What's Meant to Be, Part 1

This story takes place a couple months from now as Jake and Julia are beginning to plan their future together! The story starts out on the day that Jake is going to sale the house in Oakdale that he and Vicky were supposed to live in.

Scene 1
(Jake waking up in his apartment)
Jake: (taking a deep breath) Okay Mckinnon, this is it, you ready? Ofcourse, I am ready.....I mean it's been long enough....I've moved on......no regrets...yeah, I am ready....I think....(just as Jake begins to change his mind the doorbell rings)

Lucinda: (with a smirk) Morning sunshine, ready to start the day?

Jake: Well if it isn't my favorite boss lady, you checkin' up on me?

Lucinda: Ohh don't flatter yourself, I have better things to do than worry about you(she notices Jake isnt exactly focused on what she is saying)...so today is a big day for you!?! (Jake begins to look away)

Jake: Hey, you want some coffee or something, I hate to leave you standing in the door way. Come on in.

Lucinda: Well alright (looks around) I think you have done wonders with the place Jake, it seems very warm and cozy!

Jake: (getting the coffee out) Thanks, Vi.....Julia helped me decorate (changing subject)...sugar or cream?

Lucinda: Both darling....So what time are you meeting the real estate agent?

Jake: About 9 so that gives me an hour to prepare myself

Lucinda: Jake you act like you just found out about this...you have to move on

Jake: I know, I just forget that she is gone sometimes, but I want to be ready, I really do

Lucinda: I know you do, well thanks for the coffee, I better go....(boasting)I do own a newspaper ya know?

Jake: (slight laugh) How could I forget when I am reminded everyday, so you did just stop by to check on me then?!?

Lucinda: I guess I did, does that bother you?

Jake: No, its nice to know you care?

Lucinda: Just dont tell anyone else I care, okay?

Jake: Okay

(Lucinda leaves and Jake is alone again)

Scene 2
(Jake stops by the City Times, just trying to waste time, so he doesn't have to think about his appointment with the real estate agent)

Jake: (to Julia's secretary) Hi Nicole, has Julia come in yet?

Nicole: Yes Jake, shes in her office

Jake: Thanks (Jake walks in and sees Julia at her desk busy writing an article, he sneaks up on her to scare her) ....BOOO!!

Julia: (hitting him in the arm) MCKINNON, YOU SCARED ME!! What are you doing here, I thought you werent coming in 'til later....(quietly) change your mind about the house?

Jake: (Giving her a kiss on the cheek) No, I didnt change my mind, I just thought I would stop by on my way to the house

Julia: (giving a very understanding look)You mean you wanted to stop by so you could avoid getting to the house any earlier than you had to...

Jake: Julia...I...

Julia: Jake it's okay....it really is, I know this is hard for you

Jake: But it shouldn't be...it just shouldnt be this hard, I am ready to move past the past...I want a future and I want a future with you

Julia: I know that Jake, but I also understand that it is hard for you to let go

Jake: You are the best, well I better go or I could be late, how about dinner tonight?

Julia: Its a date (kisses him) good luck

Jake: Thanks, bye

Scene 3

(This is Jakes first time to see the house since Vicky "died", when he pulls up to the house, he is totally overcome with emotion)

Jake: (beginning to cry) Ohhhh Vic, we almost had it all....actually we did have it all didnt we....I promised you forever and I let you go...I'm sorry Vic

Becca: (knocking on the car window) Mr. Mckinnon?

Jake: (wiping his tears and getting out of the car)Yeah thats me, you must be Becca, Lucinda Walsh gave me your name

Becca: Yes I am Becca...Mr. Mckinnon are you okay? You look like you have been crying

Jake: Im fine, and please call me Jake

Becca: Okay Jake, I think I can get you every bit as much as you payed for the house, (cautiously)considering you never slept in it...I am sorry about your wife

Jake: Thanks, well I don't care about the money I am just ready for this house to be out of my life, this house it a sign of the past and I am ready to move on

Becca: Well, I really dont have anything to talk with you about, I have all of your papers..so the next step will be to have an open house and we will see what kind of bids we get...okay

Jake: Sounds great, thanks Becca

Becca: No problem Jake, I will call you in a few days (Becca leaves and Jake looks around)

Jake: (as Jake walks around the house he sees a swing set) You said this was the perfect house for our kids (beginning to cry again), I was going to bring out the baby swings from the cottage and when the girls were old enough Steven and Kirk were going to teach them how to swing on the big swings! What did you tell me a few months ago in Bay City...ohh yeah, we would have the whole family together and we would all start singing, and the neighbors would think we were nuts and we would be the happiest family in the whole world...thats what you said Vic, we could of been so happy here, we had it all in Bay City and we could of had even more in Oakdale... God, I miss you Vic...more and more with each passing day...

Bridget: (looking down from Heaven) Ohh my dear boy, she never left you...dont give up, have faith in your love for Victoria Jake!! She is alive...She is alive...!!