"No!" Rachel yelled, waving a finger, as she marched towards Theo and Lola.
Jogging past her, Kyle intercepted Rachel. Holding her back from the others, Kyle, addressed Theo as he said, "What do you think you're doing?"
"It's a family party," Theo said, "Naturally, I was invited."
"I not only have a problem with you," Kyle said, "But I have an even bigger issue with your date."
"Her name is Lola," Theo said.
"Lola is not welcome here," Rachel said.
"She's right," Kyle agreed.
"I have a right to bring a date," Theo said.
"You can have your date, spend all night with her if you want," Rachel said, "Just do it somewhere else!"
"Maybe we should go," Lola said.
"No, we're staying," Theo said.
"I am asking you both to leave," Kyle said.
"If she is not out of here in ten seconds, I am calling the police," Rachel said.
"I know all about your restraining order against Lola," Theo said, "But it's Christmas and she has a right to celebrate it, just as much as anyone. In the spirit of the holiday can you put your differences aside. Or better yet drop this ridiculous restraining order."
"I might agree with you," Rachel said, "If I hadn't come home a few months ago and found her throwing herself at my fiancé. Not only that, but she tried to convince me and Kyle, that she and him were meant to be together."
"I apologize for that," Lola said, "I wasn't myself that day."
"You weren't yourself the day attacked me either, were you?" Rachel said.
"Let's not have this escalate," Kyle said.
"Excuse me," Adele said, "What do you mean she attacked you?"
"Well, she tried to beat the crap out of me," Rachel said, "If it hadn't been for Billy breaking up the fight, who knows what she would have done to me."
Looking at Lola, Adele said, "You assaulted my daughter?"
"Your daughter?" Theo said.
Lola was at a loss for words, prompting Adele to say, "I asked you a question young lady."
"Unfortunately, I did fight her," Lola said, "I feel bad for what I did."
"You shouldn't get away with it either," Adele said, "How dare you lay a hand on Rachel, you could have seriously hurt her. You are lucky she is okay, or I would see you behind bars."
Rachel stared, surprised at her mother's defense of her. "I pressed charges," Rachel said, "She spent a night in jail."
"She should have spent much more time than that," Adele said, before turning to Theo, "And you young man, brought her to this house knowing it would cause trouble."
"No ma'am," Theo said.
"I think you should both leave," Adele said.
"Perhaps," Jack said, "We should all settle down and let it be Rachel's decision, since this situation affects her most."
"I want her out of here..." Rachel said, as Kyle took her hand and led her a few feet away.
"Maybe we should let them stay," Kyle said, in a low voice.
"You can't be serious," Rachel said.
"They aren't going to try anything in a roomful of others," Kyle said, "It's Christmas Eve and I know my Dad and Traci want Theo here. If we make them leave it makes us look like the bad guys, which is probably what Theo wants."
"You know what Lola did to me," Rachel said.
"I'm not saying we forgive and forget," Kyle said, "I am always on your side, but just for tonight we rise above it all. We don't have to spend any time with them. Maybe they will feel so uncomfortable that they won't stay long."
"Fine," Rachel sighed. Still holding on to Kyle's hand, Rachel stepped back towards Theo and Lola.
"Is this where you try to throw us out again?" Theo said.
"I really think we should go," Lola said.
"No please," Rachel said, "You should both stay. Enjoy the party."
"For real?" Theo said.
"Yes," Kyle said, "You're welcome to stay as long as you like."
"What about the restraining order?" Theo said.
"It still stands," Rachel said, "But for the sake of the holiday and the family, I won't notify the authorities."
"Thanks," Theo said.
"Your being very gracious," Lola said.
"Just to be clear, you stay far away from me tonight," Rachel said.
Theo led Lola across the room, as Summer approached Rachel and Kyle. "It wouldn't be a party without some drama," Summer said, "I would have thrown her out on her behind."
"I wanted to," Rachel said.
"Hey, you were the bigger person," Fen said, "I'm sure they didn't expect that."
"Surely, we can talk about something else," Rachel said.
"How about what happens seven days from now," Chloe smiled.
"I know, I'm not likely to forget," Rachel said.
"Must be getting pretty excited," Fen said.
"I am," Rachel said, watching Kyle as he retrieved drinks across the room, "He's everything I ever wanted."
"Mr. Abbott," Theo said, approaching Billy, "I wanted to thank you for approving my new project at Jabot. I have some other ideas I want to discuss with you."
"Theo, I appreciate your enthusiasm," Billy said, "But it's a party. Have a drink, have some food, but no business is going on here tonight." Billy walked away, leaving Theo standing alone.
As Kyle made his way across the room, drinks in hand, he found himself face to face with Lola.
"Kyle," she said, "I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you have a nice holiday."
"I hope you have a good one," Kyle said.
"It's a great party," Lola said.
"You know, Rachel was nice enough to let you stay," Kyle said, "But that does not mean that you and I have anything to talk about."
"When did you become so hostile towards me?" Lola said.
"Maybe it was when you attacked my then girlfriend," Kyle said, "Or when you tried to force yourself on me, or perhaps it was when you came to my house on Theo's arm."
"I was hoping we could be friends," Lola said.
"If that were true, you would not have come here tonight," Kyle said, "Now, if you will excuse me." Lola watched Kyle walk towards Rachel, handing her a drink ,with an added kiss on the cheek.
"Mrs. Abbott," Theo said, to Jill, "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Jill said, "You certainly know how to make an entrance."
"I didn't know it would be such an event," Theo said.
"Oh come now," Jill said, "You wanted everyone to make fuss over your arrival."
"That's Theo," Phyllis said, "Our drama king."
"Phyllis," Theo said, "It's nice to see you again."
"I wish I could say the same," Phyllis said.
"Are you proud of yourself?" Fen said, coming up behind Lola.
"Excuse me?" Lola said.
"What were you thinking coming here tonight?" Fen said.
"I thought you might be the only one that was still decent towards me," Lola said, "I'm sorry to see you feel the same resentment about me as the others."
"When I find out you hurt friends of mine, yeah I resent that," Fen said.
"I am here because a nice guy invited me to a party," Lola said.
"Nice guy?" Fen said, "First off, you are kidding yourself if you think he brought you here to be nice. He wanted to see everyone's reactions showing up with you. Secondly, you accepted an invitation to the Abbott house. After everything that has happened, why would you do that?"
"I can tell you why," Summer said, "It was a way for her to be close to Kyle. That's it isn't it? You are so desperate for his attention that even unfriendly attention is good enough for you. It's really sad."
"I am not going to stand here and listen to your insults," Lola said. Turning away she walked into Adele, who spilled her drink on Lola.
All eyes were on Lola as she cried out in surprise. "I'm sorry, dear," Adele said, "I didn't see you there."
Rushing over, Theo said, "Lola, are you alright?"
"Do I look alright?" Lola said.
Rachel could not hide her smirk, sharing a knowing look with her mother.
"My dress is ruined," Lola moaned.
"Okay, I think it's time for us to go," Theo said, "Jack and Traci thank you for the invitation, but we have to leave."
"I'm sorry if you were made to feel unwelcome, that was not the intent," Jack said, "Hopefully, we can get together for a more harmonious occasion another time."
"Perhaps," Theo said.
"It's a shame you have to go so soon," Kyle said, handing Theo their coats.
Theo helped Lola on with hers and said, "Are you ready?"
"I've been ready for some time," Lola said.
"Merry Christmas," Kyle waived, as they left the house.
"Perfect," Jack sighed.
"At least that's over," Kyle said.
"You are actually happy about this?" Jack said.
"You saw what he did," Kyle said, "Bringing Lola just to get a reaction. Plus he got a chance to upset Rachel and me."
"I have been bending over backwards to make him feel welcome in this family," Jack said, "You did not help the situation, neither did most of you. I was hoping this was a chance to heal the rift. I guess it was too much to want a harmonious family evening."
"If you want to be upset with someone for ruining Christmas Eve, don't point fingers at me," Kyle said, "Your nephew is the culprit."
"Nothing is ruined," Traci said, "Let's focus on the celebration at hand."
"I couldn't agree more," Kyle said "Dad, I don't want to fight with you on Christmas Eve."
"I don't want that either," Jack said.
"So are we good?" Kyle said.
"We're good," Jack said, patting Kyle on the shoulder as he passed by.
Walking over to Adele, Jill said, "You did that on purpose."
"I did it because her and the boyfriend could not take a hint to make themselves scarce," Adele said, "It worked did it not?"
"I get the feeling you did it for me," Rachel said, approaching her mother, "You even defended me earlier."
"I know we have shared a lot of animosity," Adele said, "Don't think that I don't love you."
"You what?" Rachel said.
"You are my daughter, my youngest," Adele said, "Of course I care about you."
"Then where have you been all this time?" Rachel said, "Why did you let me think, you wanted nothing to do with me?"
"Because I thought you wanted nothing to do with me," Adele said.
"I just never thought that you…," Rachel said, close to tears, "You really loved me."
"Why do you think I came for your wedding?" Adele said, "It's not about money, as you think. I want to see you marry the man you love, even if it is Kyle."
"Mother…" Rachel sighed.
"That was sarcasm dear," Adele said, as Kyle smiled and put an arm around Rachel. "I am happy you and Kyle have found love with each other," Adele continued, "In fact, I would like to make a toast." Raising her glass high, Adele proclaimed, "May Rachel and Kyle have the happiest and most epic wedding and may their lives together make all their dreams come true."
"He already has," Rachel said. Everyone echoed Adele's sentiments as Kyle kissed his bride-to-be.
"Here we go," Rachel said, walking into the living room the next morning, two coffee cups in hand.
"Thank you, just what I needed," Kyle said, taking one from her, "I knew there was a reason I loved you."
Sitting close to him on the couch, she said, "Just because I bring you coffee?"
"Because you save my sanity by bringing me coffee," Kyle said.
"What if I didn't bring you coffee anymore?" Rachel said, "Would you still love me? Or even worse, if I banned you from ever having coffee again?"
"That's not funny," Kyle said.
"So, you wouldn't love me then?" Rachel teased.
"I would," Kyle said, "I'd just be very grumpy about it."
"We can't have a grumpy Kyle," Rachel said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
As Rachel snuggled into Kyle's arms, they both admired the tree. "How did it get to be Christmas Day already?" Kyle said.
"I think it's going to be the best one yet," Rachel said.
"It's hard to believe it's been a year," Kyle said.
"And what a year it was," Rachel said, "Let's hope we don't have any more like this one."
"It wasn't all bad," Kyle said, "I got to fall in love with you more every day."
"You're sweet," Rachel smiled.
"What I remember most about this time last year was waiting until Christmas morning for the answer to my marriage proposal," Kyle said. "It was a very long night."
Rachel giggled as she said, "Sorry, about that, but I had to be sure."
"And now are you still sure?" Kyle said.
"More than ever," Rachel said.
"Is Susie coming over later?" Kyle said.
"Yes, Kevin is going to bring her by a bit later," Rachel said, "I am really looking forward to spending Christmas with her this year."
"Should be fun," Kyle said.
"She has been excited about Christmas for weeks," Rachel said.
"Some party last night," Kyle said.
"Talk about Christmas miracles. Did that really happen?" Rachel said, "Did my mother turn into a human being?"
"It seems like it," Kyle said. Noticing Rachel was quiet, Kyle looked at her and noticed a sadness in her face.
"Uh-oh," Kyle said, "What happened to the happy Christmas morning."
"I was just thinking," Rachel said.
"What are you thinking about?" Kyle said, "You know you can tell me."
"Maybe it's Christmas, maybe it's because my mother is here and what she said last night," Rachel started, "But I can't help thinking about my family who isn't here anymore."
"I know you always have a hard time talking about it," Kyle said, "Do you feel like it now?"
"I told you I lost my Dad and my sister," Rachel said.
"That's all you told me," Kyle said, "I don't want to push, but I would like to hear about it. What happened to your sister, was she sick?"
"No," Rachel said, shaking her head, "She was… a victim of violence. Somebody killed her."
"Oh, baby I'm so sorry," Kyle said, "I had no idea."
Rachel fought tears as she explained, "She got herself involved with the wrong kind of people and when she tried to cut ties with them, she was confronted in a parking lot by someone with a gun."
Kyle hugged Rachel closer. "Did they catch the person who did it?"
"The police said there wasn't enough evidence to prove who was responsible," Rachel said, "No one was ever charged. Whoever took her from us got away with it."
"That must have been so horrible for you," Kyle said, "I wish I could have been there to help you through it."
"It was a long time ago, you were a bit young then," Rachel said, "Kevin was there for me. He was my support."
"I'm glad you had someone to lean on," Kyle said, "Your sister, she had a daughter right?"
"Miranda," Rachel said, "Now she is in parts unknown. I wish I could have told her about the wedding, so she could be there. She's a young woman by now."
"Maybe we could find her," Kyle said.
"Maybe, but I wouldn't count on it," Rachel said.
"What about your Dad?" Kyle said, "Can I ask you what happened?"
"Massive heart attack," Rachel said, "He wasn't even sick with anything, no heart disease. Ironically he was a doctor and one day he was just gone."
"I'm sorry," Kyle said again, "That must have been a shock."
"It was," Rachel said, tears falling, "I was the one who had to tell my sister he died. I never got to say goodbye to him." Kyle held her tight as she continued, "I always used to think, when I got married, my sister was supposed to be my maid of honor, and my Dad would walk me down the aisle. Now on my wedding day, neither of them will be there."
"I know it's hard," Kyle said, "And I know how you feel. I wish my Mom could be at our wedding too."
"I didn't mean to minimize what you must be feeling," Rachel said.
"I know you weren't," Kyle said.
"Why do we lose the people we love the most?" Rachel said.
"I don't know," Kyle said, "It's an unfortunate part of life. Besides, we still have each other."
"Tell me we will be together forever," Rachel said.
"Ever and ever," Kyle said.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to put a damper on our Christmas," Rachel said.
"Not to worry," Kyle said, getting up from the couch, "I know just what we need." Walking over to the tree he said, "Presents."
"Grab that bag over there to the left," Rachel said, "That's for you."
Picking up the bag, Kyle said, "This one?"
"That's from me," Rachel said.
"Okay," Kyle said, retrieving a large rectangular box, held together by a large bow. "This one…" he said, placing it on a cushion, next to Rachel, "…is for you."
"What in the world?" Rachel laughed.
"It's from me," Kyle said, "With lots of love."
"Kyle, what have you done?" Rachel said.
"One way to find out," Kyle said.
Rachel pulled off the bow, lifting the lid, she put them aside. She glanced at Kyle, before she pulled back the tissue paper, gasping at the item inside. "Kyle…" she said, in amazement, as she lifted out a white fur coat, "Oh, Kyle, it's beautiful!" She stood up, holding the coat to its full length.
"Care to try it on?" Kyle said, holding it for her, as she put her arms in the sleeves. Wrapping the coat around herself, Rachel smiled and said, "This is so soft. I have never seen such a wonderful coat. I love it, thank you!"
Kyle had a big smile, at Rachel's appreciation of his gift. "I'm glad you like it," he said, "And don't worry, nothing perished to make this coat."
"It's perfect," Rachel said, "I can hardly wait to wear it outside."
"Then we will have to go for a walk later," Kyle said.
"Okay, now you," Rachel said, taking off her coat carefully, laying it aside.
Reading the tag on the bag, Kyle said, "It says to the man I love, always yours Rachel. Then this can't be for me."
"Would you just open it?" Rachel said.
Flashing a smile at Rachel, Kyle rummaged through tissue paper and retrieved a gift box. "The plot thickens," he said, setting it beside him. Partially, lifting the lid he said, "Nothing's going to jump out at me is there?"
"Open it before I take it back," Rachel said.
Kyle lifted the lid and folded back the tissue paper to reveal a pale blue sweater. "Oh, wow," he said, holding sweater up to see the full view of it, "This is really nice."
"Do you like it?" Rachel said, "I know you don't often wear sweaters like that."
"It's great," Kyle said, "Nice and warm for cuddling in front of a fireplace. It's perfect, thank you."
"And now…" Kyle said, retrieving a small bag, he handed it to Rachel.
"Another one?" Rachel said.
"I thought you would like this," Kyle said.
"From a huge gift, to a tiny one," Rachel smiled, making Kyle laugh. She lifted out the small box inside and opened the lid. She stared in amazement and said, "It's a diamond bracelet…oh, Kyle it's gorgeous."
"I think we need to try this on too," Kyle said. He did up the clasp for her and said, "Perfect fit."
Admiring it on her wrist she said, "It's beautiful, look how it sparkles."
"I know you like sparkles," Kyle said.
"I love it, thank you," Rachel said, giving him a quick kiss. "You are not the only one who got someone, a second gift," Rachel said, walking to the tree and handing Kyle a box, wrapped with a bow.
"For me?" Kyle smiled. He undid the bow, draping the ribbon around his neck, before lifting the lid and finding the shirt inside. "A Hawaiian shirt," Kyle said, lifting it out.
"I thought you might need something to wear on our honeymoon," Rachel said.
"I don't already have one," Kyle said, "It's sweet, thanks."
"You know, if you keep looking you might find something in the shirt pocket," Rachel said.
Inspecting the shirt, Kyle pulled out a paper item. "Tickets to…" Kyle started, before starting at them he said, "No way…" The excitement rose in his voice as he said, "Concert tickets, this is their world tour. I tried to get these for months but they were sold out!"
"You are not the only one with connections," Rachel said, "I know how much you wanted to go."
"This is amazing, thank you so much," Kyle said.
"By the way, there's two tickets," Rachel said.
"I'm going to have to find someone to go with," Kyle said, admiring the tickets.
"I might," Rachel said.
Kyle smiled and said, "Of course I want to take you with me."
"Thank you," Rachel said.
"For the ticket?" Kyle said.
"For making this one of the best Christmases I have ever had," Rachel said.
"Me too," Kyle said, taking her in his arms, "There is no one I would rather spend it with."