A/N: Sorry for this one being a little later than normal! Also, don't expect an update until wednesday after this. I'm traveling. While I'll be writing I'm not certain I'll have access to consistent internet to post! I apologize!
April 19, 2012
There was something about this premiere that seemed different, Cassandra thought. It was.. a nice sort of different, but she couldn't quite identify what the sensation was. Her heart wasn't in her throat, feeling like it was going to choke her from anxiety. Her lungs were breathing more easily than they had in the past. But the red carpet was still very much red, and the clamoring of the individuals on either side of it, still unnerving.
The warm press of Tom's hand at the small of her back was no longer a necessary lifeline. She smiled slightly at the realization. Her own two feet were competent enough at carrying her. She wasn't terrified.
And she wasn't alone. Nearly eye to eye with Tom in her heels she had a relatively decent vantage point of her surroundings. Jeremy and Lisa were some ways ahead of them. Even if she rushed, she thought that they wouldn't have managed to catch up. Judging from the way the nurse attempted to covertly lay an elbow into the actor's ribcage, though, Cassie suspected they were doing just fine on their own. Lisa, at least, had maintained a sense of presence and didn't look as if she were drowning.
Cassandra smiled all the brighter. While there had always been guests, rarely had there been anyone else that implied significant other. With Lisa and Elsa, the blonde woman wasn't alone any longer. Perhaps that's what the feeling was.
"I didn't manage to tell you earlier, but I met Elsa this morning." Conversation between them was stilted in the presence of the cameras. Tom's implacable grin was almost permanently affixed to his features. Her own smile was not quite so open, but it too, was a constant presence.
"What did you think of her?"
Cassie laughed, turning her chin slightly away from the man to look the other way. "She was.. interesting. I think I could like her very much. She and Chris both – they're lovely. I didn't think she would be quite so very pregnant, though."
Tom's laugh was infectious. She supposed it was a rather ridiculous thing to say. Despite that though, it was true. The beautiful, petite woman had looked ready to burst at any moment.
"Did she seem well? I haven't spoken with her yet. It's been some time, actually."
Looking the other direction as she was, Cass's slight curve of the lips widened into a broader smile. "Actually, if you'd like to, I see her a little ways away – over there. Don't see Chris, though."
The feeling of his fingers curving gently around her side in a squeeze of appreciation was all the answer she needed. Tom leaned over though, to press a gentle kiss against her cheek in reply. "You wouldn't mind, darling?"
Cass laughed quietly. "No. They're your friends, Tom. I wouldn't want to keep them from you on my account." She paused, catching a black and red dressed woman a few strides behind them. "Actually, if you'd like to go, I'll meet you there?"
The look he gave her was a surprised one. She met it with her own enigmatic expression. Squeezing the wrist of the hand that he had settled at the small of her back affectionately, Cassandra stepped away and out of his hold. There was no lingering hesitation as her expression remained utterly unperturbed by her apparent independence. It came as more of a shock to Tom. He, however, wouldn't question it. Not here.
"Alright, sweetheart. I'll see you in a bit then!"
He wasn't able to contain his enthusiasm for being able to meet up with his friends. Smiling at his departing figure as his long strides brought him over to the pregnant Spanish woman Cassandra remained still a moment longer.
"That was nice of you," Scarlett's familiar voice remarked.
Turning to meet the actress squarely Cass offered a slight smile, coupled with a shrug. "He hadn't seen her yet. And he walks faster than I do at the moment!"
Both women glanced down at the barely-there straps that kept the slender four inch stiletto heeled shoe in place. Cassie's smile adjusted to a more rueful expression. "Apparently I need to practice. You never seem slowed by them overly much. I guess that's on my list of things to work on."
Scarlett only laughed. The two women shared a companionable hug before the actress tilted her head in the direction that Tom had stridden off in. Cassandra's gaze flicked over, obeying the silent order. She saw him bending down …
"…Is he molesting her baby bump?"
Cass's voice was incredulous as both of her brows lifted in surprise. Scarlett only laughed.
"No, seriously," Cassie continued. "I hadn't realized they were that well acquainted. At least, I hope they are now. Because if they aren't then the sad truth is that being pregnant automatically makes your stomach public property to grope. Which is creepy. Very, very creepy."
Looping her arm around the taller woman's, Scarlett navigated further down the carpet alongside her. The smile was unshakeable although the bright gleam in her eyes indicated no small measure of humor in response to Cassandra's revelation.
"You concerned?"
"Yes!" Cass paused, her expression concerted for a moment. "No. Wait. That came out wrong. What are you asking about?"
"Oh no," Scarlett replied smoothly. "Spill. What are you concerned about? Do I see babies in your future?"
The stunned look that Cassandra delivered in reply was one part horrified, one part repulsed and wholly appalled. Evoking laughter at the expression, she only sighed, beleaguered.
"I borrow other people's kids," she remarked pointedly. "I get to give them back at the end of the day. I also only want them after they've hit a certain age. Infants scare me."
They kept walking after that. It was less than a minute later that Cass saw Tom look over in her direction, tilting his head in silent inquiry. Recognizing the wordless communication, she turned to Scarlett with the expectation of taking leave from her friend. Instead of polite niceties though, the actress reached up to hug Cassandra fondly. Squeezing the woman tightly around the waist, Scarlett was still forced to lift herself higher on her toes to rest her chin on Cass's shoulder for a moment.
"We," she proclaimed, "will do something soon that's not media related. And it will be fun."
Embracing her in return, Cassie wondered if the surreal moment would dissolve in an instant as she woke up. When she didn't, the woman only nodded at her friend. Friend. It had a nice sound to it.
Stuck in the haze of that realization as she picked her way over the red carpet, carefully navigating around the only vaguely familiar faces or total strangers, Tom's arm twining around her waist was a warm welcome back to reality. Leaning lightly into his shoulder in a silent greeting, she smiled up at him as he grinned back. Her eyes drifted over to where Elsa stood as well, Chris now alongside.
She mulled over her question, wondering if it was too impolite to ask. It was stayed for a moment as Chris stepped forward, casually edging Tom's arm away as he embraced the younger woman fondly. Cass didn't bother to repress the warm smile that she met him with in return.
"Chris," Cassandra greeted. "It's good to see you." She found her feet more firmly placed on the ground again as the Australian stepped back. "And Elsa. You're absolutely stunning."
The other woman laughed, head tilted back slightly with the gesture. "You're too kind. Both of you," and her sweeping gaze included Tom in that sentiment.
Cass shook her head in denial, leaning down as the actress slash model, slash producer, stepped forward to greet her. It wasn't so exuberant as others she had received that day but somehow, it seemed all the more appropriate as a response.
"I would never lie," Tom declared gallantly from behind the two women.
Elsa chuckled, lifting a brow at Cassandra. "He is full of it, is he not?"
She looked between the pregnant woman, and the familiar man. For a moment, silence lingered around all four of them. Then, she turned her attention to Chris. Smiling broadly, she edged away so she no longer stood between Elsa and Tom. "Chris! How are you today?"
The boisterous laughter from all three of them was worth the theatrical diversion. "Well done," the taller man acknowledged.
"Hardly subtle," Tom interjected. "But effective."
Cassandra grinned at all of them. "I feel like subtlety is lost to me at the moment."
To punctuate the sentiment, the popping bulbs of camera flashes went off. Recognizing the irony of the expression, Tom inclined his head slightly. Having ceded the point, the Englishman turned his gaze over to Chris.
"Shall we?" he entreated politely.
Instead of answering, Chris looked down to Elsa, who nodded without hesitation. The entire exchange left Cassandra utterly baffled. When the Spanish woman stepped forward to loop an arm around Cass's waist, though, she didn't let her features betray her surprise or her puzzlement. As Tom came to stand on her other side, she saw Chris on the other end. Linked together as they all were, the two men grinned widely. Elsa's expression was equally becoming.
Feeling thoroughly out of place, Cassie fought to keep her expression from drawing tight with nerves. The corner of her lips curved up into a beguilingly shy smile as her chin dipped slightly. She felt Tom's fingers curve over her bare shoulder as his other hand lifted in a cheerful wave.
It was a moment that every camera seemed desperate to take advantage of.
Cass was left nearly blinded by the flashes. Slightly disoriented, it was only when Elsa's arm slipped away that she let her own hand fall from the pregnant woman. She stepped back, more closely against Tom. Lifting her chin to smile up at him, she tried to blink away the spots.
"Well," she remarked mildly. "That was interesting."
Elsa laughed from the side. "You have a gift for understatement."
Chuckling sheepishly, Cass lifted her shoulders in an awkward shrug. Letting her eyes drift over the rest of the carpet they had to walk, she was pleased to note that they were coming close to the doors of the building. While it wouldn't offer an escape from the crowds, hopefully the press would be less daunting there.
Luke's words from earlier crossed her mind. As Tom's conversation with Elsa fell into a comfortable lull, she threaded her fingers briefly with his. Squeezing lightly, Cassie found Tom's attention as it fell fully onto her.
"Do you mind if I go on ahead?"
Again, surprise played over his features. Realizing how abruptly the sentiment had come out, Cassandra laughed slightly.
"Sorry," she professed after a moment's pause. "Not quite like that. I'm sure that there's a number of people who are dying for your attention," Cass pointed out after a moment. He had paused here and there to sign things and interact with people, but it hadn't been a consistent affair. "I don't want to feel like you're having to dote on me to make certain I don't commit some wretched faux pas."
Tom was preparing to speak, doubtless to voice an objection. However, Elsa seemed more than content to steamroll all the men in the vicinity. She smiled brightly, expression remarkably pleased.
"I will walk a ways with her," the Spanish woman declared without pause. "You and Chris can take the time with your fans and neither of us will be left alone."
Apparently that settled that. Tom laughed ruefully, releasing Cassandra's fingers to hold both of his hands up in mock surrender. "I dare not argue with the ladies," he proclaimed theatrically. Elsa reached over to swat his sleeve playfully.
"Wise of you," she retorted, looking down her nose at him even despite her shorter stature.
Without waiting for either man, she turned into an unignorable force of nature as she and Cass took a few steps down the carpet in company with one another. As they went, she looked over her shoulder to Chris. "I'll wait for you not far from here," she informed him, before turning her attention back to Cassandra.
Whose attention, at the moment, had returned to the undeniably heavily pregnant figure.
"I blame Chris," Elsa remarked wryly after a moment of silence. She didn't stop walking. "He's just so.. large. His brothers, too. This baby was doomed to have at least half of those genetics."
Cassie laughed ruefully. "Sorry. Staring. And as far as genetics go, they might be half giant but they're all beautiful between the two of you. I feel like this is painfully unfair for any other kid who has to grow up at the same time as yours."
Elsa's bright laughter seemed unperturbed by her company's rather untoward conversation. "That's very kind of you. We're both so excited."
"I couldn't tell," Cass remarked drily. "The way that Chris seems permanently attached to your baby bump didn't give it away at all."
The other woman snickered.
"And then Tom apparently is drawn to it as well. Magnetic force? Or are pregnant women just public property all of the sudden?"
"Both," Elsa replied with an unbothered shrug of her shoulders. "They're both so excited about it. I'm not sure the baby will have any time to herself when she comes, everyone's going to constantly be holding her."
"Wretched fate," Cass commented sardonically. "A doting father and hoards of uncles ready to shower her in affection. This is sounding rougher and rougher."
Elsa only laughed, shaking her head. Put that way, and perhaps the American had a valid point about it all. In the very least her child would be spoiled senseless. It was the prerogative of parents and extended relations, though. Leaning over to glance over her shoulder she noted where the two men they had left had gotten held up. She slowed her steps which brought Cassandra to a slower walk by her side.
Imparting a light hug to the younger woman, the actress took an easy step back with a smile. "This, I think, is where I leave you." Her eyes lingered on Chris for a moment again. "We'll catch up inside, yes? You can introduce me to your friend. And the story."
The story. Trying to explain why Lisa was walking with Jeremy Renner. That story. Her smile looked more like a grimace as Cassie laughed sheepishly. "Sounds like a plan. And you can dish on Tom. I need some ammo, here."
Elsa grinned, inclining her head slightly. "I can do that. There's a story that involves DDR. It is not good. Well, the story is. The moment.. apparently was not."
Choking on a giggle Cass nodded. Lifting her hand in a half wave as she kept making her way down the carpet, she could only shake her head in a picture of dismay. The picture of Tom and DDR in her mind was proving to be spectacularly hilarious.
When her eyes noted the much less densely populated area near the building doors, the woman angled her way in that direction. She wouldn't wait up right against the barricade, Cassandra decided. These people were clearly only fans – there was no professional camera among them. Trying to interact with them when she had absolutely no reason to mean anything to them would have been beyond absurd.
Drawing to a halt near it, though, her eyes sought out Tom. It would be a few minutes more before he caught up, she thought. The wait shouldn't be too interminable.
"Excuse me," a quiet voice interrupted. "I'm sorry – excuse me!"
Looking up abruptly at the slightly imploring tone, Cass's gaze swept the carpet. No one was in her vicinity, never you mind blocked by her decision to remain still. Somewhat puzzled, her eyes turned to the barricade itself. A girl that seemed around the age of her junior students was looking at her.
Smoothing over her baffled expression, Cassie let a polite smile overtake her features. Taking half a step closer, she tilted her head to the side as she looked at the girl.
"Hello," she offered amiably. It lacked the easygoing charm that Tom had when he interacted with strangers, Cass lamented, but it was still at least, not stiff. "How can I help you?"
"I'm sorry," the red headed girl began again. "Wow. Um," she broke off, pushing her glasses more firmly up her nose. It was a gesture that Cassandra recognized from her own students as a nervous attempt to reorganize themselves.
"No, please," Cass entreated calmly, her voice softer and lower now. "It's alright. Please, I hope you aren't disappointed, but I don't think I'm the person you wanted."
"No!" It was a stronger tone this time. "No, no," she reassured after a moment. "It's not like that," she struggled again.
Letting herself settle more comfortably in her shoes, Cassandra braved the walk to come closer to the barricade. There was only a comfortable distance between them now, that of her personal space, instead of an unbridgeable chasm.
"I'm Cassandra," she offered, warmth trickling into her voice. It was her teacher's tone, Cass noted absently. She could rule a classroom with it, but she could also quietly convince her students to confide in her as well. "What's your name?"
"Julia," the red headed girl rushed out. "I'm Julia. Are you.. Would you.."
Cass tilted her head to the side, letting Julia sort out her words. When it seemed that the girl was having trouble managing what she would have liked to say, she took up the conversation again. "Julia is a beautiful name," she replied calmly. "It's wonderful to meet you, Julia."
The girl could only stare up at her with a flabbergasted expression. If she had less control of her own features, Cassie thought that it might have been a perfect match of her own. Instead, the American woman remained standing still, smiling kindly at the teenager.
"I've seen you," she managed to share after a moment. "Pictures. You're.." She paused, voice drawing off. "You're very nice."
That.. hadn't necessarily been what Cass was expecting. Tilting her head to the side, her smile broadened although was somewhat less certain than it had been before. "Thanks?" I think, Cassie added.
"No! No, no, oh gosh, I'm sorry," Julia stammered out after a moment. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that!"
Cassandra laughed, lifting a hand to quiet the apology. "It's alright," she demurred.
"But it's true!" The teenager pressed the sentiment genuinely. "You're really nice. It's nothing like what people are saying! They're wrong!"
Cass filed that information away for future processing. If she tried to now, she was relatively certain that she would be reduced to being tongue tied. Given the fact that she apparently had a reputation to demolish, she figured that wouldn't be the ideal state of affairs to fall back on.
"I'm glad I could surprise you then," she replied, still smiling. "I take it you're a fan of Tom's?"
Julia nodded vigorously.
After a moment, the teenager seemed to have thought of an idea, considered it and come to a conclusion. It all took a matter of seconds. A picture was thrust in her direction, along with a silver sharpie. Blinking at them both in confusion, Cass was about to ask if she wanted her to see if she could get Tom's autograph.
"Would you sign this?"
…That… had not been what she was expecting.
Apparently nothing was, actually. The confused look that the blonde was making clearly imparted something to Julia. The redheaded teenager began to stammer out another apology. It was one that Cassie rather promptly silenced by taking both the picture and the marker.
Signing a corner of it that had a dark background, she handed it back to the girl with a wry smile. "You can officially claim to have the first thing of mine that I've ever signed that wasn't a grade slip," she offered ruefully.
Julia stared at her. "You're a teacher?"
The semantics of having to answer that would have been too complicated. She just nodded, grinning at the stunned expression from the teenager. "I'm afraid that I am," she offered. "Try not to hold it against me, 'kay?"
Julia shook her head vehemently. "Never!"
Strange. Having one person on her side felt surprisingly good. Warmth blossomed in her heart. It lingered, even as the girl's face turned into something closer to stunned awe.
Feeling a warm arm wrap around her waist and the hand resting possessively over her hip, Cassandra leaned back wordlessly. Feeling Tom behind her, and the warmth of his figure, was gloriously reassuring. Meeting his eyes, she registered the rather puzzled expression he gave her.
"Tom," she remarked politely, "This is Julia."
A look at the teenager indicated that the redhead wasn't going to be capable of speaking.
"..And she would like it very much if you would sign her picture," Cass concluded.
Tom laughed, the characteristic chuckle warming Cassandra's heart. His arm slipped away from her skin as he reached out to take the photograph from Julia's limp fingers, the sharpie collected as well. Watching him sign it, she noted that he had written a note of thanks to the girl as well, above his signature.
Handing it back to the girl, he seemed unperturbed by the quiet. In a matter of seconds, Cass supposed they would have walked away from the girl, leaving her with the signed picture and memories.
"Wait!" They both looked at Julia, who was fumbling with her phone. "I'm sorry," she entreated as both Cass's and Tom's eyes settled on her. "But.. Could you.. Would you take a picture with me?"
Cass smiled at the teenager. "I can take it of you both, if you'd like."
Julia shook her head. "No.. Both of you?"
"Might be a touch tight," Tom replied easily. "Fairly sure we can manage it though!"
Turning so they were both pressed against the barrier, Cass found herself having to bend her knees to descend down to Julia's height. She couldn't have imagined what Tom had to do. Steadied by the metal at her back, she smiled as Tom's long arm brought the phone out, the sharp click indicating the camera function having performed its purpose.
Handing it back to her, Tom gave her a kind smile.
"Thank you!" Julia was nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"You are very welcome."
Cass smiled as well. "It was nice to meet you, Julia. Thank you for coming out."
Pressed further along the red carpet by Tom's arm as it settled warmly over her shoulders, Cassandra registered the comforting heat of his hand as his fingers rested on the bare skin. Leaning into the touch lightly, the blonde laughed ruefully.
"I can safely say that was not on the list of things I expected to do today."
Tom laughed, drawing her closer. Bending down, he pressed his lips against hers in a chaste kiss. Had it not been for the insistent press of his fingers she might have stumbled to a standstill, lost in the contact.
"Darling," he replied as they passed through the doors into the theater, "you amaze me."
Cassie chuckled, shaking her head slightly. Her eyes danced. "I did nothing," she objected. "You're the one who made that girl's day."
His fingers brushed gently over her collarbone. It was an intimate touch and one Cass hoped remained unseen by the cameras. Based on the fact that they were only just entering the building, she had hopes but no high expectations.
Tom's hand shifted to cradle the nape of her neck comfortingly. His thumb traced the edge of her hairline. "You're extraordinary, Cassie," he professed lowly, bright eyes intent on hers. She couldn't look away, wouldn't. Color rose to her cheeks.
"This is not fair," she professed. "Saying these things here?"
The intimate moment was not broken, though the sense of it lightened. He chuckled, hand dropping down to the small of her back again as he grinned. Cass smiled in return.
"Later, then," he replied, the intensity not having diminished from his tone. "I'll say them again later.. and over, and over, and over again."
Cassandra looped the arm closest to Tom around his waist as his free hand lifted to wave calmly at the people who were calling out his name. Cameras flashed again, and she couldn't help but laugh.
This was her life. It was absurd. And, Cassie thought, she was loving every moment of it.
A/N: Since I didn't have the opportunity to do so last chapter.. Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed both here and on Tumblr!
FanFicPhanatic2010, Theta-McBride, Jessica Marie Whitlock, NovaBacon, Torrid Venom, ZabuzasGirl, Lyssdom, optionaltoaster, Cillyme, CrissYami, Astra-The-Goddess, Compa16, Sandradee27, musicalfan4, Alexandra the Dreamer, bbofdifam & on tumblr, virharpan, Cadeviolet, hawkeyelovers, havingarennergasm, ceirarenner, bbofdifamily, ohitsevilbaby!
Julia is a cameo to picklevictory for being the first to find the quote from chapter 28. Sorry for making you wait so long for it!
Please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts and responses to the recent chapters.