Alexis is sitting on the couch, reading the mail, when Ned comes in.
Ned: �Anything interesting? Other than our phone bill?�
Alexis: (holding up a piece of paper) �Actually, there is going to be a benefit gala on New Years Eve at the hotel... it�s called the �Ever After� gala and the proceeds are going towards ALS research... you know, the disease that killed Michael Zaslow, the soap star?�
Ned: �Oh yeah. Isn�t that socialite Amanda Berrington hosting it? I think she has a friend with ALS. She�s a friend of my grandfather�s.�
Alexis: �Mackenzie said that she and Stefan are going to go.� She smiles up at him. �Are we doing anything interesting on New Years� Eve?�
Ned: �I kind of wanted you to myself.� He smiles. �Go ahead and call me selfish.�
Alexis: �We could have dinner alone... go to the gala... and then get a hotel room or something afterwards.�
Ned: �I could go for that.� He sits down next to her and hugs her. �Especially the part about the hotel room.�
Alexis: �Where do you want to go for dinner?�
Ned: �I was thinking about that new French restaurant on the marina... Chez Plaisance... it�s supposed to be really, really good.�
Alexis: �Sounds like fun.� She frowns. �But what am I going to wear?�
Ned: (kissing her) �I�m sure that you can come up with something dazzling.�
Alexis: (getting up) �I need to go upstairs and look through my closet.� She stands up and runs off.
Ned watches her leave and then starts to laugh, shaking his head.
The Baldwins house.
Serena: �So, can I please have a party since you guys are going out?�
Kimberly and Scott exchange a look.
Scott: �I suppose so... but who�s going to watch you? Everyone is going to the Ever After Gala at the PC Hotel.�
Serena: �You don�t want to stay home with me?�
Kimberly: �Not really.� She smiles at her daughter. �It�s our wedding anniversary.� She pauses. �But I�ll give Betty a call and see if she can watch you guys.�
Serena: �Great! I�m going to invite Avery, Brooke, Lulu, Christabel... Hannah, so she can play with Olivia, Maxie, Georgie,... and... do you think that Morgan would want to come?�
Morgan: (walking in) �Want to come where?�
Serena: �Daddy said I could have a New Years party. Wanna come?�
Morgan: �Sure. Why not? Can Maxie come? She and I are pretty close.�
Serena: �Sure! You guys can teach us to be cool like you are!�
Morgan: (giving her little sister a hug) �Well, after that comment, how can I say no?�
Kimberly: �I�m glad that you guys are going to have something to do. I mean, we would stay home, but...�
Morgan: �Mom, it�s your first anniversary... I think that you and Scott should stay out ALL night... get a hotel room or something... Maxie and I can help Betty out.�
Scott: (impressed) �Are you sure, Morgan? I mean, I�m sure that you and Maxie have more important things to do than watch Spice World for the nine millionth time.�
Morgan: �Nah, it�s cool with me. I�ll go call Maxie.� She walks off with Serena following her closely.
Kimberly: �How did I get such a nice daughter?�
Scott: �It must have come from Greg�s side.�
Kimberly glares at him. He glares back and then he grabs her and begins to tickle her. She squeals with laughter.
Kimberly: (laughing) �Scott... stop... stop it now!�
Scott ignores her and continues to tickle her until they�re both out of breath from laughing.
The next morning.
Julia and Mackenzie are walking through the formal department at Wyndhams.
Mackenzie: �I was thinking about wearing the dress Stefan gave me, but I want to save it for the opera.�
Julia: �At least your stomach isn�t expanding every five minutes.�
Mackenzie: �I wish it was though.� She smiles sadly. �Stefan and I really want a child.�
Julia: �You�ll have one. Don�t worry, sis.�
Mackenzie stops in front of a rack and pulls out a long black velvet dress. It has a very long slit up one leg, a deep v-neck, and very thin straps. She smiles amusedly.
Mackenzie: �Jules, this would be perfect on you.� She smiles. �You should try it on.�
Julia: �You think?� she smiles. �Jax would like it, I bet.�
Mackenzie: �Like it? Like it? I think he would go into cardiac arrest.�
Julia: �Okay. I�ll try it on.� She smiles. �Can I pick out a dress for you?�
Mackenzie: �By all means.� She grins. �Find me something that will make Stefan�s heart stop completely.�
Julia narrows her eyes and begins looking through the racks. She finds nothing in the first one, and then moves on to the second.
Julia: �Kenz, are you happy?�
Mackenzie: (not looking up) �What do you mean?�
Julia: �Being married. How is life as a married woman? Better or worse?�
Mackenzie: �Better.� She smiles. �Stefan and I love each other even more now, and we�re much closer now. I trust him completely.�
Julia: �That�s what I thought.� She smiles. �I can�t wait to marry Jax.�
Mackenzie: �You guys are going to be soooo happy!�
Julia: (pulling out a dress) �Ooh, how do you like this? You would look great!�
Mackenzie: (smiling broadly) �I like it.� She smiles. �Is it a size four?�
Julia: �Yep. And it is the ONLY one.�
Mackenzie: �Than I have to buy it.� She smiles. �Let�s go to the dressing room.�
They take the dresses to the dressing room and try them on.
Julia: (coming out) �Surprisingly, mine fits.� She turns around in front of the mirror. �And I like it. Let me see yours.�
Mackenzie slowly opens the dressing room door and walks out.
Mackenzie: �What do you think?�
Julia: (her mouth dropping open) �Forget being a lawyer... you belong on a runway in Milan or Paris in that dress.�
Mackenzie stands in front of the mirror. She is wearing a strapless Mark Zuanino for Nolan Miller dress. It is deep red satin and has a black sheer overlayer with black trim at the top and little black embroidered flowers down the overlayer.
Mackenzie (blushing) �You really think it�s okay?�
Julia: �Kenz, if you don�t buy that dress, I�m going to kill you.�
Mackenzie: (laughing) �Got ya.� She smiles and heads back into the dressing room.
That night. The Ashtons� house.
Ned is sitting on the couch, reading a story to Hannah, when Alexis walks in, carrying a garment bag.
Ned: (looking up) �Did you have fun shopping with Bobbie?�
Alexis: �Yep.� She smiles. �We both got great dresses.�
Ned: �Can I see your dress?�
Alexis: �Nope. You can see it on New Years� Eve like everyone else.�
Ned: �Aw, Lexi, please?�
Alexis just shakes her head at him. Dropping her bags on the chair, she sits down on the couch next to Ned and puts her arms around him.
Alexis: (kissing Ned and then Hannah) �Did you make dinner reservations?�
Ned: �Yeah. Seven o�clock. The gala starts at eight thirty.� He smiles. �Scott told me that he�s cooking Kimberly a candlelight dinner.�
Alexis: (in a low voice) �Oh, Kimberly is going to be at the ball?�
Ned: (stroking her hair) �Lexi, just ignore her.� He bounces Hannah a little. �Hannah, you are just the sweetest little baby in the world, aren�t you?�
Alexis and Ned smile as Hannah begins babbling and reaches for Alexis� hair.
Ned: �Aw, do you want to see Mommy? Okay, Angel, here she is.� He hands her to Alexis. �You know, Lexi, the girls are going to the Firehouse for a sleepover... hosted by Serena. Betty is going to watch them.�
Alexis: �That�s great.� She smiles. �So, we have the house to ourselves?�
Ned: �I thought you wanted to get a hotel room.�
Alexis: �Actually, I think it would be even better to be at home... candlelight, flowers, love making... what do you think?� she smiles seductively.
Ned: �I think that if you weren�t holding Hannah, I would molest you right now.�
Alexis: (laughing) �Mr. Ashton, I think that that is a very promising proposition... later this evening.�
Ned: �Good. Can the kids go to bed now?�
Alexis just starts laughing. She lays her head on Ned�s shoulder as he laughs too.
Gregory�s apartment.
Gregory (now played by Jeff Phillips, ex-Matt, AW) is sitting on the couch, reading a file, when Monica opens the door and walks in.
Gregory: (not looking up) �Hey, gorgeous.�
Monica: (coyly) �Were you expecting me or Morgan?�
Gregory: �You, of course.� He gets up and goes to kiss her.
Monica: �Hey, I can spend the night tonight. Alan is on duty at the hospital.�
Gregory: �That�s the best news I�ve heard all day.� He looks down at her. �What are you doing for New Years Eve, Dr. Quartermaine?�
Monica: �I don�t know... I think that my family was going to go to the Ever After Gala at the hotel... I was wondering if you would like to go with me?�
Gregory: �That�s just what I was about to ask you.� He laughs. �And the answer is yes.�
Monica: �Greg, I�ve been thinking about what we talked about before.�
Gregory: (holding his breath) �And...?�
Monica: �I�m going to file for divorce after the new year.�
Gregory: (kissing her) �I�m glad that you�re going to. I want you all to myself.�
Monica: (smiling up at him) �You make me so happy, Gregory Fortino.�
Gregory, his arms still around Monica, leads her to the couch, and they fall back onto it and begin to make love.
New Years Eve 1999. Six forty five p.m.
Ned: (standing at the bottom of the stairs, in a black tuxedo) �Lexi, hurry up!�
Alexis: (from their bedroom) �Why is it that every time we go out, you scream for me to hurry up, and then when I finally come downstairs, I have to scrape your jaw off the ground?� she starts laughing. �Ned, good things come to those who wait.�
Ned: (whining) �But I�m dying to see your dress.�
Alexis doesn�t say anything. She just smiles.
A few minutes later, Alexis comes walking slowly down the stairs. Ned turns to look at her. As she predicted, his jaw hits the ground.
Alexis: (softly) �What do you think?�
Ned: (speechless) �Wow...� he smiles at her. �You look like royalty.�
Alexis gets to the bottom of the stairs and spins around, showing off her magnificent dress. It is an ice blue floor length princess gown with a halter and a full taffeta skirt that is somewhat crinkled up. The bodice is ice blue satin and it molds to her perfect figure.
Her hair has been curled and put into an upsweep, diamond barrettes sprinkled across the front of her hair so that it looks like a headband. There are matching barrettes in her upsweep.
Ned: �God, you look amazing. I am the luckiest man in the world.�
Alexis: (going to him and kissing him gently) �I love you, Ned, my male model.�
Ned: (holding out a hand) �Shall we go, Mrs. Ashton?�
Alexis: (taking his hand) �Let�s go.� She smiles. �This night will be unforgettable.�
Never taking their eyes off each other, they head out the front door.
Here we go... here we go, one more time, everybody�s feeling fine.
Here we go... now just, just, just go, PC has got the flow.
Put your head to the beat, we got everything you need, here we go.
An hour and a half later, laughing, Kimberly and Scott walk out of their house.
Here we go... yes, yes, yes, here we go, PC has got the flow.
Here we go... here we go, one more time, everybody�s feeling fine.
Here we go... if you wanna party with us, just get with the rhythm, here we go.
Julia and Jax step out of their car at the hotel and go inside.
You know the party�s here, sing along and have no fear.
PC is here to make you people scream.
Nikolas stands at the bottom of the stairs, as Emily, in a gold sparkly dress, comes downstairs. He smiles at her.
Now is the time for us to reunited, come on party people, there�s a party going on.
Tonight is the night, everything�s going to be all right, just get up, feel the flow...
Cause here we go...
Stefan and Mackenzie step into their limo and the driver shuts the door.
Here we go... here we go, one more time, everybody�s feeling fine.
Here we go... now just, just, just go, PC has got the flow.
Morgan and Maxie start dancing with the little kids at the Firehouse.
Put your head to the beat, we got everything you need, here we go.
Here we go... yes, yes, yes, here we go, PC has got the flow.
Gregory and Monica walk across the room together, Monica in a light purple strapless gown. Gregory looks amazed.
Here we go... here we go, one more time, everybody�s feeling fine.
Here we go... if you wanna party with us, just get with the rhythm, here we go.
Bobbie, in a midnight blue dress, holds Jerry�s hand as they walk into the hotel.
Let�s sing it one more time, everyone�s feeling fine.
We got the skills to keep this party pumping, baby.
Emily and Nikolas walk into the ball, holding hands and smiling nervously.
Keep dancing all night long, until the break of dawn, come on party people, there�s a party going on tonight
Tonight is the night, everything�s going to be all right, just get up, feel the flow...
Cause here we go...
Alexis and Ned walk in, hand in hand, Alexis holding the train of her dress.
Here we go... here we go, one more time, everybody�s feeling fine.
Here we go... now just, just, just go, PC has got the flow.
Put your head to the beat, we got everything you need, here we go.
Julia comes up to Alexis and gives her a hug. Ned and Jax shake hands.
Here we go... yes, yes, yes, here we go, PC has got the flow.
Here we go... here we go, one more time, everybody�s feeling fine.
Here we go... if you wanna party with us, just get with the rhythm, here we go.
Stefan and Mackenzie walk through the door. Everyone turns to see them enter.
Keep dancing all night long, break of dawn.
Keep dancing all night long, break of dawn.
Here we go... here we go....
Amanda walks up to the podium. Everyone begins applauding.
Amanda: (into the microphone) �Welcome to the first annual Ever After Gala. All proceeds of tonight go towards ALS research, the deadly disease that killed my close friend Michael Zaslow, as well as thousands of other people in the last year.� She pauses. �We need to put a stop to this miserable disease. Let�s make tonight count for the sake of these people, as well as the people who contract ALS in the future, and stop the disease before it goes any further. Have fun, dance, drink champagne... but don�t forget the higher purpose tonight. Happy new years, everyone. Thank you.�
As she walks off of the podium, everyone applauds enthusiastically.
Mackenzie: (coming up to Alexis and Ned) �Alexis Ashton, you look amazing.�
Stefan: �She�s right. You look majestic, my sister.�
Alexis: �You�re one to talk, Mackenzie! You look like a supermodel in that!�
Mackenzie: �Aw, go on.� She smiles. �Stefan told me the same thing about eighty times on the way here.�
Stefan: (putting his arms around Mackenzie) �I can�t say it enough, Mrs. Cassadine.� He kisses her gently.
Ned: (putting his arms around Alexis) �Aw, look at the happy newlyweds.�
Alexis: �Aw, leave them alone. We were the same way.�
Ned: (poking her in the side) �We still are.�
The four of them start laughing hysterically as Jax and Julia walk over to them, Jax holding a glass of champagne, Julia with a glass of cider.
Jax: �What�s so funny, you guys?�
Mackenzie: �Nothing more than my brother being my brother.�
Julia: (laughing) �Understandable.� She smiles. �You all look amazing. So, Stefan, how do you like Mackenzie�s dress?�
Stefan: (staring at his wife) �Unbelievable.�
Julia: �See, Mackenzie, I told you so.� she starts laughing.
Waiter: (coming up to them) �Would you like some champagne, ladies and gentlemen?�
Ned, Stefan and Mackenzie each take a glass. Alexis shoots Ned a look.
Stefan: �Aren�t you going to have any, Alexis? I thought you love champagne.�
Alexis: �I do... I just don�t feel like being intoxicated right now.� She turns to the waiter. �May I please have a glass of cider?�
Waiter: �Coming right up, mam.� He walks away.
Julia gives Alexis a suspicious look, but doesn�t say anything.
Just then, the speakers blast out with the song Angel of Mine.
Ned: �Excuse me, all, but this song belongs to my wife and I.� He smiles. �Alexis, may I have this dance?�
Alexis: �Of course.� She takes his hand and they walk onto the dance floor.
They begin to sway back and forth to the music, Alexis resting her head on Ned�s chest.
Ned: �You really do look amazing tonight, Alexis. Just like a princess.�
Alexis: (softly) �I hoped that you would like it.� She smiles. �You look pretty good too.�
Ned: �I can�t wait to get you home and,� his voice drops and he whispers in her ear, �take off that dress and kiss every inch of your body and then make love to you all night.�
Alexis smiles happily and moves closer to him. Ned pulls her against his body.
Across the room, as she and Scott dance, Kimberly glowers at Alexis and Ned dancing.
Scott: �Kim, you have to get over it! If Alexis wants to be mad at you, than you can�t change her mind.�
Kimberly: �It just makes me so mad! She has no right to condemn me for having a child!� she smoothes out a wrinkle in her silver satin gown with spaghetti criss-cross straps. �Sorry, Scott, I don�t mean to be such a jerk.�
Scott: �You�re not a jerk, Kim. You�re just upset.� He pulls her closer. �I love you.�
Kimberly: �I love you too.� She kisses him gently. �More and more everyday.�
Meanwhile, Monica and Gregory are sipping champagne and talking when Emily and Nikolas walk up.
Monica: �Emily, you look gorgeous.�
Emily: (in a flat voice) �Thanks. You look nice too.�
Gregory: �So, are you two having fun?�
Nikolas: �We sure are.� He smiles. �I think that this gala is a really good cause.�
Gregory: �I agree.� He smiles. �And it gives us something fun to do tonight.�
Just then, Alan begins to head towards them.
Monica: �Greg, would you like to dance?�
Gregory: (seeing Alan) �Sure. I�d love to.� He takes her by the hand and leads her to the dance floor as Natalie Cole�s �Unforgettable� begins to play. Alan stares at them.
Monica: �I think that he knows now.�
Gregory: �Who cares.� He pulls her closer. �Tonight is about you and me, Monica.�
Monica: �I love you, Gregory.�
They smile at each other and dance away across the ballroom.
At the Firehouse.
Serena, Lulu, Avery, Brooke, Georgie and Christabel stare in awe as Morgan and Maxie dance across the room to the song �Livin La Vida Loca,� their bodies flailing all over the place as they do hard steps.
Christabel: �Where did you guys learn to do that?�
Maxie: �MTV... and school dances.�
Morgan: �It really isn�t that hard.�
Brooke: �Can you teach us?�
Serena: �Yeah, please, please?�
Morgan: (exchanging a look with Maxie) �Sure. All of you come over here.�
The six little girls get up and go over to Maxie and Morgan, smiling up at them like they are the heroes of the world.
Maxie hits play on the CD player and the song blasts out again. They all begin to dance.
Back at the Ever After Gala. �Set the Night to Music� is playing.
Ned: (holding Alexis close) �So, Brinna, we should make new years resolutions.�
Alexis: �Okay... I pledge to... hmm... I pledge that I will work out once a week.�
Ned: �I pledge that I will send you flowers once a week.�
Alexis: �Aw, that�s sweet... then let�s make a resolution as a couple.�
Ned: (nestling his face in her hair) �Okay, I pledge that we go out at least once a week, alone, even after Christian is born.�
Alexis: �Okay.� She smiles. �I can�t believe that we�re having another baby.�
Ned: �The best Christmas present ever.�
Alexis winds her arms around Ned�s neck tighter and they sway to the music.
Across the room. Mackenzie and Stefan dance closely together, having given up long ago on socially acceptable distance.
Mackenzie: �Have I ever told you that I love you, Stefan?�
Stefan: �Yes, but you can tell me again.�
Mackenzie: �I love you.�
Stefan: �I love you too, Mackenzie. I�m so glad that we got married.�
Mackenzie: �I agree.� She kisses him gently. �You make me complete, Stefan.�
Amanda: (at the microphone) �Everyone, this is the last dance of 1999.�
Oh yeah, kiss me at midnight...
Five... four... three... two... one...
Kiss me at midnight, dance until the morning light, party into the new year.
All of my friends are here when the time is right,
Kiss me at midnight. Kiss.
Ned puts his arms around Alexis and they sway to the upbeat music.
I�ve been waiting for this special night, to be with you.
The colors of Christmas still shine bright, and I know what we�re gonna do.
Anticipating, music is playing, magic is in the air.
All through the season, you�ve been the reason I have so much love to share.
Jax whispers something in Julia�s ear and she laughs and throws her arms around him.
Kiss me at midnight, dance until the morning light, party into the new year.
All of my friends are here when the time is right.
Kiss me at midnight. Kiss. Kiss, kiss me at midnight, kiss...
Mackenzie reaches up and kisses Stefan passionately. He responds eagerly.
We�ve been making promises in the dark, and resolutions has a brand new year,
it�s about to start, and we�re together... celebrate... no more waiting, the time has arrived,
The beat of my heart as the countdown starts, just look into my eyes...
Scott twirls Kimberly around and then dips her. They�re both laughing.
Kiss me at midnight, dance until the morning light, party into the new year.
All of my friends are here when the time is right.
Kiss me at midnight. Kiss. Kiss, kiss me at midnight, kiss...
Back at the Firehouse, all of the kids get hats on and streamers and noisemakers ready.
Baby it�s New Years Eve, a time we can believe,
Making wishes, dreams come true, just for me and you.
Emily and Nikolas, holding each other close, move gracefully to the beat.
Kiss me at midnight, dance until the morning light, party into the new year.
All of my friends are here when the time is right.
Kiss me at midnight. Kiss. Kiss, kiss me at midnight, kiss...
Monica and Gregory dance tightly together as Alan watches angrily across the room.
Kiss me at midnight, dance until the morning light, party into the new year.
All of my friends are here when the time is right.
Kiss me at midnight, dance until the morning light, party into the new year.
Ned dips Alexis and then puts his arms around her and holds her close to him.
Amanda: �Join me everyone, in the countdown.�
Everyone: �Five... four... three... two... one... HAPPY NEW YEAR!�
The ball begins to drop in the center of the ballroom and everyone begins to sing Auld Hang Sign (sorry about the spelling)
Ned throws his arms around Alexis and kisses her passionately.
Jax and Julia, Stefan and Mackenzie, and Kimberly and Scott follow suit.
Gregory leans in to kiss Monica, just as Alan comes up and pushes him away.
Alan: (yelling) �WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, FORTINO?�
Everyone falls silent at this moment.
Monica: �Alan, get the hell away from me! Right now!�
Alan grabs Monica and kisses her tightly. She pulls away, livid.
Gregory: �Leave her alone, Alan, or you�re going to be facing assault charges.�
Monica: �Alan, leave! I don�t want to see you right now... or ever! I WANT A DIVORCE!�
Alan: �You don�t mean that.�
Monica: �I sure do.� She sneers. �I�m moving in with Gregory tomorrow.�
Alan: �You are not. YOU�RE MY WIFE!�
Monica: �You should have thought of that before you became a drug addict!�
Alan: �I�m not a junkie... the pills help my hurt hand.�
Monica: �Go to hell, Alan.� She storms off, followed by Gregory.
Amanda: (somewhat amused) �Happy new year, everyone.�
Later that night... actually, later that morning. One a.m.
Ned carries Alexis through the door of their house. They�re both laughing.
Ned: �I don�t understand what�s so funny.� He sets her down and kisses her. �You didn�t even drink any alcohol and you�re laughing.�
Alexis: �I was just thinking that it would have been even funnier if Alan had been hanging from the ball as it was dropped.� She sighs. �Poor Monica.�
Ned: �Enough about them.� He kisses her gently. �Mrs. Ashton, would you like to join me upstairs for our first lovemaking of the twenty-first century?�
Alexis: �I would be honored.� She smiles. �But only if you carry me upstairs.�
Ned doesn�t say anything. He just sweeps her into his arms and carries her up to their bedroom, where he proceeds to light candles and turn on the stereo.
Every endless night has a dawning day, every darkest sky has a shining ray.
And it shines on you baby, can�t you see, you�re the only one who can shine for me.
Ned pulls Alexis into his arms and they begin to dance, their bodies pressed together.
It�s a private emotion that fills you tonight,
And a silence falls between us, As the shadows steal the light.
Ned slowly spins Alexis out of his arms and then back into them.
And wherever you may find it, wherever it may lead,
Let your private emotion come to me, come to me.
Alexis pushes Ned�s tuxedo jacket to the floor as he unzips her dress.
When your soul is tired and your heart is weak,
Do you think of love as a one way street?
They finish taking each other�s clothes off and then Ned lays Alexis down on the bed.
Well it runs both ways, open up your eyes.
Can�t you see me here, how can you deny?
Ned begins to kiss down Alexis� body as she moans. She runs her hands through his hair.
It�s a private emotion that fills you tonight,
And a silence falls between us, As the shadows steal the light.
Alexis pulls Ned down on top of her as he kisses her chest and face over and over again.
And wherever you may find it, wherever it may lead,
Let your private emotion come to me, come to me.
Ned moans as he enters Alexis and they begin to make love as a slow and soulful dance.
Every endless night has a dawning day, every darkest sky has a shining ray.
It takes a lot to laugh as your tears go by, but you can find me here till your tears run dry.
Alexis looks up at Ned as he makes love to her and whispers, �I love you.�
It�s a private emotion that fills you tonight,
And a silence falls between us, As the shadows steal the light.
As they finish making love, Alexis curls up in Ned�s arms and he strokes her hair.
And wherever you may find it, wherever it may lead,
Let your private emotion come to me, come to me.
Ned: �Happy new year, Alexis.�
Alexis: (sleepily) �Happy new year, Ned.�
They snuggle closer together, and closing their eyes, drift off to sleep.