Oscar (Finale)

(unedited)

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***

"And the Oscar goes to..." Robert began with a nervous breath unlike his usual confident, charismatic demeanor, something that the people of Twitter noticed but didn't pay much attention to as they too waited in anticipation.

"Eden-Rose" Robert cheered in triumph earning a loud roar from the crowd as people stood to their feet in applause.

"Oh, my darling!!" Angelina cried pulling her daughter into a warm embrace as Eden finally overcame her shock. She did it, she had won. Oscar was coming home with her!

Jacob, Lucas, Zachary, and even Marshall hollered into the air as she finally stood from her seat welcoming their hugs and kisses of congratulations. There wasn't a space left on her face unkissed as she welcomed everyone's excitement. She was the youngest ever Oscar Nominee turned Winner, it was a historic moment that no one would forget.

Robert bounded down the stairs, reaching his daughter halfway as she navigated her way through the crowd of numerous celebrities. Everyone was delighted for the teary-eyed eleven-year-old, but no one could compare to her joyous father.

His heart swelled with pride as he embraced his daughter tightly, joyous tears filling his eyes. No one paid much heed to his celebration as the entire room remained on their feet. It was a historic victory, destined to flood every corner of the world's social media platforms.

Eden couldn't recall how she reached the stage; all that mattered was her father's presence beside her, and his loving embrace finally allowed her tears to flow freely.

"Let's give a warm round of applause for Ms. Eden Rose!" Robert cheered as he handed the golden figurine to his daughter. With a proud smile, he took a step back, giving her the spotlight she deserved. Unbeknownst to him, in that crucial moment, a man stumbled onto the stage in his blind spot just as Eden prepared to step up to the microphone for her speech, which would ultimately go unheard.

***

Unaware of the change in the crowd's mood, Eden didn't recognize the shift from cheers to concerned shouts. Blinded by the intense stage lights, she instead turned her head to the right to offer another smile to her dad, seeking a final touch of encouragement. This was her moment to express gratitude to everyone who had contributed to her journey. The small statue in her hand represented months of tireless effort, mastering two new languages, visiting historically significant places, and, of course, devouring numerous books of history.

In the few seconds when Eden stood on the grand stage, clutching her well-deserved award, her heart swelled with a profound sense of purpose. She hoped that, through the movie for which she had won the award, she had managed to impart a small shard of awareness about the harrowing experiences endured during one of the most critical chapters in history. She aspired to plant a seed of understanding and empathy so that the grim lessons of the past would never need to be repeated.

The movie, "H-help!" which had brought her this prestigious accolade delved deep into the tumultuous years of World War II, specifically focusing on the life of a young Jewish girl in Germany. It was a powerful portrayal of her difficult journey as she fought tirelessly for her very survival. In the midst of this turmoil, an unexpected twist of fate introduced a young German soldier into her life. A bond began to form, defying the prejudices and hatred that had threatened to consume the world around them. The story depicted a fragile yet profound connection, a glimmer of humanity in the midst of chaos, reminding us that even in the direst circumstances, compassion and understanding can prevail.

As Eden held her award high, she envisioned a world where the lessons of history were etched in the hearts and minds of all, and where the suffering endured by countless individuals during that dark era would never be forgotten. 

But that all came crashing down around her as the microphone was cruelly snatched from her grasp, and she was shoved to the side with an unexpected force. 

"Excuse me," a man slurred, swaying unsteadily as he turned toward the cameras. "I believe there's been a grave mistake. How could this mediocre child win 'Best Actress' over the greatest actress of all time, Meryl Streep? She's an icon, and everyone knows it!" The man's words, muddled and distorted by his intoxication, barely reached the audience before Robert, Eden's father, intervened.

Robert grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck, determined to retrieve the microphone and restore order to the stage. But the intruder, fueled by liquid courage, had other plans. He swung a heavy fist in Robert's direction, a shocking moment that sent a gasp of disbelief through the audience. The unexpected altercation unfolded rapidly, leaving everyone stunned.

The microphone slipped from Robert's grasp and fell with a thud, coming to a stop at Eden's feet. But she, consumed by the drama on stage, remained completely unaware of the microphone's presence.

Her eyes were locked onto the chaotic scene before her, a mixture of surprise, horror, and confusion etched across her face. She watched as her father grappled with the unknown intruder, struggling to contain the unexpected outburst of violence.

Behind her, the audience was in disarray, murmurs of shock and concern spreading like wildfire. People exchanged bewildered glances, not knowing how to react to this sudden upheaval on what should have been a joyous occasion. 

Shane, Eden's loyal bodyguard, and Uncle, had already rushed to the scene, hovering menacingly over the now unconscious intruder. Jacob had his arms securely wrapped around her, having scaled his way onto the stage in a heartbeat. He couldn't understand why it was always Eden subjected to these moments.

In the audience, the swift response of Lucas, Zachary, and Marshall, not far behind Jacob, didn't go unnoticed by the cameras. They had leaped into action, showing incredible teamwork as they approached the stage ready to confront the man and comfort Eden. 

By the time Angelina had reached the stage Eden's face was buried in Jacob's chest, seeking solace and comfort amid the chaos. It was difficult for her to process the whirlwind of emotions that this one man's actions had stirred within her. The situation was so surreal, teetering on the edge of absurdity, and Eden had to fight off a peculiar urge to burst into laughter in the midst of the pandemonium.

"Eden, darling are you okay?" Angelina asked as he gracefully squatted down beside her daughter. Her elegant floor-length dress flowed around her like a protective curtain, hiding her daughter from view. 

With a surprising smile, Eden responded, "I'm okay, Mom."

Robert, hurried over to his daughter's side sweeping her out of Angelina's arms and into his own. She felt safe with him near, he was always going to be her knight and shining armor. 

"I'm okay, Dad"  Eden assured him with her head buried into his side. 

Nodding in response, Robert began guiding Eden toward the side of the stage, away from any further prying eyes. He had had enough drama for one evening, but it seemed that the night had more unexpected twists in store for their family.

Amid the continuing commotion, Ellen DeGeneres made her way over to Eden. With a look of sincere concern, she gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Eden. We never anticipated something like this. You handled it with such grace."

Eden offered Ellen a warm smile, her eyes still reflecting a hint of shock but also a hint of amusement.

"Thank you, Ellen. But it's okay, he just really wanted my Aunt MerMer to win, he must have been a huge fan." Eden said with a casual shrug, showing remarkable composure for her age. Ellen couldn't help but be amazed by the young girl's maturity, especially after such an unexpected and unsettling ordeal. 

"You're handling this incredibly well, Eden," she commended with a teary smile. "And I must say, you have a gracious way of looking at things."

I think we're going t---" Robert began to say but was abruptly interrupted as Angelina's phone buzzed to life once again, its ringtone becoming a persistent annoyance in the midst of the already chaotic scene.

Still standing beside her daughter, Angelina reached for her ringing cell phone. She'd received numerous calls in the past ten minutes, but this one was different. Her face shifted from concern to alarm as she answered the call. It was her sister Sarah, and she was in the hospital, about to give birth, urgently needing them by her side. Angelina's heart raced as she saw the five other missed calls from her sister, finally realizing the urgency of the situation. They couldn't catch a break.

"We have to go. Sarah's in the hospital, she's gone into labor," Angelina gasped, her eyes wide with panic. She turned to look at Shane, who was visibly pale, gripped with fear. His baby was on the way, and he wasn't there to be a part of it.

"I'm getting a baby cousin!!" Eden squealed jumping in a circle with pure joy. She had always dreamed of having a younger sibling to play with, but a cousin would most certainly do. 

"Go, Shane, Angelina, I'll handle things here," Robert assured them, his smile growing as he considered the growing family awaiting them at the hospital. He just hoped they got there on time.

Eden's pleading eyes turned to her father, using her most persuasive puppy dog expression. "Can I go with mom? please Dad!". Robert, who had always found it challenging to resist her charms, was torn.

"Not this time, my princess," he said, crouching down to meet her gaze. "You'll be coming with me. But don't worry; we'll be right behind them."

 "But, Daddy!" Eden pouted, taken aback by her dad's unexpected refusal. He rarely said no to her.

"We'll see you soon, my darling," Angelina cooed, giving Eden a kiss goodbye. She then bid farewell to the boys and Marshall. They had to leave promptly, or she feared Shane might faint. With his sturdy, muscular build, no one could easily carry him if he collapsed.

Eden, a bit bewildered, turned back to her dad. "But you never say no to my puppy dog eyes," she protested with a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Outrageous," Jacob agreed, pivoting to face Robert, who had beads of sweat on his forehead. The unexpected turn of events at the Oscars had placed tremendous pressure on him, and it was showing. The mere fact that Eden had publicly referred to him as "dad" in front of a packed room full of people hadn't quite registered in Robert's rattled mind. 

"I---" Before Robert could continue, a woman suddenly interrupted their ongoing conversation. "Excuse me, Pardon me. I apologise for the interruption but I'm from the Academy board and we wanted to know would Ms.Eden feel comfortable going back on stage to give her speech?" she inquired, her voice a mix of empathy and support. 

All eyes turned to Eden, who couldn't hide her excitement at the opportunity. She exchanged a quick glance with her dad, silently assessing the feasibility, knowing that her aunt was about to give birth. With an ecstatic grin, Eden responded, "Yes, I would."

It was quite clear to the grown ups that the Academy were in desperate need for Eden to redeem the night.

***

"You've got this Barbie" Jacob whispered as Eden clutched his hand in a deadly grip, her body suddenly overcome with nerves. 

"I've got this" she nodding in agreement with a determined nod, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. I mean, I thought what he did was kind of funny."

"He ruined the entire Oscars. People are going to be talking about this for years, but his name should not be mentioned anywhere near yours. So go out there and make people talk only about you." 

Eden smiled, grateful for Jacob's presences. "You always know what to say, don't you?"

"Well, you know, it's kind of my job, isn't it?  I am your future husband and I still have to be on your dad's good side so that we can get married before your thirty." Jacob joked earning a girly giggle from Eden-Rose.

"You wish"

***

As Eden made her way back onto the stage, the audience rose to their feet, greeting her with a standing ovation. She gave a shy wave to her family friends who cheered particularly loud for her return.

Security personnel remained vigilant, forming a protective shield around the stage to ensure her safety. The cameras were focused intently on the youngest-ever Oscar winner as she approached the microphone for her second appearance of the evening.

"Hello" Eden greeted with a bright smile, her charm effortlessly winning over the audience. "Thank you all so much. I can't believe I'm back here," she started, playfully alluding to the earlier interruption, which ignited a round of laughter from the audience.

"Firstly, I'd like to express my gratitude to the Academy for allowing me to come back out here" Eden giggled as more laughter followed. 

"Thank you to the incredible Stephen Spielberg for believing in me and giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. Working with you was an absolute dream come true. I've always wanted to be in one of your movies, so this was a great honor," Eden paused, allowing the audience to applaud one of the greatest producers in the industry as the camera captured his appreciative reaction.

"To the exceptional cast, crew, and everyone involved in the production of 'Help-p!', I want to thank you all for making it one of the most greatest experiences of my life. I can't wait to celebrate with you all!" Eden beamed lifting the trophy up into the air as the audience erupted in cheers and applause.

With tears glistening in her eyes, Eden continued, "I want to thank my Mom and Dad for believing in me, for their unwavering support, for driving or flying me to auditions, and for making my dream of being an actress a reality. I love you both so much".

Eden's smile broadened as she mentioned her Aunt Susan. "I want to thank my Aunt Susan, who's bringing my first-ever cousin into this world. She's not just the best teacher but also someone who has always gone the extra mile to help me learn, whether it's a new language or a historical era."

The audience erupted into applause as Eden concluded, "This is a dream come true. Thank you all for making this possible. I promise I won't let you down. Goodnight!" With another round of applause, Eden waved to the crowd and exited the stage with her head held high, an Oscar winner in the truest sense.

***

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