Merry Christmas Darling

Delays

It was still snowing when they got up the next day. And that, they both realised, meant no flights. They now wouldn't get home in time for Christmas. Jenna had to admit, she didn't actually care.

Tom stood in his room and looked out the window onto Central Park and smiled. He had to admit, it couldn't have worked out better if he'd planned it himself. Last night although it had ended with him taking Jenna back to her room, ordering her a hot toddy and leaving her to have a hot bath and stave off a cold, was the stuff he'd dreamed of doing. A beautiful girl in his arms, telling her, all bar the shouting how much he wanted her and making a snow angel.  Now, to add to it, he'd be stuck in a swanky uptown hotel in New York for a few precious days with his beautiful girl. 

Christmas was a time for family, he knew that, and genuinely he was a little sad to be missing his usual festive get together, but how did the old song go? If you can't be with the ones you love, love the one you're with? Either way, he was a winner.  He knew with growing certainty that he was falling in head over heels in love with Jenna. From what she'd started to say last night, he almost dared to believe she felt the same way. 

Jenna hung up the phone and smiled. Looking out, it hardly seemed possible that this was real. A posh hotel, an enforced stay over Christmas and to top it all off, Tom Hiddleston thought she was his angel. Life did not, she decided, get any better. The only guilt she felt was asking Mrs Walker downstairs to look after Benny for a little longer. The consolation was the old lady loved Benny and he liked her too, so it wasn't too much of an imposition.

Last night.. she caught sight of the glass from her hot toddy and smiled.  He had been the perfect gentleman, even in the face of her sneezing... into his face!  She'd wanted to cry with frustration, but by the time they got back to the hotel, she was so frozen that the only thing on her mind hotter than Tom, was the water in the bath she desperately wanted.  Now, a good sleep later, she felt recovered and ready to face the day - and Tom.

There was a knock at the door and she opened it to find him standing armed with his jacket, a scarf and a broad smile. 

He walked in and kissed her on the cheek. "So, feeling better now?" she nodded "Did you see the message from Luke? Seems like we're stuck here till the 27th" he said, what sounded like none too sadly. Her heart raced, a whole 3 days extra. And no work. Could dreams come true? It seemed so.

"Yes, so it appears, I spoke to him earlier. And no more work either. I'm just sorry you have to put up with me!" She shrugged " I know you'd rather be with your family at Christmas, sorry I'm a poor substitute."

"Oh I don't know," he said thoughtfully,  walking over to the window and looking out at the wintry scene. "As places to be stranded go, I can think of worse and" he turned and smiled, holding out his hand beckoning her over, "no lovelier company" he smiled and her insides turned to jelly. 

"So, what is there to do in New York over Christmas then Tom?" She crossed the room and stood beside him as he draped an arm casually around her shoulders, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head.  They stood together, both of them silently looking down at the park. 

He didn't move, just suddenly said decisively "skating." 

"I beg your pardon?"

"Ice skating in Central Park" he grinned. "Can you skate?"

"Mmm well, sliding with style I think would be more accurate, but happy to give it a go!" She grabbed her jacket and his hand "come on!"

"You don't hang about do you?!" His laughter rang out as she dragged him to the door.

"Nope, once I decide I want something, no matter how scary it feels, I just go for it." she said without a second thought.

"Sounds like a very good idea" he remarked quietly as they left the room and headed to the lift.

An hour later they stood leaning against the railings in the park watching the other skaters and drinking the best hot chocolate either of them could remember tasting. They'd slithered and slid round the rink a few times then, after Jenna had hit the deck for the 5th time in a row, gave it up as a bad job.  They'd never laughed so much in their entire lives.  As the hot drinks thawed out their frozen fingers, they chatted about childhood memories of snow and Christmas generally. 

"So what's your best Christmas? One you'll never forget?"  Jenna sipped her chocolate, the whipped cream on top ending up smooshed on the tip of her nose.

Tom laughed gently and raised his hand to wipe it off with his finger. He licked it off his finger, his eyes glued to hers and she swallowed barely keeping it together.  Tom looked at her and smiled softly, his hand lingering on her cheek for a moment.
"Honestly?" He said quietly and she nodded, suddenly feeling very shy.  He stood for a minute, as if thinking. Then he turned to her "My favourite? It's right here, right now, with you darling."  he said softly, his eyes locked onto hers and he smiled. For a moment there was nothing and no-one around them. Slowly, he bent towards her and she closed her eyes, hardly able to breathe.

With impeccable timing, Tom was spotted. It was a conspiracy, they were both sure of it. Suddenly they were surrounded by a small group of girls all clamouring for a photo and a few minutes of Tom's time. Jenna opened her eyes and Tom rolled his in frustration.

With a groan audible only to her, he pulled back and instantly went into what they now called "Tom Mode".  Jenna stepped back with good grace and let him do what he did best. A few minutes passed and everyone went away happy. Photos taken, autographs signed and hugs dished out. Tom waved them all off and turned back to Jenna.

"I'm so sorry love" he said taking her hand in his. "Occupational hazard I'm afraid."

"It's ok Tom, honestly." She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Let's get back. Its getting late and cold. We should get something to eat, I never did get that hotdog." The moment was gone. Again.

"Yes" he agreed, a slight tone in his voice. "I need to do something first. Will you be ok to head back yourself? I'll walk you to the gates. You just have to cross the road after that?"

"Of course.  Take your time, I think I'm going to warm up in a nice bubble bath."

They parted ways and she headed back. An hour later she was soaking in a deep tub full of luxurious bubbles when her phone pinged with a text.

'That's me back J. See you in the lobby in an hour. Dress warmly, very warmly. REMEMBER YOUR GLOVES" she snorted at the last bit.  She was never going to live this one down.

She tapped a quick reply and settled back in the bath. What was he up to? She was intrigued and excited. This was turning into a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons.