Disclaimer: Fox and Josh Schwartz own The O.C. not me...I hope this chapter is well worth the wait. It took me forever to decide how I wanted to go about it.

"Summer!"

"Summer Roberts!"

"Over here!"

"Stop!"

"Summer, look this way!"

Photographers and fans alike were screaming her name in every direction. Seth let her yank him around to face this way and that way. He was completely blown away by the intensity of the crowd. Yes, the Academy Awards were truly a big deal, who would have guessed. It was a lot bigger than Summer's premiere.

"Hi, I'm live from the red carpet with best-actress nominee, Summer Roberts. Summer thank you for joining us today," Melissa Rivers said.

"Thank you. I'm just so happy to be here. This is amazing," Summer gushed and squeezed Seth's hand.

"The tension is certainly rising. Your nerves have to be going completely nuts. How are you holding up?"

"Well the ride here was certainly interesting but I'm doing alright now…just incredibly nervous," Summer laughed.

"And what about you? Seth Cohen, correct? How are you holding up?"

Seth just smiled uneasily and nodded.

"That says it all," Melissa chuckled.

"You usually can't get him to shut up. This is amazing," Summer teased.

Seth smiled at her. "Relax," she mouthed to him.

"Now this is your big night and lots of people across America have thought that your own personal life may overshadow this event. It doesn't really seem to be the case now, does it?" Melissa smiled.

"No, this is truly…I don't even know how to describe what I'm feeling. Tonight is…wow. Things have been shaky with the press but everyone has slacked off recently and hopefully people are focusing on my work at the moment. Right now that's what tonight is really about," Summer replied.

Melissa nodded, "You look absolutely gorgeous. Who are you wearing this evening?"

"Stella McCartney. The SAG awards went well so I figured I know a good thing when I see and I'd stick with it."

"And Seth, who are you wearing this evening?"

"Armani," Seth replied shyly.

"He really is a talker, isn't he," Melissa teased.

"You'd be surprised. I can normally talk your ear off," Seth actually spoke a full sentence.

"Well thank you both. And the best of luck to you, Summer."

"Thank you," Summer smiled and led Seth away by the hand.

"Did you see that?" the camera man for E! asked.

"It's the Academy Awards. That's the focus tonight. But I couldn't miss that rock for a mile away," Melissa replied. "So I guess the rumors are true."

"I didn't get a close-up."

"It doesn't matter. It will be in every magazine tomorrow morning with tons of close-ups."

"True."

As Seth and Summer made their way down the red carpet full of interviews and pictures, Seth became a little more comfortable talking in the interviews and loosened up. They did several more interviews than at Summer's premiere and so many people were now screaming both of their names. Seth felt like he was a celebrity too.

"Hi. Access Hollywood here with best actress nominee, Summer Roberts. So Summer, are you getting anxious?"

"Very. This is so surreal. I remember watching the Academy Awards a few years ago and thinking that it was all some big show. Actress gushed about how amazing this is but I just assumed that they were supposed to do that. The sob stories of trailer park life and being from a small town and finally making it here, all of that just seemed like some act; but I can honestly say that this really is mind-blowing. It's so huge. Look at this crowd," Summer grinned gesturing to the people behind her.

"And who is this handsome fellow? Perhaps the face that's grazed the covers of several magazines lately attached with several rumors?" the interviewer asked nodding to Seth.

"Seth Cohen. Rumor mill man, at your service," Seth smiled, extending his hand for a shake.

"So what about these rumors? Everyone's heard Summer's views but what about you?"

"What about me? This really isn't about me. This is about the Oscars and Summer's wonderful performance. I'm not a celebrity. I'm not constantly being hounded by reporters so technically I'm free for an interview any time…but tonight is all about my girl," Seth said with a twinkle in his eye.

"So you easily dodge the questions too, nice," the interviewer grinned.

"Well she's been training me."

"I have. It's true. We've both been working really hard at the art of avoiding questions," Summer added with a smirk.

"Well you do a fabulous job."

"The training's really paying off," Seth laughed and gave Summer a high five, which was just perfect enough that the light reflected off her engagement ring when she lifted her hand to meet his.

"That's pretty."

"What? Oh this?" Summer asked uneasily as she held up her left hand.

"Wow," the interviewer gushed.

"Yeah," Seth said slowly, dragging out the word.

"So I suppose congratulations are in order."

"Um, well…yes," Summer blushed a little.

"Then congratulations. Don't worry. This isn't live. We won't air it unless we get full consent."

"Oh ok. Then thank you. I mean- well it's not that we don't want people to know, it's just," Seth said nervously.

"You need your privacy for a while. I understand…so Summer, congratulations on your nomination and the best of luck to you."

"Thank you," Summer said and they began to walk away.

"Think they'll air that?" Seth asked, once they were far away.

"Of course. But not until tomorrow or the next day. Whenever the show airs I guess, but we don't have to worry about it right now."

"So is Jerry going to kill you?"

"We don't have to worry about that right now," Summer shrugged it off.

"Right."

"It was going to come out eventually anyway. Tomorrow they'll just play it off like they were the first to know or something…I don't really care anyway. I shouldn't have to hide my engagement to you."

Seth grinned happily as they finished up the red carpet.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"SUM! Over here!" David shouted.

"Hey you guys," Summer said as she and Seth joined the small group who had saved them seats.

"Nervous?" Billy asked as they took their seats.

"No, you know I'm really starting to get used to these big awards shows," Summer teased.

"You look so beautiful," Jennifer gushed.

"Thanks. You look absolutely gorgeous. You're like glowing."

"Well…" Jennifer grinned.

"She's glowing because everyone has been praising her engagement ring for the past hour," David cut in with an equally as large grin.

"What about you? Anyone notice the incredibly large diamond on your left hand?" Natalie asked with a wink.

"Actually…yeah, a few people noticed," Summer confessed with a small smile playing on her lips.

"We even got an interview about it…which they swore they wouldn't air," Seth laughed.

"Jerry's going to throw a fit," David snorted as he joined in Seth's laughter.

"Unless Summer takes it home tonight. He'd be so thrilled that he actually has a successful client, I'd bet he'd just congratulate you for both," Billy smirked.

"Don't jinx me!"

"Oh come on, Sum,you havepractically in the b-," Billy started.

"Don't even say it! I don't want to hear it! I don't care! I'm not listening to you! You're only going to jinx me!" Summer snapped putting her fingers in her ears and ignoring Billy.

"I never knew she was superstitious," Billy chuckled.

"Are you kidding me? She's the queen of superstition. In college, she wore the same pair of underwear for each bio exam. She thought if she did that then she'd pass…which she actually did pass. Granted, she just barely passed but she passed. And she swore it was all thanks to the underwear," Seth explained.

They all laughed as Summer sat there still ignoring them with her fingers in her ears.

The lights dimmed as the music started and their group fell silent. Summer quickly yanked her fingers from her ears and turned to look at Seth with wide eyes.

"Oh my God," she whispered. "It's actually starting."

Seth smiled and took her hand as she settled back in her seat.

"This is so cool," Jennifer whispered.

"Yeah, no kidding, I've never even been here before," David whispered back.

"Me either," Billy added.

"I guess it's a first time for all of us," Summer muttered softly to the group.

In true Academy Awards fashion, they started with all of the stupid awards that no one cares about. And in true viewers' fashion, I also don't care so we're skipping over that part.

"And the winner for Best Animated Film is…The Land Before Time XXVII," Jude Law announced.

"There's like three more categories until mine," Summer whispered to Seth squeezing his hand tightly.

"Just calm down, relax, and don't forget to breathe. You wouldn't want to pass out before they even announce the nominees," Seth replied giving her a reassuring smile and squeezing her hand back lightly.

Summer took a deep breath and focused her attention on the stage in front of her as Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman stepped up to the podium.

"And the nominees for best supporting actor are…Cuba Gooding Jr. in The Commander of Us…Tom Hanks in The Great Lengths…Johnny Depp in Mr. Brightside…John Travolta in Do What You Do…and Freddie Highmore in Dear Johnny," Sean Penn announced as they showed the clips from the films.

"And the Oscar goes to…," Nicole Kidman started.

"Johnny Depp for Mr. Brightside," they said in unison.

Summer began to nervously chew on her lip and completely tuned out THE Johnny Depp's acceptance speech.

"How many more till yours?" David asked leaning over to Summer.

"Best Adapted Screenplay then me," Summer said shakily.

Davidnodded and took a deep breath as Summer did the same.

Some young actor Summer hadn't really heard of walked out onto the stage with Natalie Portman and they began to announce the nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay.

"And the nominees are….Tracy Phillips's The Story of Me based on the novel The Life and Career of Marilyn Monroe by Jordan Terrell, Don Jenkinson's Corona based on the Peter Knight novel of the same title, Nona Simple's So This is Love based on the story of Cinderella, and Megan Shae's Annadel based on the novel Storming Heaven by Denise Giardina," Natalie Portman announced. (AN: I don't own Storming Heaven it's just a book I had to read for my English class and I thought it'd make a good movie someday.)

"Oh God, it's almost time," Summer panicked.

"And the Oscar goes to…Megan Shae for Annadel based on Denise Giardina's Storming Heaven."

"Do you have a speech prepared just in case?" David asked anxiously.

"Shut up, David. I can't think now," Summer replied shortly taking deep breathes repeatedly as Megan Shae gave her acceptance speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome from Nights in New Mexico Jamie Foxx and from the upcoming film Two, Too please welcome Sandra Bullock."

"Every year there comes along a woman who exemplifies what it means to be an actress," Sandra started.

"A woman who carries the film on her back with grace and masterful skill," Jamie continued.

"Whether she is a criminal, a single mother, a nurse, or a devoted housewife…"

"This woman carries herself with poise, heart, intelligence, and even if she's wrong in her doings you can't help but love her for who she is."

"Tonight we honor five women who have shown extraordinary talent and have perfected their craft to capture our hearts and intrigue our minds," Sandra finished.

"And the nominees are…," Jamie announced. "Ashley Judd in Framed, Amy Smart in The Hopeless, Summer Roberts in The War, Jennifer Garner in Annadel, and Julianne Moore in Nothing's Ever Simple in Suburbia."

"And the Oscar goes to…," they said in unison.

Summer held her breath and shut her eyes. She had a death grip on Seth's hand. It was perhaps the longest pause in the history of the world. How long does it take to open a freaking envelope? Can these two even read? This really is the longest pause in the history of the world!

"…Summer Roberts in The War," they announced excitedly.

Summer's eyes flew open. They were round and enormous. Seth had never seen her looked so shocked.

'Me?' Summer mouthed to Seth.

"Congratulations, Sum," Seth grinned and kissed her happily.

"Me?" Summer asked out loud as she stood up.

"Congratulations," David said, kissing her cheek as the whole group stood with her.

"Congratulations, Love," Billy said, kissing her cheek also.

"Oh my God," Summer breathed as she made her way out of the row and down the aisle to the stage.

She looked out on the crowd. Everyone was applauding. She was completely awe-struck as the lights shone on her.

"Wow," was the first thing out of her mouth. "I-I can't believe this. This is just…wow. Um…I guess I'm supposed to thank some people…wow. Ok. I-I would like to thank God. First off, I have to thank God because without him none of this is possible. I'd like to thank my father. Daddy, I love you. I'm so glad you're here for me now for everything…um, wow," she giggled nervously. "I'd like to thank the studio for giving me this wonderful opportunity. My manager Jerry, we did it. I love you. We did it! Uh…I need to thank Ron Bergman the director and producer, Claire my hair and make up girl, um my agency, my wonderful costars, David and Billy, I love you both so much."

She glanced around anxiously. "I don't know how much time I have left but I have to thank my best friend, Marissa Cooper who couldn't be here tonight but I know she's watching at home and she's been there for me from the beginning of…my entire life really, and Ryan, thank you for being there as a friend and as replacement Coop, you know I love you both. The Cohens, my second family, Sandy and Kirsten, I love you guys, thank you for taking a small, lonely girl into your home and your lives and always sharing the holidays with her."

She tried to find Seth in the crowd but the lights were so blinding and she knew she was running out of time to talk.

"And um, last but definitely not least, Seth…"and then she spotted him grinning up at her. "You mean the world to me. I couldn't do any of this without you. I-I love you so much. And I'm so glad you came here with me and we could share this night together and the rest of our lives together," Summer grinned holding up her left hand for the entire audience and all of America to see.

A few actual gasps were heard from the audience as well as some aw's.

"This one's for us," Summer smiled lifting the Oscar up. "Thank you. Oh and thanks to my fans. I wouldn't be here without them. I love you all. Thank you."

The crowd applauded as the band kicked in. Jamie Foxx and Sandra Bullock escorted her off the stage.

"Congratulations on both accounts," Sandra smiled and hugged Summer once they were backstage.

"Thank you. I can't believe this. This is so surreal."

"Congratulations," Jamie said as they all parted ways.

Eventually Summer made her way back to her seat for the end of the show.

"I can't believe you did that," Seth grinned as she sat down.

"Believe it," Summer replied with a grin.

They kissed briefly before someone behind them tapped Seth on the shoulder. They both turned around.

"Congratulations on the engagement," Jack Nicholson chuckled. "And Miss Roberts congratulations on your Oscar."

"Thank you," Seth and Summer both smiled.

"I can't believe Jack Nicholson just congratulated us on our engagement," Seth gushed in a whisper.

"Believe it," Summer giggled and kissed him again.

(AN: Hey! She WON! Yeah like that was a surprise. But I hope you enjoyed it. Keep on reading! I'll try to update again soon but I have two more tests this week and a play this week and starting a big play next week...sorry I didn't update a little sooner I was emotionally distraught over the heart-wrenching loss of my Mountaineers. But I still love them anyway! Elite 8 isn't half bad.)