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Limelight
By Karisma

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Epilogue

Serena Eddington walked down a red carpet with a tall man in a tuxedo by her side. Smiling for the plethora of cameras and reporters, she looked around the eddying circles of mingling stars to find the couple she was looking for. While she craned her neck, cameras flashed, taking in her ice blue gown. The small straps held up a tight bodice that skimmed down to her hips and then flared out slightly. The unique trademark about the designer dress was the abnormally long scarf of the same color and light material that she wore around her neck whose two ends trailed behind her.

Her hair had been simply styled, half of it pulled back with a diamond clip and the rest left in loose waves and curls.

Spotting them, she led the handsome man next to her to greet her husband. Turning, Darien saw his wife walking toward him with Andrew near her. Mina Kinsley—she opted to keep her name after marrying Andrew Clarke—smiled up at her husband and easily switched places with her sister, kissing the blond man happily.

Darien followed suit and leaned down to greet his wife properly. Bulbs flashed and Serena smiled against Darien’s lips before they pulled apart.

“Well, enjoy this night, Darien.” Mina said as the foursome walked into the large building where the award show would be held. “It’ll be the last time you’re nominated for best actor. Soon you’ll just sit behind a chair.” She shuddered at the thought and Darien laughed.

“I’ll consider it a blessing.”

“I still can’t believe you decided to switch to directing.” Andrew shook his head admiringly. “Never would have imagined you as a director type.”

“Hey!” Serena protested, linking her arm through her husband’s. She stroked his cheek teasing. “Just because he’s a pretty boy doesn’t mean he can’t do anything but look nice!”

“But of course!” Mina admonished. “He also has to sit prettily too!” She flopped down on a chair elegantly, straightening her dress. She was modeling a gown for an unknown designer, hoping to give her some public recognition. Panels of black velvet fell from a single, diamond studded clip on her left shoulder and went straight to her feet, leaving her other shoulder and arm bare.

“Ha-ha, Mina.” Darien said dryly, sitting next to his wife in a comfortable chair after pulling hers out for her.

“But, seriously.” Mina wiggled to look at him. “You deserve this Oscar and it’ll be sad to see a great actor like you leave.”

He smiled gratefully and turned back to his wife. She looked at him uneasily. “If you don’t get this award, you’ll get plenty more once your new movie comes out.”

Darien looked at her, his heart bursting at the agitation she was feeling trying to reassure him. “I know,” he said, kissing her nose lightly.

The night went on and the emcee made many barbs about actors, movies, and directors, some of which were directed to the foursome, particularly with the shocking news that Mina Kinsley had a twin. The media had bee astounded and for weeks, the tabloids covered nothing else but the great love swap the twins had made. Of course, Serena and Andrew had never been an item, but it made a great headline nonetheless. However, only the four knew the truth about how the twin switch had been pulled off. The public had no idea that both the Kinsley twins were in the movie nominated for best film of the year.

The three most coveted awards were saved for last and Serena whispered something to her husband and then slipped out, positive that the cameras were not focused on her at this time. She quietly went backstage to change and heard the two announcers call out the nominated for best actress, among the names was Mina Kinsley for Only You.

She held her breath, tying on the gold strap of her sandals to her ankle. “And the Oscar goes to…” the man paused, letting his female partner tell America the name.

“Mina Kinsley for Only You!”

The applause was shattering as Mina got up, kissed her husband and Darien, and strode elegantly to the front, her black velvet gown swishing by her heeled feet. She accepted the golden award and turned to the large audience, a genuine smile breaking on her face. “Some how, it doesn’t seem real yet,” she laughed, holding up the Oscar. “Well, the crew and cast behind Only You, I share this with you—without you this entire project would have never been possible. To Darien, who is a friend as well as a brother-in-law. To Andrew, my loving husband whom I adore. To my late parents who I know are smiling down at me even though they can’t be here.” She smiled again, her eyes shining with a fine cloud of mist. “But most of all, to my sister—whose courage and gentle strength never ceases to amaze or inspire me. Serena, this is for you. I love you.” She turned to leave the stage, applause behind her, before coming back to the mike. “Oh, but Sere. Everyone knows I ‘m the pretty one!” And then she left, the audience tittering and clapping wildly.

Serena stood back stage, her own eyes clouding with sentimental tears. Galvanized into action by the quiet whisper of the stage manager, she smiled brightly and walked onto the stage, her gold sheath dress sparkling with every step.

She stepped up to the mike her sister had surrendered and smiled dryly. “I’m Serena—just in case you all were confused.” Winking at the audience, she uttered one more statement before starting her speech. “And Mina, everybody knows I’m the pretty one—I mean, who got stood up on prom night again?” Waiting for the laughing to subside, she looked straight ahead and read off the scrolling screen perfectly, telling the prestige of such an award and giving a brief history. After reading the nominees, she paused dramatically, relishing in the pregnant silence. “And the Oscar goes to…” she cracked the seal and kept her face blank as she read. “Darien Eddington for Only You!”

The camera focused on Darien while he shook hands with Andrew and Nigel. The backdrop behind Serena changed to show a silenced clip of him giving one of the serious monologues that helped him win the award. He accepted the trophy from his wife, pausing to kiss her on the cheek. “Wow,” he said, looking down at the golden man in his hand. Laughing lightly, he looked up. “Like Mina said, the cast and crew were indispensable in this picture—Nigel and Elaine—we all love you guys. I share this with you. To my wife—Serena—who helped me in my decision to turn to directing. Her support has meant everything.” He held out his hand for her and she came, blushing at the sentimental noises that emitted from the crowd as he kissed her deeply. “And finally to the Academy—for making my last acting film a memorable one.” With one last smile to the audience, he left the stage, his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

The movie also bagged the best film of the year, causing Nigel to cry and hold his wife Elaine tightly while she patted his back in exasperation.

Elaine came up to her once in the wild excitement of the all night party. “If you ever think of acting, Serena, we’ll be here.”

Serena shifted uneasily, “I just don’t think it’s my forte.” She laughed lightly, diverting her gaze from Elaine’s keen gaze.

“Really? I have an award that says we couldn’t have done it without you.” The older woman embraced the younger one, shocking Serena with the realization that she and Nigel knew. Then Elaine winked and was whisked off to dance with her still misty husband.

When the night and morning had come, the cast party over and done with, Serena and Darien went home, too exited to sleep.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Serena leapt up, her bare feet barely making a sound on the crème carpet. Darien watched her go, admiring the way her gown hugged her. When she came back, she was holding something behind her, grinning broadly. She had taken the confining clip out, letting waves of soft blonde hair frame her face like a halo. She looked down at his resting form on the couch, her eyes glittering wondrously.

“What?” He said lazily, lifting his arm to capture her free hand.

“Well,” she began dramatically. “I’m not sure if it’s as good as an Oscar, but…”

“Serena,” he said warningly, his gaze not leaving her face once to look at the gold trophy he had dropped haphazardly by his discarded jacket in his haste to carry her over the threshold.

She sighed the breath of a martyr. “Fine.” The glint returned to her eyes as she shoved a dozen roses out to him, “Congratulations, Mr. Eddington. We’re pregnant!”

He stared at her shining face for a moment before pulling her to him, crushing the flowers between them. He kissed her hungrily, tangling his hands in her fragrant hair. When the doorbell rang, he groaned, his lips never stilling on her neck. “Don’t answer it,” he commanded, his voice trying unsuccessfully to sound menacing.

“I have to,” Serena giggled as he hit a particularly sensitive spot behind her ear. “It’s probably Mina.”

“If we’re quiet, maybe she’ll go away.” He whispered, tugging at the strap of her dress.

“She knows we’re here, remember. We told her at the party.” Sitting up on the couch, she straightened her tousled hair and dress and stood up, smiling at the bereft expression on his face. “I’ll be back.” She promised.

She winded down the long corridor to the front door and sure enough as she opened it, she saw…her reflection.

“Hello, Mina.”

“Hi.” Mina denied the offer to come in, tactfully noting her sister’s rumpled appearance. “This will just take a second.” She pulled out her award. “I want you to have this.”

“What?” Serena gasped, not reaching out for the proffered Oscar.

“Please, Serena.” Mina implored, pushing it out to her. “You deserve it, The Academy didn’t know it, but you finished Only You and you deserve this.” Her tone turned lighter. “And besides, I’ll get a couple more in the future.”

Serena laughed and took the gift, her smile watery as she pulled her sister in for a hug. “Thank you.” She whispered when the pulled apart.

“No, Serena.” Mina said, her face the picture of contentment. “Thank you.”

The meaning was clear and Serena nodded, watching Mina squeeze her hand and the gracefully declined down the steps to her stretch limo where her husband was waiting for her.

Serena shut the door and walked through her warm home, in search for her own husband.

“I was just about to send a search party.” Darien’s voice greeted her in their bedroom, a bottle of chilled cider in his hand.

“Mina gave me this,” Serena said in awe, looking down at the heavy metal in her hand. The weight was unusually comforting as she placed it next to his own award.

“I know,” he said simply, pouring the cider in two champagne flutes. Serena looked at him and realized he had known what Mina had planned to do. He looked over at the glinting men. “A matching pair.” He announced, handing her a flute.

“Cider?” She cocked a brow.

“Of course,” he admonished. “You think I want to corrupt my son?”

“Son?” Serena said indignantly. “Who said anything about a son?”

He sighed heavily and when he spoke, his voice was full of mirth. “If you must have a daughter, we can try later.”

“How much later?”

He put down his glass and reached for her. “Now.”