Tuesday, December 23, 2008, Episode #5466

At the Marone mansion, Brooke sits on the couch with Jack on her lap as Donna and Katie look on. Nick comes down to see if his son is ready for their "secret mission" and takes Jack from Brooke, promising to drop their son off with her later. After Nick and Jack say their goodbyes and head out, Brooke chats with her sisters; she notes that she looks at Jack and Hope and R.J. and it reminds her of how wonderful Christmas is, but then she thinks about how difficult the holiday will be for Taylor this year. Donna and Katie agree that it will be hard for Taylor, and they wonder how she'll get through this holiday.

Taylor and Rick both visit Phoebe's grave.

At the cemetery, Rick kneels by Phoebe's grave and weeps that it just doesn't feel much like Christmas without her. "It should have been me. It's all my fault," he sobs, wishing there was something he could do to bring Phoebe back. Taylor walks up behind him and says that she often does the same thing. She blames herself, but then she considers that she's still here, even if Phoebe is gone, and she realizes that she just has to find a way to live with it. After asking Rick to help her put some poinsettias and a candle by the headstone, Taylor takes out Phoebe's old baby blanket. She recalls how Steffy always dragged her blanket everywhere, but Phoebe only used hers at night when she got scared. Since she still had Phoebe's, she thought she'd bring it here to place it by the grave. Rick reads the inscription on the tombstone, "Our star will shine forever." That's what Phoebe was, Taylor says, but Rick says that she still is a star and sighs. Taylor admits that she still feels Phoebe lighting her way. Rick gives Taylor some time alone with her daughter. Taylor then tells Phoebe that she can feel her here and sobs that she misses Phoebe so much. "I loved you so much. I still love you," she weeps.

Brooke asks Ridge if he can handle the celebration.

At the Forrester mansion, Eric plays "Silent Night" on the piano while Stephanie puts an ornament on the tree. She sits down next to him as they wait for their guests to arrive. Eric doesn't know how they'll do this without Phoebe, but Stephanie says they have to try, since this is how Ridge wants to honor Phoebe. Before long, the guests start to arrive. While Thorne and Bridget talk with Eric, Stephanie goes to greet Felicia, who is over by the tree with Hope, R.J., Alexandria and Dominick. Brooke arrives and goes over to Ridge, who somberly stands alone in the living room. Ridge asks if Jack liked his present. Brooke says that he did. Ridge asks if they're picking Jack up later, but she tells him that Nick is dropping him off. Brooke then asks Ridge if he can handle this. Putting his arm around her, he says that he needs this and suggests that they join the others. As Stephanie comes over to wish Ridge and Brooke Merry Christmas, Thomas and Steffy arrive. Stephanie asks where Taylor is, but the kids report that their mom is still struggling and didn't feel like coming. Brooke doesn't think Taylor should be alone tonight, but Steffy doesn't think her mom can handle this. Stephanie agrees with Brooke that Taylor should be here, but Steffy feels like her mother didn't want to come here and pretend that Phoebe didn't die. That's not what they're doing, Ridge states, explaining that they're just using this family tradition to heal. To that end, Stephanie asks Brooke and Bridget to get the food and tells Eric to start playing the piano so they can get their celebration started.

Nick and Jackie return from their "mission" with little Santa Jack.

Marcus arrives at Nick's house and talks with Donna, who explains that Eric will break the news of their reconciling to Stephanie after Christmas. Nick returns with Jack and has Grandma Jackie with him. Seeing Jack dressed in a little Santa suit, Katie asks Nick about his mysterious mission. Jackie explains that she, Nick and Jack delivered presents to the children at the hospital. Nick adds that he felt like he had to give something back after everything the doctors in that hospital did for Jack and Katie through their respective medical crises. Katie laughs at the idea of Jack as a little Santa and takes him in her arms.

Donna and Marcus spend their first Christmas together.

Meanwhile, Donna calls Eric to tell him that she's having some eggnog in his honor. They both look forward to next year when they can spend Christmas together. After she hangs up, Donna rejoins Marcus and gives him a gift, a photo of the two of them with the words, "Our first Christmas" written below it. She tells her son that she's sorry she wasn't there for his first Christmas, but Marcus feels like this actually is his first Christmas in a lot of ways because he's finally spending it with his mother like he always dreamed. Donna tells Marcus that she loves him and gives him a big hug.

Katie gets a turn under the mistletoe with Nick and Jack.

Meanwhile, Jackie, Nick and Katie start opening presents. Since it seems like all the gifts are for Jack, Nick kids that he hopes there's something in there for him, too. While Nick and Jackie dote over Jack, Donna pulls Katie aside. As they watch Nick with Jack and comment about what a great dad he is, Donna tells Katie that she thinks Nick finally met the right match. After Donna walks away, Nick comes over with Jack and some mistletoe. When Nick holds the mistletoe over their heads, Katie says that she knows what that means and starts to kiss Jack. When Nick feels left out, Katie gives him a few kisses, too.

Thorne apologizes to Eric.

Back at the mansion, Thorne asks Eric if he was talking to Donna on the phone. When Eric says he was, Thorne says he's sorry and asks Eric when he plans on telling Stephanie about Donna. After Christmas, Eric responds. In the living room, everyone watches as Thomas puts a star Hope made for Phoebe atop the tree. Hope asks Thomas if Taylor will like the star. She'll love it, Thomas answers, thanking Hope.

Bridget gives Steffy some information about Phoebe's death.

Eric sees Rick arrive with presents in hand. Eric approaches his youngest son, who says that he brought gifts for the kids and asks Eric to hand out the gifts for him. Eric asks Rick to stay and hand them out himself. Rick is reluctant, since he's hated here, but Eric tells him there's no hatred in this house on Christmas. Across the room, Steffy is talking to Bridget when she sees Rick. "He shouldn't be here," Steffy fumes. Bridget defends her brother, pointing out that the accident was not Rick's fault, but Steffy doesn't believe that. Bridget tells Steffy that she took scrapings from under Phoebe's fingernails and the lab identified them as Rick's skin, which means he was telling the truth when he said Phoebe attacked him.

Ridge comes to Phoebe's grave and finds Taylor crouching down next to it. He asks Taylor why she didn't come to his parents' house as planned. Taylor says that she wants to be with Phoebe, but Ridge tells her that Phoebe isn't here and is at the mansion watching the family celebrate. "Come with me," he says, taking Taylor's hand and asking her to celebrate Christmas and Phoebe with him.

Stephanie asks Eric why Rick is there.

Back at the mansion, Steffy tells Stephanie that Rick is there. Stephanie goes over to Eric, who is talking with Rick, and asks what he's done. Eric says that Rick is welcome here, but Stephanie tells him that Ridge went to get Taylor and worries about what will happen when Taylor sees Rick. Brooke comes over and reminds Stephanie that it's Christmas. Eric insists that Rick has as much a right to be with the family as Taylor does, so he doesn't want to hear another word about this. "Rick's a member of this family and a member of this celebration, and that's final," he asserts. After Eric walks away, Stephanie walks up to Rick and mutters, "You son of a bitch," leaving Brooke stunned.

The Forresters look up to the star Hope made. Click here to see more captures from the celebration.

Outside, Taylor tells Ridge that she can't go inside and tells him to go in without her. Ridge reluctantly agrees but tells her that she's welcome if she changes her mind. As Ridge comes inside, he joins the others. Spotting Rick with Bridget, Ridge sighs. Everyone gathers around the piano to sing Christmas carols. Sitting on the piano is a photo of Phoebe. As the family sings, Steffy and Thomas see Taylor come in the door. Taylor comes over to her kids and gives them and Ridge a hug. Ridge points to the star at the top of the tree and tells Taylor "It's our star."