This fic is based off one of my favorite Christmas movies “Three Days”. Childhood sweethearts Clarke and Bellamy have been married for ten years. Bellamy, a literary agent, has spent more time at work than at home, straining his relationship with Clarke. This story is all about second chances and what you do with them. There will be angst especially in part 1. But more importantly, “Three Days” will show the love between two people who are destined for each other. I hope you enjoy part 1.
Location: New York
outside (day) December 22nd
Santa: (weakly) ho ho ho.
A man in a santa costume stands outside a department store, ringing a bell as people walk past, ignoring him.
Santa: ho ho ho.
A blonde haired woman smiles at the Santa as she walks by him.
Santa: ho ho ho.
The woman stops and turns around.
Clarke: (frowns) Tough crowd Santa?
Santa: I'm doing ok.
Clarke looks in his donation box.
Clarke: Wow, 60 cents and a cigarette bud.
Santa: That's more than I made last week.
Clarke motions him to give her the bell.
Santa: You're supposed to be the one donating.
Clarke: (Smiles) I want the bell.
Santa gives her the bell. With a big smile and enthusiasm, she starts ringing the bell.
Clarke: HO HO HO! HO HO HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Everyone passing by starts leaving money in the donation box.
Santa: (amazed) How did you do that?
Clarke: You need to have a little more oomph. Be confident! Be bold! Have fun! You can do this!!
Clarke hands back the bell. Santa gives it a try and to his surprise, more people drop money in the donation box.
Santa: HO HO HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Clarke: Good luck Santa!
Clarke walks away.
Santa: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Location: Bellamy’s office
Bellamy is sitting at his desk talking on the phone. He taps his fingers on his desk while he listens to the other person on the phone.
Bellamy: He wants how many? That's impossible! It's his first book. We can get him 100,000 hardcover copies. (He listens patiently) I understand that he wants more but you're talking to one of the best literary agents in New York City, so you have to understand that I know what I am doing. Tell him if we need more copies, we'll make them. I'll give you a minute to talk it out.
Bellamy puts the other person on hold and dials another number.
Bellamy: Finn, I just told a potential client that we could get him 100,000 copies for his first book. Make it happen.
Location: Baby store
Clarke walks around the store. She picks up a jumper and smiles.
Location: Bookstore
One of Bellamy’s clients is signing books. The line of people crowd the bookstore. Bellamy shakes hands with a group of businessmen.
Location: Bellamy’s office
Bellamy hears a knock at his door.
Bellamy: Come in.
A woman enters.
Gina: I just read the submission from that twenty something from Chicago.
Bellamy: Kass Morgan?
Gina: Yeah.
Bellamy: What do you think?
Gina: I have to admit, I'm not a fan.
Bellamy: I want to sign her.
Gina: But why? Do you actually like this?
Bellamy: We don't have to like it, we just have to sell it. I see a book series. I even see a hit tv show. If we don't sign her, someone else will and I can't have that.
Bellamy pushes a button on his phone.
Bellamy: Finn, book me on the last flight to Chicago tonight.
Gina: Finn, book me too.
They smile at each other.
Location: Tree lot (night)
Clarke sips her hot chocolate as she watches families pick out their Christmas trees. She glances at her watch.
Clarke: Where are you Bellamy?
She notices a tree by itself and frowns.
Clarke: I know just how you feel.
Location: Outside Apartment Building
Clarke is dragging the tree to her apartment building. Bellamy is standing by his car, on the phone. He notices Clarke.
Bellamy: (to person on phone) I gotta go.
He hangs up and rushes to help Clarke. He grabs the tree from her.
Bellamy: Clarke, I'm sorry. There was a impromptu book signing and I had to be there. I tried to call you.
Clarke: Really?
Bellamy: I called your work.
Clarke: Today was my day off. Bellamy, I know Christmas isn't your favorite holiday, but I thought maybe we could pick out the tree together.
Bellamy: It's not like I didn't want to go.
Clarke: So you forgot? That's even worse!
Bellamy: I didn't forget. It's just been hectic at work. I'm really sorry.
Clarke: It's ok. You are here now. That's all that matters. Do you like our tree?
Bellamy looks at the tree.
Bellamy: This is our tree? It's kinda small
Clarke glares at him. Bellamy picks up the tree as Clarke holds the door open.
Location: Inside Apartment Building
A dog runs down the stairs.
Woman: Lulu!
Clarke picks up the dog.
Clarke: Did you run away again?
Clarke brings the dog to the woman while Bellamy carries the tree.
Location: Living Room
Bellamy places the tree in the corner near the fireplace and the window. Clarke brings a box of ornaments.
Clarke: You have to admit, the tree is growing on you.
Bellamy: Yeah, I guess.
Clarke: So I was thinking we could go caroling.
Bellamy: Caroling?
Clarke: Yeah. We need a tenor in the group.
Bellamy: Clarke, you know that I hate singing. I don't even sing in the car or shower.
Clarke: Fine, we don't have to go caroling. We can stay home. We can decorate the tree and watch Christmas movies. And if you're lucky, we can-
Clarke whispers in Bellamy's ear and his eyes widens.
Bellamy: That sounds wonderful. It really does. Which makes what I'm about to tell you harder.
Clarke: What is it?
Bellamy: I have to go to Chicago.
Clarke: WHY? It's Christmas.
Bellamy: In three days. There's this new up and coming author. I need to sign her.
Clarke: But now? We spent Christmas together for the past twenty years. You're not the only agent in the company. Can't someone else sign her?
Bellamy: It has to be me. I'm the best in the company.
Clarke: I'm so tired of hearing about how you're the best.
Bellamy: What do you want from me?
Clarke: I want you to be a husband once in a while.
Bellamy: I love you, Clarke.
Bellamy goes in to kiss Clarke and she turns away. He kisses her cheek.
Bellamy: I need to pack. I'll be back on Christmas Eve.
Bellamy leaves. A tear rolls down Clarke's cheek. She starts taking the ornaments out of the box.
Location: Outside/Living Room
Bellamy put his suitcases in the cab. He looks up and sees Clarke decorating the tree. She looks out the window and locked eyes with Bellamy. He waves. She turns away. He frowns and gets into the cab. She looks once more as the cab drives away.
Location: Chicago
Hotel room (night) December 23th
Bellamy and Gina work on their pitch at the table in Bellamy’s room.
Bellamy: Sorry that we had to work here. The conference rooms were booked.
Gina: It's fine.
Location: New York
Living Room
Clarke is covered in a blanket, reading a book on the sofa. She puts the book down and picks up the picture of her and Bellamy from the coffee table and stares at it. She faintly smiles at it. She puts the picture down and picks up her phone. She dials a number.
Clarke: Bellamy Blake's room, please. Thank you.
Location: Chicago
Hotel room
Bellamy picks up the stack of papers and puts it in his briefcase.
Bellamy: I think we are ready with our pitch. I'm going to head downstairs. See you there.
Bellamy walks out the room just as the phone starts ringing.
Gina: Bellamy!
The phone continues to ring. Gina picks up the phone.
Gina: Hello?
Location: New York
Living room
Clarke stays silent when she hears Gina's voice.
Location: Chicago
Hotel room
Gina: Hello? Hello?
Gina hangs up and leaves.
Location: New York
Living room
Clarke drops her phone and starts crying.
Location: Restaurant
Bellamy and Gina are sitting at a table with another woman.
Bellamy: Every agent wants to represent you because they see dollar signs. But Gina and I see much more. We see a woman who put her heart and soul into what she writes.
Gina: It's hard to put in words what I felt after I read. (Looks at Bellamy and then Kass) Your writing is so daring and original.
Bellamy: If you sign with us, we will put you up at the best hotels. We will get you booked on every talk show. We can make you a star. I'm talking more books, and even your own show. I know people at The CW and they're interested. This can be as big as Harry Potter and Twilight. But for this to happen, you need to say yes now. So, what do you say?
Kass looks at Gina and then Bellamy.
Kass: Yes!
Bellamy shakes her hand.
Bellamy: Great! You won't regret this.
Location: New York
Living room (night) December 24th
Bellamy walks in with a bouquet of flowers. The lights are turned off.
Bellamy: Clarke?
He puts a lamp on and sees Clarke sitting on the couch.
Bellamy: Why are you sitting in the dark? Did you fall asleep?
Clarke notices the flowers.
Bellamy: What?
Clarke: You are going to have to do better than that.
Bellamy stares at the flowers and then at Clarke.
Clarke: I heard, Bellamy. I called your hotel room last night.
Bellamy: You heard who?
Clarke: Gina. I recognized her voice. Why was she in your hotel room?
Bellamy: She was helping me strategize.
Clarke: Is that what they called it now?!
Bellamy: Clarke, nothing happened.
Clarke: Then why didn't you tell me that she was going?
Bellamy: She invited herself. It happened last second.
Clarke stands up.
Clarke: I was planning to ask you to leave…(her voice starts to crack) but I can't stay here.
Bellamy: Clarke.
Clarke starts to leave. Bellamy tries to stop her.
Clarke: STOP TALKING!! I'm going for a walk. I need to think.
Bellamy: It's almost midnight and it's 5 degrees.
Clarke: Merry Christmas.
Clarke slams the door. Bellamy looks heartbroken.
Location: Outside
Clarke exits the building and starts walking quickly past the department stores. Bellamy leaves the building. He looks in both directions and heads in the direction that Clarke took. Clarke hears a dog whimpering by an alley. She slowly walks closer to the dog.
Clarke: Lulu what are you doing here?
Lulu barks and runs into the middle of the street.
Clarke: Lulu come back!
A car nearly hits Lulu. Clarke looks both ways and runs to her. She picks up Lulu.
Clarke: Lulu, you scared me. Don't do that again.
Lulu licks Clarke's face. Bellamy turns the corner and sees that a car is speeding toward Clarke.
Bellamy: CLARKE, WATCH OUT!!
Clarke stares at Bellamy and then at the headlights of the speeding car. She's frozen in fear. The car collides with her and she's knocked to the ground. The car speeds off. Bellamy runs to her. He hugs hers and starts crying.
Bellamy: You're going to be ok. You're going to be ok.
He cradles Clarke. The dog runs off.
Location: Hospital waiting room
Bellamy is sitting in a chair in the waiting room. He gets up and starts pacing back and forth. A doctor arrives.
Bellamy: How is she? Can I see her?
Doctor: We should talk in private.
Bellamy: No, tell me now.
The doctor starts explaining what happened to Clarke. Bellamy starts tuning out what she's saying. He falls to his knees and breaks down. The doctor looks at him with sympathy.
Doctor: Do you want to see her?
Bellamy nods his head. The doctor guides Bellamy to Clarke.
Location: Morgue.
Clarke is lying on a table. Bellamy kneels down next to her and holds her hand.
Bellamy: Why would you do this? Why would you chase that stupid dog?
He concentrates on her face.
Bellamy: Clarke, you need to know that I would never cheat on you. I love you too much. I wish I could have a second chance to show you how much I love you. I'm so sorry that I let you down.
Bellamy gets up and kisses her forehead.
Location: Outside building
He walks to his building. He takes out his keys. He tries to unlock the door, but his key won't fit. He tries another key and the same thing happens. He tries all his keys. He punches the wall. He looks around and sees a locksmith store across the street. He looks both ways before he crosses. He gets to the door and it's locked. He's about to leave when the door mysteriously opens. He walks in.
Location: Locksmith
Man's voice: Can you close that door? It's cold out.
Bellamy: Yeah, sorry.
Bellamy closes the door. A man is standing behind a desk.
Bellamy: I'm locked out of my building.
Jaha: I know.
Bellamy: Can you help?
Jaha: (smiles) It's what I'm here for.
Bellamy: Now!
Jaha: Why are you in a hurry Bellamy? Clarke isn't there anymore.
Bellamy: Do I know you?
Jaha: No, but I know you. I know everyone.
Bellamy looks at his keys.
Bellamy: I just realized I used the wrong key. Sorry to bother you.
Bellamy turns around to leave and gets startled as Jaha appears before him.
Jaha: My name's Jaha.
Bellamy: How did you do that?
Jaha: I'm not actually a locksmith. I'm the answer to your prayer. You wanted another chance? Another chance with Clarke?
Bellamy: I don't know who you are….
Jaha walks back to his desk.
Jaha: I'm Jaha!
Bellamy: Or what you are.
Jaha: I'm an angel.
Bellamy: A what?
Jaha: Oh, you assumed I would have wings. Sorry to disappoint, but no wings here.
Bellamy: Ok, an angel. Fantastic. Well, I'm going to leave.
Jaha: Why were you messing around with Gina?
Bellamy: I wasn't messing around… wait how did you know about her?
Jaha: Hello angel. I thought I covered this.
Bellamy: Jaha, right?
Jaha: Yep.
Bellamy: This is the worst night of my life. I don't have time for your bullshit.
Jaha: If you are going to have that kind of attitude, you can forget it. You don't want to spend more time with Clarke, I'll leave right now.
Bellamy: Wait, what do you mean?
Jaha: It's a tragedy. A special lady like Clarke dying with a broken heart. She thought you betrayed her.
Bellamy: I didn't. I would never. I love her.
Jaha: This has been taken into account. This is why I'm here. I'm here to give you a gift. A rare gift.
Bellamy: What?
Jaha: A second chance. When you wake up tomorrow, you will get the chance to live the last three days over again. Clarke will be alive. She won't have any memories of what happened. But you will remember it all. Are you paying attention? You can live those days anyway you like. But you only get one shot. You need to prove to her that you love her. Because unfortunately, she will still meet the same fate.
Bellamy: No.
Jaha: The same accident that occurred on Christmas Eve at 11:58pm will still happened.
Bellamy: Why?
Jaha: It's her destiny. Destiny is beyond my control.
Bellamy: I won't let it happen. I'm not letting her go again.
Jaha: You have to. If you try to change destiny, the 3 days will be gone. Like it never happened. Don't focus on her dying, Bellamy, focus on her living.
Bellamy: I I..
Jaha: Oh, before I forget, I think you will need this.
Jaha holds up a gold key that shines. He tosses it to Bellamy.
Location: Apartment building
Bellamy arrives at the front door. He uses the key and the door unlocks. He turns around to look at the locksmith and enters his building.
Location: Living room
He leaves the key on the table next to the door. He turns off the lamp and sits on the couch staring at the tree.
Location: Bedroom (Day)
Bellamy wakes up to the sound of cars honking. He slowly opens his eyes. He stares at the ceiling for a few seconds and then turns over to find that Clarke's side of the bed is empty. He quickly sits up.
Bellamy: CLARKE! CLARKE!
He gets out of bed and heads to the living room.
Location: Living Room
Bellamy: Where did the tree go?
He hears someone at the door. The lock slowly turns and the door opens. Clarke walks in with hot chocolates and a newspaper.
