Just Like a Movie.

End Credits...

"Tom, if you don't get a BLOODY move on, I'm going without you! And don't think I won't! You've had long enough. It's not like you didn't know it was today!" 

Alice stood at the foot of the stairs, bag and car keys in hand, and yelled like a dock worker up at him. Infuriating man, everything had to be 'just so' these days. If she hadn't known better, she'd have thought he was getting broody. All this tidying of the nest all the time.

But she did know better, and no, it wasn't Tom getting broody. It was Tom distracting himself from the overwhelming fear of what was about to happen....

They'd married six months after San Diego. A snowy day in January at the Actor's Church - St Paul's - in Covent Garden. The weather had been as romantically beautiful as the bride, so Tom told anyone that would listen, and they had honeymooned in the Caribbean. A small island Tom had visited once and always promised himself he'd return to.

Their life had settled into a routine.  Alice worked on her own projects, and Tom would work on, well, pretty much anything that came his way.  His latest effort, a smallish budget film that had involved some very well publicised dancing, was due to premier later that year.

Originally, Alice was to accompany him on the press tour, just as a little treat. It wouldn't be long, but it would give them a chance to revisit their favourite city, San Diego.

Those plans had been forced into being changed, and now, they were about to find out the cause. Well, they knew the cause, they just wanted the fine details.  The devil, and the life changing event, was in the details.

Alice was pregnant. This would be the day they discovered whether Loki was having a prince or  princess.

Neither had wanted to express a preference. Both secretly wanted the other to get their heart's desire.

Tom appeared at the top of the stairs looking sheepish.  "Sorry love, got carried away again.  I'm just putting a few finishing touches to the nursery."

Alice smiled. She couldn't stay annoyed with him. He was just so cute.  The moment she'd told him, he'd gone into uber-dad mode.  The spare room instantly declared a nursery, and by the time of her first scan, it had been painted, re-painted, re-carpeted, and the single most beautiful mural painted on the longest wall. 

Every Disney character you could think of. From Winnie the Pooh to Jungle Book.  From Snow White to Encanto. Each and every square inch of the wall had been used.  All painted by Tom.

Now, five months and one VERY blossoming bump later, it was time to meet their heart's desire.

"Come on, Michaelangelo, the Sistine Chapel can wait. We have our baby to meet." She held out her hand. Grasping it gently, Tom walked her out to the car.  Opening the door, he let her settle herself, then trotted round to the driver side.

"You ok, darling?" He reached over, squeezed her hand then laid a protective hand on her stomach. "He's getting so big already!"

Alice smiled, Tom would never say, but she knew a son would be his own version of perfection.
"Tom, I only walked from the house to  the car. I dont think that will have over taxed me in any way, but thank you for your concern." Alice smiled and inwardly shook her head.  If he was like this now.....

Two hours later, they sat in the same car, shell shocked. Neither could quite believe what they'd just been told.

"I dont know how to feel." Alice looked at him, her mind screaming in fear and confusion. "Say something love. Tell me you understood it."

Tom looked at her, shaking his own head. "No. Not really. I heard the words, but...." he paused, reaching for her hand.  "It's just so unreal."

Slowly, he started to smile. Then giggle, the sound infectious. Alice looked at him, her lips twitching.  Before they knew what was happening, they were howling with laughter and relief.  Tears of joy wet their cheeks, and as the tension ebbed away, they kissed.

"It's going to be ok." Tom said softly, starting the car. Alice nodded.

"Yes. It's going to be just fine."

They drove home, had a light supper, and decided to watch a movie in bed.  Alice was getting tired easily at the moment, and this was a good way to have some quality time together and be comfortable.

Tom sat behind her, letting her rest back onto his chest. He head in the crook of his neck, his long arms carefully encircling her. He laid his hands on her stomach. He stroked her gently and it made her feel so very loved and safe.

"Well, given the news we can't hide this for much longer love." She said softly, twisting a little to look up at him. "Probably sooner than we ever imagined."

Tom nodded, kissing her forehead. "Yeah, well, pretty hard to hide twins eh?" His voice reflected the awe he felt, looking at the blossoming bump that was his children.

"Twins." She echoed softly. "Didnt expect twins."

"Me neither love. Me neither. Still, upside is we get one of each. Boy for you, girl for me." He sniggered and she slapped his leg from where she sat.

"I think you'll find the boy is YOUR doing Mr Hiddleston."

"Well, I know one thing. Its going to he interesting." He added.

"And exhausting."

"Have you told anyone?" A sudden thought struck Alice. Everyone who knew, just knew it was one baby.

"Oh crap. You're telling Emma. I value my hearing!" He snorted. "And as bribery, you can pick the movie."

"Coward! Me pick? You'll be sorry!"

As she flicked through the channels, she came across the one that showed the cheesy Hallmark films she secretly loved.  Pressing select, she cuddled in.

"Are you SERIOUSLY going to watch ..." he winced at the title. "Ok ok its only fair. But really? This one?"

"Oh yes.  Its one of my favourites."

As the titles rolled, she smiled. Yes, not only a favourite but really quite apt.  After all, her life since that fateful day in San Diego had indeed been Just Like A Movie.