At Abe and Paulina’s, they celebrate the twins’ birthday and Christmas with Eli and Lani. During the celebration, Lani asks Eli to hold down the fort so she can visit an old friend.
After Eli leaves with the children, Abe and Paulina reminisce about their own children at the twins’ age. They prepare to head to the hospital so Paulina can read to the children there and exchange gifts before they go.
At the DiMera mansion, Rachel admires her presents but tells Kristen she really wanted her parents back together. Kristen explains that she and Brady are not reconciling. Rachel blames herself and the serum incident. Kristen tells her that you can’t force someone to love you, and Brady has moved on. When Rachel brings up Ava, Kristen is shocked and asks how she knows about her. Rachel admits she overheard her talking to Nonno’s portrait. She also says she knows Kristen is trying to get rid of
Ava and asks what her plans are. Kristen deflects, telling Rachel she shouldn’t eavesdrop. At that moment, Lani arrives.
Lani comments on how much Rachel has grown and shows her pictures of the twins. She praises Rachel, then gently tells Kristen that lashing out when she’s hurt isn’t fair to Rachel. She encourages Kristen to let Rachel see her father because it’s what Rachel deserves. Lani wishes them a Merry Christmas before leaving. Afterward, Kristen tells Rachel she has a surprise for her.
Later, Brady arrives with the gift Rachel wanted. After receiving it, Rachel leaves to feed her snake. Brady thanks Kristen for letting him spend time with Rachel. As he’s about to leave, Kristen makes a snide remark about Ava. Brady confronts her about the harassing text messages, which she denies sending.
At the Black household, Marlena thinks a gift is from John, but she and Brady realize it’s from Susan. Marlena is slightly disappointed, and Brady urges her to admit she wishes John were there. Marlena confesses she misses him and wishes she could talk to him. To cheer her up, Brady gives her a special gift: a locket that belonged to his mother, Isabella. Marlena feels he should give it to Rachel, but Brady insists that Isabella would want Marlena, his “other mom,” to have it. Marlena is touched.
They discuss Kristen preventing Brady from seeing Rachel. Marlena expresses sympathy, and Brady admits things have worsened because he’s been seeing Ava. Marlena points out a pattern in his dating dangerous women. Brady acknowledges her concern but clarifies that he and Ava only had one date before the texts started. Marlena gives Brady his gift and expresses frustration with Kristen’s behavior. Then, Kristen calls Brady, asking him to come spend Christmas with Rachel. Marlena, left alone, calls Sami and Carrie before receiving a surprise knock at the door: it’s a gift from John. Later, Marlena calls Shane for updates on John but gets no answers.
At the hospital, Kayla asks Roman to play Santa for the children since she’s on call. Roman asks about Steve, but Kayla says he’s working. She guilts him into agreeing. Dressed as Santa, Roman starts feeling hot and short of breath, with pain in his left arm. Fearing a heart attack, Kayla intervenes and discovers it was an allergic reaction to something in the suit. With Roman sidelined, Kayla suggests another Santa.
Paulina reads a Christmas story to the children in the hospital. Abe surprises everyone by arriving dressed as Santa. After treating Roman, Kayla and Roman join the festivities to watch Abe as Santa.
Meanwhile, Lani and Eli steal a private moment together, as do Abe and Paulina.
At the Brady Pub, Steve speaks with Joey on the phone, wishing him a Merry Christmas. He tells Joey that he and John are working with Shane on a case but can’t reveal details. When Ava arrives, she tells Steve she’s on the phone with their son Tripp. Steve speaks with Tripp, who shares that he proposed to Wendy on Christmas. Steve congratulates him and expresses his happiness. After the call, Steve eagerly anticipates telling Kayla the news.
Ava shifts the conversation to a potential case for Black Patch: finding out who’s been sending her harassing texts. Steve hesitates, but Ava pleads for help, invoking their son, Tripp. Steve agrees to take the case, and Ava shares her suspicion that Kristen is behind the messages. While investigating, Steve discovers the messages are coming from the DiMera mansion.
Privately, Rachel sends Ava another text, urging her to stay away from Brady.
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