ESPRIT LIBRE // Quote Archive

Jessica & Viki [2004]

[Jessica is worried about Viki's heart condition]
Jessica: Pretending that nothing's wrong is not going to solve the problem.
Viki: I had no idea I'd raised such a wise child.
Jessica: "Wise." Yeah. People that are wise don't mess up as much as I do.
Viki: Baby, you made a mistake, ok? Everyone makes mistakes. What makes you wise is that you learn from them.

[Viki cracks a joke about her heart condition]
Jessica: Mom! You're terrible! You're terrible, really.
Viki: Yes, I know I am, but underneath, I'm really a good person.

[Jessica is upset that Viki has been having heart palpitations and not telling anyone about it]
Viki: Well, you know what? I don't think I recognized them for what they were. I mean that. I probably thought they were, you know, indigestion or heartburn. I mean, honestly, come on. You know me. If I don't think it's anything, I'm not going to bother anybody with it.
Jessica: Mom, don't you understand that all those things don't matter if you're not around?

[Jessica decides to move into Llanfair to help take care of Viki]
Viki: Darling, you have your own life.
Jessica: I know. I know I do, but you're a part of my life. You are the most important part of my life, and I don't tell you that enough, and you've always taking care of me. So now I’m going to take care of you. This is my opportunity to do it, ok? So I’m going to do it. Let me do it for you. Let me love you and take care of you. What's wrong now?
Viki: Nothing, nothing. Thank you.
Jessica: For what?
Viki: For being the most wonderful daughter. I love you so much, and I'm so proud of you.

Viki: Jessie, why did you let me sleep so late?
Jessica: Because you needed the rest. There's breakfast.
Viki: Ooh, dried toast. Yummy.
Jessica: Mom, it's good for you, ok?
Viki: You're just getting me back for all those years I made you eat your spinach.

[Jessica admits that lately she's felt overwhelmed]
Viki: Well, you're trying to be all things to all people.
Jessica: And I guess I can't do that.
Viki: Oh, hell, no. I mean, look what happened to me.
Jessica: Mom, can you please stop joking about that?
Viki: Oh, Jessica, please, honey, listen to me -- the most important thing that you can have in this life is a sense of humor. Believe me, you need it just to get through it all. I hope you remember that when you're raising three or four kids and you're the Publisher of "The Banner."
Jessica: You really think I could take over the family newspaper?
Viki: Absolutely. I mean, I -- I certainly hope that you will one day.
Jessica: Wow. Well, you don't know how much that means to me.
Viki: Oh, but not now! I'm not going anywhere! Not for a long time.

[After Viki runs into a naked Antonio in the hallway at Llanfair]
Jessica: Antonio kind of told me about you seeing him, catching --
Viki: Yes, yes, I did see him. He was very clean.

[Viki suggests that Antonio and Jessica move out of Llanfair]
Jessica: You're just trying to figure out some way to get rid of your live-in nurse.
Viki: Darling, I don't need a nurse. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.
Jessica: Glad to hear it. I'm not going anywhere, though.
Viki: Well, it was worth a shot.
Jessica: Mom -- do you really hate us living here that much?
Viki: No, I don't hate it at all. In fact, I like it. But, darling, I'm not planning on having another heart attack -- no matter what I see in the upstairs hall.
Antonio: Ahem.

[Viki informs Jessica and Natalie that her heart condition is not improving after all]
Viki: The future could be next month or next year. But it -- you know, it could be tomorrow. My point is that I would like to now live every single day as if it were my last -- hoping that it is not, of course. I want to get as much joy and love and fun out of every single thing that I do -- well, as my strength will permit, that's all. But I have to have your promise that you will help me do that, ok?
Natalie: Of course I promise.
Viki: Jessie?
Jessica: Yeah, me, too.
Viki: You have to promise me -- you will not mope and you will not cry over these days, ok? And I want you to continue to share your very beautiful lives with me. Ok? Come on, I'm not gone yet. Let's start now.

[Viki returns from giving a conference in Chicago]
Jessica: So, how was Chicago? How was your talk?
Viki: Well, I was absolutely scintillating. Nah, I was ok.

[Viki reads Jessica's essay for grad school]
Viki: Wow, this is a remarkable essay, really remarkable. Did you read absolutely everything that I wrote when I was first at "The Banner"?
Jessica: Well, you have to learn from the best.

[Jessica is concerned about working under Todd at "The Banner-Sun"]
Jessica: I've just been worried about the paper's reputation now that Todd’s taken over.
Viki: He has very strong feelings about defending his family, you know, and perhaps he's not all wrong.
Jessica: So, what are you saying? I should throw in with him? Give him a chance?
Viki: I don't know, honey. I really don’t. That has to be up to you.
Jessica: I guess me working there might increase the odds of him doing the right thing.
Viki: It might, yes. You have a very unique gift for believing in him that not a lot of people share.

[Jessica and Kevin are worried about Viki's heart condition]
Jessica: (about Viki) What if she gives up fighting? I mean, what if she just stops fighting?
Kevin: Mom's strong. She had a rough life. She's a survivor, Jess. She'll fight. Always has, always will.

[Viki worries after she's told she needs a heart transplant]
Viki: I mean if I wake up and someone else's heart is -- is beating inside me, will I still be me?
Kevin: Mom, once the transplant's done, the new heart will be part of you. It won't turn you into someone else.
Jessica: You'll still be our same mom. We're still going to love you the same.
Viki: Well, nothing will ever make me stop loving you.

[Jessica has to be the deciding vote on whether or not to tell Viki that the heart for the transplant is Ben's]
Todd: Put yourself in her shoes, Jess.
Jessica: You're right, you're right. Mom would want to know the truth. We have to let her make her own decision.
Kevin: All right. I'm the oldest. I'll do it.
Jessica: No, please, can I tell her?

[Jessica goes into Viki's room to tell her the truth about Ben]
Viki: What's happened to Ben? Jessie -- Jessie, I feel so empty. I feel like something's slipped away from me. Please, is he ok?
Jessica: Mom, I have some really good news. Um, a heart's become available -- a really good, strong, healthy heart. But before Larry can schedule the surgery, you have to make a really important decision.
Viki: Why? I already ok'd the operation. If there's a heart available, then --
Jessica: That's it. That's just it. See, this is a really -- it's a special heart.
Viki: Oh. Oh, no. No. Oh, God. Oh, God. It's -- it's Ben, isn't it? Oh, God. Oh. Oh, God, it's Ben!

Jessica: Mom, I'm so sorry about Ben. But I agree with you. I think this is what he would have wanted for you.
Viki: I just kept thinking, "what if he could have made it?" What if he could have come back to us for good someday?
Kevin: I think we all know that wasn't going to happen, mom.
Jessica: But he's going to live. He's going to be with you. Every heartbeat that you have will be his and yours together.

[Since Viki couldn't go to Jessica's graduation, Jessica and her fellow graduates stopped by the hospital first]
Viki: Oh, my God!
Jessica: Well, we figured since the president of Llanview University couldn't come to the graduation, we'd bring the graduation to her.
Viki: I cannot believe that you all took the time to come here and do this.
Jessica: And don't worry, Mom. We're all going to make it back to the campus in time for the ceremony.

Viki: I have to tell you, when I was lying in bed, you know, I -- I tried to make a little deal with God. I asked him to let me stick around long enough to see you graduate.
Jessica: Well, now you're going to be around for a thousand other things, too.
Viki: I hope so, baby. I hope so.

Jessica: You're not seriously going back to work, are you?
Viki: Darling, I realize that I am not allowed to drive or dig ditches. I am, however, allowed to think.

[Jessica addresses everyone at the Heart Gala on Viki's behalf]
Jessica: Hello, everyone. I'm Jessica Buchanan -- Victoria Davidson’s daughter. And she asked me to represent her here tonight. And she wants me to let you all know that she's recovering and in good health. She also wanted me to express her utmost gratitude for all of your support and contributions. Thank you all so much. Have a lovely evening.

[Viki is startled to learn that Jessica is engaged to Tico]
Viki: Jessie -- baby, Antonio hurt you so badly and he left you vulnerable to a lot of very conflicting emotions right now, and I think that Tico’s offer of marriage is ill-timed, to say the least, and I think your acceptance of it is just an easy way to camouflage all that hurt.
Jessica: Mom, I'm not hiding behind Tico, and I'm not on the rebound. He makes me happy. He actually shares his feelings with me, and he really loves me. Mom, he's sweet and tender and caring and charming and --
Viki: Sophisticated and cultured and blah, blah. He's an awful lot of things. But do you love him?

[Viki is shocked to learn that Jessica has already married Tico]
Jessica: Mom, I didn't invite you because I didn't think that you would understand, and I knew that you wouldn't approve.
Viki: Well, that's kind of beside the point, now, isn't it?

Viki: You know, Jessica, when you -- when you were a little girl, you hated to admit when something had failed.
Jessica: You're not going to bring up that bike incident again, now, are you?
Viki: You always had to prove you could do everything by yourself, you could make your own decisions, and you would soldier on through whenever you were hurting. You never let anyone help you.

[Viki is worried about Jessica's quick marriage to Tico]
Viki: Baby, I know you. When you decide to do something, you see it through.
Jessica: Mom, this is my marriage. It's not some homework assignment.

Jessica: You hardly know Tico, mom.
Viki: Darling, you don't know Tico, either.

[Tico's true nature as a mobster has been revealed]
Jessica: Mom -- Mom, how could I have married Tico after all that he's done?
Viki: Baby, you did not know. None of us knew. But it's over now, ok? This whole, awful nightmare is finally over.

[Jessica is fighting for her life after being stabbed by Tico]
Viki: Baby? Jessie? Honey, you have to fight this. Hear me? You have to be very strong. You have to come back. I love you, darling. We all love you so much. Listen to me, baby. You're a fighter, ok? I know you've been through worse than this. But -- but you have to be very strong now, ok? Oh, my God, you have to come back to us. We love you, sweetheart.

[Tico has died]
Jessica: Tico --
Viki: Shh. Sweetheart, it's ok. You're safe now. He can't hurt you anymore.

Viki: That was Todd who called to invite me to his and Blair’s wedding -- tonight.
Jessica: Why'd they move it up?
Viki: I don't know, and I was afraid to ask.
Jessica: Maybe it's better not to.