A/N: well, this is the last chapter! (sob). i cover quite a bit, i think.
so have fun reading, cuz i had fun writing! remember, link+zelda just
arrived at the academy awards
A short while later
Link and Zelda sat down at a table near the left exit doors. Zelda leaned over to Link and said, "Look, there are your parents. They're staring at us." She nodded over to the right.
"Don't they look happy?" Link remarked sarcastically. His parents were leering at them. He smirked, took Zelda's hand, and kissed her cheek swiftly.
"Link, stop," she giggled. "What're you trying to do, make your parents kill me?"
"Oh, I'm only having a little fun," he said. "And by the way, your parents are sitting just three tables away from us."
Zelda looked quickly over at them, then said, "Well, what're you waiting for? Keep kissing me."
Farore, meanwhile, was sitting at a far table with Nayru and Greer. "This is so terrifying! This is the scariest moment of my life!"
"Oh, don't be," Nayru said, rolling her eyes. "Everybody likes that song you wrote; you're a sure win for Best Song."
"That's easy for YOU to say!" Farore said nervously. "You're going to win your Oscar! In all the surveys and reviews and everything, it's been said that you're going to win for Best Supporting Actress! It's impossible for me to be as relaxed as you are!"
"Then listen to me," said Greer. "I might not win this Oscar, but am I worried about it? No."
"The award is going to go to you!" Farore insisted. "War propaganda movies are really in this year!"
"You don't quite understand," Greer laughed lightly. "You know how Din just died last month?"
"Please, don't let's talk about that," Nayru whispered, putting hand over her eyes. "That's just awful for me to have to think about."
"Just let me finish what I'm saying," Greer said. "Din and Zelda were almost the best of friends, and Zelda was forced to see Din get speared by a glass window right before her eyes. Now just think about that for a moment. And on top of that, her parents and the media have been going nuts over her relationship with Link Harker. The Academy might give her a sympathy award."
"So now you're saying that if Zelda got the Oscar, it wouldn't be because the Academy thought she deserved it?" Nayru and Farore asked in unison.
"I'm not saying that!" Greer said hotly, a little angered. "But the Academy could've been considering somebody else to win as well, but they might be pressured to vote for Zelda because they feel bad for her!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Nayru scoffed. "The Academy wouldn't do something that stupid."
"I wouldn't be too sure," Greer said.
(a/n: in case u were wondering, there has been the occasion where the academy of motion picture arts and sciences has given out sympathy oscars. it's kind of pathetic.)
"Well, if it isn't the famous Zink team," said actress Vivien Leigh, approaching Zelda and Link's table with Laurence Olivier. "Mind if we have a seat here?"
"Oh, please do," Zelda laughed. "The ceremony's about to start."
"We got a flat," Laurence explained, sitting down. "Just outside the house. We couldn't believe our luck, and we would've gotten another ride, but
"But everyone else had already left, and that was the only car we had with us," Vivien finished for him. "And it was awful, because our driver was new and he hadn't fixed a flat tire for a while, and he was so nervous-- because it was his first day on the job and everything."
"Well, at least you got here before it started," Link remarked.
There were loud cheers and applause as Bob Hope appeared on the stage with his microphone....and the ceremony began.
"And the winner for Best Song is...." the presenter quickly read off the writing on the envelope and smiled. "Irving Berlin, for White Christmas
The audience applauded as Mr. Berlin stepped up to accept his award (although Farore sobbed dramatically into her napkin, and was hastily comforted by her two friends). "NOOOOOO
"Well, get ready," sighed Greer, patting Nayru on the back, as the presenter for Best Supporting Actress finished reading off the nominees.
"And the winner is...." The presenter did a double take and stared at the card as Nayru rose slowly to her feet. "Teresa Wright, for Mrs. Miniver
Farore's mouth dropped. Then everyone started clapping--with quick thinking, Nayru managed to make it seem as if she had started the standing ovation (as opposed to making an idiot of herself).
"I don't believe it!" Greer said over the noise as Teresa flew towards the stage to accept her Award. "I thought for sure you were going to win, Nay!"
"Well think of how I feel!" Nayru muttered. "Boy, how embarrassing that would've been if I'd stayed standing any longer!"
Greer frowned as she slowly stopped her clapping and sat down again. If Nayru had been denied the Oscar, maybe she would too for her war picture.....besides, her own co-star had won for her performance, so maybe she had a chance too.
"You know, some people have been telling the Academy to give special Oscars to the Joneses and the Harkers for having to do their picture together
The audience screamed at the not-so-funny joke that Bob Hope cracked. Zelda rolled her eyes as a lady at the table next to them laughed particularly loudly. "Please, it's not that hilarious," she muttered.
"You don't need to tell me," Link sighed. He glanced at Zelda, who was picking up things on the table and putting them back down, and fiddling with her necklace. "You're a little nervous about this, aren't you?"
"About what?" she whispered, nearly knocking over her champagne glass.
"Don't give me that. Your category is coming up soon, and you're tense. It's perfectly understandable."
"I am not anxious about a-anything," Zelda stammered, her voice cracking. Up until this point, she had grimly thought that if she ended up getting the award, it would only be because the Academy felt bad for her....a sympathy Oscar. She would never accept that kind of treatment--she couldn't.
But as the minutes rolled by, Zelda's heart began beating a little faster than usual. It suddenly struck her that her life could be changed if she got this award. Everyone knew that Oscar winners got much better offers and jobs once they'd won their Award. And Zelda felt herself suddenly wanting that Oscar more than anything else in the world.
Her hands were getting damp with sweat; she'd been kneading them together in an effort to control herself. 'I can't believe I'm acting like this,' she thought to herself. 'This is pathetic.' But maybe it wasn't so pathetic, another part of Zelda reasoned. Everyone wants some sort of recognition for their talent at one point in their lives.
"Link!" Zelda suddenly gasped, as the presenter for Best Actress stepped up to the microphone.
"What?"
"I can't breathe!"
Link laughed softly. "Brace yourself, Zel. You'll be taking the long walk up to that podium pretty soon."
"Oh, stop."
"And the nominees for Outstanding performance by a female in a Leading Role are," began the presenter, "Bette Davis in Now, Voyager (applause); Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver (loud applause); Katharine Hepburn in Woman of the Year (ear-splitting applause); Zelda Jones in Audrey and the City Thief (wild applause); and Rosalind Russell in My Sister Eileen (loud applause, with a few whistles thrown in
(A/N: i know no one cares about this but me, but Teresa Wright also got nominated 4 best actress in The Pride of the Yankees--i had 2 leave her out, though, b/c only 5 actresses get nominated every year and zelda had 2 b in there. besides, wright already got her award 4 best supporting actress
Zelda could suddenly hear her breaths coming out irregularly.
Madeline Jones crossed her fingers. Even though she and her daughter were in a temporary rut, she knew how much an Oscar would mean to Zelda.
"And the winner is...." the envelope was torn open. "Miss Greer Garson, for Mrs. Miniver!"
The audience roared in approval, most getting to their feet and cheering loudly. The overwhelmed Brit put a hand to her forhead and then waltzed up to the stage. Farore glanced across the room at Zelda.
Zelda slowly sat down (she'd been giving her friend a standing ovation), and felt her heart disintegrating into small pieces. She bit down on her lower lip and put her face in her hands. Oh, why was she getting so upset over just a silly little award? It was just ridiculous.
"Hey!" hissed someone from the table next to them, as Greer began her acceptance speech. Zelda looked over at them. "Oh, why are you getting so upset over just a silly little award? It's just ridiculous."
The speaker was Bette Davis. "It's easy for you to say, Bette," Zelda said. "You've already won TWO!" Then she looked over at Katharine Hepburn, who was sitting in one corner of the room with a scowl on her face (a/n: no need 2 worry, eh, kat? she'd go on 2 win more oscars than anyone in the history of the academy. and she had the most nominations, 2, until she got her butt kicked last year by meryl streep!! MUA HAA
"Sorry, Zel," Link said softly, taking her hand. "I know how glad you'd have been with that Oscar."
"Oh, I'm fine," Zelda insisted. "Quiet, I want to listen to Greer's speech."
That was something Zelda ended up wishing she hadn't said. Greer's acceptance speech lasted a record-long (and it's still a record--they've put a time limit on speech length) five and a half minutes. (or something like that).
"Dear, it's over," Madeline said, nudging John Paul.
"Oh?" he said, opening his eyes.
Zelda looked over at Rosalind Russell as Greer returned to her seat. Rosalind was calmly sitting with her husband, picking at something beneath one of her fingernails. Completely undaunted. Roz had once told Zelda, "What's the use of getting excited? I never win. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. That's me."
"Well, at least Greer won it instead of that case Hepburn," Zelda said to Link. But another part of her was thinking that it was worse losing to your best friend than someone you hated. And this wasn't the first time she'd lost something to a friend.
Greer saw Zelda and Link walking down the red carpet and quickly followed them. "Zelda, darling!"
Zelda turned around, and smiled a bit as she saw Greer running towards them. "Hello, Greer."
"Congratulations," Link said, noting the statue that Greer was holding.
"Oh, thank you!" Greer said geniunley, smiling helplessly. "Zelda, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you
"Don't tell me that you're sorry you won!" Zelda laughed. "Greer, I could not be any happier for you. You really deserved this Award, you really did. Everybody working on that film deserved it--though I must say, the Best Picture thing was a bit of a shocker to my father."
"I know," Greer said. "He was counting on your film to win, wasn't he? I looked over at him when they said Mrs. Miniver won, and I swear--it looked as if he just saw his wife getting beheaded."
"It was a rather humorous face, I have to say," Link said.
"Well anyway, I don't think this night could get any better!" Greer announced. "Richard just popped the question, Zelda! And I said yes!"
"Oh, you mean the guy who played your kid in Miniver?" Link asked in disbelief. "I find that very interesting."
"Yes, so I'd better go find him," Greer said. "We got seperated in the crowd, and I don't want him to think that I ran away! Good-bye, Zelda! Bye, Link!"
"Bye
A few minutes later, Zelda and Link (after telling everyone else their good-byes), stepped back into their car.
"Well, that was an exciting night, wasn't it?" Zelda asked lightly.
"You're still upset about losing though, aren't you?" Link said, putting an arm around her shoulders.
"Just a--just a little," Zelda said. "But any one would. I mean, getting an Oscar is like having someone tell you....oh, I don't know. It's like you're being told that you're doing your job, and you're doing it well. That you're the top, the best, and I--I'm just tired of being looked down at."
"YOU?" Link asked in shock. "Looked down at?"
"Yes," Zelda replied. "People never treat me with enough respect, and I just want people to notice me. I want someone telling me that I AM doing fine, and I WILL go on with this career and just be something....great. Th- that I'm doing my job, and I'm doing it swell."
"You don't need an award to tell you that," Link whispered, putting a hand gently under Zelda's chin and bringing her face closer to his. "Because let me tell you that you are one of the best actresses I've ever met." Zelda snorted a laugh. "No, it's true, Zel! I want to tell you how scared my mother was when she found out you'd be in this movie with us."
"Scared?" Zelda asked. "Scared of what? She wasn't angry?"
"Well, she was a little angry, yeah," Link said. "But she came to me and said, 'Oh, my reputation as an actor will be ruined! That Jones girl is going to beat the tar out of me with her performance. As much as I hate saying it, she's got more talent than her whole family put together!' She wasn't scared of your mother, or your father, she was only scared of YOU stealing the picture."
Zelda stared at him. "Are you lying to me, Link?"
"I would never lie to you," Link said honestly. "But if you won't take that, let me tell you, Zelda Jones, that there is no one like you in the entire world. You're doing your job. And you're doing it swell."
"You're the sweetest person on earth!" Zelda cried, pulling him into a tight embrace. She kissed his lips tenderly, stroking his hair and moaning softly. Link kissed her back, but then pulled her off of him.
"Wait, you didn't let me finish what I was saying," Link told her.
"Oh, sorry. What were you going to say?"
Link hesitated. "Zel, we've been seeing each other for a long time. But I think we've been holding back for a while because of our families. Because of our jobs, and our bosses. We've been holding back, because....they tell us we 'can't.'"
"Holding back from what?" Zelda asked curiously.
"Zelda, I want to know if you'll please, PLEASE marry me," Link said all in one breath. One hand was on Zelda's wrist, and the other was holding a blue diamond ring.
Zelda stared at him in surprise. Her immediate reaction was to say, "Oh, yes! Yes, dearest!" like they did in the movies. But she had to think. But oh, a million thoughts were hitting her all at once! What would her parents say? What would her boss think? America's ultimate party girl-- married? And Link! He'd just been divorced! AAAH!!
Link began to get a little nervous. Why couldn't the women be the ones who asked? It really wasn't fear. What if Zelda said no, and he'd made a fool of himself? What if he found out she'd never even loved him? All these ridiculous thoughts whirred through his head and he began to get more nervous by the second.
"Oh, get UP here," Zelda said, pulling Link up closer to her. He'd been so scared and unrelaxed that he'd slid onto the floor of the car, still on his knees. Then she put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him roughly. "Link, I will. I'll marry you."
Lost for words, Link grinned and tried to say something. "I--I don't know what I'd have done if you'd said no," he finally managed to stammer. "But
"Sir, we're at Miss Garson's house now," the driver notified him.
"Oh, thanks
Hastily, the two of them got out of the car. "I just don't know how to explain this to my parents," Zelda sighed nervously.
"Don't worry, we'll be able to think of something," Link told her. "I know we will. Hey look, here comes another limo."
"Must be Greer," Zelda said. "Oh, won't it be wonderful to know that we've both been engaged on the same night?"
Imagine their surprise when John Paul and Madeline Jones stepped out of the car and walked towards them. On the other side of the street, Robert and Shirley Harker got out of their own limousine and approached Link and Zelda. The two of them stared blankly as their parents stood on either side of them.
"I thought you would come here," Madeline scoffed. "Escape to your dear little Garson's house."
"You don't scare me, mother," Zelda said. "And you had better prepare yourselves for what we've got to say--all of you."
"What is it?" asked Robert.
"Well....Link, why don't you tell them?"
"Me? What's the matter, are you scared or something?"
"Of course not!" Zelda said. "Mother, father, Link and I are getting married!" She clasped a hand over her mouth. "Ohhhh
"You're---you're WHAT?!" Shirley asked Link, enraged. "Link, why didn't you ask us first?"
"Is there no respect for a father's approval anymore?" Robert inquired.
"I don't think that what we do should have to be non-ceasingly censored by the four of you!" Link answered. "It's ridiculous that Zelda and I should have to do everything you tell us, just because of pride, and hate, and jealousy! I don't think you four even know anything about each other!"
"Don't be a fool, boy," John Paul barked. "I know enough about your parents to make a donkey vomit!"
The five of them stared at him. "My dear, you just made yourself sound like a first class idiot," Madeline said.
"Because that's what he is!" Shirley said. "An idiot! And it runs in the family, I can see that!"
"I beg your pardon!?" Zelda asked. "I'd care for you to take back that last remark, my good woman!"
"People, people, stop!" Link said, in an effort to make peace. "This is just stupid! You're trying to keep Zelda and I apart just because you four are constantly battling and trying to say who is better! We can't be together because then it would reflect awkwardly on the lot of you, is that right?"
"Son
"Stop, I'm not done yet!" Link said. "All you guys know is that the Jones family has been in the business for a long time, and they were the first family act. Then we the Harkers came along and there was instant rivalry! It was just like you hated each other because there was competion! And don't try denying that there's no respect between you all! Mother, I'll kill you if I have to hear you say one more time that you wish you could act as well as Zelda Jones!"
"Shut up, Link!" Shirley said, clenching her fists. "I never said that!"
"Yes, mother, and you're always saying that you wish your hair was as curly as Shirley Harker's," Zelda pointed out. "I know that deep inside of you all, you wish you could get to know each other better. If you were constantly wearing this mask of hatred and jealousy that hid your true feelings, you'd never see what wonderful people you really are. Please just do this for us."
"Do what?" Robert asked.
"Let us do what we want," Link said. "I've never been taught that loving is a crime."
There was an uncomfortable silence then. Everyone was waiting for someone else to speak up. Finally, as soon as enough time passed for Greer to give another acceptance speech, Madeline spoke in a whisper:
"We have been unfair, haven't we?"
"You can say that again," Zelda snorted.
"Robert, I believe I owe you an apology," John Paul said, reaching forward and extending a hand. "Temporarily, at least. It seems as if we have a wedding on our hands to plan."
"Don't be silly, John," Shirley laughed. "Madeline and I will take care of everything!"
"And if you believe that, I have a house to sell you in Texas," Robert told John. The lot of them laughed, then walked away talking and chatting.
Link and Zelda stared after them. "I can't believe that just happened," Zelda finally managed to say.
"It's like their character changed in just five minutes," Link said, bewildered. "But you aren't complaining, are you?"
"Are you kidding?" Zelda laughed. "We just ended a life-time long feud in a matter of minutes! Plus, we're getting married soon! What's to complain about?"
"Absolutely nothing," Link said grinning. He put an arm around Zelda and started to lead her towards Greer's house.
"And to think," Zelda chuckled. "That when I was about three, I began to despise your life, your existence, your being....but now I realize that it's a wonderful life."
"You know, that sounds like a good name for a movie," Link said.
"Suuuuuure."
~THE END~
A/N: that ending really sucked, i know, u dont have 2 tell me. but u DO have 2 tell me wat u thought of my story!!! also, plz go 2 my bio page. i put up my ideas 4 future stories there, and i want 2 know wat u think!!! thanx, u've been a great audience!!!!
A short while later
Link and Zelda sat down at a table near the left exit doors. Zelda leaned over to Link and said, "Look, there are your parents. They're staring at us." She nodded over to the right.
"Don't they look happy?" Link remarked sarcastically. His parents were leering at them. He smirked, took Zelda's hand, and kissed her cheek swiftly.
"Link, stop," she giggled. "What're you trying to do, make your parents kill me?"
"Oh, I'm only having a little fun," he said. "And by the way, your parents are sitting just three tables away from us."
Zelda looked quickly over at them, then said, "Well, what're you waiting for? Keep kissing me."
Farore, meanwhile, was sitting at a far table with Nayru and Greer. "This is so terrifying! This is the scariest moment of my life!"
"Oh, don't be," Nayru said, rolling her eyes. "Everybody likes that song you wrote; you're a sure win for Best Song."
"That's easy for YOU to say!" Farore said nervously. "You're going to win your Oscar! In all the surveys and reviews and everything, it's been said that you're going to win for Best Supporting Actress! It's impossible for me to be as relaxed as you are!"
"Then listen to me," said Greer. "I might not win this Oscar, but am I worried about it? No."
"The award is going to go to you!" Farore insisted. "War propaganda movies are really in this year!"
"You don't quite understand," Greer laughed lightly. "You know how Din just died last month?"
"Please, don't let's talk about that," Nayru whispered, putting hand over her eyes. "That's just awful for me to have to think about."
"Just let me finish what I'm saying," Greer said. "Din and Zelda were almost the best of friends, and Zelda was forced to see Din get speared by a glass window right before her eyes. Now just think about that for a moment. And on top of that, her parents and the media have been going nuts over her relationship with Link Harker. The Academy might give her a sympathy award."
"So now you're saying that if Zelda got the Oscar, it wouldn't be because the Academy thought she deserved it?" Nayru and Farore asked in unison.
"I'm not saying that!" Greer said hotly, a little angered. "But the Academy could've been considering somebody else to win as well, but they might be pressured to vote for Zelda because they feel bad for her!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Nayru scoffed. "The Academy wouldn't do something that stupid."
"I wouldn't be too sure," Greer said.
(a/n: in case u were wondering, there has been the occasion where the academy of motion picture arts and sciences has given out sympathy oscars. it's kind of pathetic.)
"Well, if it isn't the famous Zink team," said actress Vivien Leigh, approaching Zelda and Link's table with Laurence Olivier. "Mind if we have a seat here?"
"Oh, please do," Zelda laughed. "The ceremony's about to start."
"We got a flat," Laurence explained, sitting down. "Just outside the house. We couldn't believe our luck, and we would've gotten another ride, but
"But everyone else had already left, and that was the only car we had with us," Vivien finished for him. "And it was awful, because our driver was new and he hadn't fixed a flat tire for a while, and he was so nervous-- because it was his first day on the job and everything."
"Well, at least you got here before it started," Link remarked.
There were loud cheers and applause as Bob Hope appeared on the stage with his microphone....and the ceremony began.
"And the winner for Best Song is...." the presenter quickly read off the writing on the envelope and smiled. "Irving Berlin, for White Christmas
The audience applauded as Mr. Berlin stepped up to accept his award (although Farore sobbed dramatically into her napkin, and was hastily comforted by her two friends). "NOOOOOO
"Well, get ready," sighed Greer, patting Nayru on the back, as the presenter for Best Supporting Actress finished reading off the nominees.
"And the winner is...." The presenter did a double take and stared at the card as Nayru rose slowly to her feet. "Teresa Wright, for Mrs. Miniver
Farore's mouth dropped. Then everyone started clapping--with quick thinking, Nayru managed to make it seem as if she had started the standing ovation (as opposed to making an idiot of herself).
"I don't believe it!" Greer said over the noise as Teresa flew towards the stage to accept her Award. "I thought for sure you were going to win, Nay!"
"Well think of how I feel!" Nayru muttered. "Boy, how embarrassing that would've been if I'd stayed standing any longer!"
Greer frowned as she slowly stopped her clapping and sat down again. If Nayru had been denied the Oscar, maybe she would too for her war picture.....besides, her own co-star had won for her performance, so maybe she had a chance too.
"You know, some people have been telling the Academy to give special Oscars to the Joneses and the Harkers for having to do their picture together
The audience screamed at the not-so-funny joke that Bob Hope cracked. Zelda rolled her eyes as a lady at the table next to them laughed particularly loudly. "Please, it's not that hilarious," she muttered.
"You don't need to tell me," Link sighed. He glanced at Zelda, who was picking up things on the table and putting them back down, and fiddling with her necklace. "You're a little nervous about this, aren't you?"
"About what?" she whispered, nearly knocking over her champagne glass.
"Don't give me that. Your category is coming up soon, and you're tense. It's perfectly understandable."
"I am not anxious about a-anything," Zelda stammered, her voice cracking. Up until this point, she had grimly thought that if she ended up getting the award, it would only be because the Academy felt bad for her....a sympathy Oscar. She would never accept that kind of treatment--she couldn't.
But as the minutes rolled by, Zelda's heart began beating a little faster than usual. It suddenly struck her that her life could be changed if she got this award. Everyone knew that Oscar winners got much better offers and jobs once they'd won their Award. And Zelda felt herself suddenly wanting that Oscar more than anything else in the world.
Her hands were getting damp with sweat; she'd been kneading them together in an effort to control herself. 'I can't believe I'm acting like this,' she thought to herself. 'This is pathetic.' But maybe it wasn't so pathetic, another part of Zelda reasoned. Everyone wants some sort of recognition for their talent at one point in their lives.
"Link!" Zelda suddenly gasped, as the presenter for Best Actress stepped up to the microphone.
"What?"
"I can't breathe!"
Link laughed softly. "Brace yourself, Zel. You'll be taking the long walk up to that podium pretty soon."
"Oh, stop."
"And the nominees for Outstanding performance by a female in a Leading Role are," began the presenter, "Bette Davis in Now, Voyager (applause); Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver (loud applause); Katharine Hepburn in Woman of the Year (ear-splitting applause); Zelda Jones in Audrey and the City Thief (wild applause); and Rosalind Russell in My Sister Eileen (loud applause, with a few whistles thrown in
(A/N: i know no one cares about this but me, but Teresa Wright also got nominated 4 best actress in The Pride of the Yankees--i had 2 leave her out, though, b/c only 5 actresses get nominated every year and zelda had 2 b in there. besides, wright already got her award 4 best supporting actress
Zelda could suddenly hear her breaths coming out irregularly.
Madeline Jones crossed her fingers. Even though she and her daughter were in a temporary rut, she knew how much an Oscar would mean to Zelda.
"And the winner is...." the envelope was torn open. "Miss Greer Garson, for Mrs. Miniver!"
The audience roared in approval, most getting to their feet and cheering loudly. The overwhelmed Brit put a hand to her forhead and then waltzed up to the stage. Farore glanced across the room at Zelda.
Zelda slowly sat down (she'd been giving her friend a standing ovation), and felt her heart disintegrating into small pieces. She bit down on her lower lip and put her face in her hands. Oh, why was she getting so upset over just a silly little award? It was just ridiculous.
"Hey!" hissed someone from the table next to them, as Greer began her acceptance speech. Zelda looked over at them. "Oh, why are you getting so upset over just a silly little award? It's just ridiculous."
The speaker was Bette Davis. "It's easy for you to say, Bette," Zelda said. "You've already won TWO!" Then she looked over at Katharine Hepburn, who was sitting in one corner of the room with a scowl on her face (a/n: no need 2 worry, eh, kat? she'd go on 2 win more oscars than anyone in the history of the academy. and she had the most nominations, 2, until she got her butt kicked last year by meryl streep!! MUA HAA
"Sorry, Zel," Link said softly, taking her hand. "I know how glad you'd have been with that Oscar."
"Oh, I'm fine," Zelda insisted. "Quiet, I want to listen to Greer's speech."
That was something Zelda ended up wishing she hadn't said. Greer's acceptance speech lasted a record-long (and it's still a record--they've put a time limit on speech length) five and a half minutes. (or something like that).
"Dear, it's over," Madeline said, nudging John Paul.
"Oh?" he said, opening his eyes.
Zelda looked over at Rosalind Russell as Greer returned to her seat. Rosalind was calmly sitting with her husband, picking at something beneath one of her fingernails. Completely undaunted. Roz had once told Zelda, "What's the use of getting excited? I never win. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. That's me."
"Well, at least Greer won it instead of that case Hepburn," Zelda said to Link. But another part of her was thinking that it was worse losing to your best friend than someone you hated. And this wasn't the first time she'd lost something to a friend.
Greer saw Zelda and Link walking down the red carpet and quickly followed them. "Zelda, darling!"
Zelda turned around, and smiled a bit as she saw Greer running towards them. "Hello, Greer."
"Congratulations," Link said, noting the statue that Greer was holding.
"Oh, thank you!" Greer said geniunley, smiling helplessly. "Zelda, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you
"Don't tell me that you're sorry you won!" Zelda laughed. "Greer, I could not be any happier for you. You really deserved this Award, you really did. Everybody working on that film deserved it--though I must say, the Best Picture thing was a bit of a shocker to my father."
"I know," Greer said. "He was counting on your film to win, wasn't he? I looked over at him when they said Mrs. Miniver won, and I swear--it looked as if he just saw his wife getting beheaded."
"It was a rather humorous face, I have to say," Link said.
"Well anyway, I don't think this night could get any better!" Greer announced. "Richard just popped the question, Zelda! And I said yes!"
"Oh, you mean the guy who played your kid in Miniver?" Link asked in disbelief. "I find that very interesting."
"Yes, so I'd better go find him," Greer said. "We got seperated in the crowd, and I don't want him to think that I ran away! Good-bye, Zelda! Bye, Link!"
"Bye
A few minutes later, Zelda and Link (after telling everyone else their good-byes), stepped back into their car.
"Well, that was an exciting night, wasn't it?" Zelda asked lightly.
"You're still upset about losing though, aren't you?" Link said, putting an arm around her shoulders.
"Just a--just a little," Zelda said. "But any one would. I mean, getting an Oscar is like having someone tell you....oh, I don't know. It's like you're being told that you're doing your job, and you're doing it well. That you're the top, the best, and I--I'm just tired of being looked down at."
"YOU?" Link asked in shock. "Looked down at?"
"Yes," Zelda replied. "People never treat me with enough respect, and I just want people to notice me. I want someone telling me that I AM doing fine, and I WILL go on with this career and just be something....great. Th- that I'm doing my job, and I'm doing it swell."
"You don't need an award to tell you that," Link whispered, putting a hand gently under Zelda's chin and bringing her face closer to his. "Because let me tell you that you are one of the best actresses I've ever met." Zelda snorted a laugh. "No, it's true, Zel! I want to tell you how scared my mother was when she found out you'd be in this movie with us."
"Scared?" Zelda asked. "Scared of what? She wasn't angry?"
"Well, she was a little angry, yeah," Link said. "But she came to me and said, 'Oh, my reputation as an actor will be ruined! That Jones girl is going to beat the tar out of me with her performance. As much as I hate saying it, she's got more talent than her whole family put together!' She wasn't scared of your mother, or your father, she was only scared of YOU stealing the picture."
Zelda stared at him. "Are you lying to me, Link?"
"I would never lie to you," Link said honestly. "But if you won't take that, let me tell you, Zelda Jones, that there is no one like you in the entire world. You're doing your job. And you're doing it swell."
"You're the sweetest person on earth!" Zelda cried, pulling him into a tight embrace. She kissed his lips tenderly, stroking his hair and moaning softly. Link kissed her back, but then pulled her off of him.
"Wait, you didn't let me finish what I was saying," Link told her.
"Oh, sorry. What were you going to say?"
Link hesitated. "Zel, we've been seeing each other for a long time. But I think we've been holding back for a while because of our families. Because of our jobs, and our bosses. We've been holding back, because....they tell us we 'can't.'"
"Holding back from what?" Zelda asked curiously.
"Zelda, I want to know if you'll please, PLEASE marry me," Link said all in one breath. One hand was on Zelda's wrist, and the other was holding a blue diamond ring.
Zelda stared at him in surprise. Her immediate reaction was to say, "Oh, yes! Yes, dearest!" like they did in the movies. But she had to think. But oh, a million thoughts were hitting her all at once! What would her parents say? What would her boss think? America's ultimate party girl-- married? And Link! He'd just been divorced! AAAH!!
Link began to get a little nervous. Why couldn't the women be the ones who asked? It really wasn't fear. What if Zelda said no, and he'd made a fool of himself? What if he found out she'd never even loved him? All these ridiculous thoughts whirred through his head and he began to get more nervous by the second.
"Oh, get UP here," Zelda said, pulling Link up closer to her. He'd been so scared and unrelaxed that he'd slid onto the floor of the car, still on his knees. Then she put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him roughly. "Link, I will. I'll marry you."
Lost for words, Link grinned and tried to say something. "I--I don't know what I'd have done if you'd said no," he finally managed to stammer. "But
"Sir, we're at Miss Garson's house now," the driver notified him.
"Oh, thanks
Hastily, the two of them got out of the car. "I just don't know how to explain this to my parents," Zelda sighed nervously.
"Don't worry, we'll be able to think of something," Link told her. "I know we will. Hey look, here comes another limo."
"Must be Greer," Zelda said. "Oh, won't it be wonderful to know that we've both been engaged on the same night?"
Imagine their surprise when John Paul and Madeline Jones stepped out of the car and walked towards them. On the other side of the street, Robert and Shirley Harker got out of their own limousine and approached Link and Zelda. The two of them stared blankly as their parents stood on either side of them.
"I thought you would come here," Madeline scoffed. "Escape to your dear little Garson's house."
"You don't scare me, mother," Zelda said. "And you had better prepare yourselves for what we've got to say--all of you."
"What is it?" asked Robert.
"Well....Link, why don't you tell them?"
"Me? What's the matter, are you scared or something?"
"Of course not!" Zelda said. "Mother, father, Link and I are getting married!" She clasped a hand over her mouth. "Ohhhh
"You're---you're WHAT?!" Shirley asked Link, enraged. "Link, why didn't you ask us first?"
"Is there no respect for a father's approval anymore?" Robert inquired.
"I don't think that what we do should have to be non-ceasingly censored by the four of you!" Link answered. "It's ridiculous that Zelda and I should have to do everything you tell us, just because of pride, and hate, and jealousy! I don't think you four even know anything about each other!"
"Don't be a fool, boy," John Paul barked. "I know enough about your parents to make a donkey vomit!"
The five of them stared at him. "My dear, you just made yourself sound like a first class idiot," Madeline said.
"Because that's what he is!" Shirley said. "An idiot! And it runs in the family, I can see that!"
"I beg your pardon!?" Zelda asked. "I'd care for you to take back that last remark, my good woman!"
"People, people, stop!" Link said, in an effort to make peace. "This is just stupid! You're trying to keep Zelda and I apart just because you four are constantly battling and trying to say who is better! We can't be together because then it would reflect awkwardly on the lot of you, is that right?"
"Son
"Stop, I'm not done yet!" Link said. "All you guys know is that the Jones family has been in the business for a long time, and they were the first family act. Then we the Harkers came along and there was instant rivalry! It was just like you hated each other because there was competion! And don't try denying that there's no respect between you all! Mother, I'll kill you if I have to hear you say one more time that you wish you could act as well as Zelda Jones!"
"Shut up, Link!" Shirley said, clenching her fists. "I never said that!"
"Yes, mother, and you're always saying that you wish your hair was as curly as Shirley Harker's," Zelda pointed out. "I know that deep inside of you all, you wish you could get to know each other better. If you were constantly wearing this mask of hatred and jealousy that hid your true feelings, you'd never see what wonderful people you really are. Please just do this for us."
"Do what?" Robert asked.
"Let us do what we want," Link said. "I've never been taught that loving is a crime."
There was an uncomfortable silence then. Everyone was waiting for someone else to speak up. Finally, as soon as enough time passed for Greer to give another acceptance speech, Madeline spoke in a whisper:
"We have been unfair, haven't we?"
"You can say that again," Zelda snorted.
"Robert, I believe I owe you an apology," John Paul said, reaching forward and extending a hand. "Temporarily, at least. It seems as if we have a wedding on our hands to plan."
"Don't be silly, John," Shirley laughed. "Madeline and I will take care of everything!"
"And if you believe that, I have a house to sell you in Texas," Robert told John. The lot of them laughed, then walked away talking and chatting.
Link and Zelda stared after them. "I can't believe that just happened," Zelda finally managed to say.
"It's like their character changed in just five minutes," Link said, bewildered. "But you aren't complaining, are you?"
"Are you kidding?" Zelda laughed. "We just ended a life-time long feud in a matter of minutes! Plus, we're getting married soon! What's to complain about?"
"Absolutely nothing," Link said grinning. He put an arm around Zelda and started to lead her towards Greer's house.
"And to think," Zelda chuckled. "That when I was about three, I began to despise your life, your existence, your being....but now I realize that it's a wonderful life."
"You know, that sounds like a good name for a movie," Link said.
"Suuuuuure."
~THE END~
A/N: that ending really sucked, i know, u dont have 2 tell me. but u DO have 2 tell me wat u thought of my story!!! also, plz go 2 my bio page. i put up my ideas 4 future stories there, and i want 2 know wat u think!!! thanx, u've been a great audience!!!!