Sophie and Josh go for a picnic by the river, with Lisa and Lawson.

The boys have brought fishing gear with them although they're not too familiar with the sport, since their childhood, but they're having a go. Ryan watches them in fascination, he's now 3 yrs old.

Lisa and Sophie chat animatedly about everything, they're relaxed, drinking a glass of white wine. Sophie hasn't had too much to drink though, she's been trying to stay healthy lately.

Josh and Lawson are on their second beer. The girls are sitting on the picnic rug nearby, surrounded by bushland. Suddenly everyone hears a voice cry out in alarm. Josh and Lawson turn around and look at the girls.
Josh; "Where's Ryan ?"
Sophie stands up quickly, looking all around.
Josh; "I thought he was with you Sophie"
Lawson puts down his fishing rod.
Lawson; "He can't have got far Josh"
Sophie; "That was his voice !"
Josh; "Where'd it come from ?"
They all start beating their way through the bush, calling out Ryan's name.

Josh's heart is beating like crazy. He's furious with Sophie. She was just sitting on the rug chatting while he was concentrating on fishing. It's her fault, it was her responsibility to keep an eye on Ryan. She should have been watching him. He frowns angrily while he pushes aside branches.

They keep calling out his name.
Ryan responds; "Daddy !"
Josh; "Coming mate ! Just stay still, don't move"
They can hear Ryan sobbing.
Lawson comes upon him first.
Lawson; "Hey little fella, what are you doing here ?"
Ryan; "I want daddy" ( crying )
He is on the ground, leaning against a rock, his clothes all muddy.
Josh arrives. "Ryan, hey, what's wrong ?" Josh grabs him in relief but Ryan cries out sharply in pain.
Josh and Lawson check him over for injuries while the girls turn up.
Sophie; "Oh, thank god, he's OK"
Josh; "No, he's not Ok Sophie" ( angrily )
Sophie is too stunned to speak.
Ryan's arm is where the injury is. He is still crying. Josh picks him up carefully now and carries him back to the car.
Sophie; "Josh ! talk to me !"
Josh turns back and looks angrily at her, with Ryan's sobbing head leaning on his shoulder.
Josh; "Looks like he's broken his arm. You're lucky it wasn't worse. I'm taking him to the hospital."
Lawson places a hand on Sophie's shoulder, "Come on Sophie, lets go."
They follow Josh.
Sophie to Lawson; "Why's it all my fault ?"
Lawson; "He probably blames himself too but he's not going to admit it Sophie. Just let it blow over. "
Sophie nods, in tears.
Lawson; "Anyway, broken arms are par for the course when you have a son, had to happen sooner or later." Lawson smiles reassurringly at her, then winks at Lisa who is walking behind them.
Sophie; "Yeah, well this one is going to go down in family history as The Day Sophie let Ryan break his arm."

Part 2

Josh drives to the hospital with Sophie quietly sitting in the back holding sobbing Ryan. Josh finds the sound of the boy's sobbing unbearable and its difficult for him to concentrate on driving. When they arrive, they have to wait since he's not that seriously wounded compared to other patients. Josh paces up and down outside, he feels like smoking even though he hasn't since high school. He speaks to Lawson on his mobile. Sophie and Josh don't communicate beyond the necessities, while Ryan is attended by the doctor.

They drive home in silence, everyone is tired and cranky. Ryan's arm is in a cast. He falls asleep in the car. Josh carefully lifts him out of his seat and carries him inside, lying him down gently on his bed. He removes Ryan's shoes and muddy clothes, then tucks him in under the covers. Josh stands there looking at his son, and brushes his dark brown hair back from his forehead. He thinks that Ryan looks like Sophie. ( Sophie thinks that Ryan looks like Josh !)

Sophie is sitting on the edge of their bed crying. She feels guilty, but also angry with Josh for blaming her. Neither of them have had dinner and they're both exhausted and drained. Josh avoids her for a while, he has a beer and some food in the kitchen, leaning against the kitchen bench, thinking over the events of the day.
She comes out to the kitchen, her eyes are red. She looks at Josh in expectation. He shakes his head ( so he's still angry then ) and takes a swig from the beer. He puts it down on the bench and looks at her.
Josh; "What ?"
Sophie; "Josh....."
J; "You want me to agree that I should be watching him at the same time that I am holding a fishing rod ?"
S; "No.... but ..."
J; "but what ? You should've............ damn it Sophie !" He slams his fist down on the bench. "You're his mother, a full-time mother.... ( he emphasises this ) it's all you do ! "
Sophie gasps in shock at this outburst.
Sophie; "Oh, so if I had a job I would be less responsible ?"
Josh; "That's not exactly what....."
She interrupts him; "No, you said......"
Josh; "OH !" He exclaims this angrily and swipes the table with his arm ( man-arm action ) sending a plate flying to the floor where it smashes loudly.

Sophie is distressed and alarmed by his anger, so she leaves the room. Josh yells after her; "think about it, what are you going to do when there are two of them ! Hey ?"
But she's gone, taken her bag and jacket and walked out the door. Josh doesn't realise this. He leans against the table, swears to himself, then starts picking up the pieces of broken plate ( he does do the housework you know ! ). He's calmed down by the time he finishes sweeping the floor, and he goes to Ryan's room to check on him. He adjusts the covers, Ryan is fast asleep. Josh smiles at him.

Josh goes looking for Sophie in the loungeroom, then the bedroom, to apologise to her, give her a hug, in fact Josh really needs a decent hug right now. But she's not there. They only have 1 car and she hasn't taken the keys. He walks out the front and looks down the street. It's dark and quiet. There's no-one around. Now Josh is worried.

Part 3

Josh goes back inside and calls Lisa and Lawson. Lisa answers. Josh had hoped that Lawson would answer, how stupid of me, he thinks, I should've called his mobile.
Josh; "Ah... hi Lisa.... ( waiting to see if she says anything about Sophie )."
Lisa; "What's wrong Josh ? Is Ryan ok ?"
Josh; "Yeah, yeah, he's ok, he's sleeping, um, can I speak to Lawson ?"
Lisa passes the phone to Lawson with a puzzled look; "It's Josh"
Lawson; "Josh, what's up ?" ( frowns seriously )
Josh; "Can you try and keep this from Lisa ?"
Lawson; "That's a difficult one, too late already I'd say..."
Lisa is watching him. He motions with his hand for her to go away.
Josh; "It's Sophie, she's walked out again, I hoped she'd be with you "
Lawson sighs; "No mate, she's not. What happened ? Look, wait and I'll be over in a minute."
Lawson hangs up and looks at Lisa in the background.
Lisa; "Well ?"
Lawson; "Look, it's probably nothing to worry about..."
Lisa is standing with her hand on her hip, a quizzical look on her face.
Lisa; "Lawson......." ( in a stern, tell me now tone, that she knows Lawson will respond to ).
Lawson; "Sophie's walked out." ( He can't keep a secret from Lisa )
Lisa; "Why ?"
Lawson; "Well, I imagine Josh lost his temper... Where would she go ?"
Lisa; "Here ? but I guess that's the first place he'd look now that you're here "
Lawson; "Give me a call if you hear anything, ok ?"
Lisa; "Of course I will" and she kisses him as he leaves.

Lawson arrives at Josh's townhouse. Josh is visibly distraught.
Lawson; "Calm down mate, did anything happen ?"
Josh; "Well, I might have broken a plate but I didn't threaten her personally. You know I wouldn't do that Lawson."
Lawson is silent. He hopes Josh wouldn't do that.
Josh; "I wanted to apologise to her, once I'd calmed down, but I couldn't find her.."
Lawson nods and thinks to himself 'apologise for what ?' but doesn't raise it yet.
Lawson; "Ryan's asleep is he ?"
Josh; "Yes, and I can't go out looking for her and leave him alone can I. Where would she go ?"
Lawson; "Did she take the ..."
Josh; "No, she must've walked or caught a taxi"

Part 4

Josh calls Sophie's mum, he really didn't want to worry her, but it's the only place he can think that she might flee to. She's not close to her other friends anymore, only Lisa.
Sophie's mum; "Oh, not again Josh. I didn't want to tell you this before, but in high school she used to run away a lot when she was upset about something."
Josh; "So you'll call me if you hear from her..."
Sophie's mum; "Of course I will. How is Ryan ? Who's going to look after him tomorrow ?"
Josh; "I hadn't got that far yet, I was hoping..."
Josh starts crying.
Sophie's mum; "I can come if you like.."
Josh gets himself together enough to answer; "Thanks, but I'm sure she'll be back soon."
Sophie's mum doesn't want to say anything. She considers packing her bags.

Lawson calls Kerry, insists that Josh takes tomorrow off.
Lawson to Josh; "You're not going to have your head on work until she comes back, and Ryan needs you."
Josh; "I should be out there looking for her !"
Lawson; "And where would you start mate ?"
Silence.
Lawson; "After 24 hours, you can expect the police to investigate it seriously, check her bank statements..."
Josh; "Investigate ! She'll be back soon, I don't want to waste their time."
Lawson nods. He's taking this more seriously than Josh. He's thinking, at this time of night... if she walked out briefly, she'd be back in half an hour or so, if she was coming back. He also wonders what Josh isn't telling him.....

Lawson sits up with Josh, waiting for Sophie to return.
Lawson; "So you just threw a plate on the floor hey ?"
Josh nods.
Lawson; "And she walked out because...."
Josh; "Well, I guess I was pretty angry."
Lawson; "Josh..."
Josh; "Yeah ok, so I might've said something about her mothering......"
Lawson makes a disgusted noise.

Part 5

Lawson and Josh are waiting up for Sophie to come home, she walked out around dinner time and isn't answering her phone.

Sophie doesn't return. Lawson goes home the next morning to get some sleep before the afternoon shift. Josh has the day off but he has his hands full looking after Ryan and trying to explain away his questions about mummy. Josh has to say that she is visiting someone and he gets Ryan to leave a message on Sophie's phone. Lisa comes to help out in the afternoon so Josh can try to get some sleep.

With nightfall Josh makes it official, calling the local police. He has to endure their frustrating questions. Another night goes by with no sign of Sophie and she isn't answering her phone. She hasn't turned up at any of her friends' houses. Josh is an emotional wreck now, he hasn't had enough sleep, he's been over-analysing the situation whilst trying to hide his fears from Ryan.

At work Lawson is horrified to hear that an unidentified female has been found in the river. Without telling Josh about this, he goes to the morgue to check first, but it's not Sophie.

The next morning they are able to access bank details which finally gives them a lead. Her credit card has been used to pay for a room at a motel which sounds promising. Lawson is incredibly relieved, it sounds like Sophie is hiding out in the motel. They call the motel and after a few questions establish that the description matches Sophie. She still won't answer her phone, so someone needs to go in person. As soon as he hears the news Josh wants to go but Lawson won't let him, its too emotional and risky. Lisa goes instead.

Lisa turns up at the door and knocks. Sophie opens it.
S; "Oh Lisa !" and walks back into the room, leaving the door open. She sits down on the bed.
L; "What are you doing here Sophie ? Have you left Josh ?"
S; "No ! Oh no, at first I was really angry and i wanted to punish him, then I realised I couldn't go back without a dramatic scene, and now.... well...."
L: "And now ?"
S; "Now I'm too scared."
L; "Why didn't you call me ?"
S; "I didn't know where to start or.."
Lisa hugs her. Sophie starts crying.
S; "How's Ryan ? " ( through tears )
L; "He's ok. Josh has been with him, I looked after him yesterday afternoon"
S; "Josh sent me a message, it's Ryan asking me to come kiss him goodnight, he says.... he says.... 'where are you mummy ?' "
Lisa hugs her more tightly.
S; "Is Josh still angry with me ?"
L; "Oh Sophie, you're so silly sometimes. He's really upset, he's hardly slept and he's worried about you. He thinks you've left him for good or that something bad has happened to you. You know the kind of nasty things they see at work, they imagine all sorts of terrible scenarios. He looks terrible at the moment, so do you..."
They laugh for a sec. Then Sophie wipes her tears.
Lisa; "So, can you call Josh now ?"
S; "I don't know what to say to him anymore"
L; "How about 'hello Josh' "
Sophie holds her phone in her hand, looking at it.
L; "You can't stay here another night Sophie, its ridiculous. He hasn't hurt you.... has he ?"
S; "Oh no, of course not... he just said stuff..."
L; "And I'll bet he regrets it now.... "
S; "I guess so... where is he now ? at home ?"
Lisa nods.
Sophie sighs and after a minute, presses Josh's number.

Part 6

Josh and Ryan are playing cops and robbers with the matchbox cars on the loungeroom floor when the home phone rings. Josh picks it up expecting Lawson or Lisa. He's given up expecting Sophie to ring now.
Josh; "Hello...."
Sophie; "Josh...."
Josh feels a surge of relief flow through his body, he stands up in excitement, holding the phone as close as possible to his cheek as if he could get closer to her.
J; "Sophie ! where are you ? ...... please come home...."
Sophie starts crying. Josh is finding it difficult not to cry in front of Ryan who has stopped playing and is watching him intently. Fortunately Ryan's cars hold more interest and he soon goes back to them.
J; "Sophie, I love you ! I'm so sorry for ...... for what I said.... I was angry...... I'm just so glad to hear your voice..... I've been worried sick.....will you please come home now ?" Tears are streaming down his face.
S; "I love you too Josh, I'm sorry..... "
Josh still isn't sure if she's coming back, that last bit sounded ominous.
J; "Sophie, Ryan misses you, he's been asking for you constantly"
S; "Yes, I got the message.."
J; "Do you want to talk to him ?" Josh has no idea what to do if she says no because now Ryan is waiting for the phone to be passed to him.
S; "o....k....."
Ryan gets on the phone; "Mummy, where are you ?"
S; "Just visiting a friend sweetie"
R; "What friend ? I want you here mummy, I hurt my arm and you weren't here to make me breakfast...."
S; "Ok sweetie, yes, I know... I love you Ryan, I miss you too......."
She hangs up before Josh can get back on the phone.

Moments later her phone rings. She shoves it at Lisa.
J; "Sophie ?"
L; "It's Lisa Josh, just give her a minute to calm down, she's pretty upset now"
J; "Well, so am I ! Is she coming back now ?"
L; "Don't rush things Josh..."
J; "Don't rush things !"
He hangs up in disgust.
Josh calls Lawson.
J: "Where is she Lawson ? I want to go get her."
L; "Just let Lisa deal with it Josh."
J; "I don't think she's coming back !" Josh is running his hands through his hair, pacing up and down with the phone. Of course Ryan is watching, but Josh has completely forgotten about Ryan on the floor.
L; "Lisa will sort it out Josh, let them talk a bit..."
Josh is even more furious now, shouldn't he be the one doing the talking with his wife ?

Part 7

Josh slams the phone down roughly, says to himself; "I gotta find her" and walks out of the room. He's completely forgotten about Ryan who's been listening to the conversation about mummy. Ryan thinks that he can help daddy find mummy. He pushes the front screen door open. Sophie usually locks it but Josh hasn't been concentrating on these details, his mind is so preoccupied with Sophie. Ryan walks out and down the footpath, looking for mummy.

Josh comes back to the loungeroom. As much as he'd like to go find her, he doesn't know where to start and he knows that Lawson won't reveal any details to him anyway. So he'll have to sit and wait with Ryan. He arrives in the loungeroom but Ryan isn't there, so he looks for him in his bedroom. Maybe he's playing hide and seek ? Josh walks around the house, opening cupboards and looking under beds, calling out his name. It's odd, usually you can hear Ryan giggling a mile away when you play this game and you have to pretend you don't know where he is. Josh walks back down the corridor towards the loungeroom.
Josh; "Oh sh......." as he sees the screen door ajar. He rushes outside. There's only a small front lawn and then the public footpath and road. It is a quiet street. Josh looks to the left and the right along the footpath. Nothing.

Josh frantically strides off to the right, the direction of the shops, the direction they usually walk. He can't believe it, first Sophie walks out, now Ryan ! Josh's mind is in melt-down, he is beyond analysing it all at the moment, he has to find Ryan now. There's a corner a couple of houses up, and Josh runs around it, bumping into one of the neighbours. She's a nice old grandma who lives a couple of doors down. She often stops and says hello to them. She's standing with her shopping trolley and Ryan is holding her hand !

Josh; "Oh my god ! I've been looking for you Ryan !"
Josh grabs him and hugs him too tightly.
Ryan; "Ow daddy !"
Neighbour; "He was just walking along on his own, he said he's looking for mummy"
Josh; "Yes, she's visiting a friend, he misses her"
Neighbour; "Oh, and she left you to look after him did she ?"
Josh; "Yes"
Neighbour; "It's hard work isn't it ! A strong energetic little boy like that, he must keep you on your toes ! I see he's already been in the wars ( pointing at his cast )."
Ryan; "A rock did that !"
Neighbour; "Oh dear..."
Josh is desperate to escape now; "Come on Ryan, let's go home"
Ryan; "But I want to find mummy"
Josh; "I'm sure she'll be home soon, let's go wait for her, hey ?"
They get home. Josh's hands are shaking as he gets himself a beer from the fridge. He can't believe he nearly lost Ryan too ! And it could've happened so easily. He owes Sophie an apology and he knows it.

Part 8

Josh has just found Ryan and returned home, in the meantime Lisa and Sophie have gone for a walk in the park to is hoping that Sophie will talk through some of her issues before she sees Josh.
Lisa; "You know, he really does love you Sophie"
S; "It didn't feel like it the other night. He thinks I'm not a good mother"
L; "Oh Sophie, of course not..."
S; "What really hurt was, he said I can't handle having more kids...."
L; "Maybe you just misunderstood..."
S; "No I didn't, you see the real problem with that is...... I haven't told him that I am pregnant again."
L; "Oh fantastic !" ( she hugs her ) "But that's great, he'll be so pleased won't he ?"
S; "Yes, we've been trying a while..... but after that comment..."
They walk a bit more, thinking. They are in a park on the way home, they have left the hotel.
L; "Oh.... this is what happened last time isn't it ! You ran away because you didn't know how to tell him ..."
S; "No, well yes, but this is different, that's not why I left this time, I was ready to tell him.. but " ( she laughs ) "it's like deja-vu isn't it ! Oh, is that what Josh is thinking ?"
L; "He's only thinking about where you could be and how to get you back"
They walk some more, Sophie is less stressed now. She thinks quietly to herself, then says;
S; "Sometimes I worry that he only married me because I was pregnant and our parents expected it."
L; "Listen, I didn't know Josh before you met him, but Lawson has told me how devastated he was when he lost Grace. Lawson says they were all deeply concerned for Josh, that he only seemed to live for his work and working out."
S; "Yes, that's when I met him"
L; "So Lawson says that you are the best thing that has happened to Josh, you helped him to enjoy life again and that Josh is completely devoted to you and Ryan...."
Sophie smiles; "He's very proud of Ryan"
L; "So doesn't he even suspect that you are pregnant ?"
S; "Well, it shouldn't be such a surprise this time, but I hadn't got around to telling him before all this happened."
Lisa can't believe how much of a drama Sophie is creating out of Josh's comments.
L; "Are you ready to go home now ?"
Sophie nods. Lisa calls Lawson first so he can let Josh know. They get in the car and drive home.

Part 9

Lawson to Josh ( on phone); "Mate, good news, they're on their way to your place. You alright ? You're not going to start an argument are you ?"
J; "Nah, oh thanks Lawson..." and hangs up.
Josh decides not to tell Ryan yet, in case it doesn't happen. It's the afternoon and Ryan is watching kids stuff on t.v. Josh was going to lie down and get some rest, he needs it, but now he furtively checks the respectability of the house and his own appearance. Then he sits next to Ryan on the lounge, trying to remain calm.
Lisa knocks on the front door, then pushes Sophie in front. Ryan jumps out of his seat and runs to the door, he's already forgotten that they are waiting for mummy, but he loves visitors.
Ryan; "Who is it daddy ?"
Josh is too emotional to answer, he just opens the door and there is Sophie standing there.
Sophie; "Ryan !"
R; "Mummy !" He puts his arms up for her to pick him up, which she does, holding him whilst he hugs her neck. Sophie is crying, Josh watches them, tears in his eyes, then he reaches out and hugs her too, all 3 of them together. Ryan gets down and Josh takes Sophie in his arms, holding her tightly without saying anything. Sophie feels secure again in his arms, he is so much taller than her, she melts into his embrace, the familiarity of his smell and sound of his breathing.
Lisa has taken Ryan into the loungeroom, distracting him with the cars.
Sophie buries her face in Josh's shoulder; "I'm so sorry Josh...."
Josh; "Shh Shh, I just want to hold you now...."
Sophie and Josh go into the bedroom and sit on the bed together, he still has his arms around her. She lets her bag drop to the floor and returns his embrace.
They sit there for a while holding each other tightly, crying.
Josh; " I didn't even realise you'd left... I waited till I calmed down, then I went looking for you to apologise, but you had disappeared... I've been so worried about you."
S; "I know Josh, I'm sorry Josh " ( she speaks quietly ) "but you scared me......"
J; "I wasn't going to hurt you Sophie.... I never would...... I know I can get pretty intense sometimes..."
S; "It's what you said...."
Josh sighs sadly. "I know..... don't remind me...... I regret that so much, you can't begin to ..... Ryan went missing again today you know.... he walked out the front door and down the street.."
S; "oh my god ! wasn't the door locked ?"
J; "No, it wasn't, its my fault.."
S: "But what happened ?"
J: " Mrs Jones found him on the footpath, around the corner, I ran out looking for him, it was only a couple of minutes, but , anything could have happened, its all my fault, I thought I'd lost both of you......... what a s**** day... I take back everything I said Sophie, I don't want to repeat it, to talk about it again, but it was said in anger without thought and I immediately regretted it."
S; "It's ok now Josh. Hey, I've got some good news."
J; "Oh ?" He looks at her expectantly, they both have red eyes and look terrible.
S; 'I would've told you the other night, if none of this had happened...."
J; "You're pregnant again ?" ( sounding excited )
Sophie nods and smiles.
Josh hugs her enthusiastically; "Brilliant !" he says.

Part 10 which is all Lisa and Lawson

Lisa goes home. The apartment is quiet. Lawson is still at work. She pours herself a glass of wine and texts Lawson that all is OK with Josh and Sophie and that she's home now.

Lawson soon comes home at the end of his shift. He doesn't have anyone to go to the pub with today and he's keen to see Lisa. He's in a good mood, he'd been stressed about the whole Sophie and Josh drama.
Lawson; "You wouldn't walk out on me like that would you ?"
He's joking,he has a cheeky smile on his face, but underneath is a little worry.
Lisa; "Of course not, I'd write you a note !" She grins,she can be just as cheeky. "Anyway, it's actually my apartment, I do recall that you moved in with me 2 years ago ! So technically you should do the walking !"
Lawson; "2 years ago hey ?"
Lisa; "Is that too long for you ?"
She's teasing him but she does wonder exactly what is going on here, they're living together, they take holidays together, they share friends, they tell each other they are in love.......
Lawson smiles at her; "No way baby, 2 years is a drop in the ocean, I'm not going anywhere" and he kisses her.
Lisa ( after the kiss ) "really ? How do I know that for sure ?"
Lawson's a bit put-out, he wasn't expecting this serious tone, he thought this conversation was rapidly heading for the bedroom...
Lawson; "You want a written guarantee ?" ( he's smiling cheekily )
Lisa; "Yep "
Lawson; "Well, we could arrange that I guess....."
Lisa; "I'm waiting Lawson.."
( Like I said before, Lisa wears the pants a lot in this relationship )
Lawson; "Well ok then. Lisa, will you marry me ?"
Lisa beams; "Of course !" and kisses and hugs him. "What took you so long ?"
Lawson; "I had hoped for a more suitable venue my dear, a restaurant, a sunset, I had been debating where and whens of it all for some time ! but the pressure was just too much tonight and I knew I had to perform !"
Lisa; "You cheeky bugger !"
They they resume kissing and Lawson is glad he asked the right question. Never mind the sunset.