Father Figure (Tom Hiddleston Fanfiction)

Chapter 3: Goodbye

CLARA'S P.O.V
I instantly got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, leaving Tom behind. I could feel his eyes on me, so I turned around and flashed him a smile that made him chuckle and say "Somebody's feeling hot today". "Aren't I always, darling", I said with a wink and disappeared from his sight. It felt like the smile on my face just couldn't go away, but that changed as I entered the bathroom. I looked over to the toothbrush holder only to realise the normal sight of two toothbrushes there was replaced with one. My heart just sunk and the smile was swept away.

I have always looked at things the positive way, and I thought about the day where there will be a pair of toothbrushes there again. I laughed at myself because I was missing Tom's toothbrush and if he knew he would use that against me forever. It was a quarter to 7 and Tom was going to be picked up at quarter past 7. I freshened up, took a quick shower and got dressed for the day. I made my way to the kids' room, and I could hear Tom and Luke's in my son's room. I peeked in to see Tom helping Luke tie his tie and the scene warmed my heart. "You're gonna pay attention Luke, Daddy's not going to do it for you forever", I said. Luke looked to Tom and then to me and said with a cheeky smile "Yeah but he will never say no to tying my tie to make me look dapper". Tom and I smiled and was instantly glad that we instilled the love of literature and words in our kids since they were little, proud that our kids had a large vocabulary for their age. "And what makes you think so young man?", Tom said in a witty voice while finishing up with Luke's tie, making Luke laugh and hug his father tightly. "I love you Dad". "I love you too, buddy. Forever and always", he said while hugging Luke and kissing the top of Luke's head.

I smiled at the scene and it instantly reminded me that I had a family to feed and time was ticking away. I quickly made my way downstairs to the kitchen and made a quick but filling breakfast. Scrambled eggs with canned baked beans and toast. It was simple, but the kids loved it. I set the table quickly, while the eggs were on the stove. I felt a sense of achievement and gave myself a pat on the back for being able to prepare breakfast in 5 minutes.

Luke came down the steps and set his backpack near the door. He kissed me good morning and started on his breakfast. Tom came down with Harper holding his hand. "Wow somebody looks beautiful today!". "Why thank you my darling wife, I try my best." Tom replied me with a million dollar smile, making Luke laugh, which made us all laugh because his laugh is highly contagious. "I was talking about my little girl, not my snoring husband", I said and another round of laughter burst in the house.

We always ate breakfast together, or atleast we tried to. By the time we finished breakfast, it was 7.10. Which meant we only had 5 more minutes with Tom. We cuddled all together on the sofa, the kids on our laps. "I want you to know I love you three so much. I'm gonna miss you all dearly." He said while pulling us all into a gigantic hug. We remained that way until an SUV pulled up in the front and Tom's publicist Luke got out of the car. We all got up from the sofa and the kids just stood there, having to watch their father walk out of the house and knowing he won't be back for a long time. Tom made his way to the front door and greeted Luke. "Good morning guys! How are you all doing? Hey kids!" Luke said to us. "Hey Big Luke!" The kids said to him and the two Lukes gave each other a fist bump. The both of them got on very well and it made Tom very happy. Luke helped Tom put his luggage into the car and waved to us and wishing us a good day before going into the tinted SUV.

TOM'S P.O.V
I closed the trunk of the SUV and said "Hey Luke give me a second. I'm gonna need to say goodbye". "Tom take as long as you need. I completely understand this isnt easy. But dont take too long", Luke said sympathetically. I thanked him and made my way to the steps of the house, where my family was standing and looking at me with sadness in their eyes. It hurt me inside and out that my kids had to go through this. Their father walking out on them and then returning when he wants to. I definitely didnt want to. I had to. I experienced this when I was a kid, my father walking out on us, but never coming back. I do still get to see my dad, but its never the same.

I neared the steps and Harper ran into my arms and started crying. I could feel my own tears streaming down and I hugged her and cradled her in my arms. "Daddy I'm gonna miss you". "I know Harps I'll miss you too." I got on my knees so that I could look into her eyes and said "I promise I'm going to call and skype you, Lukey and Mummy as often as I can alright?" She nodded and gave me one big hug. "And if you're lucky, Loki and Thor might skype you as well". She pulled away and her face was full of excitement. I kissed her forehead and made my way over to Luke, still on my knees. I physically felt my heart breaking to pieces when I saw my son's face. It was tear stained, full of fear and sadness.

He immediately lunged into my arms and I could feel his tear falling onto my shirt. I rubbed his back soothingly and said "Shh buddy it's alright. Its okay". Luke was never a crier. Even when he was a toddler, it took a great deal to make him cry. To see him in this state meant that my departure affected him a lot. He pulled away and said "Dad are you coming back?". "Ofcourse I'm coming back Luke! I'll never leave my soldier behind! I'm gonna have to receive reports from you don't I?" He smiled and hugged me again. "I love you Dad" "I love you too buddy". I ruffled his hair then stood up to my darling wife.

Tears were streaming down her face. I pulled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead. "Look after yourself Tom. Promise me that". "I have to darling. I will never forgive myself if I don't come back". We looked into each others eyes before going in for a kiss. A long one. The kids watched but didnt react the way they usually did. They understood the situation, which made me very proud. And an opportunist. I kissed my wife with every ounce of love in me. It felt like it lasted forever. Until. "Come on lovebirds the lover boy has a plane to catch", Luke yelled from the car. She pulled away and giggled. "I love you Tom. Goodbye". "I love you too darling. Gosh I love you all so much", I said while giving my whole family a last big hug.

The moment when I faced the car and turned my back on them just made me feel less of a father and husband. But I reminded myself what I'm doing now is what I meant to them. A man who is going of to live his dream, and reality all at once. I got into the car and earned a sympathetic look from Luke. I wind down the window and waved to them. They waved back and I could hear all their I love yous clearly. "Bye! I love you too and please behave!" Luke gave me a mischievous look and I look back to him with Loki's mischievous grin. He cracked up and waved back. The car started to move and the distance between my family and I was increasing. As we turned the corner, I stopped waving and wound up the window.

I looked over to Luke and he put a hand on my shoulder "I know this is hard Tom. But just think about the things you would bring back for them from LA for Christmas!" "Yeah I can't wait to see their faces. But I gotta think about what I need to bring to the table for this project for now. With the wife and kids in my heart ofcourse". "That's the spirit Tom!"