Everyone ready to celebrate Christmas Eve?

Mike: Yeah.

Peter: I can't wait! :D

Micky: Of course! :D

Davy: I am! :)

(We open in the parlor of the Montgomery House, where everyone sits, eating cookies and cake. Mike is in his favorite chair. Emma, Daphne, Lizzie, Robbie, and the twins are on the floor. The others all sit on chairs and couches.)

Mike: That was good, darlin'. You've outdone yourself this year.

Emma: Oh, honey...

Katie: Mama makes the best red cake!

Emma: Don't tell that to your nana! I got the recipe from her!

Valerie: Well, now that we're finished dinner, why don't we play a game?

Katie: I wanna open presents!

Mike: Let's play a game first, Cowgirl, then open presents.

Peter: How about Blind Man's Bluff? That one always gets everyone going.

Emma: I'm all for a fun game. It'll wind the kids down.

Micky: Yeah!

Valerie: I'll have to sit this one out. I'm not really up for running around. I'll watch any kids who don't want to or can't run.

Emma: (Puts Robbie next to Valerie) You stay with Auntie Valerie, Robbie. You're still too young to chase the other kids.

Robbie: Aw, 'kay.

*Lizzie and Leah join Valerie and Robbie.*

Mike: Who gets blindfolded first?

Micky: Can I get blindfolded?

Peter: Sure!

Mike: I figured that.

Peter: (Concentrates; a yellow scarf appears in a dark blue light) Ok, Mick, turn around so I can blindfold you.

*Micky does so.*

Davy: I want to spin him.

Mike: Go right ahead.

Micky: *as Peter blindfolds him* Don't I have a call in who spins me?

Davy: No, sorry mate.

*Once Peter's finished with Micky's blindfold, Davy starts to REALLY spin Micky. Micky eventually sticks an arm out, lightly smacking Davy, just hard enough to make stop spinning him. Micky chuckles. Davy just makes a face so as to not give away his whereabouts.*

Mike: Ok, everyone, let's get outta here. (Everyone who can scatters as "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" begins.)

(Mike ducks behind his favorite chair. When Micky lurches in his direction, he springs up and away from Micky's long, reaching fingers.)

*Micky gets near Davy, who ducks and ends up sliding under the coffee table for a hiding spot.*

(Katie and the twins run around Micky, giggling.)

(Jordan ducks next to the Christmas tree. Micky swerves towards him...just barely missing knocking the tree over.)

(Micky chases the laughing Katie and the twins out the door. Mike exchanges relieved looks with Davy.)

*Davy mouths "Close one!"*

(The kids run into Peter on their way into the hall. Micky follows. The kids all duck behind Peter, who gulps as Micky ambles his way.)

(Peter, the kids giggling behind him, steps out of the way as Micky tries to make a grab for him.)

(Emma looks around a corner. She, Lauren, and Daphne tip-toe past Micky, who is about to make a grab for Peter and the kids. Suddenly, Lauren looks like she may sneeze. Emma and Daphne try to stop her. Daphne puts a finger under her nose. It doesn't work. She still lets out a noisy sneeze.)

*Micky swings around and wraps his arms around Lauren, grinning.*

(Emma laughs. She takes the blindfold off Micky and ties it around Lauren.)

Daphne: (Over the music) I'll spin you, Lauren, but I'll be kinder about it than my husband was to yours.

Lauren: I appreciate that, Daph.

(The twins gather around their mother, laughing. Let's run from Mommy!)

(Daphne spins Lauren around gently. Emma and Daph take off while Lauren stumbles. Peter blushes and steps away.)

(Mike and Davy pass Micky on their way out of the living room. They're about to run from him when they see he doesn't have the blindfold.)

*Lauren staggers along, slowly, waving both arms out in front of her.*

(The kids all run out in front of her, running around in circles. The twins jump up and down, giggling.)

(Micky, Davy, and Mike run across the ballroom. The ballroom is decorated with a spectacular eight-foot tree and tons of real garlands and centerpieces made of real ivy and holly. They run into each other, trying to decide where to go.)

(Emma and Daphne run past Lauren when something greenish drifts into the hall.)

(Emma runs into the ballroom, followed by Daphne and the kids. Emma giggles and taps Lauren on the shoulder.)

*Lauren spins, but Emma's already out of reach.*

(Mike grins and points at Lauren. He and Micky hop off the bandstand and run over to Lauren, yelling and joking. Micky blows in her ear.)

*Lauren spins around. Micky ducks.*

(Mike, however, isn't as quick...especially since Emma, humming innocently, puts out her leg.)

*Lauren spins again and manages to tag Mike's arm as he stumbles.*

Mike: (As the music ends and Mike stumbles) Aw man...

Emma: You're it, dear.

Lauren: *as she removes the blindfold* Sorry, Mike, I didn't know who I was tagging.

Katie: Can we open presents now?

Mike: I don't see why not. Everyone's gotta be good and sweaty.

*Emerald floats into the room, bouncing all around.*

Katie: Emerald! (The kids all run over to her) Hi! We were just playin' Blind Man's Bluff!

Peter: We're getting ready to open presents now, Emerald. You're welcome to join us, if you want.

Emerald: Emerald want to have fun! Celebrate good times, come on!

Peter: That's the spirit, Emerald!

Mike: Why don't we take all these kiddies, includin' the ghostly one, back to the parlor? I bet they really want to open socks and underwear.

Katie: (Makes a face as the twins make "eww" noises) You wouldn't really give us socks and underwear, would you?

Mike: Why not? You could use some.

Micky: Ain't that the truth?

Katie: Papa!

Emma: (Sighs) Well, why don't we go back to the parlor and see what everyone got? You open most of your presents tomorrow anyway. ;

Katie: Come on, let's go! (Grins at Emerald) You too! It's Christmas, and we need everyone there! Even Dolly the Kitty!

(Everyone finally files out of the ballroom. Cut to the parlor, where Valerie reads "The Night Before Christmas" to Jordan, Robbie, Leah, Lizzie, and Dolly the Cat. They all look up as the others troop into the room, even Dolly.)

Valerie: Welcome back, everyone. Enjoy your game?

Mike: Yeah. It was kinda fun. (Settles in his favorite chair. Katie climbs into his lap.)

Emma: Micky caught Lauren and she caught Mike.

Mike: Through underhanded means.

Valerie: Everyone come out all right? Mick? Lauren?

Micky: I'm fine. Babe?

Lauren: Me, too. Couldn't be better.

Emma: Give one of the kids a present. Half of them look like they may burst.

Katie: (Tugs on her father's shirt) Papa, can we give Jordan his present from us?

Mike: I don't see why not. It ain't that big.

Katie: Yay! (She jumps off her father's lap and takes a slender, rectangular package from under the tree) Here you go, Jordan! Merry Christmas!

Jordan: (Blushes) Ok. (He unwraps the package and grins when he finds a small, shiny object) Oh boy, a harmonica!

Peter: (Laughs) I'll show you how to play that. Soon, we'll be playing Daddy's songs together!

Katie: I know you always said you liked the ones Papa an' Unca Peter have.

Jordan: Aw Katie... (He leans over and gives her a big hug!)

Peter: (He pulls out presents) These are ours for the twins and Leah. Nothing big, but it might tide them over until the morning.

Valerie: Maybe.

(Peter hands each child a present. He ducks away as all three dig into the wrapping paper, which flies everywhere.)

(The twins open two Hot Wheels each. Leah has a pretty rag doll with long gold yarn hair done in braids and a blue calico dress.)

Valerie: Do you like them? I know how you like to race, and Leah, that doll is just so sweet.

*The twins go "vroom, vroom!" with their cars. Leah drags her fingers over the doll's hair.*

Peter: (Laughs and ruffles Little Mick's hair) We'll take that as a "yes."

Mike: Ok, who's next?

Katie: Me! Me!

Robbie: Me too!

*Lauren hands Katie and Robbie presents. Katie opens a teddy bear, and Robbie opens a stuffed yellow dog with a music key near its rear end.*

Lauren: *Leans over and turns the key several times* Listen... *the dog plays a lullaby*

Robbie: Oooh!

Katie: (Hugs her big white bear, who has a red knit hat that says "1974" and a matching knit scarf with a pom-pom ends) Oh, I love him! He's cute!

Peter: (Holds out another box and reads the label) I think I found Lizzie's present.

(Emma winds up the dog again for Robbie as he holds the toy, his head pillowed drowsily in his mother's lap.)

Jordan: (Hands Lizzie the box) Here you go! I hope you like it!

*Lizzie pulls out her own rag doll with brown yarn pigtails and a brown calico dress. She hugs it tightly.*

Peter: That's Jenny, the sister of Leah's rag doll Mary. We found them on the same shelf in the same store, and we thought they should belong to a pair of best friends!

Mike: Well, that leaves the adults.

Valerie: No, we forgot one child. (She lifts herself up and removes a long package from under the tree) Emerald, where are you?

Emerald: *pops up* Emerald here!

Valerie: (Jumps back a bit, but laughs) Goodness, you certainly know how to make an appearance! (She hands Emerald the package) Merry Christmas, little one.

*Emerald hovers over the package, somehow managing to rip the paper off and make it fly in all directions. Emerald dives IN the box and pops out wearing her green scarf from the thrift shop.*

Valerie: Do you like it, Emerald? I picked it out myself.

Emerald: Emerald loves it! Make a fashion statement!

Valerie: (As everyone laughs) Yes, it does.

Emma: I think it looks quite nice on you.

*Emerald spins around, showing off the scarf.*

(The kids all "ooh" and "ahh" over Emerald's new scarf.)

Mike: Ok, who wants to go next?

Emma: Mick, why don't you go? I know you’re frothing at the mouth to open something.

Micky: Was I that obvious?

Emma: Yes. You're as bad as the kids.

Micky: Just checking.

*Davy grabs a package and hands it over to Micky.*

Micky: *eyes it, then slow puts it to his ear* Well, I don't hear ticking.

Davy: Mick, just open it.

*Micky shrugs, then opens it. He pulls out a decently-sized book.*

Micky: *reads off the cover* "A Thousand and One Jokes You Can Tell Your Kids." Groovy!

Peter: Davy and I picked that one out for you from Keltie's Bookstore during Hospitality Night. We thought you'd like it.

Mike: It's you, Mick. Very you.

Micky: Well, since you picked one for me, Dave... *reaches for a package* I get to pick for you. *hangs the package to Davy*

*Davy opens his gift to reveal a stuffed horse.*

Mike: (Grins) Now you can play with your daughter.

Katie: I like your horse! He's nice!

Peter: Now you can say you've owned a horse.

Mike: And that horse won't take up much room in your house, either.

Emma: (Smiles as Robbie falls against her chest, fast asleep) I think it's time we brought this little party to an end. (Smiles at the group) Merry Christmas, everyone.

Peter: Merry Christmas. Thanks for coming.

Valerie: We're always glad to have you here.

Jordan: Merry Christmas!

Micky: Merry Christmas!

Mike: I'm just glad we're all together for Christmas. (Looks up) Includin' you, Pete. Remember, you're always a part of this group, whether it's official or not. You're still our friend.

Peter: (Hesitates, but then says) Thanks, Mike. I appreciate that. Merry Christmas. (He and Mike stand and shake hands)

Mike: Merry Christmas, Pete.

Micky and Davy: Awwww!!

(Mike and Peter laugh...and suddenly, everyone starts laughing as Mike and Peter embrace each other, and we fade out on the group grinning and clapping, Emerald beaming in her new scarf, Robbie sleeping soundly, and the glowing Christmas tree behind them.)