A Fighting Chance (Tom Holland AU) [2]

Thirty-Three

The next day, the two of us sat by the hospital's coffee and tea shop as we waited for the results of Annabelle's test for the day. It was like the middle of the afternoon at that point, so we had gotten tea just to calm our nerves. "I miss you," Tom said out of the blue, and I raised my eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I looked at him as I took a sip.

"I know we've been by each other's side this whole time, but you're not the same. The light in your eyes has disappeared." He sighed gently. "I'm not saying this to pick a fight or call you out, I just want to say that I want to bring that light back." I set my cup down, taking a deep breath.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking at him. "This has been so difficult, and it's taking a toll on me."

"I know, darling." He whispered, taking my hand across the table.

"I'll make dinner tonight, baby. I haven't been in the kitchen in so long." He smiled softly at that. He knew how much I loved cooking, so I knew this was a step in the right direction towards bringing that light back.

"If that's what you wanna do." When I nodded, he smiled gently before he glanced down at his watch, taking a deep breath. "Her test ends in five minutes."

"We should probably go back for the results." He nodded as we stood, taking each other's hands as we walked to the NICU.

"Mr. Holland and Ms. Chance?" A doctor came up to us, and we looked up gently. "Would you like the good news or the bad news first?"

"There's good news?!" I smiled widely, and she nodded. "Let's do bad first. The good news will balance it out."

"So, we still can't let her go home yet." We nodded at that, and Tom squeezed my hand. "But, we can let you hold her."

"Like, actually hold her?!" I smiled widely, and she nodded.

"Yes, you can hold her outside of her protective shelter. Whenever you're ready, you can." She smiled as she stepped aside, and I looked over at Tom.

"We get to hold her," I whispered, and I could feel tears forming in my eyes.

"Yes, we do." Tom smiled as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Would you like to hold her first?"

"Can I?" I whispered, and he nodded with a smile.

"Of course. Come on, let's go."

Once we were sitting with her, I smiled as I took her into my arms. I looked down at her, and I smiled widely as we locked eyes. Tom pulled me into his lap, and I could feel tears of joy sliding down my cheeks. "Finally," I whispered gently.

"How are you feeling now, darling?" Tom whispered as he wiped my tears, and I smiled even more.

"The best I have since I went into labor," I answered honestly, and he pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"You both are so gorgeous." I smiled back at him, and he grinned as he pulled me closer to him. "I've been waiting for this for so long now."

"Me too," I whispered, pressing my lips to his softly. As we pulled away, he smiled widely. "Do you want to hold her now?"

"Only if you're ready. I know how badly you've waited for this moment too." He grinned at me, and I smiled.

"I have, and now that it's here, I want you to enjoy it too."

As Tom held Annabelle, I pulled my phone out and snapped a picture. I then sent the image to Ali.

Guess what we finally
get to do? 😊

YAY!! HOLDING THE
BB!!

So happy for you guys. How's
she doing?

Still can't come home, but
strong enough to hold. We're
over the moon right now.

Rightfully so. Love you all
so much. Send Tom and
the bb our love, okay?

Of course. Love you too 😘

As I put my phone away, I smiled at Tom. "We're almost there, baby. I can just feel it."

"I can too, darling." He smiled, and I pressed a kiss to his cheek softly. "I love you. Both of you."

"We love you too." I smiled, sitting next to him. I laid my head on his shoulder, smiling at our daughter. "We made her, you know."

"I know we did. I remember it fondly, as with every other time." I rolled my eyes as he chuckled. "Oh come on, you know you do too."

"I mean, we've done it soooo many times." I teased, and he chuckled softly as he looked back at me.

"Dork." He teased, and I shrugged.

"You're one to talk." I chuckled, and we heard a small coo from our baby girl. We both looked at her, and it brought a smile to our faces.

"Yes, love, your mommy and daddy are dorks. You'll have to excuse us for it." I chuckled as he played with her, and I smiled as I pressed another kiss to his cheek.

"You're such a great fighter, Annabelle. You're almost there." I whispered, reaching down with my finger so she can hold it in her little hand. As her hand closed around it, I could see Tom smile.

"This has been so worth the wait." His voice was soft, and I nodded softly.

"Most definitely." I grinned gently.

Coming home that night, there was a definite spring in our steps. I turned the lights on in the kitchen, smiling back at Tom. "Any requests?"

"Breakfast for dinner?" I nodded at that, immediately pulling the waffle maker out. As I began mixing ingredients, I felt him wrap his arms around me from behind. "I'm sorry I've been so off lately, but today definitely helped. Being able to hold her was magical."

"It was, darling. And you know what?"

"What, love?" I looked back at him, and he smiled as he pulled me closer.

"I could see that light back in your eyes." I grinned at that, and he pressed his lips to the back of my neck. "I love you, Grace."

"I love you too, Tom." I smiled as I poured the mix into the waffle maker, turning around in his arms as I waited for it to finish. I pressed my lips to his, smiling into our kiss.

We were so close to being through this nightmare, I could almost taste it.

:-). Let me know your thoughts!