A/N: Hope you all had a great holiday weekend! I sure did. Here's an extra-long chapter for you to enjoy :)
Jade's POV
"Baby, can you help me zip up my dress?" Scarlett asks with a pleading look. I chuckle and walk over to her. I give her a kiss on the back of her neck before pulling up the zipper.
We were both getting ready for our interview with Jimmy Fallon. We were finally public as a couple and today we were going to do our first interview together. Ever since it became known that we were together everyone has been surprisingly supportive, aside from the homophobic assholes here and there.
"Are you nervous about our first interview together?" I ask Scarlett as I put on my suit jacket. "Not at all, to be honest. Normally I get at least a little nervous, but now I have you by my side to calm me down." She says as she walks over. I put my hands on her waist and peck her lips.
We walk over to the car and I help her get in. After our thirty minute drive, we arrive at the studio. There is already a crowd of people and paparazzi outside waiting for us. I squeeze Scarlett's hand for a second, causing her to look at me. "You ready for this roller coaster?" I ask. She nods and I get out of the car first.
Everyone there immediately starts yelling my name as I make my way over to the passenger side. I open the door, ignoring all the yelling, and hold my hand out to Scarlett. She takes it and I help her out of the car. We hold hands as we make our way past the crowd and into the studio.
An assistant helps us towards the green room, where two other guests are also waiting. I personally didn't recognise them, but I blame that on the limited time I spend watching TV shows and movies. The man introduces himself as Gary Oldman and the woman introduces herself as Alycia Debnam-Carey. They seem like kind people.
Soon after our introductions, Jimmy comes in to greet us. "Jade and Scarlett!" He says in his usual enthusiastic voice. "Hi, Jimmy" we both greet at the same time as we each give him a hug. "Are you two excited for the interview? I can't wait to learn how this happened" he says as he points between us. We both laugh and he moves to the other guests to make small-talk before having to go back and start the show.
After a while, me and Scarlett were being told to get ready. They gave us touch-ups on our makeup as we moved behind the curtain. Scarlett grabbed my hand once more and smiled up at me. I gave it a light squeeze as our names were being called. "Please welcome, Scarlett Johansson and Jade Cosmer!"
Loud applause erupted as the curtains opened and me and Scarlett walked out. We gave a quick wave to the audience and gave Jimmy a quick hug. We sat down on the couch and discreetly grabbed each other's hands again. Jimmy sat down as well and gave us a big smile before starting the interview.
"How are you two doing?"
"We're going great, thanks for asking." Scarlett answered as she quickly glanced my way. I smiled at her and then at Jimmy.
"I can certainly see that. Now, we have all seen the articles and the pictures of you two together. Tell me everything." He said, hungry for the gossip like some teenage girl. We both laughed.
"Well, where do we even begin" I started with a chuckle."We met on your show actually. That's when Scarlett approached me and asked if I wanted to collaborate sometime. Not long after I reached out and asked if she wanted to grab some coffee to discuss the options. Now mind you, we were not even focused on dating at this point." I explained. Jimmy looked so invested that I almost had to laugh.
"After a while, we started filming the documentary that we did together. During that time, you could say feelings started to develop without either of us even realising it." I continued. Scarlett decided to jump in.
"I was so focused on filming and I was still in a relationship at the time. I just thought we were good friends." She joked, laughing at her own ignorance at the time. I picked the story back up. "Then after Scarlett broke up with her partner at the time, we started to realise there were feelings that went deeper than friendship. When we came to that realisation, we decided to try it out. It's been going pretty great so far." I say as I smile at Scarlett.
She gave me a loving look and squeezed my hand before we looked back at Jimmy, who had a giant grin on his face. "So you could say I played a big part in getting youth together." This man really wants credit.
"Yes, Jimmy. If we weren't invited on your show we probably would have never met." I said to him with a wink. It was true and I'll be forever thankful for his show, because it landed me an incredible girlfriend.
"Now, Jade, I want to discuss something a bit more serious." He said. Oh oh, I know what's coming. I gave him a nod, assuring him that I'd be fine. Scarlett lightly brushed my hand with her thumb as a way to comfort me.
"A few weeks ago, we all saw the news that you were attacked by a group of men while filming a documentary. Could you share what happened?" I took a breath and thought about what to say for a second.
"Of course. I was working on a documentary about the refugee crisis on the Greek island Lesbos. This has been a humanitarian crisis for many years and I wanted to share that story. That morning, I had just finished filming at a refugee camp and made my way back to my hotel. On my way, I heard a bunch of commotion at the shore, so I decided to see what was happening. Saw that a boat was about to arrive at the shore, but that a group of men was trying to stop it. I quickly pulled out my camera and filmed the whole interaction." I took another breath before continuing.
"Sadly, one of the men saw that I was filming and signalled the others. They made their way over to me and... you can see the rest in the video." I explained. Jimmy gave me a sad look. "What was the aftermath of this incident?"
"I was unconscious for a while. I woke up in the local hospital with a concussion, broken ribs, a broken jaw and a perforated lung." The audience reacted in shock at what I just said. "Luckily, I was able to make a full recovery after a few weeks. Also thanks to Scarlett. She hasn't left my side the second I arrived back in L.A." I said as I looked at her. She gave me a kind smile in return.
I had to mention how incredible Scarlett's been. I don't think enough people realise just how kind and compassionate she truly is. I cannot wait to marry her one day.
"That's incredible. How was this for you, Scarlett? I can imagine you must have been terrified." Jimmy asks her. I can feel her tense up slightly at the memory. I return the gesture of brushing her hand with my thumb to calm her down.
"It was the most terrifying moment of my life when I saw the video on the news. My gut feeling was telling me it was her. I tried calling and texting her, but I got no response. When I finally got a phone call from the hospital I completely broke down. The worst thing was that I couldn't see her until she was brought back to L.A. I kept worrying and crying because she couldn't talk to me and reassure me she'd be alright. When I finally saw her she looked so broken."
Tears started to roll down her cheeks. I reached over for the tissue box and gave her one before giving her a kiss on the side of her head.
"Sorry. It's just hard to see the person you love in such a vulnerable state. Luckily, she was doing very well in recovery and doesn't have any lasting effects from her injuries." She finished. Jimmy was also having a hard time trying not to cry.
"Wow. I'm so glad you're alright Jade. I can't imagine what both of you must have been through these past weeks." We both gave him a bit of a sad smile.
"I got lucky, but many journalists around the world don't get that same luck. A lot of journalists are being threatened, attacked or even worse, killed. I hope my story can be used as an example and wake-up call to many that journalists need to be protected." I tell him.
"I completely agree. Are you still going to release your footage?" He asks, referring to the things I shot on Lesbos. I nod. "I'm going to see what I can make of the footage I currently have. I was almost done filming and managed to recover my memory card. So we'll see what comes out of it." I chuckle.
"We are looking forward to seeing it. Scarlett Johansson and Jade Cosmer everybody!" Jimmy says, closing the interview. Scarlett and I say our goodbyes and made our way back towards the exit. As soon as we open the door, the paparazzi and fans are back to their screaming. We quickly move towards the car, waving to the fans with smiles as I open the door for Scarlett. I soon get to the driver's side and sit down.
We both just sit there for a second and just sigh. "How are you feeling after that?" She asks me as I start the car and begin our journey back. "I knew it was coming, so I kind of prepared for it. But it's still not fun to talk about." I let her know. I give her a quick glance "I'm glad I had you next to me though, it really made it easier" I say before returning my gaze to the road.
"You're such a sap." Scarlett jokes as she lightly slaps my arm at how cheesy I sounded. I just chuckle in response.
I lightly clear my throat before becoming a bit more serious. "I never fully realised how much all of this hurt you too. I was so wrapped up in my recovery the-" She was quick to interrupt me. "Don't even worry about it, babe. I completely understand how you did not think about that. Do not feel guilty about it. As I said, I'm just glad you're okay." She says as she puts her hand on my arm.
I smile at her. "Still. I wish I knew how much this truly affected you. Did you have anyone to talk to about it?" I ask. "I got to talk to Lizzie about it as I was with her when I found out what happened. She really helped me a lot."
"I'm glad. From now on, I'll make sure to always ask, no matter what situation I'm in." I let her know. She chuckled "Don't worry about it. I completely understand, but if you wish, then feel free to do so."
We made our way back home and got out of the car. The rest of the night we spent cooking dinner with Rose and watching movies before going to bed. We both climbed in and Scarlett instantly grasped onto me like a koala. I smile at the neediness for comfort and tighten my hold on her. Soon after we both fall into a deep sleep.