Epilogue

Epilogue

It had been two years since Mike had married James, and he felt blessed by the lives they had built together. Mike was enjoying renewed success with an expanding restaurant chain, an exclusive contract to model menswear for a top designer and speaking engagements throughout the country regarding inclusivity.

Billy and Nadia both continued to live in Mike’s apartment, joking they were like an old-time immigrant family that didn’t care about individual privacy, and where everyone had the right to opine on what the others were doing. When they were home, they ate together as a unit and shared chores. With the crazy schedules of Billy’s veterinarian practice and Nadia’s budding career as a fragrance-designer’s apprentice, that together-time with James and Mike wasn’t as frequent as they would have liked.

Maria was often a guest at the apartment, but she spent most of her time relaxing by the ocean in her gussied-up caretaker’s quarters at Mike’s house in the Hamptons. When the clan found time to head to the mansion, she mothered them and did everything she could to make their stay a pleasant respite from their jobs.

James had wrapped a movie musical and was set to star in a film where he would play a rural priest sent to help a drug-riddled community while hiding his own opioid addiction. A few months earlier, he had been asked to sing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium—without Mike’s influence—with a smiling Mike watching from the private box.

“The limo is here,” Mike shouted to James from the living-room area of their Los Angeles hotel suite.

James emerged from the bedroom with his stylist, dashing in a traditional black tuxedo. Even though Mike was also wearing black, they avoided looking too matchy-matchy by Mike wearing a black suit-tie while James wore a bow-tie.

“How do I look?” James asked, his anxiety making it clear he wasn’t fishing for compliments. Mike wondered how James could ever be insecure about his beauty.

“Like you’re once again going to be named best-dressed man on the red carpet,” Mike assured him. “Come on. Your category is the first award presentation of the night. It would be a shame if you weren’t there when they call your name.”

“Stop it,” James warned. “I told you, there’s no way I’m going to win.”

“You said that about the Tony award, too,” Mike reminded him.

“Just stop,” James pressed, before grabbing his wallet and hugging the stylist good-bye with thanks. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

Mike had to admit, deep down, he would be disappointed if James didn’t score the Academy Award for best supporting actor. Mike thought James’ portrayal of a terrified Vietnam soldier in the war drama 1968 would be one of his husband’s best. The role had already won James a Golden Globe and several critics’ awards.

“Well, you’ll want to be there so the camera can see your handsome face politely smiling when a competitor’s name is unjustly called,” Mike teased.

“Shut up.” James snickered, punching Mike’s arm without force. “If that happens, I’ll be counting on you to give me a prize when we return to the hotel room.”

Mike winked. “Baby, I’m going to show you how much you’re adored, whether there’s a trophy in the bed with us or not.”

* * * *

The previous year’s winner for best supporting actress had just finished reading the names of the nominees, then grimaced as she tried to unseal the envelope that revealed the winner’s name. James rolled his eyes, wondering if the presenters pretended to struggle so they’d get a few more seconds of air time.

“James V. Cooper,” she read. James V. Cooper was the name James had started using since he had married Mike.

James smiled and huffed a breath of relief as his husband massaged his shoulder in congratulations. He turned to Mike for a quick kiss and a hug, then he made his way through the standing crowd to the stage to accept the trophy. When he turned to the audience, he was overwhelmed. His fortunes had changed so much since meeting his one-time idol.

“Thank you. I am so grateful to the Academy, to the amazing cast and crew who made this important film, the writers, the director, my agent, publicist and production company for making this happen. My sincere gratitude to the brave men and women who have served to protect our country. It was an honor to portray your sacrifices and your courage. Also, I admire the other actors who were nominated for this award. Each of you was just as deserving.”

James paused, gazing at the trophy with gratitude, then turning back to the audience.

“I’d also like to thank my beloved brother and sister-in-law. Sorry you got the nosebleed seats.” That elicited chuckles from the audience. “But it’s a good deal considering the two seats are seating three. Can’t wait to be an uncle.” That received some polite, congratulatory applause from the audience. “Thanks to Maria, the woman who helped raise me. You mean the world to me. Mom, if you’re looking down right now, I hope I’m making you proud.”

Just as the orchestra began playing music to signal he should exit the stage, James held up the trophy to the audience. “This is a wonderful gift for which I’m very grateful. But everything I am and everything I want to be is because of my husband. Mike, thank you for finding me, saving me and loving me.”

The audience broke into applause as James headed backstage where he was asked to pose for photographs. He worried his smile was ridiculously big, but he couldn’t change his expression if he tried. He was overwhelmed with joy. And though some happiness was due to his career success, he attributed most of it to Mike and the rest of his beloved family. He knew it was their love for him that had brought him to this place in his life.

As wonderful as the night was, James was more excited about how it would end. Mike had promised him a prize at the hotel, and James was determined he’d earn it by giving his hero another award-worthy performance.