ACT 4

Scene 1: Fade In (Gary and Cameron 's Private Investigators Office - a few days after the Wednesday board meeting)

Gary is sitting at his desk going over paperwork, when Cameron strolls in.

"Hey Sherlock, what's happening?".

Looking up, Gary replies with a sarcastic tone, "Hey yourself. Nice to see you drop by from time to time".

Cameron smiles. "Sorry I had to leave you in the lurch these past few days, Gar but I'm back".

"Yeah right. I'm sure you're sorry", Gary grins back as he realizes the absurdity of that statement. "From the enormous smile on your face, I can tell you're real heart broken", he joshes him. "So, come on tell me how was it? I heard Amanda took you back up to the Cory cabin".

"It was really great". Seeing the Gary wants more details, Cameron quickly adds, "and that's all you're going to get out of me".

"Okay, Cam", Gary replies as he knows he's not going to get any more information from his brother. "That place is really special for the both of you, isn't it?'.

"Yeah, it really is", Cameron fondly reflects.

"Oh, Cam. I heard about what happened at Wednesday's board meeting from Matt and Rachel. They said things are really getting tight. Looks like it can get very bad for them if we don't find the missing money soon".

"I know. Amanda tries not to show it but I know she's really worried. Some of the other board members are putting pressure on the family to get things turned around by either selling some of their holdings or to dissolve the business entirely. We got to do something quick, Gary before it's too late".

"You're right Bro. Listen, Josie and I were discussing this the other day and we might have come up with something".

"Great, let's hear it", Cameron responds as his hopes are beginning to grow.

"When Scott Guthrie captured you and Amanda, you said he left the two of you alone for a long time".

"That's right", Cam replies.

"Well maybe he had enough time to fly to another small island and either stash the money for safe keeping somewhere or……

"Put it into another bank account", Cam finishes the sentence for him.

"You got it, Bro. You're reading my mind".

"That's definitely possible, Gary. I mean he was gone for hours. Let's get moving on this right away", an urgent Cameron tells him.

"We already have. Josie and Joe are going to go through the legal channels of checking for any large deposits made around that day on any of the surrounding islands. The Corys are going through their connections. You and I can take care of the rest".

"Great, Gary. Man, if we could find the money before the wedding, what a great wedding present that would be for Amanda".

"Well then let's get moving", Gary declares.

Scene 1: Fade Out

Scene 2: Fade In (at Josie and Gary's home)

Cameron and Amanda are baby sitting James Cameron for the first time.

"Oh Oh", Cameron utters, "He's leaking".

"Well go change him then", Amanda tells him.

Cameron, looking at her as if she must be nuts, says, "You've got to be kidding. I've never changed a diaper before".

"Well you've told me on a number of occasions, there's always a first time. So this is it", she smiles, batting her eyes at him.

A little hesitant, he gets up from the couch and heads towards the nursery. Noticing that Amanda has remained seated, he looks at her incredulously. "You're not going to make me go in there solo, are you?", he asks as though he was going into battle for the first time.

She giggles as she starts to get up from the couch. "I can't believe it. The big heroic Cameron Sinclair who has survived prison and poisonous snake bites, fought off a diabolical maniac to rescue me, is afraid of changing a diaper".

"I don't care what you say, I'm not going in there alone".

"Okay, I'm coming", she laughs putting her arm around his back as they walk into the nursery.

Scene 2: Fade Out

Scene 3: Fade In (some time later, Cameron and Amanda still baby sitting)

Cameron is sitting on the couch holding his nephew when the little tike starts to become fussy. Amanda sees this and tells Cameron that little Jimmy is hungry as she goes to get the bottle so he can feed him. She returns with bottle in hand. "What's in that stuff, just out of curiosity", Cameron asks as he begins to reach out to take it.

"Josie's breast milk", Amanda simply answers as she tries to hand it to him.

"What!", he exclaims as he pulls back his empty hand.

"Josie's breast milk that she…you know…pumped out". Noticing the shocked expression on his face as he is left speechless, she adds, "Boy you really are clueless when it comes to babies. A mother can use a pump to get her milk out so that someone else can feed the baby when she's not around". She then holds the bottle out to him again so he can take it.

Still with a disbelieving expression on his face, Cameron responds, "I'm not touching that", as he is uncomfortable thinking of where it came from.

Amanda, realizes the reason for his apprehension. "It's all right Cameron, as long as it's in this bottle, I've got no problem with it, if you get my drift", she tells him half smiling.

"I've got it", he says as he raises his eyes and takes the bottle.

"Good", she says with a smile as she sits down next to him. Her smile widens as she watches Cameron lovingly feed his nephew. "You're going to make a great father, Cameron", Amanda tenderly tells him.

Cameron blushes for a moment. "Well I don't know about that, but I sure do hope so".

"Well I know", she softly says as she affectionately kisses him.

Scene 3: Fade Out

Scene 4: Fade In (still baby sitting)

Amanda is in the kitchen cleaning up ( a 'first' for her). Finished, she goes into the nursery where Cameron has been trying to get little J.C. to sleep. She breaks into a big smile, when she sees Cameron on the rocking chair with the baby in his arms. Little Jimmy is awake cooing as Cameron is fast asleep. She carefully takes the baby from his arms so as not to wake Cameron. Smiling down at little J.C. she gently rocks him back and forth for a few moments until he begins to close his eyes. She then places the baby in his crib. Turning to the sleeping Cameron, she grabs a blanket that was nearby and covers him with it. Then, lightly touching his hair with her fingers, she tenderly kisses him on his forehead. "Yeah", she whispers", "You're going to make a great dad".

Scene 4: Fade Out

Scene 5: Fade In (the same day - later that night)

"Mom, it's me! Help me mom! Please help me!", the voice of a young girl calls out. Over and over again, the same voice and the same words. The woman these words are directed at is running in circles, frantic and terrified. For as much as she struggles to find the source of what she hears, the more the voice and the girl eludes her. Finally, the kaleidoscope of sounds and images overtake the woman's sense of what is illusion and what is real.

With that, a distressed Amanda, awakens sweating and gasping for every breath. As the illusions of her dream fade, she is awakening to the reality of the world around. She realizes that she is safe in her bed, alone unfortunately, but safe in any case. As she takes one last deep breath, she grasps that this was only a dream. Probably brought on by the day spent caring for James Cameron she tells herself. But it was only a dream. A dream she thought had ended since she learned to accept her daughter's death. A dream she thinks she can put behind her. But dreams have a way of coming back when the soul is still searching.

Scene 5: Fade Out

Scene 6: Fade In (***** Flashback to a few days after the two men found the red gloved hand *****)

In a small dwelling somewhere in the Alps are the two young girls rescued from the icy tomb that nearly killed them, but that ironically saved their lives. Like a protective igloo, it insulated them from the cold as air pockets allowed them to breathe until help could arrive. They are in a coma-like state, unconscious and possibly near death.

The man and woman who live in the house are concerned for these two young lives. There is no way for them to get help as the relentless, brutal, harsh winter storms have virtually shut the tiny village off from the outside world. And there are no telephones to call for assistance and no radio or television to let them know about the horrendous tragedy that occurred as a result from the avalanche that struck the vast mountain area. They have no idea who these two poor unfortunate children are. But they are doing all they can to help them survive. They are giving them the love that there families can not.

Scene 6: Fade Out

END OF ACT 4

ACT 5

Scene 1: Fade In (a week later - at Joe and Paulina's home)

Paulina has just finished feeding Dante, when she hears the doorbell. Picking him up from his high chair, she goes to open the door. She is surprised, though happy, to see Amanda. "Hi Amanda", she smiles.

"Hi Paulina", Amanda replies back. "Did I come at a bad time? I can come back if it is".

"Of course not", Paulina tells her, as she welcomes her sister in and kisses her hello. "You're looking great Amanda. I can see that love agrees with you", she smiles as Amanda blushes with affirmation. "Is this just a visit or is there something on your mind".

"Well, actually I guess it's kind of both. First off, I just had to see my adorable nephew again", she says as she takes Dante from Paulina's arms and kisses him". Paulina notices a joy in her sister's eyes that she hasn't seen since Alli's death. Amanda is holding Dante and loving him the way she used to before the tragedy. Paulina knows that the change has been since Alli's birthday, and she also knows that they all have Cameron to thank for the emergence of the old Amanda back into their lives.

After a few moments of playing peek-a-boo with Dante, Amanda begins to tell her sister why she's there. "Paulina, there's something I need to ask you".

Paulina tells her that's fine, but first she wants to put Dante down for his nap. When she returns, she sits down next to Amanda. "All right", she smiles, "I'm all yours".

"Paulina, will you please be my matron-of-honor and stand up for me at my wedding?".

Paulina is taken back by this. Not because she was asked to be in the wedding. But because she expected to be just a bridesmaid. After all, she is dealing with her own insecurities of being a half sister and the illegitimate child of Mac Cory who spent most of her life as an orphan.

"Amanda, of course I would love to….but I….", she hesitates on continuing, but being the straight shooter she is, she decides to go ahead with what she started. "Are you sure?"

Amanda is truly surprised by this question. "Of course, Paulina. Why would you even ask such a thing?".

"Amanda, let's be honest here. We haven't always gotten along. And well, lets face it….we've never been that close and we have basically nothing in common. I just figured that you would ask Josie to stand up for you. The two of you have been through so much together lately, and have gotten very close". Paulina sees that her sister can't believe what she's hearing so she tries to explain it further. "Look Amanda, what I'm trying to say is that I would really be honored to stand up for you, but… you don't have to do this just because we're sisters. I'd understand if you really wanted Josie to be your matron of honor".

"Paulina Cory Carlino, how dare you!", an indignant Amanda scolds her. "How dare you think that I would want anyone else but you to stand up for me. Josie's my friend and I am going to ask her to be my bridesmaid, but you are my sister. That means more to me than camaraderie. There have been many times through the years that Matt and I would have wanted to strangle each other. But there's no one else I would want to walk me down that isle than him". Paulina begins to tear up with emotion as Amanda continues. "I love you Paulina and I want you to be my matron of honor", as she fights back her own tears. "So are you or aren't you", Amanda demands to know, as her eyes are revealing her true feelings of affection. Paulina, ever the sensitive soul, starts to let the tears flow as she embraces Amanda who has begun her own waterworks. "I'll take that as a 'Yes", she tells Paulina who sakes her ahead in confirmation, as both begin to laugh through their joyful tears.

Scene 1: Fade Out

Scene 2: Fade In (Gary and Josie's place - later in the day)

Gary and Cameron are 'baby sitting' (the term men use to describe taking care of their own child) while Josie, Paulina, and Amanda are out shopping. The brothers are sitting on the couch watching a football game. It's half time. Cameron decides this is the time to ask his brother the question.

"Hey Gary, I've got something to ask you".

"Sure Bro, what is it", he asks as he throws a handful of peanuts in his mouth.

"About the wedding…well…I would really like it if you would be the best man".

Without any change of expression, Gary matter of factly declares, "I am the best man". Cameron looks at him dubiously for a moment, and then Gary lets out a laugh as Cameron gives him a smirk. He raises his eyebrows and responds with, "Well that's debatable" and then adds, "All kidding aside, Gary, it would mean a lot to me".

Putting his hand on Cameron's shoulder, Gary says, "It means a lot to me to stand up for you little brother. I'd be honored to". Both men smile. "Thanks Gary", Cameron replies.

"Hey how are the wedding plans coming along", Gary asks.

"Oh, they're coming along I guess", Cameron says with an unsure expression.

"What do you mean you guess ? Are there any problems?".

"Oh no, Gar, it's just that the wedding is getting so… big! ". I mean with the hundreds of people being invited, the expensive foods they're having that I can't identify or with names I can't pronounce. And the worst part is that's it going to be in that fancy country club and I have to wear a tux. I mean Gary, a tux! … I hate tuxes. They're so damn confining!"

"Well, it is a Cory wedding after all", Gary points out. "Even if the money is still missing that Scott stole, they still have expensive tastes and enough money left to pay for a lot of them.

"That's for sure. In a way I hope we don't find the money until after the wedding because I can't imagine how much bigger this thing can get if they have more cash to do it with".

Gary laughs for a moment and then asks, "Does Amanda know how you feel about all of this?".

"Oh no, and I don't want her to. Swear you won't say a word about this to Amanda or Josie. They've gotten so close that I know she would spill the beans".

"Don't worry. I swear your secret is safe with me. But I really do think Amanda would understand that you would prefer a smaller, more intimate wedding. Why don't you talk to her about it.

"No Gary. I know she really wants all of this and I want her to have it. She's been through so much and part of it was due to me. It's the least I can do for her. I love her and she deserves the best". Then, after a moment of contemplation, Cameron adds, "But do you think I can get her to lose the tux idea?".

"No way Jose", Gary chuckles. For some reason, I still can't figure out, women love their men in tuxes, especially at weddings. They say we look better in them…sexier", he shrugs. " I don't get it though, I think we look just as good in a nice comfortable suit. But you know women".

"Not really" , Cameron replies as he rolls his eyes.

"Come to think of it what man really does?", Gary laughs.

"That's for sure", Cameron concurs.

"Oh, the game is coming back on. I'll go get the refills", Gary announces, as the thoughts of women are replaced by the hormones of football.

Scene 2: Fade In

Scene 3: Fade Out (later that day)

Amanda, Paulina and Josie have just finished shopping and have stopped in the Harbor Club for a bite to eat. The waiter brings out champagne and pours it into each of the women's glass.

"I'd like to make a toast", Josie announces. "I know Gary would want me to". Amanda laughs. "Here is to Amanda, may you finally figure out which wedding dress you want. My feet are killing me".

"I'll drink to that", Paulina adds, as they all laugh.

"All right, all right", Amanda smiles. "I've narrowed it down to the first two and the fourth…oh and come to think of it, I did kind of like the last two".

"Well that's an improvement over the last time you narrowed it down", Paulina glibly observes.

"Yeah, but that's just the dresses we saw today. There are still more stores on her list", Josie tiredly points out to Paulina.

"Stop it you guys. This is important and can't be rushed. I have to find the perfect dress. At least we've picked out the bridesmaid dresses. You do really like them, don't you".

"They're beautiful, Amanda", Josie answers, "I really love the hunter green color".

"It's the perfect color, Amanda. Alli would have been happy", adds Paulina.

Amanda smiles. "I think in a way she helped me pick them out", she sentimentally tells them. "Now if she can only tell me where to find the wedding dress, the biggest worry will be behind me".

"How are the rest of the plans coming along", Josie asks.

"They're getting there. There's still a lot to do. But Cameron's been a big help with everything".

"Speaking of Cameron", Paulina remarks, "Are you sure he's all right with the idea of such a big wedding? He just strikes me as the low key wedding type of guy".

"That's what I thought. When we starting to make the plans, I told him we could have a small wedding, but he said 'lets go for the whole 9 yards'. He seems happy with all of the plans so far. Except for the tux. If I let him have his way, he be wearing jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers. But there is no way I'm giving in on the tux", she declares.

"Men", Paulina laments. "They just don't get it. They all hate wearing tuxes and yet they all look so darn sexy in them.

"Yeah, but you know men", Josie adds as she raises her hands.

"That's for sure", Amanda concurs. "Men are the one thing every woman knows about".

Scene 3: Fade Out

Scene 4: Fade In (**** Flashback to about 1 month after the avalanche ****)

Tragically, the young school girl with the purple ski outfit, loses her struggle to live and sadly passes away. The other girl, who was dressed in red, is still hanging on to her fight for life. She has slipped in and out of a coma over the past few days, but has never truly regained consciousness. The village is still being hit by the cruelty of winter's wrath. Still no help is in sight.

Scene 4: Fade Out

END OF ACT 5

CONTINUE