Brady tells Marlena to have a nice night. Marlena tells John that his last remark isn’t funny and surmises that it’s a defense mechanism. John promises to behave if she stops analyzing him. Marlena tells him that he owes Brady an apology. “No I don’t, because I wasn’t talking about him,” counters John. Brady notes that John was looking right at him when he was talking about family he doesn’t like. John suggests that Brady cut him some slack so he doesn’t blow it and lose points with Blondie.
John, Marlena, and Brady later arrive outside the DiMera mansion, where John clarifies that he wants to show Stefano he’s not broken and not alone. Stefano is surprised to find the threesome standing at his door and invites them in. Nicole is happy to see John and pulls Brady aside to talk to him.
Stefano leads Marlena into the living room. Marlena and Tony are delighted to see one another. Meanwhile, Nicole warns Brady that if he doesn’t help her, she needs him to get John to help her.
Stefano opens a box of cigars and announces to John that they just arrived yesterday. “Exorbitantly expensive, highly illegal. Two of my favorite things,” he states. “Yes, like whiskers on kittens,” jokes John. Stefano invites him to smoke them next to the door, reminding him that Nicole’s “en ciente." They smoke their cigars together as Stefano wonders why John dropped by.
Nearby, Marlena asks Tony why he came there instead of going to Switzerland. Tony shares his concern for E.J., since Stefano’s pushing him to the top of the family empire. Marlena tells Tony that coming there was John’s idea and he wanted to show Stefano that he is fine. Tony refers to Marlena as a very patient woman.
Meanwhile, Nicole quietly informs Brady that she gave Dr. Baker a deposit, but she is desperate for the million dollars. Brady quiets her down as E.J. approaches. E.J. notes that Nicole looks upset and asks Brady why she looks upset every time he talks to her. Nicole tries to assure E.J. that Brady didn’t say anything wrong and she’s just emotional. E.J. apologizes and receives a phone call, needing to do some work emails. He says it will take about fifteen minutes and gives her a brief kiss, professing to love her. After he exits, Nicole insists to Brady that she will lose E.J. if he doesn’t help her.
John tells Stefano that he came over because he wanted his family to see that he’s not afraid of him. He warns Stefano that if he inflicts harm onto the people he’s invested in, Stefano will be very afraid of him. “Secondly, Merry Christmas Brother,” he smiles. Stefano wishes him the same. John is about to head out when Nicole wishes him a Merry Christmas. Nicole pulls John aside, claiming that she’s planning a surprise for E.J.
Back in the living room, Marlena tells Brady that coming there tonight was good for John. She believes that deep down inside, John is glad that Brady’s home, just like she is. Brady embraces Marlena and wishes her a Merry Christmas. Stefano tells Marlena that she doesn’t have to leave, but she believes otherwise and asks where John is.
Out in the foyer, Nicole insists to John that she needs a lot of money, but she can’t tell him why. John says he can’t do it, but Nicole begs him. He offers to set her up in a hotel room somewhere and pay for a plane ticket to anywhere she wants to go. Marlena interrupts and states that they must go. “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night,” announces John, which makes Marlena chuckle. Stefano approaches a dejected Nicole and asks her if she’s alright as Brady lurks nearby.
Brady continues to urge Nicole to tell E.J. the truth. E.J. comes downstairs and finds that Brady is still there. He offers to show Brady to the door, but Brady shows himself out. E.J. asks if everything’s okay with Nicole, but she wishes everyone could stop asking her that. Tony wishes Nicole a Merry Christmas and E.J. assures Tony that he’s on top of everything where Stefano’s concerned.
Back in the living room, Stefano sits in the dark by the fireplace and offers to give Nicole and E.J. some privacy. Stefano embraces Nicole and exchanges Merry Christmas wishes with her. He admits that he’s a very happy man thinking about next Christmas with a new addition to the family.
Back at Alice’s House
Abe, Lexie, Theo, Bo, Hope, and Chelsea later arrive at Alice’s house ready to celebrate Christmas. Lexie credits Bo for it being the most wonderful Christmas ever. Hope commends Bo on his good work. Bo says he had a little help, which he offers to explain later. Bo picks Ciara up as Julie informs the gang that Alice has dozed off and Uncle Mickey will sit with her. In the meantime, they’re going to start trimming the tree. Theo takes Ciara by the hand and walks her over to the tree. The family engages in the annual ornament hanging at the Horton house. John asks Marlena why she brought him there. “Because this is what Christmas is really about,” she replies.
Maggie embraces Marlena and wishes her a Merry Christmas. Nearby, Julie presents a box for Chloe to open. Chloe is overwhelmed to find an ornament with her name on it. Lucas hangs his and everyone watches as she begins to hang her ornament. However, she accidentally drops and breaks it. Chloe apologizes to Maggie for being a klutz, but Maggie assures her that they’ll have a new one made for her next year.
Marlena approaches John and notices how preoccupied he is. John admits that it just hit him, with how much everybody needs to remember.
Back in the living room, Doug announces to everyone how wonderful it is that they are all together. He raises his glass of egg nog and makes a toast. Doug and Julie then sit down at the piano and we are treated to hearing Chloe sing “Silent Night.” As Chloe sings, Daniel continues to sit at home thinking about her. Marlena heads outside and wonders where John went. At the same time, John calls Charlotte and tells her that he needs to remember his life and know who he is. Elsewhere, Nicole sits alone by the fireplace at the mansion and puts her hands together. “Help me. Please help me,” she prays as E.J. watches.
