Goodbye, Mommy

Sami sets up for the New Year's party as Austin returns. He tells her he has plans with Carrie. Carrie slides into the picture. Sami tells them they both have to stay for the party.

Lois and Marlena talk. Lois tells Marlena she is lucky Alex isn't there, "You don't remember what he did to you."

"No, I don't," says Marlena, "but since he has been here he has been loving an caring."

Alex tells the guard he wants to make his phone call, "It's a matter of life and death."

Marlena's doorbell rings. She looks through the peephole and gasps, and then opens the door and smiles, "Hi."

Bo and Hope are at Mrs. Morrison's. They tell her about Claire – they're headed for the hospital.

John comforts Belle at the hospital. Phillip tells Belle Claire's condition is deteriorating. Belle is in denial. Lexie tells Belle, "It's too late. I'm sorry."

John has sent Marlena flowers. Lois thinks it's romantic. The card reads, "I will always keep you safe and protected. Remember, I love you – John."

Lois can't believe the number of men who love Marlena, "It's never been just one with you. Back in med school you had a whole gaggle of guys following you around."

Alex calls. He used his one call to talk to her, "After all, why call Mickey when you're already in jail anyway. Listen to me. Those things they said I did, I didn't do. They were lies. I had to make sure you knew I wouldn't hurt you. I love you."

Claire's other organs are failing. Belle remembers her 'sign' from God. Cheesy sign, cheesy miracle. Belle goes into deep hysteria. Victor watches with the rest of the crowd.

Bo tells Zach he will see him in the morning. Hope too. They leave him at Mrs. Morrison's.

Outside Hope freaks, "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to one of our kids."

"Whoa," says Bo, "Nothing's going to happen." This crack staff of writers doesn't telegraph its punches or anything, does it?

Bo and Hope arrive at the hospital. Shawn tells them they still can't find a donor. Mimi is on a break. Shawn leaves. Hope talks about the girl who died the night of Chelsea's accident.

"Our children have been testing us," says Bo.

"Not Zach," says Hope. · · · - - - · · ·

"He's a Brady," says Bo, "I have to pick up Chelsea. I don't want her standing on the street corner too long." For Chelsea, that might be good practice.

Chelsea paces, "New Year's Eve and I'm stuck here waiting for my by-the-rulebook cop father to pick me up. This is soooooo lame."

Sami insists she wants Carrie at her party. Carrie and Austin decide to stay. Austin takes Sami aside and asks about the Highstyle CEO. Sami tells him they won't get new information on New Year's Eve. Austin goes back to Carrie. Sami thinks, "Once you take over Highstyle, my perfect sister will dump you and you will be mine."

Lucas comes to her door. He asks about the party, "I guess my invitation got lost in the mail."

Forget the invitation, it's Lucas Sami wishes would get lost, "The more the merrier."

"You won't mind if I bring a date?" Eugenia pops into the picture. Sami doesn't mind. Much.

They come in and Lucas offers Eugenia a drink. She takes the whole bottle, "I'm drinking for both of us."

Lucas tells Eugenia how heartbroken Carrie will be when she finds out, "She'll realize I am the man she belongs with."

Alex insists he wouldn't hurt Marlena. He asks if she is safe. Lois asks if everything is OK. Alex freaks, "YOU CANNOT BE ALONE WITH HER! DO YOU HEAR ME?"

The guards come up to Alex, "Your time is up buddy." They drag him away kicking and screaming.

Lois asks what happened. Marlena says, "Alex just warned me. He says you are some kind of a threat. Why did he say that?"

Bo drives Chelsea. The little brat complains about him being late, "Mr. Paulson said I am his best driving student. His other student is a blind quadriplegic. He said I'm eligible for a temporary license. All you have to do is sign this." She shoves a paper at him.

"No way," says Bo.

We are back at Claire's deathwatch. "The only thing keeping her alive is the machines," says Lexie. She tells Phillip and Belle, "You should consider taking her off life support."

Chelsea begs. She promises she will be responsible. Bo doesn't yield. She presses the right button. She wants him to be proud of her. The idiot caves in. She needs one other huge favor. She wants to borrow the car tonight. Bo proves he doesn't have a brain cell left and tells her she can have it.

Sami's party rocks like the Stone's concert – without the Stones or the crowd. Lucas wants to know why Sami isn't concerned about Carrie and Austin. She thinks they are like Romeo and Juliet. Lucas reminds her R&J died at the end.

Lucas tells Austin Sami wants to talk to him. He toasts the New Year with Carrie. She thanks him for not going after Highstyle, "And thanks for understanding about Austin, too."

Lucas asks, "How is Sami handling that?"

"Fine," says Carrie, "She even wished us luck." They toast 2006.

Alice, OMB and Caroline wait with the crowd at the hospital. Mimi has returned. What a crowd. This must be a high-budget episode.

Victor and Caroline talk. If Caroline had let the truth be known, Bo and the entire family would have been devastated. Caroline leaves. Kate thanks Victor, "Don't let anyone know the truth."

Caroline takes Mimi aside. She asks about her and Shawn. Mimi says they are "getting closer."

Phillip and Belle come out with the dreadful announcement, "It is time to take Claire off life support." OH, the despair! Once the gnashing of teeth dies down, Belle says, "But we're not going to do it. We're going to wait for a miracle."

"The best way to get a miracle is to pray for it," says Alice, "You have to have faith, dear, no matter what."

John leads the group prayer. He's ISA. He has clout with God. "...If in your divine wisdom you choose to call her back to heaven..."

That did it. Belle goes off the deep end. Phillip comforts her, "It's God's decision now."

John continues, but keeps his distance from Belle, "...Let your will be done. Amen."

Grim bunch. Victor comforts Phillip. He thanks Victor for being there, and then goes to be with Belle. Kate comes up and tells Victor he did the right thing.

Belle tells Phillip all she needs is a miracle, "We just have to keep her alive until we get it."

Phillip is a pragmatist, "It better come soon."

Marlena asks Lois why Alex thinks she is a threat. Lois says, "I'm a threat not to you but to him."

Marlena doesn't believe Alex beat her up. Lois says Marlena doesn't know the true Alex. Lois tries to calm her down with the old standard, tea.

Marlena's phone rings. It's John. We go through the obligatory Claire conversation. Marlena says she is coming right over. John tells her not to. She wishes him a happy new year.

"It's gotta be better than last year," says John.

Lois brings the tea. Marlena fills her in on Claire. She hands Marlena the tea to help clam her down.

Alex struggles as they throw him back in the slammer. He screams as the guards leave.

Marlena drinks more potion as Lois smiles behind her. She asks Marlena if John is coming over. "No," says Marlena.

"I don't know if I feel comfortable leaving you," says Lois, "I could stay and in the morning we could talk."

"I'd like that," says Marlena, "Suddenly I am so tired." She tells Lois where the guest room is. Marlena goes up to bed. Evil Lois rummages through the drawers. She finds something, "PERFECT," she says. She must've found Marlena's collection of SSK knives.

Austin pops the champagne. They will celebrate 2006 as the owners of Highstyle.

Victor tells Kate Caroline agrees with her. Kate hopes Victor didn't spill the beans to Caroline. He says he talked with her in generalities.

Hope calls to check on Zach. Mrs. Morrison says Zach has been a perfect angel, "He got upset, though, because the cat decided to sleep outside instead of in his room."

Zach gets on the phone and wishes Hope a happy New Year, "I love you, Mommy and I love Daddy and I love Shawn and I love Chelsea."

Hope says, "I love you, Zach. You know that."

"Goodbye, Mommy."

Shawn drags Mimi aside to talk, "Just watching Belle and Phillip go through this I made a decision."

Zach wanders. He hears the cat outside. He goes outside, "Here kitty, kitty."

Sami pours champagne and gives Lucas cider. They toast the New Year as the clock chimes. Austin and Carrie kiss. Sami looks around for a partner.

Zach chases the kitty. Chelsea drives and boogies. Zach sees the cat across the street. Chelsea picks up her cell phone. She hits something, "What was that? OMG! Scream."

Hope prays, "Please God, do whatever you have to in order to keep Claire alive."

Shawn tells Mimi, "This is all putting things in perspective. I have to stop keeping my life on hold." He takes a knee, "Will you marry me?" Mimi gasps.

"Hasn't Phillip been through enough already," asks Kate.

"I'll keep the secret," says Victor, "For now."

Belle sobs, "I don't care what anyone says. You will get better, Claire." Her machines beep. John grimaces. Pan in on the angel.

Alex rants. The cops tell him Commander Brady said not to believe anything he said.

Lois finds a pair of scissors. Marlena gets into bed. Lois stalks. FF on the sleeper and the stalker.


Previews
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Belle wails, "She is my daughter and I'm not giving up on her, and you shouldn't either." Shawn says, " Belle's right. You shouldn't give up."

The scissors are poised to strike as Marlena sits up and gasps. John points his gun, "Oh, God, no..."

Chelsea cries, "I'm so lucky to have you as my dad." Bo hugs her, "Come here. It's gonna be OK."

Hope sobs, "OMG, Zach!"