Epilogue

EPILOGUE

NINETEEN MONTHS LATER— SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA

H olden watched as Finley applied her lipstick. She paused a moment, smiling at her reflection in the mirror, and then finished. He had a good idea why she had to stop. As she capped the tube, he came and stood behind her, slipping his arms about her, one palm cradling her burgeoning belly.

"There. I felt her move again," he said.

Finley laughed as their gazes met in the mirror. "I swear she's going to be a gymnast, as much as she's been tumbling around today. I had to stop for a moment and wait for her to be still to finish putting on the rest of my lipstick."

"She's going to be amazing," he said, kissing her nape. "Just as her mother is."

"We should probably get going," she told him.

He twirled her so that she faced him. "You look beautiful tonight. This aquamarine top matches your eyes perfectly."

Her fingers brushed his cheek. "And you look like a handsome winner to me, Mr. Scott."

They left their hotel and walked the few blocks to the beach, where a huge tent had been erected in a parking lot. This was where the Film Independent Spirit Awards were held each year on the night before the Oscars. The atmosphere was much more casual than the Academy Awards, and he and Finley were dressed for the occasion. She wore the long, flowing top over black leggings and sandals, while he had on an open-neck button-down shirt and a pair of jeans. Fortunately, this was their second time at the awards, and they had known which hotel to stay at in order to be able to walk over and not be caught up in the immense traffic jam they now skirted.

They hit the red carpet, seeing Wolf and Ana, and Holden waved to the couple.

An entertainment reporter stopped them. "Holden, can I have a word?" Jane Rodgers asked.

"Sure," he said, slipping an arm around Finley.

"You were here last year," Jane said. "Winning Best First Screenplay for Hill Country Homicide . You're nominated this year for Best Screenplay this year for Mr. Hamilton's World . Usually, you release your books through a large publishing house, as you did with Inside Threat last year. What was different about Mr. Hamilton's World ?"

"It's a quieter novel— and movie —than what I usually write. I decide to go in a different direction and publish it independently. The reader response has been fantastic. And of course, it was great to work on the screenplay and film version with my good friend, director Wolf Ramirez, and his producer wife, Ana."

"This is the second novel of yours that WEBA Productions has filmed. It's also the second screenplay you've written for them," Jane noted. "Which do you prefer writing? A novel or a script?"

"Actually, I've found I enjoy doing both, Jane," he told her. "A screenplay is radically different from a novel. I exercise different muscles when writing each. A script needs to be lean and mean, but it has to convey all the heart and soul of the meat of a novel."

"You based this on a true story. You knew the actual Mr. Hamilton, didn't you?"

"I did. He was the custodian at my school. I thought it was important to tell his story. Too many people judge others by what they do for a living. Most people would have written off Mr. Hamilton, simply because he was a janitor. He was the smartest man I've ever known— and the best man. I hope he's looking down on me now, proud of all I've accomplished, thanks to his guidance. Not just being a successful novelist and screenwriter but proud of the man that I've become."

Jane smiled indulgently at him. "You're going to be a first-time father in a few months."

He turned to gaze at his wife, smiling at the woman who made every day a special one.

"Yes. Finley and I are having a girl this coming June. She'll be named Rebecca, after Finley's maternal grandmother. We're excited. I'm terrified, too, because I was an only child. I've never changed a diaper before, but my wife assures me I will take to it."

The reporter turned to Finley. "You are a photographer of some note, Finley. You're the one who designs all WEBA Productions' film posters and ad campaigns. What's important to show when you're creating a movie poster?"

Finley considered the question a moment and then said, "You want to convey as much of the tone and story as you can in order to entice a moviegoer to buy a ticket to the film. The poster needs to capture a moment in the movie which, once a fan has seen the film, every time he or she sees the poster for it, it will bring back a fond memory."

"You also photograph for magazines now, don't you? I recently saw a spread you did on Jack Calder."

Finley smiled. "Jack was the lead in Wolf's filmed version of Hill Country Homicide . It was a pleasure getting to know him and his family during that shoot. I was pleased that he asked for me to be the photographer for that interview."

The reporter glanced back at Holden. "Are you writing something new now? Maybe something Jack Calder might eventually star in?"

"I am working on something, Jane. Whether Jack will be interested in it or not, it'll be up to him and his agent to say."

The journalist thanked them for their time, and they continued along, stopping to pose for photographers.

Finley smiled up at him. "I'm used to being on that side of the camera and not this one. There are so many photographers here."

"Wait until tomorrow. It's going to be a zoo compared to this."

Holden referred to the Academy Awards. They would be attending tomorrow night, alongside Wolf and Ana. Mr. Hamilton's World had opened early last November to great buzz. He had released his novel two months earlier, through a company he'd formed with Ana and Rey's help. The book had immediately landed on the bestseller list, with reviewers likening it to Tuesdays with Morrie and A Man Called Ove. When Wolf's film opened Thanksgiving weekend, it did terrific box office numbers, especially for a small, independent film production. Holden hadn't been surprised that the film had been nominated by the Independent Spirit Awards. What had taken him aback was when he'd received a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay from the Academy.

He wouldn't worry about tomorrow night now. He'd become good about living in the moment, thanks to Finley's influence. Yes, they did plan for their future, but she had taught him to cherish the here and now.

They moved inside the tent, greeting people they had met at the previous year's ceremony. Holden received congratulations on his Oscar nom. He didn't think he would win tomorrow night, but he felt deeply honored to have received the recognition.

His cell buzzed in his pocket. He slipped it out and saw it was a text from Dax.

The gang is all at Hill Street Hangout. We've gotten Rob to switch the channel to your awards show. Knock ‘em dead, Holden.

He became emotional reading the text, blinking rapidly a few times to keep tears from falling. Finley's family treated him as one of their own, while her friends had welcomed him with open arms. He had become a part of their ever-expanding group, thanks to marriages and babies. Holden knew just how lucky he was.

They moved to their assigned table, greeting Grady Lancaster, a long-time character actor in movies, who had taken on the role of Mr. Hamilton, and Zane Adams, a newcomer who'd portrayed the character based on Holden in the film. Grady was up tonight for Best Lead Performance, while Zane had been nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance.

Holden recalled how nervous he'd been last year, waiting for his category to be called and shocked to his core when he actually won. He didn't think he would win this year because of the stiff competition, but he was more than pleased when he heard his name called forty minutes later. He leaned over and kissed Finley briefly before hurrying to the mike to give his acceptance speech.

"I had a wonderful man come into my life many years ago. His name was Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Hamilton's World is a love letter to him. I wanted people to know about his generosity and spirit. Mr. Hamilton took a lonely, troubled kid and taught me to believe in myself. I wasn't the only person he mentored. Mr. Hamilton was generous with his time with many other people. This award is for all the Mr. Hamiltons out there. Keep doing what you're doing— because you are appreciated.

"I also want to thank my good friends Wolf and Ana Ramirez for bringing this small, intimate story to the screen. The two of you mean so much to me, and I treasure our working and personal relationships."

His eyes sought Finley and found her, seeing her beaming at him.

"Mr. Hamilton may have helped me reach my full potential, but it's the love of my life, my wife Finley, who has made me the man I am today. Finley loves me. She inspires me. She is my everything."

Holden held his trophy high. "I share this moment and this award with you, babe. I love you."

He left the stage, being steered to a staging area where he answered a few questions from entertainment reporters before returning to their table. Sitting, he took Finley's hand and gave her a lingering kiss.

"I am so proud of you, Holden," she told him, tears misting her eyes. " Mr. Hamilton's World has been my favorite thing you've written. I'm so happy you are being recognized for it."

The night grew even better, with Grady and Zane both winning. Wolf also won for his direction, while their film took Best Feature. That award was presented to Ana, as the movie's producer.

Wolf smiled at Holden. " Mr. Hamilton's World is the little engine that could," the director declared. "I hope the attention the film has received this evening will draw more viewers into theaters to watch it because the more who see it, the better the chances are that more Mr. Hamiltons will spring up in the world."

"Are you going to the after party?" Ana asked.

"No," he replied, answering for the both of them. "We're going to have our own private celebration."

Holden took Finley's hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and they strolled back to their hotel.

"Mr. Hamilton would be so proud of you, Holden," his wife said.

"He would be proud of the work I've done, but he would be even more excited to know I've found someone to share my life with. To know the husband I've become— and the father I'll soon be. I love you, Finley. Now and always. Thank you for helping me make our dreams come true."

Holden stopped on the sidewalk and kissed his wife, ready to meet each tomorrow with Finley by his side.