{"id":52434,"date":"2023-12-22T23:38:47","date_gmt":"2023-12-23T05:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/?p=52434"},"modified":"2024-01-11T21:30:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T03:30:59","slug":"days-transcript-friday-december-22-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/22\/days-transcript-friday-december-22-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Days Transcript Friday, December 22, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><b>Days of Our Lives Transcript<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- TVMEGBODY -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1056557952271337\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"8801203268\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6109\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/dayslogo.jpg\" alt=\"Days of Our Lives logo\" width=\"235\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"auto-style3\">Transcript provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/20\/biothane\/\">Thane<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/13\/biosuzanne\/\">Suzanne<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"auto-style3\">THIS STILL NEEDS SOME EDITING!<\/p>\n<p>[light holiday music]<\/p>\n<p>* Deck the halls with boughs of holly *<\/p>\n<p>* Fa la la la la la la la *<\/p>\n<p>[laughs]<\/p>\n<p>And here are the rest of the Horton ornaments.<\/p>\n<p>Yes. Each one&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>[clicks tongue] Is ready to hang on our beautiful tree&#8211; a precious gem of our family history. Oh, my darling&#8230; a symbol of all the Hortons past and present.<\/p>\n<p>Well, there they come, the Charge of the Light Brigade.<\/p>\n<p>Where&#8217;s Addie?<\/p>\n<p>I think she went upstairs.<\/p>\n<p>Oh. Darling, would you go upstairs and call your mother? Tell her we want her down here for just one minute.<\/p>\n<p>Mother?<\/p>\n<p>Is the party about to break up, or is this the vigilantes approaching?<\/p>\n<p>Just relax, my friend, just relax. Now, uh, I know everybody doesn&#8217;t know what I&#8217;m going to do. Um, I think you will all approve.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[clears throat] Fair warning, I bleed very easily.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, there are plenty of doctors around&#8211;don&#8217;t worry. Oh, here she is.<\/p>\n<p>What?<\/p>\n<p>Addie&#8217;s here. Go ahead, start it off.<\/p>\n<p>Pay attention, Addie.<\/p>\n<p>All right.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[clears throat]<\/p>\n<p>Uh, what is&#8211;what&#8217;s going on?<\/p>\n<p>Doug, uh&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>[chuckles] How do I begin? I-I suppose the most obvious way&#8230; how much we love you, how much, in the short time that we&#8217;ve known you, you&#8211;you&#8217;ve come to be practically a member of this family, perhaps the only family you&#8217;ve ever known, seeing that you were raised in an orphanage. Now, if you&#8217;ll look behind you on the tree, you&#8217;ll see ornaments with the names of everyone near and dear to us&#8211; all members of this family. But today we decided that we wanted to add another ornament&#8230; another name. <i><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[light applause] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And just to make it official, though not exactly legal, Mickey&#8217;s drawn up a-a formal set of adoption papers here, which do not require you to change your last name. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[light laughter] Doug, I guess what we&#8217;re trying to say is that&#8230; Welcome to our family. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Just like a family, each one is a blessing. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And none more than you, my love. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You know, darling, you say that every year. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, it&#8217;s always true.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas. I assume those are for Tate. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes, they are. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[gasps] Merry Christmas, my little honey bunny. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mom, hey.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[smooching] How are you? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I just thought I&#8217;d, um, pop by and bring you all your Christmas presents, since I know you&#8217;re going to be spending Christmas with your dad&#8217;s family. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Both sides, actually. We&#8217;re going to have brunch with Dad and Marlena, and then we&#8217;re going to have dinner at Kiriakis. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, well, I, uh&#8211; I won&#8217;t be at that dinner. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What do you mean? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;m working at the Pub tomorrow. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You&#8211;you&#8217;re working on Christmas? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Why is the Pub open on Christmas? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, if&#8211;if I know Roman, he&#8217;s probably creating a haven for all the lonely souls of Salem. Um, well, I didn&#8217;t know he scheduled you, son. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I-I volunteered. Roman needed the help, so&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I see. Ah, it also gives you a really good excuse to get out of dinner tomorrow night. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Those Kiriakis dinners&#8211; they&#8217;re like, uh&#8211;they&#8217;re like those boring Greek tragedies we&#8217;re forced to read in English lit. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughs] That&#8217;s actually a pretty good analogy. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, I&#8217;m not going to be going either. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You were&#8211;you were invited?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[clears throat] Mm-hmm. By Alex. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">By Alex?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah. See, we&#8217;re actually not roommates anymore. We&#8217;re actually dating. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, okay, right. Did that happen before or after&#8230; you found out that he inherited half the Kiriakis fortune? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[dramatic music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Three of my favorite people just arrived. The party may now get started. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[both laugh] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] Well&#8230; Tommy, Charlotte, are you ready for Santa Claus? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I guess. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;re ready for some Christmas cookies. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, thank you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Can we just go upstairs and play in our old room? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Run on up there. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I-I&#8217;ll let you know when it&#8217;s time to hang the ornaments and&#8211;and open your presents and&#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] Oh, Chad.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hi. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Christmas is hard for them, isn&#8217;t it? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It is. It is, yeah. They, um&#8211;they miss their mom. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Of course they do. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And Stephanie. You know, they&#8217;re missing her a lot, too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Extra whipped cream. That&#8217;s how you like it, right?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mmm. Thank you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, it&#8217;s the least I could do, you agreeing to&#8230; talk business with me tonight. You sure I&#8217;m not keeping you from any holiday festivities? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, you are not, and I can use the distraction. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hmm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Why are you working on Christmas Eve? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, well&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[clears throat] I don&#8217;t celebrate Christmas, as you know. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm-hmm.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And Hanukkah is over. The two don&#8217;t coincide this year. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, right. I remember lighting a menorah with you every night for eight nights our first Hanukkah we were together. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">That&#8217;s right. And you said the blessing with me. Baruch atah Adonai. You remember that?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I do. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What are your plans tonight? Um, I mean after our&#8211;our meeting. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;m, uh&#8211; I&#8217;m just going to watch my favorite holiday movie and go to sleep. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Your favorite holiday movie is&#8230; &#8220;Rudolph&#8221;? Is it &#8220;Rudolph&#8221;? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, when I was eight. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I don&#8217;t know&#8211; I seem to remember watching &#8220;Rudolph&#8221; with you when we were together. You couldn&#8217;t figure out why that doll was on the Island of Misfit Toys. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, what was wrong with her, anyway? She wasn&#8217;t a misfit.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I guess you&#8217;re right. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And, uh, for the record, &#8220;Rudolph&#8221; is not my favorite holiday movie. It just so happened to be on while we were wrapping presents. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm, I remember what it is. &#8220;Elf.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">A classic.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Total classic. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm-hmm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">So it&#8217;s you and Will Ferrell tonight, huh? No plans with family? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;ll celebrate with them tomorrow. Tonight I just&#8211;I just want to lock myself in my room and watch my holiday movie. I just want a quiet night by myself. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">The baby! Oh, Merry Christmas, Victoria Horton. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ah, well, Victoria Horton-Cook, actually. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh, very well. Victoria Horton-Cook. You&#8217;re adorable, and we are so glad you&#8217;re here. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And thank you so much, Julie, for&#8230; having me, too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, it is a special occasion. Baby&#8217;s first Christmas only happens once. And if her parents want to be together, then they should be. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">That&#8217;s very kind of you. And, yes, we&#8211;we do want to be together&#8230; for Christmas with our&#8211; with our daughter. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[all chuckle]<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Is my mom here yet? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, I think I heard her coming in. Ad she&#8217;s not alone. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft orchestration] announcer: Like sands through the hourglass, so are the &#8220;Days of Our Lives.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, well, who have we here? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh, Julie, um, this is Konstantin Meleounis. Um, I hope it&#8217;s all right that I brought him. He&#8217;s a dear old friend of Victor&#8217;s, and he didn&#8217;t have any plans for tonight. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Of course it&#8217;s all right. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It is my honor to meet you both. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It&#8217;s our pleasure, sir. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Huh. Um, well, um, I really would like to excuse myself. I want to say hello to Sarah and Xander, okay? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Of course. Of course, dear. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hi. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Do you want to hear something strange? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Sure. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">That man, Konstantin, reminded me of my younger self. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, in what way? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, I just saw something flicker in his eyes. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[whispering] Good flicker or a bad flicker? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, the latter, I&#8217;m afraid. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas, Maggie.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, Merry Christmas. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[grunts]<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You look lovely as always.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, thank you, Xander. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Um, Konstantin, may I borrow my mom for a few minutes? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">&#8220;Borrow&#8221;? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Um, she wants to talk to me alone. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ah, yes, of course.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">For a moment. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft holiday music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I trust your little one is well. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">She is.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Although, frankly, I&#8217;m not sure if that&#8217;s thanks to you or no thanks to you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, it was such a nice surprise to see you brought Xander. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, no, you win in the surprise department. Konstantin? I thought he was gone. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ah, well, he was. He&#8217;s staying with a cousin in Ohio. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm-hmm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">But they had travel plans for the holidays, so, uh, he came back here. He&#8217;s staying in the Salem Inn, in case you&#8217;re wondering. I ran into him in the Town Square right after you left this afternoon, and we got to talking, and so I invited him here tonight. I mean, because I was raised that no one should be alone on Christmas Eve. Are you upset that I did? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, no, I was&#8211;I was just surprised, like I said. I mean, look, Mom, I told you, I-I&#8230; I like the guy, and I&#8217;m always going to be grateful to him for rescuing my little girl. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">As will I. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And, uh, when I saw you this afternoon, you were so sad, and now look at you&#8211; you&#8217;re smiling. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ah, you&#8217;re back. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And how are the children doing? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, they&#8217;re okay. They&#8217;re, uh&#8211;they&#8217;re on a video chat with Jack and Jennifer right now. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, that should lift their spirits. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It was so hard for them last Christmas, losing their mother. I-I was hoping this year&#8211; this year it would be a little better, but&#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, well, I don&#8217;t think it is for&#8211;for any of us, especially because, you know, things with Stephanie and me ended so abruptly, the&#8230; kids never got to say goodbye. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Chad&#8230; darling, you know how much I love you, but this cannot stand. Honey, you got to do something about this, right now. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, I have taken up enough of your time tonight. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, it&#8217;s no problem. It was a welcome distraction, as I said. Now I&#8217;m going to head home and cuddle up with &#8220;Elf.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] You&#8217;re headed home, too, I hope, not going back to work. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, I was invited to this Christmas Eve thing, but, um, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;m going to go. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Right. Well, enjoy your evening. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thank you. You too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[cell phone ringing] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hello? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hey, Steph, um, it&#8217;s me. I-I&#8217;m not interrupting anything, am I? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh, no. I was just having some hot chocolate. What&#8217;s up? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh, listen, um, look, I know it&#8217;s Christmas Eve, and it&#8217;s kind of last minute, but&#8230; could I ask you a really big favor? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You know, I am really tired of this perception you have of me, implying that I&#8217;m some sort of a gold digger! <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;m not implying a damn thing. I&#8217;m actually saying it flat out. Tate, where you going?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Anywhere but here. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hey, no, no, no, no, no. You can&#8217;t go. It&#8217;s Christmas. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, this&#8211;this is the nightmare before Christmas, and both my parents are a couple of jerks! Merry Christmas to me. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[dramatic music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">That is unacceptable, Tate. That is not okay. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, but this is? You two fighting with each other, and on what, Christmas Eve no less? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[stammering] All right. You&#8217;re right. You are right. I&#8217;m sorry. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[dramatic music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;m sorry, too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Son, please&#8211;please stay. Don&#8217;t go. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We, um&#8211;we&#8217;re going to get along&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah. Yeah, yeah.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">From now on. For reals, we&#8217;re going to get along. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Why would I believe that?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[stammers, sighs] Well, he&#8217;s right. Why would he believe that, right? You&#8217;ve heard it a million times, but this time Theresa and I&#8230; we&#8217;re going to prove to you that we&#8217;re sincere about this. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">How? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Because we&#8217;re going to have Christmas Eve here, tonight, together as a family, right? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes, definitely. That&#8217;s what we&#8217;re going to do. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[indistinct chatter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Um, thank you, uh, um, for&#8211;for doing this. Uh, I know it&#8217;s Christmas Eve and&#8211;and last minute. Uh, I didn&#8217;t&#8211;I didn&#8217;t, uh, stop you from doing anything important, did I? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, no, you didn&#8217;t. I was&#8211;I was just working, actually&#8230; and, um, when you said it was about Thomas and Charlotte&#8211; I love those kids so much, and I&#8217;m so sorry they&#8217;re having a hard time. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">They miss you a lot. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I miss them, too, and I hate that I didn&#8217;t say goodbye to them. I should have handled it differently. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Listen, no&#8230; I&#8217;m their father, and&#8230; I didn&#8217;t think about it at the time, but they&#8211;they&#8230; not only love you, they were attached to you. And when&#8211;when circumstances changed between us, I should have thought about their feelings first and foremost, and I didn&#8217;t do that. It&#8217;s on me. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We were both negligent. We were focused more on ourselves than on them, and that wasn&#8217;t right, so let&#8217;s try to fix it. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay. I mean&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] I was thinking that maybe we could just talk to them together. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Right. I-I brought them Christmas gifts. I picked them up on my way here. Should I give them to them after we talk, or is that&#8211;is that going to send the wrong message? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">They&#8217;re going to&#8211; they&#8217;ll love them. And, uh&#8211;and I really appreciate you doing this. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">She&#8217;s still out. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Can you believe it, with all this hullabaloo around her? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] Well, I hope she wakes up for some of the party. Everyone wants to see her.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hmm. My mom is very happy that you&#8217;re here. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, Maggie is one of my very favorite people, as you know&#8211; so kind and forgiving&#8230; maybe a little too forgiving sometimes. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Look, I know that you are not Konstantin&#8217;s biggest fan, but he has been a comfort to my mom, and if there&#8217;s one thing I have learned about her is that she&#8217;s a big girl. She may be especially vulnerable right now, but she&#8217;s smart and tough. I mean, hey, she kicked the guy out of the house, right, when she learned about his connection to the Greek Mafia? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">True. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And if anything further erodes her trust, then I&#8217;m confident that she will know how to handle it. I have faith in her. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[holiday music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I must tell you how much I am enjoying my first American Christmas and what a lovely family your first husband has. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What a lovely family I have. I have been an honorary Horton for as long as I can remember. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Maggie, honorary? That has nothing to do with it. You married in. You&#8217;re a Horton. You&#8217;ll always be a Horton. And the Hortons stick together like glue. You hurt one Horton, you hurt all of us. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And, Konstantin, when you watch us hang our ornaments, you&#8217;ll realize there are a lot of us. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[both sigh] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Konstantin, have you seen our beautiful angel? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ah, yes. The word &#8220;angel&#8221; derives from the Greek goddess Angelia, the spirit of good tidings. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hmm. I didn&#8217;t know that. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Tell me, did you really bring Victor here to celebrate Christmas? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I did. It took him a while, but eventually he grew to love the Horton family tradition. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This time of year without Victor must be terribly hard on you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Huh, it is, it is. Um, remembering Victor on Christmas Eve, well, it warms my heart. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] I think he would be very happy that you&#8217;re here with us tonight. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, yeah.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hey, hey. You just had dinner.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I know. I just want a taste. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">But&#8211; Yeah, a taste. Yeah, and then you&#8217;ll eat half of it, right, Dad? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, hey, I&#8217;m Switzerland on this one. No, no, no, no, no. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mom, remember when Dad came out and we went to Universal Studios and you asked for a taste of my butterbeer and then you ended up drinking the whole thing? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh-huh.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And I got that brain freeze. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yep. And then you know what you did? I got you another one, and you spilled it everywhere. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">All over my pants.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Her pants, my pants. You were kind of a clumsy kid back then. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I was .<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You were&#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Served you right, though. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, and&#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And then I think I got butterbeers for everybody. How many butterbeers did I buy that day? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I don&#8217;t know. A lot.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And you got me those shorts, you remember, to change into? Actually, I still have those shorts. Those are really good shorts.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Those are nice shorts. So she got nice shorts. We all got butterbeer.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm-hmm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">All the memories weren&#8217;t so bad, were they? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, I guess not. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] Now, I just want a butterbeer. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] Me too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, man, I want a butterbeer, too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ahh&#8230;<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, Dad. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mom and I were just talking about you this afternoon, and what a coincidence&#8211; you show up. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">For me, it is more of a Christmas miracle spending this evening in the bosom of your wonderful family. And, again, I-I must apologize, dear Sarah, if my past played any part in the disappearance of your&#8211;your sweet child. But it is all resolved now, thanks to Maggie. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] Nothing for you to worry about. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, we will always be grateful to you for bringing our little girl back to us, but I think it will be a while before we feel safe. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Quite a while. So we&#8217;ll be keeping our eyes wide open, just in case. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[jazzy holiday music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Steph, there&#8217;s something that I, um&#8230; I need to say to you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I owe you an apology&#8230; not because of Everett and the paper thing, although I am&#8211; I am very sorry about that. Um&#8230; I realize now that it was too soon for me to be with anyone after losing Abby&#8230; and that was unfair you. So&#8230; I&#8217;m sorry. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, you didn&#8217;t mean it to be, obviously. I do understand the pain that you&#8217;ve been in. You suffered a terrible tragedy, you and your kids. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Should we&#8230; go upstairs, talk to them? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, and I&#8217;ll&#8211;I&#8217;ll, um&#8211; I&#8217;ll give them their Christmas gifts upstairs, too. I don&#8217;t want to intrude on the family party. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You can&#8217;t stay? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It&#8217;s Everett. Come in, my boy. I&#8217;m so glad you could join us. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thank you so much. It&#8217;s&#8211; it&#8217;s wonderful to be here. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles]<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thank you. Well, take off your coat and stay a while. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thank you. Thank you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[upbeat holiday music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You invited Everett? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I did. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">But he&#8217;s Stephanie&#8217;s ex-boyfriend. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">He is? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I told you that. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, honey, I&#8217;m allowed to forget some things once in a while. I ran into him in the square, I invited him to join us for the holiday. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, Doug. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What, &#8220;Oh, Doug&#8221;? He didn&#8217;t know a soul in Salem. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">He knows one soul very intimately, Stephanie. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hey, everybody, look, Stephanie&#8217;s here. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, wonderful. Yay. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">She&#8217;s going to open presents with us. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I sure am. And I brought each of you a special Christmas gift. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You did?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mm-hmm. I did, because I love you guys, and I&#8217;m so happy I get to spend Christmas with you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We&#8217;re glad, too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas, everyone. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This one is for you, Charlotte. And, Thomas, this one&#8217;s for you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Can we open them now? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh, honey, it&#8217;s not quite time yet, so why don&#8217;t we just put them under the tree for now, okay? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh&#8230; I have to admit, uh, I&#8217;m a little surprised to see you here, Everett. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, I was actually invited this time. Steph, I didn&#8217;t think you&#8217;d be here. What happened to Will Ferrell? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">He&#8217;ll, um&#8211;he&#8217;ll have to be patient. Um, so&#8211;so this is the party that&#8211;that you were invited to? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, yeah. Um, Doug invited me. I ran into him at the bakery this morning. I was planning on working all night, as you know, and then I thought, I should go make an appearance at the Hortons. Doug was so kind to invite me. I hope that&#8217;s cool? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Of course. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft holiday music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I didn&#8217;t know Stephanie was going to be here. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, I told Chad to call her, for the children&#8217;s sake.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And God bless her, she came over right away. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, it&#8217;s Christmas. The more, the merrier. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughs] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Are you guys excited to open gifts? both: Yes!<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes! <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I know I&#8217;m going to like what you got me. You give really good presents.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Aw. You know what? I already know what my favorite Christmas present is this year. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Getting to spend Christmas Eve with you guys. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Will we always be together on Christmas Eve, Stephanie? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You know what? Let&#8217;s make a deal that every year at Christmastime, we pick a day, and the three of us meet up, and we exchange Christmas presents, and we watch movies, and we make cookies, and we have a dance party. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And jump on the bed.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Absolutely. Yeah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughs] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">The ornaments are probably the Horton family&#8217;s most beloved tradition. If you&#8217;re born a Horton, it&#8217;s a given, and if you&#8217;re not, it&#8217;s something earned. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Or lost. There&#8217;s a whole box of &#8220;retired ornaments.&#8221; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">So one can get removed from the tree? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, all the ornaments past and present are still part of the family history, so nothing gets thrown away. Some are just down cellar. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">&#8220;Down cellar&#8221;?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">The basement. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[gasps] How about some cookies? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, sounds delightful.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughs] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hey, um&#8230; maybe I should go. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Why? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I just feel a bit awkward being here for the hanging of the ornaments, me not being family and all. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You will always be connected to this family through our daughter and through me, so that&#8217;s why you are always welcome here and why your ornament will never be down cellar. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">So, Tater Tot, you got any holiday plans with Holly? Jolly Christmas? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] Uh&#8230; No, that was a&#8211; that was a bust. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. Sorry, bud. Um, what&#8211;what happened? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I don&#8217;t know. I guess I&#8217;m finally starting to accept that she&#8217;s not really into me. It&#8217;s, uh&#8211;it&#8217;s too bad, though. I already bought her a present. It&#8217;s a birthday-Christmas combo gift. I guess I won&#8217;t be needing it anymore. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Tate. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Are you crazy? What are you doing throwing this away? You save this, and you give it to the next girl, whoever that might be, because trust me, there&#8217;s going to be plenty more. I mean, come on, look at this gorgeous little face. You are such a catch, you know that? I&#8217;m sure all the girls are looking at you back home at school. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mostly looking at themselves. I don&#8217;t know&#8211;they&#8217;re always taking selfies. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">So, um&#8230; are you planning on going back to school after the holidays? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Um&#8230; nobody&#8217;s really texted me since I left. And I don&#8217;t know&#8211; it&#8217;d be kind of nice to come home after school every day. Salem&#8217;s cool, too, being near family, so&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You know, buddy, uh&#8230; the school you&#8217;re going to in California is probably one of the best college prep schools in the country. You know, you graduate from there, and you&#8217;re going to be set. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh, are you&#8211;are you saying I have to go back? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[dramatic music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Well, actually, Tate when it comes to school, uh, your mother and I have decided&#8230; that you can make the decision. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes. You take your time, and you think about it. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I want to stay. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[scoffs] That was quick. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] Are you sure? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes. Yes, I want to go to Salem High. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, this is the best Christmas present I could have asked for. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[inhales deeply] Mm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Are you, uh&#8211; are you disappointed? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Look at me. No. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] I&#8217;m not disappointed. I&#8217;m actually really happy about it, because I have gotten really used to being around, buddy. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thanks, Dad. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Gather round, everyone. It&#8217;s that time. Time to hang the Horton ornaments. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[soft holiday music] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You&#8217;re not the littlest anymore, Charlotte. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You&#8217;re still my baby, though. &#8211; * Peace on Earth * * Goodwill * * To men * <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, thank God. This one&#8217;s not clothes. What a relief. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hey, that was a really cool sweater. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, it was, and Tate appreciates it because it&#8217;s the thought that counts, right? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes, Mom. You are very thoughtful. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[paper rustling] Oh, cool. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This is awesome. Thank you, Mom.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Of course. I saved the best for last. Mwah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">That&#8217;s going to be a tough one to top. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This whole Christmas is going to be tough to top. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Wow, did we&#8211; did we just get a compliment from our son? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">&#8216;Tis a Christmas miracle. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[gasps] Two in one night. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Three, actually. I, uh&#8211;I got to have a nice night with both of my parents. That&#8217;s the, uh&#8211;that&#8217;s the real Christmas miracle. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[holiday music] both: * Up on the housetop, click, click, click * * Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick * <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[applause] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, Julie, thank you so much for everything. It was a lovely Christmas Eve. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Wonderful. It was wonderful to have you here, darling. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, honey. Aw. Mm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And I am so grateful to have shared in this wonderful family celebration. I look forward to the opportunity of returning your kindness sometime soon. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, a thank-you note will do, and you can send it from wherever you wind up. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thank you for doing this and for talking to the kids with me. I think it, uh&#8211; it really turned the night around for them. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;m really glad you called. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Me too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You know, just because we&#8217;re not together anymore doesn&#8217;t mean that we have to be strangers. If you ever need anything, any help with the kids&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I appreciate that. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Are you walking home, Steph? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Um, yeah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Um, I&#8217;ll walk with you if you want. It&#8217;s dark out there, if you want company. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, sure. Thanks. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I should go round up the&#8211;the troops, get them home. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hmm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Happy holidays, Everett. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Same to you, boss. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And, uh, merry Christmas, Steph. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Here.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Thanks. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[shivers] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[door closes] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay, so there&#8217;s a clean Christmas onesie in here. Will you please take photos of her in the morning? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;m going to take videos of her all morning, and I&#8217;ll send them all to you. It&#8217;ll be like you&#8217;re there.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay. Santa&#8217;s going to leave you presents under Mommy&#8217;s tree, too, okay? I love you, pumpkin. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We&#8217;ll see you tomorrow, yeah? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Can&#8217;t wait. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Neither can I. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">My dear, you did not need to ask your driver to deliver me here. I could have walked to the inn. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">But it&#8217;s too cold to walk. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, but these stars are so beautiful, it makes up for the cold. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[both chuckle] Thank you again for bringing me along as a guest this evening. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It was my pleasure. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[speaking Greek] That means&#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I know what that means.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[chuckles] Of course you do. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[giggles] Merry Christmas, Konstantin. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[sighs] I hope the year to come brings you much joy. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Same to you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Until we meet again. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Hmm. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Honey bunny? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes, ma&#8217;am? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Do you suppose&#8230; when Grandma and Grandpa started these traditions all those years ago with just seven ornaments&#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah. They could have imagined the&#8230; the tree-ful we see before us? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">My guess is no way. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughing] My guess, too. How proud they&#8217;d be&#8230; to know their legacy goes on. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[monitor beeping]<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ho, ho, ho. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Nobody listens to me. Thank heavens. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Of course not. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, you have gotten around me with the on secret weapon that exists. You&#8217;re&#8211; Oh, my great-granddaughter. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">She said, I want to spend Christmas with my grandpa. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Maybe we should hang her ornament on the tree first. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[gasps] Yes.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, yes. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, Abby, look at that. See that over there? All those ornaments have our names on them. We&#8217;re going to hang yours. Let&#8217;s see. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You have a hand free there?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, you got to put Abby&#8217;s up there. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Look. Look at this one.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This is her first year. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, look at that.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, my gosh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Her first year. There we go. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">How&#8217;s this one? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh. Hey, Dad. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No, you do it for me this year. Yeah. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay. Just happen to have a spot right here for you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I&#8217;ll take it. I&#8217;ll take it.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">On the top. That&#8217;s where it belongs.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Okay. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">There you go. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Alice, right next to you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We have Bill and Laura. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">There&#8217;s Mom and Dad&#8217;s.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You want to do these? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, I&#8217;ll put up Mom&#8217;s. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[indistinct chatter] And Dad&#8217;s on his way home soon, we hope. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah. Is this close enough?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah, that&#8217;s good. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We have Doug and Julie. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Doug and Julie.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Uh-huh. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Just does not seem like Christmas without them. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">No. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I know, but, um, excuse me. Just a minute. I have another surprise. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What is this surprise your grandmother has planned? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Grandpa, I promise you, I don&#8217;t know. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Who can keep up with her?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Nobody. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Tom Horton, you must be very high on Santa&#8217;s list, because I have another wonderful Christmas surprise for you. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Oh, my gosh! <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[all clamoring] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas! <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas, Tom. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What a lovely surprise. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">And, Grandpa, we have another surprise for you, too. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[person gasps] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">We remarried in Switzerland. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[all cheering] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Now&#8211;now it really is Christmas. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[laughter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[excited chatter] <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Wow, you even wore the right colors, huh? <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">This is the end. This is it. Now I have everything. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I have everything now. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">All of their traditions&#8230; all the memories. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">All the love. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yeah.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">[inhales deeply] It goes on and on. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Right. From our hearts. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Yes. Yes. Merry Christmas, my love. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas, doll. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Merry Christmas&#8230; everyone. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/19\/days-of-our-lives-transcripts\/\">Back to the Days Transcripts Page<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/index.php\/2021\/12\/23\/daytime-soap-transcripts\/\">Back to the Main Daytime Transcripts Page<\/a><\/p>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- TVMEGBODY -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1056557952271337\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"8801203268\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6108\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tvmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/daysanim.gif\" alt=\"Days of Our Lives cast animated GIF\" width=\"137\" height=\"153\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Days of Our Lives Transcript &nbsp; Transcript provided by Thane and Suzanne THIS STILL NEEDS SOME EDITING! [light holiday music] * Deck the halls with boughs of holly * * Fa la la la la la la la * [laughs] And here are the rest of the Horton ornaments. Yes. Each one&#8230; [clicks tongue] Is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[377],"tags":[393,552,51,394,450,359,770],"class_list":["post-52434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-days","tag-days","tag-days-of-our-lives","tag-dialogue","tag-dool","tag-nbc","tag-peacock","tag-transcript"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52434"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52750,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52434\/revisions\/52750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvmeg.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}