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Code Omega	By : HobNobsAndTea Category: Individual Celebrities > Tom Hiddleston Views: 1456 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The events in this story are complete fiction. None of these events have taken place.We make no profit from this story other then the enjoyment of writing it and sharing it with others. None of us know Tom personally or have met him.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
You sat back down on the bed. Trying to remain calm, you wondered what to do next. God knows it wasn’t above Michael to have set up traps if you left the room. As quietly as you could, you slipped your hand into your purse, tracing along the bottom looking for the latch. You smoothly popped it open, thankful the sound muffled itself. With your mouth running dry, you felt for the sticks. And there they were. The cold brushed steel was one of the best things you’d ever felt on your fingers.
You mouthed a silent prayer as you slid them out from under the other things nestled in your purse- your wallet Michael had taken the credit card and cash from, your cell phone that had no signal, and a small bag you’d tucked away from a purchase you made earlier with Sophie. It was nothing big, just a small white tile with a pink ribbon tied on it, and a “P” painted in precision scroll. It was to hang in the nursery, and you knew Tom would love the pink.
You hid the sticks under the comforter quickly and pulled the tile out of the bag. Rubbing your thumb over the cool ceramic, you felt Phillipa kick and turn a bit. You had to get out of here. Whatever it took, you had to get out for her. Nothing else mattered. And thankfully, you had what you thought were just the right tools. You cupped your belly and whispered to her.
“We’re gonna get out of here, little girl, okay? We’re gonna be just fine. Mommy is right here, and we’re gonna get out of here and go find Daddy, and we will be perfect. Just hang in for the next bit okay? Because it might not be so fun.”
You ran down the mental list of things Stephen had taught you all those months ago. Every move he showed you. You remembered how he told you to stay focused and not get ahead of yourself. Otherwise the other person could outsmart you- and that was simply not an option today. Threatening you was one thing. Putting Sophie in danger was another. And even thinking about causing harm to your daughter was enough to send you over the edge. Everything ended today. Right now.
~*~
“Sir, we’ve found the car. It was spotted heading southwest on Coleman Street,” the inspector informed the superintendent.
“Follow it, find exactly where it went! Use every resource you need!” he bellowed back. The police were somewhat familiar with the history, and were in touch with Ms Cooper already, thanks to Sophie. “We cannot lose this car, people! This man is to be assumed armed and dangerous and he has a pregnant woman with him wherever he went!”
~*~
Thank God there was no paparazzi at LAX at 3:30am. Or, at least none that recognized him in his hoodie and jeans. It was the first thing he could find to put on as he ran out the door of his hotel room. He sprinted to the ticket counter, doing his best to not draw attention to himself. He found the nearest ticket counter.
“I need to be on the next flight leaving this airport going to New York immediately, please, it’s an absolute emergency!”
The woman behind the counter jumped to attention. Her fingers flew over the keyboard looking for a flight for the harried gentleman in front of her. And just the luck— there was a flight leaving in an hour. “Sir, I have one here, but you might not make it if you have luggage, they’re starting the boarding process in just 20 minutes.”
“No, no luggage, I just need the ticket, please,” he begged, thrusting his credit card at the woman. She swiped it quickly and printed his boarding pass, and handed them both back to him. “Thank you,” he rushed out before grabbing the ticket and taking off in a sprint again towards the gate. Security was bare- and it wasn’t like he had anything on him anyway. He’d even forgotten his belt.
But he would forget everything he’d left behind if it meant being there as soon as possible. He couldn’t believe this was happening. His thoughts ran the gamut from praying and hoping you and Phillipa were all right, to not even wanting to entertain the notion that something had happened to one of you because of this sadistic bastard. Michael was hurting his family. And it was not something Tom took lightly. He swore no matter what happened, Michael would pay for every transgression against you and Phillipa if he had to do it with his own two hands.
You’d been practicing with the batons since Stephen taught you how to use them. Usually when Tom wasn’t home or around because he came in when you were working on your exercises and accidently nailed him square in the stomach that knocked his wind from him for almost two days. On the one hand, it was awesome you could use them well to defend yourself, on the other hand . . . . almost killing your boyfriend and the father of your child was probably not their intended use.
Why was Michael going to all this trouble? He had to know all the shit he did to you and was doing under the radar for so many years was going to come out sooner or later. The perfect little life he had been flaunting in front of you since he married Charlotte and had children was just window dressing. You never blamed Charlotte for any of it. She was kept so blissfully in the dark, she didn’t know what sort of monster her husband was. You didn’t want her and their children to suffer, they weren’t at fault. But Michael was dangerous. As a doctor people trusted him to take care of them when they were weak, ill, and suffering.
Sitting up on the bed you lean back against the wall your hand resting on your abdomen. Finally the door opened and Michael came in. “Oh good, you’re awake.” He said with that smile that made your skin crawl.
“What the fuck are you doing Michael?” You ask outright. “You tipped your hand already; no matter what you do to me you are done.”
“Well honey,” Ugh, he was always so damn patronizing. “Do you remember when I told you that if you ever thought you could get the upper hand on me and pay me back for whatever imagined past wrongs I may have done to you, that I would deal with you accordingly?”
“Michael, if you had just let things go instead of thinking that my relationship with Tom was your road to glory and riches, this could have all been avoided. But you’ve threatened me, you’ve attacked me, and now you’ve kidnapped me. Your life is over.” You say seriously. “The only chance you have is to let me go now.”
He laughs, “My life? You think I’m so easily undone?”
“I think you’re ill and need help.” This man had completely lost all touch with reality. “I think you’re in deeper than before. Not only will you have Tom on your ass but you attacked Sophie which is going to bring Ben into it now as well.” You shake your head a little, “You’ve backed yourself into a corner here, Michael. What do you possibly think you could get out of this?”
He cracks a smile, “How much do you think you’re worth to him?” This had to be a joke, he had to be kidding. His eyes moved to the swell of your abdomen before he waved towards it, “How much do you think that’s worth?”
“They know who you are.” You say in disbelief, “And you can’t say that you weren’t involved now, that I was making up anything, Sophie saw you.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t still get top dollar if he wants you returned safely and . . . . intact.” He said starring at your belly. God, you wish he’d stop looking at and threatening your baby.
“You have a wife and children of your own. If you don’t give a shit about me or anything else in this world, you have to care about them.” You remind him. “Go home to your family, Michael. And let me go back to mine.”
He smirked slightly before standing and walking over to the bed sitting down next to you. Instantly you scooted away from him but the bed really wasn’t that big. “You know,” He said slapping his hand down on your thigh rubbing slightly. “All of this could have been avoided if you’d just been a good girl like you were supposed to be in the beginning. All those little mishaps and misunderstandings would have never happened. But you were so damned useless . . . . you forced my hand.”
“I forced your hand?” You scoffed. “I forced your hand to inject me with experimental drugs? I forced your hand around my throat? I forced your hand to push me, while pregnant, down a flight of stairs that could have broken my neck but instead resulted in a miscarriage. You’ve got a lot of balls Michael. After everything you’ve put me through, all the damage you did, to sit here and act like it was my fault.”
Suddenly he reached out smacking you before grabbing your jaw and turning your face towards him starring into your eyes. There was that feeling inside, the one that you fought so hard to make go away. That feeling like the world was crumbling from under your feet and you were falling with nothing to hold onto. Like ice water running through your veins. You felt your baby kick deep inside of you as it seemed she could feel your fear as well. Your hand flew up and rested over your abdomen. When it was just you before, you could take it even though you shouldn’t have. But you had to protect her now, she depended on you. “You’d think that if you remember all that, you’d remember it’s not a good idea to make me angry with you. Pregnant or not.”
“What do you want from me?” You say starring into his eyes. Of course you didn’t want to provoke him; he proved already he put no value on you or your unborn child. But at the same time, you wanted to hurt him. Every time he glanced at your abdomen, every time he even breathed a word about her, you wanted to hurt him.
“You’re going to make a phone call to your boy toy. You’re going to get the money I want. Then you’re going to see that it’s delivered to me.” He said seriously. “Personally.”
You tear your face away from his hand not understanding where the loose connection in his tiny brain was. “Are you even listening to yourself? What don’t you understand? Maybe you could have gotten away with this shit if you hadn’t have made so many stop and go pathetic attempts to ruin my life before now. But they know who you are.”
“Charlotte and then kids are already gone. We needed a change of scenery anyway. As soon as I have my money in hand, I’ll join them.” He said, “It doesn’t matter if they know who I am. They won’t be able to find me, nor bring me back from where I’m going. All I need from you is your cooperation. You be a good girl and do as I say, and I’ll send you home safe and sound with your little bastard still intact.”
If he thought he could get away with this and just slip away he really was insane. Perhaps if Tom wasn’t such a high profile celebrity his little idiotic plan might have worked. But with both Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston pushing to get this guy convicted, there was no crevice he could shove himself into that will hide him from the world.
“Fine.” You breathe knowing that it will give you a little time to think. You needed to find out where you were and what kind of a layout you were dealing with if you were going to make a break for it. If there was nowhere to escape, you’d be captured again only to be ‘punished’ for trying it in the first place. You had to know where you were and who was watching you. “You have a phone?”
He smiled his eyes burning as he looked at you. There was so much hate in him when it came to you, what in the world had you done to make him so psychotically sadistic towards you.
Tom paced slightly in his living room. Benedict and Sophie had come over not wanting to leave their friend alone. Especially when Tom had been such a complete wreck since he’d gotten off the plane from the US. There were two detectives from Scotland yard there too in case anyone contacted Tom with information on your whereabouts.
“Tom.” Sophie said coming back into the living room. He looked up at her and she motioned for him to come with her. Both Tom and Benedict looked at each other before following after her. She’d found the baby’s nursery that you and Tom had been working on for the baby. “Did you guys do all this yourselves?”
Tom nodded a little sliding his hands in his pockets leaning back against the wall. “Yeah. We painted it together, but she hired an artist to draw that mural. We went with lilac since we’re having a daughter, and she hates pink with a passion.” Ben smiled looking around at the décor.
“It seems to have a Thomas Kinkaide feel to it.” Sophie said picking up one of the soft plush unicorns in the crib.
“Yes. She really likes his artwork. Which surprised me actually. You would never have suspected it was one of her favorites. But she’s . . . .” His words trail off, his eyes on the ground as he felt a twinge in his heart. Sophie and Ben looked at each other wishing there was something that could do for their friend. “She’s opened up to me so much. When we first met . . . she was so different. Extremely bitter, guarded, skeptical, pessimistic . . . but . . . I loved her from the first week I worked with her in the hospital. We fought like Punch and Judy, we were the prime subject for gossip. There was actually a ‘prank’ perpetrated by one of her co-workers. Apparently most of the hospital staff got in on it. They stuffed her locker and mine with a large variety of condoms. They continued to follow us throughout the day, falling out of patient records, in my lunch and hers.”
“That’s a bit of a juvenile thing to do.” Benedict said but he couldn’t suppress the smile finding it extremely funny. “But at least you were well stocked up for a while.”
A small smile appeared at the corner of Tom’s mouth, “Never used a single one.”
Benedict and Sophie glanced at each other with a small knowing smile. Tom fell silent lost in his memories. Wishing, and praying to God you’d be returned home safe to him. He knew that you would do everything to protect and keep Phillipa safe. You’d done everything by the book to the letter from before your daughter had been conceived, and then even more strict when you were given the news that she was on the way. A heaven sent precious gift to the two of you who wanted children so much. “She believed that her miscarriages were her fault for so long. As painful as it was, she forced herself to accept that she was never going to be a mother. That bastard did a bang up job on her when they were married. It wasn’t until I after got to know her, got some of those walls she’d built around her heart down that I truly began to see her. She was only trying to push me away because she was afraid. She didn’t want to be hurt again. The more I found out about Michael, the more I could understand why she did a complete 180. It took a long time, and quite a bit of effort for me to convince her that I wasn’t going to hurt her. That I loved her.” He looked at his hands a moment tears welling in his eyes, “That these hands would ever hurt her, they would never touch her in anger, they just wanted to protect her, always.”
Sophie put the plush animal down before walking over to Tom and taking his hands in hers. “We’ll get them back Tom. She’s a very tough woman when she has to be. You know that.” Tom gives a nod just trying to collect himself.
“I’m sorry.” He apologizes before wiping the tears from his eyes a bit embarrassed. “If she were here, she’d be telling me to ‘suck-it-up’ by now.” He half laughed.
Benedict walked closer and Sophie turned towards him just as he was wrapping his arms around her. “You’re handling this far better than I ever could, old man.” He says hugging Sophie who carried his unborn child. As you do. “If they’d have hurt her Sophie, or left a mark on her there’d be hell to pay. I’d have gone after the bastard myself and flayed him alive.
Tom smiles a little bit, “I’m so glad that you weren’t hurt, Sophie. Michael’s sadistic nature would have had no problem whatsoever ever with using you to hurt her. She’s always cared for others way more than for herself.” Tom clinched his jaw as the sadness was soon replaced by anger and rage. “If he does anything to hurt my child, then God save him. Because nobody else will.” He also knew if anything happened to the baby, it would destroy you completely. You wouldn’t recover from it.
“After everything you’ve told me about Michael and what he’s done to her, I’m about ready for a little violence here.” Ben said seriously.
Tom started to say something but then his phone started to go off. Tom took it out and quickly walked back into the other room where the detectives were. Ben and Sophie immediately followed him. Tom stood next to one of the cops who had a laptop that would help them trace your call should someone know about you or where you’re being held. They’d already hooked a relay into Tom’s phone should he be contacted.
The cop gives a nod to show that they were ready, and Tom accepts the call. “Hello?”
“Hi, Tom? It’s me.” His breathe caught in his throat hearing your voice his eyes going wide.
“Baby . . . are you alright? Did he hurt you?” He asks quickly.
“I’m okay.” You say softly. “But, apparently he did take me for an actual purpose.” You admit with disgust.
“What does the prick want?” Tom demands.
There was a long drawn out silence on the phone. You didn’t want to tell him Michael’s terms, especially as Michael was there tapping his foot and checking his watch impatiently. “He wants money.” The words roll off your tongue like a razor blade.
Tom sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I’m assuming he’s well aware that my international notoriety doesn’t exactly give him the ability to be exported into anonymity.”
Tom heard you start to speak but before you could get an entire sentence out, there was the sound of the brute smacking you for not getting right to the heart of the matter. As he’d warned you to do before you were given the phone. “Darling? What just happened? Did he strike you!?” Tom’s rage built from nothing to nightmare in just a few seconds.
There was another pause, “He wants 5 million dollars.” You sigh in embarrassment and shame to have to ask him.
Tom scoffs, “I suppose they want the money in two canvas bags and dropped off some ridiculous place?”
“Actually, robbery is a lot less hands on then it used to be.” You begin. Then there was another loud smack and shouting to get to the point. Tom’s eyes closed frustrated, scared, and angry at that sound.
He grit his teeth and took a breath, “How much does he want?” Tom asked knowing that the longer this phone call took the more of a beating you’d receive.
Tom could hear the tears in your voice, the utter humiliation of this entire thing. “5 million. As if you could afford it.” You scoff knowing that he didn’t have that kind of money. “He wants you to wire it into an offshore banking account. When it shows you paid then he’ll turn me loose.”
“Fine. I can get the money together, but I want to see you. And I want to see him before I send a brass farthing his way.” Tom said looking at the detective who was giving him a signal to draw this out longer as the phone trace was bouncing off of satellites all over the world. “Baby, how are you? How’s our daughter?”
“We’re okay, Tom.” You said trying to hide the tears and shakiness from your voice. Not wanting him to worry more then he already was. “Both of us, we’re okay.”
If only he could reach out and hold you, keep you safe, and smash that bastards face in. Michael snatched the phone away and growled, “By 9pm tomorrow night Hiddleston.” Then he hung up. Tom looked at the cop.
“Anything?” He asks.
The cop shook his head, “satellite phones are almost impossible to trace. They’re designed to lead you on a wild goose chase.”
He sighs, “I better get to work on scraping together 5 million dollars. Somehow.” Tom shook his head, “Michael isn’t going to get away with it this time.”
“You’re going to pay him?”
“Of course not. But what else was I to say without getting her hurt even worse? And this might buy us an opportunity to get her back unharmed.”
The frenzy began. Even if Tom wasn’t going to pay Michael, he had to make sure the money was there. He called his accountant, demanding every investment be pulled immediately, every stock cashed in and the money transferred to his account.
“I need it done now, do you understand?”
“Of course, sir, but these things can take time and they have to be cleared by-“
“We don’t have time! They have to be done now!” he bellowed into the phone. Sophie placed a hand on his shoulder, drawing him back down. Frustrated, Tom ran a hand through his hair. He took a breath before continuing, “I’m sorry, please forgive me. But there’s no time to lose here, I need you to deliver on this.”
“As quickly as I can, Mr Hiddleston. We’ll get our best people on this.”
“Thank you,” Tom said as he hung up the phone. Ben was on the phone as well, checking to see how much he could lend Tom. “Ben, you don’t have to do this,” he said.
“Nonsense. What sort of friend would I be if I didn’t?” he defended. It was true and Tom knew it- Ben would have done anything it took to help.
“You have no idea what it means, Ben. Truly.”
Ben took a long glance at Sophie. “I think I do, actually. There’s not a shilling on this planet that could replace her or that little baby, is there?”
Tom shook his head. He wasn’t sure if Ben was talking about Sophie or you, but it didn’t matter. That moment was about doing everything they could to get you back home.
~*~
“He’ll never give you a dime if he doesn’t know I’m okay, you know that, right?” you said seethingly to Michael. “Not a nickel, even. He doesn’t even know where we are, why would he give you anything without that?”
“Your little boy toy will give me everything I tell him to give me if he ever wants to see you or that little bastard inside you ever again,” Michael retorted, waving his hand toward your abdomen. You covered it with your hand, feeling Phillipa turn. Trying to keep calm in this situation was like drawing water from a stone, but you had to do it, for her. Just for a while longer.
“He has 24 hours to get his shit together.” With that, Michael slammed the door behind him and threw the lock. You sat down on the bed with a thud. Desperately trying to stay calm for Phillipa, you closed your eyes. You imagined what Tom was doing, hoping he wasn’t alone dealing with this. You imagined Ben there at least, and maybe even Sophie. Although the last thing she needed was this stress, what with her own pregnancy. You prayed she wasn’t hurt in the fight. Her or the baby.
You imagined your life once you got out of this- and you WOULD get out of this, you and Pippa. You would get out and go home to Tom and the three of you would never have to deal with this again. You imagined the first Spring with her, pushing her around the neighborhood in her stroller with Tom’s arm wrapped around you. You pictured her in a little Easter bonnet, the center of attention being passed around between Tom’s parents and sisters. You almost laughed out loud picturing Tom standing in the middle of the nursery at three in the morning bouncing gently at the knees to get her to go back to sleep, singing all the lullabies he could conjure up at that hour.
Phillipa kicked gently as you calmed back down. You ran a hand up and down your stomach and cooed. “It’s all right, baby, we’ll be all right. Daddy is gonna make sure we’re okay, I promise. We’re gonna see him tomorrow night, and we will never have to deal with this evil son of a bitch again. I promise.”
You swung your legs up onto the bed and slid them under the sheets. You winced when your skin came into contact with the sticks you’d hidden there a few hours ago, then made a silent prayer Michael didn’t discover them when he came into the room. You lay back on the pillows and stared at the ceiling. Trying to lull yourself to sleep, even for a moment, was all you could do while you waited. You needed your energy if you were going to be at all useful for yourself and Phillipa.
~*~
Late that night, almost midnight, Tom’s accountant called back with good news. He’d sent Ben and Sophie home because there was nothing left to do but wait. “Sir, we were able to find everything you requested. We had to pull out of several investments, but we have all the money you’ve asked for.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Tom replied, “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, sir. Let us know if you need anything else.”
Tom ended the call and informed the officers still stationed in his living room of the news. “What do we do now?” he asked them.
“There’s not much we can do until he calls back. We still haven’t been able to trace the location of the call- satellite phones are designed to do just that. But we’ve dealt with situations like this before, Mr. Hiddleston. When a man is that insistent, he always calls back,” the officer explained.
Tom nodded silently, feeling helpless. He was doing everything he could to stay hopeful, though. He knew you weren’t a shrinking violet like you used to be with Michael. And he remembered the few times he’d been on the accidental receiving end of your self-defense lessons- something he was still a bit sore from when he thought about it. But hopeless and helpless were two different things. And he knew no matter how helpless he felt, he couldn’t give up hope. Not with you out there and Phillipa still all right like you said.
He meandered into the nursery again looking for comfort. Sitting down in the glider, he looked around at all the preparations you’d done- the sheets already washed and tucked around the mattress, the mobile already hung up, a whole pack of nappies in a basket on the changing table. He heard your voice in his head as he teared up, “Suck it up. We’ll be fine…all of us.”
Tom sat in the glider through the night, dozing off occasionally without realizing it. The only sound he wanted to hear was his ringtone with your voice at the other end of it.
You sit up suddenly in a cold sweat looking around. Your hand instantly goes to your belly as you sigh in relief. Being near Michael when you were pregnant like this filled you with terror. He was present for every miscarriage you had, and it was coming to light that he had caused them. You run your hand over your face and lay back down.
God, you were starving. It had been at least 4 days since he took you from the restaurant with Sophie. He’d given you food and drink but you refused it. You weren’t going to consume anything he gave you and risk your daughter’s life or health. But you felt so faint and you could feel her kick to let you know she was hungry too. You rub your belly humming a tune hoping to calm her down a little bit. “I know.” You say with a sigh.
The door opened suddenly and you sat up as Michael came in. “Come on.” He says carrying your jacket that he’d taken off you when he put you here and tosses it at you. You picked it up looking at him suspiciously. “Don’t want to be late to meet your boy toy.”
You pull your jacket on slipping your hand under the cover and slipping your batons up your sleeves where he couldn’t see. Grabbing your upper arm he jerks you to your feet and turns you around putting a hood over your head. Instantly your entire body goes ridged not being able to see. “Michael! What are you doing!” Instantly your hands fly up to pull it off but he grabs your wrists and pulls them behind your back tying them together.
“Shut up.” He growls at you. “For once in your life, shut the fuck up.”
You start to breathe faster not liking being blinded like this. You didn’t know what he was doing and you couldn’t see where you were going. That didn’t make it easy for you to protect yourself or your little one. “Stop it! I’m cooperating with you! I won’t fight you!” You twist and jump slightly starting to panic.
He grabs you by the back of the neck and jerks your head back. “I’m not going to warn you again. Shut up and hold still or I might decide your attitude needs some adjusting.” You take a breath and force yourself to hold still even though every fiber of your being was screaming out in terror. He finishes securing you before pulling you by the shoulder taking you out of the small room that had held you captive the past few days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tom paced slightly in the appointed place in the park, seeing his every breath in the cold night air. It was freezing out here. He grit his teeth at the thought that you were being kept out here so late at night in the chill. You and Phillipa should be at home, tucked into your warm bed, wrapped in blankets, safely in his arms.
“Look at that.” Tom spun around to see Michael standing holding you by the throat, a .44 magnum in his hand pointed at your head. “He actually showed up. Aren’t you the lucky one.” He said in your ear.
Tom’s heart squeezed in his chest starring at this insane mad man pointing a gun at you and his unborn daughter. “I have what you wanted.” Tom said taking his cell phone out and holding it up showing him the screen. “I’ll send it to your account as soon as you release my family.”
Michael clicked his tongue, “Send it and then I’ll let her go.” Tom didn’t respond right away and Michael jerked your head back stretching you to your toes against him. “Do it Hiddleston.” He demanded.
“No, Tom don’t . . . .” You said quickly only to have Michael squeeze your throat tight pressing the muzzle of the gun against your temple. Tears welled up in your eyes from the pain he was causing bending you back so far and now you couldn’t draw a breath. Tom started to lunge forward but stopped knowing until the bastard released you there was nothing he could do.
“Alright, ALRIGHT!!” Tom held his hands up his thumb hovering over the transfer button. He didn’t see anything else he could do and pressed send. A moment passed before Michael’s phone beeped in his pocket.
He released your neck but the gun stayed planted against your head as he took out his cell phone and looked to see that the money was in the account as he’d ordered. A smile swept his face as he slipped the phone back in his pocket and grabbed your upper arm squeezing your shoulder. “He must really love you.” He hisses in your ear his eyes staying on Tom. “I wouldn’t have paid a red cent.”
“You have what you wanted, now . . . let her go!” Tom shouted impatiently feeling as though he’d waited long enough to have you back home and away from this nut job.
“Do you think I’m stupid Hiddleston?” Michael growled.
“Extremely.” Tom said a dark look on his face unable to stop himself from saying it.
“I know you didn’t come here yourself. There’s probably cops all over this park just waiting to jump me. I know I’m not leaving here unless its in the back of a squad car.” He said jerking your arm, his fingers squeezing so tight they were causing bruises, and your hand turned white as he was cutting off the circulation. It was excruciatingly painful. “Not that they can pin anything on me, but I’m sure I’m going to be doing some time for kidnapping because of that bitch she was with when I picked her up.”
“Michael,” You breathe, “Let me go. He did what you said, he gave you your money.”
“You think you deserve this? You think you belong in a house like his? Have him take care of you? His money? His BED!” He growls. “For better or for worse. Do you remember when you said those words to me? To love, honor and obey. OBEY. And you never did.”
“Michael . . . stop this, stop this please.” You say quickly.
“I would have never divorced you, you’re the one who filed, you forced my hand. You made me let you go.” He growled. Tom’s breath became deeper as he watched. Michael’s attention had shifted from him completely, to you. His eyes were filled with hate and rage. “Paperwork means nothing. You will always be my wife.” He moved the gun down and pressed the muzzle against the swell of your belly. Your eyes went wide. “And this abomination? Is an insult to me and our wedding vows.” Tom’s eyes went wide stepping forward again but stopping not wanting him to fire and destroy his daughter, and most likely killing you as well.
“You remarried. You married Charlotte, you have children, with Charlotte.” You reminded him, tears escaping your eyes and sliding down your cheeks. “Go home to your family, and leave me in peace.” You begged.
“I didn’t ask you for much when we were married. Children. All I wanted from you was children, and you couldn’t give me a single one. You ‘lost’ them all. Every single time. Now you think to give him what you denied me? You belong to me, and so does whatever this is. To do with as I like.” As he talked, becoming more and more enraged, you twist your wrist causing a baton to fall into the palm of your hand from your sweater sleeve. “If you think I’m going to let you have the one thing you denied me, you are egregiously mistaken.”
“For Christ’s sake! If it’s blood you want then take mine!” Tom shouts. “Kill ME if that’s what you wish, but leave them alone! Get that blasted gun away from them!”
Michael’s eyes shifted to Tom with a dark look as he pressed the gun harder against you. This had to stop, this had to end right now. “You’re right.” You breathe. Michael’s brow furrows as he stares at you not certain what you were talking about. “I didn’t give you children as you wanted. I didn’t honor our vows and left you. I didn’t walk away, I ran.” You turn your head looking directly into his stunned eyes. “And I thank God every day, that I didn’t bring children into this world and give them to a sadist.”
Suddenly you jerked your arm back ramming him in the sternum as Stephen had taught you knocking his wind out causing him to cough and step back. You flick your wrist opening the baton before spinning around and smacked it as hard as you could to his throat. He wanted to cry out but couldn’t. You’d hit his throat with such forced with the baton it crushed his Adam’s Apple. You spun around again hitting him as hard as you could across his belly. The gun fell from his hand as he collapsed to the ground, and instantly Tom lunged forward kicking the gun away before Michael could grab it.
“Tom, the cops. Where are the cops?”
“They aren’t here. It’s just us. He said to come alone and I wasn’t about to risk your safety by doing otherwise.” You looked at him tears welling in your eyes again and Tom quickly hurried to you cupping your face and kissing you deeply so thankful that you were safe. “Oh darling, I feared the worst.” He said before kissing you again, then once more both of you forgetting about Michael just for a moment, until he reaches out grasping your ankle.
“NOO!” you screamed, kicking furiously trying to get Michael off you. How he was still able to reach for you was beyond you. His crushed Adam’s Apple should have cut off his air supply, the bastard. You could hear him choking trying to get a breath, tightening his grip around your ankle. What happened next was a blur and slow-motion all at once.
Tom turned and reared his leg back, then brought it swinging forward toward Michael’s stomach. You heard a crack on impact, guessing it was one of Michael’s ribs. He turned over onto this back coughing, and you saw droplets of blood spew from his mouth. His grip loosened, and you skittered back quickly. It all became too much- the scene happening now, the action you’d just taken to protect your life and your daughters’, and not having eaten anything for days. You wanted so badly to hold it together. But soon your legs came out from under you. Your knees hit the pavement and your head started to pound. Dehydration was setting in, and it wouldn’t be long until it was dangerous.
Tom saw you fall and rushed over to you, stroking your hair and trying to pull your head up.
“Darling, look at me, what’s wrong?” he asked, panicked.
“Call an ambulance, now,” you breathed. Everything started to go black as you dropped to your hands and knees. You barely heard Tom whip his phone out again and dial.
~*~
Tom struggled to hold it together himself. As the police arrived, the whole scene was laid out for them. Fortunately, the Superintendent came as soon as he heard who the victim was, you, and he shed some light for the officers.
The paramedics loaded you quickly onto a stretcher and slid you into the ambulance. Tom leapt up into the back, completely ignoring the calls for a need to make a statement. Nothing mattered but you and Phillipa to him right now.
“She’s massively dehydrated, we need to start fluids immediately!” one of them shouted as the other prepped the bag and hung it.
“Is she going to be okay?” Tom begged. The paramedics exchanged a look before answering.
“It’s too early right now, the doctors need to see her first. But tell me, what happened?”
“She was grabbed off the street four days ago almost, I have no idea what’s happened to her in that time, I’m sorry.”
The paramedic pointed to your stomach. “How far along is she?”
“Seven months last week,” Tom answered quickly.
“Shit,” the paramedic said under his breath. “Who in fuck does something like this?”
“A fucking monster,” Tom said. He bit the inside of his cheek to stem the tears burning behind his eyes. He reached for your upturned hand, the one that finally got an IV started. Mouthing a silent prayer, he squeezed it, then reached his other hand to your stomach.
~*~
At the hospital, Tom wouldn’t leave you alone in the room and held your hand like his life depended on it. Doctors and technicians scurried in and out, calling for this medicine and that test. With you still unconscious, Dr Riggins arrived close to midnight and hooked you up to several monitors, including a fetal one. She made a face as the Phillipa’s heartbeat filled the room.
“What? What is it? Is our daughter all right?”
“Her heart tones don’t sound like they did last time. I need to get an ultrasound right now to see it,” she said quickly. Dr Riggins stuck her head out from behind the curtain and called for someone to get it, and a few seconds later, a harried ultrasound tech appeared. Gloving up quickly, they propped your legs up in the stirrups and inserted the probe. Tilting it back and forth to get the best picture, she finally found it.
Tom watched her while his mouth ran dry, desperate to hear something. And after a long beat, she finally pointed to the screen.
“There it is…okay, her heart looks all right…kidneys, lungs, yes…she’s small, though. Smaller than she should be at this stage.”
“Will she be all right, though? I mean, is she too small? What should we do?” Tom stuttered. The panic was setting in again, but Dr Riggins calmed him.
“Tom, listen- she needs you to be calm right now. She’s a strong woman, and that baby has turned out to be a fighter before she ever even gets here. There’s nothing we can do right now that we’re not already doing. Just calm down.” She placed a hand on Tom’s shoulder as he looked up at her. “Let us get the results back for everything, then we’ll know what to do.” Dr Riggins turned back around to finish the exam and print the pictures. Tom squeezed your hand, willing you to do something to respond.
Finishing up, Dr Riggins passed a copy of all the pictures to Tom, then stepped quietly out of the room. He slid his large hand around the bottom of your swollen belly doing his best to stay calm. You would need him calm, he knew. But it was much easier said than done. Looking up at your still face and watching your chest rise and fall with each breath helped. You didn’t look to be in pain anymore. And then he felt a hard kick against his hand. The small laugh that escaped him couldn’t be helped. So he did the only thing he could think to do.
“Hey, little Pip. It’s Daddy. You’ve had quite an adventure, haven’t you? Well, that’s putting it lightly, I suppose. But I bet Mum has kept you safe as she could, eh? Just…just stay put for right now. Let the doctors sort everything and make sure you and Mum are all right. But don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’m so glad you’re all right. I don’t know what I would have done if something…” he drifted off. Just the thought that something may have happened was awful, and he pushed it away quickly. Tom leaned forward and placed a kiss at the crest of your stomach. “I love you, little one.”
~*~
A couple hours later, the cops came to take his statement. Tom signed it one handed, refusing to let you go. He laid the whole story out- how you had been harassed for months now, how Michael had even come to your apartment and attacked you. He told the cops about the attack in the alley you had committed, and that it didn’t stop Michael from trying to get you again. He had just planned better this time.
He told the cops about the demand Michael had made for your life, and what he had gone through to get everything together. When they asked why he didn’t call them for the exchange, he replied, “I couldn’t risk it. If something had happened to either of them, I’d never forgive myself.”
They left shortly after, but Tom stopped them right before they stepped out. “What’s going to happen to him now?”
The officers exchanged a look. One bit her lip while the other answered, “The perpetrator was pronounced dead at the scene. His airway was crushed, he suffocated.” The officer didn’t sound too disappointed as he delivered the news. “If you ask me, that’s probably the best thing that could have happened to him.”
Tom stayed up all night holding your hand through the rails of the bed, leaned back in the most uncomfortable chair on Earth, apparently. The hard plastic was unforgiving, and he ached from staying in one position for all those hours. But he wouldn’t leave. Not as doctors went in and out, not as technicians came and went, and not as nurses delivered different test results. One nurse came in around 3am, and keeping her voice low, told him, “This will be the hardest night, I promise. I’ve seen things like this before.”
“You have?”
“Yeah. Not quite like this, but where mum and baby are in real trouble for different reasons. If she comes through the night, they’ll both be fine, I’m sure. Both their vitals are strong. She must be a fighter, huh?”
“She is…both of them.”
The nurse patted Tom’s shoulder in comfort, then changed the fluid and injected a couple different medicines into your IV. “She shouldn’t have any pain, at least. When she wakes up, she’ll probably be groggy, so just be patient with her.”
Tom nodded. The nurse slipped out quietly, but returned a couple minutes later, carrying a paper cup filled with steaming coffee.
“You look like you could use this. You certainly look like you’re staying put for the night,” she joked. Tom couldn’t help his small smile. “You are right about that, miss. Thank you so much.”
She placed the coffee on the small bedside table and Tom began to doctor it just so. If she was right and the first night was the hardest, then you certainly were doing all right. He stroked your hand gently, wishing you awake. The night was half-over by now, and he hoped “up" was the only direction you could go.
The next afternoon your eyes open slowly before closing again. The bright lights over your head were painful. It takes you a moment to adjust to your surroundings, but then your hand immediately went to your abdomen. You were quite obviously still pregnant.
Tom had been dosing on and off in his chair until he saw her move. Instantly he stood and sat down on the bed next to her. “Darling?” He says quickly taking your hand. You smile seeing him with you.
“Tom,” Your throat was a bit dry and it was hard to speak. “Is she okay?” You asks quickly.
“Yes. Yes our daughter is safe and very well. You were dehydrated and a little malnourished when they brought you in. You were held for almost a week, and I doubt you ate or drank very much.” He explained.
“I couldn’t. After what he’s done in the past, I couldn’t bring myself to touch anything he gave me. If he would drug me, or do something horrible to Phillipa. Not after all the things he’s done in the past.” You say feeling ashamed that your daughter had to suffer because of it. “You’re sure she’s alright? They’re certain?”
Tom smiles reaching up and smoothing your hair back, “Yes. Your both going to be fine my love.” He holds your hand a little tighter lifting it and kissing your knuckle. “God, I am so thankful that you and she weren’t harmed.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The two of you sit in Ms. Cooper’s office recounting everything they had been through from beginning to end yet again. You did feel a bit of regret and shame. Not because Michael was dead, but because you killed him. In a way that he had suffered for at least a few minutes before he finally died.
“Well, I have some good news for you.” The lawyer begins. “There will be no charges against either of you. The police were well aware of the situation. Your being kidnapped and threatened, and Mr. Hiddleston being blackmailed into paying a ridiculous sum of money. Which by the way, I am happy to tell you Mr. Hiddleston, that every single cent was recovered and returned to you.” You sighed in relief to hear it. You didn’t want Tom to be forced to pay that much. It’s not like he HAD that much to pay. He’d have to do quite a few block buster movies to get that money back. “Having reviewed all the facts, they’ve declared the incident was self defense and you had no choice but to act as you did.”
Tom smiles and squeezes your hand, so incredibly thankful that you could finally put this chapter of your life behind you. You’d had enough pain and drama already to last a life time. “Can . . . I move back in with Tom now?” You ask softly.
“Of course. Since Michael is dead, none of this will go to court. We don’t have to rely on a jury’s sympathy to get justice. With that over and done with, you’re free to live wherever you please, with whom ever you please.” You give another nod having felt somewhat numb since that night. Ms. Cooper stands and offers her hand to Tom. He shook it, before she turned to you and shook your hand as well. Both of you stand and turn to leave as she walks you to the door. “Now you can concentrate on what’s most important. Your little one.”
“Absolutely. We still have a few things to do to prepare for her arrival.” Tom said with a grin.
Tom opens the door but you stop a moment, “His wife and children.” You turn and look towards her, “What’s going to happen to them?”
“I think they will be alright. A surgeon, he had a considerably generous life insurance policy. A bit over 500,000 I believe. If you like we could sue for pain and suffering that was inflicted on you.” She suggested.
You shook your head, “No. Neither Charlotte nor her children were responsible for any of this. Suing them now would simply cause more pain, and punishes no one but them.”
Ms. Cooper gives an understanding nod before you and Tom exit her office.
Once back down in the parking garage, Tom wraps his arms around your waist and picks you up spinning around before holding you close, so thankful to have you in his arms once again. “I was so very worried I would never be able to hold you again. Michael really had lost his mind near the end. He died far too quickly for what he’s done.” You give a small nod and smile softly. Tom cocks his head looking at you. “What’s troubling you?”
You take a breath before sighing, “I know that he was a complete psychotic asshole, but . . . I still killed someone. I just . . . I don’t know how I feel.”
He slid his fingers through her hair seeing the few bruises where Michael continually struck you. It still made him angry that anyone would dare lay a hand on you. Or threatened the life of his daughter. “I know sweetheart.” He says resting his forehead to yours as you both close your eyes. “But it truly was self defense. You’re going to be a mother soon. The mother of my child. I don’t think I could ever let you out of my sight with that bastard roaming free in this world. He had a tendency to show up at the worst times and didn’t leave without hurting you in some way. You did it for our child. To keep her safe.”
You couldn’t argue that point because it was exactly that. The thought of Michael hurting your little girl had kept you awake a few times in the past year. But even knowing all this, you still felt ashamed for what you’d done. Tom holds you closer and kisses you gently before looking into your eyes, “It’ll past in time my love. Just remember,” He reached down and gently held his hand over your abdomen, “You did it for her.”
He takes your hand and you go to his jaguar as you head back to your apartment, to gather the few things you had so you and Tom could live together again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You sit quietly looking between the clock and the screen of your laptop. Tom and Luke released the announcement of you and Tom being together and expecting your first child. You didn’t know how people were going to react and you could hardly breathe waiting for the fallout.
Tom comes in seeing you sitting on the bed with your laptop just starring at it. Tom walks to you, “Darling, don’t worry about that.” He says closing the laptop and sitting down next to her. “It will take a while but on the whole, I believe that my fans will be happy for me that I found that someone I’d always hoped for. Of course there will be a few who will become angry and a few of them depressed, but that’s normal. It’ll level off in a few weeks while the worlds as time to adjust. So,” He kisses your lips, “Don’t go on social media websites for a while. There will be those who say negative and mean things, and I don’t want you drowning in them. You and Phillipa can rest and recover from everything. But don’t worry about what the masses may or may not say. None of it matters, because I’m with you. The love of my life. And our little girl.”
You give a nod having been waiting, completely terrified of what was posted on the internet and media outlets. But Tom’s smile always seemed to melt your worries away. You trusted that he knew what he was doing, and if he said not to worry about his hoards of fans, then you won’t. The important thing was that you were a family now. And as Ms. Cooper said, you needed to concentrate on your little one now. Something you were going to do to see she had everything she could want or need.
You ran down the checklist one final time before leaving the house. There was so much to be done, and you were worried it wouldn’t all get finished before it was time. Tom walked into the nursery finding you standing in the middle of the room, deep in thought.
“Darling, what is it?”
“I’m worried something is missing…but I can’t figure out what.”
Tom laughed lightly and came toward you. “Love, what could she possibly need? There are more books in here than she’ll ever read, more toys than she’ll ever be able to play with, and you couldn’t fit a single extra stuffed animal in here if you tried! She’s got everything she’ll need.”
He wrapped his arms around you from the side and rested one hand on your swollen belly. “She also has two parents who love her more than anything else in this whole world,” he whispered. It made you grin, and you laced his fingers with yours.
“That’s very true. I know I’ve been around babies for the last ten years and I should know what they need, but it just feels so different with her. I just want to make sure everything is right, you know?”
“I do know. But we’ll figure it out together, and everything will be fine. Now come on, Ben and Soph are waiting for us at the restaurant. We’ve got to go.” Tom dropped his arms, but kept his hand in yours and tugged gently at you to hurry out the front door. You nabbed your jacket before walking out into the cold night air and hugged it around your shoulders.
Fort the first time in years, you felt light. There was no feeling of foreboding around you; you didn’t feel like you were being watched or you had to be careful where you stepped. Michael was gone, and you would never have to worry about him again. The accusations he had made against you were all coming undone as more and more evidence came to light. You still felt so conflicted about what you had done. You killed him. It was simple as that. It wasn’t something you were proud of, or had any intention to spread around word, but to know you had finally taken back control from the monster who tried to end your life as you knew it was a feeling you couldn’t deny was fantastic. You wished it didn’t have to end that way, though. But there was nothing else that could be done about it. So you accepted it as much as you could.
The feeling of being so close to the man you loved and the father of your soon-to-arrive daughter was incredible. You watched him drive through London on the way to dinner. It was wonderful to watch him maneuver through traffic. You reached up and ran your fingers through his hair, watching him smile.
“Darling, if you keep doing that, we won’t make it to dinner,” Tom moaned to you. He leaned his head back into your hand as you massaged it, then moved down to his neck. Just to feel him under your fingers was something you loved and missed.
Dinner passed quickly with your friends. You and Sophie had made such a bond over the whole experience, that you counted it as the only good thing to come out of the bad. You talked over dinner over all sorts of “Mom” things.
“We’ve got to organize a weekly playdate, wouldn’t you say?” she asked you.
“Absolutely. I’ll need the opportunity to get out of the house before I go stir-crazy!” you laughed. Sophie laughed with you, then followed up, “So you’re not going back to work, then?”
You shook your head. “Not too soon, no. Phillipa may be my only one, and I don’t want to miss a thing with her. Tom and I talked about it, and he’s all for it. Besides, the break will be so nice, I’ll only have to worry about the two of them and getting them taken care of.”
Tom overheard you, and slipped his hand into yours under the table. You turned to him with a smile to see him beaming at you. You were so happy he was supporting your decision to stay home for a while. He also agreed to take some time off after his current project, and you couldn’t wait to be with him in that time.
“How much longer do you have?” Ben asked across the table.
“Only two and a half weeks now. And really, once you get to this point, she could come any day now. It’s just a waiting game now,” you replied.
“I can’t wait to see her, I’m sure she’ll be gorgeous,” he said. You blushed. Tom leaned toward Ben and put his other hand on his shoulder.
“Thank you, Ben. I’m sure she will be too. As long as she looks like her mother, she’ll be perfect.”
“Right, because you’re such a terrible looker yourself, Tom,” you said with a smirk. The table burst into laughter at your comment. You couldn’t stop the smile on your face. As you looked around you, you felt such happiness. Your life was finally back to “normal”. As normal as you could expect, at least. Even the comments posted in online articles about you and Tom were positive. He was right- his fans were happy for him because he was happy. And you were able to make that happen for him, you and Phillipa. And you only had to wait a couple more weeks, if that long, to make your biggest dream a reality. Even after everything that had happened, you and Phillipa both were safe and healthy. What more could you ask for?
“Darling,” Tom began giving you a look, “Are we really still arguing over this? I want to be there for the birth of my daughter.”
“And you will be. In the next room. Watching TV and drinking coffee.” You reply.
“Come on, you’re acting like this is the 1950’s. I want to be there, in the room, by your side to support you sweetheart.” Tom reaches up and caresses your cheek gently.
“Tom.” You begin with a sigh covering his hand with yours holding it to your face, “I’ve assisted on so many births. Not all of them went well, and the template of an ‘easy’ delivery is still pretty horrific. There’s blood, there’s screaming, there’s just . . .” You shake your head, “You think you want to see it, but it’s not as ‘beautiful’ as people say it is.”
Tom cocks his head looking at you curiously, “Are you afraid that I won’t want to be with you anymore? If I see your giving life to our little one, I won’t want to have sex with you ever again? Is that your fear?”
He sort of hit the nail squarely on the head with that. Seeing a small human emerge from between a woman’s legs wasn’t exactly an aphrodisiac. “Tom I don’t want you to see me like that. I really don’t.”
“But I don’t want you to go through this alone.” He kisses your forehead drawing you into his arms hugging you tight against his breast. “I want to be there, I want to be holding your hand, I want to be one of the first faces our daughter sees when she enters this world and begins her life. I want us to welcome her together.”
You close your eyes and hug him back. More than 8 months you’ve been having this argument. Tom wanting to be there, your wanting him to stay in the waiting room until both you and Phillipa were cleaned up from the carnage. He didn’t understand how much blood was involved. You didn’t intend to scream but if it hurt bad enough, which it would, you wouldn’t be able to help it. It seemed like neither of you were going to budge an inch and were going to have to compromise. “If you’re in the room . . . do you absolutely promise to stay on the proper side of the tent? Holding my hand and not looking over the barrier that conceals everything?”
His eyes lit up, ”Really? You’ll let me be in the room?” He questioned a sparkle in his eyes. “Yes, yes of course darling. As long as I can hold your hand and can encourage you.” He swore. A grin swept his face, beyond ecstatic hardly able to wait now. He kisses you once, then again, then a third time before embracing you tight against him. Truth be told, he was about to concede the fight, not wanting to upset you when you were so close to giving birth. And if you truly didn’t want him in the room, he would respect your wishes.
“I mean it. You have to stay with my upper half Thomas. Promise me. Please?” You ask sincerely.
“I swear it darling. With every fiber of my being.” He says with a smile kissing you again. “I know you’re worried that I won’t want you to share my bed if I was to witness you brining our daughter into this world . . . but you couldn’t be more wrong my love.” Tom rests his hand on the large swell of your abdomen a moment before he felt a powerful kick against his palm causing him to laugh and smile. “You are the woman I love, carrying the child we conceived together in love. You’re stuck with me now. No matter what. I could never leave you, never let you go, ever in a billion years.” He kisses you again before resting his forehead to yours just cherishing holding you and Phillipa in his arms, his family. The two girls that meant more to him in this world then life itself. He smiled loving having you in his arms. Finally that nightmare chapter of your life was over, and you never had to worry about Michael again. You were safe, and Phillipa was safe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tom picked up his phone when it started to ring. He’d gone in to see Luke about a few projects that were coming his way that were on track to be massive hits. The bigger the blockbuster, the bigger the paycheck, and the more notoriety. He didn’t want you to have to go back to work at any point, so the more money he received for his acting, the better. He smiled hearing your ring tone, “Hello darling. Luke and I were just going out to lunch before we finish up things here. I’ll be home before 5pm for certain.”
“You might actually want to get in the car and come home now, Tom.” You say trying to stay calm.
The smile fled from his face, “Why? What’s wrong?”
“My water just broke . . . and um . . . Phillipa has decided she’s ready to arrive.” Tom froze in place starring wide eyed at nothing. It’s like his brain had shut off completely and time froze. “Hello?” You say not certain if the phone went dead.
Suddenly things came flooding back and time sped up, “Okay, alright I’m on my way home, right now. Do you have everything? Are you ready?” He asked quickly not even saying goodbye to Luke as he turned and dashed out the door and down the hallway.
“No, meet me at the hospital. I’m pulling into the parking lot right now.” You say quickly.
“What!?! You drove yourself!?! He said in astonishment.
“I’m pregnant not disabled Tom. I’m a nurse remember? The faster one gets to the hospital once their water breaks, the less chance there is of complications or dangers.” You explain.
“Okay, Okay . . .” Pushing through the elevator doors as they opened in the basement he ran for his jag quickly retrieving his keys from his pocket. “I’ll be there in less than 10 minutes. 5 if I have anything to say about it.”
You pull your car up in front of the emergency entrance. “Drive careful please? I’m at the hospital now, I’m fine, I’m safe . . . . please don’t be a dumb ass and get yourself killed before you have a chance to meet our daughter.” You say seriously.
Tom jumps in the car, “Alright love, I’ll be there as quickly as I can. Darling?” He says before he hangs up. “I love you. So very much.”
You smile a little, “I love you too.” Hanging up you get out of your car your hand on your abdomen. You'd called ahead on the way to the hospital and there were nurses waiting for you with a gurney at the front entrance.
Tom almost beat you to the room having raced across town to get to the hospital. He slung the door open to your room just as you were getting settled in the bed.
"Darling! Darling, are you all right? Did I miss anything? Do you-"
"Tom, stop! Just calm down, okay? Nothing has happened yet, and it may not for a bit. It all depends on her now," you explained, laughing at him a little. His nerves were sufficiently rattled, while yours were still calm.
There was nothing you actually could do- it was a game of Hurry Up And Wait now. Tom came to kneel in front of you as you sat on the side of the bed. He took your hands and looked up at you. You could tell he was worried.
"Sweetie, don't freak out on me now. We've made it this far. And by all accounts, Phillipa is fine. We just have to wait for her to make her appearance," you calmed him.
Tom smiled and kissed your hands, then moved to your belly. He stroked down one side and kissed the top, then started to speak.
"Phillipa, sweet girl, me and mummy are ready whenever you are. I know it's comfortable in there, but we are dying to see you. Please hurry up out of there, little princess."
You smiled as he finished his sweet speech, but it didn't last long. A massive wave of pain swept you, unlike anything you'd ever felt. A contraction. You doubled overall squeezed Tom's hand as hard as you could to keep from screaming. Fortunately, he'd read all the books and knew what to do. You could barely hear him tell you to breathe as he squeezed back and held you up.
"In and out, darling, in and out, you can do this," he chanted to you. After a minute the pain subsided and you relaxed as much as you could. This was not going to be easy.
~*~
It felt like an eternity later, but it was only hours. Your hair held back, your feet in stirrups, and Tom keeping his promise to stay right beside you, it was finally zero hour.
Dr Riggins took her place between your legs and instructed you in your next move.
"Okay, you're ready. We need you to push, (y/n)."
You took a breath and laced your fingers with Tom's as the nurse started her count backwards from ten. Tom did everything to encourage you while you bore down as best you could.
"Five more seconds, you're almost there, two, and one. Amazing darling, I'm so proud of you," he whispered in your ear. At the end of the countdown, you fell back against the bed wanting to cry.
"Oh my god, please just let her get here, I can't do this much longer," you exclaimed.
"You're doing fantastic, (y/n), she's almost there! Just a couple more big pushes and we'll be good, okay?" Dr Riggins told you. You groaned at the news.
"Darling, look at me," Tom said. You turned your eyes. "You are doing amazing, our daughter is almost here, you can do this, I promise."
You nodded and took another breath. The nurse counted down from ten again as you pushed hard, Tom saying softly in your ear, "You can do this, you're doing amazing!"
Falling back on the bed again, you knew you didn't have long to go now.
"All we need is one more and that's it, okay?"
You nodded and squeezed Tom's hand for the last time, and pushed, hearing him coach you one last time. You felt something slip out finally, and slammed back against the bed, trying to catch your breath. And the. You heard the sweetest sound you'd ever heard.
It was her cry. Your daughters' cry. It filled the room, and you thought you would never hear anything more beautiful in your whole life. You watched as the nurses carried her to the warmer quickly and cleaned her off, then swaddled her up.
"Please, let me hold her, I need her," you begged, reaching for her. The nurse turned and headed toward you, the tiny bundle wrapped up tight. She placed her in your arms and you hugged her tight. Tom sank to the bed, taking in the sight. The woman he loved most in the world holding their daughter. His vision blurred as he smiled, the tears streaming down his face. He reached forward to cup Phillipa's head and you leaned back against him.
She was finally here. After all your years of practically self-imposed torture, and believing you were never meant for this, the thing you wanted most in the whole world was finally here. Nothing else mattered in this moment. This was your dream come true.
You looked up to Tom and saw him a happy mess. He was beside himself. He could hardly believe it either, it seemed. He kissed your temple and said through his tears, "I love you so much, you have no idea."
He wiped away your own happy tears before you responded, "I absolutely do."
~*~
The nurses cleaned you up and everything settled, but you refused to let Phillipa go to anyone but Tom. You watched him hold her close, his hands able to support her entirely. She was small like Dr Riggins had thought, but she was healthy. Nothing else had been affected by your week of Hell. And Phillipa would never know a world with that monster in it.
Exhausted, you relaxed into the bed watching Tom hold Phillipa against his bare chest. Skin-to-Skin contact was crucial, one of the nurses told you, and Tom was willing to do whatever it took for his daughter. He'd pulled the blanket up close around the two of them and you watched as he gently stroked her skin and kissed her tiny fingers. Phillipa made little murmurs and coos.
"She likes that," you said.
Tom turned to you with a smile. "You think so?" You nodded. "Good. I like to do it. So she'll be getting it a lot," he stated. You smiled at him again.
"Darling, you're completely worn out. You rest, while I take care of her, okay?"
You couldn't resist. You were half there already, so you closed your eyes and drifted off to Phillipa's little coos.
Tom continued to softly stroke her skin, and placed gentle kisses wherever he could reach. His dream had finally come true. He was a daddy. You'd done that for him. He could never repay you or thank you enough for what you had given him. For years, he'd watched his sister and brother-in-law with their children, and hoped to have some of his own to love and raise like they did. And it finally happened.
And she was beautiful. A head with wheat blonde locks already, and big blue eyes. She had your nose, and a precious little freckle on the top of her shoulder. Tom committed everything to memory as he lay on the cot beside you- the hospital bed was far too small for the both of you. He lay still as the motion of his breathing put Phillipa to sleep, and he kept watch over her and you.
~The End~
- 6
- 7
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