EPILOGUE
Seventeen Months Later
GEMMA WOKE EARLY THAT MORNING and made breakfast for Caitlin. Her favorite—pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs—a glass of champagne and a cup of coffee on the side.
Gemma tiptoed into their bedroom, waking Caitlin with a soft kiss on the forehead, and placed the breakfast tray across her lap.
“Aw, Squish, you didn’t have to do all this,” Caitlin said sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
“I wanted to. I thought we could have a lazy morning in bed together while we watch you get nominated.” Gemma kissed Caitlin again and returned to the kitchen for her own breakfast.
In less than two years, her life had been overturned, healed, and reformed.
They had spent three intoxicating days in Paris—walking hand in hand along the Seine, sharing espresso and macaroons, and making love with the Eiffel Tower glittering outside their window.
On their last night, Caitlin had revealed her plan to move to New York City.
In fact, she and Lara had already begun packing with the hope that Gemma would accept her proposal.
Back in New York, they had started a proper life together. Hayley had helped sell Gemma’s apartment, upgrading the couple to a massive five-bedroom, six-thousand-square-foot brownstone in Greenwich Village.
Caitlin had decided to keep her home in Los Angeles to make their work trips a little bit easier.
When she had flown back to LA to tie up loose ends, Gemma had stayed behind to prepare a surprise of her own.
Roses, candles, and a personal chef had been waiting for Caitlin’s return.
By the end of the evening, Gemma had reciprocated Caitlin’s proposal with the same ring she had saved since college, upgraded with a larger center diamond.
They’d savored the bliss of engagement, agreeing to postpone wedding plans until they had the chance to relearn each other through date nights, movie marathons, and constant, passionate intimacy.
They had announced their engagement publicly during their Forbidden Love press tour, and audiences around the world had swooned, delighted to see Sarah and Kate’s love story unfold in real life.
The film had ended up being the year’s biggest hit, and offers had flooded in for both actresses over the last few months.
By late January, Hollywood was deep in the rhythms of award season. Both Gemma and Caitlin had already won a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award each, riding a wave of celebration and nervous excitement as Oscar nominations approached.
Gemma felt more anxious for Caitlin than for herself, remembering the bedroom ceremonies of their youth when Caitlin had pretended cheerleading trophies were Oscars—accepting her awards with a flourish and a speech about fulfilling her dreams.
She snuggled into Caitlin’s side as the TV flickered on and the live announcement of the Academy Award nominations for this year began.
The category for Best Supporting Actress came first, and Gemma held her breath as the host read the names.
“And… Gemma Quinn for her role in Forbidden Love.”
Caitlin erupted into cheers as Gemma’s vision blurred with joyful tears. She had never imagined getting an Oscar nomination for her work, but now it was real. She was thrilled, but the role had already brought Caitlin back, and that was the greatest win of her life.
“I’m so proud of you.” Caitlin leaned over, cupping Gemma’s face and pulling her in for a kiss.
Gemma was still reeling from the shock when the broadcast shifted, and Caitlin’s category began.
“Nominations for Best Actress are…” Caitlin squeezed Gemma’s hand as they waited for the woman to continue. “Caitlin Stone for her role in Forbidden Love.”
Thankfully, Gemma had already cleared both breakfast trays from the bed, so when she heard Caitlin’s name, she flung herself on top of her. Gemma straddled her fiancée and kissed her as if the gold statue was already hers.
“I knew you’d get it! I’m so happy for you, babe. You deserve it,” Gemma said genuinely.
Gemma hopped to her feet, grabbed both champagne flutes, and eased herself back into Caitlin’s lap.
“To our Oscar nominations, and to the movie that brought us back together. I love you more than anything, my future wife.” Gemma made the toast as she raised her glass.
With a quick clink, they sipped their drinks, then decided not to leave bed for the rest of the day. Gemma had her own celebratory plans that required no clothes and a lot of kissing.
HAYLEY brEWED COFFEE FOR ALL three of them that March morning as they sat around Caitlin’s old kitchen table in LA.
Caitlin had surprised Gemma by flying Hayley in for the weekend of the Oscars. Caitlin was Gemma’s official date, but her best friend would always be her plus one.
“Celebrate good times, come on!” Maddie burst through the front door, singing and dancing. She’d be joining them tonight at the Academy Awards as Caitlin’s plus one.
“It is way too early for you.” Hayley groaned.
“Aw, come on, Hay. What better time to sing ‘Celebration’ by Kool and the Gang than on the day our best friends are bound to win Oscars?!”
“Must we sing at all? And it’s Hayley to you,” she retorted.
Gemma and Caitlin couldn’t help but laugh—watching Maddie and Hayley bicker was like observing a tennis match.
Maddie moved behind Hayley, draping herself over her shoulders, and squeezed her into a hug.
Hayley winced but didn’t push Maddie away.
“Oh, but you know we’re best friends now. It’s inevitable with these two love birds getting married.” Maddie smiled, and Hayley’s usual scorn at being touched didn’t seem to appear.
After releasing Hayley, Maddie walked around the kitchen island to pour her own cup of coffee. As she lifted her mug, the steam curled between them, and Maddie’s eyes met Hayley’s across the counter.
Gemma watched, unable to look away as their gazes lingered far longer than what she would consider casual. She swore something was shifting between them.
Gemma glanced at Caitlin, who wore a matching expression that seemed to say, Did you see that?
The doorbell rang, and Hayley jumped, breaking out of her stare down with Maddie, and ran to the front door.
Hair and makeup teams poured in and started bustling around them, preparing all four for a night at the Oscars.
A few hours later, Gemma and Caitlin stepped into complementary Gucci looks.
Gemma wore a black suit from the seventies runway with an oversized jacket fastened by two golden buttons and her bare chest exposed—just the way her fiancée liked it.
Caitlin’s matching vintage Gucci dress hugged her curves in all the right places.
When Gemma saw her, the same butterflies returned from when she had been fifteen.
Only now, they held the electric certainty that Caitlin was already hers.
She found she couldn’t resist running her hands along the curve of her future wife’s hip. “Whew, you look…” She wrapped her arms tighter around her waist. “You’re gorgeous.”
Caitlin’s fingers slipped around the back of Gemma’s neck, and she pressed a careful kiss to her lips, mindful of their freshly applied lipstick.
Fortunately, their makeup artists had matched shades, so the two wouldn’t have to worry about blending them together when they inevitably kissed throughout the night.
“You look incredible, Gemma,” Caitlin breathed into her ear.
Sandy and Eve arrived, bright and efficient, prepared to escort everyone to the awards show. The two agents moved through the house like practiced partners, and Gemma wondered if the women had kept in touch since engineering Caitlin’s proposal.
“The couple of the century,” Sandy said, appreciating Gemma and Caitlin together before Eve chimed in, “You both look beautiful.”
“And look at the two of you.” Gemma raised her eyebrows.
Before she could probe further, she saw her best friend enter the foyer out of the corner of her eye. “Damn,” she said to the room. “Hayley, what a smoke show.”
Caitlin squeezed Gemma’s hand slightly and nodded, directing her attention across the room. Gemma followed her gaze to see Hayley already watching Maddie, who stood waiting in a red Hugo Boss suit, and felt a warm, private amusement at the way Hayley’s attention had shifted.
Maddie’s eyes boldly traveled the length of Hayley, letting everyone there know that she was staking her claim.
The six of them climbed into the white stretch limousine and headed to the Dolby Theater in Hollywood for the Ninety-Eighth Academy Awards.
As the show progressed toward the highest honors of the night, Gemma felt her nerves tighten in her stomach. When it was time for Best Supporting Actress, she drained the glass of champagne in front of her and watched the highlight clips with her heart stuttering in her chest.
“And the Oscar goes to…” The presenter opened the envelope, and Gemma thought she was going to throw up, squeezing Hayley’s hand on one side and Caitlin’s on the other. “Gemma Quinn—Forbidden Love.”
Caitlin swept her up into a fierce, trembling hug as a wave of disbelief and joy crashed over Gemma. Caitlin affectionately grabbed her face and kissed her, proud and bright-eyed, before Gemma turned to Hayley, who also pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
Gemma hadn’t planned for this moment, so she didn’t have a speech prepared, but in the short walk to the microphone, she found words from her heart, messy and authentic, and gave the best speech she could.
As she wrapped up, she rushed, “Last but not least, I’d like to thank my co-star and effortlessly talented fiancée, Caitlin.
You’re an incredible actress, sexy as hell…
” She paused while the crowd whistled. “And I’ve loved you since the second I laid eyes on you.
This is for us, my love.” She held up the Oscar and headed backstage.
Gemma slid back into her seat and threaded her fingers through Caitlin’s just in time for the next award—Best Actress. She could feel Caitlin’s knee bouncing as the movie clips rolled.
“And the Oscar goes to… Caitlin Stone—Forbidden Love.”
They both sprang to their feet, and Gemma kissed Caitlin deeply. She had finally won the Oscar she’d dreamed of since childhood.
Onstage, Caitlin found Gemma’s eyes in the crowd as she neared the end of her acceptance speech, voice wavering.
“All that being said, I would not be here tonight if it weren’t for the woman who stood opposite me.
Gemma, thank you for giving me the chance to play the greatest role of my life.
I cannot wait to be your wife and spend the rest of my life adding scenes to our own story. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Gemma didn’t realize she was crying until a tear fell into her lap.
When the awards concluded, Gemma and Caitlin posed on the red carpet with their gold Academy Award statues, alongside McKenzie Ryan, who had won Best Director, and the producers who had won Best Picture.
As Gemma, Caitlin, Maddie, Hayley, Eve, and Sandy all made their way to the Governors Ball for the official after party, Caitlin pulled Gemma aside.
“Let’s go home and celebrate. Just the two of us.”
Gemma paused and looked at her. “You’ve been dreaming of this night since you were a little girl. Don’t you want to go to the party with everyone else?”
“Winning an Oscar is great and all…” Caitlin wore a smile of sheer ecstasy. “But you’re all I really ever wanted.” She kissed Gemma with a slow, deep hunger.
Gemma didn’t protest again.
Fingers intertwined, they said goodnight to their friends, and the others headed to the Governors Ball.
“Have fun, you two,” Gemma said, winking at Hayley and Maddie.
Before they could part ways, Gemma grabbed Hayley and murmured, “At least this time you know you’ll get her name right.”
Gemma laughed as Hayley rolled her eyes and shoved her into Caitlin. But Gemma caught the tips of Hayley’s mouth, fighting to turn up.
When Gemma slid onto the black leather seat in the back of the limousine, Caitlin turned to her. “Is it just me, or is there a vibe between Hayley and Maddie?”
“Oh, there’s definitely a vibe,” Gemma agreed, laughing.
A short ride later, they arrived back at their house in the Hollywood Hills, Gemma holding Caitlin’s free hand as they slid from the car and, trophies in tow, pulled her straight into the living room.
Caitlin was taken aback when she saw all the rose petals scattered on the floor, a bottle of Dom Perignon on ice beside two tall flutes, and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries.
“How? When?” Caitlin asked, taking in the scene.
Gemma took their golden statues and placed them on the table, then led Caitlin to the couch. She switched on the fireplace, flames dancing to life as they stared into each other’s eyes.
Leaning forward to pour their champagne, Gemma finally said, “I asked the glam team to help me before they left.”
“But what if we hadn’t won?”
“Who cares?” Gemma said tenderly, settling the flute into Caitlin’s hand. “You’re my reason to celebrate.”
They clinked their glasses together as Caitlin made a toast to their awards, their love, and their future. They spent the rest of the night tangled in each other, polishing off the champagne with laughter that felt like home.
When Gemma slid her hands under Caitlin’s dress, up her legs, and over her thighs, they carried their celebration into the bedroom.
They undressed one another, worshiping each other slowly, savoring kisses and the sweet taste of chocolate as they fed one another strawberries. Gemma trailed her lips down her fiancée’s torso, exploring every inch as she moved lower.
Gemma’s tongue slowed into circles as Caitlin’s breath began to come faster. She would never stop loving this woman. And she didn’t, even as the first soft light of dawn eased across their bedroom, painting the quiet scene in a warm golden-yellow glow.
Gemma and Caitlin moved as one, held tight in a perfect silence that spoke louder than any vow. Their bodies, entwined against the rising sun, were a simple and powerful testament to the storm they had weathered. A quiet promise of unwavering love.