SIX WEEKS LATER

APPEARS ON THE SCREEN

MANHATTAN

NEW YORK CITY

INT. GREG & HELEN MCQUIRE APARTMENT.

Morning.

INT. HELEN MCQUIRE - BEDROOM

Sat in her dressing gown, staring somberly at her reflection in the mirror, in front of her dressing table. Reminding herself the secret she conceals. She faked a surrogacy and handed over her's and Greg's son Frank, over to Harry and Tina, thinking they are Franks real parents. The fact, she underhanded them, particularly, is starting to make her feel guilty. Helen though she was doing it out of the kindness of her heart. However, it's a cruel manoeuvre, that could destroy her relationship, with all involved. Deep down, she is grief stricken and wants to be mother to her biological child. But, Frank, is the best thing for Harry and Tina to look forward to, following Jack's bizarre kidnap and whom is still missing. Helen closes her eyes, attempting to shadow the pain.

CUT TO

INT. WILSON'S APARTMENT.

Home to Harry and Tina.

INT. TINA WILSON.

Playfully mothering, Six week year old, Frank Mcquire -Not Wilson. She holds him up, smiling in joyous mood.

TINA

Who is Mommy's little boy? Who's Mommy's best boy?

Little Frank in a blue pyjamas suit, gurgles and responds with a tiny smile of feeling comforted by the bond.

CUT TO

INT. HELEN MCQUIRE

The Thirty Three Year Old is in a trance. In her own World. Continuing to imagine of what could have been. Initially, Helen never thought of being a mother or even wanted to be a mother. But, her emotional error, could cost her and Greg, their son. How is Helen going to pretend to be Frank's Aunt for the forthcoming future?

CUT TO

INT. HARRY WILSON

Tina's Thirty Eight Year Old Husband and besotted Uncle, who thinks he's Frank's real father, sits down beside his infatuated wife.

INT. TINA WILSON

Cannot stop doting the Baby.

Harry puts his arm around his spouse and pulls her close. It's a dream come true.

TINA

He's perfect.

Harry playfully tugs on Franks foot, feeling proud. He nods in approval.

HARRY

Yes, he is.

Tina holds Frank up, still trying to come to terms, with the fact, she thinks she is Franks biological mother, when really, he's her nephew.

TINA

And he's ours.

CUT TO

INT. HELEN.

Imagines Harry and Tina doting and showing Maternal and Paternal love to her off spring. It's almost unbearable to think, what it could do to Greg. With this guilt and more, she actually regrets pulling this awful stunt and wants Frank at home, with her and Greg. Too late now.

HARRY AND TINA'S VOICES ARE VOICED BEHIND THE SCENE, AS A REMINDER TO WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN.

HARRY

We should do something for Helen.

(O.S)

TINA

You mean like a Party?

(O.S.)

HARRY

Why not? As a celebration - a thank you.

(O.S.)

TINA

That's a great idea.

(O.S.)

Helen tries to get a hold of herself, as the emotional detachment from Frank becomes unbearable.

HARRY AND TINA'S CONVERSATION CONTINUES OFF-SCREEN

HARRY

Do you think they'll have kids of their own?

(O.S.)

TINA

I don't know. I always got the impression, Helen was never keen on having kids of her own.

(O.S.)

HARRY

Greg told me, he'd love to be a father. Said 'It would be the perfect step in his and Helen's marriage.'

(O.S.)

TINA

Maybe it would. But, you know what's funny, she's not once held Frank in her arms yet. Do you think she's worried she'll grow too attached to him, thinking of him as her own?

(O.S.)

HARRY

She'll come round.

(O.S)

TINA

I miss Jack.

(O.S - Somber.)

HARRY

So do I. But, once he's home, we'll be a family. You, me, Frank and Jack.

(O.S.)

CLOSE UP OF HELEN'S REFLECTION IN MIRROR, WHOM JUST STARES INTO SPACE. SUDDENLY, HELEN JOLTS AS SHE IS BROUGHT OUT OF HER DAY DREAM.

INT. GREG MCQUIRE

The Thirty Eight Year Old, appears behind his unsettled wife and grips her shoulder blades. He is dressed in smart suit and tie.

Helen instinctively jolts and lets out a brief yelp, from Greg's abrupt jump scare. It not only catches her off guard, but him too. Greg holds his hands up, as he wonders why Helen is in a World of her own. He's sits on the bed, beside her a little concerned.

GREG

Hey, it's just me.

Helen getting a hold of herself, feigns her feelings and picks up a har brush.

HELEN

You just made me jump, that's all.

Greg notices Helen does not seem herself.

GREG

You alright?

Helen starts brushing her hair forcefully and quickly. She forces a fake smile, in attempt to hide her anxiety.

HELEN

Yeah. Living La Vida Loca.

Greg chuckles.

GREG

Living La Vida Loca. You're not crazy are you?

HELEN

Aren't we all?

Greg shrugs and somewhat reluctantly agrees to his Wifes claims.

GREG

I suppose so.

Momentary silence between the two. Helen does not want Greg to keep getting suspicious of her why, she is acting out of character. Helen changes the subject.

HELEN

You best get going. It's not every day, you get a second chance of working alongside your father again.

GREG

It's him that I should start trusting, not him trusting me.

HELEN

Just go easy on him. He still blames himself for what happened to Jack.

GREG

You working today?

Helen puts her earrings on, whilst glancing back and forth to the mirror and Greg.

HELEN

Yeah, I start in an hour.

Greg leans forward and meaningfully brushes his wifes arm and tries to be encouraging.

GREG

When you finish, go straight over to Harry and Tina's. And wait there until I finish.

Helen frowns nervously and with curiosity.

GREG

I know, you're scared. You carried Frank for nearly Nine Months and acted as a surrogate for my sister. You're scared that if you bond with him, you'll start to see him as your own.

Helen laughs Greg's claims off.

HELEN

Don't be stupid.

GREG

That's the feeling we're all getting here. It's concerning Tina a bit. She loves you like her sister and it's been six weeks since he was born and you've barely seen her three times in that period. Your excuse has been, 'I'm too busy with work.'

Helen nervously thinks for a moment. She may have to compromise in order to continue the deception. She takes a deep sigh.

HELEN

You're right. It hasn't been easy. Frank has made me realize, I do want to be a mother. It's a scary thought, that I've carried a child and given birth and he's not even mine.

Greg smiles tenderly and nods in agreement. He thinks his wife is finally opening up to her true feelings.

GREG

A part of me feels exactly the same - paternally that is. But, don't be a stranger. Go see Frank. And who knows, in time, we'll have a cousin for both Jack and Frank.

Helen holds her emotions in check.

HELEN

Your right. I'll see him.

Greg happily winks.

GREG

Good girl. I'll see you at Tina and Harry's later.

Greg kisses Helen on the lips and gets to his feet and walks to the bedroom door. Helen spins around abruptly and calls out to her husband.

HELEN

Greg?

Greg acknowledges Helen.

GREG

Yeah?

A guilty Helen stares momentarily at her husband.

HELEN

I love you.

GREG

I love you too. I'll see you later.

Greg heads out of the bedroom door and closes it behind him. Helen then bursts into tears and cries silently, so he doesn't hear her. The guilt is intensifying, as she has now promised to go see Frank, whom she does actually want to see. However, visiting him as his Aunt and not as his Mother, will be all too much to bare.