Holby
Maria’s still confused after finding out that Kieron is actually Sam’s son. It’s Christmas Eve and she’s stuck in a rut. She goes to visit a Clairvoyant who tells Maria her future is in her own hands…
Back at Holby, Sam and Kieron indulge in a bit of father/son bonding as Sam tries to make sense of everything. Kieron has decided that he wants to stay in Britain to be with Sam, and also for someone else…but who? Suddenly Kieron clocks Maria as she arrives for work. Sam realises in that moment that he too has feelings for Maria. Kieron tells Sam that he wants to stay to be with Maria, and Sam is gob-smacked. Maria’s been two-timing him with his own son – how could she do that?
Sam confronts Maria and she insists that she and Kieron were just good friends - any ‘relationship’ is in Kieron’s head. Sam realises that he’s caught between his love for Maria and his son.
Meanwhile, Donna is surprised when Faye returns to Holby and helps her prepare for the Holby Christmas party that is later that evening. It is more than Maria has done. Though through the window, Donna sees that something is getting to Maria and so she goes to try and patch things up with her. Maria, however, doesn’t want to know and Donna starts to realise that maybe she isn’t the friend she thought she was.
As Maria is at home getting ready for the Christmas party, a series of dreamlike sequences take over. She’s taken through a whirlwind of emotions as she realises how her decisions could affect not only her own happiness, but other people’s too.
Maria meets the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Maria her mother giving birth to her, alone in a public toilet. Maria doesn’t believe who the woman is, but realises that in some strange way she must help her. Maria delivers the baby, resulting in her mother naming the baby Maria. Maria realises that the woman is her mother and that she has given birth to herself.
The Ghost of Christmas Present goes on to show Maria what life will be like if she doesn’t act now and stop the events that will happen following Christmas Eve. He also shows Maria how good she is at her job and how much Donna values her as a friend.
Finally the Ghost of Christmas Future shows Maria living in New York 3 years on with Sam and Kieron. Sam and Maria are married, she is pregnant, but they’re not happy. Kieron is still madly in love with Maria and hasn’t played the violin in 3 years in protest against her relationship with his father. Maria finally tells Kieron she isn’t in love with him and he should move on. Kieron doesn’t take the news lightly; he has wasted 3 years of his life on nothing. Kieron commits suicide after stepping out in front of truck.
When brought back to reality, a disorientated Maria feels like a changed person. She reconciles her friendship with Donna and rushes out to the Christmas Party to speak to Sam and Kieron. Sam excitedly tells Maria of his plans – he wants the three of them (Sam, Kieron and Maria) to move out to New York together! He’s even bought her a ticket. Although it tears her apart, Maria tells an upset and confused Sam that they can no longer be together – it will never work between them. It breaks Maria’s heart that she’s ending the very thing she’s wanted for so long… but she knows it is for the best.
Maria explains to Kieron that she never had feelings for him and she tells him that she’s dating someone else. He finally gets the message that she’s not interested in a relationship with him and upset he leaves. In private aside, Sam assures Maria that he will come back for her one day, but he must go with Kieron now and be the father Kieron has never had.
As Sam leaves for the airport, Maria is nowhere to be seen. Sam asks Donna to say goodbye for him and he leaves for New York with Kieron.