Key Takeaways

Secrets threaten to explode as Vernon and Sharon worry Leslie won’t keep quiet — and Ted may already know too much.
Holiday heat and cold collide, with steamy sparks for Eva and Izaiah and growing tension between Bill and Hayley.
Anita Dupree faces a devastating diagnosis when she tells Vernon.
Next Week on Beyond the Gates
Secret’s About to Spill
Vernon (Clifton Davis) and Sharon (Bonita Brisker) kick off this Christmas week video preview by talking about the Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) factor. After all, she thinks something is going on between them, and they don’t want word about their secret meetings getting out.

Sharon: What if she tells Anita?
Vernon: “She claimed she can keep it quiet for now.
Sharon: Can you trust her?
Vernon: Oh, hell no

Vernon’s right. We have it on good authority that Leslie has already spilled the tea to Ted (Keith D. Robinson). Now what will Vernon do?

Ted’s Not So Lonely for the Holidays
Ted’s set to go to Martin’s (Brandon Claybon) and Smitty’s (Mike Manning) Christmas tree-trimming party. However, at some point, he will end up at Shanice’s (Ernestine Johnson), where they will eat, drink, and be merry. “Merry Christmas, Ted, Shanice says. “Merry Christmas, everyone,” Ted adds.

Who knows. Perhaps he will attempt to install the hi-tech bird feeder he got her for Christmas, which has totally triggered her bird phobia.

Things Get Steamy
Sexy times are ahead for Eva (Ambyr Michelle) and Izaiah (David Lami Friebe), who are steaming things up for the holiday. “What’s a woman like you want?” Izaiah wonders aloud. “What everyone wants,” Eva replies. And then the scene cuts to the cozy couple kissing.

And Then They Get Ice Cold
The vibe isn’t so steamy for Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) and Hayley (Marquita Goings). She’s tired of his wandering focus. “Just remember,” the con artist starts. “Duprees aren’t your family anymore. I am,” she continues. Bill doesn’t look too sold.

Fun and Games

Meanwhile, the fun is just beginning at Casa Dandre, where Dani (Karla Mosley) and Andre (Sean Freeman) are throwing the other Dupree family tree-trimming party. Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) shows her little sister just how much fun she can be. “What is that horrible-looking thing?” Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) inquires. Whatever it is, Naomi pulls on it and sprays something liquid in Chelsea’s face.

Anita Confesses to Vernon

The tone quickly grows somber when we see Anita and Vernon. The doctor just told Anita that she has breast cancer, and now she’s told her husband. Anita remains strong and determined in the face of this devastating news. “I want to see them all here. Our children, our grandchildren, their children. I want this to be the best damn Christmas ever,” she states emphatically.