Summary: It's been over 2 years since they fell in love & one year and 4 months since they married. Karen and Derek now must face surprises tossed at them and live on with whatever comes their way.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SMASH, OLIVER, TODAY, AND MORE NAMES TO COME! HOWEVER IF I DID…YOU GUYS WOULD BE SEEING THAT ROSE GARDEN AND EVERYTHING ELSE ON NBC! :)
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Catching Up With Surprises Lurking
"And we are on in 5-4-3-2-1-ACTION!"
"Over 50 years ago Broadway was charmed with the adventures of a little boy who praised for food, pick pocketed and led a musical phenomenon. Now 'Oliver' is back on the Broadway stage at the 'Longacre Theatre' and here with me are few of many people who made it happen. Producers Eileen Rand and Cameron Mackintosh, director/choreographer Derek Wills and two of the stars from the show Karen Wills who plays Nancy and Theo Eades as the title role of 'Oliver'. Good morning to you all and welcome to 'TODAY'."
Savannah Guthrie greets us all with a big smile on her face as we all smile back at her and answer in unison:
"Good morning."
"Now Eileen and Cameron I'm going to start with you. Why team up and bring it back to Broadway again?"
Cameron sighs then speaks "Well it is a timeless classic, the tour in the U.K. was doing great and I just got the idea that it should come back to Broadway. So I called Eileen since we did this show together last time and we worked it from there and one year later, we are on Broadway! Plus, it's been a long time since I've last worked with Eileen and Derek and I love working with them and it was I think the right time for it to come back."
"I think that sums it up perfectly." Eileen finishes
"Ok now Theo you are only 10 years old and a Broadway star on the rise all the way from London. How has this experience made you feel?"
Theo blushes as he answers "This has been an amazing experience for me. I'm working with people I've always wanted to meet, I get to sing, dance and act with all of my friends every night, people recognize me in the streets and my whole family is proud of me so I am very thankful for this production."
"What is your favorite part about being able to not only be in the show but watch the show as well?" Savannah asks Theo again
Theo puts a finger to his chin, taps it and hums as he is clearly thinking. "Well one of my favorite parts is watching Karen sing every night." He blushes again
We all "Awe" and I lock him in an embrace and kiss his forehead and whisper thank you to him. Over the year we have grown really close, not just us but the entire cast and crew.
"Well Derek looks like you got some competition for you wife there!" We hear a cameraman shout and we all abrupt into laughter and after a while we all settle down.
"Okay you all knew this one was coming: So Karen and Derek, you guys have been married for over a year now and was it either harder or easier to work together now that you two are husband and wife?"
"Well first of all, married life is great. Karen and I know that in this business these things do happen. What happens in 'Oliver' is business so there was no advantage or disadvantage because of our marital status. We made a rule that if I had to yell at her about a dance it's only in the studio, not at home. When we are at work she is Karen Wills the actress but when we are at home she is Karen Wills my wife."
"I couldn't have summed it up any better dear." I say as we stare at each other and a grin creeps on our faces.
What he said is 100% true. Derek and I sustained that rule and yes he was still that ruthless director that I had a crush on in Bombshell. He has not changed at all, he is still the man I fell in love with and married and I couldn't ask for anything better.
"So before we go to break Karen you have agreed to sing for us right?"
"Yes well more so Eileen and Cameron have. I just show up and do it."
"Alright well get ready!"
I get up, smooth out my red dress/ Nancy costume and get in my spot and watch everyone still on the couch. Derek gives me a quick wink of good luck and the camera comes up to my face.
"Here to sing the timeless classic 'As Long As He Needs Me' from 'Oliver', ladies and gentlemen Mrs. Karen Wills."
The studio claps as the light piano track begins to play and the character of lovesick Nancy comes to me.
"As long as he needs me...
Oh, yes, he does need me...
In spite of what you see...
...I'm sure that he needs me.
Who else would love him still
When they've been used so ill?
He knows I always will...
As long as he needs me. "
I know this song is about loving someone unconditionally even with their faults and that's why this song comes up to me and Derek. No he doesn't beat me or anything the exact opposite but it reminds me of how much we love each other and how I still stuck beside him even when people didn't like or support our relationship in the slightest.
"I miss him so much when he is gone,
But when he's near me
I don't let on...
...The way I feel inside.
The love, I have to hide...
The hell! I've gone my pride
As long as he needs me.
Unfortunately I don't sing the whole song because of timing but oh well it will leave everyone hanging.
If you are lonely
Then you will know...
When someone needs you,
You love them so."
The overpowering sound of the final bit comes on and I picture myself on stage as I have been for the past month with the orchestra in my ear and the emotion bringing me home.
"I won't betray his trust...
Though people say I must.
I've got to stay true, just
As long as he needs me."
I end the song with my hands out and my head high in the air. I hear applause and cheers as Savannah comes around and puts an arm around me.
"Come see 'Oliver' tickets are on sale now and we will be back after these messages."
"And we are off!" a cameraman shouts and the atmosphere loosens up a bit.
"Great job Karen!" Theo says as he comes and hugs my waist
"Thanks Theo now it's your turn to sing once we head to GMA."
The little boy smiles at me and leaves to go talk to Eileen and Derek walks to me and locks me in a kiss.
"Beautiful as always darling." He flirts with a smile
I smile back "Only for you Derek." I return a peck on his lips and before it could grow more-
"Okay you two we still have lots to do!" Cameron shouts as we walk out of the building hand in hand and show the world tid-bits of our miraculous show.
By the time all the promo appearances were done, it was one and Derek and I were exhausted so we headed back home. It has been a crazy year ever since May 14th. 'Oliver' took up most of our time and we were always together which we both enjoy. 'Oliver' went to Washington for tryouts so we took a road trip per say but we were back in New York in no time. I see my friends whenever we have a free day and we catch up on things. Bobby and Kyle are a thing which is just cute, Tom and Sam, Jimmy and Ivy and Grace and Marcus are still all going strong. Derek and I haven't seen Dev since Grace and Marcus's wedding which is a great relief. I creep out of the kitchen and head to the work office where Derek has been literally trying to find a job but to no avail.
"Any luck?" I ask as I make my way behind him and put my hands on his shoulders.
"Ugh no. I'm sorry love but you may be the breadwinner for a while."
I giggle at his joke, kiss his cheek and embrace his neck.
"Don't worry something will come up."
He spins around in his chair in a flash so within seconds he grabs my waist and I am seated on his lap.
"No matter what happens to you, why are you still always optimistic?"
"Because with something bad, good will always prevail and come out. For example when I got kidnapped during your bachelor party, I was terrified but I remained positive and I put on a hell of a show!"
We both laugh and our lips touch and as this proceeds to a make out, the phone rings. I reach for it and answer
"Hi mom!"
"Hi sweetie everyone is talking about your appearances today. You were great Karen."
"Thanks mom. How are things down there?" I say and move from Derek to the couch.
"Good same old same old. Oh and the newspaper here is going on baby watch for you and Derek!"
Air tightens in my throat as I comprehend what she said. Of course I want a family and so does Derek, we just don't know when. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever happen or not. The thing is though, the last time we talked about it was on our honeymoon. Baby stuff hasn't been on my mind until now. I feel so guilty.
"Karen? You still there? Did I say something?"
"Sorry mom! Umm I-I-"
"No it's alright I know it's not the best thing to say right now. Don't worry when it happens it happens."
"That is the most politest way every of saying you want grandkids" After saying that I remember I'm in the same room as Derek and I can see his body tense after that sentence.
"Okay well your father and I are heading to the harvest fest at church now. So I'll let you go say hi to Derek from us. Love you!"
"Love you to. Bye mom." I say and hang up the phone. "My mom and dad say hi."
"Well that's not all they said. Care to share Karen?" Asks Derek as he spins to face me in the chair and comes to the edge of the couch. I sit up cross legged and head to him so we are inches apart.
"The papers in Iowa have us on baby radar and it just got me in that state of mind again. Derek do you still even want a family?"
"Of course Karen don't ever doubt that. It has been awhile since we talked about it. But when it is the right time to have a family, it will happen. Just have faith and the right time will come. Can you have faith for me wife?"
"I will always have faith husband." I say with a smile as he wipes a tear from my face and holds my face. It's with these tender moments when we are together is the one thing I love about him the most.
"I love you Karen."
"I love you to Derek. Now I hate to be a buzz kill but I have to go. I have to be the breadwinner."
He laughs off the joke and responds by hurling me over his shoulder and carrying me down the stairs.
"Der-ek!"
"Love you know I'm always going to do this." He smirks as he opens the door and finally drops me once we get in the elevator and head to the theatre just in time.
The first act is just as stellar as it is and not long after its time for my final scene…when Nancy dies on 'The London Bridge'. The scenery is really dark and the bridge is pretty high up so it does set a spooky atmosphere.
"NANCY!" Theo shouts as Peter, our Billy Sykes comes up and frightens us both not just as characters.
"Bill!" I shout and push Theo out of the way, then he is pushed by Peter and I fling myself onto him as Nancy does.
"Bill! Don't take him back Bill! Let him go for pity's sake, let him go! Why are you looking at me like that Bill?" Tears spring from my eyes and fear overcomes me.
"It's a dark night my girl, but it's light enough for what I've got to do!"
"I wasn't going to blow the gaff, honest I wasn't Bill! I wouldn't say nothing! Bill! Bill!" I scream as his hands come around my throat and he tosses me to the ground and does his first swing of the club at me.
The thing about theater I don't feel a thing because of our mime skills.
"Close your eyes!" another swing "I SAID CLOSE YOUR DAMN EYES!"
He says and a final swing goes and the character of Nancy is dead. I lie there as the scene continues on from Theo screaming and crying to people wanting justice for the murder. Then it is blackout and I have to exit the bridge before lights come up. So I take my steps off but I miss one and what happens is all a blur.
I feel my body fall on the hard stairs and my head aches. I scream as I feel every impact and feel blood from my nose as I roll and tumble down the stairs and land on the hard black stage with a thud and I crash into something. I hear the audience gasp and panic as my vision comes back but very blurry. I can't move and I hurt everywhere.
"SOMEBODY CALL 9-1-1! Move the Props! She's breathing!" a stage hand shouts and then Linda comes out on stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen we have to have a 15 minute pause due to a backstage emergency! Please remain calm and we will be back soon."
I still can't move and everything is fuzzy around me and I hear a familiar voice.
"Let me through that's my wife!" Derek shouts and I can feel his presence and he has my unresponsive body in his arms.
"Yes we have a woman here backstage at the 'Longacre Theatre' who just fell down the stairs from the set. She is alive but can't move please send someone to the back…thank you."
"Karen! Karen!" Derek shouts and my eyes flutter to him and I see his hazel green eyes filled with fear.
"Derek I'm so glad you are here. What happened?"
"You fell down a flight of stairs and took a beating."
"Was I still good?" I say faintly
He laughs a little bit before he answers "You were glorious darling."
"Okay sir if you can just get her on the gurney and we will take her to 'New-York Presbyterian'." I hear someone say and not long after I'm lifted off the ground in his arms and placed on a gurney and one of my hands I look down is pretty bloody but it's entwined with Derek's.
"I'll see you soon love." Derek says as he lets go and I'm in I think an ambulance and as the doors shut my eyes do the same and everything goes black.
A.N. Hey guys I'm baaaaaack! Lol so I am still in grief over the SMASH finale. And in anger how Karen went back to Jimmy I mean he could have killed her but that Karen and Derek kiss...best thing ever!
Anyways this is my third story so rate/review/favourite/follow and there is lots more to come! New shows, old and new characters and of course...Cartwills!