CORY NURSERY/NIGHT

CARL sits in a rocking chair, ELIZABETH asleep in his arms, a copy of "Goodnight Moon" in his hands. As AMANDA enters, he puts a finger to his lips.

CARL
(in a whisper)
She's finally asleep. It took two readings of this book and a few choruses of the "Teddy Bears' Picnic", but I think I've succeeded.

AMANDA
Carl....I just received a call from Antoinette Thayer. At the gallery in New Orleans.

Carl doesn't answer her, but stands up, placing Elizabeth in her crib, then leading Amanda into the hallway by the arm, closing the door to the nursery behind him.

CARL
The young lady you met?

AMANDA
Yes. And Carl, I think the game's over. I think it's time for you to become involved in this, and for you to tell me what you know.

CARL
What did she tell you?

AMANDA
There's a painting at the gallery. When I first saw it, I thought it was Lila. The woman in the painting is nearly identical to her.

CARL
The painting...ahhh....

AMANDA
And she called me to tell me who'd commissioned the painting, and the name of the woman.

CARL
And what did she tell you?

AMANDA
That Reginald commissioned the painting.

CARL
So...you've learned that little bit of information.

AMANDA
And that the woman in the painting is Jessie Hart, Lila's mother. Why would Reginald have a painting of her done?

CARL
Amanda...you're absolutely right. It's time to stop the charade, and we're going to begin working together on this from now on....starting with going over to Lila's right now.

AMANDA
Now?

CARL
Now. She could be in danger. I'll explain to you in the car. But we must go...NOW.

Carl and Amanda rush down the stairs.

CUT TO:

HAYLEY'S HOSPITAL ROOM/SAME NIGHT

LORNA is sitting at HAYLEY'S bedside, her head down, resting on Hayley's hand. When she lifts her head, tears have been streaming down her face.

LORNA
I don't know if you want me to keep him, Hayley. If I'm going against what would be your wishes, I'm sorry. I just don't want to lose you and I can't let your son go, too. (She rubs Hayley's hand between her own) Your hands are warm. That's a good sign. When Luke was here, his hands were so cold that I promised to knit him some mittens when he got out of the hospital. I can knit, my grandmother taught me how. He smiled when I told him that. I was glad that he smiled. He didn't like me much, not after the trouble I gave him and Felicia. I couldn't really blame him. You wouldn't have liked me very much back then, either. I wasn't very nice. But my life has changed so much since then. One of the best things to happen to me was you, kiddo. Everyone loves you and you've become a member of the family so quickly. You still have to meet Jenna, but I know she's going to love you, too. Just open your eyes. Open your eyes. When you get out of here, we'll do whatever you want. If you want to go on a vacation, away from here, we'll go. If you want to go back to school, go to college, I'll pay for it. And you're moving out of that boarding house and in with me and Gabrielle, no arguments. (Lorna smiles) I could use some help with Gabrielle, anyway, especially for her birthday party next month. Ten two-year-olds running around is a scary thought....

She stops talking as tears overtake her.

CUT TO:

BC TRAIN STATION/NIGHT

SEAN and ALLI are still in the chairs, waiting for the train to leave. Alli is fighting sleep and Sean pokes her in the stomach.

SEAN
Wake up...don't go to sleep on me.

ALLI
I'm tired...

SEAN
So am I, but we don't want to miss the train. We both need to stay awake.

ALLI
Do you think they've noticed that we're gone yet?

SEAN
Your mom might have. I'm pretty sure Jake and Vicky wouldn't notice I was gone even if I packed up my stuff and rented a U-Haul to move out on a sunny Saturday.

ALLI
They don't exactly hate you, Sean.

SEAN
Yeah, but if you can tell me where they've gone out of their way to make me feel like I belong, I'd love to see it.

ALLI
The boys like you.

SEAN
I'm older. Of course they like me. I'm like...Michael Jordan to their Macauley Culkin.

ALLI
(laughing)
You give yourself a lot of credit, don't you?

SEAN
(shrugging)
Hell, who else will?

ALLI
I will.

SEAN
(glancing at her)
Whatever...hey, I think the train's getting ready to board. We better get set up to get on.

They stand up and gather their belongings together.

FADE OUT