Four weeks before the events of the season finale, Aimee is on the phone with Cherie.
Cherie: Darling, I know you’re busy in DC, but are you certain you can’t come home for Christmas?
Aimee: It’s less that I’m busy and more that I’m a forty-five year-old woman who is eight months pregnant. We discussed this, I flew out here at the last possible time I could fly and now I will stay here until I give birth.
Cherie: Why did you go out there to begin with?
Aimee: Wasn’t the plan, but then I actually got elected to the Senate. Who could’ve seen that coming?
Cherie: Christmas won’t be the same without you. You know that breaks my heart, right?
Aimee: You have the whole family to celebrate with. Kimmy can sure use the extra attention, she’s always extremely jealous of me. I’ll have aunt Victoria, so don’t you worry about me.
Cherie: I think that’’s even worse than spending Christmas alone.
Aimee: She’s good company. It’s me who is extremely annoying right now. I’m so grumpy without the eggnog.
Cherie: You can drink eggnog while you’re pregnant!
Aimee: Not the kind I like.
Cherie: You should at least see you kids on Christmas, especially if I gotta see Kimmy.
Kimmy: I heard that!
Aimee: Hi, Kimmy! Sorry you gotta deal with mom without me this Christmas!
Cherie: Kimmy, your sister said hello and nothing else.
Kimmy: Tell her I said hi, and that I asked why she’s leaving me to spend Christmas alone with you.
Cherie: Kimmy said hi.
Aimee: Back to your comment, I do want to spend the day with my kids. Dave just can’t afford to fly out here for Christmas just to have to fly out again in early January.
Cherie: Why is he out here without you to begin with? Are you not married? Did he not knock you up?
Aimee: He had to spend Thanksgiving with his folks, his mom’s not getting any younger.
Cherie: I feel like everything is being done as inconveniently as possible this year.
Aimee: Pregnancy’s not meant to be convenient.
Cherie: I hope you at least decorated nice in Victoria’s place. Otherwise, will you even know it’s Christmas?
Aimee: The house is fully decorated. You know Victoria does nothing with subtlety.
Cherie: Does she have one of those glowing red Rudolph noses on the front of her car? She feels like the type to do that.
Aimee: You know the answer to that already.
Cherie: Always such an attention hog.
Aimee: I better get going, mom. I have to go Christmas shopping for the kids. Gotta get it done now so I can ship them to Washington in time for Christmas.
Cherie: I can buy Christmas presents. Just send me their list, I’ll get them for you.
Aimee: I appreciate the offer, but shopping for presents is the one time I get to focus on something other than the Senate transition.
Cherie: Okay, you enjoy your shopping, then.
Aimee: Merry Christmas.
Cherie: We both know we’ll talk about a dozen times before Christmas, and that’s a conservative estimate.
Aimee: Bye, mom.
Aimee hangs up.
Denise: I’ve been waiting for you to get off!
Aimee: Were you eavesdropping? I was waiting for you just outside your door.
Lynette: It’s not our fault you left it open. It’s like you were trying to be heard by everyone in the building.
Aimee: What do you guys need?
Lynette: I just wanted to see if you had any boxes I could use. No one ever warned me that packing one little office could be so much work.
Aimee: Did you just start packing?
Lynette: You know, I’ve been busy.
Aimee: Doing what?
Lynette: Campaigning.
Aimee: How hard does Ione have to campaign as a Republican inWyoming?
Alec: Apparently harder than she did.
Aimee: Alec, what are you doing here?
Alec: I just wanted to say goodbye to you girls. I’m heading home for Christmas.
Aimee: Already?
Alec: Nothing important is being taken up for a vote now anyway, might as well get a jump start on the jolly.
Lynette: I forgot about Christmas.
Alec: Don’t let Fox News hear you say that.
Denise: Can I ask my thing now? My thing is actually important.
Lynette: My thing was very important to me.
Denise: Mine is important for Aimee.
Aimee: Fire away. It better not be about Christmas, though. I’m already sick of hearing about it after that conversation with my mother.
Denise: It’s about your new Senate office.
Aimee: This should be good.
Denise: Do you want me to decorate it for Christmas?
Aimee: Are you ki-
Denise: I’m joking!
Aimee: Ah, good. What’s it really about?
Denise: A sprinkler went off in the office and the walls and floor were dampened. Do you want to call someone to treat it?
Aimee: I would prefer to not get mold, so, yeah.
Alec: This truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
Denise: I’ll go make that call. You will have a dry office by tomorrow.
Aimee: Is that all you guys wanted, then?
Denise: That’ll be all.
Aimee: Good, I have to go shopping.
Lynette: No one ever told me if there are any boxes here for me to use.
Denise: I there there were some in the Senate office.
Lynette: The drenched office?
Denise: Oh, yeah. You might not want those boxes.
Aimee: I have some in the closet you can use.
Lynette: Thank you for actually being helpful, Aimee.
Denise: I tried to help!
Lynette: But you didn’t help, did you?
Denise: No…
Aimee: Lynette, get the boxes. Everyone else, out! I have to go!
Victor: Senator-elect!
Aimee: Not now, Victor!
Victor: I just wanted to give you this Christmas present.
Aimee: Since when do we give each other Christmas gifts?
Victor: I always give a Christmas gift to the departing members, a little something to remember me by.
Lynette: You didn’t give me anything!
Victor: You going to open it, Aimee?
Aimee: Is it a book? It feels like a book.
Victor: It’s not a book.
Aimee: I have to be honest with you, Victor, I’m not really expecting many presents this Christmas. Would you mind if I waited to open it until then?
Victor: If it would really brighten your Christmas, then sure. Please let me know what you think of it, though.
Aimee: Sure, will do. Happy holidays, Victor.
Victor: It’s merry Christmas, don’t buy into the commie garbage.
Two hours later, at the store…
Nanette: Aimee! Happy holidays!
Aimee: God, these prices are just terrible!
Nanette: Aimee!
Aimee: Speaker Peretti, I didn’t even see you!
Nanette: Guessing you didn’t hear me, either.
Aimee: You look so festive!
Nanette: You look -
Aimee: Eight months pregnant and like I’m wearing whatever still fits? You are correct.
Nanette: You look great. The green pants with the red shirt, super Christmassy.
Aimee: The pants aren’t green, they’re just growing algae.
Nanette: Very funny… I think.
Aimee: So what brings the Speaker of the House to Zara’s on a Friday afternoon?
Nanette: Getting Christmas shopping done for my granddaughter.
Aimee: Don’t you have people for that?
Nanette: Gifts mean nothing if they’re not from the heart.
Aimee: I agree. That’s why I’m here, trying to buy a dress for my sister that she once described to me but never showed me a picture of. It’s been a challenge.
Nanette: Are you heading home for Christmas or no?
Aimee: I can’t fly, too far along. I’m spending it with my aunt, I’ll try to Zoom with my family or something. That’s why I’m shopping so early, gotta ship everything out to them.
Nanette: Early? It’s December 9th!
Aimee: Early enough for me. I’m a Christmas Eve Eve shopper, usually.
Nanette: Oh, Aimee.
Aimee: It works for me, and you know what they say about trying to fix what’s not broke.
Nanette: How are you feeling about spending Christmas away from your family?
Aimee: I’ve certainly been merrier. This is not an easy time of year to be away from your family.
Nanette: I understand, the magic of Christmas is in the people we celebrate it with. Just remember, though, their love can still be felt across the country. Do your traditions, celebrate everything you can with your aunt. We have to treasure the holidays while we’re here.
Aimee: You’ve always been so sentimental.
Nanette: When you get to my age, you learn to make the most of every day. Especially days as important as Christmas. Try to focus on the positive. Maybe watch a good movie.
Aimee: I’m trying, and I’ll keep trying. I love Christmas, I think it’s the most wonderful thing. I think I’ll sit down and watch a good movie tonight with my aunt.
Nanette: I’m glad you have a good attitude about it. I myself, I sit down and watch It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas when I’m alone here in DC.
Aimee: And that… that cheers you up?
Nanette: Of course! It’s a touching holiday classic.
Aimee: It’s a movie about a man who wants to die by suicide and only doesn’t because an angel convinces him not to.
Nanette: Exactly, it’s a movie about the value of life, and how it’s worth it to push through.
Aimee: That’s a good way to look at it. I was sort of thinking I watch a comedy, though.
Nanette: At Christmas?
Aimee: Watch Elf tonight. You’ll thank me.
Nanette: You youngsters and your hip movies. I’m gonna miss seeing you, Aimee.
Aimee: Nanette , you have a good Christmas, okay?
Nanette: You too, Aimee. If you need to talk, you can call me.
Aimee: I’ll do that.
Nanette: Do you need help finding that dress for your sister?
Aimee: Um.. I guess? Can’t hurt having another set of eyes looking.
Nanette: Well, you don’t know what my eyes are like!
Later that night…
Victoria: Aimee, what are you doing?
Aimee: I’m running these boxes out to my car. I have to ship them out to Washington tomorrow so everyone gets them by Christmas.
Victoria: You are eight months pregnant and you look like you ate a whole watermelon.
Aimee: Thank you?
Victoria: You are not carrying those to your car! In fact, I don’t want you shipping them at all.
Aimee: I know you have your problems with mom, but I don’t think it’s right for you to deny everyone else their presents because of it.
Victoria: I have no problems with your mother. What I’m saying is I’ll take them to be shipped. You shouldn’t be worrying about that in your condition.
Aimee: My “condition?” Why are you talking about my pregnancy like a 1950s sitcom character?
Victoria: I am old, you know.
Aimee: Are you sure you want to handle shipping all these boxes back?
Victoria: I can handle UPS.
Aimee: I appreciate it, thank you. Carrying them in the house was already enough of a hassle.
Victoria: You should’ve told me what you were doing today, I would’ve helped you get your shopping done. And your wrapping. And your baking. Why were you baking?
Aimee: I have to send mom and dad my famous sugar cookies. They have red and green sprinkles!
Victoria: You are doing too much.
Aimee: It doesn’t feel like Christmas if I’m not doing “too much.”
Victoria: How about we watch a movie? Or decorate the tree?
Aimee: Oh, crap! I forgot the tree wasn’t decorated yet.
Victoria: It’s bare, it’s naked, it’s exposed to the world, it’s a little depressing. Sort of like a Playboy Playmate.
Aimee: What a fun Christmas comparison. Jesus would be proud.
Victoria: You know, I could have been in Playboy. I said no, though, too modest.
Aimee: I… I don’t even want to know.
Victoria: I had quite the life, Aimee.
Aimee: Let’s watch It’s a Wonderful Life now, so we can get in the holiday spirit.
Victoria: George Bailey’s life couldn’t hand a candle to mien.
Aimee: Of course it couldn’t, aunt Victoria.
Two weeks later, on December 22nd…
Aimee: Oh, goodness! This place is so empty, I didn’t realize anyone else was here!
Melody: Senator-Elect Melody Choi from California.
Aimee: I know who you are, you’re the figure skater!
Melody: That is indeed what most people know me for, yes.
Aimee: I loved your routine in 2018, you should’ve won gold.
Melody: I know.
Aimee: So what are you doing here? It’s almost Christmas!
Melody: Can’t go home for Christmas, so I might as well get my office in order.
Aimee: Oh! I didn’t even notice!
Melody: Notice what?
Aimee: Your belly… you’re, uh…
Melody: I’m kidding! Yes, we are both extremely, unimaginably, undeniably pregnant. I am particularly blimp-like because I’m having twins. Have you ever had twins?
Aimee: No, can’t say I have.
Melody: Yeah, never do it. It is a special level of hell I have never previously experienced.
Aimee: Do you need to sit down or something?
Melody: No, I’m good. You’re Aimee Donahue, right?
Aimee: Ferrera Donahue, but yes.
Melody: Your first name is Ferrera?
Aimee: No, I have a double-barreled surname.
Melody: Oh. Sorry, the pregnancy’s giving me brain fog.
Aimee: That’s okay. The holiday season alone gives me brain fog.
Melody: Don’t get me started on the holidays. I barely even feel like it is Christmas. I’m all alone, and you know what Darlene Love says about being alone on Christmas.
Aimee: What about your husband?
Melody: He’s in Michigan with his family. Apparently that’s his priority and not his heavily-pregnant wife.
Aimee: I can’t believe this, it’s like looking in a mirror. I’m in the same boat as you!
Melody: What are the odds?
Aimee: I think a Christmas miracle brought us together. This is not the year we’re like Macauley Culkin, we won’t be Home Alone for Christmas. You’re coming over for Christmas. My aunt has a place in DC, I will see you on Christmas.
Melody: We just met, you really sure you want to have me over for Christmas?
Aimee: We’re kindred spirits, I can tell. It’ll be a nice holiday.
Melody: As long as neither of us pop by then, I’ll be there. Let me put my number in your phone, and just text me the address.
Aimee: Okay, here you go.
Melody: Oh, one more thing: no caroling. I have a voice to make dogs howl.
Aimee: My aunt can sing. Maybe we’ll just let her do the caroling.
Melody: Sounds like a plan.
The next day…
Carolyn: Aimee, how are you? I know Christmas Eve is usually your big family party.
Aimee: I’ve been better. I’ve been worse. I am having a guest over tomorrow.
Carolyn: That’s good! Who is it?
Aimee: Senator-elect Melody Choi. She’s a doll.
Carolyn: How’d that happen?
Aimee: I ran into her yesterday at my new Senate office. She’s also pregnant and spending Christmas alone, so I figured we could spend Christmas together. She seems really nice.
Carolyn: I’m glad you’re not spending it all alone.
Aimee: I was never going to, I have aunt Victoria.
Carolyn: Yeah, it’s good you have a bit of space from that.
Aimee: Aww, I love my aunt.
Carolyn: Yes, but she seems like the type to go a bit over the top with the holidays.
Aimee: Yeah, you ain’t kidding.
There is a knock at the door.
Victoria: I’ll get it!
Carolyn: Is someone at the door?
Aimee: Probably a caroler or something.
Carolyn: Carolers? Who goes caroling in 2022?
Aimee: I don’t know, it’s Christmas!
Victoria: Aimee, get in here!
Aimee: I’m being redirected. One minute, Car.
Carolyn: Take all the time you need, every minute on the phone is a minute away from my mother-in-law.
Aimee: Victoria, what is this?
Kimmy (singing): I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need
Aimee: Mariah Kimmy, what are you doing here?
Ernesto: Feliz Navidad!
Aimee: Oh my god, what is going on?
Victoria: Merry Christmas, Aimee.
Cherie: Dave, are you gonna get your ass in here? You’re ruining the Christmas surprise!
Kimmy: Ho-ho-ho!
Aimee: Don’t talk about yourself like that!
Kimmy: You bitch!
Cherie: Are you surprised?
Aimee: I’m a little bit speechless.
Dave: It’s so nice to see you!
Aimee: You’re the reason I almost didn’t get to see my family on Christmas!
Dave: Me?
Aimee: If you could’ve kept it in your damn pants!
Ernesto: Okay, maybe let’s not have this conversation in front of the kids. Or the parents.
Kimmy: Or the Kimmy.
Aimee: I’m just messing around. Come here and kiss me under the mistletoe, Dave.
Cherie: Aww, how sweet.
Ernesto: You don’t seem all that surprised, Aimee.
Aimee: I am very surprised, I am just so heavily pregnant that this child may release itself from my body if I act too surprised.
Kimmy: Does anyone else hear yelling in the distance?
Aimee: No.
Kimmy: I think it’s coming from the phone.
Aimee: Damn! Carolyn’s on the line yet!
Carolyn: Aimee! You still there?
Aimee: Gotta go, talk to you later!
Carolyn: Okay, talk later! Hope this isn’t a hostage situation!
Aimee: Oh, no! I just realized your presents aren’t here anymore. I shipped them across the country.
Victoria: You think I really shipped those? They’re in my closet.
Aimee: You knew about this for two weeks?
Victoria: Yeah, I masterminded the whole thing.
Dave: She paid for our flights out here.
Kimmy: Not mine!
Victoria: I paid for all of you?
Ernesto: Surprise!
Kimmy: What? Mom, did you scam me?
Cherie: Don’t think of it as scamming, think of it as us wanting you to be financially independent.
Kimmy: You scammed me!
Aimee: Merry Christmas!
Dave It’s not too late for our Christmas Eve celebration. You want to go drive around and look at lights?
Aimee: I guess, yeah
Victoria: I can show you all the best lights in town, I already picked out some doozies. Maybe we can even go to the White House.
Aimee: Yeah, I don’t think he wants to see me.
Ernesto: Aimee messed up our White House Christmas tour! Her and her darn morals!
The next day…
Aimee: I really tried to convince myself I was okay with it, but it really isn’t Christmas without all of us together. I’m so glad you all did this for me.
Kimmy: We’re not really with mom.
Aimee: She passed out from all the eggnog, but she’s still physically here.
Kimmy: And all by two in the afternoon. Oh, what a Christmas!
Ernesto: Uh… Aimee. Who’s the pregnant lady on the porch dressed like she’s playing the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Icecapades?
Aimee: Oh, that’s my friend!
Victoria: I’ll get the door.
Aimee: Good, I can’t get up.
Cherie: Is it still Christmas?
Kimmy: Wow, I can smell the alcohol on your breath.
Cherie: I had one glass of eggnog.
Kimmy: You’re a lightweight, but that’s okay, Mrs. Claus.
Cherie: Mrs. Claus?
Ernesto: I can see it.
Melody: Aimee! There are more people here than I was expecting, I guess our definitions of “alone” are a bit different.
Aimee: This was my Christmas surprise from my family. They all flew out to surprise me today.
Melody: That’s so sweet. And it gives me something else to yell at my husband about.
Ernesto: Seriously, who is this woman?
Melody: I’m the Ghost of Christmas Present. Just kidding, I’m Melody Choi, senator-elect from California.
Kimmy: She’s an American hero, dad.
Ernesto: She must be a Democrat if you say that.
Kimmy: She fought for our country.
Melody: In ice dance.
Ernesto: Can you skate for us today? There’s a pond out back.
Melody: Maybe next month.
Victoria: What are you all standing around for? Christmas is about togetherness, we need to sing a song together.
Melody: Maybe I should go.
Aimee: Nope, you are not spending Christmas alone!
Dave: Maybe we can just go open presents.
Melody: Oh, I brought you something, Aimee!
Aimee: It’s going to be hard to compete with the angel statue that Victor Mulcahy gave me. It was customized to look like me!
Dave: You are my angel.
Aimee: Aww. That almost makes up for you forgetting my present at home.
Kimmy: I'm gonna be sick.
Victoria: Just don't puke on the tree.
What did you think of the Evergreen Aimee Christmas special? Let us know in the comments and vote in the poll below! Evergreen Aimee will be back next year for season three!
