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They wandered inside, taking their seats in the front row, where all the main nominees were placed. Nicole found Davis in the side boxes where they seated the screenwriters, waving to him. She’d be sitting there too, if her husband hadn’t brought her along as his date.
As the music came up and the show began, Reece took her hand, holding it throughout the opening numbers and first awards. They applauded each winner, smiling when the cameras landed on them. Reece left her for a short time to be a presenter. She had a nice conversation with the seat filler who sat down beside her.
The young man pulled out a copy of her book, asking her to sign it. His mother happened to be a big fan. Nicole was happy to put her name inside the cover, writing a little dedication to his mother as well. She leaned over, giving the boy a kiss on the cheek, which was caught on camera.
Reece had just come on stage, glancing down at his seat. “Hey, buster, that’s my wife you’re manhandling,” he called, the crowd laughing. “Save those kisses for me, Nicole,” he then said, rewarded when she blew him a kiss. The seat filler blushed, smiling and enjoying his fifteen seconds of fame.
Reece returned to his seat, taking her hand and bringing her fingers up for a kiss. “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?”
She smiled at him. “I always save my best kisses for you.” He squeezed her fingers, returning his attention to the show.
Three more awards were given. It was getting close to the time for Best Adapted Screenplay to be announced. Even though the movie and the book were released at the same time, the book took precedence—the screenplay considered an adaptation of the work.
Nicole’s palm began to sweat. She fidgeted in her seat. Reece peered over. “Getting nervous?”
She swallowed. “A little bit. I’ve gained so much in the last two years, with my career and in my life, this nomination seems like it’s too much. Even when you know you’re not seriously in the running, you still hope your name will be called.”
During their conversation, they didn’t hear the nominations being read or the winner’s name announced. It wasn’t until Davis was standing in front of her, with his arm held out, that she realized she’d won the Oscar.
Her mouth fell open as she stood on shaky legs, receiving a kiss from her husband. “Tell me I’m not dreaming,” she said to him as he hugged her tight.
Reece had tears in his eyes as he pushed her toward the stage. “You’re not dreaming, baby. You won.”
Davis escorted her up the steps, where they received their awards for Best Adapted Screenplay. “Thank you, girl, this never would’ve happened without you.”
As they accepted their awards, Davis stood at the mic, thanking his friends, family, and studio for this amazing honor. Nicole hung back as he wound down, turning to her.
She moved forward, standing before the microphone, saying the first thing that came to mind.
“Sometimes, a little bit of procrastination goes a long way.” The crowd chuckled as she continued. “I had no idea when I was running late for the plane that my life was about to change so drastically. I want to thank my parents for always loving me and being supportive, even when it came across as criticism, my fans who trudged out in the rain to come to book signings, and my co-writer, Davis, who took me under his wing, showing me a different way to tell a story.”
“Most of all, I want to thank my husband, Colin, who has given me the courage to believe my dreams can become reality. You are my heart, my soul, my best friend. I love you.” She blew a kiss to him, leaving the stage before the ‘get off the stage music’ could begin.
Nicole and Davis were led down a corridor to the press room where they fielded questions regarding their wins. At one point, she looked up at the monitor to see they were announcing the nominees for Best Actor in a Leading Role. She asked the press for silence, so she could hear the show.
Everyone turned toward the monitor, watching as the presenter fiddled with the envelope, removing the card with the winner’s name. A moment of baited silence followed.
“And the winner is . . . Reece Collins for Limelight,” the presenter shouted. The theater erupted in applause and congratulations. Reece shook hands with a few of his fellow nominees, climbing the steps to the stage.
He accepted his award, standing at the podium, quiet and speechless. His hand was shaking as he raised it, running it through his blond hair. He looked out toward the mass of faces in the theater. “I didn’t think I was actually going to win. Oh my God! What can I possibly say for this honor? Thank you is not enough, but I thank my parents for paying for the acting workshops and always supporting me in my dreams. I thank my brother and sister for being jerks to me when we were growing up, so I could disappear to my private castle and act out how I wanted my life to be.” The crowd chuckled.
“I thank the studio for taking a chance on me with a more serious role, and the cast and crew because I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. And I thank my new bride, Nicole, who makes every day of my life exciting and worthwhile. Here’s to the roller coaster, baby.” He held his award in the air, exiting the stage.
He sprinted down the corridor, entering the press room and searching for his wife. Cameras were flashing in his eyes, but he didn’t flinch from the brightness as he continued to seek the one face he craved.
At last, the crowds parted. She was there, standing beside Davis Sylvester, tears of joy streaming down her face at his and their accomplishments. He held out his arms to her.
He swung her around, kissing her soundly for the benefit of everyone watching.
“We did it, baby. We actually did it.”
The press was scrambling, pushing forward to hear whatever they were whispering to each other. Reece released her, turning to face the press, but keeping her near his side.
“How does it feel, Mr. Collins? Were you surprised with the win or did you expect . . .?”
Reece considered the statue in his hand. “When you first start out in the business, you have all these dreams of success. Some come true, some don’t, but you never stop hoping. You never stop reaching.”
“If any more of your wife’s books are made into film, will you enact them?”
