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Clear Evidence of Fate, Part 2

The scene opens At the cottage where Jake is getting ready for work and talking to Vicky who has been in the bathroom for quite some time.

JAKE: Vick? You o.k. in there, honey?

VICKY: (coming out of the bathroom looking a little pale) I'm fine, must be something I ate. I'll be okay later.

JAKE: You sure? I could stay home, you know?

VICKY: No, really I'm fine. People will start thinking that Chris runs the paper if you stay home again.

JAKE: Well, a man's got to have priorities. (kisses her neck) Even sick, you're irresistible! (Vicky smiles and they begin to move toward the bed as they kiss.) Are you sure you want me to leave?

VICKY: I never want you to leave, Jake, but, you do have to go to work! (he kisses her again starting to work his way down her neck and on to her chest) ohhhhh. . .well, maybe you can be a little late.

JAKE: Yeah, it'll be good for Chris. We'll call it "management training" and besides, you haven't even had a shower yet!

VICKY: That's right, I haven't. (they undress and head in to the bathroom for a "shower")

JAKE: That was fun, we haven't done that in a while.

VICKY: But now, you really do have to go. Look at the time. . .11:00! We were having so much fun, I almost forgot! I'm having lunch with Jaimie!

JAKE: What?

VICKY: He said we needed to talk and considering last night's events, I guesss he's right.

JAKE: I don't see how what we did last night is any of Jaimie Frame's business!

VICKY: (smiling sheepishly) Not that! I mean what happened with Steven.

JAKE: Oh. What are you going to say? Do you want me to go with you?

VICKY: No, I'm not going to say much until I find out what he wants.

JAKE: If he's going to try and take Steven. . .

VICKY: I don't know what he wants or even why he's in town. But, I don't think he's up to a fight. He sounded weird last night on the phone and, I don't know. . . weary when he came to the house.

JAKE: Where are you going to meet?

VICKY: Here in about an hour.

JAKE: Well, good. Then it won't look strange if I'm here.

VICKY: Jake, I can handle this. I really don't think he's up to anything.

JAKE: Call me. . .

VICKY: and you'll come running. I know.

JAKE: One for the road?

VICKY: JAKE!

JAKE: I meant a kiss, Vick! Where is your mind? As if I didnšt know. . .and like it!

VICKY AND JAKE: (as she pecks him on the cheek) Love you!

(JAKE leaves. About 5 minutes later, Vicky hears someone outside.)

VICKY: (calling out the door) I swear Jake McKinnon if you're lurking out here somewhere, I'm gonna. . .(she's goes outside on the porch and is startled by her visitor.) You're early!

JAIMIE: Hello to you too! I need to get this over with.

VICKY: I'm sorry, come in . It's just Jake and I got off to a late start and I . . .

JAIMIE: Yeah, I know it's my fault.

VICKY: (with a weird look on her face as if remembering the morning's events) Actually, you had nothing to do with it.

JAIMIE: You're probably wondering what I called about.

VICKY: Well, if I had to take a guess, I'd say it was about Steven.

JAIME: and you and Jake. More about the two of you, really.

VICKY:( getting defensive and all overprotective) Listen here, Jake McKinnon is the BEST step-father a boy could ever wish, hope or want. I know Steven was a little out of line last night but. . .

JAIMIE: You really do love him, don't you? I saw the way you looked at him last night. You never looked at me that way. I don't think I've ever seen that look on anyone's face before. Certainly not directed at me anyway.

VICKY: Yes. We love each other very much. I can't explain what finally getting together with Jake has been like. It's like I'm a whole person, no pieces missing, no agendas.

JAIMIE: And Jake? Does he feel the same way?

VICKY: Yes. I haven't made it easy for him, but he loves me and the boys.

JAIMIE: Why?

VICKY: Why what?

JAIMIE: Why does he love the boys? No, that's not what I came here to say.

VICKY: Why did you come here? Why come home now?

JAIMIE: You mean as opposed to when my mother almost died after having twins with our family's worst enemy or when we thought my sister was dead, or when Paulina got married or when she had a baby?

VICKY: Yes. Why now? Why this sudden desire to come home now? Are you sick? Is Rachel?

JAIMIE: It's you.

VICKY: Me? Jaimie, I hope you're not, I mean we've been over a long time, and I'm. . .

JAIMIE: You almost died twice in the last couple of years and I kept thinking about Steven. . .

VICKY: (interrrupts) Nothing happened, I'm fine. I would never. . .

JAIMIE: For ONCE in your life, Vicky, let me finish!!!!

VICKY: I'm sorry, I won't say a word.

JAIMIE: You have changed! What I was trying to say was, I couldn't let that happen without you knowing the truth.

VICKY: The truth about what?

JAIMIE: I don't know how to tell you this.

VICKY: How to tell me what? What could possibly be that bad in your life?

JAIMIE: I did something a long time ago. . .to you and Jake.

VICKY: to me and Jake. . .a long . . .Steven?

JAIMIE: Yes, how did you. . .

VICKY: You mean to tell me I actually did something right?

JAIMIE: Well, if you mean that something was Jake being Steven's biological father, yes.

VICKY: WOW! At the time I felt like Steven had to be Jake's. I wanted him to be yours. But, somehow, it didn't seem right. It seemed almost unnatural that my first child would be with anyone BUT Jake. I can't believe it, I actually had a baby with someone I love, with the right man!

JAIMIE: I take it you're not mad. How come? Don't you even want to know why?

VICKY: Not really, I guess I'm in shock. Oh, this is WONDERFUL!!! I have to tell Jake!

JAIMIE: Uhhh. . .This isn't quite the response I expected. I tell you I've been lying to you and Jake about the paternity of your son for his entire life and you're happy?!?!

VICKY: I'm sorry, Jaimie, it hasn't quite settled in yet. Jake is Steven's father, his real father.

(Steven walks in and has heard Jaimie and Vicky's last lines)

STEVEN: What?!? He's (pointing at Jaimie) not my father? You've been lying to me all these years?!? How could you? You robbed me of a father! A real family! Did you ever think what might have happened if you had told them the truth before I was born? Maybe my parentssss (he emphasizes the "S") would've gotten married a long time ago! Do you know how nice it's been since Jake moved in? There might never have been a Grant Harrison! Might never have been someone who tried to kill Mom or a Shane Roberts who only made her cry! Maybe Aunt Marley wouldn't even have flipped out!!! She wouldn't have kidnapped Mom! Nothing bad would've EVER happened! We would've been a real family from the beginning! FOREVER! (he runs out)

VICKY: (runs after him) Steven! (looks all over for him and is unable to see him anywhere around the house. She picks up the phone and begins dialing)

JAIMIE: Who are you calling? We have to find him!

VICKY: We don't have to do anything! And I'm calling his father at work. That's probably where he's gone. You should go. I don't want my son or my husband upset when they come home.

JAIMIE: Now, you're angry. That's the Vicky I know.

VICKY: I'm not angry. You came here and told me what you needed to and now I have more important things to deal with. My son is understandably upset, and if Jake finds out the way Steven did, he'll be more than just upset. I don't want that.

JAIMIE: Let me help.

VICKY: Let you help with what? Deceiving me and my whole family? Trying to explain to my son why you robbed him of his father? Do you even know how much Jake has ALWAYS wanted to be a father? Just go.

JAIMIE: (walking out) All right, Vicky, I'm (she closes the door) sorry.

VICKY couldn't reach JAKE at the Herald so she decides to go there herself. She walks into his office and he's on the phone.

VICKY: Jake.

JAKE: (pointing to the phone) Hi!

VICKY: It's about Steven.

JAKE: (to the caller) Goodbye! I have to go now.

VICKY: Steven's run off.

JAKE: Why? What happened? Was it Jaimie?. . .I knew it! I should've stayed at home with you. We should go look for him.

VICKY: (as JAKE practically sprints out of the Herald) But, wait, there's something I have to tell you!

JAKE: Whatever it is, it can wait. We need to find Steven first. This whole Jaimie thing really has him bothered.(they leave) Several hours later, back at the cottage

VICKY: Where could he be? We've looked everywhere! At the Gellars, with Charlie, at school, every park between here and Chicago, the Cory's. . .Why won't Joe put out an APB on him yet? If it was Dante. . .

JAKE: Calm down, Vick, we'll find him. He's a very resourceful kid, try not to worry. What were you and Jaimie talking about that freaked him out so much?

VICKY: Well, it was all about you and me and Jaimie in the old days. .

JAKE: the old days. . .I know where he's gone! I canšt believe I didn't think of this before! He went home!

VICKY: He's not here, Jake.

JAKE: Not here, Vicky, HOME!

VICKY: You think so? (Grabbing her coat as she runs out the door with Jake) Mom? Can you watch Kirk when he gets home? If Jake's right, we should be home in a couple of hours, all three of us. Vicky and Jake arrive at the park in Lassiter and look around.

JAKE: I was so sure he'd be here. But, where is he?

VICKY: I was too. Maybe he's not at the swings, but somewhere else in town.

JAKE: Good idea, maybe he went to Bridget's house, or to the pancake house. I'll go look. One of us should stay here. If he's here, he'll show up at the swings, eventually.

VICKY: OK. Jake, we really do need to talk about what happened with Jaimie when you get back.

JAKE: OK. Let's find our boy first.

VICKY: OK.

VICKY sits on her swing as STEVEN walks up in a black leather jacket.

VICKY: Steven?

STEVEN: I thought I should, you know, get back to my roots. You know, get to know the "old man".

VICKY: Oh really, don't you think you're a little young for that look? Ja. . .(stumbles) Your father didn't start wearing that until we were almost in high school.

STEVEN: So I'm ahead of my time.

VICKY: (laughs) At least wear it right! (Fixes his collar) There.

STEVEN: So, can I sit on Dad's swing?

VICKY: Sure. You ok about all of this?

STEVEN: Yeah. I didn't get mad about Jake being my Dad, I just can't believe it. . .I felt like he stole something important from me, from all of us.

VICKY: I know what you mean, when I found out about my parents, I felt the same way. But what's important to remember is the love that Jake and I have always had for you. Your Father loved you even before you were born. It's never mattered to him who your biological father was, or Kirkland's for that matter. He loves you both because of who you are, not who your parents are. He loves you because you exist. No other reason.

STEVEN: I know, I love him too. It's actually kinda cool. How do you think "Steven Michael McKinnon" sounds?

VICKY: Wonderful. Do you like it?

STEVEN: I love it! Here comes Dad. Does he know?

VICKY: No, we had a few other things to do, you know?

STEVEN: Sorry about that. How about I go look for Houdini the hamster's grave or something while you do that.

VICKY: How do you know about Houdini?

STEVEN: (smiling from ear to ear) My DAD told me. (Jake walks up)

JAKE: You're on my swing.

STEVEN: Forgive me! I'll be right back.

JAKE: You don't have to leave, I was just kidding! Nice jacket by the way.

STEVEN: Thanks, I hoped you'd like it. I'll be back in a bit. You and Mom need to talk. (he wanders off)

JAKE: We do? Oh, about what happened with Jaimie. He seems fine now.

VICKY: He's better. What I have to tell you. . .What Jaimie said. . .may very well blow your mind. But, I want you to know I'm very happy about it. In fact, I'm thrilled, so is Steven.

JAKE: (sitting on his swing)You lost me there, Vick. How about you start from the beginning.

VICKY: (taking his hands in hers) Well, actually, you know the beginning. And the middle. You're just missing one detail. We all have been.

JAKE: What? Vicky, you're talking in riddles. What did Jaimie say?

VICKY: (starting to cry a bit) He told me, and Steven overheard, that you, Jake McKinnon, are Steven's real father, you always were.

JAKE: (starting to tear up himself) What? Steven's mine? Ours? And he always was? How?

VICKY: And here I thought you'd remember that part!

JAKE: (laughing through his tears) Not that. I mean we had blood tests. . .Jaimie?

VICKY: I don't really know. At first I was so excited, and then with Steven running off. . .I never asked. I guess he switched the results or something.

JAKE: Steven is my son. I have a son. We have a son. I'm a father, with you, we have a kid. . .I. . .(kisses her)

VICKY: You're happy then?

JAKE: You have to ask? You can't tell? Yes! I'm happy! This is me happy! (they kiss again)

STEVEN: (walking up) Hey, hey, hey, none of that! After all, that's how we got into this mess!

JAKE: Get over here, you! (STEVEN runs over. They hug)

STEVEN: I guess you told him, huh?

VICKY: Mmm hmm. And as far as kissing your father, you should be used to it by now!

JAKE: And if you're not. . .Get used to it! Your PARENTS are going to be old and gray and still kissing!

STEVEN (smiling): I guess I can handle that, Dad.

JAKE pushes his wife and son on the swings as the scene fades out.

(Back at the Cottage a week or so later, where a party in honor of Steven officially changing his name is going on.)

KIRK: Mom, what's your last name?

VICKY: McKinnon.

KIRK: Just like Jake, right?

VICKY: Yes.

KIRK: And now Steven's last name is McKinnon too.

VICKY: Yes, but I don't want you to feel sad about that. Jake and I love you and Steven just as much as we always have. And we always will. Steven's changing his name doesn't change that. Ok?

KIRK: I know that, but. . .

VICKY: What, sweetie?

KIRK: Why can't I change my last name, too? My Daddy's not here anymore and I want a new one. Just like Steven got a new Daddy. I want to be a McKinnon, too.

VICKY: (to Jake who has overheard much of this) You do? You hear this, Jake?

JAKE: Sounds good to me. We'll ask Cass about that, okay, Slugger?

VICKY: Did you ever think. . .(phone rings) I'll get it.

VICKY returns with a smile that reaches all the way up to her eyes even though they have tears in them.

JAKE: Everything OK, Vick?

VICKY: Everything is PERFECT. As I started to say, did you ever think we'd be this happy?

JAKE: All I ever need, want or could wish for is right here. (Pulls her close and kisses her)

VICKY: Me too. You, our three kids. . .

JAKE: Three kids?

VICKY: Well, Steven is yours, I'm sure you'll have no problems adopting Kirkland, and. . .

JAKE: AND? Vicky? Are you? Are we?

VICKY: That was the Doctor on the phone. You know why I've been sick so often in the mornings lately?

JAKE: We're going to have another baby? WOW! Are you ok? How do you feel? Here, sit down, put your feet up.

VICKY: We're fine, Jake. Our little girl and I are fine.

FADE OUT.

The beginning. . .AGAIN!