Page 89 of Take Two
Maddie’s eyes boldly traveled the length of Hayley, letting everyone there know that she was staking her claim.
The six of them climbed into the white stretch limousine and headed to the Dolby Theater in Hollywood for the Ninety-Eighth Academy Awards.
As the show progressed toward the highest honors of the night, Gemma felt her nerves tighten in her stomach. When it was time for Best Supporting Actress, she drained the glass of champagne in front of her and watched the highlight clips with her heart stuttering in her chest.
“And the Oscar goes to…” The presenter opened the envelope, and Gemma thought she was going to throw up, squeezing Hayley’s hand on one side and Caitlin’s on the other. “Gemma Quinn—Forbidden Love.”
Caitlin swept her up into a fierce, trembling hug as a wave of disbelief and joy crashed over Gemma. Caitlin affectionately grabbed her face and kissed her, proud and bright-eyed, before Gemma turned to Hayley, who also pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
Gemma hadn’t planned for this moment, so she didn’t have a speech prepared, but in the short walk to the microphone, she found words from her heart, messy and authentic, and gave the best speech she could.
As she wrapped up, she rushed, “Last but not least, I’d like to thank my co-star and effortlessly talented fiancée, Caitlin. You’re an incredible actress, sexy as hell…” She paused while the crowd whistled. “And I’ve loved you since the second I laid eyes on you. This is for us, my love.” She held up the Oscar and headed backstage.
Gemma slid back into her seat and threaded her fingers through Caitlin’s just in time for the next award—Best Actress. She could feel Caitlin’s knee bouncing as the movie clips rolled.
“And the Oscar goes to… Caitlin Stone—ForbiddenLove.”
They both sprang to their feet, and Gemma kissed Caitlin deeply. She had finally won the Oscar she’d dreamed of since childhood.
Onstage, Caitlin found Gemma’s eyes in the crowd as she neared the end of her acceptance speech, voice wavering. “All that being said, I would not be here tonight if it weren’t for the woman who stood opposite me. Gemma, thank you for giving me the chance to play the greatest role of my life. I cannot wait to be your wife and spend the rest of my life adding scenes to our own story. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Gemma didn’t realize she was crying until a tear fell into her lap.
When the awards concluded, Gemma and Caitlin posed on the red carpet with their gold Academy Award statues, alongside McKenzie Ryan, who had won Best Director, and the producers who had won Best Picture.
As Gemma, Caitlin, Maddie, Hayley, Eve, and Sandy all made their way to the Governors Ball for the official after party, Caitlin pulled Gemma aside.
“Let’s go home and celebrate. Just the two of us.”
Gemma paused and looked at her. “You’ve been dreaming of this night since you were a little girl. Don’t you want to go to the party with everyone else?”
“Winning an Oscar is great and all…” Caitlin wore a smile of sheer ecstasy. “But you’re all I really ever wanted.” She kissed Gemma with a slow, deep hunger.
Gemma didn’t protest again.
Fingers intertwined, they said goodnight to their friends, and the others headed to the Governors Ball.
“Have fun, you two,” Gemma said, winking at Hayley and Maddie.
Before they could part ways, Gemma grabbed Hayley andmurmured, “At least this time you know you’ll get her name right.”
Gemma laughed as Hayley rolled her eyes and shoved her into Caitlin. But Gemma caught the tips of Hayley’s mouth, fighting to turn up.
When Gemma slid onto the black leather seat in the back of the limousine, Caitlin turned to her. “Is it just me, or is there a vibe between Hayley and Maddie?”
“Oh, there’s definitely a vibe,” Gemma agreed, laughing.
A short ride later, they arrived back at their house in the Hollywood Hills, Gemma holding Caitlin’s free hand as they slid from the car and, trophies in tow, pulled her straight into the living room.
Caitlin was taken aback when she saw all the rose petals scattered on the floor, a bottle of Dom Perignon on ice beside two tall flutes, and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries.
“How? When?” Caitlin asked, taking in the scene.
Gemma took their golden statues and placed them on the table, then led Caitlin to the couch. She switched on the fireplace, flames dancing to life as they stared into each other’s eyes.
Leaning forward to pour their champagne, Gemma finally said, “I asked the glam team to help me before they left.”
“But what if we hadn’t won?”
“Who cares?” Gemma said tenderly, settling the flute into Caitlin’s hand. “You’re my reason to celebrate.”
They clinked their glasses together as Caitlin made a toast to their awards, their love, and their future. They spent the rest of the night tangled in each other, polishing off the champagne with laughter that felt like home.
When Gemma slid her hands under Caitlin’s dress, up her legs, and over her thighs, they carried their celebration into the bedroom.
They undressed one another, worshiping each other slowly, savoring kisses and the sweet taste of chocolate as they fed one another strawberries. Gemma trailed her lips down her fiancée’s torso, exploring every inch as she moved lower.
Gemma’s tongue slowed into circles as Caitlin’s breath began to come faster. She would never stop loving this woman. And she didn’t, even as the first soft light of dawn eased across their bedroom, painting the quiet scene in a warm golden-yellow glow.
Gemma and Caitlin moved as one, held tight in a perfect silence that spoke louder than any vow. Their bodies, entwined against the rising sun, were a simple and powerful testament to the storm they had weathered. A quiet promise of unwavering love.