Page 114 of Falling Like Stars

Inside the Dolby Theater, we mingle with other actors, producers, and Rowan finds Vivienne Kyle, her new partner in crime. Since Avignon finished, the two have been inseparable, an instant friendship having sprung up between Rowan and the fashion designer. Vivienne has twenty years in the business and has taken Rowan under her wing, but they also genuinely like each other. I watch them hug and talk, already making plans for their next joint project—a fantasy book adaptation with Greta Gerwig.

Best Supporting Actor is one of the first awards, so I give Rowan—my fiancée—a quick kiss before I’m ushered backstage. I make it through the presentation—giving the award to Evan Peters for Lost on You—without making a fool of myself.

After, I get back to my seat next to Rowan, and the costume design awards are given. When we go to commercial, I lean into her. “That’s going to be you up there, someday.”

She pretends like she didn’t hear me. “Sorry, what? I’m too busy staring at this ring you put on my finger.” She gazes up at me with those light blue eyes surrounded by darker blue. “I’m so happy, I could explode. And I want to be somewhere alone with you in the worst way.”

“Tell me about it,” I say, shifting in my seat. “I didn’t really think this through.”

She laughs and then the lights come down.

Finally, last year’s Best Actor winner, Jeremy Strong, steps on the stage and introduces the nominees. Once again, a camera man kneels in the aisle beside my seat. Rowan’s hand tightens in mine, but no matter what happens, I’ve already won.

She leans in as Jeremy opens the envelope. “You should’ve written a speech.”

“Nah…”

“And the winner is…Zachary Butler for Midnight Skies.”

But even Rowan is shocked and gives a squeal of joy. I’m still for a second until she gives me a kiss and pushes me up out of my seat.

The whole damn place gives me a standing ovation. I climb the few steps and shake Jeremy’s hand. He congratulates me, hands me the Oscar, and now I have to talk.

“This is too much. Wow. I’m so honored.”

I thank the crew, the cast, my family, and then I find Rowan in the front row, her hands pressed to her mouth with my family’s ring glittering on her finger.

“And lastly, I’d like to thank the Academy. It’s a tremendous honor and also the second-best thing that’s happened to me tonight, because on the drive over here, I asked Rowan Walsh to marry me, and she said yes.”

The crowd goes crazy, and Rowan stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind.

“Thank you, Ro, for loving me as I am. You’re the love of my life.” The camera flashes at me to wrap it up. I heft the Oscar. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

The audience can barely contain themselves and erupt in thunderous applause the second I’m done speaking. I’m supposed to go off stage and do all the post-win things, but I take the stairs down to Rowan instead. I bend to kiss her, and under the noise of the crowd, I tell her I love her.

Because I do, with all that I am. My wayward heart has come home at last.

The End