Brooke sat with a smile on her face. And it was a real smile too, not the fake one for the cameras. Why she should not smile. Why shouldn't she be happy? She was in New York City in the gorgeous dress of her dreams sitting beside the man she loved. So what that her career was over and so what she had just handed in her resignation at Guiding Light. There was so much more ahead. For the first time, Brooke was looking forward to life and love and happiness. Awards and paparazzi didn't mean a thing anymore. And neither did the dirty look, Passions' Martine Clash kept eyeing her. Sure everyone knew Martine was the odds on favorite for the Emmy, just as she had taken home the Soap Opera Digest award a few months ago. But Brooke didn't care. No statue or honor could replace or equal the peace she had found within.
"Ladies and gentlemen, last year's winner for Supporting Actress…please welcome from General Hospital, Vanessa Marcil."
Brooke grinned. Vanessa, as always looked fabulous.
"Thank you and good evening. The supporting role, despite its title, is one of the most important roles there is. Strength, passion, intelligence and beauty are just some of the qualities of the characters nominated and the outstanding actresses who portray them. Last year excited, thrilled beyond belief and on the verge of throwing up, pretty much summed up my feelings at this exact moment. I hope the five ladies sitting in my seat are better insulated than I was…but on second thought, I hope not. The nominees are…"
Brooke felt her heart flutter. Vanessa read each nominee's name, then a clip was played of their performance. Her name was last. It was a powerful piece of arguing between Savannah and Phillip Spaulding. She knew it was some of her best work, her finest acting and win or lose, she was proud of what she had done.
"…And the Emmy goes to…"
Martine pulled out of list of people to thank that she had written down.
"Brooke Davis…Guiding Light."
Brooke sat for a few seconds because that's how long it took to register that Vanessa had called her name. Her. Brooke. Brooke Davis. Brooke Davis who had survived the longest on air coma in soap opera history. She was the winner!
Brooke couldn't feel her legs. Tears were forming and she couldn't close her mouth. If it hadn't been for Lucas, helping her up, she never would have risen from her seat. She hugged and kissed him. The cast and production and directing crew of Guiding Light were on their feet, wide, fake smiles in full view for any camera shooting.
"You go girl!"
"Congratulations!"
"Way to go, Brooke!"
"We knew you could do it!"
Brooke, head held high carrying herself like a lady, marched right past them all until several rows in the back where Tim and Peyton were jumping up and down screaming. She ran and hugged them before making her way to the stage. The usher helped her up and Vanessa was waiting with the Emmy. The women embraced, Vanessa's warm wishes sincere and heart felt. Finally she handed over the beautiful, gold statue. So it wasn't just a cliché…it really was heavier than it looked. Brooke just stood there staring at it in awe.
"Oh my God. Thank you. Thank you so much. I want to thank the Academy", she began in an emotional voice. "Oh my God I can't believe I am actually saying that and I'm not in the shower. Oh my. Seriously, I want to thank the Academy for acknowledging my work in what has been a triumphant and difficult year all at the same time. This is so wonderful and so unexpected and I feel so happy and so blessed right now. This is like the greatest night of my life…ever! To my mom who is just so elegant and wonderful and loving. And my Daddy who is my inspiration and who I love more than anything in the world. Also to my agent, Tim Smith and my assistant, Peyton Sawyer, who are more than just members of a trusted staff, you guys are my colleagues and my friends and my family and I love you and I'm never leaving you. Thank you. And last but not least to a man who has totally changed my life in the most unexpected way. Someone who is loyal and loving and believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. He is my heart's twin and the angel on my shoulder and the absolute joy of my life, not to mention the most handsome date in here tonight. Mr. Lucas Scott, I love you. And to the fans who have been so kind and so loyal and have stuck with me through thick and thin, right and wrong. I love you guys…this is yours! Thank you!"
With a triumphant smile and tears of joy, Brooke made it through her speech. She and Vanessa were ushered off to the "kiss and cry" area where they took various publicity photos. A few minutes later, after the final commercial break, Brooke and her Emmy were able to rejoin a beaming Lucas in the audience.
"Baby, I am so proud of you", he kissed her.
"Oh God, I can't believe I won. I really won."
She was almost giddy, staring at her trophy over and over again. After the show, Brooke answered questions from the media and posed for dozens of photographs. She had to resist the urge of sticking out her tongue and prancing around Martine Clash, whose post loss smile was so tight and fake, it looked like the poor girl had Botoxed herself to death.
"I won. I won, I won, I won. I won…", Brooke sang along to made up tunes.
"Yes you did", Lucas laughed, proud of and happy for her. "So now what? Off to all those post parties?"
Brooke looked at him for a moment.
"No", she answered softly.
"No?"
"I'd rather go home and celebrate with you, Peyton and the Tim."
He nodded and smiled and they all went back to Brooke and Peyton's where they sipped champagne and watched Brooke's TiVo'd acceptance speech over and over again. After Peyton had longed passed out in the bedroom and Tim had ventured off in the Manhattan nightlife, Lucas and Brooke were alone.
"Did I tell you how proud I am of you tonight?" he smiled.
"Yeah…but it never hurts to hear it again", she giggled.
"Well, I am. I'm so proud of you, Brooke. I love you."
"I love you, too", she said, stroking the side of his face. "Lucas…"
"Yeah?"
"Will you dance with me?"
Lucas looked away, embarrassed.
"I can't…" he whispered. "My leg…"
She stood up and walked over to the CD player, letting the sweet words of The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes For You" hum throughout the living room.
"You don't have to dance. Just hold me."
He smiled as he cuddled her close and they moved slowly to the music as well as he could. He just loved the feel of her in his arms and the words in his ears.
My love must be a kind of blind love,
I can't see anyone but you
And dear, I wonder if you find love,
an optical illusion, too?
"I love you, Brooke."
"I love you, too, Lucas."
Are the stars out tonight?
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
cause I only have eyes for you.
The moon may be high,
but I can't see a thing in the sky,
cause I only have eyes for you.
"You know something? Even if Vanessa hadn't called your name tonight and Martine would have won, in my book you're still a winner because you gained something much more important and powerful. Even if you hadn't won, you're still the best, babe and that's because of the human being you are inside."
I don't know if we're in a garden,
or on a crowded avenue.
You are here, so am I.
Maybe millions of people go by
but they all disappear from view,
and I only have eyes for you.
"I know", she said as she could help but look at him and grin. "But I won. I did win. I won. Me. Not her. Even in a coma, I beat that bitch."
Lucas couldn't help but laugh. So much for a moral to the story.
"Yeah, babe, you sure did", he said as he kissed her.
