Forever, Part 11

(Unbelievably early morning. Vicky is still asleep and Jake is kissing her good-bye)

Jake: You look so peaceful there . . . I wish I could I could climb back in there and snuggle up to you all morning . . . and if it were any other story . . . I would. But . . . it isn’t and I can’t . . . (leaves a note and a yellow rose on his pillow as he leaves the room to go say good bye to the boys who are still asleep as well. He looks into their room and . . . ) Where’s Steven?

Steven (from behind): Down here, Jake. We gotta talk.

Jake (going downstairs): What’re you even doing up at this hour?

Steven: I told you . . . we NEED to talk and lately it seems like this is the only way to catch you!

Jake: Oh. So THAT’S what this is about, huh?

Steven: Yeah. So, what’s the deal, Jake?

Jake: Ok. Sit. (both sit on stairs) There’s this story I’ve been working on and so I know I haven’t been home as much as I should . . .

Steven: AS MUCH?!?!? I think we saw you more when you WEREN’T REALLY LIVING HERE YET!! Besides, since when does some story come before Mom?!?!

Jake: I’m not getting’ out of this, am I?

Steven: Nope . . .

Jake: Even if I tell you I’m gonna make it up to you guys by taking you . . .

Steven: Nope. What’s the REAL deal here, Jake?

Jake: (still trying to dodge the question) We’re going to the cabin!!! You know, snow, fun . . .

Steven: (crosses his arms and shakes his head) Good idea . . . but something’s up and I want to know what!!

Jake: You’re a tough negotiator!!

Steven: I learned from the best . . .you always said when something’s important, don’t stop til you’ve got it.

Jake: Okay . . . let’s just say I’m a little worried this story might involve the family and I want to make sure no one gets hurt, ok?

Steven: This about Grant?

Jake: (smiles) No . . . good guess, though!

Steven: Then who? You wouldn’t be like this if it weren’t really important.

Jake: No one you know . . . just someone from the past . . . before you were born even.

Steven: Before I was . . . (we see a light dawning) Nana�s father! He was the only bad guy from all the way back then!

Jake: (in total amazement) How did you even know about HIM?

Steven: I heard Nana and Papa Michael talking about him once. Nana was really scared. Sounded like a real creep . . . but Jake . . . isn’t he DEAD?

Jake: That’s the deal . . . I’m not sure he is . . . and that’s ALL I’m saying!! And I don’t want this conversation getting back to your mother or grandmother, okay? I don’t want them to worry.

Steven: Kay. (with a worried look on his face) How BIG a CREEP was . . . or is he??? I mean . . . (regaining his composure and acting again like the overly mature boy he is) Do you need any help?

Jake: (smiling) No, I don’t need any help. I’ve got it covered. But if I do need help, you’ll be the first one to know, so . . . don’t worry.

Steven: I better be . . . we men need to stick together you know . . . to protect our family.

Jake: (shaking his head) Okay, Mr. Man . . . I have to go and work on this and you have to go and get some sleep so you don’t fall asleep in school today!!

Steven: Okay, Okay . . . I’m glad we had this little talk, Jake . . . (yawns)

Jake: Yeah, buddy, me too.

(Steven goes back upstairs to bed)

Jake: That kid is WAY too mature for his age!! It’s a sad state of affairs when the only person I feel like I can talk to about this is my 10 year old son!! He’s as protective of his mother as I am!!! Wonder if that’s a sign of his maturity or my lack of it!! (walks out the door)

(Back in J&V’s bedroom. Vicky is beginning to wake up. Rolls over and feels for Jake and finds a letter and the rose instead)

Vicky: Oh, Jake . . . I miss you . . . (Reading as she smells the rose)

Vicky,

Remember . . . the cabin . . . plenty of time to catch up . . . but then, eternity is not enough time with you. You are the reason I am here.
All my love . . .

FOREVER,
Jake

(holding the letter to her heart) I’m not good at sharing Jake. I never was . . . or waiting for anything either. I guess I’ll have to though. So, how am I going to spend today without you . . . (boys come bouncing in)

Steven: (wide awake) Hi MOM!!!

Kirk:(still half asleep and curling up next to Vicky on the bed) Hi . . . Mommy . . . Are you . . . up?

Steven: We were just up and thought we’d come in and get you up. Breakfast???

Kirk: (eyes closed now barely awake)Yeah, Steven said we should get up and make you breakfast to cheer you . . . (Steven hits him)

Vicky:What’s up, guys?

Steven: (wide eyed and trying to look more innocent than he EVER was)Nothing!!! Can’t we just make breakfast for the most wonderful mother in the world?

Vicky: (putting her hands on Steven’s face) OH GREAT!!! Now I’ve got two of you who think you can talk your way out of anything!!!

Kirk: Steven said you were going to be bummed cause Ja . . .

Steven: (still trying to con his mother) He’s still asleep . . . we just wanted to surprise you and tell you how much . . . (Vicky puts hand on his mouth)

Vicky: Too early for that much charm, Steven. You taking lessons from Jake on how to handle me or something??

Kirk: Huh?

Vicky: (smiles) How could I be bummed with such beautiful faces in front of me??

Steven: NOW who’s trying to charm her way out of something . . .

Vicky: We need to eat breakfast . . . unless you've already eaten Steven??? (looking at Kirk who has fallen back asleep curled up next to his mother on the bed) Obviously, Kirk hasn't. What did you do??? Wake him up in the middle of the night???

Steven: (still trying to snow Vicky . . . a bit) No . . . Jake and I had a man to man talk and he told me about the cabin . . . . sounds cool Mom . . .   Why don't I get Kirk and then I'll make us all some breakfast. You can call Becca and make some plans for the day.

Vicky: Steven . . .

Steven: (we can almost see the dimples in his cheeks) Yes, Mom?

Vicky: Do I want to know what you and Jake talked about??

Steven: (thinks a second) Uh . . . Nope. So, call Becca, kay? C'mon Kirk (tugs at his brother and they leave)

Vicky: I swear . . . he's 10 going on 50!!! He's worse than Jake!!! Now, HE knows all about this story and I DON'T!!!! FINE!! You have your mystery and I have mine!!!! As a matter of fact . . . I AM going to call Becca!!! (She gets out of bed and puts a robe on before heading downstairs) But, first, I'm going to go have breakfast with the second most charming boy I've ever met and his adorable little brother!!

(At Becca's apt where Nick has spent the night on the couch. Becca and Josh enter the living room area which extends into a small kitchen area and begin to get ready for the day)

Josh: 'Ow come Icky 'ere??

Becca: Nick fell asleep there sweetie and I didn't think it was a good idea to wake him up.

Josh: (getting very excited) NOW?!?!?!?

Becca: No, not now either . . .

Josh: We up. . .

Becca: (placing Josh down on the kitchen counter) Yes, well . . . we're up cause neither one of us are big sleepers!! MOST people are still asleep at this hour.

Josh: K, Mommy . . . I be kiet (putting finger to his mouth and looking very cute doing it)

Becca: Good . . . now, what do you want for breakfast before I . . . (door bell rings) before I get that I guess . . . (She picks up Josh and heads to the door) Who is it?

Marley: It's me . . . I hope I'm not waking you . . .

(Becca opens door)

Josh: Her up too, Mommy!

Becca: (a little nervously curious as to why she's here)  Hi Marley. Is everything okay? I mean I would think . . . given the hour and all . . .

Marley: I've always been an early riser. I'm sorry for barging in on you like this, but I had this urgent desire to not have breakfast alone this morning . . . I HAVEN'T woken you, have I?

Becca: (still thinking this is more than a little weird but starting to give her the benefit of the doubt) No, I've never been much for sleep . . .  and even if I were, I have my little 2 yr old alarm clock here!

Marley: (smiles) I knew you'd be up and since both Donna & Victoria have always found my hours deplorable!

Becca: (laughing and relaxing now) Yeah, your Mom is barely awake when we open the restaurant at 10!!!  I've even taken to greeting her with a double espresso!

Marley: Then you really don't mind then? This really isn't like me I don't do things on impulse . . . but

Becca: Honey, I know all about not wanting to eat alone!!! Seriously, I really don't mind . . . we were just trying to figure out what to make anyway . . . so what's your vote?

Marley: Well, if I can come in . . .

Becca: Oh Jeez!! I'm sorry . . . of course!

Marley: Thanks . . . I brought stuff to eat . . . nothing fancy . . . just some rolls and coffee for us and some cereal for Josh . . .

Becca: Well, that works!

Josh: I go get Icky up!

Marley:( very self consciously) Nick's here . . . I'm sooo sorry . . . I didn't realize . . . I'll leave . . .

Becca: No, please don't . . . And it's not what you're thinking anyway. Nick fell asleep on the COUCH!! I think we tired him out yesterday after dinner and I just didn't see the point in waking him.

Marley: Oh. I'm sorry . . . I really didn't mean to pry. I do seem to do that with you . . .  I'm sorry.

Becca: You have nothing to be sorry about. In fact, I'm really glad you�re here . . . I feel like we got off on the wrong shoe and I . . .

Marley (smiling): Foot, honey.

Becca: Huh?

Marley: wrong FOOT, honey . . . you feel like we got off on the wrong foot, not shoe . . . Vicky does the same thing . . . I'm

Becca: (shrugging her shoulders) Oh. Well. stop with the "I'm sorrys" okay?

Marley: Okay

Becca: All I'm saying is I'd like us to be friends . . . I mean I work for your Mom . . . Vicky and Jake are two of my best friends . . .

Marley: (teasing a bit) And my brother is . . . spending his nights here . . . on your couch.  Sounds good to me. (Nick comes in led by Josh)

Nick: Becky, where's the CAFFEINE? And why did your son get me up in the middle of the night?

Becca: (handing him one of the cups of coffee Marley brought) Right here, and your sister brought us breakfast. So, have some coffee so you can say hi.

Nick: (eyes not really open) Vicky would NEVER . . . at this hour?!?

Becca: Wrong sister . . .

Nick: Huh?

Marley: It's ME, Nick. Good morning.

Nick: Uh Huh.

Becca: Drink the coffee, Nick.

Marley: (assembling the food) Oh shoot!!!

Becca: (looking in the fridge for something) What?

Marley: I forgot a banana for Josh's cereal!

Becca: (pulling a banana out of the fridge) I've got it right here . . . HOW did you know??

Marley: (a little perplexed herself but covers nicely) How else does a two year old eat cereal?

Becca: I guess so.

Nick: (who has finished his coffee) Marley! When did you get here??

(all laugh and continue to eat and talk. Sometime later . . . )

Becca: Okay, handsome . . . time to get you cleaned up and dressed for the day!

Nick: (with a mischievous glint in his eye) A shower does sound good . . . but I'm already dressed . . . you know I was thinking . . .

Marley: (winking at Becca) ALWAYS a bad sign!

Becca: (trying not to laugh at either Hudson sibling's remarks) I was talking to my SON, you know!!! YOU, Nick Hudson, can take care of yourself where he needs some help still!

Nick: Now, come on, I need help too!!! There are places on my back I can never quite reach in the shower!! Can't you help me too, Becky??

Josh: (innocently) take shower with us, Mommy!!! We all get Kean 'gether!! (Becca puts hand over her mouth so as not to die laughing)

Marley: Ok, well . . . THAT'S my cue to leave I think!! I'll see all of you later. Be good, BOYS!

Becca: Don't you want to take him with you Marley?? He is YOUR little brother after all!

Marley: Oh no, honey, he's all yours!! Bye! (starts to go to the door when the phone rings)

Becca: Uhhh . . . I don't have a machine . . . Nick can you get the phone while I get Josh?

Nick: What about our shower???

Marley: (turning back around) How about you get the phone and I'll get JOSH (looking at Nick) ready to go, ok?

Becca: Thanks! (picks up phone)

Josh: (in background to Marley) You take sower wit us?

Nick: No, buddy, she's all clean. How about just you and me?

Vicky: (on other end of phone) Hey, Becca! What're you up to today?

Becca: Well, if I ever get out of here . . . I have to work today, why? Somethin' up?

Vicky: I was hoping we could have lunch . . .

Becca: (smiling into the phone) You guys have really adopted us, haven't you?!? I mean Breakfast with Marley &Nick, lunch with you . . . if I have dinner with Donna I'll have covered the entire family!

Vicky: You had breakfast with Marley?

Becca: Yep. Showed up here bright and early with food and coffee!

Vicky: (a little nervously) And . . . how did THAT go?

Becca: Very well, actually . . . You know I think she's getting used to me . . . no mention of me being anyone else or us knowing each other before.

Vicky: (takes a deep sigh of relief) Oh good . . . Because Jake has this idea and if you and Marley can't be around each other without one of you freaking out it's gonna be a little hard!

Becca: What's the idea?

Vicky: Jake wants to take a family vacation . . . to the mountains.

Becca: That's nice but how does that involve me?

Vicky: Don't be ridiculous . . . you're the one who just said we've adopted you! You're obviously included and Marley too.

Becca: Oh . . . Okay . . . that sounds like fun.

Vicky: Yeah, well, I'm not so sure . . . the vacation part I like . . . but . . .

Becca: But what?

Vicky: I guess I'd better explain that at lunch.

Becca: O . . . Kay . . . Are you sure?

Vicky: Yeah . . . around noon?

Becca: Sure. Come by the restaurant.

Vicky: Bye. (both hang up)

(Marley comes out of the bedroom and sees puzzled/worried look on Becca's face)

Marley: Well, Nick's not showering alone . . . but somehow I don't think it's quite what he had in mind!

Becca: (trying to figure out what Vicky's worried about) Uh-huh.

Marley: Okay. I'll bite. Who was that?

Becca: (still lost in thought) Vicky. She wants to have lunch.

Marley: Well that sounds lovely. What's wrong?

Becca: Nothing . . . something in her voice when she mentioned the trip.

Marley: What trip?

Becca: (suddenly deciding not to say too much until after lunch) Oh . . .Jake's invited all of us on a family vacation of sorts. You and that guy of yours too.

Marley: Tyrone? Well . . . I don't know . . .

Becca: He seems to adore you.

Marley: Mmm Hmm . . . I guess.

Becca: Wait a minute . . . you guess? Is there something I'm missing???

Marley: I don't know, when I was sick, being with him was all I wanted.

Becca: But now that you're better and you have him . . . You don't quite know what to do with him . . .

Marley: (laughs) Isn't that awful??? I've always been so hard on Vicky for being so fickle and she's the one who ends up with a guy she's known since she was seven!!!!

Becca: (laughing as well) Well, you know what they say . . . be careful what you wish for . . .

Marley: (head in hands) I know . . . What am I going to do NOW???

Becca: I guess you should break it off with him if you really don't want him anymore . . .

Marley: He's just sooo serious!!!! I just look at him sometimes and just want to laugh at him!!!

Becca: DEFINITELY break up with him!!!! Guys hate to be laughed at!

Marley: I guess I'd better do that before we all go on this vacation you & Vicky were talking about!

Becca: Sounds like a plan.

Marley: Okay. I guess I need to be going and you and your guys in there need to get started too. (stands up and hesitates)

Becca: What?

Marley: Can I hug you?? I mean this was fun and I enjoyed our little talk but I don't want to freak you out again. I really did mean what I said about us being friends . . . and the last time I . . .

Becca: Last time was a TOTALLY different story . . . and this was nice. Sure.

(they hug and both close their eyes and feel an extreme sense of safety and closeness)

Marley: Ummm . . . bye. (she walks backwards towards the door with Becca following her)

Becca: Yeah . . . ummm . . . Marley??

Marley: YES?

Becca: Can we do this again sometime??? I mean have breakfast or something??

Marley: (with big, warm smile on her face) Sure, honey, ANYTIME.

(Marley exits)

Becca: (sighs) Why do I feel as though I've just been abandoned or something??? I don't KNOW her . . . and yet when she hugged me just now . . . I'm being ridiculous!!! After all, it's not like I'm never going to see her again . . . or that she's even really very important to me. She's practically a stranger. Yeah. I'm being silly!!!! All this talk of family is really getting to you!! Stop it. The only REALLY important person to you is in there taking a shower!!!! Everyone else you can live without. Including . . . no especially Marley Hudson! (calls out as she goes towards the bedroom) Joshua Manderley you better be getting clean in there!!!!

(Becca exits towards the bedroom)

(At the Harbor Club. Becca is at work talking to Donna about going to lunch with Vicky who should be coming any time now)

Becca: I'm gonna take lunch out today, so no school, k?

Donna: First thing . . . the phrase is "going to" there is no such word as "gonna"! That being said, I shouldn't need to tell you that you really do need to study, darling. The test is only a few weeks away now . . .

Becca: Yes, I know . . . but something's up with Vicky I think.

Donna: (getting a little hysterical) What?? Is she all right? Is it Jake? One of the children? Why didn�t she come to me?

Becca: No . . . nothing like that I'm sure . . . I probably shouldn't have said anything . . . Keep your silk suit on!!

Donna: If you're sure . . . but if there is something I need to know . . . you WILL tell me about it? Please.

Becca: If it's anything big, I'm sure VICKY will tell you if she feels you need to know.

Donna: (still a bit preoccupied) Actually, your sisters can be quite secretive when they want to be . . .

Becca: (laughing a bit) And here I thought I was only kidding about being adopted into this family!

Donna: (confused and completely oblivious to what she has just said) I'm glad you find my relationship with Victoria funny . . .

Becca: You have NO idea what you just said, do you?

Donna: Of course I do. I was talking about the fact that neither Marley nor Victoria seem to trust me with certain information about their lives . . . and YOU laughed!

Becca: You said my :sisters" can be secretive . . . you called Vicky and Marley my sisters.

Donna: (not really believing what she is saying as if she is trying to convince herself into something and not Becca) Did I? I suppose you have become part of the family and all. You and Victoria do talk the way she and Marley used to . . . that's it I'm sure . . .   a slip of the tongue I guess.

(Vicky walks in)

Becca: There she is now . . . Hey, Vick.

Vicky: Hey, Becca, you ready to go? Hi Mom.

Becca: Yeah, I guess so. (looks at Donna who is staring into space) As long as it's okay with my boss here.

Donna: (lost in space somewhere still) Hmm???

Becca: Can I go to lunch now?

Vicky: Mom?

Donna: (Snapping out of it a little) Yes, dear?

Vicky: Can Becca take lunch now?

Donna: Oh, of course, I'm sorry . . . go on.

Becca: Thanks. I'll be back in about an hour.

Donna: Take as long as you need, dear. You two talk as long as you want.

Becca: Don't you need me later?

Donna: Your relationship with your s . . . each other . . . is more important . . . I want you two to spend as much time together as possible.

Becca: HUH?

Vicky: Are you okay, Mom?

Donna: Yes, of course. Why do you ask? After all, you�re the one who needs to "talk" to someone other than your mother.

Vicky: Okay. Let's get out of here, Becca, before she really starts in on me!!

Becca: Okay. Bye, Donna!

Vicky: Bye Mom.

Donna: (waves absently at then as they exit) I have GOT to stop that! She's NOT her! There's not even that much of a resemblance! YOUR little girl is dead, Donna! She's been dead these 20 years!!! Rebecca cannot be who she appears to be! If you don't keep it together, how can you expect Marley to? It's just you spend so much time together that's all. And seeing her with Victoria . . . it's like . . . NO!  Stop it Donna!! (straightening her clothes nervously in an attempt to get a hold of herself) Get a hold of yourself! (pours herself a drink as we fade to black)