Home for the Holidays 18 - Conclusion

by Denise

SCENE 43, THORNWAY ROAD STUDY, NEW YEAR'S EVE

Bea and Violet are sitting on the couch, quietly tallking together. Quint and Tony are standing by the fireplace, calmly shooting the breeze. Tommy and J are over at the desk, playing blackjack. The only sign that this is not a normal family gathering is the fact that everyone is dressed to the nines, the women in elegant gowns, the males all in tuxedos. Stacey enters the room, looking very sophisticated in a simple one-shouldered gown, done in a shimmery, deep rose color.

BEA: Oh Stacey! You look beautiful, honey.

VIOLET: Indeed! You're lovely my dear.

Quint and Tony turn to look at her and both and seem shocked at her beauty and maturity. They exchange a glance.

TONY: (quietly, to Quint) She's supposed to be about three or four years old isn't she? When did that happen?

QUINT: (smiling and shaking his head) Seems like just yesterday we were gathered here and she was sleeping in Nola's arms. . .I don't know, Tony. It happened too fast.

Quint crosses to meet Stacey and tucks her hand into the crook of his elbow and seats her in a chair near Bea, then kisses the top of her head.

QUINT: (quietly, in her ear) Anastasia Louise, you are a beautiful young woman and I love you very much.

STACEY: I love you too, and thanks, Daddy, but wait til you see Mom. She's a knockout!

TONY: Where is she anyway? (louder) Nol? We're waiting. . .

He draws out the syllables on the final word then stops as Nola appears in the doorway. A hush falls over the family as they take in the sight of Nola in her evening gown. It is cut of a rich, deep maroon silk, so dark it is almost black, with just a shimmer of the maroon color glimmering as she moves through the room.

Quint walks back across the room and kisses her tenderly.

QUINT: Nola, my love, you take my breath away. You are so beautiful.

NOLA: (a bit nervously) Thank you. (eyeing him) You look pretty good yourself.

QUINT: Ah, well, I try. . .can I get you something? Some cognac?

NOLA: Yes, thanks.

QUINT: Anyone else? Stacey?

He refreshes a few drinks with Tony's assistance.

TONY: Well, sis, I gotta say, you still clean up real nice.

NOLA: (giving him a look) Tony! Gee thanks.

J: Yeah, mom, you look great. (as an afterthought) You too, Stace.

NOLA: Thank you, son. You all look wonderful too. Thanks, everyone for staying to celebrate with us.

QUINT: Yes, it may be a little early, but I propose a toast. (looking around the room) To our family, to those who could be here with Nola and I as we rededicate ourselves to one another. And to those who could not be here like Jim and Claudia, and Bridget and Matt. And to those we feel with us in spirit. . .(pause)Father, Vanessa. . .

As he was speaking, the family had gathered by the fireplace, and a chorus of "To our family. ." is heard as the glasses are tapped against one another and everyone takes a sip of their drink. Nola and Quint hug each family member one by one.

BEA: And somehow I feel like Tom is with us too. I imagine he and Henry have caught up with one another and are trading fishing stories.

TONY: I'm sure they are, Mom. Sort of like you and Mrs. Renfield were doing a little while ago. Only I guess they were grandchildren stories. huh?

VIOLET: Quite right, Anthony. I imagine your father and Mr. Chamberlain could be trading family reminiscences as well.

BEA: That's a nice thought, isn't it?

NOLA: Yes, it is. . .So, Mom. . .Violet what were you two talking about?

VIOLET: We were just thinking back to when you first came to work for Mr. McCord. And all the difficulties the two of you went through before you were finally to be together. I know I must have seemed intimidating to you at first, Nola. I was so worried that Quinton would be hurt again that I was, well, a bit overprotective.

NOLA: I understand, Violet. I wasn't too sure about this place when I first came, though. (laughs)

VIOLET: I finally saw how happy you made Quinton, and how you were willing to trust and believe in him. . .and LOVE him, even though there were still secrets he felt he could not yet share with you. Do you remember that day Nola?

Nola nods and then shares a look with Quint.

VIOLET: That was the day I knew that the two of you belonged together. (looking at the two of them) And you do.

TONY: You sure went through a lot to get together. I remember when it dawned on me that Quint was in love with you, Sis.

NOLA: When was that?

TONY: When we'd just gotten back from rescuing you from that slime-ball, Silas Crocker. All the way up there Quint kept going on about how he'd never forgive himself if something had happened to you. And then when you were so sick in the hospital he stayed there for days. I remember telling Hillary Bauer how surprised I was. Before that, it seemed like no one knew anything about the mysterious "Mr. McCord." To think that he had fallen in love with my little sister was downright amazing.

QUINT: Ah, Tony, that was definitely not amazing. How could I have resisted? Nola came to me in the gazebo that first day and I knew, just by looking at her, that I could love her. I was just so. . .bound by all those damn secrets and the wasted, lonely life I'd led for so long.

NOLA: You want to know something? It's really silly. But, I used to blame this house.

QUINT: What? Blame the house? For what?

NOLA: Well, whenever we would go somewhere, like to London, or California, or even on that dig, you always seemed to relax and loosen up and see me as more than just your assistant. But whenever we came back. . .bam! It was business as usual.

Quint laughs.

QUINT: You do have a point, Nola. (shaking his head) And now?

NOLA: I think you've managed to get over that problem.

The family exchanges amused glances, with the exception of J, who rolls his eyes and sighs disgustedly.

BEA: And then after you had worked out all your problems and were ready to make your life together. . . you had such a time with the wedding, what with the fire at the church and all. . .

QUINT: And Nola having to call the firemen for a ride to the wedding.

TONY: OK, OK, so we forgot a little detail like the bride. It all worked out in the end.

QUINT: (looking lovingly at Nola) It certainly did.

Quint kisses Nola tenderly, with the family looking on in delight. He holds her to him and then kisses the top of her head. He sighs heavily.

NOLA: You're really missing Henry and Vanessa aren't you?

QUINT: (smiling crookedly) Yes. I keep remembering when Father and I spent the night stranded by that snow storm at the boarding house. He didn't even realize that I was his son, but he supported my and gave me the best advice in the world. To never give up and to never let you get away.

NOLA: I'm certainly glad you took his advice. Then and now. (pause) I miss them too. Especially now that I think Vanessa would finally be happy for us.

QUINT: I think you're right, Nola. She's was Vanessa Chamberlain Reardon after all.

NOLA: Isn't it ironic?

QUINT: (shaking his head) I never would have thought. . .do you remember that Thanksgiving? When you were pregnant with AJ?

J: Daaad!

QUINT: (exasperated) Oh alright. . .J!

NOLA: (laughing) Yes, after I found out you'd PAID Vanessa to be nice to me.

QUINT: Nola, I've long admitted that was a mistake. Remember, you forgave me. After you pummelled me with all those muffins.

NOLA: And I did teach her a lesson. Bringing all those poor homeless people to the Chamberlain thanksgiving table.

Bea laughs at the memory.

BEA: You and Vanessa certainly had your moments. I'll never forget the two of you showing up at your engagement party in the same Scarlett O'Hara dress.

QUINT: At least we can laugh about it now, right Nola?

NOLA: (seemingly miffed, but then smiling) Well. . .I suppose so. Vanessa and I finally made our peace. I just wish we'd had more time to enjoy being sisters. . .(slightly shocked) And she did sort of become my niece, didn't she?

They all laugh at the absurdity of that.

Quint looks up at the clock on the mantel.

QUINT: Well, it's just a few minutes before midnight. Will you join us out in the gazebo?

They all head for the foyer and don their coats.

SCENE 44, GAZEBO, A FEW MINUTES LATER

The winter night is calm and surprisingly warm for that time of year. The stars are out and the moon casts a dim glow over the snow-covered yard. The path to the gazebo has been swept clean and lights line the edges. The gazebo itself is covered in seemingly millions of tiny white Christmas lights. Tony and J are lighting the many candles that have been placed among the evergreens and along the ledges. Tommy leads his grandmother up the walk, and Stacey follows arm-in-arm with Mrs. Renfield. The all step into the magical atmosphere that has been created so carefully and lovingly. A hush falls over them as they turn expectantly and await Nola and Quint's approach.

At last, Quinton and Nola appear. Quinton wearing his tuxedo, just Nola's red scarf draped about his neck, and Nola having donned a long, hooded matching silk cape. Her emerald necklace and earrings glinting even in the muted light. They quietly step into the gazebo, and turn to face one another. The family gathers in on either side.

Without pre-amble or formal ceremony the pair simply begin their declarations.

QUINT: Nola, my love, my wife. . .you are my life. I have been given a miracle in you. You are my greatest gift. I will love you and honor you and cherish you always. Your spirit and joy have given my life new meaning. From the very moment I first saw you, I was transported. A vision of a life of love appeared before me. You brought me patiently and slowly from the dark, lonely, painful, world that I inhabited into a world of light, and happiness, and family, and love.

He lifts her left hand to him and kisses her third finger, near her wedding and engagement rings. Tears shimmer at the corners of Nola's eyes.

QUINT: Nola, my love, my teacher, my catalyst, my guardian angel. . .I pledge to you all that I have and all that I am. It is only because of you and your love that I can do so. . .I give you my life.

A single tear slips from the corner of Nola's eye, and Quint bends to kiss it away. They embrace for a moment as Nola composes herself. They part and Nola looks down, then back up into Quint's face.

NOLA: Quinton, I accept your gift and embrace it with all the joy and love we have shared throughout the years. I will love you and honor you and cherish you now and forever. I cannot imagine my life without you beside me. I came to you so much a child, not yet ready to grow up. I relied on your strength and wisdom and your love, even when it was unspoken. You acceptance and love taught me and helped me grow into a woman. Things I once thought were important were meaningless. All that matters is the love that we share, and the family we built together, from that love.

Nola lifts Quint's left hand and kisses the simple gold band on his third finger.

NOLA: Quinton, my love, my strength, my husband, my life. I pledge to you all that I have and all that I am. Our lives are joined together. Bound together for always. Here and now and beyond time and space. . .for all time.

Nola touches Quint's cheek softly and they lean together, sealing their promises with a soft, deep, sweet kiss. A light snow begins to fall from the clouds that had quietly gathered unnoticed during the past few minutes. Quint and Nola cling together and one by one, each family member passes by to embrace them and wish them well.

Alone, together in the gazebo where their love began from that spark passing in one instantaneous gaze, they stop and look at each other again. Their souls laid bare, they kiss again, then turn to greet the New Year together.

The End.