LORNA’S HOUSE/DAY

LORNA moves into the kitchen, where she begins putting the groceries away. JENNA follows her in, with GABRIELLE.

LORNA
What do we have to talk about?

JENNA
Sergei and Matt.

Lorna stops putting the groceries away and turns around to face her sister.

LORNA
And one has to do with the other because…?

JENNA
Oh, come on, Lorna. It’s obvious that Sergei’s got a thing for you.

LORNA
(turning her back to Jenna, and putting things in the cabinets)
It’s not obvious, Jenn. He’s great with Gabrielle. That’s all.

JENNA
You’re kidding me, right? Lorna, every time the guy looks at you, you can practically see the stars in his eyes. It’s a case of unrequited love.

Lorna shuts the cabinet and leans on the counter, facing Jenna.

LORNA
You’re imagining things. I don’t know where you’re getting this idea from .

JENNA
I have EYES, big sister. You don’t have to be a genius to see it, Lorna. Right, Gabrielle? (She looks at Gabrielle) Sergei likes your mommy?

GABRIELLE
Sergei like Mommy?

LORNA
(taking Gabrielle)
Don’t confuse my daughter, Jenna. Come on, I’m seeing Matt. Sergei knows that.

JENNA
And you think he can just turn off any feelings he has for you? It doesn’t work that way.

LORNA
Well, let’s not forget the little fact that he’s married to our MOTHER, Jenna.

JENNA
A small detail. It’s not like that won’t change soon.

LORNA
Even if it does, Sergei is more than aware that I’m dating Matt. Matt and I share a long history, one of which you’re well-aware.

JENNA
Yeah, I seem to recall your little affair with him. (She grins.) But just because you share a history with him doesn’t mean that you have to continue your relationship.

LORNA
What makes you think I don’t WANT to continue our relationship?

JENNA
I saw you at Christmas. You kept stealing these looks at him…and he was doing the same thing. You can’t deny the fact that there’s some chemistry there.

Lorna walks out into the living room, setting Gabrielle down on the floor, watching her toddle off. Jenna follows her, standing behind her quietly. Lorna turns back around to face her.

LORNA
Okay. Yes, I have feelings for Sergei.

JENNA
(grinning)
I knew it!

LORNA
But it’s not going to happen, Jenna. I’m HAPPY with Matt. I know what to expect.

JENNA
So you’re giving up what could be love for stability?

LORNA
Love? Sergei and I have had ONE kiss---

She stops short, realizing she’s just shared too much information with her sister.

JENNA
(surprised)
You kissed him?

LORNA
(shaking her head)
It was nothing…it was just under the mistletoe at Christmas. And I’m not discussing this anymore with you.

JENNA
Fine…but you never know what you might have had—

LORNA
Drop it. (She glares at Jenna.) While we’re on subjects neither of us wants to discuss, what’s your deal with Hayley?

JENNA
What?

LORNA
What is it with you and Hayley? She may not sense it, Jenna, but I do. You’ve been ice-cold to her ever since you came back. What’s your problem?

The sisters stare at one another.

CUT TO:

MARLEY'S HOUSE/SAME DAY

MARLEY takes DONNA'S hands in her own.

MARLEY
Do you remember when I found out that you were my mother? Remember how horrible it was for awhile? How I rebelled against you?

DONNA
I never thought we'd end up close.

MARLEY
Right. And you don't know that the same couldn't happen with Lila. It's a strange turn of events, but the fact remains that she's still your sister. And you just need to get that concrete proof so that you can begin building that relationship for real.

DONNA
Has anyone ever told you that you're a voice of reason?

MARLEY
Well…you weren't saying that last year. (She grins) But our family is important…whether or not we would have chosen the members.

DONNA
Well, you've chosen a good one. Still flying high from that proposal?

MARLEY
Just a little bit. (She smiles, shyly.) I don't think I've been able to stop smiling for the past week.

DONNA
So when is this wedding?

MARLEY
You don't lose any time, do you?

DONNA
Not when it comes to your happiness. I can't wait for the day I see you married to Tyrone.

MARLEY
We're not sure. We're thinking six months, maybe. Possibly a year. We'll know when the time's right.

DONNA
Just make sure I'm there, okay? None of this elopement stuff.

MARLEY
I promise. I won't get married without you.

TYRONE walks into the room, fully-clothed.

TYRONE
Or me…you can't forget the groom.

MARLEY
I could never forget you. (She kisses him lightly) Can you hold down the fort for a few hours? I'll be back in time for the party.

TYRONE
Where are you going?

MARLEY
Donna and I have an errand to run. (She ignores Donna's look) We're headed to the hospital for a blood test.

DONNA
Marley! Today? Tonight?

MARLEY
Yes, today, tonight. There's no sense in putting it off any further. (She reaches for her coat.) Let's go, Donna.

Leading Donna out, she shuts the door behind them.

CUT TO:

CARLINO’S/SAME DAY

HAYLEY stands at the counter, waiting for an order. She glances at her watch, then takes the cell phone from her purse, dialing a number.

HAYLEY
Hi, KC? Hey, it’s Hayley…yeah, I’m good…I know it’s short notice, but are you busy tonight? Do you want to come spend New Year’s over at my house? I’m staying home with my niece…cool…yeah, about eight-thirty? And don’t eat, I’ll have dinner. See you then. Bye.

She ends the call as TITO walks up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder. She jumps and whirls around, relaxing when she sees him.

TITO
Whoa…chill out. Didn’t mean to scare you…

HAYLEY
You just startled me…

Tito motions to the cell phone.

TITO
You can afford a cell phone now?

HAYLEY
(sheepishly)
It was a Christmas gift from Lorna. She said she’d feel better if I had it, especially if I was going to be staying at school late to study.

TITO
Must be nice to have someone concerned about your well-being.

HAYLEY
Yeah, it is. And I have to admit, it’s kind of nice to have a phone in my purse. Saves me from having to find a pay phone all the time.

TITO
So what’s up?

HAYLEY
I’ve been trying to call you. Where have you been?

TITO
Some of us work, you know. We’ve been getting inventory ready at the school bookstore for classes next week.

HAYLEY
Oh…well, I wanted to see if you were busy tonight. I thought you might want to come spend New Year’s at the house.

Tito pauses, trying to decide if there’s any sort of hidden motive behind Hayley’s request.

TITO
Well, I’d have to cancel the guest shot emceeing on MTV tonight…and tell Gwyneth I’ll have to break our date…but other than that I’m free.

HAYLEY
(grinning)
Don’t put yourself out. Lorna suggested it, actually.

TITO
Okay…so when do you want me to come over?

HAYLEY
Want to just come home with me now? I’m getting some lasagna for dinner, then heading home, and Lorna’s leaving with Jenna and Felicia.

TITO
That’ll work. How’re things going with the new sister?

HAYLEY
(shrugging)
I don’t know. Okay, I guess. She seems kind of distant most of the time.

TITO
Hey, most of Bay City is distant to me. I’m used to it.

HAYLEY
No comment. (She grins.) Hey, do me a favor. Carry the lasagna and I’ll get the salad, will you?

TITO
Sure thing.

He picks up the carton of lasagna on the counter. As Hayley reaches out to take the salad from the counter person, the door to Carlino’s opens. JOSIE and GARY walk in, laughing and smiling. JOSIE has CJ in her arms. Hayley turns around and all of them stop moving, staring at one another.

HAYLEY
Oh, no…

TITO
Come on, Hale, let’s just go on and leave…

Josie sits down at a table, while Gary approaches Hayley.

GARY
Hayley, we’re sorry…we had no idea you’d be here…and we know how hard this must be for you.

HAYLEY
(false cheerfully)
Hey…it was bound to happen at some point, wasn’t it? Maybe it’s better that it’s happening sooner instead of later.

GARY
Even so, we don’t want to make this any more painful for you. We’ll leave—


HAYLEY
(holding up a hand)
Don’t be silly, Gary. I’m leaving right now. Just…can I just look at his face for a minute? (Near tears) Please?

GARY
I don’t know—

Josie stands up and walks over.

JOSIE
(with a quieting glance to Gary)
Of course you can, Hayley.

She peels back the blanket covering the baby.

JOSIE (cont’d)
He’s doing great. And we adore him, we do, Hayley He’s the most-loved baby in the world.

Tears begin to roll down Hayley’s face.

HAYLEY
I knew he would be. (She reaches out and touches his face.) Thank you.

With a cry, she rushes from the restaurant. Tito, Josie, and Gary watch her go.

FADE OUT