"The One With the Gazebo" 14

                                  by Kate

"The One With the Gazebo" 14

OXFORD GARDENS CABIN -- 5:45 p.m.

(QUINTON, DRESSED IN A TUX, DOZES ON THE SOFA. HE DOESN'T HEAR NOLA CALLING
HIM FROM THE OTHER ROOM. SHE COMES OUT OF THE BEDROOM IN ONLY A SLIP,
CARRYING TWO DRESSES, AND SMILES AT THE SIGHT OF QUINTON SLEEPING. SHE
CROSSES TO HIM AND KISSES HIS CHEEK.

NOLA: Wake up, sleepyface.

(QUINTON OPENS HIS EYES SLEEPILY.)

QUINTON: What?

NOLA: Stacy will be here any minute, and I need your help.

(QUINTON SITS UP QUICKLY.)

QUINTON: What's wrong?

NOLA: I can't decide what dress to wear.

(QUINTON LIES BACK DOWN.)

QUINTON: I'm sure you'll look lovely in either.

NOLA: That doesn't help me, Quinton.

QUINTON: Okay, okay. (HE SITS UP AND LOOKS AT THE DRESSES.) Are those new?

NOLA: Yes. Which one do you like?

QUINTON: I think you should wear the green one tonight.

NOLA: You don't like the copper one?

QUINTON: They're both beautiful, but the green one is better for tonight.

NOLA: Why?

QUINTON: It goes better with where we're having dinner.

NOLA: I thought we were eating here.

QUINTON: Anastasia had a better idea.

NOLA: You got her in on your surprise, too?

QUINTON: What surprise?

NOLA: Whatever it is you're planning. And don't tell me you're not planning
anything, because you have that little sparkle in your eye that you get
before you surprise me with something.

QUINTON: Don't you think you should finish dressing? Not that I don't like
that outfit, but you probably should have a dress on when Anastasia and
Joseph get here.

NOLA: You're impossible.

QUINTON: You love it. (THERE'S A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.) That must be our young
dinner companions. Why don't I let them in while you get dressed?

NOLA: You're not going to tell me anything, are you? (QUINTON SHAKES HIS
HEAD. NOLA SIGHS IN FRUSTRATION.) You make me crazy.

(SHE SULKS INTO THE BEDROOM. QUINTON SMILES AFTER HER THEN GOES TO THE DOOR
TO FIND STACY, CARRYING A GIFT BAG AND A SHOPPING BAG.)

QUINTON: Good evening, princess. Are you alone?

STACY: Joseph said he'd meet us later. He's helping his father get
everything ready. And hopefully picking up a few romantic tips.

QUINTON: If I realized I'd be giving a young man pointers on how to be
romantic with my daughter, I never would have gotten you two in on this.

STACY: Oh, Daddy.

QUINTON: Should I be worried that you've turned into such a beautiful young
lady?

STACY: No. You raised me right.

QUINTON: Your mom gets all the credit for that.

STACY: She couldn't have done it without you. She told me so.

QUINTON: I just stood back and watched in wonder. Oh, did you remember...

STACY: It's right here. I took very good care of it. (SHE HANDS HIM THE
GIFT BAG.) I picked up a little something to match. I hope you approve.

(QUINTON LIFTS A NECKLACE CASE OUT OF THE BAG AND OPENS IT.)

QUINTON: Anastasia, this is stunning.

STACY: It matched so perfectly, I knew you would want it for Mom.

QUINTON: She's going to love it.

STACY: I hope so. But if she doesn't, I'm taking it. With a playwright as a
boyfriend, I'm never going to get a gift like that.

QUINTON: We'll see.

STACY: I have another suprise that I'd like to give Mom myself. Is she
still getting dressed?

QUINTON: Yes. Why don't you go hurry her up?

STACY: Okay. I'll be right back. (SHE GOES INTO THE BEDROOM TO FIND NOLA
STRUGGLING WITH THE ZIPPER OF HER DRESS.) Hey, you don't have to do that by
yourself anymore, remember?

NOLA: Hello, sweetheart.

STACY: Why didn't you ask Dad to help you?

NOLA: He was talking to you.

(STACY ZIPS UP HER DRESS. NOLA STARTS SEARCHING THROUGH A JEWELRY BOX FOR
EARRINGS.)

STACY: A.J. Told me you've been sleeping in my room since you moved back
into Granpa Henry's house.

NOLA: I haven't moved back in. I was just staying there a few days to keep
an eye on your father.

(STACY PICKS UP A PAIR OF EMERALD AND DIAMOND EARRINGS.)

STACY: Wear these. But you're going to move into the house, right? Now that
you and Daddy are back together, you shouldn't be living apart.

NOLA: We won't be.

STACY: You shouldn't be sleeping in my room, either.

NOLA: That is none of your business.

STACY: What are you going to do, make Daddy sleep on the sofa?

NOLA: I said it was none of your business.

STACY: Making sure you and Daddy are happy again is my business. That's why
I got you this.

(SHE HANDS NOLA THE SHOPPING BAG.)

NOLA: What's this?

STACY: Something I'm hoping will come in handy.

(NOLA TAKES A BOX OUT OF THE BAG AND OPENS IT TO FIND A SILK, PEACH
NEGLIGEE WITH MATCHING ROBE.)

NOLA: Stacy!

STACY: You and Daddy are making a new start, which means this trip is kind
of like a honeymoon. So I thought I would get you proper honeymoon clothes.

NOLA: I did have something like this for our first...

(SHE STOPS, EMBARRASSED.)

STACY: It's okay, Mom, I'm a grown woman now. I know A.J. and I weren't
hatched.

NOLA: I can't talk about this with you.

STACY: That's cool. But I hope you'll still take advantage of my gift.

(NOLA FINGERS THE MATERIAL.)

NOLA: It is beautiful.

STACY: It's going to look great on you, too. Maybe even as great as that
dress. Where did you get that? I love it.

NOLA: I found it in Springfield. I didn't bring a lot of this kind of stuff
with me when I...when I went to the boardinghouse, so I did some shopping
before we left. I know I'd need to be a little more dressy over here.

STACY: Especially here. The guests at the cabins have to dress for dinner
every night. It makes Joseph crazy, because he hates wearing a suit. But I
think it's a nice tradition.

NOLA: Me, too. Shall we go?

(STACY NODS AND GOES BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM WITH NOLA.)

STACY: Okay, we're ready.

QUINTON: I don't know if I want to share you two beautiful ladies with
Joseph.

STACY: Too bad, you're going to have to anyway.

(QUINTON PICKS UP A BLACK CAPE OFF THE SOFA.)

QUINTON: Nola, you might want to put this on. It can get a bit chilly here
in the evening. (HE SLIPS IT OVER HER SHOULDERS AND LEANS IN TO KISS HER
CHEEK.) You look beautiful.

NOLA: Thank you.

QUINTON: We better not keep Joseph waiting.

(HE SLIPS ONE ARM AROUND NOLA AND THE OTHER AROUND STACY, LEADING THEM BOTH
OUT THE DOOR. THE THREE OF THEM WALK ALONG THE FLOWER LINED STONE PATH
TOWARD THE HOUSE.)

NOLA: So, where is this place we're going to eat?

QUINTON: Very close by.

STACY: I'm sure you're going to love it, Mom.

(THEY APPROACH THE HOUSE, BUT INSTEAD OF GOING UP THE WALKWAY LEADING
THERE, THEY CONTINUE ALONG THE STONE PATH.)

NOLA: Aren't we going to get Joseph?

STACY: He's around the back of the house. I told him we would meet him back
there, since I didn't get the chance to show you that part of the grounds
earlier.

(SHE LOOKS AT QUINTON, TRYING HARD TO HIDE HER GRIN. NOLA NOTICES THE
EXCHANGE.)

NOLA: What are you up to?

STACY: Nothing.

NOLA: Then why are you grinning like that?

STACY: I'm happy to have you and Daddy here together.

NOLA: Is that it?

STACY: No, I'm happy that you're finally going to get to know Joseph, too.
I'm going to run ahead and find him. I'll see you up there.

!­ Û #Àˆ NOLA: Up wh Ùp

QUINTON: Where we're having dinner.

NOLA: It's here at the Cabins?

QUINTON: On the grounds, yes.

NOLA: I didn't know they had a restaurant here, too.

QUINTON: It's not exactly a restaurant. Close your eyes.

NOLA: What?

QUINTON: Close your eyes, I want you to be surprised. (NOLA CLOSES HER EYES
AND LETS QUINTON LEAD HER THE REST OF THE WAY UP THE PATH.) Okay, open
them.

(NOLA OPENS HER EYES TO FIND A GAZEBO MUCH LIKE THE GAZEBO IN SPRINGFIELD.
ALTHOUGH THE SUN IS JUST STARTING TO SET, THE PLACE IS ALREADY FILLED WITH
CANDLES. A TABLE IS SET UP IN THE MIDDLE FOR DINNER FOR FOUR.)

NOLA: Oh, Quinton.

QUINTON: Do you like it?

NOLA: I love it.

QUINTON: I wish I could take credit, but it was Anastasia's idea to have
dinner here. She thought it should be just the two of us, but I convinced
her to join us for awhile.

NOLA: I'm glad. We have plenty of time for romantic dinners, but I have the
feeling we're not going to see a lot of our little girl anymore.

QUINTON: I think you're right. Once she's done here in June, who knows
where she'll be off to.

NOLA: Where they'll be off to.

QUINTON: I can't even think about that.

(STACY COMES RUNNING OVER.)

STACY: Well?

QUINTON: You did good, kiddo.

NOLA: Did you do all this?

STACY: I only picked the location -- Daddy handled all the details. With
some help from Joseph.

NOLA: I hoped he learned a thing or two.

STACY: I think he did. He gave me this.

(SHE HOLDS UP THE ROSE IN HER HAND.)

QUINTON: Great. (NOLA SWATS HIM WITH THE BACK OF HER HAND.) Can we just eat
so I don't have to think about this?

(NOLA AND STACY BOTH LAUGH.)

STACY: Okay, Daddy, we'll let you stay in denial. Come on.

(SHE RETURNS TO THE GAZEBO. QUINTON AND NOLA FOLLOW HER HAND IN HAND.)

FADE OUT

OXFORD GARDENS GAZEBO -- 9 p.m.

(QUINTON AND NOLA ARE NOW ALONE IN THE GAZEBO. THE DINNER DISHES HAVE BEEN
CLEARED AWAY, BUT THE CANDLES REMAIN, AS DOES A CHAMPAGNE BUCK WITH A
HALF-FILLED CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE IN IT. THE BUCKET IS NEXT TO A COMFORTABLE
WICKER SOFA WHERE QUINTON SITS WITH HIS ARM AROUND NOLA, HIS HAND PLAYING
AIMLESSLY WITH HER HAIR AS SHE RESTS HER HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER.)

QUINTON: You want to go inside? You look like you're about to drop.

NOLA: This has been the longest day. But I don't want to go in yet. I like
it out here.

QUINTON: Me too.

NOLA: Dinner was nice.

QUINTON (nodding): Hmm.

NOLA: I like Joseph.

QUINTON: I could tell.

NOLA: I wasn't flirting.

QUINTON: Of course you weren't dear.

NOLA: He seems quite devoted to Stacy. Did you see the way his eyes stayed
on her the whole night? And how he hung on her every word?

QUINTON: I was trying not to notice.

NOLA: Is this really bothering you?

QUINTON: I'm not ready to give up my little girl. How can she be old enough
to have a boy in love with her? It was only yesterday that I was putting
her in those fuzzy pink pajamas and reading her to sleep with Winnie the
Pooh.

NOLA (laughing): I'm afraid it was a lot longer than yesterday.

QUINTON: Does that mean we're old?

NOLA: You are. (QUINTON LAUGHS AND KISSES HER ON THE TOP OF HER HEAD.) But
it really doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we were in their
place, falling in love and planning our future.

QUINTON: We're kind of back in that place now, rediscovering the love we
found back then, planning another future. So it seems only appropriate that
I give you this again.

(HE TAKES A RING BOX OUT OF HIS POCKET AND HANDS IT TO NOLA. SHE OPENS IT
AND TEARS UP UPON SEEING THE EMERALD AND DIAMOND RING.)

NOLA: My engagement ring. You did have it.

QUINTON: Actually, Anastasia did. I told her I wanted to get you a ring to
symbolize our new start, and she said she had this. You didn't give it to
her?

NOLA: I left it behind when I went to Springfield. I asked A.J. to find it
for me later, but it was gone. I guess Stacy must have taken it.

QUINTON: She probably didn't want me to know you left it behind.

NOLA: I only did it to be spiteful. And I regretted it right away. When
A.J. told me he couldn't find it, I thought maybe you...I didn't think I'd
ever see it again.

QUINTON: I would never have gotten rid ofit. I would have done just what
Anastasia did -- saved it until you were ready to wear it again.

(SHE LOOKS HIM IN THE EYE.)

NOLA: I'm ready. (SHE HOLDS OUT THE BOX TO HIM.) Put it on for me?

QUINTON: Of course. (HE TAKES THE RING FROM THE BOX AND SLIPS IT ON NOLA'S
FINGER, NOT TAKING HIS EYES OFF HERS.) I give you this ring as a sign of my
neverending love. (NOLA CHOKES BACK HER TEARS. QUINTON CARESSES HER FACE
LOVINGLY.) I do love you. I'll always love you.

NOLA: And I'll always love you.

(THEY KISS TENDERLY.)

QUINTON: Let's go inside.

(NOLA NODS. QUINTON SLIPS HIS ARM THROUGH HERS, AND NOLA SNUGGLES CLOSE TO
HIM. NEITHER SAYS ANYTHING AS THEY WANDER OUT OF THE GAZEBO AND SLOWLY MAKE
THEIR WAY THROUGH THE FLOWER-FILLED GARDEN BACK TO THE CABIN. QUINTON OPENS
THE DOOR AND LETS NOLA STEP IN BEFORE HIM. SHE SMILES AS SHE SEE THE
HEATHER THAT NOW FILLS THE ROOM.)

NOLA: You never stop, do you

QUINTON: What makes you think I did this?

NOLA (smiling): Oh no, this isn't your style at all.

QUINTON: Okay, the heather was my idea. And the brandy. But this wasn't.

(HE POINTS OUT A BASKET OF CHOCOLATES AND CHOCOLATE-COVERED FRUIT SITTING
ON THE COFFEE TABLE. NOLA EXAMINES THE GIFT AND FINDS A CARD TUCKED INSIDE.
SHE OPENS IT AND WE SEE PRINTED NEATLY: Romance is always better with
chocolate. Enjoy. Love, Anastasia.)

NOLA: Looks like our daughter has your flair for surprises.

(SHE POPS A CHOCOLATE INTO HER MOUTH.)

QUINTON: She's full of them today.

NOLA: She certainly is.

QUINTON: It was she who found this.

(HE HANDS HER THE GIFT BAD THAT STACY BROUGHT EARLIER. NOLA SITS ON THE
SOFA AND LIFTS THE NECKLACE CASE OUT. SHE GASPS AT THE SIGHT OF THE DIAMOND
AND EMERALD CHOKER INSIDE.)

NOLA: Oh my God.

(QUINTON SITS DOWN NEXT TO HER.)

QUINTON: I thought it was quite stunning myself.

NOLA: Quinton, I can't....It's too much.

QUINTON: Nothing is too much for you my dear.

NOLA: But...

QUINTON: If you don't take it I have to give it to Anastasia. Joseph may be
learning romance, but he can't yet do diamonds.

NOLA: It does match my ring perfectly.

QUINTON: And those earrings. Let's put it on you and see how it looks.
(NOLA PULLS HER HAIR OUT OF THE WAY AS HE SLIPS THE NECKLACE OUT OF THE BOX
AND SLIDES IT AROUND HER NECK. AFTER SHUTTING THE CLASP, HIS HANDS MOVE
ACROSS NOLA'S SHOULDERS AND DOWN HER ARMS AS HIS LIPS KISS HER NECK JUST
BELOW WHERE THE NECKLACE LIES.) It's even more beautiful on you than I
thought it would be.

NOLA: You can't even see it from back there.

QUINTON: I think this is the perfect view. (HE CONTINUES TO LAVISH KISSES
ON NOLA'S NECK UNTIL SHE TURNS HER HEAD TO MEET HIS LIPS. THEY KISS
PASSIONATELY FOR A LONG MOMENT.) You taste like chocolate.

NOLA: Is that a bad thing?

QUINTON: No, I like it.

NOLA: Good, because these things are delicious.

(SHE EATS ANOTHER CHOCOLATE.)

QUINTON: Oh really?

NOLA: Really. Try.

(SHE HOLDS A CHOCOLATE OUT TO QUINTON, WHO TAKES IT IN HIS MOUTH SLOWLY,
LETTING HIS MOUTH LINGER ON HER FINGERS.)

QUINTON: Mmm, that is good. But I think it tastes better this way.

(HE PULLS HER INTO ANOTHER KISS. SOON THE TWO OF THEM FALL BACK ON THE
SOFA, THEIR LIPS NEVER LEAVING EACH OTHER'S. AS NOLA STARTS TO PUSH OFF
QUINTON'S TUXEDO JACKET, HE SUDDENLY STOPS HER.)

NOLA: What's the matter?

QUINTON: If I'm sleeping on the sofa tonight we have to stop.

(NOLA SITS UP AND SLIDES TO THE OTHER END OF THE SOFA, HER HEAD BOWED SO
QUINTON CAN'T SEE HER EYES. FINALLY, SHE LIFTS HER HEAD TO LOOK AT HIM.)

NOLA: Did you mean what you said when you gave me this?

(SHE FIDDLES WITH HER ENGAGEMENT RING.)

QUINTON: As much as I meant it when I said those words on our wedding day.

NOLA: I couldn't live if you broke my heart again.

QUINTON: I couldn't live with myself if I did that. (HE KISSES HER SOFTLY.
NOLA LOOKS INTO HIS EYES FOR A LONG MOMENT AS SHE TOUCHES HIS FACE. QUINTON
TAKES HER HAND AND KISSES IT.) Trust me.

NOLA: I do. (HE'S ABOUT TO KISS HER AGAIN WHEN NOLA JUMPS OFF THE SOFA.)
Wait here.

(SHE STARTS TOWARD THE BEDROOM.)

QUINTON: Where are you going?

NOLA: I have a surprise of my own. (SHE CROSSES BACK TO THE SOFA.) Get
comfortable, I'll be back in a minute.

(SHE KISSES HIM QUICKLY. QUINTON GRABS HER AND PULLS HER IN FOR A LONGER
KISS.)

QUINTON: I can't wait a minute.

NOLA: I think you'll find it worth the wait. (SHE FREES HERSELF FROM HIM,
PLACATING HIM WITH ANOTHER QUICK KISS BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARS INTO THE
BEDROOM. QUINTON RESTLESSLY PULLS HIS JACKET OFF, DROPPING IT ON A CHAIR AS
HE PACES AROUND THE ROOM. HE NEARLY CHOKES HIMSELF PULLING OFF HIS TIE AS
HIS FRUSTRATION GROWS. FINALLY HE GOES TO THE BEDROOM DOOR AND KNOCKS.) Go
away, Quinton.

QUINTON: Why don't you let me in and I'll help. (HE TRIES THE DOOR AND
FINDS IT LOCKED.) Nola!

NOLA: If you don't stop whining I'm not coming out. (QUINTON TURNS AWAY
WITH A FROWN.) Stop pouting, I said I'd be out in a minute.

QUINTON: Your minute is up.

NOLA: I need time to make everything perfect.

QUINTON: I don't need everything perfect, I need you.

NOLA: Patience is a virtue, dear.

QUINTON: A virtue I don't have at the moment.

NOLA: Have some more chocolate while you're waiting.

QUINTON: Chocolate is not going to do my any good right now. (NOLA LAUGHS.)
It's not funny.

NOLA: It is from this side of the door. Why don't you pour us some brandy?

QUINTON: Okay. But hurry up.

(QUINTON FUMBLES WITH THE BRANDY, FINALLY GETTING IT OPEN. HE GETS TWO
GLASSES FROM THE TABLE AND TURNS BACK TO THE BRANDY JUST IN TIME TO SEE
NOLA IN THE DOORWAY OF THE BEDROOM, STILL WEARING HER NECKLACE AND RING,
BUT NOW DRESSES IN THE NEGLIGEE FROM STACY.)

NOLA: Surprise. (THE GLASSES FALL TO THE CARPET.) Does that mean it was
worth the wait? (QUINTON NODS, STILL GAPING AT HER NOLA IS A BIT
UNCOMFORTABLE AT HIS CONTINUED STARING AND NERVOUSLY GOES TO PICK UP THE
GLASSES.) Thank godness they didn't break. Would you like to pour? (QUINTON
NODS AGAIN AND POURS THE BRANDY INTO THE GLASSES A BIT UNSTEADILY. ) You
okay? (QUINTON SHAKES HIS HEAD AS HE TAKES A GLASS OF BRANDY FROM HER AND
SIPS IT.)

QUINTON: When I see you looking like that I can't think straight.

NOLA: I'm a little nervous, too.

QUINTON: It's not nervousness. (HE TAKES THE BRANDY OUT OF HER HANDS AND
SETS BOTH THEIR GLASSES DOWN. THEN HE TAKES NOLA'S HAND AND LEADS HER TO
THE SOFA.) I've loved you so long, but you can still make my heart skip a
beat.

NOLA: I can?

(QUINTON NODS.)

QUINTON: Why are you nervous?

NOLA: I don't know. Stacy said today that this trip was kind of like a
honeymoon for us, and I do feel like I did back then. I'm excited about
what lies ahead for us, but I'm a little scared, too.

QUINTON: Nola, if you're not ready...

(SHE PUTS HER FINGER TO HIS LIPS.)

NOLA: I'm ready.

(HE STARTS TO KISS HER FACE AND HAIR.)

QUINTON: I love you.

NOLA: I know. Show me how much.

(SHE KISSES HIM SOFTLY, THEN STANDS AND OFFERS HER HAND. QUINTON TAKES IT
AND FOLLOWS HER INTO THE BEDROOM.)