Episode 40 – Beautiful Day
Previously on Lives To Live:
– Judi told Chardonnay that it Sara was the friend whom she’d been fighting with. A slightly drunken Becca arrived at the mansion, and Chardonnay listened about her night with Luc. Then Chardonnay got downstairs and Leslie confessed about herself and Gabe sleeping together at the engagement party. Chardonnay thought that Leslie was talking about JJ though, and got angry with her mother. At the hospital Judi ran into JJ and there was tension between the old friends.
– Gabe and Chardonnay had their parties before the wedding. At Chardonnay’s Leslie got drunk after JJ threatened to tell Victor. She ended up confessing to a shocked Camille about herself and Gabe. Camille considered telling Chardonnay. The bride herself was brought outside by Luc, who’d left Gabe’s party. He kissed her, unaware that Becca was just about to walk outside and that Celia was watching with Nicole from the balcony. Elsewhere Calista’s drink was spiked by Charity.
– Camille dropped by Russell’s apartment, and they talked about Cleo. They found out that she’d been drinking the night before. Later Russell asked Carla to go to the wedding with him, having decided to move on with his life. She said no. Also Melody considered working in Africa, but wondered about her relationship with Corey.
– At the school Joel confessed to an interested Mattie that he’d felt there was something wrong when he’d slept with Cleo. Paris was jealous of Nate and April’s relationship, while April was glad that her friend was going out with Jacob. Nate and Jacob arranged to go out on a double date with Paris and April.
– Also: Nicole was down as she was worried about Justin because the police had arrived for tapes from the hotel’s cameras, from the night of the murder. And at the gym Elektra kept thinking of Max.
(Song Credit: Beautiful Day by U2)
Friday, May
16th 2003, Various Places, Morning
Chardonnay Samson opened her eyes. She reached over to touch the man beside her. But beside her, the bed was empty. He wasn’t there.
The heart is a bloom, Shoots up through the stony ground
Gabriel McLoughlin stood, looking out of the window of his room at the hotel. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. Everything was perfect.
There's no room, No space to rent in this town
Jean Luc Laurent sat upright in his bed at his parent’s apartment. He’d been dreaming about himself and Chardonnay married, but then it all changed.
You're out of luck, And the reason that you had to care
Leslie Samson perched on her bed, on her and Victor’s bed. She turned and looked at him, sleeping soundly. Was everything about to change?
The traffic is stuck, And you're not moving anywhere
Camille Elliot took a sip of her mug of coffee, as she stared blankly at the door. What was she going to do? She remembered those feelings as she saw them, on the couch – together.
You thought you'd found a friend, To take you out of this place
Nicole Vincent walked into the kitchen of her home. She smiled, seeing Justin feeding Erin. Everything was going to be okay, she knew it was.
Someone you could lend a hand, In return for grace
Alex Blake slept soundly, his arms around Sara McCarthy. She reached over and looked over at the clock on Alex’s bedside table – 9.30am. She jumped out of bed.
It's a beautiful day, Sky falls, you feel like, It's a beautiful day, Don't let it get away
Judi Anders smiled, walking into her daughter’s bedroom. Kayla was fitting on her dress for the wedding. She looked so beautiful, Judi thought.
You're on the road, But you have got no destination
Cleo Brady ran into the bathroom. She felt so bad. Everything was going wrong. Back in her bedroom an empty bottle lay on the floor, from the previous night.
You're in the mud, In the maze of her imagination
Celia and Henri Laurent gave each other a loving glance. Celia was worried about her youngest son, but Henri had reassured her everything would be okay.
You love this town, Even of that
doesn't ring true
Nate Samson lay on his bed, thoughts of Paris going around in his head. Everything he wanted, everything he desired. And then there was April.
You've been all over, And it's been all over
April Masters kissed the photo of her parents. She missed them, she really did. But at least things were looking up for her.
It's a beautiful day, Don't let it get away, It's a beautiful day
Paris Robertson took a deep breath, trying to block out thoughts of Nate. It was difficult, very difficult. She walked into the kitchen, where her parents, JJ and Natasha, looked up at her.
Touch me, take me to that other place, Teach me, I know I'm not a hopeless case
Alicia Samson slowly walked into the kitchen of the Samson Mansion. She grinned to herself, seeing her mother’s hangover. Ethan, Alicia’s dad, stood behind rubbing his wife’s back.
See the world in green and blue, See china right front of you, See the canyons broken by cloud, See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out, See the bedouin fires at night, See the oil fields at first light
Lila Davies closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep as her flight continued. She hoped she’d be there in time for the wedding.
And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth, After the flood all the colors came out
Max Samson combed his hair back, using his fingers. Elektra Bradshaw looked up at him. She felt happy, very happy. This was the happiest she’d been in a long while.
It was a beautiful day, Don't let it get away, Beautiful day
James Anders laughed as his fiancée walked into the bathroom, as he stood shaving. She took him by the hand and led him back into their bedroom.
Touch me, take me to that other place, Reach me, I know I'm not a hopeless care
Kate Wentworth played with her engagement ring, remembering the moment when Ryan had asked her that very special question. She looked up at him, and smiled.
What you don't have you don't need it now, What you don't know you can feel it somehow, What you don't have you don't need it now, Don't need it now
Chardonnay sighed. She turned her head from the empty space beside her to her beautiful white wedding dress. Which man did she want the most, beside her?
Was a beautiful day.
***
Airport,
Two hours later
Lila Davies looked around. Something else she’d forgotten, to organise a taxi to the wedding from the airport. She’d just been enjoying herself too much to think about being the wedding. She decided to go outside, see if she could find someone to help her. She passed a dark haired stranger, as she headed outside.
The dark haired stranger walked confidently across the airport floor. She smiled, remembering her fun up in the air with the blonde stranger. She’d helped him become a member of the mild high club. The stranger kept on her way. She knew it would be a few minutes before her baggage would be taken off the plane so she headed towards the restrooms.
As she entered the restroom a thought entered her head.
I can’t wait to see all the shocked faces when I arrive at the wedding.
The woman didn’t notice that one cubicle was occupied. She took out a small make-up bag. She slowly reapplied her lipstick, and adjusted her black tie. She smiled, remembering walking down the aisle of the place and catching the eye of almost every man she passed, her black suit with a white shirt and black tie making her look prim, proper and sexy – the look she wanted.
As she brushed back her hair, the stranger noticed in the mirror a blonde haired woman emerge from the cubicle. She was wearing a black leather jacket, and was also dressed to look sexy.
Dani Peterson intended to ruin the wedding, one way or another. She remembered all that Victor had done to her father, and knew that today was a chance for revenge. They’ll all be so, so shocked to see Divine Cassidy again, won’t they? She thought to herself, smiling wickedly.
***
The Hotel,
same time
Jean Luc Laurent stared into the mirror.
“Hi, I’m Luc.”
“I’m Chardonnay, Chardonnay Samson.”
He closed his eyes.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Chardonnay Samson.”
He sighed.
“Chardonnay Samson, will you marry
me?”
“I… I don’t know what to say.” He looked up at her. “Yes, I will marry you.”
He tried to stop the memories.
“Please don’t go. We can work this
out.”
“You’re different Luc. I can’t. I have to go. It’s over.”
Luc felt a hand on his shoulder. Chardonnay. He quickly turned and looked up to see her, the woman he was going to marry. He smiled up at her, as she stood behind him. But it wasn’t her, it wasn’t Chardonnay.
“I saw you last night.”
Luc frowned. “Where?”
“I was on the balcony Luc.”
“When?”
“With Nicole. At the club. I saw you, with Chardonnay and with Becca.”
He turned his head away, and looked on a side table where his white flower lay. He’d be wearing it later on.
Outside Luc’s room at his parents apartment, Henri sat reading a newspaper. He was reading about an unsolved murder – Lisa Manning’s. Henri jumped as a knock on the door stopped him reading the article. He stood up and walked across the room, towards the door.
He pulled opened the door and smiled.
“Gabe. You’re early.”
“Is he ready?”
“No, not yet. Why don’t you come in and wait?”
“Yeah, sure.” Gabe answered. Despite the comfortable bed, he hadn’t slept well last night, worrying about today. He’d had a nightmare about Divine showing up and ruining everything, and that had really worried him. Was it a premonition of what was to come?
Back in the bedroom Celia was talking to her son.
“You were lucky last night. If Chardonnay hadn’t of pulled away, then Becca would have seen the two of you and told Gabe.”
“I think she would have been too hurt.”
“Why? She doesn’t… Oh Luc, please don’t tell me that you and her are…”
“I’m sorry. But it just happened. I never meant it too. I was just so annoyed at Chardonnay for saying no. Becca’s always been there, since me and Chardonnay first started going out.”
“So how long has the affair been going on?”
Luc was confused. “What affair?”
“You and Chardonnay. You’ve been having an affair behind Gabe’s back.”
“No, it’s not like that. I love her, and she loves me, but we haven’t been having an affair. I’ve tried to tell her that she should dump Gabe, because I love her, but she’s always turned me down. I heard her tell Victor though, she told him that she loved me. I went to tell her last night, but she said no.”
“Oh Luc. If she loved you then she’d be marrying you, not Gabe.”
“Why did I have to stuff it all up mom? Why?”
Outside Gabe sat, nervously shuffling, unaware of what Luc was going through.
***
Samson
Mansion, same time
“Chardonnay, honey, are you okay?” Leslie Samson asked her daughter as she walked into Chardonnay’s bedroom. “It’s just you’ve barely spoken to anyone all day.”
Chardonnay remained silent. Leslie tried again.
“Are you worried that Gabe is going to let you down?”
Again silence.
“Well then what is it? Is it Luc? Your father told me what happened Monday.”
“I’m just worried that I’ll make a mistake if I marry him. I love Luc as well, but I just don’t know what to do mom.” Chardonnay said. Leslie began to advice Chardonnay, as they reached an uneasy truce of sorts.
***
Church, Two
hours later
“Why do we have to be so early?”
“Well you are the one who suggested we go out for the meal before the wedding, but then told me that we wouldn’t have enough time for one in the end.”
Nicole Vincent laughed. It was nice to feel so relaxed. She hadn’t felt this good in a while. But today was different. They were there to watch a young couple make those vows to one another, that Nicole and Justin had made years ago. And despite everything Nicole was now determined more than ever for everything to work out.
“I’m sorry.” Came a voice from behind. Nicole and Justin turned around. Kat Hartford and Harvey Kingston were standing behind them. They’d found out from the babysitter where Justin and Nicole would be.
“What for? Do you two know Chardonnay and Gabe?”
“I’m sorry to have to do this, but Justin Vincent we are arresting you on suspicion of murder.” Kat said. She looked at her partner as he began to cuff Justin.
“What?” Nicole asked.
“I didn’t do anything.” Justin said. They were both ignored as Kat continued talking. “… that you may later rely on in court.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.” Justin pleaded.
“He’s telling the truth.”
“Take him away Harv.” Kat declared.
***
Church,
half an hour later
“Are you ready?” Victor Samson asked, taking his daughter’s arm.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” Chardonnay Samson answered. Everyone was inside, waiting for her.
“Okay, I’ll go and give the command to start the music.” Sara said. She turned to Becca. “You better come along as well.”
Becca smiled. “Okay.” She turned to Chardonnay, and gave her a hug. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Chardonnay said, squeezing tightly before pulling away. Becca took the hand of the flower girl, the five year old daughter of one of Victor’s clients, and together they walked up the short path to the church.
“I remember when you were that small. You have changed quite a bit since then. I’m so proud of you Chardonnay, I really am. I love you honey, and I’d do anything for you and for Nate. I’d die for either of my two children.”
“Thanks dad.” Chardonnay leaned in and kissed her father. “We should go.”
A voice from the left made Chardonnay and Victor both turn. “Wait, wait a second.”
“Oh my god.” Victor said, shocked. Chardonnay was left speechless. A grin appeared across her face though, which turned into a laugh.
On the road, behind the horse drawn carriage, Lila Davies stepped off a bus, escorted by a young man. Chardonnay and Victor looked up, and realised that it was a bus, loaded with a basketball team. They noticed all of the men shuffling as they passed something along to the front of the bus. The man who’d helped Lila down took the first suitcase from the man at the front of the bus and left it down beside Lila.
Eight suitcases later and Chardonnay was still catching up with her great aunt.
“I’ll be in there in a moment Chardonnay. I’ve just got a few thank you’s to say out here.” Pint sized Lila said, turning to look at the basketball players. She smirked, wickedly, at them. Chardonnay turned to Victor and smiled before making her way up towards the church. The reached the front steps, and Sara emerged from the door.
“Sorry.” Chardonnay said, with a nervous smile. She adjusted her dress, brushed back a strand of her blonde hair and took the flowers from Victor. Now it was time for her to get married. She took a deep breath.
The familiar sounds of the bridal walk passed through the church. Chardonnay made her way down the church. She smiled at the familiar faces, many shocked by just how beautiful she looked. She reached the alter, and Gabe turned to her. He smiled at her. The wedding began.
Ten minutes later the ceremony had begun. The minister looked down at Chardonnay and Gabe.
“And now I must ask this question. It’s just a formality. If there is anyone here present who knows any reason why these two people before me may not be married in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Chardonnay glanced towards Luc. Gabe shifted nervously. Camille took a deep breath. Leslie sighed. Celia stared at her son. Divine looked down the church. Victor stared at his daughter – and Luc.
“Okay.” The minister said. Chardonnay smiled at Gabe.
“Yes.” Came a voice. “Yes, I object.”
Next Time:
Everything is changed – forever!