Life Is What You Make It (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfic)

Part 32: Journeys

Disoriented

When I land in LA, I'm pretty disoriented from the time change. It could be noon or midnight for all I know. I access my phone and ignore the missed calls. Instead, I dial my mom. "Hey, Mom, I just landed."

"Hi, Baby Girl. It's so good to hear your voice. I'm not too far from the airport, so I'll pick you up where we agreed. I'll see you soon!"

After she ends the call, I make my way toward customs and the baggage claim. I finally check my phone and see I have one missed call and voicemail. There's no time like the present, so I listen to it.

"Mia, I know you're angry, and I don't blame you. You tried to tell me the truth and I wouldn't listen. I'm an ass and an idiot...I was a fool. When you've had some time to think, I beg you, please let me explain. I just need to talk, even if...even if you don't allow me to be a part of your life anymore."

I end the message, grab my my bags from the conveyor, and head toward the doors outside of which my mom will be. As I step outside, it's hard to miss her. First, she's waving her arms frantically like she's trying to land a plane on an aircraft carrier. Second, she's driving the biggest pickup truck I've ever seen.

Mom brings me in for a hug as soon as I'm no more than a foot away from her. Then she pulls back and asks, "What's wrong?" with a furrowed brow. "I'll tell you in the truck," I say as we stow my bags in the bed. My mom looks around and finally sees the few paparazzi I already saw circling like piranha. In usual Mom fashion, she gives each one an icy stare, and one or two actually seem to back off. We climb into the T-Rex of trucks and pull away from the curb.

"Okay, you better tell me what's wrong right now or, I swear, I'll take you back to the orange grove where I found you," Mom says as soon as we hit the freeway. She's always told my brother and me that she found us in an orange grove. I've never known if the story is meant to be endearing or strike fear in our hearts, like we're Children of the Corn or something.

I'm silent, so Mom really turns it on. "Mia, if you don't talk about it, it can't get any better." What she hasn't realized is I'm crying. When she finally looks at me, she sees my tears and sighs. "It's okay, Baby Girl. We can talk about it when we get home," she finally says.

Disoriented (Tom's POV)

I barely make my flight. When I told Luke what I planned to do, he tried to talk some sense into me, as usual.

"Tom, maybe you just need to give her some time to process everything what's happened.  I mean, with this, and her new-found fame, she may need some space."

I know Luke is looking out for what's best for me, but my gut is telling me otherwise.

"Luke, I appreciate your concern. I really do. It's just that, I'm afraid if I give her time, she'll decide I'm not worth it."

"If that happens, don't you think then, maybe, it's not meant to be?"

"No, I don't. I refuse to accept that fate would bring Mia into my life to take her away from me."

"Yes, but you allowed fate in the form of your decision to push her away."

Bloody hell, I hate when Luke talks logically. My gut speaks up again.

"Luke, I have to...I have to be with her. Or at least I have to try. If I don't, I'm afraid I may never be whole again."

Luke looks at me for a moment. "Okay, go pack and I'll start making calls." By some miracle, Luke makes everything work with my schedule and gets me on the next flight to the States.