Disclaimer: Okay, this is getting old. You know what this means…
A/N: Um, yeah, it's time for an update. I don't have anything spectacular to say. Although I feel like I must mention, I already started writing the sequel, so I may get this to a few more chapters and end it. I'm really looking forward to what I have planned, although, it may be a little depressing at points. And it's going to skip ahead to like, 2008, tee hee. Is that too weird?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Why did she have to be so fucking persuasive? And why was he such a pushover when it came to what she asked him? If he were normal, he would've said no. If he were normal, he would've told her to at least get him some help. Not to let him stay alone with his daughters, his inept buddy, and his inept buddy's kid. So apparently Mark wasn't normal, because he had let this all happen and was now stuck with three babies, and one oversized kid in the park, during the winter.
"Mark! I want hot chocolate! Can I get hot chocolate?" Yeah, Roger was definitely a oversized five-year old. About twenty years too late, though.
"Um, Roger? Why the hell would I be the one to give you permission to get ice cream? What am I, your mother?"
"May as well be." Roger shrugged his broad shoulders. "So can I?"
"Once again, why would you ask me? You're a big boy Roger. I know this news may come as a surprise since you apparently think you are five, but you are actually about twenty years older than that."
"Very funny."
"I try."
"Okay, seriously, will you watch Adam while I go get ice cream?"
"No. Take your kid with you. I have to deal with my kids and besides, it's not that hard to wheel the stroller a few feet to get hot chocolate and then wheel it back the same few feet. It won't take any longer than it would without Adam." Mark pushed his friend towards the ice cream vendor.
"You know what? You suck at life Mark! No really, you do."
Two teenaged girls sat on a park bench pointing to Roger, who was drinking the hot chocolate he had in his hand as he pushed Adam. They were apparently enjoying the site immensely. They approached him. "Are you Roger Davis?" The first one piped up in an extremely squeaky voice, tossing her long raven hair.
"Yeah, yeah I am. How can I help you?" Roger's voice was suddenly different, more rock star-like.
"Can we have your autograph?" The other one twirled her hand. Neither girl looked like they could believe their luck. Mark was happy to have his camera. His friend being stopped in the park…yeah, he totally had to get that on film.
"Sure." He took the copies of the movie soundtracks each girl had apparently just bought and took the markers they magically had from them. "What are your names?"
"I'm Jen and she's Carrie." The raven-haired girl spoke up, using her fingers to provide an unneeded distinction between she and her friend.
"Okay, here you go girls." He lifted his head up, handed them their CDs and returned to pushing Adam and drinking hot chocolate. He finally got back the where Mark was sitting with Blair and Riley. "Oh who said it would be a good idea to take a walk in the park in January?"
"That would be me."
"You just couldn't let me have my moment could you?" Roger looked about ready to toss his hot chocolate all over Mark's scarf.
"Um, yeah, you're moment was about a minute ago with those girls. You realize that right?" Mark raised an eyebrow at his friend, questioning him.
"You suck. You just can't ever let me win, can you?"
"Nope, but lucky for you buddy, we will never have to compete against each other for awards."
Speaking of awards, the Oscar nominations had been released the previous week. Chasing Dreams had managed to pick up nominations in all the major categories, including Best Film, all the major acting awards, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Cinematography. They couldn't be more thrilled. Also, Roger had picked up a nomination for Best Original Song. It was all very exciting.
"C'mon, let's go back. Marli and Mimi will be back from the theatre any minute now, and they'll be wondering where we are." Mark, being the reasonable one, dragged his friend towards the exit.
Roger followed Mark for a while before he face went pale and he looked as if he had just seen a ghost. "Oh. Shit! Mark, we have to go back!"
"What? Why?" Then Mark turned around to see that Adam's stroller was nowhere in sight…and neither was Adam. "Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me!" A mom a foot away covered her daughter's ears and shot him a glare. "You really are the worst dad ever."
"Shut the fuck up! Now come on before someone kidnaps him or something!" Roger broke into a mad sprint, heading back towards the guy he bought hot chocolate from. It was just his luck that Mimi and Marli were standing right there.
Mimi stood by Adam's stroller, calming the crying boy down. She looked up and saw her husband and her face broke into fifty kinds of anger. "Roger Stephan Davis!" Roger winced at her use of his full name, but she continued. "Who the hell do you think you are, leaving our son in the middle of the park, in the freezing cold nonetheless, while you go on your merry little way drinking your hot chocolate? You are such a fucking idiot Roger. I bet you didn't even realize you didn't have him with you. If Marli and I hadn't taken a route through the park home, who knows where Adam could've ended up. He could've been kidnapped or something! Don't you think?" Mimi then proceeded to yell a slew of Spanish curses that Marli seemed to understand, because she acted as if she didn't know these people she was so obviously with. Mark felt a blush creep onto his cheeks. He didn't want to be seen in a Mimi/Roger fight-fest, but he knew if he didn't stick around, something worse was bound to happen.
"Listen baby, I didn't mean to leave him here. I really didn't. I'm so sorry." He glanced down at his boots, obviously trying to hide his guilt.
"Roger, sorry doesn't cut it. You left your son, our son, alone in the middle of the park! Do you know all the shit that could've happened to him? You are so irresponsible. What the hell was I thinking? I thought maybe, just maybe, you could just be okay with him alone for once. Apparently, I was wrong."
"Alone with him? Mimi, I fucking took care of him when he was ready to go home, but you weren't. We did okay without you, might I add. We did fine alone."
"You weren't alone. Hardly. Mark and Marli babysat you both the whole time, all the while taking care of their newborn twins. They're the ones that did everything for you! And it's not like you left the apartment anyway!"
Mark had had quite enough of their bickering. "Hey guys, can you chill for a second and continue this back at your apartment. We'll call the others and meet them for dinner. We'll take Adam with us, so you can settle this alone. You're welcome to come to dinner with us, if you want. We're probably going to be meeting soon at the Life. Just show up if and when you are settled down and ready to come."
Mark took Adam's stroller from Mimi's hands, which were trembling with a mixture of fear and anger. Marli pushed the twins and they made their way off together. After a few steps, he looked back to see his two friends hugging each other and apologizing. This was the way all of their fights always ended. It was always the same, nothing ever changed.
As they were walking, an old lady stopped them. "What beautiful children you have. Are they triplets?" She bent down, looking at Blair, then Riley, then Adam.
"Oh, well the girls are ours. But the boy is…he's our nephew. We're watching him." Marli smiled graciously, her good breeding kicking in.
"Oh, they're girls?" The old lady looked dumbfounded. Well, of course they're girls, lady, how many three-month-old boys do you see wearing pink nowadays? "I guess they're so blonde that it might look like they're boys." With bows on, they look like boys? Seriously? "They're beautiful though. I have three children of my own. Three boys. One of them is gay, another is too involved with his work to get married, and the other is married, but I don't like his wife at all." And why on earth are you telling random strangers this? "Well, good luck with them. They grow up so fast." She took one last look into the strollers then walked off.
"Do they really look like boys? Am I going to need to make them signs that say that they are a hundred percent female?" Marli looked down at the tiny girls in their strollers.
"No, sweetie, of course not. They're just towheads. Once they get more hair, it'll be fine."
"If you say so. I'm still not convinced. Wait a clock-tick, did you just say that they look like boys?"
Mark turned red, but lucky he didn't have to answer. Roger and Mimi skipped up holding hands. "Wait for us!" The came up, took Adam's stroller and all walked away, feeling happy.
Marli leaned over to her husband. "They really can't stay mad at each other. He leaves their baby in the middle of the park, they fight for ten minutes, then are all happy again." She whispered into her husbands ear, snuggling close to him as they both pushed the girls strollers.
"I know." He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before the continued on to meet the car they had called.
Three weeks later and it's Showtime! Oscar night in Hollywood is a very exciting time. But truth be told, Marli was petrified. She sat in her suite, getting ready and sweating buckets. Hair and makeup people were prodding at her, trying to get her ready. It wasn't working too well, as she was she wouldn't stop twitching.
"Marli, dear, relax. It's going to go fine." Clara, her hair stylist, used a curling iron to twist Marli's hair into perfect spirals.
"Yeah," Kate, her makeup artist, agreed. "Your script produced one of the best I've seen all year. You have it in the bag."
"Well, thanks. But, Kate, out of curiosity, what were the other movies you've seen that had a good script?" Marli tried in vain to make her eyes sit still so Kate could work her magic.
"Well…all the one's you're up against. But yours was definitely the best."
"Thanks." She looked at the clock. It was about an hour and a half until she had to leave. And her husband was nowhere in sight. "God, if Mark isn't fucking ready on time, I swear to god…"
"Marli, darling, I know it isn't really my place, but please wait until after Oscar night to kill him. You don't want a bad rap on one of the biggest nights of the year. And besides, he is one of top in the running for best director. Do you really want him to die before he wins?" Clara sprayed her hair yet again, the sticky spray going everywhere.
Marli coughed. "I guess you do have a point. I will wait to kill him." She laughed slightly and received a tiny slap from a frustrated Kate.
Soon, Marli was done getting ready and Mark had arrived, looking dapper in his Armani tux. Marli was wearing a stunning Chanel dress, classy and beautiful and completely perfect for her. They got into their limo and drove to where the event would be taking place, holding hands the whole time.
"Mar, your hands are shaking really bad. Are you okay?" Mark looked at her with so much genuine concern. Of course she was okay. So what if she could here her heart beat and her hands just wouldn't stop shaking. Soon she'd be okay.
"Yeah." Her voice cracked as she spoke. "I'm okay."
"Somehow I don't think that's true, but I'm just as nervous as you are. Therefore, I cannot argue with you."
"Mark? Who the fuck says things like that? I've never heard you speak like that…EVER. And I've heard some pretty crazy things come out of your mouth."
"Love you, too."
"Well, we're here. Ready to be eaten alive by the press?"
"As I'll ever be. I'll be around to help you out in a second." And he was. He helped her out of the limo. He slipped his arm around her waist and they headed out to be eaten alive.
The only interview of any importance was the one they had with Joan Rivers. "Mark, Marli, come over here! Marli, who are you wearing?"
"Chanel." Marli looked down at her dress and smiled coyly.
"Well you look stunning. Especially for just having twins! If you didn't know you'd never be able to tell."
"Aw, thank you." Personally, Marli hated talking about looks. But it was what Joan Rivers was famous for. Well of course she was famous for talking about looks. That woman had had so much work done, it was disgusting.
"Now where are your precious little darlings tonight?"
"They're back in New York with my mom." Mark smiled, but Marli could tell he wasn't really comfortable. Poor Mark!
"Aw, isn't that precious? Well, I'm sure you both have enough to get on with. See you in the theatre!"
Finally the time had come for the Best Original Screenplay award. Marli had been growing increasingly nervous throughout the show. While the movie had won most of the awards for which it was nominated, she was still nervous. That didn't mean anything.
The two presenting the award were Lana James and Allen Kirk. They did their thing and read the nominees. Marli held her breath. "And the winner of this year's award for Best Original Screenplay is…MARLI RYAN-COHEN FOR CHASING DREAMS."
Marli felt the tears well in her eyes. She got up and walked to the stage. She accepted the award from the presenters and went up to the podium. "Wow. I totally didn't expect to win this. Especially against all these people I've admired all my life. Well, I don't want to be yelled at for taking too long so I guess I'll start. First, I'd like to thank the producers, who thought to do this film when no one else would. All the actors…Devorah Richards, Alex Murphy, Megan Sampson, Gregory Hyatt, Hannah Katz, Penny Fields, Aaron Jordan, and Tyler Moore. All the crew, you guys were fantastic! My husband, who directed, Mark. You did this movie when no one else would, and we met again because of it. I love you so much and you make me feel better when I feel like the biggest idiot in the world. My twin girls Blair and Riley, even though you are way too young to see this, you will when you're older and I just want you both to know how much you mean to me and how much I love you. My friend Roger Davis, who did the soundtrack, and his wife Mimi, for always helping me out when I needed it. All of my other friends, Alexandria, Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Daniels, even Benny, for always being there for me through this. My family for being there for me my whole life. Especially my sister Hillary…even though you aren't here anymore, you are my inspiration and I miss you so much everyday. And last but not least, I would like to thank the Academy for deeming me a worth enough writer to receive this award, thank you." She exited the stage to much applause.
Roger had been the last to perform. Mark thought he had sounded flawless and hopefully he would win. The competition was fierce, but Roger had definitely been the most original. Although, if Roger lost, then if Mark lost, he wouldn't feel like such an ass. But then again, he'd end up feeling like an ass for thinking that, so it didn't really matter to begin with.
The presenters for Best Original Song went up and gave their speech and read the nominees. Then they opened the envelope. "Dreaming the Impossible from Chasing Dreams, by Roger Davis."
Roger, who had obviously changed in the very little time given ran out from backstage. He hopped up to the podium. "Whoo! I think I just set a world record for changing into a tux. What was that, two seconds flat? Wow, an Oscar. Never in my wildest dreams did I EVER think I'd win an Oscar. Grammy, maybe, but definitely not this. I'd like to say how honored I am to have even been nominated. Thanks go out to the great people at KMC records. You guys not only produced this song, but gave me a record deal of my own. Mark and Marli for giving me the opportunity to do the soundtrack and this song and for everything you both have done for me. Especially Mark because he's helped me through so many tough times in my life. My wife, Mimi, for being my muse and just wonderful support, I love you with everything I have. Our baby son, Adam, for just being a wonderful little boy to have in my life and my new inspiration. My friends…my family…Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Daniels, Mark and Marli, even though I've already said you guys, and even Benny sometimes. And of course Angel, we miss you so much down here and I wish you could've been here to do this with me. And of course, since I may be hurt for not saying this, thanks to the Academy, for picking a nobody like me to win this award. Thank you!" He ran back off the stage, to the audience's amusement.
Time flew until the best director award. Mark was sweating. Marli, who had come back from backstage, squeezed his hand and told him not to be nervous. He couldn't help it. She had been nervous as well, but she had won. Mark was positive he wouldn't win. Hello? He was up against people who had all won at least one Oscar each.
"And the winner is…Mark Cohen for Chasing Dreams!" The presenters said this, and Mark wasn't quite sure that it was real. This whole thing seemed like a big elaborate hoax.
Still, he got up and went to the podium. "Are you sure you read that right? Did someone pay to make this up?" He looked around and when he was satisfied that this was real turned back. "Since this is apparently real, I guess I'll start. Thanks to the crew for being so amazing. The actors for being so great to work with, I hope it was as great for you as it was for me. The producers, for funding this and telling Marli to go with an unknown director. Marli, for writing such a fabulous script and for falling in love with me. I love you with my life. Our daughters Blair and Riley for being so adorable and just so inspirational. Roger, for doing the soundtrack, and Mimi for just helping out in the process. My friends, my adopted family…Maureen, Joanne, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Daniels…even Benny! Angel, for showing us everything while you were here. My real family, too. The Academy for giving this to me. Just, everyone who supported the film and loved it just as much as I do. Thanks!"
And just so you know, the movie won Best Picture, and all major acting awards.
A/N: Yay! I'm back! This took forever but I promise to be better. So yeah…review!