'Twas the night before Christmas. Mac is reading to the children. Rachel suggested Ada call Nancy to ask her to come to chapel for caroling. The line is busy.
Marley is on the phone to Chris insisting he talk to Nancy. Nancy appeared and told her to tell him she didn't want to talk.
Wallingford: From Zane, huh? Felicia: He put it under my tree. Wally: It's awfully pretty wrapping. Felicia: AH, but what's under the wrapping? Wally: A present, I should think. [Laughter.] Felicia: You know what it is. Wally: No. Felicia: Yes you do and you're dying to tell me aren't you. Wally: Felicia even If I did know I would not betray Zane's confidence. Felicia: Then how am I supposed to find out? Wally: You're supposed to wait until tomorrow morning. Felicia: I don't WANT to wait till tomorrow morning. Wally: Felicia I thought all romantics liked secrets. Felicia: What secrets? That's for other people, not for ME. Enter Zane dressed as Santa ready to go to the youth centre.
Kathleen and MJ reminisced about the glorious Christmases past. They want Ben back next year. Bells rang outside and in came Cass gloriously costumed. He has a sleigh to take Kathleen out. She refused. MJ and Cass said she had to. He put his cape about her [her objection had been to the cold] and she caved in. He picked her up and carried her out. He said it would be more than fine it would be memorable.
Chris curled up into a little ball and hung up. Marley told Nancy to stop being an idiot. Nancy told her to stop interfering. Marley reminded her of how all her friends had pitched in when she was being stupid about Jake. Nancy said it was different. Enter Dee with her friend Andrew and Jake. They are going to the youth centre. Nancy refuses to go. Dee protested. Nancy was firm. Jake is quiet and looks as though someone is sticking him with pins and his collar is too tight. Andrew said he seemed nervous. Dee shut him up. Everyone except Nancy left. Ada called with her invitation. Nancy was convinced to come.
Wally is firm about putting white stuff in Zane's beard.
Carter is carrying on his father's tradition of feeding hungry kids at the youth centre. He and Tom and Felicia discussed it.
Felicia buttonholed Wally. Felicia: just a second, my friend. Wally: what? Felicia: my DEAR, DEAR friend. Wally: what did I do now, Felicia? Felicia: oh, nothing, I was just thinking about that conversation we had before. Wally: what conversation? Felicia: don't give me the runaround, Wally. Wally: Felicia I wouldn't give you the runaround even if I knew what you were talking about. Felicia: the PRESENT. The one Zane is giving me. Wally: did you peek? Felicia: no, I didn't peek. Course I didn't PEEK. But, now, Wally, you do know what it is, don't you? Wally: no. Felicia: WALLINGFORD. Look me in the eye and say that you don't know. Now you know you can't lie to me. now come on, what, say it. Wally: I do know. Felicia: and you want to tell me, don't you? Wally: forget it, Felicia. Felicia: now wait a minute you little — what do you mean forget it? I am your closest dearest friend. How can you say that to me? I am the one who never not tells you everything. Wally: my lips are sealed. Felicia: come on, what harm would this do? Wally: mum's the word, Felicia. Felicia: I will act surprised. Zane will never know that you told me, I promise. Wally: that's right. He will never know because I AIN'T GONNA TELL YOU. Felicia: WALLINGFORD. [And then in dulcet tones] Wallingford, darling, DARLING. Wally: oh, that's right, pull out all the stops, beg, plead, flirt, cajole, all you'll get's my name, rank, and serial number. Felicia: Wallingford how can you do this to me? Wally: WALLINGFORD. GENERAL. 9876 — Felicia: listen GENERAL, you're going to be — what? Wally: Felicia, you're so awful. now why can't you wait until tomorrow? Felicia: I don't know, I just CAN'T. I — I — I would kind of want to but I can't. I am — I — I otherwise I wouldn't be a grown up. Come on. Wally: oh Felicia now why didn't you just leave it at home under your tree and forget all about it? Felicia: oh, I can't do THAT. You see because well we're going to spend Christmas here. Wally: what's that got to do with it? Felicia: well at midnight when it turns Christmas I'm going to open this thing. Unless of course you want to give me a major hint. Do you? Enter Zane. Zane: well now what kind of a helper would Wally be if he told all of Santa's secrets?
Cass restored Kathleen to her home full of plans for Christmas. he suggested they go to the chapel together. She's going with Edouard. Cass, disconcerted but nothing daunted, asked to see her tomorrow. She said she was busy with the family. He asked if she didn't think it was time she stopped avoiding him. She denied avoiding him. She told him to leave her alone. He said they loved each other. She said it didn't matter. He said it did and he couldn't take this constant rejection much longer. She said she'd be able to stop rejecting him when he stopped coming around. He said he understood about her fear of being disabled and it didn't matter to him if she couldn't walk. She said it mattered to her. He was extremely nice and reasonable. She said he was no longer part of her world and she had to change for Edouard. Exit Kathleen. Enter MJ. Exit Cass.
The young folk have assembled at the Northwoods Inn. Jake is still doing his tight collar and pins routine. Carter: so it's all set, huh? Jake: 's all set. Carter: you're NERVOUS, aren't you? Jake: come on Carter this is my first time. Carter: ho, I would never have guessed. Jake: but I'm ready. Yes, I am ready. They joined their females and Dee and Andrew. Tom: Are you SURE Dee? Dee: Yep. I checked and rechecked. Carter: what's the problem? Tom: we miscalculated. We have SO much food [LOOKS are flying everywhere between Tom & Dee & Carter & Jake. Only Marley and Andrew seem to be in the dark.] Dee: BOY do we have a lot of food. Tom: there's just not going to be enough room in the station wagon. Marley: for what? Tom: people. Two of us will have to stay behind. Marley: oh, no. Oh wow. How are we going to work this out? Tom: well Carter HAS to go. Dee: yeah, yeah, and if Carter goes, Tom, you've got to go too. Tom: that's right. Andrew: maybe we could find something better to do, Dee. Dee: shut up, Andrew. I wouldn't miss this for the world. Carter: well, Zane has to go, he's Santa. Zane: ho ho ho. Dee: that's right. Jake: well that leaves Marley and me to stay. Dee: aw, tough break guys. They left in a noisy confusion. Marley: well that's really weird. There should have been plenty enough room in the two station wagons. Wallingford: well why don't you just come right over here and sit down. We have a little table compliments of the management. Jake: thank you very much Wallingford. Shall we sit down? Marley: this is just beautiful. It's going to be a perfect night. Jake: I hope so. Marley: are you all right?
Donna answered the phone. Elly Garrison was calling to wish a Merry Christmas. She told her Marley had been to Barnesville, mistaking her for Marley's twin sister, and offered to help with the farm. Donna rang off and screamed for Bridget to find Peter. THE RÔLE OF PETER LOVE IS NOW BEING PLAYED BY MARCUS SMYTHE. Donna told Peter her troubles. She doesn't want Michael to come back. Peter accused her of being hung up on him [Michael] even yet. She advised him not to play armchair psychiatrist. He wants this Christmas to be a happy one if this is to be the last fatherless Christmas with the twins. She said that was a stupid idea.
MJ gave Kathleen a hard time for stomping on Cass. Kathleen admitted she loved him but she had to be paralyzed alone. MJ said she was making a big mistake.
Marley: should I blow it out? Jake: do whatever you want. Marley: so do people make wishes over cherries jubilee? Jake: I don't imagine it'll hurt. Marley: OK, um, here goes. Your turn. Jake: I already made my wish. Marley: [blowing his out] now it'll come true. Jake: I sure hope so. Marley: are you all right? Jake: I just have a little dry mouth. Marley: well have some water. Jake: no, I think it goes with the territory. Marley: WHAT TERRITORY? Jake: I want to give you your Christmas present early. that is if you want it. [Felicia and Wallingford are peering out from behind the doorway. Wallingford: any minute now. Felicia: yeah, I can't stand it, it's so ROMANTIC.] Jake opened a box containing a ring. Jake: I want you to wear this. Marley: Jake — Jake: I love you. Very much. I want you to be my wife. Look I know it's not the biggest diamond in the world but it is a beginning. And I will work very hard to give you the everything that you want. Marley: I think that it's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. I love you very very much. Jake: but. Marley: WHAT? Jake: well I don't know it just sounds like — I hear a but coming on. Marley: I was just wondering why you're not putting it on my finger. [Felicia: OOH, he's putting it on her finger. Wally: you know what that means. Felicia: YEAH.] Yes. I will. of course I will. Did you think for one instant that I might say no? Jake: well it doesn't really matter what I think, does it, you said yes. Marley: yes. Yes. Yes. Jake: I love you. Marley: I love you too. You know what this means, don't you? Jake: will I hope so. Marley: I mean tomorrow. I'm going to be wearing this when we go to Donna's. Jake: yeah well, we had to face the dragon lady sooner or later. Marley: yes we did. And we will. I'm going to flash this ring all over the place. And then we'll set the date. Jake: whenever you want. Marley: maybe we can even find my father. Jake: maybe we can. Marley: and then he can give the bride away. Jake: I think that would be perfect. Kissing. Marley observed Felicia and Wallingford waving. Marley: they know. Every — there was probably room in the — you set this entire thing up. Jake: yes I did and it worked like a charm. Marley: yes, it did. They waved back.
Sally and Kevin and the Corys are at the chapel. Sally looks extremely pale. Catlin arrived much to Kevin's delight. Sally agreed to go back to the cabin for gifts and to sit with Catlin during the singing because Kevin requested it. Clarice and Larry arrived thrilled to be together. Ada's afraid Nancy's not coming. Cass arrived and thanked Mac for believing he didn't kill Daphne and helping. The McKinnons arrived SANS EDOUARD but Kathleen told Cass not to sit with her. He faded into the back. Hark The Herald Angels Sing. Catlin and Sally looked at each other over Kevin's head. Cass was the object of peculiar stares.
Donna told Victoria about Elly Garrison. She blames Jake for egging Marley on. Victoria defended him. Donna: you're just like me. Loyal and devoted to the bitter end. Vic: is that so bad? Donna: it's WONDERFUL. That's what makes us extraordinary. Bridget summoned Donna to the study to talk to Peter. Vic told Bridget she wasn't sure she could take seeing Jake & Marley but she won't give up.
Everyone exclaimed over Marley's ring and she forgave them their deception.
Zane suggested sneaking away but Felicia told him she'd fallen in love with Santa Claus while he was away. Wally summoned her for a minor crisis in the kitchen and left Zane to guard the door. Britt came in with a gift for Zane. She stopped for a drink before meeting somebody.
Oh Come All Ye Faithful. Nancy arrived and joined the Corys. Joy to the World.
Marley's determined to marry Jake in spite of Donna and Victoria.
Carter is surviving without his dad. Wally and Jake discussed this engagement. Incorrigible Felicia was the only one who believed it was a sure bet. Jake is as determined as Marley.
Britt gave Zane a lure. He told her there'd be a little something on her doorstep when she got home. She hinted she'd be spending the night at someone else's house. [Just what made that little old ant think he'd move that rubber tree plant?] Felicia stole Zane away. Britt ran into Joyce and said she was on the way to tell the father.
Nancy has agreed to go to the Corys' for Christmas. Ada is rejoicing. Rachel doesn't believe Nancy won't be seeing Chris any more.
Nancy buzzed Chris' bell. He let her in. Nancy: well, your place looks nice [the walls are covered in plaster patches and the only furniture a box for the small tree and a futon.] Chris: thanks. Nancy: who's your decorator? Chris: oh, I did this myself, Yep, need a little paint over there. This futon is multifaceted. I use it as a bed, a couch, a desk, a chair — I've even chopped vegetables on it. This thing is fantastic. Nancy: I didn't know a futon could be so versatile. Oh, I like your tree. Chris: yeah. I guess it could be taller. Or I could be shorter. I was going to get some bulbs for it, you know, but I thought I'd wait until after Christmas. They have plenty of good sales. Nancy: yeah. Hey, I brought you a present. Chris: oh, really? Do you want to put it under the tree? Nancy: Nope. You've got to open it right now. Chris: right now? Nancy: IMMEDIATELY. Chris: it's moving. Nancy: it better be. Chris: it's alive. Nancy: I hope so. Chris: Nancy what did — what is in here — or rather I should say who is in here? [In the box was a black and white kitten.] Nancy: do you like her?
Gifts were exchanged in the cabin. Sally was quite overcome with gratitude when presented with a scarf by Catlin. Kevin was similarly delighted as was Liz. He suggested a family hug. Sally hesitated slightly but embraced Catlin with a smile as Britt appeared and stared through the window. She [Britt] raised her eyes heavenward in agony.
Felicia was unable to find her present. Zane had hidden it because he doesn't consider 12:01 quite Christmas. She said it was cruel and unusual punishment. He said this would be the best Christmas ever. She said not if he didn't let her open her present tonight.
Marley and Jake kissed enthusiastically under the mistletoe before leaving the Northwoods Inn. I think somebody's feet left the ground. [They looked extremely funny on fast forward.] They're madly in love.
Mac faced us directly and wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and endless happiness to those seeking it. I was thrilled to the core.