Previously…
– Samantha reconciled with Diane and brought her to the Fishers’ for Thanksgiving dinner.
– Tim walked in on an intense conversation between Spencer and Elly. Spencer told his father that Elly is being blackmailed by Loretta but wouldn’t share specifics.
– Continuing to fixate on Gabrielle, Molly brought the infant a rocking horse that she had purchased for the child she and Brent lost. Travis accepted the gift and let Molly spend time with Gabrielle, despite his misgivings.

The wide Douglas fir stands beside the fireplace in Paula Fisher‘s living room. It is outfitted in golden lights and decades’ worth of accumulated ornaments: some store-bought, some handmade, some of origins that have long since been forgotten. Presents — many of them by now unwrapped and sitting in piles, while a few remain in their wrapping — crowd the bottom of the Christmas tree. An angel with a glowing halo sits at the very top, as if gazing over the family members who have begun to fill the house for today’s holiday celebration. 

“Are you kidding me? It’s gorgeous!” Diane Bishop exclaims as she holds up the printed silk scarf to get a better look at it.

“You’re sure you like it?” Sarah Fisher Gray asks. The two women are seated on the sofa as Michael Bublé’s rendition of “Holly Jolly Christmas” plays quietly on the stereo. 

“I love it.” Diane grins broadly as she pulls her friend in for a hug. “Thank you.”

“And thank you for my sweater,” Sarah replies. “I’ve been wanting one of these.”

“I knew you’d look great in a duster sweater. And I also knew you probably wouldn’t buy one for yourself.”

“Guilty as charged — on both counts, I hope.”

The women share a laugh as Diane slings the scarf over her shoulders. 

“I’m really glad you’re here with us today,” Sarah says.

“Don’t go getting all maudlin on me,” Diane says, “because you might make me cry.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want to do that to you…”

Diane looks at the glittering Christmas tree. “All joking aside, it’s a relief to be back on good terms with Samantha and included in the Fisher Christmas again. Especially with my spotty track record.”

“We’re all happy to have you here,” Sarah says.

“Thanks. And I solemnly vow to limit my meddling in my daughter’s life from now on.”

Sarah pushes a loose strand of blonde hair behind one ear. “Does that rule out helping me meddle in my daughter‘s?”

“That bad?” Diane asks.

“Worse. Whatever you can imagine, it’s worse. This wedding is barreling at us like a freight train, and I’ve got nothing. I’ll give Zane one thing: he’s pulled a lot of Hail Marys out of his hat.”

“If only we could harness his powers for our own use.”

The loud rumble of footsteps on the stairs immediately alerts Sarah to the presence of her younger child.

“Why are you running in the house?” she asks as Billy appears at the bottom of the staircase.

“Because I need a soda!” the boy shouts as he rounds the corner into the dining room.

“Because his grandma let him have sugar cookies for Christmas breakfast,” Sarah mutters to Diane as she watches her son disappear into the back of the house. “So, how about you?”

“How about me what? I didn’t have sugar cookies for breakfast. Although I’m kind of thinking that sounds good now…”

“I mean you. Life. Now that things with Samantha are better–“

“Oh, the classic Best Friend Pry. Nope. You are not getting any more gossip out of these lips.” Diane presses her full lips together tightly for effect.

“It isn’t gossip if it’s about your own life. And I know all the tension with Tempest was a big part of why you were putting up a wall with Isaac–“

“When did you get your psychiatry degree?”

“I’m just saying,” Sarah tells her. “Now that you and Tempest have buried the hatchet, do you think there’s a chance for you and her brother?”

“Sarah… That was a fling. It’s over.”

“Just a fling?”

“Yes! A woman of a certain age isn’t allowed to have a fun cruise ship fling and move on?”

“Except you didn’t,” Sarah says. “Come on. I know you. I know what you’re doing, Diane. You’re ashamed of your history with Tim–“

“I am, yeah. Thank you.”

“–so you’re pushing Isaac away because you don’t want to face something that painful. Especially if he rejects you over it.”

“He already rejected me,” Diane says. “At Travis and Rosie’s wedding. He found out, and he was horrified. As he probably should be.” She fidgets with the edges of her new scarf. “Even when I saw him, it was like…”

“Wait!” Sarah says, sitting up straighter. “When did you see him?”

Diane looks at her, almost annoyed, before continuing. “I ran into him while I was Christmas shopping the other day. It was nothing. Truly. We wished each other well and went our separate ways.”

Sarah offers a sympathetic look. “That was all?”

“He thanked me for helping Tempest–“

“Well, that’s something!” Sarah replies. “He appreciates what you did for his sister. See?”

“I haven’t heard from him since, though.”

“Have you reached out?”

“No! He had his chance–“

“Diane–“

“I’m serious, Sarah,” Diane says. “That ship has sailed. I’ve accepted it. You should, too. Okay?”

—–

Through the dining room and down a short hallway, Paula holds her squirming great-grandson in her lap, at least for the time being.

“I do wish you could all stay for dinner,” she says.

Her grandson and his wife sit on the sofa opposite her. Spencer wears a burgundy plaid shirt beneath a black quarter-zip sweater, and Natalie is in a festive black dress with rivulets of shiny gold all over it.

“It smells great,” Spencer replies, “but my mom — Loretta, I mean — she would lose it if we didn’t get back to the house for dinner.”

“She hired a caterer to, and I quote, ‘spare us all from another year of Natalie’s cooking,'” Natalie says before groaning.

“Well, I appreciate you coming by, regardless,” Paula says, as Peter finally wriggles free and lands on his feet on the soft carpet. “I don’t get to see my great-grandson enough.”

Spencer leans forward, elbows on his knees. “I need to bring him over more. I’d say you’re welcome at our house any time, but I’m sure you don’t want to brave that…”

Paula shakes her head sadly. She hesitates before speaking, but Peter grabs one of his new monster trucks and disappears into the hallway.

“Be careful!” Spencer calls after him.

“I hate that that woman has such a hold over this entire family,” she says. “I know everyone’s trying their best…”

“You try living with her,” Natalie counters. “I’m doing whatever I can not to cross her — which is really tough when she’s in my house judging me all day long.”

Paula lets out a sigh. “I could understand her being resentful toward me for taking Philip’s life — I still can’t believe I could do that–“

“Philip was out of control,” Spencer says. “I loved him, but after what he did — you were in the right to stop him.”

“I’m not sure Loretta sees it that way,” Paula frets.

“Look who I found rolling his truck down the hallway at dangerously high speeds,” Tim Fisher announces as he strides into the room with Peter in his arms.

Natalie touches a hand to her cheek. “Sorry about that.”

“He’s fine. I was impressed,” Tim says. He sets his grandson down near the other trucks from the set he just received today. 

Paula turns in her chair. “Are people beginning to arrive?”

“Diane’s in the living room with Sarah,” Tim tells her.

A not-very-subtle groan escapes Natalie’s throat. “Guess I should go say hi.”

“I’ll do the same,” Paula says as she stands. “I should check on things in the kitchen, too.”

Spencer rises from the sofa, too, but Tim stops him before he can follow the women.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Tim asks his son.

Although Spencer regards him warily, he motions for Natalie to go ahead. She helps Peter gather his trucks and then exits after Paula.

“I’m glad we have a moment alone,” Tim says. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. I heard you all discussing Loretta when I came in–“

“She has Paula all rattled, too,” Spencer says. “This can’t go on much longer.”

Tim nods. “You know I’ll do whatever it takes to get her out of our lives. And that’s why I need you to level with me: why did Elly come to you for help the other day? What’s really going on between Loretta and Elly?”

—–

“Presents, mashed potatoes, and your mom’s tamales are safely stashed in the car,” Travis Fisher declares as he returns to the small apartment that he shares with his wife and their foster daughter. “Commence Phase Two.”

Rosie Jimenez finishes strapping Gabrielle into the portable car seat. 

“It still shocks me how much stuff you need to go anywhere with a baby,” she says as she stands up. 

“I know,” Travis says as he heaves a diaper bag over his shoulder. “Is that the new jacket your mom got her?”

“It is. Don’t you look pretty in your new coat from Abuela, Gabi?”

Gabrielle burbles excitedly and kicks her legs in response.

“I wonder how much more stuff we’ll have on the way back from your grandma’s,” Rosie says.

“I told everyone not to go crazy on buying stuff and spoiling her.”

“Plus they already gave her that rocking horse! Which was so sweet. She’s going to love it — she’s already been trying to get on and ride it.”

Travis gulps and pretends to be looking in the diaper bag for something. When Rosie arrived home the other day and saw the rocking horse that his Aunt Molly had brought over — a gift originally intended for the baby she and Brent lost around the time Gabrielle was born — Travis felt like it might be odd to tell her that the present had come solely from Molly, especially in light of the recent awkwardness between them and Molly. So he told her that the gift had simply come from the Fisher family. 

“Looks like we have everything,” he says as he looks up at his wife. “Ready to go?”

—–

“Thank you for having me,” Diane says to Paula back in the living room, as Natalie and Sarah stand by.

“We’re very happy that you could be here,” Paula responds, her hands folded neatly in front of her stomach. “I know it means a lot to Samantha, too.”

“It means a lot to me, too. I’m serious.”

“Merry Christmas, Diane,” Paula says graciously. The two women have never gotten along, per se, but given their mutual love for Samantha — and Diane’s past relationships with two of Paula’s sons — they have found a tentative understanding and peace.

“Mom, Matt was asking for you a minute ago,” Sarah chimes in from behind Diane. “I’ll go in there with you.” As they shuffle off, Sarah flashes Diane a very pointed look, to which Diane reacts with an eye roll.

“Merry Christmas, Diane,” Natalie says once the Bishop sisters are alone. 

“Merry Christmas. Where’s Bree?”

“She went with Conrad to visit his other daughter. I’m sure the fact that we still have the Dragon Lady squatting in our house had something to do with it, too.”

“And you left our dear mother at the house with Loretta?”

“I warned her to barricade the bedroom door,” Natalie says. “You know, I think she’d like to see you.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Diane contemplates that for a long moment. “I’m not so sure I want to see her.”

“Yeah, well, she is your mom.”

“She literally is not.”

“She is, Diane. Come on. I know this entire thing has to have been crazy for you. It has for me, too–“

“You aren’t the one who found out a completely different woman gave birth to you than you thought,” Diane snaps. 

“It’s my family, too! I get to have a reaction.”

“Fine,” Diane says, a bit exasperated. “React all you want.”

“I’m just saying — I’m still your sister, whether you like it or not. And our mother still raised you just the same as she raised me.”

“Is that what we’re calling that now? Raising us?” Diane asks. “Seems like we might’ve found the root of the problem.”

“That’s my point! She’s still your mother. Don’t you dare leave me all alone with her.”

Diane fiddles with the scarf still draped over her shoulders. “I’ll think about coming to see her while she’s in town. And that counts as your Christmas present for the next decade, okay?”

“Fine by me. Your taste sucks, anyway,” Natalie says, a caustic edge to her voice that leaves it unclear as to whether she’s teasing or being serious. “But thanks. She’ll appreciate it. And so will I.”

“I’m going to go find Samantha. Merry Christmas, Natalie.”

“Merry Christmas, Diane.”

Diane moves past her sister and into the dining room.

“Talk about a holiday miracle,” Natalie says under her breath as she watches Diane walk off. She turns around, figuring she should get Peter ready so that they can get back home — but as she does, she sees another pair of arrivals entering the living room, still in their winter coats.

“Jason. Sophie. Hi,” Natalie says as she stares at her ex-fiancé and the girl who very nearly became her stepdaughter.

—–

Back in the den, Spencer takes a long pause before even acknowledging Tim’s inquiry.

“I told you, I can’t betray Elly’s confidence like that,” he finally tells his father.

Tim levels a serious stare upon Spencer. “The more info we have, the simpler it’ll be to turn this situation against Loretta.”

“And I have the info. So does Elly. You know what you need to know.”

“Which is that Loretta is, what, blackmailing Elly over some mysterious circumstance?”

“Yes. And we can use that to, I don’t know, lure her into a trap,” Spencer says, shaking his head at the same time. “I can’t believe any of this is real.”

“After the way that woman has terrorized and traumatized our family over the years, there’s very little I won’t believe,” Tim says. “I’d love to know what we’re getting involved with if we bring Elly into this–“

“Elly didn’t do anything wrong — nothing illegal. I swear. It’s a totally innocent thing from her personal life that’s being weaponized against her.”

With a furrowed brow, Tim asks, “Are you sure about that?”

“Positive. I trust her.”

Tim’s eyes widen. “Oh.”

“What?” Spencer asks.

“You and Elly,” Tim says with a knowing nod. “Are you two…?”

“No. I mean — no.”

Tim is unaccustomed to seeing his normally self-assured, even cocky, son stammer this way, and it only confirms what he suspects. 

“I know you and Natalie aren’t exactly the traditional married couple,” Tim says, “but does she know?”

“She…” Spencer’s lips flap open and closed a few times before he commits to an answer. “Can you keep this between us? Please?”

“So there’s more you aren’t telling me.”

“There’s nothing to tell. Just — Elly and I, it’s a thing that isn’t a thing. Yet.”

“Got it. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Thanks. If Elly were to become collateral damage in this–“

“We’ll do whatever we can to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Tim says. “But I am not allowing another year to go by with that woman on the loose, putting all of us in danger.”

—–

“How are there this many cars on this street?” Travis wonders with annoyance as he eases down the block where his grandparents’ house stands, searching for a parking space.

Rosie grins. “It’s almost like everyone is having gatherings for a holiday or something.”

“Very funny.” Travis brings the car to a stop in front of Paula’s driveway. “Why don’t you take her inside, and I’ll go find a spot and bring all the non-Gabrielle stuff?”

“Are you sure you can handle all of that?”

“That, or I’ll walk up and force one of the kids to come help me,” he says.

Moments later, Rosie has unloaded herself, Gabrielle, and the diaper bag from the vehicle. Travis lovingly honks the horn and then drives down the street, both sides of which are lined with houses outfitted in twinkling lights and lawn ornaments. On the curb, Rosie takes a moment to gather herself; she places the diaper bag over one shoulder and picks up the car seat with her other hand.

“Do you need help?” a voice asks from the front porch.

Rosie glances up to see Molly Taylor peeking her head out of Paula’s front door.

“I think I’ve got it, but thanks,” Rosie says, and she begins to trudge up the front steps leading to Paula’s house.

“Merry Christmas, Gabrielle,” Molly says as she remains by the door, holding it open. “Is that a new jacket? She looks very pretty.”

“It was a gift from my mama, yeah.” Rosie maneuvers through the front door. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Molly watches intently as Rosie sets the car seat on the floor of the Fishers’ entryway and begins to unstrap Gabrielle. 

“Is she enjoying the rocking horse?” Molly asks. “I know she’s a little young to be playing on it, but I couldn’t help myself.”

Though she looks up in surprise, Rosie says nothing.

“I thought it would be meaningful to pass it along to Gabrielle instead of donating it,” the older woman continues. “Turn it into something positive instead of something sad. The way it was just sitting in my closet for a year…”

Forlorn, Molly trails off. Rosie’s head spins as it pieces together this unknown narrative. 

“That was really nice of you,” she says as she lifts Gabrielle out of the car seat. “Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure,” Molly replies, as she smiles directly at the baby. “Plus I got to have a little time with this cutie when I delivered it. A win-win, really.”

Molly takes Gabrielle’s small hand and begins talking to the infant, who babbles happily in response. Rosie holds the little girl who will, with any luck, soon be her child legally — and watches Molly’s focus on Gabrielle with a new, curious attention as she processes that Travis didn’t exactly tell her the full story of the rocking horse.

END OF EPISODE 1111

Will Rosie confront Travis for his half-truth?
What will Natalie and Jason’s interaction be like?
Is Elly the key to Tim’s plan to bring down Loretta?
Discuss all this and more in the comments below!

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