Hero
The time on set seems to have flown by and we are already in the final stages of this fantastic adventure!
We have finished filming and are saying goodbye to all the crew for the last time. Yes because the films are really over. There won't be another After.
Or will there, who knows?
Now we have to pack our bags and go back to our usual life.
This time, however, I will return home with her, or rather to her home in LA.
Yes, because we have been months apart and the pandemic shows no sign of stopping.
I absolutely do not want to risk being stuck in London for who knows how long, without being able to see her, again.
We are used to being away from each other for some time but it is starting to get tight.
We used to go even months without seeing each other but now something has changed.
Being in close contact, day and night, has given me a taste of what it might be like to live with her.
Don't get me wrong, with the work we do, being away from each other sometimes helps because it makes you get used to long periods of absence, so in our case, it's not a bad thing per se.
If I had to imagine being engaged to a girl who is always impatiently waiting for me at home, because she has a very normal job that doesn't take her constantly travelling the world, I would feel tremendous guilt towards her.
So instead it's much easier: we understand each other, we don't put limits on ourselves and we are each other's support.
We are a team! And Jo is first and foremost my best friend.
The love I feel for her is something that came suddenly and that I can't pretend not to see.
I watch her as she closes her suitcase and lets out a sigh.
When she turns to me, her eyes are glazed over and she tries hard not to let any tears fall. She looks up and smiles, biting her lip.
She is more and more beautiful. I don't know how this is possible, but it is!
"Come here!" I open my arms towards her and sit on the bed.
She nods without a word and joins me.
We embrace in silence, nothing more is needed.
"I'm happy, you know?" She whispers against my chest and a giggle escapes me.
"It doesn't look like much, actually!" I tease her and hear her giggle.
She rolls her glossy eyes at me as she bites her lip and a smile arises on her face.
"I don't like goodbyes, but I'm happy to go home with you!"
I hug her tighter, continuing to look at her.
"And we'll find a way to spend as much time as possible from now on, I promise!" I whisper, moving a wisp of hair away from her face.
She nods and snuggles into me.
I love this sense of belonging we have when we're together.
As much as I love my home, London and all the affections I have there, she is my true home.
I only feel complete when I am with her.
"Your mum won't be happy about this..." She says softly, almost to herself "She will hate me for taking her son away from her just before the Christmas holidays!"
"My mum adores you and you know it!" I tickle her and her laughter rumbles inside my chest.
"And I already told her about it anyway and she said she's proud of me!"
"Really?" Her eyes peer into mine attentive and amazed.
I nod and kiss her on the forehead.
"She said I'm head over heels in love with you and I have to do everything I feel to make you feel good!"
I love Martha. She's an amazing woman and now I have proof of that.
"She also said, though, that if I don't bring you home to her for dinner sometime, she'll never forgive me!" I smile and she giggles again.
"I wouldn't miss dinner at the Fiennes house!!!"
I can't stop smiling at her and enjoy the quiet of our room.
It's a mess outside, especially since we've finished filming.
The set has to be dismantled and everyone is already at work sim since this morning.
Just enough time to finish shooting our scenes last night and then the frenzy is on!
We are the last actors to leave, as always anyway, and we take our time as our flight doesn't leave until tonight at 6pm.
"What time is it?" Jo asks, pulling away from me slightly.
"Are you hungry?" I look at the watch on my wrist as she nods.
"Well it's 1.30pm, I'd say we can go for lunch!"
I stand up and take her by the hand.
She lets me guide her and together we reach the hotel canteen, for the last time!
It does indeed have a strange effect to know that we have finished shooting the scenes and that we will almost certainly no longer be working together on the same project.
It's a sweet and bitter feeling at the same time, also because I love working with Jo.
She is the epitome of dedication to work: organised, methodical, critical and full of ideas. I feel lucky to have worked with her for four films.
"Do you think there will be another one?" She asks me as we pick up our food at the self-service.
"Another one of what?"
"Another film... Another After!"
"Why would there be?" I look at her quizzically but I don't understand this question.
"I don't know, I have a feeling there's something they haven't told us yet. Don't you think so? Castille is often on the phone and is contrite when she answers."
I shrug "I have no idea. Besides, why not?"
"It depends on the script. I wouldn't want them to try hard to make money by stretching the film unnecessarily!"
She is thoughtful and looks past me to an indefinite point.
"It would be nice to work together again." I point out to her.
"Sure, but I'm not entirely convinced about this..."
"It won't necessarily happen, rest assured. Also because we shot all the most important scenes."
"Says the one who hadn't read the books?" She teases me and I smile starting to eat.
"Touché," I admit. The scenes we shot make sense, though we'll have to wait until the first screening to see what these last films will be like.
"Would you? Another film I mean..." She starts eating and looks at me attentively.
"Yeah, I think so... I like bringing Hardin to the screen, I'm fond of it now!"
She smiles but remains thoughtful.
"You? Wouldn't you like to continue being Tessa?" I ask, but I already know the answer. I read it in her eyes.
"Honestly? No. I think the story is finished and there is no need to expand it further. Sure, different choices could have been made over the years and in the various films, but I'm satisfied with how it turned out all in all."
She is always very analytical about her surroundings, especially when it comes to work.
I nod and understand her point of view.
"You're absolutely right, so I'd say our work adventure ends here!"
She sighs and looks at her plate lost in thought.
She is very melancholic these days as I try not to think that it is really all over.
"It was lucky to have that audition, to be chosen and to have met you!" I take her hand, trying to reassure her "It's this After for me: a chance to meet a great girl and have her in my life!"
She bites her lip, her eyes glazing over again.
"Are you going out of your way to make me cry?" She wipes her eyes and taps me on the shoulder.
I caress her cheek and give her a quick kiss.
I know she doesn't like public outpourings and I like to be reserved too when it comes to us.
The day proceeds between goodbyes and bags to be packed.
It seems as if time goes by too fast and maybe it does.
At 4 p.m. we are at the front door of the airport looking for the gate from which our flight will leave.
Together. We are going home together.
I take her hand and pull the cap on my head further down.
The masks on our faces fortunately help to hide us from prying eyes and in any case, there aren't many people in the airport. This damn epidemic is still far from being eradicated!
The Emirates lounge has always been my favourite, especially now that it is completely deserted! We can take off our glasses and caps, stay close and relaxed, without fear that someone might recognise us.
"Luckily it won't be a very long flight!" Jo jokes, taking some chips from the buffet table, reduced to a minimum to avoid contagion.
"No indeed, what's a 15h flight?" I shake my head.
"We'll have to find something to do!" She sighs.
I instinctively think of unchaste things, and she quickly blurts me out.
"Forget it!" She points her finger at me, bursting out laughing.
"What?" I raise my hands defensively "I didn't say anything! You're the one being mischievous, admit it!"
There is a moment of silence and then he bites his lip smiling.
She actually thought what I thought!!!
"Being with me is bad for you!" I joke "You're becoming a little pig!"
"Oh stop it! I've always been like this!" She shakes her head and sits down on a small armchair, next to me.
She passes her tongue seductively over her lips.
I look around and then at her, smiling.
"Here?" She asks surprised.
By now we understand each other without speaking. This is fantastic!
I burst out laughing with her.
I would never do anything in a public place. Our things are only ours.
She is only mine. I would hate for others to see us together in an intimate moment.
She shakes her head in amusement and joins me in the small armchair where I am sitting.
She says nothing but sits on my legs gently.
I instinctively run a hand around her hips and pull her close to me.
"Just kidding, you know that right?" I whisper to her.
She nods and moves closer to my ear "Can you be good for 15h at least?"
Hand on my heart "I swear to behave!"
She snuggles against me and I squeeze her tightly.
"Although it will be difficult..." I whisper.
She giggles and closes her eyes.
"You too."
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"They are coming home
They are coming home
Herophine are coming home!"
As Hero would say 😂
A Bonus Chapter for Christmas 😄
Happy holidays to all!!!
A hug
Vanessa
