"Not So Forbidden Fruit" 9 - 10

INT. CHICAGO HOTEL SUITE -- NEXT MORNING (Scene 30)

NOLA, QUINT and J are quietly having a room service breakfast. Nola and Quint keep catching each others eye and smiling

QUINT: Nola, how are you feeling this morning?

NOLA: (smiling) Very happy

QUINT: You fell right off to sleep last night

NOLA: I am just so relieved that I will never have to see that animal again

J: Finally he is in jail where he belongs

QUINT: With all of his heinous crimes, he will never see the light of day again.

(J finishes up his breakfast and starts to get up)

J: I'm going to take my shower . . . I'm glad to see you both so happy.

(J leaves room. Quint looks intensely at Nola across the table)

QUINT: I can't believe this is finally over

NOLA: Me neither

QUINT: I'm so sorry that Silas had to invade our lives again. You're sure he didn't hurt you?

NOLA: He threatened, but I think he was too drunk to do anything about it.

QUINT: Oh, Nola, I'm so sorry about all of this

Quint gets up and walks around to her side of the table

QUINT: Have I told you how much I adore you today?

Nola smiles and stands up and moves close to him

NOLA: No, not yet

She gently kisses him

QUINT: I love every little thing about you. I love your big beautiful brown eyes (kisses eyes) . . . I love that little tiny scar on your lip ( he kisses scar and brushes back her hair) . . . I love this spot on your neck (kisses spot on neck) . . . just everything

(They kiss)

QUINT: I have a surprise for you.

NOLA: What have you done?

QUINT: It's not a what, it's a who. Someone very special is going to be waiting for us when we get back to Springfield today.

NOLA: Who?

QUINT: Our daughter.

NOLA: Stacey? You got Stacey to come to Springfield.

QUINT: She is very happy for us and she also wants to make sure you're okay.

NOLA: But what about her school.

QUINT: The girl is practically a genius. A few days away is not going to hurt her.

NOLA: Nothing could be more perfect than having all four of us together, Quint, thank you!

Nola kisses Quint

NOLA: I was also thinking that maybe I overreacted the other day about . . . I mean it's so unlikely. Maybe I'll just do one of those home tests to put my mind at ease.

QUINT: Are you sure?

NOLA: I'm sure, besides I probably wouldn't be able to get another appointment with Dr. Sedwick for a few weeks.

QUINT: Well, I have a wonderful evening planned for the four of us.

NOLA: We're going to see Stacey . . . Quinton, you are so wonderful

FADE OUT:

INT. REARDON BOARDING HOUSE -- AFTERNOON (Scene 31)

QUINT, NOLA and J enter the boarding house. BRIDGET is sitting at the table with a conservatively dressed PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN.

NOLA: (face brightening) : Stacey

Nola runs to hug Stacey

STACEY: Mom are you okay? Daddy told me everything.

NOLA: Honey, I'm fine. I'm just so happy to see you. It's been too long.

STACEY: Mom, there is no way I wouldn't be here. I had to make sure for myself that you were okay. You must have been so scared.

NOLA: I'm fine now

Nola just keeps looking Stacey over

NOLA: Your hair has gotten so long and did you do something to the color? It looks beautiful.

STACEY: Thanks mom, daddy told me this Silas Crocker person has done this before.

NOLA: I really want to forget about him.

Stacey nods and then finally notices Quint and J

STACEY: (girlish tone) Daddy

Stacey runs into Quint's arms. Quint kisses her cheek. Nola happily watches them.

QUINT: It's so good to see you.

Stacey sees J

STACEY: So little brother, been spending all you time in the gym I see?

J: Hey Stace

J tries to remain cool, but hugs his sister

STACEY: So, A.J. are there any girls left in Springfield who will still speak to me after I tell them that I am a Chamberlain?

J: (teasing) Come on Anastasia, it's J

STACEY: Can't get me with that Anastasia stuff anymore. I kind of like it now. It's more sophisticated.

NOLA: Stacey, have you and Bridget gotten acquainted?

BRIDGET: We talked a little before this happy reunion. I'd love to stay, but I really need to check on Peter.

STACEY: It was lovely finally meeting you Bridget.

Bridget smiles and goes up the stairs.

QUINT: I have wonderful plans for us tonight.

STACEY: (teasing) Let me guess, daddy . . . it will be very extravagent, we will need to dress up and A.J. and I won't be able to pull you and mom off the dance floor.

QUINT: Something like that, but I always save a least one dance for you.

STACEY: (continues to tease) Then the rest of the night I have to dance with my dorky brother . . . who is not so dorky anymore, but who is now too cool to be seen with his sister or else I can nurse a Shirley Temple

QUINT: I think a little champagne tonight might be in order

STACEY: And only the most expensive

QUINT: Only the best is good enough for my family.

Nola turns away from them with a tear in her eye.

J: Mom are you okay?

QUINT: Nola?

NOLA: I'm fine, it's just that word family

J: Mom, don't be sad

J moves over to Nola to comfort her.

NOLA: I'm not sad . . . I'm happy

Stacey and J hug Nola.

INT. COUNTRY CLUB -- EVENING (SCENE 32)

QUINT, NOLA, STACEY and J are sitting at a big round table finishing their desserts.

STACEY: So J told me about the other morning

NOLA: J really

STACEY: Come on mom, we're not little kids anymore. We can handle it.

NOLA: Well I can't . . . handle discussing these things with my children.

QUINT: But we DO have something very important to discuss with you tonight.

STACEY: Daddy what?

QUINT: Well a lot has changed in the last few days and we all really need to decide where to go from here. I will not be going back to California and I will be putting the house on the market.

NOLA: Stacey we know that you have your school there and we want you to know that you will always have a home here in Springfield.

STACEY: Mom really don't worry about me. I love my apartment and to tell you the truth I was getting tired of looking after that big house. I just want you to do what makes you happy. You both deserve it.

QUINT: I have been looking at some houses here in Springfield and have my eye on one in particular. It is a very special house.

J: (jumping ahead) But what about the divorce?

Quint takes Nola hand.

QUINT: Your mother and I have decided to call off the divorce.

STACEY: I figured that was what this was all about. I am so happy for you both.

J: Me too

NOLA: (looking into Quint's eyes): We're happy too

INT. COUNTRY CLUB -- LATER (SCENE 32B)

NOLA and STACEY sit alone at the table.

STACEY: I'm glad daddy and J went to check out the gym facilities. I really wanted to talk to you.

NOLA: Stacey, it is so good to see you.

STACEY: Mom, I wanted you to understand why I haven't seen or talked to you much this year.

NOLA: Stacey, don't worry about it. It's all over.

STACEY: No I have to tell you. I knew some of what was going on and I just couldn't face you knowing and not being able to tell you. I know daddy felt the same.

NOLA: How did you know?

STACEY: Well some of my friends know Jessica. They told me some of the things she would say about dad and then I overheard some phone calls at the house, it just all seemed so strange. I mean I couldn't put everything together, but I knew things were not as they appeared.

NOLA: How?

STACEY: Mom, it was so obvious to eveyone that dad hated Jessica. That is partly why I moved out. I just couldn't stand the arguing anymore. I couldn't get my work done, it was horrible . . . but I couldn't say anything because I thought daddy was in some sort of trouble . . .it was the only thing that made sense . . . but mom I always knew he was still in love with you.

NOLA: Stacey, I think we all just need to forget this craziness

STACEY: I am so glad this is all over. It all makes sense now. I was so worried about daddy, he was so miserable and I was so worried about you and I missed you so much . . . I just can't believe this man tried to do this to us.

(Stacey starts to cry and Nola goes over to comfort her)

NOLA: I had no idea what you were going through, but everything is going to be okay now. Your father and I love each other and we love both you and J.

INT. SUITE AT SPRINGFIELD TOWERS -- THAT EVENING (SCENE 33)

QUINT and NOLA are sitting together on the couch. STACEY and J sit in chairs across from them.

STACEY: Leave it to daddy, to put us all up in the hugest most wonderful suite.

QUINT: Well I just want to make sure you are comfortable and happy.

STACEY: With tonight's news I would have been happy on a cot in a leaky tent and God knows I've slept under those conditions more than once.

NOLA: Tell me about it

(Nola nudges Quint)

QUINT: (joking) I thought you all liked leaky tents.

J: Dad, we just never wanted to hurt your feelings

NOLA: You should see the fancy set up he has here at the digsite. It reminds me of the study on Thornway Road.

J: Oh, no, not another Thornway Road story

QUINT: (to Nola) Remember that time I was furious at you for spilling the acid in my lab.

NOLA: I didn't mean to.

QUINT: I was so scared that you could have hurt yourself.

NOLA: You really yelled at me.

QUINT: I just wanted you to be careful and I was beginning to realize that I was in love with you and I didn't want to see you hurt.

J: Oh no, here we go again, what next, the retelling of the scuba diving accident for what . . . the 1000th time

Nola and Quint smile at each other and gently kiss

STACEY: I love their stories about Thornway Road and especially the gazebo. Isn't the gazebo still at Grandpa Henry's?

QUINT: Our gazebo, we need to get back there soon

NOLA: yes we do

J: I would love to romp down memory lane all night, but I am beat.

(J gets up to go to bed)

STACEY: Me too, it has been a wonderful, but an exhausting day.

(Stacey gets up and kisses both Nola and Quint good night. Stacey and J leave to their respective rooms)

QUINT: So that leaves you and me and still two empty rooms.

(Nola snuggles closer to Quint and starts to undoe his tie)

NOLA: Do you think you can get a refund on the one room?

QUINT: I don't know. Will I need one?

NOLA: Quint, would you please make love to me tonight?

QUINT: Such a silly question.

(He kisses her and then carries her off to the bedroom)

FADE OUT:

TO BE CONTINUED

10 - "Quinton Cries"

INT. SPRINGFIELD TOWERS BEDROOM -- LATER THAT NIGHT (Scene 34)

QUINT carries NOLA into the room and closes door behind him. The room has a very airy and romantic feel much like their honeymoon room in Ireland. Fresh flower arrangements fill the room. The bed is completely dressed in beautiful fluffy white linens. It is completely white except for the sprig of heather on one of the pillows. Quinton gently lays Nola on the bed and is overwhelmed by seeing her in this romantic setting. They look deeply into each others eyes for a moment without saying a word. Quint places the heather in her hair.

QUINT: (whispers) Are you sure it's okay?

Nola pulls him close to her and begins to unbutton his shirt. She whispers into his ear.

NOLA: It's not okay . . . it's perfect . . . make love to me

She continues to undress him.

QUINT: Nola, I love you more . . . (he is unable to find the words)

NOLA: Shhhhh (she puts her finger to his lips) . . . no more words . . . show me.

Quint looks into her eyes a moment longer. He gently brushes his fingers against the sides of her face. He becomes almost too choked up to continue.

NOLA: (breathlessly): My heart is racing.

Nola smiles at him and slowly kisses his face and then gently his lips. He looks at her still overwhelmed. A tear comes to his eye.

QUINT: (quietly) Nola . . .

NOLA (assuringly): It's okay.

She kisses him gently on the lips again. He gingerly reaches behind her and begins to undo her dress and slowly pulls it down exposing her shoulder which he kisses and then moves over to her neck as he takes her dress off. They kiss passionately.

INT. SPRINGFIELD TOWERS BEDROOM -- LATER THAT NIGHT (Scene 34B)

NOLA and QUINT lie in each others arms. Quint is slowly kissing down her arm to her hand and then each finger. Nola sighs with pleasure. They hold each other tightly. Nola looks into his eyes.

NOLA; (softly) Quinton, you are full of surprises.

QUINT: I'm just so . . . I can't believe I'm having this second chance with you.

NOLA: I feel the same (she kisses him) I think I know the answer to my question yesterday.

QUINT: What question?

NOLA: I said I didn't know who this was harder on. . . it was you . . . you knew the truth and had to stand back and watch our marriage fall apart. I don't think I could have done that.

QUINT: You would have done what you had to.

NOLA (quietly): Quinton, I have hardly ever seen you so emotional. You usually hold everything in.

QUINT: I'm sorry if I disappointed you.

NOLA: No, no, you didn't disappoint me. It makes me feel even closer to you.

QUINT: Just sometimes I wonder if I deserve this . . . deserve you.

NOLA: The way you make me feel so special . . . the way you look at me . . . the way you make love to me . . . I feel so lucky . . . so fortunate. No woman could ask for a more wonderful friend and lover.

They kiss.

INT. SPRINGFIELD TOWERS BEDROOM -- THE NEXT MORNING (SCENE 35)

QUINTON rests on his arm watching NOLA sleep. He flashes back to the night before; to the night in the tent; to the NSBR; to Hollywood; to St. Croix; to the Gazebo when they first met. She begins to stir and notices Quint staring at her.

NOLA: Sweetheart?

Quint snaps out of it.

QUINT: I'm sorry, I was just thinking about us. I was remembering the first time I saw you at the gazebo.

NOLA: (dreamily): The gazebo. I was so different back then. It was such a long long time ago.

QUINT: It's so awesome to think that chance meeting brought us to this point. We have had a long life together, we have children, we have all these years infront of us. We are both so different because of each other.

Nola cuddles up to him

NOLA: I know.

Outside their room they can hear the voices of Stacey and J laughing and talking.

QUINT: I guess we should get out of bed.

NOLA: I don't want to.

QUINT: Me neither

NOLA: So you think Stacey will want to move to Springfield?

QUINT: I don't know. She does have another semester before she graduates so maybe she'll just go back and forth.

NOLA: I really want her too, but I'm also afraid for her to be here. Afraid that she might find out about . . . her biological father.

QUINT: I was thinking the same thing. We had always meant to tell her, but then we had out problems and it got forgotten.

NOLA: It would be so easy for her to run into someone that knows him and so easy for her to find out that he's not dead, but in prison. I just want to protect her from that.

QUINT: We can't protect her forever. She's a grown woman who needs to know the truth as ugly as it is. I remember how upset I was when I learned out the truth about my father. I don't want her to go throught that.

NOLA: I know. We'll tell her. I promise . . . are you at all worried about her knowing the truth?

QUINT: Stacey has known since she was a little girl that I adopted her and as far as I'm concerned and I think she's concerned . . . I'm her father and she's my daughter.

NOLA: She adores you. She is closer to you than she is to me, but I hope we can work that out.

Quint kisses Nola

NOLA: We really better get up.

Quint and Nola start to get out of bed.

INT. SPRINGFIELD TOWERS SUITE -- A FEW MINUTES LATER (SCENE 36)

NOLA and QUINT come out of their room dressed in robes.

QUINT & NOLA (together and brightly): Morning

STACEY: (teasing) Well, it's about time.

STACEY gives Quint and Nola a big hug and kiss.

STACEY: (still teasing) So did you kids have fun?

J: Stace, come on, don't gross me out!!

Quint notices that breakfast has already been delivered.

QUINT: Nola, look, our wonderful children ordered us breakfast and look it's all our favorites.

NOLA: (teasing) How did they know?

QUINT: Where did those flowers come from?

Quint points to a huge arrangement of fresh flowers.

STACEY: Why don't you open the card and find out.

Quint and Nola go to the flowers and Nola opens the card.

NOLA (reading aloud): "To My Dearest Quinton and Nola, I knew you would find your way again. Love Renny." They're from Mrs. Renfield, Quinton!!

QUINT: How did she know?

STACEY: I had to call her and tell her the wonderful news. She was so happy for you both. She cried. She says she hasn't been feeling well lately, but that this has really lifted her spirits.

NOLA: Stacey, thank you for doing that. (she hugs Stacey) I hope she's okay.

QUINT: We'll both call her later and maybe we'll try to visit her soon.

STACEY: So what are the plans for today?

QUINT: Unfortunately, I have to start wrapping up the dig site. I think I am going to be staying her until I . . . we find a new place.

J: Mom, what are you doing about that?

NOLA: I think your father and I need to talk about that first before I say anything.

QUINT (disappointed): Nola, you are going to be staying here with me . . . aren't you?

NOLA: Quinton, we need to discuss this another time.

STACEY: Mom is something wrong?

NOLA: (assuringly) No, nothing is wrong at all. We just need to take this one step at a time. My heads already spinning from everything that's happened.

FADE OUT:

TO BE CONTINUED

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