Cage was ready for the awards... the Golden Globes. Katherine was thrilled at the news and a tad bit scared because of the increase in the number of eyes on them. He wasn't worried about that in the slightest though.
Katherine had won over hearts through her videos and the interviews they had done post the incident. Cage's claim that interest in them would diminish hadn't been correct. While they didn't face huge crowds of reporters everywhere they went, there were still people posting pictures of them all the time. Sometimes it was of them holding hands in the grocery store, or him at the gym.
Every aspect of their life was well doc.u.mented. They were slowly getting used to it.
Cage studied himself in the mirror and chuckled. They now lived in his house in City H. Together. No one could tell them that it was immoral because he had legal papers to show that she was his lawfully wedded wife. There would be no speculation about her identity. Cage had given her space to change everything and go crazy with the decorations.
So far, he really loved what Katherine had done with the whole place. It had life and warmth. It felt like a home that was theirs.
Living with Katherine was easy, too.
Stephen had finally asked Angelina to move in with him and they were living in his apartment, fifteen minutes from Cage's house. He had yet to pop the question, but he was contemplating skydiving or plastering banners all over the city for her to see. Cage had tried to dissuade him from those ideas to no avail.
Somehow, Katherine had struck a friendship with Giselle. And the most surprising part? Giselle had met Barry and fallen in love with him at first sight. It was all surreal. Cage kept thinking about how it was possible. In the end, he shrugged and resigned to the plans of the universe.
Cage hadn't come to terms with the whole situation and Giselle's negligence, though. They weren't on the greatest terms, but Cage respected her when she came around to drag Katherine out and go shopping.
Katherine had booked tickets for Cage and his parents and taken them to her hometown for Christmas. Their first Christmas together was spent amongst family. They'd known each other for a year and a couple of months, but sometimes, Cage felt like he knew her forever. Other times, he couldn't believe how little of his life he had spent with Katherine so far.
It was in those moments he promised to spend every moment with her.
Their love for one another seemed to grow every day and they couldn't remember a life before they knew each other. Thank god, they didn't have to.
While these thoughts passed his mind, Katherine walked out. Beautiful as always. She had perfected her makeup and dresses over the premiers she visited.
"You like?" she asked, smiling at his reaction. Cage was pretty sure he was drooling.
"You look ravishing. I'm not sure you should go out like this." He finally found the words.
She laughed, tossing her head back. Dangerous woman.
His heart was pounding just looking at her. For the first time, he wondered if he had to beat down people on the red carpet.
"I spent hours getting ready. If I don't go out, I will take it up with you."
He walked over to her and took her hand in his. "I was thinking of slumming it at home. Call for some pizza and sit in our formal wear."
"You were complaining about gaining weight, but the suit fits you so well!" she said.
"I gained three pounds," he informed her.
"Not enough. You need enough calories to keep your muscles in place. I'll make more food tomorrow." The best thing about gaining food was that Katherine was making food. A lot of delicious food. His trainer kept asking Katherine to do this and that, give him protein and whatnot. They were all ganging up on him.
He conceded.
Once in the limo, Cage didn't pretend he was decent. He couldn't keep his hands off her. And she knew it.
"I know what you are doing." He pulled her close to him and nibbled on her ear. She giggled and put space between them.
Cage gave her an innocent look. "What? I am lawfully allowed to kill you in the back of the fancy limo."
Katherine rolled her eyes. "Kissing me... even legally will lead to limo s.e.x. I don't mind, I've always wondered how it would feel."
Cage squinted. Evil woman. "You can't say things like that. I may attack you."
She shook her head, smiling brightly. "After the ceremony. I am not emerging out of this limo rumpled."
He imagined the situation.
"But, if you win the award, I'll ensure the limo ride back is the best you've ever had."
He palmed his face and groaned.
- - -
Katherine threw her arms around his neck when they announced his name. He ended up winning the award for Best Actor. He clutched at her, praising the heavens that his first award with her in attendance ended in him winning an award.
The speech was eloquent. He spoke about the story and the hard work everyone had put in. The number of sacrifices everyone had to put in. He ended up choking when he spoke about his family and Katherine.
"I'm so grateful they are behind me," he claimed.
Katherine didn't know why he was tearing up. When he returned to his seat, she leaned in and asked him exactly that.
"At first, I cried because I was happy I got an award. Then I was ecstatic that I would get some action in the limo. But... I remembered that we'll have to delay going home. Now I need to attend the afterparty."
Katherine pressed her palm to her lips to stop the burst of laughter that was about to escape.
"I'll make it up to you," she said finally. Under the table, she entwined her fingers with his. Under the darkness, they sat in their own little bubble, watching the world go by.