At the Newcastle Mountain Retreat in Colorado, Cal has just came in from skiing on the slopes. Katherine is with him, and asks how everything went. He says fine but he just can’t relax knowing that his family is in trouble. She reminds him that the Bradys are not his family anymore. He walks up to her and tells her that just because she insists on acting like a prude most of the time, doesn’t give her the right to dictate who is and isn’t family.

She tells him he’s right, but he just has to put the Bradys to the side for right now, that’s all. His feelings for them may be what is blocking his memory from coming back. He sees that but doesn’t want to turn his back on them. Whoever wiped out his memory will pay for taking his past.

He swears it, on everything he loves.

-At Salem University Hospital, Eric & Nicole’s family and friends wait out in the hallway patiently for Fr. Jansen to arrive so they can get married. Caroline drifts off quietly, thinking about someone. When Kate comes over and asks what is wrong, she softly says she wishes Marlena was here to see her son get married. Kate puts her arm around andtells her that she is watching, not in body, but in spirit. Kate truly feels that Marlena’s spirit has been here the whole time and wants Caroline to not sell her short. Caroline is surprised by Kate’s kindness and Kate says she would be surprised how much tragedy changes your disposition.

They both smile and laugh and when Caroline turns around, she sees someone she recognizes. She is shocked beyond belief and walks past Kate to look at the face of her granddaughter, Belle, who has returned to Salem. She welcomes her home and gives her a big hug and Belle returns the gesture, saying she’s happy to be home. Belle asks her if she knows this man standing behind her. Caroline & Kate, who has joined the welcome home celebration, look at this man with amazement. Kate walks over and touches his face, and, after cradling it and staring at him, starts crying. She gives a huge hug to this man , who tells her not to strangle him. It's Philip. Everyone breaks out in laughter.

Belle says she has a gift for the happy couple as she heard she was returning to a wedding. The Card says “Best Wishes at this time. Hope the road of love and happiness rises to greet you in every direction. Love, C.C. Capwell”. Philip says that he is a friend of Victor's and wanted to send a gift for the happy couple. Belle says she knew they couldn't show up without a gift.

Kate asks him how’s he’s been. She apologizes for not calling him in the last few day but hopes he understands with everything that has been going on. He knows that and says it’s no big deal. He also says his recovery has been difficult but more than anything else, it’s good to be home. Kate and Belle concur. When Kate asks Belle how things have been, Belle just cryptically says ok. They both look at each other and clam up, not wanting to talk about it. Kate and Caroline notice this but say nothing and view the arrival of Fr. Jansen.

-Nicole walks over and informs everyone that Dr. Rowen says that they should have the wedding ASAP. She starts crying again, saying that he doesn’t have much time and falls into Max’s arms. They all look around at each other, hoping that they are not witnessing Eric's final “Days”.

-On the rooftop, Victor responds to Roman’s deadly threat:

Victor: How DARE you speak to me like that?! You were a son to me! I accepted you when you fell in love and married Isabella. I was in your corner when you thought you were Forrest Alamain, and Vivian Alamain tried to steal your fortune! I WAS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT YOU BACK TO SALEM, DAMMIT!!! And now you pull a gun on me when I try to save your son’s life?!

Roman: You give me this damn rundown of the last 15 years of my life, and expect me to forget the fact that you BOUGHT me and used me as some damn Pawn?! Then you had an affair with my mother, which produced Bo, and almost destroyed my parents’ marriage. You’ve started this war, and Bo and many others almost got killed! And now you act self-righteous about helping my family?!

YOU CAN GO STRAIGHT TO HELL, VICTOR!!

Victor’s eyes grow wide with Roman’s last statement. He takes a step forward, but Roman holds fast. He then climbs into the copter, and slams the door, locking it behind him. Victor runs up and tries to open the door, but Roman threatens the pilot:

Roman: I’m a member of the S.P.D. and a former I.S.A. Agent. You better fly this copter to Chicago so I can save my son’s life, or you won’t live to see tomorrow!

After a moment of terrified indecision, the pilot revs up his controls and flies off, almost taking Victor with him. Victor, Lucas, whose now walked on the rooftop, and an unseen Sami watch as the copter takes off into the night at breakneck speed.

Victor angrily turns, curses Roman, and walks away. When he walks back inside he gets a phone call from one of his accociates. Victor speaks to this man intently: It turns out the man he’s talking to a world-famous businessman. This businessman gives him information that he has recently obtained about Stefano DiMera, informing him that his plan is working and that DiMera’s empire has taken a substantial hit in the stock market. Victor is pleased, and remarks that at least something is going right on this day. His friend wishes him well and tells hin if he needs anything, just to let him know. Victor thanks him and bids him goodbye. When Lucas spots Victor, he asks if everything is ok. Victor says yes.

He just got word from an accociate with some news. Lucas ask if this person was anyone important. Victor says to Lucas:

Victor: Do you think Victor Newman is important?

Lucas says of course. He’s one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in the world. Next to him, of course. Both men laugh and Victor tells him he’s going far in this life and for him to just stay with him. Now, he says to Lucas, he’s on his way to dinner with Maggie. He says to keep him informed about Eric’s condition and to let him know when Roman returns.

Lucas sees Sami on the rooftop, looking off in the direction that the copter flew. He walks up to her and ask:

Lucas: You ok? Did you see that exchange, Sami?

Sami: Yeah, I sure did. (Smiling) I saw my daddy fly off to save his son. To hold a gun on a man like Victor Kiriakis, and not bat an eye, or even blink......that something else.

Lucas: Sami.....if I didn’t know better, you look almost happy Roman did what he did.

Sami: (Crying) I am, Lucas. (Wiping away her tears) I’ve spent my whole life blaming that man for everything that has ever went wrong in my life. I blamed him for that night at Titan with my mother, and turned my back on him. (Looking at Lucas) I was so wrong. He was shot by Stefano, held captive, had his memory erased and his face changed, and all he ever wanted was to be with his family. And I spit in his face, Lucas! Every chance I got.

Lucas: Don’t be so hard on yourself, Sami. (Putting his hands on her arms and holding her) You have to realize that you whole family was hurt by what Stefano did to Roman. You were a baby when he disappeared and was.......presumed dead. How can you hold yourself accountable for that?

Sami: Because Lucas, I ignored him, told him to go to hell, wished death on him, and the entire time, for 15 YEARS, he was my father. Everything I have done to you, Carrie, Austin, my mother, Kate, Brandon, and our little boy.....and he pulls a gun on a man so he could be the one who saved his son. He gave blood twice so that Eric could live, even if it cost him his own life. How can I still hate that man?

Lucas: You mean......you now accept him? You know what this means, don’t you?

Sami: I do. I know it means that the wonderful, sweet, kind, heroic man who just flew off......

Is my dad, Roman Augustus Brady. And I’m very proud to call him that.

Sami looks once more off into the distance and then tells Lucas that she is going back to speak to Belle. Lucas smiles as she walks past, and gives a deep sigh, happy and proud of the change that seems to be finally taking hold.

Victor meets Maggie at Chez Rouge, and surprises him with a candlelight dinner for two. Victor takes Maggie’s hand and draws her close, thanking her for getting his mind off of what is happening in his life. She says he looks angry about something, and ask what it is. He says it’s nothing, and he won’t let whatever happened to ruin this wonderful evening. Soft music starts up, and they look at each other smiling, and start to dance. This romantic moment is interrupted by a phone call Victor receives. He excuses himself for a moment as he takes this call:

Victor: Now what’s happened? Really? Thank you very much for the call, and keep me informed. Goodbye. Well, that was very interesting. This is going to be one HELL of a New Year.....if I have anything to say about it.

The screen freeze-frames on a very determined Victor.

***There will be no Next on Salem Lives with this episode. Wednesday's episode will be posted after midnight so readers can catch up on Monday's and Tuesday's.***