18 int. ERICA'S OLD BEDROOM - DAY
SAM and ERICA walk in.
ERICA
What's going on?
SAM
'What's going on'? Erica, you've been off the whole evening. What's up?
ERICA
Oh, I guess I forgot to turn my party button on.
SAM
And why is that?
ERICA
It's... It's nothing... I'm just tired.
SAM
Erica...
Sam and Erica sit on the bed.
SAM
You're the worst liar ever.
ERICA
(Sighs)
Look, I... I wasn't gonna say anything, but...
Once I was the first person you told you were pregnant...
SAM
What? You're pregnant?
ERICA
I took a test right before the rehearsal dinner and... I got a positive.
SAM
(Surprised)
What?! Oh my God, Erica! Congratulations!
ERICA
No! No... Don't say that.
SAM
No?
ERICA
Look, my life is a mess right now.
I have to focus on the job, Adam and I aren't together anymore...
SAM
You've always wanted to have kids.
ERICA
Yes, but not like this!
SAM
So... What are you gonna do?
ERICA
(Sighs)
Isn't it ironic? I always thought that having a baby,
being a mom was the most beautiful and fulfilling thing in life,
and now that I'm finally pregnant, the rest of my life is
a complete chaos and I don't feel blessed at all.
SAM
Yeah, I know. That's how life works.
ERICA
I really don't know what to do. Everything is so fresh.
SAM
I know. I know. And I'm here for you.
Sam and Erica give a hug.
ERICA
Thank you!
19 int. TOM'S HOUSE, dinning room - NIGHT
TOM is cleaning the table with a cloth and Sarah puts some candles on it.
SARAH
And we're done!
TOM
Mission accomplished, partner.
SARAH
Hey, is it okay if I go out?
TOM
(Preocupied)
Is... Is that allowed?
SARAH
Yes, dad! It's allowed.
TOM
Well, so... If it's allowed, I don't see any problem.
What time are you coming back?
SARAH
Don't worry! I'm just going for a walk.
I've been stuck in the rehab clinic for way too long.
TOM
Well, you escaped a week ago.
SARAH
Exactly! I need to unwind. But I went back and I was fine.
I made some tests and stuff...
TOM
I know, I know! I trust you.
SARAH
Thank you!
Sarah kisses Tom in the cheek and walks to the door.
SARAH
See you later!
TOM
Okay! I'll be waiting!
We hear the front door closing. Tom walks to the sitting room.
20 INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
TOM walks in and looks at the window.
21 EXT. STREET, POV SHOT - NIGHT
TOM watches SARAH walking.
22 INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
TOM is concerned. Steps away from the window. Sits on the sofa, thoughtful.
FLASHBACK
23 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM, 2022 - DAY
ERICA is in the bed. She is older and bald. TOM is at her side. They both have tears in their eyes.
TOM
Yes. We don't need to be unbreakable to be like a diamond.
We just need to shine.
Erica holds his hand.
ERICA
Thank you, Dr. Tom.
TOM
Thank you for wanting to see me one last time.
I only wish that I could be in here with you during the whole process.
I don't want to go back to the present knowing that you're here... Suffering.
ERICA
Life's made of good and bad moments.
And you just need to get the best of everything.
TOM
Indeed... Dr. Erica.
ERICA
Do you want to know the true truth about life?... It's ironic.
Take me as an example. When I finally felt completely happy about everything,
that's when I got cancer. And you know what?
I made my piece with it. It's the whole point.
TOM
I know... But... It's unfair. Sometimes life's unfair.
ERICA
No... It's not.
Erica passes the hands on Tom's face.
ERICA
It felt good meeting you in your office.
TOM
Oh, I... I remember that.
ERICA
It was a few months ago. It happened because of the cancer.
I decided that I needed to finally live in the present and I felt the need
to tell me that in the past. And now I felt the need to see you one last time.
Tom cries.
TOM
I love you, Erica.
ERICA
I love you too, Dr. Tom.
A light fills the room and Dr. Tom disappears.
END OF FLASHBACK
24 INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
TOM looks crestfallen.
TOM
'Life is ironic. It takes sadness to know what happiness is.
Noise to appreciate silence. Absence to value presence',
unknown.
25 INT. DINNING ROOM - NIGHT
GARY, BARBARA, ROBERTA, JOE, DANIEL, LAUREN, CARL, AUDREY, LENIN, GUS and PHOEBE are at the table. ERICA and SAM walk in, coming from the stairs.
BARBARA
Oh, here they are!
SAM
Hey!
ERICA
What did we miss?
LENIN
Is everything okay?
ERICA
Sure!
SAM
We just had a sister talk.
ERICA
Yup.
JOE
Oh, I know what that is.
My sisters and I have had loads of those talks.
Gary stands up.
GARY
And now it's me who wants to talk to you.
To all of you. I was waiting for you girls to join us. Because...
I'd like to make a toast.
Erica and Sam take their seats.
GARY
You see, life has changed. A lot.
It's been a hell of a ride; a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs.
Very inconstant. And now here I am, engaged with my ex-wife.
And here I am surrounded by a family that is bigger than before.
And here I am still breathing love; the love that was always part of my life.
Part of our lives. And I just wanted to thank you for everything.
We need to stay together to face what's to come.
Erica listens to her dad, delighted. Gets thoughtful, smiles and nods.
GARY
But I promise that, for my part,
I'll try to keep things as calm and constant as possible!
Everyone laughs. Gary raises a glass.
GARY
To us!
GUS
To Gary and Barb!
EVERYONE
(Raising glasses)
To Gary and Barb!
Erica prepares to drink from the glass. Sam notices her and makes her a sign for not to drink. Erica shrugs the shoulders and drinks anyway.
PHOEBE
Okay, since we're all here, we need to give our love
and positive energy to the couple Barb and Gary.
So I purpose that we give them a group hug.
You know, this kind of tsunami of happiness and positiveness.
They deserve it. What do you think?
Everyone seem a little embarrassed.
LENIN
Mom, I don't know if that's a good idea...
PHOEBE
Oh, come on, everyone! Don't be shy.
A hug is a good thing. It's human contact.
And we can only live if we're together. So, don't be shy.
Come on!
Phoebe pushes everyone to Gary and Barb.
PHOEBE
Come on, that's it. Very good! Let's go!
And think of happy things while you're giving this hug of life.
Everyone hugs Barb and Gary.
26 EXT. STREET - NIGHT
It's dark. SARAH is walking. Seems nervous. Stops near an alley. Looks at it. Seems to be looking for someone. There's no one in there. Sarah prepares to go away. Turns around. PETER appears in front of her. Sarah gets frightened.