No 28
Finn passes baby Aster to Elly; things are awkward between them. We cut to Hendrix, who has his head in the fridge looking for food.

HENDRIX: *The* worst Christmas ever. Lunch with Dad at one of those fancy restaurants, where the portions are really small. Then I went to a mate's party, which had no food. And then to top it off, some jackass spilt his drink down my shirt.

Finn and Elly exchange a glance; after the Christmas Day they've had, Hendrix's doesn't sound so terrible! Finn announces he's heading to the shops to grab something.

HENDRIX: How was Christmas for you guys?

At which point he turns around, and only now notices that Elly is holding a baby!

HENDRIX: No way!

Ramsay Street
Finn looks frustrated with himself as he heads out onto the street. He walks past Sheila's gnome nativity display, and heads off to the shops.

Meanwhile, Chloe and Pierce pull up in the street, having just been to visit David at the hospital; Pierce remarks that he was looking much better already. But Chloe is tearful.

CHLOE: Thank you for coming to visit with me. I love you.
PIERCE: I love you too. Hey...?
CHLOE: I'm alright. It's just... seeing Az so broken when he thought he was losing David - it was awful.
PIERCE: He's gonna be fine.
CHLOE: I know.

Chloe dries her tears and tells Pierce she's heading over to Elly's place, to give her a present for baby Aster. Pierce voices caution, reminding Chloe that Hendrix is still struggling with her presence, and might be in the house.

CHLOE: My friend was just held hostage! I'm not going to let his feelings stop me from seeing her (...) But you know I'll always tread carefully with him.

Pierce thanks her.

No 28
Hendrix is still a bit blown away by the sudden baby presence!

HENDRIX: It's definitely Boxing Day, right? Not April Fools'?
ELLY: I'm way too sleep-deprived to be playing jokes on you.

Susan and Bea come in from the garden. Susan judgily tells Hendrix that he'd know Elly's news if he'd come home last night.

HENDRIX: Oh, I wanted to, and -
SUSAN: Oh, and another thing - I'm sorry, but Clementine's not gonna be able to stay here anymore.
HENDRIX: What?! Well, why not?
SUSAN: Apart from the fact that it's not actually her home -
HENDRIX: It's better than living with Harlow!
SUSAN: Yeah, maybe. But we've got to be mindful of the baby now.
BEA (to Hendrix): Mm. The legit one.

Chloe turns up at this point, and Hendrix's face instantly falls. Chloe goes to fuss over the baby, and tells Elly how incredible she looks under the circumstances.

ELLY: Please, I feel like roadkill.

But Elly brightens up when she sees Chloe has brought her some bubbly as well as a gift for Aster! Susan asks Hendrix to help with some food prep, but he's visibly uncomfortable in the room. Bea remarks that Finn called Elly a superwoman following the birth, which makes Elly smile. Hendrix quietly asks Susan how long she thinks Chloe will stay.

SUSAN: Just focus on the basil.

Hendrix continues to object to Chloe's presence; Susan tells him to go and sit in his room for a while if he's finding it too difficult. But Hendrix just wants to get out of the house completely, and makes a beeline for the door. Chloe looks worried.

No 26
Kyle is using Amy's laptop to scour Google for info on how quickly David will recover. He reports to Sheila that David's condition is improving, but he might be a while before he's back to full health.

SHEILA: Well, he's out of the woods, and that's what counts.
KYLE: Hope I can say the same about me and Amy now.
SHEILA: Oh, I am sure you and Amy are gonna be more than okay.

But at that moment, Kyle happens to see an email pop through for Amy, headed 'Re: US Visa enquiry', and realises Amy's been seeking information on getting an American visa. Amy comes in, and Kyle quickly closes the laptop. Amy's just been to see David, and reports that he's been sleeping well and was even making jokes.

KYLE: Do you reckon I could go and visit? I don't want to upset anyone again.
AMY: ... I'd wait a bit until he reached out.

Kyle offers to make Amy breakfast, but she heads off for a lie down instead. Kyle glances back at the laptop, and looks despondent.

No 28
Finn comes in from the shops to find Bea holding Aster, and Elly next to her on the sofa. Things are immediately tense between Finn and Elly, but Bea is oblivious and just excited about the baby. Finn explains he went out to get some nappies for Aster. Bea says the baby's probably ready for a change, so Finn offers to do the honours. While he's gone...

BEA: He's so great with her. He's gonna be a really good dad.
ELLY: Really?
BEA: Yeah, definitely.

Lassiter's Complex
Hendrix and Pierce are walking through the courtyard, discussing the party Hendrix went to last night.

PIERCE: Did you make any new friends? Anyone interesting?
HENDRIX: You're not obvious at all (!) And no, I didn't meet anyone.
PIERCE: There's always New Year.
HENDRIX: Whatever. It's not like a date change is gonna make anything better for me.
PIERCE: You okay? I mean, I know you haven't been happy, but... anything else going on?
HENDRIX: Susan's kicking Clementine out cos of the baby. I'm pretty sure I'll be next.
PIERCE: She wouldn't do that to you. But it is a full house over there. You could always move back home. And I'd love it if you did. Clementine would be more than welcome.
HENDRIX: I dunno, Dad.

At that moment, Chloe appears, and Hendrix is out of there like a shot, saying it's hard enough dodging her as it is. Pierce asks him not to go, but it's too late.

CHLOE: Do I smell that bad?
PIERCE: He's just down in the dumps.
CHLOE: I get that. But it's not just affecting us.

On the other side of the courtyard, Toadie tells a despondent Kyle that he's feeling positive about 2020; Sonya's foundation has made a comeback, Elly's baby is healthy, and David's on the mend, meaning Kyle can sort things out with Amy. But Kyle tells Toadie about the email he saw, which was from a US immigration lawyer, and that he's worried Amy is looking into moving to the US for good.

KYLE: I get that I've stuffed up heaps, and I'm trying to do what's right. But I just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.
TOADIE: I think you're getting ahead of yourself there, mate.
KYLE: No - I nearly ruined my relationship with Dad to be with her.
TOADIE: The only way to find out for sure is to ask her.
KYLE: Toad, I can't lose her. I just can't.
TOADIE: Well, make sure that she knows that, then.

We return to Pierce and Chloe; Chloe asks how long they're going to allow the situation with Hendrix to continue.

CHLOE: Now he's staying at the Kennedys', it's not just us involved anymore. He was pretty rude to them earlier (...) I understand it's not as simple as telling him to get over it. Never worked for me. But if we do nothing, how can we ever be a family? We need a new plan.

No 28
Susan comes in and tells Finn that Elly's sleeping. She asks him how he is doing, following all the hostage drama.

SUSAN: What happened with Robert must've been incredibly frightening.
FINN: Yeah. It helped me understand how people must've felt being around me in the past. You could tell he didn't care that he was putting Elly in danger. Like, the consequences didn't matter.
SUSAN: ... I don't know if it's right to say that some people are just... just wired differently. But it's certainly how it feels when you're dealing with someone who just wants to hurt.
FINN: I'm worried. About Elly.
SUSAN: Robert's gone now.
FINN: I know. It's just... I hope she's okay.
SUSAN: Elly was... was very lucky that you were here for her and the baby. But she's got all of us now to look after her, so you should focus on yourself. And on Bea.
FINN: ... Yeah.

Susan looks concerned as Finn leaves the room.

No 26
It's Amy's turn to shut the laptop quickly when Kyle comes in, and he confronts her about the visa email he saw earlier.

AMY: I wasn't keeping it from you. We haven't had a chance to talk.
KYLE: Alright. Let's talk.
AMY: ... Originally, the plan was to go to New York for a few weeks. But Jimmy's asked me to stay long-term. He needs me, and Liam could do with the help.
KYLE: Wouldn't it be easier if you brought Jimmy home? I mean, if Liam's not up to the job.
AMY: We don't want to pull him out of school. And he's not gonna want to leave Maya behind.
KYLE: You can't take on everyone's problems.
AMY: I can't stop thinking, if I'd just been there from the start, this never would've become a problem.
KYLE: So what? You're just gonna up and leave?
AMY: Jimmy's a mess. I mean, David almost died. I haven't really thought all this through.
KYLE: But you had enough time to talk to Liam about it.
AMY: ...
KYLE: Amy, I love you. You need to be able to come to me.
AMY: ... I'm not sure what I'm gonna do.
KYLE: Well, let me make it easier for you. If you really think moving to New York is the best option... I'll move with you.

Amy looks conflicted.

No 28
Elly comes to chat to Finn about their awkward moment at the end of yesterday's episode. Finn admits there's a reason things have been intense between them.

FINN: Mum wasn't making things up (...) about how I feel about you. You thought it was all in her head, but... it wasn't. I admitted it to her. And I know this is not fair on Bea. And I've been trying to get over it, but I can't.
ELLY: How long has this been going on?
FINN: A while. At first I didn't know what was happening, I... But when I kept that photo album - the one of you and I when we were together - you told me to bin it, and I didn't. Well, not straight away. I thought I was just curious about who I was when we were a couple. But then I realised, it's so much more than that. I... I wasn't going to tell you, Elly, but after what happened. It was so...
ELLY: No, Finn - Finn.
FINN: Elly, I just want us to be honest with each other. Do you feel the same way?
ELLY: ...

No 26
Amy is chatting to Sheila over a cuppa. Sheila says she knows Kyle has made mistakes lately; Amy admits her trust in him has taken a hit. But she concedes that his willingness to move to the USA is a big deal, and appreciates how much he's trying.

SHEILA: It's because Kyle can see that what you two have now is really special, and it's worth fighting for. If you trust something, trust that you two belong together.

No 28
Finn and Elly continue their conversation.

ELLY: Since losing Shaun, you've been my rock - through everything. Through the grief, and losing my job, being pregnant.
FINN: And it's changed how you feel about me?
ELLY: Well, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't complicated. But I don't know what that means. Everything is so intense between us, and... I dunno, I'm really confused.
FINN: Elly, what are you saying?
ELLY: When Aster was born, it was terrifying, and amazing. And you were there throughout the whole thing. You were the one who kept me focused. You were the one who got me through it. But... I really wish that Shaun was here to meet his daughter. I still feel connected to him through you. So maybe what I think I feel is romantic, it's not. Does that makes sense?
FINN: ... I think so.
ELLY: Yeah. So whatever this is, we never act on it. I would never do that to Bea.
FINN: No, neither would I. I love Bea.
ELLY: Yeah, so do I. So, let's just put this to the side, and let it pass. Agree?
FINN: ... Yeah.

Finn smiles half-heartedly.

Lassiter's Complex
Susan and Toadie are having a coffee and a catch-up. They chat about Aster's arrival, then Susan moves on to asking how Toadie's Christmas was. He says it was 'pretty good, all things considered'.

SUSAN: Any rough spots?
TOADIE: Yeah, there were a few. Nell made this beautiful angel for Sonya. So we went down to the lake and put it on her tree. That was pretty special.
SUSAN: Yeah, I bet.

Pierce turns up and asks if they've seen Hendrix. Susan says not since he left the house earlier, adding that there was some tension at the time. Pierce apologises for Susan getting caught up in Hendrix's problems, and admits he feels like he's caught in the middle between him and Chloe. Now Chloe's concerned they're not dealing properly with the situation, but Pierce isn't sure what to do.

TOADIE: Unrequited love sucks. Eventually he'll get some perspective, but right now, it's got to hurt.
SUSAN: Yeah. But still, he's got to find a way to be in the same room as Chloe. Maybe it's time to set down some new rules (...) It's almost New Year. What better time?

Lassiter's Park
Pierce and Chloe are talking over their new Hendrix strategy, when Hendrix himself appears, doing a solo workout. Hendrix is wary when he sees Chloe, but Pierce goes over to talk to him one-to-one. He suggests Hendrix come to the New Year's party he's organising at The Waterhole.

PIERCE: At least there'll be food there, if nothing else.
HENDRIX: Is *she* gonna be there?
PIERCE: Yes. But that's the point. I care about the two of you; I want to see the New Year in with both of you (...) I'm not forcing you to talk to Chloe. I just simply want you to try being in the same room as her.
HENDRIX: You don't get it.
PIERCE: I know it's hard.
HENDRIX: No, this isn't some dumb crush, Dad. There were plenty of girls there last night that I could've hooked up with. I just... I couldn't do it. I hate this.

Hendrix jogs off, and Chloe glances over at Pierce, disappointed that the plan failed.

No 26
Amy and Kyle are chatting again.

AMY: I was blown away when you said you'd move to New York with me.
KYLE: Amy, you're the most important person in my life.
AMY: I haven't... been feeling that secure in Us™ lately.
KYLE: And that's on me. But I'm trying to make things right. We're good together. We want the same things out of life.
AMY: ... Umm, I've been thinking about that too. About us having kids.
KYLE: Yeah? I mean, it might be a bit tricky living in the States, but heaps of people have done it before us. And Jimmy will be there; and he'd be a great big brother.
AMY: I mean... yeah, he would, but... (sighs).... That's not what I was gonna say.

Amy becomes tearful.

KYLE: Then what? ... You don't want to have children with me.
AMY: No. I don't - I'm sorry.

No 28
Finn is on the sofa holding Aster, and singing a lullaby for her. Elly appears at the doorway watching, unseen by him. She looks thoughtful.

FINN: I love you, sweet Aster. And I'm always gonna be here for you, okay? And so's your mum. You got lucky with her. She's one of the special ones. She is going to give you a wonderful life.

Elly can't help smiling at the doorway.

No 26
Amy admits to Kyle that she should've been honest with him after the pregnancy false alarm.

KYLE: You knew then?
AMY: Yeah.
KYLE: So where does that leave us? ... You don't want me to come to New York, do you?

Amy shakes her head tearfully.

AMY: We're broken, and... I don't think we can be fixed.
KYLE: God, you're not even trying to fix it.
AMY: I don't... trust you anymore. I never thought I would say that. I truly believed, when we got back together, it was gonna be forever, Kyle. Maybe the way things ended the first time meant that we weren't gonna work, I dunno. But this doesn't feel right. We're over.

Kyle moves away from Amy, visibly gutted.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul angrily refuses to calm down in a heated conversation
- Shane asks Yashvi if she spent the night with Hendrix; she looks worried
- Amy gathers the Cannings to tell them all something; Kyle looks glum
- Harlow demands to know whether Paul was ever going to help Robert