(CONT'D)
I would have gotten SO much farther with her if I had told her then.
Nina turns to Andrew.
NINA
You can be such a sarcastic ass some times.
ANDREW
Sorry, but I have spending a lot of time wishing I had done it differently. Regardless of what scenario I come up with, me without her seems to be the only logical result.
The band ends its set. Andrew, Nina, and the rest of the audience applause. Andrew looks around the auditorium at the couples and families.
ANDREW (CONT'D) My heart wants to believe that special one for me is still out there, but my mind has a better understanding of reality.
Nina looks back at Andrew and places her hand on his shoulder. A new group of band members rotate into place, and Kelly walks over to where Nina and Andrew are seated.
KELLY
So, what did you think?
NINA
You were wonderful, honey. You looked like a pro.
KELLY
How bout you, Andy? Think I could get a part in your movie.
Andrew laughs before speaking.
ANDREW
I don’t recall a role for a marimba player, but then again I’m not involved in casting. Tell you what. I will talk to Mark and see what we can do.
KELLY
That would be SO cool. Thanks.
Nina turns to Andrew.
NINA
Don’t put ideas in her head. I’m the one who has to live with her.
Kelly sits down next to Nina.
Camera shot of stage. As props are prepared for a Christmas play in the background, the music conductor approaches the center microphone.
MC
I hope you have all enjoyed the program so far. We have a surprise guest with us this evening, someone I’m sure the performers and many of the audience will recognize. Would you all please welcome Ms. Chelsea Bryant to the stage.
The startled crowd initially gives sporadic applause. Eventually all of the audience are clapping. The students assembling the props stop what they are doing. Chelsea walks over from the shadow of side of the stage to the microphone.
Camera shot of Andrew, Nina, and Kelly. Andrew and Nina look at each other.
ANDREW
This is why Rebecca texted you?
NINA
Believe me, I had no idea.
Kelly’s eyes are fixed on the stage.
KELLY
This is SO cool.
Kelly turns to Nina.
KELLY (CONT'D) Can we go meet her, Mom?
Nina turns back to the stage.
NINA
I don’t know. We’ll see.
Closeup camera shot of Chelsea at the microphone.
CHELSEA
Hello. I would like to wish all of the performers and their fans in the audience a Merry Christmas, and I hope they all enjoy performing as much as I did when I was their age.
Chelsea pauses for a moment, gazing around the audience.
CHELSEA (CONT'D) When I was on stage for the first time, under the spotlight like they are tonight, I didn’t think I could be any happier. All of the success I have had since, I owe to the support of my family and the community where I grew up. From the support I have seen tonight, it is obvious that these students will be just as successful.
Chelsea steps away from the microphone and exits back stage. The audience again gives a round of applause. The MC returns to the microphone.
MC
Thank you very much, Ms. Bryant. We will now take a ten minutes for the stage to be prepared for the next event in the program.
Chelsea steps out of the side stage door into the hallway. A group of teens and children walk up to her with pens and paper, asking for her autograph. As she signs the papers and pageant programs, Chelsea looks up to her left to see down the hallway back to the auditorium. The hallway is empty.
Music begins to play in the auditorium. One girl remains. Chelsea gives the last autograph.
CHELSEA
Who would you like this made out to?
KELLY Kelly.
Chelsea looks up from the program she is about to sign.
CHELSEA
Kelly? You wouldn’t happen to be Nina’s daughter?
KELLY That’s me.
CHELSEA
Yes, I see the resemblance. You have your mother’s good looks.
Chelsea completes the autograph and hands it to Kelly.
KELLY
If you want to avoid the crowd, I’d suggest you use that exit door behind you.
Chelsea looks at her for a moment, puzzled, turns to see the exit door, then back at Kelly.
KELLY (CONT'D) Just a suggestion.
Kelly turns and walks down the hallway and back into the auditorium.
With an anxious face, she turns right to a side exit door to the outside. Chelsea opens the door and steps outside, the door closing behind her.
A single light is above the doorway. Several feet in front of her is a figure, standing in the shadow beyond the reach of the light.
Andrew steps forward into the light, standing in front of Chelsea. Chelsea stands silently for a moment.
ANDREW
This is a bit of a surprise.
Chelsea looks down sheepishly, then back up into Andrew’s eyes.
CHELSEA I’m sorry.
ANDREW
You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who was so naive, the one who made a fool of himself believing in a fairy tale.
CHELSEA
Fairy tales are what we all dream of.
Chelsea reaches down and grabs Andrew’s hand with her left.
CHELSEA (CONT'D) And you are my fairy tale. You are my knight in shining armor, riding in to my rescue...(Chelsea gives a slight laugh) both figuratively and literally.
Andrew looks down at her hand holding his.
ANDREW
You were right when you said you don’t owe me anything.
Andrew looks back up at Chelsea.
ANDREW (CONT'D) I was just in the right place at the right time.
CHELSEA
You were where you were supposed to be, where your heart was meant to be...with mine. You knew all along. I didn’t know until now.
Chelsea places her right hand on his left cheek.
CHELSEA (CONT'D) I’m so sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me. I was scared. Just too afraid to open up to you.
A tear rolls down Chelsea’s right cheek. Andrew lifts his other hand to wipe the tear from her face, then pushes her hair away from her eye.
ANDREW
There will never be a time when you will ever need my forgiveness. I love you, and that love will always accept you for who you are, regardless of what you say or do.
Chelsea wraps her arms around Andrew in an embrace, and they hold one another. Chelsea’s head rests on his shoulder.
CHELSEA
I love you so much...don’t ever let me go.
ANDREW
Chelsea, you are the one I would never want to leave, and the only one I could not wait to get back to.
Chelsea lifts her head off Andrew’s shoulder and kisses him. She then steps back, his arms still wrapped around her, her hands on his shoulders.
CHELSEA
I guess I should tell the cabbie he can go.
ANDREW
Already did. I saw him when I went out front to try to catch you.
Chelsea laughs.
CHELSEA
I guess you were pretty confident about why I came.
ANDREW
I was willing to take the risk.
CHELSEA
I’m so glad you did with me.
Andrew and Chelsea kiss again. Camera fades out from side of church building.
Scene 6
EXT. CHURCH IN SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. DECEMBER 24TH. NIGHT
Camera shot looking toward front of church.
Show covers the ground and branches of trees bracketing the front of the church. A faint yellow light streams from the windows on opposite sides of the front door.
INT. CHURCH IN SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. DECEMBER 24TH. NIGHT
Camera shot of church’s center aisle. Altar at far end is flanked by trees decorated with white lights. Candles in candlesticks are placed in each window up both sides of the church. Red bows are hung on the ends of the pews.
Standing at the altar are Andrew, dressed in a tartan, and the Minister. Mollie is seated in the first pew left of the altar. Rebecca is in the first pew right of the altar.
From doorway to the left of the entrance, Chelsea enters on the arm of Kyle. They walk to the end of the aisle, and then down the aisle to the altar. Andrew and the Minister, and the face the procession. Mollie stands next to her pew, tears welling up in her eyes. Rebecca stands next to her pew.
At the altar, Chelsea steps forward from Kyle to stand opposite Andrew and they turn to face each other.
Kyle steps over next to Mollie. They each wrap an arm around the other and they both sit down in the pew.
The minister places himself next to Chelsea and Andrew. Rebecca steps forward to stand opposite the minister, holding three drapery cords in her hand.
MINISTER
Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Chelsea and Andrew are both looking at the minister.
CHELSEA Yes, I do.
ANDREW Yes, I do.
MINISTER
I bid you look into one another’s eyes.
Chelsea and Andrew turn their looks to each other’s eyes.
MINISTER (CONT'D)
Chelsea, will you honor Andrew?
CHELSEA I will.
MINISTER
Andrew, will you honor Chelsea?
ANDREW I will.
MINISTER
Chelsea and Andrew, will you seek never to give cause to break that honor?
CHELSEA Yes.
ANDREW Yes.
MINISTER
And so the binding is made. Join your hands.
Chelsea and Andrew reach out and hold each other’s hands, right hand to left hand.
Rebecca places a cord over there outstretched hands.
MINISTER (CONT'D) Chelsea, will you share Andrew’s dreams?
CHELSEA I will.
MINISTER
Andrew, will you share Chelsea’s dreams?
ANDREW I will.
MINISTER
Chelsea and Andrew, will you dream together to create your new life?
CHELSEA Yes.
ANDREW