Julia is sitting at a table, sipping orange juice. She looks pale and tired.
Alexis: �You okay?�
Julia: �Jax kept looking at me funny. I wanted to tell him, but...�
Alexis: �Well, we�ll know in under an hour. Your appointment is at nine.�
Julia: �You�re still going to come with me, right?�
Alexis: �Of course.�
Just then, Mackenzie walks through the door.
* N O T E * Mackenzie is now being played by Paige Rowland (soon-to-be ex-Kit Montgomery, AMC)
Mackenzie: �Lex! Julia!� she walks over to them. Seeing the serious looks on their faces, she stops short. �Uh, if you guys are in the middle of something, I can just get my coffee to go.�
Julia: �No, you can sit down.�
Mackenzie: (sitting down) �So, what are my two favorite sisters up to today?�
Alexis: �Well, uh...� she looks at Julia.
Julia: �Mackenzie, I guess you can know.� She leans forward. �We�re on the way to my
doctor.�
Mackenzie: �Oh no. Are you sick?�
Julia: �Not exactly.� She pauses. �I think I�m pregnant.�
Mackenzie: �Oh, that�s great news!� Julia remains stoic. �Isn�t it?�
Alexis: �She hasn�t told Jax yet.�
Mackenzie: �Why not? He�s going to be thrilled.�
Julia: �You don�t know that.� She looks upset. �He may not want a child.�
Mackenzie: �I hate to point this out, but Jax is going to notice sooner or later.�
Alexis gives her a look.
Jax: (coming in the door) �I�m going to notice what?�
Mackenzie: �Nothing.�
Alexis: (at the same time) �Notice that Julia is going to get a hair cut.�
Julia and Jax both look at her like she is insane.
Julia: �Yeah, that�s it.� She smiles sheepishly. �I wasn�t sure if you would like the style that I picked out.�
Jax: �Why don�t you let me see it? Do you have a picture?�
Alexis: (jumping to her rescue) �Julia, we have to get going. Since you�re Sergio�s first client this morning.�
They both stand up and head for the door.
Julia: �I�ll see you at home, Jax.�
Jax: �Okay.� He sits down next to Mackenzie, who is sipping her coffee. �Are those two okay?�
Mackenzie: �What do you mean?�
Jax: �I mean that Alexis showed up at three this morning at our house, and I am pretty sure that it wasn�t because Julia was having haircut anxiety.�
Mackenzie: �If you�re asking me what�s going on, I have no clue.�
Jax: �Are you sure about that, my sister-in-law-to-be?�
Mackenzie: �Yes.� She steers the conversation in a different direction. �So, how are the wedding plans coming along?�
Jax: �I thought you were at the head of the planning committee, being Julia�s maid of honor and all.�
Mackenzie: �I am, but I was wondering about you and your groomly duties.�
Jax: �It�s fine.� He smiles. �But Ned and Jerry keep threatening to give me a bachelor party.�
Mackenzie: (laughing) �I bet it will be great.�
Jax: �So, have all of these wedding plans gotten you and Stefan thinking about tying the knot?�
Mackenzie: (somewhat off-guard) �No. I mean, we haven�t thought about it much.�
Jax: (looking at her closely) �You want to marry him, don�t you?�
Mackenzie: �What I want doesn�t matter here. I can�t force Stefan to propose to me.�
Jax: (taking her hand) �He loves you. We all know that.�
Mackenzie just looks at him.
A half hour later.
General Hospital. Inside the office of Dr. Diana Souza, Alexis� gynecologist.
Julia is sitting on the examining table, her entire body shaking.
Alexis is sitting in the chair next to her, holding her hand.
Julia: �How long did she say it would take? How long?�
Alexis: �Julia, you have to calm down. She said she�d be about ten minutes.�
Julia: �How long ago did she leave? Are you sure that she�s a good doctor?�
Alexis: �She�ll be back in about four minutes.� She pauses. �And Dr. Souza is a first rate doctor. She delivered both Avery and Hannah.�
Julia: �I don�t mean to be so uptight. I�m just nervous though.�
Alexis: �It�s perfectly understandable.�
Just then, Dr. Souza walks back into the room.
Julia and Alexis look at her expectantly.
Dr. Souza: �Congratulations, Ms. Barrett. You�re three weeks pregnant.�
Julia�s face goes ashen for a moment, but she recovers.
Dr. Souza: �Your due date is August eighth.� She looks at her chart. �We need to get you on some prenatal vitamins, so I will go get a prescription pad from my desk and I�ll be back in a moment.�
As she leaves, Alexis looks cautiously at Julia, who is sitting as stiff as a statue.
Alexis: �Julia? Are you okay?�
Julia: �I�m having a baby.� She thinks about this. �Oh my God, I�m having a baby.� Tears begin to fall down her face. �I never thought that this would happen!� she laughs. �I never thought I would ever hear a doctor telling me that I�m pregnant.�
Alexis: (in a low voice) �Julia, you have to tell Jax.�
Julia: �I know.� She looks over at her. �I was so upset about this last night, but now...�
Alexis: �You look a little calmer.�
Julia: �This feels so different... there�s a human life inside me.� She smiles. �I can�t believe this.�
Alexis: (giving her a hug) �And it only gets better after this.�
That evening. The penthouse.
Jax comes inside and looks around for Julia.
Her purse and coat are laying on the couch, but she is nowhere in sight.
Jax: �Julia?�
Julia: (from their bedroom) �I�m up here.�
Jax: (coming up the stairs) �How was your day, Beautiful?� he stops and looks at her. She is sitting on their bed. �I thought that you were going to get a hair cut.�
Julia: �Well, I changed my mind.� She thinks about it. �Jax, we need to talk.�
Jax: �Sure.� He sits down on the bed next to her. �What�s up?�
Julia: �Jax, there�s something I need to tell you. I�m...�
Just then, the phone rings.
Julia looks like she is about to scream as Jax picks it up.
Jax: �Jax. Yes, she is right here. One moment please.� He covers the phone and turns to Julia. �It�s a Dr. Souza�s office... something about an appointment confirmation?� he looks confused. �Jul, are you okay?�
Julia: (snatching the phone) �This is Julia... Yes, I�ll be there on Friday... I�m not sure. I�ll find out... Okay, bye.�
As she hangs up the phone, she looks everywhere except at Jax.
Jax: �Julia, is there something that you want to tell me?�
Julia gets off the bed and walks out onto the balcony. She looks at the stars.
Jax: (coming up behind her) �Julia?�
Julia: (turning around to look at him) �Jax, I�m... I�m...�
Jax: (taking her hands) �You�re what?�
Julia: (in a barely audible voice) �I�m pregnant.�
Jax: (shocked) �You are? How pregnant?�
Julia: (sheepishly) �Three weeks. I�m due on August eighth.�
Jax is speechless. Julia looks worried.
Julia: �Jax, say something. Say anything.�
Jax: �I�m going to be a father?�
Julia: �Yeah.� She smiles, but then frowns. �Jax, I�m so scared. Do you want this?�
Jax: �Our baby?� he pulls her into his arms and holds her. �Julia, I love you so much. I want to have this baby with you, and ten more babies after that.�
Julia: �Ten babies? I don�t think so?� she looks up at him. �You�re really okay with this?�
Jax: �Okay?� he lifts her up and spins her around. �Julia, I�m thrilled. I can�t believe that we�re having a baby!�
Julia winds her arms around his neck and kisses him for a long time.
When they pull away, Jax gently places his hand under Julia�s shirt on her stomach.
Jax: �So our son or daughter is in there?� he smiles. �This is amazing.� He pauses. �Does anyone know yet?�
Julia: �Alexis and Mackenzie. Alexis took me to her doctor this morning.�
Jax: �I�m assuming that she was over here last night because you figured out that you were pregnant and you started freaking out?�
Julia: �I�m sorry I didn�t tell you right away.�
Jax: �It�s okay.� He gently kisses her. �It�s more than okay.�
Julia winds her arms tightly around Jax�s neck and they stand under the stars, holding each other for a long time.
Meanwhile. The Ashtons� house.
Alexis is working in her study when Avery knocks at the door.
Alexis: (looking up) �What�s up, Tigger?�
Avery: �Mommy, I have a problem. Can I come in?�
Alexis: �Sure.� She looks around. �Where�s Brooke?�
Avery: (sitting down) �Doing her homework.� She pauses. �She isn�t the problem.�
Alexis: �Than what is?�
Avery: �You know the Fire and Ice Ball before Christmas?� Alexis nods. �Well, this lady named Dara is going to sing a song and she needs kids to sing too. And I want to sing. But it is only for first grade up cause they don�t think Kindergarten people can read. But I can read!�
Alexis: �You want to sing in the Fire and Ice Ball?�
Avery: (nodding gravely) �It�s called the Port Charles Elementary Angel Choir.� She looks ready to cry. �Mommy, I want to sing! Brooke can, Serena can, Lucas can, but me and Lulu can�t! And she knows how to read too.�
Alexis: �Avery, hang on for just a second, and I�ll take care of this.� She pulls out her address book and picks up the phone. After dialing a number. �Dara? This is Alexis Ashton.�
Dara: (her voice cool) �Alexis, what can I do for you?�
Alexis: �I hear that you�re looking for children to sing with you at the Fire and Ice Ball?�
Dara: �Yes. I believe that your daughter Brooke expressed some interest in it.�
Alexis: �Here�s the thing. My other daughter, Avery, and her friend Lesley Lu Spencer, both want to sing. The problem is that they are in Kindergarten.�
Dara: �I�m asking for first grade up because I need kids who can read.�
Alexis: �Avery knows how to read very well. So does Lesley Lu.�
Dara: �They�re just too young to memorize lyrics...�
Alexis: (cutting her off) �Avery knows the lyrics to almost every Spice Girls song.�
Dara: �What you�re saying is that your daughter could handle this?�
Alexis: �Yes. Both girls.�
Dara: �Than fine. Avery and Lesley Lu can participate in the choir, provided that they can keep up with the older kids.�
Alexis: �Thank you. The girls appreciate it. Goodbye.� She hangs up the phone and turns to Avery. �You and Lulu can sing.�
Avery: (throwing her arms around Alexis) �Thank you, Mommy! Will you call Lulu�s mommy and tell her?�
Alexis: �Sure.�
Avery: �Thank you so much! I�m gonna go tell Brooke!� she runs off.
Five minutes later.
Alexis is hanging up with Laura when Ned walks in and gives her a kiss.
Ned: �Hello, Beautiful. You look happy.�
Alexis: �It seems that our daughters are following in your footsteps. They�re both going to be in the Port Charles Elementary Angel Choir for the Fire and Ice Ball.� She smiles. �Dara Jensen is singing a song that involves kids, so Avery, Brooke, Lulu, Serena and some of the other kids are going to participate.� She stands up and gives him a kiss. �How was your day, Mr. Ashton?�
Ned: �I missed you all day.� He gives her a hug. �It was a very, very long day and I feel the urge to unwind now.�
Alexis: �We�re all out of Tequila.�
Ned: (laughing) �I meant that I wanted to play my piano. Care to join me?�
Alexis: �I�ll be there in a sec. I have to fax something to Scott.�
Ned smiles at her and heads out to the living room, where he sits down at his piano and begins to play.
A few minutes later, Alexis comes in and sits down next to him.
Ned begins playing the song �Angel Eyes� by Jim Brickman. Alexis listens in rapt amazement as he plays the beautiful music.
Alexis: �You are amazing.�
Ned: (continuing to play) �Thank you, Princess. I�m happy that you�re impressed.�
Alexis lays her head on his shoulder as he finishes the song.
Ned: �So, how was Julia�s appointment with Dr. Souza?�
Alexis: �She�s due in August.�
Ned: �Is she happy?�
Alexis: �Getting there. You know, the initial shock and all?�
Ned: (kissing her forehead) �Yeah, I remember when you found out you were pregnant with Avery.� He smiles. �You were in total shock for about a week.� He begins playing a new song. It echoes throughout the room.
Alexis: (totally proud of him) �You were pretty shocked yourself.� She smiles. �Are you aware that in two days, you�re going to know where we�re going for your birthday?�
Ned: (his eyes lighting up) �Really?�
Alexis: (laughing) �Yeah. Seeing as we�re leaving on Wednesday.�
Ned: (suddenly realizing it) �You know, we have three kids- Brooke, Avery and Hannah? And I�m assuming that they�re going to take care of themselves while we�re gone?�
Alexis: (laughing) �Jax and Julia are taking care of them.�
Ned: �Willingly?�
Alexis: �Well, they were willing before, and now that Julia�s pregnant, I think that she will be even more interested in a little baby-sitting.�
Ned: (smiling) �I can�t wait to see Jax and Julia as parents. It�s going to be a riot.�
Alexis: �Ned!� he stops playing and looks at her. �You have to be supportive of them!�
Ned: �I will be. Don�t worry about it.�
They smile at each other.
Midnight at Wyndemere.
Stefan and Mackenzie are sound asleep when there is a tug on Mackenzie�s side of the blankets.
Mackenzie opens her eyes to see Christabel, who looks extremely upset.
Mackenzie: �Christabel, what are you doing awake?�
Christabel: (tears in her eyes) �I had a bad dream.�
Mackenzie: (lifting her onto the bed) �What did you dream, Sweetie?�
Christabel: �I was walking down the street, and you were there, and so was Daddy. But then, you got hit by a car and you were gone forever.� She sniffs.
Mackenzie: �Christabel, baby, that isn�t going to happen. I�m not going anywhere.�
Christabel: �May I stay here tonight?�
Mackenzie: �Sure.� She tucks Christabel under the covers, between her and Stefan. �You�re welcome in this bed whenever you want.�
Christabel: �Did you sleep with your mommy when you had bad dreams?�
Mackenzie: �Sweetie, I didn�t live with my mommy when I was little. I lived with a nanny, and then I went away to school.�
Christabel: �Avery said that when she has bad dreams, Aunt �Lexis makes it all better.�
Mackenzie: �I bet she does. Alexis is a good mommy.�
Christabel: (sadly) �I wish that I had a mommy, like Aunt �Lexis and Aunt Kim.�
Stefan opens his eyes and hears what Christabel is saying, but he doesn�t say anything.
Christabel: �You know what? Me and Avery and Lulu and Serena have been trying to make you and Daddy get married.�
Mackenzie: (amused) �You have?�
Christabel: (seriously) �You love him. He loves you. You should get married.�
Mackenzie: �Well, have you talked to your daddy about this?�
Christabel: �No. But I know he loves you.�
Mackenzie: �I know that too, Sweetie. But I don�t know if he wants to marry me.�
Stefan listens to them, his heart breaking.
Christabel: �Oh. I wish he would ask you to marry him.�
Mackenzie: �Me too.�
Christabel: �Would you say yes? Would you want to be my new mommy?�
Mackenzie: (hugging her) �With all my heart, Christabel, I would love to be your mommy and marry your daddy.�
Christabel: �I love you, Mackenzie. I wish you were my mommy.�
Mackenzie: �I love you too, Christabel. And I always will.�
Christabel snuggles close to Mackenzie and they fall back asleep.
Stefan: (watching them sleep) �I do want you to be my wife, Mackenzie. And I will ask you to marry me. Don�t give up on me.�
The Penthouse.
Julia is lying in bed, her blonde hair spread all over the pillow.
Jax watches her, his heart filled with unadulterated love.
He gets out of bed and walks to the window, looking up at the stars.
Jax: (in a whisper) �Hey, Brenda, did you hear? Julia and I are having a baby.� He smiles. �I bet that you�re happy for us, huh? You know, Brenda, I�ll never stop loving you, but I want you to know that I am so happy with Julia now. I love her so much. You know, after you died, I didn�t think that I would ever love again, but I realized after a long time that I could. I hope that you�ll watch over us from heaven, and keep an eye on your niece or nephew when he or she is born in August.� He blows a kiss heavenward. �I love you, Brenda.�
No mountain�s too high for you to climb
All you have to do is have some climbing faith (oh yeah)
No river�s too wide for you to make it across
All you have to do is believe it when you pray.
As Jax gets back into bed, Julia rolls over and snuggles against him. He holds her tightly.
And then you will see the morning will come,
And every day will be bright as the sun
All of your fears cast them on me, I just want you to see.
Ned and Alexis are asleep in their bed, Hannah sleeping on Ned�s chest.
I�ll be your cloud up in the sky, I�ll be your shoulder when you cry,
I�ll hear your voices when you�re calling, I am your angel.
And when all hope if gone, I�m here, not matter how far you are, I�m near.
It makes no difference who you are. I am your angel. I am your angel.
Kimberly and Scott sit in their kitchen, eating a midnight snack of ice cream.
I saw the teardrops and I heard you cry,
All you need is time, seek me and you shall find.
You have everything, and you�re still lonely,
You don�t have to be this way, let me show you a better day.
Stefan watches Mackenzie sleep with Christabel cradled in her arms.
And then you will see the morning will come,
And all of your days will be bright as the sun
So all of your fears just cast them on me, How can I make you see.
Monica sits in the bathroom, on the phone with Gregory, who is in his bed.
I�ll be your cloud up in the sky, I�ll be your shoulder when you cry,
I�ll hear your voices when you�re calling, I am your angel.
And when all hope if gone, I�m here, not matter how far you are, I�m near.
It makes no difference who you are. I am your angel. I am your angel.
Bobbie walks through her front door from her late shift. Jerry is waiting up for her.
And when it�s time to face the storm, I�ll be there by your side.
This place will keep is safe and warm, and I know we will survive.
And when it seems as if your end is drawing near (the end is drawing near)
Don�t you dare give up the fight, just put your trust beyond the sky.
Nikolas kisses Emily goodnight outside the door of her dorm room.
I�ll be your cloud up in the sky, I�ll be your shoulder when you cry,
I�ll hear your voices when you�re calling, I am your angel.
And when all hope if gone, I�m here, not matter how far you are, I�m near.
It makes no difference who you are. I am your angel. I am your angel.
Helena stands on her yacht, holding a picture of Stavros, tears in her eyes.
I�ll be your cloud up in the sky, I�ll be your shoulder when you cry,
I�ll hear your voices when you�re calling, I am your angel.
And when all hope if gone, I�m here, not matter how far you are, I�m near.
It makes no difference who you are. I am your angel. I am your angel.
Jax: (in a whisper) �I love you, Julia. You�re my angel.�
Julia: (awake) �I love you too.�
Jax: �You�re awake?�
Julia: �I can�t stop thinking about the baby.� She smiles up at him.
Jax: �Thank you.�
Julia: �For what?�
Jax: �For loving me.�
Julia: �You�re welcome. Thank you for loving me too.�
Jax pulls her closer and they fall into a deep, fitful sleep.