In a rather shocking turn of events, Beck is nominated for an Emmy for his role in his final season of Manhattan Med. The show had only gotten one nomination prior to that, after its first season, in the category for 'Outstanding Drama Series'. The nomination had been surprising, but the show's loss hadn't been. Now it's everyone's turn to be surprised again when Beck receives a nomination for 'Lead Actor in a Drama Series'. It's very uncommon for network series to get recognition with everything that is streaming nowadays, let alone one specific member of the cast. Jade reminds Beck that he really gave everything he had to playing his character for those last few episodes, and it had clearly paid off for him.
He and Jade fly to Los Angeles for the ceremony in mid-September. Originally, Beck was worried about whether or not it would be safe for Jade to fly, but she and her doctor both assured him that it was perfectly fine up until the thirty-six week mark. Jade, being only nineteen weeks pregnant at this point, is in the clear. Still, Beck spends the entire flight asking her if she's okay or if she needs anything, which she supposes isn't really all that different from his behavior at home these days anyway.
The ceremony is on Sunday afternoon, but Beck and Jade fly in on Saturday morning. Jade's pregnancy had been written into her character's arc in Beyond the Innocent, so she's still filming most days of the week. Her showrunner had allowed her Saturday off, knowing how important of a weekend it would be for Beck and how important it would be for Jade to be there to support him. Per usual, instead of staying in a hotel, they stay with Beck's parents. Again in the guest room this time not just for privacy, but because the bed is much bigger and Beck figures Jade would appreciate the space.
"I really don't see why they've held onto that thing for so long." Beck says, eyeing the RV as he pulls their bags out of the car "It's just sitting there, they should sell it."
"It probably holds memories of some sort for them." Jade says "Not to mention it was your's and it probably reminds them of you when they miss you."
"They could probably get some decent money for it, especially if they tell people that I lived in it." Beck smirks "God, that sounded really conceited."
"S'okay." Jade assures him "Unfortunately, you're probably right."
Beck thanks their driver and closes the trunk of the car. Jade attempts to pick up one of the bags to help him carry, but he shoos her hand away and insists on carrying them both himself. If it were up to him, she probably wouldn't even be allowed to carry her own purse at this point. Thankfully, he still allows her to do that.
"There they are!" Priya exclaims, appearing at the front door "Come in! Come in!"
After so many years of having a famous son who piques the interest of the world, Priya Oliver has learned that there are certain behaviors that that are okay to engage in somewhere public, and some that aren't. She wants more than anything to run out on the lawn and give her son and daughter-in-law the biggest hugs, as it's the first time she's seen them since they shared their pregnancy news with her and her husband. But she knows that paparazzi could be lurking, even if she can't see them. Although there have been some rumors and speculation, Beck and Jade haven't announced the pregnancy to the world yet. They're planning to do so on the red carpet the following day, and Priya doesn't want to risk giving anything away before they're ready.
"Oh hello, hello!" She hugs Jade tightly as soon as she walks through the door "How was the flight? How are you feeling?"
"Flight was fine, and I'm feeling fine." Jade assures her with a smile
"I'm fine too, Ma!" Beck announces as he carries the bags in, kicking the door closed behind him "Thanks for asking."
"No offense, Beckett...but you are not my priority right now." Priya says to her son "I care more about my darling grandchild...your haircut does look nice though."
He had grown tired of his long hair while he was filming in London, and the day after he arrived home...he cut almost all of it off. It's now the shortest that it's ever been, but more typical for a man his age. Jade had been shocked when he came back from the barber's, but the new style has grown on her quite a bit. She thinks it makes him look even sexier than his original haircut did.
"Thanks, Ma."
"Thank god I can finally take this thing off..." Jade sighs
Jade wore a large cardigan sweater on the flight, despite the warm weather in both cities, to hopefully conceal her now visible baby bump from any photographers or onlookers. Now in the safety of James and Priya's house, she shrugs it off, revealing her abdomen protruding through her shirt beneath it and cooling off her body temperature quite a bit as well.
"Oh look at that..." Priya smiles "May I?"
"Sure." Jade shrugs "You can't really feel anything yet. I can, but Beck has been trying for days now with no luck."
"The kicks just aren't strong enough to be felt on the outside yet is all, Beck." Priya tells her son before turning back to Jade "They feel a bit like butterflies, don't they?"
"A bit, yeah." Jade agrees "I've been told it won't stay that way."
"No, give this child long enough and they'll be rearranging your organs." She laughs "That's what their father did to me."
"Can't wait."
Jade feels comforted in this interaction with her mother-in-law, finally having someone to talk to about pregnancy. Her own mother isn't around to advise her and while she and Angie have a decent relationship now, she doesn't have any children and therefore has no pregnancy advice to give. Priya is a maternal figure who understands what she's going through, and Jade knows she'll take advantage of that while they're visiting.
"Welcome!" James grins as everyone enters the kitchen, throwing his hands out in excitement "How was the flight?"
"As decent as it could be." Jade tells him, resting a hand on her stomach
It's something she does more frequently now, and does so absent-mindedly. Now that there's room for her hands or arms to rest comfortably, it's actually quite convenient.
"Don't take this question the wrong way, Jade..." James teases "But are you pregnant?"
"I don't know where you would have gotten such an idea." Jade gasps jokingly "How dare you?"
"C'mere kiddo..." James smiles as he moves to hug his daughter-in-law "How's the little guy or gal doing in there?"
"Just fine." Jade assures him "Thank you for asking."
Beck smiles as he watches the interactions between his wife and his parents. Despite the sarcasm he had used with his mother earlier, it really does mean the world to him that they care so much about her and their child. He and Jade really are lucky, now that he thinks about it, that they were both so easily accepted into each other's families and continue to get alone with them so well.
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?" Priya asks, leaning against the kitchen counter
"Uh, no. We don't." Jade shakes her head, then looks to her husband "Babe? You can take this one..."
"We're not going to find out until the baby is born." Beck explains to his parents "We both agreed that we think it will make the moment that much more special."
"Well, how am I supposed to know what color blanket to knit then?" Priya throws her arms up in defeat
"Green? White? Gray?" Jade laughs "Yellow is a bit too bright for me so I'd prefer to stay away from it, but any neutral color is fine."
"You're a knitting machine, Ma." Beck reminds her "If we tell you the baby's gender once they're born, there's no doubt in my mind that you could have an appropriately colored blanket knitted in a matter of hours."
"You're correct, I would be able to do that." Priya agrees "But preparing for a baby is just so exciting, I need something to keep myself busy. I don't idle well."
"A'int that the truth." James scoffs
"Sorry." Beck shrugs "We're not budging on this one."
"Maybe the baby could have two blankets!" Jade suggests "One neutral colored and one pink or blue."
"I suppose that could work..."
"Anyway..." Beck smirks "We're happy that you guys are so happy."
"Was John excited when you told him, Jade?"
"He's over the moon, yes." Jade grins "He can't wait to be a grandpa."
"Well that makes two of us." James grins "What would you two like to get up to today?"
"Probably just hanging out here." Jade shrugs, looking to her husband for confirmation "We had a busy morning, we have a busy day tomorrow, we thought it would be best to just have a relaxing afternoon."
"Fine with us." James nods "Anyone up for a game of Uno?"
"She said relaxing, Dad." Beck sighs "Uno ends relationships."
"Scrabble?"
"Much better choice."
"I just..." Jade sighs, looking at herself in the mirror "Beck, I don't know."
They opted to rent a hotel room to get ready in before the ceremony. They both have teams that dressed them and styled their hair, and another that did Jade's makeup, it was too much to expect James and Priya to allow in their house. Later after the ceremony, regardless of if Beck wins or not, they'll be going back to his parents' to order pizza from Omar's, his favorite pizza place in LA. Both Beck and Jade agreed that the after-parties are overrated, and Jade figures she'll be too tired to have fun at one anyway. Not to mention that she can't drink, and that's kind of the entire point of a Hollywood afterparty.
"Don't know what?" He asks, appearing next to her as he adjusts his tie
"If this is a good idea..."
"What? What are you talking about?"
She hates her dress. Well, more she hates the way that it makes her look. When she first tried it on a few weeks ago, she had absolutely loved it. Her body has changed since then. Now anyone who looks at her can clearly tell that she's pregnant, and while that had been the goal all along...she's not so sure she's still on board with it. Normally, she's amazed by her ever-changing body. Yes, it's new and strange and weird to her, but it's also wonderful and amazing at the same time. She's growing a human inside of her. Normally that makes her feel empowered, but now...
"I feel fat." She pouts, looking over at him with a sad expression
"Oh no..." Beck sighs, taking her in his arms "No, no, no baby, don't say that. You look gorgeous."
"No I don't, I look like a whale!" She cries into his chest
"Shhh...no you don't." He assures her as he rubs her back gently "You're stunning, Jade."
This reaction is a bad mix of nerves and hormones, Beck knows that. He wishes he could point that out to her, but he also wishes to live to see the ceremony in a few hours, so he keeps his mouth shut on that topic.
"Think about it, babe." Beck continues "Yes, your body is changing...but it's doing the most amazing thing. One day, we'll be able to pull these red carpet pictures out and show our child. When you think about it, it's kind of like our first family outing..."
"Alright, that's kind of sweet..." She sighs, turning to look at the mirror again "Oh god! I ruined my makeup!"
"Hey, hey, hey...it's alright." He tells her "The makeup team is still here, they'll fix it. It's okay."
"Okay..." Jade nods, collecting herself "Okay. You're sure I look alright?"
"You look more than alright." Beck smiles "You look ravishing."
"Wow, big word..." She manages to laugh "You must really mean it."
"I do."
Beck wears a classic tuxedo to the ceremony, down to the vest and bow tie. Jade wears a black, form-fitting, dress that is covered in black lace. The neckline highlights her chest beautifully, and the cut highlights her figure...and her baby bump. Photographers are screaming at them their whole way down the carpet. Everyone wants a picture of Beck touching the bump, or kissing it, or Jade cradling it. All of the interviewers want the details. When are they due? Is the baby a boy or a girl? Are they excited? Beck and Jade share their excitement, and that the baby is due in the winter, but not much else. They don't need the whole world knowing all of the details, they want most of it to stay private...for only them, their families, and their closest friends to know. They're the number one trending topic on Twitter within half an hour. When she looks at her phone, Jade has the screenshots from Cat to prove it.
This isn't Beck's first time at the Emmy's, he attended with the rest of his cast back when the show was nominated after their first season. Jade hadn't been able to accompany him then, due to new obligations with Beyond the Innocent at the time. When they walk in, she's amazed at all of the behind the scenes aspects she had never given any thought to before. Everything is planned out and timed to the nearest second, and there's no room for error. Regardless, she knows that the show will run over its allotted time, because it does every year.
"Oh wow, we're really close to the front." She remarks as Beck escorts her to their seats "You must be important."
"It's a major category." He shrugs "I guess that makes me important."
"And me by default."
"Hey." He takes her hand to stop her from sitting down "You okay?"
"I am, yeah." She nods "Much better than I was a few hours ago. Thank you for asking."
"Of course."
The ceremony begins not long after they take their seats. Beck watches most of the show with his hand resting comfortably on Jade's leg, but she can feel it shaking a bit as he does so. She knows that he's been saying he isn't nervous so that she wouldn't be nervous herself, but it's clear that he is. She can't blame him for that either. Reassuringly, she rests her hand on top of his and offers him a smile, which he returns.
'Lead Actor in a Drama Series' is announced towards the end of the night, so both Beck and Jade have more than enough time to be nervous. As the previous year's winner for 'Lead Actress in a Drama Series' walks on stage to present, Jade can feel Beck tense up beside her. She reaches over and rubs his back gently, a sign that he should relax a bit.
"They're going to have a camera on me..." He whispers to her "So when I lose, don't act upset. Use your gracious loser face."
"When?" Jade raises an eyebrow at him "What about 'if' instead?"
"I won't win." He shakes his head "Shows like mine never win these things."
"There's a first time for everything, isn't there?"
"I don't think it's tonight, Jade."
"If you lose, I promise to put on my best gracious loser face." She says, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly "But only if."
"And the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series goes to..." The presenter pauses to open the envelope "Beck Oliver, Manhattan Med."
"I won." Beck gasps, turning to Jade "Babe, I won!"
"You won!" Jade grins, taking his face in her hands and pressing a kiss to his lips "Go! Get up there!"
He whispers a quick I love you and kisses her hand before buttoning his jacket and walking towards the stage. In his head, he's telling himself over and over not to trip as he walks up the stairs, but he's also trying to figure out what he's going to say. He hadn't anticipated this outcome, and he isn't prepared at all.
"Thank you." He tells the presenter as he takes the award in his hands "Wow, holy shit! Oh, I can't say that on TV! Sorry producers, and sorry Mom!"
This earns him a laugh from the audience, but he's still nervous to speak. He looks out into the crowd and sees Jade smiling at him, a look of pride and adoration radiating off of her face, and he feels more at ease.
"Thank you to the industry members who decided I was worthy enough of this award." He begins "Awards like this don't usually go to actors in my position, but that's a speech for another day. I have so many people to thank, my parents, my family, my friends, my work family at Manhattan Med, and of course, my wife...thank you all so much for supporting me and sticking with me on this crazy journey. I owe a lot to all of you. Um, before I run out of time, though...I want to share something that I've learned over these past five crazy, whirlwind years. If you had asked twenty-one year old me, when I first moved to New York, what acting meant to me...well, I would have told you that acting was my whole life. I've since learned that isn't true. Acting isn't my life, it's my life's work. It's something that will, hopefully, live on after my life has ended. The thing that is truly my life? The thing that I live every single day for? That's my family. My family is my life, and as I'm sure a lot of you have heard by now...my family is growing. My wife and I are expecting a baby this winter and...I'd like to dedicate this award to my wife, Jade, and our child. This award is a close second, but they will always be my greatest achievement. I love you both so much. Thank you everyone, enjoy the rest of your night."
He exits the stage to his left with the presenter and is directed back to his seat by stagehands. The show is on commercial break now, so several people are up and out of their seats, Jade included. She runs to meet him, both of them greeting each other with a kiss.
"You made me cry, you idiot." She tells him when they break away "That speech was so sweet."
"Not bad for an improvisation, huh?" He smirks "I meant every word though."
"I know you did." She nods, a small smile forming on her face "I love you."
"I love you too." He smiles back "Wanna get out of here? There's not really any reason for me to stay, and we could beat the traffic."
"Oh my god, yes." Jade groans "The baby is so hungry, which means we have about thirty minutes before I become so cranky."
"Alright, let's go home." Beck grins, taking her hand "I'll call my parents from the car and tell them to order ahead."