At Nick’s apartment, he demands the name of the boys’ father from Umar. Meanwhile, the boys hide in the bedroom. Umar insists that the boys are in danger and Nick must release them in his care. Nick lies that he doesn’t have them and tells Umar to leave. Jeremy hides while the confrontation gets heated. Umar doesn’t buy Nick’s story and suggests he hand the boys over. Nick admits the boys live with him, but claims they’re with a sitter who lives in the building. Nick goads Umar to knock on every door in the building. Umar then yells for the boys, who suddenly emerge from the bedroom. “I said get the he!! out of here!” demands Nick. Umar pulls out a wad of cash and attempts to “reward” Nick for caring for the boys. Nick tells him to keep his money. Umar claps his hands and announces to the boys that they’re leaving. Nick adamantly insists the boys aren’t for sale and aren’t going anywhere. Umar punches Nick, then tries to grab the boys. Jeremy rushes out of the bedroom and pins Umar against the wall, then pulls a gun on him. They hear a knock on the door and Nick tries to assure the inquisitive neighbor that everything’s fine. Jeremy then interrogates a frightened Umar. He demands to know who wants the boys and begins to count to three. Nick urges Jeremy to put down the gun, advising him not to add murder to his rap sheet. Jeremy reluctantly hands Nick the gun as he keeps a tight grasp around Umar’s neck. Nick opens the door and apologizes to his grouchy neighbor, who grumbles that he’s calling the cops. Umar manages to escape and leaves his hat behind. The boys come out of the bedroom and Nick assures them that they’re safe. Chelsea is stunned by Jeremy’s heroics and wonders if he’s some kind of avenger. “I don’t like people messing with kids,” mutters Jeremy. Chelsea asks him if he would’ve shot Umar. He admits he thought about it. After Nick tucks the boys in bed, he announces that the police are on the way and suggests they call Marlena. Jeremy assumes Chelsea’s going to turn him in, but Chelsea assures him she won’t. Jeremy then asks Nick for cash. He doesn’t believe Chelsea’s going to keep mum about him being there.
Jeremy is later packed up and ready to hit the road and speculates that if he stays, Nick will lose the boys. Chelsea advises Jeremy to get lost for a while, then come back when the cops leave. Jeremy agrees, then asks Nick if he gave Stephanie his letter. Nick apologizes for forgetting. Jeremy asks them not to tell Steph he was there, claiming that it’s better if she forgets about him and moves on. After he leaves, Chelsea appears stunned at Jeremy’s personality change. Nick remarks how it was good having Jeremy around. Chelsea expresses how proud of Nick she is, since he proved how far he would go to protect Artemis and DeMarquette. “I’m all they have,” says Nick. She kisses him on the cheek, which prompts him to move in for a kiss. She pulls away. “Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he smiles.
Doug, Julie, John, Marlena, and Hope gather at the pub to read the final batch of Santeen letters while Bo searches for Grandpa Shawn. Julie notes how sad reading the letters will be since they know how Colleen’s story ends. John and Hope agree that it will be a happy ending if the letters lead them to Roman, Lucas, and EJ. Julie reads Colleen’s letter, which states that she’s spent days in prayer and solitude. Santo then arrives at the church looking for Colleen. Father Mallory claims he received a message from Colleen needing to speak to him. He excuses himself while Santo sits in the church and is approached by Colleen, who is ready to give Santo a decision as to which life she will choose. “My answer is yes,” says Colleen. They rejoice happily as Santo professes his love for her.
Meanwhile, the gang discuss the Santeen saga. Hope points out that Grandpa Shawn feels guilty about what happened to Colleen. Marlena takes a turn and reads the next letter from Santo to Colleen. Santo assures Colleen they will live in happiness, fulfilling their true destiny as husband and wife. Colleen later kneels at the church and prays as her father Pete and young Shawn approach her. Pete notes she’s been crying. Father Mallory then approaches the Bradys. Pete spots Santo in the back of the church and wonders why the “Italian” is there. Colleen implores Santo to leave and promises him that she won’t be long. He presents her with a ring as a token of their life together.
Hope takes a turn and reads the next letter from Colleen to Santo. Colleen marvels how beautiful the ring is, but believes the ring is too extravagant for her. Santo tells her not to let her family sway her. She assures him that her life will be complete as Mrs. Santo DiMera and implores him to go before he starts a holy war in the church. Pete then asks Santo what business he has with Colleen. Santo claims he was just leaving. Hope continues to read the letter, which states that Father Mallory saw the truth in Colleen’s face. Father Mallory then asks Colleen if she’s alright and why she’s not wearing her habit. Colleen reveals she won’t be wearing it again and recalls how Father Mallory was her spiritual advisor since she was a child. “I cannot honor God by becoming a nun,” confesses a conflicted Colleen. She expresses her desire to be a wife and mother and will be leaving the convent. Pete is appalled by this decision. Colleen cries as her father blasts Santo for disgracing the Brady family. They continue to argue and hurl insults at each other as a distraught Shawn looks on.
Hope then reads how Colleen stood up to her father and how Colleen ended the tirade the only way she knew how. Colleen professes to love Santo and assures her dad she loves him just as much. Pete disowns his daughter. Shawn cries and begs his sister not to go. An emotional Colleen assures Shawn she’ll always be his sister. She insists she belongs with the man she loves, then gives Father Mallory the ring. She walks out in tears, leaving her devastated family. Marlena notes how Colleen knows how to make an exit.
