Love Worth Fighting For, Part 3

(Vicky, the boys, Donna and Marley are still at the cottage that night.)

Steven: Is Jake upstairs?

Vicky: No, honey. Jake is in Oakdale.

(Kirk walks over and sits down on the couch with his arms crossed. Vicky sits down next to him.)

Vicky: What’s wrong, sweetie?

Kirk: I just want everything to be the way it used to be. With the four of us living here.

Vicky: Honey, it's late now. We’ll talk about this in the morning.

Steven: You’ll be here when we wake up, right, mom?

Vicky: (hugging Steven) Of course. I am never going anywhere again. Not ever. Now you guys head upstairs and I’ll be right up to tuck you in. And don’t forget to brush.

Steven: I’m glad you’re back, mom.

Kirk: I am too, mommy.

(After hugging their mom again, Kirk and Steven run upstairs)

Donna: You never answered my question.

Vicky: Which was?

Donna: Let me call Jake.

Vicky: You just aren’t going to let this go, are you?

Donna: Victoria, he is your husband. He loves you. And you obviously love him too or you wouldn’t be this upset about this new woman in his life.

Marley: Wait a minute, Jake has a girlfriend? That’s impossible.

Donna: That is what I said. But Victoria said she saw Jake kissing another woman.

Vicky: Do we have to discuss this now? I am exhausted. Please mother, just let me handle this in my own way.

Donna: And what exactly is your own way?

Vicky: Well, as soon as I can get a few things in order, the boys are I will be leaving Bay City for good.

Donna & Marley: What?!

Vicky: I can’t stay here. There are just too many memories. The boys and I need a fresh start as far away from Bay City as possible.

Donna: Darling, please think about this. We just got you back, I can’t lose you again.

Vicky: Mom, I haven’t been able to think about anything else. You and Marley and Nick can come visit us whenever you want. I’m not going to fall off the face of the earth. Its better this way. Jake can go on with his new girlfriend and the boys and I can move on with our lives.

Donna: When are you planning to leave?

Vicky: Tomorrow.

(Upstairs, Steven is standing on the staircase. He runs back into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.)

Kirkland: What happened?

Steven: Kirk, mom is acting really weird. She said she is going to take us and leave Bay City tomorrow.

Kirkland: Why? Are we going to live with Jake in Oakdale?

Steven: No, mom said that Jake has a girlfriend. Mom doesn’t want him to know she is alive.

Kirkland: What are we going to do?

Steven: We have to do something, Kirk. We can’t let mom leave without Jake. (Steven thinks for a minute) Okay, I have an idea. (He begins to whisper in Kirkland’s ear, when Vicky walks into the room. She sits down on the edge of Steven’s bed)

Vicky: What are you two up to?

Steven: Its a surprise.

Vicky: Oh, honey, I don’t know if I can take anymore surprises.

Kirkland: No, this one you will like. (smiles at Steven)

Vicky: Listen, I wanted to tell you guys that we’re going to take a little trip tomorrow.

Steven: Where are we going?

Vicky: I haven’t figured that out yet. But when I do, you two will be the first to know. I’ll see you two in the morning. I love you. (She hugs and kisses the boys) Goodnight.

Steven & Kirk: Goodnight.

(Vicky leaves)

Steven: Ok, you know what we have to do. I’ll stand guard while you run downstairs and get the cordless phone. If anyone catches you, say you wanted a glass of water. You get the phone and bring it to me.

Kirk: Okay.

(Kirk gets out of bed and runs downstairs. He grabs the phone and brings it up to Steven.)

Steven: Good job. Now I just hope Jake is home. (Steven begins to dial)

(Jake’s house, phone rings.)

Jake: (watching TV, grabs the phone) Hello?

Steven: (whispering) Jake, is that you?

Jake: Steven?

Steven: Yeah, its me.

Jake: Why are you whispering?

Steven: Jake, Kirk and I are in Bay City.

Jake: You are? Donna didn’t tell me you were coming into town. I’ll come over one day this week, we’ll go to the park and play ball.

Steven: No, Jake. Listen, you have to come over here tomorrow. Its an emergency.

Jake: What’s going on, kiddo?

Steven: Just come tomorrow. (Footsteps are heard outside the door. Steven hangs up the phone and puts it under his pillow, just as Vicky walks into the room)
Vicky: Steven, who were you talking to?

Steven: Oh, I was just talking to Kirk. I’m sorry, I thought I was being quiet.

Vicky: Ok, just make sure you guys go to sleep soon. (She closes the door and heads back to her bedroom)


(Next morning, the boys are in their room.)

Steven: (climbing to the top bunk, where Kirk is still sleeping) Kirk, wake up.

Kirk: (still half sleeping) What is it? (sitting up in bed) Is Jake here?

Steven: Shhh! Don't wake up the whole house. If mom finds out Jake is coming today, she'll try to leave before he gets here.

Kirk: Why doesn't mom want to see Jake?

Steven: I don't know. But we can't leave here without them seeing each other. No matter what.

Kirk: We should tell Jake that mom is back. What if he doesn't come here?

Steven: He'll be here. Jake would never let us down. Now come on, we have to think of a plan for when Jake gets here.

(The boys climb down from the bunk and run downstairs.)

(Vicky is not sleeping very soundly in her bed. She continues to toss and turn, obviously having a nightmare. She sits up and realizes she is shaking and sweating. She takes her pillow and hugs it tightly to her chest and begins to cry.)

(In Oakdale, Jake has just gotten to The City Times. He sits down at his desk when the phone rings. Jake picks up.)

Jake: McKinnon.

(No sound on the other end)

Jake: Hello? Who is this?

(Dial tone)

Jake: Too many wrong numbers lately.

(Phone rings again. Jake picks up)

Jake: (annoyed) What?

Julia: Geez, good morning, Jake.

Jake: Did you just call here and hang up?

Julia: No, why?

Jake: Nevermind. What's going on?

Julia: The Carter story. I just got a huge lead for us.

Jake: I told you, I am going solo on this one.

Julia: Come on, this could make your whole career. I'm supposed to meet with a source in an hour and I want you to come with me.

Jake: An hour? (voice over of Steven from the night before saying: Its an emergency.) I'm sorry, I can't.

Julia: Why not?

Jake: Because, I just can't. I have to go to Bay City. Something came up. Listen, good luck with the story. (Jake hang up)

(At the cottage, Vicky comes downstairs. The boys are at the dining room table.)

Vicky: What are you two doing up so early?

Kirk: We are still working on your surprise.

Vicky: (hugging Steven and Kirk) Well when do I get this surprise?

Steven: Soon. Very soon.

Vicky: Good, I am starting to get a little anxious now. (walking into the kitchen) You two want a cereal?

Kirk: Sure.

Steven: Ok. Mom?

Vicky: Yeah, what's up, honey?

Steven: Are we still going away today?

Vicky: Yes, we are.

Steven: Why? Kirk and I don't want to leave Bay CIty.

Vicky: (walking back over to the table) I know. I promise, we're going to be very happy wherever we go.

Kirk: What about Jake? (Steven shoots Kirk a look)

Vicky: We'll talk about this after breakfast. I promise. I am going up to take a shower, but after that we can do whatever you guys want. (Vicky runs upstairs)

(A few minutes later, Jake arrives at the cottage. Steven and Kirkland run outside.)

Steven: Jake! We are so glad you came.

Jake: (hugging Steven and Kirk) Of course, where else would I be?

Kirk: We've missed you, Jake!

Jake: I have missed you guys too. (Looking around a little) So what is this big emergency?

Steven: Its a little complicated. You probably won't believe it.

Jake: Well, try me.

Steven: Actually, I have to go inside for a minute. But you stay here with Kirk. (Looking at Kirk) You know what to do, right?

Kirk: Yep!

(Steven runs into the cottage)

Jake: What are you up to?

Kirk: Its a surprise. You'll like it.

(Steven runs upstairs. Vicky is in her bedroom, putting on the finishing touches of her make-up)

Steven: Mom, your surprise is ready.

Vicky: Oh, goody! Where is it?

Steven: Its in the backyard. By the swings.

Vicky: Oh, honey...can't you just bring it inside?

Steven: Nope. Come on, go look at it.

(Vicky walks downstairs with Steven and into the backyard towards the swings. She sits in one of them and begins to have a flashback. She imagines telling Jake what their life was going to be like after the twins were born. Her eyes begin to well with tears.)

Vicky: (continuing to cry) Jake, I'm so sorry we'll never have that life together. (She stands up, and as she turns around she hears footsteps. She wipes her eyes to hide her tears.)

Vicky: Steven, is that you?

(Jake appears from behind the bushes. He stares at Vicky for a few moments with a look of disbelief on his face. He walks towards her, extending his hand, but Vicky doesn't move.)

Jake: Vicky? Is it really you? (Jake places the palm of his hand on Vicky's cheek.) Please, say something. Tell me this is really happening.

Vicky: (closing her eyes) Oh, Jake. Its me.

(Jake wraps his arms around Vicky, and tears of joy stream down his cheeks as he swings her around. When he finally puts her down again, they are both crying.)

Jake: I can't believe its you. Vick, I have missed you so much. I love you. I love you more than anything. (He hugs Vicky again) We have so much to talk about!

Vicky: (looking away from Jake) Yes, we do.

Jake: Vick, what's wrong? How come you aren't happy to see me?

Vicky: You shouldn't have come here.

Jake: What? I love you, you're my wife. I haven't seen you in six months, I thought you were dead. God, I can't believe this.

Vicky: Jake, I know about your new girlfriend. I saw you kissing her.

Jake: What? My who?

Vicky: Don't even try it, McKinnon. You got over me pretty quickly, but its okay because I'm over you too.

(Vicky turns to walk away, leaving Jake standing by the swings in utter disbelief.)