EXT. HAWTHORNE HOUSE. DAY

The house stands quiet and then suddenly swells with activity.

MUSIC- I Call Your Name (Johnny Clegg & Savuka)

The kids, Michael and Valerie are preparing for Angela’s homecoming. Stephen and Michael climb ladders to hang the banner, with Mike and Lucas spotting them. The door to the house is still open, and the balloons adorning the entry and livingroom are visible.

The family car pulls in just as Stephen and Michael are climbing off the ladders. Everyone moves forward to form a loose semi-circle where the walk meets the driveway. When the car finally does pull up, Stephen and Lucas move to the passenger side. Stephen opens the car door and accepts responsability for Angela as Lucas helps Wendy out of the car.

Welcome home Mom.

He kisses his mother on the cheek.

And welcome home angel Angela.

He lifts her to his face and gently kisses her cheek. Lucas hugs his mom and then leads her over to the house. Stephen is right behind them with Angela.

INT. HAWTHORNE HOUSE. DAY

MUSIC: Litty Bitty Pretty One

Wendy is seated in the comfortable chair in the livingroom, queen for a day, and being pampered, mostly by Bryan. The others are all desperate to hold Angela. Valerie goes first and hands her off to Kelsey, who sits with Angela on the couch, Lucas watching proudly before it is his turn. Mike and Danielle each take their turn as well. Stephen watches all of this with envy, his eyes on the scene and his mind on something else. As if by will, the phone rings. Stephen vaults over furniture and people to get it, but is not the first one to pick up.

Yeah, Stephen’s right here, breathless in anticipation. Hang on...

Michael passes the cordless phone to Stephen.

Cori.

You knew it was me?

Well kind of by what Uncle Mike said, but before that...oh Cori, Angela came home from the hospital, and the more I watch the others holding her, the more I felt that I need this call, you know?

I understand baby.

Stephen begins walking and talking at the same time. He’s heading outside.

She is so beautiful Cor, I can’t wait for you to see her.

I can’t wait to see you Stephen.

EXT. HAWTHORNE HOUSE. NIGHT

Stephen is now walking and talking on the deck by the pool.

Oh god, oh me too...where’s my head, babbling about the baby.

It’s okay honey. You love her too, I understand that and admire the closeness you have to your family.

I love you Cori.

I love you too Stephen.

More than anything.

So just smile. I’ll be there soon. Go check your e-mail. I left you a nice long letter.

Bye baby.

See you soon my love.

INT. STEPHEN’S BEDROOM. NIGHT

Stephen is online, and writing a response to Cori’s letter. Danielle passes his door. She comes back, stands in the entryway and watches him typing. Suddenly Stephen stops and swivels to face the entryway.

Hi Dani.

Oops, hi Stephen. I didn’t mean to interrupt.

Don’t worry about it. Not like it’s the first time it ever happened.

Are you writing to Cori?

Stephen nods.

Cool. She’s coming soon, right?

Stephen nods again, this time smiling widely.

Did Mike, um, you know, tell you?

About the boyfriend-girlfriend thing?

Danielle nods shyly.

Not that he had to, we’re a pretty observant bunch, but yeah, he did. Are you okay with it? I mean it’s not an easy life.

You mean when you guys go out on the road?

Sure, there’s that...but the life we lead...good god it’s full of...rehearsals, photo sessions, practices, songwriting, interviews...online chats...meetings...it’s like something new comes up every day.

Then you have to know how you feel about the other person, right?

Very good way of looking at it Dani. You think you can handle that? The media attention will be pretty fierce...I mean you have captured the heart of...man, what the heck was the last thing People magazine called him?

Sunkissed teen god of soul.

Good memory.

I don’t know that I can say right now that I am definitely ready for it. But I am ready to try. You know, well, with some, uh, guidance?

Stephen watches Dani’s face, trying to read the sentiment.

You have e-mail, right?

Remember, Mike sent me the computer.

Oh man, yeah, okay.

He grabs a pen and small notepad off the desk and holds them out to Danielle.

Okay, so right down the e-mail, ICQ number and whatever else, and I will hook you up with Cori. Plus you can count on us for whatever you need. But Cori will be able to tell you stuff I can’t.

Right. Thanks.

Danielle takes the pad and pen from him and begins writing.

I really appreciate it.

Not a problem, honestly.

Stephen swivels back around and begins typing again. Danielle finishes what she has been writing and sets it down next to Stephen’s computer. He pats her on the arm, then she kisses him on the cheek and leaves the room. Stephen finishes the letter and hits send. As he is waiting for it to transmit, he senses someone behind him.

Forget something Dani?

Lucas quickly withdraws the hands he was going to use to cover Stephen’s eyes.

Man your radar is oooofffffff.

Haha, what’s up?

We’ve got a command performance.

Pardon?

Mom wants us to sing for the baby.

Ah, great! Get Mike and bring him here first though, okay? And tell Mom 10 minutes.

INT. HAWTHORNE LIVINGROOM. NIGHT

Wendy is sitting in a rocking chair with Angela. Bryan hovers nearby. Michael, Victoria, Kelsey and Danielle make up the rest of the audience. The boys face their parents and new sibling.

Okay, the other day I picked this up.

He hands Bryan a cassette.

Kenny Loggins recorded it after his daughter was born. He said it was for children and parents. There is only one song on there I know real well from my own childhood, so I tried to teach Mike and Lucas. Quickly. Keep that in mind...please.

The boys begin an acapella performance of The Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie. During the song, Lucas noticies his mother is crying and a look of concern crosses his face. Wendy sees his discomfort, smiles and raises her hand to give him visual assurance that she’s fine. Mike sees what is going on and hugs Lucas supportively around the shoulders.

INT. SMALL, ROMANTIC RESTAURANT. NIGHT

Danielle and Mike are seated at a secluded table.

I can’t believe I’m going home tomorrow.

It’s only a temporary separation.

I know. And think of it this way, it means Cori will get here faster and we’ll be making Stephen really happy.

What?

Just putting the happiness of others in perspective.

You’re such a sweetheart. What did I do to deserve you?

Didja want the whole list?

Mike reaches across the table and kisses Danielle.

Cut to:

INT. AIRPORT. DAY

Mike is kissing Danielle goodbye as Michael scans the crowd and keeps an eye on the nearby bodyguard.

Goodbye baby. Write me as soon as you get home, okay?

Of course. I love you.

I love you too.

The pair hug, then Mike hands Danielle her carryon and she head for the plane, stopping near the door to wave goodbye. Mike returns her wave. Once she has been checked through the gate, Mike joins his uncle.

You gonna miss her?

Do birds have wings? Next question.

Did you have a good time last night?

Oh...yeah...it was a great little place, nice and quiet, good food.

Anyone spot you?

Don’t think so.

Great, let’s get going then. You’re supposed to meet the other monkeys on the soundstage.

Mike and Michael begin to walk, with the bodyguard falling in behind them. Michael stops to buy a newspaper and tucks it under his arm as they leave the airport.

INT. SUBURBAN. DAY

The bodyguard is driving. Mike sits in the passenger seat and his uncle is on the bench seat behind him. As they pull out of the airport, Michael opens the newspaper. He pulls out the entertainment section first. He scans the first page and then opens it to check out pages two and three. But as quickly as he opened it, he closes it.

Mike...

Yeah Uncle Mike?

You sure nobody saw you last night?

Why?

Michael opens the section again and folds it so that Mike can get a good look at page three. In the top right corner of the page is a large picture of he and Danielle.

Mike Hawthorne and an unidentified young woman were seen leaving Marcelo’s last night after a decidely romantic dinner...oh oh oh...shit.

Language buddy.

Michael looks shocked at his own words, but turns his attention to his nephew.

What do you want to do?

I really should talk to Danielle about it first.

So, no comment until then?

Yeah. Geez...maybe you could call her mom and give her the heads up and then when they get back to the house, she can call your cell. You know, just in case we’re filming or whatever?

Good plan. We’ll do that.

INT. HAWTHORNE LIVINGROOM. NIGHT

The TV is tuned to CNN and the whole “family” is gathered around it. Sherri Sylvester had been sent to the soundstage to do a quick interview with Mike.

The girl, who he will only identify as a Danielle, is a family friend.

This is a new and exciting time for both Danielle and I. We don’t know what exactly is going to happen, but I am hoping the media and the fans will allow us the opportunity to find out.

Also in Hawthorne family news, the brothers report that they are proud new siblings to baby Angela, who is happy, healthy and a very welcome addition to the family.

INT. AIRPORT. DAY

Stephen is waiting with Michael and the same bodyguard who made the trip to the airport before.

Thank god Kelsey is here with us, ‘cause this is starting to get a little repetitive.

Haha, the passengers are getting off her plane now.

Stephen watches the gate with great anticipation. As soon as he catches the first glimpse of Cori, he is off like a shot. The bodyguard is quicker and on the move before realization hits Michael. Stephen swipes Cori up in a kiss that causes her to drop her carryon luggage. Michael scoops it up and waits patiently. When they break apart, Cori looks for her luggage and it finally dawns on her what had happened.

Thanks Uncle Mike, for being the level headed one in all of this. It’s been a while since I saw my man.

Stephen blushes.

Not a problem, that’s why I am here.

INT. SOUNDSTAGE. DAY

Stephen and Cori enter, hand in hand, followed by Mike. Lucas bounds over to greet Cori.

And how is that marvelously insane sister of yours?

Marvelously insane of course. She said to tell you to suck a lemon.

Oooh, good one. Um, tell her I ordered her a necklace and Petsmart has promised me it will be delivered in a couple of days.

Lucas!

Oh geez, it’s a joke. We do this all the time. Right Cori?

Cori nods.

It’s a running thing with them Kelsey, don’t worry. He knows I would knock his little block off if he actually meant it.

Mike approaches with Meline and Colette.

Hey Cori, this is Meline, my co-star in the movie, and Colette, who is playing opposite Stephen.

Cori grabs and embraces Colette.

It is so nice to finally meet you! I have heard so much about you!

And you must be Cori.

My fame preceeds me?

Colette nods vigorously and makes a hand signals that indicates Stephen as been talking a lot.

Well, I hope we get a chance to have lunch or something and set the record straight. You never know how things are going to turn out when they’re from a male perspective. If not, we can talk some more at the concert.

Concert?

Yeah, the Marcus Little show. There are tickets and backstage passes for everyone.

Everyone?

Yeah.

Michael hands him a medium-sized manilla envelope.

Uncle Mike and Victoria already have theirs.

Cori reaches into the envelope and pulls out some of the passes by their chords and hangs the first two on Stephen and herself.

Cori and I of course. Colette...

Cori hangs a pass on Colette’s neck.

Lucas and Kelsey...

Cori hangs the last two passes in her hands around Lucas and Kelsey’s necks. Then she reaches into the envelope and pulls out two more.

And Mike and...well, Meline, I know we didn’t ask you in advance, but would you like to come with us?

Sure.

Okay, we’re gonna leave from here on the night of the concert, so everybody needs to bring their concert clothes to work and do not lose this.

Stephen points to his own pass. Colette lifts hers to look at it and examines the smiling face of Marcus Little.

Thanks.

Save it for when you actually meet Marcus.

Stephen gives her a hug and takes Cori to meet Rob. Colette is left staring at the backstage pass.