Joe tells Nelly he will meet her in Munich, God willing. He has family there.
Nelly smiles softly and replies,
“God willing, I’ll be there too. Maybe it’s time I met your people.”
Joe nods. “They’re good folk. My cousin’s got a bakery near Marienplatz. We can grab some strudel, maybe catch a Bayern match if you’re lucky.”
She grins. “Only if you wear the jersey.”
“Deal,” Joe says, laughing. “But just know—when I say ‘family’ in Munich, it’s more than blood. It’s the people who helped us when we had nothing. They’re why I made it out.”
Nelly takes his hand. “Then I want to thank them too.”
Joe looks to the horizon. “If God wills it, Munich will be more than just a city. It’ll be a new chapter.”
INT. COZY BEDROOM – NIGHT
Soft lamplight casts a warm glow. NELLY sits at the edge of the bed, knees drawn up. Her breathing is labored but controlled. JOE sits beside her, holding a glass of water. There’s a long silence, heavy with emotion.
NELLY
(quietly)
They told me I wouldn’t make it past thirty. Then thirty-five. Then forty. Every year past that felt like borrowed time.
JOE
(sincerely)
You’re still here. You’re stronger than they ever gave you credit for.
NELLY
I kept having children, Joe… not because I was trying to fill a hole or anything.
(beat)
I just… wanted to leave something behind. In case I didn’t have much time left. I didn’t want to disappear without a trace.
JOE
You didn’t need to explain. But thank you for telling me.
NELLY
I need you to understand. I wasn’t trying to trap anyone or complicate things. I just…
(she fights tears)
I wanted love. Real love. The kind that doesn’t flinch when things get messy. The kind that stays.
JOE
(tearing up)
You’ve given that kind of love, Nelly. To your kids, your music, even me.
NELLY
But will you stay? Even if I get sicker? Even if the prognosis gets worse?
JOE
I’m not going anywhere. You’re not a burden, Nelly. You’re my blessing.
NELLY
(small smile)
Sometimes I wonder if it was selfish… wanting more life, more babies, more laughter… knowing it might not last.
JOE
It wasn’t selfish. It was sacred. You chose life even when death tried to sit at your table. That’s not selfish—that’s heroic.
NELLY
(leans into him)
Don’t leave me, Joe. Not while I’m still dreaming. Not while I still have songs left in me.
JOE
(holds her close)
Then sing, Nelly. Sing every one. I’ll be there for the first note, and I’ll still be there for the last.
They sit together in silence, the hum of the night wrapping around them like a promise.
EXT. COMMERCIAL DRIVE – JOE’S BALCONY – DAY
A sun-drenched summer afternoon. The hum of traffic and café chatter fills the air. Down below, Commercial Drive buzzes with life—kids in jerseys, espresso-sipping elders, and families draped in flags. Above it all, JOE’s balcony is a riot of color: a Portugal flag, a Croatian checkerboard, the red maple leaf of Canada, and even a UN flag flutter proudly in the breeze.
JOE steps out onto the balcony, wearing a vintage Portugal jersey. He waves to people below, who cheer and shout up at him.
PASSERBY #1
JOEEE! The flags are out! Is it game day?
JOE
Every day’s game day when you believe in miracles, brother!
Laughter and clapping from below. Joe turns as NELLY steps out onto the balcony. She’s wearing a hoodie, visibly thinner but glowing in the light. She leans on the railing, soaking it in.
NELLY
(smiling)
You really turned this place into your own soccer shrine, huh?
JOE
This? This is the holy balcony, Nelly. This is where we witness resurrection goals. Where legends are born and neighbors become cousins.
NELLY
(looking out at the people)
They love you out here.
JOE
Nah, they love hope. I just make it fly with fabric.
He taps the four flags in rhythm.
JOE (CONT’D)
Portugal—your people.
Croatia—my people.
Canada—the land that raised us.
And the UN—because we all belong to each other.
Beat.
JOE (softly)
And you, Nelly… you’re gonna make it to the World Cup. 2026. We’ll be right here. You, me, the kids. Flags in hand. Voices raw from screaming.
NELLY
(chokes up)
You think I’ll make it?
JOE
I know you will. You’ll be dancing in the street when Canada makes it out of the group stage. You’ll be yelling at me for burning the chouriço.
NELLY
(laughs)
As if you even know how to barbecue without burning something.
JOE
(pointing)
See? That right there. That’s the sound of the future. You laughing. Our balcony shaking from the celebration.
A loud cheer erupts below as a car drives by honking, flags waving.
PASSERBY #2
Portugal ‘til I die!!
JOE
(shouting back)
And then we go to extra time!
They laugh. Joe turns to Nelly, his hand over his heart.
JOE (softly)
This balcony’s waiting for you in 2026. Just like I’ll be. Every match, every morning, every moment between now and then. We’re gonna make it, babe. You and me. Team Jelly.
NELLY
(eyes shining)
Team Jelly forever.
They raise their arms and wave down at the street. The flags ripple behind them like a promise.