My Fantasy, Part 3

---BAY CITY; The Cottage---

Jake, Vicky, and the kids arrive home. It is very late, and there had been a trip full of laughter and catching up for all four of them on the way home from Lassiter. The kids are asleep, and Jake and Vicky are just carrying them through the door.

Jake, with both Steven and Kirkland, opens the door and ushers Vicky in, who is holding the twins.

JAKE: Well, here we are, home sweet home! Ummm, sorry about the mess, I haven't been here much lately. The boys were living in California with Jamie, and I was working in Oakdale.

VICKY: No Jake, it's perfect. It is just so great to be here, a family again. (Takes a deep breath) God, I missed the smell of this house...I used to have dreams about it.

JAKE: Here, let me take the boys up to bed, then I will come down here. I have a surprise for you.

VICKY: Hmm, will I like it? (Smiles devilishly) I just might have a surprise or two in store for you too Mr. McKinnon. It has been a long time ;-)

Jake disappears upstairs to put the boys in their room. While he is gone, Vicky walks around looking at everything. Everything is in the exact same place as when she had last been there, and there was an extensive layer to dust on the mantle and tabletops. Vicky realizes that noone had lived in this house for a long time.

JAKE (coming downstairs): So blondie, ready for your surprise?

VICKY: Jake, why did you bring me here if this isn't where you live? There is so much dust all over, and nothing has been even touched since I was gone! Jake, it has been almoast three years! What is going on here?

JAKE: Vicky, I am not hiding anything from you. This place has always been home to me. After you die....after the accident, I just couldn't bear to set foot through the door. The memories, smells, everything about the house just reminded me of you and of the fact that I couldn't have you anymore. So, I started living in Oakdale. I was only here a handful of times throughout those three years, just for odds and ends. When I found you today, and we decided to go home, I didn't even think of anywhere else to bring you. This IS home, honey. Now and forever.

VICKY: Oh Jake, what about your job? Your new life in Oakdale? Surely there are people there who are worried about you....we can't just pick up and leave!

JAKE: Vicky, I would do anything for you, and I love this house, our family, and you more than any job or anything in Oakdale. there is nothing holding me there, okay? Don't worry about my job, Lucinda can hold down the fort without me until I decide what to do.

VICKY: Okay...now, what is my surprise?

JAKE: (smiling and wiggling his eyebrows) Follow me, and you shall see, my dear.

Jake and Vicky walk upstairs to their bedroom. However, just as Vicky thinks they are going to go in, Jake steers her towards the next room.

VICKY: Hey, where are you taking me?

JAKE: Why? Disappointed? Don't worry, there is plenty of time for that later. Right now, don't you think we need to find a place for our little girls to sleep?

He pushes open the door to the room, revealing a fully furnished paradise for any little kid. The walls are painted with a collage of the sky, fluffy clouds and sunbeams all over. There are two little beds, each overflowing with stuffed animals. there is a rocking chair in the middle of it all, and to the side is Michael's cradle. Hanging from the middle of the ceiling is a set of bells, which chime lightly from the sudden draft of the door opening.

VICKY: Jake....when in the world did you do all of this?? It is perfect! How did you know?

JAKE: Well, you were always so certain they were girls, I just went with it. Vic, after we thought you were gone, I was such a mess. I couldn't accept the fact that you were out of my life for good. I went through a downward spiral. The only thing in my life that made me feel sane was thinking about the boys and the twins and you. So, I came here and did all of this. It only took about three days. I just knew that one day we would all be here to share it.

VICKY: Jake, I love you so much...that you know me so completely. There is nothing about this room I would change, nothing!! Well, besides the dust, but hey...I was never much of a duster. Let's clean up a bit and then bring the girls up.

After the girls are settled, Jake and Vicky return to their bedroom. All of a sudden, an awkward silence fills the room. Neither one of them knows what to say, so they just sit there on opposite sides of the bed. Finally, Jake cannot stand it anymore.

JAKE: Vic, I know it's been a long time, and if you aren't ready it is fine with me...

VICKY: Jake, I love you. I have missed you for almost three years now. How could I NOT be ready?? Get over here McKinnon, and show me just how much you missed me :)

Jake takes Vicky in his arms and kisses her. They sink back into the bed, lost in each other.

Downstairs, the phone rings. When the machine picks up, a voice comes over the line.

VOICE: McKinnon, it's me, Jules. I know, you said to give you some space, but Lucy gave me your number here. She thought this is where you would be. I just wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you since you left. I'm sorry I sprung everything on you so quickly, but I had to say how I felt. I didn't mean to scare you off by saying I love you...I'll be waiting at home for you. Please call. You know the number.

She hangs up and the light blinks, silently indicating the new message.


To be continued......?