In Duffs We Trust

Part 13 Trouble

Claire awoke long before Tom. Time had her awake at 4am London time and she was surprised at how rested she felt. She carefully climbed from the bed and went to the bathroom before making her way down to the 2nd floor to the kitchen to make some coffee. She busied herself with pulling cups from the cabinets as the coffee brewed. She filled a cup and went to the couch where she had left her computer. She powered it on and checked her email. She glanced thru the emails and saw one from Rebecca regarding the apartment. She opened it and read it. She grinned to herself as she took notice that the funds had been approved and sent to Rebecca for the apartment. She quickly sent Rebecca a message back telling her she would retrieve the keys when she was back in town. Claire was excited beyond measures. She shut her computer down and took her coffee back to the kitchen. She filled another cup and made her way upstairs to  Tom. 

Tom awoke to an empty bed. He sat up stretching as the smell of coffee filled the air. Suddenly something crunched near his feet. Tom flipped on the lamp and reached for the small stack of papers. He scanned them for a second before he realized what he was reading. Claire had bought an apartment near her work. He was stunned and angry. She had agreed to live with him. They were going to make this work but now it seemed like Claire was looking for a way out. He was hurt and more so he couldn't believe how much she had paid for the apartment. Tom sat the papers down as Claire entered the room smiling with coffee. 

"Good morning" Claire smiled at him.

Tom smiled and took the coffee from her placing it on the nightstand.

"Something wrong?" Claire asked and then suddenly her eyes saw the papers.

"Tom, I can explain" she began.

"Please do love?" He snapped.

"Wait, your mad?" Claire asked stunned.

"Bloody hell yes, I am mad Claire" he said sitting up more.

"Are you going to calm down enough for me to tell you why?" She asked crossing her arms.

"Fine, yes" he spoke taking a deep breath.

" I did buy the apartment, I won't deny it. I meant what I told you. I would make this work no matter what. With that being said, I bought the apartment for many reasons. One, If things don't work I have a back up. Two, David and his partner are always in London so them having a place to stay is a great bonus instead of a hotel. Three, If my brother visits it serves as a place for him and his kids as well, and fourth if the paparazzi gets too bad we have a place to stay under the radar."

Tom sat silent in silence. He had listened to her fully and his anger was quickly put away. Claire had said she would make things work for them and he believed her and trusted her completely. Perhaps his anger was out of line.

"So this isn't a ploy to run eh?" He asked.

"No, not at all. I love you Tom and I want this to work."

Tom smiled and took Claire into his arms rolling them till he hovered above her.

"I am sorry I was angry love. Will you forgive me?" He asked their noses close.

Claire's stomach growled causing them to laugh.

"Feed me?" Claire smiled.

"I most certainly will my love" He smiled pulling them to their feet.

"I almost forgot" Tom smiled as he reached down beside the bed and pulled out the bouquet of mixed roses handing them to Claire.

"They are beautiful" Claire smiled to Tom.

"I'm glad you love them. Now let's get a shower and we will go to breakfast yeh?" Tom smiled.

Claire grinned and untied her robe tossing it over her shoulder as she sashayed to the bathroom.