Phillip opened his present from Rick and it was a list of boarder rules. The doorbell rang and Michelle opened it. It was J at the door who came by to drop off a present for her. Michelle opened the gift and it was a picture that J had taken of her. Ross asked J if he would do a Marler family portrait. Lucy and Alan-Michael arrived. Meta told everybody what to do. Blake wanted to go to her mother's, but Ross wanted to stay for Phillip. Phillip told Rick that he missed Lizzie and Beth.

Meta answered the door and it was Zachary who Michelle was delighted to see. Michelle showed Zachary the travel jewelry her father gave her. Michelle invited him to dinner and Zachary agreed to stay. Michelle gave Zach a present. It was a blanket with a lighthouse on it.

Rick and Abby kissed under the mistletoe. Lucy went over to Alan-Michael who said that despite their differences, he cared about Phillip. Lucy encouraged Alan-Michael to go over to Phillip and tell him he loved him. Phillip replied that he loved Alan-Michael also.

Meta went over to Zachary and told him that she knew he couldn't stay away. She told him that she remebered her other Zachary gave Mary a silver bracelet and she wondered what happened to it.

Abby looked at an ornament on the tree and Rick commented that she must miss her family. Abby replied that she did, but that she was glad to be there with him. Everyone sat down to dinner and prayed.

Blake told Ross that no matter what else, she loved him and he replied that he loved her also and that would never change.

They all decided to go caroling. Zach helped Meta on with her coat and she noticed his bracelet and exclaimed that it was the same one. Zach said that he would explain everything later.

At the Carousel, Josh thought of his meeting at Laurel Falls with Reva. Annie came in and Josh asked her what she was doing out there. Annie wanted him to make her and the kids blueberry pancakes. A man dressed in Victorian clothes dropped by with a special delivery. He handed them an invitation to a party at the Country Club. Annie tried to figure out who sent it, but Josh said he wasn't going to go because he didn't know who was holding it. The kids came by and Annie told them about the party. The kids got excited and begged Josh to go and he relented.

Reva thought of her mother and Buzz came downstairs. Reva wanted Buzz to understand what went on with Josh at Laurel Falls. Buzz didn't want to talk about it on their first Christmas together. The doorbell rang and it was the messenger who delivered another invitation. Reva and Buzz decided not to go. Buzz gave her a present which was a metal nameplate with "Buzz and Reva's Place" inscribed on it. Reva gave Buzz a sweater.

Frank, Eleni, Marina, Marcus, and Dahlia showed up. Eleni noticed that Reva and Buzz had gotten an invitation also and convinced the two of them to go.

Hawk, who was waiting tables at the Country Club, told someone that he couldn't wait to se the looks on people's faces when they saw "him." Hawk put out food and Hart and Dinah arrived. Dinah apologized for blowing it with the ice show. Hart and Dinah talked to Hawk who told them they would have to wait to see who was holding the party. Dinah and Hart were kissing when Matt, Quint, Nola, Bill and Bridget arrived. Josh, Annie, and the kids arrived and Josh was trying to figure out who was giving the party when Billy revealed himself as the host. Josh and Billy hugged and then Billy hugged Bill. Bily explained that he was out on furlough and that beginning next week, he would be living in a halfway house. Bill thought back to talking to H.B. and Henry, Bily went over to Hawk and asked where Reva was.

Bridget took Peter over to Hart and Dinah apologized to him. Peter gave Hart a picture of him and Hart together. Dinah had Hart's gift wheeled in and he uncovered it. The present was an expensive show saddle. Hart sat Peter on the saddle.

Billy told Josh that Hamp told him Annie was pregnant and wanted to know why Josh wasn't excited about it. Reva came up and hugged Billy. Annie and the kids came over and Marah and Shayne hugged Reva. Annie asked Josh to dance. Billy wanted to know what was going on between Reva and Josh. Reva told him to shut up and dance.

Nola insisted Matt dance with her. Matt thought back to the Fifth Street fire and being with Vanessa. Billy came up to Matt and told him that he needed to get on with his life. Billy then asked Josh to read the Christmas story. Billy and Josh talked about H.B. and Josh thought back to H.B.'s visit this past summer.

On a plane, Jenna told little Henry Cooper Bradshaw that she knew Buzz would love him.

The Bauer party came over and sang Christmas carols at the Country Club.

Roger visited Amanda in prison and told her he was there to set her free. Amanda was a little bitter that Alan would have her imprisoned on Christmas Eve. He asked her to consider a small proposal once she was set free. Roger then asked the guard to send for the DA and flashed her a badge.

Roger ordered the DA to release Amanda and told him to check his credentials. The man asked if he was supposed to be impressed and Roger told him to call this important FBI guy at headquarters. The DA called and Roger's story was verified. The DA then said he had made a mistake, and commented that Roger had friends in high places. He then ordered Amanda to be released. Amanda asked what Roger had on the FBI man and Roger replied that the man was very photogenic. On the plane back to Springfield, Roger told Amanda he wanted to be more than her ally. Roger and Amanda toasted their new partnership.

Alex came downstairs and tried to get Alan to eat, but he was intent on working on countering Roger. Alex tried to convince him that he was worrying needlessly. Alan tried to warn Alex that Roger was very dangerous and that Amanda could get out of prison and he wanted to be ready.

Nick and Susan came hime and Alex was happy to see them. Nick said that they flew back because they heard of Amanda's arrest and that Alex deserved better than what Alan had to offer. Nick was angry that Alan would send his own daughter to prison. Nick tried to convince Alex to distance herself from Alan. Nick and Susan then invited Alex to come and travel with them. Alex was flattered and said that Alan deserved what Amanda and Roger dished up after what he did to Amanda. Alex didn't want to make any decisions until she knew Amanda and Roger didn't pose a threat.

At the hospital, a doctor asked Abby if she would come over to his house to type in some files. Rick heard that and told the doctor that she was an employee and wouldnt be going to his house. Rick suggested he ask Dan in data processing for help and the doctor left. Rick said he should have warned Abby about him because he was a known lecher. Abby was upset with him for interfering and told him she knew what the doctor was up to. Rick said he was trying to protect her, but she said he couldn't protect her from everything. Rick apologized and Abigail told him she had a mind of her own. Rick primised to do better. He then kissed her and they left.

Annie and the kids took down decorations and Josh came in. Annie wanted to have New Year's alone with him, but Josh said he wasn't going to be there. The kids went back to the house. Josh told Annie that something had come up. He told her that H.B. had called him from Europe and that he wanted Josh to handle a deal for him. Annie wanted to go with him, but Josh insisted on going alone. Josh explained that he wanted the kids to stay with Buzz and Reva which made Annie upset. She got angry and threw the ornaments at him.

She ws apologetic and agreed to stay home and take care of herself. Josh told her he ws just trying to do what was right. Annie promised to double up on meetings. Annie claimed she was fine with this. Josh said goodbye to Annie and kissed her. After he was gone, Annie called he fertility clinic to talk to Fran.

Reva tried to call her mother's lawyer to find out about her sibling. Buzz came downstairs and asked why she was up so early. Buzz wanted to know what she and Josh were doing at Laurel Falls. Buzz then told her she could talk to him about anything. He sensed she was keeping a secret. Reva filled him in on her mother's deathbed wish to find her illegitimate child. She then said that he was the only one she told this too. He was pleased she confided in him and not Josh, but still wanted to know what she met with Josh about.

Reva said that Josh was worried about Annie's recovery and how it would affect the kids. The phone rang and it was Josh who wanted her to take the kids for a few days while he was out of town. Reva checked with Buzz and told Josh it was fine with them. Buzz asked if she was telling him the truth when she said she didn't say anything to Josh about Sarah. She said yes and he thanked her for trusting him.

The kids arrived and Buzz opened the door to them. Reva hugged them. The kids and Buzz went outside to pick up wood for a fire. Josh thanked her for watching the kids. He told her Annie was afraid of lising him and that he couldn't continue with Annie the way things were. He wanted to be with her, but couldn't walk away from Annie while she was pregnant.

Josh told her he couldn't face life without her. Reva said she didn't want to lead Buzz on for months. Josh asked her to have faith and she said she would. They told each other that they loved the other and Josh left.

Recaps for the week of December 30, 1996 (Following Week)