Shawn and Belle go to Shawn’s house, where he’s parents are not. He surprises her with a birthday party, complete with party hats. He has a tiara for Belle and crowns her the official belated birthday woman. He then gives her a present, a pinky ring with her birthstone in it. Later they play pin the tail on the donkey, and Belle wins a prize. It is a tape with a song on it that Belle says she loves. Belle and Shawn dance to the song, but soon end up doing some heavy making out. Belle says this is the right time, so the clothes start coming off, and then they hear Shawn’s parents come home! They quickly put things back together just as Hope and Bo walk in! Bo and Hope ask what they have been doing, and Belle says Shawn gave her a birthday party, and Shawn says they played birthday party games and ate cake. Belle and Shawn are nervous, and Bo and Hope are suspicious. Belle and Shawn clean up and get ready to leave. Bo tells Hope that if “it” hasn’t happened already, then it will soon, and they have to trust that Belle and Shawn will be responsible. Meanwhile, Shawn tells Belle that he will find the perfect time and the perfect place for them to be together.
At the hospital, Brandon sees Lexie and Abe kissing, and he doesn’t like it. Sami watches too and thinks that Lexie has told Abe that she is pregnant. Brandon confronts Lexie and tells her not to do this, but Abe says this is none of his concern. Brandon says it is! Sami tbegs Brandon not to do this. Lexie tells Abe that she needs to talk to Brandon, it wouldn’t be right for her to turn her back on him now. She says she just wants to let him know what is going on, and she assures Abe that she does not owe Brandon an explanation. Lexie goes off with Brandon, and Abe tells Sami that he hopes she knows what she is doing with him. Meanwhile, Lexie tells Brandon that her decision to be with Abe is her decision, and she doesn’t know why it is any of his concern. Brandon says he just wants her to think about this. Lexie says she has always loved Abe, and the things she said about him were said out of hurt and anger, for her need to blame someone. She asks Brandon to just be happy for her and not end their friendship over this. He says he won’t, and he will let her live her own life. She thanks him. Abe and Lexie go somewhere private to talk, and she tells Abe that she is pregnant. Abe is of course thrilled. Lexie, however, suddenly realizes that the baby could be Brandon’s, and it throws her for a loop. He asks what is wrong, and she says she is just in shock that they are back together and having a baby.
Brandon and Sami end up back at Sami’s place, and Sami asks him to make love to her right now! Brandon tells her that they need protection, but Sami says they don’t! Brandon, however, refuses to risk getting her or anyone pregnant. Sami asks him “Really, never?” Brandon insists he’s always uses protection, and Sami says okay. Brandon wonders what is going on with her because she of all people should know why it is so important to be careful when having sex. He wonders if she is trying to get pregnant to hold onto him, and he tells her not to worry because she has him and nothing will come between them. They end up in a huge argument, and Brandon ends up leaving. Sami knows if this baby is Brandon’s it will ruin everything!
At the penthouse, Marlena wakes up and remembers her dream from the island. She tells John that in the dream she was tired and trying to stay away, but a man with a syringe was telling her to sleep. He asks if it was Stefano, but she says it wasn’t. She says she does remember saying “It will break and fall” and she recalls that she was afraid for something, and she was trying to protect them. John asks who she was trying to protect? Marlena says doesn’t remember.
At the mansion, Tony reads his father diary and says he had no idea what happened so many years ago, and he vows to get revenge on them for what they did to his family. He is also furious because he says these secrets his father has shared with him can’t help him because they are in fact a curse!
Marlena goes for a walk in the park to think about her dream, and there she runs into Tony. Marlena asks if he is following her, but he says no he was going for a walk and saw her sitting here on the bench. He says he thought he would ask her if she was okay. Tony ends up ranting and raving at her about helping her patients recover their amnesia, and how he wishes he could just forget what he knows. Marlena asks Tony what he found out tonight? Tony just laughs and tells Marlena that unlike what everyone thinks, the DiMera’s were not given a choice to play the bad guys, and they did not take the role willingly! He says the DiMeras would not allow themselves to be kicked around by others, so his father and his father’s father took up the role of the phoenix, and now nothing is left but for him to take up the role as well. Tony ends up leaving, and John shows up and finds Marlena. He doesn’t like the idea of her being out here alone. She tells him that she wasn’t alone, she was with Tony. John is not happy about that, but she says they just talked about how a person’s past can infect their future.
Tony returns home and begins thinking about the blue key and the Gemini twins and how he has so many things left to learn. He says he now knows what the Brady’s have done to his family, and all the years they have called them evil, when the truth is that they committed the first crime. Tony says the Brady’s tried to destroy them, and he must make them pay!
Sami calls the hospital to talk to Brandon. Will shows up, looking for his boots and gloves. Sami asks Brandon to meet up with her, but he says there is no way they can meet. Sami thinks he is shutting her out, but he says he is just too busy with patients and has to go. She thinks they can work out whatever he misunderstood, but he says he doesn’t think so and hangs up! Sami takes Will to school, and then heads to her dad’s place. Sami walks in on Roman and Kate about to do the horizontal mambo on the couch, and she flips. She accuses Kate of using her father, so Roman tells her to leave! Sami tells Kate that she hates her for this! Sami runs out, and Kate runs after her. Sami warns Kate to stay away from her father or Victor’s plan to bury her will seem like a picnic compared to what she will do. Kate goes back to Roman, who says he’ll get the locks changed today. Kate tells him that Lucas and Billie won’t approve either, and Phillip wants her back with Victor. Kate doesn’t want to lose her children, and Roman says he doesn’t want her to. Roman says they can do this on the sly, they could forget it all, or they could go for it and take the flack from their kids. He likes the last choice, and asks what her choice is. Kate says that this can’t happen again and it is over. Roman says it doesn’t feel over, but Kate says it will feel over once she is gone. He asks for a goodbye kiss, and they get hot and heavy all over again.
At the hospital, Nicole gets a clean bill of health on her latest exam. He thinks she should make an appointment with the fertility specialist, but Nicole says it is too soon after the shooting. She says she wants a child, but she is not yet emotionally healed. Victor says off course, and she is still so young. Victor suggests they talk about the wedding. He suggests a New Years Eve wedding, and then when Brandon shows up, he thinks they should tell him. Nicole says they can’t! Victor asks why not? Nicole claims she just doesn’t want to get anyone excited if another wedding ceremony goes belly up. Victor heads back to Titan, but not before saying that they will do lunch. Nicole goes to see Brandon and tells him that she got a clean bill of health from the doctor. He is happy for her. She realizes something is brothering Brandon. Brandon says Sami is keeping something from him, and he hates that. They soon end up talking about Victor, and Brandon tells her that she will never be happy with Victor because she does not love him.
Nancy wakes up in her hospital bed to find Craig spent the night with her again. Nancy tells Craig that if anything should happen to her, she doesn’t want him to let anything happen to the baby. She says she doesn’t want their baby taken to save her life. She wants Craig to promise to honor her wishes. He says he will not lose her or their baby, he will fight for both of them. Craig tells Nancy that Chloe is home, and she knows about the baby. Nancy is afraid Chloe will give up hope, but Craig says there is no reason for her or any of them to give up hope. Later, Marlena talks to Craig while Nancy gets examined. She offers to talk to him if he wants to, but he says that is okay. Marlena ends up convincing Craig to talk to her, and as they talk, Sami bursts in. Sami apologizes, and Craig says it is okay. Craig says he has to go anyway. Sami begs her mom for help because her life is over! Sami says her dad needs her help, he is falling for Kate’s sleazy advances. Marlena says that her father is allowed to see whomever he wants. Marlena wants to know what is really going on with her. Sami tells her mom about her troubles with Brandon. She wants to know how to make things better, but Marlena says she doesn’t know if she and Brandon belong together. However, Marlena suggests she give him space and apologize, and if the relationship is real and solid, it will work out.
Sami goes to see Brandon and she tells him that she is sorry. Brandon asks what she was really up to last night?
Brady goes to see Marlena to talk to her about his problems with Chloe. He says while they were away, Chloe was the happiest he’d ever seen her. However, he says when they came back, things just fell apart. Brady explains what has happened, and how Chloe is pushing him away because she fears anyone who cares about her will end up getting hurt. Marlena asks Brady if he loves Chloe, but realizes that is a personal question. She asks about Chloe and what is going on, so he tells her. Marlena says the first thing Chloe needs to do is get rid of this “I don’t deserve” idea going on in her head. Marlena says those are self-destructive thoughts, and she needs to know she deserves the best. She tells him that whenever she expresses such thoughts, he should listen to her, and then tell her that those thoughts are invalid. She says if these suggestions don’t work, she will see Chloe as a patient. Brady thanks Marlena for the advice.
Brady shows up at Dot.com and runs into Phillip. He asks how her trip was? He says he know she went away with Brady. Chloe says she is in a hurry, and Phillip thinks Brady is waiting. She says he isn’t, and he asks if Brady has done something to her? She says no, it is not Brady, it is her, she was wrong. Phillip thinks Chloe is saying she made a mistake about Brady, and tells her that together the two of them can do anything. Phillip thinks Chloe has come back to him, but she tells him that she is not getting back together with him, and she is not with Brady. She says she can’t be with anyone. Phillip thinks something has happened to her, but she says no not her. She tells him that Nancy and the baby are in danger and it is because of her. Phillip tries to convince Chloe that things will work out, but Chloe says things never work out for her and she will never get what she really wants. Phillip asks if what she really wants is Brady? Chloe says she is leaving, but Phillip refuses to let her stay in this bad mood. Chloe says she doesn’t need this, but Brady shows up and says she does. Brady tells Chloe that they have to go to the hospital to see Nancy. Chloe says she can’t go just yet, but Brady says she has to. Phillip tells Brady not to hammer her, but Chloe knows Brady is right. Brady drives Chloe to the hospital, and Phillip once again thinks Brady is ruining everything for him and Chloe.
Victor goes to Dot.com and wants to talk to Phillip. Victor tells Phillip that he and Nicole have set a wedding date for New Years Eve. Phillip congratulates his father, and he says he wish Chloe was doing as well as Nicole. They talk, and Victor tells Phillip that he has to accept that Chloe has chosen to be with Brady. Phillip says he is a Kiriakis, and they never give up when it comes to love. Victor says he has him there.
Brady takes Chloe to the hospital, and he begs her not to shut him out. Chloe tells her that they are back in Salem now, not on the road living a fantasy. Brady says what they felt was real then and it is real now. Chloe says it was a mistake. Brady tells her to listen to her heart, not her fears. Brady says he loves her. Chloe says he will only get hurt, so he shouldn’t waste her love on a dead person. Brady tells her not to say that ever again! Brady hugs her, and then she decides to go in to see Nancy. Craig shows up and tells Chloe to remain calm when she’s with Nancy. Chloe says she knows what to do, and she goes to see Nancy. Chloe goes into see Nancy and fakes a happy attitude as best as she can. Nancy asks about the trip, but Chloe wants to know how Nancy is. Nancy says Craig is hovering over her. Nancy wants to know everything about her trip in the mountains. Chloe says it was quiet, beautiful, but very cold. Chloe does her best to cheer her mom up, and she assures her that she will be here for her. Nancy tells Chloe that she is the best medicine she could have, and she loves her so much.
Chloe goes back out to see Craig. She says Nancy seems fine, and she’s going to come back later with some of Nancy’s things from home. Brady wants to talk with Chloe, but Chloe doesn’t. She thinks trying to help Nancy is just a waste of time because there is nothing they can do to save them.
Meanwhile, Jen is shopping for books when Jack and Billie show up together. Jack suggests they go to the Java Café, but Jen tells him not to leave and to please stop avoiding her. Jack, however, would rather avoid her. Jen tries to talk to Billie and tell her how glad she is that she is okay. Billie ends up blowing up about how she might be alive, but she is far from okay. Billie thanks both Jack and Jen for everything they have done for her, but she knows that Horton’s and the Brady’s stick together and they are all against her. Jack and Jen begin arguing again, and Billie decides to leave them to talk. Jen tell Jack to consider what he would do if his daughters life was on the line and he had to make a split second decision. They soon end up in an argument about last night. Jen thinks he is still trailing her and Collin around, but he says he wasn’t and he proved that last night when he left the Blue Note so they could be alone. Jen asks why he did that, because he doesn’t care anymore? Jack says he couldn’t have said it better himself!
Billie ends up spending time with Phillip and they talk about letting go of a lost love. Phillip ends up asking her what is going on with her and Jack. She says they have gone out a few times, but she really doesn’t know what is going on. Later, Phillip ends up sending Chloe an email. Meanwhile, Jack and Billie make a date for dinner. At the same time, Jen gives Collin a call and makes a date with him.
At Hartly House, Rex helps Mimi study for her finals. As they study, Rex sees his name in her notes with a heart around it. He asks what that means? Mimi says she just meant that she would just love for Rex to explain this part of the lecture to her.
Shawn goes to Belle’s room, but she isn’t in her room. Cassie shows up, and he and Cassie begin studying for finals. Cynthia snoops and takes things the wrong way. However, she soon realizes that they are only studying together. Cassie ends up putting the moves on Shawn by giving him a massage to stimulate his brainwaves. Cynthia realizes what Cassie is really after, and thinks Shawn is so clueless. They eventually begin studying, and Shawn thinks there is no way he’s going to pass this test.
Cynthia goes downstairs and tells Mimi while she hits on Rex, Cassie is upstairs hitting on Shawn. Rex doesn’t understand the concept of hitting on someone, and Mimi tells Cynthia to get lost before she can explain it. Belle returns to go study, and Cynthia follows her to spy on the hell she thinks is going to break loose. Back in Cassie and Belle’s room, Shawn gets all the answers on his practice test right and tells Cassie that he owes her. She says this is what she wants, grabs him, and kisses him. On cue, Belle walks in and catches them! Shawn tries to explain, and he asks Cassie if she can leave them alone. Cassie says okay, and she leaves. Belle tells Shawn that she doesn’t blame him, Cassie and Rex both have crushes on them and they have to get them to get over these crushes. They end up making out, and talk about their big night after finals.
Out in the hall, Cynthia tells Cassie that she will help her get Shawn. They spy on Belle and Shawn and learn that they are planning to make love. Cynthia promises Cassie that she will help her stop them. Mimi catches Cassie with Cynthia and warns Cynthia to leave Cassie alone. Cynthia says they are best friends now, and she is helping Cassie get the man of her dreams!
At the hospital, Abe and Lexie go to meet with Dr. Bader to talk about their baby. Brandon sees them go into Dr. Bader’s office and wonders what is going on. Sami shows up with some coffee for Brandon, and he asks her if she’s going to give him an answer about last night. Sami says she was just so turned on last night that she couldn’t wait, but Brandon accuses her of trying to get pregnant. Sami says that is not what she was trying to do, and insist that she just got caught up in the passion. She begs him for his forgiveness, and Brandon caves and gives in. Brandon has to go back to work, and Sami goes to work to make sure Brandon does not find out he is the father of Lexie’s baby, if he is the father.
Meanwhile, Abe and Lexie have their meeting with Dr. Bader to discuss amneocentisis, ultrasounds, and other such procedures that need to be done. They come out of the office and Brandon spies on them and learns that Lexie is pregnant. Abe heads back to the office, and Brandon confronts Lexie. As he does, Sami spies on them. Brandon thinks the baby is his and can’t believe she is bonding with Abe over this. Lexie says that this is not his baby, they used protection and she and Abe didn’t. Brandon tells her that she should know nothing is one hundred percent! Lexie says she knows this is Abe’s baby, a woman knows these things! She tells Brandon to let it go and storms off. Brandon catches Sami spying on them and wants to know how much she has heard. Sami says she just walked up to him and wanted to know if he wanted to go to lunch. She asks if he is hiding something from her, but he says he is not. He says he’s just trying to help a patient in deep denial. Sami ends up taking off, and Brandon continues to believe the baby is his.
Abe and Lexie meet at Dot.Com, and Abe is so happy to be back with Lexie. He tells her that the best is yet to come.
As Bo, Hope, and Zack trim the Christmas tree, Hope sees an apparition of Larry in the basement. Bo comes running when he hears her scream; she tries to cover, but he's still worried about her. Later, Hope sees Larry again, leaving her fearful that she's losing her mind...
Colin overhears Nicole telling Kate about her upcoming nuptials to Victor and learns that Nicole is in possession of five million dollars from a past bribe from Victor. He coaxes Nicole to go back to his room with him and lures her into his bed. Colin's instincts are more mercenary as he plans a future away from Salem with Nicole's money - and Jennifer. After Nicole has left, he gets a call from Larry, who instructs him to be at Raymond Grant's office tomorrow morning. Colin hangs up and says it's time to kill Bo...
At Collin’s hotel room, Tony drops by and demands Collin prove his loyalty to him. He suspects Larry Welch is still alive, and he orders collin to bring Larry to him dead or alive. Tony wants revenge on the man who framed his sister. After Tony leaves, Larry calls Collin and tells him to move on with the next part of their plan.
At Bo and Hope’s, Shawn and Belle show up, but Belle doesn’t want to go inside because she is afraid to face his parents after being caught making out with Shawn last time. She says has Christmas shopping to do anyways, and she takes off.
Inside, Bo and Hope are decorating the tree. Hope panics when she thinks she sees Larry looking in the window, and Bo calms her down. Shawn comes in, and they ask where Belle is? HE says she had some shopping to do, but tells them she felt embarrassed about what happened last time. Hope tells him that is silly, and that Belle is always welcomed here.
Later, Collin shows up with a Christmas gift for Bo and Hope, some Irish Whiskey. He says it is a thank you for inviting him to Thanksgiving. Bo says his father invited him, and Bo remains cold to Collin. Collin fishes around to see what Bo and Hope have planned for the holidays, but gets no information out of Bo. Bo warns him to not cause trouble for his family, and he says that includes Victor. He tells Collin not to do anything to ruin Victor and Nicole’s wedding. Collin says he thinks Nicole is making a mistake, but it is her mistake to make. Collin eventually leaves, and thinks about how happy it will make him to kill his cousin.
At Rolfe’s office at the University, he continues to brainwash the twins. There is a problem with Cassie, who doesn’t want to be loyal to the DiMera’s. She says her first priority is not protecting them, it is to make Shawn hers! Rolfe tweaks his control and gets her in line, but remains troubled when after he sets them free they leave to go buy Belle and Shawn Christmas gifts.
At Dot.Com, Marlena is shopping when she runs into Tony. He asks her to help him shop for the twins, so she agrees. She decides to fish for information, telling Tony he was right the other day when he was talking about the past and how some things are best left there. They talk, and Marlena gets the feeling Tony may know that he and John are brothers.
Back at the penthouse, Belle talks with her dad about Christmas shopping for mom, Sami, and Brady. She gives him some ideas, and also sees he is troubled. He tells her that he’s worried about the twins, but she tells him that the twins aren’t evil. She says he has a phoenix tattoo and that doesn’t make him a DiMera, but even if he was then she wouldn’t love him any less.
At the DiMera mansion, the twins go to the basement to hide the gifts they bought Shawn and Belle, because Belle told them it was tradition. They stumble upon the secret room and the painting of Marlena. In walks Tony, and he claims it is a gift for Marlena. Later, Tony tells Rolfe that he has actually decided to give the portrait to Marlena as a Christmas gift.
Back at Dot.Com, Belle meets up with Shawn, who says he has found the perfect day for them to be together. He gives her a gift as a clue. It is an ornament with a sun on it, and he says it is the symbol for the winter solstice. Belle knows that is December 22nd, which is coming up. The two kiss, and in walk the twins. Cassie tells Rex that she WILL make Shawn love her.
Once again we return to the penthouse. Marlena talks with John and she tells him that she thinks Tony knows the truth, that they are brothers. John refuses to believe he is Tony’s brother, until Shane calls and confirms it!