Thursday, December 22nd

Copyright Toni's Spoiler Site. Not to be republished.

Just as last year was the Victor show, this year, it's Nikki's turn. OMG she murmurs - as she awakens groggily. Checking her text message again, she gets out of the car - hoping to make it for Vikki's wedding.

Seconds later, she runs into the church. Opening the heavy wooden door, Nikki finds the church empty. Vikki? Billy? Hello!? Alone, she picks up a red bridal bouquet. I missed it all, she weeps. What is wrong with me - God help me, she sobs - please.

A hanky is held before a sobbing Nikki. Does the woman work here? She looks after things - but came to talk to Nikki. Many people are worried about her. John Abbott and Colonel Austin agree something must be done. That's not funny - who are you? Nikki scowls suspiciously - at her 'guardian angel'.

Nikki thinks she must be rip roaring drunk. Her angel can fly away now - she's a lost cause. The guardian angel talks of how strong Nikki was as a little girl - her mother killed in a car wreck - an abusive father. Flashback to Nikki's lecherous father advancing menacing on his 'little girl'. G.A. has known all about Nikki since the day she was born (and excuses her bad behavior). Flashback to big sister Casey - lecturing, then walking out on her wayward sister; I don't give a damn about you anymore! Then Nikki whining to Cash (she doesn't feel like a lady. Now a stripper, she feels like a tramp). Realtime, Nikki weeps - I'm nothing.

Running up the aisle and into the foyer, Nikki's startled to see her G.A. in front of her. Every sole has meaning, she says. What kind of mother misses her daughter's wedding? she snivels - Vikki will never forgive her. Take my hand - let's find out - please. And when Nikki does - they're transported to the Abbott's - to see what could have happened tonight.

Billy and Vikki play with Delia. Nikki can't blame them for not missing her - probably thought she'd show up drunk and cause a scene. But once Delia goes to bed, Vikki gets all maudlin - over a gift to her Mom. Sniveling over how she's let Vikki down, mother and daughter share a flashback - to when Vikki was a child.

And when Billy rejoins her, Vikki talks about her Mom - missing her at the wedding - for her not to show up ... I'm so afraid for her ... Don't ever think your kids don't want you around, G.A chimes in. Nikki weeps some more - as Vikki wishes she could help her mother. Hands in prayer mode, she appeals for some help.

Nikki talks of being selfish - not successful in her relationships or career - and then there's her alcoholism .. This young woman must be an angel - to be so kind to Nikki.

Nikki wishes she could go back - set a better example for her children. The G.A. knows Nick's had problems - but he knows what's important. And now they're at the tackhouse - Nick's reading to an older Faith - a story his Mom used to read to him. He's a devoted parent, Nikki praises - then flashing back to Nick as a teenager, regrets sending the kids to boarding school. Sharon arrives at the tackhouse - as invited by parent of the year Nick. As Faith colours, Nick credits thoughts of HIS Mom for changing his mind (on her coming over). This is the right thing. You're influence, the G.A. assures Nikki (who again flashes back a few years - another touching mother/son moment). You've always been the glue, G.A gushes - as Nick prays aloud for both his parents.

Nikki and her G.A. visit more people who're praying for her. At the mausoleum, Kay mopes to Murphy - No word from Nikki who's probably in a bar with strangers instead of with her family. Oh why didn't she come to me? Kay talks of how Nikki was always there for her. Flashback to a younger Kay - an emotional (but unable to cry) Kay - who's oh SO alone (about to bury her husband). Realtime - Nikki's invisible - as Kay prays for help for her BFF.

Back at the church, Nikki cries over the one person who's not home on Christmas Eve - because of her. It's time for you to see Victor, G.A. decides.

Victor's pouting in his cell - serving his 25 to life sentence. Oh how guilty Nikki feels - how much Victor must resent her. Flashback to Nikki's first kiss with the 'dirty stinker' - then their first kiss as man and wife. He's remembering everything we lost, Nikki opines. No - he's remembering how much he loves you.

Victor reads a front page article (he's the headline). The G.A. talks of Nikki fighting to pull Victor back (after Sabrina died). Flashback to Nikki enlisting Ashley's help - and then visiting him in the hospital. Realtime - the G.A. raves about their sacrifices for one another. Flashback to Victor oozing romance ~kiss~ Victor now prays aloud - asking the Lord to help Nikki (move on). I wanna go, Nikki's transported back to the church.

Thank you - Nikki couldn't handle seeing Victor so sad - behind bars. The G.A. insists that Nikki's is a life worth living - she's NOT nothing - she's everything to the people who love her.

Nikki wants to believe - but why did her G.A. come now - why is she worthy of forgiveness? After taking a woman's life. Nikki's not a murderer - her conscience is clear. She can't say who killed Diane - but Victor knows the truth. Oh no don't go - please, Nikki has so many questions - like what's the angels name? You can call me Mom, she disappears. Mom! Mom! Nikki runs out into the snow - sobbing. How could I not know? Mom - I need you!!!!

Mom! Nikki's delighted to find Vikki and Nick inside the church. I made it! Vikki wouldn't walk down the aisle without her. Hugging Kay, Nikki babbles about how happy she is to see them all. Victor's thinking about you - don't worry about him - or me. She promises everything will be alright. Left alone, Nikki dabs at her eyes - and it's happy tears - as she sees that the handkerchief is wrapped around a cross (which her Mom was wearing around her neck).

Next: We still need something blue, Nikki says. She, Chloe, Jill and Vikki all look upwards - when the lights go out. Do you think it's an omen? Vikki asks ... You didn't say anything to him about me having second thoughts did you? No - no, Daniel's quick to assure Chloe ... Poppy! Angie says brightly into her phone (still a passenger in Kevin's car). Where the hell are you!!?? Angelo can be heard bellowing.

My Thoughts: Nice that Nikki's got a guardian angel - but where was Diane's? When she was rendered paralyzed and bludgeoned to death with a rock? ... MTS is a fine actress - just look at the way she runs into the church - high heels on slushy pavement without a stun double .... Love me some Jeanne Cooper - but her acting back then wasn't terribly convincing (as evident in her 'Oh God help me' scene - as she buries her face into Nikki's hair - but not deeply enough to hide the fact that she hasn't managed to shed one tear)... Long time viewers will remember Quinn Redeker - who played Nikki's father - then was brought back decades later to play Rex Sterling, the bum Jill cleaned up and hired to woo Kay (before taking a fancy to herself). Amaze friends with this trivia tidbit; he was also nominated for an Oscar - for co-writing the Deer Hunter (1979)