Promises You Can't Keep (A Tom Hiddleston/Lee Pace Fan Fic)

Part 1 ~ Chapter 10

Mallory's POV

I haven't heard from Tom for the last few days. To be honest, I hadn't expected to. It was clear from our lunch / non-lunch date that the ball is in my court. Still, I have yet to ring him because I just don't know how any of this would work.

Lee's the man who's been by my side instead. In fact, he's the one who's encouraged me to visit Mum. "Lovely, if you don't tell your mum about the little one, she's going to be told when the hospital calls to say you've given birth."

So, here I am, packed and ready for an overnight visit. Though I talk to Mum every other day or so, I've not seen her since Tom and I - well, I guess you'd call it a break-up - some months ago.

I know Lee's right, though. As an only child, I should have told her as soon as I found out. I know she longs to be a grandmum. Unfortunately, I was too busy walking in front of a Mercedes to think of calling her.

As I carry my overnight bag to the front door, there's a knock. When I open it, I see Lee standing there, looking sheepish.

"Would you like company on your visit?" he asks.

"Do I have a choice?" I ask, trying not to let my smile show. I'd been stressed about telling Mum about my pregnancy and, as usual, Lee could sense it. I've told Mum about dating someone new, so maybe she'll just accept that the baby is Lee's without asking too many questions.

Lee takes my bag from me while sliding his other arm around my waist. "Of course you do, Lovely. As long as you make the right one."

I snort at his response as he kisses my temple, leading me to the car park and his Mercedes.

*************

"So, Lee... he's a tall, hot cup of tea," Mum says, causing me to both laugh and blush.

"And how long have you been seeing each other?"

"Some months now," I say as I squirm in my seat. Lee is in the garden throwing a ball to Mum's corgi, Rocket, as I suspect he planned, so I seize the moment while I have it.

"Mum, there's something I need to tell you," I say, struggling to make eye contact. While I know she will be thrilled at being a grandmum, she will be less than so with me being a single mum.

"What is it, Dear?" she asks, putting down her tea and taking my hand.

"Well, there's no easy way about this, so... I'm pregnant," I say, looking at my lap. I hear a soft gasp then she squeezes my hand, causing me to look at her.

"Well, it's about bloody time. I mean, I would have preferred you to be married first, but I'll take the bit I can get," she says, smiling softly at me with some tears in her eyes. "Now, is that man going to ask you to marry him, or do I need to find a cricket bat to get his attention on the matter?"

"No need for the cricket bat, Mrs. Weathers. I've asked Mallory so many times, my trousers are wearing out at the knee," Lee says from behind me, causing me to shoot a look over my shoulder. He touches my arm as he sits beside me on the sofa. "I know when I get it right, she'll say yes," he adds with a wink at my mum, causing her to titter like a schoolgirl.

The rest of the stay goes well enough, with Mum fussing over Lee and me. As we go to sleep, I allow myself to think on what has been rolling around in the back of my brain all day: Though Lee had said what he said to help with a sticky line of questioning from Mum, what if he did ask me to marry him? What would I do? Perhaps more importantly... does he want to?

I lie awake most of the night, allowing these thoughts keep me from sleep.

*************

After returning to London, I call Sophie to have lunch. I know it's time to tell my friends. After all, the books say I'll start showing soon.

After we order our lunch, I find I can't hold it in any longer. "I'm pregnant," I blurt.

Sophie freezes while buttering bread, placing it and the knife on her plate. She studies me for a moment before speaking.

"Is it Lee's?"

"Of course," I say, picking up my own bread to butter.

Sophie reaches across the table, grasping my hand in hers to stop me from slathering on too much.

"You know you can tell me anything," she says. And I almost do. I almost spill my guts then and there, accompanied with tears and wailing, and a need for a copious amount of tissues.

Instead, I bite back the onslaught. "I know, and I did. I thought you might be happy for me... for us."

Sophie is quiet again before smiling. "I am! Now let's plan a surprise shower."

"Um, I'm right here, so it wouldn't be a surprise."

"Oh, I'm quite sure it will be a surprise for someone..." she says just before taking a sip of her drink.