Prologue I
(January 17th, 1459. Warners' House. Warners' Bedroom. Night. Venice, Italy)
(Zack: Age 5. Sam: Age 3. Gabby: Age 1)
Zack: C'mon, Madre! (Mom!)
*Gabrielle sighs then looks at her two sons laying in their bunks and smiles*
Gabrielle: If I tell you kids the story, do you promise to go to sleep?
Zack and Sam: Yeah!
Zack: Tell it ten times!
Gabrielle: *Smiles and chuckles* One time, Zack. But I'm not sure if we'll be able to get through it all tonight; your bedtime is coming close. But anyway, let's start from the beginning.
(March 29th, 1453)
Nicolas: You're having the baby now! You can't have it now, today is not my day in the pool!
Gabrielle: Do you honestly think I can control that!
Kim: Help me lay her on the cot!
Nicolas: Okay. *Helps Kim lift Gabrielle then freezes and stares with a confused look* What's a cot?
Kim: Just follow me!
*Nicolas and Kim lift Gabrielle onto the cot*
Nicolas: Now what?
Kim: Stay here and coach her. I'll be right back.
*Kim runs out of the room*
Nicolas: Don't worry, my dear.
*Nicolas calmly strokes his wife's hand while she breathes heavily*
Gabrielle: I have every right to worry! I don't know how painful this is going to be!
Nicolas: Just keep thinking of the outcome. We're going to have our own child! You should be happy.
Gabrielle: *Sighs then smiles at Nicolas* You're right.
*Kim runs back into the room with a rag on her shoulder and a wide bucket of hot water in her hands. Time passes*
Kim: Are you ready, Gabrielle?
Gabrielle: I *Breathes* don't know.
*Gabrielle continues to breathe heavily. Kim looks down at her with a concerned look then gazes up to Nicolas. He's still holding his spouse's hand while watching her. Nicolas's eyes turn to Kim. Kim gives Nicolas a clichéd nod and furls her brows*
Kim: Alright. Push now!
Gabrielle: AAAAAAAAAAGH!
Kim: Good. Good.
Nicolas: Are you sure you know what you're doing?
Kim: I've been through many training sessions but never performed an actual delivery.
Nicolas: Can't we send for the doctor?
Kim: Michael?
Nicolas: Yeah, can we send for him?
Kim: He's most likely suffering from a hangover right now.
Nicolas: I'm worried.
Kim: You just have to belief in me, Nick.
*Nicolas takes a deep breath and calms himself while wiping sweat away*
Nicolas: Okay. I fully trust you, Kim. Please deliver my child safely.
Kim: I'll do the best I can. Push!
Gabrielle: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Kim: Okay, breathe!
Nicolas: Keep it up, my dear!
Kim: Again!
Gabrielle: AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! THIS IS REALLY PAINFUL!
Kim: Keep doing that, we're almost done!
Nicolas: You'll get through this.
Gabrielle: AGH! STILL HURTS!
Nicolas: Just keep it up. You're doing great.
Kim: We're done! *Gabrielle breathes heavily. Kim stands straight up with Gabrielle's baby in her arms* It's healthy, I can tell.
Nicolas: Ha! See, Gabrielle? That hard work in bed paid off!
*Kim stares blankly at Nicolas*
Nicolas: So, what is it?
Kim: It's a boy.
Nicolas: Yes! A boy! I have a son now!
Gabrielle: Hey, don't leave me out of the celebration!
Kim: *Looks at the baby in her own arms and gives him a wide smile* Hey, little guy. You have a bright future ahead of you.
Nicolas: Give him here. *Kim hands the baby to Nicolas* Helloooo, my son. You are a very fortunate boy.
Kim: So, what are you going to name him?
Gabrielle: What shall we call him, mi amore? (My love)
Nicolas: His name will- He shall be called Zacharias. Zacharias Warner!
Kim: Hm… *Shows Nicolas the birth certificate* Is this how you spell it?
Nicolas: Let me see. *Looks at the birth certificate and smirks* You're good.
Kim: Thanks. Congratulations, you two! It looks like you got one that was born cute.
Nicolas: Kim, boys are not cute.
Kim: They are when they're babies! *Tickles Zack's belly and he giggles* Heehee.
Nicolas: My own son.
Gabrielle: May I see him?
Nicolas: Of course you can.
*Nicolas carefully hands Zack to Gabrielle*
Gabrielle: Hello Zacharias. I'm so happy. He has your eyes, Nick.
Nicolas: This is truly amazing. You did great, mia cara. (my dear)
(November 9th, 1455. Warners' House. Morning)
*Nicolas and Zack are both staring out the window in the living room*
Nicolas: See the snow falling?
Zack: Mhm.
Nicolas: Snow is rare here. It's fun to watch, isn't it?
Zack: Meh.
*Nicolas stares at Zack and chuckles*
Nicolas: You don't seem interested.
*Gabrielle enters the living room. Her belly is bulging and her walking is slow*
Nicolas: I would take you out there and play, Zack. However, your mother could have the baby at any moment, so we have to be prepared.
Gabrielle: *Gasps* Oh no! *Drops to her knees*
Nicolas: Gabrielle! *Runs to Gabrielle and crouches down to her* Are you okay? Is it a bad case of indigestion?
Gabrielle: No, my water broke!
Nicolas: Oh… Um, that's okay, accidents happen once in a while.
Gabrielle: Not that! It means I'm having the baby!
Nicolas: What! You're having it now! I'm so unprepared! Can't you hold it in!
Gabrielle: IT IS NOT MY CHOICE!
Nicolas: Don't worry, I have everything under control! Zack, stay here! I'll be right back!
*Nicolas runs upstairs sweating as Gabrielle stares at him blankly. She turns her head to her son looking up to her*
Gabrielle: He's a wreck.
*Zack smiles at her as Nicolas runs downstairs with a towel and lays it on the floor*
Nicolas: Just lay on that, dear.
Gabrielle: Are you kidding? Ugh. *Breathes heavily* Okay. *Lays on the towel. Zack looks at his mother with a worried face. Gabrielle looks into his beady eyes then smiles confidently* Don't worry Zack, I'll be fine.
*Time passes*
Nicolas: Hey Gabrielle, I can see the baby! I think it's time to push!
Zack: So that's where babies come from?
Nicolas: Heh heh. Yes Zack, that is where babies come from.
Gabrielle: Would you two immature idiots stop entertaining yourselves and HELP ME!
Nicolas: *Rapidly shakes his head and scoffs at himself* Okay dear, push now!
Gabrielle: AAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Nicolas: You know, this actually sounds painful. I'm glad I don't have to go through this.
Gabrielle: YOU'RE NOT HELPING!
Zack: C'mon, Mom!
Nicolas: You can do this, mi amore. Just push.
Gabrielle: Easier said… THAN DONE- AGH!
Nicolas: Good job! *Stands up straight with the newborn in his arms* It's a boy.
Gabrielle: Give me a breather.
*Gabrielle breathes heavily as Nicolas shows the baby to Zack*
Nicolas: Zack, look!
Zack: Neato!
Nicolas: This is your baby brother, Zack. *Gabrielle calms her breathing then sighs* What's wrong?
Gabrielle: I was honestly hoping for a girl this time.
Nicolas: Oh well. Better luck next time.
Gabrielle: *Widens her eyes* Next… Time! Never mind. Just give me my baby. *Nicolas hands the baby over to Gabrielle* Welcome to the world, my second born son. Zack, come here.
Zack: Okay! *Sits next to Gabrielle* Hello…
Gabrielle: He's sleeping.
*Gabrielle and Zack stare intently at the baby. Gabrielle takes a glance back to Zack and they smile at each other. Gabrielle comes to a realization then turns to Nicolas*
Gabrielle: Nick, what will his name be?
Nicolas: Samuel Warner.
Gabrielle: Samuel. Sam. I like it. Zack, this is your brother, Sam.
Zack: I love him!
Gabrielle: Heh heh.
Nicolas: Zacharias, this baby is now your responsibility. I will warn you that in the future, you two might argue and quarrel once in a while, but you must always love and look after him.
Zack: We're going to play all the time!
Gabrielle: Whoa, take it slowly, Zacharias; he just learned how to open his eyes.
Nicolas: I have something for him.
*Nicolas takes out a red hat and puts it on Sam's head. Gabrielle stares at her new child then at Nicolas in confusion*
Gabrielle: What is this?
Nicolas: I had it put aside just in case we did have another boy. It looks good on him.
Gabrielle: We'll just have to wait until he can decide for himself. *Smiles and chuckles. She then widens her eyes and stares at Sam's tongue hanging out of his mouth* Why does-
Nicolas: Just leave it on him for now. He seems to like it…
(December 06th, 1455. Warners' House. Zack and Sam's bedroom. Night)
Gabrielle: Goodnight, boys. Be good to your brother, Zack.
Zack: Do I have to sleep in a crib?
Nicolas: It's only for now. I'll build you a bed soon. Until then, you and your brother will have to share the crib.
Zack: Can't I keep sleeping in the big bed?
Nicolas: Well… *Darts his eyes toward Gabrielle then back at Zack* Sometimes me and your mother want some privacy. You understand, don't you?
Zack: I guess.
Nicolas: Good. Buonanotte, (Goodnight) you two.
Gabrielle: Sogni paciavole. (Sweet dreams)
*Nicolas and Gabrielle exit the bedroom. Zack pulls the blankets on him and lays his head on his end of the crib and tries to go to sleep. Sam then belches and Zack snickers*
Zack: Go to sleep, Bro.
*Sam pulls the covers off of Zack and pulls them all over himself. Zack takes the covers back, but Sam pulls them from Zack again*
Zack: Now that's annoying.
*Sam pretends to snore*
Zack: Why me? *Gets an idea and pulls the covers away from Sam and pretends to snore. Sam squirms to Zack's end of the crib and lays next to Zack. Sam looks at Zack with a sad face* Aw… Okay, I'm sorry too.
(March 29th, 1456. Warners' House. Kitchen. Morning)
Gabrielle: Here you go! *Puts a fresh cake on the table* Happy birthday!
Nicolas: Happy third birthday, Zacharias!
*Sam widens his eyes and licks his lips. Gabrielle notices*
Gabrielle: Uh-oh. Sam is eyeing the cake.
Nicolas: He won't do anything troublesome. Make a wish, Zack.
*Zack blows out the candles*
Gabrielle and Nicolas: Yaaaaay!
Nicolas: Alright, let's cut the cake!
*Sam instinctively reaches from his high chair and grabs a big hunk of the cake and attempts to shove it all in his mouth but gets most of the cake on his face. Sam keeps grabbing more of the cake*
Gabrielle: Sam! Bad! *Pulls Sam's high chair away from the table. Sam looks at Gabrielle and smiles. She can't help but laugh at the thick layer of cake on his face. Zack has a disappointed look on his face. Gabrielle looks at Zack and sighs* I'm sorry, Zack.
Zack: It's okay.
Nicolas: No, you shouldn't have to deal with that. If there's anything you want, just ask.
Zack: It's alright. I'm fine.
Nicolas: *Sighs* Okay.
Zack: You want to know what's funny?
Nicolas: What?
Zack: When I made my wish, I wished that that wouldn't happen.
*Zack gives a smirk*
Nicolas: Hahahaha!
(November 9th, 1456. Warners' House. Dining Room. Afternoon)
Gabrielle and Nicolas: Happy birthday, Sam!
*Gabrielle puts a cake on the table*
Gabrielle: Now let's just cut this up and hand out slices.
Zack: Looks good. *Grabs a chunk of the cake and shoves it in his mouth*
Gabrielle and Nicolas: Zack!
Nicolas: What's gotten into you!
Zack: This cake is getting into me now. *Swallows* What! It's payback for MY birthday!
*Sam smiles then grabs a chunk of the cake and throws it at Zack. The cake chunk lands on Zack's nose*
Zack: Hey! *Licks the cake off his nose* Tastes good.
*Gabrielle sighs*
Nicolas: Boys will be boys, dear.
(November 15th, 1456. Warners' House. Living room. Afternoon)
*Sam is sitting on the floor playing with a couch cushion. Gabrielle is sitting in her chair and Zack is sitting on her lap*
Gabrielle: You know Zack; you've been a very great big brother.
Zack: Really?
Gabrielle: Yes, for certain. *Zack smiles at her and she smiles back* Oh, you know how much I love to see you smile.
Zack: I love you, Mom.
*Sam lifts his arms toward Zack*
Zack: Gotta go, Mom. *Jumps out of Gabrielle's lap and onto the floor* Okay Fratello, (Brother) you ready to try this again?
*Sam nods*
Zack: Va bene, (Alright) get up. *Grabs Sam's hand and helps him to his feet* Come on, you can do this. *Stands behind Sam so Sam can walk forward and keeps his hands close so Sam doesn't fall* Walk forward. You can do it. *Sam walks a few steps forward until he falls. Zack catches him* It's okay, I got you.
*Nicolas enters the living room*
Nicolas: Still trying?
Gabrielle: Yup. They just won't give up. They take breaks once in a while but they keep trying. It's real cute if you ask me.
Nicolas: *Stares blankly at Gabrielle* Boys are not cute. I would say brotherly. It's very touching to see Zack help Sam like this.
Gabrielle: That's what makes it cute. It makes me wonder what else we might see them help each other with.
Nicolas: They have a very strong bond, that's for sure.
(April 18th 1457. Warners' House. Living room. Night)
*Nicolas has just finished making a quintavarium*
Nicolas: Zack, look at this.
*Zack looks at Nicolas*
Nicolas: Watch. *Takes one of the quintavarium balls and releases it to hit the other balls and demonstrates the conservation of momentum and energy*
Zack: Whoa! That's neat!
Nicolas: Let me explain it to you. By lifting up the ball, you create momentum. Momentum is another word for stored energy. When you release the ball, the potential energy, or momentum, becomes kinetic energy, which is energy of a moving object. When that kinetic energy contacts the rest of the balls, the energy conducts with the ball it touches, and the ball next to it feels the energy too, and the ball next to that ball and so on. This carries the energy into the last ball, and since it has nothing else to touch, the energy can't be suppressed and the ball goes flying. Then when it reaches the height of its swing, the process begins again. The process goes back and forth until all the energy is used up. Do you understand, son?
Zack: You're nuts!
Nicolas: Heh heh heh. You'll understand soon. I'm not as dumb as I look.
*Sam walks over to Zack, sits down, and grabs Zack's tail*
Zack: *Glares at Sam with furled brows* Do you mind?
*Sam points his finger forward*
Zack: You want me to drag you around?
*Sam nods*
Zack: Alright, *smiles* let's go for a ride! *Zack walks around the living room while Sam is holding onto Zack's tail*
Sam: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
*Gabrielle enters from upstairs and gasps*
Gabrielle: Sam! Stop! You're going to dislocate his tail doing that!
Zack: I'm fine, Madre. He's not too much weight to pull.
*Sam bites Zack's tail*
Zack: YEOWCH! *Looks at Sam angrily again* Don't do that, or else you're not getting a ride!
*Sam smiles*
*Scene transitions back to the present*
*Zack and Sam are laughing. Gabrielle is chuckling along with him. Nicolas enters the bedroom*
Nicolas: Gabrielle, it's getting late.
Gabrielle: I'm sorry, Nick. I think that's enough for tonight, boys. We'll finish tomorrow night, I promise.
Zack: Promise?
Gabrielle: I promise. Buonanotte, (Goodnight) kids.
*Gabrielle exits the bedroom and closes the door behind her*