A Fighting Chance (Tom Holland AU) [2]

Forty

"Tom, it's four days. We can get through it, I promise. We've done way longer than that." I told him as we embraced in the airport.

"I know, but still. We haven't done this in over two years." I looked up at him, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"I promise that we can get through four days of being apart for our bachelor and bachelorette parties." I looked up at him gently. "Plus, we get another 'koala hugging at the airport' moment when I fly back from Baltimore."

Our wedding was now only two weeks away, and while we were getting married at the Tower Of London, Ali and my other bridesmaids decided that we were going to have my bachelorette party in Baltimore because it was 'Gracie's city, bitches' (Ali's words, not mine).

"I did kinda miss that." I chuckled at that, pulling him closer and pressing my lips to his briefly before pulling away.

"I did too." I looked at the time, pulling him close. "I love you, baby. I'll call you when I land, I promise."

"I love you too, darling." He whispered, hugging me tightly before letting go. "Have a blast with the party."

"As to you." I smiled as I grabbed my carry on backpack, blowing him a kiss as I made my way toward the gate. I sat down in the chair, pulling out my phone and calling Ali. I wasn't surprised to get her voicemail. "I'm sitting at the gate, babe. I'll be there soon."

As we got ready in the hotel room, I smiled at Ali through the mirror. "God, I haven't had a girls night in so long." She looked at me, and I raised an eyebrow. "A date with Daya isn't the same as having a group of my favorite women."

"We were definitely still in college when I had my last one." I smiled at her, and she grinned as she grabbed an eyelash curler.

"I'm so excited for you, Gracie." I grinned as I looked at her, and she smiled. "You and Tom are so adorable, and I know you've been dreaming about getting married for so long."

"Thank you, babe." I blew her a kiss as I picked up my mascara wand. "Just wondering, has Daya ever done your makeup before?"

"Yeah. Sometimes when we get bored we do each other's makeup and go out." She smiled, looking at me.

"Tom likes doing mine." She raised an eyebrow, and I nodded. "He does! He used to just watch me, but I've let him do a few things a few times and he really likes it."

"Have you ever done his?"

"Once when we had nothing to do that day. He said he felt like his face weighed five pounds more and it was a sensation he didn't like. He liked how it looked, but it felt too weird for him to want to do it again." She chuckled and nodded.

"That's fair." As we got ready, we chatted about casual things. Steph and Beth were in the next room over, and they joined us once they were ready.

"Tonight is all about you, Gracie. We are going to do all we can to make sure you have a bomb-ass night." I chuckled as I hugged Ali tightly. "Now, let's go! Limo's outside!"

We spent the first part of the night at one of my favorite restaurants in the city, just talking amongst ourselves. It had been a while since the four of us had been out like this, and we wanted to spend a night just having fun.

As we got into the limo to head to the first place to club at, and Ali smiled as she sat down to me. "Okay, so the first place we're going is not a regular club, but it's something you're going to enjoy immensely because you've told me in the past you've wanted to try this."

"Okay..." I raised an eyebrow, and she smiled. I laid my head on her shoulder as she wrapped an arm around me.

"Zendaya sends her love, babe. She was really upset when her shoot was scheduled for tonight and she couldn't change it."

"It's okay, I know work is important. I love her too." She smiled as she pulled her phone out and sent her girlfriend a selfie of the two of us with our love.

When I felt the limo stop, I looked outside to see where we were. "Ali, you did not."

"I did. You're gonna get to pole dance for the first time." I smiled widely, hugging her tightly. "Of course, it'll be just us you're with when you do, but you're gonna learn to pole dance."

The girls led me into the strip club, pulling me off to a room in the back. There were a few poles, and one dancer was there to act as my teacher.

Once we were finished the basics and the dancer taught me a simple routine, I heard the music begin and I placed my hands on the pole. I let the music consume me, and before I knew it, the girls were loudly cheering me on as I finished.

"That was so incredible, love." Steph smiled, and they all climbed on the stage and pulled me into a big group hug. I heard a knock at the door, and I raised an eyebrow.

"I wonder who that is." Ali smiled mischievously, and I rolled my eyes. Of course, she had gotten a stripper for tonight.

"Oh, bring him in. I knew you were gonna sneak this in somehow, hon." I chuckled, and with that, the door opened. As the girls let me go, I looked over to see the one person I never expected to see again.

"So, where's the lucky..." I could see recognition in his eyes, and he stopped short as his eyebrows flew up. "Hello, Grace." He had bitten his lip gently.

"Derek." I nodded politely, and I heard Ali curse under her breath as I stepped off the little stage with the poles. "Excuse me."

Once I was in the limo, I began hyperventilating. I had never wanted to see him again, and now that I had, I wouldn't be able to calm down.

Any ideas as to who Derek is? :-)