From Different Walks of Life

Christmas Chimis

November had slowly creeped into December, and the daily grind of work and life had continued on as normal.  My daily ritual of calls with Tom was now a constant in my life I looked forward to each day.  We were even able to speak twice daily, if his schedule allowed for it.  Generally this was a FaceTime video in the evenings, and a phone call in the morning, before I went to work.  Still, I was counting down the days on my calendar until I would be flying over to England to spend New Year's with him – and to meet his family.  As I crossed off  yet another day during the week before Christmas, I sighed. 

"Kat, it's barely been a month since we've been apart!" I heard Tom say, and I looked up at the video of his handsome face on my iPad screen.  "And it's not even a week until Christmas.  Time will pass before you know it."

"I know," I pouted, putting my chin into my fists and facing the screen.  "I'm just . . . Impatient." Tom smiled, and leaned over to rest his head in his own hand. "You just need kissed, and often.  And by someone who knows how." He teased, and I couldn't help but smile at the reference to one of my favorite books.

"Yes.  Yes I do." I told him boldly, leaning closer to the camera.  "I miss you so much, it kind of hurts." I admitted.  "I can't wait until I'm with you again, Tom."

"I love you, darling." He said into the screen, his eyes searching mine through the connection.  Suddenly he turned away from me, and answered someone off screen before turning back to me.  "I'm afraid I have to sign off.  I have a previous engagement I need to get to." Tom looked disappointed, and I frowned. 

"You okay?" I asked, and he nodded quickly.

"Yes." He forced a smile.  "I just would much rather talk to you." He pressed his fingers to his lips, then blew me kiss. 

"I love you." I said, catching it, and pressing my fingers to my own lips.  He nodded and was gone, the black screen facing me.  I stared at it for a moment before moving, thinking.  I was honestly dreading spending Christmas with my family – ever since Tom had come into my life, I wanted to spend every moment I could with him.  He made me so happy . . . Shaking my head, I tried to think straight.  This relationship was still new, and I didn't want to read too much into it quite yet. 
I tried to clear my mind as I padded around my house, doing laundry and washing dishes, attempting to get things in order before making my trip to Sheridan for Christmas.  I had just settled down in bed a couple of hours later when  I was jolted from my thoughts by the buzzing of my phone next to my hand.  I picked it up, reading Ashley's number on the screen, indicating a text message.

A: You should get on Fallon's website.

Me: Why?  It's late.

A: That is why it would be called the Late Show.  Your man is on.

My stomach jumped to my throat.  Tom was on the Late Show?  Was that the 'engagement' he had to get off our call for?  I quickly jumped out of bed, opened my iPad, and pulled up an internet window to watch.  Sure enough, there Tom sat on Jimmy's couch, his long legs crossed, his focus on the host.   I turned up the volume to listen. 

"It seems you have been keeping yourself busy, Tom," Fallon was saying, and Tom was nodding, smiling.

"Yes, yes.  I have been working on a little pet project with my mate Chris Hemsworth.  We've been co-producing a film, and we're hoping to get filming wrapped up here in the near future."

"Exciting!  Is this a continuation of something with your Marvel ventures?"

"Yes, it's a more in-depth look of the childhood and history between Loki and Thor."