Page 127 of Vain
I reach up and kiss him. “You’re a good dad, Aiden.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Enough to give me more?”
“One day. I want to enjoy Zoe for a little while first. I don’t want her to have to share us. Not yet. She deserves to be solely and wholly loved by us.”
His hands cup my ass. “I’m good with that. Plus, practice does make perfect.”
“Hmm…” I kiss him again before he pulls back.
“Dammit woman, you distracted me again. We’ve gotta go. You have everything packed ready?”
“Yeah, it’s on the bed. I just need to grab my charger.”
“Hop to it and let’s get this show on the road.”
“We have Hollywood royalty here tonight. Matilda Carson and her soon-to-be husband, Aiden Church, who I have to say looks very handsome in his suit. Matilda, of course, has been nominated for an Oscar here tonight for best director for the movieVain.Vaindid exceptionally well at the Golden Globes this year and they’re hoping to walk away with at least one statue tonight.
“Matilda has largely disappeared from the limelight to focus on her new family and I can’t say I blame her after the tragedies she has had to deal with of late. And can I just say, the dress she is wearing tonight, a simple black Oscar de la Renta,is stunning. But it’s what the dress isn’t covering that everyone is talking about, Dale.”
“Yes, that’s right. After she told the world in that now infamous interview that she had multiple scars and surgeries following an acid attack, I think the world stood still in shock. But to come here today and show us all that scars are beautiful no matter what? Well, I think this might be the beginning of a new mindset that people will adopt.”
“I agree, Dale. I spoke to her briefly earlier and asked her about wearing her scars for the world to see. And you know what she told me? She said, ‘I used to hide my scars because I was ashamed. But one day I met a little girl who showed me what it really means to be brave. She made me realize I have nothing to be ashamed of. I never did. Now I think of my scars not as something shameful but as armor. Something I earned when I refused to stop fighting.’”
“Wow, beautiful.”
I tune out most of it, holding onto Aiden as he helps me navigate the red carpet. The evening passes in a blur of well wishes, and for once, I feel warmth emanating, not just from the press, but also from my fellow actors and nominees. I felt like an impostor coming back, not sure which world I fit into anymore, but maybe the answer has always been both.
We haven’t won any of the awards yet, and that’s fine. Just being nominated is such an honor. I still can’t wrap my head around it.
Aiden nudges me.
“And the nominees for best director are…”
I take a deep breath as the actor reads out the names and smile gently. My face and reaction will be plastered all over the news tomorrow. I’m so focused on whether my smilelooks natural that it takes mea second to realize that they’ve announced the winner.
Aiden yanks me into his arms. “I’m so fucking proud of you, baby. Congratulations.”
I jolt at his words. “Wait. I won?”
He nods, grinning wildly. “Yes, honey, you won. Now get up there and get your statue.”
I stand up on shaky legs, all thoughts of my smile going out the window as shock makes my brain misfire. I focus on getting up the steps without tripping on my dress and breaking my neck before thanking the actor who hands me the statue.
I turn to the crowd, which is cheering and applauding, and feel a few tears slip free. That makes them cheer even more. I find Aiden’s face in the crowd. He has his hands over his heart as he mouths, “I love you.”
His words and his presence help center me as I open my mouth and wing it. “It’s not often I’m left speechless,” I begin, making people chuckle. “As many of you know, life has thrown me quite a few curve balls in recent years. I’ve experienced the highest highs, and the lowest lows.” I let my eyes fall on Aiden before looking around the room at my cast fromVain. “I’ve realized that people will always surprise you. Some in awful hideous ways, and some in ways that will nurture and enrich your life in ways you could never have imagined.
“Vain was a passion project for me. My first movie as the director and my first foray back into the world as this new version of myself.” I touch my shoulder to emphasize the scars. “This movie was the first step on my road to healing and I was fortunate enough to find myself surrounded by my most wonderful cast and crew. I mean, I seriously lucked out.” I smile as my cast blows kisses and smiles back.
“I found pieces of myself I thought I lost making this movie, and then behind the scenes, I starred in my very own romantic suspense.”
There are more laughs before I get around to my thank yous. “I would like to thank everyone involved in this movie, from the actors to the catering staff. I really couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you to the studio for taking a chance on me and to all the fans and critics who embraced this story and took it into their hearts. I want to thank my partner Aiden for showing me fairytales can come true and everyone at Price Security for sending me a hero when I so desperately needed one. A big shout out to Zoe, my warrior princess, and finally, to my dearest friend, Marley.” I pause when my voice cracks and press my fingers to my lips as I steady myself.
“Marley taught me how to love big, and loud, without limits or boundaries. He taught me that real love is selfless.” A tear slips free as I find Aiden in the crowd once more. “I’d like to dedicate this to him because, without Marley Williams, there would be no Matilda Carson standing here in front of you all today. Thank you.” I blow out a shaky breath as people stand clapping, and head backstage. Aiden finds me, moments later.
