Wednesday, December 24, 2008, Episode #5467

Katie is shocked by her gift from Nick...

At the Marone mansion, the guests have left. Katie comes downstairs after putting Jack to be and tells Nick that his son went right to sleep. Nick asks if she called Brooke, since he was supposed to drop Jack off at Brooke's tonight, but Katie doesn't think her sister would want to wake Jack up. And besides, she bets Nick wants to see Jack's face in the morning when he opens his gifts - which reminds her that she still has some more presents to wrap. "When do I get spoiled?" Nick whines. Katie gives him a hug as she reminds him that holidays are for children. Nick tells her that Jack is lucky to have her around, since every day is like Christmas with her here. Katie is glad to have Jack around, especially when she thinks about what Ridge and Taylor are going through. While Nick goes upstairs, Katie calls Brooke. As Nick comes down, Katie tells him that Brooke's OK with them keeping Jack overnight, which means she and Nick have the night to themselves now. Nick asks what she has mind. She responds by kissing him. Nick then tells her to sit down in front of the tree while he gives her a gift from Santa. Looking through the boxes under the tree, Nick finds the one he's looking for and tells Katie to open it - and she's shocked when she finds a pair of white basketball shoes inside! "No more indoor Nerf ball," Nick laughs, leaving Katie speechless about her gift.

...but Nick shocks her even more with his "backup" gift.

As he and Katie cuddle in front of the fire, Nick guesses that he messed up with the gift. Katie says she loves them, and they're even her favorite color. Nick asks when white became her favorite color. Katie says white reminds her of snow or Santa or... Of wedding dresses, Nick adds, explaining that he always has a backup gift in case the first one bombs. He then takes out the backup gift - an engagement ring! Katie immediately breaks into tears. Nick jokingly asks why women always cry when he gives them a ring, although he admits his track record is pretty poor at 0 for 4. Getting serious, he admits those aren't very good odds, but this year has been about beating the odds. That's why he wants her to do this "happily ever after" thing with him, although he wouldn't blame her if she wants to run in the other direction with her new white sneakers. Still, he thinks that the two of them and Jack can have that happily ever after if she gives him a chance. When Katie snickers, Nick asks what she's thinking. She tells him that she loves him and Jack so much, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with them. He asks if that's a "yes." "Yes," she laughs. Nick slips the ring on her finder and wishes her Merry Christmas.

Taylor is glad to be with her family for Christmas.

In the Forrester living room, everyone looks up at the star at the top of the tree. Taylor says she really didn't think she'd get through this Christmas, but she sees now that this is where she belongs. She goes over to Brooke and Hope and thanks Hope again for the beautiful star for Phoebe. Hope wishes Phoebe was here with them. Brooke says that she is, in their hearts, their minds and their memories. Taylor then says that they've had enough crying here, because this is a Christmas celebration. She wants them to do all the family traditions like making popcorn, putting cranberries on the tree, baking cookies and singing carols, since Phoebe loved all those things. Those are the things that bond them as a family. As the others agree and wish each other "Merry Christmas," Taylor goes over to Ridge and thanks him for making her come here.

Thorne gives some assuring words to Stephanie.

While stringing popcorn for the tree, the little kids munch down on some of the popcorn. Steffy tells them to leave some for the tree, but Taylor says they can always pop more. R.J. asks if they'll do it over the fire. When Eric asks what other way there is, Thomas kids that grandpa obviously never heard of a microwave. As Eric scoffs at the notion, Stephanie watches him interact with the kids. When Thorne joins her, Stephanie tells him that his dad is the biggest kid in the room at Christmas time. Thorne tells her that Eric loves her, and no matter what happens, he knows Eric will always have a special place in his heart for her. Stephanie thanks him for saying that.

Rick thanks Ridge for letting him be with the family on Christmas.

Ridge calls everyone together, since he has something to say before they eat. He knows they've been challenged as a family this year, but looking around the room, he sees Phoebe's memory in all of them as well as the the memory of others they've loved and lost. But being here with them today gives him hope and makes him grateful for the blessings in his life, so he hopes the miracle of Christmas brings them all peace and love and comfort. While Ridge speaks, Rick hangs back in the background. Afterwards, Rick and Ridge step outside. Rick thanks Ridge; he knows how Ridge feels about him and he knows how difficult this has been. But instead of sitting in a jail cell, he got to spend Christmas with his family, and he wants to thank Ridge for that. Ridge looks up at the sky but doesn't respond.

Bridget reads the kids' letter to Santa.

Back inside, Bridget reads a note that the little kids wrote to Santa, offering cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for Rudolph and the other reindeer. Hope tells Bridget not to forget the P.S. sending love to Mrs. Claus. "It's always smart to cover your bases with the woman behind the man," Felicia laughs. Taylor then brings in the box with everyone's stockings to hang by the fireplace. Ridge helps the Doc hand out the stockings. As the young ones go first, Brooke catches a glimpse of Rick, who smiles back to him. When Steffy goes to hang her stocking next to Thomas's, she's a bit melancholy. Taylor then takes out the last stocking in the box - Phoebe's. As she tearfully holds the stocking, Ridge puts his hands on his shoulders and then gives her a warm embrace to console her. She then puts the stocking back in the box and covers it up, and Ridge holds her again.

Brooke thanks Ridge for the wonderful things he did tonight.

Ridge goes outside again and Brooke follows. She tells him that she knows it's not easy having Rick here, but she appreciates how he's trying. Ridge tells her that she didn't feel right banishing Rick when he felt so fragile, but Rick doesn't seem so fragile now. Brooke tells him that he did a wonderful thing getting Taylor here night, and what might have been a sad holiday for all of them is brighter thanks to him. She guesses that's why she loves him so much. "Oh, Logan," Ridge sighs as he takes her in his arms and kisses her.

The family gathers around the piano to sing.

Inside, Taylor finishes reading, "The Night Before Christmas." She then turns to Stephanie and thanks her for being a true friend. She feels like Stephanie is her rock and doesn't know how she'd get through this without her. Stephanie tells her that she loves her like a daughter and they embrace. Taylor then turns back to the others and thanks God for this whole family. She feels like nights like this are what holidays are all about, since they're all together. She knows some people might say it's wrong to laugh and have fun, but celebrating their family is just what Phoebe would want them to do. She really thought today would be the second worst day of her life, but thanks to everyone here, she's feeling joy and not pain for the first time since Phoebe died. She's thankful to every one of them for that. They all exchange wishes of "Merry Christmas" and gather around the piano to sing "Joy to the World."