Coffee, tea? Or me?

Part II

II

When James walked into the studio the ceremony was over and Ian and Lucy were sitting on the sofa, trying to contact him as his phone started to ring with Lucy's number. When they saw him the two stood up immediately in unison and Lucy walked to him, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

James held her tight for a moment.

"Yes baby, sorry, I just needed some fresh air."

Lucy nodded, understanding.

Then Ian spoke out of the blue.

"You guys got Best Picture."

James' eyes were quickly on the agent's.

"Are you joking?" He asked.

The agent shook his head.

"No buddy, best fucking picture!"

James grinned and immediately held Lucy in a tight hug but his celebration was cut short.

"There's more," Ian said.

Lucy took a step back and beaming said.

"You also got best leading actor AND best directing."

James didn't move, his heart beating fast trying to register the words that had just left Lucy's mouth. He looked between his girlfriend and Ian, who nodded with a smile.

James let go of a breath he had been holding for weeks and let himself fall on the sofa, his head in his hands.

"I can't believe it!" He said.

"Well, you better," replied Ian. "You deserve it, James; whether you believe it or not, your peers have looked at your talent and passion. They don't care about your personal issues".

Lucy sat next to her boyfriend ad gently wrapped one arm around his back.

"You did it, James. I am so proud of you, for everything..."

James pulled Lucy close and held her tight, smiling against her hair. He was happy for the nomination but more deeply he was ecstatic that he hadn't been misjudged, hadn't been penalised for his struggles, he was relieved that people had seen past his issues and to the real him.

"I fucking did it. We fucking did it."

He let her go and standing up, went to Ian and shook his hand.

"Thank you for everything, this hasn't been an easy run..."

Ian nodded and patted his back.

"It never was with you," the man joked.

"I think we need to celebrate," said Lucy walking to the fridge. "I know you're still not drinking, James but we can pop some Cokes". She grabbed three cans from the fridge and handed two to the men.

They counted to three and broke the seal in a coordinated pop then toasted with the cans in the air.

After they had finished their drink Ian excused himself.

"Right guys I have to go now, I promised the lady of the house we would go to dinner and I can't stand to disappoint her." He walked to James patting his back again. "Congratulations again. And be ready, you know it's going to be a busy way to the Oscars."

James reciprocated the pat.

"I know."

The agent said goodbye to Lucy then left.