"Ryan walked into the living room and found Emma wrapping a present. Ryan appeared saddened when Emma told him that she wanted to take the gift to her mother. Since visiting Annie wasn't an option, Ryan suggested that they place the present under the Christmas tree with a note to Santa. They would ask Santa to take the present to Annie. Emma agreed, but she remained downcast because she missed her mother.
At the jail, Taylor tried to offer Brot help but he refused it. Taylor was frustrated. She couldn't understand why Brot wasn't fighting back. Brot explained that he was guilty of stealing a dead man's identity and therefore needed to accept his fate. Taylor didn't buy the excuse. She was certain that Brot was using the arrest as an excuse to hide from her.
Jake, dressed as Santa Claus, muttered to himself as he walked down Pine Valley Hospital's corridor. Greenlee broke out into laughter when she spotted him. He warned her that he was in a foul mood because the children of the hospital's staff had booed his performance as Santa. Greenlee was sympathetic and tried to cheer Jake up by inviting him to go "Scrooging" with her. Jake pointed out that "Scrooging" wasn't a word but agreed to join her anyway.
While Jake went to change out of out of the costume, Greenlee waited in the lounge. When she overheard a father talking to his daughter about her mother, it triggered a recent memory of a conversation between Greenlee and Emma about Annie. Greenlee brushed the memory aside when Jake rejoined her. However, before they could leave, Jake caught a glimpse of Taylor nearby. Greenlee noticed and told him that she would wait while he talked to Taylor.
Taylor was waiting for Jake around the corner. She explained that she was at the hospital for a physical therapy session, but then began talking about Brot and his refusal to mount a legal defense against the charges he faced. When she realized that her problems with Brot might have made Jake uncomfortable, Taylor apologized and excused herself. Standing nearby, Greenlee overheard most of the exchange. When she realized that Jake was in love with Taylor, she urged him to go after Taylor. Jake was reluctant, so, to ensure his cooperation, Greenlee offered to take his Santa suit and drop it off for him.
Jake caught up with Taylor moments later. Taylor admitted that she wasn't in the right frame of mind to focus on her therapy session, so she had decided to skip it. Jake understood and tried to help. First he gave her a candy cane to cheer her up, and then he suggested various ways to help Brot. Taylor lit up when Jake advised her to talk to someone who could help get Brot's charges reduced. Excited by the idea, Taylor thanked Jake and walked off.
Jake left the hospital and walked through the park, where he found Amanda seated on a park bench. She was less than thrilled to see Jake and didn't bother hiding her feelings. She ordered him to leave, but Jake ignored her. Instead, Jake apologized to Amanda for his behavior during their last encounter. He told her that it had been wrong for him to refer to her as a hooker, and added that he had never wanted to hurt her. Amanda accepted his apology, but she was still hurt. After Jake left, Amanda broke down in tears.
Zach talked to Kendall about the impact that Myrtle had on his decision to give Kendall more time. He hoped, with patience, he would be reunited with Kendall. As Zach visited with his wife, he talked about the Christmas decorations at the house and the piles of presents for the kids. Unfortunately Kendall remained unresponsive. Momentarily defeated, Zach rose and promised to return later that evening. As he stepped into the hallway, Taylor met him. Taylor apologized for how she had treated him and asked if his offer to help her was still open. When Zach said that it was, Taylor told him about Brot's situation. She said that she didn't have money or influence, but Zach did. Taylor wondered if Zach could help Brot.
A short time later, Zach showed up at the jail to tell Brot that he had arranged for his release. The two men went over to Taylor's townhouse. Taylor was thrilled when she opened the door and saw Brot standing on her doorstep. She thanked Zach and threw her arms around him. Zach graciously accepted her gratitude and left. Taylor then focused her attention on Brot. She hugged him, but Brot quickly pulled away. He made an excuse to leave, but promised that he would call her. Once the door was closed behind him, Brot took a moment to compose himself before he walked away.
Zach returned to the hospital and talked to Kendall. He told her about his encounter with Brot and the struggles that Brot had faced. Zach's decision to be more patient was reinforced by what he had learned of Brot's life. As Zach walked out of the room, Kendall's spirit rose from her body. She called out for Zach to wait; she wanted to go with him.
Emma's mood lifted when she was surprised by a visit from Santa. It was actually Greenlee in Jake's Santa suit. Emma saw through the disguise immediately and giggled when Greenlee was forced to admit that she was behind the beard. Ryan was beaming with pride and joy as he watched the two. When Corinna arrived to take Emma to a party, Emma was reluctant to go. She didn't want to go without her mother. Greenlee stepped in and persuaded the little girl to enjoy the Christmas celebrations. After Corinna and Emma left, Ryan turned to Greenlee. He told her that he thought she was amazing. He loved how she took care of Emma and understood his little girl. Greenlee tried to downplay her connection with Emma by changing the subject. She joked that the synthetic fibers of the costume drove her up the wall.
After Greenlee changed into one of Ryan's shirts, she joined him before the fire. She was surprised when Ryan handed her a small gift-wrapped box. When she opened it, she found a stunning gold butterfly pin inside. Greenlee was touched by the significant gift and threw her arms around Ryan. She told him that she loved him and the two kissed.
At the Chandler mansion, Adam was upset over the idea of JR and Little Adam spending Christmas at the hunting lodge. Colby supported her brother's decision to get out of Pine Valley and reminded their father that it was JR's decision to make. She told him that JR needed to do what felt right for him, not Adam. JR appreciated his sister's support. When they were alone, he asked Colby to keep an eye on Krystal while he was out of town.
Later, Adam gave JR a special gift. It was a map of a trail located near the lodge. It led to a beautiful spot with a stream and a bench. Adam said it was the perfect place for JR to sit and think about Babe. JR was deeply moved by his father's gesture. He apologized that he didn't have a present for Adam. Adam brushed off JR's concern. He told JR that JR's decision to move back to the Chandler mansion was all he had wanted.
Krystal asked Opal if she could keep the girls for another night. Krystal claimed that she had the flu and did not want to risk exposing the children to it. After Opal agreed, Krystal ended the call and went to answer the door. Someone had been ringing the doorbell incessantly. It was David. He said that he had been concerned about Krystal after she had crashed her car moments after running out of Wildwind. Krsytal said that she was fine and that the car could be repaired. David refused to take her word for it, and insisted on examining her. Krystal led David to the living room where he quickly determined that she didn't have any lingering effects of the accident. Satisfied that she had given him what he wanted, Krystal asked David to leave. David refused. He wanted to talk about why Krystal had suddenly pulled away from him. Krystal ignored his questions and told him that she needed to get ready for a gift exchange with JR and Little Adam. David was not pleased when he learned that JR intended to take Little Adam to the Chandler lodge for Christmas.
At the Chandler mansion, David dropped by unexpectedly shortly after Krystal's arrival. JR was furious when David ignored his order to leave, but he was forced to put up with the man's presence because of Little Adam. When Little Adam spotted the sporty racecar toy that David had bought for him, he ran up to it. David joined him and helped him climb in. As everyone watched, JR leaned close to Krystal to warn her not to fall for David's act. In his excitement, Little Adam invited David to spend Christmas with him and his father at the lodge. JR stepped in and told his son that David could not join them. When David left, JR followed him out the door. He warned David that his New Year's resolution was to make certain that David returned to where he came from. After JR walked inside, David called Amanda. He told her to pack her bags; she was going to a lodge.
At the lodge, JR was overcome with emotion and had to step outside for a moment alone. He wasn't alone for long. As he broke down in tears, Amanda walked up and drew JR into her arms.
A few minutes after Krystal returned home, she was startled when she turned around and found David standing in the living room doorway. He said that he had found the front door open and had knocked. Krystal was annoyed and tried to make David leave, but he remained. Eventually, he was able to coerce Krystal into drinking some milk and talking to him. She told him that Adam and JR had warned her that David would find a way to use her to get to Little Adam. David denied the accusation and professed his innocence. He begged Krystal not to let Adam and JR come between them. He reminded her that he and Krystal shared something special, their daughter. Krystal's defenses crumbled. When she began to cry about Babe, David swooped her up into his arms. As he carried her out of the living room, David promised Krystal that he would take care of her."
- Soap Central
