CARLINO'S--SAME DAY

LORNA and FELICIA walk into Carlino's, Lorna holding GABRIELLE. They are seated by a WAITER, and put Gabrielle in a high chair. The restaurant is somewhat empty, with only one couple seated across the room.

LORNA
They've redecorated.

FELICIA
Yes, they have. There are a lot of things in Bay City that have changed. Some places you wouldn't recognize.

LORNA
Well, now that Grant is no longer mayor, I'd assume that a few MORE things are going to change. I still can't believe he's dead.

FELICIA
I know. But, if anyone deserved a splashy, publicized death, it was Grant.

LORNA
Mother!

FELICIA
Oh, come on, Lorna. After what Grant did to you, it's not like I was all that broken up over his murder.

LORNA
I know, but have some respect for the dead at least.

FELICIA
(grinning)
All right. Let's change the subject. What are you going to have?

As they discuss the menu quietly, the door to Carlino's opens and PAULINA, REMY, and JOE walk in.

PAULINA
Joe, can we just drop it?

JOE
For now...but this discussion isn't over.

REMY
(sighing)
I wish it was.

PAULINA
Me, too--(She stops). Joe, is that who I think it is with Felicia?

JOE
(looking at the table)
Oh, my God...I think it is.

Paulina walks over to the table. Felicia and Lorna look up at her approach, and Lorna grins.

PAULINA
Lorna? I can't believe it's you!

Lorna stands up and hugs Paulina.

LORNA
It's me. In the flesh. You look great, Paulina!

PAULINA
You look wonderful, too! When did you get back in town?

LORNA
Just this morning.

Joe follows Paulina's lead and hugs Lorna.

JOE
It's good to see you, Lorna.

Paulina looks over at Gabrielle.

PAULINA
Whose baby?

LORNA
(smiling as she puts a hand on Gabrielle's head)
This is my daughter, Gabrielle.

PAULINA
(dumbfounded)
She's beautiful, Lorna....is she...?

LORNA
She's Gabe's. When I left and went into rehab, I found out I was pregnant.

FELICIA
And she's made me keep it a secret all this time. Do you know how difficult it was keeping quiet about my granddaughter?

PAULINA
How amazing. And what a legacy for Gabe to leave....

LORNA
(with a sad smile)
She's his legacy, all right.

PAULINA
Actually, Lorna, there's someone I'd like you to meet, too. (She waves Remy over) This is Remy. My daughter.

LORNA
Your daughter?

PAULINA
She was adopted as a baby...long story. But we found each other again. Remy, this is Lorna Devon, Felicia's daughter and a dear friend of ours who's been MIA for way too long.

Remy and Lorna shake hands.

LORNA
It's nice to meet you, Remy.

REMY
Same here. So you're Felicia's daughter?

FELICIA
Remy worked for me for a short time.

LORNA
For the slave driver, huh?

She grins as Felicia taps her teasingly on the shoulder. They all stand talking quietly, as the door to Carlino's opens again, and JAKE and VICKY enter. They stand by the doorway arguing.

JAKE
I can't believe you'd agree to something like that without talking to me first, Vick!

VICKY
What, do I have to ask your PERMISSION to accept a job from Carl? I didn't think it was that much of an issue, Jake!

JAKE
You're pregnant, Vicky! I really think you need to be taking it easy.

VICKY
I'm barely anywhere along, Jake. I have months before these twins arrive, and as it is, I'd really like to do something productive. Working at Brava was something I enjoyed, and since Carl asked me to do it as a favor, I'm taking him up on his offer.

JAKE
Fine. But I was going to ask you to come to the Herald and do PR for us part-time.

VICKY
If you're so concerned about my health with this pregnancy, why would you ask me to work at the Herald? Between all of the objects you and Chris are always hurling at one another, I'd probably get a concussion from a pencil sharpener or something.

JAKE
Okay, so you got me....but I was hoping we'd have some time together before we're surrounded by babies.

VICKY
And you thought we could do that at the Herald? You're crazy, Jake McKinnon. I don't want to go into this with you anymore. I promise we'll have plenty of time together---(She stops talking as she sees the crowd around Lorna and Felicia's table)---Jake, look over there.

Jake stands on his tiptoes and looks to the table.

JAKE
What? I see Paulina, Joe, Remy, Felicia, a baby.....and I could swear that I see Lorna.

VICKY
That's who I thought I just saw, too.

She walks over to the table, briskly. As she approaches, they all look over to her.

PAULINA
Vicky! Look who's back in town!

VICKY
Lorna? Is that really you?

LORNA
(with a wry grin)
It's really me, Vicky. Your old nemesis, back in Bay City. But I promise I won't make your life hell again.

Vicky laughs, and holds out her arms. She and Lorna hug.

VICKY
Long time, no see. Glad to see you back here.

JAKE
Well, well, well....if it isn't Lorna Devon. I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever see you back here.

LORNA
Great to see you, too, Jake.

JAKE
Come here, you. (He hugs her) And who's this little one?

LORNA
Gabrielle Felicia McNamara. And before you ask, yes.

VICKY
What a miracle for you, Lorna. She's absolutely adorable.

LORNA
I think so, but of course I'm biased. I heard you two have some big news.

VICKY
(patting her stomach)
In about seven months, we'll have two of those.

JOE
And Jake will become even more of a wuss than he already is.

Jake cuffs his neck.

JAKE
Watch it, Joe.

LORNA
Congratulations, you two. I can't wait to see Jake knee-deep in dirty diapers.

PAULINA
So what are your plans, Lorna? Are you going to stay in Bay City?

LORNA
I don't know...I'm thinking about it. I guess I'll take a look at the job possibilities and see if there's even anything available for me.

JAKE
Well, I do know of one position that you'd be perfect for--

LORNA
What's that?

JAKE
The Herald could use someone to do PR. If you're interested, the job is yours.

LORNA
Are you serious, Jake?

JAKE
Very serious. Why don't you come by the Herald tomorrow, and we can go over the details?

LORNA
Well....okay....I will.

FELICIA
(In a stage whisper)
Thank you, Jake.

PAULINA
Well, I guess we should let you two eat. Jake, Vicky, did you want a table?

VICKY
Only if Jake promises to use utensils.

JAKE
For you, my love...anything.

As they laugh, we:

FADE OUT