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

The city

Their final television appearance was one Kate had looked forward to. They sat together in the middle of a panel with four hosts and talked about the engagement, their work, and only briefly touched on the hearing. One of the female hosts turned to Kate. "You're the envy of millions of women, all over the world. Especially with that ring on your finger, do you pinch yourself and wonder how you got so lucky?" Kate cringed inwardly, Tom hated it when she was asked that.
"I really do, not just to be with Tom but the opportunities I've had and the ones coming up."
Tom interjected. "It's not just luck though, she's worked incredibly hard and sacrificed so much to get here. It bothers me a bit that people think she's the lucky one. I was so fortunate to be introduced to this amazing, beautiful strong woman who not only loves me but loves everything in my life that's so important to me as though they were her own. She's brilliant with fans, they love her, and my family and friends love her. And all the not so fun things about living with me, she just takes them in her stride like nothing is a problem. If she's lucky, I'm luckier."
Kate smiled. "To answer your question though, I do feel completely blessed to be where I am."
"I can see why, he really is prince charming isn't he?"

After a hectic few days, Tom and Kate spent their last night together with Kate's family. It was an emotional evening for Kate, knowing that her next visit home she would almost certainly be without Tom, and she was no longer sure if she would be home when Lizzie's baby was born. After many hugs and tears, they walked back to their house in silence for the last time.
"We'll come back as soon as we can, darling." Tom said pulling her close. Kate sniffled a little but stayed silent. "Where do you want to get married? Here? Or somewhere neutral?"
"I don't know. I don't think it's fair for all of your family and friends to come here. What's half way between here and London?"
"Um, I don't know. But Sarah and Emma are the gurus for this kind of thing. We can ask them when we get home. Which reminds me I need to organise some time with them."
Back at home Kate finished packing and Tom loaded as much as he could in to the car. They took the last beers from the fridge and sat on the deck, watching the waves. It was a clear cool night and Kate snuggled in to Tom on the couch. "Well we didn't come here in very happy circumstances, but I have had a really fantastic time. I love seeing all the places you grew up, meeting your family, your friends. Imagining you here as a teenager, boys chasing you at the beach."
Kate almost snorted her drink. "That was definitely not me. I was pale and awkward and a total nerd." She laughed. "It was Lizzie they were chasing."
"Their loss," he kissed her forehead and pulled her close. "I'm really glad you sorted things out with Naomi. You're going to stay in touch?"
"Yes, she actually has a trip booked to Europe in a few months so she's hoping to visit me. Well, us."
"Excellent. So when we get back I have to get busy preparing for thus role. It's going to be a huge challenge, and it's going to be long. But I'll come home whenever I can. Whatever it takes, whatever you need, we will make this work, ok? You know I hate having to be away from you."
"I know you do. This is how our life is going to be, it's what we do. I'm ready for it. I'm even excited about it."
Tom kissed her lips suddenly. "Have I told you you're amazing?" He turned serious. "Luke wanted me to warn you, there's going to be people everywhere wanting photos and wanting get to talk to us. I trust him to choose who which interviews we do, but you need to be prepared, they're going to be everywhere."
"I guess we'll have to stay indoors a lot then," she moved over on to his lap. "Good thing we're so good at that, huh?"
He stroked her cheek gently and pulled her face to his, kissing her deeply until she moaned softly. Scooping her in to his arms, he carried her to the bedroom.

As they boarded the plane the following day, Kate felt like a different woman to the one who flew in just a few weeks ago. "You are," Tom said. "Dean was convicted, you don't need to worry about the hearing, we are stronger than ever. You even look different."
"I'm calling it the Hiddleston effect," she laughed. "When we're together everything seems to happen in fast forward!"
"Better start planning that wedding then."
"Mmm. Right now I'm going to enjoy my last flight in first class. At least for a while."
A couple of hours later Kate turned to Tom. "Tell me about this film, you haven't really had a chance."
"It's a biopic. I have to get this one right. There's no creative license like I had with Loki or Adam. This is a real character and I have to get it right. I absolutely have to respect him. And I have to sing, and perfect a southern accent."
"You sound nervous, that's not like you."
"I am. Pressure is usually what I thrive on but this one, there so much pressure. So many people have said I'm not right for the part. I want to show them they made the right choice. I'm going over for 3 months before we start filming to work with the music director and a dialect coach. I have to lose weight as well."
"Wait, lose weight from where? You're so lean as it is!"
"Yeah but I need to be leaner. Skinnier. I have a dietician doing a plan for me and my trainer as well."
"No more wine when we get home then?" Kate said, holding up her glass.
"Hehehe no baby, not for me. Not until Christmas."
"Cheers then," she smiled.
A little while later Kate was breathing sleepily on Tom's chest while he listened to country music on his ipod, familiarising himself with the style and occasionally humming softly. He closed his eyes and felt Kate's chest move as she inhaled and her soft curly hair between his fingers, smelled her perfume. Christmas would be their next length of time together and it seemed so so far away. How was he lucky enough to have found the beautiful woman in his arms, who just understood. He dreamed about what their wedding day might be like, how it would feel to be married to her, to be her husband. He drifted off with music in his ears, Kate in his arms and a smile on his lips.

Summer was approaching in London and the spring sun had brought beautiful blooming flowers and warmer days. Kate had spent her first week at home without Tom, he was in Nashville preparing for his new film and Kate was rehearsing and writing with Ed Sheeran. They had a few weeks touring, a month off and then another 10 weeks touring. Kate was beyond excited, she felt confident and strong, and had even said yes to being the support act for a couple of smaller shows. As she walked to the studio in the sun, her phone rang. She smiled every time Tom called, he had changed his name in her phone to 'prince charming'. "Good morning prince charming, how are you?"
"Better for hearing your voice," Tom sounded tired. "I was just talking to Sarah. What do you think of Seychelles?"
"I need more information."
"Haha. As a wedding destination. Next April perhaps?"
"Ooooh. Perfect. I'll meet you there shall I? I'll be the one in the pretty dress."
"I love you so much. I have to go, I just thought I'd give you something to daydream about today."
"I love you too baby. You sound tired Tom, get some rest ok?"
"I'll rest on our honeymoon."