It is early Christmas morning. Almost everyone is still asleep. Laura is awake and has made a pot of coffee and opens the front door to an eager Jack.

Jack -- Morning.

Laura -- Merry Christmas.

Jack -- I wanted to get up early before Abby woke up.

Laura -- Everyone is still sleeping. (she kisses Jack) Merry Christmas.

Jack -- Merry Christmas, Laura.

Laura -- So, would you like some coffee?

Jack -- Great idea.

Laura -- Come on in. (they go into the living room)

Jack -- (he places some bags with gifts under the tree) You know, I thought that I'd be spending Christmas with my family this year, but now that Jennifer has married Peter and Abby has a new stepfather . . .

Laura -- Jack, Peter is being very understanding. He doesn't have to share Abby with you today.

Jack -- Yeah I know, I know. (she hands him a cup of coffee) Thanks.

Laura -- You know you'd be so much happier if you would just accept that it is over with Jen. Jack, she takes he vows very seriously.

Jack -- (he slurps the coffee) I know. I'm not trying to split them up. But I'll never stop loving Jennifer. (he slurps some more) If I knew that Peter was half the man that she thinks he is, I would wish her all the happiness in the world. But he's not. He's a crook and he's deceiving her. If Jennifer and Abby are in trouble, I'm going to be here to stop it.

Laura -- You have got to stop accusing him without proof.

Jack -- Well it's possible that I may be on to the truth.

Laura -- How this time?

Jack -- Jude St.Clair. He was involved in drugs and who knows what else. He came to Aremid to meet someone. If it wasn't Tony . . .

Laura -- You think that Jude St. Clair was working for Peter?

Jack just smiles with his eyes wide open.

Laura -- What makes you think that there's a connection between Peter and Jude St. Clair?

Jack -- (puts down the cup of coffee) Listen, just a hunch. But when I was in jail the other day, I heard two guys mention Peter Blake's name.

Laura -- So, what did they say?

Jack -- They only mentioned his name, but when I questioned them about it, they completely clamed up.

Laura -- Jack, he's a lawyer. I mean he must have lost a few cases.

Jack -- Yeah. He's a corrupt and a rotten lawyer and I'm going to prove it.

Laura -- Can't you let it go? Just for today.

Jack -- Don't worry, Laura. I'm not going to ruin Christmas for Abigail. (all smiles) I think I'm going to go and check and see if she's awake.

Laura -- Wait, wait wait. I have something for you.

Jack -- Laura, I feel bad. I only bought presents for Abigail.

Laura -- (hands him a wrapped gift) I didn't expect anything from you. I just wanted to say thank you for our friendship. Merry Christmas, Jack.

Jack -- Merry Christmas. This is sweet. (opens it) So what is it?

Laura -- Well open it!

He opens it. ANY GUESSES?

Jack -- Laura it's beautiful. (IT'S A SCARF -- he places it around his neck) Thanks. Merry Christmas. (he hugs her and she gets all hot and bothered) Well, I'm going to go check on Abby.

Meanwhile, Peter and Jennifer are awake in bed. Peter gives Jennifer his gift to her. It's a pair of his grandmother's earrings. Abby makes some noise and runs into the room and hops into the bed with Jennifer and Peter. She wants to see what Santa brought for her. At this exact moment, Jack walks by in the hallway and sees the picture that he imagined he would be a part of. He doesn't say a word.

Abby soon notices Jack.

Abby -- Daddy! (she runs to him)

Jack -- Hey! Merry Christmas. (he picks her up)

Abby -- Merry Christmas, dad-dee.

Jack -- Hey let's go see what Santa brought you. But first we have to get your robe.

Jennifer -- We'll be right down.

Jack -- Alright, let's go find your room. Is it down here? (they go down the hall)

Jennifer can sense that Peter is uncomfortable but she says that it is only for one day. Peter puts on a pleasant face for Jennifer.

Downstairs, Jennifer and Abby have a little heart to heart. Laura is sorry that things are tense for the season, but she tells Jennifer that she loves her.

Jennifer -- I've been thinking about all the Christmas holidays that I didn't spend with you, cause you couldn't be with me. But now you're here and I want to make it good.

Laura -- I do too. (they hug)

Jennifer -- I've been trying to forget about what happened between you and Jack, but it might take me a little time.

Some time passes and Laura, Jennifer, Abby, Mickey, Maggie, Peter, Kristen and Jack are once again singing Christmas carols and remembering past holiday seasons. Laura looks longingly at Jack, who only has eyes for Jennifer, who is preoccupied with Peter and Abby. It begins to snow outside and the whole gang goes out onto the back patio.

Maggie and Laura are talking while eating some Christmas cookies. Maggie asks about the scarf that Laura got for Mike. Laura, uncomfortable, just clams up. Jennifer has overheard the conversation. Just then, Jack walks in with Mike. They want to get some wood for a fire.

Jack -- Well there is plenty of old stuff around. I'll just go outside and get some firewood.

He puts on the scarf in front of Jennifer and she is noticeably angered. There are still problems for Jack and Jennifer and Jennifer and Laura.

END

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