General Hospital - DAILY UPDATES

Felicia is admiring the Christmas tree at the Scorpio house as Maxie comes down the stairs and asks why she's still in town? Felicia turns to her eldest daughter and says that they need to discuss what happened at the funeral. Maxie says that she'd do it again if given the chance. She asks how Felicia can manage to be home for Christmas this year, but couldn't every other year when Georgie was hoping she'd show up. Mac comes and says that they are all grieving and need each other. "We need Felicia tonight and she needs us," he gently says.

At the hospital, Luke wakes up from a nap to find Skye sitting with him. She tells him that she'll be waiting for him when his surgery is over, but Tracy comes in and throws her out. Luke tells Tracy that she's being selfish and mean-spirited so that can only mean one thing - her conscience will kick in no time. Just then, Alan appears right on cue. He talks to her about how much she needs to hear the Christmas story tonight because she has forgotten how to be generous of spirit. Lulu arrives, so Alan stops taking. Luke tells Tracy and Lulu that he wants a "Viking funeral". He says that he wants to be laid in a row boat, set aflame and then pushed out into the harbor. Tracy quips that wouldn't be any fun unless he was alive. Luke chuckles and then says he wants to be cremated and then everyone can have a drink on him and listen to Sinatra music. Bobbie comes in and tells them that it's time for surgery.

Kate is back in Manhattan and Clarisse is all abuzz about the A-list party that Kate is going to tonight. When Kate is dressed for the party, the door buzzes and Kate hopes it's Sonny, but it's her driver calling from downstairs.

Sonny is in a foul mood at home. He demands that Mac get the walkways shoveled again and Jason asks Sonny what's going on with him. Sonny snaps that it's about time he cuts his hair. Jason asks Sonny if he gets to see his kids on the holiday and Sonny says that Alexis took Kristina out of town, but the boys will come tomorrow. Then he explains that Kate left for Manhattan because she isn't suited for this life. Neither is Elizabeth, Jason adds.

Over at Carly's house, she's in a snit as they hurry to wrap presents before the hospital party. Suddenly she feels ill and passes out for a minute. Jax scoops her up and gives her some water. He asks if she's pregnant, but Carly says it's just a touch of the flu. She tells the boys to go ahead to the party with Jax and she'll stay home and rest.

Sonny goes over to Carly's house and asks her what's with the pajamas. She says that she's not feeling well, but he can wait for the boys to get home if he wants. She can tell that something is wrong with him, but he won't admit it. Finally, she guesses that Kate has left him. Before long, Jax and the boys come home. The boys give Sonny their gifts and Sonny says that since Carly isn't feeling well, they should do their Christmas together on the 26th. Carly asks if he's sure, and he says that it's no problem.

Back at GH, Dr. Julian starts Luke's surgery and Luke is immediately out of his body and in limbo somewhere. Big golden gates open to welcome him and he can't believe his luck. Soon a piano player starts playing and Luke finds a glass of scotch waiting for him next to the keyboard. He appreciates every drop of it and then notices a microphone on a stage. He walks up to it and recites, "The end is near, I face the final curtain. My friend, I'll say it clear, and state my case of which I'm certain. I have lived a life that's full. I traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way." He starts to sing-song his words until finally he's full-out singing (and quite nicely!). He sings of regrets, steps along the byway, and as the song goes on you stop thinking about Frank Sinatra or Elvis and this song seems to belong to Lucas Lorenzo Spencer. "For what is a man, what has he got, if not himself, then he has not…the record shows, I took the blows and did it my way." After the song ends, Luke seems empowered and satisfied to face whatever comes next.

He decides to walk into the gates, but first stops to speak of the writings of Normal Mailer. He says that he doesn't want "awe" or "pity" and had a hell of a ride. Then, Luke reaches into his pockets and finds tons of cash. He laughs his fool off and says that money does matter! He says that riding in a pink Cadillac and drinking the best booze in the house is worth something. Then he winds down and says that money can't bring back someone you love or rewind a wasted life. He says that he spent his money and everyone else's, too. He also admits being careless with the people who loved him, but they loved him anyway. And that had nothing to do with money, he says. He realizes that what you can take with you is people and experiences - that is the big secret to life he decides. Luke takes a big sigh, steps into the gates and they clang behind him.

"And the Angle said to them 'fear not for unto you is born this day in the city of David…" Alan reads to Tracy as she waits in Luke's room. She wants him to stop, but he reads on. Finally Dillon comes in and she is thrilled to see him. She gives into her fear and hugs her son and Alan tells her "Merry Christmas."

Back at Carly's house, she is giving the boys a lesson in shaking presents when Jason arrives. Carly asks who he cut his hair for and Jason ignores her. He gives the boys presents, but they insist that he opens his first. It's a picture of Michael, Morgan and Emily. Jason is clearly touched.

Kate arrives back at her penthouse after the party and the first thing she does is check the front desk for messages. There are none and she sadly wishes the operator a Merry Christmas. Back in Port Charles, Sonny goes home and apologizes to Max for snapping at him earlier. He asks if anyone called and Mac says no. Sonny tells him to go home and be with his family. After he leaves, Sonny rattles around his empty house and finally gives up and goes upstairs.

Luke's voice serenades us with "I'll be home for Christmas" as we see the following:

Felicia is curled up in Mac's arms when Maxie hands her a present.

Dr. Julian is hard at work in the OR, while Luke's family waits anxiously in the waiting room.

Carly and her little family are having fun taking pictures of each other as they wait for Santa to come.

Liz and Cam are hanging stockings as Jake looks on. Also looking on is Jason - through the window.

Luke walks right through the light.

Next on General Hospital:

Robin tells Liz that she and Patrick spent the night together.

Carly is shocked to learn what Michael wants to be when he grows up.

Trevor goes to Kate and offers her job back.

Sonny tells Diane to find a way to get Kate back!

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