J: Vicky, you
didn't do anything. It was a horrible tragic accident. They are just memories.
Bad memories of an awful accident. Those memories can't hurt you. They
can't hurt us.
V: I believe you, Jake . I do and I want to get past this. I really do.
I want to get past this for you. For her. (Vicky places her hands over her
ever growing belly.) I want us to go to that cabin and be a family, be with our
friends just put all of this behind us. I am just thinking it might be easier said
than done. Plus I don't even want to get into what kind of Prozac moment it is going
to create for Donna and Marley.
J: Do we really need a reason for Donna or Marley to flip out . That seems to be status
quo lately.
V: Mckinnon.... Be nice.
J: Vic, I love you and all I care about is you and what you need. . . what
this family needs. I can't worry about the next thing that is going flip Marley out
. You think Marley has been through so much because of that night. Well, what
about what we have been through because of her. You need to get past
this for you. Baby, all this guilt isn't going to make Michael come back.
V: I want us to go forward, I really do but Jake how can I be this happy, and I am
so very happy, (she kisses him tenderly on the lips) when I know that nothing will ever be
the same because of that night.
J: Nothing can hurt us anymore. We are together forever. You and me.
We will face them and I don't just mean the memories together. We will make
those bad memories fade and create new happy memories. You can do this, Vicky. You
can do anything. I believe in you. I believe in us.
V: As long as I have you by my side, I am ready for anything.
J: As I have said a million times there is no place I would rather be
then where you are at that moment. Now how about you finish packing so we can
head for our weekend. I have a few memories of my own I would like to create.
Picture this . . . ( he wraps his arms around her tightly.) A beautiful
perfectly snowy night, a roaring fireplace, our children tucked soundly into their beds.
Two mugs of steaming hot chocolate. Mine with a little something extra in it.
V: You are so bad. (she pecks him on the lips.)
J: Well, we both can't be good, and in your condition I guess a little kick to the
hot chocolate is up to me. (he smiles as he pats her belly.) Right little one?
Anyway back to our evening. So there we are curled up all cozy by a
roaring fire. A big toasty down comforter wrapped around us. I think you
can get the picture. Although I haven't quite figured out what degree of dress
we have on.
V: HHHMMM . . . Let me guess. NO better yet let me suggest. (She turns around
and wraps her arms around him tight kissing him with all intensity). Does that give
you an idea?
J: Oh yeah. ( he kisses her back as he begins to tug at her shirt.)
V: Jake.
J: Uh, yeah. (as he continues to kiss her slowly pulling her shirt up over her
head.)
V: Nick, Becca. Packing. The boys. Did you forget?
J: (Still lost in her warmth) Nick . . . Becca. The boys. (Suddenly Jake
pulls himself together.) Oh yeah. Well you get the drift.
V: Wonderful happy new memories I can't wait. (she kisses him again.) You go
ahead. I will be down in a few. Make sure the boys are all packed.
(Soon Vicky comes down the stairs. They are all packed. The boys are getting
really excited. They are waiting for Becca to get there with Nick and Josh.)
S/K: I get to sit next to Josh.
K: Well, then I get to sit next to Uncle Nick.
S: No, I want to sit next to Uncle Nick.
V: (coming down the stairs.) Well, thanks a lot. No one wants to sit next to me.
J: I always want to sit next to you. (he grabs her waist and kisses her
playfully.)
S/K: We can always sit next to you, Mom. I want to sit next to Josh and
Uncle Nick.
K: Steven always gets his own way. It doesn't matter cuz I want to sit next to
you, Mommy.
V: You little charmer. (she kisses him on the forehead.) You guys can
sit anywhere you want. We will work something out. Stop arguing about it.
We have all weekend to be together. Boys, I think we need to do a food
check..... Let's review... (she walks over to the grocery bags sitting on the table.)
V: Okay, we have popcorn, chocolate sauce, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate
bars . . .
S/K: S'MORES! ALRIGHT!
V: Pop-tarts, Ice Cream, Fish sticks with ketchup. Juice, Milk, eggs,
Pancake mix. hot dogs.
J: AWESOME.
V: Plus stuff for those marshmallow, banana, peanut butter sandwiches Aunt Marley
made. (and finally in unison they all yell...) Garlic Knots...
(as they are yelling in walks Becca with Josh at her hip and Nick carrying two bags full
of groceries.)
B: What are garlic knots???
S: You don't know what garlic knots are??? Who are you? How are you going to
be part of this family if you don't know what garlic knots are???
B: Well, that sounds pretty serious. I guess I have a few things to learn.
Will you guys teach me?
S/K: Yeah, we will. Absolutely.
(Nick sets the groceries on the table with the other stuff.)
N: Well, thank god, we are not relying on Vic for the cooking. We would all go
hungry. (They all burst out laughing.)
V: Hey! ( She slugs him in the arm .) That isn't nice.
N: That's why you got to love my girl. Man, can she cook.
J: Well, there are other
things my wife does really really well. (he winks at Vicky.)
V: Okay, enough teasing the fat little blonde woman. So what did you guys
bring to show me up?
B: Oh, it is just a few things. I made lasagne, home made macaroni and
cheese and spaghetti sauce with noodles for the kids. I brought lobster and some
steaks like you said for after the kids go home. I also made these pizzas from some
dough I had laying around. Plus there is some chocolate cake and a homemade
blueberry pie. There are some oatmeal cookies in there for the kids. (she's
suddenly a little self-conscious) Remember, I don't exactly sleep, ya know. What
else am I gonna do??? Oh! I forgot there are ingredients for Jake to make his shrimp
Fradiablo.
V: Oh, god, not that.
B: Why? What's the matter. Don't you like Jake's shrimp fradiablo?? I
hear it's awesome.
V: NO, it is not that. Bad memory. Shrimp and morning sickness not
a
good combo.
S/K/N/J: (jumping around and acting all crazy .) We get chocolate cake.
COOL!
J: Vic. I am truly sorry. I do love you more than my life,
but I think
I have to leave you. This girl can cook. (He gives Becca a high five.)
V: Okay, you guys are really funny. Hey, McKinnon, if you don't change your
tune you might never get to see those things again. So men, what do you think?
I think we have all the makings of an completely awesome JUNK FOOD PIG OUT.
Jake: Okay, men, to the car. Let's get this loaded and head out.
(Jake and company head out to the car with the bags.)
B: You okay? (she puts her arm around Vicky.)
V: I am trying. I am trying to keep it together. I want this
weekend so
much. I am really trying to get through this. We need to get through
this. ( she lays her hands over her belly.) She needs us to get through this.
B: I'm here if you need me. Remember, no one is perfect. Everyone has
something in their past that they want to forget. Most of my life is forgettable!
V: You are so sweet. I don't know what I would do without you. You are so much
more than a friend, you are like a sister to me and I love you so much. (She hugs her
tight starting to cry.)
B: (tearing up too.) Now look what you made me do. I hate when I
cry. You seem to do that a lot to me.
V: Well, that goes both ways these days. How about we try to forget
about this for now. We are going to have a great weekend. Good food, thanks to
you. Our most special guys and NO PAPER. I can't wait. I need some
time with my guys. Jake is making me crazy with this story. We, (she rubs her
belly again) want to have him all to ourselves. No paper. No story. He promised.
B: Me too. I miss just having some down time with Nick and Josh too.
They are so cute together. Seems like we have all been non-stop lately.
V: Let's just think about that and none of the bad things. No Michael.
No Shane. No Donna or Marley freak out.
B: I hear that. Sometimes that sister of yours gives me the creeps.
V: I know, she has been so hot and cold towards you. You never know what to
expect. I guess she is trying though. She knows how important you are to me.
B: After this weekend, no more bad stuff.
V: I hope you are right.
(suddenly the guys come bursting through the door.)
J: Okay, we are all packed. The car is all loaded up. How you
ladies
doing in here?
S: Mom, why are you crying? What's the matter?
V: (wiping the tears from her cheek.) Oh baby, nothing. I am just happy
that I get to spend the weekend with my favorite guys. Now go ahead and take this
stuff to the car and we are Out of Here.
S/K/Josh: YEA, COME ON, LET'S GO.
(Becca scoops up Josh and and head towards the car with the boys and Nick.)
J: (wrapping his arms around her tightly) Baby . . . you okay?
V: I am more than okay. I can't wait to spend a wonderful weekend with you and my
babies. All three of them. We are going to get through this Jake.
I know we can. (Suddenly Bridget kicks Vicky. They both jump.) See, even she thinks so.
J: Well, then, if my daughter says so how can she be wrong? Come on Mrs. McKinnon. I
can't wait to spoil my girls. (he takes her hand in his.) Let's go make some
good memories. (he whispers in her ear...) Rely on Jake. (They head for
the door.)
V: I always do.
(They all head for the car. The kids are all squirming and fighting for position.
Steven ends up next to Nick and Kirkland is sitting with Becca while Josh is in the middle
in his car seat.)
V: Okay, everyone
in and buckled up? Do we have everything?
J: I think we are all set.
V: Okay then . Let's do it.
J: Were out of here!!
(all the kids let out a huge YEA!!! they are on their way heading out of town. As
they are travel down the road not 2 miles away from the cottage. Vicky gives Jake a look.)
J: Ah, Vic, come on. Really? Already?
V: Jake, I can't help it. (she smiles that Vicky smile at him.) I am
pregnant you know. (He just looks at her and he melts.)
J: Oh yeah. I thought you just had too many cheese flips!
V: You die, Mckinnon.
J: Okay . . . Okay. I will stop at Carlino's. We can get some hot
chocolate for the road while we are there.
V: Okay, you are my sweetie again. (she pecks him on the cheek)
(After the slight detour to Carlinos, they all pile back into the car.
Everyone has hot chocolate and is very content. The kids are talking amongst
themselves.)
J: Hey, men, shall we show Nick, Becca, and Josh what we do whenever we start a
trip?
S/K: Yeah, lets show them. Come on.
B: Okay, guys, now you've got me curious. What is it you do when the
Mckinnon's start a trip? (all together they yell....) We sing!!!
V: Oh yeah and we are quite a group. Jake is always flat but I love him
anyway. (She squeezes his leg affectionately.) He is my favorite off-key
singer!
J: Hey, missy, just because you have a voice like an angel . . .
S/K: What should we sing?
J: I want sing too.
B: Yeah, Jake, what do you sing?
J: HHMM . . . let me see . . . how about we sing 100 bottles of milk on
the wall?
S/K: Milk??? It isn't suppose to be milk!!! It is suppose to be beer.
Jake, you changed the words!!!
N: Hey, guys, I think Jake just tried to clean it up for the sake of the
little guy here.
Josh: I not little.
N: NO, I know, Joshy, you are a big boy.
B: You're Mommy's big boy.
Josh: yeah I a ig bo.
J: Well, then, let's sing.
V: good idea. Okay, I will start.... 100 bottles of milk on the wall....