (off-screen)
I'm coming! Hang on!

Lorna lifts a small wrapped package off the tree. As she's sitting down with Gabrielle, HAYLEY enters the room, wearing a long, black skirt and a dark blue wool top, her hair pulled up into a twist.

LORNA
You look beautiful, Hale!

HAYLEY
So do you. Is everyone arriving soon?

LORNA
(nodding)
Yeah...that's why I wanted you in here early. Here.

She hands the gift to Hayley, who takes it, surprised.

HAYLEY
What's this?

LORNA
Early Christmas gift. You'll have more tomorrow, but I want you to open this one while it's just me and you.

HAYLEY
You didn't have to get me anything...you've already done so much for me--

LORNA
(smiling)
No argument. Just open it, okay?

Hayley grins at her, and begins to peel the wrapping paper off of the gift. She opens it to find a jewelry box. As she lifts the lid off, she gasps. A small gold locket sits on the velvet.

LORNA(cont'd)
When I was born, Lucas gave me a locket, which I kept with me. I wanted you to have something of your son...open it.

Hayley does so.

HAYLEY
It's....the baby.

LORNA
I just wanted you to have a rememberance of his birth. I got the picture from the one they took in the hospital.

Hayley reaches over and hugs her.

HAYLEY
Thank you. It's perfect, Lorna. Absolutely perfect.

As Lorna helps her to fasten it around her neck, the doorbell rings. Lorna walks over and answers it to find CASS, LILA, MORGAN, and CHARLIE standing there.

CASS
Merry Christmas!

As everyone greets Lorna, Hayley hangs back, shyly. Morgan notices and moves over to give Hayley a hug.

MORGAN
You can't be shy in this family.

HAYLEY
(laughing)
I'm starting to understand that. Merry Christmas, Morgan.

As the exchange of greetings end, the group makes their way to the sofas and chairs in the living room next to the tree. Lorna shuts the door, but as she steps away, the bell rings again. She opens it and TITO stands in the doorway.

TITO
(sheepishly)
Hi...thanks for the invite.

LORNA
I thought Hayley could use a friend. Merry Christmas, Tito.

Hayley walks back to the door, taking note of the silence from the other members of the room.

HAYLEY
Hey...Merry Christmas.

TITO
Merry Christmas. Really nice house...and a Christmas tree...I haven't seen one of those in forever.

LORNA
Well, I hope you're not looking for a nostalgic Christmas....I don't cook, for one thing. (She grins at him) I get catered.

HAYLEY
Hey, speaking of catered, where's Felicia? Shouldn't she be here by now?

FELICIA appears in the front door, as if on cue, Sergei behind her. She smiles at them.

FELICIA
I'm here! And I have a surprise for everyone.

She reaches behind Sergei and pulls someone forward. As she pushes the person in front of her, we see that it is JENNA NORRIS.

JENNA
I'm home!

Cass, Morgan, and Lorna stare at her, and Hayley, Lila, Tito, and Charlie watch her with confusion.

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CORY MANSION/SAME EVENING

The CORY MANSION is bustling with activity when there comes a knock at the door. RACHEL answers, and welcomes PAULINA, JOE, REMY, and DANTE.

RACHEL
I was wondering where you all were! Come on in. The twins have been eagerly awaiting Dante, so they could open a gift.

PAULINA
(kissing Rachel's cheek)
Merry Christmas! Sorry we're a bit late. Just had some last minute details to take care of. You know how busy everything gets.

JOE
And busier every second.

Joe puts Dante on the floor and he runs in to see the twins and Jasmine.

REMY
Wow, listen to all the squealing! (Laughs) I'm gonna go and see if Carl needs any help, being surrounded like he is. Excuse me!


Meanwhile, MATT and AMANDA are bonding in their misery.

AMANDA
Everyone looks so happy. I just want tonight to be over...

Matt lays a hand on Amanda's arm.

MATT
Alli will be home, sis. Keep the faith. But I understand about not having the people closest to you nearby.

AMANDA
Lorna?

MATT
One and the same. (Sighs) We're starting to get curious looks. What do you say we grab a cup of eggnog and paste some insincere smiles on our faces and make the most of things?

AMANDA
(without enthusiasm)
As if we have a choice. Let's go.

Amidst the sounds of chaos, we

CUT TO:

LUCKY LADY/SAME NIGHT

ETTA MAE places a filled bowl of mashed potatoes on the decorated table. KC follows with a platter of turkey slices. She stands back and surveys the table.

KC
Looks great, Mom...looking at it is making me hungry. (She glances at her watch.) When is everyone getting here again?

ETTA MAE
Soon...in fact, they should be arriving in about two minutes. Go get me the silver serving spoon for the potatoes, will you?

KC nods, going back into the kitchen. Etta Mae moves several dishes around, then wipes her hands off on her apron. The door opens, and JAKE, VICKY, STEVEN, and KIRKLAND walk in, followed by a quiet NICK.

STEVEN AND KIRKLAND
Etta Mae! We're hungry!

Etta Mae grabs them in a hug.

ETTA MAE
All right, you two. I figured you'd be hungry as soon as you got here. We'll eat soon, okay?

She hugs Vicky.

ETTA MAE (cont'd)
Look at you, girl...you look like you're about to pop.

VICKY
(laughing)
I FEEL like I'm about to pop.

ETTA MAE
Wait until you eat. Then you'll really feel like a blimp.

JAKE
No blimp comments. Last time I made one, I slept on the couch.

VICKY
No, you told me that I resembled the Good Year blimp with a few extra pounds. THAT'S why you slept on the couch.

KC comes out of the kitchen.

KC
Hey, guys! Ready to eat?

STEVEN
KC, will you let us eat dessert first?

KC
(laughing)
Nice try, kiddo. Hey, Nick.

NICK
Hi, KC. How've your classes been going?

KC
Great...they're over, that's the best part. But I start over again next semester.

NICK
(Laughing)
Well, just hope you don't get Mistovsky for Research.

KC
I have him next semester...why, is he bad?

NICK
Umm...good luck. (He flashes an evil grin at her.) You'll need it...and probably a lot of sleep.

ETTA MAE
All right, as soon as everyone else gets here, we'll eat!

As if on cue, MARLEY, TYRONE, DONNA, and CHRIS walk in.

CHRIS
Are we too late to eat?

ETTA MAE
Of course not..get in here and Merry Christmas.

She hugs Chris, then hugs Marley and Tyrone.

MARLEY
Everything looks wonderful, Etta Mae.

ETTA MAE
Why, thank you. And since we're all here, why don't we have a seat and eat?

Laughing, they all move towards the table.

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