Home for the Holidays 13

by Denise

Nola enters the kitchen, then stops and does a double take. The kitchen, unlike the study, bears very little resemblance to the kitchen she remembers from years ago. It has been completely remodeled. It now contains an enormous professional quality range and a huge refrigerator, and a slew of other top of the line appliances, some of which have been cleverly camouflaged to blend with the old fashioned appearance of the cabinetry. The charm and old-fashioned appeal of the room remains, but it is now a kitchen designed for a cook who takes cooking very seriously. Wonderful smells greet her as she gazes about. Stacey is placing chrystal punch cups on a tray next to the eggnog.

N: Wow, what happened in here?

S: Pretty fancy kitchen, isn't it? Mrs. Renfield couldn't get over it when she saw it either. She said it's better than the kitchen in her hotel.

N: Don't tell me your father had this done in two weeks.

S: Oh no, Daddy said the people he bought the house back from had done it. In fact, they loved this kitchen so much it made it harder for him to convince them to sell. I guess the husband was a semi-gourmet or something.

N: Wow.

S: You should see the bathrooms too. They really updated those also. Daddy says the other rooms are pretty much the same as they used to be. I can't remember this house at all.

N: You were only two when we left.

S: I really like this house. All these great old rooms, but all the modern luxuries in the kitchen and the bathrooms.

N: You'll just have to show me the rest.

Just then, a gray-haired, plump older woman enters from the rear of the kitchen. She is humming cheerfully and carrying a silver tray. She stops when she sees Nola and a wide smile comes over her face. Stacey makes the introductions.

S: Mom, this is Mrs. O'Brien. Daddy hired her to come in weekdays and cook and keep up with the housework.

N: He did?...(shaking her hand) It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. O'Brien.

Mrs. O'Brien: Nice to meet you, Mrs. Chamberlain. But please, call me Edie, everyone does. My, you are as lovely as that dear husband of yours said.

N: Why thank you Mrs....Edie. And please call me Nola.

E: Now don't worry about your husband hiring me without consulting you first. He did warn me that it would be on a trial basis and you would make the final decision. Nola, you just tell me how you'd like things done and I'll see to it.

N: Judging from the smells in here, you are well on your way to having a job for as long as you want. What's for lunch?

E: Well, I've a lovely vegetable soup simmering here and that fancy bread machine is about to deliver some fresh dill bread. My, what an invention, such a timesaver. There's some makings for sandwiches, oh, and apple pie for dessert.

N: Sounds and smells delicious.

E: And with that walk-in cooler downstars next to the wine cellar, we have many choices for dinner as well. Maybe after we get you and Mr Chamberlain settled a bit you'll have time to discuss the menu with me. Would you like me to unpack for you?

N: Yes, thank you. Here, could you take this eggnog into the study, please? Just tell J and Quint to get all the suitcases in from the car, and that Stacey and I will join them in a few minutes. We're going to have a look around the rest of the house.

E: Of course. And welcome home.

Edie leaves with the tray.

N: (giggles) I think I'm really going to like living here.

S: I know I'm going to like coming to visit you. You and Daddy are just...glowing. It seems like forever since I've seen either one of you this happy. (questioningly) Everything is...o.k. then?

N: Better than o.k.

Stacey still looks concerned.

N: I know it's kind of hard to understand how everything could change between your father and I just like that (she snaps her fingers). But it really didn't happen over night. Neither one of us was happy being apart and I guess I finally realized that...well, no matter how magical things are in the beginning of a relationship, real life sneaks up on you and you have to really work at it to keep that magic going. Somehow, Daddy and I forgot to do that, and well....Anyway, we've been talking about everything and working things out. We'll be fine now, honey.

S: You're sure?

Nola hugs her daughter and strokes her hair gently.

N: Stace, nothing in life is one hundred per cent sure, but we're both committed to putting our marriage first from now on. Ahead of work, ahead everything else. We'll still be here for you and your brother, but you're both grown now and don't need us so much, right?

S: (smiling at her mother) Well I feel pretty grown up most of the time, but I'm not so sure about J.

N: Yes, I know, but I think J is just going to have to be on his own now and learn from his own mistakes. I think he'll be o.k., he just needs to find out what he's good at, what makes him happy. You always seemed to have that figured out. Ever since you were tiny. You've been your father's daughter in so many ways. He's so proud that you've chosen to follow in his footsteps and become an archaeologist.

S: Well, growing up with it the way we did, I'd say digging for buried artifacts is in my blood.

Nola kisses her, and pulls her close, but a worried look crosses her face.

N: (changing the subject) Come on Stacey, let's go see these luxurious bathrooms you've been telling me about. What do they have, gold plated faucets?

They exit arm-in-arm, giggling.

SCENE 32, THORNWAY ROAD, STUDY, 9:00 PM

The room is festively decorated throughout, highlighted by the enormous, beautiful tree near the fireplace. Packages are heaped beneath it. Quint is adding another log to the fire that is already blazing. Nola and Stacey are seated next to one another on the sofa, with Victoria and Violet seated opposite them. J enters wearing his coat and carrying another coat over his arm. He hands it to Stacey who gets up and starts putting it on.

J: Come on, Stace. Let's get going.

S: All right J. (turns to Nola) You don't mind if we go out tonight?

N: No, but family time starts tomorrow night. Dinner at seven and then we are all going to midnight mass together later. You got that J?

J: Yes, mom. Geez.

Q: Church once or twice a year won't kill you, young man. And don't take that attitude with your mother.

J: Sorry...ready, Stace?

S: Yes, let's go.

J: Don't wait up. I've got quite a few places to hit yet tonight.

S: Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him.

J: Hey, do I look like I need a babysitter? Watch it or I'll leave you here.

S: Oh come on...

They leave, still bickering, but in a good natured way.

N: (rolls her eyes) Some things never change.

Q: (laughing) They seem like they missed each other. They always have loved to torment one another. More brandy, Nola?

She nods and he pours some into each of their glasses.

Q: How about you, Victoria? Violet? More sherry?

Victoria: (yawning) Oh thank you, but I think not. I think I shall retire now if you don't mind.

Violet: I believe I shall retire as well. All this excitement has been wonderful, but a bit tiring.

Nola rises from the sofa and bids them each good night with a kiss on the cheek and an extra hug for Violet. Victoria precedes her from the room.

Violet: Good night, Quinton, Nola. Bless you my dears.

Q: Good night Rennie. (he hugs her) I love you.

She places a hand on his cheek and a light kiss on his other cheek.

Violet: And I love you, too. Good night, now.

She exits quietly and Quint watches with a loving smile on his face. He walks over to the fireplace and prods it a bit with the poker, and then joins Nola on the sofa. He hands her her brandy snifter and takes his own in his other hand. Nola snuggles in next to him and his arm goes around her shoulders. Nola sighs contentedly. Quint raises his glass and taps it against Nola's and looks deeply into her eyes.

Q: To us. And to our new-old home.

They sip the brandy, keeping their eyes locked. They savor the brandy and Nola sighs again and closes her eyes as she swallows.

N: Mmmm....you know there's no place like

Q & N: Home.

Q: (laughs softly) L. Frank Baum, Nola?

N: I guess so. I always think of the movie first, not the book.

Q: I wonder why?

N: Don't tease me, I can't help it. Force of habit.

Q: Nola, I'm not trying to tease you. I love your addiction to those classic films.

N: I wouldn't call it an addiction. Maybe it was once, not anymore. I'm addicted to something else now.

Q: Oh? What, may I ask?

N: I think you know.

Q: Tell me, Nola...(whispering) please.

Nola looks directly at him and silently mouths one word..."You"

Q: Nola, my love, that is quite a fortuitous condition for you to be afflicted with.

N: Why?

Q: Because I am equally addicted to you.

N: I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the need for a "fix."

Quint places their brandy snifters on the table before them, and gathers Nola up onto his lap.

Q: We'll just have to take care of that. Immediately.

N: Here?

He nods.

N: You don't want to go up to bed?

He shakes his head no, slowly, and begins to place light kisses around Nola's lips, then over her cheeks, and down her neck.

Q: I'd never make it that far. I'd ravish you on the stairs...this seems much more...comfortable.

He resumes his kisses, then pauses to gently remove her sweater. He takes in the sight of her in her lacy underthings, and resumes his kissing, traveling lower and lower.

N: Oh...(long pause) I guess it is more...comfortable.

Quint's kisses travel back up and he begins to devour her mouth. He slides down to lay prone on his back and pulls Nola down on top of him, never releasing her mouth.

CUT TO SHOT OF FIREPLACE.

The logs hiss and crackle as they burn and low murmurings and sighs are heard and then the rustle of clothing falling to the floor.

CUT TO EXTERIOR SHOT OF HOUSE.

The house sits peacefully in the winter night. There is one light burning in an upstairs bedroom, and a dimmer light coming from the study windows downstairs. A light snow begins to fall, and the light upstairs goes out.

FADE OUT.

SCENE 33, ST. MARY'S CHURCH, CHRISTMAS EVE, NEAR THE END OF THE MIDNIGHT MASS

Seated in a pew at the rear of the church, all wearing their holiday finest, are Victoria, Violet, J, Stacey, Quint, and Nola, with Nola on the aisle. Quint glances toward the rear of the church nervously and Nola prods him to pay attention. Father Murphy ends his prayer, and Nola, J, and Stacey all genuflect as he recites:

Father Murphy: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen....Let us all rise and light our candles as we sing "Silent Night."

The familiar hymn begins, and altar boys spread out to light the candles of each person sitting on the aisles. Near the end of the verse one of them approaches Nola and she lights her candle from his and turns to light Quinton's. Quinton passes the flame on to Stacey, who sends it on down the line.

Just as the second verse begins, Nola feels someone tap her on her shoulder and she turns to look. She gasps in wonder at the man standing before her.

N: (whispering) Tony!!

T: (holding up his candle) Got a light, Sis?

She hugs him, mindful of her candle and kisses his cheek.

N: (near tears) Oh I can't believe you're here.

She lights his candle, her hand shaking a bit.

T: Steady, Nol. Here's someone else who could use a light.

Tony steps behind her and another, much younger man, almost a boy yet, bearing a striking resemblance to Tony steps up.

N: Tommy! Is that you? Oh you've grown so much.

Tommy: Hi, Aunt Nola.

He kisses her cheek, and she lights his candle.

Tommy: Merry Christmas.

Tommy steps past his father and another familiar male figure steps up behind him.

N: Jim!

Jim steps back a half step and playfully brings his arms up to fend off any punch she might throw.

Jim: Don't hit, Nola. It wasn't my idea to sneak up on you like this. Blame Quint.

Nola looks back at Quint and gives him a breath-taking smile, then turns to hug and kiss her brother, and light his candle as well.

Jim: Merry Christmas, Nola. Here's some family you haven't met yet. James, Jr...

A boy about of about twelve steps up and pauses to let his aunt kiss him. His brothers and sisters follow him stepping past for a kiss and moving down the pew. Each one looks a couple years younger than the one before, as their father rolls off their names.

Jim: Daniel...Benjamin...Beatrice...Paul...

A petite, honey-blonde woman steps up holding a little girl about two years old.

Jim: My wife, Claudia, and this...

He touches the little girl's cheek and she sleepily reaches for her daddy. He lifts her into his arms and brings her closer to Nola. Claudia kisses Nola's cheek and steps by.

Jim: This is Maureen.

N: (tearfully) Hi, Maureen. Nice to meet you. You're as pretty as your Aunt Maureen was.

They embrace with the little girl between them and then Nola lights Jim and Claudia's candles. Nola looks up, knowing that the family is not quite complete yet. After a few seconds, she finally sees Bea approach.

Bea: Nola, honey, Merry Christmas.

N: Oh, Mom!

Bea hugs her tightly and they kiss each other through their tears. The Chamberlain's all slide over a bit as Nola pulls her mother in to stand beside her at the end of the pew. Nola lights Bea's candle, with Quint's hand helping her steady her candle, and with her husband and her mother each holding her with one arm, they sing the final line of the hymn.

"Sleep in heavenly peace."

Father Murphy: Go in peace, and as we extinguish our flames, remember to keep the light of Christ's love burning in your hearts, both tonight and every night to come. Amen.

They each quietly blow out their candles, and the recessional music begins to play.

FADE OUT.

To be continued...

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