As long as we both shall live [Tom Hiddleston]{EBT book 3 of 4}

Decisions

Kate was dreaming, not quite awake but not quite asleep either. They were in Seychelles, warm morning sun was streaming in through the sliding glass doors and reflecting off the pool, dancing across the ceiling above the bed. She could hear waves crashing below, breaking on to the white sand where they would be married in just a few hours. She could feel Tom's even breath on her neck, his arms tight around her waist, pulling her close to him and pressing her bare skin against his. Rolling over to face him, she woke up with a start, and had to stifle a giggle when she realised the sound of the waves was actually his snoring and his chest rattling softly as he breathed. Kate put a cool hand on his forehead and was relieved to find it felt normal for the first time since she had arrived.

She watched him sleep for a few minutes before getting out of bed and in to the shower. The warm water flowed over her hair and down her body and she stood under it with her eyes closed, tipping her head back to let it wash over her face and neck. Quiet tears began to spill down her cheeks, tears of relief and release of tension she hadn't realised was taking such a toll on her. Washing them away she turned off the water, wrapped herself in a towel and went back to the bedroom. Tom had rolled over to her side of the bed but had gone back to sleep.

Dressed in a tshirt, denim shorts and sandals she went quietly to the kitchen and made herself toast and tea, eating it on the verandah and watching the sun rise higher in to the sky through the trees. Borrowing Tom's guitar from the loungeroom she sat on the back steps. Ed had been teaching her some guitar, it was something she had never been able to master but she knew enough now to be able to enjoy playing it. Music soothed and relaxed her and since Tom didn't have a piano it would have to do. Kate strummed quietly while singing a few of Ed's songs, and tried arranging her own for guitar instead of her usual keyboard or piano. She found it so easy to get lost in it, and was beginning to see how artists like Ed could write more songs than they knew what to do with. When her fingertips went numb and the old injury in her wrist began to ache she put down the guitar and was surprised to find it was just after midday.

Tom felt groggy, like he had been sleeping for a week. He could feel Kate's soft lips on his forehead and her hand stroking the back of his neck, and thought he could smell tea. As he opened his eyes he noticed she was sitting cross-legged on the bed in front of him, dressed in a Nerd Machine shirt and denim shorts. "Hi sleepy head," she ran her fingers gently through his hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Sleepy. But better, I think. What time is it?"

"Just after 12. I made you some tea and I'll get you some lunch if you're hungry."

"12? How long have I been asleep?" He rubbed his eyes and tried to sit up. Everything started to swim around him and Kate grabbed his arm to steady him.

"Take it easy, you need to sit up slowly. You've been asleep almost 24 hours."

"WHAT? Why didn't you wake me?"

Kate was about to say 'I told you so' but thought better of it. "You needed to rest, Tom." He sat gingerly on the edge of the bed and reached for his tea.

"I do feel a bit better. My head doesn't feel so heavy and my throat doesn't hurt." he coughed and wheezed a few times, holding his ribs. "Well not as much."

"That's so good to hear. You had me worried. And Luke, and your mum." he eyed her warily. "She called me, Tom. Anyway, I looked at some wedding venues while you were sleeping," Kate opened her laptop and showed him the pictures. It was a beautiful secluded Island in the Seychelles with only a few villas. Perfect for a small wedding.

"It's perfect. Book it."

"Well that was easy," Kate smiled. "We have a dress and a venue, all we need is a cake and some flowers and we're good!"

"Wait, you have a dress?"

"I've chosen one. I'm meeting with the designer while we're in New York. I was thinking maybe we should hire a wedding planner, Diana sent me some names and I think I've chosen one, she's done a few weddings in Seychelles. What?" Tom was grinning at her.

"You're planning our wedding."

"Yes..."

"It's exciting. I like it. I'm happy to talk about everything but I trust you to make the decisions as well. As long as you're there that's all that matters to me." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "I'm going to have a shower."

"Make it nice and steamy," Kate said absently over her shoulder.

"Huh?"

"It's good for your cough, Tom."

"Oh, right. I thought you were having other ideas."

A message popped up on the laptop screen from Ed:

How's Louisiana?

Humid as hell. How's London?

Bloody cold compared to Brazil! Tom OK?

Yes, I think so. I think I've caught the songwriting bug.

I told you it's addictive. Send it to me.

OK hold on.

Kate went back to the verandah with the guitar and recorded herself with her phone, sending the video to Ed. She kept playing, enjoying the soft breeze rustling the trees and gently blowing hair in to her face. She didn't hear Tom until she stopped and he cleared his throat.

"Um, I borrowed your guitar. I was going a bit mental without a piano, is that OK?"

"Of course it is. What was that, I haven't heard it before?"

"It doesn't have a name yet, I sort of wrote it this morning."

"On a guitar, which you couldn't play last time I saw you."

"Yes... Ed gave me a few lessons and I've had a lot of time on my hands," She smiled.

"Bloody hell woman. Is there anything you can't play?"

"Let me get back to you. There's lots I haven't tried yet!"

"I'm so jealous that it comes so naturally to you."

"Tom, I couldn't act to save my life. And I bet you could teach me a thing or two on the guitar. Actually if you're up to it this afternoon I would love for you to play for me." she handed him the guitar. "Hungry?"

"Yes, my stomach is yelling at me. Uh, can I have a jam sandwich?"

Kate giggled. "You can have whatever you like. Jam sandwich coming up."

In the kitchen she saw another message on the laptop from Ed. Nailed it. My work here is done, I can not teach you any more. Kate laughed aloud.