VICKY'S HOSPITAL ROOM/SAME NIGHT

DR. DOYLE is examining VICKY, who's managed to control her tears.

DR. DOYLE
It won't be long now, Vicky…who knows, your girls could be the first millennium babies.

VICKY
They won't wait until Jake gets here, will they?

DR. DOYLE
I'm afraid not, Vicky. They're determined to make their entrances soon…I'm sorry.

VICKY
(shrugging)
No big deal, right? I mean, they're only the only twins Jake and I will ever have…

Dr. Doyle gives her a sympathetic smile and leaves the room. As she does, LILA walks in.

VICKY
Oh, great…you're just the cherry on my sundae of a day.

LILA
(with a smile)
I'll ignore that since you're in pain…I came to see how you're doing, Vicky. Donna told me what's going on.

VICKY
Oh, just peachy, Auntie Lila. I'm giving birth to twins, and my husband is on the other side of the country. How do you think I'm doing?

LILA
(pulling up a chair)
You're just as cranky as I was while I was in labor with Jasmine. Well, get it out. If you need someone to yell at, yell at me.

Vicky stares at her.

LILA (cont'd)
Come on…yell at me, Vicky. You know you want to.

VICKY
Are you mental?

LILA
No…I just thought you could use a little extra support, and not the coddling kind. Nothing feels better while you're in labor than to get out a few of those negative feelings. And who better than to let them out on than your hated newfound aunt?

VICKY
I don't hate you, Lila.

LILA
(grinning)
That's not the point. The point is, I AM good for something. See?

Vicky begins to laugh. She reaches out and grabs Lila's hand.

VICKY
You're a piece of work, Lila Winthrop. I don't believe you.

LILA
Feeling better already, aren't you?

VICKY
As much as I hate to admit it, yes. I needed to laugh.

LILA
I know it's terrible not to have Jake here, Vicky, but think about the babies you're going to be holding in your arms very soon. Think about those beautiful little faces.

VICKY
I just want Jake to be here…

LILA
I know you do, Vicky, but you've got to concentrate on your babies. That's the most important thing right now. Jake will be here…and when he's here, you'll be able to share these wonderful, special little girls together.

VICKY
Why are you doing this?

LILA
Because…there's no reason. I wanted to help you, Vicky.

VICKY
Can you fly a plane in a snowstorm?

LILA
I can't do that…but I'll stay if you want me to.

VICKY
I can't ask you to do that. You've got New Year's to spend with your husband. Cass is probably waiting for you at the party. You should go be with him. I won't let you stay.

LILA
(as she stands to leave)
Carl told me something tonight, Vicky…he said 'You have a journey ahead of you. Face it with strength.' Face your journey with strength, Vicky. It's good advice.

With a smile to Vicky, Lila leaves the room.

VICKY
'Face my journey'. It should be my journey with Jake.

She stares at the wall in front of her with determination.

CUT TO:

LORNA’S HOUSE/SAME NIGHT

HAYLEY picks up various toys scattered around the room. TITO stands nearby, uncomfortably, watching her. After a minute, he walks over and grabs her arm.

TITO
Hey…come on, this is New Year’s Eve. You’re not supposed to be cleaning.

Hayley puts the last toy in her hands on the table, turning to him.

HAYLEY
Just trying not to give Jenna another reason to hate me.

TITO
She doesn’t hate you.

HAYLEY
Oh, come on, Tito, you heard her. She doesn’t exactly like me.

TITO
She’s getting used to the idea that she has a brand-new grown-up sister. That would be tough for anyone to deal with.

HAYLEY
Lorna and I have dealt with it pretty well, haven’t we? I mean, I’m not asking Jenna to take me into her confidence and become my best friend, but a little civility would have been nice.

TITO
True…I guess it’s just one of those things that’s going to take time.

HAYLEY
I just don’t want to deal with something else that requires more of my feelings than I have to give right now. I have trouble keeping my mind off of him…much less dealing with a sister who hates me.

TITO
(almost inaudibly)
Are you okay? I mean, from earlier?

HAYLEY
(shrugging)
What else can I be? We’re bound to run into them at some point. This is a small town. (She watches Tito for a minute) What about you?


TITO
It’s hard, I’ll admit it. I can’t say it’s not.

HAYLEY
You don’t have anything keeping you here, Tito, no family. It’s not that I’m pushing you to leave or anything, but wouldn’t it be easier for you if you lived somewhere else? Why is staying in Bay City so important to you?

Before Tito can answer, the doorbell rings.

HAYLEY(cont’d)
That must be KC.

She makes her way to the door.

TITO
You invited KC?

HAYLEY
(over her shoulder)
Yeah…she wasn’t doing anything either. Besides, I really like her. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good girl friend.

Hayley opens the door to find KC standing there.

HAYLEY(cont’d)
Hey, KC…glad you could come over.

KC steps inside of the house, not seeing Tito.

KC
Thanks…I thought I’d go crazy if I had to spend the millennium at that Harbor Club party. I’d much rather hang out here tonight—

She stops as she sees Tito. Hayley looks back and forth between the two of them.

HAYLEY
Cool…well, I asked Tito, too. I hope you don’t mind. I figured since we’re all going to be on-campus together, we may as well all hang out together.

TITO
(sheepishly)
Hey, KC…

KC gives a half-hearted wave and turns back to Hayley.

KC
So, your sisters are gone? And Felicia?

HAYLEY
Yep. They all went to that party. My niece is asleep in the other room, though. And I went and got us all lasagna to eat.

KC
Great, I’m starving. Mama was so busy getting ready for the party that she skipped fixing anything tonight. And I’m useless in the kitchen.

HAYLEY
Why don’t you guys set up some pillows on the floor and we’ll eat like it’s a Japanese restaurant. (She grins) Except we’re not cooking in the middle of the table. I’ll go get the food.

She disappears into the kitchen as Tito and KC face off.

KC
(hissing)
I didn’t know YOU’D be here.

TITO
I didn’t know Hayley had invited you either! I know you’re pissed at me, but you never even bothered to talk to me to find out my side of the story.

KC
You kept the fact that you were the father of Hayley’s baby from me.

TITO
Because I didn’t want to break Hayley’s confidence. Until the baby was born, there were only a couple of people who knew I was the father.

KC
(sarcastically)
Like Remy?

TITO
Yeah…Remy knew. I needed her help.

KC
All I know is that you KNEW that Hayley and I were becoming friends and you never bothered to tell me about your previous relationship—

TITO
You act like I was never going to tell you. I just needed more time and the baby didn’t give us that.

KC
You know, why am I letting this bother me, anyway? It’s not like we were an item or anything. We just went out on a couple of measly dates.

TITO
Exactly.

KC stares at him and bursts into laughter.

KC
(holding up her hands)
Okay, okay. So I’m overreacting. But I’m still mad at you for not telling me. I’m just a little LESS mad.

TITO
(grinning)
I knew it.

Hayley comes back into the room with the dish of lasagna.

HAYLEY
Okay, you guys, let’s eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.

Laughing, KC and Tito move towards the table, and they all begin to dig into the food.

CUT TO:

SEATTLE AIRPORT/NIGHT

JAKE paces near the wall, alone, while FRANK and SEAN sit wordlessly near one another. ALLI and AMANDA talk quietly on a bench.

ALLI
I didn't think you cared if I stayed or went…you barely ever talked to me anymore…you didn't seem to know I was alive.

AMANDA
Oh, Alli…I care about you more than you could ever know. And I'm sorry I was so distant…I've had so much to deal with, losing Cameron.

ALLI
I know…and I didn't take that into consideration. I should have. I should have realized that. I'm sorry about Cameron, Mom, I really am.

AMANDA
I know you are. But you and I have got to get some things straight.

ALLI
Yeah…does Dad know I'm gone?

AMANDA
(nodding)
I had to tell him. We'll call him as soon as we get back. I called Sam and told him that I was flying out here to get you. He's worried about you, too.

ALLI
I made a lot of people worried, didn't I?

AMANDA
Yeah, you did. All of us were worried about you, honey. Your grandmother, Paulina, Matt…you left a lot of people hanging.

ALLI
I won't do it again, I promise.

AMANDA
I would hope not. None of us ever want to go through this again.

ALLI
Will you not keep things from me next time? If you'd told me, Mom…I could've helped you with Cameron. But you wouldn't even talk to me barely. Everything I heard, I heard secondhand, from Grandma, or from Matt…never from you.

AMANDA
That's going to change. For both of us, Alli. It has to be reciprocated on your end, too.

ALLI
Okay.

AMANDA
And this little talk of ours doesn't mean you're escaping punishment.

ALLI
Okay. I figured that.

AMANDA
And I still love you.

Alli flashes her a grin, then hugs her.

ALLI
I love you, too, Mom.

Jake is still pacing across the way, not taking his eyes off of the announcement board. Sean watches him for a minute, then stands up and walks over to him.

SEAN
Jake, I'm sorry.

JAKE
I told you, Sean, it's not your fault.

SEAN
It is…if I hadn't run away…

JAKE
Sean, there's a lot of blame to be placed here, and it isn't all on you.

SEAN
But you're right…if I hadn't had that pot in my room, Steven wouldn't have found it. You know I wouldn't want to hurt the boys.

JAKE
I know that, Sean…and Vicky knows that.

SEAN
Have you called my dad?

JAKE
He's concerned about you. We'll have to let him know that you're safe.

SEAN
I disappointed him, didn't I?

JAKE
There's a lot of disappointment going around, Sean…we disappointed you.

SEAN
I barely know him…it's so stupid…and I don't want him to think I'm a screw-up. I just want him to give a damn about me.

JAKE
Sean, he cares about you very much. I can assure you of that.

SEAN
When we get back, and after everything has settled a little…can I go see him?

JAKE
(glancing at Sean)
Yeah, Sean. That's a definite.

Putting an arm around Sean's shoulders, Jake keeps watching the announcements board.

CUT TO:

CORY BALLROOM/NIGHT

FELICIA walks into the ballroom, JENNA, SERGEI, and LORNA with her. Lorna sees MATT and waves him over, pointedly keeping her eyes away from Sergei. Matt walks over and kisses her.

MATT
You look beautiful.

LORNA
Thanks…you don't look so bad yourself.

MATT
These old duds? (He grins) And the three of you look really nice, too.

FELICIA
(laughing)
Don't worry, Matt, we can all see that you only have eyes for my daughter.

MATT
Can you blame me?

MORGAN spots them and walks over. He gives Jenna a hug.

MORGAN
I was wondering when my date was going to get here.

JENNA
We were…delayed a little.

Felicia shoots her a sharp look.

FELICIA
But that's all taken care of…right, Jenna?

JENNA
(shrugging)
More or less.

Morgan senses the tension and holds out his arm to Jenna.

MORGAN
Care to dance?

JENNA
Sure…(she smiles at him)

They walk out onto the dance floor. Matt extends an arm to Lorna, and they follow. Sergei looks at Felicia.

SERGEI
Would you like to dance, Felicia?

FELICIA
In a minute, Sergei…because something tells me that there's someone else you'd rather be dancing with.

SERGEI
Felicia…

FELICIA
It's okay, Sergei…really. You can tell me. I won't get angry.

SERGEI
(reluctantly)
You have found my secret, then?

FELICIA
When you're kissing my daughter under the mistletoe, it's a little hard to hide it, Sergei.

SERGEI
I am…in love with her, Felicia.

Felicia sighs, leading him out onto the dance floor, out of Lorna's earshot.

FELICIA
Oh, Sergei…I wish there was something I could say to give you some encouragement. But Lorna…Lorna and Matt have known each other a long time…

SERGEI
And we are married.

FELICIA
That's a small hurdle. There's nothing worse than unrequited love, Sergei…

SERGEI
I am learning this, my Felicia…it is hurting very much.

Felicia hugs him, then glances over at Lorna, who's wrapped in what seems to be a romantic embrace with Matt.

RACHEL and CARL dance slowly with one another. Rachel reaches up to brush Carl's hair from his eyes.

RACHEL
All right, my darling…we have much to celebrate. Alli is coming home…Vicky is going to bring two new lives into the world…our own children are healthy and happy…

CARL
Yes, we do have much to celebrate…however, you're forgetting one thing.

RACHEL
(with interest)
What's that?

CARL
Your New Year's resolution. You haven't made one yet.

RACHEL
Neither have you.

CARL
Yours first…I have a feeling they're going to be similar.

RACHEL
I resolve to love you without fail….next year and all the years after that…

CARL
That's exactly what I was going to resolve to do…

RACHEL
I love you, you dear, dear man.

CARL
And I love you, my beautiful dove.

As they kiss, the kiss is interrupted by the sound of DAVID HALLIDAY and CINDY BROOK coming up behind them. David clears his throat. Carl ends the kiss, turning around to look at David, near-daggers shooting from his eyes.

DAVID
I'm sorry to interrupt. Cindy and I just wanted to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

CARL
The same to you, Mr. Halliday. And your lovely date.

CINDY
Why, thank you, Carl. And Rachel, you're looking stunning tonight.

RACHEL
As are you, Cindy. Now, if the two of you will excuse us, I don't mean to be rude, but I plan on dancing with my husband all night.

She whirls Carl away, a laugh escaping her throat as she does. Cindy glares after her, turning to David.

CINDY
Queen Rachel's going to be surprised when she's forced to kow-tow to me. How long till we put this plan in action?

David grins at her, and they begin to dance.

A lonely CASS stands by himself near the entrance. He seems lost, and as he's about to turn and go to the bar, a figure comes up behind him, dressed in dark blue silk. She puts her hands over his eyes.

LILA
Guess who?

Cass turns around, grabbing her in a deep kiss before she can say anything else. When he lets go of her, she tries to catch her breath.

CASS
I was afraid you were going to stand me up.

LILA
On New Year's Eve? Never…I'm sorry to be so late, though.

CASS
Don't tell me you've spent all this time with Vicky.

LILA
Not all of it…part of it was having the blood test done. But she really needed someone, Cass…Jake's not here, and she's scared to death and upset.

CASS
So you did your first aunt-duty, huh?

LILA
(rolling her eyes)
If you can call it that. I just reminded her why she's in the hospital. And soon, she's going to have two babies to show for it.

CASS
Have I told you that I love you yet?

LILA
(smiling)
Not in the last few hours.

CASS
Well, I do. I love you…

They embrace, as we move back to see all of the couples dancing around the ballroom.

FADE OUT