Katie gets a surprise gift, Rick thanks Ridge, and Taylor struggles through.
Everyone in the Forrester living room looks up at Phoebe's star on top of the tree. Taylor says this is where she belongs - where else would she be? Brooke and Taylor speak to Hope, explaining how they will remember Phoebe in their hearts. Taylor says enough crying - Phoebe loved to make popcorn and bake cookies, so that's what they'll do. Taylor says the holiday traditions are what bond them all and will get her through this. They all gather around to pop corn around the fire. Thorne hangs back and watches Eric interact with the children. Stephanie comes over to him and notes that Eric is the biggest kid in the room. Thorne tells his mother that Eric loves her - no matter what happens. Ridge stands to make a speech before they eat. He says he sees Phoebe, and the memory of others they have lost, all around there, and that he's grateful for all of the family gathered there. This time it's Rick who hangs back awkwardly.
Katie tells Nick that Jack fell asleep very quickly. He reminds her that Jack is supposed to go back to Brooke's house tonight. Katie points out that she probably wouldn't want to wake him - besides she wants to see him get his gifts in the morning. Nick comes over and they embrace and kiss. Katie calls Brooke and tells Nick that she said it wasn't a problem for them to keep Jack. Nick gives her a gift. She opens it to discover that he has given her basketball shoes! They laugh and kiss. As they cuddle in front of the fire, Nick wonders whether he screwed up by giving her shoes. She says they're her favorite color. He notes that they're white - just like wedding dresses! She gapes as he pulls out his 'back-up' gift - an engagement ring. Katie wipes tears from her eyes. Nick pretends not to understand why she's crying, but then turns serious. He says this year has been about beating the odds. He asks her to do the 'happily ever after' thing with him, saying he wouldn't blame her if she ran the other way in her new sneakers! Katie snickers. Nick asks if she can build a life with him and Jack. Katie says she loves him and Jack so much, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with them. He asks if that's a 'yes', and she giddily says it is! He puts the ring on her finger, saying, "Merry Christmas, Beautiful!"
Rick and Ridge step outside. Rick acknowledges that Ridge doesn't care for him, but thanks him for allowing him to be there with his family instead of in a jail cell. Ridge looks up at the sky, but doesn't respond.
Inside the Forrester house, Bridget finishes reading to the kids and Taylor brings out the stockings for the children to hang. Brooke catches Rick's eye and he smiles briefly at her. Steffy is melancholy as she hangs her stocking up. Taylor takes out Phoebe's stocking - the last one in the box - and Ridge embraces her as she grimaces in pain. She puts it back in and Ridge holds her again.
Ridge goes outside again and Brooke follows. She thanks him for putting up with Rick being there. She tells him he did a wonderful thing getting Taylor to come over there, saying it's no wonder she loves him so much! He takes her head in his hands and kisses her.
Inside, Taylor thanks Stephanie for being her rock. They embrace. Taylor turns and says she thanks God for this whole family. She says this is what Phoebe would want - for them to be celebrating their family. She says for the first time since she lost Phoebe, she's feeling joy instead of pain. "Merry Christmas to all of you." With that, Eric heads back to the piano and they all join in a rousing rendition of "Joy To the World!"
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