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

Finale

Tom was preparing for his final show that night at the Donmar while Kate was in rehearsals with Ed. They were having a belated birthday celebration tonight as well. His birthday had been quiet because he was working, but Kate had surprised him with an early candlelit dinner in his dressing room before the show. Back at the apartment their bags were packed for a week of isolation before Tom went to Canada. They had an early morning flight to Tuscany and Kate couldn't wait, she had never been to Italy. At 3:30 Kate left Ed, Adam and Craig and went home to change before joining Tom at the Donmar for the final show.
It was so cold in London she opted for the blue ruffled blouse and jeans again, with a grey coat. Arriving in the cab she realised an important detail had completely slipped her mind. The crowd. Wondering for a moment how she would get past, she spotted Tom talking to a group of fans. She still didn't know how she'd get through but at least they were all distracted, and as she got closer she noticed Mark and Hadley were there as well. The cab pulled up a little way down the side street and Kate slid out, keeping her eyes on Tom. She could sneak in the stage door now, without being noticed, or she could go and be with him for a few minutes. As she passed one of the girls stopped her and smile. "Kate? Could I have a photo?"
"With Tom? Of course, you might just have to wait-"
"No I already have one with Tom, I meant with you."
"Oh! Why- yeah OK!"
A few more photos later she finally got to Tom and he squeezed her hand. "I saw you," he said quietly in her ear. "6 months I tell you." Kate laughed.
While he signed pictures, dvds, books, magazines, and even some skin, Kate took cameras and phones and took pictures for his fans for a few more minutes before heading inside and waiting in his dressing room.
Tom came in the door a while later, a huge smile lighting up his face. "God I love you."
"I love you too," she said from the couch.
"I never imagined they would all love you so much. One of the first questions was about you and whether you would sign something. They really do love you. Almost as much as I do." He sat down next to her on the couch and looked around. "I can't believe this is the last show," he said sadly. Kate could see he had started to pack up his things but hadn't got very far.
"Would you like me to finish this for you? I understand if you'd rather do it yourself."
"Aren't you going to be in the audience?"
"No, um I was talking to Hadley and he had an extra person surprise him and he didn't have enough seats so I gave him mine. I can watch from the wings."
"Words can not describe how amazing you are. That would be lovely if you have time but I can do it if you don't. Most of it stays here anyway, it's just my things that need to be packed. I trust you. I have to go, I'll be back in a little while to get dressed." He kissed her softly before walking out and closing the door. Kate took a half full box and started carefully packing Tom's things in to it. She packed his spare clothes from the drawers, his books, ipod and speakers, magazines. Carefully she removed the pictures and clippings from the mirror - reviews of the play, drawings from children, a few special letters and a couple of photos of Kate. The last thing to go on top was the framed photograph of them together from opening night. Seeing his car keys on the table Kate decided to take the box and put it in the back of the car, and went to the Jag in the garage.
When Tom returned Kate and all of his belongings were gone from the dressing room, along with his car keys. He chuckled at how comfortable he was with that scenario while he took of his shirt and pants to get in to costume. Kate knocked on the door before opening it. "No doubt about my timing," she said, eyeing him slowly up and down. "I'm going to head up and I'll see you shortly," she kissed him quickly.
Kate watched most of the show from backstage. She could have watched every night, they all put in magnificent performances as always. Tom was mesmerising. The final applause sounded as though it might never stop, and everyone was on a high as they showered and dressed for the last time. They celebrated for a couple of hours before leaving for home, and Kate was grateful their bags were already packed for tomorrow when they arrived home just after 1am. She set an alarm while Tom turned off the lights and made sure everything was ready. When he lay next to her in bed she was almost asleep, and he pulled her in to his arms, listening to her breathe slowly as he stroked her hair.

When Kate's alarm went off it was just before dawn and she felt as though she had just closed her eyes a few minutes earlier. Tom was still breathing softly next to her and she slipped out to shower before waking him. When she returned he was still asleep, he had rolled on to his stomach and she could see his smooth back and shoulders, the rest of his body covered with the blue-grey doona. Kate went quietly to the living room where she had stowed his valentine's gift under the lounge. It was wrapped in brown paper with a big red satin bow. Taking it back to the bedroom she found Tom awake and about to stand up. "Wait, before you get up. Happy valentines day baby."
"Kate you didn't have to-" he cut off when he saw the frown on her face and ripped off the paper. "Oh gosh this is brilliant. I love it. Thank you!" He stood and hugged her and then took another look. She had had one of the Disney artists make a copy of the Pirate Fairy release posters with Kate and Tom's names at the bottom and 'where it all began' across the top above the movie title. Tom reached under the bed and pulled out a large gift box with white ribbon tied around it. The card on top said "For my beautiful Kate, happy valentine's day xx" and inside was a blue soft leather Louis Vuitton handbag and matching wallet. Kate leaned over and kissed his lips. "I love it, thank you." She immediately packed her phone and passport and other essentials in so she could take it to Italy, while Tom showered and got dressed.
Not long after they were at Heathrow waiting for their flight to Florence. "I can not wait for you to see Italy, it's one of my favourite places in the world. I've never been as far south as Florence though." Kate snuggled in to him and held both hands around her coffee cup to keep warm. She wanted this week to be amazing, it would be a while before they could do it again.