BCU REGISTRATION/DAY

TITO stands alone in the crowded registrar's office, looking around. His face lights up when he sees KC and HAYLEY walking towards him.

TITO
I thought you guys would never get here. What took you so long?

HAYLEY
Sorry. I had to borrow Lorna's car, and she'd taken Gabrielle to the doctor.

TITO
Doesn't she have a second car?

HAYLEY
Yeah, but Jenna was using it. I wasn't about to ask her to let me borrow it.

TITO
Things still aren't going well, huh?

HAYLEY
Let's put it this way…if she could have me killed without getting sent to jail, I think she'd do it.

KC
Oh, come on, she's not that bad.

HAYLEY
I just have this feeling that Felicia's going to corner me soon, and we're going to have to drag it all out again. I'm not looking forward to it.

KC
Well, just forget about it for now. Think about how you'll be in your classes tomorrow, ready to study your butt off.

HAYLEY
Yeah, thanks. Hey, are we all taking any of the same classes? We should try to get the same sections.

TITO
I don't know…let me see your schedules.

KC and Hayley hand him their schedules, and he begins to pore over them.

HAYLEY
Hold my place, okay? I'm going to go get a drink of water.

She heads toward the water fountain on the other side of the office. As she reaches the fountain, she comes face to face with REMY, who's arrived for her own registration. They both stop in their tracks, neither one speaking for a minute, as they stare. Finally, Remy ventures a few words.

REMY
Hi…I guess you're here for registration, huh?

HAYLEY
(nodding and rocking on her heels)
Yep…guess so…you, too?

REMY
(holding up her scheduling forms)
I just hope I get some of the classes I want….(She tries to look behind Hayley without seeming too conspicuous) Are you here by yourself?

HAYLEY
No…look, Remy, if you want to know if I'm with Tito, just ask. Yes, we're here with KC to register.

REMY
I just haven't talked to him in awhile…how're you both doing?

HAYLEY
(shrugging)
Okay, I guess. (She glances back over her shoulder, where Tito has seen her talking with Remy and gives her a questioning look). Remy…you've known Tito a long time, right?

REMY
(unsure)
Right…

HAYLEY
He needs…well, I think he could really use you as a friend right now.

REMY
Hayley, if Tito needs me, I'm there for him. All he has to do is ask.

HAYLEY
I don't think he WILL ask, that's the problem. He wants to show everyone in town that he CAN do the right thing for once, and if he shows weakness…well, people will think less of him for it.

REMY
I'll try to help him out, Hayley, but I can't promise he'll be receptive-

She stops talking as Tito approaches. He holds out the scheduling forms to Hayley.

TITO
Hey, Peaches…Hale, I set us all up with the same English and bio classes. Go check it out with KC. I'd kind of like to talk to Remy.

Hayley leaves, wordlessly, leaving Tito and Remy alone.

CUT TO:

CORY MANSION/SAME DAY

RACHEL peers anxiously out of the front window. CARL comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist.

CARL
You're as bad as the children watching for Santa Claus.

RACHEL
(turning around to smile at him)
I feel like I'm waiting for Santa Claus. Alli's finally coming home.

CARL
Yes, it is a joyous day in the Cory-Hutchins household. Alli is safe, and she's coming home.

As they hug, the front door opens, and AMANDA walks in, followed by a subdued ALLI. Rachel's face lights up at the sight of her granddaughter.

AMANDA
We're home!

Rachel grabs Alli in a bear hug.

RACHEL
Alli, darling! You had us all so worried!

She lets go of Alli, who's then hugged by Carl. When he finally lets go, Alli steps back, a little overwhelmed.

CARL
Alli-

ALLI
(with a teasing grin)
I know. I scared everyone nearly to death. Don't ever do this again. I'm grounded for two months.

AMANDA
And getting your driver's license has been put on hold for another six months.

ALLI
Right. Forgot that one.

RACHEL
I see you've gotten the run-down of your punishment.

ALLI
(nodding)
Yep. Mom and I have had long talks in the past three days. There wasn't much else to do since we were stranded in the Seattle airport.

AMANDA
And I think being stranded was the best thing for us. We could talk without any distractions. It helped BOTH of us.

RACHEL
(with a quick hug to Amanda)
I'm glad. That's exactly what it should have done. So, tell me, Alli, what would you like for dinner? I'll have Helen make exactly what you want. Your punishment can start AFTER you've had one of Helen's good meals.

ALLI
Steak. Really rare steak…and a baked potato.

RACHEL
And you'll have it. (She hugs Alli again.) Oh, honey, I'm so glad you're back.

ALLI
So am I, Grandma. And I'm sorry I made everyone worry.

AMANDA
But we understand each other much better, don't we, Al?

ALLI
(nodding)
Yeah…I should call Dad, shouldn't I?

AMANDA
You can call him in a little while. (To Carl and Rachel) I left a message with Sam's manager yesterday that we'd found her, but Sam didn't call back.

RACHEL
Well, I'm sure his manager let him know that Alli was safe.

MATT comes down the stairs, and when he sees Alli, a smile comes across his face.

MATT
Alli? You're back?

ALLI
(grinning)
Hi, Uncle Matt!

She throws herself into his arms and he hugs her tightly.

MATT
So…are you grounded?

ALLI
(almost proudly)
Yep. Two months.

MATT
Whoa…hit the big time, kid. You've got me outdone.

AMANDA
Don't encourage her, Matthew. (She smiles.) But something tells me Alli will never get grounded like this again…

ALLI
I hope not.

They all move into the living room to talk.

CUT TO:

LORNA'S HOUSE/SAME DAY

LORNA walks into the living room, picking up toys as she goes along. With a sigh, she deposits them into the toy chest in the corner. As she closes the chest, she glances over at the phone. With only a second of hesitation, she goes to it, dialing a number.

CUT TO:

CORY MANSION

RACHEL picks up the phone as it rings, MATT, AMANDA, CARL, and ALLI still engaged in conversation.

RACHEL
Cory-Hutchins residence.

LORNA
Rachel? Hi…it's Lorna. Is Matt there?

RACHEL
(hesitating)
I'm not sure, Lorna…let me check…

She puts her hand over the receiver. Matt, who's heard her, looks up and shakes his head. Rachel goes back to the phone.

RACHEL
I'm sorry, Lorna, he's not here.

LORNA
(quietly)
Or he just doesn't want to talk to me…Rachel, I know he's angry with me, but please…if you can…I need to talk to him, I need to explain.

RACHEL
I think whatever happens is between the two of you, Lorna. I'll tell him you called, all right?

LORNA
All right. Thank you, Rachel.

She hangs up the phone, turning to walk into the kitchen. The front door opens and FELICIA swoops in.

FELICIA
Hi, sweetheart. I hope you don't mind that I just barged in like this, but I wanted to come over and take that granddaughter of mine to the park. It's such a nice day outside.

LORNA
She's asleep right now, Mom…you're more than welcome to take her when she wakes up. (She shakes her head) God knows I'm not exactly being the most attentive mother right now.

FELICIA
Matt won't talk to you?

LORNA
Nope. He won't take my calls…he hasn't called me…he's really angry. And I can't blame him…

FELICIA
Maybe it's a good thing that you don't talk to him right now. I think you need some time to figure out your own feelings.

LORNA
Oh, Mother, not you, too! Don't pull the same thing that Jenna did.

FELICIA
I'm not asking too much.

LORNA
I just want to be able to explain things to Matt.

FELICIA
What about Sergei?

LORNA
What about him?

FELICIA
Don't you think you owe him an explanation? He deserves not to be strung along. Either you tell him that there's a chance for the two of you, or you tell him that there's not. But you've got to make a decision.

LORNA
(annoyed)
Just because I've moved back here doesn't give you the right to meddle in my love life, Mother!

FELICIA
It's not meddling. Honey, I want what's best for you, and what's best for Gabrielle. But I also don't want you to hurt Matt or Sergei.

LORNA
(sarcastically)
And I plan to hurt both of them on purpose. That's been my plan all along, you've figured me out.

FELICIA
Don't get sarcastic with me. I'm trying to help.

LORNA
Then help by letting me make my own decision, okay? I don't know what I'm going to do, but I want to make that decision on my own.

She leaves the room, sweeping past Jenna, who appears confused at her sister's angry expression. She gives a questioning glance to Felicia.

FELICIA
(shaking her head)
Don't ask.

CUT TO:

BCUH/VICKY'S HOSPITAL ROOM

VICKY is lying in her hospital bed, as MARLEY opens drawers and begins putting her things into an overnight bag.

VICKY
Marley, don't worry about that. We'll get it after Jake gets here.

MARLEY
But if you and the girls get discharged before Jake gets back, it might be a good idea to have it ready.

VICKY
Jake's on his way, though…he should've landed in Bay City by now.

MARLEY
Still upset?

VICKY
(shrugging)
I'm not exactly thrilled, but what am I going to say? It was unavoidable. Besides, we have the girls now, and I want Jake and me to concentrate on our daughters.

MARLEY
You still won't tell me the names, will you?

VICKY
(grinning)
No. Sorry, Sis, but even you have to wait. Jake and I want to announce them to everyone when he's here.

NICK peeks his head in.

NICK
Hey, Vick? I have two people out here who really want to see you.

VICKY
Who?

STEVEN and KIRKLAND come flying into the room. Marley grabs Kirkland before he can bounce on his mother's bed.

MARLEY
Careful, kiddo…your mom's hurting.

KIRKLAND
Mom, are you coming home today?

VICKY
(nodding)
Your sisters and me. Have you had fun with Uncle Nick?

KIRKLAND
Yes. But I'm ready for you to come home. And the babies…we got to see them.

STEVEN
The nurse held them up for us so we could see them. But I want to hold them.

VICKY
(craning her neck towards the door)
So do I…I wish they'd bring them in here.

MARLEY
Soon enough, you guys.

DONNA enters the room, followed by Sharlene, John, and Greg.

DONNA
Room for a few more?

VICKY
(smiling)
Always room for you. Come on in, Mom. And Uncle John and Sharlene…I'm glad you're here.

Sharlene and John both hug her. Greg gives a half-hearted wave.

SHARLENE
We thought we'd stop by and say hello before you take those two beautiful babies home.

VICKY
Have you seen them yet?

JOHN
(grinning)
I snuck them into the nursery. There are perks to being the Chief of Staff.

The door opens one more time, and JAKE walks into the room, an uneasy smile on his face. SEAN follows, looking uncomfortable. Kirkland is the first to see him, and throws himself into Jake's arms.

KIRKLAND
Jake! You're back!

JAKE
I'm back…(He sets Kirkland down after giving him a quick hug, not taking his eyes off of Vicky. Slowly, he moves towards her.) Vick…I'm sorry…

VICKY
(holding out her arms)
Don't apologize to me, you big lug. Just get over here!

In a flash, they're in one another's arms, while the room watches silently. After a few minutes, they let go, and tears are obvious on both of their faces. Before they can say another word, there's a knock on the door. DR. DOYLE and a NURSE stand in the doorway, each holding a baby.

DR. DOYLE
These two just KNEW that their daddy was here to see them.

As Jake stares at them, transfixed, we: