Brady and Isabella Black

John and Marlena told Belle {Brittany} and Brady {Eric} that they were going to take them to see Santa. The kids were very excited. John had invited Kristen to come too, but she wasn't around.

There were birds decorating one of the Salem Place trees. Brady had fun pointing out the "birdies" on the tree. He kept saying, "There's another birdie."

John turned around and asked Brady {Eric}, "Do you see what I see?" They had spotted Santa!

Marlena and Belle {Brittany} then turned around to get their first look at Santa too.

Marlena and John seemed just as excited about seeing Santa as the kids. Marlena said, "Let's go see him!"

John went away for a second and came back with Santa hats for everyone. The kids loved them, but Brady's covered his eyes.

Marlena and John told Brady {Eric} and Belle {Brittany} it was almost their turn to see Santa. The kids had big grins on their faces.

Belle {Brittany} and Brady {Eric} were finally up to see Santa. Brady said to Marlena, "Don't go. You're part of our family." Marlena was speechless, putting her head down, close to tears. She told Brady she wasn't going to go anywhere.

When they finally got up to see Santa, an elf suggested that Mom and Dad kiss for the picture. They gave the elf a strange look, but happily obliged.

In between takes, Deidre, Drake, Brittany and Eric hung out with Santa. {Photo courtesy Nancy Lewis}

Brady {Brandon}, Belle {Brittany}, Will, Austin and Carrie, Christmas 1996. Austin was playing with the building blocks with Brady and Belle, but Will got fussy and he had to take care of him.

Brady {Brandon} and Belle {Brittany}, Christmas 1996. They were clapping for Carrie, who was going to help them build a house out of building blocks, since Austin was now with Will.

John playing with Brady {Brandon} and Belle {Brittany}. Looks like John was having as much fun as the kids.

Caroline took Brady {Eric} and Belle {Brittany} to the hospital to visit John Jr./Elvis, their new little brother. John Jr./Elvis was still too sick for the kids to visit him.

John and Marlena were delighted to see the kids. Drake must have been holding Eric very tightly. He said, "You're squeezing me to death."

Drake was tickling Eric and making him laugh. Then Eric started to make a kitty sound, "Meow, Meow." Belle and Marlena started doing it too. Then Brady asked John if he could see his baby brother. John told him as soon as his baby brother got a little bigger and stronger, then he would take him home and Brady and Belle could play with him.

John was looking at this picture of "Doc" and the kids. John showed the picture to Elvis who was lying in the crib. He explained that Brady {Brandon} was his big brother and Belle {Brittany} was his big sister, and "Doc, well she was his godmother and a close friend."

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