Thursday - 4/4
BLACK PATCH
Joy disconnected Tate’s phone from her computer and handed it back to Tate.
JOY: There you go. If Kristen DiMera tries to call again, at least from the number she’s been using, she won’t get through.
TATE: Cool, thanks! How do you block a hidden number, anyway?
JOY: I have my ways.
STEVE: That’s why Firefly here is our tech wiz kid.
JOY: Happy to be of service.
Steve put a hand on Tate’s shoulder.
STEVE: Now, we should probably be gettin’ home.
TATE: Sounds good.
STEVE: Thanks again, Joy.
JOY: You’re welcome.
Steve and Tate walked out together.
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Max had joined the group in the waiting room. Chelsea was in a corner of the room, on the phone.
CHELSEA: No, we’re still waiting. I’ll let you know when I find out anything.
Johnny walked in from Meadow’s room. Sami, Lucas, Max and Tara stood.
CHELSEA: Mom, I gotta go. I’ll call you later.
Chelsea hung up and joined the rest of the group.
JOHNNY: Well…she did it! The baby’s arrived!
There was a sigh of relief around the room.
JOHNNY: 7 pounds and 2 ounces. Congratulations Uncle Max, Chelsea. It’s a girl.
Max put an arm around Chelsea.
CHELSEA: A girl?
JOHNNY: Yep!
Chelsea and Max hugged.
TARA: How’s Meadow? How’s she doing?
JOHNNY: She’s exhausted, but she’ll be alright. She was…there’s no other word for it, she was amazing!
MAX: Can we see her? The baby, I mean?
Maxine walked in.
MAXINE: The baby has just finished being cleaned up. Since you, Max and Chelsea, are her adopted parents, you’re welcome to go see her.
TARA: What about Meadow?
MAXINE: She’s resting. She’s had a long day. Since it’s evening already, we’re gonna keep her overnight to make sure she’s doing okay. However, I don’t think there’d be any problem with one person going to see her. But only one at a time, now.
Tara and Johnny exchanged a look.
JOHNNY: You go ahead, I was just in there.
TARA: Thank you!
Tara went to see Meadow, while Chelsea and Max went to meet their new daughter. Johnny took a deep breath.
SAMI: How are you, honey?
JOHNNY: I’m alright. It was…that was quite an experience!
LUCAS: I’ll bet. I’m glad you were there for her.
JOHNNY: Me too.
SAMI: I’m just glad your father didn’t show up. That’s all we need.
JOHNNY: Yeah, that’s not happening. Like I said earlier, Father practically disowned me. I didn’t tell him Meadow had the baby, since we’re not on speaking terms. I don’t want him near me, or Meadow, or this child. In fact, I don’t want my father anywhere near this hospital!
SAMI: You won’t hear me argue. I’m just glad you’re okay. And that the baby’s safe and healthy.
Sami and Johnny hugged.
Tara sat by Meadow’s bedside and brushed a lock of hair from her daughter’s face. Meadow began to stir.
MEADOW: Mom?
TARA: Hey. Hi, sweetheart. How are you feeling?
MEADOW: Sore. And kinda sleepy.
TARA: Yeah, I bet. It’s been a long day for you.
MEADOW: Is the baby okay?
TARA: The baby is just fine. Chelsea and Max are meeting her now.
MEADOW: It’s a girl? Sorry, I’m sure the doctors told me, and I remember it crying, but I was pretty out of it. Still am, I guess.
TARA: That’s alright. You just rest, okay? I’ll be right here if you need anything.
Meadow nodded and extended her hand. Tara gently took it and rubbed it.
Chelsea and Max were in another room. Addie, with the baby in her arms, walked over.
ADDIE: Here she is. The nurses got her cleaned up, and I just checked, and she is a healthy little girl. Are you ready to meet her?
Chelsea nodded.
MAX: Definitely.
Gently, Addie handed the baby to Chelsea.
CHELSEA: Oh my gosh! Hi!
MAX: Hey. Look at you! You are so adorable!
CHELSEA: She’s perfect. Hi, baby girl. I’m your Mama.
MAX: And I’m your Daddy. You are gonna be so loved by so many people.
CHELSEA: You already are.
Max and Chelsea looked at each other.
MAX: What should we name her?
CHELSEA: This is gonna sound kinda weird, but…
Chelsea chuckled slightly.
MAX: What?
CHELSEA: My Mom told me that when she was pregnant with me, she referred to me as Georgia. She called me that up until she met me as a teenager. Looking at this little girl, she kinda looks like a Georgia to me.
MAX: Georgia.
CHELSEA: What about her middle name?
MAX: I know a lot of people in our family already have this name, but I kinda wanna pay tribute to Ma.
CHELSEA: Max, that’s beautiful. Georgia Caroline Brady. I like that.
MAX: It’s got a nice ring to it. Georgia Caroline.
CHELSEA: What do you think?
The baby made a small noise. Chelsea and Max chuckled.
MAX: I think we’re in agreement.
CHELSEA: I think so.
Max put his arm around Chelsea as she cradled baby Georgia.
PARK
Kristen paced around the park bench. She looked at her watch and sighed.
KRISTEN: This is taking too long. Dammit, I thought for sure he’d at least be interested!
She zipped up her coat and was about to leave when she heard a familiar voice.
JOHN: Going somewhere?
Kristen turned back.
KRISTEN: John! Fancy meeting you here!
JOHN: I take it you were expecting someone else?
KRISTEN: No idea what you’re talking about. I was just taking an even stroll. It’s unseasonably nice for this early in the spring in the Midwest. It looks like we both had the same idea.
JOHN: Something like that.
KRISTEN: I must say, you’re looking very well. I’m not flirting either, before you get any ideas, I genuinely mean it.
JOHN: That’s the thing, Kristen, people who aren’t flirting generally don’t have to say they aren’t.
Kristen laughed.
KRISTEN: Oh, John.
She cleared her throat.
KRISTEN: So, tell me, how are things? How’s the family?
JOHN: Fine, thanks.
KRISTEN: Good. That’s good. Say, have you heard from Christopher lately?
John raised an eyebrow.
JOHN: Christopher? Hm, can’t say I’m related to anyone named Christopher. Perhaps you’re thinking of Tate?
KRISTEN: Tate, right. Right, of course. That’s what I meant. Tate.
JOHN: What’s with the sudden interest in Tate?