Saturday Special - 12/25 - Christmas Day
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Kayla, Bill, Tommy, Sandy, Lily, Addie, Carly, Daniel, Scotty, Sarah, Benny and several of the other doctors and nurses were gathered on the main floor of the hospital. Maggie, Julie, Mattie, Elle, Jade with Emmy, and Melanie with Dani were also there. In the middle of the room, a group of children were sitting, with Doug sitting in a chair in front of them, holding a book.
DOUG: Good morning, everyone!
The children all said some variation of “good morning”.
DOUG: Can any of you fine folks here tell me what day it is today?
One of the children yelled out “It’s Christmas!”. Doug chuckled.
DOUG: Very good! Now, did you know that Christmas is also a birthday?
Some of the children looked confused, while others nodded.
DOUG: I see we have a few that do know that. Well, I’m going to tell you all a story about a young boy who was born on this day a very long time ago.
Doug opened the book and put on his reading glasses.
DOUG: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Doug closed the book.
DOUG: Now, from what I hear, we’re going to be having a special visitor coming soon.
Suddenly, the sound of jingle bells came.
DOUG: And there he is!
From the hallway entered Philip, who was dressed in a Santa suit and carrying a large bag.
PHILIP: Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!
The children, and several of the adults, cheered as Philip walked over. Doug got up and shook Philip’s hand.
PHILIP: I’ve been checking my list twice, and it seems that we have some very good boys and girls here. So, let’s see what Santa has in his bag for all of you.
The children ran over to Philip, who started handing out presents.
MELANIE: Thanks for asking Philip to do this, Maggie.
MAGGIE: I was happy to, my dear. He certainly makes a good Santa.
MELANIE: That he does.
BRADY PUB
Later in the day, the Bradys had all gathered together for the holiday. Claire came in from outside. She was on the phone.
CLAIRE: Okay, that sounds good. Merry Christmas to you, too. Bye.
She hung up.
CLAIRE: That was Aisling. She says Happy Christmas to everyone. And she’s excited to see us next month.
CHASE: That’s really nice.
CIARA: Isn’t it usually Merry Christmas?
THEO: It is, most places, but in the UK, as well as Ireland, a lot of people say Happy Christmas.
CIARA: Gotcha.
Ari ran over to Noah.
ARI: Noah!
NOAH: Hi.
ARI: Wanna play with me? I know where some fun toys are.
NOAH: Sure.
Ari and Noah ran off together. Will and Carrie chuckled.
WILL: She has been dying to see you guys, particularly Noah, ever since Dad told us you were coming to town.
CARRIE: Noah’s been excited for it, too. Merry Christmas, kid.
WILL: You too, Aunt Carrie.
KATE: Thank you for the invitation, Roman.
ROMAN: Oh, it’s no problem. I’m always glad to have you, especially since the kids are here.
KATE: Yes. Though apparently Cassie will soon be going on a trip with a certain Nicholas Alamain. I assume you’ve heard about that.
ROMAN: I have.
KATE: And?
ROMAN: And it is Christmas, Kate. We’ll talk about that another time.
SONIA: It’s so nice of you to have us over for Christmas.
KAYLA: Sonia, you and the kids are family. You know that. We’ll have you anytime.
PEYTON: Speaking of family, where’s Uncle Patch? I thought he’d be here by now.
KAYLA: Oh, he will be soon.
The door opened and several people turned to see who it was.
STEVE: Merry Christmas, everybody!
There stood Steve in the doorway. For the first time in several months, he did not have crutches with him. Stephanie and Joey ran over.
JOEY: Dad?
STEPHANIE: You can walk without crutches again?
STEVE: Sure can, Princess Sweetness. Got a call late last night from my doc, who said my legs have healed up good enough and to try walking on my own.
JOEY: How do you feel?
STEVE: Better than I have in months, Joe.
STEPHANIE: This is amazing!
KAYLA: It is.
Kayla walked over and kissed Steve.
STEVE: All right, all right. Let’s get this party goin’!
Several people laughed, and gave Steve a round of hugs.
MARTIN HOUSE
The majority of the Hortons, as well as a few others, had come together to celebrate.
SANDY: Merry Christmas, Dad.
TOMMY: Merry Christmas, my dear.
Sandy and Tommy hugged.
MARIE: It’s so good to see your mother and grandfather getting along again.
LILY: It is.
ELLE: Thank you so much for having me over, Mrs. Williams.
JULIE: Please, darling, it’s just Julie. And you are more than welcome.
ROBERT: Shall we have a song, my dear friend?
DOUG: Oh, I suppose we should. Maestro, if you please.
Bill went to the piano and sat down.
BILL: What’s the tune?
Robert turned a few pages in a book of sheet music and set it on the stand for the piano.
BILL: Ah, very good choice, Mr. LeClair. A classic indeed.
Bill began playing the piano.
DOUG (singing): Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…
ROBERT (singing): Jack Frost nipping at your nose…
DOUG & ROBERT (singing): Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like eskimos…
MONTAGE
As Doug and Robert sang, we see various scenes of Christmas around Salem, and the world.
CLICK HERE to listen to this for the rest of the chapter.
At the Kiriakis Mansion, the family were sitting down to dinner. Philip and Melanie had Dani in a highchair between them. Philip handed Melanie a muffin, and the two winked at each other. Melanie tore off a small piece and gave it to Dani to try. Brady and Victor shook hands.
In South Africa, Mike kissed Robin and turned the lights of the Christmas tree on.
At the Alamain Mansion, Nicholas, Vivian and Trix were finishing dinner, and Vivian made a toast.
In Baltimore, Melissa and Nathan ate dinner together.
At the DiMera Mansion, the family had finished dinner. Thomas was playing with his toys as the adults sat and talked. Tony stood up and made a toast, which Anna joined in on.
In Washington D.C., Shane, Kimberly, Andrew and Tate were sitting down at the table. Theresa joined them, and they began passing dishes around.
At the Horton Center, Jade helped Emmy put together a toy she had gotten from Santa. There was a knock on the door, and Daniel, Nicole and Parker, who had come from dinner at the Kiriakis Mansion, walked in.
In Ireland, the extended Brady family had gathered at their Brady Pub to celebrate. Ryleigh and Aisling pulled at a Christmas cracker. After it popped, Aisling pulled out a paper crown, which she put on Ryleigh’s head. Colm and Kady came from the kitchen carrying a Christmas pudding.
At the Brady Pub in Salem, all of the Bradys were either eating or mingling. John and Marlena joined Hope and Aiden at their table. Kayla, Roman, Frankie and Max got together for a picture. Carrie and Sami hugged. Austin shook hands with Lucas and Rex. Claire and Chase kissed under the mistletoe. Joey and Alanis hugged. Abe patted Steve on the shoulder, and the two put an arm around each other.
MARTIN HOUSE
ROBERT & DOUG (singing): Although it’s been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you.
DOUG: Merry Christmas, everybody!
