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At the ranch, Victoria and Nikki discuss how nervous Claire was for her first day. Nikki reports that she proved herself to be a Newman through and through. She couldn’t be more proud of her. Victoria beams, “She really settled in that quickly?” Nikki says it’s like she lives inside her head. Her drive reminds her of Victoria. Her daughter is excited for Claire, and wants her to live a full life, but for so long she’s been unable to act or think for herself. She worries that all of these freedoms might prove to be too overwhelming. Nikki fears she’s being overprotective. Victoria’s worried things are moving too quickly for Claire. She just got her back and she’s losing her again. Nikki thinks Claire is on the right path. Victoria will never stop trying to protect her. Nikki smiles that Kyle’s looking out for her too. Victoria’s sure Victor will try to interfere. Nikki’s unconvinced. They seem right for each other and in time, he will agree.
At Society, Claire debriefs Kyle on her first day at Chancellor with Nikki. He’s sure she can do anything she sets her mind to. Claire muses that she was following the script the last time she was Nikki’s assistance. This time, it’s just her proving herself. Kyle tells her to take the advice she gave Harrison and believe in herself. Claire smiles. She’s amazed that he has so much faith in her. Kyle asks why he wouldn’t. After all she’s been through, he’s amazed by her. This is her destiny and he’s sure she’ll succeed. Kyle’s in awe of her.
Diane walks into Crimson Lights and Esther asks if she had a rough night. She replies that it’s more like a rough lifetime. Esther knows this well. “I’ve got this. Take a seat.” She brings over her favorite pick-me-up latte infused with holiday magic. Diane doubts even this can cheer her up tonight. Esther offers to listen to her vent. Diane appreciates the offer, but unless she can get people to forget her mistakes, she’ll be living with her regrets for the foreseeable future.
Diane goes over her doubts that Kyle and Jack trust her. They’re the most important thing to her and she needs to make them believe that. Esther says Mrs. C told her that people won’t believe you if you come on too strong. She needs to stop pushing.
At the Abbott manse, Traci comes down the stairs and has a moment of sheer joy as she looks around at the Christmas decorations. Walking into the dining room, she complains that a stewing Jack has lost his holiday cheer. He thought holiday decorating would brighten his spirits, but then he found his ‘Jacky’ ornament. Traci laughs that it’s seen a few things. She recalls that he made it with their mother. Jack’s held onto the past the same way he’s held onto the ornament. It may be a fatal Abbott flaw. Breaking the cycle will have to start with him.
Traci doesn’t like seeing him down like this and asks if it has to do with Mother. Jack admits he had a run-in with Billy today. He resents him and the way he’s treated him in the past. When he saw the ornament it made him think of the resentment he had for their mother. Traci had complicated feelings about her too, and so did Ashley. Jack muses that leaving them behind scarred all of them. Traci is also grateful for the time they spent with her at the end of her life. “You were so close to her.” Jack laments the wasted time, anger, and fury. He carried it around and never let it go until right before she died. Traci asks if this is about Diane and Kyle. Jack admits he’s not so sure the situation between the three of them is resolved.
Jack tells Traci that Kyle has lingering distrust and deep-seated anger toward Diane. He’s not sure it will ever go away. Traci’s seen love between them. Jack reminds her she left him as a little boy. He feels this whole situation is partly his fault. “We lied to him.” He recaps how they got him out of Victor’s clutches by Diane playing a viper. It may have unearthed distrust toward his wife. Traci feels there’s something else Jack wants to fix. Jack recalls that after their mother left they built walls around themselves. He doesn’t want his son to go through life with the same anger and pain. Traci tells him there’s only so much he can control. Jack says Kyle deserves valuable time with his mother and freedom from the resentment he’s carrying around.
