Caray, Caray!

Claudio tells Isela that Josefa herself admitted that she beats Isela, and Leo got confirmation from Clara. Why is Isela covering for her? Isela claims that it’s between her and Josefa, but then admits it’s because Josefa has no other way of dealing with/letting out (desquitarse) her pain. Claudio won’t accept this. He can’t present Isela before the world as his mujer, but he also sees her as more than his lover (amante) and doesn’t want her to be hurt. Isela then tells Claudio about her big sister Marta, who killed herself after a wretched man/jerk (infelíz) betrayed her.

Maria Dolores and Doris join the conversation at Honoria’s place and get the news about Isela. The only info they got out of Orlando was that Isela has ended things with Claudio (he didn’t spill the venganza frijoles). Honoria tells them that Josefa’s man got another woman pregnant, dumped the baby on Josefa, and split. They all now understand why Jo has always treated Isela like crap. Hon further explains that one of the ways Jo kept her quiet about it all these years was by threatening to tell Julian that the local drunken bum was his father. Doris thinks this is a situation where friends are better family to you than the family who raised you (she speaks from experience). Julian says that had Isela known this sooner, she would have left with Orlando, and never gotten entangled with Bustamante. MD doesn’t believe in would-a, should-a, could-a.  The fact is that Orlando is now with the awesome Doris. MD does agree that they all need to help Isela, and perhaps knowing the truth about Jo will help her make better life choices.

Ivana is waiting to speak to Max when he and Alma arrive home. She lets Alma know that Claudio and Isela are upstairs, “supposedly” working, and are not to be disturbed. Alma heads upstairs and catches Claudio hugging Isela right after her confession about her dead sister. They both look guilty as sin.

MD, Doris and Espy return to the Morales apartment to find Leo and Clara unpacking groceries. Espy knows this is all for Las Posadas, and Clara worries that she is upset they are going ahead with it (Espy and Rodolfo always organized and lead it each year). Espy gives her blessing, and starts making plans for food and decorations. Alma has committed to bringing the tamales.

Alma asks why Claudio is in Isela’s room, hugging her. He quickly explains that he was talking to her about her mother’s abuse, and comforting her. Alma buys it. Isela further gets Alma’s sympathy by explaining that she’s always lived in the shadow of her sister, from whose death Josefa has never been able to recover. She takes her pain and sadness on out on Isela. Isela has often asked herself why she didn’t die instead. She further claims she has no one and nowhere in the world. Alma falls for it, hook, line and sinker, and assures Isela that she sees her as a daughter, this is her family, and this is her home. They hug as Claudio looks on. We don’t know if shame or guilt have made their way to his heart yet.

Max tells Ivana that he and MD don’t see the need to continue trying to pin the fire on Dan, since he’s already in jail. They want to get some peace, and the two of them want to start the new year off as man and wife, waiting for the arrival of THEIR baby. Ivana barely manages a tight smile at that news. She takes her leave, and Max leaves the room as Claudio comes to walk Ivana out. He wonders what double game she’s playing, pretending she will testify on behalf of MD, when she has her lawyers working to free Dan. She retorts that she can ask HIM the same question. She’s sure Max won’t be so understanding about him freeing the man who raped the woman he loves. Touché!

Alma tells Isela she understands the pain Josefa felt losing her child. That’s why she’s happy that she will die before her kids. But parents are supposed to protect their children, which Josefa has majorly failed at doing. She needs to respect Isela, if she wants to see her anymore. Alma has decided to wait till after the new year to tell Claudio and Leo about her cancer. She wants to start the year off with hope and a happy wedding.

Max speaks to someone on the phone about trying to find Corina. He hangs up and explains the situation to Alma, and how Dan screwed over this poor girl. MD is super worried about her, and Max will keep trying to find her. Max asks about Isela, and Alma tells him about the dead sister. Max just wants Alma to be tranquil. Alma happily tells him that won’t be possible, with the Posadas tomorrow, prep for the holidays, and wedding planning. She’s happy to have all the distractions. She asks Max if he thinks MD will allow her to buy the wedding dress. Max loves the idea, and tells her to ask MD. He’s sure she’ll love the gesture. Alma thanks him for being an awesome son. “Leo is my accomplice in doing crazy things. Your father is my accomplice/companion in life. And you, you taught me how to be a mother. I’ll never forget your little face when you were born. Your blue eyes… My love, I love you.” Max tells her he loves her too, and they share a tearful hug.

Isela calls Josefa and tells her that if her plan in telling Claudio that she beats her was to win the Bustamante’s sympathy for her, then it worked. But they also now don’t want Josefa anywhere near Isela, so Jo’s plan might not have been so clever.

Ivana visits the Santibañez and is surprised to find Jacinto is working for them. Ursula makes it clear to Ivana that when she signed on to the plan (to steal MD’s baby) she became just as much of a low down, flea-ridden, dirty dog as the rest of them, Jacinto included.

Ivana shares her news that MD and Max are getting married right after New Year’s. Ursula flips out about her baby boy possibly spending Christmas in jail (boohoo), and tells Ivana she has no maternal instinct when she doesn’t give a flip if Danny Boy will get to open his presents by the Christmas tree this year. All Ivana wants is HER baby, because Max is walking around calling it THEIR (his and MD’s) baby. Ivana exists stage right, but sticks around to eavesdrop. She hears Mal ask why Ursula hasn’t used the nuclear bomb on Claudio yet, by telling him Alma has cancer. Arango and Ursula want to draw that trump card when they absolutely have to. For now, the threat of outing his affair with his secretary should be enough. Mal tells them to get a move on, otherwise, Dan will get out of jail to find MD married to Max, and his kid with another man’s last name.

MD calls Isela and asks to talk to her about something important during the Posadas tomorrow.

Doris tells Orlando that Isela is not Josefa’s kid.

MD and Espy discuss the plight of poor Isela (and are WAY more sympathetic than I am), while cooking up a storm for the Posadas. Clara and Leo rush in to give updates on Posadas plans. Orlando has agreed to be the first house stop for the Posadas pilgrims. Leo wants to help them put up a Christmas tree. Espy hadn’t really thought they would do a tree, especially not this year, but agrees when Clara begs.

Ivana comes home to find Susana has (had the servants) set up the Christmas tree. She gets far too much pleasure telling Ivana about all the gifts that have already been sent to her AND Dan, from people wishing them well on their new marriage and expected baby.

Clara brings Espy out to the courtyard for a surprise. All the neighbors have gathered to help decorate and set up the nativity scene. They present Espy with the Joseph figurine, which Honoria had worked hard to repair. Espy remembers a happy time years ago when the girls were little and Rodolfo brought her flowers. She smiles. The decorating begins! Afterwards they are all treated to a punch Espy made. Max and Leo surprise the Morales ladies with a Christmas tree.

Ivana calls Alma to throw shade. First, she tries to fish for info about Alma’s health. Alma says she’s just tired. Ivana then wonders why Isela is living with them. Alma says she’ll explain later. Alma asks Ivana to recommend a wedding dress boutique. Ivana says she’ll recommend the best in the city. But then she asks how Alma could have forgiven MD, because she does not understand this change in attitude. Alma tells her she’s going through a personal process, but she’ll tell her about it later. She ends the call.

Doris gives Orlando all of her Christmas decorations so that he can decorate his place, since she has no intention of decorating hers. He’s nervous because it’s the first time his house will be a stop on the Posadas. She teases him about it. Doris admits that Christmas makes her sad because that’s when she misses her family and she feels alone. Orlando proposes that they deck out her place and his, because she is no longer alone. They kiss.

As the youngsters decorate the tree, Espy gets teary and thanks Max and Leo. She tells them that when Rodolfo died, so much good went out of her life, but they (Max and Leo) have brought such wonderful things into her life.

The next morning, Orlando comes to tell Julian that he’s found the perfect car to adapt for him. Fermin and Jenny explain to worried Honoria that it will be adapted for him to drive by hand. Orly will help teach Julian how to use it and will take care of getting the car registered for him. Julian insists on paying Orly for some of this, despite his protests.  

Claudio is wrapping up a discouraging meeting with Victor in his office (not smart if he’s trying to keep this from Max), when Ivana comes to see him. She tells him Ursula is going crazy because she wants Dan out by tomorrow for Christmas. Claudio says that Ursula’s whims (caprichos) aren’t enough to move the heavy wheel of Justice (or Injustice, depending on your view). Ivana warns him that he’s going to have to do something to prevent Ursula from telling Alma what she knows. “I’m not here to judge you. But Ursula is capable of telling Alma everything, despite her being sick.” Cara de whatchutalkinbout, Ivana?!

Julian apologizes to Orly for not telling him sooner about Isela’s baby-mama drama—it could have changed things for them. Orly doesn’t mind. What's done is done. His face lights up as he speaks about Doris, who is just amazing and lovely. For the first time ever, he’s really enjoying having a girlfriend.  If it weren’t for Ari constantly trying to ruin things between them, it would be perfect. And not having a crazy suegra (Jo) is a big bonus too. (Amen!) Orly thinks Isela needs to know the truth ASAP (MD is on it), and he also has something else he wants to speak to her about…

Isela tells Alma she doesn’t want to go to the Posadas, because she doesn’t want to have problems with Josefa. Alma agrees, but asks Isela to spend Christmas with her and the Bustamante men.

Claudio doesn’t believe Alma is sick. Ivana tells him he needs to do something. “Alma doesn’t deserve this.”

Doris brings her special brand of holiday cheer to the Morales house. They check their website and find an order for one of their custom-made dresses. Yay! It’s a good thing Alma is buying MD’s wedding dress, since she won’t have time to make her own.

Ivana rips into Gerry’s latest design proposals, basically calling them ugly. He wonders if she’s been doing her mirror exercise, and suggests the criticism she’s hurling at his designs is really just what she’s feeling about herself. Touché, Gerry.

Victor tells Ursula that Claudio doesn’t have good news about getting Dan out of jail by Christmas. Mal sarcastically says there’s no need to decorate the house now, since it will be the saddest Christmas since her papa died. Ursula orders the staff to decorate more than ever, in preparation for Dan’s homecoming!

Claudio visits the oncologist office, and finds out that yes indeed, Alma is a patient.