AFTER THE MEMORIAL SERVICE/SAME NIGHT

LORNA is standing and talking quietly with SERGEI. MATT approaches them, three glasses of wine in his hands.

MATT
(handing them the wine)
I thought you could each use a glass.

LORNA
Thanks, Matt. That was a really nice service, wasn't it?

MATT
Yes, it was. Poor Amanda...she's really having a hard time with this.

LORNA
And poor Chris...they're both in for some pretty rough times.

MATT
Well, you've been through it. You know what it's like.

LORNA
It's not going to be easy. I still struggle with it.

SERGEI
But you are strong woman, Lorna. You have been strong for little one.

LORNA
I have to be strong for her, Sergei. She's just a baby...she doesn't know why her mommy's sad.

MATT
How did you come back here, Lorna? Wasn't it difficult?

LORNA
More than difficult. The second I stepped off the plane, I could feel Gabe with me. But I have my mother here, I have friends who I've missed, and I've got a new family. What about you, Matt? You've had some tough times....why do you stay?

MATT
Nothing like yours, though. I stay for Jasmine. If I didn't have her, I might try somewhere new. But I can't, not when her mother's living here in town.

LORNA
She's going to grow up to be a wonderful young lady with a father like you.

Matt and Lorna smile at one another as we:

FADE OUT

MEMORIAL SERVICE/SAME NIGHT

JOSIE is in the ladies' room, applying makeup. As she touches a brush to her cheek, the door opens and FELICIA walks in. She smiles at Josie.

FELICIA
Hi, honey...how are you?

JOSIE
I'm okay...have you seen Gary tonight?

FELICIA
I just spoke with him a few minutes ago. He seems to be holding up well. But you know that if you need me, all you have to do is call.

JOSIE
We know, Felicia...thank you so much. But Cass gave us the news today...about the baby. And I think that could help Gary through this.

FELICIA
He told you then? About Hayley?

JOSIE
(nodding)
I can't tell you how thrilled we are. To think that we might have a child again...

FELICIA
The two of you deserve it after everything you've been through. You deserve a chance at happiness.

JOSIE
Since you know her, Felicia....do you think she'll be okay with giving the baby up? Do you think she'll change her mind?

FELICIA
I don't know...but I don't think so. She's pretty determined about this whole thing. She's just a kid who got into some trouble and she's trying to fix it.

JOSIE
What about the father?

FELICIA
She said he's out of the picture. She said he wants nothing to do with them.

JOSIE
I can't believe this could actually happen. It seems to good to be true.

FELICIA
Hopefully, you can meet her soon. Josie, I want to run an idea by you.

JOSIE
What?

FELICIA
Do you remember when I wrote the book about Lorna's rape?

JOSIE
Into the Fire? Yes...it was the best thing you ever wrote.

FELICIA
I want to do something like that again...only this time, I want to follow the adoption from start to finish. I'd change the names, and disguise events, but I want to be able to do something real. I can't write romance novels any longer---they don't mean anything to me.

JOSIE
You want to use us for your book?

FELICIA
(nodding)
With yours, Gary's, and the birth mother's permission, of course.

JOSIE
I don't know, Felicia...I'll have to think about it.

FELICIA
That's why I brought it up. I know this is hardly the time or the place, but I wanted you to be able to discuss it with Gary before you met with the mother. Take your time.

JOSIE
(looking at her watch)
We'd better go out there. Felicia, thank you again for what you've done in bringing this girl here. Gary and I will always appreciate it.

FELICIA
(hugging Josie)
You're welcome. And you can thank me by being wonderful parents to that child.

Josie leaves, and Felicia moves to touch up her makeup as we:

FADE OUT

MEMORIAL SERVICE/SAME NIGHT

KC stands off to the side, next to CHRIS and ETTA MAE, who are being greeted by well-wishers, mostly officers from the police force.

KC
Mama, I've got to go out and get some air, okay?

ETTA MAE
Sure, baby. Go ahead.

KC nearly runs from the room.

CHRIS
(to Etta Mae)
Etta Mae, if you want to take her home, I'll stand watch for the sympathy greetings here.

ETTA MAE
(shaking her head)
Thanks, Chris, but I'll stay. Judy can take care of KC if she needs to.

JUDY
(coming up next to them)
Did I hear my name?

She hugs Etta Mae.

JUDY(cont'd)
I just had a chat with Felicia. She said if you need anything, Mama, to call her.

ETTA MAE
I will. Where are your brothers?

JUDY
Devouring the food, as usual. I wonder if anything could affect those boys appetites. Where's KC?

ETTA MAE
Outside.

JUDY
I'll go out with her in a minute.

DANIEL and KEITH BURRELL walk over, followed by TYRONE and MARLEY. Tyrone kisses Etta Mae on the cheek, and Marley hugs her.

MARLEY
I wish there was something prolific I could say to you, Etta Mae, but---

ETTA MAE
It's okay, Marley. (She smiles). I don't think any of us really know what to say here.

TYRONE
Any news on the bomber?

CHRIS
Not yet. I don't know if Joe and Josie just aren't telling us, but there's nothing new as of yet.

JAKE
But if they find anything, they'd better tell us. (He kisses Etta Mae on the cheek). Vicky wanted me to tell you she's sorry she's not here...

ETTA MAE
I know her thoughts are with me. She's got babies to take care of.

JAKE
And Chris and I are going to do everything we can to help find out what happened.

ETTA MAE
Just be safe, you two. We don't want anything else to happen.

CHRIS
We will, Etta Mae. But whoever did this to Toni is NOT going to get away with it.

As he fights tears, we:

FADE OUT


MEMORIAL SERVICE/SAME NIGHT

AMANDA, ALLI, RACHEL, and CARL are talking. REMY, JOE, and PAULINA walk over.

REMY
Amanda, it was a beautiful service.

PAULINA
Yes, it was.

JOE
Exactly what Cameron and Toni would have wanted.

AMANDA
Thank you.

RACHEL
Honey, is there anything I can get you?

AMANDA
No, thanks. I'm just glad you're all here.

Alli hugs Amanda

ALLI
I'm sorry, Mom.

AMANDA
It's okay, sweetie.

ALLI
I never wanted this to happen.

AMANDA
I know you didn't.

ALLI
It isn't fair.

JOE
Alli, someone's death is never fair, especially when they're so young.

Amanda hugs Alli, tightly. The others around them leave quietly.

ALLI
If I could take back everything I ever said, Mom...I would.

AMANDA
Sweetie, it's not a matter of taking back. We have to be grateful for what we had and what we have. And right now, I'm grateful to have you.

ALLI
I love you, Mom...I'm sorry.

As Alli cries into Amanda's shoulder, we:

FADE OUT


THE PARK/SAME NIGHT

TITO is silent as HAYLEY waits for him to speak. When he doesn't, she begins to talk.

HAYLEY
I can't be a mother yet. I can't handle a child yet, so I'm giving this baby to someone who can.

TITO
You'd give away your baby just like that?

HAYLEY
Tito, you and I BOTH know what it was like to grow up without money, without anything! Don't tell me you think I can provide for this baby and give it the life it deserves!

TITO
All a kid needs is someone to love it!

HAYLEY
Love will not keep a child fed.

TITO
And you were going to do all of this without giving me a say?

HAYLEY
This is MY body, Tito. My baby...you were a sperm donor.

TITO
That's not true. You never even asked me.

HAYLEY
Well, I'm telling you now. Look, I have a family here now. I have a sister. I'm trying to establish relationships with them, and I don't want you to screw it up. You and I were two lonely people who had sex, Tito. This baby was not conceived in love and we both know that.

TITO
So you can't love it because of that?

HAYLEY
I never said that! I love this baby with my entire heart and soul. That's why I'm giving it up. But you wouldn't be able to understand that.

TITO
I've gone my entire life wondering who my parents are...why did they give me up? I wouldn't wish that on any child, and I certainly wouldn't want it for any child of mine.

HAYLEY
This isn't your decision to make.

TITO
I wouldn't be so sure about that, Hayley.

He starts to walk away, then looks back at her.

TITO
No matter what you say, or what you do, Hayley, we are still this baby's parents.

He leaves, and Hayley watches him angrily as we:

FADE OUT