Back to the present:
It's the evening of the day after Christianna's birth. Shirley relaxes in the hospital bed, feeding the baby. "Chuck, can you move the pillow behind me? It slipped and it's putting pressure on my back."
He repositions the pillow. "Better?"
"Mmm, yes," she smiles, as he gives her a peck on the lips.
"How are you feeling?"
"I feel really good." She looks down at her child at her breast, "I can't wait to take her home."
"I can't wait to take you two home."
Christianna detaches and begins squirming. "Here, burp your daughter while I go to the bathroom. I'm about to pop."
"C'mere, baby girl," Chuck smiles, as he lifts his daughter from her mother's arms, and cradles her at his shoulder.
Shirley beams with pride, as she takes in the sight of her husband with their new daughter. She slowly gets out of bed, and stands as she steadies herself. Then, she makes her way across the room. "Oh!"
"Honey?"
"I'm fine. It's just been eleven years since I've done this last."
"If you need help, let me know."
"I will."
She uses the restroom and walks back to her bed. Gingerly, she lowers herself back onto the bed, and stretches back out.
"When are your parents coming to meet the baby?" Chuck inquires.
"Tomorrow. Mom's so excited."
Shirley's grin always warms Chuck's heart. "Did you know how beautiful you are?"
She blushes.
"I'm serious," he smiles, burping the baby.
Shirley beams.
Back at the motel:
Shirley and Chuck rest in the motel room. Keith and Danny are staying with Laurie for a few hours. Reuben is arranging to ship the Partridges' belongings that survived the accident, back to their house. The rest of the tour has been canceled and the Partridge Family Band has officially been dissolved. He is also working with media outlets with the press releases, announcing the demise of the band, deaths of Chris and Tracy, and health status of Laurie.
Chuck is asleep and Shirley rouses from sleep. His arms are wrapped around her and she snuggles into his embrace. She looks toward the corner table and sees Danny's tape recorder; she gasps. Chuck awakens. "Shirl?"
"Danny's tape recorder," she stammers, her chin quivering, as she turns to face her fiancé.
"What about the recorder?"
"Danny..." she begins, then pauses and regroups. "You know I told you we'd been rehearsing the song Keith wrote with Tracy having the lead, before we stopped at that last pit stop?"
"Yes," he answers.
"Danny told Keith and me that he'd recorded the last bit of rehearsing the song," she sniffs.
'Oh?"
"It's not just the last time the six of us will ever sing together, but it's also the last recording we'll ever have of Chris and Tracy," she cries. "Oh Chuck! I'll never hear their sweet voices again!" She begins to wail. "My babies are gone!"
Chuck holds her as she weeps.
"C... cou... could you play the tape for me?"
"Are you sure?"
"I need to hear my babies' voices."
"All right." He releases her, gets up and retrieves the recorder. Then, he brings it back, turns it on, and holds her as it begins to play. Shirley weeps silently into his embrace.
The song ends and she turns it off. "It's over, isn't it?"
"What's over?" he asks, curious.
"The band. Life as we used to know it." She inhales and pauses. "And Chris and Tracy are gone! I know I keep saying it, but I just can't believe it."
Chuck kisses away the tears on her cheeks.