by Force, Marie
“Absolutely not. It’s going to be a big night for you and for Quantum. I hate to jinx myself this way, but will you accept for me if I win?”
With his superstitions, it’s a huge thing for him to even acknowledge the possibility that he might win. “I’d love to. Can I tell them where you are?”
“Yeah, why not? I’m gonna be a dad.”
The wonder and amazement in his voice move me to tears. “Yes, you are. The best dad ever. We love you both. Let us know how she’s doing?”
“I’ll text you.”
“Give Nat our love.”
“Will do.”
“Keep breathing, Flynn.”
“Trying. I’ll be in touch.”
The line goes dead, and I glance at Sebastian. “Do you think I should go to the hospital?”
“We’ll go by after the show.”
“We have plans after the show.”
“They’ll keep until we check on our friends.”
We arrive a short time later at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and wait in a long line of other cars offloading celebrity cargo.
“You ready for this?” We’ll officially go public with our relationship at this event, and I’ve tried to prepare Sebastian for how things will change for him. He says he gets it, but how could he until he’s chased from a coffee shop or grocery store by camera-wielding paparazzi? Sure, he’s spent time with all of us and seen how it can be for us, but it’s different when the focus is on you—and the focus will be on him once the media figures out that we’re together.
He kisses my hand and gazes into my eyes. “I’m ready for anything if it means I get to sleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning.”
Swoon. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, babe. Let’s go knock ’em dead.” He gets out first and reaches for me.
I take hold of his hand and let him help me out of the car.
The crowd goes wild when they see that it’s me, and we’re momentarily blinded by the flashes of a thousand cameras recording this moment. I hear the buzz: Who is he? Do we know him? Haven’t we seen him before? It won’t take long for them to figure out who he is. I’ve instructed Liza not to give them anything. Let them figure it out for themselves.
I wave to my adoring fans who call out to me from the bleachers as we walk the red carpet, stopping for several interviews with the big entertainment shows.
As we planned, Seb waits for me outside the shot so he won’t be forced to answer questions. I talk to the interviewers about the movie, tell them who I’m wearing and make small talk while avoiding the one question they most want answered: Who is he, and what does he mean to me?
Soon enough, they’ll know. He’s Sebastian Lowe, and he’s everything to me.
The awards show is surreal. What the fuck am I doing in a three-thousand-dollar tux, hobnobbing with Hollywood royalty? When Marlowe looks over at me and flashes that irrepressible trademark grin, I remember what I’m doing here. I’m here for her, because there’s nowhere I’d rather be than wherever she is.
A week after sealing my fate in the dungeon, I wonder why I bothered to resist her. My resistance was as futile as metal would be avoiding a magnet when the two are on a collision course with destiny.
She is my destiny, and for some reason that I’ll never fully understand, I’m hers.
After our stroll down the red carpet, we’re shown into the theater, where the Quantum team is seated in the first two rows. When the producers are informed that Flynn and Natalie won’t be attending, there’s a scramble to fill their seats. Marlowe agrees to fly solo for the presentation of the best original screenplay award they were supposed to do together.
Everyone wants to know where they are. Other than our Quantum family, we tell no one why they’re missing the biggest night of the year. Only we know that this could be the biggest night of their lives, and the reason has nothing to do with awards.
It takes forever, or so it seems, to get to the awards we came for. Jasper wins the Oscar for cinematography on Insidious and goes up to accept his award.
“This means so much to me.” His voice is thick with emotion as he stares down at his second consecutive Oscar. “A year ago, I was a footloose bachelor without a care in the world other than my work and my friends. Today… Tonight, I’m eternally thankful to my beautiful wife, Ellie Godfrey, who made me a dad last week when our son, Harrison, was born. Ellie and Harry are watching from home, and I want to thank them both for giving me a life I could’ve only dreamed about before they came along. To my partners in crime at Quantum… During the most difficult days of my life, you stood by me, you raised me up, and you gave me the courage to fight for the life I wanted. I love you all so much. Thank you to the Academy for this incredible honor.”
We’re all in tears as we stand and cheer for Jasper, Ellie and baby Harry.
After a few more awards are presented, we get to best actress. When her name is read as one of the nominees, Marlowe gives me a goofy grin and squeezes my hand.
“And the Oscar goes to Marlowe Sloane.”
She won! Holy shit, she won! And when she leans in to kiss me tenderly before getting up to receive her award, my heart swells with a love so big, it can’t be contained. I walk her to the stage and hold her hand as she goes up the stairs on impossibly high heels. I let go only when I’m confident she’s got it from here.
“Wow, thank you so much to the Academy and everyone who voted for me. I’m thrilled to be recognized for this role and this character and the important light it shines upon the work of mental health professionals. I want to thank Flynn for being my partner in this film, as well as my best friend and the beloved brother of my heart for all these years. My love and thanks go to Hayden, who gives his heart and soul to everything he does, to Jasper, who makes us all look good on film, and Kristian for juggling the details. I wouldn’t want to do this life or this job without you guys and our entire Quantum family. I want to thank my mom…”
Her voice goes soft, and her eyes fill with tears. I’m unbearably moved by her.
“None of this would’ve happened without her fierce belief in me and the many sacrifices she made to bring me to LA to chase the dream. I owe everything I have to her.” She takes a breath and looks at me. “You all know what happened to me recently, but what you may not know is that one of the worst days of my life was also one of the best days because it led me to where I should’ve been all along, with my friend and forever love. Sebastian, I’m not sure what I ever did to get lucky enough to spend this life with you, but I’ll be grateful for you every day that I have left. I love you so much. Thank you again for this incredible honor.”
Tears roll down my face as I applaud and whistle and generally make a scene. I’m so fucking proud of her. And what she said about me? I still can’t believe she loves me like that, but thank God she does.
She comes back out to accept for Flynn when he wins the Oscar for best performance by an actor in a leading role. “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of my best friend, Flynn Godfrey, who is, at this very moment, helping his beautiful wife, Natalie, welcome their first child.”
The crowd goes wild, cheering for that news.
“Flynn would want me to tell you that it meant the world to him to bring this particular character to life, to shine the light on the scourge of opioid addiction in this country and to show that it is possible to fight your way out of the pits of hell to find help and a new life after addiction. To everyone who’s currently struggling, you have our hearts and our support and our love. Thank you for recognizing Flynn’s amazing performance with this award.”
I can’t seem to contain the tears that flow as each of my closest friends is recognized for their amazing gifts.
Hayden is next when he receives the award for best director.
He takes the stairs two at a time, which makes us laugh. I love seeing my usually stoic, focused, moody friend glowing with happiness. He’s my brother from anot
her mother, and I’m filled with pride as I watch him on stage.
“Thank you to the Academy for the overwhelming recognition of Insidious. We struggled to name this film. We wanted to call it Addict, but the studio thought we could do better, and they were right. Insidious is the perfect title for this film that tells the heartbreaking story of our times. This new age of addiction isn’t limited to rich people who can score a pricey hit. This wave is indiscriminate. It touches every city and town, every economic level. It is indeed insidious. It was my honor, and the honor of everyone associated with Quantum, to tell this story. I want to thank my partners at work and life—Flynn, Marlowe, Jasper and Kristian, as well as the amazing team that supports us every day. And I want to thank my beautiful wife, Addison, for coming up with the title of Insidious and saving our asses, but for also saving my ass by loving me and marrying me. I have no idea who I was before I had you, sweet Addie, but all I know is that everything is better now.” He holds up the statue. “Thanks again for this incredible award.”
It surprises no one when Insidious completes the sweep and wins for best picture. Kristian accepts for Quantum.
“Thank you to the Academy and everyone who felt our film was deserving of this honor. We’re so fortunate to get to do this work, to tell important stories and to do it with the people we love most in the world. The second-best thing I ever did was say yes to Flynn and Hayden when they asked me to join their team at Quantum. The very best thing I ever did was fall for my sweet fiancée, Aileen, and her kids, Logan and Maddie, who’re now my kids, too.” He looks at Aileen and the kids, who’re decked out in formal attire for the big night. “The three of you have given me more than I ever hoped to dream possible, and now…” Kristian pauses for a second to get himself together. “We’ve recently found out that our foursome will be a gang of five by the end of the year.”
We all go wild clapping and whistling as Aileen sobs and smiles and laughs at our reaction to their news.
“Our family is the best award I could ever be given. Love is the best award, but best picture is a pretty close second. Thank you again for honoring Insidious with this award. It’s my pleasure to accept it on behalf of the entire Quantum team.”
My hands hurt from clapping, and my voice is hoarse from all the cheering and shouting I’ve done in support of my family. Watching them on the stage, arms linked, beaming with happiness, I’m so proud, I could burst.
After the show, we skip the parties and head right to the hospital, bringing Oscars and ball gowns and excitement to the maternity waiting room where several other expectant family members are stunned to realize who’s joined them. We’re there a long time, so long that the other families leave. Tuxedo jackets and high heels are discarded, enormous amounts of junk food are consumed, and the Oscars we brought to show Flynn and Nat are lined up like forgotten toys on a side table.
I love that everyone is far more concerned about Flynn, Natalie and their child than they’ll ever be about those statues. They know what matters in this life, and their priorities are firmly in order. Max Godfrey is here, as are Flynn’s other sisters, Annie and Aimee. Stella is in the room with Flynn and Nat.
Flynn finally comes in around four in the morning, weary and teary and glowing with happiness. “She’s here. Cecelia Estelle Godfrey. Seven pounds, six ounces, nineteen inches. We’re going to call her Cece. Nat was amazing.” He breaks down, and his father is right there to hug him.
Max pats his son on the back. “Congratulations, Dad.”
“Nat said to bring you all in to see her and Cece so you can go home and get some rest.”
The entire gang of us follows him back to the room, toting parts and pieces of formal wear as well as a whole new collection of Oscars.
Marlowe hands Flynn his. “Congrats.”
Flynn takes it from her, smiles, gives it a passing glance and places it on the counter next to the window before going back to sit with Natalie and the baby.
Nat looks tired, gorgeous, happy and content as she holds her baby daughter.
“She’s beautiful, guys,” Marlowe declares.
“Well done,” Jasper says.
“Thank God she looks like Natalie.” Hayden’s comment earns a scowl from Cece’s father.
We visit with the new family for half an hour before we notice Natalie trying not to yawn.
“We’re going to go and let you get some rest,” Marlowe says. “We’ll check in with you in the morning, or I guess later this morning.”
“Thanks for being here, everyone,” Natalie says. “It means the world to us that you were here to welcome our Cece.”
We hug and kiss them both before leaving together, a bedraggled group that barely resembles the well-put-together contingent we were earlier. Marlowe and Hayden create a stir among the doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel as we head for the main doors, but they ignore the attention they get everywhere we go.
Since we let our driver go, Marlowe and I hitch a ride back to Malibu with Hayden and Addie, who drop us at my place just as the sun breaches the horizon.
“What a night.” I follow Marlowe into my condo and straight to the bedroom that’s become ours, where we drop our clothes on the floor in our haste to get horizontal. Then I remember our plans and the plug, and a dastardly, evil idea comes to me. I find the remote in my pants pocket and wait until she’s gone into the bathroom to brush her teeth to turn it on.
She lets out a shriek. “Sebastian! Shut that fucking thing off!”
It’s all I can do not to roar with laughter. “That’s not my name right now.”
She comes to the door, gloriously naked, her red hair a disheveled mess after being taken out of the elaborate style she wore to the awards ceremony. She has a toothbrush in her mouth as she glares at me. “Stop.”
“No. Hurry up and get your ass in here.” I’m in full Dom mode when I stare her down, letting her know I’m taking the lead.
That’s how we’ve worked things out. Sometimes she’s in charge, other times I am. Since we’re both totally fine with submitting to the other, we’ve found our groove. If there are “rules,” per se, they’re simple. When one of us indicates a desire to be in charge, the other is expected to go along with it. Only a safe word can stop the train once it’s left the station.
She’s tired. I can tell that just by looking at her. She’s drained from Oscar night and the extended visit to the hospital. And maybe she’s a tiny bit afraid of what we’re going to do. But she gives me a defiant look and turns to go finish brushing her teeth.
My cock is rock hard thinking about what’s about to happen here. I go to my bedside table for lube and then to the closet for a spare towel. I’m ready for her when she emerges from the bathroom and stands before me with her fingers linked and her head down in supplication. She’s brushed her gorgeous hair, and it hangs in shiny lengths. I’m transfixed by the sight of her nipples peeking through her hair.
I go to her, drawn so powerfully by the need for her that seems to grow exponentially with every passing day. She’s become so essential to me that I’d go without food and water before I’d go without her. I used to laugh at guys like me, even my own friends, who became such pathetic slaves to the women they love, but now I get it. I’m her slave, her faithful servant, anything she wants me to be.
“Is my little sub nervous?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How come?”
“Um, hello?” She gestures to my fully erect cock.
“You know I’d never hurt you, right?”
“Not intentionally.”
“Not at all. Ever.”
She gives me a saucy, defiant look that I love. “And how do you propose to do what we’re going to do with that thing without it hurting at all?”
I’m a little offended on behalf of my thing. “I didn’t say it wouldn’t hurt at all. I said I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“Are you splitting hairs?”
I smile. “No more talking unless you need yo
ur safe word.”
“Yes, sir.”
Those words coming from her go straight to my heart. Before we do anything else, I need her to know what she means to me. I can tell I take her by surprise when I put my arms around her and hold her as close to me as I can get her. I smooth my hand over her silky hair, down her back, and cup her sweet ass. “I love you, Marlowe. I was so proud of you at the Oscars, I thought I might burst from it. I’m so honored that you picked me to spend your life with, and I just want you to know that I’ll never take for granted the amazing trust you’ve put in me.”
To my complete horror, she sniffles.
I draw back to find her face awash in tears. “What?”
She laughs—at me, not with me. “Don’t panic. These are good tears.”
“There ought to be a fucking law against girl tears.”
She cups my face and runs her thumb over the scruff on my jaw. “Sorry about the tears, but what you said… It’s your fault.”
I glower playfully at her. “How so?”
“I’ve waited my whole life to find someone who would say what you just did to me and truly mean it. Someone who would love me for me and not for the illusion of me.”
“I know exactly who and what you are. I couldn’t give the first fuck about your fame, your money or all the bullshit that comes with you. I just want you.”
“Have me, Sebastian.”
It hurts. I’m not surprised, because I knew it would, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. He prepared me well and goes slowly, giving me his cock in small increments as my body adjusts to the invasion. I’ve heard that it gets better… Any time now. I’m waiting and breathing and focusing and trying not to think about anything other than what’s happening right here and now.
We discussed the best position and agreed I should be on my back so we could see each other.
“Talk to me.” His voice is strained, and his jaw is tight with the tension of trying to make this good for me.
“Ungmw.”
“That’s not a word.”
I arch my back, telling him without words to give me more.