GARY'S OFFICE/SAME DAY

GARY picks up the phone and dials a number. CUT TO CAMERON in the Cory Mansion.

CAMERON
Hello?

GARY
Cam? Hey, it's Gary.

CAMERON
Gary, hey, what's up?

GARY
Not much...just wanted to ask you how you'd feel about being an uncle.

CAMERON
Gary...is Josie--

GARY
(laughs)
No, she's not. Nothing's changed there, Cameron. But we talked to Cass...I think we're going to adopt a baby.

CAMERON
That's great, Gary...I'm really happy for you.

GARY
Thanks, Cameron. I think this could be the answer to our prayers.

CAMERON
I've actually been needing to talk to Josie...is she around?

GARY
No, she went to the station to catch up on some paperwork. I'm hoping Joe will keep her workload light while we get the adoption going. Neither of her pregnancies were exactly stress-free...maybe the adoption can be.

CAMERON
I hope so...for both of your sakes.

GARY
And Cameron? I want you to know...everything is okay with us...I don't want you to think I'm telling you about this to gloat or to rub your nose in anything...

CAMERON
Gary, I would never think that....you know that I want you and Josie to be happy, and I want you to have your child.

GARY
I know. (He pauses) So anyway, why don't you and Amanda come over for dinner tomorrow night?

CAMERON
Tomorrow...let me check my social calendar...lunch with the president....high tea with the Queen...yeah, dinner's free.

GARY
(laughing)
Great. So we'll see you and Amanda around seven?

CAMERON
Seven's good. See you then.

Cameron and Gary hang up.

FADE OUT


CASS' OFFICE/SAME DAY

FELICIA opens the door to CASS' office, Gabrielle in her arms, and leads Hayley inside. CASS stands up as they approach. He and Felicia kiss, quickly.

FELICIA
Honey, this is the girl I was telling you about. Hayley Shepard.

Cass and Hayley shake hands.

CASS
It's nice to meet you, Hayley. Felicia's explained the situation to me.

HAYLEY
Yeah....nice to meet you, too. I heard her on the phone to you. And she said you might already know a couple?

CASS
Just in my office today, actually. Friends...well, more than friends. The wife was my deceased wife's cousin.

FELICIA
(eyes wide)
Cass, do you mean Josie and Gary?

CASS
Yes, I do. They were here today asking about adoption.

HAYLEY
What are they like?

CASS
They're good people. They just lost a baby a few months ago, their son. And having another child naturally....unfortunately isn't an option for them. Hayley, I need to ask, though...have you thought about this? Have you really thought about this? You'll be giving your child to a couple to raise as their own. You will give up all legal rights to this baby.

HAYLEY
I've thought about it since the day I got pregnant. This is the right thing to do.

CASS
Then the next step is for you to meet this couple. We can set up an informal meeting with them, over lunch or dinner. You can get an initial feel for them and make a decision as to whether or not you'd feel comfortable with them adopting your child. If you do, the meetings can continue.

FELICIA
What about medical care, Cass? She hasn't seen a doctor in months.

CASS
Usually it's the adoptive parents that pay all medical costs. The logistics can be worked out, but I'm pretty sure that Gary and Josie would want the best care for you and for this child.

HAYLEY
(shrugging)
Okay...I just want to get this settled as soon as possible. I need to know that this baby is taken care of.

FELICIA
And we'll make sure that happens, either way.

CASS
In the meantime, I will call them in the next couple of days to set up a meeting. Okay?

Hayley nods.

HAYLEY
(To Felicia)
Will you be there?

FELICIA
Sweetie, I'll be there as long as you want me to be there. (To Cass) You'll let us know?

CASS
Of course I will. Hayley...I do think you're doing the right thing here.

HAYLEY
Thanks...I hope I am.

She stands up and walks out the door. Felicia stands to follow her, then turns to Cass.

FELICIA
I've only known this girl a few weeks...but I feel like I've known her forever. She's a good kid, Cass.

CASS
I trust your judgment, Sergei non-withstanding. (Felicia smacks his arm, teasingly).

FELICIA
(kissing Cass on the cheek)
Thanks, honey. Keep me updated, okay?

CASS
You've got it.

He watches her leave, then goes back to his desk, shaking his head, as we:

FADE OUT

OUTSIDE OF CARLINO'S/SAME DAY

PAULINA walks over to REMY and puts an arm around her protectively.

PAULINA
(to Tito)
What the hell are you doing here?

REMY
Paulina --

PAULINA
Go inside, Remy.

REMY
No.

PAULINA
Answer me, what are you doing here?

TITO
I had some things to work out with Remy.

PAULINA
Remy doesn't want anything to do with you anymore.

TITO
Maybe that should be up to Remy.

REMY
Paulina, he just wanted to talk.

PAULINA
(To Remy)
Don't you dare defend him.

REMY
He just wanted to clear up some things.

PAULINA
(looking at Tito)
Things? Like what? What could he possibly have to clear up?

TITO
I know how you feel about me, but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.

PAULINA
(laughs)
Sorry? That's a good one.

REMY
He means it.

PAULINA
Don't tell me you're falling for this, Remy.

TITO
Remy knows how much I regret what I did.

PAULINA
Oh does she? Well, as much as I'd like to say I do too, I can't do it.

TITO
If I had known... forget it.

PAULINA
What?

TITO
Nothing.

PAULINA
If you have something to say, just say it. You might as well.

TITO
If I had known that I would ever start caring about you, I wouldn't have done it.

PAULINA
What?

TITO
When I first started this thing, I expected to trick you, get the money, and leave town - with Remy. But somewhere along the way, I began to care about you. I began to think how great it would be if you really were my mother. It wasn't just about the money anymore. It was about having a family.

After a short pause, PAULINA chuckles.

PAULINA
You're good. I almost fell for that.

TITO
It's the truth.

PAULINA
Yeah, whatever you say. Joe's on his way over here. If I were you, I'd leave.

TITO
(To Remy)
Can we talk later?

PAULINA
No, you can't.

REMY
(To Tito)
We'll see.

TITO
Okay. Bye.

REMY
Bye.

TITO walks away. Remy turns to Paulina.

REMY
Did you have to be so rude to him?

PAULINA
Oh, Remy don't tell me Joe was right. Are you falling for his little innocent act?

REMY
Didn't you tell Joe that I'm old enough to make my own decisions?

PAULINA
Yeah, that was before I realized that you're out of your mind.

REMY
If I want to see Tito, I will.

PAULINA
He's using you.

REMY
It's my choice.

PAULINA
You want to let him make a fool out of you again, go ahead.

REMY
I know we're not too familiar with this mother/daughter thing just yet, but I'm an adult. Now I respect your opinion, but I'm going to do what I want to do.

Remy walks in Carlino's.

FADE OUT

CORY MANSION/NIGHT

CLAUDIA comes into the living room with a letter for CARL.

CLAUDIA
Mr. Hutchins?

CARL
Yes?

CLAUDIA
This letter was just delivered for you.

Carl takes the letter from her, scrutinizing it.

CARL
From where?

CLAUDIA
I don't know. A delivery man just brought it over.

CARL
Did you have to sign for it? Where did it come from?

CLAUDIA
I don't know. I'm sorry.

CARL
That's fine, Claudia. Thank you.

Claudia leaves as Carl opens the letter. CAMERON walks in and notices Carl's puzzled expression.

CAMERON
Carl? Is something wrong?

CARL
Someone just sent me this letter. There's a package waiting for me at Cory.

CAMERON
The same person who sent you the other package?

CARL
I don't know. I'm going to go to Cory.

CAMERON
Wait. Let me go.

CARL
You?

CAMERON
You hired me, didn't you? Let me take care of it.

CARL
I'd rather do this myself.

CAMERON
Carl, it could be a set up. Someone might want you at Cory for a reason. It could be a trap.

CARL
Yes, but if that's the case, then how am I to assume that you'd be safe?

CAMERON
I'll call Joe Carlino or Toni Burrell to meet me there.

CARL
I'd really rather go myself.

CAMERON
Look, if something's going on at Cory, then I have to go. Amanda's there working late.

CARL
Yes, so is Victoria.

CAMERON
All the more reason to let me and the police handle it. You stay here with the twins. I'll call you when I get there.

CARL
Okay. Stay safe, Cameron.

He watches Cameron leave.

FADE OUT