Many Happy Returns

A Present for You

They sat, chatting quietly about not very much as they looked at the menu. Tom had arranged for her to have a guest one, so all the prices were hidden. She could order whatever she wanted, he said softly, tonight was his treat.

"In every way" he added with a soft smile.

She'd always dreamed of a night like this, Tom; a restaurant; soft music and gentle conversation. She waited for someone to come up to her and tell her to get out, stop being a fraud. Naturally, that didn't happen.

Tom looked at her and raised his glass again, "To birthdays and new friends" he smiled and added "You and I, we're going to be good friends I think. No, let me change that, I KNOW." he said looking into her eyes, making her combust inside.

"Thank you Tom, this is just perfect. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect birthday." Jenny clinked her glass gently with his and sipped the icy champagne. She wasn't quite sure why, but she felt as far from intoxicated as it was possible to be despite being several glasses in. Thankfully. It did make her brave though. More than she ever imagined she would have.

Turning back to the menu she looked up at him and said "So what should I have first then?" despite her best efforts, she couldn't keep the huskiness, the desire out of her voice. Tom looked at her for a moment, lost in thought, then smiled, his eyes glittering in the evening light.

"To eat?" he replied softly, as if that was one of several possibilities. She nodded slowly, their gaze never breaking.

"Yes" she became aware of a twitch deep in her soul, he looked at her eyes, then her lips. His lips parted slightly, his tongue running over his bottom lip. She almost groaned out loud. Her breath became ragged and her hand clutched the menu tightly. Calm, she repeated inwardly, calm. This is all in your mind. Stop drinking.

Tom ran a finger over his lips as he perused the menu then looked back at her, "Ok, I have a suggestion..."

She'd never had oysters and since it was primarily a seafood restaurant. Tom suggested she tried them. She really wasn't sure she would like them. Two oysters in and she knew for certain... she hated them! Swallowing the second one. She was aware of making a face like a cat's bottom as she screwed up her mouth.

"Taking a sip of ice cold water, she looked at Tom who was trying - badly - to stifle a laugh. "Do you seriously like these?" She asked and he snorted in a very uncouth way, almost spluttering into his napkin.

"Actually? I hate them! I just wanted to see how far you'd be willing to go in polite company." His eyes were creased with laughter. Tears forming in the corners. Any sense of desire from before now replaced with evil amusement.

Jenny sat open mouthed. Not angry but astonished "Thomas Hiddleston. You are a very naughty boy!" She wagged a finger at him and he laughed like a drain.

"Yup. I confess - I'm a good boy in certain situations and a bad boy in others!" He winked and there was the briefest of pauses as he looked at her. Head to one side licking his lips. For the second time since they sat down, she couldn't tear her eyes away. God she really wanted to kiss him now. Star or not, she wanted this handsome, delightfully funny man to kiss her. She flushed and hoped mind reading wasn't another of his many talents.

"I err I think..." Jenny stammered "I think I should maybe get something else to eat. All this champagne is making me a little tipsy!" she said with a pink flush to her cheeks. Anything to defuse the situation, excuse her wantonly fangirl behaviour.

"Yes. Sorry , that's entirely my fault." he said gallantly, patting her hand - which did absolutely nothing to help her fluttering nerves. "Lets have something safe like steak. You do like steak don't you?: he grabbed her hand fully now and looked at her worriedly.

In his head, his conscience was telling him not to take advantage. She was just being polite, she was just caught up in the moment. This wasn't real. You don't know her Tom he told himself. I don't care, he replied with an inward smile.

"Love a bit of dead cow. The closer it is to mooing the better, although not so much a good vet could revive it!" she winked at Tom and he laughed shaking his head.

"We're so on the same wavelength on so many levels. Its like fate" it was out before he'd really thought it through. Inwardly he groaned. It sounded like such a cheesy line. Before he had a chance to apologise - or indeed overthink - the waiter came and took their order, breaking the tension that really only existed because each was trying to second guess the other!

As they waited for their main course, Tom began to rummage in his pockets. He patted almost every one until with a look of triumph, he extracted a small package from one.

"This is for you Jenny - Happy Birthday darling!" he half stood and kissed her cheek across the table, lingering just a fraction longer than perhaps he should. She inhaled his aftershave, shivers running down her spine.

"Oh Tom!" she clapped a hand to her mouth "You didn't have to - I mean - oh God! Thank you!" she was completely taken aback and almost in tears. This was so much more than she ever dreamed.

"Aren't you going to open it then?" he asked, sitting forward, excited to see her reaction. God I hope she likes it he thought. If he'd known then what he knew now, he might have changed the wording just slightly, but for now it would do just fine.

With shaking hands, Jenny unwrapped the long slim box. The green tissue and bow came away easily and she saw the kind of box jewellery come in. Her eyes flitted from Tom to the box and back again, her mouth open in anticipation as she opened the lid.

"Oh my god!" she whispered "This is..." she picked up the silver bracelet with the little dagger charm and looked at Tom "this is far too much, I mean thank you of course but... are you SURE? We just met, I mean this is... " she turned the bracelet over, seeing the reverse of the little dagger had a small green stone inset and the blade was inscribed in tiny script "property of LL." now she did cry.

"Do - do you like it?" He seemed genuinely nervous "I didn't know what to get you, I just knew you were a big fan. I can exchange it if..." he was cut off by her leaning over and, with bravery borne of champagne and adrenaline and sheer joy, she kissed his cheek.

"It's perfect - it's beautiful" she said softly, "I don't know what to say" she dabbed at her eyes and he smiled.

"How about .. can you help me put it on please Tom?"

"Oh! yes, sorry, yes, can you?"

He reached over and enveloped her wrist in his hands securing the bracelet and gently holding her hand just looking at it, and then her.

"Beautiful" he murmured and if she hadn't known better, she would have sworn he wasn't talking about the bracelet. Before she could build herself up for a fall though, the meal arrived and they sat back.

"Now, let's see just how dead this cow actually is eh?" he joked and they began to eat.