chapter twenty one
have I got the wrong apartment?
Saturday 10th March 2018

Tom walked out of Olivia's ensuite, towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets ran down his skin, they glistened against the light in Olivia's bedroom, and created small shadows against his abs.

The mother still wasn't used to the sight of a bare-chested (almost god-like) man walk towards her in her bedroom. She didn't complain, however, as he started to rummage through his new draw and his towel slipped down his waist slowly. She watched with a smile, and stood up to walk towards him. Olivia pressed herself against his wet back, and looped her hands around his waist to readjust his towel.

She kissed his shoulder softly, then pressed her cheek against it to hug him. Tom began to blush, it was a rare feature on Tom's face, but this made him feel all sorts of jumbled emotions. He spun around in his girlfriends arms, and didn't hesitate to place his hands on her cheeks and leans down to kiss her. Not slowly, but passionately.

When he pulled away, Olivia breathed out softly. "What was that for?"

"We haven't had a moment to ourselves since you told me you loved me." He mumbled softly. Tom began to run his thumb along her plump lip, and he let his eyes wander there too. He yearned to have Olivia, all of her. He was greedy and selfish, he had the girlfriend, the children, the dog, the career, the money, the friends, but he lacked sexual needs. He wanted to toss everything aside and throw Olivia onto the bed so he could show her what she'd been missing all these years.

But when he looked back up to her eyes, her caring and kind hazel iris', the feeling went away. He no longer throbbed or yearned from lust, but from adoration. "I'm sorry," She mumbled. "The kids are a lot of work, I'm sure this isn't quite how you wanted this relationship to go."

Tom laughed, he thought she was joking. "This is more amazing than I could have ever imagined." He kissed her lightly. "I love you, Olivia. And I know this is all going really fast, so if you ever want me to back off, just let me know."

"I love you, too." She smiled. Olivia placed a kiss on his cheek after looping her arms around his neck. "And thank you." He leaned down with a smile and rubbed his nose lightly again her own. Olivia nearly melted, he was absolutely adorable.

"Right, I suppose I should get some clothes on. Would hate for your friend to turn up with me like this." As Olivia walked away from him, she looked him up and down seductively.

"As attractive as you are, I don't want any other woman looking at you looking like that." She winked as she stripped off her top and began looking through her wardrobe to replace it with. She ended up finding a soft, white jumper, and slipped it over her head.

"What's her name again, darling?" Tom asked as he slipped on some boxers, followed by a pair of jeans.

"Scarlett." Olivia smiled. "She's honestly lovely, and I know you'll both get on well." Tom nodded his head then began to use his towel to dry his hair. "I better go check the kids are ready, she'll be here in 5 minutes."

Tom quickly slipped on a loose t-shirt and socks, and made it into the kitchen 2 minutes after. Although he and Asher wished they hadn't, as Olivia had began to shout at Lyra for playing with her drink and getting squash all down her shirt.

"Mummy, I'm sorry!" She whined. "I didn't mean to, sometimes I get too excited."

"It's okay, Lyra. Thank you, I understand." Olivia sighed as she wiped the remains off the table. "I'm sorry for shouting at you."

At this exact, horrendous moment, the doorbell rang. "Oh my god, she's early." Olivia stressed. "Tom, can you please get the door? I need to change Lyra into some new clothes."

"Of course, Via." Tom smiled, before the woman rushed past him, he kissed her swiftly on the cheek. Asher ran to the living room and plopped himself on the floor to read one of the comic's Tom had brought him for his birthday. The actor, knowing what sort of path the MCU was taking, had subtly brought the boy comics that he knew would be relatable so that Asher could feel incredibly smart when watching everything.

Tom walked towards the door, Bobby was sleeping in Asher's room, so for once, he wasn't a problem. The door swung open and Tom had a welcoming smile on his face. However, when Olivia's friend became visible, he had no idea Scarlett would be his own friend, Scarlett Johansson.

His smile dropped, and Scarlett frowned slightly. "Tom? Don't get me wrong, lovely to see you, but have I got the wrong apartment?" Tom chuckled and scooped Scarlett into a long awaited hug.

"Not at all, Olivia is getting Lyra dressed." The man explained as they stood in a hug for a long time. "Oh my god, Scar, I can't believe you were the Scarlett Olivia was talking about."

"I should hope she doesn't know any other Scarlett's!" She joked as she stepped into the apartment and removed her shoes. The actress and friend were beyond confused. She felt incredibly guilty for herself to be so out of the loop not only with Tom, but also Olivia. "So, how the hell do you guys know each other?"

"Uh, well," He laughed and scratched his head. "We're actually together."

"What?" Scarlett's eyes widened. "You're joking. You and Olivia?"

"No, we seriously are together. Just over a month and a half." Tom explained.

"Oh my god, man! Congrats!" Scarlett exclaimed as she beamed at the man. "Olivia is such an amazing person, you're incredibly lucky. I can't believe out of everyone in the world, you chose her. What a small world." She laughed.

"Scarlett!" Lyra squealed as she ran round the corner, interrupting the adults conversation. Once she'd bounded up to the woman, Scarlett gathered her in her arms and started to spin her around.

"Lyra! There's my star, how're you?" The woman placed her down and let the young girl ramble about how her life had been since she'd seen the older woman. Scarlett was Lyra's roll model, someone she looked up to and wanted to grow to be when she got older. Scarlett Johansson had taught Lyra a lot of her own childhood acting techniques.

The older woman was dragged to the living room, where she sat with the two children as they all shared stories. Olivia went to follow them, before Tom caught her hand. "You're just as bad as Ash." He mumbled, as he took her other hand and pulled her in softly.

"Oh shut up." Olivia laughed, and rubbed her nose softly against his. Tom breathed out a laugh.

"It was a clever trick." Tom remarked.

"Thought the surprise would be nice for the both of you, anyway. I know you guys love each other and struggle to meet up." She shrugged her shoulders as if it was nothing, but all her boyfriend wanted to do was lift her and twirl her around for being so sweet and caring. It sent swirls and warmth and certainty through him.

"Oi, lovebirds." Scarlett called over her shoulder. At this, the children burst into fits of giggles and the couple walked over to the actors.

"Can I get you a cup of tea, scar?" Tom asked as Olivia submerged herself in pillows on the loveseat.

"Would love one thank you, 3 sugars please." She responded as Lyra showed her pictures on her mother's phone that the older woman had missed out on.

Asher jumped up to help, and he pulled the short stall over to the kettle, and watched as Tom filled it with water. "I shall let you have the honour." Tom smiled as he placed the kettle down, the younger boy grinned and hit the button to being the boiling cycle.

Meanwhile, Lyra was trying to contain her excitement for the following day. It was going to be Asher's laser tag birthday party.

"Yeah, Scarlett, don't be silly." Olivia smiled brightly. "Of course you can come, Lyra would love that as well, wouldn't you sweetie?" The young girl squeaked in excitement. "One of Asher's friends was sick today anyway, so they'll be a free spot for you to play."

"I would absolutely love that." The Black Widow actress beamed at her young friend, and grabbed her sides in an evil attempt to make her squeal and laugh - unsurprisingly, it worked. "With Tom be joining?"

"Of course, Scarlett!" Lyra said proudly. "Tom is nearly our dad, so he comes everywhere. I've always wanted a dad!" She exclaimed; Olivia squirmed slightly. She wanted her children to have Tom as their dad one day, but hearing it so soon didn't feel right.

"Honey, you know that he won't be your dad for a very long time." The mother tried her best to explain. The young girl just apologised, and they were saved by Scarlett's cup of tea, made by Asher himself!

Scarlett took the tea from the proud boy and took a quick sip. "Oh- Asher!" She exclaimed. "That is absolutely amazing - no! Perfect!"

Asher punched the air out of excitement, and ran back to the kitchen to get his mother's. "So Tom, I heard someone's going to dominate you tomorrow at laser tag?"

The man chuckled and rub the back of his neck. "The only person I would be happy to let dominate me, is Asher. The birthday boy must win." He winked. "Are you excited for press next month? I can't wait to get back to travelling."

"I'm more excited for everyone to be back together. Are you guys planning to go with Tom?" Scarlett asked, but neither had an answer. In fact, Olivia had been so selfish and blanketed in happiness that she had forgotten about the massive press tour to come. She had no idea what it would do to their relationship, and how they would make it work.

"Well, we haven't spoken about it. But it'll be the Easter holidays for the rugrats, so I would like to see if there's some sort of time for you guys to come too. I know the kids would love it." Tom answered, and the mother was surprised to hear that he wanted children to come on a press tour. She wasn't sure if she would want them too, they're stressful and exhausting.

"We'll figure something out." Was all Olivia could muster. It left Tom wondering if a family holiday was a step too far.

word count: 1807
note: I'm sorry it's been so long! I'm trying so hard to keep up the writing, I'm so glad that you're enjoying it <3