Backup Girl [Tom Hiddleston] {EBT book 2/4}

Jingle Bells

Kate loved Christmas. Even though the jetlag got her every year because it was such a short trip, she loved every second of it.
As soon as she was off the plane, the hot Australian humidity was like a warm wet slap in the face. She was glad she had changed in to a maxi dress on the plane and put away her jeans and coat. Everywhere she looked was green and red, silver and gold and sparkling with glitter. She collected her suitcase and went to look for Lizzie, and stopped dead when she saw the crowd gathered outside. Surely they're not waiting for me. Must be someone else. Kate immediately regretted the decision to have her new cast done in red and green. It made her stand out like, well, a christmas tree. She quickly threw her coat over her arm in the hope that would stop anyone recognising her. She was convinced they weren't looking for her but she would probably be recognised with it showing nonetheless.
Seeing Lizzie's car, she walked quickly out the doors and straight to it, putting her bags and coat in the back. No yelling, no flashes. Phew. She turned as she closed the door and realised her mistake - the coat was on the back seat. "Kate!" Someone shouted behind her. She turned around, remembering what Tom had taught her, and smiled while they took a few photos.
"Back home for Christmas?"
"Is Tom joining you?"
"When are you going back?"
"How's the wrist?"
"Is it true you're relocating to London for Tom?"
Exactly as Luke had trained her, she said nothing, just smiled for a few moments before getting in the car, shielding Liz as best she could.
"Wow."
"Yeah, just drive would you please?"
Once they were away from the airport, she relaxed back in the her seat. "So you're famous now? Imagine that, my big sister being chased by paparazzi."
They both laughed. "I don't know about chased, Liz. What they really want to know is what Tom is up to." Kate looked over at Lizzie, her stunning baby sister. They didn't share a lot of resemblance, and Lizzie was taller, but had always been close.
"How's Jake?"
"Yeah he's good."
Kate frowned. Something was different. And then she saw the sparkling ring on Lizzie's left hand. "What is that on your finger?"
"What? Ohhhh, this?" She wiggled her fingers. "Well I got it a couple of days ago but wanted you to know first so I had to wait until today to wear it."
"Congratulations honey I'm so happy for you," Kate took Lizzie's hand in hers to have a closer look. "The man has taste, it's beautiful."
"I know right. Luckiest girl in the world."
"Being en fianced must agree with you, I do believe you are glowing Elizabeth!"
"Yes I am, but that's not just about the ring..."
"Really?"
"Yes, 12 weeks tomorrow and so far everything is perfect. Oh god it feels good to tell someone!"
Kate's eyes filled with tears. A few months earlier Lizzie had had a miscarriage in her first trimester and she had been really unwell for a while. Patting her hand gently she said "Liz I could not be happier for you. That is the most fantastic news. Do mum and dad know?"
"Nope, we're going there now to tell them!" She squeaked.

Within the day Kate felt at home again. Summer in Australia was unnaturally hot to her and she had never loved it like most Aussies, but she couldn't deny sitting on her parents deck with the sea breeze blowing through her hair, the salty taste and the sound of the waves crashing was pretty amazing. Sleep deprivation and jetlag were making her a bit loopy, but the upside was she could talk to Tom at a reasonable hour, for him at least. He would call her when he woke up and tell her all about the show the night before. Kate had loved seeing Tom on stage performing Coriolanus, he was brilliant and she had felt so proud to be on his arm on opening night.

For the first couple of days the only thing anyone wanted to hear about was Tom. And then Ed Sheeran. And London. By the end, Christmas eve, Kate's voice was croaky from talking and she needed some time alone. Just after midnight she crept down to the kitchen, got a beer from the fridge and sat on the deck, relishing the quiet and the constant sound of the waves. There was faint lightning in the distance, far out off the coast, and it was still balmy outside. She sent a few messages back and forth to Tom before he had to leave for his parents' house. Afterward Kate sat quietly and thought about how things had changed since last Christmas. Kate hadn't wanted to come home this time last year, and although she hid it pretty well she was miserable inside, still healing physically and emotionally after finally leaving Dean, her former boyfriend, and moving to LA permanently.
She shook the feeling off. That was far behind her now, she had opened up and told Tom and it had allowed her to really heal. He had been incredibly patient with her, letting her work through it in her own time and letting her come to him when she was ready. And she was, now. Ready to really start her life with him. Come home to him. Excited butterflies swarmed in her stomach at the thought.
Finishing her drink Kate headed inside, finally feeling like she could sleep. She lay in bed, wearing only panties and one of Tom's tshirts, spread out under the fan and closed her eyes.

"Merry Christmas!" a voice said beside her. Kate almost fell out of bed. "You always were the sleepyhead on Christmas morning. Get up Kate!"
Kate groaned and rolled over, looking at her watch. "Seriously, Lizzie? It's only 6 am!" She out her head down with the pillow over it.
Lizzie bounced out of the room, leaving Kate to wake up. This had always been their Christmas morning tradition, Liz was the early riser while Kate would rather sleep in. In their teens Liz had taken to putting ice cubes in Kate's bed, knowing they couldn't open any presents until everyone was awake.
Dragging herself to the bathroom Kate showered and dressed in a knee length red dress, putting her hair in a braid. It was already so humid she needed another shower. Putting on her bracelet and necklace from Tom, she wandered down to the kitchen, finding everyone else already there.
"Always lucky last," Jeremy Allen greeted her. He was still a handsome man even in his 50s, Kate had inherited his blue eyes and Liz his blond hair, although it was more grey now. "Merry Christmas Katherine."
"Merry Christmas dad," Kate went in to the kitchen and looked around.
"What can I do mum?" Nerida turned away from where she was putting smoked salmon and trout on to a platter with croissants, ham, and fresh fruit. "Nothing darling," she paused. "Actually, could you get the drinks?"
Kate went to the fridge and got juice and champagne, setting glasses on the table. The Christmas tree lights were on and soft piano music was playing.

"I think I've eaten myself into some sort of coma," Kate groaned a few hours later. All the present had been opened and way too much food and drink consumed, as they did every year. "It's so good to be home."
"Ugh me too," Lizzie rubbed her belly.
"At least you have an excuse!" Nerida said from her deck chair.
Jake and Jeremy had gone for a late surf, leaving the girls to watch from the deck. Kate's phone rang and she saw Tom's picture appear on the screen. She started to get up but thought better of it, she'd eaten so much her ribs hurt. "Merry Christmas beautiful," he said when she answered. "Had a good day?"
"The best. Merry Christmas Tom. How's the family?"
"Brilliant. Raving about you and hassling me about seeing you again. Nice and warm there?"
"We're on the deck watching the boys surf, and," she looked at the thermometer near the door, "It's a lovely 34 degrees."
"Feels like 34 below here!" Tom joked. "There's nothing like a white Christmas though, it's magical. One day we'll have one together."
"I can't wait."
She shot a glare at Nerida and Liz who had started making smooching sounds at her. "Darling I can't talk too long, we're about to have breakfast, I just wanted to call you before I did anything else. The best present I could have hoped for is waking up with you on my mind, and knowing you're mine."
"You're the best thing ever to happen to me, Tom. I love you."
"I love you too Katherine. Did you sleep any better last night?"
"Ah no. I went to bed close to 2am and Lizzie woke me at 6! But I haven't had a nap today so I'll probably sleep better tonight."
"Hehehe probably. Just in time to come back and have to readjust. Only 2 more days baby."
"I thought you'd be counting in hours by now," she giggled. Tom tried to calculate the hours in his head, but he couldn't, and she knew it. Kate giggled softly again.
"Ooh breakfast is ready," Tom said, and she could hear voices talking loudly in the background.
"OK I'll talk to you later."
"You can call me when you wake up if you like, it will be a late one here. I love you."
"Love you too."
She out down the phone and picked up her glass, suddenly feeling eyes on her. "What?"
"You think I'm glowing, you should see yourself practically floating around over there. It's almost nauseating."
"Jealousy is a curse Elizabeth," Kate laughed.