Just Like a Movie.

Happy Anniversary

"Happy darling?" he grabbed her hand as she walked past, making her look down at him.  She smiled and nodded.

"Always...." she leaned over and kissed him. "Now, are you going to sit there ALL morning, or are you going to get changed?  The car will be here in a minute, and you know how Luke gets paranoid if you're not actually standing waiting, hand on the door handle ready to go." 

Tom laughed and stood up, slipping his arms around her waist. "Yes," he pulled her tight to him. "But I'd much rather have my hands on you..." he murmured as he peppered her neck with hot, urgent kisses. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, summoning all her self-restraint. Pushing him gently, she backed away, making him moan in protest. "Awww, just a teensy weensy kiss or two more? Please?" He pleaded, eyes like a puppy. 

Alice laughed and stroked his cheek, careful to remain out of kissing distance. It would only end one way if she didn't and look where THAT had gotten them so far. "Go and get ready. NOW Hiddles!" 

He nodded and trudged dolefully away as her giggles rang in his ear.  Inwardly, he cheered. It had been a while since she giggled like that.  It had been a busy few months, testing and reinforcing their relationship to the point that neither could remember what it was like without the other.   This was a working holiday, but after today, Tom hoped the work would take a back seat for a while.  He had plans. Big plans.

In the year since San Diego, Tom and Alice had moved in together, loved together, and made a life together that neither could ever have expected and now?  Now they were back, to the scene of their first meeting.   Hall H, San Diego Comicon.   It was a big day, a new series announcement, and the first real "outing" as a couple.

They'd been spotted together, of course they had, but this?  This was like Red Carpet Official to the max.  Or should that really be green carpet?  It was all about Loki today, after all.  

Alice dodged his advances and walked back inside their suite. They'd breakfasted on the balcony, and Tom had facetimed his mum and their dog, causing much hilarity as it became a close run thing who he was more interested in talking to.  Fortunately, for all their sakes, Mum had come out on top.

She made sure she heard Tom in the shower and smiled, walking over to where her phone lay on the coffee table.  Glancing almost guiltily over her shoulder, she picked it up and dialled. Almost immediately, it was answered.

"Hi you! You ok? Yeah, I'm good.  You got here ok then? " she paused as the person on the other end spoke.  She faced the bathroom door, just in case it should open. "Yeah, no idea.  Can't wait to see his face.  Did you get .. perfect! Ok, right.  Cool. Ok, well we should be done by 4.30...." The bathroom door started to open, and she hurriedly hung up."Gotta go.  See you there..." 

Flinging the phone onto the sofa, she plopped down, crossing her legs and picking up a magazine.  Tom looked at her as he walked to the bedroom. The towel slung around his hips, another currently rubbing his wet hair. "Who were you talking to, love?" A nonchalant question, the answer to which he, unbeknown to her, already knew.

"Oh, just Emma, she was wishing you luck for today.  And just saying hello. You know, nothing special." she looked up from the article she was pretending to read and smiled.  His gaze almost made her wither, his eyes boring into her soul.  For a moment, she was convinced he could see right into her head, and she almost confessed.  Just as she was on the point of collapse, he turned away. 

"Ah, ok, be ready in five.  Are you going like that, darling?  I love that colour on you.  Very...."

"Appropriate?" she chipped in as she joined him in the bedroom, relief at getting away with it washing over her. She twirled in front of the mirror as Tom sat on the bed, nodding his approval.  The dress was, of course, green and today?  She seemed to positively glow in it. He was the proudest man in the world. Even Silvertongue himself couldn't have done better.  

He smiled and looked down, hiding his emotion, slipping on his shirt, slowly doing the buttons up unaware he'd mismatched them to the button holes.  

Alice caught sight in the mirror and smiled, "Here, let me.  God knows HOW you managed to dress yourself before I came along....." she undid all the buttons again as he looked at her intently. He tongue was caught between her teeth as she concentrated, and he felt his heart clench.  God, he loved this woman. She was just... beautiful. 

He told her, too. "Alice?"

"Yes, Tom?" she was almost done, reaching for the navy tie that went with the suit he would wear. 

"Have I told you today that I love you?" he sounded as if he was almost afraid of her answer.

"Yes Tom, you have...." she paused, half done tie in hand, and looked at him softly, his fear seeming to melt away. "And I love you just as much, if not more than I ever have." she kissed him tenderly. "But if we don't get you dressed, all the love in the world won't save us from an irate Luke Windsor."

Tom laughed, and as she finished his tie, stood up.  "Will I do?" he held his arms out to the side in a familiar gesture, head on one side, smirking.

Alice shook her head. "Not unless you want to either be arrested for indecent exposure or be carted off by a thousand horny fangirls. Put your trousers on, darling?" she smirked."Even for you, the socks and shoes no trousers combo just doesn't do it. Ok?"

"Spoilsport," he teased and reached for his clothes.  

A knock at the door made them both turn.  "Show time," she said, and with a lingering kiss, walked off to open the door.  Luke sidled in, pointing at his watch. 

"Indeed it is kitten, indeed it is..." he murmured, patting his pockets until he was satisfied he had everything he needed. Grabbing her hand, they walked with Luke down to the car.  Luke running over the schedule for the day, Tom nodding as if he were actually listening.  

As he reached the blacked out SUV, he turned to Alice, "Sure, you're ready for this love?  This might get a bit intense. If you need me at ANY time, you just reach for my hand, ok?"  Alice smiled and nodded.  

"Thank you, I'll be ok.  I have you, and I have Luke.  My own tiny protection squad. " she kissed Tom on the lips and Luke on the cheek.  "What more could a girl want?"  she climbed into the car, completely oblivious to the look the two men exchanged.  

"What indeed love, what indeed." Tom smiled to himself as he got in behind her.  She was about to have an experience she would never forget.

Little did Tom know, so was he.