Lily and Charlie join Cane at GCM. Lily wasn’t able to donate more blood but Charlie’s eager to help his little brother. When Charlie goes to fill out paperwork, Cane and Lily discuss Mattie not accepting the situation.
Reed meets Mattie on the CL’s patio – he snuck out to give her a silver bell ornament to honor their first Christmas together. Admitting that he swiped it off Victor’s tree, Reed kisses Mattie.
Nikki’s brought a bag of ornaments for the boys to put on the tree. Chelsea answers the phone and refuses to be bullied by Victor. She’s spending time with her family; Merry Christmas! Victor huh? Nikki appears to guess. Chelsea tells her that it’s unfair for Victor to try to make her choose. Nikki has an idea.
Back at the ranch, Sharon scolds Vikki for almost shutting down a story Scott almost lost his life for. Vikki’s sure he can handle his own battles. On cue, Scott appears to break it up. Abby’s next; hey. I need your help, she tells Scott. Sharon is not happy.
Charlie comes back to the waiting room to tell his parents that he wasn’t a match. Maybe Mattie is (he left her a message) As Cane’s saying he doesn’t want to pressure her, Mattie walks in to ask where the lab is so she can make this happen.
Getting Scott to run interference, Abby informs Victor that she’ll only report to him. That doesn’t fly but she’s able to appeal Vikki’s decisions. Across the room, Devon makes it clear to Scott that with Neil out of town he’s running the PR firm. No more interviews without permission. When Scott’s about to dish it right back, Sharon reminds that they’re at a party. Devon then goes over to welcome Noah and Tessa and ask all to gather together for a photo. Victor pulls Noah aside to rant about Tessa. She’s with you for your money. What she’s done is unforgivable. Noah looks torn.
Abby updates Scott that she’s back at NE, on her own terms. Faith comes over to observes that they’re under the mistletoe. But there’s only one woman Scott wants to kiss. As he grabs Sharon, Abby squirms – and Vikki watches. Nikki then arrives with Connor. Victor appreciates that; he’ll bring him home after the party (Nikki’s clearly not welcome to stay) Seeing that it’s a PR party, Nikki thinks Victor needs a lot of help. And when Devon asks her to stay, Victor agrees – for Newman.
Sharon and Scott leaving, Nikki will bring Faith home later. When Vikki and Sharon start going at it again, Scott hustles her out. As Victor excuses himself to see Connor, Nikki lends Vikki an ear as she grumbles about Abby and Victor; who Nikki’s been spending a lot of time with considering she ‘cut ties’. Nikki has her reasons.
Noah takes Tessa aside to confront her on what Victor told him. Why didn’t you tell me? Why are you with me? Grandpa thinks it’s about money. Tessa’s sorry Noah even has to ask – she stole the gun to keep her sister alive; kept the secret to give Noah deniability. She understands why he wouldn’t want to deal with all her crap. Noah almost melts as he hugs a teary Tessa.
Connor on his knee, the family gathered around as photos are taken, Victor gives Connor the honor of putting the gold star atop the Christmas tree (and a mention of time missed with Adam)