The Thrones

Numerous boxes litter the bare apartment. Rain pours from above, their new apartment doesn’t feel quite like home. None of their homes have… until their last.

Francesca puts the feelings aside, unpacking her literal baggage instead of her figurative.

As she starts unpacking a new box, Leandra walks in with another.

Lea] Are you done?

Fra] Not even close.

Lea] … What’s in here? (refers to the box she’s carrying)

Fra] Is that dad’s stuff?

Lea] Maybe? I’ll leave it here.

Alternate Fath] "Do a spin, Fran!" Fra] "I can’t!" Fath] "You can." Little Francesca attempts the spin but falls flat on her bottom. In the present, Francesca chuckles at her younger self. On the tape, her father laughs along with her. Fra] "Papa! You’re laughing at me!" Fath] "I’m sorry, pea. Try again." Fra] "NOO! I don’t want to do this anymore." Fath] "You can." Fra] "I still can’t do it!" Fath] "Just because you fail the first time doesn’t mean you’ll fail again." Fath] "Try again." Fra] grumbling She tries again, reluctantly. She skates around the block, her determination growing. She spins and spins, and then she’s laughing, her father’s laughter echoing with hers. Fra] "Papa, I did it!!" Fath] laughing "You did it." Fra] still laughing "You can do anything." [The home video ends there.] Leandra appears in the doorway, and Francesca turns to her, tears streaking her face. Lea] "When was that filmed?" Fran] "A few years before you were born." Lea] "He was a good dad." Fran] crying harder "…" Lea] "This isn’t just about Dad, is it?" Fran] "…" Lea] "Didn’t Dad always say you give up on things too easily?" Fran] exasperated "Lea…" Lea] "Don’t give up on your happiness, Cesca. Keep trying until you find it."

Leandra walks away, busy with her other boxes. She leaves Francesca with a box of their past. One Leandra herself isn’t privy too. Francesca ponders the beaten up box. The word “Daddy” written on the side. The word is foreign to her, the meaning long gone from her heart.

She inches closer to the box and opens it. Her fathers things. Some books, some papers, some cameras. Her dad’s old things. She ruffles through the contents, the smell of her long gone father in the air. She comes across a series of cassettes. The girls names written on them. She grabs her own, and pops it into their rickety TV.

It takes a moment to load, but it does to her surprise. She hears her fathers voice, it takes her for surprise after so many years.

Fath] Do a spin, Fran!—

Fra] I can’t!

Fath] You can.

Francesca attempts the trick, she falls flat on her but.

In the present Francesca Laughs at herself. And in the tape, her father laughs with her.

Fra] Papa! You’re laughing at me!

Fath] I’m sorry, pea. Try again.

Fra] NOO! I don’t wanna do this anymore.

Fath] You can.

Fra] I still can’t do it!

Fath] Just because you fail the first time doesn’t mean you will fail again.

Fath] Again.

Fra] (grumbles)

She tries again to her chagrin. She skates around the block, and does the move. She spins, and spins. She laughs, her father laughs.

Fra] Papa I did it!!

Fath] (laughing) You did it.

Fra](laughing still) you can do anything

[ Home video ends there]

[leandra stands at the door, Francesca turns to her. Tears staining her face]

Lea] When was that filmed?

Fran] A few years before you were born.

Lea] He was a good dad.

Fran] (crying intensified) …

Lea] This isn’t just about dad, isn’t it?

Fran]…

Lea] Didn’t dad always say you give up on things to easily?

Fran] (exasperated) Lea…

Lea] Don’t give up on your happiness, Cesca. Keep trying until you find it.

This scene ends. We transition to Laurie, getting ready to do another press conference. These have become tedious, the questions even worse. (show his displeasure)

Mediator] We ask you to refrain from questions that aren’t productive.

Journalists talking over one another.

1] Please, one at a time. One at a time.

Journal 1] Who is this mystery girl?

Mediator] Nope! Please refrain from these questions! You next.

Journal 2] Is it your decision to take a step back from public affairs after the rumors begun circulating?

Luc] It was not.

Journalists break out in speech

Mediator] You there!

Journal 3] Two weeks ago, there were some photographs of you and a young woman. What happened there?

Luc] She’s just a friend… A good one.

Mediator] You in the [color] shirt.

{show the outraised hand of the individual without showing their face}

Fran] Your Highness, Is there a chance where you two might be more than friends?

Luc](suprised) I had hoped their might be… But I don’t think so.

Fran] And what if–

Mediator] No, just one question–

Luc] Let her continue. You were saying.

Fran]… What if idiotic, stupid person realized too late. What if she begged you to reconsider.

Luc]…

Fran]…

Luc]… Yes… I’m pretty sure I would.

They meet again in a room in the palace, and poor their hearts out in a more private place.

screenshots of them talking. get the emotions. pictures are 1000 words themselves. (they share a look)

They meet in a room or hallway. They see each other. years of emotions and loss written over all over their faces. but also a love.

move toward each other like magnets, and collide in a wistful moment. Their love felt through the actions of the other.

The day is bright, the trees are swaying. We come up on a hill of sorts. [“She” by elvis costello playing in the imaginary cinematic background. ]

Francesca and Lucian lay on a bench. They bath in the sun, as birds tweet happily over the picturesque moment.

We see what lays in front of them, a small headstone lays in front of them. Flowers littering the small area. Their Julian laid to rest.

In the epilogue portion of the post, show a park or them walking hand in hand. Francesca leading him to the area where their child is buried. It’s a somber scene, but one filled with love.they rest there for a time, both of them seeking closure. They do one more thing, and then the camera pans to the sky, filled with clouds and a tree in the foreground.

fin.

Numerous boxes litter the bare apartment. Rain pours from above, their new apartment doesn’t feel quite like home. None of their homes have… until their last.

Francesca puts the feelings aside, unpacking her literal baggage instead of her figurative.

As she starts unpacking a new box, Leandra walks in with another.

Lea] Are you done?

Fra] Not even close.

Lea] … What’s in here? (refers to the box she’s carrying)

Fra] Is that dad’s stuff?

Lea] Maybe? I’ll leave it here.

Alternate Fath] "Do a spin, Fran!" Fra] "I can’t!" Fath] "You can." Little Francesca attempts the spin but falls flat on her bottom. In the present, Francesca chuckles at her younger self. On the tape, her father laughs along with her. Fra] "Papa! You’re laughing at me!" Fath] "I’m sorry, pea. Try again." Fra] "NOO! I don’t want to do this anymore." Fath] "You can." Fra] "I still can’t do it!" Fath] "Just because you fail the first time doesn’t mean you’ll fail again." Fath] "Try again." Fra] grumbling She tries again, reluctantly. She skates around the block, her determination growing. She spins and spins, and then she’s laughing, her father’s laughter echoing with hers. Fra] "Papa, I did it!!" Fath] laughing "You did it." Fra] still laughing "You can do anything." [The home video ends there.] Leandra appears in the doorway, and Francesca turns to her, tears streaking her face. Lea] "When was that filmed?" Fran] "A few years before you were born." Lea] "He was a good dad." Fran] crying harder "…" Lea] "This isn’t just about Dad, is it?" Fran] "…" Lea] "Didn’t Dad always say you give up on things too easily?" Fran] exasperated "Lea…" Lea] "Don’t give up on your happiness, Cesca. Keep trying until you find it."

Leandra walks away, busy with her other boxes. She leaves Francesca with a box of their past. One Leandra herself isn’t privy too. Francesca ponders the beaten up box. The word “Daddy” written on the side. The word is foreign to her, the meaning long gone from her heart.

She inches closer to the box and opens it. Her fathers things. Some books, some papers, some cameras. Her dad’s old things. She ruffles through the contents, the smell of her long gone father in the air. She comes across a series of cassettes. The girls names written on them. She grabs her own, and pops it into their rickety TV.

It takes a moment to load, but it does to her surprise. She hears her fathers voice, it takes her for surprise after so many years.

Fath] Do a spin, Fran!—

Fra] I can’t!

Fath] You can.

Francesca attempts the trick, she falls flat on her but.

In the present Francesca Laughs at herself. And in the tape, her father laughs with her.

Fra] Papa! You’re laughing at me!

Fath] I’m sorry, pea. Try again.

Fra] NOO! I don’t wanna do this anymore.

Fath] You can.

Fra] I still can’t do it!

Fath] Just because you fail the first time doesn’t mean you will fail again.

Fath] Again.

Fra] (grumbles)

She tries again to her chagrin. She skates around the block, and does the move. She spins, and spins. She laughs, her father laughs.

Fra] Papa I did it!!

Fath] (laughing) You did it.

Fra](laughing still) you can do anything

[ Home video ends there]

[leandra stands at the door, Francesca turns to her. Tears staining her face]

Lea] When was that filmed?

Fran] A few years before you were born.

Lea] He was a good dad.

Fran] (crying intensified) …

Lea] This isn’t just about dad, isn’t it?

Fran]…

Lea] Didn’t dad always say you give up on things to easily?

Fran] (exasperated) Lea…

Lea] Don’t give up on your happiness, Cesca. Keep trying until you find it.

This scene ends. We transition to Laurie, getting ready to do another press conference. These have become tedious, the questions even worse. (show his displeasure)

Mediator] We ask you to refrain from questions that aren’t productive.

Journalists talking over one another.

1] Please, one at a time. One at a time.

Journal 1] Who is this mystery girl?

Mediator] Nope! Please refrain from these questions! You next.

Journal 2] Is it your decision to take a step back from public affairs after the rumors begun circulating?

Luc] It was not.

Journalists break out in speech

Mediator] You there!

Journal 3] Two weeks ago, there were some photographs of you and a young woman. What happened there?

Luc] She’s just a friend… A good one.

Mediator] You in the [color] shirt.

{show the outraised hand of the individual without showing their face}

Fran] Your Highness, Is there a chance where you two might be more than friends?

Luc](suprised) I had hoped their might be… But I don’t think so.

Fran] And what if–

Mediator] No, just one question–

Luc] Let her continue. You were saying.

Fran]… What if idiotic, stupid person realized too late. What if she begged you to reconsider.

Luc]…

Fran]…

Luc]… Yes… I’m pretty sure I would.

They meet again in a room in the palace, and poor their hearts out in a more private place.

screenshots of them talking. get the emotions. pictures are 1000 words themselves. (they share a look)

They meet in a room or hallway. They see each other. years of emotions and loss written over all over their faces. but also a love.

move toward each other like magnets, and collide in a wistful moment. Their love felt through the actions of the other.

The day is bright, the trees are swaying. We come up on a hill of sorts. [“She” by elvis costello playing in the imaginary cinematic background. ]

Francesca and Lucian lay on a bench. They bath in the sun, as birds tweet happily over the picturesque moment.

We see what lays in front of them, a small headstone lays in front of them. Flowers littering the small area. Their Julian laid to rest.

In the epilogue portion of the post, show a park or them walking hand in hand. Francesca leading him to the area where their child is buried. It’s a somber scene, but one filled with love.they rest there for a time, both of them seeking closure. They do one more thing, and then the camera pans to the sky, filled with clouds and a tree in the foreground.

fin.

It’s a friday night, and Fiona and Liams clan is going to dinner together.

The night is crisp as cars start to pile in the courtyard. The family is back for their monthly get together. A tradition that started when all of Fiona and Liam’s kids started to build lives of their own. A traditions that keeps the connected. Especially since the older girls rarely attend the coffee dates Lucian and Lorraine so regularly frequent.

They are all familiar with the space of course. Having grown up in the palace for most of their childhoods. They arrive individually of course. Fiorella is the first, with her growing family of 4, soon to be 5 with the new edition prominently displayed in her person. She walks with her father, Her husband and sons trailing behind them.

Next to arrive is Flo’s family. She is also a very pregnant individual, and carrying her son. Dorian is with them as the walk through the doors into the dining room. Some of them are already sitting at the table. Florentia gives her toddler to the nanny to keep him occupied during their meal. She walks up to her father, and kisses him on the cheek while he continues chatting with Aleksi. Dorian goes to give Fiorella a greeting, standing behind her chair as she looks up at him in pleasant greetings.

We then see Lucian arrive, not long after Lorraine walks up behind him. She grabs him and holds him back from entering the room for a moment. It might be a bit awkward because the footman is standing there as well, but so is regular royal life. She whisper shouts at him.

Lor (from afar)] Luc?!

Lor(pulling him)] Come with me.

Lor] What’s going on?

Luc] {exasperated} Lorra

Lor] You haven’t picked up my calls! And I read the articles…

Luc] You know better than th—

Lor] I told you not to pursue this!

Luc] Maybe it’s none of your business.

Luc] [Angry] I can’t listen to this right now.

Lor]scoffs Lu-

He walks away into the dining room, Fiorella dogs on Him as he walks in.

Fio] You both are late.

Luc] It’s her fault.

Fio] laughing Clearly they’re lying.

He goes to sit next to Florentia and Dorian. The conversation continues now that he’s there. Florentia whispers to him and dorian looks over at him as well.

Flo] I’m so mad, we only ever hear from you in the news!

D] It’s not really news, is it? More so Tabloids.

Flo] That’s worse! Shocking, isn’t it? What’s true, what isn’t?

Lor] He’s involved with some girl.

Luc]annoyed Lorra-!

Dor] We know that. Even if she’s not actually— uh, what would you say?

Flo] — Committed, people love the jump to conclusions. You’re not gonna tell us?

Luc] Flo exasperated.

Fio] Won’t you give us what we want?

This is the time when Fiona walks into the dining room. everyone has been waiting for her. The stand up at attention, and when she gets to her seat and sits, they all follow suit.

Fiona] Honestly, both of you. You’d think you were paid to argue.

Liam] They’re young, Cara, can’t help it, can they?

Lor] I know, dad! whiny

Fio] You’re twenty-four Lorraine. snarky

The different conversations continue one. And dinner has also been served. Lucian watches sort of detached as conversations whiz around him. Fiona and Fiorella are talking about possibly sending Finnick to a boarding school in another province. Lorraine and Dorian speaking about Cars. Lucian observes it all.

Flo] Why not Gordonstoun?

Fior] Finnick wouldn’t like it in Drossel. So far away… Too cold, It’s a bit far for a boarding school.

Fion] [serious] is that not the point?

Lor] I finally got that spyder we talked about.

Dor] The Porsche?

Lor] What else? she’s a beauty.

Dor] Just how much are you making in that company of yours? Can’t have business at the table, but If I can convince you to sell me a share or too…

Lor] You’re interested?

A few hours later, everyone is leaving. They are full, and want to head back to their homes. They vow to make it to the next monthly dinner. They all will. As Florentia starts to break away from the group, Lucian calls out to her. She tells him that Dorian went to pick Leo up from the nanny

Luc] Hey Florentia!

She stops and turns to him.

Flo] I’m waiting for Dorian. He’s picking Leo up as we speak.

Luc] He’s cute.

Flo] laughing you’re talking about Leo, right? Because if not, we’d have a serious problem.

Luc] laughing as well…

Luc] Are you happy?

Florentia contemplates this for a moment. She is in her second trimester at this point, and what else could she say.

Flo] It gets tough. Work, family, marriage… it all takes its toll. And the compromises! Sometimes it feels like too much. But even so, they’re what bring me the most joy.

When she says they make me happiest. Show Dorian and Leo in the distance of a hallway, waving at their person. Lucian and Florentia look at them from afar. Standing still now instead of walking.

L]Francesca and I… we’re done.

F] Oh, Luc… I’m so sorry.

Luc] "I feel helpless… I don’t know what to do anymore."

Florentia listens intently as Lucian begins to share the story of what Francesca told him, his words tinged with regret and pain.

Luc] "She told me everything, Flo… and I didn’t even see it. I didn’t know… I wish I could’ve. I could’ve done something… anything."

F] Lucian. [softly, disappointedly]

She speaks to him tenderly.

F] I don’t know this… Francesca, but I do know you.

She touches her stomach

F] It’s unimaginable—the pain, the torment. They say a child is a blessing, and that one was yours.

She touches his cheek.

F] If you truly love her, go to her. Set aside your pain, the loss, the betrayal—everything. Think about what she’s endured…

F] "A woman so alone, scared, in a world that feels too big."

F] "Her walls are high, but be the one she might lower them for, or at least the one she could open a door for. Be the one she’s been waiting for."

He pulls her into a hug crying, he kisses her on the cheek. She hits his arm slightly annoyed, but also smug.

L] crying Love you, Flo.

F] Go, don’t wait longer!

Dorian and Leo walk up to meet them in that hall. Dorian gives Leo over to Florentia , florentia with her arms open and kisses grabs at him, and he cooes at her. Lucian stares at them for a moment.

It’s a friday night, and Fiona and Liams clan is going to dinner together.

The night is crisp as cars start to pile in the courtyard. The family is back for their monthly get together. A tradition that started when all of Fiona and Liam’s kids started to build lives of their own. A traditions that keeps the connected. Especially since the older girls rarely attend the coffee dates Lucian and Lorraine so regularly frequent.

They are all familiar with the space of course. Having grown up in the palace for most of their childhoods. They arrive individually of course. Fiorella is the first, with her growing family of 4, soon to be 5 with the new edition prominently displayed in her person. She walks with her father, Her husband and sons trailing behind them.

Next to arrive is Flo’s family. She is also a very pregnant individual, and carrying her son. Dorian is with them as the walk through the doors into the dining room. Some of them are already sitting at the table. Florentia gives her toddler to the nanny to keep him occupied during their meal. She walks up to her father, and kisses him on the cheek while he continues chatting with Aleksi. Dorian goes to give Fiorella a greeting, standing behind her chair as she looks up at him in pleasant greetings.

We then see Lucian arrive, not long after Lorraine walks up behind him. She grabs him and holds him back from entering the room for a moment. It might be a bit awkward because the footman is standing there as well, but so is regular royal life. She whisper shouts at him.

Lor (from afar)] Luc?!

Lor(pulling him)] Come with me.

Lor] What’s going on?

Luc] {exasperated} Lorra

Lor] You haven’t picked up my calls! And I read the articles…

Luc] You know better than th—

Lor] I told you not to pursue this!

Luc] Maybe it’s none of your business.

Luc] [Angry] I can’t listen to this right now.

Lor]scoffs Lu-

He walks away into the dining room, Fiorella dogs on Him as he walks in.

Fio] You both are late.

Luc] It’s her fault.

Fio] laughing Clearly they’re lying.

He goes to sit next to Florentia and Dorian. The conversation continues now that he’s there. Florentia whispers to him and dorian looks over at him as well.

Flo] I’m so mad, we only ever hear from you in the news!

D] It’s not really news, is it? More so Tabloids.

Flo] That’s worse! Shocking, isn’t it? What’s true, what isn’t?

Lor] He’s involved with some girl.

Luc]annoyed Lorra-!

Dor] We know that. Even if she’s not actually— uh, what would you say?

Flo] — Committed, people love the jump to conclusions. You’re not gonna tell us?

Luc] Flo exasperated.

Fio] Won’t you give us what we want?

This is the time when Fiona walks into the dining room. everyone has been waiting for her. The stand up at attention, and when she gets to her seat and sits, they all follow suit.

Fiona] Honestly, both of you. You’d think you were paid to argue.

Liam] They’re young, Cara, can’t help it, can they?

Lor] I know, dad! whiny

Fio] You’re twenty-four Lorraine. snarky

The different conversations continue one. And dinner has also been served. Lucian watches sort of detached as conversations whiz around him. Fiona and Fiorella are talking about possibly sending Finnick to a boarding school in another province. Lorraine and Dorian speaking about Cars. Lucian observes it all.

Flo] Why not Gordonstoun?

Fior] Finnick wouldn’t like it in Drossel. So far away… Too cold, It’s a bit far for a boarding school.

Fion] [serious] is that not the point?

Lor] I finally got that spyder we talked about.

Dor] The Porsche?

Lor] What else? she’s a beauty.

Dor] Just how much are you making in that company of yours? Can’t have business at the table, but If I can convince you to sell me a share or too…

Lor] You’re interested?

A few hours later, everyone is leaving. They are full, and want to head back to their homes. They vow to make it to the next monthly dinner. They all will. As Florentia starts to break away from the group, Lucian calls out to her. She tells him that Dorian went to pick Leo up from the nanny

Luc] Hey Florentia!

She stops and turns to him.

Flo] I’m waiting for Dorian. He’s picking Leo up as we speak.

Luc] He’s cute.

Flo] laughing you’re talking about Leo, right? Because if not, we’d have a serious problem.

Luc] laughing as well…

Luc] Are you happy?

Florentia contemplates this for a moment. She is in her second trimester at this point, and what else could she say.

Flo] It gets tough. Work, family, marriage… it all takes its toll. And the compromises! Sometimes it feels like too much. But even so, they’re what bring me the most joy.

When she says they make me happiest. Show Dorian and Leo in the distance of a hallway, waving at their person. Lucian and Florentia look at them from afar. Standing still now instead of walking.

L]Francesca and I… we’re done.

F] Oh, Luc… I’m so sorry.

Luc] "I feel helpless… I don’t know what to do anymore."

Florentia listens intently as Lucian begins to share the story of what Francesca told him, his words tinged with regret and pain.

Luc] "She told me everything, Flo… and I didn’t even see it. I didn’t know… I wish I could’ve. I could’ve done something… anything."

F] Lucian. [softly, disappointedly]

She speaks to him tenderly.

F] I don’t know this… Francesca, but I do know you.

She touches her stomach

F] It’s unimaginable—the pain, the torment. They say a child is a blessing, and that one was yours.

She touches his cheek.

F] If you truly love her, go to her. Set aside your pain, the loss, the betrayal—everything. Think about what she’s endured…

F] "A woman so alone, scared, in a world that feels too big."

F] "Her walls are high, but be the one she might lower them for, or at least the one she could open a door for. Be the one she’s been waiting for."

He pulls her into a hug crying, he kisses her on the cheek. She hits his arm slightly annoyed, but also smug.

L] crying Love you, Flo.

F] Go, don’t wait longer!

Dorian and Leo walk up to meet them in that hall. Dorian gives Leo over to Florentia , florentia with her arms open and kisses grabs at him, and he cooes at her. Lucian stares at them for a moment.

The leaves are falling as Francesca walks. The air is crisp in a way that Francesca had never been used to. Having grown up in the more so humid and warm weather of Castellon. Her little sister is chirping at her on the phone. She will miss these times, Just as she misses the times before the present.

Leandra] Yeah, and my friend’s having a birthday party this weekend. I wanted to go but I don’t no if Papa will let me.

F] chuckles Don’t worry Lea, I’lll convince him.

L] I don’t think you can, he’s already asleep. He’s been sleepy a lot!

F] I’ve got my ways…

As she walks, she can feel people staring at her. They are afar, but they are whispering. As she walks up toward the steps of the building, someone bumps into her. Her things clatter to the ground, but the assailant does not help her pick things up.

Person] watch were you’re going, you gold digging leech.

She feels her cheeks burning, but does nothing instead of walking forward toward her counselors office.

C] Ms. Ortega, there really isn’t anything to complain about. You are on track with a high gpa, and a possibility of early graduation if you keep up the good work.

F]Thank you mr.-

C] but your grades currently… I notice a slip since the semester began.

C] Whoever you might be associating yourself with, might not be in your best interests academically. People like you need to work harder. If things keep going in this direction, Post Graduate options might dwindle.

F] Y-Yes I understand.

C] I hope you do.

The sky is dark, it’s been raining all evening. Lucian and Francesca have been sitting in the library, studying for exams. it’s Finals week, of their sophomore year in school. They’re sectioned off a corner of the busy library. They’ve been there since the morning, and the cluttered desk makes that evident.

Francesca phone rings, it echos in the quiet space. She picks it up and whispers.

F] Lea, I can’t-

L] crying Cesca, it’s dad.

She barely registers the words, she’s up before she can even think. Lucian looks up at her puzzled. She’s hyperventilating, she’s crying.

L] Francesca, what?-

F] My dad- cries harder I-

L] Can you walk?

He carts her over to the door.

L] you need to be there.

F] mmhmm she barely makes out

he cups her face in his hand. he forces her to look at him, to focus on what he’s going to say.

L] Listen, Everything’s going to be ok- you’ll be ok. I’m going to make sure of that, ok Francesca?

F]cries harder

They are now at the airport. They rush in to the check-in area. Things are chaotic in the airport like they always are. Lucian pulls her hand, and spins her around to face him.

14-16

L] Are you sure I can’t come?

F] Yes, Stay. It’s finals, you must take them.

L] But yours-

F] I’ll figure it out, Luc.

L]… I love you, Cesca.

They kiss, and he watches her go. It’s 2093, and little does he know that this will be the last time he sees her in person since that fateful day in the news room, 6 years from then (2099).

Weeks pass as she is in Castellon.

She waits for hours in hospitals that feel like asylums. She is anxious always, she feels the clock ticking. This is a waiting game, her father, in a condition neither thought would be possible.

She is with her sister at times too. Eating dinners in hospital cafeterias after picking her up from school. This is just as hard for Leandra as it is for Cesca. Leandra being the one to find him collapsed.

She has also been feeling increasing sick. She looks and feels terrible in fact. She is fighting symptoms of pregnancy, but of course she does not know that yet. She is also throwing up, and showing signs of pregnancy(and in the details of the post. Show bottles of medicines and stiff)

The doctors come in to announce what had already been in the back of her mind for days now.

D] It’s lung Cancer.

F] shocked gasp C-Cancer?

D] He’s in the fourth stage, Ms. Ortega. It’d be best to get his affairs in order, as he might…

The sentence blurrs out because, No, she isn’t listening. An overwhelming piercing sound overwhelms her. She is in shock, the last parent she has in the world is dying. And it’s too late to save him. In the room full of doctors, Francesca Ortega Collapses.

She wakes up, she herself is in a hospital bed of her own. A nurse who happens to be in the room, rushes to her side. She tries to speak.

F]Wh- What am I?

N] There’s no need to worry. You collapsed due to dehydration and fatigue. Ms. Ortega, were you aware of the pregnancy?

F] Pregn-?

N] Pregnancy—Yes, you are going to have a child, Ms. Ortega.

This shocks Francesca of course, on top of everything, she is also pregnant. Of course things start clicking into place.

“I’m pregnant” she thinks.

Of course, she has been feeling nasceous, sick, fatigued,etc. all of the normal ailments that something like this could cause. She thought it was because of the stress of her father. Of course she understands now, And this understand makes her panic. How is her life going to be even more fucked up than it already has become? How will she go to graduate school with a mortage to pay for? How will she become what she wants with two children to raise(her little sister)? Her life is forever messed up, and how could she wreck his?

She decides she wont, she won’t say a thing. A few months later she begins to show, she’s on the phone with Lucian, who is none the wiser. (in the shot, show her with a close up on the phone, and then a wide show with her huge belly)

L] Nick is on my ass about trying out for the team next year. I don’t think I will.

F]…

L] My parents are forcing me to figure out my degree. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it, It’s just that…

(fade off, next slide is the next part)

F] Are you excited for the semester?

L] I can’t be, not if you’re not there.

F] she laughs I can’t promise you that.

L] Are you alright, Cesca?

F] couldn’t be better. fake gleefulness

Standing in the hall of the hospital (another day). A Leandra rushed up to her, saying her father is awake.

She runs to his room, Leandra snuggles up to him. he’s laying in the bed, he’s laying with his eyes open, but he can’t speak. He doesn’t move as she gets close to him, and Cesca knows. She walks up to the bed, and lays her head on his chest. She cries.

F] crying Papa

P] Oh, La luz de mis ojos [The light of my eyes]

F] crying somore

P] I’m sorry for all the trouble i’ve caused, You’ll see. This will be behind all of us.

The scene changes, it’s nighttime. Leandra is sleeping in the bed with her father still. Francesca is sitting in a chair close to the bed. She is also dozing but is quickly awaken by the sound of a loud, singular screech. It’s the heart monitor, he’s dying.

beepppppp

F]waking up Papa?

Nurses rush into the room, it’s chaos after that. Cesca scoops her sister into her arms, as the nurses rush around (***use the motion filter on ps). ****The girls stand apart from the chaos. Francesca is shaking, she is scared. Her world has forever changed.

Fully pregnant now, in her second trimester, the girls are in a small church, they are alone in the pews. The only sign of a funeral is the large wreaths and image of their father smiling happily. And the Casket at the front. She is staring blankly, nothing is quite feeling. She feels a buzzing in her bag, it’s a call from Lucian. She see’s this as she stares at her phone.

She goes outside of the place, she stands alone outside in a dark atmosphere of rain and cloudiness.

L] Francesca! You haven’t answered any of my calls!

F] I’m sorry… things have been busy.

L] You’re voice sounds rough… Is everything ok, Cesca?

F] hoarse laugh I love you, Lucian. You know I do?

L] chuckling Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?

F] I am.

L] laughing now Sure, I love you too.

She stands in the hallway, the atmosphere darker than ever. She knows that’s the last time they will speak.

Time goes on like it always does. We see shots of her kissing her sister on their way to school. She runs off excitedly.

We see Cesca working at multiple jobs, A barista, a cashier.

We see them surviving, we see them laughing. We see her even more pregnant than the last time. (*maybe in a shot with her being in her third trimester with that skin detail. And in a crop top)

In one of the last scenes, she is at work. Fully pregnant and doing her job. She hunches over in pain, clutching her stomach. Possibly show a bit of blood trickling down her legs. Francesca yells in pain.

She is rushed in an ambulance, the lights are flashing. At the hospital nurses are rushing in and out. All she can do is cry, all she can do is scream.

F] NO! No-nooo

The screams fade to black, They are now back in the present. This clip will be brief. They are now in Francesca’s apartment. sitting on the floor or something. They are both crying, Francesca and Lucian.

F] through the tears Are you happy now? 6 whole years later.

L]also crying…

F] I’ve tried, Luc. To protect— I- there is no amount of words to describe this pain… I feel. How did you not notice, Luc?

L] I didn’t—…I-

F] He is- Was yours, Lucian.

L] crying intensified Mine? My?… (clearly in shock)

L] sobbing…

F] leave. GET OUT LUCIAN, LEAVE! Please. crying