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

Part 1 ~ Chapter 17

Mallory's POV

"It hurts so much. Is it time to push?" I ask Sophie hopefully.

"No, it is not, and do not think that because I'm speaking to you that I've forgiven you for what you've done."

Sophie takes my hand as I breath through the contraction, trying to remember everything I learned in birthing class. Unfortunately, my mind is not cooperating. All I can remember is that Tom gives great shoulder rubs.

When the contraction passes, Sophie starts pacing the floor. "What were you thinking?" she asks with a raised voice, not quite yelling but close enough. "You deceived me... all of us. And for what? To punish Tom because he left you for another woman?"

"He doesn't want children," I say flatly before laying my head back on my pillow, closing my eyes.

"Who? Tom? That's just rubbish," she says while walking toward me. She grabs the cup with ice in it from the side table and sits on the edge of the bed as she begins spoon-feeding small amounts to me.

"It's true. He told me himself," I say in between bites. "Then, when I found out... yes, he was with Amelia by then, but that's not why I didn't tell him."

Sophie sighs as she places the cup on the table. "Then why didn't you?"

I shrug, looking at my hands. "Have you ever been so in love with someone that the thought that they didn't love you back is... I don't know... soul crushing?"

Sophie takes my hand in hers and smiles softly. "That's how I feel about Ben."

"And I Tom. So much so that I couldn't abide by the idea that maybe, just maybe, he'd pretend to love me, you know, just because I'm pregnant." I laugh at the absurdity of my words, knowing that's exactly what happened between Lee and me. I also start crying, wishing that this was yesterday, and I still had a chance to tell Tom the truth, every bit of it, and let him decide for himself what role if any he wants to play in our child's life. Our child, I think as Sophie hugs me, crying herself.

"I know, my friend. Do you forget that I was pregnant when Ben married me?" she asks, dabbing her eyes with her fingers. "Though, according to the press, Kit is not Ben's son anyway, so I don't know why he married me," she adds, causing both of us to laugh. She sits up straighter and looks me in the eye.

"You must tell him. For both of you, for all three of you, in fact," she says as she touches my stomach. I feel another contraction coming on, so I nod.

"I will."

Tom's POV

I am quite sure we're a sight: me with a busted lip, Lee with a bloody nose, Ben and Martin at the ready should Lee and I decide to have a go at each other again, and Amanda studiously reading a magazine that a previous waiting room occupant left behind.

"Oh, look darling. It says here that you're cheating on me," Amanda says to Martin in a loud whisper. I know she's just trying to lighten the mood, but it does nothing to stop my glaring at Lee.

Why the hell is he here anyway? Shouldn't he be with Mallory? I think, wishing that I'd developed some mutant power like causing an adversary to burst into flames at just a look.

"Stop staring," Ben says, leaning into me to whisper harshly.

"It's okay, Ben," Lee says, then he turns his gaze to me. "She was crying over you, you know. It's always you."

"Always me what?" I challenge as I sit up straighter, though I'd be lying if I didn't admit that most of the fight has left me. Right now, my energy is directed ar Mallory and whether she and her baby are alright.