A New Addition to the Family
[Cheers. Nighttime]
(The bar is fairly quiet, there are fewer customers than usual and it is relatively silent. Sam and Woody are behind the bar, Norm and Cliff are at their usual stools, and Carla is serving drinks in the pool room)
Sam: Woody, could you take care of closing the bar today? I've been in the mood for sailing for days and I wanna see if there are any free boats in the harbor I can rent. Don't worry, this time it will only be for a short time. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon.
Woody: Sam, what does it feel like to be in the mood for sailing?
Sam: A desire to be completely alone and calm, to feel the wind in your face, the smell of salt water and, above all, the roar of the waves.
(Suddenly, a soft snore is heard behind them. Woody and Sam turn and are surprised to see Diane sleeping on the bar on top of her notebook. Cliff and Norm, on their usual stools, laugh at the sight of her)
Woody: Aw, how cute, she's fallen asleep like a little girl.
Norm: (Looks at the clock) Quite literally. It's just 9:15 pm.
Cliff: (With a mischievous grin) Did you wear her out last night, Sammy?
Sam: (Laughing) Just the usual.
Carla: (Coming from the back) Hey, Sammy, hand me Diane's tray.
Sam: (Grabbing the tray) What do you need it for?
Carla: To wake up Aurora.
(Sam puts the tray back, looks at Carla as if to say "I'm not giving it to you for that", and gently shakes Diane)
Sam: Diane...
Diane: (Wakes up startled) Norman...
(Seeing that she was serving at the bar in her dreams, Sam, Cliff and Norm laugh)
Making your way in the world today
takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries
sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you wanna go
where everybody knows your name
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see
our troubles are all the same.
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.
You wanna go where people know
people are all the same.
You wanna go where everybody knows your name.
[Cheers. Morning]
(The bar is fairly quiet. Most of the costumers are retirees drinking coffee and the few exceptions to the rule are people who have just finished work or are about to enter. Cliff and Norm's stools are empty because they are both still at work. Woody is behind the bar, working quietly and in good spirits as usual. Carla's situation is completely opposite to that of her partner. The fact that Sam was having fun on the open sea and she was stuck among an exhausted, unmotivated and mostly seventy-something clientele made her feel quite miserable. And the fact that Diane was twenty minutes late was getting on her nerves)
Carla: (Looks at the door angrily) Diane was right, summer puts her in vacation mode. Didn't she have enough with the honeymoon?! It's only been two weeks since they got back!
Woody: She probably got stuck in traffic. Or maybe she went to the library. When it's crowded or a librarian is absent, the line is almost as long as the one at the supermarket.
Carla: She better not have gone with Sam on that boat, or else she's gonna regret it when she gets here.
Woody: I don't think so. Yesterday when she left she was struggling to walk in a straight line. And to be fair-
(Before Woody can finish the sentence, the phone rings and Carla picks it up)
Carla: Cheers.
(The moment Carla picked up the call, her face tightened. That reminded Woody of the face the bullies in his hometown made when they did not get what they wanted. Carla had become a ticking time bomb and it was only a matter of time before she exploded)
Carla: (Angrily) What?! (...) (Hangs up abruptly and looks at Woody angrily) Drive me to Sam's place!
Woody: (Confused) What for?
Carla: To kidnap Diane before she flees and bring her here to work. (Runs to the door)
Woody: (Confused) Can it be considered kidnapping if you take the person to her workplace? Also, what makes you think Diane is at home?
Carla: (Holding the bar door with her hand) She was the one who called, you asshole! And now get in the car if you don't want me to kidnap you too!
(Woody is startled and runs to Carla)
(...)
[Malone's house]
(Carla rings the doorbell and waits a few seconds, but there is no answer)
Carla: I'm sure we're too late!
Woody: Hasn't it crossed your mind that maybe she didn't lie and she's actually sick?
Carla: Yeah, sure! (Rings again, persistently)
Woody: Do I need to remind you what happened last time you thought she was lying? Why don't we stop this and go back to the bar? If she isn't feeling well, she's probably sleeping. Or maybe she's in the bathroom. (Concerned) I hope we didn't interrupt her while she was taking a shower...
(Carla looks at him with a "Are you stupid?" look on her face and, at that moment, Diane, still in her pajamas, with her hair uncombed, without any makeup and looking terrible, opens the door, staggers a bit and falls over Carla's shoulder)
Woody: (Bends down to look at Diane) Judging by her face, I'd say she's not lying.
(Diane looks at him annoyed and tries to stand up straight, but staggers again and something falls to the floor. Woody, noticing it, bends down to pick it up)
Woody: Your thermometer. Be careful, if the mercury comes out, it could be dangerous.
(Realizing what is happening, Carla's eyes widen in surprise and she jumps to grab the "thermometer", which causes Diane to fall to the floor. Woody, seeing this, bends down and helps her up)
Carla: You idiot, that's not a thermometer, it's a pregnancy test!
Woody: (Very surprised) What?! (He drops Diane as he goes over to look, but when he realizes it, he looks at her with regret) I'm sorry.
Carla: (Very surprised, looks at Diane) You're pregnant...
Diane: (Still sitting on the floor, looks at her, very surprised) What...?
Carla: Woody, take Diane to the bedroom.
Diane: (Trying to stand up) I can go by myself.
Carla: (Looking at her) No, you can't. Woody...
Woody: (Woody grabs Diane carefully and takes her in his arms) I hope Sam won't be mad about this.
Diane: Don't worry, and I'm sorry for causing you trouble.
(Woody and Carla enter the house and Woody puts Diane on her bed while Carla opens the closet and starts to rummage)
Diane: (Confused and a little annoyed by the intrusion) What are you doing?
Carla: Finding something you can wear. You can't go out in your pajamas.
Diane: Do I look like I can work to you?
Carla: Who said anything about working?
Diane: (Confused) I don't think I understand you.
Carla: (Throws her a comfortable dress and panties) Look, you're like the bar right now: lost without us. You'll be better in Sam's office with company than here alone. If you don't stop the nausea and vomit too much, you could get dehydrated.
Diane: (Looks at Carla, moved and surprised) Carla... As a woman, you've empathized with my feelings...
Carla: (With disgust) It's not that. (Resigned) Well, maybe a little bit 'cause I have eight kids. But I'm doing this because I don't wanna have to put up with Woody driving me crazy all day 'cause he's worried.
Diane: Thank you... But please, don't say anything to Sam. I want to be the one to tell him. Carla, do you still have that pregnancy test in your purse?
Carla: Of course I do. Why are you asking?
Diane: I want to make sure it's not a false negative. The test fell and I'm not sure how reliable those results are.
Carla: You've been vomiting, you're sick, you fell asleep at the bar yesterday, and you've been dog-tired for days now. Do you need more evidence?
Diane: Yes.
Carla: (Sighs frustrated) Then get dressed. I'll give it to you when we get to the bar. (She leaves the room with Woody and closes the door so she can change)
(...)
[Cheers. Afternoon]
Norm: (Entering) Afternoon, everybody.
All: Noooorm!
Woody: What's new, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: My shirt. A gift from Vera.
Woody: I liked it.
Norm: It's comfortable and cool, which is what matters. Speaking of cool. Pour me a beer, will you?
Woody: Coming right up.
Norm: (Looks at Cliff and smiles) Hey, Cliffie, I've got a little surprise for you.
Cliff: A celebrity vegetable?
Norm: (Laughs) No. I'm not you. It's another date. This time with a colleague. I think you two might hit it off. I call her and you two have dinner together tonight.
Cliff: (Surprised) Really?!
Norm: Sure. If it doesn't work out, too bad. But if it does, thank me tomorrow with a beer.
Cliff: (Shakes his hand) Deal.
Carla: Cliff, could you go up to Melville's and order some chicken soup? I'm busy with customers.
Cliff: (Surprised) You're gonna eat that in this heat?
Carla: It's not for me, it's for Diane. She's not feeling well.
Cliff: (Somewhat surprised) Diane is here?
Norm: (Quite surprised) And you're being nice to her?
Carla: You'll say it was Woody's idea, or else, I'll make you swallow the spoon.
Norm: (Intimidated, puts his hands up) It was Woody's idea.
(As soon as Cliff goes up to Melville's, Woody approaches Carla)
Woody: (Quietly) Aren't you gonna tell them?
Carla: (Quietly) No. We found out by accident. If you say anything, I'll kick you back to Indiana.
Woody: How mean...
Norm: Carla, you didn't make her work while she was sick, did you?
Carla: (Annoyed) And risk her throwing up on a customer?
Norm: (A little surprised) "Throwing up"? I thought she had a cold.
Carla: No. It's a stomach bug. And I hope it's the kind that only lasts 24 hours.
Cliff: (Comes downstairs carrying a tray) Ready to eat. They also gave me some toast and an apple for dessert.
Norm: Let me get that for you. (Picks up the tray) Woody, pour me another beer meanwhile. Cliffie, knock on the door for me.
(Carla, seeing those two, cannot help but laugh and be thankful their lineage ends with them. If they were not able to take care of an adult person, a child would probably have been harmed or in trouble. Cliff carefully walks over, knocks on the door and opens it while stepping back to let Norm in)
Norm: (Surprised, turns to Cliff) She's asleep.
Cliff: Carla, she's asleep, what do we do?
(Hearing them, Carla laughs and Diane wakes up and looks at them)
Diane: Norman? Clifford?
Carla: (Watching Cliff walk to the bar) Good thing you don't have kids...
Norm: We brought you some soup, would you like to try some?
Diane: (Smiles and sits up) That's very nice of you.
(Carefully, Norm places the tray in front of her)
Diane: Thank you very much.
(...)
(A couple of hours later, Sam enters the bar with a big smile holding two big fish in one hand and leaves a bucket with smaller fish on the floor)
Sam: Say hello... to Sam the Victorious.
Woody: (Surprised) You know it already?
(Carla startles and looks at Woody angrily)
Carla: (Quietly) You idiot, he means the fish!
Woody: Ah!
Sam: (Confused) Know what?
Carla: Well, it was going to be a surprise, but Diane...
(Woody opens his mouth to speak, but Carla, knowing that he is going to let the cat out of the bag, covers it)
Carla: She's gonna surprise you by baking a cake. (Looks at Woody angrily) You don't have to tell him what kind of cake it is or when she's gonna bake it! Since you found out about the surprise, at least don't ruin it completely!
Sam: "When"? I thought she was gonna greet me with cake today. Sadly not... But hey, a sweet treat is welcome anytime. As long as it's good... Baking is not exactly her specialty. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna show off our dinner. (He goes to the pool room)
Norm: (Surprised) Diane is planning to bake a cake like this?
Cliff: I don't think so, I'm sure she'll wait until she feels better.
Norm: The important thing is: will she treat us to cake?
(Norm looks at Carla as if waiting for an answer, but she looks back at him without giving him any answer. At that moment, Sam comes out of the pool room and looks at Carla and Woody)
Sam: Has Diane left?
Woody: No, she's in your office.
Sam: (Happy) Great! Then I'll show her this before I put it away.
Norm: (Confused) "Put it away"?
Sam: Yes. I left a small cooler plugged in last night so I wouldn't have to stop by the house. Diane is gonna love these.
Carla: (Holding in her laughter) I don't know if she'll be in the mood for fish.
(Sam looks at her confused, enters and is surprised to see Diane sleeping on the couch)
Sam: (Quietly) Is she asleep?
(Sam, seeing Diane, cannot help but bend down to look at her more closely)
Sam: (Quietly, laughs) She's so cute, she looks like an angel sleeping like that.
(Despite Sam's gentleness, his goal of letting his wife sleep fails. As soon as Diane smells raw fish, she wakes up retching and quickly sits up to vomit into the bag she had under the couch. Seeing her, Sam startles a little)
Sam: Are you sick? (Disappointed) Then you won't be able to eat it...
Diane: (Somewhat annoyed) Is that what bothers you? Put that away already, it's making me nauseous. (She covers her mouth, but immediately vomits again)
(Sam obeys and puts all the fish in the cooler)
Diane: And wash your hands, please.
Sam: Ok.
(Sam leaves his office and goes to the men's room. When he comes back, Diane is sitting with her head tilted back and looking bad. When she hears the footsteps, she opens her eyes and looks at him)
Diane: Sam, can you hand me the thermometer on the table? I think I have a fever...
Sam: Sure.
(As Sam walks over to the table, Diane looks at him intently, somewhat nervously. Realizing what it is, Sam freezes and looks at her with his eyes starting to water)
Sam: Diane, is this...?
Diane: Yes (smiles moved).
Sam: (Smiles, incredulous and incredibly happy) Are you...?
Diane: (Crying with emotion and very happy) Yes.
(Emotionally, Sam runs to hug her crying)
Sam: Diane...! I'm so happy...! I'm gonna be a daddy! (He kisses her) Th-This is amazing! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this? I don't know if you're aware of what this means to me... (He hugs her, crying with emotion) Thank you... Thank you... Thank you... You just made me the happiest man in the world. And even though I know I probably have the hardest three years of my entire life ahead of me, right now I feel like all my problems have suddenly been solved... D-Does anyone from Cheers know?
Diane: Carla and Woody.
Sam: (Surprised and somewhat offended) You told them before you told me?!
Diane: No. It's not what you think. When they came home this morning, the test fell out of my pocket and Carla yelled it out in surprise.
Sam: "Home"? Carla doesn't trust you, huh?
Diane: No. But I'm glad they take me here. At least this way I've been well taken care of.
Sam: (Happy) I'm glad to hear that. Do you mind... If I go out and tell everyone the news?
Diane: It's too soon to announce it yet. Although now that Carla and Woody know, I guess we should tell Norman and Clifford.
Sam: "Soon"? How far along are you? Wait, if the test was negative on our honeymoon, you're at most four weeks, right?
Diane: Yeah, I think so.
Sam: (Surprised) Morning sicknesses really hit you early. Better take it easy. The baby comes first.
(Diane smiles and kisses him. She had never seen Sam so happy. Not even the day they got married. While Diane is deep in thought, Sam comes out, taps Cliff and Norm on the back with a finger and they turn around and look at him)
Sam: (Quietly) Don't say anything. (He shows them the test and they both look at it very surprised)
Norm: That's from...?
Sam: (Laughs) Who else would it be from?
Cliff: This isn't a joke, is it?
Carla: No, it's the real one.
Norm: (Surprised) You guys knew that?
Woody: She dropped it this morning when we were trying to kidnap her.
Norm: (Laughs and hugs Sam) Congratulations, Sammy.
(Norm smiles as he sees Diane leaning against the door frame of Sam's office looking at them with a smile and goes to hug her too)
Norm: (Quietly) Congratulations, Mommy.
Cliff: (Hugs Sam) I'm happy for both of you. (Hugs Diane) Congratulations.
Diane: Thank you.
Sam: Please, keep this between us for now.
Carla: Relax, Sammy, knowing Diane, the whole bar will figure it out in a matter of a few days.
Sam: Does morning sickness last that long?
Carla: Nausea is the least of your problems. Wait until she gets all emotional and starts crying for nothing. And when the "pregnant brain" time comes, there won't be a single glass in its place.
Sam: Boy, this is gonna be a bumpy ride...
Cliff: The weird thing is that we didn't notice it sooner. She's been struggling to last the whole shift lately.
Carla: And before too, just for different reasons.
(Sam smiles at the comment and Diane sketches a resigned smile)
Norm: To be honest, I noticed she didn't have much energy lately too, but I blamed it on Cliffie.
Cliff: (Somewhat annoyed) What do you mean by that?
Carla: (Rudely) That you bore everyone.
Diane: Calm down... Let's not turn a nice moment into an argument.
(When Diane starts to recite a poem, Carla opens her mouth to protest, but Sam puts his hand over it to prevent her from ruining the moment)
Diane: The leaves talked in the twilight, dear;
Hearken the tale they told:
How in some far-off place and year,
Before the world grew old,
I was a dreaming forest tree,
You were a wild, sweet bird
Who sheltered at the heart of me
Because the north wind stirred;
How, when the chiding gale was still,
When peace fell soft on fear,
You stayed one golden hour to fill
My dream with singing, dear.
Tonight the self-same songs are sung
The first green forest heard;
My heart and the gray world grow young
To shelter you, my bird.
Woody: I only understood half of it, and I think it's because I'm a father now, but I liked it a lot.
(Diane smiles at him)
Cliff: Who's the author?
Diane: Sophie Jewett. She's an American author from last century I studied at university. She was a literature professor, a translator and a poet. Her best-known poems are "The Pilgrims", "Persephone" and the ones about lesbians.
Carla: (To Sam) Bet you she recites "The Pilgrims" at Thanksgiving in disguise?
(Sam smiles and Diane looks at her)
Woody: Sam, Diane, despite Carla's teasing... (He bursts into tears and hugs them) I want you to know I'm so happy for you!
Diane: (Moved) Oh, Woody...
Woody: You're going to be wonderful parents.
Diane: Thank you... Although there is still a lot to learn and practice. On second thought, I think I'll stop by to buy or take out a couple of books before I go home.
Sam: I have to read those too, right?
Diane: The other option is for me to give you lessons.
Sam: I think I'd better read them.
Diane: Speaking of learning, how was your date last night, Clifford?
Cliff: (Somewhat embarrassed and annoyed) Better not ask.
Norm: Cliff, is it my thing or you don't like my neighbor much?
Cliff: It's not that, Normie. You know very well that I have nothing against Malice.
Norm: (Emphasizing) Alice.
Cliff: Right.
(Sam, Carla and Diane smile when they hear them)
Norm: I don't know what I'm going to do with you anymore. I'm running out of options.
Diane: Norman... Maybe pushing him isn't the best thing to do. How many blind dates has he been on? Five?
Norm: Twelve.
Diane: (Is surprised) That's worse than I expected.
Sam: (Surprised) Twelve?! In less than two weeks?! How?!
Carla: Because they're blind. (Laughs)
(Sam holds back his laughter at the comment and Norm laughs)
Diane: Sam, do you mind if I take advantage of the fact that I'm feeling better to go get some books? Fresh air will do me good.
Sam: Sure. If you suddenly feel sick again, call me and I'll come get you.
Diane: Thanks.
(After giving Sam a gentle kiss, Diane heads for the door)
Sam: If you'll excuse me for a moment...
(When Carla sees Sam heading towards his office, she smiles and enters as well. Sam, seeing her enter, turns around)
Carla: Hey, Sammy... Congratulations. Not just on the baby, but on... you know.
Sam: Thanks. It's actually been such a relief.
Carla: To tell you the truth, I never thought that stick was so fertile. You knocked her up on the first try (laughs).
Sam: (Laughs) Yeah, Sammy the Magnificent returns to action. (Laughs, happy) I can't believe I'm gonna be a dad. And with Diane, it's like a dream come true. Well, or it will be until she comes back with those books and starts nagging me.
(Carla laughs, and seeing her, Sam laughs too)
Carla: Do you feel ready?
Sam: Emotionally, yes, I've been for a long time. In the parenting sense, no. If we had to take care of a baby now, Diane would probably do a better job than I would even before she read those books. But I don't care, there'll be time to learn. Now I want to taste the moment.
(Joyful, Sam sits down at his desk and looks at the test again)
Carla: Don't get too close or you'll end up tasting it for real.
Sam: (Laughs, looking at the test) A kid... I still can't believe it. Next year I'll be sitting here with a tiny human on my lap.
Carla: (Smiles, looking at him) You're on cloud nine. This is what parenthood should be like. Diane is a lucky girl.
(Sam smiles)
(...)
Sam: (Worried, while wiping some glasses) Isn't Diane taking too long?
Carla: Think for a second, you prat. Diane loves books, and in a library there are lots of books. Now change Diane for Sam and books for women. Wouldn't you take too long?
Sam: Well, if you look at it that way...
Diane: (Enters, in a good mood) Sorry I'm late. I ended up going to several bookstores.
Sam: (Quietly, to himself and slightly annoyed) Me worried and Miss shopping. I should have imagined.
Norm: (Laughs when he hears him) You're so cute when you're protective, (mockingly) daddy.
Diane: (Puts down a couple of books where she usually sits to read and hands Sam a few more) Shall we get started?
Sam: Diane, I'm working.
Diane: That can be easily solved. (She walks over to him, unties his apron, makes him spin around to take it off and pushes him into his office) I'll take your place. You take a break and start reading.
Sam: Can't that wait till we get home?
Diane: No. Whenever we get home, there's only one thing on your mind.
Sam: (Resigned) All right, all right.
Carla: Listen, Sam, I know this probably isn't the right time to talk about this, but I've been thinking about this for days, and the doubt is killing me. In the time you and Diane have been together... Haven't you had a fight?
Sam: You mean this year?
Diane: Of course she means this year!
Carla: From the 80's I still have flashbacks and nightmares.
(Sam thinks for a moment while he looks at Diane and then looks at Carla)
Sam: Well, now that you mention it, I would say we have barely had any fights this time.
Diane: They've been mostly trivial disagreements. Little arguments about which paint to choose for the house, how much of Cheers II would be suitable for the enjoyment of activities that cultivate the intellect and human sensibility...
Sam: Not agreeing between Chinese or Italian food when it came to choosing the restaurant or when on honeymoon I wanted to go for a quiet walk and Diane wouldn't stop talking.
Diane: (Still a little annoyed) Mes perles de savoir were not verbosity.
Sam: You were talking more than a tour guide! I felt like I was in a college Art History class instead of on vacation with my wife!
Diane: What are you talking about? You didn't even go to college!
Sam: I don't need to, just by listening to you and watching you do your homework I had a solid idea of what your classes were like.
Carla: (Smiles) I've missed this.
Norm: I thought you hated it when they argued.
Cliff: Yeah, years ago you would have begged them to shut up 'cause they got on your nerves.
Carla: And now too, if they had a big fight like they used to, but I wanna know that the old Sammy hasn't died yet.
Cliff: They never fought over cheating.
Norm: Because they never cheated.
Carla: I meant seeing that he's not the perfect husband. Diane still drives him nuts.
Woody: (Looking at the books Diane left on the bar) Sorry to interrupt when you're having an argument, but, Diane... I think you should go back to the library, this book is misprinted.
Diane: Which one, Woody?
Woody: The one that says "Thesaurus". Inside it's like a dictionary mixed with word maps.
Diane: (Confused) And what's the problem?
Woody: There's no dinosaur. I wanted to see how a thesaurus looked like.
(Hearing Woody, Diane starts laughing and everyone looks at her without understanding)
Woody: What did I say that was so funny?
Diane: Woody, a thesaurus is a kind of dictionary. They're usually made up of lists of words with synonyms, definitions and usage rules, and they show the relationship between words. In short, it's not the name of a dinosaur species.
Woody: What a bummer, I wanted to see dinosaurs.
Diane: Well, you can always get or buy an encyclopedia. Or you can go with Oakley and Kelly to the Science Museum over the weekend. Although if you want something really impressive, go to the Smithsonian.
Woody: That's a great idea! Sam, can I take the weekend off?
Sam: Only if Diane covers your place for giving you the idea.
Diane: (Looks at Woody with a smile) Consider it done, Woody.
Woody: (Very happy, hugs her) Thanks, I love you!
Diane: (Laughs) Oh, Sam, (takes some post-it notes out of her pocket and gives them to him) use these on the library books.
Sam: Those are...?
Diane: The ones with the label on the spine. The small laminated paper thing with numbers and letters on it. (Gives him a notebook and a pen) And here, use this to take notes, you'll thank me later.
(...)
(At night, everyone has gone home. Diane looks toward the office and enters. Seeing Sam sleeping on the books, she laughs. She would have been very surprised to find him studying, but at least he had tried. However, when she goes over to wake him up, she is surprised to see that he has filled several pages of his notebook with notes)
Diane: (Moved) Sam...
(When a drop of water falls on Sam's cheek, he wakes up startled and is scared to see Diane crying)
Sam: (Worried) Diane! What's wrong?! Are you all right?! Is the baby all right?!
(Moved, Diane hugs Sam and he is surprised)
Sam: (Worried) Diane...?
Diane: (Tearful) Everything's fine. I just that... I didn't expect you to take this so seriously. I thought you would ignore me or make fun of me...
Sam: (Surprised, flushes and lowers his head) Well, the truth is... that I want to be a good father too. I've been waiting for this moment for so long... It's so hard to see how you're pushing 50 with no hope of fulfilling your dreams because you missed your chance before you turned 40... (He stands up and hugs her) Thanks for coming back to me...
(Bathed only by the dim light coming in from the bar and the soft desk lamp, Sam and Diane share one last kiss in the bar before heading home, in the place where they had had their first kiss determined to start a relationship, a relationship that had been on and off for years. In the beginning, they didn't even know exactly why they were dating, but this time they both knew how lucky they were to have each other, to be together, and to start a project together that would accompany them for the rest of their lives)