Braedey and Anastasia

Once Upon A December...

Outside the Opera House, Marie walks down the steps. Braedey is on the steps when he sees her. Marie walks to the car. A chauffeur helps Marie in. Braedey gets into the driver's seat and roars away, the stunned Chauffer left standing in the dust.

Marie is jolted by the motion. "Ilya! Slow down!"

Braedey turns from the front seat and looks at her. "I'm not Ilya, and I'm deeply sorry about this, ma'am."

He stopped the car at Sophie's House. He gets out and goes to Marie's door and opens it.

"Do you recognise this?" Braedey shows the music box, and gently placed it into her hands. Marie is taken aback. Braedey has her attention.

Marie holds the music box against her chest tightly. She gasps. "Oh, where did you get this?"'

"I know you've been hurt terribly when it happened. But it just might be possible that she's been as lost and alone as you have for all these years. And I know it, since I was alone for those years also."

"You'll stop at nothing will you?" Marie asked him.

"I'm probably about as stubborn as you are." Braedey flashed a gentle smile, then directed Marie's attention to the building behind him.

~*~*~

In her room, Anya is packing to leave Paris. There is a knocking at the door. "Go away, Braedey..." She snaps angrily. The door opens. Anya turns to see Marie. "Oh, I'm sorry. I... I thought you were..."

"I know very well who you thought I was. Who exactly are you?" Marie asked.

"Eh... I ... I was hoping you could tell me."

"My dear, I'm old and I'm tired of being conned and tricked."

"I don't want to trick you."

"And I suppose the money doesn't interest you either?"

"I just want to know who I am whether or not I belong to a family, your family."

Marie stands. "You're a very good actress. The best yet, in fact. But I've had enough." Marie sweeps past Anya.

Anya catches a scent of something. "Peppermint..."

Marie pauses. Still suspicious. "An oil for my hands."

Anya closes her eyes, the memories flooding back. "Yes... I spilled a bottle... The carpet was soaked. And it forever smelled of peppermint." Anya looks at Marie. "Like you."

Marie is staring at Anya, stopped dead. Anya continues, surprising even herself. "I used to lie there on the rug and, oh, how I missed you when you went away... When you came here. To Paris."

Marie notices Anya playing with a key around her neck. "What is that?"

"This well, I've always had it... Ever since before I can remember."

"May I?" Marie holds out her hands as Anya takes off the key and hands it to her. Marie takes the Music Box from her evening bag. Tears start to appear from Marie's eyes. "It was our secret. My Anastasia's and mine..."

Anya begins humming the lullaby, then the music box begins to play. Marie is surprised Anya knows how it works - she is Anastasia! Tears stream down Marie's face as she joins Anya in the lullaby.

ANYA & MARIE: Here this song and remember
soon you'll be home with me
Once Upon a December...

Their cracking voices trail off as they look at each other and know their search is over. Anya and Marie throw their arms around each other in an emotional embrace.